I haven't given up on this story yet, don't worry. I had a lot of trouble with this chapter for whatever reason so I apologize if it's not up to par. Chapter 9 will be much better and hopefully longer. (It also won't take months to finally upload ^^;)
Chapter 8: The First Step
The next morning seemed to come much quicker than desired. Sleeping was nearly impossible due to the splitting headache produced from the night before, leaving me in a less-than-chipper mood for whatever initiation was to be presented that morning. Breakfast was a no-go, much to Ruby and Yang's disapproval, as just the thought of eating made me feel sick to my stomach. Thank god THAT was still normal. Instead, I decided to take a hot shower before wandering the school grounds.
The hot water coming from the shower head helped to relax me and even eased my headache a bit. Unfortunately, I did not have a clean set of clothes to change into, which left me with the same outfit as before. I'd have to go shopping the next chance I got.
As I walked, I did my best to take my mind off of last night's meeting with Professor Ozpin, taking in Beacon's elegant scenery. The fresh morning breeze felt cool against my face as I traversed some of Beacon's many small courtyards. It was a peaceful morning, to say the least. With a deep breath I took in the crisp morning air before re-entering one of the main buildings.
The halls extended for what seemed like forever in every which direction, almost like a maze. Luckily I had plenty of time before initiation was supposed to take place, so I didn't worry about getting lost quite yet. There were dozens of classrooms and lecture halls placed throughout the school, all of which were empty for the time being seeing as how classes didn't start until tomorrow. 'You know, this school is actually pretty nice.' I thought.
I continued along one of the branch hallways leading towards the auditorium- the same one from the day before- and stopped in front of a small room that caught my attention. Curious, I pushed the half-open door forward and stepped inside. At first, I didn't even know what I was looking at, everything seemed to almost blur together. Looking over the room a second time, I realized that almost everything was white or covered in white sheets. 'Must be to prevent dust over the summer I guess.'
Dropping my bag on a nearby desk, I walked over to a smaller item near the door and removed its sheet revealing a small acoustic guitar on a stand. 'This must be a music room.' I pulled on another sheet nearby revealing a drum set with the Beacon symbol on the front, confirming my suspicions. The next few minutes comprised of me walking around the room and revealing various musical instruments and equipment, all of which were kept clean of dust. The last sheet I removed revealed a black grand piano. I smiled when I saw it, but my smile faded quickly as my head started to throb. With curiosity getting the better of me, I took a seat on the bench and slid my fingers along the top of the dust-free instrument before lifting up the cover from the keys.
Gently running my hand over them, I pushed a few random notes, disrupting the silence in the room. I winced, it sounded HORRIBLE. I readjusted my fingers and tried again, pushing only one key at a time.
Though unorganized, the notes didn't sound as bad as before. I sat there and fiddled with the keys for a while, doing my best to come up with a tune, before a voice rang through the halls requesting all first year students to assemble at the cliffs for initiation. I stood up and retrieved my bag from the table before heading for the door.
'I'll have to visit here after this is over.' I thought. I wasn't sure why, but the sound of the piano was somewhat soothing to me. 'I wonder if I should learn how to play.' I shook away the remains of my headache as I began to make my way through the halls towards where I thought the cliffs were.
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Ruby double checked Crescent Rose once again to make sure that her weapon was securely fastened to her back and ready for the start of the initiation. She had been in the locker room with Yang when the announcement was heard and had proceeded to make her way to the cliffs with her and Jaune, who needed a bit of help after an incident with another student.
Looking up, she watched as Hiro slowly made his way to the end of the line-up, taking his place next to Jaune. He still had his bag slung across his back, which was peculiar seeing as how it would probably get in the way if he actually intended to fight. He did seem to be in slightly higher spirits from before as he and Jaune began to make conversation over the morning's events and the initiation rumors.
Ruby watched the two of them talk as she waited, while unbeknownst to her, Yang had taken notice of her sisters wandering gaze and had snuck up next to her with a grin.
Yang brought her hand down onto Ruby's shoulder, shaking her from her thoughts. "You know, if you take a picture it might last longer."
Ruby felt her cheeks go a shade of pink at her sisters statement. "H-Hey It's not like that!" She half yelled, half whispered.
Yang chuckled, "Oh, come on. You've been staring at them for almost a full two minutes now. And as your loving sister, I have a right to know what's up." The blonde crossed her arms with a teasing smile as she finished.
Ruby glanced back at the two boys for a moment. "Well-"
"Hey."
A new voice caused the two girls turned to the student stood behind them, on his way to the initiation. The boy just stood there and eyed the two of them up and down, giving them both a sense of discomfort.
"...you smell like fruit." He stated, his voice nonchalant as though it was normal.
His comment was directed at Yang who blinked in confusion. "Uh… thanks? Who are you?" The boy's short black hair could be seen even under the black hood of his jacket. Light metallic plating covered a majority of his right arm and portions of his dark pants, leaving the chest area exposed. On his left forearm was what appeared to be a long black gauntlet with a golden circle in the center. Protruding from the oval was a pair of long rods that ran along his arm with a similar color to them. On his right hip was his weapon, sheathed in a short black and gold colored scabbard. Amber eyes stared almost lazily at them as the sisters looked at each other for a moment.
"Romulus." He replied, "That is my name. I wish you both the best of luck in this test." Romulus turned with a grin on his face to walk over to his position, but something caught Ruby's eye.
"Hey! You have a tail!" She called out. The waving tail had been obscured until he had turned away, however, at the mention of it the boy stopped in his tracks and it froze. After a short pause the faunus began walking again, this time his tail remaining steady. The boy's silent swearing was unheard by the girls as they watched him walk towards the opposite end of the cliffside.
"Well that was… strange." Yang said. The random stranger had been highly unexpected causing her to lose her train of thought. As she tried to remember what she was saying, Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch took up a position in front of the students. Goodwitch held a scroll in her hands while the Ozpin held his white coffee mug in his right hand, the other placed behind his back.
Ruby looked over as the headmaster began to speak. "For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
"Now," Professor Goodwitch continued where the headmaster had left off, "I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams'. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates…" Her eyes narrowed, "today."
Ruby was less than pleased with this revealed information as her expression fell, "What? Ohhh..." She whined.
Now Ozpin spoke again, "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."
"Aw-" Ruby muttered, crestfallen.
"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
The final straw fell and Ruby felt her world smash to pieces. "Whaaaat?!" She cried out disdainfully. This wasn't fair. Ruby didn't like the method of forming teams one bit. There were too many things that could go wrong, so many other students that she didn't know.
Her mind raced as Ozpin continued to talk. "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."
Beside her, Ruby could hear a small chuckle of nervousness from Jaune as he gulped loudly. At least she wasn't the only one who was nervous. 'I wonder how Hiro's taking this?' She thought. Peaking around Jaune's nervous figure Ruby caught sight of Hiro as he glared out at the forest while gripping his shoulder with uncertainty. 'I guess he's nervous too...'
Ruby shifted nervously herself and returned her attention to Professor Ozpin, "You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene." The two professors shared a look at each other before he continued. "You will find an abandoned 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?"
Raising his hand, Jaune spoke up, "Yeah, um, sir?"
"Good! Now, take your positions." The headmaster seemed not to notice the blonde knight standing before him. Next to him, Professor Goodwitch tapped a button on her scroll. A small vibration could be felt under Ruby's feet as she pieced together what was about to happen.
Everyone began to strike a pose in preparation for what was coming. Some crouched low, Some readied their weapons. Yang rose her fists beside Ruby who crouched slightly for the launch.
Jaune, however, was still raising his hand. "Uh, sir? I've got, um... a question." One after another, students were catapulted into the forest. Jaune was oblivious to it all as he asked his questions.
"So, this landing... strategy thing... Uh, wha-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?"
"No." Replied the headmaster, "You will be falling."
"Oh, uh, I see…" Jaune scratched his head in thought, "So, did you, like, hand out parachutes for us?"
"No. You will be using your own 'landing strategy'."
More and more people were being launched behind him as he sought to think of another question."Uh-huh... Yeah."
At her turn, Yang winked at her younger sister before placing on a pair of sunglasses, and was the sent rocketing off with a "Woo-hoooooooo!" a second before Ruby joined her.
Even at the speed they were traveling through the air, the sound of Jaune's screams of distress could be heard as he was launched as well.
=||-{([O])}-||=
Ozpin watched as the last of the students were sent off into the forest, hiding a grin behind a sip of coffee. Next to him, Glynda only shook her head.
"I don't understand what you see in these students sometimes." She said, tapping a few keys on her scroll. "Those last two don't even seem capable of surviving the landing on their own based on what I can see."
At first, Ozpin said nothing. After a moment he turned to the huntress, "You underestimate the capabilities these children hold. Not every book can be understood just by the cover, you know."
Glynda frowned and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose before returning her attention to her scroll. "Well let's hope that the stories they have include a lot of luck."
The headmaster simply took a deep breath and stared out over the forest with a smile. "The only luck that most people need is the ability and determination to overcome bad luck."
=||-{([O])}-||=
So I'm really sorry about how long it took to update this story. I've had a lot going on and this chapter was A NIGHTMARE. I don't understand why I was constantly incapable of writing this. I actually wound up writing most of the next chapter before I got around to finishing this one, so it wasn't for lack of creativity. But I digress, on to reviews:
Flamewing98: Yeah, 'his' reaction will have to wait till the next couple of chapters I'm afraid... At least I was able to give him his appearance though. Oh and don't worry... I'm sure I'll find something to do with those words. *Glares at the words laying in a heap on the floor.*
Jacklyn Frost: I'm really glad you like Hiro. I'm really sorry about the amount of time between chapters though... ^^;
idomo3912: Glad you like it! The next chapter will be out a lot sooner than the last was.
Maquerea: Wow. I actually really appreciate your review, thanks!
First off though, about his outfit... I actually based it off of the outfit I wear all the time. Red jacket with black trim, black undershirt, blue pants, black high-top sneakers, etc. The only real thing I added was an extra belt and the red tuft of hair he has. I admit, it does sound a bit 'too cool' the way I wrote it, but that's what our imaginations are for in the end.
Next, I completely agree with what you said about making characters seem like Mary/Gary Sue's in a sense that things just seem to always wind up in their favor. I'm doing my best to keep Hiro out of that zone, but as he is the main character it's obvious that he isn't going to just be killed as easily as any of us probably would in real life.
Oh, and thanks about the grammar thing, I'll try to keep an eye out for them in the future, but old habits die hard so I apologize for any grammatically incorrect instances. I'll make sure to have my beta readers crack down on stuff like that as well. I will also move away from the self-insert standpoint as well seeing as how Hiro was originally created as an OC anyways. Thank you so much for your review and I hope the next chapters are better than this one. ^^
I want to thank SakuraNights01 for going over the chapter before I uploaded it. I will do my VERY best to have the next chapter out in the next couple of weeks if not sooner. IT'S TIME FOR INITIATION!
Until then, Stay Gold!