Well, well, well, look at this. You guys are really riling me up with these comments. I haven't had this large of a review blow up ever in my time of creating fanfics. The feeling it gives me is great but makes responding to the reviews a nightmare but who cares! The adrenaline in my body hyping me up sure doesn't care! I'll just need to make my responses shorter!
1, guest: Another member of the pink, white and brown I see. Who cares if she's overrated! The smol tart shall forever live in the hearts of many!
2, Ghostly(x4): I assure you that I will not use rape for this story, or at the very least go into detail about it. It may be a future OC's backstory or I might use it as a scenario where Jaune will save someone from being raped. Aside from that, no rape.
3, SaberPrototype15: I also like how Jaune is later in the story. When I re-watched RWBY, future Jaune made me respect(to an extent) old Jaune a bit more as a character. I also have a plan to deal with the bad aspects of the cast in my own way so look forward to that.
4, Alewar Warinot: Good to see you back buddy. Quite like the support as it helped me considerably as a writer. I'm also glad you like how the story is moving along and will try to make the story something you will look forward to. Hope you enjoy the chapter and that I pass the coming judgement day.
5, chendong2698: I also like the double Jaune idea. One is the teacher of the other and has that 'I know more than I should' vibe. The other is an overpowered bad-ass with a heart of gold.
6, HBgamer111: Good choice.
7, zzzsssdddkkkel(Love the name by the way.): Mwahaha! Yes I am truly evil. You'll all be reading chapters that aren't actually chapters! Fear my power!
Now, it's showtime!
Chapter 3: Hitting up the town.
(Location: Hideout.)
(Time: BB/Before Beacon, Jaune is 13 years of age.)
(POV: Ditto.)
Jaune and I clashed swords in the center of our training area. I riposted his blade, redirecting it downward to give me an opening to elbow him in the jaw. After he staggered backwards I lunged at him and made a clean slash across his protected chest. The loud clang from my parallel Crocea Mors foreshadowed the sudden impact Jaune felt.
My student redirected his trajectory so that his feet hit the ceiling. A sudden push sent him spiraling at me with his new and improved Crocea Mors. I dodged the swing but had to block the bullet that was shot at me from Jaunes sword mid swing. His velocity made him slide across the floor like a saw blade.
I jumped over it of course but found my arm separated from my torso in mere seconds afterwards. The brat used the swords secondary guns recoil to bounce back and hit me from behind. I was proud that moment, but only that moment.
As soon as my arm dropped to the floor he screamed like a girl. He dropped his own blade and ran to my side in a panic. The idiot got a right hook for that one, leaving him sprawled out on the cold cave floor.
"Why!"
"Cause idiots need a good smack to keep them from repeating history. You know that I can easily heal this and yet you still ran to my aid."
"A hero always acts when someone's hurt."
"Then the hero is going to painfully die from obvious traps. I'm not saying helping others is bad, just that you need to be rational about it. It stops you from hesitating when you make a choice to save someone, stops you from choosing a person who can regenerate vs a person who can't."
The boy pondered my words for a moment, his hollow gaze appeared on his face as he processed the information. At least he's learning. He's definitely better than he was a year ago.
(Flashback.)
(Location: Hideout.)
(Time: BB/Before Beacon. Jaune is 11 years of age.)
(POV: Ditto.)
After I got back from...bullying my students family, I gave him a modified Crocea Mors to use for our practice bouts. He instantly took a liking to the sword and started training with it the first chance he got. I had to make new schedule to ensure Jaune got his sword practice in at specific times to develop muscle memory.
Some time passed and I found that his muscle memory training was very independent in nature and left me bored half the time. So I began amusing myself with the alias Ditto, who was now known as the brutal leader of a group called the reversal squad. We pillaged, we plundered and we left things asunder. Of course this group did have another use besides amusement, it allowed me to gather intel of the world and have a morally flexible group that wasn't held back by the laws of a kingdom.
After one of my adventures, as soon as I parted the wall and walked through, the kid asked me for a match. I agreed and began playing with the kid like any other day. He would charge at me with his new toy and I would kick him away. He tried to shoot me and got a rock to the face, you know, the usual.
But today was a bit different, the kid was adding spins to his attacks now and was getting more consistent with the use of his built in gun mid-battle. He was still a greenie, no doubt about that, but it was surprising for me when I got hit by him for the first time.
"Yeah! I got a hit in!" His cheers were stopped by the collision of my skull against his.
"Frick!" I walked over and kicked him.
"Darn it!" The kid was now doing it to piss me off. That had to be the reason, so I kicked him again.
"Why do you keep kicking me!?"
"Because you're pissing me off! Until you can start swearing like a big boy I'm going to continue to kick you!"
"But mom says-"
"Your mom ain't here now is she? Besides, if you want a girlfriend later in life then good luck with that. You'll find it hard to 'frick' a girl when you still sound like a child."
The beating continued, but I did eventually get him to stop using words like butt and poop. Even if he doesn't swear yet, I find that a huge accomplishment.
(Flashback end.)
"Well, even if the end of the fight needs work, you still did magnificently. A common thug would be down for the count with that blow and a huntsman/huntress would definitely be in pain. I'm pleased to inform you that you won kid, congrats." I gave him a golf clap.
Jaunes eyes became saucers. "Really, I can leave now!?"
"Pfft, hell no! That was the first grade of many that you passed kid. There's still loads of knowledge I gotta pass down and you're definitely not as strong as I wish you to be. You won the battle but-"
"I didn't win the war."
"Heh, correct. I fought you without aura the entire time, now your going to start fighting me with aura. After you beat me with my aura, you'll start fighting me while I use my semblance. Slowly it will progress until you become a champion of the world."
Jaunes face fell, I feel kinda bad now. He still has people waiting for him back at home and hasn't been outside in years. Sure I've given him studying materials to read and lights to stop him from developing poor eyesight but the fact still remains, and I'll be damned if I do as my father did to the letter.
Just need a reason to justify that a trip outside will be worth it. I don't want all the training to lose its effectiveness because I recklessly threw him out in a world filled with distractions. But maybe that's what he needs!
"That being said, you do have the basics down pat. All that needs to be improved is your strength and speed, which is easier than teaching advanced sword techniques. I wouldn't have any qualms about going outside so long as you keep on practicing. It would also give you the experience you need to put my lessons to good use." I outstretch my hand to my pupil. "The decision is yours Jaune, do you want to go on an adventure?"
His mood did a 180 after I asked him the question. He said yes of course and was more than willing to listen to my rules for the grand adventure.
"I never authorized this." Chronos voiced.
'You aren't stopping me from doing it, unlike my exploits with my posse. Must mean this is OK to do, right?'
"Indeed. This plan of yours has very little when it comes to flaws."
'Thanks for the compliment. Figured there are some things that can't be taught in a dark cave.'
(Location: Outskirts of Vale.)
(POV: Jaune.)
This was super exciting for me, it's been so long since I've been outside. The are is so clean that it almost has taste, the grass and trees that I once took for granted seemed to pop with color. However, despite the beauty of my surroundings I couldn't help but be anxious.
Something seemed off to me, every bird that chirped put me on edge. I felt endangered with every step I took. I wasn't scared, this is mild compared to intimidation training with Ditto, but I was simply alert. Then a thought crossed my mind.
"Isn't this the out-lands?"
"As soon as we leave Jaune? I thought I already taught you about geography. It's disappointing, but I guess we should go back for extra lessons." Ditto turned around to walk back.
"Damn it that's not what I meant! Since this is the out-lands there should be a bunch more Grimm right?" When I looked to Ditto for my answer I found him in shock.
Ditto eventually went from shocked to impressed. "Correct. Very observant there Jaune, sorry for the misunderstanding. Though I am a bit surprised I'm also very proud. Today is the day my pupil finally swore, even if it wasn't the most vulgar swear."
"I...I guess you're right." I sheepishly scratch the back of my head.
"Truly a day to celebrate. Not only did my student pass the first course, he swore as well." Ditto chuckled. "Well I guess our destination is going to be more appropriate."
"You still didn't answer my question."
"I used a semblance of mine to keep the Grimm a certain distance away."
"Why-"
"Doesn't matter right now. What does matter is your disguise, can't have a kidnapped child show up randomly in Vale."
I stopped my questions and waited. He was right, this was more important. I could care less about Ditto's reasons for making a safer trip if it destroyed my chances to have some human/faunus contact.
Ditto didn't count, nobody would call a guy who has multiple semblances human. He would be a monster in the eyes of the populace. But only a monster could drastically change my look with a touch. In an instant my hair was styled differently, my clothes changed and my skin became a tanned color.
"There we are, much better. Now come along Jaune, the bar awaits." Ditto gestured for me to follow.
I was very excited to go to Vale, it's where you can see my dream school after all. Hope I can visit Beacon after we're done at the b-wait a second, bar!?
(Location: Juniors.)
I can't believe I'm at a bar, my mom was going to kill me! But it's even more concerning that I was allowed in, sure I look different but I still look young, right.
"Hey kid, aren't you a little young to be in a place like this?" The bartender asked.
Before I could say anything, Ditto piped up. "He has aura and sword training, he's been in the out-lands with me fighting the good fight. You can't kick him out for his age because unlike those signal students he fights the Grimm on their home turf. Hunter law states that-"
The bartender grunts. "Yeah, yeah; those who may not see tomorrow should be able to drink like it. Even if the law allows young huntsman/huntresses to have the privileges of an adult, it still doesn't sit well with me."
"No need to worry, the boy won't be drinking alcohol. This is just the best place to celebrate my pupil's recent victory. He'll be having the orange soda and I'll have the hardest whisky you have on your shelf." Dittos words make the bartender nod before he went to get our drinks.
"Sooo...this place is pretty crowded. Feels a tad odd to be around so many people." The bartender brought our drinks and placed them in front of us.
"You'll get used to it kid. Think of it as training for your social skills." We both take a sip from our drink, sighing as the flavor filled both our throats.
I looked around at our scenery; the bar had a dance floor, various booths and a great deal of attractive women. My eye was caught by a girl in a white dress who had nice looking legs. I don't know if it was my lack of contract with the outside world or puberty but one thing was clear, I was blushing like crazy. A fact that didn't go unnoticed by Ditto.
"To think our first lesson in the outside world would appear so soon. Jaune, listen up." Ditto drew my attention to himself, much to my dismay. "It's painfully obvious that you are feeling quite attracted to the ladies. So now is the perfect time to teach you a new kind of combat, seduction."
I looked at him quizzingly. "Seduction?"
"Yup. You see in the outside world, seduction is a tool stronger than both the sword and the pen. A male can seduce a woman to get their way with her and the woman can do the the same to the man. Tonight I'm going to teach you some things about the art of seduction."
I started to flail my arms in a panic. "What!? I-I don't think I'm ready for that at all! There's no way I can come close to seducing anyone!"
"Damn right you won't. I'm not going to teach you how seduce people, but to resist their seduction. It's like how people train offence and defense; you train the defense first so that you can use offence without any worry about defending yourself. The last thing I want is for you to flirt with a girl only to have it backfire. This also has combat uses, a person's alur can dull the senses and reaction time of an opponent."
"O-OK but how will I be taught? Is there a training manual or-" Ditto giggles at my question and calls over a faunus waitress.
He hands her 5000 lien. "One cherry picking course for the lad beside me please."
The girl happily nods and pulls me away to a back room. The room was furnished with a red bed, a black dresser and a table with various bottles on it. When I turned back to the faunus I found her in revealing clothes, which instantly got a reaction out of me.
"Wha…" My jaw dropped.
"I don't usually handle virgins but you were so cute that I couldn't resist. Besides, from the look of it you won't disappoint even with your lack of experience." She gave me a sexy smirk.
Though I had no idea what was going on in the beginning I caught on fairly quick. I was more than happy to embrace the faunus and from her screams, she was happy too. It truly made my day to lose my V-card. Eventually I left the room and made my way back to Ditto, a stupid grin present on my face.
Ditto returned my grin with a shit eating one. "So how was that brat? I guess I should say bastard now that you're a man eh?"
"Yeah, it was amazing. I've never felt so good in my life!" I beamed.
"Good to know that your ready for round two." Ditto gets up and walks towards the DJ stand.
He chats with the DJ and the bartender I say before and seems to come to some sort of agreement. Ditto was handed a mike, which he tapped to get everyone's attention.
"Hello everybody, especially the ladies, I have an announcement to make. Today I have seen my student grow from a boy to a man, a truly joyous occurrence. Now it's time to share that joy with you guys." Ditto pulls out a wad of money from his back pocket. "10000 lien for every female worker who is able to 'satisfy' my student and 10000 lien for every male worker who gives him a contact. As for the pedestrians, you will all receive 5000 lien for just being here."
Everyone started chatting with one another and began looking around for, I assume, me. I could feel that I was in danger, the many girls that I was ogling before now filled me with terror instead of arousal.
Ditto saw my discomfort and smiled. "What are you waiting for you guys? Your golden goose is over there." He pointed to me.
All of their heads snapped to my direction, my cover was completely blown thanks to the lack of people at the bar. Dozens of eyes gazed at me as I slowly began to make my exit. However I was surrounded by seven women in a few seconds and was slowly taken away to the back room again.
"Noooooo!"
(POV: Ditto.)
I laughed at the kids dismay, the poor kid was being taken to a heaven worse than hell. Everyone was more than willing to do what I asked for 10000 lien, it made the club far more welcoming and vibrant.
Though my reasons were sound, it was annoying to deal with the aftermath. After giving money out willy nilly like I did, I also became a center of attention. Many girls were sucking up to me and many men tried to threaten me. Of course I dealt with them easily, it was just annoying to do so without violence.
"Quite the stunt you did there." Junior said to me.
"Well the boy needs some sort of resistance to the womanly touch. It's also good for the kid to get some connections, no matter how suspicious."
Junior nods. "That's wise I suppose. Just leave the twins out of it, they already deal with questionable people with weapons, I don't want them to start using prostitution as a method as well."
"Never crossed my mind. Just preparing him for a war that's to come."
Junior looks at me funny. "War? I've heard nothing about a war in Vale, you sure you aren't smoking anything?"
"You wouldn't hear about it, it's on a global scale after all. Vale has yet to be affected but the plans are being made." I explain.
"How do I know you aren't pulling information outta your ass." He questions.
"You don't, but in the end information is information whether or not it's true. It's not like I'm asking you for anything in return, the info is useless for business purposes because nobody is going to ask about a war that hasn't happened yet, it holds no worth. This is mainly for you and those close to you to keep to yourselves."
"Say I believe you and this war does happen. Do you have an idea when the war is going to begin?"
"Within 5 years."
"Not a lot of time, but I guess that just means I'll get proof sooner." He smiles with appreciation.
"Your right about that." Junior chuckled and walked off.
Junior was always a fellow who was swayed by money. In my world he was a traitorous club owner who helped fellow rebels like Salem's inquisition. He'll probably try to help the rebels here as well but could probably be swayed with money and a show of power.
"Well, well, well mister moneybags. What kinda business were you doing with Junior? Never seen him smile like that unless he wins big." A cocky voice asked.
"No business, just making friends." I respond.
The man sits beside me. "Nah, can't be. A man with your riches comes into a bar like this, gives money to everyone and then doesn't try to make some sort of business scheme? Now I know you're lying."
"Friends are always good to have, especially for a blooming thief like yourself. So tell me Roman, is there any reason your talking to me aside from taking my wallet filled with dead cards?" The man in white scoffs and throws the wallet on the ground.
This man was Roman. A notorious thief who likes the thrill of a good heist. In my world he was akin to robin hood, if robin hood really liked stealing things. In this world he's probably far more greedy but should still be affected my foreknowledge.
Roman recomposes himself. "Well old man, I'm just trying to understand why a guy like you is in a place like this. Shouldn't you be at 5-star restaurant in Atlas instead of an out of the way club like this?"
"You would think that but as I said in my announcement, this isn't about me. I'm trying to get my pupil some connections in the underworld, which are far more useful than connections on the straight and narrow." Roman nodded at this, seeing my point. "Now here's a question for you; shouldn't Neo be with you?"
Roman's tone became hostile with those words. "And how do you know her? It's no surprise that you know Roman Torchwick, master thief of Vale. Neo however has always been kept out of the spotlight, Junior doesn't even know about her existence, so how do you?" Roman lifted his cane to my head.
Without hesitation I lied my way out of trouble. "When someone's asked to watch over a dying mother's child, one tends to keep tabs on said child." This made Roman look at me strangely but also pacified him him a tad bit.
"You knew her as a child?" Roman raised a brow.
"Try as a baby. I couldn't be there for her all the time and mostly stayed in the shadows to observe, she probably won't know me." I put my chin in my hand and star playing with my glass.
Roman gives me a glare. "Prove it. Whats her mothers name?"
Easy answer. "Vanilla."
"...lucky guess." Roman spun his cane and lost his aggression.
I took a swig from my drink and rested it in front of me. "So how's the squirt doing? Haven't seen her since you took her in."
"Well..right now she's trying to get 10000 lien." Roman's words made me choke on my drink a bit.
A shiver went down my back. "Poor kid, I'll have to apologize when he gets out."
"Yeah well, money is tight right now. Hard to search for information without money after all." Roman began sulking. "Trying to find Neo's dad, she wants to stab him up real good when we find him. Though that's better said than done, he's like a ghost. He's either dead, missing or-"
"High up on food chain. I read you loud and clear, it's hard to do with minuscule amounts of money. So here's a suggestion from an old fool, 50000 lien is better then 10000. Should you make a personal connection with my pupil, I'll give you four times what every other guy is getting."
"...what's the catch, there's always a catch."
"You make a connection to me as well. I'd be honored to have close ties with the 'master thief of Vale' and would love to see him go from master to legend. What do you say?" I extend my hand to Roman.
He pondered for a bit but eventually accepted. "Deal."
"Great. Now first order of business, I want to make a deal."
"Already!?"
"Yes. I want you to do something for me, something that needs to be done in a few years. I won't ask you to do for free, in fact you'll find my payment to be more than enough for the task I'm going to give you." I persuade.
"What's the payment?"
I stand up from my chair. "Spumoni."
"Excuse me?"
"That's his name, Spumoni. He's Neo's father. He lives in Vacuo and is the head honcho of some sort of mafia. He-" I reiterate.
"Shut up!" Roman puts his hand on his temples. "*geez, me and my honor as a thief* you would be overpaying for my services if you keep talking. So keep your verbal gold to yourself and tell me what you want."
"I'll tell you through a text a bit later, gotta check on my disciple real quick."
"Got it."
"Oh, before I go. Roman."
"Yeah?"
"Reds you're unlucky color."
Hope the chapter was as good for you guys as it was for me. Before I end the chapter, I do want to point out a few things about the story before the next upload.
For those worried about the story's pacing fret not, I'm merely leaving pieces of the story untold so that later on I can explain it with a flashback.
Ghostly, I know we talked about rape but I personally think this chapter is alright in that aspect. Sure Jaune didn't consent at first but he did willingly lose his V-card to the first girl. The rest of the girls were more of a comical thing, where it wasn't against it because he hated it but because he didn't want to die of exhaustion.
Finally, those worried about me bringing Roman into the fold should know that he will play a big part in the story later. Also, if you don't like the backstories I'm giving RWBY owned characters or their personalities, well...the other dimension excuse will have to do. I promise that I won't do it too much, just want to give characters whose backstories are unknown a little more flare.
Personalities on the other hand are something that I'm not going to actively change as I want the RWBY cast to act relatively the same as they do normally. But I'm not perfect and may mess something up, especially with side characters, but I'll try my best to keep things the same. That doesn't include developments caused by the new Jaune though.
This is Spiffy signing off, peace!