Hey everyone, sorry about the lateness of the hour in this upload. I was at a collage interview from two, I just got home and it is now 6. Anyway on to Chapter 6!
Chapter 6: Initiation part 2
Velvet and I looked at each other for a moment before she took off towards the sound, I followed close behind. There was a moment of silence as we sprinted towards a cliff side. Before we were within sight of the source of the shout a loud crashing sound reverberated from ahead of us. When we got within view we saw that a Death Stalker had burst through the wall in the cliff side.
We slid to a stop at the edge of the trees and I saw a red haired girl running away with the Death Stalker right on her heals. I looked closely and saw the boy with the blond hair, dangling from the death stalkers stinger. "Pyrra, this is not the relic! It's not!" the girl had turned to stand her ground.
"Juane, whatever you do don't let-" suddenly the Death Stalker reeled back and launched Juane into the air. Pyrra turned and watched him fly, "-Go." She finished before turning back to the Death stalker. Scratching her head and smiling like she was in an awkward situation turned and ran, knowing she was unable to fight the giant creature by herself.
We kept our heads down as it took off after her, preferring to keep out of that situation. "I wonder how that's going to turn out." I said as we walked north. Velvet looked at me and shook her head.
"If she can find someone that can help her I'm sure she could defeat It." she paused for a moment. "Why didn't we help her?" I turned back to her as she looked at me questioningly.
"I wouldn't have been of any help without the use of my wings. My knives can't penetrate the armor on its back." Suddenly Velvet stopped and sniffed the air.
"I can smell other people. I think we are close to the Relics." She said changing the subject. I looked at the Faunus before she took the lead and crept forward. I followed and cast my senses out again. Almost immediately the forest in front of us gave way to a clearing with a temple containing the relics.
Around it stood the Girl Clad in White, the Girl in the Red Hood, the Yellow Girl, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, Pyrra, Juane, and another girl wearing black with a bow. Also in the clearing was the Death Stalker, its stinger frozen to the ground by a wave of ice. A field of giant Nevermore feathers led up to the Death Stalker. I looked up and noticed the giant bird circling above the eight first years. They each had a relic in hand. I couldn't hear what they were saying but they suddenly turned and started running back towards the cliff.
As they ran the Nevermore banked and followed while the Death Stalker managed to struggle free of the ice and gave chase. We waited till they were gone and went to the temple to claim a relic. We entered and looked at each of the Relics that remained. "Are these chess pieces?" velvet said grabbing one and examining it.
"Ya… its seems appropriate. Based on what I know about the headmaster, I mean." I noticed that the black bishops, white knights, and white rooks were all gone. "Well choose one and lets get out of here. If we hurry maybe we can beat the others back while they fight." That and I wanted to see them all fight. I knew what the Girl in the Red Hood fought like vaguely, but the Girl in White and the rest were a mystery.
"Ok… let's go." She said, grabbing the black queen and walking past me. I followed her back to the trees before we both broke into a run. Loud crashes and shots rang out faintly from the direction the eight first years had run in. I could hear the Nevermore screeching as we ran.
I kept my senses out in front of us just in case other creatures of Grimm were about after hearing the Nevermore. Sure enough after a minute of running we reached the spot where the first Death Stalker appeared. As we passed the entrance of the cave, Velvet jumped towards me and pushed me sideways as another one burst through and rushed us. Damnit, once again I was caught off guard because I only focus on what is in front of us.
We rolled backwards and got back to our feet, Velvet had her weapons drawn. "Damnit, of all the things we ended up having to fight." Velvet and I didn't wait for the Death Stalker to make a move. Nodding to each other we started moving to either side of the creature.
I cast my senses behind me, sensing for anyone that might see me if I ended up having to use my wings. I couldn't sense anyone but until I absolutely needed to, I wasn't going to use them. This is just another test that he is giving me. Huh when will they end father?
Returning my senses forward and coming back to my body I was caught off guard as the Death Stalker slammed one of its claws into me, sending me flying. I hit a tree and slumped to the ground dazed for a moment. When I could see again I saw the stinger thrust towards me. I raised my hands and activated my aura to defend myself. The stinger slammed against my aura and retracted. The force of the blow forced me back into the tree and stunned me again.
Through my hazy vision I saw Velvet jump up onto the Death Stalkers tail and threw one Fan to cut into the Death stalkers stinger and the other at its head area. The first fan had cut most of the way through the stinger but it still hung limply, while her second strike bounced right off of the Death Stalkers tough armor. That attack gave me just enough time to stand and move out of reach of its claws.
Turning to it I forced my aura into my wings, stretching them out as Velvet drew its attention briefly. Screw this test, I am not going to die or let my friend get hurt because I want to please someone.Crouching I aimed at the Death Stalker and fired a salvo of fire dust bombs. Velvet heard them coming and moved out of the way as they impacted and exploded. We stood for a moment while the dust cleared, hoping that I had done enough damage.
Within 10 seconds it charged from behind the smoke and rushed us. I didn't have time to fire another round of fire bombs, instead I decided to take to the skies. Rushing the Death Stalker I jumped onto its back, barely avoiding a strike from its claw and kicked off, gather air under my wings I turned and flew back to Velvet, reaching down and grabbing her as I passed.
Lifting her into the air I headed up above the trees. "What's our plan this time," I asked. Velvet looked up at me as we circled the Death Stalker.
"Head back to Beacon, we got what we came for, no reason to try to fight something that is out of our league." I looked down at her at her remark and wanted to argue but she beat me to it.
"I know you want to be able to fight something that size on your own someday, but right now we neither have the strength or the skill to fight that thing." She said, recalling the words I had spoken as a child. I sighed. Why is her memory of what I said as a child so good?
She reached down with one arm then the next as she put away her fans and adjusted her grip. As I flew towards beacon cliff I noticed that the eight first years from before were heading back inside Beacons walls after presenting their relic to Ozpin at the top of the cliff. I put Velvet down before landing next to him, folding my wings back over my chest as I arrived, panting slightly from the energy exertion. I looked him in the eyes and saw his normal neutral look.
There was a moment of silence that passed between us before Velvet walked to my side and handed him the Relic. He hesitated a moment before taking it. "Very good, head into the auditorium, you're the last to arrive so the team naming ceremony starts as soon as we get there." He gave me one last look and turned to go inside. We followed behind him and went to the front entrance when we got back inside the walls of Beacon.
"What was your little staring contest about?" Velvet asked as soon as he was out of earshot. I sighed and explained the conversation I had had with the headmaster as we entered the auditorium.
"Sounds like he knows more than he is letting on, how do you feel about it?" I just shook my head and turned to the stage when Ozpin stepped on stage.
"All of you have finished initiation and have gained a partner that will be with you for the next four years. However, now you will be assigned the rest of your team." He started naming the other first years. Two pairs were turned into one based on the Relic they brought back.
After a few teams were made he finally called me and Velvet up to the stage. We stood on the stage by ourselves and waited for him to call the other members. "You two met in the forest and retrieved the Black Queen piece. As the White Queen was not returned you will be the only team of two. Normally I would put you with another pair that came back with a relic nobody else picked but there was a mix up in registration and all the teams are formed based on the relic they brought back. From this point forward you will be known as team IV. Led by Velvet Scarlatina." We looked at each other, then back at Ozpin before nodding and walking back off the stage to listen to the rest of the teams. I could feel Ozpin's eyes burning a hole in my back as we retreated.
I didn't listen to the names but watched as each person walked onto the stage. The next team after us was Team CRDL. I narrowed my eyes as I noticed the guy that had attacked Velvet in the forest. I felt my rage kick up again but fought it down. I don't need to worry about him right now. I thought as the next team was called.
I recognized Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie from the time I had met them at the pier and knew Pyrra and Juane from the forest. "The four of your retrieved the White Rook pieces, from day forward you will work together as, Team JNPR." I looked at each of them and wondered who would be their leader, as Nora giggled and hugged Ren, he seemed slightly uncomfortable. Surely either Pyrra or Ren, the other two don't seem to be capable of carrying the title. "Led by, Juane Arc." Pyrra turned to him and smiled as Ozpin finished. Juane seemed flabbergasted by the statement. Meant to be good natured, Pyrra punched Juane's arm. Like an idiot he fell over right there on stage, earning a laugh from the crowd before they all got off stage for the next team.
"And finally, Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao Long." The Girl in the Red Hood, The Girl Clad in White, The Yellow Girl, and the Girl in the Bow all took the stage as their names were called. Well, now I know their names. I thought with a grin as I watched. "The four of you retrieved the White Knight pieces. From this day forward will work together as, Team RWBY. Led by, Ruby Rose."
I dropped the grin as I watched Yang cross to Ruby and hugged her in congratulations, "I'm so proud of you," she said. Weiss's facial expression changed as she heard this and looked at Ruby in disbelief. I narrowed my eyes at the scene. I couldn't put my finger on it but for some reason Weiss wasn't happy. I shook my head and forgot about it. Not my problem. I thought before turning my attention to Ozpin as my awareness picked up him speaking.
"Looks like things are shaping up to be an, interesting year." I heard him say as the crowd applauded to the new teams. I told you so. I thought before everyone was dismissed and headed back to their rooms for the night. I rose with Velvet and walked to the exit where the first years were being handed scrolls that had all the information to get to their rooms. We took ours and followed the map that led to our room.
Upon arrival Velvet and I found that our bags had been delivered for us. As we entered I picked up the sound of Ruby's voice from down the hall as well as Juane's. Casting my awareness in their direction I saw that Team RWBY and JNPR had dorms across from each other and quickly retreated for the night as they were all tired from initiation. I returned to my immediate surroundings and closed the door behind me. Velvet was already in the bathroom getting ready for bed. I played with the scroll a bit as I lay on my bed.
I could message classmates via text or voice messages, had a map of the school, a key to the room, and a meter that displayed my aura. By the time I was done looking through it, Velvet was under her sheets and trying to sleep. I lay there for a moment, thinking about everything that had happened since I had arrived at beacon. Not sure when it happened but eventually I fell asleep. That night Shay filled my dreams.
Note to self; write chapters after waking up in the morning, (afternoon) it's a lot easier to write after I just wake up. I feel like I really had to try to write this chapter. The team IV is pronounced ivy (just a heads up to avoid confusion). Any who, let me know what you think, likes, dislikes, concerns, or phobias. Really hope you guys are enjoying reading it as much as I enjoy writing. Eternal out.