RWBY: Shadow Company
Chapter 3
"Okay, Jaune. Just breathe slowly, and calm down. I know this is a big step for you. Just wait for Qrow to come and pick you up and be on your way to become a shadow." Jaune thought to himself, sweating just a little bit, shaking nervously too, trying to keep himself from bursting in excitement or nervousness.
Qrow had sent him a text to his scroll earlier today, telling him to wait at the train station instead once he arrived. Jaune had to return home to Atlas. The bullhead ride had lasted almost the whole day.
Jaune looks out the window and sees his home in the skies. The Kingdom of Atlas looks beautiful at night.
He looks down and sees the people below going about their lives. And even General Ironwood's shadows were patrolling the city, aside from the local police and military.
By Jaune didn't want to be a shadow for Atlas. He wanted to be one outside of Atlas. He wanted to see the world, to go out have an adventure of his own. Being a shadow in Atlas means you have a higher chance of staying in Atlas, and Jaune didn't want that.
When he finally got home, it was already late at night. The mansion was quiet. Most of the staff and his family should be asleep by now. He quickly enters through one of the windows and passes through the main hall and up the staircase. He turns a corner where his room should be, only to have his father waiting for him right outside of his room.
Jaune froze at the moment he saw his father, Nicholas Arc. Proud father of eight and CEO of the Arc Weapons Company. One of the most successful businesses in Remnant next to the SDC.
"Uh hey, dad," Jaune said as calmly as he could. But his father's gaze wasn't a happy one.
Nicholas Arc was a happy man most of the time. He was fair, down to earth, always willing to help others, and doesn't back down from a challenge.
He took a deep breath and gave out a long sigh. His arms were crossed, with an envelope in his right hand, "I would be yelling at you right now, but I can't cause it's late, and your mother and sisters are already asleep. Be thankful for that."
Jaune saw the black envelope in his hands. "Uh, when did that get here?" He asked sheepishly.
Nicholas gave a long look at it, "Well, for one thing, you're little trip downtown was longer than expected, and this letter got home hours before you did."
He looks back at Jaune, "I hid it from the others. And yes, I've already read it."
Jaune swallowed his spit.
"I'm sure you have a logical reason for this, right?"
No, he didn't. He was too excited about the new job that he has forgotten to form an alibi for it.
But even if Jaune somehow managed to lie his way out of this, he was pretty sure that lie wouldn't be able to last for very long. And especially when his father decided to go detective on him whenever he makes a mistake. There was no escaping from him.
"Uh, well. I-I," Jaune trailed his eyes elsewhere other than looking at his father. Jaune wanted to run, run far away as he could. But even without eye contact, Nicholas's Glare was pinning him down.
He releases his arms and brings up the envelope again, and on it were two words on the front. And yes, it reads, "Shadow Company, I didn't expect you to be so ambitious to join the shadows. I certainly didn't expect you to do something stupid like this." Nicholas said calmly, with disappointment in his voice.
Jaune could hear the letter taken out of the envelope. He continued to divert his eyes from him and stared at the ground, panicking. "I am screwed! Dad's on the verge of killing me! Or worse, Mom's going to kill me first! Or my sisters, or even Weiss!"
"Since you're here. I'll just read it for you." Nicholas said ominously. Jaune was sweating up a waterfall right now.
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Arc, I would like to inform you that your son, Jaune Arc, has been accepted into the distinguished Shadow Company. In the company, your son will be in our care. We will guide, teach, and train your son into Remnant's finest soldier. It is an honor to have an Arc within our ranks. He will do extraordinary well in our organization. And if you have any inquiries that you would like to ask. Call this number under my name. Yours sincerely, General Jon Vitalius. Commander of the Shadow Company."
Nicholas folds the letter can places it back into the envelope, "This letter wasn't an automated printed letter. It's written by the general, signed by him too. I think the ink hasn't dried yet." He said sarcastically, not smiling one bit.
He knows that Jaune isn't stupid enough to make a huge mistake. He's smart. But there was one major flaw that Jaune suffers the most, lying.
And Jaune was just pretty terrible at lying.
He couldn't lie to save his life, like right now, at this very moment. But that was because his mama didn't raise a liar. And she was damn proud of her work.
Jaune slowly looks up, "I can explain," He said.
"Oh, I'm sure you can."
And no, he couldn't. And here he was, standing in front of his father late at night.
"So, mind explaining to me why did you decide to join the shadows?" Nichola asked. Jaune opens his mouth to say something, but nothing could come out.
Nicholas sighs as he crossed his arms and waited. But Jaune couldn't think of an explanation that led up to now, "I am disappointed with you, Jaune. Did you realize what you have done? Your mother wouldn't be smiling when she hears about this." He said as he shoves the letter in front of him, but Jaune could only nod at his father.
"I know."
"You know? Then why on Remnant did you do it? Why didn't you just did what your mother and I told you? Have those stories of heroes had clouded your mind so much that you would trade your life away so easily? What will you get from this? You know how much your mother doesn't like the idea of you running around looking for excitement and danger. And once she does find out, it would be both of our asses." Nicholas said.
"What were you thinking, son? I thought we taught you better than this. A huntsmen's life and even a shadow are dangerous ones. Need I remind you that you are next in line to take over the family business once I have stepped down?"
"Well, how about-"
"I can't just give it to your sisters like Jacques did to Weiss, Jaune. You've already agreed on this, have you not?" Nicholas raised his voice a little.
Jaune could only listen to him. There wasn't much he can do at this point. The more he listens to his father, the more it made him feel guilty for it, but it wasn't because he wanted to rebel. He was tired of being treated like he was fragile.
"I know what I'm getting myself into because I don't want to be stuck in Atlas forever. I'll never learn how to defend myself if it stays that way. I wanted to prove to you and mom that I can be strong. I wanted to be a hero like you and grandfather. But you wouldn't let me. You wouldn't understand," Jaune said.
Nicholas was shocked.
"Before we had the weapons company, our family used to be a proud group of warriors that would give up our lives to kill the Grimm and defend the weak. But after the huntsmen were getting more successful, others have been shitting on our family name for years and have called us fanatics, overzealous idiots that didn't understand the new age of heroes. So yes, that's why." Jaune cried.
Nicholas's glare softens.
"I wouldn't understand, Jaune? I think I do understand. We did it because we cared about you, son. We didn't look at you as weak. Maybe your sisters do, but they care about you just as much as your mother and I do. You don't have to hold a sword to prove that you are strong to us." Nicholas said as steps down the stairs to place his hands on his son's shoulders.
Nicholas looks at his son, "We love you, Jaune. And we'll tell you that every day. But being a huntsman or a soldier isn't easy. And once you join the shadows, there is no going back." said Nicholas.
"What? What do you mean?" Jaune asked. Qrow didn't mention anything about this. It only gave Jaune more questions than answers.
Nicholas sighs.
"Shadow Company isn't just another mercenary group. They serve a different purpose and holds secrets that you are too young to know. In time they will tell you. I only worry that you won't be able to comprehend it. It could have been better if you've joined the Atlas Military instead. At least that way, your mother can understand at least a bit of it. I wish I could tell you now, but I couldn't, as the truth is scarier than you can imagine."
That left Jaune wide-eyed, thinking what could be those secrets. He remembered Qrow's question, remembering that he said yes.
He said yes, but without even realizing the full view of the job, he said yes out of desperation, to be something. All he wanted was to be a hero, just like his ancestors before him. Now he had just thrown away his life for another one.
A small part of him wished that he could take it back.
"Your mother and I didn't go through all this effort to keep you safe and to see it all thrown away. It is bad enough that you rebelled against our pleas, and you did it anyway." He said, leaving a moment of silence to themselves. "But don't make this mistake let you down, and don't think much of it. Besides, we Arcs can survive anything."
Jaune thought about it before he asked an important question.
"So, what now?" Jaune said, feeling guilty about all this. Nicholas looks at him before speaking, "Simple. We lie to your mother and your sisters. That you are going to Vale to be a student at Beacon Academy, they still take in civilians looking to get a degree. She won't be happy to hear that. But, better than hearing her only son becoming a mercenary." He said as he crossed his arms. "Or worse, seeing her only son walking around Atlas in white or black, and with a gun in his hands." Jaune winced at that. Of course, she wouldn't be happy to see that. She would drag his ass back home the moment she notices him.
It wasn't right, but it wasn't wrong either.
What else could have happened? Nicholas would've told the rest anyway, but he didn't, for now. "Make no mistake, Jaune, I'm not just covering you for your sake, but for my sake too. And you know how scary your mother and sisters can be." Jaune nodded, best to avoid it if he could, and they could take on an entire Grimm population.
"Now, this interview that you had earlier today. Do you happen to remember the interview's name?"
Jaune nods, "Yes, his name is Qrow Branwen."
Nicholas let a low chuckle, "Of course, that dusty old Qrow. I'll make a call with him. Hopefully, his number hasn't changed yet."
Nicholas pulls out his scroll, "You should go get some sleep, Jaune. You got a big day tomorrow with Weiss. She needs to talk to you about something."
"What is it about?" Jaune asked.
Nicholas shrugs, "She didn't say. Of you go now. I'll send Sam to bring you something to eat, now go back to your room. And don't worry about the rest. I'll be sure to tell them. Goodnight, son." Nicholas walks out into the garden.
"Goodnight, Dad," Jaune said before entering his room. He closes the door and flops down into his bed. Letting the soft sheets caresses his face.
What a day.
After a few minutes of silence, he heard a knock on his door. Jaune gets up and opens it.
It was Sam, the family butler. He was waiting right outside his door.
Sam bows, "Good evening, young master. How was your interview in Vale today?" He asked.
"I told you to call me Jaune, Sam. I don't favor formalities. And the interview went well, thank you for asking," Said Jaune.
"You seem quite tired today. Master Arc has instructed me to bring you some food and refreshments. Would you care to have some?"
"Yup, I most certainly do. I've got a big day tomorrow with Weiss. I'm sorry to make you do this for me this late." Jaune said as he takes the tray, "It is no trouble, Jaune. It is always a pleasure to serve you. Do tell Klein that I said hi." said Sam.
"I will, Sam. Thank you."
Back in Vale. Qrow was sleeping in his apartment after a night out with his men.
"Huh?" Qrow said. He heard his scroll ringing on his night table. He grabbed it slowly and brought it up to his face. He looks at the caller's ID.
"Shit." He said as he accepts the call.
"Hello?"
"Is this Qrow Branwen I'm speaking to?"
"Yeah, what's up, Nicholas?" Said Qrow as he sits on his bed. "Good, now listen, we need to talk about a certain boy and that you just made a major problem with me and my wife, Juliet."
"Oh. Well, I guess it's about your boy then. Listen, before you start attacking me, I would like to let you know that it was Ozpin who picked him. And no, I can't do anything about it, sadly." Said Qrow.
"Oh great, of course. Is there anything that I can do to prevent it? Anything at all?" Qrow rubbed his eyes as he yawns, "Sadly, no. Ozpin has already submitted the latest recruitment list to the general, along with the kid's name, unless you've got a reversed card, then maybe." Qrow chuckles.
"Qrow now is not the best time for your jokes," Nicholas said as he rubs his eyes.
"Alright, alright. Sorry, that was just the alcohol talking. Now, back on the subject of your son," Said Qrow. "Thank you. If Qzpin has already submitted the list then, I'm guessing there's no chance you can't go in and change the list?" Qrow eyes widen, "And go against my vows? I'd rather not." He said. "Look, it is best if you let things play on their own. It's better than putting your hand on the fire and telling it to stop."
Nicholas sighs. It wasn't what he wanted for Jaune.
"So, what the decision now, Arc Commander?" Qrow said.
Nicholas scoffs, "Please, Qrow. That remains a secret. Besides, it has been such a long time since then. But there are a few arrangments that I need your help to settle with Ozpin if you don't mind."
"Ask away, old friend."
/-/
The following morning came. And Jaune was on his way to see Weiss, his childhood friend.
At Atlas, wealth and status are everything. If you got the cash, then you're worth something. If not, maybe Atlas isn't the place for you. The city hates poor people, to put it bluntly. Only the rich can afford a home in Atlas.
Jaune and Weiss had both those attributes from birth. But Weiss was more well known than Jaune.
Dust is Remnant's most prominent product, after all.
Jaune was having second thoughts.
"Who am I kidding? Maybe, I should have just stayed here in Atlas instead and still be a student. Is there still time to tell Qrow that I changed my mind?"
He stops at the front door of the Schnee Manor.
"No, be calm, Jaune. You're here to see Weiss today, your friend. Your only friend."
He rings the bell and waits for someone to open the door. To his luck, it was Klein, a butler of the Schnee Manor. "Ah, good morning Mr. Arc. Here to see Miss Schnee, I presume?"
"Good morning, Klein. And yes, I'm here to see Weiss today."
Klein leads Jaune inside the Manor. "I bet she will be delighted to have you here today. Recently she has been rather stressed, a poor thing. I haven't seen her smile in the past few weeks." Klein frowns.
"Well, she is going to take over her father in a few years, and I guess that got into her head. The SDC is a big company."
"Good morning, Arc." A servant walks by, followed by another. "Good morning. Mr. Arc."
Klein chuckles, "I guess almost every staff member knows you now. You have been quite the prominent visitor."
During Jaune's early childhood, he had trouble trying to make friends in Atlas. All the kids are either acting likes adults or crying to their parents and being spoiled brats. Some tried to be his friends, but they were all fakes, and none of them were genuine.
That was until he met Weiss when Nicholas would come to visit Jacques for their many business talks. At first, Weiss was cold towards him, always running away whenever he's near, crying to Klein whenever Jaune touches her stuff. Or even downright ignore him.
It wasn't easy for Jaune, and he was bothered by it.
One day, when Weiss would give him the usual treatment, he confronted her. He called her a bully and that he was only trying to be her friend.
But then she cried and ran.
He thought that was it, that Weiss would hate him forever now.
"We're here, Mr. Arc," Klein said, knocking on her door. "Miss Schnee, Jaune is here to see you."
A noise of rushed footsteps could be heard inside of the room, getting closer to the door.
The door quickly opens, "Jaune!" Weiss said, immediately hugging him, "It's so good to see you." She smiles.
"Good Morning, Weiss." He said, returning the hug.
Klein smiles, "Well, I'll leave you two be, do call me if you need anything." He leaves the room, closing the door.
"Thanks, Klein," Weiss said. She lets go of Jaune. Weiss would always smile whenever Jaune or his family visits the Manor. But it's not the same smile when she meets other corporates from her father's work. She feels at ease whenever they are around, especially Jaune, since she spends most of her childhood with him.
"Well, I'm here. How's everyone doing, besides Klein?"
Weiss's smile fades, "Mother's still drinking, and that's nothing new. Winter is enjoying her new position as a Specialist in the military. Whitely and I are still on good terms, I think."
"What about your grandpa then?"
"He's out there doing his stuff. After my father has taken over the company, he shifted his focus on training Ironwood's shadows. But recently, he stopped and went on for his retirement."
"Dang, and how old is he now?"
Weiss rolls her eyes and smiles, "He's in his sixties now. It's surprising how that old guy is still so busy at that age."
Klein knocks on the door and lets himself in, "I've brought some refreshments, Miss Schnee."
"Thanks, Klein," Weiss said as he sets the two mugs of coffee on the table for her and Jaune. She picks up her cup and takes a sip.
Jaune noticed her troubled behavior.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Weiss puts her cup down and sighs. "I hate the White Fang, Jaune." She blurted out.
Jaune shifts awkwardly in his seat, "Oh, uh, is it another attack, or..."
"No, there haven't been any attacks since half a year ago. Which I am thankful of course. Even General Ironwood himself told us not to worry too much about it. Said he's doing everything he can to keep them away from us." She looks at the ground and gently rubs her hands. "But this is going nowhere. Even if it stops in Atlas, what about the rest of the world? I'm still in danger if I take one step outside of Atlas, aren't I? And now, thanks to them, I can't even tell if one of them standing next to me is just doing their own thing or plotting something against me."
"Come on, Weiss. It can't be that-"
Weiss stands up from her seat, "My father isn't worried about them one bit, but I am! Who is the one more vulnerable here? ME!"
Well, this was worst than that one time Weiss got pretty mad at him for forgetting one of their playdates when they were kids.
Jaune gets up and calms her down, "I don't think shouting is going to change anything right now. So please calm down, Weiss."
It seemed to work as Weiss sits back down, "At least you're lucky. You're not the one hunted down by animals. Winter is out there fighting while I'm here preparing to take over the company."
"Oh yeah, Winter was supposed to be the next heir."
"But she left, and now I'm here."
"But what about your weapon uh, Myrtenaster?"
Weiss shakes her head, "Father has been distracting me with more lessons and meetings recently. I haven't trained with Myrtenaster in months. And the last time I did, was when I got this scar. But you know the rest, father got angry and did his best to drive me away from being a huntress. Funny enough, he still lets me have my ballet lessons. But how's that going to help me now?"
"Uh, you're very good at dodging? I've seen your moves." Jaune guessed.
Weiss blushes as she wacks him in the head.
"Dolt!"
"Sorry."
Weiss sits back down. "Look, I know things aren't exactly getting easy for you. Or me, but we can't give in. I'm sure you'll find a way around this, Weiss."
Weiss looks at him for a couple of moments before replying, "Thanks. But promise me, Jaune. Promise me that you won't do anything stupid that would get yourself into trouble, alright? Promise me?"
Jaune looks at her, "I promise."
Weiss smiles.
/-/
Jaune frowns.
Today is Monday, and he's waiting nervously at the train station in Vale, sitting on a bench and shaking his leg nervously. His thoughts were going haywire inside his head as he waited. Getting here wasn't even the hard part. There was a big argument about him leaving for Vale. Juliet was not approving it, and his sisters were sad that he was moving just as Saphorn did.
Even Weiss was upset to hear about him leaving Atlas. She sends her wishes.
But Jaune told them that it would just be a few years, and then he would return home to them. But eventually, Nicholas managed to convince her. When Jaune was about to leave, his family was there to see him off. Weiss had managed to schedule a slot for herself to see him.
Everyone had gathered around and gave Jaune one last hug before letting him go.
It was exciting yet terrible at the same time. Upon arrival, Jaune texted Qrow that he's here. He told him to wait at the station and that he'll pick him up.
Jaune takes a deep breath and sighs, leaning back in his seat, silently talking to himself, "What am I doing? I'm joining the shadows, a mercenary company. Mom is going to kill me the moment she finds out. What am I going to do?"
"Please, stop."
Jaune stops and turns to the cries he heard behind him. It was a little boy, a dog Faunus.
He is getting beaten by a man, with a small crowd just watching around them.
"Shut up, you little shit!" He shouted as he continues to beat the child. But the child could only cry as he shields himself his arms. They are in front of a store. Maybe he's the owner of it.
That boy must have stolen something.
But Jaune turns his back on them, trying to ignore the commotion going on behind him.
But he couldn't.
Not when the little boy's cries for help began to get louder, making it harder for him to handle. But can he do anything about it?
He sat there, on the bench. His thumbs were moving quickly across his fingers, slowly clenching them.
He wanted to stop it, to help that poor child. He was going to be a hero, wasn't he?
It may seem a bit odd that no one had stopped him yet. To a stranger, he or she would have stopped him by now. And have him arrested for attacking a defenseless child.
"Quit your barking, mutt! You know what you did." He stops beating him and grabs him by his ears, and lifts him.
"P-please, stop. I'm sorry." The boy pleaded, trying to release his ears.
The bystanders around them just stood there, and among them were a few Faunus, helplessly watched as one of their own treated like this. They were too afraid to intervene, worried that they will receive the same thing for defending him, or worse. But this act was considered normal in Vale. Things didn't go too well after the Faunus war. It was the same for the rest of Remnant.
And Jaune wasn't stupid. He knows about their treatment and the history of their pain.
The majority of the Faunus resides in Menagerie. And living there was even worse from what he heard. But at least they were far away from this madness.
"That's enough!"
The station went quiet. And everyone was looking at Jaune, who was already out of his seat and standing, facing the owner. Whatever Jaune was doing, there was no turning back now.
The owner said nothing as he looks at Jaune, clearly agitated. He smirks and disregards him as he raises his fist in the air, ready to beat the child again.
"Hey! I said stop!"
Jaune ran forward and grabbed his fits before he can move. The owner has his complete attention on him now. "You should mind your own business, kid."
Jaune flinched.
"What can you do to stop me?"
Nothing, cause Jaune knows that. But then, the owner suddenly lets the child down, allowing him to crawl away and nurses his ears. His expression changed in an instant.
Jaune was confused by his behavior until someone's hand touches his shoulder. He turned and was shocked to see who it was.
"You heard what he said. That's enough." Said a figure in black armor and a tattered red cape.
Jaune looked up and dropped his jaw as he recognizes the armor, "A shadow!?" Jaune thought. He was wearing a black helmet, completely covering his face. But he's seen that cape anywhere.
"Is that Qrow!?" Jaune thought.
End of Chapter 3