Good day to you all. This is my first attempt at writing fanfiction, and am very much open to criticism. I hope you all enjoy reading this story as much as I am writing it. If you feel like this story needs something extra or something removed, don't hesitate to let me know!
The Chronicles of Team DASE
Chapter 1: First Impressions
Darkness and Light. A constant battle with no clear victor. An eternal stalemate. However, this does not stop the two from trying to rid the other in the most creative ways. Darkness has the Grimm, Light has the Maidens. Darkness has not known victory ever since it was born. However, what Light and Dark will soon know, is how easily malleable Remnant's inhabitants are…
Nobody said airships would be the most pleasant means of travel. That is certainly what Dao thought as he stood, feeling the swaying motions of the airship as it cut through the air. He looked around to observe the other individuals that had boarded the airship with him. With a deep exhale, he walked over to the glass window that peered out over the city below. Modern buildings and tightly-knit streets were all Dao could see. He was a little perturbed. He was not familiar with cities at all.
He shook his head free of any worrisome thoughts and instead decided to gaze at the clouds. He saw his reflection in the glass as he did. His face was clean and young, with his slick black hair wrapped in a braid that dangled like a chime near his lower back, which complemented his green eyes. Another compliment to his being was his outfit, a Mistral-inspired garb consisting of a red oriental shirt with gold accents, the fabric tight yet smooth on his body. He also wore black pants made of similar material, accompanied by ankle length white boots.
Dao turned his head to his left, seeing a few individuals that piqued his interest. One was a blonde boy trying his best to not fall victim to motion sickness, which received a light-hearted chuckle from Dao. The other two individuals were those he had never seen before. One was a red-haired girl dressed in a black and red dress, along with some sort of device holstered to her waist. The other was taller than the red-head, a blonde-haired woman who wore a more… modest getup, according to Dao. The two seemed to be conversing, the red-head making exaggerated gestures as they did. Dao couldn't help but feel curious, so he discreetly made his way past the sickly blonde boy and edged nearer to the other two until he was within earshot.
"… can't believe my little sister's coming to Beacon with me!" The blonde said enthusiastically, hugging the red-head.
"Ugh… yeah…" She replied, sulking slightly as the blonde put her down.
"What's up? You don't seem to be too excited."
"W-Well, it's just that… I skipped two whole years to come here. I don't want anyone to think I'm special or anything…" The red-head explained, looking downcast.
"Of course, you're special, sis! And trust me, everyone at Beacon will think you're the bee's knees!" The blonde replied, trying to cheer her up.
"No! I don't want that! I just want to be a normal girl with normal knees!"
Once again, Dao elicited a soft chuckle at the young girl's behavior. Two whole years to attend a huntsman academy seemed a bit foreign to Dao. He himself was sixteen, though he did not know that there was an age requirement for attending. He then assumed that her upbringing was different from his, as his culture never really prepared him for anything as formalized as an academy.
Several minutes more pass after the conversation ended, followed by a brief introduction from one of the academy's faculty, Glynda Goodwitch. Dao could immediately tell that she was an important individual, one to respect. This was one of the lessons Dao was taught before agreeing to travel to Vale: 'Respect those whom deserve the effort.' His mentor taught him that one; and he would figure he'd need more of those phrasings in his next coming years. Eventually, the airship landed in front of the school's courtyard.
Dao took the time to walk around the majesty that was the well-kept garden. Flowers and shrubbery of every kind grew here, and was indeed cared for, as Dao noticed. The visage was enchanting, and Dao soon found himself walking in bliss among the flora. He did not even notice the woman standing in front of him until they collided and fell. Dao was relatively unharmed and almost unfazed by the incident but scrambled to his feet to help the woman who wasn't so lucky. He mentally cursed himself for not paying attention to his surroundings, which may have ended up having a bad first impression on a potential friend.
"I am terribly sorry, miss! I should have watched where I was going…" He said in a panic, trying to help the girl up.
"Ah Hell, it's no problem! It at least got me to wake up." She responded with seemingly renowned fervor, standing up without assistance. She then turned to Dao with a smile that radiated pride. Upon more in-depth investigation, Dao could see that her hair was a golden auburn, her height a few inches off his, and herself dressed in a brown long coat.
"No harm done in it, stranger! Seems like you got lost in your thoughts. I do that at times as well." She mused aloud, then stuck out her hand. "My name's Eleanor. Eleanor Rosewood!"
"The pleasure is mine." Dao returned the handshake. "My name is Dao Pinyin." He said with a small cough to not trip over his words.
"That's quite the name, Dao. Don't believe I ever heard of it before." Eleanor said while reaching around behind her, picking up a large case and slinging it over her shoulder.
"I don't expect anybody to. It's nothing really special either."
"Nonsense! Everyone's got their own unique talents and abilities! You, my friend, are no exception!" Eleanor accentuated her point by putting an arm around Dao's neck, then releasing. "Speaking of talents, where's your weapon?" She looked up and down his person, seeing that he had no firearm, sword, or any tool to speak of.
"Ah yes, well," He scratched the back of his head. "where I came from, weapons are forbidden."
"Really? How do you fight Grimm then?" She looked puzzled.
"With our bare hands. How else?" He held up his hands, which had scars in several places, for emphasis.
"Wow! I don't think I could take down anything as much as a Boarbatusk on my own. That's why I have this baby." She pats her case rather affectionately.
"What is it?" Dao asked, his curiosity piqued. He hadn't seen many weapons outside of the ones seen in his village and was eager to see the possible technological anomaly that was Eleanor's.
With a smirk on her face, Eleanor set the case down on a nearby bench, opened it, and pulled out what looked like an old rifle with a wooden stock and barrel. Despite its age, Dao could tell it was well-kept and preserved, which spoke lengths about Eleanor's feelings regarding her weapon.
"Took out legions of Grimm with this bad boy." She felt the rifle in her hands as if to get a feel for it, checking its loading chamber and aiming the gun. Dao could also see that there were a couple blades located in the case as well: a bayonet and a sabre. After a moment more of exhibition, Eleanor stored her weapon and slung the case over her shoulder once more.
"Now, I believe I have a ceremony to attend… Shouldn't be long now…" Eleanor fished her scroll out of her pocket and checked its display.
"I shall join you then. I believe I am also expected to attend." Dao said.
"Hmm? Oh, you're a student too, then! Sorry if I didn't know sooner. Your outfit kinda threw me off…" She blushed in embarrassment as she led the way to the main building.
"Think nothing of it, dear Eleanor. I shan't blame you for thinking so, considering I often wear this garb back home." He smirked at her remark.
"Yeah. That reminds me: your folks back where you came from must be tough if they only fight with their hands. How do you all fight humans then? Specifically, other huntsmen?" She inquired.
"Simple: Close the distance and disarm them. If we're lucky, they're inexperienced, and will be nothing without their weapon. Though we've never really been the target of such violent actions, only mediators."
"Huh." Eleanor took a moment to think, then was about to say something else, but was interrupted by the growing clamor of students in the main hall, which was facing a stage. "You'll have to tell me later, Dao, I'm awfully curious."
"I suppose we're to find a place among the crowd?" He asked, slightly anxious.
"Yep! And I have old friends I said I'd meet with. I hope you don't mind that I depart?" She smiled guiltily, not wanting to leave her unique comrade behind.
"Not at all. Thank you for talking with me, Miss Rosewood." Dao replied with a bright smile and bow. Eleanor returned the smile and trotted off to find her friends, leaving Dao to wander idly. Before long, he found himself a spot to stand near the blonde-haired boy from the airship, who looked much better now. Before they could exchange a casual greeting, the lights dimmed slightly, revealing two individuals standing onstage: one the same blonde woman Dao saw on the news, the other the illustrious Professor Ozpin, the silver-haired legendary huntsman that was the head of the academy, as well as the man who put in a recommendation for Dao to attend. He walked up to the microphone and spoke with absence of tone:
"I'll… keep this brief. You come here in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new shills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people." He paused, "But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
Ozpin then walked off stage without breaking pace, his partner taking his place. "You will all be sleeping in the ballrooms tonight, curfew is at 11. Initiation will take place tomorrow, so get some rest. That will be all."
The room was then awash once more with the clamor of student voices. Dao took the opportunity to properly greet the blonde standing next to him.
"So that's Professor Ozpin, huh? He seems… important." The boy managed to say.
"Seem like it. He is the headmaster after all." Dao then cleared his throat, "I don't believe I caught wind of your name yet."
"Oh! Uh, it's Jaune Arc. Smooth and rolls off the tongue." He gestured amusingly at the mention of the phrase 'rolls off the tongue'.
"Very well, Mr. Arc. My name is Dao Pinyin. The pleasure is all mine." Dao replied with a bow.
"Odd name. Were your parents veterans of the Great War?" Jaune asked curiously.
"Well, I certainly have ancestors that have lived as far back, if that's what you're asking."
"I mean- never mind." Jaune said, shooing away the thought, then started to walk away, with Dao in tow. Before they exited, Jaune leaned in on the conversation the two girls Dao saw on the airship earlier were having with a white-haired girl, saying briefly "I'm a natural blonde, y'know" before walking off with his newfound friend.
"Trying to impress someone by naming a character trait of yours, Jaune?" Dao asked, smirking.
"Only the white-haired one. You'll soon see why my name isn't the only thing that's smooth." Jaune replied, brimming with self-confidence.