[Cliff face over the emerald forest]

I called my fiance and Aaron to join me at the cliff where volume 1 started. Aaron was the first to arrive, I asked him a question that had been itching my mind for a while. "Dude where the hell did you go that day?"

"I'll tell you when you're older." Aaron replied.

"I'm 20" I deadpanned.

"It was… satanic. She's apparently into BDSM. She used a ball gag Justin! " Aaron said with his eyes wide as moons, telling me that he has seen some shit.

That told me more than I wanted. "And suddenly I find I don't wanna know any more."

"So why are we here, and why did you tell us to grab our weapons?" He asked.

Jocelyn then arrived, adding in "Yeah we don't really need to be here. We almost died here."

I looked back out at the forest were she and I awoke and answered "I wanna investigate the areas that you and I woke up at. Nothing's felt right ever since that day."

"Wait you guys woke up in the emerald forest?! What the hell?!" Aaron yelled "I woke up in Vale where I was assaulted by Neo and Roman! That is the last thing I remember before blacking out at least."

"Wait, you woke up in Vale?" I asked.

"Yes you dumbass Isn't that what I just said?" He then paused for a moment "Wait a moment, if you and Jocelyn were in the Emerald Forest, and I was in Vale... Where's Keoth?"

"I haven't seen him." I replied "Not since LAX."

"I hope he's ok…" Aaron said looking out in the distance.

"I'm sure he is. Probably landed in another kingdom or something." I said with a shrug.

"How much are you willing to bet?" Aaron asked.

"150 Lien for Atlas, 100 for Mistral, and 50 for Vacuo." I stated.

"You're on." Aaron said as we stopped at the cliffs. I looked down at the Emerald Forest.

"This is where my journey began." I said mostly to myself.

"No, where our journey started." Joce corrected.

"Ok then Karl Marx." I deadpanned.

"Who?" Jocelyn asked.

"The guy who made the communist manifesto." Aaron added.

"The what?" Jocelyn asked.

I turned to Aaron as I explained "She never paid attention to history, don't try to explain it to her, she'll fall asleep. It's how I got her to go to sleep one time."

Jocelyn looked at both of us confused as I looked back down from the cliff.

"So… are we supposed to come up with our own landing strategies?" Aaron asked.

"Well I have no idea how these things work. We may need to get a professor." I pointed out.

"So who would let us go into a grimm infested forest without trying to manipulate us from doing it?" Jocelyn asked.

"That all depends on why you are here." A familiar voice behind us said.

All of us were startled as we turned to see the origin of the voice.

Ozpin was walking up behind us with his mug in one hand and his cane, the Long Memory, on his opposite hand. "Why would you two want to come back here?"

"Well we um…" Jocelyn started.

"We wanted to train some more. Against each other and Grimm." I explained.

"Hm… And you think this is the best place to train?" Ozpin asked.

"Why not? it's out of the school, there's natural shelter against the elements in some areas, and there's nothing wrong with roughing it once and awhile." I explained.

Jocelyn groaned, she's never liked the idea of camping with little to nothing.

"Shuty." I warned her.

"Hm… I would normally advise against it, however since you did help us with apprehending some criminals, with the addition of some other things." Ozpin started looking at Aaron mostly.

Aaron didn't want to meet his eyes.

"I can arrange for a supply drop every week." He continued. "However should you run into any trouble out there, don't expect help to arrive quickly." Ozpin cautioned. "And don't stay into the deeper part of the forest, that is home to more dangerous Grimm that I doubt you are all ready for. Do you all have your weapons ready?"

I nodded with a smile. "Yes Headmaster."

Ozpin turned his attention to Jocelyn, "And you Ms. Quartz?"

"Yes Professor Ozpin." She replied, taking one of her weapons out of the belt clip showing him.

He then turned to Aaron. "And you Mr. Shadow?"

Aaron mechashifted his blades out of his new leather jacket, which has yellow dust woven into the sleeves in the shape of lightning. "Ready."

"Alright, then get into your positions you three." Ozpin announced

{Shoot to thrill- AC/DC beginning to 3:23}

We all took our positions on the platforms. I took my twin pistols out of their holsters and held them up as I spread my legs out in preparation for being launched.

"On your marks." Ozpin announced.

Jocelyn took a similar stance turning Rose Thorns into their blade form holding them out to the sides crouching.

"Get set." Ozpin continued.

Aaron held one back while his opposite was in front of him as he bent his knees.

Before I heard Ozpin say anything else, I was in the air. The wind rushing through my clothes and blistering my face. It was as close as I could get to actually flying without having wings myself.

After a moment of euphoria I remembered where I was at, I then looked around for a place to strategize my landing since I was starting to lose altitude. I used the recoil of my guns to keep me up in the air and have a crude form of power steering while I had no control of my own body, while also keeping my altitude.

Man this must be what the initiation felt like.

I then spotted a tree branch that came at me almost too quickly. Though with my quick thinking, I flipped one of my guns around so the handle was out like a nightstick and hooked onto the branch as I passed it, flipping me to the point I could grab it. I holstered Kronos and grabbed the branch with my opposite hand. I then swung into another branch as I holstered Rhea and proceed to swing from branch to branch, parkouring as if I were an Assassin's Creed main character.

I soon found myself on the ground, I then dusted my Guess jacket off after I slowed myself enough to make sure I didn't trip.

It was then I was hit and skidded face first in dirt followed by a crushing sensation.

"Ugh… Sorry honey!" Jocelyn said getting off me.

I then got up holding my head.

"If your goal was to kill me, you were almost successful." I said spitting dirt out of my mouth.

Aaron then came down descending like Ren did.

As soon as he saw us Aaron deadpanned "Of course she lands on you."

"What? He makes for a great cushion." Jocelyn 'innocently' explained.

I shoved a finger in her direction and yelled "I am 145 pounds. I should not be subject to this type of torture!"

"You two can argue like a married couple later. You wanted to investigate the areas you and Joce woke up in right?" Aaron said as he walked past us "So where did you wake up at?"

"Well there was a large rock next to where I woke up." I remembered "Let's see…"


Honestly I didn't pay much attention to any landmarks while I was running from my life from that Ursa. But I do remember the tree Jaune was stuck to. Oh and look there it is. It still has that hole created by Milo "Now if we go south from here…" I thought out loud.

"We'll be able to find where you woke up." Aaron finished.

"Yeah." I said with a nod. We walked for ages while I cleared some shrubbery with my blade.

Eventually we made it to the clearing where I woke up.

God this place... It's been haunting my dreams as of late. But why is my main question. There has to be a reason that my dreams keep me coming back here. "This is the place folks." I said walking into it.

I looked around to see a thick line of trees, the large rock with moss on it with something carved into it. And the bush that Ursa burst out of.

"Hey at least you woke up where the events started. Meanwhile I woke up in a dumpster." Aaron said as he looked around.

"Aaron I don't need to know about your homeless stories." I said kneeling down where I was laying.

"What the- Homeless stories?! Excuse me I had no control of where I landed!" Aaron yelled.

I then shushed him, there was one thing that bothered me about that day. One of which being my back hurt like hell when I woke up. Not from being a 20 year old fuck, mind you, but if felt like my back was hit at least a dozen times. And that tailor did ask me why my jacket looked so torn up on the back.

I would be lying if I said I didn't ponder that myself.

"Hey dude, you may wanna take a look at this." Aaron said to my left. I looked where he was.

There in the canopy of trees was a bunch of broken branches, the hole that made a perfect path sat at a 45 degree angle. Putting the sunlight right in my eyes. "Thanks Aaron." I said as I joined his side.

"So you didn't fall straight down, I wonder what happened?" He mused.

"Maybe one of the students hit Justin on the way down?" Jocelyn offered as she inspected the rock with a carving on it.

I just stared at the broken branches on the ground for what felt like ages.

If I was originally falling, then what happened between me passing out in the upper atmosphere and here?


[Emerald Forest, Initiation]

{Ruby's Perspective}

"- And the first person you make eye contact with you will be your partner for the next four years." Ozpin announced.

That made me quake with fear. I haven't had to interact with anyone outside of my friend group. "WHAT?!"

So Ozpin did his speech. Jaune was trying to ask him about what a landing strategy is when I saw someone falling from the sky in the distance. I couldn't make out all of the details. But he looked to be wearing a jacket and maybe a bag? I don't know. I'll have to adjust my landing strategy to make sure he doesn't die.

Once I was launched I used my semblance a little to make it closer to him before ramming into him mid-air. I will admit, I used his body as a meat shield from the branches. On the bright side, we landed in a little clearing.

I looked around to see if there were any grimm nearby. I heard him groan. I then looked down at him and realized that I was still on top of him.

I got off of him and checked his head. Other than that bruise on his forehead, he looks pretty fine.

Ok well he should be fine from here right? Well I technically didn't make eye contact with him so I can just sneak away.

I then used my semblance to speed away. Looking back, I should have stayed with him but my social anxiety took control of me.

How was I to know he would be in my team?

Yang shut it!

No, I don't have a crush on him! He's too old anyway!

I'm writing what I told my sister didn't I?

...

...Dang It!


[Present, Emerald Forest]

"Ruby probably saw my decent. I'll ask her later." I thought out loud.

"You think she would have told you already if she did" Aaron pointed out.

"Fair point." I said getting up from kneeling down.

"Anyway, you wanted to train here?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah, We need to unlock our semblances" I said.

"Well you two fight. I'll keep the grimm off us." Aaron said as he propped himself onto the rock. "I'll be the ref in the meantime. I want a clean fight, nothing below the belt. Especially from you Jocelyn."

I chuckled as I drew my sword. "Well honey, Let's make this worth it." I said getting into a ready stance. "Shall I have this dance m'lady?"

Jocelyn transformed her compacted weapon into a sword. "Of course." she answered.

We then clashed as soon as Aaron yelled "Begin!"


[RWBY's room]

{Weiss' perspective}

"Well we're going to head off." Yang said as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

"We'll see you guys when the semester starts" Ruby said with a smile.

Zwei was by her side, he looked over at me and barked once.

"Have fun." I told them as I knelt down and scratched Zwei's head. "I'll miss you." I told Zwei.

"We'll only be gone for a month, Weiss." Yang said with a slight giggle in her voice.

"I know, but I'll still miss Zwei." I said as I snuck a treat for him from my sleeve and fed it to him.


[Landing pad of Beacon Academy]

Blake and I saw them off as they entered the airship to Patch. "Well Blake, what should we do?" I asked.

"I'm going to the library if you want to study with me." Blake replied.

"Sure, then afterwards could we spar?" I asked.

"Sure." Blake answered as we walked to Beacon.


[That evening: Emerald Forest]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Jocelyn and I continued sparing while Aaron was checking his scroll. I then redirected her blade and then rested my blade on her neck "I win darling." I said with a smirk, while adjusting my glasses.

"Yeah yeah. Good job." Jocelyn replied as I took my blade away from her neck. She then pecked my cheek.

"Good job Justin, you just made a lot of people upset." Aaron said jokingly.

"Well there won't be a camera on us, I highly doubt it." I said with a shrug. It was then I heard a familiar roar.

"Oh hey there Big Barry. Long time no see? How's the kids? How's the wife?" I said sarcastically.

"Why did you name him?" Aaron asked joining my side.

"Why not?" I replied.

"You're an idiot" Aaron deadpanned.

"I know." I replied with a shrug. I then walked up to the Ursa I named Big Barry and stared it in the eye. "Come on, show me what you got." I taunted it. "You two stand back, this one is mine."

Big Barry slashed at me with its claw.

I countered and sliced his paw off.

Barry roared in agony as I jumped up onto his shoulder and took Rhea out and shot it point blank in the face.

He didn't die by that so I jumped off before it could attack me.

I then sheathed my sword in favor of taking Kronos out and fired two shots to get me spinning as I fired at Barry in a hail of bullets as bullet casings rained down nearby. I then holstered both of them and drew my sword as Barry tried to slash at me with it's opposite claw.

I sliced that one off, leaving it to fall flat on its face.

I then walked up to it and put my blade to the back of its neck. I then raised it and chopped its head off.

Big Barry started turning into smoke, as I smiled at my friends.

Jocelyn looked at me wide eyed as Aaron looked at me amused.

"So were you copying Dante there or am I to assume that's your fighting style?" Aaron asked.

"Well the bullet storm part was a Dante move, the rest was my own style." I said with a shrug.

"You're a fucking nerd." Aaron said.

"Thank you." I replied sheathing my sword.

"That wasn't a compliment." Aaron said.

"Oh I know, I just take it as one." I said with another shrug.

Aaron rolled his eyes as we heard more roars in the distance.

I then looked at Jocelyn "Honey are you ok?"

She looked like she had a red face, which was hard for me to determine because of her tanned skin, but I know that face all too well. Hey eyes say 'bedroom' where her face says 'I want to cuddle and snuggle with you.' Or as I've called it, 'she likes what she saw'.

"We'll put a pin on that until we're not in a forest full of creatures that will eat us." I said as I walked past her. "Now if you could tell us where you woke up that would be appreciated."

"Um… I remember I was next to a river. And I think I spotted that river when we were looking for this spot." Jocelyn remembered snapping out of her fantasies. "Cardin was watching over me."

"Well I guess I can thank him for one thing…" I mumbled.

"Wait are you sure he didn't try anything with you?" Aaron asked as we exited the area I woke up at.

"I would know if he did." Jocelyn pointed out "He's a bully, not a deranged psycho like the ones in One Tree Hill."

"Oh my god, stop mentioning One Tree Hill! It's not even that good!" Aaron complained.

"I know, but I liked it!" Jocelyn retorted.

"Children behave." I deadpanned.

"I'm older than you!" Aaron retorted.

"That may be, but you're arguing with my fiancé like she's your sibling." I fired back.

"And so does she!" Aaron fired back at me.

"Fair point. Jocelyn quit it. Aaron, don't argue with my fiancé." I deadpanned.

"Alright alright." They said holding their hands up.

"Good now let's go." I said as I slashed through the shrubbery.


[Much later that evening]

Oh god my legs. I know I did gravity defying stunts, but I. Hate. Hiking.

Yeah I grew up in the mountains with a forest as my backyard. But that doesn't mean I'm used to it!

"Well… we're here I guess." I said between breaths.

"How did you two land so far apart?!" Aaron asked in between his breaths

"I have no idea." Jocelyn answered "I remember Justin was ripped from my arms when the plane was falling apart."

I then heard the sound of rushing water. A good sign.

I turned to them and ordered them "Well better make camp. Someone please get some logs. It's getting dark and we need the heat of a fire."

"I'll get it!" Aaron said, turning his flashlight on his scroll.

"What can I do?" Jocelyn asked

"Help me make a fire break. That way we won't accidentally set the forest ablaze like Weiss did." I replied.

"Alright teach me then, because I have no idea how." Jocelyn replied.

"It's simple, we make a little hole and put dirt and rocks around it." I explained.


[Nightfall]

"So that's what happened to you?" I asked.

"Yeah, I was surprised that he just waited." Jocelyn replied.

"Good to know he's somewhat of a gentleman... So I wonder why he waited around if he thought you were dead?" Aaron asked.

Jocelyn shrugged "Whenever I asked him he just said 'he found me like that. And found I was breathing still.' whatever that means."

"Hm…" I stroked my beard as Aaron and Jocelyn discussed what may have happened. I can't put my finger on it. But something tells me we'll have to play bad cop good cop with him later.


[Meanwhile in CRDL's room]

Cardin Winchester suddenly got chills.

"You good man?" Sky asked.

"Yeah… I'm fine." Cardin said slapping Sky's hand away.

"Are you worried for Rose? You know she can handle herself." Russel reassured.

"No it's not that…" Cardin said looking out in the distance. He couldn't explain it, but he felt like a dead man walking. "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

The rest of his team looked uneasy. "If you're sure."

"It'll be lights out soon anyway. We need to go to sleep." Cardin said getting down from the window.

"Hey Cardin, If I may ask you something." Dove said before the lights were out.

"What?" Cardin hissed.

"Why are you still lying to her about what happened that day? In the Emerald Forest." Dove said.

Cardin sighed annoyed "It's not important, she doesn't really need to know ok? Now go to sleep." He ordered.


[Emerald Forest]

"Well we better get some sleep. We need at least one person to look out every few hours." I said as I prepared the temporary shelter made out of a giant nevermore feather and a few sticks and logs to provide some form of crude shelter.

"I'll take the first watch." Aaron said "You two cuddle for a bit, It's probably been a while since you two actually cuddled in bed."

"You have a fair point my friend." I said with a smile. I then held my hand out to Jocelyn. "Come darling, let us retire to our chambers." I said with a horrible imitation of a British accent.

"Alright babe." She said with a smile grasping my hand.

We then snuggled into the crude shelter I built while Aaron kept a lookout.

In the middle of the night Aaron and I swapped turns.

Then later Jocelyn took over for me.


[Next morning in RWBY's room]

{Weiss' perspective}

Well I had another sleepless night. With all of these thoughts I've had about Achilles… Or whatever his name is.

I can't stop thinking about what that thing who called himself 'the beast' said.

Something that has no name, yet has many?

What does that mean anyway?

…Whatever, I'll just get ready for the day… Alone again, Blake must have wandered off when I was asleep, or at least, for what little time I had to sleep.

I got up and stretched. My eyes then wandered over to Achilles' bed.

I hope he's doing alright. I haven't heard from him in a while...

…Well I better get ready for the tournament.

I wonder if JNPR is training right now… I could ask if I can join them.


[Emerald Forest 11:30am that same day]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

"What if I fall?" Jocelyn sang as she cut down a beowulf.

"I'll never make you fall!" I sang as a creep tried to run up to me only to be stabbed through the face.

"What if I cry?" Jocelyn sang as she shot another grimm.

"I swear I'll never make you cry!" I sang as I shot past her hitting the head of a creep that was sneaking up on her.

"And if I get scared?" She said as she slashed at an ursa, cleaving it in two

"I'll hold you tighter!" I sang as I slashed at a beowolf. "Baby if they try to get to you I'll be the fighter!"

We sang Fighter by Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood as we slaughtered grimm after grimm.

Eventually the grimm waves seemed to have died down when I stabbed the last one in the back.

"Thanks for making me feel like a third wheel." Aaron deadpanned as he transformed his blades back into their compact form in his sleeves.

"You're welcome" I retorted.

"So then, what do you guys think about taking on a bigger grimm?" Aaron asked.

"Um no, Remember that the Deathstalker and the Nevermore took all of teams RWBY and JNPR" I reminded Aaron.

"Yeah but we have the three of us so it should be ok" Aaron said confidently.

"Dude… Don't make me simplify why that is a bad idea." I deadpanned.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Aaron asked.

"That is what got us killed the first time" I said, pointing at Aaron accusatory. "Besides that, you don't normally come up with dumb ideas like this. That's MY job."

He shrugged. "Fair point, at least you know your role."

"Come on Justin, like you said, in order to improve we need to face things that are a higher level than us." Jocelyn said behind me.

Aaron glanced back at me and smirked "Two out of three." He snarked.

I sighed, rubbing my nose ridge. "Alright then, I guess we're facing some higher level grimm." I mumbled annoyed. "But nothing more than alpha, I don't feel like dying all over again."

"Oh relax Justin. We're capable." Jocelyn said as we walked down into the more dangerous area Ozpin warned us about.

Like Aaron said, What's the worst that could happen?

...

I should not have even thought that.