[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[FinalFormer]

Cross-posted From the SpaceBattles Thread.

Childhood Memories: Atop The Peach Tree
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Arc-Altan Household, Radian, Vale. Petra Arc-Altan. Age: 7

It was peaceful night. The chilly air. The chipping of crickets. It was the perfect night for the Wise Lion to make look upon her kingdom. She was currently perched upon a tree and stared at the moonlit sky. She seeked answers from the Gods, for you see, she faced a brand new enemy.

"Petra!"

...

The Vile Witch Doctor had invaded her Kingdom and decided to rule with an iron fist. She made demands after ridiculous demands. She wanted to spread her eldritch tentacles across the Wise Lion's domain. With the Rusted Knight nowhere to be found, she would have to face this treacherous foe by her lonesome.

"Petra, I know you're up there!"

...

The Wise Lion had decided tha---

"PETRA KAZUMA ARC!! YOU GET OUT OF THAT TREE RIGHT NOW!"

In truth, it was a bright and sunny day. Not a single grey cloud was in the sky. Young Petra Arc was hiding in a her family's peach tree to avoid her grandmother, Isabel Arc.

"No," Yelled Petra. "I don't wanna!"

The reason she was in the tree you may ask? Isabel had asked her to do some of the farm chores but Petra simply wanted to relax and sleep in. It was supposed to be summer vacation! She wanted to sleep in and go catch bugs with her little brothers. Not milk the cows! And to top it all off, she made wheatcakes for breakfast. Yuck.

"Little Lion, you better get down here right--"

"I SAID NO!!" Petra shouted. She then began to aggressively eat a peach.

Isabel sighed. She knew what this was really about. She had been asked to take care of Petra for a few days Jaune and Arslan had been called to Vale provide backup for Ruby and her team.

They were supposed to come back 2 weeks ago.

The poor girl misses her parents and she's lashing out. Saphron had been like that before when Nick was out on missions like these. Jaune had also been like this. It was always difficult to get them to calm down. But unlike them, Petra has been training to be a Huntress. Isabel had to be careful to not set Petra off.

Petra, meanwhile, continued eating her peach. Her father had promised they'd start working on the treehouse when he and mother came back. What's taking them so long?

Tears began to well in her eyes. No. She couldn't cry. Not in front of Granny.

"Petra, it's ok to be sad," Petra looked down, her eyes trained on her Grandmother's concerned eyes. "But you know you it's not ok to bottle up those feelings."

Petra wanted to scowl, but she knew she was right. Her mother had told her during their training together that there was a difference between being calm and being restrained. Papa had also said that there were lessons in combat that could be applied to real-life. Was this one of those moments?

"Can I join you up there?" Isabel asked. Her kind smile appeared. "Those peaches smell really good?"

Petra sat silently and then answered.

"...Ok."

And with that, Isabel got to climbing.

'Doing something like climbing a tree is getting hard for these old bones but that she needs me.' Isbael thought. Despite knowing full well that she could still take down a Goliath one-handed. When she got to the top of the tree, she took a spot next to Petra, but kept a small gap between the two to be safe. The two sat in silence, watching the sun shine over the farm and, in the distance, the town.

Petra spoke up first. "How did you know I was upset?"

"You're far more emotionally mature for someone your age, so imagine my shock when my usually stoic granddaughter started acting snippy and irritable." Isabel plucked a peach from the tree and took a bite. "I'm worried about them too. Not just me. Your grandpa, your brother, we all miss them. The worst part is always the waiting."

Petra began eating another peach. She wanted to say something, but she didnt, fearing that she would only end up crying. She missed her Mama's spiced peaches and the way she combed her hair while she ate them. Her Papa's funny stories of about Uncle Ren Aunt Nora and Pyrrha. She missed them reading the Rusted Knight and The Wise Lion to her before she went to sleep.

She felt her grandmother pull her into a hug. The warmth that emitted off her was comforting. A low purring came from Petra as Isabel started to pat her head.

"You're parents are the bravest people I've ever known. Even braver than your grandpa and I. So please, Petra. Don't lose faith in them." Isabel squeezed a bit tighter after feeling Perta hug her back.

"I will. I'm sorry." Petra muttered.

The two sat for what felt like hours, watching the sun slowly set.

"It's a nice view"

"I know. That's why I asked Papa to help me make a treehouse here."

Their silent viewing of the landscape was interrupted when the back door slammed open. Her little brother, Eustace, had a big smile on his face. He ran towards the tree with great urgency.

"Eustace, I told you to watch over Xenovia--" Before Isabel could finish, the young boy he shouted the news:

"Granny! Petra! Come inside! Mom and Dad are coming home!"

"What?" Isabel and Petra both said at the same time. Were they hearing this right?

"Yeah, they called on the CCT! They said they'll be home tomorrow! They said they were going to bring some sweets from Vale!" Eustace said ecstatically. "Come on, Petra! They're talking to Grandpa! They want to see you!"

Isabel smiled and turned to Petra, happiness shining in her eyes. Knowing her Little Lion was going to be ok, she jumped off the tree to head inside the house with her grandson. Maybe she can get Arslan to cough up that spiced peach recipe and give Jaune a good scolding for making them wor--

"Um... Granny."

Isabel looked up to see Petra was still on the tree. She looked like she was on the verge of crying once again.

"I need help getting down." Petra asked timidly.

And so, as the sun set. And the Little Lion was once again at peace.

----------------------------
At first, this was supposed to be a silly story, but about
midway through writing it, it changed into a story that explored something I'm sure most of the children of Jaune and one of his potential brides can relate to: the Away Missions. The ones that take too long. Hope you guys enjoy.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

The Pandu Royal Air ships had both survived the fight at the airfield, thankfully. May, her parents and her son had taken to the larger of the two models to have dinner. May had enjoyed spicy curry, and Saia had prepared some for all of them. They'd sat down and ate around the well appointed table, quietly talking. May scooped up the curry, ate a bite... Sniffled and began to cry. Saia and Arjun looked alarmed, while August smiled softly.

"Maia? Are you all right?" Saia asked desperately, reaching out to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Is it too spicy?"

"Are you okay?" Arjun asked urgently.

May sniffled, wiped her tears, and smiled warmly.

"I-I just... I never thought I'd get to eat at the table with my family again," she whispered.

Silence fell. Saia smiled and hugged her tightly. Arjun sighed, and rubbed her shoulder and head. August beamed, though he kept his distance. May had a feel he was used to excessive affection in his time.

Well... He had better get used to it here, too.

"Ack! Hey!" August yelped as May pulled him into a hug. "Mom! Seriously?"

"Y-You get a hug too," May sniffled with little laughs. August sighed and hugged her back, as Arjun chuckled.

"A Sarkaran woman will always get her way, grandson. Remember that," Arjun advised.

"Yeah, you told me as much," August grumbled, but he smiled a bit to appease his pouting mother.

After dinner, they retired to a small parlor that had a holographic window. It showed the rest of the airfield and the setting sun, as they sat on comfortable couches. Arjun and Saia kept May between them, while August chose a smaller one a bit further away.

Arjun's own airship was sitting in front of them, a sleek, predatory looking vehicle that resembled a bird. May studied it intently. Arjun caught her gaze and smiled proudly.

"You know," he said, "Before the coup, I was the third of five brothers. Except for Karna. I never thought I would have gotten a chance at the throne. I was planning on becoming a Royal Air Force Pilot, with Archer training." He sighed. "I love to be in the air. To be free as a bird. The Shyena is an expression of that freedom," he looked almost lovingly at the airship, "Sleek, powerful, tuned for performance."

"Excessive performance," Saia teased. Arjun huffed.

"'Excessive'? I go as fast as the ship can go, that's hardly excessive!" He looked at August. "Are you a pilot?"

"I'm training to be," August agreed, "It's a lot of fun and you always get me souped up ships for my birthday!"

Maternal indignation reared its ugly head in May's heart, as she glared at Arjun. Arjun shrugged.

"What? He's here in one piece, so he's obviously a decent pilot!"

"Of course," Saia sighed, shaking her head, "Does Jaune still get airsick? Poor thing."

"Nah, Dad is a lot better," August said with a grin, "Even took lessons since he's captain of the guard! Of course, I'm way better. I can fly through Bhikshatana Canyon back home in under six minutes! Five minutes fifty seconds if I ignore the safeties!"

"Really?" Arjun asked eagerly, grinning like a schoolboy... Until Saia and May glared at him. He coughed. "Ah... That's very dangerous, young man. I expect you to be safer!"

"Yes Grandpa," August sighed, though the winks the two exchanged were worrying for May. She shook her head again and looked out at the sun setting behind the mountains. She worried her lower lip.

"Still worried about your place with Jaune?" Saia asked, smiling knowingly. May blushed.

"I... I am," she admitted, looking in concern at August. "Did you hear anything from the Doctor or Theodore?"

August sighed and leaned back, stretching his arms up over his head to try and appear at ease.

"Nothing," he said, "Though he wants us to have another meeting tomorrow. He didn't say what about."

"Again, there's nothing to worry about," Saia said soothingly, "You and Jaune connected easily when you first met, didn't you?"

May blushed, but managed a nod.

"I-Yes, we did," she murmured, "he was so kind and handsome..."

"And he definitely noticed you in your proper attire," Saia chuckled. May went bright red.

"M-MOTHER!"

August groaned.

"Grandma!"

"What? It is a new phase of battle you have entered, young one," Saia said, "And it will require just as much cunning and determination to win as actual combat. Do you want to win?"

"I..." May looked to August, then aside, away from him. "I want us all to win... But..." She slowly nodded. "Yes."

"Then have no fear," Saia said soothingly, rubbing her back, "We will make sure you become the first wife."

"Y-You think I can?" May asked softly. Arjun nodded.

"May... You may have been taken from us. You may have been raised away from us... But I know that it could not have been easy to get here, to survive, after all you have been though." He reached out and squeezed her hand. "That is how I know you are strong. And that you will get what you want, just as we did."

May blushed, and bowed her head modestly.

There was a knock at the hatch. Saia sighed and held up her Scroll. She glanced at Arjun, who nodded. She hit a control and the hatch opened. Taiyang and Qrow entered.

"Hey Arjun," Qrow said, "You said you would loan us your airship?"

Arjun stared intently at them. Taiyang and Qrow stared back. Taiyang coughed.

"I mean, if it's about the last time-"

"Last time you took Nick and thus I didn't have an airship to get back," Arjun deadpanned. Both men coughed. Arjun sighed.

"But seeing as he isn't going with you? Take Shyena. She's the fastest ship around, I made sure of it," Arjun stated, pulling out some keys and tossing them to Taiyang. The blond caught them and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks," he said. Qrow grinned.

"Did you install Dust Afterburners in this one too?"

Arjun grinned.

"Oh yes, with a Hardlight Dust Collar system for maximum-!"

"Ahem?" Saia cleared her throat with a scowl. "Don't you have a mission to be going on?"

Qrow and Taiyang pouted a bit, as did Arjun. The two men turned to go, but Arjun cleared his throat. They paused and turned around.

"Gentleman," Arjun said pleasantly, "The Shyena is my ship, my loyal companion. So if she's brought back with so much as a scratch on her... You will both regret it. Forever."

Qrow and Taiyang winced.

"We're still regretting the last ship we took," Qrow muttered. Louder, he said: "Don't worry. Not a scratch."

Arjun's eyes narrowed.

"You promise?"

"Honestly," Saia huffed, "I wish you'd show me the same consideration!"

"Saia, I wouldn't have to warn them if they brought you back with a scratch," Arjun pleaded, "I would already be killing them mercilessly!"

"Hmph, so you say," Saia grunted, turning away melodramatically. Taiyang smiled faintly in nostalgia, before he shook his head.

"Not a scratch, promise Arjun," Taiyang said.

"Good, get going," Arjun ordered, even as he playfully ran his hand through his wife's hair to appease her. The two left, and the airship soon took off and flew off into the night.

There was another knock at the hatch. Saia sighed, and raised her Scroll again. May used her Semblance, and her eyes widened as she saw the Aura signature outside. August frowned, his own eyes glowing.

"Enter," Arjun barked, and the hatch once more opened. The black haired young man in dark clothing with the scar, the son of Cinder, entered slowly, his combat boots making no sound.

"Hello Ash," Saia said pleasantly, "What can we do for you?"

Ash coughed.

"Ah, I need a Pandavan Code sequencer," he said, "It's not very sophisticated but it will let my Scroll tap into the local networks."

Arjun frowned, as did August. Nevertheless, the king did get up, rummaged around in a nearby cabinet, and produced the small device. He handed it to Ash.

"Try not to lose it," Arjun said quietly, with a faint smile, "I only have twenty more."

Ash smiled and nodded, a bit of nervousness in his Aura.

"No problem, your Majesty. Majesties. Goodnight," he said. He turned and bowed to the others, before he turned and headed out the hatch. May watched him go, curious, before she looked over at August.

"Why would he want one?" She asked.

August shrugged.

"I mean... I guess to tap into local networks? In my future, Pandu does export a lot of high tech devices," he said, "Maybe it's the case there too?"

"Maybe," May murmured, staring after the young man as he headed back towards Beacon.

"In any event," Arjun said, "It's something that can wait until tomorrow. It's been a busy day... And it's only going to get busier in the morning."

"Yes Father," May said, and the smile he wore when she called him that made her forget her worries. For just a moment, at least.