- - -
A few weeks after the Dance...
Weiss came into the cafeteria a bit later than the others. She'd gotten a Scroll call, which, judging from her scowl, had not been a pleasant experience. Ruby watched her march past her team, right up to Jaune.
Ruby was already on her feet and heading to her partner's side with her Semblance.
"Weiss I'm sure Jaune didn't mean to-!"
"No, no, it's okay Ruby," Jaune said, holding up a hand. He was looking uncharacteristically serious as he met Weiss's gaze. "I just want you to know, Weiss, I didn't know until last week. Sorry if it's giving you trouble with your dad."
Weiss started, then sagged a bit. She managed a slow nod.
"I... I see," she said. She made a face. "No, it's not a big deal... Yet, anyway."
Ruby looked between her friends curiously. Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora were also looking concerned. Yang leaned in, raising her eyebrows, as Blake peeked up over her book for a moment.
"So uh... What's going on?" Ruby asked, trying to sound casual.
"My father asked me to get closer to Jaune," Weiss said bluntly, "And to consider marriage to him."
"WHAT?!" Cried Pyrrha, Nora, Yang, and Ruby. Blake dropped her book in shock. Ren's eyes widened.
"Wha-But-How-?!" Ruby tried, as Pyrrha's face fell. Jaune and Weiss were actually quite calm. Jaune sighed and shook his head.
"I assume you said no?" Jaune asked. Weiss nodded.
"Yes. No offense-"
"None taken! Really!" Jaune said, a small smile on his face, "I-I wouldn't want to get into that with you like this, it would just be awful-!"
"Why would your dad want you to marry Vomit Boy?" Yang demanded.
"Y-Yes! Why?" Pyrrha asked, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Jaune sighed.
"You want to explain or-?"
"You explain," Weiss ordered. Jaune nodded.
"Okay. You guys have heard of the Monarchists, right?"
"Who?" Ruby asked, blinking. Weiss's eyes climbed heavenward.
Blake broke the silence.
"They're a political movement that want to put a King back on the throne of Vale," She said, "It's been growing in strength over the past few years due to how corrupt the Council has been. The thought is that a King would be a counter to the Council and could better represent the people's will, if he was chosen by them."
"Okay, great, thanks Professor Blake," Yang said sarcastically, "What's that got to do with Jaune?"
Jaune sighed heavily.
"My family, the Arcs, used to intermarry with the original royal family before they died out," he stated plainly, looking extremely uncomfortable, "And apparently, I'm the only direct male descendant of the last King of Vale."
Dead silence ensued. Nora gaped.
"So... You're... The Heir to the Throne of Vale?!" She cried. "WE'RE ROYALTY! ROYAL BUDDIES!"
"I'm not royal!" Jaune hissed, holding up his hands, "Look, my family's been getting bothered for years by the Monarchists! They kept wanting my dad or me to agree to-to basically run for King or something! But there is no throne, and I'm not becoming the King!"
"So, your dad thought that getting close to Jaune would be...?" Ruby asked. Weiss sighed in disgust.
"Several Monarchists have influence and power in Vale. My father obviously wanted to court them for business deals using me to connect with their chosen heir." She nodded gratefully to Jaune. "I'm glad to hear that it hasn't gone to your head."
"It's just annoying, really," Jaune grumbled, "I'm seventeen years old, and these people want me to become King! Probably do their bidding and crap!" He shook his head and looked worriedly at his friends.
"You uh... It really isn't a big deal, all right? Please don't... Don't treat me any differently-?"
Yang slid over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders with a grin.
"Don't worry, Jaune! You're still Vomit Boy to me, and always will be!"
"Aw," Nora sighed, "I wanted to be a Duchess! But! It's okay, Jaune-Jaune! We love you even if you're not a King!"
"We... We would never think differently of you, Jaune," Pyrrha said, her eyes shining as she "discreetly" bumped Yang's arm off of Jaune and scooted closer to him, "I think it's very admirable that you haven't-haven't used this for your own gain."
"You're our friend and always will be, Jaune," Ren said with a nod.
"You're... You're still my bestie, even if you're a king, right?" Ruby asked, looking worried. Jaune smiled, and held his arms open. Ruby squealed and hopped into his lap, hugging him tightly.
"Always," He said firmly. Ruby giggled and hugged him more tightly, unaware of Pyrrha's heated glare.
Blake, for her part, stared intently at Jaune with a thoughtful look on her face.
- - -
The next day, Jaune sighed as he put his combat gear into his locker. Combat Class had actually gone pretty well: He'd managed to beat Russel. It wasn't easy, but Pyrrha's training and encouragement from his friends had pushed him over the top. It hadn't been pretty, but he'd definitely won.
There was just one small problem...
"Hey, uh, Jaune?"
Jaune held in a sigh and looked over at Cardin. The taller boy was looking contrite.
"Hey, sorry about... Everything," he said quickly, "I-I didn't know you were-"
"I'm not the heir to the throne," Jaune said in irritation, "All right? There is no throne! And I wouldn't take it if I was offered!"
Cardin frowned.
"Are you sure about that?" He asked.
"Very," Jaune stated firmly.
Cardin shrugged.
"Just that... My Dad's on the Council, and he's actually pro-Monarchist."
Jaune blinked.
"A politician wants to limit his power?" He asked incredulously. Cardin coughed.
"I mean... It's more he's sick of deadlocks, nothing getting done, and the Council going this way and that just for their own benefit," he said. "He told me that a King might be able to help that. Make things better-"
"Or he'd just be a selfish asshole who became a tyrant," Jaune stated with tired anger. "I'm not going to be King, so just... Lay off, all right?!"
Cardin nodded.
"All right, all right," he said. "Just... My family did serve the last kings of Vale. It's... You know...Tradition-"
"Serve me by not being an asshole bully, okay Cardin?" Jaune sighed, "That would be the best way to serve me, and Vale, and everyone else. Apologize to Velvet, make her happy, and be a good person. All right?"
Cardin nodded, bowed, turned and left. Jaune groaned and slammed his forehead against his locker.
Yeah. That was a problem.
He emerged from the locker room a few minutes later in his uniform. He spotted a number of foreign and local girls nearby. All waiting for him, all eyeing him.
Shit...!
He felt someone take his hand and pull him away. He looked ahead, ready to thank Pyrrha or Yang or any of his other friends would be rescuing him this time... And stuttered when he saw it was Blake.
"Ah, Blake-?"
"Come on," Blake said urgently. They went back and forth through several corridors, expertly evading the girls. She pulled him into an empty classroom, and shepherded him in. He sighed in relief.
"Thanks," he said, "It's been a freaking nightmare and-"
The door lock clicked. Jaune slowly looked over at Blake. The secret cat Faunus slowly advanced on him. He wasn't sure why, but a chill went up his spine.
"Uh... Blake?"
"Jaune," Blake said quietly, "Did you know that there are a lot of Faunus who support the Monarchist movement?"
Jaune backed away until the small of his back hit a desk, and he could go no further. Blake continued to advance on him, slowly, like a cat closing in for the kill.
"I... I did not," he said honestly. "I thought that since Cardin's family supported it, you wouldn't-"
"Politics makes for strange bedfellows," Blake admitted, "But his family is more neutral towards Faunus Rights than overly hostile, for the most part. I'm sure with the proper incentives, they could support things like a Universal Rights Bill. More trade with Menagerie. Maybe... An alliance with them, to truly make them recognized as the Fifth Kingdom."
She had closed to a few inches away from him, her yellow eyes boring into his. Jaune gulped.
"I uh... That would be... Niiiice?" He managed. "But I don't know what you expect me to do about it-"
Blake held up her Scroll. A petition app was on the screen.
"Sign this."
Jaune, due to instincts born from being accosted outside markets and stores dozens of times, automatically wrote his signature in an authentication box and pressed his thumb to a reader. The screen turned green. Blake smiled happily.
"Thank you. This should be enough."
"Enough?" Jaune asked faintly, "Enough for what?"
"Signatures," Blake stated, "To get Initiative 47 onto the ballot next year."
"And... That does what?"
"It will allow the citizens of Vale to vote to restore the monarchy, of course," Blake said with a smile, "With you as the King."
"WHAT?!" Jaune shouted, throwing his hands up in the air, "WHY IN THE HELL WOULD I EVER AGREE TO THAT?!"
"You just did," Blake deadpanned. Jaune frantically grabbed for the Scroll, but Blake tossed it well out of his reach.
"Blake-No-I-I don't want to be king!" He shouted. "There is no REASON for me to be King-!"
Blake pressed back against him, her eyes boring into his. She rested a hand on his chest.
"Jaune," Blake breathed, "We have an opportunity to achieve great things, for humans and Faunus. Can you imagine how much good you could do for Faunus rights if you had political power?"
"I-I mean I'd want to, but that doesn't mean I'd be any good at it!" Jaune insisted. "Wh-What would stop me from turning into a power mad tyrant?! Or-Or making terrible decisions that ruined everyone's lives-?!"
"We would," Blake said firmly, "Your friends. If you kept us close, we wouldn't let you go that far! We'd-We'd protect you! My father is a political leader too, I-I would help you-!"
"BLAKE!" Jaune shouted. He grabbed her shoulders and glared at her. "I. Don't. Want. Power! I just want to help people, and make the world a better place! As a Huntsman!"
"You could do so much more as a King, Jaune!" Blake insisted. "In fact, you're probably the perfect choice for this! You don't want power! You're afraid of what you might become with power! That means you wouldn't abuse it!"
Jaune shook his head frantically.
"I don't know that for sure!"
"I do," Blake said firmly. "I mean... I've made a lot of bad choices, bad judgements of people's character in the past... But I know you, Jaune. And if it helps? I would be with you. Every step of the way."
She took his hands in hers.
"I'm willing to do anything to make the world a better place, Jaune," she insisted, "Absolutely anything."
Jaune blinked. His brain finally caught up with his senses as his emotions quieted down. For instance, the fact that Blake was a very attractive woman. Insanely so. And that she was pressed up tight against him and she felt and smelled very good-
"Uhhhh," Jaune managed, before Blake spoke again in a soft whisper.
"An alliance between Vale and Menagerie," she said, "Could be achieved if we got married. Make it a true alliance."
"M-Married?!" Jaune squeaked. Blake stared at him intently and looked a bit vulnerable.
"Are... Do you not find me attractive?"
"Are you insane?! Of course I find you attractive!" Jaune blurted out. "You're insanely attractive, Blake!"
She actually blushed, and smiled.
"And you're... Quite nice too," she said with a nod, "And we're fairly compatible personality wise, so such an arranged marriage would be acceptable."
"Blake, I'm not a King, I'm not-!"
"And I'd even allow you to have other lovers," Blake said quickly, "Weiss would be a useful ally. So would Pyrrha. Ruby and Yang shouldn't be left behind. There are old provisions in Valean law for multiple wives, meaning more alliances-"
"BLAKE!" Jaune shouted. "I'm not going to be King! So we're not getting married, all right?! That's final!"
He had to put his foot down. His father had made that very clear. You couldn't just let your friends get away with anything or everything, it would make them into worse people.
Blake frowned.
"I... Oh..." She murmured. She bowed her head. "Maybe... Maybe I've gone too far."
"Maybe you have," Jaune said firmly.
Blake bowed her head.
"Sorry," she murmured. Jaune sighed, and patted her on the shoulder.
"Look," he stated, "I get what you want. I get why you want it. But I don't. And I never will."
"What if there was a situation where Vale needed you to be King?" Blake asked quietly. Jaune sighed and rolled his eyes.
"If there is such a situation where there's literally no one else who can lead and organize things to save Vale? Then yes. I will take up the role of King. But since that will never happen? It's irrelevant. You'd better just stop your petition and end it, because I'm not going to be King unless the situation is so desperate I can't make things worse, all right?"
Blake nodded.
"All right."
"Good," Jaune sighed. Hopefully, he'd just have to endure some more teasing and weirdness for a while, and then things could get back to normal...
- - -
At the Vytal Festival, some months later...
Pyrrha hadn't wanted to do it. But there was no other choice. Jaune... She loved him, she had told him this before sending him off. But she saw it in his eyes. He would die for her, in a heartbeat.
And she knew Cinder would kill him. Losing him... Was unacceptable.
She knew this fight would be tough... But as she kneeled, exhausted, bloody, with several arrows in her, blood pouring down her body as Cinder cackled in front of her in the burning Headmaster's office, she realized... She had thought she could win.
She had been wrong.
First time for everything, she thought, as she looked up at Cinder with a defiant glare. The massive Grimm Dragon loomed over, as Cinder laughed mockingly.
"So ends the Invincible Girl," she mocked, "Don't worry about your little boyfriend... I'll take good care of him~..."
Pyrrha seethed. She gripped the floor, tried to rally any strength she might have left...!
A Bullhead popped up, and Dust cannon fire erupted from its guns. Cinder threw up a shield of flames to protect herself, as the Grimm Dragon roared. Behind it, several commercial and police airships rose, firing Dust cannons at it in a massive barrage.
Over the sounds of explosions, she heard people running out behind her. She felt arms pull her into an embrace and carry her off, as Dust weapons fired around them.
"We got her, we got her, GO GO GO!" Shouted a familiar voice. She managed to force her eyes open, as a very dirty, very roughed up but alive Jaune stood over her. Medics in white clothing went to work, even as she reached out her hand to him.
"J-Jaune-"
He squeezed her hand and shook his head.
"Don't talk, you're gonna be okay," he said, "Good work."
She smiled up at him as one of the medics put a mask over her mouth and nose. He smiled back briefly, before looking to the pilots.
"Everyone out?!"
"Yes Your Majesty!" One of the pilots shouted.
Your Majesty...? Pyrrha thought.
Jaune nodded.
"Blow her to Hell," he growled.
Pyrrha tilted her head. She could see Ren, Nora, and Coco firing their weapons out of the hatch of the Bullhead. Even with them blocking her view with their bodies and fire, she could see the top of Beacon Tower. Cinder and the Grimm Dragon were both being bombarded with gun and missile fire from dozens of airships. A few warships flying flags she didn't recognize joined the fight, using their large guns. The top of Beacon Tower exploded, as the Grimm Dragon roared, engulfed in flames.
Then everything went black.
- - -
Pyrrha awoke to the sounds and smells of a hospital room. She wasn't entirely unfamiliar with it-She'd lost plenty of fights before becoming 'The Invincible Girl', after all. Her body felt like it was made of lead, she was so tired. Aches and pains pricked at her all over.
She forced her eyes open. It was a hospital room: A fairly nice one, all told. She saw Ren and Nora sleeping nearby on a cot, cuddled up under a blanket. They looked dirty but well, and Pyrrha smiled happily.
"You're awake."
She turned, and her eyes widened. Jaune stood there, in a long jacket over his armor and stubble on his face. A pair of Valean Rangers, their elite policemen, stood outside the doors with their weapons held in salute, though he barely paid them any mind.
He gave her a warm, if tired smile.
"J-Jaune," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes. He walked over and hugged her, a hug she gladly returned as best she could-There were many tubes and devices stuck to her.
"The doctors say you're going to be okay," Jaune whispered, "But it was... It was touch and go for a while."
"How long-?"
"A week," Jaune said bluntly. He caressed her cheek, as though to make sure she was really here. She nuzzled into it, enjoying his touch.
"You... You all right?" She managed. "Is everyone all right?"
"Nora and Ren are fine, just tired," Jaune said with a fond smile towards his friends, "They wouldn't leave your side. Ruby and her team are..." He paused, "They're okay. Yang's... She lost an arm, but she's alive."
"Oh, no," Pyrrha whispered. Jaune rubbed her back.
"She'll be okay," Jaune insisted, "We... We'll get her the best help we can."
Pyrrha nodded.
"... What about Cinder? And the Dragon?"
"Escaped," Jaune said, his eyes dark with anger, "We managed to hit them both hard enough to retreat, but we have no idea where they are now. Or what happened to the rest of her team."
"And Vale?" Pyrrha asked.
Jaune was silent for a moment.
"The Atlasian Navy was taken over by a virus, along with their drones," Jaune said bluntly, "They caused... Massive damage to the city, and turned off the auto defenses. Thousands are dead. Tens of thousands are homeless. We managed to get the defenses back online, just before we went after you. I... I got some help from Menagerie."
"Menagerie?" Pyrrha gasped. While she had no anti-Faunus feelings, the idea that the kingdom of Faunus would aid them sounded ridiculous. They had no love for humans! "How?"
Jaune sighed heavily.
"The Council was killed in the first few minutes of the assault," he said, "Along with Ozpin. The... Vale needed leadership. And..." He smiled sadly, "I'm the only heir to the throne around, so... I'm King now."
Pyrrha's eyes widened in shock. When she learned about Jaune's heritage... She had loved him more. Not because he was royalty, but because he rejected it. He wanted to be himself, not an idol for others to worship. To know how much alike they were? Jaune Arc had a permanent place in her heart after that.
She shakily raised a hand to cup his cheek. He looked so much older now, with his five-o'clock shadow and hardened eyes.
"You did what you had to, to save the kingdom," she murmured, "I-I'm... I'm very proud of you. I know it's hard, but I know you'll do a great job. You... You rallied the people and another kingdom to our cause, that's not easy."
Jaune sighed heavily again.
"Yeah... Well... You're not going to like how I did it," he murmured.
"Why?" Pyrrha asked.
One of the Rangers from outside coughed.
"Your Majesty," he said, "The Queen has arrived."
"Queen?" Pyrrha mumbled, in shock.
"She's not the Queen yet, Ranger, and you know she doesn't like that," Jaune said tiredly, "Bring her in."
Escorted by two Faunus in dark blue armor, Blake Belladonna entered the hospital room. She smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around Jaune.
"You okay?" She asked.
"Yeah," Jaune nodded, hugging her back. "Yang okay?"
"She's... She's not great, but she's doing better," she said quietly. She turned to Pyrrha with a small smile. "Hello Pyrrha. I'm... I'm very glad to see you're okay."
"Queen?" Pyrrha asked again. Blake and Jaune both winced. Blake recovered first.
"My father and mother... Menagerie is a bit old fashioned when it comes to politics, in some ways," she explained, "The only way to convince our forces to come to Vale to aid them... Was with a political alliance. A... A political marriage. And since I'm the only child of my parents, the Chieftains of Menagerie..."
She held up her hand. A silver wedding band was on her finger. A matching one was on Jaune's.
"We're to be married to secure the Alliance," Jaune said, quiet and remorseful. Blake looked just as awkward.
Which is when Pyrrha passed out.
- - -
Yeah I don't even know how this came about.
