Well, I'm back at fanfiction writing people. This is an attempt to ease back into the swing of things with a brand new story. I hope you all enjoy.
I don't own Ghost Rider or RWBY. They are proudly owned by Marvel and Rooster Teeth respectively. RIP Monty Oum.
(Vale, Night time)
The quiet air of the city was ruptured by the roar of a passing motorcycle. On the bike was a young man silently driving it through the streets.
He wore a black Stetson hat over his spiky blonde hair that dangled from his neck by a small chain and black sunglasses over his bright blue eyes, a black leather jacket with three metal studs on the shoulders and leather gloves on his hands. On his legs was a pair of black denim jeans with two gun holsters on his waist and black cowboy boots.
Strapped to his back was a gray leather harness that holstered two blades, his trusty Bowie sword and his knife, as well as a sawed off, twin barrel 12-gauge shotgun over his right shoulder. The handles for his blades had a ring for the index finger to slip through and a trigger beneath it to be squeezed by the middle finger.
The young man put on the brakes outside of a shop labeled "From Dust till Dawn" when he saw an orange-haired man wearing a white blazer and twirling a cane walk in with a group of men wearing black suits.
The biker took out his scroll and it lit up with pictures of various people with lien prices under their mugs. He stopped at the picture of the man's mugshot and highlighted it.
"Roman Torchwick-Wanted Dead or Alive.
Charges: Petty theft, aggravated assault, first degree murder, negligent homicide, smuggling, drug dealing, and suspected as an accomplice for the White Fang terrorist organization.
Alive: Five million Lien.
Dead: Three million Lien if proven to be the suspect."
The boy nodded his head and put down the kickstand before stepping off his bike. He grabbed a length of chain that was wrapped around the bike seat and whipped it, causing the chain to snake around his torso like it was sentient.
Before he could make three steps towards the shop, a goon's body was shot through the window with a teenage girl, probably about fifteen, following him. She stood up from her landing with a FREAKIN' giant scythe unfurling from its rectangular state in her hand.
The teen first took note of her hair, with it being black with a crimson red tint. Her eyes were a curious silver color that shined with a youthful innocence and playful intent. Her garb was a red cloak strapped to her shoulders and a black blouse and battle skirt with red trimmings. On her legs were dark leggings and black combat boots with red laces.
All in all, she was a pretty girl with a FREAKIN' giant scythe that looked like it was also a sniper rifle.
"Sheesh, why can't people just get a single weapon or two and stick to it? These hybrid monstrosities are too complicated for a country boy like me." The young man thought with a southern drawl in his mental complaint.
He looked in the shop and saw the rest of the goons with Torchwick standing in the middle of them.
"Okay… get her." Torchwick ordered. The goons hesitated for a second before they charged, some grabbing blood-red machetes from in their suits.
"Bad move, dummy." Blondie whispered.
The four goons charged, aiming to take out her legs, but she jumped and fired a round from her scythe-gun, using the recoil to move around rapidly. The next one pulled out his pistol but was hooked by the scythe and flung away onto a street lamp, taking him out of the fight, before he could fire a shot.
The other two tried to sneak behind her but she fired a round at her front and again used the recoil to shoot back with her scythe cocked back to hammer the goons with the back of it. She slammed it into the gut of one and he was slammed into his buddy, the two were then sent into a parked car, denting it, and into the fourth member of their group, knocking all of them out.
Torchwick sighed in aggravation before stepping out from the store with a cigar freshly lit in between his lips and glaring at the goon at his feet. "You were worth every cent, truly you were." He said sarcastically. He then turned his glare to the red reaper. "Well, Red, I think we can all say that it's been an eventful evening but…" He was interrupted by a loud gunshot that took off half of his cigar.
Both the girl and Torchwick turned their heads to see the biker with a .454 magnum revolver with an attached 30mm grenade launcher aimed at Torchwick.
"Roman Torchwick: Wanted dead or alive. My name is Jaune Arc, humble bounty hunter. Guy like you probably dealt with fellas in my profession before but let me just say that you may be worth more alive, but I figure you're worth enough dead." Jaune declared with a noticeable country drawl and pulled the hammer back on his revolver to take another shot if needed. "So, you're coming with me on your own two feet or I'll drag your cold rotting corpse to the station, your pick."
Torchwick narrowed his eyes at the boy and let his cigar's remains fall to the asphalt. Little red was aggravating enough but this boy, Jaune Arc, a bounty hunter whose reputation made even a guy like himself hesitate before thinking about taking on, was worse. Remembering his Melodic Cudgel and the Dust crystal in his back pocket, he smirked cockily at the boy. "Well, Mr. Arc, you seem to be a well-informed individual. Any chance you could be convinced to turn around and take this little brat away with you?" He asked sarcastically.
Another loud gunshot followed by his bowler hat flying off his scalp was his answer. Wide-eyed, Torchwick decided that he had best play along until an opportunity rose up. He hooked his cane on his bicep and held his hands out to be cuffed.
Jaune narrowed his eyes in suspicion but holstered his revolver.
Torchwick saw his moment and grabbed his red Dust crystal before chucking it at little red. He grabbed his cane and the end of it opened to reveal it was a barrel with the lid to it serving as a crosshair. He fired it at the crystal, aiming for an explosion to take the girl out and serve as a distraction to serve as his escape.
Jaune's eyes widened but he dashed in front of the girl. He wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest as the volatile gem exploded with great force.
"God dammit, my freakin' ears." Jaune grumbled after the explosion died down.
"Owwww!" The girl moaned cutely as she rubbed her own ears.
Jaune looked her over to check for injuries. "You okay, darlin'?" He asked.
The girl looked up at the bounty hunter and nodded with a tinge of pink on her cheeks. "M-My name is Ruby Rose. How'd you deal with an explosion without getting hurt?" She introduced herself.
"Not the time, young'un." Jaune said and started looking around until he saw Torchwick climbing up a fire escape ladder on a building across the street.
"The hell's he goin'? Ain't no way out from there unless… he can fly." Jaune mumbled before taking off after the crook.
"You okay, mister?" The girl asked the old man who owned the dust shop.
"I'm fine, young lady. Go after him." He said and pointed at Jaune.
She nodded and took off.
Jaune hauled himself up the fire escape and glared at the calm visage of Torchwick as the man stood near the edge of the rooftop. A gunshot drew his attention behind him and Jaune saw the girl shoot up over the edge and land next to him.
He realized she had used a shot to launch herself up to the roof.
"Showoff." He said teasingly.
Ruby grinned at his teasing but turned serious at the sight of Torchwick.
"Torchwick, I guess you chose dead. Fine with me." Jaune declared and holstered his shotgun and drew his two revolvers.
"Sheesh, you two just don't know when to quit. Oh well, Red, your backup sure turned the tables on me. Let's see if my own does the same." Torchwick challenged right before a white VTOL roared into view from behind the criminal.
"Shit! Take out the pilot." Jaune cursed before he opened fire on the cockpit of the air vehicle. Ruby was stunned for a moment but folded her weapon into a rectangular rifle form before doing the same.
Jaune cursed again when their bullets bounced off the glass. "Damn! If I had my rifle, this'd be a whole different story."
Torchwick jumped into the vehicle and lobbed a larger dust crystal at the two. Jaune gasped and wrapped his arms around Ruby before twisting around, clearly intent on shielding her with his body again.
The cane-gun fired its round and the crystal exploded but neither of the two were hit with the concussive force nor the heat. They looked at the explosion site and saw a blonde woman wearing a white blouse and a black cape with tight black pants beneath a black business skirt wielding a black riding crop. Before her, was a magic circle emitting a purple light, serving as a barrier against the explosion.
"Is that Goodwitch? The hell's the deputy headmistress of Beacon doin' here?" Jaune wondered.
Torchwick ran to the cockpit and took the controls. "We got a huntress and a bounty hunter, the Arc kid." He announced. The pilot gave him control and stood in the bulkhead.
The figure's upper body was shrouded by shadow but it was obviously a female, if the slender white legs bearing a pair of anklets and glass high heels and red dress skirt were any indication. Jaune's attention was immediately drawn to the burning orange irises glaring at the three as well as the sigils glowing on her clothes.
He immediately holstered his pistols and drew his shotgun. He fired as quickly as he was able but the woman merely deflected the slugs with her bare hand.
He snarled when the gun clicked empty but he just held the gun with a single hand and aimed true.
"Jaune, it's out!" Ruby shouted.
"Don't worry about it." He replied. Jaune's own eyes began to glow a fiery orange behind his sunglasses and the gun in his hand ignited with a strange unholy flame.
"Block this." He said as he pulled the trigger, launching twin giant fireballs at the woman with a thunderous bang.
Torchwick, seeing the projectiles, jerked the throttle to the side, causing the fireballs to miss by inches.
"Okay, enough fuckin' around!" Jaune roared and dropped his shotgun. He grabbed the chain around his torso. He lashed it out and grabbed it a few feet from the end and began twirling it like a lasso.
"YEEEE-HAAAWWWW!" He yelled and shot the chain at the rear propeller. It snared itself around the tail and Jaune started hauling the VTOL in with a surprising display of strength.
"YOU THOUGHT YOU'D GET AWAY TORCHWICK?! REALITY HERE SAYS OTHERWISE!" He roared at the increasingly panicking criminal.
"DO SOMETHING, YOU DAMN WOMAN! I CAN'T KEEP US UP FOREVER!" Torchwick roared at his accomplice as he struggled with the controls.
The woman launched several fireballs at the chain, only for them to do nothing.
"YOUR FIRE AIN'T NOTHIN' COMPARED TO MINE, BITCH! JUST SIT BACK AND TAKE YOUR PUNISHMENT!" Jaune yelled at the approaching VTOL.
The woman snarled at his impudence and held her hand out to him. The ground under the three's feet began glowing orange.
"Oh Shi…!" Jaune was interrupted by Goodwitch swiping her crop at the two teens, sending a shockwave of purple energy at them, knocking the two away from the resulting explosion. Consequently, Jaune's chain was loosened, freeing the criminals.
The VTOL immediately took off away from the pissed off bounty hunter, aggravated deputy headmistress, and miffed teenage girl.
"FUCKING DAMMIT! 3 MILLION LIEN RIGHT DOWN THE SHITTER! WELL THIS AIN'T OVER TORCHWICK! NEXT TIME I SEE YOU, I'M GONNA SHOOT YOU IN THE FUCKING FACE!" He roared at the shrinking vehicle. Panting after screaming so loud, he re-wrapped the chain around his torso and grabbed his shotgun.
"W-Wow, you're a huntress!?" He heard Ruby squealing. He turned and saw the teen gazing at Goodwitch with absolute awe in her eyes, like she was looking at a superstar. "Can I have your autograph?" She gushed.
The woman merely glared at the two in return.
(One hour later Vale police station, interrogation room.)
Jaune was practically steaming as he sat next to a depressed Ruby with Glynda Goodwitch pacing on the opposite end of the interrogation table.
"Your reckless actions could have gotten yourselves or others injured, if not outright killed. Your actions tonight will not go unpunished." She lectured.
Jaune had been on the receiving end of her self-righteous stare since he and Ruby were dragged into the room.
"Well they started it. I was just in my happy place, reading a magazine and thinking about ways to upgrade my baby, thenthesejerkscameoutofnowhereandtriedmuggingmebutIjustfoughtbackwhentheyattackedfirst." Ruby finished her rant in practically a squeal.
Jaune raised a brow and smirked in amusement at her actions but he gently patted her back to console her. "Don't worry young'un. You didn't do nothin' wrong. Really, this broad has no legal reason to keep us here. She's a teacher though, so her first reaction is to lecture and down-trod on what she thinks are rookies steppin' up too early. From what I saw, your only mistake was goin' off a bit half-cocked. But the fact that you're fifteen and that's the only mistake you made tells me you're a prodigy with even more potential than what we've already seen. Don't feel down, y'hear?" He said and gently ruffled her hair.
Ruby blushed lightly and smiled at the older boy's praise.
Glynda narrowed her eyes at the male and pulled out a folder. "As for you, young man. Jaune Arc, Seventeen, bounty hunter with a noted reputation throughout the four kingdoms. You mostly bring in your targets dead but since a majority of those targets are known for heinous criminal acts such as human and faunus trafficking, pedophilia, domestic assaults, and murders, the kingdoms don't generally bother you." She looked at the smirking young man in contempt.
"You kill people without a second thought and profit from it. Even now you show no remorse for your actions."
Jaune smirked at her and huffed in apparent amusement. "Somebody open a window before I choke on all this self-righteousness in the air. You said it yourself, they were slave traders, wife-beaters, and child molesters. They were nothin' more than animals in human skin. The worlds a better place without them. Just like the White Fang, some are misguided, I'll give you that, but the rest are nothin' more that rabid dogs that got a taste for blood and decided they liked the taste, human or faunus, it don't matter." He stated.
Ruby looked saddened at his views but internally, she remembered stories her uncle Qrow told her about monsters looking like humans. This must have been what he was talking about.
"Sadly, that's a fact, young man." A man's regal voice said from behind Goodwitch. She stiffened and stepped to the side, revealing a silver-haired man wearing a pair of black spectacles, a black jacket with an emerald green scarf around his neck and a plate of cookies in one hand and a cane in the other.
"Headmaster Ozpin." Glynda said with a bow of her head.
"Glynda, you neglected to mention that Mr. Arc only takes a portion of the bounty for himself and donates the rest to various orphanages and many charity organizations. The Faunus Rights Movement being chief among them, then again, given his family, that should be expected." Ozpin stated as he placed the plate of cookies in front of the teens.
Ruby looked at the cookies and Jaune a few times before Jaune smiled at her and nudged the plate towards her.
"Ruby Rose…" Ozpin began, getting Jaune's attention due to the apparent interest in the girl's name. "You… have silver eyes." He announced.
Jaune decided to have some fun. "Headmaster Ozpin…you… have nice shades. Mine are better, though." he said as he pulled off his shades, revealing his bright sapphire eyes to the three.
Glynda didn't appreciate his humor even though Ozpin smirked in apparent amusement. "Mind your tone, young man." She practically snarled at him.
"Now now, Glynda. This man prefers that other earn his respect and he only knows us by hearsay. We will earn his respect over time if he takes my offer." The man chided his deputy headmistress.
Jaune raised a brow in curiosity but Ozpin turned his focus on Ruby.
"Now, miss Rose…" He began with Glynda showing her scroll to the two, revealing a video of Ruby's fight against Torchwick's thugs. "…Where did you learn to do this?" He asked, motioning his head towards the video.
"S-Signal Academy." She answered nervously.
"You learned to use one of the deadliest weapons ever designed at Signal?" Ozpin asked skeptically.
"W-Well, it was actually just one teacher." She rebutted immediately.
"I see…" Ozpin said.
Feeling a bit more comfortable, Ruby ate one of the chocolate-chip cookies. It was apparently good, seeing as how she started to practically inhale the plate, much to Jaune's amusement.
"I only ask because I've only seen one other scythe wielder with that skill before. A dusty, old Qrow." Ozpin announced.
Ruby nodded with her mouth full of cookies. "Thash muh unkul!" She declared before realizing her mouth was full and quickly swallowing the sweets. "Sorry. That's my uncle Qrow. He's the teacher I was talking about. I used to be pants with weapons despite how much I love them but now I'm all-HYAH! WTCHAH! HOOAH!" She shouted out exaggerated karate noises while flailing her arms out in a mockery of karate moves.
Jaune couldn't help but laugh a bit at how cute she looked. Ozpin chuckled at her antics as well, though Glynda merely looked at her with disapproval.
"Well, Ruby, why is a young adorable girl like you training at a school for monster hunters?" Ozpin asked.
"Well, I want to be a huntress. I only have two more years at Signal until I can apply at Beacon. My sister starts there this year and my parents taught us to help other people, so I thought 'why not make a career out of it?' I know that the police do good too but being a huntress would just be more exciting and romantic, and cool, and…" She cut herself off with and excited squeal. "…you know?!"
Silence answered her for a few seconds before Jaune decided to speak. "Okay that was the most adorable thing I've ever seen and I've seen a baby bunny rabbit playing with a month-and-a-half old kitten." He announced.
Ruby blushed at his words until they registered in her mind and she inwardly squealed at the mental image of a baby kitten and bunny.
With a smile on his face, Ozpin asked her, "Do you know who I am, Ms. Rose?"
"You're Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon Academy." She answered instantly.
"Hello." The old man greeted with a gentle nod of his head.
"Nice to meet you." She replied.
"Do you wish to attend my academy?" He asked seemingly randomly.
"More than anything." Ruby answered quickly.
"Very well then." He said just as quickly.
Ruby gave the biggest, shiniest smile Jaune had ever seen in his life at that.
"Now, if you don't mind, myself, Glynda, and Mr. Arc have a few things to discuss. You father was notified of tonight's events and is likely waiting for you out front. An officer will escort you." Ozpin said.
As if in a trance, Ruby slowly stood up and walked towards the door.
"Take care, Ruby." Jaune waved at the dazed girl who didn't seem to hear him. "Man, she is out of it." He chuckled under his breath.
Ozpin then focused on Jaune. "Now as for you, Mr. Arc, I'm curious as to how you got tangled in tonight's events."
Jaune shrugged. "As you've seen in my file, no doubt, I'm a wanderer for the most part. I usually just travel around and if I see a bounty or hear of cases in local precincts, I lend a hand or go for the bounty. I saw Torchwick go into the shop, brought up his mug shot with his info and decided to go for it."
"Endangering civilians in the process." Glynda interjected.
Jaune rolled his eyes. "What civilians? It's the middle of the night and I didn't sense anyone else aside from the old man in the store."
"You 'sensed'?" Ozpin asked.
Jaune smirked before his eyes lit up with an ethereal flame. "Don't pretend you don't know of my power, headmaster. False ignorance doesn't suit you." Jaune said with a low growl in his voice as smoke lightly teemed from his mouth and eyes.
Ozpin and Glynda's eyes widened. Glynda's in slight fear and Ozpin's in wonder.
"So the tales of the Ghost Rider within the Arc family bloodline are more than myth?" He asked rhetorically.
Jaune powered down and smirked at the two. "The whole 'Devil's Bounty Hunter' bit fell out of style centuries ago. It's practically just some supped up Semblance that appears in the Arc bloodline every few centuries. I possess Hellfire conjuration and manipulation, general immunity to fire. Oh, I also learned how to channel angelic fire. It's great to use for healing and when there are civilians in the crossfire. It can't hurt the innocent. Finally, the Penance Stare, to sear the souls of the wicked. Though there's a tale about whether or not the Spirit/Angel is still within the host. When the being awakens, his host will have power equivalent to a God, so long as the power is used to protect the innocent and punish the guilty." He announced.
Ozpin grinned at the young man while Glynda just gawked.
"Mr. Arc, I am in need of your services, if you're willing to hear me out." Ozpin said.
Jaune raised a brow before he leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on the table. "Order some take-out and my ears'll be open." He said.
Ozpin smirked and called for the officer to order some food.
(Two hours later)
Jaune was chewing the last bit of his beef lo-mein as he muddled Ozpin's words in his head.
"The Maiden of Fall is injured and the woman I just fought is suspected of bein' the perp. Torchwick is just a lackey, meaning he's been cowed by this broad, cause he's too prideful to bend over and take it like that." He mused before he swallowed his food.
"What I don't get is, what the hell are they doin' with all this Dust they're stealing? Also, the White Fang, while a bunch of pussies and rabid dogs, they're too prideful to work with humans all willy-nilly. Whoever this 'Queen' is, she's very influential, charismatic, and incredibly powerful." He said.
"Did you notice anything stand out during your battle with her?" Ozpin asked.
Jaune paused for a moment and shrugged in aggravation. "When she blocked my shotgun shells, she created a kind of small shield made of crystal or something, just strong enough to block a single shot before it shattered but her control is great enough to generate it on the fly. Her clothes were Dust-infused, rare, but not unheard of. She's got enough of the Fall Maiden's powers to have a surprising control of the fire element, like a candle against a forest fire in comparison to myself but you get the picture." He said.
Ozpin and Glynda nodded at his observations. "We found out it was actually Dust infused glass constructs she used as weapons. It could be her base Semblance, but we can't be entirely sure." Glynda stated.
Jaune nodded at this and continued on. "Anything else you feel I need to know?" He asked casually as he tossed his take-out cup into the garbage pail.
The two shook their heads. "Sadly, that's all we know about her." Glynda stated.
He then turned his gaze to the Headmaster. "Alright then, what is it you want from me?"
"I wish for you to attend Beacon as a newly applying student. While your skills already rival most veteran huntsmen, it would probably do you well to interact with others your own age. Also, I have a young woman that is a possible candidate for the next Fall Maiden if Amber doesn't pull through. I would ask that you befriend and protect her if you are able." Ozpin offered.
Jaune paused for a moment to let this sink in. He did want to become a Huntsman when he was young. The Rider's power manifesting put a kind of hamper on that. Bounty hunting was a nice living, traveling, money, and kicking a lot of ass was always fun but the loneliness was always an issue.
However, becoming a Huntsman would also put him under the scrutiny of the politicians. He'd done a good job of avoiding the Councilmen in charge of the various kingdoms, especially the General of the Atlas military forces, James Ironwood.
Jaune sighed before turning to the two. "Alright, what the hell? My parent's and sisters oughta get a kick outta this. You fill out my transcripts and I'll be there when the new students arrive. I can't promise that I'll be the best student since I learned all that I know from the streets. I know that racism is pretty rampant across the kingdoms, especially with the White Fang fucking things up for their kin. I also know that with teenagers, it's infinitely worse. If I see anyone harassing a Faunus in front of me, I'm gonna put this prick down and I don't care if I'm labeled a 'Faunus Lover' or whatever. I hate bullies and I'll deal with them the only way I know how. Second, I'm bringing my bike. After all, what's a Ghost Rider without his ride?" He asked rhetorically with a grin.
Ozpin nodded slowly after a few moments of thought.
"Another thing; Keep the whole Rider thing on the down low. I've avoided the old councilmen finding out about it and I'd like to keep it that way. Though I made a mistake in Haven when some snooty lady called Winter got up in my face and I "Accidentally" set her jacket on fire." Jaune said as an afterthought.
"Easily agreeable. I try to keep my own interactions with them as minimal as possible, myself." Ozpin stated. He reached his hand over the table and the two men shook upon it.
The three stood and walked out of the precinct, Jaune collected his weapons from the evidence lockup lot as he did so.
Once the three stepped outside, the teachers stopped when Jaune stood on the sidewalk.
"Where is your ride, Mr. Arc?" Glynda asked curiously.
Jaune smirked before putting his right thumb and forefinger in between his lips and releasing a loud and shrill whistle.
He was answered by a loud roar from his bike's engine getting closer quickly. It soon turned over the corner and screeched as it approached the three.
"I love that trick." Jaune announced after the bike stopped in front of him. He straddled the bike and saluted the two before he peeled out towards a motel he had purchased until the ship to Beacon departed.
"Are you sure about this, Ozpin?" Glynda asked when the boy was out of sight.
Ozpin sighed wearily. "Not entirely. But according to legend, the Ghost Rider was known both as the Angel of Justice and the Spirit of Vengeance. If either of these powers were on our side, then we'd be immeasurably better off than before." He said as the two strolled towards a Beacon-issued VTOL that would take them back to the academy.
(Two weeks later, VTOL on route to Beacon Academy)
"Oh, I'm so excited! My little sister's going to Beacon with me." A voluptuous young woman with wild golden hair exclaimed happily as she hugged Ruby. The girl was seventeen with bright lilac eyes wearing an orange scarf and a brown top with puffy shoulders over a yellow tube-top with her own unique symbol that struggled to contain her large assets and a pair of yellow bracelets over black fingerless gloves. Her lower body bore a pair of black biker shorts and brown knee-high boots over orange socks.
"Yang, not so loud. I don't want anyone to treat me like I'm special." Ruby whined as she pushed her older sister off.
"But you are special, Rubes. You got in two years early! You're the bee's knees." Yang exclaimed happily.
Ruby pouted. "I don't want to be the 'bee's knees' I just want to be a normal girl with normal knees." She stated.
"What the hell is this 'normal' that you speak of? I'm pretty sure that people like us've long since abandoned that." A familiar male's voice said with a familiar drawl.
Ruby turned around and saw an all-black-clad young man with a black Stetson hat over his face, leaning against the wall. She gently lifted the rim of the hat and saw a mirthful pair of sapphire eyes gazing back at her.
"Jaune!" She squealed and wrapped the bounty hunter in a hug which he returned happily.
"Glad to see you made it okay, little red." He said and placed his hat on her head, making her grin broadly.
"Whoa, Ruby, care to introduce me?" Yang asked as she ogled the young man that her sister had spoken about so much. "Tall, blonde, packing some good muscle, and nice weaponry. Sexy country boy drawl helps him too." She mentally checked a list in her head.
Ruby drew away and held her arms out like she was presenting a grand prize. "Sorry, Jaune, this is my big sister Yang Xiao Long. Yang, this is Jaune Arc, that awesome bounty hunter that almost nabbed Torchwick." She said.
"Thanks for the reminder. I'm still gonna shoot that bitch in the face when I run into him again." Jaune announced with a growl.
Yang smirked at the boy. "You seem good at holding a grudge." She observed.
Jaune shrugged. "I just came so close but his back-up was a freakin' VTOL carryin' some pyrokinetic broad. I'm gonna have to get some more info for when I tango with them again." He said.
Ruby looked between the two, not liking the seriousness of the conversation, and changed the subject. "So what did the professors want to talk with you about?" She asked innocently.
Jaune actually came prepared for this. "Well, they noticed that I'm a legitimate bounty hunter despite being seventeen, and they felt I could do better with my life so Ozpin offered me a place at Beacon as a new student."
A half, yet, complete truth.
"But what about your records? Did you attend any training schools before now?" Yang asked.
Jaune shook his head. "My family is pretty much a big believer in the "Baptism by Fire" approach. After my aura was unlocked when I was nine, I trained into the dirt to master my Semblance. When I mastered enough at thirteen, I went off to start as a bounty hunter. My folks are very supportive types, so they were over the moon when I was invited."
Both girls accepted his reasons and they turned their attention to the screens littering the walls of the carrier. It was showing Lisa Lavender, the news reporter, telling a story on the latest White Fang assault.
"The latest protest from the Faunus Rights Movement nearly ended in tragedy when the White Fang launched a surprise attack in the middle of the crowd. The Movement, having replaced the now terrorist organization; The White Fang as a peaceful organization dedicated to achieving equality between human and faunus, was rebuffed by the representative of the Arc family, Jacqueline Arc, and the private military force of the Arc Citadel." She announced. The screen showed a symbol in the form of two upward-facing golden arcs. "The Arc family, having been a well renowned clan of famous and infamous Huntsmen and Huntresses, has stated again that they would not allow any loss of life to those under their protection. Jacqueline has this to say." The image was replaced by a young woman in her late-twenties with blonde hair and blue eyes glaring into the camera. She wore a white Stetson hat, a yellow blouse under a white leather vest with two handguns holstered under her arms and blue jean pants over brown boots.
"This attack has only shown that while the White Fang may declare that they want freedom and equality for their fellow faunus, they already see 'em as equals. And both human and faunus are disposable for them to kill as they like. Well, the Arc family will not let this stand. We at the Citadel are a proud family willing to accept human and faunus as both workers, soldiers, and even leaders. The Movement came to us years ago askin' fer help and we gave them what they asked for and more, so you faunus out there lookin' fer a home, know that our doors are open. And for any of you White Fang f*bleep*ers thinkin' about sending any of your attack dogs after us, remember that the Citadel still legalizes the Death Penalty. Thank you." The woman declared passionately with a southern drawl and was met with the cheers of the crowd below her. She stepped off the stage and shook the hand of one of the elder leaders of the Movement before she gently helped the old man with dull silver fox ears into a wheelchair.
Jaune snorted. "Like I said before, a bunch of rabid dogs thirsty for blood. Sis feels the same way, apparently."
"DUDE! YOU'RE THE HEIR OF THE ARC FAMILY!?" Yang screeched.
Jaune covered his ear that the blonde had screamed into. "Jeez, could ya keep it down to a dull roar? Thank you." He yelled as he rubbed his ear.
The image changed to a mugshot of Roman Torchwick.
"In other news, despite the efforts of the Valean police force, a young huntress-in training, and a veteran bounty hunter, professional criminal, Roman Torchwick is still at large."
"Oh, screw you too, lady." Jaune barked as he sat down and sulked. The sisters giggled at his pouting face.
"But seriously, you're from such an incredible family like the Arcs? I read you're probably more influential than the Schnees."
Jaune smirked. "Well, we're more popular than the Schnees, I can tell you that right now."
The girls giggled at his reply.
The screen suddenly blinked out and a holographic image of Goodwitch appeared in their place.
"Greetings, young initiates." She said stoically.
"Who's that?" Yang asked.
"My name is Glynda Goodwitch."
"Oh."
"You are among the select few to attend this institution…"
Jaune proceeded to ignore the woman's hologram.
After a few minutes, the airship approached the castle-like building and the ship docked near the courtyard, where Jaune and the sisters now stood.
"Wow! This place is amazing." Ruby declared.
"It's even more impressive than I thought it would be." Yang said as she looked around.
Jaune said nothing, opting to watch Ruby as she turned starstruck at the various weaponry people around her were armed with.
She seemed to chibify with her eyes being replaced by yellow stars. She practically hovered in place by her sister and pointed frantically at the passing people.
"SIS, THAT GUY'S GOT A COLLAPSABLE STAFF. OH, AND SHE'S GOT A FIRE-SWORD!" The reaper squealed. She was pulled back by Yang grabbing her cowl.
"Ow, ow, owwwww!" She whined.
"Easy there, little sister. They're just weapons." Yang lectured.
Ruby looked at her sister scandalized. "Just weapons!? They're an integral part of us. A part of our soul given form." She gushed.
Jaune smirked in amusement as Yang rolled her eyes. "Then why don't you gush over your Crescent Rose?" She asked.
Ruby unfurled her FREAKIN' giant scyper rifle(Snithe Rifle?). "Of course, I love my baby but I love seeing new weapons. They're like people, just better."
Jaune quirked his brow and cleared his throat at her.
"Present company excluded." She squeaked with an impish grin. Yang pulled her attention away by shoving the hat over Ruby's eyes.
"When are you going to make more friends for yourself?" Yang asked.
Ruby looked at her with the eyes of a kicked puppy. "But I have you and now Jaune. Why would I need anyone else?" She asked.
Yang stepped back nervously for a moment and then she was mobbed by a random group of people. "ActuallymyfriendsarehereitwasnicemeetingyouJauneIgottago!" She said rapidly and took off so fast, Ruby was sent spinning away and Jaune's hat was sent flying.
Jaune ran to grab his flying hat. "DICK MOVE, YANG! DICK MOVE!" He yelled at the retreating blonde when he caught his hat. A crash from behind him drew his attention. He turned and saw a downtrodden Ruby being yelled at by a girl his age wearing an eye-watering amount of white and silver, with silvery-white hair in a ponytail on the side of her head and pale blue eyes. The cart and the expensive-looking suitcases scattered around Ruby pretty much told him the entire story.
Jaune instantly recognized Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. He put on his hat and lowered it to cover his eyes in shadow.
He already didn't like the woman's older sister, he couldn't imagine the younger being any more pleasant.
Jaune came up when Weiss was waving around a vial of red Dust crystals in front of Ruby's scrunching up face. He wondered why until he saw the dust particles floating from the lid.
"This is Dust. It's not something you can just wave around!" Weiss lectured.
Seeing what was coming, Jaune rushed forward right when Ruby was about to sneeze.
"ACH-" She was stopped by a gloved hand slapping over her face and pinching her nose.
"Hey, who do you think you are!? I was talking to this brat." Weiss shouted pompously.
Jaune waved away the dust in the air. "I'm Jaune, a bounty hunter, and I believe I just stopped this young prodigy from sneezing, and igniting the airborne dust particles because some white-clad snooty broad was flinging around an improperly sealed Dust vial."
Weiss then looked at the vial in her hand and finally realized that the lid was crooked. But she tried covering her mess-up with her ingrained haughtiness.
"W-Well do you know who I am, you backwoods ruffian?" She demanded.
Jaune raised a brow at her insult but was stopped from answering by another voice.
"Her name is Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company."
Jaune and Ruby turned around to see a pretty black-haired woman with a large black bow on her head. Her yellow eyes, which were complimented by light purple eye shadow, were focused on the book in her hands. She was garbed in a white sleeveless undershirt and shorts and over them was a black sleeveless vest with coattails, exposing her midriff. Her lower body only had the shorts and black stockings that faded into purple as they neared her black high-heeled boots. On her back was a rectangular slab with a ribbon dangling from the gun handle peeking from its top.
Jaune saw her eyes and glanced at the bow and immediately knew she was a faunus in hiding. Respectfully, he nodded his head in greeting and kept silent.
"Finally, some recognition." Weiss smirked at the two.
"The some company known for its shady business dealings and horrible labor." The black-clad girl finished.
"…" Weiss stuttered before she snarled in an unladylike manner and stormed off. Her suitcases reloaded and the cart was being pushed by a servant.
Jaune noticed that she had forgotten something important. "Are you ser-FIX THAT DAMN VIAL, YA ALBINO DONKEY!" Jaune yelled at the fuming woman, who ignored him and continued to stomp off.
Ruby looked conflicted as Jaune chuckled and the two turned to the dusky girl, only to see that she had walked away while he was yelling at Weiss.
"Why is everyone leaving?" Ruby whined from her spot on the floor.
Jaune huffed in amusement and hauled the girl back to her feet.
"Some people are just reclusive by nature, young'un." He said.
The two walked towards the building quietly until Ruby spoke up. "Jaune, I've been meaning to ask, what weapons do you have? I saw your handguns and the shotgun but I never saw you use the blades on your back." She motioned to the two hilts peeking over his shoulders.
The bounty hunter smiled and drew the blades. In his left hand, there was a hollowed foot long Bowie knife with a chainsaw on the back of the blade. In his right was a similar weapon, only it was a two and a half foot long Bowie sword.
"My family never got the appeal to the hybrid weapons but it doesn't mean we never experimented a bit. I got these two plus a modified lever action hunting rifle with my bike named 'Aquilam'. These two are named 'Argent' and 'Acies'. The shotgun is named 'Fulmin' and the pistols are named 'Ortus' and 'Occasum'" He said and motioned to the weapons respectively.
Ruby reverently took the knife and gave it a few experimental swings. She used her middle finger to pull the trigger under the ring and the chainsaw whirred to life, its teeth ready to shred its enemies to pieces.
Jaune accepted the blade back with a smile and re-sheathed the blades.
The two headed into the main building to begin their lives as Hunters.
A.N.: Thank you all for making it through my first attempt at fiction in several years. I just want you all to know how much I appreciate your support over the years and I'm sorry to all those I've let down with my absence.
As for Jaune's weapons, the magnums and the bowie blades can be viewed with google.
Please review. I truly appreciate y'all's feedback.