Remnant has changed much since its isolation on the edge of the galaxy ended long ago.
Still much has remained the same. This world has forged mighty heroes since long before the Horus Heresy. And all of these heroes have come from the finest school for warriors in the galaxy.
Beacon Academy,
Here high on the galactic plain what once was a school for Hunters sworn to hold back the tide of the creatures of Grimm from the four forgotten kingdoms, now serves as the training ground for The Emperor's greatest warriors.
The Adeptus Astartes, the Space marines, Angels of Death.
Not only the Astartes. For all of Remnant has been geared to making soldiers for the long war. Many elite regiments of the Imperial guard have been raised from the population of Remnant and gone on to claim just as much honor as their super human brethren. Even select convents of the Sisters of Battle ever seek new recruits from this near mythic place.
It is a candle in the cold night, kindling hopes for a better tomorrow. Beacon now bears the burden of protecting uncounted billions of innocents across the vast expanse of the Imperium of Man.
Shadows however shroud the memory of this vibrant place, home world of one of the first legions the Emperor created, one whom many would rather forget existed.
But today was not a time to dwell in the dark past. Losses amongst the successor chapters have been relatively few and quickly replaced as of late. So several hundred newly made marines are without a chapter sitting idle behind the great walls of Beacon.
Requests were issued and a decree was made, a new chapter was to be founded from the fully trained Astartes ready and waiting in these sacred halls.
But before the new brotherhood would swear their oaths and leave their home for the fronts. They would face their greatest test of all and be judged by the oldest living member of the legion they were sired from.
Beyond the training fields for the Imperial guard, past the Astartes proving grounds. Deep inside the fortress monastery of Beacon lay The Archives, a massive monument to the glorious history of all the warriors who had trained on this holy ground.
Long and tall cavernous hallways filled with murals of great battles, statues of fallen heroes, trophies of wars and conquest since the earliest recorded history of Remnant, through all of the thirteen Black Crusades.
Last in the center, the holy grave sites. The final resting place for the bodies and memories of all the warriors of Remnant who had given their lives for mankind.
And the tomb of the Primarch in whose image the original legion was crafted.
Together in the empty viewing avenues, wearing their unpainted armor as was custom, the hopeful Astartes stood ranked at attention in front of this casket of stone and the looming guardian.
The Venerable Dreadnought Sun Wukong. One of the oldest warriors in the Imperium and the last living soul who had fought in the great crusade side by side with the Primarch.
For centuries Sun had fought with all his might to hold back the darkness plaguing humanity. Until injuries rendered him crippled but still able to serve after being emplaced within this cybernetic combat harness which had preserved his life for the last ten thousand years.
Silently the hopeful chapter master knelt on one knee before the ancient one, clutching his power sword and helmet with no small amount of anticipation. As Sun read data screens projected on his vision through the records the academy had on every single one of the Space marines who would be part of this new chapter.
If Wukong found any of them unworthy to carry on Beacon's legacy he would not hesitate to purge their weakness from the ranks of humanity's defenders.
For he had seen many of the horrors waiting behind the false hope of the bright stars in the sky. And Sun knew only the best could be trusted to uphold their sacred duty before the innumerable terrors and potential threats they could be called against.
Or worse do the unthinkable and turn on those they had sworn to defend.
Wukong would over look no detail no matter how insignificant it appeared. So this process took nearly two whole days.
Two days of no food, no water, and no rest at attention for the new marines. A small achievement for one of their kind. But made all the greater if their judgement was worthy.
Finally Sun turned to the kneeling warrior and spoke. His deep mechanical voice twisted far from what it had been.
"What is your name?"
"Mikado Krest." The Astartes answered immediately
"Have you passed through all of the tests that have been laid before you?" The bronze Dreadnought rumbled in question.
"Yes great one."
"Have you been deemed the best choice to lead your new chapter?"
"Unanimously by all those who have taught us the art of war."
"Who do you serve?"
"The God Emperor, no other man living or dead."
Sun took one heavy step toward Mikado,
"We were made to serve the Emperor yes. But his greatest wish was that humanity would thrive. That one day we would know peace across the stars. He served humanity, and so do we, he sacrificed himself for humanity and we may too. Beacons in the dark, paragons of virtue and glory to rise above all."
The ancient one took a step back, raising his voice to reach more distant ears. "We honor His memory by placing ourselves between the defenseless and those who would drown the galaxy in blood."
Sun bent down looking deep into Mikado's eyes and asked his ultimate question. "What is honor Chapter Master?"
Mikado let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding as quietly as possible. His heart soared with pride.
Wukong had called him Chapter Master,
"Honor is the debt we owe ourselves." He came to his armored feet, "Honor is duty fulfilled."
"What is your duty Space Marine?"
"To defend humanity with all my strength, to guide my brother's to triumph over our enemies. And if the price of that duty is our lives then so be it."
Sun stepped back, satisfied with the courage and ability he saw. Now he spoke to all of the assembled Astartes. And once more began the tale of the long road from the past to the present which he did for all of the chapters at their founding.
"Never forget your duty, always remember the past you see around you. And what we learned from and with the boy who fell from the heavens to this world ten thousand years ago."
A/N First story go big or go home. Warhammer 40k and RWBY crossover. Why? Why not, I've seen crazier stuff here. I do not own anything from either series they all belong to their respective owners. I just claim proprietorship of the crossover concept.
Enjoy, or hate whatever. (Ch 23, RWBY Vol 2 catchup end-ish)
Currently under revision,