NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Team - ????
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.
-Story Start-
-Third Person POV-
If it were any easier, they'd be sipping tea while strolling through the forest.
Ruby and Alex encountered a few more Grimm on their path through the Emerald Forest, swiftly dispatching them in mere seconds. However, an uncommon Ursa Major proved a bit more time-consuming for Ruby. Alex, wielding Excalibur, sliced through its feet and thrust his fist into its head.
Much to her dismay.
"Hey! He was mine!" She pouted as they continued their run.
"Okay? My bad, I guess?" Alex didn't quite grasp her fixation on claiming the kill.
Did it truly matter if they both sought to eliminate it? The end result was the same, after all. Well, he didn't really care regardless.
Ruby, on the other hand, cared quite a bit. She responded awkwardly to Alex's innocent confusion, "E-Ergh, I mean, it's okay! I wasn't really mad, and I-"
"Who said you were mad, lady?" Alex was thoroughly confused.
"DON'T CALL ME LADY! I TOLD YOU TO CALL ME RUBY! R! U! B! Y! RUBY!" She emphasized her name, glaring weakly and pouting at Alex.
'I just don't get him?! Is he doing that on purpose?' Ruby attempted to piece together the enigmatic Alex, who was pretty easy to decipher, but she remained clueless to his simplicity.
Ahem!
It seems Ruby's prayers for avoiding a partnership with the infuriating Weiss have boomeranged back at her, delivering a different type of infuriating...
"Okay." Alex agreed easily, unbothered by her shouts.
'She didn't shout in my ear, so I'm good.' Alex nodded internally, convincing himself that dealing with Ruby's energetic demeanor was a better alternative than yesterday's Orange Nuisance.
At the pace of this girl's hyperactive golden retriever chipmunk energy, she might be a fine opponent to test Alex's Buddhist Monk-level patience.
Nevertheless, as they continued running past a few trees, Alex started hearing distant shouts and the sounds of a battle. It wasn't long before Ruby heard them as well.
"There's a fight! Alex! Let's hurry up and help!" Ruby declared as she ran ahead.
Alex, casually maintaining his pace, strode beside her as they weaved through the trees, reaching a clearing where the ruins they were seeking sprawled before them.
There, the source of the battle cries and clashing sounds unveiled itself.
Before Ruby and Alex stood a Grimm Scorpion, also known as a Deathstalker, currently engaged in combat with three familiar faces.
Jaune Arc, holding his ground with his trusty shield against a venomous strike.
Pyrrha Nikos, swiftly hurling her Mechashifted javelin to pierce the Deathstalker's right eye, prompting a screech.
And Weiss Schnee, forming glyphs to freeze the creature's menacing claws.
"Now, Nora!" Pyrrha shouted, and out from the bushes emerged the dreaded Orange-Haired Girl wielding the comically colossal hammer named Magnhild.
With a battle cry of "HAYAYAYAYAYAYA!" Nora hopped onto a glyph created by Weiss, launching her into the air. Finally, with a speedy descent, "NORA! SMASH!" The hammer crashed into the Deathstalker's face with a resounding boom, effortlessly shattering its sturdy exoskeleton and concluding the battle, causing it to dissipate into the wind.
In awe, Alex and Ruby watched the impressive team effort in dispatching the Deathstalker.
Well, Ruby was awed.
"That was awesome!" Ruby squealed, running towards the others, her excitement catching their attention.
'Can I go home now?' Alex sighed at the spectacle he just witnessed, standing a good distance away from it.
[Negative, Master.] The System chimed in with its unnecessary responses.
'That was rhetorical,' he deadpanned internally.
[I know~]
"There's no time, Ruby! The others are facing a giant Nevermore over there!" Jaune interrupted introductions, his tone hysterical as he pointed towards further ruins where the sounds of battle persisted.
With that, all of them sprinted towards the deeper part of the ruins, opting for introductions later on. Ruby shouted to the leisurely walking Alex, "Alex! Let's go! We need you!"
Though she said that, she hadn't stopped, her instincts to dive headfirst into trouble and help others outweighing her patience for Alex to catch up.
Gazing at Ruby and the other's distancing figures Alex deadpanned, his gaze fixed on Ruby.
He turned, approaching the ruins that held the Chess pieces he mumbled directing a side eye at the distant figure of Ruby, "I think she forgot why we're here..."
He, of course, prioritized passing initiation, grabbing the White Rook.
And then...
He sat down, relishing the open sky and the warmth of the sun on his skin.
Unperturbed by the sounds of combat in the distance.
[...Shouldn't you go help them?]
'Nah, they've got it handled,' Alex replied curtly and confidently.
Where Alex's confidence in these mostly unfamiliar faces came from was unknown, but the System wasn't having any of it.
[Okay then.] it replied with a chilling tone.
That had Alex worried for a moment.
And his worries weren't for naught as a notification from the System grabbed his wholehearted attention.
[PING!]
[Sub Quest - "Help The Squad!" has been issued!]
-Sub Quests-
↓
[NEW!] Help The Squad!↓
Requirements - Eliminate The Massive Nevermore Yourself & Do NOT Allow Anyone To Die.
Rewards - 2000 Lien & Vale Ultra Coffee Machine MK 3000.
'...I do love coffee.' Alex commented with hesitance as he read through the rewards.
Time Limit - Before the Squad takes care of it, or one of them dies.
Punishment For Failure - Through manipulation of [Fate], your permanent teammate will be Nora Valkyrie, and a bleaker, more irritating future awaits you.
Difficulty - D-
'Nora Valkyrie... The Orange-Haired Girl, right?' Alex asked as he read through the punishment for failure.
[Certainly, that girl's name is Nora Valkyrie.] The System confirmed.
'...' Alex thought about it for a moment.
And reached his conclusion just as fast as he reluctantly got up and with a burst of speed ran towards the Ruins with his full strength as the ground cracked beneath his feet, gripping Excalibur's hilt hard, internally praying that he still had time to take care of that Nevermore before he was shoved to be that Gremlin's teammate...
-Scene Change-
Yang, Ren, and Blake had struggled with finding a method to deal with the ginormous Nevermore who showed keen intelligence as it kept its distance and launched sharp feathers at the trio, on occasion it attempted to tackle, yet when Blake managed to get onto its back and attack its vulnerable feathery spine, the attacked proved ineffective, much to her chagrin.
However, despite their lack of progress in hurting the Grimm, their role wasn't to defeat the Nevermore but to buy time by distracting it as the others dealt with the Deathstalker.
When they regrouped, they'd tackle it all together, it was that worthy of an opponent.
Much to their relief, the cavalry has arrived, Yang turned around to see the happy waving Ruby, "Yaaaaaaaang!"
"Ruby!" Yang replied, her excitement less pronounced than her sister's, as she caught a feather that had been inches from her face, launched from the Nevermore.
They all regrouped and observed the damage on the ruins themselves, multiple stone structures had been destroyed and the bridge was a tackle away from crumbling.
"Any progress?" Weiss questioned haughtily
Shaking his head, Ren replied shortly, "No, we haven't managed to get a solid hit on it. Our weapons can't damage it effectively, and Yang can't get to it."
"Guys, I don't think this is the right time for us to stand sti-" Jaune's warning shattered the air, "LOOK OUT!" as the Nevermore launched towards them.
"SPREAD OUT!" Ruby yelled out the obvious course of action, as they all did to avoid the slam of the Large Nevermore who pivoted mid-flight and didn't crash into the ground, seeing its targets no longer there.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Jaune screeched like a banshee as he narrowly avoided the tackle of the Nevermore, blocking the side of its wing with his shield as he was knocked aside, landing on his butt.
"Jaune!" Pyrrha yelled out in worry as she ran towards him, only to pause at his response,
"I'm good! Anyone got a plan to deal with that thing?" Jaune's shout cut through the chaos as he rose sluggishly.
Gunshots echoed throughout the valley that held the ruins, as Ruby tried to disorientate the Nevermore while Yang tried to reach it hopping from pillar to another as she replied to Jaune, "Not a clue, Vomit boy!"
"Go!" Pyrrha yelled as she threw her javelin with pinpoint accuracy.
Yang smirked, "But when in doubt... PUNCH YOUR PROBLEMS!" She hopped at the opportunity provided by Pyrrha's javelin grazing the wing of the Nevermore, while Weiss provided footing for Yang to hop once again as she landed a powerful punch with Ember Celica in the Nevermore's jaw, her punch augmented by the weapon's explosive shot unleashed point blank.
Cracking the Nevermore's beak, forcing it open and making it slack-jawed, perhaps permanently as it let out a mighty screech and knocked Yang back with a flap of its wings.
"Damn! So close too!" Yang yelled as she was knocked away, to be caught by Blake's Gambol Shroud grappling hook form before she was sent down the valley's seemingly bottomless pit.
Ruby observed the situation and the skills of her allies.
Her mind raced a thousand miles a second, calculating a scheme to finally bring down the Nevermore.
A smirk played on her lips. "Weiss! Nora! I have a plan, I need you for somethi-"
Her words were abruptly overshadowed by the whirling winds and the sudden appearance of a man with a radiant light in hand, moving at incredible speeds.
Alex came to a halt in the middle of the ruin, his gaze fixed on the Grimm, capturing the attention of everyone present.
Their eyes were swiftly drawn to the sacred and ethereal beauty of a sword, Excalibur.
Lulling them into a momentary hypnosis.
Ruby, who had somewhat acclimated to its appearance, called out, "Alex! What took you so long? But it's great that you're here! I need you to-" As she shouted, the wind carried her voice, catching Alex's attention.
"Don't bother." He replied curtly as his voice echoed in the awestruck silence as the Nevermore launched itself to the most emotionally unstable as well as vulnerable at the moment.
Jaune Arc.
Pyrrha, shook off her hypnotized gaze at the Sword, as she launched herself toward Jaune her eyes wide in worry and fear.
Jaune with a mix of nervousness and determination brought up his shield in preparation to clash with the Nevermore.
Ruby activated her semblance in an attempt to reach Jaune, as she was the fastest.
Allegedly, the fastest.
As Alex proved that to be a false claim, arriving in front of Jaune, to deal with the Nevermore himself.
The giant Grimm, with its gaping and slack jaw, attempted to swallow Alex.
In a swift motion, he sidestepped early, brandishing Excalibur, jumping and cracking the ground through sheer force, and swinging his sword in the trajectory of the Nevermore.
Excalibur's unparalleled sharpness cleaved through the Nevermore's neck like a hot knife through butter. Alex's movements were a blur of speed and precision as he swung the sword, the momentum behind it creating a clean, swift, and decisive cut.
The headless body of the Nevermore continued its trajectory towards Jaune as it abided by Newton's laws.
However, as it slowly dissipated, Jaune's shield felt no impact, only the dissipating remains of the once-daunting Grimm that had luckily lost its mass mid-trajectory.
Jaune opened his eyes, exchanging his initial trembling expression for one of confusion.
He felt no impact and noticed the remains of the Nevermore now turning into dust in the wind.
The revelation left not only him but the entire group of onlookers in shock.
A feat accomplished singlehandedly by one of their own.
And just like that, it was over.
...Were it not for Alex's straight-faced expression, he would look almost heroic.
A ping from the System echoed loudly in his head, transparent panels appeared in front of him.
[PING!]
[Sub Quest - "Help The Squad!" Complete!]
[Issuing Rewards...]
[2000 Untraceable Lien sent to Alex Andrite's Bank.]
[System Inventory Unlocked!]
[Vale Ultra Coffee Machine MK 3000 deposited in System Inventory]
[NOTICE!]
[Vale Ultra Coffee Machine MK 3000 is a non-system related item. Upon being taken out of the [System Inventory], it shall no longer be possible to deposit it back]
'Hmm... Not bad.' Alex hummed, pleased at the reward.
The previous Alex does share great similarities with the current body possessing Alex.
Among those is the love of Coffee.
So the opportunity of getting one of those expensive Coffee machines advertised throughout Vale was a reward he could work it.
Yes, sir.
The approach and awkward thanks of Jaune broke Alex out of his caffeine-related musings, "Hey! Thanks for the save... Again." He chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
'A damsel in distress... Again.' Jaune thought self-deprecatively, as he tried to hide it in his humorous exterior.
Of course, this went unnoticed by Alex and the others.
Alex turned to Jaune and simply nodded silently, acknowledging his words.
Of course, Alex also took note of how Jaune transitioned his gaze curiously at Excalibur as he rejoined Pyrrha's side.
He wasn't the only one, as the rest of them, like - One, two... Seven? People looked at the Sword and Alex himself, their gazes switching with raving interest from Excalibur to Alex.
Sensing the barrage of questions coming from a mile away, Alex did what he did best.
Minimize trouble to the best of his admittedly low ability.
He lifted Excalibur as if it were a piece of garbage as he showcased it.
[SOME DAMN RESPECT! PLEASE!] The System begged but for naught.
Excalibur, its golden sheen intensified by the brilliant sunlight, transcended the mere notion of beauty. It emanated an ethereal tranquility, a radiant presence that stood in stark contrast to Alex's matter-of-fact demeanor.
"It's made by my Semblance. It's called Stick. That is all, good day." He stated nonchalantly, in quick motion.
[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH] The screams of misery from the System sated Alex's subtle sadism very nicely.
Ruby quickly appeared beside Alex, hands on her hips, her Crescent Rose already in its storage mode as she proudly and excitedly, stated, "His name's Alex! He's my Partner!"
"Yes. Regrettably, I am her partner." Alex added weakly.
"Hey!"
A snort escaped Yang as she approached Alex, passing by the amused Pyrrha, "Radiant personality ya got, Captain Stoic."
Ruby raised an eyebrow of disappointment at Yang's weak nickname game this time.
"That's a horrible nickname, lady," Alex gave it to her straight.
Ruby nodded, "She's usually good at those..."
Yang shrugged, having reached Alex she gained a mischievous grin, but contrasting said grin she whispered in a serious tone, "Be a good partner for Rubes. Or else you and I will have a problem. Capiche?"
'Life is my problem... So is that Gremlin that will be arriving at my location any second now.' Alex couldn't help but comment depressingly in his head, noting the Nora situation's fast approach.
Nevertheless, he nodded to Yang's weak threat, as she smiled and gave him a slap on the back, as she went towards Blake who was still gazing at the Sword in an artistic interest.
'And there she is.' Alex said his goodbyes.
"SLEEEEP NEIIIIIGHBORRRRR! I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE COOL! I SAW IT CLEARLY!" Nora's barbaric shout echoed as she appeared in front of Alex, her eyes shining with the very same gleam of excitement and innocence Ruby had. But a TAD more insane.
Her interpreter came to the rescue, "She never knew. And what she saw clearly was a Hero in that recurring dream she had been having for the past three days. That Hero was her, by the way." Ren translated without change of expression, "That has to be the most beautiful Semblance I have ever seen." Ren acknowledged and added honestly as he turned from looking into Alex's amber eyes to looking at Excalibur, his tone held a depth in it, sounding almost melancholic.
For some reason, the sight of Excalibur had soothed Ren's deeply hidden internal rage and vengefulness momentarily.
Ren's words echoed the thoughts of all those present as a majority of them nodded and some replied, "Yup/Yeah!"
Weiss huffed, "For someone with a Semblance like that, I'd have expected a more... Profound character." She glared in disappointment at Alex's lack of expression.
'What am I? A zoo exhibit?' Alex questioned the attention, being much more potent than he had expected.
[To me, you are.]
'Probably.' Alex accepted the truth in System's words without care.
To solve the problem, Alex took reigns of the situation rather uncharacteristically, "We should get going. I'm tired and I'd rather we finish this up."
Ruby nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, after such a performance, I'd expect you to be tired! Let's get going, guys!" She pointed forward, allegedly towards the direction of Beacon Cliff as she broke out into a jog.
'Good, 'cause I can't be bothered jogging up my memory to try and get back.' Alex thought, internally grateful for his partner's tendency to take the lead.
As a certified "Follow The Sheep" member, this was an arrangement Alex could get by with.
"Yeah! Stop Yanging around! And get a move on, slowpokes!" Yang chimed in, internally laughing at her pun.
While the rest groaned internally, except Pyrrha who giggled at the bad pun, much to Yang's glee.
-Scene Change-
it was a long and arduous journey for Alex, as he had to respond to nagging questions from the more nosy bunch, specifically Nora and his partner Ruby.
Upon arriving in Beacon Cliff, Alex promptly dismissed Excalibur and they were congratulated for passing and were directed to the amphitheater once again.
There they stood together, all nine of 'em, as they awaited the announcement of the Teams, Ozpin's arrival marked its beginning.
Meanwhile, Pyrrha attempted to pacify Jaune's depressive state, "It can't be helped Jaune! We had an uneven number of participants, I'm sure Headmaster Ozpin had taken that into account! Stay positive!" She smiled gracefully, somewhat easing Jaune's worries.
He smiled weakly, lifting his gaze as his eyes met with her brilliant and gentle emerald orbs "Thanks, Pyrrha."
Weiss, partner to Pyrrha, could only observe the interaction as she silently fumed, 'She even went so far as to unlock his Aura! I don't get it!'
Weiss, having let loose her tongue at Jaune back in the Emerald Forest, was chastised by Pyrrha for the first time, causing her to backpedal.
There was some truth to Pyrrha's words, yet Weiss was unconvinced of her intentions with Jaune and his worth.
What did she see in him, exactly?
Coughing, Ozpin's voice on the podium rang loudly through the amphitheater, "Now, to announce the Teams..."
Alex muffled out the teams that were irrelevant to him.
Only to register the team that Nora now belonged to as he heard her fistbump with Yang, "TEAM YRBN WOOHOO!"
it seemed that Yang was the Team Leader for that one.
He muffled out the rest until his team came up, "Those who picked the White Rooks - Ruby Rose, Alex Andrite, Weiss Schnee, and Pyrrha Nikos shall be now Team RAWP. Your team's Leader will be... Ruby Rose."
"Heh?" Ruby squeaked in utter confusion.
[Team RAWP - Raw Power. Fitting isn't it?] System commented.
'When are we getting lunch?' Alex had other priorities than responding to the system's comments.
Petty?
Most probably.
Justfiable?
Very.
His attention was caught once again by the familiar screen and notifications of the System.
[PING!]
[Main Quest - "Initiation" Complete!]
[Issuing Rewards...]
[5000 Untraceable Lien sent to Alex Andrite's Bank.]
[Gacha Unlocked!]
[Gacha Coupon deposited in System Inventory]
"Nice."
[PING!]
[Main Quest - "Mandatory Education" has been issued!]
-Main Quests-
↓
[NEW!] Mandatory Education↓
Requirements - Do not get kicked out of Beacon, or fail Beacon's curriculum. Remain an official student of Beacon until Graduation.
Rewards - 500000 Lien & ?????
Time Limit - Graduation or ???????
Punishment For Failure - Eternal Damnation.
Difficulty - B
Alex observed the new Main Quest, with a subtle frown, 'Can't you get any more creative than "Eternal Damnation"?'
[As mentioned, that's what it takes to keep you here, Master~!]
'I honestly would've stayed for less, but okay.'
To Be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
Heyo! Sorry for the delay, or somethin.
Hope this chapter was enjoyable and up to snuff in quality n stuff.
What about the teams? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Now, a couple of things.
Jaune's situation - Will be revealed later on, Alex had muffled that one out cause he didn't really give a fuck.
About the [Savior] aspect of the System, it still hasn't gotten to that point, but it'll be a progressive thing.
You'll see what I mean when we get there!
For now, it's as basic as can be.
Anywho Thanks for reading!
Also, feedback on how I wrote the Canon Characters thus far would also be much appreciated! Any other criticism, ideas and other feedback is also welcome! Team RWBY and JNPR Characters are extremely important so I hope I'm doing them justice, of course other Canon characters are important but for now they take center stage.
Feedback is the method to improve, people! Yeah!
Have a great day!
-Author Note End-