Chapter 3 - Initiation

"We don't have to be afraid of the dark that they live in." - Burnie Burns.

"Welcome to the Emerald Forest." Professor Ren addressed the students stood before him, lined up side by side a few meters back from the edge of the cliff face.

Professor Ren and his assistant, stood with their backs to the forest below. "We will be launching you, into the forest. So, prepare to use your landing strategy. The first person you make eye contact with, will be your partner during your time here at Beacon. Once you are partnered up, you will make your way to the Emerald forest Ruins, there you will obtain a relic, to bring back to Beacon."

Suddenly worried by the Professor's words, Rian spoke up, "Uh sorry, 'launching'?"

The Professor then turned around, to look out over the forest. "Trust me, the system works." He said as he took a sip from his coffee, and waved his other hand down, giving the signal to his assistant to press the control her scroll. As she hit the command, the students were all launched into the air, by the platforms beneath them.

Each student reacting differently, some screaming in fear, others with excitement, but all were concentrating on their plan to survive the fall.

Cole noticing the majority of students around him, using their large calibre weapons to generate thrust slowing their descent, with that method not being an option for him, given his choice of weapon, he drew Dual Diligence and transformed them into their blade form. Using his semblance to scan the forest beneath him, approaching quickly he adjusted himself, to head towards a large tree.

As he reached the top of the tree, he planted Dual Diligence into a thick branch, slicing straight through. His descent was slowed slightly by each branch he severed, but it wasn't slowing him quickly enough, and he knew he'd hit the forest floor long before he reached a safe speed. With his plan quickly falling apart, he turned and thrust his blades into the side of the tree's trunk, his descent quickly slowing, as he carved into the side of the ancient tree.

As he approached the floor, he pushed off of the tree, dispersing the rest of the force with a roll, finishing stood upright he brushed a leaf out from under his coat's collar.

"I need a better landing strategy." Cole thought to himself.

The sound of clapping caught his attention, as he turned around to see Rian leaning against a tree, giving applause. "That was awesome." He let out with a huge smile.

"I would have thought you would have wanted to partner with Uluka." Cole pointed out.

"Oh yea I do, I just saw that and…" realising his mistake "…and I, oh he's going to kill me."

As a look of dread spread across Rian's face, Cole couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Approaching Rian, he placed his hand on his shoulder, "Come on partner, we've got a relic to find."

The pair had been walking for a few minutes, Rian trailing behind lost in thought of how he was going to explain to his boyfriend, why they couldn't be partners like they had planned.

Cole turned around a tree, where he was confronted with the sight of a young woman, they both stood there for a moment, staring at one another.

The young woman had messy light blonde hair, and a pair of horns, revealing her Faunus heritage. She wore a black and gold chest plate, with a black sleeveless turtleneck and loose fitting black trousers, with big black combat boots. She had matching black and gold gauntlets, with chains that wrapped around the gauntlets, and up her forearms.

"So, I guess this means-" the girl started, only to be interrupted by Rian, who quickly came out from behind the tree, giving a small wave with his childish grin, "Err nope, Sorry."

"We should probably stick together. Whoever we come across next, will be your partner." Cole offered.

"Sounds good. I saw what could be the ruin while I was landing, in that direction, let's move." She said in a commanding voice, while motioning her hand.

"I'm Cole" offering his hand, the young woman took it, and crushed down with her strong grip. Even though it hurt, Cole's face didn't let it show.

"Hexi" she responded.

"And I'm Rian… in case anyone was wondering." The woman let out a Grunt, signalling she heard what he said.


"She seems friendly" Rian whispered to Cole, as they walked along.

"I HEARD THAT!" The woman shouted back, from up ahead.

"Sorry" Rian replied.

There was a stillness in the small clearing the group had entered, that had Cole on edge, he's fears justified as he heard growls coming from the bushes around them "But did you hear that?"

"HA! This is gonna be fun!" The woman bellowed, as a look of glee spread across her face, the chains attached to her gauntlets falling to the floor, as they began to glow a bright gold.

"Careful not to get caught in each other's cross fire!" Cole commanded, as he drew Dual Diligence taking a battle stance.

Rian stood beside him, pulled back the sleeves of his hoodie, to reveal a set of wrist armour, with a flick of his wrists a blade shot out from each, along the back of his hands. An Ursa jumped out of the bushes in front of the trio, in a flash of light Rian was stood before it, with his blade impaling the beast's skull.

A second Ursa appeared beside Rian. The Grimm pulled back its paw, ready to deliver a deadly blow, until Hexi's chain wrapped around the beasts wrists, using the chain to pull the two together, Hexi landed a right hook to the Ursa's jaw, knocking it clean off.

While this was happening, two more Grimm had appeared from behind, Cole sensing their presence, turned and unleashed a flurry of shots into both Grimm.

The beasts undeterred, one began charging towards Cole. After leaping over the beast and rolling across its back, Cole found himself between the two creatures.

He quickly threw one of his throwing knives into the back leg of the creature, now facing away from him, as he spun round, moving his arm over his head to gain momentum, he transformed the half of Dual Diligence in his hand to its blade form, releasing the weapon from his grip, as the second Ursa let out a roar, the blade impacted the roof of the creature's mouth, firmly implanting itself in the Grimm's skull.

The trio were left with one Grimm, as they circled it the creature reared onto its hind legs.

Hexi took the opportunity and swung her chains, attaching them to the beast's legs, pulling them hard from out underneath it. The creature fell hard, onto its back.

Cole started emptying rounds into the beast, with his remaining half of Dual Diligence. Rian retracted his blades, and aimed his fists at the creature, as his armour started to spin around his wrists, a swarm of bullets fired out at the helpless Grimm. The creature let out a shriek before being obliterated, and dissipating to ash.

"We shouldn't hang about, there's no doubt more on their way." Cole stated, while picking up his weapon from where the Grimm had fallen.

"Right" the other two responded in unison.

Continuing on their course for the Ruins, the trio picked up the pace, not wanting to run into any more Grimm, if they could help it.