CRWN: An Alternate RWBY Story

When the airship had landed at Beacon Academy, the young Huntsmen and Huntresses to be gathered their belongings and walked off the airship. Excitement was palpable as they looked around the sprawling courtyard. Each and every one of them there for a reason and a purpose. Some weren't exactly perfectly noble, but they had their reasons. Out of all the new students their were two that stood out from the rest.

Ruby Rose was a prodigy in the making. She gained entrance to Beacon at only 15, making her the youngest person to ever attend the most prestigious hunting academy in the world. She wore a black corset and a black combat skirt, with black leggings and black combat boots. Her black hair was down to her shoulders, tipped with red highlights. Her sliver eyes shined with curiosity and hope for the future. The only article of clothing on her was her red cloak, given to her when she was 10 by her foster father. It flowed down and fluttered in the wind, as she looked around for the person she arrived with.

"Come on! We'll be late at this rate!" Ruby yelled out at the airship

"Alright, alright! I'm coming, just keep your cloak on!" a deeper voice yelled out from the ship

Out walked a man who wore as much black, if not more, than the young huntress.

Charlie Mercury had on what he called "more practical" clothing than his younger sister. He wore a black t-shirt with white text on it, a black leather jacket he got from his grandfather, black jeans and a pair of black sneakers. His black hair was about as long as Ruby's, except without the red highlights. His eye color was a more subdued brown, which at the moment shined a more golden hue as the sunlight beamed down on the students of Beacon.

"So now that we're here? Got any clue as to where we're suppose to go?" Charlie asked as he looked around for a sense of direction.

"Nope..." Ruby responded, popping the "p" at the her sentence.

"Alright, I suggest we split up and ask around. Shoot a message if you figure anything out." Charlie said as he pulled out his scroll, pointing it at his younger sister as he walked off.

"Wait! Where are you going?!" the redhead yelled after her brother. Noticing that he probably wouldn't respond even if she did hear him, she sighed and turned around to find some direction only to bump into one of the other students and spilling their luggage all over the courtyard.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" the teen yelled, clearly fuming

"I'm so sorry! Let me help!" Ruby pleaded, fumbling with the luggage before having it ripped from her hands.

"You've done enough to help! Do you even know what's in here? This is Dust, pure, concentrated energy." she shouted

"Well, I'm Ruby. What's your name?"

"Weiss Schnee. Now that we've met, let's never talk again." Weiss said coldly, as she grabbed her luggage and walked off

"Wait, do you at least know where we're suppose to go?" Ruby's shout went unheard for the second time that day. Making no progress, she went off in a different direction.

Charlie's POV

"Okay, who to ask. Who to ask?" the man in black pondered, scanning around the courtyard looking for somebody who might know where they were suppose to go.

"Sweet mother of Oum, it's hot out here. Good thing I came with layers." Charlie said taking of his jacket and putting it in the bag he had slung over his shoulder. The shirt he had on underneath wasn't anything spectacular, as it read one thing on the chest…

BÁLOR CLUB: now and fOreVER

He was sure that somebody would ask about his shirt at some point, just as everybody else who saw it did. Putting that thought aside, he noticed someone nearby a tree reading a book.

She looks like a student, maybe she'll know where we're suppose to go Charlie pondered to himself. He walked over to the girl under the tree and sat right next to her. Glancing over her shoulder, he quickly scanned the page and tapped her shoulder making the girl jump.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I'm Charlie Mercury, and my sister and I are trying to figure out where we're suppose to go for the opening ceremony. What's your name?" he asked, extending his hand.

"Blake Belladonna." Blake said simply, shaking his hand before going back to the book before her.

"Blake, huh? That's a nice name. Way better than mine. Would you happen to know where the opening ceremony is being held by any chance?" Charlie asked

"Go to the main courtyard and go to the big building past the fountain. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go back to my book." Blake said dryly as she went back to reading

Charlie couldn't help but notice what the girl next to him was wearing. She was wearing a white and black blouse, black leggings like Ruby's, and black high heels. Another thing she couldn't help but notice was the black bow atop her black head of hair. Upon a bit of closer inspection, he noticed the bow twitching every now and again. Why is that bow twitching? Charlie couldn't help but wonder, but figured he was just seeing things.

"So, what'cha reading?" Charlie asked as he looked at the book's cover

"Don't you have a sister to find" Blake responded, her tone still as dry as before

"You wound me, you really do." Charlie responded sarcastically, feigning hurt. "I suppose you're right though, I should go find her. Thanks for the directions. Maybe we'll see each other around" he waved at Blake as he made his way to the main courtyard. "Hey, I found directions to the ceremony. Meet me in the central courtyard" the message he sent to Ruby read as a confirmation message was received moments later.

Beacon Academy Dorm Hall – Late Evening

After the ceremony had concluded, the first year students were sent to the dorms where they'd be staying before forming their teams and receiving proper dorms afterwards. Students had their sleeping bags sprawled across the floor as some others had their belonging lined against the walls. Charlie and Ruby had their bags in the middle of the floor, awaiting the next day where they'd be launched into initiation and they were chatting up a storm.

"So, what are the odds we're on the same team?" Ruby asked as Charlie sat polishing his weapon.

Charlie's weapon was just like he was, different. It was a sword with a thin, yet sturdy blade and it came with a secret that not many knew. With a press of the button on the hilt of the sword, the handle extended and the blade curved to form a scythe. While Ruby's weapon was similar to Charlie's, being a high-caliber sniper-scythe. Although the weapons were similar, their names couldn't have been more different. Charlie's sword-scythe was named Omen, while Ruby's was named Crescent Rose. She didn't know why the name fit so well, but she liked it and stuck with it.

"I'd say they'd be pretty good, but we never know what'll happen. You should be prepared in case we're not teammates. I'm not going to be around forever, ya know?" Charlie replied in a casual way.

"I know but-" Ruby said before being cut off

"Hold that thought, there's someone I have to talk. Watch our stuff, don't need anybody stealing our shit." Charlie said before giving a small salute to Ruby to which she returned.

Walking over to the door, he walked found his way to the roof of Beacon Academy. He liked being out of the spotlight and away from crowds. Places where he could look out at the world below were his favorite places to be. Scanning the area before reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a golden box and put it to his mouth. Clicking a button and inhaling, the box lit up a vivid purple and he exhaled a cloud of vapor. It wasn't something he was particularly proud of, and he did it away from Ruby so she wouldn't get any ideas. Looking out into the skyline, he saw the city below and how it was always so busy.

"You know that not really healthy right?"

Turning his head in the direction of the voice, he saw Blake leaning on the door where he came in. Turning around he addressed the new person on the roof with him.

"Hey, I'm over the age and it's better than pulling out a pack of cigs isn't it?" Charlie's only rebuttal only got a simple shrug out of Blake, who walked over and joined him by the railing of the outer balcony.

"So, what are your plans for initiation?" Blake asked simply to which she got a similar shrug from the man standing next to her

"No clue, complete my objective and figure the rest out from there. Not much I can do without knowing what exactly we're suppose to do. What about you?" Charlie asked

"Same thing, we don't know what the goal is. It's better to plan with all needed information then going without a plan at all." Blake said

"They always do say geniuses think alike, but I wouldn't peg myself for a genius as I'm sure you wouldn't either. Personally, I hope that we end up being partners. You seem like a cool enough person. Not much for conversation, though huh?" Charlie asked, wanting to know why the raven haired huntress was so quiet.

"I think that would be nice, you seem like a collected enough individual. Unlike those meatheads in there." Blake motioning to the hall where the rest of the students were

"Speaking of initiation, we should probably get some sleep. Don't need to be tired come tomorrow. After you." Charlie said as they both walked to the door, holding it open.

"My, my. Someone's a gentleman." Blake quipped as they both walked back to the hall. Both hunters curious as to how tomorrow would go, what would happen, and other things of the like. When they both returned, Charlie noticed Ruby arguing with a white haired teen. Something about spilling dust in the courtyard. After stepping in, he deduced that he was speaking to Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. After the whole exchange, they all went to sleep. Each of them with a similar thought as they all drifted off to sleep.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring Ruby thought

I hope I'm not paired with that dolt Weiss thought

I hope that Blake and I are partners Charlie thought

That Charlie guy seems pretty interesting, this is going to be something Blake thought

End of Chapter 1