Jaune the Stampede
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Prologue
Remnant.
A world inhabited by both humans and Faunus. The two species live in tense peace with fighting on both sides. With some of the cities you come across you won't be able to tell the difference in living between human or Faunus. Other places on the other hand are not so peaceful.
Some cities have rampant discrimination. Most of these will favor the humans over the Faunus, though you may find a few that favor Faunus the closer you get to the southeast. Equal civil rights are difficult to enforce in some of these cities, but for the most part these hate filled places are few and far between.
There are 18 major cities on the planet. The first of the 18, and the most populated are April, May, Juneora Rock, Augusta, Octovern, December, and July "The Lost City". Why it's cost "The Lost City" though we will get to that later. These cities were the first seven to sprout after a tragic event known as "The Big Fall". The next cities to come were November Rain, January, March, May, February, Vale, Atlas, Vacuo, Mistral, and the Faunus city of Menagerie. The last five are the most recent addition to the "Great Cities of Remnant".
Though there may be 18 "Great Cities of Remnant" there are other cities, towns, and villages within it as well. The main reason why they're called the "Great Cities" is because they have multiple plants within them.
Plants are giant generators, large power plants that can provide enough energy to a small city of 1000 for nearly 100 years. These Plants are shaped like giant lights bulbs and remnants of the ships that crashed to the surface along time ago. While the Plants to last a long time, they do require maintenance. For even their power is not infinite. Every few hundred years or so a Plant will die and leave a city desolate without any power. The only reason the "Great Cities" don't have this issue is because they scavenge for other Plants on the planet and bring them back to be swapped out when they're dead.
Now, let's talk about three major events that have happened in the past.
The first was "The Great Fall". "The Great Fall" was exactly as it sounds. It was the day the great arcs, which carried the people seeking a new life from their old world, crashed upon the surface of Remnant. It's been more than 2000 years since that event and to this day none know why such a tragedy happened.
The next to happen was the cracking of Remnant's fifth moon. From what records remain the moon was once whole, but one night a light shot out and hit it, causing it to crack. Pieces of the moon remain in orbit today.
The third event was much more recent, happening only 20 years ago. Another tragedy that happened in a flash so grand that its light could be seen around the world. And in that brilliant flash, some untold thousands died with it. The reconstruction of the city goes slowly as many are afraid to return to a city filled with so many ghosts of the past. Some also believed the light that destroyed the city was the same one that cracked the moon in the past.
The only thing that is known about the destruction of July is the man who did it. The most heinous criminal in all of Remnant. Said to have a power so dark and destructive that his mere continued existence is a threat to Remnant itself. After the end of the July incident all sign of the perpetrator was lost, caught up in the swirling chaos that the fallout of July caused.
A week later all of Remnant was filled with wanted posters of the man. $$60,000,000,000 was the price of the bounty which sent every bounty hunter in Remnant chasing after the head of the man. Though not even one has so much as brought back even a single lock of hair from him as every one of them lost track of him or end up in the hospital in a body cast. Each town or village the bounty hunters followed him to ended up demolished, increasing his notability ten-fold.
Over the years the bounty hunters died down until many thought it to be impossible. The bounty still stands and you may find a drunken man every now and then claiming to be the one who will finally bring in his head. For the head of Jaune the Stampede, The Humanoid Typhoon, is something that many would kill for.
To this day not a single knows of his current whereabouts, remaining one of Remnants greatest mysterious.
If only someone knew where this man was.
"So huunnggrrryyy!"
How long has it been since I last ate? It had to be at least 3 days. I'm dying here. First, I lost my rations in the storm on the boat ride here.
I was leaning on the railing of the boat I was traveling on to the north of the continent of Sanus, a box of the most delicious doughnuts next to me. It was so calm and peaceful, the seagulls were flying overhead, the fish were swimming in schools and people enjoying themselves on the deck of the ship.
I was enjoying my attempts of flirting with the many lovely ladies, some even seeming to enjoy my attempts. Next thing I know dark clouds move in and the ship I rocked back and forth with the waves, along with its passengers.
"Someone please, help my baby!"
A mother reaches for her child as the young girl slides over to the railing, small enough to slip underneath and fall into the sea. As she begins to go over the edge I leap out over the railing and grab her arm before she falls in.
She looks up to me with fearful eyes as she begins to tear up at the danger she's in. I give her a reassuring smile to calm her nerves, it's the least a hero should be able to do. "Don't worry little miss. I've got you, every things gonna be alright."
I pull her up into my arm and secure her in a hug as I pull us back up onto the ship. Most of the passengers have gone inside and secured themselves in their cabins. Only the mother and some crewmates remained on deck.
"Look over there. See it's your mother. Why don't we go join her?" I carry the girl over to her crying mother as we head inside to join the others. A man runs up to the two as we enter, probably the father and husband.
'It's nice to see such a loving family. Puts my heart at ease.' I reach down to grab a doughnut from the box only to grab air. I look down to see the box missing and search frantically for it only to remember I left it outside.
"NO! MY DOUGHNUTS!" I look outside to see my box floating out to sea, calling for me to save them.
"Please sir, you can't go outside it's too dangerous!" Some of the crew mates hold me back as I try to open the door outside.
"You don't understand, I left my doughnuts outside. I have to save them, they're calling to me!"
"Please sir, stop!"
"He's crazy!"
"He's an idiot!"
The men wrestle me down and put me in a seat near the bathroom. "Please wait here, and don't start anything. We need to see to the other passengers."
As the crewmen leave I'm left to sulk over the loose of my innocent meal. "Oh, my poor stomach. To be deprived of the great doughyness of the doughnuts is truly a shame." As I cry my bitter tears of lose I feel someone tug on the sleeve of my coat.
I look to my left to see the young girl I saved with her hands behind her back shyly as she looks to the floor. "If you want some doughnuts, I have one left." From her back, she pulls out a pure doughnut, untouched by any glaze or filling. "It's the last one and I think you should have it."
Reaching out I take hold of the offered pastry as I pat her head. "Well thank you miss. That means a lot to me." As I go to take a bite I notice the girl looking at me with a hungry look in her eyes, staring at the doughnut.
That look of hers makes me want to give it back, but it would be rude to return a gift. So, I do the next best thing. I split the doughnut in two and hand her half. "There, now we both get to try it."
She quickly snatches it from my hand and dines on her snack. "Thanks again mister."
I enjoy my gift as I rub the head of the young girl as we wait out the storm.
That was a week ago. Then I was robbed of the remainder of my money.
I walk through the town where the boat landed I say goodbye to the family and make my way to the next town. As I make my I notice several children run by, bumping into me.
"Move it old man!"
"Gah!" The children knock me over as they run past, laughing as they go around a corner.
"Geez. Those kids got no respect, do they? Haa. I worry for the youth of today." I pick myself and notice my pocket inside my coat was emptier than I remembered. I search myself again and the ground nearby, but to no avail.
My knees give into the despair that was crushing me as the realization of what happened sets in.
"On man."
Honestly, I just can't catch a break, can I? All I have left is what's in my bag, and that's just some books, clothes and of course a few X-ray and Vav comics. Only the essentials.
My long, red coat sticks to me as I sweat in the humid temperature of the forest trail. It probably doesn't help that I'm wearing leather pants with metal knee guards, or the leather sleeve on my left arm. My messy blond hair hangs down in front of me, heavy and thick from the sweat.
The twin revolvers on both sides of my hips bounce with each step I take. Both are .45 colts, one silver and the other black. In all the time, I've had these I never grew to care much for them beyond tools to help people. The only reason I use them is for the novelty. Any other purpose for them has long been abandoned.
Without any food, it's been difficult to make it to the next town. I hear something behind me to see a figure on a horse closing in at a decent rate.
"Ah! Have I been saved. Has the merciful lord given his blessing onto me! Oh, thank you Father in Heaven." I'm usually not much for religion, but I'll take what I can get. "Hey," I wave my arms to signal to the rider, "over here! Please stop!"
The horse slows down as it draws closer with the figure riding it seeming to be a woman wearing a hood. "Hello there," the woman removes her hood to reveal her stunning beauty, "need some help?"
"Oh my, I didn't know I was calling out to a woman as beautiful as yourself," the dark-skinned beauty laughs at my flattery, "but I was wondering if you would be willing to offer me some food. I'm afraid I lost most of mine along with my money recently, and it has been a while since I last ate."
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that. I have some extra provisions if you need som- "
"But! What kind of man would I be if I would allow myself to take advantage of such a kind and benevolent woman's generosity! No, I believe that I should at least offer something." It is an unwritten rule in my morals to never take anything without giving something in return. Especially not from a woman.
She seems to be somewhat flustered at my statement. For a short while all I hear is her stuttered words before she regains her composure. "Th-that's alright. There's really no need. I have plenty."
"Still though, I cannot allow myself to do so. At the very least allow me to accompany you. I may not look like it but I am an expert gunman." I pull my jacket back to reveal my guns on my hip to show her my claim to be true.
Moments pass as she thinks over my proposal before sighing, "Alright. I'll allow you to accompany me." I give a silent cheer in my head as my day has just improved.
"I promise you won't regret this decision!"
She reaches into her satchel on the side of her horse and pulls out something for me to snack on. "I'm sorry. This is all I have. I know it's not much but I hope it'll do."
Ah, her beauty from before has been nothing but a farce. "I'm sorry about my earlier statement, my lady."
Puzzled was the best word to describe her. She didn't seem to understand my rather eccentric nature. "Pardon?"
I get onto one knee and look up to the stunning image of the lady before me. "I called you a woman of great beauty. One that men around the world would swoon and fall for. But now I see that I was wrong. No! You are no mere beauty! You are a goddess. One that has been sent down from above to give this poor fool the honor of being blessed with your kindness!"
Silence. Complete and utter silence. It hung in the air like a thick cloud that seemed to choke the air out of the cloaked woman. At least it looked that way as her face turned redder and redder. Her sputters from my earlier complement paled in comparison to what came out of her mouth. It was absolutely adorable. A benevolent goddess like her showing such an innocent and pure expression was a sight to behold.
"P-p-p-p-pl-please stop that! I haven't done anything to receive this kind of treatment so please stop it you're embarrassing! Let's just get going!" She begins to ride off slowly, leaving me behind as she pouts to herself.
"Of course, my wonderful goddess, right away!" I grab my bag and begin to chase after the benevolent woman. Eating the incredible meal of doughnuts, she was kind enough to give me.
"If you don't stop calling me that I'll leave you behind. And stand back a bit. You reek of sweat." She pinches her nose to emphasis her disgust at my stench.
"I apologize for that miss. I'm afraid there isn't much I can do about that right now, but when we get to the town I'll take a shower and be back to my rose scented self." To allow myself to remain in the presence of such a woman while smelling as such would be a disgrace as a man.
I hear her sigh from up ahead as we continue down the path. "You better. I won't stay with someone if they don't keep up with proper hygiene." As I catch up I walk next to her. She turns to me with a curious look on her face. "By the way, I never did ask your name, did I? I'm Amber, Amber Autumn. And you are?"
I take a bite out of one of my doughnuts before swallowing. "My name's Jaune⦠Just Jaune."
So, here's another story for you all. I've been having this idea for a while now and wanted to get some reception. I have some other stories that I want to try out to so I'll put up a poll to see what other stories you all might want to see. So goodbye for now.
