This one is… a little different. Bear with it, I'll explain more at the bottom. I cannot express how thankful I am to Ginger Sheikah for giving me advice. She has some truly amazing stuff guys, so please go check her page out.
Perspective…
This was meant to be a second chance. An opportunity to save people, to save my friends, to finally be of use.
To finally be a hero.
Jaune's gaze raked over the field in front of him, the scent of dry grass, the bleating of his sheep, the caress of the wind, all formed the ambiance for his vigil.
Four remnants. Each more drastic than the last, the first being almost identical.
Including my failures.
The second, in a different time. New weapons, new research, new resources.
New enemies, that I could not defeat.
The third, a strange parallel. Each the inverse of my home. Ruby, a murderer; Weiss, a thief; Yang, a mercenary; Blake, an innocent turned violent.
Jaune Arc, a failure still.
The fourth, a remnant no more. Back to when humanity had first come from dust, clinging to each other, fearing the Grimm.
The failure seeking the maidens, calling certain death to rain upon them.
Jaune sighed, gently guiding his flock back to their pin. Not that they were much of a flock, less than a dozen in total.
Perhaps this is my punishment. Failure as a hero, resigned to be a farmer and failing still.
Jaune pushed his way into his family's hut, his youngest sister greeting him as he entered. He smiled softly, picking the small girl up and placing her in her bed. Jaune looked over his family, most already asleep, nodding as his mother quietly motioned to their hound.
The young thing was one of the few valuable things left to the Arc's. Jaune's father had found her in the wilds, leading the small pup back home where Jaune nursed her to health. More wolf than dog, Artemis was one of three Jaune trusted outside his family.
As Jaune led his faithful companion out of the hut, his heart clenched in pain. Crocea Mors sat in a corner, gleaming in the firelight.
The toughened leather strap around the handle the only physical reminder of Ignatius Arc.
I'm so sorry.
"Perhaps, another may rekindle this fire. Lights such as these are so rare, after all…"
"Mistress, may we enter?"
Pyrrha turned from her book, the old tome remaining one of her favorite pieces of contraband in her father's palace. Quickly returning the story book to its hidden alcove, the second princess of Exosia acknowledged the knocking.
"What is it you need?"
"Our humble apologies for disturbing you, but the fourth prince of the House of Nikos requests your presence, if it would please her ladyship?" The young servants kept their heads down, their knees only barely shaking.
So much fear, all from my father's doing.
"Yes, I will see him. You may return to your duties."
Pyrrha walked through the palace, the burning sunset painting the massive structure in fire. As she approached her 'brother' she was once again reminded of her distaste for him.
"Ah, how gracious of you to bless your younger brother with your radiant presence, dear sister mine."
"Mercury, your gilded words are ashen as always. Why, pray tell, did you deem it necessary to call me to this balcony when there is a perfectly good one attached to my room?"
Mercury's silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, his grey eyes boring into his sisters.
After all this time, he still tries to use his gift.
Pyrrha stared back, her gaze sharpening, seeing through Mercury and into his soul.
Ah, that is what he seeks.
"No. Your schemes are your own, I will not slaughter our family as the rest of you are so intent to do."
"But dear sister, think of the possi-"
Faster than Mercury could track, Pyrrha's dagger was pressed underneath his chin, her emerald eyes burning.
"I said, no."
Pyrrha turned and walked away, composed as she ever was, keeping character until she was convinced Mercury could not see her. She fled to her room, tearing open the balcony, breathing deeply until her head cleared.
"That… was a mistake. He will want recompense for that. Nothing for it now, I suppose."
Pyrrha turned her eyes to the village below, her gaze sharpening once more. She hunted through all the many villagers, each going about their lives as they always did.
But there was one who fascinated Pyrrha, one she could always find in the field to the south at sunset.
Right on time. What does drive you so?
Pyrrha watched as the young man ran with his companion, the creature not seeming like a normal hound. Just as he did every night since Pyrrha had found him, the boy pushed himself. Running, jumping, climbing, lifting, balancing. His routine was more composed than that of her own guards. Finally, the boy moved to his final section of training. Simultaneously the part Pyrrha loved and hated, this was the action that convinced her to watch this youth for the past… oh however long it's been.
The fields to the south led to the Forest of Favos. None were permitted there lest they were of the Palace Guard.
For it was haunted, with the shadows of the dead.
You, at least, remain the same. Dark, corrupted, vicious. If nothing else, I've learned how to end you easily.
Jaune's expression remained mostly blank, an occasional grimace of strain the only deviation.
He wasted no movement, barely tilting to avoid the ivory claws bound for his throat. The beast roared its anger, though it turned to agony as Jaune ended it with the monster's own claws.
Beowolves. Still the weakest, alone at least. This pack is small, and without a true alpha. No real challenge for tonight.
The pack of thirteen lasted no longer against Jaune than they would've against the likes of Ozpin or Qrow.
Qrow…
The name entered his thoughts as he wrenched the last Beowolf's head from its body. Jaune knelt among the carnage, feeling the adrenaline leave his body.
Too emotional, you failed to maintain discipline. Find another pack, do it again.
Jaune called Artemis to his side, the wolf gently prodding his arm where a fang had punctured him.
"It's fine. Come, find them again. You can help this time."
Better that she know these creatures, and know to kill them. Beacon always was clear, never waste resources.
You hunt even still? What do you hope to accomplish?
Pyrrha couldn't help herself, she felt fear for the young man as he stumbled through the forest, blood dripping from his arm. A thought struck her as the boy found yet another group of demons.
Does he wish for death? And pray he finds it in a worthy opponent?
But she could tell this was not the case. The man was too composed, too focused, too intent on his battle to be suicidal.
He wants them dead. Perhaps he lost someone and seeks vengeance.
Pyrrha could not deny him that. Many in the village below had lost family to the monsters.
Still, surely, he has better things to do with his time than hunt these demons without pay. He typically hunts even after I fall asleep, when does he rest?
Pyrrha's thoughts were interrupted by the heavens themselves. A roaring unlike any she'd ever heard drew her attention to the east. There a star flew through the sky, bearing down on the southeastern edge of the forest.
An impact? Siege weaponry? No, no one's stupid enough to take on Exosia, not right now. That sound though, it was familiar. Whining almost.
Like an engine…
Jaune ran swiftly through the forest, his body flying with instinct. As he neared the crater he slowed, allowing the forest to hide him.
A rocket? Nothing I've seen so far would've showed this world capable of tech like this. Even if it did something else should've preceeded it; Firearms, cars, boats, anything.
Jaune approached cautiously, Artemis prowling behind him. A crest was emblazoned on the front of the object.
Wait… A locker? A Beacon Rocket Locker?
Jaune forgot his caution, rushing forward to open the case.
My old code worked… There's no way.
Jaune cautiously opened the door, an expected surprise inside. A suit of plate mail, identical to his old armor. It was painted a matte black, the Arc emblem a subdued golden color, lighter grey highlights around it. A matching sheath for Crocea, yet no blade. There was something more important on Jaune's mind however. A flash of red at the back of the locker.
"Mílo…"
"My lord and lady, I believe the crater is near!"
Jaune cursed his lack of awareness. He quickly grabbed everything inside, slammed the door shut, and ran back to the forest. He darted behind a tree and stopped.
I can't just leave that back there. Time isn't something to be played with.
Jaune dropped the gear, running back to the locker even as he heard the horses near. He slid into the crater, quickly smashing in the codes he never thought he'd use.
He ran back to the tree where he'd left the gear, telling Artemis to hide, pushing himself as close to the tree trunk as possible.
For once, let me have some measure of luck.
Alrighty guys, here it is. So, I'm taking it in a bit of a different direction. I don't know why, but I couldn't bring myself to write more about the same part of RWBY that we always see. The point of this story was to take characters we all know and put them somewhere different, unique, and even absurd. So, I didn't want to just give up and start again. Instead, I'm going to try moving forward. I apologize for the drastic cut, but I hope it'll work for the better. Let me know what you think of the new chapter.
Arebus.
