And we're back! The last chapter for Volume 2!
I know what you're thinking, it seems relatively too short, but that's because it focuses more on JNPR than on RWBY.
Anyways, it's time to get out of the frying pan, and into the action.
That's soldiering!
Chapter 20: Arc's Mission
JNPR Dorm
The sun began to rise once more on Beacon, and it's light began to creep in JNPR's Dorm.
It was quite the peaceful scene if you think about it, and Jaune thought so as well as he began to wake up.
He yawned and sure enough, was about to get up when he felt something or someone stop him.
The Arc smiled as he looked at the source of this interuption which came in the form of Pyrrha Nikos who was dressed in her nightgown. The Spartan held onto him as she continued her slumber.
"Pyrrha... it's time to wake up..." Jaune whispered into her ear.
She mumbled something, but Jaune couldn't hear it.
"Pyr... come on..." He tried again, this time, shaking her.
"Mmm... five more minutes..." She mumbled.
Jaune did not give her that pleasure however as he began to tickle her awake.
At first, he thought it wasn't working, however, a few seconds later and he could already hear her holding her laughter in.
It wasn't long until she finally broke.
"JAUNE!" She shouted in bewteen laughs.
The Rifleman simply smiled "Works all the time."
Eventually, he let her go so she could breath. After she caught her breath, she slapped him in the arm in annoyance.
"No fair. I wanted to get more sleep." She pouted.
"Well, that would be grand and all, but we gotta get dressed because our mission is today." Jaune said as he began to stand up and went to their bathroom.
The Spartan rolled her eyes before standing up only to notice Ren and Nora being missing.
"Jaune, where did Ren and Nora go?" Pyrrha asked.
"I asked them earlier to get us some food at the cafeteria when they woke up!" Jaune replied from the shower.
"Right. Thank you."
Beacon Cafeteria
Soon, both Jaune and Pyrrha arrived at the cafeteria, dressed in their respective combat uniforms.
"Jaune! Pyrrha! Over here!" Nora waved them over to their table which was also next to RWBY's.
The two sat next to each other and thanked Ren who brought their food.
"So... is there any specific reason why Pyrrha slept on your bed Jaune?" Nora asked as she continued to eat her pancakes.
"Well... it's recently come to light that there were some hidden feelings that plagued Pyrrha's mind for some time..." Jaune began.
"Well... to get to the point..." Pyrrha said as she grabbed Jaune by the face and kissed him then and there.
Nora's eyes became stars as she squeeled in delight upon hearing the news.
"OH! MY! GOSH! YOU FINALLY DID UT PYRRHA! I KNEW YOU HAD IT IN YOU! DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS REN?! PYRRHA AND JAUNE ARE AN ITEM NOW!" And her rant continued which no doubt reached Yang's ears.
"EH?! JAUNE AND PYRRHA?!" The girls of team RWBY exclaimed as they too heard the news.
"How did this happen!?" demanded Weiss.
"When did this happen?" asked Ruby.
Yang slammed her hands on JNPR's table "Did you do the deed last night?!"
Jaune looked at Pyrrha who suddenly blushed when she realized she may have became a bit to forward with breaking the news.
Fortunately, this didn't last long as they were saved by the bell.
"Uh... we'll meet you guys later..." Jaune said before anyone else could ask, dragging his team out the cafeteria. Getting the odd looks from the rest of the student body, who eventually brushed it off as JNPR and RWBY's antics.
As they began to walk back tp their dorms, Nora kept her rant on how she was excited for this day to come to Pyrrha while Jaune had some small talk with Ren.
"So, she finally opened up." The Stoic Ninja mused.
"You've known?" The Rifleman asked.
"Nora, Me, and RWBY have already had our suspicions, maybe except Weiss who was at first full out denying it..."
"Huh... that was... odd. I had a feeling she was attracted to me, but I didn't expect that... That was dense of me..." Jaune stated a bit surprise.
"Well, atleast you two are finally together." Ren smiled as his friend.
Beacon Amphitheatre
Eventually, after getting most of their stuff that they'd need, JNPR arrived at the Amphitheatre.
Then, as they settled for a certain spot, they saw Ozpin stepping up.
"Quiet! Quiet please! Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin." Goodwitch ordered which certainly made the students shut up.
The Headmaster took the stage and cleared his throat and began "Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity."
As Ozpin continued his speech, Jaune began to wonder which missions they would take, however, he snapped back when he heard Ozpin concluding his speech.
"As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."
Then, Ozpin went off the stage as the students began to file out of the Ampitheatre. Jaune led his team to file a specific mission when his scroll buzzed. Upon opening it, the message received was from the Headmaster.
"Team JNPR please proceed to my office to receive special assignment."
"Uh... well guys, looks like we have a special assignment, let's head to the Headmaster's office." Jaune said as he led his team out.
Ozpin's Office
It's been 10 minutes since JNPR have arrived at Ozpin's office. It wasn't much of an issue for Jaune if Nora wasn't snooping about which prompted both Ren and Himself to keep her in line.
Just as Jaune was about to call the Headmaster when the elevator doors opened and out came the person in question with Glynda Goodwitch and General Ironwood behind him.
"Apologies Mister Arc, I was held up for a short while. I hope you don't mind." The Headmaster apologized as he took his seat.
"It's no problem professor. We weren't waiting too long sir." Jaune reassured.
"Very well, I have a question for you Mister Arc, do you know about the division of the Royal Vale Army?" Ozpin asked as he fixed his spectacles.
Jaune thought about the question for a good time before answering "Yes sir, I'm aware of it's division. The New Valean Army and The Old Guard of Vale."
"Very good. Currently, The Old Guard of Vale holds more of a ceremonial role than of a combat role. However, that isn't to say that they don't know how to fight. After your sudden appearance with your 95th Beacon Brigade at Miss Nikos' birthday, the senior officers of the Old Guard have taken an interest on your team's exploits. Which is why they've asked for you to be assigned on a special assigment to act as their advisor." Ozpin explained.
"Great..." Jaune thought grimly.
"Right... when do we leave sir?" The Rifleman asked.
"As soon as you head to the bullhead docks, there will be a bullhead to pick you up. It'll take you to Fort Bishop." Ozpin answered
"Will that be all sir?" Jaune asked.
The Headmaster shook his head before dismissing them.
...
"Don't worry fearless leader! If you've done this before, then surely this would be a piece of pancake!" Nora cheered as she skipped through the halls.
"That's not what I'm worried about, what I'm worried about. I'm worried about the officers if they turn out to be a bunch piss pots who bought their commisions." Jaune sighed as he continued to read over which specific regiment his team is drilling.
"I'm sure everything will be fine Jaune. You have us to help you." Pyrrha reassured.
"Well, if this 27th Royal Skirmishers are as good as the file says," Jaune says holding up his scroll, "then I guess it wouldn't be too bad."
"Going somewhere big bro?" a voice asked.
Sigh.
"Yes Jeanne, I am." Jaune groaned as he was faced with his slightly younger sister who was now sporting a combat outfit that looked like a girl variant of Jaune's uniform, and it sported a more lighter shade of green.
"Where ya going?"
"Classified I'm afraid." The Rifleman shrugged before ushering his team away.
His sister simply waved him goodbye as she skipped away.
"You and your younger sister don't seem to have the best relations between siblings." Ren observed.
"Nah, she just has a knack for annoying me, but we usually get along." The older Arc reassured as they soon found the bullhead that was going to take them to Fort Bishop.
Fort Bishop, ValeIt wasn't long for the military craft to reach the base, much to Jaune's delight as he hastily got off the bullhead.
"COMPANY! ATTENTION!" A man's voice echoed as Jaune, who finally regained his wits, saw an entire detachment of troops, dressed in their brown uniforms and caps (think American Civil War caps except dyed black and has golden lettering with the numbers 27th), stand to attention.
It would've impressed Jaune if it wasn't for that last soldier mucking it up by accidentally dropping his rifle.
"Ah... fuck..." Jaune cursed under his breath.
Then, a man who looked like the detachment's officer walked towards him with all manner of profesionalism.
"Major Arc. Welcome to Fort Bishop, my name is Alistar Brooks, Captain of the 27th Royal Skirmishers." The officer greeted with all manner of courtesy, extending his hand for Jaune to shake.
"Uh... right. I aplogize in advance for I'd have to get use to being called Major Arc, my father and all." Jaune said as he accepted the hand and shook it.
Brooks then looked in shame "I'm terribly sorry about that one fellow who dropped his rifle sir, you see, he's one of the newer ones and they're usually not up to standards..."
Jaune nodded "That's why my team and U are here, we'll whip these rookies into fine soldiers Captain Brooks."
"And I look forward to see it." The Captain smiled, "If you will follow me, I shall show you to your team's quarters."
Jaune nodded as he followed Brooks, with his team following him in turn.
It didn't take long as Captain Brooks knew the fort in and out, so finding the guest room was not much of a struggle.
"Troop assembly begins at three, you'll have plenty of time to settle yourselves in. If you need anything, the intercom button is right there." Brooks informed as he showed JNPR their room.
"Thank you Captain Brooks, you're free to go." Jaune said as he placed his bag down.
The Captain of the 27th gave a crisp salute before leaving the room.
"Well, I can't say if this'll be hard or a cakewalk." Jaune told his team as he began to check his belongings.
"I hope they have pancakes here! I wonder how they make them here? Oh! Oh! Oh! Maybe we can get Ren to ask for their recipe!" Nora rambled per her modus operandi.
Jaune looked at Ren who pulled out a box of pancake mix. A wash of relief swept over the rifleman upon seeing it.
"Well, whatever the case will be, I'm sure we'll pull through." Pyrrha said in her usual cheery mood as she hugged her boyfriend from behind.
The Blonde Rifleman simply smiled as his team began to settle in. "We'll see Pyrrha. We'll see."
...
It was 3 o' clock in the afternoon when Jaune and his team stepped into the training grounds of the Fort Bishop.
JNPR was met by the sight of the 27th in double ranks with Captain Brooks at the front.
"COMPANY! ATTENTION!" He shouted as his men did so.
"PORT ARMS!"
Just like how Jaune's 95th Beacon Brigade did, the soldiers held their arms in front of them diagonally.
"Right... Captain Brooks, are those weapons loaded already?" Jaune asked as he began to inspect the troops.
"Uh... I don't believe so sir..." The Captain replied.
"Well, that's good. I want to see if they can... hang about..." Jaune said as he eyed a particular soldier.
The soldier looked very nervous and couldn't hide it.
The Arc inspected the soldier's rifle before grabbing it and doing a few checks.
"Poorly maintained, rusting from the inside... barrel's not clean. By the gods man, have you ever looked at your weapon properly?" Jaune asked the soldier who was almost ready to pass out.
"I-I... I did not sir... Sorry sir..." He answered weakly.
Jaune handed him back his rifle "Get out of the column, clean that weapon and then get back here once you're sure that your weapon is clean."
The soldier complied as he hastily ran out of the grounds.
Jaune shook his head before looking at Brooks "Captain Brooks, have the men prepare to fire. Time them, and tell them to load and fire at their own time."
"Yes sir." The Captain nodded before looking at his men "LOAD AND FIRE AT YOUR OWN TIME! ON MY COMMAND, BEGIN!"
The men began to load their weapons and they waited for Alistar's order.
"READY... LOAD!"
Not wanting to waste another second, the men began to load their rifles (For future references, the rifle will look like a Martini Henry Rifle and will be reloaded as such), grabbing their bullets, inserting them into the loading chamber.
CRACK!
Went one of the first rifle shots sounded off, followed by many others.
Jaune observed each movement carefully. He watched as he saw several errors from some soldiers. Some would drop their bullets, others would forget to chamber the round and one was taking too long to load.
"Alright... I've seen enough. CEASE FIRING!" Jaune ordered as the men did so. "That... was absolutely shit."
The men looked a bit surprised by his remarks.
"With rifles like that, you should be able to pull off 12 bloody rounds per minute, but your detachment can barely reach 8 rounds. Skirmishers should be able to load their weapons in a quick manner, this would've been understandable for a raw recruit, but NOT for you lot who've trained for months for this." Jaune informed in his Sharpe manner.
Most of the men looked in shame, some remained stone face as to preserve their profesionalism. However, one them has probably lost his marbles when he said.
"Then why don't you show us sir? If you think you can pull of 12 rounds a minute, by all means, show us."
Everyone looked at the source of the voice and it turned out to be one the younger soldiers.
"...Name. Rank." Jaune growled in a low tone as he approached the soldier.
"Vel Greens, Corporal sir." The soldier replied smugly.
"Right... Greens, give me your rifle." Jaune ordered.
The cocky soldier handed him his rifle along with his ammo.
"You want me to pull off 12 rounds a minute Greens? Watch me you bastard." Jaune
Then, he went to work with the rifle, firing the first shot before loading a second one.
Then another.
And then another.
It had only been 30 seconds when Jaune had fired his 8th shot. Greens began to sweat as he realized that Jaune can back up his claim.
It came as no surprise to the rest of JNPR when Jaune pulled off a 13th shot.
...
"Well. It's not 12 shots, but I think 13 shots still work. Now Greens, you listen here and you listen good, I will not have any of your funny business. You act out of turn one more time and you can kiss your sorry ass goodbye." Jaune told Greens as he shoved him his rifle back before turning to Alistar.
"Captain Brooks, get these bastards sorted out. I want their weapons in proper working order when I get back here."
The Captain nodded before ordering his men to disperse and fix their weapons.
"I'm sorry about Corporal Greens sir... he's a rogue. He's had several clashes like this before..." Brooks apologized.
"Keep that bastard in line Captain, I know his kind. I don't want his influence to spread to the rest of the men." Jaune warned as he left to get some rest.
"That was... how do I put this... not what you were expecting?" Pyrrha asked as she approached Jaune.
"Better than I expected, but those fools better learn how to act or else they'd end up 6 feet under." The Rifleman sighed.
Pyrrha gave him a pat on the back as she led Jaune back to their room.
After a long day of training the 27th, team JNPR have finally gathered the courage to say that there's hope for the Skirmishers.
Jaune was still skeptical, but some assurance from Pyrrha had put to rest those doubts.
"So Jaune-Jaune! Do you think these soldiers can break some legs?" Nora asked as she bounced around their room.
"You have to give them credit Jaune, very few of us can manage to keep up with Nora's workout, much less these men." Pyrrha said as she tied her hair into a bun.
Jaune just shrugged "Well, they're not done yet. Their sharpshooters still have to pass our accuracy test."
Then, a knock was heard.
"Enter." Jaune said as he wore his green jacket.
The door opened and revealed Captain Brooks.
"Sir, the sharpshooters are ready sir." He informed.
"Good, Pyrrha, with me. Ren and Nora, you lads can stay." The Arc said as he went for the door, his girlfriend following behind.
As they continued their walk towards the training grounds, Jaune decided to strike up a conversation with the captain.
"So Brooks, when did you recieve your commission as an officer?" Jaune asked.
The Captain pondered on the question before answering "Well sir, I recieved my commission as an Ensign after my father went ahead and helped me rise from the ranks..."
"Hm? He paid for it?" Jaune continued as he rose his eyebrow.
"Oh heavens no sir, my father despises the though of bought commissions." Brooks explained "No sir, he taught me everything I would need to know for being an officer."
This caught the Arc off guard, but he was also impressed. He has never heard of such an occurence, but by the sound of it, Brooks does know how to act as an officer.
Soon, they arrived at the training grounds where a unit of 30 men stood waiting for them.
"Gentlemen, Major Arc shall take over fro. here!" Brooks informed as he allowed Jaune to take the lead.
"Afternoon lads, so you're the lot that claim to have the best accuracy? If you got some doubts about that claim, I recommend you get out of my sight before anything terrible happens to you." said Jaune as he looked at each man to read their expressions. To his surprise, he saw Corporal Greens within the group.
After a few seconds, The Arc nodded "Alright, you're that sure. Greens. Show me how you can shoot." He then gestured to the range.
Greens, not so arogant as he was earlier, placed himself in position, he took aim and then squeezed the trigger.
Jaune pulled out his spyglass and looked at the target. "Not bad... could do better... alright back in the formation Greens."
Vel didn't say anything and got back in the formation.
"Miss Nikos, if you please." Jaune asked as ge turned to Pyrrha who had laid down some metal plates.
Then, using her semblance, she lifted them into the air.
Jaune then grabbed his rifle and adressed the sharpshooters "Listen up! If you can hit a stationary target well, then that's good. What I want to bloody know is if you can hit your shots on a moving target."
Pyrrha began to move the targets around in a patern that mimmicked the movements of an approahing Grimm hoard.
"Take out all the targets. You have a minute to do so. Begin firing on my command, MAKE READY!"
The soldiers prepared their weapons and aimed at a their targets.
"FIRE!"
Then, the riflemen began to fire upon the targets, each shot managing to find purchase in the plate.
However, Jaune noticed that Greens didn't hit a target. Deciding to genuinley help him out, he approached the corporal.
"Having trouble Greens?" He asked.
Greens looked in surprise as Jaune knelt beside him. "Uh... me sir? No. Not at all sir."
"Don't give me that shit corporal, I know the look of a failed shot when I see one."
"With all due respect sir I don't need your help. I can do just fine."
Jaune gave the rifleman a look of disappointment before saying "Believe what you want corporal, but take my advise, aim where you think the target will be." He then took his own rifle and shot at fast moving target before leaving him alone.
Greens thought about Jaune's words, then, he found a lone target. He took aim at where he think where the target would move. His shot soon found it's mark.
"...Maybe he ain't so bad..." Vel thought to himself.
It was now late and the shattered moon shone brightly, most of the troops were fast asleep except for the nightwatch and our resident blonde rifleman.
He was currently trapped in Pyrrha's arms once more as she slept in peace. Not that he's complaining of course.
As he dwelled in his thoughts about his current assignment, his scroll suddenly buzzed. It was Ruby.
He was quick to answer it, however he was met with static which took him by surprise.
"Ruby? Hello?"
No response except for the beep that signalled the end of the call. This left the Arc confused as to why she would suddenly call. However he wouldn't have time to think about it as he would soon succumb to sleep.
It was 0400 when JNPR found themselves in front of the detachment of the 27th Royal Skirmishers once more. Jaune then began to give out today's instructions.
"Right you lot, according to your logs, you're scheduled to parade around Quadrant 5. Any questions?"
One of the soldiers raised his hand.
"Yes?" asked Jaune as he looked at the soldier.
"Sir, are we to carry live ammunition?" He asked.
"Well, the Old Guard still carries a secondary combat role no? That means yes, we WILL carry live ammunition." Jaune replied.
He waited for anymore questions, and after hearing none, he looked at Brooks before ordering "Brooks! Form the Skirmishers!"
The Captain nodded "Sir! 27th Royal Skirmishers, prepare to march! TRAIL ARMS!"
Soon, the 27th formed up in double columns and trailed arms. After waiting for JNPR to form at the front of the column, they were soon given the order to march forward.
...
"So Major, if you don't mind me asking, what do you think about our soldiers now? Do you think that they'll be fine soldiers?" Captain Brooks asked as Jaune led the march.
"If I'm being honest with you, there was only a few things I had to fix with your detachment," said Jaune, "if anything, you only needed me to hammer some better discipline and more coordination into them."
The Captain nodded "Well, it seems like it worked sir. I've never seen the men like this before. I owe you my thanks for this Major Arc."
Jaune simply hummed in agreement and continued to lead the 27th around Vale, during which, multiple citizens began to take pictures of them, and a good many of them focused more on Pyrrha.
Although she would smile for the cameras for awhile, she would never stop to get a close up as it would hamper the march.
Fortunately, for Pyrrha mostly, the photographers would soon stop as they began to progress farther.
Just then, a loud crash could be heard.
This was then followed by the loud wailing of the breach sirens.
This was all too familiar to Jaune as he would remember that fateful day at the park. Not wasting anymore time, he raised his sword and shouted "27th ROYAL SKIRMISHERS! PICK UP THE PACE AND FIX BAYONETS!"
The men became nervous dye to the sirens and this showed reluctantness in following his orders, however, a lone soldier began to fix his bayonet at the end of his rifle.
Then another... and another...
A spark to fight the enemy was started by the more senior members of the 27th.
Jaune saw this and nodded, before looking at Brooks "Captain Brooks, take some of the men amd begin evacuating civillians if needed. Ren will go with you."
Captain Brooks nodded before calling for some men, while Ren made his way to help.
The Arc turned towards the rest of his men "The rest of you lot, will be with me in the front lines! Those sirens mean Grimm have entered into the city, and my team has taught you how to fight such enemies. This is our home lads, we will NOT let it fall to those beasts! WHO'S WITH ME?!"
A chorus of war cries came from the 27th and soon, Jaune gave the order.
"FORWARD!"
...
Ruby took down yet another Grimm, however, more took their place. Her teammates weren't fairing any better as the Breach would draw in more and more Grimm.
It didn't help that there was a King Taijitu harrassing them from time to time.
She was going to block the claws of yet another beowolf when it suddenly slumped into the ground and fade into dust once more.
"27th Royal Skirmishers, form 2 ranks!" A familiar voice shouted.
"Jaune?" She wondered out loud.
"MAKE READY!"
Ruby tried to find the source of Jaune's voice, but the battle's intensity was fierce and was preventing her from getting a better view.
"FIRE!"
Then, a loud crack was heard, followed by the sounds of dying Grimm.
Then, from the sky, an explosion could be heard, and it got louder... and louder...
She began to wonder where that gleeful screami g was coming from when a pink blur tore through the skies and into the King Taijitu.
The Red Reaper caught a glimpse of their back up's weapon, it was a hammer thar looked like it was Nora's.
Oh wait.
The hammer struck true and Nora continued her onslaught against the Grimm.
The following events befan to happen faster than Ruby trying to get a cookie from the jar as soldiers of 27th Royal Skirmishers began pouring in, taking aim at the Grimm, and giving them merry hell and at very front lines, Jaune and Pyrrha fought fiercely as the former would dual weild his rifle and pistol while the latter would toss Grimm around before using her spear to finish them off.
Jaune had just taken down yet another Grimm and noticed a small horde of Beowolfs rushing to his unit's right flank.
"WATCH THE RIGHT!" He yelled as he holstered his pistol and fixed his own bayonet in the form of his short sword (The very same the 95th Rifles would use during the Napoleonic Wars as their rifle's bayonet.) and charged at some of the Grimm.
He stabbed one right in the eye with his rifle bayonet as he kicked another one in the face before letting one of his men take it down and followed up with a dodge from the left as Beowolf would pounce at him.
"Jaune! To your left!" Pyrrha shouted as she came at him from behind to help.
He didn't need to be told twice as he rolled out of the way before drawing his revolver in short order and killed the last Beowolf that neared his position.
"Jaune, it's Ren. We've managed to get almost all of the civillians out of the district." Ren called in. Surely enough, Jaune could also hear small amounts of gun fire from Ren's side.
"Good, once you've gotten the last of the civilians out, rejoin the unit at the center!" Jaune replied.
Then, he heard a grunt from Nora as she was thrown away by the King Taijitu. It hissed loudly as it then turned it's attention to Jaune.
The Arc cooked up a plan on the spot, and began to initiate it.
"Pyrrha, Greens! Cover me! Nora, on me!" He shouted as he ran towards the snake Grimm as Pyrrha and Corporal Greens open fired on the snake's eyes while Nora began to follow Jaune.
Jaune signalled Nora to flank left while he flanks right. Upon getting to his position, he shot the King Taijitu straight in the eye, while Nora used her grenades to shoot it's other eye.
Then, both snakes roared in pain as it tried to regain it's senses. However, the arrival of Ren didn't five them that chance as he leapt into the battle and took it down the same way he did in Intiation.
It finally collapsed as it began to fade away once more.
The battle seemed to be almost over, however it wasn't as more Grimm began pour in.
Jaune looked around as he watched the 27th hold the line, not letting a single Grimm break through. Then, he heard a rumbling noise come from behind them.
It got louder and louder.
He looked at the aource of the noise and saw a part of the 27th break rank to let a tank through. It possesed a brown colour scheme and had the markings of "Valean New Army" in some areas.
Enter the Valean New Army's armoured division.
The 27th, knowing that the battle was theirs to win, began to provide volley fire to increase their kill count. As they did this, modern Vallean soldiers began to arrive at the scene as they raised their modern rifles and open fired.
JNPR made their way to the middle as they reunited with team RWBY.
"Special assignment huh?" Ruby smirked at Jaune.
The Rifleman simply smiled back as he shot his rifle at an approaching Ursa. "Well, I had to get that extra points somehow."
"When did you get command of your own troop Arc?" asked Weiss out of the blue (Hehe...).
"Part of the assignment, I'm technically a Major again." He replied as he reloaded "We need to seal the breach, or else we'll continue to get hammered by the Grimm."
Yang had just reloaded her shotgun gauntlets when she pointed out "Well, looks like we can push them back. Look over there."
Then, a squadron of bullheads flew over the battlefield which began to drop hunters and huntresses into the battle. Teams like CFVY, SSSN, and CMEN (sigh) began to dispatch the Grimm.
The Vale Military, not wanting the glory stolen from then, pressed forward as they caused more and more Grimm casualties.
Jaune would later recount that if it wasn't for Miss Goodwitch arriving, the army might as well have pushed into the tunnel and retake Mountain Glenn.
The aftermath of the battle was a resounding success for Vale as the number of casualties were at an all time low. The worst of the damage was a 2 to 3 deaths from the initial train crash.
The New Valean Army and The Old Guard of Vale would give out many medals for the efforts of the men and women who fought in the battle.
The 27th would especially get a lot of attention due to them being first and fastest responders in the battle. Captain Brooks would be given the honour of bearing the "King of Vale's Sword" medal for evacuating all of the remaining civillians.
Jaune, being it's commander at the time, was not only given high scores for his assignment, but was presented the "Golden Cross" for his leadership that lead to the defense being successful.
Due to this, it was clear that Vale was extremely capable of defending it's own.
Atlas had little to contribute to the battle except for bringing in transports to help deploy the teams from Beacon. It was going to send in troops, however, due to how good the defense was, it deemed the battle as ilogistical.
This soon convinced the Council of Vale that maybe Ozpin can still have a hand in security, much to Ironwood's misfortune.
...
"Thank you Brooks, dismissed." Major Jaune Arc said as Brooks replied with a crisp salute and went off to help out with the rest of the men. As he left, The Arc looked for his partner.
Jaune would find Pyrrha sitting at one of the benches as she watched the 27th and the New Valean Army's troops help clean up the mess that was left behind.
"So, how's your first actual pitched battle?" He asked as he sat down next to her.
Pyrrha looked at him and said "That was probably your best pitch battle, we didn't lose a single man. Worse of the casualties of our troop were scratch marks and bites."
Jaune nodded "Yeah, it probably was. The question still stands."
"I'd say we did our best."
The Arc nodded "Well, there's no such battle where there isn't casualties, so I guess I can agree."
"Hey Jaune! Mind if we join you?" Ruby asked as she, her team and Ren and Nora followed behind.
Jaune nodded and the rest of his friends took a seat nearby.
"So, we got Torchwick in custody..." The Young Rose began.
"Cool, if that's the case, I'd say we just saved Vale from a great deal of shit." Jaune smiled, earning a cry of "Swear jar!" from Ruby, which he ignored before pulling something out from his satchel.
"I think after all we've gone through, I believe we deserve to celebrate." He said as he grabbed a flask and some glasses.
"Uh... I'm not sure we're allowed to drink Jaune... especially this kind..." Ruby said hesitantly.
"Relax, it's sparkling wine. It's just like soda, just a bit stronger."
"Uh... Yang?"
"It's fine Rubes, it's like he said, just a stronger soda." Yang said as she took a glass.
"I suppose it would be fine for just this occassion." Weiss agreed, as she hesitantly took her own glass.
After everyone had their own glass, Jaune held his in the air. "To protecting Vale from the Grimm, and for the 27th Royal Skirmishers."
"To Vale and the 27th!" His friends agreed and clinked their glasses together before drinking their fill.
And scene! Volume 2 is now complete! Woohoo! Christmas and New Year Special is up next.
Now, questions for this chapter.
•What will happen now that Atlas won't be heading security? Then it makes it harder for Cinder's plan. As she would have to deal with both the Vale and Atlas Armies (Specifically the non robotic personell).
•Why did I give Vale an army? I felt like Vale, despite being the victors of the Great War, fell a bit too easily in V3. I want Vale to at least have a better chance in the eventual fall.
•What can we expect from V3? I can't tell you too much as it would ruin the fun. However, what I can tell you is that there will be a BIG change on the outcome, what those will be, you'll have to wait.
If you got any questions, feel free to answer and I'll adress them accordingly. As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and now, I must go.
-Solemn
"Then fall in lads behind the drum...
With colours blazing like the sun...
Along the road to come what may...
Over the hills and far away..."