Underneath The Shattered Moon [RWBY X OC]

Chapter 5

The air crackled with anticipation as Professor Ozpin spoke, his voice a calm, steady force amidst the nervous chatter of the students. "For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."

Aebelle, her heart hammering against her ribs, tried to appear calm. She had always been good at hiding her emotions, a skill honed by years of being an outsider. Today, however, she felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. This world, this school, was so different from her own. And now, she was about to be thrust into a dangerous situation, a situation where she could not reveal the truth about her origins.

Glynda, with her ever-present tablet, added, "Now, I'm sure many of 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."

Ruby, ever the enthusiastic one, gasped, "What? Ohhh..." Her eyes widened, a mixture of excitement and perhaps a touch of apprehension.

Aebelle, on the other hand, felt a chill run down her spine. "Hmmm...." she muttered, her voice barely audible. Four years? Would she be able to keep her secret that long?

Ozpin continued, "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."

Ruby, ever the optimist, groaned, "Whaaaat?!" Her face mirrored her world cracking like glass and falling apart.

Nora, her usual exuberance barely contained, leaned towards Ren, "See? I told you-!."

"That being said," Ozpin declared, "the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

Ruby's jaw dropped. "Whaaaat?!"

Aebelle echoed her sentiment, "Four years!?" The thought of being stuck with a random partner for such a long time was daunting.

"After you've partnered up," Ozpin continued, his voice as reassuring as ever, "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."

Jaune's laughter was a nervous tremor, quickly followed by a loud gulp. His eyes darted around, taking in the grim faces of his fellow students.

Ozpin continued, "You will be monitored and graded through 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 regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

Jaune, visibly nervous, raised his hand. "Yeah, um, sir?"

"Good!" Ozpin replied, his voice a gentle encouragemnet. "Now, take your positions."

The students, their faces a mix of fear and determination, moved to their designated silver tiles. Nora crouched low, Ren poised with his weapons, Yang raised her fists, Ruby readied her body, Jaune still fumbling with his hand, and Aebelle gripped her sheathed katana, her muscles tense.

"Uh, sir?" Jaune's voice trembled. "I've got, um... a question. (he missed the tile under Weiss rising up into a springboard, rocketing into the air and over the forest, as the platforms activate down the line) So, this landing... strategy thing... Uh, wha-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?"

Ozpin took a sip of his drink, his eyes reflecting an inscrutable amusement. "No. You will be falling."

Jaune, still oblivious to the orchestrated chaos unfolding before him, scratched his head. (he missed more students being thrown) "Oh, uh, I see... So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"

Ozpin answered with a steady gaze, "No. You will be using your own "landing strategy."

Jaune, still missing the excited Nora and Ren getting launched, nodded, "Uh-huh... Yeah."

Yang, at her turn, winked at her sister and Aebelle, donned a pair of aviators, and took off with a "Woo-hoooooooo!" a second before Ruby joined her, and Aebelle, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her, launched herself backwards into the air, a primal scream escaping her lips.

"YEAH!!!!!", she shouted, her voice a mixture of fear and exhilaration.

Jaune, finally realizing what was happening, squeaked, "So, what exactly is a landing strategYYY!...? "

The last part of his question was drowned out as he was launched into the air, joining the cascade of students descending into the Emerald Forest below. Ozpin, his expression unreadable, simply took another sip of his drink, the perfect picture of calm amidst the turmoil.