~'I do not own RWBY. It is owned by Rooster Teeth and was created by Monty Oum.'~
~'This wonderful cover image was made by: Viperium Prime from DeviantArt.'~
Note: Alrighty folks! Here we go! Back and writing this story and it feels like it's been forever despite the fact that it's only been a week. Odd how that happens isn't it? Like relationships, this is at first new and exciting uncharted territory, before it all becomes known and regular and comfortable.
Then again I wouldn't know what being in a relationship is like so I may just be rambling…
Anyways here we go! Time to get writing some shit before packing and getting ready for my vacation! It's going to be great and from Sunday until next Thursday I won't be doing anything. Maybe possibly expect a chapter next Friday, but definitely don't count on it.
As a result of my packing, this is kind of short and I'm sorry!
(I never did my packing. I also happened to somehow make this two times longer than it was supposed to be by forgoing my daily relax and listen to RWBY soundtrack time. Thank me in reviews you sausages!)
~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~
Chapter VIII
Jaune grunted catching the blow before it crashed into his grunt before he pushed the leg away and thrust his shoulder into the offender. Stumbling backwards, the slightly larger boy rebalanced himself before throwing his right elbow back towards Jaune's face only to have it caught by the black metal hand prepared for it.
Letting go of the elbow and stepping out of the way Jaune leapt backwards skidding across the gravel before digging one hand into the ground to slow himself. Panting heavily and ignoring the sweat dripping off his brow Jaune looked upwards. "Tired yet Winchester?"
His opponent, the large ginger male normally clad in full plate shook his head taking in a deep shuddering breath. "No way Arc. You ready to surrender yet?"
He could feel a grin coming on as his opponent decided to not concede. It's always more fun to watch them struggle. "Nope."
And so he lunged forwards again fist cocked backwards as it flew towards Cardin's face top speed. Dodging out of the way surprisingly nimbly, he pushed out his arm deflecting Jaune's before he got behind him kicking him in the back of the knee cap.
Feeling himself crumpling and going with it Jaune crumpled before rolling to one side and lifting himself up. Going at it time after time he and Cardin repeatedly clashed arms and legs becoming nothing more than mere blurs eventually as their bodies become living weapons.
Ducking under the next swing the motors in his arm whirled just a bit faster crashing forwards into Cardin's gut before Jaune jumped forwards placing his hands on Cardin's shoulders and leapfrogging over him.
Landing, he spun on his heel with one of his legs out crashing into the mans backside as he went towards the ground. Catching himself in a plank like maneuver, the ginger launched himself upwards using his insane upper body strength already ready to crash his fist into Jaune's face before he noticed Jaune was gone.
Immediately looking upwards, he was already side stepping out of the way while Jaune crushed his fist into the ground going a few inches deep. Looking at his opponent with a satisfied look Jaune opened his mouth. "You're learning."
Cardin only grinned savagely in returned. "You're reusing old tricks."
Blocking the next swing with his forearm and knocking his elbow into Cardin's throat he grunted as he felt Cardin's knee drive into his gut. Both stumbling back, Jaune recovered first just barely before Cardin launching forwards with a flying kick sent into his friend's shoulder while he went flying back sliding across the ground and sliding across the gravel likely tearing up his shirt in the process.
Putting his arms on his hips and straightening himself up while throwing his head backwards Jaune let out a long groan before hearing his back pop and sighing. Well, that's over and done with. Walking over to his fallen buddy, he reached out one of his hands before feeling a jolt of pain in his hand. That doesn't happen often.
Suppressing a wince, he gave Cardin a hand up before the other man gave out a groan of his own and reached a hand upwards towards his neck. "Damn man that hurts! Jeez, you never let up do you?"
"I'd expect it to hurt, I did elbow you in the throat then kick you in the shoulder so… Also, would you ever let up?" Jaune said with a single raised eyebrow before Cardin turned away slightly annoyed.
"Why do you even have to do it with my team anyways? You've got more competent people on your team and you know it!" Cardin grumbled on the way back from the training grounds to their lockers. "That Yang chick on your team is way better than any of use at unarmed combat, really you should be sparring with her everyday instead of just beating us down."
Jaune rolled his eyes. God, sometimes Cardin can be such a complainer. "You know I can't do that Cardin."
He threw his hands up in the air, muscular arms bulging as he did so. "Why the fuck not! Surely she'd be more up for it than I am! Hell, rumor has it she's a battle maniac!"
Jaune sighed. "Can't do it Cardin. I said it once, and I'll keep repeating it."
There was a look in Cardin's eyes of recognition for a brief moment before he grinned like a shark which just smelt blood in the water. God, it's creepy when he does that.
"Oh I get it now! Jauney boy here's got a little crush on his team mate! You're so cute with how you try and hide your feelings!~" Pinching on Jaune's cheek like an overly excited grandmother, Cardin grinned while Jaune looked on impassively hoping the red he was seeing wasn't making it's way to his face.
"First off, if I did that wouldn't stop me from fighting her. Second, I don't. Third, why is that the first thing you assume?" Jaune said listing out his points and hoping the conversation wasn't going to go the way he was predicting.
"Are you sure you don't Jauney? Pretty much every first year, male and female have a crush on her! Hell who wouldn't with tho- Ow!" Reaching a hand up to rub that back of his head where he just got cuffed by Jaune, Cardin took a step over before continuing. "What's wrong with liking her man?"
Jaune sighed for what must've been the fifth time in five minutes. "Nothing is wrong with liking her, it's just complicated."
"Complicated how?" His long time pal said crossing his arms over his chest. Oh god, it took the turns he was expecting and he walked right into it.
"Well for one, I can technically blame it all on hormones. Even if I didn't want a girlfriend, I'd be attracted to her. Second, I've spent every day with her for two months eating, sleeping, and just hanging out meaning that the chance of developing feelings on both parties is either highly likely or unlikely due to the almost familial relationship. Last but not least, there might be someone else. Or hell, even multiple people who could come in between us if we were to be a thing." Jaune said rambling on about the reasoning he's been trying to get through his own mind for as long as he has been.
"Pfft, hormones my ass. You literally just admitted you wanted a girlfriend! Forget all that science shit you just said, ignore all logic and go for it man!" Cardin said before clasping his hands over his heart in a remarkably un-Cardin like gesture. "The poet in me sees this as a romantic love story for the ages! Imagine, a dense and introverted yet brilliant genius in love with the extroverted good looking bim-Ow! Stop doing that!"
Chuckling to himself, Jaune reached into his locker grabbing some casual clothes for their weekend. "She's not a bimbo. Yang's one hell of a girl though, that's for sure. But then again, she's not the only girl in my life even if she's one of the first."
As his door swung shut he almost had a heart attack as Cardin's face appeared replacing the metal door. "Ah I see. You've got a crush on your partner then! Bell? Blair? Black? I forget her name but she's mighty fine too!"
Jaune really hoped he could remain as deadpan on the outside as he was trying to remain on the inside but if the heat building in his cheeks was any indication he was failing spectacularly. "Her name's Blake. She's nice too, far quieter than Yang that's for sure which is a nice change of pace."
"Hm… Maybe you should just ignore all of them and bang Weiss already? We both know you haven-Ow! Fucking stop that you prick!" Cardin said cursing under his breath at his luck for having such a guy as Jaune as his best friend. "I remember that one time you said you liked her! What happened?"
"That was years ago Cardin. And besides, while now she's a nice independant woman for sure, I doubt her father would be fine with us dating. Though to be fair, he might be slightly more courteous considering what happened last time." Jaune said considering. Damn, why did life have to be so complicated?
"Fine fine…" Cardin said while they walked over to his own locker where he'd stowed away his own clothes. "How about you take the safe route and go for Ruby? Surely it should be too hard to make her fall in love with you."
"Route? What? Is my life supposed to be some sort of visual novel now? Also, don't say things like 'make her fall in love with you' so flippantly! Women are independent and if they fall in love is up to them! Or mind control but even then I don't think a man could control a woman's mind without going mad first." Jaune said. Ruby was nice that's for sure. With her innocent demeanor, overall cheerful attitude, and general kindness towards… Everything really. She was just a nice person and would likely make a good moth-
Great. Now his mind has wandered into someplace which should only be labeled as porn.
Just fantastic.
Cardin nodded agreeing. "Women are complicated creatures who understand each other, but can't stand each other."
Jaune laughed. "What did you get that line out of? A fortune cookie?"
"Not cool man. You know I always forget to get out the paper before I eat those! Nah, came up with it myself. What do you say, outa ten how was it?" Cardin said taking out a pen out of nowhere and holding up his hand. Looks like he was in his 'rate my poetry mode' again.
"Since it's likely true and wasn't all that bad, a solid seven out of ten." Jaune said suppressing a shudder. God, he's so insistent about things in this mode!
"Seven? Only seven?" The ginger inquired as the left the building.
"Meh, coulda used some more fanfare." Jaune said casually. It's true! Showmanship is everything in this day and age! Noticing how Cardin wrote 'fanfare' on his hand, Jaune let them lapse into comfortable silence while thinking up some plans for the rest of the day. Maybe chill in the room and get some work done?
As they stepped into the dormitories and were riding up the elevator, Cardin gave a comical 'Aha!' and pointed at Jaune's chest while walking in front and placing his hands on his hips. "You could date all of them! Fulfill every man's dream and have a harem! A bevy of beautiful women in your pocket to fulfill your every need or desire!"
Jaune raised another eyebrow. "You date my sister and still have those thoughts? Huh. She must not have gotten out the whip yet. Besides, it's not that uncommon. It's only uncommon with families like ours. The old kinds where they don't think that's a good idea for their public image."
That fact was true oddly enough. Whereas a harem wasn't all too common, it was by no means uncommon. After the rebellions and wars, not to mention the constant supplies of hunters needed to protect the kingdom's, males were harder to find if only because most of these happened before the military and the huntsman academies were opened to women for fighting as well.
As it stands… Remnant seems to be in need of more males.
When all the soldiers went and died or fucked off, there were less people to procreate, causing lower birth rates, meaning less possible males for the future and for some reason people just seemed to be on a spree of having female children at the moment.
Look at his parents and that fact is obvious.
But as a result of this, naturally the female population outnumbered the male population roughly three to one. Naturally that meant that if you didn't want to die alone, most of the time you needed to end up sharing a husband or boyfriend for a while. At least until the competition dies off.
Wow, that got dark fast.
"But that's what makes it perfect! Think about it! You, Jaune Arc breaking the mould and having a harem would open pathways for all the other males of prestigious families like ours! Then I can have a harem and blame it all on you!" Cardin said smiling triumphantly as the elevator doors opened onto the first year's floor. "My master plan has come to light!"
Jaune groaned while they stepped out into the hallway. "If that's what you call a master plan I pity whoever it is your involving since that's not even a plan. That's barely an idea of a plan."
Cardin made a face before rolling his eyes. "You're one to talk! What about Mozambique huh? That time it was you who barely had a plan!"
Jaune's eye began twitching as he turned back to Cardin. "We never, ever discuss Mozambique. I thought we agreed on it."
Cardin huffed. "Fine. But I'm right. You've got the potential to have a harem! You just don't realize it yet!"
At that Jaune gave a final laugh while Cardin left into his room. "Pfft, who'd be into me? Jaune Arc the moderately handsome, more or less nice guy when he's not being ruthlessly efficient, cripple with the money?"
At that Jaune's brow scrunched up while Cardin's door closed behind him. "Hey! I actually sound like good boyfriend material! Huh, who woulda thought."
~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~
Finishing off her letter with her usual signature, she licked the envelope closed before writing the required things on the outside in her usual flowing cursive. Placing it on her desk so that she doesn't forget to send it later, Weiss stood up straightening out her skirt before sighing slightly and looking around.
Her team wasn't there, having gone to grab lunch a while ago and Ruby's team was… Somewhere. Where, she doesn't quite know, but somewhere that's for sure. Finally done putting the finishing touches on her projects and done writing the letter to her sister, Weiss realized that there wasn't anything for her to really do.
'I could go train? It never hurts to put in one more minute of training after all. Though, would it really be worth the trouble? I would have to change and go grab Myrtenaster before seeing if there's a training arena ready… I don't feel like doing all of that today… It's Saturday, I should be having some fun at least! I wonder where Jaune is… Seeing him would be slightly more fun than seeing nobody that's for sure… Maybe we can even s-study together? I'm sure he has all the material down already b-but surely it wouldn't hurt to review r-right?'
Sighing softly to herself, Weiss pondered what to do before hearing someone chatting in the hallway. Realizing that this was most likely the most excitement she'd get in a while unless she went and sought out either her team or Jaune, the heiress quietly tip-toed over to the door of her room before carefully pressing a single ear against it.
"Listen! Just get the whip, get over here and let's have some fun shall we?" Weiss' mind took a moment to process what she just heard before she stifled a gasp.
Was that Jaune... Jaune talking to a girl? A-about whips? A girl that wasn't one of the regulars in the group?
Her face went as red as the leader of Team Aubergine's cloak. Jaune, girl, whips! Oh god. Leaning against the door more for support now than to actually listen, Weiss tried calming herself down. Surely he was talking about cattle or some sort of other domestic animal riding which can be done with w-whips right?! Riding domestic animals can be fun right?!
Right?!
"Come on! You know I like it when you whip that part! It's the best because it leaves marks for the whole world to see!" He said voice escalating in pitch to the point that even Weiss could tell he was excited.
No. Not cattle… It can't be cattle.
Just the thought of it made her feel hot in the face while it became obvious she was blushing. Curse her and her naturally pale complexion! Why was she feeling so flustered about this? What happens in Jaune's love life is exactly that! Happening in his lovelife! Not hers! No reason to care!
None at all! No matter what Nora may say to Ren when she thinks Weiss isn't listening!
"Oh come on! You know I love it when you use it to write your name! Come on it's embarrassing but I can deal with the backlash in case anything bad comes of it!" He said and Weiss could imagine him trembling in excitement from the sound of his voice.
God. What kinky stuff was Jaune into and why did it make her own heart beat so fast? Surely it wasn't like that one song where sticks and stones may break her bones but chains and whips excite her!
Right?
"Oh shit! Since I'm talking to you I'll just open the lock using my semblance so just uh... Man I can't really focus while thinking of you doing the whipping later… I'll just focus on all the locks around then since that's easier." Jaune said and before Weiss could process what she'd heard and scramble away and act like it was nothing, the door was already swinging open silently her weight pushing it open.
Barely catching herself in an odd pose with her hands before she managed to hit the floor, she vaguely saw Jaune's ankles spin around before he continued talking. "I'll text you the rest."
Hanging up, he immediately crouched down wrapping an arm around her shoulders and helping her pick herself up before they were both standing there in the hallway both questioning of each other.
"Wei-" Jaune was cut of by her before he reached up and scratched the back of his head running his hands through his blonde locks after realizing he'd cut her off as well.
"Jau-" She was cut off as he was by him saying her name (as mentioned above).
"You go first." They said in complete sync making them both raise an eyebrow both in sync. Both waiting a few moments, she coughed into her fist so as to gain his attention.
"So… You got a girlfriend?" She stated awkwardly blushing a bit at the thought at everything he might be doing in the bedroom. Man, whips? Really?
Jaune chuckled. "No but if you're proposing to be mine I wouldn't say no."
"Well hardy har har. Uhh… If you don't have a girlfriend then what were you talking about when you said 'whip'?" She said instantly cursing herself for saying it even while her face heated up. Was he suggesting that she be his girlfriend? Why did that not make her feel as awkward as it likely should've made her feel?
"Oh! Wow I must've been talking far too loud if you heard me from your room all the way down the hallway like that. That's my sister." Jaune said still quizzical before an expression of understanding appeared. "Ah I got it now. No, I am not engaging in incestuous sado-masochistic sex with my twin sister in which she'd leave me with a tramp stamp nor have I done so before."
At that Weiss was sure she just choked on air. Coughing again, she felt it truly was necessary. "What's the whip for? It's not often brothers talk to their sisters about whips. I can be certain Whitley has never talked to me about whips before."
"Ah. Her boyfriend has been… Not quite unloyal, but not quite… Innocent either with his thoughts you know?" Jaune said before looking down at her. Why oh why did she have to be so short. "I was just inviting her over to Beacon to punish him for a bit. You know, negative reinforcement and all that, good for the bra- Okay well maybe that's a stretch but it's good."
Weiss laughed at that despite it not being particularly funny. What was wrong with her? Why was it that whenever he was around she lost all semblance of grace or maturity?
"Anyways, I'm going to go shower since I just finished some training." He said turning back to his door and swiping his scroll over the scanner. "See you."
"Wait!" She felt herself blurt out. What was the plan here!? There was no plan! "I was wondering… Would you like to go out to Vale with me today? Just to look at the festival preparations?"
Tilting his head slightly before smiling at her Jaune shrugged. "Sure no problem. Let me just get changed and then I'll see if anyone else wants to come. Should be about ten-fifteen minutes?"
"Okay. Well… See you soon then Jaune!" She said feeling better.
At least her day would be somewhat exciting.
~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~
Jaune hummed to himself quietly as he watched Ruby skip down the sidewalk in front of him. Dressed in a simple yet effective pair of cargo pants and a blue long sleeved shirt, he didn't feel chilly in the slightest despite the strong breeze coming off of the ocean to his left.
Currently walking along the pier near the Vale City docks with most of his friends, Jaune could admit that despite all of its awkwardness, arranging this outing was a good idea. While here he'd be able to grab some dust, last minute pieces for the armor he was making his team, and maybe grab a bite to eat or some coffee!
Well at least, that's what would've happened if he didn't invite the eccentric weapons nut, the blonde head turning motorcycle enthusiast, the introverted secret cat faunus with a desire to read by the fish smelling docks, and the Schnee heiress who also happened to be an internationally popular singer/idol.
What ended up happening was, while not too far from his expectations, was just as fun as it was unproductive.
They'd stopped by a weapons shop and picked up some items for Ruby's scythe… Apparently she needed a couple new gears for where some had mysteriously broken during her fight with Jaune in class.
Yup… Real mysterious.
Blake had insisted they stop by a favourite book shop of hers meaning that while they all went in, they all had to ignore a certain section until she got her smut. Jaune thought did pick up on an interesting book on theories about time manipulation through non-dust using science.
So… Yeah?
Overall though, it's been a nice day. After eventually voting and failing, Ruby used her leader powers to make everyone agree and outvote Weiss so that they could go for some fish and chips at the pier.
Sadly, Ruby was terrible at directions and insisted that she knew where she was going the entire time. Meaning of course, they they had travelled to thirty nine out of forty piers and not a single one had the specific restaurant she was looking for.
When he had bothered bringing it up and suggested that they perhaps go to a different shop, she'd looked so disappointed and sad, he instantly promised that he would buy her the shop once they found it just so that they could deep fry some cookies for her.
Man… Explaining that one to his mother would be a chore in and of itself… Hire someone to do it for him? Huh, that's a good idea.
"I've heard that the students from Vacuo will be arriving here today via ship and as a representative of Beacon, I see it as my duty to greet them and make pleasantries!" Weiss said breaking him out of his odd recapping thoughts.
"Why? Don't they have people for that in the system?"
"I don't know Yang… Vacuoans aren't a huge fan of the system." Jaune said laughing. "You know fight the system and all that."
"Yeah! Anarchy! Burn it down! I burn!" The boisterous brawler said pumping her fists in the air. "Woo!"
"Anyways, now we must simply wait for them to arrive!" Weiss said turning towards the incoming ships likely wondering which ones might be carrying the foreign students.
"Weiss… This wouldn't be just so that you can spy on them and have a upper hand on them in the tournament… Is it?" Blake said a small smile gracing her lips while she crossed her arms under her breasts.
Instantly Weiss turned on her heel pointing towards Blake. "You can't prove that! Innocent until proven guilty!"
"I prefer guilty until proven innocent…" Jaune mumbled to himself quietly. Apparently Blake heard. Her and her secret faunus hearing!
"And why would that be Jaune?" She asked still looking towards him puzzling the others who hadn't heard anything.
"It's more fun that way Blake. Makes me feel like I'm in a movie or T.V show where everyone is my enemy and I don't know who I can trust before I win, get the girl, and move to an island somewhere awaiting my sequel." He said gazing in at a particular boat which just docked nearby.
Nodding in apparent satisfaction at his answer despite how stupid it sounded out loud, Blake turned back towards the ocean likely taking discrete sniffs of the fishy air coming in.
Turning to his right and looking down a street while they took a breather, Jaune saw that a shop at the end of the road was being cordoned off by some yellow police tape. Noticing the location, and taking in the general area of the city, he determined the lease must be rather high.
Huh, that's odd.
His apparent sudden focus in that part of the city caused the present crimsonette to turn that way also until her silver eyes fell upon the sign on the wall above the store. He followed her tracks taking it in.
Jaune noticed it was a dust shop. A dust shop? In this kind of location? Robbed? Unlikely. Chances were there was some sort of vandalism by the owner so that he could claim insurance and move locations based off of the fact that it's too unsafe.
Everyone's guilty until proven innocent after all.
The group once noticing what happened made a unanimous and silent decision like something out of an anime, that they would all approach it together and inquire what happened.
Walking up to one of the detectives on scene, Jaune was going to ask before Ruby beat him to the punch. "What happened here?"
The detective likely sent by the VPD (Vale Police Department) barely looked up from his electronic notepad where he was writing down things almost certainly connected to the crime.
"Robbery… Second dust shop to be hit this week! This place is turning into a jungle…" He said before turning around walking towards the broken window.
"Ugh that's terrible." Yang tsked in an oddly sympathetic voice. Hmm… Something to look into later.
"They left all the money again!" The cop continued calling over to his partner. Why he was only filling him in on this now didn't make sense considering he was outside the building and should've informed him earlier. "Ugh, just doesn't make a lick of sense! Who needs that much dust?"
Dust stolen? Nobody would steal dust from themselves, it's currently fairly cheap! Though, even this small store going under would affect the prices a bit.
"I don't know an army?" The detective's partner chimed in playing with his suspenders a bit.
Gesturing around with his gun a bit which showed he obviously had no trigger discipline, cop number one continued. "So you uh, thinking the White Fang?"
At that Blake tensed and he could see the buildup of pressure in her shoulders and how she sank a half inch lower to the ground ready to begin doing anything other than standing.
"Yeah, I'm thinking we don't get paid enough." Cop number two chimed in once more while they turned away from the shop walking back to the squad car and just leaning against it for a second.
Cops… Useless in this case apparently.
"Hmmph! The White Fang. What an awful bunch of degenerates." Weiss said closing her eyes and crossing her arms before seeing Blake visibly tense slightly again.
"What's your problem?" Blake said calmly and as politely as she could which was admittedly not always easy when dealing with the Schnee heiress.
"What's my problem? I simply don't care for the criminally insane." She stated gesturing like she was above and they all below.
God. A shitstorm was coming and he was stuck in the center.
Shuddering, Jaune pulled out his scroll already locating which cameras he would need using the wireless connection and shorting them out briefly enough to hack them. Already beginning to be prepared with his own form of evidence, Jaune stood there ready to defuse the bomb and save Vale!
Not to mention the continent of Anima.
"The White Fang are hardly a collection of psychopaths." Blake said crossing her arms again. Oh boy, this isn't going to end well. "They're just a collection of misguided faunus."
He'll need to do something soon… Eventually Blake will say something she shouldn't in the heat of the moment, Weiss will say something worse, and they'll feel remorseful before hating each other's guts for all eternity… Then what would happen would likely be some sort of nuclear fallout affecting not only them, but Jaune as well.
He wouldn't let such a small thing like Blake's past or complete inequality between races separate his pack of friends… Okay well maybe the inequality thing could be a problem but come on! He's Jaune Arc!
"Misguided? They want to wipe humanity off the face of the planet!" Weiss said leaning forwards slightly to emphasize her point.
Preparing counter argument, preparing evidence, preparing likely responses to his own speech.
"So then they're very misguided." The quiet and normally peaceful cat faunus said. 'Either way, it doesn't explain why they'd rob a dust shop in downtown Vale."
Looking over at Ruby and Yang, he could see they were looking uncomfortable. Yang was twirling a lock of her quite wonderful hair while Ruby was looking around as though in deep thought for a brief moment.
"Blake's got a point." The little reaper said before looking down at the ground slightly. 'The police never caught that Torchwick guy I ran into a few months ago… Maybe it was him."
"Ruby's right. He was the one who did it." Expanding his scroll from its smaller form to it's larger tablet mode he held it up in front of the group playing the video. Waltzing in like he owned the place, Torchwick was in, out, broke some shit, and then left in less than three minutes. Impressive! "So… Yeah."
Seeing Yang shoot him a look of thanks and Ruby look more confident in her counter argument, Jaune couldn't help but be a bit happy. His team, Ruby's team, Team Aubergine wouldn't be falling apart anytime soon!
"That still doesn't change the fact that the White Fang are a bunch of scum." Weiss said still stirring up shit. God, why does she do this? "Those faunus only know how to lie, cheat and steal."
Oh Yang's turn for her own point!
"That's not necessarily true…" She said lilac eyes narrowing towards Blake ever so slightly.
"Hey! Stop that faunus!" Came a distressed cry from some sailer behind them.
Whirling around, Jaune was already scanning the area for the lawbreaker as they began sprinting down the street towards the pier. Coming to a stop when the road ended at the railing, he looked out onto the boat while fishing out his helmet.
Popping the pieces onto his ears he reopened it making it expand over his face while he zoomed in on the boat in front. Locking onto the movement and thermal signatures, he turned off thermal before taking a look.
Running across the deck of a boat around fifty feet away, was a blond haired guy who sort of looked like Jaune. If Jaune wore open white dress shirts with no sleeves and wore chains attached to jeans.
"Thanks for the ride guys!" The teenaged boy said before jumping off the rail of the boat and onto the actual pier itself before clambering up a lamp-post.
"No good stow-away!" The sailor yelled. Obviously he wouldn't jump off of the boat after him. Oh well, looks like it's up to the hunters on the job.
"Hey! I'm a great stow-away! A no good stow-away woulda been caught!" He shouted peeling a banana. Wait? Banana? He was eating a fucking banana in a time like this!? Hanging from his tail? A tail? A fucking monkey?!
Stopping the Mozambique flashback, Jaune instantly began wondering how painful it must be to hold yourself up by your tail.
Technically, the size of the tail from what he can see, doesn't have enough of a surface area on it's connection to the main body to make using it not painful in the way it was currently being used.
The cops, apparently having caught on and having rushed over stood at the bottom waiting. "Hey! Get down from there this instant!" Cop number one said only to find the banana's peel thrown at his face moments later.
A stow-away and a litterer with a disrespect for authority? Fuck this guy!
Flipping off the lamp-post in an amazing display of agility and rolling along the wooden pier, the monkey faunus charged up the stairs laughing all the way. Running off the stairs and rushing past them, he went past the girls one by one before slowing down in a way which was barely noticeable and winking at Blake.
You know what? Doubly fuck this guy. No! Fucking quintuple fuck this guy!
Sticking out his foot before he could pass him, Jaune felt contact against his foot only to watch as the criminal stow-away bastard flirting with Jaune's gi-partner thing that's a girl, go flying and crash into the ground seconds later with a groan.
Turning towards the accident, the teens watched perplexed as the cops having now caught up took out their tasers and tased him like six times. Wow, that was neat to watch. Jaune's never personally used a taser itself, but it made him respect the cops when the popped cuffs on that guy and began heading down to the station.
"Huh. Nice one Jaune." Yang said putting her fist out for a fist bump. "Come on! Don't leave me Yang-ing."
Groaning at her shitty pun he fist bumped her anyways getting a warm smile which made him feel all fuzzy in return. "Well Weiss, you wanted to see the competition, and there it goes!"
Hey that doesn't make sense. If all the students from Vacuo are coming today, why the fuck did this guy's stow-away on a boat for no reason? Is he retarded? Monkeys are shown to be less evolved than humans when it comes to being orderly and following rules of society… Hmm….
"Wait! We must observe him! Follow that police car!" Weiss shouted pointing at the offending police car. Noting how far away it was, only with Ruby's speed would they make it there on time.
"Take the side streets!" He shouted. Technically, they should go straight to the station and drop him off. Best spot for interception is… There!
Charging down the sidewalk and weaving between people, Jaune led the way as the hunters in training ran down the streets after the police car. Turning the corner, he saw it at the edge of his sigh- There was a thud and a groan from Jaune as he cringed feeling some blood dripping off his knee and a body underneath himself.
Muttering apologies and getting himself up before offering the nice lady a hand, he hoisted her up too watching as her eyes narrowed on his mechanical hand before she brushed herself off and saluted. "Salutations!"
"Umm. Hello." Ruby said awkwardly. They've been training her to be better in these situations, but she still isn't quite great yet.
"Are you… Okay?" Yang asked tilting her head and looking honestly concerned for someone she's never even met. Man, what a woman eh? Seems like so far she'd make the perfect mother!
"I'm wonderful! Thank you for asking!" The quirky orange haired girl said before bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet. Hey, wait a second. "My name is Penny! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
And so went the awkward first greetings between them and Penny.
"Hi! I'm Ruby."
"Weiss."
"Blake."
"Are you sure you didn't hit your hea- Yang!"
"Jaune… Hey, can you tell me what the square route of sixty five thousand eight hundred and seventy four is?" He said spitting it out. If what he's feeling with his semblance is correct, then this should be interesting.
"Of course! It's five hundred and thirteen point three one eight six one four five zero eight…" And so Penny, the first ever android capable of creating aura, was introduced to Jaune Arc, first person not involved with the project to figure it out.
"Very good math skills. You're quite the computer aren't you?" Jaune said flippantly getting Blake to glare at his impoliteness.
Penny took no offense yet he noted the subtle shift in her internal mechanisms. "I'm just really good with numbers!"
"I'm sure you are. Please, find me so that we can discuss things one day." Jaune said grinning at her. This is going to be an interesting conversation that's for sure… Just a matter of time.
"Of course!"
"Well… Sorry for running into you!" With that, Jaune turned on his heel and began walking back in the direction of the fish and chip place they were looking for… Hopefully Ruby wouldn't notice that he was leading.
Leaving the quirky secret robot behind, they continued walking down the street while Weiss spoke up. "Now! Where did that faunus riff raff head to?"
"Stop calling him that! Stop calling him riff raff, stop calling him a degenerate, he's a person!" Blake spoke up once more igniting old napalm covered shit they really should've left behind ages ago.
Well, at least he'd be able to use that speech he'd prepared.
"Oh I'm sorry! Would you like me to stop referring to the trash can as a trash can, or this lamp post as a lamp post?" Weiss said pointing at the various items in the vicinity and Jaune couldn't help but think something…
'I'll have you know Lamppost is a filthy word. They prefer the term: Immobile illuminating staffs…'
"Stop it!"
"Stop what? He clearly broke the law! Give him time, and he'll probably join up with those other faunus in the White Fang!" Weiss said.
Welp, this is it. Blake goes Ballistic. Ballistic Blake. That's her name, being ballistic every so often is her game!
"Ugh you ignorant little brat!" Blake said before turning and preparing to leave before Jaune's hand clamped onto her shoulder with an iron grip stopping her in her tracks while she turned around to face Weiss again.
"How dare you talk to me like that! I'm your friend!" The white themed girl spat out.
"You're a judgemental little girl." Said Blake.
Wow, this is turning into a complete catfight. All right… He'll get out on his own.
"What in the world makes you say that?" Weiss shouted throwing her arms around.
"Assuming he's to go join a terrorist group just based on his species makes you just as big of a scoundrel as you make him out to be!" Blake said pointing at her intensely in some way he'd never manage.
"You admit it! The White Fang is just a radical group of terrorists!" Weiss said twisting things to her advantage. Oh well, you don't grow up around Jaques Schnee and learn nothing!
"That's not what you meant and I know it!" Blake was preparing to storm off again before once more he latched his hand onto her arm closing it around her significantly thinner wrist and keeping her there.
"Let's not end this here okay everyone? Now I'm going to tell you why both of you are wrong, and why I, Jaune Arc, am always right." Weiss scowled as Blake did while Yang tried and just barely managed to stop her laugh at his statement.
"Now. First off. Weiss, you can't base an entire species based off of the actions of the few who've gone to terrorism to fight for what they believe in. If you were a faunus and joined up, how would you feel about the White Fang? Would you see it as a righteous cause? Fighting for the freedom of your entire species against the oppression of another larger one making life hell?" Jaune paused to let that sink in. "I know that they've done terribly, terrible things to your family, and I'm sorry. But don't assume that every faunus lawbreaker is a part of their crowd, and don't assume every faunus will be as crazy as that!"
"Hell! Most faunus as shown through all recent polls, despise the White Fang. While the White Fang works in small communities, in the ones where humans are prevalent it just causes hatred against Faunus similar to what you're showing right now." Jaune said before looking around. "Even here it's easily possible. We, as the human race are making lives of Faunus everywhere hell because we can't judge people based off of the individual and not off the group."
"Hell, I could technically be apart of the White Fang if I wanted to be! Would you be any less harsh on me just because I'm not Faunus?" Jaune said taking in a deep breath. "Judge and condemn every Faunus who goes there for an unjust cause. Judge the ones that go there simply to hurt. The people there to stop oppression and eventually find peace? Those are the ones you should not empathize with, but sympathize with. Think about what they're fighting for before thinking about the fact that they're fighting."
"Now Blake… You're being a bit too harsh. Weiss' judgement is clouded because of her environment growing up and even if it is a bit… Extreme… Find a way to give her another shot and don't do what she was doing okay? You assume that the White Fang have some sort of right or are technically able to do the things they do because they're fighting for Faunus rights, but even then… They shouldn't be fighting in the first place. What they should be doing is getting every single faunus on their side so that there is no other side for them to go to… They should make a way so that all Faunus unite... Not to rise up in rebellion but to simply show that they can that they can unite as one people and protest what's right."
Taking another deep breath as he reached his conclusion, Jaune continued once more. "If every faunus were to protest at once, one third of the population of the entire world we're standing on will be protesting something. That… That would mean something, that would make changes… Not even politicians, not even countries, not even fate, can stand against people who constantly refuse to give in and give up… The truth is, most Faunus have it good and are oppressed because of the White Fang. It's been shown by the greatest analysts of our time you guys."
"So please, give me a break from all this dialogue and think about what I said before making up like the women you are and please…Please I beg you just go back to being your angsty, high and mighty, strong independent women you are so that I can go get a Pep-Schnee… Seriously, my throat is parched. Had I known I was giving a speech today I would've brought water or something." Jaune finally managed out feeling his mouth almost completely dry from his gum flapping.
Blake shook his hand off her wrist making it fall down to his side before she stood there one arm crossed in front her her chest while her face looked downwards.
Weiss meanwhile was doing something similar if not the same… Simply looking down at the cracked asphalt below them, Jaune had no idea what Weiss was thinking.
"Weiss…" Blake began rubbing her arm again and Jaune couldn't help but smile. He'd talk to her later about all this and make her feel better, but for now this would do. "I'm sorry… For everything I said and my tone… I'm sorry for assuming that you didn't like them simply because you're a rich daughter of a Schnee… Please… Can you find it in yourself to forgive me?"
Weiss looked up her, icy blue eyes this time looking different. Where before, there was a certain lacking, now there was a new thing filling a non existent void from before… "I'll forgive you if you forgive me Blake. I'm sorry for being… Me, I suppose. It's just that my family, people I know have been executed at the few people who are there to hurt and to destroy… Please forgive me."
"Fight! Fight! Fight! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Came Yang's voice over the two as she came to stand to one side of Jaune's before Ruby came to stand on the other side.
Jaune piped up. "We're going to just assume you both forgive each other and go back to Beacon okay? Sorry Ruby, I'll have to buy you that fish and chips shop later…"
"No problem Jaune!" Ruby said before twiddling with her thumbs and looking up a bit. "Though, you weren't actually going to buy me that restaurant right?"
Jaune laughed pulled her towards him in an odd one handed hug to his side. "C'mon Rubes! I'm an Arc and an Arc never goes back on their word!"
'I Jaune Arc from this day forward solemnly swear to do everything in my power to keep this team... This group… This family together. No matter what it be, fate itself, the White Fang, the grimm, the gods themselves. This is my group… There may be others like it, but this one is mine.'
~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~
Note: Holy fuck! Done! At eight thousand words of story, this came out twice the length I was intending today! Holy fucking shit I'm too nice to you guys! Anyways, now please, leave a review. I know, I feel deep in my bones a whole bunch of you are going to point out flaws and complain that I did it wrong or it wasn't handled correctly, but I feel as though this one was.
On a lighter note, I arrested Sun for now. Why? I don't like him. I am Ghira.
Now, leave a review and have a wonderful night! I'm going to cry myself to sleep, wake up, pack, go to the doctor's, play games, and then leave on my vacation so it'll be a while since I see you!
Have a wonderful night!
(My smut fic is out. Go read it. It's called 'When Life Gives You Lemons' in that terrible punny fashion I love to name things in.)
Review Responses:
Frank Horrigan: Yeah, you're a pretty quick reviewer that's for sure! Makes me wonder what it's like waiting for this… Also, killing Cthulhu on one faithful day? That would take twelve days of intense battle at least!
BarkingFox: Not soon but maybe one day… Can't say anything more.
Natsu vi Kurosaki: Yeah! Yang with a suit of mass destruction would be awesome! Sadly, I think she'd go to brush her hair and rip it out before going ballistic. Get it?
Random O' Panda: God, it's good to know someone else understands my struggle with that.
Stranger823543: I may not be a genius in technicality, but I can count how far away I am using the amount of digits on one hand. Writing Fanfiction has nothing to do with being genius or not by the way. Also, Jaune has no way to know how the story could possibly end, so I don't know why it's giving you that impression!~
DrackNath: We'll see some Knightshade fluff next chapter!
1st Dragon King: Yeah, the north U.S will remain fairly chill until North Korea starts nuking either first or in retaliation, misses Seattle, and fucks me over instead.
Doctorn: Yeah! Fill me up! Fill me up real good with those reviews you stud! It's not a plot point! Just a funny thing. Since you know, Cardin's a big jock who doesn't seem the kind for poetry.
desdelor97: thanks mate!
Raidentensho: Good idea! See you!
WyattMoore: They've known each other for three days, a kiss wasn't going to happen. Though I like how you noticed what I was teasing at there.
Wolveblade: Your review is quite literally just 'F .' What does this cryptic message mean?
Yifto: The original was more popular by one hundred, but only because it had twice the amount of chapters. Technically, this one is better efficiency wise. Thanks for the kind words mate!
Well that's it. I'm out. Time for some me time! Leave a review lads and lassies! Please! (Maybe I should just go into review whoring full time?)
-DragonManMax