[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Lilac Arc and the Bull

---

The White Fang's operations often involved taking hostages, and this time, Adam Taurus himself led the mission. He seized a woman from Radian, bringing her to their hidden headquarters with a clear purpose.

"Her mother is holding three of our agents in her hospital after they were captured," he told his guards right outside the cell in the abandoned building, his voice cold and commanding. "We use her to compel their release. Keep an eye on her, but do not harm her."

"Sir!" the guards responded in unison.

Adam departed for another mission, leaving the guards with Lilac Arc, who sat calmly in her cell, her demeanor surprisingly serene for a hostage.

One of the guards coughed harshly, the sound grating in the dim corridor. Lilac tilted her head, her expression softening with concern. "That sounds bad," she said gently. "I know a remedy for it, if you have a kitchen."

The second guard snorted, his eyes narrowing. "Ha! Nice try! What's the remedy, rat poison?"

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

The first guard coughed again, wincing. "Ugh…"

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

The second guard's scowl deepened, but the first guard's pitiful coughing grew worse. With a heavy sigh, the second guard relented. "Fine…"

They escorted Lilac to the kitchen, where she gathered local herbs with practiced ease and brewed a fragrant tea. As she worked, she glanced at their meager supplies. "Hmmm… You all look like you could use a good meal," she mused, her face brightening. "Do you have any venison? I can make a great stew!"

The second guard scoffed. "Oh, please, like we're going to fall for that!"

The first guard, however, took a cautious sip of the tea. His eyes widened as he inhaled deeply. "Wow! It… I can breathe! Cough's gone! And… And it tastes great! Try it!"

"Oh, come on, you can't be serious!" the second guard snapped.

"Serious as a heart attack," the first guard insisted. "Besides, she's one woman without her Aura activated. What could she do even if she poisoned it?"

Grudgingly, the second guard sipped the tea. His skeptical expression melted into disbelief. "It… It's amazing!"

Lilac smiled warmly. "Old family recipe! Like this stew!" She was already stirring a pot, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. Other White Fang members drifted in, drawn by the scent.

"Oh! Hello!" Lilac greeted them cheerfully. "Grab a bowl, it should be done soon!"

The first guard hesitated. "Hey, hang on a second, even if it smells good, we should test it!"

"Come on," Lilac said, her voice light but firm. "I would never poison food! Then you wouldn't get to enjoy it."

The second guard's eyes narrowed. "You… Do realize you're our hostage, right? If you don't cooperate, we'll kill you."

"I am cooperating," Lilac replied simply.

The first guard nodded slowly. "She's got a point."

"Wonderful!" Lilac beamed.

When Adam returned, he found his guards noticeably relaxed, their usual tension replaced by an odd ease. "Sitrep?" he demanded.

"Oh! Lord Adam!" the second guard said, straightening. "Uh, everything's fine, sir! The hostage is safe and compliant."

"Good," Adam said, his tone clipped. "Her mother is proving difficult. We'll need to make a video to show how serious we are."

"Errr… I see, Lord Adam," the first guard mumbled, exchanging a glance with his partner.

Lilac approached, her demeanor as warm as ever. "Hello, Lord Adam! Let me take your coat. It's freezing out there, hm? Here, have some hot tea!"

Adam accepted the cup absentmindedly. "Ah, thank you." He took a sip, then froze, spitting it out. "Wha—Why are you out of your cell?!"

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

The first guard let out an involuntary "Aw…"

Lilac turned to him with a playful wink. "I didn't forget you, sweetie!" She handed him a green scarf. "Goes with your scales!"

"Oh, sweet!" the guard said, catching Adam's furious glare. "I-I mean, um… Thank you, you pathetic human!"

"You're welcome!" Lilac said brightly.

---

A day later, Adam found Lilac in the kitchen again, cooking for the entire camp. She hummed a soft lullaby under her breath, unaware of his approach until he stood beside her, alone. "Oh. Hello, Lord Adam," she said, pausing. "Is there something you wish of me?"

He studied her for a long moment. "If they refuse to pay the ransom, your life is forfeit."

"I know, Lord Adam," she replied calmly.

"You aren't afraid of that?" he pressed.

She shrugged, her eyes steady. "I am."

"Yet you still persist like this."

"Yes, Lord Adam."

"Why?" he demanded, his voice tinged with irritation.

"Your men needed good food," she said simply. "Your men need kindness. Everyone does."

"We are holding you hostage," he snapped.

"Yes."

"We are criminals by your estimation."

"Yes."

"We are Faunus, and our goal is to overthrow your oppression and tyranny."

"Have I oppressed you, Lord Adam?" she asked softly.

He faltered, then glared. "You annoy me."

"I'm sorry, Lord Adam."

His patience snapped. He seized her long hair, forcing her to her knees with a yelp. Drawing Wilt, he pressed the blade to her throat. "I could end your life in an instant."

"Yes, Lord Adam… I-I know," she whispered, trembling.

"So drop the act," he snarled. "You're just trying to manipulate us with lies and deceit!"

"No, Lord Adam! I-I assure you, I am not—!" she pleaded.

"Then why this?!" he roared, the blade digging into her skin. "Why all of this?! You're trying to make us drop our guard! Allow you to escape!"

Lilac winced, her voice strained. "Even if I tried… I know I'm too far away from anywhere civilized to escape. I'd be killed by Grimm or brought back."

"Then why?!" he shouted. "WHY ACT LIKE THIS?!"

She closed her eyes, taking a shuddering breath. "Because it's the right thing to do!"

Adam froze. "What?"

"I firmly believe…" she said, her voice steadying, "that people in pain need help and kindness. That it's the right thing to do to help others, even if they want to—to kill me or hurt me. To try, at least."

"What makes you think I'm in pain?!" he growled.

"You are," she said softly. "We all are… It is why the Tablebreaker came, is it not? To heal the hurt of the world—?"

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

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

Adam's voice dripped with venom. "And so you would do this? Be kind, even to your captors? Even if it meant your death?! All because of your belief?"

Lilac, shaking, met his gaze. "Y-Yes… Yes, I would."

Silence hung between them. Adam's grip slackened, and he pulled the blade away, stepping back. "You're confined to your cell," he said, his voice low. "You will not do anything else but sit and be silent."

"As you wish, Lord Adam," she replied, rising slowly.

---

Days later, Adam summoned her from her cell. Three Faunus escorted her to a small chamber where a camera waited. "On your knees," he ordered.

Lilac complied without protest. Adam turned to his guards. "The negotiators are trying to buy time. We need to send a stronger message. We have other hostages… We'll kill her to show we mean business."

The first guard hesitated. "S-Sir… Um, she is the most prominent. Maybe we need to—"

"Those are my orders," Adam snapped. "Set up the camera."

Reluctantly, the guards began preparing. Adam waited until the camera was ready, then spoke, his voice cold. "You have ignored our demands. This is the price you will pay."

Lilac's voice broke the tension, soft but steady. "Lord Adam… May I have a request, please? W-Well… Two requests?"

He glared at her. "What?"

She reached into her dress pocket, producing a small photo. Adam snatched it, his eyes widening behind his mask as he saw it. "You—!"

"My fiancé… Mercer," Lilac said, her voice trembling. "He… If you could return that to him…"

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

"Yes, Lord Adam…" she said, wincing.

He glared, his jaw tight. "And the other?"

"May I please pray?" she asked. "Before you… You execute me?"

Adam gritted his teeth but stepped back. Lilac bowed her head, folding her hands. "Tablebreaker, merciful Lord… Please… Forgive them. They know not what they do… And… And please look after my family. I… I won't be there for them anymore…"

The room fell silent. One of the guards sucked in a breath. "Sir… Lord Adam, please," he said. "We-We don't need to kill her."

"Are you questioning my orders?!" Adam roared.

Another guard spoke up, voice shaking. "Sir, she—Please! Yes, humans are our enemy, but—Please, maybe she's one of the good ones—!"

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

Lilac continued praying, her body trembling but her voice steady. A third guard stepped forward. "Sir, please! Look… I've known many a bad human, but she's done nothing!"

"Humans have done plenty to us!" Adam shouted. "Especially when we did 'nothing'! YOU THINK SHE ACTUALLY CARES?! YOU THINK THIS IS REAL?!" He struck Lilac, sending her sprawling to the floor. "SHE'S A LIAR! A TRICKSTER!"

He seized her by the collar, lifting her off the ground as she choked. "You're just manipulating us! You don't believe we're good! You don't believe a word! Say it! SAY IT!"

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

Adam's grip tightened, but he sensed the growing unrest among his men. They were on the verge of turning against him. After a tense moment, he dropped her to the floor. "Take her back to her cell," he ordered, his voice low.

"Yes, sir…" the first guard said, helping Lilac to her feet.

---

The next day, Lilac awoke in a forest clearing, the air cool and quiet. Adam stood nearby, his expression unreadable. He tossed a canteen at her feet. "You're a day's walk from Matron Village. There are no Grimm around. They'll get you home."

Lilac blinked, stunned. "… You're letting me go?"

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

Lilac smiled softly. "Thank you, Lord Adam—"

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

"No… No," she said, her voice gentle. "I mean… I'm glad to be free… But you're still in pain. And still lost."

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

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

He stared at her, silent for a long moment.

"If more humans thought as you do…" he said finally, his voice quieter, "… maybe I wouldn't have to do what I do."

Lilac nodded. "I know."

Without another word, Adam turned and vanished into the woods, leaving her alone in the clearing.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

A fun and silly idea: In My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Earth Ponies can channel their magic into the Earth to make plants grow stronger and better.
Not only that but imbue the food with, essentially, status effects. Good ones. Improved health and such (mainly in the MLP RPG but hey). Earth Ponies also live for a VERY long time. Granny Smith, the matriarch of the Apple Family, is well over 200 years old but she only looks like she's in her 70s or 80s.

Might be amusing if the Arc Family is like that. They just have ridiculously powerful Auras but they've mainly been using it for farming. And they didn't know what they were doing, just putting energy into the ground and the food. Which made it grow stronger, better, and more delicious.

Ruby: "Uggghhh... I tried to grow my own mint for cookies but it's dying!"

Jaune: "Hang on..." He pushes a hand down onto the potting soil, and the mint plant springs back to life, practically glowing "There you go! Though try not to water it so much from now on."

Ruby: "... Wait what?"

Jaune: "Well I did grow up on a farm. I did this all the time with my family when he grew stuff on our farm. Though, this was a lot easier! Usually it takes me like an hour to get a plant back up. Maybe it's because my Aura is unlocked, huh? Cool!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune was busy cleaning his guns and relaxing in the JNPR common room. Nora was making a card house, while Ren watched. Pyrrha was doing some weapon maintenance... Which is when Weiss charged in.

Weiss: "JAUNE!"

Nora's card house collapsed.

Nora: "NO! MY BABIES!"

Weiss: "I'm sorry, but um... Jaune? I need some help."

Jaune: "You do? What with?"

Weiss: "Um... First... Please, forgive me. I got a little... Carried away."

Jaune: "... Carried away how?"

Weiss: clears her throat "Um..."

A blue haired young man in fancy clothes walked in, the very picture of foppish arrogance.

Henry Marigold: "Well well well! You're the man I have to kill for Weiss's hand in marriage, are you?" sniffs "You don't look like much to me!"

Jaune: "And you are, sir?"

Henry Marigold: "Henry Marigold, of the Atlas Marigolds. And Weiss will be my wife, you-you homewrecking barbarian!"

Pyrrha: "What?!"

Nora: "What?!"

Ren: "What."

Weiss: clears her throat "Henry, please wait outside. Jaune will... Will be out soon."

Henry: "He'd better hurry! I want to have lunch after I kill him!"

Henry walked off. Jaune glared at Weiss, as did the rest of JNPR. Weiss wilted.

Pyrrha: "... Weiss? Explain."

Jaune: "Quickly."

Weiss: "He's courting me, my father approves of him, I do not, I told him you were also courting me-Again, courting, nothing more formal! But under Atlasian and Valean law, he can challenge you to a duel! And I... I am sorry I didn't tell you, Jaune! I will do anything you want after, but please... Please... Do not let this man take me away. Please?"

Jaune takes a long, deep breath. He lets out an equally long, deep sigh.

Jaune: "... Do I have to kill him?"

Weiss: "I... N-No, I don't think so. Just beat him in a duel."

Jaune: "All right. That makes things simpler."

Five minutes later, JNPR and Weiss leave the dorm for the quad. Henry is standing there, looking smug.

Henry: "I'm looking forward to ending this, but first... Jaune Arc, was it?"

Jaune: "Yes sir."

Henry: sniffs "Of the former Royal House of Gallia? Your family's been long fallen from grace. I hear your mother's some quack with an ancient hospital and your father's a brute with more swords than brains. And you! A cowboy? A lowlife, ignorant cowhand?" He looked to Weiss, shaking his head "My dear, your tastes have been corrupted by this... Huntress lifestyle. Come back to Atlas, and become the Lady of Beauty and Grace you were meant to be! My wonderful wife! Free of responsibility, care... And ruffians like this."

Jaune: "..." takes a deep breath "Mister Marigold, was it?"

Henry: smirk "Yes?"

Jaune: "As much as I would like to start shootin', I would like to politely offer you to withdraw."

Henry: "Oh? You're giving up Weiss?"

Jaune: "Weiss is my friend and her own person. I would never make her do anything she didn't want to. I'm just saying that you have the opportunity to walk away from her and this situation, sir."

Henry: "And why would I do that? I will slay you in this duel and resolve everything!"

Jaune: "All right then. Draw." In flash, Jaune draws his gun and shoots Henry in the knee.

Henry: "GAH! WHA-YOU-YOU DIDN'T EVEN WAIT FOR THE DUEL TO BEGIN! DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING?!"

Jaune: "My mistake. By all means, draw your piece sir."

Henry tries to draw his gun, and Jaune promptly shoots the gun out of his hand and then in the other knee.

Henry: "ACK! YOU-FINE! YOU WIN, YOU WIN!"

Jaune: "Would you like me to go three for three, Weiss?"

Weiss looks severely tempted for a moment, before shaking her head.

Weiss: "I-I... No, that's... That's quite sufficient. I have no interest in you, Henry. You've lost, so please leave."

Henry: "ARGH! YOU-YOU CHEATED!"

Jaune: "Ah, you'll have to forgive me, sir. I am, after all, just an ignorant cowhand." He twirls his gun and holsters it. "Weiss, I do believe you have some explaining to do."

Weiss: "I... Y-yes... Yes, I do..."

Jaune: Lower voice "But I understand how it is to be put into a desperate situation and need to ask forgiveness rather than permission. So I ain't holdin' that against you, especially when the matter of your freedom was at stake."

Weiss: "Really?"

Jaune: "Weiss... I ain't lettin' anyone I care about get sold off like cattle. Hell, I'd shoot him again on principle."

Weiss: smiles warmly "Thank you Jaune..."

Pyrrha: "You know, I would also be willing to shoot him."

Weiss: "Hm? What's wrong, Pyrrha? Jealous that Jaune would maim a man for me and not you?"

Pyrrha: terrifyingly plastic smile "He'd do it for me in a heartbeat without being coerced."

Nora: "Renny, when are you going to maim a man for me? It's so romantic!"

Ren: "I'll get around to it."

Nora: "Yay!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune enters an ancient temple his great-grandmother brought him to.

Jaune: "What's this?"

Nana: "A test. One all Jedi must face."

Jaune: "What's in there?"

Nana: "Only what you take with you." frowns "I sense... Someone else is within... But how?"

They enter together... But the walls shift, and suddenly Jaune is cut off from his Nana.

Jaune: "Nana?! NANA!"

He takes deep breaths... Calms himself... And then hears footsteps in the ancient temple. He turns... And sees him.

Adam: "... To think, I would once have been content with power over this small world. That is a good start... But only a start."

Jaune: "Adam... How did you find this place?!"

Adam: "My mother left me a memento. Before a human killed her." He held out a pyramid shaped object that glowed red. Jaune sucked in a deep, horrified breath.

Jaune: "A Sith holocron?!"

Adam: "Yes... Did you really think your great-grandmother was the only one to survive? Did you think this world untouched? Long ago, Force Users unto the Gods fought on this planet, and above it. Shattered the moon, devastated civilization. This Temple was left by the Jedi... But the Sith left one behind, too. The Force flows through this world. It is strong... With the Darkside of the Force."

Jaune: "The Light is still stronger! The Grimm are nothing but distortions of the Force! The Darkside twisted life into something horrible, unnatural!"

Adam: "Unnatural? Or the next step in evolution? You are locked in the old ways. The Jedi create order... It become complacent, corrupt, weak and feeble. The Sith, sensing weakness, seize upon it and the galaxy is torn apart in war. Foolish Jedi... We are part of an unending cycle. But... We can end it."

Jaune: "... How?"

Adam: "Join me. Our combined strength can end the Dark Witch AND the feeble Wizard. Can end the conflict between Man and Faunus! We command the Force! The greatest power in the universe! Why suffer these weaklings to hold any power? They abuse it! Together, Light and Darkside, we can prove we are the true rulers of this world! We can bring peace, order-"

Jaune: "Tyranny! Slavery!"

Adam: snorts "Weak people, who cannot hear or feel the heartbeat of creation, are responsible for those things."

Jaune: "Like the Sith?!"

Adam: "The Sith I have been learning from had a similar, revolutionary spirit. She saw the endless conflict for the stupidity it was. Her conclusion was wrong though. This power cannot be destroyed... But it can be used to bring about true balance. You are soft, weak... But kind. I am cruel and strong... But willing to compromise. We would be the perfect choices to rule this world!"

Jaune: "... Oh no... The holocron of Darth Treia?!"

Adam: smirks "The same... But where she betrayed, I offer my hand. My friendship. What do you say?"

Jaune: ignites his lightsaber

Adam: "... So be it." Ignites his own red lightsaber, and the battle is joined

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune fought Adam... But despite his training, Adam was still the better swordsman. Their sabers clashed, burning in the temple, their scream of static as they forced their blades against eachother.

Jaune tried to use the Force to get the upper hand, but Adam matched him, blow for blow.

Adam: "You seem to have some assumptions, Jaune. You think I'm just another Force user driven mad by the revelation of my power. Intoxicated by the Darkside. No... No, I see things clearly, Jaune."

Jaune: "Do you?!"

He flips over Adam, striking from above. Adam blocks the strike, and swings behind him. Jaune uses the Force to dive out of the way and launch stones at Adam. Adam deflects them with his lightsaber and charges, forcing Jaune back.

Adam: "Yes! I see the battle for what it is! It is not human and Faunus, it is not Grimm versus the Souled, it is not Grimm Witch against Ancient Wizard! It is order versus chaos! The Force gives us the power to bring true order and freedom! FREEDOM from this endless conflict!"

Jaune: "Haa... Haaa... People will fight you! I will fight you!"

Adam: "We could stand together! As brothers in the Force! Darkside, Lightside, what does it matter?!"

Jaune: "It matters to me! It matters to the people of this world!"

Adam: "So does freedom from this war! Think of it! Our powers combined could free the people of this world from the Witch and Wizard's squabble! And we could guide them! With the power of the Force, there is nothing we could not do!"

Jaune: "We still have limits, even with the Force!"

Adam: "We are blessed with the power of the universe! Its very essence! We should be in charge! We should rule!"

Jaune: "Then you've learned NOTHING!"

Adam: "And you are still bound by the Jedi's chains!"

Adam knocks the lightsaber out of Jaune's hands, and knocks him down a chasm.

Jaune: "AAAAHHHHH-!"

He slows down. He comes to a stop in another part of the temple. Tall pillars stand over him. Nearby, there is an man with angular features, black hair, with a short trimmed beard sitting in Jedi robes.

Man: "You all right?"

Jaune: "I... Yeah... Thank you for saving me."

Man: "It's all right... It has been a while since anyone came here."

Jaune: "Who... Who are you?"

Man: "... I have borne many titles... Jedi Hero, Savior of the Galaxy. Dark Lord of the Sith."

He stands, and for a moment he is dressed in Sith armor with an ominous mask over his face. Jaune's eyes widen in disbelief.

Jaune: "... Revan...!"

The specter returns to the older man with a soft smile.

Revan: "Yes... You know me?"

Jaune: "I do! But... Aren't you dead?"

Revan: "Yes... And no. I became one with the Force long ago. My teacher was the Jedi Master who became Darth Traya. Her holocron being activated... Alerted me, for lack of a better term."

Jaune: "So... Can you help me win?"

Revan: "Perhaps... That all depends on how you define winning."

Jaune: groans "Look, I'm not... I'm not some Jedi Master sitting in a temple contemplating stuff isolated from the universe! I'm here! In the real world! You can't just quibble over crap and think you're wise!"

Revan: grins "Yes... That sounds like your Nana all right."

Jaune: flush "Uh, sorry-"

Revan: "No... There is something to be said for that. The Jedi become locked in a cage of dogma, weak and stifled. The Sith though become locked in a cage of endless betrayal and self destruction. The Jedi seek peace and create stagnation, the Sith seek freedom and create tyranny. It is the tragedy of both Orders."

Jaune: "So... What's the answer?"

Revan: "A fool would say that it is some arbitrary middle ground between the philosophies. The truth is... The Force is. It is infinite, far more beautiful and terrifying than can be put into two arbitrary boxes. The Darkside can destroy you through corruption... But the Lightside can destroy you through stagnation. You must feel the Force, understand it, embrace the greater mysteries of it. Let go of your prejudices and truly seek answers without preconceptions. Only then can you truly know the Force, and yourself. Only then can you be what a Jedi is meant to be."

Jaune: "That still sounds like the Sith are the enemy."

Revan: "They are. But the Jedi too can be an enemy. But if you define a Jedi as one who masters himself while trusting the Force, to do what is right and necessary? Then a Jedi you will be, Jaune Arc. Are you willing to delve into these mysteries, Jaune? To truly understand the Force and yourself?"

Jaune: "... I am."

Revan: "Then let us begin..."

 

[SharkCultist]

Sometimes Ren loves his semblance. The coolness and clarity of mind suppressed emotions brings comes quite in handy sometimes.

Like when mercilessly hunting down his friends.

Ruby and Jaune were first. Too trusting, they were down before they even realized it.

Yang was the second easiest to take down, just had to taunt her a bit and she literally ran face first into his attacks. She even dragged Weiss down with her.

He had to cheat with Blake and Pyrrha, he couldn't catch Blake and there's no way he could beat Pyrrha. So he led them into some tripwire traps and let them do the job for him.

And now was the hardest battle. Nora.

"Please don't do this renny, we can talk this out."

"You know that's not the case."

"But I don't wanna fight!"

"Oh Nora."

He points the barrel at her chest.

"This was never a fight."

And pulls the trigger.

Her clothes are splattered with pink paint.

"Nooooo my sloth shirt."

[Beeeeep]

"The exercise is over. Lie Ren is the victor of the survival exercise. He will be exempt from the next exam. Meanwhile the rest of you will have extra lessons this Saturday because of that frankly embarrassing defeat."

"Aww miss Goodwitch come on!"

"You're the ones who thought you could win a 7 v 1 against the stealth specialist. And miss Valkyrie the next time you don't want to get a shirt ruined perhaps you shouldn't wear it to the paintball maze."

"This was my favorite shirt....."

"Nora you have 9 more."

"silence betrayer! How could you mercilessly gun down your childhood friend."

"There are no friends in paintball. Only targets."

 

[SharkCultist]

Today was a different lesson than usual for beacon academy. They had a guest speaker.

He was old, nobody could tell quite how old because he was also quite large.

If you were to ask Ruby to describe his body she would just say "baymax".

He had a shock of pure white hair and a clean shaven face with a near constant smile along with a very bright pair of green eyes.

You'd be forgiven for thinking he was just someone's sweet old grandpa.

If it wasn't for the hundreds of small nicks and scars all over his hands and arms.

"Welcome class, I will be your guest lecturer today. My name is-

"Santa?!"

"Hoho! I'm afraid not miss Valkyrie. No my name is Marshall Mello. I'm a retired huntsmen and humanitarian worker."

"Oh yeah I think I've heard of you. Kinda. Don't you have a kid who does music?"

"Why yes my granddaughter Enn does do music under the name Mello Melodies, but that's not what we're here to discuss today miss rose. I am here to ask you one simple question. What is the purpose of a Hunter?"

"Kill Grimm!"

"Catch criminals!"

"To serve our kingdoms!"

"To pick up chicks!"

"Incorrect all of you! Especially that last one. See me after class."

"Ah beans."

"No children Hunters exist for a single reason."

He looks at the class and raises his aura, using it to amplify his voice.

"A Hunter exists to help. Nothing more, nothing less."

---

So Marshall is old school. How old? He was teammates with Ozpin two reincarnations ago.

Oz never brought him in on Salem. Not because he didn't trust him but because he was doing far more good in his own then he would getting tied into his shadow cabal shenanigans.

Mallos semblance is the ability to convert body mass into aura. Hence why he's so large (though you won't see him complaining about it).

He's a guy who enjoys as much out of life as he can. And he has a fairly large family. It isn't Arc big but he at least has enough immediate family members to make two sports teams.

 

[SharkCultist]

So I was thinking about Atlas and for some strange reason I get the feeling they're the kingdom with the most patriotic people and holidays.

And I'm just picturing rby waking up one day to Weiss decked out in some kind of super Atlasy outfit and setting up a meal full of stuff they've never heard of and a concerning amount of homemade dust fireworks.

Yang: "What exactly...is this?"

Weiss: "It's a traditional Atlas dish, from back before we were quite as technologically advanced as we are now and had to be much more careful about waste."

Yang: "Nice dodge. But seriously. What the hell is that? Because it's stinking up the common area."

Weiss: "It's a stew made with crispy chittlin, offal, potatoes, and various hot spices in a rich broth made with marrow and a secret ingredient."

Yang: "Weiss I swear to the brothers if I have to grab a dictionary I will beat you with it."

Weiss: "FINE! It's a stew made from blood and bone broth with organ meat and crispy skin strips!"

Yang: "see was that so hard? Also next time cook it outside. Also eew."

Weiss: "I'm sorry THIS is too gross for you? I've seen you eat a burger so greasy it made squishing sounds when you picked it up."

Blake: "yes but everyone eats burgers."

Weiss: "your favorite pizza is pineapple, anchovies, and onion. Nobody puts any stock in your food opinions "

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Written with RedDragonEmpress, a short fun idea: Jaune accidentally summons his ancestor, Jeanne D'Arc of Radian, who destroyed the Witch Queen of Argus. She did this with the help of Ozpin's incarnation at the time, who posed as Ozmas the Wizard.

Unfortunately Jaune managed to get her Alter form. Yes, Jalter!Jeanne is loose.

Jalter: "BURN THE HERETICS!"

Jaune: "But Greatest Grandmama, they're my friends!"

Jaltar: "Then take them as your concubines! That's how we did it in my day!" Raises her flag up high. "Now where is the emerald wizard?! HE OWES ME A NIGHT IN BED!"

Ozpin: "Oh no."

Jaune: "Um, Headmaster?"

Jalter: "YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME!"

Ozpin: Already packing his bags. "Mr. Arc, considering this is your fault, I'm leaving you in charge. Let me know when she's gone!"

Jaune: "ME?!"

Jalter: "FOUND YOU~!"

Ozpin: "WITH MY LAST BREATH, I CURSE JAUNE ARC!"

 

[SharkCultist]

So this idea hit me. It's got a bit of Danny phantom and a sprinkle of one or two specific Kamen rider in it. And something secret.

---

He's eight years old when he messes everything up.

He asked his parents to train him again, and again they said no. But this time instead of going to his room and sulking he decided to act out.

There's a HUGE tree out back behind the house, a old oak that's been around almost longer than the family. His mom doesn't like the kids playing near it.

So obviously to spite her he had to climb the damned thing. He'd never been the greatest climber, his stamina is pretty shit, but spite can be a wonderful motivator.

He made it at least seven stories up before the inevitable happened and he fell.

Have you ever heard your own bones break? Jaune has. He heard his liny arms and legs and ribs snap as he slammed into the branches on the way down and he heard his ribs shatter when he hit the ground.

The sound was unpleasant but luckily he couldn't focus on that, unluckily that's because he was in pure agony.

And the cherry on top was landing at his mother's feet.

He was dying. She was using all her skills trying to fix him but she was just dragging it out, he would have screamed at her to stop if he still had the ability.

Finally something changed. She realized she was losing the battle so she switched tactics and awakened his aura. It shouldn't have done much if anything at all but somehow it let her beat out the rate of him dying.

Second by second, inch by inch she dragged him away from the grave.

He spent a year healing after that even with his moms legendary medical skills though part of that was because his body and aura became a bit....odd.

His heartbeat and temperature were 2/3rds under anyone else and he could do things with his aura others couldn't.

He could extend his aura past his body without needing a weapon, he used it to kinda float around a bit or to do tricks for his sister's by making their toys orbit around him.

Whatever that was it wasn't a semblance. They weren't even sure if he had a semblance or if it burned out keeping him alive.

But Jaune knew there was something there, he knew because of the odd feelings with himself. How his aura telekinesis trick felt like something reaching out past from I der his skin, or how the floating felt like it was dragging his body around instead of enveloping it.

He's eleven years old the next time he asks for training and they finally say yes. It feels like blackmail, not a victory.

They almost train him back into the grave. If they can't stop him from risking his life then they'll make him as hard to kill as possible.

He sweeps through the exams to bypass a prep academy before hitting Beacon.

It's always been his dream to attend this school. Beacon academy the home of heroes. It's all looking up, he's somehow stumbled his way into a gorgeous and friendly partner, and they've already almost finished the exam with a pretty big group.

Which is when the big ass scorpion and bird show up and Ruby almost dies to a stinger that Weiss ends up saving her from, unfortunately they both ended up knocked into a tree from the force of its stinger stab hitting Weiss barrier and the hit is hard enough to shatter their auras.

Jaune doesn't want to see death again.

Something in him clicks and for just a second he feels the familiar and dreader sensation of falling again.

Only instead of his body falling he's falling into the back of his own head as something shifts and his aura goes from a sunny yellow to a angry crimson.

To everyone else they watch a much more dramatic change as his hair shifts the a coal black color and his eyes turn a haunting and acidic green color, which is some of the only color left on him as most of it seemed to leech away from his clothes and armor except for a light blue color around his fingertips and on his sword that Weiss was quick to realize was ice.

But if his physical changes seemed extreme they were nothing to the changes to his presence.

A feeling in the air around him of dread, a cold terror that sunk into your bones and made you want to run even though you knew it was pointless.

Jaune chuckled. Like dry dead tree branches rubbing up against each other. Finally he spoke, in a much deeper voice dripping with sarcasm.

"It's good to be alive."

---

Ok so a couple things about this Jaune.

The ghost form is his semblance. It's not quite a full ghost thing like Danny has but it's got some different scarier abilities.

The ghost form is still Jaune but it's all the worst parts of him combined with his trauma and the bulk of his power. It'll still work towards what Jaune wants but not always in a way he would approve of.

For instance he might stop cardin from bullying velvet by attempting to break his neck.

Also if you want to imagine his voice it's literally Dan Phantoms voice.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The dorm room was pitch-black, save for the faint glow of moonlight slipping through the curtains, when Ruby Rose's frantic voice pierced the silence. "Jaune! Jaune!" Her small hands shook Jaune Arc's shoulders, rousing him from a deep sleep. Blinking groggily, he squinted up at her, her silver eyes wide and pleading as she loomed over his bed at 1 AM—an increasingly annoying habit.

"Hnn? What?" Jaune mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "What did Blake do now?"

"It's not Blake, it's Yang," Ruby said, her voice a mix of worry and urgency.

Jaune sighed, sitting up and running a hand through his messy blond hair. "Okay… what happened?"

"I-I just know she needs a tow… and you have a driver's license… so, um… could you go help her?" Ruby's puppy-dog eyes were dialed to maximum, her hands clasped together in a desperate plea.

Jaune stared at his best friend, his resolve crumbling under her gaze. "Wh-Why can't Weiss or Blake help?"

"We're not allowed to leave campus again because of our detention!" Ruby said, her voice rising. "Which was totally Blake's fault, by the way—!"

"Okay, okay…" Jaune sighed, swinging his legs out of bed. "I'll go help her."

"Thank you!" Ruby squeaked, bouncing on her toes before darting out.

Grumbling under his breath, Jaune made his way to Vale, his Hunter-in-Training ID smoothing the way to rent a beat-up truck. The late-night streets were quiet, the city's neon lights casting long shadows as he drove to the coordinates Ruby had texted, his annoyance simmering. When he spotted Yang Xiao Long sitting on the sidewalk, his irritation faltered. She looked listless, her lilac eyes dull as she stared at the wreckage of her beloved motorcycle, Bumblebee, its yellow frame battered and twisted. Jaune winced, pulling the truck to a stop.

"Yang? Yang, you okay?" he called, hopping out.

Yang blinked, her gaze lifting slowly. "Huh? Oh, uh, hey, VB." Her eyes widened at the truck. "You got a truck?"

"Well, Ruby said you needed a tow," Jaune said, scratching his neck.

"Yeah…" Yang sighed, her shoulders slumping as she glanced at Bumblebee.

"What happened?" Jaune asked, crouching beside her.

"…I poked a hornet's nest for some info, and, well… my baby got in the crossfire," Yang admitted, her voice heavy.

Jaune eyed the motorcycle's mangled frame and winced again. "Geez… yeah. That's pretty beat up."

They worked together to heft Bumblebee into the truck's rear bed, the silence between them thick but not uncomfortable. Jaune slid into the driver's seat, Yang settling beside him, her usual fire dimmed. He glanced at her, then fiddled with the radio, landing on a late-night soul station, its smooth melodies filling the cab.

"Uh… how about some music?" he offered.

"…Sure," Yang murmured, staring out the window.

Jaune stole another glance, her morose expression tugging at him. "You… you're gonna fix her up though, right?"

Yang's voice was soft, uncertain. "I… I'm gonna try… I've always fixed her up before, but…" She shook her head. "She was a wreck when I found her, but I put her back together. Made her run. She's my baby… but this much damage? I don't even want to imagine how much it'll cost." Her eyes glistened, her voice dropping. "I don't know if you can understand… but getting her? Making her mine? Just taking her out on the road? I felt… free."

Jaune's grip tightened on the wheel, his voice quiet but earnest. "…I spent most of my childhood in the hospital. I remember this one time my dad took me out for a ride on his motorcycle. He held me in front and drove, just flying down the roads. I felt… I felt like a bird, going so fast. It was just… a perfect moment of freedom. This feeling that… that I wasn't small or weak. When I got older, I started working on his bikes with the rest of the farm equipment. He let me take rides on his bike… I remember the first ride I took by myself. I was scared out of my mind, but that… that feeling of freedom? That came back in full. It was even better. So… so I get it, Yang. I do. She's more than a bike… she's your friend."

Yang's lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes warming as she looked at him. "Yeah. I mean… I'm not giving up. It's just… it's gonna take a while."

The sadness lingered in her gaze, and Jaune nodded slowly, a plan sparking in his mind.

- - -

A few days later, Yang trudged into the Beacon garage, her boots scuffing the concrete. Her attempts to repair Bumblebee had stalled, the spare parts she needed months out of reach. She steeled herself for another disheartening look at her bike's broken frame, but when she opened the garage door, her jaw dropped. Boxes of spare parts—painted her favorite shade of yellow—were neatly stacked around Bumblebee's hulk, ready to be installed. Jaune stood nearby, unloading one last box, his grin bright as he caught sight of her.

"Oh! Hey, Yang!" he called, wiping sweat from his brow.

Yang's voice was a stunned whisper. "Wha… what's all this, VB?"

"Well, I, uh, asked my dad if he knew anyone with the spare parts you needed, since your model of bike is similar to one of his," Jaune said, scratching his neck. "And he sent me all these parts!" He winced. "I, um, still had to pay for it, but it was at a discount!"

Yang moved through the boxes, her fingers brushing over the parts—used but in solid condition. Her lilac eyes flicked to Jaune, who stood there, a touch awkward but earnest.

"So… why?"

Jaune blinked. "Why? Why what?"

"I mean, why do this for me?" Yang asked, her voice soft but searching.

Jaune's smile was warm, his tone simple. "Because you're my friend. And she's your friend. And you help your friends out… I mean, does it have to be any more complicated than that?"

Yang's throat tightened, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I guess not… but…" She crossed the distance in a heartbeat, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thank you."

Jaune's cheeks flushed, but he hugged her back, his arms steady. "Any time… well, um, almost any time. It was still pretty expensive."

Yang giggled, pulling back with a grin. "Yeah, I imagine… you're gonna be okay, right?"

"Yeah," Jaune said, his grin turning wry. "It's actually less than I have to pay when I take my team out to lunch."

Yang's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously?"

"Nora is an eating machine," Jaune said, a haunted look crossing his face. "My wallet will never recover."

Yang laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "Heh… so, um… you busy?"

Jaune tilted his head. "No. Why?"

"Wanna help me fix her up?" Yang asked, her grin softening. "You did get the parts, and you have some experience."

Jaune hesitated, his voice gentle. "I… are you sure? She's your baby—"

"Yeah," Yang said, her eyes warm, "and you're helping to bring her back to life. So… what do you say, Stud?"

Jaune's grin widened, a spark of confidence in his eyes. "I'd like that…"

They got to work, Jaune pausing as he began unscrewing a panel on Bumblebee's frame. "But, Stud? Why that?"

Yang's smile was playful, her voice teasing. "You've earned it."

Jaune chuckled, his tone light but bold. "Huh… works for me, Spitfire."

Yang's cheeks flushed, her voice rising in mock protest. "H-Hey! You can't just call me that!"

"Why not?" Jaune asked, his grin mischievous. "You have your nickname for me, I have one for you. Isn't that fair?"

"You have to go for the most obvious one?" Yang huffed, crossing her arms.

"How about Sunshine?" Jaune offered, his voice sincere. "Because you brighten my day!"

Yang's blush deepened, her hand covering her mouth as she muttered, "G-Geez! Take it easy, Ladykiller!"

Jaune blinked, genuinely confused. "What? I mean it sincerely!"

Yang mumbled under her breath, "Yeah, that's the problem."

"Huh?" Jaune asked, leaning closer.

"Nothing!" Yang said loudly, turning to the bike. "Let's get to work already! Time's a wasting!"

Jaune grinned, picking up a wrench. "All right, all right… as you wish, Sunshine."

Yang's pleased blush was impossible to hide, though she tried, her voice soft. "G-Geez…"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang has learned that Jaune Arc's mother, Doctor Isabel Arc, is one of the strongest hand to hand fighters in Vale's history. So she decides to test herself against her. How hard could it be?

Yang-centric, Action/Drama, Original Character, One-Shot. For Dragonslayer Week 2025.

- - -


Yang Xiao-Long had looked up Isabel Arc, and the woman's record was nothing short of staggering. A former Huntress who had overthrown a corrupt government and battled a Grimm Hydra, Isabel was a legend in her own right. Yang, ever the martial artist, burned with curiosity to test the strength of Jaune's mother for herself. When she learned Isabel was visiting Beacon to volunteer, Yang seized her chance. She found Isabel meditating in a field of ruins just outside the academy, dressed in her usual green dress, white labcoat, and glasses, exuding a serene calm. Despite having eight children, Isabel's presence was striking—her martial prowess evident in her controlled movements, and Yang couldn't help but note, with a touch of awe, that she was still undeniably attractive.

Without opening her eyes, Isabel spoke, her voice steady. "Hello, Yang. What can I do for you?"

Yang, caught off guard but not entirely surprised—her stealth wasn't exactly top-notch—grinned and shrugged. "Heyah, Doc Arc!" she said, her carefree smile masking the thrill and slight unease of being so easily detected. "What's up?"

"Not much," Isabel said with a soft, curious smile, "Something on your mind?"

Slamming her fist into her palm, Yang's eyes gleamed with determination. "From what I heard, you're the one to beat. Figured while you're here, I could see why."

Isabel stood, stretching and rolling her shoulders, her tone measured. "It's been a very long time since I was a Huntress, Yang. Glynda Goodwitch outclasses me-"

"Yeah, but not in hand to hand. Everyone says you're still incredible," Yang insisted. "I also heard that my mom… Fears you."

Isabel raised an eyebrow.

"Does she?"

"Do you not know?" Yang asked. Maybe Qrow had been exaggerating… In which case, she needed to know. If Yang wanted answers from Raven, she'd likely have to fight for them, and what better way to gauge her own strength than by challenging the one person who made Raven back down?

"It was a long time since we last fought," Isabel mused. She shook her head. "Still… Is that a good enough reason to fight me?"

"Yes!" Yang nodded.

"You really want to see where you stand?" Isabel asked, her gaze piercing. Yang nodded eagerly.

"More than anything," Yang whispered, her voice carrying the weight of a shout in the quiet ruins.

Isabel studied her carefully, before she nodded.

"All right," she agreed, slipping on worn black-and-white fighting gloves and assuming a loose, graceful Taekwondo stance.

"I take it Taiyang taught you South Mistralian Kickboxing? That was his style," she said, cracking her neck.

Yang nodded, admitting she'd never quite mastered the kicking but excelled in other aspects. She settled into her own stance, mentally and physically bracing herself. Isabel, still perfectly calm, invited Yang to make the first move, her demeanor suggesting Yang posed no threat—an attitude that sparked a flicker of irritation in the younger fighter.

A wind swept through the ruins as Yang launched her attack, throwing an aura-infused haymaker followed by rapid jabs aimed at Isabel's midsection. She aimed to overwhelm with sheer force, testing the waters, fully expecting Isabel to dodge or block. To her shock, Isabel didn't move an inch, effortlessly slapping away each punch with one hand, as if shooing a bee.

"Well… It's a very polished style," Isabel remarked, her voice almost casual. "Extremely direct."

Without warning, Yang charged, closing the distance in a heartbeat, her fist snapping out in a quick jab at Isabel's head. Isabel's frown was subtle as she parried the punch with a fluid motion, her foot sweeping out to trip Yang, sending her stumbling past. Yang's aura flared, her hair sparking, but she spun back, undeterred, unleashing a flurry of punches, each one fueled by her Semblance's growing heat.

Isabel's face remained a mask of indifference, her movements precise as she parried every strike without shifting from her spot, her hand deflecting Yang's gauntlet-powered blows with an ease that bordered on insulting. The stalemate grated on Yang's nerves, her patience fraying as she mixed in reckless kicks and wild punches, her aura blazing brighter, hoping to land even a single hit. Isabel's frown deepened, and with a swift motion, she caught one of Yang's punches in her palm, her grip like iron. Yang growled and dashed back. Isabel raised an eyebrow.

"Are you upset I'm not putting in more effort?" She smiled wryly. "I suppose that is unfair of me."

"Honestly, a little, yeah…" Yang said, her voice sharp but teasing, "but then again, I wasn't really expecting you to take me seriously to begin with. So this is all just par for the course."

With a burst of speed, she darted to what she thought was Isabel's blind spot, her fist rocketing toward her side.

Isabel shifted, her movement a blur, catching Yang's punch in her palm. With a fluid twist, she executed a judo throw, sending Yang hurtling toward a nearby column. The impact shook the ground, Yang's breath exploding from her lungs as she crashed upside-down, her hair tangled with dirt.

Damn, Yang thought, gasping, she has to be faster than Ruby, at least! At short range!

"I do hope that wasn't your best," Isabel said gently, but with a hint of challenge in her eyes. Yes, despite her age and maturity... There was a spark in the doctor's eyes. The thrill of the fight. Yang grinned.

She scrambled up, bloodied but unbowed, her eyes locked on Isabel, who hadn't moved far, her hands now both engaged—a small victory. Yang resumed her fighting stance, her aura flaring, her voice rough.

"You want me at my best, fine then!" She slammed her foot down, her Semblance igniting fully, flames licking around her, her body ablaze with righteous fury, burning with the intensity of a small sun.

Isabel's smile was encouraging, genuine. "Good!"

Before Yang could blink, Isabel dashed forward, unleashing a barrage of jabs, punches, and kicks—each strike a hammer blow, faster and stronger than anything Yang had faced. Yang blocked what she could, each impact like stopping a truck, her aura straining. She retaliated, using the momentum to fuel her Semblance, searching for an opening. She didn't need to match Isabel's quantity—just one quality hit, one punch to make her feel it, to prove Yang was on the right path.

Isabel switched tactics, her attacks now like an avalanche of boulders—punches, kicks, knees, elbows, relentless and precise. Yang endured, her blocks faltering against the onslaught, her aura dwindling.

She pushed past the pain, the frustration, the torrent of emotions her Semblance amplified, waiting for her moment.

There! An opening!

Yang's fist surged through Isabel's guard, connecting with her jaw, snapping her head back.

But in that split second, Yang's vision filled with Isabel's fist, perfectly placed where her head was aimed. Yang's own momentum carried her into it, and blackness swallowed her.

Yang came to, birds singing faintly, the scent of Healing Dust sharp in the air. She lay at the bottom of a crater, her body aching, her hair a mess of dirt and singed strands. Isabel knelt beside her, channeling Aura through glowing Healing Dust, her blue eyes filled with worry and guilt.

"Yang? Yang, are you all right?"

Yang tried to speak, but pain seared her chest, reducing her to a pained moan. Isabel winced, channeling more Aura, the pain easing to a dull ache, then fading as Yang's Aura rallied.

"Better? Any pain anywhere?" Isabel asked, her voice soft but anxious.

Yang wanted to be mad—her hair was ruined—but she couldn't muster it. She'd forced Isabel to use her full strength, even if it was by instinct. A weak chuckle escaped her, followed by a cough.

"…Y-you really are the one to beat… hehe… Jaune wasn't kidding, and neither was anybody else."

Isabel's expression softened, but her voice was firm.

"I'm not a measuring stick, Yang." Her mask was unreadable, but her eyes held a quiet challenge. "Why do you want to think of me that way?"

Yang closed her eyes, an unapologetic smile tugging at her lips. "Because you're 'not a measuring stick'…" Her tone turned serious, her voice steady despite the ache. "…you're the top in hand to hand combat for Huntresses, and I wanna reach it someday. So if I'm ever going to, I need to see where I'm at now, and understand whether the path I'm on will lead me there."

Isabel's gaze softened, a faint smile breaking through. "…You know, my path led me to the top. And then… I retired. I raised a family. I became a doctor, to heal rather than harm." She shook her head, her voice heavy. "A civilization that has to rely on children to defend it from monsters…"

Yang's eyes opened, her curiosity piqued.

"It... Shouldn't be that way," Isabel sighed. "But it is what it is."

Yang scowled.

"My dad said the same thing about my mom," she growled. She punched her palm with her other fist. "I hate that saying. Like... There's nothing that can be done. Nothing you can do to change things!"

Isabel shook her head, her tone becoming gentler. "There are some things you can't change, Yang. No matter how strong you are. The truth is, Yang… I knew Raven. I knew her… and you're better off without her in your life. Behind all her anger and bluster and strength… was a little girl too scared to make a different decision than what her parents wanted her to."

Yang's breath caught, her heart twisting at the mention of her mother. She scowled up at her.

"I want to hear it from her."

Isabel's next words cut deeper. "You won't get a better answer than that."

"Maybe I'll find out for myself," Yang huffed. Isabel nodded.

"If that's what you want, all right. But that's not much of a goal for getting stronger. Or just to be the best-They'll both just lead to disappointment. So what do you want to get strong for?"

Yang lay silent, her lilac eyes searching the sky, the weight of Isabel's question settling in. She thought of her friends, her family...

"To protect them," she said finally, her voice firm. "To be strong enough so they don't have to be. And... Maybe to see the world. Be free."

Isabel nodded, her smile warm but tinged with sorrow.

"Good answer." She stood, offering a hand. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Jaune will have my head if I break his girlfriend."

"I-I'm not his girlfriend!" Yang insisted, her cheeks bright red. Isabel raised an eyebrow, and Yang flushed. She then shrugged. "I mean… I wouldn't be opposed to it though. If he grew up a little."

"Neither am I," Isabel said warmly, which made Yang feel warmer and lighter.

Yang took her hand, her grin returning, though her body ached. "Deal… but I'm coming for you again, Isabel."

Isabel's laugh was soft, her eyes glinting. "I'd expect nothing less."

 

[SharkCultist]

Norman Valkyrie had been lied to.

He was told that Beacon College was a place full of crazies and weird stuff. Well it's been three days since orientation and everything is as normal as him.

Actually he was getting a little hungry, might as well see if Ren wanted to get something to eat.

Just a quick toss of a grenade at the ceiling to make a hole for him to pop his head in aaaand Ren is changing. And those are boobs. In the boys dorm.

"...so you wanna get panc- ohfucknottheface!"

She (and definitely a she, he didn't see no bulge while getting his head stomped) probably isn't in the mood to grab a bite...huh who else is there?

Pretty sure Cindy (no wait shes calling herself Cinder this week.) is busy trying to summon demons with the drama kids and miss Salem. Wonder how that's going?

---

Somewhere on the other side of campus a pale woman with way too much goth makeup is talking to a demonic bone and shadow wolf trying to get it to make her husbands life hell.

"What do you mean Grimm stopped accepting human sacrifices?!"

"Look lady we got a union now, yeah souls are tasty but they don't pay rent. You seen rent it hell? It ain't cheap. So if you want demons to fuck with ya ex it's gonna cost ya."

"Got all these damn students for nothing. Fine how much?"

"60$ a hour. And we don't work Sundays, that's the day of rest."

"Something about demons being religious is both odd and fitting. You accept PayPal?"

And so the negotiations went with a bunch of tied up and annoyed (and in the case of a few of them aroused) students watching.

---

Eh it's probably fine. Maybe Ruby isn't busy? No wait. Wednesday, she's got robotics club. Damn it why are all his friends nerds?

---

Ruby stands next to a covered table with a large lump under the covering.

"ok let's see how the project is going. Since we've redone the programming. Again. Pennybot run boot up sequence."

The lump jerks and moves before a chrome cokored hand rips through the covering and pulls it apart revealing a mechanical girl.

"Statement: Boot up successful. Inquiry: where the thicc bitches at?"

"Damn it! Why the fuck did I let Weiss train the AI on dating sims?"

---

He'd go with Jaune but he got hit by a truck and will probably be gone for a month again.

---

"Dang it! Whys it always a truck? Just once I'd like these Isekai to not be painful. Where even am I?"

"Welcome brother. The emperor protects."

"Fuck."

---

Guess he's eating alone. Maybe afterwards he can find a movie or something. Anything to kill his boredom.

There ain't shit going on at Beacon.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

RWBY and JNPR were walking through the courtyard, excitedly talking.

Weiss: "We need to maximize our training for Vytal! I won't settle for anything less than the finals!"

Yang: "Hey! I wanna win this thing too, Weiss-cream, but I think semi-finals is best we're gonna do with Pyrrha and Penny involved. They are crazy strong."

Ruby: "Yeah! I've been running the numbers and geez!"

Jaune: "Well now, don't count yourselves out just yet, ladies. After all, Pyrrha might not be up to it."

Pyrrha: gasp "Jaune!"

Jaune: grins and winks "Why, she might catch cold day of and only make it to the semis."

Pyrrha: pouts as the other girls giggle "That's not very funny, Jaune!" She's blushing brightly

Yang: "Still, least Stud can tease. You wanna try that with me, Cowboy~?"

Weiss: "YANG!"

Jaune: "Now that's a game I don't plan on getting in. Nobody wins."

Yang: "Or we both could~."

Weiss: "YANG!" She groans as there is a musical note in the background... And she then trips. "AH!"

She slams facefirst into the pavement. Yang is the first to pull her up.

A lower key variation of one of Weiss's songs is played nearby on a trumpet. Weiss frowns as she turns. A dark young man in Atlasian dress plays, and smirks at her over his trumpet. He lowers it.

Flynt Coal: "Sorry bout that. But it was worth it to see Miss High and Mighty faceplant."

Ruby: "HEY! You can't use weapons on other students outside of Combat Class!"

Flynt: "Who? Me? That was an accident."

Ren: "It was not."

Flynt: "Well, call it a small bit of payback for what her family did to mine. Flynt Coal."

Blake: "... Of Coal Dust Distribution?"

Flynt: "My father. Her father put mine out of business."

Ruby: "SO!? That was her father, not her!"

Flynt: "A Schnee's a Schnee."

Yang: growls "That's no excuse! I'm going to break your smug face-!"

Pyrrha holds Yang back. Yang growls. She looks around for support. She sees Jaune stepping forward, eyes narrowed.

Jaune: tightly "Mister Coal. I believe you owe this lady an apology."

Flynt: scoffing laugh "What? Like hell I do!"

Jaune: "Where I come from, Mister Coal, a man hits a woman he doesn't get to keep his teeth. However, I am trying to adhere to the rules of this institution. So once again, you owe her an apology."

Flynt: "Ah. Heard about you. Arc, wasn't it? I heard you've killed men."

Jaune: "That's right. I have."

Flynt: "You think you're tough, do you?"

Jaune: "Tough enough for you."

Ruby: "H-Hey! Let's chill out! Hang on... How about this? If Jaune beats you in a contest that doesn't involve violence, will you apologize to Weiss?"

Flynt: "Hmph... All right, pipsqueak. But I pick the contest. Music." smirks

Jaune: "Fine. We'll need a neutral judge."

Flynt: "Suits me fine!"

Jaune got his guitar. Flynt prepared his trumpet. Ruby brought in Glynda Goodwitch.

Glynda: "Well... I would be happy to judge this."

Flynt: "Sounds good, Professor."

Jaune: "Yes ma'am."

Glynda: "Begin!"

Flynt plays a sweet jazz piece that even Weiss could admit was very nice. It attracts a crowd that enjoy it. Flynt finishes with a flourish, and gets some applause. He smirked at Jaune.

Flynt: "Go ahead, redneck."

Glynda: "Mister Coal! Kindly keep yourself in check."

Flynt: "Yes ma'am."

Jaune then plays a song, and begins to sing.

Jaune:
I am a man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to ol' Hentucky
The place where I was born and raised~!"

He pours a great deal of passion and even pathos. And soon attracts a crowd that begins to clap and dance along. Jaune finishes with his own flourish, and is greeted by cheers.

Glynda: "Well... If it comes to technique, then Mister Coal has won. When it comes to passion, I believe it would be down to Mister Arc. I believe you two should resolve this yourselves."

Flynt: "..." sighs "Not bad, cowboy." He smiles in respect to Jaune

Jaune: Modest as ever. "Me? Nah. Just an amateur. You have a lot of talent."

Flynt: "..." Looks over at Weiss "Look, I'm sorry. That wasn't cool."

Weiss: glares "..." Ruby elbows her "... Thank you."

Flynt: "I thought he was singing just to simp for you... But the music carries the true heart of the musician. So... Thank you. Maybe we could jam together. You as well, Schnee-"

Jaune: clears his throat. Nora and Yang both punch their palms.

Flynt: "... Miss Schnee."

Weiss: "... It would be nice. It's been a while since I got to make any music."

Flynt: "I will admit, I have never listened to any of your songs... Out of spite. Maybe I should change that."

Weiss: "I... I would appreciate that. Though I will admit, the words were... Not mine. Or not as much mine as I would wish."

Flynt: "Well hell, we could come up with something, right Cowboy?"

Jaune: "I wouldn't mind it, Mister Coal."

Flynt: "Heh! Call me Flynt!"

Jaune: smiles "Thank you, Flynt. Call me Jaune. Please ladies, friends? If you'll excuse me?"

Jaune and Flynt headed off with Weiss. Yang, Pyrrha, and Ruby scowled after them.

Pyrrha: "I've sung with him... Why didn't they invite me...?"

Yang: "I can sing too ya know!"

Ruby: "I can make noise!"

Nora: "Come on guys! What's suggestive about Jaune-Jaune, Weissy, and Flynty going off to make beautiful music together?"

Ren sighs. Blake is already writing a new fanfic.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang was pretty quiet the whole trip up to northern Sanus. It wasn't like she had much more to say, after all.

She watched the world go by through the window of the armored train car, then the Bullhead. Radian looked pretty gorgeous, in a corny, fairy tale sort of way. A big white castle, a mountain with a waterfall, fields of green grass and forests around a cozy town enclosed by walls with banners-It could fit into any Wizney production easily.

Taiyang led them to the local hotel to prepare. Her father hadn't said much since he'd dropped this bombshell on them. He hadn't smiled a lot, either. Another failure from her father, what a surprise. At least he was quiet about it.

Ruby for her part wouldn't shut up. Not even when she was pulling on her beizi and other ceremonial vestments. She didn't wear them often, but she had to admit, looking at herself in the mirror in her golden and yellow dress, she did look beautiful in them.

Ruby: "You can't just get married! You can't!"

Yang: sighs "What do you want me to do, Ruby? Dad and Uncle Qrow said they had a debt to pay, and since we don't have the money, this is what we can offer."

Ruby: "You shouldn't give up your whole life for me! It's not fair!" She began to cry "Not anymore!"

Yang: "Ruby..."

Yang hugged her little sister tightly. She stroked her hair. She held back her own tears... Because she had to be the strong one.

Yang: "Ruby... You can't fulfill this. You're too young. Besides, it's just a marriage meeting-"

Ruby: "Wh-What if he's an old creep?! A weirdo?!"

Yang: grimly "Then I'll do what I have to do. Hopefully if he's some old creep, he'll just let me finish school before we have to marry."

Ruby: "What kind of stupid debt are you supposed to sell yourself for, anyway?!"

Taiyang entered. He cleared his throat. Ruby glared death at him, while Yang looked resigned. Taiyang was smiling.

Taiyang: "Hey... He's here."

Yang: "... What's he like?"

Taiyang: "He's your age, actually. Goes to Beacon too. We know his parents."

Ruby: "Wait, we do?! Then why are they calling in this debt like this?! What friends do this?!"

Taiyang: sighs "Well... It's not just his family pushing it. Granny Xiao-Long and his granny are very old fashioned. See, his parents saved us, and we saved them... And uh... We had to ask for a few loans to build the house, and they were actually good with money..."

Yang: exasperated "Daaaad..."

Taiyang: "Relax! It's just an engagement for now. You two meet, if you hit it off, no harm, no foul. You get married when you finish school. If not? Well... We'll figure out a way to pay off the debt in a face saving manner."

Ruby: "What, like you killing yourself for a debt of honor?"

Taiyang: "Maybe."

Ruby: eyes wide "I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" She hugs Taiyang "I'M SORRY DAD!"

Yang: "He goes to Beacon? Who is he?"

Taiyang: smiles "It's tradition to keep that quiet until you meet. Come on Ruby, you gotta get into traditional dress too."

Ruby: "Hmph... Fine... But if he's a jerk, I'm gonna kick his butt!"

Taiyang: "Trust me, you'll have to get in line."

Ruby dressed in her own red and black Beizi, Moxiong, and Songku. Taiyang did up Yang's hair in an elegant brain with a hairclip, and did Ruby's with a similar hairclip. He stood back and smiled warmly.

Taiyang: "Your mothers would be very proud."

Ruby: "Aw, Dad..."

Yang: sighs "Let's just get this over with, huh?"

The party headed out down the hallway. Yang mentally considered who she knew from Beacon who could be the prospective groom. Couldn't be anyone from Team CRDL... She hoped. One of the other boys? Hm...

They finally entered into a private conference room. While the Xiao-Longs/Roses had opted for traditional Mistralian dress, the groom's party was in traditional Valean dress. A beautiful older blonde woman with blue eyes and a figure to die for was in a classy green gown with a simple golden circlet. A seven foot tall blondman with a beard, gray eyes, and a scar over his right cheek stood by her in light white and black armor, a blue cape hanging from his shoulders and a silver circlet around his head. A stately looking older woman in blue dress and a golden crown stood with the other woman, her hair white, her eyes with wrinkles, yet she still stood like a warrior queen with her sword and red and white furred cape. A tall, older, tanned man with white hair stood by her, in red vestments, light black and white armor, and twin swords on his belt. His eyes were a warm brown, and he smiled at them.

The old woman nodded to them, and Taiyang, Ruby and Yang bowed respectfully.

Taiyang: "Thank you for your welcome, Your Majesty, Queen Arturia, Consort Shirou, Lord and Lady Nick and Isabel of Radian."

Ruby: eyes widen

Yang: Wait, Queen Arturia?! The former Empress of the Vytalian Empire?! And Shirou, Master of Unlimited Blade Works?!

She'd heard of them, since Ruby was a fan of top ten fighters. Two of the most fearsome warriors in Valean history! Nick and Isabel also seemed familiar but she couldn't explain why.

Arturia: smiles "Well met, Taiyang Xiao-long of Patch. Word of you and your great deeds has reached me. Your grandmother is a mighty warrior, and despite our rivalry, she has my undying respect."

Yang: Granny Xiao-Long fought alongside the Lion Saber Queen?! Holy shit! Who IS this guy?!

Taiyang: "Thank you. Your own deeds, and those of your family, are also legendary. It helps I was there for some of them."

Tall Guy in Armor: "Heh! It's great to see you again, Tai!"

Taiyang: "You as well Nick, Izzy."

The woman sighed.

Isabel: "Isabel, please. And you are Yang and Ruby. It's nice to see you again. You played with my son long ago, I don't expect you to remember it."

Ruby: "Wait, we did?!"

Nick: "Before Summer... I'm sorry."

Taiyang: "It's all right."

Yang: "Wait, we know him?! Where is he?!"

Shirou: "We wanted it to be a surprise." He calls out "Come in!"

A side door opened. In stepped a familiar tall blonde boy in properly fitted white and black armor, a long blue cape, with an equally familiar sword and shield at his side.

Jaune: "Yes Papa, I'm here. It's good to meet yo-Yang?! Ruby?!"

Yang: "Vomit Boy?!"

Ruby: "Jaune?!"

Qrow, who had been skulking outside, stuck his head in through the open main door and grinned.

Qrow: "Yup. Totally worth it for the looks on their faces."