Rose Prince

Chapter 3: Initiation

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY so don't sue me


(Preface)

"Uncle,"

"Yes,"

"I want to be a Huntsman, just like Mama."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

"Good luck."

"Can you help me Uncle?"

"I might break you."

"That's okay. If its uncle, I think being broken would be nothing as long as I can make Mama proud."

(Chapter 3: Initiation)

It was 3:00AM.

The moon was still in the center of the sky and most are still in the world of Hypnos.

But there was one person who had escape that world earlier than anyone else.

Most were currently dreaming while he alone stood awake, too excited to remain in the land of dreams.

Rayeth Rose was wide-awake. He had only five hours' worth of sleep but his energy had been replenish.

Physically and mentally, he was ready for the initiation. He had been ready the moment he set foot in Beacon.

He was now currently making sure that his weapons are ready to go as well. Hunters are only as good as their weapons, something that his Uncle had taught him earnestly.

He had already performed maintenance for his Crescent Rose and his Constantine Rose. He was confidence that his two weapons will not fail. He made sure of it many times.

Now, he was checking every single ammunition that he had.

In front of him were magazines and colored-coded rounds.

Ammunition for Crescent Rose.

Rayeth checked the magazines first.

In total, he has twenty magazines but each magazine held a specific round.

The magazines that were unmarked held normal rounds.

The magazines that had an arrow engraved on it held armor-piercing rounds.

The magazines that had a sun engraved on it held explosive rounds.

The magazines that had a cross engrave on it held high impact and high velocity rounds.

Finally, the magazine with a wolf engraved on it held high volatile dust rounds.

Removing each bullet from the magazine, he examined the bullets for any impurities and irregularities. Rayeth nodded in satisfaction when he found none and proceeded to return the bullets to their respective magazine.

Taking the magazines from the ground, he organized them in his utility belt.

Next, he examined his colored-coded rounds.

His colored-coded rounds were not in a magazine because they were design to be loaded directly in the chamber of Crescent Rose.

There were ten specific colored round, each having a different effect.

There were a hundred colored-coded rounds in front of him, lined up perfectly according to their color (Ten rounds for each color).

Examining those rounds and scrutinizing them to the extreme one-by-one, Rayeth merely nodded in satisfaction as he deemed the bullets perfect. He then put each specific bullets in several specific pockets inside of his suit.

Next, he turned his attention to the bin that held every bullet that he deemed unworthy and unsafe to be shot from Crescent Rose.

He spread the bullets into the ground and with eyes that seems to take every fine detail; he handpicked 300 bullets, 60 for each bullet that held by his magazine (Normal, Armor-piercing, Explosive, etc.) before returning the rest back to the bin. He then closed the bin and put it on his bag.

He then put those 300 bullets into the pouch located in the back of his utility belt.

Now that the ammunition was accounted for, he took another box from his bag and took the contents of the box and placed it in his utility belt.

When everything was finally accounted for, he added the utility belt in his outfit. Taking Crescent Rose, he put it in his back and with a click; the magnet on his back had safely and securely lock the weapon on his back.

Rayeth then stood up and grabbed the bag beside him. Rayeth left the tent and for a second, he enjoyed the cold sensation of cold air on his skin before looking back.

"Constantine, come." Rayeth commanded.

The tent collapsed and shrunk before a red cloth wrapped itself around Rayeth's neck, forming an enormous cloak/hoodie.

Putting the hood over his head, Rayeth headed to the place where the initiation will take place.

Beacon Cliffs…

There, his dreams would start.

(Scene Change)(Dreamscape)

A beautiful young girl stormed into a room, her eyes dark red as she glared at the lone occupant in the room.

"Where is he?!" The young girl asked as flames erupted around her.

"In the forest, training." The man in the room replied, giving the young girl a bored look. "His preparing for his future."

"The future of his choosing or the future of your choosing." The girl asked with a growl.

The man shook his head at this. "You can't protect him forever, Yang. What you're doing is admirable but you cannot coddle him forever."

"Watch me." Yang almost snarled as she stomped out of the room.

Only to be stopped when she found herself surrounded with crow feathers.

"He is not done with his set of drills as of yet." The man stated sternly. "I will not let you hinder him in his training, not again."

"UNCLE!" Yang shouted in outrage but was silence when his uncle gave her a very hard glare.

"Yang, I don't care how much you delude yourself and think that Rayeth needs to be protected. I don't care how much you clink to the idea that you are the only one he can depend on. I don't really care because I get it. Losing Summer hit you as hard as it hit your father and I. So as much as I find your overprotectiveness as destructive for both of you and him, I would allow it." Qrow stated with a harden voice and expression. "But take heed, I am Rayeth's legal guardian. As much as Taiyang and Summer loved each other, your father did not have the balls to marry her. When Summer died, the custody of Rayeth was given to me."

Yang was suddenly terrified from the look that his uncle was giving her. "Rayeth had already decided the path that he would take in life. He asked and begged me to help him prepare, and I will prepare him for the life that he had chosen with the best of my abilities. What happen to Summer, will not happen to Rayeth." Qrow paused as he leaned on his chair. "Yang, this is my one warning to you. Hinder Rayeth's growth, I promise you, you will never see him again."

Yang suddenly had a horrified expression at those words while Qrow kept his expression harden and neutral.

"And don't think that your father can stop me." Qrow added with a shake of his head. "Taiyang is good, but I have always been better." Qrow stated before shifting his gaze outside.

"As much as I love you, you are merely Taiyang's child, Rayeth is Summer's legacy, her blood is in his veins. He would always be my priority." Qrow sighed dejectedly before closing his eyes in resignation. "Don't force my hand, Yang. I can assure you, you will not like me at my worse."

(End of Dream)

Yang's eyes open abruptly as one of her most hated memory surface within her mind.

'What did I drink last night for me to remember that?' Yang groaned slightly as she sat up and took note of her surroundings.

She was certainly not in her room in Signal anymore.

She was one of the many students in the auditorium, and she was the only one awake. Most students were still sleeping.

Yang yawned as she stood up, wide-awake. She won't be able to sleep after remembering that specific memory.

'It's still too early for me to get gear up.' Yang complained mentally as she gazed on the many slumbering students across the ballroom. Regardless though, she took her bag that contained all her gear and proceeded to head to the shower. "Whatever, I'm just going to enjoy a long hot shower."

Entering the showers, Yang prepared her combat clothes, shower accessories (soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.) before stripping herself of her nightclothes.

Interesting enough, Yang also brought her scroll into the showers.

Twisting the shower faucet, Yang closed her eyes and relished the comforting feeling of hot water spraying all over her body.

When the feeling subsided, she took her Scroll and dialed a number. Setting it aside to avoid getting the device wet, Yang waited for a minute before a voice echoed from the Scroll.

"[Hello,]"

"Morning Ray!" Yang greeted happily at the sound of her brother's voice. "How's my favorite brother doing?"

"[For the record, I am your only brother.]" Yang grinned at that typical Rayeth reply. "[And I'm glad that you finally remember that you have a brother.]"

Yang laughed at this. "We're several miles away from each other and I can already feel you pouting." Yang said between her laughs. "Come on now, Bro, I was going to call you yesterday but you know how I am. Excitement got the better of me."

There was a loud, rather exaggerated sigh from the other line, causing Yang to giggle at how dramatic her brother could be. "[You are so lucky that you're my favorite sister.]"

"I'm your only sister." Yang replied cheekily, causing the two to share a laugh.

"[All seriousness, how's Beacon treating?]" Rayeth asked with genuine interest.

"Beacon's not a big deal. It's larger than Signal by a mile but aside from that, it's a meh." Yang answered though her enthusiastic tone betrays her words. "What about you, how's Signal treating you?" Yang's tone of voice took a 180 turn and became worried.

"[Same old, same old.]" Rayeth said dismissively.

"Still the persona non grata?"

"[Yeah. Many people here are still pissed that I've beaten them as a first year. Nothing major change.]" Rayeth said with a tone as if he was talking about the weather.

"Try to make friends, Ray." Yang advised her brother while treating her hair with some shampoo. "I'm not there to look after you anymore." That is not to say that Yang won't think twice of dropping everything in Beacon and go charging in for her brother's sake in a heartbeat.

"[I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Yang.]" There was both indignation and gratefulness in his voice. "[Plus, I don't need friends. I have you, I have Dad, I have Uncle Qrow, I think you three are enough people to mourn my death when it comes.]"

Yang could not help but frown at this while running soap through her body. "You should really adopt a new sense of humor. Ideally, not Uncle Qrow's."

"[Uncle Qrow constantly hammered into me and you as well that Huntsmen and Huntresses walks side by side with death constantly. Part of the territory, part of the job.]"

"Again, sense of humor, change it."

"[I'll try but no promises.]" Rayeth replied nonchalantly. "[By the way, did you brought those shotgun slugs that I gave you?]"

"All in the bag, bro." Yang said, thankful that her brother changed the topic. "I'll make good use of them, especially those incendiaries and explosives."

"[I gave you eight different shotgun slugs, and you always exclusive use those two.]" Again, Yang giggled knowing that her brother was pouting from the other line. "[How do you think that makes me feel?]"

"Don't get your panties into a knot bro. I'll use those slugs when the opportunity arises."

"[You better!]" Rayeth grumbled angrily. "[I did not mine those materials for it to not be use.]"

"You know, you could buy all of those materials in the nearest metal shop." Yang pointed out while washing the conditioner of her hair.

There was silence in the other line, which made Yang thought that her brother hanged up on her.

But that was not the case.

"[I am currently looking at you like you're an idiot at the moment.]"

"You want to turn this into a video call so I could see you looking at me like an idiot?" Yang asked teasingly.

"[I have no desire to see you naked, dear sister.]"

"For the record, a lot of people would pay good money to see me naked." Yang said with a voice filled with pride

"[Yes, and those people will be castrated with the use of Constantine Rose in the form of a very blunt blade.]" Rayeth stated darkly. "[Do me a favor sis, don't date trash in your stay there.]"

"Are you still upset about that?" Yang smiled fondly regardless of the current topic. "Those were just a quick fling."

"[You dated five trash here in Signal.]" There was disgust in Rayeth's voice as he recalled several foul memories. "[One of them I chase out of signal, three I sent to a hospital, and the last, I did something that would legitimately throw me into jail if proven. I love you sis but your taste in men is as appalling as dad's luck with wives.]"

"Don't curse me, little bro…" Yang said laughingly. "My luck with boys is better than dad's luck with wives."

"[I would debate you on that but I have drills to run.]" Rayeth said tiredly. "[Love you Yang.]"

"Love you to bro." Yang replied lovingly as they simultaneously hanged up. "More than you would ever know." Yang whispered as she started gearing up for the initiation.

(Scene Change)

Ozpin and Glynda were currently making their way to Beacon Cliffs when they saw a familiar child sitting on the edge of the cliffs.

"The first to arrive in Beacon and the first to arrive for the initiation." Ozpin commented before taking a drink from his coffee. "The child is certainly excited to be a Huntsman, don't you agree, Glynda?" Ozpin inquired while looking at the person beside him.

"I just hope that he isn't overly excited. That might cost him in the initiation." Glynda replied before looking at Rayeth extensively. "I hope that is not the only thing he'll have for breakfast." Glynda said while looking at the protein bar that Rayeth was devouring.

"Come now Glynda, Qrow might have warned him about the possibility of vomiting during the initiation. It has happened every year." Ozpn commented as the two continue their way towards the cliff. "Though it is interesting as well as refreshing to know that your option of him has change."

"Like you said before, Qrow would not put so much stock on the child's ability unless he is absolutely certain of his abilities." Glynda stated dismissively, her eyes not leaving Rayeth's figure. "And I admit that he has the right mentally in his approach in being a huntsman, something that is relieving though still disappointing that his elders is not taking this as seriously as he is." Glynda noted.

"Well, unlike his peers, Mr. Rose has found his reason to be a huntsman, something that most students discover when they are in their final year." Ozpin stated while looking at the horizon. "That makes Mr. Rose special in a way. He and his mother are so alike." Ozpin added fondly.

"Summer Rose, the White Wind." Glynda suddenly recalled one of the most infamous and well known Huntress in her time that had perished in the past years. "Although I have never worked with her before her untimely passing, she must be a saint for being capable enough to work with those two demons." Glynda, throughout her career as a Huntress, have worked with numerous huntsmen and huntresses, but the two that left a lasting impression on her, in a bad way, were Qrow Rose and Taiyang Xiao Long.

"Summer is a demon in her own right. She was quite capable of keeping those two in line." Ozpin commented, remembering the old team Qrow used to had, the team that was infamous for their fighting prowess and destructive power.

"I would have loved to meet someone capable of ordering those two around." Glynda commented, once again remembering the time when she was force to work with those two infamous huntsmen. That memory made her shiver.

Qrow Rose and Taiyang Xiao Long might be veterans and seasoned Huntsmen and their abilities might be in the top tier in the continent, but Glynda still considered those two as monsters that should not be in the battlefield.

Those two, in her opinion, were too destructive and too bloodthirsty to be huntsmen.

"Professor Ozpin, Professor Goodwitch, good morning." Glynda's musing was interrupted when Rayeth gave them a polite greeting. He turned his head around and gave the two a welcoming smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Rose." Ozpin returned the greeting as he joined Rayeth and sat beside him in the edge of the cliff. "You seem to be extremely eager for the initiation, more so than your peers." Ozpin observed as he joined Rayeth in overlooking the Emerald Forest.

"I've been waiting most of my life for this opportunity, Sir, so my eagerness is easy to explain." Rayeth replied with a chuckle. "This is the day that I will take my first step to be a Huntsman. I'm so excited that I'm shivering."

Ozpin after hearing those words chuckled goodheartedly. "Just like your father when he had his initiation."

"Though unlike my dad, I won't demolish half of Emerald Forest just to reach the destination." Rayeth said in an assuring manner, causing the two to laugh while Glynda could only roll her eyes.

"Yes, I remember that. Taiyang has never been the patient one and his sense of direction has always been appalling."

"I could attest to that. Dad's sense of direction makes for very difficult outings and camping trips. I blame his pride and his inability to read a map."

They shared another round of laughter before the two became serious.

"That being said, Mr. Rose, are you truly ready for the initiation?" Ozpin inquired seriously. "Deaths of students have always been common during the initiation." Ozpin added grimly.

"I am armed and ready as I could ever be, Sir." Rayeth assured him, confidence and determination evident in his tone. "I am one prospect that would not perish in that forest."

Ozpin looked at Rayeth intensively and attentively for a second before nodding. "I'm looking forward towards seeing your performance, Mr. Rose."

"It will be my genuine honor, Sir." That was Rayeth's only reply as Ozpin rose to his feet and left Rayeth alone.

"The initiation would begin an hour from now Mr. Rose." Ozpin informed him before walking away from Rayeth.

Glynda took this chance to approach Rayeth. "Are you really ready for this?" Glynda asked seriously.

"Ready as I could ever be, Professor." Rayeth replied with an equally serious tone. "As I told you last night, Professor, I am not here to waste your time."

Glynda appreciated the sincerity and seriousness behind those words. Glynda nodded before following Professor Ozpin. "I hope, truly I do, that you don't disappoint, Mr. Rose."

"That makes two of us, professor."

(Scene Change)

An hour later and Beacon Cliffs were suddenly filled with Students. They started lining up in front of the cliffs as per instructions.

Rayeth moved accordingly to avoid any and all attention.

Rayeth did not want or desire any attention to be directed at him.

He knew that the purpose of the initiation was for the students to be put into teams.

A normal hunters unit was composed of four individuals and those four would be stuck together for the next four years and in some instances, even beyond those four years.

In an ideal world, those four should be able to complement each other or is capable of learning how to complement each other. In an ideal world, those four students that would form a single unit would be close friends.

Rayeth knew that the world is not ideal.

Rayeth has no problem being in a team. In fact, he was excited to be part of a team. Still, deep down, Rayeth felt nervous to be in a team. He had never been in a team, even when he was in Signal. There was never a reason for him to be in a team.

Rayeth could still remember, during combat and survival training, when there was a need for students to form teams, he was always alone, the odd man out. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by force. When he was attending Signal, he had always been alone, although he had survive being alone and had thrive being alone. Of course, that did not do favors for his reputation.

Most of the students back in Signal did not like him. Rayeth could understand them though. He had been a loner back in Signal, a loner that did not interact much with anybody aside from his sister. The fact that he could beat everyone and anyone put in front of also irked most students, especially those older than him.

His seniors despised him and those in his year do not know how to speak or interact with him. Rayeth knew that the only reason that he did not come to blows with those students in Signal outside of combat training was that he was well protected. Being related to the headmaster and the toughest teacher in Signal tends to repel those who wants to do him harm. Also, his elder sister was the toughest student in Signal and the things she would do to the people that were trying to do him harm would be gruesome.

The fact that he could strike down anyone who actually wants to fight him in and out of combat training was not put into consideration.

"For years…" The sound of Professor Ozpin's voice brought Rayeth back to life. He pushed those memories into the back of his head. Signal Academy was no longer his school. Signal Academy was his past. Beacon would now be his present and his future.

Those thoughts further increased his will, determination, and eagerness to succeed in today's test.

"…you have trained to become warriors and today, your abilities will be put to the test and evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch stood in front of Beacon's new and hopeful prospect, eyeing each of them critically coffee cup and scroll in hand respectively.

"Now, I'm sure that many of you have heard many rumors regarding the assignments and placements of 'teams'." Professor Goodwitch said looking everyone sternly while inputting something into her scroll. "Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion." Professor Goodwitch paused for a bit, allowing the students to comprehend her words before continuing.

"All of you will be given teammates, today." Professor Goodwitch announced, causing various reactions from the students. Some were excited while some were nervous.

"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." Ozpin informed them while taking a drink from his cup. "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." Ozpin added and the surprise and dismay among the students were evident as most started looking at everyone around them, each student having an unease expression.

Everyone aside from Rayeth. Rayeth was confident enough of his ability to work with anyone as long as they are willing to work with him.

"After you partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition in your way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path, or you will die."

Some of the students gulped at that while some, Rayeth included, smiled in anticipation.

Rayeth swore he could feel the bloodthirsty grin etched on his sister's lips.

However, he did not fault her. He, as well, wore a menacing smile.

He and his sister were the offspring of one Taiyang Xiao Long. Love of fighting was in their veins.

Ozpin paused for a bit, allowing the students to recover their composure and to settle down before continuing.

"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." Ozpin informed them of his finally instructions before eyeing everyone swiftly.

"Are there any question?"

Rayeth, took this time to block everything out and merely readied himself for the upcoming battle.

The briefing was finish.

The objective to be accomplish was given.

There was nothing left but to finish the mission.

Anything else was nothing more than hindrances, unnecessary hindrances.

Rayeth took a deep breath as he was thrown in the air.

Feeling and relishing the cold air against his skin and admiring the speed of which he was flung in the air, he kicked the air when he reached the highest point and run downwards.

He would have covered more ground if he travelled through air but Rayeth knew that it was more convenient if he finishes the most troublesome part of the mission first.

Across the distance, Rayeth did not here one shocked exclamation from his beloved sister.

"Was that my brother?!"

(Scene Change)

The moment all of the students were launch in the air, both Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch focused their attention on their scroll that showed every corner of the forest.

"He has the cleanest landing among the new recruits." Ozpin commented as he watched Rayeth glide to the ground effortlessly.

"I think I am seeing a pattern." Glynda muttered, noting that Rayeth landed first in the forest before anyone else. "I do question his reason why he did not allow himself to be thrown farther though."

"Considering his speed, travelling from his landing area to the temple would take him but a moment." Ozpin said, already knowing the speeds that Rayeth could move.

"His Aura capacity is not that big. Certainly above average but not that immense." Glynda replied, eyes still focused on Rayeth.

Glynda watched as Rayeth brought out a scroll. Zooming on the scroll, Glynda saw a digital map of the Emerald Forest appearing on Rayeth's scroll.

Glynda raised a brow at this. "Is that allowed?" Glynda asked slowly in confusion.

Ozpin laughed at the bewildered expression on Glynda's face. "Yes it is. Only a few knows this but there is nothing against bringing a scroll or a map during initiation."

Glynda gave Ozpin a glare. "You mean to tell me that I and my partner got lost two times during my initiation because I thought that bringing a map was against the rules." Glynda was growling as she asked that question.

"You have always been a studious student, Glynda, but even you failed to understand the first instruction that I gave before every initiation." Ozpin said, still chuckling at Glynda's expense. "Students are free to bring everything and anything that they deem could help them in the initiation; scrolls, map, and communication device included." Ozpin stated humorously.

Glynda looked at Ozpin as if she wanted to throttle him as she remembered her initiation and the number of times she and her partner got lost when they traversed the Emerald Forest but force those urges out of her mind.

Looking back, there were really no rules that stated that it was forbidden to bring maps.

She was still displeased with Ozpin for not making it obvious though during her year in Beacon though.

"If this makes you feel any better, Glynda, it seems that only Mr. Rose has a map with him." Ozpin informed her as the two simultaneously looked at their scroll.

Truth be told, even though Rayeth was the farthest from the destination, most students were currently trying to go to upper ground to get an overview of an area while some were trying other navigation techniques, some were just wandering around aimlessly.

"A point for Mr. Rose."

Glynda nodded in agreement.

Ozpin inputted something in his scroll before smiling expectantly. "It seems that Mr. Rose is sticking with the trend of being first in his year." Ozpin stated as he looked at the two Ursi stalking behind Rayeth.

Rayeht did not move from where he was standing and merely continue looking at the map that was displayed on his scroll. He looked to be concentrating in finding the best possible route of which he would take while going through the forest.

So much so that he was ignoring the two massive Ursi that was slowly closing in on him from behind.

"You think he is aware that he had predators behind him?" Glynda asked, uninterested tone. She knew how this would end.

"Probably, and Mr. Rose probably knows that he could disposed of those two without exerting too much effort."

Truth to Ozpin's words, the moment those two Ursi lunge at Rayeth, Rayeth disappeared, leaving behind a spiral of rose petals that floated in the air.

Rayeth landed several feet from where he was standing and proceeded to return the scroll to his utility belt. He stood upright and stared at the two Ursi who was snarling at him.

Rayeth did not look threatened and merely pointed at the feet of the two snarling Grimm.

Of course, the two Grimm did not look at where Rayeth was pointing but both Ozpin and Glynda did.

There were two bullets embedded on the ground were Rayeth used to stand, that were now occupied by the two Ursi.

Rayeth snapped his fingers and two rose petals touched those bullets.

The bullets glowed before exploding. The explosion ripped the ground and turned the two Ursi into charred and burnt pieces.

Rayeth looked at the dead Grimms and the giant crater created by the explosion coldly before leaving the area in a dash.

Ozpin and Glynda immediately analyze Rayeth's performance.

"Efficient and clean execution, exerting the least amount of physical effort and the least amount of aura." Glynda nodded in approval. "A point for Mr. Rose."

"Taking the route that provides him with extensive amount of cover as well as avoiding most Grimm habitats." Ozpin mumbled under his breath. "A point for Mr. Rose."

"I hope that Mr. Rose would be paired with Ms. Nikos or with Mr. Lie." Glynda commented hopefully. "It would be tragic if he is paired with someone that would merely hinder his performance."

"You are worried that he would be put into a team that could not match his abilities?" Ozpin inquired curiously.

"I do not want him to go through what I had gone through."


Chapter 3, enjoy and review.

Curious question, who do you want to be in Rayeth's team.

I consider the canon team but I am also considering mixing it up, which is the reason why I am concluding the team placement to next chapter. My original plan was to finish the team placement this chapter but there was a conflict when I consider which team should I put Rayeth.

The Original Plan was for me to place him in the Canon team.

Then I consider teaming him up with Weiss, Jaune and Phyrra.

Which team would suit him better in your opinion?

Hoping for a reply soon….