Chapter 32: What works? Teamwork!
You know, when I woke up this morning, I was not expecting the headmaster to send me flying toward the forest just because I asked a question. But then again, WHO THE FUCK WOULD!
Regaining my composure I flipped myself around so my face was facing forward. Soaring through the sky I looked below and the tree line below me.
With no time to waste, I reached for my weapon and brought it toward my hands. Aiming forward I begin to fire in front of me so I can slow down my momentum and see if I can land in one of the trees. It was working a bit but at this point, I was going to waste my ammo if I kept this up some more.
'Okay think of something else so I can slow down.'
Getting closer and closer to the trees, I began to sing to make my Semblance activate.
"Dream on, dream on, dream on Dream on, ah"
Feeling the wind around my legs I flip myself around and aim straight for a tree and as I pass it, I send a kick toward it making me go sideways with my weapon, I quickly take out my sword and stab the nearest tree so I wouldn't fall towards the ground.
Sigh..."I'm still alive." I looked up and saw the others as well flying over me. I saw Ruby using her weapon the same way I was, to slow down her momentum. I also saw Weiss use some type of platform to step on and jump from, that was cool to see. I even saw Yang use her weapon to propel herself forward. More and more people I saw use different ways to land... And then, I saw Jaune screaming at the top of his lungs, flailing around.
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...
Holy shit he might die!
But as he was about to crash toward a tree, something came out of the tree line and took Jaune with him. Sending him towards another tree.
"Oh thank gods. I really didn't need that image in my head."
I could have sworn I heard him say 'thank you.' and off in the distance I also heard a 'Sorry' as well.
Okay, so that feeling I had with him is still there. But I'm sure he can handle this by himself. I mean he went to combat school and he at least has his Aura. So nothing can go wrong...
Right?
I looked down from the tree and began to descend from it.
Once on the ground floor, I began to reload my weapon to be prepared for any Grimm near me. Looking around me, I am only greeted by trees and bushes: no enemies and no one in sight.
I lowered my weapon and began to move in the direction of where I saw people fly too. Hopefully, there I will finally meet up with someone.
Well. Time to start.
Meanwhile in another part of the forest.
Thud!
"Got to find Yang."
Ruby soon began to run through the forest hoping to find her sister.
'Got to find Yang, Got to find Yang, Got to find'
"Yang!" She screams her name hoping to find her soon.
'Ah this is bad, this is really bad. Oh, what if I can't find her, what if someone finds her first? There's always Jaune. He's nice, he's funny. But I don't think he's very good in a fight.' She thought to herself as she began to pass through trees and into the depths of the forest.
'Oh, what about Blake, so mysterious so calm, plush she likes books! Then again I'm not sure I'd be able to hold a conversation with her. Ugh! Wait maybe Seth! He's nice and cool and he knows how to fight! But if he gets headaches he might not be a safe person to be around when that happends.'
As Ruby passed more trees she soon saw a clearing ahead of her. 'Who else do I know in this school? There's Yang, Jaune, Blake, Seth and-' She soon saw someone in front of her and came to a stop. Sliding towards the person and meeting them in the eyes.
Both blink at each other not knowing how to react to this. Ruby simply smiles at the person while the latter begins to walk away from her.
"Wait Where are you going? We're supposed to be teammates." Ruby said with a defeated voice.
As Weiss angrily walked away from the girl she made eye contact. She passes through some bushes. Angrily at the fact, that she was touching grass. She soon heard the voice of someone struggling with something.
Looking up she saw the person responsible for the noises.
Up in the tree was Jaune, the boy who had been a pain so far as they had known each other, struggling to remove himself from the tree. From this angle, she couldn't tell what he was stuck on, but at this point, she really didn't care.
However, Jaune soon turned down and made eye contact with the girl raised his hand, and waved toward her while he laughed a bit.
Weiss just turned away from him and began to walk back to Ruby who was still looking down. As she passed her Weiss simply grabbed her by the hood of her cape and began to drag her away. "By no means does this make us friends." Weiss said with an annoyed tone to her voice.
"You came back!" Ruby just cheered, happy to get her partner back.
Back on top of the tree Jaune just simply looked at the two people beginning to walk away from him.
"Hey wait come back who's gonna get me down from here!" As he said that the two were already gone. Leaving Jaune by himself once again.
However, that was short-lived, because he soon began to fall from the tree he was stuck in.
"Wah!"
Falling on his butt, he Winses in pain. Wondering what had happened. A shadow soon appeared over him and looked down at him.
"Jaune was it?"
He heard the voice and looking up he saw Pyrrha looking down at him. "I was wondering if you still have any spots on your team." She shows her hand to him so he can stand up again.
It takes Jaune a few seconds before he accepts it and gets back up. "Very funny."
At a different part of the forest. Trees were falling down and crashing on the ground.
The person behind it was none other than Yang Xiao-Long. She was on a mission right now and that mission was to kill this damn Ursa who had the nerve to cut a piece of her hair.
Sending a barrage of punches to one of the Ursa's, she sent that one threw some trees making them explode on impact. Killing the Ursa before he could even wonder what had happened.
Turning her head around she sees the last Ursa charging at her and with red eyes she stands her ground ready to fight it as well.
"What? You want some too!?" She was about to punch it, but then it began to fall forward.
Behind the Grimm was Blake, weapon out and standing over the Grimm that she just killed.
Both looked at each other while one was smiling, the other had an annoyed face. "I could have taken him."
It's been ten minutes of walking and yet I haven't seen anyone or anything!
No Grimm, No Person, or No Ruins that the headmaster said there was.
It can't be that far right?
Sigh... Maybe I should change my approach here. I mean I have been walking for a good minute now, so I should be in the range of someone right?
Stopping in my tracks, I looked around me and still saw no one.
Well... I'm here, why not have some fun while I'm at it? Hopefully, someone hears it.
I tapped my heart and a song started to play.
Redbone - Come and Get Your Love
As the beat started, I moved with the rhythm, bobbing my head to the song, and began to walk again.
Hail (hail)
What's the matter with your head, yeah?
As I walked through the forest I began to avoid trees in my way, trying not to ruin the groove that I was beginning to form.
Hail (hail)
What's the matter with your mind and your sign?
And, oh-oh-oh
As I walked past the last tree I was in an open clearing and with the song motivating me, I began to kick some rocks away enjoying the song that I was playing.
Hell, it even made me join in on the song.
Hail
"Hail!"
Nothing the matter with your head baby, find it
Come on and find it,
"Hail!"
I began to spin around not caring about my surroundings. Just enjoyed the song, while my semblance was making leaves go around me as I spun around.
with it, baby
'Cause you're fine, and you're mine, and you look so divine
And as the song was getting to the best part. I grabbed one of my grenades from my belt and began to use it as a microphone to sing the next few parts.
"Come and get your love"
Love this song!
"Come and get your love"
GRRRR
Come and get your love
I turned around and saw a pack of Eight Beowolf's coming out of the forest. I smile at this and reach for my weapon ready to fight.
"Come and get your love! You fucks!"
The pack charges at me and I open fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
On the other side of the forest
"Did you hear that?" Jaune said to Pyrrha.
"Gunfire, it seems some of our comrades have encountered the enemy." Pyrrha told Jaune, while she continued to move forward.
The same loud bang was heard by a few teams that had happened to be close to that location of the forest.
"You heard that Blake?"
"I did, but I also feel like I heard something else."
"Really What?"
"I'm not sure, but it went along the lines of 'come get your love.' Other than that It sounded pretty far from us."
"Why would someone say that out here?"
"I don't know, but we should keep moving. We still have a test to pass."
Another team also heard the loud bang, but this one was brand new, that just formed a few seconds ago.
"Ren, did you hear that?"
"I did Nora, and it was close to us."
"You think someone is fighting? Gasp We should go and help them out. They could use the help." Nora said as she began to run in the direction of the sound. With no room to argue with her, Ren just followed her.
After a few minutes of running the two were getting close to the source of the fighting. How could they tell, well for one the sound of gunfire was getting closer, two they could hear someone yelling, and three someone was playing music from what they could tell.
As they made it to the clearing they saw the person responsible for the commotion they had been hearing.
Another student fighting three Grimm on his own, now there is nothing strange about that, however, it was the way he was fighting them that really made them confused.
As one Beawolf got close to the guy, It raised its claws to swipe at him. But the guy just ducked under the swipe and got behind the Grimm. Once behind it he raised his weapon and aimed it at the Grimm's back and shot it, killing it on the spot.
As the Grimm began to disappear he spun around and faced the next Grimm that was approaching him. While saying.
"La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la Come and get your love"
"He's singing and dancing?" Ren said out loud.
"That's awesome! Ren maybe we should start doing that as well. You know how to dance. We can be the dancing duo!" Nora said excitedly to him.
But Ren just kept an eye on the situation at hand. He saw the guy block a strike with his weapon and kick the Grimm on its chest then aim his gun at the beast's face, removing it from the fight.
"La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la Come and get your love"
Ren just simply narrows his eyes and thinks to himself. 'He's an Idiot?'
"Ren?" He turns to Nora and awaits his answer.
"Oh, yeah that would be fine Nora."
"Great!" She turns to the guy as he finishes off the last Beawolf and places his weapon on his back.
Then he taps his body and the music stops.
"Yeah! Baby! That's what I've been waiting for! That's what it's all about! Woooo!"
"Yeah! Let's Go!" Nora soon made her appearance known as she began to walk close to the guy. The guy simply turns to us and looks at us confused at first and then by the looks of it embarrassed by their presence.
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...
"Ah, how long have you guys been there? And how much did you see?"
"A new pair has been formed, sir." The woman said as she moved next to the headmaster of Beacon. Swiping her finger over the screen a video feed soon showed Ren cleaning himself off after defeating a King Taijitu. "Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. Poor boy, I can't possibly imagine those two getting along." She swiped her hand again and a different group was shown "Still, he's probably better off than Miss Nikos."
"Hm."
"I don't care what his transcripts say, that Jaune fella was not ready for this level of combat. I guess we will find out soon enough."
"Hmm."
"However, one student is still without a partner. Guessing that he was right about there being an odd number of first-years here. I'm guessing someone is to blame." She turned to the headmaster waiting for his response.
"Hmmm."
"I'm guessing he will be failing correct?"
"I have something in mind. If he is really dedicated of entering this school, then we will see. Have you got the name of that boy?"
The woman flips the tablet again and sends the file of the boy to the headmaster. Soon the information about him was on his screen.
"Seth Sapphire is his name. Graduated from Sanctum and was declined from Haven Academy."
"Really now."
"However I did not receive a letter of application from him. He instead sent an approval letter from an old student who attended this school. Honestly, sir that method has run its course, I believe it's time we got rid of it."
"Hmmm." The headmaster looked at the picture of the boy as he drank out of his cup. 'That boy, If what Qrow has told me was true.' He flips the screen to see the feed of the boy fighting the pack of Grimm.
"Come and get your love! Oh Yeah! Baby!"
"I pray that he will not be a problem or get annoying with that semblance of his." He heard the woman say next to him. That got the headmaster to chuckle. As the headmaster looked back at his screen, he could have sworn he saw something, going around the boy's legs. 'Leaves?'
"Anyway, sir. At their current pace, they should reach the temple within just a few minutes. Speaking of which what did you use as relics this year?"
"Hmmmm." He kept staring at the screen he was holding, seeing a video feed of Ruby and Weiss.
Okay, Seth no need to panic, these people just saw you dance and sing while you were dealing with the Grimm. I'm sure the first impression is out the window now. So I need to say something normal, so I don't look like an idiot to them.
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Gods damn it Seth say something! Anything!
"Salutations!"
Why copy Penny?!
"Hello! New person!" The orange hair girl said back.
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...
'Roll with it.'
"Hey... Um, nice to meet you two. Name's Seth."
The orange-haired girl steps forward and introduces herself. "Hi, Seth! I'm Nora and this is Ren. Nice to meet you." She waved at me and pointed at the guy next to her.
Ren just nods his head at me and I nod back.
Right, he's a quiet type and she's the one who talks a lot. Okay, that's fine. Just be nice.
"Right. Well, I'm guessing you two are partners. So I guess I should be on my way." I began to walk but they called out to me.
"You're going out alone? Shouldn't we stick together? The three of us can work as a team for now and hopefully find someone else for you on the way." I stop in my tracks.
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...
She has a point.
I turned around and began to stand next to them. "Alright, guys! Let's head north."
"Right! Let's move slowpokes!" Nora soon dashes away leaving a cloud of dust.
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...
I turn to Ren "Is she always like this?"
He nods his head "You'll get used to it. We should go follow her before she gets into trouble." He begins to run after Nora and I soon follow him.
"How much trouble can she get into here? We are in a forest."
"Stick around and you will see Nora's full potential." He tells me as we continue to run after her.
I have no idea what I'm getting myself into with them. But something is telling me, I will just have to get used to it.
By the time we caught up with Nora, she was walking ahead of us, and then she began to make small talk.
"Sooo Seth. Where did that music come from?"
"That's my... Semblance."
"Cool. Can you control it or does it just play at random?"
That caught me off guard when she said that. But I quickly answered.
"Um, well yeah I can control it, but sometimes it will play by itself." And after that, something always happens.
"That's so cool! Honestly, I don't think I ever heard a song like that before."
"Neither have I. So did you make it or?" Ren asked wondering as well.
"Um no, they just come out of me. If I'm honest here, these songs are special to me in a way. They either cheer me up or help motivate me to keep going. I had them for a long time now. So I never really asked where they came from, I'm just happy that I have them."
I think back to when they first appeared to me in my dreams. At first, I was scared of why I was hearing people sing, I'll admit I didn't like them at first and thought it was weird, but it was that week that really made me remember why I had them in the first place.
And I am so thankful that I still have them to this day.
I stopped in my tracks when I saw Nora stop as well. She waved at us to get down and so we did. She then began to walk slowly and we followed her movement.
She began to hide behind a tree and when we looked at the other side of it, we saw an Ursa Grimm there.
'Good call Nora, Now we can take this thing by surprise and... Where did she go?'
I looked back at where Nora was and she was gone. I turned to Ren and he simply pointed toward a tree.
Looking in that direction, I saw Nora on top of the tree right above the Ursa.
'What is she?'
Soon she dropped down and landed on top of the Ursa. The Ursa reacted to this and began to buckle around trying to get Nora off it. But Nora simply held on to it by one of its bone spikes.
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...
"What the hell Ren."
"Yep, that's Nora for you."
"Should we help her?"
"It's best to just let her do her thing. We will just get in the way."
The Ursa soon began to run away and we began to run after it, trying our best to catch up with it.
'I take it back, this girl is nuts!'
As we continued to run to catch up with Nora we soon heard a scream coming from beyond the forest. Ren and I both looked at each other wondering who was the one needing help.
After what seemed like forever the Ursa began to slow down making us finally able to catch up with it. However, Nora just hit it once and soon the Grimm went down too tired to continue to run.
Nora simply cheered over what she had accomplished and soon got off of the Grimm and looked sad about it.
"Oh, it's broken." Nora said with sadness in her voice. While Ren and I come up from behind it from each side, both tired of all the running.
"Nora... Please... Don't ever do that again." Ren said as he tried to catch his breath.
"I... Second... That." I said while regaining my breath as well.
We both turned to the girl and saw that she was already gone.
"What! Where?" I asked.
Looking around I soon saw her near some ruins looking at something from what I could tell it was small and white. Those must be the things that the headmaster told us to do.
I continued to look around and saw Yang and Blake behind Nora as she began to sing a song about being a queen.
"Nora!" Ren yelled as he began to walk toward her.
I was about to walk with him but saw that the Grimm was still here. So I take out my weapon and shoot it so it won't be a problem for us later.
'Double tap it, just to be sure.'
As I began to walk toward the group, the ground started to shake a bit, and turning around I saw a giant Deathstalker coming out of the forest destroying anything in its path, and right in front of it was none other than.
"Pyrrha! Shit." I ran in her direction trying to help out any way I could, but all I ended up doing was running right next to her.
"Seth! What are you."
"No time now keep running!" I took out my weapon again and began to take shots at the Deathstalker behind us.
"That's not going to work. The bones around it are like armor so we really need to be up close to do any damage." She tells me as we dodge one of its swipes at us.
"Or I can try to blow it up." I reach for the two grenades in my belt, remove the pins, and drop them on the floor. As soon as the Deathstalker ran above them, they blew up with a mixture of fire and electric Dust. Hurting the Grimm from below. However, it still continues to chase us. "Fuck, to think that would work or slow it down. No matter I still got-"
"Seth look out!"
Huh?
THUD
I get hit in the back by one of its claws and get sent flying toward the others.
There I fell on my back and rolled for a bit until I came to a stop.
'Okay, Ow! Thank god for Aura.'
THUD
I raised my head and saw something red heading my way. 'Ah, crap.'
OOF!
The red that was heading my way, was Pyrrha also getting sent flying by the Deathstalker. And by some luck, she gets sent toward me landing right on top of me.
"Ow..."
"Seth, I'm sorry."
"Don't be... I'm just enjoying my day so far. I really need to get armor. Cause I think you elbow my stomach." I said while wheezing a response.
"Sorry." She just told me.
"Great the gang's all here, now we can die together." I heard Yang say this and Pyrrha soon began to get off me.
"Not if I can help it." Ruby tells us as she begins to run toward the Deathstalker.
"Ruby Wait!" Yang shouts but is ignored by her sister.
I soon began to get up and see what was happening.
Ruby charges at the Deathstalker and as soon as she gets close to it, the Grimm swipes with its claws and sends Ruby back. As Ruby is getting back up she tells us. "Don't worry! Totally fine."
"Don't lose sight of the enemy Ruby!" I yelled at her as I began to reload my weapon.
She turns back and shoots at the Grimm but it doesn't affect it at all. She begins to run away from it and heads right back to us.
"Ruby!" I see Yang run towards her sister. And I begin to run as well. "Wait, Yang!"
As we both ran to catch up with Ruby, A nevermore came out from the sky and sent feathers her way. With one of the feathers trapping Ruby by her cape and making her get stuck by it.
As the feather got close to us. I was able to get out of its way while still keeping my momentum. However, Yang fell back, avoiding the attack of the Nevermore.
"Ruby get out of there!"
"I'm trying." Soon the Deathstalker began to approach Ruby, raising its stinger above its body.
'Shit I won't make it in time. Unless.' I began to think of some lyrics to activate my wind. However I have never done what Mom does, so I don't think I would be able to move fast like her. Shit!
As I got close to her the Deathstalker went for a strike.
'No!' A white blur goes right past me and straight for Ruby. Soon a huge wall of ice stops the Deathstalker stinger making it freeze in place. And the person responsible for that was Weiss.
Coming to a stop behind Ruby I begin to cut the Nevermore feather from where Ruby was trapped. As I was doing this I heard Weiss begin to berate Ruby for her actions. I was going to say something after I finished with the feather but Weiss soon changed her tone of voice to her.
"I suppose I can be a bit... Difficult."
PFFT!
I see Weiss narrow her eyes at me for that but she continues to talk.
"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."
She can do that? Without faking it?
"I'm not trying to show off. I want you to know I can do this." Ruby told her.
But Weiss begins to walk off "You're Fine."
Sigh..."Normal knees."
"And like that, you are free Ruby. Come on we need to leave here." I look at the Deathstalker trying to free itself from the Ice and see little bits breaking off the wall. "Now."
I turn and see Ruby being hugged by Yang. "So happy you're okay."
"Time to move guys. We got no time for warm reunions." With that, we rushed back with the group, who in my opinion were just standing there watching the whole scene play out. Like a little help would have been nice and all, but what do I know right?
"You guys are alright. Yay!" Nora cheered upon our return.
"Yeah that's nice and all but, I don't want to be that guy."
"Oh, that's accidental." I turn to face Weiss narrowing my eyes at her now.
"But! There's a Nevermore flying above us and a Deathstalker that is about to free itself from the wall of ice. So our best bet right now is to get out of here and head to our extraction point."
"Right. Our objective is right in front of us. So there's no sense in dilly-dallying." Weiss points at the chess pieces.
"Right. Our mission is to grab an artifact and make it back to the cliffs. There's no point in fighting these things." Ruby informs us.
"Run and live, that is an idea I can get behind." Ruby and Jaune both go and get the relics from the stone tablets.
"Seth, what about you? Do you already have one?" Pyrrha said next to me.
"I don't have a partner. Pyrrha for what is worth now I think I failed this test."
"But you can't stay here."
"She is right. You can't stay here." We turned and saw Yang walk next to us. "We can figure it out later. Just go and grab a relic and see what the headmaster tells you." She places a hand on my shoulder. "We are not leaving a friend behind." She threw a smile at me and for once that actually got me to react. Cause my face became a little bit warm.
"Wait are you-" She began but I cut her off right there.
"Right! Well, I'm getting my relic then!"
I nod my head and rush to the stone tablet. With no waste of time, I quickly grab the closest one toward me, a small white chess piece, and begin to walk back. I placed the relic inside my jacket to make sure it didn't fall off.
Well, this was a good run on my part.
The sound of ice cracking got our attention and we saw the Deathstalker begin to break free.
"Time we left." Ren said to us. No argument with him.
"Right let's go!" Ruby soon began to lead us and we all followed suit.
You know I think this is the most I had ever run in my life, and trust me when I say, Mom didn't hold back in my training. But Holy, has this been an eventful day so far.
We were all currently running toward some ruins that might have been the place the headmaster told us about. But a loud cry got our attention and soon the Nevermore flew right past us and landed on top of a tower in front of us.
Everyone took cover from the Grimm behind some stone pilers waiting to see what the Nevermore did.
But from behind us, we all heard a loud crash, and when we turned we saw the Deathstalker appear out of the forest and charge toward us.
"Run!" We heard Jaune yell and that got everyone to keep moving.
From behind me, I could hear Ren yell out. "Nora distract it." Soon Nora went to the middle of the field and began to take out her weapon, from what I could tell it was a grenade launcher.
As the Nevermore saw Nora it began to flap its wings to send out feathers her way. In return, Nora sent her own little fire back at the Nevermore hitting its mark and making the Nevermore fly away. However, the Deathstalker ran up behind Nora and was about to strike but soon Ren and Blake came from the side and attacked it.
With that chance, Weiss came up and grabbed Nora to take her away from the Grimm. As we were running, I turned and saw both Blake and Ren running from the Deathstalker. I opened my jacket to grab one of my grenades and threw it back at the Grimm. As it exploded on the Deathstalker's face, Ice was now around its mouth making it unable to close it.
'So glad I went shopping that day.'
Soon the three of us began to run back toward the others while the deathstalker kept on our tail. As we got closer to a bridge I saw Pyrrha turn around and begin to open fire at the deathstalker behind us.
"Go! Go!" She shouted at us while giving us covering fire.
Ren then dives toward the bridge, quickly pulling out his weapons, and also begins to open fire. While Blake and I ran towards them.
Blake jumped toward the bridge and I dove towards it. It was a good call because when I rolled, I saw the Deathstalker right behind us and took another swipe at us. A close call but thankfully no one got hit by it.
We all began to run across the bridge trying to get to the other side. Once there we might be home safe. Running halfway there I turned my head and saw the deathstalker still where it was.
'Damn thing is too big to cross, at least now we can-' I was turning back around when I saw the Nevermore beginning to descend down towards us. Looking at it now. It was going to crash with the bridge that we were on.
"Heads up!" I yell at them, but only three others stop and back away before the Nevermore crashes towards the bridge.
CRASH!
The group was now split into two groups. They were now dealing with their own Grimm on their own.
Quickly getting up I see that only Me, Pyrrha, Blake, and Ren were the ones that didn't make it toward the other side. While on the other side, I could see Jaune, Nora, Ruby, Weiss, and Yang.
'Good, we are all safe at least.'
"Seth look out!" I dove in front of me without question and soon turned to see the Deathstalker right in front of us.
'Great.'
I take out Saltatio Favillae and begin to open fire at it. The others also began to shoot at the Grimm trying to keep it at bay. Blake on the other hand began to strike the Deathstalker with her own weapon. However, it was doing no good since its armor was tough to break.
Blake was able to jump and get in a few good hits, but the Deathstalker just swiped its pincers at her. Hitting her and sending her towards the ground next to us.
I soon got Infront of her and began to open fire again, giving her the chance to recover and get back up. Soon Ren charged at it and began his assault on the Grimm.
'Ren you are gonna get hit as well!' I thought to myself as he ran toward it. I turned back and saw Blake getting back on her feet.
"You good?" I tell her as I begin to reload my weapon.
She nods her head toward me, then transforms her weapon and begins to fire as well.
Facing the Deathstalker I see Ren backflipping towards us, seeing that his attacks also didn't do much.
Honestly, at this point, we should get saved by a plucky, comic-relief sidekick right about now.
"YEAH!" A voice was heard behind me and soon Jaune lands face-first next to us. While Nora went straight for the Deathstalker hitting it on its top body, which made the Ice around its mouth break, as well as removing the fangs of the Grimm.
The Deathstalker shrieks out in pain and tries to attack Nora with its stinger. But Nora's hammer explodes sending her back towards us while making the Deathstalker stinger get stuck on the ground when it missed. However, once Nora got sent back she accidentally hit Blake along the way. Making her fall backward off the bridge that we were on.
"Shit!" I tried to reach for her but she was already gone.
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I then see Blake swing around and land on the Nevermore, hitting it on its back. Before jumping next to Ruby.
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Why do I worry about others now?
I turned around and saw the Deathstalker stinger still on the ground trying to remove it. While it was struggling the bridge was becoming rackety, at any moment it would fall.
"Any plan guys?" Nora said to us.
"I have a plan... Attack." I ran towards the Deathstalker. While I was running towards it, Music started to play and this time I knew what danger we were facing now.
Running towards it, I jumped on its stinger and landed on the head of the Deathstalker balancing myself. There I began to shoot on the back of the head of the Grimm, trying to break its hard exterior.
"BREAK!" BANG! "YOU!" BANG! "FUCK!" BANG!
Meanwhile, Pyrrha and the others finally decided to charge as well trying to help Seth. The Deathstalker was swinging its pincers around trying to get the kid on top of it off. As It swung around Pyrrha was able to block one of its attacks while also attacking back. Jaune follows suit and blocks another attack sent from the Grimm. While he did his best to block it Pyrrha came from behind him and attacked the other pincer making it push back.
While the Deathstalker screeched in pain, it sent another attack with its stinger. Nearly missing both Jaune and Pyrrha. Taking the opportunity Ren ran up to it and grabbed the stinger and began to fire at it, trying his best to remove it. The Deathstalker began to move, trying to get rid of the person on top of it and on its stinger. Nora soon took the opportunity to shoot some rockets at the Grimm, making it spaz around. It moves its stinger around making Ren lose grip on it and sending him toward the ruins.
"Ren!" Nora yells in panic.
I, on the other hand, used my sword and stabbed it where I was shooting, seeing that I was able to break a good piece of its shell. Holding on for dear life I began to open my Jacket and see if I could throw something in there.
Jaune soon noticed how the stinger was barely hanging thanks to Ren. Looked at Pyrrha and pointed at it. "Pyrrha."
Pyrrha nodded and threw her shield. "Done! Seth Move!"
Looking up I saw Pyrrha throw her shield towards me and I looked up to see the stinger about to fall as well. I dove in front of me nearly avoiding the crash of the stinger.
The stinger landed on top of the Deathstalker impaling it and making it stuck there.
As it screeched in pain, Jaune looked at Nora. "Nora, nail it!"
With a happy smirk, Nora looked at Pyrrha "Heads up!" Pyrrha then gave her a boost up and sent her towards the sky. As she was falling toward the ground she aimed her hammer at the stinger. Hitting it with such force that it made the three of us get sent toward the other side of the bridge and made us fall to the ground.
With Jaune landing on his back, Nora on her butt, Pyrrha landing on her knees, and Me... On my face.
Well, at least the Deathstalker was dealt with.
"Yes! We live!" I yell out. But something falls on top of me. "Urk, Ren my back!"
I couldn't take it, couldn't stand another minute
Couldn't bear another day without you in it
As the other got up and turned to see the Nevermore flying over the ruins, it got hit in the face courtesy of Yang who was on top of a pillar.
All of the joy that I had known for all my life
Was stripped away from me the minute that you died
The Nevermore soon looped around going straight for Yang. But Yang simply jumps towards the Nevermore beak and begins to send her bullets inside its mouth.
We all could have sworn we heard her say. "I. . Hungry." As she flew past us.
To have you in my life was all I ever wanted
But now without you, I'm a soul forever haunted
Down below Ruby told Blake to get on top of another pillar and hold until Yang regrouped with them. Blake nodded and began to climb the pillar. Ruby then turned to Wiess and told her to get ready to hold the Nevermore in place. Weiss also nodded and turned to see the Nevermore begin to head towards the wall of the cliff.
Can't help but feel that I had taken you for granted
No way in hell that I can ever comprehend this
As the Nevermore got close to the cliff, Yang jumped off its mouth and landed on the bridge. Making the Nevermore hit the cliff and fall toward some ruins. As it got up it screeched in anger ready to get back in the air.
I wasn't dreaming when they told me you were gone
I was wide awake and feeling that they had to be wrong
However as it was about to fly again, Weiss passed Yang telling her to head towards Ruby. As she got close to the Nevermore she jumped and created a wall of ice, trapping the Nevermore's tail with the top of the ruins. Making it unable to fly off.
How could you leave me when you swore that you would stay?
Now I'm stuck inside a nightmare every single effing day
As Yang got close to Ruby, she pointed to the other pillar opposite of Blake. Indicating to her that she had a plan. Yang nodded at this and began to climb. Once she got to the top, Blake threw her weapon at Yang and both put pressure to make sure it was well and secure. Making a make-shift slingshot.
It's like a movie but there's not a happy ending
Every scene fades black and there's no pretending
Ruby jumped with her scythe toward the middle of the slingshot, while Weiss used her glyphs to hold her in place.
This little fairy tale doesn't seem to end well
There's no knight in shining armor who will wake me from the spell
Back on the other side of the bridge the other five just watched in awe with the amount of teamwork the four were doing.
"You think they got this?" Jaune asked the group.
"From what we are seeing, I say they got this." Pyrrha told him.
"Yeah, and with the song Seth is playing, it's making this fight even better!" Nora told the others.
I know you didn't plan this
You tried to do what's right
The three looked at Seth who was holding Ren up so he didn't fall over again, and rubbing his head as well.
"Seth, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just headaches again." Seth told the group.
"Well that's fine, we should find a way to get to them so we can-"
Pyrrha was soon cut off when Jaune shouted in fear. "Guys! Look!"
We all turned and saw a huge wave of Grimm coming out of the forest heading straigh for us.
"Of fucking course." I said to myself. I looked at Ren "Can you still fight?"
He nods his head and soon stands up straight.
But in the middle of this madness
I'm the one (I'm the one)(I'm the one) you left to win this fight
We all take out our weapons and begin to charge at them before they corner us on the edge of the cliff we are in.
"This is where the fun begins!"
Back with Ruby
She was soon launched towards the Nevermore head and with her scythe. She pins the Nevermore by its throat against the cliff.
Red like roses
Fills my head with dreams and finds me
As Ruby's feet landed on the cliff, Weiss's glyph formed under her keeping her in place. Soon Ruby began to shoot while dragging the Nevermore up the cliff, and with the help of the glyphs, they only sped her up. As soon as Ruby made it to the top, with all of her strength she delivered the final blow on the Nevermore. Decapitating the Grimm's head and finally ending it.
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness
That has come to take the place of you
As Ruby breathed a sigh of relief, she turned to face the others to see the job well done. But all she saw was a wave of Grimm heading straight for the ruins and the group of five charging at them.
Quickly jumping down toward the rest she is met with Yang, Blake, and Weiss.
"Well, that was a thin-" Yang was cut off when Ruby ran past them.
"Ruby? Where are you-" Weiss was also cut off when Blake and Yang also began to follow Ruby toward the group.
Weiss soon saw why they were running towards, and quickly went after them.
They still had a job to do.
I know you're broken down by anger and by sadness
You feel I left you in a world that's full of madness
As the four made it toward the broken bridge each one jumped over it and made their way toward the other seeing what they were dealing with.
Pyrrha was helping Jaune deal with some Beowolfs. While Nora was dealing with some Ursa. Seth was covering Ren as they both dealt with even more oncoming Beowolfs.
"Weiss, go and help Pyrrha and Jaune! Blake and Yang you two help Nora!"
The group nodded their heads at the orders Ruby gave and all went to help out.
Wish I could talk to you, if only for a minute
Make you understand the reasons why I did it
As Weiss got close to Pyrrha and Jaune, she could tell that Pyrrha was the one who was doing all of the work. She was dealing with Beowolfs all on her own while Jaune was covering her from behind. Not that she expected him to do much, but still. How was he here, that is something she didn't know.
I wanna tell you that you're all that ever mattered
Want you to know that for eternity I'm shattered
Weiss quickly sent some Ice shards toward them, making quick work of some Grimm that were getting close to them. Seeing this Pyryha turned and saw who helped out.
"Weiss?"
"It is good to see you as well Pyrrha I see that you needed some assistance." Weiss said with pride in her tone of voice.
"Thank you for the help." Pyrrha nodded her head.
"Snow Angel you came to save us." Jaune soon walked up next to Weiss trying his best to get close to her but both girls just looked at him and told him. "Focus on the battle Jaune/Arc."
"Ri...Right." Jaune turned back getting ready for the next Grimm that was approaching them.
I tried so hard just to protect you but I failed to
And in a prison of abandonment I've jailed you
Weiss and Pyrrha both looked at each other and nodded getting ready to fight again.
"I swear, that noise that the idiot is playing is getting annoying," Weiss told Pyrrha.
"That's his semblance Weiss and I would not talk badly about my friend." Pyrrha warned her, aiming her weapon and opening fire at the oncoming Grimm.
I never planned that I would leave you there alone
I was sure that I would see you when I made it back home
On the other side of the ruins, Nora was having a field day. She was so happy that all the other Grimm around her felt fear for the ginger-haired girl. Can Grimm know fear? Well, who cares, Nora would make sure they know the feeling for the next few minutes they're alive.
"Come on and play with me!" Nora said toward the Ursa hitting it on its head with her hammer.
"Yo! Need a hand?" Nora turned and saw Blake and Yang running right behind her and aiming their weapons at the Grimm.
"Thanks you two! I can tell you two are going to be my new best friends!" Nora smiles at the two.
Blake and Yang both looked at each other knowing too well this might be a mistake they will regret in the future.
And all the times I swore that it would be okay
Now I'm nothing but a liar and you're thrown into the fray
As the three dealt with the upcoming Grimm, they all had each other's backs. Nora sent out rockets at a group of three Beowolfs from a distance and transformed her weapon into a hammer when they got close to her. Blake had to cover Nora a couple of times when she had to reload her weapon, with quick slashes she dealt with anything that got close to her. Yang on the other hand went straight head-on toward two Ursas that were running her way, a few punches and they were dealt with.
This bedtime story ends with misery ever after
The pages are torn and there's no final chapter
As the three regrouped, they looked around and saw Pyrrha and Weiss helping each other while Jaune was catching up with their pace.
"Those two are doing well. Vomit boy on the other hand..."
"Vomit boy?"
"I'll tell you guys later." Yang told them and turned to see Seth and Ren dealing with more Beowolfs on their own while Ruby was giving them covering fire with her own weapon.
"I'll say this, Seth really has one unique semblance this song is really pumping me up!"
"Right! This song is really awsome!"
"But if you listen to it well... It's kind of sad." Blake told the two, listening to the lyrics of the song.
I didn't have a choice, I did what I had to do
I made a sacrifice but forced a bigger sacrifice on you
The three quickly return to fighting, but Blake's words really made them listen to the song now.
I know you've lived a nightmare
I caused us so much pain
At the center of the Ruins Seth and Ren were doing their best to cover each other, making sure the two were not to get surrounded by Grimm.
Seth dealt with them with his sword and shotgun at any Grimm getting close at a medium range while also trying not to bump into Ren as they fought. While Ren dealt with any Grimm that got close to them with his own two weapons. Cutting and slashing at their enemies.
It was halfway through when they noticed Ruby helping them out with her own weapon from a long range. At that, they knew that the others had come to help as well.
But baby, please don't do what I did
I don't want (I don't want) (I don't want) you to waste your life in vain
"Seth duck!" Ren told Seth and without missing a beat he ducked. Making Ren swipe his weapon over Seth's head, killing the Beowolf that was next to him.
"Thanks Ren! Jump!" Ren soon jumps over Seth, allowing Seth to aim his shotgun at a Beowolf's mouth, blowing it out its body.
"Thanks."
"Meh, What are friends for."
"Friends?"
"Dude we are fighting for our lives here. I'm sure we are way past knowing our first names now."
"Right... Friends." Ren said with a small smile appearing.
BANG!
They both turn and see a Beowolf disappearing right behind them.
"Thanks Ruby!" Seth waves at the girl from a distance.
"Did you see that!" They heard her scream with excitement about that.
Red like roses
Fills my head with dreams and finds me
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness
That has come to take the place of you
Looking around Seth Soon noticed how the Grimm were almost gone at this point, but there were still a good few Ursa's and Beowolf's left.
All of this... Just to not get accepted into Beacon.
Fuck this sucks.
You're not the only one who needed me
I thought you understood
BANG!
I turned and saw a Beowolf beginning to disappear.
"Better keep that head on you shades, don't want you dying on us." Yang appears next to us as well as Nora and Blake.
"Pfft, I could have handled it myself." I tell her using the same thing she said to me when we first met.
"Focus you two, we still got a few more Grimm here." Blake told us.
You were the one I needed
And you left me as I always feared you would
We all rush at them trying to finish off the remainder of the Grimm here and hopefully ending this whole thing once and for all.
Would I change it if I could?
Ren and Nora went together and dealt with an Ursa, while Ren was fast and was able to dodge the Ursa strikes, Nora went in for the kill.
Blake's movement was so fast that every time a Beowolf attacked her she always dodged at the last minute and quickly killed it without problems.
Yang just went in without any problem. Punching her way in and out of any Grimm that got in her way. Her punches were so strong they even sent an Ursa flying backward.
'Note to self, don't get hit by her.'
It doesn't matter how
The petals scatter now
And Seth... Well, he did what he does best. He danced around his enemies and dealt with them at any chance he got. Honestly, Grimm are way easier now that he knows how to fight them.
Every nightmare just discloses
It's your blood that's red like roses
Meanwhile, Pyrrha, Weiss, Jaune, and Ruby were finally dealing with the remainder of the Grimm on their side of the ruins. After Weiss was able to catch up with Pyrrha and Jaune, they made their way toward Ruby who was also dealing with her own pack of Grimm. This made Weiss really see that Ruby could handle them on her own.
And no matter what I do
Nothing ever takes the place of you
Soon after they were done they started to make their way towards the others. As they got closer they saw the rest finally dealing with the last of the Grimm. But they could still hear the song that was playing.
For one, thought the song was cool, for another the song was annoying. For someone who has known him for a long time, they were already used to it by now.
But for one, they thought the song was special.
Red like roses
Fills my head with dreams and finds me
Always closer to the emptiness and sadness
That has come to take the place of you
...
...
...
Looking around the ruins they saw that all of the Grimm were now dealt with. The group all looked at each other and cheered at their accomplishments.
"Woooo we did it!" Nora cheered while lifting up Ren and her hammer.
"Alright!" Jaune also cheered as well standing next to Ruby and Pyrrha who were also celebrating.
"We really did it!" Ruby cheered standing next to Weiss and bringing her closer for a hug. "Ruby! Off!"
"Good work guys." Seth turns to Blake and Yang "Thanks for the help."
Blake nods, "No problem."
"Yeah, we can't let the start of the school year be bad, we need to kick it off with a Yang!"
...
...
...
...
...
Blake looked at Yang with a deadpan expression, regretting all of her life choices. Seth on the other hand.
"Pfft. God, that was bad." Seth said while turning around and walking away from the two.
Meanwhile, Yang just stares back at Seth walking next to Pyrrha and begins to talk to her. Yang soon had a big smile on her face.
"What's with that smile?" Blake asked her scared of what the answer might be.
"Oh, I think I'm going to really enjoy this year at Beacon."
For some reason, Blake felt shivers when she heard Yang tell her this.
The group of nine all made their way toward the extraction point that the headmaster told them. They had a little bit of trouble getting across the bridge that was broken, but they all made it safe and sound with the help of Nora and Weiss.
As they were making their way up the cliff, Seth was lagging behind them.
'Man, this day has already been so long that I just want it to end already. The faster it ends the faster I can just go home now.'
I know I failed this test. I don't have a partner that was the first thing the headmaster told us to do. So now I'm just walking toward my failing grade.
Sigh... Looking at the group in front of me, I see them all talking to each other. This experience, I feel like they really got close to each other after today. So they will at least know how to work as a team.
"Hey, Seth." I raise my head and see Ruby walking next to me.
"Hey Ruby, what's up."
"You look a little down, what's wrong?"
Great now people are going to start worrying.
"Nah, I'm just tired. You know, long day and all. What about you? Aren't you tired?"
"Me, Nah after today, I feel like I've done so much and we haven't even gotten accepted into Beacon yet. I feel like today has been the best day ever."
Well at least someone is happy about today.
"That's good."
...
...
...
We continue to walk in silence. I could tell Ruby wanted to tell me something because all I was hearing from her was 'uhhs and umms.'
"You want to ask something?"
"Yes!" She covered her mouth not wanting to scream at that. "Yes."
"Go ahead, Ruby."
"That song that was playing, where did it come from?"
"Oh well, that's my... Semblance."
"Really?"
"Yeah... It is." You know for the first time I actually feel bad about lying here.
"That's nice. Yang did mention you playing songs, but I had no idea it came from you. What was that song called?"
"Oh, well I-"
"Yo guys we made it to the top! The headmaster is here!" We both turned and saw Yang wave at us.
We both rushed toward her and as we made it to the top, there we saw the headmaster and the woman standing in front of a bullhead.
"I see the last two members made it, very well. Students if you please step inside the bullhead, we will be taking you all back to the school."
As everyone began to walk inside the bullhead I was the last one to go. I looked at the headmaster and saw him nod at me.
I found it strange for some reason but I just ignored it, since my head was acting up again.
Stepping inside the bullhead, I took a seat next to Pyrrha who was sitting next to Jaune and Weiss.
Jaune waved his hand to be nice, while Weiss just ignored me. Honestly, it was for the better right now.
I lean back and close my eyes to get some rest.
"Today has been an eventful day hasn't it?" I heard Pyrrha talk to me.
"For the most part, it has. I feel that compared to others who participated today, I don't think they can top what we did." I tell her while keeping my eyes closed.
"Hmm."
I feel someone lean on my shoulder, but I just let it be.
"I'm sure you pass today Seth. You don't have to worry about it." Pyrrha reassures me.
I hope so...
But I will just have to see.
Soon we all made it back to the school and headed straight for the auditorium. There we saw many people our age, being set on the side with all the other first years.
The auditorium was packed with what felt like the rest of the school. Must be because they wanted to see the new students that would be attending this year.
The headmaster took center stage and began to announce the people who passed this year's initiation. Also, he was the one who formed the teams.
To be honest here, some of the names he made were kind of...
Odd to say the least.
To give a few examples, Team JAMS, Team GOTH, and Team WIND, shit that one was pretty cool. There were many more but those were the ones I actually paid attention to.
I also saw the guy with the mohawk, he made it as well. Got the Team name CRDL. Good for him, his leader on the other hand... Well, I'll just have to at least get to know them.
They can't be that bad...
Right?
Soon I saw Jaune and Pyrrha begin to walk on stage, followed by Nora and Ren as well.
"Jaune Arc. Lie Ren. Pyrrha Nikos. Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieve the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR." He announced and everyone started to clap for them. "Led by... Jaune Arc."
The look on Jaune's face was priceless. He was so confused about that, Pyrrha simply punched his shoulder and he was sent down. That got a few laughs from the crowd of people.
They soon began to walk down and then a new group was walking up.
It was Ruby and Yang's group.
"And Finally, Blake Belladonna. Ruby Rose. Weiss Schnee. And Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieve the white knight pieces, and from this day forward you will work together as Team RWBY. Led by...Ruby Rose."
ACK!
My head started to hurt again. Placing a hand on it, I closed my eyes and soon saw all four girls in different places. Ruby was with Jaune, Ren, and Nora. Walking through a forest. Blake was on a ship. Weiss was on an Airship sitting next to some guy. And Yang... Was on a bed... Missing an a-.
"Seth!" I get shaken by that and raise my head to see Jaune and Pyrrha telling me something.
"Yeah?"
"The headmaster is calling your name."
I looked up and saw him wave his hand towards me.
I began to walk to the stage.
'Oh great is he going to humiliate me in front of all these people? Bro just send me home!'
"Seth Sapphire, In all my years of being the headmaster of this school I have met so many like you. A boy who jumps in, when danger is great. A boy who can work with others even when they clearly just met. Someone who can work well with a group no matter who they are."
Oh you dirty Bitch work the sha-
"However. It seems like your comment from earlier made us-."
We both heard someone cough next to us and both saw the woman with blonde hair send daggers at the headmaster.
"Made, 'me' outlook some details on this year's initiatives. And for that, I will apologize to you."
Yep, I fail. Figure as much, oh well.
"So to make amends for this, You will be assigned to a team that you will be supporting for the next four years."
...
...
...
...
"What?"
"This situation that you are in, is not too common. To be frank here, it is only reserved for someone, who has... Well, let's just say 'lost their team for unfortunate events.' So this will be a first for many."
"What?"
"What I'm trying to say here Mister Sapphire is that you pass initiation."
...
...
...
...
...
...
"FUCK YES!" I covered my mouth fast after saying that. I looked around and saw the crowd of people just laughing at what I did. I turn to the woman to see her cover her face with shame at what I did. I turned to my friends and saw them with mixed reactions.
Some funny, some shocked, and one angry.
I turned back to the headmaster who also had an amused face as well.
"Ehe. My bad." I said to him while fixing my sunglasses.
"Right well. Let us see what team you will be assigned to. Glynda if you would."
The woman steps forward and began to fidget with a tablet that she was holding. On the big screen next to us. Faces of teams that were just announced were appearing on the screen. She hovers over some teams and stops at one.
'Please be a good team! Please be a good team!'
I looked up and saw the team with the guy with the mohawk. 'Well, that can't be too bad right?'
Soon it changed and saw them land on team RWBY.
...
...
...
'Don't put me in the all-girls team. Don't put me on the all-girls team. Don't put me on the all-girls team. Don't put me on the all-girls team. DON'T PUT ME IN THE FUCKING ALL GIRLS TEAM!'
The screen changed once again making me breathe a sigh of relief.
It then changed to team JNPR.
'I can work with that. I mean I know all of them and I can work well with-
It changed back to Team RWBY.
'AHHHH!' I panic a bit and turn to the headmaster who was just smirking at me.
'MotherFuc-'
It changed back to Team JNPR and stayed there.
"Seth Sapphire from this day on, you will be assigned to Team JNPR. Or better yet.
"Team JNPRS." (Junipers)
What the fuck is a Junipers?
I soon get pushed toward the ground and turn to see Nora on top of me.
"Why?!" I said in pain.
"Welcome to the team!"
I see the rest of the team walk up next to us and begin to help me out.
"Welcome to the Team Seth." I see Jaune raise his hand toward me and I take it.
"It will be an honor to have you a part of the team." Ren nods at me.
I turn to Pyrrha who rushes in and hugs me. "I told you, you will make it in."
I return the hug and smile. "Thanks guys."
"Looks like things are shaping up to be an. Interesting year." We heard the headmaster say behind us.
It sure will.
A/N: Done, welcome to the family son.
So there we are, originally this chapter was going to be published on Halloween, but you know work and all.
Anyway. Yeah Team JNPRS, why?
Why not. I mean, to be honest, I did have an original team plan out but for me to do that I had to introduce them once I got to Beacon, and to be fair I couldn't come up with a name that started with an 'A'. That was my other plan for team JAMS. Oh well. Maybe next time.
This is my original plan for the story. Yeah, I know. Why Jaune and all that? I need him alive, cause I already have something in mind for everyone here. Jaune, Nora, Ren and Pyrrha. So, they all need to be here.
So why not RWBY?
Dude, I've seen a lot of them here. and since Seth's name has an 'S'. We all know what it will be.
So anyway, that's the end of the chapter. And I will see you all next time. I don't know when, but I only promise, I will be back.
Take care all.