(Author's Note)
Hey, so remember how I said I'd wait to put this one out? YEAH… I don't think my brain wants me to.
I want to take this moment to actually respond to some reviews this time around, because I meant to, and subsequently forgot to in 1-5.
WIth that said, Reviews!
To Taiman215: I have plans for Gentaro that actually made me facepalm at how obvious the choice would be, and as for Showa Riders… I don't really have any plans for any of them to make an appearence. That MIGHT change later on, but for now I'll have to say no.
To KadoyaOkami: Thanks. I knew from the start that I was probably going into this very early so the main goal wasn't to focus on the ZI-O side of things, and more on the Heisei Kamen Rider side of things. As for Spacebattles, this isn't the first suggestion of this (though the last was to just move it there outright) and while the idea does intrigue me… I haven't actually ever BEEN on Spacebattles, so there'd be a lot of learning involved. Doesn't mean I won't upload the story there as well, but for now I'm hesitent.
To Banru: Who knows? \/(^w^)\/
To Kyoryusaur: Thanks, I spent a good hour editing that together. There's an actual full version of it that I made, but because of how the sizing has to work… I shortened it as much as I could. Still turned out great in the end. (I won't lie, I made the cover and then the inspiration for this came flooding through).
And to all the others sticking with me through this, I can't thank you all enough! With all that out of the way, let's get started!
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING. NOTHING I SAY!
(LINE BREAK)
"Oh, I can't believe my baby sister is going to Beacon with me! This is the best day ever!" Said Yang, as she gave Ruby one of the tightest hugs I've ever seen in my life.
"Please stop…" Ruby gasped out. Yang let go, practically bouncing in place.
"But I'm so proud of you…" Said Yang, a goofy smile on her face.
"Really Sis, it was nothing." Said Ruby, as I leaned up against the window of the airship we were on.
"What do you mean? It was incredible! Everyone at Beacon is going to think you're the bee's knees." Said Yang.
"I… don't think anyone says that anymore…" I said, as the two looked over at me.
"Oh right! Congrats on making it in, Bryce!" Said Yang, to which I placed my hands against my face. "What's with him?"
"Well… he hasn't gotten nearly as much training as the two of us… and he doesn't have an aura to protect him…" Said Ruby, as Yang nodded in agreement.
"Plus the weapon, don't got one of those… honestly the only thing I DO have is the Ride Watch… and that isn't really helping me right now…" I muttered, looking at the black Ride Watch in my hand.
"I see your point." Said Yang, nodding. "But still! I'd think you'd at least be excited about this!"
"Oh trust me, I was... Then the reality set in… and the fact I'm gonna have to go through the initiation kicked in my mind… and a few other things-Look, I think I can be excused for my current level of excitement." I said, before looking at Ruby. "Well, what about you? You not excited?"
"Of course I'm excited... I just…" Ruby sighed. "I got moved ahead two years. I don't want people to think I'm special or anything."
"But you are special." Said Yang, placing an arm around Ruby's shoulder.
I looked over to my right, looking at the holographic screen displaying over the window. A mugshot of Roman Torchwick's face displayed over the screen. "The robbery was led by nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department. Back to you, Lisa."
'Like anyone would have that kind of info to give.' I thought to myself, as Ruby and Yang turned and watched along with me.
"Thank you, Cyril." Said Lisa, as the screen changed to photos of animal eared protestors holding up signs, each one saying the same thing, 'WE ARE NOT ANIMALS!'. The screen quickly changed to one of a growling red wolf's head with three scratch marks. "In other news, this Saturday's Faunus Civil Rights protest turned dark when members of the White Fang disrupted the ceremony. The once peaceful organization has now disrupted-"
The screen cut off, as it was quickly replaced by a hologram of the Huntress from last night.
"Hello, and welcome to Beacon." Said the Huntress.
"Who's that?" Asked Yang.
"No clue." I answered.
"My name is Glynda Goodwitch."
"Oh." Me and Yang said together.
"You 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." Once she had finished her speech, her holographic state faded and we were left to our own devices.
"Oh, wow! Look, you can see Signal from up here!" Ruby said, running up to the glass as she, and a few others, looked out through the glass.
"Didn't… Didn't we have this kind of view from the start?" I asked, as Yang walked up to Ruby.
"Don't dwell on it, Bryce." Said Yang, to which I shrugged, walking to the other side of Ruby.
"I guess home isn't too far after all!" Said Ruby.
"Beacon's our home, now." Said Yang.
A sudden grunt of discomfort stole my attention for a moment, as a teen with blonde hair hunched over, a hand on his mouth. He groaned, as he ran to the back of the ship.
"Well... I guess the view isn't for everyone." Said Yang, rolling her eyes.
"It was a nice moment while it lasted." Said Ruby, as I looked down at Yang's Shoe. I took about three steps back, my plan forming in my mind. "I wonder who we're gonna meet! I just hope they're better than Vomit Boy."
"Yang, there's some puke on your shoes." I said, a slight smile on my face as she started freaking out.
"Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross, gross, gross, gross!" Yang repeated trying to wipe it off, before she moved closer to Ruby, probably trying to pass the puke onto her sister.
"Get-Get away! Get away from me! Get away from me! Get away from me! Get away from me!" Ruby exclaimed, hiding behind me. "Bryce help!"
"What do you want me to do!?" I exclaimed, as Yang charged at me. "Wait wait wait!"
I let out a low whistle as we looked at the sight that was the entirety of Beacon Academy. It was like a giant castle, and it also happened to look like it.
"Wow…" Yang and Ruby said.
"The view from Vale's got nothing on this!" Said Yang. I nodded, before I looked over at Ruby, who had suddenly turn into a 2-D chibi… who was also flying?
"Ohmygosh, sis! That kid's got a collapsible staff! And she's got a fire sword!" Ruby squealed out, as I rubbed my eyes, blinking as I saw Yang drag back a normal Ruby. I'll chalk it up to my nerves then… "Ow! Owww!"
"Easy there, little sister. They're just weapons!" Said Yang, as I took a quick step back.
Now, Ruby isn't as bad as some others might be when the words 'They're just-' are said. That said…
"Just weapons'? They're an extension of ourselves! They're a part of us! Oh, they're so cool!" Ruby said, getting up in her sister's face, before looking at me. "Bryce! You agree with me! Right?"
"...I uh… Guess?" I said, unsure. Yang looked at me with a deadpanned look, I responded by smiling sheepishly. "I mean… I still don't really got a weapon in the first point so…"
"Look, Rubes. Why can't you swoon over your own weapon? Aren't you happy with it?" Asked Yang.
Ruby took crescent rose out and transformed it into it's scythe form as she proceeded to hug i for a few seconds. "Of course I'm happy with Crescent Rose! I just really like seeing new ones. It's like meeting new people, but better…" Said Ruby, to which I raised an eyebrow.
"Ruby, come on, why don't you go try and make some friends of your own?" Said Yang, putting an arm around Ruby, as the girl with the hood put her scythe away.
"But... why would I need friends if I have you?" Asked Ruby, before she also looked at me. "And I also have Bryce. That's enough."
"Well…" Yang said, before grabbing me by the back of my shirt as a group of random students surround us. "Actually, my friends are here. Gotta go catch up. 'Kay, see ya, bye!"
In a single moment, I felt myself get dragged off to who knows where. A moment later, Yang and I both stopped, as she dropped me on the ground. "Okay… next time, let me know first…"
"Noted." Said Yang, as I stood up. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine." I said, rolling my shoulders. "So why exactly did we leave Ruby to fend for herself?"
"Don't get me wrong. It's not like I don't want to hang out with Ruby while I'm here." Said Yang. "It's just that she needs to make friends, and she's… not too great at it."
"She made friends with me just fine." I said, crossing my arms.
"You're an alien from another planet." Said Yang. "I think Ruby's nerves lost to her curiosity there."
"Fair enough." I nodded. "So we're basically leaving her to the wolves in hopes she ends up finding a friend by accident?"
"Yep!" Said Yang, as she started walking towards what looked like a main building. "Now come on! We have the assembly to wait for!"
"Yeah yeah, I'm coming!" I said, walking after her.
If I had looked up in that moment, I would've seen a red and blue mechanical dragon flying above me.
"Hey I see Ruby!" Said Yang, as she raised her arm up, trying to get Ruby's attention. "Ruby! Over here! I saved you a spot!"
Ruby walked over towards us, giving a slight glare at Yang. I cleared my throat, getting their attention. "So… How's your first day been so far?"
"You mean since you two ditched me and I exploded?" Asked Ruby, using some of the sarcasm I use a lot. I see she has learned from example. Don't know if that's a good thing or not.
"Yikes! Meltdown already?" Asked Yang.
"No, I literally exploded a hole in front of the school! And there was some fire, and I think some ice...?" Ruby said, putting a hand to her chin.
"Are you… being sarcastic?" Asked Yang, a small smile on her face.
"So I'm not the only one who thinks that's the case…" I muttered, looking over Ruby's shoulder to see a girl with white hair, who was staring at Ruby with what I assumed was a death glare.
"I wish!" Ruby scoffed, as she started to retell the story really fast. "I tripped over some crabby girl's luggage, and then she yelled at me, and then I sneezed, and then I exploded, and then she yelled at me again, and I felt really, really bad, and I just wanted her to stop yelling at me!"
"You!" The girl with the white hair exclaimed, as Ruby jumped into my arms, almost knocking me off balance.
"Oh god, it's happening again!" Ruby exclaimed.
"You're lucky we weren't blown off the side of the cliff!" Said the girl, as Yang look at the girl in my arms with an incredulous look.
"Oh my god, you really exploded." Said Yang in a deadpan. I placed the girl back onto the ground, as I looked at the girl in front of me.
"It was an accident." Said Ruby to Yang and I, before she turned back to Weiss. "It was an accident!"
The girl suddenly held out a pamphlet to Ruby's face. I took a moment to read the title before I felt the need to hold in my laughter. 'DUST for dummies and other Inadequate Individuals'.
"What's this?" Asked Ruby.
"The Schnee Dust Company is not responsible for any injuries or damages sustained while operating a Schnee Dust Company product. Although not mandatory, the Schnee Family highly encourages their customers to read and familiarize themselves with this easy to follow guide to Dust applications and practices in the field." The girl in front of started going off on a spiel, her pitch and speed increasing as she kept going.
"Uh…?" Ruby raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"You really wanna start making things up to me?" Asked the girl.
"Absolutely?" Ruby answered.
"Read this, and don't ever speak to me again." Said the girl, shoving the pamphlet into Ruby's hands.
I nodded to myself, before I took a step forward. Time for plan 'Pacifist Bryce'. "Look, I think the both of you got off on the wrong foot, so to speak. And while I'm speaking here with your attention," I pointed to the girl in front of me. "My name is Bryce Bridged, this is Ruby Rose, and Yang Xiao Long. What might your name be?"
Yang gave me a look over my shoulder, I can't see it, but I know she's giving me one. "...Weiss Schnee. Heiress to the Schnee dust company." Said Weiss, as I let out a friendly smile.
"It's nice to meet you." I said, extending my hand. Weiss looked at it before shaking my hand. I looked at Ruby. "With that said-"
The sound of someone clearing their throat echoed across the room, as the four of us looked at Ozpin, who was standing in front of said 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." Said Ozpin, as he looked at each and every student in the audience. "But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction." I felt his eyes land on me. "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."
Ozpin stepped down from the mic, as Glynda walked up and took over. "You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed." Said the huntress, as I looked down, taking my Ride Watch out of my pocket. I looked up, catching a glimpse of Weiss looking at the Ride Watch in my hand.
"He seemed kind of... off." Said Yang, as I sighed, placing my Ride Watch away.
"It's almost like he wasn't even there." Said Ruby, as I smiled.
"Well, the ballroom is where we're heading now, right?" I asked, looking at the two. "Let's get set up for now."
"Right." Said Ruby, before she stopped. "...Anyone know where that is?'
"...Yang?" I asked, looking at her.
"Follow me." She said.
I rolled out my sleeping bag, black with pink highlights. I stretched out, wearing a plain black t-shirt with a pair of sweatpants for my sleepwear. I looked over to find Ruby wearing a black tank top with a heart on the front, a pair of white and red polka dotted pajama pants, and a sleep mask that was currently sitting atop her head.
"It's like a big slumber party!" Said Yang, crashing down on her sleeping bag, next to Ruby. Yang was wearing a yellow tank top, and a pair of black short shorts.
"I don't think Dad would approve of all the boys, though." Said Ruby, not looking up.
"I know I do!" Said Yang, as she looked over at all of the guys who were currently shirtless. She then looked at the guy in a onesie and cringed. She then looked at me. "No show?"
"Don't even think about it." I said, rolling me eyes. "The hand to hand training has helped, but I do NOT have abs like those guys. Go take another look at them if your that thirsty."
"Oof. Your words cut deep." Said Yang, smirking. I laughed. Yang and I had gotten into the habit of jabbing at each other any chance we could. All in good fun, as long as one of us doesn't go too far. "What's that, Rubes?"
"A letter to the gang back at Signal. I promised to tell them all about Beacon and how things are going." Said Ruby, to which I let out a slight smile, as I looked out at the ballroom floor.
"Aw, that's so cuuuute!" Said Yang, as a pillow suddenly slammed into her face, the blonde knocked over due to the impact.
"Shut up! I didn't get to take my friends with me to school! It's weird not knowing anyone here!" Said Ruby, pouting.
"What about Jaune? He's... nice! There you go! Plus one friend! That's a hundred percent increase!" Said Yang, pointing at the guy in the onesie, before she quickly looked back at Ruby.
"Pretty sure Weiss counts as a negative friend. Back to zero…" Said Ruby, looking to the side.
"Glad to know you don't count me as a friend. I am wounded by your words…" I said, a deadpan look on my face.
"You know what I mean!" Ruby said, looking at me.
"There's no such things as negative friends! You just made two friends and one enemy!" Said Yang, only to be hit by another pillow, this time dog shaped. Yang sat back up. "Look, it's only been one day. Trust me; you've got friends all around you! You just haven't met them yet!"
"That girl…" Said Ruby, as I turned my head to see a girl lighting a candle next to her.
"You know her?" Asked Yang.
"Not really. She saw what happened this morning, but left before I could say anything." Said Ruby.
"Well, now's your chance!" Said Yang, grabbing Ruby be her arm as she dragged her sister over to the girl.
"Wait, what are you doing!?" I watched as Ruby tried to get out of Yang's grip.
"Good luck!" I said, before I looked over at Jaune, sitting by his sleeping bag. "Well, might as well introduce myself…"
I walked over to the blonde, raising my hand a bit as I leaned over him. "Uh, hi? Jaune, is it?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Hi." He said, as he stood up. "Yeah, I'm Jaune… who are you?"
"Oh, I'm Bryce. Bryce Bridged. I'm a friend of Ruby." I said, as he made an O sound. "Figured might as well introduce myself while Yang puts Ruby into another situation in hopes she makes a new friend."
"Enough about that. Nice to meet you Jaune." I said. "Welcome to Beacon."
"...Yeah…" Jaune sighed.
"Something wrong?" I asked, as he looked at me. "I guess you're nervous about initiation tomorrow, huh?" I asked.
"...Yeah." He said, sitting down. I sat down next to him.
"Well… at least your not me…" I said, taking my Ride Watch out of my pocket, flipping it up into the air. "I met Ozpin literally last night, and… got accepted. I haven't even been to combat school, much less own a weapon to use."
"What? Is he allowed to even do that?" Asked Jaune.
"I think so. He certainly is expecting a lot from me… Not sure why that's the case." I said, catching my ride watch.
"What in the world is going on over here?! Don't you realize some of us are trying to sleep?" Jaune and I turned to see Weiss in her sleepwear yelling at the group of Ruby, Yang and the girl reading a book.
"Oh, not you again!" Both Yang and Weiss shouted when they saw each other.
"Great, they're at it again…" I muttered.
"Shh! Guys, she's right! People are trying to sleep!" Said Ruby.
"Oh, now you're on my side!" Weiss responded.
"I was always on your side!" Ruby yelled back.
"Yeah, what's your problem with my sister? She's only trying to be nice!" Asked Yang.
"She's a hazard to my health!" Shouted Weiss.
[CROSS-Z FLAME!]
A small blast of smoke hit the four, as a man wearing a janitor's uniform stood at the ballroom door. Over his shoulder, was a red and blue mechanical dragon, about the size of his fist.
"You four! Keep quiet! It's lights out!" He shouted, sitting down at the chair next to him. "Man, why did I get stuck with watch duty…?"
"...Oh my god…" I muttered, looking at the mechanical dragon, as it ejected a strange looking bottle which the janitor was quick to catch. "...Great Cross-Z Dragon…" I looked down at the janitor, the brown hair… that face… "...Banjou… Ryuga…?"
"Hm?" Banjou looked around, before shrugging and going back to being bored.
"You know him?" Asked Jaune.
"Not really… it's complicated…" I answered, looking back at Great Cross-z Dragon. "Great Cross-z… So that means…"
I shook my head, before turning back to Jaune. "Anyways, I'm gonna head back to my sleeping bag. Good luck out there tomorrow Jaune."
Jaune nodded. "Uh, yeah. You too."
I stood up, walking back over to Ruby and Yang. Ruby looked at the Dragon with the amount of excitement she normally gives weapons. "Ooh… It looks so cool…"
"Ruby's excited about the mechanical dragon I take it?" I asked Yang, sitting down.
"Yep." Said Yang, rolling her eyes.
"...Wake up cross-z, get great dragon… yeah." I muttered, as Ruby looked over at me. "You see that dragon? That there… is Kamen Rider Cross-Z's transformation device. Great Cross-Z Dragon…"
"Wait, really!?" Ruby said, only for me to shush her. "But doesn't that mean…?"
"That our janitor is a Kamen Rider? Yeah, it does." I said, nodding. "But let's keep that quiet for now, okay? That goes double for you Yang."
"Yeah yeah, I get it." Said Yang.
"Well, I'm gonna get some shut eye. Initiation is tomorrow after all." I said, getting into my sleeping bag. "Night guys."
"Night." The two responded.
I opened my eyes, finding the room still rather dark. I looked to the watch on my left arm. "...Great… midnight…"
I sat up, unzipping the sleeping bag as I looked over to the doors to the balcony. "...Some fresh air might do me good." I muttered, walking over to the doors.
I walked outside, taking a deep breath in, as I took out my Ride Watch.
"...What the hell am I gonna do?" I muttered, looking up at the moon. "...I should head back inside…"
I turned to my left, only to come face to face with a man in a brown coat, a grey hood over his head. In his left hand was a book, gear shaped decorations littered the cover. "Congratulations." He said, as I jumped back.
"What the-!?" I exclaimed, as he smiled.
"According to this book, today will be a very special day for you." Said the man, as I looked at my watch. 12:35 AM. Today was technically initiation day now so… "I look forward to seeing you in action today, my liege."
"...Huh?" I said, as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out, before looking ahead, finding the man was gone. "...What just happened?"
"Wait...Liege? As in… king?" I racked my brain for information, as I took the Ride Watch out of my pocket. "...You couldn't be… If you are… Oh my god…" I dropped the Ride Watch as I realized who I just talked with. "...So the mysterious Woz has showed up… Does this make me…"
I shook my head, as my mind replayed the first few minutes of Episode 1 of ZI-O.
'You fools could never defeat me. And do you know why?' The voice of Oma ZI-O Rang through my mind, as seven words dripped out of my mouth.
"...Because I was born to be king…" I muttered, the words leaving me confused. I grit my teeth, picking back up the Ride Watch as I walked back to the ballroom. "I'll just sleep this off… Initiation's tomorrow… Focus on the now."
'I look forward to seeing you in action today, my liege.'
"Bryce?" Asked Yang, as I snapped my head up in attention, standing outside of my locker. "You alright? You kinda… spaced out."
"...Yeah, I'm… I'm fine." I said, nodding to myself, as I looked at the locker numbers in front of me. "...I feel like Ozpin's screwing with me."
"Why's that?" Asked Ruby, as she looked at my locker number.
"Five, Five, Five." I said.
"Faiz!" Ruby responded, nodding.
"I'm still surprised you know as much about the Kamen Riders as Ruby does." Said Yang, as she looked at me. "Like, a lot more than she does at times."
"Well… Kamen Riders are a thing in my world…" I whispered. "Just… as TV shows and not… real life. And the setting was earth so some things could've changed with the new setting being… well, here."
"Huh. That's neat." Said Yang.
I opened up my locker, only to blink when I found something actually inside the locker. "...what the…"
I picked up the item, taking out something very familiar. "...It's… a Ride Watch holder…" I muttered, looking at the arm worn holder. There was a spot already occupied, a silver Ride Watch with Japanese characters on the front, the words 'Bike' if I remember correctly.
I strapped the holder on my left arm, inserting my blank Ride Watch into the empty spot. "There, now that should be all secured…"
"Where'd you get that?" Asked Yang, looking at the holder. "And is that?"
"Another Ride Watch!" Ruby squealed, pulling on my arm as she tried to take the new watch out. "Why… won't… you… come… off!?"
"Ruby, please stop pulling my arm." I said, as she let go. I twisted the Ride Watch to the left, and pulled the Ride Watch off the holder. "Here you go…"
As I handed the watch to Ruby, she started to look at every angle of it. "It's not like your other one. This actually looks like it's been activated…"
I took the watch back from her. "...What if…" I shook my head. "Questions for later."
I placed the Ride Watch back into the holder, as Yang looked over at Ruby. "Well, you seem awfully chipper this morning, Ruby!"
"Yep! No more awkward small talk or "getting-to-know-you" stuff. Today, I get to let my sweetheart do the talking." Said Ruby, stroking Crescent Rose.
"Well, remember, Ruby, you're not the only one going through initiation. If you wanna grow up, you're gonna have to meet new people and learn to work together." Said Yang.
"You sound like Dad!" Ruby complained.
"She kinda does right now." I agreed with the hooded reaper.
"Okay, first of all: What does meeting new people have to do with fighting? And secondly: I don't need people to help me grow up! I drink milk!" Said Ruby, nodding to herself.
"But what about when we form teams?" Asked Yang.
"Um, I don't know, I... I'll just be on your team or something…" Said Ruby, sounding nervous. She then turned to me. "And Bryce can be on it as well…"
Yang brought her hair around her shoulder, stroking it gently as she tried to work out how to say something. "Maybe... you should try being on someone else's team?"
"My dear sister Yang, are you implying that you do not wish to be on the same team as me?" Asked Ruby, her hands on her hips.
"What? No! Of course I do! I just thought…" Yang looked at me for help, to which I just smiled, and gave a thumbs up. A clear 'You're doing great!' that Yang was not looking for. "I don't know, maybe it would help you... break out of your shell!
"What the-?! I don't need to 'break out of my shell'! That's absolutely ridiculous!" Ruby exclaimed, as I felt the urge to back out of the current conversation. "Tell her, Bryce!"
"...I mean… Social interaction IS a problem you need work on…?" I answered, to which she pouted at me, and then kicked my shin. "Ow! Why!?"
"Because!" Ruby responded.
"Oh. And looks like Jaune's trying to be smooth." Said Yang, as I looked over her shoulder, only to see him get impaled to the wall by a spear.
"Key word being trying." I said, watching as the spear was removed. "Well, that went about as well as expected."
"Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately." The voice of Glynda rang out over the school.
"Having some trouble there, lady-killer?" Asked Yang, as we walked up to Jaune.
"I don't understand. My dad said all women look for is confidence! Where did I go wrong?" Asked Jaune, as Ruby extended her hand to help him up.
"'Snow Angel' probably wasn't the best start." Said Yang.
"Come on Jaune, we got an initiation to attend." I said, as Ruby helped carry Jaune and his self esteem out to the cliff side.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Said Ozpin, as grabbed my left arm, opening and closing my left hand.
"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. Each of you will be given teammates... today." Said Glinda.
"What? Ohhh…." Ruby sighed.
"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 with whom you can work well." Said Ozpin, as Ruby let out a groan. He then smiled, took a sip of his coffee, and then proceeded to shatter the small child's hopes. "That said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
"What!?" Ruby exclaimed, as I kept to panic laughter.
"After you've partnered up, 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." Said Ozpin, as I swear his eye locked onto me for a single moment during that. I let out a shaky laugh at this. "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 reguard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"
"Sir? There's an odd number of us." Said someone from the crowd. I looked down the line and realized, yeah, there was.
"There is a specific artifact somewhere in this forest. If someone without a partner retrieves it, they will be accepted, but with conditions that will be explained once the invitation has been completed." Ozpin said, looking at the rest of us. "Any other questions?"
"Yeah, um, sir?" Asked Jaune, raising his hand.
"Good! Now, take your positions." Said Ozpin. I swallowed down, as I took out the grey Ride Watch.
"Please work…" I muttered, gripping it in my right hand. I looked to my left, watching as Weiss was launched into the air. "...Oh god no…"
I grit my teeth, crouching low as the sounds of students being launched into the forest echoed in my head. I felt the board below me start to creak, as I took in a breath and tensed.
The next thing I knew I was flung from my position and was in free fall. "Oh shit!" I shouted, as I raised my Ride Watch. I pressed down on the button on the top of the Ride Watch, and threw it ahead of me.
The Ride Watch suddenly expanded, transforming into a strange bike. I grabbed onto the handles, wind blowing past me, as I braced for impact, revving the engine so the momentum moved forwards once I hit the ground.
The Ride Striker hit the ground, swerving from the impact. I quickly worked on gaining control of the bike, as I hit the brakes. The bike slowed to a stop, as I found myself in an empty field. "...Oh thank god… I survived…"
"You monster!" I heard the voice of Yang to my left, who also sounded REALLY angry. "What! You want some, too?!"
"...Honestly my best bet." I said to myself, getting off my bike, as it immediately returned to it's Ride Watch form. "...That's convenient." I picked up the Ride Watch, inserting it back into the holder, as I walked in the direction I heard Yang in.
I pushed my way through a few bushes, stepping onto a twig, and walked out of the bush, finding Yang and the girl with the book from last night aiming their weapons at me. "...Uh… Hi?" I asked, as Yang lowered her gauntlets.
"Oh, good. False alarm, it's just Bryce." Said Yang, as she walked over to me. "So, how did your landing strategy go?"
"Poorly." I said, looking over at the girl in black. "This your partner?"
"Yep. Bryce, this is Blake. Blake, Bryce." Said Yang.
"Nice to meet you, Blake." I said, extending my hand out. Blake looked at it, before shaking it. "With that out of the way… Yang, I am never riding on you bike ever again."
"Huh?" Yang let out a grunt of confusion, as I took out the Ride Striker Watch, tossing it into the air as it turned into it's bike mode. "What!?"
"Yep." I said, noticing there was a helmet there this time. "Oh, hey. That's good to see." I said, pressing my hand onto the seat before lifting it, the bike reverting into it's Watch form.
"I wish I had something like that for Bumblebee…" Yang said.
"I should probably stop wasting time now. We need to go after the relics, right?" I said. "Side note: Does anyone know where we're supposed to go."
"...We wing it?" Yang said, unsure.
"...You know what, that probably would've been my answer to." I responded.
"Think this is it?" Asked Yang, as we walked into a clearing. In the center was circular stone temple, broken and decrepit for all but the platforms that circled the edges.
"Looks like it." I said, as the three of us walked down towards the temple. Standing on top of each platform were familiar items. Blake walked up to one of them, a confused look on her face. "Chess pieces?"
"Some of them are missing. Looks like we weren't the first ones here." Said Yang.
"Well, I guess we should pick one." Said Blake.
I looked around. "The artifact isn't here. I can only assume it's elsewhere in the forest." I said, looking at Yang.
"Hmm…" Yang looked at one of the relics, before lifting up the chess piece and showing it to Blake. "How about a cute little pony?"
Blake smirked. "Sure." She said, as they walked to the center of the temple.
"That wasn't too hard." Said Yang.
"Well, it's not like this place is very difficult to find." Said Blake.
"Something tells me there's probably two other groups of students who are lost as all hell right now." I said, as they looked at me. "And yeah, this is REALLY easy right now."
"Don't you dare say 'too easy' right now! That's how everything starts going wrong!" Said Yang.
"I didn't. You just did." I said, as I looked around. "...Now all that's left to do is get back to the cliff side, right?"
"What about you? Don't you need a relic?" Asked Blake.
"I'm probably the one left out." I said, crossing my arms. "And in a forest this big? I highly doubt finding that artifact will be easy. Especially if it's the size of one of those chess pieces."
"So you're giving up?" Asked Yang.
"Yang, you know better than anyone that I can't really do the things you guys do." I said, looking at her. "You hand to hand lessons, yeah, they helped, but I can't punch a bear till it dies like you can. Which, by the way, is the most badass thing I've ever seen in my life."
"Well yeah, but-" Before Yang could finish, a high pitched scream could be head over top of us. "Some girls in trouble!"
I looked over at Blake, finding her looking up at something. I followed her gaze to see a giant bird in the sky. "...What the…"
"Blake, did you hear that?" Asked Yang, turning to us. "What should we do?"
"HEADS UP!" Shouted Ruby, as the girl jumped off the bird and started falling towards us.
"Oh god!" I shouted, taking a few steps back as the girl closed in.
Just as Ruby was about to crash into the ground, Jaune flew in through out of nowhere and crashed into Ruby, knocking the both of them off course and into a tree to the left of Yang Blake and I.
"Did your sister just fall from the sky?" Asked Blake, as Yang tried to work out what the hell just happened.
A second later, several crashing sounds echo from the forest ahead of us, as an Ursa runs out, claws swiping to the left and right. A second later, a pink blast of energy hits it in the back and it crashes to the ground. A girl rolls off it's back, a smile on her face. "YEEEE-HAAAAW!" She shouted, before looking at the grimm, as it slowly starts to disintegrate. "Awwww... It's broken."
Someone runs up towards the girl, clearly out of breath. "Nora! Please... Don't ever do that again." He said, before looking up to see the girl gone.
"I'm queen of the castle! I'm queen of the castle!" I turn around to see the girl fooling around with one of the relics, balancing it on her head.
"Nora!" Shouted the guy from earlier.
Nora salutes, dropping the relic, before she grabs it and heads towards her friend. "Coming, Ren!"
"...Did… she just ride in on that thing?" I asked.
"I…" Yang tried getting out, before a screech cuts her off, as a girl in red and gold armour runs into view, dodging a gain scorpion looking creature as it uproots trees left and right trying to kill the girl.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" I exclaimed, as the girl barely dodged one of it's claws.
"Jaune!" She shouted.
"Phyrrha!" Jaune responded.
I looked over at Ruby, who had fallen onto the ground.
"Ruby!" Yang shouted, running over to her sister.
"Yang!" Ruby shouted, opening her arms for what I assumed would be a hug.
"Nora!" Said girl jumps between the two, knocking them off balance.
"Did she just run all the way here with a Death Stalker on her tail?" Blake asked, as I took a step back to process everything that was going on.
"I can't take it anymore! Can everyone just chill out for two seconds before something crazy happens again?!" Yang exclaimed, her eyes flashing red as an explosion of fire erupts around her.
Everything is still for exactly two seconds, before Ruby looks up. "Um… Yang?"
I looked up, seeing Weiss hanging on tightly to one of the talons of the nevermore above us. "How could you leave me!?" I barely heard her call out.
"I said 'Jump'!" Ruby yelled back.
"She's gonna fall!" Said Blake.
"She'll be fine!" Said Ruby.
"She's falling." Said Ren, as Weiss started to drop out of the sky.
"Oh no…" I muttered, only to see Jaune jump towards Weiss and catch her. A moment later, he's acting as her landing pad. "...Well, at least Weiss is okay? Someone want to check on Jaune?"
Pyrrha lands in front of the group, as Jaune and Weiss join us. I looked at the two grimm circling us. "Yeah, I don't like our odds right now…"
"Great! The gang's all here! Now we can die together!" Said Yang.
"Not if I can help it!" Said Ruby, charging towards the Death Stalker.
"Ruby, wait!" Shouted Yang.
"Well, this could've gone better…" I said, watching as Ruby ran towards the Scorpion Grimm. "...I can't just sit by and watch this…"
"You desire the power to change things." Said a voice, as I turned around to see Woz standing behind the structure, book opened up and hood still covering his face. "Then there is only one choice. Become King."
"I'm sorry?" I asked, walking over to him. "But how the hell is that a reasonable point of connection to this moment?"
"Ruby!" Shouted Yang, as I turned around, seeing the Blonde run after her sister.
"No!" I shouted, taking a step before I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I turned around, as Woz took his hand off my shoulder.
"ZI-O's power is unrivaled throughout time." Said Woz, taking his hood off. "Use that power, and the world, including the past and future, will be yours to shape."
"...But that power… Oma ZI-O… My destiny… is to become him… isn't it?" I asked, looking at Woz. "The most evil overlord of all time?"
"You're well informed." Said Woz, smiling. "My overlord, this is your destiny."
"Ruby, get out of there!" Shouted Yang, as I looked over to see Ruby pinned down by one of the nevermore's feathers.
"I'm trying!" Shouted Ruby, tugging at her cloak.
"...My destiny… is to a king then…" I said, letting out a breath, as time seemed to slow around me. "...Fine then. My mind's made up. If that is indeed my destiny, to become this… Oma ZI-O… then so be it."
Woz smiled, before I laughed. "But just because my end point is decided, does not mean the road towards it is the same! My destiny is to be king? Fine then, I accept that. With that said, I swear, I will carve a path to my destiny, not to become that king of evil, but to become the kind hearted king, and create a world where no one has to fight. I'll be the nicest king to ever walk this world of Remnant. So then, destiny, if you're calling for me right now, then I'm picking up the god damn phone!" I yelled, taking the blank Ride Watch out of the Holder, clenching it tight. I looked down, a pink holographic clock forming on the face of the Ride Watch, as two pink clock hands turned around a full 360 degrees, the Ride Watch glowing brighter in a matter of seconds.
As the light faded, the Ride Watch had finally activated. The dial like front of the Watch had changed to a pure white, with the main body keeping a blackish grey. The front of the Watch had the numbers 2018 on it and a strange symbol on it as well. This, was the ZI-O Ride Watch.
"This is for you, my overlord." Said Woz, kneeling to my left, as he held out a red pillow, a strange item sitting atop of it. "You should know how to use it."
I picked up the item, looking it over. I knew what this was. A driver. It was white and grey in colour, the front of the driver had a built in display screen, with two slots protruding on either side of the driver for inserting Ride Watches. I looked ahead, seeing the Death Stalker close in on Ruby.
I walked back towards the group, as I saw Ruby run back with Yang and Weiss. "Well that's good." I said.
"Guys? That thing's circling back! What are we gonna do?" Asked Jaune.
"Look, there's no sense in dilly-dallying. Our objective is right in front of us." Said Weiss, pointing at the relics.
"She's right. Our mission is to grab an artifact and make it back to the Cliffs. There's no point in fighting these things." Said Ruby.
"Run and live - that's an idea I can get behind!" Said Jaune.
As Ruby and Jaune ran over to the relics, Yang walked up to me. "Hey Bryce… what's with that… thing?" She asked. I raised up the Ziku Driver, and smiled.
"You'll see." I said, as Ruby and Jaune walked back. "Ruby, don't ever do that again please."
"I got it." She said, before she noticed the driver. "...Bryce… is that what I think it is."
"Give me a moment Ruby." I said, turning to see the Death Stalker break out of the Ice. "I might need to get serious."
"No time… like the present!" I exclaimed, slapping the Driver against my waist as a belt ejected out of the driver, wrapping around my waist and tightening to a firm fit.
[ZIKU DRIVER!]
"Ruby… I'm going to show you my cool Henshin, so watch." I said, fully aware I just stole one of Momotaros' lines. I held out the Ride Watch to my side, as I twisted the dial so the arrow pointed to the left. I pressed down on the top button with my index finger as the Ride Watch activated.
{ZI-O!}
A digital hologram of a clock based helmet appeared on the front of the Ride Watch before it dissipated. I smiled, as I slotted the Ride Watch on the right side. What sounded like a clock ticking started to echo around me, as I let a breath out.
"Let's go." I said, pressing down on a button sitting on the top of the driver, as the main body of the driver turning counterclockwise by a few degrees. I raised my arms up to the left, before I moved them over my head as they eventually landed into position. My left hand held raised to my upper right side, palm outwards, while my right hand faced open palm up at my hip.
While all of this was happening, a giant holographic clock formed behind me, different gears decorated the outside, as the hands turning around as it awaited my transformation.
"HENSHIN!" I shouted, closing my right hand and twisting my left around as I backhanded the right slot of the driver, the whole belt turning 340 degrees until it returned to its neutral position. I quickly brought my arms in front of me in an X pattern, before bringing them down to my sides, the sound of a bell being rung echoed around me.
[RIDER TIME!]
{KAMEN RIDER! ZI-O!}
The hands on the holographic clock slammed together at the twelfth position, before the they split to the sides, the small hand landing at 10, while the big hand settled at 2. Three pink Japanese characters formed under the hands on the clock, as it pulsed outwards, launching said characters ahead of me.
As this was happening three bands that resembled watch straps circled around, forming the ZI-O armour. They dissipated soon after, and the three characters slammed into the front of my helmet, forming the word 'Rider' in Japanese on my visor.
"WHAT!?" Ruby exclaimed, her shock overpowering the sound of the other's reacting to my Henshin.
"Rejoice!" Proclaimed Woz, as he stepped into view of the others. "He is the heir to the power of all riders! The lord of time, traveling beyond time and space to reign over past and future…"
"His name is Kamen Rider ZI-O, and you have borne witness to the dawn of his advent." Woz finished, slamming the book closed with an audible slam.
I raised my left arm, putting my left hand against the decorative watch crown on the left side of my head, as I made a motion of adjusting it. "Time…" I began, before flicking my hand out, twisting my hand so the back of my hand faced forwards, pointing my index finger up into the air with my thumb jabbed outwards. My right arm hanging to the side at the ready. "Start!"
"THAT IS SO COOL!" Shouted Ruby from behind me.
"...Heir to the power of all riders?" Blake said.
"Time Start? Really? Out of all the time or clock puns you could've made… Time Start? I'm disappointed in you." Yang said, shaking her head in what I assumed to be mock disappointment.
I relaxed my position, as I looked back at the group behind me. "...Yeah, I need to work on it." I said, as I looked ahead of me, finding the Death Stalker breaking out of it's icy prison. "Right! Grab your relics, we're booking it back to the cliff side!"
I looked back at Ruby. "...Yeah, explanation for all of you later as well… I guess." I said, stretching in the ZI-O armour. "Wow does this feel weird. Not bad, just… different."
"Wait, is anyone going to bring up that guy!" Asked Jaune, as we turned to Woz, who just smiled.
"Right. This is… one of my subjects? What are in the future anyways, my fortune teller or something?" I asked.
"Conversations like these can wait for later." Said Woz, as I raised my head a bit, before I turned around to see the Death Stalker break its tail a tad more out of the ice. When I turned back to Woz, he was gone.
"Well, shit." I said.
"Time we left!" Said Ren.
"Right." Said Ruby, as she waved to get everyone's attention. "Let's go!"
I ran up alongside Ruby. "So… I guess I found the artifact." I said, as she turned to look at me. "I assume I was always the one going to be left out, so Ozpin hoped the Ride Watch I had would activate during this."
"So you think you're good?" Asked Ruby.
"If I'm not, it doesn't mean I don't got places to go. I'm a Kamen Rider now, I might take a note out of OOO's book and become a wandering homeless dude." I said. "On second thought, that doesn't sound so good…"
"We got company!" Shouted Nora, as I looked up, seeing the Nevermore flying above us.
"Man these guys do NOT give up!" I shouted, as I slid behind a broken stone structure. I looked over to see the Nevermore perched on a pillar above us.
"Well, that's great!" Said Yang, about as annoyed as the rest of us.
"Oh man, RUN!" Exclaimed Jaune, as I turned around to see the Death Stalker burst onto the scene from the trees.
"Oh, of COURSE he's here to!" I shouted, vaulting over my hiding place.
"Nora! Distract it!" Shouted Ren.
Nora smirks, running out of her hiding place. The Nevermore swings its wings in our general direction, but Nora dodges the feather projectiles with ease. As she dodged the last feather, she reaching behind her back, grabbing her weapon, a grenade launcher from the look of it, and launching several heart-topped shells at the Big Freakin' Bird. Her grenades bursted into pink electricity as they slammed into the Nevermore's side, as it let out a screech, choosing retreating to be the better option.
"Behind you!" I shouted to Nora, as she turned around just in time to see Ren and Blake slashing at the Death Stalker's outer shell in a cross pattern. Weiss jumps next to Nora, creating a glyph beneath the both of them, as they jumped off to safety.
"Go! Go!" Pyrrha shouted, as we charged over top of the stone bridge. I looked to the right just in time to see the Nevermore slam into the middle of the bridged, creating a gap in the middle. I felt the ground give way, before I felt something tug behind me, as I was pulled onto safe ground.
I looked up, nodding to Yang in thanks. "Close one, huh?" I asked, as I stood up, dusting off my armour. "Okay, what now?"
"We get to higher ground." Said Yang, pointing to the dilapidated tower. She smirked, running forwards before jumping up, using her gauntlets as a boost.
"Fair enough." I said, running ahead and jumping. The next thing I knew I had slammed into the side of the tower. "Ow."
"You alright?" Asked Yang, as I got my bearings.
"Yeah… Just don't know the kind of strength I have in this form…" I said, as I saw Ruby and Weiss join us. "I take it Birdy is ours then."
I looked at the Nevermore, watching as Blake ran along it's back, slicing at it as much as she could before she jumped off, landing next to Ruby as she walked up to Yang and I.
"It's tougher than it looks!" She said, as Yang smirked, activating her gauntlets.
"Then let's hit it with everything we got!" Yang said.
"One sec." I said, letting out a breath. I looked at the Driver. "Please work…"
"EDGE OF TIME!" I shouted, holding my hand out. A pink holographic clock emerged from my driver, moving outwards in front of my outstretched hand. In a flash, a strange sword materialized from the hologram, and appeared in my hand. The Sword was as basic as it could come, although with the added addition in the form of a slot for a Ride Watch above the handle, and decorative Japanese characters spelling out 'Sword'.
[ZIKAN GIRADE!]
[KEN!]
"Oh good, that works." I said, grabbing the front of the sword. "Good thing about this thing…" I flipped the blade towards me, exposing the gun form of the weapon.
[JU!]
"Is that it's also a gun!" I shouted, pulling the trigger. The blast slammed into the grimm, but didn't appear to do much damage. The other four joined in on our ranged fight, firing shot after shot but our attacks only seemed to be dodged our to have been taken in harmless stride.
"Look out!" I shouted, Jumping up high just as the Nevermore slammed into the tower. I looked down to see Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang all jumping from block to block, a feat I wouldn't be able to accomplish as I am now. "Never thought about using it like this…"
I tossed the Zikan Girade to the side, the gun dispersing into particles for me to recall later, as I pressed down on the button on my ZI-O Ride Watch.
{FINISH TIME!}
I pressed down on the top button of the driver, before I pressed my thumb on the right slot, and pushed, spinning the driver around. The bell sounded again, as I kicked my foot out.
{TIME BREAK!}
I flew forwards, sliding onto the stone next to Ruby. She grabbed my hand to help me up. I smiled. "Yeah… using a Rider Kick to get out of harm's way… who'd of thought?" I said, smirking under my helmet.
"None of this is working!" Shouted Weiss, as she landed next to us.
Ruby seemed to survey the area, before she looked back at us. "I have a plan. Cover me!"
"You heard her." I said, holding my hand out. "Edge Of Time!"
[ZIKAN GIRADE!]
[JU!]
"Open fire!" I shouted, pulling the trigger on my gun. "Let's try some of this!"
I pressed down on the green button above the Ride Watch Slot, before gripping the gun with both hands, energy forming at the barrel.
[Time Charge! 5...4...3...2...1...ZERO TIME!]
I pulled down on the trigger, as the energy that formed finally reached it's peak.
[ZURE ZURE UCHI!]
The energy shot forwards, slamming into the bird as it screeched. While it's mouth was open, Yang jumped towards the bird, grabbing the top of it's beak with her left hand, she held its mouth open as she repeatedly punched round after round of ammunition into the grimm.
"Ruby! What's the plan?" I asked, running over to her.
"That kick you just did… can you do it again?" She asked me.
"Yeah, why?" I said, looking over to see Yang steer the bird into the cliff side. "Oh…"
Despite the fact Yang just punched a bird into the cliff, said bird wasn't exactly harmed by it, as it started to flap it's wings and get back into the air. Weiss quickly ran forwards, passing Yang as she she stabs her sword into the ground, as Ice travels from her position up to the bird's tail, freezing it in place, no matter how much it flapped.
I watched as Blake gripped the ribbon on her weapon, before she threw her pistol over to Yang, who caught it as they got onto either side of two pillars and pulling, the ribbon tense. Ruby jumped towards the ribbon, landing at the center with Crescent Rose as it bent down the middle towards a black glyph from Weiss.
I ran over to Weiss and Ruby. "Of course you would come up with this idea." Said Weiss.
"Think you can make the shot?" Asked Ruby.
"Hmm. Can I?" Weiss asked rhetorically.
"Can you?" Ruby asked, clearly not getting sarcasm.
"Of course I can!" Weiss snapped.
"Weiss, when you send Ruby flying, I need you to launch me into the air for my bit." I said, pressing down on the button on my Ride Watch.
{FINISH TIME!}
"Got it!" She said.
Ruby cocked her weapon, as Weiss turned the circle from it's black colour to a red, releasing Ruby as the tension from the ribbon and Weiss' glyph send the girl flying. The ground beneath me cracks slightly, but I don't have enough time to focus on that, as a glyph forms below me, sending me into the air.
Ruby catches the neck of the Nevermore with her Scythe, as light blue glyphs form under her feet, all leading up the side of the cliff. Ruby fired her weapon, running all the way up the cliff with each new shot fired.
A moment later, I had reached the apex of the launch, as I pressed down on the top of my driver, and quickly spun it around. The bell rang out, as I got into position.
{TIME BREAK!}
Ruby reached the top, launching herself into the air, holding the Grimm's head right over the top of the cliff. Pink Japanese characters for 'Kick' formed around the head of the grimm, as they slowly combined together, before they flew over to my foot. My text on my visor lit up along with the text my foot, as I flew towards the Grimm's head.
"Rider Kick!" I shouted, my foot impacting the Grimm's head, before I blew through it, sliding past as Ruby landed behind me. "Times up…" I said, flicking my wrist. I turned around, walking to the edge of the cliff as the Nevermore's body fell into the abyss below, disintegrating all the while. "...No Yang's right I need to work on my catchphrases."
"They're not THAT bad." Said Ruby.
"They need MORE character to them though." I said, shaking my head. "Let's just help the others up. I think we finished the initiation finally."
I removed the ZI-O Ride Watch from the driver, as I twisted the Dial back to its neutral position, the armour fading around me.
"That was a rush." I said, smiling.
"Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark." The screen of the auditorium projected each of their profiles as the boys lined up for the applauding audience. "The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL, led by... Cardin Winchester!" Ozpin Announced, as I stood near the wall, flicking the dial of my Ride Watch.
This thing is way too fidgety for me to deal with…
I looked back up to the stage as the audience gives one more wave of ovation to the new team. I watched as four familiar faces walked up to the stage to take their places in front of the headmaster, their faces filling the screen.
"Jaune Arc. Lie Ren. Pyrrha Nikos. Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR." Said Ozpin. I put my Ride Watch back onto the holder, as I started clapping loudly for them, cheering all the same.
"Led by... Jaune Arc!" Said Ozpin, as the smile on my face grew a bit.
"Huh? L-Led by...?" Jaune said, shocked.
"Congratulations, young man." Said Ozpin.
Jaune looked out into crowd, catching my gaze. I gave him a thumbs up, which then turned into a two finger salute. Pyrrha grinned, looking to her teams new leader, giving a friendly shoulder bump to Jaune, but the poor guy is knocked over and falls to his butt in front of the laughing audience.
The four walked off stage, as Ozpin motioned Ruby, Yang, Blake and Weiss onstage. "Blake Belladonna. Ruby Rose. Weiss Schnee. Yang Xiao Long." Ozpin said, looking at the four. "The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY. Led by... Ruby Rose!"
I let out a loud chear, clapping just the same as I had for team JNPR, as Yang tackles her sister into one of her infamous bone crushing hugs. My eyes wavered to the other two members of Team RWBY, Blake was giving a slight smile to the two sisters, while Weiss had a look of shock on her face, that quickly faded to a blank stare.
"And finally." Said Ozpin, as the four walked offstage. "Would Bryce Bridged come onstage."
I swallowed, kicking off the wall as I walked up to Ozpin. "Bryce Bridged. You are the only initiate who did not find themselves a partner. Under normal circumstances, this would mean you would have failed the initiation, but to fail one person because of an odd number wouldn't be fair if it was left up to luck."
Ozpin smiled. "With that said, you did as asked and brought the 'special artifact' to the cliff side." He said, as I blinked. "Bryce Bridged, you retrieving the ZI-O Ride Watch and the Ziku Driver. Because of the odd number of students, for the time being you will be an unofficial member of the team you worked best with during the Initiation, while at the same time looking for possible teammates to join you."
"With that said, would Team RWBY please come up to the stage." Said Ozpin, as the team came back up to the stage. "During the initiation, you five worked together to take down the common threat. Ruby Rose, will you accept Bryce Bridged to your team?"
Ruby looked at me, before looking back at Ozpin. "Absolutely."
"Bryce Bridged, welcome to Team RWBY." Said Ozpin, as the crowd cheered around us. "It looks like things are shaping up to be an... interesting year. Don't you agree, Kamen Rider ZI-O."
I looked over at Ozpin, as he smiled at me, before walking away. I looked back just in time to see Ruby slam into my side. "Congratulations Bryce!"
"Thanks… Can you get off me now? You're digging into my solar plexus…" I said, grimacing. Ruby got off almost instantly. "Thank you…"
"Well, how's that for Mr. No Training?" Asked Yang.
"Terrifying." I answered, before looking over at the other two members of Team RWBY. "I look forward to working with the both of you."
"Likewise. It'll be interesting to see a Kamen Rider in action." Said Weiss, extending her hand. I took it in mine and shook. I turned to Blake, who smiled.
"Same for me." She said, as I smiled.
I stretched. "Well, might as well get myself situated. Do we know where our dorms are?"
"All teams will be given dorm numbers on your way out of the auditorium. Enjoy the night." Said Ozpin to the crowd.
"Well, that's convenient." I said.
"I'll say." Said Jaune, as Team JNPR walked over to us. "Congratulations guys."
"Could say the same to you, Vomit Boy." Said Ruby, as Jaune let out a chuckle.
I smiled. "So, shall we see where our rooms are?" I asked, as the others nodded.
"Bryce, if I could speak with you for a moment." Said Ozpin, walking up to me.
"Huh? Oh, sure. I'll catch up, you guys head on ahead." I said, turning around to look at Ozpin. "Something you need from me, Professor Ozpin?"
Ozpin handed me a slip of paper. "That there is you room number. While you may be apart of Team RWBY, the dorms are not designed with five in mind, so you'll be taking residence in a separate dorm for now. Inside will be a school provided scroll." He said, holding his hand out. "Welcome to Beacon young man."
I extended my hand as we shook. He reached into his coat pocket as he pulled out a card, turning around. He tilted his head to look at me, a smile on his face."And welcome to the world of Kamen Riders." He finished, his left hand resting to the side, flipping the card over, the face of a pink Kamen Rider labeled on it.
"...Decade…" I muttered in realization, as Ozpin walked away. I looked down at the sheet of paper in my hand. "...I'll think more on it later, I should get settled."
"Wait, so your room is next to ours?" Asked Ruby, as we walked down the hallway, looking through the different room numbers.
"Looks like it. See, you got 553…" I began.
"We have 554…" Said Jaune, chiming in.
"And I have… Faiz…" I said, sighing. "Onore Decado…" I muttered, shaking my fist, knowing for a fact Ozpin was trolling me at this point, while also a bit ecstatic I could both use that line, and that it was actually applicable.
"Here they are!" Ruby said, pointing at the doors. I walked up to mine, grasping the door handle as I opened the door, finding it was unlocked.
"They're unlocked. Probably only for the time being though." I said, turning the lights on. The dorm was plain, four desks, four beds, a bathroom, and a small section for a rather tiny kitchen. In the middle of one of the beds was a package. "I got a package I guess. You guys go check out your dorms, I'm gonna drop my stuff off for now."
I closed the door behind me, as I walked over to the bed, picking up the package. "What might you be?" I asked, opening the box, inside was what looked like a box for a new Smartphone, and a few other school supplies, along with 3 custom tailored uniforms, most likely for classes. "Great, a dress code…"
I took the phone box out, opening it to see what I had learned to be a scroll. "Right, Ozpin said the school supplied these. Probably good for huntsmen and huntresses to have in the field."
I placed it aside, deciding to get it set up later. "...I became a Kamen Rider…" I muttered, crashing onto one of the empty beds. "...holy crap."
(Author's Note)
And that's it for this chapter. Wow that was long. This thing was the combined length of both Chapters 1 & 1-5...
Only wish my wifi didn't crash and I had to go through the entire chapter and re-edit it... (I REALLY liked the first edited version too...)
Okay so I want to ask you guys something. Catchphrases. An opening and closing one. I swear I had a few ideas, but I honestly can't remember them. If any of you think of any good ones, if you could leave them via review, I'd appreciate it. (Plan on doing 2-5 as a bit of a homage to Kouta's 'How to do the henshin pose' scene from episode 2 of Gaim, if you understand what I'm talking about)
With that said, have a good day everyone!