"Wake up lazy butt!"
Erin awoke with a jolt, surprised by the sudden yelling of Nora.
"It's morning. It's morning." she repeated excitedly as she dashed around the room.
Erin groaned as he rubbed his face, looking to his side to see Ren had woken up as well.
"Is she always this... energetic?" Erin asked.
"Yes." Ren answered with a simple smile.
Erin shook his head at the girls antics before getting up. He quickly got dressed and ate some breakfast before heading down to the locker room to get his equipment for the initiation. There, he met back up with Ruby and Yang.
"Wonder what those two are so worked up about?" Ruby commented as Ren and Nora walked past.
"Oh, who knows. So, you seem awfully chipper this morning." Yang noticed.
"Yup. No more awkward small talk and getting-to-know-you stuff. Today I get to let my sweetheart do the talking." Ruby agreed, caressing her folded up scythe, Crescent Rose, as she spoke.
"Should we be concerned that she refers to Crescent Rose as her "sweetheart"?" Erin asked.
"Nah, I'm sure it's fine." Yang dismissed.
"But remember, Ruby, you're not the only one going through initiation. If you wanna grow up you're gonna have to meet new people and learn to work together."
"Ugh, you sound like dad!" Ruby complained as she put her scythe away.
"Okay, first of all, what does meeting people have to do with fighting? And secondly, I don't need people to help me grow up. I drink milk!"
"What about when we form teams? You're going to need to be able to work together with your teammates." Erin pointed out.
"I don't know... I'll just be on your team, or something."
"Maybe you should try being on someone else's team?" Yang suggested, running a hand through her hair as she did.
"My dearest sister Yang, are you implying that you and our good friend Erin do not wish to be on the same team as me?" Ruby inquired.
"Of course not. We just thought it would... you know, help you break out of your shell." Erin replied.
"What the? I don't need to break out of my shell! That's absolutely..."
"Ridiculous!" Jaune exclaimed as he walked past.
"There's no way I put my gear in locker 636. I would have remembered having to count that high!"
As he searched for his missing equipment, he passed by two people, a boy and a girl, dressed like Ancient Greek warriors. The two were currently chatting with Weiss.
"So, Pyrrha, have you and Yale given any thought to whose team you'd like to be on? I'm sure everyone will be eager to unite with two strong, well known individuals such as yourselves." Weiss asked.
"Hmm, we're not quite sure." Pyrrha answered.
"We were planning on letting the chips fall where they may." Yale added, not lifting his gaze from the leather bracer he was strapping to his left arm.
"Well, I was thinking maybe we could be on a team together." Weiss suggested.
"I see you went straight for the athletes. Can't say I'm surprised."
The three of them turned to see Bianca looking over at them with her arms crossed. Weiss frowned.
"You!"
"Hey, you're the heiress of the Albion Foundation, right?" Yale commented, recognizing the blonde.
Bianca smiled as she turned to him
"Yes, the biggest charity organization in Remnant. I'm not in charge of it yet though. The name's Bianca, by the way."
"I'm Yale, Yale Iliad. But you probably know that already. Also, thanks for the sponsor last year. Best press tour I ever went on."
"Yeah, I'm not exactly in charge of the sponsor branch either. I usually worry more about the infrastructure and construction aid for Mantle. But I'm glad the experience was enjoyable." Bianca replied, scratching her the back of her neck with an awkward smile.
Weiss gritted her teeth, about to go on a tirade against Bianca. Luckily, Pyrrha stepped in.
"To answer your previous question, it sounds grand!"
"Great!"
That held Weiss's attention for a while. At least, until Jaune stepped in.
"You know what else is great? Me, Jaune Arc. Nice to meet you."
"You again?"
"Nice to meet you, Jaune." Pyrrha said.
"Yeah yeah." Jaune replied dismissively before pushing Pyrrha to the back.
"So, Weiss, couldn't help but overhear your fondness for me the other day."
"You have got to be kidding me!" Weiss exclaimed while covering her face with her hand.
"Don't worry, no need to be embarrassed. So, I've been hearing rumors about teams. I was thinking you and me would make a good one. What do you say?" he asked.
"Actually, I think the teams are comprised of four students each, so..."
"You don't say! Well, hot stuff, play your cards right and maybe you and your friend can join up with the winning team." Jaune said, interrupting Pyrrha.
"Uh, who is he?" Yale asked Bianca as he watched the train wreck in front of him with amazement.
He might not be the best at talking to girls, but even he knew this was not the way to do it.
"I... don't really know. I met him yesterday but he wasn't anything like this." she replied.
Weiss quickly stepped in between Jaune and Pyrrha.
"Jaune, is it? Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"Not in the slightest, Snow Angel." he answered.
"These are Pyrrha and Yale."
"Hello again!" Pyrrha added excitedly.
"Uh, hi?" Yale greeted, raising his hand hesitantly.
"Pyrrha and Yale graduated top of their class at Sanctum." Weiss continued.
"Never heard of it."
"They've made it to the final of the Mistral Regional Tournament four years in a row. A new record."
"The what?"
Noticing the heiress's frustration, Bianca decided to step in. For Jaune's sake of course.
"They're on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box."
Jaune did a sharp intake of breath as he finally recognized them.
"That's you? But they only do that for star athletes and cartoon characters!"
"Yeah. Unfortunately, the cereal isn't that good for you." Yale replied.
"So, after hearing all of this, do you really think you're in a position to ask them to be on your team?" Weiss inquired.
Jaune's mood lessened considerably as he became aware of his insignificance compared to the two athletes.
"I guess not. Sorry." he answered, his head hanging low.
Pyrrha smiled kindly and stepped up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Actually, Jaune, I think you'd make a great leader." she told him.
"Yeah. You just need a little practice." Yale agreed.
"Oh, stop it!" Jaune said bashfully.
"Seriously, please stop it. This kind of behavior should not be encouraged." Weiss complained.
"Sounds like Pyrrha and Yale are on board with Team Jaune. Spots are filling up quick. Now, I'm not supposed to do this, but maybe I can pull some strings, find a place for you. What do you say?" Jaune asked, doing a complete 180 on his attitude.
"Alright, that's a bit too close! Pyrrha, a little help please!"
Suddenly, Jaune was pinned to the locker room wall by Pyrrha's javelin.
"I'm sorry!" she apologized.
In that moment, the speakers turned on and the voice of Professor Goodwitch began making an announcement.
"Would all first year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation. Again, all first year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."
"It was nice meeting you." Pyrrha told Jaune as she retrieved her javelin.
"Likewise." he replied.
"Better luck next time, buddy." Yale told him, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
The blond boy was then approached by Ruby, Yang and Erin.
"Having some trouble there, Ladykiller?" Yang asked as Ruby pulled him up.
"I don't understand, my dad said all women look for is confidence. Where did I go wrong?"
"Snow Angel probably wasn't the best place to start." Erin advised.
"Come on, Jaune. Let's go." Ruby said as she helped carry him out of the room.
Soon enough, all students were gathered at Beacon Cliff, standing on platforms engraved with the insignia of the Kingdom of Vale. Ozpin was addressing them, explaining the initiation process, while Professor Goodwitch stood beside him.
"For years you have trained to become warriors. And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
"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." Professor Goodwitch told them.
"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. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next five years. After you're 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. You will be monitored and graded for 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." Ozpin explained.
"Are there any questions?"
Jaune raised his hand.
"Yeah, uhm, sir..."
"Good. Now, take your positions." Ozpin said, cutting Jaune off.
All students except Jaune readied themselves.
"Uh, sir? I've got a...uh...question."
As Jaune spoke, the platforms began launching the students off the cliff one by one.
"So, this landing strategy... thing. W-what is it? You're like, dropping us off or something?"
"No. You will be falling."
"Oh, I... I see. So, did you... hand out parachutes for us?"
"No. You will be using your own landing strategy." Ozpin clarified.
"Uh uh. So, what exactly is a landing strategyyyyyyy!"
Jaune had been so caught up with his questions, he barely noticed that his turn had come.
As the students soared through the air, some more gracefully than others, Ozpin turned to observe them, taking a sip of his coffee.