A/N: My muse insists I start this.
Oscar Pine, the youngest headmaster of the newly reopened Beacon Academy sits at his desk sifting through the applicants for next years students. Several seem quite promising, he mulls over a few and approves their applications. Glenda Goodwitch ever at his side, and quite likely it's only because of her staunch support that he was even awarded the title. These days he was equally Oscar Pine and Ozpin, though he could feel that the he would indeed be the wizards last reincarnation. Something that comforted him greatly. A knock sounded from his large oak doors and he raises an eyebrow.
"Professor Goodwich, do I have an appointment this afternoon?" He asks raising an eyebrow, it wouldn't be out of character to forget Things were understandably hectic since reestablishing the academy only a year ago.
"Not that I'm aware of." She pulls up her scroll and scans the calendar, this being one of a very few "light work" days.
"Come on in." He calls watching the doors as they opened. Glynda gasps and he stood in shock.
"My word." Was all Glenda could manage to say through the shock.
It was fall and as such the island of Patch was in its full colorful glory. The trees leaves in brilliant shades of red, golds and yellow browns. It was gorgeous. Their destination coming into view after a short walk. A cozy two story home with a beautifully manicured lawn. The double front doors while solid wood were engraved with stunning scroll work, bright silver knockers hanging on both of them, The doors were flanked with large windows a soft warm glow emanating from them. Oscar nods to his guest and she picks up one of the knockers and gives three solid knocks. Her heart beating out of her chest. Nora Valkryie opens the door. Her cheerful smile fading instantly as she drew her weapon.
"Nora?" The guest asks confused. Oscar steps in between them.
"Sorry, I forgot to call ahead, you can rest easy Miss Valkyrie, this is in fact the real Pyrrha Nikos." He assures.
Nora drops her hammer gasping which grabs Ren's attention from the other room. "How?" She manages.
"Nora, is everything okay?" Ren calls stepping into view when his jaw drops.
"It's really her?" Nora repeats things finally sinking in.
"Yes, it is indeed" Oscar nods.
Quicker than the long lost spartain can process she is wrapped in hug by Nora who is weeping tears of joy. "I don't care how, we missed you so much." Nora sobs.
"I missed you all as well." Pyrrha says crying as well. Ren smiles at the scene, Oscar beams, this is a reunion that no one saw coming and it warms his heart.
"Ren, what's going on? I hear Bella crying." A soft voice calls from behind them.
Ren's eyes widen in panic. "Ruby, you shouldn't be out of bed!" He scolds raising his voice a bit more than he meant to. "Everyone come in." He says as almost an after thought.
Pyrrha follows Ren and Nora in, the dark haired boy practically sprinting to the tiny reapers side. She's absolutely shocked at the tiny girls condition. Her hair is dull and lifeless on her head. Her bright sparkling silver eyes appearing dull and gray, sunken and accentuated with large dark circles under her eyes, and while the girl was always pale, her skin had a pallor of gray to it as well. She looked like she was on deaths door. The purple black bruises running up and down her arms added another level of shock.
"C'mon Rubes, we need you back in bed." Ren says now next to her, he catches her just as her legs give out and her head lulls to the side. The sound of a baby crying the only thing heard for a few seconds. Ren settles into work mode. "Nora, call Jaune, find out where he is and tell him to get here NOW! Oscar go get the baby, Pyrrha, with me." Ren gently lays Ruby fully on the floor assessing her. He swears under his breath.
"What's wrong with her?" Pyrrha asks concern and worry washing over her. She reaches out to brush some hair out of Ruby's face and gasps. "She's burning up!"
"On her first mission after having Bella, she was stung by a deathstalker." Ren states matter of factly.
"Why isn't she at a hospital then?" Pyrrha wonders.
"Deathstalkers are called that because there is no cure for the venom. If one happens to survive the initial attack, death will stalk the victim in the form of the venom. No one has ever lasted as long against the poison as Ruby has. Cover your eyes." Ren instructs as silver white light fills the room dying down as quickly as it came.
"What was that?" Pyrra cries out in shock.
"Ruby's silver eyes, we think that, along with the antivenom that the Schnee company is working on, her eyes are the only reasons she's lasted this long. The wound from the stinger has never healed and it constantly makes more and more venom, poisoning her by the second. It seems when the venom reaches a critical ratio Ruby's eyes activate as a survival mechanism, her eyes purify the grimm, but can only do so much on her own body." Ren explains.
"That's horrible, poor Ruby." The redheads heart is breaking.
"I'm here! Where is.. OH NO! RUBY!" Jaune rushes to Ren's side handing him a bag, he reaches out his hands glowing soft gold. Pyrrha watches as the color courses over Ruby's body, the bruising begins disappearing as Ren administers the medicine. "She's stable again." He sighs.
"What's this?" Ren asks holding up a tube.
"Just came in today, Weiss's scientists say it should help to neutralize the poison around the wound allowing her aura to take over and begin healing." Jaune explains.
"It'd be easiest to change the bandage in here." Ren observes.
"It would" Jaune agrees. "Pyrrha help me hold her up, Ren the rest is up to you." Jaune instructs and then blinks. "Pyrrha?"
"Hi, partner." She smiles a tiny bit, still too worried about Ruby.
"Okay, fill me in later." Jaune shakes his head. "I'll hold her up, Pyr, you keep the shirt out of Ren's way, Ren, they said to use a LOT of the cream."
They all do as instructed, Pyrrha gasps when Ren removes the bandage already on the tiny reaper. The purple black venom dripping from a red and angry looking scratch. Ruby comes to just before Ren places the cream soaked new bandage over the wound and she cries out in pain. Pyrrha fights back tears at her friends distress.
"That hurts." Ruby hisses.
"I know, when you're feeling better we'll call Weiss and have her put the scientist on the line that made it and you can thank her before you curse her out for three hours." Jaune attempts to joke dryly.
"How droll." Ruby hisses as the stinging dies down. "Bella is quiet, where is she?" Ruby asks eyes darting around the room.
"No worries mama Ruby, Auntie Nora and Uncle Oscar have everything under control." Nora reassures bouncing a baby with red tipped blonde hair and shining silver eyes.
"Lets get you in bed and you can cuddle her okay?" Jaune speaks gently. Ruby agrees, Jaune stands and picks Ruby up off the floor gently. Pyrrha and the others follow him down a hall into a cozy bedroom. He settles her into the bed and helps her get comfortable. Oscar hands him the baby girl whom he cradles and coos at booping her tiny nose before handing her to Ruby. The look of contentment that passes over Ruby's face brings a smile to Pyrrhas. The baby and mother yawn in unison which causes Jaune to smile with a level of fondness Pyrrha had never seen. Bella and Ruby snuggle up and both are asleep in minutes. Once Jaune is sure that Ruby is sound asleep he gently takes the baby and places her in a nearby crib, expertly grabbing a pacifier when the little one fusses. Once he's sure both baby and mother are sound asleep he quietly ushers everyone out and gently closes the door.
Pyrrha is caught off guard when Nora smacks Jaune upside the head. "You cut it close this time." Nora scolds.
"Hey, the pharmacist insisted on lecturing me on the cream." He says defensively rubbing his head. It's then that a flicker of gold on the knights hand catches Pyrrhas attention. She smiles, happy for him, though it may complicate the news she has. "Thanks for helping today Pyr, but um.. where did you come from? Ruby saw.. well, there isn't delicate way to phrase this. Ruby saw you die." Jaune sounds tired and weary.
"That's a rather long story, one that would best be told in the living room." Oscar smiles, nodding down the hall.
The five of them settle in the living room. Jaune slumps into an arm chair, Oscar sits in its match. Ren and Nora settle on the couch with Pyrrha sitting next to Nora.
"I was dead…I remember that, a few weeks ago the God of Light came to me. It's a little fuzzy to be honest. I remember him saying my sacrifice was .. valiant.. and now with someone named "Salem" gone that as a reward to Remnants savior he would allow me to come back. I must have agreed because I woke up at my parents home in my old bed. The thing is.. I wasn't alone, there was a child with me. It's strange to say, but he's mine." She says uncertainly.
"How could that be?" Ren wonders.
"Miss Nikos, how old do you estimate the child to be?" Oscar enquires.
"He says he's four." She answers.
"You were dead for six years." Jaune points out.
"Hmm, time does flow differently in the afterlife, and it's not always consistent either." Oscar muses.
"The thing is, I have memories of being pregnant, taking care of him as an infant and getting through the terrible twos, birthdays and Christmases. Things that I couldn't logically have been around for but he has the same memories. My parents were understandably thrilled and confused when the two of us walked down stairs. I seem to have aged appropriately as well."
Nora smiles, she's seen way too much crazy stuff at this point to dispute any of the story. "So, what's your son's name?"
Pyrrha smiles her eyes full of love. "Archer, he's kind and caring, so smart, but a bit clumsy, he's a lot like his father in that way."
"You know who the father is?" Jaune questions.
"Of course. It's you Jaune, congratulations, it's a boy!" Pyrrha smiles.
"How?" Ren asks confused.
"Umm... the night before she decided to be the fall maiden, we we're doing some training and.. yea.. seventeen year old me didn't have the most self control." Jaune sighs.
" I..uh, may have gotten a bit too… aggressive." Pyrrha relents embarrassed, causing everyone to chuckle.
"Oh, yea, you told us about that." Nora nods.
"Ruby's going to get a kick out of this." Jaune muses, Ren laughs out loud and Oscar snorts.
"None of you seem surprised in this revelation." Pyrrha points out. "Also, Ruby knows?" That embarrass her a bit.
Jaune chuckles. "I have no secrets from my wife after all, and yea.. that story kinda came out at our wedding shower. On that note, make sure to dilute any drinks Yang happens to make you."
"You and Ruby huh? That's really sweet. Is she going to be okay though?" She is honestly genuinely happy for them, but very concerned about her friend.
Jaune frowns. "It's anybody's guess right now, though on the last checkup her survival chances went from twenty to twenty five percent. She's a fighter, she wants to be around for Bells."
"Your daughter is beautiful." Pyrrha smiles.
"Would you like to know her name?" Jaune asks, the soft smiles on Ren and Nora's faces make the room feel cozy and warm.
"Isn't it Bella?" Pyrrha asks.
"That's just her nickname, here look at this." Jaune pulls out his wallet and hands his partner a piece of pink paper.
Pyrrha reads it out loud. "Announcing the arrival of Pyrrha Summer Rose Arc." She trails off…. "You named her after me?" She whispers.
"Nope." Jaune chirps. "That was all Ruby, but when she brought up the idea I couldn't think of anything more perfect. We even went all the way to Argus to get your parents blessing." He smiles fondly. Speaking of your namesake, I hear her calling. I'll be right back. Jaune leaves the room returning a short time later with a very fussy baby. "Teething is no fun, is it Bella Boo?" He coos soothingly bouncing the infant. "Sorry to ask, but Nora could you?"
"On it!" Nora cheers, leaving the room and returning a second later with a frozen teething ring. She hands it to the baby who grabs it shoving the cold squishy ring in her mouth. Nora holds her hands out and Bella gladly reaches over to her. Jaune smile and transfers the babe to his dear friend. "Ohh, auntie Nora just can't get over how precious you are! No she can't!" Nora babbles nuzzling the baby's cheek with her nose.
"Pyrrha, if it's okay, I'd very much like to meet Archer." Jaune sounds hopeful.
Pyrrha smiles warmly. "Of course it's alright. He's with my parents in Vale right now. Ozpi… Oscar suggested I come alone at first. I see why now. I have something to ask too. Who is Salem, and who is the savior of Remnant?"
"Salem.. is a long story. In the most basic of ways you can consider her a human turned grimm. She was the ultimate threat to humanity. The Queen of the Grimm, and cursed with immorality. The savior of all of Remnant? Well, she's currently sleeping down the hall." Oscar finishes with a fondness in his voice.
Pyrrha blinks. "Ruby?"
"Yep!" Nora chirps. "You should have seen it, I'll fill you in fully another time. The short version is Ruby purified the grimm right out of Salem, and cute boy Oz had a talk with her and then.. that was it."
Oscar sighs. "Please don't call me that." He says pinching his nose. "That description is fairly accurate, though I think we should pick this up tomorrow. Well, you all can, Glenda will kill me if I skip out on tomorrow's assembly."
"Tomorrow?" Pyrrha questions, Nora nudges her and points to Jaune sound asleep in his chair, little Bella sleeping contentedly on Nora. Pyrrha smiles fondly. "It has been a long day."
"Ren, you get Bells, I'll get Jaune." Nora stands gently handing the baby over to Ren. Pyrrha watches in amusement as Nora flings Jaune over her shoulder effortlessly. The two carry their charges down the hall. They return a few minutes later.
"Does that happen often?" Pyrrha wonders.
Ren shrugs. "Couple times a week."
"I'll come back tomorrow I'll bring Archer too." Pyrrha yawns.
"I can't wait to meet my new nephew!" Nora half cheers half yawns. Pryyha waves leaving the home with Oscar. It was an interesting day, her heart is full seeing her friends again, though she is still very worried about Ruby. Jaune wakes in the morning momentarily taking in the peace and feeling more rested than he had in months. His eyes widen in panic as he reaches across the bed placing his hand on Ruby's face. He scrunches his face in confusion, a smile breaking out on his face. Her fever is gone. She rolls over towards him and flutters her eyes open. Her cheeks have a rosy glow to them and her eyes are once again glistening silver pools. "Good morning my love." He whispers.
"Good morning dear." Ruby yawns, stretching, she blinks several times and smiles. "Nothing hurts." She whispers in awe.
Jaune tears up. "Nice Weiss strikes again." He gently pulls Ruby to him in a hug.
"I feel like I just woke up from a nightmare." The tiny reaper sighs.
"Me too." Jaune affirms. "Hey, Rubes?" She hmms. "I know this sounds crazy, but we had a visitor yesterday."
She snorts. "What's crazy about that? We have visitors all the time."
He laughs a bit. "It's not that we had a visitor, its who the visitor was, that's the crazy part." He proceeds to tell her about the day prior, every detail. When he stops she's quiet for several seconds before a grin splits her face.
"Do we get to meet Archer?" Her eyes dance with excitement, his heart swells both at her enthusiasm but at the sparkle in her eyes.
"Pyrrha said we could." He smiles, breaking out into laughter. "I missed you so much."
"She snuggles into his chest. "I promised didn't I? Plus I'm an Arc now."
"An Arc always keeps their word." He says with pride. "I love you."
"I love you." She returns.
"DaaaaaaDaaaaa"
"Bella!" Ruby grins, She pushes herself up out of the bed, her legs wobble and she sinks back into the bed sitting on it's edge. "I guess I've gotten a bit.. wobbly." She half laughs.
Jaune reaches over ruffling her hair. "You'll be baker of cookies and slayer of monsters again in no time." He reassures. A knock on their bedroom door followed by Nora walking in follow in short order.
"Rise and shine sleepy hea.." She stops in her tracks and gasps. "Ruby!" It's all she manages to restrain herself from tackling her friend out of joy. Nora hugs Ruby and retrieves the baby. "I'll get the munchkin ready for the day you two go eat." She instructs, Jaune and Ruby smile. He hops out of bed and helps Ruby walk slowly to the kitchen where Ren is putting the final touches on breakfast. His back is to them as he works at the stove.
"Hi Ren." Ruby chirps.
The dark haired man drops his spatula and turns around. He takes her in noting how much healthier she looks. He smiles brightly. "Welcome back." He says simply walking over and hugging her gently. Nora arrives with Bella and places her in her highchair next to Ruby. A plate of eggs, toast, and mixed fruit is placed in front of Ruby and a bowl of mashed bananas is ready for the baby. Ruby gently begins feeding her daughter who babblles and coos between each bite. The smile on Ruby's face lights the room, the weight of worry finally lifted from them. A knock comes at the front door.
"I'll get it." Nora sings almost skipping to answer the door. She returns soon enough with Pyrrha and a small red headed green eyed little boy following behind.
"Hello." Pyrrha greets them taking in the scene in the kitchen. "Ruby, you look much better today!"
Silver eyes turn meeting emerald green. If possible the smile on the tiny reapers face grew broader.
"Pyrrha, It's so good to see you! I feel so much better, guess I wont have to cuss Weiss's scientists out after all." She half pouts.
"Um.." Pyrrha almost asks.
"Oh, she doesn't do it often, but.. the last time she did… well.. both Qrow and Yang were blushing, girl's got quite the vocabulary." Nora sounds oddly proud.
Ruby nods sharply. "No one touches Crescent Rose. Whose the little cutie over there?" Ruby motions with Bella's spoon.
"Everyone, this is Archer." Pyrrha ruffles his hair.
"Nice to meet you!" Ruby says brightly, resuming feeding Bella.
Jaune gets up and kneels in front of the boy inspecting him. "Hi Archer, I'm really glad to meet you." He holds out his hand to the boy for a handshake.
Archer turns his head taking in the blonde man in front of him. "You're my dad!" He cheers, eyes sparkling. The little boy jumps wrapping Jaune in the tightest hug his little arms can muster.
"Awwww, so cute!" Ruby and Nora coo in perfect unison catching Pyrrha off guard in the best way possible.
"Yes, I am, and that little one over there is your sister. Her name is Pyrrha Summer Rose Arc, but we just call her Bella. Now that I think of it, Pyrrha, what's Archers full name? I need to send it to mom and dad and have him added to the family crest." He sets the little boy down looking up at Pyrrha while the little boy beelines for the baby thrilled at the thought of having a playmate.
"It's Jaune Archer Nikos Arc." Pyrrha answers watching as Ruby allows her son to feed baby Bella a bite.
"That's a fine name." Ren nods in approval.
"Yes, it is." Jaune says approval ringing through his voice.
"I'm still kind of shocked at how easily everyone has accepted us." Pyrrha says setting at the table as Nora serves her a plate.
They all shrug. "We've seen genies, silver eyed warriors, a literal human grimm, not to mention a man with two souls became one of our best friends. Honestly the fact that it sounds crazy makes it all that much easier for us to believe." Ren explains.
Pyrrha laughs and everyone settles in to eat, the red headed woman watches as Ruby patiently answers each of Archers infinite questions and teaches him how to feed the baby. Little Bella seems equally as mesmerized by the boy as he is with her.
Jaune sighs catching their attention. "Hey, Rubes, I think I get how your dad must feel."
Ruby raises an eyebrow at him. "Huh?"
"Archer looks nothing like me! I mean at least Yang got his hair color, but there's no evidence of your dads genetic influence on you what so ever. If they'd said they cloned your mom and gave the resulting baby to Tai to raise no one would bat an eye." He explains.
Ruby looks at him like he's lost his mind and Nora laughs. Ren shakes his head sighing. Pyrrha chuckles. "That's not true, he has your eye shape and nose, and while he's young yet, I think he'll have your build."
"Well, I guess that's okay then. He seems like a great kid either way, he's really taken to Bella too." Jaune relents.
A knock comes from the front door again. "It's my turn." Ren says standing, he leaves the room returning a few moments later with Tai and to every one's surprise Oscar."
Tai practically sprints to Ruby's side beside himself with happiness at how good she looks, he wraps her in a hug. He eventually releases her wiping a tear from his eyes. "It's good to have you back kiddo." Ruby and Tai smile at each other when Bella shouts "PAAPP!" The little girl reaches her hands towards Tai smiling and repeating "Paaap" over and over. He reaches over and lifts her from the highchair settling her on his shoulder. Her chubby little hands reaching for his shaggy golden hair.
"I guess that ends the argument of what she'll call you, Pap." Jaune laughs.
"I can live with Pap." Tai grins bouncing the baby.
"Hey dad, guess what?" Ruby sing songs.
"What?" Tai returns.
"This little cutie over here is Archer, he's Bella's brother, so.. you've got a grandson now!" Ruby sounds so proud and happy.
Pyrrha is about to say he doesn't have to treat the little boy as his grandson if he doesn't want to. Tai speaks before she can. "Welcome to the family little dude." Tai looks down at the boy smiling. "Details later?"
"Of course." Jaune agrees.
"Miss Rose, its good to see you up and about." Oscar finally finds time to greet her.
"Hey Oscar! I'm definitely up, but not so much about. I'm pretty weak still." She admits.
"That is to be expected, I'll inform the council later this evening." Oscar nods.
"ugh, I forgot." Ruby whines.
"Councilwoman Rose I am shocked!" Nora teases.
"Council?" Pyrrha repeats uncertainly.
"Ah, yes, Miss Nikos you are looking at five members of the Valean Council. It's only fitting as they all played major roles in defeating Salem and reclaiming Beacon." Oscar explains.
"I'm going to have to do another press conference aren't I?" Ruby whines.
"Once your doctor clears you for work, yes. You are an important public figure, and the first person in history to survive deathstalker venom." The ex farm hand chuckles.
Ruby looks up at Tai. "Daaaaddddyyy."
Tai laughs. "Sorry short stuff, not even your dad can save you from your occupational hazards."
A/N: So, my brain absolutely refused to let this idea go. The muse is a fickle thing after all. This will be another side project with iffy updates. A question, I'm too lazy to look it up, is there a ship name for Sun and Pyrrha? I ask because the muse has decided they will be a thing later in this story. If you expected anything other than Lancaster from me... heh. The irony of Pyrrha naming her son Archer isn't lost on me either, but he insists that's his name, sooo.