And so, the passage of time marched on, and the battles were waged, the injuries and scars garnered, and the friendships that would last formed, or simply waited to form from the fires of battle.
The room was lit dimly, the iridescent blue lights on the ceiling and floor providing most of the light, before the massive overhead screens activated, both displaying the same picture. As each team was formed, the 4 were displayed above, and Ozpin named each in turn, beginning with the examinees from the Emerald Forest, each pair receiving applause from the audience.
"...And that concludes the teams formed from the Emerald Forest pairing ceremony. Moving on, we have the teams formed in Forever Falls..." Ozpin said, with an air significantly lighter than the speech he'd given before. Almost looked like he was happy, even. Of course, the Forever Fall pairing ceremony hadn't gone off with as few hitches as its Emerald cousin had. Many were injured, unable to attend the ceremony for a few, but it didn't matter, they had passed the test and were now among allies. Even if they did not stand beside their comrades for the final bit of the ceremony, it was cemented that they were together; a team, that shall stand together, or fall divided.
"The first of the teams to partner together, was team PRGT (Purgatory), who felled a beast that protestors had tried to free several years ago. Regardless, they faced the menace with courage, and coordinated to bring down this... 'Edgar', and secured their cards, the Ace of Spades. Good luck to you, Mister Fallson, its your team now."
"Next, is team BKGA (Blackguard), who managed to defeat one of the academy's advanced combat machines with its limiters removed, showing great use of their surroundings to heavily damage the old train tunnel atop it, and retrieve the Queen of Clubs cards. Not an easy feat for novices. While she cannot be here to stand beside those who were uninjured, Miss Belle shall lead you."
"Team AEJS' (Aegis) pairing was a rather...odd one. Auriel and Emlyn managed to steal their card, the King of Spades away from the mighty Datura who wandered the mountains, and assisted Jack Orpheus and Savan Everstone in eliminating a Nevermore Nest, and felling a Nidhogg that swept into the area. Auriel Connoly has been chosen to lead."
"BBIG (Big)...I do apologize, we had trouble forming a name for you all, managed to literally stumble upon their card in the deep caverns of the Forever Falls, showing great strength and coordination in eliminating a Gastrodon, a rather powerful Midas Classification Grimm, avoiding any serious injury, before retrieving the cards of the Jack of Diamonds from its final resting place. Beliya Karsakov has been chosen to lead your team."
”Team CMLT (Camelot)...I do believe it is worth noting that your team was rather...odd, honestly, Ms. Goodwitch and I had expected a much different turn of events from what you experienced...I still don’t know how a datura could get that big solely on mountain vegitation. Regardless, your two pairs managed to acquire two pairs of the Queen of Hearts hidden in different locales, and, impressively, found each other. Choosing a leader was difficult, but we’ve decided that Cynthia Dea shall lead. Oh, yes, that’s right…” As he was finishing, Ozpin reached into his pocket, drawing out a zip-locked bag of what looked like powdered chalk. “Ms. Kunrai. You seem to have misplaced your rock...take care not to do so again..”
”Team PHGM (Pilgrim), I must congratulate you all on felling the Nemean within the cave northeast of Forever Fall, and reclaiming the Jack of Spades cards. It was no contest of who would be the one to lead, for showing great leadership abilities, we’ve chosen Pan Neverell for your leader.”
Ozpin took a pause as the teams finished being announced, before he tapped his cane on the floor of the stage once. ”You have all performed well in coming this far, but this is merely the first step of the miles ahead of you. For now, rest and take joy in your victory. For the next four years, the people beside you will be your allies, friends, and your peers. Take some time to get to know them, for your lessons begin tomorrow. Dismissed.”
At that note, the crowded audience thinned as students returned to their daily lives, and the teachers simply returned to their classrooms. Ozpin, as he does, simply faded into the crowd, leaving the teams to their own devices for the time being.