The Cheater's Curse
Chapter 1: Beacons Call
I own none of the copyrighted material seen in this fic. All content goes to respective owners.
Beacon Academy
The dim hum of an airship as it trailed through the sky could be heard as it reaches the landing pad at Beacon Academy. It was the next in a long line of such vessels. A boy of about 5'5" looked out the window at the verdant paradise that surrounded the school. When he panned to look at it with his jade green eyes he saw its towering medieval splendor. A testament and triumph of civilization in the face of the dark plague that infested Remnant.
Soon the engines roared as it metallic bird landed on the pad, and the doors flung open. He rose up from his feet, slinging a old and torn suitcase over his shoulder as he walked out. His clothes were of similar appearance, torn and worn jeans and tan work shirt. Caked on dust stain's hung on like leopard spots as broken in work boots walked down the ramp. Soon the inviting warmth of the sun landed on his worn, tough, and beaten brown skin. Straight black hair soon blowing in the gentle breeze.
"By the gods…" The boy muttered as he looked at the monument of architecture before him.
He looked down at the grounds to find it covered in an unruly mass of people. With a gulp he began to try and navigate the crowds. His smaller size helped, but his body clumsily moved around the crowd like a drunk hippo. In trying to get around a couple talking, he bumped into something that felt like a brick wall and bounced off to hit his ass on the hard stone.
"Are you alright?" A calm and surprisingly gentle sounding voice asked him.
"I'll live…" The boy answered as he looked up.
What he saw shocked him. A boy of likely similar age to his with striking blue hair, about a inch taller than him, heavily scarred, and wore similarly striking blue samurai armor. He looked very out of place here. Then again the same could be said about him. The stranger offered a hand, and when the smaller boy took it, he was up on his feet in a instant.
"Wow your strong…" The smaller boy said in amazement.
"Trained all my life so I should be. I don't believe I caught your name." The azure haired boy answered inquisitively.
"Oh, forgive me. Shi. Shi Lung of the clan of Shi." He answered a bit frazzled after what happened.
"Azura Sotora." He answered simply with a respectful nod.
"I've heard of the Sotoras… Your ancient warriors am I correct?" Shi asked.
"That we are. And still are. I regret however I have never heard of the clan of Shi. Where are you from?" Azura asked, puzzled.
"We are from Vale, though we have members all over the place. We tend to keep to themselves. Aside from the academy, this is the first I've been off the farm." Shi explained.
"I see… If that is the case want to stick with me then? It seems like you're not used to things around here…" Azura asked, still very puzzled but trying to remain polite.
"I wouldn't want to be a burden. Me not knowing much about things in the kingdoms I wouldn't want to bother you…" Shi tried to deflect, but the larger boy cut him off firmly.
"Come with me. You wouldn't be any trouble." Azura said and turned around, with Shi following behind.
As the two walked, these seemed to go along well. The two made small talk with seemingly little issue. This however was broken up by yelling and arguing. They turned to see two girls, one in all white with a ponytail, and another in black with a long red cape. Seeing them make this scene, the boys decided to see what the matter was.
"Excuse me…" Shi asked nervously, of which did little good.
"Excuse me ladies." Azura asked in a louder and sterner tone, and that seemed to get their attention.
"If you wouldn't mind we are busy." The white-haired girl said in a huff.
"Miss you're making a scene. This 'discussion' is not going to stay private if you keep going. So, what is the matter?" Azura asked bluntly.
"If you wish to be in this fine. This red klutz nearly killed me by her reckless running about!" The white clad girl roared angerly.
"I said I was sorry!" The rec caped girls answered.
"Can you please both calm and introduce yourselves. I don't believe we caught your names." Shi asked.
"Weiss Schnee." She answered curtly.
"Ruby Rose of Haven." The other girl answered chipperly.
"It's a honor to meet you both. Don't you think both of you are blowing this out of proportion?" Shi asked timidly.
"I refuse to be at a place where my so-called peers are so clumsy and stupid that they can't watch where they are going! That kind of unprofessional behavior will get us all killed!" Weiss roared back.
"You mean like the unprofessional behavior you're doing right now?" Azura asked coldly, eyebrow raised.
"We Schnee's are always professional." Weiss said while folding her arms in a huff.
"Look. Both of you are going to be huntresses. If you can bury the hatchet over something like this, how can you both fight grim?" Shi asked.
"Do I have to say sorry again?" Ruby asked.
"Fine… Your forgive. I'll forget this ever happened." Weiss answered as she stormed off.
"What's her problem?" Ruby asked the two guys.
"Stick up the butt and money by the looks of it. Schnee's can be unpleasant to work with." Azura answered.
"You speak from experience?" Shi asked.
"You could say that." Azura curtly answered, keeping whatever card he has close to his chest.
"Still thank you so much for helping out." Ruby said, turning to them.
"It wasn't anything special." Shi said in return.
"I think Professor Ozpin will be giving a speech soon. Want to walk there together?" Ruby asked.
"Lead the way Ms. Rose." Azura answered kindly.
"Call me Ruby." Ruby said before turning around to lead them.
"Of course, Ruby." Azura said, a bit unsure of it, but going with her wishes.
They began to follow the plucky younger girl into the great building itself. All the while Shi seemed to marvel at ever bit of it. To his fellow peers this was odd, but they let him indulge in this. They were not in any hurry as others walked through the halls as well. It was also though that Shi would get his fill at some point and they could move on. By the time they got to the hall where Ozpin would speak however, his interest in everything only seemed to grow.
"Where did you find him exactly?" Ruby asked.
"I bumped into him. He says he's from Vale, but he acts like he hasn't seen anything other than a washboard or wood stove." Azura answered, equally as puzzled.
"Why not ask him further?" Ruby whispered; afraid Shi might hear them.
"He will explain when he's good and ready." Azura softly answered.
"I see Ozpin!" Shi said excitedly and pointed up.
As the other looked up they saw the headmaster walking in on a elevated platform, Professor Glynda close behind. He then stopped behind a pedestal, planting his ancient cane into the floor loud enough for all to hear. Like a spell had been cast, everyone swiftly went quiet.
"Thank you all for coming. It is my personal thanks that all of you arrived punctually. As the newest crop of recruits to Beacon, I see potential in you all. Potential I wish to unlock and forge into the components of new hunters and Huntress's to ensure the kingdoms remain safe for everyone." He said as his voice ringed clear and crisp across the room.
"Tomorrow will be the make-or-break point for your Huntsman careers. You will all be up at 7:00 sharp, and you will be brought to the beacon cliffs. From their it is in your hands. I will explain everything you will need to know about initiation tomorrow. Until then feel free to relax, prepare, or engage in other activities till then. Dismissed." He continued before leaving, Glynda following close behind.
"Well, that sounds ominous…" Shi said timidly.
"We will be fine. He's trying to scare you." Azura said before walking away with Ruby.
"He is succeeding…" Shi replied, following close behind.
As the three made their way to the mess hall they continued chatting. Ruby was a ball of energy compared to the two and was asking them a lot of questions. Azura gave some answers, but Shi gave next to any. His cryptic ways were getting a hint grating, till Shi ran into another person. He looked up to see a tanned man of towering height and bulk, strong facial features, and two golden ram horns coming out of his head.
"Watch where your going pipsqueak." He gruffly said.
"Sorry about that…" Shi said.
"If your so damn sorry, then get out of my sight." He answered sharply.
"He just bumped into you. Don't make sure a fuss." Azura said as he walked up.
"Oh well look who thinks he's special just because he wears armor. Ain't gonna save you out there." He said, pointing out of the windows towards the direction of the cliffs.
"And you think you're going to do much better?" Azura asked.
"Yes I am. I have survived the worst menagerie has to offer. You think you humans can get through this? I doubt it." He said dismissively.
"If you're going to be rude, you can take it somewhere else Mr…" Shi said before being cut off.
"Gorn Hideback, and don't you forget it." He said before walking off to get food.
"What's up with him?" Ruby asked.
"Some people are just like that." Azura answered as he lifted up his smaller acquaintance.
After that… incident… they made their way and got their food without incident. It was only after they sat down did something else interesting happened. Azura looked across the room and damn nearly dropped his tray onto the floor. His two companions look over to see a long-haired blonde girl that Azura is staring at and blushing deeply.
"Who's that?" Shi asked.
"Oh, there's Yang! She's my older sister!" Ruby said.
"S-she is?" Azura stammered.
"Yah. HEY YANG! Over here!" Ruby yelled, waving her arms to flag her down.
"I'll be over, give me a sec!" Yang yelled back out.
"Ancestors help me…" Azura muttered as he begins to sweat.
Shi and Ruby remained confused as Azura's reactions became more pronounced. He could not take his eyes off of the bombshell blonde even if he tried. She then began to strut over with her food, and his eyes lowered watching them. Thankfully, Yang did not notice. Shi then pulls out a needle and pokes Azura in the arm to snap him out of it.
"OW!" Azura said as he recoiled a bit.
"You'll thank me later." Shi said as he bit into his burger.
"So, Rubes. Who's the friends you made?" Yang asked as she sat down.
"This is Azura Sotora and Shi lung." Ruby said, pointing to each boy in turn.
"Nice to meet both of you. If Ruby likes you, you two can be too bad." Yang said with a warm smile.
"It's an honor Yang." Shi answered.
"L-likewise…" Azura answered sheepishly.
"You can sit down you know." Yang said, noticing Azura is still standing.
"Sorry…" Azura said embarrassingly as he swiftly sits.
"So why did you two decide to join Beacon?" Yang asked as she began to eat some fries.
"I wanted to protect people and especially keep my people safe…" Azura said a hint quickly.
"My reason is… I wanted to get off the farm and see the world…" Shi sheepishly said.
"Don't feel about your reason. Its yours. Own it." Yang said firmly.
"Thank you…" Shi said lightly.
"So, who's up for tomorrow?" Yang asked, trying to gauge the two.
"Ready to go!" Azura nervously said.
"Oh?" Yang asked.
"Well…" Azura sheepishly said.
"Easy. I'm just pulling your leg." Yang chuckled.
At that Azura blushed deeper and like a turtle tried to hide in his collar. Ruby remained oblivious as Shi tried to stay quiet. Everyone else was having a lot of good cheer and getting into the idea of going into combat. Shi was not in such a mood. He did not know why, but he felt it was not going to be as rosy as everyone says it was. Time however will tell, and that was his greatest fear of all.
And a new saga begins. I would like to thank Uzumaki Ricky for the us of his OC Azura Sotora, and to everyone reading I thank as well. I like putting out ideas and it feels great to see people actually reading my craziness. Next time on The Cheaters Curse, our growing band of hero's enter into the Initiation trial. Facing Grimm galore and new faces of the colorful variety, its now or never for them to step up to the plate.