Chapter one: The world of remnant

(a/n- okay wow… puns are even in the TITLES now it seems. You know, I won't give any explanation with this one, just read, enjoy, and soon you'll understand. Also, harsh language, nudity, maybe violence later, are abound in this story, so tread lightly.)

(a/n- actually before we get into this, let me explain something. If you're not into Yuri pairings (they should be obvious soon enough) then don't read this. If you die-hard ship Nightshade (looking at you DragonManMax) then don't expect it here. Most ships here have already sailed. Okay, on with it!)

"Wake up my lady."

I groggily opened my eyes, groaning as I blinked a few times, letting my eyes get adjusted to the room. I saw the familiar stone walls, the wispy sheets of silk flowing down from the four dark oak wood posts, and beyond them, I saw a man standing there. He was dressed in full bronze armor, torso, leg plates, shoulders, everything but his helmet. Behind his helmet however, I saw piercing blue eyes gazing at me, a head of flaxen hair just a ways above them. I slowly got up, feeling the breeze as she sheets fell off of me, exposing my silk robe. Red silk of course. I yawned, stretching out my arms as I looked over at the man. "What news have you brought me?" I asked. He shook his head, his eyes showing a genuine empathy and sadness that was rare among soldiers. Though, maybe not as rare among keepers. "The Rose Reaper has been captured I fear." he said, bowing slightly.

"What of her sister?" I asked, hoping at least one of them had managed to get out alive. He smiled slightly at me, giving a little chuckle as he spoke. "She has joined the White fang, of Menagerie. From what I can tell, she is with their chieftain." he said. I slowly nodded, smiling slightly as I got out of bed, keeping my robe tight to my body. If she was in Menagerie, that meant that at least she was safe. She left by conscious choice. "My lady, there is much to do today. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by our loss." he said, frowning towards me. I could tell he was concerned, it was just the way he showed it. I nodded, flipping my hair back over my shoulder as I walked over to him. "Thank you general. What matters must I attend to today?" I asked, smiling at him as we walked down the palaces hallways, lit by the familiar cast iron chandeliers. He nodded, going right back into his general state. Gone was the friendly face of a few moments ago.

"The Shogun of Mistral has requested a meeting, as well as the High Queen, or, Jarl of Atlas." he said, taking my hand and guiding me towards the royal bath house, the place I always went too in the mornings. I nodded, smiling slightly, "Ren and Nora both coming to us hmm? What could they want?" I muttered to myself. I was of course well acquainted with the new Shogun of Mistral and 'High Queen' or just Jarl of Atlas. They were, after all, two of my closest friends. Relations between the three of us were just fine. As for the Schnee's however… "What of the grimm? Anything I should know?" I asked, looking over at my general. He shook his head, giving me a small frown. I knew that look on his face anywhere. He was analyzing the situation, he knew something was wrong. "They have been a rather absent threat as of late my lady. I fear the demon has called them back to the isle." he said. The isle, the only place in Remnant that wasn't settled by humans. Though, it was supposedly where the grimm came from, so I could understand that.

I walked into the bath house, shutting the door behind me as I smiled, seeing the familiar sight. It was really just a large pool in the center of the room with a stone table in the center, as well as the clothes I would be wearing later and a few plants nearby. I walked towards it, seeing the two familiar servants come forwards. Both women smiled at me as I simply held out my arms. There was no need for words, we'd done it a thousand times before. They grabbed the edges of my robe, one taking it aside as the other guided me through the waters towards the table. The other one came back and, despite the fact I really didn't need them to do it, they both picked me up and hoisted me onto the table anyway. When they too climbed up it, I noticed one of them grabbing a rag, as the other grabbed a water jug. I just stood still and tried to keep an impassive face as I felt the water poured over me, the other woman rubbing the rag along my body to get rid of the dirt.

A few minutes later they both stepped down, holding out their arms to get me down. I complied, feeling myself splash into the water as they lead me towards the back room, the clothes I was supposed to put on no longer there. When I got in there, I noticed it was lit by candlelight, with three other servants looking over at my dripping wet form. The first two dried me for a few minutes before they left. Then the other three went to work. I did as they needed me too as they dressed me in my familiar attire, the red dress, armored boots, gauntlets, and then finally my golden and ruby headdress. I stood, walking out towards the exit to the room as the servants talked between themselves for a moment, likely asking each other why I wouldn't wear makeup like my mother. "The answer's simple. I'm a warrior first, and an empress second." I thought to myself as I pushed open the door, nearly blinded by the light.

When I blinked a few times, I saw the familiar flaxen haired guard standing there, nodding towards me. "Empress Nikos." "Jaune, we're alone. Just call me Pyrrha." I said, smiling over at him. He looked around, then he nodded, turning around and taking my hand in his armored one, as the bronze gauntlets only went from my wrists to almost at my elbow. He started walking, and I had to lengthen my strides to keep up with him. Regardless Pyrrha, the Shogun… Ren, will be arriving shortly. Word came from the harbormaster of a ship with ruffled red sails, with the bow decorated by elegant carvings." he said. I just nodded, that was Ren's ship alright. Always did have a thing for the more artistic side of life. Unlike me that is, considering I just kept it simple if I could. "Oh, and my lady?" Jaune said before we got to the large doors that lead to the courtyard. He smiled at me,

"You're representing Vacuo, so don't kill anyone."

(a/n- indicated POV change (starting to understand what this is about yet?)

"Chief?"

I looked up, away from my blade as I glared at the warrior that had interrupted me. He was in the reserves for our army, I had no question of that. He didn't have that battle hardened look yet. "Why do you interrupt me?" I asked quickly, lashing out towards him. I didn't like being interrupted when I was cleaning my blade, or my armor, or anything for that matter. He gulped, looking down at the ground. "King Schnee has requested your presence. He didn't say for what matter." he said. I glared at him, standing up to my full height. I towered over the little whelp, he was only five feet, at most. I grabbed my blade, sheathing it as I walked over to him, grabbing him by the neck and hoisting him off the ground. "You were trained to show no fear in the face of danger, no mercy to a surrendering enemy, and no remorse of your killings. You are a warrior boy! Start acting like it!" I said, yelling the last bit as I tossed him to the side. He just looked at me in terror, gripping his neck as I walked past him, out of my tent and into the camp.

I saw men, the old, the young, and everything in between training with the practice dummies. "More warriors, or warriors who seek to improve themselves. Good, they will keep us strong." I thought to myself as I approached the stables. The stable boys nodded to me, quickly getting out my horse. She was tall, dark furred, and one of the fastest steeds in all of Remnant. "Hello Midnight. It's been too long." I muttered, quickly mounting her. I slowly moved her over to towards the edge of camp, but then I turned her around, everyone watching as I spoke. "Brothers and sisters! I am leaving for the kingdom. Until I return, you are under the guidance of Spring!" I yelled, looking towards the tall, brown haired girl. Believe it or not, one of our best warrior's. I quickly spun my horse around, thundering off down the dirt path towards the kingdom. I felt my armor growing warmer against me as the sun hit it, as well as me travelling further south.

It was an hour's ride, but when I arrived at the kingdom's capital, Vale, there was no mistaking it. The high walls that had helped the Schnee's hold their rein for almost a thousand years were clearly it's most noticeable feature. I saw the guards near the top of the walls aiming their longbows at me, but I simply reached behind me, pulling out the familiar flag. Sewn into it was a Raven, perched on a crossing arrow and sword, both of them dripping with blood, all of it sewn onto a black flag, with the red circle in the center containing the symbol of my clan. The guards lowered their weapons, nodding to each other as I saw the massive gates opening. Once they were open enough, I rode through with ease, thundering past the people on the streets as I laid the flag on my horse's side. I rode through the streets, past plenty of shocked merchants, guards, and I almost ran over a slave walking past.

It was a five minute ride from the city edge to the palace, but it was hard not to see it. Built upon the top of the steepest hill in the kingdom, a shining dream of white marble and stained-glass windows pierced the very heavens, casting it's shadow onto the lands below it. I rode up towards it, right past the gate. The guards new me at this stage. Word travelled fast when you worked with the king like I did. I stopped near the stables, were I noticed the many slaves working it. You could tell them apart from the citizen's quite easily, what with the tattered rags they were. Some of them even wore rope belts around them since they were so large. I jumped off my horse in a running dismount, landing on the ground as the slaves took the young girl in. I expected she'd be clean by the time I left the palace. I started walking, as fast as I could, to the doors. Once I was past them it was a straight shot to the throne room. I walked past two guards and into the throne room where I saw him. The King of Vale, for which his empire was named.

"I know not your name warrior, but you stand in the presence of King Jacques Schnee! Know your place and bow before him!" I heard one of the guards say, walking towards me with his spear pointed at me. I shook my head slightly, giving the obviously new guard a little smirk. "A Branwen does not bow to anyone. Unless they do it to pleasure their lover." I said, chuckling slightly as I saw the guard back away. He was showing fear at this point, it meant he would be a weakling in a fight. He was a recruit, I didn't doubt that for a second. The king, on the other hand, just held up a hand. I couldn't tell for sure, what with the mustache, but I was fairly certain he was smiling. "That's enough. Leave us." he said. The guard looked at his king oddly for a second, but then compiled, walking out past me. I gave him a smirk, but he just looked away, focusing on some point far off in the distance.

"I trust the Branwen clan is thriving?" he muttered, looking over at me with that both bored and somehow incredibly interested expression. I never quite understood how he did that. I just nodded, "Indeed. My clan grows in power, but we grow restless in peace. We live for battle." I said, smiling at the thought. Every man, woman, and child among the Branwen's knows of battle. The Branwen clan can never know peace, not for long at least. Even when we worked for a king. He sighed, "You Branwen's always act like battle is your whore. When you're in her you love it, when you're out of her all you want to be is in her." he said. I chuckled at the old man's perverted attempt at humor. He was clearly out of practice when it came to making jokes like that. "Clearly you have not called me here for banter. Do you have need of my clan?" I asked. If he got me all the way out here just to joke and banter, I'd kill him on the spot, king or no king.

"I have need of you actually." "I'm not becoming queen, or polishing your scepter." I said, glaring at the old man. I'd dealt with far too many of his attempts at flirting with me in the past. Though, I had to give him credit for persistence. Fortunately for him he never tried to actually touch anything more than my shoulder, or he'd be Vale's first one-armed king. He shook his head, "It's not relating to that, not that I would mind if it was, it's about my daughter, Weiss." he said, muttering the second phrase. I slowly nodded, that made a bit more sense. Weiss, from what I was aware of, was the one set to inherit her father's crown. Mostly considering the fact Winter, the eldest, had decided to join the kingdom's military instead, under the direction of general Ironwood. "I'm not exactly great with kids…" I said. I mean, I was a mercenary. I wasn't exactly a family woman at all. I mean my husband had to raise my daughter on his own since my clan needed me.

He nodded, "I'm aware. I need you to kidnap her." he asked. I raised an eyebrow, my head spinning with questions. What kind of request was that? Kidnap his own daughter? There had to be more to the story. "May I ask why?" I asked simply, deciding to be more out right about it rather than subtle. He sighed, leaning on one hand as he absently moved his scepter around with the other. "She has become… soft. She must learn the harsh reality of this world if she is ever to rule it. She is smart, but she does not know life the way I do, the way you do." he said. I nodded, biting back the urge to glare at the old king. He knew nothing, of life like I did. He didn't know how to fend for himself in a world where everyone and everything is out to get you. He and I were nothing alike. "It's a weak world, and only the strong may stand upon it… it will be done." I said, muttering the first bit of the sentence. He nodded again, smiling at me. I just nodded back, turning around and briskly walking towards the door.

"Leaving so soon? You just arrived here." he said. I didn't need to turn around to know he was staring at me. Or, more specifically, what part of me he was staring at. I kept walking, not answering him. I didn't have time for his lecherous comments on my body, not when I had to kidnap a primping princess. "Look at me all you want old man, but that's all you're getting." I said, walking out through the doors as I prepared to shut them behind me. I could hear the old man sigh, but then he said something useful. "Can't blame an old man for trying. Make sure Weiss feels in real danger. If you have to make it more realistic somehow… you have my permission." he said. I slammed the doors shut afterward, hearing the loud boom echoing through the halls. I took a breath, exhaling as I looked around, making sure there was no hidden assassin in the room. I figured there wasn't, but it never hurt to be cautious. When I didn't sense anyone, I walked out of the doors, preparing to head back into the city. "So, the king wants to teach his daughter how the world works… how should I play this?" I thought to myself. There were plenty of options for kidnapping someone.

There was the classic tie her up, throw her in a sack and then carry her to the clan. There was knocking her out with a sleep dart and carrying her back the same way. There was tricking her out near the cities edge, catching her while she was sleeping, catching her while she was bathing, the possibilities were basically endless. Then… there was the other bit of my assignment. "Make her feel real danger. Make it more realistic. Couldn't afford to give me the details huh old man?" I thought as I walked outside, seeing the sunlight streaming towards me. I started to think about making it realistic. "I could have the clan members beat her up a little… hmm, they could get carried away though. I could lock her in a jail cell… no, too ordinary. I could strip her of everything she has, make her feel truly helpless and have her feed off the rotten food we have left… hmm, maybe a bit extreme for this. So many choices…" I thought to myself.

I walked over to my horse, still thinking about how to capture and punish the princess, when I remembered something. I sighed, spurring my horse on as I felt a bit of annoyance. "I forgot it was today for a second." I thought. The day I was referring to, of course, was my daughter's birthday. Without a shadow of a doubt I'd be able to find the person I was looking for in a bar. I rode through the city, keeping my eyes peeled as I looked at the local bars and breweries, taverns and pubs, or whatever else people wanted to call them. "Where does that drunk bastard go to again?" I thought. It was hard to remember, he seemed to go to all of them. I just kept looking, trying to spot the man that looked so much like I did. As I was looking for him, I rode past what I knew as the female bath house. I reached up, running my hands through my long hair as I sighed. I needed a bath, the search would have to wait.

"If Qrow steals my clothes again I'm killing him on the spot."

(a/n- POV shift again.)

"Figures she'd be here."

I muttered as I looked over towards the armored woman that had just walked in. Raven Branwen, leader of the fearsome Branwen bandits and, if my father had his way, my new mother. She was clad in her familiar armor, almost entirely comprised of leather with a few hints of steal here and there. Most of her legs were exposed, in a way that most would deem scandalous to say the least. Her arms had iron gauntlets on them, swirling patterns carved into them, stretching from her wrists almost to her elbows. She had a large sheath at her side, no doubt holding her absurdly large blade, supposedly made of the hardened blood of her foes. The only other armor she wore was her chest piece, one which, while it did cover between her waist and to her shoulders, was clearly not large enough, considering the fact you could see almost all of her large breasts. When she turned to walk towards the place she would leave her gear to change, it was rather easy to see most of her rear as well, considering her armor just extended down in a small strip. Enough to cover her private parts but, well, not much else.

I leaned back down in the water, submerging up to my neck as I waited for her to step back out. I had no doubt the second she saw me she'd walk over here. She didn't like me, but she loved to annoy me. It wasn't like I could just hide either since, despite there being plenty of naked women in the bath house, none of them had white hair, like I did. "It's days like these where I contemplate just bathing in the royal one like Weiss." I thought to myself. Once I became a soldier, I decided to live more like one and less like a princess. I denounced my claim on the thrown and joined the army. Thankfully I was skilled in combat, so I rose through the ranks quickly and was easily able to afford my own home. My thoughts were interrupted when I saw the woman walking out. The black hair that went down to her waist was hard to miss, even if the practically glowing eyes weren't.

Those eyes locked onto mine as she gave me a little smile, slowly walking over towards me. She kept that cat-like walk she always had, but I could tell she was swaying her hips just a little bit more as she walked over to me. She sat down, leaning back and spreading her arms out wide, flaunting her large chest in front of me as much as possible. "Fancy seeing you here Winter." she said. I glared at her, sighing as I moved back, sitting on the concrete step she was on, feeling the water slipping off my own chest. I set my arms in my lap, looking over at the confident woman with the strongest glare I could muster. "You knew I'd be here wench. What do you want?" I asked. Usually if she saw me she wanted something… though it could just be to flaunt her larger chest in front of me, as was often the case. She shrugged, intentionally exaggerating it so her breasts would bounce with her shoulders. "Can't a girl drop in and see family?" she asked.

"Family? Your brother isn't here… he better not be that is." I said, looking around for any birds or men in the area. She laughed, pressing down on the ground and moving closer to me, enough that her hand was behind my back. "He isn't. I need to find him actually." she said. I looked away from her, looking up towards the wooden ceiling, with a few holes in it, as I spoke. "Why would I know where he is?" "You're his bitch aren't you?" I spun around, splashing a bit of water towards Raven as I felt my face burn bright red. I covered my breasts with my arms as I nearly yelled at her. "Why would you think that! As if I'd ever do… that with that drunk old bastard!" I said, glaring towards the bandit. She chuckled, a deep and velvet sound as she moved closer, close enough that there was only a few inches of water between our legs. "You don't have to lie to me. You're exactly the type he goes for. Tall, fiery, big… well, maybe not as big as me but, you're getting there." she said.

"And there it is…" I thought to myself. None of my conversations with her were over until she pointed how her chest was so much bigger than mine. She moved over, my right hip against the wall and my left hip against hers, I felt her wrap her right hand around me. She was trapping me like she had a thousand times. I forced myself not to yelp as I felt her glomp a hand on my breast with her other hand, slowly moving it around. "You've gotten bigger since last time. Been doing that routine I told you about? He'll love it if you keep it up you know~" she said, putting a sultry tone on her voice as I grabbed her hand, pulling it away from me. I looked over at her, seeing her smirking towards me. "You should come with me you know, I know everything Qrow likes. I can make him marry you on the spot… or maybe just mate with you right there." she said, whispering in my ear at this stage. I felt my face gradually getting hotter and hotter with each word she said.

SPLASH!

I moved back up, my face covered in the somewhat colder water of the bath house as I moved away from Raven, standing up and glaring at her. "Groping a soldier… you've got some nerve." I said, glaring down at the woman. She shrugged in that same, breast bouncing way as before, but this time she smiled, standing up next to me and grabbing my hand. She pushed me back, until we were both in waist deep water, then she spoke. "Just wait until Qrow's doing it, he's much more rough than I am~" she said, smirking at me. I just pulled back, quickly walking towards the changing room. I was not about to let the woman keep messing with my head and filling it with thoughts of her brother. "I guess she does have a point… NO! BAD WINTER! DON'T LET HER GET TO YOU!" I yelled at myself, quickly walking towards the changing room. I looked around, seeing Raven just sitting in the bath, jumping up off of it and sitting, completely naked, on the edge, only her feet in the water.

"Don't let that pervert get to you Winter. Just get dressed, and go home." I muttered to myself, walking into the changing room before I saw my clothes. They were laying where I left them but, considering I was still soaking wet, I just grabbed them with one hand, walking over to one of the stone seats with a curtain in front of it. Though, when I got there, I noticed someone else's clothes occupied the stall. Raven's. I should've left, but curiosity got the better of me. I walked over, pulling up her armor as I raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't wear a bra? Or underwear? Seriously?" I thought. The only clothes there were the one's I could see she was wearing. I was about to turn around, only to suddenly jump back, seeing said woman pulling back the curtain. "About to take my clothes huh?" she said, looking down in my arms, as I'd yet to put down her leather armor.

I tossed it back, about to speak, but then she walked in, shutting the curtain and smirking at me. "I understand it. You're clothes are for the meek of this kingdom, weak and in need of guidance. Mine are for the strong, those that provide that guidance. So tell me Winter," she walked over to me, grabbing my own white robe as well as her armor. She held my robe in front of me, "Are you Winter the meek?" then she moved it over, holding her armor out in front of me. "Or Winter the strong?" she asked, smiling up at me. I took a step back, looking down at her armor. Then I looked back at her, seeing her smiling slightly. She walked out, taking both sets of clothes with her. I followed, seeing her sitting down on a simple wooden bench. "I don't need to dress like a whore to be strong." I said, glaring at her as she set both sets down, spreading her legs and folding one set over each thigh.

She laughed, "Whore's wear simple robes of silk, and dance with the grace of a fallen eagle from the heavens. I wear clothes of leather, light and strong, and I dance with the grace of my namesake. If anyone's wearing whore's clothes, it's you." she said, smirking at me. I felt my face heat back up as I pulled my arm back, about to punch her. She just reached up, and it felt like I hit a stone wall. She gripped my wrist, pulling me back. I blushed when I felt her own skin against mine. I felt a prick in the side of my neck as I tried to speak, only to feel my eyelids dropping, my muscles relaxing. "So you are weak. I should've known. Like your sister. Don't worry though, I've been told to make her strong. I can do the same to you." she said. The last thing I heard before I blacked out was her whispering in my ear.

"Sleep well Winter. And when you awake, I will make you strong."