RWBY: Shadow Company
Chapter 1
Shadow Company, or preferentially, Black Company by others.
In this day and age, they remain nothing more than security for hire in the public's eye. Their times of warfare mean nothing now. And they don't fight the good fight anymore. They fought against protestors during assemblies, thieves from the markets, and dealers smuggling in the docks.
Mere mundane stuff, day in and day out. And instead of fighting the Grimm and The White Fang head-on, glorified security guards looked like the next best alternative from the council.
It is a stupid idea if you ask me.
You might be thinking that perhaps after all this, some of them would have left by now, they didn't. Surprisingly. And these men weren't your average day-to-day men. Some of them had nowhere else to go after the army. Young boys without a career, older men that had no purpose, and those that had no family to welcome back, these men were perfect for enlistees.
And this had attracted several others.
Recently, civilians had requested to join the shadows. The council had urged Ozpin to examine this. It took a bit to contemplate with Atlas and General Vitalius. A man that had witnessed the art of warfare and conceded it.
They agreed, but they can only enter if they've met the specific requirements, although that ranges. This reason explains why so few were qualified to join. Only a small portion was allowed during every recruitment, handpicked and trained, exclusively by the Colonel and Captain Qrow Branwen.
Their status has grown exceedingly over the years. From being Remnant's first protector to Jacques's executioners. Although, those are just rumors. Jacques himself personally funded their supply of dust and money shortly after hearing about the revival. And in return, he wanted their services, free of charge, of course.
But General Ironwood had stepped in and suggested his ideas as well, after his new promotion as General.
And with that introduced a brand new breed of Shadows.
But, it all didn't end well in the end, not after the massacre of dust mine 15. The accident had caused an uproar in the Faunus community in Mantle. Scandals and false statements have increased and managed to grow amongst the Faunus, which implies more recruits for the White Fang.
White Fang, what used to be a peaceful activist organization, now turned terrorist after the great war. When the Vytal peace treaty was signed, the world had just started to fix itself back together again, and the Faunus were fighting for equal rights after years of discrimination against their kind.
They were the only ones left who still admire the Legion after the great war. Long story short, nobody cared. And after Jacques Gelé had taken over the SDC. Things had changed for the worst.
The company's profits grew exponentially but at a price, by cruel practices, cheap labor, dangerous working conditions, monopolizing the weak, and dishonest businesses. And it all ties back to the Faunus. But they don't know what's hiding behind those doors.
Ghira Belladonna. Son of the founder of the White Fang.
He had stepped down from leadership after Sienna Khan took the role. And under her leadership, they became violent and started attacking SDC convoys, stealing dust and supplies to give the needy Faunus. At first, it seemed like a good idea at the time. After the attacks, Atlas has sent the shadows after them, and with that started a new war between them.
These two have been fighting against each other for years now, but the White Fangs weren't very successful. They may have the numbers and firepower, but they lack the skills and determination that the shadows have. After all, the White Fang is not originally a military group.
The White Fang may continue to boast about their strength. But they don't have to strength to match up with the Shadows. And even if they don't like to admit it, they are terrified of the boys in black.
Recently, there have been a few cases of missing cargo, particularly dust. And the Schnee Dust Company didn't take this very lightly. Jacques Schnee was furious with these terrorist actions.
That's when Ironwood allowed freight ops for his shadows. And the results were as foreseen, with the White Fang failing and Atlas resources and its people are safe and sound.
But, once that crisis is solved, another rises. The White Fang has begun operations in Vale. Records of reoccurring dust robberies have been going around in the commercial districts.
Ozpin had persuaded the council to allow the Shadows stationed in Vale to go after them. The Vale Police Department and local huntsmen in the city will be working alongside them. The operation was green light by the council, and the shadows were ready to eliminate the threat.
/-/
Ruby Rose, a young girl full of innocence and wonder. When she first heard of the Shadows from her mother, Summer Rose, and Uncle Qrow's stories, she always sees them as heroes like her fairytales and comic books. She even had the thought of joining them when she gets older. But she knew that it would be impossible for her. Shadow Company is solely male, and they rarely have females in their group.
There has been a story of one woman who managed to become a shadow. She became the first woman to ever joined the shadows by probing her worth and has gained the respect of her fellow brothers.
During a mission, her squad stood outnumbered by the Grimm, and her team was heavily injured. Only she was still able to keep fighting, and she managed to destroy the Grimm and bring back her squad alive. No one knows how did she manage to survive that attack. Not even her squadmates knew what happened after.
She was a legend, and nobody remembers her name. Some assume she won a match against the general and earned her place in the Shadows. Others say her father was a shadow and asked his commander to take her in as his dying wish.
But whichever way you see it, or whatever story you may have heard from, it is true that there was a woman in the Shadow Company. It was Summer's favorite story.
And Ruby had always seen them as heroes. Men who will fight for the people and even the most dangerous of foes, giving their lives to protect others. If only she knew that the shadows were much more different now from the past.
Yang Xiao Long is known for many things, the boxer girl, the trouble maker, and Ruby's older sister. She was always looking to be the center of attention. She wanted to be a huntress like her father, seeking the thrill of adventure and helping people along the way.
And, like any older sister, was very protective of Ruby. And when she started to gain more interest in the shadows, she became worried about this particular bunch.
She didn't care much about mercenaries. To her, they are hardly different from bandits. They were men who would do anything for money, with no questions asked, just as long as they get the job done and get paid in the end. They reminded her of those criminals and bandits roaming around Remnant.
Yang had tried to get that foolish idea of the shadows being heroes out of Ruby's head. Sadly, she wasn't very successful. Ruby calls her an idiot sometimes. She's not wrong. Yang may be an idiot, but she wasn't stupid.
And she knows that her Uncle Qrow is one of them.
But she didn't say anything about it after finding out. She didn't want Ruby to be more invested in blindly becoming a mercenary. But, she doubts that her Uncle Qrow would allow her to.
She has also heard from him that the shadow is hunting down the White Fang terrorist. It didn't worry her much, just as long as they don't do anything drastic. Since they are mercenaries, they were not directly under the council. And that gives them more freedom to do whatever they want.
She doesn't hate them personally. Because let's be honest. What's so great about a bunch of mercenaries?
Well, there are, on a more personal level with Weiss Schnee.
The richest girl in Atlas. Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. And the most highly valued client to the Shadows.
Ever since childhood, her father has been working with these men even before she was born. She learned not only about the Shadows but the White Fang as well. She would hear her father screaming furiously about them but praises his shadows like his own sons.
She didn't quite understand these strange men in black clothes. They don't talk to her and hardly say hello to anyone. They aimlessly walk around the mansion with guns in hand.
The maids and butlers would cower whenever they pass by and would shun them behind their backs.
But Klein told her not to worry as they are here to protect her. But she didn't believe that. She always had the idea that the shadows were scary, and no one likes them. But that all changed when one of the shadows saved her life.
It was a typical day like any other. Weiss was accompanying her father on one of his business trips in Vale. Weiss was only a child back then. The car that they were riding on abruptly stopped when a commotion was happening in front of them. Then something exploded. Weiss covered her ears as the explosion was so loud, she couldn't see who was the one who caused it until someone opened the door.
It was a stranger wearing an odd mask with animal ears sticking out of his hood. It was a White Fang member. The ones that father was always complaining about, she never saw one in person until now. The stranger looked furious as he forcefully dragged her out of the car, hanging her over his shoulder, attempting to kidnap her.
Their convoy was under attack, and Weiss couldn't break free, couldn't fight back.
Jacques had managed to escape and ran to safety. But he noticed that Weiss was missing. One of the shadows managed to see them running away with Weiss and chases after them.
It was a long chase, and Weiss felt so lost in the big city. Her hands and legs were tied up. They placed a bag over her head and gagged her mouth to stop her from screaming. She was exhausted after thrashing around so much, and all she could do was cry in despair. It was the first time where she felt so vulnerable and helpless. And that no one was coming to save her.
But then her kidnappers stop moving, still carried over his shoulder. She tried to see what was going on, but the bag was still on.
The lone shadow had caught up to them as he cuts them off their route.
But her kidnapper laughs, "Well, look what we have here, one lonely shadow. Where are your buddies, mercenary?" She heard.
But the shadow remains silent.
"You deaf, shadow? You best run back, or four of my boys will mess you up good."
Weiss thought it was hopeless. It was five against one, and that shadow wouldn't make it. She feared for the shadow's safety. A brave soul was willing to run all this way to save her.
But, she underestimated him. The lone shadow didn't react while being threatened, nor did he flinch.
"Last warning, pal. Leave!" He threatened again.
But the shadow stood firm.
"No."
He attacked and gave no sympathy to his enemies. In one swift motion, he quickdraws his revolver and guns them down. It was so quick that they didn't have enough time to react. Weiss screamed in surprise.
The gunfire was too loud for her to hear their screams. She did manage to hear four bodies falling to the ground.
Only one, who was holding onto Weiss, was still alive.
Weiss felt her kidnapper putting her down on the ground. "Move, and I will hurt you, Schnee." She complied. She continues to hear the two of them speak.
"You're pretty fast. I'll give you that, old man." He said as he places his hand in his gun. Position himself for a duel.
"But let's see who's faster."
He draws, and so does he.
Weiss didn't know what was going on. All she heard were two shots that rang out. And someone dropping after that. She could hear cries of pain, but she could make out which one it was.
It was her kidnapper's.
"B-but, how? You didn't even move. I s-shot you, I saw it." He said as he struggles to breathe. Weiss stayed still, not wanting to touch anything she couldn't see. What she heard next confused her the most.
"What? No, it can't be. I thought you were dead! You're-"
The shadow stops him as he fires his last shot. When it was all over, the shadow slowly approaches, but Weiss naturally backs away, obviously frightened of the shadow who just single handily killed five White Fang soldiers.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He asked.
Weiss hesitantly shakes her head. She was too terrified to speak to the shadow before her. The shadow converses softly to her, "It is alright child, the bad people are gone. They won't hurt you anymore."
The shadow kneeled in front of her. She flinches as the shadow reaches to reach her.
Slowly but carefully, he carries her in his arms, holding her protectively. The shadow removes the bag from her head, but Weiss kept her eyes closed and buried her face into his shoulder, not wanting to see the violence that had happened around her. Yet she still trembles in his arms.
"I'll keep you safe. I'll make sure no one else may harm you ever again. Not while I'm still here." He said firmly.
Weiss's view on the shadows changed drastically after that day. She learned that the shadows are not so scary after all. And that the White Fang was the real monsters, she was glad that they were dead. They won't be coming back for her.
But most importantly, she learned that she was the most untouchable girl in Atlas, safeguarded by her shadows.
While someone feels protected by them, someone else feels threatened by them.
And Blake Belladonna is one of them. Member of the White Fang. Daughter to the Chief of Menagerie. And Adam Taurus's right-hand woman. When her parents left the White Fang, she decided to stay behind and fight against the SDC and the Shadows.
Every White Fang member knows about Black Company.
Not a single Faunus doesn't know about them. They don't understand their motives for protecting a Schnee or the SDC. But, since they were in the way, they had to be taken out first. But it was easier said than done.
When the White Fang first fought the shadows, it wasn't like fighting any regular huntsmen or an Atlesian soldier. It was different, for one thing. They are not easy to kill, and they have proved to be worthy combatants.
Not even their best fighters can out best them. But even if they managed to kill one, that wouldn't stop anything. They will still keep coming after them.
It was like they had already lost the battle before it even started. But the war was far from over.
Getting the supplies for their people was becoming more difficult. Sienna Khan was furious about them. She was hell-bent on ending this shadow nonsense as soon as possible. But she later found out that that's not going to happen. The shadows are always one step ahead of her.
Whenever she tries to make a move, they would push her back from where she started.
To them, the shadows are a plague.
When Blake was about to meet her first encounter with the shadows, she was already too late. They have already left, and what was left behind were the bodies of her fallen comrades.
Some were barely recognizable.
When morale was low, Blake will always inspire them with her words. Her voice alone. She is the daughter of Ghira, and he also wields a powerful voice.
Blake is under the command of Adam Taurus. A man who had a different view about them. He agrees that they are indeed a hindrance to their plans. But there something else that he's not letting on about them.
He will fight them for the cause, but he won't hate them just as much as the rest, or even Blake. But she was furious. She hated the shadows.
But no matter how much the White Fang has fought, it was useless, and every week of every month, some of her comrades would come back in a few ways.
Some would lose limbs while others would cry for their mothers, and if you're lucky enough, you might be the last one standing in your team.
The Shadows have struck fear into their bodies and their minds. They couldn't handle it. It was always the same, recruits leaving after facing them after a week.
Adam was not too happy about that.
So he conceived a plan to rob a train again, this time with victory. Many wanted to volunteer to go with him, with Blake included.
The plan was perfect, maybe a little too perfect at the beginning. But it was a trap with no hope of escape. The only way to escape was from where they entered, but the Shadows had already blocked the exit.
Fear began to flood them once more in the dark. They kept pushing each other, becoming more restricted than it is.
Adam failed to regain control of his men. And Blake was swept among the crowd, helplessly trying to get a grip of herself among the panic. But something happened to her on that train. She became afraid of them.
When Adam got to her, she looked like she went to hell and back. She wasn't the same as she was before.
Among the survivors of the incident, you'll hear them say that the Old Legion had been summoned from their graves, hunting them down like a pack of dogs. Others choose not to speak another word about it. Most would prefer to forget it entirely.
But Blake couldn't take it anymore.
She told Adam that she was leaving and will return home to her family. But little did she know that it was only the beginning.
/-/
Captain Qrow Branwen. Member of the Shadow Company. He joined after his team had been disbanded, after the disappearance of his sister Raven Branwen. Trained under the Colonel in his early years.
He had quite an unusual semblance. But it was nothing that the Colonel couldn't fix.
Qrow excels in both hand-to-hand combat and firearms. His leadership skills were excellent. He has shown to care deeply for his men and brothers in arms, a worthy fighter, and a leader. Perfect traits for a bandit raised. But those days are all behind him now, and his tribe is nothing but a memory.
But today was special.
He could've been out fighting a group of Ursa or escorting wealthy clients to their destinations. But for now, Qrow sits in his office as he goes through an exclusive interview with a civilian.
Qrow sighs before he speaks, "So, you wanna join us, Shadow Company. We are a private military. It would be inconvenient for someone like you to join, given that you don't have any military experience, no fighting experience, and not even a legitimate transcript."
Qrow crumbles it and chucks it aside. "So, tell me." He said, leaning forward towards him. "Mind telling me your name again? Who are you?" Qrow asked. The civilian looks Qrow in the eyes.
"Jaune Arc."
End of Chapter 1