Chapter 4

Roman Torchwick was hanging out in the staff room at Beacon academy. That was something he truly never thought he'd do. Ever.

It was on days like these that Roman questioned some, if not all of his life choices. Apparently he had been put in charge of student security for an event which he knew nothing about, the Beacon entrance exam. According to the headmaster it was to be an easy job, but Roman really couldn't help but doubt the man's sincerity. The job did sound like it would be a handful. Making sure none of the brats hurt themselves or others could be a challenge, especially if they didn't behave. Roman really hoped he wouldn't have to even come into contact with any of them.

While Roman was preparing himself for whatever was to come, he had found a coffee machine in a corner. Eager to get a bit of a wakeup he had put in a cup and pressed the start button. That had been yet another part of the long step of mistakes that had taken a hold of his life recently. Roman could in normal cases say he loved coffee. But whatever they had here at beacon wasn't coffee at all. In fact it should probably classify as radioactive waste. Was this the explanation to the headmaster's curious behaviour?

As he pondered that, Glynda Goodwitch entered the staffroom. She was dressed in her usual professional outfit and that she had quite the stern look on her face. Roman really wasn't in a mood to listen to whatever was coming, but he bit his lip and kept quiet.

"The headmaster would like to meet with you Mr. Candle." She said as she crossed her arms. "It seems like it's time for you to begin your first assignment" She was now looking at him with a face of utter distrust. It really was quite comical, but Roman knew he shouldn't get too cocky. That woman could end his petty existence at any time. "Now If you would follow me I will lead you to him."

Roman answered with a quick "sure." nodded and followed the woman out the room. Walking through the great halls and corridors of Beacon that he knew he would have to get familiar with. After all, he would have to play along for a while longer if he wanted to keep his ass out of a dusty Valean prison cell.

It didn't take them long to reach the headmaster. He was standing at the Beacon Bullhead docs, wearing his usual outfit of course. He had his coffee cup in hand as always, sipping from it every now and then.

"Mr. Candle, I am happy to see you again." He said with a slight grin on his face. Roman reckoned that the man either really did enjoy his presence or had something extremely twisted in mind for him. Ozpin really must have a quite deranged sense of humour if leaving a relatively innocent criminal like Roman to the mercy of a man like Peter Port was any clue about the headmaster's moral and comedic compass. Roman shuddered yet again at the mere thought of the three hours of constant storytelling he had to sit through. If hell did exist, Roman was quite certain Peter Port was a major part of it.

Still Roman was curious about what the headmaster might have in store for him. There was still a chance it would be a manageable task, perhaps it would even be fun? So Roman took his chance to learn as much about it as possible while he had the chance.

"So then Headmaster, I see we are at the Bullhead docs. Are you going somewhere?"

Roman really should have seen the answer coming. It was quite obvious after all.

"Yes indeed I am. and you happen to have the luck of coming with me Mr Candle. "

Well, it still wasn't all that bad he supposed.

"Where are we going in that case?" Roman asked the headmaster. He was struggling to remain optimistic as he saw the man's face light up.

"We will be going to the Emerald forest of course. After all, what better place to hold initiation?" Ozpin took yet another sip of his coffee and smiled slightly. Stepping aboard the Bullhead.

Roman just braced himself for what was to come. The Emerald forest was known to house quite a bit of grim after all. If the headmaster meant what he said about allowing for more dangerous situations to occur due to Romans presence, which Ozpin most likely did mean,

there was no telling about how badly things might get. After all Roman might have slightly overstated his capabilities in his application. He was starting to regret that as he stepped aboard the bullhead that was heading for the emerald forest.

.

Ruby was actually quite calm today. Sure she might have lost her control a few days ago, but who could really blame her? After spectating such an amazing fight she is still not completely calmed down. Sadly her overexcitement might have caused some problems for the people around her. It might create some problems for herself as well. She had managed to run a Beacon teacher over after all. She had even managed to accuse him of being a criminal. Ruby really hoped that wouldn't hurt her grades.

Then again she might? have managed to become friends with said teacher? She supposed they had done most of the things that yang said would make them count as friends. Perhaps now Yang would finally stop nagging about her "Social ineptitude" and let her be at peace. If making drinking milk wasn't enough for Yang, perhaps making a friend would be. Ruby really hoped so, because she wasn't sure if she could muster the strength to make another one. Then again maybe she could count Jaune on her friends list. Yang would have to realise just how grown-up Ruby was after that.

Speaking of Yang, the two of them were currently on their way to Beacon cliff. Ruby did wonder what on earth they would be doing there? She did hope that she would finally get a chance to fight some grim. Her Crescent Rose hadn't gotten a lot of action lately after all, and the blade could really use some action. Perhaps a few Ursas would do quite nicely.

"So then sis, you excited about getting yourself a partner?" Yang said, probably to break the silence.

Ruby really hadn't considered it much. She noticed some of the other students were talking about it by the lockers, but she had been too lost in thought to think about it.

"Well..." Ruby said slowly, she really didn't have anything to say after that though.

"You know it'd be good for you to have a partner to help you grow up." Yang was back with the growing up thing. But Ruby had just the right response.

"I don't need a partner. i've got milk." Ruby felt really good after saying that. She had really shown Yang just how mature she was.

Should Ruby be forced to get a partner she could always just team up with Yang. Then she wouldn't have to make any new friends and the problem would sort itself out. Yang would surely understand that. Ruby was completely sure of it.

Yang should have just decided it was a hopeless cause and not press the matter any further. But they did share the same genes after all, at least partly. None of them was going to give this up easily, that was for sure.

"Ruby, you can't just live your life without someone to rely on. You have to grow up eventually." Yang sounded like she was speaking to a little child, that annoyed Ruby the most.

But Yaaaaaang, I've got you to back me up. And besides I have actually made tons of friends since coming to Beacon."

Yang looked surprised at that, but she was sceptical. This was Ruby after all, she had never made any real friends outside of their family in her entire life.

"And who would those friends be?" Yang gave ruby a stern look. She really wasn't buying Ruby's story.

"Well there's this boy who's going to beacon with us, Jaune and then there's this teacher I ran into a few days ago." Ruby was so pleased with herself after saying that. Yang just looked upon her with disbelief.

"Well then sis, what's next? Will I hear that you've gotten a boyfriend next time I ask?" Yang teased of course, but she really looked extremely proud.

"Yaaaang, noooo"" Ruby blushed a bit at her sister's words.

"Yang yes!" Yang responded. A smile all over her face.

They continued like that all the way until they reached the cliffs.

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Jaune Arc really had no clue what he was doing here. Of course he had wanted to be a hero, just like his father. But the more time he spent here the more he realized just how hopeless his situation really was. These children were monstrous. They had insane strength, speed and abilities. Some of them seemed like they were strong enough to beat dussins of soldiers unconscious with a single strike.

That was extremely clear upon arriving at Beacon cliff. He had been the last one to arrive, and the others seemed to have been there for a while. Didn't they all leave at the same time? Was he really that slow? Well atleast the view was nice. The forest really was a beautiful place.

The headmaster stood at the edge of the cliff, a cup of coffee in hand. He signaled for jaune to take a place on one of the metal things on the ground. What could they be? Jaune absentmindedly wondered to himself. Next to the headmaster stood a man with orange hair and a white vest. He looked quite smug, supporting himself on his fancy cane. Jaune could swear he had seen the man before. He just couldn't place exactly where or when. He just hoped it would come to him eventually.

Then finally the Headmaster spoke.

"I welcome you all to Beacon cliff, here all your skills will be put to the test in a harsh and unforgiving environment"

Jaune gulped noticeably at that, but luckily everyone else seemed to ignore him.

"You shall also be assigned your partners during this assignment. In fact, the person whom you shall spend the next four years with shall be determined by the first person whom you make eye contact with." The headmaster grinned wickedly at that. Probably because of the reactions he got out of some students upon uttering those words.

Jaune would be glad as long as he got a partner. Perhaps he'd get ruby, or maybe Pyrrha. Yeah he'd be okay with that.

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it. Is to take one relic per pair from the shrine inside the forest."

So far everything seemed fine. Jaune could work with this.

"Now I suppose our student safety expert Roman Candle should have a few words." The headmaster pointed at the orange haired man behind him as he said it.

Mr. Candle seemed to have been caught by surprise by this remark as he nearly lost his balance upon hearing it. He soon came to his senses and stabilized himself quickly, avoiding to look like a complete moron.

"Well thank you for that headmaster." Mr. Candle spoke at last. "All I have to say is, you are on your own brats. I won't intervene in any way unless I have to, so you better not bug me about it."

That was less than reassuring to Jaune, if no teachers would help him. How was he supposed to manage this? He was a complete fraud, how would he do it?

As the teacher stepped back the headmaster spoke yet again, this time with a smug grin on his face.

"I hope you all have some landing strategies in store." He took a sip of his coffee after saying this.

As he said it a metal pad launched away a student, then another one and one more after that. Jaune was panicking, what did the headmaster mean by landing strategies, was there any good ones? What could he do? The headmaster just ignored Jaunes distress, watching with complete apathy as the boy struggled to make sense of the situation.

At last Jaune was launched up and away into the air. He could already feel slight motion sickness after a mere second. However he did catch a glimpse of a certain red haired professor in a white vest being launched as well.

After that Jaune just resorted to screaming as the nice view suddenly felt a whole lot more threatening.

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AN.

Thanks to all those who have read this, to those who have followed, favourited and to those who have reviewed. This is my first story, and I do appreciate any thoughts, feedback or support from your end. So far I've been updating at a rather rapid tempo, this is due to the first 3 chapters having already been written when I put out the story. From now on the updates might be less frequent. It really depends on my motivation. I will try to eventually have weekly updates with longer chapters.

Zune.