It was a warm morning at Beacon Academy when the event that would change their lives forever happened.
In her 2 years at Beacon, Pyrrha always made sure to awake first, at 7 in the morning. She rose from her bed carefully, and looked to the side, towards her team, her family.
Ren and Nora were cuddled together, like always. While Nora was a chaotic mess of limbs, Ren slept like a log, unmoving and faceup. Their beds were closest to each other (Nora insisted) so it was easy for her to jump over to Ren's bed.
Pyrrha smiled at her surrogate siblings, warmth spreading through her chest. Her green eyes darted to the sleeping form of her love. He was sleeping quietly, his head buried in his pillow while he gently snored. Pyrrha walked to his bed, which was left of hers, and gently played with his messy blond locks.
2 years ago she got a family of her own, and she wouldn't trade it for the world.
I wish this moment lasts forever. Pyrrha thought. She remembered how alone she was before coming to Beacon. After her father's death, she had poured every fiber of her being into being the strongest, the best huntress in the world, to protect her single mother.
While she herself does not regret the loneliness that came with becoming a strong huntress, she nevertheless found herself thinking about those lonely days. A bright memory of last year changed her retrospective mood.
It was the dance, it was the first time Pyrrha had ever danced with friends. It was the first time a boy held her in his arms as they danced all night. It was the night Pyrrha realized she loved Jaune Arc.
The boy had been her saviour. The knight that had saved her from that horrible pain of isolation, of loneliness. The boy that had shown her that she alone was the master of her destiny, and that someone can only truly become strong by having precious people to care for and protect.
"Pyrrha?" Jaune murmured, slowly opening his eyes to the morning sunlight.
"Hello Jaune." Pyrrha beamed at him. Her good mood evident.
Jaune laughed.
"Someone's in a good mood today." He said. "Anything that your fearless leader should know about?"
"I'm feeling...thoughtful today." Pyrrha answered him. "I'm thinking about what has led me to this path, what has led me to y-you. I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything" She stuttered the last part, cheeks red.
Jaune blushed too, and chuckled with humor. "I wouldn't either, Pyr. I'm so glad you became my partner."
They held a longing gaze between themselves for a little bit, and slowly they inched forward. Pyrrha was freaking out inside. Is this it? she thought in a frenzy.
Ring! Jaune's scroll rung.
Gods damnit!
Pyrrha screamed internally as Jaune checked his scroll.
"Oh" Jaune said, his face twisting into worry
"What's wrong? What is it Jaune?" Pyrrha asked, worried as well.
"My Father is coming to Beacon. It's an Arc family emergency." Jaune said grimmly.
-
The cafeteria was halfway full when JNPR entered to break their fasts. The scent of fried bacon and eggs wafted through Pyrrha's nostrils as they entered side by side, Nora busily talking about another one of her dreams.
Pyrrha hated to tune her out, but found herself without a choice, as her attention was focused on her blonde leader. He walked slowly, his eyes downcast and his expression conflicted.
Pyrrha knew the reason why of course. Jaune and his father shared a very strong bond, that was strained when Jaune left to Beacon, against the wishes of his father. They had argued and their relationship suffered for it.
"What's eating Jaune?" Ren asked from Pyrrha's right side.
Pyrrha sighed, Ren had always been very emotionally intelligent and knew how to read the emotions of others.
"His father is coming here, apparently it's a big family emergency."
Ren nodded.
"I haven't seen any reports of White Fang attacks or anything of the sort at Jaune's home of Arcadia, so I don't think he wants our leader to go to war or something." Ren chuckled.
Pyrrha's back ran cold. While Ren knew how to read people's emotions, his sense of humor left much to be desired.
"Ren!" Pyrrha hissed. "Jaune is not going to war."
Ren simply shrugged. "I just wanted to leave out the possibility that this family visit could endanger our leader."
Pyrrha sighed again while Ren continued.
"And even if he went to war to protect Arcadia, like all Arcs have done for thousands of years, we-"
"We would go too. JNPR stays together." Pyrrha finished for him.
Ren nodded. "JNPR stays together."
As they sat at their usual table, team RWBY stopped their conversations to greet them.
Pyrrha smiled again. While JNPR was her family in all but blood, RWBY were her very precious friends.
"And then we blew it up!" Nora finished her dream story as Yang listened in, clearly invested.
"But where did ya get all that explosive ammo though?" The blonde brawler asked. "You didn't mention that part."
Nora laugher. "I took some from my home in my pockets silly."
Weiss grinned sarcastically. "I don't think your pockets could fit that many bombs Nora."
"Jaune? What's wrong?" Fellow leader Ruby asked her best friend (and crush)
Jaune sighed. "Its nothing guys. My father texted me this morning. He's on his way here. He wants to talk to me about something important."
"Something?" Asked Blake.
"He didn't say." Jaune shrugged. "But he said it's very important."
Team RWBY cringed slightly. They all knew Jaune's troubled history with his father, the lord Jonathan Arc.
"Whatever it is that Lord Arc wants to tell you, you should listen to him Jaune. I know your relationship is…troubled, but he's your father." Weiss said, smiling softly at Jaune.
Their conversation was interrupted when the sound of the PA system cut through it.
"Mr. Jaune Arc, please present yourself at airship dock 12, you have a visitor."
Jaune grit his teeth. "Time to face the music."
Everyone in the table tensed slightly, however it was Blake that took the initiative.
"We'll go with you." Blake added. "Moral support."
Jaune grinned at her and at his friends. "You guys…"
"Shush mister!" Weiss said. "Don't think for a second that you have to do this alone."
Jaune nodded, his eyes shiny with unshed tears.
They all rose from their seats, and headed to the airship docks.
Pyrrha couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. It was her warrior instinct. She shuddered, but kept walking with her friends and family.
-
After a very tense reunion. The party of students plus Lord Arc made their way to JNPR's dorm room. Pyrrha had never seen Jonathan Arc in person, but Jaune had shown her many different family pictures and protraits.
The man was stout and well built, sporting a blonde beard and short, militaristic hair. He was dressed in a fine velvet business vest and shirt with tie, with the Arc insignia emblazoned proudly on his chest. The man had offered small greetings to Pyrrha and her friends.
They reached the dorm room in utter silence, the atmosphere tense between the two Arc men.
Jaune was the first to break the ice, as they all took a seat. Jonathan Arc's eyes were firmly on Pyrrha and her friends as they all took their seats, their evident refusal to leave Jaune alone showing.
"Father, I-" He said.
But the man was faster, he lept from his seat and embraced his son in his big arms.
"My son." He said, his voice cracking. "Son. I am so sorry. Please forgive me."
Jaune's breath hitched and he returned the hug.
"Took the words out of my mouth old man." he chuckled.
The two Arc men parted, their eyes bright with tears, and they laughed heartily.
Jonathan Arc took his attention away from his son to address the other people present.
"We didn't have enough time in the docks. Son, would you present to me your team?"
Jaune smiled at his father.
"Of course father." Jaune said, his hand motioning to Pyrrha. "This is Pyrrha Nikos. She's my partner."
Pyrrha rose to her feet and quickly offered her hand to the big blonde man.
"It's a pleasure sir. Jaune talks about you all the time." She said.
Jonathan Arc laughed heartily. "Well met young Nikos. My son talks about you all the time. His mother thinks you the next lady Arc." He clasped her hand and shook it firmly. Pyrrha blushed furiously.
Jaune coughed awkwardly and turned to the rest of his team. "This is Lie Ren and his partner, Nora Valkyrie."
The elder Arc took both of their outstretched hands and shook them vigourously.
"Well met, well met. You all look like formidable hunters. I am grateful you have taken care of my son all this time." He said.
Nora and Ren both bowed with respect. "It was our pleasure, Lord Arc. Jaune is a dear friend of ours. He's like our brother" Ren said.
Jonathan shook his head and laughed once more. "None of that Lord Arc for my son's chosen family. You can call me Jonathan or Uncle Jon if you like." He said.
Jaune turned to the women of team RWBY
"And this is team RWBY, our sister team. The red and yellow girls are Yang Xiao Long and Ruby Rose, they are sisters. Next to them is Weiss Schnee, and finally Blake Belladonna."
Jonathan shook all their hands and even laughed when he felt Yang's strong grip.
"Well met , young hunters. I also thank you for taking care of my son. The Arc family is in your debt."
Weiss bowed. "As my friend said. It was our pleasure, Lord Arc. Jaune is a brilliant man and a tested battle commander. His strategies have saved us multiple times. We wouldn't be here without him."
Jonathan clasped his son on the shoulder in pride. "That's my son!"
Jaune was positively beaming. Pyrrha couldn't be happier for him. All his life he wanted to prove himself to his father.
Jonathan turned serious as he turned to Jaune.
"To business then, son. And you too, young hunters, as what I'm about to say concerns all of you, as my son's chosen family and friends. I owe it to you to tell you aswell."
"Tell us what? Father?"
Jonathan took a long breath.
"I'm dying, son."
The world froze. Jaune stood still, his face shifting through many emotions.
"What? Father? You're dying?"
Jonathan nodded grimly. "Aura deficiency due to my repeated use of our family semblance of copying. I don't have long to live my son. The doctors at Arcadia determined I shall lie dead at the end of the year."
Everyone's eyes widened like saucers.
"Father…No. You cant die!" Jaune almost sobbed at his father.
"It warms my heart to see you prospering here, to see the many loyal friends you have gotten, and I hate myself for this, but you know what you have to do, son."
Jaune nodded, the tears running down his cheeks.
"I'm the last male Arc alive. I need to have an heir."
Pyrrha froze.
"A-An h-heir? Surely Jaune is too young?" She said meekly.
Jonathan only grimaced at himself. "After my death, Jaune will be the last male Arc, and if he were to fall on battle, our line would be lost. Thousands of years of Arc warriors snuffed out. The line must continue."
"I tried to have a male son for years, and while I love all of my children, our family needed a male heir to survive. That's why I didn't want you to come here Jaune. At first it was about the line, about preserving the Arc family, but suddenly it hit me, becoming a huntsman is not all heroics."
Jaune frowned and looked down at his feet angrily. "I know that! I know that, but it's still my dream! Do you know how much it hurt me when you said I couldn't become a huntsman?"
Jonathan grimaced. "A father should never bury his son. The line must continue. I love you son, and one day, when you have sons of your own, and understand the weight of the Arc legacy, you will understand me. But now, you need an heir, and soon. I'm sorry son, but you cannot remain in this place."
The second the words left his mouth, the room exploded in heated arguments. Yang and Weiss quickly rose to their feet and tried to convince Lord Arc to no avail, while Blake was busy comforting the young Rose.
Nora was on the verge of tears, while Ren gritted his teeth and balled his hands into fists, as another family was ripped from him and he was helpless to stop it.
Pyrrha had frozen. She sat, staring at the ground in shock.
No… She wanted to wail. Please don't take him away…
Jonathan raised his hands and quickly shot down all arguments from Weiss and Yang.
"I owed it to you all to tell you this, young hunters." Jonathan turned to his son. "Jaune. I will allow you to stay here for a day, and then we will return to Arcadia. I will find you a suitable wife, that much I owe you."
Jaune simply nodded.
"I understand father." He said.
"Jaune no!" Ruby wailed. "Please don't go!"
Jaune smiled at his friends weakly. "My father speaks harshly but truly. I have a duty guys. I-I'm so sorry..."
The young man bolted through the door, his locks obscuring his anguished face.
Pyrrha saw Jaune leave the room with a pit in her stomach. She felt empty, like someone had ripped apart her dreams. However, a part of her resisted this turn of events.
If I don't do nothing, then Jaune will leave us forever. He will marry some lord's daughter and we will never see him again. I will lose him forever….
Pyrrha's eyes narrowed with newfound determination as she grit her teeth.
No! Never!"He must probably hate me, as do you all, but please try to understand, our family is at risk." Jonathan Arc said, his voice sad and regretful.
Pyrrha stood, her gaze hardened.
"Lord Arc. I have a proposition." She said.
Jonathan rose an eyebrow at her but motioned her to continue.
"I will do it. I will become Lady Arc and bear Jaune's children."
Jonathan studied her for a moment. Behind her, the rest of team RWBY had abandoned their sad stupor and now sported faces of utter bewilderment.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" Screeched Weiss.
"I do not want for my son to hate me. I do not want to ruin his dreams, but duty compels me. I accept your proposition, Miss Nikos. However, think about what you'd be giving up for him."
"I don't care." She gritted out. "I love Jaune. I won't let him leave us."
Jonathan's laugh boomed throughout the room. He patted the young Nikos in the shoulder.
"Well said, daughter in-law. Well said. I admire your determination. I accept your proposition." Jonathan nodded at her in pride. "My son definitely has good taste in women. Make him happy, is all I ask you."
Pyrrha smiled at the big man and nodded. "I promise."