Author's Notes: See? I told you it'd be here.
Good evening ladies and gents, Vex here with the first chapter of a whole new story! Kinda...
Now before anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about gets confused, this story is the prequel to my very-recently finished one, Pyrrha And The Idiot. Don't worry, you don't have to read that one first in order to get what's going on here, this is its own story that's meant to shed some light on things hinted at and mentioned in that story. I'll try to keep this story shorter than the last seeing as this is supposed to just build up the world a bit more, as well as certain characters, in preparation for the sequel.
I really wanted to get this story started before Volume 2 started because I'm worried that if any of the characters I'm exploring here (or their equivalents) are in the show, my idea will be warped by the vastly superior canon versions. So, I'm throwing this out there before that can happen.
So I'm not going to ramble on anymore and I'll just let you meet the new characters.
I hope you enjoy the beginning of this new story!
- Vex
Qrossing Field - Mission One: New time, Same Place
Remnant. A world divided in four kingdoms since ancient times. First was the progressive Vale; to the north were the beautiful icelands of Atlas; in the west lay the wild backlands of Vecchia where every day was a struggle to survive; finally to the east was Mistral, a land steeped in rich history and tradition.
There was once a time when the greatest threat to humanity was each other. A great war broke out that threatened to tear the world asunder – a war from which a greater predator to humanity than even each other was born: the creatures of Grimm. What man had begun, these monsters intended to finish, spreading like a plague across the world and pushing humanity to the brink of extinction.
It was then that in Atlas, where the frozen tundra meant that naught but the most powerful Grimm could roam, humanity came upon the key to their salvation – a source of energy that became the weapon they needed to bring light to the darkness. Dust.
With this, humanity was able to re-establish themselves in the world, rebuilding society as it is today. The legacy of the brave, innovative warriors who pushed back the hordes was inherited by those who now bear the title of Huntsmen and Huntresses. At present, there are four official establishments dedicated to the training of these modern-day keepers of the peace: Sanctum in Mistral, Harmonia in Vecchia, Crystel in Atlas and Beacon in Vale.
The height of prestige, students accepted into any of these four training centers were the best of the best - or that was the thought anyway.
With a sharp flick the riding crop slapped the desk. ''Are you listening to me Xiao Long?''
The sudden crack jolted the young man from his daze, every sense he had leaping to attention. ''Sorry Professor, but it's just so boring!''
The man shook his head with a sigh. ''At least what you lack in attention you make up for in honesty.''
''Yup, and isn't that really what counts in a person?''
''Be that as it may, there's a difference to good qualities in a person and good qualities in a student, and I must say that you are one of the worst I have ever had the misfortune to teach. That is why-''
''-and that's why I'm in remedial lessons,'' the student said, finishing off his teacher's overused monologue. There are only so many times you can listen to the same crappy song before you find yourself singing along.
''Exactly.'' Despite his notorious reputation as a student, the elder of the Xiao Long twins had somehow managed to win over his instructors through sheer likability – which wasn't always a good thing. ''Listen Qrow, I'll admit you are good at what you do - very good even. But there is more to being a Huntsman than brute strength. You have to understand the world, its people.''
''We train to hunt monsters though; all the other stuff shouldn't matter!'' It was a belief that he had always had, ever since hearing tales of those who fought on behalf of humanity as a child.
His instructor grew a small, understanding smile. ''You've been spouting that same ideology for the past two years now. But you're a third-year now, and it's about time you started opening your mind to what you're told. We are here to groom you into the best you can be and while your combat record is astounding, you barely scrape by on your other grades.''
Leaning back in his seat, the nineteen year old considered possible retorts before bouncing back with, ''But I'm not failing any of them, am I?'' a cheeky grin across his face, already knowing the answer.
Grudgingly, the man was forced to tell the teen exactly what he wanted to hear. ''No, you're not.''
''In which case,'' Qrow started, standing and reaching his arms above his head, stretching out the weariness of world history, ''I'll just continue to pass with the least amount of effort. It's been fun, teach, see you next lecture.'' With a quick playful salute, Qrow bolted from the room to the sound of half-hearted scolding. He ran through the halls with his trademark black cape billowing behind him over his Beacon uniform, passing quick greetings to the fellow students he passed, flashing a smile to the ones he thought were cute.
Beacon campus tore past him in a blur and before long he found himself back in the dormitory, taking the stairs two steps at a time in his hurry to reach his room and shed his uniform. It was a Saturday morning and he had better things to be doing than going to remedial lessons that he didn't even need – at least in his mind.
''For the last time, no!''
Qrow peered around the corner at the sound of the yell, looking down the corridor to where two people stood.
''Come on, please? It's not like you've got a date for winter prom yet, do you?''
The two people shared a similar small stature compared to his own, which Qrow liked to describe as being an 'ambitious medium'. The female wore a red cloak similar to his own, grey fur trimming lining the hood. She stood with her arms folded, long dark bangs reaching down to brush her shoulders, as she faced down the boy before her.
''No, I don't, because it's stupid and I wouldn't waste my evening at some pretentious dance, twirling about like all the other idiotic girls in their frilly dresses. Least of all would I ever go with someone like you; so, for the last time, get lost!'' The fury in her voice was the result of endless weeks of dogged pestering from the hopeless fool who never seemed to learn.
''You sure?''
''Yes! Read my lips: for-get-it!'' She pointed to her mouth as she enunciated the three syllables with a firm tone, screaming that the conversation was over.
''Positive?''
At least for most people.
Something between a growl and a cry rose from the girl, frustrated beyond all belief at the persistence of her admirer. It was at this point that Qrow let his presence be known, creeping up behind the boy. ''You are impossible! Bro, help me out here, please,'' she said, eager to have her issues dealt with one way or another.
Not missing a beat, Qrow slung his arm over the boy's shoulders, catching him in a headlock. ''Alright Rosey-boy, that's enough. If the lady wants to go out with you she'll come to you okay? Good? Good,'' he said, not letting his captive get a word in edgeways. Then, applying the slightest bit of pressure to his hold, he leaned in to the boy's ear and whispered, ''And if I see you bothering my sister again, I'm gonna break your neck, understood?'' Qrow could smell the fear leaking from his captive as he nodded.
''Alright, that's great. Glad we got that sorted out, have a good one, man,'' Qrow said in a jovial tone, giving him a hard slap on the back in his not-so-subtle order to leave immediately. As the boy stumbled away, the girl turned to Qrow, giving her hair a flick, the red tint to her hair flashing in the light. Qrow always lamented his bad luck in the hair gene department that caused him to lose out on the cool red streaks that could have run against his raven hair.
''You have such a way with words.''
''Hey, you wanted him gone – he's gone.''
''Whatever,'' she muttered, rolling her eyes.
''See, the problem with you, Sis, is that you can't just come out and say it,'' Qrow explained with a flourish of his hands.
Mimicking her brother's movement, Summer Xiao Long returned with, ''And the problem with you is that you say it all,'' before turning and starting to walk away, Qrow falling into step beside her. ''So where were you all morning?''
''I had to go to Goodwitch's remedial history lesson, remember?''
''Oh yeah,'' she murmured, recalling the conversation they had the night before in which he babbled and she read. ''Hang on, what're you doing here then?''
''Not doing history.''
Red and black had never gone as well together as they did. The twins were inseparable; ever since childhood they had gone through life laughing at everything – including each other – and fighting anything that proved to be a nuisance – sometimes each other. There were a lot of fights suffice to say, but when it counted they were always there to back each other up. Heads and tails; Summer preferred to maintain a stoic approach to public life, opening up only to her friends, whereas Qrow had no such qualms.
It took someone very special to remain sane when on their team.
The door to their dorm swung open with a bang as they made their grand entrance, an applause coming in the form of obnoxious snores from the only occupied bed in the room. ''Is he still asleep?'' Qrow asked, dropping onto his bed, hands pulling off the red tie of his uniform.
Summer held up a single finger and approached the snoring form. 'This is gonna be good,' Qrow thought, wishing had some popcorn as he wrestled off a shoe, too lazy to untie the laces first before turning his attention to the shirt that he couldn't be rid of quick enough.
Looming over the blanketed figure, Summer spied her prey with mouth-watering excitement, and slipped her fingers under the form to have good leverage. ''Up you get!'' she announced, flipping the person off his mattress and onto the floor, his blanket falling down with him. After the thump, she awaited a head popping up from beyond the cliff on the other side of the bed. Instead, all she received after a momentary silence were more snores.
Such a response was unacceptable, especially with her brother watching, so she strode around the foot of the bed and took much more direct measures, jabbing the still-sleeping body with the toe of her boot. ''Hey, wake up. Hey, wake up! Wake up, lazy! GET UP! NOW!'' The force behind her foot increased as rapidly as her volume to the point that when she was yelling it was little more than a beating, a bullish attempt to steal someone's lunch money – only without wanting the money.
When you're told by Summer to get up, you get up fast, else suffer a broken rib.
''Ow! Hey, Summer - ouch! – I'm up! Stop!'' Her partner flailed his arms in futile attempts to bat away the assaulting feet, pounding away at him in quick succession. From his position, all Qrow could see was Summer kicking and the occasional limb fly above the horizon line of the bed, before immediately disappearing again. Was he laughing his ass off? Of course.
A mess of wild grey hair popped up into view, sat atop a panicked face that had no idea what was happening. Managing to steal a breath between the laughter, Qrow said, ''Morning Octavius, enjoy your lay in, did you?''
''Well I was…'' Octavius Ozpin groaned. Laziness is a trait that many people succumb to for whatever reason, but the third member of Team QROS was something far greater – a true emulation of a sloth, bound in human form. Summer tore open the curtains that had shielded the poor boy's slumber from the light of the outside world – and possibly one of the few sunny days they had left before the gloom of winter set in – eliciting a moan from her torture victim, who scrambled to reach for his thick sunglasses.
''Goodwitch was asking where you were. Unlike me, you actually need to go to those extra lessons.''
Looking towards Qrow through the dark tint of glasses that repelled the very notion of light, he groaned once again. ''Yippie for me…'' he muttered, his monotone voice still trying to crawl back under the bed sheets from the sound of it.
''You're as bad as each other,'' Summer scolded, placing her hands on her hips.
''Chill out, Sis,'' Qrow replied, pulling his head through a more comfortable shirt. ''Since when did you become our moral compass?''
''Since you two can't be bothered to organize yourselves, that's when!''
A humming noise came from the corner of the room. ''It's at times like this I wonder why you're not team leader and Qrow is…'' Ozpin mused aloud.
Summer nodded, a faux-thoughtful expression crossing her face. ''It's troubling to know our school's administration is so flawed…''
''Hey now, guys, that's harsh!'' Qrow whined as the others shared a chuckle. ''Oh, forget you two,'' he said, waving a hand through the air, brushing the mockery aside. ''Where's Reiner? He wouldn't disrespect me this way.''
''You sure about that?'' Ozpin shot, then ducking to avoid the shoe flying at him.
''He said he had to go take a call.''
''Bless you, dear sister, for a reasonable answer!'' he cried, leaping up having now changed into more acceptable attire by his standards: solid black boots and a pair of navy blue jeans, a jacket of black leather and, of course, his cape – black.
''I love the colour scheme,'' his sister judged drily.
A crisp autumn breeze passed by, making the short braid of pure white flow freely for a few brief moments before a firm hand grasped it, setting it back in perfect line with its owner's spine.
''And you're sure of this?''
''Yes, Sir, those were your father's exact words.''
Pulling his eyes away from the Scroll in his hands, the young man surveyed the sprawling spires that spread across campus, the cliffs that surrounded the academy and the blue waters beneath. From his position he could see as far as the Emerald forest, spreading deeper inland, away from the coast.
''Very well, tell my father I would be honoured to represent the company in this matter.''
''Very good Sir, farewell.'' With that, the screen in his hands went dark, the communication ended and he slid the Scroll shut, returning it to his belt alongside a variable array of flasks and pouches that he kept hidden under a pristine white waistcoat. Just as Reiner Schnee thought he could finally enjoy a few minutes of peace, he heard it - the oncoming storm.
''Let me at least get dressed first!''
''No time for that, come on, we're literally there!''
The single door to the building's rooftop swung open with a bang as it crashed against the wall. A pair of running feet later and Reiner found a friendly arm slung over his shoulders. ''Hey there, Reiner, my buddy, my pal, my partner! You think I'm a good leader, don't you?''
Reiner simply pried the arm from his person and turned to his team mates, ignoring the idiocy of his partner. ''How would you all like to go on a trip to Mistral?''
''Huh?''
''What?''
''Excuse me?''
Reiner sighed. ''I said, do you want to go to Mistral?''
''Where's this coming from?'' Summer asked, curious as to the random question. It was rare to be asked to lunch by Reiner Schnee, let alone to another kingdom.
''My father has asked me to attend a function on behalf of our company and I have accepted, thus I am extending the invitation to you three also.''
''What, you mean, like, during winter vacation?''
Turning to Qrow, Reiner responded, ''No, the event is this following Wednesday, as such, we will have to be excused from classes.'' In the blink of an eye the person before him disappeared. ''Qrow?'' The three looked around for their vanished leader when the door slammed yet again followed by a heavy thump and the sound of panting.
''I'm ready to go!'' Qrow called between pants, leaning against a suitcase that was loaded to bursting point.
''How did you...''
''Don't ask,'' Summer interrupted, keeping Octavius from asking a question for which there was no possible logical explanation.
A cool smile spread across Reiner's face. ''Excellent.''
The frosty breeze that passed over them went unnoticed.
Next time, Mission Two: Dresses And Dances