Yes I know this has been a long time coming but I've adapted a bit with this story so it's going to take a little longer time to complete each chapter but I think it's worth it.
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Location: First Year Dorm Building Area…
Time: 21:51…
Kyle yawned scratching at a slight stubble showing on his cheeks and upper lip as he aimlessly wandered the halls on his way back to his dorm room passing some students coming back from late night study sessions, sparing or getting dinner. This was one hell of a day, Kyle thought as his ears flicked under his wig and his scroll started buzzing telling him that a call was coming in.
"Hello?" Kyle said as he answered the call.
"Mr. Kyle the headmaster has called you to his office," the assistant headmistress said in an almost too formal of a tone.
"Yes professor Goodwitch I will be there momentarily," Kyle said hanging up thinking about why they didn't just put it through the intercom but thought it would just make things worse if he asked.
What's the worse that can happen? I've been shot at, stabbed and hell I've gone without proper supplies for months, Kyle thought to reassure himself as he ascended Beacon's CCT tower to the Headmaster's office but even so his blood pressure was high and the hairs on the back of his neck were sticking straight up. The door opened revealing the Headmaster sitting at his desk holding what looked like two envelopes with a blank expression on his face as he looked at Kyle causing Kyle to freeze in place. Jaune was also there looking like how Kyle felt.
"Headmaster?" Kyle asked feeling all the nerves in his body screaming at him to run now.
"Yes, take a seat we might be here a while," the Headmaster said, "and please call me 'Ozpin'." Kyle slowly approached the seats in front of Ozpin's desks, sitting in one.
"What is this about Head- I mean Ozpin?" Kyle asked.
"Well Mrs. Goodwitch has sought to inform me of both of your forged records," Ozpin said setting down the envelopes in front of Kyle and Jaune. While Jaune physically paled, Kyle picked his up quizzically.
"What gave me away?" Kyle asked as he looked at his transcripts to find everything in perfect order.
"Nothing really it's just the small complication of your past," Ozpin said pointing to his birth records, "we've checked all official records in all databases across Remnant and you don't show up in public records until you send your transcripts to us."
"Does this mean I'm going to be kicked out?" Kyle asked feeling his heart sink as he asked and seeing Jaune sink into his seat.
"No it does not you both passed initiation with flying colors so you and Mr. Arc are fine," Ozpin said sitting his glasses higher up on his nose, "it's just that we need to fix this in the system… oh and you can take the wig off now it's safe in here, no prying eyes and I know that wig is unbearable on the ears." Jaune perked up at this looking at Kyle with slight shock and curiosity.
"How… what… when?" Kyle asked in a stupor as he slowly removed the wig revealing his cat ears.
"You must learn Mr. Kyle I have ears everywhere I am the headmaster of this school after all," Ozpin said, "but back to what we were at earlier where exactly did you come from Kyle?"
"You really want to know?" Kyle asked.
"Well it's either that or I can do a full investigation of your past good and the bad," Ozpin threatened coolly, "but both of us know we don't want that." After that Kyle told the Headmaster all his past but choosing to leave the whole White Fang movement out instead choosing to say that he was raised up the rest of his life on Menagerie in an orphanarium.
"I see but there is one thing wrong with that tail," Ozpin said fixing his glasses, "the SDC doesn't have slaves it's been outlawed since the Great War."
"Yeah that was one of the agreements that was enforced after the war," Jaune added in.
"Yeah but up till now indentured servitude was not, but after I escaped that mine he freed everyone so the government of Atlas and press wouldn't hound down on the company," Kyle said leaning back in the chair folding his arms over his chest, "you know upholding the Shnee family legacy."
"True, now with that out of the way this news might be overwhelming but you said you never knew your parents correct?" Ozpin said typing on his scroll.
"Yes sir," Kyle said, "what news do you have?"
"I know who you are and who your parents are as well Mr. Argentum," Ozpin said with a smirk.
"Excuse me sir what did you just call me?" Kyle asked completely confused, Argentum?
"That's your last name," Ozpin said sitting back in his seat like he had just solved the biggest mystery of all time, "there are only two families that I have known of to have silver eyes, house Argentum and house Rose," Ozpin set a orange envelope on the desk, "read this, it should handle most of your questions you may have about your parents."
"So are we free to go because no offence but we do have classes in morning," Jaune stated.
"No offence taken Mr. Arc and yes you are both free," Ozpin said and Kyle and Jaune stood to walk out, "oh and Kyle, if you have in any question please come see me you know where to find me."
"Okay," Kyle said fitting his wig back on his head with a conflicted look on his face. Kyle and Jaune stepped back into the elevator and Jaune hit the ground floor button.
"So you're a Faunus?" Jaune asked as the lift descended.
"Yeah… none of that leaves this building got it," Kyle said as he tucked the orange envelope into his coat pocket.
"Yeah, don't have to tell me twice," Jaune said wiping his brow, "we're cool right?"
"Yeah, we're cool I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow Jaune I need some sleep," Kyle said yawning.
"Sounds good," Jaune said, "hey you think you can be my sparring partner?"
"Why don't you ask Pyrrha? She is your partner after all," Kyle asked leaning against the wall of the lift.
"Well she's a great fighter when it comes down to fighting people but you're at the top of the class in fighting Grimm and plus what I've seen from your weapons it's more flexible than anything Pyrrha has in her arsenal," Jaune pointed out before going pale, "don't tell her I said that."
"Sure I'll do it on one condition you also ask Pyrrha to help train as well," Kyle said, "you know mix things up a little."
"Deal, but why isn't a hunter's job to kill Grimm?" Jaune asked.
"There are more than just Grimm you will need to face as a hunter," Kyle stated looking back at his days as a White Fang member.
"I see," Jaune went silent after that for the rest of the trip down.
"See you tomorrow man," Kyle said lightly punching Jaune in the arm, "oh and your first sparring session starts after our classes are done tomorrow."
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Location: Beacon Cafeteria…
Time: 7:20…
Kyle sat looking over the contents of the envelope with a grim expression while his friends Jaune, Pyrrha, Blake and Ruby talked about class, Nora talking about her dreams or in Yang's case making annoying puns.
Fuck my life is nothing ever simple? Kyle sigh and shook his head in frustration.
"Hey Kyle what's wrong? You look a bit Grimm," Yang said with a cheeky smile.
"Yeah, what's wrong you seem... well not yourself," Blake stated.
Kyle tossed the contents of the envelope on the table in between the group.
"What is this?" Blake asked picking up one of the packets with everyone else following soon after.
"That is the records of my 'family house' everything the Headmaster gave me to everything I could pull off the internet," Kyle said leaning back in his seat preparing for a barrage of questions with a deep breath.
"Wait you're Vale royalty," Blake said skeptically setting down a packet.
"No, my family were one of the four high ranking lords of Vale's northern territories back before the war," Kyle stated slightly annoyed as he pointed at Jaune, "that is the face of royalty, the last descendant of the king of Vale believe it or not."
"WHAT!" everyone but Jaune and Kyle said at once looking at Jaune who shrunk in his seat muttering to himself.
"Well remember when I said that I come from a long family of heroes well that one ancestor was the cause of that," Jaune rubbed the back of his neck.
"That means Crocea Mors isn't just a hand-me-down it's the single most legendary and powerful weapon on Remnant made out of a form of steel that has been lost through the ages and can't be replicated even with modern technology… the yellow death," Ruby yelled out in excitement practically jumping out of her seat with sparkles in her silver eyes.
"Yeah… this is one of the reasons why I didn't tell you guys about my past in full extent," Jaune sighed, "it's hard enough having to live up to trying to being a hero."
"Wait I thought that the Lords of Vale were all human? No offence," Weiss asked in a hushed tone so people at other tables couldn't hear but the group could hear perfectly.
"Well things can change after so many generations," Kyle whispered back, "my mother was a Faunus and my father was human."
"What do you mean by was?" Blake asked.
"Says here that your mother was killed sixteen years ago and your father was labeled MIA a week later," Ren said placing down the packet he was reading.
"That is why I'm angry it doesn't say that he's dead so he could be out there doing who knows what and being who knows where," Kyle sighed holding his face in his hands, "or…"
"He could be dead in an unmarked grave," Ruby butted in her eyes downcast looking heartbroken.
"Ruby…" Yang said laying her hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"We both know it's true Yang and nothing's going to change that," Ruby said inhaling deeply and wiping her eyes.
"I guess at least most of us here bares personal scars," Kyle noted taking a sip of tea as he looked over the cafeteria whom were silent and looking at the nine of them, "what are you all looking at can't we talk in peace without you all butting in?" After that the cafeteria lit up with sound again.
"So Jaune did you ask Pyrrha yet?" Kyle asked.
"Ask me what," Pyrrha said her emerald eyes lighting up.
"Well I asked Kyle to being a sparring partner with me since we all know that I'm not the best guy in class at least with combat," Jaune scratched the back of his neck.
"And I agreed if you'd help him too because I know a lot when it comes to diverse opponents but he's going to need help fine tuning how to utilize the offense and defense of sword and shield fighting," Kyle said with a neutral expression.
"Yeah, what he said," Jaune stated looking at Pyrrha.
"I'd love to help," Pyrrha said excitedly.
"Great, then we'll meet in the training arena after our classes," Kyle said as the bell rang.
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Location: Beacon Training Facility…
Time: 16:00…
"Okay Jaune this is going to be a small spar so I can see where you're at in combat capability," Kyle said pulling out his long sword variant of Mau Maka. Pyrrha sat in the stands watching Jaune closely Kyle judged that Pyrrha was preparing to jot down mental notes while he and Jaune went through the spar. Onyx sat next to the righthand door to the arena his tail wagging back and forth five slow times before he stood on his four legs and howled to the skies signaling the match to begin.
"Alright I'm ready," Jaune said drawling Crocea Mors and extending his shield looking to be in a defensive stance. Kyle readied himself to charge Jaune when he took his first forward seeing a silver streak flash toward him causing Kyle to get hit and stagger back a step before shifting Mau Maka into it's two short swords variant, pairing the next upcoming strike with ease.
Smart move but you aren't getting away with that little trick even if you are my friend, Kyle grinned as he used his body mass to kick at Jaune's shield with both feet allowing him to flip off the shield a few yards while smacking Jaune in the jaw with his own defensive equipment.
"Come on Jaune hold your shield up higher or I'm not liable when I ring your head like a bell again," Kyle warned as Mau Maka lit up like a christmas tree with lightning flashes. Jaune saw this and went paler than Weiss. Kyle swung Mau Maka's twin short swords diagonally causing electric shock waves along with lightning arcs to fly toward Jaune who shrank and hid as much of himself as possible behind his shield before the lightning smashed into Jaune sending him flying across the room dropping both Crocea Mors and his shield on the ground as he impacted the far wall.
"That hurt," Jaune said standing up to find Kyle standing in front of him Mau Maka in pole sword form with one of the blades resting on his neck.
"Checkmate," Kyle said under his breath twirling Mau Maka to knock Jaune's feet from underneath him sending Jaune screaming to the ground with Mau Maka's blade resting against Jaune's throat.
"Stop how is this fare?" Pyrrha came running from the stands with anger burning in her eyes, "Jaune's been disarmed you can't just beat on him like that!"
"Tell me Pyrrha… is a Grimm or a criminal going to stop attacking just because your disarmed?" Kyle asked turning toward Pyrrha's fiery gaze without flinching thrusting one end Mau Maka's pole sword form into the ground beside him, "a hunter needs to assess the situation around them and fight with what they have even if that includes their fists this is not a tournament duel, Pyrrha. We're training to become the most deadly warriors of Remnant." Pyrrha's glare softened and she nodded with strain.
"Jaune, are you okay?" Pyrrha asked in a concerned tone.
"Yeah I'm fine but this is going to hurt in the morning," Jaune laughed ruefully.
"You're a tough nut to crack Jaune though your swordplay can use some work," Kyle chuckled picking the battered blonde of the ground, "I think you and I are done for today, Pyrrha you have him tomorrow I'd suggest helping him with the fundamentals and get him an ice pack for tonight he's going to need it."
"Okay, can do," Pyrrha said holding Jaune by a shoulder as Kyle let go of him, " come on Jaune let's get you back to the dorm and rest."
"Oh before I forget next time you're practicing with me Jaune we're going to do some hand to hand work… Onyx let's go see you guys at dinner," Kyle said as he reformed Mau Maka into long sword form and sheathing it as he walks out of the training room with Onyx at his heels.
"I didn't go too hard on Jaune right Onyx?" Kyle asked the onyx black wolf following him and the wolf stayed silent, "of course you wouldn't care your race strives off of alfas... your no help at all." At this Onyx looks up at Kyle and nips at Kyle's heels. "Looks like someone's hyper I should let you out more often. Well come on let's run around and burn off your hyper little tail."
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Location: Beacon Courtyard…
Time: 17:00…
Kyle sat under a tree with his back against the tree's trunk and a water bottle in hand as he watched Onyx roll around in the grass. This feels almost peaceful, Kyle thought allowing a small smile to spread across his face.
"I thought you'd be out here," Blake said as she walked up with a book in hand.
"Well you know me the indoors are nice and all but being out here makes everything all that much better," Kyle said as Blake sat next to him cross legged.
"Heard you went hard on Jaune earlier in that spar," Blake said with a little concern.
"Hey I was holding back I didn't know Jaune had such little combat experience," Kyle defended, "no wonder he asked for help he's going to need it."
"Wow, more than just two emotions," Blake said flatly.
"What?" Kyle asked arching an eyebrow at his long time friend.
"I've just never seen this side of you before," Blake stated which only made Kyle even more confused, "I mean a genuine and not overbearing care for others not a side of you I see often."
"Well people can change when certain events happen," Kyle said looking away from Blake his bright silver eyes turning dull.
"Kyle are you okay you've seemed more down lately?" Blake asked placing a hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"I don't know Blake this school, finding out where exactly I came from and all these people that don't see the horrors out there is very off putting," Kyle took a deep breath, "I just need time to come to terms with everything and adjust to all this."
"I understand it's hard to readjust to this but you'll get there," Blake reassured Kyle, "why did you decide to become a hunter, Kyle?"
"Because… I need a sense of purpose and be able to defend people that can't do it themselves… it's hard to explain I'm just drawn to this kind of work," Kyle shrugged taking a sip from his water bottle, "plus the paycheck's nice… what about you?"
"Atone for what I helped do to people's lives and stop the White Fang," Blake said with a determined look toward the setting sun.
"That's good at least you weren't stalking me since we left the White Fang," Kyle said with a cheeky grin causing him to get smacked playfully on the back of the head, "hey what was that for?"
"You are such a dork," Blake shot back her cheeks flushed pink while laughing slightly.
"Hey ladies love dorks," Kyle defended getting him a sceptical look from Blake, "have you seen how Pyrrha acts around Jaune?"
"Point taken," Blake said after a second of thought, "but still that's no excuse."
"Toshay," Kyle said as Onyx walked back over to lay down between the two Faunus in the shade for a nap.
"I still can't believe your traits don't go haywire when he's around," Blake said hesitantly patting the wolf's head.
"You'll get used to it," Kyle stated.
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Iron Warriors signing off...
