CACE: A RWBY Story

Volume 0: Chapter 5

The entire first year class spends their lunch talking about their mission from the morning. Theories on how teams will be picked, spread like wildfire. Some conclude that the top finishers back to the cliff will be a team, others theories are top and bottom finishers will be paired. As lunch concludes, the class gathers back in the auditorium to meet Professor Goodwitch, per her instructions.

"What do you think?" Cat asks Ze.

"Of my teammate?"

"No, of who else might be on your team." She clarifies.

"No idea." He answers.

Only a short distance away are Charley and Alex.

"I think you and Ze could actually work together." Alex tells Charley.

"That's what I said this morning." Charley covers his face in frustration. "Do you believe me now?"

"All I'm saying is that you almost mirror each other."

"Cat and you are the same way." He points out.

"No we don't." Charley sits next to his friends as they wait for Professor Goodwitch.

"Students, it is great to see you back." Professor Goodwitch smiles at them as she steps up to the stage. "A job well done to all of you. I'm sure many of you are tired from this morning. I welcome Professor Ozpin up to assign your teams, so that you may go and rest."

As she ends her speech, Professor Ozpin steps on stage.

"Good afternoon students, truly a wonderful display of your courage and aptitude for becoming hunters and huntresses. When announced, come meet your team and retrieve your scrolls. They will have the information about your dorm assignments and class schedules."

"Coco and Fox will be teamed with Velvet and Yatsuhashi to form team CFVY, led by Coco." The members of this new team approach the stage. "Congratulations, now here are your scrolls."

He shoes them offstage to get their scrolls, before continuing to the next team. Each new team looks nervous and excited, talking with their new teammates like they have known each other. Charley and Ze both realize that they will have a difficult year of training and studying ahead. Alex must realize this because she wraps a comforting arm around her friend.

"You'll be fine." As another team is called, she adds. "After all, we made it through Signal, didn't we?"

"I guess we made it out alright." He laughs, before going silent under her knowing look.

"Ezekiel and Charley will be teamed with Catherine and Alexa to form team CACE, led by Ezekiel." The four stand and rush to meet with Professor Ozpin. Professor Goodwitch points them to their scrolls, which are waiting off stage. These devices are tablet type communication devices. Ozpin holds out a hand before letting them go. "A word of advice, each one of you possesses an untapped potential that as a team, you will find."

The message was clear, they needed to work together. As they leave, Alex shares the location of their dorm. This strange day leaves the team tired and unwilling to break their comfortable silence. When back at the dorm, the group shuffles into the room and drops their things at the bed with their name on it. For a few minutes, Ze and Cat left the room to get ready for bed.

"Charley." Alex whispers, only seconds after the two leave the room.

"Yeah."

"Wow, didn't think we would be this tired." She shakes her head.

"I think that was the point." Charley offers.

"Possibly."

"I think, I might get ready for bed as well." Alex studies Charley, hurt.

"Are you sure?"

"It's been a long day." Charley sighs. "Tomorrow is when we need energy, and I want as much of it as I can get."

He leaves the room leaving Alex to herself. Ze and Cat return only minutes later and Alex dismisses herself to get ready for bed. Alex and Charley return only a few minutes later, together. With the exception of Charley and Alex's brief discussion, no other words are spoken.

During the night, Alex can't shake the feeling of being watched. At one point, she swears that she can see a pair of glowing, orange eyes across the room.

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