Ron’s Journey Through Remnant

When the morning arrived, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, illuminating the sleeping figures in the hall. Ron was the first to stir, silently detaching himself from the ceiling with an effortless motion. He stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and glanced around to ensure everything was in order.

Gaster followed shortly after, his form stretching as he yawned silently. Maple, who had been cuddling her turtle, awoke next, blinking sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. Adrian was the last to rise, still clutching his ever-present cup of coffee, which somehow remained full despite his frequent sips.

The group quietly made their way to the showers, taking turns freshening up. After washing up and brushing their teeth, they dressed, readying themselves for the day ahead. Ron, preferring solitude in the early hours, ate his breakfast alone in a quiet corner, leaving the others to their conversations and morning routines.

Once they were all set, the team headed to the lockers. There, Maple and Adrian retrieved their weapons, which they had put away the previous day. Maple's shield was polished and ready, while Adrian's sword gleamed as he strapped it to his waist. The team was now fully equipped, and prepared for whatever challenges the day might bring.

As the team gathered their weapons and prepared for the day, Ron and Gaster found a quiet moment in the locker room to speak privately. Meanwhile, Maple and Adrian, still engrossed in their conversation with Ruby, were discussing various topics as Adrian sipped his seemingly endless coffee.

Gaster's expression turned serious as he looked at Ron, the weight of a long-buried question finally surfacing.

[Gaster]: Ron, I've noticed something… and I want the truth. Why do you only eat human meat? Don't lie to me. I've seen horrors in war—when humans cut off our supply lines, leaving us monsters to starve. We had to make do with the bodies of our enemies and even our fallen. But this… this is different.

Ron met Gaster's gaze, the shadows of his past reflected in his eyes. He paused for a moment as if considering how much to reveal.

[Ron]: (sighing) Gaster, I'm not just any soldier. I'm a chimera-born—a special kind of modified soldier created by an organization I was born in. We were designed to be powerful, nearly unstoppable, but it came at a price. Our lifespans are short, and there's always the risk of madness creeping in. But the worst part? If I don't consume at least five kilos of human meat every 48 hours, my body begins to break down. The pain is indescribable—worse than anything Roman or any other torturer could inflict. Without it, I'd die a death so agonizing, it would make torture seem like a child's play.

Gaster's eyes narrowed as he absorbed Ron's words, understanding the gravity of his situation.

[Ron]: It's a survival mechanism forced upon me. I didn't choose this path, but it's the only way to stay alive. And the worst part is, the organization that created me never cared about the cost, just the results. But enough about that, talking about it won't change anything. Now, is your weapon ready? You can't rely solely on your hands and blasters all the time.

Gaster arched an eyebrow at Ron's remark, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. With a smooth motion, he extended his hand, and a glowing blaster materialized before him. But instead of firing, the blaster transformed, its shape-shifting and elongating into a long, bone-like staff. The staff's surface shimmered with energy, and as Gaster grasped it firmly, an ethereal scythe blade emerged from one end, crackling with raw power.

[Picture]

[Gaster]: (grinning) Never underestimate a descendant of warriors, Ron. This weapon's been with me since the war. I may be rusty, but if I claim to be the second best, no one will dare claim to be the first.

[Ron]: (smirking) Good. Now let's head to Beacon Cliff and regroup with the others before the initiation starts.

[Five minutes later]

The group stood on Beacon Cliff, overlooking the vast forest below. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation. Ron gathered everyone around for a final briefing before the initiation.

[Ron]: (serious) Remember, we meet up at the temple or on the way there. Take the same chess piece as a marker, and stay focused. We need to stick to the plan if we don't want Gaster to end up on the same team as Weiss.

Adrian and Gaster both took a sip of their coffee, though Gaster was simultaneously engrossed in a book, scribbling down notes with one hand while holding his cup with the other. Maple, meanwhile, was enthusiastically clapping for Ron, clearly eager for the challenge ahead.

[Ron]: (raising an eyebrow) Maple, focus. We need to take this seriously. If we don't, things could get messy fast.

[Maple]: (grinning) Don't worry, Ron. I've got this! We won't let anything go wrong.

[Gaster]: (without looking up from his book) I'll keep an eye out. We're ready.

Ron nodded, taking a deep breath. He glanced around at his team, the mix of personalities and abilities making them an unpredictable force. He knew they were capable, but the initiation was no joke, and neither was the possibility of ending up on an unbalanced team.

As Ozpin's voice echoed through the clearing, the students fell into a respectful silence, their anticipation building.

[Ozpin]: For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest.

[Glynda]: I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about how teams will be assigned. Allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates today.

[Ozpin]: These teammates will be with you for the entirety of your time here at Beacon, so it's in your best interest to be paired with someone you can work well with. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after the landing will be your partner for the next four years.

[Ruby]: (confused) What?

[Ron]: (turning to the group) Remember, Gaster, use your hands to keep us together after we land, and if you can't just try to meet up with us, okay.

The students exchanged nervous glances, realizing the gravity of their situation. The prospect of being randomly paired with someone they might not get along with added a layer of tension to the already high-stakes initiation.

[Gaster]: (nodding) Understood.

[Ozpin]: After you have partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will encounter opposition along the way—do not hesitate to eliminate anything in your path or you will not survive. You will be monitored and graded throughout the initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. At the end of the path, you will find an abandoned temple containing several relics. Each pair must choose one relic and return to the top of the cliff. We will guard the items as well as your standings and grade you accordingly. Are there any questions?

Jaune started to raise his hand, but Ron quickly stopped him.

[Ozpin]: Good. Now, take your positions.

The students moved to their respective launch pads, each preparing for the spring-loaded jump that would propel them into the Emerald Forest. One by one, they were launched into the air, their bodies slicing through the wind as they headed toward their destinations.

Ron was the first to be launched, soaring through the air with determination. He glanced back to see Maple following closely behind, her shield secured on her back. Gaster followed next, his presence calm and collected as he maneuvered through the sky. Finally, Adrian was launched, somehow managing to clutch his coffee can as he flew through the air.

In mid-flight, Ron and Gaster made eye contact. The distance between them made their voices barely audible over the rush of wind.

[Ron]: (shouting) I'll take Maple; you handle Adrian!

[Gaster]: (nodding) Got it. Stay safe!

The launch pads retracted, and each student plummeted toward their designated zones in the Emerald Forest. Ron reached the forest floor first, quickly assessing the surroundings and spotting Maple landing gracefully nearby.

[Maple]: (looking determined) Ready to team up, Ron?

[Ron]: (nodding) Absolutely. Let's move swiftly and find a relic before the others.

Maple and Ron moved cautiously through the dense foliage, their eyes scanning for any sign of danger or the coveted relics. They moved with calculated precision, knowing the importance of each moment.

[Maple]: (whispering) Look, Ron. What's that?

She pointed toward a group of seven giant Nevermores, massive Grimm birds that were resting in a clearing ahead. Their dark feathers and intimidating size made them formidable opponents.

[Ron]: (whispering) Okay, Maple, back off slowly and make no noise. We don't want to provoke them.

Ron and Maple began to retreat cautiously, their movements deliberate and silent. Just as they were about to put some distance between themselves and the Nevermores, a loud crash echoed through the forest. Gaster and Adrian had landed roughly, inadvertently disturbing one of the giant Grimm birds.

The startled Nevermores let out an ear-splitting screech, their eyes flashing with anger. The once peaceful clearing was now a battleground as the giant birds roused from their rest.

[Ron]: (urgent) Change of plans. We need to help those two, fast!

[Chapter end]