It was late at night in the kingdom of Vale, the shattered moon shining down on the outskirts of town. upon a quiet street, a black and red boot ran through a puddle reflecting the celestial body, followed by several sets of black paws. The one wearing the aforementioned boots looked back at the creatures right on his tail; his long reddish brown hair flowing behind him. This was Crimson Bloodedge, a former thief on the run from his past, carrying a large duffle bag with him that was filled with any possessions he owned.
"Oh come on! Give it a rest would ya?!" Crimson shouted, still running from the Beowolves through the empty streets. Thinking quickly, Crimson used his hand to pivot and turn with a slide into an alleyway only to find himself met with a dead end.
"...Great." He said to himself, turning back to the group of beasts now closing in on him. "Guess I'm gonna have to fight you jerks aren't I?"
In response, the Beowolf at the front roared and started running towards the young man. However, right as it was about to pounce on its intended victim, Crimson tossed his bag aside and kicked upwards, breaking the beast's jaw and followed it up with a spinning kick, sending it flying backwards. This in turn caused the others to become enraged and charge forward.
As they charged, Crimson began to dispatch them one by one. He took down the first one on the ground by dodging to the left and hitting a powerful downward ax kick to it's head, the next by twisting it's left front leg behind it and stomping on its neck, and the third by kicking
it hard into a wall and burying it in rubble. The fourth managed to catch Crimson off guard a bit by pouncing at him from a rooftop it had snuck onto and attempting to bite him, however Crimson managed to catch it in time and hold its mouth open with his bare hands before forcing it to the ground, stepping on its lower jaw and ripping it apart in an admittedly gruesome way.
With these beasts dispatched, Crimson turned towards the remaining four Beowolves; his green eyes seeming to glow within the darkness of the alleyway.
"What? You want some too?..." He said, a bitter coldness emanating through his words like shards of ice piercing the air.
Almost on cue, a loud howl was heard behind the remaining Grimm, causing them to lower their heads and make way for a much larger and heavily scarred Beowolf. This was the Alpha and Crimson knew it; He'd heard about these from his mentor back in the day after learning that he lost an arm to one.
"So, you're the boss huh... Mad I took out your friends? Well, come do something about it!"
As the Alpha ran towards Crimson, it roared loudly and attempted to swipe at him with its claws…. Only to realize Crimson had vanished. The Grimm began to look around,clearly confused at what just transpired when suddenly a large explosion hit the beast square in the back. It turned to see Crimson in a kicking stance with the heel of his boot smoking.
The alpha leapt into the air and attempted to dive-bomb Crimson, but it wasn't expecting what came next- Crimson rolled out of the way just before the Alpha hit the ground and started doing capoeira style kicks, each one letting off shots of Lightning Dust ammo. This foreign way of fighting was hard to counter for the large Grimm, which had then fallen to its knees from the amount of damage it had taken. Crimson smirked at this before walking towards the Grimm, stomping his foot a few times and giving the Alpha one last hard kick to the jaw which made its head explode on impact. Upon the alpha's death, the rest of the Grimm retreated into the night.
Clearly worn out, Crimson slumped down and sat against the wall, resting his wrists upon his bent knees
Crimson: "Phew. Well, that's done. But... where do I go from here?..."
Crimson looked up at the night sky and began to think to himself for a bit, taking a deep breath and exhaling before continuing.
Crimson: "I've been on the run for weeks, so I never really came up with a game plan for after I lost the guys tailing me...Man, what a mess..."
Just then, Crimson heard the sound of footsteps headed his direction and let out a groan of frustration.
Crimson: "Uggggh seriously? You wanna fight me too?"
The nearby figure simply held up a hand as if to say 'hold on, I'm not your enemy' before continuing.
?: "No, I would simply like to talk if you don't mind."
Crimson: "Really? That's a change..." He said before standing up "Who are you anyway?"
?: "Ah of course, how rude of me. My name is Ozpin, I am the headmaster of Beacon Academy."
Crimson looked taken aback by this new information, realizing that he just snapped at the man who allowed his family to become who they were and bowed apologetically
Crimson: "Whoa... sorry about that outburst sir! I've been running from people so…"
Ozpin simply smiled at the young man before him, seeing that he's different from the common thieves around Vale.
Ozpin: "That's quite alright, I understand. Now then, would you come with me please?"
Crimson hesitated a bit, but nodded at the offer and followed the professor to an old building just across the street. Inside was a simple room that had a table with two chairs and a single light over it in the middle.
Ozpin: "Have a seat. We have much to discuss."
Crimson obliged and sat in the chair closest to the window as Ozpin took the seat across from him.
Ozpin: "My apologies. I just realized I never learned your name. Would you mind telling me what it is?"
Crimson: "My name's Crimson Bloodedge."
Hearing this, Ozpin smiled at the young warrior before him before turning to see a blonde woman walk in holding a riding crop and what appeared to be a tablet with a wanted poster on it.
Glynda: "Would this happen to be you on this poster by any chance?"
Crimson looked down before nodding, clearly ashamed at his past.
Crimson: "Yeah... Yeah that's me. Or, rather it used to be me. I decided not to be involved with that group any longer after... well..."
Crimson moved his long hair and felt the back of his neck, which was covered in heavy scarring.
Crimson: "...Some incidents."
Glynda: "Be that as it may, you are still a criminal. Did you really think running from your problems would simply make what you've done disappear? How foolish can you-"
Ozpin put up a hand to stop Glynda from pushing the matter further
Ozpin: "Glynda, please. This isn't an interrogation. Let's not treat it like one."
Glynda simply rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the tablet she held as Ozpin continued
Ozpin: "So Mr. Bloodedge, would you mind explaining to me where you learned to fight like this?"
Ozpin motioned to the small screen his lady friend was holding that now showed footage of Crimson fighting the Beowolves from earlier.
Ozpin: "The only person I recall using a fighting style like that was an old student of mine."
Crimson: "Oh, that... I was taught by my mom. She was working on training me to fight like that, but never actually got to see me put it to use."
Crimson looked away after saying this and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Crimson: "And to add to things, I have no idea where she went the day things fell apart."
Ozpin didn't avert his gaze from Crimson, knowing full well that it was clearly a painful memory for the young man simply by the look on his face.
Ozpin: "My Apologies. It must be a dreadful thing to recall."
Crimson shook his head with a smile.
Crimson: "Nah, it's alright. I just wish she was around is all. I feel like she'd be proud of what I can do. At least I hope she would be."
Ozpin: "Well, I will say this: You're skilled."
Crimson smiled at this acknowledgement
Ozpin: "However you're also reckless, taking too many risky measures to defeat an opponent… In need of direction and purpose. Assuming your mother would be proud of this is foolish."
Crimson winced at the harshness of Ozpin's words and lowered his gaze slightly
Ozpin: "That being said, I have an offer for you- Come to my school and learn to be a hunter like your mother was, or go on your way and face certain death at the hands of those chasing youas well as the Grimm. The choice is yours."
Crimson looked up a bit stunned at what he heard. He just got invited to Beacon Academy! The same place his parents went to and wanted him to as well someday!
Crimson: "You really want me to attend your school?... You're one hundred percent sure?"
Ozpin: "Yes. I believe you have the potential to become a splendid huntsman. However, you must take the first step in order to make this a reality. Furthermore, it would provide you a safe haven from those who would hunt youand allow you the chance to grow as a person. So... What is your answer?"
Crimson looked down at his scarred up arms and tightened his fists before looking back up and answering with a confident smile.
Crimson: "My answer is yes. I'd be honored."
Ozpin gave Crimson a smile, then stood up and handed him a piece of paper.
Ozpin: "Excellent. Be at this location at 8:00 am sharp tomorrow to catch a bullhead to Beacon. I expect great things from you Mr. Bloodedge."
Crimson: "I won't let you down sir! See you then!"
Crimson beamed as the headmaster and his assistant left, thinking about how great his life was about to be.
Meanwhile…
Glynda: "Ozpin, are you absolutely sure about him attending Beacon? He's a wanted criminal, a member of The 40 Thieves. You're aware of what sort of people they are aren't you?"
Ozpin: "Glynda, you worry too much. Based on what he said a moment ago, he's already left that life behind him. so why not give him a proper chance to change?"
Glynda: "I see your point, but still. What if they try to enter the school to find him? We'd all be in danger."
Ozpin simply smiled at this before turning to the woman next to him.
Ozpin: "Then Crimson will have to make a choice: Fight them, or flee as he was doing before. I trust he'll make the right choice when the time comes. After all, he's Flare's son, and we both know what she was like."
Glynda: "Oh yes. That Fox Faunus who became Team FSHA's (Fuchsia) leader years ago… She was quite the hothead and every bit as reckless as her son is now."
Ozpin: "Yes, but she also had a kind heart and a strong resolve, traits that were clearly passed on to him… Crimson. Soon we shall see what sort of path awaits you. Will it be the path of a hero? or one that brings ruin?
Ozpin looked into the distance at Beacon, deep in thought as Glynda joined him
Ozpin: "All we can do is hope for the best... And expect the worst."
-End of chapter 1-
