The Winter Knight
Chapter 4:
RWBY belongs to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth. I own nothing.
Wynn's body felt loose and his mind was focused. He stood in the small crowd of first year students. They stood in front of a cliff and to their right were many small platforms. I wonder what those are for? Ozpin walked out in front of them carrying a white mug. Glinda followed at his side a large tablet in hand.
"For many years you have trained to become Hunters. Today that training will be put to the test in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin took a swig from the dark liquid in his mug.
Glinda stepped forward, "I am sure many of have been wondering about team assignments. Teams will be formed today, from the results of your initiation."
Ozpin continued. "Your team will be with you for the rest of your time at Beacon. Ideally you would be paired with someone with whom you would work well with. So, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
"What?" Ruby cried out. Her sentiment was echoed around the group of students. "That doesn't seem fair!"
Ozpin's stared at Ruby for a long moment. "Life rarely is fair Ms. Rose. Now as I was saying, after you meet your partner head to the northern part of the forest. There you will find an abandoned temple. In the temple there are several relics. Each pair must collect one and return to the cliff face. Any pair returning without a relic will fail and be sent home."
Seems simple enough, I wonder what danger there is in the forest? Will it just be Grimm or is there something else to be concerned about?
As if reading his thoughts Glinda spoke. "In the forest you will meet opposition. Do not hesitate do destroy everything in your path, or you will surely die. You will be monitored and graded on your performance throughout the initiation. Our instructor's will not intervene to save you."
Jaune laughed nervously.
Glinda glared at him until he stopped.
Ozpin pointed to the platforms. "Now students will please head to the platforms. I look forward to seeing your… landing strategies." Ozpin paused for a moment. "Are there any questions?"
Jaune stepped in front of Ozpin. "You mentioned our 'landing strategy' are you providing a parachute or something?"
"No. You will be falling and it is up to you to plan accordingly. Everyone has two minutes to prepare yourselves. Good luck."
Wynn walked over to a platform and examined it curiously. No Dust, seems purely mechanical. He took his place on the platform, then looked to his left. Ren stood his eyes closed and appeared to be mediating. To his left was Nora who bounced from foot to foot with a grin of excitement on her face. She had taken out a large silver and pink hammer holding it in both hands.
Wynn looked to his right and saw Yang, her long blonde hair blowing in a slight breeze. On her wrists were large yellow gauntlets, she removed a magazine of red and orange shotgun shells and replacing them with red and golden shells instead. Her sister, Ruby was on Yang's far side. She already had taken out Crescent Rose and appeared to be talking to the weapon in a soft almost loving tone. What an odd child.
Wynn checked on his own weapons. Silverthorn was snug on his left hip. On his right hip rested his revolver. I'll be fine just using my Glyphs, no need to waste Dust.
Wynn waited and after a few moments his platform made a whirring noise. It sprung up sending him flying high into the air.
OoOoO
As Wynn flew off, Yang took out a pair of sunglasses and put them on. She looked to Ruby gave her two thumbs up then she was shot off into the sky. The wind whipped at her hair as she flew high out over the green forest.
At the apex of her flight Yang pointed Ember Celica towards the ground and fired a round from each of her gauntlets sending up further in the air. She scanned the air around her but didn't see anyone. Looking down she saw a white and red blur leaping from white circle suspended in midair just above the tree line. The blur disappeared under the tree line and a moment later the white circle disappeared as well.
As Yang started to fall she pointed herself towards the spot where the white circles had been. As she neared the ground she enveloped herself in the soft yellow light of her aura. She fired several shells in close succession to arrest her momentum. She crashed loudly into a small clearing but rolled with the fall. Her aura protecting her from most of the impact.
Yang used the momentum of the roll and came to her feet as her aura faded from around her. Nailed the landing. Yang looked around but all she saw were the brown trunks of trees and tall green bushes. She cupped her hands to her mouth. "Hello! Is anyone out there?" There was no response from the quiet forest. Then she heard two gunshots and ran in the direction of the shots.
Yang burst from the undergrowth into a clearing, Wynn was backing away from two large bearlike Ursa. The Grimm sniffed the air and they looked over at her with glowing yellow eyes. With a roar one of the Ursa charged her. Yang's aura flared to life as she charged the oncoming Ursa. She fired her gauntlets to boost her speed and hit the Ursa with a right hook which sent it flying back across the clearing.
Meanwhile Wynn was still fighting the other Ursa. Bright white aura emanated from his right hand as he raised his revolver and fired two more shots. The shots hit the armored faceplate of the Ursa. It roared in pain as cracks appeared in its faceplate. "Hmm stronger than expected." Wynn took the pistol in both hands and aimed fired one more shot. The bullet hit Ursa in the left eye and the lumbering form slumped to the ground, dead.
Yang looked back to her Ursa which was staggering back to its feet. She charged the beast while the Grimm as still off balance but it recovered before she could reach it. She slid to a stop as a sharp claw swung at her head. Yang sprang back to dodge the blow then continued to dodge the Ursa's strikes. "Stupid Grimm, couldn't hit the broadside of a barn." That is when she noticed three golden hairs falling to the ground and she instantly filled with rage. "You MONSTER!"
Her eyes turned red as she hit the Ursa with an uppercut firing a round from her gauntlet sending it flying upward. Yang fired her gauntlets sending her skyward after the Ursa. After passing the Grimm she raised both hands and brought them down in a hammer blow on the back of the Ursa, sending it plummeting back to earth. It hit the ground with a painful crunching noise leaving a small crater. As Yang landed as her aura started to fade then she walked over as the corpse started to smoke. The body soon melted away leaving only the white bone of its skeleton.
"That was nicely done," said Wynn. He walked over to her while reloading the revolver with large caliber bullets.
Yang looked his bright blue eyes. "So, I guess we're partners now."
"So, it would seem." Wynn replaced the revolver on his hip. "Going to claim your prize?"
Yang bent over and grabbed one of the smaller ribs and yanked hard. She broke the rib and placed it into the pocket of her shorts. "Ursa Majors I think."
"Agreed, Ursa Major's normally hunt in pairs. There would be more if they were Ursa Minors and Ursa Maximus are usually solo hunters." Wynn turned in a circle scanning the clearing. "I think we are in the clear, not bad 2-star Grimm, maybe 2.5."
"They were pretty big." Yang flicked her wrists and popped the expended shells out of Ember Celica. They flew up and fell around her in small but colorful circle. She pulled out a new magazine and snapped them into place. "Time to head North."
Wynn pulled out his scroll and pressed it few times. He pointed, "North is this way."
Yang sprinted off in the direction he was pointing. "Last one to the temple has the buy the winner dinner!" She yelled in a playful tone. She looked back to see Wynn running after to her, he had a look of determination on his face. Yang weaved through the trees, hopped over a fallen tree, and sprang over a small stream. When she looked back behind her Wynn was gone.
"You looking in the wrong direction," Wynn's voice called out from above her. She looked up to see him leap from a white circle and land on a nearby tree branch. He kept leaping from tree to tree and whenever there was a gap in the tree line occurred a white circle would appear beneath his feet. Wynn soon started to pull away from her.
Dang he's fast. Those circles are a neat trick, must be his Semblance. Yang put on a burst of speed but before she could catch up Wynn had already stopped crouching on a tree branch. She stopped at the trunk of the tree and looked up to him. "Do you see the temple?"
Wynn leapt lightly from the branch and landed in front of her. "I think so, its on the far side of this clearing. Also, no Grimm that I can see in the area." He started to walk into the clearing.
Yang followed at his side. She looked across the clearing, several hundred yards away was a circular broken stone wall. "Are those white circles you created your semblance?"
"Yes, they're called Glyphs. This semblance has been passed down the Schnee family line for generations!" Wynn gave her a sidelong look, "So since we are partners mind telling me about your semblance?"
Yang lifted up her right arm and formed a first. "Well I call mine Verserk. When I take damage, I can use it to strengthen my attacks. So basically, the more hurt I get the stronger I get." Yang flexed her arms. "It also has the side effect of turning my eyes red."
"Sounds like an incredibly potent ability. Still it's a shame about changing your eye color to red. You have very pretty eyes."
Yang started to sprint towards the temple as a blush spread across her face. She covered the distance easily and after placing he hand on the crumbling wall of the temple she turned to see Wynn rejoin her. "I beat you to the temple, now you have to buy me dinner."
"Nonsense, I found the temple first. Nor did I agree to the terms of the race. You just shouted a challenge then ran off into a Grimm filled forest like a crazy person."
Yang smiled, "Don't be such a sore loser Wynn." She walked around the wall into the small circular temple. There were several small stone plinths on them were a series of black and white chess pieces. "So, which one should we take?"
Wynn walked into the middle of the temple and looked at each of the plinths. "My father always says that men are either kings or pawns." He started walking towards the white pieces.
I wonder what that is supposed to mean? Yang crossed her arms over her chest. "Which are you Wynn, a king or a pawn?"
Wynn said nothing but looked over all the pieces before reaching out and taking the white horse piece. He turned to face her with a smile, "I always wanted to be a Knight."
Yang returned his smile, "I do like pretty ponies." She walked over to stand next to him as he placed the knight in a pocket.
Wynn leapt up to the top of the stone wall and scanned the area around the temple. "Shall we return or do you want to wait for the others?"
"I wouldn't mind for waiting for Ruby and the others." I know Ruby is strong and will be ok but it is the older sister's prerogative to worry.
"Very well, why don't you tell me about Ren and Nora while we wait." Wynn sat down on the wall but kept his eyes fixed on the clearing.
OoOoO
For a few brief moments Jaune was enjoying the sensation of flying, then he started to fall and the terror set in. Landing strategy, landing strategy? How am I supposed to land? I'm going to die! Jaune let out a high-pitched scream of terror has he plummeted towards the earth. Then suddenly a red and gold javelin came flying out of the blue and caught him cleanly through the hood. He let out a grunt at the change in momentum as the javelin pinned him against a tree. "Thank you!" He shouted in joy. Then Jaune took several deep breaths to calm his rapidly beating heart.
"I'm sorry!" Shouted a voice in the distance.
Was that Pyrrha's voice? That must have been an incredible throw. I can't believe I'm alive. Jaune checked his jeans. "Well at least I didn't piss myself, now that would have been embarrassing." After a few minutes of hanging around Jaune spotted Pyrrha's red hair and golden armor moving swiftly through the treetops.
"Are you ok?" Pyrrha landed gracefully on a tree branch above Jaune. She was panting slightly but quickly scanned the area. Then seemingly satisfied that they were in no immediately danger looked down at Jaune. There was concern in her green eyes. "Are you ok?" She asked again uncertainly.
"I am now thanks to you. That was one heck of a throw but think you could let me down?" He pointed up at the javelin that was still pinning his black hoodie to the tree trunk. "It's stuck pretty deep."
Pyrrha smiled at his response. "I'm sorry I didn't get here quicker. Be careful I am going to let you fall. Are you ready?"
Jaune took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Go ahead." He heard her pull out the javelin from the tree then he fell. Jaune fell and slipped as his feet hit the ground. Luckily, he fell forward and caught himself with his arms. Then pushed himself back to his feet.
Pyrrha landed next to him in a crouch then slowly stood. "So where to next partner?"
OoOoO
Ruby flew across the sky with a whoop of excitement. Her silver eyes scanned the forest under her, but there was no good landing spot. She angled her body so her head was facing the ground as she started to fall and pick up speed. The green of the forest came rushing up to meet her as Ruby pulled out Crescent Rose extending it into sniper mode. She fired once, twice, thrice slowing her descendant as she aimed towards a giant tree. With the tree fast approaching, she extended Crescent Rose into its scythe configuration. Jutting the blade over the branch, flipping her around. Then she finally landed on the ground in a crouch.
Ruby waited a listened for any signs of danger, but no monsters jumped out of the underbrush or from behind any of the trees. Good, now I need to find Yang. If I find her first she has to be on my team. Ruby cupped her hands to her mouth. "Yang! Yang! Where are you?"
Only silence responded so she started to run through the forest continuing to call her big sisters name. Well if I don't find Yang who else could be on my team? Wynn seems cool and dust seems really useful. Jaune is really nice but he doesn't seem like a good fighter. Blake likes books, I like books, we could make it work.
Ruby ran out into a big clearing straight into a pack of a dozen Beowolves. As one they all stopped and started to snarl at her. The pack slowly started to encircle her. Is it my birthday already? She held Crescent Rose tightly against her chest. She started to tremble, in excitement as the soft red light of her aura covered her body.
The Beowolves snarled softly, their yellow eyes glared hungrily through the skull white plating covering their faces. They had completely surrounded Ruby. The Beowolf directly in front of her seemed to be the leader, or at the very least it was the biggest.
Ruby grew tired of waiting and charged towards the leader. She leapt nimbly as the Grimm snapped at her leg with its sharp teeth. Ruby whirled her scythe around and cut its head clean off. She fired a shot sending her skyward as the rest of the pack howled. She fired two more shots and two more Beowolves heads exploded.
The pack turned as one towards her as she landed and started to charge her. Then something black came flying around of the tree line and caught one of the Grimm in the neck. It was a sword of some kind. It stuck out of the neck of a Beowolf that groaned in pain. The sword was connected to what looked like a black rope which flew back towards the trees as a girl with long dark hair and a black bow walked out into view.
Blake caught her sword and the blade folded back as Ruby realized the handle of the sword was actually a pistol grip. She took a knee and started to fire at the backs of the Grimm. Several stopped in their tracks and turned to face this new foe. The bullets bounced off the Grimm's bony carapace. Blake grimaced slightly as half of the pack surrounded her.
Ruby landed as a Beowolf lunged, sending a clawed paw at her head. She ducked and spun arcing the scythe around, the Grimm fell in two meaty chunks behind her. She kept leaping back as her half of the pack continued to charge. Each one fell in turn to a single strike of Crescent Rose. The clearing was soon littered in pieces of Grimm. Ruby gazed through the smoking corpses to check how Blake was doing. She gave out a horrified squeak as one the Beowolf bit cleanly into her pale white neck.
Blake's body disappeared in puff of smoke as the real Blake stabbed her black sword into the open mouth of the Beowolf. The Grimm fell over dead and Blake continued calmly towards the three remaining Beowolves. She lifted up her odd sheath in her offhand and charged the Grimm. A second Blake appeared in front of her taking the blow from the first Beowolf and disappeared. She whirled slicing off the head of the Grimm.
The two remaining Beowolves leapt forward howling with rage. Blake leapt up as a copy of her remained behind, the second Blake boosted the first high into the air over the Grimm who attacked the second Blake. She brought the blades down stabbing deep into the exposed back of the Beowolves. They let out whimpers of pain, as their bodies started to smoke as they died.
As Ruby pulled out a fresh clip of ammo, she watched as Blake started to collect a bone from each of the fallen Grimm. Ruby placed the fresh into Crescent Rose and secured it. She walked over to a smoking corpse and started collecting bones from each of her kills. When Ruby looked up Blake was staring curiously at her. "Are we cool?"
Blake smiled softly as her amber eyes softened. "Yea we cool."
Author's Note:
Merendinoemiliano you made some good points that are definitely going into my reworks. Thanks as always.
To Anon: It was a dialogue heavy chapter with new people meeting each other. The next few chapters will be much more combat intensive so there should be less of an issue. Thanks for the feedback.
As always thanks to everyone who follows or favorites the story.