In the darkness of the barn at Beacon Academy our cat Faunus opens his amber eyes and yawns. His ears twitch as he sits up and rubs his eyes.

  "Hmmm, morning already?" Byzan questions as he looks around the room, noticing everyone still sleeping as it's still dark outside.

  He then gnces to the side and spots Bke missing, her sleeping bag and stuff already packed up and gone. Byzan growls slightly in frustration.

  "Of course she's already up..." Byzan leans forward as he gets on his knees and stretches. His back arches as he lets out a yawn-like meow.

  He then licks his lips and stands up, stretching a little more. His shirt is hugging his slim figure. He then smiles as he starts to pack up his stuff.

  Several minutes ter Byzan enters the dimly lit bathroom with a backpack in his hands. He heads into a stall and starts to changed.

  He takes off his shirt and looked down at the bandage wrapped around his side. He pokes at it a few times. "At least it doesn't hurt anymore."

  He continues getting changed and a few minutes ter he comes out of the bathroom in his regur attire. He walks up to a mirror and looks over himself.

  Byzan smirks as he rubs his hands down his sides and pats his curvy ass a few times. "Gotta keep working hard to keep this figure~" He winks at himself in the mirror before heading out.

  Byzan heads for the front door and pushes on it, finding it's not unlocked. "Oh?"

  Byzan heads outside and takes in the cool crisp morning air. A rge smile forms on his face as he rubs the fur on his ears. He then hears some running and looks off to the side to spot Ambré and Rose running under the mps.

  "Come on, Rose!" Ambré calls out. "Just a few more ps!"

  Rose lets out a quiet whine. "It's way too early for this." She's just a few steps behind her older sister.

  Byzan lets out a hum and looks up at the barn behind him. He smirks as he walks up to the wall and puts his hands on it. Byzan then takes a few steps back and his clone appears at the wall, with his hands cupped together as he leans down.

  Byzan runs forward puts his foot on the clones hands, and it throws him up into the air. Byzan grabs onto a ledge and starts making his way up to the roof.

  Byzan grunts as he pulls himself onto the roof and stands up. A soft breeze blows as he stares out to the horizons with the sun slowly rising. He takes in a deep breath and lets it out.

  "The start of a new life, eh?" Byzan chuckles as he sits down on the edge of the building and dangles his feet off the side.

  The cat faunus grabs the pouch on his hip and sets it in his p. He then starts digging into it and pulls out a rge bag of small bck berries and sets it down beside him.

  Then he pulls out a mortar and pestle and sets it down. Then a bottle of water and a funnel, and sets them beside him. He grabs the mortar and pestle and drops some berries into it. He starts crushing the berries into a paste, then adds some water to it and a few more berries.

  After mixing everything together he grabs his fsk and puts the funnel in it. He drains the purple liquid in the mortar and into the fsk.

  After all the liquid is all drained, Byzan cleans up his tools and puts them away. Then he looks out to the sun nearly over the horizon. He then takes a drink from his fsk and lets out a content sigh.

  "Nice morning, isn't it?" A voice calls out from behind.

  Byzan swiftly jumps up and puts his hand up, as if he were to grab his Hellish Shroud, but it's not there. He then goes into a defensive stance.

  "Jumpy aren't you? Hehe!"

  In front of Byzan is a very tall man, standing at 6'4'' (193 cm). He has short white hair and a golden right eye. His left eye is a cloudy white, and a rge scar over the left side of his face. A pair of dog tags hand from his neck.

  The man has maroon coat hanging over his shoulder and a button up white shirt, with its sleeves rolled up. Small scars litter the mans arms. He wears a pair of bck pants and boots.

  Byzan narrows his eyes at the man, making the tall guys smile. "Who are you?"

  The man holds up a hand as he chuckles. "Cyprus Ash, but you may call me Professor Ash. I'm your Weapons Teacher. So no need to be so hostile, Mr. Beldonna."

  Byzan huffs as he puts his fsk in his pocket, and Ash looks at it for a few seconds. "You know, drinking Deadly Nightshade isn't good for your health." The Professor states.

  Byzan gres at the Professor. "Don't worry about me, Professor. I'll be fine."

  Ash just shrugs his shoulders and walks to the edge of the building. "Do make sure you get some food, Mr. Nightshade. You'll need it for today."

  Professor Ash hops off the side of the building and Byzan runs over towards the edge. He sees Ash calmly walk towards Beacon's main building, seemingly uninjured.

  "...He's reted to Calico?" Byzan questions as his ears flicker. "He's dangerous."

  Byzan groans in irritation and rubs his head.

  "I wanted an easy time, not a hard one!"

  Byzan sighs and flops down onto the roof and looks up to the orange morning sky. He silently stares up to the sky as a few birds pass overhead, chirping. Byzan blinks a few times before a yawn comes out of his mouth.

  "I wonder when we can eat?"

  .

  .

  .

  Byzan walks through the cafeteria with a tray of food in his hand. A tuna sad with some fruit on the side. He walks past a male student eye him and said student sps him on the ass.

  Byzan grows an annoyed look and turns to the student. "You know I'm a guy, right dude?"

  The student shrugs. "Hey, I don't mind." He winks making Byzan step back with a slight blush coating his cheeks. He then shakes his head and walks off.

  Byzan stops in the middle of the cafeteria and gnces around the room. He sees many initiation students gathered at the tables, but he doesn't spot the person he's looking for.

  "Damn, she's trying to avoid me?" Byzan mutters as he heads for an empty table and sits down. "Bkey, you can't hide forever~"

  Byzan chuckles as he closes his eyes and starts to eat his breakfast, his ears swiveling around; listening to everyone. As he listens in he hears two sets of footsteps approaching, and a pair sit beside him.

  "Oh, kitty~" Yang's voice calls out.

  Byzan opens his amber eyes and comes to see Yang and Ruby sitting beside him.

  "Oh, Goldie, Rubes." Byzan greets.

  "Rubes?" Ruby raises an eyebrow.

  "What, don't like the nickname?"

  Ruby swiftly shakes her head. "No, no. I like it, just Yang and my Dad have given me nicknames."

  "Well, Rubes, now you have one from me~" Byzan pyfully sticks his tongue out.

  "Oh, this must mean we're friends now!"

  Byzan chuckles. "Sure, if that's how you interpret it."

  "Watcha eating?" Yang interjects as she leans between the two.

  "Oh, just a tuna sad."

  Yang smirks. "Oh, the kitty likes fish?"

  Byzan smirks. "Of course, who would." He leans towards Yang with a suggestive smirk. "But I wouldn't mind given other things a try."

  Yang ughs and lightly punches the Cat on the shoulder. "Dude, my sister's right there." She points her thumb at Ruby.

  Ruby has a confused look. "What does he mean?"

  Yang just pats Ruby on the head. "I'll tell you when you're older."

  Ruby's cheeks puff out as she pouts. "Hey, I'm plenty old now."

  Yang and Byzan ugh as Ruby grows more annoyed.

  "I eat my vegetables!" Ruby shouts as she fils her arms.

  Byzan and Yang ughs louder.

  A few hours ter Byzan is in a locker room and grabs Hellish Shroud out of his locker, and sets it on his magnetic backpack. He grabs his bandoleer and puts it on, checking through each bullet. Then stretching, Byzan closes his locker and takes out his fsk.

  He pops open the cap and takes a few sips from it. The Nightshade liquid slightly dribbles down his chin.

  "Should you really be drinking before initiation?" A mature voice calls out.

  Byzan grunts in annoyance as he closes his fsk and looks to the side.

  Standing a few feet away if Ambré, which allows the Cat to get a better look at her.

  Ambré stands at a tall 6 foot. (182.8 cm). She has short white hair that barely reaches her chin, and is done up in a pony tail. She has a golden right eye and a blue left eye. She has a rather small chest, but a bit of curves.

  She wears a white military coat, simir to the ones Ats military wear, with a sapphire blue line on the arms. Her emblem, a Bell with two knives crossed on the front, rests over her right breast. She wears sapphire blue pants with bck boats. She has sapphire finger-less gloves on.

  "It's not liquor." Byzan informs.

  Ambré raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

  Byzan rolls his eyes, before gaining a smirk. "Why are you so interested?"

  Ambré hums. "Well, I'd rather not see someone who looks capable in combat, fail initiation."

  Byzan smiles. "Trust me, I won't fail."

  The tall girl just nods, before leaning towards Byzan. "Have I seen you somewhere before?"

  Byzan sweats a little. "I don't think so." 'She has to be from Ats, that coat is much simir to what the military wears.'

  Ambré hums as she narrows her eyes at the cat faunus.

  Suddenly Glynda's voice speaks over the intercom. "Would all first year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."

  Byzan swiftly turns around and starts walking away. "Well, we better get going."

  Ambré just stares at Byzan's back. "...I swear I've seen him before."

  A few minutes ter all first year students stand at a cliff overlooking the Emerald Forest. Everyone stands on a square pad as Ozpin and Glynda stand a little off to the side in front of everyone.

  Byzan looks at everyone, he stands beside Yang. He spots his sister a little ways down, but she refuses to look in his direction. Rose and Ambré stand a few students down, with Rose looking very scared, but Ambré looks confident.

  Ozpin begins speaking to his students. "For years you have trained to become warriors. And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."

  Glynda continues. "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."

  "What? Aw..." Ruby makes scared noises.

  "Interesting." Byzan smirks in delight.

  Ozpin speaks. "These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best intensest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."

  Ruby makes more scared noises.

  Byzan leans forward and gnces at Ruby. 'What's her problem?'

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

  Ruby's world shatters. "What?!"

  Nora turns to Ren. "See? I told you!"

  Ozpin continues. "After you've partnered up, 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."

  Byzan grows a Cheshire smile. 'I won't die today, this test should be pretty easy compared to what I've been through.'

  "You will be monitored an graded for 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 raises his hand. "Yeah, um, sir-"

  "Good!" Ozpin interrupts Jaune. "Now, take your positions."

  Everyone gets ready for what comes next. Byzan rolls his shoulders and adjusts his scar.

  Jaune keeps his hand raises. "Uh, sir? I've got, um, a question." Weiss gets catapulted towards the forest, and so do other students. "So, this nding strategy thing, uh, w-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?"

  "No." Ozpin says. "You will be falling."

  More students get catapulted.

  "Oh, I see." Jaune scratches his head. "So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"

  Nora gets catapulted.

  "No." Ozpin says. "You will be using your own nding strategy."

  "Uhhhuh... Yeah."

  Byzan kneels down and gets catapulted into the sky as he ughs with a deranged look.

  Yang looks at Ruby and gives her a wink,before putting on some aviators. She then gets catapulted into the sky. Ruby soon follows.

  So, um, what exactly is a nding strateGYYYYYYY!" Jaune gets unched.

  Ozpin turns around and watches the students fly in the distance, then he takes a sip from his mug. He gnces at Glynda. "Say, where's Professor Ash?"

  Glynda pushes up her gsses. "Doing an experiment."

  Ozpin raises an eyebrow. "What kind."

  A loud explosion goes of at Beacon as some smoke raises from part of it.

  Glynda motions to the smoke. "That kind."

  Ozpin sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Not again, Ash."

  .

  .

  .

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  04-05-2024

  2273 words