Chapter One:
Once Upon a Tale

The hues of the sky as those colors shine in the early morning, as if they were chosen from a masterful artist blanketed over the area of a coastal town in the continent of Sanus in the Kingdom of Vale. A small and quaint town at that, as its ports are little too few with ships from the other parts of the land of Remnant. Off to drop possible future prospects for a future in their goals of becoming a Hunter or Huntress. Some overconfident of their abilities, some not even sure if they belong at that step. And yet these young prospects made the mistake to choose to dock here rather than at the City of Vale itself. With helping that circumstance, some of the town offer their services to help these young ladies and gentlemen to their goal. A sight that always brings a smile to the towns people was that of a young and hopeful wanting directions to that place, to help their goals of becoming a Hunter or Huntress. Directions to the City of Vale, to hopefully find their way to that goal. To be able to find the academy of this region, that being Beacon Academy.

One of those people to help the young is an older woman who looks to be in her mid-fifties. Her blonde hair tied by a black bow. Wearing a white smock with black splotches from years of working on metal. She is the towns Blacksmith, and she is one of the most likeable people in this town. Her routine was to get up bright and early, just when the skies beautiful colors of reds, oranges, and blues are shown. She gets dressed in her uniform, and begins to leave her home from on top of her forge and shop, to waltz downstairs just so she can prep to open. A flick of the switch on the lights brighten up the insides of the display room. Her eyes look into the room only for them to lay upon something on one of the counter next to the cash register. Yet, this something was rather a someone. A disgruntled sigh came from her as she once again began to walk. Only to then shove this someone from off the counter, as a hard thump was heard as the body slumped onto the floor.

There was a chuckle from the woman as the voice of another groaned in agony. As her hand taps the counter. "Jeffery, come on now. You know better to do this and yet every day I catch you doing the same crap sleeping on here." She said in a stern voice. As the young man now staggers to stand. "Seriously. Not today you'll be slouching here. Now come on. Your equipment's ready."

That last statement puzzled the young man. "…W-What?" He murmurs out still not widely awake.

"Sweetie. You haven't forgot, already did you?" She said with a smirk as she stopped behind a chest. "My own boy forgot today was the day he will make his way to the Academy…" She sighed. "And I made him all his nice new gear."

As she opened this chest, there it lays treasure of any two-bit Hunter. Armor, a set of weapons, the works and all the fixes to almost make someone into a fable of legend. This made the bearably visible eyes of the other open wide in excitement and glee. It all but removed the sleepiness from him as he almost ran over to the chest as it suddenly closed on him by the foot of the other.

"Jeffery. We need to have a talk before you make this choice on life." The other said in a sigh. "…I know you want to join Beacon because you want to prove to the world even that your father's sins were for a justified reason. But I know that-"

"Mom." He interrupted. "I know. I know what you're going to say. We've done this song and dance before and I'm honestly tired of it…"

A smile grew on her features. "Then I won't let you wait any longer. You are one-half of my greatest joys in life after all…" And with that, she let her foot off the chest, and opened it once more. "Go on… The changing room does have your other clothes for it. Grab this and change already!"

After a few minutes, the door in the changing room Jeffery was in opened. He walked out and stopped to look in front of a mirror. There he looks at his new outfit. A black leather jacket, covering his armor from the inside. Shoulder pads poking out that are unnoticeable at first glance, being kept together by belts over his usual clothes. A new set of boots, with shin guards build into them. As he turned to see behind him, he sees two sheathes yet to claim a blade. This sight made him overjoyed and smile his brightest.

"Mom…!" He yelped out loud. "This is perfect! I love it!" He looks over to his side, only to see that the door to her workshop was opened. There was a clicking that he heard. He made his way inside to see her with two blades in her hands. The clicking coming from the weapon.

"…" She stayed silent. Testing something with the other blade. It looked like the other, but it seems to be on a different function than the other. She tries shooting at a target already set up. But nothing shot out of the small barrel it had exposed. She then took another look at it. Studying it. "…Well, the long range of the weapon seems to work but… I guess this was the same with Greg and John…" She thought aloud. "…Perfect for a fiery semblance." Just then, she turned around, seeing her son looking on. "Sweetie, come here for a second."

With no hesitation, he walked over as she gave him the blade from her hands after she cocked it to its original form. Just like the other one on the table behind them. The blades themselves have a unique look to them as the look to them just, look off. Above the hilt, a line followed through until the tip of the blade. It was pitch black. So pitch black you couldn't see what was inside it, let alone know it could change into a long-range weapon as well. As Jeffery held the blade, he then looked over at his mother.

"Just like the other two?" He said, a puzzled look beginning to show.

She nods, "Yes. You know how to do it."

He closed his eyes, the black part of the blade began to glow into a bright red color. Without any hesitation and with a flick of his wrist, the blade changed into its other form. The trigger pulled, a blast of fire shot out blasting the dummy and with the spray of the fire it bursts into flames. With another flick of his wrist, the weapon turned back into its original blade form. The smile on Jeffery's face only grew wider. Until he smelled smoke. The dummy was growing in flames as it was immediately showered by a thrown bucket of water from the hands of his mother.

"…Jeffery… Make sure you use that as a last resort…" She grunted in a huff.

Jeffery could only nervously chuckle and took the other half of the twin blades and slotted them in their sheathes, their new home. "T-That wasn't planned. Sorry…!"

She only gave a hardy laugh as she pulled him into a hug for what could be her final time to do so in the near future. He could only do the same back with the same mindset. After a few seconds they finally let go of each other. It was time for him to leave the nest. It was time for him to become what his father was, a Hunter.

"…It's your time now." She said as she patted his shoulder. "…Make me proud."

"Thank you… I'll write when I'm settled in."

With that she shoved a duffle bag, filled with other clothes inside. He wrapped the strap around his right shoulder and he took off for the door. And out onto the street of the port town. The fresh, crisp, and salty air never smelled so good to him as he began to stroll down the path ahead of him. The path that will lead him to the path of the others that came from long distances just to join Beacon Academy, just the same path he will be going on. He turns back to see his mother out of the forge who then waved to him goodbye. He waved back. Then runs out of the town. "Next stop, City of Vale..!" He shouted out loud, as he took off running into the direction of the city.

…

The sun begins to shine on the path that Jeffery is strolling down on, his smile matching the brightness of the morning sun as he now looks up from his eyes down on the dirt road to see a sight that will make him smile even brighter. "Over the hill and out onto the bay, The City of Vale is in your way!" He shouts in happiness. Finally, he arrived. But now that bright smile of his dimmed. He tossed the duffle bag to the side as he pulls out his Scroll. Closing it back up and hoisting the bag to his side once more. Turning the Scroll on, the marvelous piece of technology already booted up a navigation app sending him off to where he needs to go.

"Alright." He murmured to himself. "I guess it's sending me to the port. Ho boy, time to merge within the crowd…" With a click to shut off the Scroll, he took off once again took off down the path into the City. Only to sigh as he noticed something. He forgot Vale was another port town, rather it is the main port of the country. "…How did I forget again? The dang thing is sending me to the port anyways!" He sighs in defeat. "Oh well… Let's just see where we'll be going then shall we…?" The sudden realization hits him once more. "…Whom am I speaking to…?"

After a long talk to shut himself up he finally arrived at the port. Just in time as well as the port does seem a bit crowded at the moment. Mostly because of all the new, young faces around. Well, nothing to talk about here. As he pulls out his Scroll once more to check where it'll lead him. But, something caught his attention. Something that will not end well.

Just across the way, there is just one person intimidating another. It was painfully obvious why that was the case. On the other individual, there was just one detail that this other person had. Ears on the head, this other one is a Faunus. A creature that has a characteristic of an animal, either it be ears of an animal, or a tail of one. And it looks like the Faunus is getting chewed up verbally. If someone has to stop this before it gets bad, it might as well be him. Jeffery sighed. "Well.. Might as well get to know each other before we tie the knot for a few years…"

As he begins to walk at a snails pace, trying to snake his way through the crowd Jeffery could hear the conversation. The voices of the two can be heard albeit dulled out by the other sounds of separate conversations and meetings. Yet it was very clear what this situation was in plain sight. "It's sad that this still happens.." Jeffery thought as finally he is clear of the traffic ahead of him and the sight of a possible racial crime in progress.

There were two males in this public spat as the Faunus only stood his ground. His grey ears lowered a little at a time, after every insult the other person can verbally throw at him. The glare out of his bright yellow eyes tell a fable on how much they want to see the others crimson red blood on the sun-bleached wood of the deck of the port their feet stand on. The Faunus' fists clenching in anger, as the fabric tightened under his iron grip clenching to his weapon on his side just out of the others sight. Himself, he's dressed like a warrior. From his leather armor protecting his chest to the straps holding it up over his underlayers of clothing. Barefoot as he is, his feet were still tapped as only his toes were the only thing not covered. Only the dirt being kicked up beginning to dust over him.

"…I just think vermin like you should not even be at Beacon, let alone Vale." The other human began to spat out. His sharp blue eyes staring into the soul of the Faunus. His cocky attitude only is a blemish to his outfit. Nothing but a regal feel from his overextravagant bright hues of white and blues. His weapon in his sheathe just behind his back as its strap matches the hue it lay over this uniform. Spotless from head to toe other than his 'victim'. As another cloud of dirt was kicked up. A grin turning twisted as he kept up his assault on the other.

"Now now…" He began to speak out of this negative tone. "You see, I have advice for you if you do still wish to be my future classmate. That's just simple as the simple trash you are will get." His eyes closed as he turned his back to the Faunus he was intimidating. "As a classmate of Jannik Hellblau you will just be fine…" That grin he had turned into a death stare, peering into the Faunus' soul. "…Unless you get in my way."

With that threat, his had rose into the air, ready to strike the other down as the Faunus prepares to defend himself. Jeffery thinking the worse begins to run in before it was about to be more than a verbal digression. The outward backhand of Hellblau begins to swing down at its projected target until it was suddenly stopped by another's hand. But it wasn't that of Jeffery's that stopped the swing of the wild backhand.

It was the hand of a females. The colors of purple over this young lady's choice of dress. Although it would seem provocative of her to wear just a simple garb of a belly dancer, she had on a simple gown, small straps over her shoulders as small pieces of fabric cover her exposed arms. Her flat footwear now crunched upward as she was off her heals stopping the hand from making contact with the original victim. Her dark purple eyes glared at Jannik with the same anger that was shared with the Faunus.

"…Leave him." She grunted.

Shocked at this, Hellblau slowly retracted his hand back to his side. "…I'll let that little touch of our hands slide miss…" He grinned once more. "It felt as soft as the skin of a baby me… As my mother would say." He turned his back before exclaiming once more. "Just don't get in my way…" And like that he began to walk away, his confidence pultruding every step he took. Out of their sight, the better.

After that whole excitement was over, Jeffery finally made his way over to the two. As their attention turned to him. His confused look matched their look of anger as he had to break the ice.

"…Nice weather we're having, don't you like it…?" He spoke out of tone to his normal voice. At least hoping it will brighten the mood.

The other two, both began to smile as the tense moment passed and even chuckled at the antics of Jeffery. Safe to say the cold gloom Hellblau brought was melted by Jeffery's warm happiness.

"I agree." The female began speaking. "I think we can agree we needed a moment to remind ourselves we are still human…" She then turned to the other. "Hey, are you alright?"

The Faunus nods. "Yes, I will be quite alright. I thank you for stepping in when you did. Because it would had gone worse." He turns to Jeffery. "And, I should first thank you for finally bringing a smile to my features."

"Bah! It was nothing more than a simple question." Jeffery retorted. "I mean, silly yeah, but you know everyone does need to be chill and relax."

"That I think we all can hold an agreeable pact to." The Faunus clears his throat. "I don't mean to be meanspirited with you two, my name is Travil Dijon. If you want to know, yes I am a Faunus but I do not wish for it to discourage my path in life as you can see. I show my traits proudly despite consistent prosecution."

"Well that was inspirational…" Jeffery commented, at the expense of a nervous chuckle from Travil himself.

"Well, I did remember my speech word for word from my father. Before of his passing he gave me those words to live by. I shall uphold them to this day."

Before they continue, the lady of this small triad stepped forward. "If you may before you have a bit of a bromance, I still haven't said my name." She smiles gently.

"…Apologies, we were caught up." Travil remarked, "Please, if you may."

The lady nods, as she clears her throat. "Saya, Saya Lilac is my name. If you wish to know, I do fight back by the grace of a dancer. It is how my family like myself were taught to defend ourselves."

"A fighting style in dance?" Travil questioned with an eyebrow raised questioning this.

There was a sigh from Saya. "Yes, in dance I didn't stutter."

"Well, no harm to you Ms. Saya. I say that alone will make anyone a wildcard."

"Thank you, Mr. Dijon."

"So, that leaves our new friend whom has yet to have shared his name." He remarked as both now stare at Jeffery. With him staring back.

"…" Of course, it took him a while to realize. "O-Oh! Right! Where are my manners!" He chuckled. "It's Jeffery. Jeffery Fekete being my name since, we're using our full names by some reason that I don't know why… It's an honor none the less to meet you two."

Both Travil and Saya nod in agreeance to the thirds last statement. Just at that agreement, Jeffery pulls his Scroll out once more, seeing where the navigations will lead to him next. He looks back up at the others. "Well either way. I know why I'm here, and you know why you're here. Let's go. We're wasting time. Let's chat and walk, alright?"

"That sounds good to me!" Lilac nods, as she heads out in front of the others. Well, more or so leaving the two gentlemen behind.

"…Should we stop her before she takes a wrong turn…?" Travil looked over at Jeffery.

He just only grinned as the two begin to follow. "Oh, don't worry. She won't make it far without us." Jeffery said, showing Travil his Scroll. "This thing has where we should go. She just can't leave us behind."

…

"…To be quite honest, I'm surprised we have to travel by air." A look outside from an airship as the words of Jeffery murmured out had both Saya and Travil nod in agreeance. The only things they could see was the clouds in the sky and the different greens of the land below. It is still a beautiful sight as the anticipation for all three of them was cranked to a new high. They were that much closer to the place they'll call their home for the next four years.

Their attention was pulled away from outside, looking at the screen of the news. It was about the foiled plot of a robbery at a Dust shop in the city. A store they had passed that had a large police presence. It poked the curiosity of Saya at first as she looked back at the others.

"Didn't we pass that place?" She asked with a brow on her features.

"We had passed by the store in question." Travil answered back. "Don't you remember?"

"Well, either way that is just the weirdest of things."

"Well Saya, we can't think about it for much longer." Jeffery finally spoke up, as he looked over at the girl. "We are in that kind of 'dog eat dog' world. I've heard of desperate measures… But that takes the cake… Right Travil?"

His attention was elsewhere back on the screen. There was another report of notice that caught his attention. There was a Faunus Civil Rights protest that had turned violent at charge by the once peaceful group that have changed their ways for the worse. The group known as the White Fang. At first, their cause was one of peaceful means like the demonstration was at first but it took a turn for the worse.

When that was announced, Travil had to look away. His ears flattened down as he shook his head. As a Faunus himself he would unfortunately will possibly be seen in the same light as the likes of the White Fang. That thought scared him. He doesn't want to be associated with a group like this, he doesn't want to even be labeled as one of them either. Just like what happened at the pier with Jannik, but what if it wasn't just one? What if it was more than just him? What if it was the entire human populist in Remnant?

A hand rested on Travil's shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. As he looked over to see the hand and who's hand it belongs to. It was Jeffery's. He just gave back a small smile. "…Hey." He began to speak. "Don't worry about it. You're not them to me."

A small smile of Travil's began to form on his lips. His wolf-like ears beginning to poke back up once more. "…Thank you once more." He said in a harsh whisper.

Just like that, the transmission from the news cuts out for a moment. With it being stopped abruptly it attracted the attention of everyone in the room. Wondering what was going on Travil stood up looking at where the screen until a hologram began to form into view. It was then, that the image being projected was of a woman. She was middle-aged. Light-blonde hair tied into a bun with a little bit unattended and off to her right side. Glasses over her face and a dress that had a cape that looked like it had better days. Others begin to question if she was something of importance to their next and final spot. She finally spoke.

"Hello, and welcome to Beacon. My name is Glynda Goodwitch. You are among the privileged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy. Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future Hunters and Huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now, it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world."

Just as this projection appeared, it fades the image of Glynda away. That's when some of the others took notice of the outside once again. Buildings of gothic structure amazes the others on the ship as their eyes lay upon these buildings. There was a grin on Jeffery's face as they passed by.

"Well, I say goodbye to one school and go to another. Man it's good to be getting the heck out of there-"

A noise cuts him off. As all three look at a young man pass by them, clutching his stomach and mouth as he runs pass by. All three looked over puzzled.

"…Well if some of us can keep in our lunch." Saya commented as she sighs.

"Um, Saya?" Travil begins to speak. "I think you got some vomit on your foot."

She looks down, seeing the small splotch of the bodily fluid right on the fabric. She begins to wince seeing it. "O-Oh gross…!" She yelped. "Why am I the only one affected?!"

This sudden chain of events made Jeffery laugh at first. He couldn't hold in his laughter after her reaction. As Saya turns her direction to the other. And starts slapping his shoulder countless of times to be quiet. "S-Shut up you jerk!" She yelped once more, "T-This is an emergency you dolt!"