The new students of Beacon awoke the next morning and went to prepare for the initiation that would commence in just under an hour; we cut to our protagonists preparing for said initiation.
G
I find my gear and ready the axes; I check their edges for sharpness and solidity, check the barrel for any obstruction, and finally settle that there in perfect condition as usual, I grab my four tomahawks hook the to my belt, I also decide to take my crowbar; I don't use it as often as I used to, but it's still pretty powerful.
Before I head out to the cliff though, I grab my goggles and activate the HUD Jerrod installed; it works like a scroll and displays my aura so I know how many hits I can take, or how much pulse I can use. And finally a special bag I brought just for the occasion, from what Jerrod told me; I'll need it.
R
After that… interesting first night; I'm glad I'll be able to just get to do something or once, I grab my tonfas and load them with three shells, I loose and retract eth blade a few times to be sure they won't get jammed, like usual their fine, these things don't require much maintenance so their easy to work with, I also take an energy dust crystal with me just in case, I can use the dust for evasion if the Grimm get ugly… err.
Before I can step outside some huge idiot pushes me into the wall, "Watch where you're going you idiot!" I see he's a fairly tall and muscular guy wearing ridiculously bulky navy blue armour with crimson edging, "I apologize for my ill consideration and lack of observing my direction, I: ROLADN, BEARER OF APOLOGIZE! Ask your forgiveness for my tomfoolery." This guy was jut so weird and over the top… "Ahh sure, I forgive you…" as soon as I say that he smiles so wide I thought his head would split "huzzah! I ROLAND, MAN WHO WAS FORGOVEN! Am off to prepare for the initiation!" Without another word he picks up a massive and I mean MASSIVE broad sword and runs off, I just shrug as I have no time do try and understand half of the freaks at this school, I dust off my pants and head outside.
N+N
I really didn't need to do much to prepare for the initiation, I don't leave my G. knuckle dusters anywhere other than my bag… there all that's left of her too…
I slide them on and check my belt for the two additional crystals I have; a red crystal for fire, and a blue for ice. I set the default energy crystals to charge and step outside… I hope this initiation won't be too violent… I HOPE WE FIND A CORPSE RIPE WITH THE BLOOD OF ITS FLESH!
Um… Grimm don't bleed…
D
I tie my blindfold tight around my head and let my aura do it's job, I open the locker once I can sense my surrounding and take my swords, I pull them from the sheaths and take a few swings to check, then I lightly feel the blade for any damage or dried blood, it still takes time to remember Grimm don't bleed, and Grimm are the only thing I kill.
Satisfied there was nothing wrong with the blades I open the hilt and load the blades with yellow electric dust, the electricity both increase the power of a strike and virtually guarantees a clean slice. I slide the blades back into the crossed sheaths on my back and head for the doors when I suddenly feel weightless, then I feel my face smack down on the floor… "Ohmygosh I'm so sorry, I put it there by accident while fixing my belt, I am so sorry!" Her voice was fairly high and full of genuine concern, so I knew she didn't just 'trip the blind kid because he's blind' but my nose feels a but numb now…
"It's alright, I'm sure it was an accident." Now standing I can actually see her… aura; she was fairly tall and had an ample figure and physique, and the thing I tripped over appeared to be a large gauntlet with retractable 'claws' about two feet in length, "Impressive weaponry you have there, looks like late war tech." I had studied the weapons from the later years of the Faunas right revolution, the gauntlets were usually given to heavy weapons specialists due to there weight.
"Yeah… there actually my grandpas, sorta; his were damaged, but he kept them and melted them down so he could rebuild them, and he infused them with some dust that makes them a lot easier to carry, so now I can use them." I observed her aura as I listened, she seemed very nice and from her aura she appears to be fairly clumsy and occasionally forgetful, i.e. my still numb nose.
"Oh crap; the initiation is about to begin! I gotta go, bye Desmond!" I wave at her as she runs out the door and start to walk myself when I realize; I never told her my name… how she knew wasn't my concern right now; I need to beat this initiation and get into Beacon for my Grandmother, my Grandfather, and myself.
The students now take position on the platforms lining the cliff, professor Ozpin clears his throat; "For some of you, for years you trained to become warriors and today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald forest."
He pauses to allow Glenda to speak "Now I'm sure many of you have heard rumours about the assignment of teams, well allows us to put an end to your confusion; each of you will be given teammates, today."
A few students murmur to each other at this information as it came as a surprise to most of them, as Ozpin begins to speak once more "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."
Again a few students murmur their discontent at this information, but it was hardly audible. "That being said the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." At this the sound of glass cracking could be heard cracking for reasons no sane person could explain.
"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. You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation but our instructors will not intervene, you will find an abandon 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?"
The 'scrawny blond kid' raises his hand "Yeah um sir?"
"Good take your positions."
Everyone readies in stance for the launch, Jaune attempts to get the professors attention again "um sir, I've got a question." But he is cut short but the sounds of the platforms launching the students into the air, one by one.
(And since your all sick of reading the exact same words from episode 4, let's just get to the reason there reading this, team GRiND. Alright alright I was getting there…)
G
The platforms are launching in order from left to right (if your standing on the platform it's left to right) and I was the fourth from the left, with my turn coming very close I watch as the girl with the large drill launches before me, I slide my goggles over my eyes and lightly grasp a cord attached to my belt, as the platform throws me into the air I feel my stomach lurch, but I'm able to right myself and open my 'special bag', and let the wind be my guide.
R
As the platform get closer to me I just relax, I already know how I'm going to land, but I wonder how the poor fool next to me intends to land; he's wearing some heavy looking armour and has a huge mechanical war-hammer, that's going to really weigh him down, but before I can put anymore thought on him his platform launches and I recall what's important here; me getting that artefact, I just hope I don't end up with some annoying partner like that guy with the sword.
As my platform finally launches me I try to stifle a yawn as this was nothing, I had at least another fifty three seconds before I would start to descend, and I knew what to do.
N+N
Oh what am I going to do? What am I going to do; no one said anything about being launched off a cliff! I have to think fast I have to *cli- CHUNG!* "WAHHHH!" Oh crap oh crap oh crap I'm falling what do I do WHAT DO I DO!?
D
I can feel the gears shifting under my feet as the platforms launch, I know mine is getting close as I hear a… familiar voice crying out as her plate launches her, I realise that it could be bad if it's who I think it is. I ready for launch as I hear Ozpin's voice "By the way Desmond, I know eye-contact may be hard for you, but it is my understanding you know when someone is face to face?" I just nod as the gears beneath my feet turn and I'm flung into the air, I quickly angle myself towards the girl who screamed, I knew my landing and now I know hers.
Ozpin takes a sip from his coffee as the last students platform launches, then looks to Glenda as she cycles through the cameras on her scroll, each camera was strategically placed so that the whole forest could be monitored. Another sip as his gaze turns back to the forest, today will be the start of the most... 'interesting' year at Beacon.
G
I glide through the air with the wind as my guide, the wind in my hair stirs an odd sensation that makes me feel closer to the earth despite being so high above it, the grace and elegance of the otherwise brutal world passing by underneath my "Yahoo!" someone shouts from behind me, I angle myself so I can see behind me when I'm suddenly hit by something big and soft yet hard and powerful at the same time...
When my vision returns I find myself staring the blond girl in the face, our eyes meet but behind our eyewear and the fact we have yet to land renders this meaningless, yet I feel that we can see each other on another level, like we see past the goggles and glasses and past the eyes into each others souls like we were meant to be...
She grasps my collar and pulls me closer, she moves her lips and I crane my neck to hear her over the wind; "Sorry bubby!" she then puts her foot on my knee and shoves off back into flight, her guntlets propelling her through the air in a mixture of grace and power such as the majestic eagle soars through the skies and is that a tree? *CRACKSMASHSNAPBONK!... clip*
R
I take my time and just allow myself to fly until I finally start descending, once I get within ten feet of the ground I simply let my semblance slow me down until I gently land on the ground, I yawn as the whole concept of never needing to fear the fall is tiresome at times, I grab my tonfas and head towards where the temple should be, when I near a short tree a loose the blades and climb a few feet and push off so I can float and get a grasp of where the temple should be, as I hover above the trees I see a few more people land, including the stupid blond kid as he flails around in the air, I expect he wont survive the impact on landing, so one teams going to be a man short, honestly though; after seeing him the team will probably benefit from the loss, I'm about to go back down when I see something fly through the air towards blonde-boy, I think it's a spear... just as Blondie disappears from sight I hear the spear thunk into a tree trunk, "Thaaank yoou!" I guess that means someone saved him then.
I float back down as I feel myself tiring, using my semblance that long takes a lot of energy so I try not to use it for long. Once on the ground I keep heading towards the temple when I hear a bunch of branches breaking, I take stance as I prepare to fight off some sort of Grimm; but then I realise the sound is coming from above me... I look up as the sound grows closer.
A large red shape crashes to the ground in front of me; I take a step closer and "Holy shit, Grant!?"
N+N
Ohmygodohmygodohmygod this is it isn't it? We're going to die here aren't we?
If its any consolation; I'm already dead.
Actually that makes me feel worse...
Sorry.
The ground is getting closer and closer... I close my eyes and hope it doesn't hurt to long...
But instead of the ground I feel soft warm hands holding me... Very soft, but so strong too, roar. Please don't say that...
"Are you okay Natalie?" I slowly open my eyes to see a tall man with a long silver blindfold covering his eyes... "Desmond?"
D
As I flew through air I singled out the one aura I was looking for, the burning ice, it was Natalie, I could never forget her aura; two auras that should conflict with each other yet seem to merge perfectly... I have only read of such an instance happening once before, so I need to make sure Natalie stays safe.
Once I figure out where she will land I angle myself and pull my arms to my sides to accelerate as high as I can. Once I get close to the ground I flip back, raw one of my swords and slow myself my spiralling down a tree, I run to the spot she will land as I see her getting closer to the ground, I plant my feet and brace myself to catch her...
She lands right in my arms, she's heavier than I imagined and I recoil under the force of her impact, but I stay standing. "Are you okay Natalie?" It takes her a moment but she responds; "Desmond?"
D: "It's been a while hasn't it?"
N: "Y... yeah it has... I didn't know you'd be here..."
D: "Where you expecting someone else? I heard Grant was here to."
N: " Grants here too? Wow... I haven't seen either of you in years... do you think that... that Rene might be here to?"
D: "Well knowing her; they only would have gotten here to come if the dragged her here kicking and screaming."
N: "I guess your right, I just thought it would be nice if... if we all saw each other again..."
"Well maybe we can."
D/N: "Rene? Grant? When did you two meet up?"
R
So Grant just fell out of the sky and is now lying in a heap of his own limbs... If he is dead I think I'm going to puke. "Uhhgg to be killed by an angel... an angel with a shotgun no less..." Grant seems to be okay, he always mumbles something strange and idiotic last I remember... shit, I hope he doesn't remember the dust I stole...
He finally comes to and picks himself up and dusts off; he's also wearing some weird cape like thing. He finally realises I'm there and turns to me; "Rene! I haven't seen you in years! My word you haven't changed a bit, commere'!" before I can react he grabs me in a bear hug, I try to struggle but when I do he starts to whisper in my ear; "Now I know you weren't on the best financial position when we last met; but you could have asked for the 'loan', Vic nearly went out to hunt for you. Please don't do that again." His voice was threatening, but soft...
He let me go and retracted his weird cape into a bag on his back, "So on a less... disturbing note; what the hell is that bag thing, and why did you just fall out of the sky?"
G: "Well to answer your first question; it's a wing-suit prototype, it's a retractable set of glider wings interlaced with wind dust to allow me to practically fly through the air. I'm testing it for my brother."
R: "So I guess that's why you came down, prototype needs work."
G: "Actually the wings are great, the reason I crashed was from colliding with an angel..."
R: "Wait what? an angel, I think you hit your head on the impact."
G: "Well yeah; I did hit my head, but that girl was beautiful... such grace, such prowess, such ample bo... Uhh never mind. So shall we work our way toward the temple?"
R: "I guess so."
R: "And then we found you two, so I guess we just need to head to the temple now."
G: Actually; I think we should do a weapons check first, just to be safe."
D: "Grants right, we should load up before we go further, I can smell Grimm presence."
Ozpin watches the students as they make they're ways through the forest, as he moves through the groups he pauses on the group of Grant, Rene, Despond, and Natalie, they appear to be checking their weapons;
The four proceed to check their weapons; Grant un-sheaths his axes and checks the firing mechanism, to make sure it didn't jam, he also checks his crowbar.
Rene spun her tonfas and unsheathed the nearly foot long blades, after a few spins she then adjusts the grips and combine the two tonfas into a staff.
Natalie takes her duster-knuckles (are you seriously going to call them that? Yes shut up.) And puts her fists together creating a small shower of sparks.
Desmond slowly unsheathes his katanas and takes a few swings, he opens the hilt and loads some more yellow dust, another few swings with lightning coursing through the blade, he then does something unexpected; he throws off his silver duster jacket to reveal an odd mechanism connected to his right arm; it spanned from his wrist to his elbow and carried two blades shorter than the katanas, Desmond then connected his left katana to the machine and the short blades combine with the katanas and increase the blades to nearly eight inches in width, creating a large bladed vise with the katanas.
G: "Whoa Des, when did you get that upgrade?"
D: "I had it built shortly after the encounter with that Beo-wolf pack we fought two years ago; it allows me to cut limbs and neck and still have a hand free if someone needs a heal or boost.
R: "So the rich DO know the meaning of practicality."
D: "Yes we do; now I suggest we stow the sarcasm and get moving."
G: "Should we store it in the over-head cabinets or under our seats?"
D: "... Its a good thing we're friends Grant."
"Professor." Ozpin turns his attention towards Glenda holding her scroll with the cameras focused on two groups fighting with a Nevermore and a Death-stalker, "This should prove interesting.
(You suck at transitions. Shut up.)
As the four proceeded deeper into the forest; gunfire and blades could be heard, coupled with the cries of Grimm creatures.
R: "Yeesh; sounds like someone's getting the ass handed to them."
G: "Shh."
R: "Wha?! did you just tell me to shut up!?"
Desmond puts a hand over Rene's mouth, despite mild struggling from Rene his hand doesn't budge and Rene just fumes.
...
N: "Uhh... g... Grant... I don't hear anyth"
RRROOOOOOAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!
N: "N... never mind..."
D: "Grant; that isn't Beo-wolf, is it?"
G: "No, only one Grimm has a roar that powerful, that can be heard from such a distance... we need to move, NOW."
R: "HMMHHHMHhHMHMHM!"
Desmond is reminded he has his mouth over Rene's mouth and moves it, prompting her to glare at him.
R: "Please explain why we're going toward the roaring sound?"
G: "Because we need the artifacts in order to be officially enlisted in Beacon, and I don't intend to go home just a worthless flunky, that; and Ozpin apparently has something I need."
Before he could be asked Grant draws his crowbar and dashes off, leaving his team to awkwardly glance at one-another and follow at a distance.
After around five minutes of walking the three come to a clearing where the find Grant standing still in the center.
R: "Ugh, what the hell is he doing now?!"
D: "He's waiting."
N: "P... please tell me it us he's waiting for..."
As Natalie asks a black shape dashes from the forest directly towards Grant.
D: Nope; that's who he was waiting for."
Grant remains still, the Grimm getting closer with each passing second, only when the beast is almost on him does he side-step and hook the Grimm's leg with his crowbar, tripping it and forcing it to stop.
The beast recuperates itself and Growls at Grant; it had a medium build and long feline body with the white bone armor lining its spine and covering its head.
D: "It's a Leo-ness... a level 2 Grimm Feline counterpart to the Beowolves, only their about fifty miles faster.
R: What the hell!? I thought those things were from the north-east, why would they have them here?!
N: "I.. I read somewhere that the Emerald forest has over fifty species of Grimm from all over Remnant... So I guess Leos are included..."
G: "Emphasis on the plural, we're surrounded."
As though on que; ten pairs of glowing red eyes appear in the tree line surrounding the clearing, The first Leo-ness in the center roars and the surrounding Leos rush into the clearing, the Grant and the others stand back to back in the center as the Leos charge.
Grant is the first to break from the ring and leap into the fray; he draws two tomahawks and throws them at two pursuing Leos; the first ax hits its target directly and kills the Leo-ness, but the second only lodges itself in the shoulder of the Grimm, however this gives Grant a chance to draw his axes and spring the bayonets from the end of the barrels and jab both ends into the Grimm, killing it.
Rene decides she's sick of standing still and rushes toward three Leo-nesses, they try to surround her and attack, but just as they lunge in unison Rene leaps into the air and floats just above the Leos; now lying in a heap after colliding into one another, Rene frees the blades in her tonfas and drops right onto the back of the top Leo and jabs deep into the shoulders causing the Leo-ness to cry out in pain, Rene then shifts her weight and forces the beast to charge after its two friends, as she draws closer two the other Grimm she retracts the blades and leaps off the Leo-ness as it claws to a stop inches from the other two Grimm, they all turn to Rene as she pulls a small black rod from her belt; she presses a button and a rapid beeping sound came from the back of the ridden Leo-ness, "Eat C-4 Bitches!"
Let me handle this Nat.
O... Okay...
"IM READY FOR THE RIBCAGE SLAUGHTER!"
The Grimm never stood a chance; four Leo-nesses charge directly at Naomi, as the leader leaps toward her Naomi sidesteps and bashes the Grimm's skull, shattering the armor and actual bones, the three remaining Grimm pause to glance at each other before surrounding Naomi; they slowly stalk around her, once one finds a blind spot it charges in; but when the Leo-ness tried to bite down on Natalie's flesh all it felt was cold metal, Naomi had turned just in time to shove the Dust-knuckle in the Grimm's maw and switch the power on and electrocute the beast.
The remaining Leo-nesses roar and charge at Naomi; only too have the corpse of the electrocuted Leo-ness land on them in a heap, two well placed punches to their necks and the Leo-nesses are dead.
N: "Uhh... what happened?"
With only two Leo-nesses left Desmond takes stance as the beasts roar and charge, with his individual katanas he blocks both Grimm and in one fluid motion combines the blades to reform the claw; he swings to the left Leo-ness and catches its neck between the blades, the creature roars one last time as Desmond cuts the head off with the claw, turning towards the last Leo-ness even a blind man could see the fear in the beasts eyes.
In one final attempt to kill the Leo-ness pounces in the air to gain aerial advantage over Desmond; only to find two blades lodged deep into its chest cavity.
D: "I believe that's the last of them."
G: "Heres hopin', lets get the artifacts and get outta here."
R: "About time you say something useful; by the way Natalie; nice moves back there."
N: "Wait... w... what moves?"
And with that the four fighters delve deeper into the woods; drawing closer to there goal.
But they weren't the only ones heading to the ruins...
(You seriously suck at transitions. I can and will put you in an eroge if I need to! Can't be worse than the yuri situation you put me in. It wasn't yuri! It was a situation of two women in a situation with suggestive themes that could make one question their sexuality and oh jeez it was yuri... Just war me next time you do that. Yeah I... Wait; why do you think I would do it again? Shut up and finish the damn chapter.
Okay...)
G: "Alright we're almost there; we just need to get to that clearing."
As the four leave the tree line and step into the clearing they are greeted by the sight of an old ruin with numerous pedestals holding large chess-piece resembling objects.
R: "This is what we've been looking for!? A god-dammed chess piece!?"
D: "As apposed to?"
R: I dunno, something that was actually worth something maybe..."
The four move around to look at the relics: noticing that the White knights, the black bishops, the white rooks, and the black knights were already taken.
Grant, Rene, and Natalie all take a white bishop while Desmond walks to a black rook and reaches for it when Grant interrupts;
G: "Wait; we all need to take the same piece to be on the same team."
D: "How do you know that?"
G: " Jerrod told me about it."
Desmond nods and grabs a white bishop for himself, G: "Alright, now we just need to get back to the"
RRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!
...
R: "Grant... was that a leo-ness?"
G: "No... its something much worse..."
The ground starts to shake and birds scatter from the trees as the whole forest seems to hold its breath as the rumbling finally stops...
N: "I... is it gone?..."
G: "No; that's just what it wants us to think, Desmond; you sense anything?"
D: "No... its like the whole forest just died, I can't sense anything now..."
R: "Hey; how about instead of standing here talking about the thing we try to get away from it instead!?"
G: "Uhh... right."
The four tuck away their relics and start running back toward the cliff as the shaking returned once again; growing stronger and coming closer despite the speed of the four. They couldn't hear their own thoughts over the sounds of the trees being uprooted and smashing to the ground as the Grimm drew closer and closer still.
R: "Goddammit this things still chasing us!"
N: "What happens if it catches up to us?"
D: "You don't want to know; Grant the only way to stop this thing is to take a stand and finish it."
G: "Your right; just gimmie a second... Okay Rene I need you to float up to the tree line and get some charges set: make a trail for him to follow. Natalie I need you to get the cave and find a boulder that could block the entrance. Desmond"
D: "I already know, lets do it."
G: "Right; everybody ready?"
R: "I just want you to know: This is not a plan, but its a perfect plan."
And with that the four split up to prepare for the fight, the Grimm closer to the four the ever.
(Did you really make me do a mass effect reference? Maybe.)
G: "Alright, everything is set, we just need to wait for the Grimm to hit the line of explosives..."
In the distance a blast can be heard, followed by a roar that could shatter concrete.
D: "That would be Rene, I hope she can float faster than that Grimm can run... that was possibly the strangest thing I've ever said."
G: "Natalie! You ready with that rock?"
Atop the small cliff Natalie peers over the edge before quickly scuttling backwards in fear of falling, N: "Y... yeah I have the boulder... so when the Grimm gets here and chases you I punch boulder and block the entrance?"
G: "Exactly, then break it down after you hear a blast, otherwise Desmond and I could suffocate from the smoke and perish slowly and painfully, but no pressure."
A small whimper could be heard from the cliffs edge.
D: "... your horrible; you know that?"
G: "I like telling the truth, so sue me."
Within seconds the sound of condensed explosions could be heard in the distance, Grant and Desmond retreat into the cave and prepare to Aura boost-blast the Grimm to kingdom come.
R: "Goddammit this thing is right behind me whatever your going to do, do it fast Grant!"
Rene shouts as she leaps into the air and floats to the cliff; Natalie grabbing here hand and pulling her up.
Turning back towards the forest the sound of trees being ripped out by the roots and blood curdling roars blocked out any sounds as the beast finally reared its ugly head; an Alpha Leo; one of the strongest level four Grimm in existence, Its head covered by the bone mask with a mane composed of spikes that also line the creatures spine, the smell of blood imbedded in the creatures fur, virtually toxic.
G: "You want something to eat? Well come get some fillet of fist you ugly mother bucker!"
The Leo roars and charges into the cave and is promptly trapped by a massive boulder, now there was no light in the cave, until a strange glow started resonating from the back of the cave where Desmond had just charged Grants aura to a level it had never before reached, D: "I'm going to pass out in about thirty seconds due to the energy I expended, so when you fry this thing you better be ready to get both of us out Grant."
D: "Don't worry Dez; I'm going to teach this Leo some rules."
D: "What rules?"
G: "The RULES OF NATURE!"
With that Grant leapt at the Leo and pouched the beast square in the jaw: forcing thousands of volts of black lightning throughout the Grimm's body charring its flesh and boiling its blood, the beast leashed on final roar as it fell to the ground in a heap.
G: "*pant pant* No guarantee which of them will succeed ;"
D: "The strong or the weak.. uggh..."
Desmond slumped to the ground unconscious; Grant hoisting him onto his shoulder as the sound of metal smashing against rock could be heard from Natalie and Rene destroying the boulder. With a moments peace Grant takes a contempt sigh; this was the first day of the rest of his life; his life as a hunter.
(Finally; I finished the Emerald forest chapter, Took you long enough, Well excuse me for trying to put real quality into my work, you spent three hours trying to think of how to type Grant fawning over Yang... hehe; fawning, hehe... fawning, cause faunas are a thing, you know; a joke is less funny when you explain it, oh shut the buck up, that's another thing; you substitute 'f #k' with 'buck', anything you want to say? Yes; I considered writing you to be a human version of Rarity before settling on your current design. Wait what?
See ya'll next chapter.
Wait no go back to that thing you just said!)