Finally, the first chapter is out. And 3 reviews, 4 favorites, and 7 followers already! You guys are so amazing. Please read the authors note at the end of the chapter for an important note about my update schedule. And now, responding to reviews!
ExS-DrifTeRr: I guess you didn't read the entire overview of the story. Jaune will arrive at Beacon already trained, with his aura unlocked. Plus, I said that Jaune will only have his memories taken away, I didn't say if he would get them back or not. Hint hint.
phantoka72: I thought about the weapon idea, but ultimately decided against it as I wanted Jaune's new weapon to stay as far away from Crocea Mors as possible. The closest I would allow it to get was Form 3, the short sword form. This is because Jaune's new combat style will incorporate far more movement than old Jaune's style, with more dodging and running. Trying to incorporate this style with a broad sword or great sword didn't make much sense, so I decided to compromise by using a katana, one of the most mobile two hand weapons I can think of. Please understand, Jaune's new style will play a part in the story, apart from the combat scenes, and I may even make it relevant to the plot.
merendinoemiliano: Your advice is great, but I guess I should have explained my thinking behind every difference. Jaune's offensive semblance can be seen as an aura technique but in my universe, the sheer power and scale far exceeds any possible aura technique. Think of it this wave, the aura technique wave is a small tidal wave, and another aura tidal wave or something as big as the tidal wave can cancel it out. Jaune's semblance aura wave is far bigger than the aura technique wave, and is nigh unstoppable, destroying everything in its path. It sounds OP yes, but I don't plan on it being completely unstoppable, but extremely hard to stop, and with taxing effects on Jaune. The aura regeneration isn't actually a part of the semblance because I never mentioned aura regeneration. If you meant to say aura healing than yes, it can be seen as a trait, and I have no argument to counter this other than the mere fact I wanted Jaune's new semblance to have three different parts to it, and I couldn't find any other ability for the passive. As for the Weiss bashing, its gonna happen, for a reason. Granted it will be small, but I'm adding it to teach Weiss a lesson of humility. Its not meant to be a betrayal, but a learning experience for Weiss, to speed along the whole accepting her role lesson. Weiss will still of course try to find out the secrets of Jaune's weapon(s) and will of course fail to do so. Finally the whole Arkos writing stuff. OF COURSE I'M ADDING ARKOS MOMENTS, I'D BE INSANE NOT TO. Don't expect much though, as the longest I've been in a relationship was 3 months. ;-;
RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth, not me otherwise Pyrrha would be alive and Jaune would be far more skilled.
Salem's Castle (Jaune's POV) 4 Years after the fall of Mistral
'This absolutely fucking sucks...' I thought as I looked around the destroyed corridor I was stuck in. Dead grimm lay everywhere, bullet holes and craters littered the walls and floor. I stole a glance at the only door in sight, that lead to where team RWBY, along with Ren and Nora were fighting Salem. 'A fight that I'm once again useless in.' I thought dejectedly. Looking down again at the wound that put me out of the fight I mumbled to myself, "And its all because of my idiot self, quite fitting. I knew I should have doubled checked that stupid beowolf was dead." Grimm disappear when they die, I know this, yet I idiotically thought it dead and turned my back. Turning my back gave that grimm wolf the chance it needed to break my aura and seriously injure me, and took that chance it did. Focussing on the wound itself, blood was still seeping out from the missing chunk in my side, and from the three large claw marks adorning my stomach and opposite side.
A loud explosion followed by crazed laughter broke me from my thoughts and had me focussing on the lone door again. 'Nora,' I thought with a pained but amused smile, 'how you can laugh during such an important battle confuses me. Then again, you managed to find the good in everything, even after the fall of Vale and Mistral. That happiness you make kept up all our spirits, don't lose it. And you better survive so Ren can finally ask you out after this is all set and done.' Yes, its been four years since Mistral fell, six since we entered Beacon, and however many years since they met, and they still haven't gotten together. Trying to move into a more comfortable position, I turn my body, only for burning pain to erupt from my side. Falling onto my opposite side with a gasp of pain I think to myself, 'Bad idea, bad idea!', trying to regain control of my breathing. As the pain subsides, my vision wavers, and I realize that I wont make it out of this castle corridor alive. Before I can panic, a wave of calm washes over me and I quickly accept that I'm going to die. I've already done everything I could do, and that's that. Closing my eyes, I decide to say my goodbyes in my mind, instead of wasting my remaining breaths. 'Ren, when we first got put on a team together, I only saw you as a teammate to look out for. That changed quickly, and soon I saw you as the brother I never had. You were the one I could turn to for advice, especially after the death of my parents. You better ask Nora out after all this is done and over with, she has been waiting for so long for you to do so, don't miss your chance.'
I then turned my thoughts to my friends from what everyone calls Team JNPR's sister team, Team RWBY, and thought, 'Ruby, even after everything that's happened, you have kept your childhood innocence, believing that you can save the world from the darkness, and you will. You have such a fiery determination that nothing can extinguish, which was proved after the death of your uncle Qrow. Many others you age would have given up after than, but you, you had the determination to continue on to save the world. Heh, its probably a trait of those silver eyes people I kept hearing about. Next up, Yang. I wish we could have started off better, not vomiting on your shoes. You never did let me live down the name Vomit Boy. Yet we came a long way from that, and were almost the best of friends after me and Ruby. Your ability to rise stronger and brighter than ever despite what the world threw at you inspired me to continue moving forward. You came back from so many things, the death of your mother, the whole Mercury attack scandal, losing your arm, Blake running away, and even Qrow's death. Your like the sun rising over the dark mountain at sunrise, bringing light and hope to those that need it. Don't give up every Yang, I guess this is Xiao Long for now, hehe.' My goodbyes were interrupted by painful coughing. I mumbled to myself sadly, "Not much time left." Ignoring that sad fact, I returned to my goodbyes. 'Weiss, the first girl I ever had a crush on, the first girl I had the courage to ask out, and the first girl to reject me, multiple times in fact. You've grown so much from the spoiled kid that came to Beacon with luggage carts filled with dust. You're a mature women with an, admittedly, icy heart of gold. You're compassionate about your teammates, and would do anything to protect them. Your dust spells have evolved so much, and your summoning is perfect now. We started to connect and finally become proper friends just before this, sadly that isn't going to happen now. Well, all I can say, or think, is good luck with the Schnee dust company, you have grown into the perfect person to take it over, kind, compassionate, mature, and driven. Finally, Blake, the mysterious book worm. Your taste in books was a big surprise to me, especially when I realized that the book your reading was a mature adult fiction book written by my older sister. You all but demanded that I get your book autographed by my sister. I'm pretty sure that's the first, and only, casual conversation we've ever had. Other than that, I don't know much about you. Only that you are a cat faunus, and want equality between Humans and Faunus. Well, I wish you good luck with the equality effort, and I hope your wish comes true.' My body was completely numb by this point, and with weak, shaky arms, I pushed myself over onto my back. Closing my eyes for the final time, I mumbled out, "Goodbye everyone, I'm gonna join Pyrrha, my love." and breathed my last, a lone tear falling off my face.
Unknown Location (No One's POV)
Jaune let out a groan, rolling onto his front. Standing up, Jaune finally opened his eyes and looked around. Every direction he looked he saw a fog covering the ground, and clear blue sky's. "Okay, not what I imagined Heaven being like. There is literally nothing here, I at least thought there would be some golden gate blocking access to a golden palace or something." Jaune mumbled out confused. Walking up behind Jaune was a figure dressed in an all black business suit, sunglasses, and a black fedora. The figure said from right behind Jaune, "That's because you're not in Heaven Jaune, your soul is in a state of limbo between life on Remnant, and death, being sent up to Heaven." Spinning around, Jaune eyed the figure warily, and said, "What do you mean? And just who the heck are you anyway?" The figure just sighed, and said, "First of all, no need for the death stare, I'm not here to harm you. And second, you're in no position to ask me such questions in a hostile tone, I control where your soul goes, heaven, hell, purgatory, or even just remain here permanently. I'll answer your questions anyway however to appease you and earn your trust. You may call me Apex, and as I said, your soul is in a state of limbo between life and death. Now no more questions till after I say what I need to say. Alright?" Jaune nodded his head in fear. Apex nodded his head in relief, and said, "I've brought your soul here to give you a second chance at life, to change the outcome of Remnant. This chance from God is to go back in time to when you were a child, so you can be properly trained. However, your memories will be removed so as to conform with some multi-dimensional rules. You will be given new, better gear however, along with an already unlocked aura, and a new semblance. Do you accept this chance from God, yes or no? Should you accept, you will be shown how to use your new gear, and explain a few small details of the chance." Jaune eyed Apex again, before asking, "May I ask my questions now before I make my decision?" Apex merely nodded his head. Jaune took a small breath, and said, "Okay, only two question, why no memories, and won't history just repeat itself?"
Apex merely chuckled, and said, "Not as many questions as I anticipated. Anyways, as I said the reason you can't have any memories is to follow some of the multi-dimensional rules set in place by the Gods of other dimensions, don't ask. And history won't repeat itself because of the changes I and this dimension's God are making to this second chance's Remnant, if that makes sense. Also, due to the butterfly effect, even the smallest change to a time line can cause major differences in the future. Now, do you accept or decline this offer?" Jaune looked down contemplating his decision, 'If I take this offer, I can save Remnant, but Pyrrha would be left alone in Heaven, but then I can save Pyrrha in this second chance, and let her live her life. Not to mention I can save my parents and all the others who have died. Why would I say no to this chance!? Of course I'm gonna take it!' Jaune thought to himself. Looking up, Jaune said resolutely, "I accept this offer."
With a smile, Apex nodded his head and said, "Good choice Jaune. Since you accepted the offer, I can now show you your new gear, and explain your new semblance." Apex raised a glowing hand and from the sky flew down a golden rocket locker, similar to those from Beacon. Walking over Apex opened the locker to reveal two similar weapons, a black duster with white plates, and a metal face mask. "This, Jaune, is your new gear." Apex said happily. "I'll explain how everything works, so listen closely, you hear?"
*One long explanation on everything involving Jaune's new gear and aura later*
Note: all this can be read in the overview in the previous chapter
"Most of the gear is activated either by aura or touch, remember that." Apex finished, a small smile on his face from the dumbfounded look on Jaune's face. Jaune was shocked at the sheer amount of information, but nodded all the same. Apex just smiled even more before stating seriously, smile no longer on his face, "I have a few final things to clear up. One, when you are sent back, you will be five years old, laying in your old bedroom, early in the morning. Two, your memories will have been erased, and everything learned while in limbo will seem to be a dream, modified to seem like the dream of a five year old. Three, you new gear will be found on the end of your bed, Purity and Damnation will be full sized, but your duster and face mask will be shrunk to fit you around the age of 14 years old, as the duster and mask both change size to fit you perfectly, I forgot to mention that. Four, your aura will be unlocked and you will know your semblance, however, you will have zero aura training, as if it was just unlocked and you have no idea how to use it. And five, your parents will have a dream of this explaining everything that has happened without breaking any multi-dimensional rules. Now that everything is done and over with, are you ready to be sent back Jaune?" Jaune silently nodded his head, a determined look on his face. Apex stared at Jaune for a few seconds, eyes searching for any hesitancy, yet found none. Apex nodded his head, a small smile on his face. Raising two glowing hands, Apex said, "Alrighty then Jaune, time for you to take your second chance, don't mess it up, got it?" Jaune nodded and Apex slammed his hands onto Jaune's shoulders, the glow on Apex's hands quickly enveloping Jaune. Jaune started to float upwards, looking up Jaune saw a mass of swirling colors above him. Looking back down, Jaune was shocked to see Apex now far below him, his figure far smaller, and now dressed different. Instead of a casual man dressed in a business suit, a teenager now stood waving in casual clothes. The teenager, which Jaune somehow knew was the true Apex, called out in a dimming voice, slightly higher in pitch than Business Apex's, "Good luck, and remember, don't break the fourth wall like Nora did!" Jaune just stared confused, thinking 'What the heck is a fourth wall, and how did Nora break it without anyone kno-' Jaune's thoughts were cut off, as something soft impacted the entire back half of Jaune's body. Jaune's mind went blank the second it happened.
Aaaaannnnndddd cut! Chapter 1 finally done! Now, important stuff time, booorrrinngggg. Anyways, the important note is about my update schedule, or lack thereof. As I only write when I feel like it, I will only post when I can. Don't swamp me with request to post up another chapter because it isn't going to do anything except piss me off or make me laugh that you wasted the time to write something I'm gonna ignore. No exceptions. End of story. OKAY END OF IMPORTANT STUFF, LETS BE DUMB AGAIN LEEDEL LEEDEL LEEEEEE. So what do you think of the first part of the actual story, good, bad, meh? Leave a review, no flames, blah blah blah all that crap. Since I cant think of anything else to extend this, goodbye for now my devilish minions of the underworld -Belial
P.S. I'm looking for a good beta reader, if you think you can meet my, admittedly, high standards, PM me or something, its greatly appreciated.
