Disclaimer: the world of RWBY belongs to Roosterteeth productions.
Chapter 3: The Calm
Morning arrives and hundreds of students wake up and moan groggily, all but one. "So, todays the day we become hunters isn't it Mavrick?" says Alexi. He turns to his side and sees his friend sleeping like a bear. Alexi shakes his head and sighs, "You know a normal person would show a little bit more concern about their future." A loud snore is Mavrick's only response. Scoffing Alexi picks himself up and takes a backpack beside him. As he makes his way towards the washroom he hums a light tune."
"That's a beautiful song you're humming," Comes from behind Alexi.
"Oh, thank you. Do you know it by chance?" Alexi turns and smiles at Pyrrha.
"No. Unfortunately that's the first time I ever heard that song."
"I'm not surprised. The song is a lullaby that my mother used to sing to me and my sister every day when we were young."
"She sounds like a wonderful mother Alexi."
"Yes. I suppose she was a very nice mother." A silence surrounded the two of them as Alexi toys with the silver locket hanging from his neck. "Well if you don't mind I need to do my morning rituals and they happen to take place in a male only area. Sorry," he says with a smile.
"Oh yes. Um I suppose I should do mine as well." Pyrrha laughs nervously while scratching the back of her head. Alexi gives her a nod before resuming his walk to the washroom.
As he makes his way back to the ball room he rolls his eyes at the slumbering form of his friend. Calmly Alexi bends down and slowly rolls up his sleeping bag. After a roll of his eyes Alexi turns and pokes Mavrick's face. "Hey, are you going to sleep through the entire initiation." No answer. "Do you realize if you get kicked out grandpa is going to give you one hell of an ass kicking." Still no answer. Sighing Alexi tears the blanket off his friend only to be meet with a soft growl. "Alright then, I didn't want to do this but at this point I don't really care anymore." He unsheathes his black gunblade, Selene, and aims the tip of it to Mavrick's head. After a brief channel the flowers on the side of the blade lightly glow. "This is only going to hurt a lot." With a smirk Alexi pulls the trigger.
Across the campus of Beacon two words echo, "AHHHHH FUCK!"
"Was that really necessary Alexi." A red aura seethed across the taller boy's body.
"It was your fault for sleeping in. You do realize that if you don't attend initiation you cannot attend Beacon."
"What's your point," Mavrick says with a snarl.
"If you don't get into Beacon then grandpa will give you hell, and don't get me started on what grandma will do to you." Alexi smirks as Mavrick's face pales.
"Point taken," He says with a shudder.
"You have less than 45 min to take a shower and prepare for lunch, also if you get a cramp during initiation I'll leave you behind." Alexi gives him one last smile before opening his mouth, "For the record sleeping in some proper night cloths is much more comfortable then sleeping in your armour."
He gives Mavrick a small salute and walk towards the cafeteria. After a minute thinking Alexi piles few spoonful of scrambled eggs, two sausages, one spoon of tater tots, and two slices of toast on the both plates. He fills up the two bowls with a various assortment for slice fruits and fill two glasses with apple juice. As he sits himself down at a table by an open window a voice breaks him out of his thoughts. "That's a large amount of food you have there Alexi."
"You're right, good thing Maverick will help me finish all this food Pyrrha," he says with a smile. With a wave of his hand he say, "Would you like to have a seat?"
"Thank you for the offer kind sir," she says laughing. After a few moments of silent eating Pyrrha and Alexi begin so share various stories of silly teachers and funny events. After half an hour Mavrick arrives at the table.
"Hey Mavrick, do you remember Dianna's first attempt at cooking. You remember, for the Christmas ball 2 years ago."
The amazon and the gunman share a short laugh as Mavrick shudders. "Please don't remind me. The image of our drunk, love deprived cousin still haunts my dreams." For the next few minutes the trio ate in silence, only being disrupting by the occasional choking of Mavrick, which was swiftly followed by a spank on the head by Alexi.
"Are the two of you worried about the pairings for the initiation?" said Pyrrha. Mavrick raised his head and raised an eyebrow.
"Well I don't see any reason to be so scared about. I'm sure all the students at Beacon will be nice and make excellent team mates," Alexi says with a smile.
"Yes I suppose. It's just…never mind it's a silly fear," Pyrrha says.
"Are you afraid of being recognized as the Mistral Champion?" Alexi says.
"You knew about that?"
"It's not really that big of a deal to be honest," says Mavrick. He raises his eyebrow from the shocked faces Alexi. "Yes. I can speak to other people with my own will."
"Aw. My brother has finally grown. OW!" Alexi yells as Kaiser gives him a punch, knocking Alexi off the table, and the sound of laughter surrounds the table.
"Well I would be lying if I said I didn't wish that the three of us could be one team," Pyrrha says.
"Well, from what I hear the rumors say the initiation will be done in teams of four. So the chances of us working together may not be that bad. Don't worry about anything Pyrrha. There aren't any creepy students here and if anyone gives you any trouble just tell us. Mavrick will be more than happy to have a new punching bag," Alexi says giving off the brightest smile he could muster.
"Thank you." She says with a whisper and a small blush.
Overlooking the campus is a free standing tower that holds the office to the headmaster. Inside that office is a male dark grey haired wolf Faunus. He is standing in front of the headmaster's desk and his head is tilted downwards. The boy's hands are just barley touching the papers on the desk and softly he guides his hands over each line. The boy's ears are elongated into point tips and constantly twitching, trying to pick up every sound in the area. From his pants a bushy tail protrudes and is raised stiffly in the air.
"What are you doing here Valko? You're supposed to be at the Academy's main building waiting for Ms. Goodwitch's announcement," says Professor Ozpin with a cane in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
"I was merely doing some reading on my future peers, headmaster."
The headmaster talks over the table, places his cane on the side of the desk, and picks up the sheet the boy's hands are currently on. The name Kaiser Lei was printed on the front. "Any reason that you were reading up on an ex-pop star's file?"
The boy's tail lowers and his ears freeze, "No reason. It was simply the paper I was currently on, and I noticed an inconsistency between the files." The boy's hands glide across the desk briefly skimming across every paper before they pause on one. "Jaune Arc, his papers are incomplete, and his practical results are missing. Should I go get this problem sorted out headmaster?"
Headmaster Ozpin lets out a small sigh before pinching his nose. "No Valko. There is never a mistake with the admissions. Do not go harassing this boy because of your assumptions."
"But sir, if I understand correctly this could be a massive breach in security. If people find out Beacon's reputation will be tarnished."
"Valko Silvaticus, I will repeat this once and only once more. You will not, under any circumstances, confront this boy for his transcripts. You will respect him and the only time I permit any sort of action is if he over steps his bounds that the general school regulations enforce. Am I clear?"
A heavy silence fills the room as Valko's ears begin to twitch again. "Very well sir, if that is your wish I will follow it. Now, may I return to my reading?"
After Headmaster Ozpin takes sip of his coffer and he sighs. "Valko with all due respect, don't you think it would be better to meet your peers rather then read about them?"
"Those actions should only be done when necessary. Besides this knowledge will be helpful when creating strategies for my team."
"That is only assuming that I will make you leader of a team Valko."
The boy pauses and his tail tenses. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying that I don't believe you're ready to be a leader quite yet. You possess a great amount of strength Valko. No one can deny that, but you are easily angered, impulsive, and your stamina is fairly lacking."
The boy snarls and turns towards the headmaster, "What! How dare you say that? I am well prepared to be a leader of a team. In fact I am far better off than half of the jokes. Have you forgotten the promise you made me?"
"No, I haven't. I told you that I wanted you to help me make a better world for humans and fanus. I did not say that you would be leading a group of hunters."
The boy scowls and walks towards the window. After a moment of silence he speaks up, "Do you truly believe that dream is possible?"
"Did you read all the papers?"
"No, only twenty percent of them."
"Then you will be surprised at some of your classmates," Headmaster Ozpin says with a smile. "Good luck Valko Silvaticus. I have high hopes for you and I know you will succeed."
Valko opens the window and leans over the ledge. "Did you have to name me after a forest?"
"I thought it was fitting since that was the place where I found you. Besides, would you have preferred it if I called you Valko Ozpin?"
After a moment of silence Valko hurls himself over the ledge and a resounding crash can be heard from below. A minute later a blond haired office lady with a purple cape runs into the office.
"What the hell was that Mr. Ozpin?"
He smirks and takes another sip of his coffee. "Ms. Goodwitch can you please call a repair man? Valko jumped out of the window again."
The woman rolls her eyes and begins to dial furiously. "I told you that boy was nothing but trouble." Mr. Ozpin replies with only a smile.
Off in the main building more chaos ensures.
"This is absolutely ridiculous. There is no way I but my gear in locker 636. I would have remembered to count that high. Oh why does this have to happen today," Says Jaune as he walks through the room.
"Umm…Jaune?" says Kaiser trailing behind him.
"Not now Kaiser. Can't you see I'm doing something important?"
As the duo passes two girls, them being Weiss and Pyrrha, Kaiser rolls his eyes after he passes them a quick glance. "Yeah about that important thing. If you just stopped for a second-whoa!"
The blond haired boy suddenly stops and turns around. "Did we just pass the girl who complimented me?"
"Ugh…yes?" Jaune turns around, straightens out his clothing, and lightly combs his hair with his fingers. "Oh no. Not now man. They were having a conversation it would be rude of you to interrupt." Unfortunately the blond doesn't hear his friend's warning and he is already making his way to the two girls. "Wait! At least have a breath mint first." Groaning Kaiser trudges after his friend.
As Weiss turns her back to Pyrrha, clearly thinking about something, Jaune steps in between them, places his hand on a locker and says, "You know what else is great? Me, Jaune Arc. Nice to meet you." The sound of a hand hitting a forehead could be heard across the locker room.
"You again," says Weiss. "Nice to meet you Jaune," says Pyrrha. "Yeah yeah," Jaune respond as he pushes Pyrrha away to confront Weiss. Kaiser moves behind Jaune and catches Pyrrha. "I am so sorry about him. Please forgive my friend." Kaiser says, "He's a little…misguided." Pyrrha nods understandably at him.
"So Weiss, I couldn't help but over hear your fondness about me yesterday."
"Oh you've got to be kidding me," groans both Weiss and Kaiser.
"Don't worry, no need to be embarrassed. Anyways I've been hearing rumors about teams. I was thinking that you and I would make a good one. What do you think?"
"Actually I think the teams are comprised of 4 students each so," Injects Pyrrha.
"You don't say," says Jaune sounding annoyed. "Well, hot stuff, play your cards right, and maybe you could join up with the winning team." Kaiser groans inwardly and proceeds to bang his head on the locker door, which get a small smile out of Weiss. After having enough of the situation Weiss runs between Jaune and Pyrrha and pushes the two apart with her hands.
"Jaune is it. Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"Not in the slightest snow angel." As Jaune leans in with a smile as Kaiser smacks his head once again and thinks to himself. "God, if you're out there please be merciful to him."
"This is Pyrrha," says Weiss as she points behind her who waves and says hello. "She graduated at the top of her class at Sanctum."
"Never heard of it," says Jaune but this time Kaiser joins in.
"She's won the Mistral Reigon tournament 4 years in a row. A new record."
"The what?" The two boys say.
Annoyed Weiss angrily says while waving her hands, "She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box."
"That's you!" Jaune says while pointing at Pyrrha. "They only do that for star athletes and cartoon character."
"Yes it was pretty cool. Sadly the cereal isn't very good for you."
"So after hearing all this do you really think you're in a position to ask her to join your team."
"I guess not."
"Well I am," says Kaiser who drapes a hand of Jaune's shoulder and holds a thumb up. He brushes his hair back and gives them a wide smile with his sparkling teeth.
"My name's Kaiser Lei, I was once the lead singer of the group Puppet Theater. I can promise you Pyrrha that my friend Jaune here would make fine leader and we would be honored if you were to join team Jaune."
"Hold on. How do I know you are really who you say you are?"
Smirking Kaiser steps in between the two and clears his throat. "Because I am an individual, trapped in a world so mystical. And it's hear that I will find, the purpose of my life." His voice is a gentle sea breeze that washes over the tensions in the room. Complete shock and awe fill the room. "So, did you like my voice?" He is meet with only Weiss's silence and Pyrrha's clapping
"Alright all board team Jaunue?"
"Oh stop it you guys." He says blushing.
"Seriously please stop it. This type of behaviour should not be encouraged."
Jaune immediately barges into Weiss personal space and says, "Sounds like Kaiser and Pyrrha are onboard for team Jaune. Spots are filling up quick. Now I'm not supposed to do this but maybe I can pull some strings and find a place for you. What do you say," he says with a wink. Kaiser slaps his face once again before mumbling, "I did not think that through."
"All right that is way to close. Pyrrha a little help please?" The amazon takes out her spear and with a quick twirl and hurls it while saying sorry. Into Jaune's sweater. The force sends him flying and pins him to a locker.
"Damn, remind me not to get on your bad side…ever," jokes Kaiser while giving her a light pat.
"Attention, would all first year students please report to Beacon cliff for initiation, again will all first year students please report to Beacon cliff for initiation."
Pyrrha gives Kaiser a light smiles before following Weiss off. With a wave of her hand Pyrrha's spear detaches itself from the locker and flies towards her.
"Better luck next time buddy," Kaiser says while walking up to the locker. With a wave of his hand a small keypad appears. He opens it up and pulls out two chakarams from it. "By the way, you left your gear in my locker last night."
"I don't get it Kaiser. My dad said all women look for is confidence. Where did I go wrong?"
I shrug by shoulder before picking him up. "Maybe you should try something besides snow angle."
On a grassy cliff the overlooks a massive forest is all the first year students, each of them is standing on a white square. Briefing them about their initiation is Professor Ozpins.
"For years you have trained to become warriors, and today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Says Ozpin
His blond haired assistant clears her throat at says, "Now I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates…today."
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is best that you pair up with someone that you can work well with. That being said the first person you make eye contact with will be your partner for the next 4 years. After you partner up make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition on the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path or you will die. You will be monitored and graded throughout the initiation but your instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end at the path containting sever relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item and we will grade you appropriately, after you will receive your teams. Any questions?" Ozpin says. Ignoring Jaune he continues, "Good. Take your positions."
"I have a question. This landing strategy thing, what is it? Will you be dropping us off or something?"
"No you will be falling," replies Ozpin.
"So do we get parachutes?" asks Jaune, who is now shaking.
"Hey Jaune," yells Kaiser.
"Huh?" The blond turns to his friend.
"Aim for the trees!" With a loud laugh Kaiser is thrown from his pad shortly after Jaune follows, all be it screaming.
