“Curiosity, intuition, dedication, patience… These are the merits that make a firm foundation for anyone to grow on. From the biggest trees, to the humblest flowers. Nourish these roots, and greatness will grow.”

2 Weeks Before Beacon

Yarrow Shade paced back and forth atop the roof. The sun hung low in the sky and soon Remnant’s shattered moon would be rising to light the night. Yarrows boots kicked dust and dirt off of the roof as he paced. His compound bow and quiver were set down beside a small radio that crackled with static.

The young man ran a hand through his blonde, curly hair. He had been waiting for two hours for a word from the crackling radio.

“Come on Su.” Yarrow sighed, completing another full pace of the rooftop.

Minutes passed, the blonde man was patient though. He had to be. Yarrow was waiting on his close friend Su to give him a police dispatch but crime was a rare occurrence in Vale nowadays. Over the past year, crime rate had slowly dropped. This was much to the confusion of the local law enforcement, who had predicted an upward trend in criminal activity.

The sun’s last rays danced across the ocean’s horizon and soon slipped out of view. The moon’s white light bathed Vale and Yarrow. Soon, though, Yarrow got what he was waiting for.

“Yarrow, are you still there?” Su asked, her voice was hushed and nervous.

Yarrow scrambled to the radio from where he was, “Yeah… yeah I’m still here. What do you have for me?”

The blonde haired man zipped up his green hoodie and pulled the hood over his head as he listened.

“Fifteenth Street. Dead body, recent. You’re about two minutes away on foot. Think you can make it? Police have the scene cordoned off, but the scene has yet to be investigated. But you’d better hurry, they have a detective on their way and I can’t confirm who it is. Fifth floor, apartment B. You’ll know the building when you see it,” Su said, “Good luck, and remember… You didn’t get any of this from me.”

The radio fell into static once more as Yarrow clicked it off and hooked it to his belt. The hooded man grabbed his quiver and strapped it to his waist. He peeled two cables from the two arrows that lie in his quiver onto two hooks on his belt. From his pocket, Yarrow withdrew two gloves and slipped them on. Finally, he hoisted the bow and withdrew one arrow from this quiver. Yarrow breathed in, feeding the arrow through the hook and nocking it to the bowstring.

The young man exhaled as he released his grip on the arrow. With barely a whisper of wind, the arrow sailed across the street below and into the stone roof of the house across the street. Yarrow stepped back, returning his breath to a regular pace as he gripped the taut cable with his free hand. The hand that gripped the bow reached forward on the bow’s grip, clicking one of two buttons.

Yarrow broke into a sprint, heading straight off the edge of the building. He leapt off at the last second. Yarrow fell, but not straight down. The cable was still reeling him in like a fishing rod as the young man was pulled like a pendulum across the gap between the two buildings. The young man angled his body parallel to the road so that when he connected to the building, he was boot first.

Yarrow started running up the wall, assisted by the cable that still pulled him up. He approached the top of the building shortly, throwing his bow up to the flat roof. As he reached the arrow that was imbedded into the wall, Yarrow reached up and grabbed the edge of the roof. With one free hand he withdrew the arrow from the wall, letting it go as it was pulled back into his quiver. The blonde haired man pulled himself up and dusted his hands off, picking up the bow once more.

“One more time Yarrow, you can do it.” He reassured himself, “You’ve done it a million times.”

Once more he nocked an arrow and fired, silently thanking the builders of the city building taller buildings the more inward you went into Vale. Yarrow steadied his breath and leapt again, the cable pulling him across the street.

About halfway, Yarrow cursed his impatience. He hadn’t checked the traffic and his feet grazed the top of a speeding car. Yarrow was shaken by the car, and the cable faltered momentarily. But soon enough, Yarrow had reached the top of the building just like the last one. Yarrow saw the lights before he saw the cars.

As Yarrow peeked over the edge of the roof, he saw the road had been entirely blocked off by police. They were directly below him, keeping people out of what appeared to be an apartment building. Yarrow counted the windows leading up to him. He was only two stories above the fifth floor. Yarrow carefully climbed off the side of the building, finding footholds in the brickwork and window sills of the cleared out apartment. He reached the fifth floor and cursed, the window he needed was not open.

Yarrow knew his time was limited before someone spotted him, so he looked quickly at the other windows on the fifth floor and found one that was open. The blonde haired man quickly made his way into that apartment. He paused as he landed on the carpeted floor, it was hard to hear anything over the sirens but after a moment, Yarrow was confident he was in the clear.

The young man opened the door into the hallway and crept his way to the correct apartment. It was unguarded, only sealed by police tape which Yarrow ducked underneath. Yarrow could not immediately see the body, it was out of view of the front door. But upon walking only a few steps in, Yarrow could see it.

Glass was strewn across the scene, the tables and chairs of the apartment were in pieces and tatters. But… In the middle of the center rug, which was stained in blood, lay a middle aged Faunus woman.

Yarrow breathed in through his nose, closing his green eyes momentarily before opening them again. His eyes had changed to a yellow color, closely matching his hair, and he saw the world in blue light. Everything that remained untouched by the killing was blue, but everything else was bathed in a golden yellow shine.

Yarrow withdrew his Scroll from his pocket, clicking the record voice button before examining the crime scene with investigative focus.

“Female Faunus, somewhere in her thirties. Rabbit ear on the left side of her head… half of one on her right side.” Yarrow breathed as he crouched over the body.

He could see long gashes, bathed in the golden glow, down her body and across the walls.

“Victim put up a fight,” He said, looking back at the open door, “Lock’s not broken, but a small dent on the front of the door suggests she opened it at first, but went to close it as soon as she had seen who it was. Victim knew the suspect beforehand.”

Yarrow examined the cuts around the room and on the body once more, “Lacerations are grouped in fours consistently, which rules out the possibility of knives. Suspect either brought a special weapon or had claws, can’t decide which is more likely.”

Yarrow stood up from his crouched position and looked around the room once more, he noticed signs of a fight from the kitchen, separated from the living room by only a marble topped counter. He walked into the kitchen and saw a kitchen knife stuck in the wooden floor, tip down. The knife had a small amount of blood on it’s blade.

“Victim ran to the kitchen, grabbing a knife. Victim managed to stab or slash the suspect with it before she was disarmed.” Yarrow said, looking at the marble counter.

The counter was cracked and a boot print was visible on top of it.

“Suspect threw victim over the counter, putting her in her current position near time of death. Suspect then leaped off of the counter in pursuit, probably landing on or near the victim. Lacerations follow until victim is dead.”

Yarrow paused the recording when he heard footsteps approaching the front door of the apartment. The young man ducked into the pantry of the kitchen and waited. He could hear the police tape being ripped off the doorway and heard the footsteps enter the apartment. Yarrow couldn’t quite make out the words that the person was saying until they got further into the crime scene.

“-ust on scene. The time is 6:43 in the evening,” The detective said, Yarrow presumed into some kind of recording device, “Victim is a rabbit Faunus. Thirty seven years of age. Brown hair, roughly five foot six inches in height. According to the landlord, her name is Usagi Warren.”

Yarrow moved to one side of the pantry, trying to get an angle of the detective.

“Door was opened by victim, before being fully opened by assailant. Visible lacerations on the body and across the wall, along with the destroyed furniture indicate that a struggle took place. One which… Ms. Warren evidently lost.” The detective continued before walking towards the kitchen.

Yarrow got a clear look at the detective through his peephole. He knew him, Detective Clay Rust. The man was dedicated to his job, and Yarrow knew him as a close friend. One that, despite not liking Yarrow’s involvement with crime scenes, respected the young man’s capabilities.

Yarrow made a bold move and stepped out of the pantry.

“Notice anything unusual?” Yarrow said, behind Clay.

Clay nearly jumped an entire foot off of the air.

“God’s above!” Clay shouted, before turning off his recording of the crime scene, “You know I hate it when you do that Yarrow. What are you even doing here?”

“The same thing I’m doing the last times you’ve asked that question. I’m investigating, same as you.” Yarrow answered and before missing a beat, continued, “There’s a knife in the floor, stained in blood. Also, cracks in the marble indicate an impact. There’s also the boot print on the top of the counter.”

Clay examined these findings and nodded, “Good observation.”

“I didn’t have time to examine anything else before you arrived. You pretty much hit the same notes I had on the body, other than the lacerations being claws or a specifically designed weapon.” Yarrow noted, pointing to the several scratches that marred the walls.

Clay touched his chin with his hand, stroking the brown stubble.

“Interesting… So we’re looking for someone who has access to a workshop, or we’re looking for a Faunus.” Clay remarked.

“Don’t suppose you know any Faunus with claws?” Yarrow asked, before his attention was drawn to the stairwell up to the apartment floor, “Someone’s coming. Lead them to the kitchen so I can see them.”

Yarrow’s eyes flashed a bright yellow as he reentered the pantry closet and he continued the recording. The footsteps entered the apartment and Detective Clay greeted the visitor.

“Ah, Inspector Braun… I didn’t know they assigned you to this case as well.” Clay said, motioning for the other detective to enter the room.

“It was a last minute inclusion. Captain said this case was a high priority, he wanted me to make the final judgment.” Inspector Braun said, his Atlesian accent piqued Yarrow’s ears.

“Would you like to review what I’ve found already?” Detective Rust.

“That won’t be necessary, I already see the cause and suspect.” Inspector Braun said, dismissing the other detective.

Clay was shocked, he took a step back and stammered.

“It’s clear that this was a Grimm, a Beowulf to be exact. I expect this case to be closed by the morning, all paperwork is to go through me.” Inspector Braun said, pacing the apartment.

He came into view of Yarrow through the crack in the pantry door. Underneath Yarrow’s semblance, he was a fairly well dressed man. His brown trench coat’s collar was pulled up high, nearly passing his ears. But, with the assistance of Yarrow’s enhanced vision, the young man saw through the words that Braun spoke.

The inspector’s arms were hung at his side, they were coated in the golden shine that indicated damage. He saw that the inspector moved with a slight limp, and occasionally touched his side.

That’s when Yarrow saw it. Well hidden underneath the messy brown head of hair, were two small cat ears.

Yarrow kicked open the closet, readying his bow and shooting a quick arrow into the light switch, descending the room into darkness. Yarrow’s vision remained uninterrupted, everything was still bathed in the yellow and blue light. It was no surprise to the young man when Braun broke into an immediate sprint towards the window, smashing through the glass window.

“What in the blazes are you doing?” Clay shouted at Yarrow, the young man leaping out the window after the Faunus.

“I’ll explain later!” Yarrow shouted back, shooting an arrow at the building across the street to slow his descent.

Yarrow expected a plethora of police vehicles to be on scene but was surprised when he found none, he assumed that Braun dismissed them upon his arrival. Despite the inspectors injuries, he was still moving rather swiftly through the empty city streets. Yarrow pushed himself after the escaping Faunus.

“Stop!” Yarrow shouted as Braun turned into an alleyway.

Yarrow pursued, seconds behind the Faunus. The young man turned into the alleyway and, at the other end, saw Braun in an empty courtyard. He had a Scroll pressed against his ear, shouting into it.

“We’ve been played! I need an extraction, do you have anyone on site?” Braun asked.

Yarrow couldn’t hear the response, but from the Faunus’ reaction, he could tell it was not a good one. Braun cursed and threw the Scroll against the ground.

“Damn it! Out of all the people to figure us out, it had to be a damn kid!” Braun roared as the turned to Yarrow.

The young man’s green hoodie was unzipped, revealing more arrows, each one was barbed and connected to a wire. Yarrow gripped his bow firmly in his left hand.

“Why’d you do it?” Yarrow shouted, the wind started to pick up.

Inspector Braun scowled, “Who are you?”

The Faunus paced back in forth, his only exit blocked by Yarrow. The courtyard was not big, but there was plenty room to maneuver. Buildings surrounded the square courtyard and in the center was a swing set.

“Why did you do it?” Yarrow asked again, not answering the Faunus’ question.

“You don’t know who you’re messing with… You’re out of your league.” Braun sneered, he flicked his wrists and small claws extended from his fingers.

“Prove it.” Yarrow scowled, flicking an arrow onto his bowstring and pulling it to his cheek.

With incredible speed, Braun surged forward, running on all fours. He leapt from the ground towards Yarrow, who spun quickly to avoid the lashing claws. Yarrow loosed the first arrow, imbedding it into a wall. Yarrow tightened the pull on the wire and shot towards the building, landing on his feet, perpendicular to the wall. Braun turned, still moving with his incredible speed.

Yarrow loosened the wire and ran down the building, descending back onto the ground. Braun tackled Yarrow as he landed. Braun reared his hand back, claws flashing in the dim moonlight. Yarrow lifted his fist into Braun’s chest, knocking him back. A swift kick knocked Braun completely off the young man.

Yarrow hopped to his feet, readying an arrow immediately and firing it into the Faunus. Braun tried to leap away but the arrow caught his shoulder. The barbed arrow embedded itself into the cat Faunus’ shoulder and the wire went taut, dragging Braun back towards Yarrow. The wire was being pulled fast, causing the Faunus to howl in pain. Yarrow greeted his enemy with a swift punch to his face.

Braun roared and cut the wire with his claws. The sudden lack in tension caused Yarrow to stagger backwards, crashing against the ground.

“Die damn you!” Braun shouted, rushing towards the prone man.

Braun slashed towards him as Yarrow rolled, the claws cut through his jacket and slashed into his shoulder and the ground. Lacerations, matching the wall of the apartment, appeared in the pavement. Yarrow winced as he rolled away, leaping to his feet. Yarrow’s green eyes flashed yellow as he saw the world in the blue and gold haze once more.

Braun was marked in multiple places by the yellow haze. His shoulder where Yarrow’s arrow was still buried, his hands which were stained with blood, and his side where he had been cut by the kitchen knife.

Braun moved forward as Yarrow inhaled, readying his bow in a calm manner. The first arrow fired, splitting the shaft of the already embedded arrow. Braun staggered as another arrow flew from Yarrow’s fingertips. This one landed in the knife wound. Braun dropped to his knees as the wires were pulled tight.

Yarrow spun and shot a third arrow into the top of a nearby building. Yarrow was pulled to the top of the building, dragging Braun behind him. Yarrow pulled on the wires that connected him to Braun manually, dragging him just below the top of the building.

“Why?” Yarrow shouted, “Why did you do it.”

“Screw you.” Braun spat.

Yarrow sneered and let go of the wires, causing Braun to drop a couple feet before Yarrow yanked him back up. Braun screamed in pain at the sudden tension on the arrows imbedded inside him.

“Talk!” Yarrow shouted.

“Alright! Alright… She was going to expose us… Usagi was just a pawn, but she knew things. She was going to rat on the entire operation. They had me kill her, you don’t understand… I was forced to do it.” Braun cried in pain.

“Who? Who told you to do it?” Yarrow asked, confused.

“I can’t say, they’ll kill me. Just like they told me to kill her, and they’ll have someone cover it up.” Braun answered, “Please! I’ll confess to everything, just keep me safe. I swear to you!”

Yarrow nodded, hoisting up Braun. Suddenly, the crack of gunfire split the night sky. The bullet impacted with incredible force, leaving a crater in the wall that Braun was suspended in front of. Yarrow’s eyes shot up, seeing a shadowy figure leap off a building. Yarrow looked after the shooter and then looked at the body in his hands. He huffed in silent rage as he descended slowly from the building, holding Braun in his hands. He ended the recording on his Scroll and dialed Clay.

“Where are you?” Clay asked as soon as he picked up.

“Fourteenth and Six, small courtyard. Braun’s been killed.” Yarrow answered.

“By the gods… you didn’t? Did you?” Clay asked.

“No… no, I was about to get a confession, there was a shooter. Braun was killed as I was talking to him, I have it all recorded.” Yarrow said, propping the Faunus against the alley wall and sitting down across from him.

“Leave your Scroll behind… I’ll deal with this, you need to get going. I heard you have Beacon to attend in a week or two.” Clay said after a moment of silence.

Yarrow nodded in silence before speaking back up, “Yeah… look, if you don’t have enough evidence to pin it on Braun, check the claw marks on the ground. You’ll find they’re identical to the ones in the apartment.”

“Will do. I’m on my way now Mr. Shade, thanks for your help.” Detective Clay Rust said.

There was another brief pause before Yarrow spoke.

“Clay, Braun was coerced into killed Usagi. He said there were people forcing his hand, that they would cover up his death if he spilled the beans. Make sure this doesn’t get buried.” Yarrow asked.

“I’ll do what I can. An ambulance is heading your way, you need to get out of there. I’ll be back to give you your Scroll once I have the pertinent information from it,” Clay said, “Take care, and be safe.”

“To you as well.” Yarrow said and hung up, setting the scroll beside Braun’s body.

Yarrow picked up his bow and shot it into the air, connecting with the roof of a building. He took one final look at the scene of the fight before leaving. He knew he couldn’t let this go and he unhooked his radio from his belt.

“Su, there’s a body heading to the morgue. Let me know everything that comes out of the coroner’s office.” Yarrow spoke into it.

The radio crackled to life, “Will do.” Su responded.

…

A man stood alone in an alley, dressed in a black uniform with a rifle slung across his back.

“Target eliminated, kill confirmed by medical staff that arrived on scene momentarily.” The man said, into a Scroll.

A voice responded, “Good, are you sure there are no loose ends?”

“One, a vigilante. Facial recognition marks him as Yarrow Shade, a Signal Academy graduate on his way to Beacon Academy. Would you like me to remove him from the picture?” The man asked.

“No, we require your attention for the breach at our Atlesian operation. Our sources indicate that the site location was leaked and we need you to plug that leak. Let our operative in Beacon handle Mr. Shade.” The voice answered and the connection terminated with a click.

The man nodded, pocketing his Scroll and hitting a button on the butt of his rifle. The rifle clicked and whirred as its parts moved, giving it the appearance of a sling backpack. The man stepped out on the street and hailed a taxi. He stepped in.

“Where would you be going this night?” The driver asked.

“The pier, I have a ride to catch.” The man answered, leaning back in the chair.

The taxi departed into the night as Yarrow sat unaware on the roof of an apartment complex, staring at the night sky.