I wake up to groans as some of the very early risers try to rouse the other students. I look around to note that the sun is just barely beginning to rise. I never could understand how people could be so energetic so early - one orange-haired girl is already dressed, and is singing and dancing around a boy with black hair and green clothes. Another student, thinking I'm still asleep, throws a half-hearted kick at me. To his evident surprise, I catch his foot and glare at him.
"Don't," I say, my death glare giving him more than enough reason to comply.
He takes the hint and walks away as I stand and stretch, then turn to my suitcase. I pull out a pair of black cargo pants and a forest green skin-tight t-shirt and head into the bathroom to shower.
As I emerge from the shower and wrap a towel around my waist, I take a moment to look in the mirror. My short black hair is matted down with water, almost covering my dark green eyes. I'm not extremely muscled, but I'm muscled enough to show that I exercise intensely and regularly. I'm a bit shorter than most others my age, but I more than make up for it with my strength, speed, and intelligence. I quickly dry off, shave, and brush my teeth, then put on my clothes and head back out to the ballroom. I slip my wallet, phone, and other valuables into my pockets, then put on my watch and boots and head down to the dining hall.
There's a large selection of foods and drinks in the dining hall, but I simply grab two bottles of water and sit down at a table. I take a packet of powder out of my pocket and dump it in one bottle, then shake it for a few moments. I quickly drain the two bottles, then head down to the locker room and make my way to my locker. I put on my gauntlets and run a final check to make sure everything works as the intercom system crackles to life.
"Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation?" Glynda Goodwitch says, "Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."
I crack my neck and head out, finding my way through the winding hallways of the school without too much trouble. I soon find myself on Beacon Cliff, where Professor Ozpin and Glynda are waiting. Some other students are already there, and I follow their lead and stand on one of the tiles on the ground. More and more students begin to arrive, and soon all the tiles are occupied. Professor Ozpin turns to the students.
"For years," he says, "You have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
Glynda looks up from her scroll, "Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams'. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today."
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon," Ozpin resumes, "So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years. After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die. You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions? Good! Now, take your positions."
I look to my left to see the first person in line get launched into the air, assisted by the tile. I take a few deep breaths, using my few moments of preparation time to mentally note a couple of landmarks nearby. I crouch down moments before the tile shoots up, sending me flying towards the forest.
I yell with adrenaline as I soar over the forest, watching as others begin to descend around me. I rapidly approach the ground until I hit, and I roll to absorb the force. I stop in a crouch, with my right knee and fist against the ground. When I stand up, I notice a very well-hidden teacher in the foliage, and give him a two-fingered salute as I head off towards the temple. He jumps a bit, clearly surprised that I not only knew he was in the area, but was able to see him as well. I use the sun to find north, then start jogging, hoping to reach the temple soon.
I jog for about ten minutes before I hear some Beowolves howling. I sprint towards the sounds, and find myself looking over the remains of a small pack of Beowolves. In the middle of the clearing is a girl in a black tunic with a hood and mask covering the entirety of her head and face. She pulls a pair of knives out of a nearby Beowolf's neck and sheathes them, then picks up a black compound bow, and it folds up to the point that she can easily hook it on her belt. She begins plucking arrows out of the dead Beowolves, cleaning off the intact ones before dropping them in the quiver on her back.
She nods in acknowledgement, and I do so as well. We wordlessly begin walking towards the temple, and continue in silence for most of the walk.
"I'm surprised. Most people would be talking my ear off by now."
"I know a fellow introvert when I see one. I'm actually glad we're both quiet, it's so hard to get space nowadays."
"Yeah. I'm Dawn."
"Galen."
Suddenly, a loud roar pierces the air from behind me, and I turn to see three Ursa barreling through the trees towards us.
"Get back!" I yell as I convert my gauntlets to their pistol forms. I aim at the lead Ursa and open fire, several rounds slamming into it. The Ursa roars, but two more shots from each pistol send it flopping backwards, dead. The second swipes at me, but I dodge and punch it in the gut. It doubles over, and I take the opportunity to fire at its face on full-auto, bringing the beast down. The third Ursa charges me, but I roll out of the way and leap onto its back as I convert my right gun to its knife form. I plunge the knife into the Ursa's back, using it to hold on as I fire my other weapon into the creature on full auto. After several seconds of sustained fire, it finally falls over, and I put two rounds in its head to make sure it won't get back up. I stand up and turn to Dawn, who looks at me approvingly.
"Nice moves," she says.
"Thanks," I say, "Let's keep moving."
We run towards the temple, vaulting over the occasional fallen tree or large boulder. When we finally reach it, I'm surprised to notice that Dawn isn't winded like most people would be. We walk into the stone structure, looking at the pedestals that are in a semicircle around us.
"Chess pieces?" I say, looking at the 'relics.'
"What," Dawn says, "You expected them to be actual relics?"
"Nah," I say, "I just didn't expect oversized chess pieces, of all things."
"Let's grab one," she says as she goes to check the perimeter. I nod and grab a black knight, sliding it into one of my many pockets.
"Got it," I say as I jog over, "Let's head home."
I hear rustling from some of the bushes, and hold up one fist, converting the gauntlet on my other hand. dawn freezes, eyes scanning the area. A pair of students walk out of the foliage, chatting amicably. One is a boy with medium-length brown hair and red eyes, wearing brown robes over a red shirt, jeans, and red sneakers. The other is a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing some kind of light armor that's painted pink. They notice us standing in the clearing and are momentarily surprised.
"Uh... hi," the boy says, "I'm Fred. Is this where we're supposed to be?"
"Yeah," I say, "The 'relics' are over there."
"Thanks," says the girl, "I'm Oda, by the way."
"We're set," Fred says, pocketing a black knight piece.
"Let's head back to the cliffs together," I say, "Safety in numbers, right?"
"Yeah," Fred says, "Good idea. We saw evidence of at least one Death Stalker a while back, so it's best we be careful."
"A Death Stalker?" I ask, "Are we equipped to take one of those out?"
"I've got a staff," Fred says, "And Oda has broadswords that are shotguns."
"I guess we'll have to deal," I say.
Our newly-formed group starts walking, and I occasionally spin and walk backwards for a few moments to check behind us. We proceed in silence until we reach another clearing, holding something that makes my blood run cold. A sleeping Death Stalker is in a small cave at the edge of the clearing, having just finished feasting on what appears to have been a few deer.
"Keep quiet," I whisper to the others, "We should be able to sneak around it."
Just then, a lone Beowolf charges through the trees at us. Dawn draws her bow and shoots it in the neck, but not before it lets out a loud howl.
"Ah, crap," Fred says as we turn to see the Death Stalker waking up. It spots us and advances, clicking its claws.
"RUN!" I yell, and the four of us sprint through the trees. At one point Dawn disappears into the branches of the trees above us. Arrows begin hitting the Death Stalker at random intervals, distracting it and forcing it to slow down. One particularly well-aimed arrow flies into one of the Death Stalker's eyes, causing it to give out a loud hiss. Eventually we lose sight of it, but we can hear it still following us.
We reach another clearing, this one large enough that we should be able to fight the Death Stalker easily. We make it to the other side of the clearing and turn to face the oncoming monster as Dawn drops out of the trees and lands next to us.
"Everyone get ready," I say as I convert my gauntlets and flick the fire select to full auto.
Fred reaches behind his back and pulls out a short stick, which expands into a full-length steel quarter-staff. Oda pulls out her broadswords, the blades opening up to reveal two barrels on each weapon. Dawn nocks an arrow and draws the string back, lining up a shot.
"Here's the plan," I say, "Fred and I will distract it, try to keep its attention on us. Dawn, you try to take out some of its eyes, that'll make it easier. If we're lucky we may be able to cut off a leg or two. If I remember right those things are vulnerable to blunt weapons, but we don't have anything other than Fred's staff and my gauntlets."
"We could try to knock some trees down on top of it," Dawn suggests.
"Good idea," I say, "We'll have to draw it to the edge of the clearing and cut some of its legs off so it can't move out of the way. If Fred and I can draw its attention, Oda could come in from behind and start chopping."
The Death Stalker storms into the clearing and charges at us, cutting short our conversation.
"GO!" I yell, unloading at the giant scorpion. Fred starts hurling fireballs at it, causing it to raise its claws, but it keeps advancing.
Oda runs at the monster almost faster than I can see. Before it can react, she slices off one of its legs, causing it to hiss furiously. It attempts to pin her down with its stinger, but she's much faster. By the time the stinger hits the ground, the Death Stalker is missing another leg. This time, instead of using its stinger, it swipes one claw horizontally, in an attempt to flatten her. She dodges as an arrow comes out of the trees and lands in one of the Death Stalker's eyes. Dawn drops from a tree and lands on the Grimm's head, planting her daggers in one of its eyes. It roars and starts lashing out blindly, almost crushing Oda. A ball of ice, courtesy of Fred, hits the stinger and expands, freezing it to the ground. As the Death Stalker begins to chip at the ice with its claws, I decide to take advantage of the opening.
"Get back!" I yell as I charge forward, converting my guns to their gauntlet forms. The Death Stalker sees me coming and attempts to hit me with a claw, but I catch it with both hands. I twist sideways and pull, ripping the entire limb out of its socket. I drop the claw and switch to my pistols, then jam them into the newly-made hole and start firing. The Death Stalker gets visibly weaker as I keep firing, and eventually it stops moving entirely.
We meet back up in the center of the clearing, Oda hopping up and down in the throes of an adrenaline rush.
"We did it," she cries happily, "We killed a Death Stalker!"
"I gotta say," Dawn says, "That was a good plan, Galen."
"Thanks," I say, "It was kind of on-the-fly, though."
"It's better than no plan at all," Fred says as we turn and survey the outcome of our battle.
We stand in silence for a few moments before Oda says, "Boss fight complete! Plus one thousand experience!"
We all laugh at her video game reference before we begin to look around.
"So which way's the cliff again?" Fred asks.
I turn to Dawn, and describe the landmarks I saw near the launch pads, knowing there are multiple cliffs in the area. She shoots up a nearby tree, before descending again after a few moments. She relays the direction of the cliff to us and we begin walking.
The rest of the way back to the cliff is uneventful. A few Beowolves or an Ursa here or there, but nothing big. We arrive to see Glynda and Professor Ozpin standing at the edge of the cliff, watching their scrolls.
"Finished," I say, and Ozpin turns to us.
"Ah," he says, "The first pairs have arrived. I believe congratulations are in order. You have the day free until the rest of the teams return. Your induction ceremony will take place this evening. Footage of all the students will be available later this evening, for review and critique."
"Thank you, Professor," the four of us say at the same time, then turn and walk back to the main academy building. On the way, Dawn pulls down her mask and hood, revealing dark red hair that goes down to the small of her back. I barely keep my jaw from dropping at the sight of her face - she is truly beautiful.
"How did you manage to rip that claw off?" she asks, "I mean, I've seen strong people, but nowhere near that level."
"That would be my semblance," I say, "It gives me immense strength, enough that I can lift something as heavy as a small airship. But it takes a lot of energy, and I work out a lot to add a bit more power."
After we clean up from our initiation, I decide to head to the gym. I take a few minutes to look at the equipment they have, and settle for a weighted bag. I drop my gauntlets on the floor and start hitting the bag. I throw various combination of punches, kicks, elbows, and knees for a few minutes before finishing a particularly vicious combination with a side kick, ripping a hole in the bag and spilling sand on the floor.
"Ah, crap," I mutter as I assess the damage. Some other students are looking at me, and I turn to them.
"Can someone get me some tape or something?" I ask. Right then, a roll of industrial-strength tape hits me in the shoulder. I pick it up and turn to see Dawn striding towards me.
"Thanks," I say as I begin patching the bag up, "These things aren't very tough. I didn't even have my gauntlets on, and I was only using my aura to make sure I didn't break any bones."
Dawn silently walks over and helps me fix the bag, which we manage to do in a few minutes.
"Want to go get lunch?" she asks.
"Sure," I say, and I pick up my gauntlets and clip them to my belt. We head town to the dining hall and grab some food, finding an empty table. A few minutes later, Blake sits next to us, followed by the blonde girl from last night.
"Hey, Blake," I say.
"Hey," Blake says.
"You know each other?" the blonde girl asks.
"Yeah," I say, "We met on the airship yesterday. I'm Galen."
"Yang," she says, shaking my hand. I notice the yellow wristbands she's wearing and raise one eyebrow.
"Nice Shot Gauntlets. I assume that means you're good at hand-to-hand."
"Yeah," she says proudly, "One of the best."
"I guess that makes two of us. You want to spar later?"
"Sure," she says as she glances away, "Oh! Hold on a sec. Hey, Ruby! Get over here!"
Yang's redheaded sister, who I now know to be Ruby, walks over and sits down, followed by Weiss.
"Hey, Weiss," I say, "How'd it go?"
"It went well," she says, "Ruby, Blake, Yang and I took down a Nevermore."
"Nice. We got a Death Stalker. Me, Dawn here, and a couple others."
"Really? Pyrrha did too. She had help from Jaune and some people named Ren and Nora."
"Cool," I say, "Oh, I forgot to introduce Dawn."
"I can do it myself," she says indignantly, "I may be quiet but I'm not mute." I raise my hands in submission, and the others laugh.
"Well," she says, turning to the group, "Now that that's done... I'm Dawn Grayson. The moron next to me is Galen Freeman, for the few here who don't already know him."
"Hey, now that's just mean," I say, causing the others to laugh again.
"I'm Yang Xiao Long," Yang says, "This is Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Blake Belladonna. Nice to meet you."
"Same," Dawn says.
"Would you happen to be related to the people who own that one gun company?" Ruby asks.
"Yeah," I say, "My mom and dad are the owners."
"Wow," Ruby says, "You must have seen a lot of cool weapons."
"You like weapons?" I ask.
"It's a bit of an obsession," Yang says, earning a glare from her sister, "What? It's true."
"I bet you'll like this," I say as I pull out my gauntlets and slide them on. "Just gauntlets, right?"
I convert them to their knife forms, then to their pistol forms, then to their silenced forms. "You like?" I ask, grinning at Ruby's look of awe.
"Yeah," she says, "Those things are cool."
"Yeah, these things are pretty much 'kill what you want, how you want'. What about your weapon?"
"A scythe," she grins, "It has a sniper rifle built in."
"Nice," I say, "Scythes take serious skill."
"What do you have, Dawn?" Ruby asks.
"A compound bow," she says, "It collapses for easy storage, and I have arrows of all kinds. Poison, tranquilizer, acid, explosive, you know."
"Wait," I say, "If you have explosive arrows, why didn't you use them during the initiation?"
"I didn't bring them," she explains, "I didn't expect to run into a Death Stalker. Although I probably should from now on."
"Yeah," I say, "The universe always hits you with the thing you're least prepared for, so you need to be ready for anything."
"Speaking of unprepared, take a look at this," Dawn says as she stands up and pulls up her hood and mask. She shimmers slightly, then fades into invisibility. The others gasp as she reappears on the other side of the table, and I simply grin.
"It's my semblance," she says, "I can hold it for up to ten minutes, but it took a lot of practice. It's almost like working out, except instead of building muscle I'm decreasing the amount of energy it takes."
By this point most of us have finished our food, and Weiss speaks up.
"I think it's best we go get our books. It will be easier than running around at the last minute tomorrow morning."
"Good idea," I say.
"Attention," a voice says over the loudspeakers, "The initiation has been completed. All students and faculty are to report to the auditorium immediately."
"Guess the books are gonna have to wait," Ruby says.
We clear off our table and start jogging towards the auditorium. We arrive and sit down in one of the rows on the left side of the room. Thankfully there isn't a speech at the beginning, as Professor Ozpin simply starts listing off names. I zone out for a minute, watching groups of four walk up to the stage and back down after a few moments.
"Galen Freeman, Dawn Grayson, Frederic Hall, Oda Jenkins."
Hearing my voice called, I stand up and walk onto the stage, then clasp my hands behind my back.
"The four of you retrieved the black knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team Gold, led by... Galen Freeman!"
My eyes widen a bit, and Ozpin gives me a knowing smile. My teammates and I turn and exit the stage, and people congratulate me as I walk by. We sit down as Ozpin calls on the next group, which he dubs Team Cardinal. Next up is Pyrrha's group, which I learn includes Jaune, and the orange-haired girl and black-haired boy I saw when I woke up. He names them team Juniper, with Jaune as the leader. He seems surprised, and I laugh when a playful punch from Pyrrha sends him crashing to the floor.
The final team is Blake, Ruby, Weiss, and Yang. Ozpin names them Team Ruby, and makes Ruby the leader. Yang runs over and embraces her sister, and Blake is smiling, but Weiss looks a bit shocked.
The ceremony concludes, and everybody files out of the auditorium, congratulating each other. We head towards a group of staff members, who guide us through the process of getting settled in - picking up uniforms and books, finding our rooms, and so on. An hour later, I lie on my bed in my team's room, as the others get ready to go to sleep.
"Hey," Dawn says as she collapses on the bed next to mine.
"Hey," I say.
"So," Oda says, "Heck of a first day."
"Yeah," Fred says, "Tell me about it. Man, that Death Stalker... Don't think I've fought anything that tough before."
"Me neither," Oda says.
"I think we should get to sleep," I say, "Early day tomorrow, don't want to miss class or anything."
"Good idea," Oda says, "Good night, guys!"
We each say good night to each other and I turn the lights out. Fred and Oda start snoring almost immediately, and Dawn rolls around a bit before finally drifting off. I find my vision growing black, and soon sleep envelops me.
