(Two chapters in one day? DOUBLE SHOCKU! Time for more!)
Float like a Butterfly...
After the whole nightmare deal on me and Ruby's end last night, it's time for the initiation today. I can feel someone shaking me, "No...five more minutes" I mutter waving away: and that's when I got picked up, "OH GOD I'M BEING ABDUCTED AREN'T I?!" I yell out struggling, but I calm down once I hear a giggle "Calm down, it's just the day we get initiated!" I look and see Ruby still in her pajamas, her sleep mask off. "Hey Rubes, hey Yang" I mumble out trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes "Morning!" Ruby says patting my head "Morning" Yang says giving me a pat on the back
"Oh wait, you have my bag right?" I ask, I then feel a bunch of weight press down on my neck and a strap on it. Oh god that sounded better in my head..."Here you go" Ruby says "We're going to drop you off at boys' changing room, we still gotta head there ourselves. Got it?" I salute her half-heartedly "Aye-aye captain Rose" I say dryly.
A few minutes later Yang sets me down with me accidentally landing face first onto my bag, I look back up and see the two sister smiling. "Time for us to go get changed, catch you later" Yang says waving as she and Ruby leave, I feel a pang in my chest as she leaves...wonder why that is. I stand back up and head into the changing room, I throw my pajamas into my bag before hitting the shower. Guys putting on clothes, robes, armor, you name it: I get inside since no one is using it,
I neglected to mention, I added a scroll into your bag.
IS THIS REALLY THE TIME TO BE TELLING THIS?! IN THE SHOWER?!
Hey. I can't see in there, so do not worry.
I shake my head...just who in the hell is this guy? I turn off the shower head and towel off before throwing on my shirt, pants, coat, socks and shoes...on the inside is a Scroll: a tablet of sorts really. I open it up and see what all it has on it: calculator, audio recorder, video recorder, internet, texting, and some preinstalled games...thanks guy. Speaking of there's a message in it already, I open it up and see what it says:
I'M GOING TO BE SURE TO HELP YOU OUT. REMEMBER CHILD: I'M ON YOUR SIDE, C
I sigh and close the scroll up, who the hell is this 'C'? I put Cerberus in the locker and carry my bag and walk down the hall, down the way I can see someone who doesn't seem to friendly: big guy, muscular, he has brown hair that seems a bit slicked back, indigo eyes, he has a mace at his side, and a smug grin on his face.
"You going somewhere?" He asks in a cocky tone, I roll my eyes as he blocks my way. "Can I help you find the girl's locker room? ma'am?" I ask him as his grin disappears. He shoves me back "Hardly" he growls grabbing for my throat and pushing me up against the wall: I try struggling out of this assholes grip as he snickers, that's when I grin and chuckle. "Hey...big, strong and stupid" I say strained "Ya know you're just getting my foot up to ball level...right?" He growls and starts putting more pressure on...I start seeing black spots show up in my field of vision
"You wanna keep talking tough now? Or do you want me to keep going?" he snarls, and I laugh weakly. "Just a bit of info for ya." I say still grinning with only one eye open "Unlike your pepper shaker there, my weapon is built to scale...know what I mean?" I can see his eyes flare up, and just when I was ready to be chocked to death there's a voice
"I think that is quite enough from you young man" A calm, polite and gentlemanly voice says. I end up getting dropped to the ground "Oh! Sorry, it was just some harmless fun!" the guy lies with a smile on his face, "Apparently you have a twisted definition of fun young man" he says. I look at the guy and see someone in a slate grey suit and shoes, slicked back black hair and triangular shades: the longer angles going to the sides with the shorter angles resting on his nose, at his side is...an umbrella? "He liked it! Didn't you buddy!" the big guy says again looking at me face to face, I spit right into his face. "There's...what I think...of your fun...asshole" I tell him in-between breaths, he flashes a face of anger and stands back up bringing his foot up over my head.
And just then the guy in the suit pulls out a sword and point's it at the kid's neck: "I will say this only once" in a dangerous tone "You leave him be: or either I slice you to pieces, or tell Ozpin. What's it going to be?" he asks. The big guy shakes his head and gets away from the blade and storms off, I start to cough after that. And I see the man's hand reach down for me, I grab it and he hoists me up: he has a kind smile on his face, guy looks pretty handsome and youthful. "You alright there my boy?" He asks sounding concerned
"Yeah...I think I'll be fine, asshole has a tight grip I'll give him that" I tell him to which he nods, "And now for introductions!" he says enthusiastically "I am professor Gray Scale, I will be your weapons instructor" he says with a bow. "And you are?" the professor asks. "I'm Axel. Axel Lind" I say, he grabs my left hand and shakes it "It is my sincere pleasure to have a fine student such as you at Beacon!" he says smiling which quickly turns into a frown "Unlike mister Winchester there, but not to worry. Cardin Winchester shall not be a problem for you...I take care of students who are willing to be good and listen" he says "But I think you best get to breakfast, so go along now" he says patting my back "Thanks professor Scale" I say smiling at him, he smiles back and walks off.
Nice guy. Pretty cool.
I enter the cafeteria in order to pick up breakfast: three slices of bacon, two pieces of toast, some juice, and an apple. I lay it all out on my tray, "Hey man" a voice says, I turn to see that it's the guy in the green hoodie from the other day: Uriah. "Oh. Hey Uriah" I say nodding "Looking for a spot to sit?"
"Yep, but where" I say scanning the room "Mind if we join in to?" A happy voice says, I loom to the left of me and see the kid Roy and Silas next to him. "I dunno" I say shrugging. "Hey!" a voice pierces my ears, I look over and see some familiar faces...and two new ones: an orange haired girl practically inhaling pancakes, and a boy in green cutting up pancakes with about as much energy as a narcoleptic, but the voice seems to be from Ruby. "Come over here!"
"Shall we gents?" I ask looking at either one, they nod and we all head over to and take a seat at the table. "Sho whosh thesh guysh?" Ruby says with her mouthful of cookies, I look around and see what everyone is eating: Ruby eating cookies (natch), Pyrrha eating some cereal, Jaune some...oh wait it's just toast, and an empty spot with porridge at it. "Ladies, gentlemen." I say dramatically before pointing to the three amigos with me "Silas Silver" I say "Hey" he says waving "Uriah Greene" he nods "Yo" and Roy just leans in "And I'm Roy Indigo!" he says still cheerful as ever, I wonder if he ever gets sad.
"Hello to you all. I'm Pyrrha Nikos" Pyrrha says politely
"Jaune Arc" Jaune adds in
"I'm Ruby" Rubes says swallowing her cookie.
I look at the girl and boy "And you guys?" I ask tilting my head taking a bite of bacon" the girl slurps up a full pancake before speaking "Nora!" she says patting her companion on the back "Come on Ren! Tellthemyourname" he looks at the four of us "Lie Ren, you can just call me Ren though" he says sounding bored as can be.
"Nice to meet you all" "Glad to see ya" "You're all pretty nice" the three say in no particular order. I simply nod, before swallowing, right when someone claps my back causing me to choke. "Hey Ax" a familiar voice chimes as I start hitting my chest to swallow my toast, some tears streaming down my face from effort "H-H-Hey Yang" I rasp out. She takes the seat that's next to Ruby's, the one with the porridge...I can practically feel Silas grinning
"So how's this morning so far?" She asks looking my way.
"Yeah it's-" I cut myself off, should I tell them about Cardin? Meh...what they don't know won't hurt them.
"Been going well" I say
"Despite getting nearly strangled?" She asks, oh shit
"Hey, no worrying about it alright? Me, Ruby, Jaune...we'll help out if you want" she says smiling. I feel a little nudge and look to see Silas, Uriah and Roy looking at me: "And if it's fine by you. We'll help out as well" Roy says. Glad to know there's some good people looking out for me, "So you wanna give a name? What he looks like? It would be...unfortunate if he disappeared" Uriah says grinning, my God is it unnerving.
"Nah. It's fine, I'll handle it" Because I'm going to do it, "Meh. Best I offered" he says shrugging before eating. I give a little kick and knock the book out of my bag, I look at it intently before a voice in my head speaks
They will help you, you know. Tell them
I pick up the book and lay it in my lap and feel several pairs of eyes on me: iliac, silver, deep blue, sky blue, gold, and green. I lay the book up on the table: "So guys? I need to ask something from you, and you have to keep it secret. Ok?" I ask looking around they all look to one another an nod "These lips are sealed" Yang says making a zipping gesture
"So I've managed to come across this book, someone I know mentioned it would help me out somehow. Got any ideas?" I ask as everyone but Nora and Ren take a look at the book.
"Strange symbols...what do they mean?" Silas says intently, which Uriah just scoff to
"Just a bunch of scribbles if you ask me. Probably nothin'" he says shaking his head
"Oh! Maybe it's a guide!" Jaune adds in, Ruby takes the book and examines it closely "I dunno, probably a journal that belonged to someone."
"Or it's the author's name" Yang adds in dryly
"I could analyze it for you" Roy says "I'm great at this kind of thing! Just give it to me and I'll be sure to translate it for you in no time" he adds in smiling, Ruby smiles back at him. I shrug and slide the book over.
"Doesn't really mean much now" I say grabbing my bag "I gotta get ready for initiation. See you guys later" I finish with a wave. "Alright, see ya" Yang says
Hours later, Beacon Cliff
Everyone's arrived at the cliffs as instructed, I look to my right and see Yang, she gives me a smirk and thumbs up: I respond with my own thumbs up. And to my left is a guy in power armor: deep, almost black purple, three claws at the wrists with hands, and a dragon-like head...who's this guy I wonder. But I'm getting off track, I look back and see Ozpin with his cane and coffee mug and Ms. Goodwitch with a scroll in hand: the forest behind them as background
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin says
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams.'" Ms. Goodwitch adds in, "Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today." She says emphasizing the last word.
"Wait...teams are being assigned today?" I whisper in shock
Yes. That is what she said
Not now!
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." Ozpin continues
"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." He says. WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK OZPIN!
"Whaaaaaaat?!" I hear Ruby exclaim in shock.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die." Ozpin says seriously. ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE OZPIN?!
"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" He asks
"Yes, um, sir?" I hear Jaune say nervously
"Good! Now, take your positions." Ozpin says. The power-armored guy just stands there, and Yang raises up her fists. I hold onto Cerberus and start to chant in my head: FEAR IS A MINDKILLER, FEAR IS A MINDKILLER, FEAR IS A MINDKILLER. A bit of time passes as the one in power armor is launches like a dart into the distance, no regrets now! I pat Yang on the back, and she looks at me for a moment. I wink and salute "See you on the other side!"
And with that I'm sent flying into the air.
OH GOD I'M IN THE AIR!
(And there you have it folks, will Axel survive? Who's the guy in power armor? What's in the book? Find out next chapter: and hey if you want, share this with your friends if you liked it. And if you really liked it, add it to TvTropes Fan Rec page)
(Note to self: precheck twice in a row. Saw I repeated a line, I HAD TO PURGE IT. I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS)