10 Years Before The Beacon Academy Ceremony.

Several young Faunus' peaked around the trees, the red leafs hiding their footsteps. They were deep in the Forever Falls forest, just north of the commercial part of Vale. Despite all the leaves, it was the early stage of Spring. Not a drop of frost but the garden they were looking at, had no blooming flowers yet.

The house was a cottage, a very old style one, the children had learned about them back at the orphanage. The five swapped spots to peek at the garden, surveying the worn out fence & the path covered in leafs. The cottage despite it's age, looked fairly well kept, the windows shined & the paint looked fresh.

Four of the children were bickering about why each one couldn't be the one to steal the vegetables from the garden, ranging from allergies to carrying supplies to all manners of crazy suggestions. Only one dared move forward, she started in a dash to the garden, but then tiptoed as she got closer.

The Lion Faunus, his mane making him older in appearance then he actually was, he was cheering for her on quietly.

The Reindeer Faunus, his antlers still stubby, covered his mouth to stop a shout of excitement.

The Bear Faunus, his ears twitching from each footstep she took.

The Dog Faunus, he shouted as his ears zoomed in like radar, at the door that suddenly opened.

The Cat Faunus, was jumping up & down with her prize, turning slowly to show her prize to the others. She saw each of them run, then to her horror, she heard footsteps behind her.

She darted away from the garden, throwing her prize to the ground. She then looked around her, the trees weren't moving. She ran & ran, pounding her legs to keep moving forward. She was internally screaming. Every step she did brought her no closer to the forest, and no further away from the cottage.

Then there was a cackle that sent chills down every fibre of her body. She forced herself to look away. Tried she did, with all her might, something compelled her to see the owner of the cackle. A witch, with a black hat and matching cloak but with a bright pink shirt. Long blonde hair curled from the back of the hat.

The witch had a wooden stick, a wand pointing right at her. She screamed but not an ounce of voice came out, as she flew past the witch straight into the house and right into the chair.

She froze for a moment, trying to take in the room that was no longer spinning around her. Her eyes were wide with fear but she was also shocked and curious. For a witches' house, it was nothing like she was expecting. Instead of cobwebs, or dust everywhere, there was bright coloured flowers on the table. The room was immaculately clean and brightly coloured. She felt like she was in a rainbow, so much colour and warmth from the house.

The witch brought in the pumpkin that she tried to steal, thinking not only why was it not broken when she threw it, but how could a pumpkin grow this time of year.

The witch placed the pumpkin on the table, leaned into a chair and spoke to her.

"Now I could say sorry for scaring you and those boys."

She swirled the pumpkin on the spot.

"But that would be lying, and I make it a habit to be truthful when you should be."

The Cat Faunus then hid her face, the low grumble noise was her stomach, only just remembering why she was stealing the food in the first place.

"Though hearing that belly of yours, meant you only tried stealing to get a meal. Which in my view is a lesser evil, on the account you tried helping your friends out there to not starve."

The Cat Faunus nodded very quickly, but was still shaking with unease.

"Now I think we can come to an arrangement, my dear. I won't be mad & you can go home but you must never steal again. Do you understand?"

The Cat Faunus nodded her head yes. Her eyes still wide open, trying not to blink.

"Do you agree to those terms?"

Again, she nodded yes. her stomach still growling.

"Now then, before we tuck into some pumpkin. Lets introduce ourselves, I'm Magenta Raven. And who are you then young miss?"

"Noir. My friends call me Noir."

"Noir, a lovely name. Though friends call you that, not family?"

Noir shook her head no, lowering her head. She didn't want to think about that memory.

"Ok, I won't ask unless you want to talk about it. Now lets get that grumbling tamed before it shakes my bricks away."

With that the pumpkin was sliced and placed at the table. Noir stood awestruck, the forks, plates, knives & plates moved on their own, right onto the table and prepared.

"How... did you..."

"Some call it magic my pretty, it's actually my semblance. I can move and stop things, like I did with you, so we could have this chat."

"Now before we continue, how about a slice."

Noir wolfed the first slice in seconds, remembering how hungry she was.

"Easy dear, you'll make yourself ill. Take slower bites, savour the flavour."

Noir listened and did just that. She soon got full, loosing count of the slices she had. Magenta glided over to her, giving her a napkin to wipe the crumbs.

"Thank you." Noir said, slowly turning red in the face.

"It's ok. Can I ask you something my dear?"

Noir nodded, a small smile curling from her lips.

"You came here with those boys, I'm guessing they're your friends?"

Noir nodded her head, a small smile was beginning to form, even with a crumb of pumpkin still at the edge of her mouth.

"Will they likely come back?" Magenta asked, already laying plates with her semblance.

"They're easily scared, though I think they will come back for me. We Faunus stick together."

"Well it's nice to have friends, especially when they care for you against the unknown. I know the discrimination of the Faunus people."

"But miss Magenta..."

"You have my permission to call me Magenta."

"Magenta, you don't have a tail, horns, ears or fur. You're not a Faunus. How could you know the pain we have?!"

"I too am feared and hated by most humans. Even by some of the Faunus'."

Noir was perplexed, never had she seen a human hated as much as her kind.

"They think me a monster, worse than the Grimm if you can believe. I pity them because they live in fear of what they don't understand and what they don'y understand, they grow to fear and despise."

Noir readjusted herself in the seat, as Magenta continued her story.

"I've lived longer than most people, hence my title as a witch. It's why I stay out here in Forever Fall. People, both humans & Faunus, grew to hate how I outlive those around me."

She poured a cup of tea, one for each of them.

"There have only ever been two who have accepted me for who & what I am. The second I'll discuss another time. The first was indeed a true friend."

"She was a Faunus, she came to my house seeking help from the Grimm. At first I refused to help her, but she didn't lash out when I refused her. She forgave me, even with the Grimm on her tail. I knew in my bones I couldn't let her die or get hurt. So I got her in and sent the Grimm attacking her packing. To think those Grimm were so determined and strong they even managed to get past the barrier here."

Noir wondered what Magenta meant but continued to listen.

"I asked why she forgave me. She knew that I had closed my heart but it was because of others. I asked how she knew of this. She said it was because of my garden. Even though it was a bad harvest that year, she saw that I managed to grow a garden out here in the harsh wilderness. She saw at once it was my aura that helped grow the garden, like the pumpkin we just had."

Noir had a sip of her tea, the sweet taste refreshing to her.

"Slowly but surely, she helped me remember who I was before I left the City of Vale. She became more than a friend. She came here many times through her life. Even the dark days of the war."

Noir, puzzled asked Magenta about the fact that the war was at least a hundred years ago.

"Like I said Noir, I've lived in Vale & Remnant far longer than most people. I saw the darkest of both sides of that conflict and it just cost more lives than even I can begin to recount. Besides, it's just a legend now and it's kinda rude to ask us girls our ages."

There was a tapping on the door, then four shrill cries in unison.

"Noir! We've come to rescue you! Witch, gives us back our friend! Or..."

There was quite a pause before they continued.

"Or we'll get the Huntsmen on you!"

Noir ran out the door, telling them it was ok. That if they apologised, everything would be forgiven. At first they were reluctant but after a word with Noir, they agreed. They too tucked into slices of pumpkin and cups of tea. They too wolfed it down, eventually slowing down to savour the rich flavour.

Soon the day was nearing it's evening, the Faunus' asked if they could return & Magenta said of course. She asked only that she come to make sure they got here safely & back. So they revealed that they were orphans.

For two months, the five Faunus' would venture to Magenta's cottage when she came to visit, which was everyday. Then she did something unexpected.

"I'm sorry... eh Miss?" said a man in a white suit, looking quite pale.

"Raven. You can just call me Magenta, dear."

"Let's keep this formal please. What you're asking for is unprecedented. To adopt not one but five children and all of them Faunus'."

"Wait? What difference does it make if they are Faunus' or not?"

"Faunus children are statistically better raised in a family environment with a Faunus being one of the parents, if not both, to help them as they grow. It's also a question of where you live. Forever Fall isn't an ideal place for children to be raised, with the various Grimm living there."

"Name anywhere that is really safe in Vale or even Remnant for that matter. As for the Grimm, I've made my home safe from most of them & the only truly dangerous Grimm live far outside Vale's boundaries. I've fought Grimm for years, single handedly & these kids need love, plus someone who can not only protect them, but who actually understands them."

"Which brings us to the other concern. If what the data says is accurate about who you are, that only raises concerns about whether you are best suited to be raising children, especially in knowing them for such a short time."

"Those children have improved greatly, even you can't deny that. As for the data, it is true & it changes nothing. I'm the only one who can and will raise them. I know the hurt those children already have experienced and will know for the rest of their lives. I know this, because you're causing that pain right here, right now."

"Unless a third party can vouch for your character, it's highly unlikely anything can be done. We don't do this for personal reasons, it's the laws of the kingdom, to protect all it's citizens."

Magenta whipped out a scroll, which had a number on it's screen.

"Here, call this friend of mine. He will vouch for me and clear up any issues you have."

"Very well."

There was a long wait for the signal to connect, then a lengthy discussion. Magenta didn't show it but she was getting annoyed. She was hating the way the orphanage was going about this, being nothing but hypocrites.

"Wait? Ozpin? The Ozpin? Sir it's an honour to be... Yes. Seriously?! Right away."

Magenta secretly smirked as the pale man in front of her nearly fell out of his seat, obviously taken back by her friend's vouch for her.

"Well Magenta, Mr Ozpin himself vouches for you and very highly recommends you... as his friend. Eh, now normally we'd have certain procedures before the children go with you but since Ozpin has give a testimonial to your character. We see no reason why they can't go with you today. Now there will be visits, both planned and random visits, theses are to satisfy the treatment and wellbeing of the children. Personally, I think the transition will go smoothly for all parties involved."

Magenta shook their hands, signed their paperwork, all the while holding back the scowl she felt in herself. She then went to fetch the children, all five were beaming with eyes so bright and tearing up at the edges. They circled her, hugging her and trying not to blubber their words.

…

With that they each carried a bag with all their possessions, all singing in unison an old rhyme of Remnant. They spent that afternoon busy sorting out the new rooms that Magenta built, almost another cottage now extended the original house. Each of the children started decorating their rooms. All manners of books, toys, clothes and even school work surrounded the floor and desks.

Magenta said they could leave their rooms a mess for only tonight, that tomorrow they clean up their rooms for her. She came in to wish them goodnight, kissing them and hugging them before turning off their lights.

Leo, his grip so tight when he hugged, just like the lion.

Rory, his nose still reddish from his cold, his antlers already growing from stubs.

Sandy, who yawned and drifted into a deep sleep after eating.

Magenta found it cute how his bear ears twitched as he dreamed.

Albin, his arms stretched out, his ears flopped over, making growling noises.

Magenta slowly tiptoed round to Noir's room, peeking into the room incase she was already asleep. Noir lay in the sheets, reading a book, one that had scorched corners. It's title was only just visible, it was The Story Of The Seasons.

"A good book?"

"It's my favourite. My par..."

Noir paused a moment, tears forming in her eyes.

"Hey, it's ok. You can tell me when you're ready, if you want to. Ok?"

Noir nodded, and hugged her even tighter than Leo.

Magenta sat there, reading the story with all the voices she could to make the maidens & wizard com to life. Noir smiled, and hugged Magenta again. Just before drifting into sleep, Noir said, "Goodnight Mom, sweet dreams God bless."

Magenta sat there, awestruck. A warmness filled her, a feeling she had not experienced for a long time. She stroked Noir's head and kissed her.

"Sweet dreams Noir, God bless you."

She sneaked out the room, turning off the light & heading to her room. Feeling happiness once again.

…

1 Year Before The Beacon Academy Ceremony.

Ozpin sat with Noir at the table, deep in discussion, while her brothers were eavesdropping from the hallway.

"I know what happened last year was traumatic..."

Noir sat there, her head lowered, eyes red raw with tears.

"...but Magenta, your mother, wouldn't want you to waste your talent. Neither would she want you to be depressed like she was. I've only known her a short while from her perspective, yet she has always been a friend when I and Beacon needed her."

Ozpin sipped his mug, strangely brought with him but none of them asked.

"She knew loneliness and sadnesses twice in her life. She already told you this I'm sure. Did you know she was happiest the day you tried stealing from her?"

He waited to see if she would respond. With no answer, he continued to talk.

"All she ever wanted was a family again. Magenta always bragged about her five children. You and your four brothers when you first arrived at her door, that always made it into the conversations we had. She was proud of each & every one of you, though she knew you were meant for more than just being cooped up in the forest for years."

Noir kept still in her chair, Ozpin didn't want to push her too much, but he did make a promise, one he intended to keep.

"Noir, I know you still feel that it was your fault. You can't blame yourself for what..."

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

Noir screamed it out, surprising Ozpin and her brothers.

"It was my fault."Noir said, almost just to herself, then she let out an even louder scream.

"SHE'S DEAD BECAUSE OF ME!"

She then cupped her head in her hands, slowly wiping away the tears, coming down like a waterfall.

"How can I look myself in the face?! How can they still call me their sister?!"

She was curling up in her seat, still crying her eyes raw.

"Noir. They know you were afraid. They were afraid too. They know you did everything you could."

Ozpin gave her a tissue, she didn't use it but she accepted it.

"Magenta would've wanted you to complete your training. You've always wanted to be a huntress, ever since you became Magenta's daughter."

Ozpin took another sip from his mug, as Noir finally started speaking again.

"You know I have no chance of being a huntress now. I can't apply next year for Beacon. I've missed so much training & my brothers, I can't leave them here on their own."

At that moment the door burst opened. Leo, Rory, Sandy & Albin raced to Noir, all talking over one another. Noir asked them to speak one at a time.

"Sis, go to Beacon."

"You know we don't blame you for what happened."

"Mom would never blame you either."

"Noir, we can handle things ourselves. I know we once blew open the roof but we did get it fixed."

"I fixed it, with Mom's help."

"True but my point is, we've all grown stronger and wiser because of Mom. She'd believe in us looking out for one another, just as she believed in you being a huntress. Just as we do."

Noir started crying and hugged all four of her brothers. They started blubbering too, all the while Ozpin sat there, drinking from his mug.

"Now then Noir, this goes against normal protocol for enrolling into Beacon Academy, but circumstances & your skills have earned you a spot at my school. It's up to you to take the next step. I won't force your decision but I do advise that you continue your training before school starts next year. As for your brothers, I can arrange some help, merely to keep an eye on them if they need assistance. You'll also be able to stay in contact with this number and you can keep these scrolls."

He handed them five scrolls, all brand new along with the piece of paper that had Ozpin's number.

"You can keep in contact any time, except for lessons & missions. I look forward to your decision, Miss Noir Raven."

Ozpin thanked them for the visit and left, he got his answer before he even placed one foot out the door.

Noir spoke what he hoped to hear. Though Ozpin was surprised, caught off guard, if only for a moment. Noir stood there, still embraced in the hugs of her brothers, but smirking.

"You better have some good competition next year! I'm going to out perform them all!"

Ozpin smiled as he left. He agreed with Noir, it seemed next year would be something special and interesting to see at his school.