"Normal Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Voice Change"

"Flashback"

3rd Person POV

Time: Midnight

Location: City of Vale, Commercial District

In the streets of Vale, Callum walked amongst the streets in search of a place to grab a meal. Thankfully the Commercial District is filled with many options to choose from. He had already sent out a few owls to scope out the area in the case that he would need something later on. After a couple of seconds he heard one of them call to him which made him look up as one of his owls began flying in a circle. Seeing this he decided to follow it as it began to fly towards whatever it found.

Turning a couple of corners Callum had finally reached some establishment "A Simple Wok" it's called and it seemed to be a noodle shop of some kind.

Walking up to the stand he sees the bar banner depicting two straw-hatted characters on it before sitting down on one of the stools. An old, balding, gray-haired man with wrinkles under his eyes and over his brow then comes from the kitchen of the noodle shop before speaking to the young man immediately.

Old Man: "Hello young man, I don't think I've seen you around here before, new around these parts?"

Callum rubbed the back of his neck a bit before answering.

Callum: "Uh- Yes this is my first time in Vale actually, I decided to finally visit since I was in the area."

Old Man: "A traveler I see, must have quite an appetite after coming here from wherever you came from I suppose. Well then what can I get for you tonight?"

Callum: "Give me your largest bowl. I'll need something big to satisfy my hunger."

A small chuckle came out from the old man's mouth as he cracked his fingers.

Old Man: "You got it young man. Big bowl coming up!"

He went back to the kitchen and quickly prepared his meal. While he was doing this Callum checked his satchel and looked at his supplies and saw that he needed to restock in ammunition and dust crystals.

Callum: 'Guess I should go check out a dust shop before I check in for the night. Hopefully there's one open at this time.'

After finishing that thought a large bowl of noodles with different meats and veggies slid over to him which made him drool a little.

Old Man: "Enjoy your meal."

He grabbed the bowl with one hand and with the other, grabbed the chopsticks that lay next to the bowl to start eating the noodles. When he took his first noodle his eyes widened at the taste and began eating the rest of the meal as fast as he could. After a few minutes of eating he placed the bowl down onto the counter with a satisfied expression. He brought out his satchel and dug into it, getting the right amount of lien and paid the old man whatever he owed, including a generous tip, and stood up from the stool. However, before he left he needed to ask something.

Callum: "Do you know if there's any Dust shops open at this time?"

Old Man: "Ah yes, there should be a shop called "From Dust Till Dawn'' a few blocks away from here. It usually is open around this time if I'm not mistaken. Here I'll show you on my scroll."

He took out his scroll, a small device that can be used for many functions such as communications and other purposes, and pulled up a hologram map of the city and showed him where the shop was. After that explanation, Callum once again thanked the old man and left for the Dust shop.

(Timeskip brought to you by a chibi Callum trying to remember the directions to the Dust Shop)

3rd Person POV

Time: Midnight

Location: City of Vale, From Dust Till Dawn

Before the Callum reaches the establishment we now see the shop itself as things seem to going normally, but that was until a group of criminals had entered a shop being lead by a man named Roman Torchwick, a man who had slanted, dark-green eyes and bright, long, orange hair, with long bangs covering his right eye. Black eyeliner traced his visible left eye.

Roman and his henchmen enter the shop, the henchmen look around and at the Dust crystals in the display when Roman approaches the elderly shopkeeper.

Roman: "Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a Dust shop open this late?"

One of the henchmen points his gun at the shopkeeper, making the elderly man raise his hands.

Shopkeeper: "P-please! Just take my Lien and leave!"

Roman: "Shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, calm down, we're not here for your money."

He then tells his men.

Roman: "Grab the Dust."

A henchman opens a case and removes one of several cylinders, which the group uses to take Dust from the tube containers on the walls. Another henchman places another open case on the display to the shopkeeper.

Henchman 1: "Crystals. Burn. Uncut."

The shopkeeper proceeds to fill the case. As another henchman goes for another tube, he hears the muted "This Will Be the Day" song from the girl's direction, and unsheathes his sword. He started making his way towards the girl as she was really into the Weapons Magazine in her hands.

Ruby: "The first stage of a weapon's transformation should combine both offensive and defensive strategies. Yeah, totally!"

Henchmen 2: "Huh?"

He then points his sword at her back but the girl seems oblivious to this.

Henchmen 2: "Hey kid, hands in the air."

He goes over to her and turns her around, the hood dropping to reveal a surprised Ruby Rose wearing headphones.

Ruby: "Huh, Yes?"

He motions for her to lower her headphones. Once she does she still is confused about what's going on in the shop.

Henchman 2: "I said, hands in the air, now!"

Ruby: "Are you... robbing me?"

Henchman 2: "Yes!"

Ruby: "Ooohhh..."

Roman is waiting for his men to finish the heist when a "Hey!" and "Hyah!" are heard, and the threatening henchman flies past him and into a table. Roman calmly motions for another to handle Ruby. The henchman raises his gun at her.

Henchman 1: "You little punk!"

Cut to outside the shop, when the henchman and Ruby, leaving trails of rose petals in her wake, crash through the window.

Roman: "Wow a semblance, is she a Beacon Academy student?"

The other men look outside as Ruby gets up and unfolds Crescent Rose into its scythe form. Roman scowls, but Ruby smiles back at them before twirling the weapon around, striking it into the ground and turning off her headphones. Many henchmen appeared out from the alleyways, where they were waiting just in case something went wrong, and surrounded Ruby.

Roman: "Okayyy... Get her!"

The other men look outside as Ruby gets up and unfolds Crescent Rose into its scythe form. Roman scowls, but Ruby smiles back at them before twirling the weapon around, striking it into the ground and turning off her headphones. Many henchmen appeared out from the alleyways, where they were waiting just in case something went wrong, and surrounded Ruby.

Roman: "Okayyy... Get her!"

But right before Ruby was about to engage the sound of heavy footsteps caught their attention as they were getting closer to where they were. They all saw someone in a tattered brown cloak with purple hair walking in on what was happening. The person looked at the name of the shop and then back at them. He let out a small sigh as he shook his head.

Callum: "Just my luck, had to be a robbery right when I needed something."

Without warning the guy dashed forward and kicked one of the Henchmen into a light pole knocking them out instantly. This surprised the others as the ones that surrounded Ruby from behind aimed their guns at the newcomer.

Roman: "Take them down!"

The henchmen run at Ruby, who spins around on top of her scythe and kicks the first approaching criminal in the face. She gets Crescent Rose out of the ground and fires it off to hit another one with the butt of her weapon, sending him flying.

The ones fighting Callum weren't faring any better as he pulled out one of his swords, still in its sheath form, and hit one of them to the side before evading some dust rounds. Moving closer to a small group the thugs stopped to reload which gave Callum enough time to rush forward and whacked one of them into another. A thug moved behind him and was about to fire his weapon but Callum quickly tossed his sword behind him as it hit the thugs head as it forced the henchmen to aim his gun at one of his teammates and firing at him, thankfully their aura protected them from the dust rounds. Shocked from accidentally shooting their own teammate, Callum whacked the weapon away from the man's grip and smacked him with it on their neck before dropping the weapon onto the floor.

Back with Ruby she fires again and brings the side down on one attacker and dodges the next's gunfire with her rifle's speed, getting close enough to knock him into the air and follow him upwards so she can beat him away to Roman's feet. As one of the henchmen aimed their gun at Ruby from behind, and was about to pull the trigger, another henchmen was launched into the one aiming at Ruby, knocking them out cold. Callum spun his weapon in his hand before standing next to Ruby.

Roman: "I guess you do really get what you paid for. You were worth every cent. Truly, you were."

He dropped his cigar and crushing it with his cane as approaching police sirens are heard

Roman: "Well, Purple and Red, you both ruined a perfectly good heist. I think we can all say it's been an eventful evening, and as much as I'd love to stick around and play..."

He raises his cane and opens the bottom to reveal a rifle with a cross grid, making Ruby go on guard.

Roman : "...I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

Roman unleashes a red blast at the both of them, but Callum raises his right arm to Ruby's face, where the blast was heading, as it explodes, leaving behind a purple smoke cloud which blocked their view for a bit before disappearing.

Ruby: "Thanks."

Callum simply gave her a small nod before Ruby looked up, seeing Roman isn't there, as he is using a grappling hook from his cane to climb up a building. She then looked at the onlooking shopkeeper, which Callum was confused about since he swore at the noodle stand where he ate that this old man looked similar to the one from there, and Ruby asked him something.

Ruby: "You okay if we go after him?"

Callum: "We?"

The shopkeeper gives a short "Uh huh", and Ruby sets off while dragging Callum by his collar.

Callum: "Huh-Oi! let go!"

Roman makes it to the roof, with Ruby high-flying again and landing right behind him while Callum, deciding not to fight against the girl, landed right next to her as he had jumped on the surrounding buildings walls to get onto the roof.

Ruby: "You won't get away! You thief!"

Ruby readies to fight him, but a smirk appears on his face as he turns to the two. A getaway Bullhead rises up and opens the hatch to allow Roman inside. He reached inside his coat jacket and pulled out a red canister.

Roman: "You two are quite persistence brats... But this is the end of the line, you two."

He throws it out at their feet and fires at the canister, resulting in a large explosion.

With Yang

We then cut to a dog named Zewi sniffing the ground, trying to find Ruby. He barked a couple of times before rushing forward as two people ran from behind. A man named Taiyang Xiao Long and a girl named Yang Xiao Long, both related to Ruby, follow the dog toward where the henchmen lay unconscious.

Tai: "She's close!"

Yang: "Ruby, where have you wandered off to?"

Right when they reached the area both of them were confused about what had happened.

Tai: "I don't understand, what's going on?"

Yang: "What in the world did you do this time?"

Suddenly they see the explosion occur right on the rooftop from where Dáinn and Ruby are facing against Torchwick.

With Callum

Now back to the pair, Ruby was in awe as she saw a purple casting circle had protected both of them from the blast. A woman in a purple cape is now walking past the two, with her wand. Callum eyed the woman as he examined her features.

Callum: 'Wonder who's this.'

As Ruby looks on, Glynda Goodwitch waves her weapon and summons several streaks of purple at the craft. Roman is thrown around in the back until he goes to the cockpit, where a man in a tuxedo was struggling.

Roman: "We got a Huntress! Let's beat it!"

The man struggles with the controls as he looked at his boss.

Pilot: "I'm trying! But with that Huntress out there It's difficult!"

Roman: "I'll shake them off! Just keep going!"

Glynda glows purple for a moment and aims another blast above the craft, resulting in a dark storm-cloud right over the jet.

Roman: "The hell...?"

With a flick of her wand, large jagged hail starts falling that pummels the jet and even breaks through the window, narrowly missing Roman's head.

Ruby, finally acting, reverts her scythe into its rifle form to fire at him. Callum who was just standing there decided to finally do something and pulled back his cloak a bit before taking out one of his swords as it shifted into its gun form and started shooting at the aircraft. Roman loaded another powerful fire dust round and shot it at their feet. Callum quickly backed away while Glynda telekinetically pushes Ruby and rolls herself away out of the explosion's radius. They looked up to see the hatch close and the craft fly away.

Callum: 'Lucky bastard.'

With the fighting finally over Callum put his weapon back onto his waists and put his arms at his side as he turned to Ruby, who was very excited about the woman.

Ruby: "You're a Huntress!"

She then puts on a pleading, awe-stricken face at her.

Ruby: "Can I have your autograph?!"

She still had an amused face but quickly went away as Callum was walking to the edge of the roof.

Ruby: "H-Hey, where are you going?"

Callum: "Anywhere but here, I already helped out so I'm going to find a place to crash. See ya Re-

Right about as he was about to jump off the roof a wall made of the purple summoning circles appeared in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. He let out a sight as he looked at the woman.

Callum: "Yep, just my luck..."

(Timeskip brought to you by Callum trying to leave from Glynda, but she keeps blocking his path with her summon circles)

Location: City of Vale, Police Station

The scene then switches as it shows Ruby, now with a face of shame as Glynda, with a tablet computer, paces around the table Callum and Ruby are seated at, right underneath a bright light in the otherwise dark room in the police station.

Glynda: "I hope that you both realize that your actions tonight will not be taken lightly. You both put yourselves and others in great danger! Plus were you both sure that your auras could've saved you from their attacks?!"

Ruby: "They started it!"

Callum: "Plus we came out pretty much unharmed, so what's the harm?"

Glynda: "If it were up to me, you both would be sent home... With a pat on the back..."

She notices Ruby's smile.

Glynda: "...And a slap on the wrist."

Which she demonstrates with her riding crop, which Ruby barely avoids as she gives out a "Eeek!" While Callum let out a chuckle at Ruby's reaction.

Glynda: "But... there is someone here who would like to see the both of you."

This made Callum raise an eyebrow as Glynda moved out of the way so a surprised Ruby could see a man in green come through the doorway, holding a mug and a plate of cookies. Immediately Callum knew who this old man was.

Callum: 'Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon Academy.'

Ozpin: "Ruby Rose... You... have silver eyes, just like your mother."

Hearing that this made Callum narrow his eyes a bit as he wondered what that could've meant.

Callum: 'So that's her name, odd way to start a conversation though.'

Ruby: "Wait, how did you..."

He then looked at the purple haired boy with a bit of interest.

Ozpin: "And who are you, my mysterious friend? If you don't mind, can you introduce yourself?"

This made him sigh a bit before explaining.

Callum: "I'm not your friend, just a guy passing by. Well I was until I got mixed up with that robbery."

Ozpin: "Pleasure to meet you then. Well then explain to me this, where did you both learn to do this?"

He gestured with his head at the tablet showing Callum and Ruby's fighting against the henchmen.

Ruby: "S-Signal Academy."

Ozpin: "They taught you to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed?"

Ruby: "Well, one teacher in particular."

Ozpin: "I see..."

He puts the cookies on the table in front of Ruby. She tentatively picks one up, eats it in a single bite, and then, not seeing any rebuttal, shovels the rest into her mouth. Callum only stared at her and was a bit amazed by how fast she was eating. Ruby looked at him and slowly held out a cookie to him, which he looked at for a bit before grabbing it and taking a bite from it before finishing it as this made Ruby smile at him.

Ozpin: "And you young man? Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Finishing the cookie and cocked his eyebrows.

Callum: "I'm a wanderer, I learn how to fight on my travels. No fancy academies needed."

Glynda: "Quite young to be traveling alone, aren't you?"

Ozpin: "Indeed, plus you didn't even need to involve yourself, so why did you?"

Callum: "just felt like it."

He replied with a simple shrug.

Ozpin: "Hmmm... We'll then, Miss Rose, It's just that I've only seen one other scythe-wielder of that skill before. A dusty, old crow..."

This caught Callum's attention as his head perked up a bit before relaxing himself. Ruby was trying to mumble through her full mouth.

Ruby: "Om! Tast Mi Unle Qraw!"

She then swallows and wipes her mouth, embarrassed.

Ruby: "Sorry. That's my Uncle Qrow! He's a teacher at Signal. I was complete garbage before he took me under his wing. And now, I'm all like— Hooowaaah! Witchaaaa!"

She proceeds to make some karate-style poses and noises.

Ozpin: "So I've noticed."

He placed his cup on the table as he leaned in, then sat down opposite of Callum and Ruby.

Ozpin: "And what is an adorable girl such as yourself doing at a school designed to train warriors?"

Ruby: "Well... I want to be a Huntress."

Callum only turned his head a bit in her direction as he listened.

Ozpin: "You want to slay monsters?"

Ruby: "Yeah! I only have two more years of training left at Signal! And then I'm going to apply to Beacon! You see, my sister's starting there this year, and she's trying to become a Huntress, and I'm trying to become a Huntress 'cause I wanna help people. My parents always taught us to help others, so I thought, Hey, I might as well make a career out of it! I mean the police are alright, but Huntsmen and Huntresses are just so much more romantic and exciting and cool and really, gosh, you know!"

She flips out at the last part, staring at the three with a wide, crazy smile. Glynda and Ozpin study her.

Callum: 'She's quite passionate about being a Huntress.'

Ozpin: "Do you both know who I am?"

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

Ozpin: "Nice to meet you."

Ruby: "Nice to meet you too."

Ozpin: "Miss Rose, do you wish to attend my school two years early?"

Ruby: "More than anything."

Ozpin exchanging glances with Glynda, who shows her disapproval with a "Hmmph" before he turns back to Ruby.

Ozpin: "Well, okay."

Ruby smiles, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. The man then looked towards Callum as he asked him.

Ozpin: "And what do you say young man, do you wish to attend my school?"

Glynda: "WHAT!?!?"

Came from the woman's voice, as she was confused. Ozpin, however, didn't shift his gaze.

Glynda: "Professor, as much as I somewhat understand why you wish Miss Rose to attend Beacon, but why would you want this boy to attend as well? He stated that he hasn't gone through any of the proper training schools to even qualify as a participant!"

Callum: "She's not wrong."

Ozpin: "Yes, but his skills as we have seen are quite impressive and I only wish to see what his potential could be as a Huntsman. So, what do you say?"

Ruby smiled a bit more as she wanted to see what else this mysterious boy could do, plus she also wanted to check out his weapons.

The three waited for his response as he slowly stood from his chair and looked at the three.

Callum: "...No."

Ozpin: "Excellent, welcome to Beac- Wait what?"

This surprised the three of them as they weren't expecting this.

Ozpin: "That was... surprising. Normally people would jump right in when they hear about joining Beacon Academy."

The boy simply shrugs as he looked towards them.

Callum: "Well guess not everyone is interested. Anyway, may I leave now? I want to get some sleep already, it's been a long night and I don't want to sleep on a tree again."

This gave the old man an idea.

Ozpin: "I see, we'll I guess I shouldn't keep you any longer than I should. Miss Rose you're free to leave. But you young man, I wish to speak to you a bit more before I let you go. If that's fine with you."

A sigh escapes the young man's mouth as he didn't want to argue right now.

Callum: "Just for a little bit I guess."

Ozpin: "Good, anyways it was a pleasure to meet you Miss Rose. I'll see you at Beacon Academy for your initiation."

Ruby then stood up from her chair with an excited expression as she walked to the door and was about to leave, but then looked at Callum for a bit and gave him a small smile before exiting the room.

After she left Ozpin then put his hands together as he narrowed his eyes at the young man who sat back down and stared right back at him while Glynda placed down her tablet on the table right between the two as it had something on it about Callum.

Ozpin: "So, young man. Let me ask you something..."

(Timeskip brought to you by Callum having a defeated expression on his face as he was signing some papers)

Ruby was talking with her sister in the waiting lobby after telling her the exciting news, they suddenly see the interrogation room door open as Ozpin and Glynda walked out of there with Callum, who had his hood back on, as he followed behind them. He walked past Ruby who was confused about what happened and watched as he walked out of the Police Station with the two.

Yang: "Who was that sis?"

Ruby: "That was the guy I was talking about earlier, he helped me take out those thugs back at the Dust shop."

Yang: "Oh? What's his name?"

Ruby: "It's uh... AHHHH! I didn't even get his name to thank him properly!"

Her sister just sighs with her arms crossed.

Yang: "Well doesn't matter anyways, you're probably not gonna see him again either way if he's not coming to Beacon."

Ruby: "I guess..."

Outside of the Police Station Callum waited outside with Ozpin while they waited for Glynda, who went to get the car the Headmaster came in, then he started to talk to a man with blond hair and blue eyes.

Ozpin: "She's gifted Tai Long. She reminds me of you and the rest of Team STRQ."

Tai: "She's still just a child though."

Ozpin: "All birds eventually leave the nest."

Tai: "Yeah yeah I know. I just never thought they'd leave together."

He then finally notices the boy standing next to Ozpin and was wondering something.

Tai: "So, who's the kid?"

The Headmaster smiles softly as he motioned his hand over to the boy.

Ozpin: "This is the young man who aided your daughter tonight against those thugs at the Dust shop. I have taken quite an interest in him so he'll be attending Beacon along with your daughters."

Hearing that only made Callum groan a bit in frustration.

Tai: "Is that so? Well then kid I wanna thank you for helping my daughter tonight. I heard you helped out quite a lot."

Callum: "That's an over exaggeration, I only took care of a few thugs. She did most of the work."

Tai: "Even so, thank you again."

Callum didn't say anything but simply nodded as a car pulled up to them with Glynda rolling down the window.

Glynda: "Let's go you two."

Ozpin: "Come on now Mr. Fergal. Let's not waste anymore time."

Callum complied with him and sat in the car as they drove away from the Police Station.

Tai: 'Good luck, kid, you're gonna need it if Ozpin has his sights on you.'

As the car drove through the city a purple owl could be seen perched on a building as it then flew away.

In the car Callum was looking out the window as Glynda was driving somewhere. After a few seconds of silence, Ozpin spoke up.

Ozpin: "In a few days all participants for Beacon Academy will meet up at the launch pads early in the morning. I do hope you'll make it, or else you know what happens."

A few grumbles can be heard from a pissed off Callum before he spoke up.

Callum: "As promised."

Ozpin: "Good, now I've arranged you a Hotel room for the rest of the days until the day of the initiation. I have also gifted you a Scroll for communications as I'll be checking in on you time to time. So until then don't try and get into too much trouble, Mr. Fergal. I'm sure you can keep a low profile, right."

Callum: "I can, but don't blame me if I'm dragged into anything like tonight."

A soft chuckle exits the Headmaster's mouth as he fixes his glasses.

Ozpin: "I suppose that's reasonable."

The car then stops as Glynda looks at the young man.

Glynda: "We're here, don't try and run off, got it?"

Callum: "As if I have a choice."

He gets out of the car and waits as the two Huntsmen drove off back to wherever they need to go. A sigh comes out from the boys mouth as he looked at the hotel he has dropped off at.

(Timeskip brought to you by Callum jumping onto the comforts of a Hotel bed and instantly knocking out)

3rd Person POV

Time: Early Morning

Location: City of Vale, Airship Launch Pads

It was the next morning as the initiates for Beacon were loading up onto the Airship to take them to Beacon Academy. Callum, who had his hood off, was already inside the Airship as he was standing next to the window. He now looked well rested since the bags under his eyes were reduced by a large amount. His clothes however were still tattered but Ozpin had said to him that after initiation they would repair his torn outfit and make it good as new. He didn't have any luggage on him since he didn't bring any during his travels, except whatever was in his satchel, so he didn't need to worry about anything. He took out his new Scroll, that was gifted to him by Ozpin, and looked through it.

As soon as the Airship was full of passengers it started to take off into the direction of Beacon Academy. The people inside all had excited expressions on their faces as their journey to become Huntsmen/Huntresses, although Callum was practically forced to enter.

Callum: 'Beacon Academy... let's get this over with.'

With that Callum's journey has taken a slight change of course for the better or worse. What kind of events will unfold for the boy? How will he interact with the others here? And will this somehow bring him closer to his goal?

We shall see...

End of Chapter