Chapter 10: Speeches and Forests

The Auditorium was absolutely full of people, and up on the stage three people stood, Professor Ozpin, Glynda Goodwitch and one blue themed individual that most of the students knew nothing about, but was a familiar face to Ruby, Maple and Yang, though the old leaf emblem was replaced by the top down depiction of a rose with four arrows pointing outward.

"She's really leaning into her worship of Maple hard huh?" Ruby thought to herself, though she wasn't surprised by this considering how devout Sapphire was to Maple in their last meeting. Looking to her left Ruby could easily tell from Maple's panicked expression and breathing that this was not a good turn of events.

"Damn it, no! I don't want to be worshiped by my fellow students too, please don't spread your cult here, I just want one place where I don't have to worry about another cult trying to hurt my friends and use me to start the apocalypse! Is that too much to ask?" Maple mentally pleaded, panicking as mental images of a hoard of students sacrificing Ruby, Blake and Yang started to flood her mind, suddenly Maple felt a hand on her shoulder and the warmth of ruby's face behind her ear.

"Listen, everything's going to be okay, we set her straight last time we met her, remember? She's not going to do any of that cult stuff, and if she does she's going to listen to you without question if you say 'no' to her okay? You're safe here, the staff and other students wouldn't let her hurt anyone." Ruby whispered reassuringly into Maple's ear, Ruby's calm voice helping to calm Maple somewhat. After a minute Maple took a deep breath and nodded, leaning into Ruby and receiving a comforting hug from the red cloaked girl.

Ozpin stepped up to the mic and began his speech.

"I'll keep this brief. You have traveled here in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills. When you have finished you plan to dedicate your lives 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 alone can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."

The crowd was left in silence as Ozpin walked away, not really sure what to take away from that. Glynda Goodwitch walked up to the mic.

"You will all gather in the ballroom tonight, Sapphire here will lead you there. If you need any supplies you can buy from her or the school shop. Tomorrow your initiation begins, be ready and be sure to get some good rest. You'll need it." The deputy headmaster announced, Sapphire stepped forward.

"Everybody follow me!" Sapphire called, holding two bright blue flags and marching out the door.

Later that night Blake awoke to the sound of someone crying, along with some mumbling that she wasn't awake enough to make out just yet, concerned she got up and looked around, looking for who it could be. She noticed that she wasn't the only one, as Weiss (who was wearing a nightgown) and Ruby(Who wore a night mask that had two red eyes, a tank top with a pink heart that had red eyes, bear ears and teeth along the bottom, and pink pajama pants with rose petals) sat up looking for the source, ruby finding it first. Blake followed Ruby's gaze to find Maple lying on top of her black and red sleeping bag, crying and mumbling apologies. Blake and Weiss got up from their spot and approached Ruby and Maple's position while Ruby got up, slid her sleeping bag closer to Maple's and sat next to her, stroking her hair and whispering something to Maple. When the black and white girls got there Blake was just about to ask something when Weiss asked the same question first.

"Hey, is everything okay over here? Why is she crying?" Weiss asked, the stern face she had before was left behind for a more concerned expression.

"I was just about to ask the same thing, is Maple okay?" Blake asked compassionately.

"She's going to be alright, she's just having a nightmare." Ruby whispered, not looking up from Maple. Maple had started to calm down, her mumbling had stopped and her crying had quieted down to a whimper.

"By the way, aren't you the girl who was calling Maple a snack earlier?" Ruby asked playfully, now looking up at Weiss, Blake could barely suppress her laughter at the white haired girl's flabbergasted expression.

"Gah- What? I did not! At least that's not what I intended. I am Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company." Weiss introduced, putting a hand on her chest, while a blush formed on her indignant expression.

"Ah, well thank you both for showing concern for Maple, I appreciate it and I'm sure she does as well." Ruby thanked Weiss and Blake.

"It's not like I asked because I care or anything. It's just that-" Weiss began mumbling to herself as she crossed her arms and started walking back to her sleeping bag, causing Blake and Ruby to giggle.

"It's no problem Ruby. After all, isn't the reason why we come here is to learn how to help people?" Blake asked with a smile, Ruby nodded and smiled back.

"Indeed it is. You should probably get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow." Ruby whispered, Blake nodded.

"Yeah. Good night Ruby, and good luck with initiation tomorrow." Blake said and went back to her sleeping bag after Ruby responded with a cheery "You too."

As Blake settled down to sleep she couldn't help but think about Maple.

"Ruby seemed to have some experience with helping Maple with nightmares. Is that something that's common for her? I guess I'll find out if we become teammates. Though on another note, Weiss being compassionate is not something I expected from a Schnee. Looks like they can come soft serve after all." Blake thought to herself as she fell asleep.

The next day

All the students stood on a platform at the edge of a cliff, behind them were poles with a number on them along with the name of the person standing in front of them. Each student stood on a square that bore the Vale crest on it. Ozpin and Glynda standing in front of them, backs facing the cliff.

Ozpin and Glynda had just finished explaining the task assigned to them for initiation, and how partners would be decided.

"Well then everyone, have a safe landing." Glynda bid the farewell before one by one students were launched into the air directed towards the forest below. When it was time for Ruby to be launched Maple was launched as well, causing the two to collide in the distance. Maple transformed into her Machine God form mid-air and flew to the ground with ruby holding onto her. While many students were in awe at seeing what they assumed to be a semblance for the first time in their lives, those who did have semblances watched with great interest as the black and red mecha flew down into the forest. Glynda simply glared at Ozpin who was sipping from his bottomless cup of coffee, hiding a smirk.

"I feel like we weren't meant to collide mid air like that." Maple guessed, as she landed on the forest floor.

"Maybe the launch pad malfunctioned? Either way I guess we're partners now." Ruby said cheerfully, hopping down from the .

"Yeah I guess we are! Should we fly to our target and pick anyone we find along the way or should we just speed through and help our fellow initiates on foot?" Maple asked.

"Well since we are here already let's travel on foot." Ruby replied, looking around the forest.

"All right, you go ahead and I'll use Cover Move to keep up." Maple instructed as she reverted to her base form. Ruby nodded and rushed off in a whirlwind of rose petals. Just as Maple was going to activate her ability she got a status notification. When she opened it all she saw was three black thorny vines with a yellow background behind them, and no other information on it.

"Well whatever, it's not draining my health or anything I should be fine" Maple thought before using Cover Move to catch up with Ruby. However, that status effect wasn't as harmless as Maple assumed.

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An: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! To answer a question I got about Syrup, Maple lent him to Sally before she was brought to Remnant, He probably won't make an appearance for a while, but I do hope the wait is worth it when I do bring him into the picture. Anyways I hope you all have a fantastic day!