Author's Note: Hello Everyone! Welcome back to the sequel in the series, Beacon's Hidden Academy. The latest installment and, if I say so myself, more awesome continuation of my first fanfic. I know it has been a while since Shadow Ops ended (Around Thanksgiving Weekend) but trust me, I am anything but rusty!

First, a few announcements. If you were not already aware, there is a side story of sorts that I will be publishing in junction with this main one. The story, Behind the Shadows: Stories Untold will follow along to this story but will be used to give in depth views of certain events happening in Beacon that I can't properly cover in this story (as well as lemons, the main story will only have partial scenes and fluff). Now, you do not need to read that extra story to understand this one, it simply may be a way to clue you in on an inside joke or more explicit coverage of something mentioned in this story.

Next, as of a week or so ago, I have decided to start a fanfic based of one of my favorite mangas, Fairy Tail. A stark change to this story, though retaining my generally more mature subject matter, will be a lighter and more wholehearted story with, hopefully, the fun and adventure that is Fairy Tail. If your interested because you like my writing or are a fan of the series, please check it out, let me know what you think.

It's titled Fairy's Guardian: Ascension. Rated M for safety more than anything. I don't know if this one will get gory at any point, and if it does it will be brief.

Now, I must also take the time to formally recognize and thank some individuals who gave me input, character ideas, and generally really good advice on this story. A most humble and gracious thanks to the following . . .

Lucariokid

Noobalisious

Yuvinile

Thanks and I hope to have your constant support and criticism.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY

Some could say he was born for it, that it would be an evitable part of his life . . . but for all the words of role and responsibility, Dante felt like he would never be ready for war. A part of him had always known, sensed the coming struggle, and knew the risks that would come with it. Maybe once upon a time he would have resigned himself to it, embraced the carnage and misery, let the other side run free. He'd been alone after all. To be betrayed by those he once called friends, watched as his closest friend was killed . . . and held the girl he'd loved as she said her last goodbye.

He would have welcomed war as a reprieve from his personal hell but now it could offer no such luxury. It could only bring more pain and loss, losses he knew he wouldn't be able to bare. Just the thought of losing those that he held dear made him clench his fists.

'Ignorance is bliss,' he thought as a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"Hey," Athena said gently beside him as she took his hand in hers. She could tell how he felt, she'd always be able to know.

He turned to look at her, the sight of her sapphire eyes soothing him as she gave him a soft squeeze. He didn't say a word, he didn't need to. He sighed softly as he leaned towards her until their foreheads were touching, both closing their eyes as they simply listened to the constant hum of the bullhead engine and each other's breathing.

After some time he noted the subtle change of bullheads path, tilting to the right with a slight dip meaning that they were coming in for a descent. He opened his eyes and looked out of the small window, a familiar horizon and the shadow of Beacon's tower coming into view. They waited as the bullhead's descent came to a stop, a sharp jolt marking the end of their brief flight.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for flying Air Beacon," Brick's voice came over the intercom as the bullhead loading door opened.

They both got up and started to pick up their luggage before heading out of the bullhead. Dante let his right hand fall to the hilt of his blade, the new sword strapped to the back of his waist still bringing mild discomfort. 'I'll get used to it soon enough,' he thought as he slung an additional bag over his shoulder.

"Ready?" Athena asked as she gave him a quick glance to which he nodded.

She then began to walk out with him close behind. As they got to the platform and gained some distance from the bullhead its engines started to roar again. He looked over his shoulder as the ship took off, heading to Vale city.

"Thanks Brick," he called knowing that there was no way he could have heard him.

"He didn't really have to come to the airfield just to get us," Athena commented beside him.

"Yeah but it was nice and he said he had to go do some pick-ups anyway," he replied as he shouldered his backpack.

The couple shifted their gaze to the academy before them, a cool breeze rushing past as the weather continued to cool. He could see some of the trees had changed their color as fall gave way to winter. He took a deep breath, savoring the crisp air.

"It's nice to be back," he sighed as he glanced to Athena.

"Yeah, it is," she agreed as she took his right hand, interlacing their fingers. "Whenever you're ready Dante."

He gave her a smile as they started to walk.

He groaned as he felt an uncomfortable heat pass over his closed eyes and cheeks. He moved his head ever so slightly as he opened one eye to reveal his source of discomfort. It was the sun, or more accurately, a small ray of sunshine passing through a nearly closed curtain. He sighed irritably at that but knew he couldn't ignore it and fall back asleep. The ray was too intense for it to be an early sign of morning meaning that he'd slept in. He sighed again as he rolled on his back and looked up at the ceiling, the unfamiliar tan paint and slowly spinning fan capturing his attention, if only for a little.

The room was simple. Tan paint covering all four walls and the room, a full sized bed beneath him. A dresser and vanity to his right all fashioned from an unidentified wood. A faint smell associated with carpets and perfumes wafting most of the clean room. It was quiet and peaceful, a sense of tranquility carrying within it in contrast to his mental state as of late.

'Must be nearly noon,' he thought to himself as he scratched his head, his second set of ears twitching from the contact. He then felt something tap his shoulder gently, the contact dragging lazily down to his elbow followed by a content sigh. He looked to his left, his eyes going over the small figure of the girl beside him. Her body was scantily clad in the bedsheet, just barely as the cloth covered up to her lower back. She was still asleep, a faint smile adorning her face with her auburn bangs tucked to one side of her face.

He rolled to his side as he propped his head up on his elbow, allowing him to watch the girl comfortably as she softly breathed, her small jackal ears atop her head twitching in a cute manner occasionally. He watched her for a few minutes, content to simply lay beside her a little longer, listening to the rhythm of her heart. Then he brought his hand up and softly trailed a finger over her left ear, earning a cute whimper as she squirmed from the contact. A few moments later her left eye opened, one strikingly amber, almost orange eye looking at him.

It took all of a second for her faint smile to grow as she slowly lifted her head up to look at him fully, his hand still caressing her left ear.

"Morning . . ." she chimed in a soft and sleepy voice. ". . . Wolfy."

"Morning," he returned with a small smirk as he removed his hand, instead moving it to tuck one finger under her chin. "I'm never getting you to stop calling me that, am I?"

"No~," she practically sang back as she scooched closer and nuzzled into the crook of his neck leaving only her auburn hair and jackal ears in view.

He smiled to himself as he looked at her ears, an idea coming to mind. He looked at her left ear for a moment before he leaned closer and softly nipped at it. She almost squeaked at that, her ears twitching madly as he nipped it again, this time with a little more force and a slight tug. A mix of a whimper and a moan escaped her lips as she pulled back to look him in the face.

"No fair," she almost whined as she pouted at him. "If you get to bite mine then I get to do the same."

"Nope," he quipped back, smiling as her pout grew. "Missed your chance."

"Oh really?" she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

She then tried her best to reach for his ears but he simply ducked his head out of the way. She tried in vain to catch his ears, at one point even trying to grab his head and drag him closer so her mouth could reach but he intercepted her hands, instead ending up on top of her with her hands held at her sides. Any other time he would have found the prospect of having his face pulled towards her chest and generous breasts as a delight but for now decided on playing this game with her.

"You cheat . . . you know exactly what biting ears like that does," she said.

"I know," he replied with his usual smirk.

She stared back at him for a few moments before she looked down at the space between them, a tinge of red marking her cheeks as her eyes came back up.

"I think we should get dressed," she said as her eyes threatened to descend once again.

". . . Right," he replied, just then remembering that he was naked as well.

He let go of her hands and sat up, allowing for her to climb out of the bed and walk to her closet in search of clothes. She glanced back at him for a moment before reaching into a drawer and pulling out some underwear.

"Are you just going to stare or get dressed as well?" she said in a teasing voice, intentionally making a showy display of her hips as she pulled up her pink panties.

"Not with a view like this," he replied easily as he laid back down on his side.

She scoffed at that as she then put on a large orange shirt and turned to face him with her arms crossed.

"Well, I won't make you anything until you get dressed."

"Threatening to leave me hungry? You're cruel, Luna," he jested back as he moved to the side of the bed and reached for his jeans.

She didn't reply, instead giving him her own smirk as she left the room. He listened to her steps, knowing that she'd gone straight to the kitchen for some morning coffee. Well, brunch coffee was more like it and even then it was still pushing it. Now alone, he looked down at his feet, shaking the last of his drowsiness away before he looked to a clock mounted on the far wall. It read 12: 33. 'Today's . . . Sunday. Then it means they'll be back today. When were they scheduled to arrive again?' He couldn't remember but he knew that he shouldn't be here, not now at least.

'A week of searching and nothing . . . no marks, no messages. Just a leadless chase and more coffee than I should be drinking,' he berated himself as he stood up and buttoned his jeans before reaching for his white buttoned shirt. As soon as he was dressed he walked out of Luna's room, making his way down the short hallway and turning to see her leaning against a counter while a kettle of water boiled. She stood patiently, waiting for the water to reach the right temperature before she slowly and with practiced hands, poured the steaming liquid over freshly grounded coffee grains.

Soon a delicious aroma reached his nose, bringing him closer to her as if in a trance. He stopped once he stood directly behind her, slowly lacing his arms around her waist as he inhaled her scent mixed with the coffee. Unlike the dark roast she was making for them now, her hair smelled like a softer blend of vanilla and light roasted coffee. The scented enticed him to the point that he lowered his face to the back of her neck, gently nudging her hair out of the way before he kissed the back of her neck.

She didn't give any obvious response, instead focusing on her task at hand but that only made him try that much harder. His kiss turned into a chaste bite, this time eliciting the softest moan from her as she pushed her body against him. His hands started to roam the surface of her body, one running down her hip while the other traced up her smooth stomach.

"Are you always this . . . energetic in the mornings?" she asked in a heavy voice as she looked at him over her shoulder, a satisfying redness covering her cheeks.

"I can be," he replied as he moved for another bite but this time Luna brought up one hand to stop him as she turned.

"Makes me wonder if it's the coffee or me that gets you like this," she said in a teasing tone. "How do you like it?"

"You know that answer," he returned as he stepped back and leaned against a counter.

"That I do. The perks of working in a coffee shop," she continued as she poured one steaming mug and handed to him. "Black, full strength, and straight from the pot."

"Thank you," he said as he accepted the cup and inhaled the rich scent before taking a sip. He sighed contently as the warm liquid traveled down his throat.

Luna smiled at him as she sipped from her own cup. They stood in content silence for a time, simply enjoying the fresh coffee. After he finished his cup he set it down in the sink and was about to wash the mug but then Luna stopped.

"Don't worry about it, I'll get it later," she said as she set her mug down.

"Ok," he replied as he turned to her. He was getting ready to excuse himself but she beat him to it.

"You need to get going right?" she asked with a knowing smile.

He nodded, a faint smile adorning his face. Unlike some girls he'd met, Luna was not one for beating around the bush. It may have been a passionate night but both were aware that it hadn't meant anything more. A mutual desire and benefit, a need to relieve stress.

"Ah hunters," she said with a sigh. "Always so busy . . . well, better get going or you'll be late for whatever it is."

"Thank you," he said as he turned and made his way to her door.

Just before he stepped out she called out, "Hey."

He turned to look at her, his blue eyes locking onto her amber ones.

"I'll be seeing you around right?" she said.

He smirked as he replied, "Of course Luna. How could I possibly last without your coffee?"

"Isn't that true," she retorted with a grin. "Catch you later, Lucian . . ."

"297… 298… 299… 300…" he counted from his push-up position.

He took a deep breath and slow exhale before he got to his feet, a light sheen of sweat covering his body. He looked up, the noon sun already nearing its peak of the day.

"Looks like I should get heading back," he mumbled to himself as he looked at his gear packed up near the river.

For the whole week he'd been there, training alone. His shoulders ached and he seriously wanted a decent bath but that would have to wait until he made it back to the academy. He walked over to the river's edge, looking at his reflection for a few minutes. There he saw those tired, maple colored eyes looking back at him, belonging to a body riddled with scars of every sort. A testament to his hard won victories, to the skill of the opponents he'd faced . . . and a reminder of his greatest failure.

He couldn't help but clench his hands as he closed his eyes and took measured breathes, attempting to relax. After a few moments he succeeded enough to open his eyes and then walk over to his things. He fished out a simple grey shirt to put on, then turned in the direction of the academy. He took a few steps before his walk turned into a run, the landscape quickly passing by.

He wondered how everyone else had been doing for the week, hopefully none thinking that something had happened to him. He hadn't exactly told anyone aside from Thantos that he would be training for the whole week. 'Oh well . . . we are on break so it's not like they would have needed us for anything,' he mused as he bounded past a fallen tree. But then again, as a Slayer it would be highly likely that something would come up in need of their attention.

He sighed tiredly at thought, hoping to get some proper rest once he got to his dorm rather than prepare for something tedious. 'The fox is coming home… I wonder if those 2 are back yet . . .'

A fresh breeze rolled past, heavy with the scent of the sea making her cover her sensitive nose. 'Ugh . . . fish and I don't know what else,' she thought as she looked around the dock before turning to the ship she'd just gotten off. 'Why couldn't we just take a damn airship like normal?' she wondered as she scanned over the groups of people leaving the ship. She didn't spot anyone from her team so she turned to face the city just past the dock.

There stood Vale City, the namesake of the kingdom and home to the kingdom's top academy, Beacon. She'd heard a great deal about the academy during her own training and as a huntress. An academy that was exalted as a prime supplier of top class hunters and huntresses but more importantly, one of the academies directly implementing the 'Slayer' program. Today she would meet her peers, some of whom were rumored to be some of the strongest initiates to ever partake in the program.

Just the thought of meeting these individuals made her feel giddy, her legs itching to get moving already. She was so entrenched in her thoughts that she didn't notice someone get close to her until she felt a tap on the shoulder. She slightly jumped as she looked over her shoulder, a pair of sharp, dark green eyes looking back at her. The woman's hair was charcoal black with white hair, the wavy strands falling short of reaching her shoulders.

"What's up with you Sin?" the woman with green eyes asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, hey Orelia," Sin replied. Her proper name was Sindria but her team tended to just call her Sin. "Just thinking about getting to Beacon already."

"And why would that be?" Orelia continued. "Is it because of the rumors?"

Sindria glanced around for a moment before nodding shyly.

"Can't say I blame you," Orelia sighed before giving her a smile. "My only question is what you are planning on doing once you see them again."

"Who knows, it's been years after all," she replied as she looked towards the distance with a small, bittersweet smile.

"Aww, don't make such a face," Orelia teased as one of her hands reached for one of the horns topping Sindria's head but she swatted it away.

"Don't go pulling on my horns in public," Sindria snapped at Orelia with a glare. She didn't like for people to grab onto her horns in general but absolutely wouldn't tolerate it in public.

"Fine, just messing with you," Orelia said as she raised a hand in surrender even as she smirked.

Sindria kept her eyes on her team leader, knowing that she had to be planning something. 'Maybe a return threat would be enough to keep her in check,' she pondered.

"How would you like it if I went and pulled one of your feathers?" she threatened making Orelia give her a sharp glare, her pupils narrowing into slits.

"Only if you're willing to deal with the consequences," she said in a low tone.

They kept their stare for a few seconds before both returned their attention to the city. It was 30 minutes past noon and they were supposed to be at the academy by 1:30 at the latest.

After a few minutes Sindria glanced to Orelia before speaking. "Where are Ru and Solair?"

"Solair is still seasick," Orelia chuckled out. "Ru said she'll get her here in a few."

"So then we wait for a taxi to take us to the academy or do we need to board one of the transport ships in the city?" Sindria asked.

"They should be sending someone to pick us up," Orelia answered. "I'll go see what's keeping those two."

She then turned and walked away while Sindria kept her eyes trained onto the city and the overhead cliffs, a single dark tower breaching the horizon. 'Beacon . . . are they really here? The Demon and the Queen . . .'

He sat alone in a secluded corner of a bar, lazily stirring his drink in hand. He subtly glanced to his sides, noting anyone coming in and out of the rundown hovel. The tavern like building was mostly empty now, a few guests to their own tables digging into cheap meat and stale beer. 'So even Vale can have rundown stop like this . . . I guess all cities are the same when you get down to it.' He downed the last of his drink before waving down the bartender and getting another round.

"Did you get into a fight or something?" the bartender commented as he poured the drink, his eyes glancing over his arms distastefully.

He gave the man a drunken grin before speaking. "N-no . . . worries . . ." He wasn't feeling like explaining why his arms were covered in an array of cuts, some still showing signs of recently bleeding.

The bartender didn't look impressed but just grunted as he walked down the bar to serve someone else. While that went on the man noticed someone new enter the bar, his face hidden under a hood. He watched as the hooded figure made his way to a table with one other occupant. The man sitting at the table, his chestnut colored hair spilling around his head in wild form, didn't look the slightest bit surprised as the hooded figure sat at the table across from him, finally pulling his hood down.

'Bingo,' he thought as he took in the appearance of the hooded figure, a notable scar shaped like an 'S' on his left cheek. The two men, one dressed in a simple white shirt and worn jeans while the man with the scar had long, blonde hair, his black hood and equally dark jeans. He turned his attention back to the bar, or more specifically, the mirror placed on the opposite wall, and watched as both spoke in hushed tones but manage to get a few sentences by reading their lips.

" . . . Olric disappeared and his brother is furious . . ." the man with the scar mumbled.

"You think some other crew did him in?" the other man asked.

"Maybe . . . but who would be so stupid?"

" . . . Could it be Torchwick?"

The blonde one nearly jumped at that, his eyes darting around before he leaned closer to the scarred man.

"Are you an idiot? Even if he'd done it, messing with him means messing with her. No one wants to get in those sights," the blonde said as he took a drink of the beer in front of him.

"Who else could have taken Olric down?" the scarred man asked.

The blonde looked around nervously before speaking. "Not here . . . let's go somewhere quieter."

With that both men got up and began to walk out of the bar. He watched them step out before downing the rest of his drink, placing down some lien, and following after them. He kept a sparse distance, every now and then ducking into adjacent allies to make sure they wouldn't spot him if they happened to look back. He tracked the duo to an abandoned sector of town. They stopped inside what looked like a broken down warehouse, part of the roof having a large hole in it.

The men disappeared once they stepped into a set of rusted down iron doors. He moved closer to the building before glancing up and deciding that the roof opening was his ticket in. He made quick work of scaling the two-story building and pulling himself up to the hole. He glanced inside, spotting the 2 men as they spoke beside a crate. He entered the building and quietly lowered himself to one of the support beams holding up the rest of the roof. He maneuvered himself until he was perched directly over the men.

He counted to 3 before he hopped off his perch, landing behind the blonde. Before the blonde could react he lashed out with a swift punch, nailing him in the back of the head. Taking advantage of the momentary stun, he tripped up the blonde before rushing to the scarred man. He avoided a slash from the scarred man who'd pulled out a knife before he delivered a kick to his gut, winding his attacker. He was about to follow up with an uppercut but the blonde had regained his footing and grabbed the back of his arm.

'Wrong move,' he thought as the blonde screamed in pain while releasing his hold, his hands and part of his forearms looking like someone had stabbed them. He didn't give the man a break as he wheeled around and delivered a kick to his knee, the sound of bone snapping accompanying the attack. The blonde fell to the ground, clutching onto his knee in agony while his friend looked on in horror.

"Oops," he muttered as he looked at the brunette man. "Sorry, just don't want you going anywhere is all."

"Who the hell are you?" the brunette screamed but instead of answering he simply rushed forward, nailing the man in the chest and knocking him down before planting his foot on his chest to keep him down.

"Just someone wanting a little info," he answered as he glowered down at the brunette. "And I know who you are, Oslo Raider. Wanted for several accounts of murder, gang affiliation, and small scale arson."

He then turned to look at the blonde man, still lying on the ground with his broken knee. "Gill Ester, another wanted man. Petty criminal, several warrants for attempted homicide, robbery, and known ties to local gangs."

"And what do you want?" Oslo asked in a nearly quivering voice.

"How do I find Ronen Olric?" he asked.

Oslo's eyes widened in fear as he started to sweat. "Are you crazy!? He'll kill us!"

"We'll do worse than him, honey," a female voiced from above them.

All three pairs of eyes looked up to see a woman dressed in blue skirt and light red shirt hopped down from the opening in the roof. She landed neatly beside them, her pink hair with dark blue tips billowing around her. She then stood up and looked at them with odd eyes, the inner irises being pink while the outer edges took a blue hue.

"Hey Zack, you know that we're supposed to be at Beacon right now," she said in a light voice.

"I know, Rayne," Zack replied as he looked at Oslo. "But I felt like this would be a better use of my time."

"She's going to be mad," Rayne chimed as she practically skipped to his side while glancing at the quiet Gill.

"Let her get angry, all she can do is give me headaches anyway," he replied as he glowered down at Oslo. "Now, answer my question. How do I get ahold of Olric?"

"W-we don't k-know," Oslo stuttered out. "We're just some g-grunts."

Zack sighed in irritation as he glanced to Rayne before shifting his gaze to Gill. "Hey Rayne, you feel like playing with him?"

Rayne gave him a sly grin as she stalked closer to Gill, the latter beginning to practically quiver in fear. Rayne then leisurely stuck one hand up, pointing her index finger up. Gill suddenly lurched up onto his knees with trembling eyes.

"He doesn't have an unlocked aura though, what a pity. They're tougher when they do," Rayne whined as she started to slowly twirl her finger.

As she did that Gill's head started to turn to the side, his eyes widening in more alarm as he grunted. Then Rayne opened her hand and started to raise it while twisting. Following her hand motion Gill's head started to lift, as if being pulled by an unknown force. Gill soon started to scream in protest as tears began to appear along his neck, the sound of muscles being torn soon following. In one smooth motion Rayne jerked her hand up, Gill's head mimicking the move to perform a crude decapitation with one final scream.

His body then fell back whilst still twitching, his head remaining in suspended in the air with his terrified expression left on it. 'She took longer than necessary,' Zack thought as he glanced down to Oslo. He was looking at the floating head of his companion, his face showing his disgust and horror.

"Hey Zack," Rayne called as she looked at him while maintaining the head. "You want me to do the same to him?"

"No!" Oslo screamed as he tried to push Zack's foot off his chest. "Keep her away from me."

"Tell me what I want to know and I will," he replied.

"I don't know the specifics but Ronen has some of his goons hang around a club in downtown Vale," Oslo said with his eyes darting between him and Rayne.

"What's the name?" he asked.

"The Club. That's it, I swear," Oslo said in a pleading voice.

Zack stared at him for a seconds before he glanced to Rayne. She was playing with the head, making it do somersaults. 'That'll do for now,' he thought as he turned his attention to his index finger. He then brought it closer and bit down on the end, just hard enough to break the skin and draw blood.

He pulled his finger out and watched as the end bled before he looked to a confused Oslo. Without warning, he brought his hand down and stabbed his index finger into the flesh just beside Oslo's collarbone, earning a pained cry. He kept his finger in for a few seconds before he pulled it out, leaving a small hole near Oslo's neck.

"Ooh, you're using that!" Rayne said excitedly beside him as she let the severed head fall to the ground.

"What? What did you do!?" Oslo asked in a panic as Zack removed his foot and started to walk away.

Rayne soon joined his side as they moved, listening to Oslo as he began panting and grunting in pain. They made it to the iron doors before Oslo let out a scream followed by what sounded like an over pumped balloon popping. Well, a balloon full of muscle and bone anyways.

"And you say I'm messy," Rayne commented in a teasing fashion as she skipped in front of him.

"Whatever . . ." he returned as he looked up at the noon sky. "Let's just get there already . . ."

Author's Rant: The first looks of this epic tale! Many new faces, new paths, new adventure! I hope you all enjoyed and hope to see you again soon!

A pleasure, Jbubu