[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Weiss adjusted her posture on the low bench in Beacon's Star Maiden Garden, the afternoon sun filtering through the tree leaves like scattered diamonds. Mia sat cross-legged beside her, meticulously arranging a collection of wildflowers they'd picked—daisies for "happy thoughts," buttercups for "sunshine giggles," as Mia had declared with solemn authority. The little girl's ears twitched every time a bee buzzed by, but she was focused, tongue poking out in concentration.

Weiss had volunteered for pickup duty today, her schedule clear after a morning seminar on Dust applications. It was a small thing, but these moments with Mia felt like stolen breaths of fresh air. A from lectures, away from the weight of the Schnee name that still clung to her like frost on glass.

Mia held up a lopsided crown of woven stems. "Auntie Weiss! This is for you. It's a princess crown 'cause you're a princess!"

Weiss's lips curved in a genuine smile, accepting the gift and placing it carefully atop her white hair. "Thank you, Mia. It's perfect. Shall I make one for you?"

Mia nodded enthusiastically. Weiss pulled her into her lap, and began to weave her down flower crown. The four year old then tilted her head, ears twitching slightly.

"Auntie Weiss… why don't you talk about your mama and papa like Papa talks about Granny and Papa?"

Weiss paused mid-weave, fingers stilling on the stems. Mia's innocent curiosity had a way of cutting straight to the heart, but there was no malice in it, just a child's endless wonder.

Weiss set the half-finished crown aside and turned to face her fully, keeping her voice light and gentle, like telling a bedtime story.

"Well, little one, my family is… a bit like a big, fancy castle made of ice. It looks beautiful from far away, all shiny and tall, but inside, it's very cold and sometimes lonely."

Mia's eyes widened, ears perking. "Cold like winter? But you like snow!"

Weiss chuckled softly. "I do like snow—when it's soft and fun to play in. But my castle… my papa was like a king who cared more about gold and rules than hugs. He made everyone follow his orders, even when it made them sad. My mama… she tried to be warm, but the cold made her tired, so she hid away with her special drinks that grown-ups use when they're unhappy."

Mia's nose wrinkled. "That's not nice. Papas should give hugs and make pancakes. Why was he mean?"

Weiss reached over, tucking a stray curl behind Mia's ear. "Sometimes grown-ups forget how to be kind because they're scared or hurt from their own castles. My big sister Winter—she's like a brave knight—ran away to join the army so she could protect people and be free. My little brother Whitley… he's still in the castle, learning the rules, but I think he wants to be warm too someday."

Mia thought about this, her tail swishing slowly. "Did you run away like Auntie Winter?"

Weiss nodded, her expression softening with pride. "I did. I came to Beacon to learn how to be a Huntress, to fight the real monsters and make my own path. Away from the cold rules. Now I have a new family—your papa, you, the teams. It's warmer here. Full of hugs and adventures."

Mia's face brightened, and she threw her arms around Weiss's waist in a fierce hug. "You're my Auntie Weiss! No more cold castle. We have pancake castle now!"

Weiss hugged her back, a quiet laugh escaping as she blinked away the unexpected prick of tears. "Pancake castle sounds perfect, Mia. Absolutely perfect."

Mia pulled back, still beaming, then tilted her head again with that boundless curiosity.

"Auntie Weiss… could you give me a sibling with Papa?"

Weiss's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her composure cracking just a fraction. She smoothed her skirt unnecessarily, buying a moment. "A sibling? Mia, that's… quite the request."

Mia nodded earnestly, ears perking. "Papa would be super warm! He'd never be mean, and he loves to play in the snow! Like snowball fights and building forts!"

Weiss's flush deepened, but a small, wistful smile tugged at her lips. "It… would be nice, wouldn't it? But my father… he'd make things difficult. He's still very much like that cold king in the castle."

Mia pouted, crossing her arms. "Why? That's not fair!"

Weiss sighed softly, weaving the last stems into Mia's crown and placing it on her head. "He wants me to marry a prince—someone with a fancy title and lots of gold. To keep the castle strong."

Mia's pout turned into a fierce scowl. "But Papa's a great knight! Knights are supposed to save princesses and marry them and live happily ever after!"

Weiss giggled then-a light, genuine sound that surprised even her-after adjusting her own flower crown.

"You're right, Mia. Knights do save princesses. And happily ever after sounds… wonderful."

The garden path crunched under footsteps just then, and Jaune appeared around the bend, hair tousled from the wind, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Hey, you two. Sorry I'm late. I got held up in Oobleck's lecture. Thanks so much for looking after her, Weiss."

Weiss stood gracefully, brushing a leaf from her skirt. "I'm glad to. She's wonderful company."

Mia bounced up, grabbing Jaune's hand. "Papa! Dinner now?"

Jaune chuckled, ruffling her hair. "What do you say, Weiss? Care to join us? My treat."

Weiss's eyes sparkled faintly. "I'd like that. Take us to dinner, then?"

Mia clapped. "Pancakes!"

Weiss snorted, a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. "We could just stay home for that, Mia."

The little girl thought for a second, then declared, "Beef spaghetti!"

Weiss nodded approvingly. "Beef spaghetti it is."

Jaune grinned. "Sounds good to me."

As they started walking, Mia darted between them, grabbing their free hands and tugging. Then, with a mischievous glint, she pushed Jaune's hand toward Weiss's arm. "Papa! Take Auntie Weiss's arm! You're a knight, and she's a princess—that's what knights do!"

Jaune's cheeks went pink, his step faltering. Weiss blushed too, but after a heartbeat, she held out her arm gracefully, meeting his eyes with a teasing smile.

"I agree."

Jaune cleared his throat, but his grin was warm as he took her arm, escorting her properly toward the bullhead docks.

"I would never argue with a princess."

Weiss arched an eyebrow, her voice light. "You'd better not."

Behind them, Mia skipped ahead, giggling triumphantly, the flower crowns bobbing like promises in the fading light.

- - -

PHEW! Managed these three today... Now I'm taking a break. Hope you liked it.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The Mistralian street festival sprawled across Vale's old harbor district like a living tapestry—red lanterns swaying overhead, the air thick with the sizzle of street vendors frying dumplings and skewering glazed pork, and the rhythmic thump of drums guiding dragon dancers through the crowd. Paper lions snapped their jaws at children, firecrackers popped in cheerful bursts, and every stall overflowed with silk scarves, jade trinkets, and sugar-dusted pastries shaped like carp and phoenixes.

Jaune had to go to a meeting of team leaders, Pyrrha had another commercial shoot, and RWBY were off on their own adventures. So Jaune had happily agreed to let Nora and Ren take Mia to the festival.

Nora carried Mia on her shoulders like a conquering general, the little girl's fluffy ears bouncing with every excited bounce. Ren walked beside them, hands in his pockets, a small, quiet smile on his face as he watched the two of the most important people in his world soak in the chaos.

"Look! Nora! Fire chicken!" Mia squealed, pointing at a vendor twirling a flaming wok of sizzling noodles.

"That's called 'stir-fried dragon whiskers,'" Nora declared, already digging in her pocket for lien. "Three bowls, extra spicy for me, mild for the tiny terror, and whatever Ren wants."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "I'll take the mild too. Someone has to keep their taste buds intact."

Mia giggled and leaned forward, hugging Nora's head. "You're the best big auntie ever!"

They ate standing up, sauce dripping down chins, Mia's cheeks puffed like a chipmunk as she tried to fit an entire pork bun in her mouth at once. Nora cheered her on like it was an Olympic event. Ren wiped Mia's face with a napkin, gentle and unhurried.

Next came the hammer game.

The stall owner—a burly Mistrali man with a braided beard—grinned when Nora stepped up, Magnhild slung casually over her shoulder like it weighed nothing.

"Think you can ring the bell, little lady?"

Nora cracked her knuckles. "Watch this."

She swung the mallet once—WHAM—the puck shot up the tower, the bell clanged so hard the whole stall rattled, and the owner's jaw dropped.

"Uh… that's… a new record," he managed, handing her the top prize: an enormous plush panda almost as big as Nora herself.

Mia clapped wildly. "Nora's the strongest!"

Ren accepted the panda with a small bow to the stunned vendor. "Thank you. She gets… enthusiastic."

They wandered on, Nora now carrying both Mia and the panda (somehow), until they reached the petting zoo corral at the festival's edge. Geese, goats, fluffy sheep, and a very dignified-looking peacock milled about in a pen of straw and low fences.

Nora set Mia down. "Go on, kitten! Say hi to the fluffy army. We'll be right here."

Mia bolted inside, immediately chasing a honking goose with delighted squeals. The goose, clearly offended, flapped away in a cloud of feathers. Mia pursued, laughing so hard she nearly tripped over her own feet.

Nora leaned on the fence beside Ren, watching with soft, unguarded fondness. The festival noise faded to a pleasant hum around them.

"I want one," Nora said suddenly, voice quieter than usual.

Ren glanced at her. "We can't steal a baby, Nora."

She elbowed him gently. "That's not what I mean, you dork."

He smiled, small and knowing. "I know what you mean."

Nora turned to face him fully, arms crossed, the panda squished between them like a fluffy chaperone. "Then why not? We're good with Mia. We're good together. We could… you know. Have our own tiny chaos gremlin."

Ren's gaze drifted back to Mia, who had finally cornered the goose and was now trying to pet it while it hissed indignantly. His expression softened, but there was a shadow there too.

"I'm not sure how to answer that yet," he admitted. "Not because I don't want it. Because… everything we do affects more than just us. And I want to be sure we're ready. Really ready."

Nora scowled, but it was the soft kind of scowl she saved only for him—the one that said she was frustrated but still loved him. "You know how I feel. I've never hidden it. Why can't you just… tell me the same?"

Ren reached over, brushing a strand of orange hair from her face. His touch lingered. "I do feel the same. I've felt it for a long time. I just… want to give any child we have the kind of certainty I never had growing up. No running. No hiding. Just… home."

Nora's scowl melted. She leaned her forehead against his. "You big sap."

Before he could reply, a triumphant shout rang out.

"Ren! Nora! Look!"

Mia came racing back, both hands cupped carefully around something. She opened them to reveal a perfect, pale goose egg, slightly warm from the sun-warmed straw.

"I found a treasure!" she crowed.

Ren crouched to her level, smiling gently. "That's very nice, Mia. But we should put it back so the mama goose doesn't get worried."

Mia pouted for half a second, then nodded. "Okay. Sorry, goose mama."

She toddled back to the pen and set the egg carefully in the straw, patting it goodbye like it was a sleeping baby. The goose honked once—almost approvingly—then waddled off.

Nora watched the whole exchange with shining eyes, then slung an arm around Ren's shoulders, pulling him close.

"See?" she whispered. "We'd be great at this."

Ren's arm came around her waist. "Yeah," he murmured. "We would."

 

[John Jackson]

As promised, I dipped my toe into the Space Opera AU
Space Opera AU





Beacon Orbital Elevator

Vale System

Vale Federation



The VNN feed was blaring in the arrival lounge and the face of Counciler Winchester yelling at Lisa Lavander greeted team RWBY and JNRP as they entered the lounge.

"…It's a national disgrace that on the eve of the Vital festival the capital world of the Vale Federation has to rely on foreign fleets and mercenary companies to guard the capital! It's been over a decade since the Mount Gleen colony massacre and home fleets still a shadow of what it was."

"But the Infinity was just commissioned and she's the most advanced warship outside the Atlis fleet."

"And we should have 100 more like her but because my opponents on the council efforts she is currently the only one of her class. That is why I'm introducing the Vale Military restoration act tomorrow of the floor of the Council…"


Jaune Arc toned out the Political talk show and turned to the smart screen as the international fleet escorting the Vital station entered into orbit around the moon of Beacon. It was an impressive collection of ships. From Gen. Ironwoods personal Super Star Destroyer and the Valcuo high liner carriers, from the Ministerial Battle Barges. In front was the delegation from the host star nation for this decade's festival, the blocky solid forms of the Vale fleet and its member nations.

Ruby of course was rattling off specifications like she had an inside source at the fleet design bureau, or a War Thunder account one of the other.

"…She's has a super MAC gun built right into her superstructure that can fire in 3 round bursts. She has more firepower than an Altis Super Star Destroyer…"

"I highly doubt that Ruby" Wises didn't keep her natural haughtiness out of her tone as she adjusted the smart wall to focus on the Atlas portion of the fleet squadrons of their triangle shaped ships in neat formation. She pointed to one of the smaller capital ships.

"Look it's the Victory my sister Winters ship, she's a huntress captain Oh it will be so good to see her again."

"I wouldn't be proud of ships constructed by extracting resources from the downtrodden!"

"Isn't that a squadron Menagerie ships on the other side of the fleet Kitty Cat?"

"That's different Yang, we bought those ships ethically from the Val navy and upgraded them for our own defense"

"Well, that explains why there all a century old Nova Class ships but where did the money to buy and upgrade those ships come from humm?'

"That's different Wises , though I do wonder why my father sent them with the international fleet. They usually don't leave Menagerie space?"

"Maybe they needed the good PR with the White Fang making so much trouble? I know that my parents ae coming, well at least that's their excuse there using to visit me all the way out here. Hey guys."

That had come from behind them as May Zedong had joined them without anyone noticing causing Jaune the jump slightly. Of Course, Nora had a different reaction.

"Yea all 3 of Beacon's space Princess's are here! Oh, I know we can have royal rumble to see who gets Jaune as a Consort."

This caused all 3 to blush and Blake to try to explain again how neither she nor Wises counted as royalty.

At an unheard command the wall once again changed its focus to the sweeping fish like Pandu flagship. That caused a slight frown to form on Jaune's face. Something that May noticed.

"What's wrong Jaune you know my parents, better than I do in a lot of ways. Why are you worrying about them coming to visit? They're your Godparents after all?"

"No, it's not that May your parents are great and I'm looking forward to seeing them it's who caught a ride with them that I'm worried about."

"O come on Vomit boy your parents will be happy to see you after all not many people have a son qualify for the Vital Tournament"

"Oh I'm sure my parents are proud even if I did go behind there backs and kind of steal the family weapon and power armor, but my mom can be a bit much and well mom and dad decided to take the opportunity of having both me and Tangy in the same star system to have a big family reunion."

This caught the Schnee heiress attention as a look of dawning horror appeared on her face.

"Arc when you say Family reunion?"

"The whole family, all my sisters, there spouses, Uncles, Aunts, really the whole family except Nana and Papa, they couldn't really leave Albion right now what with the upswing in Grim scouting fleets in the cluster."

As Wises tried to reconcile herself to that amount of Arc family related chaos Nora switched the view to a battered looking ship blocky with twin flight hangers on either side of the blocky superstructure.

"What's that one It looks badass though a little scruffy?"

Instead of the expected Ruby info dump it was Pyrrha that answered.

"That the Battle Star Galactica, she's the last of the Jupiter class Battlestar's in service of the Hellenic Luegues fleet."

"Didn't know you were a ship nerd Cereal Girl?"

"Not particularly but I know that one, It was the flagship for the fleet that supported my teacher Tel'ac when he slew the grim dark god Aries in the ruins of the Olympus colony."

"False god Girl, Dead false god."

A deep rumbling voice came from directly behind the teams of huntsman in training, Causing Jaune to jump (was everyone trying to give him a heart attack today) and he turned around to see a large man, larger even than his dad in simple robes. His skin was ashen white, an enduring symbol of the Grim worshiping cult that he had been born into. But the symbol of the Dark Mistress's servant branded on to his forehead had been disfigured and replaced with the symbol of the Table breaker. In his hand he carried a staff, on his hip road an ax that glowed with a pale blue light and on his bearded face he wore a slight smile.

He embraced the Amazon of team JNPR in a bone chorusing hug.

" Master it's so good to see you it's been too long, Oh I'm sorry I forgot my manners everyone this is my combat teacher from home Master Tel'ac, Master this is Team JNRP and RWBY and May new crown princess of Pandu."

This must be Tel'ac the redeemed, once known as Kratos the scourge of the Hellenic League, who had turned upon the grim worshipers that had enslaved him and his people and cast down the servants of the Dark Queen (may her name be forever forgotten)

Well, if he had the entire Arc clan descending on him at least he wasn't alone in having visitors. Maybee if there were enough other visitors, he could distract his mother from continuing her campaign for grandchildren maybe. At least that was the top of his worriers because its not like a gathering of hundreds of famous hunters and entire fleet from across civilized space was going to be attacked right…

Tbc

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The frontier village of Albus Ridge clung to the mountainside like a stubborn weed—stone walls, slate roofs, and a single dirt road that wound up from the valley below. RWBY and JNPR had been sent to reinforce the local militia after reports of a mad Scorpion Faunus and a small Grimm pack harassing lurking about.

They'd expected a quick fight.

They got Tyrian Callows.

Tyrian descended from the ridge in a crouch, scorpion tail arched, eyes wide and manic. The teams fanned out—Ruby's scythe already spinning, Yang's gauntlets cocked, Weiss summoning glyphs, Blake vanishing into shadow clones, Pyrrha's spear leveled, Nora grinning behind her hammer, Ren calm as ever, Jaune shield up.

Tyrian spread his arms wide. "I am the bringer of death! Servant of the true Divine of Remnant!"

Jaune stepped forward before anyone could charge. "What true Divine?"

Tyrian giggled. "Names are fleeting. Power is eternal. The strong devour the weak. That is the only truth."

Jaune's shield didn't waver. "That's just nihilism with extra steps."

Tyrian tilted his head, amused. "Oh? And what does the farm boy believe?"

"That death was conquered," Jaune said simply. "Aslan's sacrifice broke its power. More men fear to live than die."

Tyrian's laughter echoed off the rocks. "Pretty words! But everything dies, boy. Flowers. Stars. Civilizations. You. Me. Your little friends. Despair is the only honest response."

Jaune shook his head. "Nihilism is the basest philosophy. It falls apart the moment someone asks if you'd die for it."

Tyrian's grin sharpened. "I would die for my Dark Queen."

Jaune smiled—small, sad. "Then you have meaning. You're not purely nihilistic. You're just… Hobbesian. Or maybe Nietzschean with worse hair."

Tyrian froze. "What are those?"

Blake stepped forward beside Jaune, voice steady. "Philosophies. Human attempts to make sense of existence. Hobbes thought life without authority was 'nasty, brutish, and short.' Nietzsche believed in creating meaning in a meaningless world—becoming the Übermensch."

Tyrian's tail twitched. "Humans… wrote books about this?"

Jaune nodded. "Thousands of years' worth."

Tyrian stared at them—really stared—for the first time not as prey, but as something curious.

Then he lowered his blades.

"Show me these… books."

The village library was small, but surprisingly well stocked. Tyrian sat cross-legged on the floor like a child, flipping through volumes with manic glee. Hobbes. Nietzsche. Kierkegaard. Sartre. Aquinas. Lewis.

He read in silence for nearly an hour.

Finally he looked up, eyes bright.

"Humans wrote this much about thinking about things?" He laughed, delighted. "My violence will have new meaning!"

Ruby threw her hands up. "How is this a win?! I wanted to win through fighting and cool explosions!"

Jaune shrugged. "We had those too."

Yang snorted. "And we were losing."

Ruby pouted. "Gimme those books! I gotta study! I want to be the hopeful counter to some dark rival! Honestly Jaune, let me have a rival!"

Jaune turned to Tyrian. "Hey. Will you become Ruby's rival? Philosophical antithesis? You're both new at this."

Tyrian considered, then grinned. "Hmmm… Nah. If I had a female counter, I'd prefer a mature woman. Not a brat."

Ruby puffed her cheeks. "I'M DRINKING MY MILK, DAMNIT!"