[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang was chilling out on the quad. Jaune was sitting nearby since they'd just finished a run, and he was playing a game on his Scroll.

Yang: "So... Since I'm helping you train and all, VB, mind giving me your notes for next week's exam?"

Jaune: sigh "I thought I left this behind in high school."

Yang: "Hey, not my fault you're actually good at the written tests!"

Jaune: "I will help you study, Yang, but I'm not going any further."

Yang: "Oh~? How far do you want to go~?"

Jaune: flush "Yang...!"

Which is when there's a flash of rainbow light... And a chubby, sort of anthopomorphic pony appears.

Pony: "Yahng! Yahhhhng!"

Yang: "Wha-Oh, fuck."

Jaune: "Huh?!"

Pony: "We need your help! Please! Only your dextrous fingers and human brain can save us!"

Yang: "NO!"

Pony: "But-"

Yang: "NO!" She gets up and glares "I keep helping you jerks but you never actually need me! EVER!"

Pony: "But-!"

Yang: "I HAVE A LIFE DAMNIT!"

Pony: sniffles, whimpers

Yang: "..."

Pony: Keeps sniffling

Yang: "..." angry, frustrated, depressed sigh "FINE."

Pony: "Yay! We might need your friend too!"

Yang: "Yeah. Sure. Of course."

Jaune: "Hwah?!"

After a magical adventure in a fantasy pony land where things are resolved without Yang or Jaune's help needed, the ponies of Ponyland celebrate happily as Yang sighs and Jaune sits with her.

Jaune: "Wow... It really is a magical fantasy land-"

Yang: "It's balls! They never actually needed me, they just keep yanking me on these stupid 'adventures'! But I can't say NO, right? I just can't say NO because they're all dumbasses!" sigh "What the hell?!"

Shady: A pink pony "Well, if you weren't a virgin we couldn't call you anymore."

Yang: "Say what?!"

Jaune: "Huh?!"

Shady: "The pony magic only brings pure maidens to our land. So if you got a boyfriend we'd have to ask another little girl to help us and have whimsical adventures!"

Yang: "Wha-WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!"

Shady: "Tell you what? Oh! The virgin thing? Sorry, thought you knew. You do always help us and you've never had a boyfriend-"

Yang: grabs Jaune "Jaune! You're my boyfriend now!"

Jaune: "Urk! Okay?"

Yang: "I'm losing my virginity in Princess Pony's freaking bedchamber RIGHT NOW!"

Jaune: "Okay!"

Yang drags Jaune off. The ponies all look at Shady.

Honeysuckle: "Shadyyyy! Why'd you have to tell her?!"

Shady: "Well... Maybe we don't need her anymore. Maybe we can evolve to a new generation! A fourth generation! Where we ponies don't need a human to fix all our problems for us!"

A beat.

Shady: "Also Princess Pony's kind of a bitch."

The other ponies nod and murmur agreement.

Shady: "What do you think, Applejack?"

Applejack is being attacked by a Grimm.

Applejack: "AIYEEEEEE!"

Ponies: exasperated but fond sigh "Oh, Applejack..."

- - -

Obviously inspired by this series of videos:


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

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Well, Doctor Jaune "Knowall" could certainly appreciate Ozpin for one thing: He kept his assembly speeches short. He sat in the front row of the auditorium with the other teachers, the huge masses of students all staring, enraptured, as Ozpin finished his spiel.

"... So remember: The time may come when everything will be asked of you, and more. You will find your courage then, if you seek it out," Ozpin concluded. He waited for the applause to die down, before he nodded.

"There are a few staff changes this year," he announced, leaning slightly forward on his cane, "To start with, Professor Peach will be leaving on maternity leave at the end of the semester. Let us extend our congratulations."

More applause followed, as the blonde, pink-wearing professor blushed with a proud smile. Knowall contributed to the applause politely.

"Nurse Tsune will be taking a leave of absence to finish her doctorate," Ozpin continued, "So our new Head Medical Practitioner will be Doctor Jaune Knowall. Please come up, Doctor."

He nodded to Jaune. The time traveler hesitated, then looked to Glynda on his right. The combat instructor nodded in encouragement, again giving him a small smile. Knowall stood up and walked up on stage.

He scanned the crowd. He immediately noted many young ladies were staring intently at him. Several were gossiping quietly, shooting him looks and giggling. Mentally he groaned. That was the last thing he needed.

He found his younger self in the crowd. Even from this distance, it was easy to tell that the younger Jaune had definitely toughened up: His shoulders were a bit more broad, his armor was a bit worn, he wore proper boots instead of sneakers and there was a more confident look in his eyes.

So he followed my advice, Knowall thought, That's good.

On his left side was... He frowned a bit at the cat Faunus girl who was badly disguised with a hair bow. She stared back at him in some confusion with her yellow eyes.

Blake Belladonna? That's a surprise.

On his younger counterpart's right was a small girl in red with black hair and silver eyes. A very familiar girl, who grinned happily back.

Ruby Rose? Right, this is where she went, Knowall thought. He paused.

Wait, if she's here then that means...

He found a shock of blonde hair in the audience. His heart nearly stopped.

She was younger. Had both arms. Was shooting him a cocky smirk.

Yang...

He clenched his fists briefly. The memories just seeing her caused him to recall...

She's not her, he reminded himself firmly, She's not her. You can't do anything with her here. Nothing but save her. Save everyone.

He took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd. He used a calming technique his mother had taught him to suppress his emotions, and keep control.

"I'm Doctor Jaune Knowall. I look forward to working with you," he said in a calm, even voice. He added a small, crooked smile: "But let's hope I don't have to see you too often, unless you're training to be medics."

It was a corny joke his mother had told often. It got some laughs, which broke some of the tension. He nodded, then turned to walk off the stage. The meeting broke up after that, and Knowall made for one of the exits.

"Hey! D-Doctor Knowall!"

Damnit.

He turned to his younger self. The teenager grinned and waved in a friendly way.

"I see you made it to Beacon," Knowall said quietly. Jaune nodded.

"Yeah. That-That training really helped!" He said enthusiastically.

"Good," Knowall stated firmly. Jaune flushed.

"Though uh... I had some help along the way," he said. Blake Belladonna walked up, stopping at Jaune's side. She studied Knowall carefully.

"Blake Belladonna," she introduced herself. "Jaune and I travelled here together."

"And she helped me train," Jaune continued with a grin, "She's really good!"

"That's good to know," Knowall replied in a neutral tone. He nodded to her. "You two should go and rest up for the Initiation tomorrow."

"Already?" Jaune frowned.

"It's going to be tough," Knowall stated firmly.

"A cat nap sounds good to me anyway," Blake said with a soft shrug. "Nice to meet you, Doctor."

She walked off with Jaune in tow. Knowall watched them go, and then shook his head.

"I take it this is going to be difficult for you," Ozpin asked, walking up behind Knowall without making the slightest noise. Knowall nodded curtly, his eyes again finding Yang in the crowd.

"You might say that," Knowall said quietly.

Ozpin leaned on his cane, and hummed thoughtfully.

"We all have our demons," he said gently.

"Some more than others," Knowall muttered.

"Let's get to the office," Ozpin said quietly, "We're going to need every scrap of information you can give me."

Knowall nodded.

"Understood, sir."

- - -

"Seriously," Yang enthused to Ruby as they headed for the ballroom, "I think I'm gonna catch a fever with Doctor Knowall around!"

"Yang, ew!" Ruby gagged, "He's like, old!"

"Mature is more like it," Yang giggled, "And did you see the way he looked at me? So intense!"

"Isn't that kind of weird though? For a teacher to be staring at a student?" Ruby asked. "I mean, if he actually did anything, he'd be a creep!"

"Pfft, please, a guy like that couldn't be a creep if he tried!" Yang scoffed.

"Well, he's not a creep but he is... Weird," Jaune contributed, walking behind with Blake in tow. Yang looked back over her shoulder at the strange pair.

"Really?" Yang asked with a grin, "You know him?"

"Course he knows him," Ruby stated, "Jaune told me about him!"

"He just helped me get to Beacon and trained me a little," Jaune said, a bit nervous with Yang's intense scrutiny on him.

"So, what, is he like a relative of yours?"

"He does look very much like you," Blake opined, her frown deepening. Jaune shrugged.

"He might be? My family's big enough I've got cousins I don't even know about."

"Well then," Yang grinned, taking Jaune's arm and leading him towards the ballroom, "You're gonna give me all the deets on Doctor Studly, understand?"

"Er, sure?"

Ruby and Blake followed, both looking rather annoyed with the blondes. Though for different reasons.

- - -

Click to shrink...

Blake Belladonna had fled the White Fang. She'd left her entire life, even her boyfriend, behind. All for her principles. Principles she had forgotten, but remembered when she'd seen the fear in the eyes of those humans.

She'd found refuge in a barn when she abandoned the train. She'd taken what sleep she could, only to be awakened by loud thunder and cold rain pouring down onto her. With a grimace, she'd left the barn and tried to see shelter out in the cold, wet night.

She'd found the main road, and a truck had splashed a puddle all over her. Cold, exhausted, wet, and depressed, she'd sat down under a tree and curled up.

She had no one. No one at all. She'd run away from everyone who had ever cared for her into a cold, unforgiving world.

She had no one to blame for herself... It was all her fault...

"Hey... You okay?"

She looked up in shock. She hadn't heard the approach of the boy over the harsh pounding of the rain. He was tall, a bit scraggly but well built. He wore white and black armor over a black hoodie, jeans, and boots. A large backpack carried his supplies and a sword was at his side. He smiled kindly and held an umbrella up over her.

A knight? She thought.

"I..." She bowed her head and stared down at the ground.

"H-Hey," the boy tried, "You don't have to answer. I just... Look. I'm going to the local inn. I've got money for a room. If you want to share it..."

He blushed and shook his head rapidly.

"N-Not that I mean to-I mean-I'm not-!"

Blake stared at him in disbelief. He resembled the protagonists in her fantasy books. So kind, so warm. She could feel his Aura from here and it was like a beautiful bonfire. She could see nothing, hear nothing but kindness and sincerity in his heartbeat and his body language.

"Um... My name is Jaune Arc. What's yours?"

Her life was so cold, so empty. Here was a light in the darkness. A source of warmth.

Maybe... Maybe Heaven had not abandoned her. Maybe... This was another chance.

One she didn't deserve, but she'd been given all the same.

She reached out and took his hand.

"Blake Belladonna..."

He'd been as good as his word. He'd gotten them a room at the inn. He'd slept on the floor and given her the bed. He'd gotten her a hot meal. They even went shopping for new clothes-She'd paid for them, even if he'd insisted on it.

He was so kind and genuine... A little too kind and genuine, at times. She'd kept him from falling for a few scams from bandits. After that, she'd finally asked where they were going.

He said he was going to Beacon, to become a Hunter like his parents.

Mysteriously, an offer from the Headmaster to join Beacon hit her Scroll soon after.

So she'd gone with it. They had the same goal, after all. They began to train together.

He was... Incredibly unprepared and untrained. But he was strong, had enormous Aura power, and was quick to learn. His sheer power was honestly staggering-He had more Aura than Adam and his top five lieutenants, her included, combined.

He had so little control over his Aura it just radiated everywhere, and she felt so warm and happy around him!

But Blake refused to put her neuroses on him. Her last romance had ended terribly. She... She couldn't afford to be selfish. Not to such a kind, loving, warm young man.

Her... Her friend.

Her partner. Or rather... Who she thought would be her partner.

Jaune walked along in the Emerald Forest, scanning around carefully as Blake walked at his side... Pyrrha on his other.

"Thanks for pinning me to that tree, Pyrrha," Jaune said with a laugh, "Uh, I'm still working on landings with Aura."

"Oh, think nothing of it, Jaune!" Pyrrha giggled.

Blake dug her nails into her palm. She grit her teeth.

Yang was following along too, Blake's partner. She was... Fine. Aside from the puns and the bounciness, the fact she wouldn't stop talking...

"Yeah, but it's good we got up and leafed, right?" Yang giggled. Jaune actually laughed, and Blake bristled.

Don't laugh at her jokes! They're terrible!

"Anyway," Jaune said, "Blake? You smell or hear anything dangerous?"

Blake sniffed and listened.

"Yes. Eight Beowulves, and Four Ursas are in our way," Blake said.

Jaune nodded. Shortly after, they came across the Grimm gathered in a pack. Jaune pulled out his sword and opened up his mechashift shield.

"All right. Yang? We'll be up front-Hit them towards me, we'll keep them boxed in. Pyrrha and Blake? On the flanks. Let's take them down."

"Of course Jaune!" Pyrrha said cheerfully.

"Sounds fine by me! You be the anvil, and I'll be the hammer!" Yang grinned.

"Just fine," Blake muttered as she drew Gambol Shroud.

They made quick work of the Grimm. Jaune was the strong, support tank, Yang was the strong offensive tank. Pyrrha was fast and mobile, hitting hard at all ranges, while she swept through the stragglers. They finished them off in no time. Jaune grinned.

"Wow! We did great work! Even faster than when it was just you and me, Blake!"

"Yes. It was," Blake grumbled. Pyrrha beamed.

"I think we're going to be a great team!"

"The best!" Yang laughed, bumping Jaune's shoulder with her own.

Blake ground her sharp teeth.

Yes. It was good. So good...

"You okay Blake?" Jaune asked, frowning in concern, "You're gripping Gambol Shroud pretty hard."

"I'm fine," Blake hissed. Jaune took her hands in his, and massaged some pressure points.

"Don't overstrain your muscles, we've got a ways to go," Jaune said firmly. "Here: My mom did this for my dad all the time when he fought. Does it feel better?"

She saw how stiff Pyrrha's smile became. And how Yang raised an eyebrow.

She smirked a bit smugly as Jaune's warmth was once again solely hers.

"Just fine..."

- - -

Doctor Knowall watched the Initiation play out on the holoscreens with Ozpin and Glynda. Ozpin sipped his hot chocolate, while Glynda made some observations every now and then.

"Winchester's team seems well suited to close-range combat. None of them have any stealth or much range, though Sky's Voice Imitation Semblance might come in handy for distractions."

"Miss Rose and Miss Schnee are an unlikely pair... Hopefully they won't kill eachother."

"Zalbar's team is a bit light on muscle, so we may wish to shuffle them around. Plus, what name would you make out of ZXXZ anyway?"

There was an alert and a few red-tinged holoscreens appeared. Ozpin looked at this cluster as several people in white masks and black outfits walked into the woods. He frowned.

"Intruders in Sector 56," he murmured.

"White Fang," Glynda growled, "In such numbers?"

Ozpin looked over at Knowall.

"Knowall? Anything to add to this?"

His eyes widened in shock. Glynda's soon followed.

Knowall's face was locked in a cold, furious snarl. His fists were clenched and glowing with Aura energy.

"... I'll handle this," he growled.

"You will need backup-" Glynda protested, but Knowall shook his head.

"No. I will not," Knowall stated, firm and angry. He turned and headed out.

- - -

Rathbone peered down the sights of his sniper rifle. A black bowed girl in white and black was running along with a bunch of humans.

Not that there was any shortage of them around.

"That's her," he muttered to his comrades, "Adam's main squeeze. If we bring her back after killing all these students... He'll reward us greatly!"

"Sure those Dust Rounds won't kill her? We can't bring back a corpse," he comrade grumbled.

"They'll be just fine-"

Something blocked his view. He scowled.

"What the-?!"

Someone yanked his rifle out of his hands. That same someone crushed the rifle between his hands like it was made of tinfoil. Rathbone looked up in shock at the tall blond human in a simple blue suit, red tie, glasses, and white lab coat.

He grinned furiously, his blue eyes burning with Aura.

"White Fang, huh? Here to kill a load of innocent students for your master?"

Rathbone gasped.

"You-Kill him-!"

His comrades pulled their guns and opened fire. Rathbone's eyes widened in disbelief as the man caught every round with his hands. The White Fang members stopped firing, and gaped as he dropped the bullets in front of them.

"Yeah. Not today,"

Jaune punched all of them, so fast he was only a blur. He then stepped back. Rathbone gaped, and felt his stomach.

"I... What... What did you do?! I didn't feel-!"

Pain filled his entire body. He coughed and covered his mouth with his hand. He looked down at the blood and gaped in shock.

"I just triggered your immune systems to consume your bodies from the inside," Knowall snarled. "Your lungs, your liver, your heart-It will all tear itself apart. Your brain, lungs, and heart will be last, along with your nervous system so that you will die in the worst agony possible for anyone to experience."

Rathbone gaped as his body went numb. His comrades gasped in horror as they too began to shake and cough blood.

"But... But why-?!"

Knowall glared. His hatred seemed like heat from a fire that was threatening to consume him.

"Because you took everything from me," Knowall snarled. "You destroy all life just for your selfish hatred, consumed by your idiocy and rage. You never look beyond your own pain, you just inflict it upon others. Well... Guess what? You get to experience a fraction of what you've caused the innocent."

"N-No, please!" Rathbone begged, falling to his knees. "Please! We-We'll tell you anything! Help you give up our plans! Please! J-Just... Just don't! PLEASE! You're a doctor, right?! You-You're a doctor!"

"You're a doctor, right?"

Jaune had looked up to his fiancé from some notes he was taking. They were sitting in their small apartment in Atlas. She was full of concern for him. He shrugged.

"Yeah, I am," he said.

"So, aren't you supposed to do no harm?" She asked. "You've been doing a lot of harm in a fight."

Jaune frowned.

"I... I can't let you fight alone," he said. "Besides, if I'm with you... I need to help."

"Yeah but..." Yang frowned, "You're so... Gentle."

"So, what?" Jaune scoffed. It was the same argument his mom had used. "I'm not cut out to fight with you?"

"No, you're actually pretty great," Yang said with a soft smile, "But... I just... I don't want you to become something you're not. I don't... I don't want you to become cruel. The world beats people down... It can destroy them."

She contemplated her cybernetic arm for a moment.

"Don't let the world turn you into a monster, Jaune. No matter what it does... Promise me?"

Jaune turned to her, and smiled warmly.

"I promise..."

Knowall took a long, deep breath. Glynda descended behind him. He could tell she'd been there for a while though, from how concerned her tone was.

"Doctor Knowall?" She prompted. "Well?"

"... You will cooperate with the authorities in every way," Knowall stated. "Leave nothing out."

Rathbone nodded frantically. Knowall quickly touched all of them, and their vitals slowly returned to normal. A few police Bullheads flew up overhead, and cops descended. They began to cuff and secure the White Fang members. Knowall turned away and looked down into the valley. Glynda looked at Knowall in deep concern. She hesitated.

"Doctor?"

He adjusted his glasses.

"... Sorry about that," he murmured, "I'm fine now."

Glynda stared intently at him.

"Are you sure about that?"

Knowall's eyes found a blonde head of hair down in the valley. He was silent for a time.

"... Sure enough," he murmured.

- - -

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Isabel was finishing some paperwork in the dormroom, while Arjun meditated and Saia read a book. The door opened and Nick walked in with a bright smile.

Isabel: "You're late, Nick. I thought we were going to hang out after class?"

Nick: "Oh! Sorry I'm a bit late! But I've got great news!" All smiles

Isabel: "Oh? What is it?"

Nick: "Well, you guys keep telling me I don't know anything about social stuff."

Arjun: "You don't."

Saia: "No offense."

Isabel: "You're like a nine year old in a seventeen year old's body."

Nick: "So I decided to train and learn how to do it properly! And I've succeeded at something social!"

Isabel: smile "Good for you, Nick! What was it?"

Nick: "I asked a girl on a date... And she said yes!"

Silence. Arjun and Saia sloooowly move to the far side of the room away from Isabel and Nick. Isabel is still smiling, even as her eyebrow twitches.

Isabel: "Really? Well... That's... Nice! Who did you ask?"

Nick: Oblivious "Summer! She's nice and we get along great!"

Isabel: TWITCH "Oh! Yes! Summer! That's... Yes."

Nick: "She's gonna take me to a video game arcade! I saw those around and I didn't know what they were so she's gonna show me! And then we're having lunch! I'm paying! That... That is how you're supposed to do it, right?"

Isabel: "It... It can vary but it's a good start."

Nick: "Well, I thought Summer would be a good choice! You're always telling me to stay away from certain girls who would be no good for me, but you don't have any problems with Summer! So I asked her!"

Isabel: "That's... That's great Nick. Truly."

Nick: beams "Thanks for pushing me to get better at stuff, Izzy. I couldn't do it without you! You're the best partner a guy could ask for!"

Isabel: "... Yes... Well... Um... Do you need any help with the date?"

Nick: "Well... I wouldn't mind it... But maybe later, huh? It's late, and I gotta get a shower."

Isabel: Dead State, smile "That's fine, Nick."

Nick: "Thanks Izzy!" He heads into the bathroom... The water starts...

Arjun: "... You know, you could just tell him that you like him-"

Isabel: bright red "I DO NOT LIKE HIM! I-I don't-HOW COULD I EVER LIKE THAT IDIOT?! He-He's stupid and careless and crass and-and I don't like him like that at all! Summer is a perfect choice for him, they're BOTH idiots!"

Isabel growls and grips onto the wooden panels of her bed in irritation.

Isabel: "They can go and have a date! Doesn't matter to me, not ONE bit! Not at all!"

Saia: "Isabel?"

Isabel: "YES?"

Saia: "You're gonna-"

The entire bedframe snaps and falls apart under the pressure of Isabel's fingers.

Saia: "... That."

Arjun: "Clearly it does, Isabel. And clearly you do care for him-"

Isabel: "I DO NOT!"

Saia: "It does seem counterproductive to deny your feelings when he's not even chasing you. If you got him to chase you, then you can play this strange game of yours-"

Isabel: "I'M NOT PLAYING ANYTHING! I DON'T LIKE HIM AND THAT'S FINAL! HE CAN GO AND GET MARRIED AND HAVE A DOZEN BABIES WITH SUMMER FOR ALL I CARE!" She storms out and slams the door.

Arjun and Saia look at each other and sigh.

Arjun: "Why must Valean women be like this?"

Saia: "It is quite beyond me, my Prince."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -



Jaune was relaxing a bit out on the quad under his favorite tree. He played his guitar without much form or direction, just putting up a random tune that spoke of his exhaustion. Orleans drank from one of many fountains around the campus nearby, not a care in the world.



"Mmhmmhmhmhm..." An old tune came to his mind and his fingers set to realizing it, "Mmhmhmhm... I dig my hole, you build a wall... I dig my hole, you build a wall... One day that wall is gonna fall~..."



It was a bleak song he'd heard from some Faunus on a cattle drive, but it had stuck in his head ever since. He closed his eyes and sang it softly, enjoying the music and the afternoon breeze.



"Ahem."



Jaune's eyes snapped open and his hand went to rest on his gun. He looked up. Sun Wukong stood there, his golden hair and bronze skin shining in the sun. Even wearing his school uniform, he left it unbuttoned to show off his chest.



As far as Jaune was concerned, the man could do as he pleased. That said, he could only imagine the whoopin' his Nana would give Sun if she showed up like that in her classroom.



"What can I do for you, Mister Wukong?" Jaune asked, pleasant and polite enough. Sun sat down, his tail waving a bit in nervousness. He kept smiling.



"That's a nice song you're playing," he said.



Jaune nodded.



"Thank you."



"Old Faunus Revolutionary song, I think," Sun continued.



Jaune thrummed his guitar strings and nodded thoughtfully.



"That so? Some Faunus cowhands taught it to me. Been playin' it ever since."



"Mm," Sun nodded. They sat in silence for a time. Orleans shot an inquisitive look over at them, but Jaune shook his head at his horse. She resumed guzzling her water, though kept an eye on them.



"So," Sun began, trying to sound casual, "You and Blake are... Friends, right?"



Jaune blinked, still strumming his guitar. He nodded.



"Yessir."



Sun nodded thoughtfully.



"Good friends?"



"Well," Jaune considered, "We have saved eachother's lives. I believe that makes us friends at the very least."



Sun nodded thoughtfully, working his jaw. Jaune frankly kind of wished Sun would get to the point.



"So... You're not... Together, right?"



Ah. There it was. Jaune shook his head.



"Er, no. We are not," he said firmly. Sun stared intently at him. Jaune coughed. "What? We're not."



"Neptune just told me your shotgun speech and well," Sun shrugged awkwardly. Jaune chuckled.



"Well, you're different. You actually fought alongside us in battle. My pa and Mister Duke always said the truest sense of a man is found when he's in a fight. You fight well. You looked after Blake. I don't see no reason to go overboard. If you want to date Blake, it's up to her, not me."



He kept strumming his guitar. Sun nodded thoughtfully.



"I guess that's fair," he said, "Just, you know... You seem to have quite the following."



Jaune blinked.



"I do?" He asked.



Sun stared back at him in utter disbelief.



"Yes? How could you not notice?!"



"I mean, I have seven sisters," Jaune said with a shrug, "And while uh, a few of the ladies here might be sweet on me... Um... I ain't inclined to pursue any until I'm sure it's gonna be serious, you know? I don't wanna lead on women. If I date seriously? It's for keeps."



Sun blinked rapidly at him.



"Neptune said you were crazy," Sun observed.



Jaune scowled.



"What's crazy about not breakin' hearts? Sides, I make these ladies angry, they could all kill me."



Sun hummed and nodded.



"That's fair. Still... Good on you, bro. You're cool." He patted Jaune's shoulder. "Thanks."



"Don't mention it," Jaune said. Sun brightened as he looked past Jaune's shoulder. The cowboy looked back and smiled as well.



The rest of JNPR and RWBY approached. Sun got up and dashed right in front of Blake with an eager smile.



"Hey Blake! I found this nice little coffee shop on Tombs street that's also a bookstore. Wanna check it out this Saturday?"



Blake hummed. She looked between the relaxing Jaune, who was now playing a song for the rest of their friends as they sat down around him.



"Well... What were you talking about with Jaune?" She asked.



Sun, guileless as ever, smiled and shrugged.



"Just getting permission to date you from your big brother, I guess."



Blake hummed again. She really shouldn't... But...



"Oh, I see," she said, "Wait a moment."



She practically skipped over to Jaune and shot for him. With a yelp, he held his guitar out of the way as she landed in his lap.



"Blake!" Ruby gasped.



"Jaune onii-chan," Blake crooned, nuzzling Jaune's nose, "Do I have permission to go on a date with Sun this Saturday?"



She felt the glares of Weiss, Yang, Pyrrha, and Ruby. She couldn't help but relish them.



Jaune, bright red, nodded quickly.



"S-Sure! No problem!"



"Thanks. I'm so sorry, but one man just isn't enough for me~," Blake whispered loudly. "Or woman." She kissed him on the nose. "Thanks~."



She got up slowly, swaying her hips as she walked up to Sun. Sun stared in disbelief as Jaune was left bright red. Weiss sputtered. Pyrrha and Yang glared death, as Ruby growled. Nora gave Blake a thumbs up, as Ren sighed and just tried to meditate.



"Ha... Man, I knew you were a joker but geez," Sun laughed. Blake smiled at him and took his arm between hers.



"Was I?" She asked.



Sun gaped. Blake shrugged.



"Guess you'll just have to find out~..."



- - -



Because Troll!Blake is a lot of fun.

 

[Gur40]

-Ruby tries to be a ninja as a lark. Shenanigans ensue.

Click to shrink...

Stolen from Tumblr just fit to me:
razorblade180
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12h ago

Yang: All I'm saying is a good Full Nelson could've helped the situation.

Blake: I don't think that works against Xenomorphs.

Yang: But nobody ever tries in the movies. Just step on the tail too and- oh.

There's a sock on the dorm doorknob

Blake: Huh…I guess we're seeing another movie.

Yang: Works for me. Hopefully Weiss will be less sassy after scoring.

Blake: What makes you think Ruby isn't behind the door?

Yang: Pfft, no, no, no, no, I don't have to worry about that yet. She sweats shaking a person hand. It's definitely Weiss.

Blake: Could be both of them.

Yang: My little sister isn't currently behind this door.

Blake: Okay~

Yang: Don't do that. Ruby is probably somewhere trying not to pass out from embarrassment after seeing the sock herself. I mean who would think Weiss would be so bold and forward?

Weiss: Nobody, because "she" isn't.

The black and yellow of team RWBY whip their head around to see the girl crossing her arms as she stared at them with mild blush.

Weiss: Are they done yet?

Yang:…..

It felt instantaneous. The moment Yang so much as twitched her body, a glyph was in front of the door and Blake had her in Full Nelson as she started dragging her away.

Blake: Maybe you're right. This is a handy hold.

Yang: Release me.

Blake: I don't have siblings, but this feels like one of those pivotal moments where you be supportive and not ruin something as it's happening.

Weiss: As a younger sister, Blake is correct. Look at it like this, there's only three reasonable options. If it's Penny, you lose. If it's Pyrrha, you lose. If it's Jaune, you still have to fight Pyrrha.

Yang: That won't save them from my wrath! And if it's none of those three?

Blake and Weiss: Then we'll help you kill them.

Ruby: Who are we killing?

WBY:*turn around* Ruby!?

Ruby:*workout gear* H-Hi? How was the movie?

Weiss: Who's in our dorm!?

Ruby: Huh? Oh, Coco paid me to use it with Velvet. Because their team was tired from a mission.

Yang: Oh cool.

Weiss: Cool!? You can't just rent out our-

Ruby: I swapped our sheets and charged half of Yang's weight in lien.

Weiss: Outstanding.

Yang: My weight!?

Blake: Even when you win, you lose. *lets go* I guess you were right not to worry.

Ruby: Did you think I was in there? A third of my social circle is in this hallway. And the rest are across it.

Weiss: Yeah you need more friends.

Ruby: I'm not taking that from you.

Yang: Welp, now that my adrenaline is calming down, let's go grab a bite or something. Honestly I feel bad. I'm sure Velvet heard some of that.

Ruby: That wouldn't surprise me.

Blake: We'll apologize later.

All four of them walk away in peace, their team life remaining in tact.

Several minutes earlier, inside the dorm.

Yang: *being aggressively loud outside*

Ruby:*puts on shirt* Yeah, so I'm just gonna fly out the window, then come back up through the corridor and lure them away so you can escape.

Jaune: I thought your sister liked me?

Aggressive struggling continues

Ruby: Let's not take risks.

Jaune: Yeah I like my life. Fortunately, *pulls out scroll* Coco said she'd do me a solid for helping Velvet out. Heh, she already said "go for it."

Ruby: Should I be jealous that you have such a cool girl's number?

Jaune:Not after what we've been doing. I don't know about you but I'm still convinced this is a dream.

Ruby:*kisses cheek* I know~

Yang: That won't save them from my wrath!

Ruby:..Let me go prevent a nightmare.

Jaune: Please and thank you.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yeah but it would probably got all mid isekai.

... Goddamnit, stupid brain won't shut up. I gotta stop watching so much trashy anime.

- - -

Jaune calls his parents.

Jaune: "Hey Mom... Dad... Um... I know this is a little awkward-"

Isabel: "Are you going to come home and go to medical school?"

Jaune: "No. No I am not."

Isabel: scowls "Jaune, we've been over this a hundred times-"

Jaune: "Yes Mom, I know. You saw a lot of terrible crap as Hunters. I get it. But I want to help and protect people like you two! So please, at least let me try? If I fail, I'll come back and study. I promise."

Isabel: "... Well... I mean... I suppose you're being mature about this..."

Jaune: "Also? You know those medical techniques you were going to teach me with unlocked Aura? I kind of need them now."

Isabel: sighs "What makes you think I'll teach you them now-?"

Jaune: "Well..." Looks contrite and mumbles "This big guy's been bullying me in combat class..."

Isabel: eyes narrow "Who?"

Jaune: "Oh! Uh, nothing! I mean, it's no big deal-"

Isabel: "WHO IS BULLYING MY BABY BOY?!"

Jaune: Sheesh, no wonder he had such low self esteem! "Uh... Mom, you know that calling the school about it only makes it worse, right? Besides... If I do learn these medical techniques and I fail? I'll be a shoe in for medical school?"

Isabel: "..." sighs "Well... I suppose I can give you the basics..."

Jaune: "Thanks!"

- - -

The next day in combat class...

Jaune: Seriously, that fanon is canon? I have to face Cardin until I win? What bullshit is this?

Cardin: "All right Jauney Boy, ready to lose?"

Jaune: all smiles "Hey Cardin. Funny thing. Did you know my mother invented a few medical techniques with Aura that are stupidly easy to use? I don't know why I didn't ask her to teach me sooner, ego issues probably, but I picked up one or two last night!"

Cardin: "So what?!" He swung his Mace... Jaune sidesteps it and then flares his Aura

Jaune: "So this."

He shield bashes Cardin so hard he flies out of the ring and slams into the floor.

Jaune: "... Shit... Did NOT mean to go that hard... Sorry Cardin! So, that means I win, right?"

Goodwitch: "Uh, yes! Good work, Mister Arc."

Jaune: "Thanks Teach!"

With his friends...

Yang: "Nice bash, VB! Really left an impact!"

Jaune: "Thanks Dragon Girl."

Yang: "Eh?"

Jaune: "Well, why should you be the only one with pet names?" winks

Yang: gapes "Wow... One win and you're smooth?"

Jaune: "Looks like!"

Jaune: Wait, shit... They're all still underaged to me. It's so creepy. WHY ARE YOU BEING CREEPY?! STOP BEING CREEPY!

Pyrrha: beams "That was... Pretty good, Jaune..."

Jaune: "But?"

Pyrrha: "Um, well..."

Jaune: "I need honest feedback to improve. So... What did I do wrong?"

Pyrrha: wince "Well... Your dodge was good, I can tell you've had dancing experience. But it had too much flair: That wastes energy. And your shield bash needed more motion from your hips and a better stance. You're lucky that Cardin wasn't taking you seriously, but now he will."

Jaune: Well... There goes my confidence... "Thank you Pyrrha. I mean that. Really."

Pyrrha: "Sorry... You just need to train to get better."

Jaune: "That's what I'm here for!"

Ren: "It is impressive you were able to learn an Aura technique in one night."

Jaune: yawns "Yeah... Though to be fair, I knew the basics very well thanks to my mom's instruction. I bet you guys could all pick it up way faster and better. You wanna learn too?"

Nora: "YES! How much does it boost your strength?!"

Jaune: "Like... Ten times in short bursts? My mom can go to a hundred times though."

Yang: "A hundred times?!" Grabs his arm "You're training with me!"

Pyrrha: "He-He is on my team-"

Ruby: "I WANNA STOP BEING A PIPSQUEAK!"

Jaune: "How will being stronger help with that?!"

Nora: "HE'S ON OUR TEAM! TEACH ME! I WANNA LIFT A PANCAKE HOUSE OVER MY HEAD!"

Jaune: "Mayyyybe we'll wait on teaching you, Nora."

Jaune: Shiiiiiit... See, this is why Jaune didn't train. It just causes so many issues... Fuck. I'm a smartphone away from being a shitty isekai protagonist... Well, at least I don't have a token animal girl love interest...

Click to shrink...

When Blake runs off... And they fight the White Fang... Jaune finally takes Blake aside.

Jaune: "Okay, Blake? Real talk. Don't do this again."

Blake: "What? But I have to-"

Jaune: "Blake, why is it your job to go on a one cat crusade against the White Fang? It's not in your job description, is it?"

Blake: "I, I don't have a job-"

Jaune: "Princess is technically a job."

Blake: gapes "J-Jaune, you... How-?!"

Jaune: "Grew up with Faunus in Radian. One of them was a huge fanboy of yours. It was honestly kind of weird and unsettling. He was devastated when you joined White Fang."

Blake: "Wha-You're blackmailing me?!"

Jaune: "I'm telling you... If you do this all on your own and get captured, or worse? One, you'll make Ruby cry. Two, you'll make your parents cry. Three? You'll be playing right into their hands because as long as they had you as a hostage? They could keep your parents from getting directly involved. You want to stop the White Fang? You're going to need help."

Blake: "How... How do I know I can trust you?"

Jaune: "I've kept my mouth shut from the moment I met you. But if you keep trying to pull this tragic heroine shit on us, your friends? I will do more than talk."

Blake: "Like what?"

Jaune: "I will tie you up and gag you if I must."

Blake: blushes "... Y-You wouldn't dare-!"

Jaune: "I dropped Weiss Schnee on her small but well toned ass. Do I look like I'm the kind of man you want to mess with? I care about you all, Blake. That's why I'm going to push back on this. So if you want to fight the White Fang? Sure thing. But we're doing it smart, and we're doing it together. Got it?"

Blake: "..." licks her lips "No man tells me what to do-"

Jaune: "Do NOT pull that shit with me, Blake. Your dad may have been permissive, but I'm not. He's not here. I am. You keep this up, I'm bringing the hammer down. But only because I care. We good?"

Blake: scowls "... Fine. But you'd better not forget to keep me in my place, Jaune."

Jaune: "Don't worry. I won't."

Blake walks off. Pyrrha, Ren and Nora approach Jaune.

Pyrrha: "What was that all about?"

Jaune: "Just making some things clear." She'll probably still run off at least once... But maybe I can at least check her worst impulses for now. She'll probably hate me but... We can work that out later.

Meanwhile, in Blake's mind...

Blake: Who does that human think he is, ordering me around?! Blackmailing me?! He... He threatened to tie me up! Is he really... Does he really want to... To make me his pet?!

Blake blushes severely.

Blake: No... No... I can't give in too easily... He has to work for it... Put me in my place... Then take me and make me his~...!

Ruby: "Blake? You okay?"

Blake: "... I might need to buy a collar."

Ruby: "Eh?"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

When Blake runs off... And they fight the White Fang... Jaune finally takes Blake aside.



Jaune: "Okay, Blake? Real talk. Don't do this again."



Blake: "What? But I have to-"



Jaune: "Blake, why is it your job to go on a one cat crusade against the White Fang? It's not in your job description, is it?"



Blake: "I, I don't have a job-"



Jaune: "Princess is technically a job."



Blake: gapes "J-Jaune, you... How-?!"



Jaune: "Grew up with Faunus in Radian. One of them was a huge fanboy of yours. It was honestly kind of weird and unsettling. He was devastated when you joined White Fang."



Blake: "Wha-You're blackmailing me?!"



Jaune: "I'm telling you... If you do this all on your own and get captured, or worse? One, you'll make Ruby cry. Two, you'll make your parents cry. Three? You'll be playing right into their hands because as long as they had you as a hostage? They could keep your parents from getting directly involved. You want to stop the White Fang? You're going to need help."



Blake: "How... How do I know I can trust you?"



Jaune: "I've kept my mouth shut from the moment I met you. But if you keep trying to pull this tragic heroine shit on us, your friends? I will do more than talk."



Blake: "Like what?"



Jaune: "I will tie you up and gag you if I must."



Blake: blushes "... Y-You wouldn't dare-!"



Jaune: "I dropped Weiss Schnee on her small but well toned ass. Do I look like I'm the kind of man you want to mess with? I care about you all, Blake. That's why I'm going to push back on this. So if you want to fight the White Fang? Sure thing. But we're doing it smart, and we're doing it together. Got it?"



Blake: "..." licks her lips "No man tells me what to do-"



Jaune: "Do NOT pull that shit with me, Blake. Your dad may have been permissive, but I'm not. He's not here. I am. You keep this up, I'm bringing the hammer down. But only because I care. We good?"



Blake: scowls "... Fine. But you'd better not forget to keep me in my place, Jaune."



Jaune: "Don't worry. I won't."



Blake walks off. Pyrrha, Ren and Nora approach Jaune.



Pyrrha: "What was that all about?"



Jaune: "Just making some things clear." She'll probably still run off at least once... But maybe I can at least check her worst impulses for now. She'll probably hate me but... We can work that out later.



Meanwhile, in Blake's mind...



Blake: Who does that human think he is, ordering me around?! Blackmailing me?! He... He threatened to tie me up! Is he really... Does he really want to... To make me his pet?!



Blake blushes severely.



Blake: No... No... I can't give in too easily... He has to work for it... Put me in my place... Then take me and make me his~...!



Ruby: "Blake? You okay?"



Blake: "... I might need to buy a collar."



Ruby: "Eh?"

Click to shrink...

Pyrrha had noticed that Jaune spent a lot of time just staring at the stars by himself. She didn't mean to intrude, but she was curious about it.



Pyrrha: "Jaune? Are you all right?"



Jaune: "Hm? Oh, yeah." He smiles sadly at her, before looking back at the stars



Pyrrha: "I just... You seem so sad when you look at the stars."



Jaune: "Oh. Well..." He shrugs and sighs. "Life... Isn't quite what I thought it was. A lot of my conceptions for how things worked were... Well... Shattered."



Pyrrha: "Oh?" She sits next to him



Jaune: "Yeah."



Silence.



Pyrrha: "Um... If you need to talk... I-I'll listen?"



Jaune: "I appreciate it but... I don't want to worry you."



Pyrrha: "I'm worried about you anyway. You seem... Older, somehow."



Jaune: nervous "D-Do I?"



Pyrrha: "Yes... Like you've seen terrible things. Things that have aged you."



Jaune: sighs "... I guess I kind of have. It's... Complicated."



Pyrrha: "I'm still here."



Jaune: "... I thought that was it. That this was my end, my release. That I'd get my eternal reward... And here I am. It's a fantasy to some, but... To me? It's... Not what I was hoping for. It's just living someone else's dream with a lot of responsibility I didn't ask for."



Pyrrha: "Oh... My..."



Jaune: "But... I mean... Since I'm here? I have to use what I know to help people. Because you are people. You're not just... Characters in a story. You're real. You have hopes and dreams and fears and... And I have to do what I can do help you. But I don't know if I even can help you. If I can do anything to change things. Even this knowledge I have is incomplete. I only got a tiny picture of what this world was like and there's so much I don't know."



Pyrrha: "... Then... Then you are no different from anyone else." She smiles gently "You're just another mortal doing the best he can. There's... There's no shame in that."



Jaune: "I wish I could think like that... But I'm not quite that either. There's so much on my shoulders and... And all I can do is try to help others with their burdens. Because they wouldn't understand mine."



Pyrrha: "Isn't that presumptuous? Egotistical? Maybe we'd understand better than you think."



Jaune: "..." laughs softly "Maybe... I just know that... This is kind of a second chance for me. One I didn't want... But one I won't squander. Because... Well... I love you."



Pyrrha: Bright red "L-L-L-Love me?!"



Jaune: "All of you. Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Blake, Ren, Nora... You're all dear to me. Even more so now. I... I can't let anything happen to you. Any of you." He hugged her "And I won't. Just... Help me do the best I can, please."



Pyrrha: "I-I... Y-Yes, of course..." Hugs him back, feeling giddy



Ruby: "Wait... You love us?!"



Jaune and Pyrrha look up in shock. RWBY, Nora and Ren are there on the rooftop.



Yang: blush "W-Wow... Kind of forward of you, huh VB?"



Weiss: "Geez... Like anyone would believe that!"



Blake: "You're blushing."



Weiss: "Shut up!"



Nora: "Awww... So can we be adopted, Jaune? I can't marry you but adoption is totally on the table!"



Ren: "... I also love you, Jaune."



Blake: happy look



Ren: "In a brotherly way."



Blake: Disappointed



Jaune: "No, I mean, I love you all but I mean, uh... Er..."



Jaune's Brain: Goddamnit, you KNEW that kind of talk would get you into trouble but you had to get all poetic! Idiot!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Pyrrha had noticed that Jaune spent a lot of time just staring at the stars by himself. She didn't mean to intrude, but she was curious about it.

Pyrrha: "Jaune? Are you all right?"

Jaune: "Hm? Oh, yeah." He smiles sadly at her, before looking back at the stars

Pyrrha: "I just... You seem so sad when you look at the stars."

Jaune: "Oh. Well..." He shrugs and sighs. "Life... Isn't quite what I thought it was. A lot of my conceptions for how things worked were... Well... Shattered."

Pyrrha: "Oh?" She sits next to him

Jaune: "Yeah."

Silence.

Pyrrha: "Um... If you need to talk... I-I'll listen?"

Jaune: "I appreciate it but... I don't want to worry you."

Pyrrha: "I'm worried about you anyway. You seem... Older, somehow."

Jaune: nervous "D-Do I?"

Pyrrha: "Yes... Like you've seen terrible things. Things that have aged you."

Jaune: sighs "... I guess I kind of have. It's... Complicated."

Pyrrha: "I'm still here."

Jaune: "... I thought that was it. That this was my end, my release. That I'd get my eternal reward... And here I am. It's a fantasy to some, but... To me? It's... Not what I was hoping for. It's just living someone else's dream with a lot of responsibility I didn't ask for."

Pyrrha: "Oh... My..."

Jaune: "But... I mean... Since I'm here? I have to use what I know to help people. Because you are people. You're not just... Characters in a story. You're real. You have hopes and dreams and fears and... And I have to do what I can do help you. But I don't know if I even can help you. If I can do anything to change things. Even this knowledge I have is incomplete. I only got a tiny picture of what this world was like and there's so much I don't know."

Pyrrha: "... Then... Then you are no different from anyone else." She smiles gently "You're just another mortal doing the best he can. There's... There's no shame in that."

Jaune: "I wish I could think like that... But I'm not quite that either. There's so much on my shoulders and... And all I can do is try to help others with their burdens. Because they wouldn't understand mine."

Pyrrha: "Isn't that presumptuous? Egotistical? Maybe we'd understand better than you think."

Jaune: "..." laughs softly "Maybe... I just know that... This is kind of a second chance for me. One I didn't want... But one I won't squander. Because... Well... I love you."

Pyrrha: Bright red "L-L-L-Love me?!"

Jaune: "All of you. Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Blake, Ren, Nora... You're all dear to me. Even more so now. I... I can't let anything happen to you. Any of you." He hugged her "And I won't. Just... Help me do the best I can, please."

Pyrrha: "I-I... Y-Yes, of course..." Hugs him back, feeling giddy

Ruby: "Wait... You love us?!"

Jaune and Pyrrha look up in shock. RWBY, Nora and Ren are there on the rooftop.

Yang: blush "W-Wow... Kind of forward of you, huh VB?"

Weiss: "Geez... Like anyone would believe that!"

Blake: "You're blushing."

Weiss: "Shut up!"

Nora: "Awww... So can we be adopted, Jaune? I can't marry you but adoption is totally on the table!"

Ren: "... I also love you, Jaune."

Blake: happy look

Ren: "In a brotherly way."

Blake: Disappointed

Jaune: "No, I mean, I love you all but I mean, uh... Er..."

Jaune's Brain: Goddamnit, you KNEW that kind of talk would get you into trouble but you had to get all poetic! Idiot!

Click to shrink...

Later, Jaune meets with Ozpin. The Headmaster was very busy, but Jaune had pressed the issue and so Ozpin had agreed to a meeting in his office.

Ozpin: "Please, have some hot chocolate, Mister Arc."

Jaune: "Thanks but I just had breakfast."

Ozpin: "Suit yourself." sips his mug "Mm. I find it better than coffee."

Jaune: "Depends on the coffee, I suppose. And how it's prepared."

Ozpin: "Mmm. To each their own, but my personal experience is that humans just keep trying to make coffee and alcohol taste better just to make the experience of imbibing it more pleasant."

Jaune: "I suppose you would know best, sir. After all, you were around when it was invented."

Ozpin: chuckles "A crack about my age! And a very good one."

Jaune: smiles "No. I mean that very literally, Ozma."

Dead silence. Ozpin stares at Jaune and slowly sets down his mug.

Jaune: "I'm going to guess you're going for your cane, which is filled up with energy from you constantly doing stuff. You really should make better use of it."

Ozpin: "How could you possibly-?"

Jaune: "I just hit my head and... I had a vision. A vision of the future. I know that the sword my Nana keeps in her closet is actual magic. I know that the moon wasn't fractured on accident. And I know about you... And Salem. I saw the Fall Maiden's powers taken by one of Salem's agents. Vale and Atlas, destroyed. And the Ever After. How?" shrugs "Got me. Maybe it's my Semblance. Maybe it's magic. You got any Arcs in your body hopping family tree, Ozzy?"

Ozpin looks absolutely flabbergasted. Outwardly, Jaune is smirking. Inwardly, he's doing his best to keep himself together.

Jaune's Brain: Shit shit shit... Why do I have to play it like an asshole Independent Harry Potter fic?! TONE IT DOWN!

Ozpin: "... And what is it you intend to do with this information, Mister Arc?"

Jaune: "A lot of people I care about died in this future. A lot of it due to mistakes. Mistakes we could avoid. I want to avoid those mistakes, Headmaster. So... I'm going to give you as much information as I can to help you. But... I have to be careful about it. The second we use this information, the future changes and a lot of other things become worthless. And for all I know, I got a lot of things wrong."

He shook his head.

Jaune: "All I know is... I think I've got the memories of a much, MUCH older man in my head. One who has seen horrors. Horrors beyond comprehension. If I can save my friends, my family... Just people in general from it? Then it's worth it. So please sir... I am asking you to help me."

Ozpin: "... I will." He shook his head "... Thank you for surprising me for the first time in a long, long time. It's... A unique experience."

Jaune: "I can imagine. Anyway, first off... I have some questions since the vision wasn't entirely clear. Can I ask some?"

Ozpin: "If it does not compromise anyone's safety, I can try to answer it."

Jaune: "Don't worry, this is ancient history. Namely: Why hasn't Salem steamrolled Remnant already? She's immortal and has incredible magic. She controls the Grimm. She should have already won."

Ozpin: sips "Did not the vision show you the Moon breaking?"

Jaune: "I mean, it did, but I saw a war between Salem and the Gods and... Uh... Stuff."

Ozpin: "Hmmm... Perhaps it interpreted things in a metaphorical sense. Something easier for your mind to comprehend. Salem... Well... You saw how we met and fell in love?"

Jaune: "Rescued her from a tower, yeah."

Ozpin: nods "Our magical abilities were so in tune, we revolutionized it. We brought about wonders... But even with all our power, I was still prone to mortal failings. I died from a disease. Salem... Used all her magic, all her knowledge, to bring me back. But in doing so? She unleashed the greatest evil this world has ever known."

Jaune's jaw drops.

Jaune: "You don't mean... The Grimm?!"

Ozpin: "The story got twisted and altered over thousands of years in many religious traditions. The Table Breakers hold that Man brought forth the Grimm due to temptation by Evil herself to gain power over life and death. The Pathists believe that desperate desire, unchecked and unmanaged, brought forth a darkness to consume the light. The Dharmists believe it was a battle between the arrogant humans and the saddened gods as humanity sought to gain eternal life. In the end... They each have a piece of the truth. Salem brought forth the Grimm to save me."

Jaune: "Holy shit..."

Ozpin: nods gravely "This act made us both immortal, and powerful. We united man and Faunuskind together into a grand magical civilization. We fought the Grimm, made the world safe... But all the while, the price of ripping through the barriers of reality to the afterlife was paid by my wife. She was consumed by evil. She wanted to eliminate all death, all suffering... By making us all like her. Grimm."

Jaune: gapes

Ozpin: "I fought her. She gathered followers, promising them immortality. With the combined might of our armies? It was very much like a war between the gods. The world was devastated. She... She killed our daughters. I had only one chance: An ancient ritual to seal her away, as death had no hold on her. I managed to do it... Sealed her away into what was our home on the Dragon Continent... But the backlash of it shattered the moon, destroyed almost all magic, and sealed most of my power away into the four souls of our daughters, and four other items of great power."

Jaune: Holy shit... This is better than the original by leaps and bounds! How did this not get through to Monty?! Ah well...

Jaune: "So, if Salem gets her hands on the Maidens and Relics-?"

Ozpin: "Her full power will be unleashed. Even as she is, after centuries, she can manipulate through dreams and at times, project her image. She can control the Grimm but not as she once did. Even so... She has kept up this war for thousands of years. If she were to be released with her full power, and in possession of mine...? Remnant would be doomed."

Jaune: "Damn... So... Yeah. We totally want to stop that from happening."

Ozpin: "There is another problem... Her seal is weakening. There are still safeguards she cannot overcome without my power thanks to the ritual, but her power is growing. Enough that she's been able to take physical form in her castle for a few centuries. Even without her full strength she is formidable."

Jaune: "And I guess we can't just nuke her into oblivion?"

Ozpin: "I have considered it... But frankly, unleashing that much energy against the very thing keeping her sealed is probably not a good idea."

Jaune: "I kind of have to agree... Though I think General Ironwood still wants to try that strategy. Maybe you should tell him why it's not a good idea?"

Ozpin: "I have, though I didn't tell him the full details. However, if we're talking about the fate of billions, I may need to rethink that. Among other things."

Jaune: "Wow... You're... Uh... No offense Headmaster but you're way different from in the visions!"

Ozpin: "I am?"

Jaune: "Yeah."

Ozpin: "How so?"

Jaune tells him. Ozpin pauses a moment to digest this, and shakes his head.

Ozpin: "If I did make such decisions, Jaune... No wonder we were losing in the future."

Jaune: "Yeah, I kind of agree... I don't know if I got a bad transmission or something but... Even if only bits and pieces of it are true? I hope it helps."

Ozpin: "Prophecy has always been a difficult and complex subject, Jaune. Don't feel bad about not getting a complete picture. The future is always in motion."

Jaune: snerk "... Uh, sorry. Little in-joke."

Ozpin: "Indeed. Also... Rest assured that even if I did inhabit a teenaged body? I am unlikely to ever 'mack on' Miss Rose."

Jaune: "Oh... That's good."

Ozpin: "Though do take care with your own romantic endeavours? Miss Xiao-Long would be most put out."

Jaune: "Uh, n-no! I'm not-I'm totally not-!"

Ozpin: "Unless you intend to emulate your great-grandfather and go for a harem ending? It's not uncommon in the Arc line, you know-"

Jaune: "WHAT?! NO! I-I didn't even know that was an option-!"

Ozpin: "Of course it's an option. And if it gives us a better chance for survival, perhaps we should take it. I could give you some advice-"

Jaune: "NO! NO! I AM GOOD! TOTALLY GOOD!"

Ozpin: smirk, sips

Jaune: sigh "That's really not funny, Headmaster."

Ozpin: "Who said I was joking?"

Jaune: "Fuck. I am a terrible isekai protagonist."

Ozpin: "Language."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

As you might be able to tell, I'm a bit stressed at work with nothing to do. So...

- - -

The island of Patch

It was late afternoon when F=five-year-old Jaune Arc stared in wonder at the two-storey tall cabin he and his parents approached on horseback. He was held securely in his mother's lap as she guided her horse towards the wooden building, her husband Nick on his own steed close behind.

"Tai? Tai!" Isabel shouted. There was no response. Nick frowned as he dismounted.

"Though we were going to meet at the airship port," he murmured. His eyes began to scan around carefully, his senses alert.

"I thought so too," Isabel hummed, sliding off her own horse easily as she held Jaune in her arms. He wiggled before he got loose, dropping onto the grass.

"Mama, where's Yang and Ruby?" Jaune asked. He was pretty put out, which was understandable: He'd only talked with Ruby and Yang via CCT call. He was now finally healthy enough to travel, and he was eager to meet the daughters of some of his parents' good friends in person!

"I don't know, sweetie, we're going to find out," Isabel said with a gentle smile. She held onto his hand tightly all the same: It was habit from how weak and sickly he had been for so long.

Nick frowned deeply and Isabel looked at him in concern.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Strange tracks," he murmured. Isabel studied the ground. She shrugged.

"Toy wagon tracks. They were probably playing," she said.

Nick hummed but said nothing more.

Nick strode forward up to the wooden door, and knocked on it hard.

"Tai? Qrow?!" He shouted. "Anybody?!"

Again, there was nothing but silence. Nick frowned as Isabel pulled out her Scroll.

"He missed us at the airship port," she mumbled thoughtfully, dialing the Xiao-Long's home number, "He didn't call about anything..." She held the Scroll up to her ear as Jaune struggled against her grip playfully, "... Tai? This is Izzy. We made it to the house. Please call us as soon as you can..."

Nick tried the door handle. It was unlocked and swung open easily. Nick's frown deepened as Isabel stared.

"Izzy? Smell anything?"

Izzy enhanced her sense of smell by several times. She pulled Jaune up into her arms as Nick stepped in carefully. Isabel followed.

"He's in here," she said quietly. "Tai! TAI!"

Both Arcs spotted a human form on the couch, wrapped up in a weathered blanket in front of the TV. There were messy plates everywhere as a lone puppy licked at one. The dog was a corgi, and whimpered urgently as Nick walked over and grabbed the blanket. He pulled it off, revealing a very disheveled Taiyang Xiao-Long. He rubbed his messy stubble and stared blearily up at them.

"Huh? Izzy? Nick?"

"Nick, what happened?" Isabel asked urgently, "I thought you were going to meet us at the airship port?"

"Oh... Ohhhh..." Taiyang rubbed his face with a groan. "That... That was today... Right... Sorry."

"When's the last time you had a shower?" Isabel asked, as Jaune grimaced and pointed at Tai.

"Uncle Tai's all dirty!"

"I uh..." Taiyang scratched his head. "Not sure. School's closed this week, um... I thought we could..."

Nick turned on the lights. Tai grimaced and squinted. Nick glanced at his wife, and then down at the floor.

"Izzy. Look."

Isabel looked down. She focused her eyes like a hawk or eagle and made out some messy tracks: Made by a child's wagon.

"Where are Yang and Ruby?" Isabel asked tightly. She enhanced her hearing, but couldn't pick up any children around aside from Jaune.

"They..."

Tai's eyes widened in sudden realization and horror, his detachment falling away like a cloak.

"Where-Where are they-?!"

"Out the door!" Nick shouted. He turned and ran, dashing right outside.

"NICK! Wait, NICK!" Isabel cried. She turned to Taiyang and made a face before shaking her head.

"Oh Breaker, where are they-what did they-?!"

"We'll find them, Tai!" Isabel barked, just like in her leader days at Beacon. It seemed to get Tai's attention given how he looked intently at her. "We're going to find them! Just... Here. Watch Jaune, we will be right back, I promise!"

Taiyang shook his head and began to move towards the door.

"They're my girls, I can't just-!"

Isabel put a hand on his chest then pushed him down onto the couch. He fell without much balance and gaped stupidly up at her. She then put Jaune on Tai's lap.

"Jaune? Stay with Uncle Tai. Watch him. We will be right back, I promise," she said. She kissed her baby boy's head. "But don't go anywhere, this is very important. Do you understand?"

"Yes Mama!" Jaune said, nodding quickly.

Isabel turned and dashed out the door after her husband.

He put on his most serious face and stared intently at the distressed Tai. He then reached out and patted the older blond man on the hand.

"Don't worry, Uncle Tai! Mama and Daddy are gonna find Ruby and Yang! You'll see!" He beamed. "They're the best!"

"Y-Yeah... Sure kid," Tai murmured.

- - -

This was stupid. The stupidest thing ever.

Yang had heard her mother... Her real mother... Might have been living on the island somewhere. After Mom... After she died, Daddy was just... He wasn't there. He fell apart. He went to work but... Even when she shouted at him, he barely reacted.

He was broken.

So Yang thought... Maybe if she found her real Mom, Dad would get better. Dad would be fixed.

Maybe she could fix everything.

So she'd put Ruby into her wagon and set out when she was sure Dad wasn't home. She'd seen a big pile of blankets on the couch but that was normal.

Ruby had giggled and clapped happily every step of their journey, the two-year old enraptured by every fluttering bug and colorful flower. Yang though was serious just like a real Huntress. She had a mission to complete.

It was pretty deep in the woods (and things had gotten very dark) when they found an old looking cabin. It was made of rotted wood and sagging timbers. Honestly, it looked like where a witch from a fairy tale would live.

Still...

"Mama?" Yang called out. "It's Yang and Ruby! Mama? Are you there?"

Silence greeted her... Then an inhuman snarl. Red eyes appeared out of the shadows, and dark forms began to emerge. Fear filled Yang, as Ruby began to cry behind her. She stepped back until she bumped into the wagon as the Grimm advanced.

"Mama! Daddy!" She screamed, her arms going around little Ruby, "ANYONE! SOMEBODY! HELP!"

The lead Grimm looked like a nightmare made real. It snarled, baring large, sharp fangs that matched its bone white mask. Yang trembled and shook as she kept screaming.

"SOMEBODY! HELP! PLEASE!"

The Grimm lunged... Then something tall landed in front of them with a rush of wind. A gigantic white sword lashed out and the Grimm exploded in a flash of yellow light!

"I've got these, get the girls and GO!" A tall man, a darker blond than her daddy with a beard, bellowed. In moments, strong arms wrapped around Yang and Ruby both and they were flying!

Well, jumping. They leaped very high in the air and landed. Yang looked up in shock at the woman holding them and now running faster than a racing horse.

She was very pretty. Blonde, though much lighter than her own. Green-blue eyes behind glasses that looked over them frantically.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" The woman asked urgently.

In the moment, Yang couldn't help but wonder:

"Mama?"

"No sweetie, it's me, Aunt Isabel, remember?" The woman said with a soft, kind smile even as she dashed through the woods, "It's okay. You're safe now, you're safe..."

Right... Aunt Isabel. Daddy's friend. She was coming to visit. Yang had completely forgotten.

"What about...?" She looked over Isabel's shoulder. A massive explosion of yellow energy erupted, and she could hear the howls of Grimm.

Aunt Isabel chuckled at Yang and Ruby's wide eyes.

"Oh, he'll be just fine. Don't you worry. He's a Huntsman, after all."

- - -

Nick did catch up, grinning the same way he did after wiping out a horde of Grimm. He took Ruby in his arms, and the toddler soon giggled and began to play with his beard. They arrived back at the cabin soon after. Isabel's eyes widened when she saw Jaune standing outside, looking scared.

"What happened, son?" Nick immediately asked, free hand going for his sword again.

"Um... Uncle Qrow came in and told me to wait out here," he said, as he stroked the head of the dog. His eyes widened when he saw the girls. "Yang? Ruby?"

"Jaune!" Yang cheered. She'd wanted to meet the Bubble Boy since she'd seen him on the CCT! "Where's your bubble?"

"I don't need it anymore!" Jaune said proudly.

There was the sound of a loud crash inside. Isabel grimaced.

"I should-"

Nick shook his head. Isabel scowled.

"Nick, I-"

"Please Izzy, let me handle this?" Nick asked softly. "After we show him his kids are all right."

Isabel sighed but nodded. Jaune helpfully opened the door, and Nick patted his son on his head.

"Good job, Jaune," he said. They entered... To see Qrow shaking Taiyang by the collar.

"-What the hell do you mean you lost them?! You let them run off and-?!"

"DAD!" Yang and Ruby cried. Taiyang's eyes lit up and filled with tears. He dropped to his knees as the Arcs set Yang and Ruby down. The two little girls ran up and hugged their dad, the reality of what had just happened catching back up to them.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry... I'm so glad you're safe!" Taiyang sobbed.

Nick and Isabel stood a bit awkwardly. Qrow heaved a sigh of relief and managed a smile at his nieces. Jaune clung to Isabel's leg, and she stroked the top of his head.

Once Taiyang got himself back under control, Isabel very gently ushered the girls away.

"I'm going to make them some food," she said, "Jaune? Come on."

The three children and Isabel vanished into the kitchen. It was then that Qrow grabbed Taiyang and dragged him outside. Nick stepped out of the way, then followed at a slow pace.

Qrow threw Tai to the ground, and the blond yelped.

"Your kids nearly fucking died, Tai," Qrow seethed. "You're fucking lucky the Arcs were here, fucking lucky. I wasn't here. I was late."

"I-But-"

"But. Fucking. Nothing," Qrow snarled, kicking Taiyang in the stomach, "The fuck is the matter with you?! What would Summer think, huh?! You falling to fucking pieces and letting her kids die?!"

"Don't bring her up!" Taiyang growled back, his Aura flaring. He leaped to his feet and threw a punch. One that Qrow blocked. He punched Taiyang in the face.

"Can't even fucking defend your own kids! You fucking pathetic-!"

Nick Arc very calmly grabbed onto both men's wrists and pulled them apart. He used his great height to lift them both off the ground.

"Let me go, Nick! It's the only way he's gonna fucking-!"

"I'LL BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF-!"

Nick squeezed both men's wrists hard. Hard enough they both winced in pain despite their own powerful Auras. Nick's face remained serious... But calm.

"That's enough," he stated, his voice low but powerful like approaching thunder.

Both Tai and Qrow lowered their arms though they glared balefully at Nick. He set them down after a moment. He then took a deep breath.

"Tai... How long has this been happening?" He asked quietly.

"I..." Tai shook his head. "This... This is the first time they ran off-"

"You know what I mean," Nick rumbled. Tai looked to the side as Qrow glared at him.

"... Ever since Summer died, I've had... Bad days... Weeks, sometimes," Tai said quietly.

"How bad?" Nick pressed.

"... I..." Tai stared at the ground.

"Tai," Qrow growled.

"... Yang's had to cook and wash and... Even clean me, sometimes," he whispered. "She's gone shopping, I give her the money..."

Nick's eyes narrowed but his voice remained even.

"Qrow?"

"I've been making money, long hours, you know how it is," Qrow said, his face darkening, "I didn't... I didn't realize-"

"Guys," Nick interrupted, "Even if this isn't my jurisdiction... I am an officer of the law. Militia captains have to be accepted into the Rangers."

Both Tai and Qrow went very still. Tai paled.

"Nick, I... Please, they're all I have-!"

"Your daughters very nearly died today, Tai," Nick said quietly, "If we weren't here, they would have. I've had to take children out of homes for less."

Qrow immediately moved in front of his brother-in-law and best friend, their previous argument all but forgotten.

"Nick, please," Qrow said, "I-I can stay home more, I can help him get his head on straight... I know how serious this is but-"

"What's the guarantee this won't happen again in a few weeks?" Nick asked sharply. "You wanna bet your nieces' lives on that?"

Qrow grimaced.

"Nick, please," Taiyang whispered.

Nick sucked in a very deep breath. He then let it out.

Taiyang's fists clenched and unclenched. Qrow shook his head.

"Nick, you can't just-I'll go to Ozpin-!"

"Do not pull that card on me, Qrow," Nick growled, his Aura flaring like a small sun in the dying light, "You will not win."

Qrow grit his teeth... Lowered his hand from his weapon. Nick tamped down on his power, and resumed speaking as though nothing had happened.

"But because we're friends, I'm going to give you two options. One: Yang and Ruby visit and stay at our house in Radian for a while. We've got plenty of room, and plenty of eyes on them. Jaune would love to have kids his own age to play with who don't know him as the Bubble Boy. They will be safe, they will be happy. They'll stay as long as you want. Legally, they'll still be yours. They'll call you every day."

Nick looked at Tai significantly.

"Meanwhile... You get yourself together. Now... That's going to take a while. Don't lie, Tai. It will. Qrow just beating the crap out of you isn't going to cut it. Therapy with someone Izzy recommends. And if you have any more... Bad days? Bad weeks? They come with us for a while. Until you sort it out."

Taiyang stared back at Nick, tense but less filled with despair.

"And option two?"

Nick sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"I go to the local authorities. I tell them the situation. They come here and assess things. And from there, it will be out of our hands."

Qrow sucked in a breath. He looked over at Tai.

"Tai?"

Taiyang stared at the house for a long time, silent and morose. All three men could faintly hear children laughing from the kitchen. Taiyang held his breath... Then sagged as he let it out.

"... I'll... Get them packed," he murmured.

Nick nodded slowly. He reached out and squeezed Taiyang's shoulder.

"You're going to get better, Tai, I promise," he said quietly, "But unless you do? You're going to lose everything. This is so you don't."

Tai slowly nodded, and patted Nick's hand.

"Thanks," he mumbled.

Qrow sighed. He then patted Taiyang's other shoulder.

"We'll get through this, buddy. I swear."

- - -

So, how's this for an AU?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Isabel Arc stirred as the front door opened. In an instant, her faculties returned from her deep REM to fully aware. She enhanced her senses of scent and hearing and listened to the footsteps of the person entering the house. Her heart rate slowed and she relaxed as she recognized who it was in an instant.

She got out of bed and headed down the stairs, the red light of the late afternoon sky shining through the windows. She rushed down the steps, every creak and pop comfortingly familiar, dashed through the living room and right into the kitchen.

"Nick!"

Nick smiled at her happily, sitting down at the table. He was filthy, his hair askew, his beard dusty, his clothing covered in dirt and leaves. Lilac thoughtfully poured her father a jug of beer, which he downed happily. While he did that, Isabel hugged him-Something he returned with one massive arm as he drank deep.

"Haaa... Beer, hugs, home: Best things ever," Nick chuckled as he finished. He kissed his wife, as Lilac thoughtfully took the mug and turned away in embarrassment at her parents' show of affection.

"Mmm... You all right?" Isabel asked urgently. Nick nodded.

"I'm fine. Had to take down a few Griffons."

Isabel's eyes shot wide open. Her jaw dropped. Lilac dropped her mug and gaped at her father in shock.

"Griffons?!" They both gasped. Nick nodded.

"Yup. They were pretty tough. Carolina was able to take out their wings with the 50 Cal and Caboose used the rocket launchers to keep them grounded. Damn hard to fight them until we got them on the ground." He brightened. "Then I just hacked them apart with Joxeuse here!"

He patted his trusty railgun sword as it hung off his back. Isabel groaned in exasperation.

"NICK! Why didn't you get me?!"

"Wasn't time," Nick grunted, "They were going to attack Spondel. You couldn't get there that fast and they weren't gonna wait. Sides, you needed your sleep!"

"Why were you in Spondel?!" Isabel demanded, "That's thirty minutes away!"

"Well, we've culled the majority of the Grimm around Radian," Nick said with a shrug, "They called for aid. I wasn't gonna ignore them, Izzy! Not with so many of our best fighters off in Vale!"

Isabel groaned. As much as she might call her husband an idiot, he was perfectly logical when it came to combat.

"Still... Griffons. We haven't seen those around Radian in almost a century," she shuddered.

"Are more of them coming, Dad?" Lilac asked urgently. Nick smiled at his daughter and reached out to squeeze her hand comfortingly.

"Nah. The National Guard's finally in place with their anti-Grimm batteries around the Valley. We should be all right."

Isabel sighed in relief.

"Still, I wish I was with you," she muttered, touching her forehead to Nick's.

"Me too," Nick said with a nod, "I could have thrown you at them, and you could have torn their wings off. Like when we fought that Garuda in Jaipur. Remember?"

"Which one?" Isabel deadpanned, recalling the several battles they had fought to liberate the kingdom of Pandu with their old teammates Prince Arjun and Saia, "We fought three, then the REALLY big one King Duryodhana summoned right in Hastinapur."

Nick hummed and nodded. A furious battle in the middle of a major metropolitan city against a gigantic flying demon Grimm under the control of a mad despot did tend to stick in one's memory.

"Good point. Man, was he a jerk. It wasn't even fun to fight him after a while." Nick held his hands up. "He was all like 'It is useless to resist my power! You have supported Arjun in vain! I am a god and you are mere insects!'"

Isabel managed a giggle at her husband's bad impression.

"He was quite the blowhard," she agreed, "No wonder his own Grimm ate him: Anything to shut him up."

"Yeah, but Arjun totally got the win," Nick nodded, "He hit him last. It's only fair."

Isabel sighed.

"Any word from them?"

Nick's good mood soured and he became a bit pensive. Lilac poured him another beer, which he nodded his thanks to before drinking.

"Radio's picking up some messages. CCT net gets some updates. I hope Orchid's work fixes it soon, cause what I've seen is bad."

Isabel steadied her nerves with her Semblance.

"How bad?" She asked.

Nick heaved a long sigh.

"Jaipur got attacked by one of the factions in Mistral's civil war."

Isabel's lips thinned as Lilac gasped. Jaipur was the biggest trading city between Pandu and Mistral, and one of the busiest ports in the world. It was the gateway to Anima for much of the world.

"Attacked?"

Nick scowled.

"A Mistralian air battleship attacked with missiles. Hundreds are dead at least, and the walls were deliberately breached in many key areas. They also herded Grimm in to assault the city before they were shot down."

Isabel's jaw dropped.

"That's... Insane," she muttered, "The factions in Mistral need support of other kingdoms to win this civil war. Using Grimm like this will just alienate everyone or make the conflict worse! The only reason you'd do that is..."

Her eyes widened in realization.

"If that's what you wanted to happen," she whispered.

Nick nodded. Lilac moved closer. Isabel reached out to squeeze her hand comfortingly.

"Arjun thinks the same thing," Nick said quietly. "He's getting yelled at by his entire Council to retaliate against all the factions in Mistral, since they're all claiming they didn't do it. But given this happened right after the Vytal attack... He thinks it's a false flag."

"But Mistral's still at war," Isabel sighed, "Which means that the next attack may not be a false flag and it will drag them and every other semi-independent kingdom into it anyway."

"Mm," Nick nodded slowly.

"I don't understand why any humans would do this! This chaos across the entire world all at once doesn't benefit anyone!" Isabel scowled thoughtfully. "It's like something out of the old legends. The Witch Queen of Argus claimed she had a darker, more dread master who wanted to overthrow the world of Men and Faunus..."

"So did Duryodhana, before he died," Nick said gravely. Isabel shook her head.

"At the time I thought he was just insane. All the things he'd done to himself for power... But now..."

Isabel scoffed.

"Not that the words of a thousand year old legend or a dead madman would count for anything."

"We... Have some witnesses from the Vytal attack," Lilac said carefully.

Isabel and Nick looked at her. Lilac shrugged. Isabel nodded slowly.

"We do," she agreed, "But... How much weight will a few teenagers' words have when an entire continent is at war?"

"Arjun would listen," Nick said brightly. Isabel gave her husband a deadpan look.

"Arjun will need proof."

"We'll see what we can do," he said, "We just have to ask them, maybe get their Scrolls and look through the information, maybe go back and see-"

"Nick!" Isabel growled. "They have been fighting for their lives for weeks now! Fighting even though I told you not to put them in! Especially Jaune!"

Nick nodded.

"They needed the rest, I don't disagree," he said, "But we needed the help, Izzy." He brightened in pride.

"You should have seen Jaune! He led his people so well! They never hesitated to obey an order! He threw himself into the thick of it and kicked so much butt! It's amazing how far he's come-"

Isabel rose out of Nick's lap and glared angrily at him.

"He is our son!"

"And he's chosen his path," Nick said calmly. "I'm letting his friends rest and relax because they need it... But they're going to go back out into the fight eventually, Izzy. You know this. He lost too much to stay away."

The healer and the paladin stared at one another. Isabel's gaze was tight, anxious, and angry. Nick's was grave but serene. After a tense silence Isabel sighed deeply.

"Maybe," she muttered, "But I don't have to accept it."

Nick nodded, as Lilac turned away to mind her own business at the sink.

"I know."

Isabel looked out the window. A familiar group of Hunters-in-Training were riding a wagon down the road into the farm.

She hurried out the side door to greet them. She smiled as the outdoor lights came out, illuminating the group in the horse drawn wagon as they came up the drive.

"Hey! How did... You... Do...?"

Jaune stepped out first, covered in blue feathers, grass and dirt. The rest of the teens looked similarly disheveled and exhausted-Save for Nora, who wore a crown of blue feathers around her head.

"... Choux birds?" Isabel guessed, and even with her Semblance of Total Body Control, it was difficult not to giggle.

"Yup," Jaune stated flatly.

Isabel sighed.

"Well, it could have been worse," she said. She beamed.

"And I think you've all earned a reward!"

"Do we get to fry the little bastards up with oil?" Neptune growled.

"No, but even better!" Isabel cheered. "Hot springs!"

"Hot springs?" Everyone not an Arc echoed in confusion.

- - -

Bit more exposition heavy this time but I wanted to give a slightly bigger view of the world as things unfold.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune: Okay... Look. I'm a teenaged boy with a bit of an old man's brain in my head. That doesn't make me a creep, right? Right! I'm totally not a creep. Besides, my years of wisdom mean I'm not just ruled by my hormones. Right? Right!"

Yang walks into the common room, toweling her hair off after a shower. She's only wearing a towel. She beams at Jaune.

Yang: "Hey VB. Staying in too, huh?"

Jaune: "... Y-Yes."

Yang: "Any... Plans?"

Jaune: "Uhhh..."

Yang: "You know..." smirks, leans in "Maybe I could... Fit you in, huh~?"

Jaune: Why is she flirting with me holy shit you pervert you gotta stop yourself this is a fantasy come true NO DAMNIT SHE'S GONNA END UP WITH THE SHITTY KITTY YOU KNOW THIS DAMNIT FUCK SHIT BALLS BOOBIES-!

Yang: Heh, he's always so serious and now he's completely off guard! He's kind of cute when he's blushing. Maybe I'll lean in a bit closer and really spook him...

She does so... Her lips breathing hot air against his.

Yang: "What do you think~?"

Finally those years of experience crystallize.

Jaune: "..." Deep breath "... I dunno. I don't think you could handle me."

Yang: blink "... Oho? Vomit Boy's got some pride, huh?"

Jaune: "Not pride. Just honesty."

Yang: "That's a very bold claim to make. You wanna prove it?"

Jaune: "... You first."

Yang: "Huh?!"

Jaune: "You first."

Yang: "... Are you asking me to drop my towel, VB?"

Jaune: "Do I need to ask? You started this, after all. Do you want to see where it goes?"

Yang: Blushes bright red "Y-You... I uh..."

Jaune: shrugs, turns back to his book

Yang: Wha... THAT'S NOT HOW THIS IS SUPPOSED TO GO! HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A STAMMERING, BLUSHING MESS DAMNIT! HOW COULD HE JUST IGNORE ME?!

Jaune: "You're right. We're probably rushing things. Dinner and a movie first before we get to that point. You're a classy lady, I'd like to treat you right."

Yang: Even brighter red "... You... Um..."

Jaune: Heh. So she is a blushing good girl... That's great! Now maybe she'll back off and-

Yang: "...This Saturday good?"

Jaune: "Huh?"

Yang: "This Saturday. Dinner. Movie... And maybe..." She's suddenly very shy as she holds her hands in front of her towel clad body

Jaune: Shit that's even hotter...! "... S-Sure?"

Yang: "Great! S-See you then!" She flees back to her room and shuts it tight

Jaune: "... Wait, what?!"

Click to shrink...

Jaune ponders how to break the news to his team-

Nora: "JAUNE-JAUNE! You're going out with Yang?!"

Ah, right. He'd forgotten that he had to plan around Nora, not with her. As she announced this at the breakfast table. Weiss spat out her food in shock while Ruby gasped. Yang blushed. Pyrrha STARED. Blake blinked rapidly.

Jaune: "... Yes. We're going on a date. It's going to be fun and just us." He smiled at her. Yang smiled back.

Jaune's Brain: Good. I can't just say it's 'just a date' or it will hurt Yang's feelings. Like I'm not taking it seriously.

Jaune: "No reason to flip out, everyone."

Jaune's Brain: But I also need to not look too eager or I'll upset everyone-

Weiss: "I really don't know what you see in him! He's a brute, a ruffian!"

Yang: "You know, you saying that makes me want him more." winks at Jaune "I think I can take some roughness, how about you?"

Jaune: "I've seen you ride your motorcycle. I fear I may be in danger."

Yang: "HA! You wish I rode you like I did Bumblebee!"

Jaune: smiles and winks "Who knows? Maybe I'll find out."

Yang: bright red, but recovers with a giggle "Geez, you wax often, VB? That was a little too smooth."

Jaune: "Maybe not the best choice of words when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Good to know you're taking care of yourself though."

Yang is blushing so hard she might have steam coming out of her ears. She's covering Ruby's ears. Blake is very interested. Weiss is scandalized. Pyrrha looks very sad while Nora grins and Ren raises an eyebrow.

Jaune: "Gotcha." winks

Yang: "Geez!" snickers "Tone it down until after the kids are asleep, mister!"

Jaune: "Fair enough, Ma. Wouldn't want to scar them mentally."

Weiss: "YOU TWO ARE DISGUSTING!"

Ruby: "I don't know why you two are acting like this. I know all about sex."

Yang: "RUBY!"

Ruby: "What?"

After breakfast... Jaune meets with Pyrrha outside of the cafeteria.

Jaune: "You okay Pyr?"

Pyrrha: "Hm? I'm fine... Totally fine. You uh... You two seem very close."

Jaune's Brain: Oh shit... She loves Jaune still?! I am literally the opposite of a golden retriever! I'm like a grumpy terrier or something!

Jaune: "I mean... We're messing around. It's a date, yeah, but... We're not getting married. I do care about her, and uh... If we do get into a romantic relationship, then that will happen. If not? We'll stay friends."

Pyrrha: "O-Oh! I mean of course! I knew that."

Jaune nods.

Jaune: "Just in case you were... Concerned. About... Anything. I uh... I get the feeling you didn't have many friends. I-I mean, I could be wrong and I'm sorry if I'm presuming too much-"

Pyrrha: "You're... Not wrong."

Jaune: Bingo. "Well... I just want you to know that however things go, I do care for you Pyrrha. Very deeply."

Pyrrha blushes.

Jaune: "I mean... I care about everyone but uh... You're my partner." He takes her hands in his "I don't want to lose you."

Pyrrha: confused "You're not... H-Honestly? Um... I'm sometimes scared of losing you."

Jaune: "Me? Why?"

Pyrrha: "Well, uh... You talk a lot about... Um... Death. Like you nearly died. And you're so sad sometimes. I don't think you're suicidal or anything... Unless... Are you suicidal?"

Jaune: "I mean..." He sighs and rubs the back of his head, the memories from two people mixing and matching "... I thought about it once."

Pyrrha: eyes widen

Jaune: "It-It's okay. It's okay. It was a very dark time in my life. I just... I felt so helpless and useless and a burden on everyone. I wondered... I wondered if my family would be better off without me?"

Pyrrha: stares in shock

Jaune: "I'm much better now, Pyr. It's okay." smiles and hugs her to reassure her "All right? I won't give up my life unless there's literally no other way to... I dunno, save Vale. Or you."

Pyrrha: hugs him very tightly "I'll make sure that never happens."

Jaune: "Th-Thanks... Also... You can let go... Hard to breathe..."

Pyrrha: "O-Oh!" lets him go with a blush "S-Sorry!"

Yang: "Ahem."

Jaune: "Hey Yang." Wasn't doing anything wrong, don't act like you were! "Just talking with Pyrrha."

Yang: "Good... Let's go shopping!"

Jaune: "Huh?"

Yang: "Come on, would you rather go to a boring lecture on our light day or hang out with me?" wraps her arms around his and pulls him away significantly "Trying on clothes?"

Jaune: "When you put it that way, I'd have to be an idiot to turn you down."

Yang: "Yeah, and you're definitely not that!"

Yang and Pyrrha stare at eachother intensely. Jaune blinks.

Jaune's Brain: No way... Come on... They're not jealous of me. They're not. Come on...

Jaune: "See you tonight Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha: "Sure. Goodbye Jaune. Goodbye Yang."

Yang: "Later."

Yang drags Jaune off.

Jaune's Brain: Probably best to just tease her, clear the air

Jaune: "Didn't know you were the jealous type but it does fit."

Yang: "Wh-What?!" blushes bright red "No I'm not!"

Jaune: smiles "Didn't think so. But if you were jealous, we were just talking some personal stuff and we needed hugs. Hugs are pretty awesome, ya know?"

Yang: "Yeah. Totally."

Jaune's Brain: Okay so she might be a little jealous... Fuck.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune ponders how to break the news to his team-

Nora: "JAUNE-JAUNE! You're going out with Yang?!"

Ah, right. He'd forgotten that he had to plan around Nora, not with her. As she announced this at the breakfast table. Weiss spat out her food in shock while Ruby gasped. Yang blushed. Pyrrha STARED. Blake blinked rapidly.

Jaune: "... Yes. We're going on a date. It's going to be fun and just us." He smiled at her. Yang smiled back.

Jaune's Brain: Good. I can't just say it's 'just a date' or it will hurt Yang's feelings. Like I'm not taking it seriously.

Jaune: "No reason to flip out, everyone."

Jaune's Brain: But I also need to not look too eager or I'll upset everyone-

Weiss: "I really don't know what you see in him! He's a brute, a ruffian!"

Yang: "You know, you saying that makes me want him more." winks at Jaune "I think I can take some roughness, how about you?"

Jaune: "I've seen you ride your motorcycle. I fear I may be in danger."

Yang: "HA! You wish I rode you like I did Bumblebee!"

Jaune: smiles and winks "Who knows? Maybe I'll find out."

Yang: bright red, but recovers with a giggle "Geez, you wax often, VB? That was a little too smooth."

Jaune: "Maybe not the best choice of words when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Good to know you're taking care of yourself though."

Yang is blushing so hard she might have steam coming out of her ears. She's covering Ruby's ears. Blake is very interested. Weiss is scandalized. Pyrrha looks very sad while Nora grins and Ren raises an eyebrow.

Jaune: "Gotcha." winks

Yang: "Geez!" snickers "Tone it down until after the kids are asleep, mister!"

Jaune: "Fair enough, Ma. Wouldn't want to scar them mentally."

Weiss: "YOU TWO ARE DISGUSTING!"

Ruby: "I don't know why you two are acting like this. I know all about sex."

Yang: "RUBY!"

Ruby: "What?"

After breakfast... Jaune meets with Pyrrha outside of the cafeteria.

Jaune: "You okay Pyr?"

Pyrrha: "Hm? I'm fine... Totally fine. You uh... You two seem very close."

Jaune's Brain: Oh shit... She loves Jaune still?! I am literally the opposite of a golden retriever! I'm like a grumpy terrier or something!

Jaune: "I mean... We're messing around. It's a date, yeah, but... We're not getting married. I do care about her, and uh... If we do get into a romantic relationship, then that will happen. If not? We'll stay friends."

Pyrrha: "O-Oh! I mean of course! I knew that."

Jaune nods.

Jaune: "Just in case you were... Concerned. About... Anything. I uh... I get the feeling you didn't have many friends. I-I mean, I could be wrong and I'm sorry if I'm presuming too much-"

Pyrrha: "You're... Not wrong."

Jaune: Bingo. "Well... I just want you to know that however things go, I do care for you Pyrrha. Very deeply."

Pyrrha blushes.

Jaune: "I mean... I care about everyone but uh... You're my partner." He takes her hands in his "I don't want to lose you."

Pyrrha: confused "You're not... H-Honestly? Um... I'm sometimes scared of losing you."

Jaune: "Me? Why?"

Pyrrha: "Well, uh... You talk a lot about... Um... Death. Like you nearly died. And you're so sad sometimes. I don't think you're suicidal or anything... Unless... Are you suicidal?"

Jaune: "I mean..." He sighs and rubs the back of his head, the memories from two people mixing and matching "... I thought about it once."

Pyrrha: eyes widen

Jaune: "It-It's okay. It's okay. It was a very dark time in my life. I just... I felt so helpless and useless and a burden on everyone. I wondered... I wondered if my family would be better off without me?"

Pyrrha: stares in shock

Jaune: "I'm much better now, Pyr. It's okay." smiles and hugs her to reassure her "All right? I won't give up my life unless there's literally no other way to... I dunno, save Vale. Or you."

Pyrrha: hugs him very tightly "I'll make sure that never happens."

Jaune: "Th-Thanks... Also... You can let go... Hard to breathe..."

Pyrrha: "O-Oh!" lets him go with a blush "S-Sorry!"

Yang: "Ahem."

Jaune: "Hey Yang." Wasn't doing anything wrong, don't act like you were! "Just talking with Pyrrha."

Yang: "Good... Let's go shopping!"

Jaune: "Huh?"

Yang: "Come on, would you rather go to a boring lecture on our light day or hang out with me?" wraps her arms around his and pulls him away significantly "Trying on clothes?"

Jaune: "When you put it that way, I'd have to be an idiot to turn you down."

Yang: "Yeah, and you're definitely not that!"

Yang and Pyrrha stare at eachother intensely. Jaune blinks.

Jaune's Brain: No way... Come on... They're not jealous of me. They're not. Come on...

Jaune: "See you tonight Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha: "Sure. Goodbye Jaune. Goodbye Yang."

Yang: "Later."

Yang drags Jaune off.

Jaune's Brain: Probably best to just tease her, clear the air

Jaune: "Didn't know you were the jealous type but it does fit."

Yang: "Wh-What?!" blushes bright red "No I'm not!"

Jaune: smiles "Didn't think so. But if you were jealous, we were just talking some personal stuff and we needed hugs. Hugs are pretty awesome, ya know?"

Yang: "Yeah. Totally."

Jaune's Brain: Okay so she might be a little jealous... Fuck.

Click to shrink...

Jaune was meeting Ozpin in his office again, relating what he knew of the future.

Jaune: "... And Lionheart's been a traitor for a while. Not sure when he broke or if he was always a scumbag. He says he was just a coward but I was kind of emotional at the time."

Ozpin: grave look "Understandable. I would ask you to try and get your godfather to assist us in this matter. I don't want to move against Lionheart too soon and tip our hand: If he could give us intel on Salem's plans, we might be better able to deal with them."

Jaune: "My godfather...?"

His memories came to him. He blinked rapidly.

Ozpin: "Yes. King Arjun Sarkara of Pandu?"

Jaune: "Ah, right. Sorry, I think the visions are messing with my mind..."

Jaune's Brain: I only came up with like half of that worldbuilding! Why isn't my co-writer here instead of me?! Oh well... Good to know, I guess. Maybe I was getting a clearer transmission from Remnant than Monty. Not that I want to be presumptuous in thinking I was the better writer, cause I'm NOT.

Jaune: "Still... He's going to want Lionheart dead since he probably had a hand in the coup that made him an exile and orphan in the first place. Exile-orphan."

Ozpin: "True, but he can be patient and cunning. He can keep in control of himself. Or his wife will rein him in."

Jaune: "Speaking of... My parents and my godparents were a very powerful team, right?"

Ozpin: "Indeed. Expert heavy combatants and disaster relief specialists. I was very proud of them all."

Jaune: "So... Why didn't you make them your strike team instead of STRQ? Nothing against Ruby and Yang's parents and uncles... Well okay, a LOT against Raven."

Ozpin: "For a few reasons. Summer's Silver Eyes made her a natural counter to Grimm and Salem's agents. The others all had skills very useful as a covert strike team. Whereas your parents and godparents... Were not covert. At all."

Jaune: "But... My mom can shapeshift and Uncle Arjun is like a ninja archer-"

Ozpin: dryly "Yes, and your father is a wrecking ball in human form and your godmother fires death rays. Your mother can shatter buildings at full strength and your godfather is, shall we say, VERY liberal with Aura-powered explosive arrows. Approximately 80 percent of their missions in urban areas ended in property damage so extensive the insurance companies had strokes. And of course, they also overthrew a dictatorship-Granted, wIth the support of a multi-national alliance, but overthrowing a government is not something anyone can call inconspicuous. Your family are many things, Jaune Arc, but covert and subtle are not among them. It's not much of a victory if in defending Remnant, you reduce most of it to rubble."

Jaune: "I... Guess I can't argue with that."

Ozpin: "Indeed. As for the Ever After, do you recall what fruit you ate?"

Jaune: "Ummm... I think it was a mango? But again, it's all really fuzzy."

Ozpin: "At least it wasn't a peach then."

Jaune: "... Was... Was that a dad joke?"

Ozpin: "I think I'm entitled to make them."

Jaune: "Fair enough. Joke away."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby sighed and looked at the box she was holding.Roughly the size of a box of Cracker Jacks it had a happy pattern of blue splotches decorated the box with the word dinner written in big friendly letters upon it. A sigh escaped her lips as a rare frown crossed her face.

Yang looked over at her and tossed a can opener too her. Ruby grumpily opened the box to see what she had managed to get. "Joy, tuna fish in juices."

Blake looked at her own. "I have...mystery meat patty, want to trade?"

Ruby tossed the small can to her and caught the one thrown at her. She looked up at Weiss. "All of the marvels of modern technology and the field rations have not changed since the Great War?"

Weiss sighed as she fixed a cup of coffee. "Be thankful we have this... some of the teams don't even get this luxury."

Jaune nodded and reached into the wooden crate for his box.

Jaune scowled hard at his meal of reprocessed meat and what looked like hardtack. Pyrrha was trying to smile supportively.

"It could be worse?" She suggested.

"Yeah, Renny and I know that for sure," Nora said, examining her own pack rations with a frown, "I think this might be human! What do you think, Renny?"

"I'll try not to think about it," Ren said.

Jaune growled. He got up and handed the box off to Pyrrha. He then stalked off into the woods, to the surprise of both teams.

"Jaune? Where are you going?!" Ruby cried in concern.

"Just sit tight! I'll be right back!" He shouted. "Nora? Ren?"

"With ya, boss!" Nora cried, getting up to follow him. Ren trailed behind. They vanished into the woods, leaving RWBY and Pyrrha to stare and mutter amongst themselves.

"Has he lost his mind?" Weiss demanded. "I mean, what little he had anyway-"

"The food's not THAT bad," Yang said flatly.

About half an hour later, Jaune, Nora, and Ren returned. Jaune carried some fish and rabbits he'd caught, while Ren and Nora both had bags of various greens and fruits.

"Pot and pan, please," Jaune asked Pyrrha, who dutifully retrieved them.

Another half hour followed as Jaune cleaned, dressed, and cooked the meat and greens. He added bits from the rations and spices from his own backpack. He then presented them with a hot, amazing smelling meal.

"Rabbit stew with field onions, potatoes and radishes, fried fish with breading made from the crackers and butter, and a mixed field green salad," Jaune presented with a smile, "Dig in!"

Weiss and Yang looked dubious. Blake sniffed it. Ruby, Pyrrha, Nora and Ren dug in first. Seeing them try it, the rest went ahead...

Weiss moaned in bliss.

"It's... Amazing!" She hungrily dug into the food. "How...?"

"My great-grandpa owns a restaurant and he taught my sisters and I how to cook," Jaune said. He nodded to Nora and Ren. "Nora and Ren helped me find the needed stuff."

"We foraged a lot in the past," Nora moaned, "But it never tasted sooo goood!"

"Indeed," Ren said, letting a rare smile grace his face.

"I think my tastebuds were shot and sent to heaven," Yang sighed.

Blake silently finished her bowl and held it out for seconds, which Jaune happily supplied.

"It's just... Wonderful, Jaune," Pyrrha beamed, "Thank you."

"No problem," Jaune grinned, "A happy team is a successful team, right?"

"So much!" Ruby moaned. "I think I'm having a foodgasm like in one of Blake's animes!"

"RUBY!" Yang hissed. Ruby scowled.

"Don't deny it!"

Yang blushed.

"Well... Um..." She winked at Jaune. "I guess I... I really can't. Thanks, VB."

"Again, no problem," Jaune said with a smile and wave. "Anyway, uh... Call of nature. I'll scream if there's Grimm."

"Don't worry, we'll be listening," Pyrrha said with a beam. Jaune waved and walked off. He did his business... And then heard a commotion. He ran back as quickly as he could, weapons drawn.

He came to a camp in disarray, where everyone had their weapons drawn and were glaring death at one another. Nora and Ren were on one side, just eating food as the five other women in the camp seemed like they'd just been in a scrap.

"Holy... What happened?!" Jaune cried, and everyone looked over at him. "Did a Grimm attack?!"

"Uh... Yessss," Pyrrha managed, "A few! No problem to deal with."

"Yes, they were ugly, jealous, devious, spiteful little harpies," Weiss hissed.

"You'd know best, Schnee," Blake growled.

"And backstabbing felines without any regard for friendship, too," Yang seethed.

"Oh, I don't think they'll be a problem," Ruby grined ferally, "Not after I deal with them."

"I wouldn't count on that," Pyrrha grinned back, though her smile was extremely terrifying.

Jaune, confused, looked over at Ren and Nora. Nora shrugged.

"Good luck, Fearless Leader!"

"You're going to need it," Ren deadpanned. "Can I have more stew?"

"Er... Sure?" Jaune muttered.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune was meeting Ozpin in his office again, relating what he knew of the future.

Jaune: "... And Lionheart's been a traitor for a while. Not sure when he broke or if he was always a scumbag. He says he was just a coward but I was kind of emotional at the time."

Ozpin: grave look "Understandable. I would ask you to try and get your godfather to assist us in this matter. I don't want to move against Lionheart too soon and tip our hand: If he could give us intel on Salem's plans, we might be better able to deal with them."

Jaune: "My godfather...?"

His memories came to him. He blinked rapidly.

Ozpin: "Yes. King Arjun Sarkara of Pandu?"

Jaune: "Ah, right. Sorry, I think the visions are messing with my mind..."

Jaune's Brain: I only came up with like half of that worldbuilding! Why isn't my co-writer here instead of me?! Oh well... Good to know, I guess. Maybe I was getting a clearer transmission from Remnant than Monty. Not that I want to be presumptuous in thinking I was the better writer, cause I'm NOT.

Jaune: "Still... He's going to want Lionheart dead since he probably had a hand in the coup that made him an exile and orphan in the first place. Exile-orphan."

Ozpin: "True, but he can be patient and cunning. He can keep in control of himself. Or his wife will rein him in."

Jaune: "Speaking of... My parents and my godparents were a very powerful team, right?"

Ozpin: "Indeed. Expert heavy combatants and disaster relief specialists. I was very proud of them all."

Jaune: "So... Why didn't you make them your strike team instead of STRQ? Nothing against Ruby and Yang's parents and uncles... Well okay, a LOT against Raven."

Ozpin: "For a few reasons. Summer's Silver Eyes made her a natural counter to Grimm and Salem's agents. The others all had skills very useful as a covert strike team. Whereas your parents and godparents... Were not covert. At all."

Jaune: "But... My mom can shapeshift and Uncle Arjun is like a ninja archer-"

Ozpin: dryly "Yes, and your father is a wrecking ball in human form and your godmother fires death rays. Your mother can shatter buildings at full strength and your godfather is, shall we say, VERY liberal with Aura-powered explosive arrows. Approximately 80 percent of their missions in urban areas ended in property damage so extensive the insurance companies had strokes. And of course, they also overthrew a dictatorship-Granted, wIth the support of a multi-national alliance, but overthrowing a government is not something anyone can call inconspicuous. Your family are many things, Jaune Arc, but covert and subtle are not among them. It's not much of a victory if in defending Remnant, you reduce most of it to rubble."

Jaune: "I... Guess I can't argue with that."

Ozpin: "Indeed. As for the Ever After, do you recall what fruit you ate?"

Jaune: "Ummm... I think it was a mango? But again, it's all really fuzzy."

Ozpin: "At least it wasn't a peach then."

Jaune: "... Was... Was that a dad joke?"

Ozpin: "I think I'm entitled to make them."

Jaune: "Fair enough. Joke away."

Click to shrink...

Jaune was in what Yang assured him was very fashionable: White shirt, khaki pants, black jacket with his hair cut to her specifications. He supposed simplicity was best.

He knocked at the RWBY dorm room door and waited.

Jaune's Brain: Shit... Should I have gotten flowers? Or chocolate? NO! No, this is just a friendly date. Ease up. Wait, the dating rules are different between worlds! What if she thinks I want to marry her?! I mean... That would make sense in a civilization fighting Grimm that ISN'T totally fucked up by gender politics and what not. Crap, crap, why didn't Jaune pay attention to any fucking thing but nerd shit and HUNTING HISTORY?! Yes it's cool that his great-grandparents took out an entire army but THAT DOESN'T HELP WITH DATING!

Yang emerged in a nice white dress with a stylish yellow jacket. She smiled at him.

Yang: "Hey."

Jaune: "... H-Hey."

Offers her his arm

Yang: smiles and takes it

Jaune: "Cool." He heads off, leading her to the Bullheads

Yang's Brain: Wow... He's so calm and confident... Not what I expected, to be honest. I kind of like it... Though I like when he's a spazz, too. Still, why isn't he trying to look down my dress? I wore it low cut for a reason, damnit!

Jaune's Brain: OH MY GOD HOTNESS I WANT TO BANG YOU-URK! No... Calm down... CALM... Boobs are incredible but we're not going to stare at them...!

They go to a local street carnival. They play games, laugh, eat, and have fun. Yang won him a prize from the strongman game (hitting it with the hammer so hard the bell flew off) and Jaune won her a prize back at a shooting gallery (He did have experience with guns as a farmboy, after all).

They ended the evening in a Ferris Wheel and just relaxed and watched the city lights.

Yang: "... I had a really great time tonight."

Jaune: "Yeah, me too."

Jaune's Brain: I've been so used to school, training, trying not to panic... It was nice to just relax for a while.

Yang: "You don't relax very easily, do you?"

Jaune: "I, well... I always feel like I'm behind. Like I need to work harder than everyone else, I guess. I don't want to let anyone down."

Yang: sad smile "I believe you... I dunno, I-I'm not used to the men in my life being reliable."

Jaune: "Oh... Ex-Boyfriend?"

Yang: "Nah... My dad and uncle. I... I mean, I've kissed a boy or two but I couldn't go any further. Not with Ruby to take care of."

Jaune: "Oh..."

Yang: "So, um... Thanks. Thanks for that. Being her friend."

Jaune: smiles "It's not an issue. She's like my little sister and I really care about her."

Yang: smiles back "Yeah..."

Silence.

Jaune's Brain: Okay... It's a nice moment... But I can't really read her. What's going on here?

Yang: "How about you?"

Jaune: "Hm?"

Yang: smiles "Since we're on the subject... You have any girlfriends?"

Jaune: "I mean... One. She was my neighbor, childhood friend. We were close, but... We decided we were better off as friends."

Yang: "Oh? Why?"

Jaune: "I wanted to be a Huntsman. She wanted to marry a rich doctor." shrugs "And well... Our parents were trying to push us together. My Nana finally had to step in and tell my mom off for trying to matchmake so hard."

Yang: "Big family?"

Jaune: "Huge. I've got seven sisters."

Yang: "Seriously?!"

Jaune shows her pictures on his Scroll. She laughs at many of the funnier ones.

Yang: "Geez... And yet I had to dress you for our date?"

Jaune: "Well, I wanted to match." smiles

Yang: "Yeah... Heh... Still..."

She looks wistful.

Yang: "It... Must be nice. Having a big family that looks out for you."

Jaune: "... Most of the time. There were bad times and good times. Fights and arguments and all that. But... I do love them. Even if we don't get along sometimes."

Yang: nods "Mm..."

Silence falls again. The ride ends and they get out. They head back towards the Bullheads. Jaune reaches out for her hand... And Yang takes his.

Jaune's Brain: Okay... Okay... Calm down... Just because she's quiet doesn't mean she's mad... But it might also mean she's into me which... Is also bad? It could be... Argh, I don't want Pyrrha to go kill herself just because she feels like she has no chance! I mean I don't want her to die period! Would she still make the same decision if I didn't know how she felt?! Does she still like me even though I have isekai knowledge?! Would she be okay with sharing?! I DON'T FUCKING KNOW! WHAT DO I DO?!"

Yang: "Hey, Jaune? You okay?"

Jaune: "Huh? Oh, uh... Just... Thinking. A lot."

Yang: chuckles "Maybe you should cut down on that a little. I mean, I'm starting to think that you don't like looking at me~." winks

Jaune: "No, no, I really like that... And the date... And the holding hands and uh... I liked it all. A lot."

Jaune's Brain: Smooooth...

Yang: "Me too. I dunno... I-I mean, I was the most popular girl in school back in Signal and I had all these guys after me. But the second I started putting Ruby ahead of them, they fell away. I was kind of like the single mom, ya know?"

Jaune: "Well, they were idiots. Because you'd be a great mom, Yang."

Yang: "I'll never be as good as Summer-"

Jaune: "So? You'd still be great. I mean that."

Yang blushes brightly.

Yang: "S-So... You think I'd be a great mom?"

Jaune's Brain: Shit, too sincere, too sincere...!

Jaune: "Yeah."

Yang: giggles "Geez... For someone who got in via fraud, you're way too blunt, ya know?"

Jaune: "Well... I mean... Forgery is very different from lying. It's a different kind of lying, uh... I mean..."

Yang: smiles, leans over to kiss his cheek "I get it."

Jaune: "Oh... Yeah." nods

Yang: "Just uh... Oh crap. I mean... Um... I don't have to marry you now, do I?" She looks worried

Jaune: "Eh?!"

Yang: "Blake and Weiss looked up your family tree... Royals tend to be picky about who they romance, right?"

Jaune: "Arcs haven't been royals for centuries. We don't-We don't need to get married... I mean if you wanted to, it's a bit fast! It-It's just been one date! Not that-I mean, if we go on more dates and we connect and-and stuff then absolutely but uh-I mean-!"

Yang: giggles "Okay... I thought I was nervous. You're like this stoic snarky badass in a fight and now you're stuttering like a preteen! It's hilarious!"

Jaune's Brain: Teasing me? Oh, I will not let that stand. Pride and hormones, unite!

Jaune leans in and kisses her lips. She's shocked, but she returns it... They make out for a bit... Before pulling apart, gasping for breath.

Jaune: "I... Haa... Um..."

Yang: "Oh... Oh... Wow... Uh..."

Jaune's Brain: ... SAY SOMETHING!

Jaune: "... Wanna go on another date?"

Yang: "... Yes."

Jaune: "Cool. Me too." He smiles "Night."

She nods and goes into the dormroom... He turns and walks into the JNPR dorm.

Pyrrha is up, and smiles nervously.

Pyrrha: "So... Um... How did it go?"

Nora's head pops up from under her covers.

Nora: "Did you suck face?"

Jaune: "Nora, you're grounded."

Nora: grins "That's not a no~!"

Jaune: "We're going on another date."

Pyrrha winces. Nora looks at her in concern.

Jaune: "B-But we're not getting married or anything. Just friends having fun."

Pyrrha: "R-Right... Right..."

Jaune's Brain: If she just SAID SOMETHING... ANYTHING... Goddamnit, how is she this fucking meek?! She could break me in half without trying! Her parents must be fucking horrible, there's no other explanation...

Jaune: "... Pyrrha? We're starting some special training tomorrow."

Pyrrha: "Oh? What kind?"

Jaune: "You'll see. But I expect you to do your best, understand?"

Pyrrha: "Absolutely!"

Jaune: "Good. I'm counting on you."

Pyrrha: "You always can, Jaune."

Jaune's Brain: Fuuuuuuck... I'm going to get her to be honest about her emotions if it fucking kills me!

 

[SharkCultist]

Yang Xaio-long was tired.

Tired of being seen as the dumb blonde.
The brute.
The walking pipebomb.

But right now Yang was mostly tired of this jackass roundhouse kicking her in the ribs.

Fucking mercury.

"What's wrong Blondie? Performance issues?"

She'd messed up earlier and popped her semblance earlier and somehow missed. So now she was stuck without that because she'd run out of aura before she would get a good charge.

Fuck can he please aim for somewhere other than the ribs?!

Yangs out of options and she knows it. She can't out maneuver him, she's not Ruby.

She's not going to pull some trick or technique out of nowhere, she's not Weiss with dust and tutors to fill up a bag of tricks.

She's not gonna be able to slip away in a seconds distraction like her flighty partner.

"Come on Blondie at least make this interesting!"

She's got nothing in the tank to burn, but she's tired of burning anyway.

She's the sun dragon damn it if she can't burn

"I'm gonna shine!"

And suddenly mercury was blasted back by a cheery yellow bullet of energy.

Yang Xaio-long had somehow managed to reach deep enough introspection for a semblance evolution through a mix of annoyance, a concussion, and anime style in-battle reflection.

And she just so happened to get the best possible evolution for her current situation.

As mercury began getting beat by what Nora would later claim to be "doom lemons!" Weiss was being very annoyed.

"What the HELL does photosynthesis have to do with light attacks?"

And for the first time Ruby proved she was Yangs biological sister.

"She's a SUN flower Weiss!"

Managing to barely hear that over Mercury's screams for mercy Yang came to one conclusion today was a good day to be Yang Xaio-long.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune was in what Yang assured him was very fashionable: White shirt, khaki pants, black jacket with his hair cut to her specifications. He supposed simplicity was best.

He knocked at the RWBY dorm room door and waited.

Jaune's Brain: Shit... Should I have gotten flowers? Or chocolate? NO! No, this is just a friendly date. Ease up. Wait, the dating rules are different between worlds! What if she thinks I want to marry her?! I mean... That would make sense in a civilization fighting Grimm that ISN'T totally fucked up by gender politics and what not. Crap, crap, why didn't Jaune pay attention to any fucking thing but nerd shit and HUNTING HISTORY?! Yes it's cool that his great-grandparents took out an entire army but THAT DOESN'T HELP WITH DATING!

Yang emerged in a nice white dress with a stylish yellow jacket. She smiled at him.

Yang: "Hey."

Jaune: "... H-Hey."

Offers her his arm

Yang: smiles and takes it

Jaune: "Cool." He heads off, leading her to the Bullheads

Yang's Brain: Wow... He's so calm and confident... Not what I expected, to be honest. I kind of like it... Though I like when he's a spazz, too. Still, why isn't he trying to look down my dress? I wore it low cut for a reason, damnit!

Jaune's Brain: OH MY GOD HOTNESS I WANT TO BANG YOU-URK! No... Calm down... CALM... Boobs are incredible but we're not going to stare at them...!

They go to a local street carnival. They play games, laugh, eat, and have fun. Yang won him a prize from the strongman game (hitting it with the hammer so hard the bell flew off) and Jaune won her a prize back at a shooting gallery (He did have experience with guns as a farmboy, after all).

They ended the evening in a Ferris Wheel and just relaxed and watched the city lights.

Yang: "... I had a really great time tonight."

Jaune: "Yeah, me too."

Jaune's Brain: I've been so used to school, training, trying not to panic... It was nice to just relax for a while.

Yang: "You don't relax very easily, do you?"

Jaune: "I, well... I always feel like I'm behind. Like I need to work harder than everyone else, I guess. I don't want to let anyone down."

Yang: sad smile "I believe you... I dunno, I-I'm not used to the men in my life being reliable."

Jaune: "Oh... Ex-Boyfriend?"

Yang: "Nah... My dad and uncle. I... I mean, I've kissed a boy or two but I couldn't go any further. Not with Ruby to take care of."

Jaune: "Oh..."

Yang: "So, um... Thanks. Thanks for that. Being her friend."

Jaune: smiles "It's not an issue. She's like my little sister and I really care about her."

Yang: smiles back "Yeah..."

Silence.

Jaune's Brain: Okay... It's a nice moment... But I can't really read her. What's going on here?

Yang: "How about you?"

Jaune: "Hm?"

Yang: smiles "Since we're on the subject... You have any girlfriends?"

Jaune: "I mean... One. She was my neighbor, childhood friend. We were close, but... We decided we were better off as friends."

Yang: "Oh? Why?"

Jaune: "I wanted to be a Huntsman. She wanted to marry a rich doctor." shrugs "And well... Our parents were trying to push us together. My Nana finally had to step in and tell my mom off for trying to matchmake so hard."

Yang: "Big family?"

Jaune: "Huge. I've got seven sisters."

Yang: "Seriously?!"

Jaune shows her pictures on his Scroll. She laughs at many of the funnier ones.

Yang: "Geez... And yet I had to dress you for our date?"

Jaune: "Well, I wanted to match." smiles

Yang: "Yeah... Heh... Still..."

She looks wistful.

Yang: "It... Must be nice. Having a big family that looks out for you."

Jaune: "... Most of the time. There were bad times and good times. Fights and arguments and all that. But... I do love them. Even if we don't get along sometimes."

Yang: nods "Mm..."

Silence falls again. The ride ends and they get out. They head back towards the Bullheads. Jaune reaches out for her hand... And Yang takes his.

Jaune's Brain: Okay... Okay... Calm down... Just because she's quiet doesn't mean she's mad... But it might also mean she's into me which... Is also bad? It could be... Argh, I don't want Pyrrha to go kill herself just because she feels like she has no chance! I mean I don't want her to die period! Would she still make the same decision if I didn't know how she felt?! Does she still like me even though I have isekai knowledge?! Would she be okay with sharing?! I DON'T FUCKING KNOW! WHAT DO I DO?!"

Yang: "Hey, Jaune? You okay?"

Jaune: "Huh? Oh, uh... Just... Thinking. A lot."

Yang: chuckles "Maybe you should cut down on that a little. I mean, I'm starting to think that you don't like looking at me~." winks

Jaune: "No, no, I really like that... And the date... And the holding hands and uh... I liked it all. A lot."

Jaune's Brain: Smooooth...

Yang: "Me too. I dunno... I-I mean, I was the most popular girl in school back in Signal and I had all these guys after me. But the second I started putting Ruby ahead of them, they fell away. I was kind of like the single mom, ya know?"

Jaune: "Well, they were idiots. Because you'd be a great mom, Yang."

Yang: "I'll never be as good as Summer-"

Jaune: "So? You'd still be great. I mean that."

Yang blushes brightly.

Yang: "S-So... You think I'd be a great mom?"

Jaune's Brain: Shit, too sincere, too sincere...!

Jaune: "Yeah."

Yang: giggles "Geez... For someone who got in via fraud, you're way too blunt, ya know?"

Jaune: "Well... I mean... Forgery is very different from lying. It's a different kind of lying, uh... I mean..."

Yang: smiles, leans over to kiss his cheek "I get it."

Jaune: "Oh... Yeah." nods

Yang: "Just uh... Oh crap. I mean... Um... I don't have to marry you now, do I?" She looks worried

Jaune: "Eh?!"

Yang: "Blake and Weiss looked up your family tree... Royals tend to be picky about who they romance, right?"

Jaune: "Arcs haven't been royals for centuries. We don't-We don't need to get married... I mean if you wanted to, it's a bit fast! It-It's just been one date! Not that-I mean, if we go on more dates and we connect and-and stuff then absolutely but uh-I mean-!"

Yang: giggles "Okay... I thought I was nervous. You're like this stoic snarky badass in a fight and now you're stuttering like a preteen! It's hilarious!"

Jaune's Brain: Teasing me? Oh, I will not let that stand. Pride and hormones, unite!

Jaune leans in and kisses her lips. She's shocked, but she returns it... They make out for a bit... Before pulling apart, gasping for breath.

Jaune: "I... Haa... Um..."

Yang: "Oh... Oh... Wow... Uh..."

Jaune's Brain: ... SAY SOMETHING!

Jaune: "... Wanna go on another date?"

Yang: "... Yes."

Jaune: "Cool. Me too." He smiles "Night."

She nods and goes into the dormroom... He turns and walks into the JNPR dorm.

Pyrrha is up, and smiles nervously.

Pyrrha: "So... Um... How did it go?"

Nora's head pops up from under her covers.

Nora: "Did you suck face?"

Jaune: "Nora, you're grounded."

Nora: grins "That's not a no~!"

Jaune: "We're going on another date."

Pyrrha winces. Nora looks at her in concern.

Jaune: "B-But we're not getting married or anything. Just friends having fun."

Pyrrha: "R-Right... Right..."

Jaune's Brain: If she just SAID SOMETHING... ANYTHING... Goddamnit, how is she this fucking meek?! She could break me in half without trying! Her parents must be fucking horrible, there's no other explanation...

Jaune: "... Pyrrha? We're starting some special training tomorrow."

Pyrrha: "Oh? What kind?"

Jaune: "You'll see. But I expect you to do your best, understand?"

Pyrrha: "Absolutely!"

Jaune: "Good. I'm counting on you."

Pyrrha: "You always can, Jaune."

Jaune's Brain: Fuuuuuuck... I'm going to get her to be honest about her emotions if it fucking kills me!

Click to shrink...

Nora tries to sneak into the kitchen in the common room after hours. She opens the fridge... Reaches for the frozen pancakes...

SNAP!

Nora: "OW!" She waves her hand, where a mousetrap is stuck on "Owowowow!"

Jaune: Glares at her "I told you, Nora. You're grounded... Also how does that even hurt? You have Aura."

Nora: "It was funnier?"

Jaune: "... I guess I can't argue with that."

Nora: "PLEASE JAUNE-JAUNE! GIVE ME PANCAKES!" Falls to her knees in front of him and sobs "I'LL BECOME YOUR SEX PET!"

Jaune: "I-I don't need one of those and I'm not gonna NTR Ren!"

Nora: "HE COULD WATCH!"

Jaune: "I... He's into that?!"

Nora: "He might be!"

Jaune: "WELL I'M NOT ASKING HIM!"

- - -

Cardin is grumbling to himself... When Jaune walks up to him.

Jaune: "Yo, Cardin."

Cardin: "What do you want, Arc?"

Jaune: "I have beer and guns. Wanna go do something stupid?"

Cardin: "... Sure thing!"

Later, at a campfire, Team CRDL, Ren, Jaune and Sun are chilling out with beer.

Sky: "I just... I think she's kind of neat, ya know?"

Jaune: "Then ask her out, dumbass."

Sky: "But she's with Team NDGO!"

Jaune: "Wait, that's who you're talking about? Fuck, no, do not stick in evil and crazy, bro."

Dove: "I have been telling him the same thing."

Russell: "Totally. I don't even know why Adel is hitting on me. She's supposed to be a lesbian!"

Sky: "Statistically speaking, she's more likely to be bi than lesbian given how few true blue lesbians there are. Or true blue gay dudes there are. It's like a spectrum or something."

Russell: "Yeah and you're a rainbow gaywad!"

Sky: "I AM NOT!"

Cardin: "So... Uh... Jauney... I wanna ask your help."

Jaune: "Me? With what?"

Cardin: "Well you went on a date with Xiao-Long... Can you help me with the girls?"

Sun: "Why aren't you asking me? I went on a date with Blake!"

Jaune: "That was more like you both being temporarily homeless."

Russell: "Plus, you want that chick? Really? Her?"

Sky: "Her booty is amazing though!"

Russell: "It's more that she's part of Arc's harem."

Jaune: "I don't have a harem! Fuck's sake, just because Great-Grandpa had three wives does not mean I have one! My dad only has my mom!"

Sun: "She-She totally isn't into Jaune anyway! She wore that collar for me!"

Dove: sips beer "I take back what I said, Sky. You're not a simp next to him."

Sun: "I'M NOT A SIMP!"

Cardin: "Anyway, come on Jaune! Help me with the girl!"

Jaune: "Who is it?"

Cardin: "Um..."

Ren: "If it's Nora, I will have to murder you."

Cardin: "NO IT'S NOT NORA!"

Jaune: "Though good on you, Ren! You made a move?"

Ren: "... Kind of?"

Russell: "OI! Come on, Pinkeye! Just tell her you wanna be together!"

Ren: "I don't want to ruin thirteen years of friendship."

Sky: "She's your childhood friend too?! Why do you guys get all the luck?!"

Jaune: "Who is it, Cardin?"

Cardin: "... Um... Well, uh, she's in the year ahead of us... Has a really neat Semblance and um..."

Jaune: "... You're shitting me. Velvet?! You pulled on her ears, dude!"

Cardin: "Well I got nervous and my family's got some history with the Faunus and-and I don't know what the fuck to do!"

Dove: "Ask her out."

Russell: "Ya damn pussy!"

Cardin: "Says the guy running from Adel!"

Russell: "She's terrifying! I'm not gonna be her dress up doll! Even if she hot as fuck and bisexual!"

Jaune: sighs "Cardin? Just go ask her out. Hand her flowers. Say you just wanted to get her attention but you went overboard. Maybe she'll give you a chance."

Cardin: "That worked for you with your harem?"

Jaune: "I DON'T HAVE A HAREM. I just asked Yang out on a date after flirting with her! It's no big deal! And I don't know why Blake is wearing a collar!"

Sun: "She's doing it for me! ME!"

Russell: "I really fucking doubt it, Abs-Boy."

Sun: "LEAST I HAVE ABS!"

Ren: sips his beer "... Why did we want to hang out with guys again?"

Jaune: "Because Ruby got into my childhood photos my sisters sent and I'm not crossdressing again... Unless it's to save the world or something."

Ren: "Or if your harem is into that."

Jaune: "Et tu, Ren?"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The day of the Vytal Tournament Finals



Jaipur, Pandu



- - -



Jaipur was widely regarded as the jewel of Pandu, and the Gateway to Anima. It had been the first Pandavan city that Iksander the Great had conquered after taking the rest of Mistral's holdings. It had the largest natural harbor of any city on the continent, and the Deva Pass that wound through the Atmans gave it access to Mistral, Temujin, and many other smaller kingdoms. Even at night, its light shined out into the darkness of the world. Within its vast city walls were casinos, banks, dance halls, amusement parks, bars, sports stadiums, CCTnet transceivers, and gigantic towers of business to guide its busy ports full of ships, both sea and air based.



But it had not always been this rich or prosperous.



Arjun Sarkara, King of Pandu, knew this all too well.



He was the youngest child of five brothers, a spare for spares. He'd had aspirations of becoming a pilot despite his incredible skill in archery. His elder brothers were meant to have the throne, even though he went through the same lessons in statecraft, diplomacy, and war that they did. He thought he would have had very different responsibilities when he became a man. Responsibilities he would have shared with his foster brother, Karna: A "hostage" of the Kauravas, their family rivals.



Then came the coup. The Kauravas took over with the help of Mistralian gangsters and traitors. Arjun had been the only survivor of his family, with his maid, Saia. The man he thought was his brother in all but blood had betrayed them. They then proceeded to run Pandu into the ground, and even Jaipur had become poor despite it's massive wealth. The Kauravas had ruled out of spite, greed, and with short-sightedness.



For five agonizing years, Arjun had worked as hard as he could to reclaim his throne and restore freedom and justice to his land. He'd sworn to Saia he would do this for her. With the help of his friends in Vale... And a repentant Karna... They had succeeded.



The effort... Had not been in vain, as he could see. Jaipur glowed in the night, free and prosperous once more. And all of Pandu reaped the benefits.



That said, reclaiming the kingdom had only been the start. Running it? That was the real challenge.



He strode through the warmly furnished halls of the Central Plaza Building, a tall golden tower that shimmered even at night, with his wife Saia alongside... And Karna following close behind at a respectful distance.



"I can't believe it took us all day just to convince the Minister of the tax code changes," Arjun grumbled. His godson was competing in the Vytal Tournament! He'd been looking forward to watching Jaune and root for him.



"I can," Karna deadpanned, his dark blue hair tied into a ponytail behind him as he paced his King and foster brother in simple black clothing, "Minister Virata is as stubborn as he always was." He scowled, the act emphasizing the scar over his nose.



"He always milks the fact he sheltered us after the coup for all it's worth," Saia sighed, her long hair hair held in a few silver bands, wearing her usual white and red sari with cloak as she walked with her Dust Project Staff, "It's nothing we haven't seen before."



"It's always more infuriating," Arjun grumbled. Karna chuckled and patted his foster brother on the shoulder.



"Now now. You did well not to kill him. Save that for in private."



"No! No killing!" Saia said in exasperation. Arjun pouted at his wife.



"But Saia, I'm out of practice. How am I to know if I'm still formidable if I can't off a few fat, corrupt government officials from time to time?"



"He has a point," Karna chuckled, "You can just go blow things up, we have to have more involved training."



Saia rolled her eyes. The two brothers smirked at each other.



"You're absolutely impossible," Saia sighed. "I prefer it when you're with Nick. You're more manageable that way."



"They blew up a trolley car," Karna pointed out.



"That was an accident. No one can prove otherwise," Arjun stated quickly.



"That is easier to sort out than you driving me up the wall," Saia said, "And Isabel helps me scold you. Your wife is far too permissive, Karna!"



"Padmavati is very forgiving," Karna said with a wry grin.



"She'd have to be to marry you," Arjun huffed.



A bright flash outside the window drew all of their attention. A loud boom followed as flames and smoke rose into the night sky. Alarms began to go off as the three royals stared at a conflagration facing the great pass of Deva.



"An accident?" Saia immediately asked. Arjun's eyes lit up as he activated his Semblance. His keen eyes could see Aura, and anything ignited by Aura.



His eyes widened.



"Missiles!" He cried, as another blast erupted around the gateway. He tapped his earbud. "Drona! Report!"



His mentor and chief of staff immediately responded from his place on the royal airship Vikrant.



"Your Highness, a Mistralian air battleship just popped up on radar," he reported in his gruff tone, "Nanchang-class."



"How did we not get any warnings?" Arjun demanded.



"The CCTNet just went down worldwide," Drona growled, "A terrorist attack in Vale happened at the same time. We think it's the source of the CCT shutdown."



Arjun's eyes widened.



"How bad?"



"Unknown. We're getting scattered reports by radio of mass Grimm attacks, thousands of casualties-Your Highness we must look to the crisis at hand first."



Arjun nodded and calmed himself.



He couldn't help his friends in Vale right now. He could help his country though.



"How soon until we get reinforcements? Vikrant's not built to fight a battleship."



"Twenty minutes, the nearest base is having computer trouble," Drona growled. Arjun turned to his wife.



"Take charge of the defenses here. Karna and I will handle the battleship," he stated.



"Your Majesty?! Have you lost your mind?!" Drona cried.



"No, this is what I was trained to do," Arjun stated, "Coordinate with my wife, she'll provide anti-missile support."



Saia nodded, leaned in on tip-toes and kissed her husband on the lips.



"Fight bravely, my love."



Arjun smiled at her.



"It's the only way I know how. Karna!"



Karna nodded.



"My Tigertail should be ready to go."



"Then let's move!" Arjun ordered, as he and Karna ran for the airship pads and Saia ran for the top of the tower. She tapped her own earbud.



"This is the Queen. Bring me as many barrels of Dust as you can to the top of Central Plaza! That's an order!"



"Yes Your Majesty!"



- - -



This will be in two parts thanks to my job.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Mistralian Royal Battleship Longmen

Jaipur, Pandu

- - -

Ensign Jiang Zhu had had many misgivings since their captain, Sun Shanyuan, had returned from leave. She'd been irritable, secretive, and condescending. Far removed from the almost motherly presence that had helped the trainees grow as sailors she'd almost always been.

At first, he had just assumed it was due to the worsening political situation. There were three major factions in the Kingdom of Mistral: The Yellow Dragons, the Red Dragons, and the Green Dragons. The Yellow advocated a return to a rule under religious principles, though a large number of their contingent also counted the old Temujin Khans from the neighboring lands as truly righteous rulers-Despite the fact they conquered Mistral long ago and ruled as Emperors. The Red Dragons, influenced by Argus and the other Hellenic League lands to the west, wanted to become even more meritocratic and democratic-Though always under their auspices and control. The Green Dragons, the most conservative, wanted to return to the days when Mistral was ruled under its own original cultural identity and ideals: An Emperor with a massive court and bureaucratic system arranged with said Emperor the ultimate symbol of rule under divine right.

Civil unrest between the factions had been a way of life for Mistral for centuries, but their feuds had seldom reached the level of potential civil war. At least not until now. Yet this alone could not be the only explanation for Captain Sun's behavior.

Her orders had grown more confusing by the day. She'd ordered live ammunition loads into the missiles, and their tracking systems disabled. When her XO Xiong Fan had pressed her, even lightly, she'd dismissed him and made Jiang Zhu her acting XO.

They had launched secretly that afternoon, and while they had dispatched a flight plan, Zhu knew that they were nowhere near where they were supposed to be.

Any further protests had died when Sun had brought up some Imperial Marines in full body armor and face concealing helmets.

What is going on? Zhu thought to himself as he checked their course on the holoplot. The bridge of the Longmen was based heavily on Atlasian technology, with clean lines and simple architecture. The large almost panoramic bridge windows gave them a clear view of the prow of the vessel, and the distant lights of a city through the Deva Pass. Why are we near Jaipur?

A training mission in this old battleship might take them here, but why not inform the crew? They were a training vessel, a top secret mission wasn't something they would be sent on!

"Ensign, report," Captain Sun ordered as she sat in her chair near the plotting table. Zhu cleared his throat and tried to keep his nerves down.

"We have reached Checkpoint A, Ma'am. We appear to be near-"

"I am aware of where we are, Ensign," Sun stated firmly, her eyes like daggers. "Firing Control? Give me targets."

Zhu's eyes widened. The fire control officer Laohou was also new, and prowled along the consoles behind the nervous trainees like a tiger. He looked up with a scowl.

"Targets established," he stated.

The holoplot brought them up. Over a dozen red bullseyes on several buildings in Jaipur. Including the main gates. Zhu's jaw dropped.

"Mister Jiang," Sun stated, "Are we tracking the targets properly?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Prepare to fire missiles."

Zhu again cleared his throat.

"Captain... Captain, these are civilian targets-"

"I am aware of what kind of targets these are, Ensign," Sun said acidly, "Are we tracking properly?"

"Y-Yes Ma'am, but-But why-?"

"We have our orders, Ensign," Sun stated coldly, "Are you incapable of carrying them out?"

The ensign shook his head.

"N-No, but this is-"

"War is upon us, Ensign," Sun stated firmly, "War is upon all of Mistral. Our superiors ordered us to be here, and to launch an attack. We do not have the right to question them."

"Pandu is-is not at war with us, Captain," Zhu tried, "Not the last I heard! We're a training ship, why are we-?"

Two of the armored Marines moved up towards him. One held his rifle up in menace. Zhu gulped.

"I believe I gave you an order, Ensign," Sun said, cold and hard as Atlaesian steel, "Are you unable to carry it out?"

Zhu's heart pounded in his ears. He stared down at the plot. He had been in training to remain objective, to not give into emotion and to disconnect himself from the realities of his mission. A mission that would involve killing people, no matter how distantly.

He stared at the holographic outlines of the buildings. He knew they would be filled with people. Hordes of innocent people who had no idea what was coming.

He knew there were tensions between the factions in Mistral, who didn't? Yet this... How could anyone benefit from this?

"I..."

"Ensign," Sun growled, "Give the order."

Sun looked down at the plot. He looked over at the thuggish fire control officer. He looked at the Marines. His hands shook.

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

The butt of a marine's rifle met his face, and he went down. Sun shook her head.

"Very well. If you cannot carry out my orders? You're worthless to me." She walked up to the plot and turned to the fire control officer as the Marines beat Zhu with their rifle butts.

"Mister Laohou? Fire!"

"Fire!" Laohou growled. The other trainees looked as scared as Zhu... But complied. A volley of missiles burst from the old battleship's launchers, and streaked through the valley towards Jaipur. Zhu cried out, but was silenced by a boot to his mouth.

"Tie him up, keep him here," Sun ordered. Zhu felt binders placed on his wrists as Sun looked to Laohou. "Effect?"

Laohou studied the plot.

"We've hit 90 percent of them. They are activating air defense radar but don't have many. Their anti-air defenses have been destroyed along with the other key targets."

"Good. Prepare second wave."

It took about ten minutes to reload everything. During this time, Zhu was gagged and then dragged to a chair near the edge of the bridge. He was tied to it and gagged. He shook his head and whimpered in protest, but the other trainees just kept going along with it.

No! No, this is wrong! STOP THIS!"

"Second wave ready," Laohou reported.

Sun nodded.

"FIRE!"

Another volley of missiles streaked through the night. Zhu could only watch in horror as the missiles flew straight and true as arrows.

No, no... Please... Someone... Stop this... Please...!

Multiple bursts of white light filled the air, like fireworks. Laohou scowled as Sun looked confused.

"What? What happened? We lost the tracks!"

"The missiles were intercepted this time," a sensor operator reported, "We've got a source... An Aura beam of some kind..."

"Bring up the image!" Sun ordered and a holowindow appeared of a bright figure on top of a golden tower. "Magnify and enhance!"

A tanned Pandavan woman in white and red, with scarlet hair and golden eyes, stood before them with a determined look on her face. Her staff glowed with power. Sun smirked.

"I see. The Queen is here," she stated, "Good. Close to gunnery range. She can't intercept those."

"MMPH!" Zhu screamed through his gag. "MMPH! MMMNGH!"

"Closing," Louhao reported as he loomed over the nervous flight controller, "We should-"

A radar alert went off. A new icon appeared on the holoplot.

"New contact, closing fast!" The sensor operator cried. "Look like a Tigertail, military model-!"

The small but sleek airship buzzed the bridge, then climbed for altitude. Sun growled.

"How the hell did it get this close-No matter! Engage it!"

Automated gun batteries opened fire on the Tigertail, which deftly evaded the tracers like the dragonfly that was its namesake. It dove and looped around, flying in front of the Longmen and keeping it from launching more attacks. Zhu couldn't help but be awed by the courage and skill of the pilot.

Yet it wasn't going to last long. They just needed one hit and it would-

The lights went out and the bridge was plunged into darkness. Red Icons flashed on the holoplot. Louhao growled sounding like a feral cat.

"Intruder alert. Power's been cut to the bridge and primary controls."

"Switch to backups!" Sun ordered, slamming a holo data drive into the table, "We have to-!"

The doors to the bridge opened.

"OPEN FIRE!" Sun bellowed, pulling her sidearm. The Imperial Marines turned and opened fire, the machine gun blasts deafening. Four of the Marines fell instantly, and even in the darkness Zhu could make out arrows sticking out of their chest plates.

"FIRE! FIRE!" Sun shouted over the din. Smoke bombs went off, filling the bridge with dark clouds. Zhu coughed through his gag and just barely made out a dark figure dashing through the smoke, striking down enemies one by one. Laohou dashed out of the smoke, panicked, and reached for Zhu-

"URK!"

A pointed mace attached to a rope flew out like a lasso and wrapped around his ankles. The fire control officer fell flat on the desk, and yelped as he was yanked back into the melee.

The bridge lights went back on and the windows opened. The smoke was sucked out. Zhu saw the same dark figure walk towards him.

He was tall, and covered head to toe in dark blue and white body armor underneath a dark blue cloak and hood. His eyes blazed blue, his face was concealed by a balaclava. A bow with a quiver of arrows hung behind him, and a short curved sword and mace with rope hung from his belt.

"Stay calm," the man spoke quietly, quickly cutting him free with the short sword, "I need your help."

"Wha-But-" Zhu tried, but the man lifted him up and carried him to the holoplot. Sun and Laohou laid in a pile, as did most of the rest of the bridge crew. Others had hit the floor, their arms up behind their heads in surrender. What drew most of Zhu's attention though was the holoplot. His eyes widened.

"SELF DESTRUCT ENGAGED," it said, red warnings appearing everywhere. The engines of the old battleship were roaring, and the city of Jaipur was getting bigger, fast, in the bridge viewports.

"How do I stop it?" The masked man growled. Zhu shook his head.

"Stop-It shouldn't be engaged! Only the captain can-!"

Sun grinned up at them... Or rather, what had been Sun. Purple tentacles formed hair around her hair, twisting and squirming while changing patterns.

"Too late for you, King, too late!" 'Sun' wheezed. "You can't stop it now!"

She bit down on something in her teeth. The masked man grabbed Zhu and leaped away, just before a bomb went off. The windows of the bridge were blown out and the entire structure erupted into flames. Zhu stared in horror as he heard the cries of his crewmates in the inferno.

"No... No... Why...?!"

"We can't do anything for them right now," the man stated firmly, "Give me a way to turn this thing! Quickly! Or thousands will die!"

Zhu stared at the bright lights of the city of Jaipur. He stared at the man.

"Th-The main engines are locked into flank! You-You couldn't stop them unless you could-Could destroy half the engines and make it turn!" He cried.

The man nodded, and hefted Zhu up to his feet.

"Then that's what I'll do. Get anyone remaining evacuated. I'll handle this!"

"You?!" Zhu gasped. "Who are you?"

The man smirked behind his mask.

"Before I was King of Pandu... I was the king of Archers. Now go!"

- - -

The Mistralian man turned and ran, re-entering the ship through a hatch, as Arjun dashed aft. He leaped over the still firing anti-aircraft batteries, Karna still piloting the Tigertail to perfection to draw their automated fire.

He should have packed missiles on this trip for their aircraft. Ugh. That's what he got for forgetting boyhood lessons: Be prepared.

Well, he was prepared... Just not as well as he had hoped. Still, when it came to risking himself versus risking a city? Arjun knew which he would choose.

He made it to the aft deck overlooking the twin engine pods. He readied his bow and notched an arrow-A special arrow. One passed down through the ages of the Sarkaran family, along with their legendary bows. He focused as much Aura as he could into this weapon, and its warhead began to glow ominiously.

"Brahmastra," he said to the arrow, "You have always flown straight and true for my ancestors, and I have always recovered you. You saved our nation before... Do so again. Now... FLY!"

He released the arrow, and guided it with his Aura. It wobbled just a bit through the jetstream... But thanks to the particulars of air currents around large Dust-powered jet engines and Arjun's skill, it found an eye of calm to fly through...

Right into the main engine fuel pump. It exploded with a deafening noise, and the main engines on the port side sputtered. The impact knocked Arjun off the deck. He fell for the ground, and pulled the last of his arrows out. He targeted the still burning port engines, channeled his Aura... And let them loose.

The volley didn't hit as hard as the Brahmastra... But with the engines dying? They didn't need to. The Burn Dust ignited and spread fires all across the engine pod, causing secondary explosions. The whole bulk of the battleship began to turn, as lifeboats launched and people with parachutes leaped to safety. Arjun grit his teeth as he fell.

It would be a good death... Good enough... Saia... Friends... Abhimanyu... Maia... Karna-

Only to feel metal hull against his back as he landed hard. He got up and balanced on the top of the Tigertail. His earbud crackled.

"You need to stop falling out of airships so dramatically, brother."

"I knew you'd catch me," Arjun said as he stared anxiously at the battleship. It was still screaming towards Jaipur, but turning... Slowly... So slowly...

He could see it approaching the Golden Cental Plaza Tower. He prayed it would miss... Prayed that Saia had evacuated with everyone else... Prayed...

The burning wreck just barely grazed the tower... And flew off, more explosions tearing it apart. It lost altitude, before crashing into the bay with a massive splash and thunderous final explosion. Arjun let out the breath he was holding.

"Arjun? This is Saia, are you all right?" His wife called out over the radio.

Arjun nodded, even though she couldn't see it. He tapped his earbud.

"I'm all right. You?"

"I'm all right," she said, "I thought about taking more shots at it, but I didn't want to risk it blowing up over the city."

"Good call as always," Arjun sighed. "Right... Let's get the ministers on the line. Alert the Council. Have the security forces take the Mistralian crew into custody-Gently! And get me any intel on Vale! We need to know what the hell has been going on."

"Nothing good, that's for sure," Karna deadpanned, as they flew back towards the city.

That's an understatement for the ages, Arjun thought.

- - -

 

[SharkCultist]

Cardin Winchester woke up this morning with a steel resolve and a heart full of purpose.

He had a Quest.

His team were left behind, this was for him and him alone.

The teachers were notified that he would be gone for the day and then his scroll muted.

Their protest would be ignored anyway and he couldn't afford distractions.

Deeper into the Forrest by the school he went. Well past the marked areas indicating low danger.

He would be attempting to craft something today, something he had practiced for over 365 days. But first he needed a ingredient guarded by a Grimm.

A Caerbannog is a odd Grimm because it's one of the few Grimm that doesn't migrate at all, in fact if one is attempting to kill you and you manage to make it outside of its territory, even by a foot, it will leave you alone.

Most don't make it out of its territory.

It's a deceptive beast, mostly white unlike many other Grimm with no visible bone plating.

A lie. The white fur covering its body is in actuality millions up on millions of small bone blades.

By the time most realize what it really is they're already dead.

But Cardin didn't stumble up on the mad beast. He searched for it.

And as he pulled out his mace he steeled his heart. It would all be worth it.

---

Teams RWBY, JNPR, and 3/4ths of CRDL were worried.

Cardin had been acting weird the past few days. Making secret orders from his scroll then wiping the history, running constant maintenance on his gear, and studying Grimm from the book "extremely unpleasant ways to die for idiots".

And now today he texts all the teachers "BRB holy quest, fuck off please." Then muted them.

Nobody has ever seen Goodwitch turn that shade of purple before.

As the teams were beginning to organize a search who should stumble into the school but Cardin Winchester.

Beat up to high hell, his armor looking less like something meant to protect him and looking more like someone covered him in badly crumpled aluminum foil.

He was also dragging a shining white carrot the size of a four year old.

What the hell?

"Mr.Winche-

"No. Fuck off. Busy."

And with that Cardin walked right past their dumbfounded professor (completely ignoring the semblance that was trying to to hold him in place).

Weiss couldn't help but wonder.

"What could possibly be that important?"

---

Velvet was having a pretty nice birthday. A small get together with her friends, nothing too loud or out there. Just relaxing with most of her favorite people. The only thing missing was


"Sorry I'm late!"

Her boyfriend Cardin. Who showed up carrying the best carrot cake Velvet had ever seen in her life. It was literally shining!

"Wow big guy, where'd you get that?"

"Cooked it myself coco."

Velvet was honestly touched, and now she knew why there wasn't cake earlier.

Velvet just hoped he didn't go through too much effort.

---

A year of savings.

All of his dust.

Countless hours baking and perfecting his recipe.

All his equipment.

A semester of detention.

A steep price to pay.

But as Cardin looked at his girlfriends happily smiling face bulging slightly with cake he had one thought.

Totally worth it.

Quest complete.

---

Yes. I did make a team killer class Grimm a Monty Python reference.

 

[Fusion Blaster]

Adding more to my previous post

I was livid and I hated it. How could she think that? Just because I.

I...

I really hate losing my temper. That loss of control of myself. When I was a small child in this life that is. I had problems with my temper whenever any of my friends teased me. Like Nora or Yi-Yin...

Mother always got this sad disappointed look when I got angry about dumb stuff and she taught me how to meditate to calm down. I've lost that honed control I relied on during the bad times. I rationalize it as separate but it's just me with more. My past life had issues with this as well. I can't afford to waste time starting from the beginning again. Well I have one advantage that I didn't before: My semblance. I head to the common room and look around: I'm alone.

Good. I sit and meditate then bring my semblance up. It's like everything bleeds away into a numbness. I push it past anything I have ever done before and suddenly… Everything is clear.

Fascinating. So this is what it's like to be without emotion..

The week seems to fly by. Its just so much easier without my emotions getting in the way of my school work. Though I do notice that jaune and Pyrrha are giving me odd looks.

Today Professor Goodwhich is in a particular mood. Thankfully one advantage of my mental state is I don't feel the drive to stare at her rear or her boobs i can actualy listen to her tips.

Ah she's offering up volunteers for extra credit to a match before she randomly picks on Jaune to embarrass him... again. She really does seem to pick on him. I've noticed she calls him up almost every other day.

Hex Skavender volunteers. He's staring at my team again: In particular at both Pyrrha and Nora.. I see the professor see where he is looking. She begins to open her mouth.

"I volunteer," I rise up, pick up Stormflower and march up to the battle stage.

Hex sneers at me and lears at Nora and Pyrrha. My team cheers me on. I hear Nora's cry of "GO FOR THE KNEES RENNY!"

"Okay Nora." I've never taken the suggestion before but it's a thought that has merit.

Hex stands across from me in his back and green jumpsuit and black leather jacket. He just starte wearing the coat mostly to protect his body from the flames he tends to leave behind. He even treated his Chakrams to turn the flames green when he uses the fire dust he favors. The dark helmet was a good choice in my opinion. Hides his facial expressions well.

He calls them Stolthet if I remember correctly.

If he had an element it would be fire. Well as one of my past life's hero's said: Time to be water.

He takes his stance and ignites his weapons. He's mixing it up a little this time. The one in his lefts got green lighting and the other is green fire.

The match begins and Hex launches himself towards me and overhead slash with his right spins to follow up with his left.

I see a minor trap in the follow up if I block it with Stormflower. It'd handle the fire just fine but the shock from the next strike would hurt. I flow around him closer than I'd prefer and get behind him. I use the momentum of my spin to bring a kick to his back but he leaps up and then uses his semblance to get him more height. Doing so is a mistake however. Getting up there that long gives me time to counter his inevitable downwards attack.

Then I noticed it. He's only got one Chakram in his hands.

I take two steps to the left, turn halfway and sure enough the circular blade would have hit me in the middle of the back if I hadn't dodge. Hex definitely knows how to best use his instant platforms as he creates one to bounce his chakram to him as he lands a little out of reach.

"Clever Skvader, but not quite enough."

"Yeah that probably would have taken out your loser leader!"

He sneered.

"And maybe your scatterbrained slut of a berserker."

Hex throws both his chakrams in different directions. I know he's using his semblance to bounce them around but before I can turn to see he charges forward. He has to be planning on having them hit while he keeps me occupied in melee. Well if that's his plan lets not do that then. The textbook counter to the kick he's making would be to block or grab his leg.

So I jump up and over landing a stomping kick to his proteteced head. If it does any damage to his aura I doubt it bu that's not its real purpose. I use the kick to propel myself higher and give more momentum. I quickly spin and see the electricly charged Chakrams heading to one of the green hexagons Hex can create.

Little known fact they can be destroyed. With a burst from Stormflower its eliminated before the chkram can bounce off it and flys out of bounds.

As I land I fire a burst of rounds at Hex's back. That for sure helped lower his aura but not enough to win yet.

Hex catches the second blade and charges forward swinging low.

I jump backwards so his strikes miss my legs.

He stabs straight this time and I hook the blade with the bayonet of Stormflower. We struggle for a moment as he tries to pull it back.

I quickly kick him in the dead center of his chest. At the same time I pull the trigger on my weapon to make him let go of his.

I holster my guns as I throw the chakram to the ground out of reach. I then beckon him to come at me with a hand gesture.

"You filthy gutter-trash. I don't need my weapons to beat you into the ground!" Hex snarled.

I smile with a cockiness I don't actually feel but he doesn't need to know that.

"Come on then."

He charges with a flying kick that I deflect and return with a kick of my own.

He ducked my strike though my follow up punch connects to his sternum pushing him back.

He returns with a rapid fire flurry of punches I deflect but allow one to clip my shoulder and use that to strike to reposition myself.

Now my trap springs just as Hex steps back into range. I draw out Stormflower and unload point blank.

"What?!" Hex crossed his arms to shield himself "You were never this good before!"

"So you thought." Then I stepped in and delivered a devastating uppercut. I feel his aura break and he's laid out on his back. Then I remembered my promise to Nora before the match began.

"Now you learn better and now you will never forget it," I brought my left foot up, then with all the force I could muster I stomped down on his knee.

Hex screamed and Professor Goodwitch screamed something I don't feel the need to pay attention to. I find myself unexpectedly empty. I thought I would feel satisfaction with how I dominated the match and played the arrogant rabbit for a fool but..

I find I shouldn't have. Satisfaction is an emotion after all.

*Sigh*

Spoiler: A bit more overt

Daisy

Daisy is Doomguy's pet rabbit. In the classic Doom, the rabbit's head is shown in the end picture of Episode 3: Inferno, first in a docile setting, resting in a sunny field, then in an instant turnaround, decapitated and its head impaled on a pike as evidence that the hellspawn have come to...

doom.fandom.com

Click to shrink...

i was just going with...


View: https://youtu.be/wBl2QGAIx1s?si=REYk1a0UCBXHfbuG

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Nora tries to sneak into the kitchen in the common room after hours. She opens the fridge... Reaches for the frozen pancakes...



SNAP!



Nora: "OW!" She waves her hand, where a mousetrap is stuck on "Owowowow!"



Jaune: Glares at her "I told you, Nora. You're grounded... Also how does that even hurt? You have Aura."



Nora: "It was funnier?"



Jaune: "... I guess I can't argue with that."



Nora: "PLEASE JAUNE-JAUNE! GIVE ME PANCAKES!" Falls to her knees in front of him and sobs "I'LL BECOME YOUR SLAVE!"



Jaune: "I-I don't need one of those and I'm not gonna NTR Ren!"



Nora: "HE'S INTO THAT!"



Jaune: "I... He's what?!



Nora: "Well... He might be!"



Jaune: "WELL I'M NOT ASKING HIM!"



- - -



Cardin is grumbling to himself... When Jaune walks up to him.



Jaune: "Yo, Cardin."



Cardin: "What do you want, Arc?"



Jaune: "I have beer and guns. Wanna go do something stupid?"



Cardin: "... Sure thing!"



Later, at a campfire, Team CRDL, Ren, Jaune and Sun are chilling out with beer.



Sky: "I just... I think she's kind of neat, ya know?"



Jaune: "Then ask her out, dumbass."



Sky: "But she's with Team NDGO!"



Jaune: "Wait, that's who you're talking about? Fuck, no, do not stick in evil and crazy, bro."



Dove: "I have been telling him the same thing."



Russell: "Totally. I don't even know why Adel is hitting on me. She's supposed to be a lesbian!"



Sky: "Statistically speaking, she's more likely to be bi than lesbian given how few true blue lesbians there are. Or true blue gay dudes there are. It's like a spectrum or something."



Russell: "Yeah and you're a rainbow gaywad!"



Sky: "I AM NOT!"



Cardin: "So... Uh... Jauney... I wanna ask your help."



Jaune: "Me? With what?"



Cardin: "Well you went on a date with Xiao-Long... Can you help me with the girls?"



Sun: "Why aren't you asking me? I went on a date with Blake!"



Jaune: "That was more like you both being temporarily homeless."



Russell: "Plus, you want that chick? Really? Her?"



Sky: "Her booty is amazing though!"



Russell: "It's more that she's part of Arc's harem."



Jaune: "I don't have a harem! Fuck's sake, just because Great-Grandpa had three wives does not mean I will! My dad only has my mom!"



Sun: "She-She totally isn't into Jaune anyway! She wore that collar for me!"



Dove: sips beer "I take back what I said, Sky. You're not a simp next to him."



Sun: "I'M NOT A SIMP!"



Cardin: "Anyway, come on Jaune! Help me with the girl!"



Jaune: "Who is it?"



Cardin: "Um..."



Ren: "If it's Nora, I will have to murder you."



Cardin: "NO IT'S NOT NORA!"



Jaune: "Though good on you, Ren! You made a move?"



Ren: "... Kind of?"



Russell: "OI! Come on, Pinkeye! Just tell her you wanna be together!"



Ren: "I don't want to ruin thirteen years of friendship."



Sky: "She's your childhood friend too?! Why do you guys get all the luck?!"



Jaune: "Who is it, Cardin?"



Cardin: "... Um... Well, uh, she's in the year ahead of us... Has a really neat Semblance and um..."



Jaune: "... You're shitting me. Velvet?! You pulled on her ears, dude!"



Cardin: "Well I got nervous and my family's got some history with the Faunus and-and I don't know what the fuck to do!"



Dove: "Ask her out."



Russell: "Ya damn pussy!"



Cardin: "Says the guy running from Adel!"



Russell: "She's terrifying! I'm not gonna be her dress up doll! Even if she hot as fuck and bisexual!"



Jaune: sighs "Cardin? Just go ask her out. Hand her flowers. Say you just wanted to get her attention but you went overboard. Maybe she'll give you a chance."



Cardin: "That worked for you with your harem?"



Jaune: "I DON'T HAVE A HAREM. I just asked Yang out on a date after flirting with her! It's no big deal! And I don't know why Blake is wearing a collar!"



Sun: "She's doing it for me! ME!"



Russell: "I really fucking doubt it, Abs-Boy."



Sun: "LEAST I HAVE ABS!"



Ren: sips his beer "... Why did we want to hang out with guys again?"



Jaune: "Because Ruby got into my childhood photos my sisters sent and I'm not crossdressing again... Unless it's to save the world or something."



Ren: "Or if your harem is into that."



Jaune: "Et tu, Ren?"

Click to shrink...

When our heroes try to infiltrate a White Fang meeting... They bring the police with them. Unfortunately, Roman whips out the Paladin mech and chaos ensues. Roman blasts apart the warehouse and JNPR and RWBY barely escape the falling rubble.



Or at least, most of them did.



Pyrrha: "Jaune?! JAUNE! WHERE'S JAUNE?!"



Nora: "JAUNE?!"



Ruby: "JAUNE!"



Yang: "JAUNE!"



Roman's Paladin strides out, carrying the limp body of Sun Wukong.



Blake: "SUN!"



Roman: "You girls gotta get tougher boyfriends if I can wreck them like this. Oh well! Time to die~."



BEEP BEEP!



Roman: "What the-?!"



A heavy semi-truck rams into the Paladin at high speed. Jaune, carrying a large backpack, jumps out of the driver's seat just in time before it hits and explodes.



Jaune: "SHOOT THE FUCKER!"



Everyone opens fire on the mech as it tries to free itself from the wreckage.



Roman: "HAHA! CLEVER, BRATS! BUT YOU'D BETTER BE PACKING SOMETHING EXTRA BESIDES A TRUCK TO TAKE ME DOWN!"



Jaune: "Actually? We did."



He pulls out an anti-armor rocket launcher and takes aim as everyone else keeps firing on Roman.



Roman: "Oh. Well shi-"



Jaune fires. The armor piercing warhead punches through the armor on the mech's drive system. With a massive explosion, the mech goes limp and loses all power.



Jaune: "... Bit of a design flaw, that."



Yang: snerk "Remind me to send a complaint to the Atlasian Military."



Jaune: "Totally."



Ruby: "Awww... Jaune!"



Jaune: "What?"



Ruby: "I wanted to have a cool fight with the giant robot!" pouts



Nora: "Me too!" Also pouts



Jaune: "Well then, next time make sure it's not in a heavily populated area. And bring anti-armor weapons with you."



Ruby: "Maybe I will!"



Nora: "Can I have an advance on my allowance?"



Jaune: "Only if you're good."



Blake and Weiss give Jaune suspicious looks.



Jaune: "... Yes?"



Blake: "How did you know there would be a giant mecha here?"



Jaune: "I didn't know. I just figured that if the White Fang are getting a lot of weapons from somewhere, it wouldn't hurt to prepare for the absolute worst case scenario. In this case, having a giant armored weapon to deal with. At most I thought it would be like one of those cheap-ass Mistralian tanks with the legs that kind of work: Not a Paladin!"



Weiss: "... I suppose that's sensible." nods "You were right to be paranoid."



Jaune: "It's only paranoia if they're not out to get you."



Blake: "Who?"



Jaune: "Well gee, given that Weiss is numero uno target for the White Fang and Blake left them, it seems like they'd be all too happy to go after you two! Also your friends! Speaking of, Blake? Your boyfriend is badly injured, maybe we should tend to him?"



Blake: "O-Oh! Right!"



Weiss: "So self centered."



Blake: "You didn't notice until Jaune pointed it out!"



Weiss: "I was a little preoccupied!"



Pyrrha smiles warmly at Jaune as he starts first aid on Sun.



Pyrrha: "You did very well, Jaune."



Jaune: beams "Thanks Pyrrha. Anything to keep the ones I love safe."



Much blushing from the women around ensues.



Sun: "Ugh... Hey Jaune... Thanks for the save."



Jaune: "Hey, I'm not letting my friends get killed by a giant robot. It'd look bad on my resume!"



Sun: "Can't say I'm uh... I'm comfortable with a dude saying they love me."



Jaune: "It's friendly love, bro. You know, bro-mance? Like what you have with Neptune, except I'm straight."



Sun: "Heh. Funny."



Weiss: "NEPTUNE IS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT!"



Jaune: "His dress sense says otherwise."



Weiss: "Y-You're just upset he's manlier than you!"



A pause... Then much laughter ensues.



Weiss: "HEY!"



Jaune: "Sure Princess, sure."



Blake: "Wait, I thought I was the Princess?"



Jaune: "You both are."



Sun: pained scowl "Bro..."



Jaune: "Oh relax Sun, I'm not stealing another man's girl."



Blake: quickly "I'm not his girl."



Sun: "Urk... The pain...!"



Jaune: "I think those are your ribs. Also geez Blake, ya gotta be all tsundere when he's like this? At least give him a lap pillow while he's injured."



Blake: "I-I'm sorry! I'm not good at this stuff!"



Sun: smiles "I like you for it anyway."



Blake: "Now is not the time to flirt!"



Yang: "It's always the time to flirt!"



Sun: "Oh, also... Where did Roman go?"



They search... But the red haired criminal is long gone.



Jaune: "Oh wow, we are bad at this."



Sun: "Urgh... I'm never gonna be a Junior Detective at this rate..."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

When our heroes try to infiltrate a White Fang meeting... They bring the police with them. Unfortunately, Roman whips out the Paladin mech and chaos ensues. Roman blasts apart the warehouse and JNPR and RWBY barely escape the falling rubble.



Or at least, most of them did.



Pyrrha: "Jaune?! JAUNE! WHERE'S JAUNE?!"



Nora: "JAUNE?!"



Ruby: "JAUNE!"



Yang: "JAUNE!"



Roman's Paladin strides out, carrying the limp body of Sun Wukong.



Blake: "SUN!"



Roman: "You girls gotta get tougher boyfriends if I can wreck them like this. Oh well! Time to die~."



BEEP BEEP!



Roman: "What the-?!"



A heavy semi-truck rams into the Paladin at high speed. Jaune, carrying a large backpack, jumps out of the driver's seat just in time before it hits and explodes.



Jaune: "SHOOT THE FUCKER!"



Everyone opens fire on the mech as it tries to free itself from the wreckage.



Roman: "HAHA! CLEVER, BRATS! BUT YOU'D BETTER BE PACKING SOMETHING EXTRA BESIDES A TRUCK TO TAKE ME DOWN!"



Jaune: "Actually? We did."



He pulls out an anti-armor rocket launcher and takes aim as everyone else keeps firing on Roman.



Roman: "Oh. Well shi-"



Jaune fires. The armor piercing warhead punches through the armor on the mech's drive system. With a massive explosion, the mech goes limp and loses all power.



Jaune: "... Bit of a design flaw, that."



Yang: snerk "Remind me to send a complaint to the Atlasian Military."



Jaune: "Totally."



Ruby: "Awww... Jaune!"



Jaune: "What?"



Ruby: "I wanted to have a cool fight with the giant robot!" pouts



Nora: "Me too!" Also pouts



Jaune: "Well then, next time make sure it's not in a heavily populated area. And bring anti-armor weapons with you."



Ruby: "Maybe I will!"



Nora: "Can I have an advance on my allowance?"



Jaune: "Only if you're good."



Blake and Weiss give Jaune suspicious looks.



Jaune: "... Yes?"



Blake: "How did you know there would be a giant mecha here?"



Jaune: "I didn't know. I just figured that if the White Fang are getting a lot of weapons from somewhere, it wouldn't hurt to prepare for the absolute worst case scenario. In this case, having a giant armored weapon to deal with. At most I thought it would be like one of those cheap-ass Mistralian tanks with the legs that kind of work: Not a Paladin!"



Weiss: "... I suppose that's sensible." nods "You were right to be paranoid."



Jaune: "It's only paranoia if they're not out to get you."



Blake: "Who?"



Jaune: "Well gee, given that Weiss is numero uno target for the White Fang and Blake left them, it seems like they'd be all too happy to go after you two! Also your friends! Speaking of, Blake? Your boyfriend is badly injured, maybe we should tend to him?"



Blake: "O-Oh! Right!"



Weiss: "So self centered."



Blake: "You didn't notice until Jaune pointed it out!"



Weiss: "I was a little preoccupied!"



Pyrrha smiles warmly at Jaune as he starts first aid on Sun.



Pyrrha: "You did very well, Jaune."



Jaune: beams "Thanks Pyrrha. Anything to keep the ones I love safe."



Much blushing from the women around ensues.



Sun: "Ugh... Hey Jaune... Thanks for the save."



Jaune: "Hey, I'm not letting my friends get killed by a giant robot. It'd look bad on my resume!"



Sun: "Can't say I'm uh... I'm comfortable with a dude saying they love me."



Jaune: "It's friendly love, bro. You know, bro-mance? Like what you have with Neptune, except I'm straight."



Sun: "Heh. Funny."



Weiss: "NEPTUNE IS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT!"



Jaune: "His dress sense says otherwise."



Weiss: "Y-You're just upset he's manlier than you!"



A pause... Then much laughter ensues.



Weiss: "HEY!"



Jaune: "Sure Princess, sure."



Blake: "Wait, I thought I was the Princess?"



Jaune: "You both are."



Sun: pained scowl "Bro..."



Jaune: "Oh relax Sun, I'm not stealing another man's girl."



Blake: quickly "I'm not his girl."



Sun: "Urk... The pain...!"



Jaune: "I think those are your ribs. Also geez Blake, ya gotta be all tsundere when he's like this? At least give him a lap pillow while he's injured."



Blake: "I-I'm sorry! I'm not good at this stuff!"



Sun: smiles "I like you for it anyway."



Blake: "Now is not the time to flirt!"



Yang: "It's always the time to flirt!"



Sun: "Oh, also... Where did Roman go?"



They search... But the red haired criminal is long gone.



Jaune: "Oh wow, we are bad at this."



Sun: "Urgh... I'm never gonna be a Junior Detective at this rate..."

Click to shrink...

Jaune was brooding over some things as he often did in the common room. The door was open and he could see many of the exchange students wandering the halls. This was part of the reason for his brooding.



A few hours ago in Ozpin's office...



Jaune: "You do realize what I mean by 'Lionheart's a traitor', right?"



Ozpin: "Yes Mister Arc, I am not deaf. However, we cannot simply arrest people based upon nothing more than visions of the future."



Jaune: "You do extra-legal stuff all the time! How is grabbing and taking them into custody for something else not an option?!"



Ozpin: "Because things can quickly get out of control and I do not want to tip our hand to Salem too soon. If she knows her operatives are compromised, that loses us valuable intel. While we are in a position to feed them false information until we can either turn them, or eliminate them at a time of our choosing."



Jaune: scowls "... I hate that you're so reasonable."



Ozpin: smirks "I have been told that many times. In any event... Didn't you say that several operatives of the enemy switched sides to aid us in your visions of the future?"



Jaune: "Well... Yeah... But there's no guarantee we can repeat that!"



Ozpin: "Did you not say that if Miss Fall had just had one person in her life who wasn't 'hilariously over the top evil', she might have turned out for the better?"



Jaune: sulks "... Yes..."



Ozpin: "In that case? You are to make contact with her and try to guide her into thinking what we want her to think. You're already so adept at deception I do not think it will be a serious challenge for you. Besides... If you do it while she's at Beacon? She's in our power and the risk to you or anyone else is minimal."



Jaune: sighs "... All right. I'll give it my best shot."



Ozpin: "That is all I ask. Also, one other thing?"



Jaune: "You're asking a LOT of favors of your only oracle, you know."



Ozpin: "An oracle who wishes to prevent the terrible future, correct?"



Jaune: sighs "Yes sir."



Ozpin: "I want you to help me with your parents and godparents. While in their youth they were too... Destructive to recruit, I believe that if things get as bad as you say, it would be good to have some of the most powerful Hunters and Huntresses around united and organized on our side."



Jaune: "I mean, that'll be a tall order. Mom never trusted you because of how Nana saw you, and Dad goes along with her. And Uncle Arjun-"



Ozpin: "I believe evidence of Lionheart's treachery will suffice to get him on our side. Not that I'll have you relate that to him."



Jaune: "... I'll see what I can do."



Ozpin: "Thank you."



In the present, Pyrrha sits down with Jaune as he strums his guitar.



Pyrrha: "Hello Jaune."



Jaune: "Oh, hey Pyr. You okay?"



Pyrrha: smiles "Just fine. Are you okay? You seem to be waiting for something... Or someone. Are... Are you meeting with Yang?"



Jaune: "Not today. I've got a-"



Cinder walks down the hallway, looking like she's lost. Emerald and Mercury are with her.



Jaune: Crap... It's go time but with Pyrrha here...!



Jaune: "... Pyr? I need to ask you a favor."



Pyrrha: "Anything, Jaune."



Jaune: "You seriously need to stop answering like that... Just... Do you trust me?"



Pyrrha: "With my life."



Jaune winces.



Jaune: "We'll... Work on that too. Just follow my lead and go along with whatever I say or do for now. I promise I'll explain... And apologize."



Pyrrha: confused, but nods "Sure."



Jaune: "All right... Come with me." Here we go...



Jaune gets up and walks over to Cinder. Pyrrha follows a step behind. Jaune smiles at Cinder.



Jaune: "Hey! You appear to be lost."



Cinder: "Yes, we are. Could you direct us to dormitory A7?"



Jaune: "Would love to, but there's a much better view in dormitory A12." winks "You can see the whole campus from there."



Cinder: raised eyebrow, humoring smile "I'm sure there is, but we're assigned to A7 and our luggage-"



Jaune: "It'll be fine..." He leans in close and whispers in her ear "Hail Salem."



Cinder's eyes widen in shock. Emerald and Mercury look at one another askance. Cinder recovers first and smiles warmly, but with a hint of menace.



Cinder: "I see... Why don't you show us to A12? I'll take you up on your offer after all."



Jaune: "Sounds great to me."



They all walk into the dormroom, Jaune and Pyrrha going first. Cinder shuts the door behind her while Emerald and Mercury flank her, ready for a fight.



Cinder: "All right, talk. Who are you and why are you here?!"



Jaune: "That's my question. I can't believe...!" He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose "Of course... Hang on, let me make sure we're clear."



He pulls out a fidget widget toy and clicks it. Pyrrha helpfully increases the magnetic field strength around them with a noticeable hum.



Jaune: "Okay. I checked this place for bugs before but it never hurts to be careful. I'm Jaune Arc. I'm Salem's source inside Beacon."



Cinder's eyes narrow as Emerald scoffs and Mercury smirks.



Mercury: "Seriously?"



Jaune: "Your prosthetic legs need some work, dude. Your father was truly the biggest asshole imaginable if he thought those were decent replacements."



Mercury's jaw drops. Jaune looked to Emerald.



Jaune: "Vacuo, the market street. You figured out your Semblance there."



Emerald's eyes widened. He then locked onto Cinder.



Jaune: "Cinder Fall of the Glass Unicorn. Half the Maiden powers are in your possession, and you're here for the other half and the Relic."



Cinder sucked in a breath. She looked over at Pyrrha and then at Jaune. Jaune shook his head.



Jaune: "Relax... She's with us."



Cinder: "If you know all this then... Then why are you here? Why didn't she tell me about you?"



Jaune: "She didn't tell me about you, either! I didn't know we were supposed to be here at the same time!" Jaune groans "Great... Maybe the old crone is going senile after thousands of years."



Cinder: "... What was your goal then?"



Jaune: shrugs "I was sent here to gather intel and get the Maiden candidates wrapped around my finger. Also, to find the Relic."



Jaune reaches out and cups Pyrrha's cheek.



Jaune: "As you can see... I've got one under my spell~... Don't I, Pyrrha dear~?"



Pyrrha flushes bright red, and smiles lovingly at Jaune. She leans into his touch and nuzzles his hand.



Pyrrha: "Mmmm... Master~..."



Jaune: "Sit."



Pyrrha doesn't even hesitate, sitting like a dog on the floor.



Jaune: "Roll over."



Pyrrha rolls over.



Jaune: "Sit up and beg."



Pyrrha again doesn't even blink, sitting up on her knees panting with her hands up.



Pyrrha: "Master~!"



Cinder gapes in shock. Mercury flushes and smirks, while Emerald gapes and looks... Almost longingly?



Cinder: "How-?"



Jaune: "Just some old fashioned psychology. Helps that my mom's a doctor. It turns out that she was the ideal Maiden candidate for Ozpin: Incredibly powerful, well trained... And with barely a will of her own. She latched onto me the moment I showed her some true kindness and love. The rest was easy." He affectionately rubs Pyrrha's head "But she's not the only candidate. Ruby Rose, the girl with the Silver Eyes, and her team are others. I'm working on her and her sister, too."



Mercury: "Woah... So she's totally into you?"



Jaune: "Pyrrha? Tell them how you really feel about me."



Pyrrha: brightly "I love Master. I feel safe and loved with him. I'll die for him, and kill for him. He only needs to ask~."



Jaune: Okay, that sounded worryingly intense... But it looks like they're buying it.



Mercury: "Man... Slick."



Cinder: "It is impressive... To see the mighty Pyrrha Nikos so humbled." She smirks at her, and then gives Jaune a considering look "Why this thorough?"



Jaune: shrugs "Imagine Ozpin's face when his pet Maiden Candidates all turn against him."



Cinder: "Yes... But I want the full Maiden powers. Where is she? And where is the Relic?"



Jaune sighs.



Jaune: "That's trickier... Ozpin's tower is the obvious location. Getting access to it is difficult, but doable. He's got a special relationship with these Maiden candidates, after all. You just need to keep raising hell and keep Ozpin distracted. As for the Relic...?"



Jaune shook his head.



Jaune: "I don't think it's here anymore."



Cinder: "What?!"



Jaune: "I managed to snag these photos." He pulls them out and hands them over. Cinder looks them over. They do indeed show Ozpin, Glynda, and Qrow moving an item out of the tower at night to a Bullhead. In a crate just big enough for a Relic to be held inside. "Now, I don't know one hundred percent that they removed it, but they went to a LOT of trouble to move this thing in a clandestine manner."



Cinder: "But-How did they open the Vault?"



Jaune: "Magic, I'm guessing. I'm working on getting more intel." At Cinder's scowl he holds up his hands "I know, I know. But this can't be rushed. Ozpin's already trying to use me to get my parents and godparents to work for him. I'm under a lot of scrutiny. He's not dumb."



Emerald: "Maybe we can take the heat off you. You've done MORE than enough-"



Jaune: "Not how it works, Sweetheart. I got this far without raising any suspicion. It'll take too long to get you up to speed. Like it or not? We have to work together on this."



A long pause ensues. Before Cinder sighs.



Cinder: "Very well. This isn't the first time she hasn't told me her full plans."



Jaune: "Heh, I bet that's a feature, not a bug."



Cinder: "Indeed. Do you have intel on the CCT Systems at least?"



Jaune: "What for? You gonna get in there and do something nasty?"



CInder: "Something like that."



Jaune: "Give me a week or two and I'll make it so you can just walk right in. Deal?"



Cinder: "... Deal." She reaches out to him "I did not expect the last of the Arc family to work for our mistress."



Jaune pauses, then slowly reaches out to take her hand.



Jaune: "It's a long story."



Cinder: "Perhaps you can tell me it sometime... Over dinner?"



Jaune: "I'll have to convince my girlfriend but... Doable."



Cinder: smirks, raised eyebrow "You are ambitious?"



Jaune: smirks and shrugs "It's in my blood."



Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury leave. Jaune and Pyrrha follow. Jaune guides her outside, and they walk out of the grounds.



Jaune: "Okay... I don't know for sure if they have someone tailing us but-"



Pyrrha: "I can't sense anyone around with my Semblance. No one in earshot, anyway."



Jaune: "Oh... Cool. You can do that?"



Pyrrha: nods "I can."



Jaune: deep breath "Pyrrha... I am very sorry I had to humiliate you like that. Thank you so much for going along-This is really big. These guys... They're big trouble. All the recent bad shit going down? They're behind it, and they're aiming for something even worse. I... I wish I could tell you everything but-"



Pyrrha: smiles "You asked if I trusted you, Jaune. I answered. That answer hasn't changed. I know you'd only go to such lengths to protect people."



Jaune: "Oh... That's good."



Pyrrha: "And uh..." bright red "Um... Well... Strangely... All my life, I've... Resented others being in control. But with you? I... I'm all right with it. Because... I know I can trust you completely... I-I think I-I might-"



Jaune: "Woah woah woah!" Jaune waves his hands "Look. Pyrrha, I... I care deeply about you, too. But I'm not some jerk making a harem. I love Yang too. If... If we break up, give me two weeks to recover and then we'll try dating. But please... I don't want you to trade one master for another!"



Pyrrha: blush "I... I see... Though, um... If... We could all be in a relationship... Even if I was just the side piece... Wouldn't that help your mission?"



Jaune: "... No offense Pyrrha but I kind of want to beat the shit out of your parents."



Pyrrha: beams "Really?!"



Jaune: "Yes." sighs "We'll... Work on that later. For now though? Let's just keep this quiet, okay?"



Pyrrha: giggles "As my Master wishes~."



Jaune: groans "Please tell me you're just messing with me?"



Pyrrha: "That's my secret."



Jaune: "I've created a monster."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

https://forums.spacebattles.com/thr...-plot-bunnies.1144561/page-212#post-103680768

- - -



"It's pretty simple," Blake began, "This rally is going to turn violent. They'll be providing the White Fang members with Atlasian military weapons. If we can infiltrate it, we might be able to stop it."



"I dunno, Blake," Ruby hummed as she looked over what intel Blake had managed to gather projected on the holoscreen in their dorm, "We might be facing an entire army."



"And you're not gung ho about it?" Blake asked in surprise. Weiss sniffed.



"Seems she finally got some common sense," the Atlasian heiress stated. Ruby glared.



"Hey! I've always had common sense! I'm just saying, we're gonna be heavily outnumbered here!"



"Sun will help," Blake said carefully.



"Your simp boyfriend? That's a big help," Yang said dryly, "Like the sun peeking up over the mountains."



"He's-He's not my boyfriend and he's not a simp!" Blake said defensively, her pale cheeks red. She glared. "Besides, we can't ALL have the attention of a boy billionaire!"



Yang flushed deeply.



"What? I was just-just friendly with Jaune when he visited!"



Blake scowled deeply. Ruby sighed. For some reason, Blake was very irritated with Jaune Arc whenever he visited Beacon. The guy was an investor in the Hunter Academy so it was his right to visit. Plus, he was actually pretty cool! Despite being a CEO, he was their age and liked video games and comics! How could Ruby NOT like him?



He was also very friendly with Yang, as he loved motorcycles too. In fact, he'd been polite to everyone! Especially Blake!



It just didn't make sense.



"Though," Yang hummed, "I think I agree with Ruby on this. We're gonna need some help with your plan."



"Like calling the proper authorities and letting them handle it?" Weiss deadpanned. Blake scowled at her.



"This-This is a mess I-We can handle!"



"Oh my, what a flip!" Weiss snarked. "All about you, isn't it? Even wanting to die like a pretty little heroine in your porn books-"



"THEY'RE NOT PORN!" Blake seethed.



As Blake and Weiss argued and Ruby did her best to mediate, Yang sighed. Ruby was doing her best but... The truth was? They weren't the best at being vigilantes.



Fortunately, she knew someone who was.



- - -



The machine was big. It was brutal. It was boxy and built to withstand anything short of a nuclear weapon. It was something Arc Enterprises had been working on for a while as a special project for the Valean Defense Force, but like so many such systems, it was halted when the strategic need failed to justify the expense.



And so it had sat in some warehouse for almost ten years... Before Jaune found it.



It had required some updating. That had been a long project for Avery and himself, that was for sure. Miles, the mechanic, had gotten the drive train functional again-Fortunately it wasn't anything too exotic otherwise Jaune would have abandoned it.



But now it was operational, and rumbling its way down from the Arc Manor into Vale proper.



"Everything all right, sir?" Avery, his loyal butler, asked over the radio. Batman looked over the display screens carefully.



"Yes. Purrs like a kitten. My compliments to Miles."



"Well he was former Atlasian Military Engineering Corps," Avery said, "This probably was a breeze next to those monstrosities. Are you sure you won't arrive too late? Miss Xiao-Long and Miss Rose can be... Rather impulsive."



Batman smirked a little as the massive vehicle rolled through the trees, grinding a Beowulf to dust with barely a bump.



"I'm keeping an eye on things. I expect I'll get there right in the nick of time."



"Ah, so your usual timing," Avery sighed, "You know, you could try to be more early for your rescues."



"Believe me Avery, I'm working on it."



- - -



Roman Torchwick cackled at the holoscreens. There was something to the joy of going around in a giant robot and causing wanton destruction. Granted, he'd just activated the Paladin and was just now opening fire, but still!



"Never gonna tease those mecha nerds again," he laughed, unleashing cannon fire on that blond Faunus who had run in with the Kitty Kat.



"Bad choice of girlfriends, buddy! I should know!" He taunted, even as Kitty Kat opened fire with her pistol through a crowd of clones. The other White Fang members were scattering or firing on them. He was sure Red would be along shortly, but why wait?



"So, who wants to see this baby's flame thrower? I know I do!" Roman cackled. He powered up the Fire Dust and was just about to let loose... When the far wall of the warehouse was flattened. Something huge, black, and menacing smashed right through, driving on tank treads.



Bright lights ignited atop of it, in between two points that resembled... Bat Ears?



"Oh no," Roman muttered, as the vehicle's speakers came to life and a familiar gruff voice echoed through the building.



"White Fang. Surrender now, or be destroyed," Batman spoke. The White Fang jeered and yelled. Several opened fire on him with the Atlasian weapons. They bounced off the tank's hull uselessly. Roman shook his head and held up the cannon arm of his mech.



"If you want something done right," he muttered. He fired a missile which streaked right for the Bat-Tank. It exploded on impact, enveloping the Bat-Tank in flames and smoke. Roman smirked.



"HA! What do you say to that, Bats?!" He taunted.



The smoke cleared... And the unharmed Bat-Tank still stood there.



Roman's jaw dropped.



The Bat-Tank's Auto turrets activated and began to fire, hitting and downing White Fang members.



"Those are rubber bullets," Batman stated calmly, as twin heavy cannons on the "nose" of the vehicle rose.



"These are not."



Two blasts hit Roman dead center and forced the Paladin back. His screen became filled with red damage report alerts and he saw smoking holes in the armor. His eyes widened as he realized his ammo was about to cook off.



"Or... Maybe we could talk this out?" He offered.



Batman's reply was brief.



"No."



- - -



I decided to help out GentlemanRogue with his writing a little. Making use of one of my favorite scenes from Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns":




View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gCS05xdcG0

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune was brooding over some things as he often did in the common room. The door was open and he could see many of the exchange students wandering the halls. This was part of the reason for his brooding.

A few hours ago in Ozpin's office...

Jaune: "You do realize what I mean by 'Lionheart's a traitor', right?"

Ozpin: "Yes Mister Arc, I am not deaf. However, we cannot simply arrest people based upon nothing more than visions of the future."

Jaune: "You do extra-legal stuff all the time! How is grabbing and taking them into custody for something else not an option?!"

Ozpin: "Because things can quickly get out of control and I do not want to tip our hand to Salem too soon. If she knows her operatives are compromised, that loses us valuable intel. While we are in a position to feed them false information until we can either turn them, or eliminate them at a time of our choosing."

Jaune: scowls "... I hate that you're so reasonable."

Ozpin: smirks "I have been told that many times. In any event... Didn't you say that several operatives of the enemy switched sides to aid us in your visions of the future?"

Jaune: "Well... Yeah... But there's no guarantee we can repeat that!"

Ozpin: "Did you not say that if Miss Fall had just had one person in her life who wasn't 'hilariously over the top evil', she might have turned out for the better?"

Jaune: sulks "... Yes..."

Ozpin: "In that case? You are to make contact with her and try to guide her into thinking what we want her to think. You're already so adept at deception I do not think it will be a serious challenge for you. Besides... If you do it while she's at Beacon? She's in our power and the risk to you or anyone else is minimal."

Jaune: sighs "... All right. I'll give it my best shot."

Ozpin: "That is all I ask. Also, one other thing?"

Jaune: "You're asking a LOT of favors of your only oracle, you know."

Ozpin: "An oracle who wishes to prevent the terrible future, correct?"

Jaune: sighs "Yes sir."

Ozpin: "I want you to help me with your parents and godparents. While in their youth they were too... Destructive to recruit, I believe that if things get as bad as you say, it would be good to have some of the most powerful Hunters and Huntresses around united and organized on our side."

Jaune: "I mean, that'll be a tall order. Mom never trusted you because of how Nana saw you, and Dad goes along with her. And Uncle Arjun-"

Ozpin: "I believe evidence of Lionheart's treachery will suffice to get him on our side. Not that I'll have you relate that to him."

Jaune: "... I'll see what I can do."

Ozpin: "Thank you."

In the present, Pyrrha sits down with Jaune as he strums his guitar.

Pyrrha: "Hello Jaune."

Jaune: "Oh, hey Pyr. You okay?"

Pyrrha: smiles "Just fine. Are you okay? You seem to be waiting for something... Or someone. Are... Are you meeting with Yang?"

Jaune: "Not today. I've got a-"

Cinder walks down the hallway, looking like she's lost. Emerald and Mercury are with her.

Jaune: Crap... It's go time but with Pyrrha here...!

Jaune: "... Pyr? I need to ask you a favor."

Pyrrha: "Anything, Jaune."

Jaune: "You seriously need to stop answering like that... Just... Do you trust me?"

Pyrrha: "With my life."

Jaune winces.

Jaune: "We'll... Work on that too. Just follow my lead and go along with whatever I say or do for now. I promise I'll explain... And apologize."

Pyrrha: confused, but nods "Sure."

Jaune: "All right... Come with me." Here we go...

Jaune gets up and walks over to Cinder. Pyrrha follows a step behind. Jaune smiles at Cinder.

Jaune: "Hey! You appear to be lost."

Cinder: "Yes, we are. Could you direct us to dormitory A7?"

Jaune: "Would love to, but there's a much better view in dormitory A12." winks "You can see the whole campus from there."

Cinder: raised eyebrow, humoring smile "I'm sure there is, but we're assigned to A7 and our luggage-"

Jaune: "It'll be fine..." He leans in close and whispers in her ear "Hail Salem."

Cinder's eyes widen in shock. Emerald and Mercury look at one another askance. Cinder recovers first and smiles warmly, but with a hint of menace.

Cinder: "I see... Why don't you show us to A12? I'll take you up on your offer after all."

Jaune: "Sounds great to me."

They all walk into the dormroom, Jaune and Pyrrha going first. Cinder shuts the door behind her while Emerald and Mercury flank her, ready for a fight.

Cinder: "All right, talk. Who are you and why are you here?!"

Jaune: "That's my question. I can't believe...!" He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose "Of course... Hang on, let me make sure we're clear."

He pulls out a fidget widget toy and clicks it. Pyrrha helpfully increases the magnetic field strength around them with a noticeable hum.

Jaune: "Okay. I checked this place for bugs before but it never hurts to be careful. I'm Jaune Arc. I'm Salem's source inside Beacon."

Cinder's eyes narrow as Emerald scoffs and Mercury smirks.

Mercury: "Seriously?"

Jaune: "Your prosthetic legs need some work, dude. Your father was truly the biggest asshole imaginable if he thought those were decent replacements."

Mercury's jaw drops. Jaune looked to Emerald.

Jaune: "Vacuo, the market street. You figured out your Semblance there."

Emerald's eyes widened. He then locked onto Cinder.

Jaune: "Cinder Fall of the Glass Unicorn. Half the Maiden powers are in your possession, and you're here for the other half and the Relic."

Cinder sucked in a breath. She looked over at Pyrrha and then at Jaune. Jaune shook his head.

Jaune: "Relax... She's with us."

Cinder: "If you know all this then... Then why are you here? Why didn't she tell me about you?"

Jaune: "She didn't tell me about you, either! I didn't know we were supposed to be here at the same time!" Jaune groans "Great... Maybe the old crone is going senile after thousands of years."

Cinder: "... What was your goal then?"

Jaune: shrugs "I was sent here to gather intel and get the Maiden candidates wrapped around my finger."

Jaune reaches out and cups Pyrrha's cheek.

Jaune: "As you can see... I've got one under my spell~... Don't I, Pyrrha dear~?"

Pyrrha flushes bright red, and smiles lovingly at Jaune. She leans into his touch and nuzzles his hand.

Pyrrha: "Mmmm... Master~..."

Jaune: "Sit."

Pyrrha doesn't even hesitate, sitting like a dog on the floor.

Jaune: "Roll over."

Pyrrha rolls over.

Jaune: "Sit up and beg."

Pyrrha again doesn't even blink, sitting up on her knees panting with her hands up.

Pyrrha: "Master~!"

Jaune pats her head.

Jaune: "Such a good girl."

Pyrrha: beams

Cinder gapes in shock. Mercury flushes and smirks, while Emerald gapes and looks... Almost longingly?

Cinder: "How-?"

Jaune: "Just some old fashioned psychology. Helps that my mom's a doctor. It turns out that she was the ideal Maiden candidate for Ozpin: Incredibly powerful, well trained... And with barely a will of her own. She latched onto me the moment I showed her some true kindness and love. The rest was easy." He affectionately rubs Pyrrha's head "But she's not the only candidate. Ruby Rose, the girl with the Silver Eyes, and her team are others. I'm working on her and her sister, too."

Mercury: "Woah... So she's totally into you?"

Jaune: "Pyrrha? Tell them how you really feel about me."

Pyrrha: brightly "I love Master. I feel safe and loved with him. I'll die for him, and kill for him. He only needs to ask~."

Jaune: Okay, that sounded worryingly intense... But it looks like they're buying it.

Mercury: "Man... Slick."

Cinder: "It is impressive... To see the mighty Pyrrha Nikos so humbled." She smirks at her, and then gives Jaune a considering look "Why this thorough?"

Jaune: shrugs "Imagine Ozpin's face when his pet Maiden Candidates all turn against him."

Cinder: "Yes... But I want the full Maiden powers. Where is she? And where is the Relic?"

Jaune sighs.

Jaune: "That's trickier... Ozpin's tower is the obvious location. Getting access to it is difficult, but doable. He's got a special relationship with these Maiden candidates, after all. You just need to keep raising hell and keep Ozpin distracted. As for the Relic...?"

Jaune shook his head.

Jaune: "I don't think it's here anymore."

Cinder: "What?!"

Jaune: "I managed to snag these photos." He pulls them out and hands them over. Cinder looks them over. They do indeed show Ozpin, Glynda, and Qrow moving an item out of the tower at night to a Bullhead. In a crate just big enough for a Relic to be held inside. "Now, I don't know one hundred percent that they removed it, but they went to a LOT of trouble to move this thing in a clandestine manner."

Cinder: "But-How did they open the Vault?"

Jaune: "Magic, I'm guessing. I'm working on getting more intel." At Cinder's scowl he holds up his hands "I know, I know. But this can't be rushed. Ozpin's already trying to use me to get my parents and godparents to work for him. I'm under a lot of scrutiny. He's not dumb."

Emerald: "Maybe we can take the heat off you. You've done MORE than enough-"

Jaune: "Not how it works, Sweetheart. I got this far without raising any suspicion. It'll take too long to get you up to speed. Like it or not? We have to work together on this."

A long pause ensues. Before Cinder sighs.

Cinder: "Very well. This isn't the first time she hasn't told me her full plans."

Jaune: "Heh, I bet that's a feature, not a bug."

Cinder: "Indeed. Do you have intel on the CCT Systems at least?"

Jaune: "What for? You gonna get in there and do something nasty?"

CInder: "Something like that."

Jaune: "Give me a week or two and I'll make it so you can just walk right in. Deal?"

Cinder: "... Deal." She reaches out to him "I did not expect the last of the Arc family to work for our mistress."

Jaune pauses, then slowly reaches out to take her hand.

Jaune: "It's a long story."

Cinder: "Perhaps you can tell me it sometime... Over dinner?"

Jaune: "I'll have to convince my girlfriend but... Doable."

Cinder: smirks, raised eyebrow "You are ambitious?"

Jaune: smirks and shrugs "It's in my blood."

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury leave. Jaune and Pyrrha follow. Jaune guides her outside, and they walk out of the grounds.

Jaune: "Okay... I don't know for sure if they have someone tailing us but-"

Pyrrha: "I can't sense anyone around with my Semblance. No one in earshot, anyway."

Jaune: "Oh... Cool. You can do that?"

Pyrrha: nods "I can."

Jaune: deep breath "Pyrrha... I am very sorry I had to humiliate you like that. Thank you so much for going along-This is really big. These guys... They're big trouble. All the recent bad shit going down? They're behind it, and they're aiming for something even worse. I... I wish I could tell you everything but-"

Pyrrha: smiles "You asked if I trusted you, Jaune. I answered. That answer hasn't changed. I know you'd only go to such lengths to protect people."

Jaune: "Oh... That's good."

Pyrrha: "And uh..." bright red "Um... Well... Strangely... All my life, I've... Resented others being in control. But with you? I... I'm all right with it. Because... I know I can trust you completely... I-I think I-I might-"

Jaune: "Woah woah woah!" Jaune waves his hands "Look. Pyrrha, I... I care deeply about you, too. But I'm not some jerk making a harem. I love Yang too. If... If we break up, give me two weeks to recover and then we'll try dating. But please... I don't want you to trade one master for another!"

Pyrrha: blush "I... I see... Though, um... If... We could all be in a relationship... Even if I was just the side piece... Wouldn't that help your mission?"

Jaune: "... No offense Pyrrha but I kind of want to beat the shit out of your parents."

Pyrrha: beams "Really?!"

Jaune: "Yes." sighs "We'll... Work on that later. For now though? Let's just keep this quiet, okay?"

Pyrrha: giggles "As my Master wishes~."

Jaune: groans "Please tell me you're just messing with me?"

Pyrrha: "That's my secret."

Jaune: "I've created a monster."

Click to shrink...

Yang: "Jaune! Pyrrha."

Yang runs out to them. Jaune smiles.

Jaune: "Hey Yang!"

Pyrrha: "Hello Yang." Polite smile

Yang: "So... Those exchange students, huh? Pretty crazy bunch of bananas-And I don't just mean Sun."

Jaune: "Ha! I get it!"

Yang: "Heh..." Looks between them "So... Doing some training?"

Jaune: "Maybe later. We were just out on a walk."

Pyrrha: "Yes! Since we're partners and all."

Yang: "... I see."

Yang's smile becomes a bit scary. She walks up and grabs Jaune's hand.

Yang: "Mind if I join you?"

Jaune: "Of course not!" smiles

Yang: "Good. Oh, here." Pulls Jaune into a kiss

Jaune: "Mmph! Mmm..."

Pyrrha: twitches

Yang: "Mwah..." Is definitely eying Pyrrha as she breaks the kiss "Good luck kiss before we start on our walk. Wouldn't want anything to happen, now would we?"

Jaune: "N-No, of course not..." Okay... So... She might be a little jealous... Just a little.

Pyrrha glares daggers at Yang even through her smile.

Jaune: And so is Pyrrha... Great. Could things possibly get worse? ... Why did I think that?

- - -

At some point, Weiss storms into the library where JNPR is studying, grabs Jaune, and drags him out.

Jaune: "Ack! Hey, wait a minute-!"

Weiss: "Shut up!"

Weiss drags him out to an empty classroom and slams him against the wall.

Jaune: "Uh... Weiss? What's up-?"

Weiss: "Neptune says you threatened him!"

Jaune: "Eh?"

Weiss: "Yes! Right to his face!"

Jaune: "Huh? Wait, no! I didn't threaten him! I mean, not overtly-"

Weiss: "What did you say?!"

Jaune: "He didn't tell you?"

Weiss: "Well... No!" glares "What was it?"

Jaune: "I just told him to take good care of you and not abuse your trust, okay? And then I... Might have implied bad things would happen if he did abuse your trust! That's all!"

Weiss: "Wha-Why?! You don't even like me!"

Jaune: blinks "Wha-Of course I like you, Weiss!"

Weiss: "Oh please! You made such a big deal out of me leaving you pinned to a tree-"

Jaune: "Which you apologized for when you realized what a bitch that made you-"

Weiss: "You keep insulting me and calling me crude things-!"

Jaune: "You admitted you were being a bitch-!"

Weiss: "And-And what, you don't want me to to be happy-?!"

Jaune: "WEISS! Seriously, shut up for a second, huh?!"

He rests a hand over her mouth. She glares in shock and anger. He pulls his hand away and holds both of them up to appease her.

Jaune: "Weiss, I do care about you. Sure I will be rough from time to time and sure I'll joke with you and be crude on occasion, but I do care. So I just told Neptune if he abused your trust or took advantage of you, bad things would happen. Because you deserve better than that."

Weiss: "I..." blush "... You really think so?"

Jaune: "Yes! Despite everything, you are a good person on the inside. I just know this isn't easy for you."

Weiss: scoffs "How could you know-?"

Jaune: "Your dad's an uncaring sadistic monster who sees you as at best a business asset, your mother is an alcoholic too consumed with her own issues to do her job, your older sister left the family and your younger brother is turning into a mini version of your dad. I leave anything out?"

Weiss stares in shock and disbelief.

Weiss: "You... H-How-?"

Jaune: "My aunt has has followed your family drama for a while. She knows things. How she does? No idea. But I asked her about you and well... I put together the dots. The fact you're still a good person even after all that is a testament to your will, Weiss. You're a strong, good person and you don't deserve to have some jerk play around with and break your heart. That's all."

Weiss: "You... You really think so...?"

Jaune: smiles "I know so."

Weiss is trying not to cry. He hands her a handkerchief. She dries her eyes and blows her nose.

Weiss: "I, um... Thank you... I..." She holds the handkerchief out

Jaune: "Um... Keep it. There are always going to be more tears in the future, but some of them will be joyful." Oh God why did I say that? That's so corny!

Weiss: sniffles, smiles "... Thank you."

Yang enters the classroom, smiling scarily again.

Yang: "Hey Weisscream. Heard you dragged Jaune off."

Weiss: "I uh... It was-"

Jaune: "She just wanted to yell at me for something. You know, the usual."

Yang: angry smile, wraps her arms around Jaune "Oh?"

Jaune: "But we resolved it. Things are cool now, right Weiss?"

Weiss: "Y-yes... Very cool."

Yang: "Good. You had studying to do with Ruby, right?"

Weiss: "Y-yes! I'll get right to it!" She dashes off and shuts the door

Jaune: "... You're hot when you're jealous."

Yang: bright red "I-I'm not jealous!" She kisses him "Mmm... And this is just because kissing is fun!"

Jaune: "It sure is... Heh..." Oh boy...

- - -

Jaune was studying with Nora in the common room.

Nora: "So, you use a 1 to 45 ratio with this mixture of Dust. Any more and you'll set off the entire batch prematurely!"

Jaune: "Wow! I didn't know that, Nora!"

Nora: "Yeah, I learned that the hard way a few times!" grins

Blake: "Ahem. Jaune? May I speak with you?"

Jaune: "Huh? Sure. I'll be right back, Nora."

Nora: "Sure thing Fearless Leader!"

Jaune and Blake walk off to a secluded part of the dorms, a hallway with windows looking out on campus.

Blake: "... I took your advice. I called my parents."

Jaune: smiles "That's great, Blake!"

Blake: "I... It wasn't easy but... But they... They want to meet with me."

Jaune: "Even better!"

Blake: "You-You think so?"

Jaune: "Blake, they love you. They're just people, like you and me. So they make mistakes. But they do truly love you and want you to be happy."

Blake: "Could... Could you go with me to meet them? I-I mean at first? I don't want to overwhelm them and... And I trust you."

Jaune: blinks "You do?"

Blake: "I do."

Jaune: "Are you sure you don't want Sun there?"

Blake: "Sun's nice but... Well... He's a bit... Immature. He's got a boyish charm but... But I think I prefer someone who acts like a man. You're so... So mature for your age. But in a good way. Compared to..."

Jaune: "... Your last boyfriend?"

Blake: nods "Y-Yes. I see that he was... Angry. So angry that there was nothing else. You though... You care. You take charge. You're, well... You grasp the stakes and handle things like-like a man. And I appreciate that."

Jaune: sucks in a deep breath "I mean... I will be there, Blake. As a friend. Because we're friends and I'll support you." Geez, did I turn her straight or something? What the hell is going on?

Blake: smiles "That would be appreciated-"

Yang appears out of nowhere and wraps her arms around Jaune.

Yang: "Hey Kit-Kat. Sup?"

Blake: quickly "I was just asking if Jaune could accompany me when I meet my parents? He did tell me to contact them."

Jaune: "Just as emotional support, Yang."

Yang: "Oh. Any reason why it's not Sun?"

Blake: "Well... Jaune is less... Um... Flighty."

Jaune: "Sun is a lot more fun though. I'm like a cranky old man in a young man's body according to Blake."

Blake: "I didn't say that!"

Yang: "She didn't have to, we all know it. But... Sure. As friends."

Blake: "You're awfully overprotective of him for not being boyfriend and girlfriend."

Yang: glares at Blake "... Jaune?"

Jaune: "Yes?"

Yang: "Wanna be my boyfriend?"

Jaune: "... Sure?"

Yang: "Great! It's official." Deadly smile "Everything clear, Kit-Kat?"

Blake: scowl "Completely. Thank you again, Jaune."

Jaune: "No problem."

Blake walks off, leaving Jaune and Yang alone.

Jaune: "Yang, uh... Before you worry, I'm not gonna cheat on you-"

Yang: "I wasn't worried!"

She totally was

Yang: "But um... Good to know, huh?" Smiles

Jaune: Great. What have I gotten myself into?

Yang: "Wanna make out?"

Jaune: "Okay!"

Jaune: Stupid hormones...

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang: "Jaune! Pyrrha."

Yang runs out to them. Jaune smiles.

Jaune: "Hey Yang!"

Pyrrha: "Hello Yang." Polite smile

Yang: "So... Those exchange students, huh? Pretty crazy bunch of bananas-And I don't just mean Sun."

Jaune: "Ha! I get it!"

Yang: "Heh..." Looks between them "So... Doing some training?"

Jaune: "Maybe later. We were just out on a walk."

Pyrrha: "Yes! Since we're partners and all."

Yang: "... I see."

Yang's smile becomes a bit scary. She walks up and grabs Jaune's hand.

Yang: "Mind if I join you?"

Jaune: "Of course not!" smiles

Yang: "Good. Oh, here." Pulls Jaune into a kiss

Jaune: "Mmph! Mmm..."

Pyrrha: twitches

Yang: "Mwah..." Is definitely eying Pyrrha as she breaks the kiss "Good luck kiss before we start on our walk. Wouldn't want anything to happen, now would we?"

Jaune: "N-No, of course not..." Okay... So... She might be a little jealous... Just a little.

Pyrrha glares daggers at Yang even through her smile.

Jaune: And so is Pyrrha... Great. Could things possibly get worse? ... Why did I think that?

- - -

At some point, Weiss storms into the library where JNPR is studying, grabs Jaune, and drags him out.

Jaune: "Ack! Hey, wait a minute-!"

Weiss: "Shut up!"

Weiss drags him out to an empty classroom and slams him against the wall.

Jaune: "Uh... Weiss? What's up-?"

Weiss: "Neptune says you threatened him!"

Jaune: "Eh?"

Weiss: "Yes! Right to his face!"

Jaune: "Huh? Wait, no! I didn't threaten him! I mean, not overtly-"

Weiss: "What did you say?!"

Jaune: "He didn't tell you?"

Weiss: "Well... No!" glares "What was it?"

Jaune: "I just told him to take good care of you and not abuse your trust, okay? And then I... Might have implied bad things would happen if he did abuse your trust! That's all!"

Weiss: "Wha-Why?! You don't even like me!"

Jaune: blinks "Wha-Of course I like you, Weiss!"

Weiss: "Oh please! You made such a big deal out of me leaving you pinned to a tree-"

Jaune: "Which you apologized for when you realized what a bitch that made you-"

Weiss: "You keep insulting me and calling me crude things-!"

Jaune: "You admitted you were being a bitch-!"

Weiss: "And-And what, you don't want me to to be happy-?!"

Jaune: "WEISS! Seriously, shut up for a second, huh?!"

He rests a hand over her mouth. She glares in shock and anger. He pulls his hand away and holds both of them up to appease her.

Jaune: "Weiss, I do care about you. Sure I will be rough from time to time and sure I'll joke with you and be crude on occasion, but I do care. So I just told Neptune if he abused your trust or took advantage of you, bad things would happen. Because you deserve better than that."

Weiss: "I..." blush "... You really think so?"

Jaune: "Yes! Despite everything, you are a good person on the inside. I just know this isn't easy for you."

Weiss: scoffs "How could you know-?"

Jaune: "Your dad's an uncaring sadistic monster who sees you as at best a business asset, your mother is an alcoholic too consumed with her own issues to do her job, your older sister left the family and your younger brother is turning into a mini version of your dad. I leave anything out?"

Weiss stares in shock and disbelief.

Weiss: "You... H-How-?"

Jaune: "My aunt has has followed your family drama for a while. She knows things. How she does? No idea. But I asked her about you and well... I put together the dots. The fact you're still a good person even after all that is a testament to your will, Weiss. You're a strong, good person and you don't deserve to have some jerk play around with and break your heart. That's all."

Weiss: "You... You really think so...?"

Jaune: smiles "I know so."

Weiss is trying not to cry. He hands her a handkerchief. She dries her eyes and blows her nose.

Weiss: "I, um... Thank you... I..." She holds the handkerchief out

Jaune: "Um... Keep it. There are always going to be more tears in the future, but some of them will be joyful." Oh God why did I say that? That's so corny!

Weiss: sniffles, smiles "... Thank you."

Yang enters the classroom, smiling scarily again.

Yang: "Hey Weisscream. Heard you dragged Jaune off."

Weiss: "I uh... It was-"

Jaune: "She just wanted to yell at me for something. You know, the usual."

Yang: angry smile, wraps her arms around Jaune "Oh?"

Jaune: "But we resolved it. Things are cool now, right Weiss?"

Weiss: "Y-yes... Very cool."

Yang: "Good. You had studying to do with Ruby, right?"

Weiss: "Y-yes! I'll get right to it!" She dashes off and shuts the door

Jaune: "... You're hot when you're jealous."

Yang: bright red "I-I'm not jealous!" She kisses him "Mmm... And this is just because kissing is fun!"

Jaune: "It sure is... Heh..." Oh boy...

- - -

Jaune was studying with Nora in the common room.

Nora: "So, you use a 1 to 45 ratio with this mixture of Dust. Any more and you'll set off the entire batch prematurely!"

Jaune: "Wow! I didn't know that, Nora!"

Nora: "Yeah, I learned that the hard way a few times!" grins

Blake: "Ahem. Jaune? May I speak with you?"

Jaune: "Huh? Sure. I'll be right back, Nora."

Nora: "Sure thing Fearless Leader!"

Jaune and Blake walk off to a secluded part of the dorms, a hallway with windows looking out on campus.

Blake: "... I took your advice. I called my parents."

Jaune: smiles "That's great, Blake!"

Blake: "I... It wasn't easy but... But they... They want to meet with me."

Jaune: "Even better!"

Blake: "You-You think so?"

Jaune: "Blake, they love you. They're just people, like you and me. So they make mistakes. But they do truly love you and want you to be happy."

Blake: "Could... Could you go with me to meet them? I-I mean at first? I don't want to overwhelm them and... And I trust you."

Jaune: blinks "You do?"

Blake: "I do."

Jaune: "Are you sure you don't want Sun there?"

Blake: "Sun's nice but... Well... He's a bit... Immature. He's got a boyish charm but... But I think I prefer someone who acts like a man. You're so... So mature for your age. But in a good way. Compared to..."

Jaune: "... Your last boyfriend?"

Blake: nods "Y-Yes. I see that he was... Angry. So angry that there was nothing else. You though... You care. You take charge. You're, well... You grasp the stakes and handle things like-like a man. And I appreciate that."

Jaune: sucks in a deep breath "I mean... I will be there, Blake. As a friend. Because we're friends and I'll support you." Geez, did I turn her straight or something? What the hell is going on?

Blake: smiles "That would be appreciated-"

Yang appears out of nowhere and wraps her arms around Jaune.

Yang: "Hey Kit-Kat. Sup?"

Blake: quickly "I was just asking if Jaune could accompany me when I meet my parents? He did tell me to contact them."

Jaune: "Just as emotional support, Yang."

Yang: "Oh. Any reason why it's not Sun?"

Blake: "Well... Jaune is less... Um... Flighty."

Jaune: "Sun is a lot more fun though. I'm like a cranky old man in a young man's body according to Blake."

Blake: "I didn't say that!"

Yang: "She didn't have to, we all know it. But... Sure. As friends."

Blake: "You're awfully overprotective of him for not being boyfriend and girlfriend."

Yang: glares at Blake "... Jaune?"

Jaune: "Yes?"

Yang: "Wanna be my boyfriend?"

Jaune: "... Sure?"

Yang: "Great! It's official." Deadly smile "Everything clear, Kit-Kat?"

Blake: scowl "Completely. Thank you again, Jaune."

Jaune: "No problem."

Blake walks off, leaving Jaune and Yang alone.

Jaune: "Yang, uh... Before you worry, I'm not gonna cheat on you-"

Yang: "I wasn't worried!"

She totally was

Yang: "But um... Good to know, huh?" Smiles

Jaune: Great. What have I gotten myself into?

Yang: "Wanna make out?"

Jaune: "Okay!"

Jaune: Stupid hormones...

Click to shrink...

Jaune and Ruby were baking in the kitchen, just the two of them.

Jaune: Man, I forgot how relaxing this is. Just me and a cute fun girl baking... Didn't get to do that a lot in my old life, but when I did, it was great!

Ruby: "What's your thing about pumpkin, anyway?"

Jaune: "What can I say? I love pumpkin spice throughout the year. Especially with chocolate."

Ruby: "Hmph! I don't like these soft cookies. They seem like muffins but cut short."

Jaune: "What's wrong with muffins?"

Ruby: "I don't like mixing my desserts!"

Jaune: "But what about that cookie cake-?"

Ruby: "It doesn't count! Cookie cakes are just big cookies, not cakes!"

They giggle a bit. Jaune beams at her.

Jaune: "It's been a while since we did this. I'm glad."

Ruby: "Y-Yeah, well, um..." mumbles "I'm used to it."

She turns back to the oven. Jaune frowns.

Jaune: "Used to what?"

Ruby: "Ohhh geez I said that out loud... Um... Don't panic, maybe he can't hear this-"

Jaune: "Ruby?"

Ruby: "EEP!" She tries to shoot away with her Semblance... But Jaune catches her in a hug.

Jaune: "What did you mean, 'I'm used to it'?"

Jaune: I've never heard Ruby sound so bitter... Not until the later seasons. Oh God, did I do something to make her suicidal?! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

Ruby: looks aside "I... W-Well... I-I mean... You're dating my sister now."

Jaune: "Yeah... And?"

Ruby: "Well, uh... Ya know..."

Jaune: "I don't."

Ruby: "C-Come on! You acted all socially awkward when we met but now you're like this-this super friend having... Person!"

Jaune: Oh shit that's right... I guess it would come off as kind of weird and scary, me getting the memories of some guy from another universe...

Ruby: "And before Beacon... People at Signal were friends with me just so they could be friends with Yang! But they didn't want to be friends with me! So, you know, I get it! Why bother with plain old baby sister Ruby when you can just have-!"

Jaune: "RUBY!"

Ruby started. Jaune flushed: He didn't mean to yell that loudly.

Jaune: "Ruby... Look. I'll admit I've... I've gone through some... Changes. When I unlocked my Aura, I... Well... Things changed. Maybe it's my Semblance, maybe it's something else. I don't know. But if I've been neglecting you, my best friend? I'm sorry. That's my fault."

Ruby: "I... Y-You haven't-"

Jaune: "And if I am? You should call me on it. Yes, I'm dating Yang. That wasn't my intention-She asked me out, remember? But I am happy with her. But I'm not going to use that relationship as an excuse to neglect you. You're my bestie. So get that out of your head: I care about you both, and I value you both."

Ruby: flush "You... You said you loved us."

Jaune: "Yeah... And I meant it. That means all of you. Just... Please remember I'm not psychic, okay? I screw up a lot. But I never want you to think you're just a means to an end, Ruby. Ever."

Ruby is bright red. She sniffs the air.

Ruby: "AH! THE COOKIES!"

They yank them out. Fortunately they're not burnt-It was just some crumbs that got overheated.

Jaune: "Phew..." He smiled at her. "No harm done."

Ruby: "We... We really need to have these big emotional talks when we're not baking something."

Jaune: "Yeah, yeah we do."

Ruby: "Still, I mean..." smiles shyly "Thanks."

Jaune: smiles back "You're welcome."

Ruby: sigh "Now I just have to deal with all my other psychological baggage."

Jaune: "It's a journey, not an instant fix. But hey... You're brilliant and amazing at Huntress-ing. I'm doing okay at leadership and other stuff. We'll help eachother."

Ruby: giggles "You're... You're like so corny! Like a character out of Blake's non-porn Mistral stuff!"

Jaune: sighs "Here you people tell me I'm too negative, and now when I'm being positive, you're still not happy. Women, honestly."

Ruby: "Hee!" hugs him from behind "You're stuck with us!"

Jaune: "Don't I know it."

He pats her fondly on the head. She blushes.

Ruby: "So... Um... Speaking of... Sort of... You and Yang."

Jaune: "Yeah?"

Ruby: "You uh... You gonna get married or-or something?"

Jaune: "Why's everyone in such a rush? We just started dating. Yes I care for her very much but until we both decide to go that route? No."

Ruby: "Oh... So there's still a chance for a harem ending?"

Jaune: "... I'm going to burn Blake's books."

Ruby: "HA! Shows what you know! I got the idea WAY before I met her!"

Jaune: "Well, I'll say this for you, Ruby: Your sense of humor has nothing on Yang's."

Ruby: Blush "HEY!" She huffs "You know, I was going to-to pick you up on the rebound if things didn't work out with you and Yang, but now maybe I won't!"

Jaune: Geez, like mother like daughter...

Jaune: "Please, you said I'm a harem protag. You'll be joining in before you know it."

Ruby: "HA! In your dreams!"

Jaune: Or nightmares...

- - -

This is honestly just stress relief writing. I want to write more substantial stuff but I don't have the mental focus right now. So, here you go. The literary equivalent of fried pickles.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Cinder smirked as she saw the elevator doors open. What stepped out was a bit disappointing in some ways. She had been hoping for Pyrrha Nikos alone... But her little teammates? For her to murder and then put on a macabre marionette show with their corpses for her?



That might be fun.



"Welcome, you pathetic fools, to your death!" Cinder cackled.



Rather than cower or make a heroic speech, Jaune Arc glared at her and threw his hands up in the air.



"What the actual fuck are you doing, Cinder?!"



Cinder blinked. She wasn't expecting that. He didn't sound morally outraged, like he was overcome with grief and rage. He sounded... Exasperated.



"Wha-?"



"Salem didn't tell you?!" He demanded, and Cinder's eyebrows threatened to leap off her forehead.



"Hwah-?!"



"I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET THE MAIDEN!" Jaune raged. "I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET THE RELIC! All without causing a scene! But noooooo! YOU had to ruin my carefully plotted plans with your stupid BULLSHIT!"



"Wha-What the hell are you talking about?!" Cinder gasped.



"We were assigned to infiltrate Beacon," Ren said in his usual deadpan. Nora nodded quickly.



"All hail Queen Salem! Goddess of the Dark! Inventor of the Baconator!" Nora declared, thrusting her hammer up into the air.



"And get close to Pyrrha Nikos, who Ozpin would likely give the rest of the Maiden Powers to," Jaune stated, "AND get close to Ruby Rose, the bearer of the Silver Eyes! Can you imagine what kind of evil we could do if BOTH of them were twisted to our side?"



Cinder's jaw dropped.



"B-But... But... You're an idiot, you're useless-!"



"And yet," Jaune stated smugly, "I've got them both wrapped around my finger. They'd agree to a threesome if I played my cards right. With my Aura Amp abilities plus their powers AND the Maiden abilities, Salem could have an ARMY of super-powered warriors to conquer Remnant with!"



He threw his hands up in the air.



"UNTIL YOU FUCKED IT ALL UP!"



"B-B-But-!"



"Vale falling NOW will just unite all the other Kingdoms together!" Jaune said in exasperation. "They're already working on a fix to the CCT virus! And killing off Penny is pointless, she's a gynoid. SHE CAN BE REBUILT. All this is gonna do is drive all of humanity to unite AGAINST US. Hell! Vale's defenses are fighting back! They're going to reclaim the city very soon! Your little attempt at destroying all of Vale is turning into a wet firecracker! What do you think Hazel's gonna say, huh?!"



Cinder was utterly flummoxed. The story sounded insane, and yet... How could he know all this if he wasn't telling the truth?



"Honestly, I think Salem was setting you up to fail," Ren stated. "Think about it. She probably thought you were going to usurp her."



"M-M-M-Me?!" Cinder cried. "I would never-!"



"You're a slave who wanted to be free," Jaune stated coldly, "And instead you got a new master. Do you really think she wouldn't see you as a potential threat? You think she'd give you these powers just out of the goodness of her black heart? No, Cinder. You were meant to fuck up my mission, and yours."



Cinder gaped in horror. It... It was all too clear... Impossibly... But it was the only explanation her paranoid, cynical mind could come up with!



Even now, as she looked outside, she could see that the Grimm were being driven back. The White Fang forces were fewer and fewer in number. Fires were going out around Vale proper.



"But... But that means...!" She looked back at Jaune in fear. "You're here to kill me!"



Jaune sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.



"No... See? I want to kill that bitch too. And you would be a big help. I mean, revenge right? You love revenge. I love revenge."



"We all love revenge!" Pyrrha beamed.

 

[Eclipse Staro]

If SI Jaune decided to go streaming.



Inside JNPR room, Jaune was setting up his computer. The rest of his team went to Forever Fall to collect some syrup for Nora.

Jaune: "Hey guys, welcome to my channel. I'm your host, Jaune Arc and this is Knight Arc."

Miss Ara Ara: I'm liking this already.

Three Scoop:

Nearby party poppers shot purple confetti into the air.

Jaune: "So today I'm going to talk about Aura. The stuff that Huntsman and Huntress use when fighting Grimms and protecting people."

Jaune: "First, what is Aura?"

Jaune: Lets see if I can remember how Salem explain it.

Jaune: "Aura is a manifestation of the soul, a life force that runs through every living creature on Remnant, whether they are a meager shopkeeper or a renowned knight."

Dommy Mommy: That was an excellent explanation of Aura.

Ding~

*Dommy Mommy has donated 500 lien.*

Jaune: "Oh wow. Thank you for the money Dommy Mommy."

Cookie Monster: That amount of lien could buy me a hundred cookie.

Kaboom: A hundred cookie? That much money could get me a suitcase of military grade Dust.

Terra Top: Tell us more about Aura.

Jaune: "Right back to Aura. What do Hunter use Aura for? Aura can be used to create energy barrier that covers your whole body, activate Dust and heal minor injuries."

Jaune: "Now, some of you may think Aura is only useful to fight Grimm. Right?"

Banana Split: Yup.

Cream and Pie: Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, YES.

Jaune: "WRONG!"

Jaune made an X with his hands.

Jaune: "Yes, Aura is extremely useful against Grimm but there are other way to use Aura beside fighting. Observe."

Jaune puts a seed in a pot and water it. Then he began putting aura into the pot and minutes later a fully grown tomato replaced where the seed was.

Jaune: "That was Aura Growth, useful to grow plants quickly. A techniques that created by yours truly."

Kunoichi: Sugoi Knight-sama.

Bell Booty: This could help a lot with crops growth.

Will Low: As expected from our knight.

Jaune: "You're right Bell Booty but this technique is quite draining on Aura. I have a lot of Aura so this doesn't really drain me much but if anyone else my age tried this, they be sleeping for a whole day to recover. Still this proves that Aura can be used besides fighting Grimm."​

Jaune: Hmmm, Zwei has his Aura unlocked thanks to Ruby. What happen is I do that to a dolphin?

Jaune: "I'm going to give you explanation on how to unlock your Aura. Now before any of you even want to try to unlock your Aura after this, I want to give some warning. First, unlocking Aura will attract Grimm to you. It's like a holding a bright sign saying I'm here to your enemy. Second, unlock your Aura in safe place. Either be in a place with lots of protection or in a place with no Grimm. There's a reason why Vale has wall after all."

Bold Luck: Huntsman here. He's not wrong, you should unlock your Aura at a safe place.

Winter Cold: Wise word. Always take precaution when dealing with Aura.

Green Fast: He's right. Heed the warning well.

Jaune: "As far as I managed to find out, there are two way to unlock your Aura. The safest way and the dangerous way. The former is by asking a someone that already unlock their Aura like a Huntsman or Huntress to unlock your Aura for you. Most will use chants, it's more common than you think."

Wild Guy: Say what now?

Hihehahohu: Chants? Like spells?

Cucumber: Guess Aura is like magic huh?

Prepper: It's not a cult thing right?

Ignoring the chat, Jaune continued.

Jaune: "The latter is you will unlock your Aura after being in a dying situation. Let's say you got attacked by a Beowolf and have a huge wound on your stomach. If you're lucky, ssomeone managed to deal with the beowolf and help you get healed. If you survived dying, your Aura will have a chance of getting unlocked. The chances of you unlocking your Aura by this method is 1 in ten thousand."

Jaune let that statement sinks into his audience for a moment.

Jaune: "With Aura, comes Semblance. Now Semblance is-"

Suddenly the rest of Team JNPR enters the room.

Ren: "Jaune, we need to go the city. We are out of some food ingredients and Dust."

Jaune: "Sorry folks. Guess that's all for today."

Three Scoop:

Melon Lady: Noooo. Too fast.

Bun Bun: Wait what about Semblance?

Dark Green: Do Semblance next stream.

Stream Ends.​

Spoiler: Interesting Finds

I felt like I have read a fic where SI reincarnate as Neopolitan Brother. Anyone knows the name if it exist?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

I wanted to write something else, but then this happened:

- - -

Cinder went through the transfer papers one more time. It was late, Emerald and Mercury were already asleep, and yet... She couldn't let it go. She had to make sure it was all perfect, every bit.

This plan... It was everything. Everything she had worked for, everything she had bled for.

She sighed as she looked out the safehouse window. She narrowed her eyes as she saw a familiar form climb out of the window next door and get up onto the roof.

"Idiot," she muttered. She rose and walked to the window. She opened it and then jumped out and up, climbing to the roof. The power of the Maiden thrummed under her skin, and almost felt strongest under the moon. How curious.

She put the sensation out of her mind as she glared at Jack.

"Why are you still up?" She demanded, "You should be resting. You're no good to anyone if you're exhausted."

Jack grimaced and bowed his head. It was strange how easily she could scold him. He actually cared about her opinions, even though if he willed it, she would be killed.

Not now, not when she had the Maiden's power... Well, half of it... But still.

"Sorry," Jack admitted, "I had the dream again."

Cinder stared at him, taken aback. Only the sounds of honking cars and the wind filled the city night. She shook her head slowly.

"You shouldn't... Worry about things like that," she said quietly.

"I do," Jack stated calmly, staring into her eyes. "I got careless, while you were taking the Maiden power."

"You..."

Cinder sighed. Her mind was cast back to that day. It should have been a triumph: They'd cornered Ozpin's Maiden. She had insisted on wandering alone wherever she wished. Her bodyguard, the unlucky drunk swordsman, was distracted. They'd fallen upon her and despite her power, they had taken her down. They were draining her of her magical power.

The power... It was what Cinder had craved all her long life. Even now, she felt so much more. More than some scullery maid or slave.

The swordsman had arrived sooner than they thought. Jack, in his cloak, had thrown himself into battle against him. Despite Jack's skill and training, despite anything else his mother may have done...

He had gotten struck across his chest. Blood had erupted from his armor. Cinder had called it off, and they'd retreated under a hail of flames she had conjured up. Mercury had carried Jack while Emerald cast illusions to cover their escape.

It had been a near thing. Thankfully, Branwen had been more concerned with the dying Maiden than them. Jack's Aura had healed him, and they'd gotten away.

Even so... It was an unacceptable... Interruption of their plans.

"You did get careless," Cinder stated in flat angry tones. Even as a chill went up her spine at the memory. "The Maiden Power is important. Half of it in our possession is... Is better than losing you."

Jack stared at her. Her eyes narrowed.

"Your mother would make me suffer the worst pain and agony imaginable if I lost you," she said in quiet anger.

Jack nodded.

"I know... But if I hadn't, you'd have been cut in half."

That... That was true. Qrow Branwen may have been a drunk, but he was formidable. He'd brushed past Emerald's illusions, parried Mercury's strike with contemptuous ease. If Jack hadn't been there...

"... Still," Cinder sighed, "You really shouldn't be out here. With us."

Jack looked away from her, onto the lights of the city.

"... I should know what the human world is like," he said, "Where I came from... Before we destroy it. I should know what it was before Mother wipes it clean. The New World won't be better unless we know what the Old World was like, right?"

Cinder snorted. Salem's overall plans were vague, at best. She promised power, influence, and a place in a new order. That was enough for her.

"It's not worth remembering," Cinder opined, walking up and sitting next to him. Jack stared at her.

"But you, Emerald, and Mercury came from it. So did Mother, long ago."

"So?" Cinder demanded.

"So," Jack said, looking back out at it, "It can't be all bad."

She was not blushing. She was not.

Honestly, she needed to nip this in the bud. Now. He'd been confusing and vexing her since they'd met, and with how crucial this operation was? They couldn't afford any distractions.

With that in mind... She decided to be direct.

"... If you wanted to woo me... If-If you wanted me," Cinder said, almost nervous, "You just had to ask."

Jack looked at her in confusion.

"Huh?"

Cinder glared, even as her cheeks burned bright red.

"You... You want me, don't you? As... As your woman? I... I'd be willing to do it. You... You'd just have to order me! So why... Why are you doing all this?"

Jack blinked rapidly. He blushed.

"What?!"

"Isn't... Isn't that why you're doing all of this?" She demanded. "The kindness? Defending me? The... The personal entreaties? You're trying to make me care for you, aren't you? Why bother? I... I'm bound to your service! You could make me do anything you want!"

Jack blinked a few times. He cleared his throat as his face burned red.

"Cinder... Y-yeah. I could do that. But... You were already a slave. Already forced to do things you didn't want to do. Why would I want you to suffer like that?"

"I... You have power over me," Cinder explained, exasperated and angry, "Why wouldn't you abuse that power over me?! Why are you playing these games?!"

"I don't know what you mean, Cinder," Jack said, "I just care about you. I want you to be happy."

Cinder's jaw dropped. She stared at him in utter disbelief.

"I... But... Wh-Why?!" She finally demanded.

Jack shrugged.

"I like you. I like Emerald and Mercury too, but... I like you the most. You're strong, you're smart, you... You treat me like a normal person. You look after me." He smiled gently. "And I think you're beautiful. And I just want you to be happy."

She looked at her knees, feeling like a lost little girl again.

"... Why would you want that?" She whispered.

Jack scooted up to her.

"If I have power over people I care about, why wouldn't I want them to be happy?" He asked. "I don't like the idea of anyone I care about suffering or being in pain. You... You make my life better."

He leaned in a bit.

"Do... Do you care about me too, Cinder?"

Cinder was silent for a while, the city ambiance washing over them. She sucked in a deep breath.

"... If I said yes, what would you want me to do?" She asked, soft as a butterfly wing.

"Only what you wanted to do," Jack said earnestly.

Cinder sighed and shook her head.

"You're a sentimental fool, you know that right?" She muttered.

Jack smiled.

"Yeah. That's why I'm lucky to have you around."

Cinder snorted, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

"You don't have to answer or anything," Jack said, "Just... Ya know... That's how I feel."

He looked out at the world again. Cinder looked out with him.

"I still think this is a mind game of yours," Cinder admitted.

Jack blinked a few times.

"I was never good at those," he admitted, "Uncle Hazel always won... Or lost...?" He frowned. "I don't know for sure."

Cinder snorted again. He scooted up a little closer. She sighed and leaned against him.

"... You're a hopeless idiot," she muttered.

Jack nodded with a smile.

"I know."

"I might just use you for my own purposes," Cinder muttered again.

"I know that too."

She scowled.

"Do you have to be so sincere?! You're going to get us caught at Beacon."

Jack coughed.

"Sorry..."

Cinder grumbled. She felt his arm go up around her shoulders, and she let him hold her. He was very warm and it was a little cold out.

"Just... Don't do anything stupid, all right? Leave everything to me," she ordered.

Jack chuckled.

"I always do..."

- - -

Yang Xiao-Long sighed as she walked back towards the dorms. Her gym session had run overly long due to some stupid drama between Blake and Weiss, she'd missed dinner-In a word, she was done.

She walked the Beacon campus, grumbling under her breath... When she smelled food. She followed her nose, and her eyes soon located the source:

Jaune Arc, of all people, sitting on a bench and looking up at the sky. He had a to-go box of chicken fingers and fries, with some sodas. Her mouth watered. Okay, so it was greasy and unhealthy as fuck: At this moment, she didn't care.

"Hey VB."

Jaune looked away from the stars, startled. He then sighed.

"Oh, hey Yang," he said. "Late from the gym?"

"Yeah," Yang said with a nod, "Thought you were training with Pyrrha?"

"We had to cut it early due to a call from her mom," Jaune explained. He picked up a chicken finger and put it in his mouth, chewing softly.

"Mind spotting me some food?" Yang asked with a grin, "I missed dinner."

She leaned over and winked at him. Hey, if he was sharing some food, she may as well be nice... And tease him a little. She loved doing that.

Strangely he didn't even seem to notice. He just nodded and went back to looking up at the sky. Yang frowned a little, but soon her stomach growled and she walked over to sit next to him. She dug in happily, enjoying the greasy goodness.

"So," she said, after dousing her hunger with some food, "Why are you out here, anyway? Thinking up love poems for Weiss?"

She popped a soda and drank it. Jaune shook his head.

"No. Just remembering my brother. This was the day he..."

He trailed off, and shrugged.

Yang paused and set the soda can down. She looked at Jaune, really looked at him. His body language could often be overly dramatic but it was rarely so... Down.

She put it together in an instant.

"Oh... I'm sorry," she murmured. "I can go if-"

"No, no, it's cool," Jaune said, shaking his head, "Um... I mean, you're still hungry and... And I can't eat all this myself."

Yang nodded slowly. She ate, though more slowly. Jaune kept staring up at the sky.

She hesitated.

"... You... Want to talk about it?" She asked. Jaune shook his head.

"I... I mean... You probably don't want to-"

"If you want to, that's okay," Yang said gently. Jaune turned to stare at her. He shrugged.

"It... Not much to say," he admitted. "His name was Jack. He was my twin. We were... We were five. On a camping trip around Argus. We were just having fun near the edge of the campsite... We'd found this really cool stick and... Well... We were walking back to the tents. We were still in sight of them so our parents thought it would be safe."

He looked away, back at the sky.

"There was a perimeter breach," he said, "Grimm were on us in no time. My mom and dad... They were Hunters, so they fought them. My big sister tried to get to us but... An Ursa charged through the trees. I..."

He stared at his hand. His tone remained cold and detached, even as it shook.

"Jack got separated. My sister got me... Tried to get to Jack, but the Ursa roared. So many other Grimm charged... My dad threw himself into the fight. He cut through them... But more and more came and... And we had to run."

Yang stared at Jaune intently. He didn't look grief stricken so much as... As tired. Aged.

"When the Rangers got control again, my parents went back in," he said, "They... They searched everywhere. We tried to months, scoured all over the park, but..."

He bowed his head. Yang bit her lower lip, before she reached out. She rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"That's horrible, V... Jaune," Yang said softly.

He glanced at her hand, and for a moment Yang thought about pulling away. Even though a warm hand and some comfort was all she had ever wanted when Summer had...

He nodded, a wan smile on his face.

"... Thanks," he mumbled. He looked back towards the stars again. He sighed.

"I... That's kind of why I'm here, I guess," Jaune muttered, "My parents wanted me to do something safer. Tried to discourage me, but... I don't want that to happen to anyone else."

Yang nodded.

"I... I get it," she murmured. "My mom... She was amazing. A great Huntress. She was basically my hero. She died on a mission when I was five so... So I don't remember her well but she was just amazing. And losing her was..."

Jaune looked back to her. He rested his hand on hers, and squeezed it.

"Yeah," he murmured. He shook his head. "I'm sorry about her."

"I'm sorry about your brother," Yang said quietly.

"I-I mean... I know that... There's nothing I could have done," Jaune admitted, "Nothing I could have tried. I was a kid... But..."

Yang nodded slowly.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean," she said. "You hate feeling weak. You hate feeling helpless. You don't want to... To go through that. Or let anyone else go through that again."

She still remembered how terrified she'd been when those Grimm had closed in on her and Ruby in the woods. How helpless she had felt, how loudly Ruby cried... The relief when Qrow jumped in and saved them, and the guilt over putting her little sister into danger.

Jaune nodded back with similar gravity.

"Yeah... Exactly,"

Jaune sighed. He grabbed another chicken finger and ate it. She did the same. They chewed in silence as they looked up at the stars.

"We'll make them proud," Yang stated impulsively, "We... Both of them. I promise."

Jaune looked over at her and smiled. And despite the sorrowful feeling over them both, she couldn't help but feel warmed by it. Just a little.

"Yeah. Yeah, we will..."

- - -

Click to shrink...

- - -

It was a Saturday when the first exchange students began to arrive. Throughout the day, students from all across Remnant filtered into the great Academy: Most Vytal Hopefuls, though a few were seeking better education prospects or for various reasons had to start late.

Even after the hustle and bustle of the foodfight that morning, Pyrrha was in much better spirits than she had been last night. Going back and forth with her agent and manager and mother, ugh. It was so difficult trying to keep them from turning her back into the Invincible Girl.

The Vytal Tournament was an unexpected saving grace: She was given fewer "public duties" to attend to train for it properly. The fame she could have by winning Vytal would hopefully help manage keep the people running her life happy. Happy enough to leave her alone.

Part of her wanted to just throw the whole thing. Fail. She'd never failed at anything in her life, nothing important. What would it feel like, to lose?

That disappointment in the eyes of her mother and guardians... Only a few months ago it would have frozen her soul dead.

If not for Jaune.

Her smile though wasn't very bright today. It wasn't the punishment detail: She bore it stoically with Jaune, Ren, and Nora as they cleaned up the mess.

Team RWBY was with them too-After all, they'd caused at least half of the damage.

Yang was mopping up nearby. Jaune mopped alongside her, with Pyrrha.

"Easy Yang, you don't want to throw your back out," Jaune consoled, "Nice, smooth strokes. Like this."

He demonstrated across the wooden floor. Yang chuckled.

"I'm not that old and gray, ya know!"

"Yeah, but it's good to save your joints," Jaune said with a smile. Yang winked.

"Got any plans for my joints, Ladykiller?"

Pyrrha flushed. Jaune coughed and shrugged.

"Ah, well... Training would be nice. Later."

"Can't wait to get me all hot and sweaty, huh?" She asked.

"No flirting!" Glynda Goodwitch commanded from the chair she was sitting in at the head of the cafeteria.

"Wonder that she recognizes it," Yang muttered. A stick jumped up and swatted her backside. "EEP!"

"Enough lip!" Goodwitch commanded. Yang pouted and walked over to mop with Ruby. She still threw a smile at Jaune: One he returned. He turned the smile over to Ruby who smiled back encouragingly.

Weiss ignored him entirely, scrubbing the windows with a sour look while Blake and Ren scrubbed the floors. Nora helped though she had been restricted to a toothbrush.

No one was going to let her have anything bigger after the broom incident.

Still, Jaune and Yang kept exchanging looks. Warm ones.

Pyrrha's chest clenched up. She moved a bit closer to Jaune, easily matching his mopping motions.

"Everything... All right between you and Yang?" She asked Jaune softly. It was a nice neutral question.

"Hm? Oh, yeah," Jaune said quietly. "Just... Last night was tough."

Last night? What had she missed?! It wasn't Jaune's birthday or the birthday of any of his family members!

... So she'd asked for someone to investigate Jaune. It was just sensible, to make sure he didn't have any colorful characters in his background or potential obstacles to their wedding!

It wasn't weird!

What was so... Oh. Oh. Now she remembered.

His brother, Pyrrha thought mournfully. She should have been here for him. She should have been there to offer comfort.

"... I'm sorry," Pyrrha said quietly, "About... Whatever it might be. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you..."

She swallowed her regret.

"But I'm glad Yang was."

Jaune smiled gently.

"It's all right. It's part of why I'm here, after all. To protect everyone like..."

He looked towards the door. His eyes went as wide as dinner plates. His jaw and mop dropped. Pyrrha looked towards the cafeteria doors as well... And her own eyes widened in disbelief.

- - -

The campus was every bit as beautiful as Jack Arc imagined. Bright, vibrant, with ancient ruins and gorgeous gardens and fountains.

Even now he could see some touches from his mother in the architecture: The lines and the columns. It spoke of something familiar yet strange, like some murderer disguised as a loved one.

There was danger here. He knew it. He smelled it. Yet here was his mission.

And, as he felt Cinder's hand in his, the woman he loved.

She gave him a little smile as they walked hand in hand. Last night... Last night was amazing. He'd never felt anything like what had happened. So close, so warm...

Was this truly love? No wonder all men pursue it so hard, Jack thought.

Jack recalled the ancient stories, of when Enkidu was introduced to the joys of men with a woman. That had led to Enkidu learning the ways of men, fighting Gilgamesh, then becoming the greatest of friends-Brothers in all but blood. Until Enkidu died and Gilgamesh was left with nothing.

It was only a story. Even older than his mother. Yet where those men had found tragedy, Jack had found nothing but joy.

Well... Mostly. Emerald's glare at his back was a bit distracting.

"Emerald, do try not to be so stiff," Cinder murmured, "You're attracting attention."

"Sorry Cinder," Emerald murmured.

"Hard to imagine why," Mercury muttered. He took Emerald's glare with grace... And shot Jack a small, impressed smile. One Jack returned.

Cinder elbowed him.

"Don't strut," she muttered. Jack smiled warmly at her.

"Sorry," he said quietly, "But am I not entitled to do so?"

Cinder's smile warmed just a bit more.

"Charmer," she murmured.

His heart was light. He looked ahead past the various students to the cafeteria. His smile grew.

"I'm hungry," he said. "Let's go see what they have for food here."

"We need to check on the tower security first," Emerald interjected. She wilted at Cinder's glare. "But uh... I could go for something to eat."

"Same," Mercury said with a smirk. Emerald grumbled.

"Food would be nice," Cinder said, "It would also be good to gather more intel."

They headed towards the cafeteria. Jack gallantly opened the door for Cinder. She graciously went ahead. Jack walked after her and he took her hand again. He looked into the cafeteria, up at the tall walls, the beautiful windows, the stains of food and wrecked furniture...

And a young man in a Beacon school uniform with messy blond hair. With a face as familiar as looking in a mirror. He dropped a mop he had been holding and was gaping in disbelief.

Jack's heart froze in his chest. The bottom of his stomach fell out. His eyes shot wide.

Cinder tensed up. Emerald gasped. Mercury swore under his breath.

"Jack?" The young man croaked.

Memories. Distant memories. Of playing together in the grass, of a warmly smiling blonde woman. Of many happy sisters, and a tall father who hugged him and carried him on his back.

And of being abandoned. Of surviving long cold nights, hungry and scared... Until Watts came for him. Until he brought Jack to Mother.

His real mother.

Only then had he known true love. True kindness. True happiness.

He clenched his fists as anger rose in his chest. Burning and hot like fire.

It was a lie. It had all been a lie. His biological parents had abandoned him. His siblings had never cared for him!

"Jaune," he ground out.

He was going to let loose with every angry word and thought he'd built up over these years. He was going to let this-This bastard have it all!

You abandoned me! You didn't care for me! You never loved me! Mother loved me! You didn't even think twice about me, not once, not-!

Jaune sprang forward, faster than a pouncing Griffon... And hugged Jack. He began to sob, loud and ugly and relieved.

"Jack! JACK!"

Jack's anger... Died away. His twin was crying like a baby, holding him so tightly it was almost painful.

Everyone else stared at them. Jack knew their names, profiles, and weaknesses like the back of his hand, yet... None of it seemed to matter.

His arms twitched. He let go of Cinder's hand even as she tried to hold on. His arms wrapped around Jaune, stiff and uncertain yet...

"Who-Who is this?!" The white haired girl gasped in disbelief.

Jaune pulled back just a little as he smiled in joy, his tears running down his cheeks.

"It's my brother! It's Jack! He's alive... He's alive!"

Jack felt a few tears fall from his own eyes. He reached up and wiped them away as though he was doing it to someone else.

There was only one thought in his mind he could hear over the pounding of his heart:

Am... I Enkidu... Or Gilgamesh?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune and Ruby were baking in the kitchen, just the two of them.

Jaune: Man, I forgot how relaxing this is. Just me and a cute fun girl baking... Didn't get to do that a lot in my old life, but when I did, it was great!

Ruby: "What's your thing about pumpkin, anyway?"

Jaune: "What can I say? I love pumpkin spice throughout the year. Especially with chocolate."

Ruby: "Hmph! I don't like these soft cookies. They seem like muffins but cut short."

Jaune: "What's wrong with muffins?"

Ruby: "I don't like mixing my desserts!"

Jaune: "But what about that cookie cake-?"

Ruby: "It doesn't count! Cookie cakes are just big cookies, not cakes!"

They giggle a bit. Jaune beams at her.

Jaune: "It's been a while since we did this. I'm glad."

Ruby: "Y-Yeah, well, um..." mumbles "I'm used to it."

She turns back to the oven. Jaune frowns.

Jaune: "Used to what?"

Ruby: "Ohhh geez I said that out loud... Um... Don't panic, maybe he can't hear this-"

Jaune: "Ruby?"

Ruby: "EEP!" She tries to shoot away with her Semblance... But Jaune catches her in a hug.

Jaune: "What did you mean, 'I'm used to it'?"

Jaune: I've never heard Ruby sound so bitter... Not until the later seasons. Oh God, did I do something to make her suicidal?! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

Ruby: looks aside "I... W-Well... I-I mean... You're dating my sister now."

Jaune: "Yeah... And?"

Ruby: "Well, uh... Ya know..."

Jaune: "I don't."

Ruby: "C-Come on! You acted all socially awkward when we met but now you're like this-this super friend having... Person!"

Jaune: Oh shit that's right... I guess it would come off as kind of weird and scary, me getting the memories of some guy from another universe...

Ruby: "And before Beacon... People at Signal were friends with me just so they could be friends with Yang! But they didn't want to be friends with me! So, you know, I get it! Why bother with plain old baby sister Ruby when you can just have-!"

Jaune: "RUBY!"

Ruby started. Jaune flushed: He didn't mean to yell that loudly.

Jaune: "Ruby... Look. I'll admit I've... I've gone through some... Changes. When I unlocked my Aura, I... Well... Things changed. Maybe it's my Semblance, maybe it's something else. I don't know. But if I've been neglecting you, my best friend? I'm sorry. That's my fault."

Ruby: "I... Y-You haven't-"

Jaune: "And if I am? You should call me on it. Yes, I'm dating Yang. That wasn't my intention-She asked me out, remember? But I am happy with her. But I'm not going to use that relationship as an excuse to neglect you. You're my bestie. So get that out of your head: I care about you both, and I value you both."

Ruby: flush "You... You said you loved us."

Jaune: "Yeah... And I meant it. That means all of you. Just... Please remember I'm not psychic, okay? I screw up a lot. But I never want you to think you're just a means to an end, Ruby. Ever."

Ruby is bright red. She sniffs the air.

Ruby: "AH! THE COOKIES!"

They yank them out. Fortunately they're not burnt-It was just some crumbs that got overheated.

Jaune: "Phew..." He smiled at her. "No harm done."

Ruby: "We... We really need to have these big emotional talks when we're not baking something."

Jaune: "Yeah, yeah we do."

Ruby: "Still, I mean..." smiles shyly "Thanks."

Jaune: smiles back "You're welcome."

Ruby: sigh "Now I just have to deal with all my other psychological baggage."

Jaune: "It's a journey, not an instant fix. But hey... You're brilliant and amazing at Huntress-ing. I'm doing okay at leadership and other stuff. We'll help eachother."

Ruby: giggles "You're... You're like so corny! Like a character out of Blake's non-porn Mistral stuff!"

Jaune: sighs "Here you people tell me I'm too negative, and now when I'm being positive, you're still not happy. Women, honestly."

Ruby: "Hee!" hugs him from behind "You're stuck with us!"

Jaune: "Don't I know it."

He pats her fondly on the head. She blushes.

Ruby: "So... Um... Speaking of... Sort of... You and Yang."

Jaune: "Yeah?"

Ruby: "You uh... You gonna get married or-or something?"

Jaune: "Why's everyone in such a rush? We just started dating. Yes I care for her very much but until we both decide to go that route? No."

Ruby: "Oh... So there's still a chance for a harem ending?"

Jaune: "... I'm going to burn Blake's books."

Ruby: "HA! Shows what you know! I got the idea WAY before I met her!"

Jaune: "Well, I'll say this for you, Ruby: Your sense of humor has nothing on Yang's."

Ruby: Blush "HEY!" She huffs "You know, I was going to-to pick you up on the rebound if things didn't work out with you and Yang, but now maybe I won't!"

Jaune: Geez, like mother like daughter...

Jaune: "Please, you said I'm a harem protag. You'll be joining in before you know it."

Ruby: "HA! In your dreams!"

Jaune: Or nightmares...

- - -

This is honestly just stress relief writing. I want to write more substantial stuff but I don't have the mental focus right now. So, here you go. The literary equivalent of fried pickles.

Click to shrink...

Jaune and Yang met in a nightclub downtown one night. They danced and had fun... But Yang's mind was elsewhere.

So they took a break and sat down at a table to talk.

Jaune's Brain: Weird, I'm not deafened. I can actually listen to dialogue in a loud place. Huh!

Yang: "Man... Didn't know you had good footwork on the dance floor too!"

Jaune: "Seven sisters. Endless dancing lessons when they needed a partner."

Yang: "Heh! It shows!" She beams

Jaune: "You self-taught?"

Yang: "I mean I got some lessons from Sister Lavender at the church."

Jaune: "Really? You're a Table Breaker?"

Yang: "I mean... Sort of? Mom... Summer... Was devout. Dad? Not so much. We went when he was... Not well. Free meals every Sunday and Ruby loved her little dresses."

Jaune: nods

Yang: "You?"

Jaune: "My dad is a Paladin in the church. Mom goes and encouraged us to join too but she's less devout. Comes from being a doctor, I suspect."

Yang: "Heh... Does it bother you?"

Jaune: "Nah. And relax, I'm not gonna try to convert you or anything."

Yang: "I know."

They sip their drinks.
Yang: "Hey... Uh... Ruby wanted me to apologize."

Jaune: "For what?"

Yang: sighs "I uh... Well, when she mentioned you two were baking I uh... I got a little..."

Jaune: "Come on Yang. You being shy is cute sometimes but I also like my gal to be her fiery self."

Yang: sighs "I was a little jealous of my little sister. So, you know... She said I should sort my shit out." Glares "She didn't cuss until she met you, Sergeant Sewermouth."

Jaune: "I learned from my father that it's the only way to command. A leader who doesn't curse isn't fit to run a burger joint according to him."

Yang: "He's a Paladin of the Church?"

Jaune: "Well he never takes the Lord's name in vain, everything else just requires some penance and prayer. It's how he became a Paladin!"

Yang: giggles "You know... I am sorry if I've been a little, uh... What's the word Blake used?"

Jaune: "Yandere?"

Yang: "Yeah, that."

Jaune: "Nah. Weiss and Blake's heads aren't in a trash bin, you're okay. Still... Am I doing anything to make you worry so much, Yang?"

Yang: "No! ... Well..." grimace "I mean, I've... Gone out with boys before. Some real jerks who changed their tune the second I hit puberty. Some sleazebags who made friends with Ruby just to get a chance with me. But the second I didn't want to go all the way because of Ruby, well... They just ran off. You... You're just... Different."

Jaune: "Good different?"

Yang: grins "You're like... Well... A man."

Jaune: "Good start."

Yang: "Heh. You know what I mean. You don't strut like Neptune or try hard like Sun. You keep your cool in a fight and... I dunno... Do dad stuff. Or what a dad is supposed to do."

Jaune: "Well... Thank you?"

Yang: "You really need to learn how to take a compliment. But yeah... I just saw how the others started to eye you. Blake started sniffing around. Weiss, well... She's in denial but she clearly likes you. And Pyrrha..."

Jaune: "Yeah, she's... It's complicated."

Yang: "And well... One's a rich heiress. Another is a Faunus princess. Pyrrha's a celebrity champion-"

Jaune: "And you're you, Yang. You're a kickass fighter and biker chick who loves her little sister and is a great cook! You can be feminine, soft and warm and fiery and smashy! I mean... I love that you don't fit into a box. You're you, Yang. And I'm an old-fashioned guy: You don't have to worry about me straying."

Yang blushes deeply. She looks deeply into his eyes.

Yang: "I know. I'm... Not so worried about you."

Jaune: "Listen. We've just started dating." He squeezes her hands "All right? I care for you."

Yang: "You also love the others."

Jaune: sighs "I'm never living that down, am I? I mean philia, friendship or family love. Though..."

Yang: "Though?"

Jaune: sighs "I mean... It's not like I haven't noticed. I swear, there isn't a single bad looking woman here. And well... Urgh... Headmaster Ozpin's got me schmoozing with female transfer students... And Pyrrha well. She kind of confessed to me."

Yang: tenses

Jaune: "I made it clear we're together to her, and she accepted it. I just want you to know so we don't have any stupid misunderstandings. You are my girlfriend, Yang, and I'm your boyfriend. That's not going to change unless we decide to break up or..."

Yang: "Or?"

Jaune: smiles "Or we get married."

Yang: flush "Heh... With a dozen kids?"

Jaune: blush "Er, it's... An Arc thing... Only if we get that far. I'm not in a hurry and... And I want to build a future together. With someone who wants that with me, too."

Yang: "G-Geez... You know... If anyone else said that, I'd say it was corny as hell."

Jaune: "And... So?"

Yang: "It's still corny as hell..." She slides up against him and nuzzles him "But it works for you."

Jaune: "Heh, thanks." He nuzzles her back

Yang: "Still... You know, with all this female attention, another guy might be tempted to try and make a harem."

Jaune: "One, that kind of shit works ONLY if everyone is in the know and agrees to it and even then, it would be hard. Two? Only an idiot would cheat on women who could beat the shit out of him with superpowers."

Yang: giggles "I'm not hearing a no to the harem part though."

Jaune: "You're also not hearing a yes."

Yang: "Heheh... Like I said. Dad energy."

Jaune: "I have only just begun to tap into it. For instance: I tried to date two women named Kate and Edith. They found out and we broke up. Which just proves you can't have your Kate and Edith too."

Yang: "HAHAHA! Did you hear about the new dating site that matches women up with construction workers?"

Jaune: "Nope!"

Yang: "It's called Studfinder."

Jaune: "Hahahaha!"

Militia and Melanie stare over at them.

Militia: "Can we kick them out?"

Melanie: "They aren't starting trouble."

Militia: "But those puns!"

Melanie: "I don't know... Her boyfriend's kind of cute. Maybe we could steal him from her?"

Militia: "I like my teeth where they are, thank you very much."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -



Isabel Arc stirred as the front door opened. In an instant, her faculties returned from her deep REM to fully aware. She enhanced her senses of scent and hearing and listened to the footsteps of the person entering the house. Her heart rate slowed and she relaxed as she recognized who it was in an instant.



She got out of bed and headed down the stairs, the red light of the late afternoon sky shining through the windows. She rushed down the steps, every creak and pop comfortingly familiar, dashed through the living room and right into the kitchen.



"Nick!"



Nick smiled at her happily, sitting down at the table. He was filthy, his hair askew, his beard dusty, his clothing covered in dirt and leaves. He set down a leather messenger bag on the table with care though-As though it held something precious.



Lilac thoughtfully poured her father a jug of beer, which he downed happily. While he did that, Isabel hugged him-Something he returned with one massive arm as he drank deep.



"Haaa... Beer, hugs, home: Best things ever," Nick chuckled as he finished. He kissed his wife, as Lilac thoughtfully took the mug and turned away in embarrassment at her parents' show of affection.



"Mmm... You all right?" Isabel asked urgently. Nick nodded.



"I'm fine. Had to take down a few Griffons."



Isabel's eyes shot wide open. Her jaw dropped. Lilac dropped her mug and gaped at her father in shock.



"Griffons?!" They both gasped. Nick nodded.



"Yup. They were pretty tough. Carolina was able to take out their wings with the 50 Cal and Caboose used the rocket launchers to keep them grounded. Damn hard to fight them until we got them on the ground." He brightened. "Then I just hacked them apart with Joxeuse here!"



He patted his trusty railgun sword as it hung off his back. Isabel groaned in exasperation.



"NICK! Why didn't you get me?!"



"Wasn't time," Nick grunted, "They were going to attack Spondel. You couldn't get there that fast and they weren't gonna wait. Sides, you needed your sleep!"



"Why were you in Spondel?!" Isabel demanded, "That's thirty minutes away!"



"Well, we've culled the majority of the Grimm around Radian," Nick said with a shrug, "They called for aid. I wasn't gonna ignore them, Izzy! Not with so many of our best fighters off in Vale!"



Isabel groaned. As much as she might call her husband an idiot, he was perfectly logical when it came to combat.



"Still... Griffons. We haven't seen those around Radian in almost a century," she shuddered.



"Are more of them coming, Dad?" Lilac asked urgently. Nick smiled at his daughter and reached out to squeeze her hand comfortingly.



"Nah. The National Guard's finally in place with their anti-Grimm batteries around the Valley. We should be all right."



Isabel sighed in relief.



"Still, I wish I was with you," she muttered, touching her forehead to Nick's.



"Me too," Nick said with a nod, "I could have thrown you at them, and you could have torn their wings off. Like when we fought that Garuda in Jaipur. Remember?"



"Which one?" Isabel deadpanned, recalling the several battles they had fought to liberate the kingdom of Pandu with their old teammates Prince Arjun and Saia, "We fought three, then the REALLY big one King Duryodhana summoned right in Hastinapur."



Nick hummed and nodded. A furious battle in the middle of a major metropolitan city against a gigantic flying demon Grimm under the control of a mad despot did tend to stick in one's memory.



"Good point. Man, was he a jerk. It wasn't even fun to fight him after a while." Nick held his hands up. "He was all like 'It is useless to resist my power! You have supported Arjun in vain! I am a god and you are mere insects!'"



Isabel managed a giggle at her husband's bad impression.



"He was quite the blowhard," she agreed, "No wonder his own Grimm ate him: Anything to shut him up."



"Yeah, but Arjun totally got the win," Nick nodded, "He hit him last. It's only fair."



Isabel sighed.



"Any word from them?"



Nick's good mood soured and he became a bit pensive. Lilac poured him another beer, which he nodded his thanks to before drinking.



"Radio's picking up some messages. CCT net gets some updates. I hope Orchid's work fixes it soon, cause what I've seen is bad."



Isabel steadied her nerves with her Semblance.



"How bad?" She asked.



Nick heaved a long sigh.



"Jaipur got attacked by one of the factions in Mistral's civil war."



Isabel's lips thinned as Lilac gasped. Jaipur was the biggest trading city between Pandu and Mistral, and one of the busiest ports in the world. It was the gateway to Anima for much of the planet.



"Attacked?"



Nick scowled.



"A Mistralian air battleship attacked with missiles. Hundreds are dead at least, and the walls were deliberately breached in many key areas. They also herded Grimm in to assault the city before they were shot down."



Isabel's jaw dropped.



"That's... Insane," she muttered, "The factions in Mistral need support of other kingdoms to win this civil war. Using Grimm like this will just alienate everyone or make the conflict worse! The only reason you'd do that is..."



Her eyes widened in realization.



"If that's what you wanted to happen," she whispered.



Nick nodded. Lilac moved closer. Isabel reached out to squeeze her hand comfortingly.



"Arjun thinks the same thing," Nick said quietly. "He's getting yelled at by his entire Council to retaliate against all the factions in Mistral, since they're all claiming they didn't do it. But given this happened right after the Vytal attack... He thinks it's a false flag."



"But Mistral's still at war," Isabel sighed, "Which means that the next attack may not be a false flag and it will drag them and every other semi-independent kingdom into it anyway."



"Mm," Nick nodded slowly.



"I don't understand why any humans would do this! This chaos across the entire world all at once doesn't benefit anyone!" Isabel scowled thoughtfully. "It's like something out of the old legends. The Witch Queen of Argus claimed she had a darker, more dread master who wanted to overthrow the world of Men and Faunus..."



"So did Duryodhana, before he died," Nick said gravely. Isabel shook her head.



"At the time I thought he was just insane. All the things he'd done to himself for power... But now..."



Isabel scoffed.



"Not that the words of a thousand year old legend or a dead madman would count for anything."



"We... Have some witnesses from the Vytal attack," Lilac said carefully.



Isabel and Nick looked at her. Lilac shrugged. Isabel nodded slowly.



"We do," she agreed, "But... How much weight will a few teenagers' words have when an entire continent is at war?"



"Arjun would listen," Nick said brightly. Isabel gave her husband a deadpan look.



"Arjun will need proof."



"We'll see what we can do," he said, "We just have to ask them, maybe get their Scrolls and look through the information, maybe go back and see-"



"Nick!" Isabel growled. "They have been fighting for their lives for weeks now! Fighting even though I told you not to put them in! Especially Jaune!"



Nick nodded.



"They needed the rest, I don't disagree," he said, "But we needed the help, Izzy." He brightened in pride.



"You should have seen Jaune! He led his people so well! They never hesitated to obey an order! He threw himself into the thick of it and kicked so much butt! It's amazing how far he's come-"



Isabel rose out of Nick's lap and glared angrily at him.



"He is our son!"



"And he's chosen his path," Nick said calmly. "I'm letting his friends rest and relax because they need it... But they're going to go back out into the fight eventually, Izzy. You know this. He lost too much to stay away."



The healer and the paladin stared at one another. Isabel's gaze was tight, anxious, and angry. Nick's was grave but serene. After a tense silence Isabel sighed deeply.



"Maybe," she muttered, "But I don't have to accept it."



Nick nodded, as Lilac turned away to mind her own business at the sink.



"I know."



Isabel looked out the window. A familiar group of Hunters-in-Training were riding a wagon down the road into the farm.



She hurried out the side door to greet them. She smiled as the outdoor lights came out, illuminating the group in the horse drawn wagon as they came up the drive.



"Hey! How did... You... Do...?"



Jaune stepped out first, covered in blue feathers, grass and dirt. The rest of the teens looked similarly disheveled and exhausted-Save for Nora, who wore a crown of blue feathers around her head.



"... Choux birds?" Isabel guessed, and even with her Semblance of Total Body Control, it was difficult not to giggle.



"Yup," Jaune stated flatly.



Isabel sighed.



"Well, it could have been worse," she said. She beamed.



"And I think you've all earned a reward!"



"Do we get to fry the little bastards up with oil?" Neptune growled.



"No, but even better!" Isabel cheered. "Hot springs!"



"Hot springs?" Everyone not an Arc echoed in confusion.



- - -



Isabel got them a few piles of soap and towels and led them into the nearest stand of trees by the farmhouse. They walked down a dirty path lined with stone lanterns, which Isabel lit with a Fire Dust lighter as they passed each one.



They finally came to a small clearing where a small Fuujin-style building stood. It was boxy and made of dark wood timbers which framed white walls. The faint aroma of sulfur in hot water drifted over their noses.



"A bathhouse?" Neptune asked in immediate interest. Isabel nodded with a nostalgic smile on her face.



"Yes. This was my father Jonathan's wedding present to my mother, Elizabeth, when they built the farmhouse. The Arcs have a lot of relatives from Fuujin thanks to my great-grandfather Kiritsugu Arc. This is just one of many bathhouses they built across the valley thanks to the hot springs in the area."



"Wow," Ruby murmured, "I've only seen these in Mistralian animes!"



Yang opened her mouth but Isabel gave her a smile.



"It's all right. Your arm's waterproofing just had to set. You'll be all right."



"YEAH!" Nora cheered. "This'll be like that time we rested in those hotsprings with those monkeys who used tools! Remember that, Renny?"



"Unfortunately," Ren deadpanned.



"Um," May flushed, "Will it... I mean... Will we all be... Uh...?"



Neptune was practically chomping at the bit. Cardin flushed and tried not to look Velvet's way. The rabbit Faunus also blushed but was smiling softly at her boyfriend. Arslan was glaring death at Neptune, while Yang moved closer to Ruby. Jaune was carefully covering his mouth with his hand and coughing.



"It's small but very comfortable," Isabel went on. She then gave Neptune a knowing look. "And segregated by sex."



"Wha-Oh," Neptune drooped in disappointment. Arslan held up a hand to strike him. "N-No! No! That's cool! That's-Totally cool, Mrs. Arc!"



Jaune choked back a little laugh. Ruby and Yang snorted as well. Ren smirked very slightly. Arslan lowered her hand as Neptune sulked a bit.



"Now, girls to the right, boys to the left," Isabel ordered, as she pressed some Lightning Dust into an electrical receptacle and the entire bathhouse lit up, "Get washed up, grab your towels, and dive in!"



- - -



On the men's side, Jaune slid into the hot water with a soft sigh. The warm waters of the hot springs just seemed to ease his stress away as he sank down and sat on the cement bench. It wasn't a huge bath-The female side out of necessity took up about two-thirds of the available space, as evident by the tall wooden wall separating them-But it was roomy enough for about ten men to not get uncomfortable. It was also open air for the moment, and he looked up at the stars as they shone down through the gaps in the trees.



"As much as I appreciate this, Jaune," Neptune grumbled, sitting down near the lone rock in the center of the bath, "Your mom is no fun. I mean, Mistralian hot springs are all about appreciating the beauty of the female form in its natural glory!"



"You do realize his mom and his sisters are over there, right?" Cardin asked, sitting down in one of the deeper parts of the bath as he scowled at the blue haired young man, "And my girlfriend?"



"I wouldn't peep at her!" Neptune protested with his hands up, "I mean, not much!"



Cardin glared and lifted a fist. Neptune waved his hands.



"I mean... I'm only joking! Really!"



"Yeah, it's fine," Jaune said with a nod, "But can you tone it down a little, Neptune?"



Neptune frowned. Ren slid into the bath and began to meditate in silence. Neptune sighed.



"Yeah. Sure," he mumbled. "Just... I dunno... I miss my team, ya know? I don't know if they're alive or dead and-"



He immediately looked over at Jaune, his eyes wide in realization.



"Shit, Jaune, I didn't mean-"



"I get it," Jaune grunted, his eyes downcast. His neck was tense and his fists clenched. Ren too became tense. Cardin grit his teeth and glared at Neptune. The blue haired young man opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, then looked down at his hands in the hot water. He sighed.



"I'm sorry," he mumbled.



"It's hard on all of us," Ren said calmly. "It will... Take time to heal."



"I just... It's so unreal," Neptune continued, unable to meet anyone's eyes, "One minute, everything's fine. We lost the tournament but... Ya know... We did our best. Then everything... Everything... It all falls apart."



He gripped his knees tightly.



"... I thought I knew where I stood with my team," he muttered, "Sure, Sun would always run off to do his own goddamned thing, but in a fight? There was no one more dependable... Until now."



Neptune glared at the water. It began to swirl around him in a small whirlpool.



"My best friend ran off on me. All just for a girl. In the middle of a fucking war. That's the kind of shit even I wouldn't do," Neptune growled, "Not in the middle of a disaster! Okay, I'm a horndog! I admit it! But you don't just... Just abandon your friends in a fight for pussy!"



The water churned angrily, becoming frothy. Neptune shut his eyes.



"Now I don't know if that bastard's alive or dead! I don't know about anyone else! I don't know and it's pissing me off and I can't do SHIT ABOUT IT! I can't even joke and lighten the fucking mood properly! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, ALL RIGHT?!"



The waters surged up around him, before falling away. Neptune panted hard with his eyes shut tightly. He tried to regain his calm.



He felt a hand touch his shoulder. He started and looked up. Jaune stood there with his towel tied securely around his waist. His face was stony but he was forcing his calm calm.



"I know," he said quietly. "I know."



Neptune grimaced then looked away. He let Jaune's hand linger for a few moments longer, before brushing it off.



"Come on. Despite what Scarlet says, I'm not interested in anything involving men in a bathhouse," he muttered.



He looked back up. Jaune smirked a little.



"You do try a little too hard," he observed.



"Yeah, you compensating for something, Neptune?" Cardin asked with a toothy grin. "Miss your boyfriends?"



"Oh fuck off, I'll have you know I've gotten more women than any of you combined!" Neptune shot back with a scowl, but on the inside there was a smile. "Beacon was just a rough patch for me!"



"Sure it was," Jaune said as he walked back, "That why you couldn't dance with Weiss until I made you?"



"I uh... Well..." Neptune shrugged, "Again. I was thrown off. She came on so aggressively! I'm not into that, which is why Arslan and I will only be friends... Unless she drops the tsundere act."



"I get the feeling she sees you as an annoying little brother," Jaune said, "And given how many siblings I have? It's a familiar sight."



"Ha!" Neptune laughed, "I'll win her over! And May! And Orchid-Okay maybe not her," he amended at Jaune's glare, "You can't begrudge me dreams of having a harem, bro! Not with your record!"



"I don't know what you're talking about," Jaune stated flatly. Neptune scoffed.



"Come on! Ruby's all over you! Weiss couldn't stop talking about you just before we broke up! Yang, I mean, she clings to you and Pyrrha..."



He trailed off at the angry look on Jaune's face. He bowed his head.



"Fuck," he muttered, "I'm sorry..."



Jaune grit his teeth and worked his jaw. Ren reached out to rest a hand on his forearm. Jaune stilled, but the fury was still in his eyes.



Cardin sighed.



"Yeah... Well..."



Nick Arc chose this moment to bound into the bath, his towel secure around his waist.



"WOOHOO!"



He jumped in, causing a massive splash that drenched every man in the bath. Jaune rose out of the water sputtering.



"DAD! WHAT THE HELL?!"



"What?" Nick grinned through his now very wet beard, "It's a bath! You jump into baths!"



"Don't make me throw you out again, dear!" Isabel shouted over the wall. Nick huffed, sat down, and crossed his arms like a petulant child.



"Hmph... Just wanted to have some fun," he muttered. He shook his head and looked at the scowling boys. He brightened.



"Rough day?" He asked.



"For some of us," Cardin grunted, glaring at Neptune. Neptune winced.



"I'm sorry. Really," he emphasized. "Just... Kind of lost without my friends."



"Well, good news!" Nick said cheerfully, "I have news about that! And some for you too, Cardin!"



Neptune and Cardin instantly perked up.



"Really, Mr. Arc?" Cardin asked. Nick nodded.



"Yup! It's a big mess without the CCT but we've got volunteers at the city hall and Militia HQ writing down radio messages. I've got the handwritten ones back at the house but I memorized a few about your friends when we got responses!"



"That's great, Dad!" Jaune said with a tight smile, "Anything from Atlas? Or-Or Menagerie?"



"Some," Nick allowed, "I had to tell your mom them too, she'll be telling the girls. Anyway! The Jolly Roger, Scarlet's dad's ship, has joined the Valean Defense Forces and has been assigned to defend against any further attacks from the White Fang. Scarlet and Sage are aboard and just fine."



Neptune sighed in relief.



"Anything about Sun?"



Nick frowned and shook his head.



"Nothing beyond him going to Menagerie. Sorry about that."



"No, no, that's great news," Neptune grinned, immediately looking like a weight was lifted from his shoulders.



"Anything from Vale about my family?" Cardin asked urgently. Nick turned and nodded to him.



"Turns out Councilman Winchester is one of the few survivors of the Valean Council. He's been organizing defenses, leading the survivors, trying to do diplomatic... Stuff... He's just fine. Nothing about your mother or sister though." He frowned.



"Sorry."



Cardin shook his head, managing a little smile.



"No... It's okay. They were both out of the country at the time-They should be all right. I'm just glad to hear my dad's all right."



"I always liked his speeches," Nick mused, "Very violent! He smashed the podium one time! Definitely not boring!"



The absurdity made Jaune scowl.



"Wha-Since when do you watch politics, Dad?" Jaune asked in disbelief. Nick grumbled.



"Your mother makes me watch during election years. Hmph." He looked to his son.



"As for your other friends? We think Weiss made it to Atlas. They've sealed their borders and gone to AlerCon 2 though, so news is hard to come by. Mistral's in full on civil war right now and all of Anima's up in arms, so they're obviously busy."



"I see," Jaune murmured, "At least she's all right... Probably."



Nick nodded. He clapped his hands.



"Well now... Enough doom and gloom. This is a place to relax! Duty will still be there in the morning. But we must rest to remember what we fight for."



Ren nodded in approval. Cardin grinned. Neptune's smile became much more relaxed.



Jaune managed a small smile at his father, who even now looked like a wise, skilled warrior of old. He was half the reason he wanted to become a Huntsman in the first place, after all. These moments where he was every bit like their forebears. The Arc Knights of old.



"To start with..." Nick slid next to Cardin with a grin. He clapped him on the shoulder. "So! How did you and Velvet hook up? She's a real cutie and a spitfire! Reminds me of Izzy when we started dating!"



... An Arc Knight of old who was gossiping like a teenaged girl. Jaune grimaced. Cardin sputtered.



"Uh, um, w-well uh... It kind of started when I pulled on her ears-"



"Oh! She's into that sort of thing, huh?"



"N-NO!" A pause. "Sort of?"



"Dad!" Jaune groaned.



"Come now Jaune! As fellow men, we must salute our brother in achieving the dream of many," Nick said, holding a fist up in the air while crying manly tears, "Dating a hot girl who is also a powerful warrior! Girls who can't kick your ass are boring! Isn't that right honey?"



"Absolutely!" Isabel shouted back. Neptune paled.



"Can... They hear everything we're saying?" He muttered.



"Just me!" Nick laughed. "Whispering's for DORKS!"



- - -



Hot Springs Part 2 will come soon. Everyone will be in towels, there will be nothing sexual about it, so let's all stay cool. Worse comes to worse I'll post the girls' side on QQ only.