Chapter 2: Initiation In The Emerald Forest
Author's Note Part 1: I… Hate… Fucking… Insomnia! Right now, it's one-o-clock in the fucking morning! And I literally just started up my computer because I've been lying in bed for around four hours, and I can't sleep! Hell, I've tried taking sleeping pills in the past, but all they do for me is put me in a kind of resting phase where I'm aware of what's going on enough to know that I'm still awake, but I have no idea of anything going on around me… I need help…
Anyways, my own personal problems aside, I guess that I should get back to the actual story, since that's what you guys are actually here for. So, last chapter, I introduced you guys to the "Z" in RWBYZ, Zach. Now, at the time that I'm writing this first Author's Note, I haven't posted the first chapter. So, I don't really know if anyone has managed to figure out the way that I've written out Zach. But for those of you who haven't, you'll probably be able to figure it out this chapter. And depending on how long I make this one, it's possible that if you don't, then you'll know for a fact either this chapter, or the next.
Another thing that I'm sure you guys noticed last chapter is that Zach and Yang easily return each other's feeling when they're around people they know, but other than that, Zach has/had problems whenever he is/was around random "shades". Now, I will be touching upon this at a later date, probably during an original chapter or arc, since each "episode" for RWBY takes place a few days, weeks or even months after the one before it.
So, during one or more of the chapters that takes place between those times, you guys will find out more about Zach's past, if you guys don't already get an idea of it after reading this chapter and the first one. Oh, something important you guys should know is that at the moment, I'm basing this off the Netflix version. However, I'm probably gonna go look at the YouTube playlist in a little while so that I can understand things that aren't gone over in the actual episodes.
Now, I'm sure that you guys just want to get to reading the actual chapter since I'm sure that's what all of you are here for in the first place. So, after another long ass Author's Note, I'll just let you guys read chapter 2 of "Team RWBYZ"!
(Update: Shut down computer and attempted falling asleep at two after getting through the first part of the chapter, which goes until the end of the locker scene. I managed to fall asleep after a couple hours, and I got six hours of sleep before waking up, eating, and then working on this once again after I went over the trailers for RWBY to get a bit more backstory on the characters.)
Zach's POV:
The next day, me, Ruby and Yang are in the locker rooms provided to us by the school, when two teens walk by us, one of them talking non-stop to the other, who simply listens. "I wonder what those two are so worked up about." Ruby says as she opens her locker, getting a shrug from me as I hold a black briefcase in my right hand, Yang standing beside me and looking in the opposite direction, before she turns around to face her sister.
"Oh, who knows?" Yang asks her, before crossing her arms as she gives her younger sister a smile. "So, you seem awfully chipper this morning." Yang continues, getting a light chuckle from me when she says this.
"I'll say. It's like you're completely different from yesterday Ruby. Did you wake up on the right side of your sleeping bag this morning?" I ask, getting a light laugh out of the blond beauty beside me. In case you don't know, Yang has a thing for horrible puns and jokes… Kinda reminds me of that one commentator on YouTube, RageGamingVideos. (Note: At this moment, I can't remember if there is an actual name for a version of YouTube in the RWBY universe, so until I find out, just go with it for now. Also, if you don't know who I'm talking about… Search him up! He's hilarious!)
"Hm, yup! No more awkward small talk or getting to know you stuff. Today, I get to let my sweetheart do the talking." Ruby says as she actually caresses Crescent Rose, making me roll my eyes, though I have a small smirk on my face as I do so. However, Yang speaks up from beside me, making Ruby turn to look at her and stop caressing her precious sniper-scythe.
"Well, remember Ruby, you're not the only one going through initiation." Yang tells her younger sister, placing her hands on her hips. "If you want to grow up, you're going to have to meet new people and learn to work together." She continues. However, this simply gets an annoyed groan out of Ruby as she sends a light glare at her sister.
"You sound like da~~~~d!" Ruby says, putting Crescent Rose back in her locker as she turns around to face her older sister again. "Okay, first of all, what does meeting people have to do with fighting? And secondly, I don't need people to help me grow up! I drink milk." Ruby declares, pointing her thumb at herself with a smile on her face, making me roll my eyes with an amused smile on my face.
"I drink milk." – Ruby Rose, 2015 I think to myself with a smirk. (I don't know if there's an actual year for when RWBY takes place, so I'm just gonna go with the current one for now.) "Do you also eat all the vegetables on your plate?" I ask her, making her smile once again as she nods.
"Yes, yes I- Wait… Zach!" She exclaims, making me laugh as Yang sends an amused smile of her own at her sister, before talking to her once again.
"Ruby, what about when we form teams?" Yang asks her younger sister, making her stop glaring at me and turn to face Yang with a confused facial expression.
"I, I don't know… I'll just be on your team… Or Zach's… Or something…" She trails off at the end while turning around and hugging herself a little, not really sure where to go with it after listing off our names. However, at her response, Yang and I share a glance, with the blonde beauty messing around with her hair a little.
"Maybe, you should try being on someone else's team…" Yang suggests, making Ruby turn around and walk over to stand in front of her older sister.
"My dearest sister Yang. Are you implying that you do not wish to be on the same team as me?" Ruby asks her as she places her hands on her hips and sends Yang another slight glare, making Yang raise her own hands in defense.
"What? No! Of course I do… I just thought, I don't know, maybe it would help you break out of your shell." Yang suggests. However, it has the complete opposite effect than she was expecting as Ruby throws her hands into the air.
"What the-! I don't need to break out of my shell! That's absolutely-!" However, she's cut off as Jaune walks between the three of us with a piece of paper held in his hands.
"Ridiculous!" He exclaims, essentially finishing Ruby's sentence for her. However, as he walks away, still talking to himself, Ruby continues to glare at me and Yang. As she does so, the two of us have a silent conversation. Yes. We know each other well enough to do so, without Ruby being able to figure out what we're saying.
Come on Yang, you're her sister! I tell her with my eyes.
Yeah, but you're her older brother figure! And she looks up to you after you made your own weapon the way you did! She argues, making my eyes widen a bit.
But she looks up to you because you're her sister! You understand her better than I do! I tell her, sending a glance at Ruby to see that she's still glaring at us, her eyes narrowing a bit when she sees that we're not answering her, and instead trading glances.
Come on Zach! You know as well as I do that she needs to break out of her shell and meet new people! Just the two of us aren't going to work for the rest of her life! She tells me, making me roll my eyes a bit.
Yeah, that'll sound great coming from the guy that has problems even talking when there are other people around! I argue back, giving her a valid reason. However, she breaks out the big guns instead.
Yeah, and I helped you break out of your shell yesterday! Come on Zach… I'll even give you a present! She tells me, making my eyes narrow.
Are you trying to bribe me? I ask her, making her lips give a barely noticeable twitch as she subtly sways her chest a bit.
I don't know Zach… Am I? She asks, and I can see the sultry look that she's giving me with her eyes.
Yes! Yes you are! I exclaim, and her eyes gain a more seductive glint to them as she leans towards me slightly, but not enough for Ruby to notice.
Come on Zach! You know that I can make it worthwhile… You just need to tell Ruby. She tells me, and I mentally groan since I know that she's trying her best to not tell her sister. Yang would no doubt want to spend some time with me later despite the choice of if I told her sister or not. But, this was just her way of flirting now that her dad can't be looking over her shoulder.
…Fine. But it better be worth it. After all, you still have that other promise to fulfil as well. I tell her, making her eyes stay seductive as she sends me a wink.
Oh, don't worry, I plan on returning both favors Zach. She says, and I can tell that she would be whispering that to me if we were actually talking. So, sighing at the task I've been given, I step towards my younger sister figure.
"Ruby… You've been around your sister for your entire life. Hell, I've been around you guys for a few years. But… Look how you did with Jaune yesterday! He was the second person you met at Beacon, and you became friends with him in the space of ten minutes!" I tell her with a smile, making her glare go away a bit as she turns to look back towards her locker.
"Yeah… But…" She trails off, and I sigh as I walk over to place a hand on her shoulder.
"Ruby… Remember what Yang said yesterday? You're surrounded by friends here at Beacon, you just haven't actually made them your friends yet." I tell her, making her turn slightly to look at me.
"Yeah, but yesterday you said that those situations usually don't turn out well." She mutters, making me blush a bit in embarrassment as I wave my hands around.
"No! I said that about strangers! As in the random people on the street! Not the students here at Beacon!" I exclaim, but before I can get much further, the three of us hear a yelp and turn to see Jaune stuck into one of the many pillars in the room by a spear through his hood. However, before anything can be said, we hear the loudspeaker turn on.
"Would all first year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation. Again, all first year students report to Beacon Cliff for initiation." The loudspeaker announces, and we turn away from it to watch as Weiss "Ice Queen" Schnee, and another girl that I vaguely recognize, walk past Jaune with the latter taking her spear from where it was imbedded in the pillar. I say "take" and not grab, because as she does so, I narrow my eyes and focus on the fact that her hand never even touched the piece of metal.
"It was nice meeting you!" The redhead exclaims, Jaune simply slumping to the ground as she walks past.
"Likewise…" He trails off as the three of us walk over to him, Ruby no longer glaring at me or Yang.
"Having some trouble there, lady killer?" Yang asks him with a smirk as Ruby holds out a hand for him to take. I simply stay standing next to Yang, my briefcase in my right hand, while my left hand is in the pocket of my grey hoodie.
"I don't understand… My dad said all women look for is confidence. Where did I go wrong?" He asks, his head rolling so that he's looking at the ground once again as I sigh, and Yang starts to walk away while I follow her.
""Snow Angle" probably wasn't the best start." Yang tells him, myself nodding in agreement as Ruby helps him after us as we all head towards the cliff that we would be taking our initiations at.
A few minutes later, the three of us, along with the other first years, are standing on Beacon Cliff with professor Ozpin and Goodwitch standing in front of us. "For years, you have trained to become warriors. And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." The headmaster tells us as we all listen attentively, no one wanting to speak over him and possibly miss any crucial information. Which turns out to be a good thing since Goodwitch speaks up next with a Scroll in her hands.
"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." She tells us.
Well, the main vibe that I get from this teacher? Don't fuck with her. I think to myself after hearing her blunt statement. From my place next to Yang, I can hear Ruby on the blonde beauty's other side start to quietly complain to herself.
"What? Oh…" She trails off, making me sigh quietly, since I know that either me or Yang would have to try our best to find a way onto her team. Hey, we might have told her earlier that she needs to break out of her shell, but being completely separated from me and her sister? That's not what we meant. After Goodwitch's announcement, Ozpin speaks up again.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." He tells us, making me start to sweat a bit, because now I needed to make sure I was on either Ruby's or Yang's team. If it's both of them, even better! However, Ozpin's next announcement makes that a bit more difficult. "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." When he says this, I hear the sound of glass shattering just before Ruby gives a frightened yelp. I'll admit, I'm not much better off since I'm now sweating bullets.
Oh this is just great! The last thing I need is to be paired with someone who's gonna hate me for the rest of my time at Beacon! I'd just be used as bait every time we go against Grimm, or something similar would happen, and they wouldn't listen to anything I'd try to say! I think to myself in fear. However, unaware, or completely aware knowing Ozpin as the headmaster, of my internal fear, the headmaster continues talking.
"After you are 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." He tells us right before takes a sip from his mug of what I presume is coffee. However, he suddenly seems to think of something as he swallows the liquid and speaks up again. "Ah, yes. I almost forgot to mention that due to some… Interesting developments, there will be one team of three this year." He mentions, making almost everyone turn to look at me, since I was apparently the only one who could be classified as "interesting".
When this happens, I pull my hood a little tighter, and try to sink into my black leather jacket with a red tribal design between my shoulder blades. I'd put this on just before leaving the locker room, and it completed my Huntsman outfit. "Now, you will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation. But our instructors will not intervene." He tells us, myself still trying to sink into my clothes due to the few shades still looking at me.
"You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path, containing several relics. Each pair, or trio, must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" Ozpin asks us, and I see Jaune raise his hand out of the corner of my eyes.
"Yeah, um, sir…" However, Jaune doesn't get to say anything else as Ozpin starts speaking again.
"Good. Now, take your positions." He tells us, and I see everyone else get into a stance as if they were about to fight. As for me, I just crouch low to the ground with my arms by my side, my right one moving a bit since I can feel my weapon present on my arm. I hear Jaune continue to question the teacher as the panels that everyone is standing on starts to launch them over the cliff. Then, the teen beside me gets launched, and I take on last look at Yang. In response, the blonde beauty simply gives me a wink, and I return it with a smile… Right before my panel launches me out into the open air above the cliff, the last three first years following not too far behind.
As we all fly through the air, I stay in the exact position that I was in when we were launched. This allows me to control my approach to the ground below with slight arm movements, and I do so in a way that lets me head towards an area that's clear of trees. As I do this, I suddenly hear a loud ~Bang!~ which is quickly followed by multiple others. When I look in the direction that they're coming from, I notice a yellow blur heading towards the same area I am, and I allow myself to slightly veer off course so that Yang doesn't slam into me.
She flies past me, Anime Logic allowing time to slow down so that she could give me a flirtatious wink, and then goes flying through the trees, jumping from one trunk to the next until she lands on the ground, rolls, and then runs a bit, before turning around. As she does this, I simply continue to direct my approach, not bothering to grab onto any trees or anything that would help to cushion my fall. Instead, I just continue to head towards the ground, closer and closer…
Before I create a sizable crater in the ground when I land with my right fist punched onto the ground to keep me from falling onto my face. After landing, I stand up, brush some dirt off my shoulders, and look up to see Yang standing in front of me, taking off her sunglasses. "Show off." She mutters, and now that we're extremely far away from any shades, I let a smirk make its way onto my face.
"Ah, you know you love it Yang." I say, making her chuckle a bit, before she saunters forwards, and pulls me into a heated kiss by the front of my hoodie, which I return as I place my hands on her waist and pull me towards me slightly as that our bodies are pressed against each other.
"True, it's just one of the things that I really like about you." She admits when she pulls back a few seconds later, making my smirk grow, before it turns into a more serious expression.
"As much fun as this is now that we're alone, I think it might be a good idea if we find Ruby." I say, making Yang nod as the two of us start jogging through the forest in the direction that Yang last saw Ruby heading towards after being launched. Eventually, we reach an area around the point that we think she landed, and start to wander around the area a bit.
"Hello~~~~~~! Is anyone out there?!" Yang calls out into the mist that's started to drift into the area, myself looking around as well.
"Ru~~~~by! Ruby! It's us! Come on out if you're around here!" I call out, looking around the area as I put my hands on either side of my mouth in hopes that it would amplify my voice and carry it across a wider area. Suddenly, the two of us hear bushes start to rustle, and turn around in the direction of the noise.
"Is someone there?" Yang asks as the two of us walk towards the bush. "Ruby, is that you?" She continues as we move the bushes a bit to get a better view… "Nope." Only for the two of us to dodge to the sides as an Ursa comes charging out of the greenery. The two of us roll to our feet and face the Grimm, Yang readying Ember Celica, only for another Ursa to charge at her from behind. However, she rolls to the side once again, dodging the strike, and ends up next to me as the two of us face the two Grimm on the other side of the clearing we'd found ourselves in.
After a few seconds of silence, one of the Ursai tries to take its chances by charging at us, and in response it gets a shotgun enhanced punch to the gut, courtesy of the blonde beauty beside me. I smirk as the large Grimm is shot off its feet, and gets launched to the other side of the clearing next to the second one, just as the second Ursa in question charges towards us. This time, Yang gives the Ursa a shotgun enhanced uppercut, before kicking it while blasting it with Ember Celica once again.
"You guys wouldn't happen to have seen a girl in a red hood, would you?" She asks, only to get growls in response.
"My, what sharp teeth you two have." I quip as I stand next to Yang, getting a bit of laughter from her.
"In the middle of a forest looking for a girl in a red hood, complimenting a Grimm's teeth, we're in a real life Little Red Riding Hood, aren't we?" Yang asks me sarcastically, myself simply holding my right arm out in front of me as I continue to feel my weapon underneath my clothes, and give a smirk.
"All we need is for the two Ursa to be replaced with a single Beowolf and we'll actually be living the fairy tale." I agree, just before one of said Ursa charge at us again. It heads towards Yang, and attempts to swipe at her with its claws. In response, the blonde beauty backflips away, and then lands on her feet a few yards away, giving a mocking laugh.
"Geez, you two couldn't hit the broad side of a bar-" She suddenly cuts herself off and I notice why at the same time she does…
The Grimm had cut off a strand of her hair.
At this point in time, I'd like to remind you of what I said last chapter. That being that me and her family are the only ones who are able to touch her hair without being sent to a nurse, or hospital. Now, you can imagine what would happen if someone damaged said hair. With that in mind, I start to back away with my hands in front of me, the two Grimm sharing looks as Yang starts to growl, the two actually look at me in confusion after a second. I simply give them a nervous smile in response, since with what's about to happen, I'm not entirely sure I'd even wish it on a Grimm.
"Let's just say that the only one able to calm her down, or go toe-to-toe with her, when she's like this is me. But since I'm not sparring with her, I think I'd rather not get in her way… It was nice knowing you." I tell them with the same nervous smile on my face as I continue to back away, just as Yang looks up with her now-red eyes as she glares at the two Ursa.
"You…" Yang trails off, before swinging her arms so that they're pointing at the ground. "You monster!" She yells, Ember Celica going off and causing fire to flare around her, before she pushes off the ground and rockets towards the two Grimm, her weapon going off again and propelling her forwards at faster speeds. When she reaches the first Ursa, she sends a devastating punch to its gut, before giving it an uppercut that launches it up into the air. When it starts to come back down, Yang once again rockets forwards, and launches a barrage of shotgun enhanced punches to the Ursa's stomach as she continues to run forwards. After one last devastating blow, the Grimm is launched through multiple trees, snapping the trunks as the Ursa goes flying through them all.
After Yang does this, she turns around to find the second Ursa charging towards her, before it stands up on its hind legs and growls at her. "What?! You want some too?!" She yells at it… Just before it lets off a surprised grunt as the sound of flesh tearing is heard, and the Grimm falls onto its front revealing a girl, that I'd seen reading the night before, with her weapon embedded into the Ursa's back. Me and Yang just stare at her as she stands over the fallen Grimm, and retracts her weapon by the rope that it was attached to into her hand, the blonde beauty breathing deeply as she starts to finally calm down from her rage. After sheathing her weapon on her back, the new girl sends a smirk to the two of us.
"…I could've taken him." Yang says in defense, making the girl turn to me.
"Hey, when Yang goes on a warpath, unless we're sparring I tend to stay out of the way since I'm not the one she's angry at." I explain, holding up my hands, even though I subconsciously notice that I'd immediately made sure that my hood was up when I saw the girl. In response, the girl simply raises an eyebrow, before the three of us hear a whistling sound, and turn to face the direction that it's coming from. The sight that we see is that of an arrow that suddenly impacts one of the untouched trees around us. In response, the three of us look amongst one another, before Yang walks over to it, and takes off a piece of paper that was tied to it.
"It says, "Congratulations on meeting your new teammates"." She says, making me turn to the girl that we don't know, and mentally sigh.
Great… So then Ruby's gonna be stuck with someone that she doesn't know... I think to myself with a frown, before the girl suddenly holds out her hand to me as Yang walks back over to us.
"Blake." She tells me, and I'm assuming that's her name as I slowly reach out with my own hand and shake hers.
"Zach." I respond, taking my hand back a bit quicker than what would be normal when we stop shaking.
"And I'm Yang." Yang greets the girl with a smile, though she slightly frowns when she notices that I've become my secluded self once again in the presence of someone new. Letting off a sigh, Yang starts walking once again. "Well, since we're a team now, I guess we should head towards that forest temple the professor told us about." Yang says, getting a nod from me and Blake in response, before we all start heading North. The way that we're able to tell is due to the positioning of the sun, since it's not even noon yet, so the sun is still rising in the east, meaning we just keep it to our right.
After about half an hour of walking, we eventually make it to a break in the trees, and walk out to find ourselves standing on a small hill overlooking the ruins of what I can assume was once the forest temple that Ozpin was talking about earlier. As we stand on the hill, Yang turns her head to look at me and Blake. "Think this is it?" She asks us, getting a slightly raised eyebrow from me, while Blake gives her a deadpan expression, before walking down the hill towards the ruins, me and Yang not far behind.
When we walk into the actual ruins of the temple, we notice that there are multiple pedestals, some of which have objects on them, a couple of which are empty. As we get a closer look, I notice that all the objects are… "Chess pieces?" Blake asks, looking at a black king that's set up on one of the pedestals.
"Some of them are missing." Yang comments, looking at the empty pedestals that no doubt held pieces beforehand. "Looks like we weren't the first ones here." She continues, myself nodding in agreement as I notice that two black pieces are missing from the possible choices.
"Well, I guess we should pick one." Blake says, getting nods from me and Yang in response as the three of us look over the available pieces that were left. After a few more seconds, Yang picks one in particular up and holds it out for us to see.
"How about a cute little pony?" She asks us as she holds up the white Knight, making Blake roll her eyes in response.
"Sure." She says, before giving a slight smile and walking over to Yang while I simply shrug in response to the blonde beauty's question. If me and Yang were on a team alone, or with Ruby, I'd probably take this chance to start up some witty banter with the blonde beauty, which would no doubt lead to us flirting. However, since Blake is a part of our group, and I don't know her that well, I've gone back to my more secluded personality. And Yang's noticed if her slight frown in my direction is anything to go by.
"That wasn't too hard." Yang comments after a few seconds of looking at me, and then looks around at the remaining objects while I simply look around the area itself in case any Grimm make themselves known.
"Well, it's not like this place is very difficult to find." Blake responds, myself humming in agreement as I continue to look around the area, not able to shake myself of the feeling that Yang's words aren't going to last that much longer. And I'm proven right when a few seconds later, we hear a very high pitched squeal. In response to the squeal, Yang turns in the direction that it came from.
"Some girl's in trouble! Blake, Zach, did you hear that?!" She exclaims, myself sighing a bit off to the side.
"That, or it was a guy that got the shit scared out of him… Or got hit in the balls." I add as I wince at the thought. However, I suddenly hear a loud voice that's extremely familiar.
"Heads u~~~~~p!" I hear the familiar voice yell, and I look up to find Ruby falling towards us. When I see this, I'm surprisingly calm as I stand next to Yang and Blake, not jumping as high as I can in the air to catch her. Though, I'm not sure if it's because I'm in shock, or because there's someone else here that I don't want to reveal my Semblance to… However, before I can find out, Ruby is suddenly hit by another familiar, colored-in person, and hits into a tree with them. As we stare at the tree that they hit, Blake speaks up.
"Who were those guys?" She asks.
"The one in Red was Ruby, Yang's little sister. As for the other guy, he's Jaune, a friend of ours." I reply, just before we hear trees crashing to the ground, and turn to find a large Ursa stumbling out of the forest as it swipes its claws around as if trying to hit something, before falling to the ground as an orange haired girl suddenly rolls off its back to look at it, before zipping "off-screen", and then zipping onto the dead Ursa's back. A few seconds later, she then zips over to the chess pieces, looks at a rook, and then takes it and places it on her head… And then proceeds to sing.
"I'm queen of the castle! I'm queen of the castle!" She sings cheerfully as the backdrop changes to random things that I won't bother to describe, before her singing is interrupted by a loud voice, causing the backdrop to pop out of existence.
"Nora!" The guy that had apparently come out of the forest with her yells, making her stop and chuckle a bit before saluting the guy and tilting her head so the rook falls into her hands.
"Coming Ren!" The now named Nora yells back, before skipping over to him.
"Did that girl just ride in on an Ursa?" Blake asks.
"I-" However, Yang is cut off from answering as another commotion starts up, and everyone turns to face the direction the noise is coming from to see the redhead from earlier in the locker room come running towards the ruins, with a Deathstalker on her tail. She manages to dive through or away from all the attacks that it throws at her, steadily making her way towards the rest of us. However, our attention is brought to Ruby as she jumps from the tree she landed in and stands up next to us. "Ruby!" Yang exclaims, making the 15 year old look at her and get a large smile on her face.
"Yang!" Ruby exclaims, the two sisters going to hug each other…
"Nora!" Only for Nora to suddenly pop up in between them and spread her arms out, effectively stopping the hug before it could start. After this happens, Blake asks what I'd been thinking a few seconds ago.
"Did she just run all the way here with a Deathstalker on her tail?" She asks everyone present. However, this proves to be the breaking point for Yang, as she lets off a frustrated yell, her eyes turning red as she looks around with her hair catching fire slightly.
"I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something crazy happens again?!" She yells, making everyone present go quiet as the Ren guy that Nora was talking to earlier jogs over here, before he pauses beside the orange haired girl, and pants a bit. No doubt still winded from running after Nora as she rode the Ursa here. As this happens, I can clearly hear the sound of a clock ticking in the background, before there's a ~Ding!~, and Ruby tugs at her sister's sleeve a bit as she looks into the sky.
"Um, Yang?" She asks her sister, making the blonde beauty sag a bit as she realizes that she only got a few seconds of relief before we all look up to see that Ruby is pointing at Weiss "Ice Queen" Schnee… Who's currently holding onto the talon of a large Nevermore for dear life. Vaguely, I can hear her voice calling out to Ruby.
"How could you leave me?!" She yells, though it sounds like a whisper from down here as the Nevermore lets off a loud ~Caw!~ a few seconds later.
"I said jump!" Ruby yells back.
"She's gonna fall." Blake comments, myself nodding beside her as I watch the Nevermore in the sky above us.
"She'll be fine…" Ruby says, and I watch as the girl above us loses her grip and starts to fall to the Ear- I mean… Remnant below…
"She's falling…" Ren says, finally having gotten his breathing back to normal. The six of us continue to watch as Jaune suddenly jumps out of the tree that him and Ruby had landed in, and catches Weiss. However, Loony Toons physics decide to kick in at that point as they float in mid-air until Jaune notices that he's in mid-air, and then they fall to the ground with Jaune landing on his stomach, while Weiss lands on his back, and starts to look at her nails in an uninterested manner. However, another sound draws my attention, and I look over to see the redhead from before finally get hit by the Deathstalker, and land on the ground in front of us.
"Great, the gang's all here. Now we can die together." Yang says in a cheerful voice, making me raise an eyebrow in response to her comment. However, Ruby speaks up before I can.
"Not if I can help it…" She says, before she starts running off towards the Deathstalker with a yell, making my eyes widen in shock while Yang reaches out towards her sister.
"Ruby wait!" The blonde beauty exclaims, but it's too late as Ruby shoots herself towards the Deathstalker with extra momentum thanks to her sniper-scythe, but ends up being hit away by the giant Grimm regardless. As she pushes herself to her feet, she faces us with a "reassuring" smile.
"Don't-don't worry! Totally fine!" She calls out to us, before turning around to find the Deathstalker standing right behind her, and attempts to shoot it in the face. However, all that accomplishes is launching her further away from it, while her bullet bounces off the hardened bone plating on the exterior of the giant Grimm's body. When this happens, Ruby quickly starts running towards us, compacting Crescent Rose as the Deathstalker lets off a loud screech of anger and charges after her. As she does this, Yang and I start running forwards to meet her, myself throwing away the fact that people are watching so that I can get to Ruby and keep her off the lunch menu of the giant Deathstalker.
"Ruby!" Yang yells at her sister as we continue to run towards her, the girl in question looking over her shoulder at the Deathstalker that's continuing to charge at her. As we continue to run, we notice, and hear, the Nevermore from earlier start flying after Ruby, and Yang puts on a burst of speed that leaves me in the dust as she charges towards Ruby. However, as she does this, the Nevermore stops flying momentarily to launch a salvo of feathers towards Ruby, each of them showing that they have a sharp tip as they impact the ground, one keeping Ruby pinned as it goes through her cloak. A few seconds later, Yang is forced to skid to a halt to keep herself from being impaled by more of the feathers. "Ruby get out of there!" Yang yells desperately as I continue to get closer to her and Ruby.
"I'm trying!" Ruby yells back as she tugs at her cloak in an attempt to free it from the giant bird feather keeping it stuck into the ground. However, as she tries this, the Deathstalker finally gets close to her, and raises its stinger. Everyone's eyes widen at this, thinking that Ruby may just…
Die…
For me, everything slows down, the stinger shooting through the air, Yang calling out Ruby's name in fear, the gasps of fear from everyone behind me, even Weiss slows down as I see her getting ready to run and save Ruby. However, in my mind, Weiss doesn't have a shot. The stinger is falling too fast, and Weiss is too far away.
When that thought goes through my mind, something inside me snaps. At this moment, I don't care anymore… I don't care if everyone will hate me after this. I don't care if I reveal who I am to the people here who don't know. I don't care if I end up being the most hated and/or feared at Beacon because of my Semblance. I don't care that Ruby might live anyway because she's a Main Character… I don't care…
Because I won't let Ruby die!
Then, time resumes for me and I activate my weapon… and my Semblance.
3rd Person POV:
Everyone watches as the stinger falls towards Ruby, fear in their eyes as they believe that she's going to die. Yang watches with even more fear in her eyes, thinking that she's about to see her sister taken from her in front of her very eyes. Weiss's own eyes widen, and she goes to grab her rapier to save Ruby. She may have disliked the girl for what she might have done had it not been for that other teen, but she wouldn't let her just die. But, before she can even touch the metal on her rapier, she suddenly sees a black blur go shooting past her, at speeds that she couldn't believe, and wouldn't be able to rival even with her glyphs.
Yang's eyes fill with tears as she watches the stinger get closer and closer to her little sister, not wanting to see Ruby taken away from her. She'd never known her birth mother, and she'd lost Ruby's birth mother… She couldn't lose Ruby too. And then, her eyes widen when a black blur suddenly dashes through the large feathers separating her from her sister, some of said feathers being snapped when the object simply runs through them, and only one word escapes her lips in a breathless whisper when she realizes what's happening. "Zach…"
For Ren, Nora, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Blake, their own eyes widen when they watch the black blur blow clean through the feathers, on a one way trip to the Deathstalker that currently has its stinger heading towards Ruby, intent on piercing straight through her and killing her. However, even as the object moves at blinding speeds, their eyes are drawn to the glint of sunlight on the right side of the fast moving object, which only gets brighter as time goes on. That's when they realize that whatever it is that has the sunlight reflecting off it, is growing as the object gets closer and closer to the Deathstalker. And then, when it reaches the giant Grimm…
~Clang!~
~Squelch!~
…
…
…
…
…
Every other Huntsman and Huntress in training stares wide eyed at the scene in front of them. The sight being Zach, who was the object moving at blinding speeds, standing with a slouch just in front of Ruby. However, their attention is brought to the large weapon that's covering the entirety of his right arm, which looks like a very large, curved blade connected to red and black tendrils that have taken the place of his arm, giving the teen a very frightening look.
However, their attention is also brought to the tail of the Deathstalker, the stinger of which is now piercing the dirt instead of Ruby. As they continue to look at the scene in front of them, the people who had seen what happened can only gape at the situation. After Zach had sprinted between Ruby and the Deathstalker's stinger, he'd used the large blade that was now his arm to divert the tail, and make it impact the ground beside them instead. Effectively saving Ruby's life. After a few seconds, the Deathstalker seems to realize this as well, and tugs its tail free of the ground, before letting off an ear splitting screech at the Huntsman in training standing in front of it.
In response, Zach simply glares up at the giant Grimm, swinging his new sword-arm in front of him so that it's at his side, the tip almost touching the ground. "You tried to kill Ruby… Consider yourself dead you overgrown scorpion." He says in a whisper that's filled with malice, just before he bends slightly… And propels himself towards the Deathstalker, his sword-arm leaving a trail in the ground as he goes, before he slides to the left to dodge the Deathstalker as it attempts to catch him in one of its claws, and then run under the offending limb to slice at a few of the Grimm's legs as he runs by it, getting another screech of anger from the Deathstalker, only mixed with a bit of pain this time. The Deathstalker quickly turns around to face Zach, but the teen simply slides underneath it as it does so, slicing his giant sword-arm across its underbelly as he does so, getting another pained screech out of the Grimm as it slumps to the ground after he gets to the other side.
He stares at the thing for a few seconds, before nodding to himself as the giant sword-arm suddenly starts to condense, and his regular arm can be seen once again as the red and black tendrils slither under his clothes, and the blade breaks apart into separate pieces as said pieces follow the black and red tendrils and hide underneath his clothes. However, no one present is exactly sure how something of that size was able to condense into such a small space, not even Yang even though she'd known about the weapon already, since Crescent Rose wasn't able to. Then, they all snap out of their surprise and all run towards Zach, since he's currently ripping the Nevermore feather that was keeping Ruby pinned to the ground out of the dirt as if it was nothing. However, only Yang notices some red and black tendrils wrapped around his arm as he chucks it to the side.
After Zach does this, Ruby suddenly leaps up, and hugs him around the waist. In response, Zach simply puts his left arm around her shoulders in comfort, while the other rests on her head. As the others run towards the two, they get close enough to hear Zach talking in a soothing voice to her. "It's alright Ruby… You're okay now… You know neither me nor Yang would let that thing hurt you…" He whispers to her, the girl in his arms slightly trembling from what just happened, though not crying. After a few more seconds, Ruby pulls back with a large smile on her face.
After she pulls away, the two look at the group standing beside them. However, before anything else can be done, Yang runs up to Ruby and pulls her into her own hug. "I'm so happy you're okay!" The older sister exclaims, before releasing her sister and turning to face Zach. "Zach… Thank you." She thanks him, making him give her a bit of a smile in response, just before she walks over and gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Not like the one she'd given him the night before, but one that showed him just how much she was grateful for what he'd done.
Then, as she pulls back to stand by Ruby, Zach flinches slightly, and turns to face the rest of the group.
Zach's POV:
I flinch when I remember that there are other people around, and slowly turn to face them. I might not have given them an actual good look at my Semblance, but with how my weapon was modeled, it wouldn' t take much for them to realize it. However, when I face them… All I see are smiles. This surprises me, but I take advantage of the situation if it will keep me from being completely hated by everyone there. So, my normal seclusion takes a back seat so that no questions will be asked.
"Alright guys, I might've been able to knock that thing out of the running for a while, but it's gonna get back up. And with all that hardened bone plating it has, it's not gonna be possible to take it out as it is right now. We'll need it awake to do that." I explain, making everyone else focus on the task at hand as well, right before we all hear a loud bird call above us, making us look into the air and see the Nevermore flying overhead.
"Guys, that thing's circling back!" Jaune exclaims, pointing at the Nevermore as it flies in a large arc, doing just what Jaune said and heading back towards us. "What are we gonna do?" He asks us, his arm still pointing as his voice takes on a slightly frightened tone.
"Look. There's no sense in dillydallying. Our objective is right in front of us." Weiss says, looking pointedly at the chess pieces still sitting on the podiums in the ruins of the forest temple behind us, making Ruby nod in agreement.
"She's right. Our mission is to grab an artifact and make it back to the cliffs. There's no point in fighting these things." Ruby says. When she says this, the others think about it, while Jaune simply nods his head.
"Run and live… That is an idea I can get behind." He says as he points at himself, while I look at the others in the group.
"For those of you who don't like the sound of that… Think of this more as a tactical retreat in order to gain a better advantage for if we have to face them again before we reach the cliffs." I tell them with a shrug, making everyone else, who didn't already agree with Ruby's plan, nod in agreement. Then, Ruby walks over and grabs the second white Knight piece that was left, while Jaune grabs the leftover Rook. However, after they do this, we all hear the Deathstalker let off a quiet screech, telling us that it's starting to wake up, if only a little.
"Time we leave." Ren says, getting nods from everyone else in agreement.
"Right. Let's go." Ruby says, everyone else nodding as they follow her, me and Yang staying behind for a few second to smile at Ruby as she continues to run. As Blake starts to pass us, she stops, and walks over with confusion in her eyes… Though the back of my mind wonders why they're gold, and seem to be a bit different than mine and Yang's. But, I'm forced to focus once again on the situation at hand when the girl speaks up.
"What is it?" She asks us, before turning to look in the same direction we're looking to see Ruby standing on top of a rock, almost heroically, before she jumps off and continues to lead the way for the rest of us.
"Nothing…" Yang replies, before taking off after Ruby, leaving me and Blake for a few seconds, before we follow her. Though, Blake seems to have a knowing look in her eyes, as well as her smile, as we follow the blonde beauty.
You've come so far Ruby. I think to myself with a smile, referring to the fact that just yesterday, she would have been nervous as hell to even talk to a new person, and yet here she is, leading the rest of us to the end of our initiations. It really made me and Yang proud of her and what she's managed to do. And as we continue to follow her, my smile grows a bit. And I'm sure you'll just continue to go further.
Author's Note Part 2: Well guys, that's it for this chapter. And now, if you guys don't know how it is that I've written out Zach… Well, I don't know what to say besides you'll find out for sure next chapter. Anyways, other than that, I think this chapter went pretty well, don't you guys think? I mean, I managed to get in a good chunk of reading for you guys, writing almost 1,000 more words than last chapter. Oh yeah, speaking of last chapter, I've gone back and changed something important, so make sure you look for that…
I'll admit, there was one part that I had to re-write, and that was the part where Zach faced off against the Deathstalker. The first time around, I pretty much had him completely wreck it into a state of it almost being dead. However, I re-did that for two reasons. The first being, I don't want to make Zach extremely OP right now, while the second is that as you guys can see, I cut it off just before the big fight. The reason for this is because I want that to take up a majority of the next chapter, and save all the real action until then.
Since Zach is being added to all this, you can expect major changes to fight scenes, though not every time. Also, something I'd like to ask you guys. Pairings. I don't mean this as in the romantic pairings of this story, I already have those pretty much found out! I mean pairings for the team. Like how Ruby ends up coming up with "Checkmate" for Weiss and Blake working together, "Ice Flower" For her and Weiss, and so on. So, I need ideas for names whenever Zach is working with one of the girls. Granted, I'd suggest you guys wait until at least the end of next chapter, since I'll also be going into Zach's story a bit more, and it'll give you a bit more insight on him, his Semblance, and his background so that you can come up with better pairing names.
Anyways, I think that's about all I have to say, so I'll get to the replies for the reviews you guys gave me!
*Guest* June 22nd, 2015:
Thanks a lot! I hope that I'll continue to keep you entertained through the rest of this story, as well as the one(s) that follow! (Yes, I'm doing the same as most of my other stories and separating seasons (or volumes in this case) into different stories.)
Anime PJ:
Well seeing as you've been with me for so long, I'd sure hope that you'd get what's going on here. And it's nice to know that this was a nice thing to surprise you. As for the personalities, thank you for verifying how I've done with them. As for Zach's personality, it's something new that I'm trying, but with how his backstory is, it's kinda how he's gonna be around people, at least for a little while.
The censored last name…? I have no idea what you're talking about… It's not like the number of stars equals the number of letters… No, it's absolutely nothing like that…
But, it's still nice to know that you like it so far, and I hope that I can continue to entertain you through the rest of it!
KaijuKyurem:
Thanks for the compliment! As for the next chapter, here it is only a day later! So I hope you enjoyed it!
Phoenix Commander:
It's nice to know that the fourth wall breaking wasn't over the top, since I know it's nice for humor and all, but I also know that too much will just lead to bad things all around… (I think the only exception to that is Deadpool…) But, as for where this story goes, you'll just have to wait and see. It's nice to know that you've liked it so far, and I hope you liked this chapter just as much, and will like the ones that follow even better!
SPARTAN-626:
It's nice to know that you like this so far! I'll definitely be going more into Zach and everything that has to do with him during the original chapters that I write in, and I hope you like the way that I end up writing him out. As for more chapters, here's the second, and more should hopefully be on the way!
Well, that's it for reviews guys, so thanks for taking the time out of your day to read this, and I hope to see you all next time!
(Updated July 25th, 2015: Well, not much changed in this chapter either. But, I figured that this chapter was pretty much good as it was, so I kept it relatively the same. Granted, I did add or change a few details throughout the chapter, but not too many. Anyways, like I said, not that much changed in this chapter, so I'll let you guys get on to reading the next one.)