"HEADS UUUUUUPPPPPP-OOF!!!"

As Ruby's flailing form plummeted towards the ground, it was soon intercepted by another flying body. Skyler managed to spot a tuft of blond hair and deduced that it was Jaune. And with that, the two crashed into a nearby tree. The group on the ground blinked a few times at the scene that had played before them.

"Did... did your sister just fall out of the sky?" Blake asked her partner.

Yang was just as stupefied, "I-"

But before she could finish, they heard several crashing noises from the tree line. They all looked to see an Ursa stumble out of the woods and the four got ready to fight. But then their expressions morphed back into confusion as they saw the orange-haired girl from earlier that morning riding on top of its back, cheering like a maniac before the Grimm collapsed to the ground, dead, sending the girl and another person, a guy dressed in green with long black hair with a pink streak in it, tumbling to the ground.

The girl got up first and examined the Ursa as it disintegrated, "Aw, it's broken..."

"Nora..." the guy said to her, "Please... Don't ever do that again..."

But then he looked up and noticed that his partner had disappeared. The four observers blinked again, realizing that they hadn't noticed her vanish either. They turned around to see Nora staring at the chess pieces that were on pedestals in the ruined altar. She then grabbed a white rook piece and began to prance around with it.

"I'm queen of the castle~!" she sang. "I'm queen of the castle~!"

"NORA!!!" the guy exclaimed, throwing her off balance.

But Nora just giggled, "Coming, Ren!"

"Did that girl just... ride in on an Ursa?" Hazel asked in disbelief.

"I-" Yang tried again, but was interrupted again, this time by a screech coming from another point in the tree line.

Pyrrha came out of the woods, running for her life as she was chased by a giant Death Stalker Grimm, and she yelled, "Jaune!!"

"Pyrrha!!" came a voice from the tree Ruby and Jaune had crashed into.

Suddenly, there were two loud cries of pain before two figures came flying from over the trees and face-planted next to the four onlookers. Skyler and Yang looked down and immediately recognized that white hair and red jacket.

"Dante?" Skyler said.

Dante peeked up at his friends as Walker got to his feet, "Skyler?"

And then, Ruby burst out of her tree and landed on her feet next to them, causing Yang to say, "Ruby?"

Ruby looked at her sister and exclaimed, "Yang!"

And then Nora burst up from out of nowhere, "NORA!!!"

Blake still had her eyes glued to Pyrrha as the redhead tried to fight off the giant scorpion, "Did she just run all the way here with a Death Stalker on her tail?"

At that point, Yang had had enough as flames flicked all around her at her anger, "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!! CAN EVERYONE JUST CHILL OUT FOR TWO SECONDS BEFORE SOMETHING CRAZY HAPPENS AGAIN?!?!"

Exactly two seconds passed by before Ruby pointed up and Yang slouched in defeat, "Uh... Yang?"

Everyone looked up to see a giant Nevermore Grimm flying through the air above them, and they spotted Weiss hanging from one of its claws, shouting, "HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME?!?!"

"I said 'jump'," Ruby retorted, even though Weiss couldn't hear her.

"She's gonna fall," Skyler stated.

"She'll be fine," Ruby waved off.

"She's falling," Walker responded plainly.

As Weiss began to plummet to the ground, Jaune must've seen his chance and dove out of the tree and managed to actually catch Weiss in his arms. Unfortunately, he forgot momentum existed. And the two crashed onto the ground, Jaune becoming Weiss' landing pillow.

"My hero," she said sarcastically as she got up.

"My back..." Jaune groaned, momentarily losing feeling in his everything.

It was... quite a lot to process all at once for Skyler. First, Ruby and Jaune drop in (pretty much literally), then Ren and Nora ride in on top of an Ursa, then Pyrrha freaking Nikos was being chased/fighting off a Death Stalker, then Dante and his partner come flying in from out of nowhere, and finally, Weiss had plummeted towards them only to get not-really saved by Jaune... Yeah, Skyler knew that he'd need to take a long rest when this day ended.

Then, Pyrrha collapsed next to them, and at this point, Yang had just decided to go with the flow, "Great! The gang's all here! Now we can die together!"

"Not if I can help it!" Ruby exclaimed before charging towards the Deathstalker with a battle cry.

"Ruby, wait!!" Yang yelled, but her sister was already there.

The rest of them couldn't do anything by watch for now as Ruby fired Crescent Rose at the oncoming Death Stalker. When the two met, the Grimm swiped her away.

"D-Do-Don't worry!" Ruby tried to reassure as she slowly got up. "Totally fine!"

Luckily, Ruby wasn't an idiot. She fired one last shot at the Grimm's skull, to little effect, and took off back towards them, Yang running to meet her halfway. But then the Nevermore cawed above them, flapping its wings and releasing lines of sharpened feathers with points that caught on Ruby's cape and prevented Yang from reaching her.

"Ruby, get out of there!!" the blonde cried.

"I'm trying!" Ruby replied, struggling with her cloak.

The Death Stalker was upon the younger girl now, raising its golden stinger and ready to strike. At this point, Skyler and Dante were panicking and decided to dash for their two friends, but deep down, they both knew they weren't fast enough to reach even Yang in time. But suddenly, a white blur zoomed past them, stopped next to Ruby, and created a giant ice wall that trapped the scorpion's tail.

The two guys skidded to a halt next to Yang to see Weiss scolding Ruby, but also seemed to be giving constructive criticism in a kind way. The three observers all let out a big sigh of relief that Ruby at least turned out okay. So as soon as Ruby made her way over to them, Yang enveloped her little sister in a hug.

"I'm so happy you're okay..." Yang muttered.

As soon as she let go, Ruby then made her way to Skyler and Dante, and rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment, "Sorry about that, guys..."

The two boys found that they really couldn't stay angry at that face, so their unsupportive frowns dropped to exasperated smiles, and they opened their arms and Dante said, "Alright, get over here, ya little gremlin."

Ruby just grinned widely and the three shared a short group hug, which was interrupted by Walker, who tapped on Dante's shoulder and said, "Uh, not to ruin this touching moment, but that Nevermore is circling back around. What do we do?"

"Look, there's no sense in dilly-dallying," Weiss spoke, walking up to them. "Our objective is right in front of us."

Everyone then turned to look at the chess pieces at the ruined altar as Ruby nodded to Weiss, "She's right. Our mission is to grab an artifact and make it back to the cliffs. There's no point in fighting these things."

"Run and live..." Jaune summarized, "That's an idea I can get behind."

And with that, the remaining pairs who hadn't picked up a relic picked one up. Ruby grabbed a white knight piece, Jaune picked up a white rook piece, and Skyler and Dante grabbed a white bishop piece each. But it was then that Weiss' ice started to crack around the Death Stalker's stinger, putting a bit more tension in the air.

"It's time we left," Ren stated, and they all began to head in the direction of their starting point.

Ruby lead the way, causing Yang to pause and stare at her little sister proudly, and Blake stopped next to her and ask, "What is it?"

Yang just smiled, "Oh, nothing."

They took off again, while Skyler, Dante, Hazel, and Walker trailed behind, and the former asked the second, "By the way, what happened to cause you and your partner to get thrown into the open anyway?"

Dante's face morphed into a nervous expression, "Uh... well..."

"Hopefully nothing that'll come after us," Walker answered for him.

"Why doesn't that reassure me?" Hazel retorted.

"It's not really supposed to," Dante replied with a grin, and Hazel blinked at him a few times before turning away with a blush.

Skyler noted that little exchange before thinking with a smirk, 'Oh, this is gonna be a fun four years.'
______________________________________________
The group of twelve arrived in an open area near the base of the cliffs where they started, ruined architecture littered around them with a broken down temple at the cliff's base. They all hid behind a group of ruined columns when the Nevermore flew overhead and landed on the temple's dome and screeched.

"Well, that's great," Yang said, annoyed.

Just then, the Death Stalker burst out of the trees behind them, prompting Jaune to yell, "Ah, man, run!!"

And with that, the group split up. Skyler, Dante, Hazel, and Walker dove to the side of the columns while the others made a run for the ruined temple, the Death Stalker following them. But as soon as they got on top of a stone bridge, the Nevermore swooped in and crashed into the structure, splitting the group again. Blake, Pyrrha, and Ren were stuck with the Death Stalker, and Jaune, Nora, Ruby, Yang, and Weiss were stuck with the Nevermore.

At this, Skyler turned to his group and said, "Come on, we gotta help-"

Suddenly, a loud trumpeting sound echoed throughout the area, causing the group of four to shake with the ground. There were then loud footsteps and the sounds of trees crashing before a giant figure burst from the tree line behind them. They turned to see a Goliath Grimm charging towards them before coming to a stop and bellowing out another loud trumpet from its long trunk, it's eyes burning with anger. At first, Skyler wondered why on Remnant this thing was trying to kill them, but then recalled the brief conversation he had with Dante and Walker earlier.

He turned to the other two boys and said, "Care to explain?"

"Now, I know it looks bad..." Dante replied, "But to keep things short... it wasn't our fault."

"Likely story."

"I'm serious!"

But before they could argue further, the Grimm before them charged. Skyler, Dante, and Walker dove out of the way again while Hazel shot out Arachne's spearhead and latched it to a nearby column, using her weapon to propel herself away.

Once she landed on her feet, she said to her partner, "Any ideas?"

Skyler was quiet for a moment, before turning to the other two, Dante saying as soon as he did, "Don't look at me, you're the planning guy."

Skyler looked back and forth between his group, his mind racing. He then stared down the Goliath, which in turn glared at him with a hateful look. Skyler then smirked, switching Kasai into its sword mode.

"Hit it until it dies. And improvise along the way."

I know what I have to do now
It's my life
My one and only!!

And with that, the four Hunters in training charged, the Goliath returning the same action in kind. Skyler slid under the elephant's legs and slashed at its belly, hoping there was a soft spot. No such luck. He just counted himself lucky that he was able to make his way back out into the open. Once he did, he switched Kasai back into its gun mode and shot flames at the Grimm's side, but to just as much effect as the blade.

I've wiped my tears a hundred times
But the regret, it wants to linger
It's nothing new, I'm used to it
'Cause simple days are in the past

Hazel, on the opposing side of the Goliath as compared to Skyler, tried stabbing that side, and while it seemed to be having a bit more effect than Skyler's slashes (the obsidian that the spearhead was made from was surprisingly pretty sharp), it was doing little more than agitating a Grimm that size, like multiple minor bee stings. It swung its trunk at her, and managed to hit her dead on, but Hazel recovered midair and shot Arachne at the nearest column. She hooked onto the top of it and perched there, contemplating her next move.

(Follow my way)
I'll aim ahead, my fear, I'll fight it
(Follow my way)
Won't stop till I've surpassed my limit

Dante and Walker stayed in the way of the Goliath's path, though they didn't stay there long. Dante combined his axes to form its crossbow mode, Yamato, and began to open fire, running toward Hazel's side of the beast. It may not have done much, but it did distract the Grimm long enough for Walker to press a button on Barentain, and suddenly, the blade dissected itself so that it now looked like a bladed whip. He then whipped it so that it wrapped around of the Grimm's tusks, and then propelled onto that tusk via his Semblance, Aerokinesis (Air Manipulation). Walker proceeded to turn his weapon back into a sword and begun slashing at the Goliath's face, only to get thrown off for his troubles.

My dreams are never boring
They're thrilling and buzzing with life
(I know what I have to do now)

Skyler observed what Walker did, and a plan conspired in his head, so he shouted to his group, "Guys!! Aim for the eyes!! If we can blind it, I've got an idea!!"

"On it!!" Hazel replied, aiming Arachne very carefully.

After a few seconds, she then fired the spearhead at the Goliath's left eye, and her aim was true. The Grimm bellowed in pain as the spearhead impaled in its eye socket, but it also brought down Hazel from her column by swerving its head. She let out a yelp as she plummeted towards the ground, but she was intercepted by Dante, who luckily had a better time catching her than Jaune had with Weiss. Though they did go sprawling to the ground anyway, it was still better than the alternative.

Many roads at this crossing
But finally, I've found one that's mine
I know it will lead me right

The two didn't have to time for thanks and apologies (the two Hunters in training had rolled on top of each other), as the Goliath turned on them, now angrier than ever. But as it charged, Dante readied Yamato and activates his Semblance, Vision Enhancement, which pretty much let him have sniper scope vision. He zoomed in on the elephant's remaining eye and fired. His shot was dead on, and the Goliath roared in pain again and toppled to the ground, though it was slowly starting to get back up.

Make my story!
For sake of this life that burns bright,
I'll continue the fight

"Alright, man!!" Dante yelled at his childhood friend. "It's up to you!!"

"Right!!" Skyler replied, dashing towards the beast, aiming Kasai at the ground and propelling himself onto the Goliath's back, turning his weapon back into a sword.

I'll take aim and won't miss
I'll make it a promise
I wanna live with this vow in my mind
(Make my story!)

Skyler ran on top of the monster, making a break for the head. As he ran, he continuously slashed its back, though it still wasn't having that much of an effect. At last, he managed to get to the head, despite all of the shaking the Grimm was doing.

I know that someday, tears they may
Fall again down my face

Skyler leaped down and took a hold of one of the beast's tusks and prepared to aim at its face with Kasai now a gun. But, feeling the intruder on him, the elephant shook wildly, trying knock him off, and even charged headfirst into a pillar, shattering the ruined structure, but Skyler held on. And with great difficulty, he finally managed to aim Kasai directly for the Goliath's open mouth.

"You may be hard to kill from the outside... but how about this?!"

But we're in this together
It will last forever
Keep our dream strong
So it continues on!!

Skyler pulled the trigger and a large torrent of flames sprayed from Kasai's nozzle and inside the Goliath, via its mouth. It would have bellowed again had its vocal cords not been burnt to a crisp. And Skyler did not let up on the trigger until the Grimm finally stopped moving and begun to sink to the ground, and he let go of the tusk.

ONE AND ONLY!!!

And with that, Skyler landed on the ground on one knee. And as he breathed heavily, the Goliath collapsed to the ground, and its body started to dissolve. He then fell on his butt as his group ran up to him, breathing just as heavily as he was.

"You know..." Walker stated, "I'll have to admit... not the smartest plan... but it worked."

"That about sums up most of our plans," Dante responded with a grin.

"And luckily," Hazel said, pointing towards the cliff, "I don't think the others need our help now."

And the group looked up just in time to see Ruby being shot straight for a trapped Nevermore. Judging by the sight, the Death Stalker has presumably been dealt with, and now the giant bird was at the end of its rope. Ruby's scythe caught the Grimm in the neck and brought them both to the cliff face. A series of Weiss' glyphs then appeared at Ruby's feet and lead all the way up the cliff. Ruby then proceeded to drag the beast all the way up to the edge, where the Nevermore was promptly decapitated.

And with that, the trial was over, and they were all official students of Beacon.
______________________________________________
"Auriel Hawk, Tatiana Epona," Ozpin called out at the registration ceremony, "Uriel Seraph, and Meta Simuna. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team ATUM (Autumn), led by... Auriel Hawk."

There was some applause, and the next group walked up.

"Skyler Yin, Hazel Tikal, Dante Williams, and Walker Elliot. The four of you retrieved the white bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will be known as Team SHDW (Shadow)."

Skyler nodded a bit, thinking the team name was pretty cool. Then his eyes widened. That word started with an 's', so that meant-

"Led by... Skyler Yin."

Skyler was stunned. Yeah, he had come up with the plan that defeated the Goliath, but... he then blinked as the applause went off and he looked at Ozpin, who gave a nod and a slightly mischievous smirk. The now team leader had his head in the clouds as he and his team walked away to their seats, and continued to stay that way up until he managed to snap himself out of it when he heard familiar names being called.

"Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee," Ozpin spoke, "Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY. Led by... Ruby Rose."

If his place as team leader caused him to question the Headmaster's reasoning, that certainly did. Though most cheered and were happy (Yang tackled her sister in a hug), Skyler couldn't help but look at Ozpin with a raised eyebrow as he clapped. What had Ruby done to gain Ozpin's attention that night?

"It looks like things are shaping up to be an..." Ozpin pauses for a moment, "Interesting year."

And Skyler couldn't help but agree.
______________________________________________
And that completes this chapter! Man, I had a lot of fun with this one! Especially when I included the song, which was actually AmaLee's English cover of "Make My Story", the fifth opening for My Hero Academia. I just thought it fit. Till next time guys!