Hello there internet! Journeymen here with a statement! I live! Anyway, besides that. I'm sorry for going dark for like a week. Or was it two? I can't remember. And i'm really sorry about taking this long to upload this chapter. I really don't have an excuse. (Besides the fact that I had lost my charger and my laptop was dead.) I just wanted to make sure this chapter was really good. And I put a ton of planning into the rewrite. That being said. I hope you all enjoy and I will see you next week! Oh also, just like with the first chapter of the old story. I would like to give thanks to the original writer for letting me do this. Without him I wouldn't be here today. Now, we can get into it.
Beta: Soda-fiedPyscho (Hello again. -S)
No Comment of the week for now. Don't want to pull any from the old story.
I do not own RWBY or anything made by RoosterTeeth…
Jaune 5 Years Old...
As I waited in my bedroom, the only light that I'm being provided with is the lamp on my bedside. There was my X-Ray and Valve night light as well but that wasn't on yet. So it was as I was waiting in my comfortable blanket that I saw the door open as the familiar light blue glow came into the room. Which was followed by momma. "Hey, how is my baby boy, feeling tired yet?" Her calming voice asked.
I had to fight back my yawn. "No.." I stated crossing my arms, and I was greeted with a small laugh in return.
"Oh? Well, then how about I read you a bedtime story then?" She asked as a little bit of the light blue being absorbed by a bright yellow. I nodded my head franticly in response. Mommas story's were the best after all.
Not even Violette's stories could compare to hers. Taking a seat at the edge of my bed, she smiled. "Alright, so what do you want today? The story of The Maidens? Or how about The Defenders?" She asked and I shook my head to both of them. "I've already heard those ones. I want something new and exciting." I said, with momma putting her hand to her chin to think for a second.
Before snapping her fingers creating a little spark as she did. "Alright, I think I got something just for you." She said as she held out her hand and out from it came a glowing knight. "Long ago, there was once a brave knight who roamed the land fighting were he could for peace and justice." The small knight then started to walk on air, a long cape behind him as he held a might sword in hand. "But as time went on, the fights grew longer and tiring." The knight now had dented armor as he dragged his sword across the air. "And, soon he stopped fighting all together, for what was the point of fighting if all it brought was more fighting?" The knight now laid down on against a tree, his sword to the side as he watched a battle happen across the field. "But one day, the knight came across a vast and beautiful garden and in that garden was a maiden." The knight was now in a field of flowers and there was a women in a long dress, tending to a growing tree. "Curious, the knight asked why the maiden would tend to this garden. For surely it would take much effort to upkeep it, and she would get nothing in exchange." The mini maiden giggled at the small knight's question. "The maiden, however, shocked him. She explained that while it did take great effort to make this garden, to look at how much she created already and because of her efforts there is one more beautiful thing in the world." The knight then looked around, looking at all the flowers that were nurtured by the maiden before he hung his head in sadness. "However, the knight was not convinced. For what was the point of working so hard, if it wouldn't even matter in the end. For after she was gone, what is to stop something from destroying her garden." The mini maiden walked up to the knight and placed a hand on his shoulder. "The Maiden answered with faith, faith that even after she is gone her garden will continue to grow without her guiding hand. And that one day, someone new will tend to her garden." The Knight then looked at the mini maiden before falling to one knee. His sword gestured towards her. "Moved by her words, the knight pledged himself to the maiden. Swearing that for long as his line drew breath, he would protect the maiden and her garden." The maiden took the sword from the knights hand before placing it on both his shoulders. "The maiden accepted the knights offer, and forever they stayed and tended to the garden. For as long as one has faith, even a simple garden can become much more." The knight and the maiden then faded away as momma closed her hand.
"So how was that my little knight?" She asked, and I gave a pout in response. "That wasn't very exciting." Her response was a laugh and a kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight, my little knight. I love you." She said before walking off, "I love you to." I responded before she closed the door, and I turned off my lamp. Leaving only the light from my little night light to illuminate the room. And for the rest of the night. All I dreamt about was a knight, a maiden, and their garden.
5 Years Later…
Landing in the ground with a thump as I closed my eyes to prevent dirt getting in them, I heard a voice. "C'mon Jaune, get up! You can do more than that!" The voice of none other than my mother who tried to encourage.
My response was spitting out any dirt that got into my mouth as I sat up. "What's the point? You're too strong." I whined as I looked at the ground defeated, with tears threatening to leave my eyes. I heard a sigh, as I saw her shadow cover me, but I refused to look up at her. "Jaune, look at me." She demanded, and when I didn't comply I felt her hand on my chin. And I reluctantly let her pull my head up, forcing me to look at hes blue eyes and golden hair. "Listen to me Jaune, there are going to be plenty of times in your life where things are going to look too difficult or that there is going to be someone that is just to strong for you to beat but just because something looks impossible doesn't mean it is. As long as you give it your all, you will find a way to succeed."
"But what if my best isn't good enough?" I asked and my mother smiled at me in return.
"Well, then you learn from your mistakes and you try harder next time." I sniffled as I nodded my head before getting up and grabbing my wooden sword.
My mom smiled as she held up her own. "Now, let's try to get one more sparring in before your dad gets home from his mission." Putting my sword in the ready position. I charged at my mom with my best war cry.
1 Month Later…
Jumping out of bed, I quickly put on my clothes as I made my way down stairs. Mom and Dad had gone out on a mission together around a couple weeks ago. Something about a special call from one of their friends. I really didn't pay attention at the time, instead trying to decide what I could get past Violette as she was the main one in charge. Turns out that it wasn't a lot as Saph had already basically put the entire house on lockdown so that she couldn't pull one of her pranks.
But thankfully, mom and dad are coming home today. Which means I can go back to the good old routine of using Saph as my cover for any pranks I do. Making my way downstairs however, any form of a smile left my face. For some reason, the room seemed to lack it's usual glow and warmth.
Everything just looked, greyer. Like all the color of the world was sapped away leaving only an empty void. "Guys, why is everyone so down? Mom and Dad are…" My words died in my throat as my eyes caught my father, who was just sort of standing there. Not moving at all, his eyes blank emotionless. "D-dad? Where's mom?" I asked with baited breath. But I got no response, or at least none that I could hear as it seemed that he was mumbling something. And while I was only ten, it didn't take long for me to figure things out. As the revelation hit me like a truck I took a step back as tears welled up in my eyes. I felt someone hand going to try and reach out for me but I was already gone as I ran up to my room and slammed the door, letting my sorrow poor out with a scream into my pillow.
The next four months felt like long dull years as everyone in the house greaved. With the only thing keeping the grimm for invading our home was the hell that dad brought to all came to invade out home. Even Jake wasn't allowed to come by, not like any of would have paid any mind if the grimm did come.
But as the time went past the family all found their way to grieve. Some like dad and Violette took out their anger on the grimm until their bodies refused to move a step further. To which they cried until there grief became to enticing for any grimm to resist. Where the cycle would then start all over again.
However most of the family chose a much more healthy option as they decided to share their grief together. Eventually healed together too, slowly but surely. They even convinced Violette to stop what was basically her crusade against the grimm that would only end in her death. I was sure that they would convince father soon enough.
Out of all the family members, I was different, for besides maybe Violette, I was the closest of the children to mom, I was her only son after all. And while the other chose to fight and suppress their feelings of sorrow or to grief together and try and move on, I chose solitude. I rarely left my room, if I did it was only really leaving for food or water because I also had my own personal bathroom. The rest of the day, I wallowed in my misery. My room was in a constant grey, as I either cried till I had no more tears left to shead. Or just laid on my bed, staring at the blank grey ceiling. As everyday it felt like there was void in my body that wanted to be filled but couldn't be, no matter how much I wanted it to. No matter what I tried, it only brought more pain and grief as I could only think about my mother and how I could never see her again.
And now, I was in the woods running after having gotten into a fight with my father. In the argument, we said some very choice words to each other. I had stormed out the house ignoring any cries for me to wait from my family. And I ran, I ran until my feet couldn't carry me anymore, then I ran some more. Thus leading me to where I was now, in the middle of nowhere in a barely inhabited continent. In grimm infested woods.
On the plus side it was around noon, so that at least meant I didn't have to deal with this is in the dark. Of course another problem was my lungs were on fire, my clothes were torn and I had small cuts just about everywhere thanks to the thick foliage. And my legs might as well have fallen off at this point with how heavy they felt. So instead of trying to find my way back or to very least a road of some kind, I decided to sit against a tree and just think.
Something I really didn't like to do as of late. As memories of her came to my mind, I tried my best to force those memories out, to focus on how to get out of this situation but my efforts were fruitless, even when I tried to convince myself with logic.
That logic being that if I let myself fall into grief now, Grimm would come to me in droves but I was only ten years old, and a very emotional ten year old at that. No amount of logic could ever fix that and so, there I was slumped against a tree, relieving some of my best memories of my mother. Like the times we used to cook for everyone, or of all the stories she used to tell me when before bed. And how she had made them come to life in front of me. Even now I could still remember that knight in perfect detail. From it's little movements to how it almost seemed to be alive in some way. I also remembered the times we trained, how her and dad would always kick me into the dirt during the spars. Or how they made my whole body burn during training. My hands glossed over the knife I was given by her, and the promise she made me make that I would never use a weapon to harm another living being, only to defend. After she had died, I kept it one me at all times. Running through the drills as much as I could, seeing as how training seemed to be the only thing that could keep my mind off things. Of course, it was my want to train more.
That got me into this mess, as father was not so keen on me wanting to train anymore. Saying that it was to dangerous and that he didn't want me to be a huntsman anymore Thus, it started the argument, and me subsequently running away once it got to heated. Psh, can't even stand up for myself in an argument without running away. Talk about pathetic. I lamented as the sound of a twig snapping put me on alert, and fearing that it was my father or another family member seeking to come bring me home.
I found the energy to move behind the tree and hide. Something that I was really glad for as it wasn't my family at all but instead something, much, much worse. A Beowolf, a big one at that two, though the lack of bone plating meant it was at least somewhat young. But I doubted that mattered as a pup would have no problem killing a ten year old like myself, which meant that I was screwed unless I stayed hidden, and settled my beating heart.
Father said grimm can sense emotions and I was sure that my sadness lead him to me. The last thing I needed was my fear giving away my location. Taking a step back however was a huge mistake. As the snapping of a twig is what gave me away, and with my cover blown as the grimm looked right at me.
Any form of tiredness I felt washed away as I felt energy course through my veins as I bolted out of there as fast as I could. Trying in vain to ignore the howl it gave before chasing after me, I pushed my legs as much as I could. Resisting to look behind me so that I wouldn't slow down, it's not like I needed to. It felt like it was right behind me so I turned right around a tree, my feeling proved right as it's claws slashed into the bark where I just was. It giving a growl of frustrated as it renewed it's pursuit.
The only things keeping me alive were the sudden turns I had, forcing it to stop and turn directions, slowing it ever so slightly. This tactic worked both ways, meaning that I was unable to shake the grimm and worse yet, my body was getting tired as my lungs once again started to burn but I still pushed anyway as I made to slide over a fallen tree. Only to stop just before crossing it as the Beowolf leaped over the log. Only to find that I had run off into the foliage.
It howled once again, but I ignored it choosing to focus on running instead. And when my body refused to move anymore, I found myself in a clearing filled with a multitude of flowers. And a giant tree in the center, dragging myself to the tree. I looked for any branches or handholds within my reach. But I was to short too reach any of the branches. But before I could curse my small body.
The sound of growling came behind me as I looked behind me only to find the Beowolf step into the clearing. It's red eyes looking at me with contempt. Feeling my heart clench in worry, I looked for anything to hide behind, anything to provide a split second of a distraction, something to protect me. I found nothing, besides the tree behind me. But it wouldn't be able to protect me for long, not long enough for me to find a way to escape. The beast knew it two, if it's wolfish grin was anything to go by. So, as it stepped closer to me.
I grabbed my knife and held it in front of me shaking. "S-stay back!" I cried, swinging my knife around with reckless abandon. The grimm looked amused. "I'm… I'm warning you!" I yelled tears in my eyes. The grimm started to salivate, as it's eyes matched that of a fat man staring at a roasted pig, ready to be served. "GO AWAY!" I shrieked as I charged jutting my knife forward with reckless abandon hoping that I could somehow defeat the beast.
Instead I was forced to watch as the grimm batted my knife away like it was nothing. The blade sticking into the ground about five feet away from me. I stood, frozen as I was now in front of the massive beast. My eyes wide and filled with tears as I felt a warm liquid go down my leg. The grimm gave a deep gargle which I could only aquaint to as a laugh as it raised its hand up. On instinct I raised my hands up to defend myself, but it was no use as the grimm decided to swipe below. Shrearding my shirt and flesh, while also giving the added benefit of slamming me into the tree. The force so strong that I felt the wind leave my lungs as only to be quickly be replaced by blood. Which was currently trying to escape anyway it could, either from the massive gashes in my chest or from my mouth as copper was the only thing that I could currently taste. Looking at the monster, my eyes grew heavier by the second as it walked over to me slowly. Probably trying to milk this experience as much as possible. Though, I couldn't find myself to care at the moment. I couldn't feel anything at all, except for the approaching cold that was coming from my limbs. I didn't even feel the pain in my chest at all.
Guess that is what shock does to you. To think, I was selfish enough to run away. Now, I'm going to die and so soon after mom died too… I'm...I'm sorry, dad, everyone. I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted to be strong. Please, don't be sad about my death. I'll be with mom, I'll be sure to say hi to her for you guys. After she is done chewing me out for dying so young. Despite myself, I found myself able to make a small smile at the thought.
As my eyes closed and I waited for my fate. Barley even ten and I'm already going to die. So much for being a hero huh? 'Why do you say that my young knight?' A voice spoke, it sounded calm yet curious. And strangely enough I found myself compelled to answer. Do you see the situation I'm in? I asked the voice. 'Yes, the situation does seem dire. But why have you given up so soon?' I could almost feel the voice tilting its head. So soon? If you haven't noticed I'm currently bleeding out against a tree in the middle of a nowhere with a very much hungry Beowolf right in front of me. Sure it might have been a little rude but I think I deserved some slack, I was dying after all. Despite that the voice chuckled, it sounded… sweet.'Young Knight, you must know that it is never too late. Didn't your mother teach you this lesson?' I felt a brief, fleeting moment of anger as this strange voice mentioned my mother but I realized that there would be no point, seeing as how all I would do is be yelling at a strange voice in my head. Well then, what am I supposed to do? I asked. The voice answering with a question of its own. 'Do you wish to see your family again?' W-what? Of course bu- 'Then, get up and fight.' It stated like it was the simplest thing in the world. But how? I'm only ten! And that this is a Beowolf! A grimm! I tried to reason, yet despite myself I found a sudden warmth beginning to build inside of me. 'My young knight.' The voice said, as the warmth began to grow and spread across my body. 'There is so much more to you than you realize.' The warmth then spread across my whole, as I felt a tingling sensation go across my wound. The warmth then began to change into something I could describe as… power. 'All you need, is faith.'
With that power exploded out of me, and I opened my eyes only to be blinded by a bright light. When the light died down, I stared blankly as the grimm actually had covered it's eyes. Allowing me to look down only to stare in wonder as the wound I was given was now replaced with three jagged scars across the chest. They were still fresh, and it somewhat hurt to breath. But that was better dying by far.
The Beowolf however, was not so happy about this change as it howled before coming towards me with a swipe of it's claws. Instincts kicked in however as my body moved faster than it ever did before rolling clear out of the way of the swipe. Ending my roll on my knees facing the beast, who looked very much angry as it went for another swipe. But thinking quickly, I grabbed as much dirt and earth as I could before chucking it towards it's face landing it right into its eyes. It howled in pain and ever the opportunist that I was. I quickly made my way to my knife. Pulling it out just as the Beowolf recovered and tried a downward slash at my mid section, it was met with a cut to its paw. Making the beast reel back and I wasn't going to let the opportunity slip away as I went into the Beowolf's guard, stabbing it in the thigh making it howl in pain. Again, I wasn't messing around as I reached and grabbed for the closest peace of fur I could grab and pulled with all my strength as I jumped up and stabbed somewhere in the chest. It only gave something akin to a choked sob in response as I climbed higher up, this time stabbing between the shoulder blades as I hoisted myself up to where I was now resting on the top of its neck. To it's credit it growled in defiance before I gave a yell and plunged my knife into it's skull.
The body went limp quickly enough as I fell with it. Landing on my face before quickly rolling on my back, I stared at the bright blue sky. I laughed. I did it! I actually killed a grimm! 'Well done my knight. May you now rest for your trials have just begun.' The voice said, and I found myself agreeing as I closed my eyes.
Waking up, I was greeted with the site, not of a blue sky,. but of a dark blue ceiling and there was also a weight on my right leg. And looking at the cause, I was met with the second oldest sibling Crystal who took to wearing her hair in a side braid that reached to just below the shoulder. "Ugh, hey sis." I groggily greated, Crystal to her credit didn't react to an extreme, but she did immediately put me in a bone crushing hug. "Ah! Ah! Hurting the patient! Hurting the patient!"
She got the message quickly enough as she let go, and that's when she started crying. "W-we...were...were so worr...worried about...you. An...and when d...dad brought you...here." Feeling insurmountable guilt from what I must have put my family through, I ignored the pain as I sat up and wrapped my arms around my sister.
"I'm sorry sis. I didn't mean to make you worry like that." There was a couple more sobs from her, but eventually her body stopped shaking.
And with a final sniffle she pulled away wiping away any remaining tears. "I forgive you but only if you don't do something so stupid like that again. I want you to promise me." She pointed a finger at me, and once I nodded and gave the arc vow of not doing anything stupid ever again. She gave a small smile which I reciprocate. "Well, I guess I should tell the others you are awake. Though, I think someone wants to talk to you first." She then walked out of the room leaving the door open for my father to step in.
He was a very much big man, standing around six and a half feet. He had broad shoulders and very much barrel chested. And with his blonde hair that he liked to keep long enough to touch his upper back. His well kept beard that wasn't to wild but wasn't exactly groomed either. Not to mention the deep blue eyes that almost looked like the ocean. My father was almost the definition of a knight, especially when he was in his armor. Right now, however, he looked like a concerned father, who was worried for the well being of his son. "Look dad, I'm sorry for-" I tried to apologize.
But he was already two steps ahead of me as he walked up and hugged me. Not as hard as Crystal by any means, but it was still very much strong. And awkward as he currently had my arms pinned, so I kinda just had to sit there until he let go. "I'm so, so sorry my son. I shouldn't have said those things to you. I was just so scared that what happened to your mother would happen to you or your sisters as well. But, in trying to stop you from being what you wanted to be I almost lost you. You don't know how scared I was when I saw you unmoving next to that dead grimm." He continued to pour his heart out with another sling of apologies.
With all that I could really do is awkwardly pat his side. "I'm sorry too dad. For running like that and for some of the things I said to you as well. You had a point about the world be dangerous. B...but that's why I need to be strong. So that I can help defend you guys. One day even be like you and mom as well." He chuckled at that. "You really are your mother, son." He said rubbing my hair.
"I miss her." I said. "I do too. I do too." He mumbled, and for a while we just sat there in silence. Until he finally pulled away. "Well you want to continue your training? Just a warning, it will be very brutal." He warned, I smiled in response. "Whatever it is I'm ready for it." I said with confidence.
He smiled in response. "Alright then, your first test," I started getting excited, "Is surviving your sisters." My excitement shattered and I immediately whimpered. I'm not ready! But before I could vocalize my thought. He was already gone, and I could hear the stampede coming. "Aw, crap-baskets."
Here we are, chapter 1/ test chapter of the Rewrite for TPWAA! What did you guys think of it? Did you like it? Hate it? Leave a review- no wait. Go to the polls on my page and vote for this instead! This is Journeymen signing off!
(Oi! MORTAL KOMBAT 11 IS COMING OUT SOON! The trailer needs better music but was overall amazing with the fight scene. MMMMM! -S)
