Initiation Part 2
And the day had started so good for Ruby. She had a great sleep, woke up feeling great, and even found a nice enough, if not particularly combat able, guy to be her partner. Naturally, things had to get all screwed up somehow.
Fortunately, Ruby still had Crescent Rose with her, and she had managed to work her way out of the Nevermore's claw, and was now holding onto its leg. Unfortunately, she was very high up, and didn't have a landing strategy this time. All she could do for the time was hold on as best she could.
Meanwhile, Jaune was barely keeping up with the Nevermore on the ground. It wasn't helped by Darkness constantly following him with his obnoxious comments.
"I would recommend saving your strength," Darkness commented, as he materialized in front of Jaune. When Jaune ran right past him, he materialized again further head.
"You will need your strength for the coming battle."
"I would recommend you either shut up or help!" Jaune snapped, "Can't you extend the enchantment to Ruby?"
"Why would I need to do that?" Darkness asked, "She is not currently hosting my being, ergo, not of any real concern to me."
"She's a human, meaning she's your creation!" Jaune said, "Isn't that enough?"
"There are many more humans, is there any particular reason I should be so concerned about a single child?" Despite being otherwise focused on what was happening to Ruby, Jaune couldn't help but be shocked at how callous the god was acting. How could be so uncaring? So cold?
"Before you cast your judgement upon me," Darkness said, as he suddenly appeared right in front of Jaune, floating while he ran, "I would remind you of whom you are speaking to." Despite himself, Jaune stopped; he was only 17, and Ruby was probably even younger; but Darkness helped create all of Remnant, including humanity; for each year Jaune lived, Darkness probably lived at least a thousand. Should it really have been a surprise that he viewed human lives as so… commonplace.
"Your friend is still in peril," Darkness reminded Jaune, breaking Jaune from his thoughts.
"Ruby!" he cried, looking around.
"That way," Darkness said, pointing in a certain direction, getting Jaune to continue running.
"Look, I just need help," Jaune said, "I don't think I have the ability to save Ruby on my own." Darkness considered that for a time, before looking around slightly, while floating beside Jaune.
"In that case," he said, "I will provide slightly more aide." He then looked up at the Nevermore, and jerked his head slightly. The Nevermore then suddenly changed direction.
"What the…," Jaune said, before turning to follow its path as Darkness did the same.
(with Pyrrha and Yang)
Pyrrha wiped her brow slightly while taking a breath. Her and Yang had been walking for a while, and they weren't making much progress. The two had decided to just walk in the general direction they had been flung (as best they could remember it), but weren't getting anywhere.
"We may have to change our plan of attack here," Yang said, rubbing her forehead in frustration. Pyrrha fold her arms, and tapped her fingers on her arm, trying to consider what to do. Right then, a new idea almost seemed to wash over the red head.
"Maybe we should go this way," Pyrrha said, pointing in a different direction.
"Really?" Yang said, cocking her head, "What makes you say that?"
"I don't know," Pyrrha said, "Something's just telling me to go there. My instincts haven't steered me wrong yet."
"Well, its not like we've got any better idea," Yang said with a shrug, "Lead the way, Ms. Cereal Box." However, before the two started walking, they a shadow swooped over them, as they looked up to see a Nevermore flying over them. What was really weird was the faint sound of screaming from it.
"Did that Nevermore sound like a girl screaming?" Pyrrha asked.
"Yeah," Yang said, narrowing her eyes at the familiar sound, "It did…" Both girls were suddenly surprised by someone else bursting out of the bushes. They both instinctively readied their weapons, only to see who it really was.
"Jaune?" Pyrrha said, remembering the guy she tried to greet in the locker rom.
"Onsie Guy?" Yang said, cocking her head.
"Oh, hey," Jaune said, looking up, "Pyrrha and Yang, right? Have you seen a Nevermore nearby?"
"Uh, yeah, one just flew over," Yang said, "You looking for a partner or something?"
"Actually, I'm Ruby's partner," Jaune explained, "Did you see where the Nevermore went?"
"Uh, that way," Pyrrha answered, pointing with her spear, "Why?"
"Long story short, Ruby's in a Nevermore's claws," Jaune explained.
"WHAT!" Yang screamed. Not even waiting for a response, Yang bolted in the direction she saw the Nevermore flying.
"Wait for me!" Pyrrha said, as she chased after Yang. Jaune just sighed.
"This is too much running for one day," he said, as he followed after the girls. As they ran off, Darkness chuckled slightly, before looking around, and vanishing again.
(with Weiss and Nora)
For every minute that passed, Weiss was even more chagrined by her current partnership. Nora always seemed to need something to quirk about
"Look, its a Nevermore!" Weiss looked where Nora was pointing, and saw it was indeed a Nevermore.
"Praise the gods," Weiss said sarcastically.
"Doesn't anything make you excited?" Nora whined. Weiss just glared at her.
"The sooner we find the ruins, the sooner we don't have to be together anymore," the heiress said, "So to that end, we are not slowing down for anything." To her somewhat surprise, Nora actually looked legitimately hurt by that.
"You don't have to be so mean," she said, pouting slightly.
"I'll do what I need to get things done," Weiss said, "I'm here to uphold my family's good name, not to make friends. Now, if you will just stop leading us in circles, and follow me.
"Actually, I was thinking about going this way," Nora said, pointing. Weiss looked to immediately to put her down again, but then something suddenly came to mind. She looked in the direction Nora was pointing. Every minute she spent with the orange haired girl was pure frustration, but while she REALLY hated to admit it, she was stuck with this orange haired terror, at least for the time being. To that end, she just sighed, and decided to to give Nora the opportunity to prove herself.
"Alright, I'll give you this sole chance to not steer me in the completely wrong direction," Weiss said.
"You won't regret it, sister!" Nora declared, pumping her fist, before running in the direction she pointed.
"Do we have to run everywhere?" Weiss asked as she followed, "Seriously, what's wrong with walking?" From the trees, Darkness just nodded in satisfaction.
"Though that praise seemed rather false."
(with Blake and Ren)
"See anything?" Ren called.
"I see a Nevermore not too far away," Blake answered from her position in the tree tops, "Aside from that, the forest is too dense to get a good look. Though I do see some rocks a little ways ahead. I guess that's a start." They made their way down to the rocks.
"Its a cave," Blake said once they arrived.
"It is," Ren answered. The partners looked at it for a time. Indeed it was a cave that lead into a cliffside.
"We shouldn't go in it," Blake said plainly.
"That's a good idea," Ren agreed, with a nod, before pointing, "Let's go this way." They then both started walking away. Darkness appeared in front of the cave, nodding in satisfaction.
"And for the sake of making things more interesting," Darkness said calmly, before he briefly struck his fist against the side of the cliff face. The faint sound of rumbling suddenly got both Blake and Ren to stop and look behind them….
(with Ruby and the Nevermore)
"Okay, Rose, think!" Ruby said, as she banged her head agains the side of the Nevermore's leg, "What would Uncle Qrow do in this situation?" The first thing that came to her mind was "drink", the second thing was maybe try and cut off the Grimm's leg, but figured that he would've had a much better landing strategy than she would.
"Gods damn it," she cursed, "Why do first days have to be so frustrating?" Meanwhile, Darkness floated overhead.
"You do not need me to damn anything," the god said, before pointing down. The Nevermore then suddenly then swooped down towards the ground. Ruby let out a cry as she kept her grip on its leg.
"RUBY!" Looking down, Ruby noticed a few people running out into a clearing that the Nevermore was flying over. Upon looking closer, she saw that it was Jaune, her sister, and a girl with red hair.
"Hang on, Sis!" Yang called, "I'm coming! Hey, Onsie Guy!"
"My name's Jaune."
"We can worry about names when we're done here," Yang said, "Hold up your shield!" Jaune did as instructed, and Yang jumped on it. Taking the point, Jaune pushed up as Yang jumped, giving herself a boost with her gauntlets. As the Nevermore flew low, Yang punched it in the side of the head, causing it to become disoriented, but not killing it. Unfortunately, it did cause Ruby to lose her grip, and to plummet to the ground.
"YAAANG!" Ruby cried as she fell.
"Ruby!" Yang cried right back. Jaune and Pyrrha both moved to try and catch Ruby, but Jaune was the lucky one to catch her. Insofar as she clumsily landed on Jaune.
"Are you guys okay?" Pyrrha asked.
"I think so," Ruby answered, rubbing her head, "What about you Jaune?"
"Somehow," Jaune groaned into the ground.
"You are indeed intact," Darkness said, manifesting over Jaune.
Now thanks to you.
"I did help bring all of you together into this location."
And where is said location? Jaune asked as Ruby helped him up. He just noticed Darkness pointing towards what Jaune initially thought were just some rocks, only to notice that they were actually the remains of structures.
"I was able to locate the ruins you were to search for," Darkness answered, "It only took some searching."
You could do that?
"I created your world, you really believe that looking across an average sized forest is outside of my ability?"
Good point. With all them assembled, Jaune and the girls made their way over to the ruins. There were a series of stands around them.
"Look at these," Pyrrha said as she bent down over one of the stands, where a gold knight piece stood.
"What are those?" Ruby asked, as she came to where Pyrrha was standing.
"You think these are the relics we were supposed to find?" Pyrrha asked, as she picked up the piece and tossed it to herself. Liking the way it looked, Ruby went to the another pedestal, and found another one of the knight pieces.
"Look Weiss! We've made it out of the woods!" The group turned to see Weiss and Nora emerging from the tree line.
"Great, its the princess again," Yang grumbled. As they made their way out, Weiss took a deep breath, considering what had just went down.
"I have the maturity to admit when I have made an error," she said, smiling slightly, "You didn't steer me wrong."
"Just you wait!" Nora declared, slinging her arm around her partner's shoulder, "I'll never steer you wrong ever!" Weiss just rolled her eyes slightly, clearly not into the affection.
"It is indeed a sign of strength for someone to admit their error," Darkness mumbled to himself. The girls made their way to the ruins, but as Weiss reached for the rook piece, Nora promptly nabbed it first.
"I'm Queen of the Castle!" she sang, "I'm Queen of the Castle!" Weiss just groaned.
"Though it is not a sign of strength to becomes so easily provoked."
"NORA!" a familiar voice to the orange-head called out. She whirled around to see Ren and Blake running out of the tree line.
"Its Ren!" Nora called happily, "Ren, I…"
"RUN!" both Blake and Ren shouted, silencing all of them. They then heard a shriek, as the trees parted to reveal massive scorpion chasing them.
"Its a Deathstalker!" Pyrrha said.
"Of course it freaking is," Yang said as she got ready to fight.
"Look!" Jaune said, pointing, "The Nevermore's coming back!" Everyone looked up to see the Nevermore circling back.
"Oh, son of a…" Yang had to stop herself from swearing in front of her little sister.
"I say we run!" Jaune said.
"I say we fight!" Ruby declared.
"There is nothing written that you cannot do both," Darkness said.
"Let's do both!" Jaune quickly declared, echoing the god. Seeing as that seemed to be the best option, and they really did not hame time to consider the others, the whole group started running.
"Where are we running too?" Ruby asked.
"I was going to follow you guys!" Jaune said quickly. As Darkness floated over them, he shook his head briefly.
"It seems mortals are still completely hopeless without my direction," he said as he flicked his finger. In a rather odd sensation, Jaune, Weiss, Ren, and Ruby (who had all ended up in the front somehow) found themselves listing in one direction slightly, as the others followed them on instinct. Eventually they were lead into more ruins, but these ruins came to an end at a cliff.
"So, what do we do now?" Jaune asked, "Its a dead end."
"This, my boy, is where the 'fight' aspect of the both comes into play."
Can't you send the Grimm away or something?
"If I were to do such a thing, then you would never properly develop as a warrior," Darkness answered, "They are both approaching; I would prepare."
"They're getting close," Jaune relayed, "We have to get ready."
"Do we have a plan?" Ren asked.
"Not really," Jaune admitted.
"We should split up," Ruby suddenly said, "Half of us take on the Nevermore, while the others take on the Deathstalker." Everyone looked at each other, but they didn't have enough time to consider it.
"We got this?" Ruby asked her friend. Jaune wasn't sure about it, but looking into Ruby's silver eyes, he couldn't help but feel strangely assured; things suddenly seemed a lot more possible with her.
"Yeah, we got this," Jaune answered, as the two fist bumped.
"Can't let my baby sister get all the credit," Yang said, as she readied her gauntlets, "You got my back, Pyrrha?"
"I have way more than your back," Pyrrha answered with a grin. The four then got ready to take on the Nevermore.
"Ren and I will take the Deathstalker!" Nora said.
"We will?" Ren asked.
"Heck yeah, we will!" Nora declared, pumping her fist.
"Then that means I'm also taking it on," Blake said stepping forward.
"I can't ask…," Ren began.
"You're my partner, we're in this together," Blake interrupted, putting a hand on Ren's shoulder. Ren just gave her the thumbs up.
"And I've got your back, Weiss!" Nora declared, socking her partner in the shoulder briefly, to the annoyance of the heiress. But she didn't protest, as she smiled at the people she now understood to be her team. Weiss knew that to make it out of this, she had to work together with them, no matter how infuriating they could be.
Soon enough, the Nevermore swooped over the area, as the Deathstalker emerged from the trees. The teams all got ready, as the Grimm bore down them. During all of this, the God of Darkness stood atop one of the ruins hidden from view, and watched the mortals charge into battle.
As they were clashing with the Grimm, Darkness folded his arms. They were all fighting well, including Jaune. Darkness had helped Jaune considerably in the exercise all things considered, but he knew that he had to allow the boy his own chance to grow; it would've been far less interesting to watch if the god guided him the whole way around.
The battle ended as quickly as it began, as the Grimm were destroyed. Darkness was impressed by the mortals effort, and they had done it all without magic; though he had to investigate this "Dust" as well. It had many of the same properties of magic, so it warranted some study. The teens then all took it as a much deserved moment to catch their breath.
"Come on," Pyrrha said, "We should make it back the cliff." As people started to leave, Yang then noticed Jaune smiling towards the ruins, where Darkness was still standing. The god nodded briefly towards him.
"What're you smiling at?" she asked.
"Nothing, just thanking the gods," Jaune answered.
"Really?" Yang asked, "Never pegged you for a religious guy."
"I'm really not honestly," Jaune admitted.
"You are in the constant presence of one of you gods. Your irreligiousness will prove increasingly hard to reconcile."
(in Beacon hall)
In the Beacon Hall, all the newly initiated students were gathered to be put into their teams. The teams, as they turned out to be, consisted of Ruby, Yang, Pyrrha, and Jaune, alongside Blake, Ren, Weiss, and Nora. An interesting set up if ever there was one. Ruby was just happy to be on the same team as her sister, and also to be with her first real friend in Beacon, and she didn't doubt she and Pyrrha would get along fine. As the ceremony took place, Darkness stood behind Ozpin, listening in as he gave his speech. Darkness couldn't help but find it slightly nostalgic seeing the man frame himself as a hero again, still destined to fail in the end; mortals were quite cyclical like that.
"You, who collected the knight pieces, will henceforth be known as Team RYPJ, lead by Ruby Rose," Ozpin announced. (pronounced "reaper")
"Get ready Beacon," Yang said, cracking her knuckles, "You won't know what hit ya!" To illustrate her point, she socked Jaune in the shoulder, only for him to double over, and he would've fallen if not for Darkness quickly righting him back up
"You who collected the Rook pieces, will henceforth be known as Team BRWN, lead by Blake Belladonna." (pronounced "brawn")
"We're going to kick everyone's asses, aren't we?" Nora said, as she slung an arm around both Blake and Weiss, and pulled them in.
"Whatever you say," Blake said with a confused smile, while Weiss just rolled her eyes. Soon enough after that, Ozpin ended the ceremony, and told the students to go to the dormitories, where they could their individual room assignments.
"Wait!" Jaune said, "We're all sharing the same room?"
"Well obviously," Pyrrha said.
"But there's three of you and one of me," Jaune pointed. Pyrrha opened then closed her mouth.
"Ooooh," she said, as it finally clicked.
"Don't worry, Onsie Guy," Yang said, putting her hands behind her head, "I have a feeling it'll be alright."
"Its Jaune."
"Oh I know, I just don't care."As Jaune groaned, and the girls laughed, they all left the auditorium, as Darkness moved to follow them. However, before he did, the god paused, and looked back at Ozpin, and briefly considered what he was seeing.
"Perhaps I should have done something with you before my brother did," Darkness mused, before turning to follow Jaune and his team.
Note: So we got the teams down: Team RYPJ (Ruby, Yang, Pyrrha, and Jaune) with Team BRWN (Blake, Ren, Weiss, and Nora). And now that its done, I can finally do this:
RYPJ CHIBI: Detonation Moon
Darkness and Jaune were walking down the Beacon sidewalk when, when a question came to Jaune's mind.
"Hey Darkness," he said, "I was wondering something."
"*sigh* I had a suspicion this question would arrive soon," Darkness answered, "Well, the meaning of life is…"
"Oh no!" Jaune said quickly, "Not that." Darkness almost looked relieved.
"What is your question?"
"Why is moon like the way it is?" Darkness came to a halt.
"Umm…," he said.
"I mean did a meteor crash into it, did some kind of earthquake happen?"
"Umm…" Jaune then gasped.
"Was it aliens?" he asked, "Did they blow up the moon?" Darkness was silent for a second.
"Yes, that is what happened," he finally said. Jaune gasped again.
"I've gotta tell everyone!" he declared, "Remnant must know!" He then ran off to spread the "word".
"Well, I cannot imagine that coming around to harm me again," the god commented, as he briefly prayed to himself that it wouldn't.
Yep, from here on out, I will be doing a little short in RWBY Chibi style once per chapter, albeit with the characters and teams from this story. If anyone has any ideas or concepts they'd like to see put in, just let me know.
Now if it wasn't implicit, Darkness was subconsciously prodding the teams towards each other. He can give and take life as easily as we flip a light switch on and off, so that's probably in the scope of his abilities.
Sorry that you didn't get the proper battle with the Grimm, but I tried several different scenarios, but I couldn't get one that fully satisfied me down; I'm still figuring out how the teams would compliment each other, and how they'd interact in a battle. To that end, I decided to omit it entirely, opposed to work with one I wasn't happy with. Don't worry, you'll get some real action soon.
Be sure to review.