A/N: Hey guys welcome to my first foray into the realm of RWBY fanfic. For those of you who were fans of my Saga of the Half-Breed, don't worry. I have every intention of finishing that particular fic. I just wanted to try something a bit different then my first ever fanfic, and I do believe I've succeeded with this one.

Prologue

Rain is an interesting thing. Depending on whom you ask, rain can be either be beautiful, or dreary; a sign of renewal, or of sorrow; a blessing, or a hindrance. If you had asked me as I tore through the streets of Seattle in an antique Stingray, soaking wet with my short black hair clinging to my forehead, while my green eyes scanned the various streets for any opportunity to escape, I'd have told you I was hoping the rain would prove a blessing to me, while hindering the very angry Irish trolls with military grade hardware pursuing me. And just how had I ended up in this situation? I broke a rule that had been repeated to me uncountable times as a child. A proverb that everyone who has ever even thought of working the shadows knows. Don't make a deal with a dragon.

Dodging and weaving out of traffic was difficult enough in that city, so the added distraction of a notification on my ocular Heads Up Display informing me that an untraceable number was calling my comm was not a welcome addition to my woes. But I didn't need caller ID to tell me who was trying to reach me.

"Mr. Johnson, it would seem that you've violated the terms of our agreement. It's not to late to fix this unfortunate turn of events." I answered with the same monotone I've perfected in my shadow dealings. Reserved, to the point, professional; and diametrically opposed to the amused, almost jovial voice that answered me.

"Aahh Mr. Hound. As professional as always, even on the brink of death. I do admire that quality in you. I am however, far less amused with your insinuating that I've attempted to cheat you in some way."

Damn that dragon, Azeral the CEO of Saeder-Krump Corporation, and the wealthiest non-human alive. "So the fact that the McAlrin brothers and their whole organization were waiting for me after I eliminated the target is just a coincidence then?"

The voice that responded was filled with just enough hurt to seem genuine, and more than enough condescension to tell me it was nothing more than amusement to it's owner. "Mr. Hound you wound me most severely. I'm sure you noticed that immediately upon your contracts completion, the agreed upon sum was promptly delivered to the bank account you specified. I'm sure you are also aware that I am a notable public figure, and I must attend many social gatherings, where I do occasionally come in contact with less savory individuals, such as the troll brothers you mentioned. Furthermore, how was I to know that bad blood existed between you two? I also feel compelled on my part to remind you that my payment guaranteed silence on your part about the details of our contract, not on mine."

My reply was cut off by the hail of bullets that entered my rear window, barely missing me as I hit the freeway hoping to lose my pursuers in oncoming traffic. With a glance in my rear view I could plainly see the black cars in pursuit as various meta-humans leaned out their windows to pepper my vehicle with small arms fire, and I could feel my heart hammering as a massive troll maneuvered an anti-tank launcher to a suitable firing position. All the while, that damned lizard kept talking in his fucking pleased voice.

"To be fair, you should take this as a compliment Mr. Hound. I wouldn't dare go through this much trouble and assume this much risk if you were not dangerous enough to merit it. Despite your youth you are intelligent, skilled, and utterly ruthless, you proved as much during the war. But more importantly you are a man who truly has nothing to live for. And that makes you far more dangerous than any other Runner. I am not ashamed to admit that I am afraid of you, but I cannot allow something I fear to remain in this world."

My world was rocked as the missile exploded beneath my rear axle. The explosion sending me careening through the air as though a temperamental child had flung my vehicle in a fit of childish pique. The sickening lurch in my stomach told me I had been flung off the freeway and was then plummeting towards the hard street beneath me. Yet even still I could make out Azeral's parting words, partly because they were the first time I'd ever heard a serious tone enter his voice.

"Goodbye Mr. Hound. If it's any consolation, you are one of the few mortals who's company I have thoroughly enjoyed."

With that, I could feel the impact as I hit the ground and the car began to roll and impact God knows what. But something wasn't right...before I lost consciousness I caught flashes of green, and brown? Like a forest on a bright sunny day...but that couldn't be possible. No where did such a place exist in rain drenched Seattle. I knew it had to be a near death induced hallucination, until the sound of a young girl's voice woke me.

"Hey mister are you alright?"