Chapter 1
Oh, I can't believe my baby sister is going to beacon with me! This is going to be the best day ever!" exclaimed a striking young woman who was wrapping her arms around her sister in a bear hug, with beautiful bright yellow hair, her golden locks catching the light.
"Please stop." Ruby said gasping for any ounce of air available to her. Her face smooshed into Yang's chest.
"But I'm so proud of you!" Yang muttered ruffling Ruby's hair making her all the more irritated. Yang's face on the other hand was full of pride for having such a strong younger sister.
"Really sis, it was nothing." A downcast expression filled the younger girl's face as she looked outside the bullhead. At the various mountain ranges and trees that littered about.
"What do you mean? It was incredible! Everyone at Beacon is going to think you're the bee's knees."
"I don't want to be the "bee's knees", okay? I don't want to be any kind of knees! I just want to be a normal girl with normal knees." Ruby exclaimed throwing her hands up in the air, voice tinged with frustration.
"W-Wait Ruby hold that thought."
As Ruby moved to continue the conversation. She looked over and saw Yang had disappeared. Until she looked a little to the left and saw her talking a whole new group.
Once again, her sister had left her to go talk to her new "friends". Such was the life of the great Yang Xiao Long. Ruby rolled her eyes.
If only she could make friends as easy as her sister.
"If only" Ruby muttered under her breath kicking a stray cup on the floor, releasing a spray of hot coffee on the ground.
Eyes wide Ruby apologized to the air, muttering something about stupid knees.
"Gahh, great job Rubes. You can't do anything right."
Ruby hurriedly picked up the cup still somehow half full of liquid and rushed to the nearest trash not wanting anyone to see her accidental case of littering.
To the average person using super speed in a volatile tight spaced bullhead was not something they would do. Ruby was not the average person.
The bullhead went through a sudden fit of turbulence right as Ruby started to move causing her to slip and drop the hot cup onto a stranger's lap.
Ruby watched in slow motion as the cup seemed to laugh at her on its descent. And watched as it spilled all over the stranger, her eyes wide in disbelief.
A chiseled jawline, sharp and angular, high cheekbones which made the man stand out more than he already did. With a dark wild mane of pitch-black hair going down to his broad shoulders. He wore a deep black-velvet cloak clearly coming from some sort of noble hood. A black dress shirt underneath perfectly set and meticulously pressed. Attached to the coat was a unique symbol. One Ruby couldn't quite remember where from but knew she had seen it.
His silk trousers had been tailored to absolute perfection perhaps so much so that even money could not have been enough to find such a piece.
How much worse could this day get, Ruby thought as she sighed.
A flash of light struck me and the ground beneath me shook. A hot liquid poured onto my legs.
My silk pants producing a sizzling sound effect with the combination of the hot liquid. A weaker man would have winced. I stood silent.
"OH MY GOD, I'M SO SOR-"
I opened my eyes, and I could only think of how many would kill to look at the girl... no angel standing in front of me.
Edgy dark hair in a short cut with red tips at the ends with just enough messiness to see it was natural. Yet none of that took away from her beauty. A face both delicate and sharp. Her most striking feature being her eyes, Full of innocence with a steely resolve within them. I couldn't get enough.
A set of expressive silver eyes gazed at me with fear and worry. A stranger she had never met before, yet that did not deter her. She was amazing. She was breathtaking. She was a bright light in a void.
She was Ruby Rose. She was… How did I know that.
[Ruby Rose]
Title: Dreamer
Strength - 42
Dexterity - 65
Intelligence -70
Endurance - 40
[A young girl who once had a naive dream of saving everyone. No one would ever know the depth of her conviction. She would achieve her dream or die trying.]
A series of letters popped in the corner of my eye. LSD maybe? Wouldn't be the first time. I wrapped one of my hands around my neck and started scratching. An old habit as I continued to gaze upon Ruby. Who looked ill at the sight.
"A-ARE YOU HURTOHMYGOSHIMSOSORR- "she screamed a series of unintelligible words.
Who was I? What was this? A dream?
I looked down and my eyes widened. This… this wasn't my body. What the fuck is happening.
"Where am I?" I spoke in a voice that wasn't mine. No this wasn't me.
"Huh." She tilted her head. "Are you oka-?"
Before the girl could finish, I had sat up and ran to the nearest bathroom I could find until I looked out the window. Noticing we were in an aircraft. The thought had run through my mind that perhaps I had been kidnapped. But I could scratch that off as fast as the thought came. If I had been, they would have to be the worst kidnappers in the world and that girl Ruby couldn't hurt a fly.
My thoughts had been scrambled as pain had filled my very being. Pain. Pain. Pain is all I felt. As blood had started pouring from my eyes. My chest had tightened, each of my breaths felt like a jagged knife was cutting into me. I couldn't think, I can't think.
I was starting to attract attention already as I ran to the nearest bathroom I could find. Tackling into the door and falling onto the sink. I hurriedly locked the door and vomited a mix of colors until I could no longer.
Why? Why was this happening to me?
"I love you" a breathy whisper came to me as I laid on the floor knocking me out of the dazed state I was in.
I braced myself and yelled "Who said that?" The sounds of wind blowing being my only answer.
I pitifully laughed as I was beginning to find a common trend in this new situation, I found myself in. A million questions, and zero answers.
Enough. I had to figure out where I was and what exactly was going on. I finally looked into the mirror.
"This definitely isn't me" I mumbled to myself.
A lean physique, chiseled angular jaw, clothes that were worth more than anything I had ever owned before.
It was a disgusting thing. To look into a mirror and see something that wasn't… you.
That's when I remembered. My eyes widened, those words before. I looked at the corner of my eye and there it was.
[Onyx Bloodworth]
Title: M*n * * *'s
Strength – 20
Dexterity - 20
Intelligence - 20
Endurance - 20
[A fool who will forever chase something he cannot have.]
What the fuck kind of system was this. My skills, my stats. There was no way that Ruby girl had near 50 strength while I had 20.
"A useless system, through and through" another whisper in my ear. My head pounded, visions flashing across of my eyes. I bit my hand to stop myself from screaming. The blood pooling in little figures on the sink.
[QUEST] – Stop the fall of Beacon Academy and save # -#
[REWARD] – A one way ticket back home.
I grit my teeth. Onyx…Onyx Bloodworth. If that is who I needed to be to get out of here and back to my family. Then I would play the part. I cleaned myself up and fixed my attire.
My name was Iyan Mox, and I'll get back to you.
I promise.
I had been walking around the Bullhead when I had come across the girl Ruby again.
"Hey, stranger are you okay?" worry prevalent in her gaze. "You looked a little lost back there".
Turns out I was quite tall in my new form. I was around 6'1. It was weird looking down on everyone. Especially the little rose before me. Looking down on her our height difference was much more prevalent.
Her face was already a deep red. Flushing with embarrassment likely noting our peculiar circumstances. Girl spills coffee on boy. Boy runs off in a near manic frenzy. Poor girl.
"It appears we're landing." I noted, eyes taking in what surrounded me. I started walking towards the entrance to the bullhead but before I exited. I stopped myself and turned around "Well?" I asked.
She simply nodded her head like a robot. I'm sure the oddness of the situation had taken her by surprise. As we walked towards the exit entering the famed halls of Beacon. I took another glance at the words that followed me.
We walked through the gracious outdoors of Beacon. The trees simmering with life and birds chirping a happy little hum. Throughout my life, I had saw many beautiful things. None compared to beacon. It was no wonder so many stood around shell shocked at their surroundings.
Ruby kept "discreetly" looking at me. I moved to catch her gaze, but her head would snap back like a rubber band every time. Her stats rung in my mind. From what I could tell this was a combat academy of some sorts. People with swords, axes and guns walked around like it was an everyday occurrence. I cursed my luck.
Ruby couldn't believe this was happening. Just how could every single thing go wrong for her. She comically slouched and kept her fast pace making a very intriguing sight to the huntsman in training surrounding them.
"Onyx" I said while admiring the environment around me.
Cherry blossom trees graced the outside creating a warm and inviting shade over the future Huntsmen who would go on to slay monsters which could only be dreamt of.
To my right I saw a boy using dust to light his sword on fire. Not ready for the sudden heat dropping his weapon in a display of sparks.
Well maybe not all of them.
"Huh?... Ohh right. I forgot to ask for your name." She sweat dropped. "Uhm Ruby Rose, at your service" doing a little curtsy at the end. She looked back up at him noticing his eyes.. no his gaze. He just looked… so sad. So out of place in the numerous starry eyes which surrounded them. She knew him from somewhere and it was on the tip of her mind, but she just couldn't place him.
"Get your head in the game Ruby" she muttered. Her heart fluttering because Ruby Rose was not the kind of girl to let someone who was kind enough to not admonish her for her previous accident have such a sad expression.
"Soooo I have this thing" Ruby awkwardly yelled as she pulled out a dark black and crimson scythe nearly double her size.
"This is Crescent Rose. My babyyyy. I built her back in signal. Also doubles as a—"
"Customizable high impact sniper rifle."
"How'd you know that" Ruby replied eyes wide and mouth open resembling an O shape.
"Lucky guess" Onyx hummed.
"That's some kinda lucky guess. Soo what kind of weapon do you use. Scytheswordgunmachinegunbroa no…maybe a rapier or greatswo—"
"I don't have one yet" he replied like it was normal for a huntsman in training to not have a weapon.
Ruby did a double take and ended up in front of him, a dash of rose petals fluttering in the wind.
"NO WEAPON! T..the—then how are you gonna fight Grimm?...Maybe you could borrow one? There has to be an extra one lying around here." Ruby inwardly winced. She didn't want her new friend to think she was weird.
Wait. Would he even want to be her friend. She could see the stain of her previous spill on his luxurious pants. Something she doubted she could afford even if she saved every single penny her dad gave her.
"Would you like to help me build a weapon." His eyes never leaving the trees.
Ruby's expression did a full 360 and like nothing had ever happened the skip in her step had returned.
"Of course! Oh my gosh so many options. Are you right-handed? Do you have any allergies I need to know about. Oh, but I have no idea when the bullhead to get back to the city is. No wait maybe we could head to the forge here." Ruby brightly exclaimed giving me a smile that I couldn't even dream of.
I smiled as I looked at her. There was nothing in this world that got Ruby out of her shell more than talking about weapons. In her mind the type of weapon you wielded determined the type of person you were. What you idealized, how you wanted the world to perceive you. Those who held a weapon to kill, those who held to protect, and those to held to be seen. She was- I froze.
How did I know all that? I just met this girl today. I didn't even know that much about myself let alone another girl.
I took a deep breath. Calm down Iyan no it was Onyx now, play the part. For every one thing I learned it seemed like there was a million more questions left unanswered.
"It's a date then. I look forward to whatever you end up coming up with."
"Y-yeah I wi-" Like her brain had short circuited she had stopped moving entirely. Trying to register the words that had just come out of the noble's mouth. "DATE!".
"DATE! No, No, NO! Dad would kill her. Who knows what Yang would do. Sure, Onyx seemed nice but… Ruby took another "sneaky" glance at the man next to her. It was on the tip of her head. She could swear she had seen him before. Just couldn't put a finger on were.
"Whatever Rubes it's probably noth-" she inwardly thought right before knocking into someone's suitcase resulting in her falling to the floor.
"This really isn't my day". Ruby sighed a gloomy cloud hanging over her.
"YOU DOLT! What do you think you're doing!? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to walk into suitcase full of dust! The absolute stupidity and your supposed to be a huntress in training!" The girl in white yelled with an expression of disdain clouding her beautiful face.
The girl's beauty was reminiscent of the moon. So beautiful yet unreachable. Snow white hair styled in a ponytail with a single strand cascading onto her face. A perfect porcelain complexion like a doll who had just discovered life. Her eyes were a piercing blue and framed on a angelic face.
Her clothes a pristine white dress. Tailored by what must have been the best. Perfectly fitting her amazing physique. A linear scar going down her eye. One that contradicted her regal authority that she seemed to have ingrained into her. A princess but a warrior. A swan but a danger.
She was important. I could tell even without the system. The way my eyes wouldn't leave her. She drew attention from the world itself by simply standing. Slowly I was beginning to understand just who I had to save. If this world had main characters, I could make a pretty good guess as to who they were.
[Weiss Schnee]
Title: Heiress
Strength – 44
Dexterity - 55
Intelligence - 90
Endurance - 33
[A beautiful girl locked in an ivory tower, chained by her heritage, who once dreamt of being free.]
Weiss took out a red dust vial from her suitcase. Holding it up to Ruby's face intending to educate her on just how stupid she was.
I just watched as Weiss chastised the young girl. Before I could intervene, I had felt an indescribable pain from within.
My fist clenched, blood trailing down my hand. Something was clawing its way outside of me.
Pure misery. I put a hand to my cheek and felt something wet. A tear?
An explosion of flame, snowflakes and electricity occurred breaking me of my dark thoughts. Weiss and Ruby ending up being covered in soot and ashes. The red dust vial rolling over till stopping at the feet of, of…
"I'm really, really sorry!" Ruby said sneezing again from the dust around her.
"Aren't you a little young to be attending beacon? We're here to fight monsters you know." The disdain on Weiss's face had only grown and Ruby was not doing any better.
"Hey, I said I was sorry princess" Ruby walked away rolling her eyes, her face puffing up in anger.
Weiss finally noticing me looked up and I saw the way her eyes widened. The recognition in her eyes was apparent. It almost shocked me. Key word almost, I was guessing that a guy as flamboyant as Onyx had a pretty volatile history.
"It's heiress actually. Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." Blake Belladonna had picked up the dust vial and entered the fray.
"Finally, some recognition" Weiss harrumphed ready to gloat to Ruby.
"The same company infamous for its controversial labor forces and questionable business partners." She continued disdain coloring her words. A deep hatred for the SDC that had been with her since she was a child. Who had to grow up to soon knowing of the horrors of Faunus.
She had looked at me with her beautiful Amber eyes. Reflective and passionate which seemed to burn only brighter with her rage. Long jet-black hair cascading down her back, a silky texture that shined in the light which betrayed the quiet nature she seemed to radiate. All adorned with a tiny black bow perched atop her head like a gift.
She reminded me so much of a girl I once knew. A girl who I once loved. The same spark in their eyes, the same rebellion in their lips. The way I would tuck her hair over her ears and kiss the scars around her skin.
She died and I had never lived since.
"Now w-wait just a moment" Weiss hurriedly said. "The SDC promotes multiple pro-faunas programs and charities."
Blake ignored the voice of the ignorant heiress. She had found a bigger target. One she hated much more than a spoiled rich girl.
"Onyx Bloodworth" Her voice said filled with such a vivid vitriol both Weiss and Ruby were taken aback. There was no man she hated more.
To see eyes that were so similar to the one I loved, fill with such hatred. It hurt. It hurt more than the blood as it rolled down my eyes before.
"Heir to the Bloodworth fortune. Philanthropist, multi-billionaire." She mocked as she inched closer.
"Slave Owner." She stepped, her words coming out like a blade from her sheathe.
"Murderer." Another step. Her voice dripping with venom, ready to devour him whole.
"Monster." Blake uttered being only a few inches away from Onyx who was simply staring. He had not uttered a word. Utterly still like as statue.
Because he could not rebuke her words. Memories had flooded in showing him just the kind of man Onyx was. They had been scratching at the edge of his mind and with the amber eyed girl had found the strength to break through. The things On- no the things he had done. Could only be described as the actions of a monster. His father had turned built his fortune of the backs of the faunus and had pushed anti-faunus rights since the beginning of his career. Using that as a slingshot to boost his career. Because who did people love more than a radical. Interviews, talk shows, newspapers, wherever he could increase his power, he would.
Onyx had done those things. Not me. A sudden flash of anger had struck me. Why was I paying for his sins.
I stepped up to the girl who was radiating an aura of pure malice closing the small gap between us.
"If you know who I am, you know the things I could do to you. I suggest you get on your kn…" What was I saying.
Blake had her hand at her weapon. Ready to do something that would change her life into one full of only blood and pain. Ready to end the life of the one who had caused her people an untold amount of suffering. The one who had single handedly hurt more people than some conquerors.
In another setting this could have been a romantic sight. Onyx looking down blankly into the beautiful assassin's fiery eyes whose lithe but deadly body was only inches away. The sun shining down on them, like a stage light in a play.
"I am sorry." He said, bowing in front of her causing both Blake and Weiss to open their mouths in pure shock. A Bloodworth bowing to a faunus. It was inconceivable.
"I have committed many sins in the name of my father. All those things you said about me. They are all true, but I'm not the same person I was. I know you don't trust anything I say but you don't have to." An earnest plea had come from the last person any person on remnant would have expected. His black eyes stormy with regret.
The man before her wasn't what she had expected. He looked almost remorseful. Where was the pride, the arrogance, the cruelty. Blake's eyes had narrowed. What kind of trickery was this she thought. She scoffed and walked away.
"Jump off a bridge Bloodworth."
Who knew what scheme he was up to. He was a Bloodworth. Honey tongued devils who would stop at nothing to attain their desire. A dangerous question had come into Blake Belladonna's mind. Just what was Onyx's desire. Her eyes narrowed once more. She would find out. Her shadow had begun to change, the shadows around her distorting and contorting. For her people… she would do whatever she had to, she vowed.
When Onyx had looked up, she had disappeared. Her shadow melting along with the sunset. Only leaving the system's parting words to show that she had even graced his sight.
[Blake Belladonna]
Title: Princess
Strength – 60
Dexterity - 70
Intelligence - 80
Endurance - 50
[A princess consumed by rage against herself, the world. Desperately seeking to escape the unending cycle of hatred that binds her.]
I just sighed as I gazed at the sunkissed campus that surrounded me. The fluttering of the trees and whispers of the wind being the only sound I could hear. The student's likely disappearing for the orientation. First day in this place and someone already wanted to kill me.
At least it was for good reason. This wasn't as simple as I thought. Onyx's memories and personality. They were…assimilating with me. I felt indignation and rage when Blake started talking about the Bloodworth's like that. It almost took control of me, and I doubted it would have ended well for me. I bit my tongue once more, the blood providing a momentary relief from the confusion and fatigue. A nasty habit I picked up in my old life.
Blake's stats near quintupled mine and it was starting to seem like that was the norm and not the exception here. I don't think this is the type of academy where you could keep your head down anymore. Ruby pulling out a fucking sniper rifle should have raised some concerns. It looks like I would be fighting Grimm? Memories flooded my head causing me to grip my neck in an effort to stave off the pain that seemed to assault me from every direction.
Whippings, assault and murder were the least of On- blood filled my mouth as I bit my tongue. Flashes of people begging for mercy held me. I could hear their screams begging for the release of death. Blackmail was a favorite and Onyx held cards in almost every influential family in Vale. Not Onyx I did those things. And I would live this life repenting for his sins, it seemed. Only hell would await Onyx. On that there was no question.
However, the thought that had struck me when I gazed into Blake's passionate amber eyes had scared me more than I'd like to admit.
She was beautiful.
She was mine.
Only Weiss stood to my left. Ruby had left likely during the almost attempt on my life from the princess. I doubted a girl like Ruby handled confrontation well. Wasn't too bad though, I felt like I would see her again in the near future. I always had good instincts.
"I didn't expect that from you. The rumors say much worse things about you." Weiss had finally spoken. Her voice like a velvet whisper. A delicate eyebrow raised on her angelic face.
Please, not another person that wanted to kill me, I silently prayed.
"And what did you expect from me? A bloodthirsty monster out for faunus blood?" I fought the urge to laugh because that's exactly who Bloodworth was.
Weiss harumphed with her arms crossed "Please don't mock me. Obviously not. Some of these faunus scum don't understand how much we do for them."
So many things were wrong with that statement, I internally deadpanned.
"There was no need to apologize. You seem much more cautionary than the rumors suggest. But that girl wouldn't dare to touch you. I can't believe she had the gall to go after you for clearly exacerbated rumors and news tinged with jealousy."
I stepped in front of Weiss. Which ended up with her knocking into my chest.
"He-"
Onyx closed in on Weiss, his voice cold and detached "I did every single thing and more Weiss."
"Do you even understand what you're saying. Is this some kind of sick joke" She huffed her face turning pink. "Well, whatever you think, you're a Bloodworth. Your words alone could cause a revolution."
"Then let it happen!" Onyx hissed, his dark black hair covering his cloudy eyes. His hiss jolted Weiss, who was jolted by the sheer misery in his words.
"Some of the things the Bloodworth's-or the Schnee's done Weiss…" His voice trailed off into a whisper "The Grimm would look down upon us in disgust. Have you ever thought about how we made our fortunes. Just how many people our fathers had to trample"
"E-Every single one of our faunus workers have a representative who speaks to their needs" Weiss spoke, not expecting the sudden assault.
It was one thing to know of your sins. It was another to have them laid out upon you. I knew that firsthand.
"Weiss deep down inside of you, you know the truth. You think those "representatives" give a damn about the faunus. Half of them are paid off and the other half can't be bothered. Who do you think exactly works in those dust filled mines of yours?"
The sound of wind being cut was distinct I realized. As was silver rapier being pointed straight at my face. It's tip mere inches away from crippling me. Was this a world record? First person to get crippled in 24 hours after ending up in a different world. Although the weapon itself was a marvel to see.
I felt a chill enter my body from the aura of chill that radiated off Weiss in waves. It was almost supernatural. Where did she get it from, I shuddered. Just what kind of abilities did these girls have?
An elegant and noble design befitting an heiress like her. Silver markings adorned the hilt which was intricately curved around the handle providing a sense of beauty you wouldn't expect to see on a weapon so deadly. It's point sharp and made to see the depths of combat. The blade was full of silver and light blue highlights which amplified the already noble exterior that was Weiss Schnee.
Oh, and a revolving chamber near the hilt which contained vials of dust ready to use in the heat of combat or in this case. To blow my brains out into the pavement behind me or maybe melt was a more apt term?
"I don't know what kind of person you take me for. But my family is innocent, and I will not allow you to diminish their name." Her voice came out cold and steady. A 180 from her previous tone of choice. Her eyes shining a dark blue while parts of her body began to frost over making her look even more angelic. The chill only seemed to get amplify with her rampant emotions.
"Bloodworth or not. You have no idea what the Schnee's have gone through and have no right to speak like you know us" She hissed.
"Maybe not" I said, walking closer. I should have been shaking, I should have been begging for her forgiveness. Yet my name was no longer Iyan, I was Onyx, and the strength of his ego far outweighed than the strength of my fear, my weakness.
"Kill me if you can handle the consequences." I stepped closer until the blade was centimeters away from my eye. My long hair casting a shadow over my face. "It won't change the truth Weiss." I had seen it. The seed of doubt that had been planted within Weiss's eye.
Her arm had begun to shake. The doubt reflecting in the polished surface of the blade. Something inside me began to stir. Making her doubt herself, making her doubt the beliefs that had been ingrained into her since she was a child. It was…Euphoric. To change someone. To make them bow before you.
Onyx began to pant, taking deep ragged breaths like that of a drowning man. Weiss had attempted to lower her rapier after seeing his disturbing state. His chest had started heaving violently, like the very air around him had radiated cruelness. One of his eyes had turned a dark green, like a rotted emerald.
"Well?" Onyx had grabbed Weiss's rapier with his hand looking into her eyes with a gaze one could only be describe as madness. Weiss had attempted to jump back yet he would not let go.
"ARE YOU INSANE!" She cried out, her voice shaking. Her eyes drawn to the dark red color staining her elegant weapon. His hand had started to bleed from his tight grip. The only sound left being the dripping of the blood off the blade.
"Don't make threats you can't keep Princess." An out of place grin had taken on Onyx's face. Weiss may have blushed if not for the madness in his gaze. His eye had been flickering between shades of green and black.
Weiss had begun to shake the blade and finally pulled it out with a flourish causing Onyx to spray blood all over the cement.
"What is wrong with you, you DOLT! You're mad, no you're crazy." Her eyes had narrowed even further. Her transformation however had begun to fade. The frost leaving her body and the surroundings becoming a few shades lighter than before.
She was strong. Extremely so. I just turned around and sighed as I looked up at the sky. The stars ready to reveal themselves to the eyes beneath them. The people in this world were utterly impossible. Would I die here, I wondered?
I began walking away, my back turned away from the dangerous woman behind me "It is often people like us Weiss, we forget our mortality. Blood is good. It reminds us of who we are. Faunus, human, we all bleed. Makes me wonder Weiss." He stopped and looked behind him, straight into Weiss's blue eyes, while running his bloodied hand through his hair creating streaks of red, Reminiscent of Ruby except much—much darker.
"What color do you think you bleed?"
Weiss's face had gone still, like a porcelain doll. The frost had returned, chilling the cherry blossom tree's that surrounded them. Turning the pink colored leaves a dark shade of blue, a show of power that I had never thought a human could achieve.
The air quivered with a sharp crackling sound, the blade had been sheathed like it was never there in the first place and along with it the cold. "You're a very interesting man Onyx." Her face had unexpectedly been fighting a smile. "Nothing like the rumors. Perhaps a bit more crazy, I suppose." She huffed, crossing her arms together.
I raised an eyebrow, "I didn't take you for the forgiving type"
"…"
"Oh? No thoughts of murder running through your mind."
Weiss just rolled her eyes. "Not all of us are as depraved as you. Don't mock me. I'm not stupid enough to kill a student of Beacon on academy grounds."
I scoffed "Really th- "on academy grounds?" My eyes widened. She just threatened to kill me! Where was the justice I sobbed.
I moved to respond but Weiss had disappeared. Snowflakes lying in the place she stood.
I just chuckled and continued my "peaceful" walk through the academy. This place well and truly sucked. That made 2 threats to my life in 24 hours. Maybe at 3, I'd unlock a special skill. Ugh who was I kidding.
What happened back there? I had control of my body but the feelings…They were uncontrollable. It felt like a dam had broken inside of me and everything had come pouring out at once. It didn't make any sense. One second, I was completely me. The other…I-I don't know.
He grimaced. Nothing would come out of these musings. Nothing except more questions and more problems. This was a future Iyan problem.
Now don't I have an initiation I need to get too? I was starting to wonder if everyone knew that disappearing trick other than me.
Onyx's thoughts were taken from him forcefully as what felt like a battering ram had hit his head. Cracks spreading through the mumbled mess that was his mind. He scrambled around like a madman trying to get his bearings, but the pain was inescapable. Like a thousand hot needles had been slowly getting inched into his brain, pain was all he knew.
He had resorted to clinging to the nearest wall, trying to limp, to scream for help. But nothing came out except the wails of a broken man. The only one who could hear his pain, being himself. His nails dug into the brick, drawing a bloody picture as he limped forward. Until he finally bumped into a dumpster and fell to his knees.
The pain was unbearable and unidentifiable. Onyx did the only thing he could do and lifted himself up using every last bit of willpower he had. He begun banging his head onto the dumpster. Hoping to knock himself unconscious. His last thoughts before the darkness took him was of a flock of birds seemingly laughing at his despair.
He was interesting, that was for sure Weiss pondered as she made her way into the atrium of Beacon. Her thoughts cloudy yet controlled. She was an heiress, and her father would expect much better from her. Everyone would.
Yet he really was nothing like what her father told her. Something was off about him, and it wasn't just the stain on his pants, she mused.
Her father was many things, but a gossip was not one of them. Every single piece of information he had was backed not only by his billions of lien, but also his own personal network of information. He had spies in every group and hands in every pie. And his description of the Bloodworth heir was much more concerning than the real thing, she thought as she unpacked an unreasonable amount of bags.
It didn't matter, she had much more important things to worry about. Her gaze saddened as she looked upon her left ring finger. A luxurious and elegant ring had graced her dainty finger. Beautiful etchings of a half, meant to represent the beauty of two binding together for eternity. For Weiss it was no more than another shackle holding her. She rubbed her ring finger thinking of Bloodworth. He was crazy, on that she had no doubt. But just maybe he could…
Hoping to distract herself, Weiss looked around the atrium, and it was a truly a marvel to see. Pillars dark like the night had surrounded them to form a colosseum. Glyphs and symbols of unknown intent had covered the polished floor and pillars adding to the mystery that surrounded the halls of Beacon Academy. The railings had ornate metalwork, intricately shaped and patterned, reminiscent of flowers and vines. And in the middle of it all, a grand stage fit for a king. Or maybe a headmaster.
She continued looking around, seeing a group of boys boast about their meager skills to the unimpressed women surrounding them. She felt these ornate halls were dirtied by the miscreants that should have never been given a chance to attend Beacon at all. All of them would amount to nothing, they would be nothing. She would rather die than get put into a team with these "huntsman".
Scared she would dirty herself even further by looking at the populace, she set up her regal blanket that even the luxurious halls of beacon compared to.
Oum these people were annoying. It didn't matter, tomorrow she would find someone competent. Rumor had it THE Pyrrha Nikos would be attending. Weiss was starstruck, a soft blush on her face. No matter what she had to do, Pyrrha would be her teammate. She couldn't imagine being stuck with someone like that one girl that had bumped into her.
She harrumphed in her sleep. The audacity. She prayed to Oum for whatever miscreant got her as a teammate. She closed her eyes and shut off the world entering the only place she was free.
She dreamt of snowflakes that night.
"Cookies, cookies, cookieeeeeecomebackkkkkkk" Ruby half mumbled delirious from her sleep.
Yang giggled at her mutterings, she knew it was weird to watch people sleep, but she decided an exception had to be made for her cute baby sister. She tucked a piece of red hair over her adorable sister's ear.
She used to wish she would be able to watch over Ruby 24/7. She was too innocent; she was better than her in all the ways that mattered, Yang thought as she sighed. She got her wish but in doing so she realized just how much danger Ruby would be i—
"TAKE THAT!" A large pillow had been thrown at Yang knocking her from her thoughts.
Ruby had taken revenge for Yang's earlier disappearing act. "Heeheheh!" she giggled until she looked at Yang slowly turn towards her. A lone eye glowing red with 2 large pillows wrapped around her arms like armor.
"So, you choose death." Yang solemnly nodded.
Ruby's eyes had gone wide. "I-It was a joke." She pleaded.
Yang continued her slow walk forward. The sounds of pillows being thrown echoed in the morning air, waking all the students up like a rooster never could.
Sometime later*
"Itsh hurts." Ruby jumbled, bruises marking her face from the fierce battle she had faced.
Yang wrapped her arm around Ruby's neck, ruffling her hair. "Remember who's the best sister in the worlddd." she cooed.
"Youuu." Ruby sighed.
They had been told to go back to the atrium and it seems so did everyone. The halls packed with all kinds of people. Poor, rich, faunus, human, strong and weak. Those who made it there were already the top 1 percent. The ones who would make it into the academy would be the top 1% of the 1%.
Yang just smiled. This was the environment she did best in. Other's crumbled under pressure, Yang Xiao Long reveled in it. The world changed around her, not the other way around.
It was not arrogance; it was simply the way she was born. Since she was young, she had been praised whether by her peers, or her family. People lusted, craved and sought after her since she was a little girl. They quickly found out just how strong Yang was. She had always excelled at anything related to the combat. The rush, the bloodlust, the feeling of someone's fist in your face. It was a feeling that only Yang could get lost in.
Tug* *Rustle*
Yang looked down to see Ruby tugging on her sleeve, "sneakily" pointing at a beautiful girl with black hair standing all alone.
"That's the girl" she cutely mouthed.
"Ohhhhh the girl. How specific, how could I forget" she mumbled, yawning and neatly putting her hand through her hair.
"Stop being dumb Yang" Ruby silently whispered.
"That's the girl that was there. W-With me and Onyx. D-Do you think all the things she said about him were true. HewassoniceandI-" Ruby asked eyes shining looking up to Yang in only the way a sibling could.
Yang grit her teeth, rage consuming her being. Screw that girl for showing Ruby just how horrible people could be. Screw Bloodworth for being so horrible. She had heard about all his escapades, on the news and Vale TV. He was a scumbag born and raised. Yang had grown up her whole life around men like that. Who cruised through life hurting and destroying others on borrowed power.
"Listen Ruby. Look at me" Yang grabbed her shoulder and forced her to look into her eyes. "Bloodworth. He's bad news and he… he's a horrible guy. Seriously Rubes. Just trust me…please." Yang brought Ruby into a hug and Yang promised to herself. Nothing would ever hurt the beautiful soul in front of her. And if Bloodworth tried…
A trembling shake had shook the ground distracting her from her darker inhibitions. A resounding, deep thud bouncing off the dense walls of the atrium. Cracks formed and disappeared around the bases of the pillars. Even the newbie students of Beacon Academy prepared themselves for the worst.
"T-Th-That's the Headmaster of Beacon" A student had near shouted. Causing every other student to look up at the stage. Some in shock, some in awe and others in fear. The headmaster was as mysterious as he was powerful. One of the only men in the world to ever conquer one of the seven sins.
But that was a story for another time.
Yang and Ruby had watched as a man who radiated presence had begun walking to the front of the stage. There was no eye that was not locked on him. Wild grey hair covered his blank eyes, a sleek frame not fitting what many would expect of the greatest huntsman of all time. An ornate cane, with mysterious symbols etched into the black wood. But it was his aura that made him the center of all attention.
Students had begun hyperventilating at the sheer amount of danger his aura radiated. Killing intent oozed from all his pores, this was a man who had slayed Grimm for as long as he had been alive. A flower was made to bloom, a knife was made to cut, Headmaster Ozpin was made to kill Grimm.
Ruby was starstruck. Her silver eyes had stars flowing within them, she had dreamt of heroes for as long as she had lived. And here one was, and not just any hero but the greatest there ever was.
The atrium was full of cheers and awe from those who could handle his aura alone. Cheers resonated in the halls, until the headmaster had slammed his cane once into the ground. Shattering the stone flooring, spreading cracks into the rest of the stage. The sheer power blew a heavy gust of wind over everyone, causing the once loud atrium to become as silent as a church.
"I look into the crowd. And do you know what I see. I see dead men walking, I see daughters who will be taken from their fathers, I see those who have never known what it is to struggle. I see those who have become reliant on it. One third of you will die a pointless death, the other third will die miserable and alone, no one to speak at their graves." He said in a tone betraying his position as Headmaster. His voice was steady and calm yet there was an underlying sense of defeat. A tone which caused the students who surrounded him to gaze blankly.
His words alone had broken the fairy tale they thought this was.
Ruby's eyes drooped. Hands forming a fist. What kind of dumb speech was that. He was supposed to motivate them. She looked around and saw many students gearing up to leave. This was-
"The last third however…the last third will die a bastion. A savior to those who can't protect themselves. You may be lost in time, but your deeds will echo in eternity. There is no glorious reward! There is no eternal rest! There are only monsters and those who hunt monsters. We do what we do, not for the promise of a reward but for the people who we love, the people who we won't ever let go."
"Who we can't let go!" He yelled with every ounce of his considerable power, the room shaking. If one looked closely, they could see him softly grasping a pedant with his left hand.
"For the people who never had a chance." He somberly whispered.
"Tell me…how will you die" Ozpin clutched his cane.
The silence was loud, Ruby thought. She looked around realizing just what she had signed herself up for. She looked up at her sister, seeing her pensive gaze. It didn't fit her, she let out a laugh not reaching her eyes. She knew the path to being a hero wouldn't be easy.
She gripped her cloak a little harder, remembering her mother. Her tales of defeating Grimm, the way she talked about the look on people's faces when she would save them, all while making the greatest cookies in all of remnant. She would give this her all, for Yang, for herself, for Summer.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ruby had yelled like a madman. Her screams echoing in the halls, Yang had jumped back in surprise."
"Ruby what are you do-"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" A group of students had joined Ruby in her screams.
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Another group from the back had started their battlecry.
A princess narrowed her eyes, an heiress had been shocked not for the first time, an Amazonian had steeled her resolve, a pair of orphans who only had each other made a promise. A faker had closed his eyes in doubt.
Yang had looked around in shock, hearing the cries and screams from all the students of beacon. They had screamed from the soul, Ozpin's speech had shaken them, challenged them. If they could not rise from this, the Grimm would be the least of their worries and every single one of them knew it. In the face of Armageddon, there was only one path forward.
This was it Blake thought, as she stood on her platform. Her chance to change her fate and redeem herself from the things she had done. Ozpin's speech… it had resonated with her in more ways than one. Even if she didn't talk to her family right now, she knew just how much they loved her.
She spit on that, and one day she would go back to them. And her mother would braid her hair like she used to, and whisper how much she loved her. Her grip on Gambol Shroud tightened. To attain her dream, she had to clear initiation. Most people failed, some died, this would decide her world.
She looked around her noticing the 8 other landing pads next to her hosting the other people who would be clearing this initiation with her. She saw the Schnee clearly trying to curry favor with an uninterested…was that Pyrrha Nikos?
She looked further and saw a girl cloaked in red jittering in what she thought was fear. A yellow haired bombshell with a smile on her face, clearly not as stressed. From the shape of her muscles, Blake could tell she was a fighter.
An overactive ginger haired girl interrupted her thoughts, jumping up and down. With a pretty boy with dyed pink hair at the ends trying his best to calm her.
A boy with blonde hair and blue eyes had caught her eye, dressed in light armor and a sword. He looked a little like a squire. If he didn't exuberate fear from miles away. He was severely unprepared for this she surmised. How he got into beacon was a mystery, but maybe she was being too harsh. It could be an act she pondered.
However, it was one tile on the ground that held her attention like no other. Bloodworth was supposed to be a part of this initiation. The gods were truly cruel, Blake thought. Just where was he?
"For years, you all have trained. Some under the best tutelage money could buy, others through the harsh plains surrounded by Grimm." He eyed the initiates, some of them shaking at the mere thought of being in his eyeline. "Today will be the test, the test that determines your worth. How useful you will be a world like this one. Give it your all or don-
Crunch*
Blake's eyes had turned to the sound of branches being stepped on. Who was stupid enough to interrupt The Sin Slayer, Headmaster of Beacon Academy, Ozpin. A man whose reputation had run deep into the roots of every single civilization on Remnant. Not a single human or faunus under the sun didn't know who he was and not a single person would dare to interrupt him.
Except of course for a Bloodworth, she mocked. And a sorry sight he was after closer look. Dried blood stains covered his person and had started flecking in his hair. Dying it a dark metallic red, his face was even sadder she thought. His once elegant and regal clothes had been dirtied with a variety of stains on them adding to his rugged look. But there was something in his eyes empathized with her more than she wanted to admit.
It had to be an act she justified. She had nothing in common with a Bloodworth and remnant would blow up before she did.
The worse part was maybe she could have ignored him.
She could have gone on with her life.
She could have achieved the team she always wanted and chased her dreams while ignoring the idiots in front of her.
Until he looked straight into her eyes and flashed a dumb smirk while winking at her.
She would make it slow, she promised.
"Is this initiation?" I grumbled, head still spinning like it just went through a 60-minute bull ride. I guess banging your head on a dumpster will do that to you. Memories and information had flooded my head and filled every part of my brain. Something told me that wasn't the only thing, I sighed.
I looked around noticing Weiss, Blake, and Ruby as well as a number of other people standing on these square shaped metal plates.
I had moved to step to one of them before being stopped.
A beautiful blond woman had stepped in front of me. the boys standing a little straighter at the sight of her. She was the epitome of professionalism and discipline. Her luscious blonde hair tied in a bun with a single strand cascading down her face. Piercing green eyes, and a mature look made her look all the more beautiful. There was a commanding presence about her, and it was made even more apparent when through her words.
"Onyx Bloodworth." She drawled out. Her voice dripping with dislike. "Your presence was sorely missed at the ceremony."
"Of course it was" He smirked. "My apologies, you see I got quite caught up in between Mistralian and Atlesian earlier. You know what they say. When in Vale right."
A chuckle had come out of a Blonde knight's mouth. All the initiates staring at said Blonde.
"W-What he's the one who said it." Pointing at the dirty figure in front of him.
A vein had bulged in the woman's forehead. "Do you think this is a game Bloodworth? I have half a mind to bar your entry to beacon for your clear lack of tact."
Onyx just laughed. "I'm sure you would." He continued walking past the woman looking straight into Ozpin's blank eyes. Tension filling the air. "Something tells me you're not the one calling the shots around here. So, what do you say old man, are we free to continue."
If one looked closely beneath his hair full of grime, they'd be able to see a rotten emerald color in outlining his left eye.
Glyna put her hand on her crop. "I don't know wh-
Ozpin clapped interrupting the exchange. An out of place smile on his face.
"Now, Now, I'm sure Mr. Bloodworth here is just tired from the trip. He clearly has been through some things." Pointing at his attire. "Please step on one of the pads you see over there. We'll be starting shortly."
Finally done with this charade, I moved forward walking past Ozpin whose eyes seemed locked on me. Something was up with that guy. Even Bloodworth's mind was telling me to treat him with cautiously.
I noticed Ruby standing shyly, trying to make herself as small as possible. I'm sure she thought I was mad at her for leaving me or something like that. I winked at her and saw her entire face go beet red. Would have been much funnier, if the girl with sunshine yellow hair to her left wasn't staring daggers at me. Along with half the other people here.
"Now with all of our students here, I'd like to let my most valued and esteemed friend. Glynda Goodwitch to wrap up the instructions."
"Now I'm sure you all have heard about teams and are wondering how they will be decided."
Ruby had begun jumping up and down, pointing at Yang and mouthing us.
"Well allow us to put an end to your confusion. The first person you make eye contact with will be your teammate for the remainer of your stay at Beacon Academy. Your teammates will be your lifeline, your friends, maybe even lovers. There is no more important person in your life and the type of bond you develop will decide your fate. Get rid of all the notions you have; this right here will be the remainder of your life." She said eyed the kids with a cold stare, and a voice that radiated authority.
My eyes almost came out of my head. What kinda stupid system is that. A million problems ran through my mind. And then a realization came to me. If half the women here hated me and I was going to end up living with them. For 4 years…
I looked around finding the first guy I could. Blonde hair, cool armor and shield. Maybe this could work.
Until he proceeded to take out his sword and drop it to the floor. I just sighed, never mind.
[Jaune Arc]
Title: Fool
Strength – 25
Dexterity - 24
Intelligence - 75
Endurance - 34
[A boy trying to make his life one worth living and live up to a family name spanning generations. Tales of heroes and monsters spin round and round in his head.]
His stats were almost as bad as mine. The title was very interesting though. I almost felt bad.
Oh, I noticed a pink haired, slim build man? I think. Relaxed, calm and while at first glance he didn't look that dangerous. Something inside of me told me he was just as dangerous as everyone here.
[Lie Ren]
Title: Unyielding
Strength – 44
Dexterity - 67
Intelligence - 80
Endurance - 54
[A broken man, of few words and fewer actions. There is only one person Lie Ren lives for. Who he would die for.]
Sadly, it seemed he was already taken. An exuberant ginger girl was attached to his hip. Energy bouncing off her in waves. Poor soul, they were two opposites. I wondered how those two got together.
[Nora Valkyrie]
Title: Lord of Pancakes
Strength - 76
Dexterity - 63
Intelligence -50
Endurance - 70
[The epitome of brightness. There is no one kinder than Nora nor energetic. She is the 2nd half to her whole. Living for only him.]
Ignoring her title, she had over 4 times my strength according to these words. I couldn't wrap my head around it. From Bloodworth's fragmented memories, I knew a little about just how strong someone could be. But still. So much power it such a tiny frame… But alas, they're out the running.
Looks like my only options are a dunderhead or first degree, I scoffed. Well not like I was much better according to my stats. Though I liked to think my roguish looks added plus 30.
"Now if that's all. Barring any questions, starting now will be your initiation. Your task will be to go through the emerald forest, find the temple in the center which will be filled with a variety of chess pieces. Bring one back and consider yourself apart of Beacon academy. I wish you all luck and hope to see you in—."
I wanted to focus but the way she was looking at me, I thought it was a better idea to focus my thoughts. Monsters, demons, Grimm, whatever they were called. I fought back home but nothing like that. How was I going to—."
[Initialization Completed]
Welcome to hell or Remnant. Either works.
Your entire life you have fought. Yourself, your ideals, people. It has shaped you down to your very core.
[Innate Skill Unlocked]
[Instinct] – You know what you shouldn't know. Trust nothing but yourself.
I felt a sudden burst of euphoria. Better than any drug I had taken. Like the wool had been pulled under my eyes, I could see again. Even with all the grime and blood, I felt like a new man. I was a new man.
My body had begun shaking. Something told me to brace myself. Was it my inst-
In a sudden gust of highly pressurized air, every single of the landing pads and activated sending all Onyx and the rest of the initiates into the air. Their fate tied to the winds.
Glynda Goodwitch had a small frown on her face while looking at the initiates scramble to get their bearings in the air.
"Many call our system a little…outdated at times and sometimes I can't help but agree. Do you really think that something as silly as eye contact should be the decider for something as important as this." She eyed the legend standing next to her.
"Such an important thing decided by the threads of fate." Ozpin said, a whimsical smile on his face. "I find it quite apt."
Glynda just scoffed. "Bloodworth…the nerve on that boy. Could you imagine him on a team with the faunus girl. They'd be at each other's throats in a week."
"Oh, so you noticed." He exhaled, after taking a sip out a coffee mug with unknown origins.
"I haven't gotten as old as you yet Ozpin. A bow really?" Glynda rolled her eyes. "I expected more from a princess."
Ozpin chuckled. "Don't judge them too harshly Glynda." His eyes narrowed in the air, focusing on a certain noble. "We were all children once."
Glynda caught his gaze. "He's not what I expected either. I have heard firsthand the tales of what that child has done." Her eyes softened. "Why did you let him in Ozpin."
"As strong as I am, even I am not immune to the woes of politics. And his father." His voice trailed off as ruffled a hand through his messy hair. "Alas, isn't the point of life to change, to become better than the man you were in the past."
"And you think even someone like him is capable of something like that."
"He has to be. Or else…". His voice trailed off. "We do what we do, for nothing."
"Hmm, I hope you're right headmaster."
"Me too, Glynda. Me too." He sighed. The weight of his duties was innumerable. And for every problem he solved, 100 more seemed to reveal themselves. The Grimm, the council, her, and her demon spawn. Sometimes he wished he could just burn it all. He gripped his cane, almost cracking from the force.
Until he softened his grip as he glanced to his left, looking at the beautiful woman. Who had been by his side and helped him when the only thing he had to his name were the demons who whispered to him at night.
The sins would all die, he silently promised. To the gods, the moon. Whoever cared enough to listen. And as he looked into Onyx's rotten emerald eye. He didn't see a man. Nor a person. He saw a tool. Ozpin was a monster. That he knew for certain. But everything he did. He did for her… for them. Would they forgive him for his sins, he wondered.
It didn't matter, he shook his head. Now show me, show me just what kind of person you are Onyx.