1 Chapter 1, The Dragon And The Rose

The sun's rays shine through the curtains focusing on a masculine figure in the bed, there were a pair of circular stumps sticking out from under blankets. He turned in his bed, the sunlight revealing his dark skin tone and his short black hair. The boy's eyes squinted halfway before fully opening, revealing the blackness instead of the normal whiteness of his sclera, one of his faunus trait. His eyes were like this since birth, he adopted it from his father. The whites of his eyes were replaced with black, his irises were orange and lacked pupils, just two glowing orange orbs floating in darkness. The faunus trait made it harder for him to make friends or even socializing with anybody in Signal.

These were the unique features of Desmond Royal.

People would call him 'Ghoul Eyes' because of the similarities. Yang Xiao Long, his old crush, started this trend, she held more popularity, so of course, people went along with it. Some good did come out of not having friends, his grades excelled, he passed every class and he was an overall good student. But other teens still considered him as...freaky.

Desmond's father was known to be skilled and powerful Huntsman due to his bizarre semblance.

Isaac Royal, strangely wielded a semblance that could generate and manipulate the power of fire. Also he was able to change the color between orange, blue, and red. Orange seemed to be just regular fire, he could summon it to his palm or from any part of his body to discharge it or empower his attacks. Desmond wasn't aware of the abilities that the other colors could do.

Desmond never really showed off his semblance since he barely had control over it. The power to control fire is strong and destructive. Isaac would teach him simpler ways to use it without losing control. He'd also shown him how to use his heavy blade, Draco. Draco isn't a mech shift weapon it lacked a second form and gun mode, the blade was far from normal though, if you can call a sword blasting fire dust at enemies normal. Desmond used fire dust to create Draco's illuminating blade, which explained the reddish-orange glow it produced. Desmond carried the Draco's crossguard since the blade could be materialize by itself.

Desmond was 16 when his father died leaving him with the house that stood in the middle of the island of patch. The house walls was built with woods and had five rooms, a living room with velvet red couches in front of a tv, the kitchen was fairly stylish, his father's room was two doors down from his. Isaac built the foundation from bottom to top. What gave the house it's unique edge was the small wooden dragon statue built on the roof, Isaac thought it was sentimental, an ornament that defines their family.

They were dragon Faunus, the rarest species of Faunus in Remnant. At least that's what his father said, Desmond never saw another dragon. They seem more extinct than rare.

"Morning, Drake. Time to get up." Desmond moved his knee to wake the feline curled up on it. The cat's black fur stood up and his mismatched eyes, left one red and right one blue, glanced at the teen's before purring softly. Desmond sat over the edge of the bed still in his Pj's. Desmond stood up and walked to his mirror, his draconic tail swaying side to side. The tail was black and had a line of orange spikes going down to the tip, which had a sharp end that resembled a dagger's tip, good enough for stabbing. The dragon looks in the mirror and sighed heavily.

"Okay, Desmond. Today is the day you come out of your shell." He began to comb his hair. "Beacon is the place for new beginnings and friends."

Drake pats his paw on Desmond's leg demanding for attention.

"No one's gonna know your nickname nor are they going to see your eyes." Desmond glanced at the black shades in the drawer. "All you have to do is wear them for the rest of your years at Beacon and you'll be free from racist idiots who love to run their mouths."

The cat softly bites his leg while wiggling around. Desmond lightly kicked him away to continue his pep talk.

"They can't shoot without any ammunition." Desmond remembered the stumps on his head, where his horns were still growing in. Dragon traits don't grow in instantaneously since birth, like other faunus. There was a period of time where dragon faunus had to wait to gain their extra appendages. Desmond understood how impossible it was to have more than one faunus trait but somehow he did. "How am I going to hide these things?" The dragon looked around for a hat.

Drake was now on his hind legs swatting at Desmond's ankle. His tail pushes him away.

"All you have to do is complete missions, pass your classes,don't die, and get along with your team."

The cat meows loudly.

"Then probably get a girlfrie-Eek!" Desmond dropped the comb as he felt a pair of sharp fangs digging deeper into his leg.

"Drake! What the hell do you want?"

Drake nudges the alarm clock near his feet, alerting him of the time. Desmond jumped in a panic seeing that it was 12:30 pm, the bullhead leaves at 12:55. Without hesitation, Desmond rushes over Drake earning a hiss from the feline. Drake growled as if asking why he done that.

"Don't give me that shit! I told you to wake me at 11:30." Desmond borrows through his closet pulling out his suitcase and bags. The teen yanks out an outfit from his drawer.

Desmond Royal

After gathering his belongings, Desmond went out to the back yard to say his goodbyes. Two Gravestone stood before the dragon boy, with the names of his parents engraved on them.

"Hey, mom...Sup Dad." Desmond forces a smile on his face. "Guess this is goodbye huh? I finally made it into Beacon. Thanks to everything you taught me." Desmond chuckled as he looked down at the gravestones proudly. He imagines his parents were doing the same, his mother smiling at him, always bringing joy to his day. His father feeling a strong sense of pride for his son's ascension to Beacon.

"I want you two to know. That you mean the world to me and even though I'm not the strongest. I will do everything in my power to make you proud of me." Desmond clenches his fist tightly fighting off the tears."I won't let you down."

Drake looked up at Desmond and rubbed against his leg."Hey buddy, I'll come back and visit alright? You can make your own food, I know you can." Drake is a smart cat, he's capable of taking care of himself and protecting the house. Somehow he's able to open cans of food...how did his father teach him that.

The black cat meows then hops away upstairs. Desmond took a deep breath. "This year is going to be-"

Scene Change to bullhead...

'Horrible.' Desmond thought while his composure remained decent. 'Holy shit look at the competition! Are these even students?.' Desmond straightens his shades, examining the students around him, some of their weapons had more mass then him.

Suddenly an old man spilled some of his coffee on Desmond's shirt, earning a growl from him.

"What the hell dude?!" Desmond scowled.

"Terribly sorry," the silver haired man analyzed the young dragon from head to toe, the man's gaze was inquisitive which creeped Desmond out, he assumed the old man was a predator on the hunt. "Are you suppose to be attending my-"

"Just forget it dude, I want to be as far away from you as I can. Desmond rolled his eyes. "I'm getting a strange vibe from you and I think it involves me being locked in basement. Have a inevitably short life. The bullhead came to a stop, informing the passengers they arrived at the destination.

"Next time use those damn glasses to actually see where you're going." Desmond brushed pass the man, carrying a thick frown on his face.

The white-haired man gave a side grin and took a sip from his coffee mug watching the young dragon leave."The students will certainly be entertaining this year." The old man smirked.

Desmond gazed upon the Beacon tower in amazement, the courtyard was very lively. Students chattering amongst each other, Tinkering with their weapons and practicing on their technique. He was in the presence of future hunters and huntresses.

Distracted by the sights of Beacon Desmond nearly forgot to ask about the initiation. The dragon was fully aware that the initiation has already past, but he still received an invitation from the headmaster of Beacon for some unknown reason. Desmond pulled out his scroll, tapping on the mailbox icon and opening the letter of acceptance containing details on the Academy, Desmond began walking forward neglecting his surrounding.

"Says here to report to Glynda Goodwitch's office, member of the teaching staff-" Before Desmond finish reading the whole paragraph a younger woman ran into him knocking them both down. The woman was blonde and had green eyes behind a pair of glasses, She wore a white blouse and black tights, her black cape flew gently in the wind.

"I apologize, I was in a rush to my classroom." The woman stood back up then dusted herself off.

"I-I-Its fine!" Desmond stutter nervously in the sight of the beautiful woman. "I'm actually looking for someone named Glynda Goodwitch?"

The woman gave a slight nod. "That would be me. How may I assist you?"

"Oh um! The headmaster said to find you for my late initiation!" Desmond spoke rather loudly getting more nervous by the second. The teen was never the one to talk to attractive ladies like Glynda.

"Ozpin?! Why would he-" Glynda face palmed shaking her head in frustration. The teacher's attitude did a complete 180, transferring into a mean scowl. "That sounds like something he would do. Honestly, how could he make decisions like this without informing me." Glynda spoke to herself forgetting the student's presence.

"E-Excuse me?"

"I suppose now he wants me to come up with some type of test to initiate this one. Couldn't bother asking me if I had anything important to do, you know like, train the future saviors Of Remnant!" The woman was now having a conversation with herself.

"Umm...Ms. Goodwitch,"

"He couldn't ask Oobleck, he could speed through his initiation and give a seminar to his class at the same time. Probably that obese storyteller Port could bore him with another one of his unnecessarily long stories. That'll teach him how to-"

"HEY!" Desmond raised his voice at the teacher.

"Young man!" The blonde pulled out a riding crop from out of nowhere and smacked Desmond on the head.

"Ow!" He cried. Why did she carry something like that around? Wasn't that thing used for fetishes?

"There is no need to shout I'm right in front of you," Glynda glared at the teen."Anyway, follow me to my combat class and we'll see how you fare against the other students. If I decide you are incapable of fighting, I will personally march up to Ozpin's office and request an immediate transport back home. Understood?"

"Y-yes Ma'am!" Desmond saluted for some reason, the blond huntress didn't seem to mind, although she did showed a quick hint of satisfaction

"And know this Mister.." Glynda waited for a name.

"Desmond. Desmond Royal."

"Mr. Royal. I have very high expectations. You may follow me!" Glynda stomped away her heels clicking on the stone tiles.

In the arena...

Ruby fiddle with her red cape waiting for the class to begin. Until the rest of her team approached her.

"Goodwitch still didn't show yet?" The blonde laid back in the chair and kicked her feet up.

"No Yang, not yet." Ruby smiled.

"This is unlike Ms. Goodwitch to be late. She's a prime example of the staff." The white-haired girl sighed.

"That also makes her busy, Weiss." The raven-haired girl said whilst keeping her eyes on her book.

"I bet you're glad she isn't here to tell you to ditch the book." Yang formed a grin. "Seriously, Blakey, this a combat class not a library."

"I can't say I'm happy to have her around." Blake said nonchalantly.

"Blake, that's mean." Ruby pouted a little. "Ms. Good witch is like the best teacher in the school!"

"That's subjective." Weiss commented.

"Is it really?" Yang shrugged. "She's tolerable than most teachers here, no one can understand a damn thing Oobleck says, People drop like flies in Port's class slumbering like Ursas in hibernation."

"Ursas don't hibernate." Blake added.

"Really?" Yang genuinely looked surprised. "Does that mean Beowolves don't shed either?"

"Oh Yang..." Ruby patted her sister's shoulder. "Of course they do, you big dummy."

"No they don't-" Weiss was interrupted by a new voice.

"Alright Class!" Glynda addressed her talkative students gaining their attention."Due to irresponsible circumstances, I will have to make this class into a small initiation for this 17 year old student named Desmond Royal."

The mention of the name made Yang fall out of her chair in shock and Ruby gasp in terror. Blake exchange glances with Weiss. "Uhh..do you know him?" Weiss started off.

"Do we know him?!!" Ruby exclaimed."He almost tried to--" Ruby leaned in to whisper the rest in Weiss and Blake's ear. They simultaneously became shocked.

"What!?" They said.

"There was a whole situation involving the police, my Dad was trying to convince the principle to expel Desmond out of school. But we couldn't since there was a lack of evidence!"

"What really?!" A blonde haired male leaned in to listen along with three other students. "How wasn't there any evidence?"

"Jeez Jaune eavesdropping much?" Ruby said.

"I'm sorry you had to go through such a  thing." red haired girl, Pyrrha Nikos, frowned.

"Goes to show you what people would do if they're desperate enough, Pyrrha." A boy with a pink streak going down his raven locks said.

"People like that should have their legs broken! Right Ren?!" An orange haired energetic girl smacked his back.

"Nora...No?" Ren thought about it for a moment then sighed. "Nora, we aren't vigilantes, let the justice system work it's course...no matter how slow it is sometimes."

"You're no fun!" Nora pouted at her childhood friend.

"Dad almost did, " Ruby argued, remembering her father threatening Desmond in front of the student staff. Obviously the teacher facility didn't take that lightly, he was sent to unpaid leave for a couple weeks. "I'm glad, I saw what he was capable of...we were actually really good friends." Ruby looked away almost ashamed to say it.

"Good to find out sooner than later." Jaune responded patting Ruby's shoulder.

"How did it go?" Pyrrha tapped her chin trying to remember the phrase. "Never judge a book by it's cover?"

"Totally!" Ruby agreed. "When,Yang told me I made sure to stay clear from him."

"Hehe...yeah," Yang, faced away from her friends to stare down at Desmond.

Desmond's Thoughts: 'Crap, why the hell did they have to be here...'

Desmond placed his clenched fist in his hoodie pockets, avoiding the brawler's line of sight. He didn't want to relive the memory of what truly happened between them. It truly hurt him.

"I've decided one of you shall help me evaluate his abilities by sparring with him." Glynda adjusted her glasses. "Which one of-"

"I will!" The girl in red shot from her seat waving her hand frantically.

"Ruby...Are you sure? If you wish for me-" Pyrrha was interrupted by Ruby's determined stare.

"Let me do this! Yang protected me so I'm going to do the same for her." Ruby thought of this as an obligation to defend her sister or was it simply revenge for betraying their trust.

"Ruby, you don't need to-" Yang attempted to reach for her sister's shoulder.

"Fine then Miss Rose. You may." Glynda nodded approvingly.

'Drama just loves to take a swing at me? Why does it take a shot at someone else  who's socially awkward?"'

"Whatever." Desmond dragged his suitcase to the corner of the room as Ruby was receiving a small cheer from Team JNPR, Weiss simply wished her luck. Blake sighed placing down her book to watch the spar. The faunus recognized Ruby's vengeful glare, she planned to make this student hurt like her sister did.

Minutes later in the are,  Ruby held a despising scowl towards Desmond, who just returned it back. Desmond didn't hate Ruby, she was just misguided by her sister. They could've of been great friends  if Yang wouldn't have done what she did. The teen knew he would be hesitant during this fight. Hopefully Ruby would too, Glynda would stop the fight if anything got to serious.

"Begin." Glynda signaled.

Ruby retracted her enormous scythe/ high impact sniper rifle, Crescent Rose. Desmond reached to his side retrieving a hilt which lacked a blade. One a black crossguard and a hilt, no blade resided. Until flames began to build up on the crosshairs. The flames constructed a long fiery blade with wide girth. The pommel of the sword had a row of three black spikes. Draco matched  the size of Crescent Rose but much wider. The sword appeared fully capable of cutting through any Grimm's armor or flesh with ease.

"Whoa, how were you able to make that!"Instead of the intimidating gaze Ruby wore, there was now an excited squeal from her lungs. The young girl spoke hyperactivity but Desmond was able to make out her words. "Fire is literally gushing out from your sword! How did you manage to focus it? How much fire dust does it take to charge it? Is there some type of special component you used?"

"Umm...it's complicated to explain." Desmond forgot Ruby was a weapon's geek. Desmond was caught off guard by the question, it was hard to explain how Draco functioned  ."You see I-"

"Wait a minute, you're trying to distract me aren't you!" Ruby's scowl returned as she dug her scythe's blade into the ground and fired off sniper rounds. "Trying to use my love for weapons against me!"

Desmond's eyes widen, spinning Draco in front of him matching the speed of a helicopter's propellers. The bullets bounced off the blade's surface. Desmond charged forth whining up for a swing. Ruby bursts into roses and flew over him, avoiding the wide slash. Ruby reformed in mid air,  Crescent Rose morphed into sniper rifle form letting loose a barrage of gunfire.

Desmond deflected the bullets with two quick swing from Draco, the blade may appeared heavy but it was truly light enough to move at high speeds. The dragon swung Draco again at the air, discharging a crescent wave of fire, soaring skyward. Ruby scattered into roses letting  the blast move through her. Desmond launches in the air catching Ruby when after she reformed then swung in a downward strike,the rose caught the fiery blade with Crescent Rose's shaft but the impact proved to strong for her,  sending her plummeting.

Ruby landed with an audible crack, earning a gasp from the crowd. Desmond realized what he had done then sprinted to Ruby, only for the  silver eyed girl to kick back up then slash at Desmond's  chest area, his aura protected him but he was sent  him flying back.

Ruby's Aura: 70%

Desmond's Aura: 75%

Ruby examined the percentages  telling herself this wouldn't do. Ruby  charged towards Desmond at unseeable speeds, appearing on the right side  of him. Desmond couldn't react to the curve blade clashing with his exposed backside. Desmond flew forward as Ruby dashed ahead of him, positioned in a batting stance,  Crescent Rose slashed upward, hitting the base of his chin, cutting a bit of his facial hair and sending the young dragon to the ceiling. Desmond dropped on to his stomach, Draco sliding from his grasp.

Ruby's Aura: 70%

Desmond's Aura: 30%

Nearly in the red, Ruby decided to finish this with a  range attack. Crescent Rose reverted back into it's sniper form then released a second wave of gunfire. Glynda sighed preparing to end the match when they landed.

The bullets indeed landed but not on their intended target. There was fire emerging from Desmond's aura, consuming the bullets and spewing out into ash.This shocked the students greatly however  Glynda's look held slight interest.

Ruby recovered  from the shock and began firing again. Newborn flames circled in Desmond's palm as he held it out constructing a barrier of fire, Once again incinerating the bullets. Ruby narrowed her eyes before she blasted forward leaving a gust behind her. The intense wind blowed in Ruby's face, as her speed increases tenfold. Crescent lined up to deliver a final blow. Desmond did his best to manage his flames and concentrate them to his aura. The flames obeyed his commands and converged to his aura acting as a second layer of protection.

A scream left Ruby's lungs as she brought Crescent Rose down on Desmond, wielding extreme force behind it. The fire fought against the Crescent Rose, keeping it from bypassing to his aura. The floor nearly gave away from the power struggle between them, while the fire barrier held Desmond charged up fire in his hands. Ruby spotted this and made to retreat. Too bad Desmond was faster and released a torrent of unrelenting fire sweeping Ruby away. Ruby's aura took a major drop in order to keep the flames from reducing her to ash.

After the smoke cleared, Ruby rested on one her clothes covered in ash. Ruby could've sworn she saw chino versions of her dog Zwei  running around her head.

"That's a Good boy.." Ruby groaned as she watched the dogs vanish from her vision. A sudden wave of tiredness overcame her and she falls on her forward, completely wore out.

"Uhh will she'll be alright?" Desmond turned to Glynda who only shrugged.

"I assumed she'll be fine." Glynda said before proceeding to walk away. "Congratulations, you've must certainly proved yourself as a significant fighter. Congratulations,  Desmond Royal, welcome to Beacon academy."

"Really!?" Desmond's face lit up with joy, finally a new life and a new chance to start ove-

"Look at his eyes!" A voice that was so poisonous to him shouted out.

Everyone's jaws dropped open seeing the horrid eyes that belonged to Desmond.  The dragon felt his face noticing the shades he had on, were broken in the fight. Obviously, Yang was the one who pointed out his Faunus trait.

"..." Desmond wanted to shrink at that moment, he wanted to be the size of an atom. The only thought that slip past his mind is.

Damnit.

End