Disclaimer: I'm merely using the characters from the show, 'RWBY', for this fic. RWBY is owned by Monty Oum & Rooster Teeth.
Text Meaning:
Normal Text: Used for dialogue or as an explanation of the character's encounters. It can be used for exposition, fight scenes and action.
Fight scenes are going to be fun.
Italics: Thoughts - applied to record what an individual judges of another: 'Jaune Arc, short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it! Why did I say that back then?' This counts as dialogue; sometimes. But - it's used as emphasis.
Bold Italics: Interaction with powerful objects: Another two examples being when one character is being urgent with another or straight-up trolling them. The bold italics can't be trolling you, can it? "Oh wow, I'm a genius at insulting people. I'm literally bold italics on a page."
Any form of text on lines: Scene Breaks, recordings of when events develop, etc.
NOTE: This is currently being revised.
Chapter I: To Love And Never Hate
Jaune's POV:
Jaune Arc was standing on the bridge that connected Beacon Academy to Vale - sacrificing himself to devote the rest of RWBY and JNPR time to solve this. He needed to breathe - examining the suffering that his home took was enough for him to lament. It turned from a bright academy; producing some of the greatest warriors of their time to a bastion of negativity.
Remembering what he desired to complete - he advanced forward, racing towards the entrance of the bridge. He studied his armour, imbued with that of the armour that Pyrrha possessed before she perished.
"Only you? I suppose you would sacrifice yourself to buy time for your friends. It won't work." Jaune Arc's back twisted, scowling at the woman who stood in front of him. Markings across her clothes - fire within her eyes - the same fire that burned Pyrrha to embers.
Cinder.
"We can claim it naivety at its finest; it's an excellent adjective. I was delusional to expect victory; to be frank." Cinder's eyebrows lifted at his remark; before summoning pillars of fire. Jaune Arc felt his heart pounding - struggling to withdraw itself from his chest. The fires screamed; reminding him of everything. A face appeared within the fire; screaming.
Pyrrha.
Jaune perceived it as instinct - a yearning to retreat; or stand there and let Cinder immolate him.
But he wouldn't run.
He couldn't go.
He couldn't turn back now.
With Crocea Mors shaking in his arms, he raised his shield up to intercept a beam of fire - the storm moving him backwards. He could appreciate her power; the heatwave that radiated across his skin felt unbearable. 'I suppose this battle will illustrate how I perish.' Jaune chuckled at the irony: 'Being killed by the woman I pledged myself to kill after the death of Pyrrha.' Jaune rolled to his right, rushing out of the way. He could see the enveloping darkness - Grimm appearing with terrible howls.
Jaune snarled at Cinder - who gained an expression of amusement: 'Her arrogance has no ends; does she realise Salem is controlling her?' He couldn't help but wonder why she was fighting for the Grimm - the beasts who demanded her kind to be extinct. What strength was there to earn when there was nothing to exert power over? Jaune had hacked at Beowolves, Ursa Majors , Nevermore, the list didn't stop. One slash; dark mist faded across the howling gales.
Jaune was getting through this - despite the Grimm and Cinder attacking him from numerous angles - but it was imminent he'd make a mistake. He couldn't think like that because that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Jaune jumped over whips of fire, having to dodge volleys of strikes from Cinder - frustrated over how problematic it was to end him.
She ran out of Grimm; Cinder's remaining eye began a revolting orange - before lighting up in blazes.
Then, a crimson spark emitted out of the flames - cracking with fervour. The flames became a sinister orange.
'Oh my god.' Jaune stopped breathing; his ability to form words disappeared without a trace. There was nothing worthy of interpreting the abomination that Cinder became. She giggled; stopping as the megalomanic became enraged.
Her skin protruded black spots; dropping blots of a viscous liquid to form Grimm.
Suddenly, Grimm appeared: Beowolves, Ursas, Deathstalkers, Nevermore, Griffons, the lot of them. Jaune's eyes widened as he unleashed his semblance - moving objects around. He threw slabs of metal, slashing at the Grimm who flanked him, the bridge melting because of Cinder's flames - his eyes widening as he realised his own death. Jaune was beginning to tire out: 'After all of this time - that semblance is still exhausting.'
He didn't notice it until now - the adrenaline taking over his body. There were slashes, spilling blood - burns across his arms and legs - he had never acknowledged the pain.
There was nothing but blood. Blood fell down his chest - its streaks covering charred flesh. He hadn't realised that the armour melted, his burned shirt being the only defence. Cinder smirked - but grimaced when Jaune chuckled. He could still fight; he didn't run out of aura. 'But, I doubt I will succeed - it's instinct. Her power is too potent; her fires are powerful. But she will be delirious with power.'
"If you expect to win, I'm afraid that you will be disappointed." Jaune continued to slash at the Grimm, his will only carrying his body and him alive. He knew he would die any moment now. Jaune was struggling to keep himself in one piece, somehow managing to not get scorched by Cinder. To his dread, he saw his friends in the windows of Beacon, gazing at him with dispirited faces.
Jaune smiled.
Weiss moved a hand to her mouth.
"I have a reason to fight for my ideals. What do you have? You are following the orders of Salem - the monster who wishes to kill all humans and other life, she will kill you. She won't miss you - only Emerald will miss you. I am fighting for my friends, for this world, for Pyrrha." Jaune walked to Cinder - limping as he struggled to even stare at her. Jaune's voice turned from a man of confidence to a quiet whisper.
The wind gave a gentle caress.
"Even with your ideals - Pyrrha still passed."
Then, there was silence - a cacophony of it. The winds stopped its soothing waves; plants stopped blooming, and the birds stopped moving. Noises of panic - displaying their worry over Jaune - became silent. There was no more sound; no more movement; no more activity.
Then, there was a surge of aura - blasting the bridge with violent gales.
Cinder's eyes widened; shielding her arms - but the blast was overpowering her. She held on before stopping.
Jaune's body shuddered in his rage.
"Who do you think you are, Cinder Fall?"
"I know who I am-!"
"Are you as blind as you seem? Did you want to destroy humanity - was it the power, the control, the thrill? What made you like this, Cinder Fall?" Jaune shook his head; he grabbed Pyrrha's weapon from his pocket. Jaune gazed at the weapon in a profound sadness; before looking towards the woman with a blank stare.
"Why did you do this? What could be worth genocide, Cinder?"
"I did it because I had no choice! It was dying or this! I had no choice but to survive; you would've done the same!"
"I wouldn't have done the same, Cinder. Sacrificing thousands of people - just to live? I wouldn't sacrifice my team."
"Salem forced me to do this; I never wanted to this - I needed things to be in my control - not hers. I didn't want to do this - I wanted to stop the cycle!"
"Either way, you won't win. You will die here, Cinder."
The snarls turned into growls. Jaune wasn't thinking; he was moving by instinct. "It doesn't matter if you were the unwilling hero. You did this. " Jaune ran quicker - smelling ash across the bridge. A bridge turning into a firestorm of ash and cinders. " You were once a child."
Cinder glared: "You know nothing about-!"
"So what? Once, you were a child." Crocea Mors moved in a stabbing motion; dropping the shield as he did so.
"You were innocent; you wanted to give mercy. You didn't murder - steal or torture people. That child would roll in her grave at the sight of you. No, even Roman Torchwick knew you weren't worth it. His mantra was to survive no matter the cost!" Jaune grabbed her by the throat; his eyes narrowing at her.
Jaune smiled.
Cinder's expression turned into fear.
Then, the world exploded into a whirlwind of fire and aura - with the howls of the monstrosities behind them.
Every word Jaune made and every breath he took, five more Grimm faded. He ducked underneath a Nevermore - its body disappearing as Jaune tore it into ribbons of black. The Ursa swiping at him before attempting to crush him - the stab in its legs stopped it. Jaune was breaking. Salem's forces were overwhelming him, but he was overwhelming them with the remnants of his aura.
The ash blew across the bridge; Cinder's eye emitted bursts of flames. Her other eye was bleeding; the scar on her face becoming a bloody red. Jaune rushed at Cinder; slashing at her with Akouo. Her shield, Milos, braving against the fire. The shield became black; Jaune's eyes widened.
The shield became ash.
'She scattered in the wind; her ashes were gone. Cinder murdered her. I couldn't save her.'
Jaune snarled - slashing at the Grimm with Akouo. He grabbed onto the railings; gazing at the fires underneath him. It would've been beautiful; it would've been a dream to see the fires back then. Now?
It wasn't worth anything.
"Once, you were a good person. You cared for others - cherished love. But now, I doubt you even remember those moments, if you have any." Jaune switched back to Crocea Mors - throwing Akouo at Cinder - the spear missing Cinder by a narrow distance. Cinder caught the spear - looking at him with a smirk.
Jaune laughed.
"It's funny; it is." He paused for a moment - Cinder gave him a fierce glare. "After all this time; you're not the Queen." A look of rage appeared on her face.
"I suppose that you were wrong, Cinder. You're not the Queen."
"You're the pawn-" Jaune stood there; dancing around with his sword and shield - decimating Grimm alike. "You're just a pawn."
Slash!
Silence covered the melting bridge.
Jaune chuckled; before gagging as blood dripped out of his mouth.
"This is the greatest irony I've ever experienced. You ended up defeating me with her weapon. Yet, you killed her before-hand." The man felt his body weakening; falling down until he held Crocea Mors to the ground.
"Well, I lost. Another promise became worthless."
" I will see Pyrrha, my family, the people I've lost. But you, you will see nothing. You're so far gone that I'm surprised that you have a semblance. You've lost your humanity - a shame." The hunter shook his head - looking at the surrounding destruction. The fight had taken minutes, mere minutes, yet he was dying due to one strike.
But it felt like minutes - but was it seconds or longer? Did it matter now - that he was dying?
He could feel the nausea coming onto him - letting go of Crocea Mors, choosing to grab onto the railings of the bridge to balance himself. He limped - clutching his hand to his bloody chest. Turning around, he could see the lights of the fire; lulling him to sleep. Crocea Mors was now resting on the platform.
"Well. That's it, I guess." Jaune tried to laugh - only to wince at the pain. Blood was escaping his lips; Cinder looked at him with an unknown look. Tears escaped his eyes - before rubbing them. He walked towards the end of the bridge; towards the tower. His friends were looking at him with shock; sadness and guilt.
'Guilt? Why guilt? It's not your fault, guys.'
Jaune looked at Weiss; giving her a nod. Weiss closed her eyes before mouthing a farewell to him.
'I've always wondered what it'd be like to die: The first time I thought I was dying - back in Initiation - only panic was present. Now, there is only a peace gained from trying to fight people inducing a sorbid reality.' Jaune gazed at the weapon falling besides him; Cinder's horrible face scarring his eyes; the darkness swallowing him into pieces.
That was what he imagined, at least.
'Weiss, Pyrrha, everyone. For what's it's worth; I'm sorry that I couldn't be there to see Salem die.'
The bridge exploded into a fearsome battle of fire and explosives. There was a rumble - Jaune dropping his armour in response. He gazed at his friends - nodding at Ren. Ruby was screaming - being held back. Every single person was sobbing their eyes out except Ren and Yang.
Jaune looked at Ruby; before nodding.
A bitter smile took place on the boy's lips.
Cinder's screams of anger and fear haunting his ears.
Crocea Mors imbued itself with the darkness.
Thud.
~NDWF0S~ Never Dance With Feelings of Sundade ~NDWF0S~
(Part II)
Lie Ren's POV: 30 Minutes Later
Rage, despair, remorse and guilt.
That was what Lie Ren felt as he gazed at Mercury Black's broken body; whose ruptured skin spread across the room - unleashing disgusting sounds upon unwilling ears. He looked around him - gazing at the waterfall of blood spurted from Salem's body. He noticed that Nora hasn't come back - and everyone else. A sense of dread filled his heart; before tears escaped his eyes.
He knew what happened to each one of them - he couldn't deny it now - he was in shock as he saw each member die, but denial couldn't save him. Everyone was dead - he was the last and only survivor of the battle.
A visage ofwounds from his battle with Mercury Black. It was worth it - to avenge Ruby - because it meant that Mercury Black, the son of an assassin, couldn't kill any more people.
He heard Nora's screams from below - in his horror - screaming for him.
But, he couldn't move - he was struggling to move - but he couldn't.
Then, the screams stopped; tears escaped his eyes.
He only heard the sounds of churning flesh; morbid screams and prowling beasts.
Then, there was silence.
"I'm so sorry, Ruby. I failed - I should've been faster, stronger, better! I could've saved you; we'd both be standing. Now, we're lying on the floor - bleeding to death." His breath hitched; looking at the collapsed bridge outside - bursting with flames across the decimated tower. Entire buildings shredded to rubble; no roof was on the top of the tower - only Ozpin's office remained on a stack of floors.
It would have been an intriguing sight - Ren noted - before gazing back at the girl in his arms. He kept speaking; only for a shaking finger toon his lips.
Ruby Rose - the girl who had hopes - the girl who wanted to save everyone - was dying because of his failure.
"It's fine, Renny. We did it, ding dong, the mean witch is dead." The girl in question smiled; before whimpering - gazing at her bloody wounds. He could still hear her screams of pain from before - as Lie Ren slaughtered everything that came in his way.
Yet, he still failed her.
He failed her - her blood was on his hands.
"But it's my fault, Ruby. It still is. It always will be-" Ruby glared at him, blood trickling down her arms, before Ren gave a weak chuckle. "Seriously, Ruby? You're glaring at me - as you die - because I'm the one who's stating the obvious?" Ruby shook her head; before biting her hand to suppress screams of pain - Lie Ren rocked her; trying to soothe her.
Ruby reached into her pockets; before getting a cookie. She snapped it in half - putting the one half into his hands. Ren almost dropped it; he would have if it weren't for the look that Ruby gave him.
A look of sadness; only to be returned with a smile.
"Don't worry, Ren. We did it - we were here - and now we've made the world better."
Ruby's face paled - noticing the blood trailing down onto the carpet.
"Ruby, look at me." She paused; still glaring at him - before her eyes widened at the tears forming in Ren's eyes. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to fail. I didn't want to fail - and I did-" Ruby shushed him; before a cracked voice made him widen his eyes. He noticed the grip on his wrists; his eyes widened - looking at the smiling girl.
"I forgive you."
Ren shook his head: "No, Ruby. I failed to save you - you're dying because I failed to save you. You can't just forgive me-!"
"I forgive you."
Then, to Ren's horror, he couldn't feel anything from her fist.
"DAMMIT!" The man shouted; throwing his weapon - the loyal Stormflower - across the floor. The weapon tilted; before falling down into the flames below.
A cacophony of silence struck the tower; Ren sobbed - his world becoming darker. The lights were dying; only violent flames covered the battlefield. The tower was being overcome with flames - he limped upwards - feeling nothing as he barely lifted Ruby in his arms.
He stood upwards; looking at the world around him - a glistening show of darkness, blood and warfare.
"This is goodbye, everyone."
Ren looked at the Grimm below them; being consumed by the fire and the darkness. The darkness was spreading from the bridge - covering everything - consuming everything in its grasp.
"Thank you, guys. But, I don't think there's anything to live for."
Tears escaped his eyes.
Ren jumped.
Even more screams; the fire becomes worse.
Life is eradicating itself from Earth; the destruction too much.
The Grimm are screaming; life and death raging across the lands; in an attempt for dominance.
A third player enters the chess board - destroying the pieces - obliterating the players.
All there is now; is darkness.
Darkness - seeping through the cracks - haunting the light.
The genesis of a universe dismantled; a revolution.
What's common between Atlas and Earth?
They were both decimated through revolution - but built through the act of creation.
Promises will never break - if they're never made - but the guilt will always be there.
Screams haunted the dark.
Then, the winds howled.
A soul was within the darkness.
Then, energy exploded around the area - light engulfing the soul.
A smiling woman gazed at the soul in the background - tears dripping down her eyes.
It was strange when the soul itself tried to reach her.
But it failed.
~NDWFOS~ Never Dance With Feelings Of Sundade ~NDWFOS~
(Part III)
Jaune's POV
Jaune was standing on the ground - walking out of the Bullhead. He was wondering if this was a postmortem dream; a rather vivid one. Jaune was hurling in an unfortunate bin. He thought the vomit was stopping - though the faintness returned every time he suspected so. Jaune wiped the vomit from his mouth; coughing.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Crocea Mors was at his hips - shining in the light. 'Welcome back to Beacon; Arc. It's been a while.' Jaune was walking to where the noise originated - from - with black pathways; luxurious gardens; with white paths filled with marble. Jaune had noticed that there was a lonely girl - a large sniper rifle on her hip.
Ruby Rose.
The Arc took a deep breath - lest he let his tears run down his cheeks; ruining the situation. He noticed that the girl was sighing - breathing in a soft pattern. The girl mumbled, talking about Beacon - sadness etched into her voice. Jaune was biting into his hand; remembering the girl before him.
'Could he do it? Could he go up to her and speak to her once again?'
Jaune turned to walk away; before listening to the mumbling. He gritted his teeth - battling within himself - before giving a sigh. Jaune's expression turned from a frown into a little smile. He walked towards the girl; tapping down on the group with Crocea Mors' hilt pointing downwards: "You know; lying down onto the ground will not change anything. Need help?"
Ruby looked at the boy before him; grabbing his hand: "Heh. Yes, please." Ruby adjusted her sniper rifle - one of purest crimson - before hurling it on her shoulder. She darted her eyes away - to look at the trees near her. Jaune chuckled - before shrugging: "The name's Jaune Arc - short, sweet, nice on the tongue. I'm sure the ladies love it," Ruby raised an eyebrow - chuckling, "Especially the tongue."
Ruby's face went red; almost like as if steam was about to leave her ears; before coughing: "Ruby Rose," the girl twitched, "it's nice to meet you." The two were within an uncomfortable silence; before Jaune asked: "Say, do you like weapons?"
Suddenly Ruby grew brighter - smiling as she talked: "Of course! You've seen this girl of mine? Crescent Rose? She's a sniper fused with a scythe! You know how unbelievable the other weapons ar-?" Jaune laughed - rubbing the back of his head: "Ruby! I get it; we both like weapons. Anyway, my sword is Crocea Mors - a classic - but I adore sniper rifles and swords." Both of them smiled - before laughing at the situation.
"So, you're that fifteen-year-old who got invited to Beacon, right? Fighting against Roman Torchwick?" Jaune noticed the small frown on her face when he asked; with Ruby sighing: "That was impressive; you must be a solid fighter."
Ruby shook her head - before chuckling: "I'm not special - Jaune. I'm just Ruby Rose."
"Oh? Well, in that case, everyone's normal here. You need not worry about being put on a pedestal with me."
Jaune and Ruby walked into the room - a place with various windows. He noticed how dark it had been; which was surprising? Considering it felt like daytime a few moments ago. How long have they been talking? He looked at Ruby with a questioning look; she chuckled awkwardly hiding in her hood:
It was time to sleep; he supposed.
Ruby and Jaune walked into their respective changing rooms; before going into their sleepwear. Ruby appeared a few minutes later - walking over to her sister; talking about the usual things. Ruby was blushing over the teasing of her sister; who was chuckling? Then, people seemed to gasp in shock; raising their hands to their mouths - or whisper around someone.
Jaune had returned; with nothing on his chest; other than a sash. He was wearing his pyjamas from before - but he had forgotten to unpack - so he would deal with the pieces he possessed - staffed in his small bag.
He couldn't help but notice the staring, this time around. 'Odd, I didn't know I was a topic of interest in the previous run. Then again - I was oblivious - my fault.' Jaune shrugged; before phasing out to stare at the fractured moon.
Then, he blinked.
"Jaune, over here!" Ruby called over the hall - embarrassed over the shouting - Jaune walked over - spotting Ruby waving for him. Shrugging, he wore his usual grin, before looking at Ruby and her sister, Yang.
Memories of the past spurred into his mind; but he forced them back. For a second, Jaune was showing a world of memories and pain - the expressions of suffering gone the next. Yang's eyes seemed to narrow in suspicion - before they went back to to normal. Jaune spoke: "Well, Ruby; I think I'm grateful for you calling me over. It's an absolute pain having people stare at you." Yang looked at him with a smirk; giving him a nod in sympathy.
"Many people stare at things all the time; it's nothing." Jaune chuckled at Ruby's withering look. "Anyway, the name's Yang Xiao-Long. I'm this weapon fanatic's sister." Ruby turned to stare at her sister; blushing in embarrassment: "She's embarrassed; you won't do anything to her, right?" Yang gave the fixated look; the one she always gave to those who seemed suspicious.
It was a shame that Jaune had to work from this level - again: "It's fine; I'd be the same in this situation. Anyways, the name's Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, nice on the tongue. Ladies love it." Ruby covered her face; as it became red. "Especially the tongue." Yang snorted at the boy - only to chuckle at her sister's face: "Do they?"
Yang leaned forward with one leg; grinning at Jaune - who grinned back: 'I've played this game before, Yang Xiao-Long. Let's see Xiao-Long you'll hold out." Jaune's face turned into a shit-eating grin; nodding at them: "Though; I always suspected it was because of the tongue. I swear, I have tinnitus because of it."
Yang ended up bursting with laughter - with Ruby attempting to scratch at her face - embarrassed: "Oh my god." She laughed making the rest of the audience curious: "That was a ballsy move on your part; Vomit Boy. You're quite impressive."
"Oh?" Jaune chuckled. "I was defeated in that compartment by Yang Xiao-Long."
"Is that so?" Yang snorted - stepping forward to put an emphasis on her figure: "I suppose I can't blame you for looking; don't gaze too much. Say, Ruby, did he attempt to use that same line on you?"
Jaune smirked; with Ruby covering her cheeks with her hands: "I suppose it was because the both of you are in the same situation; you're both beautiful."
Yang leaned onto her sister, grabbing both of her shoulders, grinning: "Beautiful?" Yang smirked, "I presume it's because you've noticed something about us?"
"Indeed."
Yang's face turned into a shit-eating grin; Ruby was coughing as she attempted to fan her face with her hands: "Oh? Please don't end up attempting to have a threesome." Red dissolved into a mass of red at this, the people listening in held their breathes, "You might end up biting more than you can chew."
"I'm afraid 'attempting' is the wrong word to use, Yang. It'd be an absolute Yangbang."
For a moment, he swore that nobody was breathing around them - at least the people in the hearing distance were.
Ruby looked dead.
Yang guffawed for a moment - then there was silence.
Yang seemed to think for a moment: "Wait, are you being serious?"
"What - I see something I like."
Yang tapped his chest quickly: "Hey, buddy - that's a bit too far - don't you think? What, you see something you like?" Yang gestured to Ruby - and then herself. She gave Jaune a warning look; he noticed that her hair was becoming brighter. It was fluctuating; becoming brighter and then darker.
Then, it remained the same colour.
Jaune smirked. "Yes."
A book cracked shut; before the reader in question stared so hard that Jaune could feel the stare. It was like staring at a dart board; except every single point was equal to that of a death-stare: 'That was a shit pun, Jaune. Well done - I couldn't be more proud. Wait, I'm Jaune.' Jaune did a psychological face palm.
Ruby was attempting to breathe; Jaune could hear her panicking. "But then again, it'd be an eyesore not to notice."
Then, there was a cacophony of silence.
Ruby was still trying to breathe.
Yang guffawed.
She did - she kept laughing. Every single person in the hall heard her laughing; before pressing her hand on Jaune's shoulder with a smirk on her face, her face was slowly turning red.
Yang guffawed: "You know, we will be amazing friends - I hope to god you're my partner." Jaune laughed - having a blush on his face from the conversation; laughing even more at Ruby's face.
"Indeed, Yang. I believe we're going to be great friends."
Ruby was catatonic.
"You too, Red Riding Hood."
Ruby fainted!
Ruby went to the nearest Ruby Health Centre.
It wasn't effective.
~NDWFOS~ Never Dance With Feelings Of Sundade ~NDWFOS~
Part IV
Unknown POV:
The woman gazed at her brother; her eyes widening. They looked at each other - with a silence that permeated the bar; their drinks empty to the brim.
"My semblance is sensing something. A massive dimension fluctuation - it faded."
Qrow's eyes widened - before nodding. He had a sip from his flask.
"Is this because of your over-powered semblance-!"
Raven phased out of the room with a portal.
Silence reigned in the bar.
He didn't have enough time to deal with this shit.
"I'll alert Ozpin and James."
~NDWFOS~ Never Dance With Feelings Of Sundade ~NDWFOS~
Part V
Jaune's POV:
Jaune was cursing - as of the moment.
He had forgotten, once again, where he had put his equipment - a curse that struck at him once again. Jaune was shaking his head in frustration; chuckling a few moments later at his predicament. 'Of all the things I'd keep,' Jaune mulled, 'It would be my nickname and the ability to forget numbers.' Jaune was sighing - before shrugging.
He knew where this would go: Jaune was walking over - mulling over things in his head - before bumping into someone.
He knew who they were; Pyrrha Nikos and Weiss Schnee. Jaune gathered himself in his head - stopping himself from being irrational. It was hard to adapt to the situation as of late; but he couldn't afford to make mistakes.
Not when he was making friends, again.
He noticed Weiss blabbering on about how Pyrrha and her would be a decent team - she was correct. Weiss was an intelligent person; even more so once she put the stick out of her arse and acted decently. Pyrrha was a strong person - to where it took ages to get as good as her. It was a shame she died - murdered by a disgusting fool...
'No, I need to calm down.' Jaune breathed in and out - thinking - before going back to the situation; knowing what he would say. Then, Jaune bowled into someone - his eyes widening - before apologising to the person: "My apologies," Jaune held out his hand, "I didn't mean to go into you!"
Jaune's eyes widened at who it was - Weiss. The Ice Queen, herself. Jaune's eyes became weary - releasing a sigh that only Pyrrha could hear. He could feel the awkwardness getting to him - with people staring at him for bumping into the girl. Weiss sneered - slapping Jaune's hand away from her, lifting herself up: "Watch where you're going - you fool!"
Jaune sighed - shaking her head at Pyrrha - who understood and covered her mouth with a suppressed chuckle: "Again, I apologise for my actions - I hope you can forgive me."
Weiss shook her head: "I hope you can forgive me," she repeated, "What kind of idiot are you? Do you know who I am?"
Pyrrha stepped into the fray, looking at them both: "Now, you two," Jaune winced at the sound of her voice, "It's not a good idea to start a fight here."
Weiss looked at Pyrrha - before glaring at Jaune: "It doesn't matter; this boy should be respectful of his betters." Weiss crossed her arms - looking away with a sigh of exasperation: "But, I suppose I can forgive you for knocking into me." Weiss was still dusting her dress - making sure it was immaculate.
"As I was saying - I apologise. My name's Jaune Arc; I was looking for my locker - it wasn't as successful as I hoped it'd be." Jaune shrugged; with Pyrrha sighing in relief over how he didn't stare at her like an obsessed fan. Jaune looked at Weiss - who was glaring at him with the "Weiss Stare", as Jaune used to call it.
"Well, in that case, it was fortunate that I didn't hurt two normal girls." Jaune sighed. "Farewell; I'll see you soon." Weiss looked at Pyrrha - before grabbing his shoulder. Jaune gave her a curious look: "What's wrong now?" Jaune's voice gave off a tinge of exasperation - it was nothing compared to the panic inside of his own head.
The bombardment of memories wasn't a pleasant venture - nor was it one that he'd like to deal with so soon.
"I am not a normal girl." Jaune's eyebrows raised in curiosity. Weiss's glare turned into a look of agitation: "I am Weiss Schnee - Of The Schnee Dust Corporation!" Pyrrha sighed in exasperation; tapping her locker whilst waiting for the conversation to end horrendously: "How dare you-!"
Jaune gave her a curious frown - before speaking: "Do you think I care?" Weiss' eyes widened; before narrowing. She sneered at the boy who spoke again: "You're a normal girl - she's a normal girl - everyone's a normal person. Do I need to know about any other normal people-" He paused.
Then, there was a quiet sigh: "I don't care about your family; I don't care if you're a Schnee. I wouldn't care if your parents ended up stopping a war with a gang-bang pun." Jaune frowned; before smirking: "But, if your family IS into the gang-bang business-" The boy then heard a sound.
Weiss hissed at the boy: "I am not normal. My family manages one of the biggest companies in any of the four countries - in Remnant! I am a Schnee! We're not interested in gangbangs with the typical people-!" Weiss blushed in frustration; before pinching the bridge of her nose: "You know what I mean; my family's company is the biggest dust supplier on Remnant - we're better than most people, period! We're known as the Schnees!"
Jaune smirked at Pyrrha - who already looked like she was cracking: "What's a Schnee?"
Weiss groaned in anger - the surrounding people snickering: "What's a Schnee?" Weiss parroted: "Surely, you know what the SDC is?"
Jaune nodded - before smirking. "It's well-known for its questionable Faunus Worker Rights system; and known for being arrogant arseholes." Pyrrha was covering her hand, trying not to laugh. Weiss looked as if she was about to die of high blood pressure: "Speaking of which, the rumours weren't ill-found."
Jaune was smirking; though he felt guilty: 'The first major action I do after fighting Cinder - and it involves insulting Weiss.' Pyrrha noticed that Jaune was feeling guilty; with Weiss not noticing in her anger: "How... How dare you...!" Weiss pointed at Pyrrha - developing a look of exasperation from that action: "Do you know who she is?"
Jaune gave Pyrrha a look of scrutiny - who was fidgeting because of the look. Jaune shrugged: "Nope." He emphasised the 'p' sound of the word - agitating Weiss even more.
"She's the four time champion of the Mistral Regional Tournament! A record-breaker!"
"Who cares?"
"She's won so many battles she's hailed as one of the strongest huntresses of her age!"
"Who cares?"
"Do you have any idea what's she done?"
"Has she written a book about the lovely things you can do in a gang-bang?"
"No!" Weiss screamed; Jaune coughed, his face became red. Pyrrha being throttled by the challenge of trying not to laugh; it was a laughable contest of wills.
"Is she a champion for explaining what a gang-bang is?"
"Oh my god - please - just admit that you know her!" Weiss put her head against the walls. Pyrrha laughed; clapping as Jaune chuckled: 'If only I was this confident in the original timeline.' Jaune sighed - then spoke: "Yes, I know her."
Pyrrha looked disappointed and Weiss seemed to be relieved: "She's the girl sitting next to you!"
Pyrrha chortled as Weiss screamed in frustration.
Jaune became hysterical.
Codex Of Philosophies
Jaune Arc's Philosophy
People show who they are when they experience death - facing it when I fought Cinder changed me.
Perhaps, it was how this idea that I could save everyone - only to fail - that changed me.
For a few moments, I thought it wasn't worth it to talk to Ruby; to be there for everyone - but I changed my mind.
That was what Salem would've wanted - what Cinder might've wanted.
I always said an Arc never breaks a promise; that a stranger is always a potential friend.
Meeting Cinder - the death of Pyrrha - and the death of my friends made me realise something:
I'm not worthy of the Arc name.
But, to the others, I'm still an Arc - so I can't change that.
Ignorance is bliss - I suppose.
So, even though I will never be a true Arc, I'll be there for them
I'll set everything right.
I don't need promises to set it right.
You can change people with words.
But, you can change the world with actions.
Author's Note:
I wrote this as an antagonist co-op time-travel fanfic because I haven't seen any time-travel RWBY fanfics that pull this off. I mean, legitimate "we're doing this to save you all" protagonists that blur the lines between heroes and villains. Not because it was for a loved one (partially the reason), or a family member, it was just because they NEEDED to do these things.
I was wondering about how a hero protagonist would pull it off - and I thought that they'd think that being a "good guy" wasn't enough to save everyone. So, here we are, we're pulling the time-travel format into a different direction than most time-travel RWBY fanfics.
I chose 'Silver Birches' in the title because, in Celtic mythology, they symbolise new beginnings and protection. I felt it would be fitting if those new beginnings were a bit different than usual - and the protagonists ended up protecting people in unorthodox ways.
Reviews are awesome!