Chapter 265 - My OC Stash #65 - The Beast of Beacon by Coeur AlAran (RWBY) (1/2)

-Here's Coeur's new work~ A story of redemption for Adam, an epic move considering RT just completely f_u_c_k_e_d his character over and finally a non Jaune-centric story from COEUR! LES GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO/

Sypnosis: Blake had fled, making it clear she couldn't trust him to change. She thought him inhuman, lost, a beast. He was going to prove her wrong. Getting into Beacon was hard enough, but fitting in would be harder still. All those... humans. Will a man fuelled by hate truly be able to let go and move on; or is suffering the only thing Adam Taurus can ever bring to those around him?

Rated: M

Words: 28K

Posted on: m.fanfiction.net/s/13504249/1/The-Beast-of-Beacon (Coeur Al'Aran)

PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)

-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (And maybe even convince them to start uploading chapters in here as well!)

Chapter 1

Ruby kept Crescent Rose up in front of her, watching the man she vaguely recognised but couldn't place the name of. Someone bad, she was sure. Her headphones hung around her neck, music still lightly playing from them. Around her, more of the men in suits fanned out, cutting off any escape and wielding their batons and clubs menacingly. At least, she figured it was meant to be menacing. Their footwork was all wrong. Uncle Qrow would have sighed.

”This really isn't my day,” the man said, holding a hand up to his bowler hat and sighing at the floor. ”Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a dust shop open this late? Isn't it past your bedtime, Red?”

”Isn't it past yours?” Ruby countered.

It wasn't her best work. Really, she wished she could take it back, especially when the man and all his people burst out laughing. Heat crept up her neck. Poo. Uncle Qrow had taught her how to be a butt-kicking huntress but never spent any time on how to smack talk.

”Oh, wow. That was great.” The pretty man with the makeup rubbed a finger against his eye. ”I needed that. Alright boys, ge-”

”I would like to buy this dust.”

The thief paused as the new voice cut through his speech. He looked over her shoulder and Ruby turned to, jumping on the spot as she realised someone had snuck in behind without her noticing. His back was to her, tall and dark with a black coat and black pants. The only decoration was a white symbol etched onto his upper back and shoulders, and someone – someone with a lot of style – had drawn a red rose over the top of it in what looked like paint.

The man had dark red hair standing up in spikes and two blackish horns. At his side, and far more noteworthy to her, was a long and thin blade held in a sheathe. To her eyes, the sheathe looked a little too special to be just that; she could see a small loading catch for dust vials, telling her it had an attack functionality as well.

None of that was too surprising. Huntsmen and students were the main customers of dust stores for obvious reasons. What shocked her, and apparently the man attacking the shop too, was how this new person was leaning forward on the counter, utterly ignoring the carnage around him.

”Are you listening to me?” he asked the cowering shopkeeper. ”I said I'd like to buy this dust.” He tapped a vial of red dust down on the counter. ”Is that a problem? Or is it these that are the problem?” He touched his horns and growled threateningly. ”Tell me it's these. I dare yo-”

”Ahem.” The thief coughed. ”Excuse me? Red and Redder. I'm kind of talking here.”

”And I'm shopping,” the redhead fired back without turning. ”Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a dust shop open this late?”

The thief's mouth fell open.

Ruby tittered.

”Okay. You know what… Just get them.”

The suited men charged in from every angle. Ruby glanced back to her… friend? He wasn't even looking! Weighing the options between defending him and closing in first before she was surrounded, she yelled out a quick warning and charged.

Uncle Qrow always said if you were attacked from two sides at once, you had to attack one of the sides first. Cut off the flank before the vice could close. Ducking under the swing, she hooked the blade of Crescent Rose around the man's ankle and whipped his feet out from under him. He fell and aura flared, instantly letting her know she could be a little rougher.

The second swung for her but she parried it with the haft of her weapon and spun it around, disarming him before driving the b_u_t_t into his stomach and then up into his chin. Using the momentum from being pushed away, she twirled and swatted the first man, now getting up, across the side of his face before he could finish the motion. He flew through the window and outside, crashing into the street.

Oooh. Collateral damage. I hope the owner won't be angry.

That could wait, though. Heroism first. Ruby looked back to make sure the other guy was okay.

She needn't have. Two men were down and she watched in awe as the faunus held his weapon, still sheathed, across the throat and shoulder of a third, wrenching him back and tossing him over one shoulder. He hadn't even drawn his weapon and he'd dispatched all three, and without letting a single one break the dust vial on the counter or hurt the shopkeeper.

So cool.

”You were worth every lien,” Torchwick told the downed gangsters. ”Truly, you were. And what is my luck tonight? Bad enough I get one brat stepping in to play hero, but two? What is this, the neighbourhood watch?”

”You're a villain,” she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. ”Like I'd stand back and do nothing.”

”You attacked me first,” her new companion growled, already having turned back to the counter and ignoring his groaning victims. His tone was way more menacing than the armed men had ever been. Enough so that even she edged away. ”I don't care about you in the slightest. Get out my sight and let me buy my dust and we won't have any quarrel, human.”

Wait, he wasn't going to help her? But he was a huntsman!

”That so?” Roman looked and sounded a lot more confident, grinning widely. ”Well, it's nice to see an animal that knows their place.”

Steel hissed as the most beautiful blade Ruby had ever seen was suddenly levelled next to her head, aimed at her opponent, the faunus in black taking a position next to her with a visible snarl.

”And now we have a quarrel…”

A dust-infused weapon. Or a weapon coated in dust. No normal metal would have made the blade that red otherwise. Did it have elemental effects when swung? Could it convert dust into strength, speed or air pressure? How much dust did it cost to keep such a thing going and how could she convince him to turn Crescent Rose's blade red? Crescent Rose had to have a red blade. She couldn't believe she'd ever made such a glaring oversight.

Oh right, and the fight. Yes. Ruby blushed and tore her eyes away. Maybe she could ask him if she could hold it later. Nodding in agreement to what he'd said, she aimed her scythe at Roman Torchwick.

”Well Red and Redder, I think we can all say it's been an eventful evening.” He was backing away, keep his arms spread wide with his cane hanging from one hand. ”And as much as I've love to stick around, I'm afraid this is where we part ways…”

”Hmph.”

Ruby's hair fluttered as the faunus moved. No stranger to speed, she was still caught off guard by how sudden his attack was. There was no hesitation. He surged in and swept his sword up, slicing an explosive dust round fired from the cane in Roman's hand aside. It split in two down the middle, flew by and exploded on either side and behind him.

So cool…

Landing on one knee, he kicked off and covered the last of the distance. Metres in seconds. He lashed out, almost cutting Torchwick down in a single attack but for the thief's desperate parry. Torchwick swung but the huntsman was already in the air, twirling over his head. Mid-flight, he pirouetted so that his back was to Torchwick, his free hand holding his sheathe out and downward behind him.

Dust barked and pelted Torchwick, who was forced to cover his face with one hand. It was a dust rifle. I knew it! How does it fire when the weapon is sheathed? How many rounds does it have? The questions went unanswered as he landed behind Torchwick, pivoted and drove a foot into the small of his back. Torchwick buckled, swinging behind him with the cane, only to hit the flat of the man's sword.

With a twist and a flick, he sent the cane spinning in Ruby's direction. She caught it and blurred back, helping by ensuring Roman couldn't get his weapon. Not that she thought for a second he needed it. Kicking Roman's knees out to force him down, he pushed the man to the floor, brought his sword up and thrust down.

Ruby's eyes bulged. ”He's already beaten!”

The red tip stopped an inch from Torchwick's eye, which rolled up as the man fainted.

”Y-You don't need to stab him,” she blurted out. ”He's beaten…”

The faunus stopped, looking her way as Ruby's heart threatened to come tearing out her throat. Shaking slightly, she swallowed. It was okay. He'd stopped. He probably always intended to and just wanted to scare Torchwick. Y-Yeah, that made sense. God, she probably looked stupid for thinking he'd do it.

”Aheh,” she laughed nervously. ”S-Sorry. I thought you were actually going to… to…”

He didn't respond. Standing, he whipped his sword to the side, brought it up and sheathed it once more. Despite having fought alongside him, it was the first time she'd really looked at him from the front. Yang always did say she spent too much time focused on weapons.

He wore a black coat over what looked to be a red T-Shirt, the top buttons open and showing his c_h_e_s_t. His face was angular and smooth but he didn't look as old as she expected from his voice and skill. What immediately caught her eye – and his, funnily enough – was the black eyepatch that covered the left side of his face, including his eye, forehead and a bit of his cheek. Just poking out from the side and over his nose was a bit of red, like a scar.

Oh, and he was scowling at her. Like, really scowling. His single blue eye burned into her. Suddenly, she didn't feel all that confident in asking for an autograph.

It was almost a relief when the huntress showed up.

/-/

”I was under the impression you were going to be on your best behaviour. That was part of our agreement.”

Adam glanced up from his scroll as the headmaster of Beacon let himself into the holding cell. Into his holding cell. The door clicked shut behind him, not that it or the pathetic guards outside could keep him locked up if they wished it. Wilt's reassuring presence on his hip was proof of that. Flipping his scroll over and away, Adam sat up, sweeping his feet off the table.

”I fought a villain and protected a huntress-in-training.” Leaning forward, he mimicked Ozpin's speech. ”I was under the impression that might count as good behaviour.”

Ozpin watched him carefully and closed his eyes. His nostrils flared as he exhaled. Shaking his head, he strode over and drew the chair back, sitting and placing his cane down on the table. Torchwick and Ozpin. Two men who, to Adam's eye, fought in so similar a manner. An interesting coincidence but little more. Torchwick had been weak.

”You have my gratitude for stepping in, and no doubt the gratitude of Miss Rose and her family for protecting her. Roman Torchwick has been taken into custody and will not be a threat on our streets again. The shopkeeper also asked me to give you this.” He pushed a small vial of red dust onto the table. ”As thanks for your efforts.”

Smirking, Adam took it.

Ozpin's hand caught his wrist.

The sudden and visceral rush of fury tore through him. His teeth were bared before he could stop himself. ”I do not appreciate being touched by a human.”

”That is something you will have to get used to if you wish to continue this.” Ozpin held on for a second longer before releasing him, making his message clear. ”I have my doubts, Mr Taurus. My doubts as to whether you are as genuine as you profess. Whether you can change as you so easily claim you can.”

Adam's lips peeled back. ”You gave her a chance.”

”Miss Belladonna appeared far more contrite than you.”

Adam tensed at the name; an outpouring of confusing and unwelcome emotions washing over him. Anger. Love. Hate. D_e_s_i_r_e. Pain. Happiness. He gritted his teeth and looked away, reigning in a temper that threatened to lash out. The rage bubbled and simmered beneath the surface like a volcano waiting to erupt. With visible effort, he forced it down.

”This is part of the problem,” Ozpin continued. ”You're a barely restrained ball of anger waiting to go off. I have Glynda and the Council on my back telling me to arrest or kill you now. Warning me that I'm playing a dangerous game with children's lives allowing you anywhere near Beacon.”

”Then why don't you?” Adam scoffed. ”Or do you think I just need a hug to be redeemed?”

”No.” Ozpin's eyes bore into his. ”I think that the second I try, you'll be gone. That you will return to the White Fang and become so much worse than you are right now. It's not idealistic hope that has me accept you, Mr Taurus. It is cynicism. It is the knowledge that at least with you in Beacon, you will be close enough for me to keep an eye on. And make no mistake, I will be watching you. One step out of line. One thought that you might be a danger to my students and nothing shall stop me dealing with you myself.” Ozpin's eyes narrowed. ”Am I understood?”

”Tch.”

”I said, am I understood?”

”I heard you the first time.” Adam said. He'd let Ozpin think it was fear that had him capitulating, rather than his love for Blake. Her betrayal burned still, but he was willing to change. His hands tightened into fists. He shouldn't have to change, but he was willing to. For her. ”I wouldn't waste my time being here if I wasn't going to try. I'm taking as big a risk as you are.”

”I am aware of the sacrifices you have made, Mr Taurus.” The way he said it made it clear he didn't consider them equal. ”They allow me some small hope, but I have been let down before and I fear you may be no different.” Ozpin sat in silence for a few long moments before continuing. ”The semester will begin in one week. I'll ask you stay out of trouble until then, and after. Every teacher in the school knows who and what you are. They will be monitoring your actions and reporting to me.”

”Will she be monitored as well?”

”Of course.” Adam sensed the lie but didn't bother commenting. ”You and she are a similar case. On a related note, Beacon does not allow racism – in either direction – but I won't be so naïve as to say we can prevent all of it. Should you experience any instances, I would ask you to inform a teacher and not deal with the situation yourself.”

Not cut the students down to size. He rolled his eyes but agreed with a grunt. This was all going to be a farce anyway. In terms of skill, no one in Beacon was going to be able to hold a candle to him. The only reason he wanted to be there at all was to show Blake he could change. Show her she could have spoken to him about her problems instead of running.

”That will also be a problem.” Ozpin pointed to the eye patch he wore in place of a mask. ”It will draw unwelcome attention.”

Snorting, Adam lifted it up and let the man see beneath. As much as he despised it, there was a certain p_l_e_a_s_u_r_e in watching the man's eyes close; his nostrils flare; his shoulders slump and to hear the muttered curse slip forth. Adam let go and felt the fabric snap back into place. ”The attention will be worse if I take it off.”