Fuck it, let's just nickname these as "Prologue"
Ozpin stood alone in his office. Gears moved on the ceiling, though this was nothing but background noise to the retired Huntsman. He stared outside the large, transparent windows, deep in thought. Who was responsible? What was their motive? Why his students? Students… A new thought derailed the previous train. Student.
He turned back and walked towards his desk, resting his cane on the left hand side of the table and sitting down on his beloved chair.
He couldn't help but admit to himself that he was a little anxious to meet his guest- one of his former students- nonetheless, he maintained the calm, stoic mask that he was known for.
A ding broke the silence as the elevator doors slid open.
A boy clad in blak walked into the room as the Headmaster silently observed him. The boy had black messy hair, pale skin that wouldn't be considered healthy or even normal, and deep, dark red eyes accompanied by an emotionless face. The boy's features and expression made him look quite intimidating. For regular people and students.
"Killian." Ozpin lightly nodded as he greeted. He gestured to the chair across from him. "You may take a seat."
"Professor Ozpin," Killian replied as he sat down, his tone painted with respect towards the elder man. "it's been a while." He said, breaking his expressionless face with a genuine smile.
"It has been, unfortunately." Ozpin smiled back as he shook his head, putting his hands together, fingers locking between each other. Pushing the previous events involving Killian in the back of his mind.
"The Vytal Festival Tournament is going to be hosted here? That must be quite the honor."
"It's not the first time we've hosted it."
"First time with me here."
"Speaking of which," Ozpin said, smile disappearing and forming into a more serious expression. "Why are you here?" He continued.
Killian's smile flattened back to an emotionless frown. "From where I've been dwelling, rumors spread fast. Most of them uninteresting, some are, but people are just to lazy to try and confirm them." Killian stated.
"And those… interesting rumors are?"
"Just one, actually. It piqued my interest and… something else in my mind."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "And that rumor is?"
"Huntresses in training at Beacon go missing, no trace or lead has been found about how or who or why."
Ozpin's face formed into a subtle grimace as he lowered his hands and leaned back onto his chair. He breathed deeply and exhaled like a Boarbatusk preparing to charge it's enemy.
"I take it that it's true, then?"
"I'm afraid it is."
"Then let me help."
Ozpin's grimace broke into a restrained surprise. Killian was always one to volunteer for something, no matter what dangers he would face. The boy considered it as further and more effective training, but he had been in the dark for a while after his team's final mission. Why come out of hiding to simply help with an investigation?
"Help?"
"You're- excuse me, old. But you're not deaf."
"Why would you want to come out of hiding to lend a hand in this… situation."
"I don't see it as just a "situation", it looks more like a crisis. You're missing students between the Breach and the tournament, you think it's just a situation where the other schools' Headmasters won't ever entrust their students to your hands when you suddenly lose some of your own and have no success at all in finding them?" Killian said.
"The… crisis, is not yet publicized to avoid any negative press and to prevent the Tournament from being held back. I am aware of what people would think when they find out this-"
"That's why I want to help. It's not just the image of Beacon or the tournament at risk here, it's the-"
"Students."
"Risk is an understatement- The students are in danger."
"Still, Mr. Atramors." Ozpin said, leaning forward and resting his arms on his desk. "You have yet to answer my question. Why do you wish to help?"
"Because…" The boy seemed to be lost. His shoulders lowered with his head as he seemed to be looking for a reason. "I think this may have something to do with me, even if it doesn't, I'm not just going to watch events unfold something horrifying."
Ozpin's lips curled into a dull smile as he looked at the younger man's eyes. He wasn't lying, there was no other motivation.
Ozpin leaned back in his chair. "How do you plan on helping us with the investigation?"
"I'm doing it alone."
"Pardon?"
"I don't plan on "lending a hand", I'll solve this by myself. I'd prefer working alone and not getting anyone in trouble." Killian said, determination evident in his voice. "I hope you respect my decision."
"Very well, then." Ozpin didn't entirely trust the Killian due to unsettled matters, but something in his mind told him that he should have a degree of trust on the boy. Though, if things go south, he would be there to do his best to correct it.
"Before I come up with my first move, I need to know what happened."
Ozpin activated the single, wide screen on his desk. Multiple small portraits of students overlaid the turquoise background.
"Geez…" Killian commented as he saw the many pictures of the missing students. He seemed to stop at one picture and stared at the blonde with lilac eyes. The boy eyed the girl for a moment before moving on with the others.
"On a Sunday morning, Yang Xiao Long and her partner, Blake Belladonna" Killian's eyes seemed to narrow in either suspicion or interest when he heard the latter's name. Ozpin didn't take note of this and simply continued. "went to the city of Vale. After a few hours, the rest of their team had gotten worried as their scrolls could not be traced or contacted. Their leader and Yang's younger sister, Ruby Rose and her partner, Weiss Schnee, were accompanied by their friends, Team JNPR, CFVY and other teams in their search for the missing girls, but Ruby, and other Huntresses in training that were involved in the search had also disappeared."
"And their scrolls?"
"Untraceable."
It was never said or shown, but Ozpin was always fascinated to see how his students worked. How they fought Grimm, how they acted and how their minds reacted. Killian was no exception, well, technically. He was an excellent student and admittedly, a dangerous fighter, he turned the heads of Bartholomew, Peter, and surprisingly, Qrow and Glynda, who are not easy people to impress. The only problem is, why did Killian leave?
"Were there any Huntsmen in training present during the search? Were Yatsu-" Killian closed his eyes briefly to remember. "...whatever and Fox there?"
"Yes, along with Jaune Arc and Lie Ren and a few others."
"Few? So most of them were girls?"
"The female students were worried about their own suddenly going missing in daylight. I'm guessing that must've assumed… that something would be done to them if it was a kidnapping."
"... Are there classes ongoing?" Killian asked, done plotting.
"Yes."
"Can you call all of the students who didn't go missing and tell them to meet me after school hours?"
"What are you planning?"
"Ask questions."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow in suspicion. His method of asking had always been in the form of...
"Okay, I might interrogate them if they're uncooperative."
"I'll tell them that there's nothing to worry about." Not even Ozpin could tell if that was a lie or not. Killian was easy to agitate due to some students bullying him during his times as a student.
"It's still quite early, so I'll head to where the scrolls were last on and question anyone nearby. I'm also talking to someone who may have a lead."
"Very well."
Killian turned around, his tattered coattails swaying as he did. He walked to the elevator and summoned the metal box. Before he entered, Killian turned back to Ozpin with nothing but sadness in his eyes. "How are they?" He asked, voice filled with concern and melancholy.
"Your partner returned to Atlas to continue her services to the Schnee family. She had decided to bring your leader and her partner with them so that Adranus may be kept in more capable hands." Ozpin replied, wearing an uncharacteristic frown.
"... " Killian lowered his head to the side, before entering the elevator as the doors closed upon his entry.
Ozpin closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He was sure Killian could provide a hand, but he was unsure if the boy would be a problem himself because of his affairs. Ozpin could only hope that whatever it is would not put him or anyone else in any danger. 14 of his students were enough.
"I hope that there's more reason for your return, Mr. Atramors."
That was just a test of something I wanted to write. It's an old draft that me and editor never really finished with, but I tried to polish some spots that I didn't like, but I was barely giving any effort.
I plan on continuing this if anyone likes it or follows it or just plain supports it, but the writing will definitely be improved upon to make the story development better. This is just a prologue that introduces you to the main plot of the story and one of the story leads- Killian Atramors.
Yes, he is an OC and may seem like any typical one. Bad background, good semblance and of course, black hair. But he's definitely balanced and I've worked on him with my editor, we didn't hesitate to shit on Killian to make him better, that's for sure.