The amphitheater and the location of the welcoming ceremony were fairly easy to find once they backtracked to the main causeway. Just in time too, the place was packed with the entire first-year class. Thankfully, picking out Yang from the crowd was easy. Ruby could spot her mane of gold locks from a mile away. It helped that she had already seen her and was waving frantically.
"Ruby! Izuku! Over here! I saved you guys a spot!" She called out.
"Oh jeez, sorry Jaune we gotta go. See you after the ceremony!" Ruby blurted out as she and Izuku ran towards her sister.
"See you around!" Izuku waved at Jaune while trailing behind Ruby.
"Hey wait! Aw man, now where else am I going to find a nice, cute, quirky girl to talk to?"
Yang bounced on her heels as Ruby and Izuku joined her.
"So? How's my baby sister's first day going?" Yang asked, beaming at Ruby.
"You mean before or after you ditched me and Izuku?" Ruby asked, glaring at her sister with folded arms.
Yang raised her hands in protest while giggling. "Yikes! Was it that bad?"
Ruby sighed.
"No, I just bumped into a guy earlier," said Ruby. "He had a calm personality compared to his friend who was really…um, how should I describe her?"
"Bubbly and playful." Izuku guessed, tilting his head.
Ruby nodded. "Yeah, that."
Izuku nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I agree—Gah!"
Izuku stepped forward and yelped in surprise when he slipped on a banana peel. Falling into a luggage cart laden with heavy white cases.
"What are you doing?" Cried a shrill voice.
Izuku glanced up at what he considered possibly the palest girl he'd ever seen. She had icy blue eyes and a frigid aura to match, dressed in white and light blue, with a touch of red. Her snow-white hair hangs in a long, off-center ponytail, at the base of which sat a silver tiara. She wears a pale blue bolero jacket over a similarly colored thigh-length dress with a piece of black lace making up the neckline of the dress. The inside of the bolero is red and the sleeves turn blue as they get closer to her wrists.
"I'm sorry!" Izuku apologized, taking Ruby's hand as he stood back up and backed away from the overturned cases.
"Sorry? Do you have any idea what kind of damage you could have caused?" She directed all of her ire on Izuku, not acknowledging Ruby's presence.
"Uhhh..." Ruby replied nervously as she handed a case to the "Snow Princess".
"Gimme that!" She snapped as she snatched it away. "This is Dust, mined and purified from the Schnee Quarry."
"Ummm..." Ruby tried to get her bearings, but Princess assumed it was just ignorance.
"What are you, brain dead? Dust? Fire? Water? Lightning? Energy?"
At this point, she had opened the case and removed a red vial. She shook the container to punctuate each word. Unfortunately, she was doing all of this directly into Ruby's face, and with each shake came a fresh cloud of the volatile mixture.
"Are you even listening to me? Is any of this sinking in? What do you have to say for yourself?!"
At this point, Yang had to step in. "Hey you might want to put that away, she's about to—"
"ACHOO!"
That was all that was needed to set it off. A small, fiery explosion mixed with some sparks and snowflakes rang out across the room, covering all four in a light layer of soot. Said explosion spooked the students, prompting them to back up ten feet away. The red vial had gotten blown out of the girl's hand and bounced away towards another student.
"Unbelievable! This is exactly what I was talking about!"
"I'm really, really sorry." Ruby apologized, shrinking in on herself as she poked her index fingers together.
"It's ok," Izuku spoke up. "It was an honest mistake, she didn't mean to hurt anyone."
"No one asked you!" She rounded on him. "What are you two even doing here? She's clearly too young and you look like you just escaped from a Beowulf! The likes of either of you have no business at the most prestigious hunting academy in the world!"
Now Ruby's ire was growing. "Hey, he was just trying to be nice, princess!"
"It's heiress actually."
All four turned their attention to the new voice. There stood another girl. Her skin was just a bit darker than Rubys'. She has long, wavy black hair, and her eyes are amber, complemented by light-purple eye shadow flaring backward. Her eyes are slightly tilted upwards at the ends, giving her a somewhat catlike appearance.
Perched atop her head sat a midnight black bow. She wears black, low-heeled boots and stockings that start off black at her hips but slowly fade to purple as they reach her boots. Black ribbons hang from both arms, with a detached sleeve and a silver band on her left. She wears a black buttoned vest with coattails and a white sleeveless undershirt that exposes part of her midriff with white shorts that may be connected to her shirt, although it is partly obscured by the vest.
Both legs of her shorts have a zipper down the front, but whether they had practical use or were just a fashion aspect, the trio couldn't tell. To finish off the look, she wears a black, collar-like scarf around her neck. Barely glancing from the book she carried, she continued her explanation, a vile of red dust sitting in her other hand.
"Weiss Schnee, Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world."
Weiss perked up with a new level of haughtiness. "Finally, some well-deserved recognition."
"The same company infamous for its controversial labor forces and questionable business partners."
"What the- the nerve of-," Weiss sputtered over her words at the accusation. Ruby and Yang couldn't help herself and started giggling.
"Ugh!"
Snatching the vial of dust from the girl's hand, Weiss turned away from the black bow girl and redirected her gaze to Ruby and Izuku.
"You're lucky this happened inside; otherwise we could've been blown off the side of the cliff!" Weiss continued.
Before Ruby could respond she suddenly found a pamphlet titled "Dust for Dummies and Other Inadequate Individuals" shoved into her face by the Schnee Heiress.
"What's this?" Ruby asked.
"The Schnee Dust Company is not responsible for any injuries or damages sustained while operating a Schnee Dust Company product. Although not mandatory, the Schnee Family highly encourages their customers to read and familiarize themselves with this easy-to-follow guide to Dust application and practice in the field."
"Huh?" Izuku and Ruby were confused.
Weiss huffed. "You really want to start making things up to me?"
"Absolutely...?" Ruby replied with fear.
Weiss shoved the pamphlet into Ruby's chest and turned away. "Read this and never speak to me again."
"Look, obviously you two just got off on the wrong foot," interjected Yang, trying to be the mediator. "Why don't you just start over and try to be friends?"
Weiss shot her a glare.
"Good idea sis," Ruby agreed. "Hello Weiss, I'm Ruby," she said, holding out her hand. "Wanna hang out? We can go shopping for school supplies-"
"Sure! And then we can paint our nails, and try on clothes, and talk about cute boys like tall, blonde, and scraggly over there!" Weiss interrupted with obvious sarcasm, her thumb thrown at an oblivious Jaune behind her.
"Really?" Ruby lit up.
The heiress' expression fell into a deadpan.
"No."
Silence fell over the amphitheater suddenly as Headmaster Ozpin took the stage. He cleared his throat as he approached the microphone, with Professor Goodwitch at his flank and the rest of the Academy teachers lined up behind him.
"I'll keep this brief," he began as he adjusted his spectacles. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose and direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far."
Weiss looked down in a moment of what seemed to be hesitance. Wringing her hands nervously like a child whose hand got caught in a cookie jar, Yang narrowed her eyes slightly at his partially condescending tone but stayed silent. As for Ruby and Izuku... they drank every word.
"It is up to you to take the first step."
Writing it off as simply part of the man's character, the swordsman waited patiently as Professor Goodwitch stepped forward to the microphone once more.
"You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation will begin; be ready. You're dismissed"
The students began to scatter. Ruby was puzzled over the Headmaster's words, expecting something more uplifting for the start of term.
"He seemed kinda off," Izuku commented.
"Yeah, almost like he wasn't all there," agreed Ruby.
Jaune sneaked up behind them, right next to Weiss.
"I'm a natural blonde, you know," he declared with a goofy smile.
The Heiress sighed with frustration as she palmed her face.
Izuku shifted his gaze and saw Ozpin staring at him. Ozpin motioned his head once as if telepathically telling Izuku to follow him, before turning away. Once he got the message, Izuku started forward toward Ozpin and Glynda. Ruby noticed Izuku separating from the group and was instantly crestfallen. Yang turned her head to also notice Izuku leaving and raised a brow at his departure.
"Where is he going?" Yang asked, turning her gaze to Ruby.
"Probably to speak with the professor," Ruby replied.
Yang noticed Ruby's saddening countenance and smiled reassuringly before wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Oh, don't be sad, sis," Yang assured her. "I'm sure we'll see him later. Now come on."
Yang unwrapped her arm and walked past Weiss and Jaune. Weiss and Jaune trailed after the blonde girl, with Ruby following behind. Ruby stopped at her tenth step as she turned her gaze towards where Izuku had walked off.
Ruby focused her gaze on that path for a few seconds. She turned away to catch up with her sister.
All the while internally wondering if she'll see him again.
Midoriya Izuku stepped into the elevator with Ozpin and Glynda. Goodwitch flashed her scroll at the scanner near the lift before she stepped into the elevator. Silence followed the two of them as they ascended towards the Headmaster's office.
The doors opened once the elevator reached the top. The trio exited before said doors closed before them. Izuku looked around, admiring the architecture. Ozpin's office was a circular room in gray-green tones below the tower's tip which housed green spheres, likely the CCTS technology. The chair, table, walls, and ceiling all featured intricate clockwork mechanisms consisting of many interlocking cogs and gears.
Ozpin sat down on the chair with his mug close to his person. Glynda stood next to the Headmaster, her arms folded. Izuku continued walking along the room until he stood across Ozpin's table.
Ozpin placed his mug on the table and leaned forward. Resting his elbows on the table.
"Tell me Izuku, where did you learn to do this?" Ozpin asked, jabbing his thumb toward Glynda's tablet, showing a recording of Izuku fighting alongside Ruby.
Izuku gulped.
"U.A High?" He hesitantly answered.
"U.A High?" Ozpin questioned. "I've never heard of such a school."
The woman nodded in agreement. "Neither have I. I've searched through Remnant's map six times already and I haven't found a single school that shares that name."
Izuku stared at Ozpin hesitantly. Ozpin smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Izuku. Whatever is said in this room, stays in this room." Ozpin reassured him.
Izuku took a breath.
"I'm not from this world," he began. "I was sent here from a planet called Earth. My homeland is called Japan, and in my world, eighty percent of humanity possesses special powers called Quirks."
Izuku disclosed to the pair the intricacies of his world and the chronicles of his life. Just as he had previously conveyed to Ruby on the day they met, he expounded upon the realm of Japan and the Superhuman Society that governed it. He recounted the details of his birth, his upbringing, and his mother with whom he had a deep connection. He articulated his experiences with Bakugo, his classmates at U.A High, his mentor All Might, and the myriad of Heroes and Villains he had encountered along his journey.
Furthermore, he recounted the multitude of scars he had endured and the sorrows he had weathered. He recounted the tale of a villain, who, despite being two centuries old, had cast the world into a shroud of darkness, and how he and his friends had ultimately vanquished him, bringing an end to his reign of terror once and for all.
Ozpin and Glynda maintained a state of silence during the boy's narrative. Except for Glynda occasionally raising an amusing eyebrow or casting a doubtful glance, she refrained from displaying any overt reaction. However, she attentively absorbed every single word.
"Then a villain appeared out of nowhere, producing a portal," Izuku went on. "It got me and I fell through it. I was out for a while until I woke up in a hospital room and met Ruby. We'd won, but… paid the price in the end."
Izuku trailed off, breathing hard.
An uncomfortable silence permeated the room.
"What an interesting day this has been." Ozpin glanced up at the ceiling. "Humanity existing on other worlds besides this one? Never thought I'd live to learn of such a thing."
"I have to be honest, child. I… find your story hard to believe but," She mused, speaking for the first time in a while. "Not even I would have imagined in my wildest dreams that there would be other worlds."
Ozpin nodded in agreement. "Indeed. However, that does raise one question. What do you plan to do now, now that you're here in Remnant?"
Izuku shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not sure..." He gripped his fist. "I mean, I wanted to be a hero who saves people with a smile. Where people could live in peace and happiness Just like All Might did. That was my dream." He frowned at his gripped fist. "But now that I'm no longer in that world, I don't know if I can."
"What if I were to tell you that you still can."
Izuku looked back at Ozpin with a surprised expression.
Ozpin cleared his throat.
"When you told me about the Heroes of your world, it reminded me of the Huntsman and Huntresses. Here, Huntsman and Huntresses pride themselves on safeguarding our world, to protect the innocent, to limiting themselves when the situation calls for it. So from what you have told me, these factions in your realm are not so different from ours here.." He took a sip from his mug before continuing. "You said to me that your dream was to become a hero who helps people with a smile, yes?"
Izuku nodded.
"Well, I say here and now, that I'd be willing to give you the green light to strive towards your dream and proceed with your hero work in Vale. Just as you were doing in your other world." Ozpin concluded, smiling warmly at Izuku.
Izuku blinked in surprise. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He can be a hero and make his dream a reality in this world. Well, he didn't expect this.
"But before we get to that, we need to know what you are capable of." Ozpin leaned back with his fingers pressed together. "And perhaps I may have an idea on how we can learn."
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked. The users of One for All, Kudo and Bruce stared at Ozpin suspiciously.
"We have a special test for our newly arrived First Years when they enroll in Beacon, it's a way for us to test their abilities," Ozpin explained. "Their Semblances, their weapons, their strategies and fighting styles, but more importantly, their ability to cooperate and work as a team. Perhaps if you were to participate in this test, we may be able to see what you're capable of regarding your physical abilities. If you do participate, we'll in return offer you a place to stay at Beacon to serve as a home base of sorts."
Izuku pondered the offer in his thoughts. After hearing the Headmaster's offer, he could see two benefits to this. By approvingly being given the green light, he could start studying in Beacon and learn about this realm's history. He can even begin his investigation on that Roman Torchwick guy since he failed to catch him along with that mysterious woman the night he encountered them.
Izuku closed his eyes. Ruby's weapon materialized in his mind and immediately an idea popped up. If he was going to be stuck in this new world, then he'll have to adapt to this world's system.
Izuku opened his eyes and stared back at the Headmaster.
"Okay, I'm in."
The sunset over the mountains as the moon ascended to the horizon. Its luminous light basked the towers of Beacon, and the First Years had gathered in the Ballroom with their sleeping bags. All of them were already getting ready to sleep through the night, or simply reading or writing before doing so. Ruby Rose was writing in her journal something as Yang lay down next to her.
"It's like a big slumber party," Yang said, enthusiastically.
"I don't think Dad would approve of all the boys, though," Ruby commented.
"I know I do," Yang said, checking out several of the guys that had their shirts off, but cringed as she saw Jaune in his Pumpkin Pete onesie. "What's that?" She asked her sister, seeing her write.
"A letter to the gang back at Signal," Ruby replied. "I promised to tell them all about Beacon and how things are going."
"Awe, that's so cute!" Yang gushed, only for Ruby to irritatingly throw her pillow at her older sister's face.
"Shut up! I didn't get to take my friends with me to school! It's weird not knowing anyone here." Ruby said dejectedly.
"What about Jaune? He's… nice." Yang told her. "There you go, plus one friend! That's a hundred percent increase!"
"Pretty sure Weiss counts as a negative friend." Ruby said as she laid back on her sleeping bag. "Back to one."
"There's no such thing as negative friends. You just made one friend and one enemy." Yang replied, only for Ruby to throw her corgi pillow at her face again. "And what about broccoli boy? Isn't he a friend?"
"Of course he is," Ruby said, a smile gracing her lips before it transformed to crestfallen. "But I'm pretty sure I'm never gonna see him again."
Yang sighed before speaking a bit more seriously. "Look, it's only been one day. Trust me, you've got friends all around you. You just haven't met them yet."
Ruby's attention was caught by a candle that was lit up. She glanced to find the one who lit it. The source belonged to the same black-haired girl with a bowtie from before, sitting against a wall and reading a book.
"That girl…" Ruby breathed.
"Oh yeah, that's the girl from earlier today, right?" Yang asked.
"Yeah," Ruby answered. "Why?"
"Well, now's your chance to make a new friend." Yang immediately got up and pulled Ruby up with her by the arm.
"Wait! What are you doing?!" Ruby questioned as she was dragged against her will by her older sister who made their way towards the black-haired girl, turning her attention from her book to the two sisters.
"Hello.~" Yang greeted in an almost melodic tune before reintroducing Ruby to her. "I believe you two may know each other."
"Aren't you… that girl that exploded?" The black-haired girl asked, raising a brow.
"Uh, yeah. My name's Ruby." She offered her hand to shake, but the girl just seemed to be more interested in her book. "But… you can just call me 'Craterâ' actually you can just call me Ruby."
"Okay…"
"What are you doing?" Yang whispered to Ruby.
"I don't know, help me!" Ruby whispered back.
Now it was Yang's turn. "So, what's your name?"
"Blake." She answered with a sigh.
"Well Blake, I'm Yang. Ruby's older sister. I like your bow."
"Thanks." Blake was now starting to get a little annoyed.
"It goes great with yourâ pajamas?" Yang tried.
"Right…"
Both sisters looked toward each other with winces, picking up on Blake's lack of interest in a conversation.
"So… nice night, don't ya think?" Yang said, trying to make the mood less awkward.
"Yes, it's lovely. Almost as lovely as this book. That I will continue to read. As soon as you leave." Blake said with finality.
"Yeah… this girl's a lost cause." Yang muttered.
"What's it about?" Ruby asked Blake, getting her attention.
"Huh?"
"Your book. Does it have a name?"
"Well… it's about a man with two souls." Blake answered. "Each fighting for control over his body."
"Oh yeah, that's...real lovely." Yang wasn't much of a bookworm, but her sister was a different story.
"I love books." Ruby stepped up, having found some common ground with Blake. "My mom used to read me stories every night when I was little. Stories of heroes, monsters, they're one of the reasons I wanted to become a Huntress."
"Oh, why is that? Hoping you'll live happily ever after?" Blake asked.
"Well, I'm hoping we all will." Ruby answered. "As a kid, I wanted to be just like those heroes in the books, someone who fought for what was right, and who protected people that couldn't protect themselves."
Blake smiled slightly.
"That's very ambitious for a child." Her smile faded, however. "Unfortunately, the real world isn't the same as a fairy tale."
Ruby's smile didn't fade. "Well, that's why we're here. To make it better."
"Oooh, I'm so proud of my baby sister!" Yang pulled Ruby into a hug, much to her annoyance.
"Gah, cut it out!" She struggled in Yang's grip, resulting in a comic dust cloud of punches and kicks, something that caused Blake to chuckle slightly.
"Well, Ruby, Yang, it's a pleasure to meet—"
"What is going on over here?!" Weiss marched over in irritation. "Don't you realize we're trying to sleep!?"
"Oh, not you again!" Weiss exclaimed to Ruby as Yang did the same to Weiss, while Ruby tried to shush both of them.
"Guys, she's right. People are trying to sleep." Ruby said with a wince as Blake simply rolled her eyes and put her book away.
"Oh, now you're on my side?" Weiss glared.
"I was always on your side!" Ruby argued.
"Yeah, what's your problem with my sister?!" Yang exclaimed to Weiss. "She's only trying to be nice!"
"She's a hazard to my health!" Weiss argued as Blake blew out the candles.
Blake sighed and blew the candle out.
Throughout the day Glynda was giving Izuku the grand tour of Beacon Academy. By the time the moon ascended to the night sky, she led him towards his new room as they walked down the long carpeted hallway. Finally Izuku and Glynda stopped outside at room two-hundred-&-twelve.
"Here, you'll be needing this," Glynda said, reaching into her pocket and producing a scroll before putting it into Izuku's hand. "Your scroll. It's keyed to your room lock so you just need to swipe it."
"Oh, thanks Mrs. Goodwitch," Izuku replied.
Glynda nodded before turning away down the long hallway. Izuku watched her leave until he ran the key over the door handle and heard it unlock with a click. Izuku stepped out of the hall into his room, shutting the door behind him and looked around. Obviously, it was big enough for a whole team due to there being four beds lined up in order.
Izuku began relieving himself by removing parts of his Zeta costume. Starting with two of his full red gauntlets, his Air-Force gloves, putting them along with his backpack and his scroll atop one of the spare beds. He only kept his green one piece, now bare from his hands to his feet.
Noticing his room had a bathroom he didn't think twice about relieving himself. Stepping through he was greeted by a pristine white room including more of the niceties â" shower, bath, sink, toilet. Izuku paused when he glanced at his reflection in the mirror. He stepped up to the mirror just above the sink, staring at his reflection.
Years of working to become a hero and he still looked exactly like the day he inherited One for All. Izuku sighed, his face losing the frown that had also been plastered all over his face this whole time. He had better things to do than to wallow in sadness at being far away from home. Izuku turned away from the mirror and stepped in for a hot shower.
He made sure to take off his one piece before stepping underneath the showerhead.
A/N: And, scene! So, I forgot to mention this. Now In case any of you is not already aware: RoosterTeeth is officially shutting down. I've been aware of this news for a while, I just didn't say anything. This means the fate of RWBY and all its other shows is now up in the air. However, that does not necessarily mean that the show is finished. WarnerBros is currently looking for somebody to sell the rights to the franchise to and pick up the series, so there's hope.
Now I honestly don't know what's gonna happen to the show. We can only hope that it doesn't get canceled and someone continues it. The last time I watched it was when I finished Volume 4. I have yet to watch Volume 5 but not without my siblings. But we'll just have to wait and see where this goes and hope for the best. However, this won't in any way impact my story and what I have planned.
This story still has a solid future and I have every intention of seeing it through. Starting with this second arc. I'll be taking my leave now, see you all in the next chapter, young readers!