[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[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."

 

[SharkCultist]

Had a sad idea.


After the fall of Beacon Jaune Arc disappeared. Nobody knew where he disappeared to. Except his mother.

Whenever Jaune would get scared or upset he'd always go to his grandfather's old workshop.

It's been years since anyone had stopped by. Moss was starting to crawl up the sides of the old stone shack and a thin layer of dust covered almost everything.

The only things not covered in dust being a bronze shield and spear sitting on the floor next to Jaune Arc who sat huddled in the corner with cracks covering his skin that had light leaking from them.

"Oh Jaune."

It was a heartbreaking sight for a mother who tried to spare him this pain.

"Mom?"

His eyes are unfocused. There's swirls of green in them that keep almost fading before swirling back into form.

"I'm here Jaune. It'll be ok."

She hugs him. She wants to take away his pain so badly. But she's going to have to hurt him more.

"Jaune sweetie. You need to let her go."

Focus enters his eyes and as his awareness sharpens so to does his pain.

"I can't. It was too soon, it wasn't fair."

"Jaune. It's always too soon. But you're hurting yourself son. You need to let go."

He's quiet and she almost thinks he's drifting out of focus again.

"She loved me."

He looks at her with eyes almost a even split between blue and green.

"That was the last thing she ever told me."

Damn Ozpin and his schemes dragging her boy into this.

"You're killing yourself son. Would she want that?"

She knows he doesn't want to hear it. She knows it's tearing him apart.

But he lets her go.

Green drains from his eyes leaving only tear filled blue as Jaune lets everything out.

And as the light starts to fade from his skin and the cracks seal as he curls into himself and cries, for just a second the light looks like a lady in love giving one last hug.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Team RWBY was up early, and looked very unhappy as they staggered, like zombies, towards the training center.

Ruby: "Come on guys! We've barely done any group training all month!"

Blake: "I've been busy with White Fang!"

Yang: "Yeah, and I've had my own things going on."

Weiss: "We need to keep our grades up in this, Yang, Blake! Honestly, can't you take this seriously?"

Yang: "Says the girl who threatened to murder Ruby for waking her up with an airhorn."

Ruby: "Um, sorry?"

Weiss: dark look.

The four pass by a small courtyard garden... And pause. They see Jaune in the center of the courtyard, blindfolded, with earphones on. He was doing a handstand, and fidgeting only a little. He's also shirtless.

Weiss: "... What is that fool doing that for at this hour?"

Yang: "Giving a free show? Gotta say, it's a little avant garde but I like his hustle." ogles his muscles

Ruby: "Ew! Yang, gross!" bright red nevertheless

Blake: "I think it's some form of meditation or sensory training."

Blake approaches, enters the circle... Jaune mutters under his breath.

Weiss: "What's he babbling about?"

Blake: "... Books... Fish... Moonlight... Shadow...?"

Ren: "He's learning how to sense Auras."

Yang, Weiss, and Ruby jump. Blake merely raises an eyebrow as Ren steps out from behind a marble column.

Yang: "Geez! We need to put a bell on you, Zen Boy!"

Blake: scowls

Yang: "What?"

Weiss: "Aura Sensing? Isn't that a bit advanced for a dolt like him?"

Ren: "It is not easy for people to learn. But I've put him through a crash course and he's been doing fairly well. Helps with blind fighting, keeping track of your comrades in darkness, and in telling who is behind a door. After all, if Aura is the energy of the soul, parts of your soul will always radiate outwards if you don't learn how to control it."

Blake: "I see. That's how you always know I'm around."

Ren: "Among other reasons."

Ruby: "Wow... You're like a super ninja, Ren!"

Weiss: "Please! For all we know, he's just playing a prank on us and Arc!"

Ren: pulls out his scroll, turns it on "I've linked to the headset Jaune is wearing. Ruby, can you confirm it was not linked before?"

Ruby checks it over and nods.

Ruby: "Yeah, it just turned on."

Ren: "Jaune. You were muttering about what you were sensing before."

Jaune: "Oh! Sorry Ren!"

Ren: "No, no... I want you to say aloud what you are sensing." Hits mute "Blake, please approach Jaune again."

Blake walks back into the courtyard. Jaune grimaces.

Jaune: "Um... Aura in front of me... It feels like... Books... Moonlight... Shadow... Cats for some reason?"

Blake, Ruby, Yang and Weiss all gape in disbelief. Ren smiles softly.

Ren: "Good. Hang on." Mutes it again "Yang? If you would approach him? Any angle you wish."

Yang: "All right..." She walks around the small courtyard and then walks in behind Jaune, then moves to the right at random.

Ren: "Jaune?"

Jaune: "Warmth... Fun... Fire... Fury... Motorcycles for some reason... And... Motherliness?"

Yang gapes and flushes. Weiss scoffs.

Weiss: "This is ridiculous..." She leaps up and stands on a pillar above Jaune, and leaps to a bench on the other side. "There. Too fast for him to pick up-"

Jaune: "Cold... White... Speed, grace... Hidden warmth...? Maybe? It was quick so I couldn't get a lot."

Weiss flushes. Ruby grins and super speeds in front of Jaune, then away.

Jaune: "I felt joy... Mischief... Silver too... And I smell rose petals... Not hard to guess who that was."

Ruby: "WOW!"

Jaune pulls off his blindfold and gets to his feet. He smiles in a friendly way at RWBY.

Jaune: "Hey! How'd I do, Ren?"

Ren: "Better, though your range is still limited. And you can only sense when you are calm and not moving."

Jaune: face falls "Oh..."

Ren: "But it is impressive you're getting the basics down so quickly."

Yang: "And looking good while doing it, Studly." Grins "Mind if I train with you? I'll even go shirtless too if you want~."

Jaune: bright red "Y-Yang!"

Weiss: "YANG! Must you be so-so you?!"

Yang: "I must! It's a heavy burden but someone's gotta heft all this awesome hotness around!"

Weiss: "You would say that, you top heavy bimbo!"

Blake: "I would also be interested in training, Ren. My mother tried to teach me Aura sensing but I never got past the basics."

Ren: nods "I would be glad to."

Ruby: "ME TOO! Oh, it sounds so cool!"

Yang: "And all the shirtless Jaune we could want!"

Ruby: "YAAAANGGGG!"

- - -

The teams sharing some training techniques and concepts could be fun. Also, Ren learning how to become a teacher might be a very interesting character direction for him. Especially since I headcanon him learning his arts from a monastery that took them in. Nora meanwhile learned how to fight from the Norse-like berserker/blacksmith in the village near the monastery.

 

[SharkCultist]

Today was not team RWBYs day.

The school was out of hot water (Nora thought she could make the showers warmer faster using fire dust) , they had a double period with Port, and all the good stuff got taken at lunch before they got there so they got stuck with the brussel sprout soup and sardine and pineapple sandwiches (ports favorites that he insisted be part of the menu).

So to try to blow off a little steam the girls decided to take a trip down to the emerald Forrest and spend a bit of time mauling the Grimm.

Unfortunately someone else was already here.

He was BIG easily the tallest man they had ever seen and his frame was packed with muscle. He had a bald head and dark skin, and for some reason was standing on his tiptoes.

Though that was nowhere near the oddest thing about him.

"Stop your squirming boy you ain't getting out of this!"

They watched this grown man in a butter yellow speedo pin a Grimm down.

"What the hell is he doing?!"

He apparently heard Weiss yelling because his head snapped to the young Huntresses.

"I'm getting revenge snowcone!"

He snaps the Grimms neck and pops back up onto his tiptoes.

"For hundreds of years the Grimm have fucked humanity. Well Magnus Manus is here to fuck the Grimm!"

The girls were visibly disturbed by this obviously crazy man.

"You're definitely gonna catch something wild."

"Nah baby the light of my soul will protect me from the filth of a Grimm hole."

Yang was seriously considering shooting this guy. The detention would definitely be worth it.

"Well it's been fun hun but I got a run!"

And without another word he squatted down and clenched his butt cheeks before rocketing forward past the tree line.


"....man fuck Wednesday."

"Yeah."

 

[RedReaper]

Time to introduce this thread to TWRC.

The Whiter Rose Chronicles

---

To be frank, Whitley hadn't anticipated the raven haired redhead…or her beauty…or her genius…at allagreeing to this date of theirs. Sure, he'd asked and a Schnee always got what he wanted, but something about this, about her,that made this feel…different.

A buzzing in his heart, an airy head, limbs that felt like clay she could easily pull apart…weakness, he realized. It was total, complete, and utter weakness. And yet for some reason, despite all sense he wanted more. More of it, more of her.

He'd been a man dying of thirst without knowing until she'd arrived, and now that he knew he couldn't help but want to slake his desires with her, to drink up her endless warmth, her smile, and her love. It was simple. Ruby Rose had ruined him.

In a good way.

And he hated it. Hated how much he felt her pull on stringshe never thought he had before, hated how much his stomach coiled as it awaited every reply, and hated how much he let her do this to him. An insult to living. To being a Schnee.

Yet he let it happen anyway. Because of course he would when weakness felt this good. Of course, today would be different. He needed to put a good step forward, to make a good first impression, and he couldn't do that with this…weakness plaguing his soul.

Sighing in exasperation of his own self, he channeled every fiber of his training. To speak clearly and concisely. To stand tall and firm (despite his less than stellar height). To cut out his own heart.

It was woefully easy, at this point. An incision here, a snip there, and he was rid of paltry emotion. At least until he forced it back inside himself.

Knocking on the door, he held out a bouquet of Roses—All different kinds. White, Black, Yellows, Reds, even Blues and Magentas. It was a beautiful mixture of Vale, Vacuo, Atlas, and Mistral, speaking to life, love, (it's death and rebirth—Essentially, it's eternity), the enjoyment of each other and the Sun together, and more. (Flowers had a language and he'd speak it fluently if he could help it.)

The door opened, and the goddess opened the door slowly and shyly, in a black and red dress that fit her quite nicely. It revealed how shapely she was beneath her corset, how her…developing features, and yet was modest and elegant in how it still centered on her youthfulness. Innocence. Ruby's face was crimson, and Whitley smiled, channeling every inch of his father's countenance when he courted Willow Schnee.

"You're breathtaking, Ruby."

The girl slammed the door in his face.

Whitley…well, he stared at the door, confused. He couldn't make out what was being said on the other side, but it was quite loud and heated. Eventually, the door opened again, and the Older Goddess (Yang), opened the door instead.

"Uh, sorry about that. My sister's a bit…shy, so she's feeling really nervous and uncertain about this." The blonde beauty commented earnestly as she rubbed the back of her neck.

The Schnee hummed. "I…see." Silence.

Why? Well, internally Whitley was stretched between his cool nature he'd forced upon himself and the panicking and dejected heart he'd torn out, moments earlier. So he did the only thing he could think of—Try to regain control. And how did he do that? Talking.

"I suppose you must be the Great Yang Xiao-Long." He started, proddingly.

"The one and only!" She replied proudly, flexing her arm. It was then Whitley took stock of her apparel, and—Wow.The dress was purple, going all the way down the legs instead of stopping at the knees like Ruby's, clearly having been fitted to accentuate her bombastic chest and prodigious hips. It lacked any shoulder covering, as well, but it frankly didn't matter, as the lion's mane she called hair did all the work for her.

Put simply, she was voluptuous.

"Yes, I've heard quite a bit about you." Whitley pressed on, noting it all without flicking for even a second glance.

"Oh?" Yang asked confidently, cocking her hips, putting a hand on her hair, and giving her voice a low, sultry tone as she leaned forward. All purposeful. All to make his blood race. He'd seen it all before, though. From less gorgeous women, true, but the act was the same. Down to even playing with her marvelous hair. "And what have you heard?"

Whitley didn't even move his eyes from her own. "How much Ruby adores you. You're like the Sun to her. She praises your strength, confidence, intelligence, integrity, and even your beauty. She feels herself a…pale shadow, in comparison." He phrased carefully.

Yang's eyes narrowed. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying be careful. Ruby…she's sort of like me. She believes herself stuck in the shadow of another, and puts herself down for it." The teen admitted, softly as he looked away, towards the white tiled floor. "She doesn't deserve that when she's beyond peer. Frankly, I don't see how she could believe herself beneath someone like you."

And he meant it, truly meant it. Sure, Yang's body was voluptuous, but Ruby's was divine. Yang may have been confident, but Ruby's shyness was honest. Yang may have a better combat record, but Ruby was a prodigy. Yang may have been every man's literal dream, but Ruby was…pure.Yang was "perfect," and Ruby was simply better.

The Blonde Huntress-in-Training blinked at his honesty. "I—Well—Huh."

Whitley coughed and held the flowers back up. "Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you should perhaps invest in something that helps bolster her self-image."

Because he'd seen what a damaged self-image could do to a person. That same person walked around mindlessly, drunk endlessly, and abandoned him entirely to the depths of a bottle when he was eight years old. He didn't want something like that to happen to someone as wonderful as Ruby Rose.

"And please, give these to Ruby."

As the Schnee went to turn away, however, Yang's arm bolted forward, like a viper, gripping his arm. "No."

"No?" Whitley echoed, confused.

"Because you're going to give them to her." Then Yang opened the door, and pulled the two of them into Team RWBY's room.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

When Yang caught wind that her great-great-so on grandmother was on her way, a wild, desperate scheme sparked in her mind to shake the old woman off her trail. After all, she was of marriageable age and Ruby wasn't. While her grandmother had never been the closest with Tai, she'd started to get more involved now that they were grown. Some BS in Mistral had kept her from them, apparently. With all the civil wars that went on there, she supposed it was at least a reason. Better than Raven's had been.

Normally, Yang would be fine with telling the old bag off, and punching her in the face.

Which she had done. Then Granny had kicked her ass in two moves, sent her sprawling on the lawn in front of their house... And then offered to teach her how to fight just like that-But better.

Granny had then called Raven a deadbeat and disappointment, and Summer wonderful, and well… Yang was willing to at least respect her. Or at least try to avoid another asskicking.

(And naturally, Ruby loved that their grandmother was a kung fu master like out of their-ahem, her Mistralian animes).

The one issue they'd had was that Granny had asked about her love life. An issue she pestered her about ever since, many times.

Hence? She needed a boyfriend.

So, she went with her first choice of potential boyfriend who might get her Granny off her case.

She spun toward Ren with a grin that was half plea, half mischief.

"Hey, Ren? Mind posing as my boyfriend—?"

But before she could finish, Nora loomed up like a storm cloud, hissing through her teeth and hefting her hammer with a glare that could crack stone. Yang threw her hands up and backed off fast.

Ren gave her a wry look. One that said "Didn't think this through, huh?"

Point taken.

"Ahem… right. Never mind."

She sighed as she walked out into the courtyard of Beacon. Ren she had thought could just play along for a bit. It wouldn't get… Complicated. Not with…

"Hey Yang!"

She looked over. Jaune was there with a smile. She smiled back, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. She still wasn't quite sure how to handle things with him after that job with his uncle, but… Well…

"Something wrong?" He asked, eyes immediately filled with concern. It made her feel a bit gooey inside. She smiled warmly.

Hell. She liked him. She could admit it to herself. And dammit, she was not letting Blake get away with her 'fake fiance' crap anymore! Not when she was a lot more fun!

"Hey, Jaune!" she started, sauntering over, but then her eyes ballooned wide—Granny was closing in like a hawk. She was short, wrinkled, gray haired, hunched over, and using a wooden staff as a cane… Yet she still carried a menace that set the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.

"Oh crap," she muttered.

Something Jaune was oblivious to as Yang ran up to him. She hugged him tightly.

"Y-Yang? What are you-?"

"Just play along, okay?" she hissed.

Jaune blinked, baffled.

"Play wha—?"

She didn't let him finish. Yang grabbed him and planted a kiss so fierce it could've knocked the soul out of him, then shoved his hands square against her chest for good measure. Despite his shock, he kissed back-Just as good as before. And his hands… Ooh! Okay, so he definitely missing his calling as a doctor!

"Mwah! O-Oh! Hey, Granny!" she chirped, stepping back with a grin that was all teeth.

Jaune, red-faced and reeling, managed a dazed, "Hwah?"

"Have you met my boyfriend, Jaune Arc?" Yang pressed, slinging an arm around him like it was rehearsed.

"Huh?!" Jaune squeaked, still catching up. She elbowed him, and he automatically wrapped an arm around her waist.

Granny's eyes narrowed to slits as she trooped up. She hopped up onto her staff, balancing perfectly despite her age and small stature to glare right into Jaune's eyes.

"ARC!? You related to that stupid cow, Arturia?"

"Um… Y-Yes?" Jaune stammered. "She's my great-grandma?"

"HMPH! Bitch fought me in the Great War!" Granny Xiao-Long growled. "Good fighter! Annoying! Let me live!"

She scowled harder.

"Sanctimonious and annoying! No taste for actual cuisine! All about burgers!"

"Well, um, my Papa does make really good burgers," Jaune said, even as Granny Xiao-Long glared harder. "Or-Or not?"

"Mortal enemies of Xiao-Long Clan!" Granny growled.

Yang's stomach dropped.

Oh shit.

"But Granny! I love him!" she blurted, yanking Jaune into a hug that teetered on a chokehold. "Can't we work all of this out? You know, f-for peace? If we get a piece of eachother?" Yang offered with a cheesy grin.

"And he loves me…" She glanced at him desperately, " Right ?"

"URK! Y-Yes! With all my heart!" Jaune wheezed, flailing in her grip. Jaune's eyes bugged out as his face went bright red. She loosened up a bit-It wouldn't do for him to pass out now.

Granny snorted.

"Hmph. Bad liar. That good. Keep working him, Yang."

Relief flooded Yang like a cool wave.

"Will do!" She said happily, saluting as she let Jaune go.

Jaune, indignant, sputtered, "What?! I'm not a liar!"

Granny reached out and patted his cheek like he was a dim puppy.

"Yes yes, you not liar. Just dumb. Just like my great-great-grandson. You no love her!"

She sighed, shaking her head, and Jaune's scowl deepened.

"I would literally die for Yang before I ever broke her heart! Or abandoned her!" he shot back, puffing up.

Yang's cheeks flared red.

Geez… He's overdoing it a little… Not that I mind…!

Granny arched a brow.

"Oh? You want die for girl you know for a year? You want make my granddaughter a widow!? You want my great-grandbabies to grow up fatherless!? You not dumb, you stupid! Idiot! Suicidal!" She got another cane and whacked him over the head.

"OW! W-Well, no!" Jaune backpedaled. "I wouldn't die if I could avoid it! But I mean… Okay… I'd protect her and our family with my life!"

"Better!" Granny barked. "What you do if you get her pregnant? You take responsibility?"

He took Yang's hand, and looked Granny Xiao-Long right in the eyes.

"Yes! I absolutely would!" Jaune said, all earnest fire. He tightened his grip around Yang's hand, as though to hold on harder.

Yang's blush deepened.

"Ah, Jaune, uh—"

"Good!" Granny cut in. "You have permission to court my granddaughter! Good catch, Yang.
You start making babies."

"Er… Thanks, Granny!" Yang managed. "We'll get right on that… after graduation?"

Granny sighed, annoyed.

"If you must. When I your age, was having plenty of babies!"

"Well, it's different now," Yang emphasized, "I wanna be a Huntress and have adventures!"

"Pfft! Had plenty of adventures while pregnant!" Granny Xiao-Long scoffed. "Gave birth in battle! Killed enemy soldier! Made sling for baby out of enemy uniform! You kids have it easy nowadays!"

"Uh, um…" Yang managed, not sure what to say to that. Granny sighed.

"That said, good to know you thinking about it! Don't wanna end up forty! Living with cats! All alone, no family visit! And Arcs, at least, have lotta babies! Very virile!"

Again, Yang blushed deeply.

Jaune, still dazed, mumbled, "Uh… Thanks, Mrs. Xiao-Long… I-I'll take care of her."

"You better!" Granny snapped. "Or I come back and rip penis off!"

Jaune gulped loudly.

When Granny finally shuffled off into the main hall of Beacon, grumbling under her breath about Arturia some more, Jaune rounded on Yang with wide-eyes.

"Yang? … What did you do?"

She grinned, sheepish.

"…So, I guess we're dating now?"

"You couldn't have warned me?!" he yelped.

"It worked out!" she shot back, all breezy confidence.

"Well, now we have to get married and have kids or she'll castrate me!"

"She was just exaggerating!" Yang laughed, then paused. "…I think."

Jaune's voice hit a pitch she didn't know he could.

"SHE DID NOT LOOK LIKE SHE WAS EXAGGERATING!"

Yang sighed.

"Would you feel better if we kissed for a while?"

Jaune blushed, considered, clearly remembering their last kissing session.

"... Maybe?!"


Naturally, Granny Xiao-Long is based on Granny Cologne from Ranma ½. And her great-great-grandaughter Shampoo might show up as well.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

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 bother 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...

---

The next day, after Teams RWBY and JNPR had battled White Fang at the docks, Ruby looked like death warmed over in the Leadership classroom. Jaune also appeared tired but manageable. Cardin and Coco joined them, taking seats nearby. Cardin gave them a wry look.

"Geez, you look pretty bad, Pipsqueak."

Ruby moaned and slammed her face into her Scroll,

"So. Much. Paperwork... And Professor Goodwitch put it all on me! Jaune's not allowed to help!"

Jaune rubbed the back of his head.

"I mean... I did call the police before we went in, so I guess she let me off easy?"

Ruby groaned. Coco patted her shoulder with a consoling smile.

"There there. Hey, at the very least, you stopped some terrorists and didn't get expelled."

"I hate Blake so muuuuuch," Ruby moaned. She then winced. "Don't tell her I said that."

Cardin raised an eyebrow.

"What, she got a thing against Faunus or something? Weird given she is one."

Ruby jerked upright, staring in horror.

"Wait what?! You know-?!"

"Well duh. Her bow twitches. She's hiding her ears," Cardin stated flatly.

"Yeah, she really needs to get better about that," Coco observed, "And that bow is so last year."

Ruby looked between them in disbelief.

"But-But why haven't you-?!"

"What, she wants to hide who she is with a cheap accessory? I'm not gonna call her on it," Coco said with a shrug. Ruby looked over at Cardin.

"And why haven't you-?!"

"Bullied her?" Cardin coughed, "I mean... Um... I stopped doing that anyway and..."

"She would kick your ass," Jaune deadpanned. Cardin scowled.

"Hey! She'd kick your ass too!"

Jaune nodded, looking just the tiniest bit smug. "I know."

Simin arrived, stepped up to the front, and began the class.

"This time, we're going to introduce the concept of tactical planning," he announced. "Now, while you are in charge of four-person teams, there are Hunter operations that can require much larger groups. As well as operations where you cooperate with law enforcement or military forces. As a result, you need to learn how to manage not just your teams, but how to work with other kinds of forces. No one person can defeat every enemy all on their own: That is why we work together, and figuring out how to work together is critical to protecting people and not losing your team to injury or worse."

He avoided looking at Ruby, but she winced nonetheless. Simin continued.

"As such, I'm putting each of you into groups of four and will hand you a tactical scenario. You will come up with a battle plan and then present it to the class next time. Rose, Arc, Winchester, Adel, you're first."

The team leaders split into their groups. Jaune, Ruby, Cardin, and Coco were assigned an urban combat scenario where they had rescued a Person of Interest and were holding out in a warehouse dock area until a Bullhead could extract them.

"So we're defenders then? That's new," Cardin observed. Coco looked it over, humming thoughtfully,

"Right... We stop these guys from getting our hostage until our ride gets here. Okay, fixed defense it is."

Cardin frowned and leaned over the desk on his elbow.

"What, just hide behind crates and shoot?"

"It works just fine for my team!" Coco retorted, lowering her ever present sunglasses in irritation.

"Yeah, because you have a minigun!" Cardin snapped. Coco shrugged.

"So?"

Ruby looked discouraged, but Jaune smiled and elbowed her gently. He smiled warmly.

"Mobile defense would take the most advantage of all four of our teams," he suggested. "Pyrrha, Nora, Yang, Fox, Weiss, Russel, Dove and Ruby are all very mobile. We'd want to use that."

Ruby brightened, as Coco and Cardin both turned from their argument towards them. She knew what she had to do here: Support her bestie and fellow leader.

"Y-Yeah... Fox is held in support with his telepathy Semblance. I can zip around and keep fire on them as a skirmisher, with Weiss supporting me!"

Cardin frowned, his anger forgotten as he considered things. He then gave Ruby a snort.

"Yeah, but one hit and you're down, Pipsqueak." Ruby pouted.

"Nuh uh!"

"Not one hit, Ruby," Jaune clarified, "but you can't take as much punishment as a tank. Besides, you're better supporting Ren and Blake, who would do recon and skirmishing to stack up and harass the enemy force as they entered the area. Weiss could become more engaged as they got in further and provide obstacles to further stack them up, while also skirmishing with you."

Coco nodded, a smile growing on her face.

"Right. Nikos and Xiao-Long could give them more punch."

Jaune shook his head.

"Except Pyrrha and Yang are our overall strongest fighters. We'd want to hold them in reserve. We'd split our forces into two main groups: Fixed and Strike. Fixed would defend the Person of Interest and act as the main objective the attackers strive for. Strike would at first engage and harass the enemy to help the lure while reducing their strength while they head for their objective…" He pointed at the map of the warehouse area in the scenario,

"Then when they're fully engaged with Fixed, we bring in Pyrrha, Yang and Nora with the rest of Strike to counterattack. And Coco with Velvet? You can rain hell on them to take 'em out while Cardin, Yatsuhashi, and me keep them pinned"

Cardin hummed, looking it over and thinking it through.

"Hmm... Yatsuhashi, me, and Jaune as the heavy shield part of Fixed, with Shades here as fire support. It would work pretty well."

Coco grinned and shrugged.

"Well, you meat shields would definitely make my job easier. Still, Xiao-Long's not very patient." Ruby winced, feeling the urge to defend her sister… And then discarding it.

"Yeah, she has a tendency to be impulsive... Blake too," she grumbled.

"We might need to pair them with minders," Coco suggested, "Or, maybe keep Yang on the Fixed Team? Her Semblance gets more powerful the more she's hit."

Jaune and Ruby looked at eachother, and then at Cardin. He nodded back, and Jaune smiled.

"Could work, and between us we could keep her focused. Russel might be good support for Weiss since he's also Dust focused, but he's tougher than her."

Cardin chuckled, "He'll be happy you said that."

Ruby was already imagining prim and proper Weiss dealing with foul mouthed, hot blooded Russel. She fought down a giggle, and got her focus back on the task at hand.

"What about Sky? What's his semblance?"

Cardin sighed.

"... He can perfectly imitate anyone or anything's sound."

Ruby gaped, as did Coco. The little reaper was the first to speak.

"Wha-Seriously?"

"Yup," Cardin stated.

Ruby grinned.

"That's so cool!"

"Yeah, not so much after the first hundred times," Cardin muttered. Louder, he said, "But, we could use him in Strike as a distraction and harasser, and support for Belladonna and Ren."

Jaune nodded, pulling out a stylus to mark areas on the map.

"Right... Let's establish the engagement areas too. We'd need to make some open areas to maximize line of fire..."

"We could just go higher on these crates for line of fire!" Ruby grinned, then faltered in realization, "But that would expose us... Urgh..."

Coco pointed with a finely manicured nail and a smile at the map.

"Hence the mobile defense part. By the way, who does your nails?"

"Me! And not Yang! Totally not her, I do it myself!" Ruby insisted.

"I see," Coco hummed, and looked over at Jaune's hands, "And who did yours?"

"My sisters," Jaune stated flatly.

"Sisters? Plural?" Cardin asked, "How many?"

"Seven," Jaune sighed. Cardin winced.

"No wonder you uh… You were crazy enough to join this school."

"But with very nice cuticles," Coco complimented him.

"That will totally help fighting the Grimm," Jaune deadpanned.

"Sure they will! … What are cuticles anyway?" Ruby asked.

Simin smiled faintly as he watched Cardin, Jaune, Ruby, and Coco collaborate.

Perhaps there's hope for them yet, he thought.

Then Cardin slammed a hand down on the table.

"HEY! All I'm saying is that if the Person of Interest is a hot girl, I should get the kiss at the end!"

Coco laughed.

"HA! She happens to have actual taste! So she'd kiss me instead!"

Jaune groaned.

"How did we even get on this topic?!"

Ruby let out a weary groan.

"Why do we need kissing at all? I bet it's yucky!"

Simin chuckled to himself. He was only a few years older than these students, and yet, it felt very long ago.

"Ah, youth..."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Pyrrha was surprised, but pleasantly so, when her Aunt Erza arrived.

Pyrrha: "Aunt Erza!"

She pulled out her shield and sword to deflect and parry Erza's sword strikes.

Erza: "Excellent job, Pyrrha! You blocked the strikes just as I know you would!"

Pyrrha: beams "Thank you, Aunt Erza!"

Erza: "But you need to stay at the top of your game! After all, you are fighting for real now! No tournament rules!"

Pyrrha: nods "Yes Auntie!"

Erza: "Now, give me a hug."

Pyrrha does so.

Erza: "Hmm... You seem more confident. Happier."

Pyrrha: "Yes, well... Um... I got to fight a few great fighters... And um..." blush "I'm a bit closer to... Um..."

Erza: "Jaune Arc?"

Pyrrha: blush "Y-Yes... But um... Well..."

Erza: "Well? Well what?"

Pyrrha: sighs "Other girls have... Noticed him."

Erza: "And so you've defeated them and claimed him for your own?"

Pyrrha: bright red "Ummmm... W-Well, no..."

Erza: "Why not?! You can defeat all your rivals with ease!"

Pyrrha: "I don't think that will win his love."

Erza: "What, does he prefer the company men?"

Pyrrha: "NO! No! Not at all! He's definitely straight!"

Erza: "Then I shall deal with this!"

Pyrrha: "What? NO! Nonono-!"

Erza: "REQUIP! HEAVEN'S WHEEL ARMOR!"

Now in her flying armor, Erza flies off. She then seizes Jaune and flies back, dropping him in front of Pyrrha.

Jaune: "URK!"

Pyrrha: "JAUNE!"

Erza: "JAUNE ARC! YOU HAVE DISHONORED MY NIECE BY IGNORING HER FEELINGS!"

Jaune: "I-I have?!"

Pyrrha: "I uh..."

Jaune: "But-But I haven't ignored her feelings!"

Pyrrha: "You haven't?!"

Erza: "YES YOU HAVE! She loves you!"

Jaune: "Well yeah! I love her too!"

Pyrrha: "Y-You do?!"

Jaune: "Deeply. You're my friend and mentor! I care for you like my sisters! I would die for you in a heartbeat!"

Pyrrha: "I... I-I mean, that's... Um... I am glad... But um-"

Erza: "UGH! You fool! She loves you in the way of a woman does a man! A man she wants to marry and have his children!"

Pyrrha: "AUNTIE!"

Jaune: blinks "... Wait really?"

Pyrrha: "Um... W-Well... Uhh... I uh..."

Erza: "How could you not know she loved you and wanted to have your children?! That she wanted to do all manner of lewd and sexy things with you?!"

Pyrrha; "AUNTIIIIE!"

Erza: "What? You wrote me all about your fantasies! Incidentally, you need an editor."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

In the heart of Beacon Academy's sun-dappled courtyard, Velvet Scarlatina stood frozen, her bunny ears twitching in a cocktail of confusion and paralyzing shyness. Clambering over her like a tiny, relentless mountaineer was a small orange-haired girl in a fluffy white bunny onesie, her chubby hands patting Velvet's legs with gleeful determination.

"Someone help? Please?" Velvet squeaked, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried not to topple under the toddler's enthusiastic assault.

"Bunny," the little girl declared, her tone reverent as she nuzzled Velvet's knee.

The courtyard's usual bustle faded into the background as Cardin Winchester, red-faced and frantic, barreled onto the scene.

"Samantha Jay Winchester!" he bellowed, his voice cracking with exasperation. "You can't go wandering off here!"

"Bunny," Sam replied, undeterred, her tiny fingers clutching Velvet's skirt.

Cardin's eyes finally landed on Velvet, and his expression shifted to one of pure dread.

"Oh no."

Velvet's ears drooped, a flicker of hurt crossing her face.

"Ouch. I thought you were being nice now."

Cardin waved his hands, flustered.

"I didn't mean it like that! It's just Sam really likes bunnies."

"Bunny," Sam confirmed, now attempting to scale Velvet's arm.

Velvet's eyes narrowed, though her voice remained soft.

"Cardin. She's three."

"Four, actually," Cardin corrected, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's just small."

"She's four," Velvet repeated, her tone flat. "How big a problem can she be?"

Cardin's gaze darted nervously to Sam. He snatched a nearby stick and, with the caution of a man poking a sleeping Grimm, lightly prodded his sister. Sam's tiny hand shot out, seizing the stick and crushing it into splinters with a squeeze that belied her size.

Velvet's eyes widened, her voice catching. "What the f—"

"Four-year-old!" Cardin interjected, his face a mask of panic.

"—unnel cake?!" Velvet finished, her ears shooting upright.

Cardin groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Dad awakened Mom's aura when she was pregnant with Sam, hoping it'd ease some of the pregnancy pains. Ended up awakening Sam's aura and making it so much worse."

"Bunny," Sam said, now snuggling into Velvet's side with alarming affection.

Velvet stood rigid, her voice a strained whisper.

"Cardin. Please get this child off me before she decides to hug me and pop me like a grape."

Cardin lunged forward, tugging gently at Sam's onesie, but the girl clung to Velvet like a koala. Velvet, desperate, tried to ease herself away, her movements careful but futile. Sam, growing impatient, gave a mighty yank, pulling both teenagers off balance. The collision was catastrophic—a clumsy headbutt that morphed into an accidental lip-lock, leaving Cardin and Velvet sprawled on the cobblestones, unconscious, blushing furiously, and pinned beneath a triumphant four-year-old.

Sam sat atop her conquest, her smug grin radiating victory. "Bunny."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Well, I just saw the Top Gun movies again. And I realized that Remant's air forces could use some strike fighters. Not just gunships that carry people. So to that end... Here's the equivalent of the F-14 Tomcat for the RWBY universe:

- - -

VSF-14 Cat Sìth Strike Fighter

The VSF-14 Cat Sìth was developed by Wayland Air Motors in the decades before the Vytal Tournament attack, serving as the VDF's primary multirole strike fighter during Vale's post-Great War militarization. The Cat Sìth (Nicknamed "Ghost Cat") was designed to balance air superiority, ground attack, and anti-Grimm capabilities, operating from Tempest- and Banshee-class airship carriers and ground bases. Its variable-sweep wings, robust airframe, and Dust-enhanced systems made it a versatile platform, capable of countering both conventional threats (e.g., rogue airships) and Grimm hordes.

Named after the Cat Sìth, a mythical creature resembling a large black cat with a white chest spot, the fighter embodies agility, elusiveness, and a dual nature—protective yet formidable. In Albion folklore, the Cat Sìth could bless or curse, stealing souls or guarding sacred sites, reflecting the VSF-14's role as Vale's guardian against Grimm and its potential for devastating strikes. The Cat Sìth preceded the VSF-18 Thunderbolt, which incorporated lessons from its operational history, such as the need for greater stealth and Dust efficiency. By the time of the Vytal Festival Attack, the VSF-14 is being phased out but remains in reserve squadrons, seeing limited action during the Vytal attack due to its age and the Thunderbolt's prominence.

The VSF-14 was a cornerstone of Vale's air doctrine, emphasizing carrier-based power projection and Huntsmen coordination. Its rugged design suited Vale's diverse terrains, while its Dust-augmented propulsion and weapons countered Remnant's unique threats. Though less advanced than the Thunderbolt, the Cat Sìth's reliability and versatility cemented Wayland Air Motors' reputation, paving the way for its successor.

---

Technical Specifications: VSF-14 Cat Sìth
General Characteristics

• Manufacturer: Wayland Air Motors
• Role: Multirole strike fighter (air superiority, ground attack, close air support, reconnaissance)
• Crew: 2 (pilot, weapons systems officer); single-seat variant (VSF-14A) for training
• Length: 19.1 m (62.8 ft)
• Wingspan:
  • Extended: 19.5 m (64 ft)
  • Swept: 11.6 m (38 ft)
• Height: 4.8 m (16 ft)
• Wing Area: 52.5 m² (565 ft²)
• Empty Weight: 19,840 kg (43,735 lb)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 33,725 kg (74,350 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Wayland D-2218 Dust-Augmented Turbofans
  • Dry Thrust: 12,500 lbf (56 kN) each
  • Afterburner Thrust: 20,000 lbf (89 kN) each
  • Dust Propulsion: Fire Dust injectors for short bursts of enhanced thrust (Mach 1.6 without afterburners)

Performance

• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.1 (2,580 km/h; 1,600 mph) at 40,000 ft
• Supercruise: Mach 1.1 with Fire Dust augmentation
• Range: 2,400 km (1,490 mi) on internal fuel
• Combat Radius: 850 km (530 mi) with standard loadout
• Ferry Range: 3,700 km (2,300 mi) with external tanks
• Service Ceiling: 16,000 m (52,500 ft)
• Rate of Climb: 12,000 m/min (39,370 ft/min)
• Thrust/Weight: 0.85 (fully loaded)
• G-Limits: +7.0/-2.5 g

Airframe and Design

• Materials: Titanium-steel alloys with early Dust-infused composites for durability and minor radar cross-section (RCS) reduction.
• Stealth Features: Limited stealth with angled exhausts and basic radar-absorbent coatings; less advanced than the Thunderbolt's semi-stealth design.
• Wings: Variable-sweep wings (20° to 68°) for optimized performance at low and high speeds, ideal for carrier landings and high-speed intercepts. Wings fold for airship storage.
• Carrier Compatibility: Reinforced landing gear, tailhook, and compact folded dimensions for Tempest and Banshee-class carriers. STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) capability via Gravity Dust channels.
• Dust Integration: Fire Dust enhances thrust; Gravity Dust reduces takeoff/landing weight; early Hard-Light Dust experiments improve structural integrity.

Avionics

• Radar: Taranis Electronics RA/EPG-9 Pulse-Doppler Radar
  • Range: 150 km for fighter-sized targets
  • Features: Look-down/shoot-down, basic track-while-scan, limited ground mapping
• Sensors:
  • Infrared Search and Track (IRST) for passive Grimm detection
  • Early Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) with Dust-enhanced thermal imaging
  • Basic multispectral sensors for Grimm bio-signatures
• Countermeasures:
  • Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) with chaff/flare dispensers
  • Missile warning system
• Cockpit: Dual analog-digital cockpit with heads-up display (HUD) and multifunction displays. Basic Aura-integrated interface for pilot situational awareness (less advanced than Thunderbolt's neural link).
• Networking: Early secure datalink for coordination with Bullhead AWACS and Huntsmen, less robust than Thunderbolt's.

Armament

• Gun: 1 × 20mm Dust-Enhanced Rotary Cannon (700 rounds)
  • Ammunition: Fire Dust rounds for anti-Grimm incendiary effects; standard rounds for conventional targets
• Hardpoints: 10 (6 underwing, 2 fuselage, 2 wing glove)
  • Total Payload: 6,600 kg (14,550 lb)
  • Air-to-Air Missiles:
    • Short-range: RAM-12J Copperhead (early Dust-augmented seekers)
    • Medium/long-range: RAM-17B Bluejay (semi-active radar homing)
  • Air-to-Ground:
    • Unguided bombs (Dust-enhanced)
    • Early precision-guided bombs (Paveway-equivalent, laser-guided)
    • RGM-55 Maniac missiles (basic Dust warheads)
    • Rocket pods with Fire Dust warheads
  • Anti-Grimm Weapons:
    • Fire Dust cluster bombs for horde dispersal
    • Prototype Gravity Dust rockets for area denial
• External Pods:
  • Targeting/reconnaissance pods
  • Electronic warfare pods
  • External fuel tanks

Dust Integration

• Propulsion: Fire Dust injectors boost thrust for short bursts, enabling high-speed intercepts and evasive maneuvers.
• Defenses: Gravity Dust barriers (early version) provide temporary weight reduction for carrier operations; no Hard-Light shields, relying on conventional armor.
• Weapons: Fire Dust munitions enhance anti-Grimm effects; Gravity Dust experiments improve bomb accuracy but are less refined than Thunderbolt's.
• Sustainability: Basic Dust recyclers reduce consumption, but less efficient than Thunderbolt's advanced systems.

Operational Features

• Multirole Capability: Configurable for air superiority (missile-heavy), ground attack (bombs/rockets), or hybrid missions, though less flexible than Thunderbolt.
• Carrier Operations: Designed for catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested recovery on airship carriers. Variable-sweep wings optimize deck handling.
• Ground Operations: STOL capability supports improvised airfields in Vale's forests and coasts.
• Maintenance: Robust but complex due to variable wings; requires more downtime than Thunderbolt's modular design.
• Pilot Support: Early Aura-linked systems enhance pilot reaction speed, but less intuitive than Thunderbolt's.

---

Role in the Valean Defense Force
The VSF-14 Cat Sìth was the VDF's mainstay fighter during Vale's post-Great War era, when the kingdom focused on securing its borders and countering Grimm incursions. Deployed on Tempest and later Banshee-class carriers, it projected power across Remnant, supporting Huntsmen against Grimm hordes and deterring rogue factions in the Four Kingdom Pax. Its key roles included:

1. Air Superiority:
   • Engaged aerial Grimm (e.g., Nevermores, Griffons) and enemy airships with Bluejay missiles and its 20mm cannon. Variable-sweep wings allowed high-speed intercepts and dogfights.
   • Example: During a pre-Volume 3 Grimm surge, Cat Sìths from the carrier Vigilant repelled a Nevermore flock, protecting coastal villages.
2. Close Air Support (CAS):
   • Supported Huntsmen with Fire Dust cluster bombs and rocket pods, dispersing Beowolf and Ursa packs. Laser-guided bombs targeted Alpha Grimm.
   • Example: In a Valean forest campaign, Cat Sìths provided CAS for Team STRQ, clearing Grimm for civilian evacuations.
3. Anti-Grimm Operations:
   • Prototype Gravity Dust rockets disrupted horde movements, while Fire Dust munitions incinerated swarms. The Cat Sìth's multispectral sensors detected Grimm bio-signatures in dense terrain.
   • Example: Against a proto-Wyvern Grimm, Cat Sìths used coordinated strikes with Huntsmen, though their limited precision highlighted the need for the Thunderbolt.
4. Reconnaissance and Patrol:
   • Equipped with targeting pods, Cat Sìths scouted Grimm migration routes and enemy airship activity, relaying data to Bullhead AWACS.
   • Example: Routine patrols over Vale's outskirts identified White Fang staging areas, though political interference (e.g., Prunella Glocken's policies) delayed follow-up.

By the time of the Vytal Tournament attack, the VSF-14 is largely replaced by the VSF-18 Thunderbolt, which offers superior stealth, avionics, and Dust efficiency. However, reserve Cat Sìth squadrons are scrambled during the attack, supporting Thunderbolts against the Wyvern and Grimm hordes. Their slower response and outdated systems limit their impact, reflecting Prunella Glocken's budget cuts, which delayed fleet modernization.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

All right. Let's try again:

VSF-47 Tempest Viper

Overview

The Tempest Viper is the latest Dust-powered, multi-role strike fighter developed by Wayland Air Motors engineers for the Valean Defense Force, designed to counter the Grimm threat and rival nations' advanced militaries, particularly Atlas' airships and robotic forces. It combines speed, maneuverability, and adaptable Dust-based weaponry to engage diverse threats, from massive Grimm hordes to heavily armored human targets. Its sleek, aerodynamic frame reflects Remnant's futuristic yet grounded aesthetic, with a folding-wing design inspired by mecha-shift principles that in concert with its Dust-based engines makes it fully VTOL. This mechashift technology and VTOL capability allow it to operate from remote outposts as well as from airborne carriers.

Specifications

• Crew: 1 pilot, 1 RIO
• Length: 16 meters
• Wingspan: 12 meters (extended), 8 meters (folded for VTOL or high-speed flight)
• Power Source: Dual Dust Reactor Turbofans (Gravity and Fire Dust primary, modular secondary Dust types)
• Top Speed: Mach 1.2 (supersonic bursts using Wind Dust boosters)
• Range: 1,500 km (extendable with auxiliary Dust crystals)
• Armor: Lightweight Dust-infused titanium alloy plating, resistant to Grimm claws and basic ballistic weapons
• Sensors: Actively Scanning Doppler Radar, Infrared scanners.
• Aura Integration: Cockpit systems sync with the pilot's Aura for enhanced reaction time and feedback.

Design Features

1. Mecha-Shift Airframe:
   • The Viper features a variable-geometry wing system that shifts between extended (for maneuverability and VTOL) and swept-back (for high-speed strikes). This mirrors Remnant's transformable weapon philosophy, allowing the fighter to adapt mid-combat.
   • Retractable reinforced landing gear enables vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), crucial for operations in Remnant's rugged, Grimm-infested terrain.
2. Dust-Powered Propulsion:
   • Dual Dust reactor Turbofans combine Gravity Dust for lift and Fire Dust for thrust, providing exceptional agility and sustained hover capabilities.
   • Modular Dust slots allow pilots to equip Wind Dust for speed bursts or Ice Dust for stealth (cooling exhaust signatures), tailoring the fighter to specific missions.
3. Cockpit and Controls:
   • A holographic interface, powered by Hard-Light Dust, displays real-time Grimm movement (via ground-based sensors) and enemy positions.
   • Aura-linked controls amplify the pilot's reflexes, allowing precise maneuvers against fast-moving Grimm like Nevermores or Griffins. The cockpit monitors the pilot's Aura, warning of overexertion.
4. Defensive Systems:
   • Dust-infused alloy plating resists Grimm physical attacks and low-caliber projectiles but is vulnerable to heavy anti-aircraft fire (e.g., Atlas' beam turrets).
   • A Hard-Light Dust shield generator pod provides temporary protection against energy-based attacks or Grimm projectiles (e.g., Nevermore feathers), with a 30-second uptime and 2-minute cooldown.
   • Countermeasures include Gravity Dust flares to disorient flying Grimm and chaff to disrupt missile locks from rival nations.

Armament
The Viper is equipped with modular, Dust-based weaponry to handle both Grimm and human threats. Its arsenal leverages Remnant's reliance on high-explosive, Dust-augmented munitions, as traditional metal bullets are less effective against Grimm's durable hides.

1. Primary Weapon: Winchester Arms 30mm Twin Dust Cannons:
   • Mounted under the nose, these rapid-fire cannons shoot Dust-infused rounds. Default Fire Dust rounds explode on impact, ideal for shredding Grimm hordes or damaging unshielded vehicles.
   • Modular Dust types allow switching to:
     • Ice Dust: Freezes targets, slowing large Grimm (e.g., Goliaths) or disabling mechanical systems.
     • Lightning Dust: Disrupts robotic enemies (e.g., Atlesian Knights) or chains between Grimm in close proximity.
     • Gravity Dust: Launches kinetic bursts to knock back aerial Grimm or destabilize enemy aircraft.
2. Secondary Weapon: Multi-Mode Missile Pods:
   • Each wing houses a pod with eight missiles, configurable for:
     • High-Explosive Dust Warheads: For annihilating Grimm swarms or breaching airship armor.
     • Cluster Munitions: Scatter smaller explosives to clear Creeps or Beowolves in open terrain.
     • Tracking Missiles: Homing Gravity Dust warheads for engaging fast-moving targets like Sea Feilongs or Atlas dropships.
   • Missiles are limited (16 total), requiring strategic use against high-value targets.
3. Experimental Weapon: Pulse Emitter:
   • A prototype Hard-Light Dust emitter in an external pod projects a short-range shockwave that disorients Grimm by simulating positive emotions, briefly disrupting their aggression. Ineffective against older, smarter Grimm (e.g., Alpha Beowolves) but useful for escaping swarms.
   • Against human targets, the emitter can overload electronic systems, temporarily disabling the enemy unit.

Tactical Roles
The Viper is designed for three primary mission profiles, addressing Remnant's dual threats of Grimm and rival nations:

1. Grimm Suppression:
   • Objective: Rapid response to Grimm incursions, targeting hordes or high-threat individuals (e.g., Leviathans, Nuckelavees).
   • Tactics: Use VTOL to deploy near settlements, employing cluster munitions and Fire Dust cannons to thin hordes. For larger Grimm, pilots use Gravity Dust missiles to immobilize targets, followed by Hard Light Pulses or Ice Dust to slow movement.
   • Strengths: High maneuverability counters flying Grimm like Nevermores; Dust versatility handles diverse Grimm types.
   • Weaknesses: Limited missile reserves struggle against overwhelming numbers; armor is insufficient against elder Grimm's heavy strikes.
2. Anti-Air Superiority:
   • Objective: Engage rival nations' aircraft, particularly Atlas' Manta gunships or airships.
   • Tactics: Leverage supersonic bursts and tracking missiles to outmaneuver slower, bulkier enemy craft. Lightning Dust cannons disable robotic systems, while Hard-Light shields absorb return fire.
   • Strengths: Speed and agility outmatch most Remnant aircraft; Aura-linked controls give pilots an edge in dogfights.
   • Weaknesses: Vulnerable to concentrated anti-aircraft fire from Atlesian beam turrets or airship volleys.
3. Precision Strikes:
   • Objective: Target enemy infrastructure (e.g., Dust mines, command centers) or large Grimm (e.g., Monstra).
   • Tactics: Use stealth configurations (Ice Dust cooling) for covert approaches, deploying high-explosive missiles or kinetic Gravity Dust strikes. The pulse emitter can disrupt defenses before retreating.
   • Strengths: Modular weaponry allows tailored loadouts; VTOL enables flexible deployment.
   • Weaknesses: Reliance on Dust makes resupply critical; prolonged engagements drain pilot Aura.

Strategic Fit in Remnant

• Grimm Threat: The Tempest Viper addresses the Grimm's numerical advantage and durability by prioritizing area-effect weapons and mobility. Its pulse emitter offers a novel counter to their emotion-driven aggression, though it's less effective against Salem's smarter Grimm breeds. The fighter's ability to rapidly deploy from small outposts as well as major bases and carriers aligns with Remnant's need to protect scattered villages.
  
  
• Rival Nations: Against Atlas' technological superiority, the Viper counters with agility and electronic warfare (Lightning Dust and pulse emitter), exploiting weaknesses in robotic infantry and slow airships. Its versatility makes it a viable deterrent against Mistral's less advanced but numerous forces or Vacuo's guerrilla tactics.
  
  
• Technological Level: The fighter relies entirely on Dust, adhering to Remnant's tech constraints (no spaceflight, no non-Dust power sources). Its mecha-shift design and Aura integration reflect the setting's focus on individualized, soul-enhanced technology, while its holographic systems and Dust reactors align with Atlas' cutting-edge advancements.

Limitations

• Dust Dependency: Like all Remnant tech, the Viper is limited by Dust availability. Prolonged missions risk depletion, especially for exotic Dust types like Hard-Light or Gravity.
  
  
• Pilot Strain: Aura-linked controls enhance performance but tax the pilot's stamina, limiting sortie duration against relentless Grimm waves.
  
  
• Armor Trade-Off: Lightweight plating prioritizes speed over durability, making the fighter vulnerable to sustained fire from advanced anti-air systems or elder Grimm.
  
  
• Production Costs: Dust-intensive systems and complex mecha-shift components make mass production challenging. The Viper is thus limited for now to elite squadrons of the Valean Defense Force.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

AF/A-25 Sindri Industries Cavalier Strike Fighter

Overview
The Cavalier is an Atlesian strike fighter engineered by Sindri Industries to complement Atlas' hybrid carrier battleships, designed for air superiority, precision strikes, and support of robotic ground forces against Grimm and rival nations. Built with Atlas' signature blend of cutting-edge technology and militaristic efficiency, the Cavalier emphasizes firepower, durability, and integration with Atlesian command networks over agility. Its angular, armored design and glowing Hard-Light Dust accents reflect Atlas' cold, utilitarian aesthetic.

Specifications

• Crew: 1 pilot (optionally autonomous with AI control)
• Length: 18 meters
• Wingspan: 14 meters (fixed, reinforced for stability)
• Power Source: Triple Dust reactor Turbofans (Gravity, Ice, and Fire Dust primary)
• Top Speed: Mach 1
• Range: 2,000 km (supported by carrier resupply)
• Armor: Heavy Dust-forged titanium plating, resistant to Grimm attacks and ballistic fire
• Sensors: Active Scanning Doppler Radar, Infrared Sensors
• AI Integration: Onboard Atlesian AI for autonomous operation and coordination with carrier battleships

Design Features

• Reinforced Airframe:
  • The Cavalier features a fixed-wing, angular design optimized for stability and durability, reflecting Atlas' focus on overwhelming force rather than maneuverability. Its bulky frame can withstand significant punishment, ideal for prolonged engagements.
  • Retractable landing gear allows deployment from carrier battleships, with magnetic clamps for securing to airship decks during resupply.
• Dust-Powered Propulsion:
  • Triple Dust reactor turbofans use Gravity Dust for lift, Ice Dust for cooling and stealth, and Fire Dust for thrust. The system prioritizes sustained output over burst speed, ensuring reliability during extended missions.
  • Exhaust ports are reinforced with Hard-Light Dust shielding, reducing vulnerability to Grimm attacks from below.
• Cockpit and Controls:
  • A sealed cockpit with a panoramic Hard-Light Dust display provides 360-degree battlefield awareness, linked directly to the carrier battleship's command network for real-time tactical updates.
  • The fighter can switch between piloted and autonomous modes, using an Atlesian AI to execute pre-programmed attack patterns or respond to Grimm movements. Autonomous mode reduces pilot strain but risks hacking (e.g., Watts' tech expertise).
• Defensive Systems:
  • Heavy titanium plating infused with Ice Dust absorbs kinetic impacts from Grimm claws and rival projectiles, though it sacrifices speed.
  • A Hard-Light Dust barrier projector creates a forward-facing shield capable of deflecting energy attacks (e.g., Nevermore feathers or Dust cannons) for 45 seconds, with a 1-minute cooldown.
  • Countermeasures include Ice Dust chaff to freeze and disrupt Grimm sensory organs and electromagnetic pulses to disable enemy drones.

Armament
The Cavalier is equipped with energy-based and heavy Dust weaponry, reflecting Atlas' preference for precision and overwhelming force. Its arsenal is designed to support carrier operations, targeting both Grimm and enemy aircraft with lethal efficiency.

• Primary Weapon: Odin Arms Hard-Light Beam Cannon:
  • Mounted on the nos, this cannon fires concentrated Hard-Light Dust beams, capable of slicing through Grimm hides or piercing enemy airship armor. The beams have a high rate of fire but overheat after 10 seconds of continuous use, requiring a 15-second cooldown.
  • Adjustable settings allow for wide-area beams to sweep Grimm hordes or focused shots for precision strikes against high-value targets.
• Secondary Weapon: Heavy Missile Launchers:
  • Each wing houses a launcher with five heavy missiles, designed for:
    • Hard-Light Warheads: Penetrate armor, ideal for disabling rival airships or large Grimm (e.g., Monstra).
    • Fragmentation Missiles: Detonate mid-air, releasing shrapnel to shred flying Grimm like Griffons or clear ground-based Creeps.
    • Tracking Missiles: Use radar guidance systems to lock onto fast-moving targets, effective against agile fighters like Vale's Tempest Viper.
  • Missiles are limited (10 total), requiring resupply from the carrier.
• Support Weapon: Drone Deployment System:
  • The Cavalier can deploy up to four Atlesian micro-drones per mission, each equipped with a small Hard-Light Dust laser. These drones provide reconnaissance, target painting, or direct fire support, controlled via the fighter's AI.
  • Drones are vulnerable to Lightning Dust attacks and can be hacked by skilled enemies.
• Defensive Weapon: Ice Dust Turret:
  • A rear-mounted turret automatically fires Ice Dust projectiles to slow pursuing Grimm or enemy fighters, creating a temporary barrier of ice shards. Effective for covering retreats but has limited ammo (50 shots).

Tactical Roles
The Cavalier is designed to operate as part of Atlas' carrier-based strategy, supporting large-scale military operations against Grimm and rival nations.

• Air Superiority for Carrier Defense:
  • Objective: Protect Atlesian carrier battleships from enemy aircraft and flying Grimm (e.g., Nevermores, Wyverns).
  • Tactics: Use Hard-Light beam cannons to engage at long range, supported by tracking missiles for fast targets. The AI coordinates with the carrier's defenses, prioritizing threats to the airship.
  • Strengths: Heavy armor and shields withstand sustained attacks; beam cannons outrange most Remnant weaponry.
  • Weaknesses: Limited agility struggles against highly maneuverable fighters like the Tempest Viper.
• Precision Strikes on High-Value Targets:
  • Objective: Neutralize key enemy assets (e.g., Dust mines, command posts) or large Grimm threats.
  • Tactics: Deploy from the carrier with a full missile loadout, using warheads to breach defenses. Drones scout ahead, marking targets for beam cannon strikes.
  • Strengths: AI precision ensures minimal collateral damage; heavy firepower overwhelms defenses.
  • Weaknesses: Slow speed makes it vulnerable during approach; reliance on carrier resupply limits independent operations.
• Ground Support for Robotic Forces:
  • Objective: Provide air support for Atlesian Soldiers, Knights and Paladins against Grimm hordes or enemy infantry.
  • Tactics: Use fragmentation missiles and wide-area beams to clear Grimm swarms, while drones assist with targeting. The Ice Dust turret covers retreats if ground forces are overwhelmed.
  • Strengths: Excellent synergy with robotic units; durable design allows sustained support.
  • Weaknesses: Vulnerable to anti-air fire from fortified positions; drones can be countered by tech-savvy enemies.

History and Development

• Origin: The Cavalier was developed prior to the Vytal Festival Atttack, as Atlas sought to bolster its aerial capabilities amid rising Grimm aggression and tensions with other kingdoms. General Ironwood commissioned the project to ensure carrier battleships could project force without relying solely on manned units.
• Development: The Atlesian Military Research Division collaborated with the Schnee Dust Company to integrate Hard-Light Dust into the fighter's weaponry and defenses, a breakthrough that gave Atlas an edge over other kingdoms. Initial prototypes struggled with power management, as Hard-Light Dust drained reactors quickly, but the addition of Ice Dust cooling systems resolved the issue by Volume 5.
• Deployment: The Cavalier first saw action during a defense of Argus, where squadrons launched from the Atlesian airship Aegis successfully repelled a Leviathan attack, though at the cost of several fighters to the Grimm's energy blasts. By the Vytal Festival Attacks, the fighter became a mainstay of Atlas' aerial fleet, often deployed alongside Manta gunships to suppress Grimm incursions in Solitas' frozen wastes.
• Reputation: Among Atlesian pilots, the Cavalier is seen as a symbol of Atlas' might—reliable, powerful, but rigid. Rival kingdoms, particularly Vale, criticize its lack of adaptability, nicknaming it the "Flying Brick" for its relative lack of maneuverability. Despite this, its ability to dominate the skies around a carrier battleship is undeniable.

Strategic Fit in Atlas' Doctrine

• Carrier Integration: The Cavalier is designed to operate as part of a larger fleet, launching from hybrid carrier battleships to extend their reach. Its AI systems ensure seamless coordination with Atlesian command, allowing it to execute complex battle plans with minimal pilot input.
• Grimm Threat: Against Grimm, the fighter's heavy armor and Hard-Light weaponry provide a significant advantage, particularly against large, durable targets like Leviathans or Wyverns. However, its lack of agility makes it less effective against swarms of smaller, faster Grimm like Griffons.
• Rival Nations: The Cavalier excels in air superiority against other kingdoms' aircraft, using its beam cannon and tracking missiles to outrange and overpower lighter fighters like Vale's Tempest Viper.
• Technological Level: The fighter's use of Hard-Light Dust, AI, and heavy Dust reactors aligns with Atlas' cutting-edge tech, surpassing other kingdoms in raw power but lacking the individualized flair of Vale or Mistral's designs.

Limitations

• Limited Agility: The focus on armor and firepower sacrifices maneuverability, making the Cavalier a poor match for agile opponents in dogfights.
• Carrier Dependency: Its range and ammo reserves rely on resupply from carrier battleships, limiting independent operations—a critical flaw if the carrier is disabled. Data links to the carrier can also be jammed, which can be crippling to the Cavalier in autonomous mode.
• AI Vulnerability: The autonomous mode, while efficient, can be hacked by skilled enemies (e.g., Arthur Watts), potentially turning the fighter against its own fleet. The AIs are also very predictable in dogfights and easily bested by competent human/Faunus pilots.
• Dust Consumption: Hard-Light Dust weaponry drains reactors quickly, requiring careful energy management during extended engagements.
• Cost: Despite Atlas' massive industrial capacity, these fighters are still fairly expensive to maintain and produce.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby: "Being a leader is difficult. Clashing personalities, egos, mutually exclusive beliefs, historical grudges. It's all a powder keg waiting to explode, and it takes unerring vigilance to keep it together."



Jaune: "Uh, no? Ruby, I've had none of that. Are you okay?"



Cardin: "My team had some issues to start, but now we get along great together, I don't know what she's talking about."



Sun: "Yeah we're all brothers from another mother."



Coco: "We had some issues in our first month but we got over them really quick. You okay, little red?"



Ruby, denying that team RWBY is just a mess: "I'm sure you'll be eating your words when it all falls apart."



Cardin: "Uh huh. Sure we will. But hypothetically, if your team was stressing you out...?"



Ruby: "... How much trouble would I get into if I murdered one of them? Hypothetically?"



Jaune: pats her shoulder "A lot."



Ruby groans.



Ruby: "It's just that... Ya know..."



Coco: "Yes?"



Ruby: "Can someone explain to Blake that everything is NOT FUCKING RACIST!? WHY IS SHE ACTING LIKE SUCH A FUCKING MITTENS?!"



Ruby slaps her hands over her mouth, horrified. Everyone else is shocked... Save for Cinder Fall, another new transfer student leader.



Cinder: "Slurs from the pipsqueak, oh my."



Ruby loses her temper.



Ruby: "SHUT YOUR COCK WARMER, HARLOT! SLUT! WOMAN OF THE NIGHT!"



Jaune is now hugging Ruby, though it looks more like he's holding her back.



Jaune: "Ruby it's okay, I'm sure Cinder was just-"



Ruby: "IF I HEAR 'That's oppressive towards indigenous Faunus peoples' ONE MORE TIME! I'M COMMITTING A FUCKING HATE CRIME!"



Cardin: "Wow. So that's what it's like from this side."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Coco: "I have to ask, why are your teams such troublemakers?"



Ruby groans something that sounds like "Blake, Weiss and Yang."



Coco laughs "Save that for senior year!"



Cardin: "Even we didn't get into a fight with terrorists and gangsters... Though Russel did get in a street motorcycle race."



Jaune: "Did you win?"



Cardin: "Of course we won! Though the sidepiece of the guy running the races wanted Dove, Dove wasn't interested, so she said he hit on her and we had to fight his goons... Wasn't much of a fight, just smashed a motorcycle and they got the idea that fighting us was a bad idea."



Ruby: "Seriously?! Why can't White Fang be that sensible?! WE'RE HUNTRESSES! WE HAVE AURA! We're going to beat you up! Just surrender!"



Cardin: "Why can't fanatical extremists be reasonable? I wonder that too, pipsqueak."



Ruby: "Thanks, I-HEY!"



Coco: "He has a point, Ruby."



Jaune: "Though I really hope they can be reasonable one day, too. Nora punting one of them between the legs was more than enough for me."



Every guy shudders.



Ruby: scowls at Jaune "Why do you keep getting away with fighting alongside us, anyway?!"



Jaune: "I call the police before we get into these things?"



Ruby: "Wha-You do?!"



Jaune: "Yeah, and send an alert to Professor Goodwitch that we got caught in a melee."



Ruby: "... Why the hell didn't we bring YOU GUYS instead of Sun and Neptune?! Those guys were USELESS!"



Sun: "Hey! I did fight!"



Ruby: "You got taken out in ONE HIT! And Neptune ran off the moment things got serious! You're both useless! From now on, Jaune, you're coming with us!"



Jaune: "On your illegal vigilante activities? ... Okay, sure."



Cardin: "Wait, really?"



Jaune: "Yeah. In Radian we don't have cops, just a militia. So I sometimes went on possess to bring in fugitives or help take out Grimm. I wasn't allowed to fight, just support, but I learned a lot."



Ruby: "... Why did your parents not unlock your Aura?"



Jaune: "Um... They wanted me to be a doctor."



Cardin: "Wait wait wait... You didn't have your Aura unlocked... When?"



Jaune: "Um... When I came to Beacon?"



Coco: "And you got unlocked... When?"



Jaune: "Initiation?"



Cardin: "And... You figured out how to use it in... What... An hour?"



Jaune: "Well yeah, but... That's really hard, right?"



Cardin: "... Holy fuck dude, you're just ridiculous."



Coco: "Geez..."



Ruby: "IT'S NOT FAIR! You're like those harem having guys in Blake's terrible Mistral manga!"



Jaune: "What? What?!"



Thankfully they are interrupted by Arslan, leader of team ABRN.



Arslan: "Jaune Arc... Are you by chance the son of Nicholas Arc, the Radiant Paladin?"



Jaune: "Er... Yeah?"



Arslan: deep breath... Represses squeal "Ahem... He is in fact one of my childhood heroes... Do-Do you think I could meet him?"



Jaune: "Um, sure?"



Arslan: "Wonderful!" She hugs him, kisses his cheek and heads off. Ruby scowls at him.



Jaune: "Um... What?"



Ruby: "And your dad's a super hero?!"



Jaune: "Your dad was a super hero too! Basically!"



Ruby: "Yeah but it's just like, totally unfair!" scowls



Jaune: "Ruby, come on. You can still kick my butt, you know this!"



Ruby: "Yeah..."



Jaune: "And we're best friends, right?"



Ruby: "Yeah..."



Jaune: Hugs her "So don't feel down about anything, okay?"



Ruby: smiles "... You know, just for that? I'm setting you up with my sister."



Jaune: "Er... Thanks? I think?"



Ruby: "Well if I don't, she'll just end up some lonely biker lesbian with an apartment full of cats."



Coco: "That's cruel."



Ruby: "You've never seen her flirt. Like she'll be all flirty seductive and then she gets shy and runs off or punches the guy! It's kind of hilarious! But honestly, she had to look after me and basically raise me. So she couldn't really... Well... Get any closer. But if you date her, it'll be fine!"



Cardin: "You make her sound like a single mom."



Ruby: "Yeah, and? Jaune, don't you like MILFs?" Jaune: blush "How did you-HOW do you know that word?!"



Ruby: "I'm Sixteen, not six! And anyway, if you make her happy, I'll marry you next!"



Jaune: "Huh?!" Ruby: "That's how it worked with our moms and dad!"



Coco: "Oh, All Team Taiyang Xiao-Long? Yeah, I heard about him!"



Cardin: "There were only two girls on his team though!" Coco: chuckles "Yeah, and?"



Cardin: "... Ugh."



Coco: "Don't knock it, buddy!"



Cardin: "I'll knock it all I like! Though uh... I hope your dad and uncle are happy together?"



Ruby: "Thanks! They are!"



Coco: "How happy?"



Jaune: "COCO!"



Coco: "This is the gossip Dust mine! I can't stop at just ONE!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Strike Fighter: Wayland Air Motors VSF-42 Viper

Overview

The Viper is a Dust-powered strike fighter developed by the Valean Defense Force as a mass-produced aerial defense platform in the post-Great War era. Designed for simplicity and affordability, it lacks the advanced features of its successor, the Tempest Viper, but its rugged design and abundance make it a reliable workhorse for the VDF. It is multirole, able to engage aerial, sea and ground threats, particularly in regions where the Tempest Viper's high cost limits deployment. Its twin 20mm Dust cannons offer versatility against a variety of threats.

Specifications

• Crew: 1 pilot (RIO on two seater models)
• Length: 14 meters
• Wingspan: 10 meters (fixed wings)
• Power Source: Single Dust reactor Turbofan (Fire Dust primary, Wind Dust secondary)
• Top Speed: Mach 1
• Range: 1,200 km
• Armor: Lightweight Dust-infused alloy plating, resistant to basic Grimm attacks but vulnerable to heavy firepower
• Sensors: Doppler Radar, Infrared sensors

Design Features

1. Fixed Airframe:
   • The Viper features a fixed-wing design with a sleek but utilitarian frame, lacking the mecha-shift technology of the Tempest Viper. Its wings are angular, making it maneuverable and a stable gun platform.
   • It requires a runway for takeoff and landing, limiting its deployment to established bases like Fort Celliwig, carriers, or makeshift airstrips near the frontier. However, its tough landing gear and frame allow it to handle rougher conditions and carrier landings.
2. Dust-Powered Propulsion:
   • A single Dust reactor turbofan uses Fire Dust for thrust and Wind Dust for lift, providing reliable performance. The system is less efficient than the Tempest Viper's dual reactors, consuming more Dust per kilometer but requiring fewer rare Dust types (e.g., no Gravity Dust).
   • The reactor's simplicity makes maintenance easy.
3. Cockpit and Controls:
   • The cockpit is analog-heavy, with mechanical gauges and a basic Dust-powered targeting system. There's no Aura integration, so pilots rely on standard training rather than enhanced reflexes, making the Viper accessible to non-Huntsmen aviators.
   • Later models and refit versions feature holographic displays and more advanced avionics.
4. Defensive Systems:
   • Lightweight Dust-infused alloy plating offers basic protection against Grimm claws and small-arms fire but struggles against heavier attacks (e.g., Nevermore feathers or Atlesian beam weapons).
   • Lacks the Hard-Light Dust shields and pulse generator of the Tempest Viper, relying on its speed and pilot skill to evade threats.
   • Countermeasures include chaff and Dust flares to disorient flying Grimm.

Armament
The Viper is equipped with simpler weaponry compared to the Tempest Viper, focusing on cost-effective Dust munitions suitable for mass production.

1. Primary Weapon: Twin 20mm Dust Cannons:
   • Mounted on either side of the the nose, these cannons fire 20mm Dust-infused rounds at a rate of 600 rounds per minute. Default Fire Dust rounds explode on impact, effective against Grimm hordes or unarmored aircraft. Each Viper carries about 800 rounds of ammo.
   • Modular Dust types allow limited versatility:
     • Ice Dust: Slows targets by freezing on impact, useful for controlling Grimm like Beowolves or slowing enemy aircraft.
     • Lightning Dust: Disrupts mechanical systems, a basic counter to early Atlesian drones, though less effective against modern tech.
2. Secondary Weapon: Hardpoints (8)
   • Eight external hardpoints allow for a payload of up to 10,000 pounds of munitions, including:
     • High-Explosive Dust Warheads: For annihilating Grimm swarms or breaching airship armor.
     • Cluster Munitions: Scatter smaller explosives to clear Creeps or Beowolves in open terrain.
     • Tracking Missiles: Homing Gravity Dust warheads for engaging fast-moving targets like Sea Feilongs or Atlas dropships.

Tactical Roles
The Viper is used more for support missions these days, reflecting its role as a mass-produced fighter in an earlier era of Remnant's history.

1. Grimm Suppression:

• Objective: Engage Grimm hordes, particularly in rural areas.
• Tactics: Use 20mm Dust cannons to strafe Grimm like Beowolves or Creeps, while Dust missiles, rockets, and bombs target larger threats (e.g., Ursai).
• Strengths: Affordable and numerous, allowing widespread deployment; Dust cannons offer versatility against basic Grimm and the aircraft is still very fast and maneuverable.
• Weaknesses: No VTOL limits deployment flexibility; fixed wings make it vulnerable to more agile Grimm. Lack of shielding and pulse weapons make it more difficult to engage hordes of Grimm.

1. Anti-Air Combat:

• Objective: Defend Valean airspace from rival aircraft (e.g., Mistralian scout ships) or flying Grimm.
• Tactics: Engage with 20mm Dust cannons, using Lightning Dust rounds to disable enemy systems or Ice Dust to slow flying Grimm. The Viper relies on numbers to overwhelm targets.
• Strengths: Simple design allows rapid production; Dust cannons give it an edge over non-Dust-equipped foes. Still very agile and effective in the hands of skilled pilots.
• Weaknesses: Lacks the firepower and shielding of modern Atlasian fighters.

1. Ground Force Support:

• Objective: Assist ground forces in large-scale battles by clearing Grimm, close air support, or providing reconnaissance.
• Tactics: Fly low to strafe Grimm with cannons, creating openings for Huntsmen to engage high-priority targets, use heavier munitions to even the odds.. The Viper's data links can relay information to ground forces in real time.
• Strengths: Enhances Huntsmen and conventional ground force effectiveness with aerial recon and close air support.
• Weaknesses: No Aura integration limits pilot performance; basic systems struggle against smarter Grimm.

Strategic Fit in Remnant

• Grimm Threat: The Viper's 20mm Dust cannons and flexible weapon payload are effective against smaller Grimm hordes, supporting Huntsmen by thinning numbers so they can focus on Alpha Grimm or strategic objectives.
• Rival Nations: Against older rival aircraft, the Viper holds its own, but it's outclassed by modern Atlesian tech unless it has the advantage of better pilots or superior numbers.
• Technological Level: The Viper fits the post-Great War era, using basic Dust tech (Fire, Wind, and limited Hard-Light) without the complex mecha-shift or Aura systems of later designs. Its 20mm Dust cannons are a stepping stone to the Tempest Viper's more advanced weaponry.

Limitations

• No VTOL: Requires runways, limiting its use in rugged terrain.
• Basic Armament: 20mm Dust cannons and basic munitions aren't as powerful or flexible as Hard Light Dust-based weapons.
• No Aura Integration: Pilots can't leverage Aura for enhanced reflexes, making the Viper less effective in high-stakes dogfights.
• Vulnerability: Lacks shields or pulse generators, relying on light armor that can't withstand heavy attacks.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Pyrrha: "Jaune? Arslan?"



Jaune: "Oh hey Pyrrha! Arslan's just showing me some Tablebreaker techniques for dealing with muscle strain!"



Arslan: "As well as other aches and pains."



Arslan is sitting in front of Jaune. He is putting his hands all over her back and sides.



Jaune: "How am I doing?"



Arslan: *purrs happily* "Very niiiiice~."



Pyrrha: "W-Well um... I have some techniques as well, Jaune! From my training!"



Jaune: "Really? I'd love to learn those too!"



Arslan: *raised eyebrow* "Really? Why don't you demonstrate them with me first, Pyrrha? I am the expert after all. It would be instructive for Jaune to watch."



Pyrrha: *bright red* "I don't... You...!"



Jaune: *brightly* "Sure! I do want to improve my skills!"



Arslan: "Though perhaps we should take it slow. While Pyrrha certainly dominated our fights, her mastery of certain esoteric skills is a bit lacking in some areas."



Pyrrha: *scary smile* "I'm sure I can handle anything you can dish out."



Arslan: *similarly scary smile* "I believe that's up to Jaune to decide, don't you?"



Jaune's Brain: Geez did it get tense all of a sudden... Wonder why?



Arslan may be a nun and a good person... But she is still mortal and VERY competitive.

 

[SharkCultist]

Instead of tired burnt out oz we have one who's still very gung ho about being a teacher. Unfortunately for his students all his soul fusions have made him a bit unbalanced and very intense.

On top of the fact that he keeps forgetting that modern remnant people are literally built different from his time. They're much softer.

And even more unfortunately for the students. Oz gets results so he's not getting fired anytime soon (and frankly he scares the piss out of the council so they want him staying in one place. Preferably year round.

---

Goodwitch: "Ozpin is a great teacher he's just a bit...intense."

Ozpin: "I look at you all and I see a crime. Beautiful unbound potential smothered in its crib by mediocrity and complacency. This. This will not stand. I will remake you, reforge you. Or I will break you."

Poor student who doesn't know what he's in for: "Sir I was just asking for the bathroom pass."

Ozpin: "ask? Child you seek to be a warrior. You do not ask, you take. Now come! Take your prize from me."

*Ozpin pulls out a weapon that's almost like a hammer. If a hammers head was made out of spinning and grinding plates of metal*

Dead man walking: "nevermind sir. I no longer need the pass."

Ozpin: "oh child. The pass was not your prize. Your continued ability to walk is the prize."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby tries to help Weiss and Whitley with their relationship...

Ruby: "I mean, it can't be that bad, right?"

Whitley: "Weiss literally pointed her weapon at me when I was trying to help you all."

Ruby: "Okay that's... That's pretty bad. But you guys must have some nice memories together, right?"

Whitley: "Nope."

Ruby: "Wha... Not even one?"

Whitley: "Not a one. We've been pitted against eachother since we were kids and any attempt I made to reach out and be friendly was slapped away since they thought I was just like father."

Ruby: "Oh..."

Whitley: "I was trying to work within the system. They ran off on me. Left me here all alone. Does that sound like something family does?"

Ruby: "... Yang... Yang and my dad fell apart, a few times... But they tried and they love me! And I love them!"

Whitley: "Good for you. Not my situation."

Ruby: pouts

Whitley: "Look Rose, I appreciate you trying to help... I guess."

Ruby: "You guess?!"

Whitley: "You're not doing a good job."

Ruby: "I'm... I'm not?"

Whitley: "No. You're honestly terrible at this. This is your idea of conflict resolution? It's really not good at all. I mean, did you have a plan?"

Ruby: "I'm... Terrible?" tears up

Whitley: "I... I just meant at this-"

Ruby: "I'm terrible!" sobs

Whitley: eyes wide, waves his hands "At this, at this! Stop crying!"

Ruby: "I-I can't stop!"

An engineering problem, a hostile takeover, a mortal threat-All of these are things Whitley Schnee can handle. A crying girl? Not so much.

Whitley: Crap if she keeps crying she'll just get worse... Hmmm...

He gets up, walks around the desk... And pats her on the shoulder.

Whitley: "... There... There?"

Ruby hugs him tightly. Awkwardly, like his arms were made of metal, he slowly hugs her back.

Whitley: "Please don't cry."

Ruby: blubbers "Everyone's... Everyone's putting so much on me and I don't know what the hell to do...! Jaune's helping out but... But my team keeps expecting me to do everything and sort out their crap and just accept their stupid drama and... and...!" sobs harder

Whitley sighs, pats her head: What did I do to deserve this...?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

In the Ever After, during the Ponderstorm...
Blake: "Yang... Just say it. Please. Tell me how you really feel."

Yang sucks in a deep breath, holds onto the bridge. Blake smiles, open, encouraging... Sure she knows the answer...
Yang: "I hate you, Blake!"

Blake: "... What?"

Yang: "I've resented and hated you for a long time now! I've had to bury my true feelings all this time! Keep them down all for the sake of Ruby and the team and the world but the truth is: FUCK. YOU!"

Blake: "But-But why-?!"

Yang: "I HAVE A LIST! You ran out on me at my lowest point! On ALL OF US! You ran back to your parents and their fucking island paradise while we all SUFFERED! You didn't even come back for us, you just came back to try and redeem yourself!"

Blake: "But we killed Adam together! Surely... Doesn't that mean you care for me?"

Yang: "What?! Romantically?!"

Blake: "Well... Yeah?"

Yang: "Would I need to love you to kill the bastard who took my arm?! OF COURSE I HELPED YOU KILL HIM! And despite how angry I am with you, I wasn't going to let you die! But that doesn't fucking mean I love you! You ran out on ALL of us, Blake! And I don't know HOW the hell you got it into your head I was in love with you, but I'm not."

Blake: "You... You aren't?"

Yang: "NO. Hell, you haven't even APOLOGIZED for running out on us! Not ONCE have I EVER heard you say you were sorry! FOR ANYTHING! You're a stuck up, arrogant, self righteous, self absorbed bitch and I have tried, TRIED, to forgive you and move on because the world was more important! But those are my honest feelings, Blake! Straight from the heart!"

The storm keeps going, worse now.
Yang: "Oh what the fuck?! I was totally sincere! UGH! Fine. 'I love you, Blake! I'm a total simp for you just like Sun and I am nothing more than a means of affirming your self esteem and how amazing you are!'"

The storm ends.
Yang: "Fuck you too! Anyway, let's get going Blake."

Blake: tears in her eyes "Yang... You... You really hate me?"

Yang: sighs "... That's probably too strong a word but... I've been keeping all that inside because of how angry I've been. I've been trying to just hide it for the team but... Yeah. I'm not... I resent you a lot, Blake. That's the truth."

Blake: "... I'm sorry."

Yang: "... That's a start, at least. And... We're alive, so that's fine. Even with the Yuri-obsessed thought storms."

Blake: nods "Thank you. Though... You never even thought of me romantically?"

Yang: "Nope."

Blake: "... Not even a little-?"

Yang: "Nope."

Blake: "... Maybe once or twice-?"

Yang: "I'm dating Jaune, Blake."

Blake: "Wh-What?! Since when?!"

Yang: "This is the self absorption part I'm talking about..."

- - -

Yeah, so, I rewatched Volume 9, including that episode. It honestly made my stomach turn. The gay part is beside the point, this pairing makes no damn sense, has no set up, and ultimately was forced as fan service to try and score some brownie points with a few lunatics who, surpisingly enough, weren't numerous or rich enough to keep the show going. So yeah. Fuck Bumblebee. Hope the Japanese reboot erases it entirely.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Team RWBY was enjoying a weekend out in Vale proper... With Jaune behind them, carrying several bags and boxes of purchases.

Ruby: "Are you sure you're okay, Jaune?"

Jaune: "Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine. This is nothing!"

Ruby: "We-We are making you carry a lot though."

Yang: "You okay, Jaune?"

Jaune: "I said I was fine. I got lots of practice for when my sisters went shopping."

Weiss: sighs "Why exactly are we using him as our pack mule?"

Jaune: "Well I had to be here anyway."

Blake: "Plus, my fiance should be with us in public if my Aunt shows up and asks questions."

Yang: "You mean my fiance?"

Ruby: "He's not either of your fiance's! Stop acting like it!"

Weiss: "Ugh... Why did you have to start this, Blake?!"

Blake: "I panicked!"

Weiss: "That excuse got very thin long ago!"

Jaune: sighs "Guys, no matter how traditionalist your parents are, they can't force us to get married, right? My Nana will stop anything from happening. She's still got connections, so don't worry about it."

Yang: "All right... So we'll stick with you being my boyfriend from now on, huh?"

Jaune: "Huh?!"

Blake: "That's hardly fair, Yang."

Yang: "HEY! At least I asked!"

Ruby: "You can't just-just ask him like that-!"

Yang: "Wanna be my boyfriend, Jaune?"

Jaune: "Oh, well-"

Blake: "He should be mine! Aunt Yoruichi might be anywhere!"

Weiss: "That's not a compelling reason to date you."

Blake: "There are many compelling reasons to date me! Besides, his tastes have to have improved if he stopped going after you!"

Weiss: "Why you-!"

Blake and Weiss continue to argue, as Jaune, Yang and Ruby look exasperated.

A blue haired young man turns and stares at them. He gasps, and charges right for Yang.

???: "You!"

Yang: "Eh? Me?"

???: "Your beauty, your poise, your confidence-Yes! You're perfect! Please, tell me: Would you like to pose nude for me?"

Yang: bright red, hair burns gold and eyes glow red "EXCUSE YOU?!"

Jaune: "AH! YUSUKE!"

Jaune drops the packages and quickly goes up between Yang and the blue haired boy.

Jaune: "Yang? Please don't kill him."

Yang: "Why not?!"

Yusuke: "Oh! My apologies, I got a bit too excited-"

Yang: "You-!"

Jaune: sighs "This is Kitagawa Yusuke. He's a friend of my cousin from Fuujin. He came here to watch the Vytal Festival, and I was going to meet him. He's an artist-A really good one! Show them, Yusuke!"

Yusuke: "Certainly."

Yusuke pulls out an easel, canvas and paint set and immediately goes to work, painting almost frantically. He then finished with a flourish, and turned the canvas around to show a beautifully rendered painting of RWBY and Jaune.

Ruby: "OH WOW!"

Weiss: "In-Incredible!"

Yang: "I, wow..."

Blake: "Amazing!"

Yusuke: poses "Thank you. I was able to find my inspiration under threat of mortal peril. In that moment, all else slips away but the need to create and bring forth my vision into the world."

Jaune: exasperated "You could have just showed them your portfolio."

Yusuke: "Futaba thinks I'm much more convincing when I act."

Jaune: "Is... She here now?"

Yusuke: "No, the rest of our group will arrive in a few days. I just wanted to get here sooner to see the art scene. It was wonderful to meet you! May I come to Beacon to do sketches and paintings?"

Jaune: "I uh, sure! I'll get you a visitor's pass."

Yusuke: "Excellent! And ladies, if you are interested in posing for me-"

Yang: "Mayyyybe wait a bit before you ask that again?"

Yusuke: "... Ah. Yes. Forgive me, I do tend to forget normal social conventions. Oh! Is that an original Lassiter painting?"

Yusuke heads off, entranced. RWBY and Jaune watch him go.

Weiss: "... Is there anyone normal connected to your family?"

Ruby: "You do realize we're connected to him, right?"

Weiss: bright red "YOU-!"

Ruby and Weiss argue. Yang grins and sidles up to Jaune's side.

Yang: "Ya know, if you wanted me to pose nude for you, I might be able to bare it, Jaune."

Jaune: blush "Yang!"

Blake: "Please. I'm a superior nude model."

Jaune: "Blake!"

- - -

Yes, it's Yusuke from Persona 5. And naturally Jaune's cousin is that other harem protagonist. Ren Amamiya aka Joker. It's a way to introduce Fuujin, the Japan analog, into the fic. And now you know why Jaune can handle so much eccentricity-Between his family and friends, there's a LOT to deal with.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

General James Ironwood is sitting in his office at Beacon, scowling at holograms of a particular vigilante. His second-in-command, Winter Schnee, stood at his side. She looked over the images herself, a small frown on her face.

Winter: "Sir?"

Ironwood: "Ozpin says this vigilante is not a threat to our operations. But he has told us nothing else about him."

Winter: sighs "That seems to be typical of him, sir."

Ironwood: "Indeed. Your impressions?"

Winter: "Well... He seems to be doing his best to help the citizenry. They do like him and it seems to be improving morale."

Ironwood: "True... But his actions are rather disruptive as well. He's a rogue element. He cannot be trusted unless we know more."

He scowled intently at the holo images.

Ironwood: "Who are you, Huntsman? Hmmm... Get me all the files you can on him, Schnee."

Winter: "Yes sir!"

Winter headed off. She returned to the office a few minutes later... And General Ironwood, in a red mask and cape, was posing on the desk.

Ironwood: "Halt, evildoers! I, the Huntsman, have come to stop you!"

Winter: "... Sir?"

Ironwood: "..." He maintains his composure perfectly "I had thought that by imitating the Huntsman, I might gain some kind of insight into his character and motivations."

Winter: "I uh... I see sir."

Ironwood: "Perhaps if you dressed up as Wonder Zwei, we could-"

Winter: "No thank you, sir."

Ironwood: "Yes, well... That is understandable."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

In the Ever After... Without all that nonsense at the start... RWBY comes across the Rusted Knight. He saves them from peril... And then takes off his helmet.

Ruby: "... Jaune?!"

Jaune: "... I... Do I know you?"

Yang: "Hey! Looking hot, VB!"

Weiss: "Very mature!"

Blake: "You're the Rusted Knight?"

Jaune: "..." blinks

Ruby: "You... You do remember us... Don't you? It's me, Ruby."

Jaune: "..." He stares at his hands, and then at them "I have been guarding this land for so long... My life... It is a castle built of sand. Each grain is a single memory... And the world is an ocean that crashes against it. Every time the waves come in... A little more fades away. I am the king of a crumbling castle... One day... One day, I will be swept into the sea with my castle... With the last grains of sand..."

Ruby's eyes become filled with tears.

Ruby: "Jaune?"

Jaune: "It is... It is all falling away. There was... There was a girl with red hair. There was a blonde woman who smiled down at me. There was a blonde man who held me in his arms and laughed... But it's all faded away. My anger... My fear... It's all being replaced with nothing. And I am... I am empty..."

Ruby: "Oh... Jaune..." sobs

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The idea as developed on my Discord went like this:

Alyx's betrayal broke Jaune-Literally. He broke into a few different versions of himself. None of them want to be reunited again. There's Jaune as a Child, as a Teenager, as a Man, as a Middle Aged Man, as an Old Man, and as the Rusted Knight.

The Innocent, the Boy, the Healer, The Wraith, the Ancient, and the Rusted Knight.

The Innocent is a little boy, innocent and happy. Neo took him in because he was so sweet and happy. She couldn't bare to let an innocent, happy child suffer. And the Innocent is, on some level, aware of who he is but doesn't WANT to go back to suffering.

The Teenager is Jaune as he was before he came to Beacon, and he's filled with all the insecurities and fears of a normal teen. He is running away from what he's supposed to be doing, stuck in the eternal time before he came to Beacon: And he wants to stay there.

The Healer is Jaune taking the path his mother wanted him to: An adult doctor. He lives near the Paper Pushers and provides medical aid and help. He laments ever going to Beacon, thinking he should have just listened to his mother and not tried to become a Huntsman-Because it has brought nothing but grief and pain to everyone. He's bitter and sarcastic but still fairly kind and understanding-Like Doctor McCoy.

The Wraith is Jaune as a middle-aged man: Bitter, angry, sarcastic and full of his snark. He is Jaune's anger and resentment, his rage. He tears down anyone who tries to get close to him.

The Ancient is Jaune as an old man: Filled with nothing but regrets and lamentation over losing Pyrrha and having to kill Penny. He suffers the full weight of everything he went through, all the years he spent waiting for RWBY, alone with his guilt. He wants to die, but he can't. He is despair personified.

And the Rusted Knight... Is Jaune's core. His desire to do good and be a hero. To protect the innocent, his hope personified. He holds the line... And all the other Jaunes despise him.

So RWBY and Neo have to work together to try and bring the Jaunes back into one being, or else they're never going to escape the Ever After. Yes it's Jaune-centric but the point is that each member of RWBY has to face their own weaknesses and insecurities to help Jaune overcome his.

Ruby: "Jaune! We're trying to help you-!"

Child!Jaune: "You never helped me! It was always all about YOU! YOU YOU YOU! Your quest, your drama, your obsessions and issues! You didn't tell Ironwood the truth! You caused all that damage! Everyone who died is YOUR FAULT! PYRRHA DIED BECAUSE YOU DIDN"T GET THERE IN TIME! So no! I don't wanna grow up! I don't want to hurt anymore, not when all you do is hurt EVERYONE!"

Teen!Jaune: "Weiss... Weiss, I'm scared. I... I just put on a big show to try and hide it, but I was scared all the time. Scared of failing, scared of failing someone I cared about. Being a sick child, I... I figured the only way to make up for everything my parents did for me was to be a hero. To prove that I could stand on my own... But I didn't, did I? I just screwed everything up."

Healer!Jaune: "This is what I could have been, Yang! What I should have been! A doctor, a healer! Why did we choose that path!? PYRRHA COULD HAVE LIVED IF NOT FOR US! We didn't have any business trying to be heroes, and I'm living proof of it. I should have just done this, because this way I could at least make a real difference in the world! You know this is true! Where's your fire, huh? It vanished when you lost your arm! Meekly accepting everything, even Blake coming back after all she did!"

Wraith!Jaune: "You know Blake. I actually kinda admired you. You had NO problem running away at all. I wish had that kind of courage...but I was too scared to say anything. I was too scared to admit to weakness...I was too scared to admit my own fears! But you! You ran away without a second thought...If I had your bravery....maybe it wouldn't hurt so much. Maybe I just needed to wrap myself up in self righteousness and be the victim, no matter what, to be forgiven!"

Old!Jaune: "WHY AM I THE ONE STILL HERE?! Why am I the one who lived?! I'm nothing! They! They were the ones that mattered! Why did they have to die?!" Breaks down into tears, "Why couldn't have it been me?"

Rusted Knight: "If you want to give up... I'd understand. I can't get through to any of them... I suppose I have a lot of issues."

Ruby: "You stayed here, waiting for us for so long... We won't give up on you, Jaune. I promise..."

 

[SharkCultist]

A kinda fun not quite a Isekai idea.

Pyrrha is not happy about her death. At all. She was expecting to at least live past graduation! Instead she's in the afterlife.

Which is set up like the fucking DMV and for some reason has elevator music playing.

So understandably she loses her shit. Just a tiny bit of extreme violence, side not semblances and aura are a whole lot stronger when you don't have flesh getting in the way.

After about two hours of violence security finally pin Pyrrha and take her to the bosses.

Mostly because outside of her soul being marked for one of the nicer afterlives (before her crash out) there's nothing on her. Or any of the Remnant souls to be honest. It's a big multiverse and they're really busy so they didn't notice when a multiverse cluster stopped submitting paperwork.

The brother gods are gonna be in big shit for not managing their world properly (and collecting a salary the entire time).

As soon as they can find the fuckers. They've been on a bend fucking around with some of the world's who don't have gods yet or that most gods avoid claiming responsibility for (looking at you Worm 8799923 and your The-Kephri-who-Laughs).

Well since Pyrrha wants those fuckers to pay and the gods really just want this shit over and done with they cut a deal.

"Take a power boost, jump around until you find the fuckers then call us. We'll grab them and give your world a spin back and correction to some of the bullshit they caused, not all of it because a bunch of it is baked into the setting of your universe now but we can definitely revive you and strip away some immortality. Maybe even revive a few others depending on how badly we need to correct things."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Another idea we had on the Discord? Atlas has developed prototype mind diving technology that allows you to go into another person's head. They actually manage to capture Cinder, and Jaune volunteers to dive into her head to learn what she knows. Turns out that thanks to the Maiden Power Transfer, a tiny bit of Pyrrha's Aura got into Cinder when she died, and Jaune's Aura was awakened by Pyrrha. And Jaune has an enormous amount of Aura so he could, in theory, hold his own when it comes to sheer power.

So in Cinder's head it's a battle of wills. Deception, illusions, fighting against one another with memories and emotions. Each using the other's pain and worst memories against each other.

But Jaune gets a helping hand from what's left of Pyrrha's Aura. He thinks maybe there's a chance to save her, to get her soul out and into a robot body. To bring her back to life. With her help, he's able to break Cinder, and find her core: A scared, abused little girl in the Glass Unicorn.

He helps her see she doesn't need power or to hurt people to feel safe. And she agrees to work with them. He turns to Pyrrha's remnant to get her out with him... But.

Pyrrha's remnant isn't trying to get herself saved.

Pyrrha: "I'm sorry... I'm dead. When this is over... I'll be gone. Except in your memories."

Jaune: "No... No, please... Please... I can't..."

Pyrrha: "I know... I know, I'm sorry. I just wanted to say... Goodbye Jaune. I love you. And please... Find a way to be happy. Find a way for all of you to be happy..."

Jaune: "I was only strong because you... You made me that way."

Pyrrha: "You became strong for those who needed you... And they still do."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

For Titanmaster_117



Training with Arslan



- - -



It wasn't that Jaune was unhappy with more training. Pyrrha had helped him improve by leaps and bounds in combat. Nora had helped him with exercise and how to get the most out of his work outs. Ren was invaluable in helping him learn to control his Aura and how to meditate to maintain his calm. Even RWBY helped out here and there where they could. All so he could get better



Arslan Atlan's training was a bit different though. She was the one who had asked him to train with her. But what Jaune could teach her? He hadn't the foggiest.



Pyrrha had said Arslan was her toughest opponent and self-declared rival at Sanctum Academy. He also knew she was a Stonebreaker, a Warrior Nun of the Tablebreaker church. Jaune was part of that church too, but given her Sash of Mastery, there was nothing he could teach her.



Still, while Pyrrha said she could be very aggressive, she never said anything bad about her character. So he went to meet her in the Star Maiden Garden near the main courtyard of Beacon proper. It was very pretty, with several white marble tables and benches nestled amidst trees and rose bushes.



Arslan was sitting in a meditative pose on the grass in front of a fountain, looking as peaceful and serene as her surroundings. A few birds and squirrels were scampering around her, as though she was one with creation. Combined with her beauty, it was a picturesque scene.



He walked up and stopped a few feet in front of her. He waited nervously, holding in an awkward cough.



Arslan opened her eyes and looked up at him with her amber eyes.



"Hello Jaune," she spoke in a melodic, smoky voice. Jaune nodded politely.



"Hello, um, Sister Altan."



Arslan frowned, her expression familiar: Disappointment. Jaune winced-What had he done?



"You don't recognize me, Jaune?" She asked softly. Jaune coughed, and wracked his brains.



"Er, um... No, I don't," Jaune said, "I'm sorry."



Arslan sighed softly.



"I suppose it was a long time for both of us," she admitted. She then stood up. She walked up close to him, her expression serious. Jaune gulped, worried at what her next move would be.



She then... Held up her hands like kitty paws, smiled, and tilted her head. She winked cutely, and opened her mouth enough to show off a snaggletooth.



"How about now, nyah~?"



Jaune's jaw dropped. A summer or two of fun and adventure with a fun girl came back to him.



"Arsly?!" He gasped. Arslan chuckled and hugged him tightly, a hug he eagerly returned. "It's been so long! I'm so glad to see you-How are you?!"



"I'm wonderful, thank you," Arslan said with a happy smile. She nuzzled him, which made him blush deeply. "Mm! I'm so glad! How are your parents?"



"Great!" Jaune said happily. "I didn't know you'd achieved your dream!"



"Well, almost," Arslan said, her face becoming serious again, "Though your father and uncle helped me with part of it."



"Part of it?" Jaune whistled. "You're a Level 11 Stonebreaker! That makes you one of the strongest fighters in the Mistralian church! Pyrrha says you're absolutely amazing!"



Arslan flushed lightly, then smiled.



"That was part of my dream, and I'm very proud to have made it so far," she said, "But there is another part of my dream. That part involves you."



"Me?" Jaune asked. He flushed. "I uh, I can't say I know how I can help you-"



"Jaune," Arslan took his hands between hers, looking intently into his blue eyes, "You showed me so much kindness and sincerity those two years I was in Radian. I never forgot it. You swore you would become a great Huntsman, who would protect the weak and save people."



"I did," Jaune said with a nostalgic smile. Despite all the difficulties and stress, he did remember the promise he'd made. "It was... Impulsive and childish-"



"But you are making it happen nonetheless," Arslan said fondly. "And my dream was to be a great Stonebreaker. And we promised... We would do it together."



Jaune's cheeks went a darker red.



"O-Oh... Well, um... I'm sorry I forgot that part," Jaune said quietly.



"It's all right," Arslan said warmly. "I just want you to know that I'm happy we can fulfill that promise together."



"Oh!" Jaune chuckled. He sighed in relief. Arslan blinked.



"Hm? What?"



"Er, um... I was just worried that I uh... I might have promised to marry you or something! And you might have been angry that I forgot!"



Arslan raised an eyebrow.



"Really Jaune," she said with a fond smile, "That's a bit too far, don't you think?"



"Yeah, probably," Jaune said with a nod.



"Besides," Arslan said warmly, "I haven't even asked you to be my boyfriend yet. Marriage is a step too far right now."



"Yeah, it is," Jaune chuckled. A chuckle that died as his eyes widened. "I... Wait what?"



Arslan smiled gently.



"Will you be my boyfriend, Jaune Arc?"



Jaune's jaw dropped.



"I uh... Um... I-I mean uh... I-I need to think about it-"



She pulled him into a warm, gentle kiss. It sent electricity shooting through him, and his arms went around her waist.



Is... Is that her tongue? Jaune thought in amazement.



Arslan pulled back, panting for breath. Jaune wasn't much better, gasping like he'd run a marathon.



"Still need to think about it?" Arslan asked, a bit smugly.



Jaune opened his mouth. He really should say 'no'. He'd had a disaster of a romance (if you could call it that) with Weiss. It was too soon, he was just getting his head on straight and taking school seriously-



"Okay."



Arslan purred happily, and kissed him again. He mentally sighed and hugged her back as he deepened the kiss.



Well... It's not like this could be a bad thing, right?



Somewhere, Pyrrha crushed her Scroll between her fingers and wasn't entirely sure why.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The Hunters-in-training of Beacon were enjoying a day out on the quad, just soaking up the sunshine. Ren and Jaune had even prepared a picnic lunch for their team and RWBY, and they were enjoying it. Though not without some complaints.



Pyrrha: "Ruby, you've spent long enough in Jaune's lap."



Ruby: "Nuh uh! I called it!"



Nora: "Nobody's taking Ren's lap! Everyone take Jaune's!"



Jaune: "It's fine guys, it's fine! It's not that big a deal."



Yang: "Well then, it's my turn next~."



Jaune coughs.



Weiss: "Ugh. Nobody's around, you don't have to fake that you like him!"



Blake: "You don't have to fake you don't like him."



Weiss: Blush "SHUSH!"



All of a sudden, a saucer-shaped airship flies overhead. It soon lands, scattering many students. RWBY, JNPR, and some other teams stand up, alert and ready in case things got ugly.



Weiss: "They can't land here! It's a no fly zone!"



Yang: "Yeah, that's the main takeaway, Weisscream."



A hatch slides open on the side of the craft, a gantry extends... And one at a time, dark skinned men in red, white and blue jerseys and shorts, dribbling basketballs, emerge and line up on the lawn outside the craft. Their leader, a man with keen eyes and an incredible afro, walked out last and took the center.



Ethan "Bubblegum" Tate: "People of Vale! I am Ethan "Bubblegum" Tate, leader of the Harlem Globetrotters!"



Many gasps fill the air.



Blake: "The elite sports warriors of the independent kingdom of New Harlem?!"



Weiss: "The Sultans of Swoosh?!"



Ruby: "The Thunder from Downunder?!"



Tate: "All of those but the last one, yes! For years, we have lived in peace with Vale! But now, we have come for a reason!"



He points at Jaune.



Tate: "JAUNE ARC! COME FORTH!"



Everyone stares at him. Jaune gulps.



Ruby: "Why is it always you the cool stuff happens to?!"



Jaune: "You call this cool?!"



Pyrrha: "Why do you want him?"



Tate: "For he is the son of the only Valean Man who Could Jump: NICHOLAS ARC!"



Jaune: "Wait... Uncle Bubblegum?!"



Tate: "YES!"



Weiss: groans "Of course Jaune knows these weirdos! Is there anyone strange he DOESN'T know?!"



Jaune: "Er... Well, it's nice to see you again."



Tate: "IT IS! But now that you have begun the journey to become a Huntsman like your father, we have decided to test you in a game of basketball! You will assembly a team and engage us in a game of skill and hilarious antics! We shall see if you have the same level of game as your father!"



Yang: "What happens if he loses?"



Tate: "NOTHING! There are no stakes and no consequences, save the ignominy of defeat!"



Jaune: "Well, I-"



Nora: "YOU'RE ON! WE WILL DEFEAT YOU IN THE UPCOMING SPACE JAM!"



Tate: "A NAME FOR THE GAME HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED, YOUNG HAMMER GIRL!"



Nora: "Oh."



Tate: "But we'll use that one instead because I like your spirit!"



Nora: "YAY!"



- - -



Given the crossovers the Harlem Globetrotters did in various cartoons and Futurama, and given RWBY's own crossovers, I thought... What the hell?

 

[SharkCultist]

Yang Xaoi-long got her ass kicked.

Oh don't get her wrong she had lost fights before, but she never got torn apart as badly as she did by that mute shorty on the train.

She needed more training. Beacon classes are great but they're both generalized combat instructions and half the classes aren't even combat focused.

She needs specialized hand-to-hand brutal training. And she ain't getting it here.

So half joking Yang put in a request for leave with the reasoning given being "training trip".

She was surprised that it was approved within the hour. She was even more surprised it came with directions.

Guess Ozpin has a since of humor since he sent her on a wild goose chase. Nobody finds the Master of Fist. But fuck it we ball.

---

Resin was a hot ass town. Situated at the top of a small mountain surrounded by a lake. It was hot, humid, and a tiring climb.

And to make it worse.

"You ready to show me your rhythm?"

She'd been followed since the bottom of the mountain by this weirdo!

Super thick coke bottle glasses, a pink colored afro, and clad in nothing but platform shoes, pink boxing gloves and orange boxers shorts. The man was a walking disaster.

His name is Boogie and he's been waiting for someone to "dance" with him forever. Nobody ever takes him up on the offer.

Gee I wonder why.

But at least now she was at the top of the mountain. She could ditch this clown, get a shower, and start looking for the master.


Eeeeexcept the town is empty. Well there's the big ass beringel with cement fucking boxing gloves in the middle of the square. Oh and it's starting to rain. Humidity. Yay.

"What the fu-"

He hits like a train. Or a 600 pound creature of darkness with cement hands.

"Oh dang, helluva wipeout girlie. Guess tango ain't your dance."

AND THEN THERES THIS ASSHOLE.

Before she could unleash the language she learned from her drunkle the big beast was upon her again. With a god damned power bomb!

Who the fuck has been teaching Grimm stuff like this?!

Luckily her aura was enough to tank it. Unfortunately that was about all it could do since it started flickering immediately after.

"Not gonna lie girlie I was expecting a bit of flare. Coulda at least shown me your two step."

Fuck this heat, fuck this trip, fuck this guy, and fuck this damned monkey!

Aura or not she was going to throw hands. So she put everything she had in one punch. Every scrap of instruction from her dad and every dreg of aura she had left. One amazing punch that the Grimm tried to counter with its own massive punch.

Their fist connected. Time seemed to stop.

And the cement glove shattered.

Yang was hit with a sense of pride. And then the other fist. Which sent her flying back into a wall.

"I guess a shuffle is a good enough start."

The Grimm had jumped at her while she was dazed but was stopped in its tracks less than five feet from her.

"Lemme reintroduce myself kiddie."

Standing in front of her was boogie except without his stupidly thick dumb glasses revealing calm purple eyes ringed with red. The rain had flattened his afro leading to a shaggy mane of curls trailing down his (as she just now took notice of) very muscular back.

""My name is Childman D'rosa. My friends and students call me Boogie!"

He flashed her a shit eating grin.

"Well the ones who can talk. BoBo here just kinda screams. Shame I'm gonna have to kill him, he was one of the better training partners. After a few weeks of work."

The Grimm tried to run. (Yang didn't know Grimm even had self preservation instincts?) It didn't get far before a hole was punched through it.

No weapon, no dust or aura or Semblance. Just a punch strong and fast enough to violently displace air.

"Now then girlie Ozzy sent me a message that you were looking to learn how to dance."

"Dance? No I- Ozzy? I came looking for help being a better fighter."

"kid lemme tell you a truth. Everything is dance. Movement, motion, rhythm, matching and mixing between people. So I'm gonna ask you again. You wanna dance little girl?"

Well there's only one thing she could say to that.

"Let's Boogie!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The sky above Atlas was a maelstrom of fire and ash, the once-proud city crumbling into a frozen grave. The flying city groaned, its hull splintered and tilting, a dying beast plummeting toward the icy tundra below as Grimm reigned supreme above and below it.

Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos stood on a warped bridge near the city center, the Staff of Creation pulsing faintly in Jaune's grip, its light a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. Thousands were dead, Atlas's gleaming spires reduced to rubble, and Team RWBY and JNR had fought to their limits to stop Pyrrha—once their friend, a champion, now a cyborg enforcer forged by Jacques Schnee's cruelty and reprogrammed by Arthur Watts to serve Salem's will.

Yet they'd gotten most of the population away through portals generated by the Staff. The Staff Jaune now kept from Pyrrha. Kept from Salem.

Pyrrha's emerald eyes, once warm and kind, glowed with an unnatural crimson, her cybernetic limbs gleaming under the flickering lights of the city's failing systems. Her movements were precise, mechanical, yet carried the deadly grace of the warrior she'd been. Jaune faced her, Crocea Mors trembling in his hands, his aura flickering like a candle in a storm. He was battered, bloodied, his armor dented from her relentless assault, but his blue eyes burned with unyielding resolve. The fight had been brutal, a dance of desperation and memory, each blow a plea to reach the Pyrrha buried beneath the programming.

All to let the people of the city escape. To be safe.

She lunged, her spear Milo a blur of crimson and steel, its Dust-infused tip crackling with electricity. Jaune parried, the impact jarring his arms, his shield absorbing the brunt of her enhanced strength. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the deck buckling beneath them. Pyrrha's cybernetic arm whirred, pistons hissing as she drove a fist toward his chest. Jaune twisted, his aura flaring to deflect the blow, but the force sent him skidding across the deck, his boots scraping against warped metal.

"Pyrrha, please!" Jaune shouted, his voice raw, cracking with emotion. "This isn't you! You know who you are!"

Her head twitched, a glitch in her movements, as if his words pierced the fog of her programming. But Watts's code surged, her crimson eyes flaring brighter.

"Target: Jaune Arc. Objective: Retrieve the Staff. Eliminate resistance," she intoned, her voice a chilling blend of her own and the machine's monotone. She hurled Akoúo—now a disc of deadly precision—at Jaune, its edges spinning with lethal force.

Jaune dove, the disc grazing his shoulder, tearing through his armor and drawing blood. He rolled to his feet, gripping the Staff tighter, its warmth a reminder of what was at stake.

"I know you're in there, Pyr!" he yelled, ducking as Milo's spear form stabbed toward his heart. He countered, his blade slashing across her cybernetic arm, sparks erupting where steel met steel. "You're my partner! My friend! You're Pyrrha Nikos! You... You love me! And I love you!"

Her movements faltered, a flicker of green in her eyes, but the programming snapped back, relentless. She shifted Milo to rifle mode, firing a barrage of Dust rounds. Jaune raised his shield, his aura straining under the onslaught, each impact driving him back toward the ship's gaping edge. The deck tilted further, gravity pulling at them as the city's descent accelerated, the roar of wind and creaking metal drowning out all else.

Jaune saw an opening and charged, his Semblance surging, amplifying his aura to bolster his strength. He tackled Pyrrha, pinning her against a bulkhead, their faces inches apart. "You saved me once," he whispered, his voice trembling, blood dripping from a cut on his brow.

"Let me save you now. Please."

She knocked him back with an elbow, and he stumbled. He stood on the bridge, the flying city shuddering as it fell.

"You must be eliminated," Pyrrha stated coldly, mechanically.

His shoulder drooped, exhaustion hitting him. Emotional, physical. He took a deep breath. He'd done... He'd done all he could.

He shook his head.

"... I won't fight you anymore," Jaune whispered. He dropped his weapons, only holding onto the Staff.

Pyrrha's eyes again glowed red as she charged. She slammed him into the bridge, pushing his head off the edge. She seized his throat to choke him, but her grip hesitated, her eyes flickering between crimson and green.

"Jaune…" she murmured, her true voice breaking through, fragile and pained. The city shuddered, a massive groan signaling its final collapse as the bridge began to crack and splinter around them. Jaune's grip on the Staff slipped, and Pyrrha's programming surged, her spear arm rearing back.

But Jaune didn't flinch. His cupped her face.

"I'm with you, Pyr," he said, his voice steady despite the blood and pain. "Til the end of the line. I won't... I won't leave you again. Never again..."

His Aura flickered and broke, as he fell unconscious.

The words shattered something inside her. Pyrrha's eyes widened, green overtaking crimson, her cybernetic arm trembling as Watts's code battled her will... And lost.

"Oh no, no, no, wha—what have I done?" she gasped, her voice breaking. She stroked Jaune's bloodied face, pulling him close, her metal fingers gentle despite their strength. Her mind felt like it was splitting apart, memories of Beacon, of laughter, of love, clashing with the cold directives implanted in her brain.

A deafening groan tore through the air as the part of the bridge Jaune was lying on gave way, metal twisting and snapping. Jaune slipped from her grasp, his body tumbling toward the icy plain far below, the Staff falling with him.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha screamed, her voice raw, human. She leapt after him, her cybernetic limbs propelling her through the air. In free fall, she caught his limp form, pulling him close, her arms wrapping around him as the wind roared.

"I'm with you, Jaune!" she cried, tears streaming from her eyes, mingling with the frost. "I'll always be with you!"

Together, they plunged into abyss, the impact a shock of cold and darkness, their fates entwined as the wreckage of Atlas burned above, the Staff's faint glow sinking into the depths with them.