Chapter 4: Welcome to Beacon
6 Months Later
The clash of wood against wood echoed around the sparring area, Kaede and Aiko had trained together to the point of knowing each tell for each other's techniques, the battle ended when their staves shattered into splinters.
The exhausted combatants took a moment to catch their breath and laugh at their battles outcome, and then they headed inside.
Kaede opened the door and found darkness within, the lights were out. "Uh, guys, are you in here?" Kaede asked as she fumbled for the light switch.
Finally finding it, Kaede switched on the light, revealing decorations leading to the living room where their parents awaited them with a hand baked strawberry cake.
Where Kaede was completely shocked, Aiko was all smiles. "Happy birthday."
Kaede turned to her friend with confusion in her eyes.
"...Well, technically it's my birthday, but you never knew yours and you never celebrated it so, I decided to surprise you, gotcha didn't I?" Aiko lightly punched Kaede's shoulder as her confusion was gradually overtaken by joy.
They each turned 16 this day, and it was the best day of Kaede's life, the cake was delicious, the songs were festive, it was an all-around fun day, and then it was time for presents.
The girls didn't know what to expect, they didn't play with any toys and they didn't collect anything from TV shows or anything like that, but they were pleasantly surprised when they received combat equipment and rushed to their rooms to try it on immediately.
Aiko returned first, wearing a dark blue kimono dress with the Japanese kanji for 'winter' on the back as well as dark blue sandals that reminded her of Naruto and a collapsible Naginata that could become a staff or a short sword, while it lacked a gun mode, it held Dust crystal comparments throughout it's length, she was also still wearing her hat.
Kaede came down next, wearing black and pink combat boots, black long shorts and a black undershirt beneath a pink vest of plate mail armor with a hand print to represent her vectors, and gauntlets of the same color, at her side was a sheathed double edged sword that could become a trident or a sai on account of the bladed hilt guard and collapsible blade and handle, her sword also lacked a gun mode, but had a Dust crystal compartment in its handle.
"You both look incredible." Ingrid said.
"Make those weapons an extension of yourselves and you will never fear an enemy again." Thogrom said.
The rest of the night was spent in celebration, and then another year of keeping their skills refined came and went until finally, after years of training for this day, they were saying final goodbyes to their family.
"You're going to excel at Beacon." Ingrid said as she hugged Aiko.
"I know mom, I've come too far to fail." Aiko replied.
"You needn't fear the students of Beacon, if there are bullies among them, the faculty will straighten them out." Thogrom said, placing a reassuring hand on Kaede.
"Thanks Dad, I'll try not to kill anyone." Kaede joked and Thogrom smiled before hugging his daughter.
After the embrace ended, the pseudo siblings began their journey to Beacon.
Kaede was a tad excited at the concept of a Bullhead, she had never flown before and found it rather enjoyable.
The flying machine made a few extra stops picking up more passengers all around the same age, with one exception, a young girl wearing black and red clothes with dark hair and silver eyes, she seemed a little uncomfortable being here and Kaede wondered how someone that young made it into Beacon.
Kaede pondered asking the girl when she was suddenly taken into a bear hug by an older girl with blonde hair that was as long as Kaede's own but appeared to have never seen a brush before.
In the end, Kaede and Aiko just stood together and didn't talk with anyone until the ship landed, it was a long flight.
When they finally got to Beacon, the view was breathtaking, or at least it was until someone lost their lunch and ruined the moment.
The ship landed and everyone departed, some people took in the scenery, others reunited with friends that were one year ahead of them, but Kaede and Aiko and a few others hurried to the meeting arranged for new students.
It seemed like a good idea at the idea at the time, but as more students filed in, the girls quickly found themselves surrounded by other students, it wasn't long before a chatty red head started asking Kaede questions, too many to count.
Luckily, a boy in green clothes recognized the situation and detained his friend before Kaede could lose it, she and Aiko considered leaving when someone tapped on a microphone.
They turned to the stage and saw a sharply dressed man with grey hair standing at the microphone. "I'll...try to keep this brief..." He began.
"You have gathered here today in search of knowledge...when you have finished your training, you plan to use your skills to the benefit of the kingdoms..." He continued.
"...But I look around and all I see is wasted energy... you lack purpose, direction, you hope knowledge will alleviate this, but knowledge will only carry you so far... it's up to you to make that first step." He concluded, stepping away so a woman with pale blonde hair and bright green eyes could take the stage.
"You will gather in the Ballroom tonight, Tomorrow your initiation begins, be ready." And thus the meeting concluded.
Kaede and Aiko stored their equipment and found a corner for themselves, there was bit of drama on the other side of the room, but they ignored it and prepared for the trials to come.
Author's Note:
Sorry if this seems rushed, but I was sick the whole week and crushed this down in a day to meet my deadline (I try for every Saturday) but honestly, I was just tired of the buildup, next chapter will be the forming of teams, making this the last week to guess their teammates, one Disney character and two American warrior types rolled into one.
And no, I didn't forget Kaede's Semblance, it just comes later, but for now, everyone, including Kaede herself believe that her vectors are her Semblance.
Until then I'll catch you all next week.