Hedge Badnic: The Experiment

by Shadow Drivver

What happens when a Faunus child is abducted from his family in Vacuo in public? Join Hedge as he tries to escape his past and go towards his goal: becoming a Huntsman and protecting others, so no one can experience what he went through. Will things go well, or will secret findings and events lead to unfortunate outcomes?

4. V1C2: Little Red

Moving forward with the next chapter of Hedge's story. Hope everyone has a great day/afternoon/evening.

A few days have passed and Hedge is walking the town of Vale at night. Hedge remembers the past 5 years since he killed the Doctor back in Vacuo. He even found out his shoes weren't just regular shoes, but could also hover in midair. "Now that will be convenient." He walks the streets with his hands in his pockets all nonchalant, but hears commotion around the corner. "About time some action happens." With a smile on his face, he rushes around the corner and sees a fight going on in the middle of the road.

He sees a girl in a red hood and combat skirt with a giant scythe messing up some goons. "Is that girl…a huntress?" He sees a man with a white suit and black cap walk out of the dust shop. "Little Red, you seem to be causing a lot of trouble for me. But this is where we part ways." The man causes a distraction with his cane and runs for the ladder on one of the nearby buildings while the girl in red follows behind. Hedge stays far away to catch the action, he could jump in and help, but for now he'd rather not draw much attention to himself. When an airship arrives to back up the man, he's about to spring into action to help with lightning spear, when someone else joins the fight. Hedge sees a lady appear and he gets a better look, he feels like he recognizes who she is. "Isn't that…a professor from Beacon Academy?" He watches the remainder of the fight and sees the man get away thanks to a mysterious figure on the airship.

He follows the professor and the girl in red to get more info, and after they finish talking, he meets up with the professor, who also appears to be with Beacon's very own Headmaster, Professor Ozpin.

"And just who you might be, young man?"

"Hedge. Hedge Badnic. I'm studying abroad from Shade for the semester, and happened to see the fight that you (looks over at the other professor) saved that girl in red from. I feel like I should know who you are, but I'm drawing a blank on the name, and who was the girl?"

The other professor responds, "I'm Professor Glynda Goodwitch of Beacon Academy, and that girl was Ruby Rose."

Ozpin adds, "You said you were studying abroad from Shade? I assume you were wondering if you were able to stay at Beacon for the semester while doing so? What team are you apart of?"

Hedge responds, "Correct, yes that is what I was meaning to ask the both of you, and my team is Team HAZL, I'm the team lead. Two members are split between Atlas and Mistral, while the 4th stayed in Vacuo. We plan to participate in this year's Vytal Festival."

Goodwitch ponders, "Team HAZL? Why does that team name sound familiar?"

"Ah yes, I remember you." Ozpin continues, "Your team has always made it into the 1-on-1 Finals for the past 3 years with you being the one, but haven't ended up with a victory. Always just a few steps away." Hedge scowls at him. Ozpin chuckles, "Well the Vytal Festival is held here this year, and from I've seen of your team, I shouldn't be surprised to see you four participate in the tournament at the end of the year." Hedge crossed his arms across his chest, his scowl turned into a frown. "Yes, you may stay in one of the dorms on campus for the semester. Plus, if you wanted to know more about Ms. Rose, you should know I went ahead and allowed her to enroll in my academy. Classes will be starting up in the next few days after teams have been formed."

"Good to know. Professors," Hedge turns and leaves the professors to find a hotel to stay in for the night. Professor Goodwitch turns to Ozpin. "Is it just me, or was that boy very strange to you?"

"I'll admit that he was strange, but you can't ignore his skills that he has shown over the past few years in the tournaments. Though it is best to work with your teammates to get far, he does seem to act in a way that reminds me of Qrow, without the drinking of course," Ozpin replies. Goodwitch looks back to Hedge while he walks away. We see Hedge's eyes shrouded in the dark and a smile appears on his face. He's heard of that professional Huntsman before. To think that the Headmaster of another academy compares his demeanor to Qrow Branwen? Who knew?

Goodwitch sighs and states to Ozpin, "You know I can't argue that."