A/N: Hello readers! This is a little plot bunny I've been thinking about lately. Actually it refuses to leave me alone... So I figured why not write it out. Anyways... Enjoy! :D

Disclaimer: This will be the only disclaimer throughout this entire story, so burn it into your eyeballs! I do not own RWBY or anything associated with it, only my own idea.

By the sweat of your brow will you have
food to eat until you return to the ground
from which you were made. For you were
made from dust, and to dust you will return."
Genesis 3:19, New Living Translation

~ ~0~ ~

The Princess and the Pauper

- Prologue: From Dust -

~0~

Legends. Stories scattered through time. Mankind has grown fond of recounting the exploits of heroes and villains, forgetting so easily that we are remnants, byproducts, of a forgotten past.

Man, born from dust, was strong, wise, and resourceful, but he was born into an unforgiving world. An inevitable darkness - creatures of destruction - the creatures of Grimm - set their sights on man and all of his creations. These forces clashed, and it seemed the darkness was intent on returning man's brief existence to the void.

However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change, and in time, man delved deep within himself and unearthed a new power. This power manifested itself in a variety of different ways, changing from person to person, and became widely known as a semblance. Though, not all were blessed with this power; those who inherited the gift came to be known as Novos, a word stemming from the Latin "to change, to alter".

With these new powers in hand, man lit their way through the darkness, and in the shadow's absence came strength, civilization, and most importantly, life.

But, even the most brilliant lights eventually flicker and die, and when they are gone... the darkness will return. Evil rose up in the hearts of man, tainting them, turning them black, and leading them to turn on one another. Teaching them to utilize the same powers that were once used to slay creatures of Grimm, to slay each other.

Years went by in this way, man slaughtering other man, controlled by the darkness residing in their hearts. Mankind seemed destined to eradicate all traces of itself from Remnant, until the arrival of four heroes. These warriors, no gods, changed the very fate of man, sealing the rampant darkness away within the deepest depths of the earth.

Fighting ceased, but the world was left in disarray, scarred by the years of never ending violence. Its occupants knew nothing other than the art of war, and without it man had lost his purpose in life. Leadership was required in that time of peace, and who better to lead than the heroes of Remnant.

From the ashes of war rose four kingdoms, each led by one of Remnant's greatest heroes.

Mistral, Atlas, Vacuo, and Vale.

Each started as a small town, a safe haven for those hiding from the remaining servants of darkness, but they soon grew. Survivors flocked towards promises of safety and prosperity; much like moths are drawn to an open flame.

As time passed the flames of life within the four omnipotent monarchs sputtered and went out. Their descendants, though not as powerful as their forefathers, were master politicians. What they lacked in skill the monarchs made up in intelligence; to cover for any potential deficiencies they chose the most effective method to secure their empires.

Rule by fear.

The four kingdoms passed a unanimous decree, instating a draft, to round up those who expressed unique abilities, and put them to work. The gifted, those who exhibited signs of a semblance, were instructed to enlist in their kingdom's armed forces; threatened with execution if the fighters-in-training did not show absolute compliance to his/her sovereign.

But, a reign controlled by fear and panic can only hold together for so long, people can only take so much, before it all falls apart.

As far as acts of unrest go, it was a relatively small uprising, carried out by Vale's lowest class of citizens, the common laborers. But, that one act of defiance, of insubordination, brought an ongoing era of hell to a previously peaceful nation.

In retaliation against the civil unrest the "always merciful" monarchs of Vale issued a new decree. Semblances, shown by those of common birth, were outlawed, and anyone who even hinted at utilizing their hidden power was immediately put to death. Most were able to hide any... abnormalities by time they reached adulthood, but children, teenagers even, did not posses the same levels of self discipline.

Every semblance comes with a side effect, a tell, that triggers whenever these "superpowers" activate. For the first seventeen years of childhood, give or take a few months, a semblance may behave erratically, out of the wielder's controls, and start up at random intervals. It was thanks to these "random outbursts" that the bodies of so many lower, and middle, class denizens hung in the gallows. But, no matter how cruel, how inhumane, the decree seemed, it accomplished exactly what its creator set out for. A realm crushed under their royal thumb.

From that day forward the commoners of Vale, both human and Faunus alike, were born into the world with no life, born into subjugation. They were treated like worthless animals. Stripped of all rights, like lesser beings, and crushed by cruel, ruthless human rule.

When the hellish era began all the citizens desired was a chance, a chance to change their lives, to turn back the clock and live in the world they grew up in. A world shrouded in light and an aura of peace. They were to be disappointed though; the light was long gone, replaced by fear, a kind of darkness, that slowly began creeping back into the vulnerable hearts of man. The fear paralyzed its victims, reducing them to cowering shells of their former selves.

But, I believe one day we will once again rise. Rise above the darkness and the shame. Above the torture and the pain. Above the ridicule and hate. Above the binding of our fate.

For even if they call us liars, degenerates, and killers. Psychos, heartless, insane criminals, the embodiment of the devil, and nothing but pure evil. Even if they believe primal bloodshed is the only way to keep us in line.

We'll fly.

Fly up from the shadows and descend upon the world. We'll bring back the light, right the wrongs, and reclaim our destiny.

Man utilized this gift, unearthed it from within himself, in order to survive, to fight against the darkness that threatened to swallow the world; I intend to do just that. For now we are the minority, powerful people chained by fear, but soon we will rise up and fix this corrupt world.

My dream is to live in a place where normal humans, Faunus, and semblance users can stand side by side, as equals. I don't have the power to change anything right now! After all, I am but a lowly worker, not some revolutionary leader. But know this. I will do whatever it takes to change my dream into a reality; to bring back the bright, peaceful Remnant that my ancestors once knew. No matter what the cost...

A/N: Thanks for reading! Remember to review, or send me a private message, I'm always curious about what my readers have to say. I'm also looking for a beta reader for this, so if anyone is interested shoot me a message. Once again thanks for reading and I'll see you again for the real Chapter 1!

~ The Palmtop Tiger