Much appreciated for the support everyone.
Now this chapter is purely world building and more depth to Jaune's character overall. That being said be ready for a lot because there is much coming your way.
January 25, 2018 EDIT: Made some grammatical corrections and tightening the structural paragraph body.
Enjoy.
Marshal
By: Tsurugi-sensei
The silence in the room was uncomfortable to say the least.
Ruby Rose found herself somehow withdrawing into her red hood as she bore witness to a stare off between the Headmaster of the prestigious Beacon Academy and her new friend-she hoped-who was leaning back in his chair gazing back at the older man with an expression of what looked to be annoyance. At least that's what it looked like to her as she's seen her share of such expressions from her sister Yang.
Thankfully, the cookies helped calm her down; if only a little bit.
'Still to call Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon Academy a crotchety old man!? What's with that?!'
Some would say what Jaune did was crazy. Her sister would more than likely laugh her butt off.
But her? She didn't know if she should be scared, awed, or a little bit of both.
However, the silence was broken as a chuckle escaped from Ozpin which made Jaune's stone expression to break away into one of amusement. His laughter coming out a second later from Ozpins.
"You haven't changed a bit Mr. Arc; still the ill-mannered troublemaker I see?" he said to which Jaune only gave a half-hearted shrug.
"I guess." his reply was hollow and both men knew it, but in their eyes another war raged. Sharp brown stared into a cool cobalt. Neither one willing to give in to one another. If there was any other expert in the room they'd have noticed the way Ozpins hands clutched at his coffee mug whilst his brow narrowed by the smallest measure. Or of the way Jaune's body tightened and coiled itself. The way his muscles shifted in his arms and legs, or how his knees bent and feet moved to the sides.
To the eyes of an expert or professional Huntsmen one would see Jaune and Ozpin were ready to attack each other.
But to Ruby's eyes it looked like a stare off between father and son.
Finally the tension broke off when Ozpin turned to look to Ruby who startled a bit at his sudden gaze. "Now Ms. Rose, I've seen the video footage of the incident from the security cameras; and I must ask. Would you mind explaining to me where it is you learned to fight like that?" he said to the girl who looked nervous at his question, but a glance at Jaune who simply gave her a smile filled her with a bit of courage to reply.
"Well you see I..."
And like that Jaune listened and watched as Ruby tried to answer Ozpin's questions about where she learned to fight and who taught her. In parts of their discussion he felt his mouth split into a grin when she used such mannerisms of how she fought and of the guy who taught her. It was just far too adorable for words; the way she acted and the way she talked all spoke of a young girl that was far too innocent to being an aspiring Huntress.
But he had seen her fight from the alleyway. In battle, she was very similar to him in that regard. When it came to battle she dropped her naive persona and become akin to a wraith or reaper. An unbound fighting machine that only knew when to stop when the fight was clearly over. He liked that in the young girl; she was clearly too adorable for words, but in battle she was the reaper incarnate.
'She just needs a bit more training and she'd be a force to be reckoned with. Only problem I see is that she didn't fight to kill, but to dispatch. For a girl like her...that's probably for the best.' he thought with a small frown as he eyed the girl. It was clear as day that Ruby had yet to experience the true cruelty of what the world was truly like. She was trained to kill Grimm, entities that had no soul. Therefore she had yet to stain her hands in the blood of monsters, human, or faunus for that matter.
She was purely innocent in that regard, and coming from a guy that has seen the deplorable reality they live in; he'd rather she stay that. Such innocence in such a world should be protected.
"But no amount of innocence can last in this world. Sooner or later, she'll come to understand the true horror of this world, and when she does..."
Jaune's frown deepened at his thoughts on the matter. He liked Ruby's innocent nature, he really did, but his thoughts were correct on the matter. She'll come to see it for herself and whether she broke under the fact of their reality or grow stronger from it will depend solely on her will.
However, when he looked at her as Ozpin questioned her goals, he saw something that Ozpin himself clearly saw as well.
"Why do you want to be a Huntress Ms. Rose?"
The adorable girl gave a small hum as she looked side to side, but both men saw it in her mannerisms. The way she avoided eye contact and moved her body made her an open book.
"It's so I can protect people from the Grimm!"
But from what they saw it was something else. The way she moved, the tiny break in her voice, how her eyes shifted down, and even the irregular movement of her hands.
'She has experienced something traumatic, and at a very young age at that.' Jaune thought before he glanced to Ozpin who simply smiled at her reply, but in his eyes he seemed to know exactly what her reasons were. As if he knew the cause of her experience. However, Jaune knew it was none of his business and would let it remain that way unless Ruby herself ever felt comfortable enough around him to talk about it. Until then, he'd be content with just helping her with whatever she needed.
Because judging by the way the conversation was going; he'd be seeing her a lot more after today.
….
That didn't sound entirely bad to be honest.
"So you want to join my academy? Well judging by your actions in the incident and your combat ability I don't see why I can't allow you in." Ozpin said with his ever polite smile which only seemed to widened at seeing Ruby's whole expression just light up like a christmas tree. Her mouth fell open, wide in shock at the headmaster's approval of her admission before she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Turning her gaze she saw Jaune giving her a classic thumbs up and a sincere grin, "Nice jobs Rubes! You've just taken one huge step toward your goal! Congratulations!" he said, honestly happy for the girls big step to being a Huntress.
Ruby, under such praise, unconsciously threw her red hood over her face to cover her flushed cheeks; she looked down, but the smile on her face was just perfect for the situation right now. She mumbled her thanks, but the young man heard her and just gave a chuckle at her bashful state. As this happened though, Ozpin watched the proceedings with a glimmer in his eyes, his browns watching Jaune's interactions with the younger girl, and the way they seemed to compliment one another was bringing a real smile to his face. One unbidden by faux politeness expected of him, but one of true familial happiness for what he saw.
'It's only been a few hours since they met, but they've already got a good friendship here. Given time such a friendship can blossom into something truly grand. Besides...' his eyes glanced to his godson and his brown orbs seemed to soften, dampen in a small amount of sorrow as he looked at his form.
'Ruby's personality would do wonders for you Jaune. She may be one of the links in a chain that may yet be able to pull you out of the abyss you've made for yourself.'
One thing was for certain though, this school year was going to be interesting. Especially for what he had planned.
Those poor students.
"So, you'll be okay, right?" Ruby asked to her blond companion who remained seated in the room while the red head got ready to leave by dismissal of the Headmaster. She stood at the doorway ready to leave, but the conflict in her eyes made her hesitate to leave him alone. Jaune was her friend, her first friend outside of Signal and for that alone she didn't wanna leave him by himself, especially with the Headmaster.
Not that she thought the headmaster was a bad guy or anything, but she still worried!
Jaune appreciated her concern, but it was completely unnecessary; a meeting between Ozpin and himself was what the older man wanted and so he will get it. Offering the young girl a comforting smile he gave a nod. "It's alright Rubes I'll be fine. I'm sure Ozpin just wants to talk to me about the incident as well. Besides I gave you my contact info so I promise I'll talk to you later." his smile turned to a grin as he shooed her away.
"Now go, get on out of here, I'm sure your families worried sick about you right now."
Little red seemed content by the expression on his face and didn't give much else besides a wave to the headmaster and an exuberant bye to Jaune before she left.
And as soon as the door closed with a soft 'click' the whole state of the room changed.
The floor of the interrogation room shifted like rippling water. The lights flickered and the walls started to peel like drying paint. The changed continued, but the phenomena didn't so much as affect the two men who sat across from one another. Both staring straight at each other with calculating gazes that would have made some of the most hardened veterans waver. The intensity of their stare down continued as the room, nay, the very space of location shifted through the stream of time and space.
And in the blink of an eye.
They now sat in the office of the Headmaster of Beacon Academy.
Ozpin shifted comfortably in his chair before his oak office desk, a hot cup of coffee in hand while his other drummed against his desk with balanced measures of patience. His leg was crossed over his knee and a pleasant expression came over his normal monotone face. However, his eyes never Jaune who stared right back although now the blond wore a small smirk as he leaned back in his own chair.
And the platter of those delicious brownies were left untouched on the desk between them.
"Neat trick old man."
A chuckle escaped the old wizard.
"I seem to recall you quite liked that 'trick' when you were younger." he commented lightly, but Jaune scratched his face and looked away. It was true to some extent; as a child he often enjoyed it when Ozpin came to visit and showed him his 'tricks'. That is until he started to grow up and learn what his Godfathers abilities really were.
"Well that was before I learned what you actually did. Still pretty amazing with slipping through space and time just by your markers. Though I wager it drains you of your reserves these days." he said to which Ozpin gave a small nod.
"That it does, but that's not what I've brought you here to discuss. I hope you got my message?" he asked to which Jaune gave a nod before frowning..
"I did, but your messenger is more than likely not all that pleased after the state I left him in. Turns out he doesn't do well with a natural additive to his liquor." he said with a small grin which only grew at the sight of Ozpin giving a small sigh at his behavior, and that of Qrows. Though, in hindsight, the old man should have expected as much.
"...I'm afraid to ask, but what happened?"
"Hm, last I remember, he was dancing with a couple of trees. Eloped with a goat he called Mary and then proceeded to start dry humping Mary in the streets of Vacuo." he said, his face completely straight as he said such words to Ozpin who took what he was told in stride with the expert ease of a man who had seen much in his lifetime.
...
Gods...
He's become much more sadistic since he'd last seen him.
No doubt influenced by his Grandfather.
'But this is not what we are here about.' Ozpin reminded himself and cleared all precept of silliness in himself and stared straight at Jaune who took it upon himself to grab a brownie.
"As...amusing as it is to hear of your misadventures, Jaune. I believe it's time we discussed matters of another sort, no?" he asked and was granted some small relief as Jaune's cobalt eyes flickered over to him in a motion of amusement. Still the blonde conceded to Ozpins words and after finishing his brownie he spoke in turn.
"Agreed, and your message did sound urgent, so..." interlacing his fingers he peered at his godfather with only a stony gaze. Any and all lingering feeling of human emotion was crushed in the blink of an eye as the conversation went to the root of it all.
"What did you want from me, Ozpin?" his question was direct, and Ozpin didn't expect anything less from him.
Instead of replying Ozpin pulled out his drawer and took out an object that made Jaune's eyes light up for a brief moment before realization took hold in his cobalt eyes. It was a grim coming of truth as Ozpin set the object on the desk before Jaune. Between them both, the cause of what made Jaune go out into the world, the source of his ambition and goal in life lay before him after so many years. Memories of his childhood flashed before his eyes just by looking at the object, and in turn the blonde cast his gaze back at Ozpin.
"...I see..."
That's all that really needed to be said.
Jaune closed his cobalt eyes and thought about what this meant. The significance of what would happen from here on out was impossible to perceive, but this was something he was resolved to go into. As a child, he had been overly ambitious in helping those that needed it. In protecting the weak from the strong. He was raised among a family of Heroes and Legends with a legacy that went as far back as to the time of the first settlers of what would be known as the first precursors of mankind.
And if there was one thing those in his family above all else swore to uphold, it was their word. When given their word, every Arc worth their soul was bound to hold to it.
And that's exactly what he did for Ozpin.
"You seek to rid the world of monsters Jaune? That's what I would like to do, but what I intend to destroy is much more dangerous than any monster. It's the very source of all Grimm in the world and I will need help; will you aid me?"
…
He did not regret his decision.
"I swear upon my name, Jaune Arc, and on the honor of my ancestors, I will do whatever it takes to protect this world and help you, Ozpin, in whatever way I can. But only if, agreed upon by both parties, that I be given time to learn the cruelty of this world."
A deal had been made years ago, a promise bound by blood and soul. Unbreakable by even the actions of a God and the cunning of the Devil.
A favor for a favor as some would say, but nothing so simple to be compared to the pact between them. A promise made, an Arc had given his word.
Nothing could break such a pact.
Jaune's hand went up to grab the book and he let out a shuttering breath as his fingers roamed over the familiar white book cover. Running over the worn edges of the corners and withered spine. The feel, the sensation of having this book in his possession once again, it was a feeling of being...complete in a sense. Having left it in the hands of Ozpin, a man he trusted nearly as much as his grandfather still left Jaune unbalanced. As if a piece of himself had been discarded in the blind visions of a incompetent youth.
But that's all changed.
Here and now...
"The Winds of Change shall blow in whatever direction it deems fit. Uncontrolled, unrestrained, but in favor of thou who has proven themselves worthy."
Ozpin's only reaction was to smile proudly at his one-time ward.
"Thank you Jaune."
The only response he received in return was Jaune opening his eyes, his cobalt orbs bringing upon a light that even Ozpin found unsettling. Even more so when Jaune's gaze fell back on him and a cold smile stretched across his face.
"No thanks are needed, old man."
With that settled Ozpin smiled at Jaune's generosity before continuing on to the next matter.
Feeling a bit reassured Ozpin fished out a set of documents before Jaune and the blonde looked over them for a moment before giving Ozpin an incredulous look. The glow in his eyes fading as he put the book away for another time. The documents on the other hand was a matter that he knew would be a bit more difficult to get around with Jaune, especially since it dealt with the delicate matter of...
"You want me to go to your School..."
That...
Ozpin gave a small smile in an attempt to reassure Jaune, but it had little effect from the dubious look he received in return.
"Correction, an Academy for Huntsmen and Huntresses."
….
Jaune could only stare at the Headmaster for the a good few minutes; the only sound being the clock ticking away as the seconds ticked by between them. Ozpin relaxed as ever, but his eyes were gleaming with a bit of hope. Jaune just kept reading over the documents of his would be role in the Academy, and the more he read the more he found out how complex his role would serve.
"...So what is to be my role exactly? First year student? Or your agent?" he asked to which Ozpin complied to answer.
"Simply put, I want you to be both. I know you Jaune, but I've not seen you in over what nine? Ten years? Much has changed, but I know from your deeds alone that you are over-qualified to even attend my Academy, let alone even be inducted as a first year student. But I say this as your Godfather most of all; I believe it would be in your best interest to come to my academy in this manner to immerse yourself with those of your generation. Try and make friends again." he said earning him a cold look from the Arc.
"I believe you remember the last friend I made, you know of what became of her and I..." he said which made Ozpin frown, but internally he knew he was treading on very thin ice regarding the matter, but it was for Jaune's personal growth as a person. Jaune needed this, and the boys Grandfather would never let him live it down if he didn't help him out.
"I know, and while it was a shame; you now have a chance to get something like that again. Like the budding friendship you have with our dear Ruby Rose for example?" he said making Jaune frown, but otherwise remained silent as he looked at the documents once more. He didn't rise up to Ozpin's words, but there was a momentary, and familiar warmth he felt within when he thought about the little reaper.
"Besides that..." he said getting Jaune's attention. "I need someone on the inside to keep tabs with the current generation. I'm bringing in a lot of kids from all across Remnant. To span the horizons of the next generation and have them experience things the past generations never could. This of course can lead to many troubling events to occur. Of which I'm entrusting you to deal with; at your discretion of course." his smile was positively smug at this point, and it grated on Jaunes nerves a bit in all honesty.
"...So I'm to be their babysitter?" the level of sardonic feeling in his words could have come off as ignorant or disrespectful, but it was more a less a valid question regarding the situation.
"Of course not; simply put, I only want you to intervene if the situation ever calls for it, or if the children ever encounter something they are simply unable to fight. You are to be their protector from the unseen; of those that threaten the safety of this worlds next line of protectors. You've been out the field and know what dwells behind the veil. What obscures the vision of everyone you have seen with your very own eyes and have the experience to deal with. Something they, and most of us lack, myself included."
….
Grim. That was the expression Jaune could see in Ozpin's expression, but all of what he said about his own adventures in the world had indeed led him into many paths into what many call the veil. It was the source of where all monsters spilled forth from, and of which they originated. There was almost no knowledge about the veil beside it being the origin point of where all monsters came from. However, in Jaune's travels he'd crossed the border a number of times and had seen the kind of nightmares laying within.
Goblins and Trolls that would pillage and rape women to impregnate them with their seed to multiply their numbers ten-fold. Wraiths, spirits of young women who died a brutal death, or suicide after having been dealt a cruel hand by fate. Necrophages that prowled graveyards and cemeteries feasting upon the flesh of the dead, but others coming to acquire a taste for the warmth of the living. There was even Golems made of diamonds, drakes that breathed out the elements, and even full grown dragons that was the size of a whole city.
The Veil was the source of all Monsters. A home of Nightmarish evils that plagued the world of Remnant since the dawn of it all. If you had a nightmare of some sort; more than likely that nightmare existed in that hellish place.
'And that's not even counting the Apostles...' his eyes seemed to die as his thoughts lingered on those things.
However, he shook his head of such thoughts and looked to Ozpin who sat there expecting an answer from the young man, but the blond had something to ask himself.
"If I do this...I will only under two conditions." he said as he threw the documents onto the desk. His eyes glanced to Ozpins neutral brown; said man raised an eyebrow in curiosity before he waved his hand.
"Ask and I shall grant if it's within my power." he said making Jaune nod before speaking.
"First, I will protect them as you've asked, but in return you nor any of your staff will impede my path from how I've dealt with my enemies. If I am to protect these children than I must do so with no restraint on how I do things. Whether it be Grimm, Monster, Human, or Faunus, I will aim to kill if they've been immersed in the actions of the depraved." he said and honestly he expected Ozpin to tell him no.
"Granted."
….
Well okay then he stands corrected.
"I'm surprised, I was sure you'd be against it. Thoughts that such actions may bring them to a state of mental trauma they'd never heal from." he admitted, and Ozpin frowned for a moment before he glanced out his window for a moment.
"And...at one point in time you would have been right, but the ways in which we teach these kids has led to more of them dying due to our coddling then them being successful. Times are changing Jaune, our so called peace is, but a thinly veiled ceasefire for all Kingdoms. Vale stands to lose what stability its gained in the years and from the offensive pushes from the White Fang. Grimm prowling at every human and faunus border, monsters hunting down the living from the four corners of the globe, and even within our own Kingdoms where tension runs high in politics." he said before taking a sip of his coffee.
His nerves calmed he continued. "Against my better judgment, I've decided its time to stop coddling these children. They will have fun of course, but they must be made ready for the trials to come because if they don't then death, or...a fate worse than death awaits them."
...
"I see; good on you for realizing that. Though I doubt Glynda will like it; she too will have to realize this." he said getting a nod from Ozpin.
"Now onto my second condition, I know students operate in four man cells and if I am to join your academy as a student then I am going to be teaching my team how to combat these monsters."
That got a reaction out of Ozpin who took in a quick breath as his eyes widened for a brief moment. It was understandable of course because what Jaune asked was basically out of the realm of plausibility. To teach aspiring Huntsmen and Huntresses to fight Monsters was a whole other level then simply fighting Grimm, even if it was just his potential team. The level and gap of power and intelligence in both were simply too far apart which made them entirely two different to be held accountable in the same league of lethal threat.
It would take a group of highly trained Huntsmen to fight off a pack of Alghouls, and even then more than half wouldn't come back alive from such a skirmish. Reason being? There was so little knowledge about them that led to Huntsmen to being at a very clear disadvantage despite their highly trained skill in battle.
'But then think about it this way. Jaune is the only person on Remnant that's gone out to actively hunt down these Monsters. He knows how to defeat them and even kill them. He knows more than anyone on Remnant how to face those monstrosities; the only other person who could possibly know would be the boys own grandfather Julius.'
As crazy as it sounded, this was a blessing in the guise of a curse.
A group of Huntsmen and Huntresses trained in the art of killing Grimm and Monsters? Kids that would one day pass off their teachings onto their kids and them onto their kids? It'd be a whole new generation that would be better off in the art of killing Monsters and Grimm.
There may be hope yet.
"Granted, but I do have to wonder; are you not the least bit apprehensive of people finding out who you are? Because as soon you start people will be able to connect the dots. Especially when they see you use your power to the fullest extent. They'll make the connection, and the whole of the Council and the rest of your enemies will come for you." he said only to raise an eyebrow when Jaune smirked.
…..
No...
"...You want that to happen, don't you?"
If anything Jaune's smirk grew into a grin, his pearly whites gleaming as his cobalt orbs flashed a murderous hue.
"It's like you've told me before Old man. Take full advantage of your position and strike when opportunity presents itself. Little effort, reap the benefits."
Now Ozpin has lived a long time, a very long time, and he's witnessed his fair share of abnormalities in his lifetime. He'd bore witness to a great many Kingdoms and Empires rise and fall over the centuries. He'd seen respectable young men and women become devoured by their own lust for power and drowned themselves in sin to embrace what they loved more than anything. Becoming the very thing they so loathed in the beginning of their careers. Ozpin thought he'd seen it all really
But when he saw Jaune's face; Ozpin knew.
He didn't know a thing about Jaune Arc.
Sighing Ozpin finally relented and gave his nod to which Jaune simply smiled in response, and the tension in the air cleared up soon after.
"Okay, so is there anything else you want Jaune?"
"Nope that's it."
….
What?
"Are you serious?" there was just no way right? Jaune had to want something besides those two conditions!
At this Jaune simply chuckled at his godfathers bewilderment before speaking. "I've got what I wanted Ozpin. The deal is set, and I'll be there to uphold my end of the arrangement. The only thing you need to do is have the rest of your staff and circle of friends know of my arrival. They don't need to know of who I am, but I leave that up to you to decide. Just send me a notice for Beacons initiation at my address. I'll be staying at the Bronze motel near Juniors Club." he said, but as he got ready to get ready to leave Ozpin spoke up.
"I will, but before you leave Jaune I need to ask of you one more thing." at this the blond stopped and looked to Ozpin with a curious look.
"And what's that?"
Well here goes nothing.
"I need to know the identities of the ones who attacked Amber 3 years ago. Remember the young woman you saved? I need to know the identity of her attackers." he asked to which Jaune blinked before his eyes grew cold. His expression stayed the same, but his expressive cobalt orbs glowed for a second in a murderous light.
And then it was, Ozpin felt it; it was a brief moment, but it was a momentary second of which Ozpin had touched upon Jaune's psyche.
And he was terrified.
A knight in crimson stained armor turned to look upon him in a field of carnage. Orbs that glowed like the core of two suns cast it's gaze upon him within a world of monochrome. A tattered red cloak billowed in the winds of a ravaging storm as Monster and Grimm marched toward the figure with an unrelenting hunger.
But his eyes, they burned with a ferocity that outmatched a supernova.
A sword, a monster of a blade was swung by his hand.
And the whole of Remnant wailed in anguish.
"There names are Cinder Fall, Mercury Black, and Emerald Sustrai. You'll know Cinder by her black wavy hair and amber eyes. Mercury is a young a man about my age with silvery-gray hair and gray eyes and Emerald is a young woman with light-mint green hair and red eyes. However, when I see them again...I'll wretch out every tiny detail I can out of them. They serve that depraved bitch and so I'll show them no courtesy of a quick death. Of that, you can count on."
And with that said Jaune didn't so much as move as he vanished. His body disappearing in a flash of gold, slipping through the stream of time and space at the conceptual state of "Speed of Light".
And Ozpin sat there, a small bead of sweat falling from his face as he took in what he had just witnessed.
"Neat trick Jaune..."
And that ends this chapter, it was to give the world more depth and a sturdier foundation and a bit more backstory on Jaune. Next chapter though will be a bit more exciting cause of initiation and all that jazz.
That said I'm gonna play the role of a bastard and say depending on how this story develops this may end up in a more then one girl pairing. There is far too many factors to consider for me to completely say it'll just be Jaune x Ruby. However, that's all in the distant future. We'll see how it progresses for now.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Goodnight ya'll!
