"Thoughts"-Italics
"Speech"-Regular
"Past/Flashback"-Bold
Chapter 3: Freeze.
"Remember Ruby you're not the only one going through initiation, if you wanna grow up you're gonna have to meet new people and work together!" Yang tried to encourage her younger sister to open up to the prospect of being more sociable.
"Uuuuugh you sound like dad!" Ruby said with her face scrunched as if she had taken some bad medicine, "First of all, what does meeting new people have to do with fighting? And secondly, I don't need people to help me grow up! I drink milk." She finished with crossed arms.
"Can't say I disagree with her, two years ago I probably said something similar..." Frost thought with a sweat-drop whilst taking things out of his locker, he kept his hood up to keep his presence to a minimum, "Isn't she a bit young for this though? Stupid Ozpin, I could've been done with this already." Frost thought with a scowl before closing his locker and heading to the gathering point. He ended up being the first one there. A pair of footsteps caught his attention, pulling his hood down he greeted them.
"Headmaster, Professor." Frost greeted both Ozpin and Glynda respectively.
Ozpin smiled, "It's good to see you again Frost, how has Vale been keeping you."
Frost grunted in response, "Alive." He replied lazily, "What's up with Qrow's niece getting in early? Special treatment Ozpin?"
"Special circumstances allowed her to skip ahead." Glynda said, coming to the defense of Ozpin.
"Whatever." Frost said slightly annoyed, "Not like this test will really test me anyway."
Ozpin gave him a close-eyed smile, "Of course but in that case...Could you take the position on the far left?"
Frost looked at Ozpin oddly, on one hand there was obviously something wrong with the far left launch pad, on the other hand he couldn't back down to a challenge, "Don't fall for it/Sure old man." Frosts mouth betrayed his thoughts, "Damn it." He thought while walking to the left. The three stood in silence as potential students came, one by one.
"For years you have trained to become warriors, today your abilities will be evaluated in Emerald forest." Ozpin spoke in a regal tone, devoid of any sort of emotion, Frost could see several students fidgeting nervously and others shaking with something akin to excitement.
"Now I'm sure many of you have heard the rumors of the assignment of teams," Glynda voiced.
"Yeah rumors, or maybe you had a parent that went here or you know upperclassmen" Frost thought dryly.
"Well allow us to put an end to your confusion, each of you will be given teammates, today." Glynda said curtly, making Ruby squeak quietly in protest.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time at Beacon." Ozpin continued, "So it is in your best interest to find someone with whom you can work well with." Ozpin said and Frost could here Ruby having a small meltdown at the prospect of working with others, "Yeah pretty much sucks kid." He thought with a small frown but Ozpin wasn't finished, "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
Frost annoyed with the idea of a partner and team raised his hand, "So what if you don't see anyone and make it through by yourself?"
Ozpin smiled at him, "Well, if you manage that then you will make quite the huntsmen I am sure."
Frost resisted the urge to twitch, "Bastard doesn't think I can do it..." He thought shoving his hand back into his pockets, he bit his tongue as he realized he brought attention to himself, he could feel Yang peering holes into the side of his head.
Luckily Ozpin continued his speech, "After you've partnered up," He paused to give Frost a small look, "FUCK YOU!" Frost mildly scowled, "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."
The reactions varied but Frost noticed that everyone save a certain blonde boy seemed ready for the challenge, "You will be monitored and graded on the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an empty 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. Are there any questions?" Ozpin finished his instructions and took a sip of his mug.
"Uh yeah uh sir-" Jaune began.
"Good!" Ozpin interrupted, "Now, take your positions."
Frost had to bite back a chuckle, "Evil bastard. Wish I could see how this plays out but-" Before Frost could finish his thought his panel shot him into the sky, Frost regained his bearings immediately and looked behind himself, "And he shot me off wayyyy further west, asshole." He thought before looking down, "Oh yeah landing." He thought pulling out his gun, loud resonating booms emptied the chamber, the recoil slowed his descent, Frost threw one light blue bullet in the chamber and shot it at the ground. A pillar of ice erupted on impact, Frost quickly slid down and re-loaded his gun before looking left and right, pulling out a karambit splinter-cell knife from the back of his belt.
He was on edge, Ozpin was a smart man, a man that didn't play with dice. He wouldn't set him on a specific path without something in mind, he wouldn't smile at him that way unless he was confident that he wouldn't be bale to make it to the end without running into someone, "So what exactly are you-"
A faint whistle ripped through the air, Frost twisted his head around and cocked his head. An arrow barely missed his head, implanting itself into a tree behind him before dispersing in purple light. Frost could hear several more shots, dropping his shoulder he dodged one, spinning around to his left he avoided another, and a resounding bullet impacted the last.
Frost held his gun and blade out together, he couldn't tell how far out the arrows were coming from, maybe taunt would work, "Okay I see, Ozpin send one of his lackeys out here to test me?!" He shouted out to the forest only to yield no response, "Okay maybe not." He thought while slowly moving through the forest, heading towards the direction of fire. He fingered the trigger on his gun, more whistling, dropping into a roll Frost avoided a hail of bullets, a snap caught his attention, looking down at a broke wire he cursed before bringing up his right arm to block a giant log that came swinging down from his right.
The impact knocked him sideways, planting his opposite hand into the ground he spring-boarded behind a tree and held his back to it, "This is getting old..." He thought as the shifty silence returned, "They have better range than me and traps and they're somehow changing positions without making any noise." He thought before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, placing his hand to the tree he channeled his aura. A light blue pulse went through the forest and in an instant the forest was coated with a light icy frost. Frost focused, ignoring all other sounds and then suddenly the faint sound of cracking, "There." He said his eyes shooting open, jumping out from his hiding spot and shooting at a tree several hundred meters away from him.
A branch exploded on impact, Frost quickly refocused as he heard the faint sound of two feet, his eyes widened and he ducked a punch before bringing his hand down to block a kick, and spinning around to kick at his attackers face. He felt a strong resistance, an arm blocked him and shoved him back around, spinning to a stop Frost measured up his attacker, analyzing all he could. The figure had on a pair of dark brown boots much like his own and black pants tucked into them, he had a hooded lilac cloak on that had black tribal looking markings on it, it was torn and worn at the bottom and had a white fur on the hood. Frost quickly vaulted backward as he saw a the same purple arrows headed towards his face, he squinted his eyes, his opponent had a dark brown gauntlet on, there was a purple stone on the top of the hand and the joints were segmented with silver. But what what caught Frost's attention was the purple bow-like light coming from either side of his hand, Frost held up his gun and his opponent pulled back with their other hand which had a dark brown archers glove.
Neither attacked, there was a pause as they stared at one another, "Finally stopped attacking..." Frost thought while looking at his opponents face for the very first time, he had his hood on and all that he could see was a kindred wolf mask, in the dark holes of the eyes he managed to see a sharp turquoise eyes monitoring him.
"What are you doing here?" He commanded making Frost stare at him oddly.
"Very funny, I'm sure Ozpin informed you to test me. As you can see," He said aiming his gun at his head, "I handle myself just fine."
His opponent seemed confused and three purple arrows generated in his hand, drawing them back, "Ozpin?"
Frost eyes narrowed, "He definitely isn't one of the students and if he really doesn't know who Ozpin is..." He thought before lowering his gun and placing his knife away, putting his hands up Frost took a tentative step forward, "Look, we just have a misunderstanding." Frost tried the peaceful route, "I am here for a test, to be accepted into an academy, Beacon? You heard of it?"
The archer backed down slightly, "Beacon?"
Frost stared at the hooded figure, "Okay this may be harder than I thought." He thought with a sweat-drop, "Look I don't have any problems with you. Let bygones be bygones?" He said holding out his hand, Frost stared patiently at the hunter and gave the most sincere look he could. The began to put away his weapon and slowly took Frost's hand before pulling him backward forcefully. Frost's eyes widened, "What the f-" He started before a clicking and chirping sound interrupted him, dropping from the trees were multiple Grimm, red eyes, and a lot of legs.
"Spiders. Fucking spiders." Frost thought as he got to his feet, pulling out his weapons once again before he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Run." Was all the archer said before turning around and breaking into a sprint.
"What do you mean? We ca-" Several chirps and clicks made Frost turn around, a horde of arachnids dropped from the trees, "Ozpin you die first." Frost thought before shooting behind his partner.
"DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING?" Frost yelled running behind the cloaked archer, shooting ice dust bullets behind him, managing to kill a few Grimm and slow down the horde.
"KEEP RUNNING!" He commanded as they broke out from the forest and to an opening...to a cliff-side.
"I JUST ASKED YOU IF YOU KNEW WHERE YOU WERE GOING!" Frost shouted as he ran out of rounds.
"JUMP!" He said taking hold of Frosts arm, a pulse of purple came over their forms. Frost closed his eyes and noticed a lack of air hitting against his face. Opening them he looked around, "Were...flying?" He questioned as they both floated over the gap, Frost saw the archer keeping focus and the aura around them, "Is he doing this?" He thought as the light disappeared and then came falling down on the opposite side leaving the Grimm behind them. Dusting themselves off Frost looked at his partner, "Your semblance?" He asked.
"I call it Stasis, I can control the gravity from myself and things I touch." He said dusting himself off.
Frost frowned, "So that's why I couldn't tell how you were moving in our fight? Cheater." He grumbled, he could had sworn he saw a smirk behind that damn mask and scowled.
"Oh it's you, your expression is worse than before." A familiar voice called out.
Frost turned around to see Aurora and a girl he hadn't seen before, Aurora had a long spear, Frost recognized it, he had watched a few videos of her with it on his scroll after meeting her. Frost had to smile, she wasn't lying about being at the top of her class, she had won multiple tournaments before coming to Beacon. In her hands was the dragon spear, a segmented chain spear that she used for close range and long range. Frost noted her change in apparel, she had on black boots similar to a girl with a black bow he had seen earlier, white shorts that fit her tightly, and a long-sleeve tight fit mesh shirt underneath a baby blue midriff shirt.
"What are you doing here?" Frost said ignoring the jab at his expression.
"Well me and my partner came here to get a relic or did you not notice those things over there?" She motioned to a few chess pieces next to them.
Frost sweat-dropped before pointing to the opposite cliff-side, "Little busy." He said dryly, "Whose your friend?" Frost asked while looking at the chirpy looking girl, she had emerald green hair that came slightly down her shoulder, it was half braided on one side and her hair was slightly curled at the end. She wore a black tank-top with a white flowered design underneath a sleeveless dark-gray vest. Both stop just below the rib-cage, revealing her midriff. Her shorts, were khaki, and folded back (showing the interior fabric to be black) over a dark-gray belted hip-pack that rests across her right hip. She also wore a white wristband on her right arm and a black cloth that starts from below her elbow and partially covers her left hand and khaki-colored, laced knee-high boots with black socks that have two white stripes at the top.
"Evergreen, nice to meet you!" She said with a cute smile, offering her hand, Frost took it and stared down at their hands for a moment before turning to Aurora, "I like her more than you already."
Aurora didn't dignify him with a response, "And your partner?" She questioned.
Frost clicked his tongue, "Right...Yo gotta name wolf man?" He said before dodging and arrow aimed at his head.
"It's Orion. Orion Regalia." He said pulling his mask off, he had long purple hair that was tied in a pony tail and turquoise eyes, he had light brown skin.
Aurora gave Frost an expecting look, "You didn't know his name?"
Frost rolled his eyes, "Busy!" He said pointing at the cliff-side, "Besides he wasn't even one of the stu-Why are the Grimm running away?" Frost said narrowing his eyes, all the clicks and chirping stopped as the Grimm stopped and ran into the forest.
"Maybe they realized who they were in the presence of?" Aurora replied while taking one of the relics.
Frost and Orion both took a step back as the ground shook slightly, "Aurora..." Frost said backing up, "Don't freak out. Be calm."
Aurora suddenly felt on edge as she watched both boys step back slowly and Evergreen's eyes widen, "...Why?"
Frost pulled out his gun and aimed at her, "Just-when I say so. Move your head and sprint forward as fast as you can."
Small clicks and something akin to a hissing sound echoed behind her, Aurora held her breath, "Frost…?"
Frost looked at Orion who nodded, "Aurora...NOW!" He shouted firing his gun. Aurora jumped forward, Orion shot three arrows, 3 long spider-like limbs recoiled and a hiss followed, Evergreen laid her hands into the ground and glowed a light green, weeds and plants grew underneath the large spider.
"Arachne" Frost thought before pulling Aurora forward and turning tail to run, "Watch out it spits acid." He warned as globs of green shot behind them, spinning around and waving his hand a small ice wall blocked the acidic ooze.
"What do we do?" Evergreen said pulling out a chain whip sword.
"RUN!" Frost said pulling her along with Aurora while Orion fired several more shots.
SQUELCH. Ruby sliced clean through a Nevermores neck, killing it. Everyone looked up at her on top of the cliff in silent awe. Jaune let out a quiet, "Whoa." As rose petals blew away in the wind. Ruby looked down and finally let out a breath she had been holding in before the sound of shouting interrupted her momentary calm.
"CLIFF!" A feminine voice shouted.
"WORKING ON IT!" A male voice yelled back. Ruby could only gawk as Frost, Orion, Aurora, and Evergreen sprinted past her, Frost pulling her over the cliff-side, "ORION!" He yelled. A pulse of purple erupted and everyone took hold of one another. The Arachnid didn't quit shooting acid at the group as they floated, in a sudden shift of gravity they all dropped down quickly.
"EVERGREEN PULL!" Frost said letting go of the group. In a quick jerk Evergreen sent her chain sword around the Grimm's head.
"ORION MAKE HER HEAVY!" Frost threw out orders as he fell slower than his teammates. Orion narrowed his eyes as he increased the gravity on himself, Evergreen, Aurora and Ruby, making them shoot down to the bottom of the cliff, the red eyed Grimm screeched in protest as it was dragged off the cliff. Frost stared at the spider one on one as it started to come towards him in mid-air, limbs ready to strike, fangs ready to bite into him. Orion and the group quickly landing with a quick shift of gravity, making him collapse to the floor, Aurora looked around at the misty area and smiled before quickly pulled out her spear and began spinning it.
Frost and the spider continued to descend, boom. He shoot a strike away, boom. Another one, boom. Frost started to sweat as the gap began to close between the two, the Grimm being heavier than he was, "I'm running out of air." He thought as he felt the ground approaching.
"FROST!" Aurora yelled from below spinning her spear and gathering her aura, the mist began to condense into water and spin around her like a water tornado, "TAKE IT!" She yelled before throwing the spear at him, the water following upward like a drill.
Time slowed for Frost, emptying all of his ice bullets he put in a high-impact round, crossing his arm across his chest he fired, spinning out of the way of the spear which jammed right into the spiders mouth, right before the water lost its form Frost smirked and touched it with his hand, "Freeze." He whispered before a pulse of cold air froze the water.
SQUELCH. The Arachnid landed straight down on the spiral of ice. Frost quickly gripped the ice and used his momentum to slide down the side, coming to a stop right before Aurora, clapping his hands together, "You were late." He commented, standing in front of the slain Grimm casually.
Aurora pulled her hair behind her ear and crossed her arms, "Die next time then."
Frost shook his head, "Not on your life."
A strong wind blew and a small silence ensued between all three parties, "Well, that was thing." Yang commented as everyone came together.
"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, Sky Lark. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces, from this day forward you shall work together as, Team CRDL; lead by Cardin Winchester. Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrah Nikos, and Nora Valkyrie the four of you retrieved the white rook pieces, from this day forth you will work together as team JNPR; lead by Jaune Arc!" Ozpin announced.
"H-huh? Lead by?" Jaune said a bit meekly.
"Congratulations young man." Ozpin said curtly, "Next we have Blake Belladona, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forth you will work together as team RWBY, lead by, Ruby Rose."
"I'm so proud of you!" Yang said coming around to hug Ruby who kept trying to push her sister away. Frost let out a small smirk at the two before he scowled at Ozpin who was now staring at him with a knowing smile, as if saying, "I told you so."
"Asshole." He thought as Ozpin started calling names, "Orion Regalia, Evangeline Evergreen, Aurora Zara, and Frost Borealis. The four of you took platinum king pieces. From this day forth you will work together as team FRZE; led by Frost Borealis!" He proclaimed while shooting a look at Frost who was currently wide-eyed as the other teams and his new teammates all gave him re-assuring nods and looks of approval while he could hardly believe what he had just heard.