A/N: Almost 100 people following along now! I'm pretty amazed- this is by far the most popular work I have here. Hopefully I'll get to hear from more of you soon!

Here's something to tide y'all over as I finalize later chapters. As always, reviews and PMs are always appreciated. Thank you all for the lovely feedback thus far! It really does help :D


Laws of Attraction

"Welcome to your first trial at Beacon Academy." Professor Ozpin's eyes ran over each of the students as he casually strolled up and down their single rank, using his cane to gently tap feet until they had found their way back onto the launch pads. Pyrrha watched his slow, methodical motions, feeling a sense of calm overtake her body as he worked his way down the line.

Suddenly, the headmaster turned his gaze towards Pyrrha herself, locking eyes with her. Startled, she jumped back a little, but as his stare continued, she held his gaze. She couldn't tell what was running through his mind- his brown eyes were sharp, clear, but what was behind them was not for her to see. And yet, she didn't look away. It felt like a challenge, almost- as if he was staring her down, sizing her up before a competition. She straightened her shoulders, standing tall, lifting her chin slightly to display her confidence. This is what I'm here for. She was ready.

After a moment of silence between the two, he seemed to agree, a small smile alighting upon his lips. Unfortunately, the other students were clearly not so comfortable with the circumstances of their mysterious assignment, the anxious energy in the air growing more palpable by the second. Closing his eyes, he nodded thoughtfully, took a sip of his coffee and then continued sorting out the students into their rank.

Pyrrha relaxed as he moved his interest onto other students. What had that been about? There wasn't any time to ponder that, however, as the professor took a step back at the end of the rank and surveyed the entire intake of freshmen. It seemed like he would finally make everything clear.

Although she had to admit that hosting the initiation on a cliffside was a little unusual, she didn't understand why all of her peers seemed to be so tense. After all, the sky was clear, the sun bright- and past the cliff's edge was the sprawling Emerald Forest, glimmering in the rays of light from where they stood. No matter what they had to do, at least the weather would cooperate.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest. What a beautiful day for an assessment," Professor Ozpin commented.

Before the other students could vocalize their concerns at the word assessment, Professor Goodwitch held out a hand, commanding silence. "Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams'," she said tartly. "Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today."

It was now Pyrrha's turn to be nervous. She had known that teams were coming, but to have them built this early-

Professor Ozpin sipped his coffee, nonchalant despite the fearful gazes being passed up and down the row of nervous students. "These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So," he emphasized, raising an amused brow, "it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."

Her nervousness only grew, heart beginning to race a little faster. Why was Professor Ozpin laughing at them? Was this a joke? Why did Professor Goodwitch seem so calm about this?

Four years. She knew that coming to Beacon meant working in teams for the entire journey- however, she hadn't realized that teams stayed the same the entire time. And to top it off, students didn't get to choose their own teams.

She gulped imperceptibly, casting sidelong glances at her neighbours. Weiss was eyeing her with a devious smile on her otherwise angelic face, so Pyrrha quickly looked to the other side. That was one situation she really wanted to avoid- she did not want to find out what Weiss had been mumbling to herself about so dangerously in the locker room.

However, on her immediate right was one of the boys who had been pushing his way through the audience during the opening ceremony. She certainly didn't want to end up with him, nor any of his friends, if she could help it.

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

Oh no.

A girl nearby- the small one who had been talking to Jaune during the opening ceremony- voice everyone's sentiment as she cried out, "Whaaaat?!"

Pyrrha couldn't agree more. And yet, as she thought about it, her heart began to lighten. A partner made from eye contact was essentially a mandatory friend, right? Someone who would have to get to know her, stand by her?

Pyrrha's eyes darted to the next speaker, the excitable girl with the pink skirt who she kept seeing. The boy who was always by her side ignored her, as usual, as she tapped him, saying, "See? I told you-!"

Before she could continue, Ozpin explained, "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." He trailed off forebodingly, allowing the students to all conjure up whatever nightmares might haunt them within those shining trees.

Okay, she thought, forcing her breathing to slow down, focusing on setting body's rhythm back on a meditative cycle. Okay, Pyrrha. Stay calm. You'll find someone- you've seen a bunch of people already. You can find someone who's not terrible. She paused, taking a mental note of everyone she had had substantial contact with over the past day, but none of them screamed the qualities of a good partner. Hell, the best option she could think of was-

A smile crept on her face as she heard Jaune's voice, high-pitched due to terror, giggling nervously a few pads down.

"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene." A few defeated sighs erupted from Ozpin's words. "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 guard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

She snorted as Jaune whimpered something quietly, but Ozpin simply barrelled onwards. "Good! Now, take your positions."

It's time for battle. And with that, Pyrrha's mind blocked out all irrelevant distractions, her body reflexively shifting into a low stance. Already to her left, she could hear the springs underneath each launch pad shooting outwards, propelling each student far off into the distance over the forest. She spread her feet, crouching lightly, ready to spring off the moment it was her turn.

Another student flew. And another. One yelled, but they could do nothing but wail as they soared through the sky.

Pyrrha relaxed her arms, ready to streamline her body in the air. The clasps and triggers of Miló and Akoúo̱ were both easily accessible, and once she reached the apex of her arc upwards, she would be able to undo them with ease. There was no time to doubt who her partner would be, or to worry about the other students, as the launches came down the line towards her.

I'm ready.

And then, the ground rumbled, her calves tensed in preparation, and she was off, a missile in the air. The skies were in her reach, emerald sea shifting below, her ponytail a crimson ribbon trailing behind her as she blazed her way to victory.