Chapter Three: The Initiates part Part Two
"Alright everyone the next initiate is ready to go! Please welcome Marco Polo who hales from our very own Vale city!" John said, the students of beacon once again facing the screen after the short intermission.
Marco breathed in deeply, grinning at the forest before him. His combat "outfit", was much more laid back and casual than Theo's. Hawaiian shorts and open toed sandals covered his lower half, exposing his moderately tanned skin. He wore a faded green jacket, a logo on the back depicted a glass soda bottle fizzing with liquid, two golden words below it read; "Jugg Me".He wore a black shirt under it that read "Deal with it" in white. He pulled out his earbuds, putting them in and cranking the volume as high as it would go. With an almost maniacal laugh he did a backflip onto the launch pad, propelling backwards with sounds of childish glee.
"So he's the one you were struck by?" Ironwood asked Glynda, who nodded silently.
"Seems a bit wild to me" Ozpin commented mildly, James laughed.
"I have the sneaking suspicion that it's only going to go uphill from here, Oz" James said, watching Marco fall heavily into the forest, taking several trees down with him.
Marco jumped right back off, running at break neck speed, his green aura trailing behind him. His grin had turned malicious, a look of "blood lust" as John had called it. Branches and Tree's groaned as two Major Ursa came running on Marco's tail, just trailing behind his green aura. Marco laughed happily, suddenly stopping. The two Ursa skidded to a stop, confused when they saw Marco had disappeared. Only when they heard his laugh did they realize he was above, by then it was too late. Coming down on the left one's jaw, Marco's teeth shown when he heard a satisfying crack. The major Ursa swayed back, moaning in pain, the other Ursa going to bat Marco away. It roared in pain, it's now broken paw dangling uselessly in the air. "You call this a challenge?! I'm just getting started!" he proclaimed, his green aura mysteriously turning into green fire, surrounding him, almost as if it was a living thing. The Ursa with a broken jaw lashed out with both it's paw's, only for Marco to dodge and give it two more devastating fire punches, knocking it to the ground. The other attempted to snap at Marco with his jaws, proving to be the death of it. Marco did a front flip, bringing down a fire covered leg onto it's skull. It smashed into the ground, it's head exploding into black smoke. The other was attempting to rise, Marco grimaced. He effortessly tugged out a bone spike from the Ursa he killed, throwing it like a spear to the almost risen Ursa. The spike passed through it's neck, pinning it to the ground. Marco stood between his victories, yelling "Woohoo!" before racing back towards the locker rooms and past a bewildered squad of Ironwood's men.
Marco sauntered into the locker rooms, his fingers pointing to the message of his shirt. Jace spoke first, "Overconfident jackass" he praised, the smile audible in his voice. "You did a great job as always" Mason said softly, smiling. "Thanks Mas" Marco said affectionately, tussling the younger teens crimson hair. He gave Theo a Knuckle bump before sprawling out on a bench. A nervous staff member of Beacon came to the entrance, "U-um Jace Snider, you're up next" she bleated out. Jace still hadn't taken off his cloak. Marco thumped him on the back, "Go get 'em tiger" Marco encouraged, winking. He snorted before crossing the threshold, giving a gloved wave farewell.
Yang had decided she liked Marco, his grin was infectious, his power was godly, he was cute as a button, lord she hadto get his scroll code when this was done. Weiss was wide eyed and speechless, he'd taken on two majorUrsa's by himself and only with his fist. The fire looked pretty awesome too, she had to admit. Pyrrha looked shaken, coming to a conclusion she didn't think was possible. That fire, that was his semblance. But there was so much, it's almost unthinkable to think he used that much without even looking winded, there has to be something we don't know, there has to be!Blake's mind was blank. She decided it was going to stay that way until she processed all the unbelievable information and organized it when she wasn't so awe-struck and baffled. Juane was full admiration for the guy. While he had barely managed to take one out on his own this guy took two out with his fist like someone would swat a fly! He contemplated asking the guy for an autograph. Ruby had stars in her eyes, she was gonna find this guy and ask him how you went about killing grimm with your fist. For once, Nora was speechless with wonder. Ren was not excited for when she decided to talk again. When she did her words would blur together into one giant monologue of gibberish that even he couldn't understand. The antics of these last initiates were simply too much, he could have sworn he felt his brain short circuiting when he saw Marco's semblance.
The staff on the raised arena were speechless for the first time that initiation. No one said anything for the first few moments, the silence filled with so much excitement it was tangible.
"We need to talk to these gifted youngsters after all of this is done" Ozpin asserted, Ironwood and Glynda nodded in silent agreement. Glynda pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose, preparing herself for the next initiate with a sniff and shift in her chair.
"Alright ladies and gents! After that mind boggling performance we have yet another! This guy goes by Jace Snider, who was born in Vacuo and came here to Beacon from Atlas! Lets see if he's just as good as the others!" John announced after yet another intermission. Weiss furrowed her brow, that name sounded slightly familiar but she just couldn't put a name on it.
Ironwood's face suddenly turned stony, he then took out his scroll and typed a message. "What did you just did Ironwood?!" Glynda asked sharply, who gave a knowing smile, "You'll see" he replied. Ozpin narrowed his eye's suspiciously, "What didyou do James?" Ozpin asked, but he only got silence in return.
Jace reached deep into his cloak, pulling out out a silver lighter and cigarette. The lighter had a carved symbol on it that depicted two white fangs with blood dripping off them. He lit the cigarette, taking a drag. Letting the smoke out, his cloaked head turned slightly, as if to watch the smoke disappear into the air. He then stepped onto the platform, being launched away into the deceiving beautiful green sea.
He landed on his feet, taking one more drag before discarding the cigarette, snuffing it out with his shining black military boot. He was in a large grassy clearing, a cliff was to his right. He looked over the edge, looking to gauge the distance below. He stopped moving when he heard a low growl behind him. He slowly turned around to see a giant Tikiasa grimm-tiger hiss, it's two oversized fangs glinting. It resembled a sabertooth tiger, it's coat black with red dots. It's eye's a menacing shade of emerald Jace slowly walked forward, stopping when he was directly across from it. Then they began to pace in a circle around each other; the stand off had begun.
Glynda stood up in her chair, fear filled her green orbs. "What have you done Ironwood?!" she cried, her hand reaching for her riding crop. Ozpin shot out of his seat, quickly calming Glynda before turning to James with deep seated anger. "This was not authorized, James" he said, his voice a deadly quiet. Ironwood simply pointed to the screen, "Watch" he instructed, silencing once more. The two concerned hunters sat back down, hoping that for once Ironwood knew what he was doing.
They had stopped pacing, the Tikiasa now stood with the cliff to it's back, Jace, the forest. Jace had also removed his Traveling cloak, revealing a one eyed predator that was every bit as dangerous as the one that stood before him. His left eye was closed shut, a jagged scar running down it and much of his face. A black scarf scarf covered his mouth and nose, the black cloth billowing silently in the wind. His other eye showed signs of surgery, damaged, red skin surrounding a ghostly blue robotic eye. His outfit was shown to be a high grade military desert ops uniform, a black "Phoenix" combat jacket and pants covering his body. Tight padding layered the chest, back and outer arms, as well as the front and back of his legs. The jacket was one sleeved, revealing Jace's left arm to be a metallic bionic one. A lever action shotgun was strapped to his back, a silver hilted hunting sword sheathed on his left side. The Tikiasa was getting bored, it'd sized up it's enemy, it was ready to dance. With a loud growl it launched forward, fangs hungering for blood.
She remembered now! Yes! Weiss had heard her own father talk about him, he'd said; "Ironwood's got his young lapdog Snider doing all his dirty work, killing people he no longer needs, making people "disappear", hell James has a walking weapon at his side!". Of course Daddy was drunk and hadn't known she was there but that was besides that point. Though the Tikiasa scared her, for Professer Port had never shown them this grimm. She wasn't the only one feeling the apprehension, the entire amphitheater stank of it. Though there was also a subtle excitement, however small.
Jace started running towards the Tikiasa, his face unreadable. He fired off three shots of his shotgun, pulling out his hunting sword when he realized it only made it more agitated. It leapt at him, Jace sliding under the attack. Jace had managed to nick the Tikiasa in it's hindleg, the beast roared in anger. They now stood opposite of their previous spots, Jace back to the cliff, the Tikiasa, to the woods. They ran toward eachother again, the grimm's wound not slowing it down. Jace suddenly jumped up, slamming the ground with his bionic arm. It was like a small earthquake the very ground split under the strike, the cracks swiftly branching to the approaching grimm. The Tikiasa was about to lunge but was thrown into the air, a pillar of earth had emerged from the cracks, sending the beast flying. With a dull thudit landed on the dirt, slowly getting up, shaking it's head to clear it. It was too late, Jace was already upon it. Placing two well aimed shotgun blast, the Tikiasa fell, it's right front and back legs nothing more than stubs. It's roar of pain was high pitched, sounding like a squealing pig. It attempted to scratch him with its remaining front paw, only for the pitiful attempt to be kicked away by Jace. Without a moment of hesitation his silver hilted hunting sword plunged into the neck of the beast, twisting it forcefully, the head slowly rolling off. Without missing a beat he cleaned the blood off his sword with the now disintegrating grimm's fur, sheathing it with a masterful figure eight. He dressed back into his discarded travel cloak and glove, walking briskly back to toward the locker rooms. Ironwoods men could barely keep up with him.
Ironwood smiled in satisfaction, "The true master piece of Atlas's military, Jace Snider" he said, a smug look on his face.
"Don't tell me, James, what have you done?!" Ozpin shouted, rising from his chair, anger burning in his eyes.
"What I had to do to ensure this worlds chances of survival!" Ironwood shouted back, getting out of his chair with such force it fell with a loud bang. Ozpin sat back down very slowly, his eye's facing forward.
"You will leave the grounds with your men as soon as this is all over, you're not welcome to the feast" Ozpin said coldly, staring ahead at the screen. Glynda raised an eyebrow. Ozpin usually never got angry, but she could see why he burst out like that. Ozpin hated things like that being done to children, especially ones who had no choice in the matter. Ironwood stiffly re-took his seat, adjusting his white suit before continung to watch.
"I won't apologize for your lack of drive for progress, Oz" James tried, getting a venomous glare from Ozpin.
"If this is progress then I want none of it, if thats what it takes then I'd rather perish with the grimm!" he snarled, tapping his cane in an agitated pattern.
"Well, when my men win battles against grimm and your hunters and are getting slaughtered, you might just start to reconsider" Ironwood pressed.
"Enough, Ironwood, either shut that insufferable mouth of yours or leave now!" she said sternly, her look enough to make him back down and settle in his seat.
"Such ferocity! Such bravery! That seems to be Jace's trademark! Impressive just like the rest! After the break our last initiate will go, completing phase one!" John exclaimed, the screen falling silent but the amphitheater barely noticing its absence in volume. Weiss touched her scar, he had a scar just like hers on his left eye. It made her feel a strange sense of connection, but then her logic came knocking it all down. Get ahold of yourself Weiss! It was just a coincidence, and considering his skill I'll probably never see him again. Even still, she still felt like she had to see him. Ren leaned back in his chair, stretching. It felt like he'd been in here forever, it'd been almost three hours ever since the first initiate was launched into emerald forest. He had to admit, he liked Jace's style. It was predatory, like he would follow his prey to the ends of the earth. Nora had actually fainted from being too excited, completely missing Jace's battle. Ren looked down at his unconscious friend, sometimes I just don't get it he thought fondly, taking off his jacket and setting it over her. Blake had watched Weiss as she paid uncharacteristically close attention to Jace's battle, storing it in her ever growing list of information-she'd-need-to-sort-through-later-as-in-that-night. Maybe she'd even do a bit of recon, the thought got her heart beating. She made sure not to let it show, though it didn't matter anyways, considering everyone was wrapped up in their own thoughts.
At this point Ruby just wanted to meet them, ask how they were all so capable, so goodat what they did. Yang's thoughts were still on Marco, creating an overly-complicated plan to subtly get Marco's scroll code without looking like a total creep. Juane was envious of the initiates skill at first but after seeing that completely expressionless face all negative feelings fled. Jace looked so broken,despite doing so well.
Pyrrha looked at Juane, wondering what his empathetic expression was for. She knew one thing was for sure. Things at Beacon were going to change. Mysteries like them never stayed mysteries for long.