Atlas Initiation Arc

## Summary

### Falling Out of a Moving Airship

The arc begins within an Atlesian airship, currently poised above a massive abandoned mineshaft. James Ironwood speaks to a group of future Atlas Students, welcoming them to their initiation. He explains that their task will be to retrieve a relic located within the mineshaft and make it out safely. He also explains that the students will be grouped into partners, and later teams of four, based on the first person they make eye contact with during the initiation, before leaving the room.

The students are confused as to how the initiation will begin. In particular, Languid Lavender asks a bewildered Purpura Lila about where he even is. All of a sudden, the floor opens beneath the students and drops them from the airship.

The students each use their own landing strategies to reach the ground. Purpura uses her semblance as a slide to safely reach the ground. Languid assumes he is simply dreaming, and thus crashes through a large tree which breaks his fall. Phlox Forp uses his semblance to manipulate his gravity and land safely, whilst remarking about how the fall reminded him of the time he fell out of a moving airship. Raco Misko-Ozhaawashkwaa imbues life into a bird statue with his semblance, which in turn begins to slowly carry him to the ground with great effort.

Back within the Atlesian command ship, Ironwood watches the initiation through a series of monitors. He is soon joined by Clover Ebi, who remarks that the future generation of Ace Ops may be among this bunch of new students. The two observe the initiation and Ironwood comments that one of the students in particular is about to encounter a creature of Grimm.

### Partners Are Formed

Purpura searches for a way down the mineshaft, but has no luck. As she's searching the outskirts she comes upon a lone tree and at the base of the tree, Languid. She is angered, realizing that the two are now partners. She goes on about her misfortune, while Languid awakes nearby. Languid expresses confusion at his surroundings, and Purpura is further saddened at the reveal that he's poor. Eventually, she accepts her fate and the two exchange names, before heading towards the mineshaft.

Raco is promptly knocked out of the sky by a Teryx, his bird destroyed. He uses the situation to hitch a ride on the beast, stabbing into its back with his spear and steering it towards the mineshaft.

Phlox, after landing, simply jumps directly into the mineshaft. He uses his semblance to slow his fall once more. Upon reaching solid ground, he discovers a cave system and begins exploring. Within this cave he is attacked by a pair of centinels, but fends them off without too much issue. Sadly, he is immediately set upon by a horde of centinels. He escapes the cavern and runs directly into Raco, who states that he can take on the Grimm with ease. The two battle against the horde, but are quickly overwhelmed.

The duo are saved by the arrival of Jade Acht and Azul Tyrell. They help even the odds and with the help of the two students, Phlox and Raco manage to eliminate all of the Grimm. Jade is cold and commanding, quickly organizing their group to proceed further into the mineshaft. Raco argues against her orders and the two bicker, but Azul manages to break things up by giving each of them their own roles in the group with no clear leader. This satisfies the two and they begin to traverse down into the mineshaft.

Pupura and Languid have no luck finding a way down. Whilst investigating, Languid accidentally steps on a loose piece of rock. He begins to tumble into the mineshaft with Purpura refusing to help him, but he ends up dragging her down as well. He saves himself and Purpura by hooking his lamp around a rock, halting their fall and allowing them to drop down to an outcrop. They proceed further into the mine by travelling down a narrow ledge with Languid in the lead.

Along their journey, the two discuss what the relics could be with Languid wondering if it is a lamp. In the midst of this the two are attacked by an Apathy, of which Purpura quickly disposes of using her bow and arrow. The two then resolve to proceed at a safer pace.

As they continue, Purpura and Languid happen upon a crevice, which they use to take a short rest at the behest of Purpura. Languid chooses to explore further into the crevice, and encounters a Manticore. The two prepare to battle it, but Languid decides to use the flashbang function of his weapon, blinding both the Grimm and Purpura. Believing it to have damaged the beast, Languid continues using the weapon, much to Purpura's anger. She eventually tackles him to the ground and defeats the manticore with a well placed shot, before unleashing a tirade of death threats upon her partner.

The two continue up the ledge with Purpura's hatred for Languid being stronger than ever before. He attempts to push back against her, claiming that she simply makes empty threats. Purpura responds by dangling him over the side of the mineshaft, threatening his life. The two proceed on their way, but are soon interrupted by powerful vibrations. The source of the vibrations is soon revealed to be a massive worm Grimm, covered in sulfur fish. The duo runs, bolting down towards the bottom of the mineshaft as quickly as possible. The Grimm pursues them, staying hot on their heels. Eventually they realize that they must take a leap of faith into the depths of the mine, and jump into the darkness below.

### The Bottom of the Mineshaft

Phlox, Raco, Jade and Azul continue to make their way down into the depths of the mineshaft, dispatching Grimm on their way. Jade and Raco bicker, but they are drowned out by Phlox who explains the story of how he fell out of a moving airship. Soon, the group reach the bottom of the mineshaft. The darkness is so thick that Azul must use fire dust bullets to light the way forward.

The fire dust bullets soon reveal an abandoned mineshaft facility, which the group enters. They find the relics to be dust crystals, all encased within hard light containers. As they explore, they begin to feel the vibrations caused by the worm Grimm. Jade panics, revealing it to be a Grimm known as The Eater of Worlds.

As they discuss what course of action to take, two new students arrive at the mining facility, Prismo Quartz and Azure Midnight. The group makes introductions, with Azure being rather difficult and insulting Phlox due to his faunus heritage. Jade continues to panic despite Azul and even Raco's attempts to reassure her.

## Characters

In order of appearance

* James Ironwood (First Appearance)
* Languid Lavender (First Appearance)
* Purpura Lila (First Appearance)
* Phlox Forp (First Appearance)
* Raco Misko-Ohzaawashkwaa (First Appearance)
* Clover Ebi (First Appearance)
* Azul Tyrell (First Appearance)
* Jade Acht (First Appearance)
* Azure Midnight (First Appearance)
* Prismo Quartz (First Appearance)
* Aquamarine Celeste (First Appearance)
* Ulysses Hayes (First Appearance)
* Rosso Pal (First Appearance)
* Pearl Rain (First Appearance)

## Chapters

* Chapter 1: Falling Towards The Sky
* Chapter 2: First Encounter
* Chapter 3: Cavernous Combat
* Chapter 4: The Greatest Team
* Chapter 5: Ruins And Relics
* Chapter 6: A Very Purple Day, Part 1
* Chapter 7: A Very Purple Day, Part 2
* Chapter 8: A Very Purple Day, Part 3
* Chapter 9: A Very Purple Day, Part 4
* Chapter 10: A Very Purple Day, Part 5