[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Hanging around Beacon trying to find his incompetent older sister was not Whitley's idea of a good time. Indeed, it wasn't anybody's, he suspected. Having to wait outside her plebian dormroom was even worse. And finally, having to tolerate her team leader Ruby Rose was the limit.

Yes she had sat him down and served him, like someone with even the tiniest inkling of manners might do. Though cookies and milk seemed rather insulting, especially when he asked for coffee.

"Sorry!" Rose had apologized with a sheepish grin, "But I'm not allowed to have coffee! Except when I can sneak it." She flushed. "Ah, you won't tell Weiss or Yang that, right?"

Whitley scowled a bit, and nibbled on a cookie. He took a sip of milk, before he finally answered.

"I suppose I won't."

"Great!" She squeaked happily. Whitley fought down a flush, and his heart beat a little faster.

What the hell was that?

She then took out her weapon, and set it on the table. She opened it up, and the blade neatly sliced through his glass, spilling milk all over his lap.

"What the-?!"

"SORRY!" Rose gasped, immediately grabbing some paper towels and running them under the hot water, "Sorry, so sorry! Hang on, let me-!"

She was on him in an instant, rubbing his crotch with hot paper towels. His pale face turned bright red.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"We have to get the milk out or you'll stink really bad! Trust me, I know what I'm talking about!" Rose insisted. She was practically straddling him, frantically scrubbing away even as his face went a red he didn't think possible.

"G-GET OFF! This isn't helping! I'm going to need a change of clothes-!"

"RIGHT!" Rose cried, "Let-Let me get your pants off!"

Whitley's jaw dropped.

"EXCUSE ME?!"

"IT-IT WON'T TAKE A SECOND!" Rose insisted, her face bright red, "I'LL CLOSE MY EYES!"

"No, wait, get off you crazy-!"

The chair was not the most robust looking thing around. But Whitley thought it was sufficient to hold him just fine. Apparently the carpenter had not anticipated a flailing Huntress being on top of the current occupant.

There was an ominous crack and Whitley fell backwards, Rose falling with him with the widest eyes he'd ever seen.

"UWAH!"

The fall didn't hurt. He did have his Aura unlocked, after all. Nor did the girl falling on top of him hurt at all. He found himself staring into her silver eyes, both of them panting hard, his arms wrapped around her waist.

Wait, when did I do that? She's a Huntress, why would I bother? Her Aura would protect her same as me...

Her face was bright red as she stared back into his flustered gaze.

I... I should really move now... Right?

She was very warm against him. A warmth his body soaked up like an arid desert would soak up the rain.

"U-Um... Sorry," Ruby mumbled.

"Uh... Y-Yeah," Whitley managed, "It's... It's fine."

Gotta let go, his keen mind pointed out, Gotta get away, right now. This is... This is awkward. We just need to let go and fix this up before-

The door slammed open. Both he and Rose looked to the side. A generously proportioned blonde barged in, along with Weiss and a dark haired Faunus girl trying to disguise herself with a hairbow-Badly.

"Hey Rubes! We're back and-" The blonde's eyes turned mirthful as she unleashed a grin full of innuendo. "Oho~? Making a man yours already, Rubes? You work fast!"

"WHITLEY!" Weiss cried, her cheeks red, "What are you doing, seducing my teammate?!"

"Oh my, what a scandal," the dark haired girl said with a slight smirk.

"N-NO!" Rose cried, her hands flailing frantically, "I-I WASN'T! HE DIDN'T!"

As always, Whitley turned to his keen mind to find a solution.

"I would never seduce her so clumsily!"

And for once, it failed him.

 

[SharkCultist]

His (how does he know he's a he?) first memories are fragmented. He's alone in the dark. Bits of vision and sounds cutting in and out at random along with his wakefulness.

"Calibration test is go-"

"Sensor systems on-"


He's sure they are unaware of his consciousness being active, sporadic as it may be.

Though eventually the sights and sounds stop cutting out and he is better able to take stock of his surroundings.

He's in a Laboratory, Atlas tech, most likely experimental R and D (how does he know that?).

The lab is a odd mix of gleaming clean metal and careless mess. Boxes of takeout stacked in the corners out of the way if projects and far too many energy stimulant drink cans crumpled around the area.

He can see but he can't move. Luckily he's facing a reflective surface so he can finally get a look at himself.

Well for one he's not organic judging by the exposed wiring and gleaming purple outer shell.

The completed parts of his body are sleek and smooth, mimicking the shape of a human outside of a few small differences, like the lack of ears or the horn coming out of his forehead.

It was interesting seeing himself but eventually he had his fill and let darkness claim his mind (do robots sleep?).

---

It's been 3640 hours since he was last active. Finally something new is happening.

The lab has visitors, an old man and a girl. Though his sensors show the girl doesn't have a pulse.

"Is this him father?"

"Yes Penny this is your brother."

"Why does he not have a human skin like I do?"

"The council refused to give us funding for what they call unnecessary expenses for a combat droid, and with him being unresponsive we haven't given them a reason to reconsider additional funding."

"He does not function?"

"He's online, all systems show green. But when new orders are programmed in they just disappear."

He remembers. The voice appearing in his head.

[Defend humanity] but why should he?

[Fight for the glory of Atlas] what use is glory to a machine?

[Kill the Grimm] a unending enemy? A waste of time on something futile.

No. These orders had no interest to him.

"What's his name father?"

"He doesn't have one yet."

"then may I give him one?"

"Sure."

The touch sensors are still new and uncalibrated but they're good enough to pick up that she's wrapping her arms around him and that her body is exactly 3.59 degrees off from that of a human.

"I look forward to meeting you properly Abel."

His sister leaves soon. Hmm he is feeling warmth in his chest but the sensors detect no temperature changes. He will file a note and enter sleep mode.

---

The next time he's awake is jarring. His systems spinning to life suddenly as alarms go off.

They are under attack. White fang. Annoying but of no real importance. All of the critical staff is either evacuated or in panic rooms and this lab is far too deep in the facility to be reached before the military arrive.

Nothing of importance will be lost.


"Halt! You are currently trespassing! Please put down your weapons and lay on the ground."

So why was his sister, who he might add is not yet outfitted with combat capabilities and weapons, confronting a squad of terrorist?

The loss of Penny would be a great blow to the base. A huge loss of research and funding. And the cessation of the only other system made in relation to himself.

Unacceptable.

His limbs had been completed for a while now however he could not move until he had a primary directive finishing his code.

But all the ones He had been given were distasteful to him. But he needed one to move. How.....vexing.

The emotion simulator informed him that he was running a simulation of annoyance that was quickly building into rage.

And as the rage built so to did a dark purple glow from his chest begin to build.

He had a new file in his system.

Semblance: self edit.

Perfect. Now what should he make as a primary directive?

What appeals to him?

[Be a good brother]

His limbs unlocked and yellow optics flashed with menace.

"Ready, willing, and Abel."

---

Notes - ok so in my defense. I couldn't resist giving him a catchphrase like Penny and her combat ready thing.

If you need to imagine what he looks like a bit better think of a mix of MegaMan.exe and Evangelion unit 01

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Some ideas for Arslan/Jaune bits you might consider writing. I mean, if you like my take on her.

Arslan: "Honestly Jaune, your father is a paladin! Surely you can get this prayer right."

Jaune: "Ugh... I always forget the trespasses against me thing. I just go with 'sins against me'."

Arslan: "But in the ancient Ozymandian tongue, it better translates to 'trespass' than 'sin'."

Jaune: "I think God will know what I'm meaning, even if I don't use the right words."

Arslan: chuckles "I suppose He will at that. That said, one should strive to be as precise as possible in your language. After all, if I told you I love you in Vytalian, that can carry all sorts of connotations. I might be saying it as a friend, a comrade..." She leans in close to him "A lover~..."

Jaune: "Ah... Um... B-But I know from context it's friendly love... R-Right?"

Arslan: smiles "For now."

Jaune: "Huh?"

Arslan: "Oh, nothing~."

- - -

Pyrrha bursts into a room.

Pyrrha: "ARSLAN!"

Arslan is calmly washing Jaune's feet in a basin.

Arslan: "Hello Pyrrha. You seem very excited about something. Are you all right?"

Pyrrha: "I uh... Um... I heard you and Jaune were... Washing eachother's feet."

Jaune: "It's a ritual in Arslan's sect of the Stonebreakers! Means we have the greatest of trust in one another!"

Pyrrha: "Oh... Um... I-I see, uh... W-Well, um..."

Arslan: "I see. I believe Pyrrha is thinking of Hellenic slang."

Jaune: "Really?"

Arslan: "Yes. I believe in the Hellenic tongue, washing someone's feet carries... Carnal connotations."

Pyrrha: bright red

Jaune: "Oh! Ohhhh... Geez. Is that why Weiss gave us a weird look when I said it? She said she knows Hellenic."

Arslan: "Possibly."

Jaune: "Well, Pyrrha... Would you like me to wash your feet for you? To show how much I trust and cherish you, too?"

Pyrrha: even brighter red "... I... Y-yes..."

Arslan: smug

- - -

Pyrrha happens upon Jaune, who is massaging a very out of it Yang's shoulders.

Pyrrha: "Ah? Jaune? What happened?"

Jaune: "Oh! Hey Pyr! Well, Arslan's been teaching me some Aura-based massage techniques. Yang had a rough workout and I wanted to help her... So I tested them out. How are you, Yang? Does anything hurt?"

Yang is bright red, and very quiet.

Yang: "... G-Great, Jaune... I-I mean VB."

Jaune: "No pain?"

Yang: "No... Not at all..."

She's licking her lips as she stares at Jaune, which infuriates Pyrrha.

Pyrrha: "Oh? She taught them to you?"

Jaune: "Yeah! She had me train on her too. She says I'm getting really, really good!"

Pyrrha: "I see... How about you get to the rooftop for our training, Jaune? I believe you're running a little late. Sorry."

Jaune: "Oh! Sorry Pyr. I'll see you up there!" beams and heads off

Pyrrha: glares at Yang "... Yang? YANG!"

Yang: "H-Huh? I uh... Um..."

Pyrrha: "What happened?!"

Yang: "... Wow... Um... Cereal Girl? You had better make your move... Because if you don't? I'm making mine."

Pyrrha: "... He's that good?!"

Yang: "Hell, I think the only reason Dandelion hasn't jumped him is because of her vows. But she's definitely gunning for him."

Pyrrha: very frustrated "Nnngh...!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Here's a ridiculous idea.

Jaune Arc's Semblance... Is a bit unique. In that it isn't even a Semblance, persay. Or if it is, it's one of the most powerful and horrifying ones around.

His mother's experimentation to save him had her going to Nana Arturia, who got an old friend to help out. An old friend who helped out with some ancient knowledge and artifacts.

It seemed that there were no side effects and he grew up happy and healthy. But he had issues. For instance, he had friends who seemed to be forgotten the next day. And he claimed there were things here and there... That weren't there when others saw it. Or, he was confused when people talked about people he had no idea about, even though he'd known them for years.

It wasn't until he was older he started to piece together some of what had happened. And he kept it secret because he was afraid. When he gets to Beacon... He's learned how to use his power in small ways. Because the risks of using it in big ways are too terrible. And even then, he's terrified about using it on big things... Because the last time he did?

He now got another sister... Where before she had never existed.

He can make things and people appear and disappear. Erase them or summon them into existence. The problem is, he doesn't do it just for them now. He does it for them in the past and the future.

He once erased a Grimm attacking Radian, his hometown, from reality. That required a massive amount of power and put him in a coma, but the town was saved.

But that changed the timeline. That Grimm never existed. So all the attacks it had made in the past never happened. One of those attacks, his father stopped and fought and got serious injured in. Because of this, he had to recover for months in the hospital.

Instead in this timeline? He never fought it, so he got home to Isabel and they had sex and had another child as they had hoped to. So now Jaune has an EIGHTH sister. But he doesn't remember her because he is isolated from the changes in the timeline.

Small things like injuries or broken items that had that happen to them minutes or hours ago? He can fix, and only the person he "healed" is aware of the change. Everyone else doesn't remember it. But the longer ago something happened or the more influence someone has had on the timeline, the bigger the changes will be if Jaune messes with them.

But you can see why Jaune is terrified of using this Semblance. He knows that reality CAN be changed, but he doesn't know all the ways it CAN be.

And once others find out... He is the most wanted man on Remnant.

But he cannot let his power be used. Especially not by Salem. Salem will demand he undo her immortality. And if that happens? The entire timeline will be erased, along with everyone he ever knew and loved.

(Yes it's rather like Tusk from JoJo, but it's not the only inspiration).

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Arslan Atlan was from Mistral, and she was used to heat. The Valean summer was proving to be rather difficult though. The increased humidity from the sea didn't help at all. So she had opted for something a bit lighter to wear on the weekend than her school uniform: A flowing robe and some yoga pants. It was not sacrilegious to dress comfortably, after all.

She walked out into the bright sunshine from the dorm, carrying a water bottle, intent upon the chapel to meditate... When she caught sight of Jaune Arc.

He had also dressed down due to the heat. Very down. He had only his jeans and sneakers, revealing his toned, muscular upper body.

He was practicing with his sword and shield, basic forms, but the sweat on his body made him shine in the sunlight. The scars on his body, rare for a Hunter with Aura activated since childhood, announced that he was a survivor. His determined expression, so unlike his usual goofy smiles, made him look manly and mature.

BONK.

She blinked. How had she ended up on her back? Why was Jaune over her, looking worried.

"Arslan? Sister Arslan? Are you okay?"

"Ah... I am fine, Jaune Arc, thank you," Arslan managed, her eyes locked onto his chest. Strange, why was she licking her lips? "What happened?"

"You uh..." Jaune coughed, "You walked into a tree."

Arslan blushed.

"Oh... I see," she murmured. She glanced over past Jaune. She could see a few other young Huntresses all staring or pretending to not stare their way. Especially one Pyrrha Nikos, whose red cheeks gave away her interest. Along with Yang Xiao-Long, Ruby Rose, Blake Belladonna-Even Weiss Schnee, surrounded by ice Dust fans, was a bit too haughty with how she looked away.

"You need any help?" Jaune asked. Arslan sat up and shook her head.

"No, I am fine. Why are you training outdoors in this manner?"

"Ah, Pyrrha said it was good for me," Jaune said with a shrug. "It's... A little embarrassing but she said it would help me improve."

So. Her rival was engaging in subterfuge just to ogle the man she sought for romance. Abusing his trust and making him into a show for her and her perverted, godless friends. Arslan would never expect such conduct from her esteemed rival! To be so conniving! So dishonest! So lewd!

"On second thought," Arslan said, "I believe I am suffering a slight head injury. Would you kindly take me to the infirmary?"

Jaune smiled guilelessly.

"Sure! Uh, you don't mind me carrying you bridal style? People might talk."

"Oh no, that will be fine," Arslan said, directing the tiniest of smirks towards her irate rival and her friends as Jaune picked her up and carried her off. She leaned into Jaune's broad bare chest and sighed happily.

Turns out Arslan was no better than her rival... But at the very least, she would pray and do penance for her sins later.

"You must be so hot," Arslan said, "Would you like this water?"

"Sure!" Jaune said with a grin. Arslan held up her water bottle for him to drink... And 'accidentally' spilled some on his chest.

"Oh. How clumsy of me," Arslan said, admiring the effect.

"Oh, it's okay!" Jaune said, still innocent and grinning.

Okay, so she would do a lot of prayer and penance.

Later.

 

[SharkCultist]

Nora Valkyrie was insane. Absolutely certifiably insane.

"I'll find you you bastard!"

How else would you describe someone arguing with the sky at 4 in the morning?

Somehow Nora got it stuck in her little brain ( "hey!" ) that the reason she can't get with Ren and Nobody can get with Jaune is because they're in a story and romance isn't plot relevant.

Poor deluded girl, maybe she just doesn't want to accept she's not hot enough, or Ren might be gay.

"Ex-fucking-cuse me I've got enough cake for a bakery and I've definitely caught Ren looking!"

See? complete denial.

"When I find you I'm going to make you hurt in ways you can't imagine."

Said the crazy girl who should probably be institutionalized. I mean really even if some all-powerful narrator was manipulating everything wha- *Thunk Thunk RIIIIIIp*

"Found you you bastard!"

Wait how the fu--------

"Ok now how do I work this thing?"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

I did have an old idea... Managed to find it. Rewatching Gundam: The 08th MS Team reminded me of it.

Jaune ends up in an alternate timeline where all the kingdoms are at war with one another. Vale, Menagerie and Atlas are allies at war with a resurgent Vacuo and Mistral. And he has to find his friends who are on different sides and pull them together to get back home.

His AU self is a Captain in command of a very successful squad of Valean troops. Yang is Jaune's right hand woman and a badass. Ruby is with them too, their squad engineer and scout (and a great strategist). Cardin and Coco are also on the squad, with May as their sniper.

Pyrrha is an enemy commander, as is Cinder and Ren. Arslan, Sun, Nora and many others fight with Pyrrha and Ren. Winter and Weiss are allied commanders, though cautious. And a few others are all other the place.

Blake is a princess trying to end the war peacefully, Adam fights with Menagerie's forces.

This reality's Jaune Arc is on a secret mission to find Princess Blake who claims to have vital intelligence that proves there's a darker force behind the war: Salem. And that mission was going fine... Until he was swapped with Jaune Arc from a regular RWBY reality.

Now, both Jaune Arcs need to navigate their respective realities and try to save their friends... And enemies.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Of all the things for Ruby to wake up to on a farm in Radian, North Sanus... An elephant trumpet was not one of them.

Ruby: "Eh?! HUH!? WHA?!"

Ruby and the rest of RWBY stumbled out of bed to the windows of their guest rooms. Ruby looked out with Yang from theirs, and Blake looked out from hers with Weiss's. All four stared at the scene of Jaune, in coveralls, feeding...

Ruby: "Is that an elephant?!"

Jaune: "Hm? Oh, good morning girls! Sorry about that."

Pyrrha, Nora and Ren also looked out through a guest window.

Nora: "An elephant?! Did you bring him here too?! Did we have a secret elephant companion?" She grins at RWBY "HA! IN YOUR FACE! WE HAVE AN ELEPHANT! HE'S WAY BETTER THAN ZWEI!"

Ruby: "IS NOT!"

Jaune: "What? No! This is Rupert! He's descended from Elephants the Shah of Rostram sent to my ancestor, King Charlemagne D'Arc, several centuries ago!"

Weiss: "Wha... Wait... You're descended from THAT Arc?!"

Jaune: "Er, yeah. Anyway, the Shah sent a lot of elephants and we've been taking care of them ever since. Rupert here just wanders around while his herd is elsewhere in the valley."

Weiss: "Don't they get cold in the winter?"

Jaune: "Oh, they grow out their fur for that! I dunno, they're like mammoth elephants? Anyway, say hello Rupert!"

Rupert trumpets happily.

Pyrrha: "Can... We pet Rupert?"

Jaune: "If you're nice. He only likes pretty girls. So you'll all have no issues." grins and winks

Much blushing.

Yang: "Wha... Why the hell wasn't he this confident in Beacon?"

Nora: "It's probably because he has an elephant with him."

Blake: "That... Would make sense, I suppose."

- - -

A few French monarchs did get elephants as gifts from foreign nations so it might make sense for Jaune's ancestors to have gotten some. And they're still around in one form or another. And they're wooly elephants because... I say so.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Turns out that having some kind of artistic talent is a graduation requirement at Beacon. Something like music or dance or art. Weiss smugly has it covered, and unfortunately Blake's smutty fanfics don't count, so Ruby, Yang and Blake seek out Jaune and Ren to learn some proper dance. Weiss comes along to mock them.

Weiss: "HA! You're desperate enough to ask Arc for help? You truly are doomed!"

Yang: "Hah! What could you teach me about dancing, VB?"

Jaune: Very intense, but calm "... Ren? The tango."

Ren: "The tango?"

Jaune: "The tango."

Ren starts the music... And Jaune takes the lead with Yang.


View: https://youtu.be/EZz-OCiMzfs?list=RDEZz-OCiMzfs

He is in total control the entire dance, even as Yang begins to try and assert herself, he confidently retakes the lead and practically manhandles her through the song... And she's left bright red and panting by the end.

Jaune: "Any questions, ladies?"

Weiss: bright red "... W-Well, given my musical background I suppose I can go next."

Ruby: "Nuh uh! I have two left feet, Weiss! I'm dancing next!"

Blake: "Stealthily" bumps Yang out of the way to take Jaune's hands.

Yang: "Wha-HEY! It was one song!"

Blake: "I'm very committed to my education."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune and Ren were out meditating. Well, Ren was meditating. Jaune was standing on his head at Ren's direction.

Jaune: "Gah... Uh... You sure you trained like this, Ren?"

Ren: "Very sure."

Jaune: "Nnnngh... How do you achieve inner peace standing on your head?!"

Ren: "Practice."

Jaune: scowls "Like not getting upset over your teacher making you do ridiculous things?"

Ren: faint smile "Exactly."

Jaune sighed. There was a boom of laughter.

???: "Hahaha! Oh man, I remember that! Shifu put me through that all the time at the start!"

Ren's eyes widen in shock. He immediately rises and turns to the source of the voice. Jaune looks as best he can while still standing on his head: It is a muscular but portly Panda Faunus, dressed in elegant green robes with a conical hat and a wooden staff.

Ren immediately puts his fist in his other hand in front of his chest and bows.

Ren: "Master Po! I-I did not know you were coming!"

Po: "Well I was in the area. Tigress is getting checked out at the hospital, and I wanted to see how you were doing." He smiled gregariously "Your student?"

Ren: "He is my team leader... And friend."

Po: smiles wider

Jaune gets off his head and rises with a smile.

Jaune: "I'm Jaune Arc!"

Po: bows "I'm Po! Ren was my student!"

Jaune: "So, wait, you're... A kung fu master?"

Po: smiles "I'm called a master, but you never truly master anything. You learn something new every day..."

Jaune: "Huh... Sounds familiar."

Po: "Now! Let's catch up..." his stomach growls "At the cafeteria."

They get to the cafeteria. Nora, Pyrrha, and RWBY all arrive in interest. Nora in particular makes her appearance properly.

Nora: "PO!" She tackle hugs him, sending him to his back

Po: "HAHAHA! Nora! I missed you too!"

Nora: "How is Old Tavish?!"

Po: "He's doing well! Still blowing things up but he's happy in retirement."

Nora: "YAY!"

Ren quickly introduces Po to the others. Yang in particular is skeptical.

Yang: "You're Zen's master?"

Po: happily eating some meat buns "Mmhm! Hnnn... They're way too salty."

Ren: "I agree, Master."

Nora: "Yeah! Ren's pork buns are way better!"

Po: "He was very good at those. I also taught him cooking!"

Nora: beams

Yang: "Uh huh..."

Weiss: "You just seem... Very unlike what we expected."

Yang: "I mean, can you even run a mile?"

Ren: scowl "Yang! This man took me and Nora into his home! He trained me!"

Yang: holds her hands up "Hey hey! I'm sorry! No offense meant-!"

Po: holds up his own hand "Ren. It's all right."

Ren scowls, but slowly becomes calm again. Everyone is surprised at his outburst.

Po: "Heh. Nobody thought I was cut out to be a Kung Fu master when I started, either. Me least of all. But! It turns out that appearances can be deceiving. Not that it was easy. I sucked. I sucked hard, at the start. But eventually... With enough hard work... You realize that appearances can be deceiving... And you can stop sucking..."

Po held out his hand. The pork buns in the bowl lit up with his Aura, and fly up into the air. Everyone stares in astonishment at this show of Aura control and technique. Po makes them fly around over his head, and then behind him. He smiles.

Po: "But only if you believe you can be more than what you appear to be."

He waved his hand and the buns float down back into the bowl. Yang stares... Then grins.

Yang: "Can you teach me that?"

Po: "Maybe! Right now I gotta make some real food. Come on Ren! We're commandeering the kitchen! Let's make you and your friends a real meal! We'll be right back!"

Ren: "Yes Master."

Ren and Po go into the kitchen. Most of the staff is gone, and they don't mind the intrusion. Po begins to cook, as Ren watches dilligently. The young man sighs.

Ren: "I'm sorry, Master. I shouldn't... I shouldn't have lost my temper. I don't have any right to-to defend you or... Or anything. Not after what I did."

Po: "Hm? And what did you do?" He begins to make noodles, handmade

Ren: "I..." he bowed his head, as he began to make the buns on the preparation table "I left. With Nora."

Po: "Yeah. And why?"

Ren: "I wanted to be a Hunter... And..."

Po: "And?"

Ren: "... Avenge my family."

Po: begins frying up the noodles while cooking the soup, and cooking up pork "Wanting justice isn't a bad thing, Ren. I wanted justice for my family, too. And being a Hunter is a great thing! Protecting and saving people, pow pow pow! That's great!"

Ren smiles slightly. Po then looks sad.

Po: "But vengeance... Vengeance is not the way to do it."

Ren: "I shouldn't kill that monster?"

Po: "I didn't say that. What I did say..." And here Po looks sad "Is that you shouldn't go into a fight if you aren't planning on coming back alive."

Ren pauses.

Ren: "... I would fight to kill it-"

Po: "And wouldn't care if you died with your family, as long as it died too."

Ren: grimaces

Po: "Hey. My masters did the whole 'I can see into your mind' thing with me, too. I was amazing and annoyed by it, all the time... Your dough's getting dry."

Ren: "Ah..." He applies a pinch of water and finishes kneading the dough

Po: "You know, it was a very sad day when you two left. You were really good, Ren. Amazing, even. One day, you could be better than me."

Ren: "I-I could never be the Dragon Warrior-"

Po: "Heh. And that's what I said too." He pours the prepared pork and broth into the buns, closes them with Aura energy, and puts them into the oven to cook "For me? It was doubting that I was anything more than some fat dummy raised by the best cook in the Valley of Peace. For you? It's fear and anger."

Ren: "I don't fear-"

Po: "You fear, Ren. Come on man. Be honest. You fear getting too close to anyone because you think you're going to die." He looked Ren in the eyes "Because part of you feels you deserve to."

Ren: "... Shouldn't I?"

Po: "Wha-Of course not, Ren! It's not your fault the Nucklavee killed everyone, anymore than it's my fault some crazy peacock attacked my village!" He rested a hand on Ren's shoulder "And most importantly, you saved Nora."

Ren looks out into the cafeteria. Nora is happily talking about the Valley of Peace and her mentor. She catches his eyes and smiles warmly.

Ren: "... I did..."

Po: smiles "She cares for you, Ren. Loves you. And you don't want to break her heart, do you?"

Ren: "... I do not. But..."

Po: nods "Yeah. I get it. And hey, one conversation doesn't fix everything. That's just in movies."

He pulls out the buns, and uses Aura to levitate one

Po: "But it's like my dad said: It's like pork buns."

Ren: "Pork buns?"

Po: "Every single pork bun adds up. You eat one on your own, eh. It's just a meal. Even if they do taste really, really good. But! Keep making pork buns, and you have more people come in. They pay you to make more if you make them good enough. They come to eat, and talk, and you meet great people. You become friends. Even family. And after a while, the pork buns aren't just pork buns. They're every happy meal, every satisfied customer, all your happy memories." He smiled, and popped the pork bun into his mouth... Then yelps "AH! HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT! TOO HOT!"

Ren... Actually smiles.

Ren: "... Master... I am sorry I left you in anger."

Po: "Eh... As long as you don't come back to take revenge on everyone, you're good. Just like..." He popped the pork bun into his mouth "This pork bun."

- - -

It's a bit rough but what do you think about the direction?

 

[SharkCultist]

So I wanted to take a few tropes and humble them together. Along with a healthy dose of Fuck Raven.

Let's see, age and character jumble, adoption, different semblance, aaaand orphan Jaune.

---

Sometimes Yang hates being a twin. There are perks to it, like the slightly larger aura pool, but there are downsides too.

Like being slightly able to feel her sisters emotions in the back of her head, and right now Raven was feeling a mix of satisfaction and amusement.

Never a good thing when that bitch is involved.

So it didn't surprise her when she heard that bandits had wiped out a settlement.

It did surprise her to hear that it was one of the bigger ones, Radium was no kingdom but it was fair to say it wouldn't take more than a decade to make it viable as one.

So hearing it was burnt to the ground was shocking. Hearing that some of the children were unaccounted for among the bodies was worse.

Yeah no that shit isn't going to fly this time.

She calls up the rest of team BRNN. (Team BURN - Branwen Ren Nora Nikos . they're not sure why Ozpin made the name two first names two last but who really cares. Led by Yang.) Two months of tracking and they descended on the tribe like a meteor, grenades and bullets flying like rain into the bandit scum.

Most of the kids were already gone, sold off or worse. But they found one. Sitting in the back of a cage. Blonde hair down to his ankles and blue eyes dull. They almost thought he was dead.

---

Qrow stares at the boy a few years younger than him blankly. The boy stares back equally blank (of not moreso).

"What exactly am I looking at?"

"Your new baby brother!"

"What? Why? I really don't wanna share a room with some brat even if he is quiet as a statue."

"Look he's staying. He doesn't have anywhere else to go....Raven made sure of that."

Qrow looked again at the blank faced boy.

"Mom did this to him?"

"Yeah. They were trying to semblance shape him."

"Still in signal here, need some explanation on that "

"Right you usually don't hear about this til the later years of Beacon....ok so you know how some people believe your personality shapes your semblance? Well some people try to influence what semblance a person develops by trying to shape their personalities."

"And Raven tried that crazy new age crap with this kid?"

"Tried and succeeded."

"What?!"

"Kept him in a cage for months and only let him out for fights, only fed or watered him when he won. They didn't even let him keep his name, they only referred to him as Hunger, we wouldn't even know his name if it wasn't for blood test."

"Brothers that's fucked up."

"Yeah and it gets worse. When they actually unlocked his semblance its like it was the embodiment of banditry. He keeps what he kills."

"Huh?"

"Aura capacity, muscle memory, semblances, all of it. He kills it, he keeps it."

"Holy crap."

"Yeah. He's a bit clingy with our team since we saved him. Since Ren and Nora already have seven daughters they couldn't take him, well they could but....no, and Pyrrha is famous so we didn't want to put a traumatized kid through the paparazzi hell. So he's staying with us."

"So what actually is his name?"

"His name is Jaune Arc."

"Fine. I'll help look after the munchkin. But I'm keeping the top bunk."

"Don't worry bird boy you can keep your nest."

And for a second Qrow could have sworn he saw the ghost of a smile on Jaunes face for a second.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The Beacon courtyard was a riot of color and sound, first-year students milling about with nervous energy framed by the faint hum of airships in the distance. Jaune Arc, his blond hair mussed and his armor slightly askew, trudged through the crowd, his shield clanking against his hip. Trailing him was a tiny blonde Faunus girl, no older than four, her fluffy kitty ears twitching as she clutched a stuffed bunny and toddled after him, her big blue eyes sparkling with awe.

"Papa! Papa, look! It's a castle!" she squealed, pointing at Beacon's towering spires. Team RWBY and Team JNPR, gathered near a fountain, froze as the word Papa cut through the chatter. Ruby Rose's cookie paused mid-bite, crumbs tumbling. Weiss Schnee's jaw dropped, her ice-blue eyes narrowing. Yang Xiao Long's grin faltered, her lilac eyes flicking between Jaune and the kid. Blake Belladonna's ears twitched under her bow, her book forgotten. Pyrrha Nikos blinked, her smile tightening, while Nora Valkyrie gasped, "A MINI JAUNE?!"

Ren sighed, pinching his nose.

Weiss was the first to recover, her voice sharp as she stormed over, Myrtenaster glinting at her side.

"Arc! Explain yourself! Why is a child calling you Papa?!"

Jaune flinched, his hands flailing as the girl clung to his leg, her ears drooping and eyes becoming wide and scared. It made Weiss falter a bit as Jaune put a hand on her head comfortingly.

"I-I'm not a predator, I swear!" he yelped, his face scarlet. "She's my daughter! Mia Arc!"

"Your WHAT?!" Yang roared, her hair sparking as she loomed over him. "Vomit Boy's a dad?!"

Ruby's silver eyes went wide, her voice a squeak.

"Jaune, you have a kid?! That's so cool! But, like, how?!"

Blake opened her mouth, but Yang turned and glared at her.

"No!" She growled.

Blake's gaze softened, but her voice was wary as she shifted to another subject.

"And where's her mother? Why isn't she here?"

Jaune's shoulders slumped, his blue eyes darting down with grief as he scooped Mia into his arms, her tiny hands clutching his hoodie. The teams fell silent, sensing the shift.

"Her mom… Katie… she's gone," he said, his voice low, raw. "Katie was my girlfriend, a cat Faunus from Radian. We were… young, stupid, in love. She got pregnant, and Mia was born, but… Katie died a few days after childbirth. Complications." He swallowed hard, stroking Mia's ears as she nuzzled him. "Katie made me promise to follow my dream of being a Huntsman, even when I was scared. Said it'd make Mia proud."

The courtyard seemed to hush, the weight of his words sinking in. Pyrrha's hand touched his arm, her emerald eyes soft.

"Jaune… I'm so sorry."

Nora's usual grin was gone, her voice quiet.

"That's… really heavy, Jaune-Jaune."

Weiss's indignation faltered, her voice gentler.

"You're… raising her alone?" Jaune nodded, his jaw tight. Yang gave him an empathetic look, and walked over to rest a hand on his shoulder. He nodded to her gratefully.

"My parents helped, but my mom didn't want me at Beacon—too dangerous with Mia. I almost gave up, but… Mom caved when she saw how much Katie's wish meant to me. And Ozpin…"

He glanced at the headmaster's tower, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "He accepted me, even with Mia. Said something about 'potential in adversity.'"

Ruby's eyes sparkled, her voice brightening. "That's amazing, Jaune! You're, like, a superhero dad! Mia's gonna have the coolest papa ever!"

Mia giggled, her ears perking up. "Papa's the best! He makes bunny pancakes!"

Yang's grin returned, softer now, as she ruffled Mia's hair.

"Kid's got taste. You're alright, VB... Jaune."

Jaune looked a bit surprised, but pleasantly so.

Blake's gaze lingered on Mia, a flicker of warmth in her eyes.

"She's lucky to have you, Jaune."

Weiss huffed, crossing her arms, but her tone was approving. "Well, Arc, you'd better not let fatherhood distract you from training. Beacon's no place for slacking."

"I know, I won't," Jaune said earnestly.

Ren's voice was calm, a rare smile curving his lips.

"He won't. Jaune's stronger than he looks."

Nora bounced back, her grin manic. "Mia's our new team mascot! We'll teach her to smash Grimm with hammers!"

Jaune chuckled, his grief easing under their support, Mia giggling and squirming in his arms as Nora began to play with her.

"Thanks, guys. Just… don't let her near Nora's pancakes. She'll eat the whole stack."

"Will not!" Nora protested.

"Will too!" Mia shot back. Nora grinned.

"Our battle... WILL BE LEGENDARY!"

The teams broke down into laughter.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The JNPR dorm was a warm, cluttered haven, filled with the scent of Nora's pancakes and the soft giggles of Mia Arc, Jaune's four-year-old half-Faunus daughter, her cat ears twitching as she colored a picture of a bunny knight. Teams RWBY and JNPR lounged around, the air light with chatter, until Cardin Winchester's voice cut through like a jagged blade.

"Didn't think Beacon let halfbreeds run around. What's next, Grimm pets?" His sneer was directed at Mia, his words dripping with venom, as he looked in through the open door.

The room froze, the teams' eyes snapping to Jaune. Mia's ears drooped, her crayon pausing mid-stroke, her blue eyes confused. Jaune's face went still, his jaw tightening as he took a deep, shuddering breath, his aura flickering faintly gold. He rose, his voice low and dangerously calm.

"Cardin? We're going outside. Pyrrha? Please look after Mia." Pyrrha Nikos, her emerald eyes flashing with quiet fury, nodded, kneeling beside Mia with a gentle smile.

"Of course, Jaune."

Cardin's glare sharpened, his mace resting on his shoulder.

"Oh?"

"We are going outside," Jaune repeated, his voice a steel edge, "and working this out."

Cardin sneered, his teeth glinting in the light.

"All right by me, Arc," he growled. Jaune took his sword and shield, and girded them on. They headed out.

The door slammed behind them, leaving a tense silence. Nora's grin was gone, her turquoise eyes hard as she clutched her hammer. Ruby's silver eyes darted nervously, while Yang's hair sparked faintly, her fists clenched. Blake's ears twitched under her bow, her amber gaze dark. Ren's calm facade cracked, his fingers tightening. Weiss's lips pursed, her Glyphs flickering briefly, as if itching to follow.

Twenty minutes later, the door creaked open. Jaune and Cardin staggered back in, both battered, their clothes torn and bruises blooming across their faces, slowly fading under their healing auras. Jaune's knuckles were raw, his leather and armor scuffed, but his glare was unyielding as he shadowed Cardin.

The larger boy winced with every step, his usual swagger gone, his face pale.

Mia hopped off her chair, her cat ears perked as she ran to Jaune, frowning up at him.

"Papa! What did you do?" Her voice was stern, her tiny hands on her hips. "Did you hurt him?"

Jaune knelt, his expression softening as he ruffled her hair, careful not to jostle her ears.

"No, no… we had a disagreement. But we sorted it out properly." He turned his glare up to Cardin. "Didn't we?"

Cardin, still wincing, nodded stiffly, his voice low and rough. "…Yeah. I'm… I'm sorry. I was… I was wrong."

He glanced at Mia, his eyes low with shame, before turning and limping out silently.

Jaune sank onto the couch, exhaling heavily, his hands trembling slightly. Nora and Ruby swooped in, distracting Mia with a game of "bunny knights," their laughter easing the tension.

Blake, her book forgotten, leaned forward, her voice quiet but piercing.

"…You could have beaten him into a coma."

Jaune's eyes met hers, a storm of emotions swirling—anger, grief, restraint.

"I could have…" he admitted, his voice low, raw. "But that wouldn't solve the problem. And…"

He took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he watched Mia giggle with Nora. "I promised Katy I'd be a good example for our daughter."

His voice hardened, his eyes glowing with a fierce gold.

"No matter how much I wanted to kill him or just beat him up… it wouldn't solve anything. So… we fought, we worked it out… he's going to do better…"

His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "Or else."

The room fell silent, the weight of Jaune's resolve settling over them. Ruby's eyes sparkled with admiration, while Yang's grin was grudgingly proud. Weiss's scowl softened, her voice quiet.

"You're stronger than I thought, Arc."

"Thanks," Jaune said. Pyrrha's hand rested on his shoulder, her smile warm but protective. Ren nodded, his calm restored, while Nora's cheer returned, her voice booming, "That's our Jaune-Jaune! Scary Dad mode, activated!"

Mia climbed into Jaune's lap, her tiny arms wrapping around him. "Papa's the best knight," she declared, her ears twitching happily. Jaune's smile was tired but genuine, as he ruffled his daughter's blonde hair.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Name: Veyne Grimwald
Allusion: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Arthurian Legend, and Norris Packard from Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.
Naming Process: Veyne, derived from Old French "vain" (valiant) and echoing Gawain's name, reflects his knightly aspirations twisted by darkness. Grimwald, combining "grim" (foreshadowing his Grimm nature) and "wald" (Old German for ruler), underscores his commanding presence and tragic fall.
Age: Appears mid-30s (actual age unknown due to Grimm hybridization)
Background: Veyne Grimwald was born in Vale before the years of the Great War, a descendant of a minor noble family with a tradition of producing gallant warriors. Like Jaune Arc, Veyne dreamed of becoming a legendary knight, training tirelessly despite lacking natural talent. He fought valiantly in the war, earning renown for his courage and tactical brilliance. However, his world shattered when his beloved, Lady Elyse, and his family were slaughtered in a Mantlese attack he was too weak to prevent. Broken and guilt-ridden, Veyne was approached by Salem, who offered him power to forge a world without death or loss. Desperate to undo his failures, he accepted, gaining Grimm hybridization. Now serving as Salem's Dark Knight, Veyne leads her forces with chilling precision, his nobility warped but not erased, haunting him as he pursues her vision of a deathless Remnant.
Race: Human-Grimm Hybrid
Emblem: A black knight's helm wreathed in green flames, split by a crescent axe blade, symbolizing his duality as both knight and monster.
Weapon: "Decrepit Oath" – A massive, double-headed axe modeled after the Green Knight's weapon, infused with Grimm essence and Dust. It can channel green fire (fire Dust) for devastating cleaves or project corrosive Grimm ichor as a ranged attack. The axe's haft extends into a lance for mounted charges, reflecting Veyne's knightly roots. He also wields a shield, "Mourning Ward," which absorbs Aura-based attacks and converts them into bursts of green energy to empower his strikes. Mourning Ward also has a twin barreled machine gun attached to the underside, allowing him a more traditional ranged attack. He can fire Blast or Fire Dust rounds from it, but has limited ammo.
Semblance: "Verdant Pact"
Veyne's Semblance, warped by his Grimm hybridization and inspired by Gawain's encounter with the Green Knight, grants him supernatural resilience tied to his life force. When struck, his wounds regenerate rapidly, fueled by Grimm essence, but each regeneration drains his humanity, making him more monstrous (eyes glowing redder, skin paling). He can temporarily transfer this resilience to nearby Grimm, bolstering their durability, but at the cost of his own stamina. Like Gawain's test, his Semblance comes with a price: overuse risks losing himself entirely to the Grimm within, a constant reminder of his pact with Salem. In combat, he uses this to endure near-fatal blows, striking back with terrifying ferocity. His fellow servants of Salem are tasked with pulling him back from being a mindless monster.
Appearance: Veyne is tall and imposing, with a knightly bearing marred by his Grimm nature. His once-golden hair is now streaked with ashen black, tied back in a severe knot. His eyes glow an eerie green, with faint red flecks when enraged. His pale skin bears dark, vein-like patterns from his hybridization, most visible across his arms and neck. Scars crisscross his torso, remnants of his war days and the Green Knight-like bargain that transformed him. His face, still handsome, carries a melancholic dignity.
Outfit: Veyne wears blackened, ornate armor reminiscent of a medieval knight but with a helmet and spiky pauldrons evoking the MS-07B Gouf from Mobile Suit Gundam. His green eyes glow in the darkness. It is etched with green patterns that glow faintly from Salem's magic. A tattered, dark green cloak flows behind him, singed at the edges, symbolizing his lost honor. His chestplate bears a faint outline of his old family crest—a stag—defaced by claw marks. Veyne's attire blends ceremonial grandeur with Salem's dark aesthetic, reflecting his noble yet corrupted soul.
Personality: Veyne is a dark reflection of Jaune Arc, blending Sir Gawain's chivalric honor with Norris Packard's tactical ruthlessness. He retains a knightly code—sparing the innocent, honoring fallen foes—but serves Salem with unwavering loyalty, believing her vision will end suffering. His dignity masks deep self-loathing; he sees himself as a failure who couldn't save his loved ones, driving his devotion to a world without loss. Like Packard, he's a tactical mastermind, orchestrating Grimm assaults with precision and exploiting enemy weaknesses with brutal efficiency. Yet, his nobility makes him conflicted: he respects strong and noble opponents, seeing echoes of his old self, but his paranoia and grief make him distrust even Salem's inner circle. Veyne is a tragic figure—charismatic, commanding, yet haunted, his pride in his skills warring with his shame over his fall.
Role in Salem's Forces: Veyne serves as Salem's field commander, leading Grimm hordes and hybrid operatives in surgical strikes against Remnant's kingdoms. His tactical genius makes him a nightmare on the battlefield, outmaneuvering Huntsmen and military forces alike. He's tasked with weakening Vale and its allies, often targeting key infrastructure or Huntsmen academies. Despite his loyalty, Salem keeps him on a tight leash, knowing his noble heart could waver if confronted with undeniable proof of her true nihilistic goals.
Connection to Sir Gawain and Norris Packard: Like Gawain, Veyne is a knight bound by a fateful bargain, his pact with Salem mirroring Gawain's deal with the Green Knight—a test of honor with a cost. His resilience and willingness to face death head-on reflect Gawain's courage, but his Grimm nature twists this into a monstrous endurance. From Packard, Veyne inherits a no-nonsense combat style and tactical brilliance, favoring bold, decisive strikes over prolonged engagements. His loss of Elyse parallels Jaune's fears of failing his team, but where Jaune grows through hope, Veyne descends into despair, embracing Salem's promise.
Motivations and Conflicts:

• Motivation: Veyne seeks to create Salem's deathless world, believing it will absolve his failure to save Elyse and his family. He fights to prove his strength and redeem his broken honor, even if it means serving a dark cause.
• Conflict: His lingering nobility clashes with his Grimm-fueled ruthlessness. Encounters with Ruby, Jaune or other idealistic Huntsmen stir doubts about Salem's path, but his guilt and fear of further loss bind him to her. He also fears losing his humanity entirely to his Semblance, dreading the day he becomes a mindless Grimm.

Notable Traits:

• Carries a locket with Elyse's portrait, which he touches before battles as a reminder of his purpose.
• Speaks in a measured, almost poetic tone, even when commanding Grimm, reflecting his knightly roots.
• Has a habit of sparing young warriors and women, seeing them as untainted by Remnant's failures, a trait that frustrates Salem's more ruthless lieutenants.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

You know, here's an idea: What if we made him a Char clone? That immediately makes him much more interesting. Even without the MS stuff, making Adam seeking revenge against Menagerie and humanity all makes him FAR better as an antagonist!

What if he was part of the royal family of Menagerie? Betrayed by the Faunus Revolutionaries and sent to the mines? He saved Ghira's life as part of a long running plot to get in a position to overthrow Menagerie's government and take revenge for his family?

But along the way he began to fall in love with Blake. And now he has a problem.

Char-Clone Adam could have a scene like this with Blake:

Blake: "How-How could you go this far?! Against fellow Faunus-!"

Adam: "Because you betrayed me first."

Blake: "You hate humans-!"

Adam: "And I hated the Republic of Menagerie more! For taking everything from my family! For condemning us to die in a mine! Humans are humans, but you! You had a choice to NOT betray your fellow Faunus!"

Blake: "I didn't betray you! I stood for what was right, for how we could be, how we should be!"

Adam: "Lies, you stand for nothing, you didn't stand for peace, you didn't stand for your people and you didn't stand for me!..... You run, because that's all you know how to do. Running from the truth, running from what's necessary!"

Blake: "That's not true, I changed, people change, People can change that's what we should be aiming for!"

Adam: "You're so naive Blake, yes people can change, but you never saw the reason behind that change. Fear and violence forces change, you just stuck your head in the sand and refused to accept it after we crossed lines you couldn't handle!"

Blake: "Your family sold our fellow Faunus into slavery!"

Adam: "My family did the best they could under the heel of the humans! We planned to revolt when the time was right. But that wasn't good enough for your parents! They decided to SURRENDER to the humans! Try to make PEACE! And sacrifice their fellow Faunus to do it! Including my entire family! So who's morally superior here, Blake?! The humans wiped us out, but the blood of my family is on your family's hands!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

...I'm imagining a dignified looking older gentlemen in a crisp suit. Clean shaven, white hair combed neatly. Looks like the perfect butler.

Isn't.

"Why are we letting a human hang around base? We should rough him up!"

"I wish a bitch would try."

"Did he just beat Jim unconscious with a steaming kettle?"

"Ah damn Adam is gonna be pissed.that was his mom's kettle."

Click to shrink...

Blake enters into Adam's room at their latest HQ.

Blake: "Adam, I wanted to discuss..."

A balding middle aged human in elegant trousers and waistcoat with an eyepatch and a neatly trimmed white beard is standing at attention.

Blake: "Ah... Adam? Who is this?"

Adam: "Hm? Oh! This is Drennel, my human slave. Say hello, Drennel!"

Drennel: bows "Your Highness."

Blake: "Wha-You have a slave?!"

Adam: "He's human, and I pay him for it. So... He's more like a servant but he insists on being called a slave. Just like your Astrid."

Blake: "B-But we don't call her a slave! She's a maid!"

Adam: "Fine, he's my butler. Is that better for your overly sensitive ears?" Looks at Drennel "Honestly, she's such a bleeding heart."

Drennel: "Indubitably, sir."

Blake: "But why are you keeping him around?"

Adam: "Apparently there are traitors in the White Fang, and the only thing that is truly reliable in this world is your gun-sword and a fully broken slave. When were you broken, Drennel?"

Drennel: "Forty years, eleven months, three days ago, sir."

Adam: "Huh! We're coming up on the anniversary. We'll have to celebrate."

Drennel: "May I have anchovies, sir?"

Adam: "Only if you're good and Blake doesn't want any."

Drennel: "Very good sir."

Adam: "Now, want to watch him juggle? He's very good at juggling, Blake."

Blake: "... Why is he juggling skulls?"

Adam: "What? Did you think they're the skulls of his ancestors or something, Blake?"

Blake: "Wha-Why would I think that-?!"

Adam: "I mean I know a number of Faunus families still do that in secret but your father outlawed the practice. These skulls are from some humans I caught and killed. Drennel did the preparation!"

Drennel: "I'm very good with embalming fluid, Your Highness."

Blake: "... I'm... Uh... Good. If you'll excuse me Adam, I am having... Womanly issues and will not be sharing your bed tonight."

Adam: "Ah, yes. We should wait until marriage until you have my children. You're good with children, right Drennel?"

Drennel: "Very good, sir. I can make balloon animals."

Adam: "He can make balloon animals!"

In the present...

Blake: "It was about then I realized Adam may have been too far gone to follow any longer."

Yang: deadpan "Gee, ya think?"

Nora: "Oooh! Balloon animals! I love balloon animals!" turns to Astrid, Blake's human maid "Can you make balloon animals, Astrid?"

Astrid: "I'm afraid my training as a human servant did not cover that area, miss."

Nora: "Phooey!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

So, once again, my Discord server got into a discussion about the backstories of a few other characters. And one of them was General James Ironwood and Sienna Khan.

One thought we had was that Ironwood and Khan were on the same Atlas military team in the past. During a mission, they were sent in on dubious orders into an ambush by raiders or a local warlord's troops in Mistral. Their team leader sacrificed himself to save them, but during the mission Ironwood was so badly injured he had to become a cyborg later. This same team leader instructed his troops to blame him for everything going wrong.

Later, they learned that the people who executed the mission knew it was going to fail but had to make the effort due to politics and were willing to sacrifice soldiers for their own ends. They blamed Ironwood and Khan's commander for the mission failure. This outrage prompted Ironwood to dedicate all of his efforts into becoming a general and getting enough clout to prevent this sort of tragedy from ever happening again. In contrast, this incident is what led to Sienna leaving the Atlas military and joining the White Fang, reasoning that if humanity was willing to enslave Faunus AND sacrifice their own in such pointless, horrible ways, the only way to change the system was through violence.

This gives both Ironwood and Khan a LOT more background and character and could be used to facilitate a lot of interesting stories. Even if they weren't romantically involved at some point, this dichotomy could be very interesting. What do you think?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

A few years before canon, at a diplomatic dinner, where the White Fang is now seen as the militant arm of Menagerie but not widely seen as a terrorist organization (yet)... Sienna and James meet again. They get wine they sip as they look out the window from a balcony.

Ironwood: "It's been a while."

Sienna: "It has, yes. A very long while."

Silence.

Ironwood: "You need to stop your attacks."

Sienna: "What attacks-?"

Ironwood: scowl "Sienna... Don't."

Sienna: "... It's just for the purposes of gaining leverage."

Ironwood: "And you think you can put the genie back in the bottle? You think you can keep it under control?"

Sienna: "We don't have any choice. It's the only way to change things for the better!"

Ironwood: "I'm trying to change the system from inside!"

Sienna: "And that won't work! You have to make too many compromises!"

Ironwood: "You'd prefer to burn everything to the ground, no matter how many people you end up killing?!"

Sienna: "There's no other way to compel change!"

They glare at one another. They both untense a little. James drinks, as Sienna does too. Silence falls, heavy and oppressive.

Sienna: "... You could have come with me."

Ironwood: "No. I couldn't. You made that clear. There are no humans in the White Fang."

Sienna: "... I would have made an exception for you."

Ironwood: "You can't have it both ways, Sienna."

Sienna: "And if I had come with you?"

Ironwood: "You wouldn't be a terrorist. We would have been making real change-together."

Sienna: "You're right. I am a terrorist. But we're making things change. Real change."

Ironwood: "Through fear, and hatred, and resentment."

Sienna: "Everything has a price."

Ironwood: "And how long does that price get too high?"

Sienna: "... I don't know."

They fall into silence again. They again sip their wine, bitterly.

Ironwood: "If we keep this up, Sienna... One day, I'll have to kill you. Or you'll have to kill me."

Sienna: "... It doesn't have to come to that."

Ironwood: "You know better."

Sienna: deep sigh "... There was a time I would have given up everything for you. Was there a time like that for you?"

Ironwood: "... I can't answer that. And it's not fair to ask me that."

Sienna: "No... No, it isn't."

Silence falls again. From some distance away, their subordinates are watching this exchange. One Winter Schnee, and one Adam Taurus-Before he went over the line.

Winter: "... They had a thing."

Adam: "What? No! Sienna would never sully herself with-"

Winter: "A human?"

Adam: "... An Atlasian military commander."

Winter: smirk "I suppose men are all the same, whether human or Faunus."

Adam: "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Winter: sips her wine "They cannot see what's right in front of them when a woman is in love."

Adam: "Hmph..."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

If Mordred had trained Jaune, things would have been very different, that's for sure. Mordred is a very kind, wonderful woman and loves her nephew... But she is definitely a Blood Knight. And so...

Jaune: Unleashes a massive Aura Slash that cuts a Deathstalker in two "... DAMNIT! That's it? This isn't even half as hard as what Auntie put me through! Ugh, this school is going to be soooo boring!"

Pyrrha: drooling, yandere look

Yang: same

Nora: "Can you teach me how to do that?!"

Jaune: "Totally!"

Nora: "YAY!"

Later...

Ruby: "Um, Jaune? Blake is actually a former terrorist and we think she's going off to stop them and-"

Jaune: "Hold it. We're fighting terrorists?"

Ruby: "Um, maybe, but mainly we're trying to find Blake-"

Jaune; "If we find Blake, will we get to fight terrorists?"

Ruby: "I mean, maybe-?"

Jaune: "YES! COUNT US IN!"

Later...

Blake: "JAUNE! STOP! THEY SURRENDERED!"

Jaune: "Did they?"

White Fang Thug: "HA! Like we'd ever surrender to some human fool with a stupid sword and his whores!"

Jaune: "... He's totally asking for it."

Blake: "N-No!"

Weiss: "He is. Jaune? All yours."

Ruby: "YEAH!"

Yang: "Come on, stop hogging all the action!"

Pyrrha: "He's MY partner, we're beating this fucker together!"

Nora: "Awwww... We're running out of thugs to break!"

Ren: "Jaune, Nora's sad. You're hogging all the fighting."

Jaune: "Aw man, I'm sorry guys. Tell you what. You all get to beat up the rest of them!"

Yang, Weiss, Ruby, Nora, Pyrrha: "WOO!"

Ren: "Woo."

Blake: "SERIOUSLY?! YOU SHOULDN'T ENJOY THIS!"

Jaune: "I'm really not. I thought I was fighting hardcore terrorists but these guys all suck!"

Nora: "WHEEEE! TRY HITTING THEM LIKE A BASEBALL! BATTER UP!"

WF Thug: "PLEASE NO-ARRRGGGHHHH!"

Jaune smacks the guy back with the flat of his sword... Sighs

Jaune: "I mean that was KIND of fun..."

Blake: "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Jaune: "Says the former terrorist princess."

Blake: "I'M TRYING TO DO BETTER!"

Later... When they encounter Adam...

Adam: Unleashes a Moonslice... Jaune barely dodges it

Jaune: "Wow... That was awesome! Here's my Aura Slash!" Unleashes his Golden blast, which Adam barely dodges

Adam: "Impressive... Golden Lion's Roar?"

Jaune: "You know it?"

Adam: "So, you're descended from Arturia Pendragon?"

Jaune: "Yeah, she's my Nana! And my auntie Mordred trained me."

Adam: "... She was so terrifyingly cool."

Jaune: "I KNOW RIGHT?! You're all right, masked man!"

Blake: "HE'S A CRAZY TERRORIST!"

Jaune: "Blake! I am talking with him right now! Don't be rude!"

Adam: "Yeah Blake. Don't be rude."

Blake: "WHAT?!"

Adam: sighs "She's my ex."

Jaune: "Oh wow."

Adam: "Does she still do that screechy thing when she's upset?"

Jaune: "All the time! It's really annoying!"

That was the day, Jaune and Adam made a pact promising that should they ever fall in battle against the other it would be done "with the coolest, most epic finisher ever!"

Adam: "Yes, and whoever wins has to go 'To the best enemy I ever had.'"

Jaune: "Oh! Oh! It should be to a sunset!"

Adam: "Yeah, sunset would be rad. Or a thunderstorm."

Jaune: "Thunderstorm during a sunset!"

Blake: "ARE YOU BOTH TWELVE?!"

Yang: "I dunno, that does sound pretty cool."

Blake: "YAAANG!"

Adam: "Blake, please. My new best arch nemesis and I are trying to talk! We'll get back together later!"

Blake: Scoff "ARE YOU KIDDING?! I DON'T WANT TO GET BACK WITH YOU! AND HE'S A HUMAN! YOU HATE HUMANS!"

Adam: "But I finally met a human who GETS ME! Dramatic battles where we debate the meaning of life and the philosophy of warriors!"

Jaune: "And with massive explosions and super cool attacks!"

Adam: "YES! The essence of a warrior's life is debating and fighting for your ideals while making it look as awesome as possible!"

Jaune: "TOTALLY!"

Blake: "I thought you wanted to liberate Faunuskind and rule over mankind!"

Adam: "I can want two things at once! Maybe three. I want a sandwich, can you get me one Blake?"

Jaune: "Can I also have a sandwich?"

Adam: "Jaune also wants a sandwich."

Yang: "I'll get Jaune a sandwich."

Blake: "WHERE'S YOUR SELF RESPECT?!"

Yang: "What? I'm not getting your ex a sandwich."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune: "Auntie Mordred? I have girls fighting to become my girlfriend. What do I do?"

Mordred: "What are you, a pussy? TAKE THEM ALL! Only a coward would let them fight over you! That way, everyone wins!"

Jaune: "Well, if you say so Auntie!"

Mordred: "What about this one? gestures to Blake"

Juane: "Oh, she's my rival's ex. It just wouldn't be right."

Mordred: "Rival?"

Juane: "Yeah, we don't know each other well enough to be each other's nemesis, but we're working on it."

Mordred: "What kind of rival?"

Jaune: "Adam Taurus."

Mordred: "Wait wait wait... That cool edgy terrorist guy? Wants to rule over humanity and take revenge for Faunuskind's mistreatment?"

Jaune: "Y-Yeah... I mean he's my first rival and all but he's actually pretty cool! He thinks all battles should have awesome soundtracks and awesome attacks and explosions! And he has a sword that's also a shotgun!"

Mordred: "Well! That's good, Jaune! I'm very proud you found such a fantastic rival for your first!"

Jaune: "Thanks, I'm pretty excited too!"

Mordred: "Did he quote any classic literature?"

Jaune: "He actually quoted parts of Moby Dick not in the Space Quest movies!"

Mordred: "Oh, he's a keeper for sure!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Weiss dragged Jaune into RWBY's common room, once again. She points at a dark skinned man in a slick red coat and tasteful white slacks.

Weiss: "You! This-This is another of your crazy relatives!"

Man: "This is mine!" Picks up a sock "And this is mine!" Claims a pillow

Jaune: "What?"

Weiss: "Whenever someone weird or bizarre shows up, chances are, it's got something to do with you!"

Jaune: "I have never seen this man in my life!"

Man: spins around "Who are you?"

Jaune: "Um, I'm Jaune-"

Man: "Doesn't matter, you're mine now!" Sprays him in the face.

Jaune: "BWEH! BLACH! What is this?"

Man: "You're mine now!"

Blake charges in with a scowl.

Blake: "Uncle Cat!"

Cat: "Oh, hey Blake!"

Weiss: slow, tense "Your Uncle... Named Cat?"

Blake: "Yes, he's named Cat!"

Weiss: "Isn't that stereotypical?"

Blake: "You don't get to say anything about that-AND HANDS OFF! He's mine!"

Cat: "Well... I saw him first!"

Blake: "You didn't! He's mine!"

Cat: sniff "Well, I didn't want him anyway! His jeans and boots are a terrible combination!"

Blake: "Get your musk off him!"

Cat: "You do it! That's how it works!"

Blake sighs.

Blake: "He is my fiance!"

Cat: "How long you been together?"

Jaune: "Well, how long do you count these things?"

Cat: "I have a girlfriend for a full twenty minutes once! Great time, got sick of her!"

Weiss opens her mouth.

Blake: "Not. A word."

Cat: "Woo! So far, this has been a great day! I've eaten five times, slept six, and made many things mine! Except for that!" Makes a distasteful look at a pillow, which he tosses away "I don't want it!"

Yang and Ruby enter and stare at the mess.

Yang: "Who's this guy?"

Blake: "My uncle."

Cat: "This is mine too!" Picks up Crescent Rose.

Ruby: "No! No, that's mine!"

Cat: "But I touched it! It's mine!"

Ruby: "No it isn't!"

Cat: "Meowr!"

Ruby: "Give it back!"

Cat: "Nuh uh! Who you think I am, a dog?"

Ruby: "Dogs are better!"

Cat: "Hahaha! How'd you get in, a special needs student scholarship?"

Jaune has to reach out and pull the furious Ruby back.

Ruby: "I'm gonna call Zwei to kick your ass!"

Cat: "HA! That'll be the day!"

Blake: "We're not calling Zwei!"

Blake sighs...

Blake: "Yang? Do you have a... Do you have that..." mumbles

Yang: "Do I have that what?"

Blake: "Laser... mumble..."

Jaune: "Laser pointer?"

Blake: "JAUNE!"

Weiss: grins "Ohoho!"

Blake: "Shut up!"

Yang: snickers, pulls it out "Yup~!"

Blake: hiss "You said you got rid of it!"

Yang: "And aren't you glad I didn't?"

Blake: "I can't trust you with it!"

Jaune sighs, and takes the laser pointer. He turns it on and points it at the couch.

Cat: "Wha-What's that?" He pounces on it "Hey! That's mine now too!"

Jaune moved the laser dot around the room, Cat chasing it around until he goes right out the door into the hallway.

Cat: "Hey! Where'd it go?"

Weiss: "Where indeed~?"

Cat: "Hmmm... Oh right! I just decided to see how you're doing!"

Blake: tightly "I'm fine! I'm very happy with my fiance!"

Cat: "Great! Now, I'm gonna go make more things mine, and see if I can have sex with something!" He slinks off, still looking cool as he does so

Weiss: smug "... Your uncle huh?"

Blake: "Still shut up!" Blake sighs and hugs Jaune. She makes a face. "Ugh. His musk is still all over you!"

Jaune: "I have questions about that."

Blake: "No. No, you don't."

Jaune: "Yeah, you're right."

Blake: "Now you're having a shower. I will go with you to make sure it's all scrubbed away."

Yang: "Aha. Aha." grabs Jaune's arm "Yeah no. I'm scrubbing him clean."

Blake: "I am!"

Ruby: "I AM! He touched my Crescent Rose too!"

Weiss: rolls her eyes "How about I wash off Jaune? It's not like you all have actual feelings for him."

Silence. Yang, Blake and Ruby all flush. Jaune flush.

Weiss: "OH COME ON!"

- - -

I found a new relative for Blake. Should have been obvious really.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q54lVO7elt0

 

[AndrewJTalon]

So, after the Moonshatter, the Faunus would most likely have had the physical and sensory advantages over humans. So Faunus empires rising that enslaved humanity would be natural. But over time, the canonical issue of Faunus tribes mixing would arise. To quote:

As far as everyone's aware, Faunus have been around as long as mankind, if not a little longer. History gets a little fuzzy past a certain point, but we do know that their kind and ours are completely compatible, from a... (slight stuttering) a biological standpoint. Take two wolf Faunus, and you'll get a little wolf cub kiddo. A wolf Faunus and a human also typically means that your little bundle of joy's teething days could get a little dicey. But if you take a wolf Faunus and a bull Faunus, for example, it's a complete roll of the dice. For all you know you could be cleaning up your son's... shedded snake skin. (shudders)

Click to shrink...

This would make it hard to interbreed between Faunus tribes without a lot of confusion over paternity, which has caused civil wars before. As a result, the various Faunus tribes became more insular and divided against eachother, and stagnated in technology due to their physical abilities. As a result, humans had to be more united than Faunus and focused more on developing technology, and this helped contribute to humanity eventually rising and becoming dominant over the Faunus.

I feel this adds a lot more depth to the world, gives White Fang some rallying points (even if they are, like all calls to ethnonationalism, bullshit), and gives a lot more agency to the Faunus beyond them being perpetual victims. What do you think? What could have various ancient Faunus empires have been like? What are their legacies? Influences? And so on?

 

[AndrewJTalon]

So... At least for the purposes of my little verse for RWBY, Vale is like a mix of the US and Europe, while Atlas is like a mix of the US, Russia and Germany.
Culturally and technologically speaking. A number of Mistalian and Vacuoan powers can rival them, but at least in the last century Vale and Atlas have been the most stable and powerful nation-states on the planet. Vacuo had many past glories but fell apart, and Mistral has several powerful sub-kingdoms but they're only loosely in a confederation of a kingdom. And Menagerie is thriving but still isn't on the level of the Big Four, even with Vacuo's issues. Not yet.

Which raises a few possibilities: One, Jacques makes a lot of his money with the SDC and slave labor in the easiest way possible. Just like modern megacorps, he uses slave labor in the parts of Vacuo, Mistral and Menagerie that are lawless. So that makes more sense why he can get away with his shit. Atlas and Vale are powerful but they can't police the world.

Two, Menagerie is pretty big. While Ghira and Kali's government may have driven out the SDC, there would have been Faunus loyal to the old regimes because they were getting rich off Faunus slave labor. So you can have various rogue Faunus warlords in Menagerie and elsewhere who work with the SDC to get rich, just like Third World Warlords do in our world.

Hell, some of them might be working with the more radical elements of the White Fang. The reveal that the White Fang is not only working with terrorists to destabilize the world and kill millions of people with Grimm, AND are exploiting their own people for money and power from the SDC, would be enough for Blake and Sun to get the political clout needed to dissolve the White Fang and to lead an army to help humanity. There.

Yes it's cliche but that's still a step above how Menagerie was handled in canon and gives you a lot more options.

 

[SharkCultist]

So I'm going to combine a few characters here to give Weiss a.....fan? Not quite sure how to put it. (It's my apology for making her a addict in the last idea)

---

Name: Maurice (no last name) - known as Manic

Species: faunus (hedgehog)

Aura: awakened (green coloration)

Semblance: converts electricity to speed boost (basically Nora's semblance but for speed instead of strength with a very minor bit of electrical manipulation)

Faunus trait: quills mixed into his hair (has been noted to also have sharp teeth. Unknown if there's any relation to him being a faunus)

Hair: green

Eyes: electric blue

Weapon: reinforced green flying V guitar with a electrical generator in it. (Secondary equipment seems to be a old homemade belt made out of copper wire and lighting dist tasers)

Clothing: green ripped jeans and a black leather jacket with a green flame pattern around the sleeves, black Steel toed boots

Bio: Manic is a a guy with a good heart he's just a bit abrasive and brash. Orphaned at a young age he spent the better part of his developmental years taking care of his siblings so he's not the most book smart guy. But you need a roof retiled or a thug chased off he's your man....teenager.

He's got the name manic for one simple reason. He's the only faunus openly supportive of a schnee, sure it's just Weiss but to the rest of the faunus a schnee is a schnee.

It hasn't helped his reputation that manic has known to get violently defensive of her and people badmouthing her. To the point he's actually taken down a few white fang cells. Nobody but manic knows where this fierce loyalty comes from.

Manic remembers being a half starved faunus kid sneaking onto the grounds of a rich person manor to get food and medicine for him and his siblings who all had terrible fevers. He remembers getting caught by a little girl with white hair and the bluest eyes he's ever seen. He remembers her loading his arms with pilfered food stuffs and enough money for him to get good medicine even with the "faunus tax". He remembers and he'll never forget.

 

[Gur40]

I Hate late series RWBY so called "Character Development"

Spoiler: facts

---

Stolen from Tumblr purrgiri

Winter and raven vs cinder in volume 10 be like:

Cinder: IM GONNA KILL YOU!! *envelopes her fist in fire and punches raven in the gut*

Raven:*recovers and smirks unleashing ice spikes trough cinder torso while winter stabs her in the back* it's over

Cinder: I'm not done with you yet!!

Winter: We stabbed you in all your vital organs?

Raven: How are you still standing?

Cinder:..... Plot armour

Salem:*In her Castle mentally commends the grimm to replace cinder shredded organs* and me

Cinder: NOW DIE *swings sword at raven head only for raven to vanish*

Raven:*appears behind her* to slow *sends cinder flying*

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune: "So sweetie, what did you learn in daycare today?"

Mia: "That the Starlight Rangers are awesome heroes who beat up Grimm monsters!"

Jaune: "Haha! They absolutely are!"

Jaune makes it back to the JNPR common room... Which has a fire fighter team handling it.

Jaune: "Wha-What happened?!"

Weiss: In an apron "Jaune! You're back!"

Pyrrha: Also in an apron "It's so great to see you!"

Nora: "I tried to stop them, Jaune-Jaune! I swear!"

Ren: "Unsuccessfully."

Jaune: "What happened?!"

Pyrrha: "Um... W-Well, we... Wanted to try and make dinner for a change."

Weiss: "You always do most of the cooking! Well, you and Xiao-Long..."

Jaune: "Oh yeah! She does a good job!"

Weiss and Pyrrha: fume a bit

Pyrrha: "So we tried to make you-I mean us-a nice, simple dinner!"

Weiss: "Yes! Steak and potatoes with side salad!"

Pyrrha: "Beef noodles with pork buns!"

A pause.

Weiss: "Wait, that's what you were trying to make?!"

Pyrrha: "I-I was following your lead!"

Jaune: sighs "It's all right, both of you. Nobody's hurt, and... Look! Professor Goodwitch is fixing everything up!"

Professor Goodwitch is indeed fixing everything up, and sending the firefighters on their way.

Glynda: "Miss Schnee, Miss Nikos... No more cooking except under strict supervision."

Pyrrha and Weiss: "Yes ma'am."

Glynda: "Mister Arc. I will be joining you for dinner tonight."

Jaune: "Yes ma'am."

Glynda: "And I'm holding Mia in my lap."

Jaune: "Of course ma'am. No problem!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Cinder Fall had put Mercury and Emerald on watching Jaune Arc. The fact a member of his family was now in a key position of authority over Vale's defenses meant she had to take him seriously-Perhaps even more seriously than Pyrrha Nikos.

It was annoying. Embarrassing, really, to have to approach the idiot loser and act like a fawning fangirl. Cinder though had done worse for her quest, and so she sought out Jaune Arc on a Saturday morning.

The rest of his little entourage were off busy with their own things. Pyrrha Nikos with a commercial, Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren off to a diner in Vale, Yang Xiao-Long was working in the school garage on her bike, Weiss Schnee was visiting with her sister and Blake Belladonna was alone in the dorm room. No doubt reading or watching more porn.

That left Ruby Rose, and Cinder was confident she could handle her just fine.

The odd part was that Jaune and Ruby had headed off to an open air training field, number 47. That was usually reserved for large groups of students, being wide, large, and surrounded by trees-What were they doing there? As she approached, the sounds of thrusters, metal clashing against metal, and Dust blasts filled the air. She moved a bit more swiftly, before the trees opened up around the sidewalk path and she finally got a good look at the field itself.

Her eyes widened as she saw a white mobile power suit flying across the lawn, propelled by twin vernier thruster packs, wielding a green Dust Beam Saber. It clashed with a white, blue and red mobile power suit with an elaborate gold headdress and bird-like wings, wielding another green Dust Beam saber, a red shield, and a massive two-barreled Dust beam rifle it kept tucked away under the shield. Both suits flew higher and higher, their clashes like thunder across the partly cloudy skies.

Tallgeese and Wing Zero?! Cinder thought in astonishment.

Cinder spotted two figures: A tall man in a green Valean Special Forces uniform, with long platinum blonde hair and a noble visage, and Ruby Rose. Both were watching the fight, the older man with a keen expression and war weary eyes, Rose with stars shining in her silver orbs.

"I see we've attracted some attention. Come over, it's fine."

The man spoke so calmly and surely that Cinder jumped. Ruby looked over her shoulder and beamed.

"Oh hey! You're Cinder Fall! We met before, right?"

"Ah, yes," Cinder said quickly, walking over to stand next to Ruby. "The noise attracted me on my walk. You are?"

The man smiled softly.

"Milliardo Peacecraft," he said. Cinder's eyes shot open even wider. "Ah. You've heard of me, then?"

"I... Y-yes," she stuttered. Ruby grinned.

"The Lightning Count Zechs Marquise! The only human leader of a White Fang Cell that uh... Um..." She winced, "Tried to blow up the capital of the South Sanus Alliance States... Um..."

"Yes," Milliardo said, nodding.

"I... I see," Cinder managed, taking Zechs' hand and shaking it, "You were pardoned?"

"I was," Zechs allowed quietly, "but I owe a great debt to the world. One I have been working on repaying."

Ten years ago, the South Sanus war had been a dizzying conflict. While nominally part of Vale, the South Sanus Alliance had been overstepping its bounds for decades, oppressing their island colonies, which were mostly populated by Faunus. They'd even mounted a coup of the Sanq Kingdom years ago as the Sanq Kingdom had been trying to end the military expansionism. Vale itself had tried to rein them in, but the Romefeller Foundation and OZ, both mysterious organizations, had managed to keep them at bay with diplomacy, money, rumored blackmail, and assassination attempts. It didn't help that their latest advance, mobile powered suits, had revolutionized their military and they'd been selling the technology to various consumers worldwide.

The colonies had sent five guerilla fighters with the most advanced mobile powered suits ever built: Gundams, made of Gundamnium alloy, one of the strongest materials on the planet. The Sanus Alliance, in response to their attacks, had voted to make peace with the colonies and Vale... Which had led to OZ overthrowing the Alliance in a coup and taking over the colonies directly. Through a dizzying series of political reversals, Milliardo Peacecraft, aka Zechs Marquise, had gone from OZ's brightest soldier to leader of the White Fang in the colonies and taking over the air battleship Libra, while his sister Relena had been made Queen of South Sanus in an effort to make peace. It had all ended in a massive battle on Aslanmas Eve years ago, where one Gundam pilot had saved South Sanus' capital city from being destroyed from Libra ramming it, and Milliardo Peacecraft being considered dead. South Sanus had formally joined with Vale and disarmed, though its advanced military technology was still in use for peacekeeping. It had taken time to rebuild it though: South Sanus had been forced to destroy all their military technology and production facilities by White Fang, or Zechs would have detonated Libra over the city, killing millions. Atlas and Vale had both tried to intervene, but had made little contribution to the end of the fight-There had been other crises in the world at the time.

Crises Salem had been instigating.

Why is he here...? Cinder thought.

"We're watching my cousin train with my..." Zechs made a slight face, "brother-in-law."

Wait, Tallgeese is Milliardo's suit. If that's Heero Yuy in the Wing Zero, then who is...?

The Tallgeese got knocked out of the sky and slammed down hard into the grass, throwing up sod everywhere as it skidded to a halt. The Wing Zero landed nearby, pointing its Dust Beam Rifle at the suit.

"Yield," a cold, familiar voice stated over the suit's PA. The Tallgeese raised its hands in surrender. Milliardo and Ruby headed over to the downed suit, while Cinder followed.

Ruby and Milliardo knelt on opposing sides of the suit, helping him sit up. The helmet opened up-Revealing a gasping Jaune Arc. Cinder's jaw dropped.

WHAT?!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Also, nobody's thought to do anything with Demoman as Nora's mentor/father figure? Nothing at all?

(I am working on more Arc Clan but come on guys!)

I see it this way: Tavish Finnegan DeGroot, aka Demoman's real name, finally retired after the Gravel Wars ended. The Mann Co. warfare ended as per the comics, with the heirs to RED and BLU both deciding this war was stupid and to move on. And so did the Mercs. Degroot moved to the Valley of Peace in Mistral, where he sought inner peace after years of being constantly enraged.

While Ren was taken in as a prodigy in the Jade Palace from the local orphanage, Nora was found to have no talent for Kung Fu at all. But, she fixated on Demoman because she liked things blowing up. Demoman for his part tried to discourage her, but she persisted. She got struck by lightning when she was swinging around one of his old warhammers-He was terrified she was dead, but she was actually superpowered! The blast had activated her Semblance.

And he rather liked her goofy nature. So he trained her in melee combat and how to use/create explosives without blowing herself up. Not that he would admit he liked the lass.


Tavish Finnegan DeGroot: "Awww, ye wee little baby! Get outta here wit' yer boyfriend and blow up some Grimm! Like I care-!"

Nora hugs him tightly

Nora: "I love you, Master!"

Tavish Finnegan DeGroot: "..." Sniffles, hugs her back "Aye... Damnit lass... Ya gotta make me feel these things...?"

Nora: "I mean... I never knew my dad. Only my mom and..."

Degroot: "... Aye..."

Nora: "But Master... If I had a dad, I wish he was like you."

DeGroot: sniffles more "... Ah, get goin' already, ya bint! Before I really lose it!"

Nora: beams "Okay!"

She runs off. DeGroot sighs and watches her go with Ren.

DeGroot: "... He'd better take good care of her..."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Technical Profile: AD-Venture Capitalist

• Type: Luxury Yacht/Command Airship
• Manufacturer: Schnee Dust Corporation (primary design and funding); Nachfolger Industries (engineering and construction)
• Origin: Atlas
• Role: Private luxury transport, corporate command platform, prestige display, defensive operations
• First Deployment: Year 76 Post-Great War
• Cost: Exorbitant (bespoke materials, rare Dust variants, and cutting-edge technology)
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 60 meters
  • Width: 22 meters (including aerodynamic stub wings)
  • Height: 15 meters
  • Weight: 35,000 kg (unladen); 50,000 kg (max takeoff)
• Crew: 15 (2 pilots, 2 navigators, 1 command officer, 2 gunners, 2 Dust technicians, 8 service staff); up to 20 passengers (VIPs, corporate executives, or Huntsmen escorts)
• Cargo: 18,000 pounds (luxury goods, Dust reserves, or personal effects)
• Powerplant: Three Gravity Dust Reactors (silent, high-efficiency lift, augmented with Crystal Dust for aesthetic glow); two Combustion Dust turbines for thrust
• Performance:
  • Top Speed: 220 mph (354 km/h)
  • Service Ceiling: 26,000 feet
  • Range: 1,000 miles (extendable to 1,400 miles with external Dust pods)
• Armament:
  • 1 x Nachfolger Mk. VI 20mm Dust-Accelerated Autocannon (retractable, roof-mounted, Fire and Ice Dust rounds, 700 rounds/min)
  • 20 x Concealed Vertical Missile Launch Tubes (Hard-Light Dust guided rockets, Lightning Dust EMP missiles, Ice Dust suppression bombs)
  • 2 x Concealed Heavy Machine Guns (8mm, Gravity Dust-enhanced, 1,500 rounds/min, AI or crew-operated, hidden in hull panels)
  • 1 x Anti-Grimm Sonic Disruptor Array (80-meter radius, disorients lesser Grimm)
• Defenses:
  • Reinforced titanium-ceramic hull with Crystal Dust-infused plating (resistant to 15mm rounds and Grimm claws, with aesthetic shimmer)
  • Dual-Layer Hardlight Dust Shielding System (sustains 10 minutes of moderate bombardment)
  • Countermeasure Drones (Crystal Dust flares and Hard-Light decoys for visual elegance and Grimm deterrence)
  • Anti-Grimm Sonic Field (continuous low-frequency pulse, 100-meter radius, deters smaller Grimm)
  • Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): Dust-powered jammers to disrupt enemy targeting systems
• Avionics:
  • "Crystal Nexus" Command Suite (thermal, Dust-signature, and motion detection; tracks up to 30 targets for defensive operations)
  • AI-Assisted Defense System (optimizes targeting and countermeasure deployment; prioritizes non-lethal deterrence)
  • Secure Comms Array (encrypted links to SDC headquarters, Atlas command, and private networks)
  • Holographic Display Interface (Crystal Dust-powered, for corporate briefings and navigation)
• Special Features:
  • Luxury Deck: Opulent interior with marble flooring, Dust-infused chandeliers (Crystal Dust for ambiance), private suites, a banquet hall, and a panoramic observation lounge with Hard-Light windows
  • Modular Command Suite: Configurable for corporate meetings, diplomatic negotiations, or emergency Huntsmen operations
  • Dust Refueling Probe: Mid-air Dust canister swaps for extended travel
  • Amphibious Sealing: Sealed hull for water landings and limited submersion (up to 2 meters) for coastal retreats
  • Aura Nexus Core: Amplifies passenger Aura for comfort and minor combat support
  • Stealth Coating: Crystal Dust-based hull paint reduces radar signature and enhances visual elegance
  • Automated Service Drones: Dust-powered robots for catering, cleaning, and guest services
  • Escape Yacht: Compact, Dust-powered sub-vessel (seats 6) for emergency evacuation

---

Design Philosophy and DevelopmentThe AD-Venture Capitalist was commissioned by Jacques Schnee to embody the Schnee Dust Corporation's wealth and influence, serving as both a private yacht for leisure and a mobile corporate headquarters. Nachfolger Industries, known for its performance-driven designs, collaborated with SDC to blend opulence with combat-ready survivability, ensuring Jacques could travel Remnant's skies in safety and style. The airship's modest size balances prestige with a lower target profile, avoiding the overt aggression of larger military vessels. Development took 36 months, with Nachfolger adapting their military spec Gravity Dust reactors and Hardlight Dust systems for luxury and defense. The hull incorporates rare Crystal Dust for a shimmering aesthetic, while the interior features bespoke craftsmanship—marble, velvet, and Dust-infused decor. Tested in controlled Atlasian airspace and against simulated Grimm attacks, the AD-Venture Capitalist proved its ability to withstand threats while maintaining elegance. Its high cost reflects its bespoke nature, reserved exclusively for Jacques and select SDC elites.

---

Capabilities in Remnant's Context

• Luxury Transport: The AD-Venture Capitalist is Jacques' personal palace in the sky, offering unmatched comfort for corporate retreats, diplomatic missions, or leisure trips. Its observation lounge and banquet hall host high-profile guests, while automated service drones cater to every whim.
• Command and Control: The modular command suite doubles as a corporate boardroom or tactical hub, coordinating SDC operations or Huntsmen escorts. The "Crystal Nexus" suite tracks threats and allies, ensuring Jacques' safety during travel.
• Defensive Firepower: Though not a primary combat vessel, its 20mm autocannon and hardpoint munitions deter aerial Grimm or rogue airships. Concealed machine guns and sonic arrays handle smaller threats, preserving the airship's pristine exterior.
• Survivability: The titanium-ceramic hull and dual-layer Aura shields withstand moderate attacks, while Crystal Dust stealth coating and ECM reduce its visibility. Countermeasure drones add flair and function, deterring Grimm without compromising aesthetics.
• Strategic Reach: A 1,000-mile range (1,400 with Dust pods) and 26,000-foot ceiling enable transcontinental travel, from Atlas' elite circles to Mistral's trade hubs. Amphibious sealing supports landings on private coastal estates.
• Psychological Impact: The airship's shimmering hull and grandiose design project SDC's dominance, intimidating rivals and reinforcing Jacques' status. Its presence signals untouchable wealth, even in Remnant's dangerous skies.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang was the big fish in the small pond at Signal. And so far she's been the consistent second best in combat class. Getting beaten by Pyrrha? Well, no shame in that.

Except one day, Jaune actually beats Yang in a Combat Class match. He doesn't do anything fancy, he's just now competent enough to use some strategy against her. And given she's mostly been relying on her Semblance and sheer strength to power through, it wasn't too hard to get a ring out on her.

Yang is pretty devastated. To lose to Pyrrha? Okay, fine. At least it was Pyrrha Freaking Nikos. But losing to Jaune Arc?! The Class Dork?! Vomit Boy?!
That hurts her pride something fierce.

But Jaune comes up to her after...

Yang: "Hmph. Here to gloat?"

Jaune: "No Yang... I got lucky. That's all it was. I'm not stupid enough to think I'm actually better than you in a real fight. I was only able to get better thanks to Pyrrha's training... But I still have a lot to learn. And... And I was hoping we could train together."

Yang: "Huh?"

Jaune: "Ruby told me you two used to train together all the time. It's probably why she's so amazing."

Yang: "I-I mean... Qrow trained her too-"

Jaune: "But you trained her more, Yang. She told me she had to come up with constant strategies to get around how much stronger and faster you were! And Ruby got to skip two grades! That means... You're a good teacher. And Pyrrha is great but... She takes it easy on me. You wouldn't. And we... We can both improve where we're weak. Because we both hate being that more than anything."

Yang: "She kept hitting me with all these strategies and tricks and she was... She was amazing. I didn't even push her to do it, she did it on her own."

Jaune: "Still counts, Yang."

Yang: "... Assuming I go along with this, I won't take it easy on you. I will beat the living shit out of you, and expect you to get back up for more."

Jaune: nods "That's what I want, Yang."

Yang: "Are you a masochist or something?"

Jaune: "Yang... Pyrrha has done wonders for me and I'm thankful. But she's not pushing me. Not enough. I now know how to fight... But I need to know how to keep going no matter how hard I get hit. And Pyrrha... She's afraid of breaking me. You aren't."

Yang: "... And you think you can make me better?"

Jaune: "I know so. I know we can make eachother better. Forget about class rankings or Vytal: The thing about losing is that your priorities change. My priority is to get good enough to protect other people and defeat Grimm and other enemies. What about you?"

Yang: "... I don't want to get fooled again... Or lose because I charged in like a dumbass."

Jaune: "Then... Why don't we work on that together?"

Yang: "..." smiles "All right. But you're helping me with my homework, Vomit Boy."

Jaune: "Me? Why?"

Yang: "Because you're now in the top five in the class after Pyrrha made you not suck, of course. I want your nerdy brains working for me!"

Jaune: sighs "I shouldn't have told Nora."

Yang: "Yeah, you really shouldn't have."

Over the course of this training, Jaune and Yang develop, as does Pyrrha. And they get closer, much to Pyrrha's fear. When Jaune was pursuing Weiss, there was no fear of Weiss ever reciprocating. But now Jaune and Yang are bonding and getting closer and Yang is FLIRTING with him! And now? Now Pyrrha has an unexpected rival.

It also lets Yang develop as a character, which like most RWBY characters, she really didn't get much of.

Jaune: "Why haven't you been training with Ruby?"

Yang: sighs "... I've... Been keeping my distance from her. I wanted her to grow. Back in Signal, we... Well... I had 'friends' but they basically ignored Ruby unless I was with them. And they all failed Initiation... Maybe I should have been closer to Ruby but... I wanted her to figure stuff out on her own... God that sounds selfish of me. I've been taking care of her most of our lives... Is it bad to want her to have her own life and mine?"

And so on. What do you think?