Finishing this an hour before my birthday officially starts. Hope everyone enjoys. Anyway, I've got two teams ideas in mind given feedback for the Alternate Maiden omakes.
Team Chaos - A team consisting of Cinder Fall, Neopolitan, Bleiss Schnee, and a variable fourth member. The fourth member could be either Weiss, Penny, Nora or Pyrrha depending on whether we want more chaos or a single sane member. This team just goes full black comedy with Jaune's suffering and him trying to quit literally the second day in. Except Neo and Bleiss refuse to let him go that easily.
Cinder would be trying to tempt Jaune to evil while 'subtly' trying to kill her teammates, Neo would drag Jaune to do crimes with her and treat him like a pet, and Bleiss would be trying to jump him regardless of time and place. Pity him for even death is not an escape. They won't let him escape.
Team MILF - Came from a discussion elsewhere. An older team consisting of Summer Rose, Raven Branwen, Willow Schnee, and Kali Belladonna. Yeah, this one's pure crack. I'm pretty sure people wanna see this just cause RWBY's kinda infamous for its MILFs and Jaune is the guy used for self-inserts.
Also, MILF team would probably be the closest thing to harem this story gets, if only cause of the implications of one teenage guy following around a group of powerful, well-established older women and being their support battery. You can just feel the Ara Ara energy from that description alone. Bonus points if all their husbands succumbed to backstory-itis and they're all single. Poor team RWBY, though. That's gonna give them some scars.
On a side note, White Fang and Branwen are currently tied with 23 votes while Crown and Cinder have 22 votes each. Way closer than the Lancaster barrage for the romance poll.
After everything he'd been through the past three months, Jaune thought that nothing could surprise him. He found out magic was real, that his teammates were the most powerful women on Remnant, his best friend was an assassin, and that guns were in fact better than swords at keeping your face from getting mauled by hungry Beowolves. Each lifechanging revelation bore him down till eventually nothing was left to shock him.
He was wrong.
No one on team RWBY-J said a word as General Ironwood told them everything Ozpin didn't. There was a queen of all Grimm. Salem was her name and apparently she'd existed for...Gods only knew how long. A thousand years? More? General Ironwood didn't know and the exact number didn't matter. The point of it was that she'd existed before Faunus were even a thing and she was still alive.
Still trying to kill them all.
Headmaster Ozpin watched them like an owl as they processed the information, trying to understand yet another bombshell that just dropped on their lives. He felt bad for the rest of the team. He had three months to process the insanity that Remnant really was. Even as surprised as he was now he could already feel the logical part of his mind processing everything. If magic was real why not some kind of big bad responsible for all of Remnant's problems?
Poor Ruby looked like her head was exploding while Blake was trying and failing to keep up a calm front. Weiss and Yang were uncharacteristically quiet and looking at anywhere but the Atlas General. No one said a word.
Ruby and Yang's dad, Taiyang Xiao Long, was the first to break the silence, "I didn't want you girls to find out like this." He sighed, voice heavy with regret. Ozpin's eyes flickered sideward in sympathy.
"...You knew about this?" Yang asked, eyes with with both disbelief and rising anger.
"Taiyang's old team had knowledge of this, yes," Ozpin answered for him. Yang's focus shifted from her dad to the suprisingly somber headmaster, "Back when their team was still whole they performed...tasks for me to help stop Salem's machinations. Qrow still does to this day."
"Don't even get me started on Qrow." Taiyang scowled, "He knew that both my daughters were Maidens and he didn't tell me!"
"It's my fault, Taiyang. I'd instructed him to limit the spread of that information. He had protested vehemently that you deserved to know, but I-"
"Uncle Qrow knows too?!" Yang shouted, standing up so fast that her seat crashed to the ground. Lilac eyes turned red and the yellow flames of her Maiden power flared up. General Ironwood's eyes widened by just the slightest amount, as if just now realizing that he was in the same space as someone who could destroy the entire room they were in. Winter Schnee's hands inched towards the rapier at her side while Taiyang forced himself to keep his gaze level.
"Yang-"
"Did everyone know about this Maiden shit before us?!" Yang yelled, cutting off her father, "Why are we only finding out about this now?! Why is the only guy who fucking told us anything the one person who knows the least about it?!" Jaune flinched. She probably didn't mean it as an insult, but it was a blunt reminder that he was almost as much in the dark as they were.
"Yang..." Ruby held her wrist gently, expression tight. Yang's eyes returned to ther lilac color and she reluctantly pulled her seat back up to sit down again, "Dad, when headmaster Ozpin said that your old team knew about this Salem person...does that mean mom did too?"
"...Yeah. All of us did."
Ruby didn't react to the answer, which was eerie in and of itself. The leader of their team just nodded and sat up straight in her chair, "Headmaster, was that the reason that you let me go into Beacon two years early?"
"Partially, Miss. Rose." Ozpin sighed. It was clear he didn't want to lay it all out in the open, but his hands were tied now. Any more lies and team RWBY might just decide to walk out, "Indeed, your skills as a prodigy were noted during your time in Signal. If you hadn't stopped Roman Torchwick I might have let you in for entirely different reasons." Taiyang frowned at the reply.
"Then what was the real reason?" Ruby asked.
"To do that we'd have to go farther back in time. Tell me, Miss. Rose, what's your favorite fairy-
"Alright, no, we're not doing this again." Weiss spoke up for the first time, finally taking her eyes off her elder sister, "Jaune already did that last night when he tried to explain this whole Maiden debacle to us. Except none of our favorite fairy tales involved the story of a wizard and four girls so it just became very awkward." Right. Ruby liked Little Red Riding Hood, Yang's favorite was Goldilocks, Weiss only knew about Snow White (which said a lot about her childhood), and Blake was partial to Beauty and the Beast.
It left him having to explain the Maiden fairy tale anyway and Yang complaining why he even asked their favorites in the first place.
"Quite." Ozpin laughed softly, "Well then, let's get down to brass tacks. Are any of you aware of the legend of the Silver Eyed Warriors?" All of them shook their heads or kept quiet sans Taiyang who looked away, "Legends say that Silver Eyed Warriors were blessed by the God of Light and that they were the bane of all Grimm, destined to live the life of warriors. It is said that those who possess such eyes possess unprecedented fighting prowess and could destroy even the strongest of Grimm with a mere glance."
"And...you think I'm one of those?" Ruby asked softly.
"I know you are, Miss. Rose. As was your mother." Ruby's breath hitched, "Perhaps it was fate that led you to the life of a Huntress. Silver Eyed Warriors were renowned as heroes, dedicated to the preservation of life and eradication of those who seek destuction. The Grimm."
"Okay, wait, hold up." Yang shook her head, "So you're saying that not only are the four of us these Maidens or Magical Girls or whatever, but Ruby's some kind of legendary hero because of her eye color? Are we really supposed to buy this?"
"Is it that much more unbelievable than everything else so far?" Jaune asked. Yang didn't reply, "Maybe it's just me, but everything I'm hearing sounds equally insane, but we all know that the Maiden thing is at least true. You guys wouldn't have been able to stop the Breach without it."
"Indeed."
"Pfft, don't act like you planned that." Blake scoffed, "We know you didn't want us going out there."
"Because he didn't want anyone else to know," General Ironwood murmured. Blake looked unsure that the general seemed just as unhappy as she was about about it, "Let's not even get started on your 'plan', Oz." Oz. Such a friendly nickname from someone so rigid. What was the relationship between the two, Jaune wondered. The general clearly knew a lot about what was going on.
Jaune shrunk in his seat at the older man's judgemental look. So far everyone there was content to act like he was wallpaper and now all the adults had their eyes on him, "Hey, don't act like Jaune's the problem here!" Ruby piped up, always quick to protect her friends. He threw her a grateful smile that she returned with one of her own, "He really helped us out for that first semester and he was there with us during the Breach!"
"He's a boy who faked his transcripts and failed Initiation," the general replied. Jaune sunk further into the creaky leather as the general turned back to Ozpin, "What exactly was your plan here? Because I've looked at the records of this Jaune Arc and there's nothing there that marks him as exceptional or particularly suited for the task you gave him."
"And what task do you think that is, James?" Ozpin replied coolly, "Because I believe we have different definitions on that goal."
"You had all for Maidens at your school and your plan - and I'm being very generous using that word - was to use a a teenager to...what? Keep them in the dark? Play a glorified babysitter?"
"And what would you have done in my place, James?" Ozpin replied, voice sharp, "Would you have dragged them to Atlas with nary a warning, telling them that their lives were no longer theirs and they must dedicate it to Salem's eradication?"
"You act as if I'd be wrong to do so. Oz, you know more than anyone what she's done." Ozpin's expression turned somber for just a moment, "We've been fighting this war for a long time, old friend; you more than I. And now we have the greatest advantage we've had against her in centuries. What's risking the life of four young women who've already decided to dedicate their lives to fighting the Grimm in exchange for the millions, if not billions, of innocents she's destroyed?"
"Stop talking about us like we're not here." Blake hissed, "We're not...weapons for you to point at anyone."
"I wholeheartedly agree," Weiss added, her eyes narrowed, "While none of us object to fighting this Salem if even a quarter of what you've told us is the truth, we are more than these powers and I'm not keen on being treated otherwise."
"Weiss, please, that's not what the general means," Winter Schnee said.
"Then what does he mean, Winter?" Weiss shot back, "Because it sounds as if he has plans for us and our consent isn't exactly at the top of his list."
"I'm not liking this either." Taiyang crossed his arms and looked the general in the eye, "I don't care how high your rank is, I'm not letting you drag my daughters into your war."
"It's all of our war, or do you think Salem will spare anyone in this room?" General Ironwood said. No one replied, either out of ignorance or understanding, "Oz has been too lax. He was content to leave the Maidens to their own devices. The fact that they all died within months if not weeks of each other says it all." Blake winced and her hands shook. Jaune reached out and patted her left shoulder while Yang did the same to her right, "We're lucky that the next hosts have Huntress training, but we can't rely on happenstance anymore."
"From what you've told us you weren't much better with your plan. What was the Maiden you had in that bunker? Fria?" Blake sneered. Ironwood's eyes narrowed, "She was safe and sound in that bunker but her powers still didn't go to the one you wanted." Her gaze flickered to Winter for just a second, "Besides, I knew Amber. She would've never accepted being trapped like an object."
"And look how that ended for her."
This time it was Blake's turn to stand. Jaune grabbed her shoulders and kept her from stomping towards the bearded giant, "Blake, don't!" She struggled against him for a moment before she looked away and let out a deep, frustrated breath. Jaune rubbed a hand down her back and she closed her eyes as he sat her back down. Yang glared at the general in her stead.
"If you're trying to be diplomatic, I believe you need to work on your tact," Ozpin said sarcastically.
"The truth matters more than platitudes," the general shot back, "I won't lie to them. They need to understand exactly what's at stake." He and the rest of the team almost appreciated that. They would've appreciated it a lot more if he didn't treat as an excuse to act like a bastard, "Oz, your plan has left them ill-prepared and unaware of the threats they're facing. All of Remnant knows they're Maidens now, and that means Salem does too."
"What exactly is it you're proposing, General Ironwood?" Weiss asked, somehow managing to sound calm despite the naked suspicion in her gaze.
"Training. The standard curriculum of Beacon isn't enough to prepare you against Salem and the rest of her cabal. Judging from what Miss. Belladonna has told us of Amber's attack, we can at least confirm that Tyrian Callows is one of her followers. If so then you all need to be prepared. His Semblance allows him to cut through Aura and his stinger contains a deadly poison. No amount of power will save you then."
"See, we're not actually disagreeing with that," Yang said, still glaring, "You want us to do some extra training? Fine, I don't think any of us are gonna complain, but I get the feeling that's not all you want."
"The training you need will be intensive. You four need to drop out of Beacon."
And there it was. You could hear a pin drop with how stifling the silence was. Both Yang and Ruby looked up at him in wide-eyed shock while Blake's sneer had turned into a full-on scowl, her hands balling into tight fists. The worst of all was Weiss, he looked to her sister desperately for some sort of rebuttal only for her face to fall when silence greeted her.
Ruby was the first to break the silence, "But why?! We're training to be Huntresses here, that can only help us!"
"You need more than just a school's curriculum in order to survive what's coming." General Ironwood folded his arms behind his back and adopted a more measured expression. Was it because Ruby was the youngest? "Time spent partaking in schoolwork, assignments and lectures is time that could be better spent with training and preparation."
"Let me guess, all this preparation will take place in Atlas?" Blake spat.
"It has the best facilities and some of the best Huntsmen on Remnant," the general replied neutrally. Blake rolled her eyes at the answer, "The Ace-Ops, my men, would be extremely helpful in jumpstarting all your training. They could condense four years of lesson in a quarter of the time."
"And what then, James? You send them to the Grimmlands and hope for the best?" Ozpin cut in, "Salem has been alive for millenia, do you think that she'll be so easily defeated with such crude tactics? Rushing their training for the sake of time isn't the solution. Salem is immortal, she can more than afford to outlive us and rushing ill-prepared will only worsen our chances."
"I'd normally agree with you, but their exposure means that every second wasted means another second Salem spends planning their end." It said a lot about team RWBY that not a single one of them looked scared at the idea of being marked like that. Taiyang and Winter looked more afraid that they were, "Like it or not, they're not students anymore. They're targets...and the best hope we have of ending this."
"I knew a man who once thought the same. He'd gathered all the maidens and thought that gave them the best chance of victory. It wasn't Salem that ended that hope, it was because they couldn't trust one another. When asked to place their lives in each other's hands they faltered." Ozpin's expression of regret was far too personal for someone who heard about it secondhand, "Those who don't know the past are doomed to repeat it."
"And yet those so paralyzed with indecision and fear are doomed to never succeed," General Ironwood replied, "I understand the risks, but I'd also have to be a fool to not understand what we stand to achieve. Four Maidens all gathered together comes once in a Millenia."
"I'm hearing a lot of plans and not a lot of asking them what they want," Taiyang looked to both his daughters, "Ruby, Yang, I know you're both mad that I never told you about this, but I'd hoped that you wouldn't have gotten dragged into this war." He sighed, "I never stopped you both from being Huntresses and I won't stop you here, but I need to know that you both want this."
Ruby and Yang looked at one another in silent contemplation. Seconds passed before the the younger of the two nodded and they both smiled at their dad, "I don't really like how we found out about it, but if there really is a queen of all Grimm out there somewhere then we need to do everything we can to stop her. That's the kind of Huntress I want to be."
"Same here." Yang pumped a fist, "Can't just sit back while Rubes goes off to be a hero."
"I'm pleased you both understand." General Ironwood smiled and looked at Blake and Weiss in turn, "And you, Miss. Schnee, Miss. Belladonna?"
"Common decency requires that I say yes. Anything less would mean I wasn't worthy of the title of Huntress," Weiss replied. She shared an indecipherable look with her sister.
"I feel the same, but I'm not exactly a fan of your idea." Blake leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms.
"Yup. We're not going to drop out of Beacon," Ruby said. The general's smile fell, "Headmaster Ozpin's right, we can't really go off rushing into things." Jaune smiled and almost laughed at that. Said the girl who was so quick to rush into danger for the sake of others? "We need to learn more than just how to fight. Even back in Signal you didn't just have combat classes. There's a reason we go to classes like history...even if they're really boring."
"And your suggestion is to continue living your school life as if nothing has changed?" The general's hands unclasped, "The longer you wait the more you leave yourselves vulnerable."
"I feel I should point out that Beacon is an academy of Huntsmen. In many ways it's one of the most secure places in all of Remnant," Ozpin said.
"And yet that didn't stop an attack that breached the walls and nearly led to disaster," the general countered. Jaune had to admit he had a point there, "Beacon is too open and has no standing army. It's vulnerable."
"What do you suggest then, James?"
"If they insist on continuing their school lives then transfer them to Atlas Academy." That made all their eyes go wide with shock, "Atlas is far more secure and safe from any incursions, Grimm or otherwise."
"Absolutely not!" Surprisingly enough, it wasn't Blake who shouted that. Weiss stood up and looked to her sister again, "Winter, you know why I left home for Beacon. I fought for that right. I refuse to be dragged back there under these circumstances! You more than anyone should understand why!" Her sister didn't say a word and turned away with a slight look of guilt, "Winter!"
"I don't wish to force the issue, Miss. Schnee, but I will if I must," General Ironwood said grimly, "If need be I can have Jacques pull you out."
"You...You can't!"
"I can, which is why I wish for us to come to an agreement." He looked to the other three girls, "Ozpin is right that the Maidens need to work together in order to be successful, but you all need to see reason. Atlas is the best course of action for you all."
"But what about what Weiss wants?" Jaune asked. The general looking at him again made his heart rate spike but he kept going, "Do you really think forcing her to come back will help anyone? You're just going to hurt her and it won't accomplish anything!"
"I didn't ask for your advice, Mr. Arc." Jaune flinched back like he'd been struck. The older man's tone was utterly uncaring, as if he was already doing Jaune a favor by even listening to him.
"Then how about mine?" Ruby stood up too, "You can take Weiss back to Atlas, but what about us? Our dad would never agree and Blake definitely won't go with you by force."
"You would leave your team member alone if she were to leave?"
"She isn't leaving, you're taking her from us!" Ruby stomped her foot and looked up at the general with a fierce glare. Despite being a third his age her eyes showed no fear, "General Ironwood...if you do this, if you force Weiss to leave Beacon, then we'll never listen to you." The sides of her eyes lit up with red fire and the wind inside the room picked up, "You want us to succeed just as much as we want to stop Salem, so don't force our hand."
"Ms. Rose-"
"I think she's made her choice rather clear, James." Ozpin hummed. The fire in Ruby's eyes died and the wind stopped. Both she and Weiss sat back down, "Would you really take Miss. Schnee away just to ensure a modicum more control? Cut yourself off from three Maidens in order to gain an unwilling one?" No reply, "As they've made clear, they're more than their abilities. They've already agreed to fight Salem, why continue to force the issue."
"We're willing to do extra training. Magic lessons, combat training, whatever, but it'll be on our terms." Yang said, looking to Blake and him as she did. Why him, he wondered, "From what headmaster Ozpin said, the last time these Maidens tried to make their own Magical Girl group things went to shit fast. We need to learn to work together if we're really gonna fight the queen of all evil. All five of us."
"Five?" Winter Schnee raised a brow.
"Uh..." Jaune didn't like how the rest of the team looked at him.
"You're a part of this team too, Jaune, don't forget that." Ruby said in a somewhat scolding tone. He cringed in embarassment, "You were there with us during the Breach and since the first semester." She paused, "That is unless you don't want to fight? Like dad said, it has to be your choice."
"N-No, I mean, I am willing to fight, but..." But what could he really do? Even during the Breach he didn't do much. What would have changed if he wasn't there?
"He's a cheater with nary any combat skill to his name," General Ironwood said. It was the truth, but again he felt small.
"And yet we trust him more than you," Blake replied for him, "Whatever you think of him, he hasn't tried to use us or steer us towards some agenda. Threatening to take away one of our teammates hasn't won you any points either."
"I believe we've discussed all we can here." Ozpin clapped his hands. It was startlingly loud in the stifling office, "Would everyone leave James and I to talk? I believe we can come to a compromise that will satisfy all parties."
"Sounds like a good idea," Taiyang said, putting a hand on both his daughter's shoulders, "We have some things to talk about anyway."
"Indeed." Weiss nodded.
They all left the office feeling way more tired than when they entered. Taiyang went off with Ruby and Yang back to their dorm while Winter and Weiss went Gods only knew where. It was just him and Blake, the two of them walking aimlessly till they reached the courtyard. Apart from a few students milling around it was pretty much empty. Blake's shoulders sagged and she sat with her back at a nearby tree, Jaune sitting at her side when she patted the ground next to her.
"That was unpleasant." Blake said, her eyes closed.
"Tell me about it." Jaune brought a hand through his hair and sighed, "I wonder why Ozpin even called me there."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I didn't need to be there." Blake peeked one eye open to look at him, "General Ironwood only cared about you guys. I'm just..." Just the tagalong. Their 'glorified babysitter', to use his words.
"He wants weapons he can point at this Salem. As far as I'm concerned, to hell with what he wants." Her bow twitched.
"It's not even just that." His words took on a more frustrated edge, "You four are Maidens; Ruby, Yang and Weiss have family who knew about this secret war; and you knew Amber. Why was I even there? I only found out three months ago because Ozpin needed someone so desperate to stay in Beacon that he would've done anything. General Ironwood's right, I'm just a cheater with fake transcripts."
"And I'm a former terrorist with innocent blood on my hands. I might not have pulled the trigger, but I stayed with the White Fang even after their shift. I carried munitions used on raids and helped heal soldiers that went on to commit acts that might have killed innocent people. In terms of morality anyone would say I'm worse than you are. The only difference is I got 'lucky' to have someone I care about die in my arms so her power went to me."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?" Her eyes fully opened and she stared at him, "Is it because you're not as skilled as us? That didn't stop you from helping us in the Breach. I saw what you did, Jaune. You fought off Grimm and led civilians to safety. You saved people."
"That doesn't mean I can help fight this Salem."
"And you think we're a sure thing? You heard the headmaster. This Salem's been alive for centuries, I really doubt we can just kick down her door and blast her even with magic. There has to be a reason she's lasted this long when the headmaster of the academy and the general of the only standing army on Remnant know who she is. The only thing you need to ask yourself is if you're willing to fight. Are you?"
"...I am."
"Then that's good enough for now." She smiled. It was so rare to see her like that he was left momentarily stunned, "And since this is the second pep talk I've given you, you owe me a favor...which I'm choosing to cash in right now."
"We're friends, Blake. You don't need to cash in favors if you need help."
"Good. Then you're coming with me to meet my parents."
"...Okay, I think we missed some steps here."
"It's simple. Come with me to meet my parents when they arrive. They said they'd be at a place we went to a few years ago tomorrow or the day after. They sent me their scroll numbers so I could confirm."
"That seems like something personal. Don't you want to meet them alone?"
"I cut off contact with them for five years and after leaving the White Fang I didn't send them a letter or even call them. They only found out about me after seeing me on the news use powers they've never seen before. Do you really think I want to do this alone?"
"...I see your point."
"Good. Normally I'd ask Yang to come along as well, but I imagine she'll want to talk to her dad and uncle after everything we've found out." She paused, "Oh, and mom will probably assume that we're dating. Even before I cut off contact she didn't like me spending time with...my ex. She always wanted me to find someone better. Hindsight being what it is, she was absolutely right."
"Weren't you twelve or thirteen when you cut contact?"
"I was a kid with a very obvious crush," she said, as if that explained literally anything, "Just warning you now. You're a good guy, Jaune. Harmless. She'll probably be happy that she thinks I'm moving on. That and it's not hard to see the implications. My first meeting with them in half a decade and I bring a guy along?"
"Right, so we're obviously gonna correct her on that, right?" Absolute silence, "...Blake?"
"...It would divert some of the attention away from me being a horrible daughter if they thought I had a new boyfrien-"
"Uh-uh, nope, we're not doing this." He stood up and ignored Blake's arguments on how compounding another lie on top of everything would somehow help in the long run. Some things just never changed.
Tea time with her sister was one of Weiss' favorite pasttimes. Winter had left home as soon as she could and work kept her busy so it rare for them to be able to spend time together. She remembered counting down days to when Winter had free time and meticulously making sure everything would be perfect. Rare occasions, but each one to be remembered fondly.
So why did she have the urge to grab the tray and toss it at her beloved sister's face?
"...How are you doing, Weiss?" Winter asked.
Weiss took a sip of the poorly heated tea and hummed, "Lessons have been going well and my performance in all my subjects have been satisfactory." It was the usual topic of conversation for them. They didn't like to discuss home and prior to Beacon her social life was almost nonexistent. Oh she had people who hung around her, of course, sycophants trying to get close to the heiress of the SDC for their own benefit. It wasn't till she arrived in Beacon that she finally found friends who saw her for more than her family name.
"I see." Winter tapped the side of the porcelain, "Weiss...about what happened back in the headmaster's office-"
"Why didn't you help me?" There was no heat or anger in her voice, but Winter flinched all the same, "You knew the reason why I left Atlas, sister. It's the same reason you did." To get away from that house. Her family was, quite frankly, a mess. Father looked at them more as trophies than family members, mother was so deep in the bottle that it was a miracle she wasn't brain damaged, and Whitley was, to be blunt, a little shit.
Was it any wonder she and Winter wanted to get away?
"General Ironwood is..." Winter sighed and set her tea down, "I understand that his actions might seem cruel, but this conflict against Salem has loomed over all who are aware of her existence. In you all he sees the hope of victory. You understand why he would be so...adamant." Desperate, she didn't say. He was different than how she remembered. Granted she'd only met him at formal events where a certain etiquette was required, but the man felt like a different person entirely. The beard was new, at least.
"He threatened to use father to drag me back like I was some sort of dog on a leash." Another sip, "Has he ever threatened to use our family against you before?"
"No."
"Hm." She nibbled on the prepared biscuit. Gods, this was suffocating, "Back in the headmaster's office, General Ironwood mentioned that you were meant to be the successor for that past Winter Maiden, this Fria." And apparently succession came to the woman a Maiden last thought of provided they were younger than thirty. It seemed a rather unreliable method of passing down power, but magic was illogical altogether.
"Yes. Fria was dying of natural causes and I was chosen to be her successor. I conversed with her every day to try and imprint in her mind. Fria understood my reasons for being there, though I liked to think that we became friends despite that." She frowned, "When Fria passed and I didn't succeed her, General Ironwood took it especially hard. He thought we'd lost the powers of the Winter Maiden altogether.
"Except it came to me." Weiss looked down at her right hand. When she'd first received it during the fight with the Arma Gigas she thought it was a miracle, a sign from some higher power that her choice to be a Huntress was the correct one. Except as it turned out it was because she was the last thought of a woman she didn't even know existed up to her dying breath.
"Yes." Winter took a deep breath and closed her eyes a moment. Her next words were slow and deliberate, "I believe I know why you were the successor."
Weiss gasped softly. Back when they were discussing that woman's death both she and the general claimed they had no idea as to why she'd inherited her powers. That could only mean, "You lied to General Ironwood?"
"A lie of ommision, but yes." She folded her hands together and forced her expression to remain neutral as she spoke, "Fria and I talked about many things in our meetings. One hour every day at least, which left a lot of time for various topics. I won't bore you with all the details, but in the end we discussed our families. Fria was an orphan and she found our family circumstances intriguing. And tragic."
"You talked about me with her."
"I did more than that. When we discussed your accomplishments I mentioned that you used to be a singer before training took up too much of your time. She asked for recordings of your concert performances and I saw no harm in it. She was...fond your songs." Winter's lips quirked up in a faint smile, "She said they spoke to her in ways she couldn't put into words."
"How does this explain why her power transferred to me?"
"...When I went to see her one day she'd passed in her sleep. Nearby was her television set still playing one of your past concerts." Weiss' breath stopped, "I ejected the disc and didn't mention it to the general. I did consider the possibility that it transferred to you, of course, but a part of me was in denial and hopeed it had gone to another woman. You were training to be a Huntress, you didn't need to be given a power and responsibility you didn't understand."
"You knew..." Weiss looked down at the murky brown tea. The dull reflection glared back at her, "You could've told me from the start, but you didn't. Why?"
"Because then I would've had to tell General Ironwood. It's selfish of me, I know, but so long as I didn't confirm it I could still hold on to the hope that your life was still your own." A pause, "Weiss, I...I would give my life for General Ironwood. My loyalty to him is absolute, but..."
"But...?"
"While I would offer up my life to him, I couldn't offer up yours." Weiss found herself at a loss for words. The sentence, so short and simple, were tinged with raw emotion that Winter always held back before, "I did want to speak up for you back in the office, but what could I say? Even if I pled my case and begged for leniency as his trusted subordinate, General Ironwood is adamant." Desperate, "The war with Salem has lived in his mind for over a decade now. No life - mine, yours, and especially his - is too high a price to pay for victory."
"Winter..."
"I would like nothing more than to take the burden from you, sister, but I can't. Fria chose you in her last moments and now her powers are yours till the day you pass them to someone else. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Weiss took a larger drink from her teacup. She suddenly felt guilty, "Regardless of the reasons, this is where we are. I meant what I said earlier. It's our duty as Huntresses, and as decent people in general, to stop this Salem. But like Yang said before, we'll do it on our terms. If we're to dedicate our life to a war we had no knowledge of until just now we deserve that much, at least."
"Of course, Weiss. I understand."
The headmaster called them back to the office soon afterwards. Ruby and Yang's father wasn't present, but apart from that it was the same people as before. Weiss sat stiffly in her seat and waited for the headmaster to speak. Jaune telling them of his plans for them to sit out the Breach left her conflicted. It was clear he knew more about these Maiden powers than anyone, but she couldn't justify leaving those peopke to die.
"Thank you for your patience. James and I have come to an...understanding." The headmaster gave the general a sideways look, "Team RWBY-J will not be leaving Beacon and they will continue with their curriculum." Yang pumped her fist, "However, you will all be undergoing extra combat training and, to quote Miss. Xiao Long, 'magic lessons'. I will be handling the latter when I can. Otheriwse you will use some recording Miss. Fria made before her death to try and instruct any future Maidens."
"How are you going to teach us magic?" Ruby asked. Her eyes widened, "Wait, are you a wizard?!"
"In a manner of speaking." He laughed under his breath, "Though I daresay even a single one of you has more magical power in you than I do. I could get you started on the basics, at least, but the true powers of a Maiden come from experience that no training can replicate."
"And who will teach us in combat?" Weiss asked.
"Specialist Schnee will," General Ironwood said. Her sister showed absolutely no surprise despite the unexpected assignment, "From this moment onward she's to be assigned to Beacon as an assistant teacher to Glynda Goodwitch. That is her official role, at least. Unofficially she'll be teaching you four - apologies, five - in advanced combat tactics. It should be a marked improvement over sparring matches."
"Understood, sir. I won't let you down." Winter nodded.
"Good. Then I believe we've found a compromise that satisfies all parties. Thank you for your patience, team RWBY-J."
They all went back to their room. Weiss' mind was swimming with everything she'd learned. This Salem...she would've been lying if she said she wasn't afraid, but then she looked at her team and the fear abated. Her friends - fellow Maidens - and Jaune who still stood by them despite his lack of advantage. She'd fought side-by-side with them during the Breach and she trusted them with her life.
Her musings were interrupted when the door opened and and Blake shrieked. Instinct bade Weiss to unsheath Myrtenaster when Ruby's shriek, one of pure joy, cut through her fear. Ruby zipped past her and hugged the...most...adorable little thing!
"Zwei!" Ruby cried happily, spinning the corgi around and cooing. Blake had jumped onto Yang's bunk bed and was currently hissing at the ball of concentrated adorableness that was the puppy while Jaune tried and failed to coax her back down.
"What is that...thing doing here?!" Blake glared like a wet cat.
"Hold on, letter here." Yang picked up the hastily written paper from the nearby table, "Dad said that he's gonna be staying in town for a while till we can sort things out but the hotels don't allow dogs so he's leaving him here." She smiled and rolled her eyes, "That goof. He's just trying to cheer us up."
"I wouldn't mind if he lived with us fowever~. You like that, boy? Yes you do!" Weiss patted the corgi's nose and giggled when it licked her fingers. They weren't allowed pets back home. The closest one she had was a stray cat she fed back when she was eight before the help chased it away, "Aww, we're gonna be best friends, yes we are!"
"This is a nightmare..." Blame moaned, crushing a pillow over her head. Jaune patted her soldier and soothingly hummed "there, there" to her weird dramatics. Weiss paid the killjoy no mind and began arguing with Ruby on whose bed their new guest would be sleeping on. All in all, it wasn't a bad way to end the day.
Not a lot of humor this chapter, sorry. I'll see about adding more next chapter when Jaune and Blake meet the Belladonnas. Possibly also with Jaune now having to deal with both Qrow and Winter as his fighting mentors.
Anyway, that's all the big exposition dumps out of the way except for Ozpin's immortality. Ruby even finds out about her Silver Eyes early and she's actually gonna ask questions about it later. Miracles do exist.
I'm gonna do the dance chapter soon. So far people lean towards Jaune going with Ruby (for Lancaster) or Penny (for shenanigans). Not sure which is better. He could also go with someone more platonic for a chill night such as Blake or Weiss.
We've also pretty much confirmed how each member of team RWBY got their powers. Blake was Amber's last thought due to their friendship, Weiss was focused on because Fria watched an old concert, Yang got her's from Raven, and Ruby is heavily implied to be due to random chance given dialogue between Jax and Gillian.
Question:
1. With regards to Jaune fighting, would you guys mind if I deviate further from the Knight role he has in canon? Team RWBY's absurd power means he doesn't really need to be there for offense or even tanking (we've seen Amber block bullets with her magic). I'm thinking of leaning more into Qrow's dirty fighting, support with his Semblance, and even stealth so he focuses on avoiding combat or taking people out before they're aware of him.
The issue is this leads to Crocea Mors being more and more unused, which feels like an integral part of Jaune's identity. Even during the Breach he only uses it once and instead leans towards firearms and explosives.
Review Answers:
Mr Rayney - Yeah, Jaune being team RWBY's babysitter (and not flirting with Weiss) allows him to establish a far quicker rapport with all four members. As for Jaune, we see in this chapter that he feels really inferior and unneeded.
Raj8 - I don't really find it overpowered by itself. It's a really good team buff skill, but if Jaune is fighting solo it's above average at best. Same with Weiss having really bad luck with one to one but being super helpful in team fights. I also tried to emphasize Ruby being the leader in this chapter. She stands up to Ironwood for her entire team and refuses to be cowed despite Ironwood's position and age.
Jack Redhawke - Uh...I'd argue that is a harem. Most harem works have multiple girls aiming for one guy while likes only one or none of them. Here the only one who has a crush on Jaune is Ruby. Even Blake's whole fake boyfriend plot is framed as her comedically trying to shift attention away from herself.