AN:I have to say I'm happy with how this one turned out. Also, stuff actually happens in this chapter, which is a big plus. Enjoy.


"Ah, Mr. Ember." Ozpin said as Roy ran up to the group on the cliff "How nice of you to finally join us"

"Sorry about…late" Roy panted. "Went ...wrong cliff" He had rushed off in the direction of the cliff at the front of the school, the one right next to the sign that said 'Beacon'. Why that wasn't the cliff called 'Beacon Cliff' was anyone's guess. It had been a helpful second year student, a rabbit faunas named Velvet, that had pointed him in the right direction.

""Well then now that you're here, if you'd take your place on one of the platforms," Ozpin gestured towards the metal squares with the school's symbol, the double axes, emblazed on it."Then we can begin"

Ozpin continued as Roy made his way over to the nearest empty platform, "For years you have trained to be warriors, and today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."

"In addition," Ozpin continued "You will also be paired with the individual who will be your partner for the rest of your time here at this academy. So it will be in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

Roy raised a hand as he spoke "So, basically random"

"Essentially"

"Oh how lovely" Roy remarked to himself, his voice dripping with sarcasm

"After you've partnered up" Ozpin went on, either not hearing Roy's comment or simply choosing to ignore it "hold your scrolls together, and they will automatically register you as partners, allowing them to display both of your Aura meters. You will then receive further instructions at that time via your scrolls. I recommend the utmost caution, and that you stay with your teams as soon as they are formed. There have been sightings of Elder Grimm, which have been known to eliminate fully trained hunters who found themselves alone."

How reassuring.

"I wish you good luck on your landing strategies"

Wait, landing strategies?

And then suddenly, the platform underneath him flung him into the sky above the forest


Roy was flying through the air at what could be described as 'uncomfortable speeds.' He felt his upward momentum diminish before he felt himself falling closer to Remnant, and he knew he had to think fast. Now's as good a time as any to test out that landing strategy I thought up. It was going to be safe and gentle in theory. In theory.

Roy deployed Gladio Phenix into its cannon form and braced the end with his feet, pointing it towards the rapidly approaching surface. He gently squeezed the lower trigger on his weapon, and a blast of flame burst forth, slowing him down, though not enough. At this rate he'd hit the ground too hard, and he didn't want to start his initiation off in a self made crater. He squeezed the trigger a bit more, increasing the flame. He continued to slow his descent, but he was still going too fast.

Just a little bit more. He was close enough to make out the individual leaves on the trees. His fingers accidentally pulled the other trigger. His weapon made a clicking noise before the constant flame was replaced with a blazing projectile which shot forward, right at the ground below Roy.

"Oh sh-" Roy was cut off by the explosion. The shockwave pushed him forwards and upwards, ironically cushioning him from an extremely painful landing. Instead, he only experienced a moderately painful landing, as he bounced once along the ground before rolling sideways and coming to a sliding stop on his face. His aura had protected him from any serious physical damage, but could do nothing about his shattered pride. Roy picked himself up and began dusting himself off. He looked around for any onlookers, Grimm or otherwise, and came up negative.

"Thank Oum no one saw that"


Ozpin chuckled at the video screen on his Scroll, which showed the aftermath of Roy's landing strategy. "There's always one that gets me, every year. Though this one still doesn't beat Arc's from two years ago."

"I don't understand how you can derive so much amusement from the result of improper preparation." Glynda tutted "As headmaster you should be worried about the quality of your students, not laughing at them."

"Oh come now Glynda, we both know you wanted some retribution for his tardiness"

Glynda turned away from the headmaster, hiding her smile. "I have no idea what you're talking about."


Roy had a LOT of questions. How am I supposed to find a partner in the forest with pretty much nothing to go off of? Are landing strategies going to be a recurring theme? Why can't I get my Scroll to display anything other than my Aura meter? That last one was a bit troublesome. His personal Scroll, which used the civilian network, was out of range, and the one Beacon provided was locked to only show the Aura meter screen. The green bar was nearly full, the small dent in his Aura evidence of his less that ideal landing.

Roy stowed his Scroll in his pocket. He listened for any sound that could lead to another person, footsteps, gunfire, anything. A low growl came from the treeline behind him, signaling the arrival of a Beowolf. Roy spun towards the noise, his hand grabbing the hilt of his weapon on his back. Please not an Elder. Please not an Elder. Please not an Elder. The Beowolf came into view, barely two meters tall, the spines on its back little more than bumps. Roy felt a wash of relief. This Beowolf was young, and had probably never even seen a human before. This will be a breeze.

The Beowolf was joined by two significantly larger ones behind it. Just had to open my big fat...metaphorical mouth. They roared at him before they charged. Roy pulled his weapon to his side, gripping it with both hands before charging at the Beowolves himself. Burn the first one, upward slash the left one, follow-through horizontal slash the right one, then follow-through downward slash on the first one as it's recovering.

His plan set in his head, he raised Gladio Phenix on his right side. He brought the sword down as it flung an arc of fire at the front Beowolf only 10 feet away. The grimm let out an uncharacteristic yelp as it caught fire before it stumbled and came crashing to the ground. Roy side-stepped the burning mess and brought his sword upwards across the Beowolf on the left. He let the sword's momentum carry him as he turned completely around, before bringing his sword across the third Grimm, cleanly bisecting it at its stomach. He continued his momentum, and buried his sword in the burning pile that was the lead Beowolf. His sword cut through the mess and several inches into the ground.

Roy left out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Well, that went according to pla-"

He was cut off by a roar. Roy turned towards the source of the sound, upwards. A fourth Beowolf had climbed the trees, and was now leaping down towards him. Roy tried to bring his weapon up to defend himself, but it was still stuck in the dirt. "Son of a-"

But Roy was cut off once again by the sound of a high-impact sniper rifle, and a red blur streaking across his assailant, slicing it in two. The severed pieces of the Beowolf landed on either side of Roy as he turned towards his savior.

"Thanks for the save Ruby"

The hooded girl turned towards him, her silver eyes meeting his red ones. "Anytime...Partner."

Roy moved to pull his sword out of the ground, but in doing so accidentally brushed his fingers against the lower trigger.. The resulting explosion blew him off his feet and into the branches of a nearby tree.

Well done Roy, grace of a fucking swan.

"You alright Roy?" Ruby called up at him from the base of the tree.

"I'm fine." Roy replied, not moving from his spot in the tree "It's just that this is the second time I've nearly blown myself up in the past hour, so if it's alright with you I'm just gonna take a moment to contemplate my life thus far."