Once upon a time

There were the Forgotten Fairytales

These were the tales you have heard during your childhood

Yet you do not know the truth behind these very same tales

Forgotten, they are, because very few know of them

They are dark and violent, a history of a far away world

So forget all you know

and listen to what I have to tell you

For once upon a time

There were the Forgotten Fairytales

Forgotten Fairytales

Shadow of the White Fang

Prologue

A railroad somewhere in Wake

It was late into the night in this seemingly peaceful corner of the world of Remnant. A vast pinewood forest fanned over the mountains, protecting a wide river like a natural fort. The only evidence of humanity that existed in this part was the long steel bridge guiding a railway line high above the river. On this moonlit night, all seemed serene, the sounds of nature making their various sounds through the night, but soon the river would run thick with blood.

The slumbering silence was suddenly disturbed by the sound of a train whistle, it's shriek piercing the cold air like a banshee. The tall dark trees where then pierced by a moving beam of light, as if a celestial being was descending down into the world. Slithering along the line like a metal snake, the long passenger train sprung forward as if the devil were chasing, the wheels pounding the rails like rain. The engine itself seemed oblivious to the neck breaking speed it was going as it approached the bridge.

Across the river, flamed stabbed from the darkness. A cannon shell impacted the ground near the base of the bridge, lighting up the night. A moment later another shell was fired, this time hitting the base. The bridge swayed, but held. The train was starting to cross the bridge when a third shot was fired. The explosion was enough to cause the support to collapse.

The bridge fell apart, the train going down with it. The engine went down in a nose dive, the passenger cars pulled like toys. Impacts boomed over the land, metal grinding against each other like a million birds screaming all at once. Inside the cars, countless screams were heard as the young and old screamed in terror before death took every one of them. The cars collapsed on top of each, followed by a tremendous explosion that claimed the lives of anyone who might have survived the fall.

The doomed trained and the destroyed bridge descended into the wide river. Silence once again consumed the land and before nature took up its song again as though the incident had never happened. From the wreckage, lifeless bodies, their luggage, and other things from the train floated up onto the surface, the moon painting a horrifying sight.

Blood stained this part of the world for the White Fang had struck again.

Beacon Academy

The day after the incident

"I cannot tell you, gentlemen, how important it is to defang this monster," Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy, stood looking the wide windows of his office, located in the highest tower of the famous school. From bellow he could see his students scattered around the fairground, yet his gaze was not seeing them. His gaze was instead distant as his mind was consumed with troubling thoughts.

Behind him sat four young men before his great mahogany desk, all neatly dressed in their school uniforms. The one who sat the furthest to left was the oldest and the tallest, being only eighteen. The next three who sat to his right were all sixteen.

All of them sat in silence and watch the headmaster. One hand rested on his cane while his other hand held a steaming mug of coffee. Fifteen years ago, Ozpin had come home a war hero for his courageous efforts the Faunas Rights Revolution. During one of the last battles he had suffered a war wound by being shot in the leg. Shortly after he was sent home, the war ended. While the wound had not made him a cripple the leg still caused him use a cane when the pain was to difficult to stand on its own, especially when the winter came. On the world of Remnant, the last days of summer were coming to an end.

A late summer storm cloud was approaching the city of Vale as Professor Ozpin continued to stare out the window. While he seemed quiet and serene, the young men could not mistake how tightly he was holding both his cane and his mug. Beyond their sight, the window before him reflected his anger, frustration, and determination all etched in his face. His chocolate brown eyes were ablaze with the same kind of anger.

"These attacks on Remnant's global trading system and these acts of terror must be stopped," he continued, "Various companies and corporations are losing their business left and right and the economies of numerous countries are being greatly affected. Now we've had this train incident that was obviously a terrorist attack done by them. Over five hundred innocent men, women, and children were killed. Not a single person survived. Yet strangely a section of the train was separated from the rest, sparing the other five hundred lives."

All four men looked at each other, grimacing. The news of the terrorist attack had been in full bloom since early this morning. However, a new wave of fear began to consume Vale as the attack was not far from the city. Shortly after they first head the news, the four men were called to Ozpin's office.

"I've heard," Peter Poplawski, the oldest, spoke after a pause, "that the Schnee Dust Company has been attacked the most."

Professor Ozpin snorted and took a sip from his coffee, "That's only because some idiot in the White Fang began spreading lies about his labor force and have even gone to the extreme of staging Schnee Faunus workers being abused and even murdered for disobedience. I know it's all a lie because I'm an old friend of Hilbert Schnee. His company supported the war effort even when it was still small and when it was over he welcomed Faunus refugees looking for work with open arms. It's true he doesn't have much of a opinion of the Faunus, but he respects them enough that he actually had houses built for them as his company grew in the years after the war. The last thing he would do is abuse his work force. That just isn't him."

"Oh yes, I'm well aware of the media questioning his increase in security, but let me ask you this. How else are you suppose to protect your products when they are being stolen from right under your nose? It goes to show just how clueless these reporters and journalists are in the real world. They're even insulting our men and women who fought in the war! And now that Hilbert's daughter is becoming a singing sensation, he's going to have to take even greater precautions to see to his daughter's safety."

Ozpin swung away from the window and sipped from his coffee before he sighed heavily.

"When the White Fang first appeared they were originally a peaceful organization, protesting the unfairness and discrimination our human brethren had been giving them. At the time I actually supported them and when I became headmaster of this school I happily accepted Faunus who wanted to learn and to become hunters and huntresses. But ever since their original leader stepped down-and I still believe he was forced even to this day-the White Fang has steadily become a terrorist organization. Now, instead of governments putting a stop to them, they're catering to them by giving them equal rights! Not out of respect, but out of fear," his thumped his cane hard into the floor, "because our government officials are too cowardly to do the right thing, what needs to be done."

Sighing again, Ozpin went to his desk and set down his mug. Picking a collection of papers that were in five stacks, he handed them to Peter.

"The time you've been sent her for has come. These are the latest reports I was able to obtain. Don't ask me how, but please take a look at them. You need to know what the White Fang has become."

After Peter has passed along the other four stacks, a minute passed as they scanned through their contents.

"It seems the White Fang changed its ways of achieving it's objectives five years ago," Peter noted.

"That is what we believe," Ozpin inclined his head, "And it's grown rapidly since then. Rumors are starting to come out now that humans are working with them, including a notorious weapons dealer and dust stealer."

"Roman Torchwick?" Peter raised a brow.

"Who else?"

Peter nodded and looked back at the reports, "Any idea who the new leader is?"

"No," Ozpin leaned against his desk and picked up his mug, "Whoever it is, he or she knows what they're doing. No matter how much effort we've put in over the years, we still can't pin down the White Fang's leader. But it is the leader we must eliminate, whether by capture or by force. With the amounts of murder and destruction happening by the day, his cult leads Remnant closer to anarchy."

"Anarchy would be just be the beginning of it," said Jaune Arc, seated next to Peter, glancing at his stack papers, "With the amount of weapons and Dust they've been stealing over the last five years, it's clear they're determined to take over the entire world by force of arms."

"And auras," Sun Wukong, a Faunist himself with his monkey tail, added, "All this to establish a new world order. One ruled by fear."

In the seat between Jaune and Sinclair, Neptune Vasilias's lip curled, "The White Fang makes the Faunus Rebellion look like a civilized protest."

Peter looked up at Ozpin, "You said that the government has no idea who the leader of the White Fang is, despite all your efforts."

"None," Ozpin confirmed, "And our government no longer seems interested in finding out, which is why I've brought the four of you here to this school."

The boys lifted their heads, eagerly listening. Nearly six months ago, each of them had suddenly received letters of acceptance to Beacon Academy, yet none of them had actually applied. Their guardians, however, insisted that they must go for it was important for the future of Remnant. Seeing that they were in no position to refuse, they reluctantly agreed. After they had met, they were formed into team JPES, yet in the semester they have been through together, none could figure why they were really here.

"It seems to me that your respective governments," Ozpin gestured to all of them, "are turning a blind eye to the White Fang's atrocities. This is most likely because they are sick and tired of dealing with the Faunus. While I can't blame them initially, this situation that can no longer be ignored. So I've decided to take matter into my own hands."

He paused and studied all five of them.

"The four of you each come from different countries, yet you all share one thing: Principles. This is because all of you come from families that are all built on principle. Remnant needs to be ready to face the White Fang should all hell break loose. Since I'm now a professor and no longer a soldier, I need your help. This is the reason why I brought you here."

He paused again, reading their faces.

"What I'm about to ask you will be a tremendous challenge, one that will be filled with horrors that you cannot imagine and will change you forever. Some of you… might not survive. What I'm about to do will be cruel, seeing that all of you are still very young. But you all come from highly respected families that were good friends of mine during the war. With those letters of acceptance you each received I also sent separate letters to your families explaining the situation and why I needed their help. They understood immediately and sent you here to Beacon Academy. However, this is not a task to hunt done certain creatures of Grimm around the world. This is a task to prevent a full scale war. However, I will not force you to do this. If you feel that you are not up to this task, than say so now and you can forget everything that was said in this room."

A long moment of silence passed.

"I don't understand," said Jaune, "What makes you think we can make a difference in dealing with the White Fang?"

Ozpin sighed, "My worst fear is that the White Fang will spread their ideals to other countries and if no action is taken, those countries may turn each other both inside and out. With your help and knowledge, you may be able to stop the White Fang in your respective countries. You've been trained since birth and I have full confidence in each and every one of you just as your families do. If no one stands up against the White Fang, then everything we hold dear will be lost."

He waited as they pondered his words before they looked at each other. After what happened with the train incident, none of them could really refuse.

"What do you want us to do?" asked Peter after he received nods from the others.

Giving a small smile, Ozpin placed his mug back down and stood up straight, placing both hands on his cane.

"The four of you posing here as students was nothing more than a ruse," he began, "None of you would have been interested in attending despite your families reputation and the White Fang knows it. It was only by my request that you're here now. The reason why I did this was to catch the White Fang's attention. Your families all played a crucial role in the war and the leaders of the White Fang will not have forgotten that easily. Suddenly attending here is enough to get their attention."

All four of them blinked.

"You were actually using us?" said Peter.

"In a way, yes," Ozpin inclined his head, "The White Fang will find it odd to find attending Beacon, and they may have been keeping an eye on you this entire semester. However, I assure you that you're in danger for they have not acted-at least, not yet."

Ozpin pulled open another drawer and drew out four enclosed steel cylinders with leather straps and a pack of papers taped to the side.

"These here contain valuable information about the White Fang," he handed on to each of them, "Do not try to open them for they require a special way to be opened. The task I will give you is this: You are to deliver these cylinders to the names that are listed there in those paper packs taped to the side. You may know their names for they hold high offices. In those packs is a map containing what route you should take and what means of transportation you should use. Memorize the names, the routes, and whatever else before burning them. For the sake of secrecy, I highly advise all of you not to reveal anything to each other about you're the separate conditions of your tasks should you be captured. You will leave precisely at midnight. Miss Goodwitch, my secretary, will see to it that you are not disturbed or intervened when you leave."

Following his advice, the four students looked over their packets before putting them away.

"I take it there's more to this task to delivering these?" asked Jaune.

"There is," Ozpin went, "The information these containers hold could help us discover who the leaders of White Fang are, meaning we could track them down and bring them to justice while preventing a world war. The moment you leave this school, the White Fang will realize that you have this information and will send men after to stop you from delivering these containers."

Neptune frowned, confused, "What makes you so certain that the White Fang will follow us?"

"Because the agents who delivered this to me were all killed and the White Fang knows that they were answering to me. The agents were able to make copies of these and send them off before the White Fang found them."

"But won't you be in danger now, sir?" said Eros, "The White Fang will know it was you who gave us these containers."

Ozpin grinned, "You needn't worry about me. The White Fang knows me well enough to know they have little chance at getting to me for if they were attack this school, they would risk getting the entire Wake Army coming down on their heads. And even if they were to capture me, they wouldn't get much from me through interrogation because I have no idea what routes you're taking. Only your contacts do-I only gave you the task to carry out and the containers to deliver."

"Now comes the most important part of the task. Do not-I repeat-do not pursue the White Fang by any means even if they are right in front of you. You're task is to deliver those containers to your contacts, not to go chasing after the White Fang terrorists. On your separate journeys you are allowed to obtain any help or allies at your discretions-having fellow companions will using in fending off the White Fang should they attempt to trap or corner you-but get those containers delivered. The world knows we don't need a world war."

"No argument there," stated Peter, the others murmuring in agreement and stood.

"Any questions?" when none answered, Ozpin held out his hand, "Then I wish you all a safe journey. Good luck to all of you."

Midnight was approaching Vale as the team prepared themselves to leave. Having now changed out of their school uniforms and into their traveling gear, they sat around their dorm room looking over the maps one last time before throwing them into the fire that blazed in the hearth.

"One thing I still don't understand," said Neptune, "Is why Ozpin wants the White Fang to follow us yet not deal with them."

"Isn't it obvious?" said Jaune, who was said to be the real tactician of the team, "Haven't you noticed that White Fang's activities have been mostly here in Wake?"

"I thought that was because the Schnee Dust Company mostly operated here."

"It is," said Peter, "because the White Fang is mostly stationed here. Therefore, since we don't how powerful the organization is, should they try to take over Wake the country wouldn't stand much of a chance. Everything in Wake has been infiltrated."

"Therefore," said Sinclair, "Once we head out on our different paths, the White Fang will follow, spreading their forces thin."

Neptune blinked, "You think that will work?"

"Ozpin certainly does, and I've yet to see him make a mistake."

"But wouldn't it make more sense to keep the White Fang contained here in Wake?"

"At a first glance, yes," said Jaune, "but like Peter said, Wake has been infiltrated far enough to make them practically useless in terms of resistance. No, the best way is to spread their lines thin, lure them out of their hiding places and let our governments deal with them. When that happens, they'll come to realize just how dangerous the White Fang is and why they must dealt with."

"Okay," Neptune was still unconvinced, "but about preventing a full scale war? I can't see how the White Fang would be able to take over the entire world in the state they're in now."

"They may be able to take over Wake," said Peter, "But they don't have to."

"What do you mean?"

Peter tapped his container, sending a dull ding across the dorm, "I have a notion that the White Fang has plans to make the Four Kingdoms turn against each other. If they succeed, humanity will all but wipe each other out."

"Allowing the Faunists and the White Fang to take over," added Jaune, "creating a new world order that's run by fear, as Sun said earlier in Ozpin's office."

"That's why we need to get these containers to our contacts," said Sun, "I've made a great many friends around the world in my travels before I came here and I for one don't want to face as enemies."

"Neither do I," Jaune agreed.

"I barely had any friends until I met all of you," Peter smiled, "None of us wants to point a weapon at each other.

"I see," Neptune nodded, "I understand now. Ozpin did say the men who brought him this information were killed. Let's not let their sacrifice go in vain."

The clock struck twelve, and each one of them felt a chill go down their spin as if their doom was waiting for them.

"It's time," Peter stood, straightening his long coat.

"If your finished with your packets, hand them to me," Neptune held out his hands,

Once he collected them all, he tossed them into the fire.

"Anything else?" asked Sun.

"Just one," Jaune grinned and went to a cabinet. From it he pulled a battle containing dark liquid and four small glasses, "One last drink before we part."

The others grinned. Drinking was prohibited on the school grounds, yet students always found a way to sneak small bottles in for little celebrations.

"Why not?" said Peter, "It may the last one we'll have for a time."

Gathering around the table, Jaune poured a generous amount into each glass until the bottle was empty.

Peter held his glass, "Gentlemen, it's been an honor to have been your team leader during our time at Beacon."

Jaune held up his own, "Until we meet again."

"To a peaceful world of Remnant," added Sun.

"And the end of the White Fang's terror," said Neptune.

Clinking their glasses together, they drained them and set them down, leaving them where they were along with the empty bottle. It didn't matter if one of the staff members found the forbidden bottle for they would no longer be here come next day.

The now former teammates made one last check to see if their containers were safely secure and hidden inside their outfits before walking out of the dorm room. Peter led them, making sure the hallways were empty before they entered an elevator. They stepped out into the ground floor and made their way over to the front doors.

Peter stopped and turned, holding out his hand, "Good luck."

His friends returned the sentiment and shook his hand before they stepped outside one by one. The storm cloud had descended upon Vale to where a thick fog covered the streets and a light drizzle fell.

Each young man took a different direction, disappearing into the fog and into the night.

A house somewhere in Vale

Some hours later…

"I think we may have a problem."

The tow other occupants in the room turned to the first speaker.

"Oh? How so?" said a second voice

"Our spy over at Beacon Academy just reported that four students you told me to keep an eye," said the first voice, "Peter Poplawski, Jaune Arc, Sun Wukong, and Neptune Visilias, have all suddenly left Beacon Academy."

"Left?" said a third voice, "What do you mean left?"

"That's just it," said the first, "They suddenly left without warning."

"But the semester is not even over!"

"When was this?" asked the second voice.

"Just after midnight. They were all wearing traveling gear and were headed in different directions."

"And you're sure it was them?"

"The spy was able to get a picture of them leaving even with the fog."

The first speaker handed them a picture for the second and third speaker to look at.

"Should we really be concerned with these four little brats?" the third speaker spoke with an uncaring attitude."

The second speaker pinned the third with a glare, "These brats happen to be from the same families who defeated the Faunists during the war, and one of them happens to be a Faunist!"

"Perhaps they're sick of school and have decided to go home?"

"How intellectual you are," the second speaker sneered, "When I received news that these boys were attending Beacon I wasn't swallowing the gossip that they were there because they wanted to become hunters. We all know how cunning Ozpin is, and none of those boys were interested in attending his school. There has to something more to this. Find out where they have gone and why they've suddenly left."

The night after…

"They all have left the country."

The second speaker frowned, "Are you sure?"

"Positive," the first speaker nodded, "Apparently they are all heading back to their respective homelands."

"So they've decided to head home early for the holidays," the third speaker shrugged, "Why should we be concerned with them?"

The second speaker ignored him and asked, "What else did you find out?"

"Only this," the first speaker sat down, "Not long after the news of the train incident spread-"

"All thanks to that traitor!" the third speaker spat.

"-the four were called into Ozpin's office. They spent a good time there and when they finally left they were each carrying a steel cylinder of some sort. The rest you know"

The second speaker froze, "The plans that were stolen from us!"

"What?" the third speaker looked at the second, incredulous, "I thought we already took care of that."

The fist of the second speaker banged into the arm of it occupant's chair, "I should have known that Ozpin's men had made a copy of the plans and sent it off to him just before we captured and killed them. Since we got the original back I wasn't worried that any harm had been done, but what just happened here proves otherwise. Ozpin must have made copies of those plans and gave a separate one to each of kids before sending them back home so they could deliver it to their governments."

The third speaker seemed unconvinced, "Are you sure you're not overreacting? Why would Ozpin entrust something so important to a bunch of kids?"

"Because that's how cunning he is, you fool! He knows every one of their families and he has friends in high places in every kingdom around the world! If those boys reveal what our plans are to their governments our cause will die before we can launch it into full bloom. We have to find them and destroy every one of those copies."

"If you're that concerned," said the third speaker, "then we can send men after them. They're only children. They should be easy to deal with."

The eyes of the second speaker narrowed, "If you think they are children, then you clearly don't know them. If you've forgotten they all come from famous families who served during the war. They've been trained since birth. I wasn't at all surprised when I heard that they were the best team at Beacon to the point that even the older students couldn't match their skills in battle. And they all have friends around the world that wouldn't hesitate to come to their aid. They will not be easy to deal with, but we still have to stop them," the speaker turned to the first, "Which routes did they take?"

"From what I gathered," said the first, "Poplawski took the obvious route back to Vasya going by sea. It's a trading ship that is carrying valuable ore. Since we've been stealing from Vasya, the government taken extra precautions by placing well armed and well trained soldiers on it. Our men would have a difficult time trying to get through them just to reach Poplawski."

"Then find a fast airship and get our some of our men to Vasya so they can intercept him once he lands," the third speaker snapped impatiently, "The last thing I want is the Red Hoods sticking their noses in our affairs."

"The Red Hoods?" the second speaker frowned, "I thought the League of the Red Hoods only specialized in hunting down the creatures of Grimm in Vasya."

"They do," the third speaker said stiffly, "but they've been known to become Vasyan's temporarily special forces when it comes to their country's security. I've had dealings with them before and it nearly destroyed my line of work. It's the reason why I've avoided going to Vasya as much as possible."

"Fine," the second speaker spat, "We'll just have to make sure we get Poplawski once he reaches dock. What about the rest?"

"Jaune Arc has apparently taken the scenic route back to Paschal. He's going by fast ship through Minos, possibly through Augustine, before making his way to Paschal. Where he intends to land I have no idea."

"Then get men to follow him immediately."

"I will," assured the first speaker, "As for Wukong and Vasilias, both of them have disappeared. I've asked their classmates and none of them know where they are. I've also checked the docks and airports and neither of them were registered in their books."

"That's because Wukong family has their own boat while the Vasilias family has their own airship," said the third speaker, "It's likely they were picked up by a crewmember somewhere outside of town and taken to their vessel without anyone noticing."

"If that's so, then send a men to every part of the globe," said the second speaker, "I want to know where they went."

"Understood," the first speaker got to his feet and left the room.

"You do realize that we'll be spreading our forces thin with all this chasing around?" said the third speaker a moment later.

"That's part of Ozpin's brilliant plan," said the second.

"Why don't we capture and interrogate him?"

"Much as I'm tempted to it would be a complete waste of time. Ozpin himself wouldn't know where the boys are going. Only the boys themselves and their contacts do. And even if we capture one of them, I doubt he'll know where the others are headed."

"Very well," the third speaker paused, "do you still intend to go along with the plan of kidnapping Schnee's daughter?"

"Yes," the second speaker grinned maniacally, "I wish to bring Hilbert Schnee to his knees so we can obtain everything he owns. Dust, weapons, and armor. His daughter is the heir and the key to obtaining the final piece of our objective. Even with our forces spread out, I have enough men to do the job. Once we have that final piece, the White Fang can begin spread its claws and cut down every opposition in our path."