I don't own Kamen Rider Gaim or RWBY. They belong both to Toei and Rooster Teeth. Remember readers, JUST LIVE MORE! The finale of Gaim had aired! Your thoughts?

Symbolic Joker: Sorry for the late update people. I burned myself out, wanted to take a break. Then my parents spring 'We're visiting your grandparents for two days' on me out of nowhere. So I spent the day that I was supposed to work on this chapter at my grandparents house. Luckily I finished over half of this before I took my break so it didn't took too long to finish this.

Fourth Lock: First Steps of Life

*Lock Open!*

Lie Ren always had a bizarre relationship with his childhood friend Nora Valyrie. She was the only person who he had shown more than stoicism for some odd reason. To this day, when anyone tried to get an emotion other than plain stoicism out of him; they failed.

Spectacularly.

Nora on the other hand was somehow able to easily get him riled up over the most trivial things. Ranging from pancakes to a pack of Beowolves Grimm trying to munch on her hyperactive-self. It wasn't that she couldn't protect herself, far from it! But there were times that the girl managed to find herself way outnumbered and Ren refused to let her get hurt. Too badly that is, he was rational enough to know it was impossible for someone not to get hurt once in their lives but you get the point.

Nora was powerful, anyone with a set of working eyes could see that. But that was because she was a hammer. And if she was a hammer, than Ren was a scapel. Small yet precise. He marks the enemy, and Nora delivers the finishing blow by striking at the marked target. Due to this, their teamwork complimented each other like a well oiled machine.

They've been together (but not together; together) for so long since their childhood that Ren had forgotten how their first meeting came to be or why they even became friends in the first place. But Ren did not mind. He did not mind constantly finding himself playing the straight man to Nora's antics. Saving any bullies from getting their legs broken for messing with the wrong girl… . Ah yes, those were the days… .

Of course, being childhood friends didn't stop Ren from wondering how in Remnant Nora managed to constantly stay so positive about everything.

It also didn't stop him from wondering why every little thing seemed to excite Nora.

"RENRENRENRENRENREN!" A few days before Ren was to leave for Beacon Academy with Nora, Ren picked up a phone call from Nora while he was in the middle of packing his clothes and equipment for Beacon. He immediately regretted putting his phone next to ear when Nora began chanting his name so fast and so loud that Ren was worried that his ear had went deaf.

Then again, Nora had been a lot louder when she was younger and yet his ears were still functioning perfectly.

"Did you see it? Did you see it!?" Nora asked him through the phone. Ren asked her to clarify, Nora answered that she saw a shooting star crash landing in the forest that their homes were built nearby. "Let's go investigate!" She says. "Who knows!? WE MIGHT FIND SPACE MARINES!"

Ren knew what that meant. It meant Nora was going to drag him to yet another one of their crazy little adventures that always ended with something blowing up.

And yet for some reason he just can't say 'No' to her.

Still didn't stopped him from trying though.

"Nora, we can't. We still got to finish packing our things for Beacon. I don't want us repeating that incident that happened when we first started out plus I sincerely doubt that it's nothing more than a large burning chunk rock caught in Remnant's gravitational pull." Ren sighed as he zipped up one of his bags. For the next four years he and Nora were going to be in Vale's most prestigious Combat School. He was hoping that Nora realize how lucky they were to be accepted and also hoped that she would start taking things a little bit more seriously, at least until they passed the initiation test he had heard about… .

But then again, Nora wouldn't be Nora if her eccentricities didn't got in the way most of the time.

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssseeeeeeeeee, Ren?" Nora whined. "With a cherry on top?" Ren let out an annoyed sigh as he could already picture the puppy dog look Nora had on her face right now. He couldn't say 'No' to that look. Even after all these years he still hadn't figured out how to counter that move. If anything, it gotten even more effective then it was originally since it was working on him even when Ren couldn't see Nora's face.

Ren knew what he was going to get himself into if he given into Nora's demands.

If he agreed, Nora was going to drag him into doing some really stupid that was going to give him a migraine for the rest of day which he'll get over with a good night's rest and the cycle will only continue from there.

But Nora, being Nora, would drag her adventure to them anyway so he might as well save himself the trouble.

"Alright, fine. We'll go investigate this shooting star crash site. But if it's nothing I will drag you back home in time for dinner." And just like that the two made their way to the forest to investigate. Nora managed to make the trip go by faster than it should've by making them hitch a right on a Ursa Minor's back. Of course, she was the only one who rode the Ursa. Ren, the poor soul, had to use his Aura to boost his speed so that he could keep up with the crazy girl.

When they reached the crash site, Ren was quite surprise to see no giant rock scorching the earth; but instead saw that the shooting star was actually a strange looking toy that had a knife on it with a lock that had a grape plastered on the center. Written at the middle of the lock was the code 'L.S. - 09'. Nora immediately picked up the two objects, and practically shoved them right at Ren's face.

"Look Ren, look!" Ren really should've expected her to get excited by the discovery. He really should've. It would seem Nora was more interested with the lock though, as she waved it around more. "This lock looks like a grape for some reason." She noted, before gasping. "Hey, do you think if I open it; will grape jam come out!?" Oh that's great. Sweets were now on Nora's mind. And when sweets were on Nora's mind… things happen.

Things that made Ren wonder why he bothered getting up in the morning.

Nora gave Ren the toy, as she fiddled with the lock so she could open it and get her grape flavored jam. Ren sighed as he stared at the toy. Hm… for some reason… , it looked like it was shaped after a belt buckle… .

Seeing as he had nothing to lose, Ren shrugged to himself before placing the toy on his waist. He immediately regretted it as two yellow straps formed from yellow energy wrapped themselves around his waist, keeping the device from falling. Now why did Ren regretted putting on the device? It was because of what Nora said next:

"Oh! It's a strap on! Can I play with it now, Ren!?"

Ren resisted the urge to facepalm when Nora said that. He was definitely killing the person who said that word in front of Nora, regardless if they were family or not. Much to Ren's discomfort, Nora invaded his personal space so she could examine the belt like it was a new toy (Child's toy! Definitely like a child's toy and not an adult's toy!). Ren remembers Nora's record in breaking her toy's. And least to say… ;

It was really a grimm situation for him.

"Look Nora… ." Ren raised his hands in an effort to calm the orangette down, which was failing spectacularly. However, at the corner of his eye; Ren saw something rustling in the bushes. "Watch out!" Ren pushed Nora down and drew his weapons, named StormFlower (Which was not girly in any shape or form no matter what idiots say about it), and opened fire at the bushes.

Silence filled the clearing for a moment before something jumped out of the bushes. It wasn't a Grimm, that much Lie Ren could confirm. While it was black, it wasn't in the same shade of black that all Grimm shared. It leaned towards grey, with the color being complimented by the various shade of red on the creature.

If Ren took a wild guess here, the creature seemed to resemble a bat with it's devil-like wings.

"Oh! A new monster! I'm gonna kill it!" Of course Nora wouldn't really care if this creature wasn't a Grimm. If it's a monster, it's best to beat it down before it becomes too much of a threat. Which was a good mindset actually. One can worry what exactly creature was after one isn't in danger of becoming monster food.

Taking out her weapon, a hammer/grenade launcher hyrbid named Magnhild, Nora shot at the creature. However, the creature was nimble, as it used it's wings to fly and easily dodged her shots.

"Being in the air isn't gonna help ya!" Nora declared as she switched Magnhild into it's hammer form. Just as she was about to make a leap and smash the thing's brains out with Magnhild, the thing released a sonic screech that forced the both of them to their knees.

"Ren, it hurts!" Nora cried out to her best friend as the two held their ears in their effort to stop themselves from hearing the noise. Ren tried aiming one of his guns at the creature, however the pain was too much for him to bear to the point he dropped StormFlower.

Ren cursed as he pressed his hands harder against his ear as he tried to think. What should he do!? If this kept up he and Nora will die!

Ren didn't want that.

He didn't want Nora to die.

Anything can happen to him, so long as Nora gets to live her life until she dies of old age, dammit!

"Tch!" Ren grunted as his eyes trailed towards his waist. Was he really that desperate that's his willing to bet it all on some mysterious and most likely dangerous device that fell from the sky?

… If it's to protect Nora, then yes.

And then… the noise stopped.

"Huh… ?" Ren was obviously surprised. Opening his eyes, Ren saw that everything just… stopped. The creature was still in mid-flight, but it wasn't moving if that was somehow possible. "Nora!" Ren called out, turning to his friend in distress only to see she too was frozen in time. She wasn't moving at all, her face forever stuck in that look of pain. That look that just didn't fit Nora at all.

"Be Warned."

Ren heard a female voice say. Turning around, he saw a blonde girl whose hair was in a pony tail coming towards him. Her eyes were glowing green, just like the leaves of trees in the forest he and Nora used to play in during the summer. She wore something Ren would describe as a ceremonial white dress, for what occasion Ren did not know. However, the ominous look on her face gave Ren an instant feeling of foreboding.

"You Are Now In The Cross Road Of Fate. If You Continue To Walk Down This Path, There Will Be No Chance For You To Turn Back. You Will Have To Fight Until The Bitter End." The mysterious girl in white warned him. Ren didn't know what exactly she meant by that, but he could guess that she meant about the device on his waist.

Ren stayed silent as he looked down onto the ground, so he can ponder on his choice. He then answered, "So what? So long as I can keep her safe… ," Ren gestured towards Nora, the pained look on her face solidifying his resolve. "… then I don't care what happens to me!" Ren boldly declared.

Ren never really cared much about the little things like other boys his age. One of the only things he cared about was keeping Nora safe. Something that was pretty high on his list of priorities. Some would say it was foolish to follow such a girl. But so long as he could see Nora smile another day, then he would gladly go through any kind of danger.

And yet, Ren couldn't help but notice how sad the girl looked. It was almost like she had expected his answer.

"Then Prepare To Shape The Future… ."

The girl gave Ren one last warning before she pointed to the grape lock lying on the ground. Nora must've dropped it from all the commotion with bat-creature. Ren looked at his belt one more time before looking back the lock. Then it clicked. The two came together, so obviously they must be used together to achieve something!

Ren quickly scurried and grabbed the lock, giving the girl one last look before he prepared himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he briefly looked at Nora's kneeling form which strengthened his resolve. If he didn't do this, they were going to die. If it's to save their lives, her life especially, then even Lie Ren would do something completely reckless!

And with a push of button, Ren unlocked the lock with time resuming as a result.

BUDOU!

It was disconcerting to hear the bat's screeching once again, however it suddenly stopped once again. Looking at the creature, Ren saw it's attention was elsewhere.

"GRAPES!" Nora suddenly cried out, much to Ren's surprise. He looked at where she was looking at saw she was staring at the general direction as the bat creature's:

Right above his head.

Looking up, Ren saw something was now floating above him, being covered in a purple ethereal glow. In his disbelief, Ren looked back at the lock on his hand. How could such a tiny thing summon such a thing right above him? Shaking his head, Ren quickly focused on what to do next. Since it came with the belt… , the most likely option was… .

Ren placed the lock onto the belt, it fitting perfectly into the octagonal-shaped porthole on the belt. He then closed the lock, seeing nothing else he could do at the moment. That caused the belt to give of an announcement, one that Ren was unprepared for as it caused him to jump a little bit in his surprise.

LOCK ON!

The belt began playing familiar music after that announcement. It was very familiar to Ren as it sounded like something his family had played when he was just a child. Ren stopped himself from reminiscing however, as he still had to deal with the creature that hurt Nora. And so, he did the only thing left that was available at the moment; pressing down the toy knife which sliced open the grape lock.

HAI~!

BUDOU ARMS! RYU, HOU! HA-HA-HA!

The thing that Nora called 'grapes' had fallen onto his shoulders, covering his head entirely. It's landing had caused a green suit to materialize over Ren, which highly resembled his everyday clothes. It then disassembled itself, forming upper torso armor for now armored Lie Ren. As it disassembled itself, it was revealed that Ren's face was now covered by a green helmet with a fierce design. The back of the helmet was purple, themed after grapes as well while it's design reminded Nora of old helmets she had found in Ren's house.

A flash of light briefly blinded Nora, before she saw Ren had successfully donned the green and purple armor with the helmet's visor flashing was any indication. In his hand was a new old-fashioned gun that was, once again, themed after a grape. The armored Ren inspected the gun for a bit, before turning towards the bat creature.

"Time for some payback." Ren declared before he aimed his new weapon at the monster before he opened fire. Nora's jaw dropped as her mind tried to process what she just saw.

… And a few seconds later; it had successfully processed what she saw.

"OHMYGOSH, REN!" Nora cried out as she leaped from her spot and hugged Ren from out of nowhere. "THAT IS SO COOL! YOU JUS TURNED INTO SOME KIND OF MASKHERO!" Nora spun around the now armored Ren, as she inspected his new armor. Then she got right into his face as she gasped at him. "Could you shoot laser beams out of your eyes now?"

Ren of course, did what he always did when Nora got so excited.

He sighed.

Before anything else could be done, Ren suddenly tackled Nora to the ground. He did so as to save Nora from getting roasted by a fireball that the now recovered bat creature shot at her while they were distracted. Why in Remnant can a creature themed after a bat can breathe fireballs was something Ren would never understand.

"Oh Ren! I'm not ready yet… !"

… What.

"… What?"

"Ah! Hey, what happens if you push that knife button on your belt again!?" Did Ren just dreamt what Nora just said before? He must've. Nora… being interested in romance? Ren will admit that it had to happen sometime but… . Nora!? Romance!? … .

Ren was going to do himself a favor and forget what Nora had just said a moment ago.

Still, what Nora said (after… something Ren still hasn't fully forgotten yet but he was getting there) did gain his curiosity. What would happen if he did pressed down the knife again?

HAI~!

BUDOU~ SQUASH!

A feeling of power flowed through Ren's body, and he did the only that felt the most natural to him. Jumping high in the air, Ren preformed a bicycle kick which connected right into the bat monster, the creature exploding upon impact with Ren's empowered foot which had a purple grape aura around it.

"That was AWESOME!" Nora being Nora, cheered him on for finishing the job. However, the events that had just transpired made Ren sigh.

"Just what in the world have I gotten myself into?"

"So… because of the Inves attack yesterday, the school's opening ceremony was postponed to the point they're doing the ceremony and the initiation exams today, right?" Jaune Arc asked his… personal tutor, he guessed? Anyway, he asked Kumon Kaito for his opinion as they sat across each other due to sharing a table for breakfast. They had been eating in awkward silence until Jaune brought up the initiation test for all first years, though you may be wondering why the hell he was sitting with the man who had beaten him into a bloody pulp and just gave him hellish training yesterday.

Well the answer to that was simple really.

He felt lonely.

Because really, Kaito was the only person he knew in the cafeteria at the moment that had a spot at his table. Ruby had sat with her bombshell of a sister while Lie Ren was dealing with his hyperactive sugar-addict best friend. He couldn't find Pyrrha anywhere, neither could he find the Snow Angel that approached him with Kaito yesterday when he and Kaito fought.

And so he was left with the option of hanging out with his 'mentor'. He could've tried making other friends, but considering their was an off chance someone might figure out his secret from him accidentally giving away too much information, Jaune decided it was better if he had sat with Kaito since the man seemed to have no personal interest in finding out anything about him. And that was okay with Jaune. Kaito wasn't exactly someone you wanted to spend your free time with when you could do something else that didn't end up with you questioning the worth of your existence.

But since he was forced to train with Kaito to master his new powers concerning his mysterious belt called a Sengoku Driver, he might as well try to learn all he could about his mentor. Jaune already learned that Kaito liked to keep two expressions on him at all times: one that said "I'm going to kick your sorry ass" and another one that said "Worthless insect".

He tried telling a banana joke to Kaito last night, during training. All he gotten as response from the Banana Knight was a death glare.

Jaune quickly noted that Kaito hated banana jokes with a passion.

"So… what kind of teammates do you think we're going to get, Kaito?" Jaune tried making conversation again, as Kaito didn't responded to his previous question.

Finally, Jaune gotten a reaction. "No matter which team I join, I will always reach for the top. I will crush all of my obstacles, either it be Grimm or a challenge the teachers will give us." Kaito scoffed, with his answer making Jaune sigh as he heard another variant of the 'I will beat all of my foes' speech. If Kaito didn't have the strength to back up over half of his cliché lines about power than Jaune would've swore the man was bananas.

… . … Oh God, it was a good thing Kaito couldn't read minds. He didn't meant to make a pun out of that, at all.

"You know… , whether you like it or not; we're going to have to work with a team in this school. Teamwork is just another form of strength, you know? At least… , it is in my eyes… ." Jaune was hesitant to say that last part, thinking it will cause him and Kaito to get into a heated argument about 'true strength'. He really didn't need to fight Kaito again. Even if he's starting to know what in Remnant he was doing with the Sengoku Driver, Kaito still far outclassed him when it came to using the belt's full potential.

However, to Jaune's surprise; Kaito merely chuckled at hearing his words. He muttered something to himself before he got up and left the table. If Jaune's ears were working correctly, he was pretty sure Kaito said something along the lines of "Just as naive as Kazuraba… ."

"If there is a God out there; I pray to you now that I don't wanna be in a team with Kaito. I'll be a good boy and work harder… !" Jaune really doubted that he can work with that man based on the violent and grumpy personality he displayed. Being tutored by him was already bad enough. The last thing he needed was to sleep in the same dorm room as him!

Kaito stood alone in the amphitheater as he waited for Ozpin to appear on stage and give his speech. He already stored what he didn't need at the moment inside the rocket propelled lockers that Ozpin had Glynda shown to the students last night. Just because an 'investigation' was being carried out didn't meant that couldn't multitask and get some things done at the same time.

As he waited, Kaito decided to train his senses by searching for any familiar faces. He already found that gothic lolita-wearing girl named Ruby Rose, hanging with that older blonde girl she always seemed to be with. He spotted Weiss Schnee standing next to them, not that he cared that much. He merely felt pity for those two girls if they had gained the attention of the Schnee heiress. That woman just didn't know when to shut up.

He couldn't find that girl who saved him though. Perhaps the crowd was too thick. But you would think that a girl wearing a black bow and had wavy black hair would be easy to spot in a room full of people with all kinds of hair color and hair styles, especially when you had enhanced eyesight compared to an average Human. But no, Kaito can't seem to spot the bow wearing girl anywhere.

They had all gathered in the amphitheater for the usual opening ceremonies all school start off the year with. It was so typical of schools to give speeches about how students could gain a promising future so long that they focus on their studies, they could be prepared for anything the real world threw at them. His own father had given those same kind of speeches in the past. Telling him to work hard in school so he would be ready to be apart of society.

What a load of bullshit.

The only thing that helped Kaito grow up in life was his experience in actual real life problems instead of useless subjects in school he would most likely never touch again.

"Ahem." Ozpin walked up to the stage and gained the attention of all students by coughing into the microphone. "I'll… keep this brief. First; let me assure you that problem in the forest had already been dealt with by… a professional that we had to hire." Kaito snorted at that. Was that really the best excuse they could come up with? "But, I advise to you all that if you see anything 'new' within the forest; you should immediately report it to the closest teacher. There have been some children dressing up in costumes trying to spread rumors of monsters from another world are invading Remnant, and unfortunately some people brought those silly rumors to the Academy."

Some of the students were amused how some teenagers had fell for some punk kids' silly trick, and so they chuckled amongst themselves. Kaito however was far from amused. He knew the game Ozpin was playing at. He technically told the truth to the students, but twisted it a bit so that they would believe it was something else entirely instead of it being what it is. A brilliant move, Kaito had admit. But he had one tiny little problem with Ozpin's story:

Ozpin essentially called him a child. Kaito didn't care if it was to keep the populace from unnecessarily panicking, the coffee loving man was going down for that!

"Now, let us go to why you all are here. You have travelled here because you wish to train and learn from the best in order to protect people from monsters like the Grimm." Kaito saw what Ozpin there. He had hinted at the existence of the Inves but since the students didn't know enough; they couldn't connect the dots. "You assume that knowledge will help you hone your craft and acquire new skills. But I look amongst you… ,"

"… and all I see is wasted energy; in need of purpose, direction."

… Okay, that wasn't something the Headmaster usually said in the opening ceremony. The students began whispering among themselves as they discussed how blunt Ozpin was. Kaito however, began listening in to the speech with more interest than before.

"You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step." Ozpin finished his speech, thus making the students clap out of obligation. Kaito was the only one who truly believed in Ozpin's speech, even if it didn't look like he didn't put in much effort in his clapping.

Basically, Ozpin said; "You are weak, but that doesn't mean you're entirely hopeless. You must become strong by first wishing to become strong." Exactly how Kaito believed the weak should act.

Plus there's the added bonus of him not having to hear sappy "This is going to be a good school year" or how "We're going to become the number one school in the nation!" cliche speeches that the principles of his old schools like to give. Just a simple speech how you still required more strength in order to succeed in life.

"This might not be so bad after all… ." Kaito actually smiled to himself as he began to think his time at Beacon wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

As Ozpin left the stage, Glynda walked up to the microphone and instructed that the first year students should head towards the cliffs and wait for their initiation test. Kaito didn't stuck around after that, and left the amphitheater just as soon Glynda finished her instructions for the first years.

However, Kaito accidentally bumped into an orange haired teen on his way out. This boy gave off an air of arrogance around him. He gave off ann aura of a person who thought that since they were strong, they can oppress the weak all they liked just because it was within their right for being a strong person. Just because it was fun for them.

Those were the kind of people that were on Kaito's shit list.

People just like Demushu.

"Watch where you're going, punk." The orange haired teen sneered at him. Kaito narrowed his eyes dangerously at the teen, who was unaffected due to his arrogance. Kaito was about to pull out his Sengoku Driver and show him what true strength was when someone stopped him.

Turning around, Kaito saw that it was someone very familiar to him. Someone that had saved him on his first day on Remnant.

"Why did you stop me?" Kaito asked the black bowed girl as the two walked side by side around Beacon. They were heading towards the cliffs as that's was where the first years are to gather for their initiation test. Kaito will admit, he was curious on just who exactly was his savior. His opponent in the Grimm-like mask seemed to know her, to the point of identifying her with a name.

Just who exactly was this girl with a bow named 'Blake'?

"Because; I think you would've gotten yourself in even more trouble than you're already in, wouldn't you agree?" Blake noted as Kaito stopped so that he could fold his arms over his chest.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't try to play dumb with me. It was easy to figure out that the 'Banana Knight' attacking a helpless student was actually you. Especially since I saw you in your armor before." Blake explained as the two continued their walk, though Kaito still had his arms over his chest. "I don't think attacking two students in a row would be good on your permanent record, even if one of them deserved it." Kaito sensed something in Blake's tone. He sensed… hatred. A hatred for something he couldn't identify yet.

And yet… that hatred felt familiar. Very familiar. It was then Kaito recognized why the hatred felt so familiar to him. For a moment, he saw himself within Blake, waiting in the shadows and gathering power to become strong. Her hatred was the same as his. They shared a hatred for those who flaunt their power and use it to abuse the weak. They both wanted power to fight back against those who judge the weak when they had no right to do so.

"Blake… who are you, really?" It felt weird referring the girl with her first name, when all he knew about her was her hatred for the strong.

"Me? Just a nobody." She answered, which Kaito scoffed at.

"A nobody wouldn't have the wish to trample over the strong." Kaito scowled, with Blake becoming confused.

"'The strong'? What do you mean by that… ?"

"You know exactly what I mean. People who think they can oppress or laugh at the weak just because they got themselves a little power. Scum who think that the world revolves around them just because they gained a bit of strength."

"… ." Blake became silent at Kaito's response, before speaking up. "You're right. I don't like how some people think they can do whatever they want just because they think their tough. I'm sure you know of Human-Faunus relations these days." Blake mentioned, with Kaito starting to see how Blake had gotten her hatred for the strong. So, she was one of the few sympathized with the Faunus, eh? "I hate that. Why can't we all just live in peace? So what if w-Faunuses have extra features compared to Humans? That doesn't their that different from us, does it?"

Kaito scoffed. "When people gain more power, they start losing their compassion for others." Kaito declared. "And yet; compassion holds one back from obtaining the strength necessary to protect oneself. Essentially; we're all doomed no matter what stance we take, and the never-ending cycle of wrath and violence continues."

Blake looked at Kaito, and for a moment; he reminded of Kazuraba and Mai. "You truly believe that, don't you?" Blake looked at the ground. "Hm. Maybe if I had met you earlier, I might have come to believe that as well." Blake admitted, before looking at Kaito straight in the eye. "But then I had the pleasure of meeting someone who believed that maybe, a happy-ever-after isn't out of our reach after all."

"You think that it's possible for strength and compassion to exist side by side… ?" Kaito honestly wanted her to say 'Yes'. For if she did so, then that meant there was truth to Kazuraba's words. And honestly? Kaito truly wished that was the case.

"… If people like her continue to exist, then yes. I do believe strength and compassion can exist alongside one another." Blake declared.

And then she was rewarded with a smile from Kumon Kaito.

When Kaito and Blake arrived the designated location, Kaito noted that almost all of the other students had arrived before they did. Kaito saw Ozpin and Glynda standing in front of the students, and noted that Ozpin seemed… amused for some reason. It wasn't shown in his face, but rather; his eyes.

It only strengthened Kaito's wish to punch Ozpin in the face. His amusement reminded Kaito too much of Sengoku Ryouma.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin began his speech, with Glynda continuing from there.

"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams'. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates… today." Glynda declared, with several students taking huge gulps of fear and nervousness from the commanding tone of her voice. Kaito however, remained silent, wishing that the two would get on with the speech already.

… Now that he thought about it, why were only Ozpin and Glynda were here? Shouldn't all teaching staff of Beacon be with them?

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." Ozpin continued the speech, with Kaito hearing some people groaning thanks to his enhanced hearing. He could've swore one of them sounded like a certain young girl with a flower for a last name… . "That being said; the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

While Ruby Rose looked like someone had run over her dog, Kumon Kaito understood the meaning of Ozpin's words: The strong are capable of working under any problems. Even if his team mates were complete idiots, it would be nothing more than a nuisance to those who are truly strong.

"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." Ozpin noted apathetically, as if he wasn't sending children who may or may not be ready into a situation that guarantees death.

"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene." Oh, so that's where the other teachers were. "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. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and we will grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

Ozpin's instructions almost made Kaito let out a grin. A fight to the death in a forest filled with deadly creatures? He does this kind of stuff almost every day. And then there was the fact that unlike the other students here, he could just take a short cut through Helheim to avoid meeting with any of the students.

He was delaying the inevitable, Kaito knew that. But the less chances of him partnering up with an idiot the better.

"Ready now? Take your postions." Kaito notice that students stepped up onto platforms which then launched them into the forest.

"Well, that's an intersting way to start a entrance exam." Kaito noted as he pulled out his Dandeliner Lockseed while Jaune on the other hand still questioned how they going to land. Foolish Arc. The strong do not question everything that was in their way. The strong worked with what they have.

"Well what exactly is a landing stratergYYY!?" As Jaune was launch into the sky Kaito was next in line. When he was launched, he unlocked his Dandeliner Lockseed and he quickly stopped himself midflight.

"Hn. Let the hunt begin."

In the darker parts of the Emerald Forest; a Death Stalker Grimm can be see finding fruit for itself to devour. The fruit was the most beautiful thing it had seen in it's life. It had never seen this type of fruit in it's habitat before. Attracted to it, the Death Stalker swallowed the fruit whole. A big mistake it would seems as the Grimm let out a blood curling scream after swallowing the fruit.

It's very form began to change into something new. Something different. Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger. Deadlier.

Thus this ends Chapter Four. Like always this is a partnership effort with Symbolic Joker. Without him you'd be reading something that would've had plenty of spelling mistakes.

Symbolic Joker: Not to mention something a lot shorter.

This chapter: … I really don't have much to say. Other then exploring how the hell Ren got his Sengoku Driver and mirroring ep 4 I really got nothing to say. I suppose I can talk about the Grimm that ate a Helheim Fruit as a new element but I'm thinking about giving more details about it in a later chapter. Leave a review if you think there something me and my partner can improve on.