Violet Rose

AN: New Story! This one is going to be a bit different. It's in first person the whole time. You'll see younger versions of some key characters. It's an in-between-quel for STRQ: Tales of the Old Huntsmen. This should be fun.

Chapter 1: Scattered Legend

I was five years old when my life truly began. It was a humid summer day in my home on Patch. I don't know what I was doing. I must have been playing with my doll or something. I didn't know what was going on. My father was talking to some man with white hair about something. Then my dad got really mad and threw him out of the house. I know all about this now but, for the sake of storytelling, I'll talk chronologically.

My dad told me once, that my mom named me Violet after her favorite flower. All flowers have meaning and a violet has something to do with love and modesty. I guess she named me well. A violet rose means enchantment, or some kind of affection. Though, the only thing I was enchanted with back then was the concept of aura.

I had heard so many stories about my parents. They were heroes, heroes of the greatest generation Remnant had ever seen. You see, I was a child born in the aftermath of the Great War. Although, I was born several years later. My parents apparently wanted to wait until they were all settled from the rebuilding period before they had a kid.

I was there one and only daughter and they were my only parents. Or, I guess…on that day, it was just parent. To this day I don't know how she died. She was supposed to be invincible. She was a legend, someone who was touted as one of the most powerful people on Remnant. How could she die?

I didn't really know how to comprehend what was going on. I guess I still don't. It must have been hard on my dad. They had been friends since they were very young. I can't imagine what…I hope I never have to know what that flavor of pain tastes like.

So, there I was, standing in the cemetery. I was probably crying my eyes out. At least, in hindsight, I hope I was. Even though I know I probably wasn't. I was the kind of kid that just held everything in. It's probably why I felt miserable for so long. But more on that later.

I wasn't surprised at who showed up. Everyone on Patch came to the funeral. There were a lot of old soldiers and huntsmen that fought alongside her. I recognized some of them from visits. The white-haired man was there again. He kept eyeing me. Maybe it was because I looked so much like her, save for my dad's eyes. In fact, my dad and I were the only ones I knew who had silver eyes. I know why now, but back then…had I known I probably would have found it easier to believe. Kids are so much more imaginative than adults can ever be.

"Violet…" My dad clutched my hand. "Whatever you do, I will support you. But please, don't become a pawn." I didn't know what he meant by that. But his eyes were locked onto the white-haired man the whole time. Said man walked over to introduce himself.

"Raymond." He said.

"Ozpin." Dad answered.

"I'm…so sorry."

"I know you feel that way…but it doesn't change a thing." Dad retorted.

"And you must be Violet." Ozpin knelt towards me. He had such a kind face, but I didn't care. I was such a shy kid, still am to this day. So, I hid behind my dad's leg. "My name is Professor Ozpin. I'm the Headmaster of Beacon and therefore am in charge of all huntsmen affairs through Vale."

"Violet…manners." My dad said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I mumbled into his pant leg. Ozpin extended his hand and I quickly shook it before darting my hand back to my side. Then a blonde man stepped up.

"I can't imagine what you're going through." He said.

"Arthur…" Dad said. "You've lost plenty…more than you should ever have to."

"So have you." Arthur said as he put a hand on my dad's shoulder. "I know what happened…in the barn house just north of here." My dad's grip on my hand tightened ever so slightly.

"Then you know I'll keep moving past this." Raymond said. "Unlike that time…I have someone to take care of."

"Indeed." Arthur knelt as Ozpin walked away. "You make me feel old. You're barely older than my grandson." He pulled out his sword. "Your mother and father forged this sword for me. I owe my life to it every time I fight the monsters of Grimm. Weapons are an extension of ourselves. So in a way, your mother lives on in her axe." Arthur stood. Another figure walked up behind him.

"My condolences." He said as he crossed his arms.

"Allister…didn't expect you to be here." Dad said. "What brings you to Patch?"

"Same as so many others." Allister said. His long midnight hair blew in the gentle breeze. "Acacia Glens was one of the four." Allister laid eyes on me. Father pushed me further behind him.

"I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Ozpin." Dad threatened. "Acacia and I didn't want that particular burden on our daughter. She trained herself to think about anyone but her should the time come."

"Are you sure?" Allister asked. His gaze focused on me. His violet eyes ran shivers down my spine. My throat nearly leaped out my mouth as I pushed my face into my dad's leg.

"I've been looking for the signs." Dad said.

"Indeed." Allister said. "Well, young Violet, I look forward to seeing your progress." He walked away.

"Why so jumpy Raymond?" Mr. Branwen walked up.

"The funeral isn't even over yet all of these vultures are coming after my daughter." Dad put a hand on my head."

"I understand how you feel." Aunt Gardenia said.

"Well, Violet would be next in line to receive that power." Mr. Branwen said.

"Just…" Aunt Gardenia started getting mad. "Leave the poor kid alone. She just lost her mother! For Christ sake, she's five. Power or not, she's no one's business but Raymond's." She got in Mr. Branwen's face and he backed off.

"Daddy…" I mumbled. "What's everyone talking about?"

"Nothing you need to worry about honey." My dad said. "Go and…" He stopped and squeezed my hand. "Put a flower on mommy's grave."

"Ok." I said weakly. I stepped out from my father's leg and walked forward. Bashfully, I walked over to get a flower from Aunt Gardenia. I walked over to the marker. There was a woman in yellow robes standing at it. I didn't know who she was. I had never seen her before. But when I saw the Grimm mask strapped to her hip, my heart jumped. I got so scared by such a harmless thing…. well…it isn't exactly harmless…is it?

"You must be Violet." She said. I hid behind a small bush. "There's no need to be afraid. Your mother is…." She squeezed her eyes shut. "Was…my best friend. We grew up together and studied together."

"But I never seen you before." I argued.

"Well, you have now." She turned to face me. "My name is Amber Thurston." She walked over to me and stopped half way. She dropped to one knee and extended her hand out. "You have very pretty eyes…you know that?" She said.

"Uh-huh." I slowly started to feel more comfortable around her, and came out from my shelter.

"I also have a son who's about your age."

"Where is he?" I asked looking around.

"He's back home…in Vacuo." She said with a sigh.

"Oh." I had no idea where that was. I walked closer to her regardless.

"Violet…I knew your mother better than anyone, save for your father. One thing I know for sure…is that whatever happens…whatever you go through…she loved you more than she ever loved anyone in her life."

"I…" I blushed and started kicking the dirt. I never did respond too well to compliments. I feel like there's nothing to do with them except blush. "I know." I said shakily as I poked Amber's hand. Of course, Mom loved me. That was just about the only thing I knew about her…aside from her being some war hero.

"You look a lot like her. Your hair is lighter and you've got your father's eyes but other than that…you look a lot like her." Amber said. "Well…I saw all those people talking to you." I set the flower on the gravestone and sat down in a ball.

"Daddy doesn't like it when people bother me." I said.

"Am I bothering you?" Amber sat next to me. I thought for a minute.

"No." I said.

"Well, your father has good reason to." Amber said. "You are an heir to greatness Violet Rose. The daughter of Spring and the last of the First Hunters."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know the story of the Hunter and the Goddess of Spring?" I shook my head yes.

"I hunter, traveling out in the field spots a goddess. They fall in love and fight lots of monsters to save the world and create a safe place for everyone."

"That's the gist of it." Amber said. "Would you believe me if I said it was true?"

"It is!" My eyes got wide.

"In a sense. I believe the old legend is true. And that their descendants still reside in that paradise. I believe we are on that paradise and that, at the very least, your father is from that family. But even if it's not true…the story lived again through your parents. Your mother WAS a goddess of spring. And your father was the first huntsmen as we know the term today. That means, as their daughter, you have a lot to live up to."

"I do?" I said defeatedly.

"Whether you like it or not, there will be eyes on you for your entire life." Amber warned. "You and your father are the last of a once great clan. And your mother was indeed very powerful. That's the expectation people are going to have for you." She stood up. "Do try to live up to it."

"Are you leaving?" I asked.

"Yes…I must be going now. I too will be watching your progress. Your mother might have been the tender kindness of Spring…but I am the radiant power of Summer." With a wave of her hand, a black swirl appeared and she stepped through. I had never seen anything like it.

"Be weary." My father put a hand on my shoulder. "I trust her…but I don't trust those she associates with. So many people will try to harness whatever power you have. Our name alone, Rose, is enough to lure fowl beasts from their hiding places. I'll tell you about it when you are ready. But I want you to conceal it. If it is as I fear, than showing your limits, making one mistake, will set all the powers that be either against you, or for you. But those who claim to try to help you expand your horizons…people like Ozpin…they merely want to use you. Just like they used your mother."

"I don't understand…"

"You ill in time." Father said. "In the meantime…just try to be the best you can be."

"Alright." I took their words to heart. That was the first time I knew who I was to the world. I was the Rose. I couldn't afford to make a mistake otherwise I'd be taken from my dad too. So, I would do as he asked. I would become stronger, stronger to the point where none of my peers can even touch me. That was my destiny. Or so I thought. I thought that for so long.

AN: So, that was the first chapter. A lot of familiar faces if you've read STRQ: Tales of the Old Huntsmen. I had a lot of fun coming up with this character. There's nothing ambiguous about her for this story sense it's in first-person. There's a few scenes I am greatly looking forward to. Including next chapter. What do you think?