A.N.: Hello again! Here's the first chapter!
About the trailers, I don't intend to add the Trailers just for Rule Of Cool. They actually symbolize which character will be the Main Character for a certain arc, as in whose story we shall be watching from their own eyes. There will be points where another perspective is used, but only to make the situation clear for the audience.
Also, it would give away the character I can't kill. I can't have that!
Moving on, this will be the Jaune Arc, so to say. It will be his story, delivered as far as possible from his perspective. I was forced to add some OCs, but be sure that they were a necessity since the world is not the same as canon, and necessitates more and different people to fill more and different roles. None of them have been added just because.
With that said, be my guest. Here comes the first real chapter.
Edit: and thanks to my beta, TeeAiDee for help in plot,grammar and miscellaneous advice. He saved my bacon on this fic.
Legends. Stories scattered through all of time, a testament to man's proclivity for remembering it's famed deeds from its past….to validate their own dignity and pride.
But they forget, that we are but the remnants of a lost world. Man, born from dust, right into a world where their existence was fragile. The beasts of extinction, the Creatures of Grimm, shadows of the beasts they faced in the wild, sought to end man and his creation.
But man had Dust. And with the power of nature at his back, and the blessings and a curse from ever absent Gods, man eked out life and civilization from this world. And the light seemed eternal and the darkness, transient.
But like all things, the enemy changed. Grimm became powerful, intelligent, adaptable. They learnt how to fight humanity, and what forms to take. Vast monsters and demons covered the heavens under black wings. Great dragons and predators shattered mountains and valleys. Twisted mockeries of natural beings came and waged a harsh and cruel war on the newly powerful humanity, that warped the very world before help arrived from unexpected quarters.
The Gods. Knowing that humanity would lose against the inexhaustible armies of Grimm, they gave a boon to any individuals with the potential to save the world. Power to raze armies, and to still remain human and die when their time comes. With their help, the war was won. The shadows retreated, not fully destroyed, but wounded and trapped. All thanks to the gods, and the champions they gave humanity at it's time of need.
The Knights.
Brave, resourceful men and women granted the power to equal a hundred men. This power chooses not the righteous, the skilled nor the desire for glory to make it's home, but rather the potential of a warrior to protect all the world and it's people. A truly heavy responsibility for flawed, fearful humans who never asked to gain it just for fighting for their lives.
For if they, the guardians themselves, are fearful and disheartened, then who shall guard them?
Then perhaps they should not ask for people to guard them, but to simply stand along. For in unity lies more power than the greatest individual.
That is true. And hence...I will divert all my attention to watch their spark flicker, and die,and the darkness will then swallow all.
In between some small hills twenty two kilometres away from the Ville De La Soleil, there was a beautiful meadow nestled behind tall and powerful walls. The Grimm were kept at bay by the actions of two large mountains that covered the entire valley and the forests surrounding it were cleared every few months by the local fighters. This was an important place for the local families, since this was where the remains of the heroes of the Great War of eighty years ago were kept. Ancestors of the local people and some of the most renowned warriors of those days were resting here, as were any great Huntsmen the villages nearby had produced for all these years.
Among the dozens of headstones, a single headstone dominated, two times and a half larger than the next largest and made of pure white marble. It was better maintained and still pure white despite the date on it being of ten years ago. A symbol of two curved arcs in gold was engraved upon it, and a name.
Jasper Arc
Jaunes knelt before his father's grave, trying to swallow his nervousness. His sister was still thinking on his demand to study at Beacon. He was still weak, still not good enough. He needed Beacon if he wanted to make anything of himself, but how could he prove himself good enough for Beacon if he was trying to get good enough for Beacon? He had been training for years, had passed the entrance exams, and even gotten his mother's permission! All that was needed was for Amethyst to make her decision. He may be the one who got Crocea Mors, but she was the eldest and head of the family after mother. There was no way he could leave without her permission.
And he needed to leave. He would only be fighting Grimm forever and failing again and again if he didn't learn to fight properly. He had the power from his….position, and the conditioning from his teacher, but it was useless if he couldn't control it.
He couldn't run at full or he slipped. He got outsmarted by Grimm, and they were mindless! He couldn't just keep trusting in his luck. He needed to be less of an idiot if he wanted to prove that he was not useless!
Medraut, his friend and technically his servant, was standing at a respectful distance back, though still close enough to talk. Jaune would need time to think , and this was the only place he was alone.
Fifteen minutes passed there before he finally swallowed his nerves, got up and started to walk towards the gates, pausing only to pick up Crocea Mors. Medraut clasped Clarent and Camlann again and sheathed them, falling into place respectfully. For once, even he was sombre rather than bugging him. Even he felt the seriousness.
Winter was waiting for them just outside, causing Medraut to glare at her disobedience of Jaune's orders.
" Ser, we'll need to get you to the house right now", Winter began almost at once with cool efficiency, almost as if she hadn't disobeyed her master's orders. Jaune, for his part, just looked up nervously.
Winter smiled for a moment and he relaxed "Your sister has already made her decision on whether you can go to Beacon or not. Nevertheless, arriving late for the meeting won't help matters for you. We are already a few minutes late. Any delays will be unwise."
He relaxed further. Even if Winter was a little cold, and a little demanding, and kind of a jerk at times, she was still his favourite sister (even if they weren't related) and his mentor. There was no way she would be smiling if Amethyst hadn't already decided he could go!
Beacon was going to be awesome! He was going to get a cool team , be the best of his class, and even get a girlfriend! He would rock the school! He could already see himself, surrounded by friends and great heroes he click emulate. Even two Knights, including Ser, or Professor, Ozpin himself!
Almost as if sensing his thoughts (and no matter who he claimed otherwise, he knew that had to be his semblance) , Medraut gave Winter a glare and leaned in next to him.
" I know what you're thinking. Don't get ahead of yourself. Amethyst wouldn't let you leave unless she has plans for you. I'm coming with you to watch your back. Besides" He grinned, mouth full of teeth" you can't expect to hog all the fighting for yourself. I've heard Pyrrha Nikos and Martin Bronzewing's son are attending Beacon this year. Time for me to see if that kid is as good as old Martin claimed, and to beat the Champion into the dirt!" Jaune rolled his eyes at the former assassin's antics
By which point, Medraut had started to giggle to himself, as if imagining the fights he would get into. Jaune just rolled his eyes some more at his BFF's antics. He was a pretty cool friend to have, and didn't disobey him, but Medraut was a piece of work.
Now that the killer was clearly in a world of his own, Winter cleared her throat politely. He looked at her expectantly.
"If it helps, my sister managed to…..convince my father to let her leave for Beacon. I'm sure that your sister will be far more amenable to letting you leave. Unlike my father, she cares for you" she smiled, and after making sure that Medraut was still not paying attention (he wasn't), she stood on her toes to give him a small peck on his forehead.
He blushed slightly at her unusual display of affection and slowed down to catch up with Medraut, who had regained his wits and was staring at him.
"What?" he said a little defensively.
Medraut shook his head
"Sometimes, Ser, I cannot tell how you survived fifteen years without me" he said, not even bothering to elaborate.
And with that note, they left for his house.
The journey home was brief but tense. Jaune was thankful that he didn't eat much in the morning, or else he was sure he would have ruined the car forever. As it was, Winter was taking the front seat after Medraut pointed out, very happily, that Jaune always lost his stomach when he was nervous.
He was still snickering over it when they entered the house. Amethyst's room was much further than anybody's to avoid interruptions while working, so they had to take a small walk to reach it.
"You know, you're kind of a jerk to her. What's your problem with her anyway? You're always messing with her." He finally snapped after Medraut's smirk didn't fade after fifteen minutes. The grey eyed killer just shrugged.
"You know why. I still think she used you. As they say, apples and trees. The end result of that sorry affair was that she gets what she wanted along with some very good blackmail material on you. And you get squat for basically picking a fight with one of the most powerful men in Atlas. That doesn't sound like an equal deal to me"
Jaune rolled his eyes at the old complaint." First she didn't ask me to, I did it myself. Second, she's my teacher, so I owe her. Third, I was already in his bad books, and people like him don't forget easily. I kind of had no options. And he started it anyway."
Medraut simply rolled his eyes as they reached the door. Jaune gestured to the killer to stand at the door and entered. This was going to be difficult.
"Of course you can go to Beacon", his eldest sister smiled. For such stern person, she had a really nice smile. But all that was secondary to the good news.
He was going. This was it. He was going to Beacon!
He forced his mouth open to thank her but before he could say a word, she raised a hand to forestall him. He shut up immediately.
"I said you can go. But staying there is your responsibility altogether. You will have to be disciplined, smart, respectful and above all, honourable."
He nodded. He was going to be on his best behaviour anyways. Professor (or would it be Ser?) Ozpin had already warned him all those years ago. And he didn't forget.
Amethyst stood up and walked to the window to look at the large gardens outside." We Arcs don't really have much of a reputation in polite society, Jaune. The few who know and respect us would not admit to being friends with mercenaries. Not to mention any enemies we may have made among the Faunus. It doesn't help that Weiss Schnee is attending Beacon this year. No matter how that crook is trapped, he still has a lot of influence over her. He may well use it all to get revenge on you for your….stunt, barely an year ago. So just keep your head down and don't draw attention to yourself. It's just four years if you complete the full course. Don't get into trouble with the girl in that time."
He nodded. If she was anything like Winter, he really didn't want to get on her bad side. Winter was nice, but she could get really petty if crossed.
He still remembered time he joked that she was old. No matter how hard he tried not to.
"Also, Medraut should probably go with you. I have no illusions of any kind of control over him, and he looks young enough to be there. I'll take care of the documentation. He can help keep your nose out of trouble, or rather, help you get out of the eventual mess you'll get into. Just make sure to keep him on a tight leash at all times. The last thing we need is him stabbing some student over them insulting you."
It seemed she was still ticked off that he wanted to go to Beacon at all. But he wasn't going to budge. Even if he never asked to be knighted, even if he had no idea what to do, he wouldn't back off
That's not what Knights do. That's not what Dad would have done.
He even refused to show his anger over her insulting his friend, just to avoid angering her right then. Medraut may not have the best social skills…or sanity…alright, he was kind of a psychopath. But he was still his friend!
Amethyst seemed to note his expression and sighed.
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult him. But you have to admit that he's difficult at the best of times and a nuisance at the worst. I still don't understand why you chose him above so many others as a bodyguard and assistant."
She threw up her hands in exasperation," Why, you could have had an actual Huntsman! Or Winter for that matter. She's strong, disciplined, from a good family, and is the heir to it to boot. Though the last is thanks to your actions. She would have happily agreed to protect you, in return for the help we, or mostly you, gave her to solidify her position as Heiress. She's also a former favourite of General James Ironwood, making some good connections on that side."
She shook her head," I didn't say anything an year ago or since because it's your choice, not mine. And with father gone, I haven't had the time to take care of such matters."
She stared at him, clearly demanding an answer.
Jaune looked up at his sister, thinking of what to say. He wasn't sure how much she knew or guessed about Medraut's…..origins. Nor what she would do about it. While she hadn't reacted too badly to his scuffle with Jacques Schnee, he suspected it was mostly because it was a desperate action that had more benefits than otherwise. She might not react well to knowing that he had saved and employed Medraut despite him being a…
" He saved my life. You know that. He saved my life despite not knowing me at all. He was strong enough to win so many times, and save me a dozen times by now. I know him. I trust him."
She looked at him for a few moments, almost like she could tell that he was lying, if only by omission. But she had said it herself. It wasn't her responsibility, and Medraut had proved himself loyal many times by now. After a few moments, Amethyst nodded to gesture that that the meeting was over. He nearly sprinted out before she had her last word.
"And Jaune, remember that if there's any trouble, you can always return. We won't think any worse of you."
He was still not entirely sure whether that was encouragement or a dig at him. Probably both. This was Amethyst after all.
Later that evening, Jaune was sweating bullets as Winter decided to give him a "Special Training Session" to prepare him for Beacon. Medraut had left for a mission, busting some bandits who were causing trouble in the East. Jaune just hoped he remembered not to kill anyone. The Black Knight may not be the sanest of individuals, but he was definitely an obedient one. And Jaune had ordered him all that time ago to never take another life. He wouldn't ignore that order. Hopefully.
The training area was a large field close to the house. With all of his sisters either at Signal, with their mother in Mistral for work, he was the only one who regularly used this place. Trees and small outcroppings of rock littered the old field. It was on one of these rocks that Winter was standing as she sent Grimm after Grimm against him to polish his reflexes and technique.
Further thought was diverted when Winter sent a massive Gryphon that he had to dodge immediately. He wasn't sure whether it could actually hurt him, but he preferred not to see for himself. A roll let him slip past a claw and wave of Aura beheaded the Bullhead sized monster.
In a flash, the Grimm disappeared only for an irate Winter to step forwards.
" Jaune Arc!" the full name. She must be furious. Jaune winced." How many times would I have to tell you before it crosses your limited intellect that wasting your Aura like that on anything large is wasteful and foolish? You're banned from using it in practice sessions until you decide to use actual sword styles rather than just throwing Aura and brute force at everything. No matter how much Aura you may have, wasting any is foolish at best and hazardous at worst! Tell me all the mistakes you made."
"Uhm", He fidgeted, trying to think of a better way to kill a giant monster, "I should have…used my shield?" Winter nodded approvingly, giving him courage to continue. "I should have jumped, and then used his shield to spin and cut the head!" she finished, looking pleased with herself.
Winter nodded with a smile, and then frowned again, good humour gone. Jaune gulped.
" Until you decide to fight like a Huntsman rather than a drunk with attitude problems" Winter's face twitched slightly for some reason" I will keep sending every single Grimm have defeated in my career under the General at you until I literally beat some tactics and skill into you. Am I understood?"
He winced and nodded. For all her composed behaviour, when Winter got mad, she got mad. Still better than the time he called her old, though. With one final gulp, he readied his shield and sword. Winter took up her position on the roof with a jump. The Glyphs of the Schnee Semblance formed releasing snow white Beowolves, small Nevermore, a dozen or so Ursa and a Boarbatusk. In an instant, they charged.
Jaune jumped over the first wave, slamming his shield down to create a shockwave that scattered the Grimm. Three Beowolves attacking from several angles were evaded by by jumping, after which he destroyed them all in a single slash. The Boarbatusk spin to attack home even as Nevermore swarmed hi to obstruct his vision. With his best option taken from him, he and no means of evading the spinning Grim as it slammed into his shield even as the tiny birds clawed at his Aura ineffectually. Jaune gritted his teeth, and thrust into the Grimm. A satisfying crunch told him he had pierced it's armour. His hands free, he slashed at several Ursa that tried to swarm him and finished by wiping out the swarm of Nevermore in dozens of swipes carried out in the span of an instant.
Winter nodded and sent another wave. This was going to take a while. He charged with a yell.
It was an hour before the training was finished, he exhausted on the floor while she still hadn't broken a sweat. Winter nodded to show that he could rest, and sat herself down on the grass as well,right besides him. He deliberated for a few seconds before deciding to say his request out loud.
"Winter?" He called. She turned her head curiously." Do you think we can continue the duelling practice? I don't want to make a fool of myself when I get to Goodwitch's classes. I think I'll get feints soon enough."
Winter twerked her eyebrow, the question more implied than asked.
He flushed. His sudden fondness for training hadn't come as a surprise to her. She knew how tenuous his position had become since he was given his title two years ago.
Ser.
Just three letters. Two syllables. Nothing to show the weight of that title.
Eighty years ago, when the King of Vale had defeated his enemies in the Great War and had the kings of the entire world at his feet, so terrified of his destructive power that they would rather kneel than fight. Rather than take the prize, the King had instead set up four Academies around the world to train warriors to protect humanity and the Faunus from the Grimm. Along with that, he established the councils to rule the kingdoms. But with the royalty gone and demigods that could take on small armies running around, a question occurred to him.
Who would guard against the Guardians?
For that reason, the Knights were established. Three for each Kingdom. Three Huntsmen or Huntresses, appointed by the unanimous vote of all Headmasters to guard against Rogue or criminal Hunters, as well as carry out the largest operations against Grimm. Each Knight was, by necessity, the strongest warrior the Kingdom could field, their loyalty bought by several privileges like land, near total legal immunity for anything less than treason and complete authority on all military and defence matters on the field level. They had proved their mettle dozens of times, defeating near immortal Grimm like Matriarch Goliaths, Drakes, and Ruk Nevermore. They held back armies, saved cities, and were humanity's greatest and most loved heroes. Only twelve existed at a time at the most. Professor Ozpin of Beacon was one. Nobody knew just how they got so powerful, though most agreed it was probably divine in nature.
And he was apparently one of them too now.
And all because he didn't run from something which would have killed him anyways. And because Professor (or was it Ser?) Ozpin had been there to save his life. The old Knight knew what had happened in the underground caves that day. The strange god the clan of Black worshipped, the horrific thing that drew the Grimm. And after the ordeal was over, he was officially knighted by permission of the headmasters.
Ser Jaune Arc. The youngest Knight in eighty years of history.
Almost as if she could hear his thoughts, Winter placed a gloved hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see the soft smile on her face.
" You shouldn't let your anxiety hold back your potential. Your position is demanding, and you were chosen before you were ready. Those are things that can make you question yourself, think of all the things that could go wrong. But you cannot afford to fail." She raised a hand to place it at his cheek, " Besides, you never were one to be afraid or nervous before going forwards. That's why you got this title, wasn't it? That's why you…..helped me out. Because you're the kind of fool who isn't afraid of anything."
Jaune felt something warm creep up to his face at his teacher's words. Winter had a way of making the rare praise she gave count. He felt better already.
He whooped and stood up in a flash, startling her. She was right. If it helped him once, boneheaded stupidity could help him twice!
He strode purposefully towards the house, ready for his new life. Now, just to try and survive his family!
That night, there was a small party in the Arc villa. Winter was mercilessly teased by Jade and Sapphire. Rouge and Saffron had jumped on him at once to tell him about their first year in Signal. Amethyst and his mother had watched the proceedings with amusement. It was a happier day than usual in the Arc household.
"Jaune! Are you going to meet that crazy girl who beats up anyone who touches her hair? Can you tell her that I think her hair is pretty? Jaune!" Rouge was as insistent as always, poking him with a fork to make him pay attention, sat on his lap.
His youngest sister had jumped on him at once when she arrived, pleased to meet her favorite (or only) brother after so many months in school. While she hadn't joined combat courses yet, she was still in Signal, the fourth of her family after Amethyst, Jade and Saffron to do so. She was still riding on the novelty, it seemed.
"Yeah, I probably will. What's her name anyway? I heard she was the strongest there?"
"Why, big guy? Looking for a girlfriend?" Jade grinned from the opposite side,laughing at his blushing face. He wasn't much of a talker around girls, and Jade never ceased to remind him of that. He hadn't forgotten how she had dressed him up as a kid and sent photos to his classmates an year ago. All the girls still couldn't look him in the face in embarrassment.
Alright, not everyone was cool around girls! And he was a Knight! He was supposed to be courtly and respectful around girls, not flirt with them!
"That's enough now! Jade, stop teasing Jaune. Jaune, stop giving her opportunities. You know what's she's like." He glared at Amethyst at the last jibe, but she studiously ignored him. Jade just grinned and went back to her soup, only to yelp when it turned out to be too hot. A sly sidewise look told him that Saffron had been using her Semblance on her soup. The second youngest Arc innocently smiled from where she was sitting besides mother. As usual, nobody except him noticed her hand in the mischief.
Even if he was a Knight, maybe he was allowed to enjoy such things?
Sapphire and Lapis giggled at the corner, the elder twins not leaving the chance to make fun of their younger counterparts. It was still weird to think that his family had two pairs of twins, but maybe the probability was skewed due to seven children? It was hardly the weirdest thing about their family.
Sapphire got him out of his musing with a grin. " But you didn't say, little brother. Would you, the dashing Knight In Shining Armour, try for the maiden with golden hair? It would be a beautiful romance, remembered for all ti-"
She was shut off by Lapis pushing a chicken leg into her mouth. The ensuing food fight was stopped by a glare from their mother, to Saffron and Jade's evident disappointment. He simply took the minor release for what it was and edged closer to the adults ( the real adults) to listen, only stopping for a moment to stop Saffron from stealing from Topaz's plate. The greedy little girl blushed while her elder sister simply went back to her scroll. These two...he turned his attention to Amethyst, his mother and Winter.
" And I'm telling you that Taurus is lying through his teeth. Even Ghira Belladonna doesn't doesn't trust him. He trusts us even less, but that mad bull is no higher in his regard. If we push now, we could get them to arrest him." Winter hissed angrily.
So they were talking about the Fang. He wasn't fully up to date on them, but he knew Ser Adam still claimed to be innocent of all the terrorism some of his people were committing.
He actually liked Adam. He had met him during the party after his knighting and they had hit off after talking about getting Knighted young. He was only an year older than Jaune when he had been Knighted for killing a Minos singlehandedly after it had destroyed an army sent after it. Adam was polite and kind of fun to be around. When he wasn't giving dramatic speeches, that is.
"Yes, but the fact remains that he's a Knight. Not many would be willing to go against him without evidence. And Wukong is hardly a more reliable person. Vale will need evidence of his involvement before the Clans believe us." His mother gently reminded Winter. His teacher just frowned and nodded, clearly not satisfied but willing to let it pass. Sapphire nudged her side, drawing a glare from her.
" So Winter, your little sister is attending Beacon, right? What do you say to Jaune dating her?" Everyone at the table stiffened, and then glanced at Winter. She simply stared at Sophy for a moment before making a strange noise from her throat. Jaune choked on his hot soup, but nobody came to his aid as he spluttered.
"Ab-absolutely not! Weiss is still too young, and Jaune can't be seen around her anyway! This is ridiculous! There are other girls around, Weiss is off limits!" Winter looked incredibly flustered, her face red. Sapphire grinned in a predatory manner.
"Other girls? Like...you? Is this a love triangle between sisters? Oh,where are my pen and paper? I need to write this!"
" I don't want to get with Winter. That would be too weird! I wouldn't date her if she was the last girl on Remnant !" He managed to yelp out at last. This was not the kind of trouble he wanted to be in with her. Hopefully, this would solve the issue.
"What does that mean? Is that an insult?" The white haired huntress in question snarled. Or maybe not. He gulped and looked to Amethyst for aid. Sophy grinned and started to tease the blushing Winter mercilessly.
It soon turned into a typical Arc dinner with everyone joining in except him and his mother. Winter tried, and failed, to head off Sophy. When Rouge asked her if she was going to marry him, all bets were off. Nobody let her have a moment of peace for the entire dinner.
Altogether, Jaune was happier when going to bed than he had been all day. Amy hadn't raised a fuss about him leaving for Ozpin, his mother had insisted on making him a large meal before he left in a week, Medraut had just messaged that he was delayed due to a White Fang attack on a train that raised possibility of major terrorist capture and the Fang getting unmasked but would be back in three days to accompany him and Winter had muttered something about him needing Parachutes and tents before changing the subject. But he was still in peace as he slept, right besides the starry skies and large green fields outside his window.
And the world went forward, as great minds planned and gears moved. And nobody noticed the simple, common human that would change the course of history.
So here we are. We know why Jaune wants to go to Beacon, what changes were made and that he has a simple but good life and family.
Something I wish to outright state is that Power doesn't necessarily mean victory. Huntsmen make a career out of killing Grimm despite being weaker and smaller. Similarly, the power Jaune displayed in the trailer is the only hint you'll get until... Next chapter?
But ,as we all know, power brings with it it's own set of problems. The Maidens in RWBY and Nukes in our world are proof enough that all power comes at a price. Young Jaune thinks that being a Knight is just about killing Grimm, saving people and all gooey , mushy things. But knowing about how complicated the world is will drive his story.
Yes, his story. Ser Arc is in the title. Many others will share the stage with him, and he prefers to be quiet and bounce his personality off others. And therefore, i will try to get as many character interaction as possible.
Stay tuned!