Author's note:

So I've been toying with this idea. It's pretty much just RWBY but the Grimm are gigantic Kaiju like beasts and huntsman and huntresses are pilots of gigantic mechs called Jaegers. Pretty much pacific rim in RWBY essentially.

Once again I do now own the rights to these franchises so please don't sue.

Project Jaeger

Prologue

"Hey Miss Arc?"

Her intercom buzzed away as she still continued to tap away at the keys.

"Miss Arc?"

She was almost at a breakthrough. The story was practically writing itself! All she had to do was listen for the words and jot them down. Her mom always did say out of all her children she was the best listener.

"Marie!"

Oh for the love of…

"Erik, I'm in the middle of a breakthrough story here! Can't this wait?!" The twenty eight year old reporter grimaced in frustration. The tagline on her computer screen blinked 'The Schnee Company, Can They Be Trusted?!'

"... Look I get burning the midnight oil and everything, and I'd really hate to disturb you but you've got a visitor," the security guard replied.

A visitor?

Marie Arc glanced on the kinetic clock her coworkers had given her for her birthday. Thanks for nothing, Cynthia. It read 10:12 PM.

"Erik it's close to fifteen minutes after ten." Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she rubbed her temple.

"That's what I told him Ma'am."

"And?"

It couldn't be anyone she knew. Out of all her sisters Marie was never the socialite. Her work required her to work behind the scenes, to tell the stories of people, not be the story itself.

That was the journalist's rule number one.

"He says he insist."

"Look if he says his name is Kalvin tell him that was a one time thing. He knew that, I knew that. We're both moving on."

"I don't think-"

"Is it my landlord? Because I totally paid everything in full for the last six months now I mean what does a girl gotta do to-"

"... Please Miss Arc just a moment of your time."

Instantly she recognized that voice.

And already she would have prefered Kalvin. At least she knew how she felt about the guy.

She laid back casually against her swivel chair, her messy blonde hair adorning the leather headrest, carefully assessing her feelings. She wanted to take a smoke.

Smoking always calmed her nerves and helped her think, but she had been clean for about three months and now and she promised to keep it that way. And Arcs always keep their words.

Damn it.

Stupid smoke-hating sisters.

Stupid Arc tradition.

Erik's familiar voice came back on. "Miss Arc?" She must have been silent for some time now.

"...Send him up, Erik." She sighed, hoping she wouldn't regret the decision.

"Thank you, Marie."

Don't thank me yet.

Her thoughts were going a million miles a minute, trying to figure out the words to speak with the man. She turned to stare at a framed article above her desk, one of the very first stories she had ever published. The headline read "Hero Twins Save the Day! Crushes the Grimm!" while the image of two smiling faces, blonde and blue eyed, looked at her with assuring grins that said "Everything was going to be okay. We're here now."

You have a lot to answer for, Professor Ozpin.

"Tea?" she offered.

Marie was never one for entertaining guests but she heard it was the polite thing to do.

"No, but thank you." The gentleman who sat in front of her smiled.

"Oh thank God," she sighed in relief. "I don't have any, and frankly I can't stand the stuff." She was quick to point to her prefered beverage as the pot was just freshly brewed. "I do have some coffee."

"...Now that I will take you up on, Miss Arc, for it is the nectre of the gods."

Now there was something unexpected. In all of the interviews she had read about the man no where near did any of them has stated that Ozpin was a coffee lover.

She poured him a cup.

"How do you want it?" She asked curiously.

"Black is fine. I don't want to dilute the taste. You can tell who knows their coffee by smelling it's base form." The older man smiled warmly as he pulled up the mug up to his nose, taking a slight whiff in the process. "And you my dear, know your coffee quite well."

"Thank you." Truthfully she cared little about his opinion on her taste in coffees but it was good to know she could serve a decent coffee cup. "Congratulations on the win, by the way, Professor." She pulled up an article online and spun her monitor for her guest to see. "Malorie wrote a very convincing piece on you and the general. The girl might be new but she has some talent. In any case I'm sure keeping the Jaeger program alive must be a wonderful victory for you."

"It's a victory for all of us, Miss Arc. The Jaeger program works. It keeps the Grimm out."

"I'm sure." She wasn't going to argue with him on that but her patience for small talk was hitting its limit.

"Now what you brings you here to my office, Professor? I mean let's cut the bullshit, okay? I'm pretty sure it wasn't my amazing coffee brewing skills that brought you here at 10:15 in the evening."

The gray haired man once again politely smiled. She hated that. Despite being over the age of forty, Ozpin didn't look a day past his late twenties. His gray hair might have given his age away but he still held a roguishly handsome face, his youth further accented by the boyish grin.

Handsome men always made Marie leary.

Handsome faces often hid ugly truths.

"Bold and frank. The stories are true about you, Miss Arc."

"Marie's fine. Miss Arc is my older sister, Joan," she corrected. "Besides in my line of work, Professor, it helps to be blunt. No one wants to tell the truth so they butter things up and cover the story by adding in more unnecessary detail. It's my job to cut out the unnecessary fat so I can show people the meat of the story, the things that matter most."

"An excellent viewpoint for a journalist."

"The only viewpoint for a journalist." Her hazel eyes met his intelligent but tired brown ones. "So… I'm going to ask again. What can I do for you, Professor Ozpin?"

"How is he?" He asked simply, the tone in his voice was like that of one inquiring about an old friend.

Somehow she knew her brother was going to be brought up. "He's doing okay, I guess. Better now that he is away from your clutches."

The elder gentleman raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, sorry those were my sister, Olivia's words." Maybe a little bit of mine.

"Marie, I am terribly sorry for the loss your family has been through…"

"Are you? Are you really, Professor?"

She doubted him, even of this simple sincerity. The genius mind behind the Jaeger program was never known to be an affectionate man. She had difficulty in believing he could feel empathy, or anything for that matter.

"Marie… I'm not going to pretend I know how much pain your family is in. And as selfish as it may be I pray I never have to. But what your brother and sister did… truly it was one of the most heroic moments I have ever cared to witness. They're heroes."

Marie thought her inquisitive nature would be enough to let it slide, but she found she cared more about the subject than she initially thought, as her fists started trembling.

Rule number two of being a journalist was never to get close to the story.

Yet how could she not?

The man was talking as if HE had been the one who had made the sacrifice.

"Oh yes, I know all about heroes. I printed the story remember?" She angrily opened her desk and flopped down a worn and used article. The bold words read Fallen Angel of Vale 'Crocea Mors' Battles Valiantly Against Grimm Ambush while the photograph showed a badly damaged white and gold tinted mechanized titan lying down against the cold snow. It was missing a limb and the head piece had almost come clean off. They were signs of a major battle for the Jaeger.

For her the article was an old wound, one she had thought she was finally getting over.

"The world got its heroes… but all we wanted was our brother and sister back." She said bitterly, surprised at how emotional she was getting.

The professor had no words for her. She knew she was just being vindictive and it was unbecoming of her as an unbiased journalist but feelings ran deep.

"They should never have been alone for that mission. Despite that, Jaune and Louise saved everyone's lives that day." She repeated. "But my brother has never been the same since and Louise… " She had to pause. "...Do you know what it's like to bury your younger sister?"

God damn it, she could really use a smoke. She didn't know how much more she could take before her eyes became teary.

The older man adjusted the glasses on his face as he gave a sympathetic look before slowly standing up. "I'm so sorry. This was a mistake."

This whole world is a mistake. What kind of god allows gigantic monsters to exist?

"No…" Marie held in her grief, for it all had already come to pass. No used crying over spilled milk. "No I'm projecting here. It's not everyday you meet people from a forgotten past. You came to me for a reason and here I am just raving at you like you're the only bad guy in this place. So please… sit."

He looked at her for a moment, unsure of what to do at first, but eventually found himself sitting down nonetheless.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me." The intrepid reporter blew an irritating bang that fell out of place. "Thank my parents for raising us Arcs with sickeningly sweet manners." She beckoned with her hand. "Alright, let's hear it."

"I won't beat around the bush than, Marie. I need to know where your brother is."

"Jaune? Why would-"

It only took her a second to placed two and two together. The revived Jaeger program. Her survivor of a brother.

Of course they wanted him.

"...You know he'll never pilot for you again, right? My brother is done."

"With all due respect, Marie, I want to hear Jaune say it himself."

The balls on this man…

Well if he was going to be stubborn about it.

She sighed as she reluctantly wrote down an address for him. "It's your funeral, Oz."

"Jaune!"

"Gah!" He shot himself awake as he tumbled down from his mattress. The room was dim except for the hallway lights illuminating from the cracks of his door. The blaring sound of his alarm played on like one like a broken dying record, the time reading 5:12 AM.

"Guhhhh… But It's so early…" he murmured.

"No buts, lazy bones. The day is starting. Get up and have breakfast and then come help set up the shop. We've got a busy day ahead of us," his sister Olivia announced their schedule for the day.

At twenty two years old Jaune felt like a bum living off of his older sister's place but it was marginally better than going back home. What had been supposed to be temporary ended up being a little bit more permanent for Jaune as he liked Olivia's no nonsense attitude and hands off approach from his other sisters. The only thing she had asked of him was the occasional help he provided for her shop. Which was convenient for both of them since he lived literally on the top floor of the store.

The aromas of baked goodness filled and scented the air, causing Jaune's stomach to grumble. "Hmm… Fresh bagels…"

The woman may be one of the toughest gals he'd ever known in life but damn could Olivia bake like no other. It was as if she was put on Remnant to be the goddess of muffins and baguettes.

Well time was a wasting. He turned on his lights and made due with his typical morning routine. A cold shower, brushing his teeth, slight grooming wherever needed, some random shirt and top it all off with his favorite jacket and jeans. He took once last look in the mirror for a final glance before being satisfied, however a gleaming object that hung by his bookcase caught his attention. Darn old thing was shining against the bathroom light.

He took two steps forward, his fingers already reaching out for it.

It was small and tiny in his hands but it held so much weight.

The medal of valor.

Such a cheap trinket… but something he would have been proud of had it not been for the price he paid.

"No… no, We're not thinking about that again." He was over it - it had been four years since than, which was more than enough time to grieve and come to terms.

He had no idea what possessed him to leave such a trinket out but Jaune was quick to put it back into a drawer.

It was best kept inside a drawer, secret and forgotten.

Like that part of his life.

Now…

Now… he was Jaune Arc.

Baker's apprentice.

"Welcome to Arc's bakery! Short, Sweet, rolls off the tongue!" was the battlecry of the morning and the war to sell bread continued to rage on.

Bagels, muffins, donuts, sandwiches, and coffee were the ammunition while himself, Olivia and her small kitchen staff were the battle hardened squad who had stepped right into the middle of a breakfast-filled warzone.

"Jaune another tray of croissants, please!" Olivia yelled out.

"Got it!" he answered.

"Olivia, we're short on the glazed donuts!"

"On it!" Might as well, he was getting more of the croissants anyway.

And the orders kept coming but by now Jaune was used to the pace. In fact he enjoyed the somewhat controlled chaos of the morning rush.

Slowly but surely he was getting to know the locals. Mrs. Wyte enjoyed her coffee black. Old man Warren was a sucker for the chocolate donuts. The mailman Terry always came with a smile and would leave with a dozenful of the hazelnut croissants.

He was quietly building an identity past being Olivia's little brother and the neighborhood was more than willing to accept him for it.

"Busy getting whipped again, Jaune?" Mrs. Wyte grinned past her coffee mug.

"You know it, Mrs. W." He winked back as he balanced two trays of fresh baked delicious goodness.

"Don't let Olivia push you too hard, Jaune. Newbie hazing is never a fun working environment." Terry chimed in his concern with a friendly laugh.

"Aw, don't let my sister hear you say that, Terry. She can and will cut you off from the goods."

The usual morning banter. When he had first arrived he hadn't know how to react to the locals teasing but over time it began to feel familiar and pretty soon he was taking it like the best of them.

He liked this place.

He liked his job.

Who knows, maybe it could eventually fill the hole that was his old life.

He was more than willing to play to that fantasy. Until he heard a familiar voice.

"My good man, I'd like some coffee. Black, preferably."

"You got it uh-"

No way.

It just wasn't possible.

But here he was in the flesh. And there was no mistaking the figure that stood across the counter from him. Those intelligent eyes and proud stature could only belong to one man.

"Oz? Professor Ozpin?"

The older man gave a smile meant for an old friend. "It's been a long time, Jaune." Ozpin raised his right hand for a courteous greeting.

"Wha- how- I mean…"

Jaune shook his head, clearing his confusion. This was no way to greet an old friend and mentor after all these years.

"... It's good to see you too, Professor." He took the proffered hand and gave it a hearty shake.

"So… a Bakery. Quite a charming place." Oz smiled as they finished their handshake. He subtly pointed with his cane. "Your idea, I presume?"

"Nah. I wouldn't be able to cut it here. Turns out it's a cutthroat business, the doughy world of bakery." Jaune smirked. "This is all Olivia's baby. Always said she wanted to open one of her own someday. Dreams can come true, you know. I just help out where I'm needed."

The genius behind the Jaeger program couldn't help but smile at Jaune's words. "You always have, Jaune. Listen I-"

"Jaune! Hey, what's keeping you? We got more baked goods that need to be brought to the front."

Oh shit!

"It's Olivia, " he hastily murmured. "She can't see you here. She'd tear you a new one." He hurriedly went around the counter and continued to guide the Professor out. "Uh, I'm taking a ten, Sis! I need to breathe a little."

"Oh for the love of- Fine! Ten and no more!" he heard her voice from the back loud and clear.

"So what is this about, Oz?" Jaune had led them to a park nearby and they now found themselves sitting at a comfortable bench, despite the presence of numerous pigeons cooing round their feet. "I mean not that I don't think it's cool of you to visit but you've never once came to see me before. Why now? What changed?"

"Well, for one it's not like it was easy. Your family makes contacting you a little… difficult to say the least."

Jaune shrugged. "Could you blame them, though?"

Oz looked at him and reluctantly sighed. "No, of course not. They have every right to be mad at me."

"If it's any consolation, Prof, you know it was my call just as much as yours. I don't blame you one bit for it."

Jaune loved his family but sometimes their love for him tended to cloud their judgement for the worse. He was just as much to be blamed for the incident but they acted like Oz was in the wrong, and Jaune was innocent.

He hated that.

Louise wouldn't have let them. She would have spoken up her mind by now.

But she wasn't here.

And he wasn't her.

"Thank you, Jaune… as for the reason why I am here." He pulled out a brochure which certainly caught the blonde man's attention. "Have a look."

Jaune reluctantly took the small pamphlet and glanced at it's content. "This is Beacon Academy… But I thought you were being shut down."

"Were. Not anymore. In fact we are getting more support than ever, my boy. The Grimm are growing bolder, stronger. A new one appears almost every month and we have no idea why, but the one constant thing that has shown results are the Jaegers. To fight monsters-"

"- You need to become a monster," Jaune finished Ozpin's favorite quote. How could he forget? It was ingrained into his brain the moment he had stepped into Beacon's doors. And what better way to describe the towering behemoths known as Jaegers. "So what has this got to do with me?"

"Jaune… I know I'm not asking this lightly of you but please listen and think about it. I… no, we want you back in."

"...what?"

There was no way Oz just said that.

"Oz, you know I can't do that...I can't be in a Jaeger anymore."

Broken.

That's what he had been. He lost more than just a twin sister that day. He lost a part of himself.

And that took out all of the fight in him. A Jaeger pilot who couldn't fight, well… that was just no pilot at all.

"Jaune… You and Louise were zero drift compatible. Do you realize what the percentile chance of people like you exist?"

"I'm going to take a chance and say less than zero?"

"...less than .0000017 percent."

"Huh. Could have fooled me, Prof." Humor was his one defense when he felt uncomfortable.

"Jaune… you can still pilot. Zero drift means you can meld with anyone. My boy…" Ozpin placed a confident hand on his shoulder. "... you were destined to be a Jaeger Pilot."

"I… I can't. Not after that day. I can't let anyone else in my head. Not after Louise. I can still feel her to this day. Do you know what that's like?!" He stood up, he felt like he had to lest he fell into another depressed state. He was just beginning to get other his ordeal and now Oz came back and dropped a bomb on him. "Like… like…"

"...like a part of you is missing still," Oz finished for him.

"So how can you ask this of me, despite knowing all that?" Jaune eyed the mysterious headmaster of Beacon.

"...I'm not asking you to do something you don't want to Jaune. I'm not even asking you to be a pilot. But with your experience you can set a fine example for the new set of pilots to come."

"Like what? An Instructor of sort? Don't you have plenty of those already?"

"Please… Just think about it, Jaune." It was Oz's turn to stand and look at his friend and former colleague. "We all fall Jaune. It's what we do afterwards that matters. All we can do is move forward." He placed a card in Jaune's hands. "Think on what really matters to you, Jaune Arc."

It was twenty past midnight and all Jaune could do was sit awake in the dark thinking of Ozpin's words. He wasn't blind. He knew the dire state Remnant was in. The Grimm threat was getting more and more out of hand. True, Jaeger pilots were rare to begin with but their numbers were slowly dwindling.

What was a former pilot to do?

"...What do you think I should do, Louise?" he asked the darkness.

No response was given but he felt a pull from the recesses of his mind.

...Do what you always do best, Jaune. Be a hero.

He didn't know when it had happened, but the medal of valor he had been ashamed of was directly in the palm of his hands, the gold glint seemed to shine regardless of the void of the dark.

Jaune rose suddenly, something in him compelled him to move from his bed to his closet and there he was. He slid open the door and rummaged through his belongings till he found what he was looking for. He breathed in, remembering the smell and feel of his old bomber jacket. Embroided on the back were the twin crescent moons and the proud words displaying the name "Crocea Mors." Out of nostalgia and fondness he placed it on.

And it felt as comfortable as the first time he had ever worn it.

He looked at the mirror and had to glance at himself.

Louise always did say that he looked best with the jacket on.

Makes you look like you got more shoulders on you, and you're way less scrawny.

He smiled at the memory.

Could he do this? ...Could he go back to the world he left behind?

Could he do this without Louise?

I'm never apart from you, brother. I'm always with you.

Somehow just imagining those words from Louise made his eyes all watery.

Right there and then, Jaune Arc knew his answer.

Additional Author's note:

So what do you guys think? Something we can work with? I dunno who to pair Jaune up with later. Considering he is zero drift compatible he can pretty much link with anyone. So please vote on your favorite Jaune pairings. It would definitely help sway where I'm going with the story.