Chapter 4: Initiated


Daria and Rainier shared a steady-eyed look.

"MEEEE-YOW!"

She sighed as they continued to walk forwards. "You think he's going to-"

"AAAAAH!"

"I doubt it, my friend." He muttered back in tired distaste.

Nash went sprinting by again, fully, completely energized beside his more half-asleep teammates, blue eyes bright, and a grin splitting his face as he ran up and down the hallway in pure, unadulterated excitement.

"Where does he get it from?" She sighed back as they continued to march a ways behind their diminutive teammate, Gail a few feet behind them.

"We did it-we did it-we did it-we did i-iit!" Nash called out as he passed them again, before disappearing around a corner- followed by the shocked collection of yells from a different team. He bashfully came shuffling back around the corner, head bowed. "...They told me to stop."

Rainier stopped and turned on his heel. "First off-"

"Rainier-" Daria began warningly.

"How dare they," He finished, brushing his teammate off entirely. "Secondly. Don't let any man, woman, or beast dull your shine, my friend," He grinned as he began retracing his steps, ruffling Nash's hair. "I'll be back shortly, my friends! I've but a word to be had."

The DRGN team leader made a move to stop him- before stopping herself, face falling in a look of unimpressment. "Fine, whatever. We'll... find the room ourselves, I guess."

The faunus simply hummed back as he purposefully rounded the corner, face pulling up in a tight smile. He cleared his throat pointedly as he made his way towards the other team- and stopped.

"Ah, Miss Schnee and friends!" He called out, smile warming.

The four girls turned to him, standing outside a door of their own- Weiss, Yang, her sister Ruby, and another girl tanner skinned than her teammates, with vivid golden eyes and long black hair, dressed in a white sleeveless shirt under a black vest, matching white shorts over black stockings and ankle-high black boots. And, sitting perched perfectly atop her head, was a rather large, black bow.

Weiss crossed her arms. "Oh... Platina, wasn't it?"

He bowed lowly. "Rainier Platina, at your service."

Yang crossed her arms. "Was that kid one of yours?"

"Well... yes, and, you see, your reaction to him was... well, shall we say, unpolite?"

"Well tell him not to sprint around the halls like a menace in the middle of the night." The pale huntress shot back, pale, blue eyes challenging.

He raised his chin in the air- and turned to the shortest girl, Ruby, yellow eyes locking onto silver ones. "You're the leader, Miss... Rose, was it?"

"AHA, YEP, THAT'S ME!" She squeaked out in surprise, silver irises turning to saucers. "Why do you ask?!"

"Oh, no reason. Just simply curious." The Vacuoan bowed, looking at each girl in turn- and then pivoted on his heel, marching back the way he had came, even as they muttered to each other in confusion.

With a lilt in his step, he sauntered back down the hallway he had been in, pale yellow eyes scanning studiously in search of his new team. "Dearest Daria?" He called out, peering around. A hand reached out of one of the open doors in the hall, waving in his general direction. He grinned and continued to make his way forwards, turning around the corner of the doorway with a flourish. And then froze.

His smile faded slightly. "Oh."

Daria looked up at him from her position in one of the corners, brown eyes curious and an eyebrow raised. "Oh? What do you mean, oh?"

"It's... rather blanche, no?"

She sent another look around, frowning. The room had four beds, one in each corner. A small bathroom, complete with shower, was to one side, while a smaller closet was on the other side. "It's... a dorm room, dude. What did you expect?"

He stared at her for a moment before chuckling, voice colored in slight nervousness. "Ah, it's nothing, my dear. It is... suitable?"

"Uh... huh."

Rainier was dead silent as he stood in the doorway.

"...But?" She continued, still frowning.

"...You are aware that I am going to redecorate this place at the first chance, correct?"

Daria shook her head. "Knock yourself out, dude."

Nash came sprinting out of the bathroom, a grin splitting his face as he skid to a stop, staring at the two elder huntsmen. "THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!"

Gail looked in concern at her new teammates for a brief moment before shaking her head, sticking earbuds into place and opening one of her books.

The DRGN leader stared at her team in turn before sighing. "Congrats, Daria. Congrats."


Shinai stared at his team in silent, stony irritation.

"I'm gonna be honest with you, cowgirl-" Lance continued, chin raised in the air in challenge.

Oracle turned green eyes to him coldly. "That suggests that everything you've said up until this point has been a lie."

"Don't you use semantics on me-"

"Ooh, big word. Which thesaurus did you cry yourself to sleep reading did you get that from?"

"It's a hard life reading thesauruses, but it sure as hell beats fighting a Vale girl who thinks she's a Vacuoan wastelander."

"Ouch. That one hurt. Bout as much as that Menagerian wax it looks like you get every other week."

He turned his gaze to the window. "Hey, first star, I get a free wish. I wish you weren't so damn awkward."

"That's one of the downright worst chirps I've heard in my life. My Alzheimer ridden uncle with dyslexia can chirp better than that."

"I prefer to keep my best stuff for a worthy challenge, not like the top-tier crap you're spittin'."

"I wouldn't say crap if my mouth was full of it."

Shinai rose to his feet, the room going silent at the motion (Ulysses in particular sitting in one corner of the room with his earbuds plugged in, heavy metal blaring loudly into the living space.)

He stared at the duo quietly before shaking his head. "I'm going to go clear my head. Figure out the sleeping arrangements. I'll be back in an hour." The samurai then turned towards the exit, stiffly exiting the room without another word, the door closing softly behind him.

Lance watched him go before turning back to Oracle. "Whatever. We don't need Captain Broody to tell us what to do. Skip that middle man entirely."

She stared at the door. "Right. We'll skip the middle man... who is our leader."

"Sort yourselves out, you whimpering idiots." Ulysses growled warningly as his music turned up louder, black eyes dark with irritation.


Shinai stepped forwards quietly, eyes closed as he turned his face to the night sky high above, breathing the cool air in and out soothingly, metal boots clacking against the stone floor. His hands rested on the handle of his katana, sliding it in and out of its sheathe in a telltale tick, losing himself in thought.

Reality suddenly whirled back to him as he stopped on his heel, teetering forwards slightly as a shocked gasp greeted him. He opened purple eyes and looked to the person he had been moments from careening into.

Pyrrha backstepped quickly to avoid colliding with the samurai, brilliant green eyes looking him over quickly. "Ah, I'm sorry, I hadn't seen you there."

He shook his head. "No, I was the one not looking. I apologize."

The two huntsmen locked eyes for a moment as recognition flooded through them. The red-haired warrior's face lit up in shock. "Shinai Kyani!"

"Pyrrha Nikos." He returned, bowing lowly.

"It's been some time!"

"It has."

"We haven't seen each other since-"

"Last year's Mistral Regional, yes."

"The finals, right. How are you?" She asked, voice legitimately interested.

Shinai shrugged as the duo began walking with one another, marching towards one of the metal railings that overlooked the lower levels of the campus, an ornate fountain trickling calmly down below. "I'm alright."

"I... hadn't expected you of all people to come here."

"I hadn't either. Circumstances change."

She smiled at him as she leaned against the bannister. "Well, it's good to see you."

"Likewise. Your record is still unblemished, I imagine?"

Her face reddened with blush. "I... it's not-"

"Don't believe that I'm bitter about our fight. You were the better huntress. I acknowledge that. I was just... curious."

She let out an 'ah' of understanding, and the duo lapsed into silence.

"Trouble sleeping?" Pyrrha finally asked, turning to him.

He trailed off as whistling cut through the quiet air, rising and falling rhythmically. The sound was soon joined by the uneven clatter of steel on stone, then the padding of sneakers, rotating on each beat. After a long moment, Rainier finally rounded the corner, eyes closed, and his hands stuffed into his pockets.

He blinked pale yellow eyes open, and looked at his two classmates in turn, irises going bright with recognition.

"Ah!" He called out, picking up pace to join them. "My samurai friend from the forest- and, Ms. Nikos," He bowed lowly to them with a flourish, before rising back up and smiling conspiratorially.

The aforementioned huntress smiled apologetically. "...Rainier, right?"

"That would be me."

"I'm afraid we didn't get much time to talk this morning before you left. We... haven't met before, have we?"

"No, no, of course not," He assured with waving hands. "This morning was our first meeting, yes? I'd hardly imagine you to know me otherwise, being a world apart as we have been," the faunus leaned against the railing, craning his neck to look up at the moon. "But, nevertheless- here we are. You, samurai, your name was... Shinai? I believe?"

"Shinai Kyani." The black haired huntsman offered, tipping his head in greeting.

"Shinai Kyani. Shinai Kyani!" He laughed. "I knew I recognized you!"

"...You did."

"Of course! You're legendary, my friend! Even I, a backwoods Vacuoan, knows the legends of Nikos and Kyani! Near untouched records, the both of you, and a lavish amount of trophies to share between you two."

"You know a lot about tournament play, then?" Pyrrha asked as she turned to the newcomer.

"Of course. My name may be buried in the far reaches of the desert, but I'm not so remote as to not pay attention to the frontrunners of my life's work. And here we stand. Three of the greatest fighters of our generation."

"You're very modest," She replied with a shake of her head. "But you truly believe so?"

"Don't be naïve, dear. There are few huntsmen or huntresses now, or who became before us, who can match the brightness of your star. And Mr. Kyani's story here is just as glorious, much as a fairy tale. Now, admittedly, it may be less fair to compare myself to you two, and our other peers, as I have come up in a very... different system as you two have. But I fear very little that I'm not considered amongst you in the potential top students echelon."

"Top students," Shinai muttered, purple eyes narrowing.

Rainier chuckled. "My friend, we are the defenders of the world. There are those of us who, once we graduate, will be sent on the most dangerous missions, in the darkest reaches of Remnant, where no sane man or woman will tread. Have no doubt that they have been, and will be, searching for those insane, talented huntsmen who can handle those quests. Perhaps even as early as our assignment in the Forest today."

"For a Vacuoan, you have quite the analyst attitude." Pyrrha noted.

"Perhaps. Perhaps. But, it never hurts to consider all possible situations when faced with them. I'd recommend you two do the same. It would certainly go a long ways in getting us through the next four years anyways," He fished his Scroll out and let the clock flash over its screen. "Ah, but it is far late, and I should be rounding back around to my new team. Ms. Nikos. Sir Shinai." With that, he bowed again, and began to saunter back off the way he had came, whistle cutting through the night air yet again.

Pyrrha sighed. "He is right, though,"

"About the rankings?" Shinai asked, turning a raised eyebrow to her.

She chuckled. "You two think quite a bit alike. No, that it's late. I think I'll begin heading off as well. Goodnight, Shinai. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise, Ms. Nikos," He said with a head nod, before turning back to the railing before him, not budging an inch. "Likewise."


"Vegas Gold!" Roman Torchwick barked, marching forwards furiously.

The gold-dressed man raised an eyebrow as he turned towards the mob boss. "I don't think I get paid enough for you to take that tone with me."

"You don't get paid anything! But more importantly- no killing my men!"

Vegas sighed as he leaned against a metal table, looking up to the darkened windows of the warehouse boredly. "They're not even your men."

"Maybe not, but they were expensive!"

"So buy some more."

Roman growled as he adjusted his bowler hat, chewing angrily on his cigar. "Your people don't pay that well, Gold."

The other criminal shrugged. "That's not my problem, Rome."

"Well, do you at least have a good excuse?"

"He was pissing me off."

"SO you just... just... slice-slice?"

"Yeah?" Vegas took a few steps towards his partner. "Maybe we haven't been properly introduced, chief. My name's Vegas Gold. I work for some very bad people because I'm a very bad person."

Torchwick didn't back down, green eyes narrowing. "And my name's Roman Torchwick, THE MAN RUNNING THIS OPERATION, IN CASE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN!"

The golden swordsman snorted as he turned away, looking towards the battle map covering the wall. "And how's that going for you, by the way?"

"Oh, it's going just peachy. It'd be going better if my men didn't keep disappearing. Minus their heads, of course. You just leave those, because why not?"

That roused a brief laugh from Vegas. "You know what, Rome? I like you. Fine. No more slicey-dicey on your men..." Then he turned back on his heel, getting very close to the gangster. "But you keep me in the loop on everything that goes on here. Deal?"

Roman stepped past him, tracing a hand over his map. "...Your bosses don't keep you very informed, huh?"

"About as well as they keep you informed."

The ginger criminal turned over his shoulder to Gold. "...You'll have to remind me to introduce you to Neo. I think you two would get along just peachily. I'll take your deal, then, Gold. We might make it out of this situation alive after all."

Vegas shrugged. "We just might, Roman.

We just might."


"NOOOOOO!" Nash cried out, falling to the floor as he tugged at his uniform pitifully, face screwed up in legitimate grief.

Rainier kneeled down to the short boy, patting his head. "It's alright-"

"NO, it's nooot! I've already done sooo muuuch schoool! We're supposed to learn how to fight stuff, not go back to school..." He trailed off in exaggerated sobs.

The faunus looked up to Daria with a cocked eyebrow silently.

She sighed. "Nash, it's still school. It all goes hand-in-hand. We need to do it anyways, so might as well just get it over with."

"...Do we have the same classes?" He sniffled.

"Eh..."

"Mostly?" Rainier finished. "Our main classes are the same, are they not?"

The DRGN team leader nodded. "I think so. I'd have to check. See? We'll be there with you, Nash... mostly."

The blonde boy sighed as he rose back to his feet. "...What do we mean some of the classes?"

"Well, unless all of our side classes are forced to remain with Daria, then there will be... a... few modifications." Rainier added as he straightened up as well, the quartet beginning to make their way towards their first class of the year, dressed in semi-matching uniforms; Rainier and Nash in black and gold suits with blue vests, the faunus wearing his jacket over his shoulders like a cloak, dress shoes replaced with his white sneakers. Gail and Daria were dressed in similar jackets, wearing pleated red shirts rather than pants; Gail wearing thigh high socks, while Daria's fell just below her knees, wearing sneakers like her Vacuoan teammate.

Nash sighed. "I... guess-" Then his eyes widened, and he gasped. "I have a machinery class! OH MY GOD, I LOVE THIS PLACE!"

Daria and Rainier shared an amused look, the latter turning back to look at Gail trailing a few feet behind the trio.

"Miss Cerulean, any interesting classes of your own?"

She jolted in shock. "AH- ah... no... none."

"I've no doubt you'll find one that will change your mind, my dear." He finished, turning his gaze back forwards.

Daria leaned into his ear, whispering: "What's her deal?"

"Simply a shy girl, Dearest Daria. It will pass. I hope." He muttered back brightly as they continued to march forwards steadfastly.


Daria's eyelids drooped, threatening to close on her completely. She shook herself awake and blinked repeatedly, willing herself to remain conscious. She turned to Rainier with a scowl. "Why did we pick the seats in the very back? In the dark? There's no way I'm going to be able to stay awake. Especially not with..." She trailed off, gesturing pointedly at the teacher stationed far beneath them.

"And that, of course, was only the beginning of the hunt. Wounded and limping away, I knew that the beast would be a fitting challenge for…" Professor Port continued to ramble on, the point of his lesson forgotten as his story seemed to stretch ever onward.

The faunus shrugged. "Then sleep, no? It's quite simple."

"I feel like we have very different attitudes towards school."

"I've no doubt. In Vacuo, if you simply don't take to a class- you don't go. I've no doubt the dear professor down there has wealths of knowledge to impart upon us young children. I don't need to hear it. Ergo- I will sit up here. And. Sleep. You three are free to move closer if you'd please, yes?" He turned to his teammates in turn- Gail's eyes flitting back and forth from the conversation going on next to her, and the teacher rambling on down at the bottom- and Nash.

Whose head was laid down on his desk, arm folded beneath him, and snoring quietly as he blissfully slept.

"We'll call that an abstainment." The faunus added politely, turning back to his leader.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You're not flunking any classes this year, you know that? I'm not letting that happen."

"What a valiant team leader. Foolish. But valiant indeed!"

"Sometimes I wonder if Lance is better off."


Shinai's foot slid forwards across the stone platform as the fountain trickled along behind him, purple eyes closed peacefully as he slid about very slowly, boots tracing smooth circles about him as he continued to perform his meditations. His katana trailed with him gracefully, flowing with his movements as he twirled it about him. He sucked in a breath- and disappeared in cloud of purple. A moment later, he reappeared above it in another cloud, falling lethargically. His katana cleaved the cloud in half cleanly as he fell, landing in a crouch with a slow exhalation of breath.

Oracle burst out into applause, a grin splitting her face. "What a guy!"

Yang gave her a look, eyebrow raised. "Man, I always thought you were into the bubbly ones."

"Yeah, but you seen the- well. You don't care, but even you've gotta admit!"

"Sure thing, sis. But... I dunno. Never figured he was your type."

"You know? I don't even think he is. But dang, man. Plus, I've gotta spend the next four years with 'im, so... dunno. It's a weird situation. But I'm gonna enjoy it while I can."

"You do you, girl. Hey, speakin' of. Where's the rest of your team?"

"Huh? Ah, I don't really know. Ulysses doesn't really talk to any of us, and Lance is flakier than-"

"Hey. Right here."

The girls blinked and turned on their heels. Lo and behold- the blonde swordsman was marching towards them, hands folded behind his head. "Can't win a chirp off to my face, so you talk trash behind my back? Poor form, Carmine. Oh, hey, Yang."

The two huntresses shared steely-eyed looks. Yang cocked her head to the side. Oracle grit her teeth- but begrudgingly nodded.

The two rounded up towards him quickly, shoulders squared.

He squared up with them, eyebrow raised. "Great day for chirpin', ain't it ladies?"

Yang crossed her arms. "Buddy, the only thing ladies love is when you stop talkin'."

"Oh. Really."

"You heard me."

Oracle raised her chin. "Buddy, you're softer than a chewed up tootsie roll."

"You look like the skunk my dog killed and probably did unspeakable things too." Yang added.

Lance's eyes widened as he looked back and forth between them.

Oracle spat on the ground. "Get your wannabe-Vacuoan jacket out of here, you pheasant."

"Get your pretty boy haircut and your overcompensating sword and kick rocks."

"Cake eater."

"It is a great day for chirpin'."

"What's it to ya?"

He slicked his hair back. "Girls- girls-"

Oracle leaned towards him. "'Girls, girls'- what, do you share a brain both up North and down South?"

"Get real." Yang added.

"I bet you've got twenty different names for your sword, and you can take that one either direction that you want, bud."

"You smell like cheese puffs, and you look far out."

"I bet you right Achieve Men song lyrics in your pick-up texts."

"You prefer kittens and you kiss babies."

"You're a friggin' amateur, bud."

Lance took a begrudging step back, bowing his head as he continued to comb his hair back in awe. "Ladies... that was some of the finest chirping I've ever received. Ever."

"Oh yeah?" Oracle asked. "Did I win a chirp-off to your face?"

"Don't act like we can't go toe-to-toe with you, Zaffre." Yang finished.

The two girls high-fived, looking at Lance expectantly. He raised his hands appraisingly.

"I'm not too proud to admit when I've been beat. Just wanted to let you and Kyani know that we've got our sparring class comin' up here in a few," He turned to walk away, before stopping, holding a hand up to his teammate. "...Well played, Oracle. You're the better chirper. Well played."

The swordsman shook his head in awe as he began walking away, shooting the two girls sporadic looks until he disappeared out of sight.

The huntresses didn't take their eyes off of the direction he had walked for a long moment.

"I'm glad he didn't want to fight. It would've been awkward having to ask to change first." Yang added, finally relaxing her form.

"He's a good guy, once you get passed all the flirting."

"Weren't you just making googly eyes at your team leader?"

"Yes. But, I haven't made a move on him since he made it clear he wasn't interested. Gotta respect personal space, you know?"

"Hey, where is Captain Broody anyways?"

They both turned back to the fountain.

It was absolutely barren.

The gunslinger sighed, leaning against the railing. "Probably bounced as soon as we started chirping. He tends to find it annoyin'. Too much talkin' for him or something, I don't really know."

"Well, at least you guys got sparring class next. That oughtta be interesting."


Rainier hopped in place, the claws of his metal leg tapping against the tile floor with every movement. A glint shone brightly in his eyes as he stared across the small platform at his sparring partner.

Shinai was, in comparison, deathly still, one hand holding Shi En's sheathe, the other wrapped around the handle.

"Go." Ms. Goodwitch said, and the two combatants dashed at each other.

Rainier leapt over his classmate, the silver claws of his leg shining dangerously in the light. Shinai turned on his heel, sword held carefully in his hand.

The faunus' grin widened. "Very good, my friend! Shall we?!"

Shinai didn't reply, simply dashing towards the white-suited teen. His katana slashed out, narrowly missing Rainier with each slice as the quick Huntsman dodged each blow. The faunus dodged an overhead swing and leapt into the air, spinning like a corkscrew. His robotic leg smashed into Shinai's midsection, sending the samurai sliding across the small battleground.

Rainier's attention turned slightly to the class watching in interest at the two combatants. He turned to Shinai. "You're pulling your shots, friend. Make this interesting, yes?"

Kyani rose slowly to his full height, katana pointed dangerously at the Faunus. He disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared in another one above Rainier's head.

Platina's eyes widened in shock as he narrowly dodged the downward jab. The point of the katana touched the floor and Shinai balanced perfectly on it, armored boot shooting out to catch Rainier square in the face. Rainier stumbled backwards, face scrunched up in pain.

Shinai wasted no chance, pirouetting around to send another kick at Platina's abdomen. Rainier caught the foot, and his legs shot out from under him, dragging Shinai down with him so they were both laying on the floor, Rainier on Kyani's leg.

The calf of the faunus' metal leg slid open, and the revolver-like cannon emerged from his knee. It fired and sent the two teens cartwheeling into the air. Rainier flexed his muscles and chucked the samurai towards the wall, intent on having Shinai slam into it.

Kyani let his momentum turn him, his feet impacting into the wall before he leapt off and towards Rainier, Shi En raised high. Platina scrambled and his cannon fired another shot, sending him flying towards the opposite wall. He landed on the ground and spun, metal claws sending sparks into the air.

Rainier finished his spin and kicked upwards to the samurai dashing towards him, blade poised to stab.

"Time." Goodwitch said.

The two combatants froze- Rainier balancing on one leg as the heel of his robotic leg perched precariously under Shinai's chin; Shinai balancing on his tippy-toes, knees bent, his blade aimed to stab under Rainier's ribs, muscles coiled tightly.

"While it would be a treat to watch Mr. Kyani and Mr. Platina battle all class, we don't have time," The lights of the classroom brightened and the students stared down at the sparring partners in states of awe. Goodwitch gestured to a screen on the far wall, next to Rainier and Shinai. Their pictures appeared on opposite sides, with two green bars beneath them. "Students, as you can see, their auras- the protective wells of energy that fuels our semblances and gives us general invulnerability to physical harm- are showcased by a life bar of sorts under their portraits. This is the same format used in all official, sanctioned bouts- though, Mr. Platina may know little about that. Once their auras are damaged enough, the bar will turn red, meaning that they are very close to being vulnerable in a fight and no longer fit to battle, and an official will call the match," She turned to the two teens. "Very good exhibition you two. I trust that you'll both be applying for the tournament come this summer?"

"Of course."

"We'll see."

She gave them both nods. "Either way, keep up the good work, both of you,"

The two relaxed from their fighting positions but still didn't move off of the platform, looking to Goodwitch.

The teacher turned back to the students. "Remember, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away. In a short time, students from every Kingdom will be arriving at Beacon. Those who choose to compete in the tournament will be representing not only our school, but the entire kingdom of Vale."

The bell rang and the students shot to their feet, murmuring amongst themselves excitedly; words of encouragement and interest in the tournament, but also in awe and glee of the two huntsmen's brilliant display.

Rainier and Shinai stood silently on the platform for a few moments, looking at each other. Shinai placed his hands against his sides and bowed. "Well fought, Platina."

The Vacuoan twirled his hands and dipped his legs in a slight bow as well. "The same for you, samurai."

Shinai rose from his bow and gave his sparring partner one last nod, marching off towards where Lance and Oracle were waiting by the exit, alongside the rest of Team DRGN, all of their faces turned up in looks of astonishment and glee.

The faunus slowly looked up to the display on the wall, looking at his and Shinai's bars beneath their portraits.

His face worked itself very carefully into a blank stare, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides; he swallowed down a rising tide of shame hard as he grit his teeth.

Though the bars were both well into the green; his was slightly, but still distinctly noticeably, lower.

He closed his eyes as he focused his breathing.

"So close," He whispered to himself. "So close."