"FROM ASHES AND CINDER' (A RWBY Fanfic)

Chapter 5: "Leon Night"

Chapter 5: "Leon Night"

'Okay, Leon. You've got this. This might be your first day in Beacon, but you can do it. This is just like Atlas, but a little smaller... I guess...' Leon thought as he sat down in the bullhead while anxiously thinking about his arrival in Beacon Academy.

"Something bothering you, Leon?" Drake asked as he piloted the bullhead.

"Yeah... Just regular ol' anxiety, I guess..." Leon replied anxiously as his hands shook and wolf faunus ears twitched.

"Come on, kid. Don't feel so anxious about all this. Think of it as like a fresh new start. Besides, it's not so bad being transferred to a new school. You'll meet new faces from whole different places and learn a lot more things," Drake replied.

"I guess... That doesn't sound bad, but I just can't help but--."

"Listen kid, that anxiety is what will get the best of you if you keep entertaining it. The only thing I can say is you have to man up, and grab that thing by the throat. Then tell it to go piss off and never come back! You'll never get anywhere in life if you just remain static. Trust me, you'll get even farther in life if you don't let your anxiety take over you," Drake boldly said to Leon.

"Thanks, Drake... You sure do know how to give a pep talk, huh?"

"Well, what can I say? The perks of hardcore military training pay off a lot," Drake replied.

Leon simply chuckled at Drake's remark.

"Well... This is it... A fresh, new start. So, is it true?"

"What?"

"That she's in Beacon too?" Leon asked Drake.

"Yup. Weiss Schnee's in Beacon, alright. Why... You two don't happen to have... "History," do ya?" Drake said with a lewd smirk through his helmet's open mouth portion.

"Ha, ha. Very funny, Drake. We were just friends, that's all," Leon replied.

"Do I sense some saltiness in your tone, young man?"

"Whatever... We were just friends... That's it."

"Okay... Lover boy..." Drake replied to Leon with a chuckle. "Anyhow, ya sure ya got everything with ya? Your weapons? Your clothes? Your gear? Everything?"

"Yup! I've got them all with me. Let's see... Berserker," Leon said as he looked his black greatsword/hardlight dust rifle convertible on his back.

"Huntsmen 1 and 2," he said as he held his two black pistols.

"Plus, of course, the tactical gear I'm wearing now... Pretty sure I'm all set."

"Good. Alright, here we are kid. Welcome... To Beacon Academy," Drake said as the bullhead neared its destination.

As Leon blew away a strand of his short, black hair from his face and looked out the window, he saw the large, white, castle-like structure that is Beacon Academy.

'Hmm... Looks smaller than I expected, honestly...' Leon thought. 'Although, I do have to admit, at least I won't have to worry about getting lost here.'

"It looks good, doesn't it?" Drake remarked.

"Yeah... It sure does," Leon replied. "Hey, um, Drake... Thanks for getting me here."

"No problem, my friend. Just remember what I told ya, okay? Man up, and don't let your anxiety get the best of you!" Drake enthusiastically replied.

As the bullhead landed on the landing docks in Beacon Academy, Leon couldn't help but feel both anxious (again) and excited.

So much so that Leon's heart began to race, and his breathing began to rush.