This is a request from Sketchywolf. All of the awesome OCs belong to them and RWBY belongs to Roosterteeth. And I own... nothing.
Chapter 1 - Shiro Branwen
Shiro was in a bit of trouble. While he was sitting alone in an interrogation room he thought back to what led him to this.
He had been on his way to Patch to visit his Uncle Taiyang. He had heard that Yang got accepted to Beacon academy. The Beacon. His father had gone on another mission and he was supposed to be at his neighbor's house but he didn't think his dad would mind if he went to Uncle Taiyang's house instead.
His ship was halfway across Vale when it had a layover and he had a little bit of time to kill. Out of boredom he started to wander around and ended up in a place that he wasn't really supposed to be. But as he was going to leave he heard something a bit disturbing. It sounded like someone in distress.
He wasn't the type to stand by when people were in trouble. He ran toward the sound and found himself in the docking bay. Four crewmen were being held up by a group of White Fang members. He reached for his sword, glad the he had it with him.
He loved his sword because it fit his style so well. He had to admit that he was a little jealous when his dad spent so much time teaching Ruby, she even designed her weapon after his, but he was happy with his own. It was his uncle Taiyang that taught him just because he wasn't just like him didn't mean that his dad would be any less proud of him.
He designed his sword to be able to use it in any situation. It was a long sword with a bright, rectangular red guard and silver pommel for close combat and a revolver for longer range. As he drew his sword he released it to it's full size.
He didn't really think about what he was doing when he jumped out at them. "Hey," he gained their attention, "Leave those guys alone!"
The White Fang member in the front motioned to the others and two on the left side of him ran at him. The others continued loading the stolen dust.
He stepped out of the way as the bigger Faunus brought down at long sword that was meant for his shoulder. He then used that opportunity to elbow him in the stomach. It didn't actually do very much other then hurting his elbow. He didn't know what kind of Faunus he was but he had an incredibly hard chest. When the Faunus swung at him he jumped back, as he did four bullets hit where he had been standing.
Quickly he retracted his sword to fired two of his ice dust bullets into the ground in front of the Faunus. Almost as soon as he did, a wall of ice rose from the ground. He thought he saw the Faunus's arm trapped in the ice.
But he didn't have time to breath yet. He hadn't forgotten about the second Faunus. She was a deer Faunus that had made some distance between them. She had climbed up a stack of creates so that she would had a better view of him. She was obviously a sniper. With the big Faunus stuck for a while he could focus on her. He fired two fire dust bullets, and started to run at her. He dodged her shot and fired another. While she was dodging that, he fired an ice dust bullet at the ground and used the momentum of the rising ice to launch himself at her.
Unfortunately, at this point he no longer had any ammo left. He released his sword again and swung it down at her. She barely had enough time to block this with her gun. But the momentum knocked them both to the ground.
As he was getting up he saw someone coming at him from the corner of his eye. He ducked and swept his leg out trip whoever it was. The White Fang member did start to fall but he still brought his dagger down to strike Shiro. Shiro, however, saw this coming and leaned back enough to be safe.
The White Fang member growled at him, but before he was able to do anything more two mechs grabbed him from either side. Shiro was breathing hard when he started to stand up. There several soldiers marching all around him. Someone he recognized at General Ironwood was commanding the charge.
General Ironwood walked up to him with purpose. "What are you doing here?" he asked in a dark, stiff tone. After he explained the situation he was taken into General Ironwood's custody and left in that room alone for a very long time. Since there was no clock or windows he didn't know what time it was. But he was sure that he missed his flight.
Finally, the door opened. He was sure that he was going to see General Ironwood but it wasn't him. It was Professor Ozpin. He had never met him in person but he was one of the few people that his dad really admired.
He walked up to him slowly, with his hands behind his back, "This is an interesting development." He tapped a few things on his holopad. "I hadn't expected this situation..." he seemed rather distracted.
Shiro looked at quizzically, "What situation are you talking about, Mr. Ozpin?"
Ozpin looked back at him like he had just realized what he had said, and then smiled at him gently, "I'm sure that you'll find out soon enough. Anyway, I'm curious. You seem to know exactly who I am. How much have you been told about me?"
Shiro thought about the question for a moment. "My dad hasn't told me a lot about you. You are the headmaster of Beacon Academy. You also in charge of the safely surrounding Vale. He told me that you are one of the wisest people on Remnant." Ozpin's smile held a sort of melancholy sadness to it, however Shiro didn't really know the words to express this.
"I see," Ozpin said, "Are you aware that your cousins are entering my school this year?"
Shiro noticed his slip-up but didn't say anything about it. "Yeah, Yang is going this year. Ruby and I were going to apply at the same time."
Ozpin looked curious, "Are you two close?"
Shiro shrugged, "I guess. We train together with uncle Taiyang a lot. Especially when dad is gone."
They fell into a silence, both absorbed by their own thoughts. Shiro couldn't help but remember his training. It was hard and painful and part of that was enjoyable. To see himself grow stronger was the most rewarding thing in Remnant.
"Why do you want to join Beacon?" Ozpin broke his train of thought.
He was caught off guard by the question, "Ah, I want to be a Hunter." But Ozpin silently waited for him to elaborate. Shiro put his head in his hands and thought about it more carefully, "I don't know. I just can't see myself doing anything else. There's nothing else I've ever wanted to be."
"Well," Ozpin suddenly seemed a lot more cheerful for some reason, "would you like to join her? Beacon is always looking for talented future-Huntsmen."
"Really!?" Shiro's eyes widened, "Do you mean that? That would be amazing. Ha, guess I'll have to write Ruby and tell her all about it."
Ozpin let out a little chuckle," Yes, I really mean that."
xxxxx
Glynda was patiently waiting for Ozpin on the rented ship. He said that he had some business with James. Even though she wasn't present for this, he allowed her to listen in on the conversation. She hadn't actually met Qrow's son but he made a better impression then she thought he would. To be honest, she hadn't expected him to be that respectful.
But to have someone so young enter the academy, it was cruel. If she hadn't seen the talent that Ms. Rose displayed she would have rejected that as well. If she had been in charge, neither of them would have been accepted until they were fully eligible. But Ozpin had never led her astray. With his intense wisdom and years of experience, he surely saw something that she had overlooked.
When he boarded, he sat across from her with his usual mysterious air. "Why did you do that?" she asked as she started to take off.
It wasn't until they were in the air that he spoke, "Shiro has a talent that is important."
She frowned, "That isn't enough to bend the rules like that. I suppose I could accept Ms. Rose because of her potential but Mr. Branwen is a completely different story."
His smile didn't fade, "I agree, that alone wouldn't be enough."
"Just because he's Qrow's-"
"That is not the reason." He cut her off. He paused for a moment before continuing, "Do you think that Hunters could be replaced by machines? It would be safer, would it not?"
She sighed, "Of course not."
"Why?"
"Because," she thought about the right words, "fighting the Grim requires more than what a machine could do."
"It requires a personality," he continued, "If the Hunter fighting feels alone and in despair then they wouldn't be effective. If I thought that Shiro wouldn't be able to hand this situation then I wouldn't have made the offer. But, as it stands, I think that they need each other."
She frowned even harder but said nothing; there was nothing to say. She didn't understand his decision but it wasn't the first time she confused her.
xxxxxxxx
To say that he was nervous boarding the ship to Beacon was an understatement. He felt like every eye was on him. After a while of wondering around the ship he spotted a pair of familiar faces. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"-a normal girl with normal knees." Ruby said.
"What's with you," Yang countered, "Aren't you you excited!?"
Ruby looked down, "Of course I'm excited. I just- I got moved ahead two years. I don't want people to think I'm special or anything."
"At least your not alone." Shiro walked up to them.
"Shiro?" Yang looked at him with surprise.
"Yep, I got to come as well." he smiled shyly. "I didn't know you were going to be here, Ruby."
"Yeah, me either."
Yang put her arms around each of them, "I'm so proud of you both."
As this was happening there was a news report about a criminal who escaped authorities. Shiro felt like he had heard that name before but he couldn't really remember. But the TV was turned off in the middle of the report of the Faunus protest that followed. A hologram of a strict looking lady appeared before them. "Hello and welcome to Beacon."
"Who's that?" Yang asked.
"My name is Glynda Goodwitch."
"Oh."
"You are among a privileged few who had received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy. Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace and as future Huntsmen and Huntresses it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task. And now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world." And with that she disappeared.
Ruby, Yang and Shiro went over to the window. "Look," Ruby looked to the left, "You can see Signal from up here."
Shiro smiled at her and Yang patted her on her shoulder, "Guess home isn't to far after all. Beacon's our home now." He smiled at the thought.
Over to their right was some guy getting sick. He decided right away that he should probably steer clear of him. But, it was too late. He was heading right toward them.