[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby Rose was not a peeper. She wasn't! Honest!

She wasn't some kind of weirdo pervert like Blake! She wasn't going to go into a locker room and ogle her best friend ever!

However... She was curious.

On a trip to the pool, everyone else had jumped in and had fun in the water. Yang of course went with a bikini. Pyrrha had too, much to the shock of everyone else. Nora had just gotten a one piece that showed off her curves very effectively, which Ren, Semblance or no Semblance, definitely noticed. Even Weiss had loosened up enough to don a flattering one piece, as had Blake. Ren, for all his serenity, had gone shirtless.

Not Jaune though. He had his swim trunks, a white T-shirt, and a Hawaiian shirt over that. He hung out at the small snack and drink bar at the pool, laughing with them but never venturing towards the water.

This was curious. Curious enough Ruby decided she needed to investigate.

So she approached Jaune at the bar in her cute one piece-Black and red with some nylon laces. She sat down next to him and smiled.

"Hey Jaune."

"Hey Rubes," he returned, smiling warmly.

"You know," she said, "We're starting some volleyball in the pool. You wanna join?"

"Thanks, but no thanks," Jaune said, sipping a fruity concoction of some sort, "I'm okay just chilling out here."

Ruby nodded slowly. Her devious mind considered things and presented her with a possible means of gaining an answer.

And as Ruby often did, her impulse reached her body before anything else. Quick as a flash, she elbowed Jaune and knocked his drink out of his hands. His eyes widened as it fell, spilling strawberry and mango goodness all over his undershirt.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry, Jaune!" Ruby apologized. This wasn't even a lie: At his shocked look, she felt bad. Still... She wasn't going to let this chance escape her. "Let's get you to the bathroom!"

"Ack! Hey!"

Ruby dragged Jaune away insistently. While he was bigger and stronger than her, she was able to use his confusion and her speed to bully him where she wanted him to go. Inside, she still felt kind of bad but also thrilled.

What secret was Jaune hiding under his shirt? Tattoos? Maybe a great big dragon tattoo? Or was he in a biker gang and had their tattoos?

"R-Ruby!" Jaune gasped as she pushed him along, "This is the men's restroom-!"

"Well we're not going into the girls' restroom!" Ruby giggled, "I can't clean you off there!"

Jaune blushed VERY brightly. Her own cheeks turned red as she realized what she had said.

It wasn't enough to slow her down though. She got them into a shower stall, and began to tug at the bottom of his white shirt. He reached down and grasped her wrists, but she was too fast-She dodged his hands and grabbed onto the shirt's hem again!

"Ruby! Ruby, WAIT! I can clean myself-!"

"It was my fault, let me do it-!"

"I don't need you to-HEY!"

Ruby yanked the shirt up, up... Over his head. Her blush intensified as she got a good look at what was underneath.

Oh... My... Pyrrha's been training him really well... Why does he look so good? Why do I like looking-?
She then saw something else. Several something elses. Her eyes widened, and she fell back in shock and horror.

There were... Scars. Ranging from a white round blemish the same size as a 9 millimeter round near his left nipple, to three white ragged claw marks on his left side. Other cuts were all over his body. Ruby's hands went to her mouth and tears peaked at the corners of her eyes. Raw horror and guilt filled her as Jaune yanked his shirt back down. She chanced a glance up at his face.

He looked... Concerned.

"Ruby? Rubes, you okay? Wh-Why are you crying? What's wrong?"

"Wha... What...?"

Jaune glanced down at his chest. He let out a small sigh and shook his head.

"Oh. These," he mumbled.

A tense, awkward silence fell. Ruby sniffled.

Oh... Oh God, I... I'm such a terrible person, she thought, He was hiding these... He was...!

"Wha... What happened?" Ruby managed shakily. She shut her eyes tightly and shook her head.

NO! How could you-He was HIDING THEM FOR A REASON, IDIOT! Oh God, he must hate me now! He must think I'm a jerk! I'm the worst friend ever, I can't believe I just-!

She felt his hand rest on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and sniffled. She avoided his gaze... Until he cupped her chin and tilted her head up.

He was smiling gently, still very concerned.

"Sorry," he murmured, "Um... Well. Turns out that hiking all the way out from Radian without Aura was... Not the best idea."

Ruby's jaw dropped to the floor. She stared at the scars again. She closed her mouth, opened it, and then closed it again.

"I... I just..."

Jaune pointed to the three ragged scars on his side.

"I managed to outrun an Ursa, but he got me with his claws," he explained. He pointed to the round scar. "Got shot by a farmer here since I accidentally trespassed on his land. He was really sorry, helped fix me up and let me stay the night."

He pointed to another scar over his rock hard abs that resembled a small, messy star.

"And here I wandered into an electric fence," he said, "Electrified barb wire. That wasn't very smart of me-I ignored the signs, heh."

Ruby trembled. She held back a sob. Jaune, seeing this, immediately put both hands on her shoulders. His shirt fell, obscuring the scars.

"I'm sorry Ruby-"

"N-No! No, I-I'm sorry!" Ruby bawled. "I-I just-I wanted to know why you weren't shirtless and-and I just-I forced you and I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, please don't hate me-!"

He pulled her into a very tight hug. He rubbed her lower back, trying to sooth her. She hiccuped a bit, but managed to calm down. Jaune then pulled away and smiled warmly at her.

"It's okay. I mean... When I got my Aura? It all healed up. I mean, mostly. None of it hurts. And my mom's medical training let me handle it." He shrugged.

"I just... I didn't want others to..." He trailed off. "To think less of me. I mean... What kind of idiot hikes all the way here without Aura? I... I just don't want people to see how weak I am-"

"You're NOT weak!"

Ruby hadn't meant to shout it, but the surge of emotions from her chest wouldn't let her keep quiet. Ruby sniffled and stared intently into his eyes, as Jaune stared back with a dropped jaw.

"You... You survived the whole way here," she whispered, "Without any Aura. All just so you could realize your dream. I... I don't know if I could do that."

She couldn't remember when she didn't have Aura, if she was honest. It had taken years for her to even learn how to use it.

"You shouldn't... Shouldn't be ashamed of it, Jaune," Ruby whispered, "You should be proud. You... You're willing to do anything for your dream. Anything."

Jaune stared back into Ruby's eyes. He smiled softly. He reached up and wiped his eyes.

"I... Th-Thank you, Ruby," he said quietly, "That... That means everything."

She felt so warm inside and out, she had to give him another hug. He returned it happily.

"Um... I'm still really sorry about... About everything," she said with a wince at his ruined shirt.

Jaune looked down at it for a while, before he slowly shrugged. He pulled his Hawaiian shirt and undershirt off, and rolled them up into a bundle. He smiled.

"It's okay," he said. "I... Well... How about we go play pool volleyball together? That... That would be fun, right? Besides, I suck at it and I'll need your help."

Ruby blushed again, looking him up and down. Now that she thought about it... His scars and his very fit and toned body were... Oh wow, very attractive. Like something out of one of Blake's smutty books.

So rugged and determined to fight through the hordes, all for his dream and-

"Rubes? You okay? Remnant to Crater Face?"

"AH!" Ruby turned away, her entire face burning bright red. "I-I'm fine! I'm fine!"

"You sure?" Jaune asked. He reached out to rest a palm over her forehead. "You don't have a fever or anything, right?"

Ruby rapidly shook her head.

"N-No! No! Let's just-um-go! Let's go!"

She dashed out of the bathroom with her Semblance, and reappeared out near the deck chairs and umbrellas where Teams RWBY and JNPR had stashed their gear. She was still bright red, her heart racing a mile a minute.

How... How does he do this to me?! Why?! She demanded of herself.

She wasn't a pervert! She WASN'T!

Yang smirked at her expression from her position on her towel and raised an eyebrow.

"Hey Ruby! You're looking like your namesake. You okay? Where's VB?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Did he do anything-?"

"No! N-No!" Ruby said quickly, waving her hands, "He's totally fine-Nothing-I'm fine! He's fine!"

Yang looked up... And blushed a bit herself.

"You're telling me," she murmured.

Ruby looked up. Her blush returned with a vengeance: Jaune was walking towards her, no shirt, his body practically gleaming in the sun thanks to the sunscreen he had so recently applied. He beamed at her.

"Hey Rubes! Sorry, needed some sunscreen first," he said, "You still want to play pool volleyball?"

Ruby, in a daze, opened her mouth to say yes but-

"Sure is!"

Ruby gaped in shock as her sister got up and walked right up to Jaune. The blonde grinned at the taller blond, deliberately leaning forward.

"Heck, I'll even join your team, Stud. I think we'll make a splash!"
Jaune blinked then laughed softly.

"Stud? What happened to Vomit Boy?"

"You just got promoted," she grinned. She grabbed Jaune's hand. "Shall we?"

Ruby's silver eyes narrowed. She locked her gaze onto Yang. Yang looked back... Then smirked in challenge.

The look in her eyes was clear. As clear as whenever they sparred.

"Unless my baby sister wants to sit this one out?" She asked. "It might be too much for you-"

"Jaune's not too much for me!" Ruby declared. "I-I can take him no problem!"

Jaune blinked. Yang snickered. Ruby desperately wished that Remnant would open up and swallow her whole.

"I-I mean we can-I can-LET'S JUST PLAY VOLLEYBALL OKAY?!"

"Suits me fine," Yang smirked, bumping her hip against Jaune's, "I wanna see how Stud here handles large, round objects. No reason~!"

Jaune blushed. Ruby growled.

Great. First she had gone crazy, now Yang?! Was Jaune really so good looking he turned her into a pervert?

"Coming in, ladies!" Yang called out. Ruby looked at the rest of their teams... And her silver eyes went wide.

Pyrrha was staring at Jaune with the hungriest expression she could ever recall on the Spartan girl's face. Weiss was bright red and trying desperately not to look his way while sneering as best she could. Blake had put aside her book and was openly ogling him.

And they weren't the only ones!

Damnit... We're all perverts, aren't we? Ruby mentally sighed. She then narrowed her eyes and grabbed Jaune's hand.

"Let's beat them into the... Water, Jaune!"

Jaune, confused but smiling, nodded.

"Whatever you say, Rubes!"

They did leap into the water. They did have fun... But Ruby's world had changed. She now saw feminine wiles clashing and calculating around Jaune. Her Jaune. A whole new way of being had emerged...

The way of the pervert.

At Jaune's smile though, Ruby blushed... And made a vow.

Well then... If I am a pervert... I'll be the greatest pervert of them all!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Well, since I wrote an Archer Jaune, why not a Jaune who was taught by his godmother Saia?

- - -

Weiss Schnee was trying to connect with Pyrrha Nikos in the locker room before Initiation at Beacon. After all, linking with such an incredible superstar could only guarantee success!

But her plan was rather spoiled when they bumped into a tall blond young man. He wore white robes that had seen a lot of hard travel and carried an old looking Dust Projection Staff.

Jaune: "Oh! I'm sorry!"

Pyrrha: "It's fine, I'm so sorry-"

Weiss: "Why don't you watch where you're going?! Do you know who you nearly ran over?"

Jaune: "Er... No but-" His eyes widen "Oh! Weiss Schnee, right? My godmother told me about you and your cool Semblance!"

Weiss: "Huh?"

Jaune: "Yeah! The things you can do with your Glyphs-She says they're amazing!"

Weiss: "I... Well thank you. It's nice to be appreciated, I suppose." scowls "Still! You should apologize to Pyrrha Nikos! Don't you have any idea who she is?"

Jaune: blinks "Um, no."

Pyrrha stares with a very happy smile.

Jaune: "But I'm very sorry. I should have paid closer attention to where I was going."

Pyrrha: "It's quite all right."

Jaune: "I'm Jaune Arc. I was wondering if either of you might consider teaming up with me? I'm afraid I'm not very good at close range combat yet, only ranged."

Weiss: "Are you or are you not a Huntsman-in-training?"

Jaune: "I am! Really! I just uh, well, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, don't we?"

Weiss: "Hmph!" She storms off

Jaune: "I'm sorry. I ruined your talk with her."

Pyrrha: "It's all right. I um... I don't mind. So, you're only good at long range combat?"

Jaune: smiles "Yeah, but I'm pretty good at it and-"

Speaker: "Will all prospective first year students please head to the Initiation Area?"

Jaune: "Well... I guess you'll see if we team up."

Pyrrha: smiles "I look forward to it!"

Everyone gets to the Initiation area and get flung out into the Emerald Forest. Pyrrha makes sure to angle her flight near where Jaune lands. She watches him... And her interest in the young man only increases.

Jaune: "Crap crap craaaaappp... Okay... Okay... And...!" He fires off several blasts of Fire Dust from his staff, channeling his Aura through it. This slows him down enough he can land, though not very gracefully "Oof! Okay... Okay... That was tough."

Unfortunately, when Pyrrha lands and heads over to him... Ruby Rose is already walking with him.

Ruby: "Oh! Hey! Pyrrha, right?"

Pyrrha: A tiny bit annoyed, but she still smiles "Yes. Ruby?"

Ruby: "Yeah! I found Jaune!" pouts "My partner met with me but then blew me off. So I looked for Jaune!"

Jaune: "Glad you did. My landing was a little rough."

Ruby: "Anyway! Let's go find the relics!"

Jaune: "Sounds good to me!"

Pyrrha: "Yes, let's..."

They got through the forest fairly easily. Ruby and Pyrrha took out most of the Grimm they encountered before Jaune could even get his staff ready. He did shout out warnings and suggestions though, which helped them coordinate. At one point, a Grimm Beowulf broke through and charged him.

Ruby: "JAUNE!"

Jaune: "Hang on, hang on...!" He held up his Staff, slammed a Dust cartridge into it, and unleashed a Fire Blast that reduced the Beowulf to ashes in one shot!

BOOM!

Jaune: "Don't worry about me! I'll handle-PYRRHA!"

Jaune fired another blast, and Pyrrha ducked. It shot forth and took out another Beowulf trying to ambush her.

Pyrrha: Her smile is growing "Thank you Jaune!"

Jaune: "Don't mention it... Again, I'm sorry I'm no good at close range. In this forest my vision is kind of restricted and so it's hard for me to be much use-"

Ruby: "Nah, that was great! I'm sure you'll do even better on open ground!"

Jaune: "Thanks, that means a lot."

They make it to the ruins and meet up with the others. They grab a relic.

Weiss: "You took your time, you bird hitting nutcase!"

Ruby: "Hey, I'm sorry! But I don't see the birdy around anywhere, so it's all good!"

Indeed, the Nevermore from before had crashed in the woods. Unfortunately... The ground began to rumble. A gigantic beast rose from the forest, bellowing in its rage. A long serpent like neck with a white Grimm mask, attached to a large, dragon-like body.

Weiss: "A GRIMM HYDRA?! ARE YOU KIDDING?!"

Yang: "Okay, time to run everybody!"

Blake: "It's closing too fast, we'll never escape over the bridge in time-"

Jaune: "I can handle it."

Everyone stares at him.

Weiss: scoffs, incredulous laugh "You?! How?!"

Jaune: "My godmother taught me a technique. I'll need Gravity Dust and Lightning Dust... And someone to cover me up close."

Pyrrha: "I'll-"

Jaune: "Pyrrha, you'll be more useful hitting that thing in the face and keeping it off guard. Miss Weiss, right? Do you have Gravity and Lightning Dust?"

Weiss: "Yes, but what makes you think you can-?"

Jaune: "Look, if I fail, we can still set off the Dust in a big blast to distract it and hopefully get enough distance between us and it. Please... I know I can do this, if you can keep it in one place for a few minutes."

Nora: "... This sounds crazy..." grins "I'm in!"

Ren: "All right."

Blake: stares "If you're sure."

Jaune: "I am."

Yang: "Then I'll guard ol' Vomit Boy! Rest of you? Hit that thing!"

Ruby: "RIGHT! Follow my lead!"

Weiss sighs, then hands over the Dust to Jaune. She joins the rest of the teens attacking the Hydra Grimm, who roars. Several smaller Grimm charge at the command of the mighty Hydra towards Yang and Jaune. Jaune is mixing the Dust together, and then puts the cartridges into his staff. Yang takes out the small fry with ease.

Yang: "Hate to rush you, VB, but we're on the clock!"

Jaune: "I know, I know, hang on..." He kneels down and channels his Aura, which flares around him. The combined Dust begins to react inside the Projection Staff, and Jaune adjusts some knobs "My godmother can do this with her Semblance, I gotta fine tune it a little manually..."

Yang: "JAUNE!"

Jaune: "READY! Okay... EVERYONE! GET CLEAR!"

Ruby: "YOU HEARD HIM! BREAK BREAK BREAK!"

The teens flee from the Hydra, who roars loudly enough to deafen anyone and everyone around it... Which is when Jaune unleashes a MASSIVE energy beam from the staff.

Pure white from the mixture of Dusts and the power of his Aura, it blasts the body of the Hydra away, leaving only its surprised head to fall to the ground and begin to dissolve. Many trees are on fire or straight up gone behind the rapidly decaying remains.

Everyone stares at the dead Hydra Grimm... And then to Jaune. He wobbles a little, but he's grinning.

Jaune: "HA! ... Second... Try..." He then falls over into Yang's arms, passed out.

Yang: "Woah... Easy there..." She stares at the destruction Jaune did, and then back at the unconscious young man "Holy crap...!"

Nora: "... I WANNA LEARN THAT! I call dibs on him being my Sensei!"

Weiss: "He... He did that with Dust mixing? But the only people who know how to do that are-!"

Pyrrha: "The Kingdom of Pandu." She smiles in amazement and maybe a hint of lust "So that's who his godmother is..."

Ruby: "... Crescent Rose? You're gonna get an upgrade! Yes you are, yes you are!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

A Mother's Sacrifice
​

It was a feeling. One Isabel Arc had associated with dread and fear from the first moment. The first time she met... Her.

She looked out into the darkness of the woods near the farm. She could see the hint of red in the darkness. She took a deep breath.

It was time.

"Izzy?"

Isabel looked away from the window over the kitchen sink at her husband. He smiled in concern, even as he dried the last of the dishes.

"Everything all right?" He looked out the window. Isabel shook her head.

"It's fine," she said quietly. "Just... Could you finish up for me? I need to check on something outside."

Nick frowned. It was a strange look on her spouse's face. Still, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"Of course... If you want to talk about what's wrong, I'll listen. I promise."

Isabel smiled, but her eyes were very sad.

"I know you will," she said softly. "I love you."

Nick's smile returned.

"I love you too," he said.

Isabel walked out of the warm kitchen. She saw Jaune pretending to study while reading a comic. Lilac was doing some sewing nearby, not minding his distraction. The twins, Coral and Verdy, were giggling over a weapons magazine. Orchid was working on a programming project.

Jaune started and looked up, as though sensing her presence. He grimaced in guilt and switched to his text book.

"I got it, I got it Mom," Jaune said quickly, "Um, the signs of renal failure are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, swelling, changes in urination frequency-"

"No, no, it's fine," Isabel said gently. She smiled warmly. "I'll be back, all right? Everyone just sit tight... And stay inside, all right?"

Jaune stared at her in concern.

"Mom?"

"Are you all right?" Lilac asked, a gentle frown on her kind face. Orchid stared at her mother intently but said nothing. The twins looked up in concern.

"Mom?"

"What is it?"

"Just stay inside," Isabel said with a voice of maternal authority and force. None of her children moved as she went out, the floorboards creaking in a familiar pattern. She shut the doors behind her and walked off the porch. She walked down the steps, remembering every step's creak and groan. She walked out into the woods, the stars shining clear and bright overhead.

She followed a dirt path deep inside the copse of trees, until she reached a small pond. A Fuujin-style stone lantern stood nearby, lit and casting a faint orange light over the lily pad covered pond.

In the dim light stood... Her. Tall, shapely, with pale skin and blood red eyes. Her hair white as bone with black streaks running through it. She wore a black cloak that waved slightly in the nighttime breeze. Her very presence seemed to chill the air. Isabel took a deep breath and walked up to her. She then knelt before her.

"Queen Salem," she greeted her with a voice devoid of emotion.

"Hello Isabel," Salem said gently. "Stand up, child, stand up."

Isabel obeyed, but kept her eyes downward. Salem hummed.

"Your children have grown strong. I can feel the love you have for them. It is strong."

Her voice was heavy with nostalgia.

Isabel sucked in a breath.

"I have done as you asked," she said, "I have researched all the old magics. I have no power in it-"

"But your mind is like one gifted by the gods, child," Salem said, almost gently, "Your Semblance is an echo of magic... But a strong one. It is why I made that deal with you, in your grief and desperation." She spread her hands out.

"Have I not kept my bargain? Have I not repaid it in full? I saved you. I saved the man you love. I saved your son when your medical arts could not heal him."

Isabel winced at every one of those statements. She nodded but an inch.

"I have done as you asked, searched for weapons to use against Ozpin," she said.

"They are weapons your family will wield for me," Salem stated firmly, "You will free this world from death with me. Your family would not exist if not for me."

"And you would make them your slaves, to be disposed of when no longer needed," Isabel said, holding back her anger with great difficulty. Salem stared intently at her.

"That is the way of the world," Salem said, "This war is older than your family has lived on this globe. I have seen things, known things you cannot grasp in my eternal search... My search for an end to death."

"Yet more than that, you seek freedom," Isabel argued. Salem snorted.

"There is no freedom for me-"

"The gods you gained power from, who made it so you were cursed," Isabel spoke up, "They are not my God. They may have claimed to have created this world, but they were lying. I have found... A loophole."

Salem stared intently at her. Isabel shook and reached into her labcoat. She held out her Scroll shakily. Salem took it, and scrolled through the spell book pages Isabel had scanned.

Isabel took a deep breath.

"Their curse that links you and this Ozma... It does not care who takes up the burden. They do not care, as long as two human souls, a woman and a man, are suffering their immortality."

Salem's red eyes glanced up at Isabel. They widened slightly. Isabel stood her ground and met her gaze evenly.

"You... Would have to switch with someone else. Take their life... Their identity," Isabel said quietly. "But you would be free... You could die. Only naturally, but... You would."

Salem stared at the magic runes and calculations. She slowly nodded.

"Yes... Yes. It could be done. But the other... Would have to continue the war on Ozma. There is no other way."

"That is true," Isabel said, "They would be bound to that fate. They would have to carry it out... But they would be in your place. Whereas you would be in..."

Salem's eyes narrowed.

"Yours?"

Isabel stared back, silent.

"You would give up your life? Your identity? Your family? To take the place of an ancient cursed witch?" Salem asked skeptically.

"To save them from your service?" She slowly nodded.

"I-I would."

Salem stared for a very long time at Isabel.

"What makes you think I would give up my power?"

"Because you are a prisoner of fate, Salem," Isabel said quietly. "You would have freedom at last. You would have... Everything. As long as you lived... L-Lived my life. As long as you didn't break the bargain... You would be free. And I... Bound to your fate."

Salem stared for a while longer.

"... You could not reveal who I really am," Salem stated. "You could not change my plan. You would be doomed... You would accept that all for your family?"

Isabel shakily nodded.

Salem smiled. It was not pleasant for her.

"Then... It shall be done. Thank you, my child. When I am free of this world... You may have it. May you find a way to conquer death yourself, and get revenge on the gods. As for me?"

She reached out her hand, the clearing billowing with Eldritch energies that blotted out the broken moon and the stars.

"I shall know peace at last," she hissed.

Isabel stared at her hand. She closed her eyes. Even now, her emotional control held.

She reached out, grasped Salem's hand... And everything went black.

- - -

Nick had finished the dishes. He joined his children in the living room, looking over his sword and checking its electromagnetic systems with a seasoned eye.

The doors to the Arc Farmhouse opened, and shut. The floorboards creaked in a new pattern. The Arcs all looked up in concern... A concern that vanished as Isabel stepped into view.

"Hey Mom," Jaune greeted, followed by his sisters, "Everything all right?"

Isabel smiled softly. She nodded, a flush on her cheeks.

"Oh, everything is just fine, Jaune," she said, "Just fine!"

Nick frowned in concern. Isabel beamed back at him. He cleared his throat.

"That thing you were worried about-?"

"Oh, it's all been taken care of, Nick," Isabel chuckled. "Everything is... perfect."

For a moment, Nick swore he saw a hint of red in his wife's eyes... Yet it vanished. He frowned but then shrugged as Isabel walked in and began to chat happily with her children.

Probably just a trick of the light, Nick reasoned, Still... Nice to see her smiling again.

- - -

A dark female figure stood at the edge of the woods. She stared at the Arc family through the large living room windows. Her red eyes were filled with tears that ran down her cheeks. She sobbed softly, before she bowed her head.

She turned away and vanished into a dark portal to return to the castle she was now bound to.

The Queen of the Grimm had a destiny to fulfill.

- - -

Bit more spooky but turned into something rather tragic. Still, I hope you enjoyed it.

 

[AllSlayer]

What We Like

​

3 years post AJT's canon

Jaune, Ren, and Whitley watch while nearly a dozen females are locked in what looks like one large fight to the death free-for-all. There were explosions and crashes everywhere. Screams and roars, with glyphs, petals, metal, smoke, shattering, and every different element being thrown around.

Jaune and Ren had quiet acceptance expressions on their faces. The only one looking even remotely concerned was Whitley who actually looked like he wanted to intervene but held himself back as he kept watching the chaos and glancing at the other two. Hell, they looked almost relaxed! Jaune was on his feet at least, even though he was leaning his left side against the tree next to him with one foot planted and the other crossed at the shin behind it the toes touching the ground. Ren on the other hand was sitting lotus position! He even had his eyes closed.

"Uh" Whitely started getting Jaune's eyes to shift to him and Ren to slightly tilt his head to show he was listening. "Are we going to do anything about them?" Whitley asked as they heard Nora roar and slamming her hammer into the ground causing even them to feel the ground quake as the area around her slam cracked and crumbled under the strain of the hit.

Hearing his question Ren opened his eyes and he and Jaune shared a quick look before his eyes re-closed. "No." was all Ren replied.

"B-but they are seriously destroying the clearing!" Whitely replied.

Jaune's eyes went back to the younger white haired young man. "We're aware. But their destruction is isolated and as long as they don't get too far from here Ozpin, Goodwitch, or anyone else won't care." Jaune gained a small smile and chuckled "Hell, Port may even commend them for the destruction." Ren snorted lightly trying to hide it behind a cough but the small smile he had betrayed his amusement for the joke.

"Ok, but they could seriously hurt each other!" Whitely argued.

This caused Ren to open his eyes again as he and Jaune shared another look. Ren at least looked a Whitely this time as he answered, "No, they won't. They are far too stubborn for that."

"Yeah, there is not much that can put any of them down. Hell, your partner is part of my cousin clan, the Fuujin. I know she is the youngest next to Ruby in there, but she seems to be holding up quite fine." Jaune added on.

That is when they heard a shout from a girl in an orange and black coat with an orange version of Yang's black short shorts. She had golden blonde hair similar to Jaune's in color that she had styled in a set of twin tails that went down to almost her mid-back. and blue eyes that were a couple of touches lighter than his but still darker than Weiss's. She threw her hands forward, and a huge wave of wind launched out of them sending most of the others away, other than the couple who could dodge or get some cover. Turning up the ground from the pressure in the process.

The three men had watched the attack. Jaune giving a low whistle seeing mostly successful attack and destruction it wrought. "Look at her go."

Ren nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Kiiro, seems to have gotten quite better with her output the last few months."

His words shook Whitely out of his daze at seeing the destruction his partner wrought. "Of course she has! With our training, I have been working here to get as much out of her wind as possible for as little aura usage as possible. Even though it doesn't matter much for her since she has a ridiculous level of reserves."

Jaune scratched the stubble on his chin in thought, "Yeah, our bloodline is quite known for a huge amount of aura. Glad to see she is getting a more refined control of it." He gets a sly smirk on his face as his eyes go back to Whitely. "Spending a lot of time with her huh?" Jaune asks with an innocent tone.

Whitely, whose eyes had gone back to the brawl, didn't see Jaune's face when he asked the question. "Of course, we're partners after all. I have to make sure the partner of a Schnee is amazing."

Jaune smirk became the grin of a Cheshire cat, "So she's amazing, huh?"

"Without question!" Whitely retorted. "She's more than amazing she's-" Whatever he was going to say tied in his thoughts as he slowly turned to Jaune and Ren sounding like a heavy metal door.

Jaune still had that damned grin of his while Ren had gained a small crooked smile, his eyes full of mirth.

Whitely gained a healthy blush, and on his pale white skin the redness was even more prominent.

"I actually been meaning to ask you both something." He said quietly his eyes aimed at the ground and head tilted that way as well.

Jaune and Ren lost their amused expressions and met each other's eyes again both having a small look of concern.

"Yeah of course man. What's the question?" Jaune gently prodded.

"Why are you guys with your partners? Most are the opposite of you. Like you, Jaune: Yang, my sister Weiss, Blake, Neo, and Cinder seem to be the exact opposite of you. I can understand Ruby or Pyrrha or even both. Both have matching or at least the closest personalities to you, yet you are with all of them where a majority are in "different categories". And you Ren, Nora is just about the polar opposite of you as someone can get. Even if she carried a torch for so long. Why are you with her when it seemed like she didn't work?

He had gained both their undivided attention, and he could see the gears turning behind their eyes. Again, they shared a look, and Ren gave him a slight nod, which Jaune returned. Jaune got up from his leaning position to fully straighten and turn to the young man.

"While it's true our relationships don't fully make sense, hell even I am still surprised by mine. I don't know how I got so many girls interested in me and I am still amazed I have kept all of them happy these last 2 years. But even though they are all so different on the surface, they are all so much deeper than those couple surface-level stuff they show off. All of them are so wonderfully kind and caring, that a couple have to have it coaxed out, but I have seen they are enjoying how much they are helping people now. And if not fully that, I know they love seeing how happy I am at all the good they do. And even though it isn't fully for the right reasons I am still glad they are doing good now."

"Yes, most have some emotional baggage or some issues but who doesn't? No one is perfect. It is seeing all the good and bad of a person and still staying with them through the ups and downs of life as they do the same for you."

Ren nodded his head, "Indeed, Nora and I met on the worst day of my life. And we stuck together for years. We have been to each other's rocks that entire time. I have loved her for as long as she loved me. But I always feared I wasn't good enough for her, that she deserved someone more expressive or emotional than me. But she finally beat into my head she didn't want that and she decided who was good enough for her, and in her eyes, I was the only person good enough."

"W-wow," Whitely stuttered out. Amazed by how beautiful their explanations were. They were so deep and full of meaning it almost him want to lose a few tears for how moved he felt.

"But honestly?" Jaune said gaining a slightly embarrassed expression with Ren matching him. Whitely looking at them in confusion.

"We like a pretty girl that can fight." Jaune and Ren said in almost perfect unison.

Whitely's reality cracked at that as he gave them the best deadpan look he could give. It had nothing on the stoicism that was Ren's been he got pretty close.

"This can't be real life." Whitely said with a groan.

"Yet it is," Jaune responded as they all turned their expression to the brawl that seemed to be finishing up.

"Oh, you break my cousin's heart? I castrate you." Jaune nonchalantly says

"Wait what?!"

Ren nodded, "I'll help if it happens."



Phew this got way deeper near the end there then I wanted it to, I blame the music I was listening to.

Also yes the blonde OC is genderbent Naruto if she was in the RWBY world. Kiiro means yellow in Japanese.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

After that, Jaune decided against any more matchmaking. It just wasn't going to end well. He couldn't get a Nat 20 every time, after all.

So he helped Yang and Ruby with setting up the decor for the dance in the Grand Ballroom. Hanging streamers, setting up the lights, and the bandstand...

Jaune: "Okay... We didn't get the Achieve Men, thank God, but we got a nice Fuujin band on their Valean tour to perform."

Yang: "A heavy metal maid band?"

Jaune: grins and shrugs "They're pretty awesome to listen to, gimmick aside. Also, nice color choices!"

Yang: "Thanks! I did actually learn some charm school stuff from Sister Lucy on Patch."

Jaune: "Wow... What's she like?"

Yang: "She's pretty awesome for an old lady. She helped Ruby and I with our homework when Dad couldn't do it, taught us cooking, cleaning, knitting, all sorts of things. She helped Uncle Qrow get Dad back into shape too... Mostly by yelling at him and waving her cane."

Jaune: "Heh... She sounds incredible."

Yang: "You wanna meet her? I mean... I did meet your parents."

Jaune: "I'm uh... I mean, sure. Shouldn't I meet your dad first?"

Yang: "I thought we were taking it slow? You wanna start picking out rings, VB?" winks "I could give you a ring right now~."

Jaune: "I-You-But-!"

Yang giggled. Jaune sighed.

Jaune: "Geez..."

Yang: "Gotta keep you on your toes, VB." She nuzzled him "Mmm..."

Jaune: "Thanks. I just... I mean... How do you feel about this? I feel like I'm making a lot of decisions here and maybe I'm not listening to you as much as I should."

Yang: "You act like this stern alpha male in battle but now you're asking about my feelings?"

Jaune: "Says the biker chick who knows how to make amazing pancakes and has an apron that says-"

Yang punches him lightly in the side with red cheeks. Jaune snickers.

Jaune: "Owww...! What? It's cute!"

Yang: "Just-Not so loud, okay?"

Jaune: "Why? I like that you don't fit into any one box."

Yang: "Y-yeah, well... I like that about you, too." Smiles and nuzzles him "Hmmm... I mean... I'll admit I kind of... Worry... About you getting stolen away."

Jaune: "Yang-"

Yang: "But the fact you actually care about me so much and aren't just rushing to... To the good parts? That means everything."

Jaune: genuinely confused "These are the good parts, Yang."

Yang: bright red "..." She kissed him deeply and wrapped her arms around him "Mmmm~..."

Jaune: "Mmph?! Mmmm...!"

Jaune's Brain: Holy shit this is amazing I love this so much...! MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE-HOLY SHIT!

Glynda: "AHEM."

The two blonds separate, blushing brightly.

Glynda: "I believe you two have work to do? Which doesn't involve making out?"

Yang: "C-Come on, Professor! We were just uh... Getting in the spirit of things!"

Jaune: "T-Totally!"

Glynda: "That requires your tongues to be in eachother's mouths?"

Yang: "... Yes."

Glynda: "Please Miss Xiao-Long... Wait for that until your senior year at least?" Glares at Jaune "Even your parents were able to graduate before full consummation."

Jaune: "Shows what you know. My oldest sister Saphron was born exactly nine months after the liberation of Pandu. So she was at the graduation ceremony too."

Glynda: "And if you want to see your own graduation ceremony, you'll both get back to work!"

Yang and Jaune: "Yes ma'am!"

They do get back to work. Jaune is under a LOT of scrunity by Goodwitch... While Yang watches him with a dreamy look in her eyes.

She recalls a fairy tale Sister Lucy and her mother read her... About a Knight and a Princess.

"Take my hand," said the knight to the princess, "for the world is a big and scary place. I will protect you from all danger, and you will protect me when I fall. And we will walk this world, hand in hand, together."

It was just a childhood story and so much in her life made her doubt it... But when she was with Jaune? She wanted to believe.

Click to shrink...

It seemed like it took forever but the night of the dance finally arrived. JNPR was all set and ready. They walked out of their dormroom to wait on RWBY in the hallway.

Pyrrha: "Y-You look great, Jaune."

Jaune's Brain: Ohhh my God she's hot. She's unbelievably hot. Like Starfire drawn by a pro hentai artist hot. GAH! No, no... I am not going to think about it. Don't focus on it! She's beautiful and your FRIEND... That's it! A friend who is madly in love with you-SHUT UP!

Jaune: "You too." He smiled "And I'll save you a dance tonight."

Pyrrha: "Oh, thank you!"

Jaune: "But, you're also going to go out and dance with some other guys, all right?"

Pyrrha: flush "... I mean... If you want me to-"

Jaune: "No, that's not what I meant. I mean I want you to have a good time, Pyr. Really."

Jaune's Brain: That should help...

Pyrrha: "I... I see."

Nora: "We're totally gonna have a great time! Ooh! Ooh! I can't wait for Ren to shoot a bottle and get me a stuffed sloth doll!"

Jaune: "Er, we don't have that at the dance Nora."

Nora: "What?! What kind of a dance is this?!"

Jaune: "But that will be available at the Vytal Festival! You just need to be a little patient, okay?"

Nora: "Hmmm... Renny? Will you shoot a bottle and get me a stuffed sloth at the festival?"

Ren: "Of course."

Nora: beams "YAY! I am appeased!"

The door to RWBY's dormroom opens. Ruby comes out first in her dress and heels. She pouts.

Ruby: "Ugh. I hate lady stilts!"

Jaune: "You still look nice, Ruby."

Ruby: "R-Really?" blush "Thanks!"

Weiss emerges next, shaking her head at Ruby.

Weiss: "You can literally run up vertical surfaces and yet you have an issue with high heels?"

Ruby: "It's totally different pressures and mechanics involved, darnit! Why do we even wear these things?"

Jaune: "Makes you look taller and shows off your legs."

Ruby: bright red "... Huh... Um... I mean, that doesn't sound too bad..."

Blake emerges next, and gives Jaune a smile.

Blake: "Hello Jaune."

Jaune: "Hello Blake. You look very nice."

Jaune's Brain: Ohhh fuck she's hot. She's so hot... WHY ARE THEY ALL SO HOT?! EVEN RUBY IS HOT! HOW DO I DEAL WITH THAT?!

Blake: smiles "Are you sure that's all you want to say?"

Jaune: tightly "Yes. Very."

Blake: "Hmph. Well, here's Yang."

Blake moves aside. Jaune of course recalls how Yang looked in the show and in fanart... None of it does the real thing justice.

Yang: "H-Hey... So uh... How do I look?"

Jaune: "..."

Jaune's Brain: Say something... SAY SOMETHING. SAY THE FIRST THING TO COME TO MIND!

Yang: "Um... Jaune?"

Jaune: "... Humina... Pretty..."

Blake: "I think you broke his brain."

Weiss: "He had a brain?"

Jaune: shakes his head rapidly "I mean... You look amazing, Yang. Like an angel."

Yang: flush "Geez... You don't usually go for the flowery praise, you know."

Jaune: "Oh? Is that a problem-?"

Yang takes his arm and leans against him with a smile.

Yang: "Nope. Keep it up, Wordsmith. After all, a pun is like poetry."

Weiss: "They are not remotely the same."

Yang: "Says you!"

The part heads out to the ballroom. They run into May, who is in a beautiful red and gold sari. Her escort is... A surprise.

Weiss: "Neptune?!"

Neptune: "Hm? Oh, hey Snow Angel. I just asked the princess if she wanted to go to the dance, and she said yes." He grins and winks "I'm gonna show her a great time!"

May: "Oh, um, thank you. Hello Jaune! Hello everyone!" beams

Jaune: "Hey May! You look very nice."

Neptune: grins "Arc. I'm going out with your godsister. Hope you don't mind?"

Jaune: "Dude, it's not me you have to worry about. May is a sniper after all. And her dad is the best archer in the world. He could probably hit you from Vale if you make her cry."

Neptune: gulps "Uh... N-Not that I'm going to! Not at all!"

May: giggles "It's appreciated, Jaune, but don't worry! Neptune's a nice guy... When he doesn't strut so much."

Neptune: "Oh, hey!"

They head off ahead of the group. Weiss scowls after them.

Ruby: "You okay Weiss?"

Weiss: "I'm fine... Jaune? May I also get in a dance with you?"

Jaune: "Er... If Yang's okay with it?"

Yang: "Yeah, I'm okay with it."

Cardin and Velvet show up next. Velvet looks radiant, even as her belly begins to round from her pregnancy. Cardin has an arm around her shoulders protectively.

Jaune: "Hey guys!"

Blake: "Hello Velvet!"

Cardin: "Hey!"

Velvet: "Hey!" She giggles "This is so exciting! I'm glad Coco could adjust my dress in time for the dance!"

Jaune: "You look great!"

Velvet: "Aw, thank you!" snuggles with Cardin "Mmm... Cardin liked it too. We nearly didn't get out on time~."

Cardin: pleased blush "Velv, c-come on..."

Velvet: "Awww... But I wanna show off my wonderful man~!"

Cardin: "Just... Not all the time, huh?"

Velvet: "Aww... All right." kisses his cheek "Mmm... Anyway, see you inside!"

They leave. Nora blinks.

Nora: "Wow. They're really affectionate, huh?"

Ren: "Yes."

Yang: "Why aren't we like that, Jaune?"

Weiss: "Because we'd kill you if you were that disgusting all the time?"

Yang: "Bring it on~! You might get a hit on me if I was making out with Jaune~!"

Weiss: "Why you-!"

Cinder and her team show up. Emerald and Mercury are holding hands. Mint is prancing about in her dress and shooting flirty looks at Jaune. Cinder... Is less than pleased with her date.

Cinder: "Hello all."

Jaune: "Hey Cinder, Emerald, Mercury, Mint... Jack."

Jackie Arc is Jaune's cousin. He resembles Jaune in most details save for his greener eyes, messier shorter hair, and air of douche. He's in a loud green suit and grins back.

Jack: "Hey Cousin Jaune! Wow... You got yerself a whole harem!"

Jaune: "They're friends."

Jack: "Well, maybe they'd like to be my friends too-?" Cinder twists his hand painfully "OW OWOWOWOW! CUZ! HELP!"

Jaune: "I admire your restrait, Cinder. Usually I wanna deck him after five minutes of listening to him."

Cinder: twitch "I'm sure he'll behave himself the rest of the night. Won't he?"

Jack: "Y-YES! YES! TOTALLY!"

Cinder lets him go and smiles dangerously.

Cinder: "Good~."

Pyrrha: "So... You're Jaune's Cousin? It's nice to meet you!"

Jack: "Oh boy, it absolutely is! Man, Pyrrha Nikos in a dress? You know, I do photography for a... Fairly reputable website. I was wondering if I could get you to pose-?"

Cinder looks like she's about to melt Jack's head off. Of course, she can't.

Jaune: "Anyway! Why don't we all go inside?"

Yang: "Yeah, we need to be at the front desk anyway."

Cinder: "Sounds good."

Cinder's entourage enters. RWBY and JNPR head in too. Jaune and Yang take their seats at the front desk and begin to take tickets.

Ruby: "I mean... All those people..."

Jaune: "Relax Ruby. Look! There's Penny!"

Penny arrives with a happy smile. She takes Ruby's hands in hers.

Penny: "Hello Friend Ruby! I am so looking forward to this dance, aren't you?"

Ruby: beams "Definitely am now!"

They head off. Jaune and Yang relax a bit.

Yang: "I'm glad she'll have Penny along... Though it might mean that there's a fire by the end of it."

Jaune: "Oh, I'm pretty sure there will be one..."

Yang: "By the way, why did you set up your cousin with Cindy? You want her to hate you?"

Jaune's Brain: Well I do want to torture her a little since she is evil...

Jaune: "Eh... Maybe she'll whip Jack into shape. I gotta look out for family, after all..."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Ruby was practically bouncing up and down for joy as she stood in the comic book shop line. Jaune was right behind her, similarly excited though not as bouncy.

"Oh my God oh my God oh my God, I can't believe that the Tim Pellegri is here and signing copies of Kamen Vale!" She squealed softly. It was absorbed by the shelves upon shelves of comic books and collectibles around them, but the rotund nerd ahead of them turned around and shushed her anyway. "Sorry!"

"It's cool," Jaune said with a smile, "I'm excited too. Just uh... Easy, huh? Poor Zwei's gonna hear you from here and come running."

Ruby scowled at her best male friend in the whole wide world.

"Are you saying my voice is squeaky?"

"I don't have to say that," Jaune said playfully, "You kind of prove it every time you speak."

"Oooh!" Ruby pouted. "Big talk from Mister Ukulele! It's not even a real instrument!"

"Is too," Jaune retorted, "Kamehameha Island made it its official instrument!"

"I-I'm just saying, nobody uses a weaponized ukelele in comics," Ruby sniffed.

"Well yeah, you couldn't hit anyone hard enough with one," Jaune nodded, "You'd want like, a bass guitar at least."

"Yeah but then you'd just break it," Ruby hummed, "Unless you built it with a proper aluminum frame..."

"I don't think an aluminum guitar would sound great, Rubes," Jaune deadpanned. Ruby shook her head.

"It can just be electric!"

"It doesn't sound the same!"

"Ugh, why are you such a music pendant?" Ruby groaned. Jaune shrugged.

"My mom made us all take piano lessons. Said it would let us do better in school."

"Did it?" Ruby asked, curious. "Cause I can make synth music with my electronics but I don't think it made me better at school!"

"I... Huh," Jaune rubbed his chin, "That is a good question."

"Next!"

Ruby and Jaune looked up. There was an impatient security guard standing in front of the table where the comic book writer sat patiently. Nearby was the entrance into the back of the store, protected by a simple purple curtain. Ruby and Jaune flushed.

"Oh!"

They immediately walked up to the desk and held out their copies of Kamen Vale: Volume 1. The comic creator, a balding man of Mistralian descent in a blue T-shirt with the titular character emblazoned on it, smiled and dutifully signed both books.

"Thanks for coming out guys," Chris said thankfully, "It means a lot! Promoting an indie book is still pretty tough."

"Oh, but this is great!" Ruby gushed, "I love how you present the struggles of a reluctant superheroine! She's reluctant not because of deep personal hang ups but because she's got no experience! And now she has to handle things herself because of all the people who tried to exploit her!"

"Yes, exactly!" Chris said with a vigorous nod.

"I like that she makes friends but also misses out on things," Jaune added. "Makes it feel a lot more, well, real."

"Yes," Chris said with a nod, "'Realistic' has kind of become a buzzword. A lot of people think it means everyone has to be an asshole. But for every bad person being selfish in the world, there are others who act kindly and responsibly. I don't think it's more realistic for everyone to be a jerk."

"Totally!" Ruby grinned. "So uh-Like-Did you base Kamen Vale on anyone in particular?"

Chris sucked in a breath.

"Oh, well-"

A truly drop dead gorgeous blonde woman with curves and a chest that might make even Professor Goodwitch envious stepped out from behind the curtain. She was dressed in the tight body suit and mask of Kamen Vale, her blue eyes glowing with mirth.

"I might have had a hand in it," the woman said in a silky smooth voice with a hint of an Altesian accent, "Isn't that right, Chris?"

"Y-Yeah, yeah," Chris managed. Ruby's eyes widened. She let out a high pitched squeal.

"Oh my God oh my God oh my God-Jaune-Jaune we gotta get a selfie-Jaune-?!"

Jaune's eyes were wide. At first Ruby scowled: Seriously?! Ogling a hot blonde bombshell when she was here?! It was so... Irritating!

"Aunt Irene?" Jaune breathed.

Irene's eyes widened behind her mask.

"Oh... Hello Jaune."

- - -

They met Irene in a cafe nearby as the weather was nice enough for it. She'd switched to more casual clothing: A white skirt, matching jacket, and white blouse that did everything possible to show off her body and made Ruby feel like a stick.

She normally didn't really care about this kind of stuff but... But Jaune was here and somehow that made things different. In a way she couldn't really articulate.

Irene calmly sipped some tea and smiled over it at Jaune and Ruby. The sounds of the city washed over them.

"Sorry I didn't call ahead," Irene apologized, "It was kind of a last minute job."

"No, no! That's totally fine!" Jaune said with a happy smile. He turned to Ruby. "Ruby, this is my aunt Irene. Auntie, this is Ruby Rose, my best friend at Beacon!"

"H-Hello," Ruby managed. She tilted her head. "So um... Are you like a real aunt or an honorary aunt? Because it's a little confusing."

Irene chuckled.

"The Arc family can be like that. But no, I am the younger sister of Jaune's mother. We have three brothers: Alexander, whom you've already met, Ken, and Trey. Isabel, Jaune's mother, is the eldest."

"Oh, I see," Ruby nodded. Honestly, she kind of found learning about families interesting. She knew so little about her own. "So, what do you do for work? I mean, are you a full time model?"

"Oh, me?" Irene chuckled modestly, "No, no. I do it from time to time to pay the bills and help with my freelance work. I actually do a lot of teaching."

"Teaching?" Ruby asked eagerly, "Teaching what?"

"Vytalese, believe it or not," Irene said with a smile and shrug, "It's the lingua franca of commerce thanks to their old Empire and plenty of places still don't speak it. Lets me travel a lot."

"Oh," Ruby said with a nod, "But uh... Um... Why is your Aura activated?"

Irene raised an eyebrow at Ruby.

"You saw that huh?" Irene asked quietly. There was a hint of a deadly edge in her voice, like she was about to pull a knife. Ruby winced.

Oh no... Did I offend her?!

"She has to travel to rough places sometimes," Jaune said with a smile, "That's what you said, right Auntie?"

Irene again was all smiles as she sipped her tea.

"Indeed. But honestly, I don't do much fighting. I'm not as good at it as I could be."

"O-Oh, sure!" Ruby nodded eagerly.

"It's good to see you doing well, Jaune," Irene said with a smile at her nephew, "I didn't think Izzy would ever let you leave the nest!"

"Um..." Jaune winced. Irene raised an eyebrow, then smirked.

"Oho? You ran away from home? That explains why she's been so tense when we talk."

Jaune winced harder. Ruby patted her best friend on his forearm.

"I just... I was going to realize my dream, one way or another," Jaune admitted quietly.

"Good."

Both teens looked up at the older women. Irene smiled proudly.

"When our parents died, your mother insisted on taking care of all of us," she said, "She was always stubborn. She wanted to make sure we could be happy and pursue our dreams. She sacrificed so much to make money and send it back to us. To let us keep the farm, to stay a family."

Irene sighed and shook her head.

"She made enough money to send Alex to seminary. Send Ken to financial school, Trey to a maritime academy. But she acted like our mother more than our sister. She thought she had to control everything we did just to ensure we were safe. That wasn't the case with us, and it wasn't with you. It's high time she learned this lesson."

"Wow... Thank you Auntie," Jaune said with a smile. Irene nodded fondly. Ruby blinked.

"Um... Where did she send you?" Ruby asked.

A dark look passed over Irene's face. It passed before she smiled beatifically.

"Oh, she sent me to Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy For Girls in Vale City," Irene explained, "Where I was to learn how to become a rich, proper lady."

Ruby's eyes widened. Jaune nodded with a grin.

"And Auntie's been an incredible lady ever since!"

"Mm, indeed," Irene said with a nod. "Oh, Jaune? Mind getting us some more tea?"

"Sure!" Jaune said cheerfully. He got up and headed back into the cafe. Ruby stared at Irene in horror.

"So," Irene said quietly, "You know?"

"I... Y-Yeah," Ruby managed in shocked horror, "Uncle Qrow helped with the... The cleanup. He told us stuff when he was... Um... Drunk."

Irene nodded slowly and set her tea cup down. Ruby steeled her courage.

"So... You're-They made you into a-?"

"I'm a teacher, that is what I do," Irene said quietly. "It's what I love doing. But my skills allow me to help out from time to time and ensure what happened to me? Will never happen to anyone else."

She smirked slightly.

"Plus, it pays really well."

"I-I see," Ruby muttered. Her eyes widened again.

"You-You're not-You don't have to kill me-I-I won't tell-!"

Irene chuckled again, an elegant sound.

"Relax sweetie," Irene said, "Do you think my cover so flimsy that you could blow it?"

"W-Well," Ruby pouted a little, "I mean I could! N-Not that I would! Honest!"

Irene nodded slowly. There was just a tiny hint of vulnerability around the woman's eyes.

"I know. I just ask that you don't tell Jaune. I... Do care about his opinion and if I tell him? I want it to be on my terms."

Ruby thought for a moment, then nodded.

"I-I won't. Promise."

Irene smiled.

"Good... I'm glad you're his friend. He was so sheltered for much of his life because of his illness. So shy, so awkward... Thank you."

Ruby blushed bright red.

"I um... I-I'm not much better," Ruby mumbled, "And I'm not very... I don't know if I'm a good friend back. I-I don't really know how to be. I-I think I do? But it's so hard sometimes and... Um, well..."

Irene scooted her chair around the table to sit right next to Ruby. Her smile was full of warmth. She reached out and squeezed Ruby's hand gently.

"Nobody is an expert at anything overnight," she said quietly, "It took me years to open up. To stand on my own. I'm sure you will too one day. So cut yourself some slack on that end, and take it a day at a time. Forcing it will not make it better. It will only make it artificial, a tool."

She shook her head.

"You don't want to become an empty shell who sees interacting with humans as just a game or a job," she said softly. "I almost became that if not for my friends and family. So please... Take good care of them."

Ruby nodded back, very seriously.

Jaune walked into view, carrying more tea on a serving platter. He grinned as he set it out.

"Just the way you like it, Auntie! You too, Ruby!"

"Thanks Jaune," Ruby said, smiling warmly at her best friend. He sat back down. Irene's Scroll went off and she checked it. She sighed in resignation.

"Oh darn. I need to meet with a client," she sighed. She beamed at Jaune apologetically. "Sorry Jaune. I'll meet back up with you and your friend next week?"

"That would be great!" Jaune nodded. Irene stood up and walked over to him. He stood up again and they hugged tightly. She planted a kiss on the top of his head and patted his shoulder. She smiled at Ruby.

"It was nice to meet you too, Ruby. Remember what I said, okay?"

"S-Sure," Ruby nodded with a nervous but grateful smile back. Irene turned and walked away, vanishing into the crowd. Jaune sat back down with Ruby, smiling at her.

"So uh... What do you think?" Jaune asked nervously.

"I think she's pretty cool," Ruby said with a smile.

"Yeah, she is," Jaune agreed. "Sometimes I feel like she's not telling me everything... But that's okay. I still think she's amazing."

"Y-Yeah," Ruby said softly. She scooted a little closer to Jaune. "So um... How did you get into Kamen Vale?"

"Oh, well, Auntie Irene told me about this thing she was doing and..."

- - -

The Amalthea Hotel was one of the jewels of Old Vale: A gorgeous high rise skyscraper, a symphony in glass, marble, and steel that still shone in the skyline like a beacon. It was the hotel, with a ground based casino, five star restaurants, pools, arcades, and many other distractions for eager tourists to the capital of Vale.

One of many penthouse suites on the upper floors was occupied by a black bearded, swarthy man of prodigious girth. He was dressed in a fine red silk robe and held a glass of wine in his hand as he surveyed the city.

He was Aizere Rakhimov, a rich Mistralian businessman from the Temujin Sub-Kingdom. He relaxed as he took in the view of the city, his grin oily and broad.

"Well... If the Valean underworld is gonna lose its head, another must take over," he chuckled to himself. He didn't know how it had happened, but Roman Torchwick had been left the most powerful man in Vale's underworld. Nature abhorred a vacuum, after all. Aizere had invested previously in Vale, and now? It was time to reap the rewards.

The doorbell rang. His grin widened as he licked his lips.

Speaking of rewards...

"Enter!"

The door opened. A beautiful woman in a skintight outfit and mask walked in. She smiled dutifully at Aizere, and struck a heroic pose.

"I believe you called for a heroine, sir?" She asked in a silky, seductive tone.

"I did," Aizere chuckled, "My son is a fan of these comics... I thought it would be good to understand the appeal."

"Oh?" She asked, tilting her head. "You have that kind of interest?"

Aizere shrugged and sat down on the decadent couch. He gestured with his hand, and the woman slunk right up to him. She settled down in his lap with a smile that was pure honey, as the Mistralian crime lord chuckled.

"Well... I'll be coming into Vale more often for my business interests," he said, "I should get to know the people and culture better, mmm~?"

"Of course, sir," she simpered, "A crime lord should know all about what he's getting into~."

Aizere paused. He frowned at the costumed prostitute.

"What makes you think I'm a crime lord?"

"Because my dear Aizere," here the woman's smile became positively terrifying as she placed a finger against his carotid artery:

"I'm paid to kill crime lords. Especially those who profitted off of academies that turned innocent girls into weapons."

A pulse of Aura went through his blood vessels right to his brain. He fell limp, unable to move a muscle. He couldn't even groan as she stood up and continued to smile in that terrifying way.

"A little technique my sister taught me," she said, "But the rest of this? It's just what I was trained to do."

Aizere wet himself in his terror as the woman loomed over him.

"I hope you appreciate it," she whispered as she drew her knives.

- - -

Naturally Irene Arc is based upon Irina Jelavic from Assassination Classroom and Natasha Romanov, aka Black Widow, from Marvel.

 

[SharkCultist]

Neptune was afraid of water. It was something that was just a part of life to his team.

Grass was green, Grimm were bad, and Neptune was a wuss.

They never really asked about it, not that he'd tell them.

Choking gasping hands holding him under the cold water.

No it's not something he would ever be comfortable sharing.

Hurt betrayal why? Whywhywhy?

Neptune never met his father but his mother always told him how much he looked like him. How handsome he was and that's all a eight year old boy needed to hear.

He didn't hear her talk about how he was a cheating manwhore who ran off with the first pretty girl he could get away with.

Well he didn't hear about it until she was screaming about it while drowning him.

And all because of a innocent comment.

"I like school mommy there's so many pretty girls to play with."

A innocent comment that tore his poor mom apart. He didn't mean it.

Dying. Cold. Something inside him waking up and making the water get away.

If he could go back he'd probably never even look at a girl.

Coughing. Looking around half dazed in fear and seeing his mother. Laying in a poor of water quickly turning red.

But he can't go back. So he does the next best thing, he stays away from the water and buries himself in whatever beauty he can grab.

Except...

Once loving grey eyes like a storm clouded with madness and a halo of seaweed colored hair laying limp in the water.

He doesn't date girls with grey eyes or blue-green hair.

Just another thing his team notices but never really comments on.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

It seemed like it took forever but the night of the dance finally arrived. JNPR was all set and ready. They walked out of their dormroom to wait on RWBY in the hallway.

Pyrrha: "Y-You look great, Jaune."

Jaune's Brain: Ohhh my God she's hot. She's unbelievably hot. Like Starfire drawn by a pro hentai artist hot. GAH! No, no... I am not going to think about it. Don't focus on it! She's beautiful and your FRIEND... That's it! A friend who is madly in love with you-SHUT UP!

Jaune: "You too." He smiled "And I'll save you a dance tonight."

Pyrrha: "Oh, thank you!"

Jaune: "But, you're also going to go out and dance with some other guys, all right?"

Pyrrha: flush "... I mean... If you want me to-"

Jaune: "No, that's not what I meant. I mean I want you to have a good time, Pyr. Really."

Jaune's Brain: That should help...

Pyrrha: "I... I see."

Nora: "We're totally gonna have a great time! Ooh! Ooh! I can't wait for Ren to shoot a bottle and get me a stuffed sloth doll!"

Jaune: "Er, we don't have that at the dance Nora."

Nora: "What?! What kind of a dance is this?!"

Jaune: "But that will be available at the Vytal Festival! You just need to be a little patient, okay?"

Nora: "Hmmm... Renny? Will you shoot a bottle and get me a stuffed sloth at the festival?"

Ren: "Of course."

Nora: beams "YAY! I am appeased!"

The door to RWBY's dormroom opens. Ruby comes out first in her dress and heels. She pouts.

Ruby: "Ugh. I hate lady stilts!"

Jaune: "You still look nice, Ruby."

Ruby: "R-Really?" blush "Thanks!"

Weiss emerges next, shaking her head at Ruby.

Weiss: "You can literally run up vertical surfaces and yet you have an issue with high heels?"

Ruby: "It's totally different pressures and mechanics involved, darnit! Why do we even wear these things?"

Jaune: "Makes you look taller and shows off your legs."

Ruby: bright red "... Huh... Um... I mean, that doesn't sound too bad..."

Blake emerges next, and gives Jaune a smile.

Blake: "Hello Jaune."

Jaune: "Hello Blake. You look very nice."

Jaune's Brain: Ohhh fuck she's hot. She's so hot... WHY ARE THEY ALL SO HOT?! EVEN RUBY IS HOT! HOW DO I DEAL WITH THAT?!

Blake: smiles "Are you sure that's all you want to say?"

Jaune: tightly "Yes. Very."

Blake: "Hmph. Well, here's Yang."

Blake moves aside. Jaune of course recalls how Yang looked in the show and in fanart... None of it does the real thing justice.

Yang: "H-Hey... So uh... How do I look?"

Jaune: "..."

Jaune's Brain: Say something... SAY SOMETHING. SAY THE FIRST THING TO COME TO MIND!

Yang: "Um... Jaune?"

Jaune: "... Humina... Pretty..."

Blake: "I think you broke his brain."

Weiss: "He had a brain?"

Jaune: shakes his head rapidly "I mean... You look amazing, Yang. Like an angel."

Yang: flush "Geez... You don't usually go for the flowery praise, you know."

Jaune: "Oh? Is that a problem-?"

Yang takes his arm and leans against him with a smile.

Yang: "Nope. Keep it up, Wordsmith. After all, a pun is like poetry."

Weiss: "They are not remotely the same."

Yang: "Says you!"

The part heads out to the ballroom. They run into May, who is in a beautiful red and gold sari. Her escort is... A surprise.

Weiss: "Neptune?!"

Neptune: "Hm? Oh, hey Snow Angel. I just asked the princess if she wanted to go to the dance, and she said yes." He grins and winks "I'm gonna show her a great time!"

May: "Oh, um, thank you. Hello Jaune! Hello everyone!" beams

Jaune: "Hey May! You look very nice."

Neptune: grins "Arc. I'm going out with your godsister. Hope you don't mind?"

Jaune: "Dude, it's not me you have to worry about. May is a sniper after all. And her dad is the best archer in the world. He could probably hit you from Vale if you make her cry."

Neptune: gulps "Uh... N-Not that I'm going to! Not at all!"

May: giggles "It's appreciated, Jaune, but don't worry! Neptune's a nice guy... When he doesn't strut so much."

Neptune: "Oh, hey!"

They head off ahead of the group. Weiss scowls after them.

Ruby: "You okay Weiss?"

Weiss: "I'm fine... Jaune? May I also get in a dance with you?"

Jaune: "Er... If Yang's okay with it?"

Yang: "Yeah, I'm okay with it."

Cardin and Velvet show up next. Velvet looks radiant, even as her belly begins to round from her pregnancy. Cardin has an arm around her shoulders protectively.

Jaune: "Hey guys!"

Blake: "Hello Velvet!"

Cardin: "Hey!"

Velvet: "Hey!" She giggles "This is so exciting! I'm glad Coco could adjust my dress in time for the dance!"

Jaune: "You look great!"

Velvet: "Aw, thank you!" snuggles with Cardin "Mmm... Cardin liked it too. We nearly didn't get out on time~."

Cardin: pleased blush "Velv, c-come on..."

Velvet: "Awww... But I wanna show off my wonderful man~!"

Cardin: "Just... Not all the time, huh?"

Velvet: "Aww... All right." kisses his cheek "Mmm... Anyway, see you inside!"

They leave. Nora blinks.

Nora: "Wow. They're really affectionate, huh?"

Ren: "Yes."

Yang: "Why aren't we like that, Jaune?"

Weiss: "Because we'd kill you if you were that disgusting all the time?"

Yang: "Bring it on~! You might get a hit on me if I was making out with Jaune~!"

Weiss: "Why you-!"

Cinder and her team show up. Emerald and Mercury are holding hands. Mint is prancing about in her dress and shooting flirty looks at Jaune. Cinder... Is less than pleased with her date.

Cinder: "Hello all."

Jaune: "Hey Cinder, Emerald, Mercury, Mint... Jack."

Jackie Arc is Jaune's cousin. He resembles Jaune in most details save for his greener eyes, messier shorter hair, and air of douche. He's in a loud green suit and grins back.

Jack: "Hey Cousin Jaune! Wow... You got yerself a whole harem!"

Jaune: "They're friends."

Jack: "Well, maybe they'd like to be my friends too-?" Cinder twists his hand painfully "OW OWOWOWOW! CUZ! HELP!"

Jaune: "I admire your restrait, Cinder. Usually I wanna deck him after five minutes of listening to him."

Cinder: twitch "I'm sure he'll behave himself the rest of the night. Won't he?"

Jack: "Y-YES! YES! TOTALLY!"

Cinder lets him go and smiles dangerously.

Cinder: "Good~."

Pyrrha: "So... You're Jaune's Cousin? It's nice to meet you!"

Jack: "Oh boy, it absolutely is! Man, Pyrrha Nikos in a dress? You know, I do photography for a... Fairly reputable website. I was wondering if I could get you to pose-?"

Cinder looks like she's about to melt Jack's head off. Of course, she can't.

Jaune: "Anyway! Why don't we all go inside?"

Yang: "Yeah, we need to be at the front desk anyway."

Cinder: "Sounds good."

Cinder's entourage enters. RWBY and JNPR head in too. Jaune and Yang take their seats at the front desk and begin to take tickets.

Ruby: "I mean... All those people..."

Jaune: "Relax Ruby. Look! There's Penny!"

Penny arrives with a happy smile. She takes Ruby's hands in hers.

Penny: "Hello Friend Ruby! I am so looking forward to this dance, aren't you?"

Ruby: beams "Definitely am now!"

They head off. Jaune and Yang relax a bit.

Yang: "I'm glad she'll have Penny along... Though it might mean that there's a fire by the end of it."

Jaune: "Oh, I'm pretty sure there will be one..."

Yang: "By the way, why did you set up your cousin with Cindy? You want her to hate you?"

Jaune's Brain: Well I do want to torture her a little since she is evil...

Jaune: "Eh... Maybe she'll whip Jack into shape. I gotta look out for family, after all..."

Click to shrink...

The band came, music and dancing ensued. Jaune and Yang handled the front table for a while.

Jaune: "Geez... I feel like we're being punished."

Yang: "Hmph. Bet Goodwitch is just sad she's some lonely old spinster who will never get laid."

Jaune notices Goodwitch looming nearby. He clears his throat.

Jaune: "Now now Yang, maybe she's just waiting for that special guy. She is pretty amazing and hot, after all. As well as brave, strong and smart! It'll just take a really formidable guy to land her, that's all."

Yang: "Oh? You think so-?" Jaune elbows her "Ooh! I mean, yeah! She does make me second guess my sexuality at times! Rowr!"

Goodwitch's scowl intensifies.

Yang: "... Not buying this, huh?"

Goodwitch: "No. However, we have two volunteers willing to take your place so you can go dance. And corral your teams."

Jaune: "We do?"

Nick: "HEY SON!" Grins brightly in a dark blue suit and red tie "How's the dance?"

Isabel: In a blue shimmering dress that draws everyone's eyes "Don't mind us, we're just here with a few other alumni to help out!"

Jaune: "Mom? Dad?!"

Nick: "Haha! Don't worry, buddy! We won't cramp your style! You two go on, have some fun!"

Isabel: "Yes, we'll handle this."

Jaune: "I... Wow. Thanks Mom and Dad."

Yang: "Totally!"

Nick: "GLYNDA!" He gives her a big hug "HAHA! So nice to see you! Come on, let's catch up! How's everything?"

Glynda: "URK!"

Isabel: "Easy Nick! You don't want to break her!"

Nick: "Come on, she's like the strongest Huntress ever! ... Except for you sweetie! And I can't break you!"

Isabel: "There are differing opinions on that..."

Jaune and Yang flee the potentially mentally scarring conversation and get to the dance floor. Ruby is hanging out by the punch bowl, looking awkward.

Jaune and Yang look at each other.

Jaune: "Um... Yang, I know I really want to dance with you but... Well..."

Yang: sighs "No... It's okay. Take Ruby for a spin first. She needs it..." She sees Pyrrha hiding near a window sipping punch "... And P-Money too."

Jaune: "Really?"

Yang: smiles "I know you'll always come back to me. I shouldn't be so jealous."

Jaune: "Aw... Thanks babe." Kisses her cheek

Yang: "Hee..."

Jaune takes Ruby out onto the dancefloor. She's very nervous.

Jaune: "It's okay Rubes, it's okay. Just focus on me."

Ruby: "R-Right... Sorry if I step on your toes."

Jaune: "What happened to Penny?"

Ruby: "Oh, she got called away by her dad or something."

Jaune: "Huh... I see..."

Jaune's Brain: That didn't happen in the original timeline... Then again, I have changed a LOT.

They dance to the music for a while. Ruby begins to relax, and smile. Jaune sends her into a twirl, and she stumbles.

Ruby: "ACK!"

Jaune though manages to catch her.

Jaune: "Heh... Relax, it's all right."

Ruby: bright red "... Th-Thanks."

Jaune: "Any time."

The song ends and Jaune leads Ruby back to the punch bowl. He gets them three glasses as Yang joins them with Pyrrha in tow.

Yang: "Hey! Not bad, Rubes!"

Ruby: "It uh... It was hard, but... I managed to stop thinking about all those eyes on me."

Pyrrha: "That's the hardest part, Ruby. Really."

Jaune: "Yeah. So hey Pyr? You want to dance this next song?"

Pyrrha: looks to Yang, who nods. She beams "I... I would love to!"

Jaune: "Great!" He takes a sip of his punch "I'll be back for this later."

Ruby: "I'll hold onto it!"

Jaune: "Aw, thanks Rubes!"

Jaune leads her out. Yang and Ruby watch... As Ruby drinks his punch.

Yang: "Um... Ruby?"

Ruby: "S-Sorry! I didn't think about it..." Eyes wide, face red "Wait... Indirect kiss?!"

Yang: "No! I mean, yes, but it's not as sexy as Mistralian manga makes it out to be! Kissing him directly is way better-!"

Ruby faints, bright red.

Yang: "Ohhh boy..."

Pyrrha and Jaune dance together happily.

Pyrrha: smiles "So um... Cinder's plan is going down tonight, isn't it?"

Jaune: "Yeah. Everything's set."

Pyrrha: "I still don't see why we can't just arrest her now."

Jaune: shrugs "Headmaster's orders. We need to ensure the chain of events fits things in my visions as closely as possible so my knowledge is still relevant."

Pyrrha: "I-I see..."

Jaune: "Not that I'm letting you die, Pyr. I swear."

Pyrrha: "I know... I trust you..." Sighs as Jaune spins her around "I know... I know you probably think this is shallow. How I feel about you-"

Jaune: "Pyr... You literally died to try and save me. There's nothing shallow about it..." shrugs "But I love Yang. I... I just do. It's not fair to either of you if I'm a cheater."

Pyrrha: sad smile "I know..."

Jaune: "I mean... Maybe you'll find someone else who-who you care this much about? Instead of some guy who got knocked on the head and got visions of the future-"

She leans in and kisses his lips quickly. She smiles and shakes her head.

Pyrrha: "I don't think so... Thank you for the dance, Jaune."

Pyrrha leaves the dance floor. Jaune stares at her. She goes to Yang, and they begin to talk.

Jaune's Brain: Aw crap...

Blake then steps up to him.

Blake: "Do you need a partner?"

Jaune: "I... Sure." They begin to dance. It would have to be a slow, romantic dance of course.

Blake: "My mother and father are opening official relations with Vale." smiles warmly at him "Headmaster Ozpin is, well... Spinning things to make it look like I'm here as a peace offering. Councilman Winchester is actually arguing in favor of it... Seeing as his son is marrying a Faunus, he has some incentive."

Jaune: "Oh... That's great to hear!" smiles

Blake: "We'll even be sending an envoy to the Vytal Festival. There's... A lot to get done, but um... It is happening. It's all thanks to you, Jaune."

Jaune: "Woah now... All I did was be your friend and help out Cardin with his lady problems. I'm a side character in this at best-"

Blake: "But an important one. If not for you? I... I wouldn't have had the courage to talk to my parents and make my second chance count. So... So thank you Jaune. I owe you so much."

Jaune: "Hey, I live in the world too, Blake. I just did the right thing."

Blake: "I know... Which is why I do care for you deeply, Jaune."

Jaune: "Blake... Again. I have a girlfriend-"

Blake: "I know. And she's my friend too. I just... I can't change how I feel."

Jaune: "I know. Just please... Don't confuse drama for romance, okay?"

Blake: "I won't. Not anymore." She leans in and presses her forehead to his "But I'm still determined to make sure we're all happy."

Jaune: bright red "... Harem endings are a fantasy for a reason, Blake. The more you split your heart the less time and energy you have for everyone. I refuse to be selfish. I want you all to be happy."

Blake: "So do I... And I think you underestimate yourself."

Jaune: sighs "Sun is-"

Blake: "Sun struts and simps and is flashy. You're a man, Jaune. A good man who did so many things for me just because they were the right thing to do. Even when I annoyed you. You... You're amazing. Maybe one day... You'll see what we see." She kisses his cheek "And I'm... I'm willing to be patient for this. But not too patient."

Jaune: "I... Blake you-"

Blake: smiles as the song ends "Just please... Don't think it's something superficial?"

Jaune: "... I don't. But I love Yang."

Blake: "I know... Which makes me love you all the more."

She turns and heads to join her friends. Jaune sighs.

Jaune: "Goddamnit..."

He finally spots Weiss on her lonesome near a column, drinking alone. He walks over to her.

Jaune's Brain: I am their friend... Period.

Jaune: "Hey pretty lady. I believe you asked if I could dance with you?"

Weiss: "... You did."

They go out and dance for a slow song.

Jaune: "So, how do you like the band?"

Weiss: "Not my taste but I can dance to it. So it's not all bad."

Jaune: "Yeah."

Weiss: "You're pretty good, you know. At dancing."

Jaune: "Seven sisters, lots of practice."

Weiss: "I see..." She sighed "I do appreciate your kindness, you know? Despite everything."

Jaune: "We're all going through crap, Weiss. I appreciate you trying to grow past it. Despite everything."

Weiss: smiles "Thank you..." Jaune sends her through a spin "You know? I was determined to just be miserable this whole evening. I thought this would just... I don't know, make Neptune jealous. I'm sorry about that."

Jaune: "It's all right. I mean... We're all teenagers. We're all going to do stupid things."

Weiss: giggles "The way you say that... You sound like a much older man."

Jaune: "Oh... Er, well..."

Weiss: "I see it sometimes... You look like you'd seen a lot, Jaune. That you've gone through a lot."

Jaune: "... I'm just some doofus, Weiss. That's all."

Weiss: "You're also a terrible liar."

Jaune: "Well... That depends on your point of view, I suppose."

Weiss: "I just want you to know? I appreciate everything you've done. Even that stunt with Sun."

Jaune: "Thanks. Sorry about that again-"

Weiss: giggles "Honestly? I'm most upset that you didn't ask me yourself."

Jaune's Brain: Ohhhh shit oh shit...

Weiss: "But... If you weren't so loyal to Yang? I don't think I'd like you as much."

Jaune: "Weiss-"

Weiss: "It's all right..." sighs "I've... Had to learn from a young age not to get my hopes up. My mother once said... All love is unrequited."

The song ended and she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.

Weiss: "But if things don't work out with Yang...? I mean... I wouldn't be opposed to a date. With you."

Jaune: "... Thanks."

Weiss: "J-Just to... To go out with someone with his head on straight. Better than Neptune any day."

She snorted as she saw him standing with May. May was wincing but still smiling politely as Neptune kept stepping on her toes.

Jaune's Brain: Well I'll be... How did he get out here on his own? Still... Good for him for trying harder.

Jaune: "Thanks, Weiss. I... I appreciate that."

Weiss smiled and walked off to join the others. Nora and Ren were dancing quite happily as Jaune stood in the middle of the dance floor, alone. He shook his head. His eyes met Yang's, as she sat at a table with their other friends. She smiled back.

Jaune's Brain: Time for Yang and less confusing feelings in general...

Which is when Emerald cut in.

Emerald: "Mind if I take this dance?"

Jaune: "I-"

Emerald: "Good!"

Emerald spins him around, practically manhandling him as the music continues.

Emerald: low voice "Just so you know, spy... If you try to double cross Cinder? You won't live long enough to regret it."

Jaune: also low voice "Trust me Emmy, you have nothing to worry about on that end. Speaking of, where is she?"

Emerald: "She should be placing the second holodrive into the tower."

Jaune: "And Jackie?"

Emerald: snorts "Mint made him think he was with Cinder in the garden. He'll be found humping a thorny bush."

Jaune: wince "Ouch."

Emerald: "It's no less than he deserves! That insufferable bastard couldn't stop hitting on her!"

Jaune: "Yeah. But he is a man... Kind of. So I can't help some sympathy."

Emerald: scowls "Just so you know... I don't believe that you're telling the truth."

Jaune: "I'm a spy. The truth is often just an excuse for a poor imagination."

Emerald: "I mean about everything... I don't trust you. But if you try anything with Cinder? I swear I'll-!"

Jaune: "I get the picture, Emmy. Relax. She's not my type."

Emerald: angry glare "But you are hers."

Jaune: shakes her head "There's a lot more to power than just cunning and scheming, Emmy. Trust me on that."

The song ends. Yang stands there with an angry smile.

Yang: "Hey. Cutting in with my boyfriend?"

Emerald: sickly sweet "He's all yours. I gotta get back to my date anyway." She saunters off. Jaune gratefully embraces Yang

Jaune: "Thank you for saving me."

Yang: "What was her deal?"

Jaune: "She thinks her lesbian crush is sweet on me."

Yang: "Is she?"

Jaune: shrugs as he begins dancing with Yang "Who knows? Doesn't matter to me though. You're the only one I want to be dancing with."

Yang: blush, smiles as a slow song comes on. She cuddles up to him "That's the right answer."

Jaune: smiles and holds her close "Yeah..."

Yang: "Still... I mean... Thanks for... For helping our friends out."

Jaune: "It's what I do."

Yang: sighs "Yeah..."

Cinder returns without any issues. She then marches up to Jaune and Yang.

Cinder: sweetly "Mind if I borrow Jaune for just a moment? I want to apologize for Emerald's behavior."

Yang: scowl "You can do it right now-"

Cinder: "He also owes me a dance, given who he set me up with."

Lightning seems to crackle between the two's eyes. Jaune sighs.

Jaune: "It's all right Yang, I'll be right back. Promise." He kisses her. She sighs happily

Yang: "All right... One song."

Cinder: "All I need~!"

They dance as the song starts up.

Cinder: "Mission accomplished. You got me in without any issues."

Jaune: "Good."

Cinder: sighs "I suppose I should be grateful that you used your imbecilic cousin as my date. All our bases are covered."

Jaune: "I do know what I'm doing on occassion."

Cinder: smiles "Indeed... You know... I could have Mint and Emerald put an illusion on your girlfriend."

Jaune: red "What?"

Cinder: "Let her believe what she wants. They'll take good care of her..." She presses herself against Jaune "While we... Celebrate?"

Jaune's Brain: Jesus Christ this man's rizz is insane!

Jaune: "... Sorry. My answer is still the same. Mission comes first... Not that I'm not tempted of course. But..."

Cinder: sighs "... I suppose the anticipation will make it even better." smirks "And when we accomplish our mission... I'll even let you keep the other girls. But I...? I will be first and foremost in your heart, Jaune Arc." She caresses his cheek "After all, then? You will have no choice."

Jaune's Brain: Fuuuuck...!

Jaune: "Um... Sure."

Cinder lets him go and walks off. Yang walks up, glaring daggers at her.

Yang: "... Mind telling me what that was about?"

Jaune: "... Later. Much later."

They resumed dancing... Which is when there was a loud crash near the entrance.

Jaune: "What in the-?!"

Isabel and Glynda are locked in drunken mortal combat while Nick Arc tries to keep them separated.

Isabel: "YOU KISSED MY HUSBAND!"

Glynda: "WELL... WELL HE WAS HOT!"

Isabel: "THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE!"

Nick: "Ladies, please-!"

More violence ensues. Jaune facepalms.

Jaune: "... I vote we run to a diner off campus. Any objections?"

Yang: "None!"

Jaune: "Good!"

They and their friends flee as the adults engage in drunken nonsense.

- - -

Hoo boy, this was a long one! This silly parody got serious. That keeps happening, damnit. Ugh. Still, we will conclude this little arc next time and then? Back to more bullshit.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby and Jaune were sitting down to play some video games. It's a fighting game, which Jaune's SI sucks at. Hard. However, Jaune is actually very good at such games. So in the end...

Jaune: "Ha! All right! We're tied!"

Ruby: "No fair! You just button mashed the right combo!"

Jaune: "It's called skill, Crater Face. Don't be jealous of it!"

Ruby: "I'm not. Hmph. Besides, I flattened you five games straight with Phoenix Mistress!"

Jaune: "That's because Phoenix Mistress is broken."

Ruby: "Ha! Sounds like someone's just jealous of my skills~!"

Jaune: "Yeah yeah... Oh! I've gotta get going."

Ruby: "Your date with Yang, right?"

Jaune: "Yup! I'm taking her somewhere wild."

Ruby: "Like a big dance club?"

Jaune: "Nah, we've done that a few times. We're trying something different wild."

Later... Jaune and Yang dismount off Bumblebee and walk to the zoo entrance.

Yang: "Heh. You know, I haven't been to the zoo in a while."

Jaune: "Oh? I haven't been in forever! Not since a class trip my Nana organized. I was like six."

Yang: "Heh. Did you cry at the any point?"

Jaune: "Yang, I was six. Of course I cried."

They enjoy themselves, looking at the animals, and eating snacks they smuggled in. They take a break near the tiger exhibit on a bench under a tree. Peacocks run wild around, eating stray french fries.

Yang: smiles "... This was fun."

Jaune: smiles back "Yeah."

Yang: "Just chilling out, looking at the beauty of nature... Well, what's left of it."

Jaune: "Hey, come on. We're not thinking about work or Grimm right now."

Yang: "Yeah, I know. But it's like... Habit. Like with Ruby. I can't help thinking she's gonna go sledding off the top of Beacon or something and break her neck."

Jaune: "She's not that reckless... Usually."

Yang: "Yeah but... It can be hard to not worry." Grumbles "I could not worry when I was at the clubs because I knew she was asleep and... Ugh. I'm talking about my fifteen year old sister like she's a baby!"

Jaune: "Again, it's cool Yang. I get it." smiles "I actually like your maternal side."

Yang: flush "G-Geez... Again with that?"

Jaune: "What? I think you'd be a good mother. The best."

Yang: blushes harder "Quit it! You're being weird and-and mushy and sincere!" sighs "Why don't you just, I dunno, say I've got nice tits or something?"

Jaune: "You don't have nice tits."

Yang: "Eh?"

Jaune: "You have amazing tits."

Yang: laughs "What?! You just said it?!"

Jaune: "I'm not lying am I?"

Yang: giggles "Geez... What's gotten into you?"

Jaune: "Well, we've been dating a while. We're comfortable with eachother." He holds her close and nuzzles her "We can both be more open because we're in a better position."

Yang: teasing "Oh? What's your preferred position then, Stud?"

Jaune: "You in my arms. Where you belong."

Yang: blush "D-Damnit!" laughs "You're so corny...!"

Jaune: grins "Thought you liked corny?"

Yang: "It's rough on my ears."

Jaune: "Well, good thing we're not in a maize, huh?"

Yang: laughs "That was terrible!"

Jaune: laughs with her

They just sit and relax in the sunlight, holding each other in silence. Yang clears her throat.

Yang: "So... Uh..."

Jaune: "Hm?"

Yang: "I watched you playing video games with Ruby."

Jaune: "Yeah. She kicked my ass a lot."

Yang: "Well... You want to learn how not to get your ass kicked?"

Jaune: "... Okay?"

Later... At the local arcade... They're playing the same fighter game on a big console.

Yang: "Dash then strike! Don't forget to block! Come on, you cannot possibly be losing to this!"

Jaune: "Sorry. I have literally never found you hotter than right now."

Yang: blush "You said that when I made you breakfast in an apron!"

Jaune: "Don't make me choose!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Interactions we wish were shown more in the main series, and not just in Chibi.

Click to shrink...

Yang: "What did the grape say when it got crushed? Nothing, it just let out a little wine."

Weiss: "Oh God..."

Jaune: snerk "Hahaha! Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

Yang: "Hahaha! I like a man who appreciates fruit puns. If he can't appreciate your fruit jokes, you need to let that mango."

Jaune: "Hahahaha! That's berry, berry funny!"

Yang: "HAHA! Well, don't we make a great... Pear?"

Weiss: twitch

Jaune: "HA! Grape minds think alike!"

Weiss: "Nngh...!"

Yang: "Hahaha! Thank you cherry much!"

Weiss: "WILL YOU TWO JUST MAKE OUT ALREADY AND BE QUIET?!"

 

[SharkCultist]

Jaune Arc loved his momma.

Most people do. But to be honest he didn't get a long with her that well.

They were just too different. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always hopefully optimistic.

His mom was outwardly cold and calculating and didn't believe in Optimism, just effort and results.

He knew she loved him, but she didn't really support him.

When his efforts towards his dream didn't immediately offer results? She pushed him down the path she did see progress in.

For a while he resented her for it. It's probably part of the reason he ran off to beacon. One part living the dream, one part spite.

But as they say time heals all wounds. Being at beacon with his friends and the intense training he was doing helped him. He saw the efforts he put in before really weren't the greatest, oh sure he tried but he was just missing that little push.

It also showed him all the ways his mother did support him, the study sessions with his team reminded him of the schedules and sessions his mother meticulously put together for him to be a doctor. Not the path he wanted but she was trying.

His mom and dad visited a few times but while he trained with his dad he didn't talk much with his mother.

It's like there was a big awkward wall between them and neither of them knew what to do about it.

So Jaune turned to his friends and they helped arrange something.

Mother's Day was coming up and due to a freak "accident" involving Nora a dust generator and Ruby testing out a high powered stun rifle beacon would be closed for about a week.

So Jaune was going home, just in time for a surprise SDC sponsored talent show.

Funny coincidences those.

It took a little bribery to get his dad to get his mom to go to the talent show (he would be cooking a LOT in the next few days).

But there she was sitting right in the front of the crowd close enough that he could see her eyes widen when he walked on stage with his guitar.

Well if he can't speak what he wants to her maybe he can sing it at her.
Showtime.

Hey look ma I made it~

---

I thought the song was fitting for Jaune and his mom.


View: https://youtu.be/vqQDp522wQU?si=2I-rnv5JUC32p2k-

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Weiss was out for a walk in the Star Maiden Garden of Beacon. She passed by the white marble pillars and admired the flowers and fountains. She came to a stop near one fountain in particular, which had water gently falling from three tiers like a cake carved of the finest marble. She sat down on a bench and sighed, just enjoying the ambience of the garden. She loved the sound of the falling water and birdsong, the aroma of the flowers and...

She made a face.

"Who's smoking?" She demanded. She heard a cough from behind a pillar. She stood up and scowled harder. "Come out right now!"

A tall blond form emerged from behind one of the pillars. Between his fingers was a lit, half-smoked cigarette. Weiss's eyes widened in disbelief.

"J-Jaune?!"

"Er, howdy Weiss," Jaune said nervously. He tossed the cigarette aside.

"You were smoking?!" Weiss gasped. Jaune coughed and smiled nervously.

"Er, well... Yes miss, I was."

"You have any idea how bad that is for you?!" Weiss demanded. "You're a Huntsman for goodness sake!"

Jaune chuckled and held his hands up.

"Now now Weiss, it ain't that big a to-do," he said, "Aura regenerates any lung damage."

"Still, how did you pick up such a filthy habit? And why?" Weiss sniffed.

"Well, out on the frontier you need every edge you can get," Jaune explained carefully, "And hey, everybody else was doing it."

"That's no excuse!" Weiss blustered.

Jaune sighed heavily.

"You know, you sound like my ma," he said wearily, "And she smokes more than me!"

"Wha-She does not!" Weiss sputtered. "She's a doctor!"

"Who can heal herself from any injury," Jaune pointed out dryly.

A pause. Weiss sniffed.

"E-Even so! It's a filthy habit and you should stop it right now!"

"Sorry, sorry," Jaune said, holding his hands up, "I've been workin' on it, honest. Sometimes I just need a break and well, it's very soothing."

Weiss sniffed.

"It also makes you look like a-a lout and a ruffian!"

Jaune... Actually looked offended.

"Now Weiss, that ain't fair," he said, "I know I'm not much to look at, but my pa always said a man looks the coolest when he smokes."

Weiss huffed. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"I find that hard to believe."

Jaune scowled.

"I ain't never told a lie in my life."

"Well then..." Weiss flushed. "Prove it!"

"All right, I will," Jaune stated firmly. He pulled out a small black case and opened it up. He pulled out a square of paper and calmly knocked some dried, crumbled tobacco into the middle of the paper. He licked the edge of the paper and rolled it up. He then closed his case, slid it back into his belt pouch, and held the cigarette up to his mouth. He then flicked a match and held it up to the end of the cigarette. He lit it up and took a drag off the cigarette. He then blew a ring of smoke out, as he leaned back against the pillar.

The smoke wafted around him like a shroud, as he smiled at her.

"Well?"

Weiss blushed deeply. She sniffed and looked aside.

"Th-That proves nothing! After all... I-I already thought you were... Um... Quite..." Her face turned red. "H-Handsome!"

Jaune's own cheeks turned red.

"Ah..."

"E-Extremely!" Weiss managed, "I uh... Um... I have to go!"

She turned and scurried off as quickly as she could. Jaune watched her dash off, blinking dumbly. He shook his head.

"Women," he muttered, leaning against the pillar and resuming his smoke.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang and Jaune had taken to arguing a lot lately. Ruby frankly was sick of it.

Yang: "You don't get to boss my team around, Vomit Boy!"

Jaune: "Well someone has to do it if you won't take responsibility, Firecracker!"

Yang: "It's none of your business!"

Jaune: "It is my business when my best friend gets ignored by her own team!"

Yang: "We don't ignore her!"

Jaune: "You absolutely do!"

Yang: "You don't have any legs to stand on, Fumbles!"

Jaune: "Someone has to stand up to you, brat!"

Yang: "Asshole!"

Jaune: "Ditz!"

Ruby: "ARGH! WILL YOU TWO ARGUE SOMEWHERE ELSE ALREADY?!"

Jaune and Yang: "FINE!"

They storm off into an empty dorm.

Pyrrha: "Oh my... I hope Yang doesn't give Jaune too much trouble. Why is she so hard on him?"

Blake: snerk

Pyrrha: stares "Blake?"

Blake: "Oh... I think he's harder on her, to be honest." Smug cat expression

Ruby: "So you can hear what they're arguing about? They aren't gonna get rough, are they?"

Blake: "I believe they like it rough."

Weiss: scowls "That's disgusting, Blake! There's no way even Yang would sully herself with Arc!"

Ruby: "Sully...? Wait, you mean... Sex?"

Weiss: "How do you know that-?!"

Ruby: "I'm SIXTEEN, not dead."

Pyrrha: "Wh-What do you mean, sex?! They can't be having sex!"

A beat.

Nora: "They're totally having sex."

Ren: nods "Indeed."

Pyrrha: devastated "NO! They-They aren't-!"

Ruby: "We would know!"

Blake: "And who would know better than me? With my ears-?"

Weiss: "You're just a perverted cat!"

Ruby gets up, uses super speed to appear in front of the dormroom Yang and Jaune vanished into, and smirks. She opens the door.

Ruby: "HA! I'll prove it! I will prove that they are absolutely, positively, NOT-!"

Jaune and Yang are making out feverishly, and about to yank eachother's clothes off.

Everyone: "..."

Jaune and Yang pause, then slowly look to the side. They break the kiss. Jaune coughs.

Jaune: "Um... Hey guys?"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The band came, music and dancing ensued. Jaune and Yang handled the front table for a while.



Jaune: "Geez... I feel like we're being punished."



Yang: "Hmph. Bet Goodwitch is just sad she's some lonely old spinster who will never get laid."



Jaune notices Goodwitch looming nearby. He clears his throat.



Jaune: "Now now Yang, maybe she's just waiting for that special guy. She is pretty amazing and hot, after all. As well as brave, strong and smart! It'll just take a really formidable guy to land her, that's all."



Yang: "Oh? You think so-?" Jaune elbows her "Ooh! I mean, yeah! She does make me second guess my sexuality at times! Rowr!"



Goodwitch's scowl intensifies.



Yang: "... Not buying this, huh?"



Goodwitch: "No. However, we have two volunteers willing to take your place so you can go dance. And corral your teams."



Jaune: "We do?"



Nick: "HEY SON!" Grins brightly in a dark blue suit and red tie "How's the dance?"



Isabel: In a blue shimmering dress that draws everyone's eyes "Don't mind us, we're just here with a few other alumni to help out!"



Jaune: "Mom? Dad?!"



Nick: "Haha! Don't worry, buddy! We won't cramp your style! You two go on, have some fun!"



Isabel: "Yes, we'll handle this."



Jaune: "I... Wow. Thanks Mom and Dad."



Yang: "Totally!"



Nick: "GLYNDA!" He gives her a big hug "HAHA! So nice to see you! Come on, let's catch up! How's everything?"



Glynda: "URK!"



Isabel: "Easy Nick! You don't want to break her!"



Nick: "Come on, she's like the strongest Huntress ever! ... Except for you sweetie! And I can't break you!"



Isabel: "There are differing opinions on that..."



Jaune and Yang flee the potentially mentally scarring conversation and get to the dance floor. Ruby is hanging out by the punch bowl, looking awkward.



Jaune and Yang look at each other.



Jaune: "Um... Yang, I know I really want to dance with you but... Well..."



Yang: sighs "No... It's okay. Take Ruby for a spin first. She needs it..." She sees Pyrrha hiding near a window sipping punch "... And P-Money too."



Jaune: "Really?"



Yang: smiles "I know you'll always come back to me. I shouldn't be so jealous."



Jaune: "Aw... Thanks babe." Kisses her cheek



Yang: "Hee..."



Jaune takes Ruby out onto the dancefloor. She's very nervous.



Jaune: "It's okay Rubes, it's okay. Just focus on me."



Ruby: "R-Right... Sorry if I step on your toes."



Jaune: "What happened to Penny?"



Ruby: "Oh, she got called away by her dad or something."



Jaune: "Huh... I see..."



Jaune's Brain: That didn't happen in the original timeline... Then again, I have changed a LOT.



They dance to the music for a while. Ruby begins to relax, and smile. Jaune sends her into a twirl, and she stumbles.



Ruby: "ACK!"



Jaune though manages to catch her.



Jaune: "Heh... Relax, it's all right."



Ruby: bright red "... Th-Thanks."



Jaune: "Any time."



The song ends and Jaune leads Ruby back to the punch bowl. He gets them three glasses as Yang joins them with Pyrrha in tow.



Yang: "Hey! Not bad, Rubes!"



Ruby: "It uh... It was hard, but... I managed to stop thinking about all those eyes on me."



Pyrrha: "That's the hardest part, Ruby. Really."



Jaune: "Yeah. So hey Pyr? You want to dance this next song?"



Pyrrha: looks to Yang, who nods. She beams "I... I would love to!"



Jaune: "Great!" He takes a sip of his punch "I'll be back for this later."



Ruby: "I'll hold onto it!"



Jaune: "Aw, thanks Rubes!"



Jaune leads her out. Yang and Ruby watch... As Ruby drinks his punch.



Yang: "Um... Ruby?"



Ruby: "S-Sorry! I didn't think about it..." Eyes wide, face red "Wait... Indirect kiss?!"



Yang: "No! I mean, yes, but it's not as sexy as Mistralian manga makes it out to be! Kissing him directly is way better-!"



Ruby faints, bright red.



Yang: "Ohhh boy..."



Pyrrha and Jaune dance together happily.



Pyrrha: smiles "So um... Cinder's plan is going down tonight, isn't it?"



Jaune: "Yeah. Everything's set."



Pyrrha: "I still don't see why we can't just arrest her now."



Jaune: shrugs "Headmaster's orders. We need to ensure the chain of events fits things in my visions as closely as possible so my knowledge is still relevant."



Pyrrha: "I-I see..."



Jaune: "Not that I'm letting you die, Pyr. I swear."



Pyrrha: "I know... I trust you..." Sighs as Jaune spins her around "I know... I know you probably think this is shallow. How I feel about you-"



Jaune: "Pyr... You literally died to try and save me. There's nothing shallow about it..." shrugs "But I love Yang. I... I just do. It's not fair to either of you if I'm a cheater."



Pyrrha: sad smile "I know..."



Jaune: "I mean... Maybe you'll find someone else who-who you care this much about? Instead of some guy who got knocked on the head and got visions of the future-"



She leans in and kisses his lips quickly. She smiles and shakes her head.



Pyrrha: "I don't think so... Thank you for the dance, Jaune."



Pyrrha leaves the dance floor. Jaune stares at her. She goes to Yang, and they begin to talk.



Jaune's Brain: Aw crap...



Blake then steps up to him.



Blake: "Do you need a partner?"



Jaune: "I... Sure." They begin to dance. It would have to be a slow, romantic dance of course.



Blake: "My mother and father are opening official relations with Vale." smiles warmly at him "Headmaster Ozpin is, well... Spinning things to make it look like I'm here as a peace offering. Councilman Winchester is actually arguing in favor of it... Seeing as his son is marrying a Faunus, he has some incentive."



Jaune: "Oh... That's great to hear!" smiles



Blake: "We'll even be sending an envoy to the Vytal Festival. There's... A lot to get done, but um... It is happening. It's all thanks to you, Jaune."



Jaune: "Woah now... All I did was be your friend and help out Cardin with his lady problems. I'm a side character in this at best-"



Blake: "But an important one. If not for you? I... I wouldn't have had the courage to talk to my parents and make my second chance count. So... So thank you Jaune. I owe you so much."



Jaune: "Hey, I live in the world too, Blake. I just did the right thing."



Blake: "I know... Which is why I do care for you deeply, Jaune."



Jaune: "Blake... Again. I have a girlfriend-"



Blake: "I know. And she's my friend too. I just... I can't change how I feel."



Jaune: "I know. Just please... Don't confuse drama for romance, okay?"



Blake: "I won't. Not anymore." She leans in and presses her forehead to his "But I'm still determined to make sure we're all happy."



Jaune: bright red "... Harem endings are a fantasy for a reason, Blake. The more you split your heart the less time and energy you have for everyone. I refuse to be selfish. I want you all to be happy."



Blake: "So do I... And I think you underestimate yourself."



Jaune: sighs "Sun is-"



Blake: "Sun struts and simps and is flashy. You're a man, Jaune. A good man who did so many things for me just because they were the right thing to do. Even when I annoyed you. You... You're amazing. Maybe one day... You'll see what we see." She kisses his cheek "And I'm... I'm willing to be patient for this. But not too patient."



Jaune: "I... Blake you-"



Blake: smiles as the song ends "Just please... Don't think it's something superficial?"



Jaune: "... I don't. But I love Yang."



Blake: "I know... Which makes me love you all the more."



She turns and heads to join her friends. Jaune sighs.



Jaune: "Goddamnit..."



He finally spots Weiss on her lonesome near a column, drinking alone. He walks over to her.



Jaune's Brain: I am their friend... Period.



Jaune: "Hey pretty lady. I believe you asked if I could dance with you?"



Weiss: "... You did."



They go out and dance for a slow song.



Jaune: "So, how do you like the band?"



Weiss: "Not my taste but I can dance to it. So it's not all bad."



Jaune: "Yeah."



Weiss: "You're pretty good, you know. At dancing."



Jaune: "Seven sisters, lots of practice."



Weiss: "I see..." She sighed "I do appreciate your kindness, you know? Despite everything."



Jaune: "We're all going through crap, Weiss. I appreciate you trying to grow past it. Despite everything."



Weiss: smiles "Thank you..." Jaune sends her through a spin "You know? I was determined to just be miserable this whole evening. I thought this would just... I don't know, make Neptune jealous. I'm sorry about that."



Jaune: "It's all right. I mean... We're all teenagers. We're all going to do stupid things."



Weiss: giggles "The way you say that... You sound like a much older man."



Jaune: "Oh... Er, well..."



Weiss: "I see it sometimes... You look like you'd seen a lot, Jaune. That you've gone through a lot."



Jaune: "... I'm just some doofus, Weiss. That's all."



Weiss: "You're also a terrible liar."



Jaune: "Well... That depends on your point of view, I suppose."



Weiss: "I just want you to know? I appreciate everything you've done. Even that stunt with Sun."



Jaune: "Thanks. Sorry about that again-"



Weiss: giggles "Honestly? I'm most upset that you didn't ask me yourself."



Jaune's Brain: Ohhhh shit oh shit...



Weiss: "But... If you weren't so loyal to Yang? I don't think I'd like you as much."



Jaune: "Weiss-"



Weiss: "It's all right..." sighs "I've... Had to learn from a young age not to get my hopes up. My mother once said... All love is unrequited."



The song ended and she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.



Weiss: "But if things don't work out with Yang...? I mean... I wouldn't be opposed to a date. With you."



Jaune: "... Thanks."



Weiss: "J-Just to... To go out with someone with his head on straight. Better than Neptune any day."



She snorted as she saw him standing with May. May was wincing but still smiling politely as Neptune kept stepping on her toes.



Jaune's Brain: Well I'll be... How did he get out here on his own? Still... Good for him for trying harder.



Jaune: "Thanks, Weiss. I... I appreciate that."



Weiss smiled and walked off to join the others. Nora and Ren were dancing quite happily as Jaune stood in the middle of the dance floor, alone. He shook his head. His eyes met Yang's, as she sat at a table with their other friends. She smiled back.



Jaune's Brain: Time for Yang and less confusing feelings in general...



Which is when Emerald cut in.



Emerald: "Mind if I take this dance?"



Jaune: "I-"



Emerald: "Good!"



Emerald spins him around, practically manhandling him as the music continues.



Emerald: low voice "Just so you know, spy... If you try to double cross Cinder? You won't live long enough to regret it."



Jaune: also low voice "Trust me Emmy, you have nothing to worry about on that end. Speaking of, where is she?"



Emerald: "She should be placing the second holodrive into the tower."



Jaune: "And Jackie?"



Emerald: snorts "Mint made him think he was with Cinder in the garden. He'll be found humping a thorny bush."



Jaune: wince "Ouch."



Emerald: "It's no less than he deserves! That insufferable bastard couldn't stop hitting on her!"



Jaune: "Yeah. But he is a man... Kind of. So I can't help some sympathy."



Emerald: scowls "Just so you know... I don't believe that you're telling the truth."



Jaune: "I'm a spy. The truth is often just an excuse for a poor imagination."



Emerald: "I mean about everything... I don't trust you. But if you try anything with Cinder? I swear I'll-!"



Jaune: "I get the picture, Emmy. Relax. She's not my type."



Emerald: angry glare "But you are hers."



Jaune: shakes her head "There's a lot more to power than just cunning and scheming, Emmy. Trust me on that."



The song ends. Yang stands there with an angry smile.



Yang: "Hey. Cutting in with my boyfriend?"



Emerald: sickly sweet "He's all yours. I gotta get back to my date anyway." She saunters off. Jaune gratefully embraces Yang



Jaune: "Thank you for saving me."



Yang: "What was her deal?"



Jaune: "She thinks her lesbian crush is sweet on me."



Yang: "Is she?"



Jaune: shrugs as he begins dancing with Yang "Who knows? Doesn't matter to me though. You're the only one I want to be dancing with."



Yang: blush, smiles as a slow song comes on. She cuddles up to him "That's the right answer."



Jaune: smiles and holds her close "Yeah..."



Yang: "Still... I mean... Thanks for... For helping our friends out."



Jaune: "It's what I do."



Yang: sighs "Yeah..."



Cinder returns without any issues. She then marches up to Jaune and Yang.



Cinder: sweetly "Mind if I borrow Jaune for just a moment? I want to apologize for Emerald's behavior."



Yang: scowl "You can do it right now-"



Cinder: "He also owes me a dance, given who he set me up with."



Lightning seems to crackle between the two's eyes. Jaune sighs.



Jaune: "It's all right Yang, I'll be right back. Promise." He kisses her. She sighs happily



Yang: "All right... One song."



Cinder: "All I need~!"



They dance as the song starts up.



Cinder: "Mission accomplished. You got me in without any issues."



Jaune: "Good."



Cinder: sighs "I suppose I should be grateful that you used your imbecilic cousin as my date. All our bases are covered."



Jaune: "I do know what I'm doing on occassion."



Cinder: smiles "Indeed... You know... I could have Mint and Emerald put an illusion on your girlfriend."



Jaune: red "What?"



Cinder: "Let her believe what she wants. They'll take good care of her..." She presses herself against Jaune "While we... Celebrate?"



Jaune's Brain: Jesus Christ this man's rizz is insane!



Jaune: "... Sorry. My answer is still the same. Mission comes first... Not that I'm not tempted of course. But..."



Cinder: sighs "... I suppose the anticipation will make it even better." smirks "And when we accomplish our mission... I'll even let you keep the other girls. But I...? I will be first and foremost in your heart, Jaune Arc." She caresses his cheek "After all, then? You will have no choice."



Jaune's Brain: Fuuuuck...!



Jaune: "Um... Sure."



Cinder lets him go and walks off. Yang walks up, glaring daggers at her.



Yang: "... Mind telling me what that was about?"



Jaune: "... Later. Much later."



They resumed dancing... Which is when there was a loud crash near the entrance.



Jaune: "What in the-?!"



Isabel and Glynda are locked in drunken mortal combat while Nick Arc tries to keep them separated.



Isabel: "YOU KISSED MY HUSBAND!"



Glynda: "WELL... WELL HE WAS HOT!"



Isabel: "THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE!"



Nick: "Ladies, please-!"



More violence ensues. Jaune facepalms.



Jaune: "... I vote we run to a diner off campus. Any objections?"



Yang: "None!"



Jaune: "Good!"



They and their friends flee as the adults engage in drunken nonsense.



- - -



Hoo boy, this was a long one! This silly parody got serious. That keeps happening, damnit. Ugh. Still, we will conclude this little arc next time and then? Back to more bullshit.

Click to shrink...

As it turned out, there was a bar at Beacon. It was called "Cliff's" and it was run by a big red dog Faunus named Cliff. He wasn't as big as a house as the dog in the original story was, but he was tall enough to tower over Jaune's father easily. He also had an eyepatch to add to his mystique.



That said, he welcomed the refugees from the Dance into his warm, wooden bar without issue. Jaune and his friends crowded around a round table in the back. Jaune hadn't pulled his face out of his hands since he'd sat down.



Yang: "Come on Jaune. It's not that bad!"



Jaune: groans



Pyrrha: "I mean... So your mother, father and professor Goodwitch got into a drunken melee. I'm sure worse things have happened in the school's history!"



Nora: brightly "Probably involving your parents!"



Weiss: "NORA! That's not helping!"



Nora: "I thought I was!"



Jaune: sighs "It's fine guys, it's fine. It's not the end of the world. That's how I'll feel tomorrow, anyway. After some beer."



Yang; "There, see? Bucking up already, aren't you deer?"



Jaune: laughs as everyone else groans "That helps. You too, Nora."



Nora: "HA! You see?"



Sun and his team approach. Neptune is with May.



Sun: "Hey guys. Man Jaune, your parents are nuts!"



Jaune: "Sorry guys, I-"



Sun: "Hey, we're not complaining! I mean, a catfight between Goodwitch and another super hot MILF? That's like a dream come true!"



Scarlet: "I would have preferred your father fighting with another DILF. Bara is more appealing to me."



Jaune: TWITCH



Blake: "Guys, guys! You're making it worse!"



Sage: "All things pass in time."



Neptune: "And hey! It was fun, right May?"



May: smiles "It-It actually was! My mom and dad got in there and restored order. So everything's okay."



Neptune: "Yeah! More than okay!"



Jaune: sighs "Thanks guys... Also May: Neptune treat you right?"



Neptune: "Hey! Can't you take my word as a man?"



Yang, Weiss, Blake, Ruby, Pyrrha, Nora: "No."



Neptune: "G-Geez...!"



May: "He was a perfect gentleman... But um..." Smiles kindly "It was just one date. So um... It's not like we're in love or-or anything."



Neptune: sags "Oh."



Jaune's Brain: Uggghhh... I really don't want to do this but... Damnit. I gotta be a bro since he behaved himself.



Jaune: "But... He has a chance to win your love in the future, right?"



May: shy smile, blush "M-Maybe...?"



Neptune: lights up



Jaune: "And of course, if he cheats on you, Uncle Arjun and Aunt Saia will murder him."



May: still smiling "Probably!"



Neptune: goes pale



Sage: "Good luck, buddy."



Scarlet: "You're gonna need it!"



Sun then looks at Blake, who is sitting next to Jaune. They communicate in silence for a moment. Sun sighs and nods. He then glares at Jaune.



Sun: "You'd better take good care of her, Jaune."



Jaune: "Eh? No, w-we're just friends-!"



Sun: "She's all yours, now. Come on guys! Let's buy some drinks as manly as we are!"



Sage: deadpan "So some Zimas since Neptune is with us."



Neptune: "HEY!"



They head off. Blake smiles innocent at everyone else's glares.



Jaune: sighs "Great..."



A very contrite looking Isabel, Glynda, and Nick (All three of whom look like they went through a war) approach the table with Ozpin, Arjun and Saia alongside.



Isabel: "Ahem... Sorry about that, kids. I thought we were sharing a normal bottle of meade..." She glared at Nick, who winced "But it turns out your father decided that it would be great to bring one of Nana's 400% proof bottles to the Dance."



Nick: "Come on Izzy! How was I supposed to know Glynda was a lightweight? She only had a sip!"



Glynda: "I am NOT a lightweight! That meade is not natural! Especially since it turned you," she glared at Isabel "Into a drunken berserker!"



Isabel: "You still kissed my husband!"



Glynda: "I'm sorry for that! ... Mostly!"



Isabel: "MOSTLY?!"



Arjun: sighs "It's like we never left Beacon."



Saia: "Indeed, dear."



Nick: "Anyway. Sorry about that, son. Son's friends."



Isabel: "Yes. Sorry."



Glynda: "Same."



A pause.



Arjun: "We have nothing to apologize for."



Saia: "At all."



Ozpin: "Indeed."



Arjun: "Thought if my daughter's getting pawed by that Argusian, I may need to apologize for murdering him. Excuse me."



Arjun headed off. Saia followed. Isabel and Glynda left, looking like they had a lot to talk about. Ozpin looked at Jaune, who sent a hand signal that the mission with Cinder was proceeding properly. Ozpin nodded and headed off.



Nick beamed and gave Jaune a thumbs up.



Nick: "Have a great night, you all! Also... Nicholas is a great name for a baby!"



Jaune: "DAD!"



Nick: "Just saying!" He headed off



Jaune: sighs



Weiss: "Honestly? Be thankful for your parents."



Ren: "Agreed."



Nora: "Yup yup!"



Jaune: "..." smiles "I am. And for my friends. And my girlfriend... And a whole lot of other things."



Yang: "Speaking of... Our dance got interrupted. You're not gonna leave me Yangin', are you?"



Jaune chuckles and takes her hand.



Jaune: "Never."



They head over to the jukebox. Jaune scans through it, and finds the perfect song. He then leads Yang out onto the floor as the music starts up.



Yang: snickers as they start to slow dance "You picked a really old song, ya know?"



Jaune: "Hey. You're dating a grumpy old guy in a young guy's body. You knew what you were in for."



Yang: smiles and holds him close "Yeah... You're lucky I like oldies too."



Jaune: "I know how lucky I am..." He kisses her cheek



Yang: blush, beams "You corny..."



They keep dancing. Ren and Nora relax, drink... And observe how their other tablemates are staring at the blonds, pining away.



Nora: "You think we should do something?"



Ren: "We can only be supportive of all our friends in their endeavours." sips his drink "And try to keep the collateral damage to a minimum."



Nora: "Can we watch with popcorn?"



Ren: "Of course."



Nora: "WOOHOO!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Set in Volume 4-5.

- - -

Ruby awoke to a headache that seemed to be in her whole body. She groaned as she shifted on a pile of animal furs. Her Aura, usually a raging bonfire inside of her, now felt like a tiny flicker from the lighter Dad hid in the potpourri.

(Like they didn't know he still smoked sometimes.)

The scents that filled her nostrils were of animal fur, pine needles, smoke from wood burning, and a delicious stew of some kind. She sat up and looked around, hands already on her weapon.

She was in a log cabin. There was a large fireplace nearby, built of simple stone and mortar, with a raging fire. There was a table and chairs, made of cheap reclaimed wood. A pot of stew boiled merrily in the fireplace.

And a tall figure in a dark black cloak with a balaclava stared at her from where he was stacking firewood.

"Ah. You're awake," he said quietly in a pleasant if rough tone. It sounded like he didn't speak very often. He went to the table and picked up a steel water bottle. He carried it over to her and handed it over. "Drink. You've had a busy day."

Ruby blinked a few times.

"Oh! Thank you," Ruby said with a smile. She took the bottle and drank deep. The water was cool and refreshing.

"I got you some aspirin," the man continued, handing out the bottle, "Not sure what the dosage for a Huntress is. You would know better than I."

"Well thank you-Hey wait a second!" Ruby scowled. "Where am I? What happened? Who are you?"

The man stared at her. At this distance she could see his eyes were red, with black sclera. She grimaced a little.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

The man chuckled.

"Quite all right. I would react the same way," he said, "I found you at the bottom of a ravine. I heard a great battle with Grimm nearby. Lots of gunfire and explosions. You were unconscious. I can only surmise you were Aura broken. I took you to my cabin-It wasn't too far away-And tended your wounds as best I could."

Ruby looked over herself. No clothing had been removed, but she had some bandages on her head, arms, and legs. She did notice her corset was undone. She flushed and glared at the man, who held up his hands.

"I did have to examine you for wounds. Relax, I'm not interested in that sort of thing," the old man went on. "As for who I am?"

He paused a moment.

"Ahasver," he answered. "And you are?"

"Ruby Rose," she answered. Her silver eyes widened in remembrance.

"Oh! Yeah, the villagers said you lived around here," Ruby said cheerfully. "They said you were like... An old wizard hermit!"

The man chuckled again, as though at some joke Ruby wasn't getting. She was kind of used to that though, so she didn't feel offended.

"Those are the nicer things they say about me," Ahasver said quietly. "I prefer solitude. Anyway, I lit a signal fire outside the cabin. Your friends will see it and come and get you."

"I don't suppose you have a Scroll?" Ruby asked. Ahasver shook his head.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's okay," Ruby said, "I-I mean, you wouldn't be much of a hermit if you have a Scroll, r-right?"

Ahasver stared. Ruby winced.

Okay, joking is not working... Um... Let's try asking him more questions!

"Aren't you worried about the Grimm?" Ruby asked worriedly, "I mean, you live outside the village walls and all!"

Ahasver was silent. He turned and went to the pot of stew.

"That is not an issue for me," he said quietly. He opened the pot up, and used a ladle to transfer it into a large ceramic bowl. He picked up a spoon and a large loaf of bread from the table, before presenting them to Ruby. "Eat. You need to regain your strength."

Ruby ate eagerly. She was very hungry. Ahasver continued to do work around his cabin-Shoring up the insulation, checking on his books and other items. There were a lot of odds and ends all over the place-Most of them very old.

"You're a collector?" Ruby asked. Ahasver nodded.

"I am," he said, "I am interested in... History. What happened before the Moonshatter, among other things."

"Really?" Ruby asked eagerly. "That sounds cool! What was it like?"

He paused.

"Different," he said, "Very different."

"Can you tell me?" Ruby asked. If she couldn't go anywhere or do anything, she wanted some kind of stimulation. Ahasver turned, and rubbed his chin through his balaclava.

"I can tell you some things," he decided. He pulled up one of his rickety old chairs and sat down in front of her.

"The era before the Moonshatter was one of magic and power. Grand cities with skyscrapers that stretched high into the sky. Flying machines that broke the sound barrier. Great ships that could reach up, up... Past the edge of the atmosphere and go to the stars!"

"Really?" Ruby asked. "They had like, spaceships?"

Ahasver nodded slowly.

"Indeed. The history of this world is very long, young Ruby. Strange and terrible and beautiful empires have ruled over our little world, over tens of thousands of years. But throughout it all... Mankind has not changed. Not really. Not over our great history."

"Or herstory," Ruby said. At Ahasver's stare, she blushed. "Sorry. My friend Blake makes corrections like that."

Ahasver chuckled, slightly amused.

"History is derived from a Hellenic word, historia. It means 'inquiry', the act of seeking knowledge. It has nothing to do with gender."

"Oh good, she'll like that," Ruby chirped.

"Indeed," Ahasver said.

"So um... What's your history?" Ruby asked. "I-I mean... Were you always a hermit or... Or is it just a job?"

Ahasver stared at her for a very long time. Long enough she noticed his eyes: They were red, with black sclera. She grimaced, then shook her head.

Come on, she told herself, just because they look like Grimm eyes doesn't mean anything!

Ahasver continued to be silent, and Ruby was about to change the subject when he began to speak. His tone was sad: Far sadder than before.

"There was once a brave and foolish young man who wished to become a hero," he said quietly, "He was a knight for his local lord. He met a noble lady, one who was warm, kind, smart, and beautiful. He fell in love, and proposed marriage. They married, and were happy... Until the lady fell ill. The kingdom's greatest doctors could do nothing for her. The knight was told he should accept the inevitable. That death comes for us all."

He paused. He turned to stare into the fire before he continued.

"The knight though was brave and foolish. He had heard legends of a witch, older than the moonshatter, more powerful than the foundations of Remnant, who could do miracles. He set out to find her. He traveled over the waters to a dark and desolate land. He fought through Grimm, legions of them, before he came to her doors. They opened, and let him in. He beheld the witch, in all her terrible glory. She asked him why he had come."

Ahasver took a slow, deep breath.

"He told her his story and asked for her help. The witch, perhaps amused or nostalgic, accepted it in exchange for his fealty. He gave it to her. He took home a cure, and his lady recovered. They were very happy together... Until the witch came for her due."

Ruby's eyes widened.

"What did she want?"

Ahasver was silent for a moment, and only the sound of the crackling wood in the fireplace filled the cabin.

"She wanted a Dark Knight to serve her, in her war against a great and terrible wizard," he stated. "She took him to her castle, and transformed him with her dark magics. Made him... Like her. Part man, part monster. He would never age, never die. He took up his sword and waged war on man."

He bowed his head for a moment, before looking back up.

"She thought his will was now hers. That the knight was but her puppet. She made him slaughter his kingdom, the women, the children... He faced his beloved wife and son, who wept and begged for mercy..."

He shook his head.

"But there was none. It was only after the knight looked upon his sword, covered in blood... That he woke up. He realized the kind of monster he had become, and wept over the bodies of his family."

Ruby's jaw dropped. Ahasver shook his head.

"The witch kept trying to get back control of her Dark Knight. Even now, so long after, she tries to regain control. But the Dark Knight has no interest in being her slave again. So he lives out alone, unbothered by Grimm... For he is just another monster. He deserves his fate. The only one who might free him would be a Silver Eyed Warrior... But alas, they are all gone. So forever will he suffer his penance..."

He locked his eyes on hers as her heart pounded in her ears.

"As a monster deserves."

Silence fell save for the crackling of the wood. Ruby stared in fright, her knuckles white around the hilt of Crescent Rose.

Ahasver then laughed loudly. Ruby nearly jumped out of her skin as he cackled.

"Ah... Forgive me," he snickered, "The look on your face."

Ruby glared.

"That wasn't funny!" Ruby growled.

"All comedy requires is tragedy and time passing, Ruby Rose," Ahasver chuckled, "And I would prefer to laugh at the absurdities of the universe than cry. Wouldn't you agree?"

The tragedies she had gone through... The fall of Beacon. The death of Pyrrha... It all bowed her head. She sighed.

"... Yeah... But I don't think I can laugh anymore," she murmured softly.

Ahasver knelt and patted her on the shoulder.

"There is always hope, young one," he said, "And a hero has to find it, and show it to others. I believe you will do that."

Ruby smiled.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

There was a knock at the door. Ahasver rose and walked over. He opened it. Jaune and Yang burst in, weapons drawn and pointed at Ahasver. Nora and Ren were right behind in, weapons ready. Ruby held up her hands.

"It's okay! It's okay!" She said frantically, waving her hands. "He just took care of me! I'm better now!"

And she was. Her Aura returned to full power, and her injuries seemed to vanish. Yang immediately came over and looked her up and down.

"Yeah, but don't scare us like that again, okay?" Yang said with a forced laugh. She looked over at Ahasver, as Jaune eyed him curiously.

"Thank you," Yang said gratefully.

"I just helped her out," he said modestly. "You should get going. You have a long journey ahead of you. Would you like some provisions? I don't have much but I will give you what I can spare."

"Thanks, we really appreciate it," Jaune said with a smile. He did his own once over of Ruby too, but Ruby shook her head and pouted.

"I'm fine, really," she said.

They packed up, and went back on their way. They were headed to the village to get their pay for taking out the Grimm nearby.

Ruby... Lingered for a moment and stared back at the sad little cabin in the woods. Ahasver stood outside, waving goodbye. She waved back.

It was just a story, she thought, Just a story... So what if he knows about Silver Eyed Warriors? It doesn't mean anything...

And yet...

"Something wrong, Ruby?" Jaune asked. "You want to say goodbye some more?"

"He did help out when you were down and out," Yang said, grinning a little at the joke: Which was pretty weak compared to her usual caliber.

"And he gave us snacks!" Nora cheered. "Even syrup!"

"I just..."

Ruby hadn't had a lot of luck with her Silver Eyes since she'd discovered them. Qrow and Dad hadn't been a lot of help. But channeling Aura to them did usually make something happen.

I have to know... I have to...

She focused her Aura into her eyes then locked onto the small of Ahasver's back. She narrowed her eyelids as he examined the wall of his cabin, willing her power to emerge...

Nothing happened. She winced and shook her head.

What was she thinking? A poor man living all on his own, being part Grimm? He had lost his family! Why was she so suspicious? Just because he mentioned Silver Eyed Warriors?

She felt guilt. Guilt over suspecting a kindly old man. Guilt over thinking she could use her power like this. Like how she failed to use it to save Pyrrha-

A silver light erupted from her eyes... And Ahasver fell to the ground near his cabin.

Ruby's jaw dropped.

"AHASVER!"

She used her Semblance to speed up to him. She found his cloak in a pile, but no limbs to be seen. She trembled and hesitated as she grasped his shoulder... And turned him over. The balaclava fell away. Her jaw dropped.

What was left of a man stared back at her. His skin was pale, sallow and wrinkled. His jaw was thin. Scars covered anything else she could see, but judging from what was left in his cloak? It wasn't much.

Yes he smiled up at her with clear blue eyes.

"... Thank you," he whispered, "I have... Hope again... I'm... I'm free... Thank you..."

He closed his eyes and went still. She heard her friends shouting at her and surrounding her. She felt Yang and Jaune hug her between themselves. She saw Ren examining the man, and Nora urgently asking if she was okay.

All that existed for her in that moment though was the peaceful smile on the old man's face. Even through her tears and sobs, she couldn't look away.

- - -

Just came to me.

Ahasver is one of many names given over the centuries to the legend of the Wandering Jew: A Jew who is said to have laughed at Jesus Christ during his crucifixion and thus was cursed to wander the Earth, immortal, until Judgment Day. It seemed a fitting name for a man cursed with immortality by Salem.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Convincing May Zedong to come out and shop with her had taken a LOT of courage, a lot of patience, and a lot of sugar. Surprisingly, Jaune and Penny had been the most help there. May and Jaune just kind of clicked easily and Penny's encouragement had driven Ruby to seek out the shy sniper from Vacuo.



They actually had a fair amount in common. Both took great pride in their weapons, both enjoyed comic books, and both were constantly exasperated with their teams. Once they'd broken the ice, they were actually getting along great in the costume store in Old Town Vale! It wasn't very elaborate: Most of the year it was a thrift shop, actually. But that was all the better! Ruby loved thrift shops and combining them with a costume store just made them even better!



"I guess I'm still a little nervous," May admitted as she looked through the racks of various costumes in plastic bags under the glare of cheap LED lights, "We uh, we don't have Halloween persay in Vacuo."



"Persay?" Ruby asked, looking through the accessories section, "What do you have instead?"



"Well, Hispania has the Day of the Dead," May explained, "Which is somewhat similar. Parties, parades, costumes..."



"Sounds neat!" Ruby enthused. May hummed.



"It also had an old ritual where you would dig up your dead ancestors and bring them in for a meal."



Ruby made a face. May nodded in mutual disgust.



"Yeah," the Vacuoan said, "Thankfully most people don't do that anymore. Nolan couldn't eat for a week after that mission."



"I can't blame him," Ruby agreed, shuddering a bit. She spied a costume and lit up. She picked it up. "Ooh! This one looks great!"



May looked at the costume and blushed a bit. It was the costume of a pirate queen.



"Um... Are you sure it would look good on me?"



"Sure I'm sure!" Ruby said cheerfully. "Go ahead! You already have an eyepatch!"



"I just wear my beanie over one eye for night vision," May mumbled. She took the costume and headed towards the dressing room. It was a simple stall with a latched swinging door for privacy. She entered, Ruby giving her one last thumbs up before she shut the door.



"Let's see," Ruby mused, "I did the whole 'I'm Crescent Rose and Rose is me' costumed last year... Maybe I can recycle it! But I'll have to update it a lot..."



She checked herself out in the mirror with a big smile. Screw what Weiss said, she was definitely developing! All that milk was definitely going to the right places!



The dressing room door swung open.



"I'm ready!" May announced nervously. Ruby swung around, a compliment on her lips...



That died in shock as she got a look at the sniper. Her eyes bugged out.



May's pirate queen outfit was certainly... Revealing. Tight tan breeches that visibly strained to contain her hips and bottom. A red top tied up beneath her very impressive chest with a vest that did nothing to cover it up. A bandanna and eyepatch completed the look as May bashfully tried to keep her hands in front of herself.



"I... Wha...?" Ruby managed. "Wh-Where did... All this come from?! You were just this-this baggy shapeless girl!"



May blushed harder.



"S-Sorry? Um... That's part of why I dress like that," she mumbled. "I know I look... W-Well... Fat and weird-"



"No! Nonono! You don't!" Ruby insisted, her shock giving way to compassion for her friend. She reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder, making May jump and look up. "You look great! S-Super great!"



So great Ruby's good mood from before had basically evaporated. That said, Ruby was not going to let May feel bad if she could help it!



"Really?" May asked, hopeful.



"S-Sure!" Ruby agreed, "But um... Maybe something more covering? It's gonna be cold."



"You're right!" May nodded, already shivering, "This place is chillier than I'm used to already."



"Yeah, I can see that," Ruby muttered petulantly.



"What?"



"Nothing!" Ruby said quickly. She beamed and pulled a classic witch's costume from the rack. "Here! This is... A size up! Give it a shot!"



May beamed.



"Thank you Ruby. I really appreciate it!"



"Think nothing of it!" Ruby said with a grin.



May once again went into the dressing room. Ruby sighed and looked at herself in the mirror.



"It's fine," she said quietly, "You're still growing. It's not a big deal... Why do I care about that stuff anyway? Not like we're competing for a boy. Boys are dumb. Except for Jaune. He's nice..."



She recalled him in that dress at the dance. It had been great of him to dress up to cheer Pyrrha up, and he'd even given her a spin or two around the dance floor after all the chaos and shooting! He'd even introduced her to May, and now she had another friend who also struggled with normal people things!



She really shouldn't feel jealous of her. Not at all.



"Okay!"



Ruby once again turned. Her face fell. May stood there in the black witch's dress with a wide smile.



"So uh... What do you think?" May asked.



Her neckline was plunging. Her curves were all fully visible. The hat seemed to emphasize everything else.



How is she sexier with more covered up?! Ruby thought angrily.



"That's... That's really great," Ruby managed.



"I think I might need a cloak or something," May said, "It's still pretty chilly-"



"That's a great idea!" Ruby pounced, grabbing onto May and pulling her along, "A nice thick cloak! Perfect!"



May smiled back and let Ruby lead her on.



"Thank you Ruby!"



Ruby scanned the racks. Her eyes lit up. She reached out and seized the thickest, fluffiest cloak with faux fur lining she could see and handed it to May.



"Here! Try it!"



May pulled it on... And it fell open naturally, making her look as regal as a queen. Her bust and hips all seemed even more majestic thanks to the pale fur lining of the cloak.



May beamed at Ruby happily.



"It's perfect! Thank you Ruby! You're a great friend!"



"Y-Yeah... The greatest," Ruby mumbled, despondent. May hugged her tightly.



"I'm serious," May said firmly, "It's nice to-to have a friend who doesn't just make me do their chores or homework and then never listens to me. You and Jaune are... Are wonderful. Thank you!"



Ruby slowly smiled back. She hugged May tightly.



She really was getting worked up over nothing. She was young. She would grow up and fill out. She knew she would. And she'd still have a great friend like May along!



"You're welcome," Ruby said earnestly.



May then blushed.



"Um... Also... Do you... Do you think Jaune would like my costume?" She asked nervously.



Ruby's silver eyes narrowed.



"Why?"



"Well, um... A-A Halloween date... Might be fun!" May stuttered. "If-If he was interested, I mean. I don't know if he would be, but-but I think it might be fun... M-Maybe... I-I don't think I could ask him but... Could you, um... Maybe...?"



Ruby's good mood once again fell, and hard.



"I'll... See what I can do," she grumbled, not even sure why she felt this way.



Still... Maybe her Crescent Rose costume could use some modifications. To show off a bit more.



Just to show off how much she'd grown!



Definitely not anything to do with Jaune! No siree!

 

[mgl1206]

Jaune stared at the door in front of him, his hand raised to knock but unmoving. He was worried about what he would say to get Weiss to help him, especially after all the times he'd annoyed her by asking her out.

Something which in hindsight he definitely regretted. The way he'd asked her out that is, not the asking her out part. Hopefully, now that he's stopped, she'd be willing to hear him out.

Taking a deep breath he lightly knocked on team RWBY's door and patiently waited. If he couldn't get Weiss's help then he could probably ask Ruby if she could help as well. It may not be a gun that he needed help making, but with how smart Ruby was he had no doubt she'd be able to help as well.

But as smart as Ruby was, he knew that Weiss was the dust expert, and a dust expert was what he needed right now.

A few more agonizing seconds passed before the door opened and a surprised Yang greeted him.

"What's up VB. Looking for Ruby?" Suppressing a groan at the unfortunate nickname, and a wince at the memory of their first meeting, Jaune continued with his main goal.

"Uh, no. I was. Is Weiss here? I wanted to ask her something." He tried not to wince at her questioning look, and he could only sigh in relief when she went back into the room.

"Hey Weiss-cream! Vomit-Boy wants to talk to you!" Taking a deep breath he tried to calm himself, but the sharp clacks of Weiss's footsteps only increased his anxiety. Seeing her, his breath betrayed him again like it always did, his heart skipping a beat, and he found himself unable to speak. She was breathtaking as always, and although he had no intention of pursuing her anymore, especially when she was pining after Neptune, a part of him was still in love with her.

"What is it Arc? You better not be asking me out again." he flinched at the tone of her voice, but he couldn't help but agree that he deserved it as he moved to deny the justified accusation.

"No no no no!" He flinched again at the questioning look. "Sorry, I uh, I kinda need your help making something," he spoke softly, unsure i asking her for help after all he'd done was even the right thing to do.

"Shouldn't you be asking Ruby then?"

"Maybe, but this isn't exactly a gun. It's mostly involving dust and you're the smartest person I know when it comes to dust. So you were the first person I thought I'd ask." He answered sheepishly, but he couldn't help but lighten up when he saw Weiss smile at the compliment.

"Well, maybe I can help. What exactly are you making?"

"I wanted to create something that'll allow Nora to activate her semblance safely." Weiss's eyebrow shot up as she examined him, and he couldn't help but shuffle uncomfortably under her gaze.

"And why now?"

"Well, it's Nora's birthday soon and I wanted to give her a present. So I thought why not kill two Grimm with one strike and give her something for her semblance as well." Silence took over as he finished. He could feel her judging gaze on him, and he couldn't bring himself to look back at her.

"Alright, I'll help." Surprised, Jaune looked up at Weiss to see her with a soft smile he'd never seen on her before, and it took his breath away. "Come on, Jaune. Let's go over the details in the library." Knocked out of his stupor, Jaune quietly followed behind the heiress, unsure of what had happened. But there was one thing he knew for sure, moving on from Weiss was going to be harder than he'd expected.

-----------

AN: This was just supposed to be about Jaune making a gift for his new sister, but it somehow turned into a White Knight story. Not sure how that happened but it did lol. But the reason why Weiss was colder at first was that she was testing Jaune and yes this is just after the dance.

 

[SharkCultist]

Ruby had seen monsters in her life, vicious creatures with claws and fangs.

She'd seen evil in her life, from petty selfishness, to people who just wanted to cause pain for the sake of pain.

But what she was looking at right now?

Was a fucking abomination.

It was some new form of Grimm. With thick powerful legs and a large body that looked like it would easily shrug off most bladed weaponry and bullets.

Unfortunately they weren't able to test that. Because the bastard had human children as a shield.

It stared at Ruby with its disgusting bulbous eyes and too large grin.

And then it fucking spoke.

"Well hi there miss! Do you wanna come play with Mr.Hugs?"

Brothers she was tempted to just say to hell with it and start swinging anyway.

And she might have. If her fucking back up wasn't also hugging the fucking thing!

Just because it doesn't have claws or fangs doesn't make it harmless! It's evil! E V I L!

And so Ruby had a borderline breakdown while Mr.Hugs completed it's evil mission.

Annoying the shit out of her and Ozpin.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

It was probably not the best idea. No, strike that, it was a terrible idea.

A game night with both RWBY and JNPR? With alcohol Yang snuck in? Terrible.

Jaune's seven sisters had given him an insight and wisdom that told him the truth. An eternal truth.

This could only end one way: Truth or dare. Via Spin the bottle.

And there sat Jaune, looking nervous as hell while the bottle spun in the middle. Yang was grinning evilly.

"Round and round it goes~!"

"I still can't believe you dragged me into this," Weiss muttered.

"I can't believe you won't let me play!" Ruby pouted from the bed, still slogging through her game.

"Big sister veto, deal with it," Yang stated. The bottle came to a stop... On Jaune. The blond felt several predatory eyes on him. Mainly Yang, enhanced with her shit-eating grin.

"Oho~! Vomit Boy is our first victim! So, truth or dare?"

"Dare," Jaune stated instantly. Yang raised her eyebrows and Jaune shrugged.

"Easier to get it out of the way."

"Oho?" Yang grinned. "All right then... I dare you to kiss-"

"Not me!" Weiss cried.

Jaune winced. Weiss looked a bit taken aback, but still adamant. Geez, he said he was sorry.

"Fine, fine," Yang pouted. She scanned around. Pyrrha went bright red for some reason-Was kissing him that bad? He didn't think so but still. At least Ruby wasn't here, that would make things incredibly awkward.

Blake just stared at him intensely, like a cat peeking out of a closet. He couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

At last, Yang smirked.

"Kiss Ren!"

Nora beamed, and then held up Magnhild.

"Try it and die, Yang-Yang," Nora said cheerfully as Ren flushed. Yang coughed.

"Er, um, well..."

Jaune rolled his eyes.

"Nora, Ren, this is totally platonic," he said. He then leaned over and pecked Ren on the cheek. He pulled back and sat back down. Ren blinked. Pyrrha was strangely tense. Nora hummed and nodded in approval.

"That's acceptable, Fearless Leader!"

Yang scoffed.

"Come on, that's not a kiss!"

"You didn't specify," Jaune replied, flushing a bit but holding his ground.

"He's Gallian anyway, so kissing on the cheeks is normal for him," Ruby pointed out.

"Yeah, pretty much," Jaune shrugged, "Everyone in Radian kissed cheeks. Men, women, girls, boys."

"Well then that doesn't count!" Yang declared. "You have to kiss someone for real!"

Jaune blushed heavily.

"Er, um, wait-"

Yang grinned.

"I know~," she said in a sing song voice. She got on all fours and crawled towards him-Which was, if he was honest, an awesome view. She crawled up into his lap with a giggle and set herself down.

"Ah, Yang-" Jaune stuttered. He could smell the wine on her breath-Geez, she was a lightweight?! But he also smelled her. Felt her.

Which is when she kissed him. Her lips pressed against his and all thought just vanished from his mind.

It was like the universe was suddenly reduced to just him and Yang. Her soft, warm lips. Her tongue. Her electrifying skin... Their tongues entwined and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, the kiss deepened and-

"Th-That's enough!" Ruby shouted, red faced, as she pulled Yang's shoulders to get her off Jaune's lap. Pyrrha took hold of Jaune's shoulders and pulled him away.

"Y-Yes, the dare is complete now!" Pyrrha said with a high-pitched voice. Jaune shook his head and got his senses back. Yang, bright red, was suddenly not looking his way.

"Aw, but that was fun to watch!" Nora complained. Blake slowly nodded.

"Indeed," she said, sounding just a tiny bit smug.

Weiss's entire body seemed to burn bright red.

"You-That was-So lewd-!" She kept sputtering like a car that needed an oil change.

"OKAY! JAUNE-JAUNE'S TURN!" Nora cheered. "Come on, give it a spin!"

"Uh... Um, y-yeah," Jaune managed. He took hold of the bottle and waited for everyone to sit down before he spun it... Studiously not looking Yang's way. All the while, Yang watched with a bright red face, even though she tried to hide it with her hair.

The rest of the night was a lot less exciting, thankfully. But it was impossible for Jaune to not touch his lips on occassion.

And equally impossible to miss that Yang did the same thing.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

It might be funny if they keep trying to pretend they're not involved after they get together, and unfortunately nobody believes that Cardin is actually bullying Velvet anymore.

Jaune: "I mean, you've got hickeys."

Cardin: "M-Mosquito bites!"

Jaune: "Through your Aura?"

Cardin: "Y-Yeah! Grimm Mosquitos!"

Nora: "The fact you keep going out on dates?"

Velvet: "N-No! Those aren't dates! He's uh... He's just taking me out to apologize! For being a jerk!"

Jaune: "Why are you lying? It's obvious!"

Cardin: "N-NO! I'M A RACIST BULLY AND I DON'T LIKE HER AT ALL!"

Velvet: "Y-YEAH! HE'S STILL A TOTAL JERK AND I DON'T LIKE HIM AT ALL!"

Coco: "Velvet, everyone knows you two are banging."

Velvet: bright red "E-Everyone?!"

Cardin: "EVERYONE?!"

Yang: "Everyone in the dorms heard you two banging! INCLUDING RUBY!" glares "You perverts! Stop corrupting my baby sis!"

Ruby: "YAAANG! I know what sex is!" blush "Though um, Cardin and Velvet definitely made it a lot more clear-"

Yang: "YOU FREAKING EXHIBITIONISTS!"

Weiss: "Y-You're so lewd! Stop denying it!"

Blake: Is busy writing a massive epic about a racist human master becoming kind and warm to his submissive rabbit Faunus slave girl... While her nose bleeds...

 

[AndrewJTalon]

I got this very interesting idea from a guest poster over on Ao3, so here it is:

Cardin' struggles with his Semblance called "Empathy" that allows him to void the pain and emotions of others by taking them on himself through touch. Dove broke his leg and freaking out? Cardin can numb his pain while he fireman carries his teammate to safety even as his own perfectly healthy limb groans in discomfort! He can't heal people, but he can take away their pain or keep them from panicking.

The problem really starts when he goes to the local hospital to visit his Nana, only to overhear a sobbing couple whose kid won't make it through the night and don't know what to do.

So Cardin offers them the chance to take away the pain and allow their kid one more night filled with bedtime stories and silly games free from pain with Mommy and Daddy before she drifts to sleep one last time...

Cardin spends the next day in Beacon's combat room trying to forget how it feels to die scared and all alone.

Eventually other parents with terminal kids find out...and Cardin?

...Cardin just doesn't have it in his heart to say no.

Not without remembering that first night of panic and dread and realizing what saying no would do to those kids. Because what kind of manly, heroic Hunstman would give up on them?

So everyday Cardin ends up leaving the hospital a little more angry, a little more absentminded, and a little more scared cuz he doesn't know how to process it.

Eventually it gets so bad that Blake chews Cardin out for accidentally knocking her over in the halls before Cardin loses it and trashes her stuff before leaving.

Dove and Sky finally accept that something isn't right with their friend and call in the "big gun" to help him out.

Cue Velvet finally putting her foot down with her boyfriend who unsuccessfully tries to shrug her off, and pinning him down in the arena until he comes clean with his problem.

Eventually, Cardin goes from feeling frustrated, to angry, to finally feeling lost before he can't hold hold it in any more and confesses, weeping tears and all. Feels so ashamed he isn't strong enough to help the kids with their burdens or strong enough to say no, only for Velvet to hug and comfort him back, holding him.

Fic ends with Cardin going a clinic for therapy and nearly chickening out before he feels Velvet holding his hand and the loving encouragement/support she sends him. Proceeds to take one last breather before getting some well-earned help.

Click to shrink...

What do you think?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Been working with an AI on some brainstorming. It gave me this for the Quitalan Empire (Which would have been the equivalent of the Romans in Remnant):

The Quitalan Empire began as a city-state on the continent of Sanus, formed by various tribes united for mutual defense against the Grimm. It evolved from a republic into an empire, expanding through conquest, diplomacy, and the establishment of a centralized power structure.

Expansion and Military:

• Legions and Early Huntsmen: The Quitalan military was known as the Legions, with an elite cohort of Huntsmen and Huntresses, the Praetorian Guard, who were skilled in Aura techniques but did not have the advantage of Dust. Their combat methods would focus on tactics, strategy, and the use of Aura for defense and offense against both human foes and Grimm.
• Fortifications and Roads: Without the benefit of Dust, their expansion relied heavily on their ability to construct defensible positions and safe routes, like the famous Quitalan Walls and roads, to facilitate travel and trade while minimizing Grimm encounters.
• Naval Strength: Their navy was crucial for coastal defense, but without Dust, their ships would be more traditionally built, relying on speed, ramming tactics, and boarding actions to fend off sea Grimm and rival navies.

Governance and Society:

• Aura Utilization: Aura would have been a significant aspect of Quitalan life, integrated into governance, sports, and daily activities. Training in Aura might have been widespread, with special academies for those with strong natural talents to become Huntsmen.
• Legal System: Their legal systems would have addressed matters related to Aura misuse or the handling of Grimm threats, without reference to Dust.
• Cultural Assimilation: As the Empire grew, it assimilated various cultures, adapting their religions, myths, and Grimm-fighting techniques into its own. This cultural amalgamation would strengthen the Empire's resilience against Grimm through diversity in tactics.

Infrastructure Against Grimm:

• Coliseums: Beyond entertainment, these could serve as training grounds for combat against Grimm, where citizens could learn to fight or watch Huntsmen demonstrate techniques, turning public spectacle into practical education.
• Aqueducts and Water Management: Water was a deterrent for many types of Grimm, so aqueducts would not only supply cities with water but also create barriers or traps against Grimm.
• Lighthouses and Signal Towers: These structures would also serve as watchtowers for Grimm sightings, allowing the Empire to mobilize defenses quickly.

Decline and Fall:

• Defensive Overreach: The Empire would have reached its limits in controlling vast territories without Dust, leading to vulnerabilities where Grimm could exploit weak spots in their defenses.
• Internal Decay: Similar to historical Rome, decline could come from within due to political corruption, economic troubles, or a breakdown in the societal structures that maintained their defenses against Grimm.
• Natural Disasters and Grimm: Without Dust or advanced technology to manipulate the environment, the Quitalan Empire would be more susceptible to natural disasters, which could also trigger Grimm outbreaks due to the resulting fear and negative emotions.
• Barbarian Invasions: Tribal groups or rival nations outside the Empire's direct influence might have developed their own anti-Grimm tactics, which could prove effective against the Legion's Aura-based strategies.

Legacy:

• Cultural and Technological Contributions: The Quitalan Empire would leave behind a legacy of advanced architecture designed to withstand or deter Grimm, legal systems that influenced future governance, and a cultural blend that would influence art, literature, and religion across Remnant. Their methods of dealing with Dust and Aura might have laid the groundwork for later Huntsmen academies.
• Ruins: Ruins of Quitalan cities, roads, and forts would be scattered across Sanus, some still functioning as defenses against Grimm or repurposed by later inhabitants, while others stand as haunted reminders of the past.
• Myths and Legends: The heroic deeds of Quitalan Huntsmen and leaders would become legends, with stories of their battles against monumental Grimm woven into the cultural fabric of Remnant, inspiring future generations.
• Breakdown into Smaller Kingdoms: Post-Empire, the provinces of Quitalan would have fragmented into smaller kingdoms and city-states, each potentially maintaining elements of the Quitalan military and cultural practices, adapted to local conditions.
• The Arc and Other Noble Lines: Families like the Arcs might trace their prestigious origins back to the Quitalan era, with their ancestors perhaps being notable Huntsmen or political figures during the Empire's height.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Spoiler

[/s

Courtesy of RxgueSensei on X, here are Nick and Isabel Arc.

 

[Eclipse Staro]

RWBY and Nier: Automata crossover.

A bit rush and I did take some from other fics to make this.

=====

He remembered.

He remembered falling.

Jaune remembered as he and Winter trying to escape to the portal. He tried to jump into the portal as the path was disappearing but he wasn't strong enough and instead fall down into the void.

He woke up at a forest. For days, he ate what he could found there. Deer, wild fruits and fish. It wasn't until an old human couple who seems to be animal hunters found him and decided to help him. They took him to their home, let him bath and gave him clothes.

It took some time, but he was finally able to communicate with them through one of the main language of the new world, English.

Through them, he discovered the name of this new world, Earth. A strange name, why would the human here named their world after a dirt though it would be a bit hypocrite of him since his world was named Remnant. He learned more about Earth. There was no faunus or dust here. Instead there was only human and mankind have evolved differently here. Oil is used to fuel their transport. Nuclear weapon capable of mass destruction.

A year later and Jaune was now a farmer at the farm belonging to Jacob and Jane, the old couple that helped him. Days after, he heard the news of portals appearing at Japan, he felt hope rising inside him. Perhaps his friends finally found him?

But that hope quickly snuffed out as the news reported sighting of White Giant and Red Dragon coming out of the portals and fighting each other. It was a battle between titans, building fallings and people screaming all around the two. Eventually the giant fell and the dragon hovered triumphantly in the air, only to be shot a minute later by missiles from Japanese jet fighters.

From the sky and from the corpse of the white giant, rain came. Rain of white motes. It wasn't long before reports coming in of people turning into pile of white salt after getting in touch with the what is now called the White Maso. The scientists called this phenomena the White Chlorination Syndrome and from the looks of it, the WCS will be infecting all around the world.

It wasn't long before WCS hit the village where they lived. Jacob and Jane died from WCS. Both turned into pile of salt. The same goes for everyone else that lived there except him. He build two grave for the two near their favorite apple tree.

Jaune theorizes that his aura protected him from WCS or perhaps his body have higher resistant to White Maso.

With the old couple gone, he decided to leave the house to find others that may yet still survive the WCS. He took Crocea Mors with him. The rest of his personal item he decided to left behind inside a small vault in the house.

He traveled all around the continent. The phone he was given by Jacob prove to be useful with the World Map App. Sometimes he met people that need help from monster attacking their villages. Slowly, more people heard of him. A knight that fights monsters and protecting people.

Unfortunately, not all good people heard about him.

He was kidnapped and brought into a lab.

The scientists there experimented with him. They always inject him with some sort of serum before telling him to attack targets.

He did met some kids. Emil and Halua. Both are siblings. He managed to chat with them with what little time he had before experimented again.

They put him inside a chamber. Something was done and he could feel that his strength slowly weakening. He could no longer move.

He never did get to say goodbye.

=====​

He could hear alarms ringing all around him. How long has he been contained in here?

"WARNING: LOW POWER!"

A female robotic voice reached his ear.

"WARNING: LOW POWER!"

"WARNING: LOW POWER!"

'Come on, enough with the alarm already.' Jaune thought with a bit of irritation.

=====​

Computer

CAUTION: INSUFFICIENT POWER.
ACTION: REDIRECTING BACKUP POWER.
BACKUP POWER: FAIL.
ANALYZATION: OCCUPANT WILL DIE WITHOUT POWER.
ACTION: OVERRIDING MANUAL CONTROL.
ACTION: UNLOCKING SEAL.
ACTION: RELEASING OCCUPANT.

=====​

There was a sound of the chamber opening.

Jaune could feel it, his strength slowly returning to him, his senses gradually became less dull and his mind began to clear. After a few minutes, he began to walk out and checking rooms for information.

In another room, he saw a familiar sight on a table. There was Crocea Mors, rusty but still intact. With the weapon back with him, he walks to the entrance door and opens it. It was then he realized that the lab was built underground and he had to walk out.

As Jaune stepped outside, the blinding light enveloped him, momentarily disorienting him. Once his eyes adjusted, he found himself in a breathtaking scene that felt almost otherworldly.

The first thing that struck him was the overwhelming scent of earth and foliage. Sunlight filtered through a dense canopy of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. It seems he has stepped into the edge of what appeared to be a forest, a vibrant tapestry of greens and browns that had reclaimed the remnants of civilization.

The air was fresh, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong. Jaune took a cautious step forward, his senses awakening to the beauty around him. Vines draped over crumbling structures, and trees grew through the remnants of concrete, nature's tenacity evident in every inch of the landscape.

He felt a mix of awe and apprehension. How long had he been sealed? What had happened to the world while he was in stasis?

There was even a wild moose standing near the small waterfall, quenching its thirst from the source of water. Jaune suddenly felt thirsty.

It was also a little cold around here.

But that isn't the problem here.

"What had happened?! I swear there wasn't a forest here before!"

When Jaune was getting out from the lab, he wasn't expecting to be at a forest with trees bigger than the ones at Forever Fall or Emerald Forest.

It wasn't long before he met people. To be exact, a tall robot wearing a knight armor with spear. Too bad they weren't friendly because the moment they saw him, the yellow eyes turns red and

"TRESSPASSERS!" A tall robot points a spear at him. "FOR THE CRIMES OF TRESSPASSING INTO THE FOREST KINGDOM, YOUR PUNISHMENT IS DEATH!"

The tall robot then began to charge at him.

"FOR THE FOREST KING!"

He managed to dodge the spear that aimed at his body. The tall robot was no slouch and began attacking again.

He stab the robot right on its eye. It seems to work as the robot began to malfunction and falls down.

"F-FOR...GIVE...ME...MY...KING."

The robot eyes stops glowing and Jaune pulls back his sword.

He looks around and saw a road. He choose a direction and walks away.

....​

Eventually he arrived at what appears to be a ruined city. The buildings already worn out, most no longer have windows. Of course, that's also where he met another robot who wants to kill him.

"Kill." A small robot, its eyes a menacing blood red, says as it hops in his direction. It was then he notices it has a crudely made sword.

"Come on then."

His body was still weak, the fight with the tall robot left him exhausted but that didn't mean he is out of ways to win.

There was a bucket of oil and he used it on the head of the small robot.

"Can't see." The small robot states as it slashes blindly in the air. "Can't see."

Wasting no time, Jaune use his sword and slice the robot in half. Unfortunately, he was also bleeding from the injuries he got from the fight. He decided to rest at one of the building nearby.

[Time lapse]

He woke up to sound of people arguing. Females judging by the tone.

"...pretty sure there's nothing sis."

"...can't be, we heard the sound coming from here."

Peeking a bit, he saw two women looking around. But what made him watch was their hair.

Red hair. It reminded him of someone important. But he couldn't remember who. He decided to approach them.

"Hello?" He speak to the two.

The two turned to look at him.

"You are human." The female with the red straight hair was the first to speak. Her tone filled with hope yet there was fear in her voice.

"Yes." Jaune replied.

"What are you doing here?" The one with the red wavy hair asked. She speaks more confidently than the first one but there was fear when she speaks to him.

"I-"

"I don't know."

Perhaps they saw how he looks and decided to change the topic.

"I'm Popola and this is my sister Devola." The one with the red straight hair said.

"I'm Jaune Arc. Just call me Jaune."

He feels like there was another line he should add but he couldn't remember what.

"Well Jaune, do you require medical assistance?"

"I don't know?" He was healing thanks to Aura. Another minute or two more and his wound would no longer be there.

"I just woke up and everything is so different."

"Why don't you come with us?"

"Where to?"

"We have a camp not too far from here. We can check if you're healthy or not with our medical equipment there." Popola said.

"And let's get you some food as well." Devola said.

"Alright." He agreed.

Jaune followed them.

------​

 

[AndrewJTalon]

All right. Here is the revised Hot Springs chapter. What do you think?

All right. Here is the revised Hot Springs chapter. What do you think?

- - -

The sun was setting as the group of Hunters-in-Training made their way to the Arc Farmhouse. The wagon wheels creaking was the loudest sound as they went up the driveway. The front doors opened and Isabel Arc came out with a broad smile, looking fully rested, as the yard lights came on.

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

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

Isabel stared in silence for a moment before she slowly nodded.

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

"Yup," Jaune stated flatly.

Isabel sighed.

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

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

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

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

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

- - -

Isabel got them a few piles of soap and towels and led them into the nearest stand of trees by the farmhouse. They walked down a dirty path lined with stone lanterns, which Isabel lit with a Fire Dust lighter as they passed each one.

They finally came to a small clearing where a small Fuujin-style building stood. It was boxy and made of dark wood timbers which framed white walls. The faint aroma of sulfur in hot water drifted over their noses.

"A bathhouse?" Neptune asked in immediate interest. Isabel nodded with a nostalgic smile on her face.

"Yes. This was my father Jonathan's wedding present to my mother, Elizabeth, when they built the farmhouse. The Arcs have a lot of relatives from Fuujin thanks to my great-grandfather Kiritsugu Arc. This is just one of many bathhouses they built across the valley thanks to the hot springs in the area."

"Wow," Ruby murmured, "I've only seen these in Mistralian animes!"

Yang opened her mouth but Isabel gave her a smile.

"It's all right. Your arm's waterproofing just had to set. You'll be alright."

"YEAH!" Nora cheered. "This'll be like that time we rested in those hot springs with those monkeys who used tools! Remember that, Renny?"

"Unfortunately," Ren deadpanned.

"Um," May flushed, "Will it... I mean... Will we all be... Uh...?"

Neptune was practically chomping at the bit. Cardin flushed and tried not to look Velvet's way. The rabbit Faunus also blushed but was smiling softly at her boyfriend. Arslan was glaring death at Neptune, while Yang moved closer to Ruby. Jaune was carefully covering his mouth with his hand and coughing.

"It's small but very comfortable," Isabel went on. She then gave Neptune a knowing look. "And segregated by sex."

"Wha-Oh," Neptune drooped in disappointment. Arslan held up a hand to strike him. "N-No! No! That's cool! That's-Totally cool, Mrs. Arc!"

Jaune choked back a little laugh. Ruby and Yang snorted as well. Ren smirked very slightly. Arslan lowered her hand as Neptune sulked a bit.

"Now, girls to the right, boys to the left," Isabel ordered, as she pressed some Lightning Dust into an electrical receptacle and the entire bathhouse lit up, "Get washed up, grab your towels, and dive in! Once you're all done, we'll have dinner ready at the house!"

- - -

On the men's side, Jaune slid into the hot water with a soft sigh. The warm waters of the hot springs just seemed to ease his stress away as he sank down and sat on the cement bench. It wasn't a huge bath-The female side out of necessity took up about two-thirds of the available space, as evident by the tall wooden wall separating them-But it was roomy enough for about ten men to not get uncomfortable. It was also open air for the moment, and he looked up at the stars as they shone down through the gaps in the trees.

"As much as I appreciate this, Jaune," Neptune grumbled, sitting down near the lone rock in the center of the bath, "Your mom is no fun. I mean, Mistralian hot springs are all about appreciating the beauty of the female form in its natural glory!"

"You do realize those girls can and will all kill you, right?" Cardin asked, sitting down in one of the deeper parts of the bath as he scowled at the blue haired young man, "And I would too, since my girlfriend's over there?"

"I wouldn't peep at her!" Neptune protested with his hands up, "Intentionally, anyway. I mean, not much!"

Cardin glared and lifted a fist. Neptune waved his hands.

"I mean... I'm only joking! Really!"

"Yeah, it's fine," Jaune said with a nod, "But can you tone it down a little, Neptune?"

Neptune frowned. Ren slid into the bath and began to meditate in silence. Neptune sighed.

"Yeah. Sure," he mumbled. "Just... I dunno... I miss my team, ya know? I don't know if they're alive or dead and-"

He immediately looked over at Jaune, his eyes wide in realization.

"Shit, Jaune, I didn't mean-"

"I get it," Jaune grunted, his eyes downcast. His neck was tense and his fists clenched. Ren too became tense. Cardin grit his teeth and glared at Neptune. The blue haired young man opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, then looked down at his hands in the hot water. He sighed.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"It's hard on all of us," Ren said calmly. "It will... Take time to heal."

"I just... It's so unreal," Neptune continued, unable to meet anyone's eyes, "One minute, everything's fine. We lost the tournament but... Ya know... We did our best. Then everything... Everything... It all falls apart."

He gripped his knees tightly.

"... I thought I knew where I stood with my team," he muttered, "Sure, Sun would always run off to do his own goddamned thing, but in a fight? There was no one more dependable... Until now."

Neptune glared at the water. It began to swirl around him in a small whirlpool.

"My best friend ran off on me. All just for a girl. In the middle of a fucking war. That's the kind of shit even I wouldn't do," Neptune growled, "Not in the middle of a disaster! Okay, I'm a horndog! I admit it! But you don't just... Just abandon your friends in a fight for pussy!"

The water churned angrily, becoming frothy. Neptune shut his eyes.

"Now I don't know if that bastard's alive or dead! I don't know about anyone else! I don't know and it's pissing me off and I can't do SHIT ABOUT IT! I can't even joke and lighten the fucking mood properly! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, ALL RIGHT?!"

The waters surged up around him, before falling away. Neptune panted hard with his eyes shut tightly. He tried to regain his calm.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder. He started and looked up. Jaune stood there with his towel tied securely around his waist. His face was stony but he was forcing his calm calm.

"I know," he said quietly. "I know."

Cardin sucked in a breath, and let it out as a growl.

"Least you know they're still alive," Cardin stated, the big guy sagging in the hot water.

Neptune grimaced then looked away. He let Jaune's hand linger for a few moments longer, before brushing it off.

"Come on. Despite what Scarlet says, I'm not interested in anything involving men in a bathhouse," he muttered.

He looked back up.Cardin stared at the far wall, his fists clenched deeply. Jaune sighed and shrugged.

"You do try a little too hard," he observed.

"Like you're compensating for something," Ren said in his usual deadpan, though it was clear his heart wasn't in it. Neptune gamely tried to make something of it anyway.

"Oh fuck off, I'll have you know I've gotten more women than any of you combined!" Neptune shot back with a scowl, but on the inside there was a smile. "Beacon was just a rough patch for me!"

"Sure it was," Jaune said as he walked back, "That why you couldn't dance with Weiss until I made you?"

"I uh... Well..." Neptune shrugged, "Again. I was thrown off. She came on so aggressively! I'm not into that, which is why Arslan and I will only be friends... Unless she drops the tsundere act."

"I get the feeling she sees you as an annoying little brother," Jaune said, "And given how many siblings I have? It's a familiar sight."

"Ha!" Neptune laughed, "I'll win her over! And May! And Orchid-Okay maybe not her," he amended at Jaune's glare, "You can't begrudge me dreams of having a harem, bro! Not with your record!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jaune stated flatly. Neptune scoffed.

"Come on! Ruby's all over you! Weiss couldn't stop talking about you just before we broke up! Yang, I mean, she clings to you and Pyrrha..."

He trailed off at the angry look on Jaune's face. He bowed his head.

"Fuck," he muttered, "I'm sorry..."

Jaune grit his teeth and worked his jaw. Ren reached out to rest a hand on his forearm. Jaune stilled, but the fury was still in his eyes.

Cardin sighed. Jaune slowly shook his head slowly and looked away to the stars above.

"Yeah... Well..."

No one had anything more to say after that.

- - -

Despite everything she had been through, despite her maiming... Yang still couldn't help a little smirk when she saw her little sister staring at the toweled bodies of May, Arslan, Nora and Velvet as they slipped into the hot springs. Ruby's pout was a common occurrence when the subject of 'development' came up. She was able to wrap her real arm around her little sister and squeezed her comfortingly.

"Someday," she said gently, even as Ruby glared enviously: Especially at May, who flushed under the scrutiny.

"Um... Is-Is something wrong, Ruby?" The shy sniper asked.

"No. Nothing," Ruby sighed. Yang patted her on the head again, and Ruby scowled. "Yang, knock it off."

"Just being a good supportive big sister," Yang said quietly, her smile soft. Ruby huffed and crossed her arms under her chest.

"Ahhh," Nora sighed happily, slipping into the hot water, "It's so relaxing~... Beats that little bathroom at the farmhouse any day~!"

"Agreed," Arslan said softly, adjusting her hair in its neat little bun. She laid back in the hot water against the concrete bench. May sat beside her, her arms tight around herself as she looked around in some anxiety. Arslan, noticing this, smiled and squeezed May's shoulder.

"Relax," she said.

"Trying to," May sighed. Velvet smiled across the baths.

"Are you afraid that Neptune will try to peep on us?"

"N-No, I'd see that coming in a heartbeat," May said quickly, her cheeks burning a brighter red. Nora grinned at her.

"Does that mean you'd be okay with it then?"

"N-NO!" May shook her head rapidly, "Not at all!"

"Besides," Arslan stated, "If he tried? I'd beat him black and blue."

"Same," Yang nodded.

Nora sighed dramatically and held a hand up to her forehead.

"I wouldn't mind if Ren peeped on me~! I'm right here, ready to be peeped at!"

Silence fell. Nora pouted.

"Maybe if Pyrrha was here we could have…"

Nora slapped a hand to her mouth as her eyes widened. Her shoulders began to shake. Everyone stared at her. Ruby sniffled. Velvet winced. Arslan bowed her head, while May looked away. Yang could see the tears in her eyes.

For her own part… Her heart clenched tightly. As tightly as her fists.

"Oh… I-I forgot," Nora mumbled softly, "Isn't… Isn't that funny? How… How could I forget something so horrible… I f-forgot that…"

She slowly looked up at everyone else. Tears spilled out of her aquamarine eyes.

"That she was dead."

That she was dead.

That she was dead.

That she was dead.

It echoed so loudly in Yang's thoughts she half-thought Nora was repeating the words. Her face twitched. A tear threatened to spill from her eyes as all the death, the suffering, the loss flashed through her mind again.

Everything she had gone through that day seemed to scream at her from inside, and she trembled as she clenched her synthetic fist.

Ruby, shaken and pale, still struggled up to her feet. She walked over and hugged Nora tightly.

Velvet stared back down at the water in silence for a time. She sucked in a deep breath. She tried to say something but nothing came. She closed her mouth and looked back down.

May just burst into quiet sobs as she bowed her head. Her soft whimpers filled the sudden silence.

Yang slowly got up and hugged Ruby and Nora. Nora clung to them both tightly, sniffling and sobbing quietly.

Arslan sighed softly. She closed her eyes. She she wrapped a supportive arm around May's shoulders. She held the crying sniper, then said a prayer in the old Tablebreaker Church language:

"Domine caelestis, audi quaeso meum clamor. Animas defunctorum in tuo amplexu amoris suscipe. Illos in regnum tuum aeternum admitte et solacium da iis qui remanent ut opus tuum persequantur. Ostende nobis viam ad lucem etiam in tenebris. Amen."

Yang blinked away tears as Ruby and Nora hugged her tightly for comfort. She hesitated… But years of instinct took control and she wrapped her arms around them.

It was all she could do. It was the right thing to do.

Yet she had never felt more lost.

- - -

Isabel Arc was working in the kitchen with Lilac on dinner. Having to feed a large family of nine had taught her much about managing the household while also being a doctor. The front door opened and her eyes widened. She enhanced her senses of scent and hearing and listened to the footsteps of the person entering the house. Her heart rate slowed and she relaxed as she recognized who it was in an instant.

She dashed out of the kitchen, the red light of the late afternoon sky shining through the windows. She rushed through the living room, every creak and pop comfortingly familiar, right to the front doors. She beamed broadly.

"Nick!"

Nick smiled at her happily.. He was filthy, his hair askew, his beard dusty, his clothing covered in dirt and leaves. A ragged messenger bag hung at his side.

She still hugged and kissed the heck out of him, one he returned eagerly.

"Mmm… Kisses and hugs are nice," Nick chuckled as she nuzzled him.

"Come on, sit, sit!" Isabel said eagerly. She led him through the living room right into the kitchen. Lilac's eyes lit up.

"DAD!"

Lilac hugged Nick next, one he gladly returned. He then let her down and sat down at the table. He sighed happily. He then set down a leather messenger bag on the table with care though-As though it held something precious.

Lilac thoughtfully poured her father a jug of beer, which he downed happily. While he did that, Isabel hugged him-Something he returned with one massive arm as he drank deep.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Isabel sighed in relief.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Isabel sighed.

"Any word from them?"

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

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

Isabel steadied her nerves with her Semblance.

"How bad?" She asked.

Nick heaved a long sigh.

"Mistral's civil war went hot. Everything's going to hell," he said tiredly.

Isabel's eyes widened.

"Everyone?"

"Arjun's trying to keep Pandu out of it, but looks like certain factions are trying to draw them in," Nick said quietly.

"All of this happening at once…" Isabel shook her head, "It can't be a coincidence. It's like it was all set up."

"Has to be," Nick agreed, "But proving that is the hard part."

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

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

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

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

"Arjun will need proof."

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

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

Nick nodded.

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

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

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

"He is our son!"

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

The healer and the paladin stared at one another. Isabel's gaze was tight, anxious, and angry. Nick's was grave but serene.

Isabel sighed and looked out the windows. The group of young Hunters in Training emerged from the forest. All dressed, and all looking glum.

After a tense silence Isabel slowly shook her head.

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

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

"I know."

- - -

 

[Abramus5250]

Cowboy Halloween

Jaune wasn't quite sure why he'd agreed to go to the Halloween party. Well, actually, he knew exactly why he'd agreed to go, just not why he'd then dressed up. His friends had wanted to go, and despite the insistence that he wasn't one to dress up all fancy-like often, he'd been convinced that at least he could go to have some fun. Turns out a good deal of the people attending Beacon loved any excuse to get together, eat copious amounts of food and drink even more copious amounts of either sweet drinks or age-appropriate alcohol.

What he hadn't expected was to be one of the first to arrive, with Ren and Nora citing difficulties with Pyrrha's outfit in regards to her being late. Not that he minded, as his own outfit had taken a great deal of time to get right, designed after the man known as Löwe from the old Jaeger book series his great uncle had given him. The series, one of his favorites in his younger years, was about a young Huntsman turned bounty hunter after the death of his mentor, and who was often forced to work outside the law. Though the cowl across his face occasionally itched, and the cape was a bit flashier than what he would normally wear, when combined with the masking of his features, the rifle across his back and the pistol and sword on his hips, he thought it made him look mysterious and even intimidating when he glanced in a mirror.

Off near one of the more open areas of the large garden the party was being held in, yet near enough to the food and drinks tables to be freshly supplied, Jaune enjoyed himself with Ren and Nora. Ren, for some reason, was dressed a great deal like many of the barmen Jaune had seen in saloons while out on a cattle drive, complete with a respectable bowtie, bowler hat, and his apparent wizardry at making mixed drinks on the fly. Nora, correspondingly, was dressed as a saloon barmaid, though with her… generous figure, the outfit was only a good trip or spilled drink away from turning into a bawdy mess. Whether she'd normally dress this way for Halloween or had done so to match with Ren was anyone's guess, but Jaune had noticed more than one student glance at her, then do a double-take, before wisely casting their gaze elsewhere once they noticed his stare. He could almost hear her buttons screaming as they held her outfit together.

"Jaune!" a familiar voice cried, and he turned to find Ruby leading the rest of her team towards him. They'd really gone out for it this year, though he was beginning to notice a… theme amongst his friends and teammates. He wasn't going to say anything about it tonight, content with letting everyone enjoy themselves, but it was beginning to form a pattern he'd have had to been blind to ignore.

Ruby was dressed in an outfit he'd seen old Nell Goldstone use on occasion. A gunsmith's smock and gloves, high-tech goggles perched up her head, the signature Dust-infused overalls meant to protect against errant bits of machined scrap, and the high leather boots that completed the outfit. The only thing missing, other than the smudges from Dust and smelted parts were the variety of tools, both primitive and high tech, that he'd seen her use in the few times he'd met her. Knowing Ruby, she'd had to be convinced not add those to her outfit.

"Miss Rose, or should I say," Jaune drawled, putting some emphasis in his speech as he bowed, "Miss Goldstone?"

"You know it!" she replied cheerfully. "I had the hardest time figuring out how she infused Dust into her overalls, but that second year Miss Adel was a real help."

"I'm sure she was," he replied as the rest of her team drew close, their outfits continuing a pattern he was certain Nora and Ren had started.

"Howdy there stud," Yang said, leaning forward with the same confidence she always seemed to carry, save for when she was around Orleans for some reason. Her own outfit was nowhere near as intricate as her sister's, but the lack of detail was rather purposeful. A judge's uniform of office was, after all, not meant to be terribly gaudy, especially out where the justice of the frontier was quick and quiet compared to the pomp and media circus the big cities seemed to lap up. Yet, he couldn't recall the last time he'd seen a judge's robes hugging their wearer's frame so tight, accentuating a lot of things robes weren't meant to, and the way she'd done up her hair with curlers was… doing things to him.

"I still don't know why you'd dress like a judge of all things, Yang," Weiss said with a huff.

"Hey now, considering how easy I got off from trashing Junior's bar, why wouldn't I pay my respects?" her fellow Huntress replied.

"I doubt they would feel any sort of flattered."

"Shouldn't I be the judge of that?" Yang replied.

"Well, I think y'all look nice tonight," Jaune said replied with a snort, despite the groans of Yang's team. "I'm feelin' plain and cheap compared to y'all."

"Don't belittle yourself, Arc, there is nothing wrong with your own choice of costume, Löwe is a well-known semi-vigilante in literature," Weiss replied, giving the small parasol over her shoulder a little twirl. "Besides, it does feel nice getting to dress up without the pressure from my father's publicists to portray myself in one way or another."

Jaune thought that it was probably a good thing those people weren't here. Given that her dress was a combination of classy brothel madame's outfit and that of more than a few cotillion singers he'd seen while in the bigger towns at the end of a drive, he was sure her father would have a fit if he weren't busy off doing whatever it was he did. He suspected she was wearing a corset beneath it all, which seemed odd given her figure, though he'd never be the man brave enough to tell her she didn't need one.

"Well, at least that Adel girl was kind enough to help us with all our outfits," Blake said, adjusting her Stetson so it didn't interfere with her bow. For a sheriff's uniform, she filled it out quite well, though he wasn't sure why she had a nightstick on one hip and… was that three sets of cuffs on the other? Also, the heels on those boots seemed a tad tall. "Playing dress up was never my forte when I was little, I was too busy helping my parents, and being an only child meant I didn't have siblings to play with. But this… this feels nice, I have to admit, almost like I'm taking on a persona."

"Jaune!" a voice called, one he recognized all too much, and he turned to find his partner swiftly approaching them…

"Pyrrha?" he asked, unsure if his voice cracked or that was his ears playing tricks on him.

"What do you guys think?" she asked, making an attempt to not show off while she did a little twirl. "I hope I got the buttons right, I only had so much time to make sure they were the right color…"

His partner had chosen the dress uniform of a militia cavalry officer, specifically the kind worn near where his family lived. A Dust-infused Hardee hat with communication equipment threaded in covered most of her ponytail, while a Valean blue coat with matching sky blue trousers and greatcoat finished the rest. Her boots were similar to Ruby's, though clearly meant for marching and riding rather than simply working, and to top it all off, though perhaps unintentionally, the uniform had been fitted well to her proportions.

Very well.

As well as Yang's judge robes.

Was this intentional? Was Miss Adel messing with him?

"You look… great!" he said, finding his words.

Her bright smile cut through the unsure look she'd been giving him in his stunned silence. "Thank you! I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but Miss Adel helped make sure it was fitted properly. The boots are comfortable enough, though the hat is heavier than I was expecting…"

"Yeah, she's been real helpful for all of us!" Ruby said, her smile a touch brittle for some reason. "I thought I was the only one going to see her for help with my costume!"

"Come to think of it, I mentioned asking for her help first for my outfit," Weiss said, eyes narrowing. "I didn't realize everyone else had the same idea."

"Well howdy!" Nora said, breaking into their gathering before anyone else could say anything. "Come on, better grab some of the good food before it's all gone. Renny'll be making some mixed drinks for us, but only nonalcoholic for you Ruby, Miss Goodwitch said so!"

 

[Abramus5250]

The List Grows

Pyrrha was not one to become envious, or at least not easily. Jaune was her friend, her partner, her team leader, and although the candle she held for him burned brightly, it was one she kept shaded, secret, hidden away, lest her feelings ruin what they currently had. Yet how she felt as Jaune looked after his nephew Adrian was growing almost too much to bear.

Not that she felt anything ill towards Jaune's nephew. In fact, she adored the little boy and how Jaune cared for him at most waking moments. He was exuding what Nora had called 'supreme dad energy' and for all that she was not ready to confess her feelings to Jaune, she was more than ready to begin a relationship with him should she manage to convince him that her helping take care of Adrian counted as dating.

He'd… yet to take the hint, but it was only a matter of time.

It was also only a matter of time before these harpies got their claws into him and took him away from her, age, professionalism or her prior 'claim' be damned!

All it had taken was a short trip to the ladies' washroom to overhear a pair of her own professors engaging in the kind of talk that she'd only ever heard Yang spout.

"Did you see Arc with his nephew this morning in the cafeteria?"

"How could I not? I could barely take my eyes off him as he fed the little darling. Kaede, don't you have him for tomorrow's mandatory civilian first aid course? Knowing how to tend to the injuries of those without Aura is important, but why make it mandatory all of a sudden?"

"Little Adrian is currently one of the only civilians in Beacon without an unlocked Aura, and besides, better the students know how to tend to injuries for children than to simply rescue them from the clutches of Grimm and hope they are fine. Just because you aren't bleeding much doesn't mean you aren't hurt."

"Did Arc volunteer?"

"I may have managed to convince him to let me use Adrian for instruction, with promises of extra credit in my class, Elberta, though he didn't notice my popped upper buttons on my nurse uniform when I did so, being so focused on his nephew's role in the demonstrations. Little Adrian did notice though, and made grabby hands when Arc wasn't looking."

"Kaede, you're lucky your flirting is as bad as your bedside manner, or else you could have gotten into serious trouble."

"Or is it that Arc is just like his dad, and completely ignorant of a woman's attention?"

"Hey, you and I were the only ones not trailing after his dad like a pack of Beowolves. Be glad that we never had to suffer the wrath of Isabel's defensive measures for her then-future husband."

"Well, Elberta, don't tell me you haven't been eyeing up the junior Arc. I've seen how you watch him tend to his nephew in your class. Brothers, girl, you were almost drooling on your desk when I walked by!"

The following frustrated sigh sounded personal. "I just… I want a family too, okay? But dating in Beacon is hard when you have the likes of Port to pick from, and a great deal of men I've met outside of the faculty don't want to date a professor. I can't just tell them about how easy Beacon's facilities are for childcare, I'd sound even more baby crazy right off the bat! Not to mention the competition I'd have with his friends, classmates and teammates, and don't forget even Glynda's eyes have wandered during combat class…"

"Oh, you saw that too? Brothers, when he nearly beat Mr. Winchester, only to forfeit to stop his nephew from crying, I thought she was going to drag him off into a closet after. Did she say anything to you on the matter?"

"No, but we'll no doubt hear about it soon enough on mixed drinks night. She may have gotten over her crush on the boy's father, but he's got the best of Isabel and Nick in him. Add in that dad energy the kids talk about these days? Wouldn't be surprised if Glynda contacts his mother to… 'arrange' things."

"Well, seeing as we didn't try for Nick, think she'd be more open to us asking for the same? Marriage would likely be out, but we both know she's gone into grandbaby-crazy mode by now."

Pyrrha exited the stall and moved to the sink, focusing on washing her hands as Nurse Tsune and Professor Peach left. Trying her hardest, she managed to not curl the sink heads in on themselves, but sadly the latches for the bathroom doors did not survive and would need replacing for, somehow, twisting into small ribbons. Miss Goodwitch, Nurse Tsune, and now Professor Peach? All ogling who would totally become her man once he realized they were totally dating whenever she helped with Adrian?

Why did her list of rivals for her partner keep growing?!?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What would each character be thankful for?



Jaune: "My friends and family!"



Pyrrha: "Jaune and my other friends!"



Yang: "Yeah, stuff like that... And Bumblebee!"



Blake: "Eh?"



Yang: "My motorcycle. What did you think I meant?"



Blake: "Nothing. I am... Thankful for my friends and justice."



Ren: "I am grateful for generous friends and my family."



Nora: *gasp* "YES!"



Ren: "What?"



Nora: "To really be family we need to get married! SO I SAY YES!" She pounces on Ren and kisses him



Yang: "Wow. Go Nora!"



Weiss: "I WAS grateful for friends and this meal... But this is making me reconsider things."



Ruby: "WEISSS!"



Weiss: *grumbles* "Fine. I am grateful for everything."



Ruby: "That's the right attitude! I am thankful for friends, family, guns, and Zwei!" Hugs him



Zwei: "Woof."



Weiss: *blush* "I guess I'm thankful for one more thing..."



Jaune: "And here's the turkey!"



Yang: "Wait, it's fried?"



Jaune: "Arc family tradition!"



Weiss: *eats some* "... This is utterly decadent and overblown with flavor. Like the basest of carnival food."



Jaune: "More?"



Weiss: "Please!"



Yang: "This turkey is so good I... I can't even make a pun! The bird has flown the coop!"



Pyrhha: "It's melting in my mouth~..."



Ruby: "Mmm! Delicious!"



Blake: "... Forgive me tuna. I may eat birds more for a time."



Ren manages to disconnect his mouth from Nora long enough to eat. As does Nora



Ren: "... It's incredible Jaune."



Nora: "Mmmmmm~!"



Yang: "So what's the recipe, Stud?"



Jaune: "Old family recipe. Total secret."



Yang: "So... We'd need to be family to get it, huh~?"



Jaune: "Uh, well, um-"



Pyrrha: "I-I'm sure she's just joking, Jaune!"



Yang: "And what if I wasn't, P-Money?"



Ruby: "HEY! He's my best friend!"



Weiss: "He's crushing on me!"



Blake: "He was."



Pyrrha: "You too?!"



Jaune: "Can't we just argue over politics or religion?!"



Ruby: "NEVER!"



Elsewhere, in Radian...



Nick: "Sweetie! I got a premonition of our son... Being fought over by hot girls!"



Isabel: "... Any grandkids?"



Nick: "Not yet!"



Isabel: "Then don't bother me until there are! I'm almost done with the turkey!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

There were times when Jaune cursed his nature. His desire to help others. Oh don't get him wrong, he loved to help! Loved to make a difference! It's why he had run away to become a Huntsman, after all!

But helping RWBY fight the White Fang on a school night was not what he signed up for! Not this many times, anyway!

They were outside a warehouse on the outskirts of town, away from the docks. Which was a nice change, there were actually some trees around the dilapidated lots near the wall. Nora tried to catch a squirrel, but failed miserably.

"Ooh, those tree rats are feisty ones," Nora grumbled as they headed towards the warehouse Blake had directed them to strike, "Sloths are so much better. They don't run from hugs!"

"They're probably just shy," Jaune consoled Nora. Nora scowled.

"But they're so jittery! How can you be jittery and shy?"

"Would you be quiet?" Blake hissed as they approached the lit up building, "They can probably hear us!"

"Right, focus everyone," Jaune ordered. Ruby stood at his side. "We remember the plan. We split into pairs, we each take a side. We clear the building from the bottom up, and when we find the hostage-"

"Treat them carefully," Ruby said, "Jaune will do the medical support and-"

"AIYYYEEEEE!"

Everyone turned to the building, weapons drawn and Semblances ready. A huge crowd of White Fang members, in various states of undress, barreled out of every window of the warehouse. They charged towards the Hunters-in-Training... And threw themselves onto their knees in front of them.

"SAVE US!"

"TAKE US TO JAIL!"

"GIVE US PANTS!"

Ruby, quite naturally, was flabberghasted. Yang immediately covered her eyes.

"H-HEY! YANG! LEMME SEE! I'M THE LEADER!"

"What is going on around here?!" Blake cried in disbelief.

The nearest wall of the warehouse shattered. A tall, stunning blonde woman in full plate armor (that could not hide her voluptuousness) smashed through, holding a sword. Her eyes were wild, and twitching dangerously.

"YOU WILL VIOLATE MEEEE!" She shrieked. The White Fang soldiers screamed and took off, running like their very lives depended on it. The armored woman charged. Jaune's eyes widened in shock, horror...
And recognition.

"VIRGINIA!" Jaune shouted.

The tall woman skidded to a halt, and stared at Jaune in shock.

"J-Jaune?!"

"Huh?" Was Blake's intelligent reply.

- - -

The cops arrived soon after, taking the White Fang members into custody. Virginia, RWBY and JNPR met in a nearby diner which was still open late. The six foot eight tall woman awkwardly sat on one creaking chair on one side of a table, while everyone else faced her on the other. Nora dug into her pancakes, in utter bliss as Ren sat with her.

"So um... This is my cousin Virginia," Jaune said with an awkward smile, "She's a Paladin Huntress. And she's really strong!"

"I can tell," Weiss said dryly. Virginia coughed.

"Ah, yes, um, sorry. I was trying to infiltrate the White Fang base, you see."

"In full armor," Weiss deadpanned. Virginia shrugged.

"Um... Paladins aren't particularly stealthy!"

"We noticed," Blake observed, staring intently at Virginia.

"Okay, go on?" Jaune pressed. Virginia coughed.

"Ah, well..." She sipped her coffee, her eyes going all over the place, "I um, I got captured. I then challenged them to combat for my freedom. I even spotted them my sword... My armor... My other weapons... And all my clothing! To-To make it fair! But they made me keep the armor and clothes."

"Uh huh," Yang said, looking rather skeptical.

"Seriously?" Ruby asked in disbelief, "That's dumb of them! You're like a walking tank!"

"Th-Thank you!" Virginia said with a kind smile, "But I challenged them all at once! I knew they might overpower me! They had to! Why didn't they overwhelm and defeat me?!"

She groaned and looked to the ceiling.

"They could have had me at their mercy... I-I would have done anything they wanted! Absolutely anything! No matter how depraved or-or debauched!"

She looked like she was drooling. Jaune chuckled even as all his friends stared in varying degrees of disbelief at Virginia.

"Come on, Virginia! You're a total monster in combat! You're as strong as my mom and dad! There's no way you could be defeated like that!"

"... Y-Yes, of course," Virginia sighed, now looking morosely into her coffee, "I had them on the ropes... Which is when they decided to retreat! Enmasse! Which is when you showed up!" She sipped her coffee, bright red.

"L-Lucky for them, isn't it?" She mumbled.

"Wow," Jaune said with a grin, "You're as incredible as always, Virginia! I hope I'm half as good a Huntsman when I graduate!"

"Y-Yes, so do I," Virginia sighed. She looked at Jaune with an intense stare. "You've been training hard, I see?"

"Oh yeah!" Jaune said cheerfully. "All my friends have helped out!" He flexed an arm with a grin. "Especially Pyrrha!"

"Really?" Virginia asked, looking very intensely at Jaune. Enough so that Ruby, Pyrrha and Yang all scooted closer to him. Blake stared in disbelief. Weiss grimaced. Ren stared intensely.

Nora was in pancake nirvana but it had been a long night for her so nobody minded.

"Really!" Jaune said cheerfully. "I'd love to show off my training!"

"Yes!" Virginia said with a happy nod and smile, "Yes! Um, we should meet at Beacon! In the gym! No need to wear a shirt, Jaune!"

"Why not a shirt?" Jaune asked curiously.

"Yeah, why?" Pyrrha asked, her smile very dangerous.

Virginia coughed.

"Um... Because of how sweaty we'll get?"

"Oh, I suppose that makes sense," Jaune nodded.

Pyrrha abruptly dumped her coffee in Jaune's lap. Jaune yelped.

"ACK!"

"Oh dear, how clumsy of me," Pyrrha said, almost sweetly, "Jaune, why don't you clean that up in the bathroom? We'll keep your cousin company."

"Oh, uh, sure," Jaune said with a nod. He smiled to Virginia as he got up. "It's really great to see you again."

"L-Likewise," Virginia managed, staring intensely. Her eyes followed him into the bathroom... Only interrupted when Yang stood up and glared. A glare shared by pretty much everyone else at the table. Nora included, since she was done with her pancakes.

"Mind telling us what the hell is up?" Yang demanded. "You're cousins!"

"N-Not... Not that distant of cousins," Virginia mumbled awkwardly. Blake hummed.

"How distant?"

"BLAKE!" Ruby cried, scandalized. The cat Faunus shrugged.

"I'm just curious!"

"I'm sorry!" Virginia wailed. "I'm-I'm a thirty year old virgin! Nobody is interested! It's insane! It's like I've been cursed! And Jaune is literally the only man to have ever been... Been okay with being around me!"

She shrugged.

"Is... Is it really that bad to want to... Um... Give him an option for an older girlfriend?"

Silence ensued.

"YES!" Ruby cried. "YOU'RE FILTH! FILTH!"

"Now now," Blake said, "Let's hear her out."

"BLAKE!" Ruby cried.

"What?! It's only sort of incest-y! Not compared to some of the... More lurid works in my collection-"

"BLAAAAAKE!"

- - -

Yup. It's Virginia from Baalbuddy's comics. Seen here:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV6QjQM39lI&pp=ygUSYmFhbGJ1ZGR5IHZpcmdpbmlh

And here:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siF8-dWO1qQ&pp=ygUSYmFhbGJ1ZGR5IHZpcmdpbmlh

 

[mgl1206]

just like that one star wars RPG...oh man, Juane would be completly be a effective evil overlord in that type. Having to fight Juanes former character Big Bad is probably a fight for their lives, and required several campagins to effectively end his reign of terror (around 8-14 or so, because that Juane is TERRIFYINGLY good at what he does)

Click to shrink...

(I have ABSOLUTELY NO knowledge of DND. So I'm just going to write it as a fantasy AU)

Title: Fall From Grace

Ruby stares at the burning pyre, tears cutting deep through the veil of dirt and blood that covers her. Silence enveloped her and her friends, only disturbed by the crackling of the pyre.

They had failed to save the town, failed to save anyone. All the adults, families, and kids were butchered and murdered. They had been lured out of town and tricked, lured out so that it would be defenseless. Enough for the bandits to raid it and kill everyone all because the bandits had tricked them into leaving.

The somber silence was suddenly interrupted by the clinking of metal. Ruby looked up to see the Paladin, her oldest friend leaving. Surprised and unsure, she ran up to him. He had never left a funeral before it was finished.

"Jaune, what's going on?" She asked. Perhaps a bit rhetorically, she knew why. He'd always been the kindest of them all, always willing to sacrifice and help people. The Paladin stopped at his old friend's question but did not turn to meet her.

"I'm done with this Ruby. I'm done trying to save them." He whispered. His voice quiet and broken.

"Wha- what do you mean?" She asked, shocked and unbelievingly.

"I swore an oath, a Paladin's oath. An oath that I'd make the world a better place, that I'd save those in need, and that I'd give all a second chance. It was my oath, my creed, my purpose. But I cannot abide by that oath." His head seemed to fall slightly as his body tensed. Rage built up in the Paladin's figure.

"How can I try to save these monsters? How can I give them a second chance when all they have ever done is take and destroy? " He growled out. His fist clenched as he tried to keep his emotions restrained. Ruby took a step towards her friend as the rest of their group moved closer, but stopped a few steps behind them. She stood next to him, her left hand lightly covering his left fist and her right resting gently on his shoulder.

"It'll be okay Jaune, sometimes the world's a dark place. But that's why we're here right? To try and make it better!" She tried to cheer him, but Jaune did not turn.

" 'make it better'?" he whispered.

"Yup, people need us right? That's why we're adventurers, isn't it? Helping people in need, clearing out bandit groups that form, and keeping monsters at bay! Right?" Her hand tightened as she tried more to convince herself and her friend.

"No, that's not good enough." He responded, his words catching her off guard. "It's never good ENOUGH. NEVER." The yell caught his friends off guard, for the soft-hearted Paladin had never once yelled.

"Eight years of this Ruby. Eight years of not being fast ENOUGH, of not being good ENOUGH. 2,146 people Ruby. That's how many have died because we weren't GOOD ENOUGH. No matter how strong we are, no matter how good we are, it's never enough." He paused for a moment as he took a deep breath to reign in his emotions.

"And that's why I will do something about it. I'll end all this madness, all this slaughter. And I won't have you try to stop me."

"What?" Caught off by his words, she was unable to respond when the Paladin forced her to step back. And when she recovered, she looked up to see Jaune holding a large black metal helmet, trimmed with gold, and atop the wearer's forehead an inverted A, a maedate. Recognizing the object, Ruby sprung to her feet and rushed towards her friend to top him. But it was too late, the black helm glowed a brilliant white enveloping her friend's figure before vanishing, never once having turned to face her.

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AN:
He's gonna form a cult hell-bent on world domination so that ALL may find salvation under the rule of the first King of Arcadia. His first aspirant, servant, queen consort, is definitely gonna be Pyrrha because she thirsty lol

Also yes, i did ignore the other characters for the sake of making it short, but they are all there, all 6 of em.