Alright! Another new story, and one I'll definitely focus on more than one chapter haha…

Anyways, this is a sorta-crossover with another fandom (kinda like Your Next Move Is!), though the specific one is kinda old so I'll just tell it at the end of this chapter. Also, some of those fandom's characters will pop up, though you won't need knowledge of said fandom at any point in the story.

But come on, looking at the name of the story, it's gotta be obvious, at least to those who know…

Usual disclaimers apply, etc, etc. Initiation divergence, even in the first chapter, since I didn't really feel like doing a copy-paste of the first few episodes. And now, without further ado, enjoy!


In the dark of the night, a lone figure walked a desolate road with nothing but the forest surrounding her. Trees as high as the sky stretched endlessly on both sides of the road, her boots hitting the dirt tracks and casting dust in the cold wind.

This road was not one that was used particularly often. It was far, far away from any of the Kingdoms – and she wasn't hoping to end up in one anyways, rather an island called Patch. Add to that the fact that the moon was high in the sky, at the peak of midnight, it was no wonder she was all alone.

But that's just how she preferred it nowadays. It gave her time to think, to mull over her next move.

Grr…

The woman stopped in her tracks as soon as she heard the growl. Her hand quickly went to the sword strapped to her hilt, more specifically a chokutō, and entered a sword-drawing stance. With sharp, piercing red eyes, she looked around her as the growls became more pronounced. Her black clothing allowed her to blend in the night, and yet her highlights of red made her more pronounced.

'Where are they…'

Grr… Grr…

The woman smirked as she recognized it. Ah, Grimm. And as she looked around, her thoughts were confirmed true when she saw multiple pairs of red eyes shining through the forest.

The woman relaxed her stance just as she saw the Grimm exit the forest. She seemed utterly relaxed in spite of the growing number surrounding her. Ursa, Beowolves, and even a Deathstalker amongst them.

Beneath the moonlight, all alone and surrounded, Raven smirked with her stance relaxed. This was nothing, really, and besides, she was looking for a feast anyways.

The Grimm surrounded her, all just waiting to pounce. Raven lifted her hand from her sword and instead reached into her pockets. Spreading her footing, she pulled out a device from her pockets and thrust it forwards.

Even in the night, the device could be seen clearly. It was metal container of a deck of cards, with a notch that showed blue cards inside of it. The metal was painted pitch-black, and in the middle of the deck was a logo that strikingly resembled the bone-armor of a Nevermore.

Its name was known to few, and yet within those few held a great significance – A Grimm Deck.

Moments after she thrust it out, black particles began to emit from the metal of the Deck. The particles swirled in the air, flying to Raven's hip and colluding to form a bone-made belt tightly strapped around her. In the middle of a belt was a rectangle-shaped slot, made to perfectly fit the Deck that she thrust out.

Raven's smirk deepened as she then crossed her arms around her. With a smile, she shouted out the words,

"Henshin!"

Clang!

Immediately after she slammed the Deck inside her belt. She spread her arms wide as a black-clad suit formed from the belt and covered her entire being, the skull of a Nevermore forming above her sword's guard. On her face, once mask-less, now formed a bone-made visor with lines and edges taken from a Nevermore. On her chest, her arms, and her legs, more bone-made armor was formed from the belt with more traces from said Nevermore.

"Ahh…" Raven rolled her shoulders and her left hand went to her sword. The eyes beneath her visor shone red and the Grimm took a noticeable step back.

"Hmph." Raven smirked and pulled out a card from her Deck-belt with her right hand. She pressed the guard of her sword with her left hand and let the Nevermore skull split, revealing another slot to put her card.

Raven stood tall and slid her card into the skull, swiftly closing the skull again while already knowing the results.

The skull's eye slots glowed red as a sound was let out, not unlike an announcer speaking to an audience - "Guard Vent!"

A flock of Nevermore feathers descended from the skies and formed a cape around Raven's back. The feathers hardened around her, creating an impenetrable defense as Raven drew her sword and entered her stance.

She looked around, at the various Grimm about to be her dinner, and let out a manic smile.

And then, without fear and with every inch of battle lust, Raven charged, letting out a yell that echoed in the night.

"HYAHHHHHH!"


Alpha'sThrowawayAccount Presents:

Rider Time: RWBY


In another part of Remnant…

"Locker number, locker number…"

A boy trailed along the lockers of Beacon Academy alone, confused. He looked at the numbers on the lockers, and became even more perplexed at them.

'629?! I would've remembered counting that high!' The boy, Jaune, sighed. Damnit, that must mean someone changed them last night... 'And only a few more minutes 'till the entrance exam too…'

That was right. Currently, Jaune was preparing for the test to enter the illustrious Beacon Academy. The Academy trained men and women of from all walks of life to become Huntsmen and Huntresses, people who devote their lives to fighting the Grimm and keeping the peace.

But even so, not just anyone had what it takes. That was why the entrance exam was made in the first place – to root out who had the true capabilities and who didn't. But he can't exactly prove himself if he couldn't find his damn gear to begin with!

Jaune audibly sighed, a sweat drop going down his brow. "Guess I'll have to ask the professors, then…" He said, visibly downtrodden. It didn't do to make such a bad impression on the professors on the first day, but what choice did he really have?

And so, Jaune walked away, but still in the locker room and downtrodden. But then, just before he exited the locker room, he saw a locker that was slightly ajar – and from that, he could see the tips of a golden-rimmed shield peek through.

"There it is!" Jaune smiled and let out a breath of relief. And just when he was about to give up too!

But then, he looked at where than locker was, and he saw two girls talking to each other. He shrugged; it shouldn't be much of a problem. And with that, and with a wide smile, Jaune walked to his locker to take his stuff.

Meanwhile, Pyrrha could barely keep up her strained smile as the girl opposite her, Weiss, continued to talk her ear off. Oh, well, honestly, she wasn't that bad. It was just - being who she was, Pyrrha knew sweet talk when she heard it…

"…And as such, I think we'd make a great Team together." Weiss concluded to Pyrrha, with a smile that seemed just a bit too wide for her – That's right, their four years in Beacon would all be spent with a Team of four - "So, what do you think, Pyrrha? What're your plans for Team composition?"

But nonetheless, Pyrrha smiled and gave Weiss a polite response. "Ah, I was really hoping to let the chips fall where they may…"

"Ah, but maybe you could reconsider?" Weiss' smile seemed way too wide for her now, and Pyrrha began to feel uncomfortable. "After all, we could accomplish so much more together! With my brains and your skills-"

'Oh no, not this again!' Pyrrha internally cried. She could feel her internal self weeping, all the while she had to keep a polite smile as Weiss rambled on. 'Someone save meeee!'

And then, she saw a blond-haired boy walk up from their side. He waved and greeted them kindly, "Heya! Are you guys talking about team placements?"

'Yes! I'm saved!' Her internal self cheered, andPyrrha smiled genuinely and nodded in his direction, "Yes, actually. We're currently discussing on how exactly it's going to be held…"

"Huh, is that so?" The boy put a hand to his chin, humming in thought, "I've heard some people get randomly chosen, but there's never been concrete evidence, really…"

At that, Weiss scoffed. "Oh, please. Do you really think you're worthy to be in our Team?"

At this, Pyrrha winced. 'Here it comes…'

Jaune, for his credit, merely tilted his head, "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Do you have no idea who this is?!" Weiss nearly screeched. "This is Pyrrha Nikos!"

Pyrrha offered a meek wave, "Hello again!"

"She graduated top of her class in Mistral!" Weiss continued.

Jaune rubbed his chin, "Umm…"

"She's won the Mistral Regional Championship four times, more than anyone else in history!" Weiss said.

"Eheheh, doesn't ring a bell…" Jaune rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Oh for the love of –She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Cereal Flakes Box!" Weiss shouted.

"Oh! That was you?!" Jaune's grin split wide in wonder as he looked at Pyrrha with stars in his eyes, "But they only do that for athletes and celebrities!"

"Well, the deal wasn't that bad…" 'Dammit, Weiss…' Pyrrha averted her eyes to the ground. And then, seeing Jaune amazed, Weiss decided to continue it even further.

"So! Now that you understand, do you really think that you even have a chance of being in the same Team as us?" Weiss challenged.

Pyrrha felt her hopes crash as soon as Weiss finished her sentence. All she wanted to have was a normal four years in Beacon, far away from her fame, but it seemed that even here her name was still well-known.

But then, Jaune surprised her when he didn't back down from Weiss. "Well, the initiation's supposed to make all of us on equal grounds, right? I think that as long as everything goes well, then who knows? Best to not close out any opportunities, right?"

After that, he smiled at Pyrrha, "And, well, if it so happens that we become partners, then I certainly won't complain. And if not, then at least we can still be friends, right?"

"Right!" Pyrrha jumped at the chance. "If that's so, then I think introductions are in order, right?"

"Ah! I forgot," Jaune smiled and offered his hand to her, "The name's Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls of the tongue. People love it."

Pyrrha took his hand in her own and gave it a light shake. "Pyrrha Nikos. Nice to meet you, Jaune. And do they? Like the name, I mean."

"Well, they warm up to it soon enough." Jaune chuckled and shrugged lightly, letting go of Pyrrha's hand. "At least the people I know do."

"Ugh! Fine then." Weiss threw up her hands. She was about to say more, but was interrupted when the intercom blared with Professor Goodwitch's voice.

"All first-years, please report at the Emerald Forest's cliffs in 10 minutes. Initiation begins in 15 minutes."

"Well, I think that's our cue." Pyrrha looked to Weis and gave her a small smile and a short nod, "I think we should be heading to our own lockers now, right Weiss?"

Weiss sighed, "I suppose we should." She turned around and walked away, but not before saying to Pyrrha, "I hope you consider my offer seriously, Pyrrha."

"Of course I will." Pyrrha said politely, before bidding goodbye to Jaune as well. "I suppose we'll see each other at Initiation then, Jaune?"

"Let's hope so." Jaune gave her another smile, before turning to his locker and going closer to it. As he opened his locker, he heard Pyrrha let out a chuckle and walk away.

Jaune kept the smile on his face as he looked over what he had. A simple sword with a sheath that can transform into a shield, his family heirloom. Other than that, he also had his family armor placed inside the locker. Jaune took the armor, placed it over his chest, and clipped his sheathed sword to his hip. With a sigh, he closed his locker once more.

'Alright, that should be everything…' Jaune thought, but not before another important thought entered his brain. 'Wait a minute, almost forgot!' His hand quickly went into his pocket, discreetly searching, before sighing in relief as he touched something metal inside.

'Ah, that's a relief…' Jaune pulled it slightly out, just enough for him to see a part of it.

A Grimm Deck, with the logo of a Dragon marked at its center.

Jaune quickly pocketed it back, making sure no one else saw it. When he realized that there was no one else in the locker rooms, he quickly headed out and rushed out to the cliff.

Well then, time to pass the test!


'T-this is not what I had in mind!' Jaune thought with fear as he heard the Headmaster's - Professor Ozpin's - explanation on how exactly they were going to do the Initiation.

"You will be launched to from these pads." He had said calmly, and Jaune could swear that he saw a mad glint in the Headmaster's deathly cool stare. "Straight into the Emerald Forest."

Unfortunately for the blond-haired boy, he was in one of the first rows. As such, he had no choice but to step up to the pads, pressured by the others who were showing no pressure. "Uhm, sir?" Jaune raised a nervous hand.

Headmaster Ozpin took a sip of his cocoa, "Yes, Mr. Arc?"

A spring! And Jaune heard a whoop as the first of the prospective students was launched.

Jaune blanched, "Uh, how exactly are we going to land?"

Headmaster Ozpin lowered his cup and his lips quirked upwards, "You will be using a landing strategy."

"Uh huh, uh huh." Jaune nodded. He gulped when he heard another spring and another whoop. Dammit, he was next!

Ozpin seemed to look straight into his eyes now, and Jaune stuttered, "Uh, and what exactly is a landing stra-."

Spring!

"-TEGGYYYYYYYYY!" Jaune wailed as he was launched high into the air, soaring through the blue skies as he flailed his arms around.

From the ground, Ozpin took another sip of his cocoa as he watched Jaune fly away. 'Ah, the wonders of youth…'

In the skies, panic consumed Jaune as he looked around. Dammit, everyone was managing well enough! They had plans, unlike him!

He gave quick glance to his sword – dammit, he didn't have any features to save him! He was doomed!

Jaune looked down and saw the ground come closer and closer. Oh no, he's about to be worm splat food-!

Shing!

But then suddenly, he felt a metal thing pierce his hoodie. It interrupted his fall, and kept going until it pinned him to a nearby tree.

Thunk!

"Ah…" Jaune felt his back hit softly against a tree's trunk. 'I'm saved…!' And then, he heard a distant yet familiar shout.

"I'm sorry!"

'Pyrrha!' "Nonono, thank you!" Jaune shouted out with a smile.

He didn't hear a response, but he knew that the owner would come soon. He looked to the thing pinning him to a tree. Ah, a spear. If nothing else, Pyrrha would come to take her weapons.

'Ah, but maybe I can help her out with that?' Jaune looked down. It wasn't that far a fall, and he'd reckon he could take the damage anyways. Jaune reached back and gave a slight pull on the spear.

It didn't budge, and Jaune frowned.

"Ugh!" Jaune gave another tug, and still it remained in place. "Damn it, why won't you-!" Tug! And it still didn't move. "Aw, move, damn it!"

Jaune continued pulling on the spear to no avail, groaning and complaining on just why wouldn't it move-?

And then he heard a snicker beneath him, and Jaune froze in place.

Jaune looked down, and saw Pyrrha silently laughing at him with her mouth behind her hand.

"Tch…!" Pyrrha held back a snicker, but couldn't help it and burst to a full laugh. "Ahahahaha! I-I'm sorry, it's just…-! Tchhhh!"

"Har har, very funny." Jaune let go of the spear and crossed his arms, looking down on Pyrrha and yet with a smile on his face. "So, are you gonna get me down from here or what?"

Pyrrha held back her laugher and looked back at Jaune, but with a clear smile etched on her face. "Sure thing, Jaune."

With a wave of Pyrrha's hand, the spear glowed black and flew back into her hands. Meanwhile, Jaune felt the tug of gravity pull him and soon fell back down, landing on his knees.

He felt his Aura flash, protecting him from the impact, then quickly brushed himself off and stood back up. He looked forwards and saw Pyrrha sheath her weapons back, looking at him too.

Pyrrha shuffled her feet around, an embarrassed blush on her face as her eyes looked nervous, "So… are there still any spots on your Team, Jaune?"

Ah right, the partner forming process – that being, the first person you make eye contact with becomes your partner for the next four years.

Jaune smiled as he nodded his head back. Well, it looked like his promise came true after all! And an Arc never goes back on his word!

"Of course!" Jaune said with optimism, remembering Ozpin's rule on the team and pairing process, "Partners, right?"

"Partners." Pyrrha's eyes brightened, all traces of embarrassment gone, and both of them smiled at each other.

Considering their circumstances, it was going to be a good four years together, at least they both hoped so.


Some Time Later…

Pyrrha and Jaune walked side-by-side, delving deeper into the Emerald Forest.

"So, Pyrrha." Jaune began as he swatted aside a stray branch, "What do you think the relics might be?"

"I don't know, the Headmaster was kind of vague…" Pyrrha trailed off, eyes wandering to the sky in thought. "But maybe, it's something that has relevance to Huntsmen and Huntresses?"

"Huh, that does make sense." Jaune concluded, brushing away a bush to make way. "But don't'cha that might be a bit too obvious? Some of the kids might have an unfair experience in that, after all."

"That might be the case." Pyrrha nodded and sidestepped a tree, speeding back up to stand beside Jaune again. But then, she looked at him and asked with her head tilted to the side, "But what do you mean by that?"

Jaune stepped above a stray root and looked to Pyrrha, "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well, most of us here had the same training right? A-ah, generally, I mean!" Pyrrha added the last part with haste. She knew she was a champion, and she didn't want to imply anything, especially to her new partner. "Most of us must've went to Combat School before, right?"

"Oh, heheh, kinda forgot about that." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I… didn't go to Combat School."

"You didn't?" Pyrrha said with surprise. "Then what did you do to prepare for the Initiation?"

"Well, I did get some experience in the past year…" Jaune's eyes looked away.

To Pyrrha, it seemed Jaune had a hard time finding the words, so she decided to help him. "So, maybe shadowing another Huntress? For a whole year?"

"Heh, I guess you could call it that…" Jaune smiled and shook his head. "I got in the game kinda late, so I had a bit of catching up to do."

"I'm sure you'll do well, Jaune." Pyrrha said comfortingly to Jaune. "After all, you're here, right?"

"Yeah… I guess you're right about that." Jaune nodded, and Pyrrha felt glad that she could ease her new friend's worries.

But then, Jaune's eyes turned to him and his lips smirked with mischief. "Ah, but I guess you'll be fine, right? I mean, Champion and all!"

Pyrrha blushed and stuttered, her eyes going to the ground as she staggered in her step, "I-it's not like that at all!"

"Heh, come on now, don't downplay yourself, Pyrrha!" Jaune chuckled. "I mean, I don't know much about championships and all that, but I'm sure it could give you an edge here."

'Oh, he doesn't know much, does he?' A sinister smirk crept up in Pyrrha's face. "Oh, it wasn't much Jaune, really. We just had to kill a couple of ancient Grimm, and then fight in a free-for-all."

"Wow, really?" Jaune said.

"Yes, it's true!" Pyrrha nodded. "And then, we had to also go on a one-on-one immediately after!"

"Wow…" Jaune gasped. "And they just let things like that happen?"

"No." Pyrrha said with a deadpan expression.

"W-what?" Jaune's admiration came crashing down, his eyes looking like a sad puppy's. "But then you said-!"

"I was lying."

Jaune stopped in his tracks and pouted, putting his hands on his hips.

"Pffffft- Ahahahahahaha!" Pyrrha laughed as she saw Jaune's expression. Jaune's pout deepened in disappointment.

"It's not funny!" Jaune whined.

"Ahahahahahaha!" If anything, Pyrrha's laugh grew even louder as she then doubled over.

"Come on, Pyrrha! Pyrrha!"


Several More Moments Later…

Ater getting over their previous talk, the two continued walking until they ended up in front of a cave. The entrance towered over them, large and dark and absolutely menacing.

"Uh… you think the relic might be in here, Pyrrha?"

"I don't know…" Pyrrha trailed off. "It seems kind of… what's the word…?"

"Obvious?" Jaune suggested.

"No…"

"Stereotypical?"

"Ah, yes, that might be it." Pyrrha nodded.

"I agree with you on that one…" Jaune went to the side and picked up a tree branch. Finding some other materials, he quickly fashioned a torch and lit it up, taking entry steps into the cave and using the torch to light his way.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha quickly shouted from where she was, "Are you sure this is safe?!"

"I'm just checking out the entrance, Pyrrha!" Jaune shouted. He stopped after a certain depth, his back still visible to Pyrrha, and instead went to the walls to the sides of the cave.

He shone the torch to the walls, and from there could see several caveman drawings of people fighting a certain form of monster.

"Ah, kinda expected this…" He whispered.

Pyrrha quickly walked up next to him, "Expected what?"

"Some warnings from people before about a Grimm." Jaune shone the torch to the wall, and Pyrrha could then see what he meant.

Pyrrha aah'd, and then Jaune continued, "I saw some things like this back when I was shadowing the past year. Even modern people make a habit of leaving signs like this in case someone gets lost."

"But this could also be a trap by the professors, right?" Pyrrha raised a question. "I mean, if the entire purpose of the Initiation is to test the students…"

"Oh, you're right about that too…" Jaune said.

"I mean, maybe they wanted to test out our guts?" Pyrrha asked again. "Being a Huntress is all about fighting the Grimm, isn't it?"

"But we can't fight the Grimm if we're dead, right Pyrrha?"

"T-that's true…" Pyrrha blushed slightly. But then, she quickly shot back with vigor, "B-but the only way we can know is if we find out, right?!"

"Pyrrha, you know this is a bad idea…" Jaune trailed off.

"Well…"

Jaune smiled slightly at Pyrrha and turned back around, now facing deeper into the cave. He could feel Pyrrha wanting to follow him, quickly falling behind him to follow close.

Maybe his instincts were wrong after all…

Jaune took a single step forwards, Pyrrha following behind him close and ready-!

Step!

As soon as Jaune's foot landed, he felt a terrible feeling slam into his consciousness. His eyes immediately focused to the depths of the cave as he felt sweat go down his brow, that darkness curling around his fingers. He could feel a deep darkness there; old and definitely not something to be messed with.

Nopenopenope, getting out of here.

"Jaune?" Pyrrha stepped up next to her friend, concerned, "What's wrong?"

Of course she couldn't feel it. She wasn't a – well, wasn't one like him. He'd know otherwise.

"W-well, I just changed my mind. I'm not going in there." Jaune nervously chuckled, and Pyrrha could see the nervousness in him as he looked to her. That was strange, what happened to that easy-going attitude?

"Jaune, what's wrong?" Pyrrha asked, concern written all over her face. Ah, he felt bad for worrying her now.

"Well, it's just-." Jaune waved his hands around, generally, to the cave, "There's probably a reason it's all dark in here, right? A-and the fact that no one else is around probably means something too…"

"Hm…" Pyrrha looked pensive for a moment, before relenting. "Alright then, I suppose we can just ask others when we meet them."

Jaune breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Pyrrha." He said, casting another glance to the depths of the cave. "Trust me, you won't regret this."

"Of course." Pyrrha nodded. She turned around, "Well then, shall we get going?"

"Let's." Jaune turned around, and together they both stepped out of the cave, without ever inclining to explore any bit deeper.

Unfortunately, as they left, what seemed like a scorpion's eyes - only red and glowing in the dark - followed their movements from the depths of the cave.


Some More More Moments Later…

If this was what the Huntsman life in Beacon was like, then Jaune could barely imagine what its graduates really went through.

Okay, first off – they had eventually run into a group of people who stood before some broken ruins. Several of these people Jaune could recognize. There was Yang, Ruby's sister (though Ruby herself was nowhere to be seen), and there was also that quiet book-reading girl he saw last night. But other than that, there were others he couldn't recognize – the silent boy with pink-striped hair and his bombastic female friend.

Seeing the relics already in the others' hands – seriously, a chess piece, wasn't that kind of cheesy? – Jaune and Pyrrha quickly picked up theirs as well. But then, as soon as they stepped out, Jaune got another nasty feeling, this time coming from the skies.

'Damn it, another big Grimm?!' Jaune quickly shot his eyes to the sky and saw a large, considerably-aged Nevermore flying above them with two people hanging on by its coattails. Jaune squinted his eyes, "Wait… is that-?"

"RUBY!" Yang yelled. She put her hands near her mouth to make her voice louder, "WHAT'RE YOU DOING UP THERE?!"

"WE'RE TRYING TO BEAT THIS NEVERMORE, YANG!" Ruby shouted back.

"WHAAAAAAAAT?!' Yang shouted, "DON'T YOU NEED TO GET DOWN TO DO THAT, THOUGH?!"

"UH, W'ERE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT!" And even from here, Jaune could hear Ruby's nervous laugh. "RIGHT, WEISS?!"

"THIS WAS SUCH A STUPID IDEA, YOU UTTER DOOOOOOLT!"

So that was where they were now – with two people in the skies and absolutely no way of getting them down without hurting them. If Jaune had a ranged weapon, he would honestly love to help, but as it stands, he too was stumped.

And then the Nevermore twirled its body in the skies, shaking the two Huntress-in-Trainings off of its wings.

"AAAAAHHH!" Ruby screamed.

"RUBBBYYYYY!" Weiss wailed.

Yang quickly dashed to the scene and caught Ruby right before she fell. Meanwhile, Jaune jumped and caught Weiss mid-air.

Jaune landed softly and quickly let Weiss down. "You alright?"

"I'm fine." Weiss huffed and pat her clothes down and stood up, turning away from Jaune with a huff.

Jaune, in turn, turned to Pyrrha and gave her a light shrug. Pyrrha smiled and shook her head.

With the time they had, Weiss and Ruby quickly grabbed their own pairs of relic. It seemed that the Nevermore was taking its time…

But then, Jaune felt another churn in his gut. This time, that feeling came from their west.

Jaune quickly turned his head there and felt another bead of sweat drop down. 'This feeling… it's the same as before…'

Seeing this familiar expression, Pyrrha quickly rushed to her partner. "Jaune… what's the matter?"

"I-…" Jaune couldn't find the words, finding it hard to vocalize. 'Damn it, it followed us?! A-and it's not like I can outright tell them either-?!'

But before he even needed to say, Blake's headband twitched and she faced the same direction. "Something's coming." She said blandly.

At that, everyone readied their stances and weapons. Jaune did the same as well, hand on his sword's hilt, the sheathed form clipped to his hip.

Everyone began to hear it, the shuffling of bushes and knocking over of trees as that something got closer and closer. Eventually, the thing knocked down the last of the trees and burst onto the scene-

SCREEEEECH!

-it being a large and old Deathstalker, towering above them all.

And then, up above, the Nevermore screeched as well, reminding everyone of its presence.

"Scatter!" Pyrrha yelled in panic, and the rest followed her orders.

'Shit, this is bad!' Jaune thought as he jumped across, seeing Pyrrha on the other side of the area from the corner of his eye. From the looks of tat Deathstalker – and he had no doubt it was the one he just dodged with Pyrrha the other time – its armor was thick enough to block most normal Huntsmen's attacks. They had no chance unless they had a powerful strength augmentation Semblance, or a weapon that's as strong as artillery fire.

Well, there was one option, but that was still strictly off limits, though.

But then, to his surprise, Ruby dashed forwards to the Deathstalker with her scythe ready behind her.

'Wait, that's bad-!'

"I can take care of this!" Ruby shouted. She reached the Deathstalker and swung her scythe down hard on its armor. "HYAH!"

Clang!

The scythe rebounded from the armor, and the Deathstalker's eyes focused on her.

"Oh yeah? Then how about this!" Ruby backed up with her Semblance, blurring into a stroke of red, and then unfurling from her cape and firing shots from her weapon, now turned to a sniper rifle.

BANG BANG BANG BANG!

The bullets impacted the head of the Deathstalker, but even then bouncing off its white bone armor harmlessly.

"Eheheheh…" Ruby chuckled as she lowered her sniper rifle. "Uh…"

Ruby tried to run away, but the Nevermore screeched again and sent its feathers down to the earth. They rained down on them all, forcing them to scatter even more, but one of them caught Ruby before she could move, pinning her to the ground by her cape.

"Agh!" Ruby felt herself come to a stop right before she could get away. She tugged at her cape, but it didn't budge. "Come on, you-!"

"Ruby! Get out of there!" Yang shouted.

SCREEECH!

Ruby's eyes widened in fear as she looked behind her. And there, taller than ever, was the Deathstalker, with its stinger drawn back and ready to strike.

'No!'

"RUBBYYYY!" Yang shouted.

But then, suddenly, the ground turned to ice, creeping up from behind her, and then scaling up and freezing the entirety of the Deathstalker in place. Ruby could only stutter in shock. "W-what…?"

"You are so childish!"

Ruby looked to the source of the sound, right behind her, and stuttered out, "W-Weiss…?"

"And dim-witted, and hyperactive, and don't even get me started on your fighting style!" Weiss listed off. But then, her tone became more sympathetic, "But… I suppose I can be a bit... difficult... but if we're going to do this, we're going to have to do this together. So if you quit trying to show off, I'll be... nicer."

"Weiss…" Ruby began, "I'm not trying to show off. I'm trying to show you that I can do this."

"You're fine." Weiss said, before turning around and walking away.

Ruby breathed a sigh of relief and pulled the Nevermore feather off of her cape with a stronger tug. She walked towards the others, but after one step she was immediately bear-hugged by her big sister.

"I'm so happy that you're okay!" Yang hugged her sister tighter and tighter.

"Yang-! C-can't breathe-!" Ruby gasped.

Yang ignored her and instead hugged her sister even more.

"Y-Yang-!"

"Uhm, guys…" Blake said, and with that everyone's focus went back to the matter at hand, Yang even letting go. "We've still got that problem above us…"

And with the Nevermore's screech, everyone realized that they still had a job to do. Add to that-

CRASH!

The Deathstalker had freed itself of its frozen chains, and they were back to square one.

"So, uh…" Jaune chuckled, "Anyone got a plan?"

"Smash them to bits!" That girl Jaune didn't recognize – Nora, was it? – said with glee.

"That won't be as easy as that, Nora." Ah, and that was – hm, Ren, right?

"Guys!" Ruby shouted, and the others focused to her, "Our mission is to grab an artifact and make it back to the Cliffs, right?" She nodded to Weiss, "There's no point in fighting these things! And since we've already got ours…"

"Run and live – that's an idea I can get behind." Jaune said.

"Alright then, everyone – Let's get going!" Ruby shouted. And with it, everyone fell behind her steps and ran towards the cliffs they came from before.

SCREECH!

SCREECH!

Unfortunately, the Grimm easily kept their pace even as the students increased their speed.

"We're not losing them." Ren noted.

As soon as Ren said that, Nora turned around as she ran and fired several brief shots from her grenade launcher, falling some trees to prevent the Deathstalker from following. Unfortunately, the Grimm easily broke through the trees' trunks and kept going.

"Well, that was a bust!" Nora turned around and got back to speed, "Any other ideas, guys?!"

"Um…" Ruby wracked her brain for any ideas, but she didn't find any. They could all see the cliffs, slowly getting ever closer, though still not close enough for them to make their escape.

Jaune ran beside his partner, heavily weighing in his options. On one hand, he could keep doing this and figure out a way to win together, though that wasn't a clear guarantee. But if he took the other option and went full out…

The Nevermore screeched and flew faster, flying past them, and then rained feathers down from in front of them.

"Dodge!" Yang yelled, and each of them jumped to avoid the hail. Everyone managed to get out safely, though it did cause them to lose important momentum. Momentum which meant-!

CRASH!

SCREEECH!

Pyrrha casted a glance backwards, "The Deathstalker's getting closer!"

Everyone ran faster at that, eager to run away. "Look guys, the cliff's getting closer!" Nora shouted, but they all knew that it was false hope. They just weren't fast enough.

Jaune closed his eyes and sighed. Guess there was no choice. And it wasn't as if he could survive long without the fight anyways...

Jaune opened his eyes and looked at his partner sincerely. "Pyrrha. I have a request."

"Huh?" Pyrrha looked to her friend, nothing the strange seriousness in his eyes, "What is it?"

"Can you guys handle the Nevermore alone?"

"Maybe…" Pyrrha looked to the others, who in turn were looking at Jaune as well. It wasn't as if he was being subtle about it, "What about it, Jaune?"

"I'll take on the Deathstalker." Jaune said seriously. "You guys go on ahead and get to the cliff. Take down the Nevermore while you're at it. I'll catch up."

"Are you insane?!" Weiss shouted. "There's no way you can handle that thing alone, not without some help!"

Some of the others voiced their agreement with Weiss, though Jaune didn't spare them a glance. He kept looking at Pyrrha seriously, "Trust me, Pyr." He asked with all his heart.

Pyrrha's own eyes delved into Jaune's own. Her first partner, and now he was doing this? They barely got a chance together, and this was definitely not how she was hoping Beacon's Initiation to go… But she settled on one thing.

"Promise me you'll pass, okay?" Pyrrha asked.

It was Ruby who spoke up next, "You're letting him go?!" She wasn't about to lose her first friend in Beacon! "Jaune, you've gotta be crazy-!"

"I promise." Jaune said, "Arc's honor."

Pyrrha closed her eyes and nodded, and the others watched in silence as she backed off. In the end, Jaune was her partner, so their choices in the Initiation really were only of their concern, but still, to make that kind of bold play so early…

With that, Jaune's speed dropped down ever so slowly. Eventually, he was firmly behind them, just barely out of the Deathstalker's reach.

Pyrrha sent a last glance at her partner, who had now stopped and turned around to face the Deathstalker alone.

'Jaune,' Pyrrha thought as she ran, his back becoming smaller and smaller, '…Don't you dare die on me, dammit.'

The Nevermore screeched again and the students picked up their pace, looking up to see the Nevermore flying close.

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes. And now it was her turn to keep her end of the bargain.


Jaune skid to a stop and turned around to face the Nevermore. He could hear the steps of his partner growing quieter and quieter, her eyes burning at his back farther and farther…

But he promised, and he didn't intend to break it. Not now, after everything.

He could feel the last of her gaze fade away, and right as the Deathstalker stopped before him. It screeched, loud, and Jaune yelled back.

"HEY YOU!" He said, "IT'S ME YOU'RE AFTER, ISN'T IT?!"

The Deathstalker screeched again, towering and dominating, and Jaune smirked. No friends to see, and he was pretty sure Ozpin didn't have any cameras around this part in the forest.

Now.

Jaune's hand left the hilt of his sword and went to his pocket. With determination, he pulled out his Grimm Deck and shoved it in front of him.

It shone beneath the sun, black-painted metal with the bone-shaped symbol of a Grimm Dragon.

~Song: Hatenaki Inoichi – By Hiroshi Kitadani~

Jaune smiled as black particles burst forth from the edges of the deck, condensing to form a belt around his hip.

After the belt was fully formed, Jaune opened his arms wide, like a dragon spreading its wings.

Here we go!

"HENSHIN!"

CLANG!

Jaune slammed the deck in his belt and let his transformation take place, unique and powerful in nature.

The standardized black suit covered his body, though his with red highlights trailing his lines. Dragonbone-armor formed in his shoulders, shins, knees, and chest. On his face, a mask formed from the skull of a Dragon. And lastly, on his left arm, formed a miniature Dragon skull, with a slice going down the middle and red orbs shining in the middle of its eye slits.

Jaune let out a breath as his transformation process finished. He could feel the strength flow through his veins – his ability to sense Grimm increased, and his combat capabilities even more so.

The Deathstalker screeched and Jaune smirked. He lifted his fist with eagerness for a fight. "Alright!"

Clothed in a dragon's shadow…

The Deathstalker finally had enough and launched its stinger at Jaune. Jaune quickly jumped away, letting it hit nothing but dirt. He landed to the side, dropping into a fighting stance.

"Come on!"

SCREECH!

The Deathstalker didn't relent and quickly lunged forwards with its pincers. Jaune jumped up and twirled mid-air, letting the pincers miss within an inch of his head.

I feel the red blood flow…

Jaune landed right behind the Deathstalker with a smile. "Missed me!"

SCREEECH!

The Deathstalker screeched again and swung its tail in a wide arc behind it, hoping to catch the pesky human once and for all! But before he could do that-!

"Sword Vent!"

Jaune slammed the aforementioned card inside his hand and grabbed the sword that fell from the skies – shaped distinctively like the tail end of a Grimm Dragon. And then, right as the stinger of the Deathstalker came, Jaune blocked it with his new sword with ease.

CLANG!

SCREEECH!

The Deathstalker stumbled back as its attack completely rebounded. Jaune smirked as he saw the Deathstalker stumble and quickly rushed it. Now was his chance!

"HYAH! HYAH! HAH!"

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

Scorching this body from inside…

Jaune swung his sword and hit the Deathstalker's head. He swung again and damaged one of its eyes. He roared and gave a final swing, cracking the armor of one of its pincers.

The Deathstalker screeched and regained its bearings, all the while Jaune backed off with a humph. 'Damn, old one, aren't you? Wouldn't last this long otherwise…'

The Deathstalker launched another attack. It launched its cracked pincer at Jaune. Jaune easily ducked under it…

But then failed to notice another pincer coming in even before the older one finished.

'No-!'

SLAM!

"Gah!" Jaune felt himself fly back from the force, his back slamming against the back of a tree trunk. "Ngh…" He cleared his head and looked up as he was stuck-

Blazing hot as fire!

And saw the Deathstalker's stinger fly right for his head.

'Dangerous-!'

SLAM!

Grab!

"Grk!" Jaune managed to catch the stinger right before it reached his face, but its yellow tip was now dangerously close to his face. "Nghhhhhh!"

Jaune yelled as he tried his best to keep the stinger away from him. The Deathstalker screeched back as it put its all into the attack. And that was Jaune's chance!

'Now!' Jaune quickly gave a last push and dodged to the side just as the Deathstalker gave more of its power. Because of that, it slammed its stinger deep into the tree trunk.

Thunk!

A scream with no voice decided my path!

The Deathstalker screeched again in annoyance as its stinger was now stuck. It tried its best to move, but it was firmly stuck!

Jaune landed on the ground, barely on his feet, and felt relief when he saw the Deathstalker's situation. 'Now's my chance!' Jaune quickly brought his sword back up, rushed to the Deathstalker's pinned tail, and jumped for an attack to sever.

"HIIIIYAH!"

Slice!

SCREEEECH!

Jaune sliced the stinger's tail, severing the Deathstalker's connection and causing the Deathstalker to reel in pain. It wailed as pain overcame it, unlike anything it had ever experienced in its decades of life. Just how did this human-!

Catching the prayers of thousands in my heart!

"I've still got more!" Jaune yelled, and he rushed at the Deathstalker while it was still stunned. Unable to react, it felt even more pain as Jaune arrived and slashed most of its eyes out.

Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!

Jaune's Dragonbone sword easily cut through the Deathstalker's armor, making it easier to immobilize it. It even cracked from the sheer pressure of the blows, causing most of the Deathstalker's world to go black.

SCREEECH!

Forget "someone,"…

The Deathstalker screeched again, loudly, and launched its healthy pincer right at Jaune. Jaune easily ducked under it yet again, kicking up right as it soared above his head and forcing it away.

SCREE-!

"HAHHHHH!"

SLAM!

It's up to you…

And then, before the Deathstalker could finish, Jaune roared and jumped up, sword first and piercing through that other pincer. He effortlessly shattered its armor, rendering it useless as well.

The Deathstalker wailed as it stumbled back, now clearly immobilized, and Jaune himself landed on his own two feet with a thud.

"Alrigh.!" Jaune smiled, "Time to end this!"

To change the present!

With ease and intent, Jaune pulled out another card from his deck and flipped it for him to clearly see the words – Final Vent.

With eagerness unrivalled, he pressed a hand to the Dragon's skull on his arms and split open. He inserted the card and closed the skull back up, savoring the sound that echoed.

"Final Vent!"

ROARRRRRRRR!

I do not fear a battle with no end!

From the skies, Jaune could hear a Grimm Dragon approach the Emerald Forest. Even through the walls of Vale, through the defenses of Beacon, his loyal steed would always come.

"Hahhhhhhh…."

Jaune bent low, right arm raised high behind him and the left put aiming to the right in front of him. His knees bent as he got lower and lower…

ROARRRRRRRR!

For I will always stand once more!

He heard the roar again, this time closer, and Jaune smiled as he saw the Dragon finally descend from the skies and approach his position. With another roar, it made its final descent flew around him, its large frame knocking the surrounding tress down and making room for their final attack.

He could feel its power transfer to his own body, slight black particles emanating from it to him. And then, after a final twirl around him, it began to ascend with its frame trailing from his position.

'Now!'

"Hah!" Jaune jumped right as the dragon ascended, first pointed up soaring like a superhero. He reached his peak and spun in the air, the Dragon flying around him and slightly shielding his body from view, only offering slight glimpses as his position changed.

So long as the pride in my heart never wavers!

First, a soaring jump.

Second, pulling his left foot back, his right forwards, and his body slightly down.

And lastly, the Dragon finished its move and revealed Jaune's final position, suspended in midair elegance.

A descending kick, ready to come down right from beside the Dragon's breath.

This life will never fade!

Jaune clenched his fist gave it his all. "Hyah!"

GET AND GO!

ROARRRRRRRR!

FWOOOOOMM!

"HAHHHHHHHHH!"

And then, with wonder, Jaune descended.

The Deathstalker screeched in terror as it saw Jaune coming down in sync with the Dragon's fireball. He went down fast, feet flaming with fire. His strength increased, his speed enhanced, and his power more than any Huntsman.

And in no time at all, Jaune reached the Deathstalker's head and made full contact.

"HYAH!"

BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

That entire sector of the Emerald Forest exploded into a fiery flame, creating a plume of smoke that soared high into the sky.


Pyrrha paused in her fighting of the Nevermore and looked at where the large boom sounded. She noticed a plume of smoke raising to the skies, and realized with horror, 'That's where Jaune was-!'

But then, she felt a strange calmness come to her heat. It told her that it was okay, that Jaune would be fine…

The Nevermore screeched again, and her focus went back to that Grimm, fighting alongside her friends.

She just had to trust whatever feeling it was that came over her…

Never noticing a Grimm Dragon fly high from the skies she once looked at.


"Hah… Hah…" Jaune let out tired breaths as he stood on shaky feet, nothing but charred trees and burned grass around him. The Deathstalker was completely obliterated; there was nothing left that could be recognized from it. But even so…

Jaune heard a faint roar from his Dragon as it flew back down. It circled the area, right above where the Deathstalker once was, and black particles came from almost thin air and absorbed itself into the Dragon.

But Jaune knew this wasn't thin air. It was the Dragon, absorbing what was left of the Deathstalker's residual nutrients. And such, as it did so, Jaune saw his Dragon grow bulkier and swifter muscles as well as thicker bone armor.

Roar…

The Dragon was looking at him now, Jaune realized. It was awaiting its next orders…

Jaune waved his hand away. "That's all for now." He said calmly. And then, with what could be interpreted as its best attempt at a nod, the Dragon flew away, high into the skies and eventually nowhere to be seen at all.

"Hahh…" Jaune lt out another breath and willed his armor to crack. It did so immediately, white lines spreading across every inch, and he quickly felt his skin breath air as he once more transformed into his normal state.

And as for the Grimm Deck, it landed right back into his open palm, one he stared at with a small smile. The black paint, the Dragon bone logo…

His designated Grimm Deck, one for the Rider by the name of Ryuki – Dragon Knight - real name Jaune Arc.

Jaune breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, now that that's settled…" He pocketed his Deck back and went to the direction of the others in a leisurely pace. "Time to catch up now, I guess…"


At the Initiation Ceremony…

"…You are now henceforth known as Team JNPR, with Team Leader: Jaune Arc!"

The crowd cheered, Jaune giving a slight bow with his face red with embarrassment.

"Wooo! Congrats, Fearless Leader!" Nora yelled, "You'll be the best in no time!"

"A-ah, thanks, Nora…" Jaune mumbled, still embarrassed.

"Quite the accomplishment, Jaune." Ren nodded, and with it, Jaune gave a nod back in return.

"Thanks, Ren. I appreciate it." He said earnestly.

"I knew you could do it, partner." Pyrrha gave him a quick punch in his shoulder. She smiled at him with relief, 'I'm so glad you're okay…'

And Jaune smiled back, putting a hand over his heart. "I told you, Pyrrha. Arc's honor – and we never go back on our word. So, I know it must've been hard… but thanks for trusting me." He said with all his heart.

"Anytime, Jaune…" Pyrrha said back, eyes shining with sincerity.

Is this what it was like to have an honest friend? If so, then Pyrrha promised to never let go. "Anytime."


Next time... Rider Time: RWBY!

"What do you think you're doing?! Can't you see you're hurting her?!"

"Pyrrha... Why did you choose to become a Huntress?"

"I… don't really like conflicts."

"Don't you worry, alright? I'm a Super Lawyer, after all. I'll get you free in no time flat, Miss!"

Those who don't fight won't survive - Tatakawanakereba, ikinokorenai!


Based on the 2002 series Kamen Rider Ryuki as well as its subsequent sequel, 2019's Rider Time: Ryuki.

Thanks for reading, leave a review on what you thought, and see you next time!

Take care!