Hey guys. This a little something I threw together. This story will explore why Jaune knew so little of Aura and Huntsmen in general. I thought it was a little weird that He comes from a family of heroes yet knew little about being a huntsmen. Also Team CFVY will be featured and played with in this fic as they are really obscure characters. Also ships will happen.
Volume 4 is going on right now so this fic will deviate from that. This is like a Alternate story of what Jaune did after Pyrrha diedEnjoy!
Barrier Knight: Yeldale Arc Part 1: Returning Home
Power comes with practice. Skill is achieved through hours of hard work. He knew that, he firmly believed in that. Hard work could transform a man into something greater. Some were born talented but still had to practice. Some were born into a wealthy family or had parents who knew a trade and could pass on those skills.
He was such a child.
Jaune Arc came from a family of huntsmen. The Arcs. They were famous around remnant. They were all knights, swordsmen. They were renowned for their large pools of aura and swordplay. Some would it genetic; others would say God had graced them with such power. For Jaune neither was the case.
He was always horrible at combat. His form was sloppy; he had a weak constitution and little knowledge on aura. But all of that was not of his choosing.
For some reason his parents refused to teach him how to be a huntsmen. It felt that was unfair considering he had seven other sisters who had learned under their parents. Why was he singled out? He would get his answer today.
It was a few days after Beacon fell and Pyrrha died. He was in sorrow. His best friend and partner had died. She was always so kind to him, one the few people he could actually call friend. When everyone else saw a weakling or an idiot she saw potential. And he would always thank her for it. If only she were here now.
He needed to get stronger. If only he were a little faster or a little more powerful he could have done something. He could have saved Pyrrha. He could have saved Ozpin. He could have saved Beacon. He could have saved the day. That's why he returned to his home. Ren and Nora insisted that they come along. But he told them that he needed to do this alone. They decided to go to Vacuo to perform odd jobs while Jaune went to train.
It was called Yeldale. A town that neighbored Vale. The town served as a hub for scholars and intellectuals. His own mother Honey Arc was a professor. She taught at a local high school. Though with the panic that is sweeping across the world with the fall of Beacon, many schools across the region have been closed. Jaune figured she would be home.
His father was different. His mother Honey was friendly and kind, where much of Jaune's own personality sprung from. But his father Vermillion was the opposite. He was a stoic, hardy individual. He was a military father, having been a huntsmen all his life. Vermillion was a known hero in the Huntsmen community. He had protected Yeldale from a hoard of Grimm during his teen years and graduated from Beacon at the age of nineteen, a whole two years earlier than the average. Least to say Jaune had to live up to.
Jaune had approached his doorstep as memories of his childhood flowed from the depths of his consciousness. The fun times with his sisters, the hard times with his father. No matter how many times Jaune asked to be trained by his father, he was refused. Oddly enough his father wanted Jaune to be a scholar like his mother. He never knew why though.
He gave the door a few knocks as his heart began to pound.
Oh my god. It's been so long since I saw any of them. They are probably pissed. After I forged my transcripts I left without a word. Jaune thought.
He could only imagine the panic he must have put his family through. But he had to be strong and hope that they would forgive him. He needed to know why he wasn't trained. He needed his father's teachings if he was going to improve.
"One moment!" He heard from inside the house.
Jaune's heart sped up. He recognized the voice as his sister Maize. She was a year younger than him at sixteen. She was finishing up her final year at Signal academy.
She opened the door surprised to her brother as he put on his goofy smile. Maize was about five foot eight. She had the trademark yellow hair that they inherited from her mother and blue eyes that belonged to her dad. She had on her armor which was very flashy in Jaune's opinion. It was lightly tented with yellow and it covered her entire form, only leaving her for arms exposed, but they were protected by matching gauntlets, it also had the Arc symbol on her chest plate.
"Hey there sis." Jaune greeted.
"OHMYGOD! Jaune its you!" She screamed snagging him into a bear hug. She was happy to see him as it had been months since she last heard of him.
"I was so worried! Why didn't you tell us you were going to Beacon! You just up and left!" Maize asked punching her brother in the shoulder. She and the rest of her family were surprised that Jaune was accepted into Beacon, he was not a good fighter at all and he lacked a certain hardiness that comes with that.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that sis. That's actually why I'm here. I need to explain a few things as well as get some answers from dad." He explained. "Are all of the girls here?"
"No. I'm the only one here. Everyone else is outside the city." Maize answered. "But that can wait. Come on in, father would love to see you." With that she dragged her brother into the impressive house the was the Arc estate. He doubted that his father would be glad to see him or in a good mood even. Vermilion Arc almost never showed any emotion outside of anger.
The Arc Estate was almost like a mansion. The family had served Remnant for so long as huntsmen that the money they earned accumulated into a generous amount of income. He and Maize walked through different sections of the house, recalling times of their childhood. Jaune looked around at the space he called home. There were old photos and weapons on display of previous Arcs who had left their mark on Remnant. It was a cruel reminder of everything Jaune wasn't and what he wanted to be.
Jaune tried to prepare himself but he couldn't shake the nervousness. His father was not easy to talk to. He doubted trying to explain his forging of his transcripts and stealing Crocea Mors would be easier.
He and his sister walked through the many corridors and approached their father's study.
Jaune hesitated. This was a crucial moment. Facing his father was indeed scary for him but he had to see it through.
He opened the large doors leading into the study. Across the room was a slightly surprised Vermillion Arc. The man was half way through his forties. He had a muscular build and strong jaw line. His hair a was a bright red, his eyes were an icy blue and he was covered in ceremonial robes and chainmail only reserved for the head of the Arc family. He appeared to be doing paperwork of some sort.
Jaune almost lost his tongue as there was a very crippling silence within the study. The silence was broken when Vermilion turned in his chair.
"Well, the prodigal son returns." Vermilion said with distaste turning back to his work, not even acknowledging his son. Jaune cringed at that.
"Uh..hey dad." He manged to muster. This would prove harder than he thought.
"Don't hey Dad me. When were you going to inform us of your departure?" Vermilion asked
"I ..I was planning on telling you, but I was caught up with things." It was the truth. Between the training and missions Jaune had little time.
"Yeah I figured. I heard you're a team leader. HA! You a leader. That's cute." Vermilion insulted. Jaune was a little hurt by the comment. Maize wanted to say something but did not want to earn her father's ire.
"Yeah. I'm the leader-er was the leader of Team JNPR." Jaune struggled to get out.
"Believe me. I know about all your exploits at Ozpins damn school. You were on every TV in Vale when the Vytal Festival was going on. We all saw you fight. It was a pitiful display."
Jaune felt stupid when he heard that. Of course it was televised. His parents saw the whole thing. Hell the whole world saw.
"What!? But we won our fight." Jaune defended recalling his bout with Team BRNZ
"No. Your team won that. All you did was block attacks and bark out orders." Vermilion interjected.
His father had always been like this. Cruel. But only to him. Whenever his sisters made mistakes or acted out they were only reprimanded like other children. Jaune always got it worse. He was never abused physically, but verbally he was Vermilion's punching bag.
"Look dad. I came back to apologize for up and leaving like I did. But I also need you to teach me how to fight." Jaune explained. His father was a powerful huntsmen and he knew how to slay Grimm. Also Jaune wanted to train under his father as a bonding tool. What son didn't want to learn from their dad? Jaune never had that as a kid.
Vermilion was silent, his icy cold eyes staring at his only son. Maize could cut the tension in the room with a butter knife. She hated when her dad messed with Jaune. He never deserved any of it.
Jaune couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Well. Will you please teach me? I'm asking as your son. You taught the girls but you never even acknowledged me." Juane asked solemnly bowing his head.
"….No. You were never meant to be a huntsman." Vermillion answered coldly.
Maize was shocked at that. Jaune, even more so.
"What! WHY!? I'm your son dad. Why won't you help me!? Have I not been a good child? I admit forging my transcripts was bad but I felt like I had no other choice!" Jaune screamed pouring out his frustrations." Being a
Vermillion laughed at the sight of his son on the floor, on his knees.
"This is why. You'd beg like a damn dog. That is not the Arc way. We are strong. THE GREATEST HUNTSMEN IN ALL OF REMNANT! You are the weak link. It is as I said. You were never cut out to be huntsmen!"
Jaune could no longer keep the tears from falling from his eyes. He always heard those words from the occasional bullies he faced throughout his childhood. People always doubted his ability. They would be so surprised that an Arc would be horrible at fighting. But no matter what they said he always forged on.
But hearing those same spirit crushing words come out of his father's mouth hurt more than anything.
Maize felt awful. "Father! How can you say something like that!?"
"You do not need to worry about that weakness Maize." Vermillion said in a comforting voice, displaying the special treatment of his children.
Jaune thought back to his times at Beacon. His adventures with his team. Pyrrha. He had to be strong, in honor of her. His father would not stop him.
"Fine. I've done fine without you. I'll be better without you." Jaune grunted at his father. Vermillion was…surprised. Jaune never had the confidence to snap back at him before. This was proof that Jaune had improved, not only as a Huntsman but as a man.
Jaune without saying a word withdrew Crocea Mors, shield and all from his belt and placed it hard on his father's desk. He then showed himself out of his home.
Vermillion looked out the window as his son's body faded into the scenery of Yeldale. A tear fell from Vermillion's eye as his treatment of his son fueled his guilt. In truth Vermillion did not detest his son. He loved him just as he loved all of his children. But Vermillion's treatment was not out of cruelty. It was out of survival. Jaune's survival. Vermillion's eyes changed colors, the left one became red, the right became green. His tears flowed ever strong.
"So, how does his vision look?" Maize asked placing a gentle hand on her father's shoulder.
"It is the same. His future is still the same." Vermillion answered as he broke down in sobs, the pain bringing him to his knees. This wasn't the first time he foresaw Jaune's future. He always saw the future and he could always change it if he avoided and manipulated certain things. But no matter what he did, Jaune's future remained the same.
Vermillion's Semblance was called Chrono Eye or The eye of Chrono. It could see into the someone's past and future. Only he, his wife and Maize knew of his power. Naturally he used this power on all of his children. And he did not need to worry about his daughters as their futures were sure to be great. But Jaune's future would end in tragedy.
If Jaune pursued the path of a Huntsman, he would die.
Jaune couldn't believe, though he shouldn't be surprised. Vermillion was never the ideal father. He treated Jaune like crap all of his life and even more so when he stated that he wanted to be a huntsmen. After he left his estate he ventured into the Marketplace of Yeldale in search of nourishment. He was upset, doubtful and now without a weapon. But food would cheer him up for the time being.
He stopped by an old restaurant that called Monty's (See what I did there!? XD). It had stood in Yeldale for as long as the entire town existed. Many people and customers within the establishment knew Jaune and his family as the Arcs were the de facto protectors of the city.
A waitress showed him to his table. He ordered his usual burger and fries as he surfed the web on his scroll. There was a Huntsmen database that informed any logged in Huntsmen or Huntress about job offers or traditional information.
He was looking up information about Semblances. He was struggling with discovering his since he started training at Beacon. He knew that semblances were unique to each individual. Some were tied to one's emotions such as Ruby's speed. She was young and energetic. It fitted her. Some were conditional, only activating when certain requirements were met. Nora gained strength from electricity but that was only if she came into contact with it. Yang took power from hits, but she couldn't just turn in on whenever she wanted.
He wondered if his would be conditional or practical. Pyrrha's polarity was extremely useful as metal was everywhere. Her opponents wielded metal weapons and she could use her environment if needed. Weiss's glyphs offered different effects and options in combat.
GAAAHHH! They are all so amazing. Why won't mine come to me!? He pondered taking another bite of his sandwich before leaving a tip and exiting the diner. A message popped up on his phone. Surprisingly it was from Velvet, the Bunny Faunus from Beacon. She had Dr. Oobleck's class with Jaune and his friends. He had a few encounters with her. She was shy but fun to be around none the less. They had a shared history of being bullied by Cardin Winchester. Ironically in the pain they found friendship.
He read the message.
Hey Jaune! It's Velvet. – Velvet.
Hey Velv! – Jaune
Team CFVY is in Yeldale and we want you to join us on a job. You want in? - Velvet
He kicked himself. If only he hadn't left Crocea Mors with his father. He was asked for a job and now he was weaponless.
That fine. I'll just pick something up from the local shop. He thougt as he replied to the text.
Sure thing! – Jaune
Great. We are taking out a hoard of Grimm that have been circling the outskirts of the city. We'll meet with you in an hour at the town entrance. See ya then.- Velvet
Okay. It was set. He headed to the Ware's shop immediately. He gasped at the marvelous selection of goods made for monster slaying. There were axes, broadswords, spears, pistols rifles and other killing tools. He didn't need anything too fancy, a normal sword and shield would do fine for him. He scanned the shop as he found a nice set of equipment. The label attached to it said "Silver Knight Set".
He picked it up and brought it to the clerk. His name-tag read "Kerry." (HaHa!)
"That'll be about 400 lien." Kerry said. Jaune gave him the money and made his way out the door with his new gear. The Silver knight sword was not as heavy as it looked. It was a little longer than his previous weapon and it had a longer handle as too switch to a double handed grip. The shield was light and sturdy. After getting comfortable with his equipment he ventured toward the Yeldale gate.