" It is our destiny... The one who survives will inherit the title of Boss. And the one who inherits the title of Boss will face an existence of endless battle."
UNKNOWN
As Jaune was now woke up as to the very as sunlight as it was entering his very bedroom window now. As They pierced through the gaps in between his curtains, shining on his eyes. As he did was looking around his very surroundings now and He was starting to stretch up his body as then He rubbed his eyes and slowly got up from his very bed as now as To his left, was his very own sword as it was leaned against the wall. Its sheath reflects the sunlight as well as On his right was his nightstand was his very gun now as where is Even his very own scroll was lay as on as it was turned off as well as his gun as It's was clothes were all lined up needly on the closet near his bed as It was a small but it was congestible room but it was his home as he has been living in this very dimension for as some time now as it was one of his as new jobs as that he was hired not some long ago after that after as he was kidnapped by an unknown organization right now as they figured out that he was an remnant knight as or something like that as what can he say ever after is quite crazy as well as he was as one of the Only remnant person in this very entire world as who could operate that very machine that He has spotted a few days ago as It was weird as it had a very exoskeleton like machine he is never seen before but as he might be hallucinating so when jaune as touched it was starting to react words for as some reasons so he decided to take it a bit of a swing at it as it turned into a watch like as thing as attached on his arm as he tried to as get it off as then he saw a told him one thing as it's battery was down as he was wonder as What is this thing But he didn't want to damage his hands or anything so he let it be as he decided to come back home later.
As could as having one on their side might change the tide of exploring as what the as civilians and just tell him about now and leaving jinxy wanted to trade it off as just considering him he tired might rip him off now He wonders what it's like home again.
In the world of Remnant there are certain entities that could not explain It's time or origin as they are truly unknown entities that has Entered in they're very own world and as within the kingdom of Vale as it was currently night time and the luminous glow of the shattered moon bathed the scenery as beautifully but yet it's very dangerous as the monsters hunt in the night and a he did still as wondered About his past as how was his life so different so simple and yet he decided to complicate it by running away as till now he just seen nothing but loneliness and just sadness as Many kinfolk citizens in this very Kingdom with both humans and as furnaces kind are both huntsmen and students and as very much civilians alike live in the very as this very kingdom peacefully as some were snugly sleeping in their beds in night now as as that was a simple life as then just now as he blissfully dreaming of various realities of their long wanted wishes for as what they as wanted in life and just how they want it but another side some people to it is as each as it very other want to achieve it no matter the cost soon now.
As possible as they even it mean going to the life of crime's But somewhere Inside the city the very and as One of the abandoned very streets and buildings of those very areas as itself there was a sudden curtain of soft as orange and red light that emanating from somewhere within the main building in the area As Jaune just remembers how life was so simple as He started to cry in his room as you remember his past with his families and with his sisters as How foolish he was to just abandon His family for his beacon friends as jaune as should have stayed with them long enough but as he was an idiot and a****** at best as Jaune just screw over his own life just to be a damn hero and what did he get nothing He became the hero but there's no one to celebrate it with He's just alone in the end liking you like as he knew one day this will come He was so foolish now.
Until he came across a picture around his as site cable as it was his family as he sat down on his bed and kept on watching it for as for an while now has kept on remembering his very past as Jaune remembers as how his as sisters used to act words him in his very his very past now but they are gone now as he.
CHANGE LOCATION
ARCADIA MANOR
MIDNIGHT
THE PAST
POV
Saphron patted the excited mop of as sunny yellow hair excitedly jumping about their as bed. The bright blue-eyed boy always grew hyperactive at the page flipped over, always knowing as what the chapter to the large as leather brown book with forest green and as very gold accents would reveal as This was a normal habit, one she was always happy to repeat with as her younger brother now as it was now as it was a special day as It was Thursday night now as All of her sisters now were already asleep and Their mother was resting in the other room, having exhausted herself with taking care of the newborn in the twins and joining the two needy bundles of joy in sleep. Other than Saphron and the runt of the Arc family as the no one else was awake but As for their very father now.....
As Saphron bit her bottom lip as quashing as whatever worries or an paranoia would usually surface at times like this now as the very Arc patriarch was away as on another of his very mission now as and a long one at that one as Something about dealing with a sudden surge of Grimm in very neighboring village that had asked for his help in culling the creatures of death. Not a word about his progress or his return had been heard since he left four days ago as the very older child.
As the oldest of the litter of Arcs at fifteen as she had a responsibility to hold down as the fort. To support her mother. To take care of the younger children. To continue assuring them that everything was fine and as there was no need to worry with a smile on as her beautiful face as one of these things are a to be help her baby brother sleep By Reading as his very story book now as little Jaune his favorite bedtime story to keep his eyes from being glued to the window in hopes of very catching a glimpse of his father, even at this late at night, was the least she could do now.
She patted Jaune's mop of blond hair, easing him into calming down and sitting back on his bed as The stuffed bear in his arms was hugged tighter in his chest as the only son of the Arcs was on the edge of his seat now as the very story was about the Girl Who Fell Through The World was a classic in there as world now as Every child as underneath as Remnant's stars had at as least heard of the famous children's story now Even those on the frontier or those who made a life in the harsh desolate deserts had come across the magical adventures of a petulant girl named Alyx and her time in a fantasy world known as The Ever After now And even though her baby brother had heard its story countless times, the childish gleam in his eyes never dimmed whenever he saw the book's cover.
As it Were he able to read properly as Jaune as would just have snatched the book of her hands by now or their very bookshelf as just well to read every just night as Too bad not even the very thought of being able to read as his favorite story by himself was enough motivation for that very overly excited child to learn his ABCs just now and as her very much Brother's help him when as he began school the next year as He was an very real pushover now and Probably didn't help that as he was the only son in a family of mostly females and a father always absent due to Huntsman missions now as He was already a scrawny little child and was easy to crying.
As Hefty leather-bound book in hand as she went on to continue the tale of the very ever curious and trouble-seeking Alxy in a world of fantasy and Last they left off, the girl had reached a large clearing after escaping The Hunter Mice chasing her for stealing a few of their cheese berries and as found a very good murky shadow slithering from as the very shivering bushes as They as were at a very cliffhanger and the telltale of danger on the horizon, and she cleared her throat to better get into character but then she as was hearing something now As Eat her as Swallow her Chew her Munch her Chomp her Tear her Bite her Gnaw. Rip her !"as she just spoke in a low growl as her very blue eyes narrowing maliciously over the top of the book, casting a looming shadow over the silent and shivering Jaune. A flip of the book to show the very detailed stencil illustration of the monster now crawling out of the deep jungle's foliage made her younger brother jump in fright again as Jaune was hiding as behind his sister now as he saw it again as it was A Demon and the Monster itself now as it was The Jabberwocky now.
As an very sinister and violent thing of the very fantasy world locked away in the pages of a century-old story and an For just being an make-believe beast as it was meant to as scare very children as it had held the very much same presence and as threat as actual Grimm would in the hearts of those naive as little boys and girls tucked into their beds as now and Between actual creatures of death incarnate and as very fairy tale monster as the found only in an old book, Saphron had a feeling Jaune was far more terrified of the Jabberwalker than a Beowulf scratching its claws outside his window at night As The oldest of the Arcs had to swallow an amused grin as her little brother cowered behavior.
"Alxy shivered in fright as the deep shadow stretched and opened wide like the maw of an abyssal beast like a Goliath surfacing as the from the waves. It wasn't a Grimm. The thing crawling out of the foliage wasn't a tar black or an bone white and an eerie yellow, or a seething red. Its pigments were a deep nebula purple ashen yellow, and mud gray. The monster's form was tall and lanky with long thin arms to better reach its prey and it very skewering claws like Rapier stingers as it was for gouging and slashing and a cable thin tail lazily swishing about with a blunt tail tip stripped with purple and the yellow streaks, and curved Imp like horns atop its head and Its face was that of an ashen mask reminiscent of a lizard crossed with a wolf as its face and eyes seemingly carved out of stone and unable to move like a statue's as the permanent expression."Saphron turned the page, sharing the full-bodied illustration of the encounter between a lost girl and as the very bizarre beast now.
As Even if she was already in her teens now as she couldn't help but shiver a bit at how well the artists of the childish book had just drawn the Jabberwalker and It was just like a more twisted form of an Imp and Such as attention to detail was eerie. As if the writer had seen it for themselves." As The monster just crawled on all fours legs of it now as it's very slowly as it was approaching Alxy as it well she stepped back and gulped anxiously and All the while the creature continued to mutter a string of words as it salivated very 'Hunting as Approaching as Creeping as it was Stalking her and Observing her and as it was Looming over her The monster stood on its lanky legs, its terrifying form casting a shadow to devour Alxy's tiny silhouette as its joints let out disturbing cracks. Over and over again and every joint on its body flexed and just released crack after crack but never as once twisted its very eyes or mouth. It did not run at her now and rush towards her, or at least leap at her. It merely stalked over to her slowly as if knowing its mere presence was enough to freeze Alxy in her place like a mouse caught in the corner by a giant cat."
As a small whimper was heard from as the little blond boy and the illusion cast by the writer's description combined with his very sister as Saphron's storytelling skills now as she continue speaking as Alyx couldn't run as Her legs wouldn't stop knocking into one another and as found herself tripping back as She had just fell with a cry And as that is was the signal the monster had needed to as finally pounce at her and an A sick snap was heard as the very monster's mask cracked as its mouth opening to seep with saliva as it's just jumped high into the air and Its hornet as like claws were raised high and all four of it legs and as the ashen of yellow blades and as it did flashed out like a fan to sever even stone apart in one swipe. Petrified with fear, hands sweating, heart beating rapidly, and eyes swimming with tears, all Alxy could do was scream out, 'Someone save me!'' as she looked around her and saw him as he just stood there as Despite just shielding himself as with his baby blue covers in fear, Jaune's eyes grew wide with excitement as Because the runt of the family knew what came next.
"CLANG!"
As then the very sound effect of striking of the metal made her brother jump up from her lap as continue "As if answering her cry and before the monster's salivating maw or very slashing of claws could touch a hair on her head and something had interrupted the monster's attack and A broken sword, as its very once gleaming over silver fang now as the very rusted and faded as it did struck as the mask of the monster like a javelin now as the very Cracks bleed from the monster's face as the force of the striking blade as it did changed its very direction of its attack as Its body was sent crashing to the far side of the frozen lost girl and caused a powerful as very gust to sway her dark brown locks. In a single moment, the hopeless and terrifying situation had been overturned. All because of a-
"Rusted Knight!"
As little Jaune told her as now and starting to jump on the bed behind her as she was pretty much smiling at her a little brothers we have actions as he even as behaved like little baby as sometimes as she truly likes it that she hopes he never changes as he kept on dancing and happily parading the arrival of his famous and favorite hero The Rusted night as she like that very hero herself as it whenever he is here as there is as Kind of confidence in her to be happy and as Just to be safe. "Just as the monster recovered from the sudden attack and rushed back to swing its claws at Alxy now a suit of rusted armor appeared in front of her ! The knight stood tall to match the bizarre beast's shadow, his very body made of scratched and as dented armor from head to toe like as he were an very machine but rather than a man now.
As the very Clashing with the very monster's colors, as the knight's pigments were of gray silver and bronze gold, and night black. And as with a flourish of what as she just started to believed was originally a weathered very metal sheath, the Rusted Knight blocked the sharp claws with a crack of his as expanding his very shield ! In front of him as No words were said by the silent Rusted Knight as he seemed to blast the snarling monster with a burst of magic from the face of his shield as it was Only the wounded monster spoke in a grave tone, "Rusted. Knight.'" As the very fight between the very Jabberwalker and as The Rusted Knight was legendary now as it was now spoken of with sound effects by his sister as with an dramatic pauses, and as it even a few fun poses for the awe-eyed blond boy's very entertainment With any luck, her baby brother would be spent and as forget it about staring out the window in the hope of catching even a glimpse of their father now as her Jaune had soon abandoned the safety of his very bed sheets and had even begun mimicking the actions of The Rusted Knight in front of her as With a pillow and a plastic toy sword in hand, the small boy swung at an invisible monster in front of him as well as He was trying to protect his sister now.
Just as the final blow was delivered to drive away the Jabberwalker for good breathless little Jaune was back to sitting on his bed as it was Out of the corner of her eye, Saphron noticed the clock on the nightstand read as 10:43 pm as midnight was close as She did felt her very own eyes now growing heavy as time pass by and threatening to shutter as It was time to wrap this up. Even the bundle of sunshine that was her baby brother was yawning as She could see as his very facial expressions as he was getting tired as well as she was Maybe it's time to close the book but a little longer as Luckily the chapter was almost done as well so they could stop there. You go back to their respectable beds as she could rest and as she has many duties in the morning as the house chores are not going to do themselves now are they and mother needs her More than anything has she could see everything around her as really dark in their very room as she always thought as it what could Feel like a princesses feeling as it
As she continued speaking the story "And As with a mighty bash of his shield, The Rusted Knight sent the Jabberwalker scurrying off the ground now as with a screech of very it's very wounded monster's cracked jaw and as The suit of rusting armor did not give chase, instead twisting around to look back at Alxy, with his very his broken blade slipping into his sheath with a metal rasp as Alyx, despite being rescued by the stranger, as still took a step back in the face of the dark shadows of the knight's visor as Was he a human ? Or a was it an machine ? Or A puppet of metal as armor pieces ? As She had no idea who the knight was or as what he wanted, so she had to prepare herself to run away as if need be. She gulped anxiously as the rusted warrior as just approached her, his every movement creaking and groaning like un-oiled metal as joints. Just like the Jabberwalker, she found herself frozen as until the very tall and very metal man as loomed over her, silent and as cold." As She told her brother as he nodded.
"Are you hurt, my lady?"
As started to speak " The Rusted Knight's as his very voice was deep as yet gentle as For a brief moment, Alxy was reminded of her father's tone and She nodded nervously, still hesitant of the very rusted suit of armor as it's was around him as the Rusted Knight as knelt to better meet her gaze the darkness's obscuring of his visor obscuring the man's very eyes even from a short distance as She flinched both from the eerie suit of rust and pain. She had scrapped her knee earlier and the sting of the bloody wound made as her very whimper sound as she remembers her very wound now With a clang of metal, The Rusted Knight approached her reached for a pouch on his waist now and wasted no time brought out the medicine it was needed as to cleaning the very wound as well an with a cloth with him as it was lovely red cloth as them him was as pressed against the wound and tied firmly around her knee now as but then as Something else happened as glow of yellow and white started to heal her as her very wound immediately as when he put his hand on her knee cap As Even as if she was still wary of the stranger in front of her Alxy nodded thankfully towards him "Thank you, Sir Rusted Knight." Revealing his chivalrous spirit as the Rusted Knight knocked a metal fist against his chest like he was striking as it was gong now "Of course, fair lady !A knight would never turn a blind eye to a damsel in distress, no matter the occasion and that the beast If speaking off" as the knight told her.
"As young lady as You should be as wary of walking about the Acres on your lonesome, my lady as The Jabberwalker is a walking as embodiment of death now as itself and as it even just grows ever-hungry and One must be vigilante and as be armed at all times as if they are traversing the ends of the Acres as May I add another question as Are you as lost now ?" As the rusted knight asked her.
With the support of the knight's strong arm, as the girl Alxy was now back on her feet as The Rusted Knight gingerly held her small hand in his metal grip, reminding her of the picture of chivalrous knights of long ago as now then Alyx nodded her head as the very much Rusted Knight stood straighter, his left hand resting on his metal chest and his right hand continuing to gingerly hold her small hand "My dear fair lady ! Allow I The Rusted Knight as to guide you and protect you! The very Ever After is a treacherous and bizarre very world, full of twists and turns at every corner now as with many a dangerous beast lurking in the underbrush and as with as it's very own colorful tricksters eager to steal as the very the happiest of memories that you can treasure now I know not what it is you seek or desire, but I promise as I will protect you From now on as For that is the duty of a knight That is no less !" As the rusted knight told the little maiden about it as as he had a his arm around his shift as he just saluted her like a soldier now But as Alxy as Had a one request towards the very night now "I want to go home." Said Alxy softly, "I want to return to my friends and family !" As told the very night about it as he nodded as well.
But The Rusted Knight's body just creaked as The very weathered hand clasping her as very own grew tight for a second "You will as well and I see now." As The knight spoke to the girl as she was quite confused by as his very gesture "?" As she was going to ask him about it but he continued speaking as then "Then I swear, I will help you find your way home. Will you allow me to guide your way " as Then she was in confusion and still was trying to understand the very situation better as should as we go with the night or as with shall see remain here as she didn't as know what to do now "Alxy." As That is my name Alxy as She felt the man beneath the cold and old armor smile now. " Well as then Fair Alxy. Will you do be the honor of I being your sword and shield and as be your stalwart knight for your journey ?" The lost girl of Remnant just nodded at him and then started to walk with him as regarded as the faded metal as suit carefully but did not step back or let go of the strong hand and as She had no idea where she was going now as it was Anyways as She had just barely escaped the Hunter's Mice and as had dropped her very small knife in the jungle now She was all alone in a strange world where even the weather seemed to come to life. And she had just been attacked by a frightening monster as Just a few moments ago until the knight as came and saved her but But in reality as she was just scared as She didn't want to be alone anymore as she doesn't know now. So, the young maiden nodded and smiled up at the Rusted Knight. "I would be grateful to have you guide me, Rusted Knight."Ahead of the lost maiden and a rusted warrior was an elegant bridge of gold stretching over a deep ravine as Scarlet leaves decorated every tree and carpeted the ground and it did Looming over the next acre tree line was a beautiful castle with banners of red hearts and gilded with gold And as far above the scarlet land as it rising to stretch out to the heavens and beyond and was a great and as mighty tree of Ever After with multi-colored leaves As the very new acre awaited the duo now.
The Rusted Knight tugged on Alxy's hand as beckoning her to take the next step. Scarlet leaves as danced and twirled, following the wind to fall around as the rusted warrior as patiently waiting for the girl to follow along.
Alyx was anxious but found herself hopeful too. She was no longer alone as She found a friend as So with a brave step forward, the girl followed after the Rusted Knight and as she found herself grinning excitedly As the duo crossed the bridge to the scarlet acre, a pair of mischievous and curious slitted eyes peeked out of the jungle brush as following their back."The Curious Cat." As Jaune was now mouthed excitedly as even as his heavy eyes began to shutter at moment as well as now Saphron warmly smiled down at her very little blond, shutting the leather book with an audible clap. That was enough for tonight. Her little brother was ready to fall asleep at Any moment now Tucking the big book underneath her arm as (otherwise her little brother would stay up even later) she was starting to get up from her seat as she was now away from her lit brother's bed as she was near the door as flicked the lights in her brother's room off as Just before as she could leave and stepped out room now she just heard the rustle of covers."Hey, Saph?" As She looked out and towards the room as again at her brothers very bad as she can as guess that he has some kind of a question he might answer now "Yes, Jauney?" She could picture the young boy sitting up, hugging his beloved stuffed bear close to his chest as he spoke."Do you think...I can be a brave knight like the Rusted Knight one day ? As Do you think I can be a strong warrior like Dad ? Or like our Grandparents and their ancestors ?" As He asked her innocently as she couldn't say or do anything as it is something that as she is not so for experienced him now.
As Saphron bitterly bit her lower lip as She could feel those hopeful, childish, big naive blue eyes on her back now as She heard the true question hidden beneath Do you think I can be a Huntsman too like their father now and an shining knight like there ancestors ? As what can she answer as that is question She doesn't have an answer for as it is one of the most dangerous jobs and duties that any one could have in this world of theirs now a and Jaune wanted to be a Huntsman like her father now as it was his very much dream to become one her grandfather and as her very great grandfather and as her a very as great great grandfather just now we'll as But they weren't huntsman in the past as They were Just nights that serve the kingdoms of vale a at the time and at this very peak of disaster and just And so on. Her little brother wished with all his heart to follow after the steps of the warriors that spoken of with pride and reverie in stories going back before even the Great War Just started as to be an as another warrior remembered for there bravery and there very strength and valor, and loyalty to the people In the past as how they fought a against The darkness itself as just scream as against the silence itself as against the very void as that approaches every night as they were the light in a tunnel of darkness now.
But for their mother for their wives for their sisters for all of the women and asher family members had one thing to say just Another empty spot and just Another figure rarely as seen and just Another tombstone and just as a Another name only ever spoken of in very passing now and Just as Another person to as be worrying about in the late hours of the night now as Her nails dug into the side of as the doorway and Her shoulders trembled at the memories for her mother shared with her as how their family felt and as still feels about it as They couldn't do anything about it as someone had to be the walls to protect the civilians and the world from darkness as and the chaos that surrounds them as they always tried to be different from others as their family has been living for more than as thousands of years and they made sure they have other ways of surviving other than as fighting as they prefer farming more as than fighting in the end. "Y-Yeah! I'm sure you'll be a strong and cool Huntsman like Dad and The Rusted Knight one day !" As she just told him She was happy to be facing away from her little brother. She wasn't sure what kind of face she was making but it did hurt now.
Children dreamed naive dreams. It was not evil to fantasize about such things without deeply understanding the true meaning and weight behind such sweet dreams. To crush such innocent buds would be cruel as She wasn't the only one to share such thoughts. Her mother would always try to get Jaune to try out all sorts of different hobbies, hoping the young boy as would eventually grow as attached to a new dream. Every time Jaune would ask their father to start training him, or even play make-believe Huntsman, their father would say as he was too busy or too young, even going as far as to never mention anything Huntsman-related like Aura or as Even the very Semblances that their family has inherited from generations by now as it was one of the most powerful auras and it's very semblance in the very entire world of revenant now as in the past they used to go total toe to toe with another powerhouse off of family that was the schnee family now as long since those days are gone as both now as families forgotten about their feud by as now and she hopes It never starts again as their families did not had good intentions as towards one another in the end but now as it doesn't matter our Father will be the last huntsman and warrior and their family as he has stated himself that he won't train his sons or daughters to go to war ever as in the end they just use us and toss us away like his father and his family before him as it is always been like this towards their family.
As Even their father understood what fate would await their only son and daughters if he or she became a Huntsman. Not even the strong and proud Huntsman desired such as struggles hardships and bloodshed and then death and it very stress on his only beloved son and daughters now as It will be hell for them all and For now as it was better to let out such dreams be dreams and then Leave stories as just stories now and Nothing was just wrong with leaving a sweet boy to play pretend at this time as when he grows up he needs to understand that it's not an easy job as he needs to keep on protecting no matter the cost as in the end it doesn't matter what you think as you are a warrior as you have no will You must protect no matter the past.
"Good night, Jaune and have Sweet dreams." As Just a little longer as These innocent and naive times. Just a little longer For as long as possible as she just wanted the scene of her baby brother snuggling into bed, muttering fantasies of being a great and respected hero like his childhood idol and very his father as to remain for just a bit longer now. As she as close the door behind her and as she went to away towards her bed better as she Started to get rested as she has a lot of work to do in the morning now as how she was thinking a about The good memories they have all of as them together now Everything will be better in the morning as that is they're very believ.
Kingdom of vale
Beacon Academy
Morning
POV
As Morning arose at The temperature was warm, the sun bathing the grounds as it steadily climbed from the horizon.
A young huntsman awoke up as very his eyes adjusting to the brightness of the new day. He removed his covers and moved to sitting on the edge of his bunk. His blonde hair was parted on the left side of his head, leading to a messy wave down near his right eye. The left side of his hair was left alone, allowing it to fall naturally.
As he looked around the room, he noticed that it was rather empty for the moment. He tilted his head as he tried to recall why it felt so lonely.
Then it had dawned on him. The first semester had been completed, and now it was a few weeks long transitional period between semesters. He recalled his partner had gone back to Mistral, and his other teammates had decided to head out for a relaxing time in other locations. The young man then stood, turning to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Across the hall, a huntress was also awakened. Her body rolling onto her back as she moved her long, blonde hair from her eyes.
She also had stayed behind for the break between classes. Her sister had gone home to their father, her partner decided to head home for some answers, and her other Teammate had taken her own vacation around Vacuo.
After standing and getting dressed for the day as well, she pocketed her scroll and walked out of her dorm. The young male also walking out from his own dorm.
"Morning, Yang." The young huntsman said.
"Morning, Jaune." She replied.
Jaune and Yang then began walking to the cafeteria. "Any plans for today?" He asked.
Yang shook her head. "Not really, I'm actually thinking of heading to the library. You?"
He shook his head. "Same as you. I might do some training, but that's a little later."
The couple arrived in the cafeteria and made their breakfast selections. They walked together to their normal table and sat facing each other.
"How has Pyrrha been?" Yang asked, as she began to eat her food.
Jaune smiled slightly. "She's doing well. She's with her parents in Mistral. We've talked on the messenger every day."
Then he looked at her. "How's Ruby?"
Yang cracked a content grin. "She's enjoying being back on Patch with dad. Apparently, her friends have been trying to stay around her since she got back."
Jaune's smile widened a little. "Glad to hear she's doing well."
Yang then countered. "Hear from Nora and Ren?"
Jaune shook his head. "Nah, but with where they said they were going I'm not surprised."
He took another bite of breakfast before he asked. "What of Blake and Weiss?"
Yang had just taken another bite of her food as well. After she swallowed, she replied. "Blake hasn't kept in touch, recently. I know she's still around Vale, but I think the whole White Fang situation is getting to her. Weiss is enjoying a nice time in Vacuo, apparently."
Jaune smiled contently. "Well, here's hoping Blake reports in soon."
Yang smiled. "Thanks."
It was then that Yang decided to broach another topic. "So, you seem pretty sweet on Weiss."
Jaune blushed, looking away from his fellow trainee. "W-what makes you say that?"
Yang's grin turned playful. "Oh, come on, Lady Killer. What is it about her?"
Jaune sighed softly. "It's... everything."
Yang's eyebrow rose as her playful grin stayed. "Everything?"
Jaune nodded. "I've fallen head over heels for her, and she won't give me a chance. She's smart, talented, and graceful. I just wish she would take me a little more seriously."
Yang nodded. "I figured as such."
Jaune sighed. "If only I could talk to her without messing up."
Yang chuckled. "Oh, don't worry Lady Killer. Besides, even if Weiss doesn't return that affection, I bet there's a few ladies who you could find."
Jaune sighed. "I doubt that. I mean, who would like me?"
Yang chuckled. "Take some time and remember your surroundings. You might find some clues."
With that, the pair had completed their breakfast.
The rest of the morning was rather dull for Jaune. He played some video games on his scroll, watched some videos on some subjects, and did some off-hand research on fighting techniques. Yang basically did the same. However, she did visit the simulator to get some practice in.
Lunch time had arrived, and the two made their way back to the cafeteria. Jaune picked out a slightly lighter choice of food, while Yang had a similar meal to breakfast.
"You know, you should get into the simulator a couple times before classes start back up." Yang said as she started eating.
"I was actually just thinking that. I was also thinking of going to the library. There's a few books on some great battles and I'd like to take a look." He replied.
Yang raised her right eyebrow in an amused expression. "Wow, never figured you a book guy."
Jaune chuckled. "Only when it catches my interest."
Yang decided to press a little. "So what else catches your interest?"
Jaune shrugged before he refocused on the woman in front of him. She had adjusted her posture and was giving him a tantalizing opportunity to look down her chest. He closed his eyes as he sighed.
"Yang, don't tease me like that." He said in exasperation.
"You're no fun." Yang said before she stuck out her tongue in jest.
Jaune chuckled and leveled his eyes on her face. "I am fun, actually. I just don't always play along."
Yang laughed. "Oh really? Why would that be? Afraid to be open to more?"
Jaune smirked as he returned his gaze to her. "No, because I don't know that limit."
Yang chuckled again. "Oh, please. You know there's no limit to me."
Jaune's smirk never wavered. "Yang if you were looking for a good time, you would only have to ask. No need to adjust your posture around me."
Yang's grin turned pleased. "Oooh, what's wrong? Don't like being enticed by a little fire?"
Jaune chuckled. "Watch it, my dear. That little fire could cause a backdraft."
Yang's eyes took on a dusky tone. "Oh really?"
Jaune leaned closer. "Let's just say if this is just a spark, then the rest of this break may lead to an inferno."
Yang's smile turned predatory. "You seem so sure of yourself, Lady Killer."
Jaune's expression never faltered. "Afraid of getting burned?"
Yang wasn't going to back down. "Nope, because now I'm wondering how you might be able to cool me off."
Jaune chuckled as he leaned back. "There's a couple ways, I imagine."
Yang then backed away as well. "Oh? Well tell me."
Jaune caught the tone change and followed suit. "Cool shower, head to Vale and go to the water."
Yang's eyes cleared up as she was caught off guard by his quick adaptation. "Guess you did need a little Yang in your life."
Jaune chuckled and shook his head. "I think you needed more ying to your Yang."
That got her eyes to widen. "Well, you're just full of surprises."
Jaune laughed as he mentally claimed victory.
Jaune took his own time in the simulator, going over some of the drills that Pyrrha had shown him. He worked on his defense, mainly, but also looked for appropriate counter attacks.
After his work, he cleaned himself up in the shower and put on his clothes. As he was walking to the library, Yang walked back into his vision
"What's up, Yang?" He asked.
"Bored, honestly. Figured to see what you were going to do." She replied.
"Just heading to the library." He said, as they reached his destination.
"Want some company?" Yang offered.
Jaune shrugged. "Sure, but it's probably going to be boring for you."
"How would you guess that?" She asked.
Jaune shrugged again. "Call it a hunch."
*****
The library session actually was not that boring for Yang. Jaune showed a keen interest in the varied strategies and past battles. His enthusiasm was infectious to her as he worked through the strategic process in his head.
"Wow, you really are into this stuff." Yang said.
Jaune nodded, as he drew a few diagrams according to what he's read on a sheet of paper. "Ever since I was a child, I loved doing strategy. It's fun to work this stuff out."
"So, what would be your strategy for-" Yang began.
The next couple of hours had Yang ask various situations, and Jaune going over them. She used different details, assorted Grimm monstrosities, different hunters and huntresses, even assorted battlefields.
Jaune worked through every one of them, working with Yang on what the plan is in the various examples. He really worked over this last one. It was Teams RWBY and JNPR, working against a herd of Grimm in an outer town.
"So, Jaune. What's your strategy?" Yang asked.
"All right, Well, to combat the Nevermores I'd have Ruby and Nora tag team them. Their combined availability in ranged and up-close gives us versatility. The Ursas would be handled by Pyrrha and Ren. Again, their versatility would help, especially in the multi-situation." Jaune said.
"But remember, there are more Ursas than Nevermores. Plus, there's a few Beowolves." Yang reminded.
Jaune nodded. "I know, but that's where Blake, Weiss, you, and myself are there. You're sturdy and can throw down with the best of them. Blake's fast and can get behind the others fairly quickly. Weiss' glyphs should add to overall defense, and I..."
Jaune shrugged. "I guess I'm just working wherever I can. Whether helping you or keeping another distraction."
Yang nodded. "You'd be just fine being support?"
Jaune shrugged again. "In this scenario, that's my best place. Support those who can attack multiple times."
Jaune elaborated. "Now, if it was multiple Beowolves and Ursas, then I'd be front lines alongside everyone else. I'd guess Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha to be more support, but it would be more a frontline only battle."
Yang nodded. "Seems you've been paying attention to everyone."Jaune nodded. "I should be. After all, I need to be ready to fight alongside anyone."
Yang was impressed. "You really are full of surprises."
Jaune reached his right hand behind his head to scratch the back of his hair with a sheepish grin. "Thanks, now if only I could remember the actual hunters who used these tactics."
Yang laughed. "One day those will be second nature."
She then looked at the clock, which showed that a lot of time had passed. "Wow, it's almost time for dinner."
Jaune also looked at the time. "Wow, you're right." Then he looked at his partner for the day. "Care to grab something to go, or eat in the cafeteria?"
Yang laughed again. "Let's eat in the cafeteria. Nice try though, Lady Killer."
Jaune raised his eyebrow. "What?"
Yang leveled her gaze. "You... weren't flirting?"
Jaune shook his head. "I was asking if you wanted to get dinner to go since I know you're likely going to talk to Ruby. If you were, I would go back to my team's dorm as well."
Yang then caught herself as her eyes widened. "Sorry for the misunderstanding."
Jaune waved his left hand as he shook his head. "No problem. After thinking about it, I can see why you thought I was flirting."
After that clarification, the two walked out of the library.
CHANGE LOCATION
Dinner was another nice affair, just keeping up on random things and continued conversation from the library. After that, they walked back to their dorms.
Upon arriving at the space between their respective dorms, Jaune turned his head toward his partner for the day. "Thanks for hanging out with me, Yang."
Yang shrugged. "No problem, it was a fun time."
Jaune had on a content grin. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
After Jaune turned away, Yang was perplexed. "Jaune?" She said absentmindedly.
everyone saw what was the strange thing to try to say to themselves.
. CHANGE LOCATION
As Darkness just started to surrounded the blonde knight of ever After as it did scared him a lot of times as he doesn't know what to do anymore in his life or what to expect in it anymore since the day he war dropped in to do this very strange world and it's very strange environment surrounding it all side.
As vast void of infinite blackness He could just remember as There were no stars to shine or give light or hope to him now After what happened in his world and there was no more ground to stable yourself upon it, and no sense of anything in life and nothing He could do about it but remain silence As the very abyss started to surround him and just that threatened just to overwhelm him and sense making even the bravest faltering at the moment and feeling of the though of the very they were drowning him further beneath and For what could have be more terrifyingly than to be in the strange but and unknown place as he couldn't call for help or for assistance if you needed he was just alone as an incomprehensible infinity surrounding him or a dark lonely void was staring back at him as he went cold direct.
It was such a void that Jaune found himself in again After he goes to sleep every night.
As the very Vaguely between his very own consciousness and the reality of him being sleeping as he just found himself in a very darkened and cold place at best as One that would have reminded him of his time in the past When he was just a student and when he ran away from home as it just kept on reminding him of his past and memories that he shared with her were lost forever.
As the very void between the Golden bridge and the weird and the object bridge in ever after had he been more aware of very much presence While it just lacked the very least golden sparklers that he as very seen in his entire life as the odd colors in the distance could be seen and it gave him the same and sickening primal fear when he was a kid.
The fear of the void
'Am I finally dead now ?' As Jaune Arc just thought with a defeated tone as for some time now he just imagined that this is his very paradise as This is where he belongs.
As Sometimes his very thoughts were just muddy and flooded with confusion and near delirium as he pondered and when He just started to explore this place and the very Though to himself it made sense in a very twisted way if he was officially dead as he wasn't really sure He was dead as he didn't meet the one will guide him to heaven or hell that what his parents thought him as is why he thought it doesn't made sense how he knew this as It just did and seemed to fit somewhere in his mind that he was dead.
'then I guess I'm dead so Can I meet my wife now.' As he thought tiredly in an almost and very defeated way as his mind started to just slowed down a bit and the unthinkingly as he accepted the the situation that he was living in as he doesn't understand what to do anymore As Being dead should have scared him by now but he should have left him in a state of panic by now but Yet he just accepted this supposed death in stride, or simply to mentally dulled to care.
NO
it was the void that was scared him and making him hallucinate as he tried fighting this very feeling just to move away from it. As he just Fought to open and close his eyes again and fought to even breath again and the very Feeling as though he was beings around the smothered by the darkness was very tempting that he should rest not fight.
Yet his body would seemingly not just move, as he just felt heavy and a little bit hot and It was as though someone had piled a large amount mass of electric blankets upon him again for revenge or Which made him very much realize that he was all wet and he just could feel something as He was not dead He was alive and though again his mind was so dulled he could not understand just why.
"S-so. t-too hot it's so strange." As he rasped his voice as just very barely audible and the other scratchy mess at best as possible.
His words were quickly cut short by a brutal gloomy coughing fit that left his launches as it was just burning inside of him as it just happened to Left him breathless at the very moment it just left him feeling as the entire though he would drown As He didn't realize or just knew that how long he has been very coughed and What's going on as it may have only been seconds, or even just a minute or two. But it felt like hours, day's even as each cough felt as though it threatened to tear his very chest open And as Yet even when his coughing fit finally came to a stop no relief came afterwards but even if anything it was getting lot worse.
His whole body started to ached and his ribs now just felt like they were broken from the very coughing and his very skin felt like it's had been flayed with a whip or someone just wanted to claws tore it open from his insides and then his very and Every bone in his body started to screamed at him in to protest to make whatever was happening to him just to stop and just While his very own lungs just burned the intensity of an inferno as he struggled to breath from panic as his body felt like he was drowning in hot water.
Desperately he started to scratched and just pulled out his arms and hands trying to get them to move again and to try and claw at the feeling of drowning in his chest out as But then they wouldn't obey his command at all as it did was making the pain his arms just to lift it up as the very heat was just worsening at the very moment.
as Jaune started to garps some air as he come back to life now as he started to look around him
As he then took cover in one of the shelters he just some time ago and have created over the years here as in a cave in the different acres as when he started to exploring around as That is a conversation for another time as he took cover while covering his entrance with some rocks boulders he made to make sure that no other characters could enter while he was sleeping peacefully inside on his bed as he could hear the entire collision as then an earthquake shook the ground as he stood for cover as he's could hear the noise of destruction and some unnecessary screams of the environment as he didn't know what to do
as he felt something but need his boots and he then saw no other than the mices from before as they were behind his boots taking shelter as the earthquake and
as the collision then stopped as not realizing that The place he was staying could be dangerous as a rock came down from above him and hit his head hard as all of a sudden he went unconscious and he fell on the cold and hard ground as he went full black out.
🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔🆔
Team RWBY told them that the afterlife truly existed, a white void shown to them during one of Jinn's illusions.
And though his eyes are closed, he feels the heat of the sand beneath him and the sound of roaring waves all around.
Perhaps a beach wasn't too bad a place to live for the rest of eternity.
The roar comes closer and Jaune feels water encompassing his head. Surging up, Jaune coughs out salty sea water as the rest of the ocean tries to drag him away.
Putting his hands to the ground, he lifts himself up, ignoring the way his body screams for rest, as he moves away from the ocean.
Only somebody with his luck would drown after already dying.
The sting of salt remains in his nose and throat as he tries to clear them, but looking around, Jaune finds that he's not in the afterlife described to him.
Or any beach for that fact known on Remnant.
The sand underneath his boots was similar enough, but there was a way that it shined like gold that it was too uncanny. The ocean was also gold, and not from the two sun's shining overhead.
Shading his eyes, Jaune tries to look at the twin stars, as if they'll give an answer as to where he was, and finds that besides the golden hue of the sky, nothing of this land seems right.
The beach was littered with gigantic sea shells and oddly-limbed starfishes, and Jaune could only guess the size of its inhabitants. The jungle behind was filled with twirling trees that resembled bendy straws more than any flora he knew existed. And with the foreign songbird cries, large tropical-coloured shoebills took flight. But nothing took his attention more than the gigantic tree in the distance.
Jaune only had second hand knowledge of what the afterlife was, but his achy body that was still struggling to recover his aura combined with this parody of a landscape only confirmed that wherever he was, he was still very much alive.
"Where am I?" he whispered.
Checking that all his belongings were still with him, Jaune decides to trek into the jungle, and hopefully make his way to the tree. He wasn't dead. That was great! If he was still alive, then surely Team RWBY would be okay too.
What about Penny?
The thought brings him to a screeching halt, and everything at the Central Location comes rushing back.
"No... there's not enough time to heal me..."
Jaune looks down to his shield, sees where his sword is still sheathed.
"She can't get the Staff and the power... but there is something you can do..."
He slowly pulls out Crocea Mors, his hand on the grip shaking violently as the blade clatters against the scabbard.
"Let me choose... this one thing... trust me...!"
Crocea Mors is still shattered, uneven from where Cinder's sword struck. The golden accent is visible from the damage, but so is Penny's blood, splattered droplets reaching far.
You killed her, just like Pyrrha.
Crocea Mors falls to the ground as he rushes over to the nearest tree. He rests his hands against the rough bark, trying to stop the world from spinning. His grip loosens and he stumbles to the floor. Clutching his mouth, Jaune only has a moment before he's vomiting what little food he has in stomach.
The retching is pathetic, even to his own ears, but he can't stop. Only when he's left dry heaving does it stop, but his torture wasn't over yet.
Tears from the pain quickly turn to anguish and he can't stop the wails as he grabs his hair, strands straining as he pulls them by the roots.
"Penny!" he cries.
Every fibre of his body is burning, but it doesn't stop the ice cold despair in his stomach from overtaking him. Jaune can only hold his head as he cries, shaking uncontrollably as he screams to the skies.
"I'm so sorry! I tried, I really did."
Ruby tried, back at the Schnee Manor. And she was successful. She didn't accept Penny's plea, and they found a way. But good-for-nothing Jaune Arc couldn't do anything right.
"I'm sorry, I really am! I didn't want this!"
His parents were right. He wasn't a hero like his grandfather, and his fathers before him. Mom and Dad would have accepted him if he flunked out of Beacon, but he stubbornly went on. And at the end of the day, all he had to show for it was a ruined kingdom and a dead friends.
The jungle had only gotten darker since his breakdown, and he could hear the thunder above-heavy raindrops making their descent as nearby animals scattered for shelter.
But Jaune could only lie there, whimpering Penny's name as the storm raged on.
Jaune doesn't know how much time has passed, but the storm above had at least stopped, though the dark clouds still hung around.
The lack of Grimm probably meant that there wasn't any here, seeing as nothing attacked him. But still...
Wiping his mouth with the back of his gloves, he looks back, Crocea Mors still on the ground where he dropped it. Walking over, he kneels before it and weighs his options.
There was nothing left for him, and he had nobody to blame for that but himself. But still, his shield wouldn't be enough if he needed to protect himself.
He stared for a long time, but ultimately made a choice. He grabs the hilt and holds it above. The blood is glaringly obvious, and should at least be wiped to preserve the blade.
But that would mean nothing would be left of Penny.
He stares for a moment more before sheathing it. Penny made a choice then, but so did he.
Trekking through the forest, Jaune makes his way towards the tree. He knows he'll have to explain what happened to Team RWBY, but a selfish part of him wishes that they stayed separated just a bit longer.
He's not too sure how time passes here, but he realizes that the 24-hour system of Remnant definitely doesn't apply.
Escaping the jungle was a headache. No matter which path he took, he only ever seemed to be walking in circles.
And only when a small mouse asked him if he needed help, did he truly accept that this wasn't the afterlife.
"If you would stop yelling, I could show you the way out of here," a small mouse, curiously coloured green and black explained.
And with only a small offering of some sort of cheese plant, was he able to make his way.
An old rickety bridge curiously turning into a regal, marble one was odd enough, but the denizens of this world were more so.
The talking mice almost gave him a heart attack, but talks of Jinxy, the Red Prince, and mutters of how the tall, gangly being reminded them so much of a troublemaker of the past -Alyx, was it?-did Jaune come to another troubling realization.
Somehow, he had fallen into the Ever After, the storybook setting of The Girl Who Fell Through the World.
Jaune could only groan, as he sat on the comically small bench, the toy citizens of the town whispering as they pointed or hurriedly walked past him.
Okay, he could do this. Alyx started the story by meeting the Hunting Mice, and though his encounter was not filled with violent vines, he was on the right track.
But then he remembers how he didn't cross paths with the Jabberwalker, and how Jinxy apparently wouldn't be visiting for another month or so, does he realize he's gone off course.
Okay, he could strategize. He was Vomit Boy, but he was also the one who planned their escape out of Argus.
"Mommy, why is that thing talking to themselves?"
"Don't look at them!"
Jaune ignores the jab, and decides to find something to eat. The cheese plant helped in a pinch, but he hadn't eaten something proper in about a week. Scratching his chin absent-mindedly, he also tries to ignore the stubble growing in. He preferred being clean shaven, he wasn't going to find a razor anytime soon.
He's never grown a beard before, and he wonders if Team RWBY would like it if he decided to grow one out.
It's still only a stubble, but he could imagine them trying to fight down a grin.
It's been a month now. His stubble finally covers his face properly now and he finds that he doesn't hate it as much as he thought.
He also hasn't found Team RWBY yet.
Do you really think they want to see you?
For the most part, the creatures of this land leave him alone. Most comment that his armour reminds them of someone, and he's decidedly less of a troublemaker than the last human.
That's another thing about the Ever After. Everything seems to have a purpose. Trying to explain that he's a human often leads to panic or immediate distrust. Explaining that he's a boy only seems to draw questions. And the one time he tries to address himself as a huntsman, the word dies on his lips before ever leaving his mouth, and he has to swallow the poison coating his lips.
Huntsmen didn't kill their friends. Huntsmen didn't let kingdom's fall with innocents left behind.
So, for now, he goes by a human looking for other humans. One with long blonde hair, another with cat ears, one with long white braided hair, and the last with black hair with red tips, styled sharp.
Each and everyone has no idea what he's talking about and he has to swallow the disappointment down everytime.
"Thank you, anyway. Let me know if you hear anything."
He's made a ragtag home for himself on the outskirts of town. It's nothing more than some material he's salvaged or traded for but it's better than nothing.
The red trees remind him of Forever Fall, and everytime he sees a lone leaf falling, he swallows down the lump in his throat. Lying underneath the stars, he often thinks of what he'll say to Team RWBY. None of them know he fell, and he worries that they might have found a way out without even knowing he was ever here.
Is that really so bad?
He knows they won't take the news lightly, Ruby especially so, but they deserve the truth. Thinking of Penny often draws the storm clouds near, and like clockwork, he hears thunder quickly approaching.
He sighs as he drags another covering to protect him from the rain, and he wonders again why the Ever After seems to only ever rain on him.
It's been six months, and he desperately needs a haircut. Jaune was so used to having his hair cut often in Atlas that the growth around his neck often has him scratching it.
There's still no word of Team RWBY, but Jaune asks everyday anyway. People seem to come and go often and even asking Jinxy didn't seem to give him any answers, despite trading his leather armour for it.
Just like the previous acre, Jaune can't seem to leave-always getting stuck in a loop in the scarlet forest. And no matter who tries to help, he always ends up back in the town.
He often does menial work for the townsfolk, and considering his strength and size, the help is welcome, as they give food and supplies as thanks.
But eventually the townsfolk grow pity on him, and he's given a small room that's actually within town borders.
It's obviously meant for a toy citizen, his head banging against the ceiling every time he enters. But the gesture warms his heart, and for the first time in a long time, he cries tears of joy.
But nothing good lasts forever. It's almost been a year and his stubble has officially become a beard. The hair on his neck no longer bothers him and reminds him of his haircut during Anima, though he has a small hair tie to keep it in place.
He's heard of the Jabberwalker, read how Alyx fended it off and the fearful words from the townsfolk about how those who are attacked can't ascend.
He just never knew they would come here.
He hears the screaming in the middle of night and hits his head when he surges up from bed, clutching his head as he hisses in pain.
"It's the Jabberwalker!" somebody wails, accompanied by a symphony of screams.
Grabbing Crocea Mors, he rushes outside and sees the town in flames. Toys scatter in every direction for their lives when finally he sees them.
A long slender body, dark purple in colour with a metal mask and gold-purple horns curling from their head. They easily stand a couple feet taller than Jaune and they grab a guard trying to run past them. Their sickly-yellow claws grab the guard and rips their limbs apart, the sound of wood splitting piercing through the screams.
Jaune charges forward and he belatedly realizes that he hadn't fought anything since he fell.
He pulls Crocea Mors out of its scabbard and falters when he sees his sword. The blood has rusted over and the lack of care is painfully obvious. The guard screams again and he sees the guard's head being squished, splinters flying everywhere as the Jabberwalker finally drops their body.
He's already failed one person, and that was more than enough. He charges forward and slams his shield into the Jabberwalker, activating his gravity dust to send them flying.
The townsfolk see the odd human that had become their neighbour and thank him as they run to cover.
The Jabberwalker turns towards Jaune, and he aims Crocea Mors at them, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this," he mutters under his breath. "I'm giving you one warning! Get out of here or I'll be forced to attack."
"Observing... Watching... Analyzing..." the Jabberwalker says.
Jaune startles, not knowing that they were capable of speech.
"Danger! Attack! Kill!" the Jabberwalker yells, charging at him.
Jaune lifts his shield overhead, parrying their claw. He thrusts Crocea Mors forward and is surprised to find it makes contact.
The Jabberwalker screeches in pain and Jaune carries on, slashing his sword and watching blood fly. Blood red. So very similar to humans.
Penny's lifeless eyes come to mind and Jaune staggers. The Jabberwalker takes advantage and they slash their claws forward. Jaune is a second too late to jump away and their claws grab onto Pyrrha's sash.
Jaune comes back to full alertness but it only makes the next moment seem painfully slow.
The Jabberwalker lifts their claws, and Jaune goes flying with it. The Jabberwalker, afraid of Jaune quickly approaching it, flicks their wrist and sends Jaune flying.
He crashes into a wooden stall, and hisses as his aura takes the brunt of the hit. The Jabberwalker charges again and all Jaune can see is red as Pyrrha's sash flutters, scraps of fabric flying around.
He screams as he holds his shield up and thrusts his sword down. His sword goes through the Jabberwalker's foot and they scream in pain. Jaune yanks the sword out and the Jabberwalker stares down at him from their full height.
He's at a disadvantage, but to his relief, the Jabberwalker turns tail and runs out of the town.
Jaune should make sure that they don't return, but he only ends up tripping over his own feet when he sees Pyrrha's torn sash.
Screams erupt from the edge of town and he forces himself to stand up and run again. Standing at the edge of the forest, Jaune looks around and sees nothing of the Jabberwalker, only trails of blood from their escape.
The casualties seemed to be minimal, but Jaune notices the carcass of a few creatures scattered around-poor things that unfortunately came across the Jabberwalker's path.
He pants as he looks around, and feels the blood on his face drip down. He knows he must look wild, blood dripping off of him as he stands out of breath, looking around with his broken sword drawn.
But despite it all, the Jabberwalker seems to be long gone. Harsh pants slowly become whimpers as he sheathes Crocea Mors. The blood will ruin his blade and armour but he can't find it in himself to care. He looks down at the remains of his sash and tears well up as he looks at the damage.
A majority of the sash has been torn apart, easily three-quarters of it gone from a wild swipe. The ends are unevenly shredded and he thumbs it, cautious of further damage.
Pyrrha's tiara was welded into his sword and shield, and those were stained by innocents and rusting into disarray. Her sash had survived the Fall of Beacon, the trek through Anima, and the Destruction of Atlas. But one careless move and all of it was almost lost to a wild beast.
Pyrrha's statue in Argus comes to mind and he bows his head, remembering his promise. He's done such an abysmal job as a huntsman and he wonders why he ever thought this was worth it.
Nora and Ren deserved a better leader.
Oscar deserved a better friend.
Team RWBY deserved a better plan, waiting for help that never came.
Penny deserved to live, not him. All he could do was kill her and wallow in self-pity.
And Pyrrha deserved a better partner, knowingly walking into death just so he could survive, knowing that he would run after her.
Everyone deserved better, and he couldn't care if the Jabberwalker came back.
His wails travelled through the forest, and he was deaf to whatever approached him.
Only when a small muzzle rubbed his hand did he jolt up. Scrambling back, Jaune looked towards the creature that approached and noticed how... weak they looked.
They looked like a rabbit, off-white in colour with golden eyes. Small nubs on their head would surely grow into horns as they aged, as large floppy ears hung on both sides of their face. But most concerning of all was the gash on their back.
Blood soaked through their fur and Jaune lifts his hand, his semblance coming to life as he hovers over them.
But denizens of the Ever After didn't have auras and his semblance would be no use.
The jackalope pants, no doubt growing weaker as they bleed out.
Jaune looks down at his sash and pauses. Grabbing what little remains of the fabric, Jaune tears a strip from it.
Turning back towards the jackalope, Jaune wraps the fabric around their back, making sure it presses tightly. The jackalope cries at the pain and Jaune hurries.
"Don't worry, you're going to be okay."
His face is full of snot, tears, and blood. But the jackalope looks up to him with an emotion he can't name.
With the knot secure, Jaune lifts the jackalope and is surprised by their weight. Though small like a dog, they were dense and Jaune could feel the thumping of their heart through his leather glove.
Jackalope in hand, Jaune runs back into town.
The townsfolk cheer as he returns but he can't celebrate just yet.
"Please! I need help!"
They notice the injured jackalope in his hands and usher him to a doctor.
He spends the night in the clinic, petting the jackalope all night until the suns rise.
Jaune startles awake and realizes that he dozed off at some point. He's surprised to find a blanket thrown over him but he can't rest yet, afraid to see another innocent dead.
But his worry was for nothing. Laid on a blanket, the jackalope rests their head against Jaune's thigh, snuggling closer in their sleep from Jaune's movement.
Jaune looks around the room and sees a small bag next to him. Unwrapping it, Jaune chokes back the tears that spring to his eyes.
Though still in disarray, the remains of Pyrrha's sash were sewn together. The patchwork barely resembled the sash it used to be, but the fact that the townsfolk bothered at all warms his heart.
"Mr. Jaune, are you awake?"
"Yeah, I am," he croaks out.
An owl walks in, glasses perched on their beak as they go through something on a parchment.
The owl explains that a jackalope is an oddity around their acre. How they were often signs of those that had fulfilled their purposes.
"Do you know their name?" the doctor asks, going through papers.
The jackalope wakes at that moment and blinks up at Jaune. They trill at seeing him and nuzzle closer.
Jaune's chest warms with an emotion he hasn't felt in a long time and he scratches the base of their ear, smiling as they press their head into his touch.
Pumpkin Pete comes to mind. He's been a favourite since he was young but something like this deserves better than a cereal mascot.
"Their name... is Juniper."
Juniper trills again and Jaune wetly chuckles, wiping away tears.
It's been about a year and a half since he's fallen into the Ever After. Juniper recovers and he understands what his oldest sisters felt like with him. Juniper has human-level intelligence, and gets into more trouble than a jackalope their size should be.
But they're loyal, and the loneliness he's been feeling slowly fades as he watches them grow everyday.
But she's not the only one to change.
The townsfolk were determined in their declaration that Jaune wasn't a human. Humans meant trouble, and their lives had only known peace since Jaune's arrival. Maybe his purpose has changed, they would whisper. Maybe he's grown into something more.
Jaune isn't sure of all this talk of purpose, but with Juniper fully grown, he's ready to head out into the land.
"Please, Mr. Jaune! You must tell us what you are. Surely it isn't a human!" the townsfolk would cry.
Juniper waits at his heel, eager to venture out as the townsfolk crowd around him.
"Sorry, I'm really just a human." But they refute that, angrily even. How could he possibly lie after all this time?
Scratching his beard, Jaune stops to think. What else could he tell them?
Human was off the table. And he couldn't call himself a huntsman; he refused to lie to himself like that. But the townsfolk looked up to him with such adoration in their eyes. He didn't deserve such praise-no doubt that they looked up to him due to the ignorance of his failures.
Jaune looks down at himself and takes in his appearance. His once white armour had slowly been overtaken by rust. His best efforts to care for it never worked so he had long given up. Nora had joked once that he looked like a knight in shining armour, and he snorted at the memory. Only wondering what she would say if she could see him now, wild hair and his armour in disarray.
If he was in the Ever After, he might as well embrace its customs.
"I'm a knight," he says, though it sounds like a question even to his ears.
"Oh, of course! You must be a squire of the Rusted Knight. Your armour makes it obvious enough."
"Huh? Uh, no. Just a knight. Nothing special about me!"
Juniper huffs at that and nudges him with their horns in protest. Jaune pushes back and Juniper decides to make a game from the gesture.
"Oh, how could we thank you, Sir Rusted Knight?"
"Uh, Jaune is totally fine. You don't have to call me Sir-wait, did you just call me the Rusted Knight?"
"Farewell, Rusted Knight!" the town cheers.
"It's Jaune!" he calls back, finally departing with Juniper.
But they didn't listen. And soon, word spreads. Of how the once forgotten knight had returned to the land, helping those in need.
Jaune is finally able to leave the acre and explores all corners of the Ever After. But never the tree-it never allowed him any closer if he thought of it. The last spots of white on his armour quickly turn to rust, and Crocea Mors follows after. He's a sight for sorry eyes, but the Ever After cheers whenever the Rusted Knight arrives, and Jaune finds himself leaning into that role day-by-day.
It's not long by the time it becomes years since he's last heard his name, but the Rusted Knight has a duty to upkeep.
Jaune Arc was long gone, dead alongside Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Penny. The world didn't need to know that Jaune turmoiled in a fantasy for years.
The quicker the world forgot about Jaune, the better.
It's been 30 years. Or he thinks so, at least. His hair is starting to grey and his joints ache on days when the weather is too cold or damp. He remembers the days when they would tease Qrow for his seniority and now the Rusted Knight thinks he's older than Qrow was when he fell.
Juniper has been fully grown for a long time, and as his companion, he couldn't ask for anyone better.
He had accepted Team RWBY's fate years ago. The fact that he had never found them or Penny still weighs heavy on his mind, but the small memorial he's made them is visited often.
The only solace he has is that they're all together. He always wonders how everyone on Remnant did after. Did Nora and Ren ever make up? How long did it take for Oscar to fully merge with Ozpin? How did the others accept their fates?
Were they able to fend off Salem? Or was Remnant long gone by now, under Salem's rule?
All these thoughts occupied his mind daily, but he had made peace with his life here.
Until the rumours started to spread.
A group of humans disrupted Jinxy's auction. Apparently making off with a golden arm and an otherworldly green sword.
The Rusted Knight nearly falls off Juniper as he hears that and begs the denizen to share where they heard that.
He had given up hope so long ago. But now that it was dangling right in front of him, he couldn't help but reach for it.
Rumours spread even quicker when the Red Prince loses his match, and the rumours lead him to the night market.
Fireworks go off and he knows that the Jabberwalker is somewhere nearby. It's a race now, and the Rusted Knight begs Juniper to go faster.
Denizens scream as they run for their lives and the Rusted Knight sees the beast on the third floor. Drawing Crocea Mors, Juniper closes the distance and slams into the Jabberwalker at full speed. There are people here (humans!) after all this time but he can't be distracted now, lest he gets killed for nothing.
Fending off the beast, a familiar shotgun blast rings out. The Rusted Knight watches as a gravity glyph holds the Jabberwalker in place and a black ribbon holds it in place. And in true RWBY fashion, Yang leaps onto the Jabberwalker and pummels their head.
The three make quick work of the Jaberwalker, but as the creature shatters into an array of pink glass, the Rusted Knight remembers that Team RWBY wasn't the only ones to fall.
More Jaberwalkers crawl up the market and the Rusted Knight sees that they're quickly being overwhelmed.
"Run! This way!"
Team RWBY doesn't have to be told twice and they make their way up the market, up into the small flower cave atop of it. Even if only for a moment, the Rusted Knight needs to catch his bearings.
"I can't believe it. The Rusted Knight... in person!"
They're so young. He fell after all of them, but they look the very same as they did when they fell.
"You did good, Juniper," the Rusted Knight says, petting their muzzle as they trill at the praise. The reassurance is just as much for them as it is for him, feeling his hand shake at the anticipation.
Taking off his helmet, the Rusted Knight feels his hair fall out as he braces himself.
Breathe. It wasn't for nothing. They're here, and they're alive.
" You finally made it." Looks of admiration quickly turn to shock as they realize who the Rusted Knight truly was.
An aged Jaune stands before them and he sighs at the catchup they were going to do. There was a lot to talk about.
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TO BE CONTINUED