The week was closing, with Beacon's term beginning the following day.

Jacen retrieved what he needed when he began his education at such a prestigious institution.

As night began to fall, he decided to go for a stroll around Vale one more time.

He still couldn't believe it; he'd started virtually robbed of his purpose, and now, thanks in part to Ozpin, he'd found a way to rediscover his roots as a Jedi.

Yet, as he continued walking, he began to feel something big was about to occur on this particular night.

He'd always had good instincts, as his master often stated as one of the qualities that made Jacen his most promising Padawan.

Further on, he began to sense a slow uneasiness as though a group of people were deliberately getting out of someone's way.

Looking forward, it didn't take long to see who or what the cause was.

Four men in unmistakably familiar suits belonging to Junior's henchmen.

With them was also the unmistakable appearance of the man with the hat and cane at the nightclub; he was practically dripping with that arrogant confidence of a man who enjoyed being in control.

He stopped when one of those aforementioned goons noticed he didn't move.

"Hey, what are you looking at, punk?" One asked only for the man in the hat to admonish him.

"Now, now, there's no need to be so brash," he said, smoking a cigar and then turning his attention to Jacen.

"Ah, I never forget a face; you were there while Junior and I had our little chat."

Jacen felt apprehensive around this man; despite his otherwise gentlemanly appearance, it was a facade; the man had that underlying feeling Jacen had come to associate with gangsters and crime lords.

Still, he decided to play the innocent bystander, if only to avoid conflict with some criminal organization.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure," he removed his hat and adopted a gentleman-like tip of it to Jacen.

"The names Roman Torchwick. Do your best to keep that name in your mind," he said, his voice undercut by his suave confidence.

Noticing Jacen hadn't introduced himself, he gave a "tsk" noise with a shake of his head, "It's quite rude not to introduce yourself when I've so kindly done so," he said as though chastising a child.

Reluctantly Jacen gave a slight bow, "Jacen Horne," he said.

He saw Roman grin a bit as he put his hat back on, then put a hand on Jacen's shoulder, "Well, Jacen, in the future, I suggest you don't go poking around where you don't belong," he said, adding just the right tone of menace to make it clear what would happen if Jacen didn't follow his advice.

With a nod from Jacen, Roman gave a curt nod in response before continuing his walk toward a local shop known as "Dust til Dawn."

Despite this encounter, the Force shouted that something was about to occur.

Turning his head in the direction Roman and his companions went, he adopted a stealth posture to keep himself inconspicuous.

While he didn't particularly feel like making an enemy of this Roman Torchwick, he wasn't about to just let him do whatever he wanted.

During the war, he remembered how active crime syndicates like the Hutts, Black Sun, or the Pykes went underneath the Republic's nose, often causing as much trouble for them, especially if they were aligned with the Separatists as the actual Separatists themselves.

Whatever this Roman was about to do, he did not doubt that he had to stop it.

As Jacen recalled, Dust was among one of Remnant's leading resources used from anything such as powering vehicles to being incorporated into weaponry for a variety of effects.

In the wrong hands, dust could create all kinds of trouble.

He made it to within a few feet when the sound of shattered glass caught his attention, and he saw one of those henchmen fly out the window, followed by an all too familiar red blur that stopped outside with her weapon in its scythe configuration.

Ruby, he thought with some surprise.

Roman's voice caught his attention next, "Okay, get her," he sounded slightly annoyed by this unexpected interruption.

Jacen could have given her help, but the way she was fighting indicated that she was plenty capable of handling herself.

Then the last of the henchmen dropped, leaving only Roman, who looked down with clinical detachment, "You were worth every cent, truly you were," he said in what might have passed for sarcasm before he turned his attention to Ruby.

"Well, little red, I think we can agree that this has been an interesting evening," he continued as he dropped his cigar and crushed it with the tip of his cane.

A warning through the Force was ringing as Roman aimed his cane at Ruby, with the end coming up with a clear crosshair pattern.

"But, I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

Roman fired a blazing shot from his cane, and Jacen quickly used the Force to discreetly pull Ruby away from the blast radius just as it hit the spot with a loud explosion.

He saw Ruby get back up and then immediately go after Roman.

She's gonna get in trouble, he thought, though he praised her for being bold enough to stand up to Roman.

He glanced at the shop owner to see if he was okay before leaping from the wall of one building to the next to land on the roof where he could see the chase.

Ruby was definitely in hot pursuit, but Roman continued to fire his cane in an attempt to lose her.

He quickly began making his way toward the spot where Ruby and Roman had stopped.

"Hey," Ruby exclaimed, though she was exhausted from avoiding Roman's attacks.

"Persistent," was Roman's curt response just as a Bulkhead aircraft came into view.

Roman lept into the open compartment and then turned to face Ruby.

"End of the line, red," he said as he tossed a red dust crystal at Ruby, then fired.

Only for it to stop in mid-trajectory when Jacen used the Force to prevent it from hitting the crystal and then divert it upward, where it burst in the air.

He saw Ruby turn to him only for another shot to fire, this time hitting the crystal, which burst with a fiery detonation.

Jacen was initially concerned, but the Force assured him she wasn't hurt, and sure enough, he saw why.

Glynda Goodwitch had her weapon ready and had put up a protective barrier with her semblance to shield Ruby from the blast before taking the fight to Roman.

Amazing, he remarked as Glynda attacked the airship. However, when it turned its forward guns at them, Jacen dashed forward, lightsaber ready, and, diving into Soresu, proceeded to deflect every oncoming shot while ensuring they didn't hit any buildings.

Just then, the airship began to pull away and disappeared into the night.

"A curious coincidence to find you out here this evening, Mr. Arkos," Glynda's voice said from behind.

He turned to see her looking curious, but it immediately turned into a scolding glare when she looked at Ruby, who was lost in her enthusiasm.

"No way, a real huntress," her tone was equal to that of a child opening a present.

"Can I have your autograph?"

Back at his hideout, Roman Torchwick seemed the image of calm suavity, but inside, he was irritated.

An entire dust operation went wrong, all thanks to some little red-cloaked brat with a scythe.

He risked a glance at the merger earnings, a single full capsule holding red dust.

Feh, he thought, though one other thing perplexed him further.

That Jacen Horne kid he'd run into moments before the robbery began.

He didn't think much of him at first, but to look at him and little red, one could easily mistake them for siblings, though that wasn't vexing him.

He never missed a shot when he fired his cane, and yet, when that first shot was about to hit that dust crystal, he was sure it stopped mid-way and then flew into the sky.

He distinctly saw the Horne kid having his hand aimed at where the shot had stopped, almost as though he had redirected it.

Given the number of various semblances he'd seen throughout Remnant, he'd have written it off as an energy-redirecting semblance.

Yet, that didn't explain how he managed to dash in front of both the huntress and Little Red, then be able to redirect every shot fired at him without any of those shots hitting the buildings.

Even the most experienced huntsmen would have gotten hit by a glancing shot and then ripped apart by the other bullets.

He grinned inwardly; perhaps this wasn't a total waste; if that Horne kid were worth something, it wouldn't do well to write him off as insignificant.

Saving the information for later, he turned toward the last of the henchmen he'd hired.

The man seemed nervous, as though he expected Roman to be furious at how things had gone.

"There's nothing to be so upset about," he said in his customary gentlemanly voice.

"These unexpected occurrences in these situations make the job all the more interesting."

He made a point of sounding nonchalant with just a dash of charm.

He saw the man look up in surprise, "Then, am I free to go?" He asked but immediately followed up with a nervous gulp.

"Why should I hold you against your will?" Roman replied in a sympathetic tone.

"You may leave," he said, then looked toward something behind the man.

The man only had time to sit up, preparing to stand, before a thin blade protruded from his neck, blood dripping from the end of it.

The man looked at Roman with a shocked expression.

"My apologies for not finishing my sentence," Roman said with detachment as he puffed out a smoke ring and then looked to see the man dead on the floor with blood pooling around his neck.

"When I said you could leave," his voice had become sinister.

"I meant you may leave this life anyway."

He turned his gaze toward the holder of the weapon that ended the man's life.

A girl stood wiping the blood from the blade.

She carried a parasol as her weapon, with the tip retracting back into its head.

She had two different colors in her hair, one being pink while the rest was a chocolate brown color.

Her eyes were of the heterochromia sort, with one eye being pink and the other brown.

She seemed to look down at the man and then shake her head in disappointment.

"You're right, Neo; good help is so hard to find these days," he said with some philosophical melancholy.

Neo didn't speak but pointed at the body and gave a shrug.

Roman sighed, "Well, I don't wanna come off as ungrateful, and I'd hate to have Junior think none of his men came home," he said, looking down at the body.

"Make sure he gets back to his boss nice and tidy; perhaps it will let Junior know to invest in more competent men."

Neo gave a quick nod and then proceeded to get the body returned.

Internally, he began wondering how to use the information on this Horne kid.

Ruby felt very uncomfortable under the huntress's withering glare as she counted instances in which Ruby showed inexperience.

"Your actions will not be tolerated, young lady," she said scoldingly.

"Your recklessness could have gotten yourself or someone else killed."

"They started it," Ruby interjected.

Off to the side, she saw Jacen standing against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, looking just as uncomfortable despite not being the one in trouble.

"If it were up to me, you'd be sent home with a pat on the back," the huntress said, making Ruby cheer up a bit, only for her to turn her glare back on Ruby, "And a slap on the wrist."

She slapped the top of the table, making Ruby pull her hand back.

With a sigh, the huntress continued, "However, there's someone who'd like to meet you," she addressed a man with white hair step into the light of the room, holding a platter of cookies.

Ruby couldn't believe it; Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster at Beacon, inwardly she recoiled.

She remembered telling Jacen she didn't want to stand out too much, but this engagement with Roman Torchwick was sure to get her too much attention.

"Ruby Rose," Ozpin said, laying the platter on the table before giving her a closer look.

"You," he began, "Have silver eyes."

He had a tone that Ruby really couldn't understand regarding her eyes, but then she saw the cookies, and with some train of memory, it reminded her of when her mom made cookies.

"Where did you learn to do this?" Ozpin asked.

Caught off guard by the sight of herself flying over rooftops, dodging blasts from Roman's cane, and finally confronting him as it played on the huntress's scroll.

"S-Signal academy," she said sheepishly.

Ozpin looked surprised, "They taught you how to wield one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed?"

"Well, one teacher in particular," Ruby answered, then quickly helped herself to the cookies.

"It's just that I've only seen one scythe wielder of that skill, a dusty old crow," Ruby's muffled voice cut in.

"That's my uncle," she said with a mouthful of cookies, then wiped her mouth and swallowed.

"That's my uncle Qrow; he's a teacher at Signal," Ruby started with her voice carrying a weight of honor.

"I was complete garbage before he took me under his wing, but now I'm," she stopped to imitate an awkward gesture that made Jacen laugh.

Turning her attention to Jacen, she asked, "So how come you were out there?"

She heard Jacen give a playful laugh, "Maybe I just wanted to make sure you didn't get into trouble."

Ozpin's clearing of his throat made her turn her head back at him.

"What exactly is a little girl like you doing at a school designed to fight monsters?" He asked.

"I want to become a Huntress," she said with confidence.

"You want to slay monsters?" Ozpin asked in a curious tone of voice.

"I just have a few more years in Signal, then I plan to apply for Beacon," Ruby said, indicating Jacen.

"Jacen and my sister are going this year."

She noticed Ozpin looking from Jacen and then back to her, "Why do you want to become a huntress?"

"Well, I've always wanted to be like the heroes in stories I used to read when I was a kid; they always saved lives and brought about change," she said, putting as much confidence into her words.

"Also, I wanted to be like my mom," a touch of sadness crept into her voice, but it still rang with pride.

"That's an ambitious goal for a child to have Miss Rose," Ozpin said sympathetically.

Then he paused when asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Ruby nodded, "You're Professor Ozpin, the headmaster at Beacon."

Ozpin smiled slightly, "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Rose," he said kindly.

"Likewise, Professor," Ruby said politely.

"You want to come to my school?" Ozpin asked.

There was no hesitation, "More than anything," she said.

"Very well then," Ozpin said, making her jump slightly.

What?!

Jacen could hardly believe it, Ruby had suddenly been added to the roster for students going to Beacon.

Once he and Yang got onto the airship that would take them to Beacon, the sight of Ruby joining them filled Yang with pride.

"Everyone's going to think you're the bee's knees," Yang said as she finished bear-hugging Ruby.

"I just want to be a normal girl with normal knees," Ruby said, overwhelmed.

"I just skipped two whole years; I don't want anyone thinking I'm special."

Jacen couldn't blame her; most padawans elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight often had that same level of modesty.

He recalled even Daro, when he was still only a Knight before the war began, wasn't entirely ready to play the role of a Jedi Master.

Giving a curt nod at Yang and Ruby, he wandered the airship, seeing all the loads of new students.

A vibrant sensation was in the air as they prepared for their new school.

Skipper beeped and whistled nervously beside him.

"There are a lot more students than I thought," a disturbance rang in the back of his mind, and he had just enough time to see a blonde kid vomit all over Skipper.

"What are you doing!?" Jacen whirled on the kid, that probably thought Skipper was a roving trash can.

Skipper took offense to the situation and used his electric prod to zap Vomit boy.

"Ouch," he said, backing away.

"I'm sorry, I thought it was a trash can."

Skipper was ready to give him another zap when Jacen stopped him.

"Next time, you'll look for a proper trash can," he said, aiming a finger at a nearby trash can.

Then again, Jacen thought as he saw the blonde boy stagger, look out the window, then vomit into the can; maybe not everyone was made to be a huntsman.

His attention was drawn to a news bulletin regarding Roman Torchwick being still at large and very dangerous.

Inwardly, Jacen winced, he knew it was only a matter of time before he had to deal with someone of Roman's stripe, but now he had a sickening feeling he'd just made a dangerous enemy, even if it was more likely Roman was holding it against Ruby.

He paid closer attention to another news story regarding a White Fang rally that initially started peacefully but quickly turned lethal.

The White Fang again, Jacen thought back to Dusky and Tukson being right in helping people get out.

Still, it wasn't pleasant to think that a group that once advocated for peace between humans and Faunus had gone down this road.

He sensed a similar view from someone in the crowd when his eyes fell on a girl dressed in mainly black clothes with a black bow on top of her head.

It was clear she wasn't attempting to make friends as she suddenly disappeared.

The news screen suddenly faded, and a life-size image of Glynda appeared in the same spot.

She explained that though Remnant has been in a time of relative peace, it rested on the future huntsmen and huntresses to preserve that peace.

A feeling of nostalgia began to take over as he recalled the first time he started his journey toward becoming a Jedi Knight.

Nearly seven standard years had passed since the Naboo Crisis came to a close, though the return of the Sith became a shadow that fell upon the Jedi Order.

On this particular day, young Jacen Horne participated in a tournament where the Jedi Master's would select their padawans.

Jacen had risen to prominence among his clan mates, equaled only by one of his peers.

"You feeling nervous, Jacen," a voice called out, catching Jacen's attention.

Maru Thorne had initially held the spot at the top of the clan's hierarchy, only to have his position tied with Jacen's eventually.

Nearly the same age, Maru had fiery red hair, which seemed to have a strong impression compared to Jacen's black-to-red hair.

"Only if you are," Jacen replied.

Jacen and Maru had what many would consider a friendly competition between them, but at the end of the day, they were both always supportive of each other.

Immediately, the sound of a stick hitting the floor got everyone's attention.

The duels had ended not too long ago, and Jacen was still soaked from his simulated hurricane battle with Maru, with both combatants demonstrating exceptional skill.

Inwardly, he knew Maru was wondering who the schutta spawn was that thought it was amusing to watch two initiates undertake such a test.

He then adopted a serious poster while the ancient Grand Master Yoda began to speak.

"Now, select a padawan, the Jedi masters shall," Yoda said in that standard form of speech.

While there were a few masters among the crowd, Jacen's gaze fell upon a much younger man, probably a Knight from how it seemed he didn't fit in the crowd.

His eyes widened as he realized who it was.

"Is that who I think it is?" Maru whispered, seeming to be just as surprised as Jacen felt.

Daro Kilaeon was once the padawan learner under Jedi Master Dooku before he left the order and completed his training under Yoda himself.

Looking at him, Jacen couldn't blame him for seeming like a Bantha in a swamp; he'd only been a Knight for two years.

"Four credits says I'll be his padawan," Maru whispered.

Jacen laughed briefly at Maru's bet, "You're on," he whispered back.

Though Jacen elbowed him to be quiet when Yoda held up his hand.

It seemed that Daro had come to a decision.

Jacen suddenly felt a ripple in the Force like a connection had been made.

"I chose," Daro began, and Jacen could feel the anticipation in Maru.

"Jacen Horne," he said, pointing at Jacen.

He risked a glance at Maru, who seemed only slightly bummed.

Looks like Maru owes me four credits, Jacen thought, but he placed a comforting hand on Maru's shoulder, "You'll get chosen this year; I know you will," he said with confidence enough which boosted Maru's morale.

"Step forward, young padawan," Yoda said gently.

Collecting himself, he looked up at the man guiding his training as a padawan.

"I'm honored to be chosen, master," he bowed slightly but looked up to see Daro looking uncomfortable again.

"Troubled are you, my old padawan," Yoda asked him, perhaps sensing Daro's uncertainty.

"I can appreciate that you think I can be a master, but I've barely been a Knight for the past two years."

Jacen saw Yoda nod, "Indeed, never truly prepared are we to teach," he said.

"Yet, remember, while teaching one's student, a master's task is learn more about themselves through their students a master will."

Yoda gently touched Jacen's shoulder, "A great gift the Force has given you, be guided by its wisdom and the experience of your master, you must."

Jacen lowered his head in respect earning a chuckle from the ancient master.

The next few moments passed quickly as other masters either chose a new padawan or elected not to take one.

He was surprised when Maru got selected by an Echani female with white hair and almost porcelain white skin, Master Kaiya Fenni, one of the members of the Jedi Sentinel class that specialized in intelligence gathering and covert operations.

After everything finished, Jacen was alone with his new master.

"Um yeah, so I guess I'm your new master kid," Daro said, though the way he said it seemed like he wasn't too thrilled.

Daro motioned for Jacen to follow him to one of the dueling grounds.

Jacen seemed vexed; surely someone trained by Yoda and Dooku would have a different approach.

They eventually made it to the dueling grounds, and Daro stopped him telling him to wait five seconds before entering.

Though reluctant, Jacen did as he was told, and after a five count, he entered the dueling grounds.

No sooner did he enter than he felt a warning ripple through the Force, and he had enough time to draw his lightsaber and block an incoming blow from an opposing blade.

After a few clashes, Jacen turned to face the form of his master, who had his lightsaber at the ready but was showing a satisfied smile.

"You've got good instincts Padawan Jacen," Daro said, deactivating his weapon and clapping his hands.

"I noticed during your duel that you had a keen insight while you fought."

Jacen was surprised. Had all of that uncertainty been to throw him off?

"Was this a test master?" Jacen asked.

"I needed to see how good you were; you even have the makings of a decent lightsaber duelist," Daro said, extending his hand.

"May I see your weapon?" Daro asked.

Jacen placed his lightsaber in his master's hand, and he appraised it with utmost care.

"The hilt feels well balanced, sturdy, and completed with a fitted hand grip," with a quick flourish, Daro activated the weapon and seemed intrigued by the violet hue the blade gave off.

"Here, I thought Master Windu was the only one in the order with a purple blade," Daro said with evident interest.

"When I underwent the Gathering, my crystal was one of the only ones in my group that had a distinct violet glow," Jacen said as he recalled the attention he'd received, not to mention the slight envy of his friend Maru.

Daro raised an eyebrow at Jacen's explanation, "It's rare to see a Jedi obtaining a violet kyber crystal; some say that one has to have a balance between light and dark."

Daro deactivated the blade and handed the hilt back to Jacen.

As he did, Jacen couldn't help but notice Daro's own lightsaber, he recalled hearing that his old master Dooku had made use of a curved hilt, but Daro's followed an inverted curve, embossed with some sea predator's skin with a wrapped pattern of diamonds as the hilt traveled from the point where the grip met the emitter to the point where it met the end of the grip in a kind of leather material.

As Jacen took the hilt of his own lightsaber back, he looked curiously at his master, "You aren't," Daro cut in before he finished.

"Supposed to be as uptight as Master Dooku or as Sage-like as Master Yoda?" Daro asked.

Daro gestured to himself, then crossed his arms over his chest.

"Throughout my years with the Order, I've seen many different Jedi masters, and I've learned that they don't teach the same way."

"So, you were testing me, pretending not to know what you were doing?" Jacen asked curiously.

Daro rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Actually, that part wasn't an act," he gave a slight shrug.

"I still don't know how to be a proper master, but it's just as Master Yoda said," he paused to place a hand on Jacen's shoulder.

"It's through one's students that a master can learn; in that instance, I'll do my utmost to teach you everything I've been taught."

He showed Jacen a grin, "Starting with refining your lightsaber technique."

Jacen seemed shocked at Daro's inference, "What's wrong with it?"

Daro simply raised a hand, "Don't mistake me; you have the natural raw talent of a lightsaber duelist," he said with every ounce of praise.

"However, it needs a little refinement," he paused as if contemplating, then laughed shortly, "Your form is a variation of the Ataru form."

Jacen nodded, "I worked hard to develop it," he said, though he felt there was a lesson to be learned.

"While I applaud that dedication, the danger lies in being over-reliant on only one form, versatile though it is, it's also the most physically demanding," Daro said, adding instruction to his voice.

"Every form has its many strengths and weaknesses," he continued.

"Therefore, I will make it one of my goals to help you find that equilibrium and create a unique style."

Jacen seemed at a loss for words; not only was he receiving unorthodox training, he was being encouraged to refine what he has into something new.

The Force had brought them together, and Jacen would learn what he could, which would be instrumental in his survival when the Clone Wars erupted almost three years later.

Jacen turned his head at Skipper, still going through the task of cleaning himself after his unfortunate run-in with vomit boy.

He glanced over to see Ruby and Yang looking out the window; it was an impressive view to see Vale from up high.

A sudden feeling rippled through the Force moments before the airship began to land at Beacon.

He had the sensation that he was sharing this journey with several others who would play a significant role in events, both those happening around him and those that are still obscure.

As the ship touched down, he let anticipation get the best of him; he'd gone from nothing and was now on a new path.

Whatever happens next, the Force only knows.

END