Volume 1, Episode 1
A Beast Enters Beacon
Legends.
Stories scattered through time.
Mankind has grown quite fond of recounting the exploits of heroes and villains, forgetting so easily that we are remnants, byproducts, of a forgotten past.
Men, born from dust, was strong, wise, and resourceful. But he was born into an unforgiving world.
An inevitable darkness, creatures of destruction. The creatures of Grimm set their sights on man and all of his creations. These forces clashed and it seemed the darkness was intent on returning man's brief existence to the void.
However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change and in time, man's passion, resourcefulness, and ingenuity led them to the tools that would help even the odds. This power was appropriately named 'Dust'.
Nature's wrath in hand, man lit their way through the darkness and in the shadow's absence came strength, civilization and most importantly, life.
But even the most brilliant lights eventually flicker and die. And when they are gone... darkness will return.
So, you may prepare your guardians... build your monuments to a so-called free world but take heed... there will be no victory in strength.
But perhaps victory is in the simpler things that you've long forgotten.
Things that require a smaller, more honest soul.
Or maybe it is of a force outside of either of your control. One that is not good nor evil, one that is not from this world, but one that has long been extinct...
Maybe victory is of something that is a bit more...
Primal.
"You going to make it, Jaune?"
The one who asked this was a young man at the age seventeen and stood roughly 6'3" in height. He had short, light brown hair with deep, sapphire blue eyes and was dressed in a light red t-shirt that was under a brown leather jacket with a gray hood attached to it, along with dark blue, borderline black jeans and black combat boots with red outlines. On his hands were fingerless gloves that were similar to that of his boots in color, but what he was wearing around his neck was what got most people's attention.
To put it simple, it was a tooth, one chained to a silver chain. Normally this wouldn't be an eyecatcher, but the fact the tooth was the size of a banana and blunt like a spike. Truthfully the owner of such a tooth wouldn't exist on Remnant... if it weren't for the young man himself.
His name was Connor, Connor O'Riley to be exact, and he was currently on a Bullhead with his best friend, with their destination being one of the greatest academies in all of Remnant for future Hunters and Huntresses.
Beacon Academy.
Truthfully, Connor himself wasn't exactly sure on the exact reason he decided to follow his friend to Beacon, but he knew it was either that or go back to wandering around the world to train and prepare for what he had planned... but truthfully, he didn't want to leave Jaune high and dry. He was his first and only friend he could say he could trust one hundred percent.
Plus, he was sure Jaune would need a wingman, or at least someone who could push him the right direction.
Speaking of his friend, his name is Jaune Arc, a blonde-haired teen about Connor's age with dark blue eyes and standing currently at 6'1". He was dressed in a black hoodie with reddish-orange sleeves, though the white armor covered his chest and a bit of his arms, and on his hands were brown, fingerless, leather gloves. He also worn blue jeans with black sneakers with white outlining on them. On his hip though was the sword that was within a sheath... that also was a collapsible shield.
And what was he doing right now?
Well, he was trying not to vomit on the floor as his motion sickness was taking effect.
"Yeah..." Jaune began to respond to the taller teen; "I think I'm- nope, no I'm not!"
Before Jaune could barf up for a fifth time since they took off, Connor thought quickly before sliding a trash can that was conveniently beside him over to his buddy. This caused the blonde to nod gratefully before he proceeded to let it all out in the trash can.
Connor wasn't even fazed as he proceeded to gently pat his buddy on the back. "Just let it out Jaune, let it out."
As he listened to his friend spill his guts out, he sighed. No, he wasn't embarrassed over the fact his friend was causing attention. Motion sickness was a real thing and it happens to the best of them, and Jaune was unfortunately one of those poor souls who had to carry the burden.
Once Jaune was finished, he looked over to the taller teen and gave a thumbs up; "Thanks, Connor."
"How is it that even after seven years of knowing this, your folks never thought of taking you to see someone about your motion sickness?" Connor asked, as he knew his friend's parents well, he was practically part of the family by now after all. Yet despite that, they were both rather... forgetful.
Jaune then chuckled sheepishly before replying; "They said that it would go away eventually... even after seven years."
"So eventually, huh?" the brown-haired boy said as he then formed a grin and added; "Just like how you think your pick-up lines will work eventually?"
"It will!" Jaune said, taking pride in his pick-up lines before adding; "Eventually."
Connor couldn't help and roll his eyes in amusement as his grin turned into a smirk before he patted Jaune on the shoulder; "Well, buddy, you'll be having plenty of practice with your craft soon enough because we'll be there soon."
As he said that, he gestured towards the window and out it, right towards the large tower, Beacon Tower to be exact, that was in the middle of the academy.
Jaune looked on from beside him in awe as he had been dreaming for this day for as long as he could remember. Yet, a part of him was filled with guilt. Guilt from what he and Connor had to do to get in to Beacon in the first place. He then whispered to Connor in a voice low enough for the taller teen to hear, and Jaune knew he could definitely hear him. "Do you really think it was a good idea to forge our transcripts?"
This caused Connor to glance at his blonde friend before shrugging; "I don't know, but for the record, I only did it because you weren't confident enough to try the entry exams. I know I could've passed, and I'm sure with the training I had to give you... then you'd have been fine. It's too late now though, we're arriving to Beacon in matter of minutes. Not like one of us can just grow wings and retreat."
"You can," Jaune retorted, which caused Connor to grin and let out a chuckle.
"I could, could I? Yeah, but I have a feeling you wouldn't want me to steal your thunder by transforming right off the back."
It was then when a voice from within his own head spoke up as well. 'I also think this may have something to do with avoiding the attention of females I see.'
Connor mentally sighed as he looked out the window. 'You know why I'd rather not, Ghast... it's too soon. What she did makes it hard to move on you know?'
'I'm aware,' Ghast spoke, as if remembering the incident himself, something the immortal hated just as much as Connor did. Then he seemed to grow concern as he spoke to his reincarnation. 'Does that mean you plan on forsaking your abilities while you are here?'
'Hell no! You know I couldn't even if I wanted too! This power is a part of me just as much as you are, and I won't forget that. I'm just planning on saving it until the Initiation we've heard so much about.'
Connor knew he could never forsake this power he wielded, not after what it has done for him and what he has learned since finding out that he was the reincarnation of the Chimera known as Ghast the Primal. He was a being that was on the level of Gods when he was alive, with nature's wrath on his side, he was a powerful warrior... that was until the war with the Dark Dragon... where Ghast had given his life for the one who would eventually end the fighting.
Ghast could've chose to rest, to live the afterlife peacefully... but he was a warrior, and when he was offered a chance to be reincarnated, he had zero hesitations. It's what lead him to have his soul fused with Connor's, the child of two formidable warriors on a planet known as Remnant. He always had felt a presence within him when he was younger, but everything changed not long after he turned seven... when he lost everything he cared about to someone need and lust for power.
It was then, surrounded by a small horde of blood-thirsty Grimm when he transformed for the first time, into a beast that was driven by anger and rage. Ever since that day, Ghast had spoken to him, guided him, practically raised him to not just be who he was today, but to use his abilities to their fullest. It had taken him three years on his own before he met the one who would become his best friend, Jaune.
Truthfully, it was actually more of the right place at the right time kind of meeting as both of them kinda needed a friend their own age who they can hang out with. So over time, the two became friends, and up to best friends, though to Connor, he considered Jaune a brother.
It was one of the reasons he decided to follow him to Beacon... he didn't want to be left behind while the blonde had all the fun.
'I'm glad that is how you feel, but I do believe you should forget her eventually. She is nothing to you now but an enemy you must seize in your teeth and destroy with brutal force.'
'Damn Ghast,' Connor responded, unsure on how to reply as he was simply admiring the view before him while Jaune was drinking a water they've packed in case Jaune happened to have one of his motion sickness spells. 'I mean I want her dead to, but damn.'
Before the conversation with his mentor could continue though, his thoughts were broken by the appearance of a hologram that showed a woman with blonde hair, glasses, a purple cape, and honestly an attire that just screamed 'teacher' to Connor as it proceeded to replace the news that was one before.
'Hello,' the hologram had began, 'and welcome to Beacon! My name is Glynda are among a privileged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy! Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future Huntsmen and Huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world.'
After that, the hologram disappeared and several students then looked out the windows towards Beacon, and unfortunately... one of those students was Jaune. The moment he saw the outside though, was when his motion sickness started to take its toll yet again as he immediately placed a hand over his mouth. The scene made Connor sigh as he should've seen this coming. "Man, if you knew what was going to happen, then why bother looking out?"
Jaune didn't answer as he rushed off to find a trash can, with Connor looking out for one as well, only to see his friend race past two girls, both catching his attention in two separate ways.
The first was a short girl with pale skin but had black hair with red tips. She was composed of mainly a black combat dress with red at the bottom of it along with combat boots with a similar color scheme. She also seemed to have a red cloak on that also had some sort of hood, but even that wasn't what got his attention.
It was her eyes.
Silver eyes.
It was a personal subject for him, but he did in fact know a warrior that had silver eyes... or would the better term be knew. I guess it doesn't matter anymore, but what does matter was the legends he's heard of such warriors, they were said to be the fiercest of all of Remnant. Now, it would seem to be that he would go to school with such warrior to be... that alone would make this year interesting.
Yet, there was the one next to her, the taller girl with a wild mane of blonde hair. She was dressed in a short sleeved, brown leather jacket that went down to her midriff. Along with that were a pair of black shorts that held a brown belt around them along with brown boots with orange socks coming out of them. She also seemed to be wearing yellow bracelet/gauntlets around her wrists.
Like the silver-eyed girl, though, what got his attention were the lilac-colored eyes, he couldn't help but stare for an extra second, but it was enough for Ghast to notice as well.
'It may seem you have found one of this world's versions of an Amazon my boy,' Ghast told him, which got an amused eyeroll from Connor. He may not be looking to 'pursue' anything, but he was still a teen, and he couldn't help but think she was attractive.
Just as Jaune rushed past them was when one of the girl's, the blonde, spoke up while they watched Jaune run past them.
"Well... I guess the view isn't for everyone," the blonde said, which caused Connor to snort in amusement. If only she knew.
The smaller girl then added; "It was a nice moment while it lasted.
"I wonder who we're gonna meet!" the taller girl then asked as they both turned back towards the window.
"I just hope they're better than 'Vomit Boy'," said the girl in red, in which that comment made Connor frown. -Jaune can't really be to blame for his motion sickness, because he didn't choose to have it. It unfortunately chose him, it happens, and his friend has to live with the consequences. But still... things seem to be turning up to get rather interesting if what he sensed meant anything...
Oh wait... that was vomit.
That made Connor start to look around for Jaune again, but a quick glance made him realize that it wasn't from Jaune currently. It was closer than where he was, who was currently spilling his guts out in another trash can across the airship. No, it was somewhere close...
Oh shit.
He couldn't help but snort as he faced the window again, trying to not burst out laughing as he proceeded to stomp his foot on the ground while he gently headbutted the glass. The commotion had drawn the silver-eyes girl's attention as she looked over and saw the towering teen about to explode from laughter. She gave him a confused look until he noticed her and proceeded to point down towards the other girl's shoes.
When she looked down, her eyes bugged out as she backed away with a jump; "Oh, Yang, gross, you have puke on your shoe!"
Yang, the blonde, then looked down and her eyes too also widened at the sight that was on her shoes and she too began to freak out. "Gross, gross, gross..."
As she repeated this, the smaller girl kept backing away.
"Get away get away! Get away from me!"
It was due to this little scene when the dam broke and all restraint had left the young man as he began to laugh.
"Dammit Jaune!" he said in between laughs; "I know I shouldn't be laughing, but damn... this is just too funny!"
That was moment Connor knew he made the right choice in following Jaune, because things were surely going to be more entertaining from here on out... or so he hoped.
"Jaune, how in the name of Remnant are you still sick!?" Connor asked in shock as he and Jaune were now right outside the airship, with the blonde trying to recover from the motion sickness as he hovered over a trashcan. As much as the brown-haired teen wanted to look around, he knew better than to leave Jaune. He was his buddy after all, and wanted to make sure he was going to survive.
Not even five minutes on campus and Jaune was already about to go down due to his mortal enemy... flying vehicles.
Speaking of the blonde, he groggily lifted himself away from the trashcan and looked to his friend before replying; "I don't know... bad luck I guess."
"Probably," Connor said with a nod as he patted Jaune on the shoulder before asking; "You think you'll be good enough here while I go grab our stuff?"
His response was a thumbs up as the blonde was trying to collect himself before he added. "Yeah, sure... no need to worry."
With that, Connor simply gave a nod before he jumped over the rail and landed on a flight of stairs that went to where the luggage was held on the trip up to Beacon. He wanted to get the luggage and find out where they went from there as quickly as possible, but he also wanted something in particular from his own bag. Nothing big, just a bag that Ghast requested for before he was reincarnated to Remnant, something that those he asked kept their word on as when he was fifteen, he and Ghast flew to Mt. Glenn, the abandoned part of Vale to the southeast, and found a red and black duffel bag that was filled with a few things, including the leather jacket he now worn... along with a chip that fit into the back of his scroll.
It's what lead to his introduction to Earth's music by Ghast.
Anyway, as he made it down the stairs, he saw what he was looking for, his duffel bag along with a wooden case that has the Arc family crest on it, which is what Jaune decide to use for a suitcase. It didn't bother him as he had a way to pick it up, an unexpected way in particular as something strange and to some cool happened.
Two squid-like tentacles came out from his shoulders and proceeded to pick up the case and hold it to Connor's back like a backpack. He then grabbed his duffel and swung it over his shoulders before making sure he was comfortable walking as he was.
Once he saw it was good for him, Connor began making his way upstairs, seemingly unbothered by the extra weight on his back. Though, as soon as he made it up the stairs, he found a now recovered Jaune, who was waiting on him while looking out in front of him.
"Feeling better," Connor asked as he walked past Jaune, who got in step beside him as they made their way towards the academy entrance.
He got a nod from Jaune who gave him a grin in return; "Yeah, I'm good, Connor! I'm a little hungry now, but other than that, I'm good."
Connor grinned and nodded as they stepped away from the airship, being the last ones to leave it, and as they walked down the walkway towards the center, they couldn't help but stop to admire the view that was in front of them. The shapeshifter couldn't help but whistle as they viewed on, all the while Jaune just looked on in awe...
They were finally in Beacon.
"Do you remember the first time you told me of your dream to be a Hunter," Connor asked as they continued to look on at the tower.
Jaune nodded, remembering it well; "I thought you would laugh at me, all those other kids did."
"Well, I'm not like all those jerks, now am I?" Connor asked, with Jaune grinning as he glanced at him. He then added; "Besides, I don't see any of those assholes here, so you know... in their faces."
Jaune couldn't help but grin in amusement before a question came to mind as he faced the taller teen. "Are you here to become a Hunter yourself? Or are you just here to be my wingman?"
"I don't know," Connor admitted after a moment of silence. "A part of me says I'm just here for fun, but the other half says I at least owe it ot my pops to come here and become a hunter. I just don't know if I can do him or my mother proud or not, ya know?"
He then looked to Jaune before saying; "Though, I can tell you that I am here to watch your back, because Jaune, and I say this as your best friend, you sometimes have a hard time seeing what's right in front of you."
"I know," Jaune said as he looked down a little, remembering a few times where he was gullible to get involved with a few things that Connor had to save him from, but to be fair, there has been a few times where that has been reverse, just not due to gullibility.
He was then knocked out of his thoughts by Connor though, who smiled at him as he nodded towards the entrance. Jaune couldn't help but smile back at his longtime friend, but before they could enter, a loud explosion was heard to the side of them, which got both of them to snap their heads that way. Though, both were surprised, Jaune was the only one who was vocal about it; "What was that!?"
"I don't know," Connor said as he started to face that way, "but I'd like to find out, come on!"
Just like that, both boys were heading towards the explosion, but when they got closer, they noticed that they were now in the area right before you enter the gates and laying in the center of the area was the short girl in the red cloak Connor saw while on the airship. She looked absolutely miserable as she slid down on her knees before landing on her back. The two boys looked to each other before Jaune asked; "Should we help her?"
"Yeah," Connor said as he looked on, "she looks like she could use some friends."
With that, they both walked over and as they looked down at her, Jaune extended his hand towards her and when they arrived, they see the girl, who's eyes were closed, that is until Jaune spoke up. "Hey..."
When he said that, the girl's eyes opened, revealing the silver orbs Connor saw earlier, eyes that remind him of someone he once knew... Only for Connor to mentally shake himself out of thought, it wasn't time for him to think about that. Right now was about a good first impression.
"...I'm Jaune," the blonde introduced as he held out a hand.
Connor simply nodded; "Connor."
"Ruby," the girl replied with a smile as she took Jaune's hand, who pulled her up gently. As she did so, she seemed to remember Jaune from somewhere. "Aren't you the guy who threw up on the ship?"
Jaune sighed as Connor couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, there goes first impressions, am I right Jaune?"
Minutes later, not long after dropping the luggage off to where it's supposed to go, the three teens were walking down a corridor, with the blonde haired Jaune ranting about motion sickness, much to Connor and Ruby's amusement.
"All I'm saying is that motion sickness is a much more common problem than people let on!"
"That is true," Connor said with a nod, "but to be fair, I've never seen anyone who's had it as bad as you, buddy."
Jaune couldn't help but look to Connor with a deadpanned look as they continued down the path. " Really, man?"
Ruby shook her head in amusement before she attempted to apologize for the nickname she unconsciously gave Jaune. "Look, I'm sorry Vomit-boy was the first thing that came to mind."
"Oh yeah, what if I called you Crater-face?" Jaune asked.
Ruby looked at him and pouted; "Hey, that explosion was an accident!"
"Besides, the crater wasn't all that big, sure it'll leave a mark, but it could've been a lot worse," Connor brought up, adding his two cents.
"You're not helping me out here Connor," Jaune said to his friend before he proceeded to himself while facing Ruby; "Well, the name's Jaune Arc! Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it!"
The only girl in the group looked towards the blonde and gave a questioning gaze before she smirked at him; "Do they?"
Connor couldn't help but bark out a laugh while placing a hand on Jaune's shoulder as he said in amusement. "She got you there, buddy!"
"They will!" Jaune quickly defended as he shot the taller teen a dirty look before adding; "Well, I hope they will."
"He's been like this for two years. Ever since his pops told him about his time in Beacon Academy, he's been more or less trying to achieve his father's 'potential'. I personally think he needs new material, but what do I know," Connor told Ruby as Jaune crossed his arms.
The blonde then shot back; "Not everyone can be lucky as you, Connor. Last week, you could've gone out with twins, yet never went for it."
"Really," Ruby, who wasn't sure how to act in this situation, asked Connor, who shrugged in response.
"I have the unfortunate habit of attracting women who look nice, but at the end of the day are borderline crazy, so I try to steer clear."
After that was said, it was silent for a moment before Ruby, thankfully, changed the subject as she brought up something else. "So... I got this thing!"
As she said this, she excitedly pulled out a large, mechanical, red and black scythe, longer than the fifteen year old was tall. Honestly, it took both boys by surprise as Jaune expressed vocally; "Whoa! Is that a scythe!?"
"It's also a customizable, high impact velocity sniper rifle," Ruby said happily as she looked at her pride and joy, all the while Connor whistled, impressed at the weapon before he noticed the still confused expression on Jaune's face.
He formed a deadpanned expression before telling the blonde; "It's a gun Jaune."
Still, he couldn't help but look at the scythe, impressed at how something that big can be wielded by someone so small. He then thought of something that made him ask a question to Ghast. 'Hey, Ghast, didn't you once tell me about an ex who wielded double-scythes?'
'Indeed,' Ghast said with a fond tone, 'Lady Death was quite the scythe wielder back in the day, among other things I will not disclose to you. Though, I will say, I could not see her combining a scythe into a gun quite like this little reaper has done with this scythe... she has quite an art with it.'
Connor then walked up and got a closer look at the blade. "This is by far one of the most badass things I've ever seen," he admitted while looking over to Ruby with a smile. "This scythe is a beauty."
The girl blushed brightly at her weapon being praised for her weapon, only to shake it off moments later as she asked; "So what do you guys got?"
Jaune was the first to answer of course, as he pulled out his sword, Crocea Mors. "Oh- uh, I got this sword."
"Oooooooooh!" Ruby said in amazement as she looked over the blade.
The blonde couldn't help but chuckle as he then pulled the sheath out and it proceeded to shift into a shield. "Yeah, I've got this shield too!"
"So what do they do?" Ruby asked, automatically thinking there is a gun setting on these weapons.
"Well," Connor said as he decided to go into a joking manner; "a sword doesn't have much to understand as it simply goes swish, swish, and the occasional stab. As for the shield... it's self-explanatory."
He was given a deadpanned expression in response before she turned and tapped the shield, which only proceeded to fold and unfold on itself, bouncing from between Jaune's hands before he eventually caught it. After he did that, he nervously responds. "Well... the shield... gets smaller... So... when I get tired of carrying it... I can put it away."
"But wouldn't it weigh the same?" Ruby asked, confused by the explanation, all the while Jaune proceeded to sag at the thought.
"Yes, it does."
"At least you gotta sheath to put the sword in though, right Jaune," Connor said as he patted the Arc in the back, who gave a small smile at the thought.
Ruby then lifted he scythe closer to her as she admired it. "Well, I'm kind of a dork when it comes to weapons. I guess I did go a little bit overboard when designing it."
"I think it's missing a laser sight," Connor admitted.
"Thank you!" Ruby said as she too wanted a laser sight, but both her sister and uncle told her it wasn't worth it.
"Wait," Jaune said as he processed what Ruby said, "you made that!?"
Ruby happily smiled as she answered, "Of course! All students at Signal forge your own weapons! Didn't you make yours?"
Jaune looked to his sword before admitting; "It's a hand-me-down. My great-great-grandfather used it to fight in the war."
"He's very proud of it," Connor added. He knew how much Jaune's family legacy meant to the blonde, something he could relate to, but for different reasons, being the only one in his family line left afterall.
"...sounds more like a family heirloom to me," Ruby admitted, but then added; "Well, I like it! Not many people have an appreciation for the classics these days."
"Yeah," Jaune said with a smile, "the classics."
It was then when Ruby turned to Connor in curiosity. "So what's your weapon?"
Connor was silent for a moment before he turned to Jaune. "As much as I'd like to show off-"
"You don't have to transform completely," Jaune told him with a wave from his hand, "just form claws or something, like those from that giant goose thingy."
"Said goose thingy could send any grown flying, but oh well, I guess I could show her," Connor said reluctantly as he flexed his right hand for a second, readying himself.
Ruby looked between them confused; "What does he mean by transform? And show me what?"
Connor couldn't help but grin, because despite his reluctance, he really did want to see her reaction to this. "I guess I can show you... something cool."
With that, three of Connor's fingers did something that took Ruby by surprise.
The change was quick, like a slight sting to Connor as they changed, yet he's done this so many times, it was practically non-existant. It happened so fast that Ruby had a hard time registering that the three middle fingers on Connor's right hand formed into giant, meter long, razor sharp claws that looked like they could slice through just about anything in their path. He then held up his other hand and proceeded to release five, large, catlike claws that were larger than any known cat Ruby has ever seen. Both sets looked deadly, but to the weapon enthusiast that she was, her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"This is awesome! You're like a walking weapon! Can you form other weapons!? Is it your semblance? Does it only happen to your hands?" Ruby bombarded, taking the shapeshifter by surprise, and causing him to sweat drop as he wasn't expecting such a reaction from the shorter teen.
All the while, Jaune couldn't help but grin as he commented to the girl. "That's nothing, he could turn into the full animal those claws come from itself if he wanted too. Oh, and that tooth on his necklace comes from something pretty special in particular."
"Please don't start, Jaune," Connor asked, "I don't need to cause a freak out because someone wants to see me transform. I'd rather not have the same reaction your sisters gave when I turned into the Rex in front of them for the first time."
He would never forget. Sure, he could take them, but Jaune's sisters are a force of nature no one in their right mind will want to tangle with... not even the King.
"The what?" Ruby asked, curious over the thing called a 'Rex'.
Connor looked to her, "I'll tell you later, maybe when we're not in an enclosed area."
The cloaked reaper nodded slowly before something that was on her mind came up as she looked to the two boys she was befriending. "So why'd you help me out back there? In the courtyard?"
The guys looked to each other and seemed to have a similar line of thinking as Jaune answered; "Eh, why not? My mom always says, 'Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.'"
Connor nodded in agreement. "Besides, it looked like you were having it rough and could a friend or two," the shapeshifter added, which caused Ruby to smile at the two of them. Yet, Connor couldn't help but frown because he realized something; "but that does lead me to ask, where was that girl I saw you with on the ship, the blonde who looked like she could play the badass biker chick in an action movie?"
Ruby frowned at the question as she crossed her arms. "She bailed on me with her friends... said that I needed to 'try and find some friends of my own'. I mean it's absolutely ridiculous!"
The silver-eyed girl then huffed before she noticed that her and the guys were the only ones standing in the area they were at. It made her confused about something as she proceeded to ask; "Do you guys know where we're even going?"
"Oh, I dunno," Jaune replied, just as confused. "I was following you."
Connor couldn't help but formed an amused grin. It would seem there would be another he would have to keep an eye on other than Jaune. "I saw some other students go this way. I think that's where we'll need to go, come on."
With that, the three made their way where the shapeshifter had seen the others go, but Connor couldn't help but smile. Not even the first day, and him and Jaune had successfully made a new friend.
Minutes later, and the trio were walking into Beacon's auditorium, which was filled with all the other first year students. Something to which Connor wasn't a fan of as he absolutely hated crowds. It wasn't due to people, he could tolerate that as long as it's not over an hour, but it was the noise. He had the hearing of some of the most lethal killers that have ever lived, but that also meant that he was susceptible to loud noises... which is exactly what a crowd brings.
Yet, despite the fact it was noisy, they could hear one voice over it all.
"Ruby!"
The trio turned and saw the blonde sister of Ruby, Yang if Connor could remember it correctly, waving towards the short girl that stood beside him and Jaune.
"Over here!" they could hear yang shout to Ruby, "I saved you a spot!"
"Oh!" Ruby said as she began to make her way over to the blonde but stopped when she turned back to the two boys. "Hey, I gotta go! I'll see you guys after the ceremony!
With that, Ruby was off to meet with her sister, and Jaune immediately sighed, while on the other hand Connor sighed. "Well, she seemed nice," the brown-haired teen couldn't help but comment as he turned to the blonde; "What do you think?"
"Yeah, she is," Jaune said before sighing again, "but where am I supposed to find another nice, quirky girl to talk to?"
The Chimera couldn't help but chuckle as he patted his best friend on the back as they went to find a spot. "One day at a time Jaune, one day at a time."
When they indeed found a spot, it turned out not to be too far from Ruby and Yang, something that Connor didn't mind as he liked the silver-eyed girl. She was good company, and according to Jaune 'quirky'.
Yet, Connor was too busy discussing with Jaune, preferably how his experience was going so far. "So how are you enjoying Beacon so far?"
Jaun gave the so-so motion with his hands before adding; "I guess it's going better than I thought."
"You need to set yourself higher than that, man. This is what you always wanted; you need to be in it to win it, Jaune."
"And you don't"
Connor smirked at the reply. "I definitely do, can't have you surpass me anytime soon, am I right? Besides, who can stop the dynamic duo of Connor and Jaune!"
"You mean Jaune and Connor," the knight asked with a grin.
Before they can begin the back-and-forth banter over who gets their name first, a voice shouted out of nowhere, surprising the two.
"You!"
"What the hell!?" both Jaune and Connor said at the same time, for some reason thinking the shout was directed to them, but they both stopped when they saw the scene before them. Poor Ruby, who was now in her sister's arms, holding for dear life; Yang, who had a confused look on her face as she held Ruby in bridal style... and some snow-white haired chick with a ponytail that went to the side, along with basically being dressed in an all-white combat dress (with a little red) with a rapier strapped to her hip and for some ungodly reason... like serious, Connor couldn't fathom trying to fight in those, as she was wearing high heels.
'How in the Nine Realms could someone fight in such ridiculous footwear,' Ghast asked from within Connor's head, who was thinking the same thing.
'You're asking the wrong person Ghast,' Connor admitted as he and Jaune continued to watch the scene unfold as this 'Ice Queen' proceeded to rant for a good five minutes over some stupid company policy, and while it went on, the young man started to realize who the hell was in front of them. It made his eyes narrowed, even though he knew she probably had nothing to do with it.
She was Weiss Schnee.
Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company.
And daughter to the Son of a Bitch who had hired over a dozen bounty hunters to try and capture him, and he would be the first to admit that it was no way he wanted to spend his sixteenth summer of living.
Yet, again, he had no ill-will to the bastard's daughter, so he will play nice... but he can't say the same for what's happening before him. As Yang actually is trying to get Ruby to befriend the dreaded Ice Queen. "Look," Yang started as Connor listened in from a distance, "uh... it sounds like you two got off on the wrong foot! Why don't you start over and try to be friends, okay?"
"This shall end well," Connor muttered to Jaune as the two just watched from a distance, knowing better than to get in the middle of this.
Ruby, though, seemed to agree with Yang as she smiled at her; "Yeah! Great idea, Sis!"
She then proceeded to stick her hand towards Weiss and introduce herself. "Hello, Weiss! I'm Ruby! Want to hang out? We can go shopping for school supplies!?
Weiss then answered quickly with clearly fake enthusiasm and... well to Connor she sounded quite like a bitch. "Yeah, and we can paint are nails, and try on clothes, and talk about cute boys like tall, blonde, and scraggly over there, or his muscled-up friend beside him," she said as she jerked her thumb towards Connor and Jaune, who both were looking at her in different forms of confusion.
"Hmm?" Jaune reacted as he heard that.
Connor on the other hand...
"What the hell? Why are we getting brought into this?" He then looked over to Jaune and saw he was staring directly at Weiss, which made him sigh as he shook his head. "Oh boy... here we go."
"Oh wow, really?" Ruby asked with a hopeful expression in her eyes.
One that was quickly killed by the dreaded Ice Queen. "NO."
"Damn," Connor muttered, "not even giving her a chance." As he said this, he noticed that Jaune was still giving Weiss the look, which he was about to put a stop to (he knew Jaune could do better than that, the snow-haired woman was just too bitchy for the blonde), but then the Headmaster of Beacon himself, Professor Ozpin, entered the auditorium and silently made it to the stage. Once there, he began to speak on the microphone.
"I'll... keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
After he finished, he took his leave, just as Professor Goodwitch, the one who spoke on the holograms earlier, walked to the mic before saying. " You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed."
After that, Connor was in thought. Did Ozpin really say he was wasted energy without direction? Oh, like hell he was! He knew where he was going, but it would be but a fool's errand to go now, so he's waiting to get there, even if he has to show the Headmaster that he was most definitely not wasted energy-
'You better stop Jaune before he makes a fool of himself,' Ghast said, interrupting his monologue, which caused Connor to turn and see him approach Weiss, the only thing he could do was turn just as Jaune spoke up to Weiss.
"I'm a natural blonde, you know," Jaune said as the three girls looked to him, all the while a loud smack was heard as Connor facepalmed.
This, plus something else he was just realizing, made him facepalm. Because A) Jaune literally just said that, and B) he had to sleep in a ballroom filled with other people, meaning two things... he had to keep a pair of shorts on, and he had to refrain from transforming, at least for as long as he was awake. He couldn't help but transform in his sleep after all.
'I guess... it could be worse,' Connor thought.
'Me and my big mouth,' Connor thought as he was currently in the bathroom, after just exiting the shower and was wearing a pair of black and red shorts, as well as the toothed necklace, and just now realizing the muscle shirt he was planning to wear was not with him.
'It would seem you left your shirt in your bag,' Ghast stated as Connor groaned, not wanting to risk going out there shirtless. Not because he was ashamed of his body, he was proud of the predatory built it had, along with what he had on his back, but no... he just wasn't wanting the awkwardness that was to happen the moment he left the bathroom.
Ghast on the other hand, was not as sympathetic. 'Might as well get it over with. So what that a bunch of females stair at you lustfully, you have more restraint than most teens, something I can say I'm proud of.'
Despite a small smile at being complimented by his mentor, Connor was a little apprehensive. "Yeah, a guy built with the body of a predator and the testosterone of a bull mammoth, and a tattoo to boot, about to be walking into a room that contains teenage hormonal girls who are getting a full view of him... what can go wrong?"
'Not much if you don't think about it,' Ghast told him, and that helped Connor make his decision.
"Fuck it," he said as he exited the bathroom and walked into the ballroom, to where he walked straight to his sleeping bag, but then he heard the whistle coming from the girl's side of the ballroom. He stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder to see a good portion of the girls looking at him, but he could only smile sheepishly. Were they looking at him, his muscles or the tattoo of a certain Tyrant Lizard King on his back?
He didn't know, and quite honestly, he didn't care as he turned back around and stalked towards his sleeping bag. This would be one of the times where Jaune asked him what he was embarrassed about, and to be truthful, he wasn't. He was indeed interested in females, he was an adolescent male after all, but past experience makes it kind of hard to trust one as anything more than a friend. He just wasn't ready to try again...
Still, he also wasn't one to allow other young men to try and glare at him. He would put them in their place easily, he probably didn't even have to transform for some of them, but they could hate how he looked all they wanted. He was a brute, and proud of it, plus he had the body of an immortal because he shared a soul with one, can you really blame a teen for that?
Anyway, when he got to his sleeping bag, he already saw Jaune already on his... in that god dam blue bunny onesie that has bunnies on the feet on it.
"We really need to get you something to sleep in other than that onesie, Jaune," he told his friend as he sat down and looked through his duffel bag for his muscle shirt.
As he found the shirt, Jaune gave him a reply that caused him to drop what he was doing. "What's wrong with it?" Jaune asked as he honestly felt comfortable in it, yeah it wasn't exactly for his age anymore,
"You know what," Connor said as he dropped his shirt over him, to disappointment to those on the other side of the ballroom, "we'll just talk about it in the morning. You already have it one, and if you're comfortable, then to each their own."
"Thank you," Jaune said with a grin as Connor flops back on his back.
Connor grins back before stating; "I guess we better get some sleep, Initiation is tomorrow, and last thing we need is for our dumbasses to sleep through it."
"I'm not that bad, Connor-"
"I was referring to me, Jaune," Connor assured him before he unleashed a massive yawn, one that made it sound like a large cat was in the ballroom, it even got a few of the Faunus first years to look around nervously. Still, Connor was too tired to care.
Jaune on the other hand, sweat-dropped, remembering that his friend does tend to sleep in on occasion and downright hates alarms. "Oh yeah, i forgot about that, but well, goodnight, Connor."
"Goodnight, buddy." Connor replied as he shut his eyes, but it didn't even seem like a minute when he heard the sounds of arguing coming from the girls' side of the room. He sat up, not happy that his attempt to sleep was interrupt as he looked over and gave a low, bear-like growl, something that seemed to stop the entire argument altogether and once the light went off, silence had taken over the ballroom
"Finally!" Connor said in a whisper as he then flopped back down and fell asleep, happy to have it in relative peace.
AN: Hello everyone, and guess what!? It's back!
I had found that my kindle seems to save some of the older stories I keep on download, and this was definitely the best one out of the bunch. So I took it, gave it a little update and BOOM!
Primal Remnant is back baby! And this time it's here to stay!
If you remember its predecessor, then there will be a few changes, but for the most part, Volume 1 will be the same, though the big fight creature I plan on using in chapter three may NOT be T-Rex like it was before... I'm still thinking it over (especially since I just watched Jurassic World Dominion)
Then there are those who haven't ready the one before this... this is Primal Remnant, a story about my OC, Connor O'Riley, the reincarnation of the Chimera known as Ghast and he will have the powers and abilities of both extinct and cryptid/mythical beasts. The last version of this story was an OC/Team RWBY pairing, but I'm stuck between that or going with just Weiss and Yang, but I'll let you guys decide that.
Anyway, next chapter is the beginning of the initiation and Connor will transform fully for the first-time next chapter, I kinda held back the first time because I really wanted him to wait to use his abilities until the Initiation. Also, I'm also going to try and incorporate his abilities into his human form's hand-to-hand combat in this story, which I hope will be pretty cool when the time comes, because I think he'd be pretty unpredictable if he uses it.
Well, that's all for now, so leave a review, favorite, and follow and I will see you next chapter (If you have questions, I will either PM or answer your review next chapter).
Peace out.