| "We've all lost something, and I've seen what loss can do to people. But if we gave up every time we lost, then we'd never be able to move forward." |

Beacon Academy, time unknown.

One could feel the scent of death around the air, the dirges of goodbyes ringing across the empty sky.

The battle had not yet ended, as Huntsmen and Huntresses alike fought to save the Academy from the furious wrath of the Grimms and the White Fang. The symphony of gunfire and spellcasting rang across the chambers, as participants on all sides fought in what was once the heart of Huntsman training.

And you were amongst that - nay, you weren’t even part of the student list.

You were a mercenary group, sent by the ever-feared International Investigations Agency (under the direct orders of your leader, a brawler-turned-spy by the name of Strike) to deal with the Grimms and the White Fang. Armed with nothing but guns and grenades, you fought tooth and nail with your fellow mercenaries and your unlikely allies within the Huntsmen and the Academy to save the lives of everyone and bring the terrorist invaders to heel.

Eventually, a controlled retreat of your sector was ordered, in order to trick the enemies to pass through the area - only to be welcomed by attacks from all of you. As you began the careful withdrawal, you eventually bumped into someone.

Ruby Rose, the leader of Team RWBY and your fellow ally, looked at you quizzically and suspiciously while holding onto her weapon, the Crescent Rose. She still wasn’t sure if you were foe or friend yet.

“Careful now, mister,” she muttered, trying to keep her voice kind even in the face of adversity. “We don’t want them to know, don’t we?”