Howdy-do, everyone? It's time for more chapters of my newest story. I don't want these Emerald Forest Arc Chapters to be too big, but I am continuously making sure that this story is a step up from the original. With that said, here we go.

Morning had arrived at Beacon Academy, as every single candidate was up and ready for initiation... Well, all except for one. Neos was the only one still snoozing around, as Damien walked towards his pal and yanked the sleeping bag from under him.

The spiky-haired teen twirled in the air before crashing down. "Ow! What the hell, bro?!" He growled.

"Rise and shine, sleepy-head! The initiation test is today." The crimson haired lad reminded him. "I mean, surely you didn't forget, right?" He narrowed his eyes.

Neos' eyes widened. "Oh, uh, nah! No way, man..." He waved off, before quickly dashing to the bathroom to get changed.

Damien sighed. "Typical..."

After Neos had gotten fully dressed, he headed towards his locker where his fellow Bastard Beowolf gang members were crowded around. "Well, look who finally decided to wake up." Janey snarked. "Didn't think you were ever gonna wake up."

"Heh, well, I'm here, ain't I?" Neos shrugged off, as he opened up his locker, and retrieved a special pair of fingerless gloves, which he dubbed as the Claws of Mjolnir. "So, what are you guys doing around here?"

"King here is trying to think of a plan for initiation today." Rockwell said.

"I mean, we can all assume that we are all going to end up with a partner." Sergei theorized. "But I still haven't figured out how teams are going to form. After all, I want to come up with an idea so that all four of us can be on the same team."

"Eh, I don't think you need to worry about that, Sergei." Neos butted in. "After all, I don't need a plan to choose my partner."

Rockwell and Sergei were surprised, before they got mad. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?!" Sergei raged.

"Yeah, Xanthos! Are you not proud to be partners with any of us?!" Rockwell shouted, as they got in Neos' face.

"Hey, take it easy! It's not like that at all." Neos tried to assure.

"Then what is it then?! Would you rather be pals with your Sanctum buddy, Damien?" Sergei asked.

"Or maybe your new lady friend, Naomi?" Rockwell wondered.

"All right, you two. Leave him alone." Janey dope-slapped the two before she reeled them back. "It's not up to you who decides how the partners should be paired up."

"Thanks, Janey..." Neos sighed.

"Besides, I wouldn't mind a partner different from our gang." The bluebird Faunus confessed, much to the other two's charge-in. "Look, the Bastard Beowolves will always be my family, but you guys can be too much at times. A girl needs her own space now and then."

Sergei groaned, as his plan was unraveled. "Well, back to square one I guess..." He slumped away as Rockwell followed him.

"Hey, come on, amigo! I thought it was pretty good." He shouted words of comfort.

Meanwhile, at her locker, Gwen pulled put a light-blue bow which she called the Iceborne Bow. She gripped it, before she muttered to herself. "It is time. I cannot fail initiation." She then held her late mother's necklace in her hand before putting it on. "I know your blessings are always with me, mother..."

"Doing some last minute prayers?" A voice spoke to her.

Gwen was taken aback by the voice. "Ryu?" She turned around, but it was the other blue-haired swordsman. "Oh, you're Lee. Ryu's cousin, right?"

"Yes, that would be correct..." Lee nodded. "And from he told me, your name is Gwen?"

"That's right." The white-haired girl nodded. "I'm assuming you are well prepared for what this test has in store?"

"Obviously." Lee huffed, before brandishing his weapon of choice; a katana similar to Ryu's, which he called Takumi Excalibur. "I've been training with Ryu, my father, and the rest of the Yahto Clan for years. There's nothing I can't handle!"

Gwen was amazed at Lee's confidence. "Wow, you sound like you are ready to cut through anything." She sighed, before facing herself. "I've been trying to hone my family's power for a while, but I don't know if..."

"Don't know if you're ready? Pah, how ludicrous!" Lee cut her off. "Look, everyone's been training for this moment. The fact that you've made it into Beacon proves your worth, so leave that "not-ready" crap behind!"

Gwen was surprised by Lee's form of encouragement. "Lee...! I, um- Wait, what is that touching me?"

Before she could speak another word, an arm wrapped around her, as Naomi appeared. "Ooh, what a lovely conservation this is! Please, continue." She grinned, while she placed her other arm around Lee.

"What the hell? Who are you supposed to be?!" Lee glared at the seductive girl.

"Oh, I'm Naomi Siren. And I thought the best way to ease the tension would be a massage. Eh, how about it?" She offered, as her hand travelled down Lee's back.

However, Lee knocked Naomi's hand back, before shoving her away. "Back off, weirdo! You're not throwing my focus off like that!" He scowled, before storming off.

"Yeesh, what's his deal? I just wanted to be supportive!" Naomi pouted.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Naomi. I am Gwen Charlotte." Gwen smiled as she introduced.

"Aw, well I'm glad to meet you as well, Gwen." Naomi smiled. "Anyways, we can chat more after initiation. C'mon, let's get going!" She held her arm, as they exited the locker room.

At a large cliff circling a huge forest, every student stood atop of some launch-pads. As they got ready, Ozpin and Goodwitch got ready to explain the test. "For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." The former stated.

Glynda stepped forward to explain. "Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of "teams." Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today."

"Hmm? What could that mean?" Damien thought to himself.

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." Ozpin continued to explain, as Ryu and Lee exchanged quick glances towards one another. "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

"WHAAAT?!" Ruby screamed, as if her world had just cracked.

"Oh, you totally called it, bro." Neos nudged Sergei's shoulders.

"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die." The headmaster sternly warned everyone.

Gwen took a deep breath. "I can do this... I can do this!"

"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately." He concluded. "Are there any questions?"

However, Jaune was the only one that had questions, and he had several of them. As he kept asking them, students were being launched one by one, until eventually, he too, was shot out from the pad.

As everyone soared, or flailed in Jaune's case, through the air, Damien saw he was swiftly approaching the ground. He activated his dragon-shaped gauntlets, which he called the Twin Dragon Fangs, and aimed downwards before he shot a stream of fire to keep him up in the air. Then he immediately landed on his feet at the inflamed spot to quickly stop the fire from spreading. "Phew! Gotta prevent forest fires after all, don't want to ruin this for everyone." He muttered to himself.

The crimson haired lad looked through the Emerald Forest for any life nearby, until he could see some rustling in some bushes nearby. "Hmm, might be some Grimm lurking around, or..." Before he could finish his thoughts, a small pebble came flying out of the spot and bonked him on the head. "Ouch! What the hell, Neos?!"

Neos poked his head through the bushes and saw Damien before he strolled towards him. "Just wanted to make sure you weren't a Grimm, that's all."

Damien rubbed the back of his head, before glaring at his pal. "Eat shit and die."

"Yes, fuck you." Neos smirked. "...Partner."

Damien smiled as they laughed and bro-hugged. "Just like in Sanctum, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Neos waved it off in a bashful tone. "Oh stop. Actually, please go on."

"Hush, you." Damien held a finger up. "I think we're about to have company."

And right on cue, a pair of Nevermore flew towards the duo. "Well what do you know?" Neos snarked. "So Damien, ready to get this party started?" The spiky-haired teen grinned as he extended a pair of sharp razors from his gloves.

"Oh yeah." The crimson haired lad replied with a joyous laugh as he twisted a knob on his gauntlets. "I'll take the one of the left, you get the other." His partner nodded as they both jumped out of the way to avoid a Nevermore soaring towards them.

Damien shot a couple of fireballs towards one of the Nevermore, which tried to dodge most of them. It was hit by a few fireballs, one of them scoring a hit on its face. As the Nevermore continued to fly towards its prey, Damien turned the knobs towards the right, and shot a stream of fire from his gauntlets at his target. The Nevermore circles around, avoiding the flames being shot at it, and begin its descent to kill. Damien closed his eyes, and focused his strength, and as the creature swooped in beak first, Damien performed a backflip, and delivered a kick directly in the bottom of its jaw, sending it flying upwards.

Meanwhile, Neos was dealing with the other Nevermore on his side, where he ran towards the beast, and slashed towards its belly, dealing some damage. The second Nevermore tried to grab the clawed fighter with its talons, but Neos grabbed the creature, and delivered an electric shock towards it with his voltage claws, causing the Nevermore to fall back, temporarily stunned. Neos took a step back, and leaped forward, spinning like a drill towards the giant raven. As he gained speed, he pushed the creature towards a tree, his razors impaled through the Nevermore's belly. He lifted his right hand towards the sky, calling down a bolt of lightning, which was attracted to his claws, but he was immune to it. Finally, he was able to redirect the lightning towards the Nevermore, and as the jolt of electricity coursed through the creature's body, causing it to explode.

The first Nevermore staggered with its fight against Damien, and let out a giant screech. "Hey! Neos! Get into position!" Damien signalled towards Neos.

Neos turned to him, before nodding. "yeah, yeah..." He said as he took a knee. Damien leapt off from his partner's shoulders, until he was at the same level of the beast, delivering an axe-kick on its head which sent it crashing towards the ground. Damien landed on the Nevermore's back, as he charged his fist, which was suddenly coated in flames. He delivered a powerful punch directly into the Nevermore's skull, shattering its bone-like helmet, and created a big shockwave in the ground. The now headless Nevermore laid there, until it eventually vanished into nothing.

Damien raised his fist from the remains, and flicked the dirt off from his hand. "Piece of cake." He smirked, as he and his pal high-fived each other.

"Man, if only anyone had seen us in action just now." Neos sighed to himself.

"Who's to say we didn't?" A voice crept up, as Iskandar and Naomi appeared from the thicket. "Nice fighting back there." The former complimented.

"Izzy!" Damien called out to the Dragon Faunus.

"Hey Naomi, fancy seeing you here." Neos smirked. "You sure know how to pick your partner."

"What can I say? Fate loves me when it comes to beefcakes like him." Naomi grinned. "Though I would have loved to partner up with you, Neos." She grinned as she wiggled her hips.

"Likewise." The spiky-haired teen stretched his arms.

Iskandar sighed, before turning to Damien. "So, I'm guessing this blonde-haired guy here is your partner."

"Oh yeah, that's right." The crimson haired lad. nodded. "Iskandar, let me introduce you to my best friend, Neos Xanthos. Me and him go way back in Sanctum Academy."

"What's up?" Neos waved.

"Nice to meet you, Neos." The dragon Faunus smirked, as they fist-bumped.

Damien approached the blue-haired girl. "And I don't think we've met. My name is Damien Crimson."

"Naomi Siren. Charmed." She smiled as she hugged him from behind, much to the latter's bewilderment. "My god, what a strong fellow you are." Her hands explored his backside.

"Um, I-I would appreciate it you wouldn't do that!" Damien quickly scooted away.

"Don't worry, dude. she's been doing that to me all day so far." Iskandar whispered. "At least Neos doesn't seem to mind." He pointed at them getting a wee bit frisky.

Damien sighed. "I wonder how everybody else is faring?"

*20 minutes ago*

Meanwhile, in the other sections of the Emerald Forest, Ryu had drawn out his Yahto blade and created a wind wave to dispel his landing as he gently landed. "Hmm, so this is the Emerald Forest." He muttered to himself. "Now then, where is-?" Before he could finish his thought, he saw someone flying past him, as he dashed to that person's location.

Gwen soared through the sky as she saw she was nearing a tree. "All right, here goes!" She casted a small blizzard from her hand to create an ice ramp from the tree to the ground. She positioned herself to slide down the tree with ease, before she gracefully skated to safety.

Ryu was mesmerized by the girl's form before he approached. "Impressive technique."

The young girl was startled by his voice, before she sighed out of relief. "Oh, Ryu. Thank goodness it's you. I take it we are partners now?" She faced him, as the young samurai nodded. "Thank goodness. Truth be hold, I was really hoping I'd be partners with you." She smiled, while a small blush formed on her face.

Ryu couldn't help but blush as well. "I-I see... Well, I am glad I could make your wish come true."

"So, about your cousin... Any idea where he could be?" Gwen asked.

Far away from their spot, Lee had surveyed the area until he could see a figure with blue-hair poking their head out from behind. "Don't tell me I have to partner up with him?" He sighed. However, to his surprise, it was not Ryu, but instead, it was Janey. "Huh, never mind then..."

Janey looked at him and sighed, before she muttered to himself. "Damn it, I was hoping it would be another girl for once. Ah well, beggars can't be choosers." She stepped forward and greeted him. "Hi there, I'm Janey Bluebird."

"Lee Yahto." Lee bluntly answered. "So we're partners now I guess."

Janey put her hands on her hips. "You don't sound that excited."

"Oh no, I'm just thrilled that I'm not paired up with my older cousin, that's all." The younger of the Yahto cousins stated. "Well, I guess we should get moving then. Hopefully I can find something to cut my blade through."

The Bluebird Faunus rolled her eyes. "I'm guessing Sergei and Rockwell have it easy."

And sure enough, the other two Bastard Beowolves were already paired up with one another. "Ah, you and me, Sergei, against the world. Is there no greater joy than that?" Rockwell breathed in.

"I can see what you mean, comrade." Sergei nodded. He stopped as he heard some rustling to the right. "Wait, what is that noise?"

"Probably a Grimm." Rock commented, before bringing out his axe-guitar, Baile de Fuego. "All right, beast. Let's dance!" He yelled as he charged out.

However, another figure clashed with the Guitar fighter, which was revealed to be Francesca. "What the hell?! You again?"

"Eh?" Rockwell was stunned to see her, as well as her partner, Leonidas, show up out of the blue like that. "Well, it would seem we meet again - what a joy this is." He smiled, much to her annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah... Whatever. Don't try any funny business like yesterday, got that?" She glared, as she set her battleaxe, Krakatoa, to its dormant mode.

After a while, Sergei broke the silence. "Um, hi, I am Sergei von Amethyst." He introduced himself to Leon.

"Leonidas Orion." The ninja answered. "Well, since we are all heading to the temple, perhaps the four of us should stick together."

"Oh absolutely!" Rock grinned, much to the brunette's annoyance.

"Ugh, first I get paired with ninja freak here, and now I have to travel with the annoying guitarist and his crowned friend? Just my luck..." She thought to herself.

*Present Time*

"Eh, I'm sure they'll be fine." Neos waved off.

"He's right. I think everyone is capable of fending for themselves." Iskandar nodded.

Damien shrugged. "All right then. In that case, let's go find those relics!" He pointed as he started to walk in a direction.

Neos, Iskandar, and Naomi stood in place until Neos called out to him. "Wrong way, dude!"

The crimson haired lad turned around and marched the other way. "I knew that!" He quickly spoke, as the others laughed before they walked with him.

Well I hope you liked that chapter. I wanna stress out right off the bat that I am going to try my best and give all OCs fair attention - and try to not make them OP as hell (because that was a glaring issue in the previous version). And speaking of the previous story, if you've read the original, you would notice that I kept the same fight sequence that Damien and Neos had against the two Nevermores; I reused that part because I actually felt that that part had no issues.

Finally, I wanted to end this chapter here, so I could prepare my other OCs for their roles in combat, because the issue I had at the moment was trying to figure out what semblances to give the other Bastard Beowolves (Janey, Sergei, and Rockwell). However, thanks to some assistance from Blazing-Saint, I have the perfect ideas in mind - which, again, you will see in the next chapter. See you next time!