Aha! Here we are, finally in the beginning stages of Vacuo. So, first things first, don't worry Xrunner, Jaune will have his sword companion from my last draft of this story, but there will be an interesting change with his original devil fruit. But it's a rather big change so I can't spoil it just yet.
Also, Emerald and Shyarly have also made their first appearances, and for those who have read my former drafts, their respective arcs will also be altered.
With that, cheers everyone, and have a wonderful day, Searoar.
"Are you alright, Hawkins? You're looking a little paler than you usually are." Tyrion lowered his tourist pamphlet and raised a speculative brow.
"I'm... fine." Hawkins sighed, but his breath was short and his muscles felt strained. Which was odd given he'd gotten a full six hours' worth of sleep before reaching Vacuo.
"Are you sure? I'm used to seeing you all gloomy and stuff, but this is a new level." Tyrion shrugged and kicked a pebble to the curb.
"We're here." Said one of the two men as the four of them reached their destination.
Shade Academy. Despite Atlas being the newest established territory, it was Vacuo that was the last to errect a hunter school due to its personal views of independance. Yet, after the great war broke out, the need for a combined unity of Vacuo's citizens proved mandatory. Thus, Shade Academy was built to serve as the main headquarters during the war.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Tyrion smiled at his former stomping grounds. "This place isn't like the other high-paying schools. If you want a proper education, then you'd better have the cunning and power to reach the top. Because if you don't... let's just say there aren't many students who make it past the first year."
Four sections of brown and black stone fashioned in the way of a pyramid, Shade Academy stood at the center of the city and was surrounded by pitched tents and citizens who were eager to sell their wares. Further from the academy were many buildings made of stone and wood was seldom used. And though there weren't any structures on a grand scale other than the school; Hawkins had to admit that every building looked much sturdier than the ones back in Vale.
"The headmaster will see you now and he'll take care of the rest. So don't go causing us any trouble alright?" The guards said sternly but did so with a smile before leaving Hawkins and Tyrion at the front gates of the academy.
"They're rather careless for allowing us to roam freely before getting us into the building." Hawkins hummed to no one in particular.
"With that, I must say that I agree." Replied a voice from Hawkins' left.
Fixing his crimson gaze on the approaching figure, the magician curled a brow at a very petite woman who appeared displeased to see him.
Her brown hair braided in a ponytail that reached just above her ankles, she couldn't have been any taller than four feet with tanned skin and bright golden eyes. A green tunic cinched by a wide black belt that led into a pair of brown pants and leather boots, the most notable piece to the woman's attire was a sleeveless long coat, dark brown and coarse on the outside with glittering flecks. It was rather rustic and gaudy in Hawkins' opinion, and he assumed it had cost a great sum of lien.
"Ms. Rumpole!" Tyrion cackled and skipped over to greet his former instructor.
"Mr. Callows..." Ms. Rumpole groaned and rubbed her temples. "You may have been one of the best students in my combat class, but your tendency to overdo things still holds true it seems."
"That's the crazy woman I was so happy to spar with! Say, did you add a new section of crystals on the hem of your coat? I must say that I do prefer blue over the original red." Tyrion said with a wide grin.
"Yes..." Ms. Rumpole did not entertain her former student's antics and veered her attention to the stoic man beside him.
"I take it that you're the magician of STQH?"
The blonde nodded. "I am."
"Then I hope the details that Ozpin has described your qualitites hold true. It's not often that I see a Valesian with a Vacuan mindset. Come along then, we'll be issuing you an extension on your hunter's liscence so that you can proceed in this sandy kingdom unpeturbed."
Ms. Rumpole shot Tyrion a glare one would associate with a veteran instructor.
"As for you, Mr. Callows, I believe the armory is in need of a good polish."
The scorpion Faunus sulked. "But I haven't done anything to earn a detention!"
"Not yet." Ms. Rumpole shot back.
"...Fine," Tyrion grumbled. Out of all the people on Remnant, the headmasters and their devoted right hands were the few that Tyrion held a certain respect for. But Ms. Rumpole was an exception given that she was a person who could back up her verbal threats which her student had learned the hard way.
/-/
"So, your name is Hawkins?" Ms. Rumpole asked.
"That is correct," Hawkins replied.
Set on the third floor of the academy, Hawkins stood in an office that was rather plain save for the fancy desk and chair that occupied it. It was nothing like the one Ozpin did his business in, and even lacked the simple necessities like overhead lighting. Instead, there were a few burnt-out candles on the corner of Ms. Rumpole's desk.
"Not fancy enough for you?" The right hand grinned as she took a seat behind her desk.
"I don't care for your personal tastes. I simply require your permission so that I'm not impeded by the authorities on my mission."
"And what mission would that be?" Ms. Rumpole fetched a few papers and a pen from her desk drawer.
"My son was kidnapped and is now lost in the surrounding wildlands within the tribe of the Branwens. Every day that I spend doing nonsensical things, the chances of his survival drop considerably. I have no reason to cause a ruckus on your soil, but I am in no mood to be trifled with."
Ms. Rumpole blinked and her stern demeanor softened. Upon closer inspection, the man did seem rather tense. His gloved hands clenched into a fist with his crimson eyes staring defiantly at her, Ms. Rumpole signed the necessary papers and shoved them across the desk.
Hawkins advanced as to inspect the deal, but frowned when he noticed something amiss.
"You haven't signed the last section yet." He said. "And you've written down that I am to be treated as a questionable hostile."
"That's right." the right hand replied.
"My headmaster and I take great care in meticulously dissecting the profiles given to us from the other headmasters. Ozpin has always left out a few details here and there, which is obviously frustrating, and the same could be said for Haven's headmaster. At least Atlas and Mantle are willing to put out the full picture when necessary."
Ms. Rumpole tapped the unsigned section of the contract with the tip of her pen.
"So when Ozpin only gave me one name and a picture, you can understand my curiosity when there was nothing in the databanks about you. The only thing I have to go off of is your violent tendencies when you're opposed."
"And that disturbs you I assume?" Hawkins sighed.
"No, actually."
Hawkins blinked.
"Tell me, have you done any research in regards to what Vacuo stands for?"
"Strength above all." Hawkins sighed.
"That is correct. While I consider the use of violence should be a last resort, the issue I often see when hunters face off against their fellow man, is that they hesitate to strike them down which results in injury or the loss of their own lives. It is for this reason that I have a rather high opinion of you despite the lack of information on your hunter profile."
The magician's stoic visage receded in anger, and instead filled itself with a hint of curiosity.
"I've been told that you have a knack for finding lost things. A useful talent that Ozpin has obviously ignored because of your unwillingness to cooperate." Ms. Rumpole continued and pulled the contract back toward her.
"I don't have time to do your dirty work." Hawkins sighed.
"No, I suppose not as a family is a serious priority, however, I can assure you that if your son is still a child then there's a high probability that he's been snatched by the recent trafficking troupe that's been sneaking around Vacuo's borders."
"So, Mr. Callows wasn't joking?" Hawkins crossed his arms and glanced out the nearby windows.
"I'm afraid so, and it's an issue that I, nor my headmaster can ignore. We've put several hunters on the streets, but they haven't been able to uncover anything in regards to this 'mountain trail' rumor that's been floating in the less desirable sections of the kingdom."
Ms. Rumpole set aside her pen and drew a long sigh.
"I'd like no more than to head off into the wildlands myself and take down the disgusting rats and their trafficking operations, but with Theodore gone, there's no one else to run the academy. Well, smoothly that is..."
The magician slowly shook his head. "My recent readings have increased to a 62% chance that my son could be a victim of these illegal transactions... and if you're willing to assist me in his recovery, then perhaps we can come to an agreement."
"Hm... you're a lot more lenient than I'd hoped. But Ozpin did describe you as a man who preferred a solution that doesn't require blood. What a peculiar man you are, Hawkins."
With that the contract for Hawkins' extended license was signed and he was also given another paper that described the human trafficking rumors and the places of their activities. What was once a detour from his original goal, Hawkins was secretly pleased to have a sense of direction that could lead him in a swift recovery.
"By the way," Ms. Rumpole showed a much friendlier smile and with it, the heavy atmosphere dipped into a much warmer one, "could I see one of these famous tarot readings of yours? Theodore and I were very intrigued when we heard that you could predict upcoming scenarios with a stack of cards."
Hawkins, seeing no reason to deny this short request, pulled out his tarot deck and allowed the straw threads to protrude from his back. One by one, the cards were shuffled and placed on the threads of straw as Hawkins came to the conclusion that Ms. Rumpole preferred blueberry pie above all other desserts.
"That is... an impressive talent you possess. Should you ever think of enrolling your son into a hunter academy, know that my headmaster and I would be more than happy to accommodate him in our routines."
"Until my son comes of age, all options are being considered. He already has expressed the desire to become a huntsman..."
"To follow in the footsteps of his father I suppose?" Ms. Rumpole's smile faltered at the downtrodden expression that took over Hawkins' form.
"If fortune is on his side, then he'll be lucky to not end up like me..."
"I... see." Ms. Rumpole said uneasily and requested that she and the blonde exchange scroll numbers as well. She did prefer a more direct means of conversation, but knew that Hawkins wouldn't be in range of the kingdom's communication tower for long.
With that, the magician collected his papers and thoughts and promptly left the office. He found Tyrion waiting patiently outside the door with a sword in hand which he raised toward his good friend.
"What is this?" Hawkins asked as the two left the academy grounds.
"Oh, just a trinket that I picked up in the armory. I figured you'd be more comfortable with it than that mechanized odachi that Raven character left behind. Besides, the man in the armory was more than happy to let it go. Something about strange occurrences happening the moment he added it to the armory's collection."
Tyrion pointed to the unsheathed blade strapped to the magician's hip then gestured to the sabre he held.
"And I suppose this straight saber is better than what I have?" Hawkins reached out for the blade, but the moment he made contact with its hilt, his heart skipped a beat in the likeness of the mysterious sensastion he had when searching for Jaune or anyone else he cared about.
"This sword..." Hawkins stared intently at the saber's design. A pair of tusks set into the hilt, and a tail-shaped pommel, it was a rather splendid blade and bore true to its original design without the need of dust infused modifications. Yet there was something else that poked at his senses. Why did it feel like... this sword was alive?
As Hawkins strapped his new weapon to his waist with his sash, he heard the faint cry that didn't quite sound like it belonged to a human.
"Pao..."
"Did you say something?" Hawkins glanced at his traveling companion.
"I don't think so?" Tyrion shrugged with an awkward smile.
Their walk brought them to the outer sections of the kingdom, the sun had begun to set to Hawkins' dismay, and the magician decided it would be best to rest and recuperate for the next day to come. He wanted to find Jaune as soon as possible, but a tired mind and weary body would help not help him in the long run.
He found in a hotel not too far from Shade Academy, and once he and Tyrion departed for their own respective rooms, the magician pulled out his scroll to see he had many missed texts and calls. Most of them from a particular red reaper that he didn't really want to deal with, but with the night growing old and darkness looming around him, Hawkins decided to push the call button and waited for the receiver to answer.
"H-Hawkins!" Summer's voice was a mix of joy and backed-up tears. "W-Where are you? What are you doing? Why didn't you answer me when I sent you those 382 texts and 78 missed calls?!"
"I knew this was a bad idea..." The magician groaned and moved his hand toward the end call button.
"Hawkins! Don't you dare hang up on me!" Summer yelled.
"What gave you the impression that I was going to?"
"I'm not stupid, and I've been your partner for six years. I can already tell that you're thinking that this conversation was a mistake." Summer deadpanned.
Hawkins rolled his eyes and pressed another button on his scroll. In a few seconds, Summer's entire form appeared before him. She did not look happy.
"Phew... I'm glad to see you're still in one piece." The huntress showed a kind smile.
"And you appear to be in a forest. Are you on a mission?" Her blonde partner asked.
Summer giggled weakly. "Yeah, Tai is taking care of the kids back home, and Qrow had to leave on a mission for Ozpin. So, with some extra time on my hands, I decided to take up a small mission so I could let off some steam. I've been worried sick about you since you left..."
The red reaper sheathed her swords and hurried to a nearby clearing so that a Grimm wouldn't be able to sneak up on her. Now atop a cliff that overlooked the entire forest, Summer cleared her throat and sat down cross-legged.
"I talked to Ms. Mallari..." She began. "And she told me that you didn't want to burden us with your rescue mission."
Hawkins grumbled. That was partially right, but he kept the details to himself.
"B-But... It's also because you can't bring yourself to trust us anymore given the current circumstances, isn't it?" Tears swelled in Summer's eyes.
"I-I want you to trust me, Hawkins! Just give me a chance and I'll head over to Vacuo and help you rescue your son and my honorary nephew!"
"Ms. Rose..." The magician drew a deep sigh. "Let's... talk earnestly for a moment, shall we?"
Summer nodded weakly and forced her posture straight while seated. Though her silver eyes stung with tears, she was determined to be honest and prepared for whatever criticisms her blonde friend had to say.
"I'm... sorry." He said flatly. But not in his usual dismissive tone. In fact, it actually sounded warm and genuine.
"I-uh... what?" Summer blinked dumbly.
"This... is going to take a while..." Hawkins rubbed his temples and took a seat on his bed.
/-/
As a much needed heart to heart was exchanged, the despair out on the far reaches of the kingdom echoed under the moonlit sky.
Come on, get moving before I cave your skull in!" Roared a tanned-skinned man covered in scars.
He slammed his metal baton against the cages, and the daunting echo vibrated over the sand and trickled up the legs of the children he was yelling at. No more than six years old, the orphans looked to one another in fear while a few opted to burry their sobbing faces in their hands.
Dust infused lanterns were the only source of light, and many of them were lit so nothing went unseen by the man with the batton or his underlings.
"Do you want to keep starving in this pathetic wasteland infested with Grimm? Or do you want to live to see the next day?" Yelled the man as he bashed the steel cages once more.
"I-I don't wanna go!" Screamed a young, dark-skinned girl who broke free from the group. Her disheveled hair a light mint green, her red eyes trembled in fear as her scratched legs failed to support her desires which caused her to fall headfirst in the sand.
"A fighter we got here," the tanned man chuckled to his five henchmen. He grabbed the girl by her hair and then tossed her back into the group.
"I don't need brats who talk or fight back, so unless you want to start digging your own grave, I suggest you get your ass in that cage before I lose my temper."
"Unhand me!" Came a shrill voice from a nearby crowd of adults. Most of them were foragers who lived outside the kingdom of Vacuo in tribes, but this also meant that many of them did not have any blood ties that they were aware of.
Yet the one who was screaming as a handful of men subdued her was absurdly tall given the normal average.
Standing at seven feet on the dot, the pale-skinned woman had short, black hair and ocean blue pupils that were slanted in a way where it made her eyes look like that of a shark's. She'd been battered and bruised from the abuse of her holders, and her long legs kicked wildly while her slender fingers clawed at whatever they could.
"Be careful not to harm that one!" Roared the tanned man with the baton. "A pretty one like her is bound to sell for a high price!"
"But sir," said a henchman who was promptly kicked in the nose, "she's a Faunus. Do you think she's worth the maintenance?"
The henchman and his cohorts forced the woman to turn around, and to their leader's disappointment, she did indeed have a navy blue sharkfin that protruded from her back.
"Bah, we just won't show the audience her backside. That'll entice them, even more, to spend a pretty penny to find out what we're hiding from them." The tanned man shrugged and ordered his men to put the flailing lady in her own secluded cage.
As they did this, the green-haired girl had once again attempted an escape, but the results were the same, with the only difference being that she'd taken a heavy hit to the head. Blood dripped from the wound, and as the screams of the other children erupted in tears, they were promptly corraled into the cages and prepared for transport.
"Sir, what do we do about this brat you just smacked?" Asked a henchman who stood over the limp body of the mint-haired girl.
"Toss her in with the shark lady. We don't have enough room for her in the other cages anyway."
The cages loaded and the trucks roaring to life, the destination of the human cargo was bound for the northern sections of the wildlands... Which just so happened to be in the same direction that a blonde magician and his brown-haired scorpion companion had decided to begin their search...