Chapter 3: First Night

XxX

World of Remnant: Semblance

I sense a question brimming in all of your minds: the immortal soul is measurable, yes, but what does that mean? How can we use it? How can it help us tear our enemies apart? Why, in short, should we care?

Because, my friends, it can wield considerable power. Aura can be projected. Aura can be expressed. Aura, can change the world. We call this the Semblance.

Not much can be said of the general patterns of semblance, since Aura usage and projection are modulated by the user's personality, creating effects almost always unique. But there do exist certain... untoward practices that will imprint intentional, and specific, signatures onto the souls of their young recipients-or victims. Such rituals are only used by the power-hungry, by the men and women who wish to be more than merely 'family'. By those who crave a legacy. A name. A symbol. But most souls do not take kindly to such shaping.

Beyond the brutal practices of semblance shaping, there are certain patterns that have been noticed about the general human semblance, so to speak. Self preservations. Reinforcements of the user's body against injury and attack. Healing. Beyond this, a semblance typically manifests as a passive effect combined with an active trigger. This active trigger takes Aura and exerts a temporary change on either the user or the world around them. Extraordinary speed, electrokinesis, and limited self-duplication, to name a few examples. The passive effect takes no Aura to activate, often appears to be a lesser, autonomous version of the active trigger, and may grow more powerful and extreme as a semblance is used more often, the Aura changing its user and shaping itself to its most common use. Of course, Aura powers can be more complex than a single flash in the pan power. More complex, and more versatile. Active and passive powers can also mature with the user. For example, take the active trigger of thermokinesis, along with the passive power to sense all surrounding heated objects. Alone, this power is incredible. But, drop its user into a situation where their only escape is using heated air currents to shape dust? Then you have greatness.

XxX

Ruby

Ruby barely managed to keep herself from running into the great hall, grin stretching over her face. Every part of this school was so incredible! From the armories and forges, to the automated weapons lockers, to the state of the art combat arenas (with included modifiable Aura Handicapping)-it was all she had dreamed it would be-and more! And - Ruby paused, looking back to her sister and her new friends, smiling even wider to see their own expressions of delighted wonder, hidden or otherwise - it didn't even seem like she was overreacting.

Friends. As in, more than one. Plural. Several. Real, live, breathing and walking friends that weren't Yang and Crescent Rose! First, Weiss, with her frozen, practiced smiles that had broken more than a few times during the day to reveal the real emotion hiding beneath the facade. Second, Blake, Yang's new friend, who had remained pretty quiet and hung back for much of the day. After a few back and forth glares between her and Weiss, Blake had slid into their little group gracefully, walking in the shadows behind them like she had been born to it. If Ruby was entirely honest with herself, she was kinda jealous of Blake for that. Sure, she was pretty great herself, and Yang and Weiss were awesome, but there was something about being a ninja that Ruby just loved, deep down. It was cool, plain and simple.

"-Hello? Earth to Rubes?" Ruby shook her head a few times, train of thought thoroughly derailed by Yang's hand mussing up her hair. "Oh, good, you're awake. I was starting to worry all the excitement had gotten to you and your tiny little heart had finally given out."

"My heart isn't tiny," Ruby grumbled, slapping her sister's hand off of her head. "Just because I'm small doesn't make me unhealthy. I'm gonna be just as big as you are someday. Because-"

Yang grinned, shushing her. "I know, I know, you drink milk. Anyway, Weiss was trying to get your attention. She's over there." She gripped Ruby's shoulder gently, pointing her towards a different side of the room where Weiss was standing, looking oddly shy. Ruby tilted her head curiously. When had Weiss gotten all the way over there? Had Ruby been daydreaming that much?

"Guess I'll see what she wants. Can you set up my stuff over here while I'm gone?"

Yang nodded. "Sure thing, Rubes. Guess it's your turn to abandon me for a friend!"

Ruby's eyes widened as she raised her hands in apology and Yang started laughing.

"Sorry, too easy. Now get over there!"

Yang pushed her gently away and Ruby walked to the other side of the room. Weiss turned as she got close, hands clasped...nervously? Weird. Weiss didn't seem like the kind of person to get nervous.

"Oh, perfect, Ruby, you're here. I need your help." Weiss motioned to two people who were walking into the great hall, a medium-height blond carrying a pretty old-looking sword and sheath and a tall redheaded girl who Ruby could have sworn she'd seen before. "You see the girl wearing light armor over there? That's Pyrrha Nikos. She's a spectacularly talented and graceful fighter with years of nearly untouched tournament victories. She would make an excellent addition to our squad. I need you to talk to her friend while I convince her our team is the only one worth joining."

Ruby held up a hand.

"I'll do my best, but I want to talk to her too! I'm really good, maybe she'll see that. Why do you need me to talk to the guy?"

"Because I have this planned out!" Weiss snapped. "I know what I'm going to say to her, and it doesn't include some random boy being there!"

Ruby froze, smile gradually growing. "Did you just say you planned out your conversation? Wait, are you a fan of hers?"

Weiss's eyes seemed to flash. "Do not portray this as some desperate fan terrified to face their idol without reinforcement. This is a tactical decision meant to improve my potential squad's capabilities in battle. I am not a child to cower before my idols!"

Ruby pressed her lips together until laughter no longer threatened to push its way past her lips.

"Of course you aren't. Now let's go talk to Pyrrha!"

XxX

Jaune

"...and the Grimm rat stood, silhouetted before the flames with blood dripping from it's newly scarred muzzle, and saluted one last time before vanishing into the great beyond," Jaune finished, faking a dramatic bow. "That's why my sisters will never let me near a kitchen again."

"Oh gosh," Pyrrha pushed out through her laughter, eyes bright. "Remind me never to underestimate your dust cookery."

"My spatula is yours, ma'am," Jaune replied, chuckling. "Say the word and I'll burn cities to the ground with it." He brandished his sword in the air, spreading his legs and lifting his chin in a mockery of a heroic stance.

Pyrrha opened her mouth to respond, but then, a red blur appeared next to them in a whirlwind of sweet-smelling petals and words. Jaune blinked at the short, redcloaked girl as she assaulted them with a bombardment of babbles, the red petals fluttering past her face disappearing into the wind. "Hey, blond guy, a friend of mine wanted to talk to Pyrrha and she asked me to get your attention, and I'm pretty curious about your sword and sheath, so how do they work? Do they do anything cool? What's the machinery on the sheath for?"

Jaune flicked his eyes up to Pyrrha, currently being accosted by a girl who looked like the Schnee heiress. She looked back at him and shrugged. Beacon was bound to be full of surprises. Getting caught off-guard was part of the Hunter job description. So something like this? This was just good practice. Pyrrha'd be fine. Jaune smiled at the mini-Nora, more amused than anything.

"Hey, my name's Jaune Arc. And I'm pretty new to all this, but isn't it polite to introduce yourself before asking someone how their weapons work?"

The girl ran a hand through her hair sheepishly. "You're probably right, sorry, Jaune. The name's Ruby Rose, from Patch. I'm also pretty new to this, you know? If you don't want to tell me I understand."

Jaune smiled disarmingly. "Nah, it's fine. My weapons aren't really anything special. The sword is, well, a sword. It cuts things. It used to be my grandfather's, and my father's always been more about skills than tech."

"Oh - well, I've always appreciated the classics!" she responded. "What about the sheath? It's definitely got something going on."

Jaune lifted it, hands moving to the quick releases on the sides before hesitating. "It expands into a shield. I probably shouldn't use it in here, though. It's a little unwieldy. Anyway, how about yours? That contraption on your back looks terrifying."

Her eyes lit up as she swung the thing into her hands. "This is my Crescent Rose. I forged her - I mean, I forged it at Signal. It's a scythe with 50 calibre rifle and holosight attachment, specced out to hold all modern varieties of high caliber dust. I would open it here, but it's also pretty big and unwieldy if I'm not in a combat scenario."

Jaune tilted his head, eyes widening. "Wait, how on earth - I have so many questions. How do you handle the recoil? Why would you use a scythe rather than a greatsword? How do you fire that accurately?"

Ruby grinned. "Now who's asking nosy questions? If you see me fight, maybe you'll figure it out."

Jaune froze midway through his next question before laughing quietly. "I suppose I deserved that. Anyway-" He was cut off by Pyrrha's voice, sounding a mix of stunned and affronted.

"I'm sorry, poison?"

He and Ruby turned towards Weiss and Pyrrha to see Weiss leaning a little forward, inquisitive look fixed on her face.

"Yes, poison. The effect is subtle, but to anyone sufficiently adept at observation, it's pretty obvious. Your opponents are always slightly slower when facing off against you, their reflexes seeming dulled. Their blades were always just short of hitting you when it counted. You may seem invincible, but I know what you are. Skilled, advantaged, yes, but never invincible. So what is your semblance? Contact poison? Aerosolized? Is it a dust compound?"

Pyrrha's eyes widened as she reared back defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about. I fought my opponents with my skills and my weapons. There was no foul play, no poison. Whatever you think you saw, it wasn't real! It wasn't!"

Weiss relaxed slightly, smiling. "Of course not, Champion. I'm sure it wasn't real. Just as I'm sure you'll be glad to have someone that observant on your squad. Right?"

Pyrrha's shoulders snapped into tenseness as Ruby stepped forward.

"Weiss, are you...are you blackmailing her? We shouldn't be doing this!"

Weiss turned back to Ruby, cold eyes triumphant.

"I'm not blackmailing her, Ruby. I'm just showing her where her interests lie. Strength of character is part of being a good huntress, as you should know."

Ruby stepped back at that, looking downcast.

Something inside of Jaune snapped at that. At Pyrrha's fearful, uncertain eyes, at Ruby's retreat, and at Weiss's cold triumph. She thought this blackmail would win her a squad? He'd show her. "Is this what you call strength, then, Weiss? If you think you're good enough to be with Pyrrha on a squad, prove it on the battlefield at initiation. Not with insinuations and honeyed words. Or is that the Schnee way, to hide and avoid fights at all costs?"

Weiss whirled to face him, eyes flashing angrily.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. Schnee win battles! We don't hide behind people!"

Jaune smiled slightly.

"Prove it. We'll see you at initiation."

Weiss inhaled sharply, shoulders straightening into that regal bearing she often favored.

"We shall. And you'll soon eat your words. Come on, Ruby. We're leaving."

She wheeled around, stalking away. Ruby stood there indecisively, looking at Jaune and back at Weiss before coming to a decision, speaking quickly and apologetically.

"I'm really sorry to leave this soon but I should really go with her, she was my first new friend here..."

Jaune shrugged, smiling.

"Go. We'll see you in the forest tomorrow?"

Ruby smiled slightly and nodded before blurring after Weiss. Pyrrha turned back to Jaune, her shoulders slowly relaxing. "Thank you for that, Jaune."

Jaune grinned. "No problem. And, even if you do have some skill or trick you've kept hidden all this time, I get it. Everyone deserves their secrets." His hands tensed slightly. Gods knew he had some of his own.

Pyrrha smiled in response. "Thank you for that. I do have to ask though...'We'?"

Jaune's eyes widened and he froze for a moment. "I guess I just assumed we'd end up partners? I mean, I don't know how they choose them and I don't know if you'd want to, but I'd really like it?"

"I think I would quite like that too, Jaune," Pyrrha replied quietly. "Partners?"

Jaune nodded. "Partners."

XxX

Yang

Yang watched Weiss stalk away from the two other students, a hint of laughter in her eyes as she saw Ruby hurriedly apologize and run after Weiss. She turned to Blake, who had curled up by the fireplace with her book almost immediately after entering the room. The black-clad girl was weird, but Yang kinda liked her anyway. She had style.

"Did you see Weiss trying and failing to recruit that girl over there?"

"Yes." Blake turned a page.

"Pretty good show. I wonder if Weiss tried that with anyone else?"

"Almost, with me."

"Really?" Yang's eyes widened.

"Mhhm."

Yang smirked, already getting a feel for Blake's character. Books and brief replies were a universal sign of 'don't talk to me.' Yang recognized the hint, but that didn't mean she'd decide to take it. "And? What happened?"

Blake didn't look up from her book, but responded nonetheless. "She and I had an argument on the Carrier." Blake paused, then, probably figuring that Yang would press for more anyways, continued, "she approached me after we landed, tried to recruit me. Right before you started talking to me, actually."

"And you said no?"

"I'm not great with Schnees."

"Why? I mean, she's a bit of a...Weiss queen, but why else?"

The corner of Blake's lip turned upwards. "Long story."

Sighing, Yang grinned, perching a hand on her hip. "It always is." She watched Weiss and Ruby across the room. "If she thinks she's got Ruby, she's got another think coming. My sister doesn't go down that easy."

"She does have steel behind those eyes."

"Damn right."

XxX

Jaune

Jaune walked to the cliffsides the next morning, Pyrrha, Ren and Nora by his side. Their scrolls directed them to a specific site near the edge of the cliffs. He wasn't quite sure how the teachers had known to direct all four of them to the same spot. Maybe they had watched all the students' interactions last night. Or maybe it was just a lucky guess.

As they reached the platform, Jaune heard someone call his name. He turned to see Ruby and Weiss walking up to the platforms, two other girls close behind. Now he knew the teachers were watching.

"Hey, Jaune and Pyrrha! They sent you guys here too?"

Jaune smiled. "Seems so. You have any idea what we're doing here?"

Ruby opened her mouth before a calm voice spoke up behind them.

"I believe I can answer that, Jaune," Ozpin replied. The man stood on a rock jutting above them. How long had he been there? "If you eight could step onto the platforms, please?"

The eight of them quickly complied, placing their feet into the markings on the platforms.

"Thank you. Now, in approximately five seconds after I finish speaking, you will all be launched into the Emerald Forest. The first person you make eye contact with upon landing will be your partner. Once you have found partners, make your way to the central dais. There you will find pairs of relics. Each partner pair should take one pair of relics. Once you have them, return to Beacon. One last thing. The forest has been stocked with Grimm. Do try not to die."

Beacon was bound to be full of surprises. Getting caught off-guard was part of the Hunter job description.

Ozpin turned away.

In the moments before the platform launched, Jaune's mind reached a quick conclusion. He had to land from a drop of hundreds of feet, fight his way through Grimm infested forest, make eye contact with Pyrrha before anyone else, then fight towards a dais he could barely see from here and get back? Bring it on.

A/N: Not much to say here, besides the fact that all of these characters are great to write. Especially Yang and Blake interacting. And also the world of remnants, which definitely have a bit more...character to them.

Initiation begins next chapter. Expect fun. And Jaune's semblance.

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