Hello again! No excuse, just wanted to focus on actually writing the current chapter and didn't spend the few minutes it takes to upload the finished ones. Best part, I have a pseudo writers block going on and I am stuck! Decided I might as well as upload the next chapter seeing how it isn't fair my incompetude(is this a word?) cheats ya out of a quick read. Be warned, the later segment might make or break for future readers, please just give it a chance. For now, watch as I butcher a noodle, create crimes against humanity, and showcase more OCs, like I said, there is a lot of characters added. (Warn be warned,) Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 3: A Hunter's Message (Jaune Arc)

Everyday Life for Jaune started with waking up first thing at dawn, putting Nora back on her bed after almost falling off it(again), brushing his teeth, a quick shower, getting dressed, waking up his partner so she could use the bathroom, rushing with Ren to get Nora's morning pancake fix before she gets cranky and kills them all in a pancake withdraw rage, and moving along with daily classes. You know, normal teenager stuff. What it didn't include was helping a midnight blue haired student out of a trash can that was thrown into a bush, but life likes to throw a curveball sometimes. Hope it wasn't a product of bullying or something. I can ask after I get him out. Pulling the Blue hair out was a task much easier said than done, as if someone threw with enough force to mold with the earth itself, but if anything, Jaune Arc had determination. Lied and cheated to get in Beacon, yup determined all right …. Sighing at himself, he managed to pull the teen out of his predicament, coughing a bit of shrubbery for his efforts.

The person in question, a male of moderately built structure, fit enough for a huntsman in Jaune's eyes, wearing a violet trench coat with several pockets, along with a sword strapped to his side. The detail, similar to Crocea Mors, yet a bit slimmer and darker, like a pure black sword. Normally something Ruby would be interested in but… something feels off… As Jaune looked up from his gaze, he saw the wielder giving him an amused look as he realized he was staring. "Ah... Sorry" Scratching the back of his hair, Jaune gave the still grounded teen a hand.

"Haha don't worry about it. Thanks for the help, when she's mad she's mad... "The teen gave him a nervous chuckle, seemingly due to what got him into that mess in the first place. Ahh… Partner troubles…

"Aha yeah I get you… When I do something stupid with mine then things get awful. She once increased in intensity when we were sparring together. Says it was an accident but…" The teen before him gave a curt laugh, which Jaune followed up. "Yeah...but it's good, I think it shows how close we are, you know?"

The teen in violet gave him a somber look, making Jaune feel like he stepped on a landmine, till it suddenly disappeared by a happier one. "Yup, that's what friends are for. Thanks again er…"

"Oh yeah, Jaune Arc. Short, Sweet, Rolls off the tongue, the ladies love it!"

….

….

Why the hell did I say that! Groaning at his own stupidity, he wasn't surprised to hear the teen laugh, but was when he spoke next. "Haha… Oh man… I'm sure they do Arc…I gotta go, thanks again."

Still surprised, Jaune barely got to ask another question before the violet teen left his sight. "Um, what's your name!?"

Stopping in his tracks, the teen turned around and gave a small simple smile that didn't reach his sides this time. "Steel…" Then he continued out of sight.

I hope he's alright… Sighing at his lack of "truly" helping, Jaune continued with his day, only thinking about the person he met. "Steel huh…"


Eating a light meal, a simple mac and cheese dish, Jaune only paid half attention towards the normal table antics, something that his partner picked up.

"Hey are you alright Jaune?"

"Eh?" Unprepared to be brought in, he looked startled at the girl next to him. Another fact that made Pyrrha worried.

"You seemed off. Is something the matter?" she asked silently, trying to keep the problem between the two out of respect to her leader/friend/crush as to not cause a big distress in case it was a small affair.

Glancing at his other friends, making sure they couldn't overhear, missing a certain Faunus's ear twitch, Jaune whispered his response. "Nothing with me. I just… think I said something wrong."

"Well, what happened?"

Taking a breath, he informed Pyrrha of the events that transpired during their morning free period, while she patiently waited for him to finish.

"It sounds like something that you couldn't have known." Pyrrha stated, knowing how her partner is about leaving others to deal with their problems alone.

"I know… it's just… hard. Makes me wish that I could do something you know?" He waited till his redheaded partner gave a nod of confirmation to continue. "Guess it just doesn't sit well with me."

Giving a small smile, Pyrrha patted her sympathetic partner reassuringly. "Well why don't we try and help him? Did you find his name?"

Jaune looked at his partner brightly. You really are the best Pyrrha… "Yeah. It was Ste-"

~All first and second year Students Report to the Auditorium for an Emergency Assembly~

All first and second year Students Report to the Auditorium for an Emergency Assembly~

The group of eight turned to each other before Pyrrha gave Jaune a questionable look. Jaune only shrugged as they packed their stuff and headed towards the Auditorium. I can find him later… I hope nothing bad happened…


Among the mass of the populace. The Auditorium felt much tighter due to the entirety of two years' worth of students. Teams RWBY and JNPR managed to get a spot where they were decently close to each other. The two leaders silently wondered what was going on. One more in the know then the other. "He said this might happen…" Ruby said in a hushed voice.

Jaune barely caught that as the students' chatter grew louder. But before he could question the young huntress, Ozpin took the stage.

Clearing his throat, he gave the mic a test or two, in both, to quiet the mass of students before him, but to also test the mic. After being satisfied with both the quality, and state of the room, he started speaking. "I am sure you all have quite a number of questions as to why you were gathered here." pausing for effect he continued, "I am also sure you all heard that a week or two ago, there was an incident at the docks in Vale that a group of students were involved in." Giving a small glance towards the group in question, it seemed to bring him a small amount of amusement in the different reactions held. "I will state that this is no rumor, that indeed a small group of your peers were involved" pausing again to let the mass reactions filter, "I will not give names or year, just that it seemed the situation grew past our previous understanding, and it has grown into a more pressing concern."

While the students took that fact in, Jaune noticed his fellow partner team, RWBY, had a more personal reaction. The strongest being Blake, who seemed to have been told that her entire world has been thrown upside down, and the second being Ruby herself who looked a bit shell shocked. Giving a silent vow to help out more in their White Fang investigation efforts, which were pretty obvious due to Blake shouting through their thin shared walls.

Remembering what is in front of him, Jaune turned his focus back onto headmaster Ozpin who had continued. "Now, while a pressing concern in its own right, I have heard many suggestions from close friends and staff." he gestured to his right as four people stepped out of the shadows. "And I, along with the vale council, have decided to hire a team of professional huntsmen to deal with the matter. Please welcome with open arms, team ZERO"

The name alone got a strong reaction out of the student body present. With people looking as if they were told a scroll-net celebrity was coming to visit. Confused at the way his fellow students acted, Jaune turned his attention towards his partner who gave a short shrug herself. It was Ren who informed him of the upcoming team. "They're a S rank squad from mainly vale, though they also operate all over Remnant. One of the best hunter and huntress was said to be a part of it. More mercenary than other teams however..." Ren explained with a bit of distaste towards the end. Confused at his friend's tone, Jaune made to question his silent companion, but was stopped when the sound of footsteps appeared. He gave his teammate a "talk later look" as he refocused his gaze towards the group of people walking up stage.

From Jaune's point of view, four members stepped up in a line. From left to right, it started with a girl with rosey pink hair, styled in a side pony twirl. Her outfit being a cross between a normal school uniform and a battle dress, the skirt being encased in steel and a pair of normal orange sneakers. The guy next to her had smoothed jet black hair and was significantly taller. He wore a butler entire, that seemed similar to atlas professional wear but in inverse colors, crossing between brown and black, along with fingerless gloves with inbuilt knuckle guards and a pair of stylish business shoes. The second girl had long straight black hair with brown highlights. She wore a more conserved set of clothes that being a simple military vest with sleek combat jeans to match. In contrast, she wore a pair of combat boots that were modified with heels looking like a mix between noble and soldier. The final member was a decently bulky man who had short wild blond hair that seemed electrified. An open vest and simple white tee shirt combo seemed unimportant, but Jaune saw a pair of hidden pockets that looked full. He too wore combat boots, yet his were steeled toe and bulkier compared to its ally.

Looking over the colorful group, Ozpin frowned as he gave another check. "I believe that I requested everyone available…" The students gave each other questioned looks as the wild blond gave a sharp laugh while the brunette sighed into her hand.

"Sorry! You got a big place here Ozpin, I guess if you're a student you'll have time to learn where to go. Hope you can forgive me for being tardy sir."

A gunshot ran throughout the entire room as the students looked back and forth to identify the threat, as a body seemed to fly through the crowd at high speeds landing on the stage with a spin. For everyone it was a stunning display to see a person shoot themselves up front, but for Jaune and Ruby, it was more stunning to see who that person was.

Steel!?

"I believe that the full name is XREOS (Ze Ro S) headmaster, we had a new member pop in after all." The pink haired girl gave a friendly wave, as the violet huntsman took center, next to Ozpin.

"Ahh yes… team XREOS led by Xeros Vi-"

"Xreos."

"Excuse me?"

"Xreos (cray-ee-os). proper introductions seem right to not confuse the team's name and me sir."

"I see, that is a good point. As I was saying, led by Xreos Violet."

Xreos, took a small bow as he wore his combat clothes, a slim black combat vest that seemed padded, along with similar dark violet combat pants that too seemed padded. His combat boots were much shorter than the two before it, but they seemed to be entirely made from carbon steel in certain angles as they held a sharp glare in the light. He also wore full gloves that completely covered his wrists and a violet armored jacket to cover the rest. What made him so distinct compared to the others, was that he held a visible gun holster on his right side.

"While they deal with the threat at large, Mr. Violet here will run an extracurricular course in training." A majority of the students present listen in closely for more information, including Jaune and Ruby. "I will hand over the mic to Mr. Violet for more information."

Taking the mic, Xreos took a small breath before he gazed over the mass of students. Seeing his eyes meet, Jaune couldn't help but feel shiver at the person who he helped earlier turn out to be a professional Huntsman. He turned to his fellow leader who seemed frozen in shock. I wonder how Ruby knew him…

"Ahem… Testing, testing, one, two, three… Argh!?" A few chuckles came from the crowd as the supposed leader accidentally hit feedback causing a sharp noise.

"Funny… once again my name is Xreos… Do not take my course as none of you can handle it."

Ehh!? The group of first and second years stared dumbly as Xreos coughed into the mic. "You heard me. I do not believe that a single one of you can handle it. So, with that in mind." He stared coldly and seemed to grow taller, "Do. Not. Take. It." Several students almost spoke in defense before he continued.

"I do not care if you are older, I do not care if you have millions upon millions of combat experience or you have the strongest gear. I am certain none of you have the resolve to improve." He walked back and forth the stage, taking the mic in his right hand.

"I say stick with the curriculum given, you have four-three years, take it easy." He flipped the mic onto his left. "There should be no need to waste your time when you have appropriate teachers here at hand. I implore you to live a normal life then take this opportunity." He twirled the microphone, landing it back to his right. "And I do mean opportunity…" He pointed towards his team. "Taking this course will make you a hunter regardless of year, regardless of skill!"

That got the group's attention as he looked back at the crowd. "Four years' worth of training and work cramped into a semester with me and a final test that will give you your license… That is your opportunity. That is what is being handed to you all." He paused as the crowd took his word in full. Four years' worth of training… Someone like me could keep up with Pyrrha or Yang… Jaune broke from his fantasy as Xreos continued.

"And not a single one of you can handle it." The gasps returned to anger as voices started piling up. "Take a look around you! Do you see Huntsmen? Huntresses? I'll tell you what I see… I see students." He put the mic down as he continued. "Kids, trainees who haven't seen the full force of what Grimm can do. What people can do…" Jaune noticed his gaze was to Ruby, who looked glum at his words. Now I really gotta know what happened...

"Yet if you dare, and I mean dare a chance at this then let me tell you something." He paused as he took a breath of air. "Then you must be unanimous." Noticing their confusion, Xreos explained. "Each member must be in complete agreement in this course… The moment of battle might have those higher in charge, but anyone can demand or throw orders. You are all equal in this fight! Each and every one of you are together, you don't put your faith in one person, you put your faith in the team." He glared dead straight at Ruby, giving Jaune shivers as he noticed Xreos twitching. "And you will have to put your foolish ideals away and trust them to have your back no matter the place… or time." As he finished, he pulled his gun out faster than anyone could react as he fired. The bullet curving through each student aimed straight at one Ruby Rose. With a shriek she could only stare like a deer at headlights, as the bullet grew closer. Yang could only watch as she knew she wouldn't make it in time, yet she tried anyway. Only for one Jaune Arc to tackle the little reaper down, the bullet hitting the floor next to them. A boom resonated across the room, as a crater formed a meter or two away from the small reapers spot.

The Auditorium silent, the entire first and second year body could only stare frozen as Xreos holstered his gun. Picking up the mic he dropped, he gave one closing message to those in attendance. "If you still wish to learn, to grow. My team and I will be by the water fountains in the front of the school. Remember… unanimously…" He dropped the mic once more, as he left a stunned student body and headmaster behind, followed by his team.

Like I said, the ending is a complete one eighty and that is the point. "why did he shoot at ruby?" "Why did his name change?" "and how the hell did no one see him drawing his gun despite the fact the room was filled with students along with Ozpin!?" These question and more will be answer in the future so I hope you give this a chance and stick around, next time on Cross Fates!"