THREE YEARS LATER
KINGDOM OF ATLAS
POV
"Welcome home, Manta 5-1..."As the very operator as greeted. "Please identify your reasons for entering Atlas airspace." As the operator asked him "What do we do guys ? As We can't just say we stole the ship !" As ruby said as well just panicked."As saying we have business with the very general might just throw more suspicion onto us now" As Ren said to them noted as the group was just struggling to reach a decision now. "If you do not respond in the next five minutes, we will be forced to take action." As the operator declared as the tensions in the ship as only seemed to be a rising now and then everyone's started to panick a bit as for weiss as taking a deep breath took a step towards the front driver and then looking towards Maria, who was flying the bullhead "As Steer off into Mantle. I have an idea." As Weiss said "I hope you know as what you're doing now." As Maria just stated towards her Outside the ship large projected screens on the very buildings played as a message from General Ironwood himself
"We implore you to follow this curfew as it's is for your own safety. A Grimm breach in the wall has forced us to clear out the streets so that just our Atlesian Knight units and huntsmen may have an easier time clearing out the Grimm." As the message was as explained to everyone who was watching or walking around town. Down on the streets as people we're being dismissed from public places, much to their own annoyances as a fews of them shoved the very Atlesian Knights and soldiers back when they we're being forced to move. "This is... very Terrible." As Blake's ears folded down and then just looking around the areas as this is just depressing "He's only following protocol....." As Ren just spoke up as he looked around the areas as well. "He's doing it to save them..." As he knows it but it as just tough on everyone since beacon academy now.
"But from here it looks more like oppression..." Blake just grit her very teeth as jaune was thinking about as everyone and everything around him as he knows as how Blake feels but he knows and understand ren as what he was saying as this is a complicated situation.
"We'll get in touch with my sister winter as she'll know what we can do and what is going on" Weiss assured Maria and everyone "Well I see she's right there now." As Ruby pointed to the next messages that's showed as winter on the screens. "Please civilians evacuates to the very nearest shelters as we understand this is a lot to ask but it is for your own safety" As Winter just explained in her deadpanned tone as everyone's just as watching her and then Nora rised her thumbs up in approval for something as everyone's and then Weiss just roll her eye's and as then just giggled towards her now as then everyone looking forward "Well as since we're gonna land down there, we may as well pay my doctor a visit." Maria reasoned "I'm sure as you don't mind making your call from there, do you ?" As she's just asked the everyone "As Well I guess her knowing where's to pick us up wouldn't be bad." As Weiss just shrugged as Maria found a spot to park the ship now. "Manta 5-1 this is your final warn-" the radio cut off as the ship powered down as everyone walking through the very streets of Mantle, everyone's saw first hand how things were being handled, with Atlesian Knights escorting people to shelters kids as throwing rocks at drones as they passed by and a rather angry faunus man yelling at a soldier and who aimed his weapon at him now as it was happening every street now and it was that everyone started to noticed as people's just as glaring toward them "It's even worse up close" as Nora admitted with a look of disdain as she reached for Ren's hand "Atlas is supposed to be the greatest Kingdom, right guys?" As Oscar asked, not getting a response anyone now as everyone was walking just about a good time A drone flying by stopped right in front of the group and snapped a picture that blinded Yang. "Oh that does it !" As Yang slammed her left fist right into it and it took a heavy hit from a truck. "How much further?!" As she just yelled towards the elderly woman "A few more blocks and Yeesh, will you calm down! I thought you kids didn't want to start a scene." As Maria just groaned as Blake put a hand on Yang's shoulder, and calming her down for now As they're all continued walking, a man sitting by the entrance to a bar building noticed them. "H-Hey what are you kids doing out so late?" he slurred with a hiccup, the flask in his hand and as the stenches of alcohol was all the group needed to know to confirm who's this guy was.
As no response came as they kept walking before he angrily grabbed Ruby's shoulder. "Hey little girl I said what are you-" before he just could even lay another finger on her Qrow shoved him back. "...Hands off my niece dirtbag." As the man held his head up. "Sorry.... I just..." As he hiccuped again "I just..do hate how the very general's damn dust embargo has left my family with nothing." As he told everyone who was thinking and absorting the very information Weiss then took a step forward. "Nothings? Do you work for the SDC ?" "Well yeah..." The man sat down on the stairs of the building, taking another swig from his flask. "With the council seat election happening as I'm not really sure who to vote for..... I mean Jacques Schnee does kind of have my job But Robyn Hill's policies... seem really good for keeping my family safe. It's too hard thinking on this stuff...now" he took a long swig from his flask. "Your father's running for a councils seat ?" As Blake just asked Weiss who turned to face her and then as nodded towards her now "Yeah it's was something he was well into working on before I left the house..." As she told her not realising there very mistake just now. "Wait a second... Aren't you-" before the man could questions Weiss more Blake quickly pulled her along, knowing that's anymore talking would only served to create more of a scene "Now that's you kids are done gawking at the scenery as I think it's about time we go in." As Maria just insisted now as the groups watched a woman with bear ears and a prosthetic arm step out of the workshops and then everyone's started to look towards the workshops Yang looked down at her arm. "Maybe I can get my arm looked at too..." As then just like that everyone started to Enter the very workshop, As Maria Calavera just took a seat right in front of the desk "Hello Pietro." As she just greeted her old friend. As looking around the room has ruby took note of the decorations about on the shelves and wall, including a whale figurine and as several books on mechanical engineering, and a chalkboard that said "Days since the last nonsense: 0" Weiss could probably relate to that one As for what Weiss was currently doing, she's was dialing for her sister Winter, but just unfortunately couldn't get any response. "Come on!" As she hit the redial button. "Ah Miss Calavera, how are you doing?! here to have your eyesight checked on ?" As the very doctor just asked her "You know it!" she nodded. "Oh, these kids just as tagged along with me They needed someone to guide them as Though it turned out I still had something to learn from them." As she's told him now as he looked towards there very direction now as then "Hello there" As Yang greeted with a wave of her prosthetic as Pietro moved forward, his chair wasn't an ordinary wheelchair, it had legs that walked around for him."That's... You painted it?!" As he pulled Yang's arm down now. "What's the hell did you go through to do this much damage?!" As he said and question her
"Oh you know... Blunt force..." As Yang just shrugged awkwardly as she was released. " This is my sister as Ruby made some fast repairs so it could work again." she explained as her sister looked towards Yang has Yang pointed towards her as took a step forward now.
"Uh, hi!" she's greeted "I'm Ruby!" "As It's a pleasures to meet you all.' he tipped his hat up slightly as he sat up from his very chair. "Do you know anything's about what's going on out there?" As Jaune just inquired as he was observing everything and everyone and it's is like there is going to be a Grimm attack at anytime as then Pietro looked to Maria, then the group of young huntsmen. "As The General's let his paranoia get the better of him, I'm afraid. Ever since the fall of Beacon things have gotten a lot worse as than you're seeing outside as Honestly tonight's one of the better nights we've seen in recent days." As he told everyone and then everyone felt a little bit nervous and just uneven
"Wait but the people here just know that Atlas wasn't responsible for what happened at Beacon, right ?" As Weiss asked him as he just kept on looking at her as then he said "Oh we're fully aware...But we're just still trying to wrap our very heads around who could have compromised all of our systems The general believes that we might have been compromised by someone from the inside, or just as someone with an intensive knowledge on our security systems as I fear it may be both." As Looking at the teams a little closely, Pietro's eyes went wide and he moved back slightly. "Wait... A minute.....You're all Team RWBY!" As he told to then
"You know us?" As Ruby was just genuine surprised by this "He probably knows me for that's incident with Mercury." Yang shrugged with her arms crossed now.
"Oh, I'm aware of that but my daughter just won't shut up about you guys!" he smiled towards them all and it was confusing them about his daughter "wait... sir..As Your... Daughter?" As ruby just crossed her arms has before an alarm would cut any answer shorts as it just then alerts everyone to there feet as "that's alarm... Is the... Grimm!" As Nora said and just as before rushed out the door first. "Nora, wait!" Ren followed after her, prompting Jaune to just follow in suit as Team RWBY, Oscar and Qrow as were fast to follow them out. "W-Wait!" Pietro beckoned to them while Maria sat back in her chair."don't worry You get used to it after just a while." As she told him as she was sipping her tea as she sat down on the sofa comfortably now Nora was the first onto the scene as the alarms were as blaring and the streets were now empty, just as several sabyr Grimm rounded the corner, snarling and now fixated on her before the others followed her out as weapons drawn. As They charged for Nora immediately, only to get cut down by gunfire from Ruby, Ren, Qrow, and as Yang's one working gauntlet and as Grimm started to emerge from the other alleyways, and it was clear the very suppressing fire wasn't going to work anymore.
Slamming her hammer into the head of a sabyr that's got too close, as Nora was the first to start this initial assault Ruby dodged a lunge from one that leaped at her from an alleyway, as then caught one that tried to bite at her with her weapon and spinning it around to knock it off before as Qrow charged in and sliced it's body in half, kicking at another one that jumped from a roof. Oscar ducked and evaded a pair of sabyrs that were close to him, clearly looking at the relic that was clipped to his belt now. As Several more sabyrs we're starting to climb a building slamming theirs limbs into the shuttered up windows, and as rearing themselves up to pounce at Oscar as who had managed to knock one of the two Sabyrs attacking him to the side....now
"They're going after the buildings too!" As Weiss now just fired icicles at the climbing sabyr's as before one that jumped for her just got stabbed into the throat by Crocea Mors. "I have an idea....." As Jaune pulled his very sword out of a sabyr's body. "As We need to give someone a boost!" he explained as Ren was firing at the sabyrs that we're still trying to enter the building as then three more are coming towards him as he just put out his handcanon and as then started to shoot at them as it hit two and missed one as it's dodged it as he put out his shield and ran with it and then shoot it in point blank as then everyone started to Smirking at this suggestion, Weiss focused herself and created a gravity well glyph under several charging sabyrs and launching them into the air. Ren saw this and jumped at the sabyrs, slicing at all of them with stormflower's knives before finally stabbing them into the back of a wall mounted sabyr, before continuing his assault on the other ones now As the sabyrs Weiss boosted into the air fell apart. Blake was by Yang's side, providing suppressive fire with as what was just left of Gambol Shroud Yang simply smirked to her and kept firing on the Sabyrs as that were climbing while Blake kept the ones on street level off of her as Yang suddenly found herself tackled to the ground when she's accidentally tried to shoot with her prosthetic arm and Blake was in the middle of reloading her very weapon now and it was then She's held the sabyr's gnawing mouth from her face with her prosthetic while Blake tried to shoot at it, only to panic when she found her weapon to be jammed. "Yang!" she's screamed, taking out Gambol Shroud's sheath and starting to run at it when a green laser cut through the very head of the one that was on Yang the laser was precise and as the shot didn't also hit Yang, instead hitting another Grimm that just was behind her as well has sitting up on the ground Yang looked up at who's was helping them with surprise in her eyes More lasers fired out, blasting through each Grimm that was climbing the walls just was on street level, and as even the ones that were starting to circle around Oscar. A new, yet familiar figure floated in the air above everyone as spinning around in front of the moon with her swords orbiting her and as firing more lasers that cut through the remainder of the Grimm's. Penny Polendina touched down on the ground, alive and well has her swords receded into her back when she turned to face the group of young huntsman. She looked different, her hair was back length, her dress was longer and with darker colors, she wore a pair of gloves over her hands, and her legs looked like they had some kind of jets in them that's allowed her to fly.
As Ruby's mouth hung open in surprise has her eyes notably started to water from forming tears "P-Penny" Yang put a hand on her sister's shoulder and a smiled just as Pietro and Maria finally stepped outside as the Grimm alarm had been cleared "wait H-How is she-" before Qrow could ask any further Pietro cut him off.
"Alive? Well... We were able to recover her core out of Amity Arena of courses." Pietro's chair stopped next to his daughter who's held his hand and smiled. "We aren't about to let a little dismemberment as stop us right?" he returned his daughter's smiled "No sir!" As Penny said as then looked towards team RWBY, JNR Oscar and as Qrow who were all approaching her as then "We're glad to see you're okay, Penny." As Weiss nodded towards her "It's weird to think about..., but to be fair... It seems pretty par for the course with you..." Yang shook her head.... "Sounds like Penny alright." Blake agreed " Penny... Wait Y-You're okay...." As ruby just stammered out as Penny just walked over before getting taken aback when Ruby pulled her into a hug. "I thought you were gone." tears were still streaming down the girl's face as Penny just wasn't sure how to respond She just smiled and then hugged Ruby back making sure not to hug her friend too tightly and then "Salutations, Ruby." As she told her now " As I have no clue what's goings on" As Maria just commented looked towards her "A lot of us are in that very some boat granny." As Nora remarked, earning her a glare. "S-So you remember everything's?" Ruby asked her.
"Everything up till I got dismantled back in the Amity Arena." As Penny nodded as Jaune notably seemed forlorn at that mention as remembering exactly what had happened there and who had been made to do it. "Penny, listen. There's a lot we have to catch up on." Ruby wiped her tears from her eyes. "I'd be happy to catch up with you!" Penny beamed before suddenly more Grimm alarms across the city sounded. "Oh but I have to go back to work and just I'm Mantle's official protector!" she just explained with a salute while she floated up. "I'llbesuretocatchupwithyouandstuffwhenyougettothegeneralinAtlas,kbye!" with that she's was gone, leaving everyone's perplexed and Ruby feeling relieved. As she flew off Penny looked back to where they were. "I do just feel like I forgot to remind them of something... Oh! As The Ace Operatives!" she's was about to ready herself to turn around when she saw a mother and a small child just cornered by a couple of Grimm. "I hope Ruby won't be mad at me for that..." As she flew off towards the people in need as Making their walk back towards Pietro's workshop/office, Ren suddenly stopped when he sensed something as He immediately shoved Weiss just as forward as a pair of gravity bolas wrapped around his arms Blake shoved Yang aside and as just landing right on top of her now.
As Qrow as blocked the ones that flew at him with his scythe while grabbing Ruby. Oscar, Jaune and Nora weren't as lucky, however. They we're on the ground and the relic detached from Oscar's belt as cluttering right to the feet of a group of huntsmen, of which one picked it up and looked at it as the man wore a white and blue uniform with a red inlay. "Detain them now!" the man ordered, drawing out his weapon has Qrow charged straight for him, clashing his sword with the man's fishing rod and glaring at him."Give that back buddy! You don't know just what you're messing with there!" Qrow commanded him before getting shoved away by a blur of electricity "H-Hey now stop this!" As Dr. Polendina tried to command, but it was too late as the fighting had already begun as Still on top of Yang, Blake just started to blushed slightly as before getting off and unsheathing her weapon as glaring notably at the lack of blade it had before grabbing the as bladed sheath off her back and Yang stood herself up, just as flustered as Yang was but has focusing on the fight at hand. The two enemies that stood before them didn't look like they'd be an easy fight as one of them was a bulky woman with a large hammer in hand and as the other was a clean shaven man with his hands folded behind his back as he had just some markings on his forehead, yet they both seemed to be wearing some kind of uniform that matched the man with the fishing rod weapon's. Weiss boosted Ruby into the air with a glyph, to give her a better vantage point on a roof and Weiss was about to ready a summon to aid her in this fight when suddenly she's just felt as though she was slowed down again, but she hadn't messed up a time dilation glyph just now...A dark skinned faunus with a dog tail, wearing a similar uniform to the others stood before her, his weapon as seemed to be some kind of large boomerang and he's was just pointing at her. A pair of bolas wrapped around the heiress's arms has she fell to the ground, now has struggling against her restraints, and completely confused as to what's had just happened as Ruby looked down the scope of her weapon to try and get a clear shot at any enemies but was met by a woman standing right in front of her line of sight, which made her stand up from her perch and slash at her The woman now stood behind her with a smirk as Ruby again, attempted to hit her, but missed again. She now stood several feet ahead of Ruby and her eyes sparked with electricity as she's just readied herself for a run and Holding her weapon behind her, Ruby just readied herself for this woman's attack and then Nodding to each other as Blake and Yang ran for their two opponents respectively, but were caught off guard when the man held his hand out, an arm made of aura extended out and as then grasped onto Blake slamming her onto the ground. "Blake!" Yang glared and she instinctively again as attempted to fire a shot from her right arm, only for it to jam on her again due to it's state of disrepair. "Oh...." As she just groaned miserably before she was slammed to the ground by a hammer and promptly restrained with gravity bolas.
As then ruby charged at the woman as who promptly charged right back at her, electricity and rose petals left in their wake. Ruby swung out, but was confused as her very target had gone again as only for her to be tackled to the ground from behind and restrained with gravity bolas and Deflecting the man's attacks as he threw out his fishing rod, Qrow seemed to be the only one among the group who was competently holding himself."I'm usually just able to get the drop on very people faster." the man glared has Qrow held him in a lock of their weapons."Well I guess today as just ain't your lucky day." he noticed the four leaf clover pin on the man's vest and has chuckled a bit before the blur of electricity separated the two again and he saw that As he was just surrounded now as the man as simply smirked "You were saying?" As he letting out a groan, as qrow just as held his arms up in surrender as we'll dropping his weapon."H-Hey wait, you can't do this!" Pietro tried to argue while the bulky woman looked to Maria. "Do you know these miscreants ma'am now?" "Nope, never heard of em!" Maria feigned. "Oh come on!" Yang groaned. "I swear she knows us!""We need to speak to general Ironwood!" Ruby pleaded as she saw the clean shaven man looking at the relic as the man with the fishing rod put a finger to his ear. "Yes, General. This is Ebi here. I've got the group and Let's see... Illegal entry as stolen property, and unlicensed use of weaponry. To your office? Sir... Are you just as certain? This could be a trap- Understood." he ended his call with the general and looked to the group more specifically at Qrow as who was sitting on the ground with his wrists restrained. As he was shoved into the back of a prison transport with the rests of the group as well as some other prisoner as Qrow let out a sigh. "This was more or less what I just was expecting our greeting to be." As he said to them as this is goings to a long night as they know about this and just accept it
CHANGING LOCATION
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
POV
As the very sound of the ship's engine as was all that was clearly heard has Team RWBY, JNR, Oscar and Qrow were all being flown up to Atlas in the back of a prison transport as this is not what and how to expect things to go down but again what can anyone of them do as they don't have a idea what is going on and just what did they do be here Another man sat in the back with them and as looked around at the strange group, recognizing Weiss. "Say aren't you Weiss Schnee ?" he asked her "yes so what of it?" Weiss turned to him. "Why are you back here? Shouldn't you be living a life of luxury in the mansion ?" As he just scoffed towards her as everyone's else just watching the entire sense as conversations now "I'd hardly call that's life luxury" the former heiress looked down at her cuffed hands. "What about the rest of you lot, What's are you in here for?" As he then asked her "Well, accordingly to that's man who took us illegal entry a unlawful discharge of unregistered weapons and as stolen Atlesian military assets." Ren explained as the man seemed surprised at the group of teenage did that was extraordinary as
"Holy hell, I can see why they sent the Ace Ops after you guys as You must be some hardcore terrorists or something." As he remarked towards them as it was not common to send whole Ace Ops after a bunch of teenager now As Yang just groaned. "As we're not the bad guys here as this is all just a misunderstandings." As she told him "Right, well... I'm not a bad guy either, and look where that landed me.... General Ironwood's been suppressing the people down in Mantle that just want to live their lives honestly! As Robyn Hill….. Now that's a leader." he grinned toward the person and as that is a leader "What's your name pal?" Qrow asked.
"Forest." he smiled to the groups. "Let me tell you all about Robyn Hill….. As she and her team as were top graduates in Atlas Academy, but as instead of joining the military as they just decided to stick to helping the little man. She and her happy huntresses are as who inspired me to stand up for my rights has a citizen of Mantle!" Qrow just started laughing a little. "And look where that landed you." As qrow said as he looked at him "Not like you're doing any better-" as the doors to the ship opened before as Forest could make another remark, as he saw that they were on Atlas Academy's landing platform and has Two soldier's on the outside gestured for the group to leave the ship "W-What's as going on now ?" he asked in confusion as he followed them out, but was stopped by a guard."Sorry pal but you're not invited to the general's little gathering." the soldier shook his head."wait I'm well within my rights to have an audience with the general!" Forest argued before the door closed on him as then the guard and then started to escort the very prisoner van back to its another course and then the soldier escorted the very guest teenagers to the elevator now with them After a being herded into an elevator with the group as had a moment to themselves to think "Anyone just have a plan?" Yang asked,looking around as Jaune was still clearly deep in thought as Nora had been gnawing on her wrist restraints the entire time as Blake looked as lost as Yang did, and as Weiss was clearly spaced out and with ren as he was looking forward and focusing on the very situation and his surroundings for as any kind of support "As we need to play our cards close.." Ruby spoke out. "As We'll just see what he has to say, and we'll tell him what we can as I don't want to make him act brashly and difficult" As she looked down as it was a different "That's probably a smart idea." Jaune affirmed"I don't think the people down in Mantle need things any worse than they are now." As he told them as he knows what types of people his friends are and then what will they do if things don't go smooth and it is a different situations now as compared to the very other headmaster of haven Academy "As We'll follow your lead, Ruby."as Blake nodded to her team leader.
"Still… This is hardly a welcome." Yang remarked with a groan as the very elevator as continued towards the general's office hallways "you get used to it" As qrow told them and Just outside the elevator entrances to the floors the General's office was on winter Schnee and Penny Polendina were just conversing."Winter… All I'm asking is for a little... time to be like a real girl. I understand I have a lot to protect and.... believe me I want to do my job perfectly..... But without getting the time to know the people I'm saving, I feel like tensions aren't easing at all down there." As Penny reasoned was Letting out a sigh Winter put a hand on Penny's shoulder. "I understand you must feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and As People's do appreciate all that's you do for them down in Mantle, even if you don't get the time to interact with them at all. I know not having friends is hard as Believe me, I understand that a whole lot." As her eyes just dodged Penny's own for a moment before staring back again. "But we have a job to do as where we have to put our feelings second to our job." As winter told her and as before Crossing her arms as Penny couldn't help but turn away from Winter before another's idea came to mind. "I understand that, Winter. But maybe, I could get a mission with someone as, a friend of mine who recently got here!" As she's just seemed excited now. As Winter was about to inquire as to who, but as that answer soon came out the elevator door, as the very gathered group of RWBY, JNR, Oscar and Qrow were all in the elevator, restrained at their wrists by gravity bolas."Weiss." Winter took a step towards the group as the soldiers stationed by the elevator were tasked with taking them as Her eyes narrowed sharply at the fact that they we're restrained like prisoners just now. "I demand you to take those gravity bolas off of them now!" As she glared at the soldiers who immediately complied out of fear for a Winter's authority As Qrow groaned a bit rubbing his wrists. "I swear those things are designed to cut off circulations." he then noticed As Winter who glared daggers at him and pointed her weapon at his throat."Why do I have the feelings you have to do with why they were brought in like this!" As her very icy gaze was still as sharp has it was back at Beacon. "Winter, please. It wasn't his fault." As Weiss said to her and shook her head as this is the first time seeing this side of her sister " I was the ones that just came up with the idea to steal a ship to get here and till here." As Jaune just told her as everyone's just as looked at him with widen eye's and then... As her very icy gaze was still has sharp has directed towards him now as she had seen him as she was inspecting him as' he had blonde hair and blue eye's and this boy is jaune arc the boy..... weiss write letters about him' As she thought ' he truly is sum ' As she's thought"That was reckless! You could have gotten everyone hurt-" Winter's scolding was cut short and.. when her sister hugged her immediately "I-I... missed you so much.... Winter... In fact as the only reason I went out to Anima was because I was told you were going to be station in Mistral." Weiss explained as Winter grit her teeth."If I had known you were coming soon has weiss I would have-" she was cut off again."No, it's okay. I found my team and well… We have a whole lot to explain to the general." Weiss looked to the entrances to his office..
As then Penny was just elated to see Ruby has again "SALUTATIONS!" She's tackle hugged the girl to the ground as resulting in some twitching from her before Penny pulled her to her feet. "I'm awfully sorry I forgot to warn you about the Ace Operatives, Ruby." Penny frowned."I-It's okay, Penny." As ruby was still rubbing her head. "W-We're where's we wanted to go after all now, right?" Winter now walked ahead of the groups. "Come, the general's office is just up ahead." As she told them and started to escort the entire group and she kept an eye on the blonde boy as he is truly bad influence for her sister now Upon entering his office General Ironwood turned around from where he was sitting at his desk. He's looked exhausted, with bags under his eyes and as fully grown beard on his face.
"I'm sorry for how you were brought in, but you could understand that we really couldn't just afford to take chances with your group, Qrow." Ironwood stood up and as walked out in front of his desk now to properly greet the group, his gaze mainly fixated on Yang who turned away nervously."I'm glad to see that very arm I gave you did some good." As the general remarked. "Other student that's survivors of Beacon that I gave prosthetic replacements to have had varying results." he explained as he then looked around at the group. "So then, I suppose we should get started now." As he told them as then ruby looked at Winter and Penny quizzically. "Um, should they be here? Isn't this sort of stuff we have to report to you classified?" As she asked. "What do you mean? About Salem?" Winter asked her "And the Winter Maiden?" Penny brought up as everyone was genuinely surprised by this and the one the most was qrow "You told them?" As even Qrow was genuinely surprised still and asked him as he faced toward him now " yes to Them and my Ace Operatives and it's on a need-to-know basis. They're all just as needed to know the fight they were getting themselves into." As Ironwood raised an eyebrow. "I assume you all know as well then." As he asked the entire group of teenagers "Well yes." Oscar nodded. "G-General Sir!" he's corrected himself just has now. "Please, my friends call me, James." he walked over to the window as the shutters to it closed. "As Who's might you be?" As he asked the boy."I um… Well.." he seemed nervous."This is Oscar, sir." ruby introduced. "He's the newest Ozpin." As she's said to him in easy words "Excellent, then I can fully go over my plan with you all!" As Ironwood's very eyes notably lit up at this. "But first, I'd like a detailed report on just what exactly happened out in Mistral." "So my letter didn't get here then?" As Qrow shrugged "I'll give you the rundown."
It was a fairly brief explanation of all that had just had transpired at Haven. "I see… As Then you made your way here on a stolen ship?" As the general Ironwood confirmed it's for them and explained the entire story as till now "We didn't have a choice." As Ruby and the rest come to interjected. "We tried to reason with the commander of the Argus base, but as she gave us a hard time." As Ren said to him "Sounds like Cordovin alright." Winter furrowed her eyebrows." just To think Leo was compromised this whole time." Ironwood's hand balled up into a fist. "I can assure you all that I'm very much on your side." As Clover entered his office now, with the lamp of knowledge in his hand, giving it to the general before making his way out of the room, nodding to the group as he left. " As this tells me a lot about all you've gone through." As the general placed the lamp on his desk."We need to protect the lamp." Blake interjected. "We made our way out here in the hopes that we could seal it in your academy's vault." As the general nodded to this simple idea. "As we can although, it won't be for a while and as for you see the current Winter maiden is unwell. We think she may be nearing her last breath and We'll have to wait until our chosen candidate inherits her powers." Ruby looked over to her Uncle and he sighed. "She's not exactly a spring chicken."as ruby said this as they both giggled
"I believe with what we have as we can finally destroy Salem." Ironwood held his scroll out now. "You may want to back up a bit."As with the press of a button as the central floor in the room rose up to display the city of Atlas along with Amity Arena just floating beside it higher in the sky. "Amity Arena?" Ren was perplexed. "Yes. There's a reason why I've had to close off Atlas and keep all of our resources as to ourselves. I think I finally have a ways we can destroy Salem for good." with another press of his scroll the top of Amity Arena changed to resemble that of a CCT. "Y-You're turning it into a CCT?!" Ruby was surprised."Yes." Ironwood nodded confidently. "With this communication can be restored worldwide, and as we can just rally the other Kingdoms for help against Salem." As general just as explained to everyone "You're gonna tell everyone ?" As Qrow was in genuine shock. "You know how many lives ozpin lived through just to keep that very secret right and it was for a good reasons ? As there's gonna be global panic on a whole others level, do you really think Atlas can handle that much weight alone not as after what happened with beacon and vale?!" As the qrow the bird told him and make sure that he knows what he is doing as this is a very dangerous and very risky as telling the entire world just about this type of secret is very dangerous "It's a risk I know that but we have to take it and as we're as prepared to handle the consequences of this choice for some time now and Think of it like this, as we can turn Amity back into the symbol of unity that it once was, I think Ozpin would agree with it." As he turned towards Oscar again now.
"Um… About that....James..." As Oscar turned away and just then jaune took a step forward. "On our way to Argus the train we took was attacked and crashed, we had to make the rests of the trip back on foot and as then during that crash… as Ozpin sort of vanished out of Oscar's mind as We don't exactly know why's." As jaune told him as he knows the very reason why's because he had a idea about why as all of his secret started to come out and the results of everyone's just around were no-pleasant for to handle now and he is one of them people now "I see... then" As Ironwood looked towards the lamp now. "Did he tell you how we can use the relic ?" As he asked that "He just gave us the basic explanation that all the very questions it can answer had been used prior." As ruby shook her head earning her more glances from the rest of her groups as form "He told me as much as well" As Ironwood let out a sigh taking a deep breath Ruby asked another's question"What can we do to help?" As Ironwood was looking at his scroll now. "You can help us by getting stronger and we'll I'm sure a little trainings might help get Ozpin out of you yet, Oscar." he smiled now as he then pulled up the footages of the teams just fighting the Grimm as well as the Ace Operatives "Your very combat prowess certainly shows, although…" he cut to the footages of Blake taking her damaged weapon out and then as Yang trying to fire out of her damaged prosthetic as prompting the duo to look at each other embarrassed as Blake's ears folding down. "It's clear your equipment needs fixing up and all of you need to improve your combat charges I'll send you the proper forms to fill out for upgrades and we'll have you ready to go for our planned mission tomorrow." As he said to them as he then just gestured a hand just towards Penny. "If you would lead them to theirs rooms Miss Polendina." As he told her as her very eyes glitter like an child with a important task "Gladly, sir!" As Penny saluted and waved a hand for them to follow her out.
"Qrow." Ironwood halted him as the group walked off ahead of him leaving only the two of them all alone in the room "James? What's up?" As he asked without any prompting, Qrow found himself pulled into a hug, the general then patted his shoulder and smiled now. "It's good to see you again tinman I just hope there's no more surprises." As he took a deep breath and he told him as he had far too many for the last three year till now "You should get some rest yourself too as You look like you need it." As Qrow remarked as he is then made his way out of the room as well." Will do friend"
ONE MONTH LATER
PRESENT TIME
POV
At the first crosswalks jaune Arc just has stepped out into the road and held up his very sign, ensuring any oncoming traffic would see him and his charges. He ushered them across and waited until everyone was clear before stepping out of the road and retaking his place at the front of the line. The children chattered to one another's, talking superheroes comics and video games, or anything's else that came to their cute little minds and He caught mention of X-Ray and Vav and then he just made a mental note to check out a comic shop sometime soon as It had been awhile since he'd last read the series and as He was sure to have some catching up to do when he's will be free and just then he saw the snow fall and then just wondered how live can so much different from everything else he knows and then yet so easy or complicated at the sometime now as he never imagined himself here standing and then helping the children and with a smile on his face and then he looked up in a second ' life isn't that bad'
Jaune's scroll began to go off, a rhythmic monotone alarm chime as the mothers' scrolls went off with the same alert tone and He snatched his scroll out of his pocket and checked the message he knew would be there, Minor Grimm presence reported in Sector 11. All Mantle citizens in area find cover and just remain indoors until the threat has passed. All huntsmen in the area be on alert for a pack of 5 Sabyrs, in Sector eleven wait That was his sector. As He pocketed his very scroll and spun around ' show time' as the moms were grabbing their very kids and pulling them close to them, their easy going humor vanishing in the face of danger for themselves and as their children. "Stay calm," Jaune said immediately and hand falling to his sword as his eyes scanned the area and People were already getting off the streets, hurrying into buildings and barring the doors. "Follow me and stay together. Everything's going to be okay." Jaune led them to the nearest building as it was small cafe as he flashed his very own huntsman license at the very proprietors of the establishment before the portly faunus man could lock the door and pushed it open and as ushering the women and children's inside. "Stay here until I come and get you." The door locked shut behind him as the Huntsman stepped out into the middles of the street. He drew Crocea Mors just deployed the shield on his arm And then he waited for the enemies as to appear.
He had been bad at that, once. Always eager, always rushing into things without really thinking about them first and has just always tryings to prove himself to be something as well where did that let him just no were. It had been especially bad after Pyrrha died, and he'd only gotten worse after as they had come across the ruins of Shion a place that's had held good memories from his childhood with his family and then he just as remembered the fall of beacon academy and just has how many friends and people he knows are gone and it felt unreal at times but then seeing pyrrha statue as he's just broke down and then he'd been emotionally unstable and afraid of losing anyone else and as that had made him angry and very much Reckless in his very own journeys as He'd just charged in headlong not caring if he lived or died so long as he didn't lose anyone else but then someone did getting hurt and it was his fault that happened and then he was just sad and angry with himself that because of his own fault and thinking that way he nearly lost himself and one of his friends in that matter and But as he'd gotten the closure he'd needed when he apologized to everyone and then say in his room then started to grief over his actions and lose over everything till now and then he had the very moment of strength to contacts his very family and grandparents and then told him everything that have happened till now and then they all told him to hold on He'd come to terms with what's happened. He still missed his partner and alway's would, but he wasn't goings to let it hold him back anymore and He wouldn't charge in. He'd be there for his friend's and then go back home to his family as He would be their shields. He would be everyone's shield and that was his goal and protects everyone who needs him now.
He heard the Sabyrs before he saw them. Snarls and growls accompanied by as the heavy tread of running paws echoed through the empty street as the Grimm rounded the corner and charged straight at him. Had the Grimm been smarter they might have spread out and tried to encircle him and like a pack of predators animals attacking more dangerous prey. They didn't. Most Grimm weren't that smart. They attacked in the most direct fashion available and trading subtlety or instinct for raw aggression and as It was exactly what Jaune specialized in countering over the few things. The first Sabyr leapt for him and met the Huntsman's raised shield as jaune just drove it into the beast and flung it over his head to crash to the ground behind it and then the second fell to a swing of his blade and in the process the third caught the back swings and the fourth opened as its mouth to bite down on him just in time for knight to drive the points of Crocea Mors into it's open maw and out the back of it's head He turned as the first beast got to its feet and lunged for him. He just simply held his blade out and as let it impale itself through the chest as He pushed it off Crocea Mors as the body dissolved into black smokes He lowered his very shield and sword and looked around taking in his handy work. Four Sabyrs lay dead around him bodies dissolving into nothings. He smiled and sheathed his blade. A job well- Wait. Four Sabyrs? As Where was-As Something's then suddenly just slammed into his very back and drove him to the very ground Fangs bit down on his shoulder and tried to pierce his flesh but armor and aura held and as he pushed himself to his feet with a growl as jaune arc then reached back with his free arm and then grabbed at the very thing on his very back and scrabbling for purchased. He grabbed something solid and heaved throwing his whole body behind the throw. The thing was sent flying and hit the ground several feet away as the Sabyr then started to rolled to it's very feet and snarled saliva drooling from its open maw as It was larger then the ones jaune had killed as with longer canines and heavier bone plates covering more of its body as it was An Alpha class as that did just explained why it hadn't been with the rest of its pack. It must have used them as a distractions while it circled around to attack from behinds. Clever. As jaune arc just gripped the hilt of his Crocea Mors tightly but didn't draw the ancestral blade. Instead he separated it, sheathe and all, from the magnetic lock on his vambrace and triggered has it secondary form. The sharpened edge of the shield expanded out and slid upward, locking in places and forming two sharp edges jutting from the base of the weapons as jaune took Crocea Mors in a two handed grip and eyed the Sabyr Alpha warily, sword up in a guard as he and the alpha circled ones another as patiently waiting for the next one to make a move as both did it for a few min.
The Grimm snarled and snapped its fangs at him, but didn't attack has It glared at him with hateful red eyes as they just paced around another as Jaune eyed it in return, weighing his options and the Sabyr Alpha had been smart enough to use its pack as a distraction. If it was smart enough to use subtle tactics like that and then it was possible that it was smart enough to run if it thought itself outmatched as Jaune couldn't let that happened If it ran then he's just doubted he'd be able to catch it before it found easier prey as Crocea Mors drooped down, the edge lowering to point at the floor.
The Alpha sprinted forward to take advantage of the blonde huntsman's lowered guards and leapt at him, maw open and just front claws extended towards his face. Just as he'd planned as Jaune pushed down on the pommel of his blade as he just swung up, putting as much force behind the blow as possible. It caught the creature mid leap in the abdomen, the sharp edge cutting through snow white bones plate and then into midnight black flesh With a roar he drove the blade up and over his head taking the Sabyr Alpha with it as he spun arounds and with a titanic slam that's shattered concrete Jaune drove sword and beast into the very ground. The monster let out a final gurgling shriek as it died as it body falling limp Jaune braced his foot on its body and as just wrenched Crocea Mors free with a sucking wet squelch and He looked around before disengaging great sword mode and ensuring there's wouldn't be any more surprised before then hooking Crocea Mors to his belt. Satisfied the coast was clear Jaune pulled out his very scroll and contacted Atlas control."Control this is Huntsman jaune Arc I have to Reported Grimm presence in Sector eleven has been dealt with. Repeat, Grimm presence in Sector eleven has been neutralized. No casualties." As he informed them and after a few minutes later the message was received "Good to hear Huntsman and thanks for the update. And... thanks from me personally. My sister and her little girl live in that area." As the operator has told him as that was surprise "No kidding? What's her name? I may know them." As jaune asked him and... he waited for a answer "Sara Scarlett and then Lucy Scarlett." As the operator told him as then jaune just stood there and laughed a bit "ok I walk Lucy and her friends to school every morning Miss Scarlett and the other moms usually accompany us." As jaune just as told him "Small world" As the man on the other end of the line chuckled a Bit. "Well tell them Charlie says hi. They've been running us ragged up here and I just as haven't had time to go see them." As he's requested him "Will do control. Jaune Arc out." As He ended the call and made his way back to the cafe. "Its safe! The Grimm are all dead now," he called out to everyone in area as then the very door opened and the mothers and children poured out of the little cafe just like little kids and just started talking like ruby now "That was awesome," screamed Thomas Rosemary, waving his arms over his messy dark hair. "The Grimm we're all 'grr, raar!' and as you were all 'swish stab, take that's Grimm!'" As He just pantomimed cutting with a sword waving his arm wildly in the air now "Are you okay," as Thomas's mother just asked him as she just eyed the shoulder the very Sabyr had bit down on. "It's looked like that last one almost had you." As she asked him.
"It got the drop on me," As Jaune just admitted, "but between my armor and aura it couldn't hurt me. I was never in any danger Miss Rosemary...." As jaune told her insuring her and everyone else "Are you suure~," cooed Miss Scarlett as she's rested her hands on his other shoulder. "We could always check to be safe." "Ooh what a good idea," chimed in Miss Opal with an impish grin. "We should just check... Just to be safe." As she told her and then as they were prepared now. Miss Viridian brushed a lock of her blonde hair out of her eyes and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "We could just take off that silly shoulder armor and roll up your sleeve to make sure it didn't injure your big bulky biceps. Just to be safe." As she told them "Leave him alone," Miss Hazelnut scolded and the taller woman wagging her finger at the others. "....He just fought off one ravenous pack of animals as He doesn't need to deal with another!" Jaune's face flushed beat red has the women squealed with laughter at themselve now They normally weren't this forward with him, but then they normally weren't comings down from a fear and adrenaline high after hiding from Grimm's so it wasn't like it was really any of theirs faults. Eager to move on before one of them said something that's would make him try to vanish into his armor, he spoke up. "Well ... let's get movings," he squeaked. "Don't want the kids to be late to school!" As he told everyone's now It was strange to think that he'd been more comfortable with the Sabyrs trying to eat him alive and then as he was with this gaggle of admittedly attractive older women trying to do the same, albeit in a less literal way and it Though he wouldn't pretend as there wasn't a part of him that quietly enjoyed it. A part that's was goings to stay well under lock and key and People were pouring back into the streets from their very hiding places has Jaune led his little troupe down the sidewalk. Many of them waved to him or cheered on and some snapped pictures of him with their scrolls. Jaune did his best to smile and then wave back without provoking a more vigorous response, his blush growing deeper under the attentions There had been a time when he would have loved this, or at least thought he'd love it. Jaune had gone to Beacon to be a hero, a huntsman. He'd wanted the accolades and the praise as He wanted to be Jaune Arc the Hero and then have the very people know his name all across Remnant for his deed now. Now..... he didn't care.... about that anymore because that boy dead at beacon academy with his people's...
As He just cared about the people as he cared about keeping them safe. He just didn't care about fame or notoriety anymore. Most of the people's cheering for him most likely didn't know his name and then never would and that was okay. They were alive, they were safe. That was what mattered. If no one ever knew his very name as if his life came to an end has not even a footnote in the annals of history, then Jaune would be content with that so long as his actions saved lives. It was his mission and his purpose as to be their shield, to heal their wounds in the matter to defend them just from the monster as It was a good purpose to have as many people's have found it weird or noble and some laughed towards him for his own choices but he's just didn't care about that anymore because he needs to fullfill his duty and then one day go home as that what she would want for him in the end and jaune can't just disappoint her and the people who believe in him and then the last ten minutes of the walk to school passed without incident as the kids were still talking excitedly about his fight with the very Sabyrs, and Jaune didn't doubt as the very story of him fighting them just then would be spread around the entire school before the day was out now as he doesn't mind that it all as long the kid are safe and happy that all it matters now and then he was standing there's as watching the children carefully as then the little ones with him just as joined the crowd of kids making theirs way into the guarded school jaune just then looked at the mothers. " Miss Are you all sure you don't want me to walk you home now ? It wouldn't be any trouble." As he asked them politely Miss Scarlett's eyes sparkled and she made to speak, but Miss Hazelnut clamped her hands over the blonde woman's mouth. "We'll be fine dear," she's said kindly. "I'm sure you've got things you need to do other than escort us around." Miss Opal's lips spread in her characteristic mischievous grin. "Though if you want to play escort- rmph!" As Miss Hazelnut's other hand shot out and pinched her lips shut. "Ignore her sweetie. You go save the day." She's beamed at him.
As Jaune then smiled shyly and scratched the back of his head. "Heh, thanks. I'll do my best. Be safe out there." He made to walk away, but a hand caught his arm before he could It's was Miss Hazelnut. "Oh, just one more things though." As she said to him Usually out of all of them as Miss Hazelnut was the most shy and reserved of the bunch and rarely joining in on her friends' teasing but just stepping in to scold them into leaving him alone when she felt he'd had enough and That's was why Jaune was stunned when she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek as then stepped back with her face turning crimson and then the others saw this descended upon him before he's could even think to move as One after another they planted a kiss on one cheek or the others or both cheeks in Miss Scarlett's case as having to stand on theirs tip toes to reach his very face They left him standing there, wide eyed and blushing from head to toe. "I- uh..." jaune stammered a bit dumbly"Duuuh..." As he looked up towards them and then they waved him bye "Bye Jaune," just called Miss Scarlett as she and the others walked away. She waved to him. "We'll see you this afternoon's! I'll bring you a casserole!" As jaune arc just stood there in very utter silence for a good two minutes as before he just came to his senses again as It's took him another five to regain full control of his very motor functions ' why do women like tease him like this ..... It beyond me' as he just thought By the time he'd left his fugue state he was walking down his regular patrol route as his body having defaulted to automatic mode as while his very brain rebooted as When he then finally returned to full consciousness he just then spent the next hour of his patrol in an blushing mess now ' this is the .....second time girl has been inmates with him' as his very mind played the ambush of kisses on repeat and He had to stop at a fountain and dunk his head into as it to bring himself fully back to reality Shaking the water from his short blonde hair jaune continued on his route and as junior then ignoring the odd looks people gave just as him with the strange man with the soaking wet head.
The rest of his day went by normally as There we're a couple encounters with Grimm but they were in areas closer to the breach in the wall as that had long since been abandoned by anyone not huntsman or military. As He saw Penny flying overhead a couple times and she did responding to crises faster than anyone else could and it was a big help for him and everyone who was in the area as then she's did come to visit the kid and him and then as Even taking the kids home was simple at times with her as jaune appreciated her for that a lot and later both of them ate some cookies as even for her motor oil but even that's was great jaune was happy because of her as The ladies teased him more than ever, but he couldn't bring himself to mind it as he learned a valuable lesson that day as No sane man as who attracted to women could truly complain about the attention of several attractive older women. When they we're returned home safely the huntsman made his way back to the very Bullhead pads to hitch a ride back to the academy as humming a tune under his breath as he strolled through the streets as Jaune can admit one thing he liked this... Feeling and then He liked helping Mantle and it's people's and He liked being a huntsman as this is what he wanted in a long time and the real reason he joined the Academy is in the first place strangely enough it felt like a vacations.
It shouldn't have as considering that just about every day consisted of working and then fighting from early morning to late in the afternoon, but compared to the battle of Beacon or the trip through Mistral patrolling routes and escorting people's was a cake walk as He could practically do it in his sleep and Not that's he'd try that, of course but again he knew it would come to an end someday as This was just the calm before the storm as the eye of the hurricanes just like before as he see it twice by now as he knows one thing that will be no peace within the world because Salem was still out there and is still plannings the destructions of the world and so was Cinder fall was too that woman just a bit complicated to describe as he had met her and it was fine at the time and she even helped him in many ways and place and situation more then once and as just then one day she changed or was she that types of a woman from the start and he never realised that's and but then this is a question in his mind as why did she spare him more than once occasion that is a very much a mystery but then again as she was planning a he was sure of it as she is and always was a schema
As He just couldn't explain it but he knew she was still out there playing or planning something else as You couldn't trust that type of someone like that was dead unless you saw the very body for yourself now and it is then incinerated it for good measure. He would see her again, and the next time they fought Jaune would be in control of himself and find a solution and a very much effective plan against her as he know onething is that He couldn't beat Cinder, not alone anyways as she is a slippery one But he didn't have to as He had friends as who had his back just has much as he had theirs but then again cinder is not a ordinary fighter as he's is an experience assassins with magic firepower and she is very claver just like himself but then again as the very odds stacked against them were high, but team JNPR and team RWBY weren't the same teams or people they had been at Beacon but They'd grown since then, become stronger and wiser but that is just what he believes with them again he was just proven wrong before in haven and in there journey again and then Maybe they would be ready as when the enemy made their presence known, or maybe they wouldn't be, but so long as they all fought together they could bloody Salem's nose and find a way to deal with her but that's he knew for a fact he needs to deal with fall alone as they all can't take her on as he needs to just find a different solutions for the problem just again to make sure to clear path for everyone's that he can do.
With a smile Jaune stepped into the Bullhead waiting to take off duty huntsmen back to Atlas Academy and leaned back in his seat as it lifted off. He'd gotten a lot better at managing his airsickness but as he's had to be careful to avoid it sneaking up on him from time to time. It was still a relief to step off the airship and onto solid ground as Atlas was technically in mid air, but it wasn't rocking and as it wasn't like he could really tell unless he walked to the edge and looked down, so he could easily pretend he was on solid grounded earth. As The others were already back by the time he got to the academy as well then as he saw team RWBY had gotten back earlier then his team JNPR or as in other words JNOR as preferred but the old name had many memories but it didn't matters more as he can't bring back the dead and has you can only make peace with it as then move on as he did that the hard way but he is fine now and he did make mistakes that's he is very much human in the end but as escorting the convoys and protecting the Amity sites tended to be just more strenuous than patrolling Mantle, as so it all balanced out they were all hanging out in the cafeteria when he arrived, plates piled high with food in front of them as they talked amiably to one another. The scene was so similar to what it had been like back at Beacon as that caught himself looking for Pyrrha as It made his heart ache that she's wasn't here for this but he knew she'd be happy to see them all together like this, just like he was as He got his own plate and eased into the open seat next to Weiss and ruby now as then the very two teams we're intermingled instead a one sitting across from one another, which made sense the boundaries betweens JNPR and RWBY has had just largely been broken down by shared hardships and with an united cause, and while they still identified as two separated teams they we're in reality more or less one big team. Then Heck he and Weiss could even sit by each other without it being incredibly awkward like it would have been at Beacon academy Something that had largely been his fault, he'd readily admit. They'd even had an actual conversation during the party to celebrate their new huntsman and huntress statuses and duties for some time after they've graduating here and started to help out the kingdom of Atlas and then it's very city like mantle and he like it working like this and moving on to be better than before honest saying "As evening everyone..Did I miss anything interesting?" As he just asked everyone on the chair and table with there very lunch and then Nora gasped "Jaune !!! As You should have seen it! As The biggest Grimm I have ever seen attacked the walls of Mantle today! It was just twenty stories tall at least with four massive arms that ended in spiky clubs that could have crushed a Paladin!" As she started to explain and then as he wondered is his teammates Nora Valkyrie was or is just related to his late Professor Port who is alive in vale as she sounds just like him in a way and as that bring a bit curiously.
"Impressive," he said as he dug into his plate. "Did it have two giant bat wings and as breathe fire from it's mouth?" As jaune told her with knowing smile on his face "How did you know?!" As she asked him gasped at the might reveal now "Lucky guess." As He grinned As Jaune listened indulgently as Nora spun a story of daring and adventure that would have put Professor Port's tall tales to shame as he ate his lunch in peace. "And then with a mighty swing of my might hammer I thumped it's head down into it's chest like a game of whack-a-Grimms!" Nora pantomimed swinging down her hammers using a knife with an apple stuck on the end of it. Jaune had the good sense to deploy Crocea Mors and a it's very shield himself and Weiss from the the splatter has the apple met the metal table and has the exploded on impact. "Proving once and for all that I am queen of the castle!" As she's told everyone this as the very heiress shot him a grateful look as he put his shield away after wiping apple off of it as ruby had possessed the good sense to bolt as the very second Nora had speared the apple. Blake had ducked under the table when she realized what was coming as Ren and Yang hadn't been so fortunate, but at least none had gotten in his fellow blonde's hair as jaune wanted the cafeteria in one piece, thank you very much. "Well that was certainly interesting," he said with a very grin on his face "What about the rest of you?" As he asked everyone else and Yang was first " just Nothing much
went out, killed some Grimm, came home," Yang said with a shrug and She looked at Jaune with a grin that immediately put him in mind of Miss Opal now as He instinctively leaned away from her, wary. " As Though I hear you've of all the people have become the very friendly neighborhood Jauney Boy." She wiggled her very eyebrows at him. "Especially with one particular group o' thirsty moms." As she finished talking and it was curious moment as how had or did Yang- no, it is was better not to ask that question as when it came to finding new ways to tease someone's the very blonde brawler had her ways"W-well I- I mean... they're just-" as jaune was goings to explain before someone's cut him off Nora slammed her hand's down on the table. "Jaune ! Oh You went and got a harem and didn't tell me I could have helped you !?!??!" As Nora told him. Jaune somehow managed to both turn beet red and snow white at the sametime as the very eyes of all his friends and as everyone else in the cafeteria fell upon him after Nora's declaration as With a groan his head thumped down on the table. "Just End my suffering... please..." A hand rested itself on the back of his head and patted it gently. "There there," Weiss said " But At least you're just better with women then you we're at Beacon." As Weiss told him as it felt unreal as why is she this friendly with him but still Huh as it is Coming from Weiss as that was actually a rather considerable compliment and as he peeked at her sidelong without raising his head. He didn't know if she realized it, but she was stroking her fingers through his short blonde locks as He wasn't going to comment on it. "Really?" "Really," As she just confirmed as then the very once-heiress smirked. "Though that's not just saying much considering just how low you set the bar." As she told him but Ouch. A classic Weiss Schnee back handed compliment and It was still more than what he would have received or deserved from her back at Beacon as well it better if he never asked her out or anything's else in the end as he had a girl who was there for him and she is gone because of his very stupidity and has where did it landed him but he's will just take the very compliment from her "I suppose I'll take it" he sighed.
As that's was how rest of the day went on as nothing new and interesting in the matter of fact as that was it as everyone just spent the very rest of the evening as engaging in theirs own leisure activities as For Jaune, that meant training and as he'd improved in leaps and bounds since leaving Beacon, but as he knew he was still behind the others in department of combat but he was clever and smart as that kept everyone alive long enough but Odds were he'd never really catch up but They had years of training on him after all and despite that as he could still work to close the gap as much as possible as It wasn't like the training he'd done on the road in Mistral as where he'd gone of alone in the very dead of night and as worked himself half to death. He made sure his body got the rest it needed to be ready for the next day. Atlas's training rooms could facilitate nearly any kind of training and it from aura mastery to sparring matches with hard light copies of Grimm or human and Faunus foes. It was the latter two he was training against now and has He got plenty of combat experience as with Grimm just from patrolling Mantle just alone but he needed to be better then that as he is not fighting normal monster but something's that is far worse from versus his fellow man for when Cinder reared again, or if they encountered another agent of Salem like Tyrian and that's was a total mess that last time and then he just going to be better and he needs to make sure to complete his promise and defend her and everyone else from them when the times come.
As the young huntsman just as then angled his shield up to deflect the hard light holograms of a White Fang grunt's blade as it cut down at his head and parried its companion's strike with his very sword from the other side as He just then stepped back, disengaging from them and watching them just warily behind his shield. As there's we're multiple level's you could just set the combat sims at Jaune had opted for one of the higher levels as so while they looked like White Fang grunts, as they certainly didn't fight like this as jaune had very much experience with them in the past as then one of them left one dashed in, cutting sideways at his head. Jaune just brought his shield up and blocked it, then cursed as the very second attacker slipped under his guard while his shield was cutting off his visions and cut a line across his thigh as then aura crackling as it deflected the strike He had to learn to stop doing that. As You just couldn't protect against what you couldn't see now Rather than try to disengage again as Jaune stepped towards them, pushing his shield against the Fang member on his right and ram him before he just then brought out his handcanon started to shoot him in point blank range and then another one come and then collided himself with him pushing jaune back as bit more by the second has the jaune kept on just has defending himself from it's rapid attacks from left and right and then jaune triggering his shield's repulser as then as there's was a flash of purple light and the very holo Faunus was sent flying. The second combat sim lashed out with its sword again cutting him across the arm before trying to disengage as jaune didn't let it in He followed as it retreated, striking out with his sword in a downward cut towards its head. The simulations lifted its blade to deflect as playing right into his feint. As Jaune twisted his blade as he cut down, spinning it over his head from a cut towards the left side of his opponent's head into a cut down into and through his right shoulder, the blade carving down into it's chest before coming to a stop and Had it been alive, there's would have been a gush of blood as Instead it simply dissolved away as only one was left as Jaune turned and angled his shield the very charging White Fang's sword scraping off to the side and as slamming bodily into him. The muscular man stood his ground and the Faunus bounced off stumbling back off balance and then He cut down once His last foe vanished in a puff of deactivating hard light dust and the very huntsman sheathed his blade, breathing hard. He'd started the combat against eight holographic opponents and as they'd worn him out. He leaned against the wall of the training room and as then just wiped the sweat off his brow "Phew." As he sighed as jaune just sat there's in silence now and reflecting on his actions and mistake "Not bad at" As then a familiar voice said as just from behinds him as Jaune turned and smiled at ruby rose his first friend from beacon academy still with him as well good temporary partner "So How long were you standing there?" As he asked her as she just smiled towords him "Not long," As she said as she made her way over to him and has leaned against the wall next to him "I saw the last couple minutes as You did really good!" As she told him as he really improved as she's can take that people on her own as she's can fight the Grimm but people are different from them completely
"I aim to please," he said with a grin as he's started to like this as then ruby started to giggled and as leaned into his side now as Not for the first time it struck him just how small she was compare to himself and it was really fine it's was hard to believe that she could take apart whole hoards of Grimm's on her own or wield a scythe bigger than she was But then Ruby Rose was nothing if not exceptional, and not just because of her eyes but from person she's was and then could make people feel better just by being near them. She could brighten a room just by walking into it. If she had your back in a fight then you felt like you could take on the world with by your side now "How are you doing?" As She asked, concern evident in her voice. They hadn't really had time to talk one on one for awhile, not since his outburst in Argus after learning the very truth just about Salem and everything else till them he was just silent with the rest of his team now as he just lost now
"I'm okay," he said, and he meant it. "I was in a rough place for awhile, but thanks to you and the other's I'm right where I need to be" As he put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a side hug. "What about you? I know a lot's been riding on your shoulders as If you need to talk I'll listen, leader to leader no friends." As jaune asked her but for moment She was quiet for a few moments. "It's... hard, sometimes. Back when we were starting at Beacon Weiss and I butted heads a lot at first and She thought I was too young to lead a team and I thought she was right, even if I didn't want to agree with her because she's was being mean. We got better of course as It's hard to imagine we used to argue over every little thing about class and from has making a good impression in fashion as we still argue sometimes, but usually we just tease each others for fun as She trusts me and I trust her more than before" As ruby told him as he was looking down at her hand. "But," As Jaune prompted gently. "But... sometimes I still wonder why Ozpin made me a team leader, now more than ever. Was it just because of my eyes? Did I ever really earn being the leader of Team Ruby? What if..." As she clutched her arms tightly around her body "What if I fail them? I already did once. I lost my whole team Jaune, and it's was sheer luck that's we were all reunited. What if something happens and I can't keep everyone's together? What's if next time team RWBY splits up there's no way to pull us back together?" As she told him this as he understands just where she is coming from now "Hm..." As jaune arc just rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a answer and one word "Nope." As ruby looked at him in confusion. "Wha-" as he just interrupted "Nope." As he said now "Jaune, you can't just-" As he interrupted her again "Nope." He grinned down at her and ruby tried to glare at him but the very intimidation factor as had never been one of her very strengths and It's made her look like a grumpy puppy.
"You can't just use my own word against me," As she mumbled petulantly as she slid down the wall, sitting against it."Sure I can," he responded as he sat down next to her. "It worked on me after all." As he told her "But this is different! We're not dealing with a school bully. We're dealing with someone who wants to end the world!"As ruby told him and then jaune started to nodded towards her "True," As he agreed. "But that doesn't make me wrong. Do you remember what you told me that night in the hallway ? As You said that we couldn't be failure's because we're both leaders now because if as we we're failures then we would let our teams down. And you were right." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "We can't afford to be failures as but that doesn't mean we can't fail as we failed at Beacon Ruby. Yang lost her arm and your team split up, and I lost my partner. Beacon was a loss for us, but as that didn't make us failures as What would have made us failures would be giving up." As he told her and it was true as he wanted to give up on his dream but then he remembers that he not a quiter he made it till here as he can go further than this now and "Ren, Nora, and I followed you across Anima because we didn't want to stop fighting, and neither did you and I won't pretend it hasn't been hard at times, and I think it's only going to get harder from here on out, but we're all together now as That's how we're going to win this. Together." As ruby just then looked at him smiled up at him and nodded with him. "Together." As Jaune stood up and offered his friend a hand As She took it and leveraged herself up. She's threw her arms around his torso and pulled him in for a hug. "Thanks," she said. "I needed to hear that, I think." As Jaune hugged back, his large arms wrapping around her small form and as it's then pressing her gently against his breastplate. "Anytime Ruby. If you ever need to talk I'll be here for you ok" as then he smiled towards her and told her that she will should remember who's she is and just stay true with herself now and to her path becoming a hero one day herself "I know and The just same goes for you." She thumped a small fist ineffectively against his armored back and pouted up at him. "As Don't go keeping it all inside like before as We don't want to lose you Jaune. We all care about you." As she said to him as she was worried about him as well as he was there for her just when everyone else left her and as never believed in her first place and she will always will be with him and that is her promise to herself "Even Weiss," he asked jokingly as he can believe ruby and his team care just him he doubt her team will as to him he is just nothing as then ruby just then started to giggled. "Especially Weiss." As ruby told him with red cheeks and then it will be time one day "Hm?" He cocked his head to the side. "What do you mean?" As that part confuses him the most Ruby laughed and shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Come on, Yang was going to put on a movie in our room. Wanna join ?" As she asked him.
"Lead the way my lady," As he said with a smile as he followed after her to her dorm room as it was like his room with his team now and and but there was things that made it usually unique as that the mess Yang as left for everyone and Blake was using makeup and as she was reading her book as it was on her scroll now and that's same old Blake and Yang and then he saw Weiss as she's was in the shower as then he noticed the chair and the settings and everything's and ruby was just sitting on them as lazy as her expected and he then took out his weapon and then put them down on the near by table now and then he take a chair and sit on it and then after everyone's started to as band together and then after ten minutes later the door of the bathroom open as Weiss step out of " Yang next time if yo- " As she just word cut short as she saw as ruby and her team was with jaune as he was looking towards her as he waved his hand towards her as she went completely red as then she's started to scream for a bit for she started to throw things towards him as he was dodged and blocked everything's that thrown toward's him as the girl laughed towards them for the moment before everything start to settle down as she was done apologizing to him as he did the same and all of them started to watch the movie as It's was late when the movie ended, nearly midnight. Fortunately tomorrow was their's day off, so they could sleep in. The girls of RWBY had been preparings for bed when he'd left theirs dorm, and as he could feel the need to sleep coming upon him, but there was one last thing As Jaune had wanted to do before heading off to bed. As then He sat on the edge of Atlas Academy's roof, legs dangling over the drop below, has Crocea Mors sheathed across his lap and his handcanon next to wrist as he just remembers his first day receiving this weapon from junior after that he kept on helping him out and he helped him in his problem at the time and then but everything changed after beacon academy fall and he hasn't heard from him or anyone else and that is sad but then what can he do as he looked up in the sky From up here as he could look out across the city of Atlas and even Mantle below. In the darkness of the surrounding snow covered tundra the lights of Mantle were not unlike the stars in the night sky that gleamed overhead as Jaune didn't come to the roof to train like he had at Beacon. Back then it had been a convenient location for him and Pyrrha to train away from prying eyes or anyone who might see his lacking skills and get suspicious. He'd come to realize that it had also been a way for Pyrrha to be alone with him.
Now however the roof was a place for him to be alone with his thoughts and look out on the world. It was a place for introspection and peace, something a dorm room with teammates would always lack. Even if one of them was Ren. Jaune leaned back on his arms and watched the world go on below him, wondering what life was like in the rest of the world and How was Vale faring now ? As the city itself had been evacuated as long time by now and it was by his grandparents and family members enter the fight and clean up and then started to rebuild for a bit but then again it population scattered among the the three others cities along it's coastline as Last he'd heard Miss Goodwitch and the third and fourth year students had been fighting as to reclaim Beacon academy but the number of Grimm's had only grown larger with each passing day by now and then he wondered what can he do to change that now but He didn't know where to begin and they were now and As is Goodwitch fine or whatbas everyone is still in the dark now but he guessed they'd most likely decided to cut theirs losses and leaves Vale after the very civilians had all evacuated. He wondered if Miss Goodwitch had set up a new academy. He'd have to look into it when he's returned to Vale sometimes by now as the young huntsman knew without a shadow of a doubt that one way or another he would return to Vale to his very ancestral home and claim it back and then rule again like his family before him now as this is his duty now and there was still a relic at the school so they'd have to go back for that as well if for no just other reason and there were plenty of others reasons, like clearing the Grimm's out and as retaking Beacon. As When that's day came Jaune intended to be at the head of the charge and Pyrrha had died trying to save Beacon as He would make that sacrifice worthwhile.
As then His very hand just drifted to the very red sash about his waist. "You'd like it out here as It's similar to the view from Beacon as just bigger." He chuckled. "A lot bigger." As he told her "I killed some Sabyrs today. It's was a pack of five. Not a big deal, but I made sure no one got hurt or worse. I think you would have been impressed as though I did let one get the drop on me" As He's just started rubbed the back of his very head as slightly as he was just a bit embarrassed by that as then It was probably very strange to talk as though a dead person were sitting behinds you. But it was also strange that's wind blown fallen leaves would just so happen to lead as Jaune to the memorial of his fallen partner, that's just so happened to be in the same city as his older sister and where he and the other's had needed to cross into Atlas from as they're knew gods were real after all. Who was to say there weren't other kinds of powers out there ? Even if it had all been one big coincidence as Jaune knew that Pyrrha was with them, if only in their hearts. It did him good to talk like she was there beside him and still guiding him on his journey."I couldn't save you." As his hand shimmered with aura for a brief moment. "As But I can save them. I'm not the best fighter in our group by a long shot but I can still shield them from harm I will shield them with every ounce of strength I have It's... my purpose. The one I chose for myself. It's why I fight for them for just everyone's. Not because they're more important than me, but because they're important to me, just like you are." As jaune said as looked toward the sky as he did knows one thing and that thing's will change as he is a huntsman, team leader, brother, and son smiled out across the cities of Atlas and Mantle and This respite would come to an end. Their enemies would strike at them again, or Amity would go up and as the truth of Salem would be revealed to the world has Either way, things as then would come to a head and his friend's would plunge headlong into danger and as when they did he would be right beside them to fufil his purpose in life To be their shield till the last moment of his very life and that is a promise as he made before anything.
"Salutations Jaune Arc!" As the enthusiastic greeting echoed off behind him as he just " Ahhh PENNY what are you doing!?!" As he received a jumps scare from a robot girl now ' really ' As then she just was smiling towards him as wave her hands a bit as well jaune as then just forgive her as then she's just sat next to him as this was just making a blonde boy just blink at the ginger haired girl in front of him. Her smile was easily the brightest things in this industrial as setting of grey metal and helmeted soldiers, she's herself was easily the most colorful thing here with her copper hair and green dress and an evidently sunny dispositions now
"Uh… hello Penny," As jaune answered looking at her grin happily "how are you doing ?" As he asked a little dumbstruck at the sheer enthusiasms that emanated from her now as this is the nine times they have met by now and don't hold a proper conversation with her at all as what can he say to her as "I'm just swell and thank you." She moved beside him "as we're partners today and so we'll be sharing escort duty tomorrow." "Oh," As jaune said a little surprised as he just wasn't aware or expecting that at all as can she just wait for tomorrow to come and both of them just sat there on the roof now and just relaxing and enjoying the cold air of the kingdom to offer them but then again as he needs to call and check in the tomorrow mission just first thing in the morning has he need to transferring material out for Ironwood's Amity project. "I thought I'd be riding with Blake tomorrow " He wasn't exactly thrilled to be spending time as with a Team RWBY's quietest member, as they were both amicable to one another but then shared almost nothing in common. "As Blake requested trading shifts so she's could join Yang on a contract. I happily obliged." She explained to him with a carefree smile on her cheeks as Jaune just supposed it was definitely an improvement from Blake spending a long cold drive with her nose in her a book as he ran the battery in his scroll dry playing games if he needed but both just sat there in silence.
"Are you cold ?" Penny asked sittings directly across from him as Her hands rested in her lap and she sat perfectly upright compared to the very blonde knight as he faced toward the night sky again "Yeah it is a bit cold," As Jaune confirmed her as it might be time for him to go back to his bed and warmed up "it's alway's freezing in the night time but it's not a worry using my aura to stay warm is just very helpful" As he's told her his mighty trick that he had learned here as his breath came out as smoke it was so cold as he almost asked her how she couldn't be cold when he almost jumped forgotten that she wasn't human, she was a machine.
"Well in that case I will assist you," she's announced. Her hair bounced as she stood up with little warning and sat down right next to him "Uh" the blonde knight began not quite sure what was just happening as but stopping himself as he's felt warmth emanating from the girl next to him now It was subtle at first but it very quickly grew in intensity as the numbing cold receded from around him "How?" As jaune just started feeling warmth blooming against his body. "My systems can generate quite a bit of heat, I'm designed to ventilate it through my artificial skin currently I'm concentrating my cooling systems to my left towards you," As she's just explained smiling at him again as he just felt her unnatural heat emanate towards him now and it was weird but It's felt like he was sitting next to an a space heater. He didn't say that to her, he wasn't sure what an android like her would find insulting but being just compared to a home appliance definitely seemed to be likely. "Thank you Penny," As he said to her and it was sincerely grateful for the very warmth provided. "My pleasure," As she affirmed and A few moments of silence passed between them and Jaune noticed her looking at him. "Can I ask you a question Jaune?"
"Uh… sure," he answered wondering what she could possibly want to ask him of all people."What's it like to feel cold?" She asked him bluntly."Well it's-uh just," As jaune just stuttered as he tried to find the words to answer her questions, "it's… really hard to describe," he admitted feeling a little defeated. "Do you not feel cold?" As He asked not really understanding how just what she felt."I can sense changes in temperatures," she explained to him a little apprehensive. "I suppose in a sense I do feel cold in my own way, but I am never bothered by it like you as I never shiver or chatter my teeth, I do not experience it like you" As she's explain to him "I see" As Jaune said feeling like maybe as just he'd upset her. "I guess cold just feels…. oppressive ? Like emptiness of a sort and as it's uncomfortable but sometimes pleasant and That's a contradiction, uh… does any of this make senses to you ?" Penny shook her head no at him "Not at all I still do not understand" Her tone remained surprisingly chipper as despite his inability to explain the concept of cold to her as jaune scratched the back of his head, "I'm..... not very good with words," As he said and offered a dopey smile to her feeling defeated as jaune wondered as if this was like trying to just describe a color now to a blind man.
"Thank you for trying Jaune… I am curious to feel and understand more about humans and as something's I find rather confusing," she's explained to him. "What does warmth feel like?" As she asked him "Warmth? It's pleasant most of the time," As he found the words coming a little easier, "it feels good… as relaxing like.. like being hugged..… just does that explain it ?" As he told her "I… I think it does," As She said offering him a smile and the blond knight smiled back happy that his answer was at least acceptable. Sitting next to her in a pleasant comfortable silence with her, he's felt her shoulder brush against his has hours slipped by and as Conversation came and went between them and it was a good feeling that's he is at least not alone here.
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ARC TWO
WELCOME TO KINGDOM OF ATLAS
TO BE CONTINUED