"And maybe just remind the few, if ill of us they speak, that we are all that stands between the weak."

Three years later

Well, I didn't become a cop, for one thing. Turns out the Vale Police Department is as corrupt and as lazy as they come. I really wanted to do something about that, but my first priority was to provide for my family. So I talked with Ozpin and we found a solution. Turns out there are specialized Huntsmen called Wardens. While all Huntsmen and Huntresses are skilled at fighting Grimm, Wardens are specifically called in to track and neutralize targets ranging from single ancient Grimm to small hordes. We don't defend towns, we don't investigate sources of negative emotion, and we don't participate in large Hunts. We also specialize in taking down armed fugitives outside of the Kingdoms, and that includes bandits. With Ozpin's help, I was able to add another weapon to my arsenal. I needed something with more range and a hell of a lot more stopping power. The advantage of being on Remnant was that US patent laws meant fuck all. So using the weapon forges at Beacon, with some help from the weapon smith, I was able to create a semi automatic sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua magnum, appropriately named Mjölnir.

I had just gotten back into Vale after a week long mission to neutralize a particularly annoying ancient Beringel. The suburbs in Vale were right near Beacon, but as you got towards the center of the residential district the sketchier it became. This was the path I always walked on my way home from Beacon, partially because I just liked a good walk, and partially to keep an eye on things. Most days, I never had any issues. Not many people without a death wish would fuck with a 6'3" tattooed, armored man with four visible weapons on him. Today, it turned out, was not one of those days. I was coming towards the edge of the worst of the district when a woman walked by. Not strange normally, but the fact that I didn't hear her heels hitting the sidewalk or that it was 3pm on a sunny day and she had no shadow, was strange. But that wasn't what caught most of my attention. No, that would be the small, light footsteps attempting to sneak up behind me. 'Hmm, didn't expect to see her here. Then again the show never really said where she was from.' I reached behind me and caught the slender wrist that was closing in on my back pocket. I felt the muscles tighten and the thief tried to pull her hand away, but I kept my grip as solid as iron.

Turning around fully, I looked down into red eyes. A much younger Emerald Sustrai stood before me. She was small and skinny, much skinnier than that flashback in the show, and her hair was a bit shorter too. And she looked absolutely terrified. I sighed and relaxed my grip, but didn't let her go.

"That was a good attempt little one, but you forgot a few things. Next time add a shadow. And if you can, the sounds of heels clicking." She was still trembling, her eyes wide as she realized how easily I caught her. "Relax girl. I'm not gonna hurt you. In fact… you hungry?" Now her trembling had stopped and her mouth hung open. "My wife is making dinner tonight. I'm sure she wouldn't mind having a guest. You down?" Emerald shut her mouth and nodded rapidly. I let go of her wrist and gestured for her to follow. We walked in silence for a few moments before she spoke up.

"Th-thank you." I looked down at her and smiled.

"Don't worry about it. I can't just let a kid starve, now can I." Before I could continue, another voice called out to us.

"Yo Em', the fuck ya think yer goin'?" Emerald froze in her steps as I turned to see who called her out. Three men stood about fifteen feet from us, all of them looking greasy and filthy. The man in the middle was staring Emerald down, while the two on either side were sizing me up. Emerald slowly turned around, arms pulled up defensively as she tried to respond.

"I'm taking her to get something to eat. She looks like she needs it." I smiled, trying to throw them off with faux kindness. In reality, I was kinda looking for a fight. Vale PD didn't do shit, so guys like these had no fear. It was time they experienced some.

"Oh ya? She blowin' you for some grub?" Emerald's eyes shot wide open at that and she took a step back, ready to bolt. I dropped the smile and moved in front of her.

"That wasn't very nice. Why don't you three run along? Your business with her is done."

"Who the fuck are ya to tell us who our business is with? You some kind of hero?" The two thugs moved forward to try to intimidate me. However before the could move any further, I ripped my R1 from it's holster and drew down on them.

"No, I'm the guy with the gun. Now you've got about five pounds of trigger pressure to turn around and fuck off. If you come near her again, I will kill you. Got it?" The thugs stared down the barrel of my gun before turning to look at their boss. The pudgy man was so bright red with anger you could almost see the steam rising from his head.

"Fuck ya! Get 'em boys." The men both moved to charge at me at the same time I squeezed off a round, sending it straight through the fat man's forehead. The gunshot echoed through the streets as his body thumped to the ground. The thugs stopped in shock and fear as they turned and saw their boss dead. One turned to look at me and legitimately pissed his pants. I had stopped holding my soul back, so my eyes were flaming as bright as a bonfire and the temperature had raised enough to be uncomfortable.

I lowered the pistol as I let the Thu'um leak into my voice. "Leave. Now." The area rumbled with the power of my Voice and it was enough to spur the men into hightailing it down the street away from Emerald and me. I turned to look at the girl, holstering my pistol and drawing the dragon back in. I smiled gently as I kneeled down to her eye level. She was clearly terrified so I rested my hand on her shoulder to try and reassure her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. But that was going to happen eventually. Whether it was me, or someone else. He was already dead. He just didn't know it yet." I brushed a tear some her face and ruffled her hair ad she nodded absently. "Now, I do believe I promised you some food. Still up for it?" Emerald finished wiping away the tears and looked up at me, a small smile coming to her face. I turned and began walking our original path and Emerald moved to my side. She spoke again, this time a little louder and with a bit more confidence.

"W-what about him?" I stopped and turned to look at the dead man then down towards the girl, shrugging my shoulders and moving out again.

"What about him?" I didn't really give a shit what happened to the body. Either someone would call the cops and they'd take care of it, or the stray dogs would. The bastard didn't deserve any better and if someone thought he did, that was his or her problem.