Chapter 2: The initiation Test.

I hate mornings as much as Hunters and Huntresses hate Grimm. Especially when there's someone who wouldn't stop talking! Just who is this girl and how is that guy so calm about it?!

"I'm going to jump off this damn school before this test starts..." I groggily get up from the floor and packed the sleeping bag the staff provided. After that was done, I left the ballroom while cracking every bone in my body before heading into a nearby bathroom. Wasn't much to do besides take a leak for the time being and trying to wake up fully still. Splashing some water from the sink helped a lot and figured now was a good time to find that cafeteria finally.

Leaving the bathroom, I saw the ballroom was completely empty besides one other person. He was just finishing packing his bag until he noticed me. Weighing out my options, I could use him to find the cafeteria and wherever I might need to go. With Plan "Burden the Student" activated, I'll get to eat! Let's do this Kiano.

"Yo, you wouldn't happen to know where the cafeteria is?" Basic and straight to the point. My plans are just too good. "I know where it's at. Give me second to finish up here." Yes! I'm just amazing, hold your applause please. As he said, he finished up just seconds later and waved his hand to tell me to follow. We left the ballroom and went down the hallway in silence for a minute or so. Well, I could at least make some small talk to keep myself from being bored.

"What's your name? I'm Kiano." Again, being straight forward is my best policy. It's not like I hate the subject or idea of talking to others but I'm really only to get information most of time. At least that's what my old mentor said. "Not much a name but a nickname I gave myself. You can call me Seven." Seven? Might as well poke the subject more. "You gave yourself a nickname? What does the Seven even mean?" He shrugs at my first question. "Ain't no rules telling me that I can't. As for what the name means..." I haven't mentioned it yet but this guy was definitely some sort of mysterious type. His hair was short, reaching to ear level and was very black, almost like the night sky to understand. His left eye is also black too but his right eye was completely red and looked different to any normal eye. "It means the total amount of times I've missed." He chuckles a bit before explaining further.

"And by that, I missed a total of seven shots in my whole life ever since I picked up a gun. And that was when I was only 4 years old!" He's only missed seven shots?! I couldn't believe some crap like that! "There's no way you missed seven shots! No one is that accurate with..." I paused myself, he understood it and picked up the conversation. "I use a large arsenal of weapons. I mostly choose my sniper or my handgun on hunts." This guy...I couldn't believe any of this.

We arrived at the cafeteria and saw everyone with their own friends. I look to him and he looks back at me, I shrug in response and soon we ended up eating together. We talked some more as we ate our pancakes. "Kiano, right? What's your weapon like? I've always been fascinated with how they can switch from close to range combat." I take a chuck of my pancake and swallowed it whole. "I don't have a weapon really. Only a long sword I...took from a gang yesterday." I continued eating my pancakes as he looked confused. "From a gang? Wait, you never made your own weapon?" Again, I ate another chuck whole, god I love pancakes. "Never went to school, wasn't fortunate for that. As for the gang, it wasn't much really. Ran into them and gave two guys a quick beating." He leans back in his seat and crossed his arms. "Yeah, I heard about a aircraft leaving the area last night. Guessing that's what you mean by gang." Then, a lightbulb seemed to go off above his head.

"If you never went to school, how did you get here? Beacon is one of the best schools and you have to be the best on the entry test." I shrugged before answering. "Well, in the HeadMaster's eyes, he saw what happened I'm guessing and decided to recruit me himself if you would say." That really seemed to get Seven's attention as his eyes widen at that. "HeadMaster Ozpin personally accepted you into his school?!" That caught everyone's attention as they watched in either doubt or shock.

I looked around and saw Pandora with her friend also watching, to say they looked shock wasn't even close to it. Now the wave of chatter came and it felt weird being the main topic of it. "Great, so much for fitting in I guess." I sighed as I push away my pancakes. "Sorry for yelling, just hearing that sounds completely crazy. To think the HeadMaster personally asked someone to join his school..." Now, for the time we spent together, I couldn't be mad about it. I'll just have to deal with it like any other business.

After breakfast was over, everyone had came over to me in the locker room asking to join their team. I didn't know what they're talking about and felt annoyed about the whole thing. "That's about the twentieth person you said no to." Seven closes his locker and holsters his gun. "Gee, it's almost like someone said-. No, in fact, yelled to the whole room how the HeadMaster personally accepted me to his school." I added in jazz hands to give a more effect. Seven shrugs his shoulders. "Wonder who did that. Sounds like a complete jerk to me." It was at this time I wanted to hurt Seven.

The announcement was shortly then made for the initiation test. I roll my neck around and cracked my back before smiling. "Finally, I get to crack some Grimm skulls." Seven looked surprised at my sudden changed in attitude. "What? Can't a guy talk about killing some Grimm? Best time killer in my opinion." He rolls his eyes and we both followed the students to the starting point.

"For years you have trained to become warriors, and today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Got to love Ozpin's straight forwardness. "Now, I'm sure many of you 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." Maybe it's not too late to ask Seven then. Could be fun I guess in the end.

"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 four years." Looking around, I saw Ruby look pale as a ghost...or as pale than she usually is. "After you 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." I lightly began stretching my legs and arms as he continues on. "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 and return to the top of the cliff. We will guard that item, as well as your standing and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

One kid tried to speak up but Ozpin quickly cut him off and told the rest of us to get ready. I finished my stretches and took my landing stance. Lacking of personal experience so I really only bent my knees down and prepared for the worst. Before I could hear more of the kid trying to explain his questions to Ozpin, I felt the platform lift me off and felt the cold wind rush against me.

To say I was scared but excited was the complete truth. I felt the rush kick in but as I said, I never had any experience in launch landings. I see the trees coming closer and closer so I had no choice but to use my covered eye for this...

Now with my feet safety on the ground, I made my way through the forest as fast as I could. "Gotta find Seven, he's the most decent person and is a good shot as he says. There's always Ruby or Yang but they're probably looking for each other right now so Seven it is!" With an extra kick to my speed, I shot pass through the trees until I heard a howl of Beowolves nearby.

I quickly turned to the howls and rushed over to see a pack surrounding someone in the middle. I jumped between tree to tree until I reached a branch. Trying to figure out who's in the middle, I lean to the edge of the branch and watched until I saw flowing red hair. I whistled as she slashed and slammed any Beowolf who got close with her Halberd's axe end. It wasn't until two were sneaking behind her while the others purposely got harmed to keep her attention away. "Grimm these days getting smarter and smarter, time to help her out." I stand up from my branch and pulled my sword out.

I jumped down onto a Beowolf and stabbed its head down with my sword. I quickly pulled it out and rushed over to her. She noticed me which led the two behind her to take their chance at her which forced me into using it again. Before she knew it, I killed the two Beowolves and covered her back with mine. "Gotta say Red, you definitely know how to pick your battles!" I slash down one who wanted to test me. "It wasn't my fault! I saw a fire and soon these Beowolves came over running!" She used the tip end of her Halberd to keep a Beowolf at bay. "Then we don't got much of a choice here! I'll rush down any who get close and you watch my back!" I jump forward to a Beowolf and cut it down before another made its move.

To say I was being reckless doesn't mean much to me. It's my usual style and works wonder...most of the time. I had to at least keep my focus on the girl as well so I couldn't go full out. I kept slashing down Beowolf after Beowolf until I heard her yell out something behind me. I turned around to see smoking Beowolves, her Halberd was cloaked in fire as she smashed one's head with the axe side. Another came from behind but she swung around with the smaller end and pierced through its head with ease. One more had appeared but in front of her this time, she quickly pulled her weapon back but both of its bladed ends turn into two pistols. One was in simple design while the other was a revolver style and that was the one she used to shoot down the Beowolf.

It was also around this time all the Beowolves collectively decided to rush us as one. I quickly backed into her and held my sword up. "You don't mind if I take all them down?" She scoffs as my confidence. "Be my guest but I'll be the one to kill them all myself!" I chuckled before removing the cover over my eye fully. "Don't be so sure..."

Before I could do anything, a small cartridge landed next to us with a distant gunshot the following second. Everything was soon covered in smoke and we were right in the middle of it. I felt a tug on my shirt behind me and took the hint to run, we both made a dash and slashed down any Beowolf in our way. We made it through the smoke and into the forest again, trying to catch our breathes, we found the ones responsible for that trick.

"I'm glad I found you in time Erina!" Pandora ran past me and hugged the girl- I mean Erina. "Don't worry, that smoke you used saved us from anymore trouble." Being modest are we? Doesn't really concern me as I turned to see Seven. "So then that gunshot, Seven?" He nods before spinning the gun in his hand. "Told you I never miss, could've done that even without my semblance." Pandora and Erina joined us but only Erina was surprised to hear that. "Your semblance, does it really make your accuracy that spot on?"

He holsters his gun and waves his hand. "You could even say it's pin-point accurate. I've hit things much further away with this gun without much effort." Me and Pandora smirked while Erina was even more taken back by that, which makes me wonder to ask. "Seven, I'm guessing you ran into Pandora here and told her your Semblance?" He nods while crossing his arms. "We made eye contact and heard fighting some ways away. That's when we saw you two." If Seven and Pandora are partners then...

I turned to Erina and saw she was looking back at me as well. "Well, that makes us official then. Nice to-" Pandora blocks my path as I try to give Erina a handshake. "You are not coming any closer to Erina!" Erina started laughing a bit before she patted Pandora's head. "It's fine Pandora, you don't have to protect me from everyone." Pandora looked more calm now and moved out of the way but not without glaring daggers at me.

(Ozpin's Perspective)

I slowly take a sip from my cup as I rewatch fight over and over again. It wasn't until Glynda gotten my attention. "Sir, is it wise to allow these children to take part of this test?" I take a few minutes before answering her question. "Whatever do you mean?" She takes a moment herself to explain why. "You plan to make them their own team. It doesn't matter what we grade them or if they even past the test, why is that?" I take another sip before giving her my reasoning.

"Let's start with Erina. A prodigy student who's excel in her grades and combat testing, even being recommended by all schools and is accepted wherever she chose but she picked us. Now, I may not know why but it's to do with her confidence I assume." Glynda looked surprised at my state of fact assumption. "She works well with others and was ready to give orders to Kiano before he acted on his own but let's focus on her. It was only in the heat of battle that forced her to take that role, otherwise, she would have listen to Kiano if he took that role instead. She's an amazing student but doesn't feel right when put as the team leader."

I look down to my screen and swiped it to Pandora's information. "Now, for her childhood friend, Pandora. She wasn't as gifted as Erina but still made powerful stride to get where she is today. Which is because she followed wherever Erina went, always being by her side and protecting her. But I fear that's her weakness, she sees Erina as her source of...hope I wish to say. She doesn't make her choices and does what is needed for Erina's comfort. Leaving all that hope...in a small box..." I look to Glynda who's lost in thought.

"For the third member, Seven. Now, there's not much I can say for the young man. He's lived a normal life outside the city, doing what was needed in his village. Again, not much to say regarding his past but I do see promise in his abilities. To never miss a shot, no matter how far or difficult the shot may be. Even from seeing it now with that smokescreen the shot seemed effortless to him."

The screen finally moved onto the most interesting individual. "Kiano, the man of truly the mysterious past. Nothing is to be said as well, never attended school before but his way around a blade is beyond extraordinary. Makes you wonder where he was taught to fight like that. This does fuel him with a sort of confidence as if he's untouchable, this was shown when he blindingly rushed into those Grimms. He acts on his own and is reckless to himself...maybe to even others."

Glynda moves forward and turns to be in confusion. "Then why put these four into the same team? Erina and Pandora I understand, they have experience fighting together already. Seven seems to have potential working with others as he helped make the smokescreen with Pandora. Where does Kiano fit in all of this?"

I take one last sip before giving my full conclusion. "Erina works well in strategy and planning. Being one of the best team leaders I've seen in a while but lacks the full confidence to lead fully all the time. I decided that she will lead this time. As for Pandora and Seven, they will trust her immediately as they understand her experience and training. Seven specifically will prove to be vital as he seemed to adapt Pandora's cartridge trick without knowing at all. This will help keep the flow in heated battles steady for them." Glynda grew more concerned when I didn't mention Kiano. "Though, as for Kiano, I'm afraid he'll prove to be tough on the team. Acting out on his own in battle and most likely ignore orders from Erina. This will force them to adapt to his moves and make sure he's not injured from his recklessness. Even being fatal to one of them eventually...He's the loose cog in the clock as the others try to move forward while he's stuck in place."

(Back to Kiano's perspective)

"Now that we're partnered up in pairs, it would be best that we work in a four-member team to reach the end of the forest. Seven, you'll play as scout and kill any Grimm ahead that you can manage, come back if the target proves too much." Erina was giving us the rundown and assigning us roles to play. "Pandora, seeing that you and Seven work well together, you'll stay by him but if he does come back, make sure to do that smokescreen tactic of yours again." Seven and Pandora nodded and started moving up ahead. "As for you Kiano, you'll stick by me and if those two come back then we'll deal with whatever comes." I nodded to her as I followed by her side.

"Say, Erina, You look like you're used to this and I don't mean the whole Grimm killing part." She was silent for a second before answering back. "I've had training from previous schools to act accordingly when the situation is needed. Sorry but I'm sure you or Seven aren't capable to have the leading role." She wasn't wrong there. I would've left them behind and find the place myself.

"So when we gather the relics and finish this test, then what?" I had the rough idea of being with your partner but didn't know if Ozpin was serious about it. "As HeadMaster Ozpin said, we'll be spending our four years together. Through school work and combat, we will depend on each other for help." That doesn't exactly sit well with me, I don't mind Erina but...she seems the really strict type. At least with Seven, he'll be cool to mess around and be fun. "Then hopefully we get along well." We stopped as Seven and Pandora were seen over a ledge.

Seven looks back and points over the ledge. We make our way to find the Relics, along with Yang and her partner. I jump over and made my way to them. "Yang! Glad to see you made it!" I wave my hand as they turned to me. "Kiano! I can say the same for you! Where's your partner? Did you even see anyone?" On cue, the others came up from behind me. "Sure did, her name's Erina and our mutual friends found each other." I noticed Yang's partner watching in silence which told me she's more of the observation type.

I made my way around Yang and found the relics on top of the pedestals. Some were already missing so I figured others got here beforehand. With too many options, I figured to pick the White King piece. "Mission accomplished! Let's get going Erina!" However, a girl screaming ringed throughout the forest with Ruby falling from the sky. It wasn't even seconds later seeing Ruby in the sky before she was taken out from the guy who was trying to ask Ozpin a question. "W-What the hell is going-" I couldn't even finish my sentence before a Ursa came out the forest. It fell on its stomach to reveal a girl riding its back along with a boy who was trying to catch his breath.

And if that wasn't enough, a DeathStalker came out the forest as well chasing a girl. Erina and the others came close to me and watched in utter shock. We also watch Yang explode in anger while her sister and her partner kept their eyes to the sky. Looking up, I swear I was joking, we saw a Nevermore along with the girl from yesterday now falling from the sky. I...just couldn't anymore...

"Seven, get your relic and let's go! I'm losing it here and I feel things are going to get worse-" The sounds of gunshots stopped me as I turn to see Ruby charging at the DeathStalker. "Oh damnit Ruby!" Before I could do anything, I saw Yang and the white-hair girl run after her. The Nevermore shot his feathers down, trapping Ruby's cape to the ground while stopping Yang in her tracks. However, the girl dodged them and stopped the DeathStalker's tail in ice.

They had moment to talk before returning to the group. I look up to see the Nevermore making its way back to us. "Sorry to ruin the party but that Nevermore is coming back. Let's get out of here before then." I quickly made my point across and Ruby agreed with me. "Kiano's right. We have our mission right here to grab the relics and get back to the cliffs. There's no point in fighting these things." Everyone starts grabbing their Relics and we made our way back to cliffs while the Nevermore followed us from above.

As we reached to the cliffs, the Nevermore landed on top of the ruins in front of us, blocking our only way to the top. "Damn bird is blocking the cliffs!" Pandora yelled out in anger. Not a second later, the DeathStalker busts through the forest towards us. "And now we're running forward!" Seven yells back to the others. We ran for the ruins while the Ursa-Rider distracted the Nevermore and two more in front of us gave cover fire. We reached the bridge and made a run for the cliffs but I saw the Nevermore coming down to ram us. I quickly turned to push Seven and Pandora back before being hit by the Nevermore.

Quickly flipping around my body, I grabbed the Nevermore's feathered tail and slowly climbed my way to its back. I saw the others were separated with the missing bridge now, either fighting the DeathStalker or trying to hit the Nevermore with their shots. I took my sword out and slashed my way to the front end to see Yang's partner swing her way up to us. We trade places as I jumped off while she slashed her way through. I landed on top of the ruins and made my way down to meet Erina and the others on this side. "Kiano! I thought the Nevermore knocked you to the bottom!" I chuckled as I take my rag off. "Don't worry about me right me, we got a mocking bird to kill." Erina nodded before firing her dual pistols at the Nevermore along with Ruby and the others.

The Nevermore fired back with its feathers. It started screaming as I appeared suddenly, jamming my sword through it's skull. This gave them a better chance to land some hits in before it started flying away again with me on it. Before I could do anything, the Nevermore started flying up and I grabbed my sword to hold on. "My stop is back down there!" I yelled to the Nevermore but I doubt it'll listen. I decided to ditch the sword and jumped off the Nevermore altogether with a thoughtful mind that my aura will break the fall. Crashing on top of the cliffs wasn't the best experience but at least the ground is safer.

I slowly get up, seeing my dark green aura flash quickly before disappearing. "Took a decent hit but I'll live..." I look over the cliff to see the DeathStalker was killed. I was then blown back as the Nevermore flew back down to deal with the others. I quickly got back up to see it hovering below the cliff, firing even more feathers at them. "Hope someone has a camera for this!" I say out loud before jumping off the cliff. I stomp my foot down on the sword's handle, pushing the Nevermore down along with my sword going through its head. I jump off to see the white-hair girl freeze the Nevermore's tail against the cliff along with Ruby being a sling shot bullet at the other end.

I quickly make it back to the group and watched as Ruby smashed the Nevermore against the rocky wall and drag it by the neck to the top of the cliff. Once she reached the top, she sliced through the neck and we watched in awe as the Nevermore's body slowly falls. I felt someone bump my arm and I see it was Seven along with Pandora behind him. We follow everyone to the cliffs to give in our relics and it wasn't long until we were in an auditorium, being assigned to teams by Ozpin himself.

I watched as Ruby's team was being called up with their team name now being Team Rwby. It was cool to see Ruby being the team leader, hopefully she can fulfill that role. Now, it was our turn as Ozpin called us one by one..."Erina Alia Avery, Kiano Nero, Pandora Amari and...Seven. The four of you retrieved the White King pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as...Team EKPS which will be led by...Erina Alia Avery." The crowd around us starting cheering as Pandora hugs Erina. I poke Seven with my elbow and mentioned our team name. "EKPS huh? Sounds like you're saying Eclipse." He chuckles and agrees with me that while the name is silly, it does sound kinda cool.

Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day getting sorted into our new rooms. We found it had four bedrooms and it clicked on the first major issue, two guys and two girls wasn't exactly the ideal living life. So we took turns getting ready for the night and by getting ready, me and Seven were stuck outside while we waited for the girls. My first...or second night I should say is going wonderfully...