Eclipse - Act 2 - Of Blood and Truth

Chapter 1 - Graduation Day

Jaune

Today is the day.

Their day.

Four years of hard work, fighting the monsters that feast on fear and wear hides of shadow; it has all led to this: Graduation day.

The Beacon courtyard - so normally empty and spacious - is now lined with rows upon rows of black chairs, all facing the centre stage, draped with shiny blue silk, brightly reflecting the beautiful sky above. At the podium is Professor Ozpin, a bright smile on his face as he eyes the rows of seats, all filled with his forth years. Not only them though, this Ceremony is very important to the Academies, and it has hosted this day for every single graduate in all four Academies. Students from Atlas, Mistral and Vacuo are here as well, Team A.B.R.N, N.D.G.O, F.N.K.I, B.R.N.Z and many other students are here.

Even Penny's teammate, Ciel Soleil is here as well, missing her cute and fun little Android Friend. Although she holds herself more like an officer rather than a student, Atlesian to the bone.

Ozpin clears his throat as he taps the microphone, he has recovered since awakening from his coma four years ago, but he still needs to use his cane to get around. But despite everything, he is still the same Headmaster he was before the traumatic events of the Battle of Beacon occurred. And then, after clearing his throat and wetting his lips – he speaks.

"Today is a momentous day. All of you, sitting before me, are here because you wanted to be. You fought, tooth and nail, pen and paper, to get your studies done to your highest levels... And now you receive the fruits of your labours." He gestures to Glynda and Port, smiling softly as they stack the scrolls of parchment, all tied with lovely green silk. Ozpin turns back to face the crowd as a welcoming breeze sweeps over the spectators.

Jaune quickly slaps his hand atop his Mortarboard Cap, keeping the square clothing in place through the breeze. Pyrrha flits her eyes to her side to see him scratching at his collar, under their silky black robes. She tuts and takes his hand from the itchy red blemish, seating it in her lap and grasp.

"Sorry. Just nervous I guess."

"I know." She quietly touches her lips to his hand. "But try not to be. We've done all the hard work. Now we get rewarded for it."

Jaune smiles brightly to her and nods, looking around at the row ahead - seating R.W.B.Y and C.R.D.L. His eyes flit to the row behind, Sun grinning ear to ear besides his fellow teammates. Team C.F.V.Y are also sitting beside S.S.S.N, Coco whispering to Velvet as she snorts into her hand. Jaune can only grin.

They've done it.

They've truly done it.

Ozpin speaks up once more and Jaune snaps to attention.

"When I look at you all, I think of an old Mistral Acclamation: Axios. It means "worthy of" and "deserving of." made by the Deacons themselves to proclaim who deserved what. All of you deserve to be here, deserve to graduate. And never has a smaller group made it through so much - only to be made smaller. After all you have done to protect this school and what it stands for... well, you were all going to graduate no matter what in my books." Ozpin chuckles, stepping back from the microphone, to which the audience erupts into applause.

"So." Ozpin claps, gesturing to the stage and the steps – he will always love this part of the job, seeing the joy and accomplishment on the faces of his students. It truly does make him feel like he is doing the right thing. "Axios?"

"Axios!" The audience replies in a fumbling unison. Ozpin chuckles, nodding to Glynda as she opens a scroll to read. The large holographic display above the stage illuminates with a photo of each called upon student.