A/N: Two chapters in 24 hours, definitely fits my profile of writing. So I'm not going to waste your time with my thoughts this time.
(I don't own FEAR or RWBY)
Beacon academy...could have passed as either a castle or a fortress given how it was built and the massive size of the campus. The many buildings topped with high spires and the endless walkways that went in and around each structure stretched in every direction.
The combat school also sat upon a massive cliff face with large waterfalls that fell to the large river that led to the ocean outside of Vale. The rest of the academy was surrounded by a large forest that went on in every direction.
Given the geology of the surrounding area, the only way in or out of the campus was by airship. Making it one of the most secure places in the kingdom.
All of this passed through Adrian's mind as he stepped off the ramp from the craft that brought all of the students and looked out over the academy with a critical eye. It was an impressive sight, he had to admit. And given the history of this place, there was a high standard set for those hoping to attend.
Standards, that he somehow managed to either meet or bypass to gain entry.
Adjusting the bag on his shoulder and the grip on the duffel in his left hand, the teen started making way up the path before him while other airships docked letting more students out. Just in time for the same blonde guy he had seen on the ship he saw getting sick bolt from the airship and throw up again in a nearby garbage can.
The ex-FEAR operative looked at the scene and shook his head before continuing on his way again. All the while wondering how someone who was that easily motion-sick wanted to be in a combat school in the first place.
A few students glanced in his direction as he passed by them, but Adrian paid them no mind as he headed toward the building in the front of the campus. There wasn't much in terms of instructions, Ozpin had just told him to head to the atrium where everyone was to gather.
So he just followed the students that were heading in the same direction, that and he managed to get a map of Beacon's layout the day before and memorized it, just incase.
Along the way, he paused while coming upon a sight he had also witnessed on the airship on the way there in the form of two girls speaking to one another.
One was a blonde bombshell with lilac colored eyes wearing a brown jacket over a yellow tank top, black biker shorts and brown combat boots. And the other, to Adrian's surprise, was the same girl he encountered a week ago that fought against Torchwick.
"Ruby, come on." said the older girl pulling the hood of the other girl's cloak over her face. "Why don't you try making some friends of your own?"
"Why would I need friends when I have you?" Ruby asked in return after fixing her hood.
Her sister chuckled nervously as a group appeared behind her, "Actually...myfriendsareherenowcatchupwithyoulaterbye!" she said all in one breath before she and the others that were with her disappeared so fast that the younger girl spun around and became dizzy.
"Wait! Yang?! Where are you going?!" Ruby called after her as she stumbled around trying to regain her footing. Almost falling into a luggage carrier that was passing had it not been for a strong hand on her shoulder that stopped her in time.
Shaking her head, the young teen looked up and gasped when she met Adrian's grey eyes. She blinked a few times as the rest of the dizziness faded before she realized who it was she was looking at and gasped, "It's...It's you. From before." she said referring to that night.
Adrian smirked and nodded to her when another voice cut in. "What are you two doing?!"
They turned their heads and regarded another girl, dressed all in white with pale skin, blue eyes and long white hair that was put up in an off-center ponytail. Everything about her looked prim and proper, someone of highclass, infact the only flaw about here seemed to be the pink scar that stretched over her left eye.
"Do either of you know what kind of damage you could have caused if one of these broke open?" she demanded while referring to the luggage that was being pushed forward by a butler that was most likely hers.
Ruby scratches her head, "Uhh, sorry?" she said confused about the whole thing while Adrian just crossed his arms and looked impassive.
The girl scoffed and looked her over a moment, "Aren't you a little young to be attending Beacon? This isn't just sparring and practicing you know, we're here to fight monsters. So why don't you start watching where you're going."
"Hay! I said I was sorry for whatever it is I almost did, princess!" Ruby sniped back.
"It's heiress, actually." said another female voice, this one calm and collective as the one it belonged to approached them.
Adrian looked up and tensed when he saw long, black hair and a pair of ember colored eyes, hand twitching to the Strader on his right thigh. But he managed to relax when he realized the girl before them wasn't the one he believed her to be as she closed the book in her hands and tucked it under her arm.
"Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. One of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." the girl in black said looking at the one in question.
Weiss preened at the introduction, "Finally, some recognition."
"The same company infamous for its controversial work forces, and questionable business partners." the ravenette continued effectively shutting her down.
The heiress glared at them with vindication before turning her glare on the ex-FEAR operative. "Anything you have to say for yourself?" she said already cross with everyone she's met thus far.
Adrian raised his hand, and casually flipped her the middle finger. Weiss gaped at the gesture and glared hard at him before stomping away, but the young man paid her no mind. He had issues with the Schnee Dust Corporation given their connection to the Armacham, all of which coming to the surface when he realized who she was.
Even though he knew that the project involving him, Alma and Paxton may have been kept away from the higher ups in SDC, they were still funneling money to the people responsible and either didn't look deep enough into it to see what was going on or they knew and simply didn't care.
Essentially, they were guilty by proxy for what the ATC had done no matter how you looked at it.
Turning back, he was the girl in black walking away while Ruby stood looking after her before slumping down on her knees. "Welcome to Beacon..." she muttered to herself lowly. A shadow loomed over her and she looked up to see Adrian holding a hand out for her and helping her to her feet.
Now standing upright, the girl in red dusted herself off and smiled up at him. "Thanks for that, guess I'm not the only one having a rough day, huh?" she said motioning to where Weiss had taken off.
Adrian shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Ruby perked up a moment later realizing something and held her hand out to him, "My name's Ruby, by the way. Sorry for the delayed introduction." she said with a nervous chuckle.
The ex-FEAR operative reached out and slowly shook the girl's smaller hand. Her skin soft against his calloused palm as they drew back from one another. Her silver eyes looked at him expectantly waiting for his response.
Sighing, he pulled out his scroll and typed his name in it before showing her. "Adrian...cool name." she said trying not to sound awkward. "You're not much of a talker, are you?" she asked trying not to sound insulting.
Adrian shook his head, pointing at his throat and making a slashing motion to get his point across. The cloaked girl nodded, "Ah, I get it now." she said scratching the back of her head. "Do you...uh...wanna hang out for a bit? I mean if you're not doing anything! I mean...I'm really not good at this." she said mostly to herself at the end.
Watching her stumble over her words, it appeared that he wasn't the only one that had issues with being social with others. His only saving grace was that he was more of a lone wolf than a people person and it worked for him in the long run.
Even though he was a bit hesitant at getting close to people after everything that's happened, he decided to swallow his pride and help the girl out. She may have been nervous and jittery in public, but she was very skilled while in combat. Something he respected.
Putting a hand on Ruby's shoulder, bringing her out of her awkward and self loathing rant, he gave a small smile and motioned with his head sending the message that she got instantly.
"R-Really?" she asked both hesitant and excited. Another nod from the older teen and she started bouncing on her heels. "Awesome! Com'mon, we better start now before-" she was cut off when she spun around and collided with someone causing them both to fall to the ground.
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose and smirked in amusement at her eager antics while Ruby shook off the fall and regarded the one she bumped into.
"Aren't you that guy that threw up on the ship?"
X
When the two got up, the three teens headed along one of the many pathways together.
Meanwhile at the docking area, someone watched them closely. Or, more or less, one of them in particular.
Alma stood in her child-form by one of the airships, glowing eyes watching her eldest son walking with the other two. No matter where he might go, she would always be able to locate him through the link forged between them as mother and child.
The people around her walked by, completely unaware of her presence given that she would only reveal herself to the mortals if she wanted to. Only her children had the ability to see her in any state and that was the way she wanted it.
The powerful psionic only had two dreams she strived to be fulfilled. She wanted her family together again, like it always should have been. And she wanted the living world to suffer for the sins forced upon her and her sons. Her eyes glowed brighter as she looked all of the beings around her.
Children being trained to fight darkness, for what? Glory? Money? It did not matter. To her, they were nothing more than cattle. And soon they would learn the true meaning of darkness and the horrors that come with it.
Life was wasted on the living...and nothing would stop her vengence.
A group of students walked by where she was standing, and when they passed she had vanished into thin air.
X
The next few minutes were spent walking along the pathways that cut through the courtyards of the campus. Along the way Ruby, and the blonde boy whose name was Jaune Arc, talked between one another about various things which included their respected weapons.
Adrian just followed along silently, listening to the back and forth between the two as he looked to the sky above them. All the while trying to wonder how the next few years were going to go, if he was even here that long.
Deep in the pit of his being, he couldn't help but think that something horrible was going to happen somwhere in the near future. He'd been having this feeling for a while now, even before coming to Vale, like a bad omen that hung overhead. He just couldn't place it anywhere to understand the where, why and how. Although he had a good feeling of who would most likely be responsible.
He blinked when he saw a pale hand waving infront of his face. "Adrian? Hello? Someone home?" Ruby asked tilting her head at him. "You spaced out for a bit, everything okay?"
The ex-FEAR operative nodded before checking his watch. Seeing the time, he tapped the face and motioned with his thumb that they should get going. Ruby and Jaune both nodded as they headed in the direction of the main atrium where the initiation ceremony was supposed to being.
Going through a pair of large double doors, they were greeted with the sight of dozens upon dozens of people all inside and trying to find a place close to the center stage.
"Ruby! Over here! I saved you a spot!" Ruby's sister Yang called out from a few rows up.
"Oh!" the cloaked girl exclaimed before turning to the two older boys. "It was nice meeting you guys, I'll see you after the ceremony, okay!" she called out before running off to meet up with her sister.
Jaune tried to speak but ended up sighing, "Ah, great. Now where am I gonna find another nice, quirky girl to talk to?" he asked looking in Adrian's direction and blinked to see him already gone as well. Causing the blonde to sigh again and walk away, not noticing the red haired girl in spartan armor watching him from the side.
X
"How's your first day going, little sister?" Yang asked as they got comfortable and waited for the ceremony to start.
"You mean since you ditched me?" Ruby asked back crossly making the blonde raise her arms in defense.
"I didn't mean to leave you hanging like that, Ruby. I just wanted to talk with a few friends from Signal for a bit before we got seperated after initiation." she explained.
The younger girl relaxed a bit, "I get it, it's just I'm the youngest one here. And you know how hard it is for me to get to know new people."
Yang nodded and looked at her sister with a smirk, "So, who where the two boys you were with a moment ago? Is my little sis already getting some attention I should know about?" she asked while cracking her knuckles.
Ruby blushed at what she may have been implying. "Nothing like that!" she exclaimed before calming down. "Their names are Jaune and Adrian. Jaune was the guy we saw throwing up on the ship. And Adrian...well...you remember when I told you and dad about that fight I had outside the dust shop, and there was that guy that moved really fast and killed those thugs?"
The blonde's eyes widened, "That was him?! Jeez, never expected him to be here." she said looking around for any sign of the dark haired boy. "What's he like? You didn't really go into details the last time."
Scratching her head, Ruby tried to think of the best way to talk about him. "He's...It's hard to explain. I don't really know a whole lot other than the fact that he's got awesome moves in a fight and he stopped me from tripping over some crabby girl's luggage earlier. That and he can't talk."
"What? Is he that suck on himself, or is he keeping secrets?" asked Yang.
"No, Yang, I mean he really can't talk." the girl in red explained while making a cutting motion across her neck.
Yang made an 'O' with her mouth when she understood. "So...what did you guys talk about?"
Ruby facepalmed just as a loud shout was heard behind her causing her to jump into her sister's arms. "YOU!"
"Oh god! Not again!"
X
After some time had passed, Professor Ozpin stepped onto the stage. Flanked by Glynda Goodwitch as everyone in attendance quieted down to hear the man speak.
"I'll keep this brief." he said into the microphone that was set up, his voice echoing all around the room. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and to acquire new skills. And when you've finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people."
Everyone listening stood a bit straighter, but his next words stopped them cold. "But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy. Wasted energy in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this. But your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you, to take the first step."
When he was finished, the headmaster stepped away from the microphone and walked off stage leaving Professor Goodwitch to speak next. "You will all gather into the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed."
As the students began to file out of the large room to where they would be sleeping, Adrian hung back a moment and narrowed is eyes at where Ozpin had left.
Something about the man seemed, off, compared to how he was when they first met. His speech was a good one, it made the more eager students focus more on what they can get from the academy in a realistic way. But his tone felt wrong, separated from the present.
He'd have to look into it later, for now he'd focus on getting through whatever they had planned for the initiation.
After picking out one of the many lockers that were empty and syncing it to his scroll, he put all of his combat equipment and weapons inside and put a personal passcode for the lock so no one other than himself could get into it. He took his remaining luggage and went into the ballroom where everyone was picking out a spot to sleep in.
The large room had been divided. Girls on one side, boys on the other. It was cliche, but to some it was a good course of action given the number of teens there was to deal with.
Rolling his eyes as he watched a few of the guys in his age group trying to catch the attention of the girls, Adrian found a spot in the far corner away from everyone and set up his sleeping area. Unfurling a bedroll he'd used from time to time for when he was out in the wilderness and couldn't find a town to crash in, he removed his shirt and kicked his boots off before laying on the semi-soft surface. Hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling above letting his mind wander.
So much had changed in such a short period of time. But he was more than prepared for any trials and challenges that might await him. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that was the longer time went on, he would end up forging alliances with various people. Maybe even friendships.
The concept was hard to grasp. Of course, he had friends back when he joined FEAR, but now most of them were either dead, MIA or turned against him thanks the Armacham. His level of trust in others had taken a big hit.
Yet Ozpin managed to get through to him enough to convince him to join Beacon. The man was a natural leader and had this ability to get you to understand options that you never thought of. Even though he didn't fully trust the headmaster, he had given the man just enough for the time being.
And then there was Ruby, he knew nothing about her other then that one night but once again she managed to get through to him during their encounter that day.
Something about her innocence sparked something in him that told him he could trust her. And he could tell that she probably couldn't lie to save her life, she was an open book to someone like him.
She was like a free spirit, untainted by the horrors of the world, and in the short time he had gotten to know her he realized that she was also a dreamer. Someone who wanted to save the world and the people in it and ask for nothing in return, it was naive to some, inspiring to others.
But for Adrian...he was just confused about it all. He'd never met someone like her before, it was a bit hard to understand. But maybe it was just something that didn't need to be explained, and thus he decided to leave it alone for now. Though he couldn't shake the feeling that there was just something about Ruby that caught his attention.
The aura of happiness and warmth that seemed to surround her was almost infectious, he'd never felt something like that before. It both intrigued him and bothered him at the same time, though he couldn't tell which side was winning out.
Checking his watch, the teen saw that it was getting late and noticed that many of the other students had already turned in for the night. Deciding to get as much sleep as possible, he took a deep breath and calmed his thoughts before closing his eyes. Allowing the hands of sleep to claim him moments later.
X
Bright lights shined down from above, blinding from every direction.
"Where are you taking him!"
"Take her back to the Vault."
"NO! GIVE ME BACK MY BABY!"
The scene changed to that of a long hallway that led to a set of double doors at the end. His boots echoing off the tiled floor as he approached the windows and looked into the hospital room beyond to see a young woman strapped to a bed struggling like a trapped animal.
Across from her, a man in a white lab coat passed off a bundle to a nurse who left the room while two guards came in to remove her.
There was a blast of dark aura that exploded through the room, sending bloody pieces of the guards across the room and blowing the doors off their hinges throwing him back down the hall to the point where he collided with the far wall.
Everything around him faded, but he was aware of the fact that he was now laying in a pool of blood that was steadily getting larger around him. Looking up, he saw the woman standing before him, hospital gown, face and arms renched in blood that dripped down to the floor as she looked down at him.
"They deserve to die...They all deserve to die..." she said ominously as the blood rose up and covered him completely.
X
Adrian shot awake, inhaling deeply as he looked around the room before calming himself as the dream faded from his mind.
The sun had just started peeking over the horizon and started shining warm light through the large windows while the occupants continued to slumber. According to his watch, it was just after 5:30 in the morning, since there wasn't any point in trying to go back to sleep he got up anc cleared his sleeping area before grabbing a spare pair of clothes and heading to the locker room.
Stepping out in a pair of digital camo pants, his boots and a black underarmor shirt, he headed to the cafeteria where the staff had just started cooking. Grabbing a few pieces of toast and a cup of coffee before sitting down and enjoying the silence. Mentally preparing himself for the combat zone that he would be tossed into with the other hopefuls in a few hours.
Though compared to fighting cloned super soldiers, fighting Grimm was nothing in comparison.
A few hours passed and the other students started to trickle in, rubbing sleep from their eyes or talking excitedly or nervously amongst one another while they prepared for the day to come as well.
Adrian watched them out of the corner of his eye while sipping his coffee, wondering how many of them would pass by the end of initiation. Some looked promising, others not so much, though only time would tell with them.
Finished with his small breakfest, he stood up and left the cafeteria and headed to the locker room again to gather his gear. Finding a couple other students who were already there getting ready who looked eager for the challenge. Among them was Ruby and Yang who were talking amongst themselves by their own lockers, and Weiss who was talking with a tall red-head in armor.
Approaching his own locker, he pulled out his scroll and punching in the code he had set before swiping it over the panel causing the door to open for him. Taking out his leg rigs first and fastening them on, taking out his tactical vest next and buckling it in place before gathering the clips for his weapons and slipping them in their proper places.
His guns came next, slipping fresh clips into the Straders and pulling the slides back to chamber rounds into them before slipping them into their holsters, knife going into the scabbard in his right boot and his assault rifle being slipped over his shoulder onto his back.
After gathering a few dust grenades and a handful of medical supplies and putting them in a stachel on his lower back, he picked up his balaclava last before closing the locker and heading toward the exit.
Pausing in mid-stride when he was Jaune trying to be suave with the Schnee heiress who ended up grabbing the spear the girl she had been talking to and throwing it in his direction.
Adrian activated his semblance, the spear reaching halfway toward its target as he approached it and stopped it with his hand on the hilt. When time resumed its normal pace everyone as shellshocked to see him standing there with the weapon in hand.
"W-What...How...?" Weiss sputtered having not seen the man move.
The ex-FEAR operative glared at her before handing the weapon back to the girl it belonged to, not taking his eyes off the heiress making her take a step back at the dark look he was giving her.
"Will all students gather at Beacon cliffs for initiation." Professor Goodwitch's voice came over the PA system snapping them all back to the present as they all finished getting ready. Adrian turned and left the room, pulling on his mask along the way as he headed in the direction of the cliffs.
"Well...that was interesting." said Yang referring to what they had seen.
"It was impressive." said Pyrrah Nikos as she looked down at her spear. "I've never seen someone with reflexes like that, he moved so fast I didn't even see him."
Ruby watched Adrian as he left and couldn't help but wonder what else he was capable of. And was silently hoping that she'd get the chance to see him in action in the Emerald forest.
X
The first year students all gathered on the cliffs outside of the schools campus. Below them, the massive expanse of trees that made up the Emerald forest stretched out far for them showing nothing but green as far as the eye could see.
Each future huntsman/huntress were standing on small metal platforms with the symbol of Beacon on them as they regarded Professor Ozpin as he stood beside Professor Goodwitch as he started speaking to them.
"For years you have trained to become warriors. And today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald forest." he started allowing his associate to pick up the rest.
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given team mates...today."
A brief pause went through the gathered students. A subtle 'What?' came from Ruby while the headmaster continued where Goodwitch had left off. "These team mates 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. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
The red cloaked girl shrieked 'WHAT?!' even louder while several others muttered between themselves. "After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest." Ozpin said motioning to the massive wooded area behind him. "You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path...or you will die."
Adrian narrowed his eyes, his mouth set into a hard line behind his balaclava as he clenched his fists in anticipation for the coming fight.
"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation." the headmaster continued. "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. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"
Jaune raised his hand, "Uh, yeah, um, sir? How-"
"Good." Ozpin said acting as though he didn't hear them. "Now, take your positions."
All the students braced themselves on their platforms as each one started ticking. The ex-FEAR operative crouched slightly, taking into account the sudden thrust that would end up launching them all into the air in moments.
Beside him, the students started launching off one after another. He mentally ticked down the time before it was his turn while his mind thought up the best scenarios for a safe landing as he felt his platform start to shutter.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ozpin glance in his direction and give him a subtle nod. The next thing he knew he was airborne, the others shortly following as they all flew over the forest toward their mission objective.
Adrian smirked as the wind whipped past him, the Grimm had no idea what was coming their way at muzzle velocity.
A/N: And initiation has begun, will our hero find a team, or is he destined to be a lone wolf once again? There were a couple of moments where Adrian has stepped outside his usual persona, but given the way things are at Beacon he may or may not go through more changes so long as his past doesn't claim him completely. And with Alma watching him, there is too many variables to be sure of at this time.
Till next time guys!