A/N: This originally was posted on LJ. It's still a WIP. If you want to see who the OCs are, you can view them at the link listed in my profile. If you don't like OCs then avoid my stories. I love them and I write them A LOT!

Chapter 1

Travis Cain paced on his porch while some men from neighboring ranches looked on. Even his son, Garrett, began to worry. His father never paced nervously; at least not this bad. On a few occasions - like when a calf was being born and it was breach - he was in the stable with the cow, taking an active part. But this; he had to wait outside while his wife, Isabelle, gave birth to their second child. Young Garrett was happy that he was going to be a big brother, but to what? Was he going to be a big brother to a girl or to a boy? He hoped it was the latter.

Travis stopped when Isabelle's moans and groans ceased; it was dreadfully quiet inside his home. Fear gripped the elder Cain and his hand immediately went for the door knob. Whether it was appropriate or not, he was going in to see what had happened. As he turned the knob, he heard it: faint at first, but then it grew in volume. A baby crying. The fear the elder Cain felt started to give way to joy. The door opened, nearly causing him to come crashing onto the floor of his own home.

The midwife looked on, in shock, at first, but that quickly dissipated. "Travis, Isabelle and the baby are doing just fine." She put her hands on his shoulders. "You have a son," she announced. Garrett nearly jumped for joy. The other men patted his back, congratulating the stunned man. He was a father, again, and he had another son. Overjoyed, he rushed into the house to see his wife, holding their new born-son.

"What ya gonna call 'im, Travis?" asked Bryce, a neighbor who lived closest to the Cains. He grew crops and he and Travis did a lot of trading, trying to help each other's family.

"Wyatt Joseph Cain," Travis responded as Isabelle handed him his son.

Garrett looked on. "I like that name."

Travis looked at his older son, "You gonna help us with him, right?"

"Yep, I'm gonna teach him everything I know."

"Oh my Ozma, we're in trouble," Bryce added with a smirk.

The following day as was the tradition in the O.Z., ranchers and farmers from nearby gathered at the Cain ranch to celebrate the newest addition to the Cain Clan. Travis slaughtered a bull and prepared it for eating; other farmers brought along the best of their crops for the great feast. After the dinner, a big bonfire was lit and the celebration continued on all evening. There was dancing, drinking, eating and more dancing, until the first sun rose in the horizon.

Travis held his son and gazed into his face. That's when he saw it. No actually more like felt it. His son, Wyatt, was destined for something great. Not that cattle ranching wasn't great - it was important - but this boy he held in his arms was going to play an important part in something. He just didn't know what it was and that was okay. It was something meant for Wyatt, and one day, he'd find himself on that path.

Six annuals passed and Wyatt was growing up fast. He was a quick learner and, even at his young age, was showing a sixth sense that not even Garrett had when the Cain men were on their hunting trips. Garrett would test Wyatt on the animal tracks they found in the woods and warned his younger brother which tracks not to follow.

At nine annuals, Wyatt went with his father to Central City. To a young boy who spent nearly all of his time on a ranch, seeing a city like this was special and awe inspiring. On one such trip, he met a police officer. Wyatt was immediately drawn to the shiny badge. His father, at one time, said that the police officers were called 'Tin Men', because of the badges they wore were shiny, like tin. Wyatt reached his hand to try and touch it, and the policeman bent down to let the young boy see the badge.

"Want to be a policeman one day, young man?"

Wyatt seemed to be completely hypnotized by the shiny star.

"Wyatt, answer the man," his father said sternly.

"Yes, yes I do."

Travis didn't really hear what the Tin Man was telling his son after he heard the answer. His memory brought up that day, long ago, when he held his son in his arms; the feeling about his son and his destiny. A 'Tin Man'? If his son was to be a Tin Man then there must be a reason. His son was still young and could easily change his mind, but he would support Wyatt in whatever he chose to do, even if it meant sending him to the Academy.

"Mom...Dad!"

Travis and Isabelle were tending to the horses when they heard the yell. They shot each other quick glances. It was Wyatt and he was back from Central City. "He sounds happy," Isabelle stated with a hint of a smile.

"Maybe…" Travis added with a hopeful tone.

"Mom…Dad!" Wyatt yelled again as he stopped his horse near the stable. He nearly jumped off, which caused his mother to give him a sharp look, but he was too excited to care. He ran toward them with the paper held in the air. "I did it!"

"You passed?" Travis asked.

"Yeah, well, the background and job preview. Now I can take the written test." His parents hugged him.

"Well done, son."

"I knew you could do it," his mother added. "We should celebrate. How 'bout an apple pie for dessert tonight?"

"Mom, this is just the first step. I still have a long way to go," Wyatt retorted with a huff.

"Well, how many applicants even got that far?"

"Not many."

"Okay then, we should celebrate that achievement."

Travis and Wyatt watched her as she headed for the house, both shaking their heads. "I wish she wouldn't do that. I still have to pass the written and physical tests to even be considered for the Academy. Then there's the Academy, itself. Not everyone who gets to go even finishes."

Travis put his arm over his son's shoulder. "Well, you know your mother; she likes to celebrate anything. She's just proud of you, Wyatt; just like I am."

"Thanks, Dad."

Garrett came into view. "The Academy must be desperate if they take runts like you." While Garrett and Wyatt were brothers, they had physical differences between them. Garrett took after his father while Wyatt took after his mother. Garrett's hair was curly, dark-brown and his eyes were blue. He stood a few inches shorter than Wyatt. Wyatt on the other hand, had blond hair and the lightest blue eyes anyone has ever seen.

"Be quiet," Wyatt retorted and then ran after his older brother.

"Boys, I don't want any broken bones!" Travis called out watching his two sons. Travis always knew when it was time to step between them before they went too far. His two sons got along great but as with any siblings - especially boys - their playing could turn into a bloody nose or a busted lip. His boys liked to test each other's limits and, most times, those tests turned physical.

Watching them, he often thought that they were preparing each other for whatever life had in store for them. At times, he would get a terrible feeling that would make him shudder; other times he would be near tears. He was no Viewer, but something bad was coming; he could feel it in his bones.

Wyatt did well on the written portion of the qualifying exams, much to the chagrin of some of the applicants. When Wyatt had entered the examination room, he looked out of place; out of time in fact. The other applicants shot cold stares at him with crinkled up noses. By the way he was dressed, they knew he was from the country and that meant that he was nothing but a dumb countrysider. Countrysiders were what the City people called the Ozians living out in the country.

"He'll probably get in just because he's a countrysider," one applicant mused condescendingly.

"Yeah, they'll probably bend the curve just to give him a chance," another retorted.

Wyatt ignored them and took a seat in the back. Interestingly enough, handling situations like this was on the essay portion. He was honest and concise in his answer.

The instructor had to admit that even he was surprised that Wyatt did so well. Not only in handling the situation with such calmness, but with integrity. 'This one is going to prove a lot of people wrong,' he thought, smiling as he scanned over Wyatt's paper.

Scoring high on the written test meant that Wyatt was scheduled to take the physical exam in a few weeks. He was pleased to see that he even outscored some of the applicants that ridiculed him based on his appearance. He knew that they would not want to be shown up again by a countrysider. The next test would not be easy, whether he was a countrysider or not.

The physical test was as grueling as he thought it would be. Applicants passed or failed and Wyatt was determined that he would not fail. He was tested on agility, upper body strength and endurance.

"The countrysider should do well on this; there isn't a lot of thinking involved. Not to mention having to chase all those cows," an applicant taunted Wyatt, trying to get him to respond, but he remained quiet. There was a time and a place and this was not the time, at least not yet.

"Look, just be quiet," another applicant spoke up.

"And who are you, his mother?"

"That's funny, very clever," the stranger said in a mocking tone.

Wyatt decided it was time, after all. "How about we settle this?" Wyatt's eyes narrowed sharply. The other man was a little shorter than Wyatt, but nearly the same build. He knew that that didn't mean much when it came to fighting ability. To avoid getting kicked out of the Academy before he even set foot in the place, he changed tactics.

"What do you have in mind?"

"We see who the best is during the test. Who ever scores the lowest, buys the other a cold cup of grog."

"Okay, a cold cup of grog it is." Ryan turned on his heels and sauntered off.

Wyatt turned to the applicant who had helped him out. "Much obliged for the help, but you didn't have to stick your neck out for me like that." He turned to motion toward Ryan. "I can handle those with small brains."

"I'm sure you can, but I didn't want you to think that all City dwellers were like that. I'm James Ardon, by the way, but you can call me Jimmy if you want. It's less formal that way." He put his hand out.

Wyatt took it and the two men shook hands. "Wyatt Cain."

Later that evening, Wyatt was enjoying his grog, which Ryan had to pay for. Even James had joined him for the special occasion. They talked about their lives and started to form a bond.

After passing the physical, Wyatt returned home. The only part he was waiting on now was the final results of his background check, which could take months. He was very honest in his final interview about his past. Now, it was time for family and his teachers to endure questions about him. He didn't know that being a policeman would involve his past, but it did make sense. Central City policemen were known to be the most loyal and honest men in all the O.Z. Only those with the right character earned the right to the wear the badge.

The first weekend at home, his father and brother headed out on a hunting trip to gather food for the week. They could easily get other meat from the farmers nearby, but Travis enjoyed these trips with his sons, especially now that it seemed one of them was going to be leaving.

Wyatt told them about his tests, Ryan and the new friend he made. Travis was proud of him and the way he handled Ryan, but Garrett said he would have just hauled off and punched him. Wyatt snorted and said that the look on Ryan's face when he found out that he had scored lower was as if he had been punched in the gut. That was satisfaction enough for Wyatt.

For the next couple of months, Wyatt helped around the ranch: fixing fences, digging new post holes, taking some of the herd to market - all the things that cattle ranchers did in the O.Z.

Isabelle came out onto the porch, holding a tray of cold drinks for her boys. She set them on the table and moved to the wooden railing that Wyatt had fixed earlier; a couple of boards were loose and just needed to be nailed down. Resting her hands on the top, she observed them. She was proud of them, especially her sons. They had grown up to be fine, young men and would make any woman in the O.Z. feel like a princess. Garrett had announced that he would have that opportunity soon; he had asked the girl he grew up with to marry him. It didn't surprise her at all that he had asked her. Even her father had said to him that it was about time.

She took out the paper from the pocket of her apron and stared at it. She didn't need to open it; she could visibly see the word i'Congratulations'/i on the note. Wyatt had passed and would be leaving soon for the Academy in Central City. She watched him, wondering how his life would be different living in the City. But, maybe she was worried more about him being a Tin Man. It was a dangerous job, but one she knew she couldn't keep him from doing. But that was Wyatt, always willing to be the protector, to put others ahead of himself. Yes, he would make a fine police officer.

On a cool winter evening, four days later, the Cains held a celebration. Their youngest son was leaving in two days for the Central City Police Academy. Once again, their neighbors joined them.

After the festivity, the Cains lay in bed. Isabelle regarded her husband: "They're leaving us, Travis."

"Hmmm," he responded, not really wanting to face up to the fact that his boys were grown and heading off to live their own lives. Garrett was getting married at the end of year and Wyatt was leaving for the City. "That's what children do," he responded solemnly, taking his wife's hand into his.

The Academy was located at the northwest end of Central City. It consisted of four buildings: one - the smallest of the four - was the Administration building which was located in the center. That is where Wyatt had to go first, to report. There, he would get his uniforms, books, binders, dorm assignment and class schedule. From there he'd report to the main building, the Nick Chopper Hall, named after the most famous policeman in the O.Z; that is where the classes would be held. It was situated behind the Administration building and was the largest of all. Off to the left of Chopper Hall was the dorm building. To the right of Chopper Hall, was the gymnasium. Behind Chopper Hall, was the firing range, exercise field with an obstacle course, driving course and a building to practice searches and other police tactics.

Wyatt had never seen anything like it; the tests he took were done at different locations. To say it wasn't intimidating to him was an understatement. He took in a deep breath, looked at his surroundings, and let it out slowly. 'I can do this,' he thought to himself as he mustered up his courage. He glanced at his paper and, before he knew it, his feet were moving and he was off to the Administration Building.

Once inside, a man in a dark blue uniform - with a medal and ribbons on the left side of his shirt with three stripes on the sides of both sleeves - took Wyatt's paper. He studied it then turned his hardened gaze to Wyatt. Once again, Wyatt stuck out like a sore thumb in his countrysider clothing. The man stood a good four inches taller and was nearly twice the size but it didn't faze Wyatt at all. He stood, making sure to maintain eye contact. The big sergeant let out a low growl, told Wyatt to leave his bag and then motioned in the direction that he needed to go.

Wyatt took back his paper and regarded the sergeant with one last look and headed off. "Who was that?" another sergeant asked.

"Wyatt Cain, a countrysider by the looks of him." Sergeant Davis turned to his friend, Sergeant Kersen.

"He scored high though, one of the top." He checked his clip board.

"That was just the entrance test. Let's see how he handles eight months."

"He'll probably end up at the top of this class."

"If he is, that won't say much for the class," Davis retorted.

Sergeant Kersen chuckled, "You wouldn't happen to be teaching the Cultural Differences class this time would you?"

"Pfft, not a chance." Sergeant Davis directed another cadet in the right direction.

Wyatt felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around quickly and saw James. He smiled and shook his hand, "Good to see you again, James."

"I saw how you stared down that big sergeant, not sure if that was brave of you or not."

"Well, I'll find out soon, won't I?"

"You're a country boy; you know that staring another male down means you're challenging him?"

"Yeah, well, maybe I was. But I wasn't going to be submissive either. I'll follow orders; do what I'm told here, but I won't be beaten down."

James patted him on his back. "You have one hell of an attitude, countrysider. C'mon, let's go sit down. It looks like not everyone is here yet, but your friend Ryan is."

Wyatt rolled his eyes. "I'm sure he wants to even up the score."

They found two seats toward the center of the room. The tables were set up with an aisle down the center: two men to a table, three tables on either side, in six rows. In all, there would be twenty-six men in this class. The walls were painted a light green with a large chalk-board in the front of the class; the words '56th Academy Class' scrawled across it. The men that were there were all conversing nervously, but Wyatt pushed his fear down. After a few moments, four more men had wandered into the room and found seats. Then the door closed behind the big sergeant, who caught sight of Wyatt and slightly smiled.

"Cadets!" he yelled out. "Attention!"

Like a bunch of frogs - on a lily pad that are about to get eaten - they all jumped to their feet. Wyatt showed no emotion; he was not about to let this man intimidate him. The sergeant looked around. "I would like to introduce you to the Academy Commander Chief Steven Elliot."

Chief Elliot was about Wyatt's height and weight. His dark hair had bits of grey in it and his uniform adorned with many medals - one looked like it was from the Queen herself. "Have a seat, gentlemen." He waited for all the new recruits to be seated before continuing. "I would like to welcome you to the Academy. All of you make up the 56th Academy class. During these eight months, you will be trained in all aspects of law enforcement. Before we continue, you will need to go through these doors, to my left where you will receive your clothing and then listen to the instructions given by Sergeant Davis."

The cadets were ushered into a large room, with tables lined up one side of the room, covered in clothing and boots. Next to the tables were two clothing racks one with dark blue pants and light blue shirts on the other. And, like the previous room, the walls were painted the same color green.

"Cadets, listen up. You will need to strip down to your undergarments. You will then be measured for your uniforms. Once you receive your uniform, you will put it on and move through the doors on your left," Sergeant Davis commanded.

It took some time, but all the men were measured and fitted in their cadet Academy uniforms. The patch on the sleeves bore the circular police badge, with the words Central City Academy within the circle and the policeman star in the center of the circle. They were also given their physical training clothes and a duffle bag to put their street clothes in. Once they were all gathered in the next room, they were all told to stand at attention and inspected. Here, they were told how to wear their uniform and when. After the uniform orientation was over, they were ushered into the next room. There, they would spend the rest of the day, finishing the orientation.

The first thing Wyatt noticed were the books sitting on the tables. He sat down and began reading the titles of the various books. Some were thicker than others and he wondered how they were going to fit all this into eight months, along with all the other training. He knew he would have weekends off and now he knew why: he's going to be doing a lot of studying.

The Academy Commander began to introduce the other officers. The last one introduced was a small man, but had the look and experience of someone you didn't want to cross paths with. His name was Lieutenant Kevin Holloway. He handed out the rules and regulations and began to go over each one and with great detail. He also included the consequences of breaking the rules, from having a deduction in over all grade to being expelled. It was becoming obvious that you did not want to be sent to his office.

Wyatt's head began to spin with all the information that was being thrown at him. There was a lot to take in in one day and, at times, a bit over-whelming. If he didn't know any better, he thought his head would explode. He could see it now: 'We're sorry Mr. and Mrs. Cain but your son died during orientation – his head exploded from an overload of information.' He took notes as fast as he could and would have to rely on his memory for the rest. That would be his first test during the academy: how well would his memory hold up?

When their orientation was over, they were given their class schedule and then the dorm assignments. Wyatt was relieved when he was paired with James. They headed to their rooms with their gear to settle in for the night. They were warned to get a good night's sleep, because starting with the rising of the first sun, they would start their physical training.