Howdy Folks!

here I am with the second chapter a little over two weeks later. sorry I can't write very fast, I like to take my time in case new ideas come to me mid writing or something.

thanks to those who left reviews of course :)

to reiterate just one last time, M story so expect vulgarity and violence.

anywho~ hope you enjoy it readers!

(I don't own RWBY, RWBY belongs to Roosterteeth)

VOLUME 1 CHAPTER 2 - Off the Ridge, Through the Trees, Nothing but Grimm

As I had guessed, I didn't find sleep easily.

I know. GASP JACK GETS IT RIGHT!? What a wonderful world we live in where I'm forced to read pamphlets for dinglefucks because I can't catch any winks. Gotta say, even though I read through it twice, only bits and pieces made sense. Probably things that were supposed to be obvio-I mean common knowledge for the so called 'free thinkers' that live on this dumb rock. Bros haven't even figured out how to use fossil fuels. I wonder if they ever had dinosaurs on Remnant.

I might be a bit cranky from lack of sleep too. But I'd rather die than admit that Dust For Dummies and Other Inadequate Individuals isn't dumb enough for me. So now I sit criss cross applesauce looking at the ceiling of the ballroom. Feeling like a complete failure, not for the first time, as the sun shines its inspirational rays of happiness and hope through the window. What a juxtaposition. Read the room universe, you dick!

Goodwitch was on the intercom like twenty minutes ago telling everyone to get their weapons at the locker room.

I grabbed my backpack and pushed myself to my feet. I winced for a moment at the pain flaring in my abdomen from the terrorist. I stretched and started walking out of the almost bare ballroom, because people left before I got my shit together, and made my way to where the lockers were.

I walked briskly. The lockers were on the second floor of the building in front of me, so I had to find the stairs. Luckily, a few students were still out and about so I could ask them for directions. It was when I remembered something important that I froze on my fifth step up the building's stairwell. I'm not an actual student here so I wouldn't have a locker, would I?

"FUCK!" I kicked the door to the locker room open. I was getting a little pissed at the inconvenience here. I was thinking of putting the stuff I didn't need away in case it gets damaged or something, but I guess that's not in the cards. I can't bring my shit out there with me, it's cumbersome! Well not really, but I don't want to carry it out with me. Some randoms turned to look at me, but the moment my presumably bloodshot eyes locked on to them with barely veiled displeasure they went back to whatever they were doing.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head vigorously to try and dispel the weird heady feeling I was getting. It left as quickly as it came.

I walked along the rows of lockers coming upon an all too familiar scene. Pyrrha talking to Weiss, and Weiss not taking the hint. And pretty soon it'll be Juane not taking the hint I bet. Here he comes.

"You know what else is great? Me, Juane Arc. Nice to meet you."

Shocker. Jack gets it right. If I remember correctly, in the original series Juane only took an interest in Weiss from a passing comment she made in the auditorium (or amphitheater, if you're a tumbling dickweed). One that was intended to be sarcasm. Something else must have happened yesterday for him to be the same as he was in the…alternate timeline? Alternate universe? I don't really know how this works. Wouldn't this be the alternate universe? And the other one I saw as a show is the original universe? Or would this be the actual original RWBY universe since it was merely a show in my own world? Eh, I guess I'll never know. I can only dance in the mystery.

Humans are programmed to use logic for comprehension, but the universe is an illogical place. There come these moments. Small, tiny, and insignificant moments where I start to realize that none of it really makes any fucking sense, kinda like now. What am I supposed to do? How do I find meaning in the incomprehensible? Is there a way to stop from freezing every time I am forced to make a choice?

The only thing I ever felt comfortable doing after such a revelation was rebellion, despite the fact that I will fail and die. And of course, I mean rebellion in the most figurative sense. I'll have no presumptions of victory being possible. Encompassing that clarity.

I live as much as possible rather than as good as possible since the latter imposes limits on freedom, and the concept of 'good' is different with each person. Realizing my impermanence and yet not shouldering it. Knowing my rationale is meager and finite but still perceiving worth in it. Undergoing the gratification and agony of my experiences and taking in as many as I practically can. Gazing into the abyss, not with courage, but out of spite.

Knowing my task is futile but doing it all and being happy doing it. Or at least, aspiring for contentment in the face of futility.

…I suppose on occasion I can be thought provoking. Of course, this only happens when I'm thinking and not talking, as they are mutually exclusive.

I blinked away my ruminations and took in the scene before me again.

"You again?" Weiss said, looking disinterestedly at him. Shoulda guessed he once again left a bad impression on her.

"Let him cook." I said from behind her. She turned on a dime looking at me.

"And now you!? Oh you must be joking."

"Nah, the only joke here is that smell." I waved my hand dramatically as I pinched my nose.

"Smells like updog in here." I continued.

"And what is updog? more gibberish that you created to look intelligent?" Weiss asked.

"Not much dawg, what's up with you?" and now her resting bitch face contorts to a scowl. WHAT!? That's not mean at all. Why are you giving me that face? Just be happy I had enough humility not to pull out the ligma card.

Or I can just admit that I'm scared she'd probably cut my balls off if I told her to lick them.

"C'mon girl that was funny. I'm giving you permission to start laughing now." I said.

"It wasn't funny! It was childish and stupid!" Weiss baby, chill the hell out it's not the big of a deal.

"Wow. You need to lighten your ass up or in the future your friend count will be of less than stellar proportions, to say the least." I ran a hand through my hair with a frown.

"I have plenty of friends! And they are much better than you." she said.

"Name one." I chuckled out.

"That's…It's none of your business who my friends' names are. And they're all in Atlas anyways." She crossed her arms.

"Uh huh, in other words you don't have any." I declared.

"I'm not here to make friends or please anyone anyways, I'm here to prove myself and my worth. I doubt someone like you would understand." She said haughtily.

"Probably. Since I'm here and you're rich, can I have some money? I'm actually dirt poor right now." I asked not even a heartbeat later.

"Scram pauper, and go about your business, I have to prepare for initiation." She said annoyed.

"C'mon, I just need a few bucks. I swear I'll only use it for the essentials. Food, prostitutes, and high proof liquor~." I said in a merry sing-song voice in the interest of fucking with her.

The look of chagrin on her face told me I succeeded in my endeavor. Obviously having enough of me and my special brand of bullshit, she left the little group of protagonists.

"You are just…unbelievable!" she fumed as she walked off.

I watched her retreat with a victorious smile. Time to enact a new plan which I have conceived at this very moment. Operation: get Pyrrha, the most powerful huntress in the school, to be my partner during initiation.

I turned and was greeted by the sight of Juane slouching with a frown.

"Man! Why would you do that? I was this close to getting her to like me." Wow, talk about pathetic. Chasing after someone that would rather curb their Faunus racism after a classic volume finale episode realization than go out with you. But I guess we've all been guilty of that.

"Juane, If I was Jesus, I would've never died for you. You should get over it, fumbling the baddie is canon." I retorted after forcing myself out of my thoughts.

"Oh yeah!? Well, I don't know who Jesus is but-wait do you know me?" Juane asked.

"Uh…yeah the little tween girl in the goth getup told me about you." I responded.

I watched the gears turn in his head for a few moments.

"Ruby?"

"No shit, who else would it be?" I asked.

"I haven't really met any other people besides Ruby so…" He said.

"Who are you again?" He asked.

"Jack." I answered.

My eyes caught what he was holding in his hand. At the angle it was at, I could see it was a map of the floor and locations of lockers. It was also a confusing mess. And the wrong way.

"Dude, you're reading your map upside down." I pointed to it.

"Huh?" He turned it around in his hands. His face morphed into one of realization.

"Oh man." he said as he hung his head.

Awwww ugly duckling. Pity is a weakness of mine.

"Alright, which number is your locker?" I asked, wanting to get this over with.

"Oh uhm…it's…well I think It says 636 but I don't-" I stood by him and eyed what he was reading.

"That's a b. A lowercase b." I cut him off.

"Wait what?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah, that's definitely a b, I'm sure that means your locker is number 36 in theeee… b section. Which I'm sure you thought was the 600's or something." I said pointing to the area on the map. They should have made it easier to read though I mean they chose a diabolical font and font size. Also why wouldn't they use a hyphen to separate the letter and the numbers?

"Why wouldn't they use a hyphen to separate the letter and the numbers!?" Juane asked indignantly.

Oh boy, that's a bit of a creepy sync up. But I guess in this instance it's not too upsetting. I mean seriously who made this?

"Preaching to the choir bud. So, I guess it's down that way, you better get moving." I slapped his back and pushed him down the aisle. He didn't resist and in fact moved quickly to his locker.

I left him behind and made my way to Pyrrha. Who moved down a ways from the conversation the moment Weiss was distracted and was all but happy to refocus her attention on whatever she was getting from her locker.

"Hey, Pyrrha." She turned her head to me.

"Yes, do I know you?" She replied with a curious and polite look.

"Well, do you recognize me?" I asked.

"I…I'm sorry but I don't." She said a little sheepishly.

"Good, probably for the best. And if a blonde girl comes by saying things about me, just letting you know it's not true." I said.

"I have no idea who you're talking about…" she replied.

"You'll know her when you see her, she's a walking endorsement for boob jobs." I shrugged.

"If I had to guess, she probably has the right idea about you." She said with a strained polite smile.

"Anyways-" I moved on.

"I was just wondering if you would be my partner for initiation." I said.

She gave me a look. One I couldn't discern the meaning behind. The best I could compare it to would be if someone was sucking on a lemon and was really good at hiding the fact that it wasn't the sourest thing they ever had in their mouth.

"...That sounds grand, but I don't think we would be…compatible." She responded a little hesitantly.

"Huh?" I queried her gracefully to continue.

"I was actually planning on letting the chips fall where they may, let destiny decide for me. Besides, it would be best to let them use whatever system they have in place for choosing partners anyway. From what I gleaned, initiation can be…unpredictable." She stated.

"Damn Sparta, way to belt someone's ass while he's down." I said with a frown. She raised a brow at my words as if to ask if I thought I was trying to be funny with my gutter trash jokes no one here would even get. But she did something else instead.

"I'm sorry. Good luck in initiation." she gave a polite smile and a half shrug.

Then she holstered her weapons from her locker and made her way past me to initiation.

'I'm sorry' isn't that basically her catchphrase? Did she just drop her catchphrase on me and leave? I leveled my narrowing eyes on her retreating back and watched her leave.

You know what? Screw her. If the universe wants me to do this by myself then fine. I don't care anymore. fuck it, we ball.

Better leave now before I'm late for initiation.

Bring the noise I say!

I yawned and made my way out of the locker room and to the cliffs.

Ozpin watched the hunters in training fall in position on the launch pads one by one.

He does his best to know every face that comes into his school, and admittedly it's a venture he only sometimes succeeds in. This year is no different, some faces he recognizes and some he doesn't. Hopefully he'll get to know them better.

All of them are here for a reason. To fulfill whatever goals, ideals, or passions they might have, and to help defend humanity against the Grimm. Ozpin has always made it clear to everyone who passed the entrance exams that they may leave the academy at any time should they wish to, and that includes backing out of initiation if they believe they can't handle it. Most have trained all their lives for this, he only hopes they have the wisdom to know their limits.

As the incoming bodies ceased, Ozpin began.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors and today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." He said.

Glynda took over relaying the next bit of information as Ozpin took a sip of his coffee.

"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put an end to the confusion. Each of you will be given teammates…today." Glynda said. There were a couple looks, and a few sounds at that announcement. But Ozpin continued nonetheless where Glynda left off.

"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. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with will be your partner for the next 4 years."

He let his eyes roam across the faces of his prospective students as he said this. Including young Ruby Rose who had made a small exclamation after the information she received. He read all of their body language like a book. Nervousness, excitement, boredom, and arrogance as always. He noted the scion of a long line of huntsmen was there. Juane Arc. Despite his transcripts being fake and him clearly receiving no formal huntsman education, he is an Arc. His family probably taught him a thing or two, and being a warrior is in his blood. He has faith in him.

He looked to the boy's right and paused.

An uncommon look on a young man's face he didn't recognize. Annoyance…and enervation he doubts anyone but him could notice. He was good at hiding it. Ozpin glanced at Glynda and made a subtle gesture for her to continue explaining the rest of initiation. She sighed a little but did as requested.

The headmaster no longer was paying attention to the words of his deputy headmistress and was entirely focused on the prospective student. Lean and tall. He was staring off into space, clearly not paying attention. He didn't appear to have a weapon. Perhaps his semblance does the job for him? It's entirely possible but also rather uncommon and possibly a tad bit reckless. He must be rather capable if his self-assurance is anything to go by…or he's simply vain.

He seemed to snap out of his daydream the moment Glynda finished explaining.

"Oh shit, I picked a bad moment to space. Hey Juane, is it starting yet or…?" He said turning to Arc.

"Jack! She said something about a landing strategy, but I don't know what she meant!" Arc whisper screamed and was panicking slightly.

"Shut up idiot, you'll be fine." Jack said nonchalantly as he rolled his eyes.

"I know it sounds bad but try to aim for more open and soft areas and try to land on your side and roll with the impact. Less likely to get punctured by a tree branch or something." He said with resolve. Before chuckling a little.

"If you don't get lucky and someone saves you with a spear." Ozpin raised a brow at the words.

The pads began launching students one by one each one getting in a ready position. Arc, rather reluctantly, got into his own position and prepared himself.

Jack did the same, not looking down the aisle at the others getting launched and focusing on what was ahead of him. And when Arc was launched into the sky with a rather effeminate scream following him, Jack's widened eyes tracked him.

"That's a lot fucking higher than I thou-" he was cut off when the pad launched him up in the air. To his credit he didn't scream. But he did flail on his way up. What a strange young man.

Hmmm.

Ok so…

Might have fucked up a little bit.

In my defense, on the show I thought the whole 'launching students at the speed of sound' scene was exaggerated for dumbass anime purposes. Ya know, to make them seem all cool and shit.

I guess I just sort of assumed that in this universe (or version of it) I wouldn't actually be launched in pretty much the exact same way. My bad, I guess?

You know what they say about assuming, it's the mother of all fuck ups.

So, after a few seconds of being petrified and bucking around like an angry bull with brain damage, I stretched out my limbs in an attempt to slow my descent.

I'm no stranger to taking falls. Sorta comes with the territory when you decide to do some meshuga tricks on a board going up ramps and stuff. Usually, the strategy at play when you do fall is to somehow distribute the force of it throughout your entire body, if you can't stick the landing on your feet that is. But landing on your feet at this height and speed is just asking never to walk again.

And also the rest of the things I said to the phony. Find somewhere soft and roll with the landing as best you can.

This could kill me. In fact, there's a good chance that I'm going to die.

The wind cut into my face as I fell. Trying my best to maneuver my body into the small clearing I could see getting bigger as I approached.

In the last moments before I fluttered peacefully at Mach speed face first into a big ass leafy branch and struck the ground rolling with an impact that would make even a meteorite's panties moist. I had one of the most interesting thoughts I think a human could possibly have.

There's a zinger here to be made about my suffering and I'm not going to be able to make it before I die.

…nice thought brain.

I ended up laying face first on the ground for a few minutes at least before trying to move. With herculean effort I moved to a sitting position, whimpered like a bitch, and tried to stop the blood that was frankly cascading out of my nose on the turf below me for another few minutes.

As redundant as it feels to admit, I was in a lot of pain (go figure). But nothing was broken as far as I could tell. I gave myself a once over as I pinched my nostrils together. Nah. no broken bones. Backpack probably helped cushion the fall. But my chest and arms feel like they were beat with a fucking bat covered in railway spikes, nose miraculously isn't broken, face is definitely ripped up a bit though. Might be some nasty bruises later. On my face and all over my weary body.

I survived. I began to convulse with quiet laughter.

"I. Am. Awesome." I chortled out nasally, pinching my nose still with a shit eating grin. Before the Cheshire grin expression shifted to a soldier's thousand-yard stare.

This was mostly because my retarded self finally realized I'm in a forest infested with Grimm. And I sincerely doubt I'll be able to fend off Mr. Fluffy AKA the cuddly man eater by my lonesome.

And so, I climbed to my feet, after putting the brakes on the nosebleed as best I could, with minor groans of agony. I was a bit wobbly, but I kept my balance. I surveyed my surroundings.

I don't see or hear anything that points to Grimm being nearby. And if there isn't any here already investigating my noisy landing then I guess I'm in the clear.

"Oh, praise be goddess of the Emerald Forest!" I said in reverence to the sky.

The deep growl from behind made me jump and slowly turn my head. Not really sure what type of Grimm it was but It was big and scary and looking right at me with big red eyes that, if I'm not mistaken, has the intent to eat my delicious guts written all over them.

I could only sigh. "Goddess of the forest? You are a whore." I said, resigned.

Yeah, I should have expected this kind of luck really.

In an instant the thing was running at me. I yelped and ran, bobbing and weaving through trees and foliage in an effort to lose it. I never looked behind me, but I could hear it gaining on me. Epinephrine is a wonder, because if it wasn't pumping through my bloodstream right now, I would be writhing in pain from the fall still. And not making a pathetic attempt at running for my life.

If I had to guess, I probably have several seconds left before I'm toast. I skedaddled as fast as I could and looked around desperately for anything or anyone that could help. And I found nothing. In a flash of panic, I looked behind me as I zigged and zagged through the greenery. It was right behind me. On instinct I tried to backhand the thing.

Alright, I'll be the first to admit that trying to hit a shark toothed monster's bone plated face was a shitty idea. But fight or flight is a weird thing ya know. You don't corner a tiger and expect it to give up. I'm basically the same. I mean not…uhhh….

Yeah, it ate my finger. I let out a short scream as blood streamed from the tiny stump that used to be the pinky finger on my left hand. On the bright side, it was my least favorite finger. On the not so bright side, it feels like how you would imagine.

It took a swipe at me with its claws. It just barely grazed me as I jumped to the side and out of the way. I stumbled and dropped to my ass clutching my hand with a wince.

It pivoted and locked on to me with predator-like precision. I scrambled back in a sad effort to put distance between me and the Grimm. My back hit a tree and stopped me dead in my scooch.

The Grimm charged at me.

This is the moment cancer doctors refer to as the existential slap. Death is inevitable. And I did the only thing I really could. I glared defiantly at the charging beast and waited. I'm scared, but no way in hell am I going to let this fucker know that when he's about to kill me.

I exhaled slowly and waited…still no zinger.

…

The Grimm froze just a couple of feet from me and collapsed dead as it started turning to dust.

My eyes went wide, and I looked up at the figure behind it. Her borderline luminescent yellow eyes locked on to mine like a heat seeking missile for a brief second.

Blake looked up and sighed almost instantly when she recognized me. She pulled the ribbon of the weapon that was embedded into the Grimm's back and caught it in her hand.

My bloody nose started up again. My impulse control being the way that it was and with the likely concussion, I asked the first thing that came to mind.

"You got any tampons on you?"

This was awful.

Karma must have gotten involved if fate decided she would be partnered with this dickhead. Some kind of punishment for all her past actions. But even so this might be too much.

"You got any tampons on you?" he asked, dabbing below his bloodied nose with his fingers.

"Why the hell would I have tampons with me!?" Blake was a little flustered by the question.

He was quiet for a moment.

"Guess I thought you'd be prepared. Shame on you! They're good at stopping nosebleeds, trust me I've used them before." By the gods, really?

Blake could only find it in herself to glower at him.

"By the look on your face can I guess that that wasn't the right thing to say?" He asked nasally as he pinched his nose.

Before grimacing in pain and hiding his left hand under his armpit. Blake remained frowning down at him. She could tell he was injured but to what extent she didn't know. It's probably not too bad though if he's this indifferent…and still a bit of an asshole.

"C'mon face, tell me what Ms. Monochrome is thinking~." Still a lot more of an asshole.

"It's Blake." She said as she trudged over to his side.

"Can you walk?" She continued.

There was a small pause and a short laugh from him before he spoke.

"No, I think you'll have to give me a piggyback ride, don't worry I don't pull on peoples hair that much." he responded.

She was about to kick his face in when she noticed his pained expression returning and the blood leaking down from the hand under his armpit.

"Your hand, show it." she said.

He blinked at the demand before responding.

"No." he said.

"Why?" She glared.

"Because of whatever masculine pride that I have left obvio-uhhhh…shit." He said putting his other hand on his chin.

"Don't be an idiot, you're bleeding all over the place, you need to bandage it before it gets infected." he wasn't even paying attention.

"...Axiomatically?" he mumbled to himself.

This dumbass…

It's a miracle he even passed the entrance exams.

Blake leaned down and ripped the sleeve off his shirt. He recoiled and made a face of horror.

"What the fuck dude! Now I look like I'm wearing a wifebeater! Well, half of one but still."

She pulled his hand out with little effort much to his dismay.

"Oh ho I see, you just like bullying poor people! Glad to know you look down on unfortunates below the poverty line so much that you destroy what little clothes they have!" He prattled on and on as Blake did her best to ignore him.

Her eyes widened a little at the missing finger. But she quickly wrapped the improvised bandages around his hand as tightly as she could. By this point he was quiet but looking annoyed.

"You're lucky it was a finger and not your whole hand, or your life by the looks of things." She said when she finished bandaging him.

For a split second she could see his face morph into anger before it settled on simple irritation.

"Yeah yeah, thanks I guess." he said like a pouty child.

"You're welcome, I guess." Blake rolled her eyes.

The brown-haired guy breathed slowly before climbing to his feet.

"So, my name's Jack, nice to see you again, what's yours gloomy?" He gave her a half smirk as he leaned against the tree and crossed his arms.

"I just told you my name!" Blake exclaimed.

Jack shrugged and shifted back to a neutral expression.

"That's entirely your fault for doing so while I wasn't listening, gloomy." He said, indignant. Blake rubbed her temples feeling a headache coming to her.

"I'll be gracious and let you lead the way, since I have no idea which way to go." Jack chuckled out insufferably. Blake shook her head and started walking with him close behind.

"Since I assume you lost your weapon, is your semblance at least somewhat useful in a fight?" She asked Jack behind her.

"ummm..." She turned around and saw him rubbing the back of his head with a pinched look.

Blake knew she wasn't going to like his answer.

I hope the word count on these chapters are ok with you guys. I don't really want to go over 5,000 words and making anything shorter just makes me feel like I didn't put that much effort into it lol.

As before, leave feedback if you want :)

Next chapter comin atcha sometime in the next 99.9589314 years!