The Huntsman

Inspired in part by Batman. Both the campy and the dark versions. Honestly I dislike overly dark interpretations of batman. I grew up with a batman that I could imagine comforting a scared kid, modern depictions of him I just can't imagine doing that. So this Jaune is both campy and dark(ish). Or that was going to be the plan, before I stopped writing this one. He's still a powerful, strong vigilante who associates more with his Vigilante identity rather than his Jaune Arc one, but I want him to be kind and witty too. He starts with very few real connections but the rest of the cast would eventually show up and become his friends. Weiss would be a minor antagonist to Jaune Arc rather than the Huntsman becoming a friendly business rival in the end. Ruby would eventually start working at ArCompany unknowingly creating his gadgets for him. Only Blake would also become a Vigilante. A former member of the White Fang mob who gets out and tries to stop one of their more Winona plots. Yang would end up as a comic relief character more than anything, Ren and Nora also wouldn't see much real plot. Pyrrha would secretly find out the Huntsmans true identity but keep it too herself, not even telling him. (She would still develop a crush on Jaune but I didn't have any intention of that going anywhere).

As is usual with these whatever-shots, if there is anything you like the idea for then feel free to use it for yourself. I doubt this is an original idea but that shouldn't stop you. Aslong as you don't do word for word copies then you should feel free to take ideas or inspiration from others. It is literally what this site was created for. To take the ideas of someone else and rework them for our own enjoyments.

Just like every day of his life, Jaune Arc went to school, dealt with his teachers, studied diligently and went home. Then like every night of his life, he'd eat a balanced highly nutritional meal, pray to his family before making his way to the mansion basement and don his true identity.

Just a usual day for the 17 year old blond who had lost his entire family to a gang member 7 years ago.

Those seven years he'd trained in secret, hardened his body and mind to all manner of combat and pain. It wasn't too arrogant to say he was probably one of Vales top fighters now (both known and unknown). Or, that is to say, his true identity was. Jaune Arc, the identity he had found himself using less and less had become more of a thin veneer over his true self, was a geeky, kind hearted fellow with no friends and a vast buisness to run. He wore baggy clothes and was avoided for his well known fame and his too polite attitude with people he didn't know. He was annoyingly smart, consistently first in every exam for nearly every subject and then there was his family business. A once solely Tech based company he was now in charge of that he'd been using to better the quality of life for Vale citizens by day, while at night his true self prowled the streets. No, it was the true self who was the fighter. His other self was viewed with a strange mix of awe and jealousy. Guys hated him for his money and talent, girls hated him because of how quickly and accidentally rudely he turned away their advances, the rest of the student body just didn't interact with him which was fine with him. He had no intention of being intimate with anyone anyway, there was simply far too much to do to waste time cultivating relationships beyond the two he had in his life at the moment. Ozpin and his apprentice Oscar.

Only two people knew his true identity as the City's new protector, his family Butler Ozpin, and one day his successor Oscar Pine would also learn the truth, and a girl at school who'd been privy to his very first big fight against Vales underworld, who he would refer as an aquintance more than anything else.

Ruby Rose, one of two daughters of respected town mayor Tai Yang, kidnapped by the Bears under orders of their current boss Junior in an attempt to force the mayor to release his mother and father, Madam and Senior, from prison.

Bound and gagged in the back of a shipping container he'd found Ruby, eyes pouring tears and fear so thick as to be suffocating. She'd thrashed at his approach- deathly afraid of him.

It wasn't ideal, he'd made efforts to make sure his tall, muscular frame wasn't as intimidating since then, but at the time there was only one thing he could do. Remove his mask and smile as kindly as he could.

"Easy, easy" he'd whispered "I'm not here to hurt to you"

Ruby had worked her way into a corner, bundled into a tight ball and shivering but she was looking at him and no longer trying to flee.

"I'll hold my hands in front of me" he explained taking small slow steps "you can watch them if you like. I'm going to untie you, but we have to be quiet, ok?"

His voice didn't do gentle very well, an unpleasant mix of gravel and nasal. Tail end of puberty was not doing him any favours, but the girl settled more. With a nod and her bright, silver eyes darting from his hands to his face, he managed to unbind her. He had both expected and hadn't expected her to leap at him and clutch at his chest, desperately trying to keep from making noise. He couldn't help but admire that strength, to be so scared as to fall apart but of sound mind as to not get lost in it and put them in danger. He himself didn't much feel fear anymore, more adept at inspiring it in the filth of Vale, so he couldn't really say he knew what that sort of strength felt like.The last time he honestly felt fear, it had started him down this road. He wasn't inhuman though, he had no intention of being a dark knight to this city. He knew his role since that day. He'd be a shining beacon of hope and justice and faith to the innocent, but he'd be a scourge and monster to the darker elements.

"I'm going to take you home Miss Rose but can you look at me for a moment?" She hesitantly drew away, staring deep into his eyes as he tried to look as serious but unthreatening as possible.

"Please don't let anyone know you've seen my face. Not even your family, ok? This is very important, do you understand? Can you promise me that?"

She nodded, shyly looking down. "I promise"

He straightened, easily lifting the smaller girl into his arms after putting his mask back on. Making a quick exit and vowing to come back before they discovered Ruby was missing and put true fear into their hearts.

He deposited the girl back in her room, preparing to leap from her window and back into the night when a hand clutched at his cape. Ruby fidgeted nervously, a small blush on her cheeks.

"Wi-will I ever see you again?"

He sighed, ruffling her hair in a manner his sisters once used to do to him. This girl was an innocent caught up in a world not meant for them because of scumbags like Junior, just a convenient target for that filthy mobster. He couldn't help but feel protective of a kind soul such as her. It just made him more sure of his next actions. Junior wanted to see his parents so much? Well he'd happily oblige. VIP cell right next door for the rest of his life.

"Let's hope not" he chuckled kindly, prodding the girl's forehead when she pouted "but who knows, eh? Remember though, you can't tell anyone you saw my face"

She nodded, seeming to clutch his cape a bit tighter for a moment.

"What should I call you? When they ask..."

He turned away again, moving back to the window.

"I'm the Hunter of the filth lurking in the shadows of this city, of the corrupt that flood its street, of the animals who ruin life after life doing whatever they please... I'm the Huntsman. Goodbye Ruby Rose"

As it turned out, she saw him again much sooner than she'd thought she would, and not nearly as long as he'd of liked. The new students at his high school arriving in a flurry of new faces. He'd been forced, as an ambassador for the new students, into overseeing their arrival as well as giving a few short words on the prestigious Beacon Academy. It was an honour, but one he did not relish. He'd only been chosen for this role because of his status as one of the Academies largest donors. His parents had been proponents of free and accessible learning for all children, Beacon was one of their proudest achievements. Though Arc money was no longer the sole beneficiary, Jaune wanted each one of his families hopes and dreams for the future to be realised. With their vast wealth now in his sole possession, he'd set about building a business empire that rivalled the Schnee's in only a few years. Spanning everything from technology to affordable housing, even a few bakeries and bookstores, he was the single richest person in Vale, almost the world. Didn't help make him anymore approachable though, but that was helpful. The more who new him, the more who were in danger if anyone learnt that Jaune Arc was the Vigilante that defended Vale. He had faith at least that two who did know, wouldn't share.

Whatever complaints he had about his current task were interrupted when one of the arriving students gasped, squealed in joy and threw themselves at him, he'd been momentarily shocked. It was with a practiced ease that he surpressed his instinct to subdue the surprise attacker. Ruby Rose grinning up at him from her position stood on his feet and rubbed her head against his chest affectionately. For a moment she was subject to the unfeeling expression she'd seen on lips when he entered the shipping container that night, before he removed his mask, however it quickly settled into something kinder and more amused.

"Miss Rose" he greeted, gently pushing against her shoulders so she was no longer stood on his feet. She pouted a little at his form of address jabbing a finger at him "Ruby. Call me Ruby"

He nodded, but had no intention of doing so. She didn't need to realise that yet however so he continued on

"Of course, but perhaps we can save the greetings to later? I have students to guide, and you should be amongst them."

He spoke quietly, but the muttering of the other students, new and old alike, had already picked up with some new rumours no doubt. This brought an adorable blush to the girl's face but her smile hadn't diminished. She stepped back with an awkward chuckle before zooming off to join the rest.

He knew her father fairly well, though he wouldn't be aware it was him having only interacted with the Huntsman. While Tai Long wasn't his biggest supporter he wasn't beyond assisting him when things got dire. The man was a good Mayor, rising above the slander against him when his first wife became a notorious criminal and over coming his grief when his second wife was killed in a robbery gone worse. Strong willed and idealistic, but firm and unyielding to the criminal world. He had his detractors but Jaune was confident that Tai could truly turn the city around one day. He would just expedite that process by stamping out what crime he could.

"If all first year students will follow me, we can begin orientation!"

They followed dutifully behind him, some muttering about his baggy clothing but otherwise simply allowing him to get on with everything. He did notice Ruby still smiling at him happily though.

Ruby was just thankful to see the boy who saved her again and very, very happy he hadn't spotted the blush she was desperately trying to conceal as she remembered being carried across Vale's rooftops under a full moon.

She didn't think movie like moments like that could happen in real life, but she was happy to be proven wrong!

To think, the CEO and creator of ArCompanies was the hero who'd rescued her that night. She'd dreamed of working in one of their science divisions since she discovered her love of Physics and Chemistry two years ago, complimenting her love of metal work and electronics nicely. That was why she chose to attend Beacon, the school well known for being the prime scouting location of many young talents to that particular company.

And she knew Jaune already! She already admired him for the things he did for Vale, admired his calm demeanour on the occasions he sat down for an interview, he also openly admitted to being socially awkward and a student who undergoes the same pressures as anyone else! He fought crime too! How cool was that!?

She didn't plan to use her knowledge about him to advance her position or blackmail him though, she genuinely wanted to befriend him! If that helped her chances towards her dream, then it was a tertiary benefit at most. She just wanted to get to know the guy... Maybe be carried like that again... She shook her head violently, dispelling the image but not the smile or blush she wore. Though her thoughts soured a bit as she remembered who else attended this school. That bully that tormented her throughout her previous school.

"I hope I don't run into him..."