Chapter 2: Orientation
With the initiation into Beacon coming up soon all the students were getting their weapon's out of their locker assigned the day before. Mana was at her locker getting her bow, Kiyohime. A girl walked up to her.
"Hey your Mana correct?" A voice asked from behind Mana.
She turned to look. A girl with long blond hair and bright yellow eye. She wore a simple top which was white in the middle and yellow on sides. She wore a yellow combat skirt as well as thigh high metal boots with a sharpened edge on the front and spear like point on the tips. She had plate armor over her breasts and on her shoulders.
"Uhhh… yeah," Mana stated.
"I'm Luz it's nice to meet you," the girl greeted.
"Uhhhhh… nice to meet you too?" Mana replied. "Ssoooooooo…"
"Your friends with Ryu right?" Luz asked.
Mana sighed.
"Yes," Mana stated.
"Well… could we friends as well?" Luz questioned.
"Whyyyyyy?" Mana asked.
"Well as you've guest I want to at least be friends with Ryu so I was thinking we could be friends to make it easier to be friends with him." Luz explained.
"Okay but why go through me why not just ask him to be your friend like with me?" Mana pointed out.
"Well… uhmm… you see well… it's kind of embarrassing but I have this problem…" Luz began.
At that moment Ryu walked into the room towards Mana without his shirt or vest on revealing his heavily scarred body.
"Mornin' Mana," Ryu called out.
"Well speak of the devil, hey Ryu," Mana replied.
"Who's this?" Ryu asked.
"She's Luz one of your first admirers at this school." Mana answered.
"Well nice to meet ya Luz," Ryu stated holding out his hand.
Luz just stood there staring at Ryu in daze mouth wide open blushing bright red.
"Uhhh Luz?" Ryu stated.
He waved his hand in front of her eyes. Her face didn't change.
"Well that at least explains why she decided to get to you through me," Mana pointed out.
"At least she had a relatively good reason," Ryu stated.
"Anyways is there a particular reason you're shirtless right now?" Mana brought up.
"Oh I was just doing my morning workouts," Ryu explained.
"Well what did you do this morning," Mana asked.
"10 mile jog, climb up and down the cliffs at the front of the school 10 times, and to finish it out I swam out to the bay and back." Ryu explained.
"Oh nothing out the ordinary," Mana observed.
"Yep anyways I gotta get my stuff See ya around," Ryu stated and then went to his locker.
Mana finished getting all her stuff out of her locker and left. Luz finally came out of her daze after this.
She shook her head.
"Dammit! It happened again!" She shout.
Luz hung her head and began to walk towards where initiation was to take place. Caesar was heading to there as well and saw Luz along the way.
"Hey you alright?" He asked.
Luz turned to see who it was. Before her stood Caesar dressed in his full armor with his mechanical arm fully visible.
"Uhmm… I… uhmmmm… I uhhmmmmmmmmm… I uh," Luz studered.
"Just calm down and say it," Caesar stated.
Luz regained her composer enough to talk.
"I fine, it's just I get nervous around guys and your handsome and… wait I mean uhmm… uh…" Luz explained.
"Hey just calm down okay," Caesar stated.
"Right," Luz replied.
She took a deep breath.
"Better?" Caesar asked.
"Yeah," Luz replied. "Oh I never introduce myself I'm Luz."
"I'm Caesar it's nice to meet you," Caesar stated.
He held out his right hand.
"Uh… nice to meet you too," Luz replied.
She shook Caesar's hand. Caesar smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Would all students report to the cliffs for initiation," Glynda's voice announced over the intercom.
"Oh… we best get going," Caesar pointed out.
"Right," Luz replied.
The two began there way to the cliffs where the initiation starts.
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The students all gathered at the cliffs awaiting the start of their initiation into Beacon. Each student was standing on their own launch pad. Ryu was standing next to Mana. Ozpin stood in front of them.
"Each of you have trained for many years to become warriors and have worked hard to come here," Ozpin began. "The Emerald Forest will be where you put your skills to the test. It is also the place will you will from your partners and teams."
Many of the students began to talk amongst themselves due to the new information.
"That being said the first person you see after you land will be your partner for the next four years," Ozpin stated.
The chatter amongst the students picked up in volume.
"That makes things interesting," Ryu stated.
"Hope I get paired with someone good." Mana lemented.
"You'll be fine," Ryu stated.
Mana sighed.
"After this you must make your way northward through the forest to collect relics at an abandoned temple. Take only one relic for each pair and return here for your evaluation." Ozpin continued. "Do not be afraid to destroy anything in your path or you will die."
"That really makes things interesting," Ryu stated.
"Any Questions?" Ozpin asked.
No one responded.
"Good now take your position," Ozpin stated.
All the students ready themselves as they were launched one by one into the forest. Ryu looked to Mana before being launched.
"Good luck," Ryu stated.
"You too," Mana replied.
Ryu was launched and then Mana. The last student launched was Sun officially starting the initiation.
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As Ryu flew through the air he released a series of small explosions to slow his descent. He lands on the ground in a roll into a run and begins making his way northward. Ryu darted through the forest at full speed yet still managing to avoid tripping up on roots or being hit by branches. After running for a few minutes he looks up and sees a crimson red cape come across his field of vision. He sees that it is Caesar. As Caesar descended he used his left arm to grip onto a large tree branch. He swung on it for a little to slow his momentum down before landing not to far from Ryu. Ryu ran towards him.
"Hey Caesar!" He called out.
Caesar turned towards Ryu.
"Oh hey Ryu," He stated with a surprised look.
Ryu slowed down to a walk as he neared Caesar.
"Looks like we're partners," Ryu stated.
"Haha looks like it," Caesar affirmed.
"Here's to the next four years," Ryu begin.
He holds out his hand. Caesar passes for a second. He closes his eyes and smiles. He reopens them and then takes hold of Ryu's hand.
"To the next four years," Caesar continued. "Partner."
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Mana landed a little ways to the west of Ryu and Caesar. She carefully made her way through the forest. Mana didn't see anyone for several minutes. 'I hope I find Ryu I don't know if I could stand being partner with anyone else. Well maybe Caesar would be fine or even Luz so long as it's not…' She thought before being interrupted when she saw someone right in front of her. Sun stood before her. There eyes made contact.
"Of all the people why him?" She pleaded.
Sun sighed.
"Like it or not we're partners," Sun pointed.
"Trust me I don't like it," Mana stated.
"Then best get used to it girly," Sun stated.
"Well at least one of us has brains," Mana stated.
Sun gave Mana an angry glare.
"You're lucky I don't like hitting girls," Sun pointed out.
"Oh that means more fun for me," Mana expressed.
Sun sigh.
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Luz had landed to the east of Ryu and Caesar. She made her way through the forest.
"I wonder who I'll get pair with?" She asked herself.
She traveled through the forest for several minutes before she heard some people.
"He's my partner!" A girl's voice shouted.
"No he's mine I saw him first," another girl shouted.
"Can't you two just calm down," a guy pleaded.
"NO!" They both responded.
Luz went to investigate. In a clearing she saw the two girls arguing over the one guy, whose back was turned and appeared annoyed. The first girl was in a flowing purple thin straped dress that went down to her knees. She wore a large yellow belt around her stomach along with white boots and gloves. She had bright yellow eyes and purple into white at the tips wavy hair down to her mid back. She carried duel pistols.
The second girl was somewhat tall with brown hair in long ponytail that went down to her knees. She wore a light gray top that only covered her breasts. She also wore black short shorts and a light brown skirt in the back with a fur belt around her waist. She wore light brown leather boots up to her knees. She wore light brown skin tight leather gloves up to her elbows. She had long metal claws on both of her her hand attached to the gloves in various places with dust cartridges on near her elbows.
The guy wore a brown leather vest and a cream white scarf around his neck. He wore and ocean blue sash around his waist, black baggy pants, and dark brown leather boots. On his right arm he had a blue tattoo line. He had light blue hair which was extremely short in the back. On his left ear he had two earrings one of which had two white feathers attached to it. In his left hand he held two cutlasses.
Luz stepped out of the clearing towards them. The two girls looked towards her. The guy turned his head slightly towards her.
"Who are you?" The first girl asked.
"I'm Luz," Luz answered.
"And why are you here?" The second girl asked.
"Well I overheard you two arguing and went to check it out," Luz answered. "I might be able to solve you two's dilemma."
"REALLY!? HOW?!" The two girls asked simultaneously.
Luz was a little shocked by the enthusiasm of the response.
"Well I could be one of you two's partner and the other is partners with the guy and we all travel together." Luz suggested.
The two girls mulled over the idea. The guy turned around revealing dark brown near black eyes as well as the fact he had no shirt on and a very muscular build. It also revealed a scar on his left eye and three scars across his chest. On top of this it revealed his hair was parted to the right side and very short on the left side as well. He had his emblem on the left side of his vest which was a white spiral with five arms.
"That could work besides we could be apart of that same team then," he pointed out.
Luz's face turned bright red she went into a slight daze with her mouth open.
"Looks like someone sees why we were arguing over him," the second girl pointed out.
Luz broke out of the daze and does her best to not look directly at the guy.
"Right anyways would that work?" She quickly brought up.
"That could work," the first girl replied.
"Yeah," the second affirmed.
"Now who's with me and who's with him?" Luz also brought up.
The two girls looked at each other.
"Either way you two will likely be on the same team with him." Luz explained.
The first girl sighed.
"I'll be your partner," she lamented.
"Sweet," Luz stated. "By the way what are y'alls names."
"Oh I'm Iris," the first girl stated.
"Tala," the second girl stated.
"Names Holokai," the guy stated.
"Alright then let's get going," she stated.
She lead the way heading northward. Iris went right next to her and began chatting.
"Looks like someone's already taking charge," Holokai expressed to Tala.
"You could say that again," Tala affirmed.
"Looks like…" Holokai began.
"I didn't mean it literally!" Tala interrupted.
Tala and Holokai followed suit northwards behind Luz and Iris.
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Meanwhile Ryu and Caesar began there travel northward towards the temple. The two engaged in small talk along the way.
"Hey Ryu can I ask you something?" Caesar brought up.
"Ask away," Ryu replied.
"Why did you join the war on the side of the faunus?" Caesar asked.
Ryu stopped. He looked down. Caesar stopped a little ahead of Ryu looked towards him.
"Good question," Ryu stated. "I sought fame and glory and you know what… I got every damn thing I asked for."
Ryu continued along his way. Caesar followed behind him.
"Then why the side of the Faunus?" Caesar brought up.
"Cause I thought they were in the right," Ryu answered.
"What you mean by that?" Caesar pressed further.
"I mean what I said they were in the right they deserved rights and fought for it," Ryu stated.
Caesar stopped. Ryu stopped and turned towards him. Caesar clenched his left fist.
"Then… would they be in the right to kill a whole family," Caesar began. "WOULD THEY BE IN THE RIGHT TO RUIN ANOTHER'S LIFE!"
Tears began to stream from Caesar's eyes.
"Whose life did they ruin yours?" Ryu asked.
Caesar clenched his left fist even tighter.
"Yes… they took everything from me," Caesar began. "My father… my mother… my… my… my sister, Luna… EVERYTHING!."
Ryu stared at Caesar.
"Was it all faunus or a few?" Ryu brought up.
"WHAT DOES IT MATTER?!" Caesar cried out.
Ryu turned back northward and began to walk. He stopped and slightly turned his head towards Caesar.
"Only fools judge the whole based on a few," Ryu stated.
Caesar was shocked by Ryu's calm demeanor and his response.
"How… how can you talk about this so calmly?!" Caesar shout. "I witness my family be taken away from me in an instant!"
Ryu turned his head back.
"Hmm… you know… death loses meaning when you've seen enough of it," he pointed out.
Ryu began to walk northward.
Caesar shut his eyes tight. He clenched his left fist even harder to the point where one could hear the metal grinding. His eyes open. His left arm transformed into a blade and charge at Ryu ready to strike. As he neared Ryu he readied his blade to stab Ryu. Right as Caesar was about to strike, Ryu turns around and takes hold of Caesar's arm while avoiding the blade. Ryu shifted his footing and flung Caesar over his shoulder and slammed him on to the ground. Caesar was in a daze from the impact. Ryu released Caesar's arm. Caesar shook himself out of the daze and got back up. He took a fighting stance with his blade out.
"You really want to fight me?" Ryu inquired.
"SHUT UP!" Caesar shouted.
He charged at Ryu again ready to strike. Ryu dodged to the left slightly and took hold of Caesar's arm. Ryu brought him in for a strong elbow to the stomach before bring his fist up for a strike to his face. After this he pulls Caesar into a spin before sending him flying towards a tree. Upon impact Caesar shatters through the tree sending it crashing down. Luckily it didn't land on Caesar. Caesar was again in a daze but it didn't take him long to stand back up.
"You got the anger out of your system?" Ryu asked.
Caesar breathed heavy for a few seconds before he finally calmed down.
"Yeah I think so," Caesar answered.
"It's alright to be upset about what happened," Ryu began. "Just don't blame all faunus for it."
"Yeah you're right," Caesar lamented. "Sorry for attacking you."
"No problem man," Ryu replied.
Suddenly growls could be heard all around Ryu and Caesar. Ryu and Caesar stood back to back taking up a fighting stance.
"Seems our little fight attracted some Grimm," Caesar pointed out.
"No kidding think you can handle it?" Ryu asked.
"Don't worry, I may not be on your level but Grimm I can handle." Caesar stated.
Ryu smirked.
"Good I don't need some weakling that needs me to protect them 24/7," Ryu stated.
Many Beowolves and Ursa emerged from the trees ranging in all sorts of sizes.
"Enough talks let's do this!" Caesar shouted.
"It's go time," Ryu stated.