Now that I've done it last chapter I can tell you, each chapter will begin with a flashback. Maybe with some exceptions. This time we will explore the life of an Umbra test subject.

Brief description of the test subjects.

All ten are male. At this point in time they are six years old. Each one wears a grey sleeveless jumpsuit with their names written on the right side of their upper chest in their respective colors. The suit is also lined with their respective colors.

Colors:

Rider-Crimson

Night-Midnight Blue

Shadow-Purple

Light-Yellow

Silicon-Light Grey

Brass-Brown

Flame-Flame Orange

Aero-White

Camo-Forest Green

Volt-Volt


Everyday is the same. Training, training, and more training. The ten test subjects had no lives outside the base, yet plenty of questions. The most common training was a battle royal. Last man standing. It would always come down to Rider vs. Night, and Night would always win. The test subjects have their respective weapons already, they were granted to them by Umbra. The training room was completely empty, besides those in it. The room had an observation deck, inside the scientists would observe the test subjects. As always, it is Rider vs. Night.

Rider knows close range was Night's specialty. Rider, however, tries to be equally skilled in all ranges. That's where the two are different. Night is trained in controlling his opponents by bringing them into his element, giving Night the advantage. Rider is trained to never be at a disadvantage and force the enemy out of their element, giving Rider the advantage.

Rider stabs at Night with his spear. Night blocks with his arm blades.

"You've improved. Have you been practicing?" Night says.

"I don't need to improve to beat you, Night." Rider responds.

"Looks like you do." Night states as he kicks Ride into the floor.

Night walks to help Rider up. Night stretches his hand, but Rider doesn't take it.

"Best you can do?" Night taunts.

"I'm just warming up." Rider states.

"That's what I like about you, Rider, you don't give up." Night says.

The two brothers laugh. All the test subjects considered each other brothers. Although all the test subjects were created the same year, Night and Onyx we're the youngest, being "born" only minutes apart.


-Present Day-

Onyx wakes up shortly after the impact. He can't open his eyes, so he focuses his other senses. Mainly, his hearing. Team RWBY had found him, lured to the site by the explosion. The factory had formerly belonged to the Schnee's in an attempt to branch out throughout all of Remnant. The girls watch his limp body he lays on his stomach, head looking towards the cliff. Weiss takes out her scroll.

"What are you doing?" Ruby asks.

"Calling the police." Weiss states.

"Why!?" Ruby asks.

Ruby is unsure why she's defending the Rider after what Onyx did. She only knows Onyx needs help.

"He's a vigilante, a murder... a criminal!" Weiss states.

"He also needs help." Blake says.

"You too?" Weiss reacts.

"Don't you remember the news? The missing criminals were handed over to the police an hour ago." Ruby says.

"You think he's changed!?" Weiss asks.

"He's not using the Shadow Zone, his weapon, or even his name." Blake states, "A huntsman helping the police isn't unheard of. But he's specifically avoiding being Onyx, only the Rider."

Blake walks up to Onyx and rolls him over, Onyx had passed out midway through the conversation.

"As huntresses it is our duty to help all in need, even him." Ruby states.


Onyx wakes up in a hospital bed. He recognizes his location as Beacon's infirmary. Most of his clothes are resting on the table to his right, leaving only his black sleeveless jumpsuit of similar design to the one he wore as a test subject, minus the name written on his chest. Onyx closes his eyes and gets his much needed rest.


Onyx wakes up, but doesn't open his eyes. He placed his left hand on his face, but can't feel his left arm. Onyx opens his eyes to see a mechanical left arm. Onyx moves the arm in unnatural position to comfirm whether it's a robotic arm or part of some sort of exoskeleton.

"You seem to be taking it well." Ozpin states.

Onyx looks at Ozpin, who is standing at the doorway.

"How long?" The Rider asks.

"Two days." Ozpin states.

Ozpin walks to the foot of Onyx's bed.

"It's surprising how you managed to survive an explosion with almost no aura and that fall without any." Ozpin states.

"Umbra got one thing right." Onyx comments.

Onyx looks at his mechanical arm.

"A gift from the general." Ozpin says.

"What happened to my actual arm?" The Rider asks.

"Unclear. The girls told me it was cut off during your fight with Night." Ozpin begins.

"But it regenerated." Onyx interrupts.

"A feat that no other huntsman or huntress has ever achieved." Ozpin says, "But after you were found, the girls said it was gone."

"Gone?" The Rider repeats.

"No wound, as if it just disappeared. No doubt due to your lack of aura maintenance." Ozpin states.

Onyx grabs his glasses and puts them on. The HUD displays his aura level at one hundred percent.

"I thought I'd never see a day where your aura would be depleted. You have more aura than any person I have ever seen. Your teammates were the only one's with aura levels even coming close to your own." Ozpin states.

"Like I said, 'one thing right.' Umbra made me nearly unstoppable." Onyx states.

"We can discuss the details later, preferably in private." Ozpin says as he looks to Onyx's left.

Onyx turns to see what he's looking at. He sees Ruby on her knees, asleep with her head and arms resting on the edge of the bed.

"She refused to leave your side." Ozpin states.

"Why?" Onyx asks.

"I think she'll be willing to tell you." Ozpin says.

Ozpin leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Onyx then turns towards Ruby. He strokes the back of Ruby's head while gently shaking her.

"Huh...?" Ruby asks as she opens her eyes.

She looks at Onyx and then slowly backs away until her back hits the wall.

"Your awake!' Ruby says sounding relieved.

"I don't die very easily." The Rider states.

"What's wrong with your voice?" Ruby asks.

Onyx starts to glare at her.

"Nevermind." Ruby quietly says.

"Why are you here?" The Rider asks as he lays back down.

Onyx doesn't even look at Ruby when he speaks.

"I have..." Ruby begins.

"Questions." The Rider interrupts.

"I thought we talked about this?" Ruby says.

"No, you and Onyx had that conversation. I'm the Rider." The Rider states.

"Ummm... Okay." Ruby says confused.

"Well?" The Rider asks.

"What?" Ruby responds.

"Your questions." The Rider explains.

"Oh... Right." Ruby laughs.

Onyx turns to her, out of patience. Ruby jumps up and then relaxes.

"What have you been doing?" Ruby asks.

"That's none of your concern." The Rider states.

"Can you at least tell me what you were doing at that factory?" Ruby asks.

"Investigating a lead." The Rider answers.

"Did you find anything?" Ruby asks.

"I learned who I can trust." The Rider states.

"Why have you been avoiding your old self?" Ruby asks.

"Onyx died when he... I killed Night." Onyx states.

Ruby places her hand on Onyx's robotic arm. Onyx flinches, but then relaxes.

"I can still see him... When I dream. Night was right, I'll never be finished with him." Onyx says.

"That's why you're avoiding sleep?" Ruby asks.

Onyx's silence tells her yes.

"After that day, I made a vow, to never take another person's life." The Rider states.

The door opens and the rest of Team RWBY enter the room.

"You can't seriously be trusting him after what he's done?" Weiss asks.

"I'm not the only one with a questionable past." The Rider states as he looks at Blake.

"You know about that?" Blake asks.

"I know all your secrets." The Rider states.

"What's wrong with your voice?" Yang asks.

"Don't ask." Ruby answers.

"Why are you here?" The Rider asks.

"To check and see if you did anything to Ruby." Weiss states.

"Weiss..." Yang calls.

"It's true!" Weiss says.

Onyx sits up and looks at his clothes resting on the nearby.

"I have a job to do." The Rider states.

"No!" Ruby yells.

Onyx turns towards her.

"You need rest." Ruby states.

"This is my first time sleeping in a week, I can manage." The Rider states.

Onyx walks to the table and starts putting on his clothes.

"For how long!? You were lucky we found you before the police! What if this happens again!?" Ruby yells.

"It won't!" The Rider states as he puts on his overcoat.

"How can you...!" Ruby starts.

"Ruby, I can handle myself." Onyx states as he puts on his cloak.

This is the second time Onyx has ever said Ruby's name. The first was the day he met her.

"I don't want to watch you destroy yourself." Ruby states.

"Then don't watch." The Rider suggests.

Onyx looks at Ruby as he pulls his mask up and puts his hood on. As Onyx walks to the door, Team RWBY blocks his way.

"You're not leaving!" Ruby says.

"You can't stop me!" The Rider states.

"We could still call the police!" Weiss says

"Weiss, we aren't calling the police!" Blake states.

"Can everyone calm down!" Yang yells.

Onyx turns around and sits on his bed.

"I don't have time for this." The Rider says, "I'll stay for the night. Then... I'm gone."

"Tomorrow night." Ruby says.

Onyx nods as he lays back down.


At midnight Onyx gets out of his bed. He begins to sneak towards the exit. Once in the courtyard, Blake whistles to him.

"Are you leaving?" Blake asks.

"Yes." The Rider answers.

"I know I can't stop you," Blake says, "but if Ruby asks, I won't lie to her."

"And you shouldn't have to." The Rider begins, "Tell Ruby..."

I went Riding