Edward and Megan's parents (At the time of the flashback)
James Kidd Mercer
Voiced by Guy Cihi
Age: 28
Height: 6'0"
Appearance: Take Tamaki Suoh and give him a five o'clock shadow with jade colored eyes, forest green button up shirt, black steampunk trench coat, black business casual pants, light brown leather boots (boots have a leg cover that can be belted together, look for steampunk pirate boots, you'll eventually come across them)
Weapon: Captain Drake's cutlass
Mary Read Mercer
Voiced by Monica Taylor Horgan
Age: 27
Height: 5'9"
Appearance: take Monika (just Monika), dye her hair raspberry red, give her azure blue contacts, ditch the bow and replace it with a blue ribbon, her outfit is a Florentine crimson recolor of Legolas's outfit (ditch the cape on this one), Thieves guild boots
Weapon: Black dragon naginata
6 years ago...
My father often spoke of the history of Grimm, Hunters, Dust, and Remnant. Told us grand stories of heroes and heroines battling monsters for the protection of the weak. My father was one of these Hunters, as was my mother. My sister and I are descendants of the Read and Kidd families. I take more after my father and was named Edward P.T Mercer, seems after multiple generations, Kidd was dropped and used more as a title, perhaps to express more individuality. I'm not really sure.
"Edward! Go get your sister, breakfast is ready!" Mother called from downstairs.
I could smell garlic and toasted bread, Mom puts garlic in my omelettes, served a better alternative to just eating them whole.
I snapped out of my train of thought and walked to my sisters room. Her room was right next to mine, both the same size, same shape, but different color of different shades of green and magenta. We like pastel colors, it's easy to paint with.
"Megan, you still still asleep?" I asked after rapping against the door.
Grumbling was heard on the other side before the door slowly creaked open.
"Good morning, Ed." Megan mumbled before walking downstairs.
Maybe I shouldn't have sent her that video of the internet's most loved cyberbully. She probably spent the entire night trying not to wake everybody up. Breakfast went rather well, Dad retold a joke that he heard from one of his friends yesterday. Mom was the only one who laughed, as usual. Omelettes are amazing, paired with braid strudels and bacon, perfection.
"So, Edward, Megan, I have something spectacular planned for today." Father said after clinking his glass.
Megan and I beamed like solar rays, and we already knew what he had in store. Before anyone said anything else, we darted upstairs and grabbed our weapons, me with a katana/machete and Megan with a short spear.
"Well, someone's eager!" Mother exclaimed before finishing her orange juice.
Mom and Dad went to get their weapons before heading out. Our backyard leads into a heavily forested area that ends in a laser-grid electric fence. That doesn't stop the Grimm from coming in anyway, especially since some are just as tall as the fence and can just jump over it. You failed miserably, city engineers, you guys had one job!
Anyway, father lead us deeper and deeper into the woods. That's what we get for living in the Easternmost part of Vale. At least the food's good.
"Now, who can tell me what we are hunting today?"
"Ursa's, maybe some Nevermore's." Megan chimed in.
"I'm hoping for a Death Stalker!" I gleefully shouted.
Father smiled at me while mother pulled on my ear.
"Edward, you shouldn't try to be reckless!"
Megan snickered a bit, after making a mental note to loosen the pipes in the sink later, we headed deeper into the forest. In due time, we reached a cave, the smell of dried blood hung thickly in the air.
"Be careful, this isn't your run of the mill Grimm." Father said.
"How many are in there?" Megan asked.
"Maybe four, one for each of us." Mom chuckled darkly before twirling her spear.
The side of mother I've rarely seen before, she seems like a different person whenever she leaves the house. Honestly, it scares me a bit.
Apparently, there was only one Grimm inside, and it definitely wasn't an Ursa. It was a battle to remember, but at a cost.
There was blood everywhere, the beast was seven feet tall, covered with an inky black aura and blood red bandages. It's eyes were pure red, and in them were the lives it has claimed.
All I remember from that day are two things, one, I gained my semblance, which I used to kill the monster, two, my mother died when I finally snapped out of my power craze.
~ The present
You get used to the nightmares after a few years, slowly, they start to fade, but the trauma remains. Father and Megan kept telling me that the Grimm in the cave killed mom and I somehow managed to fend it off, even gaining my Semblance in the process, Berserker armor, as they called it. What it does is coat my body in black and green flames while shutting off my nervous system, making me completely numb to any pain. However, as a drawback, it doesn't exactly protect me, it just keeps me together by putting bones back in place by tearing and moving my muscles around. I have since gained an addiction to orange juice so I don't die from blood loss. Aside from mental trauma and losing my mother, a long scar crossed horizontally over my right eye, not deep enough to cause blindness, but enough so it's easily visible.
Now, I'm walking the partly empty streets of Vale, bored out of my mind, and looking for some action. My coat sways gently in the breeze, the sounds of the flapping cloth soothe my ears in comparison to the almost deafening silence. There are some people talking, nothing I can get involved in, so I just keep my headphones on and mind my own business. With a simple acoustic in my ears, my eyes focus on the ground. Lights dance across the rain soaked asphalt.
BGM: Summer (2011) - Rob Scallon
"I need to get somewhere dry..." I mumbled.
A nearby convenience store provided the kind of shelter I needed. There were a few people inside, didn't pay them any mind. I had some spare Lien coins in my pocket, left the card at home. After making a decision, I snagged a bag of beef jerky and chocolate milk. After paying for my late night snack, I found a corner to sit in and enjoy my delectables. Then these dipshits in baggy clothes walk in, talking a weird spider language with repeated use of words like 'muthafucka', 'homedawg', and some word starting with a 'N' that made my mouth feel like sandpaper.
"Hey, look'it this dope." One of them said.
I look up from my scroll and see that they have me cornered, jokes on them, cornered rat will bite the cat.
"Can I help you?" I ask.
"See, we don't like it when people muscle in our space, aight? So do us a favor and screw off." One in a shiny jacket and beanie said.
I pocket my scroll and crack my neck, they act all surprised.
"Necks a little stiff, staring at this article for too long." I explain.
"Did we ask you?" The supposed leader bellowed.
"No, but I'm clearing up the confusion."
They laugh between themselves, these idiots think they have the upper hand. I guess I'll just have to put them in their place.
"Well, we don't take kindly to that kind of attitude. People tend to get shanked."
I raised a eyebrow and chuckle, causing their leader to blush. Looking at the door, I motion them to follow. The very attosecond the last guy leaves the store, I take a strange piece of metal from my coat.
"And what're gonna do with that?" The leader says.
"Play..." I mumble.
Without provocation, I spin the hilt and a blade folds out.
"Showtime."
All of them rushed me, with a quick motion, I blocked the first swing of a nailbat, then forced nailbat into a swing from a tire iron. The third guy threw a punch that I easily dodged, giving me the chance to kick him in the groin. The rest of them continued the 'let's run at him like idiots' strategy, I incapacitated them with a single swing of the sword. Barely worth my time.
"Aw, can't take a few more hits? You make me sad…" I mockingly say.
"Thank you." The shopkeeper said, looking upon the pain strewn about.
"That's not the last of them, is it?" I ask.
"I'm sorry to say, but this won't be the last of The Snippers."
"Excuse me?" I ask.
"The Snippers, a gang led by a truly sadistic man, Sweeney Barrows." The man pulls a cigarette from his pocket and lights it. "Barrows is known as a scissorman, a warrior using a pair of large sheers in combat."
The shopkeeper shook his head, instead of feeling worried, I smiled wide. I don't need to head home yet, and I can make some cash in the process, win-win scenario. Okay then, new target, find this Mr. Barrows and I'll be able to eat my midnight snacks in peace. I have heard that a mysterious barber works near an old factory not too far from here, and a lot of people have disappeared around that area. While it's not in my usual interest, I can't ignore something that is effecting this many people. Without another word, I swiftly vanish into the wind, ready to deliver some justice. Hopefully, this barber is Sweeney Barrows, it'd make my job easier.
"Wait 'till they get a load of me..." I chuckled to myself, stalking through the cramped alleyways until I find myself in front of the old factory.
Let's take a silent approach, shall we? After picking the lock, I carefully tip toe my way into the complex. At least this is easier than wearing my socks over my boots, that'd be messy.
"If my knowledge of film is correct, and usually it is, this would be where the villain knocks out the protagonist with a blow to the back of head and ties them to chair, right?" I say to myself.
"Right..." A raspy voice answers.
"Thank you! Wait…" Before I could question, a blunt pain spread across the back of my skull, causing me to fall to the floor. Before everything went black, I could see a nice pair of boots coming towards me.
(Sweeney Barrows is voiced by David Near's Wilson)
When I came to, I found myself strapped to a chair. Oh, the bloody irony.
"Now, you're going to tell me why you came looking for me." A raspy voice said.
"Sure, undo the straps and I'll give you a loooong explanation." I smirked at the man.
He was a few inches taller than me, looked as if he had a complicated relationship with his hair dresser. Wore what looked like a mix of gothic and ritzy clothes, a wide sleeved white shirt, blood red cravat, black vest adorned with silver details, dark brown leather pants, knee high leather boots, and bandages wrapped around his hands.
"What, missed your late night screening of Rocky Horror?" I joked.
He reached for a wooden paddle and smacked me across the face with it, blood flew from my mouth, healing almost immediately with my aura.
"Let's see how silver your tongue is when I tear it from your throat." Sweeney said as he reached for a pair of scissors.
"Kill me if I'm wrong, but you've probably suffered some kind of loss in your life and are now seeking revenge. Am I close? Tell me I'm close!" I shout ecstatically.
Sweeney turned to me, a look of worry on his face. I must've touched a nerve.
"Spot on, you must've suffered a similar torment?" He asked.
"If I have, I don't remember it clearly. But my mother was killed by a Grimm when I was nine. Oh, the things I wouldn't give just to mount that things head on my wall."
"My wife and daughter, they were killed by a gang of rabid Faunas, I've tracked down and killed most of them. But there are two that I'm still missing."
It seems as if we could truly understand each other, we have experienced a very specific kind of pain. Unfortunately for Mr. Barrows, I've already decided on which method to escape.
BGM: Feel good inc. - Leo Moracchioli
I feel myself getting angry, and when I get angry, I appear as if I'm on fire. My semblance helps me ignore the skin tearing and burns, my aura will fix that later. While our Mr. Barrows is staring in disbelief, I laugh maniacally.
"In all honesty, you should've seen this coming." I say as I reach for my sword.
"What the hell are you?! I've never seen a semblance like that!" Sweeney demands.
"Your worst fucking nightmare." I deadpan before laughing.
I dart forward with a swing in tow, only to be blocked by a large pair of shears. Swiftly, I swing my sword upwards to break Sweeney's defense. He lurches back and dodges my next swing, he then closes his shears and fires at me with the attached machine guns.
"Damn, that's not fair! I don't have a machine gun!" I shout in childish manner.
"Sit still and you won't have to worry!" Sweeney states.
Darting to the right, I manage to avoid the bullets. Though I do get hit by a couple, my semblance keeps me from feeling where they hit. I stumbled a bit before launching myself into a more secure section of the factory.
"If it's a gunfight you want, then I'll be happy to oblige!" I shout before cracking off a few shots at Barrows.
He unloads lead in my direction, spraying in hopes that maybe a bullet will go through a wall and into my brain. We continue our back and forth before both of our weapons start clicking. Out of ammo.
"Uh oh." We say in unison before rushing at each other.
The sound of metal clashing and sliding across each other passed through the air in an almost sexual manner, I'm getting hot just by thinking about it. Sparks fly and blood drops to floor, making a satisfying splat as it hits the floor.
First, my blade is caught in between his scissors, both pieces of steel grinding against each other with the kind of enthusiasm that should only be reserved for the bedroom. I then slide the blade away and leave a deep cut in Barrow's chest, causing a deep crimson to fill his shirt.
"Stings, doesn't it?" I taunt.
"Not as much as this'll hurt you."
Ah, comedic retorts, a close favorite to one liners. We traded a few more blows, then I realized how tired I was getting. I had to swing like a drunk just to stay upright. Eventually, I ended up getting stabbed. Crimson came out with every cough.
"I would've let you live, you know. But you had to start swinging that sword around." Barrows said.
My vision darkens again, it's taking too long for my semblance to cool off. But then it does, and I start laughing again.
"You idiot, you've just made the biggest mistake of your life." I growl.
I put my hands in between the blades and pushed them out, ignoring the cuts. Then I yank the scissors from his hands.
"Mine now!"
Then, in a violent fashion, I plunged the scissors into Sweeney's chest. He gurgled and coughed a pint of blood. With the grace of a stoned octopus, I lift Sweeney up and pin him into the ground.
"Play time's over."
Sweeney gurgled as he struggled to breathe with the massive holes in his lungs. Only making a few squeaks before managing to form words again.
"Wait... Wait..." He choked.
"Didn't I just kill you?" I ask coldly.
"I have one request... just one favor, before I die."
"Seriously, I stabbed you through the lungs!"
"Just shut up! I have a name for you." Sweeney said.
I shut my mouth, eager to learn of this name.
"The two faunas I was searching for, they are members of the White Fang. The first is their leader, Adam Taurus. The second is a girl in black, wielding a sword attached to a wire."
White Fang, the faunas terrorist organization that seeks the destruction of all things man? The very same, I thought, why would such a large group single out this one family? They usually focus on property destruction and mass killings. Wrong place at the wrong time, methinks.
"You wish these people death?" I ask.
Sweeney gave me a small grin before leaning his head back.
"It's funny, because I didn't expect the man who'd kill me to be the one to avenge me. If I had a son, I'd like for him to be like you. I can tell, despite the ferocity, you have a very big heart, even with the pain you have endured."
And with that, Sweeney Barrows died. Killed by his own weapon, only to pass his goal onto his killer. I've never been a sentimental type, especially for those outside of my family, but I felt genuinely sad for this man.
"The darkness isn't to be feared, but embraced. Only by walking its path, you will know true serenity. Rest in peace." I whisper as I close Sweeney's lifeless eyes.
"Yes yes, bloody tragic." A haughty voice says behind me.
I whip myself around and see two figures. One is tall and lanky, wearing a white suit, black pants and shoes, orange fringe hiding one of his green eyes, topped with a bowler hat, in his hand is a cane. Next to him is a shorter woman wearing colors that consisted of nothing else but pink, brown, and beige, really making me crave a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream for some reason.
"Very impressive, young man. Simply amazing. I've never seen a fight so brutal!" He said.
"I'm sorry, mind telling me who's fashion vlog I'm interrupting?"
The man stood back dramatically, placing his hand over his chest. "Oh, that's right. We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Roman Torchwick, and the lovely woman here is Neo."
The girl smiled and gave a passive-aggressive wave. I'm guessing that she's a mute. A dangerous, mute lunatic.
"Okay, I know the who, and not the why." I kept the grip on my sword tight.
"I simply wanted to introduce myself, and wanted to ask if you were interested in a job I may or may not have for you."
I looked at Sweeney's body, then back at Torchwick. I know his type, gangster wannabe. Heard he was responsible for several accounts of arson and theft. Now, I like want and destruction as much as the next guy, but only in a fantasy sense. Him? He's just immoral.
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to say no." I blunty answer.
"Ah, a shame. But seeing how tired you are, I'll allow you get away. Just consider my offer, I'll tell you this much, it pertains to a Wraith."
That certainly caught my attention, but when I looked back, they were already gone.
"This day..." I say as I kicked away a can, "Just keeps getting better and better."
As I approached the door to my home, I thought about what Torchwick said, if he really knew where that thing is. How can I trust his word, can I trust his word? How do I know that he won't just put a cap in my head?
Megan sat outside, wearing her magenta hoodie and brown shorts.
"Why are you out here?" I asked.
"Dad received some visitors, he said not to come back in until you've come back." She said.
"Then let's not keep them waiting." I say as I pat Megan's shoulder.
(Seuss Kaufmann is voiced by Michael McConnohie)
As we enter, I took note of the conversation that father was having with his guest.
"I know that it's been hard for you James, but they need education beyond family secrets. I'm sure that they'd excel beyond their peers."
"Yes, I've heard this before. But I don't want to let them go, I love them too much."
"Take it from me, even though I'm not much of a fighter, Edward and Megan need to expand their battle prowess, especially since..."
"Don't say another word, Seuss."
I look through a crack in the door, inside the living room are my father, a man with silver hair in a dark green suit, and a slightly older man who looks like a typical armchair psychologist.
"I think we have more visitors." Dad said.
I slowly open the door, Megan at my right. The three men stare at us before the man in the dark green suit stands up and extends.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Edward Mercer."
I reluctantly shake his hand before he takes a sip from his travel mug.
"I am-" He says before I cut him off.
"Yeah, Ozzy Ozpin, headmaster of Beacon. I'm well aware." I rudely said before leaning against the wall.
Ozpin and the psychologist look at each other before the psychologist stands up.
"Edward, my name is Seuss Kaufmann. I've been helping you father for the last few years." He says. "He has spoken highly of you and your sister, so... I'll let Ozpin explain."
"Edward P.T Mercer and Megan Bailey Mercer, I am here to personally invite you to learn at my academy. You'll need more than just a few tricks to become a fully fledged hunter."
Megan and I look at each other and ponder the idea for a moment. While my semblance makes me sort of invincible, it doesn't do much in the way of actually keeping me alive, a well placed shot could take me down. This whole 'huntsman' thing will require more skill and finese over the 'tank all the hits and dish it out twice as hard' method, one that I have been using for years. But, you know what they say, you're never too young to learn new techniques.
"We accept." Megan and I say in unison.
Ozpin and Kaufmann smile, while father keeps his eyes towards the floor.
"Well, I'll just get the paperwork settled. It'll be two months before the academy will open it's doors." Ozpin said before picking himself up and leaving.
Kaufmann and Dad talked for a solid hour before he left, that leaves the people who actually live here. Dad went into the kitchen to get a glass of water, I went to refill my OJ canteen.
"Edward?" Dad began, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
I looked at him like he was the biggest idiot on Remnant. Man, the last few years were not kind to you. Your hair is greasy, the stubble on your face is darker, bags under your eyes.
"Of course, Ozpin said so himself, we can't survive out there with limited training and family secrets. You know this already."
Dad looked at the floor again, he chuckled and smiled. I think this is the first time I've seen him smile since mom died.
"You were always smart for your age, most kids only focus on having the most friends or the newest thing. You are dedicated, efficient, you worry about other people. I heard from Oz that you single handedly took down a group of thugs and a trained murderer." Dad said, nothing but pride for his son in his voice.
While making dad happy made me all kinds of warm, I wondered how Ozpin made it here in order to tell dad what happened before I did. Normally I come back from 'work', covered in blood, and no one asked me what happened or who hurt me. I was fine with that set up, but now? Now, I want dad to be proud of me, a warrior that he can look at and think, 'he has earned this, he's trained night and day to become what I knew he could be, not just a huntsman, but a hero'.
"Well, it's been a long night, we should hit the hay for now." He said, patting me on the back.
I crept downstairs into the basement, after mom's death, I moved everything from my room into here and turned it into a makeshift workshop. It was here where I took my great grandfather's old sword and remade it into the sexy beast it is now. My eyes spy the blade as I pulled it from my coat, it looked so beautiful, shimmering in crimson, shame that it can't be my own. But nonetheless, I take a cold wet cloth and scrub away the drying blood. Soon, it regains it's heavenly silver sheen.
"Goodnight, Vale. In a few months time, I'm going to be a real huntsman, just you wait."
My name is Edward Phineas Taylor Mercer, and this is the story of how I became a huntsman.
Yes, that ending is a Hamilton moment, thank you for noticing