Chapter 1. Of Mistakes and Second Chances.
The streets of Vale had a warm glow to it, despite the unusually dark clouds that seemed to bury the city. The hum in the air and the coppery taste it left gave signs of a coming storm. It had been some time since Vale had such weather. The warm glow seemed to be fading, if ever so gently and as the minutes ticked by it was clear it was far later than any respectable citizen should be out. It was starting to get late enough that one should be wary of other pedestrians.
Ashton Gray was no ordinary pedestrian. He was the heir to the Gray Dust Company. Once the top of the dust mining business, now a destitute company dying a long drawn out death. The company simply couldn't compete with the Shnee Dust Company and soon will be forced to file for bankruptcy. Since then the company had to make some deals with less reputable individuals in order to keep itself afloat. More often than not, these individuals need the help of Ashton. He knows his way around a sword, to put it simply.
This was one such night, where Ashton needed to employ his signature talents. Apparently their partners needed to deliver a package safely to a warehouse. An easy job compared to his usual tasks. Ashton was a little thankful, usually he has to smash up a shop or break a leg. The warehouse was near the docks. Security might be a problem but he was told that would be taken care of. The smell of dead fish was a clear sign he was nearing the harbor.
The harbor district wasn't a pretty sight, although the fact that the warehouse he was looking at seemed deserted, was. He carefully crept inside. He was told there would be three scratches on a pillar, that was where it needed to be placed. The inside of the warehouse was packed with old boxes, he couldn't make out any details though he could clearly see some sort of insignia or logo. He continued through the dark, claustrophobic pathways through the boxes until he found a pillar with three scratches on it, almost as if from a claw. He placed the package in the trash can below it. That job was painfully easy, there must be a catch.
A light was suddenly shining on him. He turned around to find several cops aiming their torches straight at him. He tossed the sand he kept in his pocket at them. They covered their eyes, giving him the opening to vault over them and break into a full sprint. The whole warehouse was now lighting up, the sound of airships outside indicated that the entire building was surrounded. A cop jumped out from behind a box, gun aimed. Ashton dived, kicking the cop square in the face.
The entrance was lit up, several spotlights aimed at the doorway. He glanced around the room, finding something unusual. The boxes all carried the Schnee family crest. This warehouse belonged to the Schnee dust company. He tried to get a good look despite the horrendous visibility, however there was a sudden crack sound and he found himself face down in the doorway.
His head collided with a police car. He felt shackles locking around his wrists. The cops were lifting him to his feet. He saw several men getting loaded into cop cars. Apparently his partners in crime were caught as well, at least he wasn't alone. Whatever was in the package was clearly important.
"Well, well, well!" Said a bearded detective. "Look who we have here, some sort of tough guy."
"Yeah!" The detective's partner interjected. He gave a weird half glare half raised eyebrow. "You think you're tough?"
"Not really." Ash replied. He squinted hard, his nose was bleeding.
"Oh, he's trying to be modest." The bearded detective said, his tone becoming warm and friendly. "Isn't that nice?"
"WRONG!" His partner shouted, slamming a baton against the cop car. "Clearly he's hiding something."
"Exactly." The bearded detective thrust his finger in Ashton's face. "We know exactly what you're up to pal, so 'fess up!"
"Why did you try to assassinate the president of the Vale Dust Society!" The partner shouted, practically face to face. Ashton winced.
"What?" Ash replied, he looked to the bearded detective, hoping for an answer. The fact that he could now see they were both wearing sunglasses, at night in a dimly lit street, gave him all the info he needed.
"Answer the man!" The detective shouted. Ash looked back and forth.
"I don't even know what the Vale Dust Society is, I've never heard of it." Ash replied. The detective scowled.
"Liar! We have all the evidence we need to convict you!" His partner shouted.
"Exactly, you're going away a long time for the charges of attempted murder and conspiracy." The detective said, stroking his beard.
"I didn't try to assassinate anyone, I was just delivering a package." Ashton said, the detectives glanced at each other. He closed his eyes, why did he say that.
"Aha!" The partner shouted. "So you were delivering a package!"
"There is no Vale Dust Society, we made it up. You just told us everything we need to know!" The detective shouted. Ash winced. Either he was dealing with idiots, or they were geniuses. There was always the option that he was an idiot himself.
"Tell me, what's in the package?" The partner said, suddenly pleasant.
"Yeah pal, what's in the box?" The detective asked, he was now standing so close their noses were inches away. He continued to stroke his beard.
"I don't know, never looked." Ash answered calmly. "I just left it in a trash can."
"Why would you break into a warehouse to throw out your garbage?" The detective asked. Their noses were pretty much touching at this point.
"Yeah, why are you robbing the garbage men of their jobs?" The partner asked. Ash wasn't sure how to even reply to these people. "Do you have something against them?"
"I was told to drop it in a specific garbage can, under a pillar, marked with three scratches." Ashton explained. The detectives glanced at each other.
"Well, well, well!" The detective said smugly, backing away slowly. "So we have ourselves a delivery boy!"
"And instead of pizza, he's bringing packaged drugs!" His partner shouted, he leaned right up to Ashton's face. "So what is it? Powder, Boom-Booms, Tallywackers, Snicksnackers, Apple Crackers, what are you running?"
"Are any of those actually things?" Ash asked. He winced, he really didn't need to know. "I don't know what's inside, I don't know if it is drugs."
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see." The detective said. He pointed to the warehouse. "Our officers will find this package and all this will become all too clear!"
He barely had time to finish his sentence, the warehouse exploded. The entire pier quaked and Ashton found himself slamming into the side of the car. Looking back at the old warehouse was a burning skeleton of it's former self. A smoldering wreck that seemed to almost crackle with electricity. A dust bomb, he was delivering a dust bomb. He was caught delivering a dust bomb. He muttered a few intricate curse words to himself. He wasn't getting out of this one. His heart sank into his stomach. The detectives were speechless.
-Six months later.
Bastion penitentiary, supposedly a rehabilitation center but most of the inmates aren't expecting that any time soon. The facility is designed to harbor prisoners of all kinds from the lightweight offenders along the lines of thievery and assault to the heavyweight champions of mass murder and terrorism. Ashton wasn't technically in either as his father was able to buy some leniency. Ashton found himself thrown in the delinquent youth section of the prison. The inmates here weren't exactly the lightweight sort but Ashton was the only terrorist in the room so he had a bit of a reputation.
His father had tried to get him out as best he could, Ashton knew this, but it seems like it would take a miracle for him to walk. He was told a few cops died in the explosion. That alone ensured his continued incarceration. Apparently his father received quite the windfall from that little job, the company is still afloat. News of the heir to the Gray mining company also didn't seem to break the headlines. It seems nobody knew he was even in here.
He saw somebody approaching him from across the mess room. Big and ugly. It was Bruno, the so called king of this little concrete paradise. He didn't like Ashton and seemed to make it his job to bother him. Bruno was in here for assault and extortion. Apparently he was brilliant enough to realize that he could get money from store clerks in exchange for not smashing everything in sight. Clever guy, that's why he's in jail.
"So the terrorist is still here, daddy didn't get you out yet?" He asked, he imitated a crying baby which gained a couple of guffaws from some of the other inmates.
"No, I'm stuck here with you a little longer. Daddy's a little busy at your mother's house!" Ashton exclaimed, jumping to his feet. The fist barely missed his face.
Bruno wasn't exactly a great fighter, he was strong but he was way too slow. He swung his arms like an drunken gorilla. He stumbled around like a bull on roller skates as he did. Dodging him was fairly easy for Ashton. He slammed Bruno in the ears, jumping up to knee him in the face. Bruno stagger back, falling into the arms of several prison guards. A baton was wrapped around Ashton's neck and he found himself face down into the table. The guards began to drag him out the door, Bruno was shouting some death threats but Ashton didn't really care enough to listen.
"Listen guys, your batons are nice and shiny but I don't swing that way!" Ash shouted as the guards dragged him off down a hallway.
"Alright smart ass, you have been requested by an important guest." The security guard said with a sharp jab of his baton. "You need to be on your best behavior or you won't be eating for the next week."
"Relax, I know how to behave myself." Ashton replied, he could tell the guard wasn't buying it.
"Right, if you could behave yourself you wouldn't be blowing up buildings." The guard replied. He had a fair point, even if it wasn't intentional.
He was shoved into formation with two dozen inmates roughly his age. Judging from the looks on their faces, none of them had a clue what they were doing there. The doors across the room finally opened and a man entered the room. The man had messy gray hair, wore a green suit and had round sunglasses. He seemed familiar but he couldn't quite place him. The man had a cup of coffee with him. He studied the inmates carefully. His brown eyes darted back and forth along the ranks.
"These are the ones?" He asked, the warden's face grew pale.
"Yes, these are the ones. Some of these kids are some of the best fighters in the entire facility." He said proudly. The man simply shrugged.
"Alright, I want..." He said quietly. He pointed at seven of the students and motioned them to step forward. He paused for a moment and his eyes lingered on Ashton. A shiver went down his spine as he did. "Him."
"Gray? Are you sure, he might be a little dangerous for what you have in mind." The warden blurted out. His sweat was obvious.
"I'm not deciding on anything yet, I'd like a chance to talk to each of these choices. I'm not quite done making my decisions yet." The man said calmly and politely. He put a hand on the warden's shoulder and color seemed to return to his face.
"Yes sir!" The warden shouted, motioning for the guards to take the remaining students away. "The rest of you will wait until you are called."
The man in the green suit was led through a side door. One by one students were brought into it. Ashton found himself waiting nervously. Of all the inmates who entered that room, only four emerged. Finally it was down to him. The guards led him to the room revealing an interrogation room. There was a back door as well as a mirrored window. In the center of the room was a cold metallic table, the man in the green suit was sitting pensively. Ashton slid into the opposite seat and the guards stepped out of the room.
"Ashton Gray, you are an unusual person to find in such a miserable place." The man said with a reassuring smile. "I admit I hadn't expected to see you there, news of your arrest never reached my ears."
"Well, I assume that the heir to the Gray Dust Company being arrested would cause my father some problems." He said with a shrug. The man in the suit simply adjusted his sunglasses and gave a nod.
"Do you know who I am?" The man asked with a smile.
"Not really, you seem familiar." Ashton said, scratching his head. "Did you know my father."
"Yes, I have actually have met your father on several occasions. I've only met you once however, years ago." The man said softly. "My name is Ozpin. I run Beacon Academy."
"I see, so what brings the headmaster of Beacon Academy to my humble abode?" Ashton laughed nervously. Ozpin gave him a careful stare.
"How long have you been here?" Ozpin asked, changing the subject. It was rather direct compared to how soft his voice has otherwise been.
"Six months and counting. My sentence hasn't had an arranged date." Ashton said with a shrug. "What's the average sentence for terrorism these days?"
"Did you do it?" He asked. He didn't seem to blink.
"Yes, sort of. I just delivered the package, didn't realize what was in it." Ashton shrugged. He tried to match Ozpin's gaze but he couldn't help but blink.
"Would you say you regret this action?" Ozpin asked. He leaned back.
"Not really." Ashton said slumping backwards.
"That is an interesting answer." Ozpin said tilting his head slightly. "Why not?"
"I deliver a package, my family is no longer broke. I end up in jail for an unspecified amount of time but the family name lives on for another day." Ashton said with a limp nod.
"You don't care about your own fate?" He asked inquisitively. He leaned forward, the light made a sort of shadow across his face.
"My family is dying, everything we have ever worked for is disappearing. I feel obligated to do what I can." Ashton said with a weak smile. "I'm a casualty in my family's war. I would just end up that way no matter what."
"What if I offered you an alternative?" He asked. He leaned back into the light.
"What sort of alternative are we talking?" Ashton asked nervously. There was something grim about this.
"How would you feel about enrolling in Beacon Academy?" Ozpin asked, unnervingly coldly given how polite he's been so far.
"I don't think I'm allowed out." Ashton responded. He was quickly interrupted.
"If I say you are coming with me, the warden will listen. What I am offering you is a way out, not one that comes lightly." He said sternly. "I am not offering you a free ride here. This will be tough, this will be bloody, if you fail to prove yourself then you will be dropped from my school. Understood?"
"Yes, uh sir?" Ashton mumbled. Ozpin took another sip of his coffee.
"So what is your decision?" Ozpin asked grimly, as if the fate of the world rested on this very question.
"I accept." Ashton replied. He straightened his back. "I feel I overstayed my welcome here anyway."
"Excellent." Ozpin said, a smile returning to his face. "Head through that door, I need to have a word with the warden."
Ashton nervously opened the door and found himself entering a room with three other inmates. There was a giant of a man with a young boyish face and short brown hair. He had a scar across his head. His eyes looked a little off. There was a small and mousy looking girl in the corner, with a patchy brown rag covering her head. Last was a girl with dark hair and a pale complexion. The angry look on her face discouraged social interaction. They sat quietly in the room giving each other cautious glances until Ozpin finally entered the room.
"You have all officially been accepted into Beacon Academy, congratulations on your rehabilitation." Ozpin said with a smile. He led the group out a door leading outside. A limousine was waiting for them.
They packed into the limo, the mousey girl had a wide eyed look, as if she's never been inside a car before. The big guy kept poking the window, mesmerized. The dark hair girl leaned back. The orange jumpsuits of everyone in the room contrasted the luxurious leathers. Ozpin was eying them carefully, gauging their reactions.
"So have you all introduced yourselves?" Ozpin asked politely. The unanimous shrugs from everyone else in the limo gave him his answer. "Right, of course. Well then, I suppose this all is a bit sudden. You will likely socialize on the flight tomorrow. Your belongings will of course be returned to you shortly."
The limo pulled out from the prison, stopping off near the front entrance where the boxes containing the groups belongings were placed in the trunk. The limo eventually dropped everyone off at a hotel, they each were given separate rooms. Ashton collapsed on his soft bed and led out an unwanted groan. He didn't exactly get a comfortable bed for the last six months. His mattress had felt like it was made out of a box spring. It didn't take long before he drifted into a deep sleep.
Ashton awoke to pounding on his door. The sun was shining on his face and he eventually pulled himself to his feet. He pulled himself out of bed and staggered to his box of things. Inside it were his his clothes. A couple pairs of dark jeans, several white dress shirts and a black vest, complete with his usual silver jacket with his family crest. Opening his door he could see the rest of the inmates were already up. The mousy girl wore a patchy cloak that could have been made out of rags, she wrapped herself up in it so tight she might have formed a coccoon. The big guy was dressed in blue overalls with a yellow hoodie. The dark hair girl wore a lacy black dress and wore dark makeup. All of them were yawning audibly, Ozpin still was drinking from his coffee cup.
"You finally join us." Ozpin said with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"I was convinced I was sleeping in an old iron maiden for the last six months so I guess I forgot what a real bed felt like." Ashton replied. "When are we leaving?"
"Immediately, the airship leaves in an hour." Ozpin replied. "Shall we."
Sorry Bruno, Ash thought with a smile. It looks like he's not going to get the chance to carry out those death threats. The sun was shining and he was a free man. Who'd a thought? Today was a good day.