Chapter 45: The Initiation
Amphitheater
January 23, 2020
In the morning after everyone had had their breakfast, the Beacon student body all gathered to the amphitheater to watch the high schoolers' initiation. Teams RWBY and JNPR all met up together.
"I'm so nervous for our friends. I hope they'll be okay," Ruby said.
"Relax Ruby, We teached them enough to know what to do when out in the open. Landing strategies, sense of direction, everything they need to know to pass," Weiss said.
"Yeah, they'll be fine," Yang said. "'Sup, losers,'' a voice called out.
The two teams turn to see Sun and Neptune walking towards them.
"Hey, Sun," Ruby said.
"Ruby, Jaune, Blake, Ren, Nora, Yang, Pyrrha... Ice queen," Sun said.
"Hey!" Weiss exclaimed in annoyance.
"So is it true? Are you new friends, you know, not from around here?" Neptune asked.
"Yeah, and they are taking the initiation today," Pyrrha said.
"Dude, that is awesome," Sun said.
"Hey, guys," a voice called out.
They all turned to see team CFVY approaching them.
"You didn't tell us that your new friends were out of this world," Coco said, lowering her sunglasses and gave a wink.
"Yeah, we told Ozpin that he should be the one to tell you guys," Jaune said.
"And Professor Ozpin's business with you know who. Damn, this is all pretty big stuff to take in one setting," Fox said.
"Yeah, we know exactly how you guys feel," Pyrrha said.
"Attention students," A voice called out.
All the students look to the stage and see Professor Port and Dr. Oobleck behind a microphone.
"Today you will all be watching some new huntsmen in training take the initiation," Port said.
"So everyone pay attention to the monitor and watch the newcomers in action," Oobleck said as the monitor turned on.
Beacon Cliff
The high schoolers all had their breakfast and all went to the Beacon Cliff where Ozpin and Glynda waited. The young Terrans all stood on silver platforms as Ozpin began to speak.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest," he said.
"Not true, but I'm sure he said that to maintain our cover," Jacob thought.
"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," Glynda said.
"That part we all know," Allen thought.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well," Ozpin explained.
"We pretty much work well with each other already but okay," Kendra said.
"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years. 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," Ozpin said as he sipped from his mug.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Britney said in a sarcastic tone.
"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. 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 regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" Ozpin asked.
Nobody raised their hands or spoke.
"Good! Now, take your positions," Ozpin instructed.
One by one, the high schoolers all got launched off the platforms and over into the Emerald Forest.
"I can fly!" Kelly yells out as she was launched into the forest.
"Professor Ozpin, the idea of launching students off a cliff thing makes me want to say this one thing to you," Jacob said.
"And what is that?" Ozpin asked.
"I fucking hate you," Jacob said as he was then launched into the forest.
"I know, but did you have to say it in a colorful manner?" Ozpin asked.
Beacon Academy
Amphitheater
Some of the students gasped at what Jacob said to Ozpin while others just laughed.
"Wow, this kid's got a mouth on him," Sun said.
"All of them have mouths on them," Blake said.
"Yeah, and they told us that they called Glynda, Professor Goodbitch," Coco said.
"Wait, they called her what now?" Neptune asked.
Meanwhile in another part of the amphitheater, Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury are all watching the monitor with interest.
"Now let's see what's in store for them," Cinder said.
Emerald Forest
Back with the high schoolers, they're all currently flying over the forest as the plan of their landing strategies. Britney pulls out Geminos and fires a few gravity dust bullets, slowing down her fall and safely landing on her feet. She then starts to run to find a partner.
Robert is currently free falling and is getting close to hitting the ground below. He grabs a branch of a tree and swings to another branch to which he lands on. Kelly pulls out Hacker and transforms it into its buzzsaw form. She cuts through several branches that got in her way, then transforms her weapon into its double bladed axe form. She then hooks her axe on to a branch making her stop falling.
Jacob pulls out God's Trust, transforming it into its sword form, and cuts away several upcoming branches. He then impales a nearby tree as he then slides down the tree straight down to the ground. "Okay, find a partner, get a relic, then head back," he said as he then starts running through the woods.
Beacon Academy
Amphitheater
The students all watched as the high schoolers all landed safely on the ground.
"Excellent landing strategies, eh Bart?" Port asked.
"Yes, I most certainly agree," Oobleck replied.
Teams RWBY, JNPR, CFVY, and SSSN all watched with concern and excitement.
"Yay, they made it into the forest!" Nora said.
"Now the need to find their new partners, get the relics and get back safely," Ren said.
"I hope they'll be okay," Velvet said.
Cinder watched in interest at the high schoolers in action. She then noticed some text on the blade of Jacob's sword.
"In God we Trust. What does it mean by that?" Cinder thought.
Emerald Forest
Back at the Emerald Forest, Jacob was running through the woods hoping to run into someone. He stopped as he saw Ricky and both made eye contact.
"Looks like we're partners now, man," Ricky said.
"You know it," Jacob said as he and Ricky high-fived each other.
They both started walking in hoping to find the relics.
With Britney, she was walking around to find a partner until she heard a growl coming from the bushes. The creature jumps out of the bushes and charges towards Britney. She jumps out of the way and looks at the Grimm. The Grimm appears to resemble a boar. It has four eyes and a bone-like mask that seems to be strapped to its face by a black vein-like organic tether. It has a series of plates along its back and on its thighs, and two extra sets of tusks, including two large curving tusks. However, their underside is comparatively under-protected and vulnerable, with little to no body armor or shielding. It was a Boarbatusk.
The boarbatusk spins and dashes at Britney as she dodges the attack. She transformed her handguns into their katana forms and prepared for another attack. Just as the Grimm was about to charge, Rebecca jumps out of the bushes with Hailstorm in it's scythe form and impales it in its belly as it squeals in pain and dies and disintegrates. Britney and Rebecca look at each other for a short moment knowing that they are now partners.
"I had that under control," Britney said.
With Allen he was currently walking around, looking for a partner until a voice called him.
"Allen!" He looked to the source of the voice and saw Kelly running towards him.
"You and I are now partners," Kelly said.
"I guess so," Allen said.
They suddenly both heard growling as they then turned to see a pack of beowolves several feet away from them.
"Just great," Allen groaned as he and Kelly charged at the Grimm.
With Robert, he was walking around with Sweet Kisser in his arms as he then decided to look through his scope. He saw three ursai surrounding Kendra with Mercy Bringer drawn. He aimed at one of the ursai's heads and shot it as it then dropped dead. He then shoots at the second ura's head killing it. He transforms Sweet Kisser into its spear mode and charges towards it. The Ursa and Kendra notice Robert then impales the massive Grimm from the mouth and through its head. The Ursa then disappears into nothing.
"You and I are partners now," Kendra said, pulling Robert into a kiss.
Beacon Cliff
Back at the Beacon Cliff, Ozpin and Glynda were watching on their scroll as the young Terrans finally found their new partners.
"Our four pairs have been formed, sir," Glynda said.
"Good now let us see what will happen next," Ozpin said.
"In just a couple minutes they will reach the temple," Glynda said.
Emerald Forest
Back in the forest, Jacob and Ricky were walking in hopes to find the temple, housing the relics while killing some Grimm along the way.
"If we keep going at this rate, we should be at the temple in no time," Jacob said.
"I hope we meet up with the others," Ricky said.
"I'm sure we will eventually," said Jacob.
"Guys, is that you?!" a voice called out.
Jacob and Ricky turn and see Allen and Kelly walking towards them.
"Allen! Kelly!" Jacob called back as he and Ricky walked towards them.
"Aren't you guys a sight for sore eyes," Allen said.
"Yeah, we have been encountering nothing but Grimm the whole way," Kelly said.
"Same goes for us," Ricky said.
"Alright, come on you guys. The sooner we get the relics, the sooner we can get back," Jacob said.
They all started to make their way towards the temple.
Meanwhile in another part of the forest, Britney and Rebecca were both fighting off some beowolves. Britney lops off a beowolf's head while impaling another. She then slashes at another beowolf then cuts another in half. Rebecca slashes two beowolves in half, then impales another through the head. As four more beowolves close in, Robert and Kendra charge out of the bushes. Kendra hacks off one head of a beowolf then digs her poleaxe into another. Robert slashes the throat of one beowolf then impales the last one through its chest. The two pairs of partners all relaxed a little as there were no more Grimm in sight.
"We were hoping we ran into you guys," Britney said.
"Yeah, well let hope run into the other on the way," Kendra said.
"We should find the relics and then get out of here," Robert said.
"Yeah, you're right let's get to the temple so we can go," Britney said.
Beacon Academy
Amphitheater
The students all watched in interest as the high schoolers continued to travel to the temple.
"It appears they are about to reach the temple," Ooblek said.
"Yes, and they show the capabilities of true huntsmen," Port said.
"They're doing great," Jaune said.
"All they need to do now is retrive the relics and get back the Beacon," Yang said.
With Cinder and her group, Cinder grew a smile on her face as Emerald and Mercury took notice.
"Soon the real show will begin," Cinder said.
"Cinder?" Emerald asked.
"I've left a little surprise for our new comers," Cinder said.
Emerald Forest
Back in the forest Jacob, Allen Ricky, and Kelly all continued to walk through the forest until they saw a large clearing.
"I think we're getting close," Jacob said.
They all started running towards the clearing. They peered through the bushes and saw a circular stone temple, broken and decrepit but for the platforms around its inside, holding two black knight Chess pieces and two gold rook chess pieces. But they then also noticed something else. They saw four dozen faunus in uniforms that consisted of a Grimm Mask that covers the eyes and forehead and a uniform consisting of a white sleeveless jacket, a sleeveless black hood and black pants. They also have black fingerless gloves, metal foot guards and boots. Three red claw marks can be seen on the top left of their jackets. Some have their Faunus traits, such as ears, tails, or antlers, visible along with their uniform. And on the back of their uniforms was an image of a red wolf's head with three red claw marks behind it. Some of the faunus were carrying guns while others were carrying swords. That's when they realized it was the former Faunus activist group to now terrorist organization, the White Fang. Britney, Rebecca, Robert, and Kendra then ran up to Jacob and his friends as they too noticed the faunus radical group.