Stirring in her sleep, Ruby slowly opened her tired eyes when the ship bumped a bit. Letting out a yawn, the teenager rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked out the window. She immediately widened them, seeing the massive building coming closer and closer. Beacon Academy, her next step into the life of a huntress. "All passengers, please keep yourself in your seats. We will be landing shortly." The voice of the pilot rang out through the ship, awaking any other passenger that was still asleep. That was a problem for Ruby, seeing as she's continuously bouncing in her seat out of pure excitement.

     Ten minutes would pass before the ship finally landed, the doors to the sides opening and allowing the passengers to leave. Ruby nearly used her speed to sneak out first but stopped when a tall blond quickly barreled through the passageway. Confused she followed in line, only carrying a backpack with her. For safety precautions, they had to put their weaponry and ammunition in a separate compartment. As she got out of the ship, she took notice of the tall blonde currently hurling into the nearest trash can. Many looked on in disgust while others chuckled at him. "Looks like someone can't handle a flight." a boy laughed, making the group he was in laugh as well. Ruby looked at him worriedly before walking up. 

      "You, okay?" she asked. The blonde quickly spewed out his last load of vomit before standing up, groggily getting a napkin out and wiping his face. "Y-yeah...I'm not the biggest fan of flying..." he said, finally being able to breath normally. Ruby took this time to look over his features. He was definitely taller than her, at least by a foot. He had blonde hair that went down to the back of his neck, as well as honestly very pretty blue eyes. He adorned a black hoodie with a dark orange interior color. The chest and shoulders of the hoodie was covered by simple plates of white armor. His jeans were being held up by two belts that slightly hung loose at the sides. "What's your name?" Ruby asked him. "Oh me? My names Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, and the ladies love it." He attempted to do a finger gun pose, only making Ruby sweat drop from how corny it was.

      "Your name?" Jaune asked her. "Ruby Rose! Nice to meet you Jaune!" She smiled as she shook his hand before looking out to the distance.

     Standing tall and brightly, was the famous clocktower of Beacon Academy. Multiple grand spires and buildings stood beside the main tower, which at the top held a massive clock. Right below the clock was a lantern like design, sporting numerous lights that shined at night. This design gave Beacon "The Light of the New Generation." The name alone made Ruby incredibly excited for her new school life.

     Her attention was brought back to Jaune, who tapped her shoulder. "So uh, want to go inside together? I really don't know anyone here." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. "Sure, but do you mind if we wait for a bit? My sister is suppo-" Ruby was cut off when her Scroll let out a loud beep. Pulling it out, she was met with the message from Yang.

     "Really sorry I couldn't meet you for your first day! I was given a last-minute mission! See you soon, and good luck on the entrance exam!"

     Now sighing from slight disappointment, Ruby put her scroll away. "Never mind, let's go." Ruby smiled, walking in front of her first new friend, who followed along with her. "Oh wait!" Ruby quickly turned back, going to an open compartment of the ship they were on that held their weaponry. Ruby grabbed the large red bag, snuggling it close to her chest before wrapping it around her shoulder. Jaune followed, grabbing a smaller yellow bag compared to hers. Thus, the two proceeded their walk.

     The trip wouldn't be long, only a fifteen-minute walk from the landing sight to Beacon. It allowed the two to take in the scenery however, the architecture was incredible to say the least. Akin to ancient castles, the sidewalks were adorned with bushes and trees that sometimes held a bench under it. Circular ponds were spread out to different sides away from the main courtyard. Speaking of which, the courtyard held a giant statue of a knight, a hunter, and a Faunus standing above a dragon like creature triumphantly. Already the two were amazed.

     Walking through the courtyard, the two were met with the massive doors that opened to reveal Beacons interior. "It's even bigger on the inside!" Ruby gasped. "Yeah, no kidding. I heard this place was huge but not this big!" Jaune commented. Already they saw students walking around. The new arrivals walking down the hallways to the cafeteria, as older students were either walking around or watching the newer students. A male with brown hair and wide shoulders made eye contact with Jaune, smirking as he made a slit motion with his thumb. Jaune, a bit weirded out, moved closer to Ruby.

     It wouldn't be long before the two made it to the cafeteria, also working as an auditorium. The new arrivals stood as they looked towards the stage, where a familiar figure was standing. "Miss Goodwitch?" Ruby muttered as she saw the older woman standing there, seemingly waiting while standing beside a microphone. Soon, Ozpin himself walked up to the microphone. Tapping it a few times, he cleared his throat before speaking.

    "Welcome new students, I am very grateful to introduce you to Beacon Academy. Here you will learn not only the basics of education you would receive in normal schools, but also learn how to become humanities defenders. I will come clear however, there is a chance you may not survive. This new life you have chosen will be grueling, you may lose a part of yourself, mentally or physically. There is a good chance you may even die...." Ozpin stopped for a moment to read the crowd. "That is why I am giving you a choice right here, right now. If you wish to leave, do so now. I will not see you lesser for your decision. The choice...is yours...." Ozpin stepped back a bit and watched the crowd.

     Ruby and Jaune looked around as well. Some students were muttering to each other, some holding scared faces, but no one moved. After a few moments of silence, Ozpin leaned back into the microphone. "I am truly grateful to have such noble hearted people with us today. Welcome to Beacon Academy!" He waved his hand as the new students clapped. He nodded towards Glynda, who walked up to the microphone.

     "Greetings, I am Glynda Goodwitch. It is currently three-forty. For the next two hours you are given free roam to explore Beacon. At six, dinner will be served, and the cafeteria will act as your temporary sleeping quarters." Glynda continued. "Man, who knew a teacher could have such a rack." A guy muttered. Ruby frowned a bit at him, but subconsciously patted her own chest. Soon Glynda's announcement was over, to which Ruby suddenly grabbed Jaune's hand. "Let's go explore!" She smiled. "Wha-" Jaune was silenced as Ruby bent her legs before shooting out of the doorway into the hall, small rose petals falling and disappearing shortly after.

     After traveling down the main hall, Ruby stopped suddenly, leaving Jaune to stumble and fall on his face. He got up slowly and shakingly, putting his hand over his mouth to hold the vomit in. "You could have...warned me first...." Jaune groaned out. "S-sorry!" Ruby scratched the back of her head. Jaune got up, both students looking around. "So, uh...where to?" Jaune asked. "Let's go to the armory!" Ruby jumped a bit, pointing to the large black doors just down the hall. The two walked and opened the door, a blast of heat hitting them in the face. The room was mostly empty, save for the few older students. Ruby nearly had her eyes go out of her sockets from the sight of such awesome weaponry. "Pistol knives...a bladed whip...cybernetic exoskeleton?!" Ruby frothed as the sight.

      "Um, it says the teacher here is Harold Mulberry." Jaune said, opening a pamphlet he got just before Ruby dragged him. "Glynda Goodwitch teaches combat and her class is in the arena. Peter Port teaches Grimm studies, Oobleck teaches history, Thumbelina Peach is Dust and fauna, and Ann Greene is basics." Jaune continued, looking down to see Ruby still shaking in excitement. "We should get you out of here before you have a heart attack...." Jaune sighed as he took her hand, dragging the teen out of the room. They decided to check out the arena next. It definitely wasn't that large but held enough to hold at least eight people. Both of them widened their eyes a bit as they saw someone fighting a pair of combat drones.

     The humanoid machines held their blunted swords together, rushing at a girl no taller than Ruby herself. Her eyes were closed, giving full view of a scar she adorned on her eye. Her hair was whiter than snow, tied in a ponytail that was mostly on the right of her head. She wore a small dress, holding a red interior and a white outer color, the dress itself reaching down to her wrists in snowflake patterns. Her lower half was similar to a dress as well, with a belt that held a silver box and a rapier scabbard. The bottom of her dress held snowflake patterns, leaving her pale legs and white combat boots visible.

     The girl grasped her sword handle before opening her eyes, quickly dodging the strikes of the machines with almost dance-like movement. Within a blink of an eye, she stabbed and slashed at their heads, the two machines going limp as their heads fell off. She took a deep breath before sheathing her sword. She turned her gaze to the door, which showed both Jaune and Ruby with their jaws agape. "Do you mind?" She bitterly said as she walked over, pressing a few buttons on the wall. The machines soon getting back up and picking up their heads, magnetizing back to their necks. "S-sorry, we didn't mean to interrupt!" Jaune quickly moved away from the door. "Well, you are." The girl said as she pressed more buttons. Ruby pouted and walked away. "Rude." She muttered to herself. She looked over to Jaune and was confused as to why his face was red.

     Two hours would pass before the loud gong of the bell would be heard to the two. "Guess that's dinner time." Jaune said. "Race you there!" Ruby bent her knees again and sped off, leaving Jaune to deadpan at her action and sigh to himself. By the time he got back, Ruby had finished her plate and was currently munching on some cookies. "I can't run as fast as you, you know that right?" He asked as he sat down. "How do you even run that fast anyway?" He asked, widening his eyes a bit as Ruby pushed a plate towards him. "Sorry, I forget sometimes." She giggled. "Oh, and it's my semblance!" She spoke. Jaune just stared at her confused. "Semblance?"

     "You don't know what a semblance is?" She asked. Jaune shook his head. "Well, I may not be the best one to say, but think of it as your superpower. For everyone, it's unique to only you." Ruby said as she pointed at him. "Oh, well how do I get mine?" He asked. Ruby simply shrugged. "I don't know, mine just came to me one day." Jaune frowned a bit. "Damn." He started to eat his food, casually conversating with Ruby as he ate.

    Night would soon fall on the academy; the area being illuminated by the lights on the street. The massive clocktower was also lit, with the lantern structure holding lights that shined far more brightly. Above the academy, the shattered moon held its soft white glow. 

     The cafeteria was filled with students conversing or getting ready to sleep. Ruby and Jaune took their own corner of the cafeteria, Ruby currently wrapped in her red cape and snuggling into her bags. Jaune was still in his clothes but took the armor off of his chest and shoulders for more comfort. He was reading a comic book called X-Ray and Vav. "What?! Professor Meteor is Vav's father?!" Jaune widened his eyes in shock. "You're such a nerd you know that?" Ruby giggled. "Says the girl who was nearly having a panic attack from the weapons earlier." Jaune retorted. "I am a weapon nerd; you are a nerd nerd. There's a difference!" Ruby stuck her tongue out. "Whatever." Jaune chuckled. "Say Ruby, why did you want to become a huntress?"

     Ruby widened her eyes a bit. "Well...this may sound a bit cheesy. But I want to make the world a better place." Ruby smiled a bit. "I lost my mom a long time ago, I was always told it was the Grimm who did it. So, I want to become a huntress to become like my mom. Fighting against the Grimm so that no other person needs to lose friends or family." Ruby rubbed her cape a bit. "This was the last thing she gave to me..." she shook her head, before looking at Jaune. "What about you?" He thought for a moment before turning to her. "I just want to be a hero...definitely not as cool sounding as yours." He chuckled. Ruby giggled, "Everyone wants to be the hero of their own story. At least that's what my uncle told me."

     The two fell silent as the cafeteria lights began to dim down. "Guess that's our cue for bed." Jaune said as he put his backpack under his head. "Goodnight Ruby." He yawned as his eyes closed. "Goodnight Jaune." Ruby smiled as she put her backpack under her head, using her cape as a blanket as she hugged her case. The events of today started to weigh on her, her tired eyes closing shut as she fell to sleep.

                                                                                ...............

     "Hey....hey Ruby wake up...." Ruby awoke to her body being shaken. "It's breakfast, come on." Jaune said as he stood up and stretched his body. Ruby groaned as she slowly got up, yawning as she rubbed her tired eyes. When she opened them, a large line of students had formed and were getting breakfast from multiple tables.

     The two got in line, Ruby smelling the air and sighing at the delicious smells. When it was their turn, the two were shocked to see the entire pancake platter completely empty. "Uh...guess someone likes pancakes." Jaune chuckled. Ruby looked around, only getting a glance of a pancake tower before it disappeared from her eyes. "What the...." Ruby shivered in unknown terror before getting her own plate.

      Breakfast had ended rather quickly, but as soon as Jaune and Ruby threw away their paper plates, a loud whistle was heard from the massive doors leading to the main hallway. Glynda stood at the door, "Attention all students, gather your items suited for combat and follow me."

    Ruby widened her eyes a bit. "Looks like this is the entrance exam!" Ruby said in excitement. Jaune however held a worried look. Them, as well as the students, had gathered their items and followed Glynda out of the door. She led the crowd of young teens outside of the academy building, to where the edge of the cliff the academy stood. There Ozpin was waiting, drinking from a small mug. "Ah students! It is good to see you, I hope you have all had a well-rested night." The headmaster smiled.

     Ruby heard one student mutter, "It would've been better with actual beds." "Ah, but you aren't bringing beds to hunting missions now, are you?" Ozpin smiled. The crowd fell silent, and Ruby heard the student gulp out of fear. "Now, dear students, this is your initiation process." He said as he motioned to a large set of platforms. "And this..." he motioned to the large forest that laid below the cliff. "Is what is known as the Emerald Forest." Ruby had heard of this part from Yang's calls. The Emerald Forest was a large patch of land owned by Beacon, theorized to have originally been an ancient kingdom that fell to civil war. What was worryingly about that, was that the area was infested with grimm. A controlled area where borders made sure to keep the grimm from escaping.

      "Your goal for the initiation process is to find an individual piece, called markers." Ozpin held a small object, looking like a larger version of chess board pieces. "These markers are scattered across the forest. It is your job to find these. If you have succeeded and have formed your team of four, then congratulations. If not, we will find a team for you in the upcoming week." Ozpin finished. A girl walked up, "W-wait, we're fighting grimm already?" she asked nervously. "That is right, think of this as your first lesson. The world is constantly changing, so be prepared for anything." Ozpin raised his mug as the first set of students were moved to the pads and launched into the air.

     Ruby and Jaune were obviously freaking out a bit. Yang never told Ruby any of this stuff, oh that'll definitely get her an arm punch later! The two were in separate lines, both getting closer and closer before it was their turn. Jaune looked towards Ruby, visibly sweating. "W-well...guess this is goodbye for now...good luck!" Jaune gave her a thumbs up. "Y-you too!" Ruby tried to give a brave smile, but she too was nervous. Jaune seemed to almost get off the platform before he was launched up into the air, screaming loudly as he did so. Ruby took a deep breath, bracing herself. This was it...no turning back now. Ruby opened her eyes in determination as she was launched into the air, the only thing below her now was the dark green of the forest trees below.