[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

Radian, Gallia, Vale
Six years after Salem's Defeat
- - -

Emerald Arc stood over the crib in the softly lit nursery, one hand resting on the rail as she gazed down at their daughter. Baby Amethyst slept peacefully, tiny fists curled near her cheeks, rosebud mouth pursed in dreams. She was so precious, so sweet, so impossibly cute that sometimes Emerald's chest ached just looking at her.

And yet, tonight, the ache had twisted into something darker. A fleeting, horrifying impulse had flashed through her mind. A vision of her little girl going out the window into the dark night... By her own hand.

Tears slipped silently down Emerald's cheeks as she stared at the innocent little face, wondering where that came from.

A happy ending... I don't...

The front door opened and closed with a familiar quiet click. Jaune's voice drifted through the house, low and careful so as not to wake the baby. "Em, I'm back."

He hung his coat by the door and padded through the rooms until he found her. The sight of his wife crying softly over their daughter's crib made his heart clench, though it wasn't the first time he'd come home to this.

Without a word, he crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling the back of her mint-green hair. She stiffened for a moment, then melted into him.

"J-Jaune…" she whispered, voice thick.

He held her tighter. "What's wrong?"

Emerald bowed her head, shoulders shaking. "I… I'm sorry…"

A sob broke free. "I just… for a moment… when I looked at her…? I wanted to throw her out the window!" The confession tumbled out in a horrified rush. "I… I'm still a monster… even after everything…!"

Jaune's arms didn't loosen. He turned her gently until she faced him, cupping her tear-streaked cheek and guiding her eyes to his.

"A monster?" He gave a soft, fond huff. "You're no monster." His thumb stroked her skin tenderly. "A monster wouldn't have hesitated. A monster would not cry over what they thought. Monsters don't feel remorse, and they certainly don't regret." He rested his forehead against hers. "So no—you are Emerald Arc. My wife, my love, my greatest treasure, and the mother of our child. You found your way back from being lost. You redeemed yourself. You became a hero the world will always be grateful for."

A watery laugh escaped her through the tears. "You… you always have to sound so… so corny?"

Jaune's smile widened, warmth lighting his tired blue eyes. "I'm a knight, a doctor, and—according to reliable sources—the world's greatest thief. I think I'm allowed to be a little corny."

Emerald sniffed, indignation cutting through the sadness. "Hey! I'm the world's greatest thief, thank you very much."

He looked away with exaggerated thoughtfulness, then turned back with a Cheshire grin. "Eh, I don't know about that. I did manage to steal your heart, didn't I? Pretty sure that makes me the better thief."

"You… you dork," she muttered, but she was laughing now, soft and genuine.

Jaune simply held her closer, resting his head atop hers as they stood in the quiet nursery. Amethyst slept on, undisturbed.

After a long moment, Emerald murmured against his chest, "…I stole your heart first, idiot."

He chuckled. "You can't steal what was already yours, Em. No matter how many times you say otherwise."

She flushed, burying her face in his shirt. "You… ugh. Why do you frustrate me so much? I was sad and depressed and you just… interrupt me…"

"If I can't get my wife out of a funk, then I'm clearly not doing my job right," he teased gently.

Emerald leaned into him with a quiet sigh. "…Part of me still doesn't think I deserve any of this. A happy ending. I keep waiting for something to take it all away."

Jaune nodded slowly, gaze distant for a moment. "Waiting for the other shoe to drop. I get it."

She licked her lips, eyes drifting back to the crib. "When I look at her… I want to kill anything that tries to hurt her." A pause. "Is… is that normal?"

"Yeah," he said without hesitation. "I'd say so. Just thinking about someone trying makes me want to bury them so deep not even tree roots would remember them."

"Good," she whispered. "Good."

She reached into the crib and gently stroked Amethyst's soft cheek. The baby whined faintly, then settled again under her mother's touch.

"She's so beautiful," Emerald breathed.

Jaune's smile softened as he watched them both. "Gets it from her mother."

Emerald snorted, but leaned in to nuzzle his jaw. Then, quieter: "…Take me to bed."

She pressed a tender kiss to his cheek.

"Of course," he murmured, brushing his lips against her forehead before scooping her up in a bridal carry. She wrapped her arms around his neck without protest as he carried her down the hall to their bedroom.

The room was humble, but warm—filled with wedding gifts they hadn't had the heart to pack away, and walls covered in photographs: Amethyst's first days, the two of them exhausted and glowing in the hospital, family portraits with Jaune's sprawling clan and the friends who had become chosen family.

Jaune whistled appreciatively as he stepped inside. "You know, looking at all this again, I'm starting to worry we'll run out of wall space for the rest of the kids."

Emerald arched a brow, lightly scolding. "Hm? Rest of the kids? You're already planning on more?"

He flushed, glancing away. "W-well—I mean, given my family's track record, I wouldn't be surprised if we somehow beat my parents."

"And when exactly were you going to ask me?" she pressed, but the familiar sly smirk tugged at her lips.

Jaune's embarrassment melted into a sly grin of his own. "Yes, but you never know. These things do just… happen."

Emerald paused, expression softening. She took a slow breath. "Jaune… I grew up all alone. I don't want that for Amethyst."

His cheeks colored deeper, but his eyes were steady and warm. "Then we'd better make sure she never has to feel that way, shouldn't we?"

She smiled—small, hopeful, real. Then her gaze flicked down to her post-baby body in the simple T-shirt and jeans. "Though… um… I know I'm… chubbier than I was—"

Jaune cut her off gently. "I'm gonna stop you right there, Em. If you think a few extra curves are going to turn me away, you must be mistaking me for someone else." His hand slid to her thigh and gave a playful squeeze. "Newsflash—I'm very into that."

Emerald's breath hitched, a slow, heated smile spreading across her face as she pulled him down toward the bed.

- - -

Written with RedDragonEmpress's help.

 

[TheFabulousCustodes]

Thicc Emerald is good civilization....

 

[AndrewJTalon]

After the meal, May and Jaune walked out of the restaurant. The sun had set and the stars and moon were shining overhead as the sun slowly slipped behind the mountains. They held hands, walking together along the street. They wandered into a nearby park, May shivering a bit. Jaune, concerned, looked at her and made to remove his jacket. She shook her head and smiled warmly back at him.

"This… This was great," she murmured. "I-I'm really happy right now."

"So am I," Jaune admitted. He sighed softly, as May looked at him in concern.

"Are you all right, Jaune?"

"Just…" He shook his head. "Just tired, I guess. Like I can't be scared or nervous, so… I'm just tired. Not because of you!" He added quickly, holding up his hands. "Not you. Just…"

May slowly nodded, smiling gently.

"I know what you mean," she said softly. "This was fun though. I-I've never had fun like this before."

"Yeah," Jaune smiled warmly. "It's a good tired."

A mugger popped up, brandishing a knife.

"Hey! Hand over your money and nobody gets hurt!" He growled.

The two teens passed by him. The thief blinked.

"Huh?"

"And well, even with all this craziness," May chirped, "I'm glad of everything. Still… Ten children?!"

"HEY!" The thief shouted, running after them. He got in front of them again, "Give me your damn money!"

"My mom had eight," Jaune reminded her, absent mindedly handing the thief a few lien, "She's just fine."

"True," May hummed, "And she became a doctor too! That's really impressive!"

"She did cheat with her Semblance a bit," Jaune said.

The thief, outraged, ran up in front of the couple and waved his knife under their noses.

"HEY! Are you not getting this?! If you don't give me all of your money, I'm going to stab you!"

"Hm? Oh, do you need more money?" May asked, concerned. "You poor man! You're so dirty and thin! You must need some food!"

"I don't need food! I need to rob you both!" The thief snarled. He thrust his knife at Jaune's chest… And Jaune caught it in his bare hand. He tightened his fist, and the blade snapped in half. He let his hand open, the blade falling and clattering on the sidewalk.

The thief blinked. His mind slowly put the dots together, far, far too late.

Oh, they're Hunters in training… From Beac-

May's fist impacted the side of his head, and he stopped thinking entirely as he slammed into the grass, out cold. May scowled down at him.

"That's no reason to try to stab someone! In Vacuo you need to declare a duel first at least!" She sniffed. "So rude!"

"Uh, yeah," Jaune nodded. May flushed.

"Oh um… Did you want to knock him out? I'm sorry…"

"No! No, that's fine," Jaune said quickly. "Honestly, it's been a while since someone tried to mug me. Now that my Aura's unlocked, it's like, I don't even notice it."

Maybe that said something about his ability to register threats? Was he getting better or worse? Honestly though, someone without Aura trying to mug people in Vale was probably more of a danger to himself than anyone else.

"I know right?" May said with a smile. "Despite everything… That part of our lives is pretty amazing."

"It is," Jaune agreed with a nod. He squeezed her hand tightly. She beamed, blushing brightly. She leaned in, trembling a bit, trying to keep her eyes on his.

"May?" Jaune asked softly. May shook her head rapidly and pulled back.

"S-Sorry," she mumbles, "I'm… I'm trying to… I'm trying to…!"

"Hey, it's okay," Jaune said quietly. "I mean… I'm pretty freaked out too."

May looked up from under the brim of her hat.

"Am… Am I… Am I not attractive?" May asked gently. "I-I mean… When Winter kissed you and all, I… Um…"

Jaune shook his head. He leaned in, reaching up to cup her chin. May's face turned an even brighter red.

"No! No… May, I swear," he whispered, "You're absolutely gorgeous. I just… I'm afraid of starting this war up all over again."

May slowly nodded.

"I… I get that," she murmured. "It's all very complicated. But I… I don't think we have much of a choice. And…" She looked determined, and leaned in, "And I… I-I want everyone to win… But I want to really win…!"

"Win?" Jaune murmured… As May leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Her warmth flowed into him, and his arms went around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Winter's kiss was more experienced, strategic, almost machine like in its power and efficiency-Not in a bad way though! Just very aggressive, like a soldier staking her claim. May's was inexperienced, gentle, and shy, but sweet. Jaune held his hand up to cup her cheek, and she leaned in. The warmth was so comforting, and so electrifying...

Jaune's Scroll went off with a loud, fast paced tune from a Fuujin anime series he loved. He pulled back from the kiss and winced, as May jumped back and tried to hide in her hat again. He sighed, and pulled out his Scroll. His eyes widened a bit at the ID name, and he opened it up.

"Professor Goodwitch-I mean, um, Glynda? What is it?"

Glynda heaved a soft sigh.

"It's actually policy to contact the parents of students who severely misbehave," Glynda said. Jaune frowned.

"Oh? Uh, I guess that makes sense… So… Um… Who misbehaved? And how?"

"All of them, save for Mister Arc-Sarkara," Glynda said. Jaune's eyes widened in disbelief.

"And… What did they do?" Jaune asked slowly.

"Blew up Mount Glenn," Glynda stated, sounding exasperated. Jaune blinked several times.

"… Even Dorothy was in on it?"

"She helped cover for the others," Glynda stated flatly. "We're gathering everyone in the headmaster's office."

Jaune sighed.

"I'll be there soon," he said, looking regretfully at May. She was still blushing and shy, but she nodded.

"Thank you," Glynda said quietly. "See you soon."

The call ended. Jaune looked over at May and shrugged.

"Sorry."

"I suppose that's, um, how it is to be a parent," May admitted, her eyes lightly glowing. She shook her head. "August! You can come out now!"

August dropped down from a tree, sighing heavily. He stood up and held his hands up.

"Sorry Mom, Dad," he apologized, "But you know… I wanted to make sure everything went well."

"I get it," Jaune said, only slightly annoyed. "Still, did you know anything about Mount Glenn?"

"Not about Theodore's plan to blow it up!" August said quickly. May and Jaune stared at him intently. He coughed. "I probably shouldn't have said that. Or that Grandpa and Grandma are watching us too!"

Arjun and Saia emerged from behind a tree behind Jaune and May. Jaune flushed as May turned bright red.

"M-Mother! Father!" May squeaked.

"Now now, we're just keeping an eye on you," Arjun said kindly, holding up his hands with a small grin. Saia nodded.

"Just to keep you safe," she added.

"And you didn't interfere with the mugger because?" Jaune posed. Saia shrugged.

"Violence can help bring couples together. Worked for Isabel and Nick, after all!"

"And us," Arjun chuckled.

May blushed brightly.

"I… I guess I can't argue with that," she mumbled. Jaune sighed.

"Let's get back to Beacon."

"Quickly," August emphasized.

"And where's Penny?" Jaune asked, scanning around.

Arjun's eyes glowed as he swept around.

"Ah. She's distracted," he observed.

"By what?"

- - -

On the rooftop overlooking the park, Penny Polendinia was looking through coding by a certain Schnee heir. She sighed happily.

"So sublime, the way he writes his functions," she shook her head. "Maybe I could let him look at my basecode? At some point..."

"PENNY!" Jaune bellowed.

Penny yelped. She looked down at the park. She flew down, landing nearby Jaune with a smile.

"Salutations friends! Apologies: Did I miss anything?" She looked down at the unconscious mugger. "Who is that?"

"Never you mind," Arjun chuckled. "Let's get back to Beacon, shall we?"

Penny hummed thoughtfully, but nodded.

"If you say so!"

 

[Ardrianian]

Penny letting Whitley look at her Basecode? How forward of her... Next it will be subroutines, code vaults, interoperability testing (holding hands). She is WAYTOYOUNG to code merge and promote to production! Is continuous delivery/ continuous integration a thing in Remnant? Maybe not since Atlas failed to update their code base after Watts presumably died.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Evernight Castle, The Grimmlands



- - -



Arthur Watts generally considered himself quite focused, calm, and rational. That others with inferior intellects disagreed was of no matter: He knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it. He knew what was real and what was unreal. He was a scientist for God's sake, not some nattering philosopher!



So what if he had faked his death? Through his false death, his true life had begun. One free of ethical restraints or budgetary meetings! Free to pursue his art!



Yet even he had found a need for some like minded conversation to ease his nerves from time to time. And while Victor Merlot wasn't quite on his intellectual level (though he was polite enough not to rib him over it too much), he was certainly superior company to the other dregs in this shadowy enterprise.



And it seemed Merlot also valued the company of a fellow scientific genius. So they had come together for tea in one of the castle's many libraries, looking out upon the marvelous desolation of the Grimmlands. Fee Clochett, his lab assistant, fluttered about on her wings as she replaced books and filed things. She was a sweet girl, blonde with a pixie cut, dressed in greens and golds. Her insect-like wings caught the faint light from the windows, as she flitted about like a butterfly pollinating.



She flew down low and dropped some volumes into both their laps in a single pass. Merlot picked it up and glanced through it. He smiled through his gray whiskers.



"Ah, thank you dear! This will be most helpful," he said. The blonde Faunus beamed and bowed.



"Of course Doctor! Do you two need anything else?"



"Not at the moment Fee, thank you," Watts said, short but not unkind. She turned and flew out of the library, the double doors shut behind her. "Honestly, if I'd had her for my grad student I could have gotten a lot more done."



"Absolutely," Merlot chuckled, sipping his tea. "How did she come into Salem's service?"



Watts grinned.



"The usual: She was jealous of a girl her crush-Peter I think? Piers?-was enamored with. She murdered her, she was found out, she went on the run, and Salem picked her up. She was hoping to become an engineering support Huntress, but, well, there went those plans."



"Typical story, really," Merlot said with a nod, "She gathers the lost and the outcast to her."



"Who else would want to change the world? And be willing to push the boundaries necessary to do it?" Watts queried, putting more honey in his cup, "Honestly, she should have been the one chosen for the Vale mission, not Fall."



Merlot hummed, sipping his tea.



"You think so? Iridescent would have been my first choice. She's not as scientifically inclined but she was always very helpful to me when I was setting up. And she ripped the hearts out of my test subjects so neatly!"



Watts nodded, smirking a bit.



"She was quite good at that, yes. Never hesitated to dispatch a test subject, or get me supplies. Fee is far more organized but Iri's enthusiasm is endearing." He snorted. "Far better than that arrogant little brat Fall. Always going on and on about how she desires power, how she will be supreme."



Merlot snickered.



"And that dress? Acting like some femme fatale from an old movie!"



Both scientists laughed.



"One wonders why our Queen puts up with her," Watts sighed, pouring himself a fresh pot, "Or puts her on this vital mission. She only got half the Maiden powers after all."



"Mm," Merlot nodded, "Sloppy, sloppy. Typical of her, really. I'm still rather new at this... Taking over the world thing, but this Fall seems so overbearing. Trying too hard. Unhappy childhood?"



"One she blames for all her mistakes," Watts sniffed, "Naturally."



"Naturally," Merlot rolls his eyes, "I had a wonderful relationship with my parents until they died! Regrettable, that. I devoted my life to trying to make their lives better and they'll never know."



"Unusually altruistic for one in the service of a Dark Queen," Watts observed wryly. Merlot chuckled.



"Well, what has she promised you?"



"To allow me to explore and learn science, to unlock the mysteries of the universe in ways I was never permitted to before," Watts said eagerly, "An entire world, nay, a universe to explore and experiment with!"



"Well, what is the use of that knowledge if it can't be put to good use?" Merlot asked. "After all, what good is it to be the greatest scientist in history if there is no history? No one to remember or speak of your name in the same sentence as Sir Jacob Fig, Adelbert Spengler, or Edmund Falconer?"



"That last one is a bit suspect," Watts sniffed, "His work on Falconer Radiation is intriguing but we've never detected it. That and his work never became widely known until he got stuck in that wheelchair."



"But you see my point, yes?" Merlot pressed, "What good is being the greatest scientific genius in existence if there is no one to appreciate it? Or people to use your discoveries to feed more data back into future experiments?"



Watts paused. He tapped his chin.



"You may have a point there," he allowed. "That said, harnessing the Grimm for the good of mankind seems counterproductive to Our Queen's goals."



"Our Queen's goals are nebulous, perhaps," Merlot allowed himself, "But think of it! A true merging of man and Grimm, just like her! A society where Death is abolished! Where no one grows old, sick, or dies! Where the Grimm are our servants!" Merlot sighed happily, his eyes glowing with an almost childlike delight. "Wouldn't it be beautiful? A world where flesh is perfected by bound shadows? Magic is unraveled as a science and applied to all!"



Watts chuckled, leaning back in his chair.



"You don't think small, do you?"



"Of course not. Why else would I be here?" Merlot said. "I respect your work too, Watts, but flesh, machine and shadow all coming together! Imagine what we could accomplish? Enough to challenge the gods themselves!"



"If any are still around," Watts snorted. He nodded. "It is an intriguing enterprise. I do believe I see why our Queen selected you."



"And I you, Arthur," Merlot said with a respectful nod.



He made a face.



"Yet leaving the Vale operation in Fall's hands..."



"Pfft. Please," Watts snorted, "Ultimately her entire plan hinges on my work. She is just a puppet, a guinea pig who will push the button for the treat. The only real obstacles are her ego. As long as she follows what we've laid out for her, it will succeed."



"Hopefully," Merlot hummed. Watts raised an eyebrow.



"You have concerns?"



Merlot looked around, scanning the room with his artificial eye. He then leaned in closer to Watts, speaking softly.



"My old sources in Vale speak of some unusual things happening," he said, "At Beacon. The Chieftains of Menagerie, Willow Schnee, the King and Queen of Pandu, General Ironwood himself... And an incredible medical professional: Doctor Isabel Arc."



"Indeed?" Watts asked, raising an eyebrow. "I've heard of her skills in neonatal regeneration therapies."



"As have I! Even used some of her work in my studies!" Merlot laughed. "Met her at a seminar once. Brilliant woman! Eight children!"



"She used her own children as test subjects?" Watts guessed. Merlot nodded.



"Why else would she have so many? Her husband was bored to tears at the convention. Made up some excuse about having to jump out a window! What she sees in him, I'll never know." He shook his head. "Nevertheless, it seems unusual for all of those people to be gathered in the same place."



"True," Watts nodded, "But tactical decisions are not really my forte. Our Queen is no doubt aware. Fall will have to adapt. I've heard she's called in The Four Generals through Lionheart."



"Then she's taking this seriously," Merlot hummed. He frowned. "Why are they called the Four Generals, anyway? They've never worked together before."



"Lionheart's fascination with Mistralian mythology, I believe," Watts huffed, "He was always such a pansy-"



A Scryer Grimm dropped down from the ceiling, and projected an image of Salem herself. She scrutinized the two scientists with a queenly expression.



"Gentlemen, I have some work for you both," she said.



"Your Majesty," they both intoned respectfully. Merlot asked more first:



"What is thy bidding?"



Suck up, Watts thought dryly. Salem looked over at Watts.



"My dear Arthur... How long would it take you to create a new cybervirus to take down Atlas and the CCTnet?"



Watts nearly dropped his tea. He stared up at Salem in disbelief.



"At-At least a full year, Your Majesty. Why?"



"Tell me, gentlemen," Salem said seriously, "What do you know about time travel?"



Merlot and Watts exchanged looks. Both of confusion, then realization... Then grins.



"Less than I should," Watts admitted.



"But we're willing and eager to learn!" Merlot gushed.



Salem smirked.



"I thought you might..."

 

[zMADLAXz]

Bad Guys are really picking up the pace here, our Heroes really need to lock in. I keep imagining that the reason Moses landed here was because of Rusted Knight's interference, meaning that OG Series Jaune is looking out for everyone close to him.

BTW, I might be getting some details wrong but Jaune didn't Ascend like Ruby, Neo and the Paper pleasers, right? He just got the De-Aged treatment.

I think the spark point for this Timeline is that due to some reason, Original Jaune decided to Ascend in some way, so he can keep being Rusted Knight and perhaps even more, and through his unique status, he has now taken Ozpin's place as the "other Immortal" against Salem.