Chapter 1: Unexpected Journey

A blonde teenager looked at the sides of his motorcycle. Speeding by his senses were scenes of the riveting landscape of Remnant. Laying back into the cushions of his chair he made an observation of the state of things.

Remnant was a decaying world. A world past its prime. But even as its very core faded, the blonde got to see the glimpses of beauty. Much like a sunset, the dying light highlighted the last bits of glory. Rolling his neck, a tattoo was visible. It was in black ink and depicted a pair of fangs with a duo of snakes escaping, tusks at the sides of the fangs with wings overlapping everything.

The air was tainted with the familiar scent of burning and decomposing flesh. It was to be expected, the Kingdom of Vale was in ruins. Even now a number of the creatures of Grimm were feasting on the bounties of their victory. The blonde boy on the motorcycle didn't spare a single glance at the repetitive scenes. It was just a mass of flesh and bones now.

He cut off the gas of the vehicle as he came to a building of interest. It was a dust shop. Entering, he took note of the supplies. A number of the stock had been taken in haste, but plenty were left behind. Looking to his left he saw a mesh mash of furniture and blockades scattered at the door. All the walls were filled with claw marks and blood.

Walking forward he took any and all dust ammo he could find and carry in comfort. Pulling a single gun from his worn hoodie, he loaded that as a priority. Testing out the chambers and firing a few practice shots, he returned it in satisfaction. Next was his generously sized dust box, to ensure any dust he collected didn't explode on him. So far the day had been very auspicious, he hoped it persisted as he refilled on his supplies.

Rolling his neck, he fondly rubbed the top of his motorbike, "Let's go Lenore." There was no response, for it was only a motorcycle. From the saddlebags hung on the sides of the vehicle, he retrieved a camera and took pictures of the shop. One day, it would become a fond memory of his.

Then he was on the road again. Only the sounds of hungry flickering flames played as a backdrop to his roaring engines. It was an exercise of dexterity to avoid the corpses riddling the roads. Each in their own special form of agony and despair. Many had been gnawed on and then left rotting. Another structure latched to his attention. From the ornate and proud sign in the front, this was Signal Academy, a combat school to train youth into anti Grimm forces.

As an academy, it could have nonperishable foodstuff. Getting off his bike once again, he decided to take Lenore with him as he passed through the halls. It was unlikely that there would be anyone who would scold him. Every door that he could see in the hallway had been ripped from the hinges. An intoxicating scent of death lingered fiercely in the air. Nothing new or surprising.

In one classroom of no real importance, the lights were still on. Within, there were plants thriving and they had begun to overrun all the desks and chairs. Taking a quick snap, he left. It would've been rude to disturb such a picturesque scene.

Slow and steady were his steps that brought him to an overly used firing range. A battle cry rang softly in his ears. Following it to its source, he saw a petite girl with a red and black dress wielding a scythe. Despite her fragile form, the Grimm were overcome. Just before an encroaching wolf Grimm could strike, she dispersed into a flurry of rose petals and reappeared behind the now fallen Grimm. It wasn't often that he took sight of a huntsmen in training. A lone evaporating Grimm fell before him. Raising his hand, the dark particles were absorbed into his hands and he continued his viewing.

Defeating all visible foes, she huffed, "Another day." Right on the spot she fainted. A pool of blood oozing from her body.

Following a moment of contemplation, he lifted her body and took her to a nearby recently used hold out. Inside there was plenty of food and water, how useful. Opening his jacket, he pulled one of the numerous knives in his possession. He skillfully removed the ruined portion of her outfit, bringing her wound to light. Three dark red gashes marred her skin. Disinfecting them was his first goal and alcohol his tool. The red dressed girl only cringed a bit from the sting. Once he finished patching her up, he returned to his bike that he brought to the room and leaned on it for support.

After approximately five minutes passed, she began to the stir and stretch. A flinch for her overextension brought her attention to state of her outfit. She peered at him owlishly. He nodded in return. "Thank you. I didn't think I would meet anyone again. I'm Ruby Rose, what's your name?"

"Jaune." Fiddling with the contents of his saddlebags, he removed the kickstand from Lenore, making for the door.

"Wait", her dainty hands clung to the edge of his jacket. Her grey eyes met his blue. "Please, don't go, I... I just want to talk." A hint of nervousness seeped through her words, but they were sincere.

He ceased him motions for the exit and removed his hoodie to reveal a dark blue shirt covered in white armor parts. A far too vast amount of guns were placed on the floor as he began to run maintenance while sitting on the stone floors.

Light jumped into her eyes and she appeared almost make a comment on something, but she restrains herself. "Are you part of a relief team or maybe a huntsman team?"

"No. I was merely looking around and happened upon you. My plan is to restock on food and any other supplies."

She nodded but he does not see, "Makes sense. How are the forces outside?"

"The city is out of commission. Grimm have overrun everything."

A look of horror and resignation formed upon her countenance. "How long did I hole myself in here?" It came out as a whisper that he did not fail to hear. "I have to go to Beacon. Will you go with me?"

"Why?" Jaune never looked up at her, until now. Piercing, almost frozen eyes zoomed onto her. What ran through his mind, he did not share.

"Every time I try to go anywhere, I attract boat loads of the Grimm. But you seem to be able to travel just fine. Please, please, please, please, please, I promise I won't be any trouble at all."

Blinking slowly, he returned the firearms to their resting place and nodded. Opposed to her fervent want to leave immediately, Jaune was relaxed as he began to raid her previous hold. No matter the number of supplies he placed into the saddlebags, the bags never seemed to fill. Once content, he escorted her towards Beacon Academy.

...`

The newly made travel partners passed the wreckages of the once great kingdom. There were few points in which Ruby was not at a loss for words. Jaune felt the hands wrapped around him tremble throughout the trip, growing worse as time went on. When they came to Beacon, her dismay kept soaring.

In the front of the academy was a fallen and broken statue of some huntsman. Beacon had seen far better days. Erosion was thorough with its work.

"It's abandoned. This can't be, this is supposed be Beacon Academy, the training ground of the huntsmen of tomorrow."

His reply was a nonchalant shrug. Seen one invasion from Grimms, you've seen them all. Pushing the once intricate door of the academy, it fell to the ground and broke into pieces.

"This is horrible. Everything is decaying a lot worse than Signal."

"They put forth a far greater fight, so they were crushed with a heavier hand." Jaune brushed some grime from a window to smile fondly at the sight of a rustic forest. Pictures were taken. When Ruby moved in search of something, he followed.

Down a cryptic hall, a man with a green suit and a cane walked with a calm stride. "Ah students, it's fine to enjoy your youth, but do remember to get to class on time. Glynda is not a fan of tardiness. "

"You're the Ozpin! Are you okay?"

"Never better young lady, but I can't stay long. I have work to do." A light chuckle escaped his lips as he responded to Ruby's inquiries. He gave her a pat on the shoulder and continued his calm pace to places unknown.

A look of franticness formed on Ruby face as she kept pace with him. "Please sir. Do you know a blonde girl named Yang, she's my sister."

No response was given for the rest of the trip. Soon, they were in what was once his prestigious office. Little was left of the door, or the surrounding walls. "Do come in, your friend may enter as well."

Jaune dipped his head and followed the two. Inside, Ozpin sat on a worn out chair and folded his hands tightly. The tint of his glasses betrayed nothing. "Ms. Xiao Long was given a most important task."

"Which is, no more importantly where?" Ruby could barely stay in place. Jaune pulled lightly on her cape as she made to invade the man in a green suit's personal space.

"Now off to class with you two. I have much work to finish."

"You haven't told me anything! There must be more to give me!"

He removed his glasses and there was an emptiness in them. "Deny the darkness, bury the ugly. Cheer for a new day. Dawn is when the day is at its greatest."

She closed her eyes and her head was lowered. Rubbing the tears away, she collected herself and went out the door.

Jaune looked at the man with the cane. There was pity in his posture. "I will not deny the darkness or bury the ugly. I will live for another day, but I shall not cheer. For all time is precious." The remnants of the door was closed politely.

Just beside his glasses, he fondly placed his cane. Next he removed the bloodstained bindings on his head and threw them into a pile that was collecting on the ground. "Students you all have made me so proud. This is the day or your graduation. I've made so many mistakes, but seeing all your faces let's me see that this old fool still has some hope left." Pouring the mixture of hot water and coffee bits on the ground, he wiped the residue off his jacket and proudly and easily walked right out the grand window behind his desk.

...

The trip back to Signal was peaceful. "I suppose this is where we split ways."

"What is your plan, Ruby."

"I'm going to find my sister. It'll be tough, but I know I can do it. I'm a huntswoman in training. This is the stuff we prep for. I just know my sister is alive, she's a survivor. Thank you for helping me so far." She smiled so fully and brightly that it hurt to look at.

But looked he did. He looked deep into her eyes as though he saw something not truly visible to the eyes. "So I wasn't mistaken." A smile etched on the boy's face in some memory. "Do you want to go with me?"

"Do you believe she's alive?"

"Does it matter what I think?"

"No it doesn't. Thank you again. I'll take you up on your offer."

"It would be advisable to change your clothes." He pointed to her bare navel with bandages. She dashed into the building and stayed for several minutes. On her return, she wore a gray shirt and a fresh black dress. Around her neck was a scarf that stretched into a cape.

"Better?"

"Yes."

She jumped to the back of his seat and firmly held onto his waist, resting her head on his back. If he noticed her whimpering and trembling, he made no note of it. On a trail of smoke and shattered hope, they drove away from the kingdom of Vale.

Author's Note:

Welcome to my new story. I was trying to write a dark ambivalence story. How well did I succeed or fail? As always please review.

Oh and can anyone tell where I drew a lot of inspiration for this story from?

Thank you for reading.