"Sup losers…" Sun trailed off when he saw everyone wiping their eyes, "Damn, was it THAT emotional?"
"You have no idea," Pyrrha smiled as she dried her eyes.
"What do you think we'll see next?" Glynda fixed her glasses and resumed her stern demeanor.
"I'm fine with anything that doesn't involve my students dying," Port watched.
"That may or may not be possible."
"ADAM?" Blake nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Have no fear Ms. Belladonna," the voice from earlier spoke, "He cannot harm you here. It had occurred to me that I'd left some people out, and here are more, until I remember more I forgot…"
"Hey guys," Velvet waved, "What are we watching that's so emotional?"
"That's a mystery," Coco answered, "We'll have to find out when the movie starts again."
The screen turned into Beacon Academy only parts of the grounds were on fire, the top of Beacon Tower was gone, and a dragon Grimm circled the school spawning creepers as he flew. Salem stood in the courtyard, there was a dust cloud a few feet away. When it cleared it was revealed Ozpin and Jaune where standing in it.
"Well then," Ozpin wasn't one to let his emotions get the better of him, but the grip on his cane tightened when he saw his school in ruins and Salem being the one responsible.
"So, she, finally did it?" Qrow began to drink again.
"Well if this is anything like the last one," James was trying to be optimistic, "She's going to die real soon."
"You maybe reinforcements," Salem taunted, "But you're nothing more than amoebas compared to me."
"So that's Salem?" Jaune stood with his shield extended and sword in hand.
"What's he planning to do?" Cinder smirked, "He's got nothing on her, the school has fallen, and an ancient evil has been unleashed. This'll be an entertaining way for him to end."
"Are you alright Professor?" Jaune asked not taking his eyes off Salem.
"Your landing strategy has improved considerably," Ozpin smiled as he rose to his feet.
"OZ!" Qrow and James landed next to them, "You alright?"
"I am," He nodded, "Thanks to Mr. Arc."
James' robotic arm was ripped out at the shoulder, and his human arm was cut off at the elbow.
"Alright General," Jaune spoke up with confidence not seen before, "What's the situation?"
"A bit cocky in this world, isn't he?" Qrow smiled.
"As long as he doesn't cross into arrogance…" Glynda mumbled as he watched Jaune stare down what she felt was evil incarnate.
"So far all she's done is toy with us," James answered, "Now that she has the relic her power has increased significantly. Our semblances bounce right off of her, and dust attacks seem to have no effect. The only things that can hurt her are: aura based attacks and straight up hand-to-hand attacks."
"Unfortunately," Qrow added, "Both of those require us to get up close and personal with her."
Jaune sheathed his sword and dropped it at Ozpin's feet. He jumped away from them and crossed his arms in front of his face. His smiling never fading.
"Does he have a plan?" Ruby questioned, "This sounds like a job for you Yang."
"I don't know," Yang shook her head, "She seems way too powerful, FOR ME what does Vomit Boy think he can do?"
"HEY," Nora shot back, "Don't count our leader out yet! He beat the devil, he can beat this witch!"
"Wait wha?" Sun asked on the last part of her sentence.
"I'll tell you later." Blake whispered.
HA! Cinder laughed, Oh, poor Jaune you have no idea what you're doing! Your death will probably the most entertaining thing yet!
"So, it's show-time!" Jaune yelled, "For the Wild Blue Beast, eh? Eight Inner Gates! Seventh Gate of Shock! OPEN!"
Jaune's skin turned red as a blue mist surrounded him. The shockwave itself shook the very grounds.
"Mr. Arc!" Ozpin used his cane and Croeca Mors to keep himself from flying back.
Blue? Salem asked herself, He insults me by not bringing out the Red!
Jaune charged forward swinging at Salem. She dodged every attack he threw at her. He would punch high, kick low, but every attack Salem just doged.
"Fine!" Jaune put his fists together, "Than take this! HIRUDORA! AFTERNOON TIGER!"
"Whoa!" Yang watched a white tiger explode on screen.
What was that?! Cinder was angry that this weakling struck her master.
"Hirudora is one of three great martial art attacks," Ren explained, "I've only seen it done by one person. It's just an ordinary punch, but a superfast punch. A focused blast of pressurized air aimed right at your opponent. After initial compression, it spreads quickly outward. I am amazed Jaune could do such a thing."
"You said three," Weiss contemplated what she was just told, "What are the other two?"
"The first: Asakujaku, the Morning Peacock is a series of punches dealt out with incredible speeds that the friction causes the air to ignite and set fire to his fists."
"I wanna learn that one," Yang punched her fists together.
"The third…"
An explosion was seen barely bigger than the base of Beacon tower was seen on screen. Jaune was lying in the ground while Salem was actually pushed back! She ordered a creeper to attack Jaune while he was down.
"Shit," James began to run, "Qrow get Jaune!"
"Right!" Qrow started.
Only for a familiar red blur to grab Jaune and bring him to them. Leaving a trail of red rose peddles in her wake.
"Ruby!" Qrow yelled, "What are you doing here?!"
"Weiss and Yang sent me ahead," She explained, "When I saw Hirudora I had to investigate. Jaune, are you ok?"
"Yeah," Jaune's skin was back to normal, "Thank you Ruby."
"Are you alright Mr. Arc?" Ozpin waved.
"Just my arm and a few ribs," Jaune said nonchalantly.
"Oh yeah because those aren't major issues," Weiss rolled her eyes.
"I agree with Ms. Schnee," Glynda nodded with approval, "He needs medical attention immediately."
"Jimmy's missing both his arms," Qrow objected, "I don't think Jaune has the right to complain about a boo-boo. It's time to play through the pain."
"That's a little harsh," Ruby looked back at him.
"The truth hurts kiddo," Qrow pointed at the screen.
"She's too stong," Ozpin watched as Salem began to levitate.
"Wait Professor!" Jaune objected, "I still have one more trick up my sleeve. Our youth hasn't faded yet! Don't give up hope now!"
"Jaune," Ruby hesitated, "What are you planning?"
"While it's true that everything we wish for may not come to be," Jaune smiled, "But things we must do must always begin with a wish. Just like the times I challenged Pyrrha. This is no bluff."
Everyone was shocked.
"Jaune," Ozpin was trembling, "Don't tell me…"
"The End has come for The Blue Beast Jaune Arc," Jaune sighed, "It's time for the Red Beast to emerge!"
"What's going on?" Ruby frantically shook in her seat, "What's Jaune about to do?!"
"Why would he challenge me?" Pyrrha questioned.
"You're the best in the school P-Money," Yang nodded, "He figured you'd make a great rival and someone to measure up to."
"I would've trained him!" Pyrrha declared.
"But you would've held back," Adam announced, "If you're holding back how would he have gotten better? If he failed he would push himself to become stronger and stronger until he finally won."
"But what's about to happen to Jaune?!" Ruby was getting tired of being ignored.
"I think he's about to do what Pyrrha did in the last one," Weiss analyzed the speech he gave.
"No," Ozpin shook his head, "I forbid it, not the Gate of Death!"
Ruby gasped.
"Mr. Arc don't do that!" James protested, "Think about what you're doing! No one here wishes for you to do that!"
"NO," Jaune declared, "But I wish it."
"Jaune," Ruby cried, "D-Do you really think it's time?"
"Ruby," Jaune smiled as he took off his armor, "Don't look at me like that. This time, you sit back and enjoy the show! I'm sorry we won't become the bestest leaders ever," Jaune put his forehead to hers, "But I am not sorry that with this action, you'll be the greatest huntress ever."
Ruby gave him a kiss before the last of his armor dropped.
"Wait Ruby is dating Jaune in this one?" Blake watched them lip locked.
Pyrrha was red as steam came out of her ears, Ruby?! How could you!
"What no!" Ruby protested flushed with embarrassment, "Jaune and I are besties!"
"So, each universe has a different partner for Mr. Arc," Ozpin sipped his drink, "Interesting."
"Imma kill him if he lays a hand on Ruby," Qrow nearly crushed his flask in his hand.
"Ditto," Yang once again punched her fists together.
Jaune ran forward and jabbed his chest with his thumb. An x-ray of Jaunes chest revealed his aura gathering around his heart filling it up. When the screen returned to normal a red mist was forming around Jaune.
So, you opened the Gate of Death, have you? Salem watch Jaune.
"OPEN! EIGHT INNER GATES FORMATION!" The red mist had completely enveloped Jaune, his skin and hair turned red as well, To protect something so precious you give your life for!
"Red Mist?" Salem looked down at Jaune, "The unique red mist of blood from opening all eight gates. To actually see it for myself is something I'd never thought I'd see. But now seeing it, it looks like dead autumn leaves."
"You're right," Jaune answered, "But their deaths weren't without purpose, they've become nutrients for fresh green leaves! And the period they bridge until new spring when fresh leaves bud is the climax of youth! When it burns most crimson!"
"I never knew Jaune could be poetic on the spot like that," Weiss wrote down what he wrote.
"I didn't think he was poetic to begin with," Yang shrugged.
"Oh yeah," Nora smiled, "He has a whole book of hand written poems back at the dorm."
"Really?" Pyrrha said, but was thinking: I must find this book and tear into its contents!
Blake was having the same thought as Pyrrha, albeit for more curious reans than romantic ones.
Jaune did a single leap and was eye level with Salem.
"Whoa!" Sun pointed at him, "Dude one leap and he's fifty feet in the air!"
"SEKIZO!" Jaune screamed, "EVENING ELEPHANT! FIRST STEP!" Jaune struck nothing but a torrent of pressurized air hit Salem. It had enough force she had to block it!
"What is that power?" Cinder couldn't believe Salem was on the defensive.
"Damn Vomit Boy!" Yang cheered, "Who knew he had it in him?"
Pyrrha was speechless. Was that power really lying dormant inside their leader all along?
"She's on the defensive!" James couldn't believe his eyes.
Qrow once again stopped drinking, he wanted to see this to the end.
Jaune let out a yell as Salem was knocked out of the air and to the ground.
"I can't," Ruby wiped her eyes, "I can't cry at time like this!"
"What was that?" Qrow held Ruby in place as the impact nearly sent them flying, but when the dust settled there was a pit in the middle of the courtyard. Salem had been pushed into the earth from that attack.
"Jaune's final move," Ruby explained, "The Evening Elephant."
"Second step!" Jaune raised his arm. The x-ray vision was back and it showed his humerus cracking. He stopped his attack to hold his arm.
I see, Jaune's shoulder was shaking, What unbelievable pain! But I must acclimate! Next time I WILL keep it going without giving her any openings!
"Guess play through the pain doesn't work, here does it?" Glynda looked at Qrow.
"You heard him," Qrow smirked, "He WILL, not "I'll try," or "I'll do my best," He said "I WILL."
"Great stress is place on the body from just opening the Fifth Gate of Closing!" Ruby watched Jaune hover in midair, "The Gate of Death's level of pain must be something that exceeds my imagination!"
"A move that bombards with blows of punched air," Salem lay on the ground grunting with every word, "An air cannon so to speak. Taking four or five of those would be bad…I should definitely avoid being his by the fists that create them as well."
"Was that fear?" James was hopeful.
"No," Ozpin shook his head even though he was hopeful, "That was tactical."
Salem flew out of the hole she was in, "One rarely gets to fight the Eight Inner Gates Formation," she said with a smile, "I'm game! I'll play with you for a bit!"
"I figured as much," Ozpin grit his teeth, this is still just a game to her."
I knew my mistress couldn't be harmed by that weakling, Cinder smirked looking at Mercury's magically refilled popcorn bucket. It'll be all the sweeter when she deals the finishing blow. Cinder ate a handful.
Jaune was climbing toward her? Everyone was shocked watching him ascend.
"He's comingat me by kicking compressed air?" Salem watched Jaune come closer.
"Ruby, are you?" Qrow began but was suddenly cut off.
"I am not sad!" Ruby yelled, "Showing pity or sorrow to one who has resolved themselves would be an insult!"
Jaune was running in a circle around Salem. She watched as his speed grew faster and faster. Everyone watched with anticipation as nothing happened just yet.
"FIRST STEP!" Jaune shot an air cannon at Salem.
"He's fast!" She blocked his first strike. When the air died down, she noticed he wasn't in front of her anymore!
"SECOND STEP!" He yelled as another air cannon his her from behind and below. She couldn't guard this one and took the full brunt of the attack.
"THIRD STEP!" This one came from above and to the right. Salem still recovering from the last one couldn't defend.
"FOURTH STEP!" He was in front of her again.
"I-I can't move!" Salem was being bombarded in all directions.
"FIFTH STEP!" Jaune cried as he struck her from behind.
Salem spat out a mouthful of blood as they two came crashing into the ground.
"What?!" Cinder kept her voice low, but the anger wasn't missed on her face.
"No way," Mercury dropped his soda.
"Impossible!" Emerald watched.
Jaune was standing, his breathing was labored as he watched Salem lay in the dirt. He didn't drop his guard, he knew something wasn't right. His suspicions were correct when Salem stood up.
"You're the first since Ozpin to make me feel this excited!" Salem wiped the blood from her mouth with a smile, "Can you still dance? Do you have anything else hidden in there? Give me more fun!"
"That's a little creepy," Ruby shrunk into her seat.
"Someone finally giving her a challenge," Yang could almost agree with her.
"Kid's got some spunk if he's dragged out this part of her," Qrow nodded.
"Will it be enough?" James wondered.
"He's gotten this far," Ozpin watched, "He's not dead yet."
I've never seen this side of her! Cinder was baffled, the calm and elegance was cast aside for what almost sounded like Yang. The adrenaline seeking barbarian.
She got up from a barrage of Sekizo? Jaune thought to himself, Sekizo isn't enough!
"This is amazing!" Salem laughed, "Keep dancing!"
All that's left is…Night Arc!
What's that? Cinder thought, there wasn't a fourth mentioned.
"Ren?" Ruby looked at the martial artist.
"I don't know," He shook his head, "I've only heard of the three."
"A hidden talent?" James looked at Ozpin.
"Told you," Ozpin smiled.
"What is Mr. Arc planning?" Glynda looked at the others.
"Something manly!" Port spoke up, "You heard him, he's at the climax of youth! He's going to unleash an attack to end all attacks!"
Everyone looked at Port with blank faces.
Jaune put both hands on the ground and crouched down. The x-ray returned and saw the aura in his heart slowly shrink. With that, Jaune's heart was starting to slowdown.
"Given the state his heart's in," Salem whispered, "This'll be his last attack."
"CHARGE!" The red mist exploded around them as it slowly began to take form.
"Ha-Ha!" Port cheered, "See?!"
The scene quickly changed to Sanctum Academy?
"Come on, Dad, hurry!" A younger Pyrrha dragged an older man along.
"Um what?" Pyrrha, and everyone else, were slightly confused.
"Aww!" Nora cooed, "Look at baby Pyrrha!"
Pyrrha blushed with embarrassment.
"There's no need to rush," her father smiled, "The academy isn't going anywhere."
"There's a set time for entrance applications," Pyrrha informed him.
Pyrrha's father waved at two men staring at the academy, "Hello, nice to meet you! My daughter will soon be attending Sanctum."
"Dad," Pyrrha groaned in embarrassment.
"I hope they will get along," he continued smiling.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible!" the older blonde man wearing tatter clothing announced.
"Huh?" Pyrrha's father was shocked, "What a thing to say! Are you one of those monster parents?!"
"No, Dad," Pyrrha facepalmed, "You're wrong. He failed the entrance exam."
"Oh," he rubbed the back of his head, "Pardon me! I just assumed since you were standing in front…"
The older blonde laughed, "Don't worry about it."
"Is that really something to be laughing about?" Pyrrha asked.
"Pyrrha don't be rude," her father poked.
"But you were a lot ruder a minute ago. I mean, he's trying to get into the academy with no skills and barely below average academic skills. We should be going before it gets late."
"Damn P-Money," Yang punched her shoulder, "I'd expect that from Weiss let alone you!"
"I'd never talk like that to anyone!" Pyrrha defended.
"She's just telling the truth," Weiss shrugged.
"Weiss you're not helping!" Ruby scolded.
The younger one smiled, and turned to face Pyrrha.
"Your name's Pyrrha Nikos, right?" he asked, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!"
The older blonde grinned at his son. Pyrrha was confused, while her father looked at the boy.
"Pyrrha," her father had a tone she didn't recognize, "Don't slack off because you got into the academy. At the rate he's training," the screen showed cuts, bruises, and calluses on his hands and feet, "that boy will become stronger than you."
"He will?" Pyrrha asked, "They haven't announced the alternatives yet have they? The academy isn't stupid. Ask him what his name is and remember it."
"What?" Pyrrha groaned.
"He'll make a good rival for you," her father patted her head.
"Hey!" Pyrrha called out, "What's your name?"
"JAUNE ARC!" he flexed his tiny muscles, "AND I'M GONNA BE STRONGER THAN ANYONESLE AROUND!"
"Well," Pyrrha smiled, "It turns out being rivals has its advantages."
"See?" Adam nodded, "He became the strongest one around didn't he?"
Enough aura had built up and it began to take the form of a dragon. The aura had a monstrous roar that dwarfed the dragon currently on Beacon Tower.
"I acknowledge this power of yours!" Salem decreed. "Over all of the those who have fought me over the years, your aura has no rival! I. Salem, declare you the strongest!"
Jaune's body had golden lines tattooing his body, "FLOW!"
The impact Jaune left as he ran shook the grounds. His aura dragon roared as it obliterated everything in its path. Salem raised her arms to block only for them to warp?
"What?" Salem watched, "He's bending time and space?!"
Salem looked at Jaune coming at her with fear in her eyes.
"NIGHT ARC!" He screamed as his foot connected with her chest. Salem threw up a decent amount of blood as they began flying.
The x-ray screen showed Salem's ribcage being shattered along with Jaune's leg. The shockwave knocked everyone back as they collided with Beacon Tower, but Jaune wasn't done yet. The dragon ascended Beacon Tower effectively ripping the Grimm one in half, as the Grimm dragon's body disintegrated the red one vanished.
Jaune's body returned to normal, mostly, his right leg was on fire and burned marks covered his body. There was a single star that shined brighter in the sky. He strained as he stretched his arm out and gave it thumbs up.
"J-Jaune?" Ruby stood up dusting herself off.
"That was Mr. Arc's last move," James, Ozpin, and Qrow regrouped.
In the distance two figures fell to earth. The fist was Jaune as he lay in his crater not moving the fire on his leg stopped once his leg was turned to ash. The second was Salem struggling to breath as half her body was now missing.
"Y-You," she struggled, "YOU BASTARD!" Salem fell forward into the dirt trying to get up. "D-Don't think this is over!" blood began to pool around her as her body began to evaporate.
"Not every classy for someone's dying words," Yang shook her head.
Again?! Cinder was grinding her teeth, First, was Satan, so that's understandable, but this?! Defeated by the weakest one here?!
Time Skip, One Year Later.
Beacon Academy now reopening its doors.
"Well I gotta hand it to you Oz," Qrow watched from the newly rebuilt office as students came in, "When everyone found out where Jaune went to school recruitment's been higher than it's ever been!"
"Well when a legend is trained here, others want to follow in his footsteps."
The scene changed two seven people standing in front of a statue in the middle of the courtyard.
"Guess who's back?!" Yang cheered as she took off her sunglasses.
"Yang," Blake came up beside her without her bow, "Do you have to be so loud?"
"It's Yang," Weiss smiled, "It wouldn't be her if she wasn't."
"Team RWBY is back together!" Ruby cheered.
"Don't forget us!" Nora landed.
"Today feels like a brand-new day," Pyrrha smiled at the statue while Ren just nodded.
"Salem's dead," Ruby placed a hand on Jaune's cheek as if it where the real thing, "Grimm attacks are down, but not gone. So, it's time to get back in gear and fight the monsters! BANZAI!"
"BANZAI!" they cheered.
"In places where the leaf dances," Jaune's voice was heard as a golden leaf flew across the screen, "A fire burns…the shadow of the fire will illuminate the world…and once more the leaf will sprout…"
The final shot was of the same leaf landing on a baby sprout.
