The soft hum of early morning light crept through the large windows of the first-year dormitory. Ruby Rose blinked herself awake, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling for a moment before remembering exactly where she was—Beacon Academy.
She turned her head slowly, careful not to disturb the silence. The room was large and shared by six girls, including herself. The others were still sound asleep, their breathing slow and even. She quietly smiled, remembering how her father used to tell her stories of his own time at Beacon—how he and his teammates shared a dorm like this, full of laughter, bickering, and camaraderie. She hoped her time would be something like that.
Deciding she wanted to get a head start, Ruby gently pushed her covers aside and carefully slid off the bed. She tiptoed across the floor, trying her best not to make any noise—but of course, luck was never really on her side.
As she reached for her boots, a pair of golden eyes opened across the room. A girl with long black hair, tied by a small black bow, was sitting up, staring directly at her. Ruby froze mid-step and awkwardly waved.
The girl simply blinked, then rose from her bed as well, apparently deciding to join her. She moved with quiet grace, like someone used to silence.
As they both stepped into the hallway, Ruby gave her a friendly smile.
"Hi! I'm Ruby. Ruby Rose," she whispered with a small wave.
"…Blake," the girl replied in a hushed voice.
"Nice to meet you, Blake!" Ruby said, still keeping quiet but letting her cheer show.
The two girls made their way to the showers, each lost in their own thoughts. Ruby couldn't help but feel the day bubbling up with possibility. Initiation—it sounded so official and exciting. She wondered what exactly it would involve.
After cleaning up and putting on her outfit, Ruby returned to the common room where she took a moment to admire the space. The room was spacious and well-furnished, with warm lighting and banners hanging from the walls bearing the emblem of Beacon. A couple of comfy couches and a coffee table made the area feel almost like home.
She didn't have long to herself before Yang shuffled in, rubbing her eyes and letting out a loud yawn.
"Good morning, Yang," Ruby said brightly.
"Mmmph. Morning to you too," Yang replied, her voice half asleep. She stretched, cracked her knuckles, then leaned against the back of the couch. "How much time do we have before this 'initiation' thing?"
Ruby checked her scroll. "We've got time. Want to grab breakfast?"
Yang instantly perked up. "You had me at breakfast."
Just as they turned to leave, Blake walked by, dressed and ready. Ruby waved her over.
"Hey Blake! Wanna join us for food?"
Blake hesitated for half a second, then nodded silently. She fell in step behind the two, and the trio headed downstairs to the dining hall.
On the way, Yang nudged Ruby. "You're making friends already, huh?"
Ruby rolled her eyes. "I'm just being friendly, not all of us need to shout our presence everywhere we go."
"Oh come on," Yang grinned. "You love me and my energy."
As they bickered, Blake followed quietly behind, a small smirk barely forming at the corner of her lips.
The morning sun bathed the dining hall in golden light as students filed in for breakfast. Plates clattered, chatter filled the air, and excitement buzzed through the air. The dining hall buzzed with activity as students filled their trays with food, chatting excitedly about the upcoming initiation. Ruby, Yang, and Blake sat together at one of the long tables near the windows. The morning sun warmed the stone floors, casting bright patches of light across the hall.
Yang had stacked her plate high with bacon, eggs, and pancakes, while Ruby had opted for toast, fruit, and way too much strawberry jam. Blake sat more reservedly with a cup of tea and a small bowl of rice and vegetables.
"So," Yang said through a mouthful of pancakes, "what do you think this 'initiation' is gonna be like? Combat trials? Giant Grimm? Maybe a maze with flamethrowers?"
Ruby nearly dropped her spoon. "W-What?! Flamethrowers?"
Blake raised an eyebrow. "I don't think they're trying to kill us on the first day."
Yang grinned. "You never know. Builds character."
Their conversation was cut short as the sound of a sharp chime echoed through the hall. A calm, commanding voice followed, projected over the school's intercom system.
"All first-year students, please gather your weapons and gear and proceed to the cliffs overlooking the Emerald Forest. Initiation will begin shortly."
Ruby jumped to her feet, eyes sparkling. "It's starting! Let's go!"
The girls quickly made their way down the hall toward the locker room. Beacon's lockers stood like towering vaults, each personalized and reinforced, capable of safely holding a student's weapon and equipment.
Ruby keyed in her code and with a satisfying clang, her locker door hissed open. Inside sat her beloved Crescent Rose, gleaming and ready. Yang grabbed her Ember Celica gauntlets with a confident smirk, while Blake silently checked her weapon's condition—a sleek, compact blade that extended into a deadly chain-linked sickle.
"So how do you think they're gonna make teams?" Ruby asked as she adjusted her belt and fastened her cloak.
Yang tapped her chin. "Maybe a test? Or we pick our own?"
Blake shrugged. "Could be random. Or based on our performance."
As they speculated, a familiar, slightly confused voice echoed through the locker aisle.
"Locker… E-212? Why is mine all the way up there?"
Jaune Arc stood nearby, tilting his head all the way back to look up at his locker, which was placed near the top of the towering wall. He scratched his head and muttered something about needing a grappling hook.
Ruby giggled as he passed them, looking mildly panicked.
As Ruby and her group were wrapping up their conversation near the lockers, they spotted Jaune once again—this time with a much more determined look on his face. He glanced around before spotting Weiss, who was deep in conversation with another girl.
"Alright, time for round two," Ruby whispered with a grin.
Jaune strode up, putting on his best confident smile. "Hey, Ice Queen," he said casually, leaning on the locker beside Weiss. "You know, if you ever get cold feet about this whole initiation thing, I happen to be an expert in—"
Weiss cut him off with a sharp glare. "You're interrupting," she said coolly.
Jaune blinked, glancing to the side. That's when he noticed the red-haired girl beside Weiss for the first time.
"Oh—sorry," Jaune said quickly, trying to recover. "Didn't realize you were talking to someone. I'm Jaune Arc, by the way." He offered a hand to the other girl.
Weiss folded her arms, exasperated. "This is Pyrrha Nikos. You know—the Pyrrha Nikos? Four-time champion of the Mistral Regional Tournament? Gold medalist in armed combat? She's on the front cover of every Pumpkin Pete's cereal box?"
Jaune looked at Weiss, then at Pyrrha… then back at Weiss. "…I really don't eat cereal."
Pyrrha giggled softly.
Weiss rolled her eyes, "Unbelievable."
Jaune turned back to Pyrrha, smiling sheepishly. "Well, I guess I should be impressed, but honestly… I just thought you looked cool. And hey, glad to know we've got someone super talented on our side."
Pyrrha tilted her head, a bit surprised. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "It's… nice, actually. Most people either freeze up or go into full fan mode when they meet me."
"Well, you're just another student here, right?" Jaune shrugged. "I figure we're all starting at the same place. Titles or not."
"That's a refreshing way to look at it," Pyrrha said with a warm smile. "I appreciate that, Jaune."
"Glad to help," Jaune said with a grin, already feeling more at ease. "Anyway, good luck out there. And, uh, seriously—watch out for the locker numbers. They're trying to kill me."
As he walked away, Weiss huffed and muttered something under her breath.
Pyrrha, on the other hand, watched Jaune go with a thoughtful smile. Maybe this year really would be different.
~Intermission brought to you by Chibi Juane trying to get to his locker~
The sun was high in the sky, casting golden rays across the vast stretch of green that was the Emerald Forest. Dozens of first-year students stood atop a towering cliff ledge, overlooking the treetops below. A gentle wind rolled through the area, brushing across uniforms and fluttering hair as the anticipation in the air grew thicker by the second.
Ruby stood near Yang, Blake close by, and Jaune a few steps to the side—still checking the straps on his armor with a nervous expression.
Ozpin stepped forward, standing calmly with his usual mug of steaming coffee in hand. His gaze swept over the students, and when he spoke, his voice carried with clarity and calm authority.
"Today marks the beginning of your journey to become Huntsmen and Huntresses," he began. "The Emerald Forest lies before you. Your task is simple: make your way through it to the old ruins hidden deep within. There, you will find relics. Retrieve one, and return."
The students shared glances, some nodding confidently while others looked more unsure.
Ozpin continued, "But do not mistake simplicity for ease. The forest is not without its dangers."
He took a step back as Glynda Goodwitch moved forward, her posture perfectly straight, her expression composed and sharp.
"You will not be completing this exercise alone," she stated, her voice crisp and clear. "The first person you make eye contact with after landing in the forest will become your partner. That person, and the team you eventually form with them, will remain your allies for your entire time at Beacon."
The students looked around nervously, some clearly hoping to make eye contact with someone they already knew. Ruby peeked at Yang but was met with a shrug and a smirk.
Glynda continued, "The Emerald Forest contains multiple species of Grimm. These creatures are drawn to negative emotions, so keep your nerves under control. While Beacon staff will monitor your progress, we will not intervene. You are to demonstrate your skill, your judgment, and your resolve."
Several students stiffened at that warning, but others—including Pyrrha—stood confidently.
Glynda gestured behind her to the waiting Bullheads. "You will be transported to the drop zone via Bullhead airships and deployed individually. Once in the forest, your mission begins."
She paused, eyes scanning the crowd. "Are there any questions?"
A single hand shot up.
"Uh, yeah," Jaune called out awkwardly, his voice cracking a bit under the pressure of so many eyes. "Are we getting parachutes or something?"
There was a beat of silence.
Glynda blinked once, then gave a small tilt of her head and replied, utterly deadpan:
"Why would you need one?"
A ripple of confused and panicked murmurs went through the students. Jaune's face turned pale.
Ruby couldn't help but stifle a snicker. "This is gonna be great."
Yang just cracked her knuckles, grinning. "Best. School. Ever."
__________________________________________________________
The roaring engines of the Bullhead cut through the air as it soared over the vast Emerald Forest below. Inside, the students stood shoulder to shoulder, the open sky yawning beyond the doors. Wind whipped through the open cargo bay as the large sliding doors hissed open, revealing the endless green stretch beneath them.
Glynda Goodwitch stood by the exit, her coat fluttering slightly from the gusts.
"All students, prepare for drop-off," she announced over the noise. "You are to begin your descent immediately."
Jaune, gripping a nearby handrail for dear life, turned to her with panic on his face. "Are you sure this is safe?"
Without missing a beat, Glynda replied matter-of-factly, "We do this every year. We've yet to have any fatal casualties."
Jaune blinked. "Wait... does that mean you've had non-fatal casualties?" he muttered under his breath, voice cracking slightly. He swallowed hard.
Glynda checked her scroll, then gave a firm nod. "You are clear to jump. Good luck."
Without hesitation, Yang strode up to the edge, turned back to Ruby and gave her a grin and two-finger salute. "Catch you on the other side, Rubes." Then she leaned back and let gravity take her, dropping into the forest below with total confidence.
Blake followed suit, walking off the edge with the same calm she showed that morning. Her expression never wavered.
Weiss approached the edge next, chin held high. With a dignified spin of her rapier, she stepped out gracefully, descending with elegance befitting the Schnee name.
Then came Pyrrha. With calm precision, she approached and leapt from the Bullhead like it was just another part of her training. Controlled, strong, composed.
"Woohoo! Let's gooooo!" a high-pitched voice cried as a girl in a pink dress sprinted past everyone and flung herself out of the Bullhead with glee. Her hammer could be seen clutched tight to her side as she twirled mid-air.
Following her was a weary-looking boy in a green gi, dragging himself to the edge and sighing as he stepped off with far less enthusiasm.
Ruby closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then opened them with renewed focus. Her stance shifted, her body coiled like a spring. She adjusted Crescent Rose on her back and took a confident step forward.
Time to fly.
With a burst of rose petals trailing behind her, Ruby launched herself out of the Bullhead like a pro.
Inside the now mostly empty airship, Jaune stood frozen at the edge, knuckles white as he held the side of the door. He peeked out and immediately stepped back.
"You know… maybe I should just stay—"
The Bullhead gave a sudden jolt mid-flight.
"—up here!"
But it was too late.
The jolt knocked Jaune clean off his feet, and with a panicked yelp, he tumbled out of the Bullhead against his will.
"AAAAHHHHHHH!"
His scream echoed as he plummeted toward the forest, flailing all the way down.
Back inside the Bullhead, Glynda turned to the pilot with a sigh. "Every year…"
A/N: Hello it's me again Author-Kun, I wanted to give you some action but I'm writing this late into the night and I'm kinda sleepy. I promise to give you some good action next chapter as we enter combat in the emerald forest!