Chapter 158 - My SI Stash #58 - Outsider on Remnant: Canon Breaker by AngelofDeath4250 (RWBY)

-A SI RWBY fic~ MC with a D&D Game System, check it out!

Sypnosis: OC/SI One day I, a D&D playing nerd, was reborn into another world. Yeah like one of those isekai "trash" novels. Except when I go to question my sanity I see a 5e character sheet. I get strange dreams where a voice from the darkness gives me orders. Of course isekai protagonists usually get OP powers and I'm no exception. My class? Gamer. Best/worst part? I'm on Remnant.

Rated: M

Words: 25K

Posted on: fanfiction.net/s/13482225/1/Outsider-on-Remnant-Canon-Breaker (AngelOfDeath4250)

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

Author Note: Hey, thanks for the interest. This started off as I picked up RWBY for the first time about a year ago and thought the setting was pretty neat. I've always been interested in world-building and TRPG's so this blend of sci-fi and fantasy gave me some ideas. I'll admit I'm a bit lazy so I decided to just see if there was a good RWBY TRPG out there, but the ones I did find were...well they just weren't for me. That and I don't really have a schedule that meshes with anyone else willing to game with me where I live so I got my 5e D&D books, some solo D&D material and stole the setting and characters of RWBY as an excuse to test solo gaming. Then I decided to take notes of my campaign to solidify it in my mind and I suddenly got here, brushing up on my writing skills. I can't say I'm good and writing the results of the game as I'm playing it has changed my style but I figured I should get around to sharing my work anyway. I'm open to criticism and if there's something you don't understand just ask. I'll try to respond promptly and I'm looking to refine my style. I intend to not have any more notes like this, but would like to know whether I should put my character stats on a separate doc.u.ment. I'm not sure if that would make for a better experience so if a majority of people are interested in those details then by all means let me know. Alright I'll get out of your hair now. Hope you enjoy this bizarre adventure!

I awoke looking at an unfamiliar ceiling. Looking around I saw a man and woman gazing at me, looking at me with worry on their faces for some reason. I blinked, realizing that my body felt rather strange as well. Hoping that I wasn't drugged, I raised my hand and gazed at it. It's so small, like a baby's...wait a damn minute.

I'm laying in a crib, I'm small...I'm a f.u.c.k.i.n.g baby! But last I remember...well, it's vague...I recall some foggy moments of my life, years of spending time with family, going to school, entering college, slacking off at said college, working, etc. I could still feel the regret of spending years wasting my damn time while my family suffered. But I couldn't remember faces, specifics, and I can't even remember the last few weeks. What the hell is going on?

Did I reincarnate like in those light novels I started reading in high school? If not, how the hell did I go from a young a.d.u.l.t body to...this? And why does my body still feel so strong? It's not like a baby should feel like they were stronger, healthier and smarter than a damn a.d.u.l.t, and yet I feel so much...more than I did before. Just what the hell is going on?!

"My dear little Set, are you doing okay?" The woman asked. Phew, glad I still understand the language. Wait how did she know my name? Did I reincarnate in some baby's body since it shared a name with me? Not that I would know how reincarnation works. I'm just glad I don't remember my birth, even if I have to deal with the hell of childhood again.

These people though...my mother I assume has got light brown skin, red eyes and black hair with a thin figure and the man beside her is a tall tan skinned man with blond hair and green eyes with a figure reminiscent to old Roman or Greek statues. Dude's built like a damn tank, and he's wearing half-plate armor. Just what did I get myself into?

The woman picked me up and I realized that she might be worried due to the way I started acting. Babies usually wear their emotions on their sleeves right? I was always a rather calm person, but I gotta play up to their expectations so they don't start putting me in some therapy shit, or worse if this world is like I imagine. Medieval times didn't necessarily treat mental illness very well at all. I giggled and waved my arms while gazing at her face. The man sighed in relief and the woman holding me cooed to me.

"As much as I would like to stay I have to head off. The bullhead to Atlas is leaving soon and if I don't leave today I won't make the meeting with that Schnee bastard come morning."

Wait...bullhead? Atlas? Schnee?! I'm on f.u.c.k.i.n.g Remnant?! This has got to be some sick joke, a coma dream, something!

"But you just got back…" My implied mother replied. "I don't like it either, but after all these years we've finally got more of an idea of why Dust can't work outside the atmosphere. The paranoid fool wouldn't just let me upload the findings thinking they might be seen by unwanted eyes. But he'll guarantee funds for the rest of our lives and more after this I'm sure. As much as I'd love to spend time with the love of my life and our adorable son," he poked my nose gently at that confirming my parent theory, "I have to go." He kissed my mother for what seemed like forever. Ugh, just put me down already, I want to go back to sleep.

"Mm, let me put our Set down. Sure you don't have a bit more time for…" Alright, I have to drop focus on that right now. Finally they parted and set me down, leaving the room. I shook my head as I heard what I didn't want to hear through the walls and fell into slumber.

In my dream I was staring into a black void. Real fun start. "Adventurer, hear my voice." I looked all around, not knowing where the voice was coming from. It was my own voice I recalled, not that I tried to talk as a baby to confirm my voice in my new body. Except this voice was deeper, echoing in my ears. "You are to embark on a quest in my name. There will be many trials in the future, but you must make your name known throughout the coming days. Fulfill the destiny I have given you and one day you may return to your own. Go now my child, and I will make you a vessel for power befitting your duty."

My eyes opened once again to view the ceiling. What exactly am I getting into? I don't want to get myself killed working for some higher power that doesn't even let me voice my thoughts on the matter! Just why exactly did I get thrust into this mess?! I sighed.

In any case, I always wanted power like the heroes in the stories I read, the games I played. I never amounted to much on Earth, never got the opportunity to make a difference and stagnated due to the loss of willpower due to that. I was a victim of my birth, same as everyone else.

What exactly did that being mean by vessel for power? It wasn't just a normal dream...right? That's when it hit me, knowledge flooding my brain, a character sheet appeared in my mind. It gave me the powers of a D&D character! I was now a level 1 Warlock as the class features would lead me to believe, but the class name was simply called Gamer. It didn't have a level next to it like I would have expected either.

Further down the page I had an XP Pool, which had the 12 classes listed with 0's nearby. I focused on XP Pool and it was as if another window popped up on a computer. It said I had to have 100 xp to get level 1 in other classes unless I filled special requirements. Wow. This has to be the most broken way to multiclass.

I focused on the word experience and another pop-up filled my "vision." This one told me that it was a measure of my achievements that would prompt my patron to give me more power. Granted, I was paraphrasing. I could get that experience by killing things, achieving certain goals or training. Wait, training to get XP? I wonder how long it takes.

Now what can I do to train that won't make my parents suspicious? I can't just get out of the crib and start exercising. I shouldn't even be able to walk yet, but I can feel a strength that shouldn't be bound to the body of a baby. That was because...f.u.c.k, all my ability scores are 30! That's broken as all hell but I'll take it! I guess it makes sense that training would up my XP instead then, but I wonder what exactly is considered training.

Part of the knowledge that flooded my brain was how to cast certain spells and cantrips...maybe if I cast those? Or at least focus my magic. By meditating? Or something similar. I was just doing what felt right while keeping up a baby facade when my mother entered the room. I had to make sure that I fit what was considered normal, and the stuff I learned throughout my life that I just took for granted and then some came in handy. Gotta thank those ability scores, I'm pretty much superhuman with just those! If I had that in my past life I wouldn't have had any trouble accomplishing my goals!

Time lost almost all its meaning to me after a while. I just watched the sunlight through the windows and counted days. In that time I have been focusing my magic, casting cantrips, etc, and had finally gained some XP! Kinda slow, but I wasn't short on time. I quickly realized that I didn't need to sleep often at all, I hadn't even slept since my patron talked to me in that "dream." That got me many more hours to gain XP, and found that different types of training got me XP all the same. Focusing my magic, exercising sparingly while making sure I wasn't seen, meditating, etc.

After about 30 rises and falls of the sun I started to feel tired, sleepy anyway. Mental fatigue went away with a bit of rest as well as physical fatigue, but this was what being tired felt like. I drifted off to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed to go back to training.

I went on that way for a little over 4 years, my mother looking after me and my father coming and going throughout that time. My mother realized teaching me how to read that I was a genius, and my father was there for all the important milestones like learning to talk and walk. Every time I would see the stress wash off his face and he would smile, but it would all return as he told mom about his work.

Eavesdropping know and again I learned that my father was a huntsman, though after a decade of missions he turned to delving into ruins and mines to research ancient civilizations. They were mainly looking for what they knew of Dust, as some historians found that primitive civilizations had better knowledge on how Dust could be used to augment the body, or clothing. His employer was using his strength and knowledge of Dust use to try and find clues as to why Dust wouldn't work outside the atmosphere, but any new findings were useful.

When it came to my 4th birthday my father wasn't there. That wasn't the first thing he missed, but it was surprising. He hadn't missed the others. I could see the disappointment on mom's face but we celebrated nonetheless. Granted, we were a rather solitary bunch. My mom rarely let me leave the small house we had since Vacuo wasn't the safest place. I had to learn that the hard way unfortunately. Two weeks later my mom came into my room crying. My father wasn't coming home. He and the others he were with went radio silent, and when a team of huntsmen passed by the ruins they were at and found what was left of them. I was never told what exactly happened, but I suppose specifics didn't matter.

My mother had to find a job after that. We weren't wealthy by any means, but we weren't exactly poor. She had to keep it that way though since we wouldn't have money from my father's work anymore. I'd miss the guy. I don't know exactly what she did, but she wasn't a huntress like dad was. While she was out I could continue my training freely. I had 100 XP in just about every class, save for Barbarian, Bard and Warlock since that was unlocked already.

My mother came home late in the night every night, but...she hasn't come back in two nights either. I could take care of myself, of course, but this wasn't normal. I...I should feel more torn up over this. I know that they both truly cared about me. They raised me, this me anyway, as their own.

But in Vacuo only the strong truly survives, and I'm not exactly strong yet. Not strong enough for everything the streets would have to offer. But I don't really have a choice do I? Robbers will come soon enough. I gathered all the items that would be useful for me, some of my father's old weapons, a backup scroll my mother had, some clothes, etc and packed a bag I could carry and took it with me.

I sold some items, using my Persuasion skill to get a better deal. I really only had to do it as I was a child and merchants still don't want to take in what was likely stolen goods if they didn't have to. I had some Lien that was spread around the house before, adding this I was able to get an Herbalism Kit and some Smith's Tools.

For the next few days I was sneaking about the city, selling various items to different merchants and buying materials to make the stuff I needed. Once I saw that people were coming to take me away, be it authorities or criminals, I took my necessities and left my old house for good.

I'd have to find some way to make money and stay on the down low since I don't want to get taken to an orphanage. Nor do I want to attract any attention. Best thing I could hope for was to get taken in by a nomadic tribe while they're visiting Vacuo, but many others are likely hoping for the same. So I started roaming around, casting Disguise Self and performing on the street. I made some money and did so well that after 3 weeks the Lien in tips poured in. I guess I got some admirers heh.

There were weeks where things went wrong. Money would trickle down to nothing sometimes. Three months in I was discovered by a gang who wanted my money. I was nearly followed back to my home and had to move my place of stay to be sure. 5 months in and another performer got into a spat with me. Apparently he'd been a part of a crew and they were affecting my rep. I stopped performing there and adopted a new working identity.

I had to do that once more 6 months later. Almost a month after that I didn't notice some thugs sneaking up on me during a performance and they gave me an ultimatum; money or life. I ran of course, no need to fight if I can avoid it. A few more weeks and I had a sizable amount of Lien. I had just turned 7, and the XP I gained over time helped me as well.

I was thinking about doing this another year. More money to fund my adventures would be useful, and it would get me enough XP to get me a level in the last class I didn't have one in; Bard. Then again, I don't think I will be able to use its class features often since I'm solo right now. Besides, I found the reason my mother never came back.

Supposedly she was robbed and killed trying to defend herself, though her body was never recovered. I can thank a lack of authority figures for that. I was really tempted to get revenge...but why do that? I don't think she would have wanted me to do that, and it's not as if I could stop all the crime in Vacuo.

Then again, if I deal with this criminal, that would prevent them from taking future victims...but there's no real law here save for Shade academy. Wait...there was a prison in Coquina. I'm sure there are others too, but I don't really have a way to get my hands on any hacking tools right now...and even if I could find a subsidiary CCT tower I don't think I could get away very easily.

As time went on I decided to at least figure out the identities of those involved and decide how to deal with it later. Over time I was able to find out who they were; Carmine Esclados and Bertalik Celadon. Luckily I was able to keep my identity hidden with Disguise Self, because those are some badasses I didn't want to come across. I likely wouldn't be able to do much about them right now, and even if I were able to confront them I wouldn't have a way to get them into the hands of any hunters. That would require some luck. Or...I suppose I would just have to get into contact with some hunters, post an anonymous tip with their locations and watch.

Agh dammit! My mom's likely been abducted, even if she wasn't one of my first life's parents she took care of me for years! I can't just let these people get away with what they did! But if I mess up then I won't be able to do anything about Salem and her plans...I sighed, dropping that idea.

They're relatively small characters. I don't know enough about these characters to say that if they're dealt with now it would attract the attention of Salem and her forces. I can only assume that Salem and her lackeys are well aware of the various criminal elements of Remnant and might investigate the origins of a random vigilante who shook things up.

So I'm not going to shake things up.

Last thing I need is to have to deal with Tyrian, Hazel or Cinder. It's not like I have the power to take them on either. Wait a minute, when in the timeline am I anyway? I guess I could go to Vale and see its student body. Or I could go to Mistral and ask about the Nikos family. That could give me an idea of when I was reincarnated here.

Either way the method of training I have isn't going to cut it anymore. I need to get strong fast, and getting 1 xp per 3 days of non-stop training doesn't make me lien nor is it quick. I know there's no way I could do huntsman work yet, but I'd rather fight the Grimm than people right now. Just have to make sure there aren't any Seers nearby when I find and kill Grimm.

Don't want Salem to investigate a surprisingly strong child after all. Especially if I start using magic in my fights.

I suppose I could go ahead and hitch a ride to Mistral. I don't really have anything tying me down here anymore ever since the house has been declared vacant and me missing. Some huntsmen-in-training came looking, but they're not going to keep them on one mission for that long. I feel sorry for their grades, but I don't have time for foster care.

So there I was, walking down an alley wondering what to do on my way home around sundown, when I suddenly noticed a hand slightly brush against my waist. Turning quickly I grab the offender by the wrist and twist it behind their back. "Ow ow ow, okay I'm sorry! Let me go man!"

The person who tried to pick my pocket looked a bit younger than me, a head of short blond hair in a ratty light brown shirt, white pancho stained with sweat and torn in several places, and baggy pants. Rough life indeed. That's when I felt a tail with blond fur wrap around my wrist and tug at my grip, though I kept it there for another moment before pulling a pouch he lifted from my belt and retied it after I let go of him. He shook his wrist while turning back toward me.

"Damn you're good. But I stole that fair and square!" The boy charged me once again, scooping up a block of wood that lay on the ground nearby with his tail and catching it in his hands before swinging it at me. I side-stepped his swing by a hair, whistling at the power in it, before stepping in and going for a left body blow. My fist busted through what felt like a thin barrier before slamming into his stomach. He doubled over and dropped the 2x4.

"Agh okay, you can keep it. You're one tough guy! Ugh..." He tried to back up with his hands up but stumbled. I went to catch him which I regretted immediately because he turned to flee before falling onto his face. "Man...I can't catch a damn break."

That's when I heard a loud growl. Looking around I noticed that all the people nearby had already made a break for it, then I saw three sets of eyes glistening light from the darkness to our right.

Yeah those dogs don't look too friendly. I turned to the faunus kid still laying on the ground. "Get up and run kid!" "I-I twisted my ankle!" Shit.

The dogs charged us, and I ran to intercept them as they went to swarm the kid I laid out. The first dog tried to charge past me, but I kicked its midsection. It tumbled off to the side while another dog bit at my left arm. It latched on, trying to pull me down. I shook it off before the last dog, one much larger than the others, pounced me. I flung the 2x4 that the kid dropped up with my foot, caught it and shoved it into its mouth. It tugged at it, trying to snap it with its jaws. I pulled the 2x4 so the alpha's neck was exposed then slammed a knee into it, then as it reeled from the blow punched it in the side.

The dogs then fled, seeing as their prey had more fight in them than they bargained for. I frowned and looked at my arm. I got lucky, the bite wasn't deep. I ripped my sleeve and bandaged the wound, not wanting to show off my healing abilities.

"Whew, that was close. Thanks man. I'm sorry for trying to rob you." The faunus got up, favoring his left foot slightly. I sighed. "I get it. Times are tough." I turned to walk away then heard another growl before quickly turning back toward the sound.

The faunus chuckled and scratched the back of his head while clutching at his stomach with his other hand. "Sorry, that one was me." I blinked twice, then shook my head with a chuckle. "Let's go get something to eat. I'm pretty hungry myself."

After dropping into a decent cafe the faunus and I were left to examine our menus. We got the occasional worried glances but I waved a few high value lien at the waiter to show I didn't have to dine and dash. Granted, we were still just a couple of kids, one with a bloody makeshift bandage and another who was obviously poor, so we were still getting gawked at by tourists and other people not yet acquainted with Vacuo's streets.

"You sure this is okay? You saved me, I should be treating you…" The faunus kid hesitated looking at the menu. "It's fine, I've been where you're at. Feel free to get what you want." The kid's face brightened with a wide smile. "Don't regret this!"

We got our food which the kid scarfed down, and I dug in as well. It'd been a while since I had a good meal like this. I'd mainly been buying cheap to save what funds I could, sleeping only occasionally in spaces I would rent for a day or two to keep myself hard to place. Probably being overly paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

"Ohh man, I'm stuffed. Been too long since I ate my fill." The kid pat his stomach while leaning back in his chair. I chuckled. "I'm Set. What's your name?" I held my hand out and he shook it. "Sun Wukong, greatest thief to grace the streets!"

Wait, what?! Sun?!

I reined in my surprise, which he didn't seem to catch. "Pretty sure the greatest thief wouldn't have been caught picking pockets." He deflated, slumped over while nearly dropping the cup he was holding with his tail. "Uhh, I guess you're right. But then again you're weird!" He pointed at me while leaning in dramatically.

"Just how did you break my aura in one go? You weren't even able to block that dog! I know I'm no good with aura control, but even I know how to take a hit!" Yeah, I guessed he already had his aura. I want to know how he's already unlocked it, but I feel like that might be a rough story to hear, let alone tell. "You sure about that? I did take you out in one hit."

He sighed. "I...guess you're right there. But you hit like a damn truck! What, did you use all of your aura to hit me?!" I shook my head reflexively. Shit, I shouldn't have! "But then…" Sun's eyes widened then he leaned in closer, whispering. "Wait, do you even have aura?" I sighed, looking slightly to the side. "No way!"

Sun reeled back in his seat. "You've GOT to be kidding me. I got one shot by a kid with no aura...I know I hadn't eaten in three days but still..." I exhaled there. Yeah I guess that would weaken you. "Anyway, you're still real strong. And I won't forget that you saved me back there. If there's anything I can do for you just let me know." Sun gave me a thumbs up with a toothy grin.

"There is one thing. What were you going to do with my lien? Besides eat." "Huh? Oh...well it's not just me. The orphanage never has enough to go around and a couple of us kids have to help out. How come I've never seen you before anyway?!" I frowned. I never really thought about that side of things. I could have been helping these kids.

But...I can't be tied down. I need to have control over my own future. I can achieve my goals better that way...right? Yeah, of course, no self-doubt here.

"I...well let's just say I was heading out soon. I'm going to become a huntsman and I'm travelling as part of my training." Which is true for the most part. "For real?! But wait...without aura...ain't that bad?" What? Ryuji is that you?! I shrugged.

"I don't really have much of a choice. I don't have the funds or connections for a combat school, so I've got to learn from the school of hard knocks." I grinned. "Man, you're one brave kid. Or stupid. But I guess we're not much different. Neither of us have much choice huh?" Sun frowned. Yikes, what a downer of a conversation.

"Well I'm strong and you've got aura, so we're a lot better off than we could be. Cheer up." I smiled and kept munching on my plate. Sun seemed to be contemplating for a bit before looking back into my eyes. "Why do you want to be a huntsman so bad? Aren't they basically monster hunters?"

"Well, why do you want to steal?" Sun scoffed. "I don't want to, I have to! It's not just me dude, I have to help my friends at the orphanage! The older kids did it for me so I have to return the favor you know?"

I let him breathe a moment after that outburst. "Well it's like that for me, just...on a larger scale." Sun's eyes widened, and he blinked a few times before responding."I...I think I get it. But going it alone is kinda…" I nodded. "Yeah, it's going to be tough. But I have to."

"Well I can help!" Sun pushed a closed fist against his chest, over his heart. "I uh, don't know how to unlock someone's aura, mine came when...well, that doesn't matter. But I'll spar with you! Wait, don't tell me you're leaving soon." Sun deflated a bit. "No, I planned on staying in Vacuo a little longer. I've got some more preparations to make. So I'll be taking you up on that offer. I could work on some techniques. You'd better not regret it." I smiled, and he gave me a toothy grin. "Hey, for all you've done for me today it's the least I could do."

"Ugh, why did I let you rope me into this?" Sun said while laying face-first on the ground. "I gotta admit, that aura of yours sure is something. Makes you stronger, faster and more durable. Still, you learned to fight with that as a crutch. Then again, I had a couple more years of practice without it. Come on man, keep pushing." It had been around six months since the evening we met. Every day we would meet up and spar, I would give Sun a few pointers on hand-to-hand combat, strength training and some lien each week and he would help me get a feel for live combat.

I had never really been in a fight before reincarnating here and while my ability scores and proficiencies seemed to lead me naturally to the best solution I was sure there would be times where I would doubt myself and hesitate. While it wasn't in any real danger I was still getting more xp as well. I also found that I couldn't spend xp gained through combat without taking a long rest, so I had gained a new found appreciation for sleep even though I didn't quite need it as often as normal.

"Well, I guess I can't complain. I've gotten stronger and you've been paying real well. I haven't had to steal and the whole orphanage is eating well." Sun rolled over and started doing crunches. "Hell, my aura's gotten larger too. Though I was told that came with age, I think it's both."

I shrugged and responded with, "I wouldn't know." Sun snorted. "Yeah, sorry, the other kids with aura in the orphanage don't know anyone who can unlock auras either. They all just...got it when they needed it."

"It's no big deal. I've just gotta keep pushing myself to make up for that." Sun got up after finishing his last set. "That's what I don't get. I mean sure, your training is hardcore, but how you can keep up with me? Even though you're older and have been training longer? You don't have aura, and it's a...I don't...a force multi...um…"

"Force multiplier?" "Yeah that! One of the older kids said somebody from Shade told him that. That's why a somewhere around 6 or 7 year old kid like me can fight." Sun pointed finger guns at me. "There are always exceptions." "Excep...what?" "Something not normal." "So you admit it!" Sun gave me finger guns again. I nodded.

"In a good way though." Sun shrugged. "Well you got me there. Wanna spar now? One last go before we part ways?" "I wasn't going to let you go without it." I shot him a grin.

"I'm going to go all out!" Sun grabbed a bo staff I had fashioned for him. Hand-to-hand wasn't the only thing I taught him, and he took to this just as well. Makes sense considering the show. I also grabbed a staff and readied myself. "Don't you always go all out?" I raised one eyebrow. "I'm taking you down a notch this time!"

Sun charged toward me and pushed off the ground with one end of his staff. Dodging one swing he made toward my back in mid-air I raised my staff to block another horizontal strike as his feet hit the ground. I stepped forward to push one end into his stomach but he jumped back, extending his staff further and swinging toward my head in the other direction. Wow he's gotten faster!

I dropped under the strike flung a dart toward him, which he deflected with the short end of his staff. Using that as a distraction I lunged forward once more, feinting another thrust before spinning and kicking the side of his head. He rolled with the momentum after his aura caught my strike and cartwheeled back onto his feet without touching the ground. Damn, like those old kung-fu movies with the wires and everything!

He sent two more strikes to each of my sides before stepping in and slamming his forehead into my nose. I reeled from the strong blow, then used a ki point to hit him with a flurry of blows. One staff strike from below pushed through his block before being thrust into his hip. He stumbled backward while I continued my pursuit, spinning my staff quickly around my body to distract him while I kicked off of a nearby wall before slamming one kick into his shoulder and landing a heel kick into his stomach. He flew back a couple of feet before slamming into the ground on his back, aura flickering.

"Ow ow ow ow ow!" Sun complained. I walked up and reached a hand out to help him up. "You okay man? I may have gone a bit too far out of reflex."

"Mmnn, did you get the license on that truck?" "Yeah, BADMOFO." Sun laughed as I helped him up.

"Well I guess if someone busted me in my nose while I was out of aura I'd be pretty mad too! But man, it's crazy how much we've improved, and you don't even have aura at all!" It still amazes me how happy he is even after taking heavy hits like that. I hope I didn't mess anything up in that head of his.

"Well like I said before I've gotta try even harder to make up for it. If I get taken out by a Grimm before I even get a chance to become a Huntsman then my parents would roll in their graves." Sun frowned. "Yeah...you know...I think I want to become a huntsman now too."

My eyes widened in surprise before I reined in my emotions. "Really? I think that's a great idea. But you're not just doing it because you think it's cool...right?" Sun shook his head. "No...my family...we were separated...I only know what my mother told me before she died but…" Sun sat down by my bag and I followed suit. He looked down and away, hiding his face.

"Our family was captured by some assholes who sold us to some miners. My older brother was the only one suited for work, so he went to some other camp. My dad tracked us down and broke us free but he...he never came back to get my brother after he saved us. I only know them by description but...I've gotta find my brother and graduating Shade and making a lot of money hunting Grimm is likely the only way I'm going to be able to have the freedom to find him. Even if it turns out he...I have to find him no matter what." Damn...that's different. I shouldn't just follow my knowledge from the show.

I put a hand on his shoulder, which prompted him to turn to match my gaze. He was tearing up, liquid leaking from his eyes and one of his nostrils. I handed him a rag and tried to think of some way to cheer him up. "I get it, I do. That's a good goal. I was worried you were just going to follow my example." I smiled, which earned me an eye roll.

I took the opportunity to continue the conversation. "I'll do what I can to help. Tell me what he looks like." "Well...he's a bull faunus with horns like my mom. Blue eyes like me, red hair like my dad. He's five years older than me. I...don't really have much to go on to be frank."

I...wow, I think I know who it is. And I have an idea of where he might be. Not specifically, but it's gotta be with the SDC. I know he was treated so rough that he became a monster, but if I can help steer him down a different path...I shouldn't worry about changing things too much from canon at this point. There are too many people to help.

Besides, there's no telling what else is different from the show at this point. Sun's backstory is a lot more detailed than in the show, and even though it was far from over I highly doubt they were going for something like this. I just have to do what comes natural, canon be damned. Gotta do what I can to make it in this death world.

"Well...I can't say I have a clear idea of where he is but...I might run into him. I'm planning on heading to Mistral and later on Atlas before settling in Vale. If I'm right...he'll be somewhere in Atlas." Sun looked me in the eye. "So...you're really planning on heading out alone?" I nodded.

"Like I said, it's gonna be tough but I gotta do it. I've got too much on my shoulders to be tied down to one place right now." Sun exhaled, and I could hear the disbelief in his voice. "You're talkin' like some cartoon character…" I shrugged. "Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction." Hell, I fully believed my situation was some fantastical scenario that could never happen. I'm still not wholly convinced this isn't some coma dream…

"That's the thing though...you say stuff like...like the a.d.u.l.ts from the orphanage. I know most of us kids grew up faster than we had to...but I don't know, I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here. But a lot of those a.d.u.l.ts...a lot of them never came back either…like dad..." Sun sniffed loudly. I sighed.

"I can't say I'll come back. I can't guarantee I'll live that long. Fighting's dangerous, but so is just about everything on Remnant." Sun rolled his eyes. "You don't have to tell me that…" "So don't worry about it too much man. Just live your life the way you see fit and you'll be fine." Sun sighed, then nodded. "Yeah...I'll do that. Thanks. For everything." Sun got up and left. I leave first thing in the morning, so that may just be the last time I see him.

Cool kid. I just might miss sparring with him.