Author's Note (will be A/N in the future): this is my first fanfic that I've written to be uploaded. I haven't really looked at it due to finals recently but with some extra time I've decided to change the first chapter. I didn't like how it flowed in the fights since I've never been good at writing them. I hope this will be a regular thing I can do to enjoy my time and I hope anyone that reads this enjoys as well. I do not own RWBY or any content I may add in the future. Reviews are strongly desired. Thank you and without further adieu-
The Shadow of Remnant
Chapter 1
The crackle of a whip cries out like the clap of thunder.
Why?
A painfilled scream cuts through the sound of sobbing.
It hurts.
Another crack of the same, bloodied whip strikes out across a young boy's back.
What did I ever do to deserve this?
An ugly, already bloody gash opens on the boy's back as the assailant takes a moment.
I can't control it… it's just who I am.
Raven black hair hangs down as the boy, his crimson eyes almost glowed in the dark, dank room he was kept in. His home. The only room he's ever known for his short 5 years of being at this accursed place.
Humans… Faunus… they all hate me. Why?
The boy's wrists are chained to opposite walls, leaving him kneeling and his arms out as if to embrace nothing. All he could feel was the searing pain, the blinding pain throbbing across his back. Tears, as usual, and expected, stream from those innocent eyes.
Just let it stop… I want it to stop…
The boy doesn't hear what his assailant is doing anymore. Just the deafening roar of pain in his ears. It completely blinds his senses. He just wants it to stop. He hangs his head once again, letting the chains hold most of his weight. But his few moments of reprieve are cut short as his assailant grabs his chin. They force him to look up, and the boy can't help but scream again as he sees the cold steel in his assailant's hand. They say something about his eyes, about how he's a demon. About how he killed his parents.
I wouldn't kill them… I didn't do anything to them…
And with nothing left to say, the boy's assailant brings down the knife. But it wasn't in a stab, it was in a deliberately slow cut. Cutting into the flesh above his right eye and digging into his socket. He screams and screams and screams. He tries to shake and get away, but his assailant's grip is like iron. It keeps digging, digging and carving away at the innocent flesh. Even when the boy did try to shake and get away, it'd only make it worse. The pain was unspeakable. Indescribable. Blinding. Literally. The boy passed out several times, but always coming back moments later to that pain. As what felt like an eternity pass, his assailant carved out his right eye entirely. Leaving just an empty ugly socket.
They should all just die…
A lone, deep red eye opens lazily. That wasn't the first time he's relieved that. And it wouldn't be the last… he wouldn't get a last until he finally dies. But death is terrifying. What is on the other side? The afterlife? Some sort of heaven? Would he see his parents? The people he's killed and dyed their bloods on his hands? Or a void maybe? Nothingness. Just, nothing. The unknown is frightening to anyone. Including Obsidian Slade.
The 18-year-old rises from the couch, giving a little stretch to pop a few joints before fully rising. He wears a skin-tight wet suit, it seems to cover his entire body up to his jawline. But, the suit is cut off at his right shoulder. His right arm covered in all-consuming darkness if one were to look hard enough. Comparable to that of the Grimm. The horrible, vile and monstrous creatures that hunt and kill humans. He looks around the dingy little backroom, just a couch and a small table accompanying it as the only furniture. A set of 3 windows running from the roof and down 3 feet to let natural light in. It was still dark outside, but that suited him just fine. He never slept well anyway.
Nonetheless, he wasn't going back to sleep so he might as well just get geared up and see if Junior has anything for him. So, the young man steps over to the table. Reaching first for his shoulder and arm armor. Putting on the thick and weighty gauntlet to his left arm. It did cover his forearm, but he also had some plating for the back of his hand. The few scuffs and marks on it showing that he uses that arm to guard and it has seen its fair share of action. Next, he grabs the shoulder guard, shaped for flexibility above all else. He buckles the strap across his torso as he should and tightened it to stay in place. Next up was his breast and back plate armor. It wasn't thick, but it was meant to be light. Hopefully thick enough to ward off glancing strikes at his body. He diligently straps on the armor, bringing the cloth hood that was clipped to the backplate to hang loosely around his neck. Next, he grabs a pair of black combat boots and slips into them before tying them tightly. Finally, for his armor, he grabs a pair of shin guards and straps them on easily. His armor didn't shine, he wasn't a beacon of light like Huntsmen or Huntresses. His armor was like the rest of him, dark and rough. It was an ashy grey, close to black with a brushed finish. Aimed to blend in well with the shadows and not attract too much attention.
And lastly, what has kept him alive all these years. A short sword. It wasn't flashy or had guns like all the Huntsmen and Huntresses or other criminals in this godforsaken world. But it worked. And it worked well for him. It was only about half a meter long, styled like a katana but more along the lines of a longer tanto than anything. Except it had no hilt, but he preferred that. Hilts didn't feel right, the balance felt wrong to him. So, he stuck with what he's comfortable with. His unsheathes the blade, the low scraping of metal on his wooden sheath filling the room. It was polished steel, glinting in the moonlight as he admires it. It has served him well; the young man gives an appreciative nod before sheathing it and mounting it on his belt. Another thing he got proficient with was throwing knives. He always held two pouches on either thigh and both held 8 knives each.
He grabs his rucksack, a small bag with one strap that looked like it was ready to just split open. He didn't really have much in there though so what did it matter. He reaches in and fishes inside for a moment before pulling out a featureless mask for the lower half of his face. He gives a shrug before putting it back in the bag and stepping out of the room. Walking down the following hallway, he can start to hear the beats of dance music. And a door later, he finds himself in the club owned by Hei "Junior" Xiong.
"Looks like sleeping beauty is up."
"My name is Obsidian, Junior. You know this." The young man annoyedly retorts, taking a seat at the bar. Obsidian sets down his rucksack and brings up his hood, covering the messy mop of ashy grey and black hair. The shadow seems to grow and writhe before covering the top half of his face. Covering that ugly scar, the horrible smooth skin that covered his right eye. No eyelid just deformed skin that looked grafted over what was once his right eye. While that other eye seems to glow with cold intent to kill.
"Still freaky how you can do that Obsidian…" Junior seems to physically shudder, he liked the kid. Kind of. He was quiet, and he isn't rude, he just keeps to himself. Obsidian Slade was a name that crossed Junior's path more than once when Junior was setting up operations. But it didn't take long before the young man sought Junior out. Junior would set up some clients for Obsidian and get a small finders fee. That kid made Junior a lot of damn money.
Obsidian, on the other hand, didn't answer that, merely looking off to the left, across the busy club. Obsidian was known throughout the Kingdoms before he met Junior. A young man, no, a kid that could do what he could? That wasn't common. And the names some people would whisper in fear in the night makes waves.
"Got any clients around?"
Junior takes a moment before shrugging, "yeah, there's one. Real weird guy. Roman Torchwick. He's pretty popular on the news right now."
"Work's work."
"Well, he's sitting in the corner with that half-half girl."
Obsidian gives a nod, grabbing his half mask from his knapsack and placing it comfortably on his lower face. He slings the knapsack over his shoulder as he walks over.
"Junior says you're looking for me. Got some work for me?"
Roman blinks at the kid that approaches him. He gives him a look up and down before blinking again when his eyes land on that lone, glowing eye. "Uhhh…. Yeah. Are you the Shadow Demon dude?"
"Yes."
"Huh…. thought you'd be taller."
"….."
"Oookay, let's go then. Hey Junior! I'm talking a couple of your boys and this guy!"
Roman Torchwick, in his immaculate white suit and signature cane with a bowler hat, strolls down the street. Smoking on a cigar while he made his way to his target along with 4 of Junior's lackeys. The people just living their lives quickly scurried out of the way of the armed group. Clearly, they weren't around for sightseeing. The group made their way to the end of the street where the "From Dust Till Dawn" shop sits cozily.
The robbers barging in, Roman with a large grin on his face at all that free dust. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a dust shop open this late?"
The old, frail man behind the counter cowers, putting his hands up as one of the lackeys pulls a gun on him. "Please, just take the lien!"
"Shhh, shhh, shhh… we're not here for the money." He turns to the lackeys behind them, giving them a nod. "Take the dust."
With that, the men in their black and red suits make for the dust. Taking them in canisters and storing them in crates near the entrance. One man looking around the store to find a girl at the back, just standing there with her hood up.
"Alright kid put your hands where I can see em!" He pulls his sword, raising it to the girl's back as he steps closer. With no response, he feels his eye twitch.
"Hey, I said hands in the air! You got a death wish or something?!" The lackey tries again, but again. Just oblivious. He grabs her shoulder and turns her around. The girl then removing her hood to show the black and red hair hidden underneath. A moment later, she takes off the headphones.
"Yes?"
"I said put your hands in the air now!"
"Are you… robbing me?"
"Yes!"
"Ohh…."
Obsidian sat atop the rooftop of a building across the street from the From Dust Till Dawn shop. His lone, crimson eye gazing up at the moon before returning to the little book he held. In the book, he was drawing the shattered moon. Each fragment and each glowing piece among the dark sky. It was funny… something that shone so bright, but it only ever showed itself in the darkness. That ancient little fairy-tale always coming to mind when he draws the moon. The man rose from the darkness, to become a beacon of light is the gist of it. It told him something though, mankind will not shine or be good unless there's no hope. Unless there's just darkness.
And then the shattering of glass broke him from his reveries. He looks down at the street below to find one of Junior's men splayed out on the ground. And some little girl in red holding a scythe taller than her. Obsidian gives a sigh before putting his pencil and artbook away. He looks back up at the moon and disappears into the shadows with but a step. The young man reappearing, fully in his visage of the Shadow Demon, at the front of the From Dusk Till Dawn shop.
"Finish up your business, Torchwick. I'll take care of this one…"
Ruby Rose was so excited, she could read magazines and the old man didn't mind her in the store! She didn't have the money to buy them, unfortunately. And then she's suddenly about to get robbed! But they didn't know she was a Huntress-in-training. So, after she sent the man sailing out of the window with her feet planted on his chest she got ready for a fight. Pulling out Crescent Rose to its full form. But nothing could really prepare the young 15-year-old girl for this man.
That suit, the hood, the armor, that sword, those knives, that mask but it was the lone glowing red eye that put fear in her heart. Even someone as young as her has seen this man on the news more than once. He was one of the most wanted criminals in all of Remnant. And that voice, it was so calm yet held the cold and sharp tone of a killer. The hollowness added by the mask didn't help the shivers trying to run down her spine. But she wouldn't back out and run! Someone needed her help!
And so, the young Ruby fired off a round from Crescent Rose to propel herself forward at the man in front of her. She aimed for a swing to his right side, the massive scythe coming around rapidly. He wasn't moving it should be-and then a blackened hand is holding onto Crescent Rose before she could follow through. He did seem phased, he stepped forward, grabbing the shaft of her scythe mid-swing and stopping the swing entirely. Some people might think its easy to step in and stop something like that. But to step into a potential harm, its against the body's every survival instinct. Avoid death. Avoid getting maimed. And he moved like it was really nothing to be afraid of as a war scythe came at you.
"Little girls shouldn't be out this late. And not trying to get rough with guys like this. Leave."
Ruby tried hard to swallow the lump in her throat, he caught it like it was nothing. He predicted the attack and countered it so easily. She pulled the trigger again on Crescent Rose, breaking it from the man's grip and putting her into a spin. She swung her scythe with that added momentum at his midsection. The world around her blurred with the speed and upon finishing the follow through, she took her ready stance again. But found he was fine? Just standing there as if nothing happened. Then she saw that haunting image, his midsection did seem to be split in half. But there was no blood. No guts. He was bifurcated but his body was in place. His stomach was see through? No, it was like he wasn't real. Tendrils licked at each other between the two parts of man, taking several moments before returning to one another and creating a whole being.
"Leave."
"No! What you're doing is wrong!" Her high-pitched voice pierces the street as she tries to reaffirm her heart. "I can't just let someone suffer while I can help! I'm a Huntress-in-training!"
She had a few options; keep trying to fight the Shadow Demon, leave like he says or stop the clock by taking care of the robbers still taking dust. She chose option 3. Activating her semblance, she turned into a red bullet. Careening in an arc to make it around the mercenary to get inside the store and take care of the armed robbers. Just a quick few hits should- and suddenly a powerful grip took her cape and pulled her down to the ground. She falls hard on her butt and Crescent Rose falls from her grasp.
"You'll need to be a lot faster than that, Red."
Ruby's silver eyes open to find the cold and shine of steel pointed at her face. That terrifying red eye looking down at her with what looks like contempt. She felt that crippling fear take hold of her poor heart. She's had this before when her sister had taken her to go look for their mother. She didn't really know what was happening but the howling and the crimson red eyes of Grimm is something any child can understand. Thankfully Uncle Qrow was there to save them but, he wasn't here now.
Obsidian had anything but contempt in his mind. This little, young girl that trained and fought. Sure, he had only stopped two of her attempts. But he could see how shaken she was after both failed attempts, he wanted to make sure she'd leave. She'd get out with the fear of death in her heart.
"Hey! We're getting outta here!"
Obsidian takes a moment to turn and regard his client, the orange haired man scurrying off with his tail between his legs. With that moment of distraction, Ruby used her semblance to rush over to her weapon and gets back into a stance. She's gotten around the mercenary with her back to the old man. "Are you going to be okay?" She looks over her shoulder, the old and fragile man giving a nod.
Obsidian sees it, that bright light among the darkness. He can't help but let out a hollow scoff. As usual, he was that darkness incarnate. But he couldn't be prepared for an invisible force sending him into a nearby light post. He grunts as he keeps his weapon in an iron grip while he recovered. That kind of hurt.
That lone crimson orb finding the source of that force. Glynda Goodwitch. Of course, it was her of all people. "What are you doing here, Shadow Demon?" The blonde Huntress spits his moniker out like venom. Her emerald eyes shining with true contempt for the man before her.
"Work. You know I'm not out like this unless I'm paid to. Now if you're here… where's Ozpin? Is the Great and Terrible headmaster just sitting in his clocktower? Just letting you clean up his city?" Obsidian really did worry that Ozpin might have caught wind of this and come down. Glynda Goodwitch he might be able to fight off but not someone like Ozpin.
Glynda's eye twitches and with a wave of her crop, the concrete between them cracks and shatters. Another wave raises shards of rock from the ground and a third wave sends them sailing at the young man. With no hesitation, Obsidian moves. His once shining sword cuts through the shards of rock as he sprints for the Huntress. That sword of his now didn't shine but seemed to swallow the light around it. The blade was a deep, hungry darkness as he quickly approaches the Huntress and the Huntress-in-training.
'Fight…'
He never made a move to attack Ruby in their little scuffle, just neutralize and threaten. But he is fast. Faster than her she thinks, he seemed to blink in and out of existence. His very being nothing but a shimmer to her eye. And then his full form appears in front of the blonde Huntress, his sword poised to strike her down. But she reacted quickly. A barrier erecting in front of her to keep the boy back. Another wave of her crop forms storm clouds above him. Mere moments later, sharp ice shards hail down upon where he is. And just like he did against Ruby. He seemed to turn into something fake, like nothing more than a shadow.
And that's when it dawns on the young Huntress-in-training. His title as the Shadow Demon wasn't for show. It was his semblance, it had to be. He could turn into shadows or something like that to dodge attacks. Once again, he stood down the street from the pair. That menacing red eye glowing in the darkness. She could see the glint of his blade again, but he was sheathing it for some reason. The young Huntress felt her blood run cold when she heard the click of a sword getting sheathed more than once. She looks around and can see 5 other figures, all of them seemed to be cloaked in shadow just like the one down the street. And all of them had that same terrifying glowing eye.
Glynda knew she could handle herself well in almost all situations. But here, she felt at a loss. 6 figures, all of them approaching slowly to her, the owner of the dust shop and this little girl that looked like she didn't know what to do. And the red-clad girl was panicking. She turns to her, "you're a Huntress-in-training, young lady. You can't panic right now. Protect the civilian. And don't let him get hurt."
That seems to have done something at least, the clear fear and shock in those silver eyes gave way to a determined fire. Glynda gives a nod and turns back to their assailant. Or was it multiple? She frowned deeper, pushing up her glasses with one hand while giving her crop a quick thrust with the other. A powerful and oppressive burst of wind howls throughout the intersection of the street. It nearly knocks Ruby and the old man off their feet. But the figures keep advancing.
And when the wind dies down, the figures make their collective move. Running full sprint at the trio, shadowy hands grasping at the throwing knives on their thighs. Ruby thinks fast, she moves to stand guard at one side while Glynda was at the other. The old frail man behind them quivered in his shoes. And once again with collective movements, they all throw a volley of knives at the Huntress and Huntress-in-training.
The pair of female warriors move immediately to block; Glynda uses her semblance to bring up shards of concrete before to let the knives dig into the stone. While Ruby twirled her scythe with incredible skill and practice to block the other half of knives. Ruby's eyes widen as a pair of figures make it to her, both their swords drawn already and cocked back intent to cut her into 3 pieces.
But Ruby has trained and trained hard! She spins around and twirls her scythe around her body and tries to cut through both figures. Or at least send them both flying away from the group. Yet it wasn't to much success as neither are there anymore. Those silver eyes widen as she feels a presence behind her, she tries to move again. But she couldn't use the recoil from her sniper rifle scythe this time. The Huntress would be hit in the back. So Ruby spins as goes for a block as she sees the shadow try to commit to the same strike as the other two, but this one was much closer. Yet somehow Ruby can move her weapon in time to block the strike and the clang of metal against metal shocks her. Is it real?
Glynda on the other hand with years of experience moved with a practiced and collective purpose. She throws the shards of concrete at one and it disappears, the next 2 move in unison forward and go for a downward strike, but the spacing between them would make it impossible for her to take care of them both easily. So, she erects a barrier between her and the figures. The weight behind both strikes surprises her as she struggles to make sure they don't break through.
And suddenly a shadow turns into a wisp of smoke for a moment before a more tangible and real Shadow Demons is in front of Glynda. She was still holding the barrier as the other figure held its blade against her. The mercenary slide around her side and delivered a powerful right hook into her sternum. Her barrier breaks, and another punch sends her into Ruby Rose. The fake figures disappear into nothingness as the Shadow Demon looks down on them. The pair sprawled out on the ground as the shop owner runs inside his shop to safety.
"Now, what do we have here?" A calm and collected voice rings out. The mercenary tenses, his reaction is palpable as he turns to the source of the voice. Ozpin, Oz the Great and Terrible came down from his clocktower of Beacon Academy. "Glynda, I'm surprised that you're not able to handle this young man."
It was practically mocking, standing there with that cane and a damn mug of coffee or whatever that was in his cup. Another 15 shadows appear around Ozpin. Ozpin's brown eyes taking in his situation as each of the shadows draws their blade.
"I see…" Ozpin merely looks back at a very specific figure of the Shadow Demon. Each shadow pulls a throwing knife from their left thigh pouch and throws it with power and precision. 17 knives whistle through the air, but Ozpin makes one move. The headmaster lifts his cane and taps the ground and each knife is blown out of the air and clatters harmlessly to the ground. 16 knives disappear into nothingness while 1 is left stuck to the ground.
'Kill…'
The next moment is a blur for Ruby, each figure suddenly appears within striking distance of Ozpin. Their swords are drawn and ready for blood. Another tap of his cane forces 16 clones to disperse. The now lone Shadow Demon, the real one, brings his sword down in a powerful slash. Ozpin in response bringing his cane up to block. But realization dawns upon Ozpin when he feels their weapons clash. It was an incredible powerful strike. Almost enough to break his guard.
"If you don't take me seriously, you'll lose this." With that said, Ozpin parries the sword away. The headmaster, seemingly frail man, moves in with a jab aimed for the boy's right shoulder. It connects with flesh. And another jab from Ozpin's cane strikes the boy's stomach. And another striking at his chest.
It all happened so quickly. Obsidian has heard many times that this man before him is powerful. A true Huntsman and a true guardian of the light. And he was frozen when the man appeared. Obsidian knew he would have to put everything into fighting Ozpin. But even with pushing out 16 live clones, he was unable to leave a scratch. Each clone was dispelled by some strange force. Was it his semblance? What is it? When those thoughts rushed through his mind as he brought his sword down. It was plenty to leave Ozpin that opening. It felt like it happened in the time he blinked. His sword arm quickly disabled, a strike hard enough to send him keeling over and then a strike that left him gasping for air. Obsidian kneels as he clutches at his stomach. Feeling like what little he had to eat would come out in a moment.
"Glynda, why don't you take those two away from here? This might get dangerous." Ozpin says it like its nothing, he was expecting something from this confrontation.
It has something to do with that cane's movement, it has to be. With that in mind, Obsidian slips into the darkness of a building. A shadow of his recovering his blade and returning it to him. Obsidian steps out from a shadow behind Ozpin, his lone crimson eye burning with a passion to win. If he was caught by this man. He was dead.
'Kill…'
Obsidian moves quickly before the other trio notices him, his sword poised to drive through Ozpin's heart. Another shadow appearing on the opposite side of Obsidian's strike moves in as well. The mimicked move of the shadow is what catches Ozpin's eyes. Oz moves to block the shadow's strike while Obsidian's true strike is aimed at his unprotected back.
"Ozpin! Behind you!"
That damn Huntress! Ozpin moves like lightning; his mug being sent behind him as he taps the cane to the ground. Dispelling the clone, Ozpin moves to block the real Obsidian. His cane slapping the blade out of the way. But Obsidian wasn't done, using his free hand, he pulls a throwing knife out and flings it at Ozpin's face. The blade only cutting the cheek of the headmaster.
Time seemed to move too fast around Obsidian for a moment, Ozpin able to recover much faster even after getting grazed by his throwing knife. Ozpin's cane moves with unperceivable speed and strikes out at the mercenary. Right wrist, stomach, shoulder, right knee, chest again, and Obsidian is forced to swap places with a newly created clone taking a strike to the face.
Obsidian grits his teeth, it was starting to get hard to hold onto his sword properly. Ozpin was clearly taking advantage of his right side being practically an entire blind spot. Obsidian then begins to gather aura all throughout his body. He could never create that shield naturally like anyone else. He couldn't even do it when he's focusing. But instead, his body's outline blurs. Blending in with the darkness around him and draining his aura dangerously low. But he feels his strength grow as he feeds aura into it. His body felt lighter and he could hold onto his sword easier. 2 more clones accompany him by flanking Ozpin. All 3 make their move simultaneously exponentially faster than before, drawing 4 throwing knives from their respective pouches and throwing them at Ozpin. But each at different times. By doing this, Ozpin was forced to move out of the way. Opening himself up first to what should be a shadow of Obsidian.
Ozpin attempts to bring his cane down, but another shadow slashes at the cane it nearly knocks the cane out from Ozpin's iron grip. The other two Obsidians move to strike at Ozpin once again with increased speed and strength behind the attacks. Ozpin moves with inhuman speeds like before and parries the downward slash from one shadow and the sideways slash from the other. The real Obsidian slides down to his knees and spins, aiming to cut through his aura at his stomach. Yet Ozpin strikes him square in the forehead that sent him sprawling to his back.
Ozpin puts his cane down on the boy's chest, looking back to find that Glynda followed his orders to take the girl and old man out from harms way. But then he felt the weight beneath his cane shift and it was gone. He looked around once again and frowned. "You are quite quick or is it that semblance of yours's? That earned you your moniker."
Obsidian doesn't answer as he recovers slowly, his could feel the strength begin to leave him as his aura gets lower and lower. He grits his teeth, not much time left. Obsidian rushes at the headmaster with his blade behind him. Yet before he could even reach the white-haired man, Ozpin was already on him. This time, Obsidian expected the speed and leaps into the air and strikes out at Ozpin's exposed back. Without enough time to respond, Ozpin is struck. His aura taking a considerable hit from just one attack.
The headmaster turns on his heel and brings his cane up at the ready, maybe this young man was more impressive than he thought. The pair face off again and they both move, Obsidian waits until the last moment and slides on his knees once again. His metal shin guards protecting him as he slides across the pavement and lands another strike on the headmaster, his blade just cutting into the headmaster's aura.
Both turn quickly but Ozpin is faster, he lands a jab into Obsidian's shoulder that sends his sword finally clattering to the ground. And another jab hits Obsidian's mask. Shattering the ceramics and some shards cutting into the cheek struck. Obsidian is sent onto his back and Ozpin is quick to press the cane against Obsidian's throat. The boy's hood laid out on the ground behind him as he tries to catch his breath. Obsidian's aura now entirely drained.
"That was quite the workout. And… you're really just a child." Ozpin looms over the young teen. An impassive look on the headmaster's face as the sound of sirens echoes and get close. "Ah, there they are."
Upon arriving at the police station, a mob of police officers swarms the van holding the Shadow Demon. Each and every officer is on edge with their hands resting on their weapons as they escort the chained teen inside. Ruby Rose was taken in with Glynda Goodwitch before Ozpin arrived at the police station. But she couldn't shake the feeling. If that man, was able to go toe to toe with Glynda and Ozpin. Was he not taking her seriously? Could he have cut her down in just one slash? She had to be saved by those two when she was trying to help. But it was not how Ozpin saw it. He saw the skill and potential within the girl and even invited her to attend Beacon! She would be coming in 2 years early! She could go with her sister, Yang! So, upon leaving the station the girl had no weight in her chest about the man that she fought.
The boy who had 4 guards standing in an interrogation room for an hour, along with 6 guards on the other side of the one-sided glass and 2 outside the door to the interrogation room. "For some, this would be overkill. Don't you think Glynda?"
"A killer like him needs this. In my opinion." The 'good witch' snaps.
"He's just a boy." Ozpin retorts, carrying a new mug of coffee with him. Looks almost like the same one that shattered during his fight with the Shadow Demon. Upon entering, the pair of Huntsmen find the boy shackled practically down to the floor with his ashy grey and black hair hung over his eyes. They fitted him with shackles on both wrists, connected by another chain down to a belt they fitted him with on his waist. Another pair of shackles hold his ankles in place. With one chain connecting his ankles to the belt on him and the belt itself held two chains as well that kept him to the floor. "Well, that really is unnecessary. Hand me the key and please leave the room. Thank you for your service."
Each guard looked uneasy and looked around to one another, they were very reluctant to leave the room with just those two and the mere child.
"I can handle myself and him, thank you for your concern."
With that, the guards nod and file out of the room. One handing the key for the boy's restraints to Ozpin. Obsidian still had his armor on but was obviously relinquished of his weapons. He felt his heart beating out of his chest, the fear of death was palpable.
"Are you hungry?" The man's voice was gentle and caring, a small and friendly smile spread across his lips. Ozpin sets down a plate of cookies on the desk gingerly. "I'm sure you'd be starving after that battle."
Obsidian's head moves slowly up, his hair parting to show that hideous scarred tissue that is where his right eye is supposed to be. His lone eye was squinted in confusion. Glynda couldn't help but cringe at the scar and that unnerving eye. But then she took a better look past it, he really was just a boy. He still had some baby fat on his cheeks, but his jawline was sharp and defined. He was not a man, a growing teen at the most.
"I'm getting executed, aren't I? So why do you care?" Obsidian's monotone, quiet voice broke the moment of surprise for Glynda. Ozpin, on the other hand, was more interested in who this young teen is.
"I don't think you will be." Ozpin gives the boy a smirk before continuing. "I have some pull in the police department and justice system. A benefit of being a headmaster I suppose. It all really depends on you. What's your name, young man?"
"Obsidian Slade." The one-eyed mercenary says as that one eye regards the pair warily. He's been baited by headmasters twice before. As if he's going to trust this one…
"Obsidian… an interesting name. So, you think we would execute you for your crimes Mister Slade?"
"Yes. 53 counts of first-degree murder, 125 counts of second-degree murder, 282 counts of aggravated assault and 7 counts of terrorism. Is what they have on my warrant."
Ozpin raises an eyebrow as he takes a sip from his mug. "So, you don't deny your crimes?"
"No. I committed them. So, why am I not dead?"
Ozpin shakes his head, "all criminals were once led far astray from a good path."
"I never had a choice. I did what I must to live. To survive. No matter what I do now will not change who I am and my crimes. The only end of this road is death."
"That's rather pessimistic. And what if I said there's another path for you? Here and now."
Obsidian leans back, looking down at his hands. One covered and shrouded in darkness and the other perfectly normal. But he saw the blood on them, the blood of 178 people. "There is no other path for someone like me…"
Ozpin gives a small smile before reaching over and taking a cookie, taking a quick bite as he leans back again and pushes the plate of treats toward the teen. "For someone like you? I believe anyone deserves a second chance. No matter who they are. Miss Rose was fighting to stop the robbery, yet you merely prevented her from getting to the robbers. You just incapacitated her and threatened her once."
"And then she showed up and tried to snap my spine in two." Obsidian looks up to the blonde Huntress though that eye showed no ill will it just held an eerie calm that unnerved her.
"Yes, well… Glynda is not the gentle type. And when she did arrive, you did fight. But found that she was handicapped with the store owner and Miss Rose behind her."
"You could just say you arrived just in time to stop me from killing all three of them."
"And that is where it is interesting. Your skill and strength in battle showed me that you went easy on both. You could have killed Miss Rose and even Glynda if you tried to. But you didn't. Why?"
Obsidian swallows the lump in his throat as he looks down at his hands again. Why did he? He saw that light in the red girl's eyes. Not just the silver, but the shine of what terrified him. Even against him. Even after she saw him, the girl fought hard. Trying to do what she could to protect the shop owner. And he couldn't snuff that light out. He never could. And then there was Glynda Goodwitch. Funny name, but she was a powerful Huntress. During their battle, he realized. What was the point of him fighting her? It was just to get Torchwick out. He moved from the adrenaline of battle. He didn't even realize it at first, but that thing festering in his heart reared its ugly head.
When Obsidian did, he went to try to intimidate the trio. Try to force Glynda back into a full retreat upon the realization of the difference in their combat prowess. He was a killer and she was a Huntress, taught to kill Grimm and not people. But when Ozpin showed himself, that changed the situation. Obsidian had no idea if the headmaster could catch him if he tried to run, or if he knew what Obsidian's semblance is. It was fight or flight and he chose wrong, clearly.
"Both of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Why should they die?"
"…." Ozpin stays quiet for a few moments, looking over to Glynda who seemed to want to glare a hole into the boy's head. Ozpin can't help the smile that comes to his face as he gives a nod, "that's an understandable response. Mister Slade, I'd like you to join me tomorrow for a tour of the campus of Beacon Academy. And I'd like to invite you to attend my academy. I want you to have some time to decide, so have the night."
Ozpin slides the key to his shackles over to Obsidian who is left shocked. The two headmasters that had tricked him before never asked for him to join their academies. Just invited him as clients looking for a blade. But only ended up being stabbed in the back. Well, shot. Interrupting that train of thought, Obsidian notices the headmaster of Beacon and his right hand make their way for the door.
Ozpin turns with a friendly smile, "no one is irredeemable, Obsidian Slade."
Obsidian had been free to go immediately after that; the police were ordered to not attempt another arrest on the dangerous criminal. Didn't stop every officer in the building to give the young man a hateful look. Afterall, they had that monster and he was free to go. But orders were orders. And so, Obsidian roams the streets with his full gear. The police didn't find his pack on the roof of the building he was drawing on before the entire conflict. So, Obsidian did have to go back and pick it up.
The shadowy mercenary walks the streets with his hood up but his eye downcast. He just let his mind roam as he made his way to Junior's club. He would stay there for the night and get the hell out of Vale. But what if… what if what Ozpin had said was true? Is he truly worthy of being redeemed? Can he walk a brighter path? The path of a hero and not the monster in the dark?
'No… he's lying… he just wants to hurt you. Like everyone else.'
Obsidian stops dead in his steps. His right eye, or what was his right eye, started to ache horribly. He could almost feel the sharp edge of steel digging into his flesh again. Obsidian was just a small, weak boy. He couldn't stop it, he couldn't get away. He could only endure. He could only struggle and scream. That weak boy could only watch that sick, twisted grin form as the knife poised to take out his other eye. And then-Obsidian crashed into someone? Or someone crashed into his stagnant form.
The one-eyed teen moves his eye up to find a girl, around his age, in front of him. He could see her mouth moving but he couldn't hear what she was saying. That lone eye widened as he took in her appearance. She was built like a fighter but carried a well gifted figure; a teen growing into a woman. Those soft yet somehow piercing lilac eyes entranced him. But most prominent of all was her hair. It was like flowing, shining gold. No… like the very sun itself was weaved into hair. Her hair was brilliantly beautiful.
"I…" Obsidian's voice died in his throat, he felt his chest constrict painfully. It took him an extra moment to gather himself, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Huh? No, I bumped into you. I'm sorry." The blonde teen gives a small smile, rubbing the back of her head. "I was riled up from something earlier."
"It's okay… my name is Obsidian Slade." The ashen haired teen reaches his right hand forward, only to look down and retract it quickly. He swapped the hands he was carrying his backpack and used his more normal looking hand instead.
"Yang Xao Long." The girl was weirded out at first with how he swapped from his natural and dominant hand but waved it off. "Sorry again." Yang gives his hand a firm shake, a small, friendly smile on her lips.
"I'm not hurt, so there's no need to worry."
Yang giggles, giving a pat on the boy's shoulder. "I know I'm strong, but I'm not that strong!"
'She's got a pretty smile…'
"Anyway, nice meeting you Obsidian! I gotta get home!"
Obsidian merely nods as she runs off. He reached up with a free hand, touching the marred flesh that covered his right eye socket. The pain was oddly gone. Passed as if it was never there in the first place.
The teen made for Junior's club much faster, passing through the doors to find the club in tatters. Shattered glass and clear signs of battle across the entire club floor. Obsidian looks over to a corner of the club to see the Malachite twins nursing some water and looking worse for wear. Obsidian moves to the bar with Junior clutching his head and a glass of whiskey in front of him.
"Someone come in to rob you, Junior?"
"Ugh, no. Some hot chick in yellow came in looking for someone. Ended up kicking my ass, the twins' and most of my boys. Wait, where were you? Torchwick dropped by a while ago with your money!"
"Ozpin caught me and arrested me, talked to me and let me go."
The shock is not lost on the gangster's face, he looks at the kid like he's grown another head. "You're… what?"
"Also invited me to Beacon."
Now that put a wrench in the gears for several moments. Junior has known the kid for about 2 years now. He's really just that, a kid. A kid that somehow learned to use a sword like a Huntsman and use his terrifying semblance. He's a force to be reckoned with but Junior can tell that the teen is clueless to a lot of things. Junior has been Obsidian's patron for this long and he's notice this and a lot of smaller details regarding teenager. Like how he needs to leave this shitty side of the world.
"You should take it." Junior notes the teen tense up, "look, this life has got only a few endings for yah. You get arrested and killed, killed on a job or you piss off someone that has 'friends' and get killed. You're going to find yourself in a grave pretty quick in this life. You've been dealt a bad hand and you've been playing it as best you can. But maybe this'll give you a new hand. A fresh start. Everyone's looking for that in this life at some point. So why not take it?"
"… it's not about looking for a fresh start, Junior." Obsidian looks down at the counter, his shoulders slumping in defeat as thoughts swarm of what could happen. Of how he could be hurt again. Of how he'll just never get a break.
"But what could it hurt? Go there, take a look. See what happens and even if things go South. You can just leave."
"…."
"Fine, don't listen. But here's your pay." Junior drops a small parcel on the table before turning and trying to clean up the rear of the bar. But with all the broken glass and spilled alcohol everywhere. Well, it'd be easier to just grab a mop and clear out the shelves with it.
Obsidian on the other hand takes his pay and leaves for his 'room.' With so little in it and so little real time the mercenary spends in it, he couldn't call it a room or his. And so, he removes his gear to leave himself in the solid black wet suit and lays down on the couch with his artbook. He flipped through the pages; scenes filled the pages of interestingly designed buildings in Atlas, the expansive and desolate desert in Vacuo, and the notable cliffs of Mistral. One of his favorites was the strange sight of Beacon to Vale from outside the walls. When you look at it from the outside, Beacon is placed far above the civilian city of Vale. As if saying Vale was below the shining light of the Huntsman academy.
Obsidian frowned, did a mere shadow belong under that shining light? Did he deserve to go to Beacon? Sure, he could bring down most of the Huntsmen and Huntresses out there. But his skill isn't in question in his mind. Is it right for someone like him to attend the prestigious Beacon Academy?
"Mister Slade, I'm glad you took this opportunity." Ozpin stands casually at the airbus terminal, that signature cane and mug in either hand. Yet Obsidian was less than casual, his body was tense; his right hand was poised to grab at either a throwing knife or his sword at any given moment. Obsidian's left hand hang over his shoulder with his backpack draped lazily over it. "And please, this isn't some cheap trick. If we wanted you; we would have kept you in prison yesterday, Mister Slade."
Obsidian frowns clearly, he kept his hood up but his features are more easily discerned in the mid-day. The teen would typically use his semblance to mask his face with shadows but here decided to opt against it. Ozpin already knows what he looks like, might as well not bother. "This wouldn't be the first time a headmaster invites me to their academy."
"Yes, the General is rather brash and unforgiving. Although Shade's headmaster is more… deceitful. But please, trust that I won't abuse your willingness in this."
Obsidian doesn't answer, just looking over to the airbus. Obsidian moves to make sure the headmaster stays to his left side. Clearly still wary with Oz the Great and Terrible. Though Ozpin just allows him to be comfortable while they walk to the airbus.
"Beacon is a place where students your age can grow and hone their skills as Huntsmen or Huntresses. Race, creed, gender, this place accepts all of them. And we seek to guide these young souls along the right path."
That last statement wasn't lost to Obsidian, he doesn't answer once again as his lone crimson eye scans the airbus. No one else was taking the transport to Beacon. Just Ozpin and him. So, either Ozpin expected this to be a tense encounter or it is a trap. Even so, Obsidian follows Ozpin to the front of the airbus. It really was a different view of Vale from the sky, and Beacon from within the airbus.
"We have many facilities for student's use and wellbeing. We have the arena for practicing in combat, the gym for physical fitness, medical wing for any injuries sustained during your time here, library for honing your knowledge and the CCT for anyone wanting to contact friends or family across Anima."
As the pair walked along the path toward the more central part of campus, Obsidian couldn't help but let his eyes wander over the beautiful courtyard. He hasn't seen anything like it among the other 3 kingdoms.
"And… the courtyard if anyone wants to just relax." Ozpin lets the edges of his lips curl up into a smile as they walk closer to the buildings on campus. "The freshmen year will be coming in tomorrow for the initiation."
Obsidian stops walking and turns to Ozpin, that one red eye was still unnerving, but Ozpin doesn't show it. "… so, you're not lying about the invitation?"
"No, Mister Slade. It is very real. I'd like for you to attend my school and become a Huntsman. I can provide you with a full pardon for your… mistakes in the past."
Obsidian felt something in his chest he hadn't felt in a very, very long time. He couldn't really remember it well, but he remembered his heart felt lighter like this when his mother was still alive. When he could live freely as an innocent child. But that last statement made him flinch.
"Those weren't mistakes. It was something I chose. Something I deserve to be punished for." Obsidian's words were hollow, cold and true. All in his mind. What he did, the blood he's spilled? He can't just be pardoned for all of that.
And then a cane bops Obsidian on the top of his head. It wasn't hard by any means, just a surprise to Obsidian as he turns to the source. Ozpin, smirking into his mug as he takes a sip. "There. You're punished."
Obsidian is baffled, this man known as Oz the Great and Terrible just… he just tapped him on the head with a cane after admitting he was guilty. Guilty of killing 178 people. Guilting of ruining the lives of so many families. And he just…
"If that is not quite enough, you know I can hit harder. Now, if you truly wish to atone, you must do so with action. Not by death. But by out weighing your misdeeds with deeds that save people. That is what I propose, Mister Slade. You commit yourself fully to saving and protecting the lives of the innocents. Because I truly believe you can do it. Your strength and skills are on par with some of the better Huntsmen and Huntresses. And once you graduate, I'm sure you will become a legend. And not the kind parents tell their children to get them to bed at night. But the awe-inspiring legend that would encourage those after him."
Obsidian can't help but feel that strange thing in his heart grow, that thing that seemed to ignite from ashes to a burning ember. It is small, but he knew what it is. It is hope. It is hope for a better tomorrow and further beyond. Hope to see past what was on the horizon. Sure, Obsidian didn't know what might happen. Obsidian didn't know if this was some elaborate trap, but Ozpin spoke with such passion. The teen couldn't help but feel that he could have this. Obsidian brought his gaze up to the gorgeous, clear blue sky.
"Okay… I'd like a chance."