"We are now standing before the secluded home of the legendary Vale Knight, Jaune Arc, where a brutal battle obviously took place. Our team's Hunters have identified claw marks from Beowolves, Ursa, Boarbatusks, Creepers, and even some damage caused by a King Taiji. Feathers from Nevermores were also found, along with shell casings fired by members of the famous Team RWBY members, who were hear to help the legendary hero defend his home."

"Team RWBY was one of the teams that helped the Vale Knight defeat Salem over fifteen years ago, and are most famous for being one of the first teams to marry each other."

"ARE YOU KIDDING?! I'M MORE FAMOUS FOR WIFING MY PARTNER, WHILE JAUNE IS FAMOUS FOR BEATING SALEM?! WHAT THE HELL," Yang yelled.

"Mrs. Xiao Long, please calm down. Your bandages have just been set, and we estimate it will take another day for your Aura to recharge."

"SCREW MY AURA AND INJURIES! WE CAN JUST HAVE JAUNE USE HIS SEMBLANCE! I JUST WANNA KNOW WHY VOMIT BOY IS MORE FAMOUS WHEN I'M STILL A BUTT KICKING HUNTRESS! I'M IN THE TOP THREE, DAMMIT! Ow."

"He warned you, Yang."

"But Blake, I'm more famous for marrying you instead of being awesome. They didn't even say I was hotter than you."

"Hey."

"What? You're the cute one and I'm the hot one."

"There are still no signs of the Vale Knight or his son, Argent Arc; nor has the leader of Team RWBY, Ruby Schnee, been loca-"

"IT'S SCHNEE-ROSE!"

The news caster looked towards the yell. "It seems the leader is exiting the forest with three other individuals, while carrying Argent Arc. Due to the shadows of the forest, we cannot confirm if one of the individuals is the boy's father, but this reporter is willing to bet that the Strongest Man in the World wouldn't be beaten so- BY THE GODS!"

As soon as Jaune walked out, many Huntsmen aimed their weapons at him. One was even so scared that he accidently shot at Jaune while another charged at him, mace over his head.

Jaune sighed as he deflected the bullet with Crocea Mors, sheathed it, caught the large Hunter by his wrist and flipped him over and slammed him onto his back. The Hunter groaned as he looked up to see Jaune looking down at him.

"Not even in your dreams, Cardin."

Cardin's eyes widened. "That voice... Jaune?!"

The Hunters murmured among themselves before the reporter took a closer look. She even used her own Semblance, Investigator's Eye, to make sure. "By the gods. It really is him. Come on, we need to get a close up!" She then ran before looking at her scared camera man. "HURRY UP OR YOUR FIRED!" The young man jumped before following the reporter.

The reporter ran up to Jaune and put her mic up to his face. "Is it truly you, Sir Arc?"

"Please don't call me that," he said as he gently pushed the mic down. "I can understand your shock. Anyone would be terrified if... this appeared in front of you," Jaune said as he motioned to himself.

"Mr. Arc, the people are bound to be curious: what happened here? What happened to YOU? Why do you look like the infamous Grimm Queen, Sa-"

Jaune held up his hand. "I'll give you an exclusive interview later. It's a long story that can't be told in these circumstances. We'll make an appointment or something. I have more pressing matters to attend to. Silber," Jaune called as he walked over to his niece.

"Hm," she went as she looked up, sitting down while rubbing medicine on her wounds.

"You alright, m'lady?"

"Am I alright? I wasn't the one impaled multiple times and sent flying by a monster of a man, let alone poisoned by Grimm Pool water and turned into the next Salem."

"If you didn't catch that, I will personally GUT you," the reporter gritted out of her teeth into the cameraman's ear making sure she wasn't speaking into the mic. The cameraman still gave an audible gulp.

"I'm more curious to know if you're alright."

"Yeah. Like you said, next Salem. Seems I can heal just as fast as she can."

"What else can you do?" Jaune looked up to see the approaching Weiss, a few bandages on her.

"I honestly don't know, but I plan to find out."

"And how are you gonna do that, Hero?"

He looked at the approaching Yang and Blake.

"There are several missions that have been categorized as S-rank recently. Even a few SS-ranks," he answered Yang.

Blake's eyes widened. "You want to do a trial by fire."

"Worked with Ruby's eyes."

"I wouldn't recommend that." Jaune looked back at Ren as he approached his leader with his wife and Ruby, Argent walking next to his mom while still holding Nimueh. "Ruby's Silver Eyes are one thing, but you have the Powers of Grimm. No one knows what they're capable of."

"I mean, we know that he can use magic like the Maidens," Nora said with a shrug.

"You can what," Yang went.

Jaune shrugged. "Used a flaming sword to beat Adam."

"Does that mean you can kick my mom's ass? She needs a good spanking for ignoring my little Arie, Silber, and ESPECIALLY my Verde."

"Yang, I'm not going to fight your mom."

"Boo."

"First thing's first, though." Jaune looked at his house. "I need to get us a place to sleep until my house is repaired. So Argent."

"Hm? Me," he asked as he pointed at himself.

"Yup. We have three choices: that penthouse in Vale, Aunt Saphron and Terra's house, or your grandparent's house. Where do you w-"

"Grandma and Grandpa's," Argent said excitedly without missing a beat.

"You sure? Some of your aunts might still be-"

"Grandma and Grandpa's," he said with more vigor.

"Alright. Grandma and Grandpa's it is. Hopefully seeing me like this won't give them too much of a heart attack."

"HEY! YOU DIDN'T EVEN SUGGEST STAYING WITH ANY OF US," Yang yelled. "Come on, I want to spend my time with my freakin' blood ne-"

Blake immediately clamped her hand over Yang's mouth. "There are reporters everywhere, and people STILL don't know Argent is Ruby's son. We have enough scandals as it is, Yang," Blake hissed out, making Yang slump over in defeat.

"Thanks, Blake. Now, Arie, pack up. We're going to your grandparent's house."

"ALRIGHT," Argent went with an excited jump before running into his destroyed house. "WHOA," he went after a crash was heard, making everyone worried. "I'M OKAY!"

"I DON'T CARE," Ruby yelled before using her Semblance to speed her way into the house to keep her son safe.

Jaune chuckled before he looked annoyed. "AND WOULD YOU LEAVE ALREADY!? NO INTERVIEWS," he roared, scaring everyone away, with the cameraman dragging the reporter away.

"WE'LL CALL TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT," she yelled before she was forced into the van that sped away.

"One must respect a woman dedicated to her craft," Ren said.

"Sooooo... off to see your parents, eh," Yang asked Jaune as he was carrying a bag, little Argent following him.

Jaune sighed. "Yang, it's his choice."

"But in his defense, you only gave him three choices. You didn't suggest Aunt Yang and Blake or Grandpa Tai or Mommy Ruby."

"I'm not about to go to New Mantle. Besides, me and Ruby in so much as the same city? That's way too awkward."

"NOT THAT AWKWARD," Ruby called.

"STILL NO," he called back. "As for you and Blake, I know you two would gladly let us stay with you-"

"Without batting an eye," Blake chimed in.

"But I'd rather keep this within family."

"We ARE family."

"IMMEDIATE family."

"Oh, come on! I'm practically your sister-in-"

"Don't. Finish. That. Sentence," Jaune went. "Let me remind you something, Mrs. Xiao Long: Weiss is married to Ruby, not me. We're family friends, but not family. It's too weird. Also, don't you think you're trying too hard to get my kid to stay with you? I'm starting to worry about Verde."

"Oh, but Verde would love it! She would be a great older cousin to Arie!"

"Yang," Jaune began as he pushed up his garage door. "We made up our mind."

Yang was about to say something before she saw what was inside the garage. She then began to drool. "Ooh, baby, she's beautiful. How did you get her?"

"It was a reward on a mission a while back. I took a job from a former Atlas scientist, one of the few that got out through Ambrosius's portals. He custom made it for me. It's basically tailor made for me, save for the name. He insisted that it'd be called the King's Glaive."

"AWE, THAT IS AN AWESOME NAME!"

"It did grow on me," Jaune said as he pushed a few buttons on the hover cycle, a large compartment opening on both sides. Jaune put his bags in one compartment while Argent put his in the other before his dad helped him onto the bike, handing him his helmet.

"It should take about a month or two before the house is fully repaired. Got a friend to take the job, after all. See you around, Yang," Jaune said as he put on his helmet and activated the cycle.

"Uh, yeah." Yang couldn't take her eyes off of the bike. "Mama want."

"He might make one for you under the right circumstances." Jaune then took out a notebook and wrote in it before handing the paper over to Yang. "See ya around, Mrs. Xiao Long. Tell Verde Argent and I said hi." Jaune pushed a few buttons on his helmet, waiting a bit before an electric 'CONNECTED' was heard. "Ready, kiddo?"

"Ready, dad," Argent answered through his helmet's mic after he put Nimueh into the bike's sheath for her. Jaune then sped away, leaving behind a dust trail when the bike hit the road.

"Bye-bye, bike," Yang went as she waved good-bye.

Blake walked up to her wife, looked in the same direction as her, then waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Yang, you realize Jaune just left with Argent, right?"

"Eh? Huh? AAAAAH! ARC, GET YOUR BUTT BACK HERE! YOU DIDN'T EVEN CALL MY DAD TO SEE IF HE WOULD LET ARGENT STAY WITH HIM!"

Ruby giggled at her sister's antics as Weiss and Silber walked into their airship.

"Ruby?" She looked to see Ren and Nora walk up. "Can we talk to you... in private," Nora asked sheepishly.

"Is something wrong," Ruby asked.

"Well... possibly," Ren answered.

The three walked to where they were out of earshot, Ruby explaining to Weiss that she was just going to have a short chat with the remaining members of Team RNJR.

"So, what's up? Did something almost happen to Argent during that fight against Adam," Ruby asked in a serious tone.

"No," Ren answered.

"Thanks the gods, no," Nora sighed in relief. She then blushed. "But... was what you did... really a good idea?"

"What I did?"

"Yeah... when you... you know... with Jaune?"

"Jaune?" Ruby took a while to think. "Oh. . . Oooooh. Yeah, that was kinda bad," Ruby said with a blush.

"Bad? Ruby, what you did is considered to be quite dishonorable," Ren said.

"I know, and I feel bad now that it's over."

"Well, as long as you understa-" Ren began.

"I mean, I'm not even an Arc, yet I drew Crocea Mors." The couple looked at Ruby blankly. "I mean, yeah, it was a spur of the moment thing, and I was mostly thinking about protecting Arie, but that was still out of line. Crocea Mors is an Arc family heirloom, and it might as well be Pyrrha's legacy. That sword means so much to Jaune. I had Crescent Rose with me, so I should have used her instead of Jaune's sword. I mean, I wouldn't like it if someone used Crescent Rose without my permission."

"Ruby, are you being serious," Nora asked.

"Hm? Yeah. Of course. A Huntsman's weapon is a part of them. You wouldn't like just anyone swinging around Magnhild, right, Nora?"

"Oh, absolutely not! That's a surefire way to get your legs broken." Nora took a moment to think before shaking her head. "But that's not the point. We're talking about what you did with Jaune?"

"With Jaune? You mean protect Argent?"

"No. When he got out of the rubble."

"Hug him?"

"No!"

"Oh, the slap. Maybe that was out of line, but he really scared me."

"NO! I MEAN! Urgh. Look, maybe showing you would be easier. Pretend I'm you."

"Um, okay?"

"Now, let's pretend Renny here is our beloved hero, Jaune."

"Uh, sure. So, why are you wrapping your arms around him? I mean, he's your husband, sure, but if you're pretending to be me and Jaune, then there's no reason to do that."

"Uh, Nora, what are you pla-" Ren was interrupted when Nora kissed him.

Ruby's jaw dropped as she turned as red as her cape. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE YOU TWO PRETENDING TO BE ME AND JAUNE!"

Nora parted from her husband's lips as she looked at Ruby. "We are. This is EXACTLY what you did when he got out of the rubble."

"Wha?! No it isn't! Oh, wait. I get it. You just wanted an excuse to kiss Ren, right?"

"While I won't deny that, I also stand by the fact I am speaking the truth."

"Oh, come on. Ren can you tell Nora to stop jo-"

"She's not joking." Ruby's eyes widened. "Though the kiss was unnecessary, as enjoyable as it was," he mumbled the last bit.

"I knew you'd love it," Nora said in a singsong voice.

"Nora isn't lying. You really did kiss Jaune."

"I-I did... I wha-... You gotta be... No way! I couldn't have kissed Jaune!"

"We were there, Ruby," Nora said. "Is there something you're not telling us?"

"Something- No! I'm not hiding anything! I don't remember kissing Jaune! Besides, I'm married to Weiss! I love my wife! I love my daughter! Why would I mess that up?!"

"Maybe... because deep down... and I know this is hard to hear, considering how hard it is to say..." Ren took a deep breath. "You... might still be in love with Jaune."

Ruby's eyes widened. "Wha? Ren, what are you- Wait. What did you mean by STILL?"

"Oh, come on, Ruby. It's obvious you at least had a crush on Jaune back in the day," Nora said. "How else would you two have made a kid as cute as Arie?"

Ruby was babbling before she squatted down and cupped her cheeks. 'Me? . . . AND JAUNE,' she mentally screamed.


Jaune rode down the empty trail, enjoying the feel of the wind on his skin. As he was driving, the sound of his son's yawn caught his attention. "I heard that, kiddo."

"What? I'm not tired," Argent said with a yawn.

"What have I said about riding?"

"Don't do it while drowsy since I might fall off?"

"Bingo. Not even Aura can protect you from a broken neck."

"Yes, sir. I'm a bit drowsy. We've been riding for about five hours."

"True. Can't blame you. Plus, the sun is starting to go down. Fortunately, we're near a town. I did a job there a while back. There's a nice motel ran by a friend of mine. Said I could stay the night if I ever needed to. Hopefully he has room."

"Any good restaurants?"

"Plenty."

"Yes."

Jaune chuckled at his son's little cheer before he noticed something. "Incoming."

"Hm? Oh, a Beowolf. You plan on a drive-by slash?"

"Yeah." Jaune reached for his sword, about to draw. Yet, he stopped when the Beowolf looked at him. "What?"

"Something wrong, dad?"

"It's... not aggressive?"

"Huh? What are you-" Argent looked and realized that Jaune was right. The Grimm was just standing at the side of the road, not looking ready to pounce at all. It wasn't even baring its fangs. It was... just sitting there.

Then, as Jaune drove by, the Arcs noticed something in the split second they passed the beast. Something that made both of their eyes widen.

"Dad... did that Grimm just... bow?"

"It... It did. . . It bowed... to me." Jaune looked down at his gloved hand, thinking about the white skin underneath. "Is this what it means... to be the next Salem?"

"Dad, I heard that."

Jaune glanced back at his son before looking back at the road.

"You're not like her. She was a bad guy. You? You're a hero." Argent then hugged his dad. "At least... you're my hero."

Jaune glanced down before looking back up at the road. "That's all that matters." He then reeved the bike, speeding towards the town.


A bartender was cleaning a glass when his bell rang. "Welcome to the Fairy's Hideaway. We got booze, food, and rooms."

"Glad to hear the last part, Wilhelm."

The bartender looked up and saw Jaune with his hood on. "As I live and breath! The Vale Knight! What's wrong, Jaune? Got a pack of ursa need hunting? Flock of Nevermores? Hunting Boarbatusks for sport again?"

"Again," Argent asked.

"Hm? And who's the little one? Looks like you. Wait, little master, aren't you the Vale Regional Champ?"

"Huh? Um, yeah. That's me."

"HA-HAH! TWO ARCS IN MY TAVERN! Ah, Jaune, ya old so-and-so. So you're takin' yer boy out to follow in his old man's footsteps, eh?"

Jaune chuckled. "Something like that. I'm actually taking him to his grandparents. He needs a place to stay for a month or two."

"Eh? Oh. So that foolishness over the radio was true, eh? You really were attacked."

Jaune jolted a bit, knowing his friend heard about that... and probably more. "Yeah. So, news reached here already, eh?"

"My boy, news pertaining to you moves faster than a stone thrown by your boy. So, I have to ask... is what they said true? Were you cursed to look like her?"

Jaune stared at the bartender before he sighed. He then took off his hood.

"Mm. Sorry, old friend."

"Yeah. I am, too." There was an awkward silence. "Wilhelm, about the rooms-"

The bartender placed a key on the counter. "Down the hall, take a right, eighth door to the left. One of my nicest available ones."

"Oh. Thanks. How much do I owe you?"

The man scoffed. "Jaune, my boy, you took only a quarter of the reward we promised you so we could rebuild. Those Grimm did such a number on our town that the money was barely enough. We've yet to fully repay you, hero. Your stay for the night and dinner is on the house."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. The wife would agree."

"And I'd also promise a nice hot meal in the next hour! You'd better bring an appetite, Vale Knight," a woman called from the kitchen.

Jaune smiled. "Thank you. Come on, Argent."

"Yeah." Jaune then took the key and walked to the room.

Wilhelm watched them leave with a smile before sighing. His wife then leaned against the kitchen window counter. "That man is in for a hard life, especially if that rumor is true."

"The Grimm Zealots? Those maniacs that actually worship Salem? Yeah. I pray to the gods that Jaune doesn't have to deal with them this or any other day. The least we can do is offer some fine hospitality to one of Remnant's greatest heroes."

"It's the least he deserves. Besides, that boy is adorable. Makes me want to spoil him. When are we going to have a child?"

"Oh, don't start that again, Henriette!"


"Ms. Lavender, are you sure about this? Mr. Arc promised to schedule an interview."

"While traveling across half of Vale? He's practically in Mistral! At the very least, I want some pictures. 'The Hero of Vale, still our beloved Knight or the Successor of the Witch'? Now that's a headline. Even so much as a picture would DROWN us in ratings. Plus, a picture of the Greatest Huntsman Alive is always valuable. Now shut up and give me your camera."

The meek man whimpered before giving his boss his camera. The woman carefully and quietly stood up towards the windowsill of Jaune's room. She raised her camera, only to freeze.

"M-Ms. Lavender?"

The woman fell onto the ground, eyes wide, and blood flowing... from her nose. "That's... just... not... fair." The woman then fainted.

"M-Ms. Lavender? What did you-"

The sound of a man clearing his throat was heard. The meek man looked up, only for his jaw to drop.

In the light of the window was a shirtless Jaune, drying his long hair, his body still wet and glistening from his shower. He had a few scars, but that only added to his masculinity, his muscles toned, standing like a god, his white skin giving him an almost ghostly, mysterious, ethereal beauty. Even his red eyes were beautiful in the light of the shattered moon.

"I believe I said I would make an appointment for our exclusive. Just be patient. I'm only going to Ansel to see if my parents can take in me and my son until our house is rebuilt. Just be patient." Jaune then closed the windows.

The meek man just stared at the window before getting a nosebleed and falling next to his boss. "That's... just... not... fair." He then fainted.

"What was that about," Argent asked, lying over the edge of his bed while reading a book Blake gave him for his birthday.

"Nothing. Just some annoying birds that needed some attention."

"Great Uncle Qrow?"

Jaune actually snickered before clearing his throat to regain his composure. "No, son. Not Great Uncle Qrow."

Argent then got excited as he sat up. "Is it Great Aunt Raven?! I've always wanted to meet her! Aunt Yang and Great Uncle Tai has told me really interesting stories about her!"


Meanwhile.

Tai was cooking some dinner when his cowlicks stood straight up. He then began to comically cry into his dinner. "It's 'grandpa', Arie. Call me grandpa. GAAAH," he went as he threw his hands into the air. "DAMMIT, JAUNE! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST COME OVER TO MY PLACE?! I'M LIKE AN HOUR CLOSER!"

He then slumped and got into a fetal position, hugging his legs with a depressed Aura over him. "I just wanna be a good grandpa."

As he began to sulk, he began to sniff the air. He looked to see that his dinner was burning. "OH, CRAP!"


Elsewhere.

Raven was maintaining her weapon when her cowlick shot up. She then shivered before looking around. "Someone... WANTS to see me? Hm, must be an enemy." She then went back to cleaning Omen.

"Boss?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"You might want to see this. It involves Vale," the bandit said while holding a picture.

Raven sighed. "Does it have anything to do with Yang?"

"Well, yes and no. She's involved with it, but she's not the main focus."

The man handed Raven the photo. She took one look and jumped, a look of shock on her face. "Salem?! She's alive?!"

"No, ma'am. Look closer."

Raven did. "It's... a man?"


Back to the traveling father and son.

"Trust me, Arie, you don't want to meet Raven. Not yet. Maybe when you're older and stronger. Or whenever Nimueh thinks you're ready and vetoes me again."

Argent then looked depressed before looking at the sword at the side of his bed. "Nimueh."

Jaune then realized what he did and sighed. "Sorry, kiddo. I miss her, too."

"Can't you bring her back? Your Aura recharges much faster than mine."

"Argent, I'm not who I was anymore." Jaune said as he sat on his bed across from Argent's. He then held up his white arm. "I'm not human anymore. You saw what happened when I touched Nimueh. Grimm don't have Aura, and as far as we could tell, neither did Salem." Jaune then looked at his arm sadly. "I... might not ever be able to use my Semblance ever again, meaning I can never bring Nimueh back with my own power."

"So, we have to wait for my Aura to recharge tomorrow?"

Jaune sighed. "I'm afraid so." Jaune stared at his arm. "Still, if I could use my Semblance... I would take it as both a blessing and a sign that I'm still at least a little bit-WHOA," Jaune went as his arm began to glow.

Argent's eyes widened. "Dad... it's... it's..."

"My Semblance? Do I... still have my..."

Jaune then looked at Nimueh and slowly reached for it.

"Dad?"

Jaune looked at Argent, who looked worried. Jaune gave the boy a reassuring smile, which made Argent calm down a bit before nodding. Jaune then looked at the sword, took a deep breath to calm himself, and grabbed the hilt of the Sword of Destruction.

It didn't reject him like last time.

No lightning, no pain, no burning hand; nothing.

Instead, the blade began to glow, showing that Jaune was indeed fueling it with Aura. The sword then rose off the ground, completely glowing in light before it began to transform.

Then, in a flash of light, her beautiful hair flowing around her, Nimueh descended, her dainty feet gently falling onto the ground. She then flipped her hair back in the beautiful way she was known for, looked Jaune in the eye... and smiled. She then walked up to him and booped his nose.

"Took you long enough."