Chapter 9. Won't Back Down

Disclaimer: HEY RT! CAN I OWN RWBY!
*Gets hit by a toaster*
I'm taking that as a maybe. Still don't own Ruby, but hey, I can dream.

AN: You guys keep coming up with better ideas for Jaune's semblance than I am T_T Damn. Well, I hope you people like my idea for it. I'm going with my own that I think has been done before in the show, but not sure. I think a semblance can be taken ways, increasing a physical trait, creating clones with different effects, manipulating an external object, or just saying fuck you to logic (cough-Cinder-cough). So I've been "researching" (Looking for an excuse to binge watch all awesome fight scenes) to find one that would fit both the lore and Jaune. So hope you people are happy with it! Also would you guys be okay with me giving the poor guy a range weapon? Seriously, he's the only one in the show who doesn't have some form of a range attack. So I'm thinking a big ass revolver. It seems like a good choice, hasn't been done in the show yet, and lets face it, Jauney boy needs a weapon that he can call Jaune's weapon, not an Arc family weapon.
Also, for the record, I imagine John Arc, Jaune's dad, looking and acting like Armstrong from Fullmetal Alchemist, while Ms Arc (Haven't came up with a first name) as Rapunzel from Tangled. Frying Pan included.

Now one person pointed out to me that the Xiao Long family manhunt seems ridiculous, and rather pointless, and honestly thinks the whole thing is just preventing Jaune from being with Ruby and his unborn child(ren). To answer this, thank you for pointing this out. I am planning on Jaune returning to Ruby really soon, and don't worry, Yang will calm down.
Eventually
One of the main reason for the whole running away thing was 1; That's how Jaune would do it. I meant his whole escape from Beacon to be a journey for him, were he would grow and develop. Yang would also grow from this at the end, learning her flaw; her anger.
Also, sorry for all if I've been having Jaune as a punching bag. His character is the one people can relate to most, one that's normal, has the bad moments we have, the hardships we face. In a way, Jaune's kinda like Charlie Brown, always hoping for the best even though his he values himself poorly

Now onto the votes!

One Child: 7
Twins (Close runner up): 25
Triplets (fan fav I see): 29
Quadruplets (Still think I have a higher chance of voicing someone in RWBY than this does. Fingers crossed on some badass.):2
Octuplets (Really people? Really?): 1
For the sake of common sense (And Jaune) I'm limiting the number from 1-3. Because anything beyond that point is ridiculous.

On a side note, I would kill for someone to draw up a proper cover for this fic. Anyone who want to try feel free to send me your try

Jaune let light build around him, but as fast as it came, it vanished just as fast it came. He been spending the past 3 days trying to get his semblance unlocked. The good news was he was he was now actually making steps towards unlocking it, and the fights against Sun had become easier and easier to him. But he was still stuck where he was when he first got the light to show up. He knew his semblance was whitish gold, but it still lacked form. Sun had mentioned that his large reserves of aura served to make this process easier, considering most students spend an entire year in pre hunter schools like Signal training just to unlock their semblance, and the fact the Jaune was already at this stage in just a little over a month was impressive. But still, Jaune found himself pushing himself harder and harder. He needed to unlock this, he would not hold back his friends, his teammates, Ruby...

Jaune stood up straight but fell back, a sudden sense of weakness rushing over him. It felt like Cardin had hit him with the side of a bus.
In the sky.
Gaining back his balance, Jaune stood up, panting hard. He checked his scroll to see his aura in the red. Of course it would be, but he couldn't afford to waste time. The faster he could knock sense into Yang, the faster he could get to Ruby. Sun and him had formed a plan, and sun even borrowed some blonde hair dye for a little "decoy" he had planed. Jaune didn't question this, mostly because he feared for his health what it was, and he needed to focus on his training.

Then sun began to set, and Jaune laid down on the ground. Watching the forest slowly slip into twilight, Jaune began about what his semblance could be. He never did remember his father, John Arc, using any sort of semblance. Usually the senior Arc just punched or stabbed his way through his hunts with his giant javelin cannon, while boasting about some technique being passed in the Arc family for generations. He also thought over how each semblance reflected a person, and their desires and inner emotions. Yang was a person who was know for her fiery temper, and he heard that she had been one to perverse from loss, so it would make sense that her power would be to hit back harder. Pyrrha always wanted to make everyone happy, being an magnet for fame, but only cared for friends that cared for her for being herself, not a champion, so it would make sense that she would have powers of polarity. Jaune would get his semblance that would fit him, and him alone. Sun was helping Jaune as much as he could, but ultimately it was Jaune who could do this, and Jaune alone.

Getting up, Jaune focused his aura once again, refusing to let his own fears to get the best of him. Ozpin once said long ago that negative emotions attract Grimm, like bees to honey, bringing darkness and despair. Ozpin said that he knew of the faked transcripts, but instead of seeing a liar, he saw someone with hope to make a change and meaning with his life. Jaune gritted his teeth, for his future, no, their future, he would train. Not to defend himself from Yang, but to be strong enough to defend the people he cares for.

Ozpin looked out the tower window, sipping his coffee, deep in thought. Years of peace where nice, and all actions to removed said peace had been halted thanks to his current senior year tracking down the person responsible and Qrow bringing her down. With the figurehead gone, the thief and the butcher left, and Ozpin was finally able to give the fallen maiden the rest she so valiantly earned. James was also revealed on his plans to take over Vale thanks to a helpful girl android, who claimed she was helping her friends. Ozpin felt that this had something to do with a certain red cloaked girl, but dismissed this. Gyldna was the one who had knocked James off his pedestal, and did he fall far. He was stripped of all military rank and control, and only goes out to help on grimm hunts. Peace had seemed to establish it's self in Remnant.

But something seemed off. Something seemed to gnaw at the old man, like he was missing something important. He at first just dismissed it as the paranoia of an old veteran, but now, it seemed...too peaceful. Like a calm before the storm. And the more Ozpin thought of the actions of Ms Cinder, the more he felt like he had been played. He was tired, tired of the nightmares haunting his dreams, nightmares of a sick grim version of a human mocking him for his failures and the flawed way of man, and claim that she and him were locked in some sick version of chess, with Remnant as the board. Ozpin always thought it was just a dream, but now...now he was beginning to think otherwise.

Ozpin sipped his coffee. For now, he would enjoy his peace. His hoped his legacy, his students, would be enough to defend Remnant. They where no longer the children he remembered from what seemed like yesterday. He could only hope it would be enough to change it...

"Sir, are you okay?"

Ozpin turned from his window to see Glynda, worry visible in beneath her usual stoic expression. He smiled. Glynda would always be there, despite her attitude towards his...quirks. "Yes Glynda. Just thinking" Ozpin said, dismissing the issue "On a side note, how is Mr Arc and Ms Rose? Last time I checked Mr Arc was going through a strict training regiment to unlock his semblance, and Ms Rose was preparing for finals and graduation. Also, did you get Ms Xiao Long and Ms Belladonna there finals?"

Glynda readjusted her glasses, and began to go through her list "Sun Wu Kong informed us that Jaune has made a breakthrough, but still has work to go, but at the rate of progress should have it unlocked by the end of the week."
Ozpin nodded at this. Much like his father and mother, Mr Arc was a hard worker, and when determined on something was a force to be reckoned with.
"Ruby Rose is in perfect health right now, and is maintaining her usual grades in her nonathletic classes, but needless to say, those have suffered. As for social wise, since you must know, the whole school is still unaware of the situation and she has her friends Weiss Schnee and Pyrrha Nikos supporting her. On a side note, she will be having her first appointment at the end of the month, checking on how the baby is developing. But-"
Ozpin looked at Glynda "What?"

"She seems to be feeling down about the end of year dance at senior graduation." Gylnda sighed "I've seen her visibly cringe when seeing or hearing any mention."

Ozpin thought about this for a moment. He tried often not to play favorites, but Ms Rose was a special case. "Hmm...Let's see if we can get Ms Xiao Long off Jaune's trail, shall we? I think he has a very important dance to make, and must not disappoint. And Gylnda, make sure to get the man a suit. I've lost faith in his choice of formal."

Glynda looked baffled "Sir, it's agisnt regulation to take such actions, we can't-"

Ozpin looked a Glynda with his small smile "When have I ever followed the rules?"

"Fair point. I'll have him here on time" Glynda sighed "back to subject, I tried sending the test booklets to Ms Xiao Long, but all I received back was a box of ashes with shotgun shells mixed"

"I expect nothing less. Tai did the same."

Ruby was feeling down. Finals, the stupid dance, graduation, the fact she hadn't got use Crescent Rose, everything was just getting to her. Weiss refused to let her go out on hunts, mainly for the safety of the baby. It was annoying, to say the least. Ruby found herself getting more and more bored. She didn't like sitting around, she wanted to go out and make a change in the world, not be stuck studying for some final. Knocking her head against the cafeteria table, Ruby moaned, oblivious to the destruction being caused by the needless bickering of teams CLAM and another freshman team called LSDD (Not to be confused with the drug. Their leader Lopez corrected. Or she thought he did. He only spoke Spanish)

Weiss quickly broke her moping as she sat at the table, a salad on her tray, with most notably a cookie. All worries immediately left the red haired girl as she zeroed in on the baked good, attacking it with the fierceness of the monster she wore for pajamas. However, this did not get the heiress from noticing Ruby's short lived depression.

"What's wrong?" She asked to Ruby.

"Oh...nothing..." Ruby said, quickly trying to change the subject.

"Yes it it. Don't avoid. You know you can trust me with your problems, I'm your partner."

Ruby let out of groan. Of course she couldn't keep a secret. Blake made it look so easy. "I just feeling down. The end of year dance in gonna suck for me. I guess I wanted to go with Jaune, but now it sucks because he's not here, I'm stuck being alone and awkward, and I want to go to it because this is one of the last things we'll do at this school before graduating"

Weiss looked in deep though for a second before answering. "Well Ruby, I did hear this from Neptune...and they're gonna try to sneak into the dance. Vomit boy included."

Ruby immediately lit up with excitement "ThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYou!" Said she, bringing Weiss into a bear hug.

"Hey, I said try! Now let me go..." Weiss said.

With that, Ruby began to get her plan the dance. The student body planned a masquerade theme, and this would be perfect. Only one small problem. She lacked any nice dress that would really fit her at this point.

"Weiss...small problem... I don't have a-"

Weiss cut Ruby off "You honestly forgot who you have for a partner" She said, holding up a silver SchneeCard. "Now this weekend, me, you Pyrrha, and Nora, dress shopping. AND NO STOPPING TO LOOK AT WEAPONS!"

"But they look so cool! Plus all the mods I could add to my baby..."

"NO"

Jaune let out a roar as he swung Crocea Mors towards Sun. An early morning spar was going, under Sun's insistence. Jaune was beginning to think these little training matches where more for Sun's benefit then his, seeing how testing drained the usually carefree faunus. The whole point of these brawls where to get Jaune to try his semblance in combat, and use it to his advantage. However, a glowing white light did jack shit in a fight. Raising his shield to block a volley of bullets, Jaune began to focus his aura again. Letting it build up, boil, focusing on the memory...

However Sun cut Jaune off, seeing a message from his scroll. "Jaune, there's a grimm attack going on at a village. We're one of the only teams who can get there in time. You good to fight?

Jaune nodded. This was his job, or would be his job. To defend the people from the advances of grimm, and save the people from those who disturb the peace. "Yeah, I'm ready. Any aura I lost should be back when we get there. Now let's go, we've got lives to save."

Within less than a hour, the school had loaded team SSSN and Jaune into a Bullhead, sending them towards the village. Supposedly this was the most recent in a long series of grimm attacks towards small societies, cut off from most of Remnant. While most have been saved, there where still those lost to the dark creatures. Jaune vowed not to let that happen. This was his dream, to protect, to defend to...and like that his lunch gave up. Damn air sickness.

"You okay Jaune" Sun asked

Jaune stood up, a weak grin on his face. "Yeah," he answered "Just that you can't train motion sickness away. It''s a bigger problem than you think"

"So that's why it's vomit boy..."

"Oh can it"

We have reached our destination. Hunters, prepare for jump. The PA system rang out, the bay door opening.

"You ready Jaune? Also remember. LAND" Sun said as he grabbed his weapons, loading rounds into them.

"That was only one time! And yeah. I'm ready" Jaune said, taking a slow run, and leaping off the ship.
Surprising, falling was much more fun when you knew how to land. Jaune actually got what the others enjoyed. The air rushing past his face, the lightness of his body. He was soon to be a hunter, one of the champions of Remnant. Nailing the landing for a change, Jaune dug his sword, planting it firmly into a tree, slowing his decent to a halt. Looking in the horizon, Jaune saw smoke rising...Where they too late?

Team SSSN followed suit, landing near the knight. Making a sprint towards the village at speeds only a trained hunter could obtain, they arrived to be greeted with a horrid sight. The best way Jaune could describe it was that day of the breach, but much, much worse. Grimm ran rampant, tearing buildings apart in search of their hunt, people running for their lives in hopes of saving themselves. Jaune could almost feel the fear, the depression, the grimm...He would not stand for it.

The team sprung into action, dispatching grimm with ease. Jaune himself had taken himself into the fight, bringing his sword down upon beowolf upon beowolf. He had gone from taking down one Ursa barely to finally being able to hold up his part in a hunt. He would not let such creatures win.
Sun and Neptune had teemed up, taking down a large death stalker, Sun leaping up and shooting the giant scorpion's tail, dodging it's deadly stinger, while Neptune planted a deadly blow with his trident. Sage and Scarlet were doing good on there own, the pirate and the heavy teaming up to take down a nevermore. Scarlet used his grapnel to get a a hold on the giant bird, the end of his blade wrapped tightly around the neck, and then had Sage anchor the thing to the ground., then deal the killing blow, turning the beast to dust.

The grimm slowly began to trim down in numbers as the hunters continued to dispose of the beasts. Jaune quickly went around the village, till hearing a cry of a small boy. Racing towards it, Jaune saw an Ursa cornering a boy in the woods, the child backed up, fear in his eyes. This scene seemed shook Jaune, calling him back to many, many years, to a time he almost forgot.

A 5 year old Jaune Arc stood outside the forest. It was a boring day to the child, so out of adventure, he began to explore the forest near the Arc Estate. He was tired of being babied by his sisters. He was just as brave as they were!

Exploring further into the woods, Jaune found himself tripping on a large root, and bump his head hard against a tree as he fell from his stumble. Jaune held back tears as pain raced through him. He would not cry, he was an Arc, a hero of Remnant! However, Jaune's fear begin to grow as glowing red eyes appeared from the bushes. An Ursa Major appeared from the bush, growling. It began to approach Jaune, sensing his fear, his agony. It was going to kill the boy, brutally, and all alone.

Needless to say, the 5 year old erupted in tears, wailing for help.

But no one came.

The Ursa stood up, raising it's massive paw, it nearly the size of the boy himself. Jaune closed his eyes. This was all his fault. He was going to die without his daddy, his mommy, and his sisters...

Jaune waited for a solid second for the attack to come, but it never did. A familiar figure stood in front of the young boy,, holding a familiar javelin that erupted with white light. Letting out a roar, the eldest Arc ripped through the grimm with ease, the beast disintegrating as the glowing blade cut through the dark bear like butter. Jaune felt his vision fade, but not before the man picked him up, giving Jaune a fierce look with his solid blue eyes.

Jaune snapped back to reality from his thoughts. This was the memory that had made him want to be a hunter, but also planted the seeds of self doubt. No child deserved to face the darkness of grimm, especially one so young. Racing towards the Ursa without thinking. Standing in front of the child, Jaune channeled his aura, and with a flash, the soul energy raced across Croceas Mor, casing it in a white glow, humming as it flowed through the ancient sword, giving it a blinding glow. The same happened with his shield, the metal shield seemed to have an ever flowing force of energy casing the metal. Jaune payed no mind to this, his mind focusing on one thing. Saving the child from the monster before it.

Jaune blocked a massive paw with his shield, the grimm's arm literally being torn to shreds by the aura coursing through the metal. Jaune gave a quick lower slice to the grimm's legs, the energy encased sword ripping through the flesh with brutal ease, crippling the Ursa and forcing down to earth. As it fell, Jaune brought his sword up, cutting the grimm's head off in one clean slice.

Sun stood in awe as he saw Jaune do this. His sword, once thought an outdated artifact not fit for a modern fight, now seemed to be as deadly extension of the knight's soul. This was Jaune's semblance. This was something that proved the Arc to be reckoned with. A literal use of his aura, effectively coating his blade and shield with aura, making them into a dangerous weapon that could cut through anything.

Jaune panted as the glow vanished from his sword. Collapsing the shield and sheathing the sword, Jaune picked up the child. The poor boy had fainted from the excitement. Making his way towards the refugee camp, the Arc called out for the boy's parents. He saw red head man and a blonde girl approach him, relief filled in their eyes. Both hugged their son as Jaune gave them the boy, and then was crushed by a hug as both parents embraced him, thanking him over and over.

Finally meeting up with team SSSN, Jaune felt exhausted. However, he saw Sun grinning like a maniac.
"What is it Sun?"

"Oh nothing. Just waiting for you to realize." The faunus answered with a cheshire grin

"Realize what?"

"That you unlocked your semblance"

"WHAT?!"
"Oh, we also got a dance to make at Beacon this week. Guess you do get to make your graduation Jauney Boy. And don't worry bout a date. Neptune's got that covered."

"WHAT?!"

Omake: Bull castration AKA; The Cycle of Vengeance is a bitch. Yang's bitch.

Adam was having a shitty day. He'd woken up that morning to find that someone had drugged him and dyed his hair blonde. Now he was getting asked by his men why the change, and even had some saying he was never a red head to begin with, and that this was his natural color. Hell, some even said he did it because of a rumor that his beloved had a thing for blondes. His own allies seemed to just increasing his bad mood. The White Fang was now a mere shadow of what it was 3 years ago, all thanks to his love's betrayal and her meddling team of humans! It sickens him to think he still had feeling for that Traitor.

Adam went from station to station, doing an inventory check. Preparing for an incoming raid on a Schnee labor camp, he could not afford to allow weakness. The camps not only served as an example to humankind, but it also allowed Adam to gain much needed forces. He went to his planning room, looking at his map of Remnant. The White Fang might just be revived...

"YOUR SOUL IS MINE JAUNE ARC!"

Adam looked around. Did he just hear that? No...it was just him. Maybe years of brutal murders of humans had finally caught up to him...

Nah.

However the bull faunus did not get to finish this thoughts, as a wild mane of blonde hair came crashing from the ceiling, tongues of fire flickering around the mass with savage rage. Before Adam could even pull out his sword, the intruder brought down her right fist, encased in a golden gauntlet, down with serious fury, carrying the momentum from her fall through the ceiling...

right down on his manhood.

The last thing Adam saw was his own blood on the floor before he passed out of the pain.

-And so, officials have put the wanted terrorist leader Adam Taurus in a heavily guarded hospital, currently being treated for a damage the lawmen have described as "A fate no man should live through" Any ideas of his defeat might have to do with his hair, usually a crimson shade of red, now dyed a light blonde. The only piece of evidence found by investigators of our mysterious hero was a shotgun shell and the words Adam was found muttering, "Junior was right". For now, the public has named this mystery person The Nutcracker. Next up, Presidents Schnee's bitching stache voted mustache of the year, with second being a Peter Port-

Jaune shut off the TV, looking at Sun with horror.

"THIS WAS YOU DISTRACTION!?" Jaune asked the monkey faunus who had on a solid poker face. "HOW COULD YOU CONDEMN SOMEONE TO THAT?"

Sun looked at Jaune with a serious look "Eliminating the competition my friend. All's fair in love and war." and with that, Sun fastened a tie loosely around his neck. "Now if you mind me, I have a rendezvous to make with a certain pretty little kitty"

Jaune could merely just stand there slack jawed as Sun went out the door. And he though his love life was fucked up. At least it was a criminal. Plus, while Jaune had never met the man before, he did have the strange urge to cut off his arm. His methods just went against everything Jaune believed.

Oh well, back to bing watching Xray and Vav on Schneeflicks. Maybe he could get some Schneeflicks and Chill later with Ruby after this was done. Ah Yeah.

Yang stood on the rooftop, getting a shiver down her spine "My sisterly sense is tingling. Someone just implied they wanted to do something with Ruby"

Blake looked at Yang with a bored expression "And you would know this how?"

"I'm just that good. But the good news is Ruby isn't doing anything because her mircochi-I mean I just have a feeling. Because I am the night-"

"No"

"I am the law-"

"You are not doing this"

"I am-" Yang paused dramatically as lighting flashed behind her "THE NUTCRACKER"

"Yang no"

"Yang yes. Now put on this suit, Cat woman!" Yang said, holding the "costume"

"Yang there is no way I'm wearing that. I've see clothes in your wardrobe that are less revealing than that." Blake deadpanned. There was no way she was going to agree to this, no way on Remnant-

"Oh well guess I have to save that all you can eat sushi buffet to myself. Pity the Nutcracker's feline sidekick couldn't show up with her"

Eh, screw her pride, she wanted that fish. Guess she would have to inform Sun of her change of plans.