Glynda Goodwitch scanned the multiple students as she got prepared to meet Ozpin at the cliffs. She tapped on the microphone to get everyone's attention. "Good morning, students. The Initiation begins in two hours. Be sure you are prepared and don't be late. This year's Initiation will take place at the cliffs." She pushed her glasses up with her crop. A small smirk tugged at her lips. She demanded respect, and almost every current student and new student had a healthy fear of her. Satisfied, she sauntered off to find Ozpin and start the Initiation.

Gideon was hyped and ready to go. Dressed in his battle uniform, which was just his normal outfit with reinforced armor built into the jacket and pants. He snapped his fingers and his aura shimmered red, small daggers appearing in his hands. Yes, he was ready. Coco Adel, the girl Gideon had spent the night getting to know nodded in approval. Gideon smirked back at her and gestured 'I'm coming for you'. Coco's determination spiked.

Orion and Layla took a little more time getting ready. Layla wore an armored skirt and shirt with protective gloves and arm gauntlets. And combat boots, of course. Orion wore his maroon hoodie, blue shirt, and tan pants but had shin guards and an armored chest plate built into his hoodie, extra reinforcement over his chest and stomach. Fox snorted and pretended to bump into Orion who flipped him off. Yatsuhashi smiled at Layla and wished her good luck.

Derek placed two disks at the base of his wings and turned them on, a shimmering protective shield around them so his wings wouldn't get injured. He wore a spandex suit that was white with black running down the sides, a black jacket and goggles for his eyes. His escrima sticks were strapped to his belt that had pouches of dust and bullets in them for reloading. He helped Velvet with her camera and beamed when she asked him if he wanted to join her for breakfast.

A very gloomy two hours later and every new student was lined up at the cliff. Ozpin smiled at them. "Welcome. Today is all about landing strategy. There are ruins with special tokens. Each of you should take one. The first person you make eye contact with is your partner for the rest of the year. Good luck."

One by one the students were thrown into the air and when Gideon was thrown he screamed and was slightly disoriented before he summoned a weaponized gilder. More students whizzed past him, and he distinctly saw the twins using glyphed semblances to safely maneuver their way to the ground. Derek laughed as he flew through the air, enjoying the freedom. He did a barrel roll and dove to the ground. 'Show offs.' Gideon rolled his eyes and stabbed his sword into the trunk of a tree and slid down the side. He squeezed his eyes shut and winced as some of the branches and splinters scratched his face and arms.

Thus, Initiation started. Gideon was excited as he stalked through the forests. He hoped he was going in the right direction. He hacked a path with his sword through the dense brush. Gideon hoped he would run into someone strong and one he could trust. He stalked through the shadows, keeping an eye out from any Grimm.

He burst into a clearing and cursed in an ancient language he didn't even recognize. A King Taijitu laid sunning itself in the middle of the clearing. He flicked his broadsword and it split into two twin swords. The snake grimm lifted its black head and hissed, the white one waking up. 'Shit.' Gideon grunted and dodged to the left as the grimm lunged. He slashed across the side, denting the scales.

The grimm screamed and the white part swung around and hit Gideon, sending him skidding back. Gideon used his swords in an x formation to protect his face. Gideon ran forward and pushed a button on his swords. He pushed up with his legs and jumped over the grimm, stabbing downward with his swords. The blades infused with fire dust ignited and sliced through the scales and head of the black head.

The white snake loomed behind him and before Gideon could react golden arrows lodged themselves into the beady red eyes of the grimm. The snake fell to the ground with a thud, dust, grass, and mud flying into the air. Gideon's red eyes locked with Orion's bright blue eyes.

"Thanks," Gideon nodded, pulling his sword out of the monster, flicking off the black gooey blood of the grimm. "We should go," Orion replied, firmly nodding his head as roars of Ursa echoed out.

Meanwhile Layla Hyacinth brushed pine needles off herself as she touched the ground. Firmly gripping her bow, Layla rushed into the darkness, the thrill of hunting grimm running through her veins. Her sense of direction helped her go in the right direction. Her silver hair was pinned up in a bun to keep it out of her face during battle.

Just as she was about to cross a river, she grunted as a heavy weight fell on top of her. "Oh gods, I am so, so sorry!" Layla locked eyes with Derek Crocus, who profusely apologized for falling onto her and helped her up.

"Watch where you are going!" Layla snapped, yanking her arm back. Derek flinched back. 'Just my luck to be paired with a guy.' Layla lamented and sighed. "Come on. We don't have all day. Just follow my lead."

"Okay," Derek chirped and grabbed his twin pistols. He twirled them and flew above her, keeping a keen eye out for grimm. An uncomfortable silence fell upon them. Until Layla stopped and crouched down, bow aimed at an Ursa. Derek flew up into the branches to get a good position. Layla let her arrow fly and an Ursa crumpled to red dust.

"Umm, Layla, was it?" Derek gulped. Layla sent him a death glare. "You see, umm, not to be the bearer of bad news, but that wasn't the ONLY ONE!" he finished with a shriek, shooting down another grimm. Layla's eyes widened as she saw a whole group of Ursas running toward them.

"Now we run!" Layla ordered, running into the brush as Derek flew just above the trees, sniping the grimm. "Just up ahead!" he shouted, seeing the ruins and the cliffs. Layla nodded and tried running even faster.

The two burst through the tree line and made it to the ruins. Most of the cards had been taken but Layla and Derek's eyes caught the Queen of Diamonds. Derek grinned and waved to Gideon while Layla rolled her eyes at Orion.

"You made it!" Orion beamed, running up and hugging her.

"Of course I did, now we need to get out of here," Layla huffed, hugging Orion back.

"Why?" Gideon wondered, though he wasn't opposed to another fight.

"That," Derek pointed to the treeline as the pack of Ursa breached it and ran toward the four.

"Shit," Gideon cursed. He looked back at the others. "Okay, we can do this. Derek, you're with me. Can you two," he pointed to Layla and Orion, "hang back and be our support and cover fire?" The two nodded and began to get to the ideal sniping positions. Derek grinned and reloaded his pistols with electric dust.

Gideon smirked and lunged with a battle cry.

—

Ozpin stared out the window of his office at the setting sun. The sky was filled with pink and purple hues. His cup of hot chocolate sat on his desk. The Headmaster shook his head and groaned. If his suspicions were right, they were all either doomed or saved. Glynda and Qrow would be there soon. He cast one more look at the sun before sitting down at his desk. A few minutes later the elevator dinged, announcing the arrival of Qrow and Glynda. Glynda huffed as she exited the elevator and Qrow laughed. And...Jack Conrad stepped out after Qrow, a smirk plastered on his face. Ozpin's eyebrows shot up. He didn't expect the double agent to be back so soon.

"What did you call us for now, Oz?" Qrow grumbled, taking a drink from his flask. "I had a lead on a mission you sent me on." He narrowed his eyes. Something had spooked Ozpin. Though the man would never admit that. The Headmaster looked up at the three.

"Yeah, it's getting late, and the school year just started. We haven't had news in months ever since Amber," Jack interrupted. His shaggy blond hair was messy, and his tan trenchcoat was ripped in a few places indicating he had been in a scuffle before he got there. "All I know is that the grim are more violent these days."

"Have I ever told you the story of the Sixteen?" Ozpin asked, sipping his now lukewarm chocolate and grimaced. It never tasted as good if it wasn't steaming hot.

"The legend of the so-called sixteen beings created by the Godly Brothers?" Jack raised an eyebrow and his own flask. Qrow nodded in approval while Glynda looked as if she was about to murder both of them. "What about 'em?"

"I have reason to believe they have been reincarnated," Ozpin bluntly replied. The room went silent as three pairs of eyes went wide. "During the Initiation, I saw some rather curious events. Their semblances, the way they fight and move, and their overall appearance." He pushed a button on his scroll and four pictures showed up on the screen.

"And you think?" Glynda echoed Ozpin's thought and rolled her eyes. "Even if this is true, why did it take so long for them to emerge, and does that mean all of them are back?" Her green eyes studied the four students.

"We should keep a close eye on them," Jack spoke up. "It would be devastating for us if they were killed early or were taken by her. I say we confirm our suspicions before we make any moves."

Ozpin nodded and leaned forward. "I don't know how they came back, but I believe all sixteen are back. It will be a long mission. Qrow, please continue on protecting our summer maiden, but if you think you find someone who may be a member of the Sixteen, let me know immediately. Jack, your mission is to find others and make sure they are safe. This stays between us, understood?"

Qrow and Jack voiced their understanding and left the office. Glynda shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. "This isn't good, Ozpin. With the power these kids hold, people could get hurt or killed."

"I know, but what choice do we have? The Vytal Festival is in three years. If we are lucky, the others will be there," Ozpin sighed heavily. "For now, we will observe. Let them live life without this burden for as long as they can."

The sun had set and the only light in Ozpin's office came from the glowing pictures of Team GOLD.

---

JACK! Jack was created by HiraganaSakura and I. He is basically John Constantine in personality but closer to Neo in semblance. His semblance is called Mirror and allows him to create clones of himself and others. He can create two clones. One based on the person's good emotions and one based on negative emotions. hence the name Mirror.

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Comments and votes are appreciated! I love hearing from you all!

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat