Ozpin sat in his office with his usual mug of coffee in his hand. He was diligently studying the rather large file about the newly captured mercenaries in front of him when he heard yelling from the hall outside his office. He lowered the file just enough to see general Ironwood burst in with Glynda and Qrow hot on his heels. The three were so engrossed in their debate that none of them even noticed the agitated glare Ozpin sent at them. Ozpin let out a sigh, and adjusted his glasses before standing up and addressing them.
"Would you please stop this childish bickering?" The three in question immediately stopped and
stared ahead at Ozpin.
"Thank you, Now James, why are you here." Ironwood took a step towards Ozpin before answering.
"I am here because I hear you finally captured the mercenaries I could not." Ozpin looked at James skeptically.
"Go on." Ironwood wasted no time jumping into a response.
"I want you to hand over custody to me. They are a threat not only in their own murderous right, but they incite fear in the people. I have witnessed myself the fear of the citizens of Atlas who won't leave their houses at night because they might be their next target. I do respect your staff here at Beacon; however, I believe that moving them to an Atlesian maximum security prison is the safest option considering what we know they're capable of." Glynda looked ready to begin another yelling match with the general. but Ozpin held up a hand in an attempt to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control again.
"No such thing will happen." Ozpin answered Ironwood who responded with some concerned looks.
"Then what is you plan to deal with these degenerates?" James questioned.
"I intend to allow them a second chance, a shot at redemption and repentance for their rather bloody past. I plan to let them attend Beacon Academy as students of righteousness rather than disciples of darkness." Ozpin's answer caused Ironwood to freeze on the spot and nearly fall back before
being steadied by Qrow. Ironwood stood in a stupor for a moment before finally composing himself.
"Are...you...out…...OF YOUR GODDAMNED MIND! These boys have been a plague to the people of remnant for what my sources have determined to be at least the last six years. Crime after crime, Murder after murder, and you think they can be saved! You must truly be out of it if you believe there is any hope of Turning them into respectable teachers much less Hunters entrusted with our kingdom's borders and those who look to the hunters for protection from the grimm!"
"JAMES!" Ozpin yelled back with uncharacteristic loudness before settling himself. "I know they have done things in the past we call atrocious but remember we aren't exactly perfect either.
Besides I believe deep down they want to change." Ironwood gave Ozpin a skeptical look before asking.
"How on earth can you believe monsters like them could ever want to change?" Qrow suddenly burst into a chuckle causing Ironwood to spin around and scold him.
"Well, I'm glad you find this predicament quite amusing Qrow. In case you haven't noticed we're dealing with children who threaten all the peace we've worked so hard to build." Qrow just laughed
Harder.
"Ahh, Classic Jimmy. Looking at what he thinks is important but won't read the entire fucking story. You didn't look at the report from when we captured them didn't you." Ironwood was quick with the denial.
"Of course I read it."
"Really now?" Qrow asked in his condescending manner. "And nothing looked off at all to you?" James stared expectantly at Qrow who scoffed. "Of course not. Isn't it rather odd that 4 boys who haven't had a single fight with less than three casualties in over 14 months managed to fail in killing a single hunter. I mean look at me." Qrow used his right hand to gesture to the sling and cast his left arm was wrapped in and the thick bandage around his chest before continuing. "They broke both bones in my forearm and fractured 3 of my ribs. These are some of the worst injuries in at least 2 years. they defeated 15 of the 20 hunters on the roof(present company included) 7 are still in critical
condition and 6 are out of combat condition for at least 3 months. If they could easily destroy are hunters like that why wouldn't they just kill them and use our lowered numbers as an escape route. We all know they are too smart for that. No, they wanted to be captured." Glynda took the opportunity to step in.
"James I hate to say it( I really do), but Qrow's right. aside from their own decision to be caught and show mercy in that fight there's no way all of us escaped with our lives. I'm also sure that only one of them used their semblance the entire time." James let out a deep sigh.
"I see there's no way i can convince you otherwise." Ironwood looked around the room and his fears were confirmed as all three of the people around him shook their head,
"At least tell me you have some way to ensure our students?" Ironwood pleaded Ozpin.
"Fear not James." Ozpin reassured "I intend to keep them on heightened probation and under the watch of one of my best teams. I also intend to keep them for a full four years of training to ensure a full conversion to our side. Fortunately, we've already cleared them for their first semester so they won't drag down their supervising team." This answered seemed to please Ironwood as his
expression softened.
"Well then, I hope you know what you're doing." He turned and walked out of the office. Glynda and Qrow turned towards Ozpin.
"I am confident in these boys. I believe they might make us proud one day. In fact I am going to go speak with them now." Ozpin gathered the file off his desk and his mug of coffee which had been left untouched during the entire debacle. He took a sip and began walking towards the personal elevator he had installed. Ozpin turned towards the door as they shut and he began his descent. The elevator finally made its stop on the detention floor. Ozpin exited the elevator and made his way to the high security medical wing. Darron awoke to loud hissing sound with a groan of pain. He could hear the beeps of multiple medical machines and a low clapping sound. Darron identified them to be footsteps. Darron attempted to sit up and address their owner but found a rather thick neck brace attached to him. He barely was able to turn his head and see Professor Ozpin walk up next to him.
"Ah good, you're awake." Ozpin said to him and he placed his mug on the bedside table before pressing the button to sit Darron up. Darron looked down at himself. After the obvious cast down his back and bandages on his ribs Darron identified that both his arms and legs were covered front to back in casts as well as three of the fingers on his right hand. Darron slightly freaked out when he noticed that one of his eyes was bandaged but calmed down after being told it was only severely swollen. Darron strained to gauge the room and saw Zade and Allister to his left as well as Max to his right all three in a state similar to his.
"What do you want?" Darron managed to coarsely speak to Ozpin. Ozpin walked to the sink and filled a glass with water and holding up to Darron's lips. Darron desperately chugged until the glass was
empty.
"Better?" Ozpin asked. Darron made a feeble attempt at nodding.
"Good." Ozpin continued."I've come to talk to you About a new opportunity." Darron gave Ozpin a curious look. Ozpin lifted the large file so that Darron could see it before continuing. "I know you and your team haven't had the nicest past, nor have you always made the greatest decisions, but I am here to offer you a clean start. I have made serious promises with the council to even present this to
you. If you agree to become a student of Beacon and devote your life to being a hunter the council is willing to have your record erased." Darron thought for a moment before asking.
"As compelling as your offer sounds what happens should we refuse." Ozpin's face flashed with disappointment briefly
"The council has called for your blood, and can you blame them. You guys have racked up quite the body count over the years. Because of that it's either take the option or most likely face execution." Darron sighed before slowly looking back at his team.
"What are the exact terms of your offer?" Ozpin slowly grinned before responding.
"You'd be placed on maximum probation until i see fit. You will study at Beacon for 3 ½ years, and then you will work as hunters." Darron sadly looked down at his hands obviously struggling with the decision. He finally looked Ozpin in the eye before saying
"As much as I'd hate to force my team into this situation, they have entrusted me with their lives and I refuse to throw them away because I was too stubborn. We'll accept your offer." Darron heard a
shuffle from behind him. He his head and saw Allister looking at him.
"Don't worry boss." Allister began. "I can't remember the last time you lead any of us down the wrong path and I speak for all of us when I say that no matter how far into hell you drag us we'd all follow you without hesitation." Darron Stared at Allister.
"Thanks bro, that means a lot." Allister just rolled his head over.
"Cool, now sign whatever bullshit this guy needs you to you wimp I'm going back to sleep."Darron glared daggers into Allister's back before turning back to Ozpin muttering.
"Motherfucker." Ozpin handed Darron's only working hand a pen and Darron began to sign the official documents of their agreement. Once Darron had finished Ozpin looked over the documents before raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"That's your team name. It doesn't match your names." Darron chuckled
"You sound disappointed, but yeah it's based off an old rumor that was spread about us during an 8-month stay in Minstrel." Ozpin looked at Darron one last time. Darron just nodded,or came as close to as he could. "Alright."
Ozpin stated. "Welcome to Beacon, team ENDD."