"Thoughts"-Italics
"Speech"-Regular
"Past/Flashback"-Bold
Alternative Entrance Exam
Ash sat in front of Ozpin with an expression that could only be described as shock. There wasn't really any other word to describe his expression because at this very moment he couldn't very well fathom the man in front of him.
Running his hand threw his hair Ash closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, "So...you want me to find where Roman is holding his dust within...the next few hours?"
"Well preferably I would like that yes but a day would work just as well." He said taking a sip from his mug. Ash continued to pull at his hair in various ways, "Professor it doesn't work that simply you have to understand, there are contacts, there are fake locations, and there are stock locations. Places he may be stashing dust but plans to move away from in days, hours, hell maybe even minutes."
"I did not pull a dozen strings of favors because I wanted a regular student Ash I did those things because I wanted someone that already understands how criminals like this work. I said before that your time here was not going to be easy, it was a warning and now you understand." Ozpin said taking off his glasses, "And the dust is irrelevant, I am more interested in what he want's with so much dust. If he wanted money he could have it but he is taking dust...and dust...dust is power."
"ERRRRAH fine. But give me a day. The end of today. I should be able to find...something." Ash said pulling at the ends of his hairs.
"Good, now to work." Ozpin said spinning his chair around to overlook Beacon.
The streets of Vale were filled with life as children and adults alike continued to pass through the streets, vendors selling overpriced items, couples on dates, and plenty of people. Ash looked through these streets with disinterest, he had lived on the streets long enough to know better. That vendor selling ice cream was actually a former criminal, caught smuggling dust as well as other less than desirable products, those kids playing in the park would pick on any faunus they met, and that couple he saw he didn't give more than a month before it broke off. Some people would call him pessimistic but "one mans realist is another mans pessimist"as his old mentor used to tell him. Ash didn't like the way he saw things but it was hard seeing things in any other way, he shook his head, "Now's not the time to ponder morality." He thought looking at the ice cream truck vendor he pulled out a card, labeled free ice cream. As the couple he saw took their ice cream and walked away Ash walked over.
"Good morning! What would you-" The vendor stopped short seeing just who it was he was talking too, "Oh...it's you, mimic." he said sounding less than pleased.
"Good seeing you too Sal mind if I cash in this coupon?" Ash said with a overly large smile.
"It's expired. Now leave."
"Funny because according to this you're full of shit Sal." Ash said gripping the edge of his cart with his hand bending it.
"Look you know im out of the trade. Im trying to start a good clean living, you should try it sometime kid." Sal said looking around to see if anyone was watching. Ash grinned at the irony of the statement, "If only you knew old man..." he thought.
"Yeah i'll be sure to talk to my counselor about it and I don't need anything from you just tell me where Tukson is, he's who I really want." Ash said smiling at the vale officers looking their way, "And your patrol officers are looking pretty suspicious right now so I would tell me sooner than later Sal."
Sal grit his teeth, "If he's not at his store than this is the address he'll be at kid now." He said handing Ash a small piece of paper. Ash smiled and gave Sal a peace sign before walking off. The two officers that were looking at Sal's cart came over, the two looked at one another before looking at Sal.
"Could we have two chocolate swirl cones to go?" They asked. Sal smiled but his teeth were grit together tightly, "Damn brat played me." he thought scooping the chocolate out of the tubs and handing it to the officers.
Ash traveled to the address and had to repress a groan, "Dark secluded alley. Why is it ALWAYS a dark secluded alley?" He thought taking small steps forward. It was still daytime but the alley itself was in-between two large buildings that casted a shadow in the narrow corridor, it was like one of the places you wouldn't walk into at night...except it was barely the afternoon. Ash hated walking into places like this, nothing good ever happens in an alley, nothing. The dark and dank atmosphere made him uncomfortable, the air was clammy, and it always felt like there were people watching him. No longer did it take Ash finishing his thoughts on alleys did he walk upon the end of it. Ash clicked his tongue, "It's rude to sneak up on people Tukson." He said turning his head around.
"It's worse sticking your nose into this kid, do yourself a favor and get out while you still can." Tukson said leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his face seemed to be displeased.
"Yeah i'll think long and hard about my decisions Dad" He said with heavy sarcasm.
Tukson shook his head, "What do you want, you almost interrupted a meeting."
"Information on Roman."
Tukson eyes widened before he squinted them, "No can do kid."
Ash sighed, "Tukson...im not asking. Tell me now or you'll have worse consequences, does Roman know you're planning to ditch to Vacuo or is that just me?"
Tukson came of the wall his Faunus features showing, pointing his claws at Ash he glared, "How do you know about that?"
Ash stared impassively at Tukson, "You don't think I wouldn't break into your shop or house for a little dirt first? And really Tukson hiding tickets in the lining of book, so un-original." Ash said throwing said book at him.
Tukson held the book in his hands and sighed, "...What do you want mimic?"
Ash smiled, "See now was that so hard? I want a location, where is Roman holding his dust?"
Tukson sighed, "The piers, it's and abandoned warehouse right off the piers. That's all I know im just a middle man to them."
Ash sighed looking at his scroll it was about 2 o clock, "Thanks Tukson." he said handing the ticket back to him, "Try to leave soon too...I would hate to see you're corpse on the news." he said placing a hand on Tukson's shoulder. Tukson didn't say anything but nodded grimly.
The White Fang was founded as a symbol of peace and unity between the Faunus and Humans. However, Humankind continued to discriminate the Faunus, prompting the White Fang to become the voice of the Faunus. Initially, they took the classical forms of nonviolent political protest with such tactics as mass rallies and boycotts of organizations that discriminated against Faunus in any way. Then, approximately five years before the present day, after fruitless attempts to be accepted by the Humans as equals, the leader of the White Fang stepped down and was replaced by a new leadership who didn't share the same belief in nonviolent protest. Under this new leadership, the White Fang adopted its current violent and more aggressive behavior.
"Why the hell are they here? Why the hell are they working for Roman?" Ash practically yelled to himself. Ash checked his scroll again, 3 o clock, "Okay calm down, calm down. Focus." he thought looking at the White Fang members scurrying around he noticed one far off from any group.
"This is a bad idea." he said before dropping down off the ship cargo he was hiding on top of, the White Fang members all wear the same uniform, black hoodie, white overtop, grimm mask. Ash cracked his knuckles and coughed behind the unsuspecting member of the White Fang.
"W-wha-"
But before they could even finish the sentence Ash had already slammed his fist right into their gut, "Shhh shhh sorry buddy." he mumbled whilst dragging the body away from any prying eyes after tying them up. He didn't waste anytime stripping the member of their clothes and changing into it himself, Ash looked himself over one time, "A little big but my face is covered..." He thought while pretending to stand patrol. He stood at post until someone came and told him to move to the next post. Contrary to popular belief putting on a mask and pretending to be a guard, or in this case a member of the White Fang doesn't mean that you can just walk around the bad guys base like its your house, that's how you get caught. Ash waited patiently moving post to post, it was a boring process but anonymity was skill that he had honed over the years. Acting as if you are a part of group is a lot more simple than people think, don't talk much, do as told, and mind your own business. Do those three things and inevitably you'll get closer to what you want. Four post shifts later and Ash stood in front of the entrance to warehouse and walked in as if he was one the White Fang.
As Ash entered the Warehouse he let out a breath of relief, "So far so good." He thought looking around, "Fifteen guards..."
"Hey Tanner come over here!" A random member called out from the opposite side of the room. Ash cursed under his breath, this was the problem with pretending to be someone. 10 of the guards sat at table with cards out.
"Hey man sit down would yah? You're workaholic! Play some cards with us!" They said sitting him into the chair giving him a hand of cards.
"Oh yeah sure..." Ash mumbled quietly.
"Oh loosen up young blood and relax, still thinking about that girl?" One of them joked shaking Ash's shoulder.
"Erm yeah." Ash said trying to move the conversation along as smoothly as possible whilst eyeing where the other 5 guards were standing, two in the back near the computer, one at the top railing, and the last two were walking towards him right now. Ash's eyes darted around the room before taking a deep breath.
"15 targets, disorient, furthest targets take priority." Ash though his eyes starting to glow behind the grimm mask that covered his face.
"Trace..." Ash mumbled underneath his breath, one of the members placed their hand on his shoulder.
"Tanner you al-"
"ON!" Ash said flipping the table up over them. Jumping up and off the table Ash formed Crescent Rose in a flash of orange and with careful aim he quickly shot the furthest member at the top of the railing, twisting around he shot the two at the computer. The recoil sent Ash further up into the air letting him hover above the 12 remaining members below. Crescent Rose dispersed back into dust before reforming once more into two black revolvers, raining down fire and knocking them all unconscious.
Ash landed back onto the table letting his guns reform back into his scarf looking around and letting out another long breath. Ash knew that he had to work quickly, walking towards the computer he opened up the files on a USB that was currently in.
"What the hell..." Ash mumbled as pictures and information started popping up about Atlesian knights and their power source. Before Ash could process all the information that he was given he felt the hairs on his neck start to rise, dropping his head down he just avoided a sword being implanted in the back of his head.
Ash didn't bother turning around, forming his AT's on his feet. In a burst of speed he created a separation. Twisting around he turned to see a tall man with brown hair dyed with red streaks that spike backwards in a windswept way. He currently had his blade within the computer where Ash's head used to be.
Ash didn't have time to gain his bearings as another quick slice came towards his torso, twisting quickly on his heel he gained enough speed to circle around and send a spinning axe kick on to be blocked by one arm. In a quick turn the red-haired man spun around and sent a violent kick into Ash's chest.
With a heavy wheeze Ash stumbled back into a tumble to regain his balance. Ash stared at the man who had his blade in its sheathe once again.
"His draw is quick..." Ash thought dispersing his AT's and holding out his hand, "Trace. On." He said staring at the blade he saw in front of him.
The red-haired man quickly charged forward looking for a quick end but a violent clash of metal made him stop short of his goal. Ash held his blade and sheathe in hand staring into the eyes of his opponent, following every move he made. Slash, sheathe, Slash, diagonal, twist, duck, clash, sheathe, kick. Ash felt a slash across his body but didn't blink as he was pushed back to the ground.
Ash could feel his energy running low, tracing his opponent was hard, he could barely see the sword sheathes and slashes before they were already an inch from his body.
"Enough copy-cat games." The man said approaching for the final slash his hair glowing red. Ash kept his eyes wide-open his body glowing its own orange aura, "Focus. Focus. SEE!" He screamed in his head as time seemed to come to a stop, as soon as he saw the blade begin to unsheathe he pressed the trigger on the guard of his blade sending it flying towards his opponent. Before his opponent could even process what happened he felt of the hilt hit his arm making his release off target.
Ash's eyes widened as a line of red just missed the side of his face slicing the the ground and building in two. Not missing a beat Ash had already reformed his AT's in his opponents moment of weakness, the wheels started burning as he tried to speed foward until he felt his body snap to a stop.
He couldn't breath, his weapon dispersed into dust as he looked down to see what had stopped him. Two eyes looked back at him flashing from brown, pink, and then to white. A girl that looked no older than him quickly followed up with blow to the back of the head with the handle of her umbrella, slamming Ash into a few crates on the ground.
Ash tried to sit up but and stand but as soon as his back was against the crates all he felt was pain.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" He screamed as he saw a blade punctured threw his shoulder and into the crate.
"Now Neo was that really necessary? Who am I kidding yes it was." A familiar voice joked from the background. Ash grit his teeth as the blade pushed further past his arm, "BASTARD!"
"Ah ah ah watch the language kid, I don't want to have to get your mommy!" Roman said with laugh before pointing his cane at Ash's original foe, "And Adam! You think that Cinder is gonna be happy you let this brat infiltrate one of our holdouts?"
"I had everything under control." Adam said with a withheld growl, "You didn't need to interfere."
"Really now they don't call him 'Mimic' for show! Quick tip for you then big shot, if you're going to take this kid down be quick because the longer you take the more fun he's gonna have copying your EVERY little move, isn't that right kid?!" Roman shouted turning back around. Ash wanted to retort but between the bruises on his rib-cage and the hole in his shoulder there wasn't anything but pain-filled gasps coming out of his mouth.
"W-why are you working with the White Fang?" Ash managed to spit out.
"A better question kid, why are YOU in my warehouse?" Roman probed poking his cane into his chest.
"Because fuck you."
"Neo?" Roman called.
"DAMNIT!" Ash yelled as Neo twisted her blade around.
"You were saying?" Roman taunted.
"Fine. Fine. Im here for dust. You've only mugged every two-bit store that sells any, this city is dry." He lied through grit teeth. Roman crouched down closely to Ash and glared, "You flatter me but listen here you punk, I've known you long enough to know if you wanted dust. You would have dust. So quit your little charade and how about you tell me . ."
Ash looked around, "Can't move...need to escape but how?" he thought before looking at Roman again, "And what If I don't tell you?"
Roman looked at Neo who gave a small smirk, slowly pulling out her blade she flicked her wrist, removing the blood off the blade, "Her." Roman said with grin.
Ash looked at Neo he couldn't move his right arm but despite that he smirked, "Hey Roman...You're right if I wanted dust I could get dust."
Roman looked at Ash as if he had lost his mind, "You have a point or should I just off you now kid?"
Ash let out a bloody grin before placing his left hand on a crate behind him, "Heh this is A LOT of dust afterall."
Romans eyes widened before he squinted them, "You'll die in here too kid. You wouldn't." He dared. With no answer Ash looked blankly at Roman before his hand started glowing orange.
Roman cursed before grabbing Neo, "DAMNIT LETS GO!" He shouted and in a flash he and Neo disappeared in a white flash. Adam had already sprinted for the door before-Boom. Adam was launched out the entrance sliding to stop, he turned around to see the warehouse up in flames.
"Damnit." He growled before calling for a retreat. Roman and Neo looked at the warehouse crumbling down in mass ball of fire, "Should we stay?" Neo said looking on at the fire with a bit of indifference.
"No...Authorities will get here too soon, leave him, let the flames take care of him." Roman said looking away. Neo looked at the building one last time before turning back to Roman and teleporting them in a flash of white.
"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, SkyLark. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces, from this day forward you shall work together as, Team CRDL; lead by Cardin Winchester. Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrah Nikos, and Nora Valkyrie the four of you retrieved the white rook pieces, from this day forth you will work together as team JNPR; lead by Jaune Arc!" Ozpin announced.
"H-huh? Lead by?" Jaune said a bit meekly.
"Congratulations young man." Ozpin said curtly, "And last but not least, Blake Belledona, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao Long. From this day forth you will work together as team RWBY, lead by, Ruby Rose."
"Im so proud of you!" Yang said coming around to hug Ruby who was currently looking around, "Ash...where are you?" She thought as she felt her oxygen supply cutoff once again.
"It looks like things are shaping up-" Ozpin said as he saw a message on his scroll that simply read, "Help"
"To be an interesting year..." He said walking of the stage.
The fire department in Vale tried to dowse the fire but the supply of dust kept continually fueling it to larger and larger sizes. The heat radiated onto the streets, a perimeter was created to stop any civilians from getting too close but the fire was a beast devouring what ever was in its ways disintegrating any and everything. A monster of hellish red and a mixture or oranges and yellows.
"IT'S NOT GOIN DOWN!" A man yelled hosing water into the fire.
"KEEP GOING! WE CAN'T LET IT GET ANY BIGGER!" Another shouted pulling in more trucks.
From the roaring flames Ash stumbled out, his clothes singed and his bandages were torn off revealing orange lines that looked like circuits. His arm was glowing before the light started to dim, Ash fell to his knees the light from his arm fading, his aura nearing complete depletion. Cutting off his aura for protection he felt the roar of fire behind him, Ash could feel his body heating up, slowing down, dropping down he collapsed to his stomach. The fire slowly spreading towards him, he couldn't move a muscle in his body and exhaustion was starting to take hold over his consciousness but he dragged himself forward with bottom of his chin. Ash looked up and could only see silhouettes in the distance, then it all went black.