Naoto Kurogane woke up one hour earlier than most for two reasons. 1, the early bird catches the worm, and 2, that floor was hard as hell. Sitting upright he is quick to notice that he isn't the only one awake, a tall girl with green eyes and red hair put in a ponytail stood, it seems she had been up for a bit.
He observed the girl for a moment, her life force was higher than Yang Xiao Long- someone he assumed to be a strong fighter. He's measured plenty of life forces, and hers? Its higher than most here, that's what interests him.
Using his duffel bag he pushes himself up to stand upright. Naoto digs through his bag and takes out his combat attire, a toothbrush, his scroll, and some toothpaste.
He shoves his scroll into his pajama pants pocket. Whilst moving, he drops his belt, it hits the floor. Alerting the red-haired girl only.
"S-sorry." He whisper-shouts to the girl.
She turns to the bloodedge and gives a smile, "Its fine, mistakes happen." She whisper-shouts back. Relieved that she wasn't like the Schnee, Naoto makes his way to the bathroom.
Upon arrival, Naoto sets his toothbrush and toothpaste on the counter and sets his clothes on a closed toilet lid. Figuring that no one would enter the bathroom this early he changes into his combat clothes. Naoto brushes his teeth and washes his face before coming back into the ballroom with his pajama clothes.
He pushes his clothes into the bag before looking at his right arm- was it really his? How many times has he lost it now? Either way, once he got some alone time he would take it off, the fabric always clung tight to his vampiric arm- like a second skin. Naoto shudders, 'Ok, weird comparison...'
He grabs his boots sitting by his make-shift pillow and pulls them on, giving a small bounce to make sure they were comfortable.
With nothing better to do for another 25 or so minutes, he decides to make conversation with the red-haired girl. Strolling over to the girl he notices that she is already in her combat uniform. Judging from her eyes and lack of slouch he deduced that she had been A: Up way before him and everyone else. Or B: Just doesn't need sleep.
Once he's close enough Naoto greets her.
"Yo, sorry about earlier." He scratches the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Once again, no hard feelings, it's fine." She responds, a welcoming smile on her face.
"Right, names Naoto Kurogane, and you are?" Naoto stops scratching his neck and lets his arms cross.
"Pyrrha, Pyrrha Nikos."
Naoto holds his fist out for a fist bump, "Right, let's do our best out there, Pyrrha."
Not used to the friendly gesture but still knowing what it is, Pyrrha awkwardly mimics Naotos balled-up fist and bumps it with his.
A speaker blared: "Attention all students, attention all students, please freshen up and make your way to the cafeteria. Then proceed to equip your gear in the numbered locker provided." The voice repeated 5 times as students groggily opened their eyes, half dead. Others bolted upright, ready for the day.
"Good luck out there."
"You as well!" Naoto says, turning on his heel to leave.
Making his way to the cafeteria the sweet aroma of...pancakes? Naoto didn't know his stomach was a separate entity because it practically pulled him towards the source. Throwing three pancakes onto his plate topped with syrup, whipped cream, and blueberries, he makes his way to a vacant table.
The smell was oh so divine! His days of Microwavable foods were over, today, a new start in holy meals had begun. He dug into his meal, at speeds rivaling Ruby Rose: The Cookie Eater.
As on queue, Ruby and Yang walk into the cafeteria, fully dressed and without their weapons.
"Hi, Naoto!"
"Heya Nat!"
Naoto waves from across the cafeteria, his second pancake being devoured.
Ruby and Yang take the seats opposite from him, with plates of their own.
"Man, your really going at this stuff." Yang chuckles.
Naoto muffles back, "Yaweh ifts rally guod." His voice muffled by the pancakes.
Both Yang and Ruby sweatdrop.
In the lockerroom entered Ruby, Yang, and Naoto. Naoto having just been following them around due to having nothing else to do- he used martial arts after all...and blood.
"Someone seems awfully chipper this morning~" Yang says, attempting to excite her little sister further.
"Mhm! Today I don't need to talk! I just need to let my baby do the talking!" Ruby says, extending Crescent Rose into its scythe form.
Naoto backs up, fearing for his life.
"You know Ruby, other people are taking the initiation. You should try meeting new people, it could help you grow." Yang says, attempting to break Ruby from her shell- or at the very least, crack it.
"I don't need friends! I don't need people to help me grow either, I drink milk!"
"I don't think that's what she meant Ruby." Naoto deadpans
"What happens when you make a team then? What then? How are you going to interact with anyone like this?" Naoto could see it, Yang was visibly concerned for her sisters hermit-like state.
Ruby looks down at her feet, the conversation feeling awkward. "I dunno...I'll just be on your team...or something."
"... Maybe you should try being on someone else's team, it would be a good experience." Yang chuckles nervously, playing with her hair.
"Yang, are you implying that you do not wish to be on the same team as me?" Ruby, getting in her sister's face, points her finger in Yang's face.
"I don't know Rubes...I just think it would be best to help you break out of your shell."
"I- Whata- I don't need to break out of my shell, that's absolutely r-"
"Ridiculous!" A new voice shoots, walking past the trio, it was none other than Jaune Arc.
"There's no way I put my gear in locker: 636 yesterday!? ... I would have remembered to count that high." He says, eyes fixed on the paper in his hands.
Next to Naoto, Yang, and Ruby's lockers were Pyrrha and Weiss' lockers, who were currently having a conversation...if you could call it that.
"So, Pyrrha, have you given any thought as to whose team you would like to be on?" Weiss begins, clearly plotting some sort of scheme.
"I'm not so sure, I was planning on just letting the chips fall wherever." Pyrrha Nikos hates being used, everyone sought her out for her status alone. It was infuriating,
as always. To be treated like some trophy and not a living person...
Weiss responds "Well. I was thinking we could maybe be on the same team together, you know, the two strongest students in both body and mind teaming up?"
"That sounds wonderful, I look forward to being on a team with you if we do cross paths." Pyrrha lies through her teeth, she was upset.
Naoto watches the conversation from afar, watching as Pyrrha's live force slowly went down due to her negative emotions.
A familiar voice interrupts the conversation once again, "You know what else is wonderful, me, Jaune Arc. Pleased to meet you Ice Queen." He says giving a wink.
Naoto hated Weiss Schnee, but in this particular moment, he could only pity her.
"... You again?" Weiss says, clear disgust in her voice.
Pyrrha takes notice of the fact that Jaune had completely ignored her, she wasn't bitter about it, in fact...it was the complete opposite.
Naoto, not wanting the situation to grow into a match of yelling and screaming makes his way over, standing over to Jaune's side.
"Oh hello Jaune, I'm Pyrrha!" She says, attempting to test the waters as to whether or not he truly knew about her.
"Oh great, blonde Buffon and caveman are together, what a match made in heaven." Weiss deadpans, taking note of Naoto's arrival.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. So, Weiss, I couldn't help but overhear your fondness of me earlier."
Weiss facepalm. "You've got to be kidding me..."
Naoto lets out a sigh, questioning why Pyrrhas excitement was growing.
"Don't worry ice-Weiss" He says, flexing. "...lucky for you I'm a grade-A ladies man.
"Once again, Jaune, family doesn't count." Naoto says, confusion still going.
Jaune, embarrassed, attempts to move to continue with his "seducing".
"U-uh well I- teams! I hear there are gonna be some teams this year, Ice-Weiss. And we would make a pretty good team if I do say so myself."
"Actually teams are made up of four so-"
"You don't say hot-stuff, well play your cards right...and you could end up on the winning team."
'Have mercy on this child, god.' Naoto thinks, cringing.
Weiss intervenes "I'm sorry, Jaune, was it? Do you have any idea who you are talking to?"
Jaune leans in "Not in the slightest, cold-stuff."
Weiss motions to Pyrrha, "This is Pyrrha."
"Hello again!"
'Why is she so excited about this?' Naoto thinks to himself.
"Pyrrha graduated top of her class at Sanctum Academy, to even think you guys are equals is a shame."
"Whats Sanctum again?"
"Never heard of it."
Now Naoto joined in, forgetting what Sanctum exactly was. A combat school, right?
Pyrrha's excitement grew.
Weiss got angrier.
"Ah! Shes won the Mistral tournament 4 years in a row...a new record!" They had to know about this feat.
"The what?"
"Tournament? Sounds fun but I've never heard of her."
Pyrrha felt blessed, not one but two people had no clue about who she was. It honestly made her feel even better knowing Naoto wasn't being nice to her just to get on her team, it was just out of pure kindness.
Naoto watched as Pyrrha's life force went back up, its upset and downed mood having been raised. He wasn't for sure but he had an idea as to what the reason was.
Weiss frantically waves her arms around in a fit.
"She's on the front of every Pumpkin Petes Marshmellow Flakes box!"
Jaune gasps. "That's you?! They only do that for cartoon characters and celebrities!"
Naoto remains the same, "Sorry, no clue."
Pyrrha could just squeal like a little girl and dance, but she would contain it...for now. One person only knew her for cereal and the other? Didn't know her at all! It was great! She needed to get one of these boys on her team, she wanted someone on her team that would look at her as who she is and not some tool to present.
"So do you really think that you could ask to be on her team? Let alone be her friend?" Weiss scoffed.
"Actually Jaune, I think you would make a great addition...you as well, Naoto, was it?"
This basically confirmed his suspicions.
"What!? I refuse to have a caveman and a Buffon on my team!"
Before Naoto could respond the speaker turned on, letting out a ring. "Could all students report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Please and thank you." The speaker shut off.
"It was nice meeting you both." Pyrrha gave a small bow and went off to the initiation meeting spot.
"Team Jaune is filling up! What do you say, Naoto?"
"I uh, well, whatever happens...happens, I guess." Naoto shrugs, not showing any desire to be on a team with Jaune Arc but not against the idea either.
"Having trouble there, lady killer?" Yang asks Ruby tailing behind her.
Jaune slouches. "I don't know where I went wrong, my Dad said all ladies look for is confidence."
"Cold-Stuff probably wasn't the best start, Jaune." Ruby says, making sure Crescent Rose was secured on her back.
"Kickass out there Naoto!" Yang raises her hand for a high-five.
"Same to you and Ruby!" Naoto high fives her back and give Ruby a thumbs up.
"What about me!?" Jaune shouts.
They now stood on Beacons Cliffs, his arm buzzing once more due to Ozpin being so close. He hated the feeling, it made his stomach churn slightly as well.
"For years you have trained to be warriors." Ozpin begins, pacing back and forth with his hot chocolate. Glynda stands behind him, her expression unchanging.
"... And today your abilities will be tested and evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
Naoto took notice of the pads they were standing on, giving it a light tap with his steel-toed boots he could tell there was a spring inside of it.
'Uh-oh.'
He had a feeling as to what was coming next.
Glynda takes over, as Ozpin returns to sipping his hot chocolate.
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams." She begins, her cape fluttering in the wind.
"Well, allow us to put an end to that confusion."
...
"Each and every one of you will be given teammates...today."
Ruby let out a small whine, her fears already coming to bite her.
Ozpin takes over Glynda.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to pair with someone whom you can work well with."
Ruby lets out another small whimper.
"The first person you make eye contact with once you land will be your partner for the next four years."
'Wait, land!?' Naoto sweatdropped.
"What!?" Ruby yells, her hopes and dreams destroyed with it.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest."
"Do not hesitate. Do not hesitate to cleave, to destroy, to end, anything that comes across your path. Because if you hesitate for even a second...you die."
There it is again, paired with his life-force and words that weighed over a ton Naoto felt fear again. Ozpin...was to be feared.
Jaune laughs nervously and Yang has a serious look on her face.
"You will be monitored throughout the initiation, however, our instructors will not intervene though, you have been warned."
"Once you reach the path at the northern end of the forest you will find a temple, said the temple will hold seven relics, each pair must choose one and return to the edge of the forest, where we will be waiting."
"So sir whats this, "landing strategy" I've been hearing about?" Jaune nervously chuckles.
Weiss is sprung into the air, the landing pad having sent her off.
"Oh shit." Naoto says, knowing the inevitable ride he would endure.
"You will be flung into the air, it is up to you how you land...and language ."
Naoto sweatdrops.
"O-oh, right...haha." Jaune was fearing for his life.
Another person was sent off.
"So do we have like...parachutes?" A girl with orange hair is sent off.
Ozpin takes a sip of his hot chocolate, "Nope."
'Evil.'
A man with brown hair is sent off.
"Uh...right."
Naoto watches as Yang pulls on a pair of shades from her pocket and puts them on, winking to Ruby before being sent off.
It honestly looked like something out of a movie.
Ruby is sent off next, using the pressure of her sniper shots to keep air.
"Ok, so what exactly is a land stratgeEEEEEYYYYY!" Before he could finish his sentence Jaune is flung into the air, screaming.
'Rest in peace, Jaune.'
Naoto was last.
"Well, I wish you the best of luck. And after this, I believe we have some talking to do."
"We do, don't we?" He hasn't used his drive since his fight with Hazama, or his blood powers for that matter. How could he pass it off as a semblance?
"I'll tell you everything, considering the amount of power you give off, I don't have a choice. But just know that I don't trust you, or anyone even like you."
"The feeling is mutual, best of luck."
Naoto is launched into the air.
"Glynda, specifically keep tabs on him and Ruby Rose."
"Sir."
Being sent off flying was never on Naoto's list, he'd gone through hell and back, but this? No way.
Naoto plummeted into the forest, head first. If he didn't do something fast the pancakes he ate earlier would come right back up, a side-effect of being flattened.
Sticking his right arm out, he called upon it: The creation of the No-Life King. The creation of Raquel, the very thing that granted him the power to protect. Calling out his blood he felt if low through his right arm, forming into a shield. He wasn't used to making shields, he excelled in swords, spears, axes, and whips...but not shields.
The blood shield wasn't the best, in fact, it was the worst shield you would ever see, but it would do.
Curling up into a ball Naoto crashes into the forest, his shield protecting him.
Dissipating his shield, Naoto stands up, it appears he could still manipulate his blood and by proxy: Bloodedge.
"Woo, that could have been worse." He says, this mornings pancakes wanting to be let out from his stomach.
Getting a good look at his surroundings he now has a question.
"Where the hell am I?"
A growl could be heard.
'Looks like that's gonna have to wait.'
He turns around, his eyes meeting a gigantic beast, it was black all over with red veins and bone plating, he knew what they were: Grimm. He had seen them online and in books, but not in person.
Not only that but- 0? Wait, what?
The life force..was 0?
Naoto assumed that if it could walk and act out actions it had a life force, and yet he was an example of everything that goes against that logic.
For his life force was also 0. From the day he lost his arm, from the day he "died" his life force had been 0. And even at 0 he still gave plenty of people a run for their money, pummeling and knocking anyone that came his way.
These so-called "Grimm" weren't to be underestimated. If he couldn't scale their life force he couldn't scale their power...and that was bad.
Putting his fist out he waits for the Grimm to make their move. "C'mon, I'll take you on!"
If he remembered correctly this variant is what you would call a "Beowulf.
The Beowulf charged at him, going for an overhead strike. Naoto dodges and moves to the Beowulfs side.
[ BANISHING FANG ]
Naoto rushes forward with a fast downward knee-swing, it digs into Beowulf's side and it staggers back.
'Not done yet!'
[ BANISHING FANG: R O A R]
Following Banishing Fang up, Naoto goes for a downwards smash with his left, leaning forward it strikes the Beowulf in the cheek.
'One more.'
[ BANISHING FANG: R A I D]
Using his superior right arm, Naoto sticks his right foot down and his left goes to the side, he performs an uppercut that strikes the Beowulf in the face.
The Beowulf is sent staggering for a moment, Naoto uses this as a chance to put its miserable "life" to an end.
[ SLASH KAID ]
A scythe-like blade of blood trails from Naoto's entire right arm, he sticks it forward and it cleaves through the Beowulf, killing it.
Naoto flexes his right arm a bit, getting used to fighting with it once more. He hadn't used it during the fight with Roman due to his lack of stamina, that fight with Hazama drained him more than he let on.
"Jeez, I don't remember signing up for this world-jumping bullshit..."
He had been launched from the south and into somewhere east. The temple was north meaning after a few turns he could just head straight.
"Alright!"
Yang shot through the air, whoops, and hollers of delight coming from her. She felt like a bullet shooting through the skies. Sticking her left foot on a tree she jumps lower and lower until she rolls on the ground- successfully landing.
"Nailed it!"
Pyrrha quickly crashes through the trees, her shield protecting her from any incoming damage. She lands on a large tree-branch and begins to scout out Jaune and Naoto. She spots Naoto using a red and deformed shield to protect himself from any incoming fall-damage, which was smart. However, he was far. Meaning she likely wouldn't reach him in time. Jaune on the other hand...wasn't doing so well, and he was close.
Using Milo, Pyrrha shifts it out of its rifle form and into its javelin form. She reels her arm back and throws, it bullets towards Jaune and pins him against a tree.
"Thank you!" He shouts.
"I'm sorry!"
Ruby Rose bullets off into the forest, using the bullets of her Crescent Rose to propel herself forward.
"Hiyaaaaaa!"
Ruby lands and begins to zip around the trees, wanting to look for Yang and Naoto- Yang specifically.
Using her semblance: Petal Burst. She moves around at inhuman speeds, zipping around in search for her sister- and friend?
'What if I don't find Yang? What if someone already finds her!?'
'Well there's Jaune, he seems cool. But he seems weak...no offense. There's Blake, shes pretty mysterious and cool! ...But I can't hold a conversation with her. Maybe Naoto? He seems nice, and I haven't learned about his semblance yet! But I don't know if he's my friend or not!'
'Think Ruby, think! Who else do you know!? Well, there's always Wei-'
Speak of the devil.
"You!" Yeah, she wasn't excited about this.
Weiss turns on her heel to leave.
"Wait where are you going!"
"I refuse to be on a team with an inadequate child."
Weiss walks through the forest and is startled by a grunting noise.
She looks up to find Jaune Arc, hanging from Milo's javelin form.
"C'mon, stupid thing won't budge!"
He looks down at Weiss.
"Hey Snow-Angel, wanna team?" He laughs nervously, still hanging from the Javelin.
Weiss doesn't say a word, she prefers the child that at least has more sense over the Buffon.
"Hey! Come back? Please!"
Weiss returns to Ruby. "By no means does this make us friends, you better not slow me down."
"You came back!" She shouts with glee.
Jaune was left on the tree.
A familiar voice speaks. "Jaune, do you happen to have any other spots on your team?" Pyrrha asks.
"...Very funny.." He gives her a smile, and she returns it.
Ozpin stood at the cliffs, looking at the tablet.
"We have very promising students this year..."
On one monitor Yang Xiao Long began to pummel Ursa. A girl with a black bow accompanying her. Her name was Blake, right? Ozpin had a hard time keeping track.
On another one, Weiss Schnee was taking on multiple Beowulfs with Ruby Rose- the girl with silver eyes.
'There teamwork, they need to work on it.' Ozpin thinks, watching Ruby slam into Weiss.
The one that interested him the most though? Naoto Kurogane.
He crashes through the sky, forming a crimson shield from his right arm. Once he lands he is met face-to-face with a Beowulf.
What he did next was interesting. He made the assumption that Naoto was primarily a brawler, he was half right. He watched as Naoto uses his blood to enhance his punches, preforming uppercuts and kicks to the sides. He then creates what appears to be a scythe blade from his arm and slices through the Beowulf, this power was truly interesting.
It wasn't a semblance, that much he was certain. Ozpin couldn't explain it but he sensed magical energy coming from his arm, immense magical energy that was tied to something else as well? This raised plenty of questions for Ozpin. Glynda was just as surprised, if not more.
"...Things are shaping up to be truly interesting, are they not?"
"Agreed, sir."
Naoto sprints through the forest, currently he was looking for a potential partner and to reach the goal.
He makes a sharp right, slowly but surely reaching his destination.
'I wonder where everyone is- is that smoke!?'
He stops.
Looking into the sky a cloud of smoke rises, Grimm hollowing in pain.
A large black feather floats down to his feet, Naoto picks it up, examining it.
It was rough and sharp, like a knife.
Finding it cool, Naoto pockets it.
"I don't think its a good idea to go that away, at least it isn't by the temple."
Yang stops at a hill with Blake, her newfound partner.
"Think this is it?"
Blake shrugs, not responding. She jumps down and Yang follows.
The temple has pedestals, and on those pedestals are chess pieces: The Relics.
"Chess pieces? I expected something cooler but eh." Yang says, attempting to make some form of conversation with Blake.
"Some are already gone, it appears we weren't the first."
"Yep, let's pick one!"
Pyrrha and Jaune arrive in front of a cave.
"Think this is the temple?" Jaune asks.
"Only one way to find out." Pyrrha responds.
They walk into the cave, ignoring the markings on the cave wall.
After much analyzing, after observing for decades, after feeling every nook and cranny of the damned thing Yang came to a conclusion. One that would break the world- no, the galaxy.
"Let's take the pony~!"
Blake rolls her eyes at her extroverted teammate. "Sure."
A scream startles the duo.
"Some girls in trouble!"
"Blake did you hear that?"
"... Blake?"
Elsewhere, Naoto somehow knew the scream wasn't from a girl but a sad, oh so sad man...Jaune.
After venturing into the cave for some time, Jaune and Pyrrha came across the "relic".
It wasn't a relic.
It was a deathstalker.
And it had flung Jaune through the air.
Weiss didn't think she would ever ride on a Nevermores back...or any Grimm for that matter. Weiss knew one thing and only thing only: "Idiocy was contagious".
Somehow, in some way, Ruby Rose had convinced Weiss Schnee to ride on the back of a Nevermore to reach the temple faster.
Then once they spotted the temple guess what Ruby did? She jumped and abandoned Weiss...on a Nevermores back. Oh boy.
Ruby plummeted toward the temple at rapid speeds, just as she is about to land a boy crashes into her (who also had soared through the air) and they both land in a tree.
"... Did your sister just fall from the sky?"
Yang was at a loss for words, and bitter that she hadn't done something as cool. "I- I think so?"
Ruby sits up, dazed.
"Ahem...hey Ruby." Jaune says, hanging from a tree branch.
"Yeeeee-haw!" A girl with orange hair yells...riding on an Ursa?
The Ursa is electrocuted, covered in pink electricity before falling over.
"Aw, it's broken."
A man wearing green catches up to her. "Nora...please" He lets out a pant. "...Don't ever do that again."
When he looks up Nora is not anywhere to be found. Instead, she is inspecting the Rook chess piece that she had obtained, dancing, and doing weird hand gestures while holding it.
"Nora!" The man in green yelled.
"Coming Ren!" She does a dorky salute before making her way back over to the man known as "Ren".
"Did that girl just come in riding on an Ursa?" Blake deadpans.
"I-" Yang begins, before being cut off by the Deathstalkers screech, it was currently chasing after one Pyrrha Nikos.
Pyrrha dodges incoming strikes from the Deathstalker has trees fall to the ground. "Jaune!" She shoots.
"Pyrrha!"
Ruby stumbles about before finally regaining her footing on the tree. She jumps off and rolls on the ground.
"Did she just run all the way here with a Deathstalker on her tail-" That was the straw that broke the camels back.
Was Yang mad she didn't ride a Nevermore? Yes. Was Yang made she didn't ride an Ursa? Yes. Was Yang mad she didn't run from a Deathstalker? Yes.
WHY COULDN'T SHE DO ANYTHING FUN!?
Yang was shaking with rage, her lilac eyes turned crimson.
"Grrr I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE, COULD EVERYONE JUST CHILL OUT FOR TWO SECONDS BEFORE SOMETHING CRAZY HAPPENS AGAIN!?"
[BANISHING FANG: B A S H]
An Ursa comes skidding by, crashing into a medium-sized rock.
Yang yelled. "Alright! Who the hell- Nat?"
Naoto lowers his leg, choosing to use the bash variant over the raid variant.
"Yo, Yang!" He waves his hand up high."
"Um...Yang?" Ruby speaks, pointing her finger to the sky.
A new voice speaks, coming from the sky. "YOU COMPLETE AND UTTER DOLT! HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME UP HERE!?" Weiss shouts clinging on to the Nevermores talons for her life.
Ruby cups her hands around her mouth and shouts back. "I told you to jump!"
"Shes gonna fall." Blake says.
"She'll be fine~." Ruby responds.
She's falling." Ren chimes in.
Naoto looks up the source of the voice, Weiss Schnee.
'How the hell? Damn snotty princess, you owe me for this!'
Naoto pushes off of his right foot as Weiss is falling and leaps to catch her, but is intercepted by Jaune Arc.
Naoto lands on his feet, skidding by the group.
"Naoto!"
"Nat!"
Naoto shouldn't have let Jaune take that one.
Because as soon as he caught her, he let her go. The two fell to the ground, Weiss landing on Jaune.
She rolls her eyes. "My hero..."
"My back..."
The group sweatdrops.
Pyrrha is knocked away by the deathstalker, landing at Blakes's feet.
"Great, the gangs all here, now we can die together!"
Ruby extends Crescent Rose, going into a combat stance.
"Not if I can help it!" Ruby charges at the Deathstalker.
"Ruby no!" Naoto and Yang shoot in unison.
The two couldn't catch up to her due to her inhuman speeds.
The Deathstalker knocks her back with ease.
Ruby pushes herself up, wincing in pain.
"D-don't worry-totally fine!"
Ruby shoots at the Deathstalker, quickly realizing that bullets do nothing, she sprints away.
Yang goes after her sister, her desire to protect her burning.
The Nevermore circles around the temple, flying above Ruby. It launches its blade-type feathers towards the running Ruby.
One of the quills pierces her cape and tugs her to the ground.
"Get out of there!" Yang shouts.
The Nevermore lets out a painful screech, showing no sign of stopping its rampage.
The quills stab down in front of Yang, blocking her path to Ruby.
"Ruby!" Yang shouts.
Ruby attempts to pull her cape out, it does nothing.
"I'm trying!"
[ PLAY: BLAZBLUE CENTRAL FICTION OST: JAEGER ]
The Deathstalker reaches Ruby, it raises its stinger to pierce the silver-eyed girl.
She waits for the incoming strike.
"Ruby!"
...
...
"Blood Repulsor."
"Get your head out of your ass, Ruby."
Ruby opens her eyes to find Naoto fending off the Deathstalkers attack, his hair white and his eyes red. A crimson sword blocking it.
Blake hadn't notice Naoto leave from his spot.
"Weiss, do it now!" Naoto shouts.
"Don't tell me what to do!"
Weiss jumps from above, stabbing her rapier into the ground, ice forming around the Deathstalker's stinger and legs.
"Don't think everything needs to be done alone, I say this from experience of course." Naoto's tone spoke as though he had seen the true nature of the world, as though it had reached out and graced him with its knowledge.
Naoto was now in his Blood-Repulsor state, something he figured could pass as a 100% of a semblance- he could make up the lie that it was passive, always ready to be pulled out.
"You're a horrible teammate." Weiss begins.
"Sloppy, annoying, irritating, and don't even get me started on your fighting style."
"In fact, I hate everything about you. But if I'm forced to be with you for the next four years then..." Weiss cleaves the quill of the Nevermore in half.
"Then I might as well learn to tolerate your existence, don't think this makes us friends though."
Yang runs up to her half-sister embracing her.
"I'm so glad you're okay!"
"I appreciate a family reunion but...we have a Deathstalker that's about to break out and a Nevermore at our doorstep." Blake says.
Naoto does a few stretches and Ruby looks at him with curiosity.
"... What?"
"Your eyes, your hair! It's white and red, and was that your semblance!"
"Yeah, its a side-effect of my dri- semblance! Its a side-effect of my semblance!"
"Oh, cool! And what was that sword thingy!?"
"Questions later, come up with a plan now." Ren says, arms crossed.
"We run. Our objective is right in front of us, our reason for attacking those things are null." Weiss asks.
"Run and live, that is an idea I can get behind." Jaune says with a smile plastered on his face.
Ruby takes a knight from the pedestal and Jaune takes a rook from the other pedestal.
Naoto walks up to the other pedestal, taking the last piece from it. It was a black pawn, Naoto almost smiled at it. Almost. He tosses it into the air, catching it. It fit him, didn't it? Only for him, to serve one person: Raquel.
Naoto changes out of his enhanced-bloodedge state, hair, and eyes reverting to their natural brown.
"Wait Nat, you don't have a partner."
"That's ok, even if I don't have a partner...I know I left helping!" He smiles.
Yang looked down, he really seemed like a nice person and a strong fighter. To see him go...
"Good riddance, begone with the caveman."
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up, princess."
The ice holding the Deathstalker begins to break...they were out of time.
"Let's move!" Ren shouts.
"Right." Ruby says, running up the hill. Naoto and co-running behind her.
Hiding behind pillars they avoid the Nevermore.
Naoto vaults over a piece of debris and hides behind a pillar, ready to activate blood-repulsor whenever.
The Nevermore lets out a screech, attracting the Deathstalker and any other Grimm that may come.
"Oh man, run!" Jaune says bolting away with Pyrrha by his side.
The group runs from their hiding spots.
They were pinned, any more running would give them the advantage...
"We stand our ground here! If we keep running we'll just die!" Pyrrha yells, her combat experience showing.
"Oh man..." Jaune says, scared of what's to come.
"Hell yeah! Grimm busting time!" Yang shouts, readying Ember Celica.
"We can lead them to the bridge, where we can cut off the Deathstalkers mobile range." Ren says, deciding the best course of action.
"Nora, Yang, draw the Nevermores fire!" Blake shouts.
Yang shoots forward, letting out hoops and hollers, Nora does the same. Quills rain down on the duo, they evade the shots. Yang does most of the dodging and Nora goes to the side, shooting three grenades at it.
Unaware, the Deathstalker sneaks up behind Nora. It raises its stinger but is intercepted by Ren and Blake, slashing at its face to make it stagger. Weiss uses a Glyph and grabs Nora, jumping into the air.
Ren and Blake begin to lead the Deathstalker away, Yang leads the Nevermore away.
Ren, Nora, Weiss, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Blake run across the bridge. Pyrrha stalls time by shooting at the Deathstalker. Waiting for Blake, Ren joins Pyrrha in shooting at the Deathstalker.
The Nevermore comes swooping in, breaking the bridge the group was running across.
Naoto jumps over the debris, grabbing onto the ledge and landing right over Blake.
Blake, Pyrrha, Ren, and Naoto began to fend off the Deathstalker. With Ruby, Jaune, Yang, Weiss, and Nora on the other side of the bridge.
Naoto is slapped with the Deathstalker's tail and flung across the bridge to Ruby's side.
"Naoto!"
Naoto stands up, "You guys take care of the Deathstalker, I'll help out with the Nevermore."
"Let's do this!"
"Uh, Nora? I can't make this jump."
Nora grinned like a madman, transforming her grenade launcher into a hammer she swings it onto the ground, launching Jaune and herself towards the Deathstalker..
"Nora wait wait wait wait!"
"Nora, smash!"
She raises Magnhild- her hammer and swings it into the Deathstalker's head. The Deathstalker swats Nora into Blake, who falls off the edge due to it but catches herself with her weapon: Gambol Shroud.
Using the Kusarigama function, Blake swings around the pillars, going to reunite with Ruby, Yang, Weiss, and Naoto.
She wraps the rope part around the Nevermores talon, swinging up she lets out a flurry of slashes in its primary form: A katana. "Haaaaaa!"
She jumps from the Nevermore and next to Yang and Ruby. "It's tougher then it looks!"
Naoto scales the pillar, standing above Ruby, Weiss, Yang, and Blake. "Then we just gotta hit it with everything we got!"
"I second that!" Yang shouts, cocking Ember Celica, going into a boxer's stance.
Ruby extends Crescent Rose into its primary form: A scythe
Blake releases Gambol Shroud from its holster.
Weiss readies her rapier: Myrtenaster
The four below let out shots of both dust and ammunition. The Nevermore responds by charging at them, flying at rapid speeds.
Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang dodge its attack. It charges into the pillars, breaking the tower.
"Naoto!" Ruby shouts.
Naoto leaps off of the pillar in time, landing on falling debris and trailing behind Yang- now tapped into his blood-repulsor state.
Weiss prepares a Glyph, rocketing herself towards Ruby, who pushes her up again with her Scythe, the two land on a bridge.
"None of this is working!"
Ruby looks around, seeing Yang fire off shots at the Nevermore, Blake trying to draw its attention, and Naoto jumping into the air.
[ DIVINE SMASHER: ENHANCED]
"AHHHHHHHH!" Naoto shoots down like a bullet, his right arm covered in a current of blood- aimed at the Nevemore. The Nevemore dodges and Naoto's punch goes straight through the debris. Grabbing at the ledge, he pulls himself up.
"Shit!"
"Weiss, I have a plan, cover me!" Ruby says, shooting off with Crescent Rose. Weiss readies Myrtenaster once more, letting out shots of ice and fire dust.
Meanwhile, Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren begin their attack on the Deathstalker.
Pyrrha blocks an incoming strike and stabs upwards, stabbing into the Deathstalkers claw.
Jaune blocks the next attack with his shield and Nora shoots a grenade in its face.
Ren moves to the side, shooting at it. He jumps onto its stinger and stabs into it using the left Stormflower.
Pyrrha throws the Javeline at the Deathstalker's head, it pierces it.
Jaune is knocked back and Nora prevents him from falling.
"Thanks.."
Ren is knocked away and slammed into the wall.
"Ren!" Nora shouts.
Pyrrha throws her shield, it slices the stinger off.
The stinger falls forward and stabs the Deathstalker.
Nora boosts herself off of Pyrrhas shield, rocketing towards the Deathstalker she slams her hammer down onto the stinger, digging it in like a nail. She lets out a blast, sending it off the edge and killing it.
The four watch as the Nevermore circles back.
The Nevermore charges at Yang, in response Yang shoots at it using Ember Celica. Its beak opens and goes to bite, but Yang is faster. Thanks to her semblance and aura, Yang begins to unload a barrage of shots in its mouth.
"I. HOPE. YOUR. HUNGRY!"
Knowing she was nearing a cliff, Yang let go, letting the Nevermore crash into it.
"Your up Weissy!" Weiss shoots forward using her Glyphs, she stabs into the ground and lets ice cover the Nevermores feathers and talons.
"Don't call me that!"
Weiss uses her Glyphs once more and sends herself back to Ruby.
Blake shoots Gambol Shroud forward in its Kusarigama form, Yang grabs onto one end and hooks it into the opposite pillar.
Ruby shoots up and lands on the makeshift slingshot.
Weiss readies her Glyph, it pulls Ruby back, adding more power to the shot.
"Pray to Remnant the caveman doesn't mess this up."
"I have faith in him, cut him some slack~." Ruby says, in a sing-song voice.
"And if I don't?"
"Then the great cookie monster will- ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"Apologies, I got tired of hearing your voice."
[PLAY: BBCF: OP]
Ruby is shot off, she cocks Crescent Rose and brings her scythe back, her target being the Nevermore.
She rockets herself forward, each shot propelling her more and more.
With the Nevermore stuck, it can't do anything against Ruby's attack. Ruby sticks her scythe into the Nevermores neck, tugging on it. She places her left foot on its shoulder and her right on the cliff. Glyphs are summoned by Weiss, attraction Glyphs to be exact. The tug would keep Ruby on the cliff while dragging the Nevermores sorry ass up.
Ruby shoots Crescent rose multiple times, dragging the Nevermore up the side of the cliff in the process.
Ruby sprints up the cliff, letting out a cry.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ruby turns her scythe and throws the Nevermore up, Naoto would only have a few seconds, he better make it count!
Naoto watched on top of the cliff, the four making a makeshift slingshot for Ruby.
"Can't let them down, now can I?"
Naoto brings his arm back, his white hair blowing in the wind- he had to make this count.
Mustering up all the blood he possibly could he felt his arm ache.
He bit back a scream.
Ozpin almost spit out his hot chocolate watching what was unfolding
Ruby dragged the Nevermore up the cliff, sending it Naoto's way.
"Now!"
Naoto brings his blood-scythe onto the Nevermores beak, shattering it.
It tries to get up but Naoto doesn't let up. Another slash that went sideways, taking out one of its eyes.
'There is no afterlife'
He slices faster and faster, the Nevermore being cleaved to bits.
'Edge of'
Naoto jumps into the air, going for one last strike.
He swings the blood-scythe over his head, going for an overhead strike.
The Nevermore attempts to get up, does it know its efforts are pointless?
Naoto- in one fluid motion, tilts the scythe slightly, slicing its head clean off.
'ETERNITY'
The Nevermore falls down the cliff, its head going down with it.
Ruby digs her scythe into the cliff, eyes in awe at Naoto's display of power.
Blake, Yang, and Weiss were even impressed- although they wouldn't admit it.
Naoto pants, his breath ragged. He grips his right arm in pain, his hair and eyes revert to its normal brown.
Ruby fully brings herself over the cliff. "Naoto! Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, just a side-effect of using to much blood." Naoto shakes, standing up, he nearly falls over. He used more power in that fight then he thought.
Ruby lets Naoto use her as a crutch, the two walking over to the edge of the cliff.
Naoto sticks his left arm into the air, balled into a fist. As if saying "Are you watching me, Raquel?" He put a smile on his face, dirt-covered his face and clothes.
"Well...that was something." Blake said, jumping down from her pillar.
"Woo-hoo! Nat kicked total ass!" Yang said, pumping her fist into the air.
"I suppose the caveman is useful for something."
Everyone on both sides had compliments, but Pyrrha? She just wanted to fight him, his strength, speed, his semblance! It all screamed a challenge! But, that would have to wait.
"Cardin Winchester, Russel Thrush, Dove Bronzewing, and Sky Lark. The four of you collected the black bishop pieces. You will now be known as: Team CRDL (Cardinal), led by Cardin Winchester." Ozpin says, in front of the speaker.
"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white Rook pieces. You will now be known as: Team JNPR (Juniper), led by...Jaune Arc.
Jaune took a moment to process it. "Eh? I'm sorry but that has to be a mistake-"
"It was no mistake, congratulations, young man."
Jaune beamed. His team.
Blake Belladonna, Weiss Schnee, Ruby Rose, and Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the White Knight pieces. You will now be known as: Team RWBY (Ruby), led by...
Weiss clenched her fists. 'Please be me!'
"Ruby Rose."
has shut down.
"My sister is leader!" Yang shouts, embracing her sister.
"Wha-." Weiss was infuriated. Her? Really?
Naoto hadn't found a partner, let alone form a team. If this was it, so be it. Of course, it would be preferred to work with the 800,000 life force man to return to his world but he wouldn't throw a fit. Honestly, he liked the friends he made- if they considered them his friend back that is. It would be disappointing to leave but he had bigger fish to fry.
"I would usually say that's all but we've had one extra student participate this year." Ozpin begins, snapping the entirety of the crowd and Naoto out of their thoughts.
"But I can't pass up on a hard-working individual that has displayed such power." He says, clicking a remote, turning on the large TV behind him. It showed a shot of him using his Banishing Fang: ROAR and his Edge of Eternity. The crowd gasped in awe and surprise.
"Naoto Kurogane, you retrieved the Black Pawn. From now on you will serve those you have placed your trust in during this initiation: Both Team RWBY and JNPR, fitting for a pawn? No?"
Naoto almost wanted to punch him for being right...almost.
"The caveman? Really!?"
"Punchy guy!"
"Nora..." Ren groaned.
"Naoto, welcome."
"Nat!"
"Naoto~!"
Yang clasps her arm on his shoulder "Let's do our best as teammates!"
Naoto was confused, but for now?
He would just roll with the punches.
Usually, I would have like two chapters but today I worked to pump out a longer chapter, I wanted to get initiation in one swoop. I hope I did it justice! Taking DevilsZack suggestion I stopped making walls of text. Honestly, I find myself having the same issue. I sometimes skip over text in anything if its a wall. So from now on no more walls of text. ALSO! I wasn't satisfied with the second chapter, so maybe expect a rewrite within the next few weeks? The next chapter will be Beacon life and Ozpin talk. Earliest I get it out is Sunday, latest? Tuesday.
Also some things I wanna address: Weiss will hate Ruby a lot more. I have a reason for her not saying "I'll be a little nicer." Because right after Ruby becomes leader Weiss goes ape shit, so let's add on to that.
Jaune knows what aura is. I always found it stupid that RT made Jaune go "Whats aura" when its literally public knowledge and a big deal among academies/schools.
Hazama. What is he gonna do? I have plans for him, dw ;)
Also, I have school, so if chapters slow you know why!