[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

Julian: "Man... You know the worst part of all of this?"

Nicholas: "And that is?"

Julian: "... All my aunties are so cute right now!" He held his head between his hands "THEY'RE SO, SOOO CUTE! THEY TOOK CARE OF ME WHEN I WAS A KID AND NOW THEY'RE HAWWWWT!"

August: "Oh man, THANK YOU! I thought I was the only one!"

Nicholas: "You're both creeps!"

Xander: "Honestly, you're weirdos! Your moms must be perverts! Not like my mother at all!"

Pyrrha sneezes.

Nicholas: "Theodore, you agree right?"

Theodore: "Yeah, they're all super hot. Auntie Ruby hasn't hit her growth spurt yet but she's still super cute."

Facefaults abound.

Xander: "Still waters run deep..."

Theodore: "Though personally, I prefer older women."

Leander: "Same, brother from another mother."

Leandra: "Absolutely! Though I can go with younger or older men or women!"

Nicholas: bright red "You're absolutely perverted!"

Theodore: "Oh look, is Auntie Yang bending over?"

Xander and Nicholas are silent... Then blush.

Julian: "Seriously, ew!"

Theodore: "And Professor Goodwitch is a bit sweaty."

Julian: "..." Bright red

In fact, most of the other children of Jaune Arc are also red in the face.

Xander: "Y-You're a complete pervert! Dad would put you over his knee for that!"

Theodore: "Please. Our father has, between all of his potential wives, had over a hundred children in these various timelines! It's healthy to have a libido and to recognize it! That's how an Arc should be, no matter his or her father!"

Xander: "... Do you have to be so smug?"

Theodore: "Yes. Yes I do."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

As for the Arc Sisters and their references:



-Saphron Cotta-Arc: Eldest, happily married to Terra Cotta, lives in Argus. She is an editor at a publishing house while Terra is a technician for the Argus CCT System. Her canon self. About nine years older than Jaune. Son named Adrian.



-Aqua Arc: A trained field medic with unlocked Aura, travels around with a party of Adventurers who go out and find ancient relics, people, or deal with Grimm. Has a Water Control Semblance, often called the "Goddess of Healing Water". She is based upon Aqua from Konosuba. She dyes her hair blue from blonde.



-Lilac Arc: Engaged to marry a local mechanic and racer, manages the farm's finances and operations. Based upon Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess!



-Orchid Arc: Works as a bookkeeper at the Arc-En-Ciel Hospital in Radian, is very scientifically inclined and stoic. Extremely deadpan. Based upon Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.



-Verdy and Coral Arc: Twin sisters, both in college for their doctorates, and they love to mess around. Based upon Kururi & Mairu Orihara From Durarara!! with a touch of the Weasley Twins from Harry Potter in how much they love pranks.



-Tangerine "Tangy" Arc: Is apparently a very aggressive saleswoman who travels a lot, most recently in Atlas selling refrigerators. Whether this is entirely true or not is a matter of speculation. Also goes by "Tanya" due to how much she despises her given name. Based upon Tanya von Degurechaff from Saga of Tanya the Evil.



-Jaune Arc: Youngest of the family, only son.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted From Spacebattles

Glimpses Into Another Time: Incompleto Sin Tí

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

Belladonna Household, Kuo Kuana, Menagerie. 2 Year After The Defeat of Salem.

Blake Belladonna was trained to be as level-headed as she could be in any given situation. It was an essential part of her training during her days in the White Fang. But she also had a habit of making impulsive decisions.

Take, for instance, when she proposed to her soon-to-be husband Jaune Arc. She knew he was in love with her, so the idea of marriage seemed like it was on the horizon. She also knew that he was a hopeless romantic, so he was going to make some big romantic gesture with plenty of intricate planning. So she decided to speed up the process. Besides, Jaune had already done so many big romantic gestures during their journey to save the world. In Blake's eyes, it was her turn.

Her timing, unfortunately, couldn't have been worse.

It was just before they entered the Arc Family Home in Radian. She had popped the question and hoped that Jaune would be so awestruck that he would immediately say 'Yes'...

However, she underestimated the Arc Sisters ability to hear despite not being Faunus and began teasing the two of them the rest of the day. Jaune did end up saying yes, only after recovering from the harsh teasing he got from his sisters.

That was a year ago and Blake would say that she's grown a bit since then. But she's still Blake Belladonna. The quiet, brooding member of Team RWBY. She was still prone to going into deep thoughts about her past mistakes. Sitting in the living room of her family home in Menagerie brought up memories of when her and Jaune had come to investigate the White Fang's involvement at the Fall of Beacon. Memories of how Adam returned as a cyborg after Jaune had pushed him into an oncoming train. Memories of...

"JAUNE!!" Blake screamed. They had found him locked in the prison within the White Fang's stronghold. Adam... Adam had tortured Jaune. Simply for the "crime" of being in love with her. The right side of his face had a cut near his mouth. It was nasty. And when it healed, his right side of his smile was jagged. Right over his heart was a brand of the White Fang's insignia. There were lashes on his back and arms. His Aura couldn't heal all of them.

"Hey, Pretty Lady... I knew... You'd come." Jaune said before slipping into unconsciousness. How could he be acting so casually!

Adam had shifted all of his haterd for humanity towards Jaune. His deluded mind had saw him as some sort of rival for Blake's heart. And it had all come to an end at Argus.

Blake thought she could take him on alone. Until Adam had broken her Aura had slashed at her chest, leaving an X shaped scar. When he arrived, Jaune had released an overloaded Aura Slash the second Adam had slashed with Moonslice, causing an explosion. With their Auras completely shattered and bodies weakened from battle fatigue, they stared each other down. Breathing heavily, waiting for the other to make a move.

"Is this human really worth it, Blake!? Is *HE* worth throwing away everything the White Fang built!?" Adam tried one last attempt to get through to her.

"You'll never understand, Adam." Blake wished she had more to say. But in truth, there was no words left between them. Not anymore.

Adam snarled. "If you're willing to lower yourself to this monkey's lev--"

"Save the high and mighty crap for when you're dead." Jaune said calmly, his intentions clear as he readied his stance. Adam's eye narrowed and did the same. A silence built between the two swordsman once again.

"I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD FROM YOUR SHOULDERS!!" Adam roared as he charged towards Jaune. But it was in vain. His blade was parried and in a single thrust, Jaune killed him.

Blake took a sip of her tea and sighed. She shouldn't be reminiscing about the past. Right now, she had something else to be worried about. In 2 days, she and Jaune are going to get married and she started feeling extremely sick. At first, she thought it was bad fish, but...

Let's just say her impulsive decisions aren't just limited to the battlefield.

Her ears perked up. A familiar set of footsteps was approaching the front door.

"Blake! I'm back!" Jaune said as he entered. Blake began to pour herself another cup of tea and downed it just as fast. She was more nervous than she thought, huh.

"How was it today?" She asked. Ever since Jaune moved to Menagerie with her, he was helping her parents' mission to get Menagerie recognized as Remnant's Fifth Kingdom. They started by exterminating all of the heavily Grimm infested areas.

"I am happy to report that the entire Northern region is 100% Grimm free!" Jaune said, approaching her with a victorious grin. He was really such a dork. But his look contradicted his attitude. His armor was covered in grime from the many, many Grimm he killed. Her past self would've said something like 'He looked just like the Rusted Knight' if not for the fact that he literally *IS* the Rusted Knight.

His new sword, Knightshade, hang from his belt. The fight with Adam had left his family sword, Crocea Mors, broken. So he took Adam's Wilt and created a new weapon from both swords: a katana with a bronze blade. However, Blake had re-train him. Jaune's old fighting style was incompatible with Knightshade.

"With that out of the way, we should be able to focus on the Western region," Jaune began to unhook Knightshade from his hip and pour himself a cup of tea. "My parents called. They said they should be coming here in about 5 hours. Have you heard anything from Ruby and the others?"

Blake mentally prepared herself. She was going to start with how Ruby and the others were going to come tomorrow. Then she was going to build up to the important news. Her mouth, however, had other ideas.

"Jaune, I'm pregnant."

Thunk

Jaune dropped his sword and his jaw.

"Are... Are you sure?"

"Yes. I want to double check when your mom shows up but I think I am." Blake says. Jaune then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a great big hug.

"I'M GONNA BE A DAD!!" Jaune hollered. He began to twirl Blake around.

"J-Jaune! I get that you're happy, but please put me down," Blake pleaded. "My parents can probably hear you!"

"Sorry. I'm just-- I can't believe this is happening!" Jaune began to let her down. He had a big smile on his face. "Should... Should we think of names? Maybe I can start saving up some Lien for--"

"I think I want to get married first, Jaune," Blake said dryly. A small smile began to form on her face as well. "We have plenty of time to think about names."

"You're being very calm about this." But what Jaune didn't know was deep down, Blake was scared. How could she not be scared. She was going to be a mother! And their wedding was in 2 days! She's more surprised Jaune isn't freaking out too!

"Truthfully, I'm just trying to stay as calm as possible," Blake admits. "Aren't you scared, Jaune?"

Jaune sits down on the couch and thinks. He was always good at giving Blake an honest answer. She said she always loved his honesty.

"Well... Yeah, I am. But... I think it's pretty natural. I mean, I'm gonna be a Dad. We're gonna have a family. Why wouldn't I be scared," Jaune started. "But I'm not alone. I have you Blake. You complete me." Blake sat beside him as he continued. "Let's try to take this one step at a time."

They kissed. This one felt different than all the other times they kissed. There was different emotions behind it. Reassurance. Hope. Love. So much love.

"I love you, Jaune." Blake says, breaking the kiss. She pressed her forehead against his. 'This might go a lot better than I thought' Blake thinks to herself.

"You do know you can't eat tuna when you're pregnant, right?"

"What?" Blake said blankly

"Yeah, Saph told me that too much fish might be bad for the baby."
...
...
...

This is going to be a lot harder than she thought.

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

The title translates to "Incomplete Without You". I figured, since this timeline's Jaune is Blake's voice of reason, it would fit perfectly.

 

[The Sleepless One]

Porting this over from SB. This is compatible with the Glynda timeline.

---

Keeping His Word

Glynda Goodwitch knew that Jaune Arc was dead. She knew it as soon as she saw the profound sadness on Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie's faces when they greeted her at Atlas Academy's landing pads. The feeling was only confirmed when she saw the despair in Ruby Rose's eyes when the normally energetic young woman took her aside to tell her what happened. It was a cold feeling that crept up from her stomach to ensnare her heart in icy thorns. She wasn't sure what it was just yet. Not quite grief, or sadness, or fury. But something that had elements of all three.

"I'm not sure how much anyone told you," Ruby began, her eyes averted. "But, w-we were... we were-"

The young woman's face crumpled and the tears she'd been holding back finally spilled free. "I-I'm so sorry Professor! I pr-promised I'd keep him safe and I failed you! I'm s-so-" Her sobs were muffled by Glynda's embrace.

The Professor had never been the maternal type but even she couldn't help but comfort the crying young woman. "Shhhh, Ms. Rose. It's not your fault. I should never have made you promise that. I knew exactly the kind of self-sacrificing fool that Jaune was. It's not your fault."

The girl cried for a while longer, and Glynda briefly felt resentment that she wasn't free to cry in the same way. It seemed that there were a lot of things that Glynda resented. The fact that she had been left with the mess of rebuilding Beacon after it had been reclaimed from the Grimm. The fact that Leo Lionheart turned out to be a traitor and James Ironwood had died and Theodore was still holed up in Shade and Qrow was useless, leaving her in charge of their little conspiracy by default. The fact that Oz, a man she had trusted implicitly for the majority of her life, had been lying to them about Salem and was now in the body of a child who could barely use his knowledge or powers. The fact that she had been forced to hide her relationship with the man she loved because of her station.

The fact that the love of her life was gone and she couldn't allow herself to break down into tears like she so desperately wanted to.

Ruby's sobbing subsided a few minutes later and Glynda offered her a handkerchief while using her Semblance to clean the front of her shirt. Jaune had always found it amazing that she had fine enough control over her Telekinesis to use it for cleaning clothes.

"T-thank you, Professor," Team RWBY's leader hiccuped, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry. I should have done more."

"I know you, Ruby Rose," Glynda intoned. "And you're likely taking on more blame than you deserve."

"It doesn't feel like it," the little reaper replied gloomily.

"In that case, tell me what happened," the older Huntress ordered. "And I will decide."

The tale that Ruby spun was harrowing, a desperate battle to save the Kingdom from the forces of Salem. How James had led the airfleet in a desperate defense against the invading Grimm in order to buy time for Mantle to be evacuated to Atlas. How Penny Polendina had suddenly become the new Winter Maiden, allowing them access to the Staff of Creation. How they used the Staff to create a portal network to ferry the citizens of Mantle directly to Atlas only to be ambushed by Cinder Fall and her followers. How the ensuing battle had pushed their teams to their limits, until it had just been the two Maidens standing, both on their last legs. How the Fall Maiden gained the upper hand and all had seemed lost.

How Jaune, her Jaune, broken and bleeding, had impaled Cinder with the shattered remains of Crocea Mors and taken her with him as he tumbled into the void.

As Ruby finished the story, Glynda found that she was right. Ruby couldn't possibly be responsible for the foolhardy decisions Jaune made, and she told the girl as much.

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "He saved our lives! That wasn't foolhardy at all!"

"Yes, he did," Glynda readily agreed. "That stupid, brave, fool of a man saved all of you because he would give his life in an instant for the people he loved."

Her mind flashed back to that day three years ago when he'd saved her life. When Jaune jumped in front of a blade for her. How, even missing an eye, he'd smiled up at her as she'd clutched him to her chest.

"Worth it," he'd whispered through a mouth full of blood.

She left the memory behind and refocused on the young Huntress before her. "Know this, Ruby Rose. Jaune did what he thought was right and there's nothing you could have done to stop him. Mourn him but do not dishonor his sacrifice by blaming yourself." Glynda's eyes stung with tears she'd never let fall but her voice held steady.

Ruby looked as though she'd break down once more but she rallied herself with admirable control and nodded to the Headmistress. "I-I will! I swear I will."

Glynda gave her a thin, brittle smile. "Good." She turned on her heel, ready to get back to work. The relief forces she'd brought weren't going to lead themselves and she'd be damned before she let General Schnee take command.

"Professor," the young Huntress called out. "I think you might need to-"

"Mourn? Believe me, Miss Rose, I am."

She left, ignoring the way her heart wanted to tear itself in two. Another memory arose, unbidden, of Jaune the night he'd left for Mistral. Of his scarred face and shining blue eye and crooked grin. Of the promise he'd made, to come back to her.

She smiled bitterly and murmured under her breath. "So much for an Arc always keeping his word."

---

Glynda Goodwitch was about to die.

She could feel the certainty in her bones, just as she could feel the fire of the venom racing through her veins. One hand pressed against the puncture wound in her side, the burning purple liquid oozing from it staining her blouse. The other hung over the shoulders of Ruby Rose as they fled through the cave complex where the Summer Maiden had been hiding.

"Professor, hold on!" The red-cloaked hubtress pleaded as she helped the older woman hobble along. "We're almost there! Just a bit further."

Glynda laughed, letting the hollow sound ring through the cavern. "I.. appreciate... the attempt... Miss Rose," she gasped, before taking a deep breath. "But we both know you're lying. Leave me. I've been poisoned. I'll only slow you down. Get the Maiden out of here."

"No! I won't leave you!" Ruby cried, her face, illuminated by the light from the holes in the cave's ceiling, twisted in anguish. "I won't let anyone else die for me!"

"Miss Rose... Ruby... please."

The girl... no, the young woman, her silver eyes shining with tears, continued to pull Glynda along, steadfastly refusing to leave her behind. "I made a promise! I won't let you die here!" They were almost at the cave entrance; she could hear the whine of the airship's flight systems powering up.

"Oh Ruby," Glynda murmured, raising her hand to caress the younger Huntress's cheek. The poison must have been getting to her, she'd never been the kind to show affection like that.

"Very inspiring, Ruby Rose!" A sibilant voice hissed from behind them and Glynda's heart sank. "Unfortunately, my Goddess would be incredibly displeased with me if I let the two of you go."

"Callows..." The Professor hissed. She didn't need to see the assassin to recognize that voice. "Ruby, you must leave."

"Ah ah ah," the scorpion Faunus chided, his voice moving closer. "I just said 'the two of you.' I'm afraid that-"

Glynda did not care.

"I'm sorry, Ruby," she whispered, and engaged her Semblance once more, powering through the burn of the venom. She grasped the young woman with her mind and, with a mighty exertion, threw her clear of the cave.

Without Ruby's support, Glynda fell to the stone floor with a heavy thump. She could have caught herself, but there was something more important she was using her Semblance for. Tendrils of psychic force wormed through the stone over the mouth of the cave and, with a flicker of thought, the Professor brought it all down.

Ruby's cry of despair upon realizing what Glynda had done tore at her heart.

The collapse of the cave mouth almost deafened her and the resulting dust cloud obscured everything and provoked a coughing fit. Her mouth tasted of iron. She was barely able to see the sunlight pouring through the cavern's skylights. Her vision was starting to dim.

And then something slammed into the puncture wound in her side, finally shattering her Aura and drawing a scream from her throat. Suddenly, she was able to see just fine, the pain and adrenaline driving all the fog away. Callows kicked her again and she just barely avoided vomiting from the agony. Curled up on the ground, she was too weak to defend herself from his attacks.

"Very noble, Professor." Tyrian drawled. "Sacrificing yourself for the greater good. But I'll just chase Rose down once you're dead. Really, I should just go after her right now. You don't have much time left."

Glynda took a ragged breath. And then another one. "You won't," she rasped. She had to keep him distracted, keep him focused here. Every second he wasted was another second Team RWBY and the Maiden could use to get away.

The psychopath tilted his head, curiosity flashing across his face. "I won't what? Find the little bitch and pluck out her eyes?"

A hot flash of fury spiked through her skull, providing some clarity. "You won't leave me to die just like that. You want to see me suffer."

Tyrian smiled. "True. Alas, the commandments of my Goddess take precedence." He raised one of his blade gauntlets. "Apologies, Professor. I don't have time for pleasure today."

Glynda refused to close her eyes, staring her death in its cruel, cruel face. So this was how it ended. Her eyes began to well up but she refused to let the tears fall. She hadn't cried at Jaune's death and she'd be damned if she cried at her own. Instead she smiled, and Tyrian paused.

"Not the most common expression I see on my victim's faces," he said, perplexed. "Got something to be happy about, Professor? Was life really that miserable?"

"You wouldn't understand," Glynda replied.

The assassin tilted his head, pondering the response, before realization illuminated his features. "Ahhh, I see. You have someone on the other side you're eager to see again. Someone you love. I understand."

She scoffed, the sound thin and scratchy. "You're already going to kill me. You don't need to lie to my face."

Tyrian grinned, wide and manic, and clasped his hands over his chest. "Oh, but I do understand! That person who you love, who occupies every corner of your heart, who you would die for, who you would kill for. I know exactly what that's like, Glynda Goodwitch. And, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you two are reunited." He raised his blade once more.

That was when the space behind Tyrian twisted and severed, forming a churning maelstrom of light. The psychopath whirled on his heel, guard raised and tail poised to confront this new threat. The strange and ethereal light collapsed inward into a flat oval, taking on a golden hue in the process. It looked like... a portal.

And out of this glowing portal stepped salvation. The figure was tall and broad-shouldered; a knight clad in rusty metal plate, broken blade and shield in hand. A single vibrant blue eye peered out of the darkened visor, alighting upon her.

Clearly, the venom had hallucinogenic properties because Glynda couldn't come up with a single better explanation for why she was looking at the godsdamned Rusted Knight of all things.

Tyrian seemed to be just as confused. "... I truly do not know how to respond to this."

"Don't worry about it," the armored figure replied, his deep voice echoing out from his helm. "You're not long for this world anyways."

"Oooh, confi-" That was as far as the assassin got before the Knight was upon him.

The ensuing battle was a testament to the skill of its combatants. Back and forth they fought across the cavern, tearing gouges into the floor and walls the just the wake of their attacks. The Rusted Knight kept up with Tyrian and seemed to even exceed him at times. Tyrian was fast, but the Knight was resilient, and more than willing to take a hit or two if it allowed him to land a devastating blow in return. The scorpion Faunus tried multiple times reach out and use his Semblance, but every time the attempt was thwarted by the Knight's careful deflections.

Despite her wounds and the poison, Glynda couldn't help but be absolutely entranced. She knew that Callows was a deadly fighter, one of the best in the world from how Qrow described him, but this Knight clearly matched, if not outmatched, the assassin. Something about his fighting style was oh so familiar. It held hallmarks of some basic sword styles she was familiar with, but refined and polished to near-perfection and deadliness. Like seeing an adorable puppy grow up to be a fearsome wolf.

At no point was the Knight ever on the back foot. At no point did he tire. She could see Callows growing short of breath and slowing down as the fight progressed. He may have been a deadly killer but the Rusted Knight was something else entirely. He took the measure of his opponent, found them wanting, and then, with the utmost care, destroyed them utterly.

The first thing that went was Tyrian's tail, as the Faunus overextended a strike. The Knight pinned the cybernetic limb under his shield arm, struck it twice, breaking the psychopath's aura. The third blow from the broken blade sliced through the metallic scorpion tail entirely, a shower of sparks and purple liquid spraying through the air.

Callows howled and spasmed in pain, leaving himself open for the Knight to take something else: the assassin's eyes. A slash from the broken blade across his face left a bloody ruin behind and only intensified the screaming. Screaming that cut off a moment later as the Knight buried his sword in Tyrian's throat.

It was breathtaking.

Oh, no, that was the poison.

Glynda gasped for air and the Knight was suddenly there. He, ever so gently, took her hand and warmth flowed into her body. She could feel the Knight's soul, his courage, his determination, as it wrapped around her own and bolstered it. Her Aura reformed and replenished, the puncture wound in her side closed, and the burning from the venom subsided.

But it wasn't any of those that left her speechless and stunned.

It was the love. The absolute, unending tide of love that this man, the Rusted Knight, felt for her. An incandescent light summoned from his soul for the express purpose of restoring her.

And in that moment, Glynda knew who was under that helmet. Of the one person who loved her so deeply and truly that he had, apparently, come back from the dead for her.

"Jaune." She whispered, wide green eyes staring into the single azure orb underneath that helm.

"Heya Glyn," the knight replied almost sheepishly, and Glynda could hear the familiar voice of her lover under the echo and gravel. "Sorry I'm late."

That was what he had to say!? He came back from the dead, killed a deranged assassin, saved her life and the first thing out of his mouth was 'Sorry, I'm late!?"

Well, she had known he was an idiot when she fell in love with him so she supposed it was her fault really.

Glynda flared her Semblance, telekinetically pulling herself to her feet. Her savior did the same and the Professor could see that he now towered over her. His shoulders were broader and his limbs thicker, as though he had finally finished growing.

She wasn't sure where to begin. Perhaps with the most pertinent part though.

"Take off your helmet," Glynda ordered, as the emotions within her began to churn. Fear, joy, anger, love, and disbelief went to war within her heart and the only thing she could do try to make sense of what was happening.

The Knight hesitated and icy fear began to win. "Glynda, I'm not so sure-"

"Please," she whispered, cutting him off. "I felt it when you healed me but none of this makes sense. Please Jaune, I need to see it with my own eyes."

"... Okay," he agreed, and began undoing the straps that kept the helmet secured to his head. "It's just... gonna be a bit of a shock."

"Why? What happ-" Glynda trailed off as the Knight's face was revealed.

It was another impossibility heaped on top of the pile. It was definitely Jaune, she was intimately familiar with his face, but changed. His long hair, tied in a warrior's wolf tail, was streaked with white, as was the full beard he now sported on his face. Age lines creased the skin around his mouth and visible eye and new scars crossed his face. A plain red cloth was tied over his missing eye but the other one, despite the weight she could clearly see behind it, shone as vibrantly as it had the day they had parted.

"How? Wha-what happened?" Glynda whispered, her initial shock fading.

Jaune swallowed, his gaze filling with pain and suddenly far away. "I fell. Out of this world and into another one. A place beyond time. I don't know how long I was there. I just knew, one day, that I mistook my own reflection for my father's." Tears began to flow from his remaining eye. "The world I found myself in was... insane. The normal rules of reality just didn't apply there. More than once I thought I was losing my mind. But then I remembered." His gaze refocused on her. "I made a promise. One I almost failed to keep too many times. And that kept me going, every time I though I was lost."

He reached out and took her hand. "I promised I'd come back to you." He smiled a soft smile and whispered, "I did it, Glyn. I made it." The tears flowed steadily and Glynda found that she was crying too.

"I'm sorry it took so long-" He began and Glynda immediately cut him off with a growl.

"Don't you dare apologize!" She clutched his gauntleted hand tightly. "You made it back. That's all that matters."

"But-" this time, she silenced him with a kiss, soft and sweet. He tasted like iron and salt.

"You came back to me, Jaune Arc," she whispered when their lips parted, leaning her forehead against his. "You kept your word."

 

[Sir_Gaea]

Xander was rereading one of the older issues (to him) of X-ray and Vav when a straight thought occurred to him. The change in his breathing attracted the attention of his siblings and when they looked to him he gave voice to his thought., "'Great Great Grandmother Artoria is alive."

Looking at his siblings he knew Petra realized what he was thinking when she smiled and brought up another point, "There are 13 among us who are combat trained."

The children quickly huddled around the largest table and started passing around papers and maps that Theodore supplied>
**************************************
Winter made her way to the Library where the rest of her fellow rivals? Applicants? Sisters? She really needed to reduce the amount of Mistrali literature she consumed if that was one of her desired outcomes were and made her way over to where her hus...Jaune was standing. Turning to follow his gaze she saw Amethyst first pointing at August then Dorothy before pointing at multiple locations on a map. With a clearing of her throat she gained everyone's attention. "I was instructed to inform you that we have been authorized to detach one of the airships and make our way to Radian. Why we are going there when all of our parents are here, no one has explained to me yet," she looked at her boy...Jaune when her son(!) provided the answer.

"Mother, as you are aware Artoria Arc is still alive in the village of Radian. Given that she died at least a decade ago if not longer in myself and my siblings perspective, we are endeavoring to test our skills against hers."

Softly glaring at her son Winter chastised him, "The defeat of a woman over 110 years old is not any measure of skill, let alone for the person who faces her last."

'You misunderstand me Mother. With the 13 of us fighting her at once, this is the best chance we have of defeating her."
**************************************

May looked at the results of the one-sided spar spread out in front of her. Her maybe Great Grandmother a regal dragon feeling immeasurably proud at a better future was stretching her back after hurling her wooden practice sword over half a mile into the stand of trees Dorothy had deposited her son as part of the plan for the spar. The only reason she hadn't started sprinting over to try to help her son (aside from the fact that her first aid skills were limited at best) was because her possible mother-in-law was already on her way barely after the sword was thrown.


Looking back at the children she saw the resignation in Nicholas as he waited for someone to pull him out of the rock outcropping he had been backhanded into with enough force to leave him stuck up to his waist. Theodore was one of the first knocked out, being manipulated into being a shield from her son's covering fire. Julain was weakly beating the ground, despairing at the foolishness of thinking that Grannie Artoria could ever be defeated. Movement from one side saw Xander attempting to sit up before giving up on it. He called out to his siblings, "Does anyone think we would have done better if Thor and Mulan were with us?"


Xia, who was residing in a crater gave it some thought, "I want to think they would, but Thor's aggressive landscaping would only give Grannie more things to hit us with." Dull groans emanated from the children still conscience.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Glimpses Into Another Time: New Life



- - -



Arc-En-Ciel Hospital, Radian, Vale. Five Years After the Defeat of Salem



Cinder Arc slowly opened her eyes. Her Aura, so weak before, was thrumming through her tired body. Muscles were repaired and ligaments restored. Yet despite the power flowing through her, she was filled with a weariness and exhaustion that her long sleep hadn't cured.



She stirred and looked around the hospital room. It was one of many in the Arc-En-Ciel castle hospital: Warm wooden panels covering up cool granite walls, the high tech monitoring systems and holoviewers alongside old fashioned tapestries from the castle's long history.



None of that really mattered to her as much as the two tiny forms in the incubator nearby, or the sleeping blond man in the chair next to them.



"Good morning."



Cinder started and looked at the doorway. Nick Arc, her father-in-law, smiled broadly at her. He had doffed his usual armor in favor of a white shirt, a blue flannel button up shirt over it, and tan jeans with his work boots. He walked in silently, quite a feat for the seven foot tall man, as he set a pile of gifts and cards on a nearby table.



"Morning," she murmured. Her gaze turned back to the incubator unit. "Are they-?"



"Well, let's see," Nick rumbled softly. "Can you stand up?"



Cinder tried, but she grimaced as her muscles protested. Nick chuckled, and offered a strong arm built like the trunk of a mighty oak. She accepted it, and he helped her out onto the floor with his arm around her waist. Slowly, he guided her up to Jaune. He was snoring softly, his cheeks covered in fuzz, a blue duster wrapped around him like a blanket. She glanced at Nick, who smiled.



"He hasn't left since you passed out. About twelve hours ago," he said softly.



She reached out and brushed her fingertips over Jaune's face. He smiled softly in his sleep, and she felt weak in her knees for different reasons.



"Are they okay?" She asked again, her eyes turning to the incubator. She pressed a hand against the glass and stared intently through it. Twin babies, a boy and a girl: So small they were nearly lost in the mass of monitoring and life support equipment attached to them. Both had scrunched up faces, resembling prunes. One twitched and fussed, while the other lay very still. Her heart pounded as she stared intently at the still one.



"The Aura treatment worked," Nick said gently, a fond smile on his face as he looked down at his grandchildren, "It looks scary, I know, but they're going to be fine. Izzy's just very thorough when it comes to her grandkids."



Cinder sniffled.



"They shouldn't have been premature," she whispered, "I-I didn't... What did I...?"



"Nothing. This isn't your fault, Cinder," Nick murmured, squeezing her waist. Cinder bowed her head.



"You don't know that... All the... All the horrible things I've done to myself," she whispered, "All the surgery and magic and..."



Tears began to pour from her eyes.



When she'd learned she was pregnant, she had been elated and terrified in equal measure. Jaune had the same reaction, whooping for joy just before he fainted. Ever since she'd fallen in love with this idiot, there had been a part of her that had hoped... Had prayed... That she could give him children.



Yet another part had been just as frightened that she'd lose them. It would be a fitting punishment for a woman who had taken so much life, to be denied the ability to bring it into the world.



She sobbed quietly when the active one slowed and went still, only the breathing tubes telling her the baby was still alive.



Nick was silent as she cried, just holding her. His eyes looked over at his own son, still sleeping.



"Jaune was premature, too," Nick said quietly. "He was in a lot worse shape than your twins. Izzy had to invent new healing techniques just to keep him alive, all the while she was recovering from her labor. Me? I... I felt worse than useless. All I could do was stand there and watch my baby boy fight for his life, my wife do everything she could to keep him alive. I... I wondered if..."



She looked up at the big man. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to be calm.



"A few times, I wondered if I was going to have to go back to the farmhouse and tell the girls that they weren't getting a little brother," he said quietly. He looked over at Cinder.



"Isabel blamed herself. It's what she does you know? It took a long time for her to realize it wasn't anything she did. And it's going to take time for you to realize the same..."



The still one closest to her stirred again. Cinder stared, and rested a hand on the glass over the baby. It flailed a bit, before pressing its chubby fist up against the glass. It's twin, perhaps acting out of some instinct or early Aura sense, reached out and did the same.



"But you will realize it," Nick said softly. "Seeing your children grow up healthy and strong is a great motivator."



Cinder sniffled again. The tears poured down her cheeks. But a smile was on her face, as she stared down at her babies. She pressed her other hand down over their fists.



"Do you need anything else?" Nick asked quietly. Cinder planted her feet firmly on the floor. She looked back up at her father in law and shook her head.



"N-No... Thank you," she whispered.



Nick smiled, and squeezed her in a one armed hug.



"That's what family is for," he murmured. He looked over at his son with a tender look. "You should wake him up soon. He needs some food."



Cinder laughed softly through her tears.



"Idiot would get himself killed if not for me," she whispered.



"Heh. Izzy said the same thing," Nick beamed at her.



- - -



Just a bit of drama from the Cinder Timeline.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted From Spacebattles Thread

Glimpses Into Another Time: Heir To The Throne And The Boy Left Alone

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

Arc-Schnee Manor, Atlas. 5 Years After The Defeat of Salem

"Son". "Brother". "Fearless Leader". "Deadlast". "Friend". "Fool". "Rusted Knight". "Hero".

In his short career as a Huntsman, Jaune Arc was called many things. Currently, however, the one he was still coming to terms with was "Father".

He was sitting in the gazebo in Willow's garden watching the sunrise, holding his son, Nicholas, in his arms. As a farmboy, Jaune had always been an early riser and it looked like he passed that down to his son. At least, that's what he wants to think. Nicholas looked more like Weiss than him, so he was kind of hoping that his habits passed down to his son. But his Mom and Saphron insisted that's not how babies work.

"Bwah" Nicholas snaps Jaune out of his thoughts.

"Heh. Yeah, you're right. It's too early to me to be stressing out." Jaune chuckles. He began to feed Nicholas his baby food. It wasn't any of the expensive stuff Weiss insists they buy. It was a family recipe his Mom taught him. He also didn't want to trouble Mr. Klein so early in the morning. Or Willow, Gods know busy she's been in these past few years and deserves a couple of hours of sleep.

Ever since Ruby and Oscar defeated Salem, everyone in Remnant had one objective in mind: Rebuild. Winter, who had taken General Ironwood's spot in the Council, and the remaining members of Atlas' Council decided it would be best if Mantle and Atlas were no longer divided by the sky. It should've taken them years to rebuild Atlas from the ground up, but the Staff of Creation had made things relatively easier. Then, Willow decided the SDC needed a fresh start and restarted the Dust mines. She even went down and mined with her works on some occasions. Weiss, meanwhile, worked together with Blake to establish relations between the SDC and Menagerie. Her and the rest of Team RWBY go on missions the 2nd week of each month.

Weiss... Part of him still can't believe she said 'Yes' when he proposed to her. Hell, he's still surprised she agreed to go out with him way back in their Beacon days. But she did say 'Yes'...

And then she immediately got embarrassed after squealing like a little girl and said "It took you long enough, you dolt". You won't hear Jaune complain. A win's a win.

His sister Tangy started laughing when she heard the news. She said they were just like Mom and Dad...

Jaune looked towards the fountain in the garden. A statue of a man Jaune knew would've laughed his ass off if he saw him and Weiss getting married.

It was during the evacuation to Vacuo when his father Nick died. Jaune had been fighting Neo after she targeted Weiss. He could still remember that smug look on the henchwoman's face after she slashed his, giving him his scar over his right eye. But it was all a trick to get him away from Penny so Cinder could kill her and take the power of the Winter Maiden. Then his father had rushed in at the last second, sending Penny towards him and Weiss and taking the hit for her, but at a heavy cost. In that moment, time slowed for Jaune. His Dad was pierced through the chest by Cinder.

"What a pity. I guess being a fool runs in your family. Doesn't it, Jaune." Cinder said, coldly.

Nick slowly turned his head towards Jaune and simply said, "It's not over yet. They won't give up."

He set Blónt Joyeúx to its overdrive setting and threw it at the bridge the trio was standing on, causing it to collapse. Whether or not he knew about the Ever After's existence was a question Jaune would never get to ask. The only thing he saw before he fell was the life leaving his Dad's eyes and a smile on spreading across his face.

To this day, Jaune still blames himself for his death. No matter how much his Mom assures him, it was his fault Dad isn't here to see his grandson. It's his fault Mom has to go home to an empty house after work. His Dad died because he was too weak. Just like Pyrrha. It was all--

"Darling?"

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

"Daughter". "Sister". "Heiress". "Brat". "Snow Angel". "Bossy". "Friend". "Ice Queen". "Hero".

Weiss Schnee was called many things growing up. But the one she wore currently and proudly was "Mother".

How could she not? Her wonderful, caring dork of a husband blessed her with such a beautiful and spirited baby boy. A baby boy who would've woken her up if not for Jaune's tentative nature. He liked to keep himself busy around the manor.

Part of her feels like he's overworking himself on purpose. Unlike Jaune, Weiss wasn't oblivious to her surroundings. She knew her husband better than he knew himself.

Isabel, her mother-in-law, had referred to it as 'Survivors Guilt' and if she had to guess, it all started at the Fall of Beacon. When their friend Pyrrha died. During the Journey to Mistral, he spent most nights training obsessively. Ruby and the others were starting to get concerned until Weiss had intervened.

"Jaune. You're going to run yourself ragged at this rate. You need to stop pushing yourself like this," Weiss says. She pulled Jaune into a warm hug. "Please. Take it easy on yourself. Pyrrha wouldn't want this."

It made her feel a little rotten for invoking Pyrrha's name, but she needed to get her point across and she wasn't going to pull her punches. It worked. Jaune had started taking better care of himself. If Pyrrha had seen him at the Battle of Haven, she would've been proud. But it seemed the universe enjoyed watching her beloved suffer. His parents had met up with them in Argus, having been requested to go to Atlas by her mother for her family's yearly physicals. When Salem had caused the Fall of Atlas, his father, Nicholas, had sacrificed himself to save them. And being separated by time in the Ever After had worsened his trauma.

When they had defeated Salem, Jaune told her that he was going to step away from being a Hunter. A decision that she supported without a second thought. She knows how much pain her husband is in. But after everything he's done for her, she's willing to let him lean on her as long as he needs.

Weiss walked around the manor until she spotted Jaune with Nicholas in the gazebo... It appears Jaune is feeding him that "homemade" baby food again. Honestly, what was the point of purchasing all that baby food if he was just going to mash a bunch of bread and bananas together in a pot of milk?

As she approached, Weiss noticed that Jaune had been staring at the statue again.

"Darling?" Weiss says.

Jaune noticed her at the corner of his eye and looked towards her, as if he just snapped out of a trance

"Oh. Good morning, Weiss," Jaune greets her, giving another spoonful of baby food to Nicholas. "We were just enjoying the sunrise together."

"Jaune, you know we have perfectly good baby food in the kitchen. You don't need to feed Nicholas this mush."

"Hey, I ate this "mush" as a baby I turned out fine. Besides, who feeds a baby fish-flavored baby food anyway?"

Elsewhere, beyond the fields we know, Blake sneezes.

"I'm convinced that mush is what made you so dense in the first place," Weiss knew there was something on his mind. "You were staring at the statue again."

"I... I was just wondering if my Dad was as scared as I am now when I was born," Jaune looked down at Nicholas. He had fallen asleep again. "What if... What if I make a mistake? What if--"

"It's very presumptuous of you to think that you're taking this on by yourself," Weiss says, haughtily. She began to scoot closer to him "I'm here if you need someone to lean on. After all, you've saved my life plenty of times. As your wife, I owe you this much."

"Weiss, you don't--"

"Jaune, you've gone above and beyond for me going as far back as our days at Beacon," Oh, she was using her serious voice "It only makes sense that I put in just as much effort."

The two sat there for some time. Simply staring at their sleeping son. Weiss spoke first.

"Do you know when I realized that I was in love with you?"

"Uhhh..."

"Don't tell me you forgot."

"I... don't think you actually told me."

"Well then, allow me to enlighten you. It was when you told me take control of my life."

Now he remembers. It was a few days after the Fall of Beacon. Her father, Jacques, had come to essentially kidnap her. He used her position as heiress to strong-arm her to leave with him. When he tried forcing Weiss to break up with him...

Jaune punched Jacques with the all the rage he had. He was trying to grieve for Pyrrha but he was so angry. He needed to hit something and Jacques graciously volunteer. He then told Weiss

"Are you going to let this twig of a man hold your life hostage, Weiss!! It's your life, not his!!"

Those words meant everything to her. Weiss threw away her title as heiress that day. She decided to take hold of her destiny with her own hands and joined her friends and her boyfriend.

"Don't you dare doubt my love for you, Jaune Arc," Weiss kisses him. He felt her reassurance in that kiss. "Now then, let's go inside and have a proper family breakfast."

"Oh, come on, Weiss. Nicholas likes this stuff," Jaune protests "Don't knock it till you try it."

"Not on life, Mister. I'm not touching that slop, thank you very much."

As the couple walked back inside, Weiss thought back to a conversation she had with Blake. She had mentioned how she and Jaune were mirrors of each other and how it was destiny that had brought them together. She found herself struggling to disagree with Blake's assessment day after day. Meanwhile, Jaune was thinking about how proud his Dad is of him and how he'll try his hardest to honor his sacrifice.

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

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Glimpses Into Another Time: Many Partings

- - -
Maharaja Palace, Kingdom of Pandu, Southern Mistral, Animus: One Month after the Defeat of Salem

- - -

Crown Princess Maia Sarkara, also known as May Zedong, stared at the beautiful woman in the mirror before her. She was dressed in a pure white sari, inlaid with gold and Ice Dust, and necklaces that dripped with pearls and gems. A simple headscarf went over her dark red hair, white silk with embroidered sapphires. Her makeup was flawless, red lipstick, blush, and a single red dot in the center of her forehead.

The sheer amount of wealth on her was staggering to the girl who thought she was the orphaned child of two nobodies in Vacuo. The fine quarters she sat in were done in marble and seawood, and opened out onto a balcony that gave her a beautiful view of Pandu City itself. The spiraling, almost organic architecture done mostly in tans with pointed-dumpling like rooftops, cut by dozens of canals with bridges and tropical trees lining the thoroughfares and roads.

She sat as the maids did their finishing touches on her, adjusting her clothing ties or adding more mascara. They both wore red and blue saris, and as soon as they were done they stepped back expectantly. May stood up, giving herself a once over in the mirror again.

"Are you pleased, Your Highness?" The maids asked together. May nodded stiffly.

"Yes. Thank you," she said with a small nod. She didn't want to ruin any of their work. "Um, can you... I need to be alone, please?"

The maids smiled and bowed.

"Of course, Your Majesty," they spoke in unison, before they turned and walked out the door. They slid it shut behind them. May waited a moment or two, before she slid back down on the circular couch she'd been sitting patiently on all this time. She sighed, and resisted the urge to grab at her hair and groan.

"Hey May."

May jumped. She looked at the balcony, where a familiar blond was sitting on the railing. He smiled warmly at her, despite the scars on his face and chin.

"Jaune!" She cried in joy and alarm. She rushed over to him, only just remembering to lift up her skirts, and then hugged him tightly. She pulled back with a scowl.

"You should still be in bed," she admonished him, "You almost died to that assassin-"

"I know," Jaune sighed, "My mom and Ruby are gonna give me hell. But..." He took her hands in his, "I had to see you before... Y-You know... The coronation, and all."

May sighed and nodded slowly.

"Y-Yeah," she managed. Jaune looked at her in concern.

"You okay?"

An exasperated look was his first response.

"You almost died and you're asking if I'm okay?"

Jaune shrugged.

"Yeah."

May worried her lower lip. She'd have to fix her lipstick.

"I just... Um... Well..."

She sighed deeply.

"I'm terrified," she admitted.

"Why?" Jaune asked with a smile, "Uncle Arjun and Aunt Saia wouldn't hand you the throne if they didn't think you could do it! Hell, if not for you, we wouldn't have gotten all the Kingdoms to unite against Salem and-"

"I know! I know..." Maya shut her eyes, "I just... I did what I could as Crown Princess. Now? Now I'm... I'm gonna be Queen. I'm going to have to lead my country, and-and this alliance and..."

She shook her head. She pressed her face lightly against his chest.

"I'm scared I'll screw everything up," she mumbled, "I didn't even know I was a princess until a few years ago... We won the war but the nobility is already skeptical of me, despite everything... I... What if I ruin everything we did?"

Jaune hugged her back tightly, and made soothing circles on her back.

"Anyone in your position is afraid of ruining everything. You'd have to be crazy to not be scared," Jaune said soothingly, "But I know you can do it, May. Besides... You've always been so scared, but you still did what was needed. That's real courage... Being scared and still doing what needs to be done."

May blushed, and smiled warmly up at him.

"I... Thank you, Jaune," she murmured.

Jaune nodded slowly. May held onto him. The silence stretched on. Jaune coughed.

"Uh... I um... I had better get to the main courtyard," he managed.

"R-Right," May said with a faint nod.

He slowly, reluctantly, pulled away. He hesitated a moment, before he turned and jumped off the balcony. May watched him go with a small, longing sigh.

"You know, you should have kissed him."

"Eep!" May jumped. She turned back. Her father, Arjun Sarkara, smirked a bit. Despite having only one leg and one arm left from the final battle, the older man had still snuck into the bedroom on a walking stick without detection.

She pouted at her father.

"He... I mean..." She sighed. "I'm going to be the Queen, Father. I... I don't know if I can or should..."

Arjun laughed. He limped over to his daughter, and patted her on the shoulder.

"Sweetie," he said gently, "Your mother was my maid."

"You were the King! You could do anything!" May insisted. "I... I have to think about the future!"

Arjun sighed and shook his head. He squeezed her shoulder.

"Honestly May... It's a brand new world. Free of the menace of Salem. Yes, you have responsibilities. Very big ones... But they won't be worth anything if you aren't happy."

May bowed her head again. Arjun smiled softly, and tilted her chin up.

"And all any father wants for their daughter is that they be happy," he said softly. He shrugged. "Besides... He's one of the heroes who helped saved the world. What fool would oppose you marrying him?"

"... Me, I guess," May sighed. She then smiled at her father, and then hugged him.

"Thank you, Father..."

"No, thank you," Arjun chuckled, hugging her tightly, "Now I'll get to hang out with Nick all I like in my retirement."

"Father!"

- - -

The Maharaja Palace's main courtyard was on the second level of the palace. A beautiful rooftop garden, filled with trees and crisscrossed with marble tiled paths. In the center was a great fountain, where a statue of Shiva, the first King of Pandu, stood solemnly.

Hundreds of people were gathered in the great courtyard, all around the statue. In front of it stood Oscar Pine, the new host of the wizard Ozma. Before him knelt May, and in his hands was an ornate crown and headdress. It radiated outward, like a crown of golden stars, as he lowered it onto May's head. Satisfied with its placement, May looked up to the wizard with a nervous smile. He smiled back, then looked out at the large crowd of dignitaries, warriors, and normal citizens from across Remnant. His eyes lingered on Dr. Weena Nebogipfel, who gave him a warm smile back. He cleared his throat.

"Now come the days of the Queen of Pandu!" He boomed, his voice carrying out across the courtyard. He turned his warm smile back onto May.

"May they be blessed."

May stood up slowly. She took a deep breath, nodded, and then turned to face the crowd. Oscar moved off to the side, giving her the full spotlight of attention.

"This day does not belong to any one person," she spoke, "Man or Faunus, we have all stood on the brink of destruction, united... And we have triumphed. Let us all stay united and work together to rebuild this world... So that all may share in the days of peace."

Applause followed. From General Ironwood's polite but genuine applause, to Chieftainess Kali's tearfilled smile. May walked through the crowds, smiling, waving, shaking hands and accepting gracious bows...

Until she came across her dearest friends in the whole world. Jaune, Nora, Ren, Ruby, Yang, Blake, Weiss, Nolan, Roy, and Brawnz. They were a riot of emotions, from Roy and Nolan's manly sobbing, to Yang's happy grin, to Ruby's tearfilled beam and Jaune's gentle smile.

They all made to bow... But May laughed and shook her head.

"My friends... You bow to no one."

She dropped down and bowed her head to them. She sensed every other person in the courtyard do the same. Ruby tittered nervously. Nora waved. Ren remained stoic as ever, holding Nora's hand. Yang and Blake looked a bit embarrassed. Roy and Brawnz tried to look macho, while Nolan tried to look cool. Weiss bore it with a stoic expression.

Jaune... Knelt before her. She stood up, and shook her head.

"Jaune... I said you bow to no one."

Jaune laughed nervously, and held up a small velvet box. Her eyes widened.

"I-I know... I'm not bowing. I'm... I'm asking..." He looked up into her eyes, determined.

"I'm asking the woman I love to marry me... So um... Will you?"

May yanked him up and kissed him, absolutely ruining her lipstick. But as she heard cheers and whoops... She found her usual nervousness gone.

In its place was nothing but joy... And hope for the future.

- - -

Obviously a reference to "Return of the King" but hey, I was in an LOTR kind of mood.

Sift Green

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted From the SpaceBattles Thread.

Glimpses Into Another Time: Bloom

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Atlas Academy, Above The City Of Mantle. 2 Years After the Fall of Beacon.


Atlas Academy is the most technologically advanced Kingdoms. That was one of the many things Ruby Rose learned during her short time at Beacon. Of course, she kinda already knew that. They had to be if they were able to build something as advanced as Penny. But, boy howdy, were they underselling it.

When Penny showed her the workshop her father ran, it was an engineer's dream. But seeing the one's in the Academy's? It was like stepping into an engineer's holy land! There were mechshift frames! And Dust adapters! And doohickys she'd never even heard of! And--

"OW!" Ruby squeaked. She lost focus... Again. She had been working on a special project and it required her full attention. But it was so hard to focus what with all the cool stuff around her.

"Well, the plating doesn't look welded incorrectly. Thank goodness," she began to inspect the project, her engineering eye giving her work a once over. "Hmm... The palm paneling looks good. Shell eject is smooth. SMG attachment could use a little more work but overall; She's complete! Jaune's gonna love this!!"

"I'm gonna love what?" Suddenly, her boyfriend, Jaune Arc, was behind her, as if she summoned him.

"Only my grea... My SECOND greatest creation!!" Ruby proudly exclaimed. While this was probably one of her best works, nothing was ever going to beat Crescent Rose.

"Is it that new weapon you said you'd make for me," Jaune guessed. "I already told; I'm getting used to fighting with pistol you gave me."

"That's just a peashooter! Besides, you'll think twice once you see it!" Ruby countered. She moved aside to show Jaune. "TA-DA!! IT'S YOUR NEW PROSTHETIC ARM!!"

Jaune looked in awe. It looked like a knight's gauntlet but it had a flair to it that can only be described as 'Ruby'. He knew she was a tech wiz, but being able to make a prosthetic with only the bare minimum of knowledge on how they work from Penny? It solidified her status as a prodigy.

Ever since he lost his arm after that fight with Tyrion, Jaune has been using a cheap prosthetic provided by Leo Lionhart. He's pretty sure it might be on its last legs.

"Can I try it out?" Jaune asked.

"Go ahead," Ruby encouraged. She began to help Jaune detach his old arm. "I call it 'The Iron Claw'. I still need to apply the paint, but it should be good to go. BUT! I should warn you, this is a little heavier than the old one."

Click

'Heavy' was a bit of an overstatement. It weighed about it as much as his old sword. Actually, now that he looks at it...

"I used what was left of your sword and for some parts. I hope you don't mind." Ruby admitted.

"Not at all. It turned out great," Jaune flexed his fingers. Until his palm opened up, revealing a barrel within. "Uh, Ruby? What's this?"

"I'M GLAD YOU ASKED!," Ruby shouted, excited to talk about her favorite hobby. "I built a miniaturized artillery Dust cannon and put it in your arm! And don't worry about the recoil! I put a stabilizer in the elbow! Plus, Penny said that your strong to handle it!"

Jaune flexed his fingers again and the cannon tucked itself away. He then closed his hand into a fist.

"Groovy."

"You're such a dork." Ruby snorted.

"Oh, come on. It looks like the metal arm from Legion of Darkness. I had to make that reference," Jaune defended himself. Though, it actually looked more like the Rusted Knight's arm from The Rusted Knight and The Red Reaper. Maybe she used that as a reference. "Besides, didn't you say that was part of my charm?"

Ruby rolled her eyes. She knew darn well that Jaune didn't have any charm. She was the one who asked him out! If anything she was the one had who charm...

Ok, so maybe she was super nervous when she asked him out, but who isn't! She had never like-liked a boy before! That was new territory for her! Her only saving grace was Jaune being just as nervous as her.

"I also made you this," Ruby pointed towards another workbench. "It's a railgun sword! I call it 'Crocea Mors II'! It's not done yet but I was thinking--"

Jaune watched as Ruby gushed about her newest 'baby'. She always looks so cute when she gets so passionate about weapons specs. The way her eyes shine, her smile gets wider, her energy gets higher.

"Jaune? You're staring at me. Do I have grease on my face?" Ruby snapped him back to reality.

"No. I was just admiring you when you're in your element," Jaune teased. "You look cute when you're passionate."

Ruby began to blush. Since when did he start acting like a smooth operator!?

"Speaking of sweet things," Jaune reached into one of his pouches and pulled out a small bag. "One of the mothers in Mantle baked me some cookies! I saved you some."

"You did tell them you have a girlfriend, right?" Ruby asked. When Jaune had brought them food provided from one of those moms, Yang had slipped the idea into her head that a guy like Jaune was like catnip to those lonely moms. She told Ruby that she needs to 'assert her dominance' and go with him on his next escort job.

"I did. But I don't think they believe me." Jaune grabbed a cookie and took a bite. "Maybe you should come with me tomorrow. I'm sure the kids will love you."

"That's a great idea! Plus, after we drop off those kids, we can go see a movie." Ruby started getting excited once again.

"Sounds like a date," Jaune walked up to Ruby. "I know things have been... hectic. But, it feels good to have some breathing room. I promise, I'll try to make our date the best it can be."

"You don't have to try so hard, Jaune. As long as we're together, I'll have fun no matter what we do," Ruby paused. She wanted to say these next words when he joined her on her mission to save the world, but she never found the right time. But right here? Right now? This was the perfect time. "I love you, Jaune."

It was Jaune's turn to blush. He inched closer to his girlfriend. "I... I love you too, Ruby." He never felt this way about a girl before. But deep down, he knew that Ruby was the one. Call him cheesy or old fashioned, but that's just how his heart works. He was kind of like his Dad in that way.

Jaune leaned down. And Ruby stood up on her tippy toes. Their lips connecting in a tender, loving kiss. Why the heck does he keep getting taller!

A notification chime went off on both of their scrolls. Ruby took hers out and was greeted to Penny's voice.

"Friend Ruby! Friend Jaune! There's Grimm activity in Mantle! Sector 8!"

"We're on our way, Penny!" Ruby replied. She rushed over to Crescent Rose, while Jaune grads Crocea Mors II.

"Wait, Jaune. It's not done!" Ruby was still trying to figure out how to make the railgun function work. If only Jaune's Dad let her take his apart!

"It doesn't matter. As long as it can slice and stab things, it should be good for now," Jaune says with determination. He then lifts his cannon hand. "Besides, I'm packing heat."

Ugh. If Yang heard that... No. Even she would think that was terrible!

"Let's go, Vomit Boy!"

"Right behind you, Crater Face!"

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

I based Jaune's metal arm on Gut's iron arm from Berserk

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Glimpses into Another Time: Spring

- - -

Northern Solitas, Mantle/Atlas, Five Years after Salem's Defeat

- - -

There were many days Winter Arc nee Schnee asked herself why she had opted to take her mentor's old job. Granted, he had been grooming her for the role: He had said she was always his first choice for a successor. That trust in her had inspired her to new heights, to push herself harder and further than she knew she was capable of.

Yet the sheer amount of time and stress it imposed on her life was horrendous. Honestly, sometimes she wondered why her father had wanted so much power in the first place. There was the intoxication of it at times, but mostly it was just a massive headache.

"We're touching down now, General," Harriet Bree reported from the pilot's chair of the Bullhead. Winter nodded, trying not to look anxious. She was already late, after all.

Yet it meant so much to him... To her.

Finally, the Bullhead landed with a gentle rocking motion. Winter released her harness as the rear hatch opened up. Elm looked up with a smile.

"It's fine, General. He's not gonna be upset," she consoled her superior officer, "Especially not with the news you have-"

"Thanks, but I'll deal with that myself," Winter said, leaping out of the Bullhead and landing on the tundra grass.

It was a misconception that Solitas was covered in ice year around. While it was a harsh continent, no doubt, it did have seasons. They were at the height of spring, and the snow was melting across the continent. Green grass grew even north of Mantle, speckled with tundra flowers and the occasional pine tree. This area in particular was on a hill overlooking the rebuilt Mantle. On top of it was a marble wall, encircling a great garden kept warm year round with Fire and Lightning Dust.

Winter hurried up the hill, through the arched gateway into the garden. Her eyes scanned through the gardens, past so many familiar statues. Each was life sized, depicting so many people... So many who had made the ultimate sacrifice for Atlas. For Remnant.

For them all.

Her feet took her down a familiar marble pathway, deep into the memorial garden. Her eyes locked onto two statues near the center. A marble path lay between them, and their poses were night and day. Fitting, in a way, given how different the two people being honored were.

One was of a curvaceous, beautiful woman. She was sitting on a marble bench, a kindly smile on her stone face despite the fatigue in her eyes. Her hands rested in her lap, yet there was a certain tension to the woman: As though her statue would spring into action to help at a moment's notice.

The other was of a tall, grave man in his Atlasian military coat. A beard was on his face, along with deep lines born of worry and burdens taken on. His face was grave and determined. He stood at military attention, ever vigilant and ever unbowed.

Between these statues, Jaune Arc, her husband, sat with their four month old son in his arms. She heard him speaking as she approached.

"... And she just tossed your granddad out the window! She was so fed up with him and his tractor! Of course, so was I. But I didn't want to laugh at Dad. Not unless he was laughing. She appreciated that, and only grounded me for a week..."

Jaune looked up as their baby fussed. He smiled warmly.

"Hey Winter."

"Hey," she said, walking up to him. He stood up, and pulled her into a deep kiss. The baby whined, and tried to wiggle between them. Jaune laughed a little as he broke the kiss, and playfully scowled at their son.

"Come on, Theodore. You get most of her attention," he scolded, "Can't I have some?"

Theo mewled, unrepentant. Winter laughed, her heart immediately lighter. She pulled her son into her arms, and he cuddled against her.

"I'm sorry I'm late," she apologized, "Queen Maia's proposals are causing a massive uproar in the Council, and the authorizations for the fleet rebuild are a nightmare..."

Jaune hugged her more tightly, and smiled.

"It's okay. I wasn't going to do the important bits until you were here," he said kindly. Winter nodded. They both turned to the statue of the kindly smiling woman.

Jaune took a deep breath.

"Mom? This is Winter. She... You knew she was my girlfriend before..."

He trailed off. Winter knew exactly where his mind went: A dark day.

Her hand reached up to rest on his chest. Despite the surgeries, the scars would never fade. Not that it mattered, given that underneath his clothes was a black and silver artificial heart right in the center of his chest.

Cinder Fall had torn out his heart, and left him to die while laughing. Winter had jumped in to protect him... To avenge him. Isabel, Jaune's mother, had leaped in and done emergency surgery right then and there. Penny had yanked out some spare components, and Isabel had fashioned an artificial heart and gotten it into Jaune just in time for his Aura to heal him.

It had cost her almost all of her Aura to do it... But she'd saved him.

And then Cinder Fall had put five arrows through her chest.

Winter could still see the horror and grief on Jaune's face. She still saw the shock, then grim acceptance on Isabel Arc's face.

She still remembered Cinder's laugh... A laugh cut short as Isabel threw herself at the Maiden, and fought her back with her dying strength.

She still remembered the look of desperate love Isabel had shot back, just before the bridge broke underneath them... And her final words.

"I love you, son. Don't give up. Please."

Jaune sucked in another deep breath. Winter rubbed a gentle circle over his chest. He nodded slowly.

"She's... She's my wife now," Jaune explained. "And this is Theodore James, our son."

Jaune turned his son's head towards the statue. The four month old stared, almost enraptured, as his father continued to talk.

"That's your grandmother, Theo. Her name was Isabel. And she was one of the bravest people who ever lived."

Theodore was quiet, his wide blue eyes staring intently at the statue. Jaune smiled.

"Anyway... W-We're doing well," he said, "Everyone's rebuilding. Weiss met this nice Dust prospector named Miguel, and they hit it off. Whitley, Winter and Weiss' little brother? He's dating Ruby, who is doing great. Ren and Nora are on their second baby. Yang is off exploring Remnant with Pyrrha. We hear from them sometimes. Blake and Sun are married, expecting kids in Menagerie. Tanya and Mercury are having kids, Lilac and Primo are doing great. The Twins are still raising hell. Saphron and Terra moved to Vale for the rebuilding. Aqua and Kazuma are on baby... Six I think? Orchid and Penny are great friends... Or so they say."

He chuckled a bit... Before he became more somber.

"Dad... Dad's doing okay. He kind of threw himself into work, but Uncle Arjun is with him. Helping him. He and Aunt Saia retired, and Maia is Queen of Pandu now. They're having fun."

Jaune sighed quietly.

"I really wish you could see everything we've done," he said quietly, "I... I want to think you'd be proud of us... Proud of me."

Silence fell for a bit. The wind made the sunflowers around Isabel's statue wave a bit. A small smile came onto Winter's face.

"I think she would be," Winter said with a nod.

Jaune nodded back. They then turned to the statue of the grave man behind them. It was Winter's turn, and she also steeled herself.

"Hello sir. I... I've been doing the best I can in your position," she said. She shook her head. "It's been hectic. I get away whenever I can. I'm... I'm trying to avoid becoming a workaholic. Jaune helps me with that."

She affectionately bumped her head against Jaune's. He smiled. Winter smiled back faintly, then turned back to the statue. She held up Theodore.

"This is my son, Theodore James. We... I know you weren't the most sentimental kind of man, but... I hope you approve. He's very healthy and very active."

Theodore whined a bit, but focused on the big statue. He reached out his hands to grasp. Jaune chuckled.

"I... I didn't know him as well. But he was a good man. A brave man. He... Like your grandma, he died to save everyone," Jaune said softly.

Again Winter's mind went back to that terrible day. How the General had given her command before he fought his way right into the heart of Salem's Leviathan. How he had fought her himself, all alone... All in a desperate attempt to distract her, to buy time for the evacuation.

He had been knocked down, battered, broken... Yet he just kept getting back up to try again and again. Until finally, he couldn't move any longer. The Grimm Queen had stood over him, contemptuous. The view from his body cam still remained in her memory, burned there like a brand.

Yet even at the end... He had never backed down. Never pleaded for mercy. She could imagine the grim expression on his face as Salem killed him. The stubborn nobility...

They hugged Theodore between them. Winter sucked in a breath.

"It's... I know you don't understand right now, Theo," she said to her son, "But one day, you will. You'll understand how wonderful these people were. How terrible it is that they're not here... And how much we owe to them."

Winter smiled almost shyly at Jaune. Jaune nodded back, his own smile sad but hopeful.

"And next year," she said, "We'll bring you... And your new sibling to see them, too."

Jaune gaped. Winter smiled shyly, and shrugged.

"Surprise?"

Jaune grinned, hugged his wife and son, and spun them around with a happy laugh. Theo giggled in joy, and Winter echoed the sound. Jaune set them down, and kissed his wife deeply.

"Mmm... It's a great one," Jaune said earnestly. Winter laughed.

"Absolutely... The best kind!"

"So um... How-?"

"One month," Winter said, smiling knowingly, "It looks healthy, and... And if it's a girl?" She looked over at Isabel. "I'd like to name her after your mother."

Jaune beamed and tightened the hug. Theo whined a bit more, waving his chubby arms around.

"I think she'd like that..."

The small family paid some final respects, before turning and heading for the exit. It was a sad, solemn place... But as Theodore laughed innocently, it was also a place of hope.

Winter prayed it would remain so... Yet steeled her resolve to do all she could to keep it that way.

It was what her mother-in-law and the General would have wanted.

She was sure of it.

- - -

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted From the SpaceBattles thread.

Childhood Memories: Dragon Dance

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dragon's Fist Dojo, Radian, Vale. Xia Arc-Xiao-Long. Age: 15.

Combat gloves? Check.

Gauntlets? Check.

Badass battle jacket? Check.

Hair tied into a cute as hell ponytail? Double check.

Yup. She was ready.

Xia Arc-Xiao-Long, the Blonde Bruiser of Signal Academy, was finally ready to take her on. To push past her limits and finally--

"You're gonna lose again." A voice interrupted her train of thought. She turned to see two troublemakers. One was a boy, the other a girl. The boy looked very smug for his age, while the girl shrunk under Xia's gaze.

"Yin! Pyrrha! You two are supposed to be watching the others!" Xia reprimanded her younger brother and sister.

"Grandpa said it was ok." Yin immediately rebuked.

"Grandpa, huh?," Xia raised an eyebrow. Yin was too good of a liar to be trusted, so she interrogated the one she knew wouldn't lie to her. "Pyrrha, who said it was ok for you two to spy on me and Mom's private spar? Grandpa Nick or Grandpa Tai?"

Pyrrha began to tug on the hem of her dress. "Oh... um..," She saw her brother put a finger to his lips, the universal sign to stay quiet. But when she looked back at her older sister's intense stare, she folded like a house of cards. "It was actually Grunkle Qrow." The jig was up.

"Grunkle Qrow!" Xia shouted. What the hell! She didn't even know he was in town!

"I don't see what the problem is," Yin crossed his arms. "We never get to see you and Mom go all out!"

"You never get to see us fight because we go all out. It's too dangerous for the two of you to be here," Xia snapped back. Sparring with Mom (Or Dad for that matter) always ended up with a giant crater or a half the dojo's roof getting blown off. "I swear, that crotchety old--," But before Xia can finish cursing her Grunkle Qrow, the dojo doors slid open.

"What's all this fighting about?" Standing at an impressive 6 feet was their mother: the legendary Golden Dragon, Yang Arc-Xiao-Long. And beside her, standing an even more impressive 6 foot 10 was their father, Dr. Jaune Arc.

"Mom! Dad! W-We were just--." Before Pyrrha could explain, a idea formed in Yin's head.

"Xia said that we could watch you guys fight," Yin lied as easily as he breathed. "She said if we want to become Hunters like you, we have to see what the real deal is like!"

"Aw, trying to inspire your siblings, Xia?," Yang gushed. She's so proud of her little Firecracker. Meanwhile, Xia seethed. She's so getting back at Yin for this. "You two just stay with your Dad, ok? Xia, get on the mat. We'll start on your mark."

As the family troop entered the dojo, they gazed at one of the wall. Adorned with pictures of Jaune and Yang in different stages of their life. One had Yang and Jaune standing proudly in front of the newly built Dragon's Fist Dojo. Another showcased the couple in New Kuroyuri, alongside their Aunties Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Nora and Uncle Ren. Weiss carried the then 2-year-old Xia her lap, gushing at how cute she looked. Ruby, Nora, and Yang were laughing as 1-year-old Yin tugged on one of Blake's ears. Jaune and Ren were off to the side eating cake, deep in a conversation she was too young to remember. Another had Xia, 13 at the time, standing victorious at the 15th Nikos Tournament, with her fist raised in the air.

But there were two things on that wall that always caught Xia's attention: One was a red sash, framed in a handmade frame, with a plaque that say 'In Memoriam. Pyrrha Nikos'. The other was kind of hard not to notice: Resting above the pictures was a massive white and gold sword. It was her father's weapon, the mighty Dragonslayer.

She heard from Aunt Ruby that after the Beacon incident, Mom had tried to make Dad a new sword. But because she knew next to nothing about sword-smithing, Aunt Ruby had to step in to salvage it.

As Xia stepped on the mat, Yang smiled proudly her daughter. She was like the best. It was like the best parts of her and Jaune had combined into one person. Although, that could be said about all her babies. Xia just had the age advantage. Maybe today she'll finally beat her.

Off to the side, Jaune was on stand by with his medical kit, Yin and Pyrrha standing behind him. He knew his Semblance was more than enough to heal their injuries, but he became a bit of a worrywort. Ever since Raven tried to steal Xia away from them, inadvertently unlocking her Semblance, Jaune became a bit overprotective. Part of him didn't want her to be a Huntress, finally understanding his mother's reluctance. But that didn't mean he agreed with it. He chose to support Xia, a choice he still hasn't regretted.

As she readied Combattre L'or, Xia took her stance and flared her Aura. Yang did the same, Ember Celica shifting into its gauntlet form. The heat from their Auras felt like a small star was forming in the dojo. The screen on the one of the walls had two Aura meters displayed, one for Yang and the other for Xia. Both at 100%.

"First one to reach 0 Aura loses." Yang grinned. "Or if one of us taps out. You ready, Firecracker?"

"Hell yeah." Xia grinned back.

"You've got this, Xia!" Jaune cheered.

And in an instant, Xia charged forward, her fist ready to strike. Yang dodged, only to kicked in the side. Xia had predicted this, her experience from their previous fights kicking in (Heh, nice one). Yang was sent back a few steps, recovering enough to dodge Xia's next kick. Using Ember Celica to boost her dodge, she created some distance between her and Xia.

But that strategy wouldn't last for long. Xia's Semblance, Super, had Jaune's Aura boosting attribute. Meaning she could enhance her own speed and pump the brakes on any hit and run tactics she could apply. It also seemed like after 38 fights, Xia is using her head. She memorized her fighting style and adjusted to it, even throwing her off by incorporating kicks. She was also pretty sure Xia was copying moves from that comic book she reads. What was it called again? Outstanding Arachni-Lad?

Wait... Something's off.

Why isn't she using her gauntlets? Right now she's only using Aura enhanced punches and kicks. Yang swore she saw Xia loading up her gauntlets with ammo. Unless...

Yang smirked. 'So that's your plan, Xia.'

Xia thought she had the upper hand in this fight, until Yang activated her Semblance. The heat in the room increasing significantly. This is different. She's using Burn at Level 2!

Xia's plan was to overload her Mom's Semblance before she unleashes Level 2. She must've caught on...

All according to plan!

Xia smirked. All that practice with Dad and Grandpa Tai was finally gonna pay off!

She maneuvered herself towards Yang. Mother and daughter now face-to-face. Xia clenched both of her fists and unleashed a volley of punches, increasing her speed with each punch. Yang, unable to move, realizes she's backed into a corner. She keeps her arms up to block the torrent of fisticuffs.

"So this your plan," Yang grits her teeth. She looked over at the Aura meter. While she was at 20, Xia's was at 25 and dropping fast. "Make me use up my Semblance before I can get a hit in?! It's smart, but you'll waste your Aura by the time mine is tapped out!"

"Not if I use this!" Xia shouts back, her Aura flared. The wooden floorboards cracked from the sheer pressure. It felt like the dojo... No, the entire Arc homestead started to shake. Sparks of electricity were coming off her and her Aura was now a shimmering gold. Xia's Aura meter bounced back to 58 percent.

"This is Super... Level 2!" Xia roared. And so, she pressed on with her assault! Another flurry of punches were sent towards Yang, accompanied by Combattre L'or's shotgun blasts.

Yang's Aura dropped to 12 percent. This is bad. This Super Level 2 is strong, but Yang could tell Xia didn't have much practice with it. All she had to do was make an opening for herself to counter one of Xia's hits and use Level 3...

But if she tries to move, Xia could take advantage and trip her up. But if she does nothing then...

This was Xia's plan. Put her Mom in an impossible situation. One where all she can do is defend herself. If tries to move or counter attack, she'll leave herself open. If doesn't, Xia will bombard her with everything she's got!

Yang, realizing the no-win situation her daughter put her in, sighs. "That's a slick move. I forfeit!"

Xia stops, panting in exhaustion. "Really?"

"Yup. You win." Yang says, trying to catch her breath.

"Holy crap. I DID IT!" Xia bounced with excitement. "I FINALLY BEAT YO--"

Before she got to finish celebrating, she fell to the floor.

Yang signaled to her husband. Jaune grabbed his medical kit, then turned towards the other spectators.

"Yin. Pyrrha. Head back to the house and get Grannie. Ok? "

"Is Xia gonna be ok?" Pyrrha asks, worried about her sister's well-being.

"She'll be fine. I just let her know we're going to be a little late for dinner," Jaune says. He then turns to Yin. "Oh, and Yin? Tell Grannie you won't be having any dessert because you listened to Grunkle Qrow again."

Yin held his head down.

"Yes, sir."

The two then proceed to head to the house. Jaune knelt down, using the Aura Scanner from the medical kit to check Xia's condition.

"Is she ok," Yang asks. Kneeling down beside Jaune. "I think she might have overused her Semblance."

"She'll be fine," Jaune smiled. "Nothing my Semblance can't fix. But right now, she needs to rest."

Jaune took Xia and Yang's hands and began to flood their Auras with his. The bruises on the two healed rapidly.

"One hell of a kid we raised, huh Vomit Boy?" Yang snuggled closer to him.

"Yeah," Jaune began to reminisce. "You remember what she told Raven after we saved her?"

"MY MOMMY AND DADDY AREN'T WEAK," a 9-year-old Xia shouted at Raven. "THEY'RE SUPER STRONG!"
"Xia. Please," Raven began to plead with the little girl. "These two will hold you back! Family will always hold you back! I will show you true strength!"
"YOU'RE WRONG!" Xia's Aura began to unleash itself. "YOU'RE JUST SOME STUPID OLD LADY! MY FAMILY IS MY STRENGTH!"
"How can I forget," Yang smiled warmly. "Pretty sure Raven's mind broke after being told off a child."

The couple shared a laugh.

The laughter died down when Xia began to stir.

"Alright," Jaune heaved. Lifting Xia in a princess carry. "Let's get her inside. Pretty sure my Dad's making meatloaf tonight."

"Oh good. I'm starting." Yang started. The two made their way to the house. The laughs from their big family could be heard from outside.

The smell of her Grandpa's cooking began to wake the exhausted Xia.

A smile formed on her face.

Today was the best day ever.

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

I feel like Xia's drive to push past her limits stems from wanting to face Raven again and kick her ass for kidnapping her.
For maximum enjoyment of the Yang vs Xia fight, listen to the instrumental version of "Super" by Brandon Yates.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted From the SpaceBattles Thread.

Childhood Memories: Invincible

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Enótita Coliseum, Argus, Mistral. Xander Arc-Nikos. Age: 13.

The Enótita Coliseum was constructed 4 years after the defeat of Salem after the old Argus Arena was destroyed in the Leviathan's attack on Agrus. Much like its older iteration, the Enótita Coliseum is primarily used for the final exams for Sanctum and Haven Academy students or, on this day, the annual Mistral Tournament.

This year's tournament has been quite the spectacle so far. There have been plenty of new up-and-coming fighters, such as Ai Wukong, and returning fighters, like Arslan Altan. There were even rumors of appearances from older champions in the private booths in search of protégés.

Among the rumored champions was the greatest Spartan of her time. Seated in the bleeder's section of the Coliseum, Pyrrha Arc-Nikos was seated next her husband, Jaune Arc, with their friends seated in the row behind them. Their children sat in order, from eldest to youngest; Artemis, Alphonse, Asteria, and Lydia. There were two who were not currently among them. Alain, who was only 9 months old, was left with his Grandparents, Athena and Orestes.

The other was currently preparing to face off against the current Mistral Tournament champion, a warrior from the Kingdom of Fuujin named Kurenai Kitamura, in the final round of the Mistral Tournament.

Before entering the arena, Xander Arc-Nikos took a deep breath to relax himself. His opponent was fierce. That was a given. One doesn't simply earn '2nd Greatest Swordsman in The World' if they weren't. But Xander was trained by three people who were considered the Greatest Alive. His grandfather, Nicholas, was the greatest Swordsman alive. His mother was the greatest Huntress of her time. And his father was The Rusted Knight, the greatest hero of all time. A walking inspiration to all of Remnant...

"No pressure, Xander," He sighed to himself. "No pressure at all."

There was a small part of Xander that felt like he couldn't measure up to them. That maybe participating in the Tournament was a bad idea, that all they'll see is 'The Invincible Girl's Son'. That sense of doubt wasn't so loud during his training or the preliminaries. Why did have to creep up now?

"Hey, kid? You ready yet?" A staff member snapped Xander from his thoughts. He quickly gave Ílios and Fengári one last once over, just for good measure, then ran towards the arena entrance.

"I'm ready." He says, steeling himself. He hears the announcer hyping up the crowd by going over his opponent's accolades. Xander takes another deep breath and strides into the arena.

"HERE HE IS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN," the announcer shouts. "KURENAI'S OPPONENT! THE BREAKOUT STAR OF THIS YEAR'S MISTRAL TOURNAMENT! THE INVINCIBLE BOY! XANDER ARC-NIKOS!"

The crowd cheers. Although the feeling was overwhelming, Xander took a moment to take it all in and--

"YES!!! DESTROY HIM, XANDER!!! MY PRECIOUS BABY BOY!!!!!"

Oh no.

Xander turned in the direct her voice came from. Despite the distance, he spotted his family. His face turned bright red the moment he saw his Mom and Dad's attire.

'Oh gods, what are they wearing?!'

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

"Oh gods, what are you wearing?" Weiss asked with an incredulous look on her face.

"We wanted to show Xander our support, so I had these specially made T-shirts." Pyrrha beamed with pride. And why wouldn't she! Her baby boy made it to the final round and needed to know his family is giving him all their support!

"Vomit Boy," Yang managed to catch her breath after laughing for what seemed like an hour. "Did you know that your wife put your son's baby pictures on the shirts?"

"Um...," Jaune began to scratch the back of his head. "Actually Yang, it was my idea."

Yang started to laugh even harder. Asteria looked up at her father and tilted her head.

"Vomit Boy?"

"That was a mean nickname your Auntie gave me when we went to school together." Jaune explained as he patted her head. Yang's laughter was immediately cut off when she saw Ruby and Blake return with the snacks, wearing those t-shirts. Right before she could complain, Jaune immediately cuts her off.

"We gave one to Ruby and Blake because we knew they wouldn't laugh at it."

"Ooh, beloved," Pyrrha squeaked. "Xander is on the jumbo screen! He looks so shocked to see us!"

Shocked wasn't exactly the word Xander would describe. He was embarrassed beyond reproach. How could they make something like that! And with his baby pictures!

Next to them, Artemis, Alphonse, and Lydia held up a banner that stated 'Go, Xander, Go!" on it. Behind them, his Aunt Nora and Uncle Ren held similar signs. Next to them, their daughter, Lian, simply gave him a warm smile. A smile that made his heart skip a beat.

"That's some family you have, boy," Kurenai says coldly. "I'll try to make your loss as dignified as possible for them."

Xander got into his stance. Shield up, sword at the ready. This opponent doing the same, his hand firmly grasping his katana.

"LET THE MATCH BEGIN!!"

Kurenai immediately sent an Aura Slash at Xander, which he immediately blocked with his shield. Xander began circling around his opponent and started to remind himself of what he's seen of Kurenai's fighting style. He was mostly reliant on Aura techniques like Aura Slash, Aura Strike, Aura Sight, etc, etc. His Semblance, which was (Suprisingly) common knowledge, allowed him to create a small field of Aura around himself, giving Kurenai inhuman spacial awareness. Combined with his sword skills, it meant he could effectively end the fight in one or two good hits.

But this meant he was completely useless when it came to ranged attacks. Xander shifted Ílios into its rifle form and opened fire on the Swordsman. Every shot fired was just as easily deflected. The Swordsman charged towards Xander, releasing another Aura Slash at him. Kurenai's strategy was pretty clear cut to Xander: Use overwhelming force to crush his spirit. But using techniques like Aura Slash was a bit of a double-edged sword (There's a joke there that only Auntie Yang could appreciate). It's a powerful attack, but even if you highest degree of Aura control, it still uses a lot of your Aura, something Xander had in spades.

Xander blocked every attack sent his way with his shield. He shifted Ílios into its spear form and kept Kurenai at a safe enough distance, jabbing him with powerful strikes. His weak points were easier to expose using this method. But it would only last for so long, he needed to further whittle away at Kurenai's Aura somehow.

As if right on cue, the Fuujin Swordsman parried one of Xander's spear strikes and disarmed the young Spartan. Leaving him with just Fengári to defend himself.

"Now, you can't attack. Yield. Yield knowing the greatest Swordsman alive has recognized your mettle, boy." Kurenai smugly states.

This is bad. He only knew a few basic shield attacks. He was playing it too safe and now all he can do is defend himself.

'Stupid,' He mentally scolded himself. 'I was too worried about bringing his Aura down when I should've kept track of his sword! Now I'm stuck... Wait... That's it!'

A new plan formed in Xander's mind. Sure, he'd be exposing his Semblance but it was worth it. All he had to do know was get Kurenai mad enough to think carelessly.

Now, His mother told him it was bad sportsmanship to trash talk, but his grandfather (and Auntie Nora) told him it was perfectly justifiable in certain situations. Plus, with the way his mother spoke to his other aunts about father, it seemed like her rules were a bit flexible.

But his parents raised him to be a polite boy, so the only insult he could muster was:

"Wrong. You're only the Second Best."

This was more than enough to send Kurenai into a blind rage, his status as second best forcing him into a state of tunnel vision. He kept wildly swinging his katana at Xander, the grace in his attacks completely gone. As if he was just a child with a wiffle ball bat.

"THAT BLONDE MORON IS NOT BETTER THAN ME," Kurenai roared, his cold, dignified tone completely replaced by unbridled anger and insecurity. "I WAS THE ONE WHO BEAT HIM ALL THOSE YEARS AGO! ME! I SHOULD'VE WON!! ISABEL ARC SHOULD'VE BEEN MINE!!"

Geez, no wonder he was being so rude earlier. He hated his grandfather. He knew Grandpa Nick had made a few enemies during his time as a Hunter, but he certainly wasn't really that bad... Right?

Elsewhere, Nicholas Arc sneezes.

Another wild swing of Kurenai's blade crashed against Xander's shield. Then another. And another. As Xander patiently waited for his opening, he closed his eyes and reached out with his Semblance. His electromagnetic senses buzzed around him. He could feel the radio waves in the air, the iron in all around him, and the trajectory of his opponent's blade. As Kurenai raised his sword for an overhead strike, Xander found his opening.

He slowed down the Fuujin Swordsman's blade, slow enough so he could catch it with his hand. He then used his edge shield to shatter the sword, then immediately kicked his foe into the dirt. Before Kurenai could recover, Xander slammed his hand on the Coliseum floor and used Magnetism to alter the floors elcrton attraction, leaving Kurenai thoroughly restrained. Xander then pulled his spear from the wall and pointed its tip towards Kurenai.

"Yield," Xander states stoicly. "Yield while you still have some honor left."

With no other choice, Kurenai lowers his head in defeat. And the crowd cheers. But the only cheers Xander could hear were the ones that mattered the most.

"XANDER!!!!!!! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!" Pyrrha cried out loud enough to drown out the rest of the crowd. His siblings hugged each other and their aunts. Lian clapped her hands in her usual reserved way.

Xander raised Ílios into the air and the crowd went wild. The Tournament was over. Destiny had chosen Xander as the victor.

As he enjoyed listening to the cheers of his family, something miraculous happened to Jaune. For a brief moment, it was like his vision returned to him, so he could see the smile that graced his son's face.

A smile that looked very much like his own.

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

I had a lot of fun writing this one.
For the music, listen to "Final Breath" by Brandon Yates (If you can find a good re-upload).

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Nick: "So! What's your Semblance, kids?"

Amethyst: "Um... I just got my Aura Unlocked so I don't know. Sorry."

Dorothy: "Touch Telekinesis! So I can fly and lift gigantic things!"

Nick: "SWEET! I also love to lift gigantic things!"

Ash: "Our Semblance is kind of like yours, Grandpa!"

Nick: "Eh? You're also Awesome?"

Ashley: "Yeah, but more specifically, Grandma figured it out in the future! Because it's a little like ours!"

Ash: "We can Drain Aura from anyone. Grandpa does it too, but the area of effect is MUCH wider and he draws a lot less."

Ashley: "But on the plus side, he draws it from EVERYTHING. The air, the water, the ground."

Isabel: "Huh! No wonder it was so hard to pin down! I thought it was a passive regeneration Semblance. He's just gathering Aura from all around himself all the time?"

Ash: "Pretty much!"

Isabel: "That also explains why he never runs out of Aura. Well, almost never."

Nick: "Yeah, that fight with the Hydra and that jackass who overthrew Pandu really took it out of me!"

Isabel: exasperated "You were in a coma for a week after each!"

Nick: "Like I said, it really took it out of me!" He grinned "Still! This is great! Now that I know what it is, I can learn how to use it and get..."

He poses.

Nick: "A SUPER MODE!"

Jaune: excited "A super mode?!"

Nora: also excited "A super mode?!"

Isabel: exasperated "Not the super mode again..."

Nick: "Come on Izzy! Stupid Taiyang has a super mode! Qrow can turn into a bird! Raven's got magical super mode! Why can't I have a Super Mode where I have glowing hair and burning eyes and maybe my sword turns into flames?!"

Isabel: "Because it's absurd and you don't need it?!"

Jaune: "I have to agree with Dad, Mom. Super mode sounds pretty cool."

Nora: "THE COOLEST!"

Ashley: "Oh! So if you want to learn how to use the Super mode, you just-"

Nick: "NO! WAIT! DON'T SPOIL ME!"

Ash: "Eh?"

Nick: "I just want to know if I can do it. If you tell me how that takes all the fun out of it!" He nods "I'll figure it out myself... Probably just before I nearly die! That's how I figured out my coolest attacks before-!"

Isabel punches him.

Isabel: "LIKE HELL!" huffs "Just... Teach your grandfather the super mode, please?"

Nick: "But Izzzyyyyy-!"

Isabel: "NO BUTS!"

Nick: "Hmph... I hope your wives are more fun than mine, Jaune."

Jaune: "Um..."

Many female eyes are on him. He manages to stay standing.

Jaune: "... I'm sure they are."

Ashley: "He learned well."

Ash: "Such a quick learner."

Nora: "So, do I get a super mode?!"

Dorothy: "Well, as it turns out-"

Jaune and Isabel: "NOOOO!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Nick: "Still Jaune: Great work on getting a harem!"

Jaune: "It's not a harem! I-I don't have a harem!"

Nick: "You're just like your great-grandfather Shirou!"

Jaune: "What? He didn't have a harem!"

Isabel: "Well... He kind of did, Jaune."

Jaune: "Wha?!"

Isabel: *nods* "Yes. It's still perfectly legal in Vale."

Jaune: eyes widen "Then... Great Aunt Rin and Great Aunt Sakura-?!"

Nick: "Yup!" laughs and pats Jaune's shoulder "You beat him by eight women! That's my boy! That's my boy!"

Jaune: "I THOUGHT THEY WERE JUST FRIENDLY!"

Isabel: "Well why do you think we wouldn't let you date their great-granddaughters? It is several generations removed so it would probably be okay but better safe than sorry!"

Nick: "We should give Papa Shirou a call! Maybe he could help you manage your harem-"

Jaune: "IT'S NOT A HAREM!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

It had been foolish of Arslan. She had lost control. Seeing Jaune hurt so badly... She had seen nothing but red. Nothing but raw rage had filled her.

In that moment she had forgotten that her Semblance didn't work if she lost emotional control. Her incredible Aura control and power? Useless if she didn't keep herself calm.

Cinder had struck her down and everything had gone black. She wondered for a moment if she was dead. If she was about to reach the Table Breaker's Country at last.

Instead, she awoke in a cell in Aura suppressing cuffs. A cage in some run down warehouse in Mantle, below the flying city of Atlas.

It was filthy, dark, and deserted. She was still in pain.

Still... She would manage.

She got up onto her knees, and bowed her head. Her hands were bound in front of her, so that made things easier.

Oh Emperor above, please, hear my prayer...

"You're awake."

Arslan opened her eyes and turned her head calmly. Cinder stood there, a sneer upon her ruined face. Arslan studied her for a moment, before turning her head back and closing her eyes again.

She could feel Cinder's derision from here.

"You know, I could have killed you then and there," the terrorist went on, "But I chose not to. You know why?"

"Because you wish to use me as bait for my friends," Arslan said quietly. Cinder was quiet, then snorted.

"You can do nothing about it."

"I can. And I am," Arslan replied.

She heard Cinder stalk in front of the cage and crouch down. No doubt to glare at her right in her face.

"What are you doing, hm?"

"Praying," Arslan said simply. Cinder laughed mockingly.

"To your made up god? What good will that do? You hoping he'll save you?"

"My hope is that He will save both of us," Arslan said quietly. She could feel Cinder gape at her in disbelief.

"Save both of us?!" She demanded. She slammed the bars of the cage, making them rattle. "What kind of shit is that?! I'm your enemy! I'm your nemesis-!"

Arslan opened her eyes and stared into Cinder's.

"And why do you not seem happy about that?" Arslan asked. Cinder sneered at her.

"Your god's a fake. A fraud. What power has he given you? What reward? What reason to believe?"

"I do not always recognize His will, for no one can discern it fully," Arslan said, "But He has given me many things. A loving family. Friends. A man I wish to spend the rest of my life with. And opportunities to help and save people. The power He has given me is to do good. The reward is that good is done. The belief is that my actions matter and will make a difference."

"Your life has made no difference!" Cinder sneered.

"Your defeats and the lives you have failed to take speak otherwise," Arslan countered. Cinder seethed.

"You're up against the power of an immortal witch! She is the true god here-!"

"And you seek to usurp her power," Arslan surmised. Cinder glared, then smirked.

"So what if I do?"

"It will not change what happened to you," Arslan said softly, her eyes filled with compassion. Cinder's eyes narrowed.

"You don't know anything about me-!"

"The orphanage," Arslan said coldly, "The Glass Unicorn. Rhodes. Your stepmother and stepsisters."

Cinder reared back as though Arslan had struck her. She shook her head rapidly.

"Y-You can't know-How could you-?!"

"I know. It is enough," Arslan murmured. She shook her head.

"You have been through Hell, Cinder Fall. I do not dispute that. I do not deny you have suffered much. Was killing your abusive stepmother and siblings justice? I cannot say. Only He can judge you. I do know that the actions you have taken in Salem's service will not bring you peace."

"I don't want peace!" Cinder spat, "I want power! I want revenge!"

Arslan slowly shook her head.

"You want to feel safe," she stated, "You wanted love. So badly. But you decided it was not worth the risk. How could you? After how badly you were hurt when you trusted? It is the hardest thing in the world to trust, to open yourself up-"

"SHUT UP!"

Cinder flared her flames in her hands. Arslan remained stoic, staring back at Cinder. Cinder meanwhile was panting angrily.

"You can't pity me... You don't get to pity me! We're enemies and I'm going to kill you, your fucking boyfriend, and the rest so I can rule! Your prayers won't change that!"

Arslan closed her eyes and bowed her head.

"Perhaps not," she said, "But I will still try."

Cinder was silent for a moment.

"Even if there was a God, He wouldn't..." Cinder hesitated, "He wouldn't forgive me for what I have done."

"He would," Arslan said softly, "Even if I cannot... He would. If you sought redemption."

"So you can't forgive me," Cinder smirked. "You're not perfect, huh?"

"I am not, nor did I claim to be," Arslan said, sounding tired, "But I still try to do the right thing. No matter how hard it is. That includes praying for my enemies in the hope that they will turn away from evil. It is a faint hope... But it is what must be done."

Cinder glared at Arslan in silence for a bit. Arslan continued to pray.

"You're a fool," Cinder spat. She stood up. "I'm going to kill you in front of your boyfriend. The one I crippled! How does that make you feel?"

"Sad," Arslan said quietly, "For you."

Cinder seethed. She turned and stalked away.

- - -

A bit random but while this story is very Jaune-centric, no reason we can't show glimpses that showcase the other characters in more detail.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted from the Spacebattles thread.

Childhood Memories: Starting Line

- - - - - - - - - -
Xiao-Long/Rose Homestead, Patch. Julian Arc-Rose. Age: 14.

Jaune Arc stood outside his father-in-law's home in the early morning, a cup of coffee in one hand and a stopwatch in the other.

A rumbling could be felt beneath his feet. They were almost here.

In a flash, clouds of red and gold flower petals showered the front lawn. Emerging from the flowerstorm was his wife, Ruby Arc, and their son, Julian Arc-Rose. Hitting the time on the stopwatch, Jaune approached the two. "I think you two beat your personal best."

He showed them the stopwatch. Julian and Ruby smiled wide. Last month their personal best was 44.5 seconds. Now it was 32 seconds! She and Julian had made these races a sort of morning ritual between the two ever since he unlocked his Semblance.

"OK, but I got here first, right? I definitely got here first." Julian asked. Ruby turned towards her son.

"Yeah right, slow-poke," Ruby teased. But truthfully, he actually was getting faster. Not as fast as she was, but he was getting there! "You were just a few inches behind me."

"Nu-Uh! I got here first!" Julian argued. There was no way Mom was still faster than him! He had to have gotten faster by now! "I want a rematch!"

"No way, mister," Ruby shot down Julian's demand. "We need to make breakfast for everyone. I'm starving!"

Before Julian could protest, his stomach growled. His face turned red. He was just as hungry as his mom. Ruby smirked. "You want some pancakes?"

"Yes, ma'am." Julian answered, sheepishly. The trio turned towards the house, but stopped when his grandfather stepped out.

"Uh, there's an angry rabbit Faunus on the house-line asking where Julian is?" Taiyang asked. Julian's eyes bulged in surprise.

"OHMYGODICOMPLETELYFORGOTSERENAWASCOMINGTOMEETYOUGUYSILLSEEYOUGUYSLATERBYE!!" Julian quickly shouted and disappeared in a burst of gold rose petals.

His parents and grandfather stood in silence before Tai asked the obvious question.

"Did either of you understand a word he said?"

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

"Hmmph." Serena Winchester pouted as she sat the Bullhead station waiting for her boyfriend. She had been waiting an hour for Julian to come get her!

She opened her scroll to call him again, but her ears picked up something coming towards. An explosion of gold rose petals showered over her and Julian appeared before her, trying to catch his breath.

"I'm super sorry, Serena! I was racing my and I forgot I was supposed to--"

"Hmmph," Serena crossed her arms and pouted. "You said you'd be here. You said an Arc never goes back on their word."

Before Serena could continue her pout parade, Julian pulled out his ultimate weapon: His puppy eyes! He saw Mom use this on Dad a million times and it always works!

Serena's cheeks began to flush. He's using his cute face! He knows that's her weakness! "Y-you can't just make that face every time I get upset!"

As if he was being challenged, Julian's silver eyes looked like they were getting bigger for maximum effect. Serena couldn't find it in herself to stay mad at someone so cute. She stepped forward and hugged her shroter boyfriend.

"That's so unfair. I'm literally a rabbit Faunus! I'm supposed to be cuter than you!"

"Not to brag but, heh, I learned from the best," Julian said smugly, hugging her back. Mission accomplished! He knew she couldn't resist his boyish charms. After their hug ended, he then got into a dramatic pose. "My charms are too powerful to resist!"

His smugness got swept away when Serena raised an eyebrow. "Which one of was super nervous about asking out the other: you or me?"

"Uh..." Julian's face turned redder than a tomato. He knew the answer to that and it made his insides twist at how cringy it was.

Serena was sitting with her friends when they were approached by a cloaked boy. He looked extremely nervous.

"M-may I speak to you for a minute, Serena?" Julian winced internally. Why did his voice sound like that? Was it always this high pitched? Maybe he should've listened to his friend Liu and got her some flowers. Girls love flowers!

"Yeah, sure." Serena said happily. She remembered this guy! His name was Julian! He was that cute short boy that ate nothing but cookies during lunch! He's so nice to everybody.

They were standing in the forest behind the school for 30 minutes before Julian attempted to ask her something.

"I-I-I... Um... W-w...," Julian stammered out. Why is this so hard! She was too dang cute! It was so distracting! He flipped his hood up, completely covering his face and tried again. "Serena Winchester, I was wondering if we could have a study date together tomorrow?"

She didn't respond. Did he do something wrong? Of course he did something wrong! He put his hood on because he couldn't look her in the eyes!

"Ask me again."

Julian tilted his head. "I'm sorry?"

A brief silence passed before Serena lifted up Julian's hood. She smiled and looked into his eyes. "I said, ask me again."

Suddenly, all of the fear in Julian's body disappered. "Would you like to have a study date with me tomorrow?"

"I'd love to," Serena accepted. She gave him a farewell kiss on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."

Julian stood there dumbfounded. He... He has a date! He has a date with the prettiest girl in school! He's definitely bringing her flowers tomorrow.

"Oh, come on, I never talked to pretty girls before!," Julian defended his past actions. "I'm not a smooth operator like my Dad was!"

"You think I'm pretty?" Serena blushed. This isn't the first time he said she was pretty. But she really liked it when he did.

Julian, once again, blushed. He knew he was in a trap. Serena was good at getting him out of his awkward shell but she always did it in a way that made him feel shy. Before he could give her an answer, his scroll vibrated. He checked. His sister, June, had sent him a message "Mom knows you have a girlfriend. She got answers out of Pyrrha. Her and Dad are heading your way."

"Oh. Well, looks like you'll be meeting my parents a bit sooner than I thought. Did you bring any cookies?" Julian asked. Serena's ears perked up. Reaching into her bag, she showed Julian a tupperware filled with cookies.

"Does she like snickerdoodles?"

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

I meant to get this out last week but decided to take my time with it.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-Posted From The Spacebattles Thread

Glimpses Into Another Timeline: Yuletide Dinner - Yang

- - - - - - - - - - -

Arc-Xiao-Long Household. 4 Years After The Defeat of Salem.

"Ok. Let's try this again, Xia. Say 'Mama'."

Yang Arc-Xiao-Long stared expectantly at her daughter, hoping for her to finally call out for her mother. The 11-month-old stared at her mother then to her stuffed pig, then back again at her mother and said "Oink, oink?"

Yang lowered her head. This is the fifth time today that Xia referred to her as 'Oink, oink'. In fact, that's all she calls her ever since she started talking!

"No, Xia. That's Mr. Pig. Say 'Mama'," Yang begged her. Xia once again looked at her stuffed pig. In a desperate move, Yang decided to bargain. "Please! I'll give you a cookie!"

"Yang, you shouldn't rush her." Taiyang, her father, advised. He came to their house to celebrate the holidays as a family. And, more importantly, to fawn over his adorable granddaughter.

"I feel like she's doing it on purpose. Ruby wasn't like this," Yang sighed. Xia began to giggle as Tai picked her up. "Can babies act smug?"

"No. Every baby is different, you know that," Tai stated, using his 'Fatherly Wisdom' tone. "You just need to be patient. Isn't that right, Firecracker? Your Mama just needs to wait a little longer."

Xia began to laugh as Tai rocked her in his arms. The 11-month-old's laughter always brought a smile to Yang's face. She was just too damn cute!

DING

"Crap! The turkey!" She hurried to the kitchen and pulled the turkey out just in the nick of time. Yang wanted Xia's first Yuletide to be really special. So, she pulled out all the stops! Turkey! Mashed potatoes! Bacon-wrapped asparagus. Everything! She was glad that her In-laws were willing to give her a hand, because it was a lot of food. Yang saw the perfectly cooked turkey with a smirk. She was a bit worried she might've screwed up, but this looked pretty dang good!

"Gods, that smells really good." Entering the kitchen, Jaune was going to steal a dinner roll. Yang slapped his hand right as he reached for one.

"You can a dinner roll after you help the others set the table, Vomit Boy," Yang admonished. There'll be no early eaters in her kitchen! She untied her apron and started to head to her father. "I'm gonna head upstairs. Me and Xia still have to get changed."

"But you already look beautiful." Jaune smirked. Her hair was a mess. She was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a loose-fitting t-shirt. But to Jaune, she looked beautiful in anything.

"Flatter," Yang smiled. "Now, go. I'll be back."

"Alright, but I doubt Weiss is gonna want to help." Yang heard Jaune say as she took Xia from her Dad.

"Not unless she wants to starve!" Yang yelled back to him and hurried upstairs. Going into their room, she immediately got her nicest dress and Xia's adorable overalls. Xia whined, wanting to stay in her bunny pajamas.

"I know, sweetie. But you can't stay in your pj's for this. Now let's get ready, little lady." Yang smiled. Yang was no stanger to getting dressed in a hurry. Today seemed like she was setting a new record.

After thirty minutes, Yang and Xia were ready for dinner. Almost ready. She still had to comb Xia's hair. They sat at Yang's vanity, with Xia sitting in her lap. As she started to brush, she looked over at one of the pictures on her vanity. Her wedding day picture. It was a beautiful day. Ruby was her maid-of-honor, Weiss payed for everything. It was such a great day. Everyone she cared about was there--

Yang stopped combing Xia's hair.

After defeating Salem, she and Raven had started repairing their extremely strained relationship. It took some time vut they seemed to be making a lot of progress. At least, that's what Yang thought.

She remembered the days leading up to her wedding, Raven had started being distant. When Yang confronted her, what Raven told her shattered her heart.

"What do you mean you're not going!?" Yang questioned Raven. The Spring Maiden had told her that she wasn't going to be at her wedding.

"It means exactly what it means," Raven says, dismissively. She stared back at Yang's rage filled glare with a cold, uncaring one. "I need to rebuild my tribe. I don't have time to waste--"

"You think my wedding is a waste of time!?" Mom, there's no war! Salem's gone! There's no point in leading a tribe of bandits!!" Yang screamed at her mother. It hurt to for Yang to refer to Raven as 'Mom'. Part of her chastised herself for even trying to reach out to Raven in the first place. In truth, she should've seen this coming.

"But there will be a power vacuum. And a power vacuum in Mistral means that aby one tribe can take over all of Mistral's underground. I'm not going to let an opportunity like that slip from my hands."

She saw Yang's eyes soon began to fill with tears. The part of Raven that she thought was dead crept up. The part that reminded her that she was still Yang's mother. The part that hurt to see her cry.

"You can come with me," Raven offered. Yang took a step back, shocked. "You don't have to chain yourself down with that boy. You and I can rule over Mistral," Raven reached out with her hand. "What do you say, daughter?"

Yang slapped away her hand in disgust. Raven's face remained unchanged. She knew Yang would decline her offer but she still felt obligated to ask.

"I'll never go with you," Yang hissed. Her eyes were red and her hair looked like it was going to ignite. "I love Jaune. He's going to be my husband. Nothing you can say or give can ever make me leave him!"

Raven stared at Yang for awhile. Yang mentally prepared herself for a fight. But Raven turned away, her back facing Yang.

"Fine," Raven said, coldly. "Cripple yourself by marrying that weakling of man. It matters not to me what you do with your life. If you want to stay weak then by all means, stay weak."

Before leaving, she looked over her shoulder and said "If it means anything, I hope your wedding is... nice."


Yang was pulled out of her by Xia shifting in her lap. She looked down to see her daughter looking up at her curiously. She realized that there were tears in her eyes.

"Sorry, Firecracker," Yang wiped her eyes. Xia tilted her head. "Mama was having a bad memory."

She continued to comb Xia's hair. Despite being only 11-month-old, her hair grew a considerable amount. It looked like a full mane. Once she was done, she tied Xia's hair into a ponytail.

"There! All done!" Yang looked at the two of them in the mirror. Xia giggled, squeezing Mr. Pig closer to her chest. Yang looked at how happy Xia looked and frowned, remembering all of the horrible things Raven had put her through. She picked up Xia and looked her the eyes.

"Xia," Yang said to her, getting her undivided attention. "I know you can't understand what I'm saying. But I want you to know, I will never leave you or your daddy. You two are the most important people in my life. So are the brothers and sisters you'll have," She knew for a fact her and Jaune aren't stopping at one kid. "My little Firecracker, your Mama loves you so much. I want you to always remember that."

Xia stared at her. Then placed her hand on Yang's head.

"Mama."

Tears began to well up in Yang's eyes. A content smile grew on her face. She finally said it.

"Yeah. I'm your Mama."


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

Hope you guys enjoyed this story. Nice little holiday special

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Radian, Vale

Three Years after Salem's defeat...

The Arc Farm covered quite a lot of acreage in Radian, even after selling off much of it to pay the family's debts. While their power had waned considerably, the people of Radian still loved their protectors, and the feeling was mutual. Therefore, there was plenty of room for Jaune and Emerald to build their house on the property when they were wed.

It had been a gift almost all of their friends had contributed to. An act of charity they couldn't turn down.

It was the kind of home Emerald had never imagined herself living in, much less being happy in: Only two storeys, red brick and timber with blue and green painted eaves. Cozy, small, warm in the winters and cool in the summers. It was humble, simple... And she loved it completely. Especially now with the snow falling.

Though learning how to be part of a family was still a challenge, it was something she relished. Even now, as she gamely tried to pull some wrapping paper out of the fist of her baby daughter, Amethyst. They sat on the floor near the fireplace and the decorated tree. Emerald was wrapping gifts while Amethyst kept grabbing onto anything she could reach.

"Come on Gemstone, that's not yours," she said with a gentle smile. The nine month old whined, again trying to get at the colorful paper. With dexterity born of her thievery, she swapped it out with another sheet of wrapping paper. Amethyst squealed and began to jam the paper into her mouth, bouncing her feet in her blue bunny onesie. Emerald shook her head fondly.

"You really need to learn to not take what's not yours," Emerald admonished. Amethyst whined, and again reached for shiny wrapping paper. Emerald giggled.

"Never thought I'd hear you say that," Mercury Black drawled as he walked into the living room. His hands were in his pockets. Emerald snorted.

"Yeah well, a lot has changed," she said with her nose in the air. She rubbed Amethyst's head as she clumsily turned around. She cried out happily upon seeing Mercury. Mercury started.

"Huh? What's her deal?"

"She missed you," Emerald explained, as the nine-month old clumsily crawled towards Mercury's feet. He stared down at her with a confused frown.

"She's only seen me like twice," he stated, as the nine month old wrapped her arms around his leg and looked up at him.

"Well, it's not my fault my daughter likes you even if you're too rude to visit," Emerald sniffed as she resumed wrapping presents. Mercury blanched a bit as Amethyst cried out at him.

"Wha-What does she want?"

"She wants you to pick her up," Emerald explained in exasperation.

"Wha... Er..."

Mercury winced, and slowly reached down. He took the baby up from under her arm pits and lifted her up. Amethyst squealed and Mercury cringed.

"Is... Am I doing it right?"

"Oh for..." Emerald rolled her eyes. She got up and took hold of Mercury's arms and her baby. She rearranged both so that Mercury was now holding her against his shoulder, wrapping securely in his arms.

"You don't hold her like she's a time bomb," she admonished.

"I dunno, when did you last change her?" Mercury asked. Amethyst laughed and grabbed onto Mercury's hair. "AH! Ow! Hey!"

"She does that," Emerald said, sitting back down to resume wrapping, "Just deal with it."

"Geez," Mercury sniffed as he sat down on the couch, "She may be part Arc but she's definitely your kid-OW!"

"Don't I know it," Emerald smirked. "So, what brings you by?"

"Uh, well..." Mercury shrugged. "Since I'm working with the Global Alliance, I... I got time off."

Emerald nodded.

"... And?"

Mercury snorted.

"And I don't know what the fuck to do with it!"

"Language!" Emerald scolded him. Mercury scowled.

"Seriously?"

"Completely," she stated, "Watch your mouth around her!"

"What does it matter if she starts swearing-?"

Emerald glared at him.

"It matters to me," she stated, firm and angry. "So watch. Your. Mouth."

The two stared at one another for a long moment. Mercury snorted.

"... Fine." He looked at Amethyst, who was whining and trying to grab onto his face. "Ah... How do you make her stop?"

"You don't," Emerald chuckled. Mercury sighed.

"I don't see the appeal of this," he said. "Like... Doing normal things? Like normal people? Celebrating some lion guy coming back from the dead, and..." He shook his head. "I just... I don't."

Emerald paused. She looked out the windows onto the porch. Jaune was out there, chopping firewood. The scars from the war were still visible on his skin, even through his coat and scarf. Burns he had taken... Taken for her.

She licked her lips and thought about it.

"... It's knowing that someone will always be there for you," Emerald decided, "And they're not there because they think you're useful or you're their slave. They're genuinely... Genuinely happy to have you there. You make their life better."

She turned and smiled warmly at Amethyst as she continued to squeal and fuss.

"And when I look into her eyes? She just... She loves me. She loves us. She knows nothing else but joy and love."

She clenched her fists.

"And I'm going to make sure she never goes through what we did," she swore, "Never."

Mercury stared at her. Emerald sighed.

"I think... I think it means having an actual future. It takes a lot of hard work... And we struggle. But we struggle together. So..." She nodded.

"Yeah. That's... That's basically it."

Mercury wet his lips. He was otherwise silent, staring into the eyes of Amethyst. The baby stared back, wide eyed and innocent. He slowly shook his head.

"... I don't know if I'll ever feel that way," he admitted. "I... I don't know if I can."

Emerald smiled.

"I think you're getting better."

Mercury shot her an incredulous look.

"I would never have trusted the old you with my baby," she said.

Mercury flushed, but then scowled.

"Yeah, well... Arc would kill me if I hurt his kid."

"You think I wouldn't?" Emerald asked, amused. Mercury shook his head.

"I'd want Arc to kill me instead of you. He'd put me down quick and painless."

Emerald chuckled. The door to the patio opened. Jaune entered with a smile and a pile of firewood.

"Hey Em, hey Amethyst, hey Mercury!" He deposited the wood in the iron log holder, before he walked up to Emerald. She eagerly let him pull her up to her feet and kissed him happily.

"Mwah... Hey Jaune," Emerald said happily. "Mercury's gonna babysit Amethyst for a little while!"

"Oh?" Jaune asked. At Emerald's warm look, he blushed. "Oh... Well... Thank you, Mercury."

"I'm wha..." At Emerald's look, Mercury sighed. "Yeah. Sure. Go have your sexy times."

"Thanks Merc," Emerald giggled as Jaune pulled her up and threw her over his shoulder. He smacked her bottom and made his wife squeal. He walked towards Mercury, bent down, and kissed his daughter on the head.

"We're making you a new sibling, don't you worry sweetie," Jaune whispered.

"JAUNE! DON'T TELL HER THAT!" Emerald giggled.

"Too late!" Jaune laughed, carrying his laughing wife up the staircase. Mercury sighed and looked down at Amethyst, who was now sucking on her thumb and staring up at him.

As much as he was loathe to admit it... He had changed. So had Emerald. In her case, she'd just accepted it happily. Him?

It was still a challenge. Still ongoing.

Amethyst giggled, and clumsily reached out to pat his cheek. It was warm, and her toothless grin was happy and innocent.

He sighed and patted her back.

"You're just as conniving as your mom, kid," he muttered.

Amethyst whined.

"You're looking forward to it, aren't you? Me being all domesticated, your uncle Merc," he sneered, "I bet you think you'll have me wrapped around your little finger and that I'll do anything for you, don't you?"

Amethyst burped, and nuzzled her face into his chest. She began to breath more slowly and evenly as she fell asleep.

Mercury sighed, and rubbed her head.

"... You're right, you little monster," he mumbled, a hint of a smile on his face.

- - -

All right guys! To help Sift Cheer up, let's have more Aslanmas episodes from the other timelines! Write them up! And let's have some fun!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Radian, Vale

Six Years After Salem's Defeat

- - -

Jaune walked into the kitchen of his house, a smile on his face.

"Pyr? Pyr!" He called out.

"Ah! Jaune!" Pyrrha gasped, turning from the stove. She waved her wooden spoon, an apron over her dress, and her round belly. "You shouldn't surprise me like that! Do-Do you want the house to burn down?!"

Jaune laughed happily and walked up to his wife. He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

"Come on. You only burned down the kitchen at Beacon twice. You're not going to burn it down in our own home."

"Thanks for reminding me," Pyrrha groused. Jaune chuckled.

"Relax, relax... You're doing great," he said. "The ham's coming along great."

The timer went off with a loud buzz. Pyrrha gasped and turned back to the oven.

"Stop distracting me, you-you goof!" She giggled and kissed his cheek. "Go check on Xander and Nora, will you?"

"Not Ren? Or Lian?" Jaune asked in amusement.

"You know why," Pyrrha teased. Jaune nodded and headed out. Pyrrha shut off the timer with her Semblance, then made the oven door open. She carefully pulled the ham out, and set it on top of the oven. She checked the temperature and sighed in relief. Everything was perfect.

The right kind of perfect. She smiled happily as she prepared the ham.

There were times during the war with Salem that she had thought she would never see something like this. Never get to experience this joy of family, warmth, and love. Now... Now she had a home. A family. And children.

Speaking of... She put the ham on the platter and prepared the other sides. She floated the metal platters and pulled her apron off. She rubbed her round belly and headed out into the living room.

She beamed as she saw the scene before her. Nora and Jaune sat on the floor in front of the Yuletide tree. Jaune had little Xander in his lap-He was only six months old. Facing him, Nora held her own seven-month-old baby girl, Lian. Ren was relaxing with some tea, smiling softly at the scene.

"Hey Pyr!" Nora greeted happily. "Come on Lian! Say hello!"

Lian whined, then reached out to Xander. She then grabbed his pacifier and pulled it away. Xander began to cry.

"Ah, hey!" Jaune scolded. "Don't bully my son!"

"No! Assert your dominance, Lian!" Nora giggled. "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

She pushed Lian up against Xander.

"Now kiss, kiss, kiss!"

Jaune pulled Xander back and patted his son on the back. Xander soon calmed down.

"Come on Nora, they're not even one year old!" Jaune protested.

"But-But if they get married we'll be able to hang out forever!" Nora whined. "We'll be a real family, forever!"

"We already are," Jaune chuckled. Pyrrha walked up and shook her head.

"We are, Nora," she said kindly. Ren smiled and nodded warmly. He slid off the couch onto the floor with his wife and wrapped an arm around her waist. Lian giggled.

"But you should teach your daughter to be nicer to my son, if we're going to get them married someday," Pyrrha laughed. She knelt down and cuddled with her son and husband.

"Pyr," Jaune protested, "We're not going to arrange any marriages for our kids."

"Fine," Pyrrha sighed. She then brightened. "But you didn't say anything about encouraging them to get married!"

Jaune sighed and hugged his wife and son.

"All right. But it's not gonna turn out like those romcom mangas."

"I somehow doubt that," Ren deadpanned.

And he was right.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-posted From The Spacebattles Thread

Glimpses Into Another Timeline: Aslanmas Miracle - Blake

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

Arc-Belladonna Household, Menagerie. 2 Years After The Defeat of Salem.

It was a good year for Blake Arc-Belladonna.

In March, she had gotten married to the love of her life and the days before that she found out she was pregnant. The days after that, she and Jaune spent time buying things for the baby... Then buying more baby things after finding out she was having twins. That fact alone made her mom start drafting her and her father's will. They put the finishing touches to the house last month. It looked exactly as she envisioned. They decided they would invite all of their friends and family over to spend the holidays together.

Truly, she never knew how happy one person could be.

She was making herself a tuna sandwich when she realized she might've spoken too soon. She felt sudden pain. Her senses knew what was happening. They were coming.

"Jaune!" Blake yelled as she held her belly. This isn't good. Isabel said they weren't due for another week! Was she wrong!? Did she overestimate her due date!? Did the smell of fish make them this excited!?

"Blake! What's wrong!?" Jaune asked, concern in his voice. He held onto to Blake to stop her falling. Blake started to slow down her breathing.

"Jaune," Blake said as calmly as she could. "I think I'm going into labor. I need you to tell your mom to get the medical kit from the closet."

"Wait, you're having them here," Jaune, while really happy that their kids chose now to meet the world, wasn't too thrilled at what Blake was implying. "I can get Ruby to rush you to the medical center--"

"It's too far," Blake cut him off. "And I don't want to risk moving that fast. I want to have our kids in a controlled environment and your mom is the only person with the practical experience to deliver a baby outside of a hospital room. Jaune, I need your mom to take me to the bedroom. Please, before it gets worse."

Jaune breathed in. He knew she was right.

"MOM!! WE'VE GOT AN EMERGENCY!!"

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

Hours had passed when they rushed Blake into the bedroom. Jaune paced around the living room. He couldn't stay still. He was really worried. He wanted to stay with her but his mom insisted he waited outside. Especially after Blake started yelled stuff like 'You did this to me!'. His mother-in-law Kali took his place to provide Blake comfort. Jaune felt a hand place itself on his shoulder. He turned to see his father, smiling at him with reassure.

"Everything's fine. Relax." Nick said.

"Sorry, Dad," Jaune took a breath. "I just... This is a bit cathartic for me. They're my first kids. I don't want anything bad to happen."

"That's natural, son. That's how being a father starts," Nick told Jaune. "Probably gonna be worse for you since you're having twins. But still, it's all one big learning curve."

"He's right," Ghira spoke up. "You and Blake will struggle at first but that's the part of the joy of raising a child."

"Thanks. Both of you." Jaune smiled. The door to the bedroom opened. His Mom and Kali walked out. Both looked frazzled, especially his mom. Before his worrying crept up again, Isabel removed her mask, revealing a smile. Tears were in her and Kali's eyes.

"A boy and a girl. Jaune, they're... they're beautiful!" Isabel cried. Jaune made his way to his wife. He closed the door, hoping everyone could understand him wanting to get a little alone time with Blake and their kids.

"Hey," Jaune smiled. Blake had bags under eyes, her hair looked unkempt, and ears were flattened. She was holding (Or at least trying to) the twins. Two blonde cat Faunus. One was flicking their ears and the other was sound asleep. "Are you feeling ok?"

"Yes. I'm exhausted but I feeling better," Blake smiled. The twin that was asleep began to stir. "Can you take Leander? He wants to meet his daddy."

Jaune picked up his son...

His son.

That was something that he was gonna have to get used to saying. Along with the words 'his daughter'. Wait...

"Leander?" Jaune asked.

"Yes," Blake confirmed. "Leander and Leandra Arc-Belladonna."

"I guess you weren't kidding when you said you were going to name them after the characters in 'The Sword and the Sheath'.

"There's nothing wrong with those names." Blake immediately defended herself. They're supposed to be the prince and princess of Menagerie! She had to give them names that would--

Blake stiffened a little. She was starting to sound like Weiss. Great.

Leandra's stopped flicking. Blake looked to see why, only to find her daughter staring up at her. She had shining blue eyes. Her ears began flick again. Maybe she was happy when the attention was on her? Blake didn't know. All that mattered was that Leandra was happy.

With Jaune, Leander yawned, wide awake to see his father for the first time. Jaune smiled. He had his eyes. "You two really wanted to meet us so badly, huh?"

The only response he got from his son was a small, soft "Nya".

The rest of the night was spent with everyone cooing over the newborn twins and congratulating the couple, only stopping when Jaune remembered that he was supposed to be cooking dinner for everyone.

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

This one is a little on the short side but hope you guys enjoy!!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Radian, Gallia

Five years after defeating Salem...

- - -

Having leave of any kind was alien to Glynda. Her entire life had been about work, work, work. All to fight against the encroaching darkness.

Now? The darkness had been defeated. Oh certainly, the Grimm still existed and now that magic was known to Remnant again, there were bad actors seeking to use it. Salem cultists had sprung up and certain elements of the White Fang were still up to their old tricks despite their leader being long dead.

But true peace, it seemed, was found in what you didn't have to do anymore. And that drop in workload allowed her and Jaune to settle down and relax a bit in Radian. The farmhouse he'd built for her was simple, almost quaint. Cedar wood from Mistral, pine and redwood from Atlas, with austere white walls and dark oak trimming. Vaulted ceilings and large windows with worn but comfortable furniture.

It was, in short, her dream house. Something she could have never imagined sharing with someone. Especially not the man she loved.

The man she loved who was dressing up in a big red suit with a wine red, white furred lined coat. He pulled on a papakha, the traditional furry hat that Father Winter wore, and examined himself in the mirror. Nearby, her father-in-law Nick and mother-in-law Isabel sat on the couch. Nick grinned as Jaune turned around, resting his hand on his knee.

"Perfect fit!" Nick chuckled, slapping his knee. Jaune smiled almost bashfully back at his father, and stroked his beard.

"You think so?"

"You look just like your father at... At his age," Isabel said, warm but a bit sad. Nick huffed.

"Worse things to lose than an eye and some years, Izzy. I should know." He sighed as he looked down at his missing left arm and right leg. Glynda winced and Isabel looked guilty. Jaune frowned deeply.

Everyone had sacrificed a lot during the war with Salem. Nick himself had helped in the final assault, taking down three Grimm Dragons almost single handedly before he fell. Isabel had kept him alive, but his arm and leg could not be recovered. Not even by Jaune's Semblance.

"Dad," Jaune whispered. Nick frowned for a bit, before he brightened.

"Bah... My only regret is that I can't play Father Winter anymore! Hard to wield the two sabers with a real and an artificial hand," Nick chuckled. "Don't you feel guilty about any of it. Any of you. We're alive, breathing, and I get to see my son and my wonderful daughter-in-law make children smile! That's what it's all about."

He grabbed Isabel's hand and squeezed it. Isabel smiled back, though tears still shone in her eyes. Jaune sniffled a bit too, but manfully hid it. Glynda rose from her seat, her red dress flowing around her, as she hugged Jaune. He smiled at his wife, and she smiled back warmly.

"It is a bit crooked," Glynda said, reaching up to adjust his furry hat. Jaune sighed.

"I must have a lopsided head."

"Yes, we knew that," Glynda chuckled. Jaune huffed and nuzzled her... Before he pinched her bottom. Glynda squealed.

"Or a picky wife."

"You're lucky I'm picky," Glynda sniffed, "I wouldn't have chosen the best!"

Jaune laughed.

"You're right about that... Well! Lady Winter, shall we?"

He offered his arm. She took it and cuddled up against him.

"Of course, Father Winter!"

"Great!" Nick cheered. "I'll drive!"

"Maybe I should handle that," Isabel said carefully, "You crashed the tractor."

Nick grumbled.

"That tree came out of nowhere! A Geist was in it!"

"Yes dear, of course," Isabel sighed fondly, already picking up the keys.

- - -

In the central square of Radian, the marketplace was busy and bustling. Electronics wares from Atlas were sold alongside local furs and caps. But near the statue of Joan D'Arc, the Fire Maiden, was a big wooden chair decorated in red, gold, silver and green ribbons. A pair of sabers were crossed overhead, held by a protective wreath of holly. Under this, Jaune sat down like a barbarian king on a throne. Glynda stood alongside, ever vigilant... As children from across Gallia came to sit on the lap of Father Winter, and ask for gifts.

"What is your name, son?" Jaune asked.

"Alex!" The boy declared. Jaune nodded.

"Have you been good, Alex?"

"Y-Yeah... Mostly!"

"Mostly?" Glynda asked with a raised eyebrow. The boy winced. Jaune boomed in laughter, and patted Alex on the head.

"I'm sure he's done his best," he said, "What would you like for Aslanmas, son?"

"I... I want a sword like the Rusted Knight, F-Father Winter!" Alex said, "To slay Grimm with!"

"Oh? Will you use this sword like the Rusted Knight?" Jaune asked, "To protect the weak and innocent? To save those who need it?"

"Yeah!" Alex said, determined. "I won't let anything happen to them!"

Jaune grinned beneath his beard. Glynda hid a small smile.

"Then you will get it! Just remember to be careful, you don't want to cut yourself. That is a mark of shame for a swordsman."

"I won't, sir!" The boy swore. He got off and ran back to his parents, who were taking pictures with Scrolls. The next child was a little girl with a big smile and pigtails.

"And what is your name?" Jaune asked.

"I'm Suzie!" She declared.

"Well, have you been good this year, Suzie?" He asked.

"Yeah! My brothers are really mean though," she made a face, "They're all little and brats."

"They'll grow out of it," Jaune assured her, "Just means you need to be a good big sister to them!"

Suzie nodded.

"What would you like for Aslanmas, Suzie?"

"I want a-a mechashift sniper scythe like Lady Ruby's!" She enthused. "She's so cool! She saved the world!"

"Ah, but she built it herself," Jaune said. Suzie's eyes widened.

"How do you know?"

"Cause Father Winter knows everything," Jaune said firmly. Suzie frowned.

"Then why did you ask if I was good or bad?"

Jaune smirked.

"Because if you tell the truth, I'll consider you a good girl. If not? You're bad."

Suzie's eyes widened in understanding.

"Wow... So um... Could I get a kit to build a sniper scythe?"

"Sure! But don't make it the only weapon for you!" Jaune counseled, "You want to be your own kind of heroine!"

"Okay!" Suzie beamed. She posed for some photos with Jaune, then ran back to her parents.

"Next!"

Lilac Arc-Sith and her husband, Mercer Junior, approached with their twins, Castor and Polly. The boy and girl were barely three years old, and immediately began to tug on Jaune's beard when they sat in his lap.

"Heh, enthusiastic, aren't they?" Jaune chuckled.

"Cut that out!" Mercer barked. The twins winced and their lips wobbled. Mercer shook his head.

"Ohhh no! You're in front of Father Winter! Santa himself! You need to be polite!"

"Mercer," Lilac gently scolded her husband. Mercer grumbled and bowed his head.

"Well they should be," he muttered. Lilac smiled encouragingly at her twins.

"Go ahead you two. What do you want from Father Winter?"

Castor and Polly calmed down and looked up at their uncle in wonder.

"Choo Choo train!" Castor declared.

"Dolly!" Polly insisted.

"And have you been good?" Jaune asked, his eyes twinkling in amusement. The twins winced.

"Yeah?"

"Then good," Jaune said, "You'll get your gifts. Just be kind to your parents: They love you very much."

"And your aunt and uncle, who will be buying you more gifts if you behave," Glynda advised. The twins gasped happily.

"YAY! MORE TOYS!" They cheered, sliding off. Though not before Polly kissed Jaune's cheek. They rushed away giggling.

"Hey! Wait! We need to take your pictures!" Mercer cried. Lilac giggled.

"Oh, those two~!"

Jaune and Glynda shared a smile.

On and on it went. Each child came up and sat on Jaune's lap. Many of them cried. A few babies wet themselves. A few parents had to deal with temper tantrums, and yet, Jaune remained cool, calm, and collected. Glynda found herself spellbound by the boy turned man.

At last, the sun began to dip behind the horizon. The Yuletide market began to close up. Jaune relaxed in the chair, just looking up at the stars. Glynda walked up to him and handed him a mug of something warm and sweet. He smiled at her.

"Thanks." He sipped the hot cocoa. "Mmm..."

"This was quite the ordeal," Glynda chuckled. Jaune nodded.

"Mm... My dad did it every year, without fail," he said, "Every year. This year, well..." He sighed. "The injuries took their toll."

Glynda nodded slowly. It was clear there was more going on with Nick than Isabel had related. It wasn't that she was being shut out... Just hard to talk about.

"He's still Nick at heart," Glynda consoled, "He never gives up. And he lives every day like it's his last."

Jaune nodded, a sad smile on his face.

"Yeah... That's-That's why he was perfect as Father Winter. The spirit of Hope and Wonder. He always tries to bring a smile to every child's face, and make life better. I... I want to be just like that."

Glynda smiled lovingly.

"You are... You will be."

Jaune smiled back, and took her hand in his.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," Glynda murmured back.

He made to get up, but Glynda reached out with her hand and pushed him back. Jaune blinked.

"Eh?"

"Lady Winter has a request for Father Winter too," Glynda said with a small smile. She then sat down in Jaune's lap, and snuggled up against him. Jaune smiled broadly and wrapped his arms around her.

"And what would that be, my lady?"

"That... That next year? We can bring..." She took his hand and rested it on her lower stomach, "Our child here, so he or she can experience that wonder and hope for themselves."

Jaune's jaw dropped. Glynda blushed and shrugged.

"I-I just learned this morning... Surprise?"

Jaune lifted his wife into the air and whooped for joy.

"BEST! ASLANMAS! EVER!"

Glynda laughed with her husband, and they embraced under the twinkling stars overhead.

"The first of many," she agreed.

- - -

@Insomnius wrote the first Glynda Glimpse. I hope he likes how I handled the second!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Maharaja Palace, Hastinpur, Kingdom of Pandu, Southern Mistral, Animus: Three Years after the Defeat of Salem

- - -

Jaune Arc was the Consort to the Queen of Pandu, and her Chief of Security. As such, part of his duties were to sweep the Maharaja Palace every day for any signs of security breaches. The structure itself was over a thousand years old and had gone through multiple renovations, upgrades, and rebuilds. So it was a painstaking process, involving physically examining every part of the palace and checking through records of maintenance that often went back centuries.

The Pandavans were pretty good about maintaining records, but invoicing was a lot more complicated in the days before phones and electronic databases.

It was critical: Mai was meeting with several officials from the province of Magadha, who were among the most skeptical of her rule. Any intruders would just make things worse.

He trudged into the royal bedchambers, feeling exhausted. His wife, May, was taking off her elaborate headdress as she sat in front of the vanity mirror.

"Rough day?" She asked, looking sympathetic. She frowned. "You're wearing different clothes."

"Had to check out a security alarm in the sewage tunnels," Jaune grumbled, sitting down on the bed, "Used the guard locker room to clean up."

May winced. She got up and scooted over to hug him tightly. He wrapped an arm around her waist.

"How are you?" He asked.

May sighed heavily and rolled her eyes.

"Apparently Lord Mathvira was 'concerned' that a pregnant woman was running the country and our alliance," she huffed. "'It's so stressful! Shouldn't you be more concerned with your baby?'"

Jaune rubbed her rounded belly with a comforting smile.

"Well, it's my job to keep you as stress free as possible," he murmured. He kissed the side of her head. She sighed happily and leaned into him.

"You do such a good job," she whispered, kissing his cheek. He smiled and nuzzled her back. His hands began to wander, and May giggled.

"C-Come on... I'm fat and bloated and-"

"And carrying our child," Jaune whispered, nuzzling her neck, "That makes you the sexiest woman alive to me."

May giggled. She let him feel her up a while longer, before she reluctantly pushed his hands away. Jaune pouted.

"Don't make that face," May cooed, kissing his cheek. She slowly rose, rubbing her belly. "Oof! She's getting feisty!"

"Speaking of," Jaune frowned, scanning around, "Where's August?"

May giggled. She extended her hand to him.

"I have a surprise for you," she said. Jaune took her hand and let her lead him out of the bed chambers. The guards saluted as they exited, May and Jaune both nodding in acknowledgement. They headed down towards a small courtyard. Jaune frowned at the holographic hazard signs all over it.

"This was closed off for renovations," he said, "Brawnz marked it off as checked-"

The holographic field dissipated.

"HAPPY ASLANMAS!"

Jaune gaped. May grinned. Gathered around a Yuletide Tree were his parents, her parents and younger brother Abhimanyu, his sisters, team RWBY, Nora, Ren (with baby Lian), Brawnz, Nolan, and Roy, Professor Goodwitch, Winter and Whitley Schnee, Penny... And baby August, who was being held by Ruby. The baby lit up and cried out happily when he saw his parents.

Everyone was smiling broadly. Jaune turned to his wife, who smiled warmly.

"It took some doing... And a security alert in the sewers to keep you from knowing," she admitted, "But... Happy Aslanmas, baby."

Jaune sighed and kissed her.

"Mmm... Thank you," he murmured. "But I'm definitely gonna punish you for sending me off into the sewers."

"I look forward to it~," May murmured with red cheeks.

"HEY!" Brawnz shouted, "Make out later! Party now!"

"Ha! Just because you're not getting any is no reason to lash out!" Yang shot back.

Brawnz scowled at her.

"How's your apartment full of cats?"

Yang sucked in a deep breath. Her eyes blazed red.

"Yup."

Ruby gulped and teleported out of the line of fire with baby August. The sounds of Brawnz begging for mercy soon filled the air.

"GO YANG! HAHAHA! THAT'S THE SPIRIT!"

As well as his father cheering on the violence.

"MIND THE TREE!"

And his mother trying to mitigate the damage.

"Geez, they never change," Ruby muttered. August whined, and Ruby handed him back to his parents with a beam. Jaune and May took August between them, both exasperated.

"Is this what happens at every Arc family Aslanmas?" May asked. "I remember your mother getting drunk on eggnog last time and punching out Professor Goodwitch."

"I recall that going very differently," Glynda muttered.

"You would," Isabel sniffed.

"Why do you think I always join their parties?" Arjun, now with a cyborg arm and leg, laughed uproariously. Saia rolled her eyes.

"So you could slack off?"

"That's the point of the holidays, sweetie!"

Ruby giggled, and turned back to August. The baby laughed and reached for her face.

"He's really growing up so fast," Ruby cooed, "Kind of makes me want one."

Abhimanyu, tall and smirking, leaned in close to her face. He was the spitting image of his father as a teenager, dressed in a blue gold-embroidered coat and white pants. His bow and arrow quiver were on his back, and his face was clean shaven under his messy black hair.

"Oh?" He asked. Ruby blushed.

"N-Not right now!" She insisted. Abhimanyu pouted a bit. Ruby smirked and bumped against her boyfriend.

"But~, I wouldn't be opposed to talking about it in private," she cooed. Abhimanyu blushed deeply. He coughed, as his princely bravado all vanished.

"Ah, w-well, uh, ya know..."

"Yang's distracted," May muttered, "You two can 'talk' without any issues."

Ruby's cheeks went bright red. Abhimanyu flushed.

"Er, I-I mean-"

"Come on, let's go!" Ruby grabbed her boyfriend and vanished with him in a flurry of rose petals. May smirked and nodded to August.

"You're gonna get a cousin with your new baby sister, yes you are, yes you are~!"

Jaune stared at his wife. She blushed.

"What?"

"Just happy that you're my wife... And not evil," Jaune said, holding her tightly. "We wouldn't have stood a chance."

May chuckled and kissed the top of their son's head. Now Nora was joining in the fight as Roy was now brawling. Everyone else pulled away and were cheering, shouting, or exasperated.

"You're absolutely right."

- - -

Just a short bit for May's timeline. Hope you enjoyed.

And Abhimanyu basically looks like this:

Spoiler

He's got Arjun's fighting style with ranged weapons but he's much dorkier at this age. He's had a crush on Ruby since he met her when he was 15 and she was 17. Now he's legal and a handsome prince... But still a bit of a dork around her.

But she LIKES dorks. As we well know.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Radian, Vale

Six Years After Salem's Defeat

- - -

Cinder sat on the couch in the farmhouse Jaune had built for them both. She had never wanted to be reminded of the Glass Unicorn every again, so the interior was light and airy. The walls were painted blue, the floors pale wood. The decor was simple but rugged. The fireplace was red brick, warm, and carefully protected with grates.

All the better to protect the most precious things in her life other than her husband: Her darling little twins, Ash and Ashley.

They were six months old now, and were playing on an Aslanmas themed blanket in front of her. She was sitting with them, tired, but unable to take her eyes away from them as they babbled and played. Ash was chewing on a teething ring, while Ashley was swinging a ribbon around.

"I'm home!"

Cinder looked up and smiled softly. Jaune entered, his coat already put away. A dusting of snow still covered his hair as he walked in. He sat down with her and the babies, and planted a kiss on her lips.

"Mmm... How are you doing?" He asked softly. He reached out to tickle Ash and Ashley. The twin babies squealed, and tried to crawl towards him.

"Tired," Cinder admitted, leaning against him. She sighed. "I baked cookies, I read them stories, sang carols, decorated, watched those terrible old specials you recommended with them-"

"Hey," Jaune said, mock offended, "Hrōdwulf the Heat Vision Reindeer is a classic."

"And so much is explained about your taste," Cinder chuckled. Jaune kissed her hair gallantly as she cuddled against him. The babies crawled into their laps, and they held them together. Cinder enjoyed the silence for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

"But..."

"But?" Jaune asked.

Cinder sighed softly.

"Aslanmas was... It meant nothing to me," she admitted. "I just saw a lot of people having fun, exchanging gifts, saying they cared... I thought it was all a lie. That nobody could ever really care. Nobody could feel like that for another person. They were... They were just using one another."

Jaune was silent. Cinder sucked in another breath, her grip tightening on her babies.

"How could... How could anyone give up their lives, their power, for another person willingly?" She asked softly. "It seemed ridiculous."

Jaune again was silent, letting his wife work things out.

Cinder sucked in a breath.

"Now...?" She paused, as Ash fussed. She rocked him gently, and he calmed down. Ashley whined, and Jaune gave her a bit of attention to.

"Now?" Jaune asked.

Cinder smiled at Jaune, tears at the corners of her eyes.

"I... I still think a lot of these things are stupid, trite, and corny..." She sucked in a breath. "But... But with you... With them? It all just... It feels... Right."

She trembled and sobbed softly. Jaune held her tightly. Ash and Ashley, sensing their mother's distress, cried a bit themselves. Cinder cooed over her babies, kissing their heads and cuddling with them.

"Oh, don't cry, don't cry babies... Mommy... Mommy's just..." She sniffled again. Jaune smiled and hugged her.

"I know," he whispered. "It's okay."

She sobbed again, burying her face in his chest. He rubbed her back in circles, and let his Aura flow into her. It transferred into Ash and Ashley, who yawned and snuggled in to sleep.

Jaune leaned back against the couch, as his wife and children snuggled up to him and snoozed, content. He sighed.

"I love you all," he whispered.

"I know," Cinder murmured. "I love you too."

"Also? I have to go to the bathroom-"

"They just got to sleep. You stay put, Mister, or I'll kill you," Cinder muttered with that same content smile.

Jaune sighed and stroked his wife's raven locks.

"Happy Aslanmas to you too, sweetie."

"Mmmm..."

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-posted From the SpaceBattles Thread

Childhood Memories: Last Minute Errands

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Market District, Downtown Vale. Amethyst Arc-Sustrai. Age: 17.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

"Hmmm, this looks good." Amethyst Arc-Sustrai said as she inspected her latest piece of jewelry: A beautiful amulet. She was making it as a birthday gift for her sister, Jade. All she needed to do was set the jewels and it'll be finished! She began setting the emeralds in the eyes of the dragon design, her hands extremely steady.

"And... Finished!" Amethyst said, triumphantly as she looked at yet another masterpiece to add to her repertoire! Now she all she has to do is get this to Beacon and--

Her Scroll buzzed. She checked and saw a message from her boss.

[MAKE SURE YOU SIGN OFF ON THE JEWEL SHIPMENT BEFORE YOU LEAVE]

"Already, did Boss. The shipment has been signed off and I even saved you some time and sorted everything from the shipment myself. I also double checked the locks on the safe and I made sure the security system was turned on. You've got nothing to worry about." Amethyst typed up her reply. Her boss was always such a worrywort.

[JUST MAKING SURE, OVERACHIEVER]

The nickname 'Overachiever' was given to her by the Valean Smithing Guild when she was 12. At the time, she hated it because it made her seem like she was some kind of prodigy (Which was kind of true, but that's not the point). But she started to like it as she got older. It told her customers that she gave her work 110% effort and they would be 125% satisfied with her craftsmanship.

"See you tomorrow, Boss." She sent her farewells and made her way to the Bullhead station. Now she needed to head up to Beacon and--

Her scroll buzzed again. She checked to see a message from her sister, Opal.

[MOM NEEDS YOU TO MAKE SURE THE BAKERY GETS OUR ADDRESS RIGHT FOR THE CAKE DELIVERY]

"What? Why can't Onyx just pick up the cake? He has a hoverbike!" She texted back. She got a quick response from her sister.

[ONYX GOT GROUNDED FROM USING HIS HOVERBIKE AFTER HE TOOK ALEXANDRITE, AND ESMERALDA TO THAT UNDERGROUND RACE THING WITH GRANDPA. AND JETT'S TOO BUSY HELPING DAD SET UP FOR THE PARTY]

"Ugh, fine. But, you have to take care of Bijou, Kin, and Beryl next week! I have to go to Atlas for a work project." Amethyst bargained, hoping that her sister could be a team player for once.

[OK. DEAL]

"Thanks. Don't worry. I'll only be gone for 3 days. At minimum. Did Mom and Dad get the tickets to Fujin?"

[YES. MOM STARTED CRYING UP A STORM. SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU PAID FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE FOR THEIR ANNIVERSARY]

"Well, being one of Vale's most promising up-and-coming jewelsmiths has a lot of perks," Amethyst beamed with pride. But then, she started to rub the back of her head. "Although, now I have to figure out how to go about bejeweling a katana. I'm not exactly a weapons expert like Aunt Ruby."

[WELL, YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO FIGURE THAT OUT]

"Yeah. Anyway, I'll head to the bakery." Amethyst then made a beeline for the bakery. This'll only take a few minutes after all.

----------------------------------------------
"What do you mean you can't deliver to Radian?" Amethyst asked disappointed. The man looked at her with a noticeable scowl. This is BS! She gets that Radian is really far away from Vale, but it's not like the guy was walking all the way there! That's what the Atlas delivery drones are for!

"No. I said I won't deliver to Radian. That hooligan brother of yours nearly trashed my establishment last time!" The baker said. Onyx picked up a cake last month for Bijou's birthday. What exactly did he do to get this guy mad.

"Look, I get that my brother is... reckless. But that shouldn't mean you have to blacklist my hometown. You're the only place close enough that sells Blackout cake! Please, I'll pay you double what you charged!" Amethyst pleaded with the man, slamming a cartoonishly large stack of Lien on the counter. He looked at her and felt the determination in her eyes and wavered.

"Fine. But you tell your brother he's banned from my store," The man reluctantly took the cash, giving her a warning to pass on. "Honestly, kid. With that look im your eyes, you could pass as a Huntress."

"Me? A Huntress? No way." Amethyst laughed. She paided and signed off on the delivery and left. Hoping to finally get to the Bullhead station.

"Well, with that out of the way, I can finally--," Amethyst's scroll buzzed once again. "Oh for the love of-- What now!?"

She checked and saw a message from Jade.

[HEY, WHERE ARE YOU? I THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO COME HERE LIKE AN HOUR AGO?]

Amethyst sighed. Dang it. She was so caught up with the other errands, she lost track of time.

"Sorry, I'm on my way. Is Moses coming with you?" Amethyst asked. That boy... strange. But he was also really cool. He was just kinda quirky like Aunt Nora or Aunt Ruby.

[YEAH, HE IS. HOPE YOU DON'T MIND WAITING FOR A BIT, THOUGH]

"Oh? Why's that?" Amethyst asked. Were they caught up with homework or something?

[MOSES WANTS ME TO HELP WITH SOME EXPERIMENTS THAT HE'S DOING ON HIS SEMBLANCE. THIS MIGHT TAKE AWHILE.]

"Oh that's OK! I was gonna visit Uncle Merc anyway. Wanna make sure Mr. Lazy Bones makes it to your party after all! How is he anyway?" Amethyst said. It was always a hassle to get Uncle Merc to visit the house on normal occasions except for birthdays and holidays. He'd been punctual when it came to her and her siblings birthdays. But this year felt off. He was always late and smelled like lavender.

[HE'S BEEN BUSY MAKING OUT WITH MS. CHLORIS. I EVEN HEARD FROM REN THAT HE'S PLANNING ON PROPOSING TODAY]

"Oh, no way! I guess I'll just hang out with you and Moses then. I don't want to ruin his big moment." Amethyst smiled, happy for her Uncle.

[ARE YOU SURE? THE TBING WE'RE DOING IS KIND OF DANGEROUS]

Amethyst looked at the message and simply shrugged her shoulders.

"It's fine. What's the worst that could happen?"

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

Had fun looking up jewel names for Amethyst's siblings.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-posted From the SpaceBattles Thread

Glimpses Into Another Timeline: Aslanmas Gift - Winter

- - - - - - - - - - -

Arc-Schnee Manor, Atlas. 6 Years After The Defeat of Salem.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

"Dammit."

Clack. Clack. Clack.

"Dammit."

Clack. Clack. Clack.

"This... This is harder than I thought."

Winter Arc-Schnee sighed and slumped back in her chair in defeat. In her hands was the gift she had been making... attempting to make for her son. A simple but lovely scarf, lovingly made by his mother. A token of her love that she hoped he would carry from his childhood and into his adolescence. She had gotten tips and even a guidebook from her sister-in-law Lilac but for some reason it wouldn't come out the way she wanted.

"I'm the General of Atlas. I was the highest ranked Specialist in Atlas' military. I helped lead the world to defeat the greatest evil in the world! So, why is something simple like knitting more difficult than any of that!?" Winter shouted. She had been trying to knit a simple scarf for 4 hours!

She looked at the pile of unfinished scarfs. The knittings were either too loose or torn from her attempts to tighten the stitches. Some didn't even look like scarfs. It was infuriating.

"No matter. I'll just have to try again... For the 17th time." Winter gathered her determination and tried again. She grabbed her last balls of yarn. These ones were hideous colors. Baby barf green, mud brown, and... Burgundy. As much as she didn't like them, she'll have to make do with these colors. She used up all her good ones on her failed attempts.

"Oh my, are you still working on that scarf?" Her mother, Willow, asked. She was holding her granddaughter, Isabel, her arms. Theodore, Winter's son, was sitting in the playpen his grandfather had made for him.

"Yes, mother, I am. I refuse to let a couple of minor setbacks stop me from making a gift for my son." Winter began knitting again, this time slowing her pace. Jaune never gave up. Even when he had his heart ripped out of his chest. She had hoped that some of his determination had rubbed off on her, even if it was for something as simple as knitting a scarf.

After an hour, the scarf was turning out... not horrible so far. It still had ugly colors but there was nothing she could do about it. The sounds of Winter's knitting needles came to and end when she heard the heavy footsteps of her husband approaching.

"Winter? I got some of the ingredients for dinner! Dad said he'd bring the beef for the pot roast. I know you want Mr. Klein to make dinner, but I'd feel bad making him work on--," Jaune stopped, seeing the pile of failed attempts. She told him that she'd be an expert before he came home. It might've been the Schnee overconfidence going into overdrive. "So, are you sure you don't want Lilac helping you?"

Winter shot him a glare. "I've already swallowed my pride and asked for her advice, Darling. I refuse to ask her to my job as a mother. I want Theodore to know his mother made this for him."

Part of Jaune wondered if Winter saw Lilac as some kind of rival in motherhood. At first, it was funny, but now Winter had made it some kind of personal mission to try and one-up her.

"You, Theodore is a toddler. I doubt he'd care if it doesn't turn out perfect." Jaune said, hoping Winter would agree with him.

"Nonsense. My son's scarf will be nothing short of perfect. See, I'm almost done... I think." Winter looked at it with uncertainty. Is this how it's supposed look? Was it too long? Too short?

"This looks amazing, Winter! Theodore's gonna love it!" Jaune held it in his hands. Despite the colors, it looked really good!

Winter smiled. This'll show that hag Lilac who the best knitter is!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And so, the last holiday special!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Isabel: "All right ladies! It's time for more embarassing baby pictures of Jaune!"

Jaune: "MOM! Why did you even bring those?!"

Isabel: "I always bring them with me! For all my children!" Holds up the album "Here's Jaune's baptism and the celebration we had with the town for his birth!"

Ruby: "Oh wow! That's... Wait. What's this photo?!"

Ruby holds up a photo of baby Jaune being held between Nick and Isabel... In front of a Deathstalker tied up in ribbons and wearing makeup.

Nick: "Oh! That's a tradition I started! Every time we had a kid, I'd grab a Grimm, tie it up, and dress it up in makeup to humiliate it! Then we all killed it for good luck!"

Isabel: sigh "It did seem unfair to make him do all the Arc Family traditions without contributing one of his own... That's what he came up with."

Yang: "Why did you make up the Deathstalker... Like a whore?"

Nick: "Because that's what Grimm deserve!"

Emerald: "Wait..." Looks suspiciously at Jaune, then at Amethyst "Did Jaune do that for you, too?"

Amethyst: "Yup!"

Julian: "Totally! Mama helps!"

Xander: "Every time!"

Petra: "Of course!"

Xia: "Mom helped out!"

Ash and Ashley: "Our mom did too!"

Nicholas: "It was to honor Grandpa!"

Theodore: "To honor Grandma and Grandpa James."

Dorothy: sigh "Yeah..."

Leander and Leandra: "It's become very popular on Menagerie."

August: "No kidding! In Pandu too!"

Nick: "HAHAHA! THAT'S MY BOY! KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE!"

Jaune: groans

 

[FinalFormer]

Reposted From The SpaceBattles Thread

Childhood Memories: The Gift

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Arc-Belladonna Household, Lake City of Ebisu, Menagerie. Leander and Leandra Arc-Belladonna. Ages: 16.

The beautiful city of Ebisu was established, as it was told to them by their grandfather, 3 years after the Defeat of Salem and 1 year after they were born. When the lake introduced a new source of fish for the citizens and fishermen.

In the heart of the city was the Arc-Belladonna Household, beautifully built to resemble the home Blake grew up in, with a small nods to Jaune's family home. It had to undergo multiple renovations and expansions after they had more twins and the triplets... Both sets of them.

It was Blake's birthday and Jaune had taken her out for a night on the town. The twins, Leander and Leandra, promised them that they would watch over all their brothers and sisters, make sure none of them got into any trouble or got hurt.

That, however, didn't apply to Leander and Leandra. At least, that's what they thought.

"Can't you two just do something normal for Mom? Like make a bracelet or something?" Whined their little sister Pyrrha.

"Listen, Pyrrha. We're only going to be gone for an hour at most," Leandra reassured her. She then took a hearty bite out of her bagel (With extra salmon and cream cheese of course) "We'll be back before you know it!"

"Leandra, don't talk with food in your mouth," Leander reprimand, Leandra pouting in response. "Pyrrha, we know what we're doing. The trip to Vale will be instantaneous. We'll be gone for at least an hour. I think you can handle that. Do you remember what the others can't have?"

"Sienna isn't allowed to have any boys over, as per Dad's rules. Pierre and Sylvester are allowed to go fishing with Tsubaki and Shiro if they finish their homework. Kuroka, Arturia, and Itsuka aren't allowed to get any red fruit juice. Period. And the others are with Nana Kali, so I don't have to worry about them. Is that everything?" Pyrrha asked. She really hated when they threw their responsibilities onto her whenever they come up with some hair-brained scheme, but she's gotten so used to it, she figured that she might as well memorize everything about her siblings.

"Sounds about right," Leandra grabbed her brother's arm and ran to the nearest bookshelf, preparing to use her Semblance. "We'll be back soon!"

And in an instant, the twins were at the docks of Vale. Leander looked around, confused as to why they weren't at the bookstore like they had planned.

"Leandra, what are we doing at the docks?" He asked his sister. His ears folded, showing his displeasure. They were in Vale for something important. It was best if they didn't waste time!

"Well, it's been awhile since we went to Vale, so I figured why don't we go sightseeing for a bit! I heard they have lobster sandwiches on the other side of the docks!" Leandra said excitedly. Her and Leander's ears began twitching at the mention of seafood. Leander's stomach began to growl. He only had a light breakfast. (It was the same as Leandra.)

"Well...," Leander rubbed his chin, pondering. "I've never had Vale lobster before. And I am quite hungry..."

Leandra stared at her brother expectantly. Then he finally made up his mind.

"Ok, sign me up. But remember, we have to get to the bookstore before it closes. We don't want Pyrrha thinking we ditched her with the others for no reason." With that, Leandra led the way. The smell of lobster and yummy clam chowder began hit their Faunus senses. Maybe a few minutes of sightseeing wouldn't hurt.

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

"Leandra?"

"Yes, Leander?"

"How the hell did we end up in this situation?"

The twins were currently in the middle of a shootout. It started when they finally made it to the bookstore after being sidetracked (again) by the smell of sweets and fish and almost getting pickpocketed. Apparently, someone from the Sons of Adam had recognized them. What ensued was a city-wide chase that caused, what Leander estimated, 500,000 lien in damages. It was very unfortunate that they didn't bring their weapons. But then again, they weren't exactly expecting to get jumped by their mom's oldest enemies! So right now, their best option was to run to a safe enough area to teleport back home.

"KILL THE IMPURE!!!" Yelled the high priest. "KILL THE MONGRELS OF ARC!!!!"

'Ok. That was mean.' Thought both of the twins.

"We have to get out of here!" Leander shouted.

"We've got to get them off our tail first! We can't jump if they can see us!" Leandra reminded him. It was the one thing the two hated about their Semblance. They needed a big distraction in order to pull a fast one on these stooges.

Their ears picked up a pair of footsteps from above. The skylight above them shattered as a swirl of red flower petals burst towards their pursuers.

"AUNT RUBY!!!" They both cried out in relief. Ruby turned, her face suddenly full of confusion.

"Leander!? Leandra!? What the heck are you two doing in Vale!?" Ruby asked. She swung Crescent Rose into its sniper form and opened fire. She took down a few of the cultists, scaring off a few of the others.

Before the remaining ones got a semblance of courage to go for a full charge, they were all bombarded by shotgun blasts. Their other aunt, Yang Xiao-Long, had entered the fray.

Once the last of the cultists had been neutralized and the authorities arrived, the twins took it as an opportunity to--

"Where do you two think you're going!?" Both Ruby and Yang yelled at the two before they could leave.

"What were you two thinking picking a fight with a cult!?" Yang yelled at Leandra.

"Don't you guys know who these guys are!? They literally want to kill you!!" Ruby yelled at Leander.

Their ears drooped. It wasn't like they wanted to get chased across half a damn city.

"We were just getting a birthday present for our Mom! We weren't looking for trouble this time!" Leandra defended their actions. "Wait.. Crap! We've been gone for three hours! Leander we have to go home!"

They had to promise Ruby, Yang, and Mr. Ozpin that they wouldn't do this again (Despite the fact that they never even did anything!) before they were allowed to leave.

In an instant, they returned home. Leandra immediately rushed to the bathroom. Leander winced, hearing the unholy noises coming from the his sister. He forgot that she got queasy when they traveled with his Semblance.

"What the hell took you too so long! Mom and Dad are back! They're asking where you were!?" Pyrrha yelled at Leander. Her tail was stiff. Oh, yeah. She's mad.

"Look, it's a long story. We'll pay you back, we swear." Leander bargained. Leandra exited the bathroom, her face a little green and her ears slightly drooping.

"Pay her back for what?" Before Pyrrha could even respond to whatever deal Leander was trying to make,, the calm voice of their mother cut her off.

Blake Arc-Belladonna had entered the room. She looked about 4 months pregnant. Her hair was tied into a braid. Next to her, with their youngest kids hanging off him, was their father Jaune.

"Pay her back foooor, pitching in for this!" Leandra gathered up enough strength to take control of the situation. She raised the wrapped present to her mother. Blake took it, Leandra turned to Pyrrha and winked. She hoped she would appreciate the gesture.

Blake unwrapped the present, and her eyes widened with surprise.

"I-I can't believe it. An original copy of 'Devious Machinations' Volume 1? How did you two--?"

"We went through your collection and we noticed that of all the books you have, 'Devious Machinations' was the only one that was missing a first volume." Leander explained.

"So, we searched everywhere on every website, went to the trader's district of Vacuo, the Barter's Corner in Mistral, and even asked Auntie Weiss to guide us through the Auction Houses of Atlas until we got a call from Moses that a bookstore in the Market District finally had a copy in stock!" Leandra happily regailed their search for the perfect gift.

"Happy birthday, Mom!!" The twins said in unison.

Blake hugged her children. She couldn't believe they went out of their way to get such a meaningful gift!

"Should I be concerned that our kids casually bought you smut?" Jaune asked.

"Hush. It's actually really tame." Blake shut down his attempt at being funny. She wanted to take in the kindness of her children's hearts.

The next day, their parents saw the news report of the twins' misadventure in Vale. Leander and Leandra were promptly grounded for the next two weeks.

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

In celebration of Blake's birthday, here is a fun story of her twins!

I like to think that Blake named a majority of her and Jaune's kids after book characters, with the exceptions being Pyrrha, Sienna, Arturia, and Shiro. I always have fun thinking of names for the rest of the kids' siblings.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Radian, North Gallia

Three Years After the Defeat of Salem

- - -

The Fuujin-style garden was hidden in a copse of trees on the Arc Family farmstead. A little pond with fish, Fuujin-style fountains and stonework, and a stone garden presented a place of peace and tranquility.

Honestly? The tranquility was definitely something Yang could use. She sighed as she sat on a bench and tried to relax.

She couldn't help being a little twitchy though.

She saw Jaune entered the garden. The bench was situated to give the person sitting there a good view of the path. Even in a place meant to relax, there were security measures. Strange paranoid little features, but Yang could appreciate them.

"Hey," she called out to her boyfriend. Jaune smiled back and waved.

"Hey." He walked around and sat on the bench with her. "I've got great news!"

Yang smiled nervously.

"M-Me too!"

Jaune grinned.

"Oh? That's great! You want to go first?"

"I..." Yang shook her head. "N-No... How about you, Stud? I'm all ears."

Jaune frowned and looked about. Yang raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Well, I mean... No corn?" He asked. "I feel a little disappointed."

"Your big sis wouldn't let me take any," Yang pouted a little, looking a little more relaxed. Jaune laughed, and then took a deep breath.

"I... I got accepted into the medical training program at Ambroise Medical School," he said. Yang's eyes widened.

"Wha... You did?!"

"Well, I mean, their entrance exams haven't changed much in a few years," Jaune admitted, rubbing the back of his head, "I'd do most of my coursework here though on an internship at the hospital."

"I-I see," Yang nodded, "That's great! But... I mean, I thought you didn't want to be a doctor?"

Jaune sighed.

"I mean... Back then? No," he admitted, "I just... I wanted to be a hero. Had this idea about... About what that meant."

Yang slowly nodded. She took his hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Yeah," she said quietly, "You know... She would have been proud of you."

Jaune smiled softly at Yang.

"She'd have been proud of all of us," he said firmly. "But... I mean... After everything..."

He took a deep breath.

"My ancestor Jeanne... She said something after she beat the Witch Queen of Argus. That she had seen all she wished of death and war. She had all the glory she wanted, but now? She only wanted to devote herself to bringing forth and healing life. I..." He shook his head, and rubbed his throat-The scar from the blade that nearly took his head off was still there, like a band across his neck.

"I guess... I've had enough of being that kind of a hero. Enough for a lifetime."

Yang slowly nodded.

"I see," she said, keeping her face carefully neutral. He looked at her in concern.

"Are... Are you okay with that, Yang?" He asked. "I-I mean... Your dream was to explore Remnant. To be a Huntress. I don't want to deny you that."

She smiled warmly at him.

"And after that, what did I say I want? I want to settle down," she said. She shrugged and laughed softly. "And hell... We've seen a lot of the world. Explored a lot of it. And... Seen a lot of action."

Jaune stared at her. She blushed.

"Come on, Stud. My mom was my hero. She was still our mom even when she went out on missions. She kicked Grimm ass and still cooked for us and tucked us in... I-I've always wanted to be like her. And not like..."

"Raven," Jaune murmured softly. Yang sucked in a deep breath, and nodded. She stroked his hands: Both of them. She stared at the scar across his neck. A scar he had taken for her from Cinder. If it wasn't for his Semblance and Healing Dust she had desperately applied, he would be dead.

She should have taken the hit for him. He was their healer, a leader... Her boyfriend... But he refused to back down.

And on that day, she achieved Burn Level 3... And killed that bitch once and for all. And THAT had been enough to convince Raven to bring her forces into help... Just before they fought Salem.

"Yeah," she muttered. "By the way, she's still a bitch even after helping us save the world."

Jaune nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "So uh... I mean, my plan is to stay here for a while. Open up my own practice one day... I... I want you to be with me, Yang."

Yang smiled warmly.

"I want to be here with you," she said earnestly, "Which uh... Which makes this part easier. My news..."

She pulled his hands over her stomach and smiled nervously.

"My news is... Um... I-I'm pregnant."

Jaune stared. He was frozen and silent. It lasted for about sixty seconds, after which Yang got worried.

"Stud? Jaune? Jaun-"

"YAHOOOOOOOO!!!"

Jaune lifted Yang up and spun her around. He then pulled her into a hug, whooping for joy. She laughed in shock, then joy as she hugged him back. They kissed passionately in front of the koi pond, only the fish and birds witnesses to their celebration.

"Mmmm... Well... Guess that makes this easier then," Jaune mused.

"Wh-What?" Yang asked, breathless.

He dropped to one knee, and pulled a golden ring out of his pocket. He held it up to Yang with his happy smile.

"I'm... I'm an old fashioned guy, Yang," he said, as she turned bright red, "I love you. I've loved you for so long, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So... Will you marry me-URK?!"

Yang pulled him up and into a passionate kiss. One he eagerly returned.

They broke the breath, wearing happy grins.

"YES! God yes, Jaune!" Yang giggled, "Like I could say anything else!"

- - -

Short but fun. This fic is still rolling, we're just dealing with some RL stuff right now.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune: "Wait. Mom, why didn't you learn anything about sword wielding? You're an Arc, after all!"

Isabel: "Well... Um... You see..."

Nick: "Hahahaha! Good question, my son! You see, if it's anything other than a scalpel or a kitchen knife, your mother is absolutely hopeless with blades!"

Isabel: "NIIICKKK!"

Jaune: "Wha... How?"

Yang: "This I gotta see."

Weiss: "How is that possible, Mrs. Arc? You're a master combatant with total control of your body!"

Isabel: sighs "Nick?"

Nick hands over Nogg. Isabel swings it a few times.

Isabel: "Okay Jaune, try."

Jaune: "Um... Okay?"

Jaune swings... Isabel deflects... And Nogg is sent flying through the air. Nick catches his sword.

Jaune: "Wha... How...?"

Weiss: "Th-That has to be a fluke!"

Isabel: "I assure you, it is not."

Fifty tries later... Isabel has been disarmed instantly every time, or she's thrown the sword into a wall, or she's broken a starter blade.

Jaune: "Wha... How...?!"

Isabel: shrugs "Well, I suppose after generations of Arcs being among the greatest sword wielders in Remnant? Someone had to have zero talent with it."

Penny: pinned to a wall with an errant sword "Fascinating! Also, can you get me down now?"

- - -

Because Isabel having a weird stat-based quirk was an amusing thought. Hey, she is fairly sensible and level headed but she's still an Arc.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

And here are May's parents, Arjun and Saia Sarkara! By RogueSensei:

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