I do not own RWBY or any of its characters. Those belong to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth. Now that we've gotten the legal formalities out of the way, let's get back to the story!
Chapter 3: What We're Made of
I woke up early the next morning in a state of panic, my mind racing. I hadn't gotten much sleep. It was roughly ten-o'-clock when I went to bed last night, and it wasn't even sunrise when I woke up. I had been tossing and turning for a good hour and a half, trying to force the thoughts of initiation out my head. Eventually, when I finally did get to sleep, I was haunted by the same nightmarish visions I'd had since I woke up in that ruin.
I got up silently and grabbed my bag. I decided a shower might help to calm my nerves. I made my way to the hall and followed the directions I'd seen on the schedule. Working my way through the halls, my mind kept going back to my conversation with Ozpin.
"The reason for this is that you will likely gain a slight control over your powers on your own while you are in the Emerald Forest. If you were to attempt to use them in battle, without the knowledge of how to control them, innocent people may get hurt. This includes yourself, Cori."
How was I gonna learn? How could I control something that Ozpin himself said he'd never seen before? It was a lot easier said than done. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't force the thoughts out of my mind. I just had to try my hardest not to let it affect me.
I made it to the showers and set my bag down just outside the curtain. I hung up my towel and stripped off my clothes, setting them aside. I stepped in, closing the curtain behind me, and turned on the water. The hot water rushing over my skin felt unbelievable. It was like the gentle spray was washing the stress away from me.
Even as I finally began to relax, my mind slowly shifted back to my recurring nightmare, which haunted me again last night.
It was dark. I couldn't see anything and I couldn't move. Some odd, muffled noise echoed through the darkness. For the first few seconds, there was nothing. Nothing at all but the blackness. Then, the pain started. It happened all at once. This blinding pain coursing through my veins, starting up without warning and never easing up. Writhing in sheer agony, I screamed at the top of my lungs. There was nothing else I could do, nothing else I could feel.
This pain never wavered and only increased it's intensity. Every second, my whole body was subjected to more and more searing pain. I couldn't move from where I was, I couldn't see anything, I couldn't hear anything anymore, I could only writhe as the pain rushed through my entire body. It didn't matter if I tried to resist it or not. All I could do was scream.
I turned off the water, flushing the nightmares out of my mind. I couldn't make heads or tails of it, but it didn't matter. Even if it was a nightmare, it was still just a dream. I didn't have time to worry about a dream, even if it was recurring. That's what I told myself as I toweled myself dry and redressed. It was just a dream.
Making my way back to the ballroom, I kept trying to focus on what I should be doing to get ready for the initiation. I took the piece of paper I found in my bag yesterday out of my pocket. Upon closer examination, I noticed that it had a few small maps of the school, along with several other crucial bits of info I'd need for today. Aside from my locker number and combination, it showed a schedule for this morning; where to go, when to be there, when something started and when it ended, and how to get there.
I could tell the school was big, but I didn't realize just how utterly massive the place really was until I looked at the map. Beacon was the very definition of "big." The school was comprised of several floors, all of which had too many rooms and corridors to count. This place was a maze! If I didn't have this map, I would have gotten lost within seconds!
I got to the entrance of the ballroom when something rushed past me with blinding speed. "Whoa!" I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of orange hair rounding the corner, apparently heading towards the showers. "Who, or what, was that?" I stood there stunned for a few seconds, then turned and quietly walked to my spot on the floor to gather up my belongings.
This wasn't going to be an easy day for me. The sun was already over the horizon, casting the lights of the early morning throughout the room. The day had officially started, which meant the initiation would begin within a few hours. A few people were already getting up to start their day. I grabbed my bag, pulled on my hoodie, rolled and tied up my sleeping bag, and followed the directions in my pocket to the dining hall. "Looks like there's only a few hours left." I glanced at a clock mounted on the wall as I ventured through the school. "I guess it's almost time."
With a fresh pancake breakfast eaten and my belongings stored away in my new locker, I walked around the academy grounds in an attempt to kill time. Ruby and Jaune were still asleep when I left, so they were probably just getting up now. I had more time on my hands than I knew what to do with. I decided to take a walk outside, rather than try and work my way through the labyrinth-like halls of the academy. The courtyards were all very quiet at this hour, except for a few birds chirping in the trees.
I walked around the school for almost half an hour until I came across a path leading up to Beacon Cliff. From what I read earlier that morning, the first-year students were supposed to come here to start their initiation. We weren't told to stay away, so I decided to take a look. The walk up was a little steep, but it wasn't a difficult trek. Once I got up to the cliff, what I saw was absolutely breathtaking.
The vast expanse of the Emerald Forest was utterly massive, stretching out below the cliff. The green trees in the valley below made it clear how the forest got it's name, covering the land in an enormous emerald green sheet that went on for miles. The clear blue skies above seemed to reflect the stillness of the forest.
There was almost no sound around me. Any birds that were chirping away were too far from the cliff to be heard. Everything else seemed to fade away into the distance as I stared out over the cliff. A gentle breeze blew around me softly, carrying the scent of the lush forest below, mixed in with the crisp and clean scent of fresh air. The forest itself almost seemed alive. It was beautiful.
I decided to sit and enjoy the view from atop the cliff, sitting down relatively near the edge. I kinda wanted to talk to my new friends, but they were probably busy, as this was the first day. I'd gotten up earlier than anyone else, too, so they wouldn't have seen me leave or know where to find me.
I just sat there on the cliff, basking in the scene before me. Staring out at this place, I felt calm for the first time since I woke up this morning. All the stress and anxiety I'd felt earlier simply faded away into nothing, carried off by the wind.
"Enjoying the view?"
I turned to see Professor Ozpin walking up the path behind me. He walked up next to me as I nodded and turned back to the cliff. "Yeah. It's quiet up here, but there's something about this place that seems oddly tranquil."
"Yes, this place certainly has a peaceful feel to it, doesn't it?"
I nodded again, then turned to face him. "So, did you show up early like I did just to enjoy the view? Or was there something else you came here for?"
He took a drink from his mug. "I thought I should make certain I was on time for today's initiation." He looked down at me. "After all, as the headmaster, I should be as punctual as possible."
I could tell by the way he looked at me that there was more to it than that. He didn't even need to say it. I could guess what it was immediately.
"You want to make sure you get to watch Ruby's progress." I got up slowly and turned to him. "Am I right?"
He let out an amused "Hmm" and took another sip before replying. "Well, of course her progress interests me. However, she's not the only one I'm keeping an eye on, Cori." I had a funny feeling he meant me, as he gestured in my direction with his cane when he said "only."
Just then, I heard an announcement coming from the school. "Will all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Repeat; All first-year students, report to Beacon Cliff immediately."
"Well," he said, turning back to the cliff, "I assume you're ready to begin, Cori?"
I turned back from the cliff but kept my eyes on him. "First, I've got one question." Ozpin turned to face me. "Do you... do you really think I can do it? Do you really believe I can learn to control my powers and become a student here? Please, Ozpin, tell me the truth."
He paused for a moment, taking another swig from his mug. Then, as I heard several of the other students approaching along the path, he smiled warmly at me. "I truly believe... that remains to be seen."
I smiled and turned away. I expected that kind of answer from him. Still, it said a lot more than others might think. It proved that he didn't know that I'd be able to do it, but he wanted to find out. He knew it didn't really matter if he thought I could be a Huntsman or not. I could tell he wasn't sure what to think, and that he wanted to see what happened in the end, so I didn't begrudge him for his response.
I gave a small chuckle and looked back over my shoulder at him. "Thanks, Ozpin." He just smiled back, and I walked over to where the other students were gathering. I saw that Weiss and Blake were already there, though I didn't actually go and talk to them. There were many other students that I had never seen before. I noticed that everyone was standing on some kind of platform. I chose the one at the end nearest to the path. Yang showed up as I approached, quickly followed by Ruby and Jaune. The three of them waved and took the remaining spots on the cliff.
I waved back as I reached my own platform. Just as I reached it, Professor Goodwitch and Ozpin walked in front of us and began their explanation of what would happen. They told us that we'd be working through the Emerald Forest to "put our abilities to the test." They also said that everyone would grouped into teams today. Well, almost everyone. They hadn't mentioned that I wouldn't be partnering up with anyone, though I knew the reason why.
Ozpin proceeded to explain that the first person we made eye-contact with after we landed would be our partner for the next four years. That explained why I was instructed to head straight for the temple. Everyone else would be wandering around the forest, trying to find a partner, so I would be able to work my way to the goal as quickly as possible in this way. This way, if I got into trouble along the way, I'd be able to handle it without worrying about hurting someone else. Once I had control of my powers, I'd be able to help the team I met at the temple.
Ozpin sure worked in strange ways. I couldn't help thinking about how this was an incredibly quick way for the students to learn to work together. If they were partnered up with the first person they saw after landing, they'd be forced to get along if they wanted to survive long enough to reach their objective-! Wait a second... The first person you make eye-contact with "upon landing?" Now I understood what these platforms were. They were going to launch us into the Emerald Forest.
I snapped back to my senses as Ozpin said "Now, take your positions." I shook my head and took a stance with my feet apart and my arms raised on either side of me, ready for a fight. I saw several students draw their weapons and thought I should do the same, but I decided against it. I'd just be revealing myself if I did. I watched as the students launched into the air one by one, until it was just me left. Jaune was obviously clueless as to how he was going to land safely as he got flung into the air.
I heard a faint click from the platform beneath my feet. I took a deep breath and took one final look towards Ozpin. Silently, he smiled at me and nodded. I nodded back, showing that I understood what I had to do. I turned and looked back out at the forest as I was shot off of the cliff and launched into the sky, whizzing out toward the forest at incredibly high speed. Everyone had their missions, and I had mine. Ozpin was watching us now, so we couldn't fail. I knew what I had to do. It was now or never.
It was time to show them what we're made of.
Everyone started their descent in a different way. I could see a few of the other students ahead of me and saw some of them land. Weiss conjured up a glyph of some kind and used it as a platform to spring from, eventually making her way to the ground. Ruby used her weapon's gunfire to reduce her speed before using her scythe to spin off a tree branch and drop to the ground.
Jaune... was screaming. A red-haired girl in armor used her shield to break through several trees before looking around from atop a large branch. She noticed Jaune free-falling and launched a spear at him, pinning him to a tree by his hood. Yang seemed to be having fun using her shotgun-gauntlets to launch herself through the treetops. She rocketed over a few more before propelling herself from tree to tree, gradually descending to the forest floor.
Now it was my turn to make a all the other students ahead of me, I took the opportunity to bring out my sword. I noticed a large tree where I was headed, about sixty meters away. I had no plan on how I would avoid it, but then I had an idea. Please! I screamed in my head. Please, let this work!
I pulled my free hand close to my body, trying to focus on what I wanted to happen. I thought back to my fight with those monsters and those elemental attacks I did. Come on! I focused on what I needed to do. Come on! I envisioned what I wanted and willed it into reality. Come on!
I shot my arm forward at the tree and a bolt of electricity launched out form my hand. The bolt whizzed straight to the tree and blew out a section of it, causing it to topple back away from me. The fallen tree stopped at an angle to the ground. Yes! Flipping forward, I shoved my blade into the tree, sliding down to the ground. Just before I reached the ground, I fired away from the tree and rolled off to the ground, landing safely on one knee. I did it!
I laughed a little, ecstatic about the feat I'd just accomplished. I managed to launch a bolt of lightning out at a tree and safely make it to the ground! I was starting to get a grip on my powers! I was overjoyed!
However, my happiness didn't last long.
I stopped laughing and looked around slowly. I could sense something all around me. Something bad. And I knew exactly what it was.
BGM start: Power Hour
by Neonlight
I was surrounded by Grimm. I couldn't see them, but they were definitely there. They were hiding in the bushes around me, preparing to strike. I was so overcome with joy that I hadn't noticed them at first. Now that I had, I knew I was in trouble.
They came out of the shrubs and surrounded me. Before I knew it, I was being circled by a large group Beowolves and Ursi. They didn't make their moves just yet, but I knew it would be soon. My grip tightened on my sword as I looked around me, seeing no escape route open.
"Agh..." Turning back to face the enemies directly in front of me. I took up my stance, ready to fight. "Fine, then. I guess I've got no choice but to fight."
The Grimm started to growl ominously. I stood still, waiting for them to make their move. They kept circling me for a few seconds, until one of the Ursi let out a roar and began the attack.
Turning to face it, I dove out of the way as it tried to slash at me with its claws. Rolling back to my feet, I jumped out of the way of another attack before sliding between an Ursa's legs. Turning and firing behind me, I quickly slashed the Ursa in half.
Three Beowolves charged at me, growling viciously and brandishing their claws. I flipped back out of the way of the attack, avoiding their claws by a paper-thin margin. One lunged at me from the side and I slashed through it's skull, the remainder of its body flying past me and colliding with another one. I swung up, knocking its claws away, and flipped my blade over my shoulder. Catching the handle as it rolled around my shoulder, I shoved the blade through the Beowolf's chest.
More of them moved in for an attack. Turning to face them with my blade still piercing the Grimm, I shot my left hand out at them. A blast of fire shot from my hand and ignited the two creatures. Wrenching my sword from the corpse of the Grimm, I shot to the right and cleaved through the two burning Beowolves.
As the smoldering remains of the two creatures the ground, a pair of Ursi rushed at me. Dodging out of the way of the first one, I blocked a volley of swipes from the other. The first one attempted to claw at me from behind, my attention focused on the Ursa in front of me. The two monsters mirrored each others movements exactly, trying to slash at me from either side. I leapt into the air, flipping back in midair to see the to creatures slice each other rather than myself, who had been there mere moments ago. As they began to stagger upright, I fired behind me and launched myself down at them. With their heads lined up perfectly, I swung my blade down and decapitated them both with a single, guillotine-like strike to their necks.
As another Ursa roared out and began to attack, I lunged to the side, ducking out of the way of a subsequently incoming strike from a Beowolf. Jumping out of the path of its claws, I launched out a bolt of electricity, piercing the creature and several others behind it.
The Ursa from a few moments ago now slashed its claws down at me furiously. Using both hands, I blocked the monsters attack, if only barely. The creature was strong, and I was struggling underneath its weight. It was massive and I strained against the heft of its attack. But, my determination was strong. I had to go on. I had to survive. I was not going to lose!
With all my might, I pushed back, forcing the Ursa's claw back up. Swing my blade out, I knocked its claw away and slashed at it repeatedly. Rushing forward, I brought down several more creatures, hacking and burning and firing away at them, blocking their attacks and countering with my own.
As I came down to the last two remaining Ursi, I charged at them. Sliding underneath the first's arm as he swung out at me, I knocked its claws away and swung up, halving the creature from hip to shoulder. Turning in midair, I planted my feet firmly on the falling torso of the creature and sprang off, straight toward the final Grimm. Firing to the side, I spun around completely before cleaving straight through the creature's body, finally coming to a stop, with my sword to my side as the remains of the creature crumpled into a heap behind me.
BGM end
Standing back up, I "sheathed" my blade, returning it to my arm. No matter how many times I did that, it still struck me as odd. Still, I had gotten used to it.
More importantly, it looked like I was getting a grip on my power. All I had to do was think of what I needed and will it into reality. In battle, I could do this as quickly as I needed to. It was almost instinctual. This wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. What was I so worried about?
Looking around for the first time, I noticed how quiet the forest really was. This place was a lot more calming from Beacon Cliff than it was from the forest floor. While I was on the cliff, the silence was calm and soothing. Here, though, the silence was unnerving. It was almost ominous.
Suddenly, I heard a noise in the distance. An unsettling noise that instantly put me on edge. Somebody screamed, and something roared.
"RUBY!" *GRROAAAAAAARRRR!*
A girl's voice. She was in trouble, and I recognized her voice. It was Weiss. I didn't know what creature that roar belonged to, but it didn't sound good.
Something clicked in my brain: Ruby. Weiss had screamed Ruby's name. That meant the two of them must've been partners. If Weiss was screaming for her, then she was either in trouble herself, or her partner was. Either way, someone was in trouble!
I knew what my goal was: I was to head north to the shrine and wait for a team to assist. But, at that moment, I only had one thing in my mind: My friend is in trouble! I didn't have time to stand around!
I turned and ran, sprinting as fast as I could to where the scream had come from. I knew what I was doing wasn't part of the plan for my initiation, but I didn't care. As I got closer to the origin of the scream, I heard the unsettling sound of the creatures of Grimm. The closer I got, the more of them there seemed to be. This wasn't looking good.
Ruby was one of the few friends I had, including Ozpin and Jaune. If she was in trouble, I couldn't just stand back and do nothing!
I had to move fast!
Uh-oh. What's going to happen now? I guess you'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out! The first half of it should be out soon, I hope. I would've updated this chapter earlier, but I had an extremely time-consuming event going on at school and didn't have much time to write.
I'm already in the process of writing the next two chapters, so I should have the story up and running soon enough. Don't forget to leave a review! I love hearing what you guys have to say about the story!
Thanks a lot for reading, guys, and look forward to the next chapter. See you then!
