Disclaimer: Anon Noir and Billy Bombastic do not own RWBY. RWBY belongs to RoosterTeeth and Monty Oum (RIP).

Anon and Billy Productions present…

Vytal's Hope

Episode 6: The Apprentice Engineer

The day after the storm

It was morning the day the ship made dock upon Vale's port, as its passengers slowly disembarked and went about their business.

"Welcome all, to Port Cairnmouth! Please proceed to the Harbormaster's Office to recognize your entry into Vale!" A dockworker yelled out.

"Welp, that's where I'm going!" A ginger haired girl said to herself as she carried her backpack and hammer.

Good thing that captain told me to change out of that armour, didn't want to give off the wrong idea. She chuckled sheepishly as she looked down at the water below to check herself one final time.

Nora Valkyrie wore a brown waist apron with pockets full of tools over a black leather low cut waistcoat with red accents, worn over a white shirt with short, puffy sleeves, a pink skirt with a turquoise bow behind, white tights underneath, and pink and black boots. Finally, worn on her forehead were a pair of goggles.

Nodding in satisfaction, Nora hurriedly walked through the crowds of people towards the Harbormaster's Office, the large backpack on her making loud noises as she walked.

"Name for the records, miss?"

"Nora Valkyrie, sir!" Nora introduced herself with a large grin in front of the otherwise dead look on the Harbormaster's face.

"Where are you from?"

"Nordheim, Northern Mistral!"

"Oh, you're from the North?" The man's eyes lit up briefly at Nora's nod.

"Suddenly, the world seems smaller. What brings you to Vale?" The Harbormaster asked cordially.

"I was told there was an apprenticeship here for engineers, so I jumped at the chance." Nora's mood then shifted from cheerfulness to one of sullenness.

"That, and well… you should know by now." She said cryptically, rubbing her arm.

"Ah yes." The man suddenly looked older as he wiped some sweat on his forehead.

"Home isn't exactly the best place to go to ever since the war kicked off. Count yourself lucky you managed to get on a ship in time. Not many have the luxury to buy themselves a ticket for those famous Cloudjumper Airships you tend to see back home." The man had a fond look at his mention of said airships.

"Yeah, and getting here wasn't exactly safe." Nora added, making the Harbormaster look through his window to the repaired ship docked.

"Right, it must have been quite the trip." He commented. "Anyways, fee's on the house for a fellow Nordheimer, but you didn't hear this from me."

"Thank you! I won't forget this!" Nora went back to her cheerful self as she shook the Harbormaster's hand.

"Well, best you get going, I hear the apprenticeship has limited slots." The man chuckled as Nora hefted her hammer over her shoulder and ran out.

If I were the Engineer's Guild, where would I be? Nora tapped her foot as she narrowed her eyes on the map she held. She looked back up to take in her surroundings.

She was currently in the middle of some part of the city not too different from what she had seen back in Nordheim. Stone and brick buildings built in the familiar style of longhouses while others seemed more Valean in design.

"So I'm here- uh ish." Nora pointed at a place in the map that was similar to where she was.

"And I'm told to go somewhere here, in what's called 'Unity Square'?" She scratched her head before spotting a random passer-by on horseback and decided to ask.

"Excuse me, you know the way to Unity Square?"

"You're not from here, are you?" They asked.

"Yeah." She sheepishly chuckled.

"I believe it's north of here, there should be a landmark."

"Thanks!" Nora said cheerfully as she grabbed her hammer and booked it, leaving a trail of dust.

Nora panted heavily, finally arriving at Unity Square.

"It's… been a whole while since I ran." Nora paled. "I'm starting to think I'm out of shape!"

She then heard a scream from the Square and investigated, only to be caught by the sight of what she saw as three people riding a very big bird.

"That's a big bird." Nora whistled before waving dismissively. "Oh well! I'm sure whoever screamed must be fine!"

"I mean, I'd jump at the chance to ride a bird that size." She added before continuing to look for the Engineer's Guild.

As she walked, Nora gasped as she saw the sign of a hammer and siege tower hanging by a fancy looking building.

"There it is!" She then ran towards it.

But stopped in her tracks when she saw a sign on the door, and another person standing near it with a dejected look on their face.

"Oh! You're here for the apprenticeship too?" Nora asked the person.

They turned and Nora's eyes widened, it was a boy. He looked to be a few years younger than her, young enough to be her little brother.

He had tan skin with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, as well as freckles on his cheeks. The boy also wore an olive drab coat with black accents, a black shirt worn underneath with a dark brown ascot wrapped around his neck with a pair of goggles, pants that matched his shirt, and brown boots. The boy also wore brown gloves.

"Um yes! I-I am, or rather was." The boy said timidly before looking down, dejected.

"Was?" Nora asked.

"Well, the sign on the door says it all really." The boy chuckled briefly as Nora looked at it closely.

"NOTICE: SIEGEMASTER IS AWAY. THE GUILD IS CLOSED FOR APPRENTICESHIP OR OTHER TRANSACTIONS." Nora read.

"Hmm, well that's not good." She muttered loudly.

"Yeah, it's not, I came all this way from Mistral for nothing." The boy frowned sadly.

"Hmm, I don't think so." Nora countered as she saw some small text.

"Note: For those still seeking apprenticeship, please refer and seek Beacon Academy."

"B-Beacon? But that's a ways away from here!" The boy said pointing towards the looming tower in the distance, but Nora shook her head defiantly.

"Well, I didn't come all this way from Nordheim to do nothing!" She declared with a wide grin.

"You're from Mistral too?" The boy asked in shock, but also what seemed to be relief.

"Yup! I'm Nora, Nora Valkyrie!" Nora held her hand out.

"Um…" The boy hesitated but eventually came around and shook her hand.

"O-Oscar, Oscar Pine." He introduced himself with a brief smile.

"Nice to meet you, Oscar!" Nora said. "Now come on! To Beacon!"

"Wha-huh? W-wait!" Oscar was suddenly dragged by Nora as they sped through the crowds on their way to Beacon.

…Well, how Nora sees it as the "way" to Beacon.