Headmaster Ozpin
Jaune looked nervous out of his mind, something that wasn't a common occurrence. But then again, this wasn't exactly a common occurrence.
Ozpin stood next to Jaune, waiting for the curtains to open so he could introduce Jaune to the audience. Jaune was to go out and give a keynote to a large audience filled with journalists and people of note among the weapons industry, each of them a shark, ready to devour anyone new and promising in the business to shreds.
The keynote was to begin the weapons showcase that Jaune had told Ozpin he wanted to put on, displaying all the weapons he had made to the crowd.
The middle aged headmaster looked at Jaune as the curtains started moving.
He was exceptional, the smartest student Ozpin had seen in years. The ideas that Jaune had had been clever, slight tweaks here and there to improve efficiency in everything from motors to software. Ozpin had implemented these upgrades and iterations into Beacon, resulting in an overall better security system.
Ozpin wanted to see what would happen if he had let the boy do whatever he pleased. He had told Glynda to get certain supplies. Glynda had turned many colors upon seeing the list and had ranted about the expenses, mumbling choice words about Ozpin's mother and alcohol before leaving the room.
In the end, the gambit had paid off and Ozpin was right. The boy had pumped out blueprint after blueprint, many of them about the school's defense against a Grimm attack. However, one problem presented itself: the rate at which the supplies were being used up.
Only a fool would believe that Jaune alone was using double the R&D Department's allotment by himself while doing the same thing. Something else was up.
He had confronted Jaune about this and Jaune had admitted that he had been making many different types and quantities of weapons, intending to show them off at a later date. A convincing lie, if Ozpin was anyone else. The boy wasn't building weapons to just show them off at showcases, he had been dealing with shady characters inside Beacon. Ozpin had managed to get one recording of a shadowy man sneaking out of Beacon, away from Jaune's lab.
Ozpin was impressed by Jaune's tenacity in selling weapons to likely criminals in Beacon itself. Ozpin had decided to pretend to believe Jaune's excuse about a weapons showcase and force Jaune to reveal all of his weapons. This plan wouldn't harm Jaune as he could still weapons, but to legitimate sources rather than dubious criminals. Another added benefit was that Beacon would get a majority cut of the sales since Jaune was both a minor and a student.
That lead to two months of planning and preparation, getting all the prototypes and weapons ready, planning the venue, setting up the structures necessary, and sending cryptic invites to companies in the weapons industry. The news had covered this development closely, talking about the surprise event that Beacon Academy was planning and what had spurred such an event to take place.
The days had ticked down and the only thing the student body talked about was the crates they had seen being delivered to the pavilion. Some guessed that new types of Dust were being shown off, others were disagreeing and giving their own opinions on the matter. All the invitees had arrived one by one, staying at the guest wing that Beacon reserved for visitors. Ozpin was forced to meet with each of the visitors, and nothing he would say would convince Glynda otherwise.
If she wasn't the only reason Beacon was still running, I would fire her, Ozpin seethed as he had endured the socializing, knowing that the other party didn't enjoy it either.
The first day of the expo had finally arrived and the curtains signaling the first event had begun. Literally.
Ozpin took his hand off Jaune's shoulder and walked forwards into the blinding light of the stage.
Jaune Arc
"You all must be wondering why I have brought you here today. The reason is to showcase some of the technologies we have developing here at Beacon. As we all know, Grimm attacks are increasing in frequency, not just here in Vale but on the borders of every kingdom."
The audience murmured, some nodding their assent.
"The primary purpose of hunter schools is to train the guardians of humanity, those who will risk their lives to ensure that we can live ours without worry. Everyone from Hunters to policemen, from guards to soldiers." Ozpin continued.
"To fight their best, weapons are created. Swords, pistols, rifles, tridents, staffs, and many more. All complement their user, helping them work their destruction on the enemy faster, better, easier. To that end, you all use your talents to make them better. Today, we have one among us who has excelled in his craft. We are here to showcase the achievements he has accomplished. Jaune Arc, ladies and gentlemen." Ozpin tilted his slightly at Jaune, arm extended as he backed away from the mic.
Here goes nothing.
Jaune strode towards the mic, trying to stay upright and exude confidence. His stride became a little longer and slower, each breath deep, a smile on his face.
He reached the mic and looked at the audience. "Hello folks. As Professor Ozpin said, I am Jaune Arc, first year at this prestigious school. For the past 8 months, I have been developing my own weapons for use in many applications. First, I'd like to present my own weapon, which I have dubbed Crocea Mors. It means Yellow Death, and I think you all will realize why soon."
There was a row of benches covered in cloth behind him, all covered in cloth. He took the cover of the first one and gripped the hilt to his sword, still sheathed. He had worked on the railgun section of it, tweaking and tuning.
Now, he could load the projectile in through the side of the blade rather than the front and could do so without activating the railgun section. The charge speed had been improved 30%, taking the time down from 5 seconds to 3 and a half.
He had also worked on the projectiles themselves. He now had two types: the old javelin one that was designed to penetrate heavy armor, and a new one that was designed for smaller targets.
They were round and fitted with a proximity fuse as well as being airburst. Deadly for anything without armor.
He had also given it an aesthetical overhaul, shining the metal up and painting the hilt shades of gold and yellow.
He activated Barrier crystals embedded in the stage, a very faint shield rising up between the stage and the audience. He unsheathed his sword, the sheath transforming into a shield. He raised his sword and waved it around, demonstrating the weight.
Taking a stance, he waited for the ursa that Professor Port had captured to be herded onto the stage. The audience looked a little impatient, thinking that all he had was the sword in his hand and that they had wasted their time coming here.
Wait and see, ya jabronis. You'll be all over each other trying to get this tech when I'm done.
A bell rang out, followed by a roar. The shadows bent as the dark form of the large ursa bounded up to him.
"An Ursa Major. It's armor plating can deflect most melee and ranged weapons, making it a dangerous enemy to fight alone." Port's voice boomed out the speakers. Jaune ducked and weaved, slashing at the armor of the beast, scoring it but not going through.
Jaune created space, point proved. He pulled out his spear projectile and loaded it into the slot, full length expanding inside the weapon. He started charging, eyeing the ursa. To anyone, it looked like Jaune was simply waiting for the Grimm to strike.
The weapon pinged, the sound of it being fully charged. Jaune pointed the weapon at the Grimm, aura covered hands on the blade holding it steady.
He pulled the trigger, the projectile speeding away followed by a yellow arc of ionized metal and air.
One moment there was the Ursa Major, mouth open in a snarl as it started to lunge through the air at Jaune, the audience cringing in anticipation.
The next moment, the Ursa's corpse flew through the air, fluid spraying out of the gaping hole in its back. Jaune sidestepped out of the way and bowed to the audience.
Every single time, that stunned silence, it's so sweet.
Bending back up, he pulled up a diagram of the insides of the sword, showing the acceleration chamber and the mechashift mechanisms.
"Yes, as you probably have realized by now, I have indeed managed to make a smaller railgun and fit it into my sword. While not as powerful as a larger version, this railgun still can impart significant damage to individual targets."
Jaune waited for the reaction and was not disappointed as reporters started snapping pictures, and many people took notes and made calls.
And now to keep showing off, Jaune thought, having fun now.
…
Pyrrha Nikos
Teams JNPR and RWBY were sitting in the library, ostensibly having gone there to study.
In reality, RWBY was playing a strategic card game, making loud noises and sounds of despair. Nora slept, muttering about pancakes, Ren was off finding a book to borrow for the History project they had to do ('50 pages on the effects of Faunus discrimination on the morale of soldiers in the war!'), and Pyrrha, well she just sat there thinking.
There were many things she thought about, combat classes, team strategies, classes, her parents, but the thing dominating her thoughts was a certain blond genius.
When she had first met him in the school cafeteria, she had been taken aback by his seeming lack of knowledge about her. Weiss she had understood, not many people paid attention to the business world and not recognizing the Schnee Dust Company Heiress on first sight wasn't too unusual.
What had struck her was that he hadn't heard of her before! No person she had met yet had not had some inkling of her name, and this boy had just started talking to her like some normal girl!
Later on during their sparring bouts, she had recognized some of her own moves being used against her. Questioning Jaune had led to the confession that he had known about her for a while and had studied some of her tournament footage in order to bolster his own fighting skill.
He had gone further to explain that he had originally feigned ignorance because he wanted to see what kind of person she was, and how she would react to someone who didn't know of her fame. That simple statement had caused her to hug him hard and laugh, confusing the heck out of him, going off of his expression
'Oh Jaune, you have no idea how happy that makes me!' Pyrrha had been elated. Jaune knew about me yet he wanted to give a first impression of being a goof? All to get to know me?
After the cafeteria incident, her interest in him had increased majorly. She knew that she had to be on a team with him, the only person she had met at Beacon so far that seemed to want to know her as a person.
Her first attempt at securing his partnership had almost met with disaster, as her thrown javelin had barely missed his body. A direct hit would've taken a chunk from his aura, and that is never good when facing the Grimm.
She had been relieved when he decided to forgive her, and a smile never fully left her face for the rest of initiation. She was going to be making some real friends! People who cared for her, and not the Invincible Girl!
That's when the explosion had happened. After defeating the Nevermore that had been disoriented by the shock wave, they rushed to the site to see Jaune's broken body laid out across tree stumps.
The image of the blonde's twisted arms and the pool of blood below him would haunt Pyrrha sometimes. She had seen injuries during tournaments, knew the risks of being a huntress, but she had never yet seen the result of the occupational hazards up close and personal before.
They had called in an emergency medical ship that had been on call to take Jaune back to Beacon's hospital for treatment, bringing the matter to the attention of the whole school.
'Maybe he's just not cut out for Beacon' 'Who's his partner? Pyrrha Nikos?! Poor girl, having to have a dead weight on her team.' 'Only person to be physically injured during initiation in the last three years. What a chump.'
Pyrrha ignored the whispering while walking down the hallway during the day that Jaune had made his surprisingly fast recovery. She had seen him fighting the beowolves. His style showed that he had no practical experience against the Grimm, but he had made it into Beacon, that had to count for something right?
The night Jaune had been discharged, he had told her that he had grown up outside the kingdoms. That information implied that he had survived against the Grimm for 17 years, but his performance during initiation spoke otherwise.
Later that night, he had dropped a bombshell on her. He wouldn't be attending any classes that were academic, and instead be holed up in the R&D Wing, working on who knows what.
She had been distraught and unbelieving at first. He's my partner! How can the partnership work out if he isn't even here half the time?
Her logical side kicking in, she connected the dots between the rumors of a new Weapons assistant and Jaune's statement.
Reassured that Ozpin had approved Jaune's skipping of classes, Pyrrha had gone to bed, content.
…
Jaune Arc
The subject of Pyrrha's thoughts stepped off the stage to ringing applause. He had shown off some of his pet projects, like a pair of pistols that shot small lasers, intended to burn and cauterize exposed flesh, slowing down their target Grimm.
The audience had paid rapt attention to each demonstration, cameras rolling almost non-stop. A lot of executives had shrewd and hungry looks on their face, thinking of the profits that could be made from these weapons.
There were still a couple days left in the expo, today was only for personal weapon systems. As soon as his feet stepped off the steps leading onto the stage, reporters swarmed him like flies around honey.
'Mr. Arc, did you make all these yourself?' 'Mr. Arc, how did you manage to build so many things?' 'Mr Arc, who are you going to sell these weapons to?'
Jaune simply smiled and waved them all away, moving through the crush towards Ozpin's office. General Ironwood of Atlas was going to meet him today and there was no way in hell he was going to be late for that meeting.
…
Ruby Rose
"It's over! Let's go Yang c'mooooooon." Ruby bounced around the room, already fully dressed to go out. "Jaune's arranged for a whole show floor filled with his weapons and a bunch of weapon and upgrade ideas! It's starting to open now and I wanna go cmooon Yang!"
Her sister just glared at her. She was still miffed that Ruby had betrayed their alliance during the card game earlier in the library. "Why don't you just take Weiss? You seem to love her more than your own darling sister."
Ruby pouted, puppy dog eyes already forming. "But Yang…!"
Yang just turned away, not wanting to risk it. 17 years of being an older sister to Ruby and she still hadn't developed a resistance.
"No Ruby, I'm not interested in fawning over weapons, I have better things to do."
Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Like what? Studying last semester's notes before school starts again?"
"Nope. Cool stuff, not for little dorks like you."
Ruby huffed and stomped out of the room.
Who can I take? Blake, no way she's going. Weiss? She's probably studying. Ren? Too quiet, and won't go without Nora coming along and there is nooooo way I'm taking her. Pyrrha could come, she would be fun to hang out with.
Mind made up, she knocked on the door.
Pyrrha opened the door. "Hello Ruby, going to Jaune's exhibit?"
"How'd you know?" Ruby was surprised, did Pyrrha read her mind?
"Just a guess Ruby, just a guess." Pyrrha laughed.
"Haha, it was a good one. I actually wanted to ask you if you wanted to come along and check it out?" Ruby had a slightly pleading tone.
Pyrrha's grin grew wider. "I'd love to Ruby, let me change and we'll be off."
…
Jaune Arc
Jaune rode the elevator up to Ozpin's office, wondering what Ironwood had to say about the presentation. He and Ozpin had watched most of it from the office and so Jaune hadn't seen their reactions yet.
He reached the floor, strode across the hallway and opened the door.
Ozpin was standing at his window, staring out at the grounds where the open floor was taking place. There were people milling all around the exhibitions, crowds developing at some of the more impressive exhibits, his railgun for example.
A man stood beside Ozpin, conversing in low tones with him, not looking out of the window. He was a formidable looking man, face severe. He had greying hair on the side of his hair, the rest black and neatly combed on the top of his head. He had a patch of metal above his right eye, piquing Jaune's curiosity. His eyebrows were solid black and arching.
Jaune caught a few words in the conversation, 'Queen', 'pawns', and 'maiden'. He couldn't make any sense out of the last one, but the first two brought the conversation with the mysterious voice back to him with a jolt.
"Um, Professor Ozpin? Am I interrupting?" Jaune asked, already backing out of the door a little. "I can wait outside."
"No it's fine Jaune, you are not. Please, take a seat. Our talk will continue later, James." Ironwood scowled, obviously displeased. He remained standing even as Ozpin sat down.
Jaune took the offered seat, feeling awkward standing while Ironwood still stood.
Ozpin spoke up, breaking the silence. "That was a splendid presentation Jaune. You captured the audience's attention and never let them take it away. Your demonstrations were flawless, though you could use a bit more polishing on your attacks, your relative inexperience showed."
"To be honest, that made it all the more impressive." Ironwood spoke up, his voice commanding. "It showed how even a first-year student could handle smaller Grimm with ease, without years of training with the weapons."
"Indeed, James, indeed. Now Jaune, General Ironwood here wants to talk to you about some questions he has."
Jaune turned towards Ironwood, ready for the questioning. He knew most of the questions that the General could ask about his weapons, the media had asked most of them already. Mentally bored already, he sighed internally.
"Alright General Ironwood, what is it you wish to know?"
…
Pyrrha Nikos
"So Pyrrha! How was Jaune'sweapon showcase?" Nora asked, bouncing on her bed.
"It was fun!"
Seeing Jaune's work revealed for the first time had been quite thrilling. She knew her partner was really good at making stuff, but seeing the creativity exhibited by his various designs made her feel proud towards him.
"What'd you guys do? Ren and I just sat here, he wanted to study, I wanted to go to the showcase, but then he promised me he would make me double pancakes tomorrow! Alfred can make delicious pancakes, but no one can beat Ren!"
Ah right, Alfred. It had been a month since Nora's birthday and the unveiling of Alfred, the robot butler. Jaune had told them about how he had spent a couple months building him for JNPR's use and how he had coded the ability to cook with Nora in mind.
Pyrrha had felt an honestly alien feeling stirring in her when he had declared that so casually. It was the same feeling that she had gotten whenever her class went on field trips and she had been forced to stay at home and train.
Jealousy. She didn't understand why she felt that way, Nora was like Jaune's little sister by this time, every around them knew that. So why did she feel this way that Jaune had spent so much effort on Nora's birthday present?
She had shoved those thoughts into a corner for later, deciding to react to the immediate present. Jaune had created an honest to god, butler robot. She felt as if she was in a cartoon, one of the few she had watched as a child.
She was still shocked by the robot, even after a month. Alfred would take care of their laundry, planning it all out perfectly. He would make coffee (tea for Ren) during late night study sessions. He would clean the room while they were in class and remind them of anything they had to do. He made food for them on special occasions, like when the cafeteria didn't have pancakes, or Nora managed to get a good grade on a test.
Pyrrha sat down on her bed, waiting to discuss the expo with Jaune. They would chat on most nights, mostly about Pyrrha's day. Jaune was a good listener, knowing what to say at the right time. Pyrrha had grown to look forwards to these chats and had started becoming disappointed when Jaune would conk out the moment he got in bed.
Why do I feel that way? He's just a really good friend and partner, and I enjoy the chats! But Pyrrha could tell that that wasn't the truth.
Again pushing these thoughts to the corner, she sat back and relaxed, reflecting on the day.
…
Jaune Arc
Jaune stepped out of the office, head swimming with excitement. Ironwood had wanted in on the deal that Jaune and Ozpin had: blueprints, upgrades, and weapons in exchange for a supply of resources.
Ironwood was willing to expand the capabilities of Beacon's airship hangar. He had offered to add in a bigger garage and a larger crew to work on the planes. He said that he wanted Jaune to test out some of his more experimental ideas for airships.
Jaune's head swam with new ideas as he thought about the larger pool of resources he now had, along with a larger hangar, and clearance from Ozpin to work on some of his bigger projects.
This was the happiest he had felt in a while, the possibilities just shooting through his head.
But like all good things, this pseudohigh had to come to a crashing, sudden halt as Jaune's scroll rang to indicate a message.
We need to meet, now. My place.
-Cinder
Jaune almost punched a hole in the elevator.
He jogged towards his room, royally pissed off at Cinder for interrupting his moment of joy.
Who does she think she is, calling me like that? I seriously feel like a dog right now.
Jaune walked into his room and fell into bed, ignoring Pyrrha's voice as he closed his eyes and slipped into Prometheus C.
With great difficulty, he managed to avoid all the people swarming around Beacon, and headed out to Vale.
…
"Alright Cinder, what do you want?" Jaune walked into the room he had first talked to Cinder in.
"Now now, C, why are you in such a bad mood? You never acted this way before." Cinder's voice drawled as she sat on the couch, legs crossed in front of her, her familiar red dress glowing slightly in the candlelight.
"Perhaps it's because someone decided to call me like I was their pet. You know I don't like that." Jaune sat down in his familiar place, staring at Cinder.
She stared back, her eyes glowing. "Oh but dear C, this is of utmost importance. Have you seen the news coverage of that weapons expo up at Beacon? They had some wonderful weapons there.
Jaune froze. He knew where this was going, and that direction would not be good for the Prometheans at all.
"I have indeed seen that showcase. The Arc boy is clever, some of those designs were something even the Promethean designers have not thought of."
"And yet even now I wonder about these Promethean designers you talked about. They made your weapons, yes? How come they are so similar in design to the ones that Jaune showed off on stage? Have you been working with Ozpin, C? Have you betrayed my trust?" Cinder got up and sat down next to him while saying this, reaching a hand out to lay on his chest.
"Oh Cinder, you really can be adorable sometimes and I mean that in the best way. What do the Prometheans have to gain from risking our mutually beneficial partnership, especially for someone like Ozpin? Seems to me like you're jealous of me hanging out with other people Cinder."
Jaune knew that pushing Cinder was a bad idea, but he was already mad at her. Plus, it made it seem that C was laughing at the idea, which would cause Cinder to doubt her suspicions. It would put quite a damper on his plans if Cinder was to antagonize the Prometheans, seeing as how she was much more powerful than he was, and that she had dozens of guards outside, with many more loyal to her around Vale. He literally only had himself.
"Oh C, do you really think I would be jealous of you going to other people? And you still haven't answered my question, C." At this, Cinder's palm grew uncomfortably warm against Jaune. He activated a little bit of Barrier Dust, concentrating the barrier around Cinder's hand, reducing the heat.
He stared into her glowing eyes and tried to read everything he could deduce.
"Cinder, you want to know the truth? Here's the truth. The Jaune boy is an ally to the Prometheans. We have stayed in contact with him in Beacon, and he has been supplying us with designs and ideas. There, is Your Highness satisfied now? And about your hand, there are other ways to heat things up, you know."
Cinder leaned further in, her face inches from his, her breath tickling his chin a little. "Oh yes, C, my mind is very much at rest about your loyalty. Thank you for the truth. And I'll keep that in mind." She leaned back, her smirk back on her face.
She really believes I told the truth? Does she think invading my private space and making me uncomfortable would cause me to spill the beans? She flirted back at my joke for god's sake. She really is insufferable.
"Now, we need to talk about the future of our deal." Cinder stated, a slight edge in her voice.
And here it comes.
"What about it Cinder? Do you wish to add more terms to the deal? You of all people know that you can't alter deals after they're made, but I may be happy to oblige, given the right incentives."
Cinder ignored him, irritating Jaune. "The big question is, why do I need to get supplies from the Prometheans, when I can just get it from the source?"
"Because my dear Cinder, that is where you're wrong. Did it occur to you how exactly you would convince Jaune Arc to sell you his weapons rather than selling them to me? Do you have a plan in mind? Don't tell me you were planning on sitting him down, offering him wine, and just getting flirty with him. He may be a teenage boy, but that's just going to scare him."
Cinder glared at him, her fists curling in anger, then releasing. "C, do you not think before you speak? What if I called of our little deal right now? You would be left without a powerful client, and you would have made a powerful enemy." The message was clear: tread carefully.
"Cinder dearest, please do calm down, you don't look as good angry. Now, I have no wish of antagonizing you, just letting you know there is no point in trying to get Jaune Arc to sell to you. The Prometheans have a mutually beneficial deal with him, something that I know you're not going to match. Now unless you do have a better plan tucked away in that pretty head of yours, you're not getting the weapons from him."
Cinder simply tilted her head slightly. "We shall see about that C, we shall see."
"Now, if we're done trying to intimidate each other, I have places to go. I'll see you around Cinder, tata!"
He turned and walked out, not missing the amused smirk that Cinder threw his way.
I have a sneak feeling we will be seeing each other around, Cinder. Just not in the way you think.
Obligatory AN: What'd you think of the chapter? Anything I can fix? Anything you especially liked? Please review and PM me with this stuff, I love to get them and it helps me write better. Thanks for reading!
