(Y/N) POV

I had spent the past half hour explaining to the members of Team RWBY what it meant to be an Immortal. I told them about the Game, the Quickening, but most importantly the Gathering. Having Ozpin present proved useful since he could assure the girls what I told them was the truth. Although not immortal in the way I was he was known as a friend to many of my kind.

"This is a lot to take in," Weiss said as she took a sip from tea that Rachel had brought earlier. "To think all of this has been going on unnoticed for so long."

"Well it makes sense to keep it all hidden," said Blake. "But why be so open about everything now? Why not continue to keep it a secret?"

"The Gathering is here Ms. Belladonna," I answered. "With so few Immortals left there's no reason to focus on keeping our existence a secret. The Game is almost over and the Prize is within reach. In the end there can be only one."

"I still don't get that," said Ruby. "What does that mean? Only one what?"

Weiss turned to Ruby and frowned. "You haven't been paying attention," she said. "He means only one Immortal."

"But what happens then?" Ruby asked.

"The last Immortal will receive the Prize," I began "They will then possess the power of every Immortal that has ever lived. Enough power that they could rule Remnant forever." What I had said caused looks of concern to form on the girls' faces. I realized I said too much. "Of course the true power of the Prize is up for debate," I continued hoping to reassure them. "We assume that it gives the last Immortal god-like power due to every Quickening being in one body. One thing is certain. Remnant will change depending on who gets the Prize."

"What would you do with the Prize?" Blake asked.

I smiled. "Honestly, I've never really thought about it," I told them. "I didn't think I'd live to see the Gathering. I've lost many friends along the way I figured it wouldn't be long until it was my time." I surveyed the four girls and noticed that Yang had spaced out staring at her cup of tea.

"Miss Xiaolong," Ozpin said catching Yang's attention. "Something seems to be troubling you."

"Oh…it's nothing," Yang replied. "I was just thinking."

"I'm surprised how silent you've been," I said. "With your obsession with what I know I figured you would have asked your question by now."

Ruby perked up. "That's right," she shouted. "How do you know our parents?"

"That I can answer," Ozpin said causing the four girls to turn their attention to him. "Twenty-five years ago I contacted Mr. (L/N) asking if he could train a prospective team of students."

"Team STRQ," Yang said.

"I refused," I told them. "I don't take on more than one student at a time, and I most certainly don't train Huntsman. However, Ozpin is an old friend so I came up with an alternative arrangement. I would watch the four grow over their time at Beacon, and after graduation I would pick one of them to train."

"Who'd you pick?" Ruby asked.

The question made me smile as I thought back to that day. "The right choice."

Twenty-two years earlier. Beacon Academy

I walked down the courtyard towards the statue at its center where Ozpin and four teenagers were waiting. It had been three years since Ozpin had called me about Team STRQ and I had made a deal to train one of them. 'You made it," Ozpin called out as he walked over to shake my hand. "When you didn't show for the ceremony I thought that you had forgotten."

"I came exactly when I intended to Oz," I replied as we reach the statue. "I have other matters to attend to after this so I'm going to make this quick." The four members of Team STRQ lined up according to their letter designation. "After careful consideration I've made my decision which one of you to train for the next three years."

I walked up to a girl with black and red hair. She wore a white hooded cloak that hid the rest of her clothing. "Summer Rose," I began which made her smile. "Your natural talent and leadership helped bring Team STRQ this far. But you don't need my training. You have everything you need already." Summer frowned in disappointment.

Next I moved in front of a boy with blond hair and a red bandana wrapped around his arm. "Taiyang Xiaolong," I said making him smile. "Your skills in hand-to-hand combat are impressive and you can certainly take a hit. But I teach more than just how to fight with one's fists. It would be a waste to teach you that alone."

I continued stopping in front of the last two team members. One was a girl with long black hair and wore plated armor. The other was a boy with short black hair and wore a dress shirt with a cape. "The Branwen Twins," I began. "Both of you are impeccable in the way of the sword, and your combat abilities are above the norm. But I can only choose one of you." I looked to the girl who looked back expecting me to pick her. "Qrow," I said looking to the boy. "Pack your weapon and what you need to travel. Meet me tomorrow in front of the Poppy Field Inn at dawn." I looked back to the girl. "Raven, I'm sorry. Now if you all excuse me I need to finish making preparations."

I turned away walking toward Ozpin. "You owe me," I told him as I passed by. I could hear the sound of praise being given by Qrow's teammates as I walked away. I could also feel a spiteful gaze locked onto the back of my head. There would be repercussion for my choice.

Five Hours Later…

I was in my room at the Poppy Field Inn readying my backpack by taking inventory of my gear. Sword, tent, blanket, canteen, and other necessities for the coming journey were laying across the bed. A knock came at my door. "Who is it?"

"It's Raven," a voice said.

I opened the door to find the young Huntsman standing in the hallway. I had a feeling that she would come to see me. Best to get this over with, I thought. "Come in." Raven entered and I shut the door behind her. "You caught me in the middle of packing," I said. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

"You didn't say why I wasn't chosen," Raven said. "I want to know why."

I sighed. "I think you already know why."

"I don't," she replied.

I walked past her towards the window of my room and looked out at the night sky. "I know what the Branwen Tribe does," I said. "I also know why you and your brother enrolled at Beacon. I don't teach people how to kill Raven. I teach them how to live. To protect themselves and others."

"Then why did you pick Qrow?" she asked.

"Because he changed," I answered. "Beacon made him a better person. It helped him see your tribe for what it really is. A band of murderers and thieves. My training won't only benefit Qrow, it will also benefit all of Remnant. If I picked you, you would use what I teach to bring pain and death. I can't al-". As I turned to face her I felt a sharp pain in my gut. I looked down to see a blade being held by Raven.

"If that's why then you shouldn't be training anyone," she said as she pulled the blade out of me then stabbed me through the heart.

I fell to the floor and my blood had begun to pool around me. Raven stood above me and knelt down as she remove the blade from my chest. My body started to grow cold as she left though the window and out of my sight. It all turned out exactly as I expected. Finally as the air left my lungs everything became black. As always.