Amplify (A RWBY Story)

The trip to Vacuo wasn't that eventful. Just an occasional Grimm here and there but nothing too difficult for Ryder to dispatch. The villagers were grateful for Ryder's presence as it gave them a sense of safety during the trip to Vacuo. They did inevitably reach Vacuo and when they did, Ryder took notice of the Huntsmen who came to the villager's aid. Ryder, who was flying, drops from the sky and lands beside the large crowd of villagers he helped escort. The Huntsmen of Shade Academy got to work and guided the villagers into the city.

There weren't many people to house since the village wasn't all that big. Ryder just watches from his spot as they are being guided into the city. He grabs the Dragon Radar from his satchel and looks at it. He can't see any Dragon Balls on it yet so he's not close to any meaning none of the orbs are in the City. He hums to himself in thought before he puts the radar away. 

"The village elder says you're the one who escorted them here safety, that true?" an approaching voice asks. 

Ryder looked towards the voice and saw a man who looks fairly stylish. He has dark, close-cut hair, which is almost shaved off, and a checkered vest shows off his wiry frame, thin but with sharp lines of muscle, like he had been chiseled from stone. He wears an ankle length, grey-blue cape likened to the color of a storm sky which is clasped onto his shoulders with a silver chain, a silver belt with a round buckle alongside matching boots, and bright white slacks with deep side pockets. He also dawns red gloves over his hands. The aura of this man told Ryder that he was experienced. 

"That it is. Who are you?" Ryder asks. 

"I guess I never introduced myself." The man said. "My name is Theodore, I'm the Headmaster of Shade Academy." 

Ryder's eyes widen ever slightly at this news. Well, this made his job a lot easier. He originally thought he would have to personally track down the headmaster, but this makes things easier. 

"Well, I can say that You coming to me made my task a lot easier." Ryder said. 

Theodore showed visible confusion as he raised an eyebrow. 

"Ozpin told me some things about you. Including information regarding the Queen." Ryder said, trying not to openly say Salem's name. 

Theodore caught onto the hint and knew immediately, or well guessed, that Ryder was a newly recruited member of the Inner circle. 

"What's your name?" Theodore asked. 

"My name is Ryder Falcone." Ryder greets. 

"Well, Ryder. How much to Ozpin tell you?" Theodore asked in a more hushed tone. 

Thankfully they were fairly far away so no one would hear them. 

"The essentials, I think. Salem, the Maidens, his ability to reincarnate." Ryder listed. 

"Yep, those are the essentials." Theodore said while crossing his arms. "So, what brings you to Vacuo?" 

"I'm looking for something that will help us in defeating Salem once and for all." Ryder said. 

"Defeating The Big one?" Theodore asked. "Now you have my attention." 

Ryder grabs his satchel and opens it to show Theodore. The headmaster looked into the bag and saw three Dragon Balls and the Dragon Radar. Theodore didn't know what they were but figured they were important for some reason. Ozpin never mentioned anything like this before. 

"What are they?" Theodore asks. 

"They're called Dragon Balls. Collect all Seven and you can have any wish you want granted." Ryder said, closing the satchel. 

Theodore's eyes widen hearing that. Yeah, Ozpin never said anything about Wish orbs. Now that he thinks about it, the potential these orbs have will no doubt turn the tides of their War against Salem. Theodore whistles to himself. 

"Ozpin never mentioned there being Wish orbs." Theodore said. 

"Well... that's a long story." Ryder said. 

"I got time." Theodore said. 

"Have somewhere we can speak in private?" Ryder asked. 

"Yeah, my office. Once these people get squared away, we can head there. Thanks again for guiding them by the way." Theodore said. 

"Not a problem." Ryder said, shaking his head lightly. 

With the villagers being taken care of by the Huntsmen, Theodore and Ryder help where they can. It takes a few moments for everyone to get situated but once they're all inside the city, Theodore and Ryder make their way to Shade Academy. The City of Vacuo is an interesting place, at every turn Ryder sees a Huntsmen or a thief. It's definitely not like Vale one bit. That gets him thinking about Vale, he's wondering what Kairos is doing right now.

He did decide to stay behind, and Ryder can respect his choice. It would've been nice to have his teammate with him as it would speed up the process of locating the Dragon Balls. But there's nothing he can do now; Kairos made his choice and he's okay with it. His mind then wanders to others from Beacon Academy. Professor Port, Doctor Oobleck and Glynda Goodwitch. When he left, they were struggling with the Grimm. He hopes that they have everything under control. He's not there to help so he has to put his faith in them. 

But he should be focused on the current situation. He needs Theodore's help as he needs a base of operations in Vacuo if he is going to locate the Dragon Balls that may or may not be in Vacuo.