Going through hardships just to achieve your dream is painful, but not being able to and failing is worse.
Maybe everyone was right, but maybe there is more.
Chapter 1
Beacon Academy, one of the most prestigious combat schools in all of Remnant. Only the best of the best can get into a school like this. While Shade Academy is more ruthless, preparing to be more critical, Atlas is more technological and militaristic, to learn discipline where it is needed, and Finally Shade Academy, beautiful landscape, and also learning more to survive in the wilds more. But Beacon, is the light of Remnant, an all rounder if you would. A new beginning for those who want to change. Now each school does have similar teaching methods in some ways, but each can teach the students differently, in anyway they see fit. Currently at Beacon Academy the initiates are preparing for said initiation, walking to the cliffsides to start their test. By getting flung off.
"What?"
Was a blonde boy's question. He is a 17 years of age, blue eyes, with fair skin 6'1, skinny young man, with a dream, a dream of being a huntsman. This is Jaune Arc the only son of Eight children.
His father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so on, they were all amazing warriors. He was inspired by them, to help others, to inspire others, give them great hope for a better tomorrow. To be a hero. He just needs to find a partner, find the relic that they need and get back to the cliff, easy right? But, being flung through the air uncontrollably was a big issue, and suddenly being pinned to a tree was not a good highlight in this situation.
"Ok, not an ideal start, just got to get this spear out". Said Jaune, struggling to get himself freed from the spear that probably saved his life.
Meanwhile Pyrrha Nikos, a 4 time Champion in Mistral, she came to start a new hopefully to be seen as a regular girl, and to make some real friends. Sure she made some made rivals in tournaments, and they talked outside of competitions and trainings but, the were not close to being friends. Her dreams were nearly crushed, and burned in a pile of ashes when Weiss Schnee heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. The largest dust manufacturer company in all of Remnant. Now, Weiss tried to butter her up, to be on her team, now Pyrrha knows how this works, many people try to exploit her, for promotions, money, fake friendships, and even both men, and sometimes women trying to court her. She wants to find a great man she spend the rest of her life with. Oh her plan of making her dream is starting to come true. She met a nice boy, a dork, and trying to act overly confident. She can see right through him. He was so nervous, trying to make a move on Weiss, but the best part waw, he didn't know her?!
'Finally my chance to have a real friend!' Pyrrha though to herself happily as she made her way towards her weapon and soon to be partner. Unfortunately fate had other plans
She soon ran into someone, without looking, too lost in her mind. Rooky mistake on her part. "I'm sorry!" Pyrrha yelled out using her usual catch phrase. Infront of her she sees a rather shocked young woman she had very light tan skin, brown hair, put into a ponytail that looks somewhat like Pyrrha's own, blue eyes looking in shock, and odd freckles on her face, arms and part of her midriff of what she can see the woman looked away, but was strange that her eye color changed to a grayish blue color.
"It-It's fine, I wasn't paying attention myself. I am Ilia Amitola by the way." Said the now introduced Ilia. "Hello Ilia I am Pyrrha, I hope that we can get along." Pyrrha said in her standard greetings, and smile she always used.
"Pyrrha, as in Pyrrha Nikos?!" exclaimed Ilia in shock again, as her eyes tuned blue again.
"Y-yes, t-that's me." Pyrrha said weakly. She felt dread, as it felt like she is going to be put on a pedestal, as usual. "Oh….wow that's cool long way from home huh?" Ilia asked with a curious look on her face, and hand on her hip. Pyrrha had looked up in surprise, she is treating her as a regular woman, she make this work, and make an actual new friend.
"Yes I am, I wanted something new, and to be a huntress". Pyrrha smiled in a real smile, not as big, but it is a real one none the less. Then Pyrrha asked. "Wait are a faunas, your eyes change, I don't know that's part of your semblance or not." Pyrrha asked, with honesty. But, froze when Ilia looked stunned, and looks like on the verge of anger, or sadness. "No wait, I'm not trying to make you feel bad, or think I am racist!" Pyrrha, exclaimed waving her hands in front of her. "I have no problem with faunas, I welcome you with open arms, I will never look down on you or anyone! Pyrrha said with conviction, and held a serious face the same she wears during battles.
Ilia was stunned, her eyes lit up with happiness in them, while the freckles on her started to turn pink. "Y-yes I'm a faunas, a chameleon faunas to be exact. As you seen, my eyes, and skin, they can change colors when I am expressing my emotions. But sometimes I can suppress it, I tried to hide it a lot in the past." Ilia confessed bashfully.
"Oh I'm so sorry about that, I's so glad I met a friendly face, everyone puts me on a pedestal, because of that I could never connect with anyone, I know what it's like to be alone, fame isn't what everyone expects it to be, it's dreadful at times, and very demeaning at times also." Pyrrha explained in sad look not looking at Ilia. Ilia nodded in understanding then grabbed her own weapon Lightning Lash, a rapier, whip hybrid, gun, hybrid. "Well, with introductions done, lets head north, we got an initiation to pass.
Before they went North Pyrrha pointed to a different direction, more towards the North West. "Wait, my weapon is in this direction I threw it to save someone." Pyrrha said in worry, and then she felt sadness, she won't be partners with Jaune. But, on the other hand she was glad, she can make real friends here, her personal plan was still going strong, Jaune can still be her friend, and heck maybe on the same team. Her partner stopped and nodded as walked a few minutes, to see Jaune still dangling, looking dejected, as Weiss just left him there.
"Jaune." Pyrrha started, then asked beneath him. "Do you still have room on team Jaune?" Pyrrha asked with a tease in her voice, and a small coy smile. Ilia smirked as she stood next to her with folded arms.
"Oh, ha ha." Jaune said with playful sarcasm. As he smiled down at her, and Ilia they smiled back. As Pyrrha and Ilia got Jaune down from the tree they made their way to the temple. They were worried about Jaune not having a partner, but they can still find him someone, all they can do for now is stick together, they could possibly make a good team, they just need to find a fourth member. Jaune then stopped as he heard gun fire.
"You hear that?" Jaune asked , with some worry. "Gun fire, we don't need to worry about that it's just the other initiates." Ilia said with no amount of fear or much concern in her voice. She was still very wary of this Jaune person, part of still doesn't trust or like humans very much, or at all for that matter. Even though she left with Blake to be a huntress, she left with Blake because she has truly seen the atrocities that the White Fang have been doing. In the beginning she was on board with wiping out the humans, but she seen how dare she say, evil, and, animalistic rage the White Fang, has been doing. Not just to humans, but to their own kind as well! So she volunteered to go to Vale to back up both Blake and Adam, she told Blake what her plan is going to be, and hoped that she will go along with her.
To her delight Blake was going to do the same thing, she has seen the evils of the White Fang, and how far they have fallen. Not only that Adam was the biggest contributor to the damage, his hatred for all humans, adult, children, even babies, were all the same, blinding rage, and cold hearted murder, with the farce of saying: 'This is all for the good of Faunas people of Remnant', Adam would say to Blake, but it was all for just his own personal revenge, angry at the world, and all humans, and taking it out on them. And to any Faunas who didn't agree with him, he killed without prejudice. He deemed them as "traitors" for not focusing on his ideal of how the White Fang should be.
Back with initiation. The other reason she was worried about Jaune is, he doesn't look like much of a fighter. Except for a sword and shield he has on his hip, he doesn't look like he knows what to do with it at all besides swinging it widely. But, she will figure that out later, for now they have an initiation to complete. They traversed through foliage and Pyrrha moved a branch out of the way which accidently hit Jaune, as he yelped in pain. "I'm so sorry Jaune!" Pyrrha exclaimed in worry. But then, she noticed a cut on his face, funny aura is supposed to heal, or protect that from something so minor.
"Jaune, why is your aura not healing you, or even up for that matter? You have a scratch on your face." Ilia asked suspiciously. "Uh what?" Jaune asked with a slight tilt. Ilia's and Pyrrha's eyes widened, this guy didn't have aura, and didn't even know what it was, is he insane being here?! Was a thought of Ilia. While Pyrrha was telling Jaune about aura, she came to the conclusion of her being right this can't fight! She needs to get him out of here fast, before he gets hurt, or someone gets killed for trying to protect him. She was to say something but, she was too late. As Pyrrha chanted the ritual to unlock aura, she seen Jaune glow bright, and didn't go away for awhile. From what Ilia was seeing he had an abundance of aura, they most she has seen someone who had just recently had their aura's unlocked. It was bigger than some trained Huntsman and Huntresses already, but it was still unrefined. He had some time to go.
Maybe she didn't have to worry as much as before, this could go well.
She was worrying, and things were not going well! They went into a cave, and the torch that Jaune made went out, they were all skeptical on going in but Jaune insisted, thinking that if it was a challenge might as well keep it hidden, and sound argument, but they knew better to not go into caves like that with out being prepared. But now here was Jaune grabbing a Deathstalker's stinger, holding on for dear life as they exit the cave and the death stalker on Ilia's, and Pyrrha's trail, while Jaune is still holding on, until the grim flung him farther from their current position. Pyrrha was worried, she tried to warn him but he was stubborn, and she never really spoken up much as a celebrity(Still is one), and as just a civilian after matches. She hoped her new friend will be ok and she and Ilia ran for their lives as this giant grim was chasing them through this forest.
Jaune was sailing through the air, and panicking so much. "Oh crap, oh crap, I should have listened to Pyrrha!" Jaune yelled out flailing his arms widely, trying to get position, so he can brace himself when ever, and where ever he lands. After a few seconds he crashed into something, a body to be precise. But, they were still sailing through the air. This body was, small, strong, but yet soft. He wrapped his arms around this body out of instinct to protect it, and out of panic, of course. He looked down to see Ruby Rose, his first friend he made in this school, well the first friend he has made on his own in general. He embraced her as they crashed into a tree. Jaune was hanging off a branch and Ruby was laying on her back of a big branch. "Jaune?" asked in utter confusion, and a blush came on her face for being held by a boy like that. She liked it, it felt amazing.
Jaune groaned in pain as he laid on his back, on the branch he landed on. Ruby runs off seeing Yang having a small reunion. Then Jaune looked up to see Weiss Schnee failing out of the sky! Without a Second thought he jumped and catches her in his arms, bridal style. It was nice holding her, and he was glad he can help in anyway.
"Just…dropping in?" Jaune asks, trying to be suave, and a little flirty. Then they both realized that they were still about to fall. They looked down then each other, and hugged each other as they continued to fall. Weiss had fallen onto Jaune's back, as he fell face first in the dirt. "My hero." Weiss said with sarcasm. "My back." Jaune groaned out in pain. Pyrrha was being chased by the deathstalker, but was eventually smacked by it's pincers, Ilia seen this and made her towards her direction making a big turn, since the creatures body is so big, and it's legs can't turn fast, it fell in small pain on it's side. Pyrrha landed at the feet of the others who have arrived.
"Great, now we are all hear, we can all die together!" Yang Xiao Long yelled out in sarcasm, and annoyance. "Not if I can help it!" Ruby yelled out rushing ahead to attack the deathstalker head on! She was then smacked away by said death stalker. "I-I'm ok just getting started." Ruby said with a slight daze from being hit, and launched. Ruby rushed back in trying to attack again, but her cape got caught, the Nevermore circled back around, and it was angry for them riding it.
"Ruby get out of there!" Yelled Yang about to run in. "I'm trying!" cried back Ruby. The deathstalker tried to stab he with it's stinger, Ruby closed her eyes, thinking she is about to die, but instead she heard a loud metallic clang, and something being flashed frozen. She opened her eyes to see Jaune Arc her first friend holding back the stinger with his shield, he looked like he was struggling with all his might, he had to use two hands. And noticed that ice was coming up to the tail, he jumped back enough for the stinger to miss it's mark, it imbedded itself in the ground as ice engulfed. Jaune then unsheathed his sword and sliced at the stinger cracking the ice almost cutting the stinger fully. The creature screamed in pain, as everyone else ran towards Ruby, with Yang hugging Ruby, and not letting go, in fear of losing her.
After the hug ended, Ruby got her bearings, and gave the suggestion/ command. "We need to get our relics, and get out of here now, we don't need to fight, I just learned that the hard way." Ruby instructed. "Run and live, I can agree with that." Jaune agreed with her plan, as they all ran to the temple to grab their relics. But, Jaune noticed something.
…..There are no relics left.
"Uh guys" Jaune started with some panic. "There are no relics le-"
"No time we have to go now!" Yelled out Ilia, as the death stalker was about to break free soon.
"But-"
"NOW!" Ilia yelled at Jaune. Jaune looked back, and ran with them.
At the edge of the ruins, were the cliffs. The bridge was a straight shot to it, but the nevermore destroyed the bridge before all of them could even get across. Ruby, Yang, Blake, and Weiss were on one side. But, Nora, Ren, Ilia, Pyrrha, and Jaune were on the other side with the deathstalker approaching them fast. But, Jaune noticed something, the stinger is hanging limply, and it is limping a little on one side. Then Jaune had a plan.
"Guys listen I have a plan, Pyrrha, knock the stinger off, Ren, Ilia right?" Jaune pointed at them, and they in turn nodded. "Good, go for the legs distract it, and try to get it to stay in one place, destroying a leg is even better. Nora, when the stinger fall off nail em, in it's ugly head." Jaune explains the plan easily. Everyone looked shocked by a good plan, and grew determined looks on them. They nodded and sprang into action.
Ren Shot at it's eyes, and sliced at it's legs on the creatures left legs, one of them was already damaged due to it falling over earlier. When he shot at the eyes, it tried to swipe at him for with it's pincers to get it's would be prey away. But, with great acrobatic maneuvers, he managed to avoid them. While On the other side of the deathstalker, Ilia shot lightning at the creature to get it off balanced, and maybe slow the creature down enough, when you hit anything electricity that has a nervous system, and muscle, it will spasm, and tense up, if something is strong enough, it will slow them down. She then extended her weapon, into it's whip form, and managed to cut a few legs, with the frontal leg dangling not able to put it's weight on it. While it's crippled, doesn't mean it's dangerous. They still got the pincers to worry about, so they decided to keep their distance. Jaune then signaled Pyrrha to hit the stinger, she was going to throw her shield at the dangling appendage, her shield is also bladed, and good for causing major damage, granted it's more like an axe head in terms of sharpness, but it still worked due to the strength and speed of it's owner.
But, before she could throw it, the deathstalker managed to get close enough to use it's pincers on her, but before it could do anymore damage, Jaune jumped in front of her and stopped the Pincer! He managed to use his new found strength in aura to help hold back the creature, it was easier than the tail, since the tail seemed to be tougher than the pincers. Then Pyrrha jumped back to give her some distance, and then threw her shield and hit it's mark, cutting off the stinger.
The stinger fell and lodged itself in the crack of the grimm's boney armor. It raised up it's body, and screeched in pain, Jaune managed to slice upward to cut off a pincer, while the pincers had bone armor on top, doesn't mean the under was protected. And then taken his opportunity, he stabbed up ward, at it's underbelly, like any tank or heavy object, they have a soft underbelly.
It screeched even louder with the lost of it's left pincer, and stab wound to it's underside especially when the blade left it's body. Jaune jumped back, and readied his shield to launch Nora, she jumped on the shield, launched herself, when she reached her highest point, she shot a blast from the back her hammer to give herself momentum to going down, as she did that, her hammer made contact with said stinger, and nailed it in, killing the creature finally. As it disappeared, they all took a quick breather, and prepared themselves to back up the others, but it was not needed.
As they approached the other end of the ruins, where Yang, Blake, and Weiss were standing, they seen Ruby running up the cliffside and sliced off the nevermore's head off. When she landed she did an epic pose, signaling to the world I am here, and I am a hero. She will change the world, hopefully for the better.
"Woah." Jaune said in awe. She was amazing she wasn't brought in 2 years early for nothing. They all made their way back to Beacon with high heads, but Jaune wasn't, he didn't manage to get a relic, or a partner. Pyrrha, and Ruby was talking to him saying that he did good, and that he lead them nicely. That they had to let him in due to his leadership, and team work. They both wanted Jaune in, he seems like a great friend for them, and they are starting to feel warm and fuzzy feelings in their stomachs, being by him, they hoped they still let him in, they would welcome him in, they can make room, maybe even share a bed. They both blushed at the thought of sharing a bed, that would be nice. But sadly, things will not go well for him,'
Author's Note:
Hey everyone this is Robbeyy, sorry for when I posted this earlier, I am still new to this, and this is my first story upload ever, and this is my first story ever, I hope you all enjoy this, and give me time to write out other chapters, I need to learn to be more creative.
Please give me conservative criticism, and comment where I can improve on, take care everyone and have a Blessed One.