A/N: Takes place three years before RWBY Vol. 1.

Prologue: Tale of the Three Wishes

The world is engulfed in pure darkness; a blanket of shadows that swallows everything. And then, a single light shines from above. Underneath that light, a solitary book rests on a polished, hardwood table. The book was clearly old, tattered and worn from years of constant use; the cover was too faded to make out the title, the binding was ripped along its edges, and the pages were a murky shade of yellow. The book's cover slowly flips as if being turned by an invisible hand followed behind by several of the yellowing sheets. When the book ceased to turn its pages, the book was left open to a wide, and partially stained, map.

("This world – a hollow shell of what used to be, the only remainder of a history long forgotten by its people, whether by choice or by force we may never know – a Remnant of the past. It is a world where man and Faunus hide within the walls of their Kingdoms, training and learning the ways of combat to take the name Huntsman and face fruitless war against the creatures of Grimm, from which there shall be no winner. Humanity clings to its false peace and its hypocritical state of order while they train their children to fight their wars.")

Suddenly, the light shifts to an eerie red glow; a wave of black, ooze-like substance crawls over the pages, engulfing the continents like a disease.

("But before the kingdoms, before the Huntsman and Grimm, before order – there was chaos.")

The page turned to the scene of a bloody battle. Faceless men and women, armed with an assortment of weapons ranging from swords and shields to bows and arrows to spears and axes, all locked it deadly combat. Many bodies littered the rough terrain, most with some type of armament skewed through their chests, lying broken in pools of crimson. Those that were still standing were dripping in red, whether their own or another's.

("The world was engulfed in constant war – friend against friend, brother against brother, father against son – it was a cycle of death and destruction with no end in sight. And from the unending violence, a great darkness grew that threatened to swallow the world, forcing many to flee from their homelands in search of refugee. That is where the story begins – with three travelers fleeing the darkness.")

The page turned again, this time showing a faceless man donned in armor and carrying a sword and shield; upon the shield's face were two golden crescents. The man stood tall in the picture with his swords raised and his shield at his side like the heroic knight from fairy tales. But in the next page, it showed the man running away, dropping his sword and shield on the ground, as another bloody battle took place in the background.

("The first traveler was a dreamer. As a child, he idolized the knights that often visited his small village, sharing tales of adventure and valor. It was the knights that inspired the dreamer to join their ranks, seeking to share in their fame and glory. But upon his first venture onto the battlefield, when the first blood was drawn, the man bore his cowardice and fled, forsaking his comrades to their deaths. Fearing the consequences of his actions, the first traveler fled to the farthest corners of the world.")

The page turned again, this time of another faceless man standing in front of a large crowd of people with a banner hanging behind him; the emblem upon it was obscured by his body. The man had his hand raised to the air, mouth open to shout, and the crowd had raised their fists as well; the man seemed to be leading some type of shady organization. But it was in the next page that the same man was fleeing just as the first traveler did, looking over his shoulder with fright as fires raged at the city in the distance.

("The second traveler was an ambitious man. From humble beginnings, the man rose to power very quickly and rallied the people behind him, making him one of the most powerful men in the land. But still, it was not enough. The man wanted more – he wanted a kingdom to call his own. So the ambitious man staged a coup against the kingdom's leadership in a ruthless attempt to overthrow the monarchy. But the kingdom's armies were too powerful and trampled over the man's soldiers. Knowing his defeat, the second traveler fled to the farthest corners of the world.)

The page that followed showed a small, harmless looking girl, a hood over her face and her hands thrown up in the air with glee. All around her, men, women, children danced around the roaring flames of the bonfire, dressed in festive masks and costumes, dining and drinking until their hearts – and stomachs – were content. The picture overflowed with happiness. But in the next page, all joy drained from the hooded girl's face as she ran as fast as her tiny legs could carry her; a shapeless shadow with many red eyes snapping at her heel.

("The third traveler was a child – a small, honest soul filled with delight. She lived in a small village hidden in an untouched vale, far away from the rages of war where every day she would bring smiles to her mother, her father, and her neighbors and everyone loved her in return. She was a brilliant light shining within the darkness. But where there is light, there will always be a darkness waiting in the wings. And one night, without warning, the darkness fell over the meager village, devouring all without remorse. It was only out of the kindness of her people's hearts the he child escaped a similar fate. Without a place to call home and the darkness ever present, the third traveler fled to the farthest corners of the world.")

The next couple of pages depicted of the three travelers migranting through a desert-like terrain, each on a separate path; the harsh arid winds cutting against their skin and the unforgiving sun beating down on them from above.

("The days that would follow would become some of the most perilous and soul-crush moments they would ever experience. Alone and friendless without homes to return to, the Three Travelers could only move forward, surviving only on what little they could carry with them. What none of them realized was that though they walked different roads, the hand of fate would soon intervene. And after three days of traveler, famished and thirsting, the Three Traveler feared that they would soon be knocking on death's door.")

The next page showed the three travelers standing together at the top of a sand dune; the first traveler was pointing to something at the bottom of the dune that gave the second and third traveler a delightful shock. And on the page next to it, there was an ink water painting of a small crop of plant-life that surrounded a small lake of water. The trees were tall with long foliage that produced an assortment of fruit and the clear-blue pond sparkled like it was made of diamonds.

("And then a miracle! An oasis in the midst of the unforgiving wilderness. They were saved.")

In the next page, the Three Travelers were in the oasis, running about with joy. The first traveler cupped his hands in the lake, taking as much water in them as he could carry, and slurped the liquid down as if it were fine ale. The second traveler ran between the tree, picking off the fruit and piling it into his arm greedily before taking refuge under the shade of the trees. But the third traveler jumped into the lake, shouting for joy as she submerged beneath the water. He paddled around, enjoying the feeling of the water against her skin, when she saw something glinting at the bottom.

("But then the third traveler noticed something peculiar buried in the bed of the oasis.")

The third traveler swam down, knocked the rocks out of the way, and picked up the object before swimming to the surface. Once she breached, she called the other two travelers and the three of them gathered around, staring at the item in curiosity.

("It was a crystal shaped like the stars in the night sky. Housed within the crystal was a swirling white mist, both beautiful and mysterious. This was a strangely unique piece that the travelers had never seen before and it left them wondering what to do with it. And then, to their surprise, the mist spoke to them.")

("Help me! I have trapped inside this crystal for so long and I long to walk in the light once more! Please, set me free!")

("The first and second travelers hesitated to answer the request. They did not know who or what the mist was, nor if it was dangerous. But the third traveler, young and innocent, lifted the crystal and smashed on the ground without hesitation")

The next page showed the Three Travelers stepped back in awe as a cloud of smoke arose from the shattered remains of the crystal star. When the smoke dissipated, a faceless woman with shocking-white hair appeared, floating many inches off the ground and look down upon the traveler with a wide smile.

("Thank you for freeing me from my undeserved prisoner, said the strange spirit. In gratitude for what you have done for me, I shall grant each of you one wish. Name what it is that your heart desires and it shall be yours. The Three Travelers were overwhelmed with interest. Whatever they desire that be granted unto them; the temptation was too great to resist.")

The next page was shared between the spirit and the first traveler.

("The first traveler approached the spirit and spoke: O' Great Spirit, what I desire is fame and glory befitting a hero, but I have great fear of dying. My wish is to forever be free of Death's cold embrace. The spirit heard the man's wish and spoke: Then by my word, your soul shall never part from the world. Death will search, but never find you until the end of time.")

The next page was shared between the spirit and the second traveler.

("The second traveler approached the spirit and spoke: O' Great Spirit, what I desire is a kingdom of my own, but I have not the strength to take it. My wish is for an army that will stand unmatched against any other. The spirit heard the man's wish and spoke: Then by my word, your army shall never know fear or weakness. The souls of your fallen enemies will rise and bend to your will.")

The next page was shared between the spirit and the third traveler.

("The third traveler approached the spirit and spoke: O' Great Spirit, what I desire is not glory or property, but the power to save my beloved village that has been devoured by darkness. My wish is the strength to protect those whom I cherish dearly. The spirit was moved by the girl's selfless words and spoke: Then by my word, you shall be blessed with the power to smite the darkness. All those who fall under your gaze shall be swathed in the warmth of your light.")

In the following page, the white-haired spirit floated away, waving a farewell to the three travelers as they separated.

("With her promise fulfilled, the spirit bid the travelers well wishes and disappeared into the endless blue skies. The Three Traveler, now blessed by the spirit's wishes, bid a final farewell to each other and parted way, returning to the homes that they had fled.")

The page that came next showed the first warrior standing tall and proud at the head of an army, radiating with power as he charged headlong into the enemy force, no longer bound by his fear of death. But in the page next to it, it showed the man at a severally old age too weak to stand or lift his sword; his hair all but gone, his gums empty and gone, and his skin clinging to his bones. The spirit appeared next to him, looking down upon the decrepit warrior in disappointment.

("The first traveler returned to his homeland a legend – a knight that would wage hundreds of battles against the most impossible odds and always return alive. He became famous as the immortal knight. But as time went on, the traveler began to notice that his health deteriorating as the years passed until the day came when he could no longer bear to fight anymore. The spirit that appeared to him many years ago returned to him one night and the spirit spoke.")

("For years you have cowered behind your gift, the spirit said, while brave men have perished around you for they fought for those other than themselves. By my word, you shall come to suffer this unbearable fate that you have created for yourself time and time again, never knowing the comfort of death.")

("The first traveler passed away with a final, rattling breath to start the cycle anew.")

Turning to the next page, it showed the second traveler sitting on a grand throne, draped in the finest coats and jewelry and surrounded by the finest treasures, all while guarded by spectral-white beings. However, the page directly next to it showed the second traveler asleep in his bed, unaware of the young man standing over him with a jagged blade in his hand poised over the traveler's heart. The spirit appeared behind the young assassin, looking down at the soon-to-be-dead man in disappointment.

("The second traveler returned to his homeland a conqueror – from the remains of his fallen enemies, he amassed an army that left his enemies devastated. He usurped the kingdom and ruled the lands with sharp tongue and an iron fist. But one day, the conqueror's own son slipped into his father's chamber in the dead of night, seeking to kill his father and take the throne. The spirit that appeared to him many years ago returned to him that night and the spirit spoke.")

("You were blessed with good fortune and many riches, the spirit said, but all the riches of the world would not sate your greed nor fill you the void in your soul. By my word, you shall be consumed by the greed that compelled you, as will your children, trapped in a cycle of betrayal written in the blood of your kin.")

("The second traveler passed away under the blade of his own greedy son.")

When the pages turned again, it showed of the little girl standing on a mountaintop facing the shadows that had swallowed her village. The little girl raised her hands and a brilliant light shined forth; the shadows retreated in agony and the villagers shouted for joy of their lost daughter's return. And on the page next to it, it depicted the young girl now an elderly woman on her death bed, surrounded by many people and smiling just as brightly as she had in childhood. The spirit appeared nearly at the elderly woman's side, holding her frail hand as a single tear ran down her cheek.

("The third traveler returned to her homeland a savior – with the gift granted unto her by the spirit, the child bravely faced the darkness and forced it back to the depths from whence it came. When tale spread of a child that could keep the darkness at bay, men and women braved the journey to the vale seeking refuge and the child welcomed them in open arms. As the years passed and the child grew older, the small village in the vale transformed into a sanctuary where all were welcomed, and the third travel their Beacon of hope.")

("But time moved on and the third traveler could feel her life reaching its end. But she did not despair, finding contentment in what she had accomplished in her short life and the love she shared for her friends, her neighbors, and her children. On her final day, surrounded by her loved ones, the spirit that appeared to him many years ago returned, filled with sadness, and spoke.")

("Many years ago, I imparted you with a great and powerful gift, but never once did you give into its temptation. You did not seek glory, nor did you act out of personal gain; you never asked for thanks, nor did you want it. And in this dark and trying time, never once did you give up on hope, instead selflessly choosing to share this hope with others. By my word, I will ensure that this hope that you have given to the world will never die out. By my word, your children shall bless this world with their light, just as their mother in ages past.)

("The woman smiled as she always had, uttering a soft world of thanks to the spirit, before passing away peacefully in her sleep.")

("This story has been passed down for thousands of years; spoken by word from father to son and from mother to daughter. No one remembers how the story came to be, nor do they remember who it was that first passed it along. To most, it is merely a story mean to teach a type of lesson: 'Be careful what you wish for' or 'Do good things and good things shall come I return'.)

A white gloved hand emerged from the shadow, gently taking hold of the book's back cover and folding it shut.

("But those who learn from history know otherwise….The three travelers…the three wishes…. The hands of fate are once again at work. Who will emerge the victor when all is said and done…the light…or the darkness? I look forward to finding out….)

Okay, so that's the first official chapter of my original story – just a sort of background that sets up the long term plot of the story and a referencing point you can go back to for future chapters. I don't really have much to say without spoiling too much, but I hope the story has at least interested you enough to continue reading and maybe even leave a review with your opinion and critique (a person can't learn to be better without knowing what she is doing wrong first).

But on the topic most of you probably came here for, I am looking for OCs to use for two teams at Shade Academy: Team MYNT (Mint) and Team GRNT (Granite). Keep in mind that Team MYNT will be a year about SHDO, NDGO, and GRNT and will consist of all males when you make the characters. I would also like for the leader of Team MYNT to act as sort of a mentor to Stella, so you'll have a better chance of being picked if you keep that in mind. As for Team GRNT, I have no requirements, but try to make them as unique as possible – I've seen too many people trying to pass off generic type characters.

Here's the fill out sheet for anyone interested:

Name:

Age:

Nickname:

Gender:

Species:

Sexuality:

Kingdom of Birth:

Background:

Family:

Personality: (Do not want to see any copy-paste of RWBY characters)

Physical Appearance: (Be very descriptive, nothing generic.)

Clothing:

Nightwear:

Weapon:

Semblance: (Nothing over-the-top or anything OP)

Fighting Style: (Again, be very descriptive.)

Miscellaneous:

Winning characters will be announced at the end of the first chapter. You are free to send via review of PM. So until next time, please read and review.