Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! I'm really excited with the way the story is going, and even more surprised that I'm at around 100k words already! I honestly didn't think I'd write this much, but here we are! Anyway, on to Review Responses!
DSpaceZ Chapter 18: Hah! I guess it does kinda look that way doesn't it? Alas, that's not where this story is heading, but I have seen a few stories where that's very much the case!
JimmySG0 Chapter 18: I loved her dialogue too! Sunny D will protect her own, and double down on her bad jokes!
Alright, without further ado, let's start the chapter!
Disclaimer: RWBY is owned by RoosterTeeth
Remnant's Greatest Loser
Chapter 19
A Loser's Perspective
After the speech ended, more than a few potential students were left wondering if that was a skit for dramatic effect.
Jaune didn't think so as they walked out of the auditorium, wondering if the Headmaster had gone through something traumatic in his lifetime.
"Miss Goodwitch doesn't seem like the type to go for jokes, unless she's like, drunk or something," Yang surmised, which got a chuckle from the group as they wandered the campus.
"Yeah, that was totally off-script," Nora added, nodding her head in a self assured manner.
"Hmm, so was it likely he planned a more... mundane speech instead?"
Ren asked this with a finger on his chin, looking to Ruby and Jaune for their thoughts.
Ruby shrugged, more focused on the cookies she was scarfing down.
"I 'unno!"
She swallowed first then continued.
"I mean, considering how old he might be, he probably gave similar speeches for like, decades now right? Maybe he feels differently now, cuz he thinks our year has the spark he's looking for! Right Jaune?"
Jaune nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, definitely. His words were inspiring too. Sounded like he spoke from personal experience. Think he was a legendary Huntsman himself at one point?"
This sparked a riveting conversation about what type of Huntsman Ozpin was in his youth, while the 5 of them toured the campus, from the classrooms and dorms ("Think they'll let us do bunk beds so I can live the drea- I-I mean so we can save space in the room?")
The cafeteria ("Ooooh I wonder who we can bri- uh, I mean persuade to have a pancake only day!")
The combat class fighting arena ("Hell yeah! Getting a passing grade while whoopin' ass gets me fired up!")
To the beautiful scenery with different plants and trees galore ("I wonder if I can use these as ingredients for nutritional purposes?")
To the training facilities and hospital wing ("Good to know where to go If I ever overextend myself while training") -("coming here every night for the next 3 months, should be sufficient to develop my physique and stamina to comparable levels for my age group.")
All too soon, the day dragged on into night, and all the Hunter hopefuls congregated in the ballroom to sleep for the evening. Sleeping bags were laid out, pj's were changed into, and plenty of teens were 'casually' showing off their physiques to anyone who happened to look.
Jaune, Ruby and Yang had their sleeping bags together right next to a pillar in the huge ballroom.
Nora and Ren had a two person tent ("it's a fort! Right Renny?") that wasn't too far from their new friends. The pair had already turned in for the night, wanting to be up nice and early in the morning.
"Isn't this awesome you two," Yang said while lazily stretching, groaning softly as a few satisfying pops came from her back.
"It's like we're at a giant sleepover!"
This stretching of course exposed her midriff a bit more, causing guys (and some gals) to stare a bit too long in her direction.
Ruby was lying on her stomach, legs swinging back and forth behind her as she was typing something in her Scroll. She half glared at Yang, knowing the way she was stretching was on purpose.
"Yeah, pretty sure Dad wouldn't approve of all the boys though."
"I certainly do. I mean look at all those... specimens of muscle tone out there!"
Yang did a little cat-like growl/purr as a few of the teens did their own 'stretching' right back, causing Ruby to huff in annoyance as she got back to her device.
Jaune on the other hand, was meditating, sitting in a lotus position, circulating his Aura throughout his body in preparation for tomorrow. He had been at it for the last half hour, just about finished for the night.
Ruby could feel his warm, calming Aura next to her, and it made her smile a little, feeling a bit of gratitude welling up within.
(I'm so glad we made it together, just like we planned. If you weren't here, I'd feel... like I don't belong. I know you'd understand how that feels, and yet you worked so hard to make it happen anyway, despite all the hardships you endured. I admire you so much for that, and I'll make sure to show you how much on the field tomorrow! And as for you Yang...)
So caught up in her thoughts, the crimsonette didn't notice that her sister had gotten much closer to her, looking at the Scroll she had just finished typing on.
"Aww look 'atchu bein' all social and stuff! Writing to your little friends in Signal?"
It took all of Ruby's willpower not to eep at her nosy sister's sudden closeness, not wanting to embarrass herself in front of all these people.
Huffing again, she nodded curtly as she sent the message before putting it away.
"Yup. Since they're all interested in coming here one day, I figured I'd give them updates on stuff that happens here, like tips and tricks along the way, like you and Jaune used to do for me y'know?"
Yang felt her heart warm a bit at that, glad she was still a bit of a role model for her baby sister, despite their relationship being more equal these days.
She said as much, which caused Ruby to sigh a little before pulling Yang towards her in an uncharacteristic show of affection, giving her a full hug which caught the blonde by surprise.
"I know I... give you crap more often than not, but you'll always be my Big Sis, and I love you so much for it, especially since you've toned down the coddling like I asked. I know it's been hard for you, and I know I don't show it like I should but..."
Ruby pulled back and looked at Yang with a bright smile, silver eyes twinkling like stars.
"I appreciate you for being there for me, and whether we're on the same team or not, we'll always make time for each other right?"
Yang's eyes turned blue as tears started to fill them, a watery grin spreading on her face as she nodded emphatically.
"D-damn right we will! It... it means a lot to hear you say that... I... thank you. I was scared that I was s-screwing it up y'know?"
Her voice cracked a little with emotion as she wiped at her eyes with her sleeve.
Ruby felt her own eyes get wet as she chuckled a little.
"Oh you were... but in the best possible way."
The sisters laughed at that as they hugged each other again, a certain half-blonde next to them just finishing his meditation, one dark grey eye watching them reconcile with a smile growing on his own face.
(Looks like you've got nothing to worry about Yang. I'm glad your worries are being disproven.)
With one final deep breath, Jaune began to work out the kinks in his body from being still for so long.
He happened to open his eyes for a moment, staring in a random direction when another pair of eyes, amber ones, happened to lock on to his.
(Oh, Blake! Looks like she's reading something.)
She was reading a pretty thick one from the looks of it, her eyes already back to scanning its pages.
(Maybe I shouldn't bother her. I'm sure she likes her privacy... buuut, I could at least try to see if she wants to chat? Maybe I could...)
Jaune wasn't sure if it would work, but she was one of the few people who knew about his Semblance, so why not? He looked at her as he lightly flared his Aura to his eyes, hoping he turned them golden for a moment.
Apparently it worked, because her eyes immediately jumped to his, one eyebrow raised as if asking...
What do you want?
Treading into unknown territory, Jaune tried his best to convey his thoughts through his hands, having picked up a bit of CSL (Common Sign Language) from Terra a few years back.
"It's always good to have different forms of communication in the field," she would say, and he completely understood its importance even then.
He signed to her, hoping she would understand his intent.
Wanna chat by chance?
The bow wearing girl's eyes widened slightly at the gesture, seeming to recognize the message or at the very least, the general meaning behind it.
Her eyes darted to the left for a moment, seeing the two girls next to Jaune were engrossed in conversation, before a light sigh left her lips. She signed quickly, before jerking her head slightly to her left.
If it's just you, fine.
Jaune was pleasantly surprised she could sign, and even more so that she wanted to talk! He got the impression she didn't engage often unless absolutely necessary.
(Alright, just be myself, with maybe a lot less stuttering, and I should be good!)
He glanced toward Ruby and Yang, seeing them engrossed in the Fairy Tales of Grimm book, remembering that both of them were read to by their mother. He briefly wondered if they would have found a way to read together if he wasn't a part of their lives as he quietly snuck away towards his... friend, acquaintance maybe?
He smiled at the thought, just glad to be a part of everything happening around him in general.
Blake slightly moved over to make room for Jaune as he sat down next to her in her little corner, eyes still trained on her book, though she wasn't reading.
She was wondering why she even bothered to invite him over in the first place.
"S-so um, where did you learn to sign?"
She couldn't help but look at him when he asked with such an earnest voice.
(He reminds me of... how he used to be, before the bra-)
She shook her head quickly at the thought, banishing the memory away.
"I learned from... someone I once knew. He said it was good to... have multiple ways to communicate."
"Wow, that's what one of my teachers pretty much told me too," Jaune said, a small smile on his face at the common ground being paved.
"I didn't um... have anyone my age to directly interact with till more recently... so I spent a lot of time learning about different things, and signing can definitely be useful on Hunter missions y'know?"
Blake found herself nodding at this logic.
"That is true. Missions where talking could give away your position on the field for instance. It can also be used in multiple other situations, like having private conversations..."
"As well as those who can't communicate in any other way," Jaune added excitedly.
"I always had a knack for languages back in school, cuz I really wanted to make friends but uhm... It didn't do much for my social awkwardness, so I just kinda... stopped trying after that."
The secret Faunus tilted her head at the two girls he was just with.
"So how did they happen?"
Jaune chuckled awkwardly at that.
"W-well, I got lucky enough to meet them online through gaming sessions, though it took about 4 years for us to meet in person."
Blake blinked at this... unique way of making friends.
"W-well, that's one way of making connections. I don't really have too many friends myself, besides from where I was born, but I..."
For once, Blake looked a little shy as her grip on the long forgotten book got a bit tighter in her hands.
She whispered the next part so softly that he almost didn't hear it.
"I want to... but I'm not sure I... deserve..."
Jaune felt a pang in his chest at the small display of emotion she let through. He knew exactly what that felt like, but he wanted to tread carefully here.
"Is it... ok if I say something?"
The bow wearing girl nodded, eyes back on her book, but looking a bit more tense, yet vulnerable at the same time.
"There's... only so much I can say... since I don't know what your situation is like, but ... that look of pain.. suffering that you feel? You don't have to suffer alone. I um... went through that myself recently without realizing it."
A surge of anger swept through the young woman for a moment, hackles wanting to rise at the first sign of him lying or trying to patronize her. She looked into his eyes to see if he was... and lightly gasped.
His eyes were wet, looking down towards the ground, a look of deep sadness in them, that she could see no falsehood behind.
"Y- you... H-how can you just..." She tried to keep going but found a growing lump in her throat, making it hard to speak.
With a Herculean effort, she forced the overwhelming feeling down, working on her breathing for a moment to keep her feelings under control. She couldn't afford to show such weakness, not when she was still-
"How can I just... be vulnerable like this? I-I'm guessing you were worried I was being fake in some way huh?"
Jaune looked up at her, a sad smile on his face as a couple of tears ran down his face.
"I had a feeling that... this was the only way you'd understand that I wasn't."
Blake Belladonna had no intention of crying that night, at least not where anyone could see her, not in front of this... stranger.
(But isn't he doing that very thing, in front of me?)
She found herself speaking almost without meaning to, her own eyes beginning to tear up.
"I-I can't... tell you about it... not right now... not yet."
Jaune nodded, understanding completely, wiping at his eyes in the process.
"I understand. I had no intention of prying, I just wanted you to know that I was sincere."
A small smile grew on her face at his words, feeling a little warmth enter her normally cool expression.
"I know. And I... appreciate it. More than I can say. If you get through... tomorrow then, I'll find you and... tell you at some point, ok?"
Jaune nodded again, smile changing into a happy one.
"I can tell you more about myself in exchange, make it an even trade."
The half-blonde held out his hand to her.
"So...Y- you uh... wanna be friends?"
Blake blinked at his hand for a moment, unnerved a bit at how open he was.
(Still... I don't dislike it.)
Tentatively taking his hand, she felt her small smile grow just a tiny bit wider.
"Friends. I think I can manage that."
Jaune's face nearly split with a wide grin, eyes almost closed in the process.
"Awesome! I honestly didn't think you'd be interested at first, but I just... I felt like I had to try y'know?"
He rubbed the back of his head with a chuckle that Blake found herself mimicking in her own throat.
"O-oh um, I was totally interrupting your reading wasn't I? Sorry about that! What's it about?"
Blake had quite honestly forgotten about the book that was lying open in her lap, the situation going so much further than she expected.
"Well, it's about a man with two souls, fighting for control over his body."
Jaune blinked for a moment, then snapped his fingers in recollection. Oh, Jekyll and Hyde right? I've read it before, that's definitely a good one!"
The bow wearing girl was surprised yet again, not expecting this boy to already be familiar with her type of literature.
"Interesting. I've already read this a few times, so you don't need to worry about spoiling it. What did you think?"
Jaune smiled ruefully at the question.
"Honestly, it was a little sad, the guy had two souls in the first place because he thought one wasn't enough to make him whole. Maybe... If he learned balance at some point, he wouldn't have... destroyed himself in the end."
Blake nodded, coming to a similar conclusion herself.
"I agree with that. I think the book is a good lesson on finding that balance in a healthier way. Though it's often easier said than done."
"Yeah," Jaune agreed, leaning back against the pillar they shared.
"That book and one other actually helped me to try and look at things in a more logical, yet still balanced way."
"Oh?"
Blake was intrigued, leaning toward him subconsciously.
"What was the other book?"
Jaune smiled at the interest, glad he could help change the mood a bit.
"It was about an artificial human created from multiple bodies, trying to understand itself, and whether it had a soul or not. When it became fully self aware, it started off kind, wanting to help others, wishing to be accepted by the rest of humanity, starting with its creator."
Blake actually felt a bit moved by the description, wondering why she had never heard of this book before. A smirk came to her lips as she spoke.
"You're just full of surprises aren't you Mr. Arc. I can't have you telling the whole story before I read it myself y'know."
Jaune blushed in embarrassment.
"Aha, whoops! Went into storytelling mode didn't I? My bad, I've gotten used to it lately... but yeah the book is called Frankenstein's Monster. It... really helped me understand how important perspective is. Totally recommend it!"
Blake let out a small chuckle at that, before her ears caught a couple of new arrivals trying (And failing from where I'm sitting) to eavesdrop on their conversation from behind the pillar they were leaning against.
Smirk growing wider, she turned to Jaune and began signing at him.
Seems your 'friends' must be curious about our little chat.
Jaune looked confused for a moment, before catching the subtle head jerk towards where he came from, where his sister figures were not still reading, but had left the book behind.
Jaune sighed silently as he signed back.
They're behind us aren't they.
Blake nodded, before a grin like a Cheshire Cat enveloped her face.
Wanna mess with 'em?
Jaune nodded with a bit of hesitation.
Suuure? What did you have in mind?
Blake closed her book with a soft snap.
Just follow my lead.
Ruby did not think this was a good idea. They did this once before with Jaune and his sister, and that working out the way it did was lucky enough to end on a happy note. This however...
"C'mon Rubes, trust me," Yang whispered next to her, huddled together on their side of the pillar.
"Whether we get caught or not, this is the kinda stuff you only get to enjoy a few times in your life! Might as well do it now before adulting stuff gets in the way."
"Y-yeah, I guess I understand," Ruby whispered back, squirming a bit at the situation, wishing she had her cloak on right now.
"B-but what if this girl doesn't take it so well? If she ends up being Jaune's friend, wouldn't that make this a bad first impression?"
Yang dismissed her concerns with a casual wave.
"Eh, if it comes to that, I'll just say I dragged you along and take all the blame, nothin' to worry about. Besides, if you weren't at least a bit curious, you wouldn't have agreed to come along right?"
Ruby couldn't argue with that logic.
She was curious.
(But that's only cuz it's Jaune! I mean, this girl could be uh... trying to pull a fast one on him or something! He'd be too nice see that so... so it's just us looking out for him! Nothing weird or creepy or... ooh I can't justify this!)
She was just about to try sneaking away when she heard the girl(was her name Blake?) begin to speak up.
"So... Jaune. You seem to know your way around similar literature to myself. And the fact that you're so well spoken as well. I find that very... attractive in a man."
Ruby's thoughts of leaving vanished faster than her Semblance, ears focused solely on this Blake girl's voice, and how... different it sounded.
She felt Yang stiffen next to her, having heard the same thing.
"Oh, do you now? Seems we might have had a... connection when I caught your eye after all. I definitely find you alluring as well."
Ruby had to suppress a squeak at hearing Jaune speak in that deeper tone of voice, kind of like the one he had when he first woke up after the Torchwick fight last week.
(Oh no! I should really get outta here! I don't wanna give us away!)
She turned to her sister for help, only to see she was fully engrossed in the conversation, her eyes almost scarlet, an excited grin on her face.
"I knew it," she whispered, hands digging into the pillar slightly.
"I knew the loser had it in 'em!"
"Seriously?! Now is not the time to cheer on his 'rizzing' or whatever, we need to leave!"
Before Yang could reply to her sister's harsh whispering, the black haired girl spoke again.
"Did you now? Well, aren't you bold, assuming I'd fall prey to your charms so easily. What makes you think this isn't some kind of... charade hmm?"
The sisters stayed quiet as the other two started chuckling together, before Jaune spoke again.
"Oh I know it is, but do you know who... doesn't know?"
At this, Yang felt a cold chill trickle down her spine, deciding it might be best to leave after all.
"M-maybe we should-"
"Hold on, what's the rush?"
Blake's face suddenly appeared right in front of Yang's, freezing her to the spot with her malevolent feeling Aura.
"We read a story just like this, about curiosity... didn't we Ruby?"
Jaune did the same on Ruby's side, causing her to let out a frightened squeak after all.
"Y-Yang made do it! I-It was her idea! I-I d-didn't even wanna go!"
Despite her own fear, Yang made her feeling of betrayal known.
"Yeah right! Screw covering for you! Y-you didn't have to follow me! You insisted on coming in fact!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"You're a liar!"
"I know you are but what am I?"
"A-an even bigger liar!"
"Oh yeah?! Well you're a... a short liar, thats worse!"
"That doesn't make SENSE!"
Jaune and Blake couldn't help but start laughing at the display, which happened to annoy a certain platinum blonde marching over to the source of the noise.
"Excuse me!"
Ruby and Yang both turned as one to the newcomer, their Aura's flaring as they spoke in unison:
"What do you want?!"
Weiss immediately paled even more as their ire caused her to clam up a bit.
(Oh yes, still as scary as ever! Even so, I mustn't back down!)
After clearing her throat, the younger Schnee spoke up despite her fear.
"You're... b-being too loud, some of us.. are trying to sleep so... please keep it to a dull roar would you?"
The two sisters blinked at her, then at each other, before asking a serious question.
"What were we fighting about?"
What came after was a string of apologies, awkward introductions, and a few more bouts of laughter in the process.
Weiss excused herself once again, claiming she didn't want a headache in the morning from 'mindless shenanigans' as she put it, causing Ruby to blow a quiet raspberry and Yang to flip her the bird when her back was turned.
"Busybodies should mind their own business!"
"Couldn't have said it better myself sis!"
Jaune shook his head with a rueful smile while Blake just rose an eyebrow.
"Pot calling the kettle black much... ladies?"
Both girls immediately bowed in apology once again, realizing how hypocritical that just sounded.
Having their fill of seeing the two squirm, Jaune and Blake just waved it off, the whole thing being a fun way to introduce each other anyway.
Eager for the change in subject, Ruby pointed at the book Blake was still holding.
"S-so, I see you're into reading stories too huh?"
Blake nodded, a small smile on her face at the younger girl's interest.
"I am. I've noticed you seem to be as well."
She nodded towards the bigger book that was over where the two sisters left it.
"Y-yeah, well..."
Ruby poked her fingers together,a bit of her natural shyness showing through, which Yang still had a bit of fondness for.
The three of them nodded encouragingly, so Ruby continued.
"When I was a little girl, when my... mother was still alive, She'd read that book to us, with tales of brave knights, slaying monsters, heroism and life lessons in general. I used to think she was a heroine straight out of those pages... and I wanted to be just like that... just like her... y'know?"
Blake understood the draw of that all too well. After all, hero worship often began with your own family didn't it?
However...
"I'm sensing an... earth shattering 'but' in there somewhere."
Jaune and Yang remained silent, already knowing where this was going.
"Yep. It really was."
Ruby took on a somber look, one Blake often attributed to herself, which she found surprising in the younger girl.
"I was... devastated when I understood what being like her truly meant... and I... lost faith in the magic behind those stories for awhile. Even now I... I have trouble reading it alone, since it reminds me so much of her... and how real life isn't like a fairy tale."
Blake found herself relating to her story, having faced similar feelings of disillusionment throughout her life, once as a child, and again far more recently.
"As... crippling as that can be at first, It's a good thing, to see the world without rose-tinted glasses. There are many out there... both younger than you... and older than me, that never learn that lesson."
Jaune and Yang fully understood what that meant, heads bowed as they thought of their own experiences with that same truth.
Ruby nodded, her face showing a bit of the determination she gained since that happened.
"You're right. Being naive can be... deadly in our line of work. I truly understand that now. Even so... I don't want the magic that I felt back then... to completely fade away. Even if it's not always possible to achieve those fairy tale endings..."
She clinched her fist firmly, showing her resolve in her silver eyes.
"I choose to believe that it's still something worth fighting for! If what I do... what we do... can help another child not go through what my family did... then I know it was worth it. And I'll do that... without losing sight of how important my own life is."
Yang couldn't help but glomp her little sister after that, a proud smile on her face.
"I'm sure Mom would be proud of you for that Rubes... I know I am."
"I second that," Jaune said, a small smile on his face as he put out his fist for her to bump.
Blake was... simply shocked.
(Wow... such... maturity for her age is just...)
"Well, I guess you can't judge a book by its cover can you? Even if you have your... less flattering moments," Blake snarked, causing Ruby to blush with a pout.
"Heeeyyy! I know when to... mess around and when to be serious."
Blake chuckled a little, shaking her head in amusement.
"I get it, don't worry. Being mature all the time can be just as grating on the nerves."
With that, Blake stood up to do a slight stretch, a yawn following shortly after.
"Well, it is getting late, so I'd like to get some sleep while I still can."
This seemed to cause the sisters to realize how tired they were as well, and saying their goodbyes and goodnights, sleepily headed back to their sleeping bags.
Jaune wasn't as tired, seeing as he was still mostly fresh off of his meditation, combined with being used to running in 4 hours of sleep for a whole day. Still, he got up and joined the other two girls, waving at Blake as he went.
"Sorry it became such a big thing but, it was great talking to you!"
She nodded in agreement, putting up a hand as he left.
"Likewise, see you around."
As she settled in for the night, one thought permeated her mind before she drifted off.
(Maybe coming here was worth it after all...)
Approximately 2 hours later...
Jaune's eyes snapped open, a slight golden glow surrounding his irises and body as he begins to carefully extricate himself from Ruby's grip on his arm.
He quickly but quietly transfers her hold onto Yang, which works just like before.
The Aura he exerts from his feet help mask his movements to almost dead silence as he quietly leaves the Ballroom, only one place on his half conscious mind:
(The training room. I must achieve optimal peak human performance, as quickly and efficiently as possible. 2 hours of nonstop training with Grimm and humanoid combatants at level 7 shall suffice. Minimal Aura usage while in combat, only pausing to revitalize my muscles with it whenever I am too fatigued to continue.)
Jaune found the room, and already somewhat familiar with how the system operates from earlier that day, began to input the specifications he wanted.
(With this method, my Aura should be back at full capacity once I've finished, and rested for the remaining time till an hour before Initiation begins.)
Jaune knew this was only Day 1, and he had 89 days to go before he reached his goal.
As the virtual enemies began to appear, Joa glowed, a sword in his right hand, and a spear in his left.
He smiled with excitement.
"Alright! Let's get started!"
As he started his training, a certain man in green observed the only potential student taking advantage of the facilities, before he was even enrolled yet.
A self assured smile graced his face as he walked away, waving off The concerns of the Vice-Headmistress next to him.
"It's alright Glynda, I'll allow it. It seems we really will, have a promising set of first years this time around."
The next morning was abuzz with the excitement of Initiation in the air, the potential students freshening up, eating light breakfasts, then boarding the Bullhead at the school's docking point, taking them to some cliffs which seemed to have... launching pads on them.
The three teens now understood what their uncle's meant by land strategy.
"Good thing I brought my goggles then," Yang said, already putting them on with a grin as they got closer.
"Same with my visor glasses, though I didn't think I'd use them for... well, this," Jaune said, adjusting them to fit snugly on his face.
Ruby pointed to herself with a smug expression as they were about to step on their platforms.
"No need for any eyewear over here, Rose Rush is perfect for situations like this!"
Jaune and Yang mock bowed to her 'superior' Semblance, making all 3 laugh, which settled their nerves quite a bit.
Once everyone was in place, Ozpin and Goodwitch walked up on the opposite side of the cliff, facing the prospective students with an appraising eye.
"Good morning everyone," Ozpin began, the arm with his cane made a sweeping motion, encompassing their surroundings.
"This place, is known as the Emerald Forest. Beautiful, is it not? In a few moments, all of you will become more... acquainted with its depths. Inside this forest will be danger that some of you may be familiar with, others... not so much. Regardless, your mettle will be tested as you traverse the terrain, Grimm of all shapes and sizes will be among you. If you are not prepared, you will die, make no mistake. If anyone wishes to withdraw, this is the last opportunity to do so, there would no shame in it."
A moment of silence followed, as Jaune glanced both ways down the line of people, all with various degrees of nervousness, excitement, even boredom in some cases. He saw a few familiar faces, closest being Ren and Nora, who nodded and waved respectfully with smiles on their faces as they saw him. He smiled back, maybe they might run into each other out there, would be cool to team up with them if he could.
His gaze landed on Yang, who was on the left side of Ruby, who gave him a thumbs up with a big grin.
Jaune returned the cheesy gesture, then looked to Ruby right next to him, who beamed with her own big smile in between them.
"All of you are prepared then? Very well. Glynda? Would you do the honors in explaining how partners will be determined this year?"
Professor Goodwitch stepped forward, slightly clearing her throat.
"Of course Headmaster. As some of you may know, every year there is a different method on how partners, and eventually teams, are formed. This year, those will be decided... today."
This caused a light amount of gasps and muted conversations around the teens, with a staged whisper of "I knew it!" coming from a certain ginger further down on Jaune's left.
"When you land in the forest, whoever you make eye contact with, will be your partner for the next four years."
Jaune saw Ruby stiffen next to him, glancing between her family, worry in her eyes as they darted back and forth. Seeing this, Jaune and Yang grasped her hands on either side, squeezing them for reassurance, though Jaune was just as worried as she was.
Jaune could hear Yang whispering, no doubt positive words on Ruby's left, who nodded at her gratefully before turning to look at him next.
"I'm gonna find you, no matter what," she whispered, silver eyes glowing in determination as she squeezed his hand once more before letting go and facing their soon to be teachers.
Jaune smiled back, his own eyes flashing gold for a moment behind his visor, mirroring her resolve with his own.
"Not if I find you first."
He faced forward as well, but not before catching the little reaper's small smile grow a bit wider.
After everyone quieted down again, Goodwitch continued.
"Your objectives will be to head north from here, to an abandoned temple, where you will find relics that you must return with in order to pass. The relics this year, will be black and white chess pieces. Whichever pairs that find the same chess piece as the other, will be made into a full fledged team.
There will be staff monitoring the proceedings, but none will interfere during the event unless absolutely necessary, in which case, whoever is saved in this manner will most likely be failing regardless. Once all the pieces have been retrieved and returned here, Initiation will end, and any remaining stragglers without chess pieces, whether they are partnered or not, will fail and be sent home. Remember, the objective supersedes any glory to be had on the field. Keep your heads out there, and work together to accomplish your goals. Any questions?"
No one said a word in response, which caused both adults to nod in acceptance.
"Very well then, all that's left to do... is to propel you forward. The platforms you're all standing on, are launching pads. We will set them off one by one, till all of you are sent careening into the forest proper. I hope you all have landing strategies," Ozpin quipped, holding a device that presumably started the process.
"Best of luck to you all. I have-"
Ozpin suddenly locked eyes with Jaune and Ruby for a moment longer than the others, a small smile on his face.
"-high hopes for you."
Then he pressed the button.
And that's it! Now that Initiation is underway, got any predictions on what could happen? Let's get a discussion going! I'll take a few weeks to prepare for the fights and team names and such, so look forward to it! Read and Review! Peace!