Disclaimer: I do not own any of the references or elements used in this story. They are owned by their respective companies and creators.
Begin Chapter...
Vale, Safe House...
A bright flash followed by an image of a Black Beast snarling at me before I awakened with a Dust dagger in hand.
"Ow…"
Blinking, I looked down to see my dad sprawled on the ground with his right arm being twisted backwards.
"Are you awake yet?" Qrow painfully moaned.
"How do you keep getting inside my place..?"
Seriously, I set up dozens of alarms and traps to make sure no one can get the drop on me and yet Qrow gets in without any trouble whatsoever given the way his clean appearance is, aside from the slight scuff marks caused by my handling. I let go of the limb and he quickly stood as if he was never pinned to the ground in the first place.
"...Never mind, I don't want to know for the sake of my sanity."
I shook my head as Dad was about to open his mouth, a hand raised to his direction with the other on my forehead to ward off the incoming headache.
"What are you doing here?"
I yawned, then walked to my bathroom to get ready as I tried to gather my thoughts about that dream. That creature...
"Is that any way to talk to an injured man?" Dad childishly asked and I rolled my eyes at that.
"... Anyways," After he received no response, Qrow continued, "I'm here to see you off!" The person that saved my life clapped his hands.
"... Ok."
My head poked out of the bathroom, settled in a poker face.
"Bye."
I waved with no excitement or sadness. Qrow stumbled to the floor because of the lack of reaction and I had to hold back a snort from the exaggerated landing.
"Is that all you have to say to your old man?!" Qrow quickly climbed back up and shouted, "You'll be gone to Beacon for four years! That's-"
"-That's a short ride from here," I muttered tiredly as I packed my bags.
Speaking of Beacon...
"... You know something about this, don't you?"
I caught a glimpse of him in my peripheral and Dad suddenly looked nervous.
"Doesn't matter anymore anyways," I sighed with closed eyes.
"I've already accepted the contract and I can't back out now…"
After finishing packing, I scanned around to see if there is anything else I would need while Qrow tried to look as inconspicuous as possible.
Ahh, I almost forgot the experimental frames, I turned to said frames on the countertop in the kitchen. One of the frames was just a simple black rectangle with a tip protruding out. The others next to it was similarly designed to be compact and hidden. I only have one frame at the moment and if what Ozpin said yesterday was any indication then I'll have to gear up for the troubles in the near future. This might be a good opportunity to test them too.
"So, you'll be alright, right?"
Blinking twice, I glanced briefly to Qrow then to the frames. I picked up the experiments and placed it in my weapon's pack, one by one, careful to not damage them nor to myself. The pack itself was just a simple black sling backpack with many hidden compartments and pockets for storage alike.
After securing my projects in the bag, I nodded, "Yeah, I'll be alright for awhile." Dad walked to my left side and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"... I have a contract for you."
Immediately my eyes snapped upwards to his, "Actually it's two, two personal contracts. From me to you," He sheepishly amended before getting serious, "Protect Ruby Rose."
I raised my right eyebrow, "How'd you know that I know she's going to the academy?"
Qrow simply deadpanned at me for asking that question. Yeah… Of course I would know she's going to Beacon.
Ignoring the my stupid question, "I was going to do that from the beginning anyways."
He batted his eyes several times, "She's your niece and I'm her non-biological cousin so it's only natural." I explained.
"... You really didn't consider that I would protect her from any real danger, did you?" I asked.
"W-well, I figured you were going to give her the tough love thing."
I stared at him while he shifted his legs in unease, "You know, force her to 'level up' kind of thing."
I shook my head from the excuse.
"What's the other contract?" I'm going to ignore what he just said… Partly because I thought about doing exactly that and the other half of just keeping an eye on her progress. Protecting Ruby from every little thing won't help her grow at all.
"Protect yourself."
Wait, what?
Turning directly in front of him, "What do you mean by that?" My tone was full of confusion.
"Exactly what it means." He said casually.
"Sure, you are a cautious person when no one is involved the battle, but.. " Qrow paused, gathering his thoughts.
"You're abnormally reckless to the point of suicidal when someone is involved."
Ah, I see. That's certainly true. Every time my contract goes wrong and it involved an innocent, I tend to get careless because I had to keep said innocent safe. Most of my injuries and near deaths were caused by protecting. Well, no plan is ever really followed in the first place.
"I can't guarantee that I'll be safe," I started and my old man narrowed his eyes.
"But I'll try my best." We stared at each other without blinking an eye for a few minutes.
"I guess that's all I can get out of you…" Qrow smiled humorlessly.
"I'll see you later, son." He stepped in my personal space and hugged me.
I stiffened a moment then relaxing, "Yeah… I'll see you next time."
I returned the hug as my lips held a small smile. Even if Dad can be a bit eccentric sometimes, he's the one who saved me and gave me a second chance to do things right for my selfish wish. As I thought back to the massacre, my smile dimmed. Never again will I let anyone be harmed.
Vale, Dust Aircraft...
Play Joy - Meguro Masashi
The ride to Beacon is pretty uneventful in itself besides a few things such as the news that Roman robbed From Dust Till Dawn, a reliable and popular store to get Dust. The reporter has also said that Roman continuously escaped the local authorities. I suppressed a snort after hearing that. Torchwick was always a good escape artist and thief. He knows when to get out and when to strike. Another thing that came up was the civil rights protest for Faunus was interrupted by the White Fang, one of my big sponsors and clients. Before the news woman can continue about the Faunus organization, a platinum blonde in a white and black suit with brown stockings popped up.
"Hello and welcome to Beacon. My name is Glynda Goodwitch. You are among a privilege few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy."
One of the Professors of Beacon greeted and started to give her speech to us 'warriors'.
"Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace and as future Huntsmen and Huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it-"
I had begun to tune out everything she was saying in favor of going back on sight-seeing of the city and the incoming academy. A vast place meant for teaching aspiring students to become Hunters, and these fighters were meant to protect the citizens of Remnant from the enemy called Grimm.
Grimm. Monsters or 'Servants of the Dark'. In the textbooks, they've been said to be born right after the birth of humanity, targeting Humans and destroying all they've created. They would've succeeded too, if Humanity had not discovered the use of Dust. After finding this unique and mysterious energy source, we were able to fend off the Grimm. Soon after, Humans were able to have a time of peace and tranquility, even making their own kingdoms…
It didn't last however, because corruption and infighting occurred between the nations. Consequently, the monsters that were driven back appeared once more, pushing us into a corner when we were at our weakest.
And thus came to be Hunters. Warriors created to battle against the Grimm and the supernatural. Huntsmen and Huntresses fighting for the 'good' of the world. I'm not saying that what they are doing is wrong, in fact I'm grateful for what they've done, but that only solved one part of the problem.
As a result, our kingdoms' lands diminished into four regions. Adding to that, Faunus started to fight for their rights, leading to 'The Faunus Rights Revolution', an attempt to gain fair privileges through force.
That's where Mercenaries and Contractors come from. Mercenaries are paid from the wealthy to protect their lands or goods, attack other territories and such. An underground war occurring while another against the Grimm…
The Faunus were often Mercenaries out of necessity. And those Mercs would usually side with their kin rather than Humans because of the harsh treatment and ridicule they receive from them. Mercenaries fight for what they believe in and I can't fault them for living that kind of life.
However, Contra-
-My history recollection was interrupted by the sudden stop of the Dust plane. The inertia from the halted vehicle almost made me lurched forward, however I was able to brace myself in time. The aircraft blew its horn and I grabbed my belongings as walked to the exit.
As I got out of the vehicle, I looked around the place I would be living in for the next four years. A long and wide avenue was in front of me leading to the main buildings with a large grandiose doorway. Various streetlights and what seemed to be a fountain surrounded the walkway including a garden. Behind the building was a tower surmounted by signal lights. As I scanned the area, I came upon statue of two Hunters standing on slab of rock held with a Beowolf below them.
"..."
I stared at the stone sculpture silently and motionlessly as dozens of aspiring students walked into the building, chattering excitedly amongst each other.
"What are you doing?!"
I turned to the direction of the screamer and saw white-haired girl sneering at another girl. The scolding teen was wearing pale blue jacket with the inside colored in red over a dress matching the outerwear. Looking away from her, I inspected the sitting and remorseful girl. She donned a black blouse, and a skirt lined in red followed by a red cloak.
I blinked.
Weiss Schnee is yelling at Ruby Rose, the person I'm hired to protect…
I groaned.
I just got here and now I have start getting to work…
"How tiring…"
End Chapter...
A/N: Hi guys. Been awhile since I posted the first chapter of this story, but I was working with another story and author. Anyways, I would like to say thank you for reviewing and favoriting this story since this is kind of my first one. I tried to test out a different writing style, tell me how it is. If you like it, I'm glad you approve, if not then give me some tips on how to improve.
Aside from that, there's not much I have to tell you except that this is something of a filler, only giving you a bunch of terms and background information.
darknesskitsune1235: That's gonna ruin the surprise, but I think it's a bit overused and stuff. Hopefully, you'd like the idea when it IS revealed though.
Alright that's all I wanted to say. Thank you for reading this chapter!
P.S. If you're absolutely curious of want the rest of the team and their weapons, read Relation Vol. 1. However, there may be some differences with the characters here and there, so yeah..
See ya, next chapter!