The Winter Knight

Chapter 3:

Disclaimer: RWBY is the property of Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth. I own nothing.

Wynn was studying Ozpin. He is the youngest Headmaster since the creation of the Hunter Academies. I hope he lives up to his reputation. Then he heard the front doors burst open. Wynn turned to see Ruby and Jaune panting in the doorway. Everyone in the hall had turned to stare in shock at the duo.

Ozpin straightened his dark glasses and looked over the sea of students in the amphitheater. "Now that everyone is here I will keep this brief. You have all chosen to come here in search of knowledge. To further hone your skills and create new ones. It is only natural that the best that Remnant has to offer have chosen to train here at Beacon Academy. To those among you who complete the rigorous training you will become Hunters, the protectors of the people. You are our first and last line of defense against the destructive forces of Grimm. I look out among you and all I see is wasted energy. It's now up to you to take that first step."

Ozpin calmly strode off the stage as Glynda stepped forward. "All first years will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow your initiation begins at 0800. Take tonight to prepare yourself and get a good night's sleep. You will need it tomorrow."

Glynda gave a long and hard stare to the pair in the entranceway. "Everyone is dismissed."

Students started to move or talk among themselves. Ozpin doesn't seem all there. He turned to Yang. "Did he seem off to you?"

"Kind of like he wasn't all there, kind of weird."

Wynn watched as Yang stood up on her chair and yelled to her sister. "Ruby I'm over here!"

Ruby turned to say something to Jaune that he couldn't hear. She then rushed over to Yang. She was still panting slightly. Her clothes were covered in a fine layer of dust.

"Ruby you're late what happened?" asked Yang.

Ruby scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Well Jaune and I got lost but I found the Amphitheater in the end." Ruby looked over to Wynn who was still sitting in his seat. "Wynn what are you here with my sister?"

Wynn looked from Ruby to Yang in confusion, "you two are sisters?"

"Why are you sitting with my sister?"

"I needed someplace to sit and they were nice enough to make room." Wynn looked from Ruby to Yang then back to Ruby. They look nothing alike. "So, you two are sisters?"

"Yes, we are," said Yang.

"You look nothing alike and have different last names… oh half-sisters obviously." He looked back to Yang, "Is that correct?"

"Nailed it," Nora chimed in.

Wynn looked over at Nora. "So, Nora how do you and your associate know Yang?"

Nora cocked her head to one side. "My associate… oh are you talking about Ren?"

Ren leaned forward in his chair. "Hello."

"Nice to meet you Ren."

Nora continued on, "Well Ren and I have been friends well like… forever." She stepped forward next to Yang. "We met Yang at Signal Academy and have spent the last four years training together."

Before Wynn could respond he noticed that a large crowd of students had assembled by the exit doors.

A pair of students ran past the group. "Did you hear Pyrrha Nikos is here? I have to get her autograph."

Wynn reached out and grabbed one of the students by the upper arm. "Did you say Pyrrha Nikos is here?"

"That's what the rumor is, please let go of me I need to go see if it's true."

Wynn let go of the boy's arm. Pyrrha Nikos is here, if we get on the same team we'll be unstoppable. It wouldn't even matter who the other two were.

Yang's voice interrupted his musing, "So who is this Pyrrha Nikos?"

"Pyrrha is from Mistral and famous tournament winner, she graduated top of her class from Sanctum Academy. Frankly she's an incredible fighter. I had no idea she would be here. I assumed that she would be attending Haven Academy. This is all very very interesting."

Yang looked slightly annoyed. "Anyway, we were going to head over to the ballroom. Do you want to come with us?"

Wynn looked longingly over to the crowd by the door, he was fairly certain he could see Pyrrha's red hair at the center of the crowd. Best not, I wouldn't want to come off as a fan or sycophant. Pyrrha can wait till tomorrow. He looked back to Yang and the rest of the group. "Sure, that sounds great. Lead the way."

OoOoO

Ruby Rose sat in her pajama's in a corner of the ballroom. Rows of comfortable looking green sleeping bags littered the floor. She looked back down at her magazine and flipped to the next page of Weapon Magazine Issue #230. On the page was an ad from the Schnee Dust Company: Remnant's Leader in Dust and Dust Accessories, "The finest of all." She looked over to Wynn, he was staring at something on his scroll. Sitting around him was Yang, Nora, and Ren. The other three were talking animatedly, Yang seemed to sense her stare.

Yang looked over at her, then got to her feet and walked over to Ruby. "Everything ok sis?"

"Yup, just doing some light reading before bed."

Yang looked to read the title of the magazine. "Anything in there that would improve Ember Celica?"

"Not yet but if I see anything I'll let you know."

"Would you like to come join us?" Yang gestured back to the group.

"I'm good thanks."

A commotion seemed to be occurring towards the middle of the room. Several boys seemed to be roughhousing. Yang stared at the shirtless boys with a grin. "Now this is my kind of slumber party."

"I don't think Dad would approve of all the boys," said Ruby in a soft voice.

"Well Dad isn't here, besides there is nothing wrong with looking," Yang give her sister wink. "Am I right?"

Ruby turned the page of her magazine without comment.

Yang called over to Wynn, "Hey Wynn think you can take them?" She pointed towards the fighting boys.

Wynn looked up from his scroll and stared blankly at roughhousing boys. "Easily but it would be a waste of energy. I make a habit out of avoiding fools." He turned back to his scroll.

Yang sighed and looked back to Ruby. "So, did you make any new friends today besides Wynn? Who was that blonde boy you came in with?"

Ruby put down here magazine, "His name is Jaune and there was a girl named Blake as well." She scanned the room and picked out the black bow sticking out among the sea of heads in the room. "I wouldn't say she is a friend, she just argued with Wynn then left. That's her over there." She pointed to the girl with long black hair, she was sitting next to a lamp reading a book.

Yang's gaze followed her pointing finger. "The girl in the corner reading the book?"

"That's her."

Yang grabbed Ruby by the arm and pulled her reluctantly to her feet. "Let's go say hello." Yang dragged Ruby partway across the room to Blake was sitting with her book. "Hello there," said Yang cheerily.

Blake looked up at the pair with a blank expression. "Can I help you?"

Yang pushed Ruby in front of her. "I believe you two know each other."

Blake looked Ruby up and down. "We've… met."

Ruby looked down at her feet unsure of what to say. "Help me," she whispered to Yang.

"Hello Blake, my name is Yang. I'm Ruby's older sister. I like your bow."

"Thanks."

Yang continued, "They go well with your… pajamas."

"Right… look this has been lovely, almost as lovely as this book. Which I will continue to read when you go away."

"This girl is hopeless," Yang turned and walked off in a huff.

"I love books, Yang used to read to me when we were younger," said Ruby. "What is the book about?"

"It's about a man with two souls, each vying for control over his body."

"With two souls I bet he has a really strong Aura. That sounds really cool could I borrow it when you finished?"

Blake smiled for the first time, "I'll think about it Ruby." She looked at magazine in Ruby's hands. "What are you reading?"

Ruby hands clenched tightly around the magazine. "It's just a weapons magazine, nothing particularly deep. I just really like weapons. I was seeing if there was anything I could use to improve my weapon."

"Hmmmmm. Maybe you could take a took at my weapon some other time, see if it needs any tuning or improvement. Could you do that?"

Ruby nodded vigorously, "I'd be happy to help."

"Good, sleep well." Blake blew out her candle.

OoOoO

Jaune woke up with a groan, and slowly sat up. Sleeping on the hard floor certainly made him miss his soft bed at home. Still it wasn't that different from camping. Although it had been years since their father had taken the family camping. I do miss camping, maybe I'll take mom when I have been properly trained.

He looked around the hall, most the sleeping bags were empty. Jaune slowly got to his feet and stretched a bit before following the small stream of students leaving the hall. After leaving the hall he passed what looked like administration offices, passed a small fountain then he came to the locker rooms.

Jaune saw several students coming out of the locker rooms. A distinctive red hood passed him. "Good morning Ruby."

"What's so good about it?" said Ruby.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing, I'm just being silly," said Ruby in a huff. "Still why wouldn't Yang want to be on my team? We'd be a kickass team."

"Did she give a reason why?"

"Something about me needing to grow up and make new friends. I don't need friends to grow up. I drink milk! Speaking of which it's time for breakfast." Ruby sped off in the direction of the cafeteria.

Jaune's stomach grumbled, I'm hungry too now what was my locker number?

Jaune reached down and pulled out his scroll to find the info. He had downloaded a map of the campus and saved his locker number last night. His number was 636.

He found his locked and placed a finger on the locker. "Good morning Mr. Arc," said his locker. He started to pull off his pajamas then started to put on his clothes. After putting on his black hoodie and blue jeans he reached for several pieces of worn white armor. The armor still felt heavy but he was happy to have the extra protection for the initiation today.

He reached in and pulled out his sword and shield. He drew the sword from the shield and looked closely at the family heirloom. Many a night he had spent polishing the weapon while his grandfather told him of his adventures as a Hunter. The sword just felt right in his hand, like he had been born to wield it. After sheathing the sword and headed to the exit and out into the cool fall morning air.

Jaune started to follow a tall blonde girl towards the cafeteria. He remembered that Ruby had abandoned him at the door to the amphitheater to run over to a blonde girl but he wasn't sure she was the same. The Cross Continental Transmit (CCT) tower soon came into view, it was easily the tallest building at Beacon and maybe the whole of Vale. Furthermore, it was at the center of the academy. Headmaster Ozpin's office was at the top of the tower.

The cafeteria wasn't much further past the CCT. Has he approached the entrance he saw a flash of white out of the corner of his eye. Jaune saw Wynn standing in an alcove to the side of the entrance. He walked over and saw that he was with a tall muscular red-haired girl, they were speaking in hushed tones. "Good morning Wynn!" Jaune called out to him.

Wynn looked over at him and gave him a brief look of annoyance before returning his greeting. "Good morning Mr. Arc."

The girl half turned towards him and Jaune saw that she had dark green eyes. "Is this a friend of yourself Wynn?"

"He's an acquaintance of sorts, we met yesterday. Jaune may I have the pleasure of introducing you to Pyrrha Nikos. Not that she needs an introduction."

"Should I know who she is?" asked Jaune.

Wynn gave him a look of surprise. "You don't know who Pyrrha Nikos is?"

"Nope."

"Pyrrha Nikos has won the Mistral Junior Tournament for the last four years in a row."

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"Pyrrha Nikos aka the 'Invincible Girl' aka the 'Undefeated of the East.'"

"Still nothing," replied a sheepish Jaune.

"Do people in in Vale live under rocks or do they just not care about what happens outside their kingdom?"

Before Jaune could answer Pyrrha but an arm on Wynn's shoulder. "It's not a big deal if he doesn't know who I am, in fact I find it rather refreshing."

"He can't be this much ignoramus, she's on the front of every box Pumpkin Pete Marshmallow Flakes!"

Jaune looked her up and down as the realization soaked over him. "That's you? I though only famous people and star athletes got to be on Pumpkin Pete's."

Wynn sighed in relief, "I knew we'd get there eventually.

Pyrrha gave a sad smile. "While the photoshoot was rather fun the cereal is unfortunately not very nutritious."

"If you didn't believe in the product why did you support it?" asked Wynn curiously.

"They offered my parents a lot of Lien for it and they thought it would increase fame in the other kingdoms." She looked over at Jaune. "I guess it worked then."

"Have you eaten yet?" asked Jaune.

"Of course, I wanted to beat the crowd," replied Wynn. "I hope we end up on the same team Pyrrha, we could plan something if you're interested."

"I'm sorry but was just planning on letting the chips fall where they may."

"I see. Well then, I won't take up any more of your time. I want to do some stretching before the initiation. I wish you both luck for today."

"Thanks Wynn," replied Jaune.

"Thank you," replied Pyrrha.

"So Pyrrha have you eaten?"

"Not yet, would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"That sounds lovely."

OoOoO

Nora Valkyrie pushed open the doors to the cafeteria, they slammed loudly against the walls. The noise echoed across the walls drawing all eyes to her. Nora looked behind her with a grin. "Let's go Ren." She strode confidently into the room.

Ren yawned and followed her into the cafeteria.

Several rows of wooden tables covered the room and along the right-hand wall a buffet had been sent up. Nora walked over to the buffet. Silver chaffing dishes were full to bursting with many types of breakfast food. Fluffy mounds of scrambled eggs, rounds cuts of sausage, a pile of crispy bacon, bowls of various colored fruits, several boxes of cereal and more delicious breakfast food. "Where are the pancakes?"

Ren pointed to the far end of the table. She looked and saw an empty tray with pancakes written on a card in from of it. "No, no, no, no, NO!" Nora ran down and ripped off the top of the tray, a few scraps of pancakes were at the bottom. As rage started to surge through Nora she heard a loud whistle from behind her.

She looked over to she Yang waving merrily at her and holding up a huge plate of pancakes. Nora rushed over to wrap up Yang in huge bear hug, squeezing her friend tightly.

"Nora," Yang wheezed, "Let go before you crack a rib."

Instantly Nora let go then sat down in front of the heaping plate of warm pancakes. She saw a bottle of syrup next to the plate and drenched the pancakes in sweet brown syrup.

Yang took several deep breaths. "Some of the kitchen staff said they were running out of batter, so I was sure to save you some."

"Thanks Yang, you are truly my best friend."

Ren had arrived and sat on Nora's other side. He had a bowel of orange flakes and several pieces of fruit. He handed Nora a knife and fork.

Nora took them and with gusto started to wolf down her stack of pancakes.

"I thought Ren was your best friend."

Nora finished chewing her mouthful of pancakes and swallowed them. "Well your both clearly my best friends. Ren is my best boy friend and you are my best girl friend."

Yang gave her a bemused look while Ren chewed silently on his pumpkin flakes.

Meanwhile Nora had finished inhaling her pancakes then reached over and took Ren's orange juice then took a big gulp. Nora finished the glass of juice with a satisfied smack of her lips. She stood and walked back to the buffet table. She poured another glass of orange juice, grabbed the box of Pumpkin Pete's and grabbed a small bottle of milk then returned to the table.

"Ren how can you stand Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes?" asked Yang. "They taste like pumpkin flavored cardboard."

Ren took another spoonful of flakes and placed it in his mouth and chewed on them with a thoughtful expression.

"He does it for the box tops."

Yang was still looking confusedly at Ren. "Box tops Ren?"

"Yup," replied Ren. He took the food from Nora and placed it on the table. He pulled the top off the cereal box and placed it in his pocket. Then he poured another bowl of cereal and milk before taking a swig of orange juice.

Yang's violet eyes flickered red for a brief moment. "Can someone explain to me why he wants the box top!"

Ren wordlessly handed Yang the orange box of cereal.

Yang placed in on the table to examine it.

Nora looked down front was a smiling athletic looking girl with green eyes and red hair. Next to her was a brown cartoon bunny the titular Pumpkin Pete. 'Pyrrha Nikos tested, Mother approved' was written in large green letters under the characters.

"Does this have something to do with Pyrrha Nikos?" Yang groaned. "First Wynn now you. What is the deal with this girl? She must be famous to be on Pumpkin Pete's."

Nora reached over and turned the box over so the back faced upwards.

Yang looked over the writing on the back of the box. "Collect 50 box tops to win a Pumpkin Pete hoodie." Yang looked at Ren incredulously. "You want a Pumpkin Pete hoodie?"

"Yup," replied Ren. He took another sip of orange juice.

"Why?"

Nora decided to interject so Ren could finish eating. She leaned close to Yang. "Ren thinks Pumpkin Pete is cute."

Ren sprayed a mouthful orange juice across the table. "Nora!"

Yang started to laugh hysterically and clapped Nora on the shoulder as she stood. "I'll go get some paper towels."

Ren's pink eyes stared reproachfully up at Nora.

"Well you do like him and there isn't anything wrong with liking cute things."

"I know." He said quietly.

Yang came back and handed Ren a roll of brown paper towels. He started to sop up the orange juice.

"Well I will see you both at the initiation, I need to go find Ruby and make sure she finds it." Yang pulled out her scroll and started to text as she left the table.

Nora turned back to Ren. "We need to come up with a plan in case we get separated in the initiation. How about a bird call? No that's too obvious. Wolf howl? No anyone could fake that… I know a sloth call!"

"Nora," Ren interjected. "Sloths don't make noise."

"That's why it's perfect!"

"Pardon me?" an unfamiliar voice asked from next to her.

Nora looked up to see a blonde young man with dark blue eyes. Nora stood up in an instant. "Are you eavesdropping on our master plan?"

The blonde took a step back and raised both his hands up. "No nothing like that," he pointed towards Ren. "I was just wondering if your boyfriend is done with the Pumpkin Pete's?"

Nora felt her face flush with embarrassment. "Ren isn't my boyfriend, I mean we have been together forever, but not 'together' together." She turned back to Ren. "Not that you're not handsome! You totally are, it's just that would be weird! Am I right?"

Ren stared up at her and his lips curled up into a slight smile. He wordlessly passed her the box of Pumpkin Pete's.

Nora quickly took it and turned away from Ren and handed it to the blonde.

"Thanks," said the blonde and walked off to sit next to a red-haired girl dressed in gold and copper armor.

Professor Goodwitch's voice rang over the loudspeaker. "Would all first-year student please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation! I repeat all first years to Beacon Cliff for initiation!"

Nora grabbed Ren's hand and charged towards the door of the cafeteria. "We don't want to be late."

AN: Another chapter down, as I stated last time I will be shooting for Sunday evening releases.

Many thanks to everyone who has favorited or followed my story. Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

merendinoemiliano: Much like Aura everyone has the capacity to learn how to use Dust. However, some people are more naturally gifted with it. Also, it can be rather expensive to use or train with. Thanks for the response.