V1E1: Dazed and Confused
Hope. A name most ironic given the circumstance. He bore it with bitterness, for he had given up hope a long time ago.
Another bad day. Another day stuck with a bunch of insufferable jackasses who talk and talk and talk. Another day where his patience was drained by idiots who kept asking asinine questions that can be answered by a quick look on the net. Another day of being buried in papers and documents.
Another day that Hope just wanted to forget.
Another day where he walked into the same bar, seeing the same faces that ordered the same drinks.
"The usual?" The bartender asked him.
He nodded his head wordlessly and in three minutes his usual drink was before him. Coffee liqueur, simple syrup, dairy of the day and some strong spirit. He took long gulps, savouring his drink. Bitter coffee, sweet syrup and boozy spirit.
And like every other day, the moment he began to feel numb, he paid and left. All without a word. Another day spent trying to forget, another day spent doing something pointless. Because every day is the same.
Back to his apartment, back to the comfort of a small yet cozy home. He entered his home like he always does. Only three rooms to move around, but it was fine by him. The apartment was mostly dull in terms of decoration. Warm brown walls, simple patterned floor. No real decoration other than a carpet at the entrance and furniture, most of it was midrange stuff that he got on sale all except for a widescreen plasma smart TV and a large couch. He shook his head and took a deep breath.
"Why do I feel so... exhausted?"
Hopeless Hope walked past it all and into his bedroom. Unlike the rest of his apartment, his bedroom was downright lavish in its decorations. Posters, shelves filled with books, figurines, memorabilia and a personal computer that cost more than a brand new car.
His body felt heavier and heavier by the moment, his eyelids felt like gym weights.
"I don't..." he paused awkwardly. "I didn't... drink that much..."
He fell to his knees at the foot of the bed. His vision distorted and a shrill sound invaded his ears. He looked to his bedroom wall as his vision blurred and swirled. Wallpaper turned to masonry and flickered back and forth. His stomach felt heavy like it was about to fall out of his gut. He held his abdomen and mouth as felt bile rises from his throat. His vision blanked as he collapsed to the side.
Everything had gone black...
Hope's head hit something hollow and metallic as he sprawled unto his back.
"AH! OW!" He grunted as he held his head. "What..."
He turned over and lifted himself up to his knees. He looked around with confusion.
"D'fuck?"
His surroundings were nothing like his bedroom. Hope was in an alley between what looked like a butcher and a takeout chain. The fried smell of junk fast food and raw meat only added to his already confused state.
"How- wha- when did I?" He bumbled. "Where?"
He slowly and delicately lifted himself to his feet. His stomach was settling but he still felt fragile.
"Better take it slow," Hope told himself.
There was no way he had drunk enough to blackout. He remembered getting home safely. He walked out of the alley as he tried to make a timeline of events that made sense in his head. The lights hit his eyes and his confusion deepened.
"Holograms?"
Many buildings had a futuristic aesthetic with slick white walls and holographic signs. Even older-looking buildings with brick walls had neon-sign-like holograms promoting their shops.
"I mean... I know a few tech shops had started rolling things like that out but this is a bit..."
Everything looked oddly familiar. Street lamps emitted a calming glow instead of the usually harsh high contrast light that he was used to. The cars looked, again, slick and futuristic. Some had rounded designs and looked more like capsules than cars, others looked like they were some sort of hyper-advanced box, what with the super sharp corners and efficient aerodynamic designs. Those vehicles gave him some serious cyberpunk vibe.
This ain't Sin City, that I'm certain of.
He squinted at the sights laid before him.
"Did some asshole Warlock or Fae just launch me forward in time?" Hope wondered.
Once more, something caught his eyes; some girl had cat ears on her head. A guy was covered in scales and a girl with a great rack accompanied him! Oh, she had antlers too, I guess...
"Bioengineered catgirls? What is this, a weeaboo's idea of the future?" He sighed with his face firmly in hand. "This is stupid, I must be dreaming."
Hope proceeded to slap himself. Really, really hard. Even with a red mark on his cheek, he was still where he stood. This realization that he wasn't in fact dreaming made his heart race and his pupils shrink.
What?! How the fuck?! How is this not a dream?! Am I-
Hope felt a cold hand on his shoulder. This unexpected sensation made him jolt with fright. He turned to face a woman with purple snake-like eyes and a pale complexion. She looked worried.
"Sorry, I didn't intend to spook you." She explained softly. "You looked like you were having an attack. Are you ok?"
He took a moment to breathe.
"I-I'm fine, I was just... Overwhelmed, is all."
The lie felt unnecessary, but what was he supposed to say? She smiled gently as she moved some of her curly black locks from her almond-shaped eyes.
"You too, huh? It was like that for me when I first came to Vale."
Vale? Why does that sound familiar?
"The people here are surprisingly welcoming and kind." She continued. "Even though there are still those who refuse us Faunus service, the majority are very nice."
Faunus? Ok, something's fucky and I feel like I've seen this shit before.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I was caught rambling again."
"It's fine." He lied. "I'm fine now. Thanks for checking on me, miss."
"You're welcome!"
She pulled from her pocket a strange-looking phone that looked like it was made of hardened light.
"Oh dear me, look at the time." She pocketed her 'phone'. "I have to go."
"Don't let me hold you."
"Many thanks!" She yelled as she hurried off to where she needed to be. "Don't be a stranger!"
Hope waved her off before sighing dejectedly.
...Fuck me, she was cute... I'm definitely in some punk-ass Warlock's magical realm. Filled with high-tech and cute animal girls.
He scratched his head frustratedly.
This feels like I'm going to be in for some shit sooner or later.
He let go of his head and started walking. The direction didn't matter, he just wanted a change of scenery. Hopefully, he'll find a place to sleep before daylight's gone. He looked about, examining the people. Some looked normal, if striking, like the snake lady from before but most were just black silhouettes.
He walked around what he now recognized as some sort of commerce district. Food establishments, boutiques of strange bits and bobs, bars, specialty shops. The variety made his head spin.
Good fuck, this place is huge. Good thing I ate earlier, cause I doubt anyone's dumb or generous enough to accept some foreign currency no one's ever heard of.
As he went about what he now knew as 'Vale', a certain shop caught his attention.
"A jewel shop?"
From the glass window, he saw a strange collection of tubes of different colours and shades. In the front desk's display were a bunch of brightly coloured gems. He looked up at the shop's sign.
"From...Dust...Till Dawn? That a typo?"
The red flags intensified in his head as the already overwhelming sense of deja-vu became deafening. He swallowed the lump in his throat and hesitantly opened the front door. The old man at the desk smiled at him.
"Ah, welcome to From Dust till Dawn! One of the best locations in Vale for Dust and Dust accessories. If you need my expertise, I'll be right here!"
He nodded his head hesitantly at the store clerk before walking around the store. The tubes coming out of the walls were connected to valves. He ran his finger across the mouth of one of the valves. A strange green residue stuck to his fingers.
"Fuck?" He muttered.
The residue had the consistency of fine flour, or maybe corn starch. When he rolled it between his fingers, the powder softly glowed before activating and blowing wind in his face. Startled, he wiped his hands on his clothes to get the Dust off of him.
What was that?! Now I'm certain I'm in some shit wizard's fantasy-
He cut his line of thinking as his eyes landed on the shop's only other customer. A young girl, probably in her mid-to-late-teens, wearing all black with red accents. On her shoulders were-
"A red hooded cloak." He mouthed silently.
Alarms blared in his head and a cold sweat ran across his back.
Aaaaaaaaw fuck... I know this design, I'd recognize that design ANYWHERE!
He walked up to her and raised his hand to reach her. He stopped himself.
Wait, what the hell am I doing?! If I as much as interact with her, I am guaranteed to get involved with some stupid bullshit! I'VE READ ENOUGH FANFICS TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!
He reached for a magazine and pretended to read. His mind was boiling over like milk on the stove with how he got here.
Aliens? magic? cosmic fuckery? How the hell could I be in Remnant otherwise?
His thoughts froze. A sudden realization hit Hope like a brick.
If the store is From Dust till Dawn, and she's here... Aw crap.
Just as he finished his thoughts, the door opened. He heard the shopkeeper whimper as multiple sets of footsteps made themselves known.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a Dust shop open this late?" A familiar voice complained.
Oh no...Fucking Torchwick...
He scooted over to the hero of the story as the clerk was being held up. He gently nudged the girl in black and red. She looked at him curiously before taking off her headphones.
"Thugs in the front," He whispered.
She subtly glanced over her shoulder and saw the old man being held at gunpoint. She frowned angrily.
"They'll come over to try and mug us." He whispered. "You can strike then."
"What about the shopkeep?" She whispered back.
"That's the thing I'm not so sure about... Try and get their attention."
"How?"
"I dunno, throw one of the pricks out the window?" He suggested with a shrug.
The pair heard the cocking of a gun. Hope slowly raised his hands up.
"Easy dude, I don't want no trouble."
"Turn around." The thug ordered. "Slow and easy."
He did as he was ordered as he slowly spun around. The thugs all looked the same, Pale, Black hair hidden by a hat and clad in all black suits with red ties and sunshades.
"I don't have cash on me."
"I don't remember askin'." The thug retorted rudely.
"Why else would you hold me up then?" Hope mocked unintentionally.
This comment earned him a pistol's butt to the jaw. He stumbled down on his ass and held his mouth. Everything went spinning and it took him a moment to get his bearings back. Discombobulated, if you will.
"Don't talk back, dumbass!" The thug yelled
Hope stared down the barrel levelled at his head then glanced to the side of the thug. A self-satisfied smile crawled across his lips to the thug's annoyance.
"Why are you smiling, asshole?!"
His grin widened.
"Let's just say..." He paused for emphasis. "This little rose has some big thorns."
The thug lowered his gun, his eyebrows cocked in confusion. In the blink of an eye, Hope saw the glimmering of steel followed by the sound of shattering glass. The thug was gone and the front window was in pieces. The hero of the story stood in front of him with her weapon unfolded, facing towards the threat ahead.
"Try not to kill them." He quipped.
"I would never!" Her indignance sounded cuter than was probably intended.
He chuckled.
"Just go, I'll get the old man to safety."
She pivoted her head and gave him a bright smile.
"I'm counting on you!"
"Go get 'em. Ruby Rose..." He whispered the last part.
And there she went, fighting like he thought she would; overly dramatic, bombastic and trying way too hard. He crawled across the floor, hoping to not get hit in the crossfire. As he crawled, the thug's pistol caught on his sleeve. He looked at the gun, before picking it up. It was a boxy ugly thing with its magazine well inexplicably linked to the end of the barrel. He had to hold himself back from throwing that peashooter across the room. Instead, he just put it in a nearby garbage can where it belonged.
I know you guys are criminals but at least get guns that aren't made and/or designed by people who eat glue.
Hope snuck his way behind the counter and tapped the cowering old man on the back.
"Young man?" The old shopkeep whispered shakily.
"Come on, I'll get you out the backdoor."
He waited for a certain line to be said to make his move.
"Okay? Get her!" Torchwick ordered to his goons.
The slowly distancing sounds of rushing footsteps and fighting eased their worries.
"Ok, let's hurry!" He whisper-yelled to the old man.
The pair snuck away from the mayhem and the crazy super-powered people as fast as they could. As soon as the emergency exit door was in reach, Hope ripped the heavy door open like it was made of cheap plywood. He held the door open for the old man, who obliged and rushed into the alley. Hope closed the door and used a nearby trashcan to block it.
"Thank fuck that's over with." He panted as he held his chest, his heart beating like mad. "You ok, dude?"
The old man appeared distraught. And who could blame him? He was robbed and his shop was in shambles after all. He was hunched over, the weight of his age seemingly returning after the danger had partially passed.
"My business insurance doesn't cover robberies, I'm behind on my mortgage and my business wasn't doing so hot to begin with."
"Oh... I'll take it you're not ok then." Hope guiltily mumbled, ashamed he even asked.
The old man straightened back up suddenly, his age and fatigue seemingly just disappearing. A twinkle in his eyes and a burning passion in his voice replaced his previous act.
"But I'm still alive and I have a rainy day fund for just this type of occasion!"
"Oh! So you are ok." Hope breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks to you, young man!"
He smiled at the praise.
"I didn't do much, you should be thanking the girl currently kicking the bad guys' asses." He humbly deflected.
"Still, I must thank you for helping an old man out of a pickle."
"It's fine." His expression became serious as he left to check over the shop's corner. "I'll go check if the coast is clear. Could you-"
The shopkeeper held his chin and mumbled to himself.
"I wonder what kind of shop I should open up next... Maybe a saloon... No, too old-timey..."
Hope rolled his eyes at the old man's inappropriately timed entrepreneurial spirit.
"Just... Just call the cops," He suggested as he left the alley. "And then... I don't know, start a ramen stand?"
The old man's eye's widened, realizing that there was still a crime happening.
"O-oh, Right! A ramen stand, huh?"
Just as Hope turned the corner, Roman had initiated his great escape. He took aim at the Little Red Riding Hood and shot a flare out of his cane and into the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of asphalt dust. Ruby leaped over the cloud with unnecessary theatrics, doing a backflip as she landed.
"Nice one." A voice said behind her.
Ruby turned with her weapon at the ready, only to find the man that helped her.
"Hey! Watch where you point that thing!" Hope shrieked.
She immediately lowered her weapon with a yelp.
"OH! I'M SORRY!" She apologized and bowed. "I didn't mean to scare you, I swear!"
He wiped the sweat that had accumulated on his brow from the stress of his situation.
"Jesus fucking Christ," He swore.
She walked up to him and gently patted his jaw.
"Are you hurt?" She asked worriedly. "That guy hit you in the face real hard..."
"I have a headache coming from all the crazy shit that happened to me today."
This clearly didn't reassure the young Silver-Eyed Warrior.
"But physically, I'm doing alright."
Ruby let out a glad sigh.
"Thank goodness."
She turned away from him and looked around for the orange-haired villain. Hope turned to where he knew Torchwick went. He cleared his throat and pointed at the man with a white coat at the top of a ladder.
"You might want to hurry before he bounces."
She nodded and held her weapon at the ready but stopped herself before giving chase.
"What about you?"
"Forget about me, you got a bad guy to catch!"
"But-"
He grabbed her by her shoulders.
"Look, I'll wrap up things here."
Ruby nodded to herself, though she still looked a bit unsure. He mustered his best smile, even if it looked a bit forced.
"I'll be fine."
She smiled back not realizing, or maybe noticing, the smile's fakeness.
"Now go on, Hero!" Hope gave her a pat on the back before walking back into the shop. "You have your first adventure to wrap up!"
He couldn't see her, but he could tell that she had hyped up from his words.
"Right!"
He heard the sound of a rushing breeze before closing the shop's door behind.
The shop's front was a mess of broken glass and misplaced goods that were about to be stolen and missing items that were stolen. The crinkling and cracking of glass under Hope's feet were the only sounds coming out of the shop.
"Old man!" He called out.
A hand popped out from the front desk, said hand waved him over to join it.
"The cops?" He asked the older gentleman as he walked over.
The old shopkeep was bent over with his other hand on what looked like a floor safe.
"The silent alarm was triggered when the girl threw that scumbag out the window."
"Good."
Hope walked to a walk a slid down it, the adrenaline finally ebbing.
"Fucking Christ," He swore as he rubbed his eyes.
First another shitty day, then I got isekaied to fucking Remnant of all places.
He clicked his tongue
And now here I am, not a penny to my name and in another world. To top off this shit sandwich, I was made a part of episode fucking one! This is not my day.
The building suddenly shook.
"Looks like Roman's on the ropes." He quipped.
He stood back up and left the shop for like the third time in the last fifteen minutes. He stood outside and watched the light show. Atop the apartment building stood Glynda Goodwitch, who stood against a Woman in a Red Dress hidden in the shadows of a Bullhead's insides. Etherial purple clashed with fierce flames, as Glynda fought against the "Mysterious" woman. He noticed the Lady in Red held a hand behind her back, a bright orb forming in said hand.
That shouldn't be happening. What are-
The light concentrated and the orb shrunk to the size of a golf ball. He had read enough shounen mangas to know that this attack was bad news.
"GOODWITCH, DODGE!" He screamed at the Beacon Professor.
Her attention flicked to him then back to her opponent. The Lady in Red pitched the concentrated attack like a fastball. On reflex, Goodwitch rolled the furthest edge of the building and threw a telekinetic barrier to protect Ruby. Nearly the entire front half of the rooftop collapsed. The good witch grunted as she stood back and brushed some of the rubles off of her.
Her eye twitched and she lifted her hand, now engulfed in purple light. The rubble lifted and with a flick of her wrist, formed into a javelin the size of a large pickup truck. She stomped her foot into the ground and with a mighty yell, she telekinetically launched the javelin with enough strength to break the sound barrier. The Lady in Red flinched before sending a fierce torrent of flame to melt the javelin in mid-flight. Just before the Bullhead was reduced to junked scrap, the javelin broke, but it reformed just in time to hit the side of the jet due to a quick aerial lean on the pilot's part. The broken projectile separated and reformed into many smaller spears that encircled the jet, but the woman summoned several glowing rings around herself that expanded and finally shattered the good witch's spears for good.
Ruby did as she should have and began taking potshots at the bullhead, only for the pyromancer to block every shot with ease. with a snap of her fingers, the Lady in Red summoned rings of fire around her two opponents. A winded Goodwitch made one final push through and erected a protective barrier. A momentary lapse in judgement made her forget about the silver-eyed girl. and just as she thought she had sealed the girl's fate, a man rushed from the rooftop-access ladder and tackled the girl out of the blast radius. As the ring of fire detonated, he covered her small frame with his entire body.
The Bullhead flew off, escaping the law's grasp. Glynda's eyes narrowed at the escaping craft before making a heel turn.
The man rolled over unto his back, still holding Ruby tightly
"What would you do without me?" Hope said sarcastically
She didn't answer by virtue of a mix of awkwardness and embarrassment from being held so tightly by a man other than her father.
"Is it over?" He asked with a light voice crack.
"Yes, you can let go of her now."
He let go of the girl, who rolled off of him with a light blush. Glynda inspected the man who risked his life for what she assumed was a complete stranger. He looked like any other guy off the street. Good-looking, but not handsome, with vibrant brown hair. She stood atop of him as he opened his hollow brown eyes and his gaze met hers. Though her scolding glare didn't match his distraught gaze.
"Am I in trouble?" He asked.
"Considering your reckless actions, I'd say that you are indeed in trouble."
Hope sighed, knowing what was about to come.
"Now my day is complete..."
The pair were brought to a nearby police station for questioning. They were in separate rooms, but he knew that Ruby was nearby. He sat alone in the interrogation room, a lone cup of coffee sat before him. After what felt like an hour the door finally opened. To his shock, the headmaster of Beacon, Ozpin, was the one that stood in the doorway.
"Shit, am I in that much trouble that you'd come?"
Ozpin seemed amused by this reaction.
"It takes a special kind of man to do what you did." Ozpin sat down in front of him. "You are quite courageous."
"Foolhardy, more like," Glynda commented as she entered the room.
Her eyes were glued to her scroll and she had a document sleeve under her arm. He shrank under Ozpin's gaze.
"Why are you here?" Hope demanded to know. "I get trying to get a silver-eyed warrior under your wing but what do you want with me?"
Ozpin smiled.
"Curiosity, mostly." Ozpin leaned forward. "Not many people these days know about the Silver-Eyed Warriors."
"Mom always knew about some old, obscure fairy tales." He lied.
"Fairy tales, huh?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow.
Hope licked his lips nervously at that reaction.
He knows I'm bullshitting, isn't he?
Glynda growled. Hope turned to look at her, he saw her face switch from frustration to shock then confusion in the span of a single minute.
"This doesn't make any sense." She finally admitted.
Ozpin hummed curiously.
"There's nothing. No birth certificate, no driver's licence, no known name or associates. Nothing. his face comes up blank on every data bank we have access to."
Ozpin nodded.
"That is indeed curious." Ozpin leaned back into his chair. "Might I ask you about some things.?"
A bead of sweat fell from his forehead.
Fuck.
"Sure?"
"What kingdom are you from?"
"V-Vacuo." He stuttered as he scratched his neck.
"Already checked, nothing." Glynda crossed her arms.
He looked away.
"Then you clearly haven't checked correctly."
"Excuse me!?" Glynda stomped forward, slamming her hands on the table.
Shit! I need to find a way out of this mess!
"Now, now Glynda," Ozpin said calmly. "Our friend is quite stressed at the moment. Could you go easy on him just this once?"
Glynda gave Hope a glare before relenting and backing off.
"Why were you at the Dust shop?"
"I was just wandering about."
Ozpin sighed. He took off his glasses to polish them.
"Glynda?"
The good witch pulled out her scroll and CCTV footage played. The audio made it clear that he knew what was going to happen and what to do.
"A non-person suddenly appearing the moment trouble starts?" Ozpin questioned.
He remained silent, avoiding the two professor's sharp gazes. Ozpin rubbed his eyes.
"We are getting nowhere with this..." Ozpin stood up. "Come Glynda."
The pair prepared to leave but Ozpin turned to hope, a saddened expression on his face.
"I'm disappointed, I expected more of you."
Hope snorted.
"Keep expecting people to fit your narrow view, Ozma. I bet that kept going well for you."
Ozpin froze in the doorway. Glynda turned around and stared wide-eyed at him. Realizing his slip, Hope covered his mouth with a slap.
FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK-
"What did you just call me?" Ozpin walked up to him, putting a hand on the table.
He remained silent under the intense gaze of the Headmaster.
"You just called me Ozma, haven't you?"
He cringed at his own mistake.
Fuck it, I already ratted myself out... Let's get this over with.
Hope sighed, his face betraying how stressed out he was.
"Yes. Yes, I have, Man with Two Souls."
Ozpin's eyes narrowed as he sat back down.
"So you know... What else do you know?"
He leaned on the table, meeting Ozpin's soul-piercing gaze with his own tired eyes.
"I know about The Four Maidens of the Seasons. "
Ozpin didn't interrupt.
"The Gods." Hope continued.
Ozpin frowned.
"Do you know about Her?"
"Yes, I know about your wife."
Ozpin closed his eyes, a painful memory obviously resurfacing.
"Not much of a spouse anymore, I'm afraid."
"Considering she skipped the divorce filling and went straight to murder," A small callous smile appeared on his lips. "I somewhat get your sentiment."
"Very funny." Ozpin drawled coldly.
"Can I ask something?"
Ozpin motioned him to go ahead.
"I know for a fact you knew about what had happened to her-"
Ozpin cut him off.
"I think I know where you're going with this, so I'll stop you here." Ozpin joined his hands together. "How? How do you know this?"
He took a second to think of an excuse.
"I have access to... A deep well of knowledge."
Ozpin didn't look like he was buying it.
I mean it's technically true, even if it's just a wiki.
"Fine, then let's call it... An overdeveloped sense of foresight and hindsight." Hope corrected.
"So a semblance?" Glynda finally said, concealing her confusion with her resting bitch-face.
Ozpin shook his head, shocking Glynda.
"I can't sense an aura from him."
"But that's impossible! Every living being has an aura!"
"He doesn't, and he seems pretty alive to me." Ozpin grew his own callous smile. "Though I have the feeling it not from the lack of trying."
He chuckled sadly.
"It takes one to know one, amirite?" He replied emotionlessly.
Hope's bitter smile disappeared.
"What do you want, Oz?"
Ozpin took on a more relaxed position on his chair.
"Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from you. From what I've heard from miss Rose, you were a selfless man who put himself in danger to help an innocent man in danger. She even told me that you had saved her from an attack."
He shrugged awkwardly.
"I'm just some poor asshole who was at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Somehow... I have a feeling that it is quite the opposite."
Ozpin stood up, casting a shadow over him from the overhead light.
"The right man at the right place makes all the difference in the world, after all. I have a... Proposition."
"No."
The immediate answer took Ozpin and Glynda aback.
"I already brought myself enough trouble as is by getting involved in the robbery. I don't plan on being your pawn in this stupid fucking game of yours and hers, Oz."
Ozpin stood silently for a moment.
"I see." he finally said.
"I'm not interested in your shadow war, so forget it."
Ozpin nodded his head before motioning Glynda to come.
"Very well. I understand your decision. I'll even go as far as to say that it is a wise choice."
Glynda set down the sleeve on the table. Ozpin opened the sleeve and shuffled around the papers, taking out a select few documents before presenting them to Hope.
"Please sign these forms and we'll be on our way."
He took the papers from Ozpin and inspected them. Simple police reports, individual accounts and the like. Hope shook his head with a sigh.
"I'm so fucking tired of paperwork..." He muttered. "Let's get this over with."
I can't use my real name in case he'll try to come after me once I leave town... How about...
He signed the papers as quickly as he could so that he'd be done with it quicker. One had a section where he had to put his personal information. He absent-mindedly filled it, omitting certain detail and falsifying them where he knew he could get away with it.
"There, done," He said rudely as he shoved the papers away from him.
Ozpin inspected the small stack of dead trees, flipping the pages. then Ozpin smiled, whether it was intentional or not, it came out as somewhat sinister.
"Well then, mister... Anon Op..."
Ozpin shook his head with an amused smile before standing up.
"I'll see you at Beacon."
Hope stood up suddenly.
"What?!"
Ozpin took out one of the pages and held it up. A recruitment application for Beacon.
"All in the title, Mister Anon. I suggest you read the papers you are signing."
Hope slammed his hands on the table.
"This is bullshit! That's entrapment!"
"True... However..."
Ozpin took out his scroll and showed him his personal ID.
"A non-person like you doesn't exactly have any options. After all, if you don't exist on paper, you don't exactly have access to many services or even employment."
Ozpin turned to face him.
"So let me give you this choice. Either come to Beacon and aid me with your... Foresight... Or, you can enjoy living on the streets, unable to get a job because you don't have a legally recognized identity."
"That's not a choice, that's an ultimatum!" Hope yelled in outrage.
"Such is our predicament, mister Op."
Hope glared at Ozpin, who kept a calculating expression all throughout.
"You fucking rat!" He insulted.
Ozpin remained silent. Glynda had remained silent all thought out the argument. But even she had to admit that Ozpin was going a bit far.
"Is all this necessary?" She finally asked her boss. "He doesn't want to get involved."
"True," Ozpin admitted. "But someone who knows things that have yet to come is always useful. And I have come to recognize the fake oracles to those with true insight."
Hope didn't say a thing as he held his resentful glare. He sat back down and held his face, seeing as glaring Ozpin down wasn't going to do anything. Hope let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
"I fucking hate you."
"Many do."
"I can't see why!" He shouted sarcastically. "Are you always such an asshole or am I a special case?"
"I'd say you're special."
"Fuck you and your cunt wife!"
Hope used his arms to rest his head on the table.
This is bad... What do I do? I don't know how Vale's government works, for all I know what Oz is saying is right and if I don't have a legal existence; I can't do shit...
He sighed desperately.
"Fine... You win."
Ozpin smiled.
"Well then. I apologize for enforcing my unreasonable demands on you."
Hope flipped him the bird.
"Whatever." Hope put his hand down "I have conditions though."
"Of course. We can discuss those tomorrow morning at my office."
Hope massaged his forehead, his headache returning with a vengeance.
"I have a creeping feeling that this is going to be a theme."
"What is?" Ozpin asked.
"You being an unreasonable idiot."
"Is that so?" He asked curiously, his back still turned on him.
Hope left his seat and walked toward the door.
"Considering you've been making shit up as you went since you started this whole mess, I'm surprised you haven't realized how hard you're going to crash and burn."
He left the room, knowing full well that he was in for a troublesome future. To say he was bitter about it is an understatement.
"I need a drink..."
The skies of Sin City had nothing on Remnant's nightly tapestry. The visual pollution often caused the sky to appear black, the stars unable to be seen from all the lights in the metropolis. But Remnant's sky was like a blue, velvet-lined jewel box. The stars shone on the back as the shattered moon took centre stage. Hope was atop a deserted building's roof, laid down on the dusty concrete.
"Pfff! To think there are some who wonder what happened to the moon!" He mocked. "Too bad for them, the gods just needed to be extra shitty on their way out of this fucking world!"
He put his hands behind his head and admired the sky.
I wonder when was the last time I looked at the night sky...
He pulled out his phone and took a picture. He sat up and admired the broken moon framed in his phone.
"This shit is so surreal."
He returned to the home screen. In the upper corner, the wifi icon and battery were replaced with strange symbols.
"I can't send messages, but I somehow still have access to the internet. Well..."
He opened his video folder and selected the sub-folder titled 'RWBY'.
"Better do a refresher... I feel like I'm going to need it."
This Will Be the Day played on his phone's speaker as he laid back down.
Who am I trying to kid... I'm definitely going to need it.
V1 E1: END!
NEXT ON PLAYLIST: V1 E2 - PLAY?