Act 0-3: The Shining Beacon

" I still can't believe my baby sister is coming to Beacon with me!" Yang squeed in a sisterly way as the airship to Beacon made it's way there.

"I find it less believable that Jawsome got in too." Ruby said.

"Hey, I just accepted." Jawsome said, holding his hands up. "I'm just gonna look around, alright?"

"Sure." Jawsome began walking off, when a girl in a white dress who wasn't looking where she was going walked into him.

"Hey! Watch it!" Jawsome said.

"Maybe you should consider doing so, Faunus freak." She scoffed at him, continuing where she was going.

"What in Chaos is her problem?" Jawsome muttered, before an image caught his eye. Walking over, he saw a holo-cast.

"...oldiers at the outpost who survived tell stories of Grimm accompanied by robots and a rotund human attacking…"

'No, Eggman's here?!' Jawsome thought. Quickly, he asked a nearby student, "Hey, where'd that attack take place?"

"Shimmering Outpost. It's a forward base for Vale." The student, in a white and black dress with a bow on her flowing black hair replied. She seemed to be looking at him sideways. Probably another 'Faunus' hater. What in Chaos's name was a Faunus?

As the ship plowed onward, Jawsome reviewed his 'disguise'. He was Jawsome (no last name) from an island in the far south, where a rare Faunus breed lives, which he was a part off. He winced at the word breed, and changed it to race. Better. Looking over at Ruby and Yang, they were trying to scrub vomit off Yang's boot and acting…. Girly…. about it. Oh great.

As the ship docked, Jawsome slowly walked out. It was impressive, with the central tower or something like that piercing the clouds. Moreover, it looked around the size of the Floating Island back on Mobius. Mobius… would he ever get back? He shook his head. He would. He just had to find the Sol Emeralds. He was brought from his thoughts when a small explosion sounded nearby. Walkin over, he found a small crater, and Ruby covered in ash.

"What just happened here?" He asked.

"I… exploded…." Ruby said. She was more dazed than that first night in Vale.

"You exploded." Jawsome said. "This world is insane." At that, someone bumped into him. It seemed to be a blonde guy, wearing… armor over a hoodie. This did bring Jawsome's attention to himself, still wearing only his blue fingerless gloves and his shoes. It was his style… but maybe buy some clothes to help the disguise. Tweaks were better than being headhunted, especially if he didn't know what the hell was going on half the time.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't notice ya. I was si- I mean not looking. Need a hand?" He said, offering one to Ruby, who took it.

"Nah, it's cool." Jawsome said, mentally yelling at himself to keep calm, and not do what Ruby had done. "Uh, who are you?"

"Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tounge. Ladies love it." With the image he was getting, that was a real reach.

"Jaune? That's your name, Vomit Boy? Alright. I'm Ruby!" She said, eagerly sticking out a hand.

"Vomit Boy? I get motion sick!" Jaune retorted. He still took the proffered hand, and they shook. "You are?"

"Jawsome. Just Jawsome." The hedgehog replied. "Wanna go take a scenic tour?" He said. You know, know your friends and possible enemies.

"Man this place is big." Jaune commented.

"Reminds me of the Floating Island back home." Jawsome said.

"You have a floating island where you come from?" Jawsome braced, sure he had blown it, but Jaune just said, " That's awesome!"

"Yeah.."

"Hey, what weapon do you have there?" Ruby asked. Jawsome looked back over his shoulder at his Pyrobuster. Drawing it, but not activating it, he looked at it. Come to think of it, he had just thought of it as a sword, sure a laser sword, but that was rather common on Mobius.

"This is my Pyrobuster. According to legend, it was used by one of our gods, but I don't believe that particular one." He said. "Why ask about it?"

"Meeting a weapon is like meeting a new person. Like Crescent Rose here!" Ruby said, unfolding her scythe as she said. At 'Rose', Jawsome flinched slightly, and drove the thoughts of a hammer-wielding psychopath out of his head. "What about yours, Jaune?"

Jaune pulled out a well-kept longsword from the sheath on his belt. "It's a sword! And the sheath expands!" He said, demonstrating as the sheath expanded into a shield. Jawsome whistled, he didn't diss the classics. There was a reason they worked.

"Doesn't the shield still weigh the same though?" He asked.

"Yeah." Jaune said drearingly, before asking "Where are we going?"

"Hold on." Jawsome said, and ran off to find another student. When he came back, he saw Ruby staring slack-jawed at him. "What?" He asked.

"You have TWO Semblances?!" She asked, wide-eyed.

"What is a Semblance?" Jawsome asked. "Wait, my speed? That's all me, not some Semble-whatever."

"But what about the fire thingies?" She asked.

"My pyrokinesis? Again, me." He answered getting annoyed. "Anyway, we're heading to a hall, it's that way," He pointed, "And we need to be there 5 minutes ago."

As they entered the hall, slightly out of breath from running there. Ruby spotted Yang waving at them, implying she wanted them to come over.

"Gotta go, sorry!" She said, heading off. Jawsome just shrugged, and followed.

"Aw, man. Now where am I going to find an interesting girl to talk to?" Jaune said, slumping his shoulders.

"So, I see you made a friend!" Yang said. "I told you that you didn't need me!"

"Well, we really only met him because I exploded…" Ruby said. Yang began laughing and wrapped her arm around her sister.

"Exploded from geeking out is like!"

"YOU TWO!" Ruby jumped into Yang's arms a "It's happening agaiiiin.." coming from her, while Jawsome just turned. The girl in white from earlier was storming up to them.

"My god, you really exploded." Yang said, entirely deadpan from shock.

"I can't believe I run into you again!" The girl scoffed.

"What did me and Ruby ever to to you?!" Jawsome asked.

"You are threats to my wellbeing! She nearly blew me up!" She pointed at Ruby, who tried curling up even smaller. "And besides, you probably associate with those terrorists, the White Fang!" She stormed off. Jawsome was going to call after her, when the lights dimmed and the Huntress… Glynda? He'd seen on his first night on Remnant came onstage.

"Welcome, students, to Beacon Academy. You are the best and brightest minds and fighters, who are here to improve even more. You wish to become the defenders of light, champions of justice, protectors of humanity. Here at Beacon, all of those virtues will become a part of you, however, not all may be up to the challenge. Beacon does not select attendants foolishly, and you are put on a pedestal you may not want to be placed on." Was it his imagination, or did she look directly at him? "All freshman will sleep in the dining hall tonight. Tomorrow will be initiation. And, please, no… extracurricular activities. We will know." With that, the freshmen were released to wander about the school until dusk, when they were to report to the dining hall.

"Hey, look, a weapon mod store!" Ruby exclaimed as she, Yang and Jawsome exited the combat hall, which had been converted to the gathering place for that speech.

"I do want to go, but I have no idea if they take gold rings…" Jawsome said.

"Rings? GOLD RINGS? Your world must be awesome!" Ruby said.

"We'll spot you this time!" Yang said. "We've got enough to go around."

"Ah, new students!" The shopkeeper said. "What can I get you?"

"Let's take a look at what you have." Jawsome said.

Modification shops like this sell modifications for weapons. These are not wapon specific, and may be swapped with any other mod and put on any weapon. Weapons have up to three mod slots, and as they become more powerful, so will the user.

Beacon Modification Shop:

Stock:

Fire Gem: Increases Fire damage dealt by 2%, may cause Burning Status, and changes the weapon properties to deal Fire damage with regular attacks. 200 Lien.

Ice Crystal: Increases Ice damage dealt by 2%, may cause Frost status, and changes weapon properties to deal Ice damage with regular attacks. 200 Lien.

Lightning Orb: Increases Lightning Damage dealt by 2%, may cause Paralysis Status, and changes weapon properties to deal Lightning damage with regular attacks. 200 Lien.

Wind Valve: Increases Wind damage by 2%, may blow enemies back, and changes weapon properties to deal Wind damage with regular attacks. 200 Lien.

Lien: 1200

Party: Jawsome, Ruby, Yang

"I'll take this Fire Gem." Jawsome said. It sounded like it could prove useful later.

"I'll go Lightning Orb!" Ruby cheered.

"This Wind Valve seems interesting, I'll take it!" Yang proclaimed.

"That'll be 600 Lien." The shopkeeper said. Yang handed over some coins, and they were off. Jawsome's Pyrobuster had a inset area on the ed, which is where he placed the gem. Surprisingly, it worked, and his Pyrobuster was no longer black with green energy lines, but red with orange energy lines.

"These change out weapons too? Nice." He said. Ruby inserted her orb into one of preinstalled slots, and Crescent Rose became purple with a lighter blade. Yang placed the valve on top of her gauntlet, and they became a darker yellow with what looked like points to insert grappling hooks where her knuckles were.

"Hey, a Skill Trainer store." Yang noticed. They headed over to check out what was in stock.

Skill Trainers help train Skill Branches, which reward you with skills as they become more disciplined. When a Skill is unlocked, you will see the bonus effects int the 'Skills' tab of the menu. Skills can have varying times when they take effect, such as in battle or when exploring. Skill Chains are when Skills from one party member are equipped on another, forming a Chain. Chains cost Affinity tokens, which are earned by leveling up and defeating formidable enemies.

"Hey, hey, new kids, welcome to my Trainer store. You'll find all ya need right here!" The shopkeeper said.

"Whatchya got?"

Beacon Skill Trainer Shop:

Pyrocity Trainer: Give Jawsome's Pyrocity Skill Branch a boost. The Skill Branch will still earn Skills, even when not selected. 100 Lien.

Vivacity Trainer: Give Ruby's Vivacity Skill Branch a boost. The Skill Branch will still earn Skills, even when not selected. 100 Lien.

Durability Trainer: Give Yang's Durability Skill Branch a boost. The Skill Branch will still earn Skills, even when not selected. 100 Lien.

Lien: 600

Party: Jawsome, Ruby, Yang

Each of them purchased a Trainer. The shopkeep took their Lien with a smile, and they headed over to an armor shop they'd noticed nearby.

"Hello, welcome to the armorer." The keeper said.

Armor will raise your resistances to attacks and give minor bonuses. Gems may also be equipped to armor, which may have one or two slots for them. Hems also provide bonuses. Armor may be purchased in pieces or as a set, which is cheaper.

Beacon Armor Shop:

Remnant Set: A set of comfortable clothes for everyday wear. 100 Lien

Beacon Set: A set of reinforced clothes for injury reduction. 100 Lien

Aura Set: A set of clothes balanced between damage resistances. Comes with an Aura Up 1 Gem. 100 Lien.

Jawsome decided on the Remnant Set, Ruby went for the Beacon Set, and Yang got the Aura Set. Jawsome's new clothes consisted of a green hoodie, tan cargo pants, and a pair of red tinted sunglasses. Ruby's clothes were a red and black shirt with the red part probably the reinforced part, black combat pants, black combat boots, and a red bandanna wrapped around her head behind her ears. Yang's new duds were a new yellow jacket, blue shorts, tan combat boots, and yellow tinted aviators. They had run out of Lien, the currency here, and the sun was beginning to set. They made their way to the dining hall, which was filled with sleeping bags.

Later…

"Heya!' Yang flopped onto her sleeping bag, next to Ruby and Jawsome's. Ruby was writing in a journal, and Jawsome had his eyes closed, sitting cross-legged on his bag.

"Hi. I'm not sure Dad would approve of they boys sleeping in the same room as us." Ruby said.

:I know I do! Rrrrrr." Yang made a sound much like a purr.

"If her were here, I think he would probably smack you." Jawsome said, eyes still shut. Yang merely rolled her eyes. Jawsome opened his eyes and walked over to a wall where he found…

"Hey, you're that student from the ship!" He said, surprised.

"Oh, yeah." She said. Was it him, or did her bow just…. Twitch? "I do have a name. It's Blake, by the way."

"Good to really get to know you, Blake." Jawsome said, sitting down next to her. "Name's Jawsome."

"Odd name." Blake remarked.

"Yeah, I know." He said. "What are you reading?"

"A book about a Faunus that must work with humans in order to prevent total annihilation."

"...Alright."

"What do you read? Where you come from?"

"Well, we read all sorts. We have stuff from nearly every genre. I had nightmares about some of the horror stories I read as a kid. " He said, shuddering. Looking up, he saw Yang dragging Ruby over with a hearty, "Hellloooooo!"

:Um… hi." Ruby said. Must not be a people person.

"Hello." Blake said.

"I'm Yang, and I believe you've met Ruby before." She said.

"Ah, the exploding girl." Blake said. "Nice to meet you. It's almost as nice as this book. Which I will continue reading. When you leave." Jawsome took the hint and stood, but was interrupted by who else but the white-haired snob.

"You again?"

"Hey, I think you two got off on the wrong foot. Well, three, but one at a time." Yang said, quickly moving to where she could play peacekeeper.

"You're Weiss Schnee, aren't you? Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company?" Blake said.

"Finally, some recognition!' Weiss said.

"A company infamous for its labor force's treatment."

"What?" She said.

"Um, nice to meet you Weiss, I'm Ruby!" Ruby said, distracting the heiress from Blake.

"Jawsome. Charmed." The hedgehog said.

"You are not off the hook!" Weiss pointed at Ruby.

"What do you have against my sister?" Yang butted in.

"She's a hazard to my health!" Unnoticed in the background, Blake blew out her candelabra, which had been the only source of light.

Act 0-3: Complete!

Emblems: 3

A Note from Jawsome

Hello again. Last time I put a note in, I was talking about criticism, and how to word it. I now realize, with a not-so-subtle nudge from the poster of that review, I was not very well worded with that. I would like to apologize, as I was in the wrong for what I did. My point still stands, I just wrote it poorly. I appreciate well founded criticisms and concerns on my work, as it allows me to become a better writer, and give a much better story, for all you readers. All two of you. Nah. I'm joking. At any rate, I want to say that your criticisms are taken into account during writing, (unless they're flat out undoable) and used to improve the experience. Recently, I received a comment that character interactions were rather short in previous episodes. This chapter is a lot more dialogue-heavy, so you are welcome. I do appreciate feedback, and i'm just a writer, trying to weave a story.

Regard, the guy who can't decide on how to sign off,

The Pyro Jawsome