Author's Note: Hello to all new readers and those who have visited before. This is simply a replacement of the previous chapter with some grammer fixes and proper spacing. To any new readers, thank you for choosing my story and I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY
The night was cool, seemingly quiet in the late hour. The streets looked more or less deserted, aside from the occasional few making their ways home, some entering clubs or nighttime shops. 'Hmm, looks like this city is a lot quieter then back home', a figure thought as he made his way through the streets, a little aimlessly since he was not too familiar with the area. He decided to lean against a near wall not too concerned with where he was really headed. Then out of the corner of his eye he spots a little commotion, it seems a group is heading out of an alley and headed to some shop.
'What's this? A little late to be headed out in such a large group into, a dust shop?' Though he would have ignored most people, the fact that they all were wearing the same back suits with red ties, shads, and armed at that peeked his interest. They also seemed to be following a leader, judging by his distinct White jacket, Bolero hat, and a gait that screamed 'I'm in charge!' This seemed interesting and since he was actually quite bored he decided to follow though for stealth purposes he made his way to the roofs of a building on the other side of the street from the shop. It was simple enough, just run a few steps and with a powerful kick-off land right on the roof regardless of the fact that it was a 4 story building.
The figure walked to the ledge and promptly sat down to enjoy the view. 'Now let's see what's going on here. Could this be a robbery? Turf war? I just hope I get some action out of it, I haven't gotten into a good fight in a while. I don't think any of those guys was particularly strong though, a least there might be enough to entertain me for maybe 30 seconds.' As he continued to ponder his next action a crash and some shouts brought his attention back to the streets. One of the goons was lying flat on his back, out cold, and standing beside him was a figure in a red hood.
'Hmm, were did that one come from. Seems really small, almost like a little girl by the look of the figure.' Watching the scene unfold, the girl pulled out a red box from her back, spinning it in her hand until a massive scythe appeared and logged its tip into the ground. 'Damn, now that is a weapon. I wonder what some little girl is doing around here packing that kind of fire-power' He watched in fascination as the little girl wiped the floor with the goons dressed in black and then the apparent leader stepped out of the shop. Though he wasn't close he could actually hear clearly what he was saying.
"Well, they were worth every sent," spoke the leader "Well Red, I think this has been an eventful evening and as much as I'd love to stick around I'm afraid this is where we part."
As he spoke the tip of his, cane?, opened and fired what seemed like a flame dust round that exploded on impact. The girl though had avoided the shot with the use of blast from her scythe to propel herself away. As she landed the man made a dash to an emergency ladder on a building across from where the figure himself was watching. As he neared the roof, the little girl asked the store clerk, who had appeared at the store entrance, if he was going to be ok.
Then she again used some propulsion from her scythe to quickly ascend the building herself. Once she arrived she called out getting the man's attention. As he turned a bullhead appeared from behind the building and nearing the edge of the roof. The man then jumped in and turned around yelling end of the line as he tossed a fire dust crystal at the girl. He then let loose another shot with his cane at the crystal causing an explosion. As the figure was about to jump across to the roof to the building with the combatants a women dropped out of seemingly nowhere and shielded the girl from the blast.
The man seemed taken aback with the arrival of the women and stumble back as the women shots beams of dust infused energy at the bullhead. He then made his way to the front of the ship and switched places with the current pilot. A women appeared from the side of the bullhead, dressed in a red, open around the arms with tattoos that glowed with energy. Though her face caught the figures attention, mostly shrouded in black hair with glowing amber eyes. The two women then began an amazing exchange from blasts of energy and a crystal shower.
Then the women on the roof formed a spear of crystal and lounged it at the bullhead though the women in red managed to blast the spear apart. As they continued the woman in red created a ring of explosions around the two on the roof managing to distract them long enough for the ship to escape. As the figure watched this all unfold he realized certain details of the new women reminded him who he was searching for.
'Wait, blonde, green eyes from what I can see, and uses a riding crop with dust spells. If I'm not mistaken her name was . . . Goodwitch. She is supposedly the headmistress of Beacon Academy so that would mean that she knows the headmaster, Ozpin. Ok, at least I found them now how to get her attention, she seems distracted by the girl asking for her autograph . . . guess I'll just wait a bit and see if the girl leaves.' As he watched the two seemed to begin to head down to the floor though not before the women, Goodwitch, turned and gave one clear glance at him before turning to the girl and jumping to the floor after her.
The figure smirked to himself, 'Well she definitely knows I was watching so I'll just trail behind them and wait until she comes to me' With that thought he began moved every so often jumping from roof to roof maintaining enough distance to not alert the girl but close enough that Goodwitch could obviously still detect him. He then watched as the pair entered a building since it was their destination. 'Damn, looks like I got to wait now' and the figure let out a sigh as he again sat down on the ledge of a room waiting for the women to contact him.
After around 30 minutes the girl appeared at the door of the building. The figure watched in amusement as the girl jumped around as though some wish had been granted before dashing off in a flurry of rose petals. A few moments later Goodwitch appeared scanning the roof tops until her gaze met the figures. She they gave a motion for him to follow so he just slipped off the room and landed with a quiet thud on the street floor. Then he began his approach to the building as Goodwitch held the door for him.
Giving her a look he entered what seemed like a stairway up to the second floor. As he arrived at the end of the stairs Goodwitch approached and opened a door at the end of the stairway into a small room. In the room was a small table with a single light hanging above and a small window with a view into the street to the side of the building. Sitting across from the figure was a man in a green suite, silver hair, light brown eyes and a perfect poker face. He took the expression as an invite to sit across from him and rested himself down waiting for Ozpin to speak.
Ozpin was having a very interesting night first he had witnessed a young aspiring huntress handle a group of robbers with a scythe and the skill of an old friend of his. After speaking with her and hearing her intentions to apply for Beacon, he had promptly decided to give her an invitation to attend Beacon this year and begin her true training. After her acceptance, and departure Glynda had informed him that someone had been watching the whole exchange at the crime scene and then followed them here. Having peaked his curiosity he asked Glynda to invite the figure in and thus waited for his arrival.
Now the figure stood before him, not exactly what he expected. The figure was a man, from his looks around his 20's, silver hair that fell in a wild form, some strands almost reaching his hazel eyes, a light yet strong frame, roughly about 6 feet with an extra inch or two, a very tan complexion as though someone had put too much cream with their morning coffee. His clothes was a black shirt with golden trim, a light black jacket that had red lining and markings along the sleeves. His hands seemed to be wrapped in black cloth up into his sleeve though the fingers were exposed. He had very dark, almost black jeans and black shoes. At his side was a blade and sheath, both black with the handle of the blade wrapped in a red cloth similar to his hands.
'Quite the interesting wardrobe, though he seems a little young for the ware and tare evident on his clothes. I wonder what made him follow Glynda all the way here' Ozpin thought to himself. The young man then sat himself down and made eye contact waiting for him to speak. Ozpin decided now was an appropriate time to begin the conversation.
"So, how can I help you young man?" Ozpin asked noting any expression that crossed the man's face.
"I came here searching for the Headmaster of Beacon, a Professor Ozpin. Is that you by chance?" the man replied.
"Yes," replied Ozpin "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance mister . . . ?"
"Dante" the man, now known as Dante replied.
"Dante hmm" Ozpin looked him in the eye seemingly a little more interested in the conversation. "Why can I help you with Dante? It seems you know of me and spent quite some time following my colleague and waiting to see me?"
"Well," Dante began "I was interested in attending Beacon and thought the best action would be to find you personally. I noticed the little incident at the dust shop while looking around the city and watched to see what would happen. Then when your colleague arrived I noticed that she had a perfect resemblance to the headmistress of Beacon, professor Goodwitch, and so I followed her hoping to speak with her and ask about you. And here we are now."
"And what interest do you have in applying to Beacon. I can tell from your stance and look that you have definitely experienced combat and have travelled around on your own. Why would a seasoned individual such as yourself want to attend my academy that begins with students that are most likely 5 or 6 years your juniors . . .?"
"Actually I just recently turned 20," Dante cut in. "And as for why, I was hoping to gain an advanced Hunter's license which could greatly increase my job opportunities. Also . . ." Dante's voice dropped as he stared Ozpin in the eye as he completed his explanation "I was more interested in Beacon's other programs."
Ozpin eyed Dante, surprised at the young man's request though he did not show it. He began "How did you come to know of such a program's existence?" Ozpin inquired.
"I have been solo for roughly 3 years and have worked a multitude of jobs. The grand majority of them made use of my . . . slightly colder set of skills. It only makes sense that I got little bits of info in regards to programs that use said skills in more prominent ways. I learned that a few academies across Remnant had these programs and that Beacon was one of them." Dante finished never breaking eye contact with Ozpin.
Ozpin examined the young man in front of him seeing him in a new light. He they sighed as he began to speak again.
"What you are asking for is to be admitted into one of the most dangerous programs run by any of the academies on this continent. If admitted you are forced into a contract of secrecy, your assets and movements to be monitored at all times, and living a life while constantly looking over your shoulder. Are you truly prepared for such a life?" Ozpin asked both intrigued and slightly saddened by the development of this conversation.
Dante didn't even seem to falter as he replied "Yes I am. Though I would gladly face down the creatures of Grimm and aspire to be a hero the truth is that Grimm aren't even humanity's greatest concern presently. Government movements, shady business deals, and the concerns with the Faunus populations are all of growing threats. If the problem rooted within our walls are not dealt with first then by the time the Grimm finally breach our defenses there won't be much of humanity left to protect. . . and besides I'm already very used to living with an eye always open." Dante finished with the trace of sadness as he spoke the last words.
Ozpin watched as Dante's eyes finally dropped as he waited for a reply. Part of him wanted to tell him that he could just apply to be a regular student but by the same point he could tell that the young man in front of him had faced hard choices before and was prepared to continue with such a lifestyle. Letting out another sigh Ozpin finally answer "Very well, if you are prepared and accept the risks then it seems that I have no choice but to accept you into Beacon as a Hunter and a member of our hidden program."
As Ozpin finished he notice Dante expression relax a bit, seemingly satisfied with the reply. "Now I need you to give me some information before I can get to the paperwork for you. I need you place of origin, full name, age, weapon name, and general skill set."
Dante nodded before replying "Dante Argentum, Vacuo, 20 years old, my blade's name is Draco Ira (Dragon Wrath), and skills are hand to hand combat, single and dual-wielding weapons, night-time operations, assassination, ambush, tracking, interrogation, and wilderness survival."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow as he observed Dante "I see what you meant when you said that most of the skills you employed were of a . . . darker nature. Very well, my colleague Glynda will begin the application and processing of your information. You will begin your initiation and team formation along with this year's newest applicants in 1 weeks' time."
As Ozpin finished his statement he got up along with Dante. "Wait" Dante said "Why would I begin initiations and form teams with the new arrivals? Aren't I in a different program from the regular hunters and huntresses in training?"
Ozpin replied "Yes, though this my surprise you there are other applicants to join Beacon's other program, many around your age. You shall have a separate initiation which will help you find your partner that will be with you for the following years. As for the rest of the students at Beacon the new applicants will be shown as advanced transfer students that undergo elite training to become specialized Hunters. Though you will be required to attend some standard classes aside from you more discrete lessons and generally socialize with Beacon's regular students."
Dante gave Ozpin an amused look as he considered the alibi supplied for him and the implications it would have in his time at Beacon. Deciding that everything sounded good he nodded before shaking hands with Ozpin.
Ozpin then said "Well Dante, this has been a very interesting night. I look forward to seeing you at your initiation. Welcome to Beacon Academy as a member of . . . Shadow Ops".