Chapter 2: The Meowscular Chef Demands GAINS

"That's quite the tale," Commented Nathaniel, the man Jaune had come to know as the Commander. The leader of the Research Commission crossed his arms, looking to the other members of the council, all of whom were also looking at Jaune. Some quite intently. Hungrily (for research) even.

"What do you think?" The Commander asked. "If Jaune's story here is true, we have made our second contact with an entirely different world."

'Second?' Thought Jaune. Someone from Remnant had come here before?

"Judging from the fashion of his clothes, which are quite different from anything I've seen I might add, I'd say his story has merit," quipped the Analytics Director.

He pushed his glasses. "That, and the strange device he calls a scroll is most definitely unlike any piece of technology we have. If given that chance, we'd like to examine it, it's quite fascinating!"

Even other researcher and blacksmith nodded their heads.

It was hard for Jaune to not stare at the man's long ears, four-fingered hands, and reptile-like feet. Is he this world's version of a Faunus?

"You believe me, just like that?" said Jaune. Even he couldn't quite believe what he was saying.

"You meow'nt the first case of someone being fur-rom another world," Growled the Meowscular Chef.

'Oh yeah, forgot about him'. THAT was this world's version of a Faunus.

"Someone besides me has come here before?" Asked Jaune.

"Mm," Replied the Chef. "Only my partner had seen her. Lady dressed in black. Wielded dual blades. Came here through the same kind storm as you. Left the same way too."

Jaune let out a breath. If someone from his world had already been here, then it was also possible to return!

Easier said than done, but at least it was something.

"I thought we agreed never to talk about that incident?" Said the Field Team Leader, rubbing his head as if to forget about a terrible memory.

"No, but it's the closest we'll ever get to an explanation." Added the Chief Ecologist. "Unless the Sapphire Star meets a monster who can manipulate life crystals or a monster who can create portals on its own and manipulate plants, this is the only theory we have."

"If that's the case, then how shall we proceed?" Asked the Commander. "We must be careful here. Whatever forces are at work, it's clear that this will lead to dangerous times in the future. We've been lucky that the individuals who have come here from the other world do not seek to exploit it, but we'll need to be vigilant.

"And," He added. "We'll need to welcome our new guest."

"Me?" Said Jaune.

He nodded at him. "I'm sure you've had a terrible ordeal. Even unprepared hunters will have a tough time against a Pukei-Pukei, let alone an untrained and unarmed individual. But the Excitable A-Lister told me that you kept a cool head and managed to trap not only the Pukei-Pukei but also a Great Jagras into a vine trap. Nice work, even seasoned hunters sometimes forget to make use of their environment."

He clapped the boy on his back, turning to the council. "We'll reconvene tomorrow. Let's give the boy a chance to rest, get food, and become familiar with Astera. That means no bothering him until then. The Excitable A-Lister will show you around, follow him so you can be acquainted the rest of the members of the Commission. Dismissed."

A gigantic platter was served in front of him, heaped with food upon food upon food.

"You're scrawny!" Shouted the Chef before Jaune could get a chance to say anything. "If you wish to pull your weight around here, you need GAINS! I don't want to see you leaving my kitchen with ANYTHING still on your plate!"

"Am I really supposed to eat all of this?" Said Jaune in a small voice. That plate could feed his entire family, all ten members, for a day.

The A-Lister sat down next to him with an even larger platter of food.

"Yes," Was all he said.

"There is something else we'd like to ask you about," said the Commander.

Jaune had slept in the sleeping quarters, a cramped but homey dormitory for members of the Fifth Fleet, the latest fleet to arrive in the New World. Now he was wearing some leather clothing with simple undergarments, standard issue for all members of the Commission.

"Me?"

The Chief Ecologist walked up next to him. He was so small that Jaune, despite being mostly averaged sized on Remnant, towered over him. He handed Jaune a journal, containing expertly drawn images of…

"Grimm?!"

The pictures show, in vivid detail, the Creatures of Grimm, everything from the Beowolf to a Goliath. What haunted him were the numerous questions marks on each page. The Research Commission knew next to nothing about them.

"So you do know about them," Commented the Commander. "Some of our hunters have been attacked by these creatures recently, even before you came here. No one was killed or seriously hurt, but they vanish into thin air once slain, so we are unable to examine them for research. The hunters who have encountered them have described them as incredibly tenacious and behave like no other monster they've come across. Rarely retreating and never once becoming tired. We now think that they may have come through the same storms as you. What can you tell us about these Grimm?"

"They're creatures from my world, Remnant," Started Jaune. "They're the entire reason why Huntsmen exist. Except, I don't think creature is the right term here, considering they have no soul."

The entire council gasped.

"No soul?" Said the Provisions Manager.

"Yeah," Nodded Jaune. He tried to recall his classes, now somewhat regretting sleeping through them. "In my world, uh, there is this thing called Aura, a manifestation of the soul of living beings. Uh, it's in everything from trees to animals to plants. But Grimm have no Aura. Um, even on Remnant, we still don't know where they come from, why they only attack humans, or what makes them tick, only that they're drawn to negative emotions."

Whew, he didn't think he was able to remember all of that.

"Negative emotions," said the Excitable A-Lister. "Everyone here in Astera and the Research Base should be safe. We're a cheerful lot most of the time, aren't we?"

Chuckles were heard all around.

"But I'm worried about the people in the Old World," said the Huntsman. "Has any news about the Grimm came in from there?"

Jaune remembers the A-Lister talk about him as a veteran hunter and a certified badass. And that no one has seen him outside of his armor. Ever.

"None as of yet," replied the Commander. "Hopefully this means that the problem is centered here in the New World, where there is only here and the Research Base that are human settlements. Still, the Grimm might agitate the local wildlife, which makes our jobs as hunters more difficult. We'll have to tell them to be more careful of storms during missions and expeditions. Jaune, is there anything else you can tell us?"

Taking out his scroll and opening his downloaded textbooks and magazines, Jaune explained to them as much as he could about the types of Grimm they've encountered, as well as any they haven't met yet. Being introductory text, the textbooks were not at all comprehensive, but it was significantly more than what the Commission had previously.

"Our hunters have reported that while their encounters with Grimm were unsettling, most were unable to get through the armor they were wearing." Said the Commander. "We'll have the blacksmiths begin searching for ways to improve armor even more."

But he turned to Jaune, patting him on the back. "But this, this knowledge you brought to us will be an even bigger game changer. If you ever remember anything else about the Grimm, let us know."

"Thanks," said Jaune. "I was happy I could help."

"About that," added the Commander. "Since you will be staying here for the foreseeable future until you return, would you like to train as a hunter?"

Jaune tensed. Could he really be…?

"The A-Lister tells me you have a knack for strategy and can keep calm under pressure. Traits that are very important for hunters, maybe more important than sheer skill and power. In exchange for staying here, you can work as a hunter for the Research Commission. You will be able to battle monsters and see everything this world has to offer. You will have the opportunity to craft powerful weapons and armor, as well as challenge powerful foes. And, when you return to your world, your training will also serve you well," The Commander said his sales pitch.

"The Research Commission can never have too many extra hands, you see. Ah, but only if you—"

"I'll do it!" Exclaimed Jaune.

Everyone at the table smiled at him.

"In my world, I've always wanted to become a Huntsman, but somehow something always seems to get in my way. My grandfather and two of my family members are huntsmen, and I want to be just like them," he said.

He smiled. "I know it's going to be dangerous with a lot of colorful flags—" The Excitable A-Lister laughed. "But after hearing about the Grimm here and seeing the Ancient Forest, that's only made me want to become a huntsman more, or hunter."

"Good!" Said the Commander. "That's the attitude I want to hear. We'll let you rest up today and begin your training tomorrow. A-Lister, do you think you can handle being a mentor?"

"Huh? Me?" Said the Excitable A-Lister, startled.

"You were once a cadet as well," Began the Huntsman. "You know the ropes. Now it's time to pass it on to the next generation."

"Well, I…wait, I'm not that old yet!"

"Don't worry," joined the Serious Handler. "I'll make sure to have all the notes and paperwork prepared, so you can just focus on your new student."

"Student…," said the Excitable A-Lister. Then he smiled. "Okay! I hope you're prepared for some Seregios training! Because I won't go easy on you! Come on, my student, the path to becoming a hunter awaits!"

He grabbed Jaune and started marching him to the training area.

"And keep you from having a big head," sighed the Serious Handler. "Jaune still needs to learn about monster ecology, Aiden!"

Everyone laughed.

Natalie Artemis, though she insists everyone call her Artemis Black, knocked on the door of the Arc Household.

She was greeted by a girl in an orange T-shirt, who regarded her with narrowed eyes.

"Yes?" The girl asked.

"Hello, I'm Artemis Black, a professional huntress." Said Artemis, showing her license. "I heard about your missing brother, and I believe I can help."

"You know about what happened to Jaune?" Said the girl.

Artemis nodded. "If my hypothesis is correct, I may."

She was quickly ushered inside, where the Arc patriarch, Rein Arc, and the eldest sister, Cherry Arc, sat comforting Sunny.

"Artemis, Saphron told me you know what happened to my son?" Rein Cloud. He looked at the state of his wife and himself. "Sorry for the mess, we're still processing everything that's happened."

"No, it's alright," replied Artemis. "I'm just here confirm my suspicions. But if they're right, then Jaune might be a lot further than just the surrounding countryside."

"What do you mean?" Asked Cherry, turning to her.

"There was an energy spike near your house two days ago, right? The news also reported extremely dense fog and high winds at this time?" Said Artemis. Rein nodded his head. "At around six-thirty in the morning?"

"That's right," sobbed Sunny. "Jaune was going jogging to prepare for the exam at Signal. It was very foggy, but he insisted on going. I shouldn't have let him!"

"Mom, it's not your fault—" began Cherry.

"It was!"

"We'll find him," said Rein. "I promise you love, we'll find Jaune."

"Miss Artemis," interrupted Saphron. "Where do you think Jaune is?"

"If my hunch is correct, then I've experienced something like this before," said Artemis, gaining the attention of all nine remaining members of the Arc family.

"If so, then Jaune is in another world."

Author's Note:

I heard the live action movie was terrible, so I'm only basing it on the two event quests, not the entire movie.

Thanks for reading!