Chapter Six: The Kingdom of Mistral, Part Two
Mistral, Mistral Kingdom, Anima
Jaune, Weiss, and Neo stood on the streets of the village of Mistral with their new companions Blake and Ilia. The two faunus decided to join them on their travels to tell the council of Mistral what happened in Menagerie. But they stopped when they saw the ruins of Haven Academy. They had come too late.
Jaune rushed ahead and entered the ruined Academy. Signs of a battle appeared across the main hall. But what caught his attention was the dried blood in the center. He heard the others join him and felt Weiss and Neo's hands on his shoulders.
"We were too late… I failed again…" Jaune said quietly. Neo quickly turned him with anger in his eyes.
Don't say that!
"I did! My dad… Atlas… I failed… And Ruby… Yang…"
We don't know what happened. They could still be here. They could still be okay.
Jaune said nothing but took another step forward to the dried blood.
"My dad… He never wanted me to become a huntsman… He decided to train me, hoping that I would change my mind… But I wanted to be like him… Like my grandfather… Everyone always talks about the things they did… During the Great War and after… And I wanted to be like them both… I wanted to be a hero…"
Jaune said nothing more but he heard the sound of soft footsteps behind him then felt arms wrapping around him from behind. And another. He thought it was Neo and maybe Weiss but then soft familiar voices spoke that nearly made him cry from happiness.
"You are a hero, Jaune." Ruby.
"And we're going to stop Salem. Together." Yang.
…
"What happened?" Jaune asked quietly.
Jaune, Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Neo, Blake, and Ilia sat together in the living room of an old house. With them was Ruby's father and Yang's uncle, Crow Branwen. And others.
The first was Crow's twin sister Raven Branwen, Ruby's aunt and Yang's mother, who was also the leader of the Branwen Tribe. She had long black messy hair and red eyes and wore a long-sleeved dark red shirt, a black skirt, and black thigh-high boots. She also carried her weapon, Omen, a nodachi sword compared to her twin brother's sword Harbinger.
And for some strange reason he couldn't figure out, her red eyes were narrowed, glancing between him and Yang…
The next was a member of the Branwen Tribe, Vernal Spring. She had tan skin, short dark brown hair, and light blue eyes and wore a light brown vest that revealed a black bra, maroon pants, and black boots. She carried a pair of blades called Razor Rain.
But it was Ruby who answered his question.
"When you didn't wake up… We left to come here. But Crow…" Jaune noted the hint of anger when she said her father's name but Ruby continued. "Said we should find Yang's… Raven for help."
"But they weren't doing any better. Grimm attack. All of them were dead. Except… Raven and Vernal." Yang took over while glaring at her mom.
"How?" Jaune asked. Raven responded with a cold tone.
"How else? Salem. One of hers, Hazel Rainart, came to us. Told us we should help him and his Queen and we'd be rewarded 'greatly'. I refused and before we could even pack up and leave, the Grimm came for us…"
"You knew about Salem already." Weiss didn't ask and Raven didn't correct her.
"Of course, I did. My brother too. Ozpin told us about her years ago. Us. Taiyang. And Summer. I didn't want anything to do with his war. But she found us…" Raven bit out.
"His war?" Blake asked, even more confused. Crow answered.
"Ozpin and Salem have been fighting a secret war for the past few decades. All the headmasters knew about her. Ironwood. Lionheart. And Headmistress Dorothy Summer from Shade Academy. His assistant Glynda Goodwitch and our old team, STRC, also knew. Your grandfather also knew, snow princess. And your grandfather and your father knew too, Arc."
Jaune and Weiss were both shocked. His grandfather and father knew the entire time about Salem. He felt Weiss place a hand on his shoulder which Ruby and Yang noticed but said nothing.
"What happened when you came here?" Weiss asked. And Crow once again answered.
"The Headmaster betrayed Ozpin. Salem knew we were coming. He had Hazel and those same kids from Atlas with him. Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury. And some White Fang too. We fought and won. Raven and I killed Hazel and the kids escaped again. We stopped them from burning the Academy down but Lionheart was killed by a small Grimm… That was three nights ago during that storm you mentioned."
Crow finished their explanation and silence followed. Jaune didn't know what to say and it seemed neither did anyone else. Vale was in ruins. Atlas was in ruins. And now Mistral too. Vacuo was mostly a wasteland so even if they went there, what could they really do? He then thought about his family back home. His mother and sisters. All waiting for him to come home. But he couldn't. When or if Shade Academy falls, Vale would be invaded and no one would be able to stop Salem. He made a decision and stood, getting the attention of the others.
"We're going to Vacuo. We have to. We warn the Headmistress and try to get her to send the Huntsman, students, knights, and citizens to Vale. We do the same with Mantle, Mistral, and Menagerie. We fight Salem there. We will fight her at Beacon."
…
Later at night, Jaune sat on the guest bed beside Weiss and Blake while Ruby and Yang sat on the floor. After agreeing to the plan of traveling to Vacuo, Crow, Raven, Vernal, and Ilia had gone to bed in their own rooms while they stayed up and talked about what happened. After a moment of silence, Yang spoke.
"So… Neo was a pirate?" Yang said quietly.
This caused Weiss to nod her head and giggle. Ruby did the same and even Blake smiled a bit while Jaune laughed. After, they were quiet again and he noticed Yang looking between him, Weiss, and Blake… But surprisingly, it was Ruby who spoke next.
"Jaune, we should talk. About what happened… And us… First, we're sorry that we left… You hadn't woken up and we argued with my… Crow about staying but we knew he was right. Weiss, Neo, Willow, and the others promised to look after you… We wanted to stay…" Ruby said quietly.
"I know… And I'm not mad… Well, I am… But more at myself. I know I would have done the same." Jaune said. Ruby smiled and continued, although spoke more shyly.
"Yang and I… We talked about you… We missed you on our way here… And we… we…"
"We realized we both liked you, Jaune." Yang began. "But we're not stupid. It's obvious snow princess and kitty cat like you too. Neo said the same to us before she went to bed too. Told us to talk about it before we left for Vacuo. What we're trying to say is… We like you and want to try… dating?"
"Courting."Weiss coughed. Her face was slightly red. As was Ruby and Blake while Yang held her smirk. And Jaune was shocked, his face slightly red too.
"And you feel the same, Weiss? Blake?" Jaune asked weakly.
"I think you'll be a suitable partner." Weiss said, avoiding eye contact.
"Yes," Blake said quietly.
Jaune smiled and took both Weiss and Blake's hands. He looked at Ruby and Yang. They both stood from the floor and sat with them on the bed. None of them spoke for a while but they were all smiling, listening to the sound of light rain from outside.
…
Jaune opened his eyes and looked out the window. It was the middle of the night and light rain continued to fall from the dark sky. After sitting and talking with Ruby, Yang, Weiss, and Blake about their new relationship, they had gone to bed. He tried to do the same but couldn't sleep. He thought back to the past few months.
His injury on Patch. Meeting Ruby, Yang, and Summer. Arriving at Vale. Seeing his family. Learning his dad died… Their talk with Ozpin… Atlas. The Schnees. Meeting Weiss. Neo. Blake. And killing someone…
He had no issue killing Grimm. Most Huntsmen didn't think of it as 'killing' but destroying the unnatural dark creatures. But he hadn't done that. He killed someone. He killed Tock. Her name was Tock… But he knew he had to. He had to get to Mistral. But he couldn't help but wonder if there could have been another way.
He put his thoughts aside and decided to go downstairs and get something to drink. He got out of his bed and left the bedroom with a white shirt and blue shorts. He quietly walked downstairs to find light in the kitchen and two voices. He decided against eavesdropping and walked inside the kitchen. Inside, he found Crow and Raven at the table with what was obviously alcohol, both still dressed and with their weapons. Unfortunately for him, Raven had been the one to acknowledge him first.
"What do you want, Grimm-bait?"
"U-uh… just some water… And thank you… For helping us…Jaune said awkwardly. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I didn't do it for any of you." Raven scoffed.
"What about Ruby and-" Jaune began.
"Don't finish that sentence." Raven's glare quickly shut him up.
She stood up,taking her drink, and began to walk away until she stopped beside him. She studied him for a few seconds.
"Yang wouldn't stop talking about you… I don't know what she sees in you. You're nothing like your grandfather. Or your father."
"What do you know about them?" Jaune asked coldly. Raven simply smirked.
"I bet I know more about them than you. Did you know-"
"Raven." Finally, Crow spoke and glared at his twin sister but her smirk grew and she continued anyway.
"What's wrong brother? Don't think he should know how much of a hero his grandfather and father were? After all, your naive daughter and Yang said it themselves. He is a hero. He should know what being a hero means." Raven said mockingly.
"W-what are you talking about?" Jaune asked worriedly.
"Your grandfather, the great Jonathan Arc, Hero of the Great War, knew about us. The Branwen Tribe. And our father. Corvus Branwen. He came to us and told us where we could raid and how we could raid. And if we didn't agree to his terms, he would kill our people. Our father. Our mother… And us. And your father? He was no different. He came to us too. And this time, he gave me the same terms. Step out of line and he would kill my people. Vernal. And me. That's your family of heroes. And who do you think told them to do that both times? Ozpin."
Jaune couldn't move. He was shocked. Stunned. Confused. And lost. His grandfather had been called a hero by everyone. And his father. He couldn't believe they would allow the Branwen Tribe to exist. They were the most violent group of bandits in Mistral. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't. But Raven didn't care. She walked past him with one last biting remark.
"That's what being a hero is. Remember that."
Jaune stood in silence before he felt a hand on his shoulder. Crow stood beside him and he didn't notice. He had a mix of a grimace and a look of sympathy on his face. He sat Jaune down and joined him at the table. Jaune spoke immediately but didn't look up at Crow.
"Is it true?" Jaune asked quietly. He heard Crow sigh.
"It is. But she didn't tell you everything. In a way, I think she spared you. The details are complicated…"
"Spared me?!" Jaune asked angrily. He stood and glared at Crow who remained expressionless. He nodded for Jaune to sit. And reluctantly, he did.
"Yes. Your grandfather and father did know about us. The first time he came to us, he spoke to our father. He wasn't alone. He was with Nicholas Schnee. Yes, Weiss' grandfather. Although, he didn't seem happy about what they were doing. And he was a Schnee. Then again, he was nothing like Jacques… Still, they told our father that we would stay in the wilderness outside Haven and certain settlements. If anyone settled somewhere else or passed by, we could do what we did. Raid. Steal. Kill."
"And Ozpin? My dad…" Jaune asked the unasked question. Crow took a sip of his drink before he continued.
"Yeah. Some time after that, our mother died… Corva Branwen… She was our father's cousin… Anyway, years later, our father sent us to Beacon Academy because of your grandfather and old man Schnee's visit. He wanted us to learn how to kill Huntsmen… That's when we met Summer… And Taiyang. And a lot had changed after that. Our father died while we were away at Beacon. Raven… She wanted to go back… But Yang… And me… Ruby… But Raven did go back… Without me… We crossed paths a few times. And she mentioned your father… She wanted to kill him because of it but she knew if she did, Ozpin would come for her Or he would have sent me… I stayed behind to work for him… Against Salem… Summer and Tai did the same but Summer had Ruby… And Tai had Yang…" Crow took a much longer sip.
"And you think by not telling me the details, she spared me?" Jaune asked incredulously.
"Yeah." Crow deadpanned. "She cares in a strange way… About Tai, Summer, Ruby, Yang… And me… You know, I followed you three all the way to Atlas. She was with me when you both left. She refused to talk about it after our little reunion here, but I can tell she heard about what happened in Atlas. And I could tell she was happy that Yang was okay… Did Yang ever tell you what happened when she and Ruby were younger? When they went looking for her mother?"
"Yeah… While we were traveling to Atlas… She took Ruby with her and left home. Ruby nearly-"
"Yeah." Crow cut him off. His face looked pained for a second before he took another sip once again. "I got lucky. I was there. I should have always been there… I am now… But Ruby's…"
"Happy that you are but still mad at you?" Jaune asked.
"Yeah." Crow chuckled. "You know… Raven did the same once… When our mother died… She tried to take me but we didn't get far… Our father found us… I don't think we ever saw him so angry… And when Raven told him why, I don't think we ever saw him so sad either… Our father had never been a good father… But Raven was like our mother… Her and Yang… They're alike too… Kind of like you and Ruby. She always wanted to be a hero too…"
"Yeah…" Jaune said weakly. He thought about what Raven said. He glanced up and realized Crow knew what he was thinking.
"Do you know the difference between wanting to be a hero and being one?" Crow asked.
"No…" Jaune said after a second of silence.
"Wanting to be a hero is wanting to do good things to help people. And being one means being realistic and making compromises. Ozpin made them when he ordered your grandfather and your father to do what they did. The real fight was never with our tribe. It was with the Grimm. And Salem. Your grandfather knew that. And your father knew that too."
Crow stood up and grabbed his drink, heading upstairs to bed but stopped when Jaune finally spoke.
"You're wrong… You're both wrong. Being a hero isn't making compromises. It's doing what's right because it's right. You said it yourself. My grandfather and my dad did what they thought was right. And Ozpin. Even if I disagree. And Cinder said Salem wanted me to join her. We… I could try to compromise. But I won't. Not with this. Or anything else. Because I'm going to do what I think is right."
Silence followed. Crow studied Jaune for a moment until he continued to walk away. Jaune sat at the kitchen table, thinking over everything he had been told. Finally, he signed without speaking out loud.
How much did you hear?
Neo appeared from the darkness of the living room in an oversized white shirt and pink shorts. Her usual smirk and smile were gone, replaced with sadness. Finally, she signed back.
Caught the end of what Raven said. And everything else.
Neo sat beside Jaune at the table. But he said nothing. Neo signed while Jaune watched.
What they or anyone else think of your family doesn't matter. What you think of them does… My mentor… My friend… Roman Torchwick… He wasn't a good man… Not really. We were criminals. Thieves. But he took care of me after my mom died and my father abandoned me… Does what Raven thinks bother you or what they did?
Both…
Neo took Jaune's hands and gave him a small, sad smile.
Jaune. She only knew one side to them. Just like you know one side of her. Yet the drunk crow believes she cares about him, blondie, and red. I can tell she cares about Vernal. Even if like Raven, the girl is a bitc- Anyway, my point stands. You knew them. They were your family.
Jaune smiled a bit and signed.
I hope you consider me family one day.
Neo winked and signed.
I'm already your adoptive sister. You can't take that back.
Jaune chuckled while Neo giggled silently. She continued.
Feel better?
Yeah…
Neo winked again.
So red, blondie, snow princess, and kitty cat?
Jaune blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his neck.
Yeah. We talked… We're going to try… Thanks for that by the way… Yang told me you talked to them.
I did. It was obvious. To me and everyone else. Good luck explaining that to their parents though.
Neo smiled smugly while Jaune paled. She giggled silently again before yawning. She stood and began to head back upstairs before she turned back to him. Her expression was serious which surprised him. She signed one last time.
Ruby was right, you know. You are a hero. And I think Yang, Weiss, and Blake think so too. I know I do. And Jaune?
Yeah…?
Trivia.
What…?
My name… My name is Trivia Vanille… But keep that to yourself, got it?
Neo gave him a small smile before heading back upstairs to sleep. Jaune sat alone with a small smile too before it slowly disappeared again, left to his thoughts about everything he learned that night.
A/N: So I know people will probably be disappointed that the Battle of Haven had already happened but I needed to get the harem I promised going and it felt realistic that Jaune, Weiss, and Neo would miss it. Originally when the story was closer to canon, I had planned for all the characters to meet at Haven which would have been more convoluted than what I have plan for later lol but I felt this chapter still worked. I know Jaune's family has been brought up a lot and he's been compared to them a lot, so having Crow and Raven reveal another side to them that shocked him was just more interesting to me. Because really what does being a hero even mean? Jonathan Arc may have been a hero to Vale and Vacuo, and maybe even been respected in Mantle/Atlas and Mistral but there is always more to one side of people. And Jaune's father was no different.
On Neo, I had never intended for her to join them this early or at all but I'm glad I went with this direction for her. She's basically filling the role NPR was meant to fill when I messed that up lol but her and Jaune being friends-soon-to-be-family ended up working out for the best. Their relationship was my favorite part of this story to write.
Anyway, I've already finished writing this story and started a new story (The Reluctant Hero which I plan to spend the summer writing. My goal is to reach 50 or 100 chapters.) but this story will be updated daily as before. And we're now more than halfway through the story.
Also, I know the Headmaster of Vacuo is male but I decided to have a female Headmistress to change it up. The season surname was meant to mean something and it does come up again the next chapter.
Anyway again! Up next: Vacuo! Headmistress Dorothy Summer! Grimm! And the beginning of the end!
EDIT: Also if you want an idea of what Crow and Raven's parents look like, check out tama-negis on tumblr for their art of the Branwen parents! That's where I got the inspiration and that's close to how I pictured them!