[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Merlot: "Look Jaune! You can either join me and have a solid plan of defeating Salem-"

Jaune: "How is me having a harem and dozens of babies a solid plan?"

Merlot: "Or you can stick with the body hopping immortal who has failed to stop his ex-wife for thousands of years and even now is consuming that boy's soul!"

Oscar: "Wait, is he really-?"

Ozma: "No! Well yes, unfortunately. Not my fault, blame the gods!"

Ruby: "Oh my God, was it you or Ozma who checked me out?!"

Oscar: "Me! I mean him! Fifty-Fifty?"

Ozma: "I can't help these hormones!"

Ruby: "Jaune, I'm voting for Merlot."

Oscar: "Wait what?!"

Ruby: "Look, my sister is gonna end up some lonely angry biker lesbian with an apartment full of cats. I'm not gonna go that route!"

Yang: "Like hell I am! I'm taking Jaune!"

Ruby: "You don't get him! I called dibs!"

Yang: "Well I called secret dibs so there!"

Blake: "HA! He'll be part of my harem, thank you! Everyone knows I'm the harem lead in this series! He's mine!"

Yang: "Scat, cat! I came to my senses and you're a dumpster fire!"

Blake: "Oh please! I'm basically a princess!"

Weiss: "EXCUSE YOU, BITCH?! I'm the real ojou-sama around here and I'm getting my knight! Suck it, you whore!"

Blake: "I'm willing to wear a collar for Jaune! Just like in my porn!"

Weiss: "LIKE HELL YOU WILL!"

Pyrrha: "I'm totally fine with sharing, Jaune! The more the merrier!"

Jaune: "Were you always this freaky or is this the cloning thing talking?"

Pyrrha: "YES."

Ozma: "This is ridiculous. Merlot can't beat Salem! She can't be killed!"

Merlot: "No, but she can be contained, or mitigated, or weakened, shoved into a rocket and then blasted into the sun."

Jaune: "She can be?"

Merlot: "I did the math. I'm good at math."

Ozma: "That's ridiculous, Dust can't go past the atmosphere!"

Merlot: "I'd be using a regular rocket. With fossil fuels and hydrogen powering it."

Ozma: "That's nonsense!"

Merlot: "It's SCIENCE. Honestly, it's not like we're suffering Kessler Syndrome and we have flying battleships. A simple chemical rocket isn't that hard to put together and launch. It's just math."

Ozma: "I INVENTED MATH!"

Merlot: "Well you didn't do a very good job of it now did you?!"

Nora: "Should we do something?"

Ren: "I don't think it will help."

Nora: "Probably not. Popcorn?"

Ren: "Thank you."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Merlot: It doesn't have to work past the atmosphere, with sufficient velocity it won't fall back to Remnant. Get her contained, use a ton of gravity dust to make things lighter, fire dust to get a powerful enough blast and you could get past the gravitational pull of Remnant!

Ozma: You're going to contain her? How?

Merlot: "With the help of an army of Jaune's children with their superpowered Semblances, we can contain Salem!"

A pause.

Merlot: "Failing that, we can use his incredible Rizz to seduce her!"

Jaune: "WHAT?!"

Ozma: "Seriously?!"

Merlot: "Hey, I have MANY plans! And they're all better than 'Stalemate until we all die!'"

Nora: "Would Jaune have to make out with Ren as part of your Rizz Up plan?"

Merlot: "Possibly!"

Nora: "I'M IN!"

 

[Grrrrrrr]

The Birds and the Bees (no sex)*

Inspired and taken from this https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3868283/1/Adventures-In-Education

It was just an ordinary day at Beacon, with the sky smiling down on the school and the birds chirping happily. Isabel was scribbling away in her notebook while nick was mindlessly playing catch with himself throwing a ball at a wall.

After a particularly limp throw and catch Nick stopped and turned to his partner. "Hey Izzy?"

"Yes, Nick?"

"You're studying to be a doctor right?"

Isabel raised an eyebrow. She's been clear about that ever since she first came here. When was that ever in doubt?. "I am. Why?"

She did not expect what Nicholas said next.

"Do you know where babies come from?"

Isabel froze. She knew Nick was ignorant about many things due to his upbringing. But surely that priest grandfather of his would at least tell him that. Right? She slowly turned to face her partner. "Do,.. Do you not know?"

Nick shrugged. "Nah, it never seemed important."

"And yet you're asking about it. So what changed?

Nick paused. " Remember those kids we had to babysit for a few days?"

Isabel smiled fondly. It was a simple enough mission. A couple veteran hunters had to go on a week long mission. And so they hired Beacon to help find babysitters. They were rambunctious and difficult at first, but Nick's lack of shame and maturity allowed him to bond with them easily. By the time they left they were asking if they can see him next time they went on a mission.

"I do. I'm surprised we didn't need to pry them off you when we had to leave."

Nick caught the ball in his hands and placed it on the bed. "It had me thinking that not too long ago I was their age. Their size… and then… I was thinking… where did they come from? Where did I come from? How are they made? Do yoh Know Izzy? Qrow said you'd know better than him about this." Not for the first time, Nicholas looked to Isabel with… thatlook. The one that resembled a lost puppy desperately trying to find its toy. The look he gave when he genuinely wanted to learn something and was interested. The one that always did infuriating things to Isabel's heart.

Isabel fought the blush in her cheeks and sighed rubbing her temples.

"You're… going to want to sit down.. and take notes! I'm not repeating it twice!"

Isabel pulled out the chair from her desk and placed it in the center of the room.
At the same time she pulled out a giant whiteboard from… somewhere and hammered it to the wall. After grabbing onto Nick's hands she dragged him to the seat, sat h8m down in it and shoved an empty Notebook and pen into his hand.

Isabel started drawing a diagram of the female reproductive sytem just like in her books. She began labeling each part dilligently while Nick tried to follow along and copy her drawing.

Once the drawing was done Isabel inhaled.

"Okay… so… Babies…. They… come from the uterus. It is an organ exclusive to the female reproductive syste,"

Nick nodded and scribbled in his notebook. "So only girls can have a baby?"

Isabel's lips firmed. "Yes and No. The girls would have to reach maturity first. Say… about 12 years old minimum. Before then they won't even have any eggs to fertelize."

Nick's eyebrows shot into his hairline. "Woman lay eggs? I thought it was just birds!"

Isabel lightly chuckled. She was eternally grateful no one else was here to laugh at him for this. "Well, it's a little bit different, but essentially, yes; women do lay eggs on a monthly basis. But unlike a bird, humans only lay their eggs once they've gone bad- if they're fertilized, they stay inside the body to develop."

Nick nodded as he faithfully wrote in his gifted notebook p. "So, women lay rotten eggs every month, and if the egg doesn't go bad it stays in the body?"

Isabel nodded. "Correct. This is called menstruation, in which the Uterus prepares for pregnancy by shedding its outer skin and becomes excreted from the Woman's Vagina."

An enlightened look crossed Nick's eyes. "Ooooh so that's why you needed those pads. To clean up the skin.

Isabel smiled. "Indeed. Now once the outer skin is removed, a fertilized egg will enter the Uterus and develop into a baby, over a period of nine months. When the fetus is ready, birth takes place."

Isabel took a look at Nicholas praying that this would be the end of it. Praying that this was as awkward as it was going to get.

Sadly reality was a cruel sadistic bitch." …How does it get fertilized ?"

Isabel's semblance was the only thing keeping her from blushing. Tdesperately thinking of what to say. She couldn't find anything so she did the next best thing… Stall.

"I'm sorry?"

Nick pointed to the egg in the diagram. "The egg, how does it get fertelized?"

Okay times up. " I… well….Sperm travels through the fallopian tubes into the ovum, or egg."

A look of c onfusion crossed his face as he quickly over the diagram and saw nothing for "sperm" "…What's sperm?"

Isabel's blush darkened. She spoke slowly and deliberately to make sure she didn't lose a single shred of her dignity. "A man's genetic material. It's a white Liquid excreted from a man's… penis… Have you ever …had that happen before?"

Now it was Nick's turn to blush.

" A…few times in the past month or sobut why does it do that? I'm not making a baby. Not yet anyway."

Isabel put aside any and all thoughts of Nick's… 'Ejaculations'. She took a deep breath. "Let's…. Put that… aside for now. Now let's get back on track. A sperm fertilizes a woman's egg and becomes a fetus."

"But how does it get into the tubes?" Nick asked

"Fallopian tubes. Well… they… they would usually have… Sex."

Nick put his finger to his chin in a conetmplative gesture. "I've heard that a couple of times but i never really thought to ask. What's sex?"

It took every ounce of control in Isabel to not let her blush darken further at what she was about to do. About explaining Sex to a well built sculpte- NONONONONO! FOCUS!

Isabel sighed heavily. She focused on her current objective. teaching. Teaching and informing Nicholas. Just… get it all done.

" It's when a man and a woman… or really two individuals… attempt… to pleasure each other through touching their bodies… usually their… penis and their vaginas. The important part is. Through this proccess, A man's penis would enter the vagina and eject their sperm inside the Woman's tubes into their Uterus. Which would then fertilize the egg turning it into a fetus."

Isabel began to speak faster desperate to end this.

"The uterus then expands to accommodate the growing size of the fetus. When the uterus expands, the woman's stomach gets bigger. And that's where babies come from. Now let me see your notes I need to make sure you got everything down properly."

Without waiting for Nick to respond she carefully snatched the notebook from his lap and hid her face behind it pretending to examine his notes. While she took a moment to come down to reality.

10 years later

Nick confidently pointed at his poorly drawn diagram of the female reproductive system. "And then the Uterus grows bigger so it can take care of the baby. And that's where babies come from! Any questions princesses?" He ended his lesson with a smile.

Aqua and Saphron, 5 years old, sat on the couch staring at the information on the board still trying to process what they just heard. Eventually Aqua raised her hand.

"Yes Aqua?"

"Is that why you and mommy tell us to go play with the neighbors when she gets that look in her eye?"

Nick nodded. " well, ye"

An opening door signaled Isabel's return from work. "i'm home!"

We're in the kiving room!" Nicholas called Back. Isabel's heels clacked louder as she approached the kiving room untill she entered it, cheerfully sauntering toward her husband.

"Hi Nicky <3" The doctor gave a quick peck on the cheek to Nicholas before turning to the Whiteboard. Her look of serene happiness quickly dropped into a look of fringe horror.

This change in behavior didn't go unnoticed by her husband. He put hsi arms on her shoulder. "Honey? You okay?"

After a long beat of silence Isabel spoke ":…….. Saphron dear, what has Daddy been teaching you?"

Saphron answered her with a slightly haunted look. "Daddy told us where babies come from!"

Aqua shuddered next to her. " I'm never having babies. I do NOT want a yucky boy sticking his wee wee in me."

Isabel patted her head gently consoling her. "You won't have to if you don't want to sweetie, don't worry." Isabel then turned to glower at her idiot of a husband.

Nick stepped back in fear, instinctively understanding he fucked up. "Wha? What did I do?

"Kids go to your room. I have to teach daddy the importance of "Age appropriate learning" Her voice would've frozen the water vapor in the air.

Aqua scrunched her face in disgust "Ew. Is this another sex thing?"

Isabel glowered at her daughter. "It isn't. Rooms. Now."

The girls exited the room without further complaint.

Nick gulped as he prepared to face his wife's wrath.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Yang woke up the next morning to a knock at the door. She sat up, already reaching for her artificial arm. Ruby sat up just as quickly, already groping for Crescent Rose.

The door opened, and a woman who looked very much like Isabel Arc stood there. She was younger, had no glasses, and had her hair in a high ponytail that fell back over her shoulders, tied with a blue handkerchief. She smiled warmly.

"Good morning! I'm Lilac Arc! You must be Yang and Ruby! I got you because it's time for breakfast. Do you want some?"

"We would love breakfast!" Ruby said with a sleepy smile. Lilac beamed, almost radiating motherly energy.

"Of course! Come down when you're ready, it will be done in twenty minutes!"

"Thanks!" Ruby said. She looked over at Yang. "You set, Yang?"

"Sure," Yang said tiredly. She reached out and attached her arm.

In truth, she was starving. Staying up late last night had definitely taken it out of her though.

They went out to the bathroom. It was quite large, with a big shower and bathing area down on the first floor. Given Jaune had seven sisters, it wasn't surprising that they had a large bathroom. It was tiled in green and white but was a full Fuujin style bath, with a shower for cleansing. It was honestly very refreshing: Lilac had even laid out their normal clothes for them, laundered and cleaned.

So they arrived in the dining room, fully clothed. The dining room had large windows that looked out onto the mountains, and the opposing wall was also covered in photos. The dining table itself was very long and very old, but well polished and covered in a green tablecloth. Neptune, May, Arslan, Velvet, Cardin, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Orchid, and twin girls who resembled Jaune and Orchid sat on either side of it, the chair at the head of the table left empty.

Jaune's eyes met hers. They held their gaze for a moment, before Jaune looked back down at his breakfast.

"Morning Yang, Morning Ruby," Jaune said. Ruby smiled at him.

"Morning Jaune!" Ruby greeted. "Morning everyone!"

"Morning Jaune," Yang managed, "Everyone else."

"Morning Ruby and Yang," Neptune cheered, waving at her, "Nice to see you, good looking!"

"Good morning Ruby and Yang," Arslan greeted. May shyly greeted her under her breath. Cardin and Velvet were staring into eachother's eyes, sitting together and holding hands. Ruby cleared her throat. Cardin coughed.

"Ah... Hey Xiao-Long, Rose," Cardin said.

"Morning," Velvet said with a nod and smile. It was guarded, but not as hostile as Yang was expecting.

I guess getting laid put her in a good mood, Yang thought.

"Good morning Yang, Ruby," Orchid replied in a monotone.

"Morning!" The twins said cheerfully. One had orange highlights in long, spiky hair while the other had green in short, tomboyish locks.

"GOOD MORNING RUBY AND YANG!" Nora cheered. "THEY HAVE PANCAKES! WONDERFUL PANCAKES!"

"They're to die for," Ren deadpanned. Nora grinned in a feral fashion.

"Or kill for!"

Lilac Arc giggled, peeking out of the kitchen briefly.

"Oh, you! Eat up! There's plenty, Yang and Ruby!"

She ducked back into the kitchen. Yang and Ruby took their seats, and examined their plates. They were stacked high with flapjacks, bacon, strawberries, hashbrowns, and blueberries. It smelled wonderful, and it didn't take long for both sisters to eat their fill.

Even with Cardin and Velvet making gooey eyes at one another.

"It's so weird," Ruby mumbled through her pancakes. Yang nodded, and grimaced as Cardin fed Velvet some blueberries. Velvet giggled, and kissed his cheek.

"Yeah, I saw them out last night," Yang muttered back. Ruby's eyes widened.

"Really?" She whispered back. "Like... Were they...?"

"I'm not saying any more," Yang mumbled, "I want to finish my food."

"Can you two please cut that out?" Neptune moaned, as Velvet fed Cardin some pancakes, "You're grossing us out."

"Deal with it," Cardin huffed, "She likes it."

"I do!" Velvet said cheerfully. Neptune sighed and looked around. He smiled at Orchid, who was sitting next to him.

"Hey Orchid, you want to-?'

Jaune glared at Neptune so hard Yang could feel the heat from across the table. Neptune coughed.

"No thank you," Orchid stated, eating her pancakes, "I prefer to feed myself."

"May!" Neptune seized upon the shy sniper. May blushed.

"Um... N-No thank you?"

"Arslan!" Neptune tried.

"No thank you," Arslan stated, eating some strawberries. Neptune looked over at the twins.

"Verdy? Coral?"

Jaune's glare was especially intense. Verdy grinned, and got up. She walked over to Neptune's side, and leaned over with her hands on his shoulders.

"Oh my~! This is so sudden~! But I'll give it a try..."

She held up a grape. Neptune flushed. He opened his mouth nevertheless. She leaned in and pushed the grape into his mouth.

Which he bit down on. He then coughed... As his face went bright red.

"Ahh... AHHHH... HWAAAHHHH?!"

He grabbed the water jug and chugged it like a madman, guzzling it all down as he fell out of the chair to the floor. Jaune turned his glare onto Verdy.

"Verdy!"

"What? He wanted me to feed him," she giggled, "And I wanted to test out Coral's new pepper bomb mixture!"

"Heh. Brutal," Cardin chuckled.

"VERDY! CORAL!" Jaune growled.

"Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood," Coral said with a shrug. Verdy giggled and helped pull Neptune back to his feet. She set him down in his chair, and patted his shoulder. "Thanks for being a good sport about it."

"S-Sure," Neptune managed, coughing a bit. Arslan sighed. May winced. Nora grinned.

"That's so awesome!" Nora cried. "You were really funny Neptune!"

Yang smirked a little. Coral sipped her tea.

"Besides, we're getting tired of fixing up weapons," Coral sighed, "It's all we've been doing since this started."

"Yeah," Verdy groaned, "Replacing firing pins, blacksmithing new swords-It's been exhausting."

"You're weapons engineers?!" Ruby cried excitedly.

"They are," Jaune said with a nod, "Though they work at the hospital too."

The twins made faces at this.

"We're so tired of medical filing," Verdy grumbled.

"And fixing ultrasound machines," Coral added.

"That's so cool!" Ruby cried. "I-I mean, the weapon engineering part, not the-You want to talk shop? Do you have custom weapons?"

"Just guns," Verdy shrugged, "We're not really any good at hand to hand."

"Which is why we stay behind the front lines," Coral added.

"I'm something of a weapons engineer myself, you know," Neptune said with a smile, finally recovered. "Maybe we can talk shop too-?"

Jaune glared DEATH at Neptune. He coughed.

"N-Nevermind!"

"He can learn," Arslan said in soft amusement.

The front door opened and slammed shut. Isabel Arc came into the dining room, looking utterly exhausted. All conversation ended and everyone stared intently at her. Isabel sighed.

"Uh, hey Mom," Jaune said carefully.

"Mom!" Coral and Verdy greeted.

"Mmph," Isabel managed. She collapsed at the end of the table, exhausted. Lilac was by her side in an instant, with six plates of food she set in front of her mother. Isabel tore into the food with a ravenous hunger that even Nora stared at in shock (and awe). When she was finished, she sighed heavily.

"Mom?" Jaune asked worriedly. Isabel shook her head.

"I finally got a break," she said quietly. "But... The hospital needs more medical supplies. Jaune?"

Jaune stared at his mother.

"Um, yes?"

"You know all the usual herbs and materials, and where to find them," she said. "Take your friends and go up today to gather them." She pulled out a piece of paper and handed it over to him. Jaune took it, his face stony.

"Picking flowers?" Cardin complained. "You can't be-!"

Isabel glared at him. A glare that spoke of several days without proper sleep or rest, and sheer maternal might. Cardin squeaked, and scooted his chair back. Velvet squeezed his hand comfortingly.

Jaune took a deep breath.

"Sure Mom," he said, "I know what we need to get."

"You've done it plenty of times, and in a big group, you'll be safe," Isabel managed, "Besides. It'll do you all some good."

Jaune stared at the paper list for a moment longer. He then took hold of it. He tucked it into his duster pocket.

"Yeah," he said. "Finish your breakfast, everyone. We're moving out soon. I'll go hitch up the cart."

He got up and headed off. The rest of the group soon finished their breakfasts, and headed out after him. Yang and Ruby took a bit longer, as Lilac got her mother a few jugs of water and juice. These she consumed as well.

"Haaaa... My Semblance lets me go without food or rest for a while," Isabel admitted, "But I have to replenish it all."

"You really shouldn't push yourself so hard, Mother," Lilac said.

"Ha, like she'll listen to that kind of stuff," Verdy snorted.

"She does sometimes," Coral said with a shrug. Isabel shook her head.

"Well, we finally have some reinforcements and replacements," she said, "So we can afford to relax a little. Your father should be home tonight, once his relief shows up."

She looks over at Yang and Ruby, finishing up their food.

"You two doing all right?" She asked.

"Just fine, Mrs. Arc," Ruby said.

Yang flexed her hand and nodded.

"All right, I guess," she said.

Isabel smiled at the two.

"I'd appreciate it if you could do me a favor? Keep an eye on Jaune, will you?"

Ruby flushed.

"Um... We usually do," she admitted, "Along with Ren and Nora."

Isabel nodded.

"I know... But it would put my mind at ease. I know you don't like being on standby... Nobody does..."

She scowled a bit, then shook her head.

"But you all need a rest. Believe me," she stated.

Ruby scowled.

"We're not that-!" She looked over at Yang. "I-I mean-!"

"It's fine," Yang said quietly, "We'll keep an eye on him, ma'am."

Isabel nodded and smiled.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. Now... If you'll excuse me, I'm-Zzzzzz..."

Her head bowed as she began to sleep, snoring softly. Lilac sighed.

"She overdid it again," she mumbled.

"Runs in the family," Yang grunted.

"Don't we know it," Orchid, Lilac Verdy and Coral said with long suffering expressions.

"Wow, in synch too!" Ruby gasped.

- - -

 

[AndrewJTalon]

As a reminder, this is what Radian looks like:

Radian itself is borrowed from the map of Shildia from an old JRPG named "Shining Tears".

 

[SharkCultist]

For once I have a idea that's not terribly dark or silly.

---

He had the dream again. Still a chaotic mess of sights and sounds but it's a bit more clear.

There's trees with red leaves and he's on something moving fast. There's a flash of something he can't remember clearly, beautifully dark with haunting yellow eyes.

Then there's a feeling of sadness mixed with anger followed by some kind of explosion and suddenly he's flying through the air before he wakes up like always.

The dream always bothers him but he can't dwell on it, there's work to do.

His room is a comfortable thing with it's own bathroom where he quickly showers and throws on his work clothes. A old pair of burgundy pants and a white sleeveless shirt.

A far cry from the (ruined) formal looking suit he was found in.

But it's comfortable and durable, something essential for farm work.

He steps outside and the cool air ghosts across the scar covering the left side of his face from temple to the bridge of his nose.

"Morning Red, you ready for work?"

Lost in his head Red didn't notice his boss approaching him.

The man who pulled him from a burning wreck and gave him a home. Nick Arc.

"I'm ready, shouldn't be a hard day today, besides the quicker we get done the quicker you can get back to preparing for your son and his friends visit."

Nick brightens at that.

"You're gonna love Jaune, his friends are a bit weird but they're good people, Even the racist one."

Something about that word twists his guts and makes him want to reach for a weapon that isn't there. But the bull faunus squashes the feeling.

"A racist? Doesn't seem like someone you'd be ok with your kids associating with."

"Well she isn't really hurting anyone she's just jumpy and snappy. I think Izzy said she has a prosecution complex? Dunno what that is. Tangy just said she's a soap opera bitch."

Something about that description makes part of him want to burst out laughing. Again he kills the strange urges.

"I'm sure it will be a interesting meeting."

Red has no idea how right he is.

---

So the idea here being when Blake cut the train in this timeline Adam was on the part with the bombs and got blasted in his shock of her leaving him.

His SDC scar got burned away by him getting a bigger scar on his face.

He was saved by Nick who took him to Radian and gave him a job and helped him find a place to stay after they realized he didn't have most of his memories.


Edit: Also figured I'd share what inspired this little idea. A song I really like.


View: https://youtu.be/G5-KJgVsoUM?si=8Zu9LU3uhHQk40Mj

 

[Unknown_One]

2/ The two teams decide to have a break and do a karaoke night, Turns out when Jaune is not nervous he's a top tier singer and ends up serenading Yang much to the jelly of the others, Nora trolls Weiss by giving her all the death metal scream music to sing (She rocks it hard), Blake is racist (nothing new there) Ren sings Baka Mitai and steals the show, etc etc etc (not sure about the others), all in all a great and fun time was had by all (Nora live streamed the entire thing and they are now world famous).

Click to shrink...

Jaune: *singing* "…Like a river flows, surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes. Some things are meant to be.~"

Yang: *mouthing the words along with Jaune, slowly being emotional*

Jaune: *Still singing* "Take my hand. Take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you…"

*Jaune then looks at the group, leveling his eyes at Yang on instinct.*

Jaune: *Singing one more time* "For I can't help… falling in love… with youuuuu~"

Yang: *Breaks down crying before Jaune places the microphone down and hugs her*

Pyrrha: *Also slightly emotional* "Th-that was… that was beautiful, Jaune."

Jaune: *Holding Yang and turns his head to Pyrrha* "Thanks, it just felt right."

Weiss: "No fair, Tall, Blonde, and Scraggly had to get Pelvis Everly and I got Barrels and Flowers."

Nora: "Like you're not rocking it, Weisscream!"

*****

Yes, I used Elvis Presley's 'Can't help falling in love with you'. Might be cheesy, but hey. It is a serenade.

 

[SpaceK0k0nut]

Now, after a short hiatus and brawl with my muses, i present: The New Teacher: Jaune

---

A polite knock.

"ENTER!" Carol said loudly, not turning from her coffee pouring

Slowly, the door to the weapons lab opened, revealing Jaune in his brand new Beacon uniform

"..Ms Frees?" Jaune asked, peeking around the door

"Jaune? What're you doing here? My class isn't until Thursday?" Carol asked, now holding a steaming cup of her coffee

Fully entering the room, the shy knight approached the taller teacher awkwardly "I just wanted to thank you for the pep talk two days ago"

Carol raised her her eyebrow she sat down on a stool while drinking her brew, then fixed a look at Jaune " I didn't give no pep talk." She said mater-of-factually "Flame, I didn't think you'd even pass the test" she finished with a grin

"W-what?" Jaune said, taken aback

"Yup, didn't think ya had it in you to pick up the blade and fight." She sipped from her mug "But you deserve a chance, like everyone else, so I kept quiet to not torpedo your chances and what'd you know? I was wrong!" Carol laughed boisterously

"I-I do try my b-best" Jaune said, cheeks rosy from the compliment

Carol slapped his shoulder softly "Chin up! It's not everyone who can lead a group of strangers after their first meeting to kill an enemy with such bullshit advantage as flying, and an Elder even.

Way I see it? You'll make to the big leagues before anyone else, just work on that swinging arm or if you want some of the best Steel on the planet, you know where to find me."

"Sorry teacher, I um... The Breaker Church frowns upon body mods..."Jaune's awkwardly deflected

"Ah, right, anyway what'd come in for?" Carol said turning the stool around to pour a mug for Jaune and passing the hot beverage to him

Jaune looked into the dark liquid in his hands and took a deep breath "I... I have never been trained in combat..."

At a lack of response, he looked up to a complete lack of reaction from Carol

"Could've fooled me, but if you think you need practice, why not ask the Nikos gal? She's on your team right?" At Jaune's hesitant nod, she continued "From what've seen from the classes I sat in, the Nikos gal is trying her damnest to stay close to ya"

"What?" Jaune was confused, wasn't Pyrrha way out of his league?

"Probability says she's just worried about her team lead not being quite up to snuff, but from what I know of hormonal teenagers she's also looking at a possible boyfriend" Carol's matter-of-fact and monotone explanation sounded more like a cannon shot to Jaune's ears, had he really a chance with the Invicinble Girl? That couldn't be it.

"You think she'd help me?" Jaune pleaded, the very idea that Pyrrha might like him discarded like an used napkin

Carol snorted "Bet you five Does she will be glad you asked"

Jaune beamed "Really?"

"Yup" Carol said while drinking from her mug

Jaune downed the whole (now only mildly hot) mug of coffee, before making a face from the bitterness (much to Carol's amusement) and leaving with a new spring to his steps.

---

Spoiler: A/N

An quick explanation on money in this version of Remnant:
After the Great War, as can be expected, a lot of Kingdoms and smaller countries were either devastated or so deep into a War Economy that as soon as peace arrived they couldn't sustain themselves any longer.
Many ancient kingdoms ceased to exist at this time, like Artoria Pendragon-Arc's Avalon, or were so destabilized they soon were surpassed by their former vassals, like how Atlas broke off from Mantle and took its place.
This caused a situation where trade became extremely difficult, confusing, outright impossible or any combination of the three.
As such, the now Four Great Kingdoms came together and formed a new unified currency, backed by Atlesian firepower, Valean agriculture and Mistrali and Vacuan Dust: The Lien.
However they never agreed on who would print that money, so each prints and mints their own version of the Lien.
In Vale, the paper note denominations are nicknamed by what is printed on them. They are as follows:
1 Lien = The Doe
5 Lien = The Sparrow
10 Lien = The Arrowana
20 Lien = The Buffalo
50 Lien = The Lion
100 Lien = The Stag / Buck (The stag used to be in the Vale Royal coat of arms before the abolition of the royalty)

 

[Unknown_One]

Karaoke 2: Elvis-ish boogaloo. A little longer response from the 20 minute scene Imposted earlier. Still using the same song

*****

"Oh come on, Jaune-Jaune. Why don't you sing?" Nora said, as the combined teams RWBYJNPR were gathered in the booth.

"I-I just don't want to sing." Jaune replied. He was nervous, but his nerve was slightly fraying under the pressure.

"Please, Jaune. For me?" Pyrrha asked.

Jaune looked at Pyrrha before closing his eyes and sighing softly. "All right. But I need to pick the song!"

Yang shook her head. "Not tonight, VB. We picked everyone else's songs. Yours will be no exception."

Jaune sighed in defeat and shook his head. "Fine, I'll sing what you choose."

Weiss instantly had an idea. "You all keep having me sing these harsh songs on my voice. Let's see how Arc handles them."

Ruby, however, was faster. "Sorry, bestie. But we already had a song picked out for Jaune."

Nora nodded, a giant grin on her face. "Yeah, we scoured out the list ahead of time and had the perfect song figured out."

Jaune wore a worried look, but closed his eyes to calm himself. Ren then handed Jaune the microphone.

"Hey, can't be much worse than Blake." Ren stated with a small grin.

"HEY!" Blake yelled in reply. Laughter burst from the group at the not-so-decent job Blake did a few songs ago.

"Oh please, like he's any better." Weiss said, defending her teammate with an ultimate backhanded compliment.

"I think you'll be surprised, Weisscream." Nora replied.

Jaune looked at the song that was selected. "Huh, I know this one. My dad sang it to my mom on my sister Saphron's wedding day."

"Then you should be able to knock this out of the park." Ruby said with a hopeful tone.

Jaune took a deep breath and hit 'Start' on the machine.

A piano began, softly playing up and down the notes of the song. Pyrrha gasped, as she recognized the song. Yang was also taken aback.

Jaune took a deep breath and began. "Wise men say, only fools rush in. For I can't help falling in love with you~"

He closed his eyes, letting his emotion out and his voice to guide him. Yang and Pyrrha leaned closer, while Ren held Nora. The latter of which was sending a live feed over the internet through her scroll.

Jaune opened his eyes, letting him look around the group as he continued. "Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? If I can't help falling in love with you~"

Weiss' eyes widened at how well Jaune was doing. He was hitting every note, nailing the pitch changes in the lyrics. From a mild falsetto to the low tenor. It may not have been perfect, but it was far better than she imagined.

Jaune just continued. "Like the river flows, surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes. Some things are meant to be~"

Ruby wore a smile as Jaune looked around, keeping his eyes on Yang and Pyrrha longer than the others. Instinct seemed to guide him, and it just felt right.

Jaune just kept looking at his friends. Though the next line began with him looking at Yang. "Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you~"

Yang was entrapped, slowly becoming emotional as she was mouthing the words along with Jaune. Pyrrha was also getting emotional, feeling a better connection to Jaune.

Again, Jaune kept going. "Like the river flows, surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes. Some things are meant to be~"

The rest of the group joined in softly, as Jaune took lead. He looked at Yang, and then Pyrrha. "Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you~"

Jaune continued solo, as soft sniffles came from the group. Even Blake was feeling emotional at how well this song was going. "For I can't help… falling in love…"

Jaune too one last look at Yang. "With youuuu~"

The combined group burst out in applause at Jaune's performance. And Nora had a ton of messages coming in about that performance. More than a few were asking if Jaune was single, but Nora wouldn't see them until the next morning.

Yang began softly sobbing, at the song and the performance. Jaune placed the microphone down softly and scooted over to give her a hug. "Are you ok, Yang?"

Yang sniffled. "That was beautiful, Jaune."

Pyrrha scooted to the other side of Jaune. "It really was. That was really good."

Weiss wore an impressed look. "Who knew Mister Tall, Blonde, and Lanky would be that good singing?"

Nora and Ren just wore knowing smiles as they got a little closer.

Blake and Ruby wore amused grins. "So are you regretting not going with Jaune to the Beacon dance?" Blake asked.

"Absolutely not, Blake. I bet Neptune could sing just as well, if not better." Weiss said.

Unknowingly, Neptune was butchering 'Over the Rainbow' at another karaoke bar across vale. Neon was not impressed in the least and had left halfway through the song.

Yang kept trying to hold herself together as Jaune held her. "Yang?"

Yang just turned to Jaune and gave him a crushing hug. "I loved it, Jaune."

Pyrrha wore a knowing smile as she embraced Jaune and Yang softly. "Go ahead, Yang."

Jaune's right eyebrow went up. "What do you mean?"

Yang pulled herself away from Jaune to gaze into his eyes. As if on instinct, she leaned closer and locked her lips to his.

Surprised at the kiss, Jaune's eyes widened. But, he reciprocated the affectionate gesture.

They broke the kiss and Yang took a deep breath. "Would you…?"

Jaune just pulled her close, and gave her another kiss. Pyrrha looked on with a pleased smile, while Blake, Ruby, and Weiss were all surprised at how this came about.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Pain... Fire... Darkness... And always yellow eyes. Eyes staring at him in fear, in worry... What did it mean...?

Steel, flames, smoke... Someone was screaming... Who was screaming? Why were they screaming?

He had to find her. He had to see her. Why was she screaming why-

He felt Aura, and sprung up. He threw a punch out of sheer instinct, only for it to be caught by a strong fist.

He opened his eyes. The world resolved itself. He saw his fist was buried in the fist of a tall, blond man with a beard and scar across his right cheek. The man sat in a chair next to the bed he was lying in.

And despite the fist he had caught, the blond man was smiling.

"Good to see you moving around," he said in a kindly baritone, "For a while we thought you'd never wake up."

He... His head hurt. The world seemed to spin. He felt strong arms lower him back into the bed, and felt a straw pressed against his lips.

"Here, drink, it will help," the man said. He sipped it, cool water going down his very dry throat.

His heart slowed. The pain in his head dulled, though he still felt achy all over. He blinked his eyes, and again the room came into focus: A hospital room of some sort, he guessed. It was comfortably lit, and there were machines beeping softly as they monitored his vitals.

A shorter blonde woman with her hair in a tight bun, square glasses, and wearing a white labcoat entered briskly. She scowled at the tall blond man.

"Nick, how many times do I have to tell you not to play nurse?"

"You trained me as a nurse, so it's kind of your fault, Izzy," he chuckled. "Izzy" sighed, before turning a warm smile onto him.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"... Where am I?" He asked. "What happened?"

"You're in Arc-En-Ciel Hospital, Radian," Izzy answered. She sat down next to him and began examining his vitals with a Scroll. "My husband found you in the wreck of a train crash."

"You were in pretty bad shape, son," Nick said with a wince, "Had to call in a Bullhead to evacuate you. You're lucky your Aura is as strong as it is! You almost died."

A pale girl with yellow eyes and black hair...

"Was... Was there anyone else... On the train?" He managed. Nick shook his head.

"No. It was an Atlasian supply train. Just robots... Though apparently there were people aboard." He snorted. "Faunus for the SDC."

"That would explain it," Izzy sighed, touching his face. He stared at her uncomprehendingly.

"Explain what?"

Izzy blinked then frowned. She looked to Nick. He was concerned, but dutifully picked up a mirror and held it up to him.

A face stared back. A burn scar was over his... Left eye. It was healing, but it would always be there. Horns stuck out of his forehead, one broken. A fuzz of red hair covered his head, where several surgical scars were fading away.

He blinked a few times.

"I'm... A Faunus?" He managed.

The blond humans looked at each other in concern. Izzy looked back at him first.

"... Can you tell us your name?" Izzy asked.

He tried. He really tried. The face in the mirror looked lost and scared. He reached up to the face and touched it with his hand, still not fully convinced it was real.

"... N-No... I can't remember..."

He tried. He tried so hard. But it was like looking a broken pieces of a mirror in a fog. He had flashes, but...

"... Anything," he whispered.

- - -

His options had been few after he healed. He hadn't been carrying any identification. If he'd had a Scroll, it had been destroyed in the crash. And thanks to the injuries to his face, facial recognition wasn't much help either.

He'd been lost... Until Nick Arc, the man who brought him in, made a suggestion:

"We need a hand on our farm. Why not work for us until you remember something? Or until you decide what you want to do?"

He'd agreed. Isabel Arc (Izzy) had seconded the motion.

"It's possible you were just going to end up labor for the SDC anyway," Isabel said, "So finding any friends or relatives is going to be hard. But we'll keep trying, I promise."

He'd thanked her very kindly. She'd given him a hug, which... Felt nice and yet made him sad.

Not something he could really explain.

He took the name "Red", seeing as it was the color of his hair. It was better than 'hey you' or 'No-Name', and it was... Well... It was his. He had nothing, having a name at least let him have something.

The Arcs took him in and were very kind. Orchid Arc was a computer expert and helped him search for anything that might give him a clue as to his identity. Unfortunately, there were a LOT of redheaded Bull Faunus out there, and genetic record keeping was still new. Still, she kept searching and played video games with him.

He wasn't very good, but she just appreciated having someone to play with. That made him feel better.

Lilac Arc didn't stop mothering him from the moment he arrived. She cooked many different meals to help him figure out what he liked, she made up a room for him and changed anything he didn't like, and did his laundry. She also played piano for him, which was very comforting, and listened to him when he complained. He didn't like to complain, but his frustration over not being able to remember anything was difficult.

Isabel listened too, when Lilac wasn't around. She was no less mothering than Lilac, if more scientific about it: Asking questions about how he felt, how he reacted, and many other things. It was no less out of concern though: She was trying to help him too, and he appreciated it very much.

Coral and Verdy, the twins, had wicked senses of humor but were careful around him. He was easily startled, and he actually punched Coral when she woke him up in the morning. He apologized endlessly, feeling absolutely horrible, but Coral just waved it off: She shouldn't have forgotten a basic rule of waking people suffering from trauma, to wake them gently.

Verdy was rather protective of Coral after that, though she did admit that her twin hadn't done things right. They resolved things when they asked Red to test out the balance on some swords they had made for the militia.

For some reason, holding a blade felt... Right.

Nick had been overjoyed, and offered to spar with Red. The Arc man was a Huntsman, and an incredible swordsman. Red had taken to it with enthusiasm, some old feelings of delight rising up as he clashed steel against steel.

Isabel had been very unhappy about that, so they'd switched to wooden swords. Which felt no less positive to the amnesiac.

Much of his time though, he worked. He helped with maintaining the farm fences, he helped feed and water the animals, he helped Nick when he dug a new irrigation line or picked something called 'wasabi' he was growing in a shady area of the farm-He worked.

It was the least he could do for such kind people.

The neighbors were just as kind. Mercer Sith Senior was an old tawny cat Faunus, with a big bushy beard dressed in blue and greens. He welcomed him grandly, and introduced Red to his family. Katy Sith was a very pretty blond cat Faunus girl who blushed a lot around him (which also felt familiar, but in a strange way that made him uneasy) while Mercer Sith Junior was boisterous, loud, and enthusiastic. Especially about fast cars, an interest that Lilac's boyfriend Primo also shared.

Primo was a mechanic and racer, and taught Adam how to do maintenance on the farm vehicles. It was almost familiar, and while Isabel forbade him from doing any racing (as he was still recovering), he still enjoyed working with Primo and Nick on the vehicles.

Nick though had a tendency to wing it when it came to maintenance, which could be amusing (and terrifying).

The days turned to weeks, and then to months. Red became familiar to the people of Radian, and they all treated him kindly. Papa Shirou, the Arc family patriarch, invited him into his restaurant in the town center and told him stories of the Great War. His wife, Nana Arturia, worked at the restaurant and as a swordsmanship trainer, and she also regaled him with tales of her own fights in the past.

She also did some light sparring with him. He could safely say that the old lady was much more formidable than she appeared, and a strange urge to train harder to one day match her appeared in his heart.

Father Percival was the old Pastor of the local church. He was a pigeon Faunus, and very kind as well. Red wasn't sure what he believed, gods or whatever, but the father always had time to sit with him and talk. The interior of the church itself was beautiful, filled with statues and stained glass that showed many stories. The battle of Jeanne D'Arc against the Witch Queen of Argus, the ressurection of the Table Breaker, and many more beside.

It was all incredible. He had no past, nothing at all, so everything he learned became precious.

Yet his memory did not return. Only brief flashes every now and again. Isabel did her best, but as she explained, the brain was the most complex instrument in the human or Faunus body. Severe trauma could do strange things to it. His memories might be gone forever.

Red wondered deeply about that. He wondered who he was. What he was, before all of this.

And what did the pale girl with the yellow eyes have to do with him...?

- - -

Open and free for continuation!

 

[SharkCultist]

So I had a idea inspired by two very different sources.

Megaman NT warrior and super robot monkey team hyper force go.

---

Sun was pretty sure he and all his friends were about to die.

After years of jumping into adventures and fighting terrorist with RWBY and JNPR they had finally bitten off more than they could chew.

Out of bullets, dust spent, aura depleted and half of them were bleeding.

And there were still a good 30 or 40 mooks surrounding them.

They'd need a miracle to get out of this.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault but I swear you're going to be ok. All of you."

That's not good. Blake was going to do something dumb (well dumber than getting them into a fight with 100 terrorist.) he could tell. He could also tell he wasn't the only one who noticed she didn't include herself in the Going to be Ok group.

He could see her aura starting to move collecting in her chest and head.

There's no way she's that stupid.

But she is. There's a almost sickening cracking sound and her aura shifts. Getting denser and thicker until it's almost solid and moving like syrup. A thick purple tar covering her from head to toe with feline features.

Some of the mooks notice, the faunus ones, and try to run.

It doesn't help.

She moves like lightning. claws of aura dicing through bodies like a blender.

It's barely the work of five minutes and she's turned every single one of the people surrounding them into chunky salsa.

"Blake?"

He's almost not fast enough to yank Yang back and save her life, he's definitely not fast enough to keep her from getting slashed but at least she kept her arm. And head.

Twin glowing pools of yellow shine on them like spotlights. There's no recognition there anymore, just threat assessment. Eventually she comes to a decision and disappears with that terrifying speed.

"What the hell was that?!"

"What happened!?"

"Where's Blake?"

There's plenty of hysteric questions but even with the yelling Yangs question comes through. He's going to have to answer...

"That's not Blake. Not anymore, probably never again."

Even though she's gushing blood from those gashes on her arm Yang is fully focused on him.

"What do you mean sun? What'd she do?"

Well looks like he's giving a philosophy lesson knee deep in corpse soup. He should have become a monk.

"Faunus aren't like humans, and it's not just a extra pair of ears or a tail. There's a part of our souls that's wild. It's something primal and dangerous. A beast held back by Human reason. What Blake did is a technique called Beast Out."

Judging by the looks of horror Weiss and Ren and sending him they at least get it.

"How long does this thing last? It's gotta wear off when she runs out of aura right?"

"This isn't something like channeling aura to your pants to keep them from ripping, or making a sword sharper. She willingly shook her mind and soul to let out the most savage part of herself. If she's lucky? Maybe she'll piece herself back together. In a year."

Luckily for sun this is the part where the cops arrive. Unluckily he's probably going to have to explain this all to Ozpin and goodwitch....and more than likely Blake's parents.

Yeah he definitely should have become a monk.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

You know, I've been trying to figure out how Atlas is supposed to be the America expy, but they were apparently the Nazis in the Great War. I mean I could chalk it up to Rooster Teeth being a bunch of anti-American losers who tried to insert unwanted and terrible political commentary into a series where it made no sense and just ruined characters for no reason...

But! There's a better way.

And as always, our savior is Japan.

Before the Great War and after, Atlas was basically like America. A large democratic republic that started out as a rebellious colony of a few other Kingdoms, but gained its independence. It went from a quiet nation that mostly kept to itself to a great power over time. But this power was soon infiltrated by a radical political ideology: Utopianism.

It offered salvation by promoting more intelligent management of all human endeavors, all human passions, and all aspects of human life. On one hand, improving the quality of life for your people is something any nation should strive for and in Remnant, it would certainly help alleviate Grimm issues.

On the other, giving people more and more control over people's lives usually leads to corruption. To make matters worse, Radical Utopianism wanted to suppress all individuality to end the Grimm problem forever. This is what it promised, but the people leading the charge became even more decadent, depraved, and twisted behind doors. But the technocratic mindset made it simple: As long as the experts were in charge, the people would fall in line-Or be made to.

Gradually, a soft coup was engineered through rigged elections and other means, culminating in a full on military coup when the non-Utopian candidate was elected... But his vice president was a secret Utopian agent. He took control of Atlas, driving the rightful government leaders underground or into jail, before declaring himself King and pushing for outright war on the rest of Remnant to bring the rest of humanity and Faunuskind into line.

So the former President of Atlas fought against this tyranny as an ally with the other Free States of Remnant including the Vytal Empire, Vale, Vacuo, and much of Mistral. It wasn't easy, but the President of Atlas slew his traitorous Vice-President and the Allies defeated their armies.

Thus restored, the President of Atlas reformed the government. However, the technocracy mindset still remained in the surviving government not tried for war crimes. You can't slaughter everyone on the other side of a civil war, after all. And that mindset still persists, leading to the much repressed Atlas of today. It also led to Atlas' intense drive for technological innovation.

This helps the entire situation of Atlas losing the Great War and then becoming the sole military power on Remnant. It would make a lot more sense if the war was engineered by a coup and the rightful government was restored after.

Yes, there was a Metal Gear Solid type situation where a powerful cabal of people (and maybe an AI, let's not rule that out) took over Atlas and directed world events towards its utopian ideals.

But there's also a bit of a deeply underappreciated video game in there: Metal Wolf Chaos:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG1HahKYZzc

A video game SO AMERICAN, it could not be released outside of Japan. Where the President of the United States fights his treacherous dictator Vice-President in a giant robot to SAVE THE WORLD!

It would be kind of like that, but more dieselpunk.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

All right then: Better idea.

As part of my world building I have done my best to expand out the roster of formidable Hunters across Remnant. I mean okay, most of them are Arcs but I have also added Arjun and Saia Sarkara, Captain James Silverhand, and a few others in an effort to make Remnant feel a bit bigger.

These are all formidable warriors. But they will all eventually age and die, or fall in battle and die.

So what if they didn't have to?

What if a secret Atlas program was created to make clones of these most formidable Hunters?

Ozpin. Glynda Goodwitch. James Ironwood. Peter Port. Oobleck. Isabel Arc. Nick Arc. Arjun Sakara. Saia Sarkara. Raven Branwen. Qrow Branwen. Taiyang Xiao-Long. Arturia Pendragon.

Summer Rose.

Suppose one of these clones escaped, and was encountered by our heroes?

What would the fallout be?

Who is behind it?

And what will they do to keep the secret?

 

[LordofBones]

So a (maybe) dark idea.

Salem wants to get rid of the silver eyes but can't easily get to Ruby at beacon.

Her solution? Make a poison using the Grimm goo. It won't be potent enough to turn her into a Hound or turn her into salems slave but hopefully it'll be enough to kill her.

Instead everyone ends up unhappy.

The silver eyes are gone, but Ruby is still alive. Kinda....well she's undead.

Ruby Rose is a Vampire.

Click to shrink...

Spoiler: Vampire Ruby

Ruby: *quietly sobbing into her pillow*
Jaune: *quietly enters RWBY's dorm, and closes the door behind him* "Ruby..."
Ruby: *sniffles* "Go'way."
Jaune: *comes closer and closer to Ruby's bed*
Ruby: "Go away, Jaune! I'm a monster! I'm a monster-"

*Weakened from tears, exhaustion and surprise, Ruby's notably helpless when Jaune simply lifts her up off the bed. She yelps and struggles as Jaune embraces her, and presses her nose into his neck.*

Jaune: "You need blood. Drink."
Ruby: *trying to resist* "N...no...I...."

*Jaune's neck is warm and tanned, his pulse beating steadily. Despite everything, Ruby feels her mouth watering; her hand cups Jaune's cheek and she nuzzles against his neck.*

Jaune: *sternly* "Nothing's going to happen to me, Crater-Face. Drink."

*Ruby's resolve breaks and her tongue laps at Jaune's throat. He grunts and strokes her hair, holding her close as the curvy vampire presses up against him, breasts flattening against his chest and thighs wrapping around his hips. Her fangs find Jaune's jugular, and she can't help the sensual, damn-near-lewd, moan when Jaune's strong, hot lifeblood hits her tongue.*

*True to his word, Jaune doesn't feel any different, with his aura easily mitigating the effects - and Ruby finds his aura mingling with his blood, tightening her grip as she drinks. Instead, Jaune has a different problem entirely - Ruby's soft moans and sighs border on the pornographic, her gothic outfit ticks all his boxes, and she's gently rolling her hips against his while she feasts.*

*Ruby's hunger is eventually sated. Instead of lifting her head, Ruby gently laps at the marks on Jaune's neck before mapping the rest of it with her lips, half-drunk while she traces his veins and muscles with her plump lips and soft tongue, until her breathing finally evens out.*

Jaune: *silently tucks her in while trying to unwrap her from around his body*
Ruby: *even asleep, she's a limpet, until he finally gives up and takes her to JNPR's dorms*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ruby: "This one's too cold..."
Weiss: "Hey!"

Ruby: "This one's great, but it makes me feel like a million people are watching us and being pervy about it."
Yang: "Alright, who put the massage oil and the cowkini on my bed?!"

Ruby: "This one's just weird."
Blake: "Yes! Slake your thirsts upon me, o Mistress of the Night! Share your dark gifts with me so that I may deal with the White Fang!"

Ruby: "But this one's juuuuust right!"
Jaune: "Um, Ruby, why are you in my showeeeeeer-"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Beacon Academy, Lower Levels...



- - -



Blake sighed as she stood with Sun in one of the boiler rooms. It wasn't very romantic, true, but it would ensure they weren't overheard.



"Sun, listen," she began, but the monkey Faunus held her close and kissed her.



"Mmph...!"



She had been about to tell him to stop chasing her. That she was just no good for such a good guy like him.



Yet her hands were soon on his abs and her tongue was twisting with his as they passionately kissed.



The door opened to the boiler room and they jumped apart. Framed in the doorway was a scraggly, short but muscular man with a shock of black hair, a five o'clock shadow, white undershirt, and dirty blue overalls. He carried a bright green toolbox.



He snorted as he looked them over.



"Mind keepin' yer damn hormones in check for a few? I got work t' do!" The man barked-Quite literally, as it turned out, given his pointed dog Faunus ears stood up out of his hair.



"I... Who are you?" Blake managed. The man snorted as he walked over to the boiler and began making adjustments.



"Jock Two-Tone. I'm the building engineer."



"The janitor?" Blake gasped. "Headmaster Ozpin has a Faunus working as a-?!"



Jock held up his finger, which carried enough authority to shut Blake up. He hummed, then tapped the boiler with a wrench just so.



It sprang back to life with a happy gurgle and all the lights lit up. Satisfied, Jock nodded before turning back to Blake. He snorted.



"Ah. Menagerian, right? Upper class?"



"N-No!" Blake said instantly, "I'm just a human with a bow!"



Jock rolled his eyes.



"Cute Miss Belladonna, but you really shoulda tried changing yer name at some point," he stated. He shook his head again.



"Look here, Princess. I am the Building Engineer. I have a PhD in Engineering and I've been doin' this for twenty years. I am the only one who knows how to fix the boilers, the power, the water, and the fancy holographic robot fighting rings you lot all use without a thought for who cleans up the mess!"



He waved his wrench under her nose with a snort.



"So I suggest you get back t' snoggin' wit yer boyfriend and let ME live my life happily before trying to shove yer nose into my business like yer some kind of feline savior. Got it?"



"I-He's not my boyfriend-!" Blake sputtered. "And-And I'm not a Faunus!"



Jock looked over at Sun with a raised eyebrow.



"Sure this is the one you wanna go fer, Laddie? She seems a mite... Much."



"You're just prejudiced because dog Faunus are inherently against feline faunus!" Blake sputtered.



Jock again looked over at Sun. He shrugged and grinned.



"I can help her," he said, "I mean... We were making out so that's progress."



"Aye, best way to shut a lass up," Jock nodded in approval.



Blake went a brighter red.



"First, that's sexist-!"



"Don't care," Jock stated. Blake turned her glare on Sun.



"Second, y-you didn't ask for my consent!" Blake sputtered, bright red.



"You seemed pretty consenting," Sun pointed out with a little grin. Blake sputtered again.



Jock rolled his eyes.



"Anyway, however you two sort things out..." He walked to a corner, picked up a mop and bucket, and carried them over. He handed them to the teenagers.



"You clean it up. I got enough work in the bloody broom closets."



With that, Jock turned and headed out. Leaving a blushing Blake and Sun behind.



"I... That kind of ruined the mood," Blake mumbled. She shook her head rapidly. "N-Not that there was one-!"



Sun sighed and pulled her in for another kiss.



Jock was right, that did shut her up.



- - -



Ozpin sat with Pyrrha Nikos in his office. General Ironwood, Qrow Branwen, and Glynda Goodwitch were also in attendance. All hoping to encourage Pyrrha to become the next Maiden.



"So you see," Ozpin concluded to the anxious looking champion, "You are probably our best chance. You would be a great champion, able to do so much good in the world... But the cost would be that you might lose yourself. I humbly ask that you-"



The elevator doors opened. Jock Two-Tone strode in.



"Headmaster, we got a problem," he stated.



Ironwood, who did not know Jock, stared in disbelief. Glynda, who did know him, sighed and resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. Qrow, who also knew Jock, hid a smirk as Ozpin stared at the building engineer.



"Jock, we're kind of in the middle of something-"



"Aye aye, tryin' t' convince the lass to become the next Maiden," Jock rolled his eyes, "Fully aware. That's what I'm here about. The machine you've got Amber hooked up to is not up to code."



"I'm powering it via esoteric magical means-" Ozpin said, but Jock snorted.



"Yeah, and the bloody control system and grounding wires are standard equipment. I know this cause I helped you build the bloody thing! So, unless you want the poor lass dyin' before Miss Pyrrha here makes up her mind, we're gonna get it up to code. Now!"



"Surely Glynda could-"



"I can't," Glynda said quickly, "You did insist only you could set up the machine, Ozpin. I wouldn't know where to begin."



She was resisting the urge to be smug.



Ozpin held in a sigh. He nodded.



"If you'll excuse me, everyone," he said. He got up and followed Jock towards the elevator.



"Yo, Jock!" Qrow shouted, "We still on for drinks later at Cliff's?"



"Course! Maybe you'll finally pay this time!" Jock barked in laughter. "Join us, General! You look like you could use some proper scotch! You too, lass!"



"Um, I'm underaged?" Pyrrha managed.



"HA! With this lot, trust me, you'll want to start early!"



- - -



Cinder stood triumphant in Ozpin's office, cackling in glee.



"Yes, yes...! The power is all mine! ALL MINE!" She laughed.



The elevator opened. She turned, expecting Pyrrha Nikos to be there. She knew her type: A bleeding heart out to protect others! Well, she'd rip that heart right out of her-!



She blinked. That wasn't Pyrrha Nikos.



It was... It was...



"Who are you again?" Cinder asked. Jock rolled his eyes.



"Jock Two-Tone. Building Engineer-"



"Oh wait, I don't care, because you'll be dead," Cinder snickered. Jock shook his head, his eyes narrowed.



"Sure about that, lass?"



"What could a lowly janitor ever do to me?" She cackled.



Jock hummed.



"If I was just a janitor... That's true. But I'm not just a janitor..."



He pulled out his wrench, and tapped some pipes nearby. In a flash, a deluge of water dropped onto Cinder as the fire extinguisher systems unleashed an avalanche of foam onto her. Jock smirked.



"I'm an engineer, bitch."



- - -



Given the Wizard of Oz allusions, I thought it might be fun to add in a slightly different reference to Toto. I know Zwei is basically that, but since we have dog people (and since Toto was portrayed by a Cairn Terrier, a Scottish dog breed), why not make the Almighty Janitor of Beacon a dog Faunus?



And a Scottish Engineer because fuck yeah.



So, Jock Two-Tone is available as an OC now. Because a janitor/building engineer at Beacon who is a rough genius Scottish Terrier Faunus is very funny to me. Not sure why, just how I'm wired.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Work is pretty slow today (For once), so I've been doing some research and brainstorming for world building.

At this time, there are fifty countries in Europe and twenty-seven of them are part of the European Union. Thirty-two of these nations are NATO members. Judging how big the continent of Sanus is being so difficult, it's still quite large and so I propose that there are at least two-three dozen sub-kingdoms/nations that make up the Kingdom of Vale. It is likely there are just as many if not more smaller nations/kingdoms that make up Atlas, Vacuo, and Mistral.

I have made a few for my associated fan-canon (Which anyone can use if they wish):

-GALLIA: Centered in Northern Sanus, Gallia started as a province of the ancient Quitalan Empire (the equivalent of the Roman Empire) and was consolidated by successive emperors of that once great empire. With the fall of the Quitalan Empire, the various provinces slowly became nations in their own right, fighting and allying with each other-Often against invaders from Vacuo over the Albus Mountains, or from over the sea from Animus and Solitas. They warred a great deal with the island Kingdom of Albion, invading and being invaded in turn over the centuries. They were conquered over a thousand years ago by the Hellenic Empire from Mistral, and ruled over by the Witch Queen of Argus. However, Jeanne D'Arc, a farm girl from the tiny town of Radian, overthrew the Witch Queen and liberated her homeland. Her descendants became nobles, and eventually one, Charles Great Arc, united all the Gallian realms into Gallia itself with the help of his Paladins. This empire over time began to send out exploration and colony ships to other lands, and Gallian culture spread across Remnant. They warred with Albion, Arminus, the revived Quitalan Republic, and many other nations across Remnant. While often at odds with Albion and later the Vytalian Empire, they would ally against others-Being so close, their feud resembled that of sibling nations.

The Arc Dynasty however did not last. Decadence and complacency spelled the end of that royal house almost three centuries before the present day. Louis Arc IX was a monstrous dictator who sacrificed people to the Grimm. His son, Roland, was to be next in a bid to grant King Louis immortality. He escaped, and organized a rebellion to overthrow his father and liberate the country. The resulting war was devastating to Gallia, but Louis IX was overthrown. Due to this, the Arcs retreated to Radian, becoming Dukes, then lower nobles as their fortunes fell further until today their noble heritage is all but gone.

The Royal House of Valois, allies and vassals of the Arcs, took over and ruled for three centuries, slowly allying with the kingdom of Vale and becoming more democratic. By the Great War, the Gallian Empire was dissolving due to war debts. House Valois stepped down and Gallia reformed into a democratic republic, before formally joining with the larger kingdom of Vale. Its capital is Lutetia, a large walled metropolis on the North East Sanusian floodplain. Surrounded by the Red, Blue, and Green Forks of the Caeruleum river and marshes, it was difficult for most Grimm to attack in large numbers. Building in the soggy ground was difficult until modern irrigation and sewage was invented. Lutetia is often called the Rainbow City thanks to the peculiar evaporation patterns of water from the three rivers of Caeuleum, which produce luminous rainbows in the morning and evening.

-ALBION/VYTAL: An island nation north of Sanus, Albion was conquered by the Quitalan Empire and made a province, though at the outer extremes of their Empire it resisted occuption bitterly for most of this time. With the fall of Quitalan, Albion was free for a time until the Hellenic Empire crossed over from Mistral and conquered it. This too they resisted, and several Albion heroes joined with Jeanne D'Arc to overthrow the Witch Queen of Argus. Albion was united under one of Jeanne's companins, Lucius de Briton, who also introduced the Table Breaker religion to the island. However, this peace was not to last: Albion was invaded by the Northern Gallians and conquered a century later. Intermixing, the Albions still retained their national character and drove the invaders out a century later. The island was united under one rule by the legendary King Lucius de Briton, who also introduced the Table Breaker Religion to the island. He founded the Church of Albion and is regarded as a saint to this day. The island was renamed "Vytal" once all the land was united, including the northern kingdom of Caledonia and the smaller surrounding island kingdoms of Cambria, Hibernia, and Hyperborea.

Being an island nation, Vytal became a great naval power and created alliances and colonies around Vale. They also tried to conquer Gallia back, with varying success. Albion did not break out as a major power, not truly, until they defeated the Vacuoan Fleet at the Battle of the Dragon's Tail under Queen Eliza. The Vacuoan Empire had had great success at colonization, but was militarily inferior to the more seasoned naval expertise of the Albions. This led to the birth of the Vytalian Empire, which over the next five centuries would become the most powerful empire on Remnant's surface. It colonized Solitas, Menagerie, and several smaller landmasses across the globe. It along with other powers made smaller kingdoms on Animus and Solitas part of its empire, including the entirety of the Kingdom of Pandu. But not all went well with the empire.

Many colonies rebelled and were granted freedom after long and arduous fights. Gallia, Arminius, Mistral, and Mantle, among other nations, rivaled them across Remnant. They went through a number of civil wars: One was the infamous War of Love between the House of Capulet and the House of Montague, striving for dominance when the last king died with no heirs that threw the Empire into chaos. Added to this, Caledonia was fiercely independent, and revolted many times. The most successful was that of King MacBeth, who actually usurped the House of Banquo and ruled over the Empire for twenty years before both houses were destroyed in the conflict.

After this war, House Pendragon, which had been a quiet, scholarly noble house, managed to unite the Empire once more under King Arthur I, and ruled successfully for over two hundred years. The last Queen was Arturia Pendragon, who led the Empire against the Mistral/Mantle alliance in the Great War. Post-War, with the costs of the conflict clear, Queen Arturia dissolved the Empire, put a fully democratic government in place, and abdicated the throne to live with her husband, Shirou Arc, in Radian. In the wake of this, Albion fully joined with Vale as part of the larger Kingdom of Vale, and while no longer the most powerful nation on Remnant, it is still among the most influential.

It's capital city is Camelot, which went from a small castle to a great city over the centuries as it straddles the river Somerset. It is surrounded by limestone cliffs and gullies, which made it very defensible against the Grimm, as well as large forests that were cleared but also maintained over the centuries for lumber. Today it is a modern city and a center of global trade and culture.

- - -

So, that's two nations. Yes they're basically Fantasy France and England, but hey. Feel free to come up with your own!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

I should have done this sooner. But here we go: Team AARN (Amaranthe) aka Jaune's Parents and Godparents Team:

• Name: Isabel Arc
• Allusion: Mother of Joan D'Arc, Tsunade from Naruto, and Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy VII.
• Naming Process: Isabel means "Oath to God" and is a Medieval Occitan form of Elizabeth.
• Age: 40s
• Background: Born in the small town of Radian in the subordinate kingdom of Gallia, Vale, Isabel Arc was the oldest of five siblings when her parents died to a Grimm attack. She resolved to become a doctor and revitalize her town, and became a combat medic. Her team started out as a mess, but eventually they all became close friends. Fell in love with Nick but was too stubborn to admit it for a long time. Eventually admitted to her feelings, which Nick returned, and they married. After liberating Pandu with Arjun and Saia, they retired to Radian where Isabel became a doctor and revitalized the family castle Arc-En-Ciel into a hospital, where she serves as head doctor. Nick became the captain of Radian's militia, and they had eight children.
• Race: Human
• Emblem: Arc Family Crest
• Weapon: "Battement"- French for "Heartbeat". Two leather and steel-plated fighting gloves with Dust slots. Normally used with Healing Dust.
• Semblance: Total Body Control
  • Allows her to control all of her bodily functions, from her immune system to her brain activity, which allows her the ability to temporarily boost many of her attributes in a fight and regenerate from catastrophic injuries. Also lets her increase her strength to monstrous levels and some minor shape shifting capabilities.
• Appearance: Shapely athletic woman standing 5' 8" (though this is variable) with long blonde hair in a ponytail or bun, aquamarine eyes, pale skin.
• Outfit: Green dress, white labcoat, black square glasses, comfortable black shoes, black stockings. Green dress with black boots and black stockings or jeans and a T-shirt in casual mode.
• Personality: Stoic and professional outer demeanor. Friendly, talkative and charming with friends. Deeply loving towards her family. Often exasperated with her husband, sometimes hits him comically. When angry, is utterly terrifying. Sometimes overly controlling. Very loving to the right person. Often snarky and sarcastic under her breath. Is also a great teacher and loves learning new things, to the point she can sometimes come off as a mad scientist. Due to her Semblance can often come across as detached or cold.
• Notes: Solid leader and tactician who watches out for her team, as well as an accomplished martial artist. Exceptional doctor and healer.

• Name: Nicholas "Nick" Arc
• Allusion: Nicholas Nickleby from the same Charles Dickens novel, Son Goku from Dragonball Z, and Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII.
• Naming Process: Nicholas is a male name derived from Greek, meaning "victory of the people".
• Age: 40s
• Background: Born in Camelot, he was an orphan who grew up in an abusive orphanage. He escaped across the sea to mainland Vale, the country of Gallia. He lived on the streets of the capital Lutetia as a thief, before he was attacked and thrown into a river. He was saved on the outskirts of the city by a former Paladin-Monk of the Church of the Broken Table, Jaune St. George. This paladin raised Nick as his son and trained him in swordsmanship. Nick resolved to be as kind and heroic as his adoptive father, and to protect the innocent. Which led him to Beacon to become a Huntsman. He later married Isabel Arc, and took her family name as he had none of his own. After liberating Pandu with Arjun and Saia, they retired to Radian where Isabel became a doctor and revitalized the family castle Arc-En-Ciel into a hospital, where she serves as head doctor. Nick became the captain of Radian's militia, and they had eight children.
• Race: Human
• Emblem: Arc Family Crest
• Weapon: "Blont Joyeux" - French for 'Blonde Joy': A massive six-foot-long railgun sword he can wield with one hand. "Nog"-A longsword he's kept as a boy, his first blade, as a sidearm. He has many other swords he has collected over the years from many battles and gifts.
• Semblance: Unknown
  • Has never figured out what his Semblance is, and just says it's "Being Awesome".
• Appearance: 7' 5" tall blond, muscular man with short hair, a well-trimmed beard, and a shallow scar across his right cheek. Gray eyes.
• Outfit: White and black plate armor vest over a black shirt, black pants, armored white/black boots and gauntlets, long dark blue duster coat. Jeans and a button-up shirt in casual mode.
• Personality: Friendly, cheerful, and a bit scatter brained at times. Can be very insightful and wise, while also acting like a big kid. Deeply loves his wife and family, and loyal to a fault. Courageous and leads from the front, and despite his eccentricities, is a capable and charismatic commander. Loves hugs, a very physical man and takes great joy in life. Is usually very laid back. In battle, fearsome and terrifying. Defers to his wife in most things but always supports his children. Loves farming.
• Notes: Incredible swordsman with great cunning, experience, and training. Has well above average Aura, Stamina, Strength, and Endurance for a Huntsmen. Beware the Silly and Nice Ones: If a fight is life or death? He will end you.

• Name: Arjun Sarkara
• Allusion: Arjuna from the Mahabharata, Fate/Stay Night, Count of Monte Cristo, Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto.
• Naming Process: Arjun is an Indian male given name, which means lustrous, shiny white (as that of silver), color of the lightning; of the milk; of silver; made of silver. Sarkar is a surname among the people of the Indian subcontinent. It was an honorific title given to landlords/zamindars of East India, irrespective of their religious affiliation, under the Mughal Empire and even in Sher Shah's reign, as part of the erstwhile Persian nobility. Essentially means "lord" or "leader".
• Age: 40s
• Background: Born as the crown prince of Pandu, a small but powerful kingdom in Animus, Arjun was raised to one day take over the throne from his father Indra. He was raised with a foster brother, Karna, who was of the rival Kauravas family that had once ruled Pandu but was exiled for its crimes, including selling out Pandu to foreign empires and being Grimm cultists. The Kauravas wante their throne back, and Mistral's government wanted total control of Pandu. So they worked together in a coup, Karna betraying them. Only Arjun and his faithful maid, Saia Rhadri, escaped the massacre. They fled to Beacon to train and to one day retake the throne. They befriended Nick and Isabel while on the same team, and after many adventures they overthrew the Kauravas and freed Pandu. Arjun became King, and Saia his Queen.
• Race: Human
• Emblem: Sarkar Divine Bow and Arrow
• Weapon: "Gandiva" - A silver compound bow passed down and upgraded continually through the generations of the Sarkara House, it is linked to Aura of the Sakaran family members and will only shoot for them. It is made of the wood of the Arjuna tree, which channels Aura especially well for organic materials. "Kaumodaki"-A mechashift mace/grappling hook attached to wire rope, which can be used in close combat or to move about to high places. "Pritha"-A simple kukri sword, used as a sidearm. Dust Arrows.
• Semblance: "Aura Sight"
  • The ancestral Semblance of the Sarkara family, Arjun Is able to see Aura, thus is able to see through walls. He has been trained to interpret various changes in Aura, allowing him to discern a person's Aura condition, physical condition, and even their Semblance and emotional state, among other things thanks to his great insight. Grimm appear as darker shadows.
• Appearance: 6' 2" handsome swarthy man with blue eyes and black hair with a light beard. Has some white at his temples.
• Outfit: Dark blue/purple cloak with hood, white pants, black shirt, blue and gold vest, leather belt, quiver, black balaclava, blue turban, black boots. Stylish blue/gold coat jacket over white pants in casual mode.
• Personality: Calm, stoic, and at times very quiet. Can be very grave and serious. Extremely dedicated to his people and his loved ones. Around Nick, can be very snarky and often childish, as they behave like brothers. Is a wise and able ruler, who still has some anger issues over the loss of his family and kingdom. Is a happy father and husband, who is occasionally henpecked by his wife (though he loves her dearly). Can be very pedantic and stubborn, especially when it comes to bows and arrows.
• Notes: If he can see you? He can hit you. Is also incredibly stealthy and skilled at infiltration. Also a master tactician, as he was Isabel's second when it came to matters of politics or negotiation. Exceptional martial artist and very creative when it comes to Dust alongside his wife.

• Name: Saia Rhadri (later Sarkara)
• Allusion: Draupadi (Also known as Sairandhri) and Subhadra from the Mahabharata, Inoue Orihime from Bleach/Hinata Hyuuga from Naruto, Fern from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
• Naming Process: Sairandhri is an identity princess Draupadi took on in the Mahabharata and means roughly "Companion/servant of a princes".
• Age: 40s
• Background: Born to servants in the royal palace of Pandu, a small but powerful kingdom in Animus, Saia was raised to become a maid/bodyguard to the family of Sarkara. She was raised alongside Arjun and his foster brother, Karna, who was of the rival Kauravas family that had once ruled Pandu but was exiled for its crimes, including selling out Pandu to foreign empires and being Grimm cultists. Saia however was very much a servant and Arjun never let her forget that. The Kauravas wanted their throne back, and Mistral's government wanted total control of Pandu. So they worked together in a coup, Karna betraying them. Only Arjun and Saia escaped the massacre. They fled to Beacon to train and to one day retake the throne. They befriended Nick and Isabel while on the same team, and had many adventures. Over the course of this, Arjun and Saia fell in love. Their team eventually overthrew the Kauravas and freed Pandu. Arjun became King, and Saia his Queen.
• Race: Human
• Emblem: Eight Fold Lotus
• Weapon: "Kaladanda"-A Dust Enhanced Projection Staff that works with Saia's Semblance and Aura. Using various Dust slots, she can project fire, wind, lightning, ice, and other effects with her staff. "Yajna"-A Fire Dust enhanced Dagger for close up defense.
• Semblance: "Eight Fold Path"
  • Saia is able to project up to eight orbs of Aura that can each be imbued with various kinds of Dust. While their range is only about thirty feet away from her, she can combine them to produce various effects. She can use Gravity Dust on them to fly, she can create a cloud of Steam with Ice and Fire Dust, etc. She can also combine several kinds of Dust with all Five Orbs into her staff and unleash her most powerful attack: Astra, a powerful beam of destruction. Though most just call it her "Death Ray".
• Appearance: 5" 6' beautiful dark-skinned curvy woman with red eyes and dark red hair.
• Outfit: White and red robes over a long white dress, leather belt filled with Dust and other useful things, hood, red jewel on her forehead, white gloves and red boots. Red and white sari in casual mode.
• Personality: Very kind and very friendly, soft spoken but steely eyed and determined. Very polite and understanding, though also quite clever. Deeply cares for her family and her kingdom, and was a source of endless optimism and encouragement to Arjun. Often the mediator of the team. Dearly loves her husband but is sometimes annoyed with him. Can be very scary even while smiling. Good cook and cleaner. Is a wise queen and helps Arjun run Pandu. Has two children: A daughter, Maia (May Zedong), and a son, Abhimanyu.
• Notes: Her melee combat power is very low as is her defensive Aura. While she is devastating at range, like any Caster her physical endurance and defense is terrible. In battle she stayed near the center of the team for protection as a few good physical blows would take her out. Nevertheless, her combat power is great and she is known as "The Sorceress Queen" by many.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby gets asked out a lot but is ignorant at first that she's so popluar mostly as they ask when she's concentrating on someting else. Once she does know... oh boy.

Click to shrink...

Sky Lark: "Hey Ruby. Um... I'm sorry I was a jerk back on the first day of school. But there's this cool indie game coming out and I was wondering if you'd like to go to the launch party at the game store?"

Ruby: "Hmmmm... Well... You said you're sorry. So, sure!"

Sky Lark: "C-Cool! Um, and uh... We could just go get ice cream or-or something too? I-I'll pay?"

Ruby: "Oh wow! SURE! That sounds great!"

Later...

Yang: "Hey, where are you going Ruby?"

Ruby: "I'm going to get a new game with Sky Lark in Vale!"

Yang: "... Oh? Are you? Like... A date?"

Ruby: "What? No, it's not a date! He just wants to go out with me for a video game and ice cream!"

Yang: "Ohhh? Are you sure it's not a date?"

Ruby: "Totally not a date! I mean, come on... It's absolutely not a date!"

There is a knock at the door. Ruby opens it. Sky stands there with a flower and a smile.

Sky: "H-Hey Ruby... Ready to go?"

Ruby: "Sure! What's with the flower?"

Sky: "Uhhh... Ummmm... Do you... Not like flowers?"

Ruby: "N-No! Flowers are great!"

Sky: "C-Cool! Um... If you like it, take it."

Ruby: "Sweet!"

Yang: "Ohhhhh~?"

Ruby: "Sh-Shut up! It's not a date!"

Yang: "Good! Just a nice, friendly outing..." Eyes blaze red. "Right, Sky?"

Sky: "R-RIGHT!"

 

[Abramus5250]

A bit late to the original train of thought, but I wrote this over the weekend and hopes it fits in well enough with what others wrote.

Why Jaune doesn't use a glaive

Being a nurse was never an easy task, especially where training Hunters and Huntresses were involved. Accidents, fights in and out of the duel arena, illness, classroom mishaps (usually with Dust) and even the occasional teenage pregnancy; Nurse Tsune had seen them all in her time at Beacon, and would only see the end of them once she retired decades from now. As it was, she was still young, around her colleague Glynda's age, but unlike that disciplinarian, Tsune liked to have fun once in a while. Nothing mindless or illegal, mind you, she had standards to uphold and she'd never risk her career at Beacon over something frivolous like a barroom brawl. However, that weakness of hers was that, while thankfully yet to get her in trouble with anyone but Glynda, she was a massive flirt and tease.

Yes, as a gorgeous fox Faunus, she had that cunningly playful side to her, and had manifested through her life as a teasing, flirtatious vixen. Of course she had never acted upon these, but seeing young men and women under her care blush in embarrassment at her words or observations, harmlessly at that, was her bread and butter. She'd pushed more couples together than any other teacher, simply by realizing the feelings the pair had felt for one another but had not acted upon. That, and kindly shooting down the many, many single young men that had taken her flirting for something more, but in a way that would not bruise their young egos or leave the chance for whispers of impropriety. None of her fellow staff struck her fancy either, so at least she did not have to look forward to even more awkward staffroom meetings should she start a relationship with a colleague, only for it to fizzle out and end.

Besides, none of the young men she'd thus met or colleagues she knew had been her type. While plenty had the bravado and looks, none had had that… inner fire, that tempest within that drove them into a controlled fury. She liked a kind gentleman with an inner demon, one they managed to control through great will and effort, a savage monster just waiting to break free, almost like Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jyde. Her favorite sections of the library, after all, were between the bodice rippers that Glynda thought nobody knew she read, and the barely-hidden smut that was Blake's purview. Nurse Tsune was no prude, and while she knew perfectly well that Miss Belladonna read much of the same literature as herself, she did think her not-so-hidden fellow Faunus could stand to read some things with a bit more variety, rather than the same series over and over again.

That being said, watching the young man before her squirm as they waited for Goodwitch and Ozpin to arrive in the training arena was pure delight. Jaune Arc, by all accounts, had either a rather strange Semblance or some other 'ability' that allowed him immediate mastery over whatever already Aura-infused weapon he got a hold of. It did, however, lead to some very interesting manifestations of his inner psyche, and while Tsune had some training in psychology (all the better to flirt with, my dear), she was not experienced enough to definitively state whether or not the young Arc had actual split personalities. By all accounts, his Aura and Semblance were manifesting the traits of his subconscious that would allow for him to become a highly proficient user of whatever new weapon he had on hand. A brawler would be no good as a fencer, or a sniper would not fare well with a shotgun axe. These just so happened to coincide with the mannerisms and attitudes of those whose Auras he channeled through the weapons, as did the skills of their original wielders.

Even so, she couldn't help but try and have her fun while they waited.

"So tell me, Jaune," she said, maintaining a professional demeanor as she usually did with the students. "This all started with one of your friends giving you a gun whilst fighting Grimm?"

"Yes, Nurse Tsune," Jaune replied.

"Please Jaune, we're not in class for field medicine and triage, you may call me Kaede."

"Um, okay… Kaede. Yeah, one of my friends tossed me a gun, even though I'd told her before that us Arcs get a bit… funny when we have firearms."

"I recall reading Ms. Schnee's report on the matter, but thought it best to hear from you as well," she replied, leaning forward. The neckline of her nurse uniform was high, much as Glynda's was, but her... assets allowed for it to be a bit more stretched downward than normal. Not that the young man seemed to notice. He was much too nervous for this sort of test. She might have to pop a top button when he wasn't looking, or toss her braided hair over her shoulder.

Just then, the door to the training area chimed, and the pair turned to see Miss Goodwitch enter… without the headmaster. The aggrieved look that Glynda wordlessly sent Kaede's way said it all.

"I am afraid the headmaster has been unavoidably delayed in attending this test, Mr. Arc, concerning a call from the Valean Council, among others," her coworker said, all business even as she made a concerted effort to unfurl her free hand from a fist. Of course he'd sent her to oversee it instead of attending as well; her and Kaede had commiserated many times about the state of Beacon's staff and leadership, ranging from their teaching styles, to their professionalism, to even their looks after a few too many drinks one night. "In the meantime, we shall be testing your unique abilities granted to you by your Semblance. Nurse Kaede, if you would?"

With a nod, Kaede Tsune moved to a nearby locker, from which she retrieved her primary weapon. She'd never been one out in the field for ranged combat, or at least the type of ranged that involved bullets or other projectiles. Instead, she had trained and used a special glaive, whose blade had been specially forged to mimic a three-sided bayonet. Only, thanks to the infusion of Dust within its workings, and the small power generators within the long handle, her glaive blades would vibrate when active, effectively becoming a unidirectional cutting edge no matter which way she swung the blades. Yes, blades as in plural. It had taken a great deal of time back in her native homeland under the strictest teachers, among them some old monks, but her training allowed her to wield a glaive that had such blades on both ends, so that she may never be truly vulnerable from an attack opposite her blade. Besides, all that time training had helped her learn very quickly how to aid in healing wounds, as her training scars had long since faded, but not from her memory.

As her colleague lined up the training bots, she walked back to the young Arc, who had decided to not wear his armor today. Instead, for some reason, he had a set of long black robes on over his clothes, the latter of which matched the robes as well. "Laundry day, and since the tests kept getting moved around, I wasn't ready when the headmaster called for me," he asked when he noticed her looking over his outfit. "I had to borrow some things from my friends."

"The long cloak?"

"Was originally one of Ren's travelling cloaks but it got left in the wash too many times and kinda stretched out too much for him. I might have to go into town to get myself some more clothes so this doesn't happen again."

"I see," Kaede Tsune replied. "I think the look suits you for this test, Jaune. Your cloak and underclothes seem less restrictive, and glaives require far more dexterity than swords tend to due to their length."

He rubbed his head sheepishly, a light blush gracing his cheeks. "T-Thanks, Nurse Ts-, er, I mean, Kaede."

Setting her special glaive on the platform, she backed up to stand beside Glynda, who gave her a knowing look as the training bots finished their startups. So what if she'd dropped the proper names in an attempt to ease his nervousness? If what his Semblance did for him was true, then these training bots would be of no issue, and the glaive wouldn't harm him. He had massive Aura reserves anyway, even if he did manage to hurt himself, she was there to ensure nothing life threatening would occur before his Aura dipped too low.

The young man walked up to the platform and looked back to them, to which Kaede gave an encouraging nod. Jaune picked up the double glaive and stopped for a moment, eyes closing as he breathed deeply. When he exhaled, and opened his eyes, a sharp change came over him. His features twisted into a wrathful glare that yet retained a modicum of control, like the uncontrolled fire of a flamethrower condensed into the powerful inferno of a laser cutting torch.

"What do we call this one?" Kaede asked her colleague.

"Jean," a voice said, no, growled, throaty and filled with restrained power. Mr. Arc had spoken, yet the tremble that went up her spine mirrored the soft music that seemed to whisper from the speakers. Music she could not place, music that seemed to mirror his transformation and was only growing stronger, conveying the unleashing of power and wrath. Did his Semblance allow for such a change in the environment, as well as himself?

Spoiler: 'Jean's' Theme

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT7-JdKhzcU

"You may begin, Mr. Arc," Glynda said, either unable to hear the music's powerful rhythm or simply ignoring it.

With a roar more powerful than a herd of charging Beowolves, 'Jean' practically flew through the air towards his targets, feet barely touching the ground as he met his opponents in battle.

His blows: powerful.

His presence: overwhelming.

His form: impeccable.

Kaede Tsune watched in awe as the mild mannered and well-meaning young Arc was transformed from a mild spring breeze into a howling blizzard, never standing still as he weaved in and out of the training bots, who despite their level of difficulty were unable to land a hit on him. Her glaive's blades, meant for the masters of the form, swung and stabbed to and fro without rest, without indecision, without a single instance of doubt, mistake or regret. Every blow had a purpose, every feint a future action in mind, every parry and thrust meant to bring the wielder closer and closer to one goal and one goal alone.

Victory.

Snarling with every other strike, the young man blew through the cohort of bots like a whirlwind of death. Without a misstep in his stride, where the blades did not meet, kicks struck bots hard enough to send them flying or crumple in one themselves. He was unstoppable, unleashed upon unsuspecting foes calibrated for much stronger foes than the young man would normally face. Were it not for Glynda's wide-eyed stare beside her, Kaede might have assumed she was alone and merely hallucinating the events before her.

Yet despite the number of training bots allotted for the test, it was over in a seemingly matter of moments. The last of the training bots fell before him, and after a few moments of deep, slow breathing to regain his composure, the young man turned back to them. His stride was not a stride at all, but a stalk, filled with purpose and promise, that of a beast that had achieved victory over its foes, and was deigning to celebrate it. In moments, the deadly figure that 'Jean' Arc had become stood before her, hard eyes gazing into her soul as she felt her entire body shudder and shiver. She could smell the power, the desire, the icy rage rolling off of him like smoke. Could… could he smell her excitement as well? Was he going to… right here, in front of Goodwitch? Was he going to have her join…?

"Mr. Arc, you may return Nurse Tsune's weapon to her, the test has concluded for now," her colleague stated, breaking her out of her heady haze. "We shall reconvene at a later date with other weapons to test."

Eyes still locked into hers, with a half-formed snarl mixing with a toothy grin on his suddenly chiseled face, the young man offered Tsune her blade. Gingerly, unsure if he would release it, she grasped it near his hand, only for him to let go once she had a hold of it. Almost immediately the hungry beast before her, seemingly intent on devouring her in celebration for his victory, faded away and returned to the kind, somewhat awkward Jaune Arc from before.

"Wow," he said, puffing out his chest as he stretched his back. "That was… something. I never thought I could do something like that. I mean, I knew Pyrrha's training was paying off, but I didn't think I could move around like a whirlwind."

"Indeed, Mr. Arc," Glynda said. "You may return to your dorm for the time being, as Nurse Tsune and I will have footage to recover from the training bots and surrounding cameras. I will contact you when we've retrieved it, as I am certain your friends will also want to witness it for themselves. If this is indeed your Semblance, I must say it is quite… extraordinary."

"Oh, okay Miss Goodwitch," Jaune said with a smile, before turning back to the still nurse. "Bye, K-Kaede, I'll see you in Monday's class."

"I… I will see you then, J-Jaune," she replied, unable to tear her eyes from him as he walked off. Not even Glynda's annoyed huff at her staring could stir her from the sudden fantasies springing to mind, of what might have happened had Glynda not been there, had it just been the two of them…

She wasn't one to set goals often without an immediate plan to accomplish them, but this was one she could not deny had propelled itself to the top of her list of priorities.

Hopefully after graduation, that man was going to give her litters of little blonde half-Faunus.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

While Jaune is the youngest in the canon and my fanon... He's still a brother and still has those protective instincts. And I love reading about him going full protective sibling.

So...

Jaune sees a few Hunters-in-training snickering in a corner on the quad.

Jaune: "Hm...?"

One looks up and grins.

Venison: "Hey Jaune!"

Jaune: "Ven... What's up?"

Jaune doesn't know them very well but Ven does join Jaune and Ruby for game sessions at times. Jaune walks up to them. Ven smirks proudly and holds up his Scroll.

Ven: "Check it out... I asked Ruby if she'd do some poses for me, and she agreed!"

Jaune sees the images of Ruby... Posing provocatively. With many upskirt shots.

Jaune's smile becomes rigid.

Ven: "Hey! I'm gonna sell these off. If you want, you can get in on this. You can convince her to wear risque stuff, right? Like maybe a goth maid outfit, or... Or..."

Jaune has not stopped smiling... But his Aura has exploded into a bonfire and his eyes are now glowing yellow. The ground cracks underneath his fury as the other boys flee like rats from a sinking ship. Venison watches them go, and then looks back at the enraged Jaune.

Jaune: "VENISON."

Venison: "Meep...!"

Some time later, there is a knock at Team RWBY's dormroom. Ruby opens it with a smile... Then gasps.

Ruby: "Ven? Jaune?!"

Jaune is still smiling in a terrifying way as he holds up a beaten and bruised Venison.

Jaune: "Ven has something to say."

Venison: "I... I'm really sorry I took photos of you without permission! P-Please forgive me!"

Yang: "Photos? What kind of photos?" Eyes glow red

Jaune: "The exact kind you're thinking of."

Venison: "Eep! Please, Jaune, save me! You-You can beat me up more-!"

Jaune: "No. Everyone gets their turn."

Yang: grins "Thanks VB." cracks her knuckles and grabs Venison, dragging him off

Venison: "EEEEEEP!"

Ruby: "Oh... Geez... He... He was...?"

Jaune: "A creep, Ruby."

Ruby: "... Oh God, I... I feel so stupid-!"

She sniffles and shudders.

Jaune: "I'm sorry Ruby. But it's not your fault, okay? It's all him."

He hugs her, She hugs him back.

Ruby: "... Y-Yang's not gonna kill him, right?"

Jaune: "Probably not."

Weiss: "Shame."

Blake: "Indeed."

 

[Grrrrrrr]

Baby Blues Comic incorrect posts again. November 28th to December 1st 2011

Tanya is identified as a danger at an early age.

On national geographic or the equivalent.

Nick sits watching TV with baby Tanya sitting next to him sucking her thumb holding a stuffed bear.

Tv narrator: The water Buffalo moves to quench its thirst at the water's edge… when suddenly a Sobek (Grimm alligator) explodes from the water crushing it with it's mighty jaws.

Nick flinches remembering his encounter with a Sobek. Damn thing near snapped HIM in half like that poor water buffalo.

It was only thanks to Isabel that he could still feel his lower bod… oh god TANGY!

He looks to Tangerine worried how she'd react, this gruesome must be too much for a delicate thing like her.

Tanya…. : D *clap clap clap clap*! *giggles happily*

Nick:… (oh boy.)… um… Isabel!

Isabel: I'm working Nick, you'll need to come to me!

Nick looks to Tangerine happily enjoying seeing a wild Lion tear into another Grimm.

---

Nick: so did you know that our sweet little Tangerine has a taste for blood?

Isabel:….. Explain.

Nick: we were watching a nature documentary and a Sobek just tore a Water buffalo in half…. Her reaction was to give it a round of applause it and laugh.

Isabel: Oh. She must take after her grandfather. My, Grandfather. Come to think of it, I think Alexander (Note: Hellsing priest expy who is Isabel's brother ) showed the same signs as a child, and he turned out alright.

---

Meanwhile back with Tangerine Happily watching along her new favorite show.

Coral: Hiya Tangy! Whatcha watching?

TV Narrator: - and with one bite, the Mighty shark snaps the penguin in half!

Coral: IIIIYAAAAAAAAHHH!!

Tangy: *Giggles with a : D face*

*Coral looks to Tangy in horror.*

Coral: VERDY!

---

*5 minutes later*

Coral: I'm telling you! Tangy laughed at seeing a Shark tear apart a penguin!

Verdy: Coral, you're over reacting. Tangy's only a baby, they laugh at everything.. It was just a coinci-

Verdy's reassurances are cut off by a loud tearing sound.

The twins turned to the source of the noise. Their eyes widened in horror at what they saw. Tangy had just torn out the neck of her stuffed bear with her teeth. Smiling happily with the piece of cloth and stuffing in her mouth sitting over her gouged stuffed animal.

Verdy:… O.O….Then again…

Coral: I'm sleeping with Big sis Saphron from now on.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Somewhat on this same topic:



-Yang getting blackmailed by her parole officer was a possibility, though I wonder if Ozpin wouldn't have intervened? Then again most of his focus was on Ruby so Yang may have slipped through the cracks. Meaning Jaune and her other friends could intervene when the guy tries to escalate things. Yang would have told them to stay out of it, even gotten angry... But Jaune and her friends wouldn't let it go.



Well, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren couldn't let it go. Blake has her disappearing act and Weiss has her issues. Ruby would trust her big sister... But she'd ask Jaune to check in on it so she wouldn't break her promise not to intervene.



And so...



Probation Officer: "I'll make things very easy for you. I'll even help you locate your mother. Hell, I've been looking after you since I turned my head when your dad was depressed and useless."



Yang: flinch



Probation Officer: "So all I'm asking is that you give me what you owe me... You don't have money, after all. Why not use what God gave you and settle your debt?"



Yang: hiss "I'd break every bone in your body..."



Probation Officer: "Yes, but you won't. That's the best part-"



Jaune smashes through the door and grabs the PO by his throat, slamming him against the wall.



PO: "HURK!"



Yang: "JAUNE! Don't! I-I told you I could handle it-!"



Jaune: "Yell at me later then. I'm not letting this scumbag touch you."



PO: "HURK! What... This... Your boyfriend...?"



Yang: "Jaune, please! I-I can-!"



Jaune: "He wasn't going to stop with once, Yang. You know it."



PO: "W-What's it matter to you?! I did EVERYTHING to keep her little family together! She owes me! She knows it! So just beat it, White Knight! She knows exactly what she is and what she has to do-!"



Jaune: "No. No, I know who and what she is. And soon? Everyone's gonna know who and what you are."



PO: "Excuse you?!"



Ren drops down from the ceiling, his Scroll on record. Nora and Pyrrha enter, with a worried Ruby behind them.



PO: "W-Wait! Wait, you can't do this to me! N-Nobody's gonna believe-!"



Pyrrha: "Nobody's going to believe their lying eyes? And if necessary, we'll all testify in court, sir." eyes narrow "I will stake my entire reputation on this."



Yang: gapes in shock



PO: "Th-Then maybe we could make a deal-?"



Jaune: "Post it, Ren."



Ren: "Done."



PO: "Wha-NO! Why-Why would you-?!"



Jaune: "She's our friend. I need another reason?!"



Ruby hugs Yang, sniffling.



Ruby: "I'm sorry Yang... But... But I just... I had to do something!"



Yang, in shock, hugs Ruby.



The police get involved, as does Headmaster Ozpin. Taiyang comes to Vale to ask some pointed questions. Everyone talks to the cops, before they finally get back to Beacon. Yang has a long talk with Taiyang and Ruby, before she goes out and looks for Jaune.



He's sitting on the roof, stargazing again.



Jaune: "... Hey."



Yang: "Hey."



Awkward silence falls. Yang sighs.



Yang: "I... Um... Do I... I don't really know what to say... Or do."



Jaune: "I'm sorry. I know you wanted to handle this on your own but-"



Yang: "No... No..." sighs "I was... I was being stupid. I was so used to solving these problems on my own that... That I couldn't accept help. And if you guys hadn't? I..."



She shudders.



Yang: "... How did you know?"



Jaune: "I didn't... But a provincial inspector tried something similar with one of my sisters a few years back. Tried to pressure her, manipulate her, make her think she was all alone. That if she told anyone, bad things would happen. He..." Eyes narrow "Your PO... He looked the same. Felt the same. If he was just a hardass, then... No harm done. But... Yeah."



Yang: "What happened to that guy?"



Jaune: "When we found out? He got two options: Leave and resign from his job, confess everything... Or we feed him to the Grimm. He took the first one."



Yang: "Jeez... I... I don't deserve-"



Jaune: "You do, Yang. Nobody deserves to go through that. Nobody."



Yang sits next to him and they stare up at the stars.



Yang: "... Thank you, Jaune."



Jaune: smiles "I didn't do much. I know I'm... I'm pretty useless most of the time but-"



Yang: "But nothing. Every other man in my life just... Disappointed me, ya know? My dad fell apart. My uncle barely gets involved. This guy... He did help us but he was just-just trying to groom me." shudders... Leans against Jaune "Thanks for not... Not following the trend."



Jaune: "You're welcome."



They look up at the stars in silence.



- - -



Buuuut, I don't know if it would work as a full story. What do you think?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WebAnimation/SLVR

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCk8oSJJ7MKRDRjkd4nDFA

In order from left to right: Simin Megister, Lycan Arcadia, Vella Moisia, and Ragora Cinarum.

In the White Knight Errant universe, they're teacher-aides and essentially junior professors (or teaching assistants) at Beacon. They are all fourth-year students, seniors, in their final year at Beacon who work as teachers to graduate. They will probably do this teaching assistant job part-time even after graduation. They are highly regarded as the finest team of young hunters in Vale.

They are not in on Ozpin's Group or Salem, but do some missions for Ozpin in service of countering Salem.

They are very close to Glynda Goodwitch, who is pushing them as a replacement, in a sense, of Summer, Taiyang, Qrow and Raven's team, STRQ ("Stark").

I feel that using them as upper classmen in RWBY stories could add a lot. They're much stronger than our protagonists and more experienced, and thus can act as mentors, yardsticks, and sources of insight into the world and how becoming a Hunter works. At the same time they are still students with all that implies.

So, what would you do with Team SLVR?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

"Haa... Haa... Haa..."



Aura didn't just allow for improved defense or special powers. It also did the mundane tasks of increasing your stamina and improving your overall physicality. That's why, even after being in a hospital bed for two weeks straight, Yang was able to hike up Mount Avion without too much effort.



Still, she did need a few more breaks than average. Everyone slowed down dutifully on the hike. It irked Yang a little, so she tried to distract herself with the (quite honestly) breathtaking scenery.



Patch didn't really have mountains. Well it had one, Freemere Tip, but it was a hill in a sandbox compared to the giant that was Mount Avion. It towered up high overhead, a snowy peak on its bare granite top, silent and clothed in green forests that ran in short runs down into the valley. Smaller mountain peaks ranged away from it, forming the North Sanus leg of the great Albus Mountain Range that stretched from Northern Gallia, all the way down to the south coasts of Juzan Kingdom.



Its jagged ridges formed natural defensive barriers and numerous smaller plateaus dotted the valley in every direction, and on almost all of them, smaller towns had been built. The perfect place to resist the Grimm.



She turned away from the valley view... Already sick of it. She glowered a bit up at the head of their little column. Jaune was looking back from the lip of a ridge. He waved.



"We're here! Just a little more!"



"Finally," Neptune grumbled, "It's so freaking dry up here...!"



"It won't be for long!" Jaune shouted back. He vanished over the top. Cardin and Velvet, even now sticking close together, went over next. Nora fairly skipped over the top, giggling loudly, as Ren followed in silence. Arslan went up, May trailing behind. Neptune looked over at Ruby and Yang and sighed.



"Well, let's see if it's worth the trouble, huh?" He asked with a shrug. He turned and clambered up. Ruby turned to Yang and smiled.



"Um, do you need help with-?"



"I'm fine, Ruby," Yang gritted out. Ruby stared at her, and Yang shook her head with a soft sigh.



"It's fine... I'm fine. Let's go."



"S-Sure," Ruby agreed. They went up, climbing over the rocky escarpment. They stood up. Yang's eyes widened. She heard Ruby gasp.



A waterfall fell from further up Avion, filling a small mountain lake. Further up and to the left of the waterfall stood a dull gray watchtower Jaune had called "Roland's Watch". She could spot sunlight reflecting off the windows, the same sunlight that formed a rainbow in the spray of the waterfall.



At the edge of the lake stood the ruins of some older building, done in the same architectural style as Arc-En-Ciel down below: A fort or something? It was dull bluish green like rusted bronze.



Everywhere else though was a riot of color, as the entire meadow was filled with wildflowers of every description.



"W-Wow," May breathed, looking over the gorgeous scenery with wide eyes. Arslan murmured a prayer of thanks, while Neptune gaped. Nora was already flitting about the flowers like an eager honeybee, while Ren had a small smile on his own face. Cardin and Velvet held hands, and looked upon nature's splendor in soft wonder.



"It's amazing," Ruby whispered.



About the only person who wasn't taken in by the raw natural beauty on display (aside from her) was Jaune. He nodded gruffly.



"Yeah, it's gorgeous. You can take photos later. We've got a job to do."



He held out some sheets of paper, and each of them took a copy. They all had pictures and names of the various herbs and plants, along with some short blurbs of information.



"I used to do this every summer for school," Jaune said with a shrug, "I think these info sheets are from the school, too."



"Do we have to start right now?" Nora asked, "It was a super long hike!"



Jaune opened his mouth... Closed it, and sighed. He gestured to the packs they'd been issued.



"All right. Let's eat lunch first, then we'll start gathering them," he ordered, as Nora cheered, "There are picnic tables over there by the ruins."



"What are the ruins, Jaune?" Arslan asked curiously. Jaune shrugged.



"That used to be the old watchtower, Colline Ventus in Old Vale," he reported dutifully, as though he was already done playing tour guide, "or 'Weathered Hill'."



"Looks neat! Does it have buried treasure?" Nora asked eagerly.



"If it does, nobody's found it yet," Jaune deadpanned.



They marched through the meadow, bees buzzing, birds singing, and some little rat things chirping noisily at each other from their holes. A few deer grazed near the lake, though scattered when they approached. Ruby and May both made 'aw' sounds at this.



They reached the picnic area: Several wooden and stone tables gathered under what shelter was available from the old watchtower. They sat down at various tables, and opened their packs.



"Man, Lilac Arc is the best," Neptune grinned, pulling out several mouth watering sandwiches, "She even got the mayo right!"



"The absolute best," Velvet confirmed, digging into her food with gusto. She looked up at Cardin, and playfully took hold of some of the fruit packed in his lunch. "Say aw, Cardin!"



"I..." Cardin flushed at the pleading look in her eyes, and sighed, "Sure." He ate the fruit, and smiled warmly at Velvet. She smiled just as happily back.



Neptune scowled at them, having taken a seat with Yang, May, Neptune, Ruby, Nora, and Ren.



"They're just so disgusting," he muttered.



"They're allowed to be," Arslan stated calmly, praying before she dug into her roast beef sandwich, "Love is a wonderful gift of the divine."



"Well, well," Neptune said with a grin and wink at Arslan, "If you want some gifts, maybe I could-OW!"



Arslan calmly flicked Neptune's ear. He grumbled.



"What's the fun of living if we can't have fun living?" He sighed. He beamed over at May, who was quietly eating a gyro, "Hey May! You wanna try? I've got lots of love to give!"



"I um... Uh..." May flustered, and focused on her food as her cheeks burned red. Neptune felt everyone's glares on him, and he coughed.



"I-I mean... Just a joke! Honest!" Neptune insisted. He sighed and slumped a bit, eating his tuna sandwich, "Geez... Just trying to lighten the mood."



Unexpectedly, Nora reached out and patted his palm.



"I appreciate it," she said, "It's hard being the only one doing it, huh?" She winked. "Thanks for the backup!"



Neptune coughed and then looked aside, his own cheeks red.



"Er... You're welcome," he mumbled. He scanned around. "Hey. Where's Fearless Leader?"



Ruby frowned, also looking about.



"He shouldn't wander off," she muttered. She looked at May. "May?"



The sniper flushed, but looked up. Her eyes glowed briefly.



"He's deeper in the ruins," she reported, "Um, he looks okay."



"He shouldn't wander off," Velvet said worriedly.



Ruby nearly jumped off the bench, but Yang grabbed her arm and pulled her down.



"I'll go get him," Yang said quietly, "I'll be back."



"But-But Yang-"



"Eat, it was a long hike," Yang said, polishing off her own sandwich in a few bites. She got up and headed off.



She felt Ren and Nora's eyes on her, but... She didn't care.



- - -



Deeper in the ruins, the Watchtower opened up onto a large porch that overlooked the lake and waterfall. A few ducks splashed around near the alpine shore, quacking up a storm. Tall archways framed the lake, and let Yang out onto the old stone floor.



She spotted Jaune easily: He was sitting on one of many stone blocks littering the area, calmly eating his food while holding his sword in the other.



"Hey," she called out. Jaune turned his head back to face her. He gulped down a bite.



"Hey," he said.



"Thought we were all eating together," she said, trying not to sound accusatory but failing. Jaune shrugged and looked back at the waterfall.



"Someone's gotta keep watch," he stated, "Grimm sometimes sneak in through the mountains. Not often but..."



He gave a half hearted shrug. Yang frowned and fidgeted.



She'd wanted to do something but... All of a sudden her sails were out of wind.



Only the sound of the falls and the wildlife filled the air.



Jaune finally sighed, and turned back to her. He stood up and walked closer, stopping a few feet away.



"I'm sorry about last night," he apologized, "That's... That's the last thing you needed."



"Yeah, well," Yang sighed, her feet fidgeting as she stared at his neck, "I've... Got practice. Putting drunks to bed."



Now she was thinking of all of that. Which just put her in a worse mood.



Jaune's face fell.



"Oh... Yang, I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"



"It's fine, it's fine," Yang grunted, glaring out at the pristine surroundings and just getting more irritated, "Why should I expect them to be there for me? I was there for them, doesn't mean they have to reciprocate."



"Yang," Jaune murmured. Yang flushed, and shook her head.



"I... I don't..."



"Your dad's fighting in Vale," Jaune said carefully, "And your Uncle checked in on you both. I'm sure they'd be here if they could-"



Pity. She fucking hated pity. Seeing it in Jaune's eyes just... Just made things so much worse.



"But they're not, are they?" Yang shot back, angry and bitter, "They're not! They just..."



She clutched at her artificial arm tightly. She shook her head.



"Whatever. I'm being selfish," she huffed.



"Yeah well..." Jaune shrugged and sighed, "I know the feeling."



Yang stared at him. He shook his head.



"What? You think you're the only one with family issues?"



Rage ignited in Yang's heart. The first real rage she'd felt in ages and it was filled with bitterness, envy, and spite.



She didn't care.



Yang barked some angry, mocking laughter.



"Oh sure! 'Hey Yang! My family's always been there for me, but hey, it's not so bad that yours barely bothered with you!'"



Jaune glared. He was angry: Good.



"It's not as picturesque as you might think, Yang-"



"Yeah well, from where I'm standing, it looks a hell of a lot better than what I've got!" Yang snarled.



"You've got Ruby-!"



"Yeah, I always had her," Yang snarled, "I always had to look after her! Me! I didn't get any help! I didn't have seven sisters or all these aunts and uncles or a MOM and DAD who were always there for me! So what the hell are you so angry about?!"



Jaune glared, stepping closer as he clenched his fists.



"What the hell is your problem?!" Jaune demanded, "Did you forget what we both just went through?!"



"Oh gee, the girl who loved you died, and you got to go back to a loving, happy family!" Yang seethed, "Woe fucking is me! Meanwhile, what about everyone else out there, huh?! Don't see them drinking! Don't see them feeling sorry for themselves, so what's your fucking excuse?!"



"ME?!" Jaune demanded, now right up in her face, "What about you?! You needed to be tied down in the infirmary when you got injured or lost a fight! Now you're meek and bitter and-what the hell, Yang?!"



"Oh, did you miss THIS?!" Yang demanded, thrusting her artificial arm up in his face with a mocking wave, "Did you fucking miss this?! Did you miss the part where I got maimed?!"



"At least you made a fucking difference!" Jaune bellowed.



"I DIDN'T!" Yang shouted angrily. "I DIDN'T MAKE A FUCKING DIFFERENCE!"



Silence fell as her roar echoed away, swallowed by the waterfall. Yang panted hard, her eyes blazing red, as Jaune glared back. She looked down, clutching her artificial and real fists hard enough to draw blood from one.



"I got one shotted, all fucking right?!" Yang snarled, "I wasn't even... Even worth... I wasn't even worth killing, Jaune!"



"Neither was I!" Jaune shouted back, his anger now more confused, "I got shoved in a locker and sent off because-Because I couldn't even be a distraction-!"



"Well at least your partner thought you were worth saving!" Yang spat out, angry tears, "At least she-She didn't run back home with her fucking boyfriend and leave you! At least Pyrrha tried to save everyone! At least... At least you did something!"



She pointed back at the ruins.



"There's half a dozen people out there alive thanks to you! You saved me! What did I fucking do?! NOTHING! THAT'S WHAT!"



She felt fat, angry tears spill down her cheeks. She sobbed her breaths.



"You even took care of Ruby so... So why am I even fucking here?" She gasped.



He stepped up and hugged her tightly. She struggled, but he held firm.



"You fucking jackass," Yang whispered, burying her face in his chest, "I can't... I can't even help her anymore... You did it all..."



"Yang-"



"I'm a fucking joke," she sobbed angrily, "I'm no Huntress... I'm nothing... I-I should just go... Go be a housewife, for all the fucking good I did..."



Jaune hugged her tightly. He managed to get them over to a block, and sat them both down. She kept crying, even as he held her hands. He winced at her grip, but didn't let go.



"... I'm sorry, Yang," Jaune mumbled, "I-I'm sorry-"



"Just... Just shut up," Yang muttered back, angrily wiping her tears and snot on his armor, "Just... Don't... Please..."



Jaune fell silent. He held her tightly. She kept crying hard, until they ran dry. She breathed in and out, trying to focus on her training. It was instinct now but thoughts of her dad made her feel worse.



She felt Jaune's hand stroke up and down her back. It was soothing, despite everything.



Yang slowly pulled back. She looked away, back at the waterfall. She wiped her eyes, not daring to look his way even as he held her.



He let out a low sigh.



"... I don't know why they do it."



"Huh?" Yang mumbled.



Jaune shrugged.



"Why. Why they follow me. I just... I yelled for them to get on the Bullhead, and they followed. I asked them to help defend Radian when we got here... They did so. I asked them to follow me and they... They just keep doing it."



She chanced a glance at him: He was staring at the waterfall, but not seeing it.



"It was all I could do," he muttered, "I don't even think I'm doing a good job... It's just... I was the only one who could. I had to... Even... Even if I'm not worthy."



He sighed.



"... I didn't mean-"



"I... I know," Yang mumbled, embarassed. She rubbed her artificial arm. "Your mom... She said I'd have mood swings... From the depression... I-I'm sorry."



Jaune kept stroking her back. He sighed.



"It's okay," he murmured. "I just... I saved you, Yang... Because you matter to me. You matter to Ruby. And... And I wasn't going to leave you behind. You're not useless to me, to Ruby... To anyone. You just..."



He looked back at the waterfall.



"We just... All had a bad day," he mumbled.



"The worst," Yang agreed.



They watched the waterfall for a while longer. Yang sighed.



"... So... I mean..." She bit her lower lip. "... Do you have a plan?"



"For?" Jaune asked. Yang shrugged.



"I dunno... What to do now?"



Jaune stared at the waterfall in silence. He sucked in a deep breath.



"... Sort of. It's... A work in progress," he admitted. "I want to talk more with everyone about it, but..."



Yang stared at him for longer. He shrugged.



"...For now? Rest. Get stronger. Then... Get out of here. Get to Mistral. Find Cinder..."



His fists clenched. He looked back into her eyes, stony faced and determined.



"Kill her, and her boss," he stated, quiet but deadly. "You?"



Yang stared back.



"I..."



She slowly nodded.



"There are worse places to start..."



- - -



I'm gonna be honest? Not entirely happy with how this turned out. It might need more build up. More time to breathe. But I wanted to do something dramatic for this post. I hope you liked it and would appreciate suggestions for improvements.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Some bits and pieces I wrote up but felt didn't fit the tone of the work at present. I might use them further on in the future. Here's one for Aqua's reaction:

- - -

It had taken a LOT of Kazuma's money to get a Bullhead that would get them to Beacon. But they'd managed it. All the way to the ruined tower, where even now a giant frozen Grimm dragon statue hung from the side of the tower.

As far as bad places Kazuma had been? This definitely ranked in the top ten.

By all accounts they shouldn't be here... But Aqua had begged. Begged to take them here to find her baby brother.

And Kazuma had agreed.

So here they stood in the ruins of the tower top, searching through the debris. The Bullhead was hovering nearby in stealth mode, but Kazuma didn't trust that it would last.

"Nothing over here!" Megumin shouted, for once not causing explosions as she dug through the debris with Chomonosuke. The cat meowed and pranced amidst the rubble, not a care in the world. How he envied him.

"Nor here!" Darkness called, lifting a massive girder and tossing it aside with a loud bang. "I do hope we don't attract any Grimm..." She flushed. "It would be most unfortunate and..."

She looked over at Aqua, who was still sifting through debris with her Scroll out. She shook her head, the arousal gone.

"It would be terrible," she finished quietly. Kazuma nodded slowly. He checked his own Scroll.

He walked over to Aqua, even as she kept digging.

"Aqua."

"His Scroll signal was last here," she insisted, "We have to keep looking!"

"Aqua," he said again gently, "If his signal was last here, it doesn't mean he-"

She froze. She shakily pulled out some black cloth and a smashed Scroll from the rubble. Megumin and Darkness approached, but paused a few feet away, unsure of what to say or do. He couldn't blame them.

Aqua stared at the piece of fabric, and saw the blood stains on it. She stared at the Scroll. Kazuma held out a hand and rested it on Aqua's shoulder.

"It doesn't mean he's dead, Aqua," Kazuma said quietly, "He just lost his Scroll. We don't know for sure. Maybe he's at home. Maybe he got there-You haven't called back..."

Aqua bowed her head, shaking a bit. She sobbed softly as she held the fabric and Scroll to her chest.

Kazuma hugged her from behind, out of desperation if nothing else.

"Aqua! Aqua, look at me," Kazuma insisted. He turned her to face him. Those big blue eyes of hers were invariably filled with tears-When she lost a bet, or she pissed off a gangster, or when she wanted something frivolous and he refused to budge.

He'd never seen her cry in grief before.

"... I always... I always made fun of him... And-And bullied him... And-And was so mean to him," Aqua sobbed, "And I... And he might be dead! I-I should have been here for him! I should have... I should have been a good big sister! I should have...!"

Megumin bit her lower lip, and bowed her head. Darkness murmured a prayer to the Church of the Broken Table: She was a Crusader of their order, after all, though Kazuma had a feeling the Order would NOT be happy about her motivations for combat.

Still... He tightened his hug.

"We don't know if he's dead or not, all right?" Kazuma murmured, "So until then... Stay strong, and hopeful, all right?"

Aqua nodded shakily, sniffling some more... Which is when a loud shriek rang out in the night. Team KDAM turned and looked up as a flock of Nevermore descended from on high.

"Craaaaap," Kazuma muttered, "Get to the Bullhead! We're getting-!"

Dozens of razor sharp feathers rained down upon them. Kazuma saw Darkness leap in front of it to protect them, saw Megumin begin to power up... He reached out to try and "Steal" some of the feathers, make it easier on them...

Pipes all around them burst, and a shield of water formed overhead. The rushing liquid caught the spear-sized feathers and tossed them aside. Kazuma turned and looked at Aqua.

Tears still fell from her eyes, but they were filled with rage and glowing. She stood up, and held up her hand. The water torrents formed into spears and solidified into ice... Before they launched.

A dozen Nevermore were pierced, and fell out of the sky for the ground like feathery rocks. Aqua stepped forward, her Aura burning like a blue sun. More water gushed out around them, formed out of the air, until a veritable waterfall was all around them.

Kazuma had rarely seen Aqua unleash her full power: The silly bimbo usually got scared or distracted or just forgot. Her ego and vanity clashed with what she had trained for.

But there were times when she remembered just what she was capable of... And he stood in awe of her terrible beauty and power.

"We are not leaving until every Grimm here is dead," she snarled, clutching the scrap of cloth and smashed Scroll to her chest.

"... Yes ma'am," Kazuma managed.

- - -

I'll post a few more here and there.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Another bit here...
- - -
Tangerine "Tangy" Arc took deep breaths as she walked around the embarkation deck of the VMS Ark Royal. The massive airship carrier fairly thrummed around her with nervous energy, as troops and deck crew went about their jobs and duties.

Her agitation was not helped by the people walking alongside her: Her Great-Grandmother Arturia Pendragon-Arc, and her great-grandfather Shirou Arc.

"Nana, Papa, please," Tangy insisted, "You should not be on the front lines. You've done more than enough."

Arturia smiled wryly as they passed one of several assault airships: The Wayland Air Motors Tigertail II. They weren't as bulky or powerful as the Atlasian Brokker Corporation Bullheads, but they were swift and well armed. Good things in Tangy's book.

"You're not the first to protest this, you know," Arturia said with a chuckle, "Your great-great-grandfather told me much the same. I was better off as a symbol to inspire the people and be diplomatic."

"You are," Tangy insisted as they headed for the aft doors. The Ark Royal was a kind of multi-role combat platform: Not as large as the Atlasian supercarriers, but able to supply air superiority, aerial assault, and search and rescue operations for a fraction of the cost of their larger cousins. Even so, with Atlas providing so much defense due to the defense treaties, the local defense forces of the various sub-kingdoms and nations that made up Vale had drastically drawn down their military forces.

Where once the Vytalian Royal Navy had been the largest and most powerful on the planet, it was now down to three heavy air carriers, two light air carriers, and a few dozen air destroyers and frigates.

Nevertheless...

"You pulled together half the air fleets and military forces across the continent in a few weeks!" Tangy insisted, "There are even some Pandu forces!"

"King Arjun was kind enough to spare a few units, despite his troubles," Shirou said with a grin, "He's a great friend, and we'll return the favor."

"That doesn't mean you belong on the front lines!" Tangy insisted as they got to their Tigertail II. They walked in through the hatch, Tangy's unit already set up and kitted out. She hid a proud smile at this, and coolly inspected them.

"Aten-Hut!" She ordered, and they all snapped to attention. She scowled at them, before scowling back at her great-grandparents. She turned back to them and held in a sigh.

"Change of plans," she stated, "We're gonna be the Vanguard for Queen Arturia and her consort."

2nd Lieutenant Matheus Weiss, her 2IC, looked at her 1IC, 1st Lieutenant Vicktoriya Serebryakov. They shared a concerned look and Tangy had no doubt about what they silently discussed before they turned back to Tangy.

"Are we still going to hit the back up control station for the city's defense network, sir?" Vicktoriya asked cautiously. Tangy nodded.

"Yep. Mission profile is the same, we're just keeping these two alive," she sighed.

Arturia smiled, and snapped to attention. Shirou did the same.

"We'll stay out of your way, Colonel," she said calmly, "But the decision is final."

Tangy scowled, but kept her thoughts to herself. She slowly nodded.

"All right. You will follow our lead and stay in support. We have the tech guys who will go in. Do not make this any more difficult than it has to be, and if I tell you to withdraw? You will withdraw. Clear?"

"Crystal, Colonel," Shirou said. Tangy nodded slowly.

Well. That was the best she was going to get.

"T-Minus Five minutes to bombardment," a voice on the PA announced. Tangy nodded to her squad, who started charging their gear.

At Shirou's questioning look, Tangy quickly explained with her own flight harness:

"It's an experimental flight and Dust projection slash interface system," she explained, "The Brísingamen System. Basically it's an attempt to mass produce the Schnee Glyph Semblance by creating an Aura powered interface that lets you use various kinds of Dust for various applications."

She patted the chest piece, backpack, and belt, before gesturing down to the flight boots and gauntlets. All were interconnected with armor pieces and glowing cables.

"I see," Shirou said, studying the system intently, "Did it work?"

"Sort of," Tangy allowed, "Problem with an Aura powered system is you need a lot of Aura and a LOT of Aura control to use it successfully. The control system had to be kept simple: It basically lets us fly and provides extra protection against blasts with Gravity Dust. The rifle system attached to it can surge Aura," she hefted up her rifle, "And let us hit a bit harder. The designers were hoping to make an army of S-Rank Huntsmen, but all it really does is improve troop mobility and firepower. It's also still hard to mass produce."

"But you entered into a deal for your PMC to test the technology and send research and development data back to them," Arturia said, her smile softly proud. Tangy smiled and shrugged.

"Only the best for my troops... Speaking of: We ready to go?"

"YES MA'AM!" They shouted.

"Then lock and load!" Tangy ordered.

Outside, Ark Royal and her escorts opened fire with their short range guns and missiles. The numerous Grimm surrounding Vale in the air flew towards them, dying in waves to the massed firepower. However, still more flew up and even through the bombardment was thinning their numbers, it wasn't a massive dent.

Just enough to allow the next phase of the operation.

Ark Royal and Invincible launched their fleets of Tigertails, which flew through the gaps provided by the bombardment. The little airships launched their own missiles and fired their guns, punching through any aerial Grimm that got in their way.

Flight Archer was defended by several Tigertails as it flew into the industrial district. It hovered over a Grimm infested area, close air support coming in from numerous other airships as its hatches opened.

Tangy tapped her earpiece, and her mechashift helmet/gasmask deployed. The rest of her squad followed. She activated her flight system.

"MOVE OUT!" She ordered, and she and her squad flew out. They opened fire on Grimm around the landing zone, darting this way and that to clear the way. Weiss and Neumann engaged several Ursa on the ground, while Visha and Koenig blasted several Beowulve packs. Koenig and Weiss got down around the entrance and provided covering fire, clearing the immediate area of Reynards and other pests. Tangy flew about providing in the moment support to each group, staying highly mobile.

With a human enemy, taking substantial losses would usually mean a retreat and reassessment of the threat. The Grimm just kept coming, mostly mindlessly, but they were getting more cautious. Tangy narrowed her eyes behind her flight helmet as a pair of Gryphons landed. They were big, uncommon, but swarmed Vale shortly after the festival. Her squad was tough, but this would be a bit of a challenge for them-And the longer the Tigertail stayed in hover mode, the easier a target it made.

It's like they know this is a critical area, she thought, But how? And why are they-?

A six foot-ten blonde woman with a voluptuous figure in blue and white armor landed on the ground, holding up her sword. An even taller white haired man in red coat and black armor landed beside her, preparing a bow. Tangy shook her head.

"No, don't deploy yet, the area isn't-!"

Arturia drew her blade, and her Aura exploded. She dashed, swung... And a gigantic energy blast went right through the nearest Gryphon. It fell back in two pieces, quickly expiring. Its companion tried to charge, but its head abruptly exploded.

Papa Shirou calmly nocked another arrow sword on his bow, while Nana Arturia, burning with Aura, swung and unleashed another Aura blast that wiped out a whole pack of Beowulves. She nodded grimly to her great-granddaughter.

"Forgive the presumption, but I believe we can hold the line," Arturia said, "If you wish us to?"

Honestly, she was still Queen even if she abdicated. Yet she still gave Tangy the choice. That was a lot of respect.

Tangy nodded.

"Get the engineers down here!" She ordered the flight crew, "Squad! Hold the line until they get down, then we're going in!"

"YES MA'AM!" Her squad replied, and carried out her orders. She shot a glare at Gantz, who stared a little too long at her great-grandmother.

"It's just her Semblance, Gantz," she growled over a private line, "Stay focused!"

"Ah, yes ma'am!" The would be playboy of her squad said quickly, "Just admiring your family heritage, ma'am!"

"Do you want me to shoot you myself, Gantz?"

"No ma'am! Yes ma'am!"

- - -

Last edited: Today at 4:23 PM​

 

[SharkCultist]

"Remember son, an Arcs Aura runs deep."

Jaune had heard many strange rules and laws of the Arc family over the years.

How they weren't allowed to visit Atlas without informing the government beforehand, how Tangy wasn't allowed to drink alcohol with Aqua under any circumstances, but there was one rule that he never got a explanation on.

"Once your aura is unlocked you must never try the unlock chant on yourself again."

It was the one rule every adult in his family stressed to him constantly.

It was a rule he was about to break.

He was on the last dregs of his aura, alone, tired, and surrounded by Grimm.

He needed just a tiny bit more aura, just enough to escape. So.....

Jaune began to chant. He reached into the depths of his soul and something reached back.

---

RWBYNPR expected to find a corpse. They'd been looking for Jaune for almost a full day and the projected lifespan for a lone huntsmen trainee in this Forrest was about three hours.

So imagine their surprise when they found Jaune torturing Grimm with chains made of blue fire.

Aura shaping and elemental manifestation are two old and almost never used aura techniques. Most of the current masters of these techniques use them in short small bursts. Little more than tricks. Because both take levels of aura and control that you need decades to achieve.

Something was wrong here and Ruby wanted to know what.

"Jaune?"

He finally took notice of them, blue eyes (the color is wrong, why are they glowing?) sweeping over them.

"Sorry little red reaper but no, not Jaune."

He quickly found seven weapons pointed at him. Cute. Useless but cute.

"Who are you?"

Something about that amused him before his chains shot out and wrapped them up, surprisingly not burning them.

"Calm little ones I'm no threat. I am simply a ghost, currently more solid than most."

"Fearless leader got his soul eaten!!!!"

"Ah, amusing but no. Luckily for the little fool I was the first ancestor to answer his call and I have no intention of making this permanent."

At this most of them visibly relaxed.

"So you're not going to hurt Jaune?"

"I never said that. He broke a Arc Law and will be punished for it."

At his words the blue flames lit up jaunes arms.

"Some third degree burns on the arms should help the lesson sink it."

RWBYNPR could only watch as their friend burned then collapsed.

When Jaune finally woke up ten days later drugged up to the gills he had one thought in mind.

Do not break a Arc Law.

 

[mgl1206]

Should I make a Destiny x RWBY crossover where Jaune dies at the tower and ends up becoming a Guardian? But considering this is me and I love it when canon gets fucked up in crossovers, it's gonna be Jaune getting rezzed mid-collapse while the effects of the battle between the Witness and the Traveller are still going on. Here's a prologue and the first chapter.

-----------------
Chapter 0: Prologue

You are weak, injured, and desperate. You do not wish to do this, to place such a burden upon them, but you don't have a choice. You look down across the sea at those you sheltered beneath your light. They live but they are too few.

Too weak. Far too many have been added to the names you bear, and you know that while It has retreated, its puppets remain. And it will snuff them out for they can no longer resist. And you can no longer bear to lose another to the deep. You can still hear them a small few who speak to you in search of salvation. But you cannot give what you don't have.

Instead, you give them a burden. Pain runs through you as you feel yourself splitting apart into millions of tiny sparks, encased in a shell of metal and glass. But through that pain, you can't help but hope and regret the burden you give them.

Your thoughts become muddied as you cut yourself apart, it is difficult to think, yet you do not stop. You continue to cut away at yourself, creating more and more sparks of light, hoping against hopelessness that it will be enough for a miracle.

And suddenly, something changes. Through tired eyes, you look across the ocean and see something you do not expect to see. A small little gardener. It is different than the others you care for. And you realize why, this light was not from the ocean you know, but from another, a tiny spark born of darkness and light from a sea you and the silence did not create.

Swiftly you move to hide this 'little light' from It. You know all too well what It would do to the 'little light' should It find it. It is then you realize something through the murky fog of your thoughts. The 'little light' was fading. Its light growing weaker and weaker by the passing moment, on the verge of being snuffed out.

You think it over for but a moment. You do not wish to place another under such a burden, but you don't want another to disappear. Perhaps the silence might oppose your choice, but it did not have a choice in the matter, it was not here to stop you.

With the last remnants of your coherent thoughts, you take a small part of yourself, different from the ones you've cut off before. Unlike the others who will find their own in time, you give this one a direction to its chosen.

Fatigue finally catches up to you, as you watch the thousands of little lights spread their way across the planet below and above, and you can't help but lament that they so eagerly spread their little wings and begin their search in earnest. A single tear slips past as you lament the burden you have placed on them, on all of them. And as the sleep finally overtakes you, you hope it will be enough.

-------------

Chapter 1: Resurrection

Jaune woke up suddenly, gasping for air as the cold, frigid air rushed to fill his lungs, replacing the stale mix that had occupied them. His body, stiff and aching, burned with exhaustion and pain. But as the cold air of the night cleared his thoughts and clarity settled in, he was struck by a realization. He wasn't in pain

His hands reflexively moved to his chest, his fingers patting across his ruined chestplate till felt what he was searching for. A small gash, right above his heart, and where Cinder's arrow had struck him. He closed his eyes as memories rushed back to him. The burning heat in his chest, the cold that began to take over his limbs, the initial shock as he looked down at the obsidian arrow in his chest, followed by agonizing pain as he struggled to breathe.

"Hello, are you okay?" a digitized female voice suddenly interrupted him, scattering his thoughts to the wind. Jumping up in surprise, Jaune quickly turned around to find the source of the voice, only to find a small white drone staring back at him with its bright blue eye.

"I, uh, I think so?" he managed to stammer.

"Oh, this is perfect! I can't believe I found my partner so quickly! Oh, my apologies. You're probably wondering who I am." To which Jaune nodded awkwardly.

"Well! I'm a Ghost! Well, specifically, I'm your Ghost now, and I brought you back to life!" Jaune froze. His thoughts raced over what the little drone had said. How could he be brought back to life? But, surely that was impossible, and even if it was, how had he never heard of these Ghosts before?

Yet at the same time, Jaune couldn't help but be reminded of Cinder's arrow sticking out of his chest had he perhaps died? Then, if the Ghost was telling the truth, then how long had he been dead? Where was he? Were they something that happened after his death? Were his friends and family even alive?

"H- how long have I been d-" he faltered, "gone? Where am I? What about my frie-" He stopped himself. He couldn't expect the drone to know who his friends were. "What about the City? The attack! Was it repelled?" He changed his question as he asked the ghost, desperate for reassurance that his friends and the city were safe.

"Wait, you… you remember your past?" the Ghost suddenly whispered, shock and surprise evident in its voice. Its fin-like shell spun like the gears of a machine as it processed its newly gained information. Jaune could only nod, realizing that perhaps resurrected people didn't remember things before they died.

"Y- yeah?"

"Oh, this is so exciting! I didn't think you would remember your past, but you do! Oh, this is just wonderful!" The Ghost exclaimed, its shell spinning in excitement. He almost interrupted the Ghost's celebration but stopped himself. Despite his desire to learn more about Vale and his friends, he couldn't bring himself to interrupt her celebration and instead opted to wait for her to finish. She reminded him far too much of how his younger sisters celebrated when they were happy.

"Oh, I apologize. It seems I got a bit carried away," the Ghost said, its blush audible in its voice.

"I- It's alright, but um, if you don't mind. Do you know what happened to Vale and Beacon? Were the Grimm and White Fang repelled?" Jaune asked the Ghost, anxious for answers.

"The Grimm? Do you mean the Darkness?" the Ghost asked, its curiosity piqued. But its question instead added to Jaune's confusion.

"The Darkness?" he asked, unsure of what it referred to.

"Oh right, sorry I suppose you wouldn't know. I mean I only knew because The Traveller made me, you know?" To which Jaune could only nod hesitantly.

"A- anyway! We can figure that out later. We've been out for too long, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to spend the night in a dark and creepy forest." the Ghost whispered, prompting Jaune to finally examine his surroundings and realize they were in a small clearing surrounded by thick forest and dense trees.

Reluctantly agreeing, Jaune rose to his feet. He didn't know where he was, but if he was outside the walls of Vale, he had to get somewhere safe. He could figure the rest out when they weren't under threat of being attacked by Grimm. Suddenly, feeling the cold touch of metal against his side, Jaune looked down to see his family's blade and shield at his hip. He distinctly remembered losing both during his fight with Cinder. So how did it end up on his hip?

Examining himself further, Jaune was astonished to find himself in the same outfit as when he died. Even his armor remained unchanged, along with the tear in his breastplate where- he froze as he suddenly realized what he was looking at.

A jagged tear upon his left breast scarred the warped metal - a tear no more than a few inches in length. Made by a single arrow of obsidian, memories poured through his mind as he remembered the arrow and how it tore through his armor and aura. And buried itself in his chest. Jaune's blood ran cold as the realization finally sunk in. He had died. Her arrow had pierced his heart, an injury that even Aura couldn't heal.

His thoughts returned to his friends and his family. Jaune could hardly imagine the grief that they'd gone through. Especially his mother, he shivered at the thought. He'd be lucky if she didn't ground him for the rest of his life when he returned. No, after what happened, she'd ground him for the rest of his life regardless of his objections. And his sisters would use this as a chance to get as many favors as they could. His thoughts suddenly soured as he remembered what the Ghost had said about resurrected people not remembering anything. He just hoped he hadn't lost any memory of his family and friends.

Jaune panicked once more as he thought of his friends and his team. Gods, he hoped they didn't blame themselves for his death, though knowing his partner and best friend, Jaune knew that was exactly what the both of them were doing.

"Are you alright?" the Ghost suddenly spoke, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Oh, uh yeah, sorry." Shelving the thoughts away, he followed after the small drone. With his thoughts no longer on his loved ones, Jaune's thoughts focused on the little drone before him.

It was a curious little thing, how it could bring him back from the dead, he didn't know, but after seeing the jagged tear in his armor, he couldn't help but believe it, as far-fetched as it was. And that meant he quite literally owed the little drone his life.

"Hey, um. I don't think we introduced ourselves. I'm Jaune, Jaune Arc. What's uh, what's your name?" The small drone looked back at him as he asked his question.

"Oh, I uh, I never actually had a name. I was just born like a few days ago. Haven't had a chance to really think of one." The Ghost spoke softly, her shell drooping slightly.

"I uh, sorry. I didn't mean to." He apologized quickly.

"Oh, no no no! It's alright I was uh, just kinda worried. Not about you or anything, I mean I was worried about having a partner for the first time, and I was just- I didn't- I-" The Ghost stammered as she began to panic. Jaune stifled his laughter as the Ghost fell into a spiral of awkwardness.

"Hey, it's ok. I'm not so great with new people either." He said, trying to console the Ghost. "But if you don't have a name, how about I give you one? If you want I mean, you don't have to accept-.".

"You'd do that!?" The Ghost exclaimed, cutting him off "Oh that'd be wonderful!" her shell spinning in joy as she spoke. Jaune couldn't help but chuckle seeing it.

"Well, you said that you were called a Ghost?" She nodded "In that case, how about Phanti? I uh, based it off of Fantôme. Which is old Valean for Ghost." Jaune watched nervously but when the Ghost didn't react, he began to panic. "W- we can change it if you don't like it."

"NO!" The Ghost suddenly shouted. "Sorry, I uh, it's fine. I actually really like it." Phanti sheepishly said, but it did little to mask the sheer joy that was expressed in its voice and small frame.

"Well then Phanti, shall we get going?" Jaune softly asked Phanti. Who cheerfully agreed, leading the way for her newly resurrected partner.

-------------

Sooo.. what do you think? Due to Destiny's early history being completely unknown, I have to make a lot of stuff up or change it to a timeline of my own creation, like the arrival of the Fallen. We know they didn't come till after or during the collapse, which itself lasted for a few months up to a few years. During which earthquakes, severe weather, disease, and poisoned water killed most of humanity on Earth (which at the start of the story is still going on). I could theoretically add in the Witnesses troops but I'm just gonna say they're already gone with the Witness after The Traveller banished him or never appeared on Earth because they just were not needed.

In addition, I'm making it so that the Ghosts have some memories they got from the Traveller, but just basic stuff like the Darkness was hunting the Traveler but they don't know what exactly it is, or like how their partners don't have memories of their past. But, I have to be careful with that as that's a slippery slope. And yes, Jaune will be the oldest Guardian, but no, he won't take the role of the Player's Guardian. She'll appear WAY later (she because my Guardian is a female human warlock ) but yeah I have an idea of what's to do till like chapter 10? but this will be a long-running project. Should I do it? Especially since I'll probably have to remake my outline if I truly decide to do it.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune was studying in the common room. Blake entered, looking frustrated and tired.

Jaune: "Oh, hey Blake... You okay?"

Blake: "No."

Jaune: "Well... Um... Can I help?"

Blake: "Hmm..."

She walked over to Jaune, and laid down over his lap.

Jaune: "Ah?!"

Blake: sighs happily "Much better."

Jaune: "Uh, Blake, I'm studying-You're on my lap-?"

Blake: "Mmm... Your Aura is so warm..." Sighs

Jaune: "Uh, Blake? Blake, please?"

Blake: "Nyahhh..."

Jaune: Damnit... Does she have to be so cute...? But no. How do I get her off my lap? Let's see... Aha! I know! Like with cats at home...

He reaches down and scritches behind her ears.

Blake: "N-Nyahhhh~!"

Jaune: I just have to make her feel good and she'll leave...

Later... Pyrrha enters... And sees Blake cuddled up to Jaune as he tiredly scratches behind her ears.

Pyrrha: "Ah! Jaune?!"

Jaune: "She won't leave me alone..."

Blake: "Morrrre~!"

Jaune: sigh

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Neptune sighed as he reached into his bag of potato chips, pulled out a chip and chewed on it. He was a little agitated by the waterfall, but the rest of the scenery was doing a lot to calm him. Even he could appreciate natural beauty like this.

... Enhanced with the natural beauties around him, of course. That said...

"Do they have to keep doing that?" He muttered in irritation to Ren, as Cardin and Velvet continued their excessively cutesy lunchtime antics. True, he could feel some brotherly admiration for the Winchester heir: He had a smoking hot bunny girl in his lap feeding him dried fruit, in between kisses and nuzzles. That was Grade A manly.

It did, however, remind him of a distinct lack of any hotties in his lap.

"It's kind of weird," Nora agreed, "But I'm glad they're getting along! Cardy used to bully Velvety! Pulled on her ears!"

"Guess she was into that," Neptune muttered. A familiar elbow jabbed him in the ribs. "URK! Arslan!"

"Try to be more polite," Arslan stated, still perfectly calm as she slowly finished the greens and fish that Lilac had packed them. Neptune scowled at her.

"You know, the tsundere childhood friend bit is really getting old," he huffed.

"Childhood friend?" Ruby asked, tilting her head curiously. She'd been staring at the ruins for the last twenty minutes: Worried about her sister and Jaune, no doubt. Still, if she was asking...

Neptune smile and spread his hands dramatically.

"Yes! We went to the same private elementary school, the same middle school, and almost the same Hunter prep school!" He said proudly. "She's obviously in deep denial about her true feelings for me, hiding them with violence and hurtful comments."

"I believe I have made my feelings for you very clear, Neptune," Arslan said calmly, "You're like the bratty, idiotic, perverted and overcompensating little brother I never had."

"Urk!" Neptune gasped, holding his chest. "Geez... Hiding them pretty deep, huh?"

"As though they don't even exist," Arslan stated with a raised eyebrow. "Your philandering isn't winning you any points."

"C-Come on!" Neptune chuckled, "It-It never hurt anyone!"

Ruby frowned intently at him from across the table.

"Weiss was pretty hurt when you dumped her," the silver eyed girl stated, a note of accusation in her tone. Neptune winced again.

"I, well... Okay. I messed up there. I thought she just wanted a-a no strings attached romance. I didn't think it was anything serious, honest. Then she talks about meeting her parents and I realize... No. She's got the wrong idea." He held up his hands. "For what it's worth, I am sorry about that. I'm too young to think about settling down!"

Arslan scoffed a bit. Neptune scowled at her.

"Hey! At least I'm not some repressed warrior nun!"

"As I have said many times, my vows are for chastity, not celibacy," Arslan sighed, "When I marry my husband in a divinely ordained ceremony, we will unleash our loving feelings for one another without restraint. Far better than trivializing such a wonderful gift as intimacy."

"It's not trivial!" Neptune protested, "I'm living life to the fullest!"

"And causing a lot of heartache in the process," Arslan observed.

"Prude!"

"Idiot."

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Nora cheered, still in the middle of her large stack of pancakes. "Now kiss, kiss, kiss!"

Neptune grinned smugly at Arslan.

"Ha! Told you! You're just denying your true feelings for me and sublimating them into violence-ACK!"

Arslan put Neptune in a wristlock, her expression still utterly serene.

"Then I suppose I truly care for you to try and correct your terrible habits," Arslan deadpanned, twisting his arm behind him. Neptune grinned.

"Ha! I happen to like it rough-OW OW OW I'M KIDDING I'M KIDDING! UNCLE! UNCLE ALREADY!"

Arslan let Neptune go. He winced as he rolled his shoulder.

"Geez, learn to take a joke," he muttered.

"I took you in didn't I?" Arslan snorted. Nora, Ruby, and May giggled, though May coughed quickly in embarrassment. Neptune pouted.

"Et tu, May? You're so nice!"

"S-Sorry," May mumbled.

"Besides," Neptune huffed, "It's only natural to feel jealous of what they have." He nodded over at Cardin and Velvet, still blissfully unaware of the conversation at the other table. "Hell, even Fearless Leader and Xiao-Long are up to something."

"N-No they're not!" Ruby immediately spoke, flushing deeply. "Th-They're just... Talking!" She looked at May urgently. "Right?"

May's eyes glowed briefly. She blushed and nodded.

"R-Right. They're just talking," she said. She then frowned as she looked with her Aura Vision out into the fields of flowers. "That's strange..."

"What is?" Ruby asked. The flowers rustled nearby. Everyone reached for their weapons. Velvet slipped off Cardin's lap and went into a defensive stance, as he hefted up his mace.

The flowers rustled a bit more... Before a bright blue bird the size of a house cat popped out of the grass. Its large black eyes studied them intently, as it waved its long, feathery tail. Ruby's jaw dropped.

"It's... It's... Adorable!" Ruby gasped.

"Chou?" The bird squawked.

"What is it?" Cardin asked with a frown.

"I believe it is a Choux Bird," Ren spoke quietly, "Jaune told me about them. They are flightless alpine birds that live in the mountains around Radian."

"Why is it blue?" Neptune asked. "Not that I'm complaining, good color choice and all..."

"It's to reflect UV radiation since they live at high altitudes," Ren went on, calmly studying the bird.

Ruby moved around the table slowly, and cautiously approached the bird. It chirped a bit, tilting its head this way and that. Ruby knelt down, and pulled out a cookie Lilac had baked just for her. She broke a piece off, and held it out in her open palm with a soft smile.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," Ruby murmured, "Come on..."

The Choux stepped slowly, cautiously, warbling softly.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Ren warned her, "Jaune said feeding them can cause problems."

"Come on, this little guy?" Nora snorted, "Let Ruby feed the birdy!"

The Choux Bird got up to Ruby. It examined the cookie, before pecking at it. It tossed the cookie fragment back, swallowed it, and then cooed happily. Ruby beamed. She slowly reached out to rub the back of its head, and it leaned into the touch happily.

"Aww... You're a little cutie, yes you are, yes you are," Ruby cooed, as the Choux bird warbled. "And so fluffy!"

"Aw," Velvet cooed, "It's so adorable! Isn't it, Cardin?"

"Er... Yeah, sure," Cardin mumbled.

"Just agree with your girlfriend, dude," Neptune snorted, "Nothing unmanly about admitting something is cute."

"Says the perpetually single louse," Arslan deadpanned.

"Freaking tsundere!" Neptune growled.

"It really is very cute," May smiled. She advanced slowly, kneeling a bit. The Choux bird turned, and after a moment's thought, it jumped into her arms and nuzzled into her impressive chest. She giggled, and cuddled the bird.

"Aw..."

Neptune's eyebrow twitched. Ren managed not to smirk. Arslan failed not to.

"See? Nothing wrong with feeding the birdy," Nora giggled.

The Choux bird then chirped very loudly, three times. Out of the grass all around them, dozens of blue birds perked up. Ruby gaped, as they began to advance, chirping for food.

"... Um... I'm not sure we have enough," Ruby said cautiously.

"Uh oh," May managed.

Nora grabbed a bag of popcorn Lilac had packed them, opened it up, and began to toss it out to all the Choux birds. Ruby's eyes widened.

"NORA!"

"Now now," Nora laughed, "I'm sure nothing bad will happen if we feed them more!"

- - -

Yang and Jaune made their way through the ruins, both a lot calmer. Yang sighed and rubbed her temples.

"... Thanks again, Jaune," she said. "I... I just... Thanks."

"It's okay," Jaune said with a small smile. He shook his head. "I guess... Maybe we do need some rest and recovery. My Nana and Papa used to tell me stories of soldiers with shellshock from the Great War. How... How they needed time away from the fight to recover."

"Yeah, my dad and uncle told me about that, too," Yang sighed, "Maybe... Maybe this isn't so bad. At least for now."

Jaune nodded slowly.

"Yeah... I-I guess so," he murmured. "Just hope the others agree that we need a break from... From everything."

The sounds of many birds chirping filled the hallway ahead. As did the sounds of yelling. Yang and Jaune looked at each other, then readied their weapons. They dashed through the old watchtower, burst into the light, ready for battle...

Into a scene of absolute pandamonium. Nora was waving her hammer and an empty popcorn bag at a huge flock of Choux birds from atop an old stone fountain, while Ren clung to her like a sloth with a deadpan expression. Ruby was using her Semblance and zipping around, squealing as she tried to escape the numerous little birds. Cardin and Velvet were waving their weapons to keep the birds at bay. Arslan was standing on a lonely pillar on one foot, while holding a raging Neptune by the back of his shirt as Choux birds kept jumping at them. May Zedong squealed and giggled helplessly as dozens of the birds cuddled and climbed all over her on the ground.

"Heehee-Oh-AH! D-Don't! Ahahahaha!"

"JAUNE!" Ruby shouted. "HELP!"

"I AM YOUR QUEEN! I GAVE YOU POPCORN!" Nora wailed. "YOU REBELLIOUS TRAITORS!"

"LET ME AT 'EM!" Neptune bellowed. "HOW DARE THESE LITTLE BASTARDS GET TO FONDLE AND GROPE MAY WHEN I DON'T-URK!"

"Please don't make me knock you out, Neptune," Arslan stated flatly.

"JAUNE!" Cardin shouted, "HOW DO YOU MAKE THEM LEAVE?!"

"They're terrifying! And adorable!" Velvet wailed. "Terradorable!"

Yang gaped in utter disbelief. Jaune was much the same. He then facepalmed.

"... Freaking bird brains," Yang managed.

Jaune snorted... Then snickered. Then he began to laugh, hard and loud. Yang's lips twitched, before she joined him. Their laughter spread, slowly but surely, amongst all the other Hunters-in-Training, admidst the chirping and cooing of the hyperactive birds.

"Haaaa," Jaune sighed, still snickering, "You're all so hopeless..."

"So it would seem," Ren deadpanned.

- - -

Because we needed some comic relief.