The Burning Kingdom

Red Like Roses, Crimson Like Blood

Ruby Rose awoke to the sound of a familiar voice resonating through her ears. 

"Ruby, get your lazy butt up, we're going to be late and it will be all your fault!" Of course. She could always rely on little miss Weiss Schnee to make sure everyone was going at the right pace. Which, of course, was her pace. 

"Ughhh...coming." Ruby was still half asleep as she dragged herself out of bed and began to get ready for class. First on the schedule today was Professor Port, who had decided the students would test their combat skills against one another in sanctioned duels in order to see how well they would be able to stand against powerful Grimm. It wasn't necessarily the best method of teaching, but it was Professor Port, and his lessons can only somewhat qualify as going by the curriculum, whatever that meant. As soon as Ruby was ready, her and the rest of team RWBY made their way to class, meeting up with team JNPR along the way. "Hey Jaune!" Ruby spoke cheerfully as she waved to him. 

"Hey Ruby, how you doing?" Jaune seemed as if something was on his mind, so Ruby decided to investigate. 

"What's bothering you?" 

"Oh, nothing..just...do you think the Professors lesson is actually safe? I mean the guy is basically getting us into sanctioned street fights!" 

"Oh don't worry about it, i'm sure the professor knows what he's doing....i hope. And hey, if he wants you to fight, pick Pyrrha! I'm sure she'll go easy on you!" 

"Yeah, i suppose...." Jaune seemed somewhat at peace with that thought as they continued on to class. As soon as everyone reached the room however, the Professor took them all outside into the courtyard, where he began his lesson. 

"Now then, Students! Today you shall be testing your combative capabilities against one another in a good old fashioned duel! May i have a volunteer please?" Jaune stuck his hand up, much to the surprise of everyone in the class, except one person, who no one except Port actually noticed had joined them. "Ah! Jaune! That's a good lad! Very well then, you shall be put against Miss Weiss Schnee!" Jaune's arm immediately dropped, a look of disbelief set upon his face. He marched to his spot like he was on his way to being executed, giving Ruby a regretful glance as he did so. Ruby just simply smiled meekly and shrugged. "Three...two...one...battle!" Weiss exploded into action, delivering lightning fast attacks aimed directly at Jaune. After managing to block about three, the rest were simply too fast, and he was sent flying. The whole class gradually looked away as Jaune's screams echoed through the courtyard. "Alright, Miss Schnee, that's enough." Weiss looked at the crumpled blonde mess by her feet. She simply huffed and moved on, rejoining her team. "Who is next, then?" Ruby stuck up her hand. 

"I'll go, Professor!" 

"Very well miss Rose! Your opponent shall be-" Port stopped talking once he saw that someone was already standing where Ruby's opponent should be. He was a fairly tall, young man, with a thin figure and short raven black hair, dressed in a shirt and hoodie, a pair of jeans and a pair of black boots. He had black tape around his hands, as if he was expecting a brawl. He had a longsword sheathed to his side, which he seemed to be ready to use at a moments notice. He glared at Ruby with dim turquoise eyes and an almost sinister smirk. It was the Student who had joined them only today, and Port was not notified of this by Ozpin. "Well..um..very well! What is your name, lad?" 

"My name is Malus" 

"I see! Well then...are you two ready?" 

"Ready!" Ruby spoke, scythe now drawn. 

"Malus?" Malus simply nodded once. "Three...two...one...battle!" Before Ruby could even think about going on the offensive, she was hit by an incredibly fast barrage of sword strikes. This guy was fast. Faster than Weiss. Faster than even herself. She was barely able to block them at all. Malus on the other hand, appeared to not even be breaking a sweat. Although he had the advantage, for some reason he pulled back, and spoke.