Author Note: Hey, thanks for the interest. This project started as I picked up RWBY for the first time about a year ago and thought the setting was pretty neat. I've always been interested in world-building & TRPG's so this blend of sci-fi and fantasy gave me some ideas. I'll admit I'm a bit lazy, and because of that, I decided just to see if there was an RWBY TRPG out there, but the ones I did find were...well, they just weren't for me. That and I don't have a schedule that meshes with anyone else willing to game with me where I live, so I got my 5e D&D books, some solo D&D material, and stole the setting and characters of RWBY as an excuse to test solo gaming. Then I decided to take notes of my campaign to solidify it in my mind, and I suddenly got here, brushing up on my writing skills. I can't say I'm great at it, and writing the results of my game as I'm playing it has changed my style, but I figured I should get around to sharing my work anyway. I'm open to criticism, and if there's something you don't understand, just ask. I'll try to respond promptly, and I'm looking to refine my style. I intend not to have any more notes like this but would like to know whether I should put my character stats on a separate document. I'm not sure if that would make for a better experience, so if most people are interested in those details, let me know. Alright, I'll get out of your hair now. I hope you enjoy this bizarre adventure!
I awoke, looking at an unfamiliar ceiling. Looking around, I saw a man and woman gazing at me, looking at me with worry on their faces for some reason. I blinked, realizing that my body felt rather strange as well. Hoping that I wasn't drugged, I raised my hand and gazed at it. It's so small, like a baby's...wait a damn minute.
I'm laying in a crib; I'm small...I'm a fucking baby?! Last I remember...well, it's vague...I recall some foggy moments of my life, years of spending time with family, going to school, entering college, slacking off at said college, working, etc. I could still feel the regret built up from years wasting my time while my family suffered. But I couldn't remember faces, specifics, not even the last few weeks. What the hell is going on?
Did I reincarnate like in those light novels I started reading in high school? If not, how the hell did I go from a young adult body to...this? And why does my body feel so powerful? It's not like a baby should feel like they were stronger, healthier, and smarter than a damn adult, yet I feel so much...more than I did before. Just what the hell is going on?!
"My dear little Set, are you doing okay?" The woman asked. Phew, glad I still understand the language. Wait, how did she know my name? Did I reincarnate in some baby's body since it shared my name? Not that I would know how reincarnation works. I'm just glad I don't remember my birth, even if I have to deal with the hell of childhood again.
These people though...my mother, I assume, has got light brown skin, red eyes and black hair with a thin figure and the man beside her is a tall tan-skinned man with blond hair and green eyes, his figure reminiscent of old Roman or Greek statues. The dude's built like a damn tank, and he's wearing half-plate armor. Just what did I get myself into?
The woman picked me up, and I realized that she might be worried due to how I started acting. Babies usually wear their emotions on their sleeves, right? I was always a relatively calm person, but I gotta play up to their expectations, so they don't start putting me in some therapy shit, or worse if this world is like I imagine. Medieval times didn't necessarily treat mental illness very well at all. I giggled and waved my arms while gazing at her face. The man sighed in relief, and the woman holding me cooed to me.
"As much as I would like to stay, I have to head off. The Bullhead to Atlas is leaving soon, and if I don't leave today, I won't make the meeting with that Schnee bastard come morning."
Wait...Bullhead? Atlas? Schnee?! I'm on Remnant?! This has got to be some sick joke, a coma dream, something!
"But you just got back…" My implied mother replied.
The man frowned at that. "I don't like it either, but after all these years, we've finally got more of an idea of why Dust can't work outside the atmosphere. The paranoid fool wouldn't just let me upload the findings thinking unwanted eyes might see them. But he'll guarantee funds for the rest of our lives and more after this, I'm sure.
As much as I'd love to spend time with the love of my life and our adorable son," he poked my nose gently at that, confirming my parent theory, "I have to go." He kissed my mother for what seemed like forever. Ugh, just put me down already; I want to go back to sleep.
"Mm, let me put our Set down. You sure you don't have a bit more time for…" Alright, I have to drop focus on that right now. Finally, they parted and set me down, leaving the room. I shook my head as I heard what I didn't want to hear through the walls and fell into slumber.
In my dream, I was staring into a black void. Yeah, this is an enjoyable start, not foreboding in the least.
"Adventurer, hear my voice." I looked all around, not knowing where the voice was coming from. It was my voice from when I was still on Earth. Except this voice was deeper, echoing in my ears.
"You are to embark on a quest in my name. There will be many trials in the future, but you must make your name known throughout the coming days. Fulfill the destiny I have given you, and one day you may return to your own. Go now, my child, and I will make you a vessel for power, befitting your duty."
My eyes opened once again to view the ceiling. What exactly am I getting into? I don't want to get myself killed working for some higher power that doesn't even let me voice my thoughts on the matter! Just why exactly did I get thrust into this mess?! I sighed.
In any case, I always wanted power like the heroes in the stories I read, the games I played. I never amounted to much on Earth, never got the opportunity to make a difference, and stagnated since I felt I had no real purpose. I was a victim of my birth, the same as everyone else.
What exactly did that being mean by vessel for power? It wasn't just an ordinary dream...right? That's when it hit me, knowledge flooding my brain, a character sheet appeared in my mind. It gave me the powers of a D&D character! I was now a level 1 Warlock as the class features would lead me to believe, but the class name was simply called Gamer. It didn't have a level next to it like I would have expected either.
Further down the page, I had an XP Pool with Fifth Edition's 12 classes listed; 0's at their side. I focused on the words XP Pool, and it was as if another window popped up on a computer. It said I had to have 100 XP to get level 1 in other classes unless I filled special requirements. Wow. This has to be the most broken way to multiclass.
I focused on the word experience, and another pop-up filled my "vision." This one told me that it was a measure of my achievements that would prompt my patron to give me more power. Granted, I was paraphrasing. I could get that experience by killing things, achieving specific goals, or training. Wait, training to get XP? I wonder how long it takes.
Now, what can I do to train that won't make my parents suspicious? I can't just get out of the crib and start exercising. I shouldn't even be able to walk yet, but I can feel a strength that shouldn't be bound to the body of a baby. That was because...damn, all my ability scores are 30! That's broken as all hell, but I'll take it! I guess it makes sense that training would give me XP instead, but I wonder what exactly this 'training' entails.
Part of the knowledge that flooded my brain was how to cast certain spells and cantrips...maybe if I used those? Or at least focus my magic. By meditating? Or something similar. I was just doing what felt right while keeping up a baby facade when my mother entered the room. I had to make sure that I fit what was considered normal, and the stuff I learned throughout my life that I just took for granted, and then some came in handy. Have to thank those ability scores, I'm pretty much superhuman with only those! If I had that in my past life, I wouldn't have had any trouble accomplishing my goals!
Time lost almost all its meaning to me after a while. I just watched the sunlight through the windows and counted the days. In that time, I have been focusing my magic, casting cantrips, etc., and had finally gained some XP! That was slow, but I wasn't short on time. I quickly realized that I didn't need to sleep often at all; I hadn't even slept since my patron talked to me in that "dream." That got me many more hours to gain XP, and I found that different training methods got me XP all the same. Focusing my magic, exercising while making sure my parents didn't see, meditating, etc.
After about 30 rises and falls of the sun, I started to feel exhaustion kick in. Mental fatigue went away with a bit of rest along with physical fatigue, but this was what being tired felt like. Nice to know the limits of my busted ability scores. I drifted off to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed to go back to training.
For almost four years, I went on that way, my mother looking after me and my father coming and going throughout that time. My mother realized teaching me how to read that I was a genius, my maxed Intelligence allowing me to pick up a new language in much less time than I could have imagined.
Father was there for all the critical milestones, like learning to walk and talk. Every time I would see the stress wash off his face when he came home, but it would all return as he told mom about his work.
Eavesdropping now and again, I learned that my father was a huntsman, though he turned to delve into ruins and mines to research ancient civilizations after a decade of missions. They were mainly looking for what they knew of Dust, as some historians found that primitive societies had better knowledge on how one might use Dust to augment the body or clothing. His employer used his strength and expertise in Dust, attempting to find clues as to why Dust wouldn't work outside the atmosphere, but any new findings were useful.
When it came to my fourth birthday, my father wasn't there. That wasn't the first thing he missed, but it was surprising. He hadn't missed the others. I could see the disappointment on mom's face, but we celebrated nonetheless. Granted, we were a rather solitary bunch. My mom rarely let me leave the small house we had since Vacuo wasn't the safest place. I had to learn that the hard way, unfortunately.
Two weeks later, my mom came into my room, crying. My father wasn't coming home. He and the others he was with went radio silent, and when a team of huntsmen passed by the ruins, they found what was left of them. Mom never told me what exactly happened, but I suppose specifics didn't matter.
My mother had to find a job after that. We weren't wealthy by any means, but we weren't exactly poor. She had to keep it that way, though, since we wouldn't have money from my father's work anymore. I'd miss the guy.
I don't exactly know what mom did, but she wasn't a huntress like dad was. While she was out, I could continue my training freely. I had 100 XP in just about every class, save for Barbarian, Bard, and Warlock since that was unlocked already.
My mother came home late in the night every night, but...she hasn't come back in two nights either. I could take care of myself, of course, but this wasn't normal. I...I should feel more torn up over this. I know that they both truly cared about me. They raised me, this me anyway, as their own.
But in Vacuo, only the strong survive and thrive, and I'm not quite strong; yet. Not strong enough for everything the streets would have to offer. But I don't have a choice, do I? Robbers will come soon enough. I gathered all the items that would be useful for me, some of my father's old weapons, a backup scroll my mother had, some clothes, etc., packed a bag I could carry, and took it with me.
I sold some items, using my Persuasion skill to get a better deal. I only had to do it as I was a child, and merchants still don't want to take in what was likely stolen goods if they didn't have to. I had some Lien I found spread around the house before; adding this, I pieced together an Herbalism Kit and a set of Smith's Tools.
For the next few days, I was sneaking about the city, selling various items to different merchants, and buying materials to make things I needed. Once I saw that people were coming to take me away, authorities or criminals, I couldn't be sure, I took my necessities and left my old house for good.
I'd have to find some way to make money and stay on the down-low since I don't want to get taken to an orphanage. Nor do I want to attract any attention. The best thing I could hope for was to get taken in by a nomadic tribe while they're visiting Vacuo, but many others are likely hoping for the same. So I started roaming around, casting Disguise Self and performing on the street. I made some money and did so well that after three weeks, the Lien in tips poured in. I guess I got some admirers, heh.
There were weeks where things went wrong. The money would trickle down to nothing sometimes. Three months in, I was discovered by a gang who wanted my money. I was nearly followed back to my home and moved my place of stay to be sure. Five months in, another performer got into a spat with me. Apparently, he'd been a part of a crew, and they were affecting my rep. I stopped performing there and adopted a new working identity.
I had to do that once more six months later. Almost a month after that, I didn't notice some thugs sneaking up on me during a performance. They gave me an ultimatum; money or life. I ran, of course, no need to fight if I can avoid it. A few more weeks, and I had a sizable amount of Lien. I had just turned seven, and the XP I gained over time helped me as well.
I was thinking about doing this another year. More money to fund my adventures would be useful, and it would get me enough XP to get me a level in the last class I didn't have one in, Bard. Then again, I don't think I will get the chance to use its class features often since I'm solo right now. Besides, I found the reason my mother never came back.
Supposedly she was robbed and killed trying to defend herself, though her body was never recovered. I can thank a lack of authority figures for that. Revenge was tempting; it honestly was...but why do that? I don't think she would have wanted me to do that, and it's not as if I could stop all the crime in Vacuo.
If I deal with this criminal, that will prevent them from taking future victims...there's no real law here to do that, save for Shade academy. Wait...there was a prison in Coquina. I'm sure there are others too, but I don't have a way to get my hands on that info right now...
As time went on, I decided to figure out the identities of those involved and decide how to deal with it later. Over time I continued to ask around and found out who they were; Carmine Esclados and Bertalik Celadon. Luckily I was able to keep my identity hidden with Disguise Self because those are some badasses I didn't want to come across. I likely wouldn't be able to do much about them right now, and even if I were able to confront them, I wouldn't have a way to get them into the hands of any hunters. That would require some luck. Or...I suppose I would just have to contact some hunters, post an anonymous tip with their locations, and watch.
Agh dammit! I hadn't read the book RT introduced them in; weren't they kidnappers rather than assassins? My mom's likely been abducted. Even if she wasn't one of my first life's parents, she took care of me for years! I can't just let these people get away with what they did! But if I mess up, I won't be able to do anything about Salem and her plans...I sighed, dropping that idea even though I could feel I'd regret it.
They're relatively small characters. I don't know enough about these characters to say that it would attract Salem and her forces' attention if I deal with them now, but can I risk it? They probably don't have her in their custody anymore anyway. Besides, I can only assume that Salem and her lackeys are well aware of Remnant's various criminal elements and might investigate the origins of a random vigilante who shook things up.
So I'm not going to shake things up, nor stir them.
The last thing I need is to have to deal with Tyrian, Hazel, or Cinder. It's not like I have the power to take them on either. Wait a minute, when in the timeline am I anyway? I guess I could go to Vale and see its student body. Or I could go to Mistral and ask about the Nikos family. That could give me an idea of when I reincarnated.
Either way, the method of training I have isn't going to cut it anymore. I need to get power fast, and getting one XP per three days of non-stop training doesn't make me lien, nor is it quick. I know there's no way I could do huntsman work yet, but I'd rather fight the Grimm than people right now. Just have to make sure there aren't any Seers nearby when I find and kill Grimm.
I don't want Salem to investigate a surprisingly strong child after all, especially if I start using magic in my fights.
I suppose I could go ahead and hitch a ride to Mistral. I don't have anything tying me down here anymore ever since the house has been declared vacant and me missing. Some huntsmen-in-training came looking, but they're not going to keep them on one mission for that long. I feel sorry for their grades, but I don't have time to deal with foster care.
So there I was, walking down an alley wondering what to do on my way home around sundown when I suddenly noticed a hand slightly brush against my waist. Turning quickly, I grab the offender by the wrist and twist it behind their back. "Ow ow ow, okay, I'm sorry! Let me go, man!"
The person who tried to pick my pocket looked a bit younger than me. His head was topped with short blond hair, and he wore a ratty light brown shirt, a white poncho stained with sweat and torn in several places, and baggy pants. He must have had a rough life.
That's when I felt a tail with blond fur wrap around my wrist and tug at my grip, though I kept it there for another moment before pulling a pouch he lifted from my belt, retying it after I let go of him. He shook his wrist while turning back toward me.
"Damn, you're good. But I stole that fair and square!" Once again, the boy charged me, scooping up a block of wood that lay on the ground nearby with his tail and catching it in his hands before swinging it at me. I side-stepped his swing by a hair, whistling at the power in it, before stepping in and going for a left body blow. My fist busted through what felt like a thin barrier before slamming into his stomach. He doubled over and dropped the 2x4.
"Agh, okay, you can keep it. You're one tough guy! Ugh..." He tried to back up with his hands up but stumbled. I went to catch him, which I immediately regretted when he turned to flee before falling onto his face. "Man...I can't catch a damn break."
That's when I heard a loud growl. Looking around, I noticed that all the people nearby had already made a break for it, then I saw three sets of eyes glistening light from the darkness to our right.
Yeah, those dogs don't look too friendly. I turned to the Faunus kid still lying on the ground. "Get up and run, kid!"
The kid's response? "I-I twisted my ankle!" Shit.
The dogs charged us, and I ran to intercept them as they went to swarm the kid I laid out. The first dog tried to charge past me, but I kicked its midsection. It tumbled off to the side while another dog bit at my left arm. It latched on, trying to pull me down. I shook it off before the last dog, one much larger than the others, pounced me. I flung the 2x4 that the kid dropped up with my foot, caught it, and shoved it into its mouth. It tugged at it, trying to snap it with its jaws. I pulled the 2x4 back to expose the alpha's neck, then slammed a knee into it, then as it reeled from the blow, punched it in the side.
The dogs then fled, seeing as their prey had more fight in them than they bargained for. I frowned and looked at my arm. I got lucky; the bite wasn't deep. I ripped my sleeve and bandaged the wound, not wanting to show off my healing abilities.
"Whew, that was close. Thanks, man. I'm sorry for trying to rob you." The Faunus got up, favoring his left foot slightly.
I sighed. "I get it. Times are tough." I turned to walk away then heard another growl before quickly turning back toward the sound.
The Faunus chuckled and scratched the back of his head while clutching at his stomach with his other hand. "Sorry. That one was me."
I blinked twice, then shook my head with a chuckle. "Let's go get something to eat. I'm pretty hungry myself."
After dropping into a decent cafe, the Faunus and I examined our menus. We got the occasional worried glances, but I waved a few high-value Lien at the waiter to show I didn't have to dine and dash. Granted, we were still just a couple of kids, one with a bloody makeshift bandage and another who was blatantly broke, so we were still getting gawked at by tourists and other people not yet acquainted with Vacuo's streets.
"You sure this is okay? You saved me; I should be treating you." The Faunus kid hesitated while looking at the menu.
"It's fine. I've been where you're at. Feel free to get what you want."
The kid's face brightened with a broad smile at my response. "Don't regret this!"
We got our food, which the kid scarfed down, and I dug in as well.
It'd been a while since I had a good meal like this. I'd mainly been buying cheap to save what funds I could, sleeping only occasionally in spaces I would rent for a day or two, keeping myself difficult to place. Probably being overly paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
"Ohh man, I'm stuffed. Been too long since I ate my fill." The kid patted his stomach while leaning back in his chair.
I chuckled. "I'm Set. What's your name?"
I held my hand out, and he shook it. "Sun Wukong, greatest thief to grace the streets!"
Wait. What?! Sun?!
I reined in my surprise, which he didn't seem to catch. "Pretty sure the greatest thief wouldn't get caught picking a kid's pocket."
He deflated, slumped over while nearly dropping the cup he was holding with his tail. "Uhh, I guess you're right. But then again, you're weird!" He pointed at me while leaning in dramatically.
"Just how did you break my aura in one go? You weren't even able to block that dog! I know I'm no good with aura control, but even I know how to take a hit!" Yeah, I guessed he already had his aura.
I want to know how he's already unlocked it, but I feel like that might be a rough story to hear, let alone tell. "You sure about that? I did take you out in one hit."
He sighed. "I...guess you're right there. But you hit like a damn truck! What, did you use all of your Aura to hit me?!"
I shook my head reflexively. Shit, I shouldn't have!
"But then…" Sun's eyes widened, then he leaned in closer, whispering. "Wait, do you even have Aura?" I sighed, looking slightly to the side.
"No way!" Sun reeled back in his seat. "You've GOT to be kidding me. I got one shot by a kid with no aura...I know I hadn't eaten in three days but still..."
I exhaled there. Yeah, I guess that would weaken you.
"Anyway, you're still real strong. And I won't forget that you saved me back there. If there's anything I can do for you, just let me know." Sun gave me a thumbs up with a toothy grin.
"There is one thing. What were you going to do with my lien? Besides eat." I asked.
"Huh? Oh...well, it's not just me. The orphanage never has enough to go around, and a couple of us kids have to help out. How come I've never seen you before anyway?!"
I frowned. I never really thought about that side of things. I could have been helping these kids.
But...I can't be tied down. I need to have control over my own future. I can achieve my goals better that way. Right? Yeah, of course, no self-doubt here.
"I...well, let's just say I was heading out soon. I'm going to become a huntsman, and I'm traveling as part of my training." That is true for the most part.
"For real?! But wait. Without aura...ain't that bad?" That line sounded familiar. Ryuji, is that you?! I shrugged. Not that I could confirm or deny a fictional character's reincarnation into another work of fiction, considering my situation. Probably just a coincidence.
"I don't really have much choice. I don't have the funds or connections for a combat school, so I've got to learn from the school of hard knocks." I grinned.
"Man, you're brave. Or stupid. But I guess we're not much different. Neither of us has much choice, huh?" Sun frowned. Yikes, what a downer of a conversation.
"Well, I'm strong, and you've got Aura, so we're a lot better off than we could be. Cheer up." I smiled and kept munching on my meal.
Sun seemed to be contemplating for a bit before looking back into my eyes. "Why do you want to be a huntsman so bad? Aren't they basically monster hunters?"
"Well, why do you want to steal?"
Sun scoffed. "I don't want to; I have to! It's not just me, dude; I have to help my friends at the orphanage! The older kids did it for me, so I have to return the favor, you know?"
I let him breathe a moment after that outburst. "Well, it's like that for me, just...on a larger scale."
Sun's eyes widened, and he blinked a few times before responding. "I...I think I get it. But going it alone is kinda…"
I nodded. "Yeah, it's going to be tough. But I have to."
"Well, I can help!" Sun pushed a closed fist against his chest, over his heart. "I uh, don't know how to unlock someone's aura, mine came when...well, that doesn't matter. But I'll spar with you! Wait, don't tell me you're leaving soon." Sun deflated a bit.
"No, I planned on staying in Vacuo a little longer. I've got some more preparations to make. So I'll be taking you up on that offer. I could work on some techniques. You'd better not regret it." I smiled.
"Turning that one back on me, huh? Well, hey, for all you've done for me today, it's the least I could do," Sun replied with a toothy grin.
"Ugh, why did I let you rope me into this?" Sun said while laying face-first on the ground.
"I gotta admit, that aura of yours sure is something. It increases your strength, speed, and durability. Still, you learned to fight with that as a crutch. Then again, I had a couple more years of practice without it. Come on, man, keep pushing." I encouraged.
It had been around six months since the evening we met. Every day we would meet up and spar; I would give Sun a few pointers on hand-to-hand fighting, strength training, and some Lien each week, and he would help me get a feel for live combat.
I had never really been in a fight before reincarnating here. My ability scores and proficiencies seemed to lead me naturally to the best solution, but I was sure there would be times where I would doubt myself and hesitate. While I wasn't in any real danger, I was still getting more XP. I also found that I couldn't spend XP gained through combat without taking a long rest, so I had gained a newfound appreciation for sleep even though I didn't need it hardly as often as a normal human being.
"Well, I guess I can't complain. I've gotten stronger, and you've been paying me real well. I haven't had to steal, and the whole orphanage is eating good." Sun rolled over and started doing crunches. "Hell, my Aura's gotten larger too. I was told that came with age, but I think it's both."
I shrugged and responded with, "I wouldn't know."
Sun snorted. "Yeah, sorry, the other kids with Aura in the orphanage don't know anyone who can unlock Auras either. They all just...got it when they needed it."
"It's no big deal. I've just gotta keep pushing myself to make up for that."
Sun got up after finishing his last set. "That's what I don't get. I mean, sure, your training is hardcore, but how can you keep up with me? Even though you're older and have been training longer? You don't have Aura, and it's a...I don't...a force multi...um…"
"Force multiplier?"
"Yeah, that! One of the older kids said somebody from Shade told him that. That's why a somewhere around six or seven-year-old kid like me can fight." Sun pointed finger guns at me.
Wait, he doesn't know his exact age? Bummer.
"There are always exceptions," I stated.
"Excep...what?"
"Something not normal."
"So you admit it!" Sun gave me finger guns again.
I nodded. "In a good way, though."
Sun shrugged. "Well, you got me there. Wanna spar now? One last go before we part ways?"
"I wasn't going to let you go without it." I shot him a grin.
"I'm going to go all out!" Sun grabbed a bo staff I had fashioned for him. Hand-to-hand wasn't the only thing I taught him, and he took to this just as well. That makes sense, considering the show.
I grabbed a staff of my own, readying myself. "Don't you always go all out?" I raised one eyebrow.
"I'm taking you down a notch this time!"
Sun charged toward me, pushing off the ground with one end of his staff. Dodging one swing he made toward my back in mid-air, I raised my bo staff to block another horizontal strike as his feet hit the ground. I stepped forward to push one end into his stomach, but he jumped back, extending his staff further and swinging toward my head in the other direction. Wow, he's gotten faster!
I dropped under the strike flung a dart toward him, which he deflected with the short end of his staff. Using that as a distraction, I lunged forward once more, feinting another thrust before spinning and kicking the side of his head. He rolled with the momentum after his aura caught my strike and cartwheeled back onto his feet without touching the ground. Damn, like those old kung-fu movies with the wires and everything!
He sent two more strikes to each of my sides before stepping in and slamming his forehead into my nose. I reeled from the heavy blow, then used a ki point to hit him with a flurry of blows. One staff strike from below pushed through his block before being thrust into his hip. He stumbled backward while I continued my pursuit, spinning my staff quickly around my body to distract him. At the same time, I kicked off of a nearby wall, slamming one kick into his shoulder, and immediately after landed a heel kick into his stomach. He flew back a couple of feet before slamming into the ground on his back, Aura flickering.
"Ow ow ow ow ow!" Sun complained. I walked up and reached a hand out to help him up. "You okay, man? I may have gone a bit too far out of reflex."
"Mmmm, did you get the license on that truck?"
"Yeah, BADMOFO."
Sun laughed at the banter as I helped him up.
"Well, I guess if someone busted me in my nose while I was out of Aura, I'd be pretty mad too! But man, it's crazy how much we've improved, and you don't even have Aura at all!" It still amazes me how happy he is even after taking heavy hits like that. I hope I didn't mess anything up in that head of his.
"Well, as I said before, I've gotta try even harder to make up for it. If I get taken out by a Grimm before I even get a chance to become a Huntsman, my parents will roll in their graves."
Sun frowned. "Yeah...you know...I think I want to become a huntsman now too."
My eyes widened in surprise before I reined in my emotions. "Really? I think that's a great idea. But you're not just doing it because you think it's cool...right?"
Sun shook his head. "No...my family...we got split up...I only know what my mother told me before she died, but…" Sun sat down by my bag, and I followed suit. He looked down and away, hiding his face.
"Our family was captured by some assholes who sold us to some miners. My older brother was the only one suited for work, so he went to some other camp. My dad tracked us down and broke us free, but he...he never came back to get my brother after saving us.
I only know him by description, but...I gotta find my brother. Going to Shade and making a lot of money hunting Grimm is the only way I can think of to get the freedom to look for him. Even if it turns out he…" Sun shook his head.
"I gotta find him, no matter what." Sun finished, still fighting against his sorrow.
Damn...that's different. I shouldn't just follow my knowledge from the show.
I put a hand on his shoulder, which prompted him to turn to match my gaze. He was tearing up, liquid leaking from his eyes and one of his nostrils. I handed him a rag and tried to think of some way to cheer him up.
"I get it; I do. That's a good goal. I was worried you were just going to follow my example." I smiled to reassure him, which earned me an eye roll.
I took the opportunity to continue the conversation. "I'll do what I can to help. Tell me what your brother looks like."
"Well...he's a bull Faunus, with horns like my mom. Blue eyes like me, red hair like my dad's. He's five years older than me. That's all I got."
I...wow, I think I know who it is. And I have an idea of where this guy might be. Not specifically, but it has to be with the SDC. I know he was treated so rough that he became a monster, but if I can help steer him down a different path...I shouldn't worry about changing canon events much at this point.
There are too many people to help.
Besides, there's no telling what else is different from the source material at this point. Sun's backstory is a lot more detailed than in the show, and even though it was far from over, I highly doubt they were going for something like this. I just have to do what comes naturally, canon be damned. I have to do what I can to make it in this death world.
"Well...I can't say I have a clear idea of where he is, but...I might run into him. I'm planning on heading to Mistral and later on Atlas before settling in Vale. If I'm right…, he'll be somewhere in Atlas."
Sun looked me in the eye. "So...you're really planning on heading out alone?"
I nodded. "As I said, it's gonna be tough, but I gotta do it. I've got too much on my shoulders to be tied down to one place right now."
Sun exhaled, and I could hear the disbelief in his voice. "You're talkin' like some cartoon character…"
I shrugged. "Sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction." Hell, I fully believed my situation was some fantastical scenario that could never happen. I'm still not wholly convinced this isn't some coma dream.
"That's the thing though...you say stuff like...like the adults from the orphanage. I know most of us kids grew up faster than we had to, but I don't know. I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here. But a lot of those adults...a lot of them never came back either. Like my dad..." Sun sniffed loudly.
I sighed. "I can't say I'll come back. I can't guarantee I'll live that long. Fighting's dangerous, but so is just about everything on Remnant."
Sun rolled his eyes. "You don't have to tell me that…"
"So don't worry about it too much, man. Just live your life the way you see fit, and you'll be fine."
I let that sink in until Sun nodded. "Yeah...I'll do that. Thanks. For everything." Sun got up and left.
I leave first thing in the morning, so that may just be the last time I see him.
Cool kid. I just might miss sparring with him.