As Jaune was riding down the road, he heard something. A little tummy rumble. "Arie, did you skip breakfast again?"
"How are you able to hear my stomach rumble? The hovercycle's pretty loud, dad."
"I guess it's part of being a Grimm Hybrid. My vision is sharper, I can see better at night, my sense of smell is greater, and I can hear things more clearly than others could. I'm basically a Faunus at this point. I could probably beat Velvet in a hearing contest as I am now."
"Mrs. Daichi?"
"The very same. Anyway, there's a small town not too far from here. Let's get something to eat. Two and a half hours of riding on a bike is long enough anyway." Jaune then sped to the aforementioned town.
As he was riding, two bikers rode up onto the top of a plateau, watching the hero through binoculars.
"That's him, alright."
"Took us a long time. Still, think it's a good idea? I've been on my scroll. Seems he's gotten even stronger."
"Last time, he had a team. This time, the bastard's on his own, save for his brat. Besides," the biker began as he looked behind him. Behind him were sinister, armed, evilly chuckling crooks. "We have about half of our crew. Wait a bit longer for the other half, and once he's back on the road far from that hick town, he's ours."
Jaune parked the bike and paid the supervisor. "Welcome to our little town, Mr. Arc."
"I... never gave my name."
The man chuckled. "As if we wouldn't be able to recognize two of some of the most famous swords in Remnant. Plus, Mr. Argent is pretty famous, too, ya know."
Jaune looked down at his son, the boy giving a toothy smile in response. "Good point."
"Also, most of us saw the news. We know what you look like under your hood. Admittedly, you'll get some frightened looks here and there, but we still know you as one of the Heroes of Remnant."
Jaune looked at the man... and actually SENSED he was genuine. No negativity at all. Jaune then sighed. "Thank you." Jaune then took off his hood, showing off his white face, white hair, and red eyes.
"Huh... maybe you should be careful. You have enough lady fans as it is," the man said as he jokingly elbowed Jaune before laughing at his own words.
Jaune chuckled at the good-natured man. "So, any restaurants you'd recommend?"
"Hah! You came to the right man, hero!"
Jaune and Argent were walking around the town, people living their lives. Of course, Jaune being Jaune, many kids ran up to him and asked for his autograph, if he was really him, or a brand new one: if they could touch his wings.
"M-My wings?"
"Mhm. Your wings on tv were really pretty. Are they soft?"
"Well, they're Nevermore wings, so they might be hard and sharp. It might not be..." Jaune looked into the child's pleading eyes and sighed in defeat before letting one wing out. He had it droop down so the child could feel it.
"Wow. The feathers are so soft."
"Huh. They really are."
"Arie?!"
"How were you able to block all those attacks with these, dad?"
"I... don't really know. I guess they harden or something when I'm defensive?" Jaune then tried to harden his wing.
"WOW! IT'S SO SMOOTH," the child went, getting the attention of other kids, all of them playfully rubbing Jaune's wing.
"WATCH THE EDGES," Jaune went as the parents grabbed their children, apologizing to the Vale Knight, who sighed in exasperation.
"That was funny," Argent went with his hands behind his head. Jaune flicked his forehead, the boy rubbing the spot with a pout before giving a "shishishi".
"Let's get something to eat, you little hyena."
"Yes, sir."
"Jaune?" He looked to see a young Huntsman walk out of the town's guild hall, the man looking at Jaune in shock and surprise. "Jaune Arc? Is that really you?"
"Hm? Do I know-" Jaune then took a good look at the green-wearing young man. He thought the clothes were familiar, but the face was what really caught Jaune's attention. "Oscar?"
"No way. It really is you," Oscar went in excitement as he ran up to his old friend and hugged him. "It's been so long!"
Jaune chuckled. "That it has. You've grown. You're as tall as my chin now," Jaune said with a snarky smile.
Oscar chuckled before playfully punching Jaune's shoulder. "Shut up."
"What are you doing here, and coming out of a Huntsman's Guild, no less. I thought you went back to being a farmer after 'having your fill of adventure for a few lifetimes'."
Oscar shrugged. "I was wrong. I got the itch back. I still take care of my farm, but I like to go on a nice mission once in a while. Gotta keep the wife entertained, too."
"Entertained?" Jaune then heard the door open. He looked to see another familiar face. "I'll be damned." Jaune smiled. "Long time, no see, Mrs. Pine."
She smiled. "Smartass. Just call me Emerald." Emerald's smile went away as quickly as it came. "You really do look like her now."
The mood went down a bit as Jaune looked down with a sad smile. "Yeah. I'm sure seeing me like this brings back some less than pleasant memories... for both of you."
Oscar looked down. "I'm... sorrier for you."
"Me?"
"Is it... like how it was with me and Oz? Can you... can you feel her?"
Jaune shook his head. "No. Honestly, I've only heard her voice once. When I was forcefully turned into this. She... actually helped me... and apologized for being forced to be her successor. She truly didn't want this for anyone."
"So, you haven't heard from her," Oscar asked.
"Not since the first time, no." Jaune looked at his hand. "Though, I almost wish I could speak with her. These powers are terrifying. I need a guide." Jaune then clenched his fist. "But then again, that's what I'm going to Haven for."
"Haven," Emerald asked. "Jinn?"
"Yeah."
"But Jaune, Jinn hasn't-"
A stomach growl was heard. Everyone looked down at a now blushing Argent, his hands on his stomach. He looked up and gave a nervous smile with his shishishi laugh. "You... didn't hear that... right?"
The adults looked at the child before snickering, which escalated to laughter.
"Come on. We found a really good place. Our treat," Oscar said, pointing his thumb towards the restaurant Jaune and Argent were actually headed towards.
The group sat down, having lighthearted talks as the waitress walked up and handed them menus.
"Hm? We're missing one, young lady," Jaune went.
"Excuse me, Mr. Arc? There are only four of you at the table," the confused girl went, hoping not to mess up in front of three of the Heroes.
"Yahoo," Nimueh went as she leaned past Jaune with a wave.
The waitress went beet red. "M-M-M-M-MRS. ARC! I'M SO SORRY, MA'AM! I'LL BE RIGHT BACK," she said as she took off.
Jaune, Nimueh, Argent, and Emerald burst out laughing, while Oscar was pretty much pinching himself to prevent himself from laughing. "That's not funny. That was mean and you know it," he said with a few snickers leaking out.
"It was worth it," Nimueh went as she hugged Jaune's arm.
"Been a while since I heard anyone call you Mrs. Arc," Jaune said.
"It's been a while since you took us out to eat."
"You two haven't changed," Emerald said. She then got a serious look. "And I see HE hasn't changed either."
The table became somber as Jaune sighed. "No, he hasn't. If anything, he's even worse."
"How is he even still alive? You said Qrow STABBED him, and he fell into a bottomless pit. Not even that lunatic should have survived," Emerald went in a hushed tone.
"Mad men tend to survive impossible odds. He's driven, Em. You of all people should know that," Jaune said.
"Jaune, you HAVE to be careful. You're strong... but so was Mercury. I... I don't want to lose another friend to that freak."
"My dad can beat him." Emerald looked at a stern looking Argent. "He's the strongest man in the world, the world's greatest Huntsman, and my hero. No way can he be beaten by some old freak. Besides, I'll be there to help. I'm an Arc, and we take care of our family." Argent then gave a toothy smile.
Everyone smiled at him before Emerald sighed. "Hell of a kid ya got there, hero."
"Damn right," Jaune and Nimueh said.
"So, when are you two going to have one," Jaune asked.
The two twitched as their faces turned bright red. Oscar turned his head with a cough while Emerald shut her eyes, still smiling, but her eyebrow twitching. "Remind me to throw a fireball the size of a Nevermore at you."
Jaune laughed. "Maybe not a good idea to piss off the current Fall Maiden."
"No. No, it is not," Emerald said as she jokingly activated her eyes.
"That reminds me," Oscar went. "Jaune?"
"Hm?"
"Can you use magic?" Emerald deactivated her powers and leaned in, also curious.
Jaune stared at them and sighed before he grabbed the bread rolls on the table. He held it up to his mouth and blew a small flame onto it, heating it up to a steaming temperature before tossing it Argent. The boy easily caught and ate the bread. "Yum!"
"At first, I thought I was channeling the powers of a Sphinx or Manticore, being a Grimm Hybrid and all. Then I found out I could do this." Jaune held up his hand, making four tiny balls of magic appear above his fingers before making them spin around, a familiar trick that made Emerald feel uncomfortable.
"Obviously, I'm nowhere near as powerful as she was. Emerald would be able to beat me in a battle of magic blind folded. But, somehow, I know... that this isn't even close to what I can do. It might be mental, it might be physical, or it might be something else entirely; but my powers are sealed. Maybe I'm afraid that if I use magic... I'll see the world through her eyes and become more like her."
"Jaune, you're nothing like Salem," Oscar said. "You're a hero. You've saved more lives than I can count. You're one of the few 1st Class International Huntsmen in the world, taken down plenty of criminal organizations, and saved countless towns and villages from hordes of Grimm. I mean, look at Argent."
"Me?"
"You raised him to be someone the next generation can count on. Kid's going to be a hero, like his dad. We can all see it. You weren't there to see Jinn's vision, but I did tell you what happened when Salem and Ozma had children, didn't I?"
Jaune sighed. "You did."
"Don't ever think you're like Salem. You're Jaune 'Vale Knight' Arc, the Wielder of Destruction, and one of the Heroes of Remnant. Remember that."
Jaune looked at Oscar and smiled. "Thanks, Oscar. You really do know how to make a guy feel like a hero, don't you? Still have some Ozpin in you?"
"Oh, he better not. That old man doesn't need to know about our lives," Emerald said.
"Huu-huu-huuu," Nimueh went.
Emerald blushed. "That's not what I meant, you perverted blade!" The table, saved for a confused looking Argent, laughed.
"What's so funny," the boy asked.
"We'll tell you when you're older," Nimueh said.
"Say, sixteen, maybe," Jaune chimed in.
"TOO YOUNG," the opposite couple yelled comedically.
"Um..." The group looked at the nervous waitress. "Are we... ready to order," she asked with a blush.
"Ow-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha," the waitress said as she was standing before a table full of piles of empty plates, holding a tip of 1000 lien as the group left. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PLEASE COME AGAIN," she screamed in excitement to the tip worth a week of her hourly wage.
"I can't believe you ate that much," Argent said to Jaune.
"Yeah. You usually only eat about four plates whenever I cook. You literally ate everything on the menu," Nimueh said.
Jaune patted his still slim stomach. "I was hungrier than I thought. I guess this body can really hold its own. I don't think there's an eating contest in existence that can beat me as I am."
"This coming from the guy who ordered a super-sized bowl of noodles during his Beacon years in the Vital Festival," Emerald said.
"Hey, I almost barfed after eating that entire bowl. Now, I feel like that would just be a snack. I hope this doesn't mean I need to eat a metric ton of food every day," Jaune went in worry.
"Eh, you're rich. You can afford it, Mr. #1 Huntsman," Emerald retorted.
"Yeah, yeah, I get paid the big bucks, Mrs. Fall Maiden. Speaking of which, you really should have at least let me pay for my food, Oscar. How did you have the lien to cover this?"
"Please. I'm a famer and a successful Huntsman. Plus, I know all the right people to sell to. Emerald knows a few good people, too."
Jaune looked at Emerald with a raised eyebrow.
"Legal. LEGAL. I haven't been a thief in years. Last time I stole was when I helped take the lamp back from Salem."
"That wasn't-" Emerald covered his mouth. 'If you keep quiet, we can 'try again' tonight,' she whispered.
"Emerald, I heard that."
'Those stupid Grimm ears of his,' she grumbled.
"Heard that, too." Emerald just stuck her tongue out at him before taking her hand off her husband's mouth. "Also, his heart is pounding like a jackhammer. What's got him so excited?"
"Uh-uh. Not giving away that info for any price."
"Fair enough."
"So, Jaune, what do you have planned," a springy Oscar asked.
Jaune looked at him with a raised eyebrow before Nimueh got up to his ear. 'Bedroom alchemy.'
'Three nights a week?'
'That's us. No idea how many times a week they do it. But seriously, honey, take a hint and try not to say stuff like that around Arie.'
'Only if you promise,' Jaune whispered with a sly smile.
Nimueh actually blushed. 'Why you- I won't be gentle.'
'You make it sound like I would be.'
'Oh, you're on,' she whispered with an excited smile.
"Uh, Jaune?"
He and Nimueh jumped at Oscar, before the hero cleared his throat. He glanced at Emerald, who had her arms crossed beneath her large breasts, a knowing smile on her face as she had her eyebrow raised. Jaune could basically see her thought: 'Not so fun now, is it?'
Jaune sighed. "I'm taking Arie to my parents' house in Ansel. We'll stay with them until our house is rebuilt, but I also want to see Jinn in Mistral."
"Well, we'll be back home in a few weeks. If you need a place to stay, our farm is always open for a friend," Oscar said.
Jaune smiled as they reached his hovercycle, giving Argent his helmet. "Thanks, Oscar. I suppose I'll be seeing you again soon, Em."
"Looking forward to it, Jauney. If you want to spare, get a feel for magic, I wouldn't mind showing you some tips and tricks," she said as she held up a finger, a little flame above it.
Jaune smiled. "I'd like that," he said as he put on his own helmet. He then tried to imitate Emerald, only for a quick spark. "Looks like I'll definitely need it." Nimueh then turned back into a sword, Jaune catching her and putting her in her custom-made sheath. "See you around, Mr. and Mrs. Pine." With that, Jaune rode off.
"There he goes," Emerald said, watching Argent wave them goodbye.
"Yeah. . . So... about that promise?"
Emerald blushed before she sighed. "Can't you wait until ton-" She gave a cute sound when Oscar gently placed his hand on her hip. "I'll take that as a no. . ." She groaned. "Fine! Let's go to our room already," she said as she dragged Oscar away by his hand.
"Yes, ma'am," he said as he kept pace with his wife, intertwining his fingers with hers.
