I do not own RWBY it is the property of Monty Oum and RoosterTeeth. I also do not own the songs used in this chapter. Enjoy!

Falling With Style

The morning of initiation arrived. Ryder stood with the other initiates on a cliff overlooking a vast forest while Professor Ozpin and the combat teacher Professor Goodwitch explained the test.

"Welcome. Today your first steps as hunters in training begins. Now I know there have been rumors about team groupings. Well allow me to enlighten you. Your teams will be decided today." Many of the students began chatting amongst themselves about this new information. Ozpin waited until the noise died down to continue.

"That being said; when you land the first person you lock eyes with will be your partner for the next four years at Beacon."

This news caused an uproar of distress and complaints from the students. Goodwitch silenced the crowd with a stern glare.

"I know this news comes as a shock but there is a method to the madness as some say." Ryder stood impassive. He had been told all of this by Ozpin this morning. The Headmaster called Ryder during breakfast telling him the special circumstances of his initiation. One of the details was that Summer would remain with Ozpin while he took the test.

The huntress in question was floating next to the Professor's making faces and trying to distract Ozpin. Ryder tried not to laugh as Professor Goodwitch explained that each pair would retrieve a relic from the ruins to the north. Once they had the relic they would proceed back to the starting point. As she finished Ozpin began speaking again.

"There is one last detail about the test I forgot to mention." This got a questioning look from the students and Goodwitch. Ozpin's eyes met Ryder's behind his shades, knowing what was coming next he stepped forward to the front of the crowd.

"This is Mr. Fenix, he will be conducting the test by himself. He will not have a partner nor a team."

Ryder waved at the curious looks from the. Yang, Ruby, Weiss and Blake took a mental note of his last name but were still at a loss on his first name.

"Now young man. If you would be so kind as to step on the launch pad." Ryder nodded to the Professor as he walked towards the metal plate near the edge of the cliff. All eyes were on him which made him Slightly nervous, 'focus Ryder.' He silently psyched himself up and decided if he was going to get launched first might as well do it right.

Ryder retrieved his dark scroll, took him long enough to think of a name, from his pants pocket clicking though it until he found the music section. When he found the song he wanted cranking the volume up to max.

(ACDC's Shoot to Thrill)

Ryder was launched as the music blared filling the sky around him. As he began his descent towards the trees below Ryder whipped Hellfire out wrapping it around a large branch. Using the momentum from his fall Ryder swung forward. When he reached the height of the swing Ryder tugged Hellfire, the chain unwinding from the tree limb.

Ryder was launched forward as the chain came loose. The young man flipped through the air several times before swinging Hellfire at the next tree. As Ryder continued his swinging the other students began launching into the forest.

On the Cliff

When all the students had begun, Ozpin and Goodwitch watched their progress from a video feed. Summer sat on the edge of the cliff, hoping her girls would be alright and that Ryder would be safe.

Back in the Forest

Jaune Arc, Knight, Ladies man and huntsmen in training, was not having the best time. First, he's launched in the air like a ragdoll with no landing strategy, then a spear, flies at him barely missing taking his head off and now he was dangling by his legs from a tree.

"Great start Jaune. Real impressive." The blonde knight sighed trying to dislodge his trapped legs from the tree. As the knight struggled to dislodge his trapped legs loose he froze when the sound of rustling leaves reached his ears.

"Hello?" he asked nervously, "Is anyone there? I could use some help please."

As the noise grew closer, Jaune attacked the tree trying to release his legs. 'Is it a Grimm? Or one of the other students?" his thoughts were panicked but he managed to swing himself up to a nearby branch and free one leg. Before he could celebrate, the branch he held creaked before snapping. Now dangling from one leg, Jaune prayed to any god who would listen to get him out of this alive. The blonde knight heard heavy footsteps behind him and slowly turned his head around. He was greeted by a pair of bright yellow eyes staring at him.

He screamed at the top of his lungs, anyone nearby would've sworn a young girl was in danger. Trembling in fear the blonde knight could only stare at the creature. It was at least seven feet tall, white fur covered his body and it resembled a large wolf. Jaune shut his eyes, apologizing to his family that he'd failed them. The creature reached towards him, as Jaune expected to feel claws tearing into his body he was confused when he felt himself being lifted into the air his trapped leg was freed.

When he felt the ground beneath his feet again Jaune opened his eyes staring at the giant wolf creature in front of him. Now that he looked at it, it wasn't a Grimm, though it was very intimidating.

"Umm…T-thank you?" Jaune said, trying and failing to keep his voice from cracking.

The wolf creature grunted in reply and walked off into the forest. As Jaune watched the creature leave he wracked his brain trying to figure out what in Oum's name just happened.

Back with Ryder

"Well that was boring." Ryder complained as he stood in a clearing, multiple Beowolves lying dead around him. The fight had been easy not even requiring his semblance, but they didn't have his relic. Ozpin had told Ryder that a Beowolf would have it, or did he say that the relic looked like a wolf? His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of gunfire nearby. Ryder took off in the direction of the battle.

As the gunfire King Taijitu was attacking a young man in a green outfit. The Grimm's two heads snapped forward at the green gunman who leapt out of the way firing what looked like dual machine pistols. The gunman dodged another attack with ease but was caught off guard as the creature's attack changed direction knocking him to the ground and his weapons from his grasp.

As the Grimm was poised to strike, Ryder drew Hades and channeled his semblance into it as he fired. The slug soared towards the Grimm, exploding on contact. The Grimm was stunned momentarily as Ryder made his way to the creature. True he could've easily put a little more power in that shot but that would've killed it instantly. Where was the fun in that?

Running at full speed, Ryder jumped at the Grimm's stunned head. Calling on his semblance Ryder's right hand engulfed in flames. As he cocked his arm back to deal a lethal blow, the Grimm's other head slammed into his side launching him to the ground. Twisting in mid-air Ryder landed on his feet sliding backwards from the attack.

"Ouch." Ryder placed his hand to his side, instantly regretting it as a sharp pain assaulted him. For what seemed like the umpteenth time he wished he had normal aura. Ryder's aura, due to his resurrection, had shifted from a protective shield to cellular regeneration. In laymen's terms, he healed himself but not instantly. At least two of his ribs were cracked, in a few minutes they'd be good as new, but it hurt like hell.

The Taijitu saw its prey open to attack and struck. Ryder was about to use his semblance but stopped when a green blur landed in front of him. The Taijitu's attack collided with the green gunman's aura, the Grimm's fangs inches away from his hands.

"You look like you could use a hand." The gunman called over his shoulder.

"I had it all under control." Ryder joked, getting a laugh from the gunman.

"Yeah, that's what it looked like." He retorted.

The gunman released his aura shield and grabbed ahold of both fangs before tearing them from the Taijitu's mouth. The creature screeched in pain while the gunman jumped up and over coming down atop the Grimm's head both fangs still in hand and aimed downwards. The makeshift blades stabbed through the creature's bone mask into its brain. The creature thrashed before slamming its head to the ground dead.

The green gunman stepped down from atop the Taijitu's head, wiping the dirt off his clothes. Ryder, now fully healed, eyed the green gunman's handiwork.

"Thank you for the assistance." The green gunman said, "Though it wasn't necessary."

Ryder gave him a look that said, 'oh really?'

"I had it all under control." He continued.

Without warning, Ryder drew Azrael and fired but not at the gunman but the other Taijitu head that had been about to strike. As the gunman looked back at the Grimm, dissolving now that it was fully dead, then at Ryder. The young man flipped his gun a few times before holstering it.

"Yeah, that's what it looked like." Ryder said, mimicking the gunman's earlier remark.

Before he could retort, the gunman heard a certain 'sloth' call from nearby. Looking around to find the source, the gunman was startled when an orange-haired girl appeared upside down from the trees above them.

"I still don't think that's what a sloth sounds like Nora." The green gunman remarked to the orange-haired girl Nora, whose only response was to tap him on the nose.

"BOOP!"

She flipped out of the tree landing easily on her feet.

"That TOTALLY sounds like a sloth Renny!" As the two were doing their, whatever that was, Ryder moved off into the woods determined to find his relic.

Hours Later

"For fucks sake where the hell is this thing?!" Ryder yelled to the forest.

The sun was nearly down, and besides a few stray Grimm here and there, Ryder still hadn't found the relic. After walking out of the tree line, Ryder spotted some ruins nearby. Not having any other leads, he decided it was worth investigating. The ruins looked like an old outpost, large stone brick buildings with broken walls and collapsed roofs were scattered all around. As he moved further in, a small light caught his attention in the distance and made his way towards it.

When he got closer to the source, Ryder could make out the light source. A torch was planted in the ground next to a stone pedestal. On top of the pedestal was a large black chess piece. 'Maybe that's it.' Ryder thought moving closer. When he was a few meters away, Ryder stopped dead in his tracks. An alarm was ringing in his head. Danger it said. He had learned long ago to trust his instincts and right now they were telling him someone else was here.

"Hmm, you're more perceptive than I thought." A gravelly voice called from a nearby alley. Ryder's weapons were in hand in a flash aiming in the direction of the voice.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Ryder demanded, red eyes glowing through his sunglasses

"As you wish." The voice replied.

When they stepped out of the shadows Ryder stepped back in surprise at the sight. A large humanlike wolf with white fur stepped out, its yellow eyes glowing with the same light s Ryder's own. The air grew cold around them as the wolf creature drew closer.

"There," it pointed to the chess piece, "Is your relic. But," 'why is there always a 'but'' Ryder thought, "You must earn it."

The wolf creature howled into the air, Ryder covered his ears at the noise regretting the action as a large claw slashed at his chest. Moving on reflex Ryder back flipped, the claw nicking his jacket cutting a small red line in Ryder's chest. Not letting up the wolf fought on with a series of slashes from every angle, Ryder barely blocking with the barrels of Azrael and Hades. He felt the warmth of the blood from the cut flow down his shirt.

The wound had been shallow and several minutes had passed since the wolf's first attack. A feeling of dread crept up his spine. 'I'm not healing.' Seeing his opponent distracted the wolf kicked out catching Ryder in the chest. Knocked from his feet collided with a stone wall behind him.

Recovering fast, Ryder sent a hail of bullets at the creature until his guns were empty. The bullets just bounced off the wolf, not even flinching as it was struck.

"Is that all you can do?! I expected more!" the wolf growled at Ryder. The wolf took a deep breath and released an ear shattering howl at Ryder, but instead of just air a cloud of ice flew towards him. Thinking quick, Ryder activated his semblance. Focusing on his throat, he released a torrent of flames from his mouth at the ice cloud. The two attacks cancelled each other out, the impact forming a steam cloud between them.

Ryder used this opening to activate an extra ability of his semblance, vanishing in a puff of smoke and smoldering ashes. When the steam cleared, the wolf began sniffing the air trying to find his enemies scent. The wolf located the scent at the same moment Hellfire wrapped around its neck. From the adjacent rooftop, Ryder held the chain in his right hand, a shit eating grin across his face as he infused the chain with flames.

The wolf howled in pain, clawing at its neck to loosen the deadly chain. The wolf grabbed the length of chain in both hands, a wicked grin aimed at Ryder.

"Oh shiiiit!" the young man cried as he was swung through the air landing with a crash through a wall.

"Very good. I'd even go as far as to say I underestimated you." The wolf huffed, removing Hellfire's chain from around his neck, "But it's going to take more than that to-Arrgh!"

The wolf was cut off by an explosive shell to the face. Ryder stood outside of the hole where he'd been slammed into, Hades leveled at the wolf. Opting to full infuse the shot this time for maximum effect.

"Consider. Yourself. Dog food. Mutt." Breathing heavily, Ryder began limping over towards the pedestal.

"Who are you calling a mutt, matchstick?!" Ryder turned towards the voice and sighed. The wolf was still alive, his body now covered in armor made of dark ice. "This is my awakened form. As strong as you are, you won't be able to put a scratch on me now. Prepare yourself!"

The wolf shot at Ryder like a rocket. The young man attempted to teleport but the wolf was faster slashing out with claws covered in the dark ice. Ryder blocked as best he could with the knives on Hellfire but received multiple cuts and slashes all over. The wolf broke off its attack, the only sign of fatigue was its heavy breathing. Blood covered Ryder and pooled beneath his feet.

'This isn't good.' He thought, his vision blurring from the blood loss. 'why am I not healing?' Ryder was running out of options. Time to use his trump card.

"You said that was your awakened form right?" Ryder asked the wolf. The creature only growling in response. "Well you showed me yours, only fair I show you mine!"

Steam began to rise off Ryder, the blood covering him sizzling as the air around him heated up. Letting out a feral roar Ryder's body was consumed in black flames. The wolf took a step back at the sight. As his skin turned black and a bone white skull mask covered his face, Ryder's eyes glowing with an intense red glow. As the black flames dissipate Ryder pointed at the wolf.

When he spoke, his voice was hollow and filled with bloodlust.

"Time to put you down like the dog you are!" Fast as a bullet, Ryder swung Hellfire in an arc at the wolf, the chained weapon infused with black flames. The wolf dodged at the last minute, the chain connecting with the wall behind it tearing a deep gash in the stone. Without stopping, Ryder drew Azrael firing a volley of black fireballs. The wolf slammed his hands to the ground, a wall of black ice forming in front of it to absorb the attacks.

Ryder wrapped Hellfire back around his torso before teleporting behind the wolf. Distracted by the frontal assault, the wolf barely got his guard up in time as a flaming kick struck him. The power behind the blow forced him back a good yard several cracks appearing on his ice armor.

"Enough!" the wolf howled letting loose an icy blast at Ryder. He didn't dodge or even tried to move. The cloud covered Ryder freezing him solid instantly. The wolf, believing he was the victor, walked up to the frozen young man.

"You fought well, but not enough to beat me." As the words left its lips, Ryder's eyes grew brighter. A hand shot out grabbing the wolf by the throat. The ice slowly melted away as Ryder's body heated up. He forced the wolf to its knees. The wolf gripped the young man's arm, claws digging into black flesh, but Ryder's grip held. A flame covered fist slammed into the wolf's face again and again and again.

The wolf's dark ice armor cracking more with each strike. The wolf's hands fell from his adversaries' arm, as he knelt there the wolf looked at the young man with a prideful smile.

"You are worthy. I admit defeat. Take your prize and my life." The wolf closed his eyes ready for the final blow to be struck. Ryder's rage and bloodlust were happy to comply but as his fist reared back, a voice entered his mind. Summer's voice.

'That's enough Ryder. He's beaten. He may have attacked you but he isn't a bad person. Let him go Ry. Please.'

Ryder closed his eyes, his hand releasing the wolf's throat as his body returned to normal. When he opened his eyes the wolf was gone, though he had a feeling they'd meet again. Ryder could feel his wounds slowly healing, it would take a while but he was overdue for some rest. Walking over to the relic, Ryder noticed it was the king piece, whatever that meant.

With his relic in hand, Ryder made his way back to the cliff. As he walked through the woods, a crow flew towards him landing on his shoulder.

"Well hello there little friend." Ryder scratched the bird's head, "Can you keep a secret?" the bird blinked in response. Taking that as a yes, Ryder reached into his secret jacket pocket pulling out a silver flask with a sugar skull on it.

"Just a little something to take the edge off." Ryder unscrewed the cap taking the flask and pouring a little into the cap, offering it to the crow. The bird greedily snatched the cap downing the contents in one gulp. Ryder brought the flask to his lips and took a swig, the smooth liquor warming his body as it went down.

"Damn that's good!" Ryder felt a tap on his cheek, the crow offered the cap for a refill. "Another? Alright but I don't think flying under the influence is a good idea buddy." Ryder refilled the cap, tapping it with his flask as they both drank. The crow handed the cap back with its beak, cawed in thanks, then flew off. As the bird flew into the darkening sky his thoughts were a bit mixed about the kid, though he had good taste in booze.

Back on the ground Ryder's dark scroll buzzed. When he opened it, the screen displayed he had a new message. Opening it, he read:

'Congratulations on finding your relic. We are awaiting you at the top of the cliff where we began. Please join us as soon as you can.' -Ozpin

P.S.: 'Summer said something about initiating operation 'Shock and Awe'? do elaborate for me Mr. Fenix.'

Ryder's grin covered his face. As he replied to Ozpin's message, one thought rang clearly: This is gonna be awesome!

Initiation Cliffside

"Well that's the last of the initiates shall we make our way back?" Goodwitch asked as she went over the new teams on her scroll tablet. Ozpin stood near the edge looking at his scroll, two words on the screen: 'Watch this.' and a time which was a minute away.

"Professor Ozpin?" Goodwitch called to him drawing his attention. Clearing his throat, he faced the battle-weary students as he spoke.

"If I could have just a few more moments of your time students. We have one last initiate to wait on."

The tired students groaned, "Who is it?!" someone yelled from the back.

"Now, Now." Ozpin tapped his cane on the ground causing all to go quiet, "He should be here in…" Ozpin looked at his scroll, "Five. Four. Three. Two. One."

"SHOWTIME!" Summer yelled arms in the air.

As the countdown ended the entire group's scrolls buzzed to life music played from all of them.

(Ain't no Grave by Hidden Citizens)

As the music played a blazing black and red portal appeared in the middle of the crowd. Everyone around the portal scrambled to get away from the anomaly, weapons were drawn and scrolls, still playing music, were recording videos of it.

Suddenly a large Ursa Major appeared through the portal. All weapons aimed at the Grimm ready to take out the whimpering beast…Wait whimpering? The thought and sight confused them all as the Ursa backed away in fear from the portal. As the music reached an apex, a flaming chain sailed from the portal wrapping round the Ursa's neck.

Everyone stared at the scene, no one could tear their eyes away. The chain was pulled back with enough force to cut clean through the Grimm's neck. As the creature's head hit the floor, Ryder stepped out of the portal. Hellfire aflame in his right hand, cuts and tears all over him, he looked like a demon escaped from hell.

As the portal closed behind him, Ryder flourished the chain extinguishing the flames as it wrapped around his body. The music stopped as he walked over towards Ozpin. All eyes were on him, some held amazement, some anger, one hungry for pancakes. As he stopped near the edge of the cliff where Ozpin and Summer waited, Ryder threw the king piece at the Headmaster who caught it deftly.

"Well you sure know how to make an entrance Mr. Fenix." Ozpin complimented. Ryder gave a bow at the crowd.

"I aim to impress. Although I was hoping for more applause and less blank stares." Ozpin looked at the stunned crowd. "Are they going to be alright?" Ryder asked as he scratched the back of his head. Ozpin tapped his cane, the sound bringing everyone back to reality.

"Now let us all head back to the main hall for the announcement of your new teams. Mr. Fenix, I have already sent you the location of your sleeping quarters. You are free to leave."

Ryder gave a mock salute, "Awesome, I'm not much for ceremonies anyway. Besides I'm beat." As he walked towards the edge of the cliff a voice called out from the crowd.

"Hey, wait!" Ryder turned to see a familiar blonde and a group of other students at the front of the group. He recognized Yang, Ruby, Blake and Weiss as well as the blonde boy from yesterday, the green gunman and his orange-haired friend. Another girl was with the other three a red-headed amazon in bronze armor.

"Just who the hell are you?" Yang asked him, hands on her hips. The question was on all their minds but no one wanted to speak up, save the pushy blonde brawler.

"Me?" Ryder pointed to himself as he back stepped towards the edge of the cliff, a devious smile on his face, "I'm just a Ghost."

Ryder let himself fall backwards off the cliff. All of them ran to the edge to try and save him but when then looked over the edge they saw nothing. Not even a stain on the ground far below.

"You have to hand it to him." Ozpin said drawing everyone's attention, "He certainly has a flare for the dramatic."

And that's the end of the chapter! Sorry for the wait. With the music, think of Iron Man's entrance for the ACDC song and for the cliffside one here's a link that inspired it for me. Anyway, next chapter will be out next weekend. Stay tuned for the next Chapter of The Demon of Remnant. Don't forget to post a review.

Ain't no Grave by Hidden Citizens: watch?v=QY7EzrWhIDI