As I step onto the platform trying to get my bearings the blonde trickster comes up behind me chuckling.

"Feeling alright there fly boy?" Yang smirks at me

"Who me? Yeeeah totally fine. Never felt more alive." I smile weakly

'What kind of madman thought it would be a good idea to put people into what equates to a giant flying metal coffin!?" As I scream internally Ruby walks head before turning back towards us.

"So where should we start? There's a few places we could check out. Oh! There's a really nice bakery I know that makes some of the best cookies!"

Seeing Ruby getting excited over baked goods I can't help but chuckle. "Maybe later Ruby. Right now I need to focus on getting the essentials. That means toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, the whole shebang."

Yang being her insightful self rebuttals. "LAAAME. Why can't we go somewhere fun?"

Sighing, I can't help but think I should have just gone alone, but then a thought strikes me. "Well I suppose I do need to get some new clothes and could use a discerning eye to help me pick-"

"Say no more!" Yang grabs me by the arm, yanking me towards the nearest clothing outlet with Ruby trailing behind us.

Turning my head back towards Ruby with a groan. "Is she always like this?"

Giggling Ruby nods her head at me. "You learn to get used to it."

After finally managing to escape Yang's ironclad grip we arrive at what seems to be a clothing store called "Ariadne's Threads". As we make our way inside I notice that the store inside is surprisingly more spacious than outside. Many different articles of clothing in a myriad of colors and styles line racks around the store,

Letting out a long whistle Yang turns towards me. "Sure is a nice place huh? So any particular look you were thinking of?"

I blink owlishly at her. "Uhh look? Well, I'm not sure honestly. I mean, yeah I want something comfortable and looks nice, but it's gotta be durable with what we do too right?"

Nodding her head Ruby adds in. "Yeah, plus you need to take into consideration your fighting style. Kind of hard to maintain speed and flexibility when your bogged down by baggy clothing."

Stewing in thought for a moment I realize something however. "But, I don't know what my fighting style is. Hell, I don't even have a weapon yet."

"That's okay. I'll be helping you with the weapon part remember?" Ruby looks down in thought. "But, your right… Hmmm. Well, what about your semblance?"

I give Ruby an odd look. "What about it?"

"Well, maybe if we knew what it was we could figure out how to go about your equipment."

"I haven't exactly tested it out yet. I don't really know what my semblance is right now."

As Ruby frowns in thought I look over at Yang. "I mean I was planning on figuring all that out at some point anyway. I know I'm asking a lot, but you think you guys could help me with a bit of training?"

With a glint in her eye Yang smiles broadly. "Sure Gai. I mean you did kind of save me and Ruby at initiation. Plus, after seeing you blast those Grimm I've been itching to see what you can do."

Coming out of her thoughts for a moment Ruby joins in. "Yeah, we'd be happy to help. Plus, you guys sparring might give me some ideas for your weapon!"

After acquiring further help from the two sisters I make my way over to a few of the racks.

"Alright, let me just get a few basic clothes before we go. I'll worry about my actual outfit after we figure some things out. Sound good?"

The two sisters nod in the affirmative before I start looking through the racks. After a few minutes I manage to grab a pair of black jeans with a forest green shirt and head over to the changing rooms. After getting changed I grab two more sets of the same outfit I head over to the register and make my purchase.

With bag in hand I make my way back over to the girls. "Alright all set. "

Yang nods. "Alright let's get back to beacon."

Ruby speeds past me to lead the way while Yang walks alongside me chuckling and cracking jokes every so often.

Y'know… Losing my memories might not have been such a bad thing after all. Yet, something is still bothering me...'

As the bullhead touches down on the landing pad I hurriedly make my way onto solid ground while Yang brings up the rear trying to hold in a chuckle. Glaring at her I make my way past the doors and into the maze that is Beacon once more.

"All right. Let's head over to someplace so we can spar and figure out what my semblance does. I assume you know how to get there Yang?"

She nods taking the lead. "Yeah. Though if we want to test your semblance we might have to use some place more open. Like the arena in the combat classroom maybe?"

"What about the combat classroom?"

As I jump in fright I look back to Ozpin sipping out of his mug. "HOLY- Please don't do that."

"Ah. My apologies. I was taking a walk and I couldn't help but overhear your predicament. I must regret to inform you, however, that you will need a staff members supervision first. However, seeing as I have a bit of free time I suppose I could help."

Smiling I thank Ozpin before we make our way to the classroom with him leading the way. Before long we arrive at our destination. Looking around it seems to be an amphitheater of some kind. A large stone arena in the center with seats for the students to observe above. As Yang steps up to one side of the ring I take the other while Ozpin takes a referee spot off to the side with Ruby standing next to him ready to cheer us on. Looking to the side I see pictures of both me and Yang on a large screen with a green gauge next to our respective names.

"I will be witness to this match. The rules are as follows: If your Aura reaches the Red zone the match is over. If for any reason I see the need to stop the match you will comply. Is that understood?"

Both of us nod in the affirmative. "Very well. You will begin on my mark."

As we wait for Ozpin's signal i can feel the butterflies circulating my insides.

'Jeez. What am I doing? What part of this did I think was a good idea? I'm gonna get pulverized!'

"You can do it Gaius!" Ruby shouts pulling me from my thoughts. "Don't think about anything else. Just focus on the moment. Keep your eyes open and just keep a level head."

She's right. I can't think about what might happen. I need to focus. How did I activate my Semblance before? Think Gaius THINK!'

"Begin!"

At the signal Yang darts towards me fists drawn back, taking advantage of me being distracted. "Better keep your head in the game Gaius!"

Taking a big hit to the gut, I lean back to avoid her follow up.

'Damn it! I need to disengage and get some breathing room.'

Seeing Yang draw her fist back for another attack I duck out of the way while also repositioning myself behind her. Taking advantage I lash out with a kick to her back and quickly back pedal to put some distance between us.

Turning around Yang smirks at me. "Your not gonna get anywhere by running all the time Gai!"

Before I can respond Ozpin interjects. "She's right Mr. Brakken. You need to actually fight back in order to win. I can tell from the look on your face you're still struggling with your Semblance. Think back to the Initiation. What were you feeling when you saw Miss Rose and her sister in trouble? Remember that feeling, harness it, let that be your guide."

'What I was feeling? I don't even know myself. All I know is I saw them in trouble and had to act… Yet, why? I feel like there's something deeper there, but I can't remember!'

"Times up Gai! Time to see what you're made of!" Yang launches towards me once more, fists drawn back and ready to lay into me.

"Damn it!" As I curse my own inability, I try to dodge her flurry of blows as best I can, but more than half of them make their mark. With each hit my Aura takes I can see the gauge going lower and lower out of the corner of my eye until it drops to around the eighty percent mark. With one last uppercut Yang knocks me flat on my back with me groaning in phantom pains.

"That's enough. It's clear to me that you aren't quite ready to spar with someone of Miss Xiao-Long's level. We will see about finding you someone more-"

My mind drowns out anything further the headmaster says. 'I've failed. Why? Why can't I do what I did back at initiation? Was it a fluke? I spouted off all that "Because I can" stuff to Ozpin. Truth be told I was just desperate to not be turned away… Why though? Why do I keep getting this feeling? I know I ran in to save them for a reason. I KNOW IT!'

Still laying on the ground I turn my head towards the score board noticing my aura is still hovering at around seventy five percent.

'Wait. My aura's not in the red. I can still fight. I… I need to find the answer. I have to remember why I'm fighting. Why I saved them. I HAVE TO!'

"W-Wait. I… I'm not-"

Hearing my grunts of discomfort the three of them turn towards me as I struggle to my feet.

"It's okay Gaius you don't have to keep going. We shouldn't have started you off with someone like Yang. We can find someone else to help maybe?"

'Don't look at me like that… I don't need to be coddled.'

"Miss Rose is right Mr. Brakken. I should have taken into account Miss Xiao-Long's skill level before agreeing to this."

'Stop that… Stop looking at me with those pitying eyes!'

As my inner turmoil grows, Yang ever the jokester looks at me. "Hey It's cool Gai. A lot of guys can't keep up with me. I mean it wasn't really a fair fight anyway considering-"

'THAT'S IT!'

"SHUT… UP! JUST SHUT UP!" Clenching my fists I look at their shocked faces.

"B-but Gaius-"

The flames of my anger grow as I cut off Ruby. "NO! I don't wanna hear it. I'm tired of all of you looking at me like that!"

Ruby and Yang look towards each other then back at me. "Whaddya mean Gai?"

Looking at Yang I start falling further into my anger. "Like THAT! Every time you look at me, all I see is those pitying eyes. Like… Like I'm some fragile little doll!"

Ruby starts walking towards me with open arms. "But Gaius we were only trying to-"

"SHUT UP RUBY!"

As Ruby flinches back Yang takes a step forward. "HEY! Don't talk to my sister like that! We've done nothing but try to help!"

As my fists clench tighter and tighter Ozpin makes himself known by tapping the end of his cane on the floor loudly. "That will be quite enough. Frankly, he's right."

As all three of us stop stock still I can't help but dumbly ask. "I… I am?"

Nodding, he steps between me and Yang before he continues. "Yes, you are. In our efforts to assist you we've all been focusing on your amnesiac status and have lost sight of you as a person. While we meant no harm by it, we have been, as you said, 'treating you like a doll'."

'Well… now I feel like a jerk…'

Sighing, I shuffle over towards Ruby with Yang standing protectively in front of her. "I'm sorry. I let my frustrations get the better of me. I know you guys have just been trying to help and I can't express how grateful I am for that… Forgive me?"

Ruby looks down in thought as Yang looks to her for the verdict. "All right, I'll forgive you. On one condition. You buy me cookies from that shop in Vale I mentioned. Deal?"

I shake the outstretched hand and chuckle. "Deal. Sorry I shouted at you too Yang."

She continues crossing her arms glaring at me before her gaze lightens and a small smile appears on her face. "Yeah all right. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have treated you like that either. Now that things are settled how about we go-"

I put my hand up interrupting her. "Who says things are settled? Last I checked my Aura was still in the green."

Yang grins before looking towards Ozpin. He gives a light sigh before speaking. "Fine. Seeing as Mr. Brakkens Aura has recovered a bit you may continue. Before we resume however let me offer some advice. A semblance is the power of one's soul. No one can find the answers to what you seek but you."

'He… He knew!?'

"Y-yes headmaster. Thank you sir."

Before we return to our positions Ruby comes up to me holding something.

"Oh Gaius! You dropped this when you got knocked down." In her hands is my necklace.

"OH! Thanks Ruby, what would I do without ya?" As she hands me back the necklace she lightly giggles. As she stands there smiling an image of a young girl with long reddish hair overlaps with Ruby's. My eyes widen in shock and my head throbs in pain.

'Th-that girl! I… I know her!"

As I step backwards holding my head in my hands Ruby calls out to me. "H-Hey! You okay Gaius? You look a little pale. Maybe you should rest?"

"N-no… Just… a headache. It's passed now though, I'm good."

She gives a little pout before nodding and taking her spot next to Ozpin. "The rules are the same as before. Ready on my signal."

'That wasn't just me seeing things from exhaustion. That was a memory! If I can just figure out who that girl was I might be able to figure something out.'

"Begin!"

'Later then.'

As the signal sounds once again Yang does something a little different. She's… Standing there?

"Look Gai. I know you're struggling, but right now? It's just you and me okay? Now get ready, cuz here I come!"

Yang dashes forwards towards me. Before I would have tried to maintain the distance between us, but now? I'll meet her head on. On instinct, I pull my fists back ready to launch an attack forward. As she closes the distance she throws out a jab at my mid section. Stepping to the side out of the way, I lash out with my own directed right at her head. Not expecting it she takes the direct hit and backpedals. She looks at me stunned after shaking loose the cobwebs.

"Don't lower your guard Yang. I might just surprise you."

Matching my grin with her own she resumes her stance and meets me in melee once more. As we continue exchanging blows I notice my Aura dropping at larger and larger increments as the fight continues on. Yang winds up for a haymaker, but as I slip around the wild swing I take this chance to grab her by the arm and throw her to the edge of the arena to gain a little breathing room.

'Huff… huff… something's not right… It's like she's getting stronger as the fight goes on. Must be her Semblance somehow. I have to find a way to end this. I need something to give me an edge. If i could just-'

At this moment the memory of that girl once again interrupts my line of thinking. Yang is mid charge again, Aura blazing, when I clutch my head in pain and a pair of somewhat familiar voices ring in my head.

'Thanks again for the food mister!'

'Thank you for saving my daughter and I'

'Hold on mister! The ambulance is almost here!'

Time seems to almost slow to a halt as my head rings in agony. I look over to see Ruby shouting something to Yang but she seems too absorbed in the fight to listen. However… A part of the fog in my mind seems to clear somewhat and…

'That's it!'

As Yangs attack is about to connect I instinctively throw my arms up to block the attack. I close my eyes expecting a world of pain, but with a familiar green flash it's lowered to a dull roar and I feel…

"Amazing…"

Yang looks in shock as I hold my ground against her blow. "Wait, what!?"

Taking advantage of her distraction I throw my weight forward, sending Yang flying back to her corner of the arena. Looking down, I see the green hexagonal shaped sigils litter the skin of my arms once more. As everyone stares back at me in shock I take a moment to revel in the feeling flowing through my body right now. It's like standing near an open flame, but I feel a hidden danger lurking. Should I feed it too much, the flame will grow out of control into raging wildfire that will consume all in it's path. Even me. Looking back over to the scoreboard I see my Aura hovering around the sixty percent mark with Yang sitting pretty at around seventy five. Grinning ferally I look back towards Yang.

"All right Yang. Are you ready for me? Cuz the real match starts now."

Yang shakes off her stupor and looks back at me, matching my grin. "You bet I am Gai. Now maybe we can finally see just what you're made of. I've been itching for this fight!"

Yang and I continue staring one another down before as if on a silent signal between us we both kick off and launch towards each other. Clashing in the center we exchange blows once more, but this time I find myself able to keep up a little better now. Every hit I deal to Yang shaves off a bit of her Aura, but at the same time empowers her. While every hit I block only serves to make me that much stronger. I can feel the tension in my arms increasing with every hit I deflect. Reminding myself of initiation, I realize I've got to somehow "Vent" the power coursing through me before it becomes too much. When Yang lashes out with another punch I put my plan into action. Taking the hit to my chest, I bring both hands up, willing the energy to flow to the palms striking her with an open hand. The resulting detonation sends us both flying back a few feet. Struggling to stand back up, we both glance over to the scoreboard to see both of our Auras deep into the yellow zone.

I look towards Yang with excitement. "What do you say Yang? One final attack to settle things?"

Her eyes gleam. "Sure. Just remember." Yang's hair seemingly bursts into flames and her once lavender colored eyes turn a violent red. "You asked for it!"

Yang starts concentrating and I see energy start to flow around her in a torrent of flames. Recognizing her putting her all into this attack I respond in kind. Focusing on the burning warmth suffusing my body, I channel every ounce of power I've gathered and channel it into my right arm. The glow that surrounded my arm starts to brighten. Before long it becomes a blinding radiance and I feel crackles of energy arc around me before resting my gaze back on Yang. She looks back to me and seems to have an expression of surprise before settling back to her menacing grin. In an unspoken agreement we rocket towards each other for the last time, smiling maniacally as draw closer and closer to our inevitable clash.

"HAAAAAHHH!

"RRRRAAAAGHHH!"

With a resounding battle cry our energy laden fists meet in the middle. The both of us struggling to overpower the other and snatch victory away.

BOOOOOM

CRASH

The force of the ensuing explosion rockets us away and I find myself embedded in the wall opposite of Yang. Before I can utter a word I hear a small crack and my face meets the floor, signaling my Aura Shattering.

"Oh my Oum! Yang! Gaius! Are you guys okay!?" Ruby uses her super speed and dashes between me and Yang checkin to make sure we are alright while Ozpin just stands there silently sipping his mug.

"Both combatants' Aura has shattered simultaneously. Seems we have a tie."

With Ruby's help me and Yang find our balance and make our way over to Ozpin and each other. We both look at each other for a moment before weakly bringing our fists to each other, bumping them lightly.

"That was great. Thanks for the awesome fight Yang."

Yang smiles and gives me a thumbs up. "You too Gai. I haven't had a match like that in a while. If you ever wanna spar again you just let me know!"

Laughing lightly in the affirmative I look back towards Ozpin and grimace. "I… I have to apologize sir."

He raises his brow. "Whatever for?"

"I lied to you before. When you asked me why I want to fight. Truth is… I was just desperate to not be turned away. Now though? Now I know why I want to fight."

"Oh? Then what is your answer now?"

Smiling, I look back from the headmaster and towards Yang and Ruby. "I fight for the friends I've made, people who have helped me, a complete stranger they knew nothing about, yet still gave me a chance. And beyond that? I fight for the future."

Oz stares in silence, taking another sip from his mug. "For the future you say? Would you care to elaborate on that?"

Nodding I continue. "While I may not remember much of my past, I can always look towards the future. Battles I've yet to fight, places I've yet to see, friends I've yet to make! I'll continue fighting so I can experience it all. Suffice to say, I fight to live."

Ozpin studies me. Having been satisfied with my answer he pats me on my shoulder. "Allow me to officially welcome you to Beacon young man."

My eyes widen as Yang and Ruby gasp in surprise. "Wait… I thought I was already a student?"

Ozpin adjusts his glasses. "Well to be perfectly honest I had a feeling you weren't be one hundred percent truthful with me earlier. So I've been keeping an eye on you and once I saw how well you and the members of teams JNPR and RWBY were getting along, I devised a plan of sorts. Knowing of Miss Xiao-Long's boisterous personality and your own circumstances, I had a feeling that you might end up in a spar with her at some point. Thus, evaluating not just your ability to fight, but your character as a person. Now, while I say welcome, I in truth have one more test for you in the coming days before I can place you anywhere."

At first I was excited to know I had a place here, but now the idea of an additional test?

"It doesn't matter. Whatever test you have for me I'll prove myself worthy of being a student here."

Oz gives a small smile before taking another sip out of his mug. "Very well. In one weeks time I will send someone for you for your final test. In the meantime classes start up tomorrow and I expect all of you there understood?"

Yang, Ruby and I nod in the affirmative. As Ozpin makes his way to the classrooms exit he turns around once more. "Oh and Mr. Brakken? Until it has been decided whether you stay at Beacon or not you are not to participate and any official matches with the students in the combat class taught by Miss Goodwitch."

I frown for a moment before giving my reluctant acceptance. "Yes sir… I understand."

After nodding, he makes his way past the doors. As soon as he does Yang comes up behind me and roughly pats me on the back. "Don't worry about it Gai! We'll help you get prepped for the test."

Ruby comes forward nodding. "Yeah! And now that you know how your semblance works we can start thinking of ideas for your weapon!"

A gleam shines in Ruby's eyes before Yang addresses me. "Hey yeah. Actually now that I think about it, how did you figure out your Semblance?"

Having forgotten all about that until now my eyes widen. "OH! That's right! Well surprisingly enough, a small bit of my memory returned."

They both shout in surprise. "WAIT WHAT!?"

I lightly chuckle at their outburst. "Yeah. Actually it was Ruby that helped me out there."

The red clad girl in question points a finger at herself. "Uh me?"

"Yes Ruby you. When you handed back my necklace it reminded me of someone… Someone from an accident I was in."

Interest peaked Yang follows up. "What kind of accident? What happened exactly?"

I shake my head side to side. "I'm still fuzzy on the details, but I know something bad would have happened to that girl if I hadn't done something. Most I can remember is shoving her and another woman out of the way, bright flashes of light and a very loud sound. After that? Complete darkness. Next thing I know I'm falling from the sky and you guys know what happened from there."

Noticing their downcast faces I try my best to cheer them up. "Hey it's ok guys. I may not remember everything right away, but at least I'm making progress right?"

Their expressions lighten before Ruby's face lightens up. "Oh! So back to the subject of your Semblance, what exactly does it do? It actually reminded me of Yang's a lot."

Nodding her head in agreement Yang adds in. "Hey, Yeah! Although it felt like there was more to it than what we could see. Also, what was that thing you did with your eyes?"

"My eyes?"

Ruby nods in agreement. "Yeah when you were charging up that attack your eyes started to glow this really bright green color."

"Yeah it was kinda cool actually. Kinda threw me off guard for a second there with the slit eyes thing you got going for ya"

"Huh… Go figure. Anyway, from what I can tell, I can absorb a portion of the 'energy' behind attacks. I can then store that energy inside me to give myself a boost of sorts. There's a downside however."

Ruby looks up at me from a… notepad? "What do you mean Gaius?"

'Where'd she pull that from?!'

I shake myself out of my internal musing "I think there's a limit to how much I can absorb. Remember what happened at initiation?"

Ruby's eyes widen in realisation. "That's why you were in such bad shape after the fight!"

I gesture in the affirmative. "Exactly. If I go past my what I'm capable of my body just kind of… damages itself?"

Ruby hums in thought tapping the pencil against her chin. "It's like a limiter. Like your Semblance's way of telling you to stop maybe? That would also explain why it took you longer to heal even with your Aura unlocked... Maybe if we're lucky you can train to increase that limit!"

Yang grins pumping her fist in excitement. "Breaking limits huh? Count me in!"

As our excitement grows a loud growling rings out from my stomach. "Ummm can we get something to eat before we go breaking anything?"

"Pfftt… Hahaha!" Yang starts laughing and bit by bit Ruby and I end up joining in.

'Just you wait Ozpin. I'll pass that test of yours. I've made a few good friends already and I'm not giving them up that easily. I've come too far to stop now… Right Mackenzie?'