Chapter 1:

Roman torchwick, self proclaimed criminal mastermind and ex ruler of the criminal underworld of Vale was running down the street like a madman. He was running for his life and whatever else he could run for.

It truly was a very sad sight. He was quite sure of that.

Roman still hadn't fully come to terms with what he'd just done. but at least he knew what he had to do to come out of the mess alive. That solution sadly did involve beacon. Because when you have betrayed one faction, it is often best to throw your lot with the other. The problem was that the other faction viewed him as a wanted criminal. That could prove to be a slight problem, but a problem was something he could work with.

After all he had been through Roman wasn't one to give up easily. Especially not when his favorite person's life was on the line, his own life that is. He supposed Neo did make the second place and his current actions put her at risk. That was always some extra motivation. Favourite person number one had priority over number two though. He was not gonna go and do something stupid. Especially since he was completely certain that Neo could take care of herself for a few days. He was more worried if he could take care of himself without her, but he would never admit that out loud. He had his pride after all.

As he dashed down the streets of Vale while grabbing every wallet he could get his hands on, he couldn't help but feel a slight feeling of sadness. This used to be his city, his territory and he always had the final word. But Cinder Fall had changed that, she'd come in and taken over his business. He had thought it best to just follow her, she had the backing of the white fang after all. But in the end he was pushed down to a mere lackey, with only Neo left to rely on. He'd be damned if he'd let that insult stand.

As he went down the street he spotted someone who looked surprisingly like Cinder. She not only lost her wallet, but also her watch, purse and gloves. It was a petty act, but it did fill Roman with some sense of fulfillment. So when he spotted someone who looked similar to little red walking down the street, he performed the same stunt again. making sure that she lost everything of value she had on her. It was in moments like this when it was good to be a thief.

No matter how pleased he might have felt reality did catch up to him. He had no safehouses that he was sure Cinder didn't know of and no friends he was sure would take him in. Excluding Neo that is but Neo didn't exactly have a house to take him into.

As soon as Cinder figured what he'd done, he would be a dead man walking. And sadly Cinder had probably figured out immediately. Especially with what he had told neo to do.

So there really was only one place to go to.

.

Ozpin, headmaster of Beacon, Arch enemy of Salem, immortal, wisest man on Remnant and a generally lazy person was currently sitting in his office at the top of the tower. In his hand he had a cup of Coffee which was coincidentally the only thing keeping him awake at the moment. Who knew that avoiding work could be so draining. Perhaps he should sleep more? That would drive Glynda mad tough, but he supposed that was a small price to pay.

He still needed to interview the applicants for the teaching positions. No matter how hard he'd tried to avoid it Glynda hadn't let him sit that one out. That woman was indeed the only thing keeping the school from falling apart. He truly did appreciate her efforts. Living for thousands of years he'd grown quite tired of paperwork. It was so nice having someone who could do them for him for a change.

Even with the work ahead of him Ozpin still had good hopes for the rest of the day. After all he had gotten Ruby Rose into the school earlier this morning. Those silver eyes could prove extremely important to stopping Salem, if there even was a way of truly stopping her.

Still he supposed it was time to work. He took a sip of his coffee, and proceeded to call in the first and only applicant. it was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

.

Roman strolled into the headmasters office, disguised of course. He had applied for a position of teacher under the name Roman Candle. It wasn't a creative name but he'd been quite short on time. In fact it had barely been two hours since he applied for the position, which he had done 20 minutes after his little escape from the rooftops. Ozpin really must have been desperate for staff if he'd agreed to meet him this quickly.

Though it pained Roman to admit it he really didn't know much about being a huntsman, but he did have experience of lying and bullshiting. So he was quite certain he could pass whatever the Headmaster would throw at him.

"Welcome Mr. Candle" The headmaster said quite calmly. "Care to have a seat?"

Roman really didn't know what to think of the man behind the desk. He had always thought of the legendary headmaster of beacon as something more, something menacing and dangerous. Right now the man looked like a teacher whose whole life depended on the black liquid known to man as coffee. Nonetheless Roman took a seat, even if he wondered if Cinder may still take him back. He doubted it considering the orders he'd sent to Neo.

"It's a pleasure to be here headmaster" Roman said as he sat down. Looking around in the office for the shortest escape route should things get out of hand.

"I am quite glad to see a man such as yourself here, your resume was quite exceptional" Ozpin said as he took a sip of his coffee.

It did look like the headmaster was unable to recognize him. It really did say a lot about the powers of branding. All Roman had done was take off his hat and changed his suit and apparently it worked wonders. Roman truly was a criminal mastermind, he had not lost his touch yet.

"Well, I have always dreamed of teaching those who need my help, so that they in turn may help others" Roman said. This was of course Bullshit, he never helped others with only one exception. In fact he saw teaching as a complete waste of time.

"We are in fact slightly short on staff at the moment and we could really use a helping hand, but it seems like you might be slightly overqualified for the position."

Perhaps the part of him killing 1000 grim with his middle finger alone was slightly overkill.

Then again the fact that the headmaster seemingly believed it meant that he shouldn't worry too much. Then again perhaps Ozpin knew he was bluffing? Perhaps the headmaster was merely playing with roman, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

That pretty much summed up the impression Roman got from Ozpin. The man was either a genius or an idiot. It was just really hard to tell which of the two it was.

"Well, one can hardly be overqualified to teach?" Roman really did need the job after all.

"I am glad to hear that you think so, but this position is merely an assistant position, perhaps you would be happier with waiting for a teacher's place to open up?" Ozpin took yet another sip of his coffee when he said so, then looked down to notice the cup was empty. Roman had never in his life seen a more horrific expression then the one the headmaster of beacon made upon his discovery.

Sensing weakness Roman pressed on. "I do not see any problem with such a job, I merely wish to help the students."

"Well I was going to ask more questions, but how about we wrap this one up?" Ozpin said quickly. It really looked like he wanted to get himself some coffee.

"should I take that as I am accepted?" Roman smiled as he said so. Perhaps the man just was an idiot.

"Yes, indeed it does seem that way. If you have nothing more to add that is?"

"Not at all headmaster."

"In that case I do believe you are hired, now if you'll excuse me I didn't sleep that well and need a bit of something to wake me up." Ozpin did look like he was slowly falling apart.

Roman had not been to many job interviews in his life, but it was probably rare the interviewer walked out before the applicant had. From the interviewers office.

.

Ruby Rose was having the day of her life. Not only did she make her first friend, but she had also been allowed into Beacon. TWO YEARS EARLIER THAN NORMAL! She had to force herself not to squeal each time she thought about it. She was just that excited. She'd have her own team, with friends, who would have cool weapons and she'd get to hang out with them and save people and be heroes and and and….

Needless to say Ruby Rose was over the moon. No change that, she was over it and ran three times up and down from it for good measure.

The only thing weighing her down right then was the fact that she'd let those criminals get away. In fact she had just stood there while Miss goodwich had handled that fire lady. She knew she couldn't have done anything to help, but maybe she could have done something.

At least her shots seemed to have scared away that other criminal, so she could still say she'd been a hero and saved the day.

She was so hyped to tell Yang all about her day.

She was so hyped that she was running around like crazy. So crazy that she didn't pay attention to where she was running. So crazy that she collided with someone.

That someone had orange hair and a white vest.