Author's note: To answer a question, yes, I am going to be pairing Cardin with someone at it will probably be obvious.


Reaching the Goal


The sun was already up, students were roaming the halls. Older students were already suited up for whatever they were going to do that day, whether it be a mission or just classes.

The freshmen, were scrambling for their lockers. Cardin already found his, "Alright, let's see if I have what I asked for"

He opened it to see his main weapon, a mace named The Executioner, heavy one handed mace could be used as a two handed one if need be but that was about it. On its tip there is a barrel which can shoot out all kinds of dust.

"Alright, big guns are already here. My armour should be-" he looked up to see his grey chest plate with a golden bird in the middle, his family's symbol.

Though honestly he forgot what bird it was but it sure looked pretty, then there were his bracers, both had a blade that activated from the flow of his aura. This made the usage of his semblance easier and more versatile.

He changed to his combat boots and put on his game face, he was prepared, truthfully he was. But was he ready?

"Yeah, you got this. You're ready" Cardin inhaled deeply and exhaled.

"Hey man are you ok?"

Cardin jumped a little but he turned around "Russel, man you have to not do that"

"Sorry man, I didn't mean to. But hey, relax everyone is going to be able to do this easily" Russel smiled and pat his back "So uh, good luck."

"Thanks man, I appreciate that" Cardin was calm now, he could trust his training. Cardin looked off to the side and saw Jaune approach Pyrrha and Weiss, so he thought 'What the hell, I might as well listen in'

Jaune approached Pyrrha, "Hey Pyr, g'morning"

"Hello again" Pyrrha waved

"Excuse me?" Weiss got between them, her pretty white side ponytail shook. "Who are you? Do you even know who she is?"

Pyrrha looked angry for a second but Jaune answered "Well, yeah... Why would I call her if I didn't know her?"

"Then would you show some respect? Pyrrha Nikos might be one of the-"

"Weiss, that's enough." Pyrrha said in a low tone. "Jaune, is my friend and personally I know him more than you so I apologize if it might seem rude but please, stop that"

Weiss took two steps back "I-I alright, my apologies"

'Damn alright, she got Weiss to back down quick' Cardin thought.

"So... Jaune, I'm sorry you had to see that" Pyrrha apologized

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure Snow Angel is going to be fine" Jaune shrugged.

"Snow angel?" Pyrrha asked

"Well, I don't know who she is and she gave off some sort of snow angel vibe you know?" Jaune explained.

"Huh... That's quite an interesting take" Pyrrha chuckled.

"So I heard there were going to be pairings for the initiation today..."

Jaune nodded "Yeah about that... Pyrrha would you want to be my partner?"

Pyrrha and Cardin's eyes widened. "O-of course Jaune I would be happy to"

Cardin went over and pat Jaune's back "Good Job man, didn't think you'd have it in you"

Jaune stiffened "Cardin! Did you... hear all that?"

Cardin nodded "Yep, heard everything from Snow Angel to the asking about partner part"

Jaune blushed "Oh my gods"

Cardin chuckled "Well, I'll see you lovebirds off. I have to make sure my new gear works before initiation"

Cardin walked away, initiation would start at around ten in the morning anyway and at the moment it was eight.

Cardin went to an deserted area in the school, close to where the initiation would take place. It was a clearing close to the school which was surrounded by trees, Cardin was there by himself.

"Alright, time to test these babies out" Cardin used his aura to control his bracers and the blades shot out, "Damn Jackson, you weren't lying when you said these boys were sharp."

The draw was silent, but that just went to show that the blades were sharp enough to cut the air well. Cardin used his semblance to imbue a lightning element to his blade which made it cackle with electricity.

He swung it in an arc and a crescent arc of lighting was sent out sending a deep gash onto the nearby tree.

"Wow, that's going to be a good addition to my arsenal" Cardin retracted the blades once again. He went double checked to see if his gear was still in perfect condition.

"Alright, no jamming, no dirt nor rust, alright I should be good"

He heard a growl behind him, he looked toward the source and it was a beowolf that had strayed from its pack, it wasn't an alpha by the looks of it due to its smaller claws and the missing bone plating.

"Oh great, a punching bag" Cardin said confidently to mask his slight fear. This was his first time against a real, living grimm. It growled, clear saliva flowing down its mouth its red eyes glowing from behind its mask. Its sharp claws were being extended as it walked around him, as if it was probing.

Cardin took initiative, he dashed forward and swung his mace horizontally. The mace hit with tremendous forced sending the beast crashing onto a tree. The beowolf fell and pounced toward Cardin, who took the handle of his mace and deflected the entire body mass of the monster to the side.

The beowolf didn't land gracefully, instead landing on its face which made it disoriented. Cardin jumped forward and stabbed the monster with an extended blade from his bracer killing it instantly.

"Yep, that's handy." Cardin looked at his watch, it was only fifteen minutes left until the start of the initiation. "Well, I have more confidence. Go me!" Cardin said under his breath as he walked to the designated area


Ozpin had already explained the requirements for initiation and people were already being flung. One by one the people on Cardin's left side started to disappear as they flew through the air.

It was a bummer though, he wouldn't be able to see Jaune's launch since Jaune was about five platforms to his right. Cardin felt the pressure from his legs as he was flung toward the forest at startling speed.

"Okay, relax. Landing strategy" Cardin whispered to himself as he used his semblance to propel himself by imbuing an explosive element to his mace. The air boomed around him and eventually he found himself at a stop, he landed with one knee on the ground, his other foot planted and his fist solid on the ground making a crater under him like a superhero.

"Man that felt cool" He whispered to himself and he heard the sound of tearing bark behind him.

"Yeah I'll say" Russel Thrush landed right next to him. "So, how are you partner?"

Cardin laughed "I guess I can consider myself lucky"

Russel raised an eyebrow "How?"

"Well, I have a partner that I at least know" Cardin replied to which Russel agreed "Good point"

Cardin and Russel moved their feet and started walking toward the relics.

Cardin was brushing away small branches and wading through bushes "It was westward right?"

"Yeah, we need to head a little bit more to the right and soon we should hit it"

"Wait... Do you hear that?" Cardin put his hand up to stop Russel.

"Yeah, let's go"

Cardin and Russel heard the clanging of metal and bone, the sounds of battle. In the Emerald Forest, Grimm were common, just your everyday grimm though. Beowolves, Ursa, King Taijitu, Creeps, a few Nevermores and a few Deathstalkers.

It was a dice-roll on what they would be helping in fighting, but they didn't really care. They wanted to help because they were supposed to be... Well... Huntsman.

"Get my back!" the boy with light brown hair and brown/yellowish plate armour shouted to the other boy who stood behind him.

The second boy was using his halberd to keep the beowolves at bay. Around the two were around fifteen beowolves and three Ursa. "Will try partner!" the second boy shouted.

"Russel!" Cardin shouted as Russel leapt forward with his daggers, Shortwings. He stuck to the back of a Beowolf and tore its head off.

Cardin leapt in and straight ran forward and sent an Ursa flying with a single two handed swing, causing it to hit a tree. One of its arms broke off due to the amplified force of the mace.

"You guys alright?" Cardin asked as he swung at a Beowolf who charged at him and sent it flying to the first boy who cut it in half.

"Thanks for the assist" the second boy thanked.

"No problem, you guys have any names?" asked the first boy as they were still fighting beowolves.

"Dove Bronzewing, nice to meetcha" he skillfully parried a strike from a beowolf and cut its arm off. As he did he shot another which allowed the second boy to stab it, lift it overhead and slam it to the ground.

"I'm Sky Lark, thanks again"

"Russel!" Russel said from across the field, pulling his dagger out of a beowolf.

Cardin was turned away, fighting an Ursa solo. With a parry without much finesse, he brute forced his hit through the chest of the Ursa leaving a hole as it disintegrated. With a huff "Cardin Winchester, nice to meet you"

Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark, two of the members of CRDL. Dove Bronzewing, the light brown haired, sword/revolver wielding member of CRDL, he was the most skilled in the team in the show. Cardin saw why, with the finesse he had with his weapon, Hallshot, he could cleave through Grimm with relative quickness.

Sky Lark was also as expected, his halberd Feather's Edge struck true with his control over his weapon. However, he was getting pushed back when there were multiple Grimm.

"Good work back there boys" Cardin said gathering up the three.

"Yeah, that was fun, you guys are strong as hell. Maybe I should buy you guys drinks sometime" Sky said brushing his hair to the side.

"Again, you have our thanks" Dove said sheathing his weapon.

"No prob, Cardin here though you might use it" Russel said now closer to the three.

Cardin smiled "Well, I'm just glad we made it through. Do you two mind if we team up until we get the relics?"

Dove and Sky shook their heads. "Hey, if I can party up with someone as strong as either of you I'd be golden" Sky said

Dove agreed "Yes, we should start moving though"

With four people, the trek became relatively easy. The Grimm that approached them were easily dealt with, Cardin took the frontline and tanked for the team using his skill and aura reserves as a buffer.

Russel picked off any that got too close and Dove and Sky covered their flank. They were in sync with each other, save for maybe Sky who was having a hard time facing multiple Grimm head on.

"Hey guys, I think that's it" Cardin said pointing to the ruins.

"Looks about right" Russel said as he looked like he was scouting.

"Let's head on straight for it" Sky pat Cardin's back and went forward.

Dove followed suit, the four boys came up to the panels that held the relics. They looked like oversized chess pieces, Cardin took a bishop piece.

Dove also took a bishop piece. Cardin joked "Copying us eh?"

Dove laughed "Unfortunately, no. This would probably be how they choose teams"

"Yep, I can see that happening" Cardin agreed. The clearing was peaceful, not a single Grimm in sight, all the other teams weren't there yet and it seems they were the first.

"Isn't it eerily quiet?" Russel asked.

"Gotta agree with Russel, the Emerald Forest should be crawling with Gri-" Sky continued but Cardin cut in

"If we get out of here in this silence, we won't have to be here for the noise." Cardin took two paces and pointed to the sky.

"That Nevermore, looks like noise. So let's just scoot on over to the finishing area and we could all go take a long shower" Cardin trucked on.

Dove shrugged "Cardin is right, we should hurry on up"

As luck would have it, they did not encounter a single Grimm. In time too, Cardin was a giant dust cloud in the forest, he knew that was Jaune and Pyrrha. The Nevermore he pointed at earlier had something on its claws. 'Red and White... Weiss Queen and Ruby'

"Aren't you glad we got outta there?" asked Russel, patting him on the back.

"No kidding, getting out was the right call" Sky said as he gave Dove a bottle of water and Cardin and Russel soda.

"Aren't you worried about the others though?" Dove asked, surprising Cardin with his sympathy.

'How did these guys become like that in the show? What?' thought Cardin but he answered "They'll be fine, I know them. They're probably going to be the best at the school"

To which Dove replied "That just means we have to train more"

The four laughed and Cardin replied "True that man"

Thus, team CRDL was finally together.

Cardin though, had his eyes on the screen that let them see the others in initiation. Jaune Arc was staring down a Deathstalker, Pyrrha right beside him as well as Ren and Nora. "JNPR" Cardin whispered

"Gasundheit" Sky replied.

Jaune told Pyrrha to hit the stinger with her shield and with complete control she did it. Jaune pumped his arms in happiness as he called for Nora to 'Nail it' which she did.

The Deathstalker fell to the ground, limp but wasn't dissolving yet. Ren went in and used his aura to jam the entire stinger into its head. Cardin smiled "See that guys? They're insane"

"Yeah no kidding, never thought blondie could be so... reliable in leading" Russel said.

Cardin pointed to the next screen that shower team RWBY and specifically Ruby Rose, beheading the giant Nevermore.

"Holy Shit!" Sky exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Damn, I knew the little red ridinghood was packing but I didn't think she would be that insane" Russel said.

Dove stood with a bewildered look on his face, Cardin was pleased. "Welp, someday we might be able to do that"

The three nodded "Yeah, someday but not today" Dove said.

After all teams were done, the team announcements were ready. They were the first team called in, "Cardin Winchester, Russel Thrush, Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark. From today onwards you will be team CRDL, with your leader Cardin Winchester"

The hall lit up in applause and Cardin bowed "Thank you"

In the crowd, Cardin saw Jaune and Pyrrha give him a thumbs up and Ruby waving at him with a large smile on her face. Up one aisel he saw the second years and Velvet was there with her team, she gave him a smile and a wave. To which Cardin smiled and replied with his own wave.

"Ooh looks like team leader is interested in a bunny girl" Sky joked.

"She is quite cute" Dove complimented.

Russel shrunk a bit as he looked at Velvet, Cardin noticed this 'Ah maybe Russel has a dislike for faunus... Well, nothing a little talking to won't fix ' "Yeah, I didn't think you'd have someone you like already Cardin"

Cardin shook his head "W-what? No, she's just an acquaintance at the moment"

The boys kept teasing him about it until they reached the dorms. Where they saw four beds at each side and a window in the wall in front of the door.

"Do you guys have to move stuff?" Cardin asked as he dropped his two large suitcases.

The three shook their heads. "I don't have many things to display" Dove said showing his one large trunk.

Russel nodded "Same, just a few posters and like... my other kit" he said bringing out a game console.

Sky agreed "Yep, same story here. Not much, just my stuff and a weapon holder"

Cardin sighed "Good, cause I could use some sleep. You boys get up bright and early tomorrow, first thing I do as a leader is to make you boys run" Cardin said as he took off his shoes and jumped onto the bed on the far right of the room.

"What!?" the three asked but fell on deaf ears as Cardin was already asleep.


Author's note: Finally! I'm done with this one, class started three days ago so yeah it was a pain anyway, hope u enjoyed ze chapter