Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY
Jaune with a surprise
To say Ruby Rose was having a terrible experience during her first day at Beacon would be saying that Ruby Rose did not like cookies and strawberries.
Not only was her sister boasting about her being the bee's knees in the airship – garnering most of the attention towards her, but that same sister also ditched her the moment they landed on the school grounds, abandoning her surrounded by people two years older than her. Not only was leaving a girl younger than most of the population of Beacon alone was a bad idea, but that same girl is also terrible at anything relating to doing with socializing. She wouldn't know the first thing about what to do she's left alone.
Now while that would be bad, Ruby would still be fine. She's a big girl now, she drinks milk! Sure, she's going to struggle to try to talk to people, but she'll manage.
Probably.
But just as she was going to make her first step, she stumbled. And exploded. And no, this isn't some metaphor or a figure of speech or an expression. She literally exploded, and that wasn't even her fault! It was an accident, but of course, it's her fault according to a certain princess.
A princess dressed in white, or heiress – if that girl with the bow was correct. While she was at fault at first for stumbling right into her luggage in the first place, she's the one that waved that dust vial in her face – causing her to sneeze. So now she was yelled at by someone she just met!
Speaking of someone she also just met, the girl with the bow. While she did lay off the heiress and embarrassed her somewhat, she had also not actually bothered to help her up, and even speak with her! While Ruby was not the most knowledgeable in social etiquette, she was sure that just walking away from someone trying to talk to you was rude.
"Welcome to Beacon." Ruby whispered to herself. What a disappointing turn of events for her. Just arrived and everything was already going wrong? What if it's like this for all her years here? She shivered at the predictions. Just as she was about to feel even more sorry for herself, she got interrupted.
"Hello there, need a hand?" Ruby turned to the soft and melodic voice and gulped.
Beautiful. This girl—no, woman was beautiful. So beautiful in fact, that it made her feel something. Inferiority, admiration, jealousy, submissiveness, and relief. Inferior because the red hooded girl has never met someone as beautiful as this before. She had seen model magazines at windows and poster girls at some walls before, but they all pale in comparison to her. Not even her sister Yang, could ever compare to someone like her.
Admiration, because this beauty incarnate was talking to her and even helping her up! At least one thing is going right this day! Jealousy, because who wouldn't be jealous when they have this look? While Ruby wasn't grown-up or mature enough to know or even care about things like beauty, even she knew that she could never hold a candle to her.
Submissiveness and relief; simply because she felt like it. This girl emitted an aura, a feeling of superiority. Like she will take care of you, that everything is going to be okay, only if you let her take control.
The woman was wearing a blue crop top hoodie with a white bunny logo in it. She was wearing a mini-skirt and under it, spats. She was wearing armor on her chest and shoulders. On her forearm were vambraces. She also had greaves on with black stockings under them. Her blonde hair was in a shoulder-length side-tail, her eyes an aquamarine color, and on her hip was a strap for a handgun. A hand cannon to be exact.
"Um-uhh… yes?" Ruby stuttered. Crap! She was too busy staring at her and her oh-so-amazing weapon!
The woman giggled – an angelic voice. She then offered a hand which Ruby took to stand up and thanked her. The moment she stood up she was surprised. Huh. This girl wasn't much taller than her. Quite short really – was she on the same age as her?
"You're welcome, my name's Jaune Arc." The woman said softly.
"I'm Ruby Rose." Ruby replied. So, her name is Jeanne huh? What a wonderful name.
"Ruby, huh? Would you like to be friends?" Jaune said.
"Really?" Ruby proclaimed with wide eyes. Wow, she's aiming to be friends with her? The socially-awkward girl who can't speak with strangers without someone holding her hand?
"Sure." Jaune smiled.
"Thank you!" Ruby smiled back. This day may have had a bad start, but maybe things were looking up.
…
Yang Xiao Long was worried.
She made up an excuse and followed a group of people, leaving her sister behind at the entrance. But she had to! Ruby had to grow up and learn how to be independent one day. Can't rely on her big sister every time after all.
Still, she was worried. What if something went wrong? What if it was too much? Trial by fire usually produces successful results, but it can also backfire and make things worse. What if she regresses to herself more than before? Worse, what if she exploded?
While her exploding seems like an event that's unlikely to happen, the other situations? Not so much.
That's why Yang Xiao Long was surprised.
Ruby Rose. Her sister. Her sister who couldn't make a friend on her own to save her life actually made a friend. Not only that, her friend was beautiful, even she felt jealous and intimidated by her. Yang was impressed. She thought her sister would most likely walk alone, be dejected, and grumble while entering the building. But she was walking, talking, socializing with her friend!
While Yang was occupied by her thoughts about her sister possibly growing up, said sister noticed her and said some words to Jaune before barreling towards her.
"Yang! How could you?" Ruby cried out, trying to punch her sister.
"Sorry, sis! But you had to learn! I can't be there for you every time, you know?" Yang placated.
Ruby pouted.
"Come on, Ruby, I had to. You need to learn how to be on your own. Besides, from the way you talked to that girl earlier, you seemed to be doing okay, right?"
Ruby pouted even more.
Yang sighed. This was going to be a long day.
…
Blake Belladonna was afraid.
She thought her eyes were fooling her, but nope. She was here.
In Beacon.
With her.
Why would Blake be afraid? Simple. Because that blonde girl was here. That same blonde girl who she encountered in the train at Forever Fall. That same girl who threw an Atlas Spider Droid singlehandedly to them and threw both of them off the train – effectively stopping their operation. Thankfully, that girl threw both of them on opposite sides so Blake could take the opportunity to escape.
And escape, she did. She knew she couldn't beat that blonde – she learned that the hard way with Adam when they underestimated her size. Not only was she strong, but she was also fast, agile, overall better than them. She outclassed them. HOW? Blake had never met anyone stronger than Adam that wasn't already a professional Huntsman barring Sienna herself. As far as she knew and saw that blonde couldn't be older than both of them. Hell, she looked younger than them, she only knew her age was 17 when they asked what was a kid doing here.
The Belladonna was scared. How couldn't she? Someone of the same age as her, already being this strong? What a monster. What kind of training did she go through? How brutal was her lifestyle to emit that kind of aura? What if-
SLAP!
She slapped both of her cheeks with her hands. Doesn't matter, thankfully she decided to wear a mask that day, back when she was in the White Fang. Still… that girl looked pretty.
She blushed and walk faster.
"I better not get Stockholm syndrome…" she muttered.
…
"I'll do it!"
Weiss raised her hand up upon Professor Port's challenge. She needed to let out some steam. On the first day, she exploded. On the second day, the girl who caused the accidental explosion was made her partner and leader. And on the third day, that same girl wasn't even showing the image of a proper leader! How could Weiss, someone who was tutored and taught this for years, not even considered? Surely the professors could see that she was the better option, right?
As she walked down to get her equipment, she felt herself getting more upset. Speaking of partners, she was disappointed that someone else became partners with the Pyrrha Nikos; top of her class at Sanctum, four-time Mistral tournament champion, and unfortunately, partners with some girl named Jeanne?
The nerve of her! She didn't even know who Pyrrha was! How can anyone who's aspiring to be in a huntsman profession be unaware of one of the strongest in their generation? And why did that girl have to be so pretty! She was petite, looked frail, but strong! Like, really strong! The heiress shuddered at remembering the events at Initiation.
As she walked back to the classroom, she filed the thoughts away. No matter! It's not her problem, what is her problem is the leadership of team RWBY! Or should it be team WRBY? She may have to talk to the professors after this.
…
"Finally, Combat Class!" Yang cheered. Classes were so boring! At least they have something exciting to look forward to.
"I wonder what weapons other people are gonna use?" Ruby mused excitedly. Behind her were Weiss and Blake.
"Something wrong, Weiss?" Blake questioned. While the fiasco between Ruby and Weiss ended quite amicably, what if it's still going on?
"Hmm? Uh-no, I'm just curious about team JNPR." Weiss answered.
"What about them?" Yang asked.
"It's just… three of their members looked quite shocked today." Weiss replied. Indeed, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, and Lie Ren looked shell-shocked earlier this morning. Although Nora recovered the quickest, what could have happened to have caught them all off-guard like that?
"Will Miss Xiao Long and Mr. Arc get on the stage?" Glynda Goodwitch announced.
"Oh yeah! It's my turn!" Yang grinned and practically jumped onto the stage. She had already brought her weapons with her.
"Wait, Mr. Arc?" Huh, that was weird. Maybe Jeanne had a brother with him? Strange, she never told us about him.
Yang's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. She looked up to see…
"Jeanne?" Yang stared. She was wearing a black blouse with white lines. A grey skirt with a white outline at the bottom. Black combat gloves and black combat boots. She had straps on her shoulders and necks, and a belt holding a hand cannon and pouches. Her blonde hair was shoulder-length tied in a side-ponytail on the left side with a blue hairband and had a cowlick. (1)
Jaune smiled.
"Hey, where's your brother?"
The smile turned into a small grin.
Wait.
"Professor?" Yang turned to Goodwitch.
The teacher kept a straight face.
"Guys?" she then turned to team (J)NPR.
Nora nodded her head vigorously. Ren shook his head. Pyrrha kept smiling, but it was strained.
"Uh…" then, reluctantly, she turned her head upfront to face…him…?
"Yup!" Jaune began. "I am a—" he twirled around. "—a boy!" he finished with a wink, his hands on his admittedly amazing hips.
.
.
.
.
.
"WHAT?!" the whole class barring NPR and Goodwitch screeched.
Yang was surprised. What? This girl was a dude? How did he look so good? Better than her, even?!
Ruby was shocked. Her friend. Her first friend at Beacon who she thought was a girl – a beautiful girl was in fact, a boy?!
Both Weiss and Blake's minds crashed.
Pyrrha's smile strained even more. Yep, she found out that she was a he when Nora dragged her to the showers and said that they were going to have bathroom fun. Something about saving time and figuring out how their leader seemed to glow and be so pretty? She didn't remember much because her mind blanked out the moment she saw her leader's sword.
Nora cackled. While she was the first one to discover that her fearless leader was a man, she was also the first one to recover. Which is great, she can use him as a reference to be prettier! Not even Ren was that beautiful – she would know, she tried.
Ren sighed, he was probably the worst one-off. He figured out his leader was a man when Nora burst open the door while holding Pyrrha, and he saw his sword. He gulped. How was it so huge?! He felt inferior. Maybe it's because Jaune has a small frame and therefore it looked bigger? Still, he sulked, hidden by his stoic face.
Every other student wasn't well off either. How could someone so cute like that, be a boy? Some went in denial that there was no way someone so girly could be a man. Some girls were jealous that he was more feminine than them. And one was taking pictures, and mumbling "waifu" over and over again.
"That's enough rambling, Miss Xiao Long. Let's start the match." Goodwitch called.
"Oh, uh, right!" Yang responded and got ready into her fighting stance. Jaune did the same.
"Three, two, one…Match, start!"
Jaune immediately went for the offensive and jumped and threw a punch.
Yang tried to block… but something in her mind told her it was a bad idea. She dodged it instead.
CRACK
Yang looked next to her to see the ground, destroyed. She gulped. What the fuck? How did sh-he do that? The arena is specifically made with Huntsman-level fighters in mind. They shouldn't be destroyed that easily. They shouldn't be destroyed at all! She should know, they had the same arena back in Signal. And throughout all her years there, she had never seen a single speck of significant damage on it. A chip here and a crack there, maybe, but never that severe!
Not even her fully-strengthened semblance self could—She felt danger at the last second and jumped. Right! Don't get distracted. Focus!
She charged at Jaune and struck with a right hook. He caught it. Yang's eyes widened. How? She even fired a shot from Ember Celica for extra power! Jaune grinned and kicked her sideways in the stomach. She went flying.
"Gak!" Yang let out some spittle. She tried to get up on all fours from the ground and turned to the screens.
[Jaune Arc: 97%]
[Yang Xiao Long: 71%]
What the fuck? That was a single kick and it took out 30%?! How is he this strong? Is it his semblance?
Yang stopped her thoughts and grinned, hair burning and eyes turning red. No matter, that was a huge hit! And a huge hit means a huge increase in power in her semblance!
With a smile on her face, she charged right at Jaune who was looking at her with a tiny smile. Cute. They ran to each other and attacked.
The two blondes backed away. Yang shook her hand. That hurts! What was in that punch?
"You're wondering why it hurts, right Yang?" Jaune asked.
"Uh… yeah, how are you that strong?" Yang asked back. She was curious about his strength. What if it's a semblance? And if not, maybe he could provide her with his training regimen? He looked like a twig, a girl – a beautiful girl, in fact. But he was also ridiculously strong.
"It's because of my semblance, Muscle Compaction." He answered. Aww, so it's not a secret training routine? Shucks.
"Muscle Compaction does exactly what its name suggests. Compacts my muscles. Every workout I have increases my muscle density proportional to the amount I do work out. This means that whatever training and exercise I do, I will never look like a bodybuilder. Nope, no built like a brickhouse for me, no siree." The boy smiled.
"Huh, isn't that sad?"
"Hm? Whatever do you mean?"
"Like, no matter what you do, you'll always look like that? I may not want to look all muscly when I work out, but I still would like to see progress, you know?"
"Hmm, nope." Jaune popped the p.
"Nope?"
"Nope. I like it this way. Gives me more freedom for my… hobbies." He giggled. Not like a chuckle, but a giggle. Like a girl's, or better than a girl's. How could this man-boy thing be cuter than most of our female student population?
"Besides, I don't need to see progress in my own body. It does its job when I punch someone and they're sent flying."
"Are you sure you want to reveal this? Typically revealing someone's semblance is dangerous since people could use it against you. Trying to figure out your weaknesses and all that?" Yang asked.
"I don't really care. My semblance is stupidly simple, figuring it out wouldn't take long. As for a counter… nothing counters overwhelming strength." Jaune declared, a cute smile on his face, but with the way his eyes looked like they were glowing… it looked menacing.
Yang grinned back. This was going to be fun.
"Well, if you don't mind me asking for my sister's sake; what's that handgun you have?"
"Hm? Oh, this?" Jaune pulled up a hand cannon. "This is my hand cannon, Ray. It used to be a regular hand cannon, but with customization from one of my sisters, it has five times the firepower. I don't know how she did it, but I'm not complaining."
"Wha… what about the recoil?" She may not be the weapon nut – that goes to her sister – but wouldn't that be a bad idea?
"What about it?" Jaune beamed.
Yang's grin widened. This was going to be fun indeed.
A/N: Welp. I've been busier than ever, this update schedule is trash. I'll probably only post a chapter once a month or something. And if any information and exposition in my chapters seems dodgy or sketchy, you're probably right. I have no fucking idea how guns work. Take it with a grain of salt
Next chapter will probably involve Whitley again. Don't get your hopes up though.
1 – Arctic Region Chaldea Uniform