The path of the Chosen One is never an easy road. The Guardian will always have to sacrifice relationships, plans for the future, even his or her own family to defend not only Grayskull but the Universe itself. When I felt that Jaune Arc was meant for this role, I could see the doubt in my agents faces. He was not well trained, but he was dedicated. He was not physically strong, but his inner strength was immersive. Few cared for him, but he cared for many. That is why he was chosen by the Sword. And every time he held aloft his Mystic Sword of Power, it was not Grayskull that made him powerful, it was the strength of his own heart and willingness to sacrifice. It is why I pray his friends will not be blinded by the illusion of He-Man, and see their friend inside. If any Guardian since King Adam himself needed the shoulders of his friends, with the challenges he is meant to face, Jaune will need his friends more than any other. – Sorceress of Grayskull
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
Chapter 3: Focusing In
Qrow sighed as he sat back in his chair and planted the heels of his boots on the top of his desk. Ozpin was gone, presumably dead, and Goodwitch and Ironwood wasn't talking about what was going in their little plan, but it apparently involved Pyrrha Nikos. Perhaps his new assistant might be able to get it out of her, if he wasn't avoiding the poor girl like the plague. The Sorceress had just advised him to keep his friends at arm's length, but the stupid kid was shoving them completely out of his life. Qrow sighed as he knew he had to say something to the thick skulled teen…
"Uh, Qrow?"
Qrow shook his head and smirked, 'Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear…' he thought as he turned to face the door to find Jaune standing with Nora Valkyrie with her arms folded across her chest. "What's wrong, Kid?" Qrow asked.
"Well… I'll just say it…" Jaune ducked his head, "she… saw me change…"
"There's a thing called a lock, it's on the bathroom door. It's useful. Try it sometime, Kid," Qrow said, leaning back in his chair.
"No… during the battle… she… uh… saw me change…" Jaune said, glancing to Nora, who was giving him a slight glare.
"So I see…" Qrow said with little emotion. He stood up from the desk and walked around to the door and locked the door. "Ms. Valkyrie, is it?"
"Yeah, that's my name, what about it?" Nora asked, both teens watching the man pace before them.
"Are you sure you saw what you think you saw?" Qrow asked, his eyes glancing to her. "Please, explain what you say you witnessed."
"He ran out and I chased him to kick his butt for running out on Pyrrha and the rest of us," Nora said, turning the glare back to her former teammate. "He started shouting for some Sorceress lady, and then Ruby and Yang's dog ran up while carrying some sword."
"That dog there?" Qrow asked, motioning to Zwei who was sleeping in doggie bed beside his desk, snoring rather loudly for an animal its size with all four feet stuck up in the air.
"Yeah, same one," Nora said, motioning with her hands, "Jaune took the sword and said something about some power of some kind of skull… then there was this HUGE flash of light, I couldn't really see anything, and next thing I knew Jaune was the size of a mountain. He pointed that sword to the dog, and blasted it with the same energy, it grew into that big wolf thing that carried Pyrrha to the dock."
"I see," Qrow said, staring at the girl, and she suddenly started to get nervous. "So, now the question remains. What are we going to do with you?"
"What … what do you mean?" Nora took a step back and to the side to stand slightly behind Jaune.
"The secret identity of the Guardian is the highest of top secret information, Only the few Agents of Grayskull, and the Champion himself here, knows this secret," Qrow said, resting a hand on his sword.
"Yeah?" Nora said.
"Qrow…" Jaune said warningly, reaching behind his back to the handle of a sword that just appeared upon his back.
Qrow locked eyes with the teen while Nora looked like she was near a panic attack. "I'm not gonna hurt her, Kid," Qrow rolled his eyes, "But we do have two options for you…" He said to the redheaded huntress-in-training.
Jaune sighed, and released the handle and it faded away again. "We take you to Castle Grayskull, and the Sorceress erases her memories like a magnet to a scroll," Qrow stated, and Nora grabbed Jaune's arm tightly. "But I don't want to do that since you've known it for a few days now. Losing a few days would make you question things more and could cause a recall which would wind us back at square one. So… here's the deal…"
"You trust this girl, Kid?" Qrow asked Jaune while crossing his arms.
"I do," Jaune replied, giving Nora a small smile.
"Alright, then you better not betray that trust," Qrow said, pointing toward Nora. "No spilling the beans, if someone figures it out, they figure it out. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of the Sorceress of Grayskull if you reveal that to anyone. You understand, Valkyrie?"
"Not even Ren and Pyrrha?" Nora asked Jaune and Qrow.
"No one, Nora," Jaune placed a hand on her shoulder, "As much as I want them to know. It's for their own protection and everyone else's protection that they don't. OK?"
"I… I…" Nora kicked her foot against the floor, "I guess… ok, I'll keep it." She then flashed him a smile, "It's really cool though!"
"Yeah it is, thanks, Nora." Jaune nodded.
"And look on the plus side, Kid," Qrow went back to his desk, "You have someone to talk to, now."
"Better get back to your dorm before it's too late," Qrow said to Nora. "You get your teammate assignment within the next couple days." Qrow then glanced to Jaune, "Better get some rest, too. We got a lot of work to do to get this place fully rolling again."
"OK, night Professor Branwen, and you, too, Jaune!" Nora said, giving her former teammate an almost bone crushing hug, "Thank you for… for everything." She said before scurrying off.
Jaune watched her go, then turned to leave. "Hope we can trust her, Kid," Qrow said, taking a long swig from his flask.
"Everything will be fine, Qrow," Jaune said, moving to go to his private room. He stepped out on the balcony that overlooked the rapidly being rebuilt Beacon Academy. His eyes traveled to 'their rooftop' and a wave of sadness washed over him.
His eyes narrowed when he saw the door open and Pyrrha limp out on the rooftop. He frowned when he saw her attempt some of her moves, but her leg would constantly give out and send her down to her knees. He so wanted to go over and not only embrace her, but to train with her like they always did. But how could he… unless… the Sword of Power manifested itself on his back as he turned and walked back into his room.
(-H-)
She had lost count how many times she had hit the hard concrete roof of the dorm building. Pyrrha couldn't hold back the frustrated half cry half growl as she slapped the ground. Unlike the times before she allowed herself a few moments of self-pity as she stayed down, allowing her tear drops to fall onto the grey concrete.
"Not like you to stay down, Pyrrha Nikos, would you accept a hand?" a deep voice spoke beside her, and her eyes snapped up to see He-Man with a friendly smile and an outreached hand.
She stared for moments before she tentatively placed her hand in his much larger one. There was something familiar and soothing about the Guardian as his hand folded around hers and helped her back to her feet. "You are trying to put too much wait on your ankle. It is difficult with your dominate leg being the one injured, but you must try to switch it up. Place your weight on the other." He-Man stated, then his eyes traveled to her weapons. "Is that a new spear?" He said noting the new spear resembled Milo, but along with her red and bronze coloring, it now had silver and white. "Did you repair Milos?"
"I did, though I have renamed it Agapitos," She stated, "How did you know its old name?"
"Everyone in Remnant knows of the Invincible Girl and her exploits," He-Man said, drawing the Sword of Power, and mystically forming a circular shield upon his arm.
"I guess I'm not invincible anymore," Pyrrha glanced away.
"Only when you try to stand alone," He-Man offered, "That's why Huntsmen and Huntresses always work best in teams. So that they don't have to carry the battle alone. One string is easily broken, but put two together, three, and four? Then you have strength."
He-Man took a fighting stance that was familiar to her. It was a Mistralian sword and shield fighting stance. 'Interesting' Pyrrha thought as she took a stance herself, 'Is he from Mistral, too? At the least been trained by someone from my homeland.'
"Ready, Pyrrha?" He-Man asked, his blue eyes focusing in on her green ones, "GO!"
It was a little awkward at first, having her legs switched thus her stance shifted slightly, but after a little practice and some obvious patience from her new training partner, she was slowly getting the hang of it, and falling fewer and fewer times. When the thought of it reminding her of training with Jaune entered her mind a painful wave of sadness hit her heart. It caused her to pause in their training.
"Something wrong, my friend?" He-Man asked.
She started to say she missed her partner, but instead settled on something else she was curious about. "I don't understand why you're here. Why are you helping me in the middle of the night?"
"There was a time when I couldn't stand on my own," He-Man stated, lowering his weapons to his side as he focused his gaze on Pyrrha, "I didn't believe in myself. I didn't think anyone else did either. But one person did. I am here today because she would not let me stay down. So here I am, refusing to allow you to defeat yourself after all you've already survived. I will not allow you to stay down, Pyrrha Nikos. You are more powerful than that."
"This friend, she must have been very important to you," Pyrrha said, hugging herself and glancing away.
"She was," He-Man said, following her gaze to the damaged Beacon Tower, "She is. She is why I do what I do… Every… sacrifice I've made she has been at the center of the reasons."
"I saw what you are able to do, Guardian," Pyrrha smiled at the towering hero, "I am certain your friend is proud of you."
"Maybe. I hope she will be one day," He-Man nodded, avoiding her eye.
"Class begins again tomorrow, so I better go to bed," Pyrrha turned toward the door, "Thank you for helping me train."
"It is no problem, Ms. Nikos, we must do it again sometime," He-Man smiled as she left. As the door closed his shoulders slumped and he lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Pyrrha… but… I… I'll always be here for you."
(-H-)
A few days pass uneventfully at the Academy. Classes begin again, and many of the teams either gain new members or combine after the loss of teammates. But still several remain with open vacancies. Among the open teams was the former JNPR.
"Any word yet on who your new teammate is gonna be?" Ruby asked as Team RWBY walked with Nora, Ren and Pyrrha through the hallway toward their next class.
"No, but according to Headmaster Branwen our new member will be on the airship arriving today," Ren stated, and Pyrrha frowned and glanced away.
Ruby gave them a wicked grin.
"Ruby Rose, what are you thinking?" Weiss rolled her eyes, "I'm already regretting asking that question…"
"I've seen that smile many times," Yang said, placing an arm on Blake's shoulder, "Oh, did Dad get mad after what came from that."
"Only when we got caught!" Ruby held up a finger, "Or… when you broke and squealed!"
"He threatened to cut my hair, Ruby," Yang frowned. "CUT… MY… HAIR."
"This sounds fun!" Nora piped in, earning eye rolls from her teammates, "What are you thinking, Rubs?!"
"Let's skip class and watch the ship land!" Ruby exclaimed, and the group stared.
"That's it?" Blake blinked.
"Not everyone can be a rebel with a cause, Blake…" Ruby pouted.
"Let's do it," Ren spoke up surprising the group. Seeing the surprised looks, he gave a nod, "Our new teammate will be on this ship, while we do not know whom it maybe it would be good to give him or her a warm welcome to Beacon."
"Good point, Let's go see our new teammate!" Nora exclaimed.
"It's probably going to get us in trouble…" Weiss spoke up, "But wouldn't be the first or last time… let's go." She said and all but Pyrrha quickly made their way toward the airship port.
"But, I don't want a new teammate…" Pyrrha whispered, before much more slowly following behind them.
(-H-)
"Look! Here it comes!" Ruby called, hanging over the railing of one of the balconies of Beacon Tower, pointing to the airship rapidly moving toward the Academy. "SO COOL!"
"This is … so exciting…" Weiss rolled her eyes as they watched the ship's approach.
"Wait, guys, something's wrong…" Yang narrowed her eyes. "It just passed the air-dock…" The group gasped as the engines fired and it began to fly rapidly toward the tower, and a moment later the engines themselves exploded.
People began to scream and run as it rocketed toward the side of the tower. "GET OUT OF HERE!" Pyrrha called, holding out her arms and tried to catch the airship, but even with her powerful semblance, she could only slow it's approach.
Meanwhile above them in the headmaster's office Qrow and Jaune were also watching the disaster. "Damnit, I told her and Oz both me being here was a bad idea…" Qrow said in horror.
Jaune looked at the damaged smoking airship and noticed the dark aura around it. He then threw open the window and glanced down at a lower balcony and saw Pyrrha and his friends standing there with her arms outstretched. "It's too big, there's no way she can do anything…" Jaune said, glancing up at the ship.
"I know someone who can, Kid," Qrow said, nodding toward Jaune, "Go to work."
"Alright, Zwei?" Jaune turned to see the corgi wagging his tail in anticipation. "We're up…" He said, reaching behind his back to draw the Sword of Power.
He lifted the sword above his head and Qrow turned away shielding his eyes. "By the Power of Grayskull!" He proclaimed and the Sword of Power exploded in energy, raining down on Jaune in torrents. A blinding flash later Jaune Arc was replaced by He-Man, still glowing with energy, the might Guardian lowered the sword, gripped the tip of his blade with his free hand and pulled it toward his chest flexing his powerful muscles. "I HAVE THE POWER!"
The Guardian glanced to Zwei who was barking excitedly. In one smooth motion he turned and pointed the Sword toward the corgi, which sent a rush of raw power to wash over the dog. Zwei sat down and bowed his head as his body began to grow rapidly as the energy washed through him. His body shifted to that of a massive wolf. In a flash of light War Hound's armor formed, and the beast growled a moment before throwing his head up to howl.
He-Man reached on Qrow's desk and grabbed an earpiece. "Qrow, put it on Team JNPR's channel," He said as he jumped in War Hound's saddle. "Let's go, big guy."
The great beast dashed toward the open balcony and jumped out, landing with a mighty roar, cracking the pavement where its massive paws struck. "Let's see how fast you can go," He-Man said, turning the massive wolf toward the crashing airship, and broke into a full dash.
"Guys look, it's He-Man!" Weiss cried, pointing toward the rushing Guardians.
"DIBS!" Yang said, hanging over the railing to look.
He-Man glanced over his shoulder, to see the girls watching while Pyrrha struggled to fight with the airship. "Get me up there, buddy," he said, and the wolf pushed a little harder as He-Man climbed up into the saddle, stabilizing himself with one hand. War Hound crouched for a split second before jumping up into the air, allowing He-Man to jump up into the air toward the airship's nose. He collided and gripped the metal so hard his fingers pushed into the framework. "Call Nora." He said toward the ear piece.
"Hello?" Nora turned her back to the group as she answered her scroll.
"Nora, Pyrrha can't pull the whole thing down," He-Man said through clinched teeth, "But she can pull me. Tell her to grab my armor and pull me down, I'll handle the airship."
"But…" Nora started to argue.
"Nora, there isn't time, DO IT NOW!" He-Man cried, and Nora turned quickly toward her friends.
"Pyrrha, grab He-Man, let him pull the ship down, you pull him!" Nora yelled.
"What… that might work… ok!" Pyrrha said, turning her eyes on the hero hanging on to the front of the ship, and reached out toward the armored chest piece, and began pulling him toward the ground. And instead of spreading out her powers and struggling with the overall airship, she used her powers more like an anchor chain, with He-Man as the anchor.
With He-Man and Pyrrha working together the ship quickly plunged toward the ground below, and He-Man feet touched first, pushing against it as the ship's frame screamed from the force of the impact. The hull crumpled and gave and pushed around and over He-Man as he struggled to stop it. It finally came to a halt just a few yards from Beacon Tower.
"He-Man!" Yang yelled as the two teams ran toward the crashed ship which was lowering inflatable evacuation ramps.
"He-Man! He-Man? where are you?" Pyrrha called as the students looked around the front of the crashed airship, as the passengers began to disembark.
Among the crowd a redheaded faunus in pigtails I multi-colored attire jumped up excitedly. "WEMADEIT! WHOO! NEVERMISSABEAT!" She exclaimed before losing balance and tumbling down the inflated ramp face first.
Everyone jumped back as He-Man lifted the crashed ship off him and stepped out before gently sitting it back down. "Well, I have to say that was a smashing good time," He-Man said, earning a snort from Yang.
"See? He uses puns!" Yang said, pointing to the muscular giant, "We are meant to be!" she exclaimed earning an eye roll from Blake.
"Are you ok?" Pyrrha asked in concern as he dusted the dust from his chest and arms.
"Not my cleanest landing, but it'll take more than that to stop me," He-Man said, whistling out loud, and a moment War-Hound bounded to his side, causing Blake to hide behind Yang.
"I think the situation is under control for now," He-Man said, as he jumped into War-Hound's saddle, and with a nudge of his heels sent the wolf running away from the group.
"Well, he likes his epic entrances and exits, I'll give the Guardian that," Weiss said offhandedly.
"Excellent, I've found you first, it will save the trouble of waiting for your arrival when I meet with the Headmaster," a familiar voice to Weiss spoke behind her causing her to stiffen.
"Uh, Hello?" Ruby greeted the grey haired, mustachioed man dressed in silver and white, with a young man beside him dressed similarly.
"Hello, Father, Whitley… What can we do for you?" Weiss said, slowly turning toward her father and younger brother.
"You will accompany me to the headmaster's office, and there I will be removing you from Beacon Academy. Between the battle that happened here recently, and this very event, it is evident that this is not a safe learning environment for my daughter," Mr. Schnee stated.
"You're pulling me from school?" Weiss asked in shock.
"Uh, excuse me? Sir? Uh, we're learning to be Huntresses," Ruby spoke up in defense of her partner, "We are expected to face danger every day once we graduate… if anything both of these things happening has taught us to take our classes seriously…"
"I'm sorry, young lady," Mr. Schnee's cold eyes turned toward the hooded huntress. "If I wished for your opinion on the matter, I would certainly ask for it."
"You can't make me do this…" Weiss stated.
"Of course I can't MAKE you do it," Schnee agreed, "But I'm certain you know what's best for you."
Weiss stared at him for a moment before glancing at her friends and teammates, settling on the concerned face of Ruby for a moment, blue and silver locked for a moment before she turned back to her father, "I am certain on what is best for me, Father." She stated, holding her chin high, "I am a huntress, as my mother before me."
"Why you insolent…" Schnee lifted his hand up as if to slap her, but never got a chance as a hand grabbed his wrist and held it tightly.
"Excuse me, Sir," Jaune stated, "Jaune Arc, Assistant to the Headmaster, and I'm hoping you were just going to wave at someone, because if you were going to strike a student here… there's gonna be issues."
"I…" Schnee started to counter but Jaune beat him to it.
"Also, you might recall, you signed a waver when she enrolled in Beacon. Once she begins huntress training, only she and or the staff can decide when that training will end. Do you remember this, Sir?" Jaune asked.
"I… of course … but…" Schnee stammered.
"Then, have a good day, Sir," Jaune let him go.
"I never…"
"I SAID GOOD DAY!" He replied heatedly, and Schnee looked like he had been slapped.
"Come along, Whitley, this is far from over…" He said, turning and storming off, shoving Jaune out of the way as he went.
Nora helped Jaune back up, and Weiss noticed a cut on his cheek from where he hit the ground, her eyebrows went up momentarily when the wound glowed white a moment before healing. She narrowed her eyes and stared at him.
"Aren't you going to thank him?" Ruby asked, as they all watched the two, except Pyrrha who was glancing away, "He did stick his neck out for you…"
"Yes, thank you, Jaune, I really appreciate your assistance," Weiss said, taking his hand, "There is… more to you thank meets the eye, isn't there?"
"No one picks on my friends around here," Jaune replied with a smile.
"Friends?" Pyrrha asked, still not looking his way.
"Pyrrha… I …" Jaune said.
"May I have your attention please," a voice came over the intercom. "Assistant Arc, Team RWBY and remainder of Team JNPR please report to the Headmaster's office immediately, repeat…"
"Duty calls," Ruby said, and with a sigh, Jaune followed behind the teams.
(-H-)
"Hi Uncle Qrow, you called," Ruby said as they entered in.
"Yes," Qrow taking a swig from his drink, "First order of business, take this flea bag and give him a bath, Arc, just like we talked about." He said, handing over Zwei to the teen.
"Yes, sir…" Jaune rolled his eyes as he took Zwei out of the office.
"Secondly, Pyrrha, Nora, Ren, It's time you met your new teammate." Qrow said, "Pyrrha you're new team lead, and the new member… I'm certain at least Yang remembers Ms. Neon Katt."
"What up, everybody!" Neon said, roller blading into the room, "I'm bummed your team wasn't the one with the opening!" she said, flashing a smile to the blond hot head, "We would have had so much fun!"
"Whatever," Yang rolled her eyes.
"So, now you're Team PRNN," Qrow said, "I guess, we'll call you Team Prince for now, whatever, that was Oz's shit. I suck at it." Waving his hand.
"And finally, thirdly, I have a very important mission for you two, Team PRNN is support for Team RWBY on this one."
"Giving the nieces the good stuff," Neon stated, "Sweet!"
"Actually, Blake is the most important member on this assignment," Qrow stated with a smirk.
"Pardon?" Blake blinked.
"That near disaster today, before they found out it was stopped, that ex-boyfriend of yours, Taurus, he already claimed responsibility and wanted to use it as an example of our weakness. Think we showed him a thing or two…"
"Blake had a boyfriend, who was a White Fang Terrorist, WHO KNEW?" Ruby chuckled nervously.
"Love you, Ruby, but we adults aren't as dumb as you think we are… except maybe Ironwood." He said, then glanced toward Blake, "Oz and I and the heads of the school all knew everything about each of you, who you were, who you are, and who all your family are. And that's the nature of this." Blake swallowed hard, "So, we need to put the White Fang out of the way. It's a wild card in all this and I don't deal with that kind of risk. So we need to make a full fledge alliance with the Faunus. That's why you all are catching the next boat to Menagerie."
"I don't understand…" Ruby asked, glancing to Blake, "What's he talking about… I know you used to be in the White Fang but… you left, right?"
"Blake can't really do jack, considering her current position, but…" Qrow took another swig, "Her Daddy, that's another story. He started the whole thing. He may not officially be in it, but I'm certain he has a lot of sway with a lot of its members. Am I right, Ms. Belladonna?"
"It's still really risky, I've not talked to my parents in years…" Blake hugged herself, "He's just as likely to slam the door in my face… than even listen to a word I have to say."
"Trust me on something, Kid," Qrow took a small glance toward Ruby, "A Daddy's always gonna love his daughter. At least the ones that are worth a damn. And if he ain't worth a damn, that's where plan B comes in."
"Plan B?" Pyrrha asked.
"Me," He-Man said walking in with War-Hound beside him.
"He-Man and War-Hound will be coming too," Qrow stated, "The previous Guardians have all held a lot of respect in Faunus circles, defending them as fiercely as anything else in Remnant. That will have a factor as well, maybe not as much as your dad, Kid, but it's something."
"Any more questions or comments," Qrow asked.
"Just a comment!" Neon waved her hand, "If something happens to the boat on the way, we'll be just fine!" she said, pointing to Yang, "Her chest can easily double for a life preserver!"
"WHY YOU LITTLE!" Yang's hair exploded in flame and her eyes turned crimson, as her teammates struggled to hold her back.
"Haha! Good one, Kid," Qrow laughed in spite of his niece. "Get to the boat, you all have a long trip ahead. And I'll be expecting your homework to be done by the time you get back too!"
"I'LL TEAR YOUR HEAD OFF AND SHOVE IT UP!"
"YANG, STOP IT!"
"NOTHING IS GOING TO PRESERVE YOUR LIFE WHEN I GET MY HANDS
"Can we get some help over here!"
"Haha! Never miss a beat!"
*To Be Continued …*