Remnant's Most Wanted
AN: Still going for the slow burn on this story. I want people to care about these characters and their relationships before I start throwing them in terrible scenarios. I'm also doing something different with the initiation.
Chapter 7: Jumping Ship
Topaz made it into the auditorium and sunk into the crowd. It was a pretty small crowd. The rumors that Beacon had increased their requirements must've been true. Not only that but over half seemed to be children of Beacon alumni. Citrine Rose, Eiess Schnee, Nephrite Ren, Nova Wukong, the list went on.
"Topaz!" Citrine called out.
"Hey Citrine." Topaz said. The orange-clad shield barer walked up to her.
"I saw you earlier." Citrine said.
"Yeah." Topaz said. "So, how have you been?" Eiess, Nephrite and Nova walked up behind Citrine.
"I've been doing fine." Citrine said. "I'm getting another brother or sister later this year."
"That's…interesting." Topaz said. The mic hissed. Topaz drew her attention back to the stage. Headmaster Qrow Branwen walked up to the mic. His silver hair was neatly combed back. His red eye piece glistened in the light.
"Greetings." Qrow said. "Welcome, to Beacon Academy. I am your esteemed headmaster Qrow. You are all here in pursuit of knowledge. Or perhaps you're here to prove your worth. Maybe you think you have something to say and becoming a huntsman or huntress is the best way for you to say it. But being a huntsman isn't about getting a certificate. It's about becoming the best you can be. It's about taking a journey, learning about yourself as much as the world around you." Qrow stepped back and a woman walked up.
"You will sleep in the ballroom tonight." The lavender haired woman said. "Tomorrow at the brink of dawn, you will be taking the initiation test. It will serve as both your first graded assignment and the means of which your team is selected. May I advise you to converse with your schoolmates. These are the people you will be working with for the next four years. And three of them will be your teammates. That is an absolute certainty."
"Who was that?" Topaz asked as the woman exited the stage.
"Her name with Shangsheng Feng." Nephrite said. "She's the dust instructor."
"Ah." Topaz said. "So, what are you all doing tonight?"
"I was going to converse with some of the others." Citrine said.
"Have fun. I've already met all the people in the class while I was flaunting my abilities."
"Alright…" Citrine said. "Have fun doing whatever it is you do."
"Hey Nephrite…" Topaz said. "There's a pool around here, right?"
"Yes. It's over by the dorms." Nephrite answered.
"Well then…Hey everyone!" Topaz got everyone's attention. "There's a pool by the dorms. I'm going for a swim. Feel free to join me."
Topaz walked off to the locker room. She put her equipment in her locker and changed into her bathing suit. She knew that this would certainly catch some eyes and turn some heads. She walked to the dorm building with a towel in hand. There were two pools, an indoor and an outdoor. Because of the crisp spring air, Topaz decided on the indoor pool. She got herself a cup of orange juice from a concession stand and took a dip in the pool. It didn't take long for several others to join her.
"Hey it's Topaz, right?" A redhaired boy said.
"Correct." Topaz took a sip from her juice box.
"Scotland Yard." He put his hand out for a shake. Topaz obliged him. "So, you from around here?"
"Not really." Topaz said. "I grew up on a boat. My dad's a sea hunter so, we travel a lot."
"I saw you already had friends."
"Our parents are friends." Topaz explained. "I mean, the girl in the orange hood, you know who her parents are right?"
"Of course, I know." Scot said. "Everyone knows Ruby Rose…at least from reputation."
"Yeah, my dad used to travel with her…for a short time." Topaz said.
"Is that so?" Scot dunked himself and swan around a bit. "My parents know her dad…the Arcs. I'm from Lighthouse so…yeah pretty much everyone knows the Arcs there."
"Lighthouse Academy accounts for half the student body." Topaz said. "It's a pretty big school."
"Yeah but…I wouldn't call any of these people my friends. I tended to get picked on a lot."
"I was homeschooled." Topaz said. "I only know people because of how much I traveled. But you're here now. We're all here for the same goal…even if we have our own reasons."
"Yeah…anyway…I'm probably going to go get ready for tomorrow." Scot said. "I have a really high maintenance weapon. I need to be ready to fight to my fullest at initiation."
"Any idea what initiation consists of?"
"I heard that they mix it up a bit every year." Scotland said. "Just gotta be ready for anything." He grinned as he exited.
"Well good luck."
"Same to you." Scotland dried himself off and left.
Topaz stayed in the pool for a few more hours before she decided to get out. She had a few more conversations but none of them were meaningful. Most of them were guys just trying to hit on her. She wasn't above leading them on…it was fun sometimes…but only just.
After she changed into her nightgown and set herself up she went right to sleep. It didn't take long, she was always a heavy sleeper. The next day she was the first one up. There was a note on the locker room door for all students to meet up at the air dock.
She quickly got ready and headed to get breakfast. There were two other people up when she got there. A blonde headed boy and Nephrite. They were both keeping to themselves. Topaz wondered who she should converse with. She ended up going for Nephrite, it was too early to be talking to boys.
"Good morning." Topaz took a seat. Nephrite nodded in recognition. The boy across the room scarfed down a bowl of cereal and headed out. "Did you see the sign?"
"Yes." Nephrite said. "Did you sleep well?"
"I could sleep well on a ship in the middle of a thunderstorm. This was child's play."
"I'm glad you did. I'm not use to sleeping on a floor. I feel bad for Eiess. She's probably used to the softest beds money can buy."
"Everyone will have to get used to it." Topaz said as she took a bight out of her apple. "It comes with the job."
"Trust me I know." Nephrite said. "Anyone with huntsmen parents probably gets it shoved down their throats." Nephrite said with genuine spite on the level that made Topaz chuckle a bit.
"And unlike me you can't get away from them." Topaz said. "You're probably the unluckiest person in this school." Topaz finished her apple and muffin.
"I don't know…maybe I can take advantage of that." Nephrite smiled. They both stood up and went to the airship. There were a few others waiting. The blonde kid from before was standing awkwardly. Two girls were staring at him, practically drooling. Nova and Scot were there too.
"Hmph." Nova said.
"You know one of these guys?" Topaz asked.
"That idiot being gawked at is the one who copped a feel on my tail yesterday." Nova fumed.
"Oh…" Topaz said. The last stragglers gathered round, Citrine was the last to arrive, with half a waffle hanging from her mouth. Qrow and Feng emerged from the ship.
"So, you're all here." Qrow said.
"Yes sir." Citrine said with a syrupy smile and salute. Eiess took out a handkerchief and wiped the sap from Citrine's face like a mother tending to a child. "Thank you." Citrine whispered.
"Alright maggots!" A familiar voice boomed. Nora stepped out of the ship. "Welcome to your initiation. This year the testing ground is Mountain Glenn."
She left a moment of silence and confusion. This was to be expected. One of the reasons area had been so dangerous was because the dragon that was sealed in the mountain drew Grimm to the city. Now, that dragon was sealed beneath the Emerald Forest, the previous favored spot for Beacon tests. But Topaz had heard Forever Fall had become a more favored spot since the end of the Grimm War. Then again, mixing things up.
"Your objective is simple." Feng said. "You will be launched out of the ship as we fly over Mountain Glenn. Your objective is to find a partner after you land. Then find one of six relics scattered throughout the city. After you have the relic, exfiltrate to the old hospital, where the airship will be waiting."
"Wait, but Mountain Glenn is massive." A blonde girl perked up. Topaz recognized her as the one who was playing the flute yesterday, Ariadne.
"Ms. Glasgorm." Qrow said. "That is up to you. This is a test of both your valor, and your critical thinking skills. Do not hesitate to destroy any Grimm in your way." He looked in the blonde-haired boy's direction. "Think like a huntsman. Consider these relics like survivors of a tragedy."
"Now, everyone on board on the double!" Nora cheered.
AN: I thought of making it just a bit longer. I was going to show who Topaz gets partnered with. But I've thought of a way to do that with next chapter as well. So, the game is afoot and the initiation has begun.
