Well, this idea hit me out of nowhere. I'd watched the series, but never intended to write anything about it. Suddenly, bits and pieces started coming together, and I figured I'd give it a shot.

There are a few things I want to explain before we begin.

I don't pretend to be an know-it-all of this series, and the wikia is the only thing helping me through this story, so I will try my best to keep all canon characters the way they are intended, but expect some OC. Velvet Scarlatina, however, will be OC as she is a secondary main character of this story.

This is going to be an all original using OC's, and some canon characters unless I get enough requests to make them more common.

To respect Monty's vision, I am keeping this almost entirely original so I don't ruin his story.

There will be fights, custom weapons, fights, drama filled plots, fights, romance, fights, comedy, and maybe some fights to even things out.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in reading, feel free to follow along and read the prologue.

If not, click back and move on. No need to flame this amateur author.

Keeping with the standard of me using song names as story titles, and Monty using Jeff Williams for the music in RWBY, the theme for this story will be "Forever" by him, with the title being a Slipknot song and the Jeff Williams song.

I usually use relevant lyrics as introductions, and they're usually pretty well known but I do often use unheard of songs or bands. So, I will put links in my profile to where you can hear the song in case you haven't. While you're there, I posted an almost complete bio for Martin, and I'll be posting other characters as I finish them.

So, I'll quit stalling and begin the prologue.

Vermillion Forever
Prologue: The start of something wonderful

"I'm ashamed, not to blame
Don't wanna think about it
Who I am, what I've done
How do I carry on?

Wanna change, turn the page
Don't wanna think about it
How do I undo what's done?"

- Five Finger Death Punch

[][][]

He kept his head low, using the length of his hair to hide his face from the inhabitants of the room on the other side of the mirror.

Despite the single light in the room, it proved bright enough to keep the prisoner completely illuminated.

Struggling against the binds attached to his wrist resulted in a fierce electric shock that sent bolts of lighting to his limbs, effectively stopping him from attempting escape.

On the other side of the mirror, the man allowed a small smile to curl the edge of his mouth.

"Are you sure about this?"

Grabbing the file and coffee mug from the table, he started toward the door, "Not entirely, but it should be interesting."

[][][]

Looking up as the door opened, he spent a moment reading the face on the man who walked in. Not liking what he seen, he looked away.

"Hello, Mr. Light," he said as he dropped the file on the table, "How are you?"

Receiving no answer, he set his mug on the table and opened the folder, "Nothing to say? I was hoping we could have a civilized conversation."

"I'm fine," he eventually mumbled.

The man nodded and grabbed the key from the file, "You say that, but it seems untrue. You are handcuffed in a chair, after all."

Walking away from the table, the man uses the key to unlock a small locker in the corner of the room.

"Let's start out by sorting your belongings and make sure nothing's come up missing, shall we?"

The man grabbed the holster and carried the pistol to in front of the table.

"Well, this is something. I never thought I'd get to see your father's pistol, let alone hold it."

The prisoner looked up to see the man looking down the sights.

"This is a magnificent weapon," he began, testing the weight of the trigger pull, "A multiple caliber Jekyll. You do have the other equipment it requires, correct?"

"Not on me."

He placed it on the table and walked back to the locker, glancing over his shoulder. The prisoner half-heartedly struggled in his restraints, enduring the shock until again giving up.

'Those restraints are made to incapacitate, yet he is still conscious.'

He picked up the guitar case and pair of brass knuckles while closing the door and walked back to the table, "A pair of brass knuckles. Brawlers, I think you call them, with exploding small caliber spikes.

"A Rackenbracker Empty-body. Early model six string. A great instrument," he paused as he looked over the blue, sun burst guitar, shaking his head when he seen the sword crudely duct-taped to the back, "but I assume you have other uses for it."

Now sitting in the chair across from the prisoner, he rested his elbows on the table and crossed his hands.

"I know a lot about you, Mr. Light. You're Martin, the son of Samuel "Shining" Light, and despite the comfortable home left to you, you've bounced around Remnant until finding yourself here in Vale."

He gave a small smile when he seen the effect this was having on the prisoner.

"What I don't know, is why you use weapons known to malfunction."

"My weapons don't malfunction," Martin snapped, falling into his trap.

"Compared to what," he returned, "Your powers?"

Realizing his mistake, he turned away.

"You suffer from the same problem your father did. The inability to control your self."

"We are not the same."

"You're right," he said while glancing through the file, "Your father gave his life and saved thousands of faunus, while you ignore your potential in exchange for ignorance. Living the life of a common thug."

"He was a coward who fell in love with his own legend," Martin yelled, straining against his restraints, "He threw his life away, leaving us to deal with what he started!"

"Coward? Perhaps you are the coward, afraid of realizing that sometimes you don't get a choice. The stone cold truth, Mr. Light, is your father died a hero, accepting the only choice he was given."

Martin fell quiet, suddenly interested in a stain on the floor.

"Why did you quit your classes at Signal?"

Looking at the transcript, he shook his head, "They weren't helping."

"I should say so. Signal is no place for someone like you."

Seeing the look he received, he shook his head, "Not like that, I meant there's nothing they could teach someone with your skills."

"That's what I thought."

"There aren't many places for a person of your skills. Beacon, however, may be up your alley."

"No, it isn't."

He sipped from his mug and leaned backward, "Beacon is an academy specializing in hunter and huntress training. If anything could teach you to use your powers, this is it."

"I'm not going to another school," Martin answered, using the inflection of his tone to show his sincerity.

He sighed while closing the file and sliding it away, "I must say, Mr. Light, I am disappointed you feel that way."

Giving the futile practice of escape another try, he ignored the man.

His eyes narrowed, the first sign he was losing his patience, "And what if you escape?"

Martin stopped, his eyes never leaving the pistol.

"I am going to be completely honest with you, you're treading on thin ice, my friend. I am your last chance at salvation. You are going away for a long time unless you play ball."

"Yeah? What's your proposition?"

The small smile returned, "A year at Beacon versus twenty in prison. Someone your age belongs in school, rather a cell. You attend Beacon as a student, learn how to defend yourself, control your powers, etcetera, and once the year is over, you go free with the option to continue your training."

"If I don't?"

"If you drop out early, or refuse, your life is in the hands of the High Court of Regents."

After a stretch of silence, he rose from his chair, "I'll leave you to think about it. I hope to see you walking off the transport ships tomorrow afternoon. You miss the orientation ceremony, I'll have your answer."

"I have some questions," Martin said before the man left the room.

"And I have answers," he said, turning back, "But there's only one way you'll get them."

Raising his mug, he nodded slightly, "Farewell, Mr. Light."

As the door closed, he sighed heavily.

"That looked like an interesting conversation, Professor Ozpin."

He nodded, "Indeed, it was. Ms. Goodwitch, make the arrangements for Mr. Light to begin attending Beacon Academy."

She blinked, the surprise showing on her face, "So, he agreed?"

"Not in so many words," he said, taking a large drink from his mug, "But I believe he'll make the right decision."

"Next on the list, is a Ruby Rose."

"Go ahead and start without me," he said, looking into his mug, "I think i'll need more coffee, and i believe they put some cookies out."

[][][]

Martin was looking up at the no smoking sign on the transport ship while he worked the striker on his lighter. With a final sigh, he returned the lighter and cigarette to the pack.

The countdown promised they'd be landing soon, so he dealt with the craving and leaned against the railing. He placed one hand on the guitar case and looked at the rings on his fingers. It had been a tense discussion, telling the Dahlias the deal, but they'd eventually agreed it was the best choice. So, they sent him off with Jule's rings.

He hoped he wouldn't need them, but it was a combat school he'd be attending.

"What a joke," he said out loud, knocking his head against the window.

"What is?"

He turned toward the voice and shook his head, "Nothing, I didn't think anyone was listening."

She nodded, "That's my skill, listening. At least that's what my parents said. I'm also very sneaky. Listening and stealth, that's me."

"And talking," he said, turning back to look out the window.

"You're not first person to say that."

"Really?" he asked sarcastically, not expecting an answer.

"Nope, everyone I knew back home would say, 'Amy, you talk like a rabbit runs,' which I never understood because every rabbit I've seen was slow. Oh, that's my name, by the way, Amy Thest."

Breaking through the clouds, Beacon Academy came into view as the ship banked away from it to begin docking at the platform.

"I will say," he began, talking to himself again, "It's quite a view."

"I know!" she yelled, her dark, pink hair swirling as she spun to look out of the window, "My old school was nothing like this, and the pictures don't do it justice!"

"That would be Sanctum, right?"

"Yes! How'd you know? Are your powers mind control, like a wizard?"

He shook his head and slung his backpack onto his shoulders, "Your accent."

"Oh, I thought I was talking to a wizard."

The doors opened and the students began rushing to the exit.

"Aren't you getting off?"

"Not yet," he said, gesturing in the direction of a student who was being pushed and shoved away from the doors.

"Oh, I see," she said with a nod, "Better to wait. Serves it right though, trying to be the first one off."

"It?"

"You know, the faunus."

In the quick glance, he hadn't noticed the large, rabbit ears coming out of her head. Now that the majority of people had left, she tried to wipe as much of the footprints she could from her clothes. Settling for what was left, she picked up her bags and quickly passed through the doors.

"What about her?" he asked as he picked up the guitar case and started to follow.

Amy quickly grabbed her own bags and hurried to catch up, "It's been in that corner by the doors since we left Vale. If there's one thing I can't tolerate, it's anti-social behavior, whether normal person or faunus. Though I didn't expect much more from it, they're strange and apt to being creepy."

Reaching the doors, Martin glanced to his left where the retching sounds were coming from and seen a boy in armor wiping his mouth. Upon seeing them, he laughed nervously and waved.

Martin reached into a pocket of his leather vest and slid on his sunglasses.

"Well, not wizard, I'm gonna hurry to the orientation and get a good seat. I'll see you around. Maybe we'll be on the same team together!"

"Fat chance," he said quietly.

"What was that?"

"Good chance," he said, loud enough to be heard this time.

"That's what I like about you, you're a glass half full kinda guy. Bye!"

In an instant she was gone, sprinting past everyone else walking the road to the school.

"So, uh, she was pretty cute, right?"

He glanced back and seen the boy in the armor following him, "You could say that."

"Say, is that a Black Dahlia vest? You should be careful, there's a street gang in Vale that wears them and they might not like the idea of a non-member wearing one."

"Thanks for the tip."

"Don't sweat it, name's Jaune, by the way. Jaune Arc."

He shook the hand he was offered and nodded, "Martin Light."

"I read about a Martin Light in the paper, he was-" he trailed off, realizing he was a member of the gang, "So, uh, what's that saying on the back?"

Martin dropped his backpack so he could read all of the words stitched around the flower. While he read, he made another attempt to light a cigarette.

"Throw me to the wolves, and I will return leading the pack. That is some deep stuff, there."

Successfully lighting his cigarette, he picked up his pack and resumed walking, "That it is."

"So," Jaune began, "What do you think of Beacon, so far?"

"Haven't decided yet."

"I see. I guess you have to attend a few classes before you can decide."

Not receiving an answer, Jaune sighed, "Sorry, I tend to get talkative."

"It's alright. What brought you here?"

"Other than the transport ship?" he said, laughing a moment before clearing his throat, "You know, go to Beacon, become a hero, that sort of thing. Everyone in my family has combat training, so I figured this would be a good start."

They stopped and looked to where two other students were arguing.

"What do you think they're fighting about?"

Martin tapped the ashes from his cigarette and shook his head, "Don't try to understand women. Women understand women and they hate each other."

"I guess," he said, following Martin again.

This time, an explosion reached them, causing Jaune to stumble, "Something blew up!"

"Sounded that way."

"You think we should help them?"

"Yeah, probably," Martin answered, still walking away.

Jaune nodded, "I get it. See ya around."

Martin waved without looking back, "Go play hero, Jaune."

[][][]

"What did I tell you?" Ozpin said, watching as Martin walked down the path towards them.

"Alright, so he's here," Glynda began, glancing through the admittance form on her scroll, "I can honestly say, I didn't see that happening."

Martin walks past them, but stops, "I'm only here to get my freedom."

Ozpin didn't look back, "That's the deal."

"I could care less about controlling my powers, I've gotten this far without them."

"Every great journey starts with a single step, Mr. Light," Ozpin said, keeping his grin to a smile, "And you've made that first step."

Martin scoffed and continued walking.

"This is the start of something wonderful. Whether you acknowledge it or not."

[][][]

Martin walked into the auditorium and looked around.

The room was packed with people standing in neatly formed groups. Although there were many drifters amid them, everything was pretty much uniform.

"Hey, you! Over here! There's a space up here!"

He sighed and pretended not to hear the loud voice calling to him. Instead, he merged with a group near the back of the room but kept enough distance to avoid being pulled into the discussions.

In the group were two girls talking about the fundamentals of their weapons. One of them had silver hair while the other had red, and they appeared to be sisters from the way they talked.

"We are perfectly matched," silver hair began, "In both strengths and weaknesses."

Red hair nodded, "Her strengths are power and defense, while her weaknesses are speed and attack."

"Her strengths are speed and attack, while her weaknesses are power and defense," silver hair returned.

"We are the perfect team!" they finished in unison.

Martin shook his head and held back the urge to intervene, 'That won't help much when you're fighting alone.'

A glance shown another person standing near one of the entrance pillars. After a moment he recognized her as the faunus from before. She stood looking down at the floor, intent on remaining secluded.

Turning back, he noticed the headmaster take the stage, bringing the silence of the entire room.

"I'll," he began, pushing his glasses higher on his nose, "Keep this brief."

"You've traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and discover new skills."

He paused to assure he held everyone's attention.

"And when you are finished, you plan to devote your life to the protection of the people."

Martin chuckled, turning it into a cough when he received a confused look from the group in front of him.

Looking in the direction of Martin, he continued, "But when I look amongst you, I see nothing but wasted energy. In need of purpose, direction."

Martin held his gaze a moment, then looked away.

"You assume knowledge will free you of this. But your time at this school will show you, knowledge can only carry you so far."

Another pause before he continued, "It is up to you to take the first step."

Ozpin turned and walked off the stage, his promise of a brief introduction fulfilled. At this point, a woman with blonde, almost white, hair approached the microphone with her arms professionally behind her back.

"You will gather in the barn tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins."

The once quiet audience turned to hushed whispers and muffled voices.

"Due to the number of students attending this semester, we will divide the initiation into two groups. After your arrival in the barn, we will hold roll call and your group will be decided."

After seeing that everyone had a basic understanding of the instructions, she nodded, "You are, dismissed."

Martin sighed and turned to leave, noticing the faunus had achieved her goal of leaving before anyone else.

Alright, pretty good start.

I'll have the next one up as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading, everyone. Feel free to send me your input.