AN: So... the first time around writing this chapter, a complaint I got was that it was giving too much information at once. I tried to rectify this with the rewrite below, please tell me what your thoughts are, thanks.
Hey all, quick question for everyone, would you be interested in me doing the story where it's one chapter on Jaune and his world and one where it's Jeanne and her world? Or just do it whenever I feel it's right? Another thing I'd like to address is what this story is.
It's two separate stories that I'm writing as one. One side focuses on Jaune, while the other, 17 years in the future in the Remnant Jaune saved, focuses on his and Winter's daughter, Jeanne. I'll likely tie them in at the end, but there is no opportunity until then for Jaune to return to/communicate with the other world.
Anyway, typical disclaimer: Rwby belongs to Rooster Teeth. Relic belongs to Couer Al'aran
"Mother, I promise I'll be fine, there's nothing anyone could gain by coming after me in Beacon of all places." A lone girl with sapphire blue eyes and long blonde hair that faded into a beautiful white spoke into her scroll while looking out the window at the beautiful cityscape of Vale and Beacon Academy overlooking the Kingdom as a whole.
"I am aware Jeanne, but you need to be vigilant. There are still various threats that would target you on your name alone. And your father -as much as I love him- didn't help matters by making his name as bad to some as the Schnee name was to the faunus." Winter Ashari-Schnee replied to her daughter with all the concern of every mother throughout Remnant. And who could blame her? Ashari-Schnee was the largest name on the planet, first being known for its legendary heroes, Nicholas Schnee and more recently, Jaune Ashari. But if you said SDC today on Remnant, you'd hear about all the new innovations and energy sources they are fielding, the most popular and widely used was the Aura Conversion Generator.
Jeanne sighed and turned on the camera of her scroll, the newest model from RTE, apparently the CEO was a friend of dad's, she might visit when she's older. "Mom, I'll be fine, besides... with Emerald finally agreeing to take over the ASH Gym I'll always be near her. And don't forget Aunt Summer still teaches there."
Winter could only chuckle at all the valid points her daughter was making, maybe she did have nothing to worry about. "Very well Jeanne, I trust you'll not get into too much trouble? Please be nothing like your oldest sister."
"Alright mom, I've got to go. I love you and tell Grandpa I love him," Jeanne said with a smile that only a girl who hadn't seen the horrors of the world could have, but this girl had at least heard of them all. Salem, the Relics, the Gods, and Ozma, and quite frankly, she was getting tired of hearing about the last one. Uncle James was always busy with running Atlas, yet whenever he got the chance he'd send her a warning or an update on theories where Ozma might be. She never saw the point, it was an old man in the final years of his life, even if it may be a regular human lifespan that is his final years, she didn't think revenge would be a way to spend it.
At that moment her thoughts closed as the airship lurched, docking with the Beacon Airpad. She was one of the first off and it was now her full attire was visible. A large Atlas Military overcoat that was clearly resized for her with stitches all throughout it as well as an entire sleeve seemingly blown off by some explosion, a Vacuo-made scarf, and a long flowing white cloak clasped together with a sapphire made up the outer layers of her clothes, while the inside was minimalistic, a simple dress shirt and pants. She stared at the stone bricked road leading up to her potential new home for the next for years, before making a quick run over to the luggage area and grabbing a rather large case in her left hand.
The case was marble white with ornate gold trim running down the edges. On one side there was a snowflake made of sapphire, and on the other lay twin crescent moons made from gold. The case held great importance to her, and not just because it looked stylish. It contained all of her weapons from her main weapon, to various guns, flashbangs and dust - the dirt, not the energy source - in the event she had to fight rather dirty to best an opponent.
As she made her way towards the amphitheater, she was shocked to see a boy and a girl arguing with one another about spilled dust and spoiled brats. All while two birds, a Crow and a Raven if she wasn't mistaken, cawed viciously at one another. She looked closely at the boy though once she noticed something.
He had blonde hair, the same shade as hers, almost exactly the same color, but with black roots. On his head he wore a type of feathered dress, but what drew her attention to him was the eyes... blood red. They burned with an intensity that only people like her mother had ever had, but there was a wildness there, one that unsettled the youngest Ashari.
"Hey, what are you looking at? Something you like? Can't blame you honestly. I'm a Branwen, you know, Irasha Branwen! Spent most my life in the wilderness of Anima. While this daughter of a traitor stayed in the city." He said rudely as though his name meant something before the unnamed girl began not so softly digging her elbow into his ribcage before calling out a greeting that Jeanne could just barely make out as the birds began cawing at one another again. Jeanne hid her mouth behind her hand to let out a brief and quiet laugh.
"I'm the nicer of the two, I know, real shocker. I was actually raised in the city, not the wilderness like some tribal maniac." The young woman in the duo responded as she finally got the boy to retreat to nurse his elbow induced pain that threatened to overwhelm his ribcage. "Casey Branwen, nice to meet you, can you please save me from this idiot of my cousin?"
She had considered just silently walking away, but decided against it as that would likely only hamper efforts to form a strong team or make friends. "I'm Jeanne, and I wouldn't say no to someone to walk with, but I must admit, I've never been to Vale or Beacon before, so if you want a guide... I'm not exactly the best person for that." Jeanne admitted with a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of her neck.
Casey however laughed and crossed her arms, a smirk on her lips. "Well you're in luck! I just happen to have been here regularly growing up. Hell, I can even show you where we can get some food before the opening ceremony!" And so did the two girls walk off, leaving Irasha Branwen to writhe in agony, clearly overreacting to an elbow in the ribs.
Jeanne followed Casey towards a building opposite of where they were directed to go, leading her towards the Beacon cafeteria, where there were all sorts of breakfast items lining the tables. "Those all for all the newbies, like us. But unlike us, they don't have connections." The Branwen girl said, making her way towards the kitchen, which was wide open. Jeanne assumed it wouldn't be when the others arrived.
"Good morning Mrs. Rubedo! How are you doing?" Casey asked the old woman who stood next to the sink, cleaning dishes. Jeanne normally wouldn think nothing of someone's age, particularly because her grandfather, while in good health, was ancient compared to most grandparents of 17 year olds. But this woman was ancient, her hands were shaky, her skin so shriveled up you could practically see into her skull through her eyes.
However old the woman might be though, the warm smile she sent towards Casey was eternal. "Well, little Casey, it's so good to see you again. Is your father here?" She asked before Casey replied with a voice so much sweeter then the one she used against or around her cousin. "Nope, dads off doing Huntsman things. I'm here all on my own, don't you remember helping me fill out the application to join Beacon?"
The elderly woman seemed to deflate a bit before sighing. "No? I don't seem to recall that." Her warm smile returned a moment later and she spoke up again. "Is your father here? I've been meaning to tell him that he should feed you more, you're wasting away!"
Jeanne winced as she pieced together what was happening. Casey however, took it with a bright smile and repeated the same response she had before, only continuing it with a question after. "Mrs. Rubedo, could me and my friend here get some breakfast please?"
"Oh of course, I knew you would be here for initiation, so I went ahead and pulled some food from the staff kitchen for you." The elderly woman replied, going towards an oven set to warm and pulling out a plate of pancakes, sausages, and other breakfast foods. "Thank you Mrs. Rubedo!" Casey called out and Jeanne did the same before they went outside to the picnic tables surrounding the area near the cafeteria.
As the duo found a spot, Jeanne checked the time and found they had about 10 minutes to eat and rejoin the rest of the students at the amphitheater. As Casey placed their food down on the table Jeanne sat opposite her, taking a piece of toast from the plate and biting into it, at this opportunity, Jeanne began with some pleasant conversation. Asking how Casey thought teams would be assigned, what the partner system she'd heard so much about would entail, before the loudspeaker roared to life, signaling the beginning of their time at Beacon.
Beacons amphitheatre was colossal, much like the main hall of the Schnee Manor back home, yet on a far grander scale. Prospective students from all around the world gathered here, hoping to continue their training as Huntsmen and Huntresses. Yet there were some that Jeanne silently loathed already, while Casey not so silently loathed them.
Finding a spot where she could see the main stage, Jeanne sat her briefcase down and and leaned against the wall she situated herself next to, propping one foot up on her case and fixing her eyes to girl next to her. Casey Branwen sat next to where she stood, arms crossed, eyes closed, waiting for the Headmistress to come out, just like the rest of them. Jeanne wore a reserved polite smile just like Auntie Weiss had taught her, yet she would never admit to having learned anything from her or Uncle Whitley, prim and proper as they were.
Roughly 7 minutes passed with nothing other then the incessantly loud chatter between new students all coming here hoping to be the hero of their own little world. Of course, Jeanne supposed she was no different then her peers in that regard, but she had to be strong, she promised her mother that she'd protect her when she was old and infirm. And maybe some small part of her wanted to stomp Vernal's face into the dirty, lovingly, of course.
Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch took the stage, with Deputy Headmaster Oobleck following close behind her. Both seemed much different then Emerald or Vernal described them as, though time did that she supposed, the Headmistress sported graying hair with wrinkles forming openly throughout her body, while Doctor Oobleck looked younger, his hair had begun to show signs of graying.
After numerous taps on the microphone, the prospective students quieted down and looked intently at the duo on the stage, it was then, Professor Goodwitch spoke. "You have, all of you, traveled far and wide. You have trained most of your lives for this moment, and now you seek knowledge and refinement. But these are only the mountains before the prairie you seek, it is up to you to find the best path through them."
As the Headmistress finished her speech, Doctor Oobleck approached the microphone and spoke rapidly, directing them all to follow him towards the ballroom to drop their supplies off and begin the tour of the facilities they will be allowed to use during their time at Beacon. Jeanne stood off from the wall and grabbed her case, her new... friend following her.
"Hey so... you mind having a future teammate in me? You're the only one here besides me who seems to not be self-righteous." She asked, completely uncaring of personal space as she walked alongside Jeanne with an air of caution around her.
"Um, no... I can't say I'm completely against it, but didn't you and your, what was it, cousin?" At her nod Jeanne continued. "Didn't you two come here together, I figured you'd want to be working with him."
"Ugh, as if! That tribal lunatic can stay as fast away from me as possible, unless it's in the arena, then the closer he gets... the better." Casey spoke with a euphoric tone, as though she was hoping to fight her family. Jeanne meanwhile made a mental note to keep distance if they ever wind up sparring.
"Oh... why is that?" Jeanne asked cautiously, trying to make conversation as she attempted to pry this girl's death grip off her shoulder without it being obvious that's what she was trying to do.
"Because ever since him and his mommy came to live with us me and my dad have been stretched thin trying to cover for him. My aunt, dad's sister, at least can pretend to be a functioning member of society. But all he can think about 'fight fight fight, oh I'm the big strong man cause the badass time traveler helped make me' blah blah blah. Honestly, I don't believe him when he talks about the time travel bs." Casey continued on and on, just talking and talking. Jeanne wouldn't consider herself anti-social, just anti-loud talking people.
After a lengthy tour of the building in which Jeanne continued to try and listen to her forced partner, they arrived in the ballroom where Doctor Oobleck bade them a swift goodbye and vanished practically into thin air, leaving the students to their own devices.
Jeanne lay on her cot, elevated from the others just below her. Why other Huntsman didn't bother to have one she had no idea, rather than waste time with sleeping bags and bugs crawling all over you, why not just elevate yourself?
The cousins from before could be heard arguing yet again but she paid them no mind, instead attempting to focus on her own sleep, however, a hand tapping her arm broke that focus and she responded without ever opening her eyes. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, is this spot taken?" A male voice responded in a thick Vacuan accent that made her open her eyes just to see who it might be. It was a dark skinned man, typical of what one would expect from a desert dweller, as were his clothes. A thin veiled scarf over his head as well as smooth, airy clothing that spoke of one who'd lived in the desert their whole life.
"Uh no, it's open. You're from Vacuo, right? I'm Jeanne." She responded, her eyes remaining on the scarf that looked all too similar to her own, yet bore different markings as though to depict something or some status.
"Kyrie!" The boy spat with venom, almost like a swear. "I shame myself and my father for not introducing myself. I am Azoth, Son of Asol, first Huntsman of the Del'Ashari tribe in The Grand Desert."
Wait, what?
"The Del...Ashari you said? Would they happen to have had a man named Jaune with them, roughly 30 years ago?" Jeanne asked, no longer concerned with sleep as much as she was with finding out why this man had her father's adopted name, and what his father's relation to her own was.
"I do not know my friend, but if when I return home, you seek me out, I will tell you. For now, I must sleep, greatness waits for no one but those with the will to seize it." He said before rolling out his sleeping cloth and laying down, leaving Jeanne to stew with her own thoughts.
Even the two noisiest people found themselves tiring out and eventually falling asleep, Jeanne tried to remain awake, to think on what she'd unexpectedly learned from this random boy asking if a spot was taken. However, like all battles, Jeanne was eventually too tired to continue, and thus found herself drifting off towards the void of her dreams.
The firstborn of Jaune Ashari stood in the locker room, readying herself mentally for whatever the initiation into beacon was going to be. Her mother had a few theories based on what she learned from Emerald's as well as what father told them both well before Jeanne herself was born. There would be a system in place to determine partners, the system was rigged so sadly you may end up with someone you can't work with at all, after that you must complete a predetermined objective indicative of a legitimate Huntsman contract, before returning to the cliff with your partner and objective in hand.
Jeanne reached into the locker she was assigned and pulled out her briefcase, opening the case and attaching an arm guard to her right arm, while grabbing an ornate golden sabre in her left hand. She jerked her right arm back igniting a mechanism on her arm guard that held a beautiful Hardlight shield embroidered with a sapphire star crushed in a dragon's claw. She then dismissed the shield as quickly as it appeared and clipped the sabre to her belt. Afterwards Jeanne began pulling numerous grenades from her case, a sawed off shotgun, and a few pouches of random dirt and debris, placing it all in her coat.
"You know how to use all that stuff?" The arrogant voice of Irasha Branwen assaulted her ears, already Jeanne understood why his cousin hated him so much. She locked up her case before placing it back into the locker and strolled past him, choosing to ignore the arrogant boy rather then give him the pleasure of a response.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" The annoyance shouted before grabbing at her cloak, causing Jeanne to stop her stride to avoid ripping it off. "That's more like it, how about whenever you're talking to the son of THE Raven Branwen you show some resp-"
He was immediately cut off by a knife hitting his hoodie, causing him to fly with intense speeds towards a pillar supporting the building. "For the record Branwen... I don't care who your parents are, who you are, or who anyone aside from my team will be. So stop trying to act like you're something better then what you are!" Jeanne said, losing her composure at the end, before walking up and pulling the knife from his hood. Before she walked away, she offered a hand to the boy which he looked at for a second before scoffing and standing, flipping her the bird as he stormed out towards the cliffs.
Jeanne arrived on the edge of Beacon cliff overlooking the Emerald Forest, wondering exactly what her sister thought of this place when she learned she shared a name with it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the Headmistress clearing her throat. "Welcome, you have traveled far to get where you are today, and today, your skills will be evaluated. Within the Emerald forest you will find multiple relics of great historical significance. After you land you are to find a partner, this person must be someone you work well with."
Jeanne began scanning the line of students that were gathered, looking for either the Branwen girl or the Del'Ashari boy to partner up with.
It was at that moment the Headmistress decided that her dramatic pause had lasted long enough and she continued. "That said, the first person you make eye contact with will be your partner for the next 4 years. After you've partnered up make your way to the northern end of the forest, there you will find an ancient ruin, you will choose an item from there and make your way back. You must find a partner before you return to this cliff, however. Anyone that fails to do so shall be sent home on the first airship. Those that succeed, shall find their place in this school solidified. Any questions, no? Good." She finished, allowing Jeanne the chance to think before she noticed one of the people at the far end be launched into the forest via a catapult.
'Wait THAT'S how we're getting down there!? I thought we just walked or jumped o-' Her thoughts were interrupted when she herself was flung at high velocity into the forest.
The Sapphire Star soared through the sky, letting her cloak and coat act as something of a glider as she thought of a conservative method of landing before deciding on using her her semblance early. Conjuring a gravitas glyph was nothing, yet at high speeds all it did was slow you down, but slowing down was all she needed.
Immediately putting her plan into action Jeanne summoned a black glyph that had twin moons on it rather then the traditional Schnee snowflake the semblance was known for. She then drew her sabre, Aurea Lux, to slow the speed at which she would skid through the forest. As her feet touched the ground she buried the blade into the dirt, sending dust and pebbles everywhere. As Jeanne came to a halt she smiled viciously, all the training was about to pay off, she set off towards the forest, continuing to smile all the while.
She could already hear various other students landing and she knew she had to find a partner. It was quite tricky to decide on a partner, on the one hand there was Casey, someone she knew little about but was the person she knew best in this forest, but then there was the Del'Ashari boy, he might have answers about her father.
Casey would never get the opportunity to partner with either of them as a boy landed in front of her. Twin swords rested on his back, both of which seemed to have a trigger system for something. As he rose his head and began turning towards her, Jeanne could make out his features, blonde hair, feathered headdress, red eyes, and an arrogant smirk as he turned fully around towards her, allowing their eyes to meet, much to her absolute horror.
Irasha Branwen.
"Hey there, looks like we're partners now. How's it feel to be on the now winning team?" He said as he walked towards her, his smile slightly falling as he looked her up and down, finding so many details similar to himself.
Jeanne's response was one of the few snarky ones she had ever used in her life, something she'd been told was for lesser people. "Oh I don't know about that. I was always on the winning team, you just had to come along and make us the almost winning team. Really I'm tempted to throw initiation now cause you're my partner."
"Alright alright, I'll stop taking jobs at you, it's how I make friends, but right now... I think we've gotten some rather numerous problems." Irasha said as he reached for his swords, all the while, roughly 20 glowing sets of eyes appeared in the bushes around them.
The first two Beowolves to come out at them were met with brutal efficiency. Irasha sliced into its chest with one sword, leaping over it and slicing into its nape, killing it almost instantly as it began to disintegrate. Jeanne however, let it charge her, before activating her shield and its repulse function, throwing the creature off balance. She then proceeded to stab Aurea Lux into its skull, causing it to begin to fade.
The other creatures of Grimm began to come out from their bushes, revealing themselves and circling the children, expecting an easy meal.
"Well Branwen... you ready for this?" Jeanne asked as she reached into her coat pulling out her shotgun before then flourishing her sword in a manner that seemed to create the illusion of her slicing air from moving so fast. Aurea Lux's blade sang for a fight like this one, begging to be let loose.
"I was born ready! Just try and keep up eh?" Irasha responded, pulling his headdress down to his eyes, showing that it was also a mask. His swords glinted in the sunlight reflecting light back at the star that assailed it so. Tilting the sword slightly left reflected the light into the eye of an unsuspecting Beowulf, temporarily blinding it.
At that moment, the two leapt into action.
Well, here's Chapter 2-2 of my weird itch scratching story, roughly 2k longer then before, and hopefully a little more drawn out and not "TAKE THIS LORE! TAKE IT NOW!!!" Anyway now that that's done, I'm gonna go sleep.
Please leave a review if you liked!
Ciao!