Author's notes:
Hello everyone. Author here. As some of you know, November 7th is the day the Red Trailer officially released on Youtube, and I wanted to write a story commemorating that 10 year anniversary and to just thank Monty Oum for making such a fun show loved by many. I've gotten pretty rusty when it comes to writing and I've never actually written anything for public consumption before, so this is pretty new to me. I hope you can enjoy this story, despite its somewhat basic premise.

Warning, this is basically an Isekai novel set in the RWBY universe. I just loved the idea of characters shaking up the foundation of the world, to be honest. I guess the main difference is that I don't intend to make our MC overpowered like many other novels have done before. I much more enjoyed novels where the MC is challenged, pushed to the brink, and must fight to survive. I sometimes like darker elements in stories too, which is why Volume 3 was such an interesting twist that I really wasn't expecting from RWBY at the time.

I don't intend to stick to the plot in its entirety, but I do intend to change things up a bit in the world. How this story ends will also depend on whether or not I still enjoy writing this story, and how the original show continues forward with Volume 9 and onwards. I've also taken inspiration from other novels here on the platform in order to make this story, so hopefully with the combined knowledge of so many different forms of writing this kind of story, I'm able to create one that lives up to their hype.

Also, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I actually tried my best to create an entire timeline of events for Volume 1 to 3, important dates and all. I think I did pretty well.

This is my first piece of writing I've ever decided to release publicly, as well as my first story here on this site. Please be gentle with me. 3

(P.S. This story may or may not have graphic descriptions later down the line, as well as some coarse language, but for now I'll leave it at a T rating, as that's not usually how I'd write.)

Remnant
November 7
Year: -1

My name is Phillip Bushida. I'm a half Japanese, half American man that was on the cusp of graduating from college. I only had about a week left before my life officially began, but that plan was unfortunately cut short the moment a middle-aged man walked into the bank with a pistol in hand.

I'm not sure if he was suicidal or just down right mental, but it was the middle of the day in the center of the whole damn city. I really didn't want to be here right now. Curse my finances for getting in the way of my life. The man yelled out every vulgar swear word in the dictionary, firing his gun towards the ceiling. Everyone dropped to the ground while some began to scream. Those were the first people to die.

From that point on, nobody uttered a word. He strode towards the banker's counter with an obnoxious gait as if he owned the place, and demanded stacks of $100s in the duffel bag he brought along with him. We were all nervous. This man shot 3 dead without so much as batting an eye. There was just one single spark of hope. The sound of sirens blaring in the distance. Everyone heard them. Including him.

The man began panicking, muttering something along the lines of "It's too early". He yelled at the cashier to move faster, but when the cashier just kept going at the same speed, the man shot him dead. 4 gone. Just like that.

Soon the police pulled up outside the building. Some of us held onto hope that we'll be rescued. Others still held their heads in their hands, face down on the ground. The crazed man was desperately shoveling wads of cash into his bag, eyes simultaneously darting around looking for a way out. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a burner phone, seemingly trying to get in contact with someone. Nobody must have picked up, as the man slammed the phone onto the ground in absolute fury.

His "friends" must have dipped the moment they heard the cops. Looks like this guy was on his own now. The police all had pistols trained on the front door, while who I presumed was the one in charge began shouting into a bullhorn towards the thief/murderer.

"We have you surrounded! Drop the gun and walk out with your hands above your head!"

The man, obviously, refused to do so.

It was a stand-off. One man versus an entire police force. I had half a mind to ask why they didn't just barge into the building, as there was only one guy, but that's when I realized they likely didn't know that. They arrived on the scene after the shots had been fired and may not have even noticed the dead bodies the man hid from their point of view.

Nobody dared speak up. If we did, we'd likely be the one to die next. Just then, crying could be heard in a corner of the building. It was a girl no older than 2 years old. She began to bawl, her mother doing everything she could to placate the child but to no avail. The man was infuriated, stressed, and likely to blow at any second. The sound of a screaming child was the last straw.

Now, normally I wouldn't have ever made a move against a man with a gun like him, but he just had to point his weapon at a child of all people. I told myself to ignore it. I convinced myself he wouldn't shoot. I looked away. I tried to think of something else. Anything else. Yet the moment I heard the gun cock, my body moved automatically. Sure enough, everything went dark.

However, that doesn't exactly explain my current situation right now.

"...Where… am I?"

I was on the ground, in the exact same pose that I should have presumably died in. And yet, upon touching around my chest, there was no sign of a bullet wound. Looking around, there was also no sign of the bank. Moreover, it was nighttime. At the very least I was still in a city or town of some sort, but nothing here seemed remotely familia-

Turning around, I saw something that instantly made my jaw drop. There, in lit up neon lights, read the words: From Dust Till Dawn.

I blinked.
I blinked again.
My brain started going a mile a minute.

No, that can't be! There's no conceivable way that I've somehow ended up in this show of all places! That only happens in Isekai or fanfictions, right? I'm definitely asleep, right? But, what if it's real? It definitely feels real… should I play it safe? I can think so clearly! Why do I feel a slight chill in the air? My god, is that the FREAKING SHATTERED MOON?!

So many questions, so little answers! Despite landing in a world I know so much about, a world that so many others would have only ever dreamed of being a part of, actually ending up in the world is a whole different ball game altogether! There's so many threats, so many uncertainties, possibilities, and god forbid, consequences. It's one thing to read about Isekai and another to actually experience it! Not to mention the fact that I was literally just shot to death not even a minute ago. Am… am I hyperventilating?

Breathe Phillip, breathe…
In, out. In, out.

…

I slowly, forcefully, try to calm myself down. I need to think things through carefully, one step at a time, and the shaking of my hand is definitely not helping. I… I need to think of something else or there's no doubt in my mind that I'll absolutely lose it.

After a few minutes of deep breaths, I sat down onto a nearby bench and contemplated my current situation. I was somehow summoned to Remnant, but have no idea how. I definitely died on Earth…

Ugh, my parents, my family… how will they fare now with me dead…? This was all just far too abrupt. I was just about to graduate god damn it! ...No, stay focused. You can dwell on those thoughts when you're safe and secluded. What normally happens to protagonists when they arrive in a new world?
Hmmm…
Ah, oh yeah! A system! That seems to be a running trend, right? What should I do, call out to it?

"System!"

Nothing.

"Open system!"

Still nothing.

"Unlock! Open! System start! Check stats! Help!"

A few minutes passed of trying and failing to summon a system of any kind.

…I've also begun receiving a few weirded out looks from some passersby…

It seems receiving a system is out the window. That's… not too great. Normally systems allow the user to transcend the laws of the world or universe they land themselves in. Without one, however, I'm basically bound to the world's rules, meaning the chances of becoming incredibly overpowered - and most importantly - safe, is highly unlikely now.

"So, I've entered this crazy-ass world on hard mode, huh…"

It's not the worst of situations, but it's not the most ideal either. It means I have equal opportunity here, but a very rough starting point. Do I even have an ID in this world? A quick check in my pockets says otherwise. I'll have to get one as my top priority. I heard post offices could give people legal ID's back on Earth. Perhaps it's the same in this world?
Heh, at least I wasn't dropped into the Emerald Forest with nothing but the clothes on my back.

…RWBY, huh?

Not the worst world to be in, but definitely one that requires great caution. The only reason I haven't gone full-blown insane is the vast amount of knowledge I had of this world. It's possible to survive here, but it is by no means safe. And without a system, it means I'll have to deal with all of these emotions too, huh.

I took a deep breath, staring up at the shattered moon. I sat there for who knows how long, just mindlessly staring upwards. I… I'll have to live here from now on. It's just way too fast. Tears fell from my face, staining the bench I sat on…

I began walking around, asking for directions towards the nearest post office. It wasn't too far away, only a few minutes walk. Soon enough I found myself standing in line waiting for my turn.

Next priority would be… Lien. I need to find a job here, and fast. No way I'm gonna die of starvation after the first few days of arriving in a fantasy world. But… where should I work?

I pondered this for a second, and thought back to the neon lights that glowed brilliantly in front of me.

"From Dust Till Dawn…"

Not only was this particular shop the starting point for the entire show, it was also where Ruby fought against Torchwick and was recruited by Ozpin himself.
It's where everything began…

But, do I really want to be a part of that? I don't have a system, no powers… I don't even know if I have aura. The only way I could ever actually do anything useful is if I got my aura unlocked, which I truly hoped was a possibility. Worse yet, I have no idea who would be willing to do that for me.

There's also the matter of getting into Beacon… wait, what time period am I in right now? It's definitely before Vale is destroyed, so at the very least before Volume 3. Hmm, I'll have to search up the info I need after I get my ID.
So much to do…

"Good evening sir, what can I help you with?" Asked a wavy black-haired lady in dark-rimmed glasses.

"Oh, I'm here to obtain an ID, if possible."

"I see, is there any reason why you don't have one on you currently?"

Damn. I need to think fast. Good thing my one greatest boon is knowledge of the world I arrived in.

"I… am the sole survivor of a small village down south, a bit past Mountain Glenn," I lied. "It was… destroyed. Grimm. And after that, bandits. You know the tale…"

The lady looked at me with pity. That's good. She must have heard similar stories like this before.

"I… I see. Um, your parents…?"

"Dead. I only got here using the last bits of Lien hidden in my parents' house."

"O-oh."

Sorry for being blunt ma'am, but to sell the lie, I need to pretend as if I don't even wish to talk about it at all. Bluntness helps not only stop others from questioning further, but pins the blame on the one who asked as if they shouldn't have brought up the conversation in the first place. Something I can and must take advantage of here, especially when I could easily slip up and make a mistake in my backstory.

"I need an ID. The other one I used to have has long since been destroyed in the mess."

She nodded uncomfortably and handed me a scroll, telling me to fill out the form there while she deals with the other customers in line, likely to take her mind off of what she just heard.

Checking it over, a few things caught my attention. One, my name. Now, on Earth the name Phillip Bushida seems normalish enough, but here on Remnant where all names were related in some way to some type of color, my name would stand out like a torch in the night. Heck, even the name Tyrian is related to the color purple, and the guy's a serial killer.

Thus, I decided to adopt the name of an OC I created when I was… a little TOO deep in the RWBY rabbit hole back in the day, if you know what I mean. Lucian Alabaster, which together would technically mean 'Light beige', or 'Light off-white'... or 'Light rock', or something. Yeah, I know. Cringe, but the best I've got right now.

Now, the other thing that caught my attention. My reflection, and my hands. While writing the info down with my finger (Even in this world electronic signatures are a nightmare), I noticed that my hand seemed smaller than it used to be. Checking my reflection in the scroll, I came to realize something I never even thought about due to the sheer amount of overwhelming information I've experienced in the past hour alone. I'm younger.

Originally I was 21, but now I looked like I was 16-17 all over again, which was both good and bad. Good because I was technically younger and capable of growing stronger (and hopefully taller) when at my peak, but bad because all the strength I gained during my time in college athletics was gone without a trace.

"Well, that kinda sucks." I sighed.

I'll need to keep up a good workout routine, and I'll need to push it into overdrive if I wanna be in peak condition in this world. Perhaps working out before getting my aura unlocked would help strengthen my body even further once I did, perhaps.

If I ever find a way to unlock it.

After filling out the form and handing it back to the lady at the desk, I was told to wait for a bit while they register my information. Then I'll be called up to take my ID photo.
Sitting down on one of the open chairs in the waiting room, I contemplated what my next moves would be.

Hmm, with an ID I should be able to get a job. I think I briefly saw a Help Wanted sign in the 'From Dust Till Dawn' window, but I only had a brief glance. I'll need to check again just in case. After that, I'll need to find a place to stay. If I remember correctly from the show, there should be a residential district across that large body of water. I just hope I can make enough to buy an apartment…

"Sir? We're ready to take your picture now."

I got up from my chair. So much to do…

Vale ID
Name: Lucian Alabaster
Age: 16
Birthday: May 4

Heh, May the 4th be with you. Now that I'm in a new fantasy world, changing my birthday as a bit of fun wouldn't hurt, right?. Gotta have some sense of humor in a land chock-full of guns, death and destruction.

As for my age… well, I look like I regressed back to when I was 15-16 years old; damn these scrawny arms. Aside from that, sweet 16 seems like a good age. The cusp of adulthood, and, in this world, I might as well be an adult already. The one problem is my weakened body, but once I start training that'll be a thing of the past.

As for now, I'm walking back to 'From Dust Till Dawn' to check whether or not I really did see a Help Wanted sign. Aaaand… there it is. Putting my new ID into my pants pocket, I stepped inside the dust shop.

The head of an old man turned towards me at the sound of the doorbell's chime. Grey hair, squinted eyes, and a good-natured smile. That's the shopkeep alright. I walked up to the man as he finished arranging some dust crystals in his glass counter shelf.

"Hello young man, what can I do for you?" The shopkeep asked.

"Hey, um, I saw your Help Wanted sign, and was kinda wondering if I could get a job here?" I asked.

Jeez, speaking to what should have been a fictional character is kinda surreal, especially when this guy almost never spoke except for that one time in Ice Queendom and a few random noises in the original.

"Ah yes, I was in fact looking for someone to help around the shop here. I actually run multiple businesses, despite how I look, and it gets a bit tiring running back and forth all the time."
The old man chuckled good-naturedly while scratching the back of his head.
"To tell you the truth, I had already half given up on anyone accepting the job offer. I was actually about to take the sign down within the week."

I see. So at some point this shopkeep, unable to find any workers, decided to run multiple shops by himself? That's some crazy-ass skill and determination right there. A semblance maybe? But his aura isn't unlocked... at least, that's what the show suggests.

Regardless, I guess this also proves I'm at a time before the show officially started. After all, it doesn't seem like this shop has ever gotten robbed yet, and I don't believe the shopkeep ever looked for workers in the original. He'd probably given up by then. How in the world do you run multiple businesses single-handedly-

"So then, mind if I show you around, um…"

"The name's Lucian, sir," I reply with an amiable smile.

The older man nodded politely. "Well, Lucian, mind if I give you a tour around the shop? I can show you what you'd be doing here in the process, as well as conducting a small interview at the same time."

"That would be great," I responded.

I'm not sure what may happen next. Things were going by so fast, but I needed to adapt. I have knowledge of the show, but there's no telling what will be in store for me now. This is the moment that marked the beginning of my journey… my story.