Well hello there again, anyone who actually read chapter one and decided, "You know what? I'll give it a shot."
Here is another chapter of my story.
A few short notes.
1. Any italics in the story, unless otherwise specified, are Weiss's feelings, not thoughts.
2. Ichika, as I previously mentioned in the A/N of the last chapter, is an rp character I used for many different rp's on a few sites I've been a member of. Each version of him was different so it was hard for me to decide what version I wanted to use. In the end, i decided to merge a few ideas together. Hopefully it will work out well, but then again my luck has never held up when i needed it most. =/
3. What do you guys think of his attitude towards everything so far? I know I haven't given you much to go on, but hopefully this chapter gives a little more insight to his character.
4. As you might probably gues, after reading this chapter at least, I do not intend to make Weiss and Ichika a pair right off. in fact, they are going to hate each other for a while. Well, not hate, but dislike each other's mannerisms to the point where the idea of them getting together sounds like a sick joke. It will build up slowly, and gradually. I hope.
And that's all for now, have fun reading and please R&R if you feel generous XD
Edit: 10/26/15 Fixed some dialouge and made a few changes.
"Your true face... what kind of... face is it? I wonder...
The face under the mask... is that your true face?" -Twinmold Child, Majora's Mask.
Ruby Rose, the youngest student to have been accepted at Beacon Academy, liked to think that she was prepared for anything when she sped back towards the clearing where she had last seen her new partner. She silently berated herself for focusing so much on showing off her speed and getting turned around in the thick forest rather than actually completing the trial. By the time she heard the scream, Ruby was still a good ways off. Still, as she zipped through the underbrush of the Emerald Forest, she could hear the sounds of fighting so at least she knew that the crabby heiress girl, who liked to yell at her all the time, was alive.
"...the hell was that for!?" "Quit talking about me as if I'm not here!"
'Huh? That first voice sounded like a male. Doesn't sound like Jaune though... who could it be?'
"What!? Servant? I don't remember ordering a servant. Besides, I'm certain my father wouldn't send someone like you even if I did." Yep. That was definitely Ms. Crabby. "Like I said, I was summoned from the void. If you'd pay attention somewhat I wouldn't have to repeat myself. Geez, why did I have to accept the contract of some scatterbrained kid- Ow! Quit that!" "I'm not a kid! I'm seventeen!" "...really? Ow! Why you...!"
She still couldn't place a face or a name to the voice, although the number of her encounters with males since arriving at Beacon were still in the single digits.
One digit to be exact.
Nevertheless she continued on, ready to take down anything that stood in her way, in order to assist her-
"Umm... what?" Just as she burst through the clearing she saw her partner, who thankfully looked alright, all things considered, swinging her fists wildly at some guy in a black coat who was much taller than her. Her blows never connected since his hand was planted firmly against her head, utilizing his longer reach to keep the girl at bay.
"You through yet? I'd really like to get explanations out of the way so we can get this over with as soon as possible." The tall guy sighed as she continued to swing at him and shouting.
"Take your hand off me! Do you have any idea who I am?" Weiss was furious at this point.
"Not a clue. I gave you my name, but you never gave me yours. Figured you'd show at least some semblance of common courtesy." He huffed and picked at a leaf that had fallen on his shoulder, his other hand still firmly planted against her head. "Although I suppose that is expecting too much. Judging by your appearance, I would assume you are of noble birth? Figures, most rich snobs only ever expect praise and worship from those of a 'lesser' status without ever giving it back."
Don't compare me to them...
"S-snob!? My name is Weiss Schnee you insufferable...!" Weiss was about to go into a flurry of insults when the sound of someone clearing their throat stopped her.
"Umm... are you two going to finish anytime soon or... should I come back later?" Ruby almost regretted speaking up, because now the heiress directed her fury at the young reaper.
"And you! Where were you when I was surrounded by a Beowulf pack!?" She stomped over to Ruby, not bothering to wait for her answer, "You say you want me to be your friend and all you've done is explode, kept me from my sleep, and abandoned me in the forest! You're supposed to be my partner? You're more dangerous than the Grimm!"
"I... I didn't mean to... I just... I was trying to...-" Ruby tried to explain, but Weiss would have none of it.
"Trying to what!? Get me killed!? Well, you almost succeeded!" All of her stress, pent up frustration, and tired fury were being released solely at the red reaper. Whether it was meant to be or not.
"T-thats... I'm sorr-" Ruby hated situations like this. She felt so lost and helpless, unable to figure out how to fix it. She realized she had messed up, but doesn't everyone mess up from time to time? Her words died in her throat as she felt herself start to panic. She wasn't used to things like this, dealing with people. She just wanted to show everyone she was just as capable as they were.
"Sorry!?" Weiss took in a breath, ready to unleash another rage fueled barrage of harsh words when a sharp commanding voice erupted behind her.
"ENOUGH!" Both girls froze and turned to look at the hooded man. His voice took on a sharp, admonishing tone, "I have neither the time nor patience for this kind of childish arguing. If you wish to be angry, be angry at yourself." He directed this at Weiss and continued, "I don't know what has happened, and I certainly don't care but if this 'conversation' is anything to go by you are just as much at fault as she is." His frown deepened, "I've seen people like you time and time again, and it's always the same scenario. You lash out when things don't go as you planned, blaming others and failing to see your own faults. You refuse to accept responsibility and instead look for someone else to take the fall for your misfortune. That is a sign of arrogance and immaturity."
When he finished, Weiss stood quietly. How dare he! Reprimanding her like she was some child!
He was right.
She bit her lip to stop it from quivering. In truth, she wasn't angry for the sake of being angry. She was being immature because she got scared, and didn't want to acknowledge it. In the face of danger, of what she was going to be facing for the rest of her life, she got scared and froze up.
But she would never admit it. A Schnee does not fear, and they do not freeze up.
But she had.
And perhaps he was right about something else. Ruby couldn't have known that she would get turned around in the woods. Maybe it wasn't fair to say all those things, but...
He was no longer paying attention to the Heiress and her internal struggles, instead focusing on the younger girl who seemed to be on the verge of breaking down. He slowly made his way over to her, careful not to move too fast lest he spook her, but maintaining his lecturing tone, "And you," She takes a small step back when he gets close so he stops and raises his hands in a placating manner, trying to assure her he wasn't going to hurt her. He drops to a knee in front of her and reaches up to take off his hood.
She watches, worried that he would yell at her too. Today was horrible already, she didn't want to make someone else hate her. Her breath got caught in her throat when the hood finally fell away. He looked a lot younger than she had originally thought, about eighteen or nineteen give or take a year. His hair looked almost as long as her sister, Yang's, but pitch black. That wasn't what got her attention, though. It was his eyes. They were the brightest yellow she had ever seen. His gaze was soft, calming even, but at the same time firm. Almost like her dad had been when she was caught sneaking a few cookies before bed.
"You left your partner?" She gave a small apologetic nod, "She almost died. Admittedly I can assume that her attitude has been less than desireable to endure, but nonetheless you ran off and left her."
She felt tears well up in her eyes, "I just... wanted to prove... I wasn't useless."
His eyes held her gaze for a moment, like he was searching for something. This wasn't like him. If someone makes a mistake, the consequences are their own as is the responsibility of learning from the experience. That was just how the world works. But the little girl in front of him reminded him of someone else he once knew... someone he wished he could have told the same thing to, but never got the chance. He nodded and continued, "You wanted to show your worth. Admirable, but there are other ways of going about that. When you are with someone, trying to survive no less, you must trust each other enough to fight and survive along side them, regardless of your personal feelings." He pauses, glancing over his shoulder into the woods, "We should move. Something big is coming." He turned back towards Weiss, waiting.
Snapping out of her inner turmoil, she just looked at him. What was he waiting for? "What?"
"Where do we go? Weren't you two doing something before I showed up?" Ichika was close to just picking a direction and telling them to run. Whatever that thing was, it was huge and closing in on them fast.
"Oh... Oh! The initiation! We have to find the relics!" She looked around and around quickly, trying to figure out which way they should go. Why did everything have to look the same!?
*Rooooooooar!*
"Is that a giant crow!?" Ichika couldn't believe what he was seeing. A crow about the size of a two-story house was soaring through the sky right at them.
"Nevermore!" Ruby unsheathed Crescent Rose and set it to sniper mode, aiming for the creature's face and unleashing a flurry of bullets while Weiss used Myrtenaster and shot a few icicles after it. The large grimm screamed and veered off, preparing for another pass.
Seeing their chance, Weiss turned to run for cover. "Wait..." She glanced towards Ruby who was watching the grimm circle around. "I have an idea..."
Why did she have a bad feeling about this?
"Ruby!" Weiss' voice was almost carried away by the wind roaring past them, but the young reaper still heard it. "I told you this was a terrible idea!"
From nearby, Ichika called out as well, "I'm going to have to agree with the midget on this one."
"Hey!"
"It's fine, stop worrying!" Ruby tried to reassure them. Although, it's a bit difficult to convince someone that riding a giant Nevermore through the skies, to search for a single ruin in the middle of a dense forest in order to retrieve a relic, was a good idea when you yourself sound doubtful.
"Oh I am so beyond worrying!" Weiss called back, careful not to lose her grip on the beasts feathers.
"In a good way?" Did she seriously ask that question?
"No! In a bad way, in a very bad way!"
Ichika sighed, listening to the two bickering. However, watching the two on the back of the avian beast, he sensed something. Although he felt she would never admit it, his master was having fun with the girl named Ruby. Their mannerisms reminded him of...
Wait, did she just say jump?
"Do you even know how you're going to la- aaaand she's gone." He groaned as he watched to young girl fall through the air, readying himself to jump. Turns out, he didn't have to. While he was angling himself for a better shot, he saw a blonde haired boy come crashing through the trees and into her side. Glancing in the direction the boy had been flung from, he was mildly surprised to see a giant scorpion tearing through the forest. "This place just keeps getting weirder..."
A surprised yelp from below him made him sigh heavily. She was going to be a handful, wasn't she? Looking down he noticed that Weiss had attempted to let go, but got spooked because of the height and slipped. She had grasped on to the Nevermore's deadly talons and was dangling there, "How could you leave me!?"
She was going to fall in 3... 2... 1... yep, she's gone as well.
"Eyes on the prize, Ichika. Keeping her alive will let you have what you always wanted." With that thought, he also let go of the Nevermore, the immediate weightless sensation almost completely flooding his senses. Gaining control, he angled himself towards the girl, his body becoming as straight as an arrow as he sped towards her. Again, however, he found there was no need. Soon she was hopping through the air on a few odd shaped runes that appeared under her feet. "Well, look at that. I may have misjudged her." When she touched down, he finally realized his own dilemma. How was he going to land?
"Oh, this is going to hurt." Adjusting his descent, again, he aimed for the trees, grabbing a limb to try and slow himself down when he got low enough. It did the trick, but not without dislocating his arm in the process. He bit back the pain, and tucked into a roll when he reached the ground.
Weiss, now safely on the ground, surveyed the area around her. The ruins right behind her had several pedestals on top of which rested the... relics? Why did they look like chess pieces?
On further inspection, it seemed that two other pairs had reached the ruins before them and claimed their... relics. Ruby's older sister, though she didn't see much resemblance, and the black haired girl who insulted her family's business with... more or less, kind of accurate, accusations. She also saw a quiet raven haired boy in green next to an extremely loud and hyperactive, girl in pink. She had a feeling that girl was going to be trouble. And it absolutely had nothing to do with the fact that she, like almost everyone she had met in the past few days, was very well endowed. Looking elsewhere, she saw Ruby leap out of a nearby tree, followed shortly by Mr. tall, blonde, and scraggly himself. Though his landing was significantly less graceful.
"Geez, my time in the Void made me soft. *crack!* Ah, man that stings." Turning around she saw the newest addition to her list of problems. Ichika made his way out of the woods, favoring his left arm a bit. 'He must have injured it on the way down.' As soon as he saw her, he began making his way over. 'Oh great, now he's going to lecture me again? Well, if he thinks I'm going to just sit here and listen to his ran-'
"That was impressive. Didn't know you had something like that up your sleeve."
Did he just praise her?
"Huh? You mean my glyphs? Well, yeah, I mean did you really think I didn't have a plan when I jumped off of the Nevermore?" She didn't even believe herself.
He cocked an eyebrow, "Uh huh. So, what's the plan?"
Blake felt something wrong shortly after Weiss Schnee finally made it to the ground. Blake was certain that there was another figure that fell from the sky, but of the initiates she saw before the trial, she didn't recognize him.
And that set her on edge.
However, it wasn't simply the fact that she didn't recognize him. There was something else. Something that made her skin crawl, and her senses heighten. What was it?
Then, she saw him.
He was rubbing his arm, mumbling to himself as he exited the forest. Her pair of cat ears, covered by a completely inconspicuous bow, twitched nervously. His stance, his walk, his very presence screamed danger at her. But why? And why was no one else reacting to it? Was he masking it and she had just happened to pick up on it? He was headed towards the heiress. Was she a target? Could he be... no, he wasn't a faunas. Not that she could tell anyways.
She was torn away from her speculations when Pyrrha Nikos, also known as the invincible girl, landed rather ungracefully in front of the gathered group of teens. Rolling her eyes at her new partner's off-handed comment about dying together, she steeled her nerves when the unknown male and the heiress made their way over to them. She would have to worry about them later. Right now, they had bigger issues to deal with. Two to be exact. One in the form of a giant Nevermore, and the other a Deathstalker Matriarch.
They would have to come up with some sort of plan to get away. They could try and run for it, as long as no one did something stupid and tried to take them head on.
"Not if can help it!" And with that Ruby shot forwards, using the powerful recoil from Crescent Rose to propel her into the Deathstalker.
This was it. This was where she proved that she wasn't some kid that snuck her way into Beacon.
However, she misjudged the toughness of the bony exoskeleton that surrounded the front and top of the Deathstalker's body. When she swung crescent rose at it, the blade merely scratched the armoring and forced her back. "D-don't worry! T-totally fine!" *crunch crunch crunch* She slowly turned to face the Deathstalker that had closed the distance rather quickly. Staring into the red, beady eyes, she finally understood her mistake.
And it scared her.
She shot a round straight into the creature's face and took off, collapsing Crescent Rose into a more mobile form. She saw that her sister, Yang, was rushing towards her, a terrified expression on her face. Above her, she heard the Nevermore and started to pick up her speed. In one terrible second, she was yanked backwards. Looking behind her, she saw that the Nevermore had shot it's feathers at her. One of which currently stuck into her cloak, pinning her down. She tried yanking the cloak free, but it would not budge. The Deathstalker was closing in fast, ready to make a meal of the girl.
Ichika watched all this with a neutral expression. When Ruby and rushed in to fight the Deathstalker, he knew it was futile. He may not know anything about these creatures, but he did know what armor looked like. It would take a lot more force to pierce it than what the young girl currently possessed. But he did not step in. It was not his fight. If she wanted to make rash decisions that endangered herself and others, then she must learn the consequences.
That doesn't mean he didn't care. He'd seen too much death in his life, but death is an inevitability. So he did not interfere. His master, however, was making a curious expression. 'Oh? My master has a bit of fire to her. Let's see how much...'
Weiss was furious. That girl was such an idiot! Only someone like her would try to charge a Deathstalker head on. Did she learn nothing in her previous academy? She twitched, part of her wanting to rush in, another part of her telling her there was no point.
She glanced up at the man beside her.
Nothing? He didn't look at all concerned about the situation!? If anything, he looked bored! Did he not care about the death of someone else? For all his words earlier, he wasn't going to lift a finger!?
He returned her gaze out of the corner of his eye. 'Well? Do you need me to save you again?' His eyes seemed to say.
That was the straw that broke the Beowulf's back. 'I'll show you! A schnee does not need saving!' She used a forward vector glyph and shot forward, unaware of the slight approving nod from the raven-haired servant.
She was almost a second too late. Just before the Deathstalker's tail impaled Ruby, Weiss activated her ice dust and froze the tail in a solid frozen wall. Deciding it was sufficiently trapped she turned on the girl who still had her eyes closed.
"You are so childish," She continued, even as Ruby was slowly opening her eyes, "and dimwitted, and hyperactive, and don't even get me started on your fighting style."
She paused, not at all enjoying her next words, but also knowing that they were necessary. And long overdue.
"And I suppose... I can be a bit... difficult but, if we're going to do this, we're going to have to do this, together. So if you will quit trying to show off, I'll be... nicer."
Ruby blinked a few times, a bit unsure of how to handle this. But at least Weiss wasn't mad at her anymore, right? "I'm not trying to show off... I just want you to know I can do this."
Weiss now realized what Ichika was trying to say earlier. Ruby was convinced that everyone only saw her as some kid who fluked her way into beacon and, while incredibly dangerous and stupid, believed that the only way to prove herself was to tackle everything head on by herself.
And Weiss herself was, in no small part, responsible for it.
"You're fine." And she meant it.
'Now we just need to get those relics, and get back to the cliffs.' Simple enough, right?
A silver haired man watched the initiation with a mixture of interest and apprehension. This man was the one and only Headmaster Ozpin. His source of concern was the robed figure next to the young Heiress. This boy that had appeared... Just what exactly was he?
It was too soon to call him an ally, but he didn't seem like an enemy. Ozpin decided to trust his gut feeling and left it alone. For now. Time would tell whether the boy was a threat to his precious students, or a invaluable ally.
"Quite interesting indeed..."