Everyone knows of the Four Kingdoms: Vale, Vacuao, Mistral, and Atlas. Of the Grimm and their eternal mission to destroy Humanity and the Huntsmen who proudly defend the kingdoms from these monsters. However, most don't know of the age that came before. 1'000 years ago, the world was much different. There was no Dust, no Aura, no Faunus, no Grimm, and the number of nations that existed was well over a hundred. The most powerful among these nations vied for supremacy over one another through alliances and devastating weapons of mass destruction. There was a tense peace, but that all changed. On the eve of 2020, a massive global earthquake struck the planet, causing a slew of other disasters to follow in its wake, decimating the world and toppling the world's nations in an instant.

One country, the United States of America, managed to survive the cataclysm, but was severely weakened. Those that survives worked to rebuild what was lost, which would take many decades of hard work. The American government, however, became much more controlling in an effort to keep the nation together. The civilians were against this move, but knew they had to ensure their country didn't fall apart. This tense era of reconstruction for, at least, 100 years before America managed to get back on its feet, somewhat. However, greedy politicians refused to relinquish the martial law they enacted, drunk on power and wealth. Anyone who spoke out was vilified and/or removed through careful use of deceit, threats, and/or humiliation. Eventually, the majority of America's citizens had enough and rose up against the corrupt government. While they sent the army, the soldiers couldn't bring themselves to shoot their fellow countrymen and some even joined in on the rebellion. The corrupt politicians were caught, rounded up, and executed by gunpoint. Following their age old practices, new government officials were elected from among the average citizens of America.

This sparked a cultural and technological revolution in America. Many unneeded regulations, laws, and rules were removed or streamlined and many new ideas were implemented, as well. The country, as a whole, embraced the principles and ideals that their country was founded upon long ago, truly becoming a free country. The nuclear weapons were dismantled, as they were no longer needed, and the blueprints were locked away forever. Nuclear power was used as a source of clean energy and technology was moving faster than ever before. However, they quickly noticed the world has changed drastically over the centuries. They had quickly noticed many children were born with the body parts/abilities of animals, with the term Faunus quickly coined. Then, there was Dust, a strange energy propellent that possessed unnatural abilities. America went against using it, however, as they didn't need it and it was rather limiting in terms of space travel. The final change was the Grimm, soulless monsters that attacked anything made by Humans. The American military managed to kill them all before they could overrun the country and are keeping a vigilant eye in case anymore show up. Scouts have reported the creation of four kingdoms and the world's situation.

America had no intention of overtly aiding the Kingdoms, as it has done for other countries in the past, but as advocates for justice and freedom, they had to offer some help for both the Kingdoms and the oppressed Faunus people. So, they would help by striking both the Grimm and the radical White Fang that has strayed from its path. They also began training individuals in the use of Aura, Dust, and other subjects so they can blend in with the Kingdoms and offer a tactical advantage. Due to the well documented archives on the nations of the past, these trainees had plenty of fighting styles to choose from. But, America would keep to the shadows, never revealing itself to the world until it has no choice.

This is the first "official" chapter of the story. I's also be clear on a specific point: I am being selective in the content I'm taking from RWBY's lore. For instance, I'm choosing to ignore the God Brothers' existence because I view the addition of Gods in a story that doesn't necessarily require them as LAZY WRITING and refuse to acknowledge it as cannon. And no, this doesn't mean I'm against Christian beliefs if anyone gets that idea. I have no ill will towards ANY religion, but I stay neutral on such things for various reasons that I won't get into.

1/19/20-I've deleted all the author's notes chapters.