Chapter. 5

Initiation

Authors notes: Apologies for the delay but I was a little distracted this month and I'll address why at the end.


Jack's eyes cracked open just as the sun was beginning to peek over the majestic mountains that embraced the kingdom of Vale and its renowned school, Beacon. Early mornings on the family ranch had ingrained in him the habit of rising before dawn. With a simple twist of his head and a satisfying stretch, the young man sprang to his feet and made his way to the washroom to prepare for the day ahead.

Jack dressed in his usual attire: black trousers, a crisp white button-down shirt, his long tan duster coat, and, most notably, his father's weathered hat. He remembered the day his father handed it to him in his final moments.

His father had given him the hat just before sending Jack and his mother out the back of the barn, distracting their pursuers. Jack stared at the hat affectionately before placing it on his head.

After a modest yet nourishing breakfast, Jack's next stop was the locker room, where his arsenal awaited. He secured his gun belt, ensuring that his trusted Hi-power pistol rested snugly in its holster on his strong-hand side. On the other side, he opted for one of his reliable Schofield revolvers, a choice that had proven invaluable during his encounters in the untamed wilderness.

His gaze then settled on the formidable buffalo rifle, a weapon he meticulously inspected, ensuring its readiness for the challenges that lay ahead. With practiced ease, he slung it across his back.

A brief moment of contemplation passed as Jack debated whether to add the semi-automatic shotgun to his arsenal. The image of Ruby's remarkable weapon flashed through his mind, and without hesitation, he hoisted it onto his other shoulder. Jack also grabbed some sticks of dynamite and a few fire bottles for good measure, fully aware that the path he treaded demanded nothing less than absolute preparedness.

Jack closed his locker and noticed a ginger-haired girl in a pink and white outfit, fervently talking to a boy who seemed to have come straight from the Orient, according to Jack's meticulous research. A twinge of sympathy tugged at Jack's heart as he observed the scene, but his focus quickly shifted to Ruby and Yang, who had also taken notice of the peculiar duo.

The jingle of Jack's spurs echoed through the air, catching the attention of the sisters as he approached. Ruby's eyes widened with excitement, unable to contain her enthusiasm as she blurted out.

"Oh, hi Ja... aaahhh, Jack! Why didn't you mention that you had more cool weapons?" With a flick of her semblance, she soared through the air, a whirlwind of rose petals, and crashed into him like a freight train.

Jack stumbled backward, desperately trying to form coherent words as his newfound friend transformed back into her human form.

"Whoa! Easy there, partner!" he managed to gasp out. Ruby bombarded him with a barrage of questions, firing them off like a Gatling gun. "Is this a shotgun? How many shells can it hold? What's the spread pattern? How big is its chamber?"

Thankfully, Yang sauntered over, a mischievous grin playing on her lips, and gently pulled Ruby away by her hood. "Take it down a notch, little sis." she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Yang released Ruby and extended a hand toward Jack, offering him a lifeline. "Sorry about that. Ruby tends to lose control when she's around weapons. It's her thing," she explained with a chuckle.

Jack took the proffered hand, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "No problem at all," he replied, still catching his breath. "Thanks for saving me from becoming target practice."

"Sorry about that, Jack. I just got a little excited," Ruby said as she scuffed her boot in embarrassment.

"It's alright, and to answer your question, yes, it's a shotgun, a semi-automatic shotgun," Jack said as he dusted himself off and brought the aforementioned firearm from his back for her to inspect.

"It holds four shells, one in the chamber, and has a three-and-a-half-inch chamber, and the shot spread varies depending on distance and what I have loaded in it at the time," Jack explained as he pulled back the action.

"Oooh, I've only seen guns like this in antique shops," Ruby remarked.

Jack winced a little at that.

Before the conversation could continue, the sharp sound of metal-on-metal contact rang out, followed by the school's intercom system chiming.

"Will all first-year students please gather at Beacon Cliff?" Professor Goodwitch said matter-of-factly over the intercom. "Initiation will commence shortly."

As the trio headed towards the exit, their jaws dropped at the sight of Jaune, whose hoodie was impaled on the wall by a flashy red and gold spear. And who else came to the rescue but a young woman with blood-red locks and emerald eyes, dressed like she just stepped out of a Roman colosseum?

With a swift motion, she yanked her weapon from the wall and playfully patted Jaune on the head before striding towards the exit, Weiss tagging along like an obedient sidekick.

Yang couldn't resist teasing the poor guy, reaching out a helping hand to pull him up.

"Tough luck, Lady Killer," she teased, clearly aware of the cause of his misfortune.

"I just don't understand. My dad always told me that confidence is all women look for," Jaune muttered in frustration.

"Perhaps you should have sought counsel from your mother," Jack said, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

"Yeah, and 'snow angel' probably wasn't the smoothest icebreaker either," Yang chimed in, unable to hide her smirk.

Finally, Jack connected the dots. Jaune had attempted to flirt with Weiss or the Roman girl. Both choices seemed like disastrous ideas to Jack.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jack sighed. "You know Jaune, my father used to say, 'There are only two ways to handle women, and both of them are wrong.'"

Yang and Ruby burst into giggles. "Your dad sounds like a smart man, Jack," Yang teased.

"He had his moments," Jack replied with a nod. "Come on, let's get this show on the road," he said, gesturing towards the door leading to the cliffs.


As the new students made their way toward the Cliffside, anticipation hung in the air. Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch stood waiting, ready to unveil the initiation process.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors. Today, we shall put your skills to the ultimate test," Ozpin declared, his voice carrying a weight of importance.

The rumor of assigned teams caused a ripple of unease among the teenagers. Glynda stepped forward to clarify, "Each of you will be placed on teams today."

Jack felt a sinking feeling in his belly, his teeth gritting with apprehension. Ruby whimpered beside him, clearly sharing his aversion to group activities.

"The teams you form today will be your companions throughout your time here at Beacon," Ozpin continued, further unsettling Ruby and causing Jack's confidence in his decision to waver.

With a touch of urgency, Ozpin added, "The person you make eye contact with first will be your partner for the next four years. Choose wisely."

Ruby let out a shriek as if her world had crumbled around her. Jack couldn't help but think that this revelation was not mentioned in any brochure, not that there were any.

"Once you have found your partner, head to the ruins in the northeast corner of the forest," Ozpin directed, his tone growing colder. "There, you will select a relic. You will be monitored, but our instructors will not intervene. Obstacles will stand in your path, If you hesitate to destroy them you will die."

Ozpin's sudden shift in tone caught everyone off guard. Desperate for clarification, Jaune raised his hand, but Ozpin paid him no mind.

"No questions? Very well. Prepare yourselves," Ozpin said, his voice dismissive towards Jaune's plea.

As the students surrounding Jack assumed battle-ready stances, bracing themselves for the impending challenge, the atmosphere crackled with tension. In a sudden frenzy of mechanical whirring, Weiss's platform shot her up into the sky, leaving Jack with a sinking feeling in his gut. His heart raced, realizing he was standing right beside her, unwittingly next in line for the initiation.

Before he could process his next thought there was a metallic clank, the world around him blurred and a rush of wind assaulted his face and ears.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!" The last Marston found himself literally screaming through the air.

His surroundings were a chaotic blur of motion. Panic surged within him as he was propelled back to the exact spot where he had first arrived in this strange world.

Amid the chaos, a memory of his travels in Mexico flashed through Jack's mind. The hapless inventor in Mexico attempted to build a flying contraption and wound up going the way of Icarus.

"Oh, shit, this ain't good!" Jack shouted to himself, his mind racing. The exhilaration and fear were a potent mixture as he plummeted, the world spinning around him.

As the ground rapidly approached, Jack's mind raced for a solution - any solution. Though it may have seemed foolish, it was better than nothing.

Like something straight out of a bad dime novel, Jack swiftly shed his duster, fashioning it into an impromptu parachute. The fabric billowed around him, catching the wind and slowing his descent just enough to give him a fighting chance.

Jack's mind echoed Professor Goodwitch's words about the power of aura. It wasn't just a mere force, but a tangible energy that could be harnessed to enhance objects and bolster people's healing abilities.

Drawing upon his aura, Jack poured his energy into the makeshift contraption, willing it to keep him afloat for a few precious moments longer. The duster's fibers shimmered golden with his strange new power.

As the ground rapidly approached, Jack instinctively tucked his body into a tight ball, his survival instincts taking over. With a practiced roll, he absorbed the impact, feeling the ground beneath him but emerging unscathed.

Slowly rising to his feet, Jack winced as his body ached from the force of being launched off Beacon Cliff.

"I'm gonna feel that tomorrow," Jack said as he dusted off his clothing, he replaced his trusty duster coat and straightened his beloved hat.

With a resolute nod, he set off toward the north, his boots crunching against the fallen leaves as he made his way toward the ruins of the emerald forest.

Jack had not made it far before the sounds of growling and snarling reached his ears and they were growing louder, indicating the approaching pack of Grimm.

Jack crouched behind a fallen tree trunk, his heart pounding in his chest. He unslung his buffalo rifle and peered through the scope, scanning the area for any movement.

He spotted them, a group of five Beowolves, their red eyes glowing in the shade of the forest. Taking a deep breath before exhaling, Jack steadied his aim and squeezed the trigger. The rifle lurched in his shoulder as the thunderous boom echoed through the forest as the bullet found its mark, nearly splitting the Grimm's head in two.

But the others were quick to react. They charged toward Jack, their sharp claws scraping against the ground. Jack swiftly picked off two more before he unslung his semiautomatic shotgun, switching weapons to better handle the close-quarters combat.

As he fired off rounds, the remaining Beowolves closed in, their teeth bared in a menacing snarl. Jack backpedaled, trying to keep his distance while simultaneously taking them down.

As the final Beowolf closed in, Jack swiftly aimed his shotgun and unleashed a blast of buckshot that nearly cut it in half.

"Damn ugly bastards," Jack muttered, wiping the sweat off his brow. "But hey, at least Buckshot does the job quickly." He knelt to examine the aftermath of his handiwork, only to be startled by a familiar, high-pitched shriek of excitement.

"Oh my gosh, did you see that?" Ruby's voice echoed through the air, filled with awe and enthusiasm. "His shotgun almost sliced that Beowolf in half! Did you see it, Weiss?" With a burst of energy, Ruby activated her semblance and zipped over to her newfound companion.

Weiss followed closely behind, her eyes fixed on the weapon in Jack's hands. "I must admit, despite its antiquated appearance, it certainly packs a punch," she acknowledged, her tone tinged with reluctant admiration.

"Why Weiss, that's the nicest thing I've heard you say since I've met you. I must admit, I'm almost blushing," Jack retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Weiss's expression immediately turned frigid, her glare capable of melting steel. She elevated her nose and huffed disdainfully. "Hmph."

Ruby couldn't help but snicker beside her before asking, "Hey Jack, where's your partner?"

"Don't have one, y'all are the only folks I've come across since this whole thing started," Jack responded, rising to his feet.

"Also, Ruby, if you thought the shotgun was impressive with just buckshot, wait till you lay your eyes on the explosive slugs I've crafted," Jack said, sporting a wry grin.

Ruby's eyes widened with excitement as she leaned in closer to Jack. "Explosive slugs? That sounds amazing!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her enthusiasm. "I mean, the shotgun is already one of my favorite weapons, but explosive slugs? That takes it to a whole new level! How on earth did you come up with that idea?"

Jack chuckled. "How about I fill you in later, after initiation?"

"That sounds like a wise plan," Weiss interjected impatiently, reminding them, "After all, we are being graded on this."

Jack nodded in agreement, reached into his satchel, and dug out an old compass. "Alright northeast is that way," he said, pointing the way.

As the trio headed through the woods to their destination and made good time, Weiss of all people decided to strike up some small talk.

"So Jack, what brought you to Beacon?" Weiss asked, no anger or belittling in her voice, just curiosity.

Jack thought about how to answer for a moment, picking his words carefully.

"Well, suppose it's on account I've got nowhere else to go. I've got no family, and I could never see myself working in a store or behind a desk. So Beacon it was," Jack answered simply, though it did dredge up some unpleasant memories.

The girls exchanged a glance, their curiosity stifled by the weight of Jack's apparent sorrowful reminiscences. Oblivious to the ominous shadow casting over them, Jack remained lost in his thoughts. But just as he was drifting further away, the piercing screech of the Nevermore jolted him back to reality. With a swift motion, the creature swooped down, snatching Ruby and Weiss from the ground.

Horror and fury coursed through Jack as he helplessly watched his companions being carried away by the avian Grimm.

"Damn it, Ruby! Weiss!" he bellowed, his anger fueling his determination.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jack raced after them, his mind racing to find a way to save them. His buffalo rifle, he thought, might be the only weapon capable of inflicting damage on the creature.

Just as Jack was about to unsling his rifle, a sharp crack echoed in the air. He instinctively knew it was Ruby's rifle, and his fears were confirmed as her screams filled the sky. Desperation fueled his every stride as he sprinted toward her falling figure. But before he could reach her, Jaune, like some sort of bizarre traveling circus performance, came flying out of nowhere and crashed into her mid-air.

Jack came to an abrupt halt as the thunderous roar of an Ursa echoed through the air. His heart skipped a beat when he spotted the motor-mouthed Ginger, whom he had encountered earlier, riding the fearsome creature. Relief washed over him as the creature collapsed lifeless, a small respite from the chaos. The Ginger's Mistralian companion, panting heavily, struggled to catch up.

"Nora, please, don't ever do that again," the boy gasped, but his plea fell on deaf ears. Nora vanished from her perch on the fallen Ursa and materialized right in front of Jack, her energy seemingly boundless.

"Howdy there, partner," she greeted, her exaggerated cowboy accent grating on Jack's ears. Startled, Jack stumbled backward, losing his balance. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his surprise.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Nora disappeared once more, now perching atop a pile of ruins with a chess piece on her head, chanting "I'm the queen of the castle" repeatedly. The Mistralian boy, clearly frustrated by his companion's antics, approached Jack and extended a hand to help him up.

"Partner, how do you handle it?" Jack asked, utterly amazed.

The boy pinched his nose, exhaling a deep sigh. "Patience, a LOT of patience," he replied wearily.

Jack scoffed a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Patience of Job, maybe."

"Who's Job?" Ren inquired, confused.

"Uh, never mind. It's a local saying," Jack dismissed, realizing the cultural gap between their worlds. In the distance, he observed Ruby and Yang reuniting, only for their moment to be shattered by Nora's disruptive presence. Meanwhile, Blake appeared bewildered by the entire situation, a sentiment Jack couldn't help but share.

Another ear-piercing screech pierced the forest, drawing Jack's attention to a new threat. His face paled as he beheld a colossal scorpion, its size rivaling that of a barn, relentlessly pursuing the Roman gladiator girl he had encountered earlier.

"By God, that is enough," Jack said harshly as he was fed up with the absurdity of the situation. He ran past the crowd to the ruins to retrieve his relic so he could get this over with.

"Jack," Ruby and Yang said as he blew by them.

"No time to talk right now, girls," he responded as he reached the 'relics'. Jack slouched slightly when he realized the 'Relics' he was to collect were only chess pieces.

Jack saw a golden pawn piece, and while the notion of being a pawn wasn't appealing to him, he had to admit it was fitting. The two men he idolized the most, Arthur Morgan and his father, John Marston, had spent their lives dancing to the tune of others. And now, here he stood, ready to heed Ozpin's call. Yet, something about Ozpin seemed different, more honorable than the likes of Dutch or Edgar Ross.

Jack took the piece and stuffed it into his satchel before rejoining the group of teams. He had just come into earshot when Ruby pointed to Weiss's falling form as she had either fallen or let go of the Nevermore.

Jack began to worry for Weiss. He may not have thought very much of her snobby, rude behavior, but that didn't mean he wanted to see her get splattered all over the ground.

Suddenly, Jaune caught Weiss in his arms bridal style. How Jaune managed to do this, Jack had no idea. Unfortunately for the two, they both realized they were still a considerable height off the ground.

Jaune hit the ground like a grain sack, whereas Weiss landed elegantly... on Jaune's back.

"My hero," Weiss said sarcastically.

"My back," Jaune whimpered.

With a swing of its monstrous claw, the giant scorpion sent the gladiator girl flying toward their little group as she landed in a heap.

"Pyrrha!" Jaune shouted from the bushes.

"Jaune," she responded, relieved that he wasn't too badly injured.

"Great, the gang's all here now. We can all die together," Yang quipped sarcastically.

"Not if I can help it," Ruby said with a newfound determination blazing in her eyes to prove to everyone she deserved her spot at Beacon.

Ruby unfurled Crescent Rose, the gleaming scythe glinting in the sun, and unleashed a thunderous shot behind her. The force of the recoil propelled her forward, her determined eyes fixed on the colossal scorpion before her. With a battle cry that was somewhere between a war cry and a mewling kitten, she activated her semblance and soared toward the monstrous creature.

But the scorpion, with its immense strength, effortlessly swatted Ruby away with its colossal claws, sending her tumbling through the air. As she struggled to regain her footing, her voice trembled with a hint of uncertainty, yet she refused to let fear consume her.

"D-don't worry!" she shouted to her comrades, her voice filled with a defiant resolve. "I'm totally fine!"

The scorpion, its stinger poised and claws flexing with anticipation, slowly advanced toward Ruby. Despite her unwavering determination, her rifle shots merely bounced harmlessly off the creature's impenetrable carapace.

And to make matters worse, the Nevermore returned, its menacing silhouette looming over the battlefield, closing in on Ruby.

Thankfully, Ruby came to her senses and started to retreat toward the others, but the Nevermore flapped its wings, unleashing a torrent of razor-sharp feather spears, one of which pinned Ruby's cape in place.

"Get outta there, Ruby!" Yang screamed, but try as she might, she couldn't free herself before the Deathstalker was within striking range of Ruby.

Jack's gaze swept over the others, a flicker of disdain dancing in his eyes. They stood idly by, mere spectators to the chaos unfolding before them. Even Yang, Ruby's own sister, seemed frozen in place.

"A lot of help you lot are," Jack berated, his voice laced with frustration. With a surge of determination, he sprinted toward Ruby, not willing to let one of his first friends at Beacon get hurt.

To Jack's surprise, Weiss decided to join him on the daring rescue mission. Jack couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for the heiress.

Huh, maybe she's not so bad after all, he thought, with a tinge of admiration.

But another chorus of snarls interrupted their path to their friend/partner. The group's concern for Ruby had attracted the attention of a pack of Grimm, who were now closing in on them.

"Go get Ruby; I'll hold them off," Jack said, his voice filled with determination. He looked at Weiss, expecting some sort of protest or annoyance. But to his surprise, she didn't huff or act indignant. Instead, she nodded resolutely, fully understanding the gravity of the situation. Without wasting another moment, she charged forward with a rapier drawn to rescue her partner.

Jack screeched to a halt, his heart pounding as he confronted the menacing horde of Grimm. The pack was a troublesome blend of snarling Beowolves and a colossal, hulking Ursa.

Summoning his resolve, Jack took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his pistols in his hands. Time seemed to stretch into eternity as the world around him transformed into a shimmering golden haze. With a steady hand, he meticulously selected his targets, aiming for their vulnerable eyes, gaping maws, and any other weak spots he could exploit.

Jack's pistols roared, filling the air with a symphony of gunfire. The majority of the Grimm fell under the onslaught, their twisted forms crumbling to the ground. Yet, a handful of the older creatures managed to evade their impending demise, disappearing into the cover of the surrounding trees.

Before Jack could react, a thunderous explosion echoed in the distance. His senses heightened, and he turned his attention toward the source of the commotion.

Yang, who had been lost in a trance-like state, had snapped back to reality. Her eyes blazed a fiery red, and her hair seemed to ignite, radiating an intense heat.

"AHHHHHH, Get AWAY!" With a primal ferocity that matched the Grimm themselves, Yang unleashed a bone-chilling roar, her voice reverberating through the air. Yang proceeded to damn near tear the remaining Grimm apart. She even sent the Ursa flying with a flurry of strikes and blasts from her gauntlets.

At the same time, Jack watched Weiss literally create a wall of ice out of thin air to trap the Giant scorpion.

Jack's face paled slightly as he began to realize just how outclassed he was.

How the hell am I supposed to keep up with women who can go fisticuffs with a humongous bear and some kind of ice wizard? Jack screamed internally, though, given Yang's proximity, he thought it best to keep those thoughts to himself.

Weiss had finished justifiably lecturing Ruby about her recklessness, and the two seemed to have made amends for now when they rejoined Jack and Yang.

Yang ran to her younger sister and wrapped her in a crushing embrace.

"I am so glad you're okay," Yang said.

"Me too," Ruby squeaked, slightly muffled by the embrace.

Unfortunately, their reverie was shattered by the demonic cawing of the Nevermore, its menacing silhouette looming in the distance.

"Hey, guys! That thing is coming back," Jaune exclaimed, his finger trembling as he pointed toward the approaching creature. "What are we gonna do?" The stress in his voice was palpable.

"Oh really, I thought it was quail season," Jack quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Before he could revel in his humor, Yang playfully slugged him in the arm.

As if their predicament wasn't already dire enough, the Deathstalker began to slowly recover and break free from its entrapment.

"There's no sense in dilly-dallying. Our objective is right here," Weiss asserted, her hand gesturing towards the precious "relics" nestled within the ruins.

Ruby's eyes widened with realization. "She's right. There's no point in fighting them if we don't have to."

Jaune's voice trembled with hope. "So, run and live?"

"Likely as not," Jack replied with a smirk.

With Ruby and Jaune darting towards the temple to retrieve their respective pieces, Jack and the others took a brief moment to replenish their weapons, ensuring they were ready for the impending chaos.

As the group of first-year students sprinted toward Beacon Cliffside, beckoned them with the promise of safety. It was a race against time, and victory was tantalizingly close, just within their grasp.

But fate had other plans. A colossal shadow loomed overhead, casting an ominous pall over the group. The Nevermore, a demonic bird of nightmares, descended upon the ruins, its monstrous form blocking their path. Panic gripped their hearts, and they sought refuge amidst the ancient ruins, their minds racing to devise a strategy.

"Well, that's just great," Yang remarked.

Before any plans could be made, the Deathstalker explosively emerged from the forest destroying several trees in the process and was gaining on them.

"Oh man, we gotta run," Jaune said as he and the others took off toward the ruins.

"Nora, let's distract them," Ren said, moving to the center of the pathway and beginning to engage the Deathstalker.

In response, Nora wielded her formidable weapon, a hybrid between a revolver and a cannon. With remarkable precision, the hyperactive girl unleashed a barrage of explosive projectiles at the Nevermore, temporarily forcing it to retreat. Meanwhile, Ren and his machine pistols fired a relentless stream of rounds at the Deathstalker.

Not one to be left behind, Jack shouldered his shotgun, loaded with explosive slugs, his eyes filled with determination. He took aim at the massive Grimm, his finger tightening on the trigger. The explosive rounds found their mark, crippling several of the Deathstalker's hind legs, although with limited success.

As the Nevermore swooped in for its attack, Nora, Ren, and Jack regrouped with the rest of their team. The demonic bird crashed head-first through the bridge, destroying large sections that separated the group of teenagers. Jack turned and saw Ren, Pyrrha, and Blake fighting the Deathstalker on the other side of the bridge, but they were quickly overwhelmed. He heard Jaune say they needed help.

Jack watched in awe as Nora's weapon transformed into a massive war hammer. She slammed the hammer down on the end of the bridge, catapulting Jaune to the other side. She then launched herself over with the recoil of her weapon, crying out, "Nora! Smash!" as she brought her weapon down on the Deathstalker's head.

I think they can take it from here, Jack thought as he turned to join the others on his side of the bridge.

As Jack regrouped with Ruby and the others, he noticed somehow Blake had joined them.

"It's tougher than it looks," Blake said.

"Then let's hit it with everything we've got," Yang said defiantly.

The group readied their weapons when Jack remembered he brought a few sticks of dynamite.

Jack pulled a stick of dynamite from his satchel, and Weiss saw him fiddling with the explosive.

"Where did you get that?" Weiss shrieked.

"Found it," Jack said with a shrug.

As the Nevermore approached Ruby, Yang, Weiss, and Blake opened fire with their individual weapons. Jack threw the stick of dynamite in front of it, pulled his pistol, took aim, and fired. The bullet struck the explosive, and it detonated in front of the demonic bird. Disoriented by the explosion, the Nevermore destroyed the section of the ruins they were standing on. The girls used their semblances and weapons to propel themselves to safety.

Jack, struggling to reach solid ground, nearly fell to his death for a second time that day. However, he was rescued when Ruby enveloped him in a cloud of rose petals, gently placing him on a secure section of the bridge.

"Thank you, Ruby," Jack gasped, catching his breath.

"Anytime," Ruby said with a smile.

Weiss, irritated by their lack of success, muttered, "None of this is working."

Ruby thought for a moment, and then a plan came to her.

"Jack, listen up!" Ruby's voice echoed through the chaos. "When that Nevermore comes back around, you throw one of your explosive sticks at it. Weiss will take it from there, while Blake and Yang handle the rest."

Jack's heart raced with anticipation as he clenched the last stick of dynamite in his hand. The deafening screech of the Nevermore filled the air, announcing its return. Without hesitation, Jack hurled the explosive toward the creature's menacing face. Time seemed to stretch as a golden light enveloped Jack's vision. He drew his pistol, his finger tightening around the trigger. With a resounding blast, the bullet struck true, igniting the dynamite and momentarily blinding the Nevermore.

Disoriented, the monstrous bird careened blindly into the side of a cliff. Seizing the opportunity, Weiss sprang into action, her glyphs propelling her forward. With a swift and precise movement, she unleashed her semblance, combining it with ice dust to ensnare the demonic bird's tail feathers in an icy prison.

Weiss swiftly zipped back into position, Blake and Yang had stretched the ribbon of her weapon across two sturdy pillars, creating a colossal slingshot. Excitement coursed through Ruby's veins as she hopped onto the ribbon, ready to be propelled into action. With a determined expression, Weiss drew the ribbon back using a powerful black glyph.

"You would come up with this plan," Weiss criticized, unable to hide a hint of admiration.

Ruby brushed off her partner's comment, her focus fixed on the task at hand. "Think you can make the shot?"

A confident smile tugged at Weiss's lips. "Can I?" she replied with a touch of arrogance.

Before Ruby could question her, Weiss cut her off. "Of course, I can," she huffed.

Ruby cocked her rifle, her silver eyes burning with unwavering determination as she stared at the looming Nevermore. Jack, standing nearby, couldn't help but be captivated by the scene unfolding before him.

With synchronized precision, Ruby and Weiss unleashed their semblances simultaneously, propelling Ruby through the air. Ruby fired her rifle as she soared, using the recoil to increase her speed. The sight left Jack in awe, his admiration for Ruby growing with each passing second.

With a swift and agile maneuver, Ruby wrapped the blade of her scythe around the Nevermore's neck, landing gracefully on the side of the cliff. Meanwhile, Weiss summoned a series of Glyphs, creating a path for Ruby to drag the Nevermore up the cliffside. A determined yell escaped Ruby's lips as she activated her semblance, her strength fueled by sheer willpower.

As Ruby reached the top of the cliff, the Nevermore's massive body became ensnared under the overhang. Seizing the opportunity, Ruby used the momentum she had built up and fired her rifle one final time. In a breathtaking spectacle of rose petals, she beheaded the Nevermore, ending the battle in a triumphant flourish.

As Jack watched the headless corpse of the Nevermore fall into the ravine, he let out a low appreciative whistle.

Yang was equally impressed. "Well, that was a thing."

"If this is just initiation, I almost hate to see what the rest of the year will be like," Jack said aloud to himself.

With that, the group of teens regrouped and made their way to Beacon Cliff to end their initiation.


Authors Note: Apologies if the cut-off of the chapter is a little weird but it was getting long for my personal taste. Also as to why the chapter update is a little late. Recently an idea, that I feel could greatly improve the story and add much-needed depth to the overall story and Jack's character popped into my head and I couldn't help myself but write out a chapter trying the idea out.

Unfortunately to implement these ideas into the story I would have to completely rewrite the first two chapters, or discontinue this story and start over from scratch, Or just start a new story later down the line, though I think is finicky about similar stories but I'm not sure. I would appreciate some feedback on what you readers would prefer.

As always have a good one.