Volume One, Episode Two

The First Step

He was no longer human.

That was the first thing Connor noticed when he woke up that morning as his eyes fluttered open to see what he could only assume was a giant, catlike paw stretched out instead of his more human like features. He inwardly sighed as he rolled to a laying position, looking to see if anyone was awake, and fortunately, it appeared that no one was.

Connor looked to the sleeping bag itself as well, seeing as he nearly ripped it to shreds just by changing to what would appear to be a large white-tan lion with a smaller mane compared to those in the African savannahs on Earth (at least what Ghast tells him anyway), but he was nearly twice the size of what they could be. He also had a very thick coat, signaling that he was made for colder weather. Along with that, everything about him was made for colder climate, except for the black tuft of fur on his tail, but that was just fine.

He was now a Cave Lion, a scaled-up version of the big cats on Earth, and pretty much one of Connor's more common picks as it could take down bot Beowulf and smaller Ursai with relative ease if done right. It was also one of the few forms he would often wake up as when he sleeps.

He wasn't sure why he does it, but when he sleeps, he more often than not ends up turning into one thing or another in his sleep.

As much as he would want to ponder on why he does it, he better get to the restroom and get dressed before other students wake up and see a giant cat in the middle of the Auditorium.

With that in mind, he silently gets to his feet and moves for the duffel bag by his sleeping bag and takes it in his jaws before looking up and around him to see if he had stirred anyone. Fortunately, no one seemed to be getting up yet, so he slowly prowled through the auditorium, the duffel safely in his jaws as he creeped through the boy's side of the room...

Only for him to stop when a familiar scent hit his nose. He turned slowly to see that someone had indeed began to wake up, and it turned out to be someone he had history with.

Blake Belladonna.

She had been woken up by her ears, the cat ones hidden behind the bow, which began twitching. When she opened her eyes, she saw a shadow and when she looked up, she was frozen in fear. The eyes of a Cave Lion were literally on her after all, and she was totally vulnerable since her weapon was in her assigned locker.

The stare down lasted for a few seconds before the large predator turned his head and began to head to the restrooms once more, making Blake sigh in relief as she now leaned up where she was last night. She would only move once Connor, and she knew damn well who he was, entered the men's room before she would even get up to prepare herself.

With Connor, he slipped into the bathroom in a matter of moments before shifting back into his human form.

'Why and how in the hell is she here!?' he growled out as he looked at himself in the mirror, setting the duffel bag on the sink as he proceeded to open it.

Ghast answered him merely seconds later. 'I sense no ill intent in her, Connor. Besides, she was the one who freed you after all.'

"I know, I know, but how can you be so sure?" Connor asked out loud as he looked in the mirror and saw a golden eyed, wilder haired version of himself staring back at him.

"It is because I still retain my empathetic abilities... something you have yet to learn. You are just now starting magic training after all."

"I still don't feel comfortable knowing that she's out there, and what if she's a spy for the White Fang trying to infiltrate Beacon?" Connor asked, now concerned about the safety of the school.

Ghast sighed as he began to speak; "You are letting your emotions cloud your senses... again. When you go back out, see if you can sense any kind of ill intent she may have, and then choose what you'll do after."

Connor looked at his reflection for a moment before nodding. "Alright, alright... I'll calm down and sense for anything ill withing her, but what am I to do if there is?"

It was then when Ghast asked a question that made Connor ask himself. "What will you do if she has none?"

With that, the reflection faded back into himself, and Ghast went quiet. Connor could only inwardly converse with himself as he began to think over the words Ghast had said. "I guess... I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, like you said Ghast... she was the one who freed me."

With that, he proceeded to get dressed, throwing on everything but the jacket as that was within his locker, he didn't see the need to wear it when he prepared for bed last night, though he made sure to hide the necklace under his shirt as he didn't plan on drawing to much attention with is at the moment.

When he finished, he stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed and for the most part ready for the day that's ahead. First thing he did was extend his senses out, but imagine his surprise when he found that the same Faunus he stared down was no longer where he left her. He inwardly cursed as he realized that he may have to find her later and try to do as Ghast asked, but for now he needed to focus.

Initiation would more than likely be a whole day thing if Connor could guess, and truthfully, he was more concerned for Jaune than himself as he was aware of Jaune's... lack of sense of direction. His friend knew how to follow directions yes, but despite his best efforts to teach... the blonde wasn't the best at navigating through more wild terrain.

Speaking of Jaune, the blonde was still asleep, and Connor was gonna let him sleep a little longer. He himself had woken up earlier than need be, and he wasn't gonna give Jaune the same punishment. He walked over to where he had slept last night and placed his duffel bag right on the torn mat. Once he did that, he made his way for the exit of the building.

He didn't worry about his friend wondering where he was, he'd know... after all when he woke up early, he always went for a run... or flight.

As soon as he went outside, the brown-haired teen felt contempt as the morning breeze met his face, a welcomed feeling if the Chimera had a say in the matter. He then proceeded to look up and when he saw Beacon Tower, he formed a small grin. "Ghast always said that going to the highest point gives you the way of the land."

After he said that, Ghast spoke up from within his head. 'It is also from which you receive the best views.'

"You're not wrong about that," Connor said as his eyes changed from human to something more avian.

Without another word, he shifted rapidly into one of the many beasts in his arsenal. His arms turned into wings that were pretty much ten feet in length from tip-to-tip. He did shrink down a little to about three feet, three inches in height, but his body was compacted with both muscle and armed with three-inch talons on his now birdlike feet and a large, hooked beak where his face used to be. As for coloring, his eyes remained sapphire, but clearly no longer human, and his feathers are varied with brown on the back of his body and top of his wings, with a light gray covering his underbelly. The outer feathers of his wings were a reddish brown, with the tips being a jet black, and lastly was the crest, which was mainly gray, with the tip also being reddish brown in color.

He was now the Haast's Eagle, one of the largest eagles to have ever lived and one of Connor's main flying forms, preferable one in which he uses for short distances. He had others specialized in longer flights.

Just as his transformation was complete, he jumped into the air and was off like a blur, immediately rising above the auditorium and was gliding over most of the Academy's buildings, slowly making his ascent towards Beacon Tower. He looked to the sky as he rose up, seeing the sun still coming up from the sky, he had some time to kill and quite frankly, watching the sun appear was one of the best ways to start the day in his opinion.

When he reached the top, he flew a little higher form a moment before he looked it over, seeing what was within it, which included an office of some kind. He shrugged it off as he began to make his descent towards the tower, and in a matter of moments, he landed on the railing that was around the tower's balcony and looked out towards the view he now saw before him. He could see the remaining of the academy, along with what was beyond the academy, a wild setting of the Emerald Forest, a place he's been to a few times over the years. It was a rugged mountainous area, filled with meadows and valleys along with multiple ruins of former settlements that became victimized by the Grimm... by her.

Shaking his thoughts away from the witch, he turned his head the other way and saw the City of Vale, along with the ocean that was not too far from the tower either. It made Connor smile, well the closest he could as a bird anyway. He hardly gets to practice with his larger aquatic forms and being this close to the northern waters could provide with a perfect opportunity.

Only later though, as for right now... he was simply going to enjoy this view that was before him. That was when a light morning breeze brushed through his feathery face, making him sigh eternally. This was something he could get used to in all honesty, especially when it came to the view before him.

It was about this time that a certain Headmaster had decided to walk out onto the balcony.

Ozpin had come out, coffee mug in hand, to appreciate the view that was to start the new year off right, but he was pleasantly surprised to spot a very large eagle sitting on the rails taking in the view himself. He wasn't all to surprised about seeing the eagle though, nor did he wonder where it came from as he had his eye on this potential student for a while now. Hard to ignore reports about creatures that now one has seen before... and all of them having sapphire eyes.

Plus, he did know the boy's parents after all.

"It is quite a view, isn't it," Ozpin said as he walked up to stand right behind the railing, just in arm distance of the eagle, who only gave him a side glance. Sure, Connor was surprised he spoke to him, but it was nothing too big for him.

He remained quiet for a moment before the Headmaster spoke again. "I am already aware it is you, Mr. O'Riley, we do have security cameras all around the school grounds after all."

The eagle gave him another look, and then in a moment, he shifted back into Connor, who was now just leaning on the rails, enjoying the view.

"I wasn't exactly hiding them, sir," he said respectfully as he looked out to the view before him.

"I'm well aware," Ozpin replied before adding; "From what I have heard from one Jonathan Arc, you are... rather open about your abilities."

Connor simply shrugged, even though he wasn't expecting having a word with the Headmaster of all people, or even the fact that Jaune's old man talks about him with other people. "I don't see why I have to hide them, Professor, they are a part of me. If people fear me for it, then that's their deal... and if they want to try and weaponize me, and Oum knows there have been some who've tried, then I just say bring it on."

He remembered when Ghast explained to him why her and her 'children' had attacked him home and slaughtered all in their way. It made him sick to his stomach that it had to do with him, and he had revenge on his mind for sure. Yet, he also had time to think things through instead of rush it, mainly thanks to Ghast, and he was willing to wait for it.

Despite his power, without the magical potential he had, he would simply be going on a suicide mission. At least if he went now.

Hearing this, Ozpin couldn't help but muse out loud. "If that is so, then tell me... why would you have to forge your transcripts to gain entry?"

Connor's eyes widened in shock on being already found out so early on. Hell, the Initiation hadn't even started yet!

'I told you, you two would be found out," Ghast scorned his vessel.

The young Chimera, though, was more worried about Jaune above anything else. "I will take the punishment if you can please keep Jaune in. He's been waiting for this day since before I've even met him, and to just throw him out... I think that would just crush him."

He honestly would rather be thrown out by himself than his best buddy to be thrown out with him. It was Jaune's dream after all.

But... he was surprised when the Headmaster shook his head.

"I don't plan to do such a thing," he told the teen before grinning. "If I was, I wouldn't have+ accepted your transcripts to begin with. I am aware as to why Mister Arc did what he did, he had no prior combat training compared to the other students. What I am interested in, however, is you."

"Me?" Connor asked in confusion.

"Indeed, for you see I have eyes and ears, and a lot of them have brought back reports of where large hordes of Grimm are wiped out by something that no one can seem to identify. Only thing they have going is that from what is seen they all have...sapphire eyes. Sounds familiar? And I would also like to bring up that over the past two years, many White Fang encampments around Vale have been destroyed, reports normally describe that it came from something large, and the tracks never add up to a Grimm. I could only guess who was capable of such feats, don't you Mr. O'Riley?"

Connor was silent for a moment before he looked Ozpin in the eyes. "Why I attack Grimm is two reasons, the first one is personal, and the second is if I see something sideways and I can stop a settlement from being destroyed by mindless killing machines, then I'm going to get involved. The White Fang on the other hand... that's personal."

He would do anything to prevent what happened to his home happen to happen to anywhere else. He knew that no matter how many he killed, she'd make fifty times more, but he knew that he would fight until he could no longer stand, or better yet breath. That's how much his mission meant to him, and how much wanting to rid Remnant of the witch drove him, but he knew he needed to start somewhere.

"Then may I ask why you forged your transcripts if you are so capable... especially for an O'Riley of all people?"

The last part made Connor freeze as he knew that it would be brought up eventually. His father was a legend after all... and he was a splitting image of him to be perfectly fair. Yet, it still hurt thinking of him, or his mother for that matter. He wasn't sure what they would think of him if they saw him now, but the unfortunate truth is this... they were gone, and he was partially to blame.

"I don't know why I did it," Connor spoke up after a second, "I just... never saw myself coming to an Academy to begin with and when Jaune gave this idea, I just went for it."

Ozpin looked the teen over for a moment before he took a sip of his coffee, he then turned and began to head back indoors. "If that is the case, then you will have plenty of time to figure out exactly why you came here. Right now, though, I suggest you prepare yourself, the initiation in only a few hours away, and something tells me that this year will most certainly be interesting, don't you think?"

Before he made it inside, though, Ozpin heard Connor ask one thing that made him surprised. "Why do you want me here, Professor, and I doubt it's just because of who I am and who my parents were, so why?"

In response, Ozpin looked over his shoulder and answered cryptically; "isn't it obvious?"

Connor couldn't get anything else out before Ozpin went back into his office, which caused the Chimera to sigh. 'Do you trust him? I took the time to expand my empathetic powers, and quite frankly it seems all over the place with him.'

'That it is indeed,' Ghast confirmed, 'but for a being of my power, it's not impossible to break through, you will get it someday, but I can tell that he is no normal man. His presence feels off.'

'An immortal?'

'Not exactly, but what I do know is he is not an enemy. So don't worry of him for now. Right now, we must find the blonde and prepare, for what I remember you and Jaune reading into, you do get to find out who you're stuck with for the next four years today.'

"Yeah, and lord help me," Connor said as he shifted back into his Haast's Eagle form and took off, heading back towards the auditorium and hoping that Jaune was awake. He would also like to have some breakfast, but he also knew Jaune wouldn't forgive him if he ate without him.

"This is ridiculous!" Jaune exclaimed as he and Connor were walking through the halls, having just passed Ruby and Yang (with the former actually saying 'ridiculous' at the same time the blonde knight did). They had just finished up breakfast, to which all had to bear witness to the monstrous appetite of the reincarnated Chimera. It was a rather massive plate after all, and to be fair Jaune still doesn't understand how Connor can maintain his musculature with what he eats.

Right now, though, they were heading for the blonde knight's locker, with Connor helping him make sure he had everything.

"There was no way I put my gear in locker 636 yesterday!? I would've remembered having to count that high!" Jaune said as he stared at the paper that said where his stuff was.

Connor just looked on amused before he motioned his friend to the row of lockers ahead of them. "You didn't remember?" he asked as they walked past another pair of girls, one of them being the Schnee they saw yesterday; "I did, and lucky for us, it's just up ahead so don't worry."

Just like the Chimera said, they were on the blonde's locker in a matter of moments, and as soon as they arrived, Connor seemed to notice something. "Say, Jaune? If you said you left your gear in your locker... then how come you have your sword already on you?"

And it didn't take him long to get his answer as he then saw Jaune looking off into the direction in which they came, and as soon as he turned to look, he couldn't help but frown. Of course, he would want to come to a spot just to look at a girl... to bad it's one who wasn't interested in his friend. He knew why she had Jaune's attention, her clearly sarcastic comments went right over poor Jaune's head, and now she was going to suffer the consequences.

He needed to help snap the young knight out of it.

"I wouldn't try that buddy, she doesn't seem like your type," he told Jaune, but it practically went through deaf ears because the blonde kept looking over towards the snow-white haired girl. Connor sighed as he then opened his own locker to pull out one of the few items he had placed in there the night before, a pack of bubblegum.

He quickly tossed a piece in his mouth before he continued; "Besides, if you ask me, I think you'd have better luck with the redhead. She seems-"

It was then when Connor stopped talking as he turned and noticed his friend was no longer standing beside him, which made him do a doubletake.

'How is it that I have enhanced senses of some of the natural world's most lethal killers, and I can't even notice when he walks off?' Connor asked himself as he looked towards where Jaune had went off to, which was towards where Weiss and the redhead were currently standing, and for some reason the Ice Queen had a conniving look on her face.

'She looks to be in pain,' Ghast spoke up, to which Connor snorted in amusement as his best buddy made himself known to the two girls.

"You know what else is great? Me, Jaune Arc. Nice to meet you."

The blonde's introduction was better than what he usually did, Connor would give him credit for that, even though Ghast still thought the blonde was making himself look ridiculous... again. To be fair, it wasn't as ridiculous as the times he tried this before Beacon.

For now, though, he was just gonna sit back and enjoy the fireworks. He wasn't going to stop his friend from at least attempting to flirt. Who knows, he may actually hook one.

'As unlikely as that would be,' Ghast spoke up.

Connor shook his head in amusement, but he didn't reply as he watched and listened on.

"You again?" Weiss said coldly as she crossed her arms.

The redhead then walked up beside the snow-haired Ice Queen and waved politely before saying; "Nice to meet you, Jaune!"

'She seems nice,' Connor thought to himself as he watched on.

Ghast seemed to agree; 'Indeed, but watch, he will most likely not notice her advances.'

And, as per usual, the old immortal was right. Right after the redhead gave greeting, Jaune, rudely if you ask Connor, moved her out of the way so he could speak to Weiss. "Yeah, yeah. So, Weiss! Couldn't help but overhear your fondness of me the other day."

"Oh dear Oum," Connor voiced out loud, but only to where he himself could hear it. He wasn't going to wreck Jaune's style, even if he thinks Jaune would have better luck with the redhead because quite frankly... she seemed more interested in Jaune, and he was sure Weiss was more interested in him than Jaune. Not that he was looking for anything, it's just what it sounded like.

Weiss seemed to be thinking the exact same thing to an extent when it came to yesterday as she held a hand up against her forehead and looked down. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

Yet, still oblivious to the sarcasm of yesterday as he continued on with his 'smooth talking'. "Don't worry, no need to be embarrassed! So, been hearin' rumors about teams! I was thinking you and me would make a great one. What do you say?"

"Actually, I think the teams are comprised of four students each," the redhead spoke up, "So-"

"You don't say," Jaune said, interrupting her again as he actually looked to her this time and hopped next to her a second later. "Well, hot-stuff, play your cards right and maybe you could join up on the winning team."

He then gestured towards himself and Connor, who finally noticed and casually waved at the two girls. He honestly was surprised that Jaune was using him to help boost his chances, but yet again... it's only a matter of time before this backfired.

That caused him to let out a chuckle as he watched on. Witnessing his friend trying to pull in two attractive young women into the 'dream team' was quite amusing to watch. Yet, to be honest, he was surprised it hasn't failed yet.

As he watched on, Ruby and her sister Yang walked over to where he was before they saw what was going on before him. Yang was quick to put two and two together and smirked as she looked on before asking, not even looking up at Connor just yet; "How's he doing?"

After glancing down at them for a second, Connor shrugged before admitting; "Quite honestly, this is one of his 'better' attempts. Absolutely nothing compared to when he first tried to flirt at the arcade. Oum that was just terrible."

The amusement in his tone made both girls curious, with Ruby looking up and asking; "What did he do?"

A smirk appeared on the brown-haired teen's face as he answered them, all the while fondly remembering his buddy's original failures. "He was going around using the same pick-up line, the one he said yesterday," he said as he glanced to Ruby, who nodded in remembrance before he continued, "and anyway he almost got ripped to shreds by a lot of pissed off girls before I had to go save him by giving them 'the look' that gained their attention long enough for him to escape."

"The look," Yang asked, intrigued.

Connor sighed inwardly before replying; "I don't know if your sister told you, but I have minor shapeshifting abilities, and I can alter my look to something very... adorable." He then decided to not go further into detail by instead offering a piece of gum to the sisters.

Meanwhile, back with our blonde knight, Weiss finally got in between Jaune and the redhead before glancing up at the blonde. "Jaune, is it? Do you have any idea who you are talking to?"

"Not in the slightest, Snow Angel," Jaune replied, with Connor making a rather loud smack via a facepalm.

At that answer, Weiss proceeded to gesture towards the redhead behind her as she herself faced Jaune; "This is Pyrrha."

"Hello again!"

"Pyrrha graduated top of her class at Sanctum," Weiss added, which both Jaune confused, and Connor raising an eyebrow, intrigued by the redhead.

Jaune then gave a blank stare and stated, "Never heard of it."

That only made the ice-haired Ice Queen scoff; "Ah! She's won the Mistral Regional Tournament four years in a row... a new record!"

"The what?"

That seemed to push Weiss over the edge as she then proceeded to wave her arms wildly like a small child while exclaiming; "She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box!"

Jaune then gasped in surprise and shock as he looked to Pyrrha with excitement. "That's you!? They only do that for star athletes and cartoon characters!"

Pyrrha then smiled at Jaune; "Yeah, it was pretty cool. Sadly, the cereal isn't very good for you."

It was then when it clicked to Connor what cereal they were referring to and he couldn't help but be a little depressed. "Well damn... I used to eat like three boxes of that stuff for breakfast every morning when I was fifteen."

"I still have a bit of addiction," Ruby admitted, seeing as she had a thing for sugar, but it wasn't as bad as her addiction to cookies and strawberries.

Yang though, couldn't help but look to Connor and say in amusement; "Doesn't surprise me about sis, but not for you either. We saw how much you ate this morning, how are you so fit after all of that?"

Connor then actually fully faced her for the first time, and when their eyes met, Yang seemed to freeze where she stood, as if under some kind of spell. All the while the Chimera said good naturedly; "Well excuse me for having a higher metabolism than most, you know?"

It was then when he noticed she seemed to have frozen, only seeming to stare at him while a blush overtook her, all while unsure as to what she should say to him. It made Connor raise an eyebrow and look to Ruby. "Is she always like this?"

Ruby, who seemed surprised by her sister's action, shook her head slowly, as if unsure what was happening herself. "Uh, no... she usually flirts and jokes with guys she just meets, but this... this is new, and a little concerning."

"Did I break her?" Connor whispered after a second as he glanced to the red hooded girl, and after a second, they both shrugged, deciding to slowly turn and keep on watching the proceedings.

Back with our other three, after explaining Pyrrha's accomplishments to Jaune, Weiss then proceeded to ask; "So, after hearing all of this, do you really think you're in a position to ask her to be on your team?"

Jaune then hanged his head a bit, before sadly replying; "I guess not... Sorry..."

Pyrrha, though, then walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder before telling him: "Actually, Jaune, I think you'd make a great leader!"

"D'oh, stop it!" Jaune said, immediately brightening back up from the compliment. All the while Connor couldn't help but grin at the two's interaction...

Only for Weiss to speak up again.

"Seriously, please stop it," she told the redheaded champion; "This kind of behaviors should not be encouraged!"

'She really does have that proverbial stick up her ass, now does she?' Ghast asked, which almost made Connor laugh outloud, but he kept it in before anyone notice.

He replied with; 'You could definitely say that again.'

Jaune then slid beside Weiss before saying in a confident manner; "Sounds like Pyrrha's on board for Team Jaune. Only one spot left! Now, I'm not supposed to do this, but maybe I can pull some strings with my muscle, find a place for you/ What do you say?"

At first, Weiss was a little confused before she realized that the third person who Jaune is referring to as 'the muscle' was the brown-haired teen that was hanging out with the blonde last night. The same guy who was watching by the lockers beside those two annoying girls she met yesterday, and from the looks of things... was he amused by all of this!?

Sure, he was attractive, but she had priorities, ones that would help her shoot to the top of Beacon, and one of those was getting the best team possible. The blonde dolt that was getting too close to her was not one she would see as such an option. "All right, that's a bit too close," Weiss said before turning to Pyrrha and saying, "Pyrrha, a little help, please?!"

It was then when Jaune looked to see Pyrrha take out her weapon, which made the blonde's eyes widen as he quickly got off Weiss and shook his hands. He wasn't scared of getting hit, no this wouldn't be as bad as some of the other rejections he's gotten. No, it had to do with the now not too pleased Chimera that was beginning to make his way towards them.

Just as the spear left Pyrrha's hand, it was snatched in mid-air by something that surprised everyone but Jaune... a tentacle. Which made him sweat drop as he knew that Connor was rather protective of the few people he had in his life, which included him.

And having someone throw a spear at him was not the right way to go with that.

"You know, I am pretty sure that 'a little help' doesn't mean throwing a fucking spear at someone, now do you?" Connor asked, his eyes now a little feral, but he spoke in a calm manner. From watching the whole conversation just then, it was clear to him that the redhead was a little... naive. He knew that jumping straight into a beast and attacking someone would be a bit overboard, especially on the first day, so for now... he was going to be a bit 'diplomatic'.

"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha said, now realizing the error of aiming a sharp object at someone, even with her superb control and semblance.

Connor looked down at her one more time and simply said in a gentler tone; "Don't try that again, got it?"

As he said this, he brought the tentacle back and dropped the spear in the girl's hand before looking towards Weiss before slowly walking towards and then around her, like a predator stalking his prey. All the while a sickle-shaped claw formed at his pointer finger as he stopped in front of her, his eyes now as neutral as it could get. "Next time someone gets one your nerves, take care of it yourself. I know he can be an idiot, but that idiot is my best friend. So, if he gets too close to your liking, you either take care of it yourself or inform me, but if you have someone take care of it, and more specifically like how she almost did it... well I may have to take a few strands off from the top, you get me, Snowflake?"

That caused the snow-haired heiress to glare at him. She did NOT ask Pyrrha to throw her weapon at Jaune, not that she was against it, but she didn't ask her too! Yet the numbskull seemed to have a problem with her about it all. Not only that, but he was also telling her to take care of her own problem or else he was to, if she could interpret it right, cut off some of her hair! Oh, he didn't know what he was in for, now was he?

Before she could tell him off though, Professor Goodwitch's voice was then heard over the intercom.

'Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediatley.'

With that, Weiss then gave Connor one last glare before storming past him and Jaune. Pyrrha followed close behind, all the while eying Connor cautiously before looking to Jaune; "It was nice meeting you!"

"Likewise," Jaune said as he then looked to Connor before leaning up against a locker.

Ghast decided to speak for a moment as he was actually impressed; 'I believed you have handled that well.'

'Thanks, Ghast, but right now, I need to square Jaune up,' the teen replied before taking a deep breath.

Connor looked to him before saying; "What did I tell you about a woman's personal space?"

"I thought she was into me, you heard what she said yesterday," Jaune defended, which caused Connor to sigh.

After a moment, he decided to not tell the blonde that she was sarcastic about that, but instead walk up and pat the shorter teen on the shoulder. "Well then, at least you were doing better, though I recommend a change of targets and go for the redhead if you ask me."

"Why?"

He sighed again as he turned and Jaune got off from the locker; "I'll tell you when you're older," he told Jaune, grinning as he said that.

"That's not fair," Jaune wined as they walked on, with Ruby and Yang, who had just got over her little moment earlier, decided to join them.

Yang then looked to her fellow blonde and said, "Having some trouble there, lady-killer?" she asked good-naturedly.

Jaune sighed; "I don't understand. My dad said all women look for is confidence! Where did I go wrong?"

"Not all women look at just confidence, Jaune. Your dad is a bit of an airhead," Connor told him as he patted the blonde on the back.

Ruby then added on; "And Weiss may not have been the best choice."

"And 'Snow Angel' probably wasn't the best start," Yang finished as the four of them made their way down the hall to the exit, and to where the cliff side and their initiation would commence.

Connor couldn't help but roll his shoulder in anticipation as he and the rest of the first years were lined up side-to-side. They were all also facing the cliffside for some reason, with Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch standing before them, with the latter on a tablet and the former... still with his cup of coffee.

What was beyond the cliffside though was the expanse known as the Emerald Forest. It was a place he has been to numerous times, and he knew the type of Grimm that dwelled in it, and to be honest, he couldn't think he could be more ready. Still... one could always expect the unexpected to happen, and he was prepared for that.

It was then Ozpin spoke up, getting his attention as he focused on the Headmaster. "For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."

Hearing that made him refocus ion the forest ahead, and like what's been said, he's done these woods, as well as several others around Vale, numerous times. Along with that, he has a lot of experience over the past ten years with mastering forms and learning the ways of tooth and claw. Plus, with Ghast's vast knowledge, he was already a capable warrior.

He wouldn't go as far and say he was invincible, nobody was, but he'd like to think he'd give a more seasoned opponent a run for their money.

"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," Goodwitch said before her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Each of you will be given teammates... today."

As that was said, Connor could've sworn he heard someone whining in despair. He wasn't sure who, but whoever it was needed to suck it up. He knew he would have to.

"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 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 four years."

It was then when Connor thought he heard glass shattering, and in turn caused him to look around for a second.

"What!?"

That made him wince as that shout clearly came from Ruby. He wasn't entirely sure how that'll work for her. She seemed more in tune with weapons than she was with people, not that he could blame her... humans, and Faunus, were complicated.

"After you've partnered up," Ozpin then spoke up, re-taking the reins, "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."

'So those second years you met last week were being honest,' Ghast mused as the other students were absorbing what was said.

Connor cracked a grin; 'Figured it would help with the situation, Jaune wasn't sure what he was getting himself into, and I honestly was curious to know what it was like to be here. Besides, they were cool, other than that one chick judging my choice in necklaces.'

He would've added on, but Connor then noticed Jaune chuckling nervously, which made him nudge the blonde gently. "You'll do fine Jaune," he told the blonde knight.

"You really think that?" Jaune asked as he turned to the Chimera... who gave him a toothy smirk.

"You Oumdamn right I do," was the response Connor gave his best friend, who smiled back at him before they both turned back to face what's ahead, just as everyone else absorbed what was said.

Ozpin, seeing everyone was finished absorbing everything, continued. "You will be monitored and graded through 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 you're standing. and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

Jaune was the only one who dared raise his hand; "Yeah, um, sir?"

"Good!" Ozpin said, ignoring Jaune's attempt to ask a question before adding; "Now, take your positions."

That was when Connor realized something was up when he looked down the row and see that everyone struck some sort of pose. Well... all except him and Jaune, who only continued to raise his hand. It was then, though, that the first student was then launched, and that made Connor's eyes widened. 'They didn't say anything about getting launched!' he thought to himself in concern.

'You say that like you have never been sent flying before,' Ghast replied rhetorically. The old Chimera wasn't wrong, but the brown-haired teen was still taken by surprise that the Academy was allowed to send students sailing.

And Jaune was not even paying attention.

No, he was simply raising his hand still as he asked Ozpin; "Uh, sir? I've got, um... a question." Jaune asked, just as Weiss was sent flying, and from what could be told by our Chimera... it was going down the row.

"Jaune..." Connor spoke up, trying to tell his friend what was about to happen.

Only to be ignored as the blonde asked the Headmaster; "So, this landing... strategy thing... Uh, wha-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?"

"Uh, Jaune," Connor tried again as a few more students were launched in succession.

Ozpin's reply to the young Arc was short; "No. You will be falling."

'How in Oum's red Remnant is he not seeing this!?' Connor asked mentally as he witnessed even more students such as Pyrrha and Blake get sent flying into the air.

Ghast, though, spoke up. 'I think it is clear that Jaune will not listen, you might need to learn your own 'landing strategy'.'

Reluctantly, Connor agreed, seeing as this is one of those times where Jaune has to learn on his own, just as two large, eagle-like wings began to form out of his shoulder region, and showing that the wingspan was way longer than that of a Haast's Eagle approximately about twenty-five feet in length and were a black and gold in coloring. It surprised all that remained and quite frankly, it intrigued the Headmaster, who was still listening to Jaune.

Speaking of the blonde, who was still oblivious to what was coming his way; "Oh, uh, I see... So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"

Ozpin gave out yet another simple reply; "No. You will be using your own landing strategy."

"Uh-huh... Yeah."

Connor sighed as he then looked back over to the others just as it was Yang's turn to be launched. The blonde bombshell proceeded to place her aviators on her head after winking at her sister, but for a split second before she was launched, he was pretty sure she spared him a glance as she looked him over along with his monstrous wings before she was sent flying. A profound 'Woo-hoooooo!' was heard as she was off as well, and Connor couldn't help but chuckle slightly at that.

Then it was Ruby turn, and she could only turn and smirk at Jaune in amusement. The poor blonde was still talking to the professor as she then smirked at Connor, who grinned at her while giving a simple nod before the red-cloaked huntress-in-training was sent flying herself.

That meant it was Jaune's turn to fly, and...

"So, what exactly is a landing strategYYY!..." was Jaune's last question before he was unceremoniously sent flying with the other students with no sign of technique other than flaying his arms into the air.

Connor could help but facepalm for a split second as he shook his head. "He was kinda asking for that," he muttered as he tucked his giant wings in, just as it was his time to launch.

As he was being launched, though, he finished changing up his form. Along with the wings, he grew until he was about the size of an Ice Bear but looked to be the cross of a lion and a golden eagle. His body and back legs changed to that of a lion, with the golden colored fur that comes with it, along with the lion-like tail with the black tuft at the end. Though, his forelegs changed into more of eagle-like legs, with golden skin and a collection of fierce talons that could easily pierce a man's skull. A black furred, golden feathered main the proceeded to grow around his neck and down to at least where his wings sprouted out and down to where his forelegs showed the golden skin, being rather long and shaggy and showing that this beast had more of a royal look to him.

Then lastly was the eagle-like head that had both the black and gold feathers that were there for insulation, but he also had a beak that was as curved as a Haast's Eagle's. Though, one thing about it that was not eagle were the wolf-like ears that sprouted out, but that was the only odd feature out.

Connor was now a Griffin, a mighty beast of the land and sky, and quite frankly, one of Connor's more dangerous aerial beasts, at least the most dangerous one he has access to at the moment as well.

Once he finished transforming, he easily gained altitude as he unleashed a loud shriek that went through the sky, and probably let the entire area know he was here.

He continued gaining altitude for a matter of moments, trying to locate the ruins before he went off to find Jaune, but there was something else that got his attention as his ears picked up an excited shout as well as loud explosive noises down below him. The Chimera looked down and couldn't help but notice a blur of gold that was leading a trail of explosions. He knew clearly who that was.

'She's nuts,' Connor thought with an amused glance down as he began to glide.

It was then when Ghast spoke up with; 'Then you two shall get along quite nicely then.'

The Griffin let out a chuckle as he continued to look around before he saw where the ruins were at, making him smirk as well as he could with a beak. Sure, he could simply fly down there and wait for someone to show up, but that was no fun. Besides, he needed to find Jaune, and he fortunately saw where he ended up landing at so he the proximate area at the least.

He then began to lower altitude until he caught a glimpse of something else... a Nevermore. It wasn't a giant one by no means, but it was a decent size one, and he knew that the Griffin could take it down, especially with the element of surprise that he currently has.

So, without further thought, Connor tucked his wings in and dived towards the large Grimm. It only took a matter of moments before he slammed into the raven-like Grimm, that only screeched in surprise before it's back was destroyed by the mere impact of the blow. The force also sent the two diving towards the forest as the Grimm then turned to where it's back faced the forest and tried to attack the Chimera, only for the Griffin to duck under and swipe it in the face, which left large claw marks on the bird-like Grimm.

The Nevermore then tried to peck at its attacker one more time, but instead of claws, it was surprised by a horn that impaled through one of its eyes and out through the other, killing it. The attack came from a different beast, in which caused the carcass of the Grimm to increase its fall.

The new beast resembled a rhino in both size and features, but it was also a woolly beast with long, brown, shaggy fur along with a frontward facing front horn that was probably around five feet in length along with a smaller horn behind it that was about two and a half feet long.

It was quite a sight if you think about it, a Woolly Rhino riding a dead Grimm as they plummet through the treetops into the forest floor. When it crashed to the ground, Connor couldn't help but feel some pain shoot through a couple of his ribs along with one of his forelegs as the Nevermore and him made a trench as it crashed into the ground.

Seconds later, the Rhino limped off of the dead Grimm while it started decaying and proceeded to turn back to his human state... which turned out to be a bad idea.

"Ow!" Connor growled out as he stumbled by a nearby tree and leaned against it with his good hand while he used his bad arm to hold his ribs as he kept himself standing. "Why did I forget to activate my aura?"

'Connor, we have discussed this,' Ghast had spoken up in a stern tone, even if it also appeared to have hints of concern to it, 'you shouldn't rely on your healing factor so much. It's there for worst case scenarios, not for things that you can avoid when you use your aura.'

Connor painfully nodded as he slid down the base of the tree and sat down. "Yeah... yeah, you're right. I guess... dammit... I guess I got caught up in the moment."

If he was younger, he would probably question Ghast, but now, he knew that there was a reason that the old immortal said these things. He's millions of years old and knew a lot, even though Remnant was a new world for him, he seemed to understand a lot quickly. It was wise to listen when he spoke, as well as the fact he could tell the meaning of it now, as he got older, it seemed as though the connection has gotten stronger. Ghast never answered when he asked, but he didn't seem all too concerned about it.

He waited five minutes, though it would've taken thirty if he didn't activate his aura. He sighed as he got up to his feet. His wrist was all good, and his ribs weren't too bad. That was good, it meant he could transform without hurting himself. He then looked to where the Grimm, which was now pretty much gone, had laid and muttered to himself; "Note to self, NEVER try to anchor a Nevermore down with a three-ton rhino ever again."

The teen then turned to leave, but then he heard a roar coming from the direction to his right and looked that way. It was followed by yelping, and that made Connor draw a small grin on his face.

"Beowolf pack," he said before shifting back into the Woolly Rhino and proceeded to gallop that direction. If there was a pack, then that meant there were students fighting that pack, and quite frankly, he was in the mood for some action.

Still, those fellow students are in for a rather beastly surprise.

AN: Sorry for the wait folks, the past month has been hectic, I'll tell you what. Though this last week has been a blessing, but I'll keep that to myself for now, but I bet you guys can guess if you want.

Anyway, Connor's Initiation has a few differences than what I previously did, but it's also been lengthened, and I think more detailed. I'm not sure, but I know it looks good to me. Also, yeah, I decided on the pairing situation... It's gonna be Connor x Weiss x Yang x ? (maybe).

Blake will be with Sun in this rewrite, and Ruby... I decided she's gonna be like a little sister to Connor more than anything else. I have an idea for the last girl Connor can win over, but at the end of the day, I may just keep it just Weiss and Yang.

What do you all think?

I'd like to hear your suggestions. Anyway, don't forget to like and leave a review... peace out.