Feeling a bit better so I pumped this out. Chapter's slightly shorter than normal but I figure it's alright. We're ending the longest running gag in this chapter, which is kinda sad. It's like finally finishing a book. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find some other thing to milk to the ground.
By the way, I put up a poll for which Academy you guys wanna visit next. Each one focuses on different members of team RWBY-J and a different faction vying for their power.
Jaune and Cardin weren't friends. Their 'peace' after the Forever Fall was done just because Cardin was smart enough not to poke the bear that was team RWBY; especially after Blake revealed herself as a Faunus. From what Jaune heard, he and the rest of team CRDL were still not exactly pillars of moral character around the other students even after those second years heard about him hassling their teammate and made CRDL pay for it.
Credit where it was due, Jaune would give up bullying if he got a minigun shoved in his face.
Which was why it must've looked weird that the guy would ask him to meet his dad, at least from the outside looking in. Jaune wasn't surprised, though; he got the feeling he knew what this was about.
...
But just to make sure.
"You're not gonna ask me to be your fake boyfriend, are you?"
Cardin stopped walking and looked at him like he'd just asked if he wanted a sword up his rectum, "...No? What the fuck's been happening that you're even asking that?"
"You really don't wanna know." Jaune shook his head. It was funny. If he'd somehow managed to get into the school with his fake transcripts Cardin would've been intimidating. The big dog on campus who'd pick on the weakest link in the first year team. Just a part of the normal school experience he'd never get to have, "Look, I said I'd meet your dad, but you do know I'll just walk out if I don't like what he has to say, right?"
"Yeah, I figured." Cardin sighed, "Just...keep an open mind, okay?"
"That's funny coming from you." The bigger man scowled. Jaune paid it no mind; it wasn't like the guy could strap him down and brand his cheek in the middle of the hall, "Let's just get this over with."
They met up with Mr. Winchester in one of the training arenas. Despite the fancy suit and being unarmed, Wardes Winchester actually looked like he belonged in a place like this. He was big and broad shouldered like his son with slicked back brown hair that had hints of gray at the sides. His posture was rigid and his harsh features reminded him just a bit of General Ironwood...except more racist. Credit where it was due, the good general didn't care what you were packing or how many ears you had.
"Jaune Arc," he said, voice deep and rumbling. He felt more like a warrior than a politician, but looks could be deceiving."
"Mr. Winchester." Jaune nodded. Years of helping his family with the business ingrained to him that he had to respect people in power no matter how he actually felt about them. Dad had smiled and shook hands with people who could best be described as morally lax. In the wine business you couldn't afford to be picky about who bought your drinks.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Cardin has told me a lot."
"Has he?" Jaune raised a brow and gave the younger Winchester a sideways glance. He'd been uncharacteristically quiet since they arrived, standing off to the side and looking at the space between Jaune and his dad.
"All good things, I assure you." Winchester's smile was plastic and fake and he was suddenly reminded that not everyone was as honest and to the point as Blanche, "I believe that we have some business to discuss."
"Not sure what you'd want from me. I'm not exactly an entrepeneur." Jaune shrugged.
"Perhaps, but I've heard good things of your family's wines." That wasn't as relieving was the older man thought it was. Jaune kept his face painfully neutral and looked for any signs of threats in the word, "I was actually hoping to get into business with your family."
"Mom and dad would be happy to hear that." That wasn't a lie, at least. The word or endorsement of a councilman was big in a place like Vale, "I'll give your their number and you can-"
"But there are some other things we need to discuss first," Winchester cut in, "From what my son has told me, you seem to be quite a...connected young man."
"You're talking about team RWBY." Jaune crossed his arms. It might've been some kind of faux-pas to cut straight to the point like that, but he just plain didn't like Wardes Winchester; and it wasn't just of the things Blanche said. He'd done his research on the man and what he saw wasn't good. It really wasn't an exagerration that he wanted to put the Faunus in camps after the Breach. 'For the safety of everyone in Vale', he said. Cause apparently Faunus didn't count as Valean citizens.
"Quite." If he was bothered by Jaune's straightforward question he didn't show it, "Your team has gone on a couple of missions under Councilman Blanche's endorsement. The public is rather enamored with them." The side of his mouth twitched for just a moment. Seemed like he wasn't happy with that, "And quite enamored by Blanche in turn. He's turning them into Vale's darlings."
"Your point?"
"My point, Jaune, is that I believe you and your team are working for him in bad faith," Winchester said, and for a second Jaune almost believed his concern was sincere, "Our good councilman has skeletons in his closet and he might not have your best interests in mind."
"And you're here to warn me out of the kindness of your heart."
"In a way, though I'll admit I also have a personal interest in the matter." A half truth; probably the best he could hope for from him, "Blanche is taking advtantage you all. I assume he told you all he wanted to do this for the sake of safeguarding Vale and fostering future Huntsmen. A lie, I assure you. He-"
"Wants to use team RWBY for propaganda," Jaune cut in, "Yeah, he actually told us that, so we're not really acting in bad faith."
Ever the career politician, Winchester didn't let the interruption deter him, "A bit of honesty to take you off your guard. It's a trick I've had experience with." Winchester crossed his arms behind his back, "Regardless of what he's told you, continuing to work for him isn't in any of your best interests."
"You want us to work for you instead?" Jaune had to hold back from scoffing.
"While that would be an appealing alternative, I'd also be satisfied with you stopping work for the council altogether," Winchester said, "You're all students. Aspiring Huntsmen, but students nonetheless. You should be focused on your schooling and the upcoming Vytal Tournament. Working for Blanche would only distract you all from your studies and training."
"Uh-huh." Alright, time to nip this in the bud, "Why don't you cut the bullshit and tell me what you want," he said, surprised by how little his nerves shot up. Just a few weeks ago he wouldn't have even considered talking so rudely to a councilman, but right now he didn't have the patience to deal with politicians trying to act like they had the team's best interests at heart.
Cardin looked like he'd been slapped while Wincester Sr's mouth curled in a brief frown before he went back to his carefully neutral expression, "I'll assume that your outburst comes from worry for your team," he said, "What I want is exactly what I told you, Jaune. Your team's work with Blanche will only benefit him and not yourselves."
"And why exactly are you telling me this instead of them? You gotta know Cardin and I aren't actually friends...actually, I don't even like him."
"Regardless of how you feel about my son, I believe you'll be more sensible. Especially after what you've been through at the hands of the White Fang."
"...How do you know about that?" Jaune's eyes narrowed.
"While you haven't made your incident public, the police keep records of crimes; including the kidnapping of Huntsmen." And he leaned on someone to know. Perfect, "Blanche might tell you a story about how he only cares about the Faunus, but he's always had sympathies for the White Fang. It's only now that everyone sees them for the monsters that they are that he's turned against them."
"You have proof of that or are you just saying that cause he's a Faunus?"
"He's used his influence to turn attentiona way from suspected White Fang operatives in the past in order to push his own agendas." The line was so quick and rehearsed that Jaune could tell he'd just been waiting to say it, "You've suffered under the White Fang's abuse firsthand and they were the ones who spearheaded an attack that nearly destroyed Vale. Working for him is a mistake."
"Alright, I've heard the pitch, but you're just telling me this. What makes you think that the rest of the team will go for it even if I do?" Yeah, if. Like he wasn't going to turn around and forget this ever happened.
"From what I've heard from Cardin, your team cares a lot about you. Your word carries weight with them." Winchester put a hand on his right shoulder, "Do the right thing for both your team and Vale."
"Yeah...I'll take that into consideration." He wouldn't, and judging by the look in Winchester's eyes, he knew that too. Jaune turned around to leave, "Thanks for the warning, councilman-"
He only managed two steps before the hand clamped around his shoulder again. This time his grip was tight and firm without a trace of his friendliness from before, "I suggest you take my warnings into account. The word of a councilman can close as many doors as they can open."
"Are you threatening me?" Jaune turned and met his eyes.
"Simply making another warning." His smile was razor thin as he released his grip on Jaune's shoulder, "Many of your family's contacts in the wine business are friends of mine. You wouldn't want to make your family's life difficult, would you?"
Jaune was at a crossroads. A part of him wanted to punch Winchester in the face, as poorly that would have gone. Another part of him wanted to meekly nod and pretend to capitulate so he could come up with a plan later. He'd tell team RWBY what happened and let them make their own choice, but he wasn't gonna sway them or try to make them pick a side just cause it'd make his life easier.
The choice was made for him when another hand landed on his shoulder and a familiar voice said, "Back off, asshole." Mercury glared up at the councilman without any hint of hesitation or fear. Off to the side, Cardin suddenly looked uncomfortable. Mercury kicked his ass when they fought in class last time and it was clear he hadn't forgotten.
"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"You know whenever someone says that they're not nearly as important as they think they are?" Mercury shot back, "You're an asshole in a suit who thinks he can get whatever he wants. I've seen guys like you before. Now back off before I spread this around." He raised his scroll and played back a video of Winchester's not-so-subtle threat. The old man's face turned red with anger.
Winchester growled and for a second he expected to get chokeslammed into the ground. Instead he stalked off without another word, leaving an uncomfortable Cardin to follow after him, "...That was intense." Jaune let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding, "Thanks, Merc, but what are you doing here?"
"Old man figured that Winchester would try something ever since your team started working for Blanche so he sent me to keep an eye on you." He stuffed his scroll back in his pocket, "Good thing he did. You looked like you were about to piss yourself."
"Come on, I had that under control."
"Sure you did." His best guy friend snorted, "I wouldn't worry too much about him. If he tries anything to mess with your family I'm sure Blanche and Ozpin will step in. Or he'll get me to kill the guy."
"Uh...he won't actually do that, right?"
"You act like the old man hasn't had people killed before." Well...that wasn't a pleasant thought, "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure he only does that as a last resort for the real assholes. I mean, you're not gonna try and talk things out with that Adam Taurus guy, right?"
"No, but I was kinda hoping we'd arrest him instead of kill him."
"Even after what he did to you? Can't tell if you're nice or stupid. Maybe both." Ugh, Jaune liked Merc, he really did, but did he have to be such a jerk all the time ? "Anyway, you should probably go back to your team. Red looked like she was about to blow a gasket."
"Right. Thanks again, man."
"Sure."
He found his team (sans Weiss) waiting at the dorm...along with Taiyang, Ghira and Kali, "Jaune, you're here. Good." Ruby nodded stiffly, completely at odds with her usual energetic demeanor. Blake squirmed in her seat and refused to look at anyone else, "We're here to finally tell the truth to a lie that's lasted far too long."
"Uh..." He looked around the room again, "Maybe I should come back later?"
"No, you're here at just the right time." She grabbed his hand and sat him down to the still-uncomfortable Blake, "You're part of the injured party and need to be here as Blake's house of lies crumbles all around her."
"...Aren't you being a little dramatic?" Blake asked meekly. Meekly. He'd never heard Blake sound meek in all the time he knew her, "It wasn't harming anyone."
"It was harming me!" Ruby cried. Even Yang looked scared at the ferocity of her yell, "So now we're going to tell everyone the truth!"
"What truth? What is going on here?" Ghira asked, utterly confused, while Kali just had an amused smile. Weird.
"Moment of truth, Blake. Should I tell them or will you?" Ruby asked, arms crossed and glaring down at the Faunus.
"C-Can't we wait a bit? I need some time to-"
"Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna, I'd like it on the record that your daughter is a thieving-"
"Okay, I'll tell them!" Blake shouted in a panic. Despite everything he actually felt sorry for her. Blake took a deep breath and looked at both her parents, "Mom, dad...me and Jaune aren't..." She gulped and Yang patted her back like a good partner should, "Me and Jaune aren't...actually going out." Those words, so simple and quick, and yet Blake looked like she was getting her teeth pulled.
Ghira looked between Jaune and Blake, "Is this true?"
"Why wouldn't it be true?" Ruby asked back.
"Well...we've heard rumors about you, Miss. Rose. The Relationship Rea-"
"That's just rumors someone made up!" Ruby stamped her foot. Outside, the wind picked up, "The only guy I ever asked out was Jaune! No one else!"
"So you're not in an open relationship?" Taiyang spoke up for the first time. At Ruby's fervent refusal he let out a long, relieved sigh, "Oh, thank the Gods."
"Wait, but that still..." Ghira ran a hand through his hair, "Kitten, why would you lie to us about this?"
"I just..." Blake chewed on her bottom lip, "When we met up again I thought you'd both hate me for what I did. When you didn't I just...I wanted to give you both some good news, so I panicked and said me and Jaune were dating." A pause, "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"Blake...that makes no sense." Ghira's words made his daughter recoil, "We were just happy to see you again. That's all the good news we needed. Why would you think you needed to fake a relationship?"
"I...that is..."
"I told you it was a dumb idea." Jaune threw his hands up and ignored Blake's glare. Whatever, he wasn't the one in the wrong here.
Kali...giggled. Both Blake and Ghira looked at the Belladonna matriarch as if she'd lost her mind, "Oh, I wondered how long this little fib could last."
"Wait, you knew?" Blake gaped.
"You knew?" Ghira repeated.
"Of course I did. They were acting so unnatural you'd have to be blind not to see it." Both Father and daughter flinched at her response, "It didn't help that they were 'whispering' across the table from us about how much of a dumb plan it was." She looked to her husband, "I thought you knew too?"
"I most definitely didn't!" Ghira replied.
"Oh man..." Yang shook her head.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Blake shouted, very hypocritically.
"Hm, yes, why didn't I save my daughter, who hadn't contacted us in half a decade, from some embarassment?" She tapped her chin and said her next words slowly, "The same daughter who I went to sleep worrying if she was was even still alive and wasn't just dying alone in a ditch somewhere. Why, you're right, kitten, I've been a terrible mother. However will I make up for it?"
Geez...the woman wielded guilt like a knife. Blake looked like she'd actually been stabbed as she faced Kali's warm smile, "I...I suppose I haven't been the best daughter."
"You suppose?" Jaune raised a brow.
"Alright, fine, I was a horrible daughter who did many wrong things. Are you satisfied now, Jaune?" She hissed.
"I dunno why you're mad at me. You were the one who dragged me into this thing."
"So just to clarify," Taiyang said to Ruby, "You and Jaune are dating and no one else on the team is dating somebody else inside it."
Yang looked at Blake and smirked, "Welllll-"
"No, no one else is dating in the team," Blake said, glaring at her partner. Jaune legitimately had no clue if Yang was trying to flirt or just mess with the irate catgirl, "Look, I'm sorry it got this far. I promise I'll be more honest from now on." Yeah...Jaune seriously doubted that, but he didn't say it out loud. The next time she dug her own grave at least they wouldn't be sharing a coffin.
The parents left soon after with promises to meet up again. As much as Blake complained about Ruby forcing the issue, it was clear that letting it all out in the open put a weight off her shoulders, "So I guess the funtimes are over." Jaune sighed melodramatically, "Oh well, it was horrible and traumatizing while it lasted."
"As if dating you was fun for me." Blake scoffed playfully.
"Whatever! The point is Jaune's finally not fake dating anyone and everything's okay now," Ruby said.
"...Except the fact where people think you're some NTR mastermind," Yang reminded her.
"Urk." Ruby winced, "Well, we can fix that later! As a team!" Oh cool, so this was gonna be a team effort. Being a Huntsman was weirder than he imagined it'd be, "At least now with Jaune and Blake's not-dating finally over, we don't have as much to worry about."
...
Why did it feel like he was forgetting something?
The door to the room opened and the missing member of team RWBY-J stepped inside, "Jaune, we'll need to go over your wardrobe before dinner with father tonight," Weiss said.
...
Oh yeah. That.
Ruby rounded on Weiss, "Your dad is here? Do you need us to come with you?" she asked worriedly. Oh, Ruby...
"Oh, um..." Weiss coughed, "As tempting as that offer sounds, I can't invite my whole team without warning. Father would hardly approve." She scuffed her pristine white boots on the ground like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"Uh, I definitely heard you saying Grimm Slayer was coming. Why's he going but we can't?" Yang asked.
"Well, you see, that's a bit of an...amusing story" Weiss coughed again, "Father came up to me and Jaune on the way to the library and said he'd heard the rumors about Sun and I. And I might have, in the panic and heat of the moment, toldhimJauneandIweredating." She said the last part in a rush, possibly trying to make sure the others couldn't hear it.
It didn't work. At all.
Jaune groaned and covered his face with both hands. Yang leaned back on her chair and raised a brow, for once completely quiet, while Blake stood and patted Weiss' back in a show of camarederie and sympathy. The worst was Ruby, whose face had gone slack with shock before she looked between him and Weiss with a look of someone who'd been utterly betrayed. He was so sorry, Ruby!
"...I trusted you, Weiss," Ruby whispered. It was worse than her screaming in a rage.
"I-I know this seems bad, but it's not as unfortunate as it appears!" Weiss said quickly, "Father rarely ever visits or inquires about my current status, so all we have to do is go to this one dinner. After that when he next asks I'll simply say that Jaune and I had our differences and decided to stay friends. See? Easy!"
Ruby still didn't say anything; she didn't have to. The lights overhead flickered and they all saw bursts of lightning flicking across her skin. Was that her second or third element? He didn't know whether to be flattered or scared that she got it at the current situation, "I...think you should probably let Ruby cool off, Weiss," Jaune said. The heiress was all too eager to agree and she left the room before the situation could get any worse.
Blake and Yang quickly followed, leaving him alone in a room with an angry girl who could smear him across the wall.
"Rubes-"
"What the heck?!" Ruby shouted and stamped her foot, "Seriously, what the heck is going on?! It takes me months to tell you that I like you and now everyone thinks I'm some kind of boyfriend stealer and my best friend totally goes and stabs me in the back! This sucks!"
"I'm sorry. She just did it without any warning and if I corrected her...well, you've heard stories of what her dad is like." Weiss could be dramatic about a lot of things, but not about her family. If her dad found out she lied about something to him the consequences would be severe. Worst case scenario was her getting taken out of Beacon, though what was most likely gonna happen was her allowance being cut off.
"I know, but it still sucks." She pouted. He wanted to kiss it away, "Fine, I'll deal with it for tonight, but you better not be dating her by tomorrow! Got it?"
"You know you're the only Huntress for me."
"Yeah, me and Blake and Weiss," she shot back, though there was no heat in it, "I swear, if Yang tries to rope you into a fake relationship too I'm gonna freaking lose it."
"I don't think she's gonna risk pissing you off, Rubes. You're scary when you're angry."
"Darn right I am." She put her hands on her hips and smirked up at him, "But this isn't over. For breaking both the girl code and the bestie law, Weiss has to pay. I'll think of something by tonight." She let out a evil laugh. Again it was more cute than scary.
"Not gonna take your revenge on me?"
"Mmm, bake me a chocolate strawberry cake tomorrow and you'll be spared from my wrath."
"What the lady wants, the lady gets." He placed a hand under her chin and kissed her. She leaned into the gesture easily and Jaune closed his eyes. He'd tell them about Winchester later. Right now he just wanted to forget everything.
Dinner with Jacques Schnee was infinitely easier than with Ghira and Kali. Not because he was a nice man, but because he completely ignored his presence altogether. Apart from greeting him at the start he might as well not have existed to the man. All his attention was focused on Weiss and the terms of her contract with Blanche. Because it actually was a contract; Weiss had gotten the terms of their work for Blanche in ink and re-read it at least three times to make sure there wasn't any untoward fine print.
In the end he was left as nothing more than moral support for the poor girl, which was fine. Despite him not being allowed to say anything it was clear Weiss appreciated having a friend nearby. Jaune was more disturbed by how she and Jacques talked to one another. There wasn't any hint of familial affection and in its place was the clinical precision one used for business transactions. They seemed more like two people making a deal than father and daughter.
A couple of hours later and it was over and the two of them were heading back to the Bullhead docks. There were still classes tomorrow, and even if there wasn't neither wanted to risk Ruby's wrath, "Thank the gods that's over." Weiss sighed. She'd dressed up in a pristine blue dress and strapp heels for the outing while he used the same suit he had for the dance.
"Is it always like that with him?" Jaune asked softly.
"It's usually worse. Most times he talks at me rather to me." Her face knotted in a brief scowl before she shook her head, "I'm hardly surprised that he's interested in this, however. He disapproved of my desire to be a Huntress because it has no direct profit to the SDC's bottom line. The heiress to the SDC being one of Vale's Defenders and working for a councilman is good publicity, however."
"...Why did you want to become a Huntress anyway?" Jaune asked. Weiss didn't reply, "Sorry if it's a weird question. Forget I asked."
"No, it's an understandable query." She sighed, "I want to say it's as selfless as Ruby and Blake's desire to help people or fight for equality, but it's ultimately a matter of pride. Father has dragged the Schnee name through the mud. My grandfather, Nicholas, made his name by personally ensuring the safety of his workers and treating everyone under his employ fairly. He fortune wasn't as large as it was now, but that didn't matter to him. The people were worth more than a little extra Lien."
"And your dad doesn't share the sentiment."
"Hardly." She scoffed bitterly, "As much as I still despise the White Fang, I can acknowledge that there was something there that caused them to target my family. While father isn't personally prejudiced, he gets away with abusing the Faunus under his care and so he does it without hesitation. It's why I have to play along. If I have any chance of changing things, I have to remain his heiress even as I train to be a huntress."
"No one on your family can help?"
"Winter's been disowned - there's a reason she wasn't at dinner with us -, mother is so deep in the bottle she isn't even aware that days pass, and Whitley is a little monster that'd sooner stab me than hug me because he covets the position of heir. No, there's no one else except maybe Klein, but he can't help me in that regard."
"Well...you have us." He smiled and clapped her shoulder.
"That I do." She smiled back in turn, "Despite the insanity of everything that's happened, going to Beacon and meeting your four has been one of the brightest spots in life. To think that we would end up where we are now." She looked up at the night sky and stared at the shattered moon, "A part of me wishes that I'd remained in ignorant bliss, but this way we can at least do some lasting good. This Salem has been the cause of much suffering and we have a chance to end it."
Yeah..." He stuffed his hands into his pockets and let out a cold breath. The night was chilly, "We need to talk about something. I was hoping to run it by you before we talked to the others."
"Is something wrong?"
"I met with with Wardes Winchester earlier." Her eyes narrowed and she patiently waited for him to continue, "He wasn't happy about the team working for for Blanche and he tried to get me to put in a word to the rest of you that we should cut and run."
"Hardly surprising. Blanche is his direct rival, of course."
"He tried to threaten my family, Weiss." Her narrowed eyes turned deadly and the chill in the air got worse, "Mercury recorded the whole thing and said that I could probably ask Ozpin and Blanche for help, but I'm still worried. As much as I just wanna blow him off, he's still a councilman. People like those have connections." He couldn't afford to have his family get hurt because of all this.
"So do we," she said firmly, "If need be, I can talk to father and say this man has insulted me and the Schnee name. He doesn't take insults to the latter lightly."
"Wiess, you don't-"
"I do," she interrupted him, "If this Winchester truly is as low as to threaten your family's livelihood then I see no reason not to bring everything down to bear on him. Still, if he's smart then he won't push the issue. It's very likely he expected you to be cowed by his position. Making enemies with someone who can publicly expose his threats is hardly conducive to fostering a good reputation."
"Speaking of councilmen, I have to ask: what's Blanche's endgame? I doubt he's gonna have you taking down Grimm hordes forever."
"That he isn't." Her lips pursed, "I wasn't sure if I should mention it since Blanche himself was unsure of its feasibility, but he's hoping that we'll eventually able to retake Mountain Glenn."
Jaune almost tripped in his shock, "M-Mountain Glenn? Like the mountain filled with Grimm? The one where the Grimm poured out of?
"The very same." She smiled wryly, "Your shock should make it clear why he had doubts on its feasibility, but there's also a reason he even considered it. The PR victory he'd achieve if we were to succeed would be staggering. The fall of Mountain Glenn was what the Breach could've been if it wasn't stopped. Beyond the optics, it would also do a lot of good. Many people could use the living space and it would help with overpopulation in Vale. I'm sure many Faunus would be tempted by the prospects of living away from Vale given recent events..."
"Ruby would definitely go for it."
"Of course she would." Weiss shook her head fondly, "But I still have my doubts. The powers of the Maidens give us an edge, but all five of us are still in training. Of course there's nothing saying we have to do it all in one go. We might be able to thin the herd given enough time."
"Man, being a Defender of Vale sounds rough." Jaune stretched his arms above his head.
"That it is." She laughed under her breath.
"Vytal Tournament's coming up."
"Yes, Yang's been quite looking forward to it. I admit that I'm excited as well." She suddenly frowned, "That's assuming that we'll be allowed to compete, of course. Our 'secondary Semblances' are now public knowledge and people might consider it unfair if we fought in the tournament."
"Pretty sure there's no rule against it." Semblances were luck of the draw anyway. Some people could make physics cry uncle like Professor Goodwitch, others got bad luck they couldn't turn off.
"I suppose." She smiled again, "Come, let's hurry back to Beacon before Ruby has our heads."
When Jaune opened the door to their room he half expected a semi-circle of chairs ready for another intervention.
What greeted them was far worse.
Team RBY and team PRMN sat around at different sides of the room. At the front sat Yang, who'd exhanged her usual attire and gauntlets for a flowing black robe and Nora's Magnhild. At her left and right side were Nora and Pyrrha respectively, each looking deadly serious; albeit with some reluctance on Pyrrha's part. To Jaune and Weiss' left was Ruby sitting next to Blake. To their right was Mercury and Ren, both of whom looked like they'd rather be anywhere than where they were now.
Weiss blinked as she looked around the room, "...What the-"
"All rise for the trial of Weiss Schnee for the crime of breaking the girl code!" Yang said, smacking the comically oversized hammer at a wooden desk. It was a miracle she didn't break it in two, "The defendant has arrived late, which the courst has taken into consideration! Defendant Weiss, take a seat!" She gestured to a nearby beanbag that Weiss wouldn't be caught dead sitting in.
"No, I'm not doing this."
Weiss shook her head and turned to leave only for the door to slam shut. Her attempts to open it were for naught as the knob was suddenly covered in an inky black Aura.
"Pyrrha!" Weiss gasped.
"Sorry!" Pyrrha said, not sounding sorry in the least.
"You can't run, Weiss! Accept your punishment like a woman!" Ruby shouted.
"Still glad you met us?" Jaune asked with a smile.
"I'm starting to change my mind." She sighed, "Fine then, let's get this over with."
Poor Weiss. Shoulda just told her dad the truth, now she has to face a trial for her crimes at the hands of judge Yang, along with her assistant judges Nora and Pyrrha. Meanwhile you get Ruby as the injured party and Blake as the prosecutor. Ren and Mercury are witnesses and wishing that they knew more sane people around Beacon.
Just to clarify now, I don't actually plan to write the trial next chapter. I don't think I'd be able to do it justice. Actually unsure what we're gonna do next chapter. So far my plan is Jaune's family coming to visit and spending some quality time with their noodle boy. Oh, and Jaune's older sisters grilling Ruby about what she intends to do with their little brother. They'd heard all about the Relationship Reaper...
Questions:
1. I know I asked this before, but do you guys want team RWBY-J to participate in the Vytal tournament? I'm planning to avoid the fall of Beacon so it might be nice to have a low stakes tournament arc and show off how popular team RWBY has become to the populace.
2. Just spitballing ideas, but what would you guys think about Salem not actually being the final boss for the fic? I'm considering a plot of the Maidens actually stopping Salem maybe a little over halfway through the story...and it doesn't stop the faction wars or their various problems. In fact it might have made it worse since now there's no Big Evil to direct the Maidens to.
Especially since without Salem team RWBY would be the most powerful people on Remnant, and that inspires no small amount of jealousy and fear. Would Ironwood just leave them alone without even trying to direct them, for example?
Review Answers:
BrazeRancor - Salem is funnier cause Jaune saves the world cause he got pimped out by Weiss.
Kalbario - Yeah, and Jaune's her Ho.
Raj8 - Well the fake dating thing has officially finished. They'll still snipe at each other, but without it hanging over their heads it should be less gratuitous. That and it's not like only Blake changed. Weiss became more sensible, Yang more emotionally intelligent, and Ruby more prone to anger because of her NTR Queen reputation.
Chuck B. Winanaki - The Grimm being mindless is fine since the Huntsmen are trained for that and it's better than them being directed. It's like the Darkspawn from Dragon Age with and without a Blight.
GM10 - Mallobaude already has a story like that. Also, them being Maidens is arguably more scary than them being Grimm.
Waterdust5 - I did make a poll asking if people would like a love triangle for Ruby/Jaune/Yang, and surprisingly enough the majority voted no.