Howdy do!

So, I'm posting this asap because a really bad Hurricane
has hit Houston (The City I live in)
So I'm not too certain how long I'll be having electricity :O

Anyway: the song for this chapter is Buscandote by J Alvarez

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY

Chapter 18: Buscándote (Darkos)

"You've done well, King." The antlered woman smiled with a sickening look. "I am Reggie Teale, the de facto leader of Team RRGE. You have surpassed all of my expectations – better yet, you've even managed to attract the attention of the greats – Ozpin, Goodwitch and Peter Port. I must say, the planning to counter act us was well executed."

Jaune glared at her, his sword prepared to strike her down. Her teammates had fled on her command, leaving her at his mercy. "Did Salem send you?!"

"Do you really need to ask that question?" She asked with a smirk. "Go ahead. Kill me, I've already succeeded in my mission. Her Grace already has a replacement if need be."

"Answer me, you bitch!" Jaune shoved his sword into her shoulder. She didn't shout or even seem fazed by his glowing blade. "Did. She. Send. You."

"Does that answer your question?" She smiled once again. When he gave her a growl, she simply rolled her eyes and kept smiling. "You'd better hurry and kill me now. You should know, prisons and rooms do little to hold me back. I will return if you don't kill me now."

"This confirms she has eyes watching me. Tell me, how?!" He twisted his sword, noticing the slight twinkle of pain in her eyes. "Who is watching us?!"

"Now that would require a confession." She shook her head, ignoring the actual burning pain radiating from the sword embedded into her shoulder. "Snitches get stitches. And I for one, never did like stitches."

Putting his foot against her face, he kicked down, drawing his bloodied sword from her torso, spraying black blood from the wound. Sheathing his blade, a hand rested on his shoulder.

"Calm down, Jaune." Blake frowned. "We need her alive. We've already lost our chance with Roman, we can't lose another lead. Hand her over to Carolina – I'm certain she'd have a field day breaking that cocky attitude."

Sighing in defeat, he wiped the sweat on his brow and faced Blake. "The gunfire and explosions died down. How did the defense of the coast go?"

"Splendid." Another voice entered his ears. Pyrrha and the rest of their friends had arrived. A pair of soldiers ran past them with handcuffs and arm clamps. They lifted Reggie to her feet and quickly bound her arms together and pulled her along. "The White Fang retreated as soon as we started opening fire on the bay."

"Guys." He took a deep breath. "I am so sorry that all of you came to see the carnage here. I am so sorry that I didn't tell you – I just didn't know how. I didn't want to lose our friendship and…you know what. I don't have an excuse. I'll just tell you straight up that I'm sorry. I made all of you worry for almost seventy-two hours – that's on me, completely. If you want to kick my ass – so be it."

Cardin and Yang stepped forward but both froze at the burning glare from Weiss. Even as ice cold as she was, she carried a heat that could rival the sun. She shut her eyes when the two students backed away and sighed powerfully. "As wonderful as watching you both get your asses beaten to kingdom come, an explanation would suffice."

Blake raised a brow at the girl. "Weiss…"

"Blake." She walked forward and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I don't care that you're a Faunus, nor do I care that you were a part of the White Fang. Frankly, you've done nothing but good in my eyes – so I can't hate you or be mad at you. I just…hope that next time something like this happens, trust us, your friends and teammates, enough to tell us."

Jaune smiled but the smile dropped when Weiss turned her attention to him. "And you. Running off like that, running with Blake and leading an army into combat?! Oum…what have you been doing, Jaune? I am beyond mad at you – in fact, I'm more angry at you than I am at Blake running away! Do you have any idea how worried all of us have been because of you disappearing into Vale? You practically kidnapped Blake and took an airship into Vale – even after the docks were closed for the night! We had to find out from your sisters, who found out from Sun!"

Jaune turned his attention to the monkey Faunus who rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish expression. "Y-Yeah, buddy. I was going for a quick jog and found Blake at the Cliff and then you took off after her. It was super sketch so I took a picture and showed Doré and Clair."

"Fair enough." Jaune sighed. "I will explain everything the next time we are all free and available to hear it. Believe me – it's a long, long, long story. Blake heard every bit of it and honestly I still find it so hard to believe that she understood it all."

"It's not as complicated as he makes it out to be." She piped. Yang and Pyrrha looked at her and her close proximity to Jaune, almost glaring subconsciously.

"Your Grace." A calm voice entered the field of voices. "A word?"

The Arc took a deep breath and walked along. The students parted, their eyes landing on his armored figure. He jogged up to meet Headmaster Ozpin face to face. The man, of course, had a mug of coffee in hand and his trusty cane in the other. He and the other professors were instrumental in holding off RRGE and even managed to wound two of the three during the fight. Jaune could see something in Ozpin's eyes that echoed within his soul in a way that almost made him shiver.

"How can I help you, professor?" Jaune asked, walking beside him.

Medics rushed to wounded soldiers and Fang operatives and others came by cleaning and dragging the corpses from the battle. As dawn broke over the horizon, rays peering over the buildings to the east, the battlefield was illuminated. "I'd like to let you know…you've done well."

"I-I did?" Jaune's eyes popped from his head. "How is this doing well? All the dead, the destruction and we didn't even get Roman Torchwick."

"Well…" Ozpin smiled. "The Police have arrested almost ninety White Fang terrorists; you've protected thousands of Liens worth of Dust – which in turn could have saved millions of Lien in damages to property and life lost. On top of that, the companies that armed the White Fang will be put on the spot and the VPD now have enough evidence to indict those companies. Shall I continue?"

"What has the Council said of this?" Jaune all but hissed.

That is when the headmaster's smile fell. "They are believing the story that you and your teams just so happened to be in the area – for now. Your father is skeptical but is accepting of the tale. I wouldn't be too surprised if Atlas is called to bring in their army."

"Neither would I." Jaune sighed. "I'm surprised you're taking this well."

"I have eyes everywhere, Jaune." Ozpin gave him a knowing look. "I am more than just a headmaster or a professor; I am a huntsman and it is my solemn duty to protect Vale and know all the terrible or righteous things happening within my kingdom. So, you should understand my stance on your army and underworld kingdom."

"What happens now?"

"I believe several of your friends and classmates deserve explanations." Ozpin nodded his head. "I think they'd celebrate – all of you deserve the week off from classes. Just don't go around blowing docks up again for a while."

With that, the man walked off with Goodwitch and Port following behind him. "What about the White Fang? Team RRGE? Salem?"

"You've earned your place in my circle." Ozpin stopped to face the boy. "Don't you worry, Jaune. We will continue our own separate investigations. For now…give your attention to your dear friends, they need reassurance after all."

Jaune sighed and nodded his head. Turning on his heels, his friends stood. Teams RWBY, JNPR, CNDR, CFVY, NDGO, CRDL and Sun Wukong; all teenagers that had just fought a real battle in a real war. Looking upon their young faces, sent shivers up and down his spine – especially Ruby and her once innocent eyes lacking the sparkle that made them special. He took a deep breath and walked up to them. Beside him, the Reds and Blues, the Malachite Twins, Rosemary and Carolina took positions.

"Damn it, Grif." Sarge could be heard scolding the man again. "I ran out of ammo, again!"

"We're not fighting anymore, Sarge." Grif sighed. "No point in using ammo at the moment."

"No?" Sarge responded with his usual gruff voice. "The war is just begun, son. There's never a moment where ammo isn't useful."

"Ignore him." Grif shook his head, looking upon the teenagers gathered in front of them.

"So…" Jaune started, nodding at the cat Faunus among them. Blake left the group of students and took her place beside him, her hand falling to grab his, fingers locking. "This is my army – the King's Fist. These are my Lieutenants. Rosemary, Carolina and Blake are my best Lieutenants, by skill and rank. The Malachite Twins and Roux come next followed by the Reds and Blues. I know you have several well-deserved questions, I think it'll be better if we talk in a more comfortable area."

Reaching down, he lifted his left arm and started pressing buttons on his scroll. Once he finished, there was a soft ring and he lowered his arm. A soft roar of repulsor-engines echoed into the former battlefield. Trash and debris was blown in every direction. A white and red Levy arrived, lowering against the ground. The side doors hissed and quickly swung open, revealing a large, spacious transport bay. With a nod, Jaune and the Lieutenants headed towards the air craft. They piled in, with enough leg room to still move. He nodded his head and immediately, Yang and Pyrrha burst forward, charging up to the aircraft.

A few looks of confusion rippled through the gathered students, but one by one, they too headed towards the air craft, piling into the transport bay. Surprisingly, it wasn't a tight fit, even with Yatsuhashi standing full height. His head didn't plow through any ropes or wiring and he didn't have to crouch or kneel. Once everyone was snug, the doors hissed once again and shut, vacuum sealing the transport bay. The vehicle lurched slightly, before ascending into the air as smooth as a Bullhead, if not smoother. Also, unlike the Bullheads, it wasn't screeching loud either – it was as quiet as can be.

"So…" Coco coughed. "This is a thing…"

Jaune nodded his head. "This is a LAHAT – a Low Altitude Heavy Assault Transport, developed by GreeneTek for me and the King's Fist. It'll be a thirty minute flight from here to the Headquarters. By the way guys; all of us have the week off from classes, so we've got plenty of time to answer any and all questions you could possibly have."

"Okay…" Weiss spoke first. "What's up with all the king stuff? Are you really a king?"

Jaune looked to Blake, unsure of how to answer. "Well, technically Prince, but I'm working on taking the title of King sometime in the near future."

Weiss nodded her head, eyes trailing to the flooring of the Levy. "A…a prince…?"

"Does this mean I get to wear a dress and be a princess?" Nora asked, raising her hand.

"Yes. Nora, yes." He smiled happily. "You can be a princess."

"Will I get a castle?!" She squealed.

"At least someone's taking this well." Weiss whispered to Ruby. The girl giggled with her teammate.

"Any other questions?" Jaune asked. "Doré, Clair? You two are awfully quiet about this."

"I thought the line of succession said the Winchesters would carry the torch of ruling Vale?" Cardin asked, her indigo eyes locking with Jaune's sapphire.

The boy nodded his head and leaned back. "Well that's true. But it's also true that the line of succession legally falls to the Arcs as well. But, if you haven't noticed, both Houses, Arc and Winchester, have lost prestige and voice in the council in recent years. It won't be long before our bloodline and claims have no weight against a Council that doesn't want to relinquish control."

Cardin didn't seem convinced but nodded his head anyway. His brows furrowed as thoughts swirled in his head. Jaune was an entirely different person and even knew about the line of successions. His eyes turned to the windows as his friends and comrades asked their own questions. In the distance, smoke could be seen still rising from the bay as corpses of White Fang floated to the surface of the waters and the wrecks of transport ships burning. The docks were slowly being repaired thanks to Goodwitch's telekinesis. Blocks and debris shot into the air and banded together, reforming as if nothing had happened before.

The news crews gathered at the docks were still filming and more LAHAT as they were called, were patrolling the airs around the battlegrounds. He leaned back once again, sighing to himself, feeling relief and terror washing over him. A soft hand rested on his shoulder. Turning his eyes over, Velvet was watching with worried eyes. She cracked a crooked smile and that alone sent electricity up and down his spine, causing him to smile back.

The questions bombarded Jaune and Blake like missiles and artillery fire. But they had quick tongues and quick minds; catching every question and answering as truthfully and as concise as possible. They were going to leave the heavy, long-winded answers for when they weren't in an airship and comfortable in couches and sofas. Blake was happy that no one judged or cared about her cat ears and happily soaked the attention she was given. But she couldn't ignore Pyrrha and Yang's rather subtle glares. Weiss and Ruby were no different – they too were giving her subconscious glares.

The vehicle began to slow down noticeably, silencing their questions and voices. Jaune turned on his heels to see the hangar bay coming into view. Other Levies were seen, docking and releasing their transport and cargo. Men and women marched and ran about, with hoses, stretchers and extra pairs of hands. His Levy slowed just enough to be clamped by powerful magnets that held onto the vehicle. It shook, making those who weren't surefooted to fall and stumble over themselves. Just as sudden as the Levy came to a halt, the doors hissed loudly and sprang open, revealing several men and women dressed in combat fatigues of different colors.

"C'mon guys." Jaune called, waving his hand. He and his lieutenants jumped from the Levy and landed together as one.

"Okay." Yang smirked. "That was pretty damn cool."

"That's my brother." Doré smiled. "You guys heard the King, let's get moving."

CNDR jumped first, with JNPR and RWBY following close behind. CFVY, CRDL and NDGO followed them and Sun jumped off last, still in awe of everything around him. There were twenty-three of them, moving together like a small mob. All the while, they received more cheers and heartfelt applause. Many of these soldiers hadn't been in the fight themselves, but they saw the news reports and the battle-cams on many of their friends that did go. Twenty-three students that had no reason being there, fought tooth and nail with the White Fang and those new freaks that took everything they had to give and shrugged it off.

Surprisingly enough; they were all teenagers and not a single one of them were hurt during the battle. Sure, there were close calls and a few injuries – despite being in a battlefield, they acted as if their lives weren't even in danger. Children faced death eye-to-eye and didn't shy away. They fought well, they fought hard and they won. Grown men and women in the King's Fist were beyond impressed.

Jaune stopped at an industrial elevator and motioned for his friends to gather in. "Yang, do you recognize this place?"

As the students got situated, the blonde in question shook her head. "This is used to be Junior's club."

"J-Junior?!" Yang's eyes widened. "The same one…?"

"Yup" Jaune smiled. "After you left, he and I had a talk, well continued our talk. He works for me as my general and left-hand man."

"Who's your right-hand man?" Yang asked.

Jaune laughed a little as the elevator lowered. "I don't have a right-hand man."

"How do you not have a right-hand man?" Ruby asked. "I thought every leader has one."

"Well, it's hard to have one when my right-hand man is a woman." Jaune laughed louder.

"Now who is your right-hand woman?" Doré asked. "Is it Rosemary? Carolina?"

"No." Blake stated. "It's actually me."

Pyrrha and Yang backed away, their eyes wide and eyebrows almost furrowing out of instinct. Ruby's eyes exploded wide with a beaming smile spreading across her face. Weiss blushed slightly, her eyes wide as well, but slowly narrowing. Blake though, simply giggled, her cat ears bending slightly. "Don't be like that."

"How long did you know about all of this?" Weiss turned to Blake. "This is all so…so…incredible."

"Almost two months, if not more." She nodded. "Remember that one weekend where Jaune first invited me to Poetry Weekend at Tukson's?"

"So, you were lying!" Yang drew an accusing finger.

"No!" Jaune cackled. "We never lied about Poetry Weekend."

"Oh yeah." Blake facepalmed, trying to hold in a giggle. "That's a real thing – I've actually found something Jaune isn't good at."

"But…" Weiss added, her hand lowering.

"We spend Friday nights training with the troops and Saturdays doing that and Poetry Weekend that night." Blake smiled. "Sundays, we just hang out, watch a movie, eat dinner, drink tea – whatever fits our fancy – you guys are sometimes with us most Sundays."

"How did you get involved, Blake?" Ruby spoke softly. All heads turned to the little girl in red. She was hiding her face in her cloak hood, eyes trailing to the floor beneath them. "It's just so…weird to me."

"It's a funny story actually." Blake placed a caring hand on Ruby's shoulder. "Jaune and I just left Tukson's Book Trade and were about to head out for a place to eat. We turn a corner onto a street and next thing we know, we're being held at gunpoint. We're forced into the back of an SUV that has more guys waiting with rifles aimed at us. Lo and behold, the guys who kidnapped us worked for Jaune and were kinda stupid."

"Hey!" Grif and Tucker shouted over the crowd.

"At the time." Blake smirked. "Jaune ended up telling me everything afterwards. When I say everything, I mean everything."

"Why are you saying it like that? It sounds…creepy." Yang whined.

"I'm just warning all of you."

"Alright, everyone." Jaune tossed Crocea Mors across his office room. The weapon magnetically attached to his weapon rack. "Make yourselves at home."

It was a massive room with all the fittings and furniture befitting a leader. There were several bookshelves stocked with hundreds, if not thousands of books, ranging from biographies to translations of the antient Art of War. Others were fantasy and non-fiction, adding to his growing collection. Some looked like additions made by Blake and her unique taste.

In the center of the room, a coffee table made of hardwood and glass, sat with a steaming kettle of tea and several cups. Around the table, three large sofas and couches that could seat eight on each. They were soft and lined with golden accents against the hem and arm rests. One by one, the students collapsed onto the chairs, lounging about and taking well earned sighs. Jaune, Blake and Rosemary though, walked to the front of the troupe, staring at the students gathered.

"How do you want to start this?" Rosemary asked.

"Tell the truth?"

"It sounds crazy hearing it the first time." Blake added.

"So, I ease into it?"

"Bow-chicka-bow-wow." Rosemary smirked. That smirk quickly fell and was replaced with disgust. "Ugh. I've been hanging around Tucker too much."

"That's disgusting, Rosemary." Jaune deadpanned. "And yeah…I think I should break it down to them slowly."

"Fair enough, but how will you get them each, individually to speak to you?" Blake asked.

"Erm…" Jaune adopted a thinking pose. "My aura is almost used up, I can't go willy-nilly and use my time semblance to speak to them individually."

"We have time on our side." Rosemary nodded. "Use one of the rooms, Weiss could use one of her glyphs to silence it from us."

"Silence?" Jaune asked.

"You're telling them everything, are you not?" Blake nodded, a soft blush forming on her face. "Imagine what Pyrrha will do when you say you are in love with her? Imagine what Yang would do when she finds out the two of you were almost married."

"Y-You have a point." Jaune nodded. "I'll just hit everyone with the basic synopsis and you two fill the gaps, cool?"

"Better than nothing, I suppose." Rosemary shrugged. "Time to face the music."

"Now that everyone is calm, seated and probably eager…" Jaune took a deep breath. "I'll be short and quick."

"Bow-chicka-bow-wow." Jaune said under his breath. Other than the mild disgust he felt for himself, he shook his head and continued.

"I am from the future."

…

…

…

…

"What?" Yang asked.

"Uh…" Cardin raised a brow, tilting his head slightly.

"Shut up." Doré glared at him. "If this is some kind of joke…"

"Yup." Weiss sighed. "It was too good to be true. There was no way someone like him could be normal."

"Hmm…" Ren narrowed his eyes, staring at Jaune.

"Pancakes!"

Jaune shook his head and sighed. "Have any of you wondered how I was able to copy semblances?"

There was a silence among RWBY and JNPR. Their silence gave Jaune his answer. "We just assumed it had something to do with aura transferring and other…stuff."

"You're not wrong." Jaune smiled. "It does have to do with aura transfers, but let me ask you this. When did Yang and I do an aura transfer?"

Yang's jaw dropped. "Uhm…"

"It has to be." Ren spoke, rising from his seat. "When I first met you on the airship! I sensed something."

Jaune turned to him and nodded. "Yup. I have your semblance too."

Ren walked up to him, his eyes narrowing. "Either we've done an aura transfer without mine or Nora's knowledge…or you are from the Future – that would explain how you have our abilities."

"But…" Doré exclaimed. "How did he come from the future?!"

All heads turned to his elder sister. "He woke up one day and started acting weird – he didn't drop from some portal or something. He woke up one day and started acting like this. The thousand-yard stare and the incredible fighting skills…though it would explain why he was suddenly so good. But it doesn't make sense!"

"You have a strange view of how time travel works." Jaune smirked at his sister.

"This isn't a joke, Jauney!" Doré glared. "Honestly, I don't understand what's happening and quite frankly, I'm a little scared right now. If you're from the future, did something happen? There are so many questions to ask, and let me serious here – none of them make any sense!"

"Doré." Rosemary's tone was soft. "Calm down. Jaune will take some of you into a separate room to explain in depth. Blake and I will explain everything else to the rest of you. Believe me, all of you will need to listen to what we say – this information is important and when we're done, you will all be given a choice."

"Pyrrha." Jaune spoke up. "C'mon…time to give you a history lesson."

Pyrrha sat in front of him, biting her lip with a worried look in her eyes. Her face was as red as her hair, thinking of what his future might have been. Taking calming breaths, her green eyes followed after the Arc prepared himself. He took a deep breath before sighing heavily, his warm breath hitting Pyrrha's clasped fingers, sending tingles up and down her arms and spine.

"So now, I know you like me." Jaune started. His eyes trailing to meet hers.

A searing blush formed on her face, backing away from him slightly. "I'm sorry for kissing you…"

"Don't. It was nice." Jaune smiled. But that smile seemed reminiscent, rather than amused. "I said I was from the future. You see everything around you? The army, the mission, the huntsmen and huntresses siding with me. It's all because of you. All of this started with you."

"M-Me?" Her jaw dropped.

"There are forces transpiring in the shadows that are plotting for dominance over us and the things we love." Jaune continued. "We were foolish and ignorant of the shadows. In the past, during the Vytal Festival, the enemy made their first act known. They attacked Beacon and destroyed many of our defenses within the first few hours of the invasion. Grimm of every species native to Sanus plowed through the Atlesian forces. White Fang invaded the school – stabbing Blake and cutting off Yang's arm. Worse yet – the woman I am after, Cinder Fall…she…kills Ozpin…and…"

"What…" Pyrrha stared at him, her jaw loose, waiting for him to continue.

"She killed you, Pyrrha." Jaune finished.

The spartan didn't know how to react. Her hands unclasped and her body now felt cold. Her eyes stared at Jaune, hoping for some form of fault, trying to find the lie. The pain in his eyes radiated almost similarly to the way they did when she first met him in the airship on the way to Beacon. They writhed and glimmered with tears in the corners of his eyes. She looked at him with worry and reached forward, her hands clasping his.

"S-She shot you with a glass arrow and when you were losing consciousness, she turned you to ash." Jaune struggled to say the right words. "When you died, I was lost, Pyrrha. In the past, as hard as it is to believe, I wasn't a good fighter – in fact, I think I was the worst among the First years. You, without question, offered to help me first. You gave every ounce of your ability to help me, to better me. To be honest, I'm surprised at how you never noticed the design at the bottom of my shield or the reason behind my red sash."

"I didn't want to make a connection." Pyrrha responded honestly, her head tilting to the floor. "I thought you might be a crazy closet fan…"

Jaune laughed heartily. "In the past, I had absolutely no idea who you were; what the hell a Mistral Tournament was or what aura was! Can you believe that? You stuck by me, patient as ever and cared for me when no one else here would. Sure, Ruby cared enough to give me a few leadership pep talks and Yang would give a few words of confidence here and there and Ren and Nora looking up to me – you alone went out of your way to help me on my feet."

"The design on my shield, in my timeline, was made from your weapon and shield melted down." Jaune frowned. "The red sash was to remember you. I even reforged my family heirloom, Crocea Mors to accommodate the metal from your former weapons. When you died – a part of me died with you. Just before running off to face Cinder Fall, you kissed me, almost like how you did at the docks. It told me that you loved me and that I'd lost my chance. I couldn't save you then – I sure as hell won't fail this time, Pyrrha."

She looked at him with tearful eyes. The bulbs of water threatening to fall. She clasped his hands tighter, leaning forward, pressing her forehead against his. "Jaune…how long have you been holding this in?"

"Since the moment I met you." He sighed. "Ren and Nora too. When you died, our family was short a member. They looked to me for leadership, guidance and family. Looking at them, it hurts more than anything in the world – hell, looking at all of you, hurts with each passing second. I failed all of you the first time because I was unprepared. Not this time, Pyrrha. Not this time. I made this army to find Cinder Fall and defeat her before she can even lay a finger on the CCT at Beacon – that way she loses her leverage over the Vytal Festival and loses her ability to mount an invasion."

"I don't know what to say…" She stared at her shaking hands.

"You don't have to say anything." Jaune smiled softly. "I just…I wanted you to know this without any of the other classmates of ours influencing anything."

"What happened with my family?" She asked him with worried eyes. "What happened after my death?"

"Your family held a small ceremony for you since there was nothing left of you. I gave your tiara to them for a memento. It was a silent gathering with Team RNJR and your immediate family present."

"Team RNJR?" Pyrrha asked with a small smile.

"Oh right." He laughed. "Ruby, Nora, myself and Ren. Team RNJR, unofficial name but fitting. We joined up in spring, the next year after the fall of Beacon. Ren and Nora had no home to go to so they stuck with me since I was their last family. We joined Ruby because she was going to Haven to fight Cinder Fall. You already know – I have a bone to pick with her for what she did to you and Ozpin and Beacon."

"We journeyed through Anima, meeting you family along the way." His smile dropped slightly. "We did odd jobs for various villages outlying in Anima's wilderness on our way to Haven. We fought Grimm, and one of Salem's goons along the way. We ended up running into Ren's home village and killed the Grimm that killed his parents. In the wake of the beast's death, it released so much smoke, a Mistrali air patrol saw us and picked us up, giving us a ride all the way to Mistral."

"We stayed there for a month, and then most of RWBY was reunited. Weiss had escaped her father's corrupt iron fist and Yang had arrived after overcoming her PTSD and trauma from losing an arm. But by the time we managed to gather our forces, reunite and catch up – the White Fang attacked Mistral and Haven. It was a long siege, a destructive siege and a bloody one. A lot of people died and surprisingly, the first team to answer my call to arms, was team CRDL."

Pyrrha's eyes widened. "About CRDL, what happened to them?"

"They were douchebags for most of my first year." Jaune laughed. "You know how Cardin was the hero in Forever Fall? In my timeline, I was the hero. Cardin was a douche villain and his friends ditched him to an Ursa. Now, you may ask what happened. Okay. Yeah? Fine. Cardin brought rapier wasps to the area. Rapier wasps are addicted to sweets – i.e. the sap of Forever Fall."

"Why the hell did he have rapier wasps?" Pyrrha looked appalled.

"Because of me." Jaune laughed once more.

She looked even more appalled. "W-Why would you give him rapier wasps?!"

"I was blackmailed." His brow raised at her reaction. "Well…in my timeline, remember how I said I didn't even know what aura was or all that jazz? I forged transcripts to get into Beacon. I lied about test scores and the like and was let in despite the false information. You wanted to help me but I didn't want your help at the time. Turned out, Cardin's dorm was under the roof-access we like to get extra training on. He heard my little confession and decided to use it against me."

"So, you got rapier wasps for him to use against you?" Pyrrha's face paled.

"HAHA! No!" Jaune held his sides. "You and Blake embarrassed him in Dr. Oobleck's class, lighting him up about the Faunus and Faunus history. He blackmailed me into doing his detention papers and it went on for weeks. So, in an attempt to keep my status at Beacon I played along and got the rapier wasps."

"You got rapier wasps so he can use them against your own team?" Pyrrha's face was so pale she was almost transparent.

"That's when I turned against him." Jaune smiled. "I threw the jar of tree sap he handed me, right at him. Sure, I got my face beaten in, an Ursa arrived and the rest is history."

Pyrrha giggled into her hand, smiling at the boy in front of her. Jaune did the same, looking up, his blond hair falling across his face. Some strands land in front of his eyes while others simply parted around his eyes. Looking at the ceiling another laugh escaped his lips. "Talk about getting side-tracked. Anyway. CRDL were the first team to arrive in Haven, so you can imagine my surprise at their arrival. They were the meanest, the douche of douches but here they were, dressed for combat and actually standing up to a horde of White Fang armed to the teeth."

"We fought for four days, doing everything we can to defend Mistral and Haven." He rubbed his face. "Then on the fifth day from the south and north, Blake arrived with an army of Faunus at her back. Her father, mother and Sun were behind her, leading the forces of Menagerie against the White fang. Their presence turned the tide of battle almost immediately. We had a real defense against Salem and her forces and Cinder Fall."

"Now, I'll skim over a lot of details." Jaune sighed. "Yang and I ended up falling in love after I killed Adam Taurus."

"W-What?" Pyrrha's eyes were wide.

"During the Fall, he removed her arm." Jaune hissed, slightly. "He snuck into the city with his best killers and fighters. They were trying to kill me and Blake. Yang stepped in the way for round two but her PTSD resurfaced and she relapsed in the middle of the fight. I arrived just in time and absorbed his attack with my shield. We fought for a long while – he cut my face, I cut off his hand. In his rage and suffering, I swiped his head off, killing him. Yang thanked me and we ended up falling in love and after four years since Beacon, we were engaged."

"What happened to you two?" Pyrrha asked, fully invested.

"She was killed."

The room felt cold and heavy all of a sudden. Pyrrha's eyes trailed to the floor beneath her. Her hands had frozen where they were, clenching Jaune's own hands. "You lost me…and you said you loved me. Then you lost Yang?"

All he could do was nod.

"Oum…I'm so sorry." She reached forward, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"What of the other teams that we've gathered here?" Pyrrha asked, her green eyes locking with Jaune's blue. "What happens to everyone else?"

"I'll tell that part when we're all together in the common room." Jaune smiled. "I'd rather not go over the details several times."

Pyrrha accepted that answer and leaned back, fighting the urge to kiss him again. Suddenly, the door opened to reveal Blake walking in with a small smile on her face. Pyrrha nodded at her and turned to Jaune. "Now I have a question…what is going on between you and Blake?"

"He's my boyfriend." Blake said within a shake in her voice.

Pyrrha looked like she'd been stabbed with a spear. "Y-You two…"

Jaune nodded his head, a frown spreading across his face. Blake though, reached forward and wrapped her hands around Pyrrha's own. "I know how you feel; it is the worst kept secret of Beacon. I'm sorry, Pyrrha. I stole him from you and I know what I did. I won't apologize."

Pyrrha looked at Blake with a heated glare, fighting back the tears from falling. "Is this why you're here? To g-gloat?"

"No." Blake smiled. Leaning forward, Blake's lips brushed against Pyrrha's ear. "Jaune is going to be King. He'll need a Queen by his side…and like I told him; some Kings have Queens…"

Pyrrha's face turned a burning red, almost matching her fiery red hair. "W-What?! I-I…B-Blake! J-Jaune! T-That's so…I…"

Returning to her seat, Blake smirked at her handiwork. "Jaune is a great man. His love for you hasn't died. Nor has it died for Yang. He just made more room in his heart for me as well."

"Are you seriously saying that we're going to be in a harem?" Pyrrha glared, her cheeks still hot.

"A harem implies a hierarchy." Blake shook her head. "I've already agreed – in fact, I'm the one who came up with the idea. This idiot here was thinking of just letting you two know his feelings and distance himself."

"Why would you come up with an idea to have a harem?" Pyrrha looked at Blake with an incredulous expression. "I thought you were better than this, despite your choice of literature."

"Oh, I am a proper lady." Blake shook her head. "But Jaune was dead set on hurting himself. He wanted to bottle his emotions like he has been for the last few months since reuniting with his old team and friends. Tell me, Pyrrha. Can you at least sympathize with him? His entire future was based entirely on fighting the enemy that took everyone he loved from him. They claimed his family – all of them. They claimed his partner and first love - you. They killed me. They killed Yang. They killed his team."

"But…" Pyrrha looked to Jaune to see he was starting to get uncomfortable.

"Agh. Jaune. I'm sorry for…"

Jaune smiled. "It's fine, Blake. Pyrrha. I do love you back; I have since before you kissed me during the Vytal Festival. I loved you so much, I loved you even when you were nothing more than dust in the wind. I loved you and when Yang and I were engaged, she understood it well enough. My heart has been yours since the moment you first unlocked my aura."

"I unlocked your aura before?" She gave him a look.

Jaune nodded. "Yeah…remember how I said I didn't know what aura was? Well…you were the one who brought it up and unlocked my aura the first time. In fact, you saved me when we were launched off Beacon Cliff into the Emerald Forest. You became a part of me since that day, Pyrrha. Even if you don't want any part of this thing that Blake came up with; I won't blame you. You deserve someone who will love you and only you."

"It's a good idea." Blake huffed, her cat ears bending. She crossed her arms over her chest. "It's not my fault some people want to be prissy."

"Jaune…" Pyrrha leaned forward, her hands quickly wrapping around his hands. "I want to be with you…it would be grand to share."

"Not yet." Jaune raised a finger. "I'm not going to accept sudden confessions and instant dating. You and I are going on a real date, like Blake and I did many times in the last month. If we're to make this work, it'll have to be intimate, realistic and must not ride on the past. I want to make new memories with you, Pyrrha. I don't want to relive having to tell your parents how you died. I don't want to relive asking myself 'what if' like I did in the past. You, me, Blake. If you're down for this – it'll have to be done right."

She leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. "I promise, nothing that happened in the past will happen again. I won't die. Not this time."

Breaking her gaze with her Arc, she looked up to Blake who watched with a beaming smile. "You."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"You came up with this idea. You must have come up with rules." Pyrrha gave her a sideways glance.

Blake nodded her head and slid off the armrest and sat upon Jaune's lap. Her smirk grew when Pyrrha's blush grew on her cheeks. She moved her hips slightly, seductively, causing Jaune to groan and moan against her round butt. One that Pyrrha may or may not have stolen glances at during Combat Class. Blake noticed this and crossed a leg over the other, her cat ears bending and curling.

"I'm glad you asked." Blake smiled, licking her lips slightly. "The rules are simple."

I always felt Pyrrha was a level headed, understanding person
Use enough humor, she'd be willing to listen to anything you say
so long as you don't make it creepy or needy sounding.

As shown by Jaune, honor is something that she greatly adores
Also, Darkos (BlakexJaunexPyrrha Polyamorous) is a great OT3
So if you haven't noticed, the harem is more than just a harem
It's a polyamorous relationship - that way there's no heirarchy
or need for a 'bottom bitch'. The guy's gonna love them all equally
To quote Jaune the Elemental Swordsman (Because that's one of my fav Jaune Harem fics)

anyway, next chapter is Escápate Conmigo (Knight Slayer)

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ja ne!

gotthavekyuubi