Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo while RWBY belongs to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth
Chapter 05: The New Step
~The morning of the initiation~
Pyrrha Nikos had long since been used to the stares and whispers. It comes with the 'star athlete' status, after all. So, at this point, she is able ignore the gossip as she prep herself.
"Alright," Pyrrha Nikos said as she checks her internal checklist from her sit on a bench in the locker room. "Armor on, ammunition checked, weapons loaded. Well, I'm ready to go."
"And so are we!" A cheery girl popped up from behind the Mistralian, startling her.
"Oh! Oh, Nora..." Pyrrha breathed, a hand to her chest. "...You startled me." Despite of this, Pyrrha gave the girl a smile.
"Whoops. My bad," Nora said rather playfully. Next to her is her ever-so silent companion, Lie Ren.
"My apologies on Nora's behave," the slender male in green said. Nora puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"Reeeen. You make it seem like I did it on purpose," She whined. She quickly turned to Pyrrha so fast that the latter was worried that the former was going to suffer from a whiplash. Her mood changed just as quickly too. "Oh! Pyrrha! Did you know that there is a Quincy here?!" Ren sighed.
"Nora, it's not that much of a big deal to see one here..." He pointed out. "We live in Valhalla."
"Oh, come on, Ren!" Nora complained. "I know that! But how often do we see one outside of Valhalla or in the Realms."
"That doesn't mean that the Quincys are scarce everywhere else," Ren calmly argued.
Pyrrha smiled some more at the two. She met them not long after boarding the airship to Beacon back in Argus. Like anyone else, Nora was excited to meet the famed Pyrrha Nikos and praised all of her accomplishments, much to the latter's well-hidden chagrin. But then, it quickly changed to other things not pertaining to Pyrrha, such as how excited Nora is to attending Beacon and pancakes, then talking about a dream she had, with Ren correcting some parts. Pyrrha didn't mind the babbling. At least they're not about her. As for the stoic boy, he had mostly kept to himself for the majority of the ride, only talking when spoken to.
"So, Pyrrha." The sound of Nora's upbeat voice brought Pyrrha from her thoughts. "Wanna be in our team? We can make secret signals to each other. We should also look for one more, since the teams have four people. Maybe the Quincy..." Ren only rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Nora, he looks like he's been at this school already."
"Party pooper!"
"A team..." Pyrrha beamed at the two. "That sounds lovely." And it was the truth.
"Great!" Nora exclaimed. "So, you ready to go? Ren and I are gonna go ahead to Beacon Cliff."
"You two go on. I'll be there shortly." Pyrrha said.
"Are you sure?" Nora asked. "We can wait for you."
"Oh, no. It's fine," Pyrrha reassured. "I just need a moment to myself, that's all. To take everything in."
"Well, alright. Let's go, Ren," Nora said as she skips off. "See you later, Pyrrha!"
"It was nice meeting you again," Ren said to Pyrrha before following his hyperactive friend.
Pyrrha's smile grew as she watched the two leave. She wasn't lying about needing a moment. Far from it. She hadn't felt so nervous since she first participated in the Mistral Regional Tournament. She's finally gonna become a Huntress. She pulls out a Scroll, seeing a message from her mother back in Argus. It was a typical, motherly text. Is everything okay? Did you make it there safely? Have you made any new friends yet? She sends her mother a message, telling her everything of her trip to Beacon, before hugging her Scroll to her chest. She felt she has finally made friends.
"Pyrrha Nikos, right?" a new voice asked her. She turned to see a white-haired girl with light blue eyes and a scar over her left one.
"Yes. I am," Pyrrha confirms, standing up to her feet. "And you are?"
The girl takes out her hand for a handshake. "Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." She said in a business-like tone. A tone that Pyrrha is also used to.
She gives her a polite smile and shook her hand. "Well its very nice to meet you. I thought you looked familiar."
"Thank you. So, Pyrrha, you've heard about the whole team thing, right?"
Pyrrha nods. "Yes. I have."
"Well, I was wondering if you and I would team up. With you and I as partners, we'd be the most influential students in all of Beacon." If Pyrrha had wanted to exasperate a sigh, she would have done it at that moment.
"Hello, ladies..." a new person comes into view, trying (and failing) at being suave. Someone Weiss apparently recognized.
"Not you again..." She groaned. Pyrrha, however, waved polite.
"Hello. And what is your name?" That earned her a light slap at her arm by the heiress, who gave her an 'are-you-crazy?' look.
"The names Jaune Arc," The blonde reveals. "Fancy seeing you here, Snow Angel."
Weiss rolled her eyes. Pyrrha, however, remained polite. "It is nice to meet you, Jaune."
"Yeah, thank you," Jaune said hurriedly, almost blowing the renown warrior off. Which was very new to her. Normally, at this point, the boy would be gushing about her skills and talent. "So, I've been hearing some stuff about teams and I was wondering if you could be in mine." He finally looks at Pyrrha. "Oh, and you too, if you want."
"Jaune, right?" Weiss said, getting his attention again. "Do you know who this woman is?"
The blonde stares at the armored girl. "Mmmm...nope, never seen her before." Both girls' eyes widened in shock.
"Y-You're kidding right?" Weiss asked.
"Uh-uh."
"You don't know who she is?" Weiss asked. "Pyrrha Nikos?"
"Yep."
"Uhhhh. She's the three-time champion of the Mistral Regional Tournament," Weiss said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Jaune took a moment to think carefully. "Nope. Never heard it."
Weiss growled. "She's the current mascot for Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes!"
Jaune's eyes widened. "Whoa, really? That's cool!"
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me..." Weiss groaned, clearly getting more frustrated. Pyrrha on the other hand, was lost in her thoughts. He didn't know who she is. He didn't who she is. Pyrrha is brought out of her thoughts when she heard Weiss say the word 'help'. In quick motion and without thinking, Pyrrha turned Miló into its long javelin form and, with great aim, pins Jaune by his hoodie to a nearby wall.
"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha apologized with absolute sincerity, hoping she really didn't hurt the poor boy.
/Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately. Thank you./ Glynda announced over the intercom.
"Let's go, Pyrrha." Weiss said as she walks off.
"It was nice meeting you." Pyrrha said as she uses her Semblance to call back her javelin.
"Likewise..." Jaune muttered in disappointment.
"Come on, Pyrrha," Weiss called out. Pyrrha hurried along to catch up to her. As they walked, Weiss again talked about how much of a great team they would be. Her words fall on deaf ears as Pyrrha looks back to where Jaune is, seeing him being helped by a blonde girl and a girl wearing a red hood. One thought went through her mind.
He didn't know who she is. He didn't know who Pyrrha Nikos is. He didn't know she is a renown warrior and her exploits. Pyrrha places her hands over her chest, feeling her heart beating rapidly. Why does she feel so...happy?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Guardians of Remnant ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'Another year and another promising bunch of Remnant's potential guardians,' Ozpin thought as he sips his freshly brewed coffee, feeling the rough tanginess scorch his mouth and stimulating his senses. He looks out at the beautiful Emerald Forest, where the first group of first years were launched for their initiation. He then looks at the Scroll tablet in his free hand, one of the well-hidden surveillance cameras focused on the partnered up Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee, who are currently lost. Every now and again, the two girls would argue over something, which reminds Oz of a certain pair during their initiation two years ago.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" A voice in his mind said.
The question made Ozpin think back over what occurred a week ago...
~~~~~ Flashback: One Week Ago ~~~~~
"Good evening, Ozpin," an older man greets as the Headmaster enters the Vale Council Room. Despite the greeting, the man didn't seem thrilled.
"Same to you, Councilman Rouge," Ozpin greets back, though more friendly. He turns to the other three Council people, two men and a woman. "As well as to Councilmen Blau, Morado, and Lena." The three only acknowledged him with slight disdain, similar to Rouge.
Rouge interlocked his fingers together. "Let's get to business." He lifts a document in front of him. "Earlier this week, you've sent a form to us about a request for a slight change to the Huntsmen educational system."
"That is correct."
"And that change is to have the upperclassmen of your school to...chaperone the new students."
"That's one way to put it, yes."
"So, you are going to shirk your responsibilities as Headmaster," Lena says, her blonde eyebrows scrunching in ridicule, reminding Ozpin very much of Glynda. Though, in comparison, Glynda was more pleasant to be around. "How irresponsible. Oswald was a fool for selecting such an incompetent child as successor before his last days."
"With all due respect, Councilwoman Lena, I'd advise you not to speak ill of the dead." Ozpin says sagely. "It is unwise."
"Are you giving us orders?" Blau questioned, his tone threatening.
"No, no, not at all." Ozpin dismissed, not feeling the least bit intimidated. "An old friend of mine once told me that the dead doesn't stay dead long. They continue to watch over us all, their eyes and ears everywhere." A cryptic silence fell for a while before Ozpin spoke again. "Grand Councilmen, as you are aware, this world that we live in is a dangerous one. Death and hostilities lurk in every corner and shadow, ready to snuff out every light of life in its paths. In this day and age, with newer, more complex Grimm, the most important courses of action is cooperation and camaraderie. To form bonds that will not only give many a sense of safety, but would also provide positive reinforcement, especially in a situation where even the slightest bit of negativity could mean the end."
"Even if what you say is true," Morado started. "that doesn't insure the succession of this change. Besides, isn't that the reason for the inclusion of four-people teams?"
"Indeed. However, that shouldn't stop us for trying," Ozpin said. "And besides: What better way to teach the new students their craft by learning from someone who has more experience and time."
"I highly doubt your predecessors would agree to this decision," Rouge commented.
Ozpin only grinned. "Oh, believe me, Councilman Rouge. They would have agreed. 100%." Somewhere, in the back of Ozpin's mind, the statement couldn't have been more true.
~~~~~ Flashback Ends~~~~~
In the end, Ozpin got an approval to begin the program. On a trial period of course and the council would send someone to check in on the progression of the program and report back.
"There is nothing to worry about," Ozpin said, mostly to himself. He lifts his coffee to have a drink.
In mid-sip, he heard, "Professor Ozpin," from Glynda. "The last pair has been formed, sir." She taps on her own Scroll tablet. "Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. Poor boy... I can't possibly imagine those two getting along. Still, he's probably better off than Miss Nikos." Ozpin only hummed in response. "What did you use as relics this year?" There was silence. "Professor Ozpin?" More silence. Glynda looks over to the man of mystery watching a footage of Weiss and Ruby, the former claiming she knows where to go. "Professor Ozpin." The Headmaster finally looks at her. "About the program...Is it truly a wise decision?"
Ozpin chuckled. "Glynda, everything will be fine."
"I'm not sure..." Glynda said softly, staring at the footage of her tablet. There are six videos covering the screen, each showing a pair of first years: Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos, Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee, Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren, and Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna.
"Glynda." The blonde woman looks over to her superior. "Please send a message to all student council members and call for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students to the amphitheater." He turns and looks at her with a knowing smile. "Trust me, it will work." Glynda merely stares at him for a moment, almost analyzing him. Then again, has his plans turned out disastrous before? Glynda sigh in resign.
"Of course, Prof. Ozpin." With that, she walks off. Ozpin turns his attention back to the Emerald Forest. He takes another sip of his coffee.
Yes. Another interesting year.
Next Chapter: The Mentorship Program