#It’s My Turn (Atlas/Academy/Military)

[ein-schnee-sturm]

@skidqrow continued from here

A bar was, without question, the very last place on Remnant Winter ever wanted to be; she would have even taken The Manor over this. But orders were orders, even though the very smell, the very thought of this place made her stomach turn and tail twitch stiffly in discomfort she otherwise hid. Habitually standing at Parade Rest, the position of her hands was the only thing keeping them from shaking, while her gaze was fixed just to the left of Qrow’s own.

“To address your concerns in order; firstly,” the feline Faunus began, tone flat and words curt, “your dossier indicates but does not detail the loss of two Teammates. Thus, I surmised you may be feeling something akin to guilt. Secondly, the General has ordered me to ensure that you do not drink yourself into a stupor until your business in Atlas is complete. Lastly, I do not imbibe alcohol, regardless if I am on or off duty; it would negatively impact my medications.”

A momentary pause.

“Does that suffice, or shall I elaborate further?”

[arc-misadventures]

A Solider, A Huntsman, And A Monster

They made a wide berth around me as I walked through the halls of, Atlas Academy. Many moved to the side to make way for my presence, others stopped in their walking to jump back in alarm as they saw my ghastly visage before them. I tended to create, although involuntarily, stirs around people who haven’t seen me.

Although, many offered me a kind, and polite nod of the head in acknowledgment as they saw me walk by. These were mostly the rank, and file soldiers you would find strewn about the academy. Be they enlisted, or officers, my actions in the defence of, Atlas, and Mantle had earned me their respect, and mine in turn.

But, peoples fear of me would have to wait, General Ironwood wanted to speak with me, and I for one wasn’t planning to keep him waiting, especially since his summons seemed rather urgent. A notion that filled my broken soul with unease.

When I reached the doors leading to, General Ironwood’s office I softly knocked on the door, and entered. Well, what what I thought was a soft knock made a sound more akin to a hammer pounding warped steel. I looked down at my right hand, inspecting the white bone plate upon it, as I entered the generals office.

Jaune: My apologies… I thought that was knocking softly… evidently not.

Ironwood: It is quite alright, Mr. Arc. Please do come in.

As I entered his office I saw several other individuals in the room. Specialist Winter Schnee, Specialist Ebi Clover, several of Atlas’s council members, including its latest addition, Robyn Hill. My gaze lingered upon her longer than others, but it was soon put to an ease as she walked over, and held out her hand.

Robyn: It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Arc. How are you feeling?

I took her hand in mine, and simply replied:

Jaune: I’m doing fine.

There was genuine concern within her voice. Robyn, and I had created an ammoniacal relationship between the two of us. I found her presence calming, and her smile comforting, but more importantly I could use her semblance to gauge my mind’s true feelings. And, based upon the red grow that emanated from our hands. Well, there was much lies to be told.

Robyn: You’re lying, Jaune.

Jaune: To myself, or you? That’s the real question…

Robyn gave me a sad smile as she pulled away, patting my arm as she turned to stand beside her colleagues.

I thought my night with, Willow would have lifted my mood. But, seemingly only on the surface it had been lifted. But, now wasn’t the time for mopping about, or swallowing myself up in rage. I was summoned here for a reason after all. What that was, was the question.

Jaune: So, you wanted to speak with me, General Ironwood? May I assume this is about my work schedule, and teaching documents that I will need? Or, perhaps some individuals have voiced their objections to me becoming a teacher at, Atlas Academy because of various… circumstances.

I cast a cautionary glance to my left, I gazed upon the gaggle of council members currently present. I couldn’t blame them if they objected to my appointment as a teacher, I was a for the better part, a Valian after all, and not an, Atlasian. Many would find pause in that alone. Taking into consideration me being a Grimm/human hybrid, well, I’m still surprised I’m not locked up in another lab getter poked, and proded, again.

James saw through my not so subtle pointed questions, and smiled softly at that, and he shook his head dismissively.

Ironwood: No, no nothing of the sort. This is about something else all entirely.

Jaune: And, that would be?

Ironwood: I, General James Ironwood would like to, on the behave of, Kingdom of Atlas, and Mantle, would like you to offer you a military commission.

The eyebrow over my left eye rose as I looked at him skeptically.

Jaune: You want to buy my services as a mercenary? But, I’m already a Huntsman working for, Atlas Academy. Aren’t I already a mercenary under a contract?

General Ironwood, and the Specialists all looked at me wide eyed for a moment before bursting our in a small fit of laughter. Even, councilwoman, Robyn Hill chuckled at my expense.

Ironwood: Hahaaa… No, Mr. Arc, what I’m saying is that I want to offer you a position as an officer in the, Atlas Military. The process of doing so is called, ‘a military commission.’

My head nodded in understanding at the terminology, but I was nonetheless confused.

Jaune: I understand, but why are you doing this? Don’t I need to serve in the, Atlas Military for a while to become an officer?

Ironwood: Normally yes, however, Hunter’s, such as the, Specialists have, Huntsman level of training, and are a part of the, Atlas Military. This exemption to the rules also applies to you as well, since you were gifted you, Huntsmen license from, Atlas Academy. And, as for why we’re offering you a commission, well there are several reasons.

I could see an almost nervous sense of unease fill the room. I looked towards, Winter, and caught her gazing at me, her eyes quickly darted away from me. I did the same to other members of the, Specialists, and they gave the same distant look, but, Robyn kept her eyes locked with mine unlike the rest. Interesting.

I tore my vision away from, Robyn to look back at, Ironwood, and ask the question he wanted me to ask.

Jaune: And, those reasons would do doubt have to do with, Salem’s attack upon, Mantle, and Atlas, no?

Ironwood: You are correct. We lost a lot of people that day… Mostly soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the defence of, Atlas, and Mantle people. And, while we lost many of the common rank, and file soldiers, we have lost far more officers than we can allow.

I looked at him with a mild sense of confusion, his words didn’t add up. I knew the body count of that day, I knew how many soldiers died, I knew who were the grunts, and who were the officers among that number. I knew how many civilians they saved that day was, and I knew how many they couldn’t save that day. I knew all too well, and I could never forget.

Jaune: Unless I am mistaken the total casualty numbers for the day people have dubbed, ‘The Siege of Atlas,’ was around three hundred, and thirty eight, Of that number, one hundred, and seven were civilians, leaving that count being that there were two hundred, and thirty one casualties sustained by military personnel. Now, not counting the casualties sustained by the, Atlasian Knights, which I believe is around, three hundred, and ninety two. That number of, two hundred, and thirty one only, forty one of them were officers. Now, if we are not counting the nine, Paladin pilots who also lost their lives among that count. Since I assume you are counting officers that were in positions of command, and any soldier who is, ‘Fitted for their suit,’ as the slang goes is gifted the rank of lieutenant upon graduation. So that would leave approximately, thirty two officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Now I mean to speak no ill of the dead, but is that not considered, ‘An acceptable casualty rating?’

My words may have been as simple as reading a causality report, but the shocked looks I received from those present was odd. It seems like they didn’t expect me to know the exact casualty rates we experienced that day, and based upon how, Ironwood was over looking a series of documents in front of him he couldn’t believe it either.

Ironwood: You are correct, those were indeed the casualty numbers we received that day. And, the number of three hundred, and thirty eight fatalities among the enlisted personnel, the officer core, and civilians is indeed, ‘an acceptable causalty rating.’

: An acceptable casualty rating?!

I looked of to one of the council members, a lady whose name was, Mrs. Alicia Ophilia. She seethed in a cold, and silent rage as she started us down at our seemingly disconcert regards towards the glorious dead.

Alicia: I for one do not consider over three hundred dead civilians, and military personnel as an acceptable casualty rating! How can you be so callous, and emotionless towards such a substantial lose of life?!

Myself, Ironwood, the Specialist, and even, Councillor Hill understood fully well the reason behind her rage. Which made the cold, grim logic behind, Winter’s following words all the more damning on an already weery soul.

Winter: If I may, Mrs. Ophilia. The term: ‘Acceptable casualty rating,’ is an euphemism used by the military, and huntsmen alike to address casualties, or destruction inflicted by an enemy force that is considered minor, or tolerable.

Alicia: Tolerable?

Robyn: Please put it into perspective, Alicia; we lost over three hundred people during the attack, and out of two cities whose total population nears ten thousand, which would you prefer; one thousand dead, or three hundred dead?

Mrs. Ophilia looked at the group of soldiers, and Huntsmen before her, and as she processed the words spoken to her, and gave a heavy sigh as she relented.

Alicia: I concede. You are right: Theee hundred dead is a more… acceptable number… than one thousand dead.

Jaune: While I agree with you, Mrs Ophilia, that one death is one too many, I was actually referring to the casualty rating among the officers, not the total amount of dead. Wouldn’t losing thirty two officers be acceptable, surely there is more than enough soldiers to fill in the holes they departure has created.

Ironwood: That is the case, and those officers positions have been refilled by newly promoted soldiers. I’m afraid to say we lost more than thirty two officers.

Jaune: What? How?!

Shock roared through my voice causing others to jump back from me, I could see, Harriet from the corner of my eye adopting a combative stance. Their shock was understandable, but they mistook my cry of alarm for one of rage. An understandable reaction at the end of the day; I sound like a monster as much as I now look like one.

Jaune: My apologizes. My voice betrays my mood. I am not angry, but shocked that we lost so many officers. But, how did this happen, did we have a sudden, Grimm attack, or something?

Ironwood: We didn’t lose any more officers to the, Grimm after that. We did lose an additional forty seven officers, most of whom were dishonourably discharged afterwards though.

Jaune: Dishonourably discharged?

The confusion laced within my voice was just as loudly heard as the silent rage that echoed from the, Generals.

Ironwood: Yes, you are aware of what a, ‘bought officer,’ is?

Jaune: A corrupt officer?

Ironwood: No… Well it wouldn’t surprise me a few if a few of those officers weren’t taking money on the side to look the other way. But, no, a ‘bought officer’ is a slang for officers who purchase their rank with lien, not years of dedication to, Atlas, and its people.

Jaune: You have such officers in your ranks? That doesn’t seem like something you would allow.

Ironwood: And, I wouldn’t have. But, a contract made by the founders over a hundred years ago said we had too, and it would have taken just under another hundred years ago for it to expire. Luckily, taking in the results recent attack in mind, I was given the ability to remove such a contract, and the filth it brought with it from our ranks.

Jaune: And, the individual reason these officers were removed?

Ironwood: General cowardice: abandoning their post, leaving their men behind, trying to steal military craft to flee, Atlas. Simple things such as that.

Jaune: Ahh, well that certainly explains things…

I could remember seeing individuals fleeing from the frontlines at the beginning of the battle, all wearing officer’s uniforms now that I think about it. I couldn’t pay too much mind to it though, there were too many pressing matters to attend to at the time.

Jaune: And, you want to offer me an officers commission to fill in one of these missing positions?

Ironwood: Yes. You would still be a teacher at the academy, you would just also have an officers rank, and be expected, if the need arise to, to lead troops upon the battlefield.

Jaune: Just like what I did during, Salem’s attack?

Ironwood: Correct.

He wanted me to be an officer. An officer in the, Atlas Military. It sounded like in the end I would just have a change of clothes, and some pretty bobbles on my uniform. But, I looked down to my right hand, and thought hard about his offer. The white bone plate that covered my hand, and the pale skin that rested below it. I wasn’t human anymore, would these soldiers follow my orders into battle? During the, Seige it was different; There were no officers, just soldiers fighting for their lives. I gave them orders, and commanded them to obey my commands, saving thousands in the process. But, that was in the midst of a battle, the largest, and most deadly battle, Atlas had ever experienced. Would these soldiers be willing to follow my orders, the orders of a monster during a time of relative peace?

Ironwood: They recommend you.

Jaune: Excuse me?

I was ripped from my musing at the, Generals words. I was recommended for this position; By who, and why?

Ironwood: Several of the soldiers you fought along side that day were also promoted, and made officers to fill in the ranks. Now we have competent, and skilled officers in our ranks. But, while these officers were being promoted, they often asked the same question: Is the, Hero of Mantle, Jaune Arc joining us?

Jaune: H-Hero of Mantle? Are people calling me that?

Robyn: Its the name the people have given you for your heroic acts for saving them that day.

Jaune: Hero…?

Robyn: Jaune…

I looked up to see that, Robyn was holding my left hand in a comforting grip as she softly smiled at me.

Robyn: Regardless of what you think, people don’t see you as a monster.

Jaune: They don’t?

Robyn: No. People see as a victim of the horrendous acts of a true monster. They see you as a man who risked his life to save them. You are a hero to them, Jaune. You are not the monster you believe yourself to be. You are, Jaune Arc, the Saviour of Mantle.

I couldn’t help, but snort at her words.

Jaune: ‘The Saviour of Mantle.’ Sounds a little much now doesn’t it?

Robyn: Well, it’s shows you how the people truly see you as.

Jaune: But, I’m just a huntsman doing my duty. There’s nothing more to it than that. I

Robyn: But, don’t you like being called a hero?

Jaune: No, not really.

Robyn: You sure about that?

I looked at her skeptically before staring down at my hand enveloped in a red glow. I looked back to, Robyn’s cheeky smile as I swatted her hands away.

Jaune: Stop doing that!

Robyn: Not going to happen.

Jaune: Damn…

Ironwood: So, Mr. Arc, what do you say?

I turned away from, Robyn to address, General Ironwood. I straightened my back, and stood tall before everyone with my hands held firmly behind my back.

Jaune: If, if I accept this offer I would like to make one request.

He quirked, and eyebrow at me, as he straightened his back in turn to address me.

Ironwood: And, that would be?

Jaune: A custom uniform that would fit me properly, and new armour as well. My bodies… alterations have made my armour rather cumbersome to wear.

Ironwood smiled as he took in my simple request.

Ironwood: I think we can do that. Anything else?

Jaune: No that is all. In any case, I humbly accept my commission to… uhh… what rank will I be receiving… Sir?

Ironwood: You can save the ‘sirs’ until after your commission. As for your rank; taking into consideration the deeds you’ve accomplished in the service of, Atlas, and Mantle. We have agreed on giving you the rank of, Colonel.

Jaune: Does this mean I will outrank the, Specialists?

Ironwood: As a matter in fact, you will indeed outrank the, Specialists.

Jaune: Oh good… Now, Marrow can be the one getting me coffee instead… Heheheee…

Everyone seemingly flinched as I chuckled to myself. If, Marrow’s face was saying if he had a pair of ears instead of a tail, they would have dropped in fear.

Jaune: …

Jaune: That did not sound like I was making a teasing remark in the slightest did it?

The resounding choir of nos soon swiftly answered my question.

Jaune: Great, not only did he turn me into a monster, but he took away my ability to make a joke… Godsdamn bastard…

Everyone seemed to find something else to look at, all seemingly not wanting to comment on my feelings towards that particular monster. Like there was anything else to comment on it anyway.

Ironwood: Ahem. The award ceremony where you will be granted your new rank will take place in a week from today. I recommend you get fitted soon, so they can make your new uniform soon.

Jaune: I understand, will that be all?

Ironwood: That’s everything. I look forward to working with, Mr. Arc.

Jaune: Likewise, General.

We grasped one another’s hands in a firm handshake, before others came along, and also gave me congratulatory hand shakes as well. The Specialists were open, and receptive to my commission, while Marrow did look nervous as I teasingly smiled at him. Though I doubt it was very teasing, a smile filled with fangs no doubt always looked threatening.

The council members gave me celebratory handshakes as well, they were pleased with my appointment to become a colonel. No doubt for some political bullshit they were planning to use me in.

But, then there was, Robyn.

Robyn: So, Jaune, how does it feel to become an officer in the, Atlas Military?

Jaune: Ask me again when I’ve dawn on the uniform.

Robyn: I’ll have to remember to do that. I’m glad you accepted the offer, the other two council members are actually opposed to your appointment. You no doubt understand why.

I looked towards the other councillors as they addressed, General Ironwood. No doubt talking about future plans, and meetings they must attend to. However, as I looked upon the three of them a thought crossed my mind.

Jaune: Wait… Two votes for, and two votes against? You were the deciding vote.

Robyn: I was, and I voted: For.

Jaune: Why? You don’t trust, General Ironwood, and the military, why would you agree to have me instated in the military?

Robyn: Because I trust you, Jaune. I trust that with your calm head, you will be able to keep the others in check. That with your help we can lead, Mantle into a brighter future for the good of everyone.

Jaune: A brighter future lead by a, Grimm/human hybrid? I find that hard to believe. No, Robyn you are the Bannerman, the one leading others to a brighter tomorrow with hope as your forge a better future. I however, will be the sword that protects that future. I am more suited for that role. Soldiers can easily follow a monster into a war, but not in peace.

Robyn: Jaune, just because you look like a monster doesn’t mean you are a monster.

My head fell as I shook my head. Blind optimism fuelled by hope, I never thought I would miss someone talking like that. At least, Robyn has a realistic head on her shoulders. But, still blind optimism will never help me.

Jaune: We’re all monsters, Robyn. We may not look like ones since we’ve all been well groomed, are well dressed, and given etiquette lessons. Some monsters wear the skin of monsters, others wear the skin of humans. But, it doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day we’re all just monsters, now we’re just well dressed monsters.

Robyn: Well dressed monsters…

Robyn looked away from me as she pondered my words before she shook it away before looking back at me with this mad glint in her eyes.

Robyn: Jaune, are you busy this afternoon?

Jaune: I was going to grab my teaching manifest, and study what I need to be teaching the students. Why do you ask?

Robyn: Class doesn’t start for two weeks, you can put that off until tomorrow. Come with me, there’s a victory celebration being held in, Mantle.

Jaune: A victory celebration? But, the Siege was over a month ago, why are you having one now?

Robyn: The Siege turned everyone’s lives upside down, people needed time to rebuild, to morn those they lost. The people of, Mantle need to let loose, and relax. To let the burdens of, The Siege fade away, so we can all move on from it. So, we’re going to have a massive party to do so. So, would you like to come?

Her logic made sound sense, but I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea, I would probably cause a small panic, being a monster, and all. But, the people of, Mantle do call me, ‘The Hero of Mantle,’ so maybe they might actually enjoy me being there. But, I had to ask something very important before I offer her any answer.

Jaune: Will I have to give a speech?

Robyn: No I don’t think you would will have to.

Jaune: I’ll hold you to that.

Robyn: So you’ll come?

Jaune: I will, but don’t expect me to dance.

Robyn: We’ll see about that. Come on, Jaune we have a party to go to.

I hope this will be fun event. a chance to unwind, and relax, just as, Robyn said. But, honestly I just hope this wouldn’t be an event that I would come to regret.

I can at least hope for that right.

Right?

[lipeg]

Theodore: She can't stay in this academy

Jaune: Who?

Theodore: She

Theodore pointed to Neo

Jaune: Ask you

Everything in the room fell silent. Yang was the only one who started laughing.

Theodore: I must remind you that you are talking to the Headmaster of this academy

Jaune: So what do you have to say about her, dear Headmaster?

Jaune pointed to Raven.

( The epilogue of v9 was "released" but the episode wasn't even finished, it was still in the storyboarding process, I don't consider it an epilogue, it's just something to draw attention to itself )

Jaune: And her

Jaune pointed to Esmeralda.

Jaune: Let's not forget them

Jaune pointed out to the RWBY team that, in the eyes of the people of Atlas, they were responsible for the destruction of the kingdom.

Jaune: You know, you're a bit of a hypocrite, 7 criminals in your school and you still complain about my wife. And who came up with the idea of calling her

Jaune pointed at Raven without looking directly at her.

Oscar/Ozpin: I

Jaune: Why am I not surprised, your incompetence has no Ozma

Weiss: Jaune!

Jaune: Me lying? His incompetence knows no bounds, he was in charge of Beacon and Beacon fell, he had important information when we were in Atlas but he didn't open his damn mouth!

Jaune: We've lost the relic of creation, the relic of knowledge is useless, Vacuo has become the favorite destination for Grimms and we have 1 maiden who wants to kill us and 2 missing maidens

Jaune: So I ask if anyone, ANYONE! had a plan, so said

Jaune looked at everyone, he looked at team RWBY, Qrow, Winter, Marrow Amin leader of Ace Operatives, Coco leader of CFYV and other leaders of elite hunting teams.

Vanitas Lunarblue.

Vanitas: So, boy, what are your plans?

Jaune: Wow, let's use the relic of destruction

This surprised everyone, and those who had just learned about the relics were shocked.

Vanitas: Let's see who will use the sword that can destroy the world

Jaune: Ren

Ren himself was shocked.

Ren: Why me

Jaune: You told me yourself that you've improved your Semblance, you told me yourself that you can suppress your emotions for hours now

Jaune: If you don't depend on your emotions then only reason will remain, and besides, I trust you. I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't let innocent people suffer

Ren was happy with his former leader's words.

Neo with his Semblance made a pile of papers appear on the table.

Jaune: I had some extra time and did a little study and now the Army of Atlas will serve as a line of defense and transport, they will enter combat unless it is strangely necessary, the focus will now be on protecting and better Vacuo

Jaune: About Nightmares Grimms. With only the VATC (Vatican) team, they are the only ones who can face these monsters and leaving only one is too risky, the CYFV team will help them in the battles

Jaune: Other teams like SSSN and others, I first need to know which areas they are good at.

Jaune turned his gaze to the RWBY team.

Jaune: Ruby, you'll be away from the battlefields and will work in weapons maintenance, your weapons creation and repair will be put to good use. Yang and Weiss both go to work as aides to the Atlas military. Blake, you and your Faunus features are going as vigilantes.

Blake: This is racism

Jaune: Blame God for creating the black night sky. Salem is going after the relics. We need to get in touch with Headmistress Glynda as soon as possible

[oceandirtcountry]

I think there’s some lore for my crossover AU I need to get out because it’s getting confusing even for myself:

The Ninja (Randy Cunningham, 9th Grade Ninja): The First Ninja, aka Finja, was a well respected warrior who hailed from Norrisville, a small town on the outskirts of Vale. Finja single-handedly held off hordes off Grimm on his own, and bested the Sorcerer, who was turning people into Grimm (by stanking them, since Grimm are attracted to negative emotions, so with enough negative emotions and a push from the gas, you can become a Grimm too! This’ll be important later.)

He kept Vale safe for years, especially during Ozpin’s lack of showing due to his depression. Eventually, after Ozpin gave his power to the Maidens, Ozpin also imparted some of his Semblance onto Finja, allowing him to pass on his learnings and his abilities to the next generation until a Ninja became powerful enough to stop Salem.

He fought alongside Ozpin in the Great War and was the catalyst for victory, and ended up dying of old age.

Randy Cunningham is the most recent to iteration of the Ninja, and Ozpin has found that the combined abilities of the Ninjas who came before him could very well be enough to stop Salem, but he needs a push. With the Sorcerer’s return and new threats, Randy needs all the help he can get.

The Omnitrix, Ascalon, and Map of Infinity (Ben 10):

Azmuth created the Ascalon as a show of his genius. However, after misuse, he brought great destruction to his galaxy, and looked to use it for good. He brought it to the backwater planet known as Earth during the Great War, and it was the reason why Ozpin was able to slay the Dagon and stop Salem from winning.

However, unhappy that it simply brought peace to one planet and would not bring his lover back, he left the Ascalon on earth for Ozpin to guard. The Ascalon then became The Relic of Destruction.

He then went on to create the Omnitrix, with the same backstory as the original series, with it being meant for Grandpa Max. It was found by ten year old Ben Tennyson, who was at first hesitant to touch it, but used it as a last resort when he was cornered by Grimm in a forest, starting a forest fire with Heatblast.

The map of infinity was hidden by Professor Paradox in an attempt to keep the forge of creation away from anyone who wished to abuse its power. The map can only be found once a question is asked to the Relic of Knowledge, an all-knowing genie who can answer any three questions once every hundred years.

Ben, Yang, Kevin and Gwen eventually race against Aggregor to find the map pieces, and team up shortly with Weiss and Randy to obtain the relic before going their separate ways once again, and meeting up much later with everyone in the big showdown.

The Nanite event (Generator Rex): As if Vacuo didn’t have it bad enough, the nanite experimentation facility was on a remote island near Vacuo. When attempting to cure a sick Rex Salazar, his parents accidentally unleashed a devastating nanite explosion. However, the nanites were contained by Atlas troops with powerful magnets and force fields, sealing the island off and labelling it “The Bug Jar.”

A young Rex eventually bursts out of the jar and wreaks havoc on Vacuo with his awakened Evo form, even turning many Grimm into hyper charged EVOs. He’s then found by Six and brought into the Providence wing of the Atlas military, specialised to deal with Earthly threats too dangerous for the normal military, to be trained with his abilities to cure EVOs, in a building on the very edge of the Bug Jar.

Rex hates his life there, and he enrols into beacon academy to become a Huntsman.

Summer Rose, the greatest Huntress that ever lived (RWBY): In an attempt to stop Salem, Summer storms Salem’s castle with a little help from Raven and a time-hopping Ben Tennyson, who’s trying to track down Maltruant in the Time War.

The trio are on the cusp of succeeding, but Salem reveals her secret weapon: an alliance with the Sorcerer.

Ben goes Clockwork as Maltruant tackles him into the time stream once again, leaving Summer to fend for herself, which is a huge mistake. She ends up losing quite horribly to the combined forces, and is kept alive for experiments on how to turn humans into Grimm.

Summer eventually becomes The Hound, a hyper-intelligent Grimm capable of tearing apart armies. With the abilities of Ghostfreak and Pesky Dust, plus Ruby’s silver eyes, Ben and Ruby manage to pull Summer out of the Hound and give Ruby her mom back.

Oh wait Invincible

I think I’ll just call it the CookieCross AU, since the fic I made is called cookies.

[novankenn]

Four of a Kind... WHY stop there?

/== Master Post List ==/

Fiona Thyme was not having a good time. Robyn had asked for a volunteer to go to Vale to keep tabs on Ironwood and Atlas' military... which should be protecting Mantel and not some "academy pissing contest", as Robyn put it. Fiona stepped forward, and now she was wishing she hadn't.

The job was simple enough... it was just the crowds. They were just causing her so much stress. Yet here she was on a guided tour of Beacon. She had to admit, Beacon was a nice looking school. Much less utilitarian that Atlas. She had just about gotten over her nerves when she froze, there were two people standing very close to her. As she stood there she watched the tour group move further and further away.

????: You're adorable!

Fiona: Ex... excuse me?

????: Yes she is. Sister Weiss, do you think Sister Pyrrha would mind?

Fiona stepped away and turned to face whomever had gotten so close to her. She froze when she saw a pair of young woman, both in blue dresses, trimmed with golden thread. She easily recognized Weiss Schnee, but not her companion.

Fiona: Ex... excuse me? Who are you and what are you doing?

Weiss: My apologies. This is my Sister Ruby.

Ruby: Hello.

Fiona: Hello?

Weiss: What are you thoughts on... children?

Fiona: Ah... what?

Ruby: She and Jaune would make rather precious little ones, don't you think?

Weiss: I agree.

Fiona: What are you two...

As one Ruby and Weiss, moved in. Hooking their arms through Fiona's they started to walk, causing Fiona to stumble and fall in step with them.

Fiona: HEY!!! Let me go! What are you doing?

Ruby/ Weiss: You have been chosen. Come sister-to-be, join us in making a better world.

Fiona: HELP!

Fiona tried to struggle, but the pair of young woman holding her were much stronger than one would have thought just from looking at them. But what was worse was how even though she was screaming for help... EVERYONE just vanished... like literally took off running in the opposite direction.

Weiss: Sister Pyrrha!

Ruby: We have found an initiate!

Fiona's face paled as she saw someone anyone would recognize... Pyrrha Nikos, also wearing the same dress as Ruby and Weiss... but what was really troubling was the struggling form of a red haired cat faunus draped over Pyrrha's shoulder like a bag of potatoes.

Pyrrha: How wonderful! I have discovered one as well!

Ruby/ Weiss: The King Mother will be over joyed! Blessed be the grand-babies!

Pyrrha: Blessed be the grand-babies.

????: LET ME GO YOU PYSCHO!!! I"M NOT BECOMING SOME FEISTISH BREEDING BITCH FOR YOUR SICK GAMES!!!

Weiss: Sister Pyrrha, that language.

Pyrrha: Neon. Enough.

Neon: STUFF IT BI... *Smack!* ... EEP! You just slapped my ASS!

Pyrrha: Shall I spank you again?

Neon: No...

Pyrrha: Thank you. Now who is you initiate?

Fiona: Fi... Fiona Thyme.

Pyrrha / Weiss / Ruby: SO PRECIOUS!!!

Fiona blushed at the praise, and then grew scared again as the group was once again moving. But they approached a very ominous looking door, fear spiked in side her, and Neon. It jumped even further when the door opened and Professor Goodwitch, also wearing a blue dress trimmed with golden thread stepped out.

Neon/ Fiona : HELP US!!!!

Glynda: Sisters, welcome back. The King mother wishes for a conference after the evening meal.

Neon/ Fiona: Please! Please!

The door snapped shut with an ominous thud when all six figures stepped inside the room. Across the hall a pair of heads peeked out into the hall.

Yang: This is starting to get out of hand. We should do something... or warn someone...

Blake: Yang, honey... do you really want to go head to head with a group that has Pyrrha, Professor Goodwitch, Weiss, your sister Ruby, May Zednog, Arslan Atlan, Neo, and Jaune?

Yang: Not really... but we can't just not do something!

Blake: I'll tell you what we will do, my little Sundragon.

Yang: (Blushing) ...

Blake: We are going to keep you as far away from those nut-cases as possible. I am NOT loosing my blond.

Yang: Huh?

Blake: Yang, I love you... and we're moving to Menagerie. We'll live with my parents until we can get our own place.

Yang:.. you love me?

Blake: Yes, now call your dad, tell him your moving in with your girl-friend, I'll start packing.

Blake gives Yang a quick peck on the lips, and then flutters her eye lashes at her.

Yang: Okay.

/====/ A/N : Well I have been give more suggestions... so I'll see what I can do to keep this insanity going.

Thanks to @freshmiraclecheesecake for suggestion Neon Katt, and thanks to @allday2006 for the suggestion of Fiona Thyme. Also Thank you to @segmentaldragon for the list of "potential initiates"... let's see if I can get a few more of these out?

[howlingday]

As Ironwood is leaving after giving the order to arrest team RWBY the door opens to reveal a VERY angry Vulkan who overheard everything, the Primarch of the Sakamanders decides to declare the general unfit for duty and take command of the entire atlas military.

General James Ironwood, headmaster of Atlas Academy and general of the Atlas military, glanced over his shoulder to the rebellious team he had taken into his care. The four girls had shown great promise since their arrival, and even now, he felt his near-instant graduation to licensed huntresses was no mistake. However, they had betrayed his trust, and the trust of the people of Atlas by allying themselves with the rogue element known as the Happy Huntresses.

"We won't let you take us!" Ruby Rose said as he passed his Ace Operatives, the elite of his elite specialists.

"I know." The door opened and he stepped through, ready to lock it behind him and fully enact his martial law. It was a difficult choice, but one that had to be-

"And just where do you think you're going?"

All the blood drained in the general's face as he was suddenly stopped by a wall of green ceramite as a voice as angry as a volcano spoke down to him. Looking up, he shivered at the sight of red eyes peering down with righteous fury into his very being. What else would one feel when on the receiving end of a primarch's ire?

"General Ironwood, I have heard many tales about your steadfast adherence to order," pushing Ironwood back into his office, everyone in the room gave the two a wide berth as the massive man began shouting at the formerly tallest one, "and I will admit, I feel a sense of nostalgia. You remind me of my brother, Dorn. But even he would see the folly in your decision to enact martial law!"

"Y... You don't understand, sir!" General Ironwood shouted back, surprising everyone that the mountain of a man not only outsized the general, but also outranked him! "Our kingdom is under siege of a terror most ancient and foul! A monster who intends to destroy all of Remnant!"

"A monster I have seen many a time, General." The primarch huffed. "But not once was imprisoning your people ever the answer to any of these crises."

"The enemy is in our homes, sir!" General Ironwood shouted still. "They have killed our people, have taken hold of our relics, and these girls have betrayed us all!"

His eyes passed over the girls standing ready with their weapons. The largest of them held her fists up to defend herself, likely in a fisticuffs manner that would likely be similar to his brothers Russ or Johnston. The one next to her held a crouched stance, as if ready to strike with agility, not dissimilar to his brothers Corax or even the vile Curze. On the far end of the group was a girl who held an elegant pose that he couldn't help but compare to his insidious brother Fulgrim. Last, but leading the group was the smallest of the four, but held the largest weapon that reminded him of his brother Mortarion, but her eyes seemed kinder, even with anger and fear pouring from them. He couldn't really compare them to any of his brothers, but instead of the children of Nocturne. It brough a smile to his face, however brief it may have been held.

"Is this true?" He asked. "Have you betrayed us?"

"No." The small leader replied with a steady heart. "We didn't."

The giant was quiet for a moment, then turned to the general. "Remove your martial law."

"But sir, if Salem-"

"Remove your martial law." His voice was more firm, and his eyes more focused. With a shaking hand, Ironwood removed the martial law from his scroll. The small leader took hold of her scroll and began conversing with someone on the other end. This must have been their rudimentary vox system. "Now, general..."

General Ironwood gulped.

"Let us discuss this problem proper." He then smiled. "I'm sure my sons would love to provide you aid."

[nightmare-foundation]

Yknow, it's really interesting to me how Ozpin hasn't actually been responsible for most things in rwby

Like, I'm gonna list a few things

Oz, obviously, didn't make any of the kingdoms (I've seen some people try to say it's possible he has, but I doubt it).

The Academies also aren't unique. Combat schools existed, at least in Mantle, prior to their creation. If I'm right (please tell me if I'm wrong), a combat school was turned into Atlas Academy, an old one specifically. So it's not a unique idea that Oz got from nowhere.

The CCTS also wasn't Oz's idea. It's explicitly stated it was Atlas's gift to the world, so it's pretty unlikely Oz even had a hand in making them.

The Circle also wasn't made by Oz. The other people who tagged along made it, with Oz as the figurehead. He likely wasn't even the leader because he was gone so often. He didn't even want the Circle to be a thing initially, but he saw how much good they were doing (protecting people, teaching people how to fight) and just let it happen.

The 4 man team ALSO wasn't Oz's idea. It's stated the King of Vale, aka Oz, got it from a fairytale (the hunters children I believe it's called??). Said fairytale was something he very likely was Not a part of, so this is true too.

The only thing he's really done is raising Atlas and abolishing the monarchies and militaries. Which, btw, the last thing was Objectively good (raising Atlas was a mistake and Oz 100% knows this).

Maybe another thing is that he made Beacon and Vale more friendly towards faunus, but honestly that's not entirely successful bc systemic racism is hard to get rid of, especially in one lifetime.

Really, from what I see is that Oz believes that humanity doesn't need anyone to guide them. Maybe something or someone to look forward to (symbols of hope are always nice to have but also have their own flaws), but otherwise? He's never tried 'guiding' humanity.

Which I think is REALLY interesting, bc between Oz and Salem, it was SALEM who seems to think that humanity is lost without Gods. She suggested that humanity needed guidance, and initially Oz went with it, but now he clearly disagrees with the idea that humanity needs to be 'guided'. And Salem doesn't seem to have changed her opinions, either. I think she wants to overthrow the gods and become humanities new Goddess, possibly the only God on Remnant.

But I digress, I think it says a lot about the both of their characters. And it's ironic, too. Salem, the woman who rebelled against the Gods, thinks humanity needs Gods to guide them because otherwise they're divided and lost. And Oz, the one who accepted Lights task (albeit being manipulated into it), thinks humanity doesn't need Gods to guide them because they're powerful all on their own.

It's even more interesting because, funnily enough, Salems idea that humanity is lost without Gods feels like a very Light thing to believe, but Oz thinking humanity doesn't need guidance is a very Darkness thing to think. It's utterly fascinating and deeply ironic.

These two bounce around my head All the damn time

[alkaria]

Easily one of my favourite things about RWBY of late is how they’ve managed to retroactively apply The Girl Who Fell Through The World to so many members of the cast.

“A young girl flees the consequences of a choice, to a magical place. But, having never learned from her initial failure, she only succeeds in spreading it.”

Blake Belladonna flees the White Fang to Beacon Academy, but Adam follows her. Later, she flees Beacon to Menagerie, but the White Fang finds her again in return.

Raven Branwen flees the war against Salem to Anima, but both sides find her anyway.

Cinder flees the Glass Slipper, but she never finds the thing that makes her happy, that makes her safe, and death and destruction continue to follow her wherever she goes.

Neo flees the grief of Roman’s loss, but in doing so, she only brings grief to others, first to Blake, then Ruby.

Alyx flees the consequences of her actions at every turn, until, at the Tree, they overwhelm her. Would the cat have always betrayed her? Did Lewis’ writing the story in turn set team RWBY down the path that they followed, only spreading her chaos despite Alyx’s desire to fix what she broke?

Ruby flees her father’s grief and her sister’s loss to Anima, but they stalk her there. She flees the Atlas military’s iron grip, Neo’s revenge, the deaths of her comrades, but, like morning follows night, so too do Ruby’s burdens spread even as she tries to leave them behind.

And there, looming over it all, Summer flees the consequences of a choice- the same as Ruby’s? It does not matter what the options are, you are in this world and you must make a choice, everything that has been hammered into the narrative and into our heroes’ faces since Volume 7 has been choice, choice, choice.

Choose Mantle or Atlas to send resources to. Choose saving Atlas or saving the world. Choose who lives and who dies. Choose who gets the Maiden’s power. Choose who gets trusted with the relics. Choose who to follow. Choose who to believe. Refusing to choose is not applicable here - if you are not with us you are against us. You cannot flee this choice, even to another world - these choices will follow you and drag you, kicking and screaming, back to that choice.

It’s curious that the relics we have seen thus far have been knowledge and creation, yet their overall impact has been muted. The tone for the Anima arc was knowledge - who controls it, who has it, who does not have it. There was power in Raven being the only one who knew the Spring maiden’s location, just as there is power in Oz being the only one who knows the Beacon relic’s location.

And, like Summer Rose, it is the Beacon relic, the relic of choice, that has loomed over the narrative for the past three volumes. It is not just subtext, it is the screaming Chekhov’s gun, notable for its absence rather than its presence in the story until a pivotal moment.

To me it seems as though the Relic of Choice is the most powerful relic of all. If it isn’t - why build it up so much more than the others? And why make its maiden a central part of the narrative, one whose choices more than anyone have shaped the direction of travel since even before Volume 1?

As a witch once said to a crystal ball - “What are you planning?”

[evenmorefatallyobsessed]

So Good news that sounds like bad news at first.

I'm splitting up Ciel and Flynt because Arrowfall has shown me a Waifu for him that I just love to death. Also ironically I she's the only girl introduced in the game who I like design wise.

Introducing 'Olive Harper' a member of the Atlas Military. Her big thing is she was a mole trying to betray Ironwood. But her reason was that she was under the impression that doing so could help diminish the inequality between Mantle and Atlas citizens.

Olive is a good person at heart even if she was easily manitpulated Once she realized what she was doing was wrong she turned herself in in the game. Which is a crap ton more then can be said for most bad guys in RWBY.

Her story in my series and relationship with Flynt is...

She was a older girl who grew up meeting Flynt whenever his dad made deliveries to Atlas (Claiming their Dust was finer) they grew close despite the age gap.

When his dad was screwed by the SDC Flynt turned rebellious only to be snapped out of it by Harper. He followed her example and joined Atlas academy. Olive wants more equality for Mantle due to what happened to Flynt. She hated seeing the Atlas elite abuse their power and oppress the people of Mantle like they did Flynt's dad

So yeah Olive is with Flynt in my canon now, the pieces just line up too perfectly with me. As for Ciel, well... @templeofdepravitymk2 and a few other fanfics have me coming around to her and Jaune... So maybe I'll try that.

[rubyneo]

RubyNeo accademy au?

waves oh so sweetly.... so basically my ruby/neo lady beat's AU (as much as i dont particularly care about rh) has the events of roman holiday happen during the time that WOULD be volume 1.

for timeline reasons: lady beat's starts in march/beacon starts in april. at the end of march trivia is taken to lady beat's by her mother and around the same time (roughly a week later) ruby is fighting torchwick in the street. (neo is 17, ruby is 15)

when glynda rescues ruby and ozpin comes to talk to her, noting her silver eyes, resemblance to summer, and connection to qrow (and therefore taiyang) he decides it would be far too dangerous to enroll her at beacon so early but it's also too dangerous to just leave her at signal (around 5 ish years prior is when that one student tragically loses her life at signal academy.) oz is worried that roman is working for salem and so he fears that salem will start looking for ruby within the huntsmen combat/upper academies. he and taiyang agree it will be safest to hide her in plain sight amongst the troubled girls of the upper class attending the preparatory school.

so two months into the semester, ruby is enrolled in the academy. trivia is intrigued by her but is certain that the other girls will make sure ruby avoids and hates her so she ignores ruby's initial attempts at friendship.

trivia finds ruby reading by herself one day and recognizes the book (the girl who fell through the world) and tentatively starts a conversation about it. ruby doesn't mind that trivia has to type out her questions and trivia likes that ruby doesn't ask why she doesnt talk. then ruby stops reading the book right before the final chapter where alyx makes it home and trivia asks her why? and ruby explains her mom was a huntress and when she was little promised to finish the story when she got home, but she never came home. so ruby can never finish the story.

the girls quickly become pretty close after that, and when the malachites destroy trivia's uniform, ruby helps her fix it.

trivia is a little protective over ruby because ruby is softer around the edges and so nice and she doesn't want to see the other girls hurt her because ruby can't tell when they're being cruel sometimes.

the spiders and roman are both working for salem in this AU btw. so when trivia and ruby sneak out to follow the malachites they find them meeting with roman and cinder and ruby tells trivia "those two...the man and woman...i fought them a few months ago..."

ruby and trivia spend the next few months trying to figure out this tangled web they've found themselves in until it all comes to a head during the volume 2 finale. they've been thorns in cinder and roman's sides for too long and so while cinder oversees the mountain glenn project, roman makes a deal with the vanilles to bring trivia back home since she still is not acting how they want her to, uses some of junior's men and hei xiong sr's weapons and kidnaps ruby, taking her to the vanille manor in hopes of luring trivia there. unfortunately for roman, ironwood's army is on direct orders to investigate every disturbance and it turns into a fire fight between the atlas military and roman.

ruby, trivia, and roman survive, carmel and jimmy do not. roman is arrested, and ironwood takes ruby and trivia to beacon to discuss what will happen with them. ozpin decides to just make the girls students as soon as the second semester is finished. to try and keep them safer ozpin gets them set up in a dorm on campus that would have been used by the CMSN team if this was in show canon.

during their time bumming around beacon, ruby helps trivia design hush, and they train together.

so volume 3 sees trivia and ruby joining in on team ABYS (Abyss, made of ilia, blake, yang, and weiss) and JNPR's wacky hijinks. cinder's team has also infiltrated the school and (with lionheart's help) faked an entire other student who is, oh so tragically, back in mistral with a horrific injury and simply cannot participate in the vytal tournament this year :(

the rest of the volume carries out basically the same as canon. beacon falls, ozpin dies, yang AND ilia go to try and help blake (yang still loses her arm, ilia barely manages to get all three of them out alive), weiss ruby and trivia go to beacon tower at jaune's urging to save pyrrha but they're too late. ruby unlocks her silver eyes.

trivia pulls a blake and takes off before ruby wakes up post Silver Eye Blast because she blames herself. if she hadn't pulled ruby into helping her tail the malachites and torchwick they would still be more or less safe within the prep school.

Yang and Ruby are Heavily Traumatized by these new abandonments and do NOT know how to talk to each other about it. and then ruby takes off.

volume 4 would see the split as:

yang, alone in vale

weiss, alone in atlas

blake, with ilia and sun in menagerie

ruby, heading to mistral. JNR tags along with her even though they don't know her as well in this AU because they need to feel like they're doing anything useful in the wake of pyrrha's death

brief flashes to trivia travelling on her own under the alias neopolitan, gathering information on the spiders and torchwick and trying to uncover who cinder is/who she's working for

then we come to volume 5! the Reunion Volume

neo catches wind of something brewing in mistral and starts heading that way. yang decides to seek out raven to find ruby faster than just searching every inch of land on the continent of anima. weiss runs away, hoping to find winter in mistral but her airship is downed. blake rallies the people of menagerie to aid the people of mistral. and ruby does her best to bond with JNR and oscar.

first reunion: weiss and yang

second reunion: weiss, yang, and RNJR

third reunion: qrow runs into neo while trying to find the huntsmen of mistral. nobody but ruby recognizes her on first sight. Things are Tense and Emotional for a bit. ruby is still upset trivia left her, neo is terrified that they're biting off more than they can chew.

blake and ilia return to the main crew!

the battle for haven proceeds as it did in canon, basically. neo is doing her best to help ruby and be her support in the fight, the tides truly start to turn when ilia and blake join the fray.

ilia defends jaune and weiss while jaune heals weiss. the first thing weiss sees when she opens her eyes is ilia's back and hears the SNAP of lightning lash and knows she's safe for another moment.

ABYS is reunited, with Weiss throwing her arms around Blake and Ilia and then dragging Yang in. Ruby and Neo stand off to the side and have a little reunion of their own

volume 6:

while ilia and jaune do their best to rally their teams behind them and do some Team Bonding, ruby and neo have a quiet moment to talk. the last two weeks have been trying so hard to get everyone up to speed with every one else, neo only now realizes she has to truly look up at ruby to meet her eyes, and tells her as much. she apologizes for leaving, ruby forgives her. ("i forgave you the moment you left and the instant you came back.") it's not all fixed but they're going to try.

WUH-OH BEE TENSION (ilia and weiss are sipping coffee and ignoring the other two. they'll work it out if ilia has to beat them over the head with a relationship self help book)

ruby fully uses her silver eyes for the second time to save neo, screaming out her name as the apathy take her down. (in a few moments maria's words would echo in her ears. think about the people who love you.)

ruby controls her power for the first time, grabs neo, and drags her out of the cellar.

volume 6 more or less continues as it did before. cinder finds herself teaming up with roman to hunt down ruby.

the bees kill adam.

ruby petrifies the leviathan and cordovin finishes it off.

they escape to atlas. (and neo pulls ruby off to a dark corner of the airship to check on her. was she okay? did she need anything? and ruby presses their foreheads together and tells her she's fine, they were okay. they were finally safe.)

cinder and roman follow.

MISCELLANEOUS OTHER STUFF BEFORE I PASS OUT SLEEPY STYLE:

Neo's birthday is December 21st, the winter solstice (so in this AU they have roughly a 22 month gap between them)

Ruby's 17th birthday still takes place between the end of volume 5 and beginning of volume 6, neo doesn't get a chance to give her a gift until the wardrobe update in volume 7 (it's a very simple pink and white braided bracelet. ruby keeps it in her belt pouch so she doesnt lose it in a fight)

ruby nearly kills roman in the volume 8 finale fight because he throws neo off the yellow brick road.

penny doesn't play as large a role because ruby literally doesn't know her.

roman severly injures neo after he lures them to the jabberwalker's acre and then uses ruby's distraction to set a bunch of the leaves of the tree on fire and force ruby to inhale the smoke + ascend because she thinks neo is dead.

the cat possesses neo because she regains consciousness as ruby "falls" into the tree.

okay im going to bed now good night i love you anon

roman chooses to ascend at the end upon realizing he has nothing waiting for him back in remnant as he is.

for getting this far here's ur reward (art i did for this AU like a year ago)

[bridgyrose]

“Normally after an incident like this, you’d be sent home with a stern warning for endangering yourself and others,” Ozpin said as he looked Ruby over. “However, I think given the circumstances, I can make an exception.” 

Ruby paused for a moment, her once tapping fingers no longer tapping the desk. “An exception?” 

Ozpin nodded and passed over a brochure to Ruby. “You’ve heard of Beacon academy, correct?” 

“Of course I have, its where my parents went!” There was another pause as Ruby put a few things together. “You’re Professor Ozpin, the headmaster, arent you?” 

Ozpin smiled. “The very same. Normally, you’d need to be seventeen to even consider applying to Beacon and then pass a rigorous entrance exam. Though, given the circumstances of putting your life on the line to stop Roman Torchwick, I think an exception is in order since you’ve shown us what you’re capable of. However, unlike the rest of the students, you wont be going through initiation.” 

“I… dont understand. You’re offering to let me go to Beacon, but… I wont be going through initiation? I thought that was part of entering.” 

“Under normal circumstances, it is.” Ozpin laced his fingers together as he rested his elbows on the table. His eyes wandered around the interrogation room and then back to Ruby as a small smirk crossed his face. “Since you’ll be younger than the rest of the students and skipping ahead a couple years in order to join, you’ll be the first member of a special mentoring program to make sure you’re not only ready to attend classes, but to make sure that you’re caught up with everything you’ll miss.” 

Ruby slowly nodded. “Then… I want to do it.” 

A smile crossed Ozpin’s lips as he stood up. “An airship will take you to Atlas to start the program at the end of the week. Do not miss it.” 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ruby found herself frozen in fear as she stood in the Atlas Academy entrance hall, hands shaking as she held her bag to her chest. The instructions she had been given was to talk to Ironwood and be brought to the future Beacon students that would oversee her lessons. Though, what she didnt quite understand was why she had to come to Atlas to begin with. 

“Miss Rose,” Ironwood’s voice boomed through the entrance hall as he walked over to the young girl. “Follow me.” 

Ruby quietly nodded and followed the General through the halls of Atlas Academy and through the military base that resided inside. She had quit paying attention to the twists and turns of the hallway as she followed him deeper into the Academy. Her fingers tapped her bag nervously as she took each step. With Beacon starting in a couple months, she’d do anything to make sure she was ready, but that didnt stop her from trying to question why here. 

Ironwood finally stopped at a door and opened it. “You’ll be living here with Weiss Schnee and Penny Polendina for the next couple months as they mentor you to make sure you’re ready for Beacon.” 

Ruby slowly stepped into the small dorm room and paused at the sight of the two girls waiting for her. “Hi, I’m-” 

“Late.” Weiss rolled her eyes as she looked up from her book, a fresh bandage over her left eye. She stood up and looked over Ruby, a frown crossing her lips. “And apparently a child.” 

“I’m… not a child.” Ruby sat her bag down and took a breath to try to calm her own nerves. “Just because I’m younger than you doesnt mean I’m a child.” 

“Do not listen to Weiss,” Penny said as she practically bounced off her bed and over to Ruby. “She is like this to everyone she meets. It means that she wants to be friends.” 

“I’m only doing this because Father wont let me go to Beacon otherwise,” Weiss retorted. 

Ruby nodded and looked between the two girls. While Weiss seemed angry, Penny was almost her polar opposite, bouncing with excitement at the idea of meeting a new person. “Then, I wont let you down.” 

“You better not. First we’ll start with the training room so you can show us what you’ve learned so far and that you can handle a weapon.” Weiss started to pack up her books and paused. “And if you prove that you’re not ready to be here, I will let the headmasters know they made a mistake.” 

Ruby slowly let out the breath she didnt realize she had been holding as Weiss left the room with  her bag. She slowly unpacked her weapon and dust ammo pouch, muttering to herself. “This isnt a mistake.” 

“Then you will be able to prove it to her and she will be more open to teach you.” Penny smiled at Ruby and held the door for her. “And I am sure we will all become good friends.” 

[ein-schnee-sturm]

Birthdays at Schnee Manor were always either surprisingly alright, or disastrous — and even the ones that fell into the Surprisingly Alright category tended to be excruciatingly long, more often than not. And while Winter had ignored nearly all the invitations she received over the past three years (disowned or not, she was still Willow’s That Woman’s the Duchess’ daughter), she had never once missed Weiss’ birthday.

This one had been no different. Well, it had been slightly different, in that Jacques (or ‘Bastard Man,’ if you asked Ilya and Macaria) was nowhere to be seen — both a blessing and a curse, as it turned out. As a blessing, it meant that she didn’t have to hear That Name, or be addressed by Those Pronouns. (If the Duchess had ever done anything for her, it was accepting that she was a woman, and that her name was Winter.)

As for it being a curse… she certainly hadn’t missed the vicious arguments the Duchess and Jacques were prone to. But this time, it felt so much worse, making her tighten her hold on Weiss just a bit; even after three years away, she still slid back into old patterns easily. And then it happened — Jacques shouted the words Winter had always known the Duchess was willfully blinding herself to.

I only ever cared about your name and money.

@wintereign

[arc-misadventures]

Kingdom of Lunaris au: Could we please have Glynda’s meeting with Jaune whereshe decides to join him and it’s decided that she shall be his Queen?

Accession to the Throne

Glynda: This… None of this was what I was expecting…

Wojtek: And, what were ye expecting?

Glynda: Last reports I received were that this place was just a mineshaft that found a rich dust vein. That only a hundred, or so people lived out side in a small village.

Wojtek: And, ere ye are, in da midst of da, Kingdom of Lunaris! All started by a man who was once yer student.

Glynda: Mr. Arc has always been a leader, but to turn this place into a kingdom, with him as his king in a fortnight… As a teacher I hoped for him to become the best, Huntsman he could possibly be. But, to give that all up, and become a king… I don’t know how to handle such information.

Wojtek: How any one should; one bit at a time.

Glynda: Wise words indeed. It’s just… This place has a highly functional economy, a military force that puts, Atlas to shame. Underground farms that are so well maintained, and operated, that you could stay trap inside for a century, and never go hungry. Wealth, an abundance that all are treated equally. A Hunter Academy filled with promising young students I have never seen the likes before. I could dare say this place is perfect.

Wojtek: Ha! Dare say you may, but not all is well. Da oder kingdoms do demand upon us, grain, and Dust. Why, because we’s ave it, and dey want it. Da, Grimm still besach our walls, and our mines with dere accursed presence! And, above all, da King stands alone…

Glynda: Alone? But, I thought he had plenty of… Concubine’s at his side. Why does he stand alone?

Wotjek: Aye, he may have concubines; an heir to da throne is someding we need not concern ourselves with. For one among dem may be capable of baring da weight of da crown. But, what we lack is a queen. A queen capable to stand besides ‘em.

Glynda: A queen? But, why can’t one of his concubines… Ugh, I hate referring my students in such a manner. Why can’t they become his queen?

Wotjek: Dey may each be strong in dere own right. But, none of dem ave da strength, nor da wisdom it takes to wear da crown. It shows dere strength dat dey recognize dis demselves. But, it does little to ease our worries…

Glynda: What do you mean by, ‘They don’t posses the strength, nor the wisdom to wear the crown?”

Wotjek: To bare da burden of da crown, one must ave unyielding strength, unwavering courage, and wisdom beyond der years, and must be an unwavering leader in der own right to bare the weight of da crown. Dos three have not the strength nor wisdom to bare it.

Glynda: What do you mean?

Wotjek: Yang Xiao Long, da Aideen Xifeng, of Clan Azar Blades may bare strength, and power like a raging inferno. But, her fire can easily become a raging wildfire if kept unchecked. Nor does she ave experience leading oders into battle. And, she could not bare da weight of a life that is lost under her command.

Glynda: I always thought her temper was one of her greatest weaknesses. If kept unchecked it could get her killed, or someone else. And, you are right, there are reasons we never gave her command of her own team, we knew she couldn’t handle the burden it places upon someone. But, what about, Blake Belladonna? Her father is, Ghira Belladonna, surely she bares some strength of leadership.

Wotjek: Da baying cats whelp?! Ha! She has not da head for leadership.

Glynda: What do you mean?

Wotjek: Blake Belladonna, da Enver Feichín, of Clan Duibhin, may see more in da dark den others, but she sees little upon her mind.

Glynda: You’re talking about how she can easily become tunnelled vision on something. To the point where she ignores resting, and eating in some desperate need to obtain her goal.

Wotjek: I was not aware she could become so clouded in a blind pursuit of her desires… Hmm… I best warn da others of dis possibility…

Glynda: Has she been causing you much trouble?

Wotjek: Not yet, but yer words worry me. Her focus on da Fa’nis is all consuming. She demands of da King to help dem. Yet she can offer no reasoning on why we should elp dem. Da law decrees we must be given a credible reason to elp someone. Yet, she has offered no such reasoning.

Glynda: Hmmm… What about, Pyrrha Nikos, why isn’t she a candidate to be the, Queen. Surely she is one worthy of a crown?

Wotjek: Da, Davika Valda, as da, Queen?! Bahahaha! Such a notion is a poor idea!

Glynda: And, why is that?

Wotjek: Da, Davinka Valda may be a great warrioress, and da King’s Champion. She has not da spine to lead, the marionette is too accustomed to being posed, and being told what she must do, then command dose she must lead.

Glynda: Ahh, I had hopped her time here may have changed that part of her personality.

Wotjek: It take time to change nature; Move too slowly, and da river never changes it course, too fast, and ye be unable to control its course.

Glynda: Wise words indeed. So, there will be no, Queen for the Kingdom under the mountain then?

Wotjek: Hmm… Da possibility still remains, but it depends on if she desires da crown, and more so him.

Glynda: Really, who is this person?

Wotjek: It matters not; unless she decides on where she wishes to tread, it is meaningless to us. Now come, Lady Goodwitch, da King awaits.

~~~

Glynda: I expected more gold covering the walls…

Wotjek: Da, King despises such vain displays of wealth. It betrays da true wealth of da kingdom for shiny baubles.

Glynda: And, what is the true wealth of the kingdom?

Wotjek: Da people who make da shiny baubles.

Glynda: Pff~! Hahaha-ahahaha~! Oh, I see, Jaune has grown much. Or, was he always like this…? Regardless which it is, I look forward to seeing him again.

Wotjek: Den why wait any longer, Lady Goodwitch. For ere is da, King!

Jaune: Da fock do ye bastards mean, we ain’t gonna send da Shield-Breakers?! Ya dink we’re gonna level da whole focking town?! Why, I’ll smash yer heads for dinking we woulds do someding like dat for da ell of it!

Glynda: …

Wotjek: …

Glynda: Well… He’s certainly became more… expressive since I last saw him.

Wotjek: Ahh, dey’s done upset da, King. Dere gonna get it now.

Azar Commander: But, My King. Why are we sending our troops to an little town? Dere’s nothing, but farm land out dere?

Jaune: Dat’s precisely why yer gonna go dere!

Skender Ásgierr Commander: I do not follow you my, King.

Jaune: Haa… You sees da map before ye?

SAC: I do my, King.

Jaune: And, what do ya see in it?

AC: Da, Kingdom of Lunaris.

Jaune: And, is dat all ye sorry sods can see?

SAC: Is there more to see my, King?

Jaune: Da towns, and villages! Da people dat live around, and about our glorious kingdom! Dat’s who yer supposed ta see!

AC: But, why my, King?

Glynda: Because just like any town, village, or hamlet, the true treasure are the people who live there, not the land, and resources about them.

AC: What?! Who da ell are you?!

SAC: Dis is a state matter, identify yourself outsider!

Wotjek: Dis be da, Lady Glynda Goodwitch! Deputy Headmistress of Beacon Academy. Former teacher to, Jaune Arc the Engraver, King of Lunaris. And, you will treat her with respect…

AC: My apologies, Lady Goodwitch. If I had know, I would ave held my tongue.

SAC: I offer my sincerest apologies as well. By insulting you, I ave also insulted my, King in turn. I shame myself, and my clan by my actions.

Glynda: You are both forgiven; You knew not who I was so your reactions are understandable.

AC: My thanks.

SAC: You have my gratitude.

Glynda: You are welcome. Now then, I believe your plan, King Arc, was to provide support, most likely military support, medical, or food supplies to the surrounding towns, and villages to form ties with them to eventually have them join as members of the, Kingdom of Lunaris.

Jaune: Ahahaha~! At last, someone who understands my thinking!

Wotjek: Is dat true my king?

Jaune: Aye it is! We will expand our lands, and build upon our kingdom! By brining in dese towns, and villages dat surround our kingdom! We will also enhance it in ways dat will benefit our kingdom for years to come!

SAC: In what ways my, King?

Jaune: As of now, our kingdom is built upon metal, and Dust. Dey’re finite resources! We must rectify dis problem, or we all will fall!

Glynda: You desire to build up this kingdoms industries?;By expanding your control to the surrounding lands, you can increase your farming yields, diversify the types of products you can farm, further expanding your industry, and manufacturing.

Jaune: Aye, I plan to dat an more, my Witch~!

Glynda: Y-Your witch…?

Jaune: Commander, Haakon!

AC: My, King!

Jaune: Take a force of your men along with some of da, Islywn Rangers, and establish relations with da people to the west of dis line!

AC: It will be done my, King!

Jaune: Commander, Aillard!

SAC: Yes my, King?

Jaune: You will do da same, but to da east!

SAC: As you command my, King.

Jaune: Wotjek da Storm Caller!

Wotjek: Your, Grace b

Jaune: Inform da, Hunters to prepare for training missions, and routine patrols of da surrounding lands. Even if da people chose not to join us, protecting dem will protect us in turn.

Glynda: Not to mention this activity will improve your relations with them to a point that they may chose to join for the benefits they will gain for the long run.

Wotjek: It will be done.

Jaune: Good, now go, I wish to talk in private with, Lady Goodwitch.

Wotjek: As you wish my, King.

~~~

Jaune: So, why are you ere, Lady Goodwitxh?

Glynda: Lady Goodwitch~! Ahem! I came here searching for my missing students.

Jaune: And, did you find dem?

Glynda: I did, and I wanted to bring them back home, back to, Beacon. However… They are already home.

Jaune: We are a kingdom dat accepts all who come, so long as dey are willing to prove demselves worthy of joining da people of, Lunaris.

Glynda: A noble idea. Something more kingdoms should accept. But, Jaune… There is something I wish to ask you.

Jaune: What is it?

Glynda: After being here, spending the day around the people here, around my students, and the new lives they have created here. And, after seeing how full their lives now are left me thinking how mu y life has been so monotonous, so routine. I desire a change in my life, and I know just what I want to do! I wish to join! Join you, and become a member of the, Kingdom of Lunaris!

Jaune: You’d be throwing away yer old life to come ere. Are you willing to make dis sacrifice?

Glynda: …

Glynda: I am willing to make this sacrifice.

Jaune: Very well… To prove yer worth to da, Kingdom. I place you as da head of da, Hunter Academy. And, I grant you da title of, Glynda Goodwitch, da Eidorthea, Headmistress’s of Bríghid Academy. May you serve us long, and with honour!

Glynda: It will be my honour, your Grace.

Jaune: Now den… Is dere anyding else you wish to speak about? If not, I as you to take yer leave, I ave much work to do.

Glynda: There is one thing else I wish to speak about your, Grace.

Jaune: And, what is it?

Glynda: I… I heard you were looking for a, Queen…

///

This story is just gonna be a lot of world building, and I’m loving it!

[playedbetter]

Viktor Verses

This will be updated as verses are added or developed.

Main Verse

Set in the League of Legends/Arcane universe at any point in the timeline.

PsyOps Verse

Viktor was once a member of High Command, the leaders of PsyOps a group dedicated to protecting the world using their psychic powers. He left after the discovery of an alien gate in the artic which he has become obsessed with getting through it and utilizing it. To that end he became the leader of Black Rose Group and has been perfecting human bioweapontry.

In this verse Viktor has technokinesis which he can use on technology within 700ft of himself (about two football fields away).

Also can be used for crossovers with sci-fi, conspiracy, or military (with psionics/aliens present) based verses.

High Noon Verse

Dr. Viktor came from poor immigrate parents who came to the west looking for a fresh start but only found struggle. He had been looking for a way to save people from death itself by rehousing their minds in bodies made of clockwork, but faced with numerous set backs and his own failing health when the Mechanical Devil approached him he had no choice but to take up the deal and begin working for the devil.

Also can be used for crossovers with any magical wild west verses.

Battlecast Verse

Set in the battlecast verse. Viktor has become the creator and leader of the battlecast army and now is attempting to assimilate all of Runeterra into it.

Riftquest Verse

Viktor of Zaun is a battle smith who once tagged along with an adventuring party helmed by a brilliant paladin, where he ended up doing practically everything no one else had wanted to do. Eventually as his efforts continued to go underappreciated he decided to betray them and race them and their enemies for the powerful artifact they are all after.

This can also be used to crossover with d&d verses. In d&d lingo Viktor is a human urchin artificer (battle smith).

Battle Academia Verse

A second year at Labrys God-Weapon Academy who has fought to be among other future heroes, having incredibly weak abilities which he's had to augment with brilliant technology to keep up with his peers, and hopefully some day surpass them. He is a member of the luminary club.

Superhero Verse

By day Viktor is the lab partner of Piltover's darling Jayce and a renowned scientist in his own right. By night he is Machine Herald, a 'villain' working against the authority of the city through robbery and the killing of key targets.

Can be used in place of my dc verse if requested by dc muses/verses.

Modern Verse

Post university Viktor is working in the field of prosthetics. Heavy wip.

DC Verse

Born in the slums of Gotham city, Viktor was meant for better things, and he felt so did his peers. In his young adulthood he found work at Starr Labs in Metropolis, moving there in the process. Eventually he quit and disappeared off nearly everybody's radar, and in that absence a supervillain, the Machine Herald, has appeared robbing labs and terrorizing cities with his attacks on public figures. Threads can be set anywhere in this timeline.

More info to come.

ATLAS Verse

Set in the main universe of @outofthiisworld (check out their blog for more lore!). He was a member of ATLAS until eventually fleeing the company. Verse still in heavy development. Exclusive to @outofthiisworld.

Danganronpa Verse

He we scouted out from a slum in Russia by Hope's Peak for the talent of Super Highschool Level Cyberneticist in Class 66th. His time at the school was overall peaceful (as far as anyone recalls) and he graduated. In the time since then he's been working on human cyborgs along with service robots, creating Blitzcrank as a proof of concept. Then Tradgy overtook the world, and frankly he found the whole emotional battle of hope and despair stupid, neither would fix the world, his own logic could though. It's funny how apathy comes across as despair...

(Anyone other than Viktor himself would say that he's a despair and the experiments he's turned to are highly unethical at best if not literally a form of torture.)

Apex Verse

Set in the Apex Legends universe. Viktor is an employee of Mercenary Syndicate who's become disillusioned with the group, slowly working against them from the inside and plotting his escape from them.

Exclusive to @v1r4l

Misc Verse

For any thread where the verse is unclear or non-developed or one off AUs.

[didyoutrydynamite]

JNRZ Chapter 1 Rewrite

So this was actually a long time coming. Now that I’ve gotten a little more experienced with writting, I wanted to come back and fix Chapter 1 of it’s errors. If you have the time, please read this and let me know if’s good enough to replace the original. The first chapter is the first impression so I want to make it an even better one for new comers.

~O~O~O~O~O~

There were a lot of possible reasons why Jaune's stomach felt like it was collapsing in on itself.

It could have been about how Jaune had run away from home, stolen his Grandpa's sword and shield, and left his Scroll behind so his parents couldn't contact him. He couldn't risk his dad tracking it and dragging him back home.

It could have been because he wasn't going to Beacon Academy anymore. His "contact" that had set up the forged transcripts for him had said there was a sudden change of plans. Instead of studying at his dream school in nice and cozy Vale, he was now going to Bulwark Academy in the frozen far-off Kingdom of Atlas.

It could have also been part of the fact that the shortest way to Atlas was an overnight flight by airship. It is well known how susceptible to air sickness Jaune was, another dot on the list of Jaune's flaws, right between his natural clumsiness and the fact he looked way too good in a dress.

No matter the reason for Jaune's stomach sickness, he could at least confidently say that his ailment was the reason why he was sitting in his own corner of the airship, with his very own complimentary trashcan and air spray provided by the poor stewardess who was tired of cleaning up the bathrooms after his emergencies.

To say Jaune was in a bit of a sore spot was putting it lightly.

Using his newly acquired weapon of aerosolized flowers to fend off the foul odor of his stomach contents turned trash contents, Jaune couldn't help but stare out the airship ship window of the slowly passing snowy wastes of Solitas, soon to be his new home.

I should have asked for a refund. Jaune thought to himself. I had to sell my entire comic book collection to afford those transcripts and then save up my allowance for traveling expenses. Now I'm going to a school I didn't even know the name of. It was already complicated enough to fake my way through Beacon. Now I have to fake my way into Bulwark past the Atlesian military?

And what did the broker even mean by 'change of plans'? The transcripts for Beacon were already official, so why do I suddenly have to go to Bulwark instead? Something isn't adding up…

Before Jaune could ponder his predicament anymore thoroughly, the airship's speakers crackled to life.

"Good evening, passengers. This is your captain speaking, letting you know that our landing will be in twenty minutes. If you'd look out the left-side windows of the ship, you should be able to see the cities as we arrive. I promise it will be quite the view."

Jaune, realizing he was sitting on the left side anyways, swerved his gaze toward the window. Just as he did, his stomach pains had all but miraculously vanished.

The view was… breathtaking.

As the airship crested the mountaintop, it was as if Jaune was on a whole nother planet.

It was a world where great castles with impossibly high spires and towers rested on floating islands in the air. Held aloft seemingly by nothing but large tendrils of steam that reached out from a gaping maw in the planet's crust, like the mouth of a dragon that threatened to swallow the floating citadel whole.

To the side of this unfathomably wide opening in the ground sat another city, less grandiose in architecture than the one that sat just above, but where the latter was basked in cold elegance, the former begged for a warm embrace. The buildings below were spaced closely together as if to hug each other to better brace against the harsh Solitas cold. The entire city itself practically hugged the steaming crater like a man huddling near a campfire in a storm.

As the broken moon rose higher into the sky, the lights of the twin cities became alight under the already star-speckled sky, further contrasting the two as one glowed an icy blue that matched sprawling icy wastes while the one below emanated a deep orange that reflected off the spiraling pillars of steam, reminding Jaune of roaring blaze.

Jaune couldn't take his eyes off the scene before him even as the airship descended toward the lower city. He knew that Bulwark Academy was situated in Atlas just above, but opting for a direct flight to Mantle instead could save him a lot of money.

Even as the airship landed on the runway, the young knight couldn't help but feel excited. He was really doing it. He had just traveled all this way to become a Huntsman, and by golly, he officially came too far to turn back.

With newfound determination, Jaune took his first step out into the fresh Solitas air, with only one thought crossing his mind…

HOLY COW, IT IS COLD!

~O~O~O~O~O~

So turned out Jaune's treasured Pumpkin Pete Hoodie was not exactly built for arctic temperatures. The light material made it so the jacket could be worn comfortably on warmer days, and when you're in Vale, that pretty much means you could wear it most times of the year.

Luckily the hoodie helped better when actually traveling the Mantle streets. The lower city had an advanced heating system that ran along every nook and cranny, warming the local temperatures to a pleasant chilly day compared to the harsh freezing cold outside the walls.

But even with the relief of Mantle's heating network, Jaune knew his wardrobe was due for an upgrade if he was going to be living in Atlas, which brought him to a clothing shop. Sure, he was already dipping into his limited currency. But he considered the expenses necessary, especially if there was a chance that he was going to work out in the wilderness, where most of the Grimm were, and that's where the temperatures were even lower.

On this shopping trip, he acquired some thicker jeans, a pair of large snow boots, some thick leather gloves, a rather fashionable orange turtleneck sweater, and a brand-new black winter coat with a hoodie. For a last-second decision, Jaune had opted to grab an orange wool knit beanie with a white pattern along the hem, matching the sweater perfectly!

After putting the ensemble together with his white armor overtop, the jacket donned, and sword buckled at his side…

Jaune thought he looked good. Damn good!

He even took a few minutes to try some poses in the changing room to catch all the good angles. He almost looked and felt like a real Huntsman!

The shopkeeper must have thought so too because as Jaune was purchasing the clothes, the lady recommended a nearby Dust Shop, a locally owned place called "Dust to Dust."

Jaune had a basic understanding of what Dust was from science classes at school and the stories his dad had shared. It was like a magical rock that could create special effects when messed with.

Some could create fire, some could generate electricity, and some would even turn into water when shattered. But most importantly, it was something real Huntsmen used all the time.

Even if Jaune wasn't a real Huntsman yet (or even a real Huntsman in Training to be exact), it would help him blend in more if he showed up packing some heat, maybe even some cold and some shocking as well!

Which now brought him out in front of a storefront of a shop with "Dust to Dust" hanging above it.

Adjusting his new clothes to make himself look more official, Jaune stepped into the shop, a bell chime signaling his entrance.

A quick scope of the place revealed several shelves and display cases unsurprisingly filled with an assortment of Dust types in different containers, ranging from plastic vials, shotgun shells, glass jars, and even just whole Dust crystals to be sold. Everything had a bright red tag on the glass depicting "Fire Sale" and "Everything must go!"

A funny thought came to mind as Jaune looked over the establishment. It felt more like a coffee shop than an ammo surplus store. It felt surprisingly warm and welcoming.

"Well, hey there, son! Looking for a refill?"

Speaking of warm and welcoming, Jaune turned to the friendly voice towards the store's counter, behind which stood a tall, dark-skinned man with graying hair and a stylish fedora that he wore as easily as a smile.

"Don't be a stranger now. How can I help you?"

Standing taller, Jaune confidently strode towards the counter, "Thank you, kind sir. I'd like to see your finest wares!"

Nailed it.

The man gave a hearty laugh, "First time shopping for Dust?"

Jaune's stature immediately deflated, "What gave it away?"

"Well, when customers walk in, they're usually looking for something precise. And don't usually ask to see what I just happen to have."

"O-oh…" God, Jaune was already screwing this up! How is he supposed to blend in a school for Huntsmen when he already sticks out like a sore thumb shopping for supplies!?

"Now, now, no need to get embarrassed. A lot of the new kids in the game usually don't have too much experience with Dust. Some just usually focus on the fighting and exercising portion before getting into stuff like Dust Alchemy. I'm assuming you're about to start attending Bulwark?"

"Yes sir! I am. I was hoping to get some Dust before school started so I could… uhm… fit in… better." Jaune admitted rather bashfully, receiving another jovial laugh from the cashier.

"I get what you mean, don't want to be the only one showing unprepared for everything huh? What's your name, son?"

"Jaune Arc sir." Jaune held his hand out towards the man, who it for a strong handshake.

"A pleasure to meet ya, Jaune, people around here call me Charles Coal, and luckily for you, I can help you with just your kind of problem."

Jaune couldn't help but feel reassured, the man just oozed a calming, fatherly nature. He accepted the man's help with a nod. "I would greatly appreciate that. Thank you!"

"Good, now let's start with the basics. What arsenal are you packing?"

"I uh, got this sword." Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors from his waist, receiving an approving grunt from Charles. "And the sheath is also a shield as well." Pinpointing that fact by expanding out the sheath, revealing the Arc Crest on the shining metal surface.

"Not bad. Does either the sword or shield come with a Dust Feed?"

"A Dust what?"

"Heh, I'll take that as a no. Do you specialize in any kind of Dust usage?"

"Oh yeah, I use… Fire a lot. And some Ice?"

"Son. Have you ever used Dust before?"

"No sir…" 

This was just sad at this point. Not even three minutes ago, Jaune had swaggered in as if he owned the place, yet he seemed to have no idea what he wanted.

"Hey, chin up. It's okay. It's obvious from your weapon that you've never had a reason to use Dust in the first place. There's no shame in wanting to expand your arsenal. How about I do this for you," Charles said as he leaned on the counter with both hands. "I'll hook you up with a sort of 'Starter Pack.' A care package of vials filled with an assortment of Dust types you'll most typically use in the field. You can go through them, experiment, and see what works best. I've got a sale going on, so I can get you quite a bit to work with for a fair price. Sound like a deal?"

Jaune nearly boggled at how great of a deal that sounded! In fact, it'd be perfect! He could show up to Bulwark with a whole stash of Dust that he can learn to use. His neck nearly snapped at how quickly he nodded, causing Charles to chuckle.

"Then it's a deal. Hey, while I get the pack together, how about you check out those paper magazine racks over there? Should be a few magazines about weapon engineering, might help you figure out what you could do next after getting a handle on Dust."

"I think I might just do that. Thank you, Mr. Coal. You have no idea how much you're helping me."

Charles casually waved off the praise, "It's my job, son. Ain't no reason to give me a medal for it. When you're a Huntsman one day, you'll do much more than me to help. Consider this an advancement on your good deeds. Now go ahead, rummage through my stuff while I get the Dust ready for you."

With another polite thank you, Jaune headed toward the magazine racks while he waited for his order.

He picked one at random, turning out to be a natural survival sort of magazine, giving loads of tips and tricks for collecting food in the wilderness. He scanned the pages and pictures instead of actually reading them. His mind was too focused on how excited he was again.

With this Dust, his new winter gear, and his forged transcripts, Jaune had everything he needed to start at Bulwark. He would take his classes seriously, get physically fit, fight monsters, maybe get a cute girlfriend, and go on exciting adventures!

Jaune was going to be somebody!

He was so focused on what possible adventures could await him that he failed to notice the front doorbell chimed, followed by a few sets of heavy footprints rushing in.

BANG!

"Get down this a robbery!"

Jaune held back a surprised scream as he ducked down behind the magazine stands.

Peering from behind the Weapons and Engineering section, Jaune spotted several men with guns and metal pipes. They wore white pants and button-up shirts with gray vests, each wearing variously colored flat caps and white masks of varying cartoonish expressions.

"Back up from the counter, Gramps! If I see one finger reach underneath that table, you'll lose it." Said a tall beefy robber who held a fire axe toward Charles

Charles immediately heeded the man's warning. "Please, I don't have much. Just take what you want and go!"

"Now, Charles, is that any way you greet a customer?"

A tall man walked in, puffing on a cigar and swinging a cane. He wore a red-lined white suit with long black pants and black shoes. His accessories included a small gray scarf, black gloves with buckled sleeves, and a black bowler hat with a small feather tucked into its red band. Unlike the others, though, he seemed to have opted to not wear a mask.

"I know the shop is falling on hard times, but is that any excuse for poor service?"

As he talked and walked towards the front counter, he was followed by a young man dressed in similarly white and gray clothes as the other goons who parted way from their supposed Boss, but what made him stand out was the red-ornate coat that hung off his shoulders like a cape and a black bandana and mask that covered most of his facial features and hair.

"Roman Torchwick." Charles seethed. "I don't share my hospitality with people who don't intend on paying. What's the matter? Bigger fish getting too scary that you now have to pick on small fries like me to get by?"

"Harsh words Charles. But I promise it's nothing personal!" Roman said as he crossed his heart. "Sometimes, a successful criminal like me just wants to take a break from bigger franchise jobs and take from the little guy. Give attention to local smaller businesses so they don't feel left out."

"Wise Guy." Roman snapped his finger towards the tall henchman with the axe and a mask of a frowning face. "Make sure our friend here doesn't try to cause trouble while we work."

"Got it, Boss. I'll keep him nice and friendly."

"Funny Man," Roman turned towards another henchman, who could have been an exact clone of Wise Guy if it wasn't for the darker skin, the smiling mask, and his weapon of choice being a sledgehammer. "Get the others and start gathering the Dust."

"Yes sir, Yes sir!" Funny Man saluted as he giggled and started smashing glass displays.

"Red Roger, secure the back of the shop. Make sure it's only the old man here."

"On it." The young man in the black mask nodded and started toward the back of the shop.

"Chop chop, men!" Roman said as he peeled off one of the red stickers on a broken display case. "And remember, 'Everything Must Go!'"

"Hehe, you said it, boss!"

"Oh crap, oh crap!" Jaune quietly said as he backed up further down the magazine aisle.

This is bad! Jaune thought, What should I do? What would a Huntsman do? He'd try to quietly take them down one at a time, even the odds into his favor, then hit them with an all-out surprise attack… CRAP WAIT! I'M NOT A REAL HUNTSMAN!

As Jaune continued to quietly back up, he failed to notice an extra magazine rack behind him, accidentally bumping into it with his hip, right where his Crocea Mors was…

Click.

With a simple bump, the sheath expanded into its shield form, the force launching the magazine rack down the aisle and the shield right off of Jaune's belt in the other direction. The boy quickly dove for it as it loudly clattered to the ground, picking it up and shushing it like that would feasibly quiet down the noise.

Jaune quickly stood up with Crocea Mors in hand, hoping they didn't hear that. He turned to look as every pair of eyes in the room stood looking directly at him, seemingly stunned in place mid-robbery.

"Uhmm, freeze?" Jaune hesitantly demanded.

Unfortunately for Jaune, not none of the robbers decided to drop their weapons. In fact, he heard what sounded like a gun cocking right next to him, causing him to pale.

"How about you freeze, bruv?" said the henchman designated Red Roger in a thick accent, who held a flintlock pistol point blank to the side of Jaunes head in one hand, and a sharp cutlass in the other. From here, Jaune could see Red's bright green eyes through his mask's eye holes, and he painted his nails black based on the index itching towards the gun's trigger. "No sudden movements, bruv."

All Jaune could do was let out a struggled eep as all the criminals around started laughing, Roman Torchwick applauding as he walked closer to the two.

"Very well done, Red. Looks like you caught us a Huntsman." He took a drag and puffed cigar smoke straight into Jaune's face, causing him to cough. "Trying to play hero, kid? How's that working out so far?"

Jaune felt like he should have had a witty comeback for Roman. But instead, his brain defaulted and opted for the truth.

"Could be going better."

This caused a round of laughter from robbers as more decided to stop their crime to join in on the fun of messing with him.

"Aw, look, he's shaking!" Funny Man chuckled ", What's the matter, pal? Ya nervous meeting such a big star like the Boss?"

"Oh, is that what it is, Blondie? Are you a fan of my work?" Roman snarked as he rummaged through his coat pocket, pulled out a marker, and started writing on Jaune's breastplate. "Here's one to my biggest fan, Twerp. Hugs and kisses, Roman."

Jaune looked down to see Roman's message in fancy handwriting, causing Jaune to blush deep in embarrassment as the criminals started pointing and laughing at him.

"Ha! Make sure to tell your friends, kid! You better treasure that with your life!" said the one called Wise Guy as he patted Roman on the shoulder.

"Heh, and as he should." Roman agreed, then quickly afterward had a thoughtful look crossed his mind as he turned to his crony.

"Wise Guy."

"Yeah, Boss?"

"If you're here, who's watching the shopkeep?"

When Wise Guy didn't immediately answer, all eyes immediately turned towards the counter as Charles' hand continuously pressed the silent alarm.

"Uh-oh."

Seeing an opportunity while everyone watched Charles, Jaune expanded his shield and charged through the criminals.

"CHARLES, RUN!"

In his valiant effort, Jaune managed to get a few meters before he felt someone trip him. Having focused all his momentum on charging, the boy flew across the shop, landing shield first on some soft duffle bags. Duffle bags full of the recently stolen Dust.

BOOM!

~O~O~O~O~O~

Despite all the habitual smoking Roman did, he coughed hard from all the smoke that filled the room.

Unfortunately, his unhealthy habit also did nothing in the way to get him used to loud explosions that nearly deafen your ears, nearly as in the case he could still hear the alarms blaring around him, partially from the store's security system and from the cars parked outside blaring their lights.

Luckily for Roman, these specific car lights did not belong to any police cars, but that didn't mean the streets wouldn't be full of them soon.

"Uncle? Uncle!" said the muffled but familiar voice of his sidekick Red Roger.

"I told you not to call me that on the job!" Roman loudly yelled through his tinnitus, pushing his kid nephew to the side as he stomped over to his overpaid cronies. "And which of you idiots had the bright idea to trip him?!"

His two tallest and beefiest henchman looked at each other, Wise Guy being the first to point fingers.

"It was all Funny Man."

"Oh, you little snitch! Why I atta-."

"And why didn't you just grab him?!" Roman asked as he quickly stomped up to the burly masked man ", Instead of, oh, I don't know, tripping him into our haul of highly combustible rocks!?"

"S-sorry Boss! I had to think fast. The kid got the slip on us."

"Hehe, slip." Wise Guy laughed before getting whacked upside the head with a cane. "OW!"

"Hehe, OW! OW, Ok!"

"What do I pay you guys for?!" Roman yelled as he gave Funny Man an extra smack with his cane for that pun. "Come on! We're leaving before the cops get here."

"What about the Dust, Boss?" Funny Man tentatively asked before getting an angry glare from Roman. "R-Right. Sorry."

The dapper gangster stepped through the front entrance, its front door now hanging loosely on its hinges. He glanced around all the broken glass shattered on the sidewalk and street, looking for a particular Blonde nuisance that he was pretty sure launched through the front windows after the Dust ignited. Roman thought he could loot the twerp's chunky remains for that shiny sword, but no armor-clad salsa was in sight.

Scanning the surrounding street, he did catch a scrawny teenager just limping into an alleyway across the street, a trail of blood following behind him.

Oh no, you're not getting away that easy.

"Unc- Uh, I mean Boss!" Red yelled from the open sliding doors of the white getaway van. "Hop in! We got trouble coming our way!"

Even Roman could determine the sounds of police sirens growing closer. But the man was not nearly finished here.

"Head on without me. I'll meet you guys back at the hideout." Atlas's greatest thief ordered. He turned, adjusted his hat, and strolled down the dark alleyway. "That little hero owes me a goddamn robbery."

~O~O~O~O~O~

Everything hurts.

Jaune's mind raced as he limped down the Mantle alleys, no idea where he was going but forward. He wasn't exactly sure what his condition was. Probably a few cracked leg bones, maybe several broken ribs, a concussion, and quite a few cuts and bruises…

Oh, gods, everything hurts.

He wanted to go home, but he realized now how much of an idiot he was.

What kind of Huntsman couldn't stop a robbery!? How could he ever face monsters when he struggled to take down a few armed robbers alone?

He planned to hobble to the nearest port, purchase a one-way ticket to Vale, and endure the arduous journey back to Bourbon on his hands and knees if he had to. Take the grounding and ass-kicking his mom would give him, and stay in that village where it was safe and cozy for the rest of his life!

"Ohhhh, Sir Knight! Where areeee youuuuu!?"

But first, he had to get away from HIM!

Jaune tried frantically to pick up the pace, but there was only so much his legs could do after that explosion.

His breathing became ragged by the time the alley opened up to a sort of steaming canal. The river was flanked by two raised sidewalks with railings that overlooked the flowing water, melted snow that fell within the heated air of Mantle and drained out here.

The injured knight looked down both ways of the river, trying to quickly determine the path to outrun…

"Didn't your mother tell you not to run with sharp objects?" Roman said with smug satisfaction as he strolled out of the dark from behind him. "You could get hurt, you know. You better hand the expensive-looking sword over before you injure yourself further."

"N-no, my mom didn't tell me that. She'd always tell me, 'Strangers are friends you haven't met yet,' but I feel you'd be an exception." 

That's it, Jaune thought. Buy yourself time, Jaune. Keep him talking.

"I'm hurt. If you'd give me an honest chance, I can show you exactly how swell a guy I can be! How about we start over?"

The thief pressed the tip of his cane down to the ground and gave a deep bow.

"Roman Torchwick, leader of the Candlelight Crooks, The Gentleman Robber, the Trickster of Two Cities, and the Greatest Criminal Atlas has ever known!"

"Uh… Cool. My name is Jaune Arc. I'm uh, about to attend Bulwark Academy, and a fun fact about me is I uh… I have seven sisters!"

As they stood in awkward silence, the sound of rushing water from the canal and distant police sirens filled the air. After a moment, Roman broke the silence, his voice laced with astonishment. 

"Seven sisters? I can barely handle the one I have! You have my sympathies."

Jaune let out a small chuckle. "It wasn't all bad. They annoyed each other just as much as they annoyed me. And at the end of the day, I still love them."

Roman nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Siblings, am I right? Love to hate them, and hate to love them."

Jaune chuckled in agreement. "Exactly."

The two not-strangers shared a quick chuckle, taking a moment to take a trip down memory lane of their antics with their sisters.

"Hm, now that we got introductions out of the way," Roman said as he lifted his cane back toward Jaune. "Hand over the sword and shield, Jaune."

Any good atmosphere they shared vanished for Jaune, tonal whiplash nearly breaking his neck. "W-What?! You can't want it now!"

"I can, and I still do. I've got an image to maintain, and I can't allow myself to walk away from a botched robbery empty-handed. I swear, Blondie, I thought you would be much more understanding about this."

Jaune clutched Crocea Mors harder, "You can't have it."

"Well, then I'm just going to have to take it."

Roman adjusted his grip on his cane to hold it more like a club and started stalking toward Jaune, the boy now seeing no way of running or talking his way out of it unsheathed his sword and expanded his shield, trying his damnedest to get into a fighting stance. Due to his lack of training and numerous wounds, the boy was shaky at best.

Due to the knight's intense nerves, he broke first and went on the offensive with a wild swing. Roman effortlessly parried the attack with his cane, his expression revealing a hint of surprise at the ease of it.

The parry caused Jaune to stumble, who took a few seconds to recompose himself as Roman watched curiously yet cautiously.

Jaune charged in again with a yell, going for a thrust this time. Torchwick rescinded by swinging his cane upwards, redirecting the sword, then jabbing Jaune right in the nose with the end of his weapon.

Jaune cried out, trying to cover his now bleeding nose with his shield hand.

Roman looked at Jaune with wide-eyed astonishment, a cruel smile slowly carving into his face.

"You can't be serious."

The Gentleman thief changed his battle stance into a mocking fencer's stance, twirling his cane like a rapier. "Well, come on then! Engarde Blondie!"

Jaune's legs were shaking, he was starting to feel everything hurting again, and he was getting angrier and angrier. With as primal a yell he could muster, the Huntsman in training charged with reckless abandon, unable to properly swing his sword. Roman immediately smacked the weapon out of his hand. The thief followed up the disarm by delivering an ear-ringing open hand slap across Jaune's face, knocking the boy to the cold ground.

The thief stood in awe and let out a belly laugh, greatly amused by the boy below him.

"Oh, you have got to be joking with me!" Roman let out between laughs. "You're no Huntsman at all! You're probably not even good enough for training!"

Roman sauntered over to Jaune's prone body, placing one foot against the back of the boy's head, pressing it deeper into the mushy snow as the thief wrenched off his shield from his arm.

"Now I know that this doesn't even belong to you," Roman said, brushing off some of the dirt that got on his new shield before figuring out how to collapse it back into his sheath. "All this trouble over a sword you don't even deserve, pathetic."

As Roman walked over to pick up the remaining sword, clipping the shield to his waist, Jaune just laid there, face down in the snow, fading in and out of consciousness.

The words stung. Stung worse than the cuts exposed to the cold air. Roman was right. That sword didn't belong to him, he was no better thief than he was, but at least he could get away with it.

Jaune agonizingly turned his head towards Roman as he leaned down and picked up his sword- no, his grandfather's sword. That sword belonged to a true hero. A man who fought for and sacrificed everything to keep those he loved safe.

It doesn't belong to me…

Jaune watched as the smug bastard pulled out his cigar case, leaning against the railing overlooking the canal. The sight made Jaune clench the snow around him, squeezing so tight his knuckles turned white.

But it sure doesn't belong to him either!

As Roman lighted a cigar, Jaune pelted the back of his coat with a snowball. The thief turned to see him barely standing, blood smearing his face as he held another snowball.

"Give it… back." Jaune growled out.

"A snowball? Really? Why don't you be a graceful loser and lie back down in the snow while I finish my victory smoke? Save yourself from any more trouble."

"GIVE IT BACK!" Jaune yelled as he hurled another snowball, sailing just above Roman's head, and plowed right into his bowler hat…

"My hat!" Roman exclaimed as he attempted to grasp his precious headpiece, nearly barreling over the canal's railing as his fingers grazed the wool felt, just a hair out of reach. The hat was carried away by the Solitas winds into the rushing waters below.

"Alright, kid." The hatless thief seethed. "You want your sword back? You can have it after the doctors pull it from your asshole when I shove it down your throat!"

Clutching his cane, Roman turned towards Jaune to exact his vengeance, in time to realize that the stubborn blonde had rushed in and kicked the thief right in the side where Crocea Mors was…

Click.

As soon as the foot made an impact, the sheath had expanded, the force of the weapon's activated mechanisms causing the shield to fly off Roman's waist as he was launched over the river's railing with a surprised yelp.

SPLASH!

Crocea Mors clattered back to the cobbled stone ground next to Jaune. The boy quickly grabbed his family heirloom, then stumbled over to the rail to see the notorious criminal splashing around in the water. Seeing Roman sputter in the dirty city water caused Jaune to chuckle, which then bubbled into full-blown laughter.

"Atlas's Greatest Criminal, my butt!" Jaune yelled down to the river below. If Roman had any witty remark, it was inaudible through the water he sputtered out of his mouth as he splashed around in the river.

"What's wrong, idiot?! Nothing to say now that you aren't so tough?"

"H-Hel-"

"What was that?!"

"Pffft H-Help! I-I can't swim!"

Jaune watched the helpless thief try his best to stay above water as he digested the information.

"Oh. OH CRAP! H-Hold on! I'll uh…," Jaune looked frantically around him for any other souls who could help until he noticed Roman come up for one last gulp of desperate air before disappearing below the water.

Jaune quietly cursed as he dropped the weapon and shed his backpack before hopping off the railing and into the river below.

~O~O~O~O~O~

The two men gasped for air as Jaune pulled Roman and himself out of the river onto a stone ledge, resting above the water line. Next to them were a set of stairs that lead back to the streets above.

Roman coughed up some water and sat on the cobblestone stairs as Jaune lay on the ground, his body aching too much to stand.

The rescued thief watched his unlikely savior for a few seconds as he caught his breath, before stating the obvious.

"You… saved me."

The blonde just tiredly nodded, staring up at the stone bridge that hung over their little platform, saying nothing and prompting Roman to speak again.

"Why?"

"Huh?" Jaune asked as he slowly sat up, scooting his back to the wall to better look at Roman. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Don't patronize me, kid. I was robbing you of your family heirloom and kicked your ass."

"Yeah, but you were drowning," Jaune said. "Just because you're a huge jerk doesn't mean I'll sit by and watch you die."

Roman studied Jaune's face, looking for any hint of deceit. When he found none, he smirked.

"Dumbass."

"WHAT?!"

"I said you're a dumbass, kid," Roman confirmed. "If you're naive enough to save someone who just mugged you, then this Kingdom will chew you up and spit you out." The thief said as he gestured towards Jaune as he sat soaking wet and beaten black and blue…

"Wait a minute. Why isn't your Aura healing your wounds?"

"My… Aura?"

Roman's eyes bulged as he looked at Jaune like he had grown a second head.

"NO!" the flabbergasted crook exclaimed. "No way. You can't be this dumb. Do you not know what Aura is?!"

"I-I know what Aura is!" Jaune defended as he tried to hide his embarrassment. "My dad is a Huntsman for crying out loud. I know what it is. It's a forcefield, right? It protects you from damage and gives you a superpower?"

Roman facepalmed and sighed loudly. "Look, Blondie, it's more complicated than that, but it's technically correct." He rubbed his chin as he organized his thoughts. "Let's see, how do I explain it. Think of Aura as a sort of energy battery that's in your soul or whatever. This energy can be used to do a few things, generate a forcefield as you said, heal wounds, boost your muscles, and even interact with Dust Crystals. And depending on your Semblance, your superpower, it may have to be powered by your Aura."

"And so yeah, a useful battery, but just like a battery, if you use all its energy, you can't use it anymore unless you recharge it. It can also- so- Yes, Jaune?"

Jaune had his hand raised like a student in class. "How does it recharge? Does it, like, feed off your soul?"

"How the hell should I know? You tell me, aren't you going to Bulwark for this stuff?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm going there because I don't know this stuff."

"And you're going there without your Aura activated?" Roman said incredulously. "Well, hot shot, how did you plan on becoming a Huntsman without your 'force field?' It's a miracle you survived that explosion. How do you think you're going to survive a Beowolf claw?"

"I was hoping to find someone there to activate it," Jaune said non-committedly, the idea sounding half-assed and reckless now that he was saying it. "I'll just have to make it work, I guess."

Roman studied the young man closely before sighing and stood up from his seat on the stairs. "Stand up."

"Huh? Why?"

"I'm going to unlock your Aura."

Jaune stood as quickly as his aching body could. "R-Really? You'd do that for me?!"

"Don't get all soft and mushy on me, Blondie," Roman said as he helped Jaune stand straight. "I'm not one for being indebted to people, especially to idiots. Consider this repayment for saving my life by saving yours. You won't last a day in Bulwark without Aura."

"T-Thankyou! So what do I need to do? Do I need to make a certain pose or-"

"Just shut up before I change my mind."

Jaune's mouth snapped shut, not wanting to let this golden opportunity go to waste. He silently watched as Roman placed a hand on his shoulder and one over his breastplate, just where his heart was.

Then he started glowing orange…

"For it is in our cunning that we shape the world to our will. Through this, we defy all odds and obtain our deserved fame and glory. An eye for an eye and honor among thieves, I release your soul, and by my code repays thee."

It was as if the words flowed into Jaune, sinking into his soul and causing something to burst forth. A white light surrounded him as what felt like pure energy began to flow through his being.

For a second, Roman looked tired, but as he watched the light cast over Jaune, he let out a whistle.

"Not bad, Blondie. You got yourself quite the Aura reserve."

Jaune paid little mind to Roman's words as he looked at his arms and saw his cuts close shut and bruises fade away. He could also feel the energy flow through his bones as they healed fractures and repaired his broken ribs. When the glowing faded, Jaune took in a deep breath and felt…

"Amazing." The knight uttered, now feeling reinvigorated and healed. "This is amazing! Why doesn't everyone do this?"

Roman shrugged, "Several dumb reasons. Some morons believe that having Aura attracts Grimm."

"I-Is that true?" Jaune paled.

"Probably not. Anyways now that I've repaid my debt, I'll  get go-"

"ACHOO!"

The tense silence after Jaune sneezed directly into Roman's face was so palpable you could cut it with a knife. The thief looked perturbed as the knight covered his mouth with utter embarrassment and horror.

"I. Am. So sorry." Jaune began. "I didn't mean to a-a ACHOO!"

Another sneeze came, but luckily he sneezed into his elbow instead of on Roman again, who was now noticing that the two of them were shivering cold.

"Well, this won't do," Roman said, reaching into his sopping-wet coat pockets.

"W-w-w-w-What are you doing?" Jaune shivered as his body started shaking.

"O-o-our clothes are wet and were standing in about 30-degree temperature. I can't officially repay you for saving my life if I let you freeze to death. O-o-open your palm."

Jaune tried his best to keep his arm steady as Roman fished out a vial of red Dust and poured some of it into the young man's hand, instantly warming his palms.

"Now that you have your Aura unlocked, here's a good way to use it," Roman said, pouring the vial into his hand. "Watch."

Jaune did just that, observing how Roman closed his eyes and focused, his Aura around his hand flaring first orange, then red, causing the wet glove to steam. Soon the red light spread throughout his form, covering his entire body until it finally dissipated, leaving Roman Torchwick's stylish clothes completely dry.

"Whoaaaa," Jaune said in amazement. "Was that your Semblance?"

"Nope. That was Fire Dust." Roman answered smugly. "And now it's your turn to try. I want you to remember the energy you felt when it first flowed through you. Think hard about what it exactly felt like. Then I want you to focus that feeling on your hand that's holding the Fire Dust. Then when you feel the energy growing, imagine that feeling spreading from your hand across your body. Like water droplets in a shower, or slowly submerging into a swimming pool."

Jaune nodded, took a deep breath, then focused. He imagined the warmth that first spread over him and imagined it all in his palm, growing brighter and hotter. It began to feel intense, like putting his hand near an open flame. Before it got too much, he imagined the heat spreading evenly along his entire body, basking him in what felt like a hot summer's day.

As he felt the heat of the Fire Dust runout, he let his Aura fade with it. After a moment of feeling himself up, he discovered himself to be completely dry and toasty!

"Nice job Blondie!" Roman clapped in approval. "You're a pretty fast learner! I was ready to laugh as you blew yourself up again, but you got it in one shot."

Jaune couldn't help but chuckle, "Too bad. But really, thank you, Roman. You know, I think you'd make an awesome teacher!"

"Oh really?" Roman smiled. "Let me teach you one last lesson about Aura before I leave."

He placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder. "So you know that Aura can be applied as a force field, but I bet you didn't know you had to consciously activate it for it to protect you."

"Really?" Jaune asked. "So it doesn't automatically protect me?"

"Nope, for example..."

Next thing Jaune knew, Roman had swung his leg and kicked him right in the groin, causing him to bowl over on himself and lay on the ground. As Jaune coughed in pain, he squinted up at his teacher.

"W-why would you do that?!" He groaned.

"Don't think I forgot how you botched my robbery, kid. That was payback for all the trouble you've caused me." The thief crouched down and riffled through Jaune's pockets for his wallet. "And this is to cover the expenses for a new hat, jerk."

Jaune continued to clutch his privates as Roman walked towards the nearby stairs, whipped out a cigar, and lit it, letting out a satisfied sigh as he breathed smoke.

"Consider this your final lesson for the day, Arc. This Kingdom feeds off the naive and trusting schmucks like you. If you wanna make it big, you gotta play dirty. And if playing dirty doesn't work, get nasty." With another puff, the infamous criminal turned and smiled at Jaune.

"I expect big things from you, kid. Don't you dare disappoint me." With those words, Roman began his assent of the stone stairs towards the streets of Mantle, yelling back towards Jaune some final parting words as the boy's Aura slowly repaired his nuts.

"Oh, and by the way! Welcome to Atlas!"

[starset21]

Sincerely, Yours

Standard disclaimer: I only own my original characters, I've done some research but there will likely be Navy/military inaccuracies, and I do not consent to the posting, translating, or publishing of my work to any 3rd party site, the only place it may be found is on tumblr and Wattpad under @.itswildflower Warnings: N/A Summary: Ria goes back home for an afternoon Looking for previous chapters? Sincerely, Yours Masterlist  

Chapter 4:

Ria arrived at her family’s San Diego home a little after 11 a.m. the next day. The door was opened before she could even get halfway up the driveway, her german shepherd dog was running for her, with Mari standing in the doorway. Ria grinned as she greeted her pup with lots of affection. Once he was settled she walked the rest of the way with him on her heels. “Sorry Ria, he just bolted as soon as he heard your truck door,” the thirteen-year-old told her. “It’s alright Mari, Atlas wouldn’t have gone any further than me,” she told the girl as she brought her in for a hug. “Ma, I’m home,” she called out, hanging her keys on the designated hook. Two sets of footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. Sarah Kazansky smiled as she walked into the main foyer, opening her arms for a hug. Ria obliged and wrapped her own arms around her mother and squeezed tightly. “My oldest baby is home, safe and sound,” she murmured, drawing back to look at her. Indira Kazanksy, coined Ria at a young age, the oldest Kazansky child at 29, knew how much those words meant to her family after her twin Everett or just Rhett for short was KIA. Her mother had tried so hard to convince Ria to pursue something with her engineering degree instead of aviation. Neither of the twins would listen. Their father had taken them to base one too many times when they were younger and they had both gotten bit by the aviation bug, though Rhett had gravitated towards weapons systems, much to their uncle Slider’s joy, Ria had a natural talent for piloting that both her father and Maverick did their best to nurture when she was young. She was then enveloped in a hug by 17-year-old Junior. The middle child. “Hey kiddo, how’s school?” she greeted, patting his back. “It’s good,” he told her, bending down to pat Atlas on the head. “Thanks for looking after him, Tj,” she told him. “We all know I’m his favorite, after you of course sis,” he teased. “Dad up in his office?” she asked. Her mother nodded and gave her a sad smile before heading into the kitchen while Tj and Mari went to go play some soccer in the backyard.

Atlas followed on her heels as she headed upstairs to her father’s office. She passed her room, and Mari’s before stopping at the door to the study and knocking. She heard the automated voice say come in. Tom Kazanksy was diagnosed with throat cancer 6 years ago. He had beaten it and gone into remission but it’s come back, and now it’s much more severe, leaving him in pain when he tried to speak. “Hey Dad, How’re you feeling?” she asked as she pushed the door open. Just fine, he signed. The entire Kazansky household had learned sign language as soon as it had gotten painful for Tom to speak much more than a few words the first time around with cancer so he wouldn’t have to rely on computers, phones, or notebooks to hold conversations with the family. Ria frowned. I don’t want to talk about it, he added as she took a seat in the comfortable leather chair across from him looking at the various photos on the walls like her and Rhett’s senior portraits, Junior and Mari’s school pictures, pictures of the whole family, their academy graduation, and even their wing-pinning ceremony when he pinned the wings on her chest as Slider pinned them on her twin. “Fine, what do you want to talk about?” she asked turning her attention to him fully. Atlas curled up at her feet and stared up at her with his adoring brown eyes. How’s training? “It’s fine, I got tone on Mav during the dogfighting exercises.” That’s my girl. Ria smiled but her father could see that something was weighing on her heavily. What is it? “It’s training for a suicide mission at this point Dad, and we don’t even have all the details yet. I don’t know if we’re ready for this,” she admitted. You’ll be ready when the time comes. Her dad coughed causing her to look back at him, he had stood up and walked around his desk so he was next to her, and Ria stood too causing Atlas to stand, wanting to get a few pats on the head from the older man. He coughed a few times more before clearing his throat. “I’m so proud of you Ria, you’ll get the job done and you’ll come home to us.” Water rimmed Ria’s eyes, though she didn’t allow them to fall. “You’re not supposed to be talking Dad.” Tom shook his head and opened his arms to her and she stepped into them, allowing his embrace to take her back in time to when she was little and the safest place in the world was in his arms and she then allowed a few tears to fall. He held his daughter tightly until she stopped crying then promptly signed at her to go get cleaned up and to go play some soccer with Mari, as she had been dying for some real competition. Ria offered him a wary smile and a nod before leaving his office, Atlas again at her heels.

Mari was giggling as TJ chased Ria, who had just stolen the ball from him, and ran towards her. “C’mon Mari, shoot!” She cheered as she passed the ball to the younger girl. She scored and Ria rushed over to her, picking her up and spinning her around, eliciting more giggles from the girl, Atlas barking happily as he followed them around. Meanwhile, Sarah is opening the door again. “Maverick,” Sarah greets, pulling him into a hug. Maverick glances out the back door to see Ice’s kids playing soccer and laughing, all with wide grins on their faces. That’s good, after the week they’ve had he was glad to see Ria relaxing with family. Sarah wrings her hands together. Maverick noticed and frowned. “It’s come back?” he asked. “No one knows but the family. There’s nothing else they can do. Speaking is painful,” Sarah tells him and Maverick softens. “Sarah, I’m so sorry,” he said. Sarah nods towards the staircase, “he’s upstairs.” Maverick made the trek up the stairs and he knocked as a courtesy before opening the door, hearing him coughing. “Admiral.” Ice turned to him, gesturing to the old chair that was against the wall. “How’s my wingman?” Mav asks as he takes a seat. Ice smiles before leaning over and typing. I want to talk about work. Maverick shakes his head. “Please don’t worry about me, what can I do for you?” he asks. Ice points at the screen again and Maverick chuckles. “All right,” he sighed. “Well, Rooster’s still angry with me about what I did. I thought eventually he would understand why. I hoped he’d forgive me.” Ice nodded and leaned forward typing, There’s still time. Maverick shook his head. “The mission is less than three weeks away. The kid’s not ready. None of them are.” Ice’s fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment until he typed out, Then teach them. “They don’t want what I have to give.” Ice waved him off. “Ice, please, don’t ask me to send someone else to die. Please don’t… Don’t ask me to send them. Send me,” Maverick practically begged. It’s time to let go. Maverick’s jaw clenched and unclenched as he thought about how he was going to respond. “I don’t know how.” Ice pursued his lips. Maverick sighed. “I’m not a teacher, Ice. I’m a fighter pilot. A naval aviator. It’s not what I am. It’s who I am. How do I teach that?” he asked. “And even if I could teach it, it’s not what Bradley wants. It’s not what the Navy wants. That’s why they canned me the last time. The only reason I’m here is you. If I send them on this mission, they might never come home. And if I don’t send him, he’ll never forgive me. Either way, I could lose him, forever.” The ‘It’s time to let go’ on the computer blinked at him. Maverick sighed. “I know… I know.” Ice exhaled deeply before clearing his throat with a few coughs. “The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That’s why I fought for you. That’s why you’re still here,” he said hoarsely. The two men embrace. “Thank you, Ice, for everything,” he said after a moment. “One last thing. Who’s the better pilot? You or me?” Ice asks, a soft smile on his face. “This is a nice moment. Let’s not ruin it,” Maverick replies with a chuckle.