When it was time for our initiation, I walked to the cliff with Miss Goodwitch and Professor Ozpin. They told me that we were the first to arrive, but a couple of minutes later everyone had turned up.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Professor Ozpin said.
"Now, I'm sure many if you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... Today." Miss Goodwitch said which caused Ruby to strangely whine.
"Allow me to clarify, while anyone that makes it to the end of the Emerald Forest will form teams; there will be one individual who will undertake their future here at Beacon Academy without a team for the remainder of their Huntsmen training. The Relic in question is a Golden Queen Chess." Wait, someone will be alone?
"For the others, these teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So, it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next 4 years."
Ruby let out another whine. "What?!"
A girl next to me said to her friend, "See, I told you."
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path, or you will die. You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation. But our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one, while the hunter or huntress, who decides to brave the forest alone must claim the designated relic for themselves. Once the relics have been claimed, return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" The Professor asked.
I heard a boy, who sensed was next to Ruby, whimpered out. "Hmm... Yeah sir—"
He however, was quickly cut off by the Professor again, ignoring him completely. "Good! Now let us begin. Please take your positions and be prepared." Ozpin concluded as I took off my cloak and then Miss Goodwitch took it from me as I unbind my wings. My wings fluttered as they were finally allowed to stretch. As a student, next to me zipped off the pad, a boy further down from me suddenly spoke.
"Umm, Professor I have a question."
Before I could hear his answer, my launch pad launched me into the sky.
***
As I flew in the air, I extended my wings and glided across Emerald Forest.
It feels nice to finally fly again. It feels like it has been years. I wonder how the others are doing. Yang is probably punching Grimm into a bloody pulp, Blake is probably sneaking across the forest from tree branch to tree branch, and Ruby probably causing trouble with one of the other students.
"In 50 yards, you have arrived at your destination." My scroll spoke.
I'm glad that the General could build this feature in my scroll or ese I would be flying blind.
"Incoming attack! Subject—Nevermore. Distance—20 yards south of current position."
Great!
I pulled my bow and notched an arrow while I glided in the air. A few seconds later, I heard the Nevermore growl. Thankfully it was far away, so my sensitive ears weren't affected. As I heard the Nevermore's wings flap closer, I steadied my breath, turned around to face the direction I hear the Grimm's wings flapping and pulled back on my bow.
"Incoming attack! Subject—Nevermore. Distance—15 yards north of current position."
Not yet...
"Incoming attack! Subject—Nevermore. Distance—10 yards north of current position."
Not yet...
"Incoming attack! Subject—Nevermore. Distance—5 yards north of current position."
A bit more...
"Incoming attack! Subject - Nevermore. Distance—1 yard north of current position."
Now!
I fired my arrow and I heard it collide with the Nevermore with an audible 'thunk.' It fell to the ground gracefully, as my scroll alerted me about my 'battle'.
"Direct hit! Subject—Nevermore eradicated. Changing course for original direction. Currently 40 Yards away from destination."
I guess, I have to make up for lost time.
***
As I got closer to my destination and reclaim my relic, I heard screaming coming above me.
"Fran! Look out!" I heard Ruby shout above me. I however couldn't think about getting out of the way, since Ruby had grabbed onto me, pulling me to the ground, and because of her momentum she dragged me to the ground... hard.
As soon as I collided with the ground, pain spiked into my back, head, wings, chest and my legs.
"Fran...?! Fran, are you okay?" I heard Blake ask as I felt her arms around my stomach.
"Ruby, please say you are okay?" I heard Yang called out for Ruby, nearby.
"Ugh... Well that hurts... Huh wait... Fran? ! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen."
"It... It's okay, Ruby. Are you alright? Nothing broken, I hope?" I wearily said as I tried to stand up. Unfortunately, pained erupted from my stomach. Warm arms were then wrapped around me, laying me down on the cold ground.
"Fran! Don't move. You idiot, what do you think you're doing." Blake shouted as I recoiled from the sudden loud noise. "Sorry, Fran." Blake said softly.
"It's okay, Blake." I said weakly.
"What the hell were you thinking, Ruby? You could have badly hurt Fran." Blake quietly growled out.
"Hey! She said she was sorry. Get off her back." Yang shouted.
"Blake... It's okay, calm down. Look I'm fine." I said trying to convince the trio.
"Blake... I'm fine really. My Aura will regenerate the pain that Ruby caused. No harm done." I said as I tried to ignore the pain that had circulated around my back and ribs.
"I'm so sorry Fran. If I knew you had gotten hurt..." Ruby apologized as I sensed her in front of me.
I placed my hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Ruby. I know that you didn't mean to hurt me... It just happened."
"See! What did I tell you, nothing to worry?" Yang chipperly said. "Anyway, why were you falling from the sky? What did you do, fall from a Nevermore?"
"Well... kind of." She said as the four of us heard a growl from a close Ursa.
"Yeehaa!" A new girl energetically jumped around, but she then sounded quite sad. "Aww. It's broken."
"Nora... Please... Don't ever do that again!" A boy exhaustively said.
The 'Nora' girl then darted towards where the relics are. "Oh... These look pretty. I waaaaant... That one." Nora said playfully as she chose one of the relics.
"Nora!" The boy from before shouted out towards Nora.
"Coming, Ren!" Nora replied. Urgh... I wish everyone would stop shouting. Nora ran back to the Ren. Those two must be close.
"Did that girl just ride in on an Ursa?" Blake asked.
There was then another growl from a Grimm as I heard its pincers snap— Deathstalker! I also heard the pattering of feet running closer to us.
"Did she just run all the way here with a Deathstalker on her tail?" Blake asked as Nora and Ren walked over towards us.
"How could you leave me?" A sudden voice, high above me, call out. My ears were keenly listening to the girl's cry for help.
"Fran, What's up?" Yang asked.
"I hear someone... far above us... in the sky. She needs our help."
"Oh, that'll be Weiss." Ruby said. "I did say jump!" Ruby then shouted to her, thankfully Blake covered my ears, to avoid them from hurting.
"She's gonna fall." Blake said.
"She'll be fine." Ruby replied in a matter of fact.
"She's falling." Ren said stoically, as I heard this 'Weiss' girl cry out as she tumbled to the ground.
"Don't worry, I've got this." I said as my wings were flapping in the wind. Before I could launch into the sky however, I felt an arm pull me down as I hovered off the floor.
"Fran don't... Listen." Blake said. I landed on the floor and nodded my head. My ears intently listened to everything around me, listening for anything that Blake could mean that it was taken care of. As I listened to everything around me, I noticed that there was someone in the trees, getting ready to jump for Weiss. Unfortunately, the boy didn't come up with a plan, since the pair were hurtling towards the ground.
Guess it's my turn to save the day.
I got ready and flapped my wings with the wind and launched into the air, towards the two falling to the ground. As I got closer to the pair, their screams were getting louder and louder.
Try and push past the pain, Fran.
Thankfully they both stopped screaming as I caught them. "I got you, you two can stop screaming now." I said as I carried Weiss on my back and the boy dangling from my outstretched arms.
"Just put me down! I'm sick and tired of being stuck in the air with undesirable company." Weiss coldly said.
"Ignore snow angel. Thank you, my winged angel." The boy sultry said. Is he honestly flirting with me? That's cute.
I giggled. "Not a chance!" I said as I glided to the ground with the two safely on the floor. We couldn't stay safe however, as a girl got thrown over towards me. As she got away from a charging Deathstalker.
If feel like I'm running on fumes, since I'm using my Semblance none stop. I think I'm gonna need an extra blood pack when we're finished here.
"Great, the gang's all here. Now we can die together." Yang said as she prepared her gauntlets.
"Not if I can help it." Ruby said, before she ran towards the Deathstalker.
"Ruby, wait!" Yang shouted out but it was already too late. She had already launched her attack on the Deathstalker as I heard her fire Crescent Rose, to propel her forward.
"Ruby! Get away from that Deathstalker!" I shouted as her attack grazed the deadly Grimm.
"D-Do-Don't worry! Totally fine!" She then fired another round at the Deathstalker before she turned around and ran towards us. Chasing her was a Nevermore.
"Ruby... Hang on." I shouted to her as Yang ran and I flew after her. Before we could get to Ruby, another Nevermore appeared, alongside an emerging King Taijitu.
"Damnit... Yang, you help Ruby. I've got those two." I called out as I took off to the sky and headed towards the two Grimm. Thankfully, everyone else was focused on helping Ruby.