Cerise flew through the sky with her cape flowing behind her. The wind blew harshly causing her to squint and her eyes to water. A smudge of green approached her peripheral vision as a tree rocketed towards her. She unhooked the crossbow from her belt, her eye locked on a low branch. Forcing her eyes open she through the biting wind she grasped her weapon firmly. The forest flew past her in a blur as she aimed the crossbow at the branch. She gripped the trigger and fired.

SHRRRNG

The arrow made a sharp whistling sound as it shot from the barrel attached to it was a thick wire cord. The arrow made a soft thumping noise as it dug into the bark of the branch. The wire snagged and Cerise steadied herself as it dragged her in. She landed with a soft thump, shaking several leaves. She pressed a button on the end of her weapon and the wire retracted neatly into the barrel. She reattached the crossbow to her belt and jumped down. No one was around, good.

As she wandered she thought back to that morning and the headmaster's speech. It was always the same, being thrust into the spotlight like this. Who said she had to live up to anybody? It was her life to live wasn't it? Her family was immortalized because of her mother's efforts during the Second Great War. Ever since she was born she was seen as a puppet, an example, a perfect guardian to continue her mother's legacy, like it was expected.

Expected

She hated that word, it felt like fire in her mouth whenever she said it. Growing up, her mother would go on and on about her times at Beacon. When the school reopened she encouraged, or rather begged, her to join even before she was old enough to go. It was true that Cerise always loved battle but sometimes she wondered if that choice was truly hers.

The forest had grown quiet by this point and she hadn't seen a single soul. Something flashed behind her eyes like a pinging in her brain and she stopped. The pinging drew her gaze to a bush and she locked on it. There was something beyond it, she knew it. The pinging continued, pulling at the edges of her mind and she closed her eyes, focusing it. As she did a fuzzy image began to surface, swirling like an ocean wave. It was a small space but she could see beyond the bush.

'Beowolf, young, two feet away, it hasn't seen me yet'

She opened her eyes and reached for her weapon. Sneaking behind a tree she peeked out over the bush. There was indeed a beowolf scavenging around not too far from her. She was lucky her semblance was accurate this time; usually it was foggy at best. Aiming her crossbow a bolt snapped into the barrel and she she peeked out and fired.

SHRRRRNG

The unattached bolt made a whizzing sound as it flew by, the beowolf barely had time to react before the projectile embedded itself into its shoulder. The wolf let out a bellow as the bolt continued its path, sending the beast flying and digging into a tree. The Grimm roared in anger as it struggled in vain against the bolt pinning it.

RARRRRRRRRRRRR

Cerise wasted no time and loaded another bolt connected to a wire.

SHHRRRINNGGG

The bolt flew by, embedding in the tree beside the Grimm as it continued to struggle. The wire caught, snapping still like a dog leash. Cerise appeared from behind the tree to face down her enemy. The beowolf was still roaring and struggling against the bolt, its shoulder slowly leaking black mist. Cerise pressed a button near the top and suddenly the wire started the move, thrusting her forward. She jumped as the wire flung her, the world flying by in a blur. Midair she pressed a second button. This time the crossbow began to shift. It grew and morphed, the handle stretched and the barrel switched to a long steel blade. In a matter of seconds the simple crossbow changed into a large mechanical scythe. The wire detached from the tree, the scythe sucking it back in as the weapon completed its transformation. This did nothing to upset her momentum, as she flew towards the monster she swung the blade towards the monsters throat

CRRRK

The tree moaned loudly as the scythe cut cleanly through its trunk. Cerise rolled, landing kneeling, behind her the tree slid to the side and shook the forest floor as it crashed loudly. The beowolfs severed head rolled to Cerise' side as it started to vanish. Cerise stood and rolled her neck, the wires were always a little to sudden, she'd have to work on that.

"Good job, Ciara Arc" She whispered. Deciding to keep the weapon its scythe form she continued on, determined to find a partner.

Nelly wandered through the woods. It has been a few minutes and she still hadn't run into anyone, not that she wasn't happy about it.

She should've figured she couldn't escape the torment even at Beacon, it followed her everywhere. Ever since her Uncle Whitley took over the SDC he'd run it into the ground. Unsafe working conditions, under the counter deals and increased labor soiled what was left of the company's reputation. Everyone involved with it suffered and suffering people always look for a scapegoat. She was lucky enough to have been born with her turquoise hair but there was one trait she couldn't escape from. The Schnee blue eyes were infamous for striking fear into its workers. Nelly had been branded a Schnee and picked on mercilessly since she was small, destined to endure the backlash from her Uncles company. Over time she came to accept it, she could say she was a Vasilias all she wanted but no one ever listened. She'd just have to put on a brave face like every other time. At least she had Cerise and the others here which would help.

As she wandered she started considering the possibility of being partnered up with a stranger. What would she do if someone else found her, like a Faunus. She slowed down her pace marginally, glancing around. As she continued she realized the forest had gone silent, even the birds had stopped chirping. She stopped, slowly reaching behind her, grabbing her trident. It was large and silver and had dust tubes running around it. She gripped it firmly in both hands and looked around for any sign of movement whether it be human or Grimm. The silence continued, anticipating a fight she cast a glyph at her feet. A bush shuffled to her right and a barreling ball of black burst forth.

As the beowolf charged, Nelly jumped. Using the glyph to propel herself in the air, she aimed the trident and pressed a button at the top. The tubes around it glowed as they filled with ice dust. She fired, freezing the Grimm's legs before it could make another move. The beast roared as it fought against its frosty restraints.

Nelly cast another glyph behind her, pushing herself forward and slicing. The beast let out a deafening roar as its legs shattered and it fell to the ground defeated. Nelly landed as it started to dissolve, sheathing her trident. She listened to the forest for any other unusual sounds. She smiled proudly when she didn't hear any and continued on. She barely took five steps before a loud crash shook to forest floor. Nelly paused as the ground rumbled

'What was that?' She thought

It definitely came from her right however she wasn't about to run in expecting another student when the boom could've been something bigger. She pulled out her trident; closing her eyes she summoned another glyph in front of her. This glyph however was bigger and more intricate then the others, she focused her concentration into the glowing circle. In a blinding light, the white form appeared in the shape of the beowolf she just killed. She raised her weapon to command it, pointing it at the bushes. The beast bounded towards it with Nelly following behind, ready to take down anything that wasn't human. She pushed through the bushes, her sight blocked by her luminous summon. Suddenly the beowolf stopped, letting out a low growl as it lowered itself.

Nelly prepared her trident, whatever the creature was seeing she was ready for it. The monster roared as it charged blindly through the trees. A surprised shout followed as they burst through the bush. Nelly paused, that didn't sound like a Grimm.

She quickly sliced her trident to the side, dissolving her summon, however she unable to stop her momentum as she slammed headlong into her best friend, knocking them both over.

"Owww" A grunt came beneath her as she crashed

Nelly gasped and bolted up "Cerise!" She cried "I'm so sorry; I thought you were a Grimm!"

Cerise chuckled as she gingerly raised herself onto her elbows, shooting her friend a grin "Its fine Nelly, just try not to sick anymore of your summons on me"

Nelly laughed apologetically "I'm sorry"

Cerise grunted as she tried to get up "Plus, your sitting on my windpipe"

Nelly stood up, offering a hand to her friend. Cerise took it gratefully, standing up she dusted herself off and met Nelly's infectious grin.

"Guess we're partners now"