[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Blake's ears twitched as she was reading the library. She heard singing. Very sweet singing, actually. She got up and followed the sound, out into the hallway before she looked outside. In a nearby courtyard, hidden in some bushes, Jaune was playing his guitar.



Jaune: "Hm hm hmmm... Hmhmhmmmm... Roland, Roland, your name will live in song,Whenever brave men take up arms to right a grievous wrong.The fairest flower of chivalry to bloom in all the land,And the noblest of all the knights of Charlemagne..."



Blake: "The Song of Roland?"



Jaune: "ACK!" He jumped, and then looked up at Blake. "O-Oh! Hey Blake. You uh... You know it?"



Blake: "It's a very old song. I saw it referenced in... Some historical fiction I was reading."



Armored Hearts, a very spicy and erotic tale about knights and ladies in medieval Vale, but Jaune didn't need to know that.



Jaune: smiles "Yeah. It's very dear to my family, actually, since my ancestors were Charlemagne and Roland. Well, Roland the First... And Second... And a lot of others."



Blake: "Wait... You're one of those Arcs? Descended from Jeanne D'Arc?"



Jaune: "Yep. She's the matriarch. There's a bronze statue of her and everything in the center of Radian. You uh... You like history?"



Blake: "I-I do... Wow. Though I only know more than a little about La Hare, her Faunus rabbit companion."



Jaune: grins "Ser Lapine? Yeah, he has a shrine too. I've even gotten to touch his sword! It was so cool, it's kept in the church along with every other artifact we could save. He became captain of her guard when she became a queen."



Blake: "Yes... And Roland the First?"



Jaune: "Oh, yeah. He was a knight for King Charlemagne, or Charles the Great as he was also known. Also one of his sons. He fought at the battle of the Amber Pass against the Vacuoans. He'd tried to get around the blockade to aid the Gallian Allies on the other side of the mountains, using a secret pass... But he was betrayed and fought to protect his troops as they escaped."



Blake: nods "Yes... It is a sad song. Though... Roland might have been better served if he had retreated with his men."



Jaune: nods "Maybe... Maybe it was a stupid thing to do. But it was also a heroic thing to do. It saved the lives of his men."



Blake: "Mm..." She sat down next to him "Why don't you sing like this around Weiss?"



Jaune: "Er... I mean... I've been singing this song forever. Heck, my dad sings it all the time. I wanted... I wanted to sing her a song I wrote. Be more personal."



Blake: "Mm... It wasn't very good."



Jaune: crushed



Blake: wince "But... But I like how you sing this song."



Jaune: "Oh..." smiles "Thanks."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

One thing that would have been a lot of fun for RWBY? Grimm cults. They've been around since the dawn of civilization, and religious activity is something all humans do. The Grimm are an all encompassing menace, monsters that feed on humans for their negative emotions. They would seem like the wrath of the Gods, or something we might be able to appease if sacrifices were made. This idea of bartering with the supernatural is universal for all humans, and it would arise very naturally in Remnant. For the most part, Salem would not have directly managed these cults. Rather, she would be amused at how they rise, and provided some encouragement here or there to deal with Ozma.

At least in my own fanon, the rise of the Quitalan Empire and other great powers would see these cults reduced to the fringes. A few smaller powers ruled over by Grimm Cultists might have arisen in this ancient period, not too different from the ancient Aztecs, Mayans, Celts, Mesopotamians, and many other civilizations. But being sacrificed to monsters tends to make your people hate your rulers, and so empires whose philosophy detested this practice stamped them out, leaving them to be secret orders. Some were able to infiltrate the ranks of great empires: The Quitalans had at least one mad emperor who tried to make Grimm Worship the dominant religion before their fall, their version of Caligula. Salem might have made an appearance or had one of her agents act as an emissary to guide these cults when it was advantageous.

In the chaos following the fall of the Quitalan Empire, and many other empires like Iksander's, Grimm cults arose in response to the despair and loss and pain. In the wake of wars, these dark practitioners stepped in to try and seduce lost, lonely, and broken people into their ranks. Some were granted boons by Salem herself: A bit of magic, Grimm implants, and so on.

The rise of the Tablebreaker religion was a major counter to these cults and Salem's plans. Ozma would not have anything to do with the actual events of the Tablebreaker religion forming, but he would encourage it as it provided a source of hope against the Grimm in these times. He did the same with Pathism (the equivalent of Buddhism) as its origins were also outside of his purview but he saw the good it inspired and so he encouraged it, and any other faiths that resisted the darkness of the Grimm.

The Witch Queen of Argus rose in the wake of the total collapse of the remnants of Iksander's Empire falling, forcibly uniting the Hellenic League and making war across the sea. The Tablebreaker religion called for crusades against her and other Grimm cultists. Jeanne D'Arc herself was a believer who attributed her victory over the Witch Queen to God. A Monkey Faunus warrior and his Pathist monk ally were able to bring down a Bull Faunus Lord named "Red Boy", or the Divine Infant Great King, who had turned Mistral into his slaughterhouse for Grimm sacrifices.

These defeats made Salem become far more subtle. She would work with her cults here and there quietly, carefully, as the modern age arose. A mad king seeking immortality there, an order of priests subverted to the cult there, but all very quiet and careful.

In the wake of the Great War, many elites became disillusioned with the religions and philosophies of the old world, just as they did on Earth after the world wars. And a number of these elites formed secret societies, becoming Grimm cultists. They used and abused the lost, the poor, and the desperate in their macabre rituals because they had lost faith in humanity. A number were actually found out and arrested, but legal battles with the rich and powerful are complex affairs. At least a few of them got away thanks to their riches, influence, cleverness, or luck. They still try to make contact with Salem, still make sacrifices in the hopes for power, and still practice the old ways in secret.

(Obviously inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's stories.)

This would be seen most dramatically when the Kauravas overthrew Pandu. They didn't overtly practice their Grimm rituals in public as that would lose them influence, but they kept them up in secret. The reveal of this by Team AARN with Ozpin's help allowed for Arjun to rally the people and overthrow them. At the time though, they would be seen as whackjobs who believed that the Grimm were ruled by a goddess, something in the modern day would be seen as insanity. Ozpin would suspect the truth and try to learn more, but the surviving Kauravas went deep underground, and Lionheart helped cover them up.

At least a few in Vale's government could explain why the city fell so fast and why Cinder and her agents were not found out. Lionheart and others like Hazel or Tyrian being contacted by Salem though such a cult would deepen their characters and the lore of the world. And of course, it gives you more possibilities for villains.

At their core? Most of them would be motivated by despair and nihilism. There is no defeating the Grimm, there is no saving Remnant. There is only trying to gain power by appeasing the ravenous darkness threatening to consume us all. Some like Tyrian would feel serving Salem is truly being righteous, is truly fulfilling (and would also be sociopaths). Some might even believe they would be reborn as Grimm when they died. The possibilities are vast.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

A fun idea I had for May? Given Vacuo is very cutthroat and dangerous, May is actually a very effective silent killer. The arena battle played to none of her strengths. Perhaps Blake learns she has Aura Vision and Ruby asks her to help them with the White Fang. May happily agrees.



Ruby: "Okay, we need to take out that sentry-"



May: "On it!"



May sneaks up like a shadow, grabs the sentry from behind and puts a knife to his throat. She then slashes his throat and drops him silently. She looks over at the stunned RWBY and JNPR.



Ruby: "Woah woah woah! What are you doing?"



May: "Oh, I-I'm sorry. You told me to take out the sentry, and um, guns are too loud-"



Ruby: "I didn't mean kill him!"



May: "Ohhhh. You wanted to take him for interrogation to get intel! I'm so, so sorry!"



Jaune quickly works to stabilize the man.



Ruby: "Wha-How-?!"



Jaune: "I did almost get into medical school, you know. Huh! You made a very clean cut."



May: fretting "I'm sorry, I was nervous! I usually do a much better job-"



Jaune: "No, no! It's good because it's easier to heal!"



May: "Oh! Well, um, thank you!"



Jaune: "Er, no problem! I'm sure you do great work with a knife!"



May: blush "You-You're very kind... Um... So Ruby! I don't kill anyone else?"



Ruby: "NO!"



May: "Right, sorry!"



May is basically very sweet and kind, like Hinata Hyuuga and Yor Forger. She is also a very dangerous killing machine who will do whatever it takes to protect her team and loved ones and will kill without a second thought... Like Hinata Hyuuga and Yor Forger.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune: "So, are you looking forward to the tournament?"



May: "I guess so. But I don't think we'll do a very good job."



Ruby: "Aw, but May! You shouldn't be so hard on yourself!"



May: "I'm afraid the rest of my team is mostly focused on frontline, close range combat in support of me. Though they can handle guns and grenades, I'm the only one with any real offensive punch and I can't fight any of you solo in an arena." sigh "It's a real shame how it's designed. If it was an urban combat arena, I might be able to do some interesting things, but it's not very showy so I see why they don't allow it."



Jaune: "Oh? Like what?"



May: "Well, I would split JNPR up with grenades. Jaune's High Aura means a battle of endurance wouldn't work, so I'd have to incapacitate him right off the bat since he coordinates you-Either by separating him from you or knocking him out with poison gas or Grimm venom darts. After that, hit Pyrrha with flashbangs to disorient her and use Dust grenades to herd her into a trap: Land mines and plastic explosives wouldn't register to her magnetic senses."



Pyrrha: pause "... You figured out my Semblance?"



May: blush "O-Oh, um, sorry. I watched hundreds of hours of your arena fights and realized it was either limited telekinesis or magnet manipulation. Given that the former would give you an advantage in blind fighting and would explain your incredible ability to counter, it seemed the more likely explanation. I'd have the guys use wooden weapons or hit you from range to wear you down-Napalm or other fire attacks would distract, drain Aura and be less visible to your senses. Grimm venom darts and my bullets would finish you off."



Pyrrha: "... I see."



Jaune: "That's incredible!"



Nora: "Ooh! OOH! DO ME! HOW WOULD YOU KILL ME AND RENNY?"



May: "Oh, um... Removing Jaune and Pyrrha would leave you two with incredible synergy. Since Ren isn't as tough as you I'd focus all our efforts on killing or incapacitating him, and drive you into a berserker frenzy. When you ran out of Dust and/or Aura, you'd be easy pickings as long as we kept our distance and wore you out."



Nora: "Wow! Good call!"



Ren: raised eyebrow "Yes. Very effective."



Ruby: "Ummm..."



May: "Oh! I'm sorry Ruby, I didn't mean to leave you out!"



Ruby: "No, it's fine-"



May: "I mean it's very rude of me! I've drawn up contingencies to entrap and destroy your team too!" tears up "I-I wouldn't want you to think I didn't care about you! You're my friend and I should always work as hard as possible for my friends!"



Ruby: "N-No! No, that's okay!" hugs May "I'm... Totally looking forward to hearing how you would kill me and my friends!"



May: sniffle "Really?"



Ruby: "Sure!"



May: beams "Yay!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Lilac Arc visits Jaune at Beacon.

Lilac: "I brought sweaters and other things for you and all your friends!"

Jaune: "Aw, thanks Big Sis!"

They hug happily.

Yang: "So, Lilac huh? Guess she's just rose-y cheeked and buddies with everyone, huh?"

Weiss: "Ugh. Please forgive her."

Lilac: "No, I thought it was funny! Hahaha!"

Yang: "Heh! Finally, a family with taste!"

Ruby: groans "Yeah, no..."

Jaune: "Anyway... I'm really glad to see you, sis."

A Grimm Beowulf emerges from the ruins and begins to charge.

Jaune: "!!! How did it get through the defenses?!"

Ruby: "We've got this! I'll just bring it down-!"

Lilac: "Don't worry, I've got this."

Pyrrha: "Wha-What?"

Yang: "WHAT?!"

Lilac turns and glares at the Beowulf. It skids to a halt and stares back.

Lilac: "No! Bad Beowulf! You go and think about what you were trying to do! No more attacking humans!"

The Beowulf nods... Then turns and flees.

Everyone stares at Lilac.

Blake: "... How?"

Lilac: "Oh, um... Well... Naughty Grimm shouldn't be allowed to get away with that kind of mischief! That's my Semblance."

Silence.

Ruby: "WHY ARE YOU NOT A HUNTRESS?! THAT WAS AMAZING!"

Lilac: "Because I want to be a housewife." Happy smile "And being a Huntress would take all my time!"

More silence.

Yang: "Okay, so... She just has a powerful Semblance. It's not like she's a combat prodigy or anything... Right?"

Lilac: "Oh no! I abhor violence! But I did get some training when I was little..."

Pyrrha: "May I train against you?"

Lilac: "Certainly!"

Jaune: "Um, Pyrrha-"

Pyrrha: "It's all right, Jaune. This will be unarmed combat."

Pyrrha and Lilac spar, exchange some blows... Pyrrha speeds up, and looks like she's actually having to put in effort. Lilac dodges, deflects and easily parries all her blows. Finally, Pyrrha tries to kick her... And Lilac catches the blow and pitches her over her shoulder. Pyrrha goes flying into a marble pillar, smashing through it.

Pyrrha: "UWAH!"

Jaune: "PYRRHA!"

Lilac: "Oh dear! I'M SO SORRY!"

Later, Lilac fixes Pyrrha up.

Lilac: "I am so sorry, I am so rusty, that was horrible, please forgive me?"

Pyrrha: "Urgh... It's all right... How long were you training?"

Lilac: "Oh, a few years. But Mom and Dad told me I had learned it all and was too much for them!"

Ruby: "Too..."

Yang: "Much..."

Weiss: "For..."

Blake: "Them?!"

RWBY and Pyrrha are very depressed.

Weiss: "Years of training... And a housewife can do that...?"

Yang: moans "I give up..."

Blake: "My life is over."

Ruby: "Well... At least I can still bake cookies and fix things..."

Pyrrha: "All my victories, pointless..."

Jaune: "No! Guys! Don't give up! I mean it's just how she is!"

Ren, wisely, has hung back with Nora. Nora raises her arm.

Lilac: "Oh, yes dear?"

Nora: "Can you teach me to be an awesome housewife too?!"

Lilac: "Sure can!"

Nora: "YAY! Renny honey! You're gonna need a pelvic cast!"

Ren: "I thought as much."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The White Fang took hostages as a regular matter of course. In this case, Adam personally handled the operation, seizing a woman from Radian and bringing her to their HQ.



Adam: "Her mother is holding three of our agents in her hospital after they were captured. We use her to compel their release. Keep an eye on her, but do not harm her."



Guards: "Sir!"



Adam headed off to handle another mission... Leaving the guards with a surprisingly calm Lilac Arc.



Guard 1: coughs repeatedly



Lilac: "That sounds bad. I know a remedy for it, if you have a kitchen."



Guard 2: "Ha! Nice try! What's the remedy, rat poison?"



Lilac: "No, of course not. It's too salty."



Guard 1: keeps coughing "Ugh..."



Lilac: "You can keep suffering or you can feel better. I much prefer people to feel better. Besides, I would never poison someone."



Guard 2: scowls harder



Lilac: "Also, all I would do is poison one person. That won't let me escape now will it?"



Guard 1: coughs more piteously



Guard 2: sigh "Fine..."



They take Lilac to the kitchen. She gathers some local herbs and cooks up some tea. She looks over their other ingredients.



Lilac: "Hmmm... You all look like you could use a good meal." brightens "Do you have any venison? I can make a great stew!"



Guard 2: "Oh please, like we're going to fall for that!"



Guard 1 drinks the tea... Sniffs...



Guard 1: "Wow! It... I can breath! Cough's gone! And... And it tastes great! Try it!"



Guard 2: "Oh come on, you can't be serious!"



Guard 1: "Serious as a heart attack. Besides, she's one woman without her Aura activated. What could she do even if she poisoned it?"



Guard 2 drinks the tea... Blinks in disbelief.



Guard 2: "It... It's amazing!"



Lilac: "Old family recipe! Like this stew!"



She's already cooking it. Other members of the White Fang come in, drawn by the smell.



Lilac: "Oh! Hello! Grab a bowl, it should be done soon!"



Guard 1: "Hey, hang on a second, even if it smells good, we should test it!"



Lilac: "Come on. I would never poison food! Then you wouldn't get to enjoy it!"



Guard 2: "You... Do realize you're our hostage, right? If you don't cooperate, we'll kill you?"



Lilac: "I am cooperating."



Guard 1: "She's got a point."



Lilac: "Wonderful!"



When Adam returns... The guards all look a lot more relaxed.



Adam: "Sitrep?"



Guard 2: "Oh! Lord Adam! Uh, everything's fine, sir! The hostage is safe and compliant."



Adam: "Good. Her mother is proving difficult. We'll need to make a video to show how serious we are."



Guard 1: "Errr... I see, Lord Adam."



Lilac: "Hello Lord Adam! Let me take your coat. It's freezing out there, hm? Here, have some hot tea!"



Adam: "Ah, thank you."



He sips the tea... Then spits it out.



Adam: "Wha-Why are you out of your cell?!"



Lilac: "Well, I couldn't finish my knitting in there, My Lord." She hands him a red scarf "Here you are! Goes with your hair."



Guard 1: "Aw..."



Lilac: "I didn't forget you, sweetie!" She hands him a green scarf with a wink "Goes with your scales!"



Guard 1: "Oh, sweet!" At Adam's furious glare "I-I mean, um... Thank you, you pathetic human!"



Lilac: brightly "You're welcome!"



- - -



Lilac is modeled after Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess! She is thus a strong willed but ultimately kind and selfless woman who is REALLY good at winning people's hearts and minds with kindness. You let her into your HQ she's gonna turn your troops with gentle kindness, understanding, and REALLY good cooking.

Click to shrink...

A day passes. Adam runs into Lilac again cooking for everyone in the kitchen. He approaches her when she is alone. She is humming a soft lullaby under her breath.



Lilac: "Oh. Hello Lord Adam. Is there something you wish of me?"



Adam: "... If they refuse to pay the ransom, your life is forfeit."



Lilac: "I know, Lord Adam."



Adam: "You aren't afraid of that?"



Lilac: shrugs "I am."



Adam: "Yet you still persist like this."



Lilac: "Yes Lord Adam."



Adam: "Why?"



Lilac: "Your men needed good food. Your men need kindness. Everyone does."



Adam: annoyed "We are holding you hostage."



Lilac: "Yes."



Adam: "We are criminals by your estimation."



Lilac: "Yes."



Adam: "We are Faunus, and our goal is to overthrow your oppression and tyrrany."



Lilac: "Have I oppressed you, Lord Adam?"



Adam: "... You annoy me."



Lilac: "I'm sorry, Lord Adam."



Adam: glares... seizes her long hair and makes her yelp. He forces her to her knees and holds Wilt up to her throat.



Adam: "I could end your life in an instant."



Lilac: "Yes Lord Adam... I-I know."



Adam: "So drop the act. You're just trying to manipulate us with lies and deceit!"



Lilac: "No Lord Adam! I-I assure you, I am not-!"



Adam: "Then why this?! Why all of this?! You're trying to make us drop our guard! Allow you to escape!"



Lilac: winces as he digs his blade into her throat "Even if I tried... I know I'm too far away from anywhere civilized to escape. I'd be killed by Grimm or brought back."



Adam: "Then why?! WHY ACT LIKE THIS?!"



Lilac: closes her eyes "Because it's the right thing to do!"



Adam pauses.



Adam: "What?"



Lilac: deep breath "I firmly believe... That people in pain need help and kindness. That it's the right thing to do to help others, even if they want to-to kill me or hurt me. To try, at least."



Adam: "What makes you think I'm in pain?!"



Lilac: "You are. We all are... It is why the Tablebreaker came, is it not? To heal the hurt of the world-?"



Adam: "That religion is nonsense! Just a means of control of the masses! It turns a Faunus into a martyr, just to try and pretend to be fair! All the while the church and governments oppress Faunus!"



Lilac: "No... No, it isn't. Corrupt priests and churches can do bad things in the name of the Emperor Above, but it doesn't change the good at its core!"



Adam: seethe "And so you would do this? Be kind, even to your captors? Even if it meant your death?! All because of your belief?"



Lilac, shaking, manages to look him up in the eyes.



Lilac: "... Y-Yes... Yes, I would."



Adam is silent. So is Lilac. He lets her go and pulls his blade away.



Adam: deep breath "You're confined to your cell. You will not do anything else but sit and be silent."



Lilac: "As you wish, Lord Adam."



A few days pass. Adam returns to her cell. He has three of his Faunus escort her out to a small chamber with a camera.



Adam: "On your knees."



Lilac does so. Adam turns to his guards.



Adam: "The negotiators are trying to buy time. We need to send a stronger message. We have other hostages... We'll kill her to show we mean business."



White Fang 1: "S-Sir... Um, she is the most prominent. Maybe we need to-"



Adam: "Those are my orders. Set up the camera."



The White Fang members reluctantly begin to set things up. Adam waits for the camera turn on.



Adam: "You have ignored our demands. This is the price you will pay."



Lilac: "Lord Adam... May I have a request, please? W-Well... Two requests?"



Adam: glares "What?"



Lilac shakily reaches into her dress pocket, and produces a photo. Adam snatches it and looks it over. His eyes widen behind his mask.



Adam: "You-!"



Lilac: "My fiance... Mercer. He... If you could return that to him..."



Adam: "You... You're engaged?! To a Faunus?!"



Lilac: wince "Yes Lord Adam..."



Adam: glares "... And the other?"



Lilac: "... May I please pray? Before you... You execute me?"



Adam: grits his teeth "..." He steps away. Lilac bows her head and folds her hands.



Lilac: "Tablebreaker, merciful Lord... Please... Forgive them. They know not what they do... And... And please look after my family. I... I won't be there for them anymore..."



Silence. One of the White Fang minions sucks in a breath.



White Fang 1: "Sir... Lord Adam, please. We-We don't need to kill her."



Adam: "Are you questioning my orders?!"



White Fang 2: "Sir, she-Please! Yes humans are our enemy, but-Please, maybe she's one of the good ones-!"



Adam: "There are no good ones! It's a trick! A deception! She's still trying to manipulate you for her life! SHE'S THE ENEMY!"



Lilac: Still praying, shaking, but praying hard



White Fang 3: "Sir, please! Look... I've known many a bad human but she's done nothing!"



Adam: "Humans have done plenty to us! Especially when we did 'nothing'! YOU THINK SHE ACTUALLY CARES?! YOU THINK THIS IS REAL?!" He backhands Lilac and sends her sprawling onto the floor "SHE'S A LIAR! A TRICKSTER!"



He seizes her by her collar and holds her aloft. She chokes.



Adam: "You're just manipulating us! You don't believe we're good! You don't believe a word! Say it! SAY IT!"



Lilac: "N-No! I won't! And I won't stop!"



Adam grits his teeth. He senses his men are about to try and gang up on him. He thinks it over... Then drops her.



Lilac: gasping for breath



Adam: "... Take her back to her cell."



White Fang 1: "Yes sir..."



A day later, Lilac wakes up in a forest clearing. Adam is standing there, silent.



Adam: tosses a canteen at her "You're a day's walk from Matron Village. There are no Grimm around. They'll get you home."



Lilac: "... You're letting me go?"



Adam: "You're too disruptive as a hostage. My men are threatening to mutiny. Your manipulations are too strong... You're too dangerous to keep. So... Go."



Lilac: smiles softly "Thank you, Lord Adam-"



Adam: "Stop that. I don't believe you for a second. This was all an act to get me to release you... And you won."



Lilac: "No... No. I mean... I'm glad to be free... But you're still in pain. And still lost."



Adam: scoffs "I don't need you to save me."



Lilac: "We all need someone to save us. We're all in this together, human and Faunus."



Adam: "..." sighs "... If more humans thought as you do... Maybe I wouldn't have to do what I do."



Lilac: nods "I know."



Adam turns and vanishes into the woods.



- - - -



That just kind of happened. Got a LOT more serious than in the first post, that's for sure. I'm just studying the idea of someone weaker physically than Adam but able to stand up to him in spirit and conviction. It might be interesting to explore, and hey, Lilac is available.



And as usual, I'm not making commentary on real world religions, just using them as inspiration for how it might affect things in Remnant.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Several years ago...



Twelve year old May Zedong had been happy. Maybe she wasn't rich like the girls she saw on Scroll broadcasts, with their many dresses and fancy cars, but she was happy. Her mother and father, Parvati and August Zedong, were farmers in their little village in Vacuo. They worked their tiny patch of land with a tractor and animals, grew and sold vegetables in the market, raised hogs and chickens. She had known nothing but a simple but comfortable house, laughter and joy. Her mother was a wonderful mechanic who fixed other machines in town for good pay, while her father, when not working the fields, would hunt wild game and make her clothes out of the furs.



She would laugh and play with other children her age when she wasn't doing chores or doing to the village school. They had been so happy.



This night though... Everything had changed.



She woke up to shouts and clanging alarm bells. She peeked out her window: She could see fires on houses nearby their farm. She saw dark figures roaming the streets, and coming towards their home. Her eyes widened in horror as red eyes glared back.



Grimm...



The door to her room burst open. Her father and mother stood there, both armed with rifles and axes.



"Come on May, we need to get to the shelter," her mother said, already holding up a jacket. May got dressed quickly, and pulled on the jacket. Her father handed her one of the rifles, the best looking one, which she took with shaking hands. It had a strap, so she slid it securely over her shoulders onto her back.



There were crashes and smashes and snarls from downstairs. Her father cursed.



"Damnit... Roof! Out the window!"



They dashed to the window in her parents' bedroom. Outside and below them was the connecting roof, a sheltered walkway that led to the barn. There was a storm cellar there, filled with food and provisions just in case of a disaster. They sprang out onto the roof, and ran.



Inhuman shrieks filled the night air. May looked and screamed: Nevermores dove for them. Her father and mother opened fire on the flock, their rifles shooting them down.



"MAY!" Her father shouted, "FIRE! USE THE GUN!"



May trembled. The monsters swarmed, their red eyes burning in the night. Her arms twitched, as though trying to obey the order... But she couldn't. She fell to her knees and shook like a leaf.



"MAY!" Her father shouted.



"I-I can't!" She cried. "I can't-I can't!"



August's face... Was filled with guilt and regret. He glanced to his wife. She nodded grimly, and turned to May.



"MAY!" Her mother screamed. "GO!"



"Wait-MOM-!"



Parvati shoved May off the roof. She fell in a tumble, shakily getting to her feet. She looked up in horror as her parents kept firing. Her father waved a flashlight around, deliberately drawing more attention to himself.



"GO! GET TO THE SHELTER!" Her father bellowed. "WE'LL BE RIGHT BEHIND YOU! RUN! STAY ALIVE, NO MATTER WHAT!"



May, shaking, still managed to turn and run. She knew the path by heart, dark or day... But as she turned the corner, she saw several Beowulves snarling and clawing at the shelter entrance. They turned and roared at her.



No... Nononono...!



She turned and fled. She hopped the fence, fleeing into the nearest field. She heard the Grimm follow her, their padded feet loud against the grass and brush. She wept as she fled, running for her life, her heart pounding in her ears.



Gotta get away... Gotta get away...!



She tried to circle back, head back towards the farm house. She caught sight of the waving flashlight and gunfire again. She hopped the fence and ducked into the bushes. She saw her parents still fighting, her mother using an axe and her father wielding twin guns in his hands.



She saw a Beowulf lunge... And her father went down, his head grasped in its jaws. There was a splash of red and...



May's jaw dropped. Her mother screamed.



"AUGUST!"



Two Beowulves brought her down, and she fell silent. Only the growls of the Grimm and the wet crunching of bone and flesh could be heard. Flames ignited somewhere in the house, and tongues of fire erupted from the windows. Smoke began to blot out the stars overhead as the farmhouse burned.



May collapsed onto all fours. She looked at the ground, silent, her tears falling like waterfalls to the dirt ground. She heard growls. She shakily looked up.



The blood stained Grimm were stalking towards her, their red eyes gleaming.



For a moment... May did nothing. She stared back at her death, and did nothing.



Get up, a voice whispered in her head. Still she did nothing as the Grimm advanced.



Get up...



They licked their jaws. May's fingers gripped the dirt.



Get up... AND RUN!



She found her will. She stood up, turned and ran. She hopped over the fence, the entire pack of Grimm now after her. She ran through the trees, taking scratches onto her arms. She climbed over another wall, and another, goats fleeing in terror. The Grimm paid them no mind, only focused on her.



The moon peeked out of the clouds, and she skidded to a halt with a cry. Below her was a huge expanse of nothing. She could hear running water, faintly hear the river in the gully below.



She looked back over her shoulder, panting hard: The Grimm were still advancing, still hungry for her. Hungry for her soul.



Jump, the voice whispered again.



I'll die! May thought.



You'll die if you stay, the voice whispered again, but you might live if you jump. So jump...



She turned back towards the river. The Grimm were seconds away.



JUMP! NOW!



She leaped, feeling jaws snapping at her body as she fell. She dove towards the river. Her eyes were wide open as she screamed.



I don't want to die... I DON'T WANT TO DIE... I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I'LL STAY ALIVE!



She shut her eyes tightly.



I WON'T DIE!



She fell, fell... Before she was jerked violently and stopped. She panted frantically, looked behind her.



The rifle, the rifle she had forgotten, had mechashifted into an axe. An axe that had snagged onto a tree branch. Said branch creaked ominously, but it held.



Desperately, May reached up and grabbed onto the branch. It was agonizing having to hold on like this. She pulled herself, slowly, painfully, to the cliff face. Her waving feet found footing, solid rock, and she struggled free. She landed hard, shaking. She fell to her knees... But the stone outcropping held. She clung to the side of the cliff, weeds in the rocks her anchors. She looked up. The Beowulves snarled distantly overhead, their red eyes glowing...



But they did not advance.



She bowed her head, breathing hard. Her heart pounded in her ears. She turned and sat down. She reached behind herself, and pulled the axe free. She held it tightly, and stared out into the night. Her mind was a blank.



She must have fallen asleep at some point, because the next thing she knew it was light and the sound of an airship's engines filled her ears. She looked up, startled, as a Vacuoan gunship flew in the bright blue sky overhead.



For a moment, she hesitated. She was cold. She was alone. The farm... The farm would be gone by now.



She had nothing...



Stay alive... Stay alive...



May squeezed the mechashift weapon in her hands. Clumsily, she groped the weapon for the shift mechanism. It transformed into the rifle, a little dirty but functional.



She pointed the gun up at the sky, and pulled the trigger. The loud retort of the gun echoed through the canyon.



I won't die...



She pulled the trigger again, firing another shot. The airship began to turn.



I won't die...



She fired again, and now the airship was definitely flying towards her. She fired again.



I won't die... I'll stay alive... I don't know why yet but...



May Zedong looked up, face grim, as the airship descended towards her. The hatch opened, and a Huntsman in black military gear reached out to her. Shakily, she lifted her hand to take his.



But I'll stay alive until I find out why.



- - -

Have an origin story for May Zedong!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

I did have a twist on the idea of RNJRY(W?) reaching Kuroyuri. In this case, it's been repopulated. The new magistrate, a former Mistral special agent, is seemingly kind and generous. He was a Huntsman made a special policeman by the Mistralian government, who tried to get to Kuroyuri but was too late to save it. He apologizes deeply for this and offers Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie their old home back and any of the belongings of Ren's family to them. He even offers to let them stay in his home, feeds them, and is altogether kind.

But it is all a deception. This mayor worked for Leonardo Lionheart. Leonardo provides excuses for him to not get to villages attacked by Grimm in time, and the lawman in turn splits what he loots with his lawmen and Leonardo. He kills people Lionheart needs removed, he assisted Cinder and her group with any legal issues, and to keep Kuroyuri safe, he sacrifices criminals to the local Grimm to keep them occupied-Especially the Nucklavee. He then tries to do this to our heroes, which leads to not only a fight with the Nucklavee (and our heroes killing it) but facing the magistrate and his goons. This gives us a first hint as to what Lionheart has been up to (as how much he was involved is revealed depends on you) and shows that something is rotten in Mistral. It also puts a human face on Ren and Nora's tragedy. Ren wanted to martyr himself, not caring if he lived or died as long as the Nucklavee perished... But if someone was beind this? Someone who had a choice? Then Ren now has to face a more complex moral choice, which could help him and Nora develop their characters.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Mercury: "You know, I'm completely well adjusted. I don't need to be here, I wasn't even involved, but I'll do it if you require me to-"



Isabel: "You're a very good liar, Mercury Black. You might have even fooled me... If not for the fact my team fought your father once. And lived."



Mercury: eyes widen



Isabel: "Now, there's no need to be alarmed. I won't divulge anything you tell me, and plenty of Huntsmen have had even worse childhoods than yours. I just want you to know, there's no need for fear."



Mercury: "You... How did he not kill you-?"



Isabel: "It wasn't easy. But the job ultimately proved to not be worth the trouble. Even he realized it wasn't worth it..." cough "That and Arjun outbid the man paying for the job. Money talks."



Mercury: "How... How much?"



Isabel: "About five hundred thousand lien."



Mercury: "Money... He had money and... And... That... That son of a-!"



Mercury smashes the floor, kicks a table, kicks a hole in the wall. Isabel then stands in front of him, and catches his kick in her hands. Her super strength and enhanced reflexes let her hold him.



Isabel: "Mercury! Mercury, look at me. Look at me. It's all right... It's all right..."



Mercury: breathes hard, not sure how the FUCK to handle any of this!



He sits down on the couch, shaking. Isabel stays a respectful distance away.



Isabel: "... You don't have to talk about it, all right? You don't. Not now."



Mercury: "... I just... Fucking hell..."



Isabel waits. Mercury manages to get himself back under control.



Mercury: "... Why... Why tell me?"



Isabel: "Because it's the right thing to do."



Mercury: "..." sighs "I don't understand that."



Isabel: "I take it your father just took, and took, and anything he gave you... It had a price tag attached?"



Mercury scowls... He manages a slow nod.



Isabel: "All right... Then I will make you a deal. It will all be on your side. You can decide whether or not to take it. The power is all yours."



Mercury: "... What are you offering?"



Isabel: "First? Let me fix the nerve damage to your legs."



Mercury: eyes wide "How did you-?!"



Isabel: "I'm very good at spotting prosthetics, and I felt your leg when you kicked me. I also know when prosthetics are poorly attached. This isn't part of the deal, this is just me doing my job as a healer."



Mercury: "... You have one minute. If I think you're trying anything-"



Isabel: "More than enough time."



Mercury hesitates... Pulls his trouser legs up. Isabel applies some Healing Dust with her gloves to the connection points. Instantly, the near constant pain he's been suffering is gone.



Mercury: "... It... It was that simple?!"



Isabel: pulls back "The only reason a doctor wouldn't fix those is if they didn't care. How many doctors have you seen, Mercury?"



Mercury: "... Not many." Watts doesn't count as a medical doctor, and he wouldn't give a shit about my pain...



Isabel: nods "They were bad at their jobs, then."



Mercury: "... You talked about a deal. What is it?"



Isabel: "Let me find you replacement prosthetics. Better ones."



Mercury: "I can't afford them-"



Isabel: "Let me worry about that. A lot of cybernetics companies can do pro bono work in exchange for tax benefits. A decent set of combat capable prosthetic legs isn't that expensive. My twins do a lot of work on custom jobs anyway, and they like a challenge."



Mercury: "And in exchange?"



Isabel: "Let me help you."



Mercury: "The hell do you get out of it?!"



Isabel: "I became a doctor to help people. You need help." smiles "The non-material rewards can be just as important as the material."



Mercury: "That... You feel better doing it?"



Isabel: "And I make you feel better."



Mercury: "I just..." he shook his head "It sounds crazy."



Isabel: sighs "Does it help that my hospital gets more business the more pro-bono jobs for Huntsmen it does? Or that I'm actually paid to help people?"



Mercury: "I mean... I get that. You should have led with that."



Isabel: smiles "I didn't want to be dishonest. I wanted to show all my motives, including the ones you might not understand."



Mercury: "I guess so..."



Isabel: "And if you need more incentive? Maybe I could find out if your Semblance is truly gone."



Mercury: "... You'd do that for me?"



Isabel: "We did have to fight your father. He tried to steal all our Semblances. He failed, thankfully. That and the money convinced him to flee. But I can't imagine he wouldn't have done it to you, given your reactions to his memory."



Mercury: Shit... Cinder's gonna kill me... I know it... I know it because I'm gonna defect... No! No, come on. There's no way I'm gonna change sides just for this...



He rubbed his legs. Legs that were no longer hurting.



Mercury: ... Right?



- - -



I'm not very happy with this. It's too rushed, like most of my rough drafts. I do think it could be interesting if I expanded it. But honestly, given how easily Emerald and Mercury defected in canon? It isn't a stretch that they would have done so earlier if Isabel was involved. And yes, Team AARN would have been a target of Marcus's in the past. The Kauravas would have paid him to try and take Arjun out. But they were very formidable and Arjun's access to some secret family bank accounts let them pay him off.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The entire student body of Beacon had gathered in the main auditorium, a sea of curious faces filling the vast space.

Jaune, his brow furrowed, glanced over at Ruby, who sat beside him.

"Any idea what this is about, Ruby?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Ruby shook her head vigorously.

"No! Blake, do you know?" she exclaimed, casting an exasperated look at her teammate.

"You should pay attention to politics," Blake, ever composed, responded coolly.

"But that's borinnnng!" Ruby whined, slumping in her seat. "Also, not an answer! Weiss?"

"Even I don't know what this is about," Weiss sniffed.

"Maybe they're just gonna make us sign up to vote," Yang shrugged, "Ya know, ballot us up?"

"HA! I get it!" Nora giggled, as she sat next to Ren. Ren himself remained silent.

"I'm sure it will be very interesting," Pyrrha said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Jaune sighed.

At that moment, Headmaster Ozpin stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding an immediate hush over the restless crowd.

"Students," he began, his tone measured and calm, "new legislation has just passed that affects all of us. To summarize things and get on with our day, I managed to get this video made."

With that, he stepped aside, and a large holowindow flickered to life, its glowing display visible to every corner of the auditorium.

The screen proudly declared: A Production of the Valean Ministry of Health. A redheaded, middle-aged man appeared, seated in an elegant study before a crackling fireplace. His receding hairline and large handlebar mustache framed a kind smile.

"Hello," he said warmly. "I am Rufus Winchester, and I'm here to ask you a question. What is the purpose of Hunters? Well, that should be obvious: to protect man and Faunus from the Grimm."

The scene shifts to a vivid battlefield, where Huntsmen and Huntresses clash valiantly with snarling Grimm. Rufus strode into the frame, saluting the warriors. "Those of you who choose this path are noble Defenders of life on Remnant! You deserve gratitude, praise, and money! Because this is a hard job, and many brave souls pay the price."

The image dissolved into a somber graveyard, where Rufus walked mournfully among the headstones.

"Awards, citations, medals... These are given to Hunters who give their lives in the service of us all. But the loss of these heroes is felt more acutely if they do not leave a proper legacy."

With a wipe, the scene transformed into a cheerful tableau: a Huntsman and Huntress surrounded by their laughing children. Rufus stepped in, beaming broadly.

"Money, fame, awards: These are all hollow compared to a family. Your hard work as a Hunter will be better appreciated by your children and grandchildren than any statue could."

The Huntsman grinned at his wife.

"Sure am glad I have you, my loving wife! And my wonderful children!"

"Same, my wonderful husband and children!" the Huntress replied, her voice brimming with affection.

"We love you, Mom and Dad!" the children chorused, their faces alight with joy.

Rufus chuckled warmly before turning back to the camera. "Studies show that married Hunter couples are three times as likely to return home than single Hunters! And your skills and abilities will not vanish with you when you die! Indeed, children of Hunters are ninety percent likely to join their parents' professions!"

The scene returned to the study, where Rufus now cradled a squirming baby.

"Of course, having children is expensive! But that's where Council Bill 2276 comes in! Under this law, married Hunters and Hunters-in-training get up to sixty percent off their total taxes and are eligible for financial assistance, no matter how many babies you have! Thanks to Aura, Huntresses can recover from birth and get back into fighting shape in less than three weeks!"

The baby let out a loud burp, and Rufus laughed good-naturedly.

"Aw, feisty little guy, isn't he?"

The screen wiped to the happy family once more, now seated together in their cozy home. Rufus stood behind them, hands resting on their shoulders.

"So while you are killing the scourge of the Grimm in the present, invest in your future and the future of Vale! Have a family! Save the world!"

The video concluded with bold text: Sponsored by the Valean Council and Approved by the Lion Pope. As the holowindow faded, Ozpin stepped forward again, hands clasped behind his back. "Any questions?" he asked, his voice cutting through the silence.

For a moment, there was nothing but quiet. Then, chaos erupted. Nora leapt to her feet, seizing Ren's arm and brandishing her hammer with wild eyes.

"HANDS OFF, YOU WHORES! I SAW HIM FIRST!" she bellowed, her voice echoing through the auditorium.

"Easy Nora, easy!" Jaune said quickly, waving his hands as he stood up. He took a deep breath.

Well, that's Nora for you, he thought, glad everyone else is a lot more calm and even tempered-

He felt a pair of hands wrap around his upper arm. He glanced down. Yang was smiling shyly.

"Oh, hey VB. Tell me: You have how many sisters again?"

"Er... Seven?" Jaune managed.

"Yang!" Weiss gasped.

"What? I'm just thinking about the future," Yang grinned.

"YANG!" Pyrrha growled, which was as surprising as a magnolia eating the cat. Yang shrugged.

"What? You snooze you lose, Cereal Girl. You had your chance-"

"H-He hasn't agreed to anything!" Pyrrha sputtered.

"YEAH!" Ruby growled, popping up and grabbing his other arm. "And he's MY best friend!"

"You're too young!"

"He had a crush on me!" Weiss declared.

"You never had any interest!" Pyrrha shot back. Weiss flushed.

"W-Well, I'm just thinking about my future and finances!"

"Oh yeah, that's sexy!" Yang snarked.

Blake raised an eyebrow. She then sighed and looked to her left. Sun Wukong stood there with a grin.

"Hey Blake! So... You doing anything later?"

"Probably washing my hair," Blake deadpanned.

"Need any help?"

Cardin Winchester sank deeper in his seat, wincing at the stares and glares tossed his way.

Pandemonium broke loose as students shouted and scrambled, alliances forming and dissolving in an instant. Ozpin sighed deeply, rubbing his temple.

"Last time I play poker with Councilman Winchester," he muttered under his breath. "Cheating bastard."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby and Jaune do need to learn how to manage their teams. And connect with other team leaders. So there's a class for that... And a lot of fun to be had.
And paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork.

- - -

Ruby was practically bouncing off the walls with joy as she walked down the hallway, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to Jaune, who trudged along beside her.

"Come on Jaune! Isn't this exciting?! Our first leadership class!" Ruby exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.

Jaune sighed.

"I know... Sorry Ruby, but given how hard everything else is? I'm not feeling the enthusiasm."

Ruby tilted her head, undeterred. "Aw, come on Jaune! This is awesome! We're our team leaders! And yeah, you kind of suck at, well, a lot of stuff-"

"Thanks," Jaune deadpanned. Ruby winced and then continued.

"-But you're good at leadership! Come on! Be happy! For me?" She let loose her puppy dog eyes.

Jaune let out another sigh and then shrugged.

"I'll try."

"YAY!" Ruby beamed, and Jaune couldn't help a little smile at that.

They reached the classroom where Professor Ozpin awaited them. Cardin, already inside, winced upon seeing Jaune, who scowled back. With a sigh, Cardin gestured to two seats beside him. Ruby blinked.

"Eh? Hey, what's your deal?"

"I'm trying to be nice, pipsqueak. You got a problem with that?" Cardin replied gruffly.

Ruby shook her head and shrugged.

"No! I guess? And I'm not a pipsqueak! I'm drinking my milk!"

"Thanks Cardin," Jaune offered quietly, as they took their seats.

Ozpin looked around gravely before he addressed the room.

"Good of you all to join us. Simin Magister, as the leader of team SLVR and one of our senior teacher's assistants, I leave the rest to you. I have other matters to attend to."

Why'd he botherr to come if that's all he was going to say? Almost everyone thought.

With that, he exited, and a handsome young man with dark red hair, tanned skin, and a long gray jacket stepped forward, smiling warmly.

"It's great to see so many new faces," Simin began. "Now, leadership of a team is more than just keeping it together in the field and fighting. There's a lot of hard work off the field too."

Ruby perked up immediately.

"Ooh! Ooh! Like training?"

Simin nodded.

"That is also important... But more important? Is paperwork."

Ruby's jaw dropped.

"Paperwork?!" She gasped.

Simin smiled in nostalgia.

"Yep! As team leaders you must account for your team's stores of supplies, types of supplies, finances, training room time, medical condition, and many other things! You must also demonstrate your ability to write mission reports and convey information properly that other Huntsmen, the police, the military and other organizations use when it comes to Grimm, the ground of your missions, and damages you cause or others inflict."

Ruby faltered, but quickly rallied with a smile.

"Well... Um... I-I'm sure it can't be that bad to start, right?"

Simin beamed, his teeth shining like knives.

"That's the spirit!"

Moments later, Simin dumped several large stacks of paperwork onto the leaders' desks. Ruby gaped.

"Wait, actual paperwork?!" She cried.

Simin grinned.

"It's so you can get used to the digital stuff later. Trust me, it will be a breeze after this!"

Ruby slumped, her face slamming into the stack with a moan. Jaune chuckled and patted her on the shoulder.

"Living the dream, huh?" Jaune asked.

Ruby moaned louder.

Hours passed, and Cardin grumbled as he filled out another sheet.

"Geez... I thought helping dad with his campaign finances was bad..." Next to him, Ruby, her eyes spinning, cried out in despair.

"Wha... What's an index?! WHAT'S A LEDGER?! WHAT IS ALL THIS?!" She slammed her face into the stack again and moaned, then glanced to her right at Jaune.

"Jaune? You okay there budd-?"

To her shock, Jaune was already up, handing his completed paperwork to Simin.

"Wha-He's already done?!" Ruby stammered. Cardin's jaw dropped.

"No way... It can't all be done properly-!"

Simin flipped through the stack before nodding in approval.

"Very good, Mister Arc! Everything checks out! You can relax until everyone else is done."

Jaune smiled, "Thanks, Mister Magister!" and returned to sit beside Ruby. He then looked over at her and Cardin, who both stared at him in utter disbelief.

"What?" Jaune asked innocently.

"Wha-How did you get all that done so fast and correctly?!" Ruby demanded.

Jaune shrugged, looking a bit proud.

"Well, I had to help my mom with paperwork at the hospital, help my dad with paperwork at the militia, help my sisters with paperwork for various reasons, did some accounting for my great-grandpa's restaurant..." He shrugged, "In comparison, this isn't too hard! Plus, Nora has to ask me for more money for Dust and she has to get the proportions just right, so she's pretty good at keeping track of things. Pyrrha buys most of her own stuff but she still reports it to me, and Ren is very good at math too. So, we're pretty set."

Ruby's soul seemed to droop and drag her down with it at every word.

"Oh… Oh…"

Jaune smiled and patted her shoulder encouragingly.

"I'm sure you can get it too, Ruby! I mean, Weiss is rich: She must know something about business? And Yang was like your mom so she has to know finances? And Blake... Um..."

Ruby nodded weakly, "Y-Yeah... I'm sure they'll be fine... Totally fine...!"

Cardin spoke up at last, his face very serious.

"Jauney-boy? I take back every bad thing I ever said about you. Mind helping me out? My team will train with yours... I'll carry your books? Set you up with my hot sister?!"

Coco Adel leaned over from the desk behind them, adjusting her glasses with an eager grin.

"Like hell he will! Arc, you help me out and I'll let you take Bun-Bun on a date! And I'll make sure she's extra sexy for you!" Jaune laughed a bit nervously and held his hands up.

"It's just paperwork, guys. Don't be so melodramatic. But! I will help you all out... If!"

"I get Weiss to go out with you?!" Ruby guessed eagerly.

Jaune flustered.

"What?! No! I want to do that myself! I know I'm wearing her down!"

"Ummm," Ruby coughed, "Er, well…"

"Should have offered her your sister, she's much hotter," Coco suggested.

"Look," Jaune interrupted, "I'll just ask that we all be friends. And I get some help with the stuff I'm not good at when it comes to Hunting."

Coco smirked.

"So... Everything then?"

Jaune winced, and slowly nodded. There was a hint of pride in his eyes though.

"... Yeah... Except for this."

Coco hummed and then nodded.

"Sounds fair."

"Seriously, offering him your teammate?" Cardin muttered.

"What? She's got a thing for big, dumb galoots!" Coco countered, lowering her shades at Cardin, "Maybe if you weren't a racist on top of that, I'd have set you two up!"

Cardin blushed.

"I-I would never be interested in her! N-Never! I don't think she has pretty eyes either!"

Much staring. Cardin scowled.

"I didn't say that!"

Ruby hummed.

"Well... I guess it's nice to have more friends who are as awkward as us."

"I am not awkward," Cardin grumbled. Jaune chuckled.

"Yeah, see? We're socializing more already!"

Ruby beamed at her best friend.

"Yeah! I... I think this is gonna turn out just fine!"

And then the fight with the White Fang at the Wharves happened, but that's another story.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Lately, the air around Yang and Jaune crackled with tension, their voices rising in heated exchanges that had become all too frequent. Ruby, caught in the crossfire of their bickering, felt her patience fraying like an old rope. She slumped against the wall, arms crossed, as the two clashed yet again in the common room of their dormitory.

"You don't get to boss my team around, Vomit Boy!" Yang snapped, her blonde hair flaring like a wildfire as she jabbed a finger toward Jaune.

"Well, someone has to do it if you won't take responsibility, Spitfire!" Jaune shot back, his voice steady but edged with frustration, his blue eyes narrowing as he stood his ground.

"It's none of your business!" Yang growled, her fists clenching at her sides.

"It is my business when my best friend gets ignored by her own team!" Jaune countered, his tone rising as he gestured emphatically.

"We don't ignore her!" Yang's voice was sharp, her amber eyes blazing.

"You absolutely do!" Jaune insisted, stepping closer, undeterred by her fiery glare.

"You don't have any legs to stand on, Fumbles!" Yang sneered, crossing her arms with a defiant tilt of her chin.

"Someone has to stand up to you, brat!" Jaune retorted, his own stance mirroring hers, a stubborn set to his jaw.

"Asshole!" Yang spat, her temper flaring like a struck match.

"Bimbo!" Jaune fired back, his voice dripping with exasperation.

"MORON!"

Ruby's patience snapped like a twig underfoot.

"ARGH! WILL YOU TWO ARGUE SOMEWHERE ELSE ALREADY?!" she shouted, her voice cutting through their spat like a scythe through wheat.

"FINE!" Yang and Jaune barked in unison, their faces flushed with irritation. With a synchronized huff, they stormed off, their footsteps echoing down the hall as they disappeared into an empty dorm room, the door slamming shut behind them.

In the sudden silence, Pyrrha fidgeted with her hands, her green eyes wide with concern.

"Oh my... I hope Yang doesn't give Jaune too much trouble," she murmured, glancing toward the closed door. "Why is she so hard on him?"

A soft, amused sound escaped Blake, who lounged on a nearby couch, her golden eyes glinting with mischief. Pyrrha turned, blinking in confusion.

"Blake?" She asked softly.

"Oh... I think he's harder on her, to be honest," Blake replied, a smug, catlike grin curling her lips as she stretched languidly. Pyrrha's eyes widened.

Ruby tilted her head, her silver eyes narrowing.

"So you can hear what they're arguing about? They aren't gonna get rough, are they?"

Blake's grin widened, a knowing edge to it.

"I believe they like it rough."

Weiss, perched primly on a chair, scowled, her pale blue eyes flashing with disapproval.

"That's disgusting, Blake! There's no way even Yang would sully herself with Arc!"

Ruby blinked, processing the implication.

"Sully...? Wait, you mean... Sex?"

Weiss's face flushed a delicate pink as she sputtered.

"How do you know that word—?!"

"I'm SIXTEEN, not five," Ruby replied dryly, rolling her eyes.

Pyrrha's voice trembled as she clutched her hands to her chest.

"Wh-What do you mean, sex?! They can't be having sex!" Her face paled, her mind racing to reject the idea.

A brief, heavy silence fell over the group, broken only by Nora's sudden, cheerful declaration.

"They're totally having sex," she said, her grin wide and unapologetic as she bounced on her heels.

Ren, ever calm beside her, nodded solemnly.

"Indeed."

Pyrrha's world seemed to crumble as she stammered.

"NO! They—They aren't—!"

"We would know!" Ruby insisted, though a flicker of doubt crept into her voice.

Blake arched an eyebrow, tapping one of her feline ears.

"And who would know better than me? With my ears—?"

"You're just a perverted cat!" Weiss snapped, her arms crossing tighter as she glared at Blake.

Ruby, unwilling to let the mystery fester, leapt to her feet. In a blur of red and black, she used her semblance to zip across the hall, appearing before the dorm room door in an instant. A smirk tugged at her lips as she gripped the handle.

"HA! I'll prove it!" she declared, flinging the door open with a flourish. "I will prove that they are absolutely, positively, NOT—!"

Her words died in her throat. There, in the dimly lit room, Yang and Jaune were locked in a feverish embrace, lips crashing together with an intensity that left no room for misinterpretation. Their hands tugged at each other's clothes, on the verge of tearing them free, when they froze mid-motion. Slowly, as if sensing the weight of multiple stares, they turned their heads. Yang's golden hair was mussed, Jaune's armor slightly askew. Their eyes met the stunned group in the doorway, and the kiss broke with an awkward pop.

Jaune coughed into his fist, his face reddening.

"Um... Hey guys?"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune sighed heavily. He winced as he rolled his shoulders and looked around his office. He had been left alone to do some paperwork, which he supposed was nice. On the other hand, he had to do paperwork.



There was a knock at the door.



"Come in!" He called. The doors opened, and Yang strode in with a smile.



"Heyah, Ladykiller! Saw your speech today," she said. She sat down in a chair. "Though it was nice. Very short."



Jaune smiled back at her.



"Thanks. It's like everyone forgets the inaugural speeches of Councilmembers used to be like ten to twenty minutes," he chuckled. Yang shook her head.



"You knew that history but not the Faunus Revolution?"



"Er, well," Jaune rubbed the back of his head, "I always paid more attention to Nana Arturia's stories because they were a lot more exciting." He beamed. "What can I do for you?"



"I'm on your security detail for tonight!" Yang said cheerfully. "Pyrrha needed to do a photoshoot, Weiss is meeting her sis, Blake is meeting her parents, Ruby got detention with Oobleck, and Ren and Nora are..." She shrugged. "Got me."



"They do their own thing on the weekends," Jaune confirmed. He smiled warmly. "Thanks. I appreciate it. You always cheer me up."



"Well, someone's gotta keep you from getting too full of yourself," Yang winked, "Speaking of, you eaten dinner yet?"



"I was about to order something," Jaune said, turning back to his papers. "I gotta finish up this report to the press tomorrow-"



"Bah," Yang scoffed, putting a hand over his, "Come on. You gotta get out of here."



Jaune looked up in some surprise.



"You're acting... Well... I mean, friendly," Jaune said. Yang shrugged.



"Well... I did realize you're actually pretty cool, once you get past the awkward nerdy parts," she said with a smile. "And you're Ruby's best friend, and she'd have my head if I didn't make sure you were taking care of yourself."



Jaune smiled. He squeezed her hand back. Yang leaned forward.



"Besides, living a cushy life as a Councilman's Wife might be nice~," Yang teased. Jaune flushed.



"Y-Yang!"



"Aw, come on," Yang cooed, leaning forward with a sexy wink, "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it~. At least once? Unless you're into slim girls like Weisscream."



Jaune flushed.



"I mean... If I'm being honest? I thought you were out of my league," Jaune admitted. Yang blinked.



"Eh? But-But you went for Weiss?"



Jaune shrugged.



"I mean... That was kind of a pride thing, though I do think she's incredible. But you? You just... I love your smile, your energy, your eyes. You light up the room. If you rejected me... I dunno. It would hurt more." He smiled. "Plus, I mean, I didn't want Ruby to think I was her friend just to get your attention."



Yang flushed. She slowly nodded.



"I, yeah... Well..." She cleared her throat. "You really gotta get some air if you're getting all mushy like this, Stud. Come on! We should hit a diner, get some real food."



Jaune frowned.



"I dunno..."



"Come on," Yang winked, "I promise, I'll be your cute little bodyguard. I'll protect you. In and out of bed, if you'd like~."



"Yang," Jaune groaned, bright red. She giggled, and pulled him up to his feet. He sighed, but nodded as they headed out.



"All right. There's a diner close by. Let's hit it up, quickly."



"Relax, Councilman," Yang chuckled, "What could possibly go wrong?"



- - -

Click to shrink...

They came to a small diner in the historical Old Town part of Vale, near the massive towers of the government center. It was called "Just Right", and was run by a formidable looking bear Faunus woman in a blue dress and white apron. She stood at the entrance to the cozy, clean diner, chewing on a wooden spoon as she looked Yang and Jaune up and down.



"Hey Ma!" Yang greeted her with a happy smile. Jaune himself had pulled on some sunglasses and a hat to try and disguise himself, but still smiled politely.



Ma looked him up and down, chewing on her spoon. She nodded in approval.



"Welcome, ya little Spitfire. Usual table is open."



"Thanks!" Yang grinned and dragged Jaune off to a booth far from the windows, and near the jukebox. Yang had Jaune slide in first, before she slid in across from him. Ma was along shortly, setting down some menus, glasses of water, and a candle, which she lit.



"Knew you'd find a good man someday," Ma stated. Jaune coughed and shook his head.



"Ah, no, I mean, we're not-!"



"Thanks!" Yang said cheerfully, grabbing Jaune's hand and squeezing it hard. He got the message and shut up, smiling with a slight wince at Ma. Ma chuckled.



"Keep your wits about you. She's gonna be rough. Gotta take her in hand," Ma stated. Jaune slowly nodded.



"I-I'll keep that in mind," he mumbled, as Ma headed off. Yang loosened her grip on Jaune a bit, but didn't let go. Jaune sighed and scowled at her.



"Seriously?"



"Hey, it keeps her from asking too many questions," Yang said. She pouted. "Unless you don't like the idea of me being your girlfriend?"



"No! I mean, that's not it!" Jaune insisted quickly. "I just... A lot's happened and I'm trying to get a grip on things, ya know?"



Yang shook her head.



"You literally figured out how to use your Aura an hour after getting it unlocked," she said, "How much time do you need, anyway?"



"I just... How does that relate to this?" Jaune asked. Yang giggled.



"I just like seeing you flustered. You're kind of cute that way," she winked, "And besides, it keeps you from getting too big a head. You wouldn't want to turn out like Councillor Valkoran and become so divorced from reality you destroy your empire, right?"



"No, but..." Jaune blinked rapidly and stared at her. "Wait... That's from Space Quest 5!"



Yang flushed and glanced to the side.



"Er... Ya know, Ruby was all into that stuff..."



Jaune smirked a little.



"Really? So you don't think the fifth season was a rushed add on?"



"N-No! I mean, there was a fifth season?" Yang giggled, trying to play dumb. Jaune smiled warmly. He squeezed her hand back.



"You don't have to put up any fronts with me, you know," Jaune said kindly, "Take it from me: It sucks. I-I mean, I know you're not like, fake or anything. I like that about you. But well... You can be totally honest with me."



Yang stared at him for a long moment. She brushed some hair from her shoulder.



"Well... As long as you, I dunno, keep it a state secret."



"If I have to," Jaune said with a nod and good natured rolling of his eyes. Yang shook her head.



"Still... How did you even hear about that show? You live out in the sticks!"



"My mom's hospital had a direct link to the CCT repeater tower," Jaune explained, "So I hung out there a lot to watch stuff."



"Your mom owns a hospital?" Yang asked in disbelief. Jaune nodded.



"Yeah. She worked as a Huntress combat medic to pay for medical school, and turned the old castle in our town into a hospital. I mean, we still live on a farm and all but we did help out there too..."



"Huh," Yang said, "My dad just got a free CCT antenna direct thanks to my uncle Qrow. So we saw everything for free. Well, when the weather was cooperating. You ever watch Professor Paradox?"



Jaune grinned.



"Yup. My Nana is a huge fan of it, since she's from Albion. Well until the last few series."



Yang rolled her eyes.



"Ugh, yeah. Freaking Thirteenth Professor is so lame..."



They chatted about many nerdy things. Then they got into their childhoods... And after a while, they just talked. Nobody forced anything, nobody was pretending. After having to deal with politicians and reporters for the last few weeks? It was a balm for Jaune's soul. And he found himself studying her face, and her eyes.



"Get out! GET OUT!"



Which was interrupted when there was a loud disturbance out front. Ma was standing at the doorway, holding a fist up and shaking it, as a couple of White Fang goons in masks and leathers stood in the diner door.



"I told you, you punks can't come in!" Ma growled. The lead White Fang tough laughed in her face.



"You can't hold us all off, you old sow," he sneered, "You're either gonna pay up for us not wrecking your place, or we're gonna burn it to the ground! Especially since you've been letting humans in!"



"Anyone who can pay and show respect is welcome!" Ma snarled. "You don't get to-ACK!"



The leader back handed her and sent her to the floor. Jaune and Yang immediately stood up, meal forgotten. The White Fang punks laughed.



"Oh, what's this? Some human bimbo and her boy toy are gonna try to mess with-?"



They flared their Auras. The punks, save for the leader, all gasped or winced. Yang punched her open palm as Jaune clenched his fists.



"You wanna rephrase that?" Jaune asked angrily. The punk, a bit intimidated, still sneered.



"Should I have called her what she really is? A slut-?"



The leader lost his speaking privileges, along with most of his teeth, as Jaune's fist met his jaw.



The scuffle was extremely short. Two Hunters-in-training against a few street punks was no real contest. However, Yang got a little too enthusiastic and sent one flying through a window. That got the cops to arrive quickly, and they stormed in.



"Drop to the floor, now!" The cop shouted, gun raised. Jaune held up his arms.



"Hey! He was stopping the bad guys!" Yang shouted angrily.



"DROP DOWN ON THE FLOOR!" The cop repeated.



Yang snarled.



"YOU-!"



"Take it easy, Yang!" Jaune shouted. He sighed as he pulled off his sunglasses and hat. "Look, we'll sort this all out and-"



The cops all gaped in shock.



"Councilman Arc?!" One cried.



Jaune coughed. Well, that made things easier.



"Yes, uh, I was just here when these guys came in and-"



"And he and his girlfriend saved me from these-these punks!" Ma Bear said happily, slapping Jaune on the back, "Thanks, Kid! You and Yang can eat here free from now on!"



"No, really, I'll pay for-!"



A camera drone flew into his face, shining a bright light. A familiar woman with lavender hair and a purple pantsuit rushed in, holding a microphone.



"Councilman Arc, I'm Lisa Lavender with VNN! Getting into fights with White Fang now?"



"I defended myself and the people here!" Jaune stated, irritated at the reporter, "With Yang! A bunch of assholes don't get to push people around!"



"You tell them, Stud!" Yang laughed, wrapping her arms around his, "Especially if they insult his lovely girlfriend!"



"That's right-Wait no-!"



Lisa grinned like a hungry shark as she leaned in with the camera drone. The cops all watched in a mixture of disbelief and amusement. Ma Bear laughed.



"So? You're no longer single, Mister Arc?"



"That's not what I-You-!"



Yang took pity on Jaune, and grabbed him.



"No comment!" She announced, "Gotta fly!" She fired off a shot from Ember Celica, launching herself and Jaune out the window. They landed on Bumblbee and she gunned it, practically flying down the road. Jaune held on for dear life.



"WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?!" Jaune shouted.



Yang shrugged.



"Spur of the moment! And just relax! In like 24 hours, nobody's gonna remember this!"



"SOMEHOW I DOUBT IT!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

You know, I did have a crack idea where Blake explains that among the many other reasons she broke up with Adam...



Blake: "I saw his diary."



Weiss: "Oh?"



Blake: "Yes... It was..." shudders



Yang: "What? What did he want to do with you?"



Ruby: "Yeah!"



Blake: "It was... Horrendous. Twisted... Even by my standards!"



Yang: covers Ruby's ears



Ruby: "HEY! I WANNA HEAR!"



Yang: "No! Actually, maybe we shouldn't even get into this-"



Blake: "He wanted... T-To love and respect and cherish me!"



Weiss, Yang and Ruby: "... Wut?"



Blake: nods "He wanted me to be his... His equal! He wanted me to be his queen, and to be my knight!"



Weiss: "... Huh?"



Blake: shudders "And... And to give me children! Lots of them! He had names picked out!"



Ruby: "Um... But he would like... Make you a slave or something, right?"



Blake: "NO! He wanted me to live by his side as I chose! And be..." makes a face "Monogamous! Married!"



Weiss: deadpan "The horror."



Blake: "It gets worse! He would be tender, warm, loving... And vanilla! With long romantic walks on the beach!"



Yang: "Um... While he smacked you around for disobeying him or something, right?"



Blake: "NO! He didn't have anything like that! Or spanking! Or whips or chains or anything like that! He wasn't even going to put a collar on me! He thought that would be..." shudders "SEXIST!"



Ruby: "So... He wanted to basically make you happy?"



Blake: "UGH! He didn't listen to a single thing I wanted from him! Or read any of my erotica! I left it in our room! Open! And yet he never even knew I wanted him to pick them up and read him! Who does he think he is?! He should have treated me like his-his pet. Made me submit! But nooo, he just wanted to be 'happily married' and 'respectful of my feelings' and 'build a happy family! with me' What a jerk!"



Yang: "... But he still wants to massacre all humans, right?"



Blake: "Oh yes, absolutely he wants that! But this just put me over the edge!"



Yang: "... I'm gonna go hang out with Nora. I need some sanity in my life." She gets up and leaves



Weiss: "... So he's single now?"



Ruby: "WEISS!"



Weiss: "What?! We could work out the whole 'kill all humans' thing!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Blacksun Fish

---

Blake wasn't oblivious to her own allure—she knew she turned heads. But that alone couldn't unravel the mystery of Sun's relentless interest in her. Sure, she was a Faunus, like him, but so were plenty of other women, many of whom had cast their own lingering glances his way. Yet Sun kept orbiting her, undeterred, no matter how quiet she stayed, how cold she acted, or how sharply her words cut.

It was a puzzle that gnawed at her, enough to make the words of her book blur as she sat alone in the hushed common room, the pages forgotten in her lap.

"Hey, Blake! I went fishing—you want some?"

Speak of the devil. Sun swung in through the window like he owned the place, a string of trout dangling from his hand and a grin splitting his face. Blake's eyes narrowed, her scowl a reflex.

He just held up the fish, unbothered, his smile bright as noon.

"…Why are you doing this?" she finally asked, the question spilling out before she could stop it.

Sun blinked, tilting his head. "What? I thought you liked fish?"

"I do, but…" She sighed, frustration knotting her voice. "Why do you insist on just…?" She shook her head, grasping for the right word. "Everything?"

"Everything?" Sun echoed. He hummed, scratching the back of his head, and hopped up to perch on a dresser—never sitting properly, always sprawling over furniture like a stray cat. His face turned thoughtful, surprisingly so, before he flashed her a softer smile. "Well… you needed help. You were all alone. And I could help, so I did."

Blake stared, incredulous. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," he said, nodding.

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "It can't just be that!"

"Well," Sun admitted with a playful wink, "it does help you're a pretty girl."

Blake fought a blush, her scowl deepening even as warmth bloomed in her chest. "So… you'd fight and possibly get killed all for a pretty girl?"

"If she needed the help, sure," Sun said easily. "I mean, I don't plan on dying, but if I had to? I would, for you."

Her scowl sharpened, irritation flaring. "I… I don't want you to die for me!" she snapped.

Sun's grin widened, bright and infuriating. "Great! That makes two of us. Neither of us wants the other to die. So, you want to eat this fish?"

Blake gaped, thrown by his effortless dodge. She shook her head, muttering, "You're just going to do it whether I want it or not."

"But I know you want nice, home-cooked fish," Sun teased, his smile knowing. "So I'm just doing what you want. You don't have to admit it. That's okay."

She grumbled under her breath as he sauntered to the kitchen. He filleted the trout with practiced ease, the sizzle of butter hitting the stovetop soon filling the air. He tossed together a simple meal—rice, veggies, nothing fancy, just what was in the cabinets. Team JNPR's open pantry policy was a quiet blessing she didn't voice thanks for.

Sun returned, setting down two steaming bowls of fish and rice that smelled like comfort itself. He grinned as she sucked in a breath, took the chopsticks he offered, and shot him a half-hearted glare.

"…I just happened to feel like having fish right now," she muttered, stabbing at the bowl.

"I know," Sun said, his grin never faltering.

She took a bite. It was simple, but damn if it wasn't delicious. Her eyes flicked to him. "…Thank you," she murmured, barely audible.

"You're welcome," he replied, beaming. "So… how about a date? I mean, technically, we've already been on one, so why not another?"

"That date involved us fighting mobsters and terrorists," Blake pointed out, arching a brow.

Sun's grin turned mischievous. "You didn't say it didn't count though, right?"

Blake fought a smile, felt it slip through her defenses, and hid it behind a piece of fish she lifted to her lips. "I suppose I didn't."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune is at his desk doing some paperwork... When Ruby bursts in, wearing a red domino mask.

Ruby: "Never fear, Councilman Arc! I am here to help!"

Jaune: "Ruby?"

Ruby: "Who is this 'Ruby' you speak of? I am... Crimson Reaper! I'm a superheroine! And I'm here to protect you-The city! Yes! Well, you and the city!"

Jaune: "... Kay."

Ruby: "With my sidekick, Wonder Zwei!"

Zwei, in a mask and cape, trots up and sits on Jaune's lap. Jaune gives him some ear scratches.

Jaune: "Well, I'm very glad to have you Ruby."

Ruby: "Crimson Reaper!"

Jaune: smiles goodnaturedly "Crimson Reaper. My mistake."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

This could be a fun way for Ren, Nora, Jaune, Yang and Blake to bond: Criminal histories.



Ren: "We did work for a Triad for a time as enforcers. We only ever hurt rival gangsters."



Nora: "Yeah! They were muscling in on our turf so we had to rough 'em up!"



Jaune: "Well... In addition to the fraud to get into Beacon, I did steal from some bandits who tried to rough me up on the way to Beacon."



Yang: "Wait, before your Aura got unlocked?"



Jaune: shrugs "Most of them didn't have theirs unlocked either, and I've always been freaky strong. Even if I suck at fighting, once I knocked their leader out with a bash to the head they usually turned over anything they had to let me go."



Yang: "HAHA! You're a riot, VB! Well, I have a juvenile record. Smashed up some bars and stuff. Assault and so on. Got a good deal from the judge but I still have to do community service for it."



Nora: "Pfft. Judges! Renny and I had to intimidate a few in Mistral! It's really easy! Just drop in unannounced, say we'd really like it if you'd let this one guy go, and say 'Oh no! Your car got smashed to pieces by a freak hammer fall! Must be a sign from the gods to do what we say!'"



Blake: "... I suppose I am technically a terrorist."



Nora: "Pffft! Renny and I had to pose as terrorists for a heist gone wrong! You're not special!"

 

[TheFabulousCustodes]

This could be a fun way for Ren, Nora, Jaune, Yang and Blake to bond: Criminal histories.

Click to shrink...

Now you've forced me to do it, again!

The Huntsmen and Wonder Zwei in "As The Cookie Crumbles!"
​

The Huntsmen - "Here we are Wonder Zwei, Royal Bakery and Cafe, the favorite provider of baked goods to Beacon's students, said to have been founded with money from the King of Vale himself, years ago when Beacon first began training the future protectors of our wonderful kingdom!

Wonder Zwei - "Bark!"

The Huntsmen - "No, Wonder Zwei, the rumors of the King of Vale having a crippling addiction to hot chocolate and founding the bakery solely to provide himself, and not his students, with a steady supply are completely fictional rumors. As is the rumor that his ghost still walks the shop to this day! Now be alert, Pyrrha Nikos, Beacon's star huntress alerted me to the possibility of criminal trouble taking place here!"

The Red Reaper - "Trouble is right Huntsmen! But why don't we make it..... Double!"

The Red Huntress - "Hello!"

The Huntsmen - *Gasp!* "Two of Vale's worst super criminals in one place, what fiendish plans do you have for the children and future protectors of our democratically governed kingdom?!?!"

The Red Reaper - "I'm glad you asked, Huntsmen! As you are undoubtedly aware, being the goody two shoes civic minded individual that you are, today is interkingdom "Huntsmen Appreciation Day" whereupon the citizenry thank their protectors by offering them tokens of appreciation for their efforts!"

The Huntsmen - "Those rewards are for this kingdoms law abiding protectors! What foul plans do you and the Red Huntress have for this poor bakery?!?!"

*The Red Reaper points to a prominently featured cookie jar in the bakery*
​

The Red Reaper - "As you can see Huntsmen, the jar is clearly labeled "One free cookie per Hunter or Hunter in Training". But, the Red Huntress and I shall each take..... TWO COOKIES!!!!!!!!"

The Huntsmen - "You and your accomplice's blatant disregard for common courtesy, and the respectful requests of Vale's shopkeepers will not go unpunished, Red Reaper. Prepare for your ill gotten cookies to crumble! Wonder Zwei, to action!"

Will our villains foul plans succeed? Will Wonder Zwei and the Red Huntress get enough speaking roles to gain entrance to the Vale Actors Guild? Find out next time on.... "As The Cookie Crumbles, Part 2!"​

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Pyrrha calls her mother.



Athena: "Pyrrha! You finally called me back! Oh my wonderful daughter, you're finally opening up to me and-"



Pyrrha: "Mother! Listen very carefully. I need your help and I don't want to deal with any of your usual nonsense!"



Athena: "Nonsense?! Like what?!"



Pyrrha: "No dramatic pauses, no histrionics, no nothing!"



Athena: "But you must admit I am a Master of the DRAMATIC..."



Silence.



Athena: "... PAUSE!"



Pyrrha: "MOTHER."



Athena: "All right all right... What does my darling daughter need?"



Pyrrha: "... How do I seduce a man I love?"



Athena: "..." begins to cry "MY DAUGHTER IS FINALLY GROWING UP AND COMING TO ME FOR ADVICE ON BOYSSSS! UWAAAAHHHHH!"



Pyrrha: "MOTHER!"



Athena: "Ahem, sorry... What do you want to know?"



Meanwhile, at Jaune's office...



Yang: "Here, drink this. It's an old family remedy."



Jaune: gulps it down "Mmm... Tea with lemon?"



Ruby: beams "Yeah! Always helps with a sore throat!"



Weiss: "I trust you won't yell at your fellow Councilmembers anymore in the future, Jaune?"



Jaune: "I wasn't yelling! I was expressing my feelings very loudly."



Blake: smirks a bit



Nora: "So, if I hit the politicians, could I claim I was just using 'aggressive massage techniques?'"



Jaune: "Not unless you get elected to office, Nora."



Nora: "Phooey! Renny, you're my campaign manager! My slogan: 'A pancake in every hop, and a waffle in every house!'"



Ren: deadpan "I'll get right on it."



Pyrrha enters... On high heels... In a sexy secretary outfit. She shoots a smoky smile at Jaune as she slinks right up to him, around the desk, "accidentally" bumping Weiss, Ruby, and Yang out of the way.



Weiss: "Hey!"



Yang: "What?!"



Ruby: "What was that for?"



Pyrrha: "Oh, I'm so sorry~. Jaune, you need more support in your day to day. I'm here to provide it~. In any position you might want~."



Jaune: staring "I uh... Um..."



Weiss: "Ah... While you're quite adept at schoolwork and combat, Pyrrha, I believe Jaune needs more support from someone who knows big business-"



Blake: "And politics."



Yang: "He needs the voice of the common man! Down to earth kind of ladies!"



Ruby: "Yeah!"



Pyrrha: her smile becomes quite scary "I believe that's up to Jaune to decide. He is our client... Our councilman... Our leader. Anything he says, goes. Especially for me~..."



Jaune: "Ummmm... Look. We're all in this together, and if you want to help, I will assign fair workloads to everyone. Thank you Pyrrha, I really appreciate everything you've done for me." smiles at her



Pyrrha: bright red, stutters, her seductive air vanishes immediately "R-Really?!"



Jaune: "Absolutely. Let's talk in private, huh?"



Pyrrha: grins... Is smug at the other fuming girls as Jaune leads her to a side room. He shuts the door.



Jaune: "Pyrrha..."



Pyrrha: "Yes Jaune~?"



Jaune: "... You feeling okay? You're acting really weird."



Pyrrha: "I-I'm fine! I swear I'm totally fine-" She trips 'accidentally' and falls into his arms "Oh! Oh my, how clumsy of me~!"



Jaune: "Yeah..." He holds a hand up to her forehead "Geez, you're hot!"



Pyrrha: bright red, giggles "I am~?"



Jaune: "There's only one thing to do!"



Pyrrha: "Yes?!"



Smashcut... To Pyrrha in an ambulance. Jaune is smiling and holding her hand.



Jaune: "You'll be just fine, Pyr! I know you will! I'll visit you soon!"



Pyrrha: "..." sighs "Yes... I know you will, Jaune..."



Blake: "Hm. There are times his density comes in handy."



Jaune: "What?"



Blake: "Oh, nothing~."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang is exasperated with Jaune.

Yang: "Look, why can't you just go out with me? It was fun, right?"

Jaune: "We fought White Fang members and became a spectacle on the news!"

Yang: "But it was fun, right?"

Jaune: "... Yes. Yes it was. But I can't just... I can't just look like I'm some reckless vigilante or playboy! Why do you think I've been turning down Weiss, Blake, Coco, Ruby, or Pyrrha's requests to go out for fun?"

Yang: "Wait a minute... They're asking you out on dates too?!"

Jaune: "No! No, they're not dates-!"

Yang: "They'd better not be!"

Jaune: "But they'll look like dates! I can't just look like I'm keeping a harem of Huntresses! Nobody would take me seriously, and besides! I have to live up to the moral obligations of my office!"

Yang: giggles "I dunno, a harem might get you some votes~."

Jaune: "This isn't funny Yang."

Yang: "It is! Come on. You should act confident. It's no big deal if you go out for fun with your friends!"

Jaune: "Friends, yes. Just single girls, no!"

Yang: "Well then, that's a simple fix. Just make me your girlfriend."

Jaune: "I... What-?!"

Yang: "What? You got a problem with me?"

Jaune: "N-No, of course not but um... I-I mean, uh, it's a bit sudden-"

Yang: "Come on! I'm offering, I'm hot, I'm a Huntress, I'm your friend-"

Jaune: "But you'd be dating someone you don't... I mean..."

Yang: smile "Don't what?"

Jaune: "I mean... Your feelings and all are-"

Secretary over the PA: "Mister Arc, Councilwoman Glocken is here to see you."

Jaune: groans "Oh good. I needed a visit from the Queen Bitch of Hell... She can't hear me, can she Julie?"

Julie: "No."

Jaune: Good."

Yang: "Look, the city already thinks we're dating. So let's do it."

Jaune: "But if you... If you find someone you really care about-"

Yang: smirks "I'll be sure to let them know." Kisses his cheek

Jaune: "Ah! Y-Yang!"

She then sits in his lap.

Jaune: "Wha-?"

Yang: "Just imagine the expression on that old hag's face if you talk to her with me in your lap the whole time!"

Jaune: "... On one hand... That won't help me convince her to see things my way."

Yang: "And on the other?"

Jaune: "... It would be funny."

Yang: grins "Julie! Send her in!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune comes into his office after a very long day. Pyrrha, Nora and Ren were on duty to protect him. Nora is patting him on the back.

Nora: "Hey! I think things went well! More people said 'yes' than 'no'! That counts as a win in democracy, right?"

Jaune: "Yeah... And I managed to cut down the riders and pork spending on the bill to the bare minimum." yawns "Though we're gonna have to renegotiate the trade agreements with Vacuo... Just as soon as they're done with their latest civil war."

Ren: "They called it an election."

Jaune: "Yeah, well, there's not much difference between the two in Vacuo-"

Weiss: "Jaune! We need to speak, it's very urgent!"

Weiss grabs Jaune's hand. Jaune is immediately alert.

Jaune: "What? What is it?"

Weiss: "This trade agreement with Atlas you're working on! I've learned some details of it from my sources!"

Pyrrha: politely, but with an edge "Hello to you too, Weiss."

Weiss: "Oh. Um, yes, sorry. Hello. Anyway! What's this I hear about you threatening tariffs on the SDC?"

Jaune: "Huh? Oh! We're still working that out but basically, it's not fair for Atlas to use tariffs to keep our domestic Dust production down when they have a virtual monopoly on it. So we're going to use counter tariffs. It's gonna cause a brief interruption in Dust shipments, but Headmaster Ozpin is confident it will lead to them agreeing to a more fair trade agreement with equal or no tariffs on both sides so that our domestic Dust production can increase, and the SDC has to submit to more oversight. General Ironwood is apparently in favor of it too so that Vale can produce more Dust and the industry can't be as easily disrupted during a global crisis. I mean, I understand if you're unhappy with it-"

Weiss: "Unhappy?! It's brilliant! If Mistral and Vacuo followed suit, we might be able to rein in my father! Did you come up with it?"

Jaune: "Er, no, I just agree it's a good thing-"

Weiss: "Well! I am going to help you get it passed!"

Jaune: "Oh! Well... I mean, that would be great, Weiss! It would be a big help-"

Blake pops in with a scowl.

Blake: "That's all well and good, but there's a far more important bit of legislation Jaune should be pushing."

Weiss: "Oh? And what's that?"

Nora: "PANCAKES SHOULD BE SUBSIDIZED!"

Jaune: wearily "I took care of that in the farm bill, Nora!"

Nora: "Really?" beams "Objection withdrawn!"

Jaune sits at his desk and smiles at Blake.

Jaune: "So, what do you think I should focus on?"

Blake: "A full Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of Vale!"

Weiss: "WHAT?! Are you insane?! You have any idea how long or involved it is to amend the constitution!? They purposely made it as difficult as possible!"

Blake: nods "But it's a long time coming! The current anti-discrimination laws on the books in Vale are inadequate! We need Faunus quotas at every level of government!"

Weiss: "Oh yes, because that never causes any problems!"

Blake: "Sometimes you have to force the system to change!"

Weiss: "Spoken like a terrorist!"

Blake: "Spoken like a rich brat who never had to work a day in her life!"

Weiss: "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the mansion in Menagerie you grew up in!"

Blake: "It-It wasn't as big as yours!"

Weiss: "Oh gee, how big of a mansion should it be then, Blake?! Before it becomes an issue?!"

Blake: "You're just trying to make yourself richer with this trade bill!"

Weiss: "I am NOT!"

Jaune: sucks in a deep breath "Enough!"

Both girls pause and look at Jaune. He scowls at them.

Jaune: "Look! Bickering like this isn't going to convince me of anything except that I shouldn't listen to either of you! The trade bill is still being worked out in committee. We don't have anything firm for it yet, but if I need your help Weiss, I'll ask!"

Weiss: meekly "Y-Yes Jaune."

Jaune: "And Blake? I get where you're coming from, but given the White Fang attacks, any civil rights legislation for Faunus isn't going to be very popular. I know, it sucks." sighs "If you could talk to your parents to try something diplomatic, a show of good faith, that might help me do something. Not as extreme as you're asking, but I could get the ball rolling. Would that work?"

Blake: "... I suppose... I-I could try."

Jaune: "You should talk to your folks anyway, Blake. It will help you, and Faunus. I promise."

Blake: nods "All right. I will."

Jaune: "Good. Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I need to get some food and rest."

Pyrrha: "We'll get you home, Jaune." all smiles

JNPR leaves. Blake and Weiss are silent for a moment.

Weiss: "... Well... Um... I had better get going..."

Blake: "Wait." sniffs "Appleblossom perfume?"

Weiss: "What of it?"

Blake: "After Jaune said he likes appleblossoms?"

Weiss: "So?"

Blake: "You were trying to seduce him to your way of thinking!"

Weiss: "I was not! He's already working on something in regards to the SDC! I-I just chose it because I like it!" glares "And you can't talk! You have buttons unbottoned on your blouse!"

Blake: "It just goes to show that I'm more serious about politics than you."

Weiss: "Really? And how is that?"

Blake: "Simple: I'm going to seduce him properly to my side."

Weiss: "WHAT?!"

- - -

Please no modern day political arguments, okay? I know my history, Tariffs have been used throughout human history, let's just let it go okay?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

It was the best birthday Jaune could ever remember experiencing. When he and Yang returned the next morning, holding hands, cuddling and kissing, he didn't think his good mood would ever vanish.
Taiyang: "Good morning Yang!" Maniacal smile, dark tone "Good morning, Jaune."
Yang: "Ah! Oh, uh, h-hey Dad! Um, what brings you here?"
Qrow: "You mean what brings us here." He looms behind Jaune ominously
Jaune's Brain: Oh shit he's Batman!
Jaune: "Uh... H-Hello, Mister Xiao-Long, Mister Branwen. Sirs."
Taiyang: still smiling ominously, he puts a hand on Jaune's shoulder.
Qrow: Puts his hand on Jaune's other shoulder
Taiyang: "We need to have a little chat with your boyfriend here. Won't be long!"
Yang: "Dad, I love him-!"
Qrow: "So we're just gonna have a little chat with him about it!"
Jaune: "It's okay Yang... I've got seven sisters." he smiles "I love you too."
Yang: blush "G-Geez... You gotta be that sincere?"
Jaune: "Yeah. And you're cute when you blush."
Taiyang and Qrow's ire seems to grow. But Jaune smiles and shrugs.
Yang: "... Hurt him and I'll beat both your asses!"
Taiyang: "Yeah yeah..."
The two older men lead Jaune away towards Ozpin's office.
Jaune's Brain: So... Stay cool, stay cool... They have every right to give me the business..."
They enter the elevator, and the doors slide shut.
Qrow: "... You two had sex, didn't you?"
Jaune's Brain: Okay... Um... Coming right out with it... Uh, I need to say something...
Jaune: "Yes."
Jaune's Brain: Craaaaaapppp!
Taiyang: "Qrow, come on. He was honest about it, they're legal, and he's helping us save the world."
Qrow: scowls "Why are you playing good cop? You said you wanted to be bad cop!"
Taiyang: groans "Damnit! I'm so used to being the good cop it just popped out of there!" He scowled and grabbed Jaune's armor "Listen Jaune. From everything I know, you're a good kid."
Jaune: "Yes sir, but she's your daughter and you love her."
Taiyang: "Yes!"
Jaune: "So do I. With all my heart."
Taiyang: "Good! And if you ever break her heart I'll punt you into space! That clear?!"
Jaune: "Yes sir!"
Qrow: "And that's not even getting into what I'll do to you, Kid." grins, holds up a knife
Jaune: gulps "Yes sir..."
Taiyang: "... Why is he the one you're more intimidated by?!"
Jaune: "I'm intimidated by you both, sir?"
Qrow: "Heh! I still got it! Also Kid: We're gonna be doing some training together, you and me! You're still struggling and frankly, you need a trainer who won't go easy on ya!"
Jaune: gulps "... Yes sir?"
Taiyang: "Damnit Qrow! We promised we'd do these things together!"
Qrow: "Oh now it's a we?"
Jaune's Brain: God this elevator is taking so damn long...

Click to shrink...

They finally made it to Ozpin's office. General Ironwood, Professors Goodwitch, Oobleck and Port waited with Arjun, Saia, Ghira, Kali, and Jaune's parents Nick and Isabel. Ozpin sat behind the desk, as Taiyang and Qrow led Jaune in.

Ozpin: "Now Jaune... Let us begin."

Jaune nodded. He sat down. Everyone else did to... And he began. He told them everything he could remember from the future. Every event, every bit (save for personal stuff. He didn't think outlining the relationship issues their team had would be very useful). The Rusted Knight part was the most difficult to get through... Well, next to Vytal, and Atlas. When he was finished, he looked down at the floor, feeling very tired. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up. His mother and father had gotten up to rest a hand on his shoulder. His mother had wet eyes as she smiled gently at him.

Nick: "That was a lot to carry, son."

Jaune: "Thanks Dad..."

Nick: "You bore it well. But you don't have to handle it alone anymore."

Isabel: "Yes. We're here for you."

Arjun: "As are we, Jaune."

Saia: "Always."

Ozpin cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him.

Ozpin: "That said, the details are different. Indeed, in that future, did you ever meet with your parents again, Jaune?"

Jaune: "Not that I know of. They just... They didn't seem to care."

Isabel: "We didn't care about our own son?!" She hugged him tightly

Ironwood: "And I... I became a monster?"

Jaune: "I mean... I didn't know all the details, sir. I just know what I saw."

Ozpin: "It is possible that he got a corrupted vision. There are many details that were not taken into account. I cannot fathom a timeline where you, James, became a merciless dictator who tried to kill off his own people."

Ironwood: grim, but nods "... Thank you, old friend."

Ghira: "Besides, that future is already changed. Menagerie played little role in anything after Haven, but now we're willing to form an alliance." Smiled at Jaune "All thanks to this young man."

Jaune: "Er, thank you sir."

Kali: "Have you gotten our daughter pregnant yet?"

Jaune: "N-NO! Ma'am, please, I know what she said but I love my girlfriend very much!"

Kali: "Oh? Are you sure? I believe your great-grandfather had more than one wife. What do you say, Isabel? More grandchildren the better!"

Isabel: "Well..."

Arjun: "May has broken up amicably with her boyfriend, Neptune. And we did always want the families to be joined."

Nick: "I mean, they do have dibs, Kali."

Isabel: "Dibs?!"

Saia: sigh "Arjun!"

Arjun: "What? I'm not saying we make an arranged marriage now! I'm just saying it's an option!"

Port: "HAHAHA! My boy, you truly are exceptional! Why, I remember the time my wife and I-!"

Ozpin: "If we could focus?"

The mood becomes serious again. Ozpin nods.

Ozpin: "We now know Lionheart is a traitor. We know Jacques Schnee will one day betray Atlas for power via Arthur Watts. We have taken steps to prevent the Vytal Festival attacks and the fall of Beacon."

Isabel: "But will it be enough? Jaune's visions aren't entirely reliable!"

Ozpin: "This is true. And his actions with his team and those of RWBY have attracted a great deal of attention. I believe for the time being, JNPR and RWBY should maintain a low profile while we sort things out. Summer Break is coming up, after all. It would be natural for them to vacation somewhere remote, but with sufficient protection."

Taiyang: "Well, they can come to Patch! It's nice and isolated. We'll keep a close watch on him!"

Arjun: "Pandu is very secure. They could come there."

Ironwood: "Atlas is the most secure place imaginable. They would be very well protected."

Ozpin: shakes his head "No, it is best to keep them all close, but somewhere Jaune was already planning to go to: Radian."

Ironwood: "I see... Well, I could deploy an armored regiment near there-"

Isabel: "Certainly not! That would just attract more attention, not less!"

Ironwood: "His visions of the future might be vital to the survival of Remnant. He needs protection!"

Ozpin: "I agree James, but it does us no good to broadcast 'here he is'. I believe the Radian militia will be sufficient for now. It is also close enough we can deploy forces rapidly if the need arises."

Jaune: breathes a sigh of relief

Jaune's Mind: Thank God, that would be heinous...

Taiyang: "Then I'll tag along! After all, I want to get to know my daughter's boyfriend, don't I?" His eyes glow briefly

Isabel: "Taiyang!"

Nick: "Not sure why, they've already done the deed."

Jaune: "DAD!"

Isabel: "NICKKKKK!"

Nick: shrugs "What? I have seven daughters, I know when a girl and a boy have gotten some! Or a girl and a girl, in Saphron's case-"

Isabel: "NICCCCKKKKKK!"

Jaune: groans

Ozpin: "As said before, our best defense is to maintain the illusion everything is normal. Besides Tai, I need you and Qrow to apprehend Lionheart. James and Arjun, your forces will be in support."

Arjun: grumbles, but nods

Ironwood: "Very well, Ozpin."

Qrow: glares at Jaune "Don't think this means you're off the hook, Kid."

Jaune: "I-I wouldn't imagine it did."

Jaune's Brain: Still... Can't help still feeling smug... On top of being in love with Yang, of course...

Glynda: "It would be good to have someone around for immediate backup, Ozpin. Isabel and Nick are formidable, but if Salem realizes he's not one of her agents, she could deploy her strongest assets."

Ozpin: "True. Which is why you will go with them, Glynda."

Glynda: "Sir?"

Nick: "Hahaha! You do need a vacation, Glynda! We've got plenty of room!"

Ozpin: "That will be the appropriate cover. You have told me you need a vacation several times, Glynda."

Glynda: "I-You..." sigh "Very well."

Kali: "It wouldn't be too much to ask for me to visit Radian as well? I'm sure Ghira can handle all the arrangements."

Ozpin: "I believe the point is to avoid attracting attention?"

Kali: "Hmph."

Nick: "Don't worry Kali! I'm sure Jaune and Blake will work something out if you want grandkids! You too, Arjun, if you want to send May along!"

Jaune: "DAD!"

Jaune's Brain: Goddamnit, why did I have to open my big fat trap? Oh right, I want to save the world... Still, maybe it won't be that bad? ... The hell am I saying, of course it will be that bad! Hell, I've probably made it worse!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

They finally made it to Ozpin's office. General Ironwood, Professors Goodwitch, Oobleck and Port waited with Arjun, Saia, Ghira, Kali, and Jaune's parents Nick and Isabel. Ozpin sat behind the desk, as Taiyang and Qrow led Jaune in.

Ozpin: "Now Jaune... Let us begin."

Jaune nodded. He sat down. Everyone else did to... And he began. He told them everything he could remember from the future. Every event, every bit (save for personal stuff. He didn't think outlining the relationship issues their team had would be very useful). The Rusted Knight part was the most difficult to get through... Well, next to Vytal, and Atlas. When he was finished, he looked down at the floor, feeling very tired. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up. His mother and father had gotten up to rest a hand on his shoulder. His mother had wet eyes as she smiled gently at him.

Nick: "That was a lot to carry, son."

Jaune: "Thanks Dad..."

Nick: "You bore it well. But you don't have to handle it alone anymore."

Isabel: "Yes. We're here for you."

Arjun: "As are we, Jaune."

Saia: "Always."

Ozpin cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him.

Ozpin: "That said, the details are different. Indeed, in that future, did you ever meet with your parents again, Jaune?"

Jaune: "Not that I know of. They just... They didn't seem to care."

Isabel: "We didn't care about our own son?!" She hugged him tightly

Ironwood: "And I... I became a monster?"

Jaune: "I mean... I didn't know all the details, sir. I just know what I saw."

Ozpin: "It is possible that he got a corrupted vision. There are many details that were not taken into account. I cannot fathom a timeline where you, James, became a merciless dictator who tried to kill off his own people."

Ironwood: grim, but nods "... Thank you, old friend."

Ghira: "Besides, that future is already changed. Menagerie played little role in anything after Haven, but now we're willing to form an alliance." Smiled at Jaune "All thanks to this young man."

Jaune: "Er, thank you sir."

Kali: "Have you gotten our daughter pregnant yet?"

Jaune: "N-NO! Ma'am, please, I know what she said but I love my girlfriend very much!"

Kali: "Oh? Are you sure? I believe your great-grandfather had more than one wife. What do you say, Isabel? More grandchildren the better!"

Isabel: "Well..."

Arjun: "May has broken up amicably with her boyfriend, Neptune. And we did always want the families to be joined."

Nick: "I mean, they do have dibs, Kali."

Isabel: "Dibs?!"

Saia: sigh "Arjun!"

Arjun: "What? I'm not saying we make an arranged marriage now! I'm just saying it's an option!"

Port: "HAHAHA! My boy, you truly are exceptional! Why, I remember the time my wife and I-!"

Ozpin: "If we could focus?"

The mood becomes serious again. Ozpin nods.

Ozpin: "We now know Lionheart is a traitor. We know Jacques Schnee will one day betray Atlas for power via Arthur Watts. We have taken steps to prevent the Vytal Festival attacks and the fall of Beacon."

Isabel: "But will it be enough? Jaune's visions aren't entirely reliable!"

Ozpin: "This is true. And his actions with his team and those of RWBY have attracted a great deal of attention. I believe for the time being, JNPR and RWBY should maintain a low profile while we sort things out. Summer Break is coming up, after all. It would be natural for them to vacation somewhere remote, but with sufficient protection."

Taiyang: "Well, they can come to Patch! It's nice and isolated. We'll keep a close watch on him!"

Arjun: "Pandu is very secure. They could come there."

Ironwood: "Atlas is the most secure place imaginable. They would be very well protected."

Ozpin: shakes his head "No, it is best to keep them all close, but somewhere Jaune was already planning to go to: Radian."

Ironwood: "I see... Well, I could deploy an armored regiment near there-"

Isabel: "Certainly not! That would just attract more attention, not less!"

Ironwood: "His visions of the future might be vital to the survival of Remnant. He needs protection!"

Ozpin: "I agree James, but it does us no good to broadcast 'here he is'. I believe the Radian militia will be sufficient for now. It is also close enough we can deploy forces rapidly if the need arises."

Jaune: breathes a sigh of relief

Jaune's Mind: Thank God, that would be heinous...

Taiyang: "Then I'll tag along! After all, I want to get to know my daughter's boyfriend, don't I?" His eyes glow briefly

Isabel: "Taiyang!"

Nick: "Not sure why, they've already done the deed."

Jaune: "DAD!"

Isabel: "NICKKKKK!"

Nick: shrugs "What? I have seven daughters, I know when a girl and a boy have gotten some! Or a girl and a girl, in Saphron's case-"

Isabel: "NICCCCKKKKKK!"

Jaune: groans

Ozpin: "As said before, our best defense is to maintain the illusion everything is normal. Besides Tai, I need you and Qrow to apprehend Lionheart. James and Arjun, your forces will be in support."

Arjun: grumbles, but nods

Ironwood: "Very well, Ozpin."

Qrow: glares at Jaune "Don't think this means you're off the hook, Kid."

Jaune: "I-I wouldn't imagine it did."

Jaune's Brain: Still... Can't help still feeling smug... On top of being in love with Yang, of course...

Glynda: "It would be good to have someone around for immediate backup, Ozpin. Isabel and Nick are formidable, but if Salem realizes he's not one of her agents, she could deploy her strongest assets."

Ozpin: "True. Which is why you will go with them, Glynda."

Glynda: "Sir?"

Nick: "Hahaha! You do need a vacation, Glynda! We've got plenty of room!"

Ozpin: "That will be the appropriate cover. You have told me you need a vacation several times, Glynda."

Glynda: "I-You..." sigh "Very well."

Kali: "It wouldn't be too much to ask for me to visit Radian as well? I'm sure Ghira can handle all the arrangements."

Ozpin: "I believe the point is to avoid attracting attention?"

Kali: "Hmph."

Nick: "Don't worry Kali! I'm sure Jaune and Blake will work something out if you want grandkids! You too, Arjun, if you want to send May along!"

Jaune: "DAD!"

Jaune's Brain: Goddamnit, why did I have to open my big fat trap? Oh right, I want to save the world... Still, maybe it won't be that bad? ... The hell am I saying, of course it will be that bad! Hell, I've probably made it worse!

Click to shrink...

Radian was even more beautiful and picturesque than Jaune remembered. The streets, the castle, the mountains in the background, the fields... And the Arc Farmhouse. All tripping memories he didn't know he'd had, ever since the "vision" had arrived.



He stood in the entryway, in front of a staircase going up to the second floors, the walls covered in family photos and keepsakes... And he let out a long sigh of relief.



Despite the strange memories he now had? He felt like he was home.



Jaune: "Come on in, guys!"



RWBY and JNPR put their luggage away in the guest rooms, and went to the living room to relax. Lilac Arc, as matronly and kind as ever, happily bustled about and provided food and snacks.



Lilac: "Hmmm... Jaune? You look a lot taller and fuller!"



Jaune: smiles "Thanks Lilac. You're just as pretty as ever. Mercer set a wedding date yet?"



Lilac: giggles "Oh... He's planning it. We'll just have to wait and see~!"



She headed back into the Kitchen. Jaune sat with Yang on one side, and Pyrrha on the other. Blake took a loveseat all to herself, while Ren and Nora shared a couch. Ruby perched on the arm of Jaune, Yang and Pyrrha's couch, while Weiss sat primly at the old family piano.



Ruby: "Anyway! Jaune and I are in agreement as team leaders! We are gonna just have fun for this whole two months! Total relaxation!"



Weiss: "I mean... If you can call relaxing in such a rustic atmosphere such..."



Yang: "Great!" Takes Jaune's hand "If you don't mind, we're gonna go roll in the hay for a while!"



Nora: "Awesome idea! Renny, let's go-Oh, no, wait! That wouldn't be fair!" She nods to the other girls "Jaune-Jaune! You gotta roll in the hay with everyone else!"



Jaune: "What?!"



Pyrrha: "Um, I wouldn't mind-"



Blake: "Well, if you insist-"



Weiss: bright red and sputtering



Ruby: blushing and trying not to look at Jaune.



Yang's eyes and hair were glowing.



Jaune: For crying out loud! "Or we can just go to the center of town and have some fun, huh? What do you say?"



Yang: "Oh, I don't know... All sorts of violence might be fun right now!"



Ruby: "Ugh... How about we all just go and have fun on our own for a while? Huh? So we can all stop being weird and horny?"



Jaune: "Probably for the best!"



And so they did split up. Blake went with Pyrrha, of all people. Weiss let Ruby drag her off. Nora and Ren ran off. And so Jaune and Yang went around the farm. Jaune talking about his childhood.



Jaune: "And this is the hot springs my grandpa built for my grandma."



Yang: smiles and nuzzles him "Mmhm? There a reason you brought me out here in particular, Stud~?"



Jaune: coughs, smiles "Well... I had a few thoughts..."



They kissed happily. And continued to make out happily... Before someone cleared their throat and they parted.



Jaune: "Mom! Uh-"



Isabel: shakes her head, sighs "You know... Other people have to do things around here too. Maybe hold off on the hanky panky for a while?"



Jaune: bright red "I... Well..."



Isabel: "Just saying. But! You are able to make your own decisions." Hands Yang a book "Here."



Yang: "'1001 Baby Names'?"



Isabel: smiles and winks "Just in case you decide to go that far. Oh, and I have a copy of the Kama Sutra too if you'd-"



Jaune: "No! Nonono, we're good Mom!" He dragged Yang away, down the road, and to the main road leading to the town center "Geez..."



Yang: "Ugh... Is she trying to make us not in the mood? Because it's working."



Jaune: chuckles and hugs her "We'll get it back. In the meantime, wanna get lunch? My Papa's restaurant is great."



Yang: smiles and nuzzles him "Sounds good to me..." tightens her grip on him "I'm just... Ya know... All of this is a little heavy."



Jaune: "Believe me. I know the feeling. But we're here to relax, so let's not think too hard about things, huh?"



Yang: "Sounds good to me."



Which is when a familiar voice called out.



???: "Jaune? JAUNE!"



Jaune gulped and turned around. There she was-Cute, busty, blonde catgirl in a sundress. She grinned and waved, even as Yang tightened her grip on his hand.



Jaune: gentle smile "Hey Katy. It's nice to see you!"



Katy: grins "Great to see you too, Jaune! I... Oh... Hello! I'm Katy Sith, Jaune's childhood friend. And you are?"



Yang: tight smile "Yang Xiao-Long... Jaune's girlfriend."



Jaune: "Yeah... We're together."



Katy: "Oh! That's great, Jaune!" beams "I was headed into town for lunch! Let's catch up at your Papa's!"



Jaune: "Well we were-"



Katy: "Please? I promise I won't take up too much of your time?"



Jaune: sucks in a breath. Feels Yang's look. "... Sure. For old time's sake."



Katy: "Great!" hugs him, and then hugs Yang "Mm! Welcome to the family!"



Jaune's Brain: Okay... She's just a friend. Just a friend... But given Yang's mood, I'm probably gonna want to cut this lunch short... Sheesh. Damn my Arc harem powers...

 

[AndrewJTalon]

CRWBY said that Jaune's Semblance essentially made him key to victory. With him, RWBY could defeat Salem... So they just had him NOT USE IT.

It's not like it would have made him the primary protagonist. Just one of many, like how it seemed to be at the start-An ensemble show. He's the WHITE MAGE, and he facilitates everyone else being able to beat the Big Bad. He's a bit like Zelda, or Aerith, or Yuna-The point is, he's a key part of the party but he's NOT the most important one. He's key, but not a Gary Stu.

There are multiple ways to make this Semblance work without breaking the universe. It takes time to master it, there are side effects to your Semblance and/or Aura being boosted that have to be trained and overcome, Jaune is casting from HP and it takes a toll on him: But simply not using it is emblematic of the laziness and ridiculousness of RWBY's writing in the later Volumes.

So, let's think of ways to use it properly to rewrite Volumes 7-9 to make sense. Like we aren't hacks.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Weiss was enjoying a relaxing luncheon with her sister out in the Bastinda Gardens of Beacon. The sun was shining and the sky was clear blue save for a few puffy clouds. The tea and cookies were excellent, as was the company. Her sister taking time from her busy schedule to visit was always a highlight for Weiss.



"The arctic foxes have begun to change their fur," Winter said with a small smile, "That has always been a delight."



"I do miss seeing it," Weiss sighed, carefully sipping her tea. "Mm, this Darjeeling is marvelous!"



"Yes, it is a blend Klein found in the Mantle markets himself," Winter said with a nod.



"Really? He went that far?" Weiss asked. She shook her head. "He needs to be more careful."



Winter smiled softly, a secret in her eyes.



"You'd be surprised at how well he can take care of himself," she said. Weiss sighed and nodded.



"Probably. I... I know him much less than I thought I did."



"You can always ask," Winter said gently, "He is not as closed off as you might think."



Weiss grimaced.



"Being in our household, I can't imagine anyone wasn't," she muttered.



Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar head of blond hair. She bit back a grimace as Jaune Arc walked up with a smile. He was dressed in his school uniform, which seemed to be neatly pressed, and his hair was properly combed for once.



"Oh, hello Weiss! Oh, um, I don't think I've had the pleasure," Jaune said with a smile. Winter sized the young man up, before she stood and extended her hand.



"Winter Schnee. I am Weiss's sister," she introduced herself politely. Jaune took her hand and bent down, kissing her palm. This action brought a blush to Winter's cheeks, and Weiss gaped.



"It's a pleasure to meet you, miss," Jaune said with a smile, "I am Jaune Arc, Weiss's..." He looked over at her questioningly.



Weiss sighed and nodded.



"Friend," she admitted, though it pained her to do so. He had become much more tolerable after he ceased his pursuit of her, but his strange family and dorkiness still rubbed her the wrong way.



Winter smiled very fractionally.



"The pleasure is mine," she said with a nod, "What brings you here?"



"I'm meeting a relative of mine," Jaune explained. "She's been busy, but she's finally coming for a visit."



Weiss groaned.



"Another one?!"



"Weiss," Winter lightly scolded her. Weiss flushed and cleared her throat. How was it that her comportment and etiquette lessons failed her whenever one of her Beacon friends was involved?



"S-Sorry. It's just that... Your family is a bit, um... Eccentric," Weiss said.



Jaune blinked.



"Really?"



He blinked again, and winced at Weiss' glare.



"Oh, um, right," he said. "Uncle Mordred's offer of training is still open, you know. She thinks you have great potential."



Winter blinked in interest.



"Uncle Mordred? You don't mean Mordred Pendragon, do you?"



Jaune nodded with a smile.



"Yes!"



"She's not the one you're meeting, is she? Er, he?" Weiss asked, already looking around in dread and listening for old pop music. Jaune chuckled.



"No! No."



"And it's not Alice, is it?" Weiss asked desperately. Jaune frowned.



"No. But you know, she did really like talking with you," Jaune said, almost reproachfully. "She doesn't have many friends. I mean, living ones."


Again, guilt stabbed her in the gut. Especially with Winter's intense stare.


"I… It was nice to talk to her," Weiss managed with a slightly strained smile. She wasn't even lying, Alice was fascinating to talk to and very kind.



If not for the skeleton army in the room, she'd be happy to see her again.

"No, it's my sister Tangerine," Jaune said.

"Tanya!" An annoyed female voice stated. Jaune, Weiss and Winter turned. A short but pretty young woman with short cropped but messy blonde hair, intense blue eyes, and dressed in a neatly kept green military uniform with a darker green longcoat approached. A Dust-infused saber hung at her hip, its hilt etched with the Arc family's rainbow crescent emblem.

At her side was a taller, curvier young woman with long brown hair and a similar uniform with warm blue eyes. Her jacket was softened with light gold accents. She carried a rifle with a long bayonet slung across her back

Jaune beamed and went over to the short blonde woman. He hugged her tightly.

"Tangy," Jaune stated emphatically. The short young woman scowled, but still hugged him back.

"Ugh, if you must," she muttered, "You're lucky you're my brother, you know?"

"I know," Jaune confirmed, "Hey Visha!"

"Hey Jaune!" The brown haired woman greeted back cheerfully, giving him a more enthusiastic hug. "Aw, you just keep getting taller every time I see you!"

"Heh, thanks Visha," Jaune said with a grin, hugging her back just as enthusiastically. Jaune turned and smiled at Winter and Weiss.

"Sorry if we disturbed you-"

"Why don't you join us?" Winter interrupted, standing and saluting. Weiss looked questioningly at her older sister, who saluted Tangy. "After all, it would be an honor to meet with you, Colonel."

"Colonel?" Weiss asked, blinking in disbelief. Tangy sighed softly.

"I suppose my manners are a bit rough after being on the road so long," she admitted. "I am Colonel Tangy Arc. Late of the PMC Salamander, now commissioned into the Valean Defense Force. This is my aide-de-camp, First Lieutenant Viktoriya 'Visha' Ivanova, of Atlas."

"A pleasure to meet you!" Visha gushed, saluting back at Winter. Weiss's jaw dropped.

The White Silver?! The Mad Dog of Vale?! SHE'S HIS SISTER?!

"Shall we eat?" Visha asked brightly, holding up some picnic baskets.

---

Visha had brought an extensive packed lunch, and set it out on an adjoining, larger table. All five of the party sat down to enjoy it, though Weiss mainly nibbled as she listened to the back and forth between Tangy, Winter and Jaune.

"Ugh, the VDF has become a complete disgrace!" Tangy complained, as she ate some salmon spread on crackers, "I've had to ask the local high schools to send students who want extra credit to clean up Fort Celliwig for lack of workers. I've got my men using their flight rigs to move freight when we don't have enough Bullheads. We've even rigged a few old barges as gunships, and don't get me started on the fortifications around the city."

"Indeed," Winter nodded, enjoying a bit of caviar, "General Ironwood was very dissatisfied with the state of the security systems when he arrived. Hence why he began to deploy so many drones."

"Hmph!" Tangy snorted, "Overreliance on drones is a weakness. You've been using them like troops, when they are force multipliers. Too many things can go wrong with robotic troops. Better to have humans in the C4I loop at every stage to prevent their hacking." She looked over at Visha. "We had to deal with those Cygnus drones for a job. They were a nightmare until Grantz figured out how to hack their server: After that? We shut them down and the mercenaries were easily dealt with."

Winter frowned deeply.

"I will admit, if your cybersecurity is not up to the task it can quickly be turned into a weakness," Winter said softly. Tangy nodded.

"Especially since Vale's defenses have been compromised for some time," she went on, "How else has Torchwick and the White Fang gotten away with so many raids? The security systems across the city have been hacked. The Breach, in a sense, was a blessing, as it showed just how compromised everything was. That's why the Council gave me a commission and the job of cleaning up this mess."

Tangy looked over at Jaune with a small smile.

"You and your team did well, I hear," Tangy said. Jaune shrugged modestly.

"We just did what you taught me," he said, "Stacked up the enemy at their point of entry, denied them open ground until reinforcements arrived. It was pretty tough, and-and RWBY did a lot too." He smiled over at Weiss, whose cheeks burned red. She met Tangy's gaze, which was as stern and cold as an Atlasian winter.

"So I heard," Tangy stated flatly. Weiss winced.

"We… We tried to stop the train but-"

"But you are still inexperienced, and it shows," Tangy stated flatly. Weiss sucked in a breath, kept her chin held high, and nodded.

"Yes…"

"But they were able to get a partial warning to their friends," Winter added, "Which made the difference."

"Yeah! Without that we'd have been caught completely by surprise," Jaune enthused.

Weiss smiled gratefully at her sister, and nodded briefly to Jaune. Tangy slowly nodded, as Visha happily ate some loaded baked potatoes.

"True. The indictment is more for Ozpin and Vale's Council, not you," Tangy said. She glanced at Jaune. "Nevertheless, I'm going to be working closely with all of you to improve security with the Vytal Festival coming up."

She smiled slightly.

"I could use another Captain, Jaune. I could get you a commission," she said generously. "You were always a competent strategist and administrator."

"You mean I beat you at Remnant: The Game constantly and you shoved all your paperwork onto me when we were back home," Jaune replied glibly. Tangy coughed.

"Not just that," Tangy stated. "Still, what do you say?"

Jaune seemed to give the matter some serious thought. For a moment, Weiss's heart began to thump in her ears.

Why do I care if he leaves? She thought angrily.

Jaune slowly shook his head and smiled at his sister.

"Thanks, but no thanks," he said, "I've chosen my path."

Tangy smiled slightly back, and sipped some tea.

"Very well," she said. "Shame. You might actually be able to hack boot camp now."

"Your idea of boot camp is very different from anyone sane," Jaune groused, placing some sausage on a cracker with cheese and popping it in his mouth. Tangy snorted.

"You big baby."

"Sadist."

"Brat."

"Look who's talking, pipsqueak!" Jaune shot back. Tangy's eyes narrowed and a psychotic grin appeared on her face. Her Aura flared ominously. Jaune glared back, resolute, his own Aura roaring to life like a bonfire.

"Say that to my face, dweeb!"

"Only if I bent down far enough to look you in the eyes, tiny!"

Visha sighed as the two Arc siblings glared at one another.

"Come on, siblings shouldn't fight, Colonel!"

Tangy scowled, as did Jaune. They grumbled in unison but nodded.

"You're lucky you're so good at paperwork," Tangy huffed. Visha beamed.

"I care about you too, Colonel!" She popped another hot potato into her mouth, her face an expression of pure bliss.

"I am glad we will be working together, Colonel," Winter finally spoke, nodding to Tangy, "Our joint operations went well last time we were involved. The bandit enclave in Balto?"

Tangy nodded.

"Yes, you Specialists did well," she complimented her, "Made the operation much easier. Our flight rigs let us stay highly mobile but force on the ground is required to hold it. And that will never change."

Winter and Tangy began discussing the operation, as Visha ate happily. Weiss met Jaune's eyes. He smiled back.

"So um," he murmured, "What do you think of my sis?"

Weiss slowly shook her head.

"Your sister is one of the most terrifying mercenaries in Atlas, and now she's a legitimate military commander," Weiss muttered back, "Your family is just surreal, Jaune."

Jaune shrugged.

"They're my family," he said, "For better or worse."

Weiss smiled slightly.

"In a way? I'm almost jealous," Weiss murmured. Jaune looked at Weiss in concern. She shook her head.

"Nevermind," she said softly. "And please let Alice know I would be glad to talk to her again."

Jaune grinned.

She gave him an unlady-like snort.

"Don't think this means I'll be accepting any date invitations from you any time soon," she warned, sipping some tea.

"Er, no, I-I get it," Jaune said, holding his hands up with a nervous smile.

At length, Tangy rose. Visha began to clean up any leftovers.

"It was good to see you again, Jaune," Tangy said. She hugged Jaune briefly, despite his efforts to hold onto her. Visha made up the difference, squealing happily as she hugged him for a while. He reciprocated quite happily in a display that made Tangy grimace.

"I can't wait to see you again, Jaune!" Visha cheered, "I would love to go with you and Ruby to this new cookie shop!"

"I'll let her know," Jaune laughed. Tangy gave a nod to Winter, which she returned.

"I look forward to working on the security for the festival with you, Colonel," Winter stated.

"Same with you, Specialist," Tangy returned. The two turned and headed off, Visha gushing excitedly about various food places they might try. Jaune looked to the Schnee sisters with an apologetic look.

"Sorry we took over your private meeting-"

"No, it's fine," Winter said, waving her hand gently, "It was very informative."

"Yes," Weiss agreed.

Winter gave Jaune an appraising look. One that made Weiss frown.

"Jaune," she said, "I have to do some survey of the city defenses. Would you be so kind as to act as my guide?"

Jaune and Weiss started. Jaune cleared his throat.

"Um, if you think I'd be helpful, certainly! I'd love to!"

Winter smiled, which let Weiss reeling.

What?!

"That would be nice," Winter said, her smile growing just a bit more.

Jaune's Scroll went off. He checked it and sighed.

"Sorry, gotta go," he apologized.

"Quite all right," Winter said with a smile. She held out her own Scroll. "Your number please?"

"Oh, sure!" Jaune said with a smile. He gave it to her, and nodded to both sisters. "See you later!"

"Certainly," Winter said. Weiss held her tongue until Jaune was out of sight, passing back into Beacon through the marble pillars of the garden, before she turned on her sister.

"Wha-What is this about?!" Weiss demanded.

Winter blinked.

"What? I'm just doing my duty. He would be a good field guide to Vale given how things went." She smiled just a bit mischievously.

"I'm not stealing your boyfriend, Weiss."

Weiss turned bright red.

"He's not my boyfriend!"

"Oh. So he's single then?"

"You-I-UGH!"

---

Cinder Fall scowled at her Scroll. The reports coming in were not encouraging. She lifted her eyes up to Neo, Emerald and Mercury, who were standing in front of her as she sat at her desk in her dorm.

"What do you mean the VDF has competent leadership now?" Cinder demanded.

"Yeah," Mercury coughed, "Colonel Tangerine Arc. Butcher of the Balto Pass, etc, etc. You wouldn't expect a girl who looks like a doll to be such a killer but… Damn."

Neo smirked at the reports, looking rather impressed. Cinder's scowl deepened.

"This complicates things," she muttered. "We're going to need more information."

"If it helps, Cinder," Emerald said, forwarding a bio of a student to her, "She's connected to this student. Jaune Arc."

Cinder frowned deeply as she looked the bio over. The boy was utterly unremarkable save for being Pyrrha Nikos' partner and having several of his relatives stop by. Still…

"We will make use of him then," Cinder pronounced. Emerald grimaced.

"I shall get closer to him at once, Cinder," Emerald stated.

"No need," Cinder said, "This I shall handle myself."

Neo pouted and signed:

Hogging the stud muffin to yourself, huh? Can I murder him after? He looks like he'd be fun to kill.

Cinder rolled her eyes.

"Not until the invasion… Which is already behind schedule as it is!" She huffed. "How could an entire White Fang army be annihilated in a gigantic explosion, run into a whole division of Paladins from the Church of the Broken Table, and get jailed for indecent exposure at a comic convention?!"

All across Remnant, various members of the Arc Family and their friends and allies sneezed.

---

Note:
Naturally, Tangy and Visha are borrowed from Saga of Tanya the Evil.

 

[SharkCultist]

Fun idea.

Out of boredom Salem makes a post on a throw away social media platform basically letting people design their own Grimm.

Most of them are insanely impractical or just flat out copyright infringement but some of them....oh yes she can work with that.




*Ozpin sits at his desk doing paperwork*

Pop

Ozpin: what was that?

Pop

Ozpin: I may need to call maintenance, sounds like there's something wrong.

*Cut to two hours later and a inspection of his office by maintenance*

Maintenance: everything is in order sir.

Ozpin: thank you.

*Maintenance leaves*

Pop

Ozpin: Damn it!

Pop

Ozpin: Where is this coming from?!

*A small Grimm frog sits outside right on the ledge by his window*

Frog: Pop

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby: "Sooo... Could you give us enhancements?"

Isabel: "Like what?"

Ruby: "Like, make me even cuter?"

Isabel: "I ensured Adrian would be the cutest little baby ever. So yes, very easily!"

Ruby: "Really?!"

Yang: "Any... other enhancements?"

Weiss: "Yes, Any others?"

Isabel: "All the ones your'e thinking of."

Ruby: "So... Like our boobs and stuff?"

Isabel: "Yes. And many for Faunus."

Blake: "Oh?"

Isabel: "Yes. Katy Sith has a tail, after all! Which makes her super-Faunusly adorable! She is finally... A complete catgirl!"

Blake: shiny eyes

Pyrrha: "Even me?"

Isabel: "I mean I don't know what you or Yang need but if you need some, I can certainly provide them... But only if you join the Arc family."

Silence.

Jaune: "By adoption, right?"

Isabel: "What, are you stupid?! I've had eight kids, I'm not adopting a bunch of legal aged women! They'll have to marry in!"

As Jaune feels the ravenous eyes of several women on him...

Jaune: "... This is all a twisted plan to get me to go back to med school, isn't it?!"

Isabel: "Well how else are you supposed to support a harem and dozens of grandchildren?!"

 

[RedReaper]

Original Character, Do Steal: Askr Merlot

• Name: Askr Merlot
• Allusion: Frankenstein's Monster, Frankenstein
• Naming Process: Frankenstein's Monster in the Original Novel by Mary Shelly references his existence to be "Frankenstein's Adam," alluding to Abrahamic Faith's First Man, created by God. Considering Atlas is more concerned with Germany, though, and the pre-existing Adam, this has been switched to focus on Germanic Faiths, and thus their First Man. Askr. Which means "Ash Tree," in Old Norse. Thus fulfilling the Color Naming Rule whilst maintaining his Frankenstein's Monster allusion.
• Age: 17 Physically and Mentally, Unknown (Many of Years) Chronologically.
• Background: According to Andrew, his Merlot's goal was specifically the evolution of Man through Grimm as well as engineering the ultimate lifeform, taking inspiration from more modern mad scientists who have dabbled in biology like Doctor Gero from Dragon Ball, alongside his want to alter the Grimm to benefit humanity. As such, Askr is the answer to the question: What if Merlot succeeded in his project in secret, on a backburner. Merlot started the project back, many years ago during his tenure at Mount Glenn. However, at the Fall it was believed that everything within was lost. Merlot, and everyone else, was wrong. In that time the creature had been growing, developing into its desired state as it accumluated various Grimm and Human DNA, becoming the next step in Human Evolution. Recently freed from the containment deep within Mountain Glenn after total completion, in the few labs untouched by devastation, Askr's mind has implanted memories and knowledge to sidestep a part of the learning process, such as language, or motor functions. These include subroutines such as allies of Merlot in the chance that the Doctor is dead. The top of that list was Arthur Watts, who Askr tracked down (as Frankenstein's Monster did his own father) in an attempt to both understand himself as well as seek warmth and comfort. Watts used this to his advantage, manipulating Merlot's Monster into being his Loyal Enforcer, alongside utilizing his control over the Grimm given to him by Salem to influence and control the Grimm parts of Askr. This makes him a tragic, potentially redeemable, but also relentless and soulless figure to combat against. Currently being slowly lead to believe that Salem is his "Mommy," alongside Watts as his Father, though his Human Half manifests resistance at times and forces the process to be slow.
  
  The Spin on Frankenstein's Monster, being, what if when Frankenstein came to life, the Father that shunned him and caused his descent was dead (leaving him malleable to another's influence?) In the same way that Red Riding Hood hunts the Wolf instead, Frankenstein's Monster in Askr is left adrift without the story's essential chase, yet still holds that unyielding desire for another to love him. Both paternally and romantically.
• Emblem: Electric Bolt Split with Stitches
• Weapon: "Artificial Danger" - Barbed wire that has been made with Dustweave Metal, conducting the power of the Grimm, Aura, and Semblances.
• Semblance: Multiple - Kindred Link (Donor, Raven Branwen), Total Body Control (Donor, Isabel Arc), ??? (Donor, Nick Arc), Proto-Burn (Donor, Taiyang Xiao-Long), Misfortune (Donor, Qrow Branwen), ??? (Summer Rose), Aura Vision, (Donor, Arjun), Aura Orbs (Donor, Saia), and Telekinesis (Donor, Glynda Goodwitch). Potentially More. UNIQUE "SEMBLANCE:" Grimm Biology.
  • Created with the Samples of DNA from the nearby Grimm and Huntsmen, Askr is one of the very few to have multiple Semblances. His abilities with them, equals the capablity of the sample when it was taken (Past Selves of STRQ, Isabel, and Glynda). This means later/current iterations or training will exceed his completely.
  • He can only use one Semblance at a time, with the exception of Total Body Control, which is passive.
  • Has Arc, Branwen, and Nick's Constitution, meaning monstrous stamina and endurance with incredible talent.
  • While his body is designed to handle using multiple Semblances, it still is extremely strenuous for his artificial body, and thus overuse can lead to (temporary) Death of his Human Side, losing all access to Semblances, Aura, and rational thought.
  • His Semblances can evolve on paper, but in practice this is impossible due to the fact the necessary requirements to cause evolution is unique per person and Semblance, which his mind is not suited to.
  • His Aura can be used in conjunction with Grimm Physiology, unlike Cinder (and making him uniquely resistant to the Silver Eyes), but acts as a balancer between his Human and Grimm halves. And once he loses his Aura, he becomes incredibly vulnerable to the Silver Eyes. Moreso than even normal Grimm, liable to be instantly vaporized in comparison to Grimm, which are only petrified.
  • Thanks to Summer's Influence, he has the Silver Eyes. That said, due to his nature his Silver Eyes are stronger and can bypass his own Silver Eyes defenses, meaning reflecting it back on him damages him considerably.
  • His Grimm Physiology gives him unique bonuses, similar to Frankenstein's Monster, with minimized to no eating needs, no regard for personal temperature, or need for sleep. Similarly, he has improved sensory ability, can detect negative emotion, etc. Additionally, he can leverage it alongside his Total Body Control to utilize Grimm abilities, such as manifesting a Deathstalker's Poison Stinger, or a Borbatusk's plated armor. He can use this to become a Chimera of sorts, and without TBC, but without TBC and his rational mind it's inefficient and incapable of being more than a black mass of limbs.
  • If his Grimm side is temporarily killed whilst he is not utilizing his Aura to defend it, his Human Side will overwhelm the Grimm side, losing access to all his Grimm Physiology benefits.
  • As part of the Grimm, he is suspectible to high levels of negativity, which impairs mental ability and sensory, reducing hearing, sense of smell, touch (which works as a double sided sword by reducing ability to feel pain), as well as taste. Additionally, it gives him tunnel vision and reduces logical/cognitive thinking.
  • He has all the weaknesses of the Original Grimm or Semblance User.
  • Not every bit of the Grimm and Semblances are capable of working together. Like body parts, some outright reject each other due to raw incompatibility. This can range from inability to merge abilities together to physical re-actions that cause significant internal damage. Some Grimm do not function with other Grimm, some Semblances do not function with other Semblances, and some Grimm and Semblances cannot be combined with each other.
  • He is drawn to the Relics like the Grimm are, making him both an asset and a liability, as he works as both radar and a creature liable to being trapped by being baited by a Relic.
  • Manually can manipulate himself to engage the Merlot mutations, but doing so progressively reduces Human capabilities.
  • Incapable of being evolved to take in more, though Watts is working on that.
  • Despite intensive use of Female DNA and the ability to use Total Body Control (which whilst never utilized to do so, presumably can alter gender), Askr cannot become a Maiden.
• Appearance: Image
• Outfit: Image
• Personality: Stoic and professional on the outside most of the time, but internally is similar to Penny in that he is childish and desires warmth. Desperately craves validation. When on the attack, is relentless and thanks to his immaturity, petty. Deeply loves Salem, Watts and Merlot, and is truly affected by any insult against him from them. Is not concerned with anything except exploring the world and the goals of his caretaker. Hates whoever he is told to hate. Utterly relentless in battle. Is somewhat gulliable, but loses this trait over time. Likely to fall hard for Penny if they ever met. Thanks to Nick, has bursts of goofiness.

Conceptually, he's a bit ("bit") OP, (hence so many limits on him) but I really couldn't get this idea of "Well, what if AJT Merlot got the job done? How would that work based on the parameters given--Gero like methods and goal in RWBY? What is his Perfect Cell?" And I got this.

Bringing over the Askr Merlot bit from SB as my first act on QQ.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby approached Jaune as he strummed his guitar. "Hey, Jaune?" she asked softly.

"Hm?" he responded, glancing up.

"Am I... a bad leader?" Ruby's voice wavered.

Jaune's fingers froze on the strings, the music cutting off abruptly. "Witch's tits, what could possibly give you that fool notion!?" he exclaimed. After a brief pause, he softened. "Ah, please pardon my Vacuan, Ruby."

Ruby fidgeted, her gaze dropping. "W-Well... I have to yell, beg, scream, and sometimes even blackmail my team into doing anything when we're not in a fight. Even then, they barely pay attention to me and... and well... tonight we had a fight and... and Weiss just said... um... said that outside of that... we just all do our own things." Her head bowed lower. "And... well... Blake and Weiss... they... they barely get along even after the White Fang and... I just... I don't feel like I'm a good leader."

Jaune listened quietly before speaking. "Listen. My first cattle drive? I didn't do nothing right. I actually shot myself once. That's how bad I was." He leaned forward. "But at the end of the day... your team is alive. You got yer issues, but at least you can talk about 'em. You can't do anything but take it one day at a time."

He continued, his tone steady. "I once asked Mister Duke about something. At the end of the day, if no one's dead and you can live to work another day?
That was a good day. Cause sometimes you don't have good days."

Ruby stared at the ground, dejected. "But that can't be everything. What about friendship?" she murmured. "I thought Weiss and Blake were my friends."

Jaune nodded. "They are. But friends are bastards to each other sometimes. Again, pardon my Vacuan. You remember Miguel, right? First time we met, we got in a fight cause he thought I was making fun of his mama. He pulled a knife on me." He chuckled softly. "Point is... you're gonna have high points and low points with the people you care about. The high points are why you keep fighting on. Even through the low points."

He added, "Also, sometimes you gotta slap some sense into 'em."

Ruby looked up, curious. "So... how would you handle things?"

Jaune hesitated. "I ain't sure you wanna know how I'd handle things... I ain't had to do that with my team—"

"Please?" Ruby pressed.

He sighed. "Well... I'd spank all three of them... though in Miss Belladonna's case, I expect she'd enjoy it."

Ruby smirked.

"I think they all would."

Jaune looked up and raised an eyebrow.

"You too, Miss Rose?"

Ruby flushed deeply, and scowled.

"Well what if I did, huh?!"

"I ain't gettin' into that, no sir," Jaune muttered, going back to playing his guitar.

 

[RedReaper]

The Doctor and The Rusted Knight

---

"Death to the Space-Between. Death to the Time-Above. Death to That-Which-Stands-Below." A set of voices whispered around Jaune, as if manifested in the air itself. Considering no one was around, it probably was. All the Arc boy knew was that it came after a dull wheezing noise, like a set of dying lungs.

The teen drew Crocea Mors, The Yellow Death, slowly stalking forward to the source of the dull wheezing. The Huntsman in training turned the corner, and saw what generated the noise.

It was a…box? A deep blue box, with the wood "Police" on its sides. The strangest thing wasn't the box, though. It was the fact it was in the middle of Beacon's courtyard. The courtyard that hadn't had a weird "police box" (what on Remnant even is a police box?) not even hours ago.

"Hello?" Jaune inquired to the world as he went to investigate.

He didn't get much of a chance—A fair skinned man in a blue suit, brown trench coat, and sporting really good auburn hair (Jaune was allowed to think that, he was his sisters' hair stylist back in Radian)—Crashed out of it with a bewildered expression.

"Oh, that's just brilliant! And not the good kind! You were supposed to bring me and the creature to Earth, in 1942!" He bemoaned at the police box, not having noticed Jaune at all.

"What is…Earth?" The Arc asked as he watched the man climb back onto his feet and rapidly turn around.

"A planet. The best planet. Also the home of the pocket dimension creating device I left for one country's secret government to hold criminals. Like the ones I was carrying."

"A bit small to carry a criminal, don't you think?" Jaune pointed out as he motioned his sword towards the box

"Oh, no. It's bigger on the inside."

"'Bigger on the inside?'" The Arc echoed.

"The box. Outside it's all small and box-like, inside it's all big."

"Okay. I can roll with that. Semblances are weird and can make anything possible, so whatever. Except the fact you're talking about other planets."

"Oh, yeah. What is this planet?" The mysterious man asked as he put his hand in his pockets, strolling in a circle.

"Remnant."

"Oooh. Spooky name for a planet. I like that. I like that a lot." Jaune watched him sound out the name and wave his hands around a bit, as if testing the phonics of 'Remnant' with the world itself.

"Okay—Say I believe you. Would the criminal be weirdly whisper chanting about Death and Space-Betweens, Time-Aboves, and That-Which-Stands-Below?"

"Ooooh. That's bad. That means it's already hit phase two. Must be magic in the air."

"Magic?"

"Yes, keep up—Magic. Explains why my tongue felt all weird when I hit your atmosphere. I could taste all the weird. Give the planet a bit and it'll adjust, remember physics and whatnot."

"'Remember physics?'" Sighing, he pointed his sword at the mystery man. "This is getting me nowhere. Tell me who you are, what the box is, and what you're about." Jaune wasn't the best or even worst trained—He was totally untrained. But he assumed that a person would be less prone to trying anything with a sword in their face

He was wrong. The mystery man pushed the tip of Crocea Mors down, humming. "You could just ask without the sword. We both know you're not gonna use it."

"And what would you know about me?"

"You're a kind boy. Smart boy. Asks questions, has an open mind, and if you really were just a senseless killer, you would've impaled me already. No, no. You've got sense." The man in the trenchcoat grabbed Jaune by the face, opening his mouth.

"Wha-ar-u-do-ing?" ("What are you doing?") Jaune asked in confusion.

"Inspecting your teeth. You can tell a lot about a man by the amount of care he puts in his teeth. And I'd say yours are pretty good. Spectacular, actually. So good you could get trapped in a temporal hell hole for twenty years without performing any dental hygiene and they'll stay flawless." Closing Jaune's jaw, he forced his head up. "Some humans have all the luck. Let's see here—Good throat. One heart. That's good—Things with two hearts are often pretty deadly."

The Arc Lad just raised a brow.

"Don't ask."

Jaune left it be and let the stranger finish his checkup. Then he poked at Jaune.

"What are you doing now?"

"Poking your Soul."

"Poking my what?"

"Your Soul. You've got it layered around you like a forcefield. Pretty clever. Did you make this?"

Jaune chuckled. "No, I'm not nearly smart enough to do that. This is pretty normal, here."

"Is it?"

"Sort of." Giving a "50-50" gesture.

"Interesting. Very interesting." Stopping his poking, he turned around to go back into the box.

"Uh. You never told me your name."

"You never asked."

"No, I definitely did—"

"No, you pointed a sword at me and told me to tell you. That's not asking, that's poor manners." The man said matter of factly as he stopped to turn back to Jaune.

The boy winced. "Please don't tell my mom. Or my nana."

"I won't. For now."

"So, uh. Your name?"

"I've been called many things, but for your sake, just call me The Doctor."