Chapter 4: The Initiation
Location: Vale, Beacon Academy Year: unknown
I woke up early just to see everyone else still asleep aside from Blake, who, of-course, was reading her book and was also already dressed and ready to go.
"I thought I was the only one who woke up early." I said as she takes notice.
"It's a force of habit, what about you?" She asks.
"Same here. I usually wake up early to continue on traveling throughout the badlands, helping people in need." I answered.
"So your calling yourself a hero?"
"I wouldn't say that, more of a vigilante in my case." I answered.
She was silent until she asked me, "Can you keep it a secret?"
"I'm full of them, what is it that you want to tell me?" I asked.
She removed her bow to reveal that she was a Faunas, a cat Faunas to be precise.
"So your a Faunas? Why would you want to keep it a secret? And more importantly, why would you want me to know?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.
"It's because I feel like I can trust you, and after all, you did tell me that you don't discriminate." She answered.
"Well don't worry, I'll keep it a secret." I said as she put her bow back on.
"Thanks." She said.
We then noticed that everyone is slowly getting up and began getting ready.
"Well it looks like we best get ready, at least." I said in conclusion.
"Sure." She said.
I then put away my bedroll kit into my Pipboy and turned to see Blake with a surprised look on her face.
"What?" I asked.
"How did you do that with your bedroll?" She asked me.
"Oh, its my Pipboy 3000. I can basically store everything from weapons, aid, junk, and ammo within it by digitalizing it like a data chip." I explained to her.
"Wow. What else can it do?" She asks me while staring at my Pipboy.
"It can keep track on my health status, objectives, a GPS, and a radio, but mostly with music. But for some reason, it lost connection with the GPS satellite and-" I was interrupted by my Pipboy.
"REGAINING GPS SYSTEMS: ACTIVE. HAVE A NICE DAY, MR. VAUGHN." It spoke.
"Oh, now you work? You stupid piece of machinery." I said to my Pipboy as Blake laughed.
"Wow. I never thought you'd be the laughing type." I said.
"I even surprised myself sometimes." She said to me.
Then Yang came up to me and Blake and asked, "Hey Edward, can you help me getting Ruby up?"
"Yeah, sure. I think I have an idea." I said as I walked towards Ruby, who was still sleeping.
I then yelled, "We made cookies!"
Ruby shot up and asked, "Cookies?!"
"Na, that was a lie, I'm afraid. It was the only way to get you up." I said.
"Ah dang it. Your no fun." she pouts.
"You really don't want to miss your Initiation Day, now do you Rubes?" I asked with a smirk.
"Oh right, thanks Edd!" she thanked me as she went to the restroom to get ready.
Yang and Blake came up to me and Yang said, "I didn't really thought of that, nice job, Eddy!"
"Thanks, Yang. I thought that it might do the trick so, yeah. But enough chit-chat, until Ruby comes out, we need to get going." I said and received a couple of nods from both.
XXXXXXX
We were at the lockers until two people came by. One was a gingered hair girl who was harassing a guy in green. I then asked Yang and Ruby, "What's gotten into her?"
"Oh, who knows... So! You two seemed awfully chipper this morning." Yang asked us.
"Yep! No more awkward small talk or "getting to know you" stuff, besides you Edward." Ruby said.
"Uhm, thanks, I guess." I said, not really paying attention.
"So today I get to let my sweetheart do the talking." she said.
"Well, remember guys, you not the only ones going through initiation. If you guys want to grow up, you're going to have to meet new people and learn to work together." Yang said.
"Hey, I'm plenty grown up!" I said.
"Ugh, you sound like dad!" She said which struck me. I started to remember about my dad from all those years ago.
Yang and Ruby were going to ask me what's wrong until they remember the conversation about his father dying. Ruby then started to panic, "Oh, I'm sorry-"
"No, no, it's alright, you don't have to worry about me. I'm going to head out, see ya." I said as I waved farewell.
Blake then came to me and asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"Just having memories about dad, is all." I answered.
"And how is he by the way?" She asked.
"He's in a better place." I said which shocked her.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that."
"It's alright, you didn't know. At least he's with mom." I said.
"So, you're an orphan?" She asked me in a surprised manner.
"Yeah, my mother died when I was born and my dad died for what he believed in when I was...uhm... 13. I know they wanted me do good for this world, and that's why I'm here, to help people, like I've always done." I said.
"I'm sure they are proud of you, Edward." Blake reassured me.
"Thanks, that means a lot." I said as Glynda came on to the speakers...
"Would all first year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."
"Well, it looks like we're up, Blake. Good Luck!" I said to Blake
"You too." Blake said as we shook hands.
XXXXXX
Location: Beacon Cliff Year: Unknown
"For years you have trained to become warriors. And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin said.
We continued to listen in as Glynda spoke up...
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about assignment of teams, but since there is one extra student amongst us..." She then look towards me, "Edward Vaughn, since you are a Veteran-rating warrior, you would become a mentor to two teams that you would be spending the most time with and advise you to pick a relic that suits you best, understood?"
I gave a salute and responded, "Yes, mam."
She smiled at me and said, "Good, now continuing... Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today."
"What?" Ruby asked in a fearful tone.
"Don't worry Ruby, you're gonna be fine." I said to Ruby.
Then Ozpin said, "These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at it is your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work with."
'Okay, sounds simple enough, but...' I thought as I hear Ruby made fearful noises.
Ozpin continues, "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next 4 years."
And as though there was glass shattering, I hear Ruby, panicking, "What?!"
'Well, crap this is no- wait, what does he mean by landing?' I asked myself in my mind before saying to Ruby, "Okay, maybe it is the time to panic, but you must calm yourself right now, okay?"
Ruby nodded and responded, "Okay, okay, your right, I need to calm myself. Thanks Edward." as she takes deep breaths.
"Any time, Rubes." I said before Ozpin continued.
"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."
I then hear Jaune give a nervous laughter before gulping. I then muttered, "This is so not going to end well, but maybe it will, who knows? Oh please Lady Luck, help us."
"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene." Ozpin said.
'Well, fuck me sideways, this is going to be hell.' I thought to myself.
Ozpin 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. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately."
"That's easier said than done, sir." I said as he continued.
"Are there any questions?" Ozpin asked.
Jaune raised his hand and answered, "Yeah, um, sir-"
"Good, now take your positions." Ozpin said.
I then looked to my left and saw the slowly one by one, the students were launched from there pads and looked down at my own pad before respond, "Oh goddamnit! Why is this shit always happens to me?!"
I then turned towards Ozpin, "Ozpin, I swear to everything that is unholy, I will shove holy water down your throa-AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I was interrupted when I was launched from the pad.
To be Continued...