The Emerald Hunter

Prologue: Followed

Many years ago...

Qrow Branwen sheathed his scythe, looking at the Grimm he had just killed. The villagers had reported that the creature had been terrorizing them for weeks without stop and disposed of three other Huntsmen without much effort. However, for him, it was easy pickings. Anyone could tell that just by looking at him. He was tall, with red eyes and semi-pale skin, coupled with spiky black hair and a tattered cape that went with his black pants and contrasted with his light grey coat and white shirt. Anyone could tell he was not someone to be messed with. The Grimm disintegrating at his feet had found that out the hard way. He started to turn, when he got the distinct feeling he was being watched. He turned around but saw nothing. Shrugging it off he turned around... not noticing the young boy who peered at him from around a tree.

Later, at Beacon Academy....

Qrow staggered up to the gates of the school, feeling the aftereffects of a hangover he had from celebrating his victory in the town with several drinks. He had been too drunk to fly back to Beacon, so he had stayed the night at a tavern. The town wasn't too far away from Vale, so it wasn't too much of a problem. However, the walk back had been a nightmare due to a mother hangover he had managed to catch... again. As he had staggered back, he had a feeling something was wrong the whole time, but he brushed that off as feeling like he was going to throw up (which he did a few times). 

He got to the main entrance of the school, where he found Professor Ozpin waiting for him. He was dressed as he always was, black suit and green shirt with shaded spectacles and his trusty cane. "Qrow," he said. "Good to see you've returned." "Yeah," Qrow replied. "Yet, my body's not too happy with me for celebrating." Ozpin looked behind him. "You've done a little more than that from what I can see," he replied. "Huh?" the former bandit replied.

Professor Goodwitch appeared from the door and waved her wand. A young boy came flying out from behind the pillar and tumbled to a heap in front of them. His clothes, pale brown pants and a green shirt, were torn and dirty, and he had no shoes. He was pretty thin and wiry, and his black hair speckled with gray contrasted with his pale skin, which was grimy with dirt and covered in cuts and bruises. "He's been tailing you ever since you came to Beacon," Goodwitch said. "Maybe even before then."

Qrow facepalmed. "I'm getting rusty if a pipsqueak can follow me for over five miles and I don't notice," he groaned. "I'm not a pipsqueak," the kid said. "I'm tough. Tougher than most." He started to pick himself up. "I wanna learn how to be strong like you," he told Qrow.

Qrow chuckled. "I don't take disciples, kid," he told him. "My line of work isn't really the career that has a low mortality rate. To top it off, I'm not really the luckiest guy around, and that's contagious." "Fine by me," the kid replied. "I've been cursed since I was born." He looked up at him. It was then Qrow noticed that his eyes were covered in bandages. Qrow's brow furrowed. "And why's that?" he asked. "My eyes," the boy said. "Everyone says they were cursed by the devil. When I take these bandages off, my eyes hurt people. They killed my parents." He paused. "At least, that's what the villagers say."

Qrow knelt and looked the boy in the face. "What's your name, kiddo?" he asked. "Shane," the orphan told him. "Shane August." Qrow reached behind the boy's head. "I have a theory about what's wrong with you, Shane," he said. "But it's pretty crazy. Wanna see how crazy?" Shane paused. "Sure," he said. "You have five seconds before the curse kicks in once you remove the bandages." Qrow took them off..... and smirked. "Well," he said as he turned the boy around to face the professors, "looks like I was right on the money." All the other two adults could do was look at the boy in utter shock.

A/N: Hello, everybody! In case anyone was paying attention, I am REALLY SORRY I haven't updated in forever! School has been hectic and I have homework out the wazoo!! But, here's a new story for people to enjoy! Hope you like it! I am always open to critiques and advice on how to improve, and don't forget to follow, vote, and comment. Till next time, mangareader777 signing off! 😉