~Chapter 8: A Trip that Forever Falled~

Ozpin: "So how have you been settling here at Beacon?"

Y/n found himself back inside Ozpin's Office, standing in front of his oak desk with Glynda by his side.

Ozpin: "I heard many good things whilst adjusting to your duties"

Y/n: "Just doing my job, Headmaster"

Ozpin: *nods* "I've read your reports as well. Your reputation amongst your students is admirable. However, I would advise you to not go too hard on the students"

Y/n: "I'll do my best"

Ozpin: "Good enough. Now then, let's move to our agenda. Glynda, if you would"

With her tablet, Glynda sets down a screen hidden above Ozpin's office. There, she presents a map of Remnant, with 1 school being highlighted for each kingdom.

Marked at the center of the map is the Kingdom of Vale, and there is Beacon Academy.

Up North, there is the Kingdom of Atlas, with its Academy named after its kingdom, Atlas Academy

To the East of Vale, there is the Kingdom of Mistral with Haven Academy

And to the West of Vale, there is the Kingdom of Vacuo and their Academy, Shade Academy

Glynda: "As you know, Remnant is composed of 5 continents, 4 of which reside 1 major Huntsman Academy. Atlas, Haven, Shade, and Beacon. Each having their own respective Headmaster"

Y/n: "And other academies, do they also have someone like me?"

Ozpin: "No. So far only we at Beacon are implementing this training"

Glynda: "Your goal for today is to familiarize yourself with all three kingdoms, as well as their academies. We will have an assessment the first day of next week"

Y/n: "Next week!!?"

Ozpin: "The Vytal Festival approaches us, Y/n. As Headmaster, it is important to have good connections with other kingdoms"

Y/n: "But in one week? You expect me to travel around Remnant in a week?"

Ozpin: "Oh, you won't be traveling across Remnant. That is funding we cannot allocate. Instead, we'll give you a second option"

Y/n: "Don't tell me..."

With a snap of Ozpin's fingers, Glynda telepathically brought several stacks of books into the room and placed them in front of Y/n.

Y/n: "I have to study all of THIS!!?"

Glynda: "That's only about Atlas Academy"

Y/n looked to the side to see several more stacks of books floating over before being added to the stack.

Y/n: *sigh* "You said one week?"

Ozpin: *nods* "Indeed"

Y/n scratched the back of his head, letting out another sigh before picking up one stack of books and balancing them in his palm as Glynda assisted him by levitating the rest of the books for Y/n to appoint a limb to balance the stacks of books.

Eventually, he manages to carry all the books at once, balancing a stack from his palms, all the way to his shoulders while the remaining books balance on his head. 

After he has all the books necessary for his study, Y/n makes his way to the elevator and hits the button with his foot before waiting for the elevator. Once it arrived, Y/n turned sideways and entered through the elevator doors, and right as he pressed a button to the ground floor, Ozpin called out to him.

Ozpin: "Mr. Y/n...Do enjoy your studies"

Ozpin's smile was the last thing Y/n saw before the elevator closed.

In the following days, apart from performing his daily duties, Y/n can be seen in the Beacon Library, surrounded by the books given to him by Ozpin and Glynda to study. 

Managing to finish halfway through the stack, Y/n reads the last bit of page in the book before closing, adding it to the finished pile and slamming his head on the table in exhaustion. 

Unbeknownst to him, Pyrrha stumbles into the room, having to take the time to fully explore the campus, and manages to find the library where she finds Y/n laying his head face-first into the table.

Curious, Pyrrha quietly walks over before sitting on the available table space next to him. 

Pyrrha: "How are you feeling?"

Y/n: *muffled* "Terrible, how would you feel if you were suddenly sent over a hundred books to study in one week for a test the following day?"

Y/n then turned his head to the side, finally able to see Pyrrha standing beside him. 

Y/n: "Oh...hey, Pyrrha. Did you need something?"

Pyrrha looked at the hundreds of books surrounding Y/n before looking back to his disheveled state.

Pyrrha: "Actually, I need something that could help both of us"

Y/m: "Oh yeah? And what would that be?"

Pyrra ran her hand up Y/n's shoulder before running through his hair.

Pyrrha: "A little stress relief, if you will"

Y/n: "Pyrrha...you know I'll get in trouble for that"

Pyrrha: "Not if no one finds out"

Y/n scoffs to the side before looking back at Pyrrha with a smirk.

Y/n: "Where do you have in mind?"

The sound of grunting and slapping can be heard through the Emerald forest, Pyrrha's blazer can be seen lying on a fallen log along with Y/n's blazer along with his shirt.

Y/n: *pant* "You were right, Pyrrha. This was exactly what I needed"

With a step forward, Y/n explodes his leg forward, thrusting his foot towards Pyrrha who blocks the kick with her arms. 

Pyrrha: *pant* "Sparring always clears our mind during our time in Sanctum"

Going on the offensive, Pyrrha charges for a punch, only to be deflected by Y/n before unleashing a flurry of punches to Pyrrha's chest before closing with a back fist, sending her skidding across the open field of their sparring.

Immediately closing the distance, Y/n opens with a sidekick to Pyrrha's chest once again. With her hands crossed over her face, Pyrrha brought her arms around Y/n's leg before dropping to the ground, dragging Y/n along with her, and proceeded to apply pressure to his joints, threatening dislocation, prompting Y/n to quickly tap the grass repeatedly.

This signals Pyrrha to stop as she slithers out of the hold before standing back to her feet as Y/n lays across his back.

Y/n: "I did not know we were doing grapples"

Pyrrha: "It was part of our combat curriculum. I figured you don't practice this as often as you should"

Y/n: "Yeah...I guess you're right"

Invigorated, Y/n smacks the ground before pushing himself up and resuming his stance. 

Y/n: "But I'm ready for it now"

Pyrrha: "Okay then...Get ready!"

Upon her signal, Pyrrha opens with a kick to Y/n's leading leg. This prompts Y/n to step back, avoiding the kick, but this gives Pyrrha enough room to spin, dropping her upper body to the ground before delivering a kick to Y/n's head. 

Normally, Y/n would only tilt his head to the side before initiating another counterattack. But accounting for their current attire, with Pyrrha wearing her Beacon uniform to their spar, along with the height her entire leg will be suspended for,  such action would cause her undergarment to be exposed. 

With this clear in Y/n's mind, he looks away, seemingly on reflex, as he moves away, allowing Pyrrha to make yet another surprise takedown that swept Y/n's legs, bringing him to the ground.

Once laid across, Pyrrha moves over to deal the final blow with a fist to the face. In response, Y/n quickly kicks the backmost leg of Pyrrha, breaking her balance and causing her to stumble forward. 

This allowed Y/n to thrust his hips upward, using the momentum to flip himself over and pin Pyrrha to the ground. 

She goes to break free, only for Y/n to grab her arms and pin them over her head, faces mere inches apart as a result. 

Y/n: *pant* "There...now we're even"

Pyrrha: *pant* "I guess so..."

Pushing himself up, Y/n offered a hand to Pyrrha before pulling her up to her feet. 

Once their spar had concluded, Y/n made his way bago over to the log where, along with their discarded clothes, a bag could be seen tucked to the side.

Reaching inside, Y/n pulled out two bottles of water along with two towels, giving one of each over to Pyrrha.

Pyrrha: "Thank you"

After wiping the sweat off her forehead, Pyrrha unbuttoned her shirt for better cooling before taking a sip of her water.

An action that was not mirrored by Y/n, opting to instead douse his head with water as he placed the towel over his shoulders.

Pouring at least half a bottle's worth of water, Y/n shook his hair before flicking it upwards, the droplets trickling down his face and down his exposed skin. Such a display burned a moderate blush on the Mistral Spartan.

Y/n: "Would you care to sit next to me?"

Breaking from her stupor, Pyrrha shook her head before making her way over to sit next to Y/n on the log, being firmly sure not to stare at Y/n for too long.

Y/n: "So...now that we've 'de-stressed', mind telling me what's troubling you"

Pyrrha: "Oh...right..."

Pyrrha rubbed her bottle with her thumb, the reflection of the water within showed a solemn look on her face.

Pyrrha: "It's Jaune...Ever since the night we spoke, Jaune had been hanging around Team CRDL and...I don't think it's by choice"

Y/n: "Seems like every day his stumble kept turning into falls"

Y/n took a sip from his bottle as he stared into the distance, admiring the trees that swayed with the wind.

Pyrrha: "...I keep thinking about what you said...About Adversary nurturing growth...I just feel uneasy sitting idly"

Y/n: "That's the hardest part, doing nothing"

Pyrrha: *sigh* "Sometimes I envy your mental fortitude"

Pyrrha took a sip herself before staring into the distance with Y/n.

Y/n: "...Do you remember my first time in Sanctum?"

Pyrrha: "How could I? I felt like most of the time you were always getting into trouble"

Y/n: "I never wanted to go to Combat school, but you kept dragging me along, even got me a uniform even though I didn't formally enroll"

Y/n then moved his gaze to his free hand, doing a few squeezes before stretching outwards.

Y/n: "That combined with my situation, is just a situation that's begging for trouble"

Pyrrha: "Sounds awfully like my leader"

Y/n: "It's because, in a way, he's going through the same thing. Thankfully, he has you to rely on too"

Y/n glances over at Pyrrha and shoots a smile, before hanging his head in a sigh as he moves his towel to his head.

Pyrrha stared solemnly at Y/n before her eyes landed on his shoulder. She then placed a hand on said shoulder before she began to meditate, her aura glowing around herself as she began to chant silently.

For it is in passing that we-

Y/n: "Don't"

Pyrrha's aura ceases to glow as Y/n glances back over to Pyrrha.

Y/n: "There's no point in trying again... besides, I already made peace with it"

Pyrrha: "I'm sorry. I wish I could've done more"

Y/n: "Don't say that..."

Y/n placed a comforting hand on Pyrrha's knee as he looked deep into her eyes.

Y/n: "You've done plenty"

Suddenly, Y/n and Pyrrha heard a branch snap deep into the forest causing their guards to shoot up tremendously.

From the sea of trees, several beowolves walk out along with a pack of Ursa and Grimm snakes.

Pyrrha: "Looks like we have company"

Y/n: "Indeed. Wanna make a bet?"

Pyrrha: "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

Y/n: "Loser owes the winner 1 favor"

Pyrrha: "That means when I win you owe me twice now"

Y/n: "Dang... you're right. But that means we'll be even when I win"

Pyrrha: "IF you win"

Y/n: "You're on!"

With the fire of competition burning in their heart, Pyrrha and Y/n charged forth to the horde of Grimm.

The green leaves of the Emerald Forest drastically shift to red as the dark brown oak tree turns ashy grey.

Glynda: "Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so"

Glynda stood by the Bullhead whilst Teams REBY, JNPR, and CRDL gathered amongst each other each having a crate's worth of empty glass jars whilst Glynda held up a jar filled with red sap.

Glynda: "Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!

The group stops, and Jaune, grunting and carrying a large case with six empty glass jars on top, tries to catch up with them and ends up bumping into Cardin. The bully scowls at Jaune, who attempts to feign innocence by whistling tunelessly.

While Yang and her sister smile at one another, Jaune attempts to (noisily) sneak away from Cardin to his team, but the blackmailer sees this and grabs Jaune by the back.

Cardin: "Come on, buddy. Let's go!"

Jaune miserably looks up at his team, where Nora and Ren are already walking into the forest's depths and Pyrrha is staring sadly at the scene. Dropping his gaze, Jaune turns and follows CRDL, to the disappointment of a sighing Pyrrha before she continues.

Y/n: "Must I really accompany you on this trip?"

Glynda looked inside the bullhead to see Y/n sitting down on the floor with a small stack of books on one side of him.

Y/n: "I mean, I do have a test due in a few days"

Glynda: "It's nice to see you taking your role seriously..."

Y/n merely gave a meek shrug.

Glynda: "...but not seriously enough I'm afraid. Heading into The Emerald Forest with Ms. Nikos without the Headmaster's permission?"

Y/n: "I didn't think we would need it"

Glynda: "A student could've been hurt!"

Y/n: "Precautionary measures were exercised. Plus what major damage can an Ursa do anyway?"

Glynda: "An Ursa Minor might be a simple case, but that changes when students come across -"

Suddenly, a roar rang out throughout the Forever Fall, causing Glynda and Y/n to look back out into the forest. 

Glynda: "An Ursa Major!"

Fearing the danger the students may find themselves in, Glynda took hold of her riding crop and prepared to go after them.

Glynda: "Y/n, you stay here and-"

Just as Glynda turned back to the bullhead, Y/n was nowhere to be seen as the book that he was momentarily reading was dropped haphazardly to the floor. 

Glynda: *sigh* "It's as if he's one of my students..."

Meanwhile, the roar of the giant Ursa is heard by Teams RWBY and JNPR, still collecting sap on the other side of the forest.

Ruby: "Did you guys hear that?"

Suddenly, the remaining members of Team CRDL are seen running the other way from the roar of the other students.

Russel: "Ursa! Ursa!" 

Amidst his panic, Russel runs into Yang accidentally and drops to the floor.

Yang: "What?!" 

Completely unfazed by his collision, Yang picks him up by the front of his shirt.

Yang: "Where?"

Russel struggles as he's still running in the air, but points back from where they came.

Russel:  "Back there! It's got Cardin!"

At the mention of Cardin, Pyrrha drops her jar of sap out of shock.

Pyrrha: "Jaune!"

Ruby: "Yang! You and Blake, go get Professor Goodwitch!"

Dropping Russel, Yang, and Blake nod before following the orders.

Pyrrha: *to Ren and Nora*  "You two, go with them! There could be more!"

Once the team split up, Ruby and Pyrrha went to go over to Cardin and Jaune, that's when a silhouette briskly moved past the two huntresses momentarily, startling the two.

Ruby: "Pyrrha, did you see that!?"

Pyrrha: *nods* "We need to hurry!"

Pyrrha and Ruby broke into a sprint, eagerly running towards the source of the roar. 

Cardin is attempting to run from the following Ursa, but it leaps over its prey and claws him away. He tries to get up and crawl away.

Cardin: "Crap! Crap, crap!"

Pyrrha, Ruby, and Weiss appear in the scene to see an Ursa Major preying on Cardin. Along with that, they saw Y/n standing in front of them with his hands inside his pockets.

Weiss: "Mr. Y/n!"

Y/n: "Oh, you guys sure act quick. Very good"

Looking back to the scene, they watch as the Ursa leans over the helpless victim, raising its paw and swiping it down... only to be blocked by Jaune's shield. He struggles to defend a stunned Cardin from its attempts to lean on him, but Weiss lifts her weapon as she prepares to go help.

Y/n: "Stand down!"

Such a call gave Ruby and Weiss pause as they looked over at the Headmaster-in-training in shock and confusion.

Ruby: "But-"

Y/n: "Jaune is looking for an opportunity to prove himself. He NEEDS thins, not only to survive but to prove to himself that he has what it takes to be a huntsman"

Jaune takes the shield out from the Ursa's paw and slashes at its stomach, causing it to lash out and try to crush him. He rolls out of the way and jumps over its swipe at his feet, but he is unprepared for when it launches a claw at him in midair. 

He lands far away yet is immediately back on his feet and passes Cardin as he charges again. The Ursa knocks Jaune behind it when he tries for a leaping attack, and he looks at the Scroll in his shield to find out that his Aura level is in the red. He grows angry again and starts to run at the Ursa as it also begins to dash towards him.

As they are just about to clash, Pyrrha sees that Jaune has left himself completely open to the Ursa's attack, and lifts her hand out to him, gathering dark energy in her arm. Just as the Ursa is about to hit him, the glow surrounds Jaune's shield and makes it lift to block the swipe. Jaune uses the surprise defensive move to lean on the ground, push his shield back up, and swing his blade right through the Ursa's neck, decapitating the Grimm as its headless corpse falls to the floor.

Ruby and Weiss look at Pyrrha, shocked at her display of ability.

Ruby: "Uhhh... What?"

Weiss: "How did you...?"

Pyrrha: "Well, Ruby has her speed, you have your glyphs. My Semblance is Polarity"

Ruby: "Whoa, you can control poles..."

Weiss: "No, you dunce! It means she has control over magnetism!"

Ruby: *mutters*  "Magnets are cool, too..."

Seeing the fight had reached its end, Pyrrha took this moment to leave, with Y/n following after her shortly after.

Weiss: "Wait, where are you two going?"

Ruby: "Yeah! We gotta tell them what happened!"

Y/n: "We could..."

Pyrrha: "...Or perhaps we could keep it our little secret?"

Y/n and Pyrrha shoot a smirk at Ruby and Weiss before proceeding further through the woods. 

Y/n: "So...I noticed you finally revealed the trick you keep beating me with"

Out of the blue, Pyrrha punches Y/n in the arm.

Y/n: "Ow! What was that for?"

Pyrrha: "THAT, is for making me restless for weeks on end"

Y/n: "It worked out, did it not?"

Pyrrha: "Hmm...I guess it does"

As Y/n nurses his arm, Pyrrha stops. Confused, Y/n looked back over to Pyrrha.

Pyrrha: "About that favor you owe me..."

Back at the Emerald Forest, as Y/n had finished off another Ursa, he looked back only to see Pyrrha standing atop a small hill of defeated Grimm.

Pyrrha: "How about we start tomorrow? Our class has a free day so we can take a stroll around Vale"

 Y/n: *sighs*  "Alright..."

Y/n shoots a smile at Pyrrha just as the wind brisks past them, sending the fallen red leaves of Forever Fall to fly around the two as Pyrrha's hair flows with the wind whilst giving Y/n a smile in return.

Pyrrha: "I'm looking forward to it"

Later that night, on top of the dorm building, a uniformed Jaune stands on the edge and looks into the distance at the green lights of Beacon.

Pyrrha: "No Cardin tonight?"

Jaune looks over just as Pyrrha walks to his side.

Pyrrha: "I thought you two were best buds?"

Jaune:  "Pyrrha... I'm sorry. I was a jerk! You were only trying to be nice, and... I had all this stupid macho stuff in my head-"

Pyrrha: "Jaune! It's okay!"

 Pyrrha and Jaune share a moment to smile at one another before continuing.

Pyrrha: "Your team really misses their leader, you know"

She begins to walk to the exit.

Pyrrha: "You should come down! Ren made pancakes! No syrup, though - you can thank Nora for that!"

Jaune smiles at the image in his head but holds out his hand and calls out to Pyrrha.

Jaune: "Wait!"

Pyrrha stops right as she is about to open the door to the exit before turning around, and Jaune looks sheepish.

Jaune: "I know I don't deserve it after all that happened, but... would you still be willing to help me... to help me become a better fighter?"

Pyrrha turns around, so worried Jaune won't see her satisfied smile. She goes up to Jaune and suddenly pushes her leader to the ground.

Jaune: "Hey!"

Pyrrha stands over Jaune with her arms on her hips and an evaluating tone.

Pyrrha: "Your stance is all wrong. You need to be wider and lower to the ground"

She offers him her hand, which he graciously accepts, and they continue to hold on to and grin at each other.

Pyrrha: "Let's try that again"

From behind the door, Y/n eavesdrops through a small crack upon opening as he smiles at the display between the two before heading down the stairs.

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Sorry for the reupload, Wattpad glitched out on the phone and some parts were altered, but it's fixed now!

Two more episodes till Volume 1 is finished; maybe I could make a perfectly rounded-up number of chapters. 

Let's consider this a good checkpoint for future chapters; let me know what you guys think so far, and save the overall review once Volume 1 is over.

With that said, you guys know the drill by now.

Vote, if you wanna

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And I'll see you when I see you

Bye Bye