It was bright inside of Ozpin's office, the man himself sitting in his chair, facing the massive window behind his desk an watching the students wandering around the campus. From his height, at the top floor of Beacon Tower, they were like insects. With his fingers weaved together, and his chin resting on his knuckles, he was lost in his mind. The bronze gears turning both above the ceiling and, below the glass floor at the center of the room acted as a composer to his mind, timing each fragment of thought to a tune. He closed his eyes for a moment, sighing, feeling overwhelmed.

"Ozpin." a voice said over a communication system from behind him.

"Oz." said another. "The meeting is still happening."

He kicked the floor and spun his chair in the opposite direction, leaning against his desk, "I understand. I was simply contemplating our next step."

In front of him, on the transparent surface of his desk, were holographic monitors with images of different emblems representing councilmen from each Kingdom of Remnant. They were the primary governing body in most territories, speaking from vast distances using communication towers designed by Atlas engineers, each strategically placed throughout the continents and islands to maintain diplomatic bonds. The system was powered by Yellow Dust, a sign of mankind's incredible technological progress. Ozpin's academy was considered the most unique and prestigious military school among all of those established in Remnant, and since he was respected within nearly all borders, there was little debate for the appropriate channel to address current affairs of state.

A woman from Atlas spoke from behind one of the monitors, "We can't ignore this, Oz. Things are getting out of hand."

Ozpin rubbed his eyelids and sighed, "I'm fully aware of the situation, Winter. These matters require special consideration before we take immediate action."

A man councilman from Mistral replied through static, "We could accept a few Grimm getting through our walls outside of Vale, but this is concerning."

Another man from Vacuo added, "We've had more trouble here than anyone else. Listen Ozpin, and listen well. The Grimmwall Treaty was your idea, with courtesy to your Majesty's blessing. It has seen many successes in recent years, but if even the slightest, smallest, cracks start to show, then when the dam breaks and a flood is let loose, it will be on your head."

"Is everyone from Vacuo always this kind?" a man on the Atlas board interrupted.

The Vacuo councilman countered, "You're always quick defend him, Ironwood. You might be able to show off your medals in Mantle, in Vale, or maybe even in Mistral, but here in Vacuo, they are meaningless."

Ozpin stood from his chair, pacing to a corner of the room that was still close enough for him to speak to them, "Gentlemen...we cannot lose faith in the alliance. As long we can keep the fears of the public at bay, if we can subside their negative feelings - their anger, frustrations, greedy desires - then we still have the upper hand. A comfortable public, and a healthy society are the only way to keep the Grimm outside of our walls."

"Look what good its doing for you." the Vacuo councilman replied. "It's just like twenty years ago, except this time you let even tiny street scum steal your Dust."

Ozpin countered, "Obviously there are some criminals afoot, we just need to find them. That's all."

"You better." the councilman threatened. "I want to have faith in this plan, believe me, I do. But her Majesty of Vacuo is watching carefully. The Dust War is still fresh in the people's hearts. Mankind has been difficult enough to control as it is. We cannot abide more failures."

Ozpin walked back to his desk, setting his hand on top of it and adjusting his glasses, "Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure, but we will have to discuss this ordeal another day. I have an orientation to attend, and I can't be late..."

"You will hear from me again, Oz." said the Vacuo councilman.

Every representative from each Kingdom joined to say goodbye, "In Prosperity, I Bid Thee Well."

Before the meeting was over, Ozpin uttered, "Ironwood, stay on the line a moment, I need a quick word with you, alone."

The monitors disappeared into space, adjourning the meeting; the only one remaining was that of Atlas, the figure of a man appearing on screen to replace the emblem. It was a man with slick black hair and piercing eyes, accompanying a broad chin that gave him a stern look. He wore a white suit with badges of rank pinned on the upper chest, standard dress for high official's of the Atlas military, but his uniform was of particular note: the General of the Atlesian army, a Lord of his land, known as Ironwood.

"What do you need, Oz?" Ironwood asked, his voice calm and friendly.

Ozpin sat in his chair, crossing his leg over the other beneath the desk, "Can you be here by tomorrow, James?"

Ironwood heeded silence to think, before finally answering, "I have a few training sessions with some new recruits, but I can push the dates to another time. Why? Is something urgent?"

"You know I don't like speaking of matters concerning The Brotherhood over this system, or by Scroll."

"The Brother -" Ironwood stopped himself, feeling weary of those that could be listening. "Is it urgent or not? I'd rather not postpone my duties."

Ozpin leaned back in his chair, placing his palms together and turning aside, "I have two new students at my academy. Do you remember Raven Branwen, Mr. Ironwood?"

"Raven? From team STRQ?" Ironwood's interest piqued. "What about her?"

"I've been digging through some case files. It seems that Ms. Branwen's sister is in Vale as we speak."

"Cinder Branwen?!" Ironwood seemed pleasantly surprised. "She's come to join the Brotherhood?"

Ozpin chuckled, "Unfortunately, no. I'm sorry, but we simply cannot speak of this further here. Can you be here in my office by tomorrow, or not?"

There was a long pause in discussion, as Ozpin waited for a reply. The clock on the walls ticked loudly, and the gears of beacon continued turning. It made what little time had passed seem like hours.

"I'll pack modestly." Ironwood said. "I'll be there later in the evening. I Bid Thee Well."

The holographic monitor faded, and Ozpin was left alone in his office. He did not linger, however, as there were matters to attend to. He rose from his chair, and approached the restricted elevator door of his quarters leading to the bottom floors of the academy. It was time for a new generation of students to join the ranks of the Hunters and Huntresses.

...

Ruby stood on a concrete walkway in a location outside of Beacon that was completely unknown to her. She had roamed the campus grounds for some time, exhausting herself in the process. She was unfamiliar with city life, and even more so with student life. A campus the size Beacon was like a maze, filled with lights, voices, smells and fast moving things that startled her at every turn. So, she leaned her head against the wall of a pillar, students from all lands moving around in every direction, appearing as ghosts to her. She desperately tried to focus, but she felt a throbbing pain between her eyes, causing direct light sources to appear brighter that they actually were. For her, focus was important, a way to keep her blood flow under control. She needed a break from navigating the confusing grounds, dodging the crowds.

"Hey." a gentle voice called out next to her. "You alright there?"

She glanced at the origin of it, finding a familiar face that she could not quite place. It was a young man with blonde hair, spiked on all sides and draping over his head. On his back was a sheathed sword, the scabbard made of metal. She had seen his white armor before, and recognized the red and black hooded gambeson too.

Ruby recovered herself from lost senses, pointing at the young man, "Hey, I remember you. Your Vomit Boy, from the transport."

He scratched his chin and smiled with embarrassment, "Oh, boy. Guess that's my nickname now, huh. Oh man, why do I always screw up first impressions." He spoke quickly, but lowered his pitch towards the end of his sentences. "Oh well, can't be helped, I guess."

Ruby came closer, holding her hand out for a greeting, "Ruby Rose, at your service! What's your name?"

"It's Jaune. Your the first person to ask." Jaune took a few steps to the side.

"That's a pretty nifty sword you've got there." Ruby followed him as he moved along the campus' seemingly endless walkways. "Looks classy! I'm surprised you made such a simple weapon."

"Its a hand-me-down." he removed the sword from his back, taking it out of the sheath and swinging it around as he moved. "My father gave it to me, after the War. It's pretty useful, see." he held the sheath in front of him, the sides flaring out in an instant, transforming into a white shield with golden trim. After guarding each shoulder with it, he pressed a switch on the handle, retracting it into a sheath once more, then placing the sword back inside before resting it at his back. "The shield gets smaller, so, when I get tired of carrying it, I can just," he stopped and stood somewhere away from campus, scratching his head again, "put it away."

Ruby stopped next to him, swinging her hips a bit as she thought, "But, wouldn't it still weigh the same?"

Jaune looked down, "I - Uhm - ... Yes." he pointed at Ruby's Crescent Rose, still in scythe form. "What about your weapon?"

"Oh, this." she smiled, pulling her scythe from its and place proudly showing it off, "She's Crescent Rose! She's got guns, a blade, and a few other nice things! I made her myself." her voice cracked.

"Really, where'd you learn to do that?"

Ruby was not expecting the question, since most students learned to customize their weapons in entry school. However, she was an exception, and she had little trust to reveal herself yet.

"Hehe...at Signal Academy of course! My uncle Qrow teaches there. Everyone's required to make their own weapons!"

Jaune gestured with his open palm, "Really!" he took a single step back in amazement. "That's so cool. So..." his eyes wandered. "you're from Signal?"

"Yep! Born and raised at Patch Island. Our poor Uncle; wasn't easy raising me and my sister. Little rascals we were. Hey..." she looked at the surroundings, finding emptiness around them in a part of campus away from commotion. "where are we going?"

"Oh!" Jaune kept his head down. "I was - uh - following you."

Ruby laughed, returning Crescent Rose to her back, walking to the more populated campus area, Jaune following, "Well, c'mon, orientation is going to start soon. We can't be late. I just wish I could figure out where I'm going. It'll be easier to find with a friend, thought!" she tried to hold in her excitement. "I've made a friend!"

Jaune grinned, his shyness fading away as he followed the new girl that eased his mind.

...

Somewhere far from the Beacon Tower, on the roof of an older classroom building, Cinder Fall sat at the edge, gently swinging her feet back an forth, an apple in her hand. She bit into the skin of the fruit, its juices dripping down her lips and to her neck. Two figures stood behind her and waited. It was a young woman with long, green hair wearing a thin crop top with an intricate white jacket over it, a tightly worn pair of brown pants and strapped high heels on her feet. The other was a young man with silver, spiked hair, wearing mostly gray attire, a pair of loose pants and a matching long sleeved jacket.

The two were far enough for Cinder not to be heard, and they spoke to one another privately.

"How can she just sit there like that for so long?" the man asked, crossing his arms and staring at Cinder. "She eats like an animal."

The woman watched as Cinder bit around the core of the apple, occasionally sucking her fingers clean of juice, "She's beautiful." she sounded bewildered, as if her heart froze with words and admiration.

"Emerald, I think you need to get your eyes checked." The man replied. "I think your Semblance is starting to make you see things."

Emerald threw her hand across the man's cheeking, slapping him hard enough to emit a popping sound. The man grabbed her hand, pulling her forward and staring at her in rage. However, she disappeared into thin air, his hands left empty. He turned and sighed, finding her standing behind him with a grimace.

"Next time you do that, Em, I won't be nice about it." he calmed.

"I told you never to say anything mean about her, Mercury!" she retorted, unwavering her dismay. "Haven't you listened to her? Her story, what they did to her? She's in pain, Mercury! Her soul is hurt. She saved me!" there was passion in her words as she stepped forward and pointed at herself. "She saved you! Where would we be if she hadn't found us?! Do you use your brain, Mercury?!"

He replied, "Apparently I'm the only one that does. Whatever!" he exited the conversation, going to a different corner of the roof. "When we actually do something, come and get me."

Just as she was about to follow, Cinder called out to her, "Emerald!"

Emerald glanced at her admired, advancing to her, "Yes, Cinder?"

Cinder threw the finished apple core down to the concrete below, "Be a good girl. Make sure that little Yang makes it to the Junior's Club tonight."

Emerald bowed, "Yes, of course."

Cinder stood up, her toes over the edge, gazing out over the entire campus, its dormitories, its gardens, and its factories; it was a city in its own right.

"So sad that we have to leave, for now." Cinder closed her eyes for a moment, the wind brushing against her hair.

Emerald said with a smile, "I'm ready when you are. I'm always at your command."

Cinder opened her eyes again, "Not yet." She held her hand in front of her head, a ball of fire erupting between her fingers. "Let me tell you something, good girl. As a child, my Semblance was a joke, a weakness." A loud ringing sound was heard in the air, penetrating for miles, enough to reach Ozpin's tower. "They laughed at me. They said that I would be cursed to play with sand forever. But," the ringing became deafening, and the windows of Beacon's structures began to glow amber with heat. "I think the gods were smiling over me, that such fragile humans could make these cities my playground."

Emerald covered one ear, coming closer so that she could listen.

"I hope you're watching up there, sister. Summer's child is about to be put to the test. With dark emotions, the Grimm will come." All forms of glass in the city near her influence began to shake. "Today is only the beginning, the beginning of the end."

In a single motion, clasping her fingers together and distinguishing the ball of flame, a crackling sound flew from her location and extended outward, reaching the central grounds. Throughout Beacon, glass shattered into sharp, hot shards, the people's screams emanating from all corners, the streets rising into panic. Cinder chuckled, turning around and walking by Emerald with a grin of satisfaction on her face. "Come, Emerald. We have so much to look forward to."

With Chaos erupting inside of Beacon's supposedly safe walls, they exited the rooftop, sneaking their way down, and onto other nefarious deeds.

...

"What's going on!" Jaune screamed just outside of the school cafeteria, ducking his head as glass fell down from above. "Oh no, Oh no!"

Ruby darted her eyes about the area, certain that the destruction was Cinder's doing. She placed her hand upon Crescent Rose, ready for a battle at any moment. As students, and Hunters, flooded the campus and prepared their arms for the worst, she spotted a young girl standing on top of a tall building nearby. She wore a white jacket, with a bright pink embossed parasol held over her head. The girl stared back at her, a grin crossing her cheeks, filled with ill intent.

Ruby knew it was time to drop the act. Despite her desire to keep her heritage a secret from the citizens of Vale, it was time to show her true potential. With eyes glowing white, a storm of roses cycled around her, filling the campus with petals. Campus guards and Hunters scattered in search of the threat, but she had her sights set on a danger of her own.