Honestly, I had to rewrite a good chunk of this chapter because I wasn't feeling the direction it was going. This really demotivated me. Also since I'm on break, not having to get up really messed up my schedule. My bad.
I'm most likely going to go back and change how I worded some things in Chapter 10.
Enjoy.
Chapter 11: Team?
"Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarlatina, and Yatsuhashi Daichi." The crowd of students cheered as the headmaster called their names. With initiation over the first-years, along with the rest of Beacon's students were gathered in the grand auditorium. Apparently, it was a tradition to announce the formation of new teams every year. It really was a big deal considering all the screens lining the walls displaying the action during initiation. Judging by the crowds' excited reaction, it seemed the four individuals present on stage had given quite the showing. Alter frowned at the thought of everything being recorded. He should've known that the professors would be watching them; how else would they grade their performance. The reason for Alter's agitation was that he initially planned not to stand out due to Raven's warning about the headmaster. Well, he'd royally screwed that up, considering how everything played out.
Going in, Alter already knew Professor Ozpin had his eye on him thanks to his past. There was no way the headmaster wouldn't be watching him now. Thankfully on their back, they had been informed that most of the footage that involved them wouldn't be played back. "You retrieved the King of Hearts and the Queen of Hearts, respectively. Thus, you will hereby be Team Coffee or CFVY for short, led by Coco Adel!" The crowd of students clapped and cheered as the newly formed team walked off the stage. Coco, radiating confidence, gave the mass of students a cocky smirk, Fox and Yatsuhashi remained stoic, and Velvet fidgeted as her rabbit ears drooped.
"It's almost time!" A squirming Ike muttered in anticipation. The group of eight all stood to the side off stage as they watched him bounce on the spot, much to the rest of their exasperation. Not a few hours ago, Ike had been banged up to muster a smile, now he was acting like a kid in a toy store. What's more, he had all but forgotten about the bet he and Ulivia made, though she hadn't mentioned it ever since they returned. When Rail asked her about it, she shrugged, saying it didn't care anymore since they basically tied. "I'll finally be the leader of my own team! Once that happens, I'll be closer to becoming the greatest Huntsman Remnant's ever seen."
"Carly Cyan, Ike Rustal, Abigail Sparrow, Nash King."
"That's our cue!" Ike pumped his arms and strutted out, waving both arms in the air with an absolutely giddy smile on his face, followed by the rest whose names were announced. Abby glanced back at Alter anxiously; he nodded, prompting her to continue; she still looked nervous, however. A mix of oohs and ahhs rang out as the screens flashed with highlights of them fighting Grimm; the males were especially loud when the video switched to Abby or Carly. It had been like through the ceremony's duration, whenever a particular guy or girl was on stage, the opposite genders' cheers would reach a crescendo. It was the same for Velvet and Coco, the latter receiving a combination of both. Abby squeaked, bodily shivering in embarrassment; Carly stared on, either unaware or ignoring them entirely.
"You each brought back the Ace of Diamonds and the Ace of Spades; henceforth, you will now form Team Cyan or CIAN. As for the position of leader." Ike puffed out his chest and took a step forward. "That honor goes to Carly Cyan."
Ike stiffened, "Huh? N-Not me?"
Ulivia doubled over in laughter for the second time that day at Ike's expense. "Oh wow, I'll never let him live this down," she panted out between bouts of laughter.
"Wait, how come she gets to be the leader?" Ike pointed to Carly, who remained reserved.
"Simple, she showed remarkable logic in her decision making as well as keeping calm and displaying courage in the face of a dire situation," the headmaster stated, matter-of-factly.
"But what about my awesome skills?"
"Yes, yes, while you did prove that you most certainly belong here, I believe Ms. Cyan's attributes fit best for the role of a leader."
"But…"
"What's done is done. There's no changing it now." Carly said, crossing her arms and walking off the stage.
"Guess when the team was literally named after her should've been my first clue," Ike sighed, shagging in dejection.
"Don't worry, Ike, just because you aren't the leader doesn't mean you can't be the best huntsman ever." Abby encouraged as she rubbed his back.
"You really think so?" He asked with some hopefulness.
"Hm! I know you can do it."
"That's my partner for you. Just like an angel, she shines her light and delivers uplifting words to all!" A gushing Nash shouted for everyone to hear.
"P-Please don't say such things! People might actually start believing you!"
Tomoe giggled into her hand at the newly formed team's antics, "Ufufu, it looks like they're already getting along."
"They'll be an entertaining bunch, that's for sure," Rail chuckled.
"Alter Starverse, Tomoe Shiranui, Ulivia Valentine, Rail Peridot." Alter wondered what the headmaster would say about them since, unlike the other teams, they didn't bring back a relic. The four walked out as their names were called. There was an uproar of feminine shrieks aimed at Rail, who looked stunned at the attention. He soon found himself blushing at the not so subtle remarks on his good looks being thrown about.
"Looks like someone's popular, eh, eh?" A smug Ulivia repeatedly nudged Rail's side with her elbow.
"Well, I'm not the only one." Rail was right; Ulivia was getting just as many comments. Most of them about her "assets."
However, they both paled in comparison to the pop Tomoe got, by far the largest of the day. The girls stared at her in awe, along with compliments on her beauty. The boy's flattery was more of the same save for all the marriage proposals she was receiving. Tomoe took it all in stride with a warm smile. Alter stood out by proxy of being completely ignored by the crowd. Tomoe glanced his way, "Feeling left out?"
"Not really," he grunted. It was the truth. It didn't matter to him that his teammates were getting all the attention. Alter would've preferred if his team as a whole went under the radar, but beggars couldn't be choosers. The cheers turned to silence quickly; Alter was confused until he looked at the screens, as was the rest of the crowd. He was curious as to what film Professor Ozpin decided to show. There, for all to see, was Ulivia clinging to Rail flying around chaotically until they collided with a flock of small Nevermore, playing on loop. The gathering of students erupted into hysterical laughter. Alter kept his stoic frown, Tomoe's smile never faltered, and Ulivia laughed specifically at the closeup of Rail's terrified expression. Rail, the most embarrassed, winced and rubbed the back of his head.
"The relics they recovered were the Joker; therefore, you all will be known as Team Azure or for short ASUR, and your leader shall be Alter Starverse." Alter eyes grew, and his brows crinkled in minor disbelief; he didn't even get the chance to ask why before the professor went on. "And that concludes our ceremony, classes begin tomorrow so please get plenty of rest. I look forward to another fantastic year in Beacon and to all the first-years. I hope you get out to a great start."
[=]
In the end, Alter never got to question Ozpin. Still, now that he thought about it, he probably wouldn't have gotten a clear answer anyway. The headmaster seemed like the kind of man to give half-answers. Teams AZUR and CIAN were in the dorm hall, searching for their respective rooms. "Man who would've thought the two gloomiest ones among us would be made the leaders," Ulivia offhandedly said aloud.
Abby pouted at the remark, "I think Alter will be a great leader."
"Chill out, would ya? I've seen him in action, so I ain't complaining." She turned to Alter and started walking backward, "With how strong you are, our team is gonna kick some major ass," she grinned.
Nash sniggered, "By the rest of the school's reaction, they think otherwise."
"Ah, who cares what the extras think? Once we get the ball rollin', they'll learn."
Alter glanced down at the brand new Scroll Beacon issued out to all the new students. At the moment, a map of the dorms and a marker with his team's room location was on. "Our room is just up ahead."
"It seems our room is further down the hall in another wing," Carly commented.
"Well, looks like this is where we split for the night. See ya, we'll be sure to catch you guys at breakfast. Hopefully, we'll be in the same classes," Ike waved as he and team CIAN departed, not before Abby gave them one last wave.
Team ASUR arrived at the door to their room, all eyes shifted to Alter. It seemed that since he was the leader, it was his responsibility to open the door. Alter held his scroll to the electronic lock, a green light lashed, and a beep sounded, followed by a click. He twisted the handle and opened the door revealing their new living quarters for the next year. Together they stepped in, and the team's collective thought the room was far too small for the four of them. It contained four beds, desks, and dressers, paired on each side. A door to the leftmost wall looked to be where the bathroom was. Overall it was going to be very cramped.
"Dibs!" Ulivia jumped on one of the beds on the bathroom side and sprawled out, sighing in contempt, "Man, this is fricken soft! I can get used to this life real quick."
Tomoe giggled, "It might not be very spacious, but at least it has a lovely view." The placement of their room allowed them to see a courtyard and part of Beacon's gardens. "How shall we arrange ourselves?" Once again, all eyes turned to Alter like it was all he who had the final say.
"It doesn't really matter to me, but I think we should take one corner each," he said, walking over to the right side spying a uniform on the desk. "That should alleviate some of the cramped feeling.
"Now, why do I get the feeling you're trying to stay as far away from me as possible?" Alter twitched at Tomoe's words, which weren't untrue considering their brief scrap in the forest. "How about this, we each take a corner, as long as it's on the same side as our partners."
"I see nothing wrong with that."
"Sounds good to me."
"Fine, but let's save unpacking and moving for tomorrow."
"Say no more, I'm friggin beat," Ulivia yawned, asleep and loudly snoring away a second later.
Alter set the little luggage he had on his bed and left the room; Tomoe curiously watching him.
[=]
It turned out Beacon was full of spots to be alone in even at night. Many of the buildings were locked now, leaving a few open like the library and study/student center hubs. Alter was in the latter on an outside deck on the second floor to watch the shattered moon and stars. It was nice, it wasn't a trendy location like the roof, plus there weren't many students up this late and the ones that were kept to themselves.
"Don't tell me you came all the way here just to brood."
Alter flinched back, "Tomoe." She was seated on top of the railing, facing him, her grin slightly unnerving under the moonlight. Like all the times before, he didn't sense her presence even though he was aware of his surroundings. She really was like a spirit, "How did you find me?"
"Hmmm," she hummed cutely. "I saw you." Alter narrowed his eyes but let it go. "Now that I've answered one of your questions, I'll ask one of my own. That technique you used on that strange Grimm, where did you learn it?" Alter had a vague hunch about what she was talking about. But until now had no idea it was an actual skill. In truth, he only knew how because Raven had used it on him so many times. All he was doing was mirroring her movements. By the small hint of disbelief and seriousness in Tomoe's voice, Alter assumed it was something he shouldn't have any knowledge of.
"I saw someone do it and copied them." It was as honest an answer he could give without mentioning Raven, and there was no way he would sell her out like that.
Tomoe giggled internally. That explained why it didn't look as pure. The Lunar Phase Shimmer. A series of repeated strikes equal to the number of moon phases, done in a single breath each. Performed at such an extreme speed that shockwaves are produced, and the user's sword is seen as a streak of light. It involved mastery of the sword that few had. Most who tried learning it were unable to and instead created their own lesser variation, like her Heavenly Spirit Crossing. As far as she knew, only two individuals in all of Remnant had mastered it. One being her grandfather, the creator, and the other was an unknown student of his. The odds of Alter seeing it used was almost impossible. Yet, not only did he witness it, but he was somehow able to imitate the motions. It wasn't perfect because he lacked proper swordsmanship, but it was closer than anyone else she knew had gotten. What shocked Tomoe even more, was that Alter did it only by using his raw strength and speed. How much had he really been holding back during their duel?
"How are you able to disappear and reappear without me sensing you? Is it your semblance?"
Tomoe was brought out of her thoughts. "Oh, that fufu. No, no, I'm just erasing my presence, that's all. I basically lower my aura, slow my breathing, and suppress any bloodlust or feelings to the point your brain forgets about me and focuses on anything but me. In a battle, the moment I attack, your brain will recognize the danger and becomes alert to me again. I know it sounds complicated, but it's handy." She noticed him pressing his left side; Alter had been doing that since initiation ended, he did well to hide it from the others, not her, though. He must have been injured during his battle with the Alpha Beowolf. "You're hurt."
Alter stiffened and immediately let go, "I'm fine."
"You're not. But if you want to pretend to be cool and ignore your pain, I won't stop you." She hopped down and began to walk away, "Also, you really need to work on your conversation skills, or no one is going to like you. As your partner, I'll be there to help you all the way, fufu. Goodnight."
Hmph, what did she know.
[=]
All was quiet in the Emerald Forest; it was hard to believe a massive gathering of Grimm had invaded that morning. A lone Beowolf stalked out to where the big battle had been. This was the spot, this was the spot where that worthless human killed their leader. The beast snarled at the memories; how could something so pathetic defeat such a strong alpha. It was young, but by traveling with such a powerful member of its kind, it not only learned but gained limited awareness. The Beowolf's head perked up, something was close, but it contained no smell. Whatever it was, it had no physical form. It growled, head swiveling side to side in search of whatever it was sensing. Suddenly the area around it grew darker, a heavy feeling pressed down on it. The Beowolf struggled, clawing at a foe it could not touch. The darkness collapsed on the creature and began flowing into the monster's body. As it did, a myriad of thoughts and feelings flooded its being. The Beowolf's mind became clearer, and through this, it understood that what was engulfing it was the essence of its former leader. Everything that made up the alpha was now a part of the young Beowolf, who had followed and watched it. Memories that weren't the beast's own surfaced, and as the darkness finished merging with him, not only was his mind changed but his appearance. He was now larger and built with more spikes and armor. His claws and fangs were thicker and sharper. His posture became far more upright. A red and black misty energy cloaked his entire body. Crimson eyes burned with anger. Through the collection of new thoughts and memories, one image was at the forefront, white hair, shining blue eyes, and a pure black sword with a blue glimmer. He howled in rage at the broken moon now stained red.
After I did some more editing I think I like the way this chapter came out.
Now we can start doing Beacon things.
Next Chapter Dec 25th or 26th.