Well first off I wanted to thank everyone who has been following my story, I'm glad you all enjoy reading my rendition of the RWBY cast. On that note, I've put the character info for most of the RWBY cast on my profile page. It has things like what weapon's they carry, to the equipment they use. I will be expanding upon on it as the story progresses and new things are revealed.
Review Time!
DragonManMax: Haha! Jaune appreciating Yang's humour basically guarantees that he gets in her good books!-You know it!
Jaune-R: Great chapter as always. I don't know why, but I sense a protective scene coming on between Jaune and Blake, making her admiration of him become noticeable to her.. But I guess that's just me.
I expected nothing less. Wonderful stuff and I gotta say, that last bit was quite perfect to be honest. I can't wait for the next chapter.-I hope I did your protective scene justice, I'm glad you thought it was quite perfect, means alot to me!
Jkdelta38: Excellent chapter. I like how the imperials pushed them back. Taking the enemy line is one thing, holding it is another.-Indeed it is, which is why I thought it would be fairly realistic for the main cast to not win every battle thrown at them.
Dr Nafario: I feel like adding the "trench raider" elite kit from battlefield would make an interesting addition-Hmm well for the most part Nora and Ren meet that requirement. She carries a club, frag grenades along with a grenade launcher. Ren carries a revolver with medical supplies. All the characters have gas masks I just really haven't touched to much on the subject.
Huge thanks to DragonManMax for coming up with a significant part of this and the next chapters plot.
(I do not own RWBY)
The Soldier's Battleground
ザー・ソールジュズ・バタルフィールド
Chapter XIII: Meeting Friends New and Old
After the devastating retreat from the hill, Jaune and the remaining Atlesian soldiers were able to hold the enemy from retaking the captured trenches located at the bottom of the hill, this was not without massive causalities inflicted upon both sides.
While the hill was the primary objective, the Atlesians forces attacked a wide stretch of Imperial trench lines in an effort to break through. Over sixty experimental tanks took part in the battle, but less than two dozen remained after the conflict, and more than a few battalions were almost completely wiped out. They may have been able to hold their ground, but with the steep price they had to pay, some found the battle a pyrrhic victory at best.
Not wanting to bring disgrace upon the military, the Atlesian government once again modified the truth and released to the public that a massive assault had taken place with minimal losses and enemy ground had been captured.
Having been in command of the soldiers that lead the charge, Ozpin was praised for pushing back the enemy and leading the Atlesian forces to victory. Jaune was offered a promotion for his acts of valor, but knowing he didn't deserve the rank, he politely declined.
Wanting to award him in some way, Jaune and his platoon were given some time off from the frontlines and were officially invited to a social event as guests…
Jaune took a small sip from the glass cup in his hands and sighed softly when he noticed the glass was empty, motioning to the bartender for a refill he looked down at his watch and took note of how his contact was running a bit late.
The bartender made their way over to him making him put his thoughts on hold to accept the refill. Taking a sip, his face took on a frown as he thought back on the events that had happened recently, and how the government was handling it.
"What's wrong with the drink pal?" He looked up at the bartender and took note of their name before answering.
"No Hei Xiong? The drink is fine." The man grunted at his attempt to pronounce the unfamiliar name.
"Call me Junior, the locals around here call me by that name." Jaune nodded and put a few coins on the counter to pay for the drink. "Right, Junior it is." The bartender grabbed the payment before walking away to tend to another customer. Once again leaving Jaune to himself and his inner thoughts.
The sound of a door opening and the bell chiming announced a new arrival to the bar and Jaune looked over to see if it was the person he was meeting. Making eye contact with the individual, he sighed before going back to his drink when it wasn't who he hoped it was. A few moments later, the person walked up to the bar and sat down right next to Jaune.
"Something on your mind kid?" From his peripheral vision, he could see the man looking away from him towards one of the bar's walls. "Why do you ask?" The man shifted in his seat before pulling out a small flask from one of his pockets. Jaune raised an eyebrow at the act as this was a bar and bringing in your own drink was usually frowned upon.
"You looked at me with such a hopeful expression on your face and then sighed, either we've had a disagreement in the past or I'm not who you were expecting." Jaune shook his head and took a drink from his glass. "The latter, sorry for the misunderstanding."
The older man still didn't turn to Jaune and gazed at a spot on the wall adjacent to him. "No problem, though if you want an ear to listen to your troubles, I'll be over there." The older man stood up and made his over to a more secluded part of the bar where a bit more privacy was available. Jaune pondered the offer momentarily before deciding to follow the man over. Sitting down at the table, he swirled the liquid in his glass as he stared at it with an unfocussed gaze.
"When this war first started, I thought that this was my big chance to go on an adventure and see the world outside of my hometown. My grandfather had been in the military and my grandmother had told me growing up of his grand adventures while he had served. So when this war broke up I thought I could join up and experience what my grandfather had gone through."
A humorless snort left Jaune's mouth, "I had joined looking for adventure, and instead I found death and destruction. I sometimes wonder if I'm cut out for this, I know it's my job to inspire those around me, but I'm just as scared as they are when I go first over wall to lead them into battle." Silence reigned in the air after his statement and was finally broken when the older man spoke.
"Well your still here, which means you've survived this long into the war. It may not be an adventure in the traditional sense, but you must have meet people along the way that you would never had if you had stayed in your hometown."
Jaune looked up from his drink towards the ceiling and reminisced all the characters he meet while he had served. From the spunky Nora, to the calm Ren. The stoic Glynda and the coffee loving Ozpin. To the recent enigmatic Blake and the outgoing Yang.
Every single one of them he wouldn't have been able to meet if he had stayed home. So perhaps the war wasn't a complete loss.
"Tell me, if one of the soldiers you know was in trouble what would you do?"
Jaune shifted his gaze over to the older man. "I refuse to have someone needlessly die under my command. They are like my second family and I would do anything in my power to help them and keep them safe."
"Everyone can't help but have some fear in their hearts when they go into battle. You said you're just as scared as the rest of them, and yet you go first to lead. No one is born cut out for war, it's something you must learn through experience. If you keep doing what you've told me in the future, then you're a leader any soldier will want to follow into battle."
Jaune smiled at the words of encouragement from the older man. "Thanks for the advice, I needed to hear it." The older man waved his flask in the air. "Sure kid, anytime."
Before the conversation could continue between the two of them, a pretty waitress came over and set down a drink in front of the older man.
"Uh I didn't…" The two of them looked at the young woman who grabbed the tray in her hands and gestured with her head. "From the man upstairs, said you wouldn't mind bottom shelf." The older man looked up behind Jaune and his facial expression turned neutral upon seeing whoever bought him the drink. Respecting his privacy as the man did his, Jaune didn't turn around to see who they were looking at, if anything it was probably the person they came to meet originally before diverting their time to listen to his insecurity.
"Thanks."
"But I went ahead and gave you top." She winked. "Lucky you." The waitress gave a coy smile and walked away from the two of them, with the older man watching her behind with a smirk on his face.
Jaune just raised an eyebrow at the man who stopped their gazing and gave him a look. "What?" He shook his head with mirth filling his voice. "No it's nothing." The man shrugged before pushing his chair back. "Well I should go and thank the person who bought me this drink, stay safe kid." The two of them shared a handshake before Jaune found himself alone once again.
Fortunately he didn't have to wait for long as the person he was waiting on finally walked through the door. He gestured with his hand to get their attention and upon seeing him, made their way over.
"Miss Neo if you don't mind me asking, what took you so long?" The young woman gazed at him with a blank expression before pulling out her notepad and writing something on it.
"Shopping."
"Shopping? For what? You were the one who asked to meet me here, not to be rude, but couldn't you have waited till afterwards to go shopping?"
"Non-issue, Torchwich wanted a status update on the weapons you used in your last battle."
Jaune mentally shrugged at her pushing aside his question so she could ask her own to him. Reaching down he pulled out a folder with the feedback he had collected from soldiers about the MP-15. Neo took the folder and perused the content inside briefly before putting the papers back inside.
"How's the armor doing?"
Jaune nervously chuckled. "Uh yeah about that."
Meanwhile, after the older man had left the table, he had made his way up the stairs and saw the person who had bought his drink earlier. Making his way over, he sat down and placed the cup on the table before looking at them.
"Thanks for the drink Ozpin." He gestured at the coffee cup in their hands. "You do know this is a bar and not a coffee shop right?"
"My dear Qrow, coffee is the only drink man should ever have." Qrow sighed at the coffee crazy man.
"So, what is it you need me that required me to leave the young man down there instead of coming down yourself?"
Ozpin regarded the young man that Qrow was gesturing at. "What are your thoughts on the boy?"
"He seems like a good kid, I hope he doesn't get killed in this bloody war."
"Indeed, that would be most regrettable. That boy's name is Jaune Arc, and he serves under my command." Upon hearing the kid's last name, Qrow's face turned into shocked expression briefly before he recovered and grinned.
"Arc eh? He wouldn't be related to the Arc I'm thinking about now would he?" Qrow looked down at the kid and saw him conversing with a young woman who was for some reason writing her responses on a notepad. A few moments later, he pulled out a severely dented piece of chest armor and showed it to the young woman who leaned over from her seat and smacked him upside the back of his head.
Ozpin took a sip of his coffee as he too witnessed the rather amusing scene down below unfold. "His grandson actually."
Qrow returned his attention to Ozpin briefly before refocusing on the kid below. "Well then, it seems that my nieces are in good hands."
The two of them continued to observe Jaune who started to apologize profusely to the silent young woman.
Blake grumbled to herself as she tried to snap the clasp of her necklace behind her neck. A knock on the door made her pause before going back at the pesky necklace.
"Come in, the doors unlocked." A soft click and the clinking of shoes signaled to Blake the person had entered.
"Sergeant it's almost time to go." She recognized the voice and turned around to answer.
Jaune walked into the room and stopped in his tracks when he noticed how Blake looked like. She was wearing a dark purple, flapper dress that went down to her knees. White gloves that stopped right above her elbows and her signature ribbon on her head completed her ensemble and he was momentarily taken aback by how beautiful she looked, averting his eyes so as to not stare, he took a few steps forward and gestured to her neck.
"You uh, you need help with the necklace?" She turned away from him and faced towards the mirror that was now in front of her. Lifting her hair out of the way, taking that as a yes, he stepped forward to help her.
He grabbed the small piece of jewelry and carefully clipped the clasps together before looking at her reflection in the mirror. "There all done." Jaune could faintly smell the perfume she had on her and thought that she smelled nice. Blake on the other hand, felt his breath softly hitting the back of her neck and she meet his gaze in the mirror. The two of them took note of each others presence as they studied each other. Jaune cleared his throat and took a step back a few moments later.
Seeing this, she turned around and face him directly and regarded him briefly before tilting her head. "Some of your medals are crooked." He dropped his gaze down to his chest and tried to see which one's she was referring too. Blake walked forward and started to adjust them properly. "You look sharp in your uniform." She said quietly as she finished up on the last medal. He cleared his throat once again and tried to answer her back. "Same to you, I-I mean not your uniform but your dress. You look beautiful in your dress." She smiled softly and gentle laid a hand on his chest. "Thank you."
The moment between the two of them was broken when they heard Nora coming down the hall to the room. The spunky young woman skipped her way into the room oblivious to what had just transpired.
"Hey boss looking spiffy! Belladonna your dress is so beautiful! Can I feel the fabric, it looks so soft!" Ren entered the room and put a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "Not now Nora, we all need to get going." He turned to the two other people in the room and regarded them for a moment before gesturing to the door.
"Right, let's get going, can't keep the rich and snobby waiting now can we?" Blake elbowed him in the side. "Behave." He grinned. "Ye's ma'am."
The four of them had made their way out of the room and were joined by the rest of the platoon. After a few minutes of walking they had found that the hallway around them started to fill with more people and soon they found themselves in what looked to be a ballroom of sorts. The group slowly started to break up after Nora decided to literally grab Ren by the collar to go check out the fruit punch she sighted.
Jaune soon found himself standing all alone observing the crowd around him, a light tap on his shoulder made him turn his attention to the person who wanted his attention.
"What? I didn't know you would be here Neo." She stuck her tongue out at him as she pulled out her ever present notepad.
"I did tell you I was going shopping."
"Ah gotcha, well you look very nice in your dress." Neo nodded before gesturing to him towards a table filled all sorts of foods and desserts.
She gave him a pointed stare. "Ice cream. Now."
He raised an eyebrow at her writing. "And why should I go ALL the way over to the dessert area to get you...OW! Why'd you kick me?!" He rubbed his now sore shin. "You will speak when spoken to maggot. And I don't talk so shut up and obey my order." A smirk made its way on her face. "Or bad things may happen if you don't get me my ice cream." He snorted. "What could possible go wrong if I don't get you your ice cream?"
She started to raise her leg again and not wanting to receive another one of her kicks, he held his hands up in surender. "Yeah, yeah I got you, I'll be back soon with your ice cream your highness."
He shook his head at the short woman and started to make his way over to the dessert table, on his way there, he saw a rather attractive female standing to the side of the room all by herself. She was wearing a red sleeveless red cocktail dress that stopped just above the ankle. Something about the female struck his memory and he was almost positive he had meet her before in his life.
Seeing how his platoon left him and then Neo ordering him around like her underling, he decided to go over and talk to the woman and to try and figure out if his hunch was right. As he made his way over, he made eye contact with her very striking green eyes who regarded him with a neutral look in them.
"Good evening, my name is Jaune Arc, pardon me as you've probably heard this many times before, but have we meet?"
She gave him a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Good evening, I'm Pyrrha Nikos its a pleasure to meet you Mr. Arc was it?"
"Yes your right, now please correct me if I'm wrong, but you wouldn't happen to be the young woman I meet a few months back that was having trouble finding a restaurant?" She gave him a slightly confused look which made him sigh. "I guess not, I'm sorry for taking your time."
He started to walk away when the red headed woman cleared her throat. "Would you be the same man who I sparred with and lost too after I showcased some new weapons?" He stopped in his tracks and looked at the young woman's face again. "Yes that was me, although if I remember correctly that spar could have easily gone in your favor, so I think its more of a tie."
Pyrrha's smile turned a little less stiff and small blush dusted her cheeks. "No I lost fair and square in that match, honestly it's been such a long time since I had such a skilled opponent, we'll have to spar again if time affords it." Jaune turned around and extended his hand out to her. "I look forward to it Ms. Nikos." They shook each others hands with a challenging gaze sparking between the two.
"So what have you been up too since we went our separate ways?" He asked polity.
"Well after we said our farewells, I went on to promote the new weapons in a few more locations and participated in a few sparring tournaments. Then later on I was recruited by the Schnee family for my abilities and I am now employed as a bodyguard."
Jaune smiled. "Well I've only sparred with you once, but from what I remember of the spar, I can see why they wanted you as a bodyguard, your hand to hand is quite formidable."
'I wonder who would win in a no rule fight between Blake and her, I bet it would be quite a cat fight for sure.' Jaune didn't decide to vocalize the amusing thought that crossed his mind.
"...I considered turning down the offer and joining the military to do my part in serving my country, what do you think? Should have turned down the offer?"
He tuned back into the conversation and only heard the tail end of the question. The horrific sights he had been exposed to since the beginning of the war, and the numerous ways a human body could be mutilated in battle did a number on his mental state. So seeing as how she had a fairly safe job by being a bodyguard and not privy to the horrors of war. He knew his answer.
"No I think you made the correct choice by being employed by the Schnee's, I mean you are doing your part in aiding the war by protecting one of the companies that supplies our troops with weapons."
Pyrrha's face took on a thoughtful look as she contemplated his answer. A waiter walked up to them holding a tray of what looked to be champagne.
"Excuse me, would either of you wish for a drink?" The two of them turned to him and polity shook their heads.
He smiled and nodded before moving over to a waitress and leaned close to her ear so that only she could her him. "Emerald, the target is almost in position. Are the preparations ready?" She looked at him and winked. "Calm down Mercury everything is ready, follow my lead." The two of them made their way out of the room.
Meanwhile Jaune and Pyrrha continued their conversation. "Well Mr. Arc, as for as answers go, yours was not bad. But I've heard better." She gave him a cheeky grin. He just raised one of his eyebrows at the look she was giving him. "Oh really?"
The two of them traded banter between each other for a few more minutes until another person walked over to them. Jaune turned to the new arrival and took note that the new figure was a rather tall female with silver hair cropped neatly on her head.
"Ms. Nikos I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but a situation has come out that needs your attention." The unknown woman then turned her gaze towards Jaune and studied his face for a brief moment before her smile grew wider.
'Oh good grief, what did I do this time, I am not a fan of that smile she's giving me.'
"Ah you must be Mr. Arc, I've heard so much about you and your exploits on the battlefield. The way you inspire those around you and lead them into battle is very commendable I must say. But where are my manners, I am Winter Schnee, its a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She offered out her hand politely, which he shook before dropping his hand to his side.
"Thank you, but your words are to kind, I was just doing my job Ms. Schnee."
'And trying not to get killed in the process, but she doesn't need to know that.'
"Nonsense Mr. Arc I meant what I said, so much in fact that I've had my eye on you for quite some time, I wish to talk to you about an proposition I have for you, but it will have to wait till later as we really must be going now." She nodded towards Pyrrha who sent an apologetic look towards him.
"Thank you for the wonderful talk, Mr. Arc I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I hope we meet again soon." The two ladies strode away from Jaune and he lost sight of them in the crowd. Seeing how they must have left the crowded room, he shrugged to himself and decided to try and find some of his squad, and maybe get in a dance or two. Although after a few minutes of searching he couldn't locate anyone.
Seeing an exit to his right, he started to make his way out of the bustling room and found himself in a rather quiet hallway. Searching the surrounding area he found an unlocked small room a few doors down with an array of musical instruments displayed neatly on their stands. By the looks of it, they had not been used in quite some time as a thin layer of dust had settled over them.
Walking over to them he brushed the dust off of one the guitars and took a moment to appreciate the instrument before carefully picking it up and strumming the strings.
"Heh its still in tune." He plucked a few chords to see how it sounded and smiled at the clean musical notes it produced. Cracking his fingers before going further, he sat down on one of the stools nearby and started to strum a slow tempo on the guitar. He closed his eyes and he started playing a peaceful tune. His thoughts started to drift and he started to reminisce about the things he had experienced in his life.
He fondly remembered the time when him and his sisters decided to have a food fight with each other and the unholy scolding they received from their mother when she found out what they had been doing. Many summer minutes were lost cleaning up the mess, but it was a memory he would never forgot and cherish.
A lone figure entered the room and stopped at the door to witness the sight of the young man playing a calming tune on the instrument in his hands. His eyes were closed and a peaceful smile was on his face. Not wanting to disturb him she stood quietly and continued to listen to the beautiful song.
Jaune didn't hear or notice the new arrival and his thoughts drifted to the moment when he told his family that he was leaving to join the military. Their distressed and scared face's flashed before his eyes and he stopped plucking at the strings. His eyes opened and a sad sigh escaped his lips. He looked out of one of the windows to the fragmented moon glowing softly in the sky.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he turned around and was surprised to see a young woman standing at the door with her hands clasped together in front of her. She was wearing a pale blue dress with a light blue hat that covered her hair. But something that was slightly unusual for him was how pale her skin was.
"Ah good evening, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in, I hope I wasn't bothering you with my playing."
She shook her head politely, "No you were not bothering me. If anything may I ask why did you stop? You were playing such a lovely tune." He glanced down at the guitar in his hand. "Oh well it's not anything important, just a memory I thought of, nothing important." He flashed her smile to ease her worries.
"Well regardless, the music was quite nice. Would you mind continuing to playing?" She took a few steps forward and gracefully sat down on a chair next to him. Seeing no harm in the request he shrugged and sat down before thinking on a tune to play for her. His gaze drifted over to few sheets of paper that were neatly arranged on one of the music stands. He reached over and grabbed the music sheets before studying them for a few moments.
"Miss do you sing?" She looked at him and noticed the music sheets in his hands. Pondering the young man's question briefly she gave a small nod towards him. "Yes I do on occasion." He handed the sheet over to her and gestured to the lyrics. "Do you mind singing the lyrics for this song?" Looking over the familiar words she softly cleared her throat and started to sing.
While her voice carried a slightly sad tone, it was hauntingly beautiful, and Jaune found himself admiring her singing ability. The two of them continued the song, both of them enjoying the sound of the other person next to them. The peaceful atmosphere ended shortly thereafter, as the song came to a close and the two of them sat quietly next to each other for a few moments, neither of them wanting to break the silence.
"You have a beautiful singing voice miss." She turned to him and a small smile crossed her face. "Thank you, your skills with the guitar was quite impressive as well."
He shook his head. "Thank you that's very kind of you." Jaune was about to ask if she wanted to sing another song when dull explosion rocked the building surprising the both of them.
'What the hell was that!' Jaune stood up and hastily made his way out of the room, followed closely behind by the young woman. The two of them quickly made their way to the ballroom and upon opening the door saw a multitude of bodies laying on the floor. A light green gas covered the surrounding area and Jaune turned to the woman behind him. "Gas, don't breath!" Turning back he saw a couple of figures with gas masks enter the room and spot the two of them.
"There she is! Get her!" Jaune whipped back around and grabbed the young woman's hand. "Come on let's go!"
They started to run away from the ballroom with the masked people in hot pursuit.
The chase was on.
And there you have it! A cliffhanger! What ever shall happen to these two? You'll just have to wait...
On another note, I struggled the music scene as I've never really done one before so sorry if it was a bit to short. As for the song she was singing I do like the song from Summer Lesson (Here I am) so play that in your head when she's singing.
(P.S) I won a Ruby Rose figurine in a crane game recently and boy does she look badass!