The First Step - Today's the Day
Sleeping was always an enjoyable thing for Teal or more like dreaming. She loved how her imagination ran wild in her dreams and lets her imagine what the world might be like if she could see.
*TAP TAP*
Her dreams might not be like anybody else's but they were her's and she loved them.
*TAP TAP*
Now….why did her dreams involve a tapping noise.
"What is that?" Teal thought.
"Wakey, wakey!"
"Nora?"
"Wake up!"
*GASP*
*THUD*
"OW!"
? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ? ﾟﾒﾤ?
Both Teal and Nora were sitting on the ground holding their heads. It seems like Nora wanted to wake up her new friend, but still, didn't understand what personal space meant. When Teal shot up awake she accidentally smashed her head with Nora's resulting in the current double headaches.
"Good morning….Nora," Teal said slowly still rubbing her head.
"Sorry. I just wanted to wake you up. Today's the big day!" Nora said throwing her arms up.
"So it is," Teal said, "I need to meet up with some people before the day continues. Why don't you go wake up Ren, I heard a rumor that everyone gets a parthner for school, maybe you should go plan your strategy with Ren."
"Great idea!" Nora said before running over to a still sleeping Ren.
Teal smiled to herself before gathering up her stuff and going to find Ruby and Yang.
Teal, Ruby, and Yang were now in the locker room. Teal still had a smile on her face listening to Nora chat happily to Ren. It must be nice to have a friend that close.
Teal turned her attention to Ruby and Yang, "That's why I have them. But still, it'd be nice to make friends who I wasn't related to." Teal thought.
"Wonder what those two are so worked up about?" Ruby questioned gesturing to Ren and Nora.
"Oh, who knows? So, you seem awfully chipper this morning!" Yang said
"Yep! No more awkward small talk or 'getting-to-know-you' stuff. Today, I get to let my sweetheart do the talking," Ruby said pulling out Crescent Rose and petting it.
"Well, remember, Ruby, you're not the only one going through initiation. If you wanna grow up, you're gonna have to meet new people and learn to work together," Yang said
"She's right. You can't spend Beacon with just us the whole time, where would be the fun in that," Teal said
Ruby let out a sigh of frustration, "You guys like Dad! Okay, first of all: What does meeting new people have to do with fighting? And secondly: I don't need people to help me grow up! I drink milk!"
"But what about when we form teams?" Yang questioned
"Um, I don't know, I...I'll just be on your guy's team or something…" Ruby said nervously.
"Actually Ruby it'd be impossible for me and you to be on a team," Teal said
"What!? Why?!" Ruby exclaimed
"If I make it into the Sole Program, I'll be put on a two-man team with someone else from the Sole program," Teal said
Ruby looks slightly deflated at this but perks up and turns to her sister, "Then I'll be on your team Yang."
"Maybe you should try being on someone else's team?" Yang questioned.
"My dear sister Yang, are you implying that you do not wish to be on the same team as me?" Ruby asked
"What? No! Of course, I do! I just thought...I don't know, maybe it would help you...break out of your shell!" Yang said
"What the-?! I don't need to 'break out of my shell'! That's absolutely-"
"Ridiculous!" Jaune said appearing holding a map, "There's no way I put my gear in locker 636 yesterday! I would've remembered having to count that high! Why does this have to happen today?"
Teal smiles at the comment while rolling her eyes. The girls keep their attention on Jaune as he makes it way over to where Weiss and Pyrrha are.
"So, Pyrrha, have you given any thought to whose team you'd like to be on? I'm sure everyone must be eager to unite with such a strong, well-known individual such as yourself!" Weiss said
"Hmm...I'm not quite sure. I was planning on letting the chips fall where they may," Pyrrha said
"Well...I was thinking maybe we could be on a team together," Weiss said
"Well, that sounds grand!" Pyrrha said with a smile.
"Great!" Weiss said returning the smile.
Weiss turns around and starts muttering to herself letting out some small cackles as she taps her fingers together in a looming. At this moment Jaune decides to interject himself in between Pyrrha and Weiss.
"You know what else is great? Me. Jaune Arc. Nice to meet you," Jaune said
"You again?" Weiss said with irritation.
"Nice to meet you, Jaune!" Pyrrha said trying to make herself known.
"Yeah, yeah," Jaune said dismissing Pyrrha, "So, Weiss, couldn't help but overhear your fondness of me the other day."
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Weiss said
"Don't worry! No need to be embarrassed! So, been hearing rumors about teams! I was thinking you and me would make a good one! What do you say?" Jaune said
"Actually, I think the teams are comprised of four students each, so-" Pyrrha tried to get Jaune's attention but is cut off by Jaune.
"You don't say. Well, hot stuff, play your cards right and maybe you could join up with the winning team," Jaune said focusing intently on Pyhrra.
Weiss pushes Jaune away from Pyhrra, "Jaune, is it? Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"Not in the slightest, snow angel," Jaune said
"This is Pyrrha," Weiss said
"Hello again!" Pyrrha said
"Pyrrha graduated top of her class at Sanctum!" Weiss said
"Never heard of it," Jaune said
Weiss lets out a scoff, "She's won the Mistral Region Tournaments four years in a row! A new record!"
"The what?" Jaune questioned
"She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box!" Weiss said waving her arms around in angry fashion.
Jaune lets out a gasp and squeals pointing at Pyhrra, "That's you?! But they only do that for star athletes and cartoon characters!"
"Yeah, it was pretty cool. Sadly, the cereal isn't very good for you," Pyrrha said
"So, after hearing all of this, do you really think you're in a position to ask her to be on your team?" Weiss said
"I guess not...Sorry…" Jaune said hanging his head.
"Actually, Jaune, I think you'd make a great leader!" Pyrrha said
"D'oh, stop it!" Jaune said happy with the flattery.
"Seriously, please stop it. This kind of behavior should not be encouraged!" Weiss said
"Sounds like Pyrrha's on board for Team Jaune. Spots are filling up quick! Now, I'm not supposed to do this, but maybe I could pull some strings, find a place for you. What do you say?" Jaune said getting close to Weiss again.
"All right, that's a bit too close! Pyrrha, a little help, please?!" Weiss said
Phyrra acting on instinct launches her weapon at Jaune, but unfortunately she ends up knocking him into a row of lockers pinning him to said lockers.
"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha said apologizing.
Suddenly a loud noise goes off throughout the room and everyone looks up to hear an announcement start.
"Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately," Glynda said
Weiss walks out of the room and passes Jaune as he still hangs from the wall of a locker. Pyrrha follows her, grabbing her spear making Jaune drop to the ground in a hard thump.
"It was nice meeting you!" Pyrrha said as she walked out.
"Likewise…" Jaune said slumping against the locker.
Ruby, Yang, and Teal walk over to the crescent fallen boy.
"Having some trouble there, lady-killer?" Yang said as Ruby offered a hand to help Jaune up.
"I don't understand. My dad said all women look for is confidence! Where did I go wrong?" Jaune said as he stood up with Ruby's help.
"Snow Angel probably wasn't the best start," Yang said
"Or maybe getting so close to her face," Teal said
"Come on, Jaune, let's go," Ruby said
As the group made their way out the room Teal sensed a similar presence coming. As she turned around her shoulder was bumped and Teal instantly recognized the presences as Onyx.
The boy just scoffed and continued walking. Teal just stares after the boy with a blank expression before continuing on her way.
? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ?
"This is it," Teal thought, "The day that changes everything."
Teal was full of excitement tightening the strap on her guitar weapon. Teal stood on a panel along with the other students overlooking a forest. As Teal looked around her, she could sense the jitters and excitement coming from the other students, but then there were the others. Teal focused her attention on the students who were gunning for the Sole program or a specific group of students. There were four boys grouped together, their aura was threatening and screamed dangerous. She'd have to watch out for them. Then there was him. Teal turned her head, standing right next to her was Onyx. He had his arms crossed and was glaring, you'd think it was permanently etched on his face. His aura was showing annoyance but nothing dangerous. On the left side of her was Jaune, Ruby, and Yang. It seems like the regular students were to her left while the Sole Program applicants were on her right.
Professor Ozpin and Glynda, with her tablet, walked in front of the students.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest," Ozpin said
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams and pairs for the Sole program. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates...today," Glynda said
"What? Ohhh…" Ruby said worriedly.
"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 explained.
Ruby let out another groan.
"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years," Ozpin explained
"Whaaaat?!" Ruby said, she looked so shocked as if she was glass and was about to shatter.
"See? I told you!" Nora said to Ren.
"The same goes for those wishing to make it into the Sole Program. If you're not chosen for the program you'll be put into Beacon's standard Hunter and Huntress program. After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path...or you will die," Ozpin said seriously.
Jaune lets out a nervous laugh and then gulps loudly. Teal felt bad for him because she could clearly tell that Ozpin was being completely seriously.
"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. For those trying for the Sole Program will do the exact same, in the end, we will calculate your grade and this will determine if you'll be joining our program. Are there any questions?" Ozpin asked
"Yeah, um, sir?" Jaune said raising his hand.
"Good! Now, take your positions," Ozpin said
Everyone gets in a ready pose on their metal tile. People crouched down in preparation while many others take out their weapons. Teal crouches in her starting position ready to begin.
"Uh, sir? I've got, um...a question," Jaune said
He fails to see the tile under Weiss rising up like a springboard. It shoots her off into the air and across the forest. As soon as Weiss is launched the tiles activate down the row.
"So, this landing...strategy thing...Uh, wha-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?" Jaune asked extra nervous.
"No. You will be falling," Ozpin said
More students are launched down the line as Jaune's turn is coming up.
"Oh, uh, I see...So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?" Jaune asked
"No. You will be using your own landing strategy," Ozpin said as Nora and Ren were launched into the air.
"Uh-huh...Yeah," Jaune said
Yang is launched into the air with a loud "Woo-hoooooooo!" and then Ruby is launched, meaning Jaune was next.
"Good luck," Teal said
"So, what exactly is a landing strategYYY!" Jaune screamed as he was launched into the air.
"Don't get in my way," Onyx said next to Teal.
Teal just glares at the boy before facing forward. Teal heard the winding of her platform and then she was launched into the air her test officially starting.