A/N: Apply that at the end of YouTube. /FDoepnmwsYM

Mission 2: The Test I

Dante awoke with the horizon's dawn still rising. Birds chirping outside with morning dew dripping from the trees as a loud orange haired girl talking faster than he could think kept him up.

"No chance in me going back to sleep, huh?" He thought and groaned as he got up from the floor.

Getting up sluggishly, he patted his pants down and went to the restrooms to do his morning routine; all the while having to now deal with the students' murmuring and chattering going on in the theater which slowly faded as time passed. It took a while, but he finished washing his face and patting down his hair and walked out of the bathroom expecting there to be a lot more students there packing up and getting ready for the test than there were. To his surprise, Ozpin was standing there with his usual coffee mug. Ozpin turned to him and started walking in his direction .

"Ah, Dante. I wasn't aware that you were in the restrooms. Please go ahead and make your way to the Northern Cliffs, right by the landing zone. We will begin the test there."

"Already that time, Ozzy? I guess the first act begins today." Dante said, placing his hands behind his head.

"Indeed so, Dante. I will meet you and the students at Beacon Cliff soon." Ozpin said as the last students left the building.

"Alrighty, I guess I'll start heading there now. I don't want to be late for the grand opening." Dante comments, with his foot already out the door.

"Be careful, though I guess I don't have to worry much about you." Ozpin says as he turns to go towards his office. "I have some things to take care of."

As Dante traveled to the cliff, he couldn't help but wonder about the night before."How the hell did a book about my father get into this world? From what I read in the school's library, there was no mention of him. He couldn't have played that big of a factor in this world then. Father did disappear and I don't even know if he is still alive. The book says he died, but no one should know that for sure. Vergil could have still made it out of Hell and came to this world in some sort of time travel way." Dante groaned out loud for a second, pondering in his mind with his legs moving impulsively to the destination.

"This is all too confusing at the moment. I should just ask Blake who wrote the book and probably Ozzy too while I'm at it." He thinks to himself as the cliffs comes into sight.

"Dante!" A cheerful and excited voice yelled out from the distance.

He looks over to the voice and he notices the rambunctious sisters standing near the cliff as well as Jaune, Weiss, Blake, and some new faces he has yet to be introduced to. Ruby is jumping and waving in the air as her sister is beckoning to him to hurry his pace. Jaune looks to be dozing off a bit while sitting on the ground. As for Blake and Weiss, they seem to be minding their own business as they gaze over the cliff. Some of the unfamiliar faces seem to be looking towards his direction. He steadily picks up to a jogging pace and stops in front of Ruby and Yang.

"Hey ladies. How's it going?" He asks, crossing his arms.

Ruby fidgets with her hands a bit. "Going to be honest. I'm really sort of nervous. We've heard there's going to be teams and I don't want to end up on a team that I really don't like." She explains with a hint of pout in her face.

"Really? I haven't heard anything about that." Scratching the back of his head, "Well. Maybe you'll end up on a team with me. I could always use a quirky girl like you." He grins while shrugging. "If anything, I wouldn't worry too much. Just gotta adapt to teamwork then. I think someone like you could handle being in a team." Dante says as he tries to console her.

"Thanks. Makes me feel a little better at least." She smiles weakly, kicking the dirt and rock pieces beneath her feet.

"No prob. Anyways, when are we supposed to start this shindig?" He asked, scanning the horizon.

The drop from here is a tremendous way down. A few rocks here and there with some shrubs and small trees around the area up on top of the cliff. Past the cliff was a massive forest, easy to get lost in and hard to survive in. Growls of grimm could be heard if you focused your hearing enough.

"This place seems to have a party going on in it. Hopefully, we'll be able to thin out the guests." Dante said to himself with his usual cocky grin.

"Aching for a fight, huh?" The blonde haired sister said to Dante, walking up to him and standing by his side.

Dante looked at her and noticed something. He looked around the area at all the other students and back to her, meeting her glance. "Hey Yang."

"Yeah? What's up?"

"What're you going to use? Everyone else has their babies out already."

Yang looks at him inquisitively and then realization shoots over her eyes. "Oh! I never did show you my Embers."

She steps back and pumps her arms and body. The bracelets around her wrists then open up and start to expand and collapse. Pulling back metal layers upon layers, there's a new form taking shape. The yellow metal then starts covering her entire forearms, exposing to what look like shotgun shells for a brief second then being covered by a plate. Then finally the beginning piece that shifted to her elbow shifts down to the back of her hand.

Ruby's shimmering eyes could be seen from a mile away. She squeals, "So cool!"

"Not bad, heh." Dante crosses his arms and smirks at Yang.

"You better believe it's 'Not bad.'. I've practiced hard with these and I hope to do more now that I'm here at beacon." She says with a bit of sass hidden behind the words.

"So it's some sort of gauntlet-type shotgun? Dante asks as he moved closer to the newly shown weapon.

"Yup. It's amazing the amount of destruction they can do. Just watch me whenever and if we fight. I'll blow your mind, big boy."

"Almost sounds like challenge. I like it." Dante smirks once again.

"Oh? Who's this?" Ruby speaks up.

"Hi there! I don't believe we've met yet." A voice came from behind him.

He turns around and in front of him is a red haired girl. Her hair is long and put into a ponytail. She's wearing earrings and a crown, sporting it like a battle hardened warrior. Her eyes were a deep emerald green. A brown and tanned corset like armor encases her and a sash runs around her waist. On her left arm, a tanned arm piece. Matching her outfit she has tanned extended greaves, protecting her shins and upper legs. In her hand, however, was her weapon of choice. It was a spear and on the other arm was an exotic looking shield.

She was extending her hand for a handshake. "My name is Pyrrha. Pyrrha Nikos. What's yours?"

"Alright. The name's Dante." He grabbed her hand and shook it tightly.

The sisters turned towards Pyrrha as a confused look engulfed their faces. Ruby is the first one to speak up.

"Aren't you the girl on that one cereal box?"

Pyrrha chuckled slightly, "Yes, that is me. It's seems like that's where everyone recognizes me today."

Yang continuing the questions, "And didn't you set a new record for the amount of tournaments won in a row at Mistral?"

"Yes, I am that person." She smiles.

"So, that would make you one of the top dogs around here then. Guess I'll be seeing you around more often then. Awesome. I hope you can put up a good fight. I need someone to spar with if you're as good as they're bragging about. " Dante said.

"I don't know if I'm as well-trained as they think, but I like to think I'm better than most." Pyrrha says trying not to be bashful, as she inspects Dante closer.

She moves slightly more towards him. Pyrrha starts scanning him up and down while humming in curiosity.

"Hmm..." She emits from her mouth.

"Do you always do this to be people you just meet, or am I just that special to you?" He comments with a smirk.

"There's something off about you. I don't know how to explain it. I can just... tell. For lack of better understanding." Pyrrha says, looking towards Rebellion then down to his sleeve. "What happened to your jacket? She asks as she continues to investigate him.

Dante looks down to his right arm. The sleeve on his trench coat is torn from the forearm. He stares his arm for a little while before feeling at the ripped end of the coat. He sighs from the memories conjuring back to his mind. On top of the Temen-ni-gru, where he fought his twin brother. Vergil. That's where the sleeve was torn. Vergil sought after power after failing to defend their mother. Devastated after those events of not being able to protect her, he left and disappeared for a long time before showing up again. When he showed up, Dante learned that Vergil believes that his humanity is limiting is power. After everything that happened in the Temen-ni-gru, with Dante defeating Vergil and leaving him in demon world, Dante would have the world rid of the demons he considered to be foul and evil even more than before.

"Oh, this? My brother and I got a little too rough in some horseplay." He responded still examining his arm.

"Brother?" Yang and Ruby asked in unison.

"Yeah, though I don't hear much from him anymore."

"Why not?" Ruby continued to question.

"Uh..." He pauses for a second. "Let's go with family troubles."

"Ah, shoot. I would have really liked to meet him." Yang comments.

Pyrrha looks back up to him. "The way you carry yourself. You seem like you're really experienced. I hope to see what you can do as well." She smiles.

"Sparring can happen once teams have been assembled." A voice speaks.

Dante and the rest of the group turn around to see Professor Goodwitch and Ozpin heading in their direction. Goodwitch had the scroll which she is constantly attached to and of course Ozpin had his iconic mug in his hands once again.

"I knew there was going to be teams..." Ruby pouted.

"Yes, yes. Hurry and move along to pads please." Ozpin said to the group and then raised his voice for everyone there to hear. "Move to the pads so we can continue the initiation phase please."

Dante walked to the metal pads on the ground and stood in the first position that was available. He stood in between the newly discovered Pyrrha and Weiss. Pyrrha looked focused and intent on what Ozpin was going to say, but the more surprising fact to Dante was that Weiss had the same expression on her face as well. A cough comes from Ozpin signifying that he was ready to speak to the class.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors; and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." He says to the class.

Professor Goodwitch continues. "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."

Ruby whimpers a bit more, "Come on..."

Ozpin takes over the speech once again. "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 with. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next 4 years. "The reassurance that Dante gave to Ruby earlier seems to have faded away. Ruby, now looking crushed, starts to show panic.

"What?!" Ruby exclaims out of fear.

"After you've 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." Ozpin says, maintaining his serious expression.

"Yeah!" Dante shouts. However, Jaune can be heard with nervous laughter and whispers among other students.

"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. Are there any question?" Ozpin finishes.

Jaune raises his hand. "Yeah, um. Sir-"

Ozpin cuts him off. "Good! Now take your positions."

Jaune continues, "Uh, sir? I've got, uh, a question. So, this landing strategy thing. Uh, What is it?"

Before Dante has time to hear the rest of the sentence, he's catapulted through the air. Sailing with his arms behind him and in a crouching position, flying through and over the trees. Looking around the area while falling, he notices some grimm searching around one area of a lonesome tree far off from many others. About three standard looking Ursas.

"Jackpot." He thought, waiting for the perfect time to lunge downwards to the ugly looking beasts. A few heartbeats pass before he takes out Rebellion and thrusts heavily to the ground. After a couple of moments, it lands. Striking one of the grimm in the head. The others roar in surprise and attempt to bite Dante. He dodges one coming from his left by kicking off of the dead grimm and twisting his body to axe kick it into the ground. He then pulls Rebellion from the deceased body it's stuck in and throws it at the one who tried gouging him from the right. It screams right before Dante draws Ivory and aims for it's head, pulling the trigger. Another roar comes from behind him. The grimm he had kicked into the ground had gotten up and was ready for blood. Dante recalls Rebellion, flying back into his hands.

"I just killed two of your friends. You think you can take me on alone?" He taunted at it. The Ursa jumped for him, reaching for his face. He parried the Ursa's claw with his left forearm and with Ivory still in hand, he put it up to the Ursa's face and finished it.

Dante saying with enjoyment, "Three more to the score."

"-aaaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHhhhhhh-" A voice flies overhead.

Dante looks up to see a shadowy figure flailing and flying through the air. "Guess that was Jaune. That guy is not going to last a minute in here alone. I think I'll go greet him. Besides, I could use some company." Dante muttered to himself, putting Rebellion back.

Figuring that Jaune would need some help, Dante sets off north; particularly, in the direction of the girly screaming. Coming across some Beowolfs every so often, he takes care of the them with ease and moves on, each time getting closer to the landing spot of Jaune. Before Dante reaches his destination however, a loud gunshot rings out close by. They are loud and heavy. It's followed by more and more of the same type of gunshot, then trees collapsing to the forest ground about a mile away.

"I guess most of them have already found some of the fun." Dante says in his mind, while carrying a wide smile, "I hope they plan on leaving some for me. I still haven't had my share of fun yet."

As the thought finishes, one of the trees in front of him suddenly is engulfed in flames. He walks a bit more forward and finds the cause of the gunshots and the burning of trees. Dante's able to see a familiar white-haired princess and the younger of the sisters surrounded by a lot of Beowolf grimm outnumbering them quite a bit.

"Hey, watch it!" shouts Ruby.

"Excuse me. You attacked out of turn. I could have killed you." rebuked Weiss.

"You'll have to try a lot harder than that." Ruby mumbled under her breath.

A single large grimm stands out from all of them as it howls. It seems to understand that it has the advantage of numbers.

"Well now, this is a sight to see. Never thought the both of you would end up being on a team together." Dante laughs, catching the attention of the grimm. A quick glance around, Dante could see seven grimm surrounding the area.

"Dante! Run! There's way too many!" Ruby shouted, a worriness in her voice.

A grimm dashes to him, head-on, while another attacks from his right with a slash of it's claws. Dante spins left and goes low to the floor to avoid the attack from his right. The head charging Beowolf tries to tackle him as he's spinning. Dante kicks the one on his right, making it fly into a nearby tree. Pushing off the ground with the foot he's pivoting on, he leaps into the air with the momentum from the spin still in effect. He draws Ivory and fires at the one charging him, penetrating his eye socket and causing it skid to a halt. The kicked one gets back up, roaring in anger. Dante lands on the head of the defeated Beowolf aiming at the angry grimm.

Cocking his head to side, Dante taunts it. "Let's go pupper. Let's see if your bites as big as your bark."

Now being conceived as a real threat, the grimm as a group start getting aggressive. The one with his hatred directed at Dante, rushes him, much like the last. There are four on his left. Two of them slowly move towards him and wait for their opportunity to attack. The others dash around him, one to attack his back; the other to attack his right side. The charging Beowolf gets to him first as he quickly puts Ivory away, and plunges Rebellion directly in it's neck. Using his strength, he lifts himself up; balancing himself on the pummel of Rebellion with just his hands, just in time to dodge the bite coming from the enemy attacking him from behind. The two on his left finally see the opportunity they were wanting, attempting to pounce on him. He pushes himself up into the air once more and spins his body, drawing Ebony and Ivory and shooting in all directions. He's constantly and consistently hitting all of them, but only the one on his right falls to ground, motionless. The rest reel back in pain momentarily as they try to get their balance back. Dante falls onto Rebellion. As not to waste anytime, he jumps and uses his legs and feet to remove the claymore from the fallen Beowolf beneath it. With Rebellion still being gripped by his feet, he leans to the left and plants his left arm into the ground, slashing at the two grimm. They are cut, but not downed. To keep the momentum going, he releases it as soon the arc would pierce the grimm that was behind him. The sword is let go and it goes directly into it's mask and then falls over. Still spinning on his left arm, he switches to his right in a breakdance-like stance, using his legs to knock the two grimm off balance. Dante side-rolls as a tree is brought down on top of the rest of the Beowolfs.

"Grilled grimm, anyone?" He looks over to Weiss and Ruby, staring at him with no words to say. Placing Ebony and Ivory back in their holsters, he walks over to retrieve Rebellion. He pulls it from the skull and places it on his back.

"It would be so much more fun if I could switch weapons,but I couldn't with them watching and potentially other people as well." Dante thinks.

"That was awesome!" Ruby finally speaks up, running to him.

"That certainly was... something." says Weiss with her face full of awe and confusion. She walked over to him as well.

Ruby's face is full of excitement. "That was so cool! Especially when you jumped in the air and were like 'pew' and then were like sp-"

"What she means is, that was impressive. I didn't know you were so skillful, Dante." Weiss commented, pushing her hair back.

"This? This was nothing. Give me a whole horde of grimm and I'll be happy just going at it all day." Dante said, winding down. "Don't suppose either of you know where Mister Throw-up boy is?"

"I saw him back when I met Ruby. He had Pyrrha's spear pinning his clothes, to stop his fall more than likely. He's probably already paired with Pyrrha to be honest." answered Weiss.

"Yeah! You should join us!" shouted Ruby like an impatient child, not even hearing the question.

"If he is with Pyrrha, then he's probably in good hands. She did win four tournaments in a row, so she could probably handle herself and Jaune as well." Dante thought.

"Sure. It gets to be boring traveling alone anyways. I mean, who wouldn't want a couple of cute girls to travel with." cockily answered Dante.

Ruby shouted, "Yay! New teammate! I think?" She turned to Dante for confirmation, but was met with just shrug.

"Let's just get to the temple before I lose my mind with her." Weiss said, standing next to Dante.

"Alrighty then. Let's go." Dante commands, heading north.

The group heads north with little resistance, only finding small grimm every now and then. The continuation of small skirmishes can be heard throughout the forest. Time flies by as crickets and small birds can be heard chirping in the distance fade back in as most of the battles seem to stop. The excited atmosphere has been replaced with a tense one as Weiss goes out of their way to avoid being near Ruby.

"I still can't get over that you two are going to be on a team. That's crazy." Dante chuckles to himself.

"I mean it's not all bad. Like you said, I just have to adapt to getting used to a teammate." Ruby responds to Dante.

"I did say that, buttercup, but that was whenever I had thought of the other person actually wanting to work together." He laughs once more

"Hey! It's not like I wanted to pair with this impetuous child!" shouted Weiss, intervening with the conversation.

"Look. I don't wanna be the middle man here." He throws up his hands in a 'whatever' gesture. "However. If you're going to be on a team, you really need to learn to get along."

Weiss sneered at him. "Get along with her? You're insane."

"I might be, but you might be even more if you think you can hate her for the next four years you're going to be here for. I'm not saying you have to be her best friend, but you, at the very least, need to be her teammate. Otherwise, both of you fail." Dante explains.

"I don't mean to get so serious, but Ruby's not the type of girl that deserves a teammate that will constantly let her down." He ponders heavily.

A silence befalls the area and few more moments pass. As it begins to irritate him, Dante breaks it, "Gah. This is taking way too long. We need to find a quicker way."

Ruby responds, "Like what?"

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Weiss sighs.

He looks around the area and spots something of interest. He dawns a grin again.

"Bingo."