You were currently in the Atlas Academy training grounds, the sounds of swords clashing and guns firing echoed across the area. Today was when the seniors were to take a shot to join the military.

One, however, caught your attention, a young woman with violet eyes, "She's going to pass."
The next second, the girl takes down her opponent.

"You've always had a good eye for these types of events," James speaks.
"I had to; how else do you think Oz chose certain people to trust. Though I follow his orders, he knows that I have previous experience running a military."

James gives you a side glance, "After all these years, you've never talked about your time before Vale."
"Before Vale? That was a long time ago; maybe another day, we can sit and chat about it."

James smiles, "Another day."

"I can share a few things before joining Oz; I used to belong to a Kingdom. Someone who was dedicated gifted me a greenhouse. Thinking about it, I wonder if it's still around."

"I didn't know you had a passive side." You laugh at his statement, "I wasn't always a huntress. For the most part, I learned to fight on my own; back then, if you didn't have power, what were you good for."

You glance at your hand then change the subject, "Anyways, I thought of creating a group of huntsmen or huntresses. Maybe I could find a leader here."

James thinks for a moment, "Aside from work, do you like it here in Atlas?"
"Yes, I do."

After the course completes, everyone waits for their results; upon waiting, you walk past a few students.

"Robyn Hill, could you spare a minute?"
Robyn turns around, surprised to see you walking towards her. "Of course, Lieutenant (L/n). It's an honor to meet you."
"The honor is all mine, Professor Beige, if you don't mind?"

"Not at all. Robyn, you are excused." You walk out of the room, "Thank you, Professor Rose."
Before Robyn follows you, her wrist gets pulled, "Hey, don't screw this up. If you want to be in the military, she's your ticket."

Now in a separate room, you place down a cup of tea in front of Robyn; once you sit down, you begin to speak.

"I'll cut to the chase; I would like to sponsor you." You take a sip of your coffee; Robyn listens closely, "Are there any conditions?"

You laugh, "You will have to graduate in the top 10%. I've already done a background check, so grades are nothing to worry about."

"Could I request something?" Robyn looks at her drink. You smile at her, "If it's in my power."

"There are other students that I believe deserve this chance; from Atlas and Mantle, could I recommend them?"
"Could you bring them here?"

Robyn stands up, "Of course."
But before she pulls out her scroll, she hesitates for a moment. You take another sip of your drink, "I know about your semblance; if you don't trust me, use it." You extend your hand; Robyn extends her hand; however, she steps back, "No, I trust you. You are also responsible for the changes in Mantle, Lady of the Arctic."

"I'm surprised you know about that. You must have done your homework."
"A close friend of mine spoke greatly about you; she's a Faunus from Mantle. She said that you helped her family escape from Grimm. Without looking for a reward, you placed your life on the line for people you don't know."

"That's what it means to be a huntress. No reward is greater than knowing that you are working to save others. I've witnessed and committed more sins than anyone, and I don't want anyone to go through that."

"I'll call them here."
After a few minutes, a knock comes from the door; Robyn opens the door and smiles, seeing her teammates. "Glad you all can make it."

"We were in the middle of class, and the professor just stops the lecture and tells us to come here."
"Did we do something wrong?"
"I don't think so; I would have remembered."

Robyn clears her throat, "Right, Girls meet Lieutenant (L/n). She has something to say to us."

"Are they the ones you recommend?"
The girls tense up as you speak; they didn't feel your presence in the room.

They all face you; now that your presence was made, the aura around you intensified. They could feel the power that you held, along with an understanding of why you were a lieutenant.

The girls relax as Robyn speaks, "Yes, Lieutenant. They are my teammates and don't with to separate from them."

"As Ms. Hill stated, I'm Lieutenant (Y/n) (L/n). I'm here to offer a sponsorship to attend the Atlas Military. With the condition of graduating top 10%, you are expected to assist the people who can't defend themselves. Regardless of your status, race, or identity, all of you will work as one and work with my name. If you don't wish to continue with this sponsorship, you are more than welcome to leave, I will not force you to do anything you don't wish to."

The girls look at each other, and step forward, "So when do we start?" May speaks up. Robyn smiles to herself knowing that her teammates will continue with her.

"After you graduate, all of you can send your applications to my office and I will get your files up and running." The team looks in surprise as Robyn stands straight, "I'll personally send them."

"Thank you. I look forward on what all of you can do for both Atlas and Mantle."
"We will do are best." The huntresses look at each other in awe, you walk out the room. "I will see you all in graduation."

That's how the Happy Huntresses came to be, train women who have graduated on the top of their classes, became the first group established by your order. Once they graduated, everything went into motion.

Within months, Mantle had visible changes; the citizens quickly turned to your side upon learning you were responsible for the changes.

You soon became a candidate for the council; with the votes of Mantle, you won by a landslide. With your position as a councilwoman, you had more access to take care of Mantle as well as Atlas.

Ironwood continued to show you support, whether bringing you snacks, lightening your workload, or even just giving you company in your office; he showed you that he was on your side. Much to his surprise, you had a plan of how Mantle is to regulate for the next decade, within a matter of two weeks of becoming a councilwoman. Very quickly, Mantle was returning to their glory days. Jobs were opening; buildings were being established. All because of you.

Now no longer spending a lot of time in Mantle due to receiving help from your huntresses, you now spend your time in Atlas, more precisely, a theater. The Diamond Arena, created by you for stage performance, recitals, celebrations.

Your reason for creating the Arena?

You became acquainted with a well-known family.
The Schnees, from the very beginning, you clashed with the head, Jacques; however, you had a soft spot for the next generation. You knew of the family's troubles and decided to stay around for the children; Winter was already attending Atlas Academy; Wiess would spend her time in your theater as she needs few more years before enrolling into an academy, as Whitley would follow you around if you were to visit the Schnee Estate.

You were currently sitting on the front row, watching Wiess practicing her vocals for an upcoming recital. When Jacques interrupts, not knowing you were there, he gives his daughter not so helpful advice.

"Hold it. I prefer negative people off my stage." You stare down at Jacques, "(L/n), I didn't know you were here."
"Lieutenant (L/n), thank you, you asked for permission to use my stage, follow my rules." Jacques stays silent, "I'll send Young Weiss home as her escort, go home." You point towards the exit of the auditorium as you walk on the stage.

Once Jacques exits the area, you turn to focus on Weiss, "I don't think you did bad." Weiss wipes her tears, "Ah, Lieutenant (L/n), I'm sorry." You place your hand on her head "(Y/n), don't mind whatever he says; your father honestly gets on my nerves. I'm waiting for the right moment to punch him in the face."

"I know that will be a long time." You laugh, "Yeah, but no parent should ever lay a hand on their child. You kids are the reason I keep moving. If he ever kicks you out, come find me; I'll take care of you." James enters the room; however, your focus is still on Weiss.

You pick up a guitar, "Let me play you a little something."

"Here comes a thought that might alarm me,
What someone said and how it harmed me,
Something I did that failed to be charming,
Things that I said are suddenly swarming,
And, oh, I'm losing sight, I'm losing touch,
All these little things seem to matter so much,
That they confuse me."

"That I might lose me," James watches as the colors around you turn blue, placing down the guitar, "It's a working progress, different from what you sing."

Weiss looks down for a moment, "Why did you come to Atlas? I'm sure your family is worried about you."
"I have a family; however, not by blood. Back in Vale, I was a professor at Beacon Academy, the one who took care of me was the Headmaster himself. He was the one who sent me here."
"Why did he send you here? You don't have family here, a new place all alone."

"I have you, don't I?" Weiss smiles at you, "Yeah!"
"That's my girl. Now tomorrow is your big show, let's practice a bit, then see if there are any last-minute changes to your wardrobe." As you step down the stage, you finally notice James, "Ironwood! How long were you standing there? You should have said something." James smiles at you, "I just got here; care to go for a walk for a moment?"

Before you could answer, Weiss answers, "She would love to! Go on; I will get ready." Weiss gives you a slight push towards Ironwood.

James extends his arm towards you as you take hold of it, "I'll be back in a moment."

"Take your time!" Weiss watches as the two of you walk away, "If they get together, General Ironwood owes me big time."

Both you and James take a walk outside the arena. "Why did you decide to ask me for a walk?"
"I thought I would be a good change of pace." James answers, "I also prepared a gift for you." He looks around for a moment, then takes your hand.

Now standing in front of a greenhouse, you stare in awe, "When was this built?" Ironwood opens the door to show you the variety of plants stored inside.

James smiles as he sees you look around the area. "Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it; I can't believe that you did this."

James looks away for a moment, "You said that you used to own a greenhouse, so I found a way to use some dust to create an area to bring that back to you. And with you being here for over three years, we haven't celebrated your birthday."

"Birthday?" You think for a moment, "Now that I think about it, I've never celebrated my birthday. I don't think I remember when my birthday was."

"Not even in Vale?"
"Oz and I would celebrate the new year but nothing else. Birthdays seemed foreign to us." You say as you sit on a chair James stands next to you.

"What was your family like?"
"Why the sudden curiosity?"

"I want to learn more about you, just how you learn about me." James takes hold of your hands; before realizing his actions, he lets go, causing you to smile.

"Well, I came from a family who was very well respected, my mom and dad had powerful abilities, so of course, that would mean their power would be passed down to children. They had four sons; each one held the power of one element. Then I was born, when I came of age, I didn't have powers like my brothers." James carefully listens to your story, "I was the black sheep, my dad didn't mind, he took care of me when mom practically abandoned me. My brothers were kind to me, defended me when I was in trouble because I was the weakest. One day I caught the eye of someone because mom was the head of the house; no matter how much I begged, I had to follow her orders. Then I remembered my place in the family; the weakest ones don't have an option."

James sits on the chair next to you, "That's why you said that if you didn't have power, what were you good for."

"Yeah. I'll continue to live and do whatever it takes to keep people safe."
"Why did you leave your kingdom?"

"They took someone from me, and I couldn't forgive them. But look where it led me. Now here I am, at your side."

~~~~~~~~
End of Chapter 2.

Another chapter down! I've been having fun with this story. Hope to see you guys in the next chapter!

Michaelis~