Arc IV: Courage Ascending
Chapter 32: Somewhere To Belong
Caution: Light themes of depression, trauma and recovery in scenes 1 and 4. Skip to the AN at the bottom for more info.
Jaune went through the motions without even intending to.
Tying his laces and brushing his increasingly longer hair aside, he then gave himself a final once over in the foyer mirror. After all, it never did any good to go into the wilds unprepared, and so Jaune was equipped with the finest set of armour he could spare - his Pumpkin Pete's sweater and a worn pair of slim jeans. One of the simplest and most comfortable options during civvie clothes' day at Beacon or a trip to downtown Vale.
Some things just never got old, nor did the longing feelings grow weaker.
Jaune sighed and made to leave, but he paused the moment he touched the doorknob. A knight never left without his sword, even if the outskirt woods were relatively safe. It was different within the depths of the Akkala Forest, even before the Blood Moon, and once or twice he'd seen wandering Grimm during a sleepless night.
But as he looked towards the mantle where Crocea Mors sat in the pride of place, instinct warred with painful hesitation. There wasn't any practical need at the moment to walk into Hudson armed, but without it, he'd feel empty. Without it, he wouldn't be ready when danger sprung from the shadows.
Without it, he was helpless to protect the ones around him.
Jaune grimaced.
Part of him felt he was overthinking it, but as the thoughts reached a crescendo, they were silenced when he opened the door instead.
And for the first time since he returned, Jaune breathed in the open air. Sunlight beamed lazily through the trees in the early noon sky, and with a nod, he began walking the path to the village proper.
It was a mellowing experience, and the dramatic part of him chuckled internally - cynically - at how the tables have turned. The last time he walked this path, he raced through it to catch his pre-dawn flight. He left without so much as a word, but this time, things would be different. A good team leader always accepted responsibility.
And a good friend always owned their mistakes.
The village skyline slowly came into view, partially obscured behind a veil of trees, but upon descending a gentle slope, Jaune paused beneath the shade and exhaled.
It was just like he remembered. The Great Sea was bright and blue, with the ruined lighthouse on a small peninsula evenly slicing through like a tall, stone knife. Thankfully, the village, while looking to be rather empty, seemed to be okay as a few damaged houses were already being repaired. The same went for the town palisade, the beige and green walls of Atmos Academy on the eastern edge, and the bridge whose route spanned west across a creek and forked between Fallow Ranch and Lower Cairn.
Jaune spared a nod for the tired-looking guard as he passed through the gate, emerging at the small central square that, months ago, marked the beginning of a reality none could have ever expected. He never considered that the world he knew was built upon the ashes of another, and because of his desire to become a huntsman, he would embark on a somber journey to prove himself worthy as a descendant of legends.
In the end, it had all come full circle. Jaune turned to joke about the irony to Ren but sighed when he realized his team wasn't there.
"J-Jaune...? Is that you?"
But he was thankfully spared from painful reflection when another voice cut through his train of thought - quiet, somewhat timid, but familiar in a way that was possible only after a long time gone.
Jaune turned right, and from the scattered children and adults that milled around the central square, he watched as the son of Rusl and Uli Greensmith lit up with barely concealed joy.
"Hey, Colin."
"Y-you're here. You're back!" the smaller blonde replied, rushing over to hug him. Jaune gratefully returned his childhood friend's embrace. "Well, you already were, but...you know what I mean. It's really good to see you. How's things? Are you...doing better?"
Jaune broke off and smiled, though it was empty and he saw through it. "Yeah, I'm alright. Still a little tired, but I got the letter and I wanted to see how you guys are doing too. Thanks for reaching out. I really appreciate it."
Colin briefly narrowed his eyes at his clumsy evasion before nodding back. "We've been friends since forever, Jaune. Me, you, Malon and Shad...we're not gonna let that go, regardless of how you left."
His gaze fell, but was raised when Colin gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Look. I'm just, um...glad you're okay. Do you...want to get lunch? It's on me. My treat."
He would love nothing more.
Jaune joined him in heading across the square towards an open-air diner. After placing their orders and several minutes of small talk, they continued down the westward road with lunch in hand.
"I assume the takeout's for...?"
Colin nodded. "Yup. You know how she loves getting free food."
"Everybody loves that," Jaune snorted. "But how are they doing, though? The ranch still going strong too?"
"Yeah. Malon, Cremia, Romani, Mr Talon - they're all doing fine, but..."
Jaune's heart dropped.
"Don't worry. It's nothing serious," Colin replied as he saw the troubled look on his face. "A few buildings took a beating when the moon turned red, but that's it. No one got seriously hurt. It could've been much, much worse, so I'm pretty thankful our school's a primary huntsman academy, not to mention a few people here being retired huntsmen themselves. I'm kinda worried that a lot of them were recalled to Vale, though."
"Same," Jaune replied, thinking for a moment about his father and two eldest sisters who also had to return to the capital. They needed all the help they could get while rebuilding their defences. "And speaking of retired huntsmen, how's your family holding up?"
"Good! It feels kinda bad to say it like this, but dad's blacksmith had a lot of business since then. Mom's doing great too, with her delivery date fast approaching."
"Ooh, nice. Boy or girl?"
"Hope it's the former," he snorted. "But they've already decided on names when my sibling's born - Talo or Beth, I think. Either way, we'll see."
Colin reached into the paper bag to grab some fries as they crossed the wooden bridge. After several minutes of silence, however, Jaune noticed him glance to and fro, seemingly debating whether to speak up or not.
"Hmm? What's up?"
"I-it's nothing," he replied, deliberately refusing to make eye contact. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Maybe I'll...tell you later."
He raised an eyebrow but let it go as they rounded a bend and climbed a small hill. After passing a few rows of trees, they were met with a path that cut between a house with orange tiling and an old, damaged barn. Said path ended beneath a weathered signpost that allowed entrance to the pasture, not to mention the iconic stone granary nestled by the woods at the property's edge.
Jaune didn't even realize he stopped until Colin walked ahead, upon which he ran past before looking back. They were afforded a good view of the coast as the ranch was upon a small hill, but standing in a place with years' worth of memories tugged something deep and wistful within. Jaune closed his eyes and embraced it, and for the first time in days, the smile that came over felt truly genuine.
Across the enclosure, a faint tune he recognized as an old classic drifted over from a girl sitting beside a lone horse.
"Just like old times, right?"
"Yeah. Couldn't agree more," he said as Colin came over. "Can't forget the races we had around the track."
"Malon and Shad took them way too seriously. Can't blame him for trying to impress her though," Colin sighed, crossing his arms. "But speaking of such..."
Jaune followed his gaze and watched as she stirred to life, mounting the horse and galloping over. Yet even then, her smile was visible from a mile away.
"Fairy boy."
"Grasshopper."
"Please. You're still pretty short."
"Hey! Easy for you to say when you're on a horse."
"Eh, details," Malon Fallow grinned, hopping off the destrier before running over to embrace him tightly. Colin smiled as Jaune returned it in kind.
"I know you've been back for a while, but it's good to see you again. Welcome home."
Jaune's breath stilled. The word felt uncomfortably foreign to hear, even if she wasn't wrong, but he forged past thoughts of his dorm room as he focused on the present.
"...remember, you gotta do this for them. I know it's hard, but they gotta hear it from me."
"...une? Are you okay? You're kind of spacing out."
"Oh, er, yeah. Sorry," he sheepishly chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "But yeah, likewise. It's good to see and hear you too. You haven't lost your touch at all."
"I've had practice for seventeen years," she quipped, reaching for the horse behind her and stroking its white mane. "Helps that this fine girl will come charging from wherever, whenever she hears it." Malon patted its neck. "Come on. Say hi."
Jaune's smile became tender as he approached the destrier, who pushed past his hand and nuzzled into the crook of his neck.
"Hey, Epona. Long time no see," he cooed, holding an apple that Malon slipped to him up to its mouth. "Don't worry. I come bearing gifts, even though you've already grown so big and strong."
Epona neighed as she happily chewed on the fruit, and for a moment, a brief feeling of...something washed over him. Even though he and his friends spent time and again at the ranch when they were children, he couldn't describe this as anything but just right. If he asked, Link would've probably said that other lives of theirs had similar experiences too.
"Looks like we're not the only ones that missed you. But business first - do you guys wanna get lunch? Or is that what those bags are for?"
Colin promptly handed her one, upon which Malon thanked him and nodded to the side. They hopped over the property fence to sit against the fence posts and eat, all while taking in a gentle breeze that came from the ocean below. Sighing contentedly, Jaune leaned back and merely basked in the stillness of it all; from the greasy food, the environment, Malon and Colin's bickering -
In short, it was tranquil. Idyllic. The perfect weekend jaunt.
Pyrrha would've loved it.
Emptiness and guilt began to simmer once more; being here was a calm, yet sharp contrast to the horrors of days past, and one where he still questioned if he had the right to enjoy it. While it was indeed worth it to see his childhood friends again, why should he sit around feeling sorry for himself when Ren and Nora were still in Vale, leaderless and without anyone to turn to?
But just the thought of picking up Crocea Mors again and failing as a huntsman, let alone a team leader or a hero...
His jaw clenched, barely registering Malon's muted voice calling his name in the background.
"...I've stowed away before. There's no excuse for me to leave Ren and Nora behind. But whenever I think of going back there, even though I want to, I...I just don't feel ready. I can barely get myself out of bed sometimes, let alone pick up a training sword."
Jaune snapped out of it when he felt Malon shake his arm, and he turned to see her and Colin shooting him worried glances.
"Sorry, what were you saying?"
"I asked if you still play guitar," Malon replied, "and if you don't anymore, that's okay, but...are you?"
He knew the truthful answer, but he didn't know if he could say it to himself.
"I'm sorry," he eventually replied. "I'm just kinda tired. I think the food coma's just hitting faster than expected."
Malon smiled, albeit sadly. "It's okay, Jaune. If anything, I'm just happy you came over in the first place. Especially since...you know. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
Jaune nodded appreciatively, but this was an opportunity to make amends, and it wasn't something he wanted to keep putting off.
"Right. Thanks. But I still want to apologize for leaving you all behind. I should've let you guys know instead of keeping you in the dark."
"...mhmm. Shad took it the worst," Colin began, looking uncomfortable himself, and Jaune didn't miss the pain behind it. "Hence why he's not here, but...I kinda understand why. You were always goin' on about being a huntsman since we were children."
"Even then, it's not an excuse," Jaune stressed. "I...admit I was worried that one of you guys would tell on me, and yeah. It was pretty selfish. Not just to you guys, but to my family as well." He slightly bowed his head. "Leaving those I care about behind or in the dark like that's something I'd never want to do again. It's something I took to heart over there too. I...I'll talk to Shad and set things right, but until then, I'm sorry."
His eyes widened as he felt Malon reach over and wrap him up in a hug. "We forgive you, Jaune."
Colin smiled when they let go, and as he returned it in kind, Jaune felt his shoulders relax the smallest bit.
"But please don't forget," Malon winked as she finished her burger, "that we're here for you, whenever you feel comfortable opening up. The same way we've all been here for each other."
The words meant to him more than they'd ever know. Funny how the smallest words could have the greatest impact; but as he stared into the sky, picturing himself sailing through it during Initiation, perhaps he could at least tell them stories about the food fight, the dance or their missions -
And Jaune grimaced upon remembering why they were so memorable. Beside him, Colin asked Malon if they could all go for a ride again, to which she stepped off excitedly to the stables, but as Jaune's vision warred with memories of younger days here and at Beacon, he decided it was best to start with the easier things - the happier times. Not just for them, but for himself. Slow, but steady.
And then maybe, as he felt the calm thrill of horseback riding with friends once more, he could tell them how much his team would've enjoyed this too.
Nodding to Colin, Jaune hopped over the fence and headed for Epona.
x==)==
It started with a small trickle of light and sound; her eyes twitched when she felt the warm glow of sunlight, followed by a slowly rising cacophony of environmental ambience.
Her mind, foggy as it was, screamed with alarm at how she shouldn't be hearing the passing breeze and the warbling birds amidst greenery crunching underfoot. But combined with sheer mental and physical exhaustion, it almost lulled her back to sleep immediately.
After all, the flight to Atlas was a long one, and she might as well take advantage of what rest she can get before returning to her father's control.
Weiss Schnee sighed and curled up further into a ball before questioning just why the bullhead's seat felt so rough and wooden. And why was it that she couldn't move her arms and legs? Not for the aches that racked the entirety of her body, but for some reasons, try as she might, she couldn't move a...single...inch...
The heiress startled upright, then once again as she panicked and nearly lurched out of the cart.
She was roughly pushed back inside, amidst a few unconscious men and women resting amongst crates fastened to the floorboards.
And then she noticed the White Fang masks clutched in their hands as they slept.
"Hey, you. You're finally awake," a familiar and most unwelcome voice cackled, and she wheeled around to see the grinning face of the only man she hated more than her father. Weiss snarled and tried to punch him, then yelped as Neo yanked her back from her seat on the barrel beside her. It also didn't help that her wrists and ankles were bound in rope.
"About time you come to your senses. You really are a princess, you know, sleeping while being carted through the forest and all."
A myriad of emotions immediately coursed through her veins, but amongst the initial shock, fear and disbelief, Weiss chose to fight her rising anxiety and settled on anger instead.
"Roman Torchwick. Where. Am. I?"
"Did you roll around and hit your head when you were asleep? Actually, you know what? That's probably likely, given how the bullhead literally fell from the sky..."
Weiss froze.
"...bullhead? Father sent SDC personnel to escort me to Atlas, but...all I remember is waking up because of turbulence, only to find out that it was caused by evasive maneuvers. All because we needed to escape from that..."
Memories of a large and terrifying dragon suddenly slammed back into her head, followed by encircling White Fang at the crash site, and Weiss fell on her rear as she tried to process it all.
"Thought so. Remembering it now, Ice Queen?"
"What...what was that thing...? Why did it even attack us?" She fixed Roman a horrified look. "And Roman! Where are we and what did you do to my pilot!?"
The thief shrugged. "Good question on both, though it's not like it matters anyway."
Weiss paled.
"What do you mean it -"
"Since when do you think you're in a position to ask questions, Schnee?"
Hearing her name spat out with such disgust, Weiss whirled to find Adam Taurus walking alongside the cart. She instinctively pulled back against the boards when he leapt inside to sit opposite her.
"Y-you -"
"I shall deign to answer your questions so that you won't ask any more and try our patience," Adam interrupted, fixing her with a baleful glare. While his mask covered his face, the hatred which radiated through was strong enough to burn a hole through her head.
"Firstly, we saved you from your injuries as you are more valuable to us alive. We won't kill you yet - not here, not now - but know that your time is fast approaching."
Weiss bit her lip and remained silent, though they could both see how she tried to steady herself from shivering.
"Secondly, you need not know where we are nor our destination. For now, you need only to sit quietly and let things go by. It should be easy for someone like you, given your experience on the sidelines turning a blind eye to the reality of the world around them."
"H-how dare you! I admit that the company itself is not perfect, especially with my father at the helm, but if you are going to act self-righteous, then judge me first before lumping me in with the rest of my family!"
"The words of many a Schnee," Adam scoffed, "and as equally hollow. Don't lecture me on right and wrong when you do nothing to fight the status quo."
That was...a remarkably untrue statement. "I am not racist by any means, Taurus. Have you forgotten that one of my teammates is faunus? I have laid my life on the line to protect her, and while I don't know the exact nature of your...previous relationship, I'm just happy she chose the right path and left -"
She gasped as a crimson blade suddenly found itself above her jugular, deployed so blindingly fast that she couldn't even react and activate her depleted Aura. A thin red line slowly trailed down into her dress, and Weiss' quietly snapped her gaze back to his.
"I don't find it particularly smart to taunt your captors, Schnee. It would be wise to not hasten your limited time and end up like other missing family...or a pilot that did his best crash landing in the forest."
Weiss responded with all the silent loathing she could muster, though she was the first to look away with a pained whimper as Adam's sword tightened ever so slightly.
"Blake is misguided but will eventually see the error of her ways," he said, sheathing Wilt and hopping off. "And so will you, whether you like it or not. The same applies if you try to find opportunities to escape. I shouldn't have to explain why it is a terrible idea."
Breathing heavily, Weiss slid further down the cart and gently wiped the cut on her neck. But while Aura was already beginning to heal the physical wound, it did nothing to strengthen her mental fortitude. Weiss clenched her fists in frustration.
"Brothers above...what have I gotten myself into? I did not even want to return to Atlas, and all because of Father -"
Weiss exhaled a controlled breath, and she turned to find Neo fixing her with a look of sarcastic pity.
"I...I must remain strong. I accept that I am not here because I chose to be, but...I can't listen to Adam. I'd rather escape and do my best to survive than to remain a prisoner of the White Fang. I need to find civilization. I-I need..."
She pursed her lips as her thoughts drifted back to her first mission; the ruins, the forlornness and the quiet that preceded an ambush of Grimm. Judging by the cart, their supplies and how fresh some of the wounded looked to be, chances are Adam recently led one of his own, so...
"...maybe there's a road or settlement nearby? Either way, I need to escape and find my way back to Vale."
Weiss slowly sat up as she began to build confidence once more.
"I need to find my way back to my team."
"Whatever you're thinking, kid, drop it. It's not gonna work out for ya."
She spun in place and glared. "And what would you do in my position, Torchwick? Would Vale's greatest criminal mastermind be content to just sit a prisoner and let his empire crumble around him? I thought you prized survival in the chaos."
Roman's eye twitched but he covered it up with a forced smile. "Please. Don't speak like you know how to. One or two field trips and then you're suddenly a survivalist. Trust me, Ice Queen. You're not gonna last a minute out there."
"I'd rather try than sit and be deprecated by the man who nearly murdered my partner!" Weiss snapped, then squawked as Neo dug a boot in her ribcage.
"What can I say? That naïve little pipsqueak was asking for it," Roman replied, looking away mildly irritated. "And you know what? Even though I hated it at the moment, all I feel is pity when I think back to her. Pity for a girl that didn't know any better and thought a few dust rounds would change the world -"
"You were at Mountain Glenn, weren't you?"
Roman Torchwick fell quiet.
"I...I remember you yelling something that night about your teammates left behind because Vale abandoned you, or something to that effect," Weiss continued, eyes narrowing as the gears began turning in her head. "Yes...that would make sense as to why you're so...nihilistic -"
"Telling you this for your own good, kid. Shut the fuck up and don't try to escape," he muttered under his breath before picking up the pace. "You're unarmed, you don't know where you are, you don't know how to live off the land, and anyone with common sense will stop at nothing to capture you. You're better off here if you wanna live."
"...no, Roman," Weiss replied, scowling at the back of his bowler hat while focusing on what gave her strength, from thoughts of her true home in Beacon to seeing her friends again, be it the quiet, sarcastic faunus, bombastic bombshell and the dolt she considered her best friend - not that say that to Ruby's face. Brothers, even seeing Jaune of all people would be relieving enough.
"I will do what I need to survive, and by you continuously trying to dissuade me, you are just proving yourself a bigger hypocrite than I thought you were."
The master thief remained silent and moved ahead while Neo fixed her with a hateful glare that, for some odd reason, Weiss could see the tiniest fragments of hurt behind them. Before she could ponder it, the diminutive girl leapt away to join Roman. Weiss sighed and propped herself up against a barrel.
But she ignored the looks of disgust from the other White Fang as she decided to focus the last of her rapidly declining adrenaline on what really mattered - loathe as she was to admit it, Roman Torchwick had a point. While she could reasonably guess she was in Mistral, given her flight's harried flight east to escape, she'd still have to learn specifically where they were, where they kept her equipment and go from there.
Patience was key - a virtue she always hammered into Ruby, especially at the onset of their time in the team. But the time had now come to practice what she preached. She would bide her time and do her best to fight off the fear that constantly encroached on her sanity. But in the end, Weiss was confident she would emerge victoriously.
When it came to survival, it was the only option left anyway.
Especially when neither Weiss nor her captors heard the click of a rifle's safety quietly flicking off.
x==)==
"Distracted" was perhaps the most accurate term to describe the chaos that was Blake's mind and conscience.
On one hand, the steaming fish and seafood paella was exquisite. There simply wasn't anything in the world that could surpass fresh, authentic home cooking, and another bite only threatened to send her spiralling down the rabbit hole of maritime goodness.
But lunch was only a pleasant distraction as the actions of Adam Taurus and the White Fang cast an inescapable pall over Kuo Kuana, made worse by a torturously sleepless night.
It was disheartening to see them having fallen so far. Once, they united their people to fight for a better future, but have since become the instrument of their division, and sent all the progress made after the Faunus Rights Revolution down the drain. But there had to be something she could do to help ease tensions. To show them they were stronger if they denounced the White Fang together -
Blake grimaced as she reminded herself of her shame for not the first time. But the hypocrisy, while cruelly thick, paled compared to the guilt from abandoning her partner - especially when considering it was for Yang's own good.
It was because of her that Adam led the White Fang to Beacon. It was her fault that Adam stalked them down, and in the end, Yang lost an arm because she was too much of a coward to confront her problems.
And how did she thank her...?
"Yang...I'm sorry. From the docks to the Fall, you, Weiss and Ruby are better off without me."
Blake sighed and took another bite of Kali's cooking - another silent, yet conscious attempt at distraction from her mistakes. At running away from her sins.
Just like why she came back home in the first place.
What she didn't expect, however...
"...you guys have nothing to worry about. I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!"
Blake joined her father in shooting the tag-along monkey faunus a raised eyebrow.
"And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr Wukong?"
Sun coughed as he realized the implications.
"I...uh...you see, sir, it's just that she's such a good fighter and all, and so I have a lot of respect for her."
Ghira hummed, a deep, rumbling sound that was more akin to a sleeping dragon than a man deep in thought. Knowing a father's instinct, however, perhaps there wasn't much of a difference.
"Honey, please," Kali purred, gently patting his arm before shooting Sun a grin. "I'm sure this young man means well. He did assist our daughter multiple times before - without second thought, no less. Isn't that right, Blake?"
Three pairs of eyes - one mischievous, another firm, yet tender, and the last one pleading - all slowly turned. Blake sighed and rubbed her temples.
"It's...not incorrect."
Sun gratefully bowed, though her father gave him a look that said he wasn't off the hook just yet.
"Then you have my thanks, Mr Wukong, but that did not answer my question, nor does it assure me of the situation. Why exactly are you here, and why exactly did Adam Taurus participate in such a heinous action?"
Blake grimaced but spoke up before Sun could answer.
"Sun kind of just...followed me home," she said, shooting him a deadpan look. "He said he wanted to make sure I was alright. But Adam's actions are because of me. All the violence, all the devastation and terror was to get back at me for leaving him and the White Fang."
"I see," Ghira replied, settling down with a contemplative expression. "And while we are immensely relieved that you two are no longer together, I only grow worried for what he'll do next and its impact on our island. Our people. But most importantly...you."
Kali warmly smiled. "Before we go on, Blake, please remember that even though you can fight and take care of yourself, your father and I are with you every step of the way. Here, at least, you are safe."
Blake allowed herself a little smile.
"Safe...yes. Hearing that is a little...relieving, I suppose. I'm just happy they took me back in after so long, considering how I left in the first place."
The smile faded away.
"But Ghira is right. We must address the impact of the White Fang's actions," Kali continued with a cooler demeanour. "Like it or not, while Adam was the chief perpetrator of their actions in Beacon, the actions of one reflect upon the whole."
"Kuo Kuana is a powder keg," Ghira rumbled, crossing his arms. "The past several days have been busy, to say the least, as keeping the peace has never been more difficult."
"But what about the Fang's current leader?" Sun piped up as he finished his cup of green tea. "What's her name...ah, Sienna, right? What's she doing to help out? It sounds like she and Adam don't get along, so..."
"Correct. And though I am still biased against her for stealing and corrupting our movement, recent developments have painted her as the more...moderate option."
"Sienna Khan? A moderate?" Blake replied in disbelief. "The woman who was the very reason why the White Fang became violent in the first place?"
"Mhmm. And now, as it was with us, there is a growing schism between loyalists and those who support Adam Taurus," Kali finished. "The Albain twins are chief amongst them and work to shore up his position for when he returns. Meanwhile, those disgusted by Adam's actions are rallying to Sienna. Everyone else is caught in the crossfire, torn over who to side with, and if things grow more heated..."
Blake paled.
"Civil war..."
"We have been doing our best to prevent that," Ghira said confidently, though there wasn't any missing the worry beneath. "Especially in staving off retribution from the other Kingdoms, but as much as I hate to admit it, Menagerie's government is powerless to intervene beyond aggressive diplomacy."
"But not impossible," Blake replied, grip tightening on her own mug of tea. Faunus, conflict and hardship closely interlinked terms, but so was the certainty that peaceful change was possible. They've triumphed over seemingly hopeless odds before; only this time, the parties in play were different. This was no longer just about protecting faunus, but keeping what was won with blood, sweat and tears together.
"Why hasn't Sienna arrested them or at least have done something more substantial to keep others in line?"
"Because that will spark what we are trying so desperately to avoid," Kali sighed. "Adam's faction is strong enough to resist arrest, but cannot press their advantage as a successful coup will be a bloody one and thus lose them support. Sienna still has half the Fang and a similar amount of support from the city, so in essence -"
"- stalemate," Sun finished for her, grimacing as he accepted the reality of the situation. "Man, this is all sorts of messed up. But why can't more people see things for what they are? They're literally siding with a guy who wants to bring down the Academies and spread more Grimm! More chaos! Isn't that counterproductive to what the White Fang was meant to do?"
"Preaching to the choir here, Sun," Blake replied, equally aggravated. She then turned to her father. "There has to be something we can do, right?"
"While we will continue our efforts to mediate with White Fang leadership, we can only bide our time until an opportunity presents itself."
"But I can't just sit around until we get something! What angles can we work with here? How can we sway more support in favour of Sienna? Or how can we undermine the Albains' work -"
"- he's right, Blake," Sun interrupted, shrugging apologetically when she shot him an incredulous look. "Look. I...I totally feel ya. It sucks having to sit around and wait, but we can't just march up to the Albains and tell them to stop."
Blake realized she was already halfway standing up before plunking down frustratedly.
"I'm sorry. The past several days have been...rough."
She paused as she felt a hand gently pat hers.
"Don't be. Your drive is what carried you through," her mother chuckled, offering a sympathetic smile. "And all the more reason to take care of it. You'll only burn out faster if you keep leaping into the fray without pause. Take some time to rest so you can face this with a clearer mind. Especially since your boat ride over was rather eventful too."
Blake's gaze fell, and as seconds turned into minutes, her thoughts returned to memories of her team. Weiss would be facing her down and ready to call out her stubbornness; calm, stern and analytical, she was glad to discover how similar they were once they bridged the gaps between them. And there was Ruby, Weiss' perfect foil, who was a leader that heeded their advice and had that bubbly, dorky sort of charm that was able to coax the heiress' emotions out.
Oh, how she missed Ruby's optimistic kindness and Weiss' tough love.
And how she especially missed her obnoxious blonde sunshine of a partner - the one who never gave up on her, though the same couldn't be said vice versa.
"...I...I suppose you're right, mom. It's like dad said - busy for everyone."
"Such is the life," he agreed with a grumble. "And speaking of everyone, how is your team doing? Was there a certain reason they had to stay back at Beacon, or -"
Blake remained silent, but the way she tightly gripped a chopstick wasn't lost on any of them. Ghira grew worried and glanced to Kali, who then shot Sun a questioning look.
"Eh...heheh...it's, um...kind of a long story -"
"- they're better off without me."
"Whoa, whoa, Blake. You don't really mean that -"
"- I've done nothing but give them trouble, Sun," she whispered harshly. "You remember. You were there at the docks and the Fall. After everything I've put them through, perhaps it's best we have some space between us."
She finished her tea and excused herself, and they watched as she headed upstairs. Sun's outstretched arm slowly fell back down, and he flinched when her parents turned to him for an explanation.
"Mr Wukong..."
"She's, um, not on the best of terms with her team right now," Sun sheepishly said. "I'd tell you why, but it's a long story and it kinda feels like I'm going behind her back."
"Then tell us what you can," Kali replied with an appreciative smile. "Your wish to respect her privacy is admirable, but...even though it's been some time since we lived together as a family, I'm still her mother. Ghira is still her father. No longer will I remain in the dark when it comes to knowing my daughter's wellbeing."
They both glanced to Ghira, who grumbled but spared the tiniest of nods to Sun.
After pondering in silence for a few moments, the monkey faunus eventually nodded back and sighed. "Right, well, I guess I can start with how we first met before the Vytal Festival. Blake was...going through some things and needed someone to talk to, and then -"
They winced as a deafening alarm suddenly blared to life.
Sun, Kali and Ghira jumped to their feet as Blake emerged from the second floor covering both pairs of ears. She then stepped back for a guard that burst through a door behind her.
"Sir, there's an emergency! The city is under attack!"
"W-wha-? By whom!?"
The alarm suddenly cut off, allowing them to hear the city's early warning sirens warbling in from the open windows.
"Grimm, sir! There's a horde of Grimm has been spotted charging in from the east!"
x==)==
Gravel crunched underfoot as they walked the beaten path, but all Jaune could feel was a mellow sense of...contentment? Tranquility? He didn't have the right word for it, but after a deliciously greasy lunch and an afternoon around Fallow Ranch, this was probably the closest he was to being at peace since before the Fall.
Even then, it was hard when his thoughts kept drifting back to his team. To Ren and Nora. To Ruby and her squad.
To his one and only partner.
"I've honestly forgotten how much I missed riding through the fields on horseback. It's been too long, but I'm glad to know the instincts came back to me. Maybe I should try picking up guitar again too...heh. You would've loved them both, Pyrrha."
Even if he couldn't help it, it was unpleasant to keep comparing the old life he abandoned versus the new one he worked to earn. But this was a time specifically meant to mend the past with the former, and he knew they were perceptive enough to see how distracted he was.
Jaune wistfully sighed.
"Can you imagine it? Nora would be whooping as she charged down a hill, but Ren would be perfectly content to ride at a trot. I wish I could've taken you riding, Pyr...me and you on horseback with the wind in our hair beside the coast..."
But it would never be. He tried his best, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide of battle. All the training Pyrrha and Link put him through, only to fail at the most crucial moment -
Jaune calmly exhaled, enduring the bitterness within. It was doubly hard since he didn't want to dampen the mood when Malon and Colin were happy. This was their day and not his, and while he already apologized - which was a good start - he just had to hold on a little while longer.
"...I know I wanted to focus on the better times, but whenever I think of better days, like the dance, food fight or that night on the bridge, the next second we're in Amity Colosseum or facing off against Dark Link in Beacon. I don't want to forget when we had fun. Not like this. You were my partner through not just the worst, but the best of it all, and they were made possible only because of you. Man...I miss you so much, Pyr."
"She really sounds like quite the taker, eh?"
Jaune gulped.
"Oh. Um. Did you...hear all that?"
Colin had gone quiet while Malon sadly smiled back. "Yeah, but it's okay. Nothing wrong with talking to yourself a little, getting some things off your chest, you know?"
Jaune's gaze fell.
"Um, if I may," Colin piped up with a hesitant expression. "What was this food fight you were talking about?"
"...well, a food fight," he eventually replied, mentally returning to the day the cafeteria witnessed pure culinary carnage. "But not like when we flipped over the tables in Atmos Academy and whipped fruit back and forth. It was much more...dynamic, I guess?"
Malon and Colin traded curious glances. "How so?"
Oh, Brothers. Where could he even begin? Jaune rubbed his chin in thought.
"Um, well, one of my friends is a martial artist named Yang, and she fought with a pair of roasted turkey boxing gloves."
Malon snorted. "Please tell me she knocked you out with them."
"Never got the chance. My teammate Nora sent her flying through the roof with a watermelon hammer. Trust me, if you think you're good enough to face either of them one-on-one, just remember to bring an extra pair of underwear for when you soil your first."
"Wow. What disturbing imagery."
"Agreed. You're still talking about a food fight, right? Not some action scene from a Mistrali cartoon?"
"Spend a few minutes with them and you'd think it's one and the same," Jaune smirked. "And get this. Her partner's this guy named Ren and he's the exact opposite. Nora's super energetic, super confident and all-around awesome, but he's quiet and calm. Ren doesn't say much at first, but whenever he does speak, you listen because it's worth hearing what he thinks."
"Yup. Definitely a Mistrali cartoon protagonist."
"That's why we called him a ninja," he snorted. "But man, was he a great cook. You see, on our first actual mission he brought so many extra ingredients and cooking utensils for the rations..."
Before Jaune knew it, the trip back to the village was seemingly cut short as he found himself absorbed with telling them as much as he could about how Ren and Nora were together but not together-together, along with Blake's dedicated yet futile attempts to hide her adult collection, Yang occasionally taking advantage of Weiss not knowing certain slang, and the rather...nauseous greeting extended to Ruby when they first met.
But even though he was no longer so dense as to not catch on to what they were doing, by the time they crossed the bridge into town, he felt much lighter than before. The pain was still there, for sure, but right now, it was easier to accept the moment for what it was.
As they came to a halt, Jaune gratefully smiled.
"Thanks. I...I really appreciate it."
"Anytime," Malon winked back. "You made such interesting friends, Jaune. Have to say I'm kinda jealous."
He would be too.
"What can I say? They're some of the best people you'd ever meet, and I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't. Especially if I had a...different partner." A sigh. "One day I'll tell you guys about Pyrrha but even then, I wouldn't know where to begin -"
A panicked cry echoed from across the market square.
Idyll shattered, they snapped their gazes over to the source to see a purple-jacketed figure fall and scatter a plethora of books around him. To their horror, not only did they recognize him as their absent friend, but the group of teens responsible for his plight were equally, yet unfortunately all too familiar.
For a moment, however, he only saw himself helpless against Cardin in Professor Goodwitch's combat class.
He wouldn't let Shad Amethyr experience the same any longer.
The teens' laughter fell to an excited hush as they noticed his approach, with the burly one in the middle slicking a hand through his obnoxiously red pompadour. Jaune ignored them and went directly to his friend.
"Hey, Shad. You alright?"
"J-Jaune...? What're you doing here?"
He merely sighed and offered a hand that was gratefully accepted after a moment of thought.
"Just passing by. We, um, kinda missed you during the day, though, but it's still good to see you again -"
"- aww, isn't this heartwarming? Where's my hug and happy smile?"
Jaune and Shad, joined by Malon and Colin, all turned to face their childhood oppressors.
"Groose, Cawlin and Strich. What do you want?"
"All we want, fairy boy, is just a chance to see how you're doing!" Groose replied with a mischievous grin. "I mean, little purple here has a point. We were worried we'd never see your beautiful face again!"
"I wish we never saw your faces again..."
"Huh? What did you say!?" Cawlin spat, sidling up to Colin after the latter muttered under his breath. He quailed beneath the stout, blue-haired teen's glare, who made no motion to move away when Malon fixed him with the same.
"Easy now," Groose chuckled, gently nudging him back. "I think you'd shatter the little kid like glass if you were louder."
"Just...knock it off already, why don't ya!? None of us here asked for your opinion!"
"Oh, Malon," he sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed parent. "Why do you continue to stick up for these...these dweebs? What do you hope to gain from nerdy, wimpy and, uh, pirate cosplay convention over here?"
Jaune clenched his fist.
"It's, uh, not that hard, Ms Fallow," Strich piped up, shooting her an expression that was beady as his voice. "Between a bunch of pushovers and a real man like Groose, I'd say that narrows it down."
"Jerk!"
Groose held up a hand, silencing them both. "The only real jerk here is this wannabe huntsman. It's been a while, so why don't you say we catch up? Still preaching about killing Grimm and becoming a hero?"
"..."
"Well, tough luck, Jaune. I hear you dipped and tried Beacon out, but don't forget you're back in my town. My turf. The moment you start acting obnoxious again, like some next level hotshot...?"
Groose leaned in and stared menacingly into his one good eye, for a moment, Jaune remembered how these moments usually ended with them bruised and slumped in the rain. It was why they banded together when they were kids, and while it wasn't unexpected, seeing their old bullies retain the same attitude was disheartening.
He, however, was different.
The taller teen's smirk faltered and slowly morphed to anger as he realized Jaune was unaffected. A younger Jaune from months ago would've faltered, but months in Beacon taught him what it was like to fight against stronger opponents. To stare danger in the face and lead his team through it. Groose was strong and he still looked it, but at this point, he was just another Cardin.
"No, Groose," Jaune quietly gritted out instead, doing his best to steady his voice. "I don't care about any of that. I just want you to leave my friends alone."
He defiantly crossed his arms as Jaune felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to find Malon worriedly shaking her head. Asking him not to escalate.
And then he saw her flinch in alarm.
Adrenaline-fueled instinct kicked in and Jaune sidestepped while keeping a foot back. There was rushing air from a flying fist, but all he felt was Groose tripping over his extended leg. Cawlin and Strich yelped and knelt by their fallen leader, who fixed Jaune with a furious scowl.
"Y-you stupid...you think this is funny, you little twerp!?"
"Not at all," Jaune replied, sweeping an arm behind him as if to protect his friends. "Just leave us alone, man. I...I don't wanna have to ask again."
Groose looked like an angry bull just begging to be released into a porcelain store, but settled for a growl and nudged his two lackeys away.
"Well, fine. Whatever. Enjoy your staycation but stay outta my way. You're a bad omen, coming back right after that night with the red moon. This town is mine to protect, and I don't need dweebs like you stealing all the glory."
"What? What glory? And protect the town...? What am I missing here?"
"Let's go. I'm gonna keep losing brain cells the longer I'm around them."
"Y-yes, boss!"
"Right away!"
Groose huffed and marched off with Cawlin and Strich in tow, but as Jaune turned around, he squawked and nearly toppled over when Malon rushed forward and hugged him.
"Thank you, Jaune...that was...that was -"
"That was awesome!" Colin crowed, the normally timid boy now glowing with excitement. "From the way you tripped him and the look on his face...Groose won't ever forget that!"
Jaune blushed and scratched the back of his head. "I...ah, it's nothing. All that matters is that you guys are okay." He then turned to Shad. "And are you?"
"...I'm good," the chestnut-haired boy replied as he gathered his books. "Thanks. Have to say your timing was rather perfect on that one. Better late than never, I suppose."
"H-hey, now -"
Jaune shook his head. "It's okay, Malon. And just like you said, even though I already said this to her and Colin, you deserve to hear it too. I want to apologize for ditching you without saying a word. I wish we could've met under, you know, better circumstances, but I won't pull off something stupid like leaving you in the dark again."
Shad carefully scrutinized him for several seconds until he looked away and sighed.
"I can't exactly complain when you just defended me, can I? All is forgiven. And look, old chap. You're not a bad omen like he said. If anything, I'm just glad you're doing well since coming back from Beacon."
Jaune's gaze faltered for a second, though it was quickly glossed over with a forced smile. He knew Shad meant well, so he instead focused on what began to trouble him.
"...right. Thanks. Helps to see you all again too," he replied, sparing a glance for Malon and Colin. "But do you guys know what Groose was talking about? Is the village in danger or something?"
"It's nothing you are ready to deal with in your current state."
The four of them turned at the sound of a familiar voice, deep and coarse, and saw a tall, blonde figure with glinting ivory-gold armour approach from across the square.
Malon, Shad and Colin looked to Jaune as he sighed and forced a smile.
"Dad..."
Richter Arc nodded and greeted his friends, yet Jaune couldn't miss the sword-whip that hung on his hip and how exhausted he looked, along with the dents and scratches upon his normally pristine breastplate and pauldrons. It only served to intensify his gaze when it returned to his.
"...are you okay? You look really tired. A-and what do you mean I'm not ready?"
"I am fine," he curtly replied. "Ilia, Karane and I were given two days' worth of leave before returning to cull Grimm in Vale. But let's not change the subject. You are in no condition to truly fight, let alone pick up a sword."
His knee-jerk reaction was to open up and protest, but as the seconds dragged on, Jaune silently let his gaze fall instead.
"I'm sorry, but...Mr Arc," Shad began with a slightly nervous edge to his voice. "I think Jaune here can at least be of service somehow, especially with the village being rather empty recently. What if that large dragon Grimm decides to attack?"
Jaune shot him a quizzical look.
"It appeared during that night," Colin answered for him. "I...I think it's called a Drake. It was last seen nesting in the old Tarrey Town ruins deeper in the forest and...attracting even more Grimm to its side."
"I...why didn't you guys tell me this earlier?"
"Because we didn't want to make you worry," Malon quietly said with a slightly guilty expression. "That and we thought you would've known by now. But it hasn't attacked since that night, and we're all safe anyway -"
"Until you aren't," Jaune mentally replied, though he bit it down as he couldn't fault them for thinking of him. Nevertheless, that same, protective feeling that came over when he saw Groose bullying Shad slowly welled up in his heart once more. Professor Port mentioned in class that Drakes were much smaller cousins of Wyverns, a landwyrm with wings that preferred crawling over flying but made up for it by being twice as aggressive. Not to mention also having the ability to attract other minor Grimm.
"I know that look, Jaune, and I shall tell you right now that you will only get yourself killed if you decide to brazenly rush into combat," Richter continued, eyes narrowing as if daring him to challenge that statement. "There was a reason our ancestors abandoned Tarrey Town and founded Hudson centuries ago. While seeing you defend your friends is...commendable, you have yet to prove your skills with the blade have not deteriorated."
Jaune grimaced. How could he even refute something like that?
"So if you're willing to step forward and test yourself, meet me outside tomorrow morning."
His eyes widened.
"Dad…? I thought you were...you're not gonna -"
"I am stopping you, Jaune, because when you're emotional, you still have the tendency to throw strategy out the door," Richter replied. His gaze softened the tiniest bit, and for a moment, he really did look like a weathered version of himself. "You're stubborn enough to ignore my warnings, and because I can't truly stop you, the best I can do is to ensure you're prepared. Not just as one former team leader to another, but coming from...from one who also knows what it means to lose those you care about."
Jaune froze before looking up to see his father looking down on him before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"...I know it has been hard, but if you are willing to keep fighting - to honour her memory…"
"I think I can. No. I...it'll...I'll do it. I'll be there, dad."
Richter slowly nodded back before releasing him and walking away. But it was hard not to focus on his father's words, and as Jaune sighed and gazed at the twilight sky, something odd, yet familiar began to rise in his heart -
The feeling of resolve, that is.
He needed to reconnect with Link and start training once more. Even if he was weak and his confidence was shattered, his team deserved a leader and a fighter that could reliably watch their backs. A friend who carried on when the rest could not.
A Hero with the strength to avenge Pyrrha's death.
All he needed to begin walking his destined path was a single step and swing of his sword.
- AN -
Hey and welcome back to A Descendant of Legends!
Firstly, just a heads up that work's beginning to ramp up over the next several weeks and beyond, and while there's nothing for now that needs me to delay chapter releases for both this and another side project I've begun working on, any updates will be posted on my profile.
The main thing I want to address is the theme of the chapter. It was rather tricky writing it as I wanted to focus on how the characters (esp. Jaune) cope and begin to recover without making it overly angsty, all while remembering that topics like depression, anxiety, trauma and recovery from such are sensitive topics, and rightly so. I've little to no experience writing about them, but I did my best to be respectful and cognizant that mental illnesses aren't things you can just cure off the bat and tried to make that evident throughout the chapter. Hence the warning at the top for this chapter and for the next one, as these two will be the most emotionally heavy chapters in the entire story. If y'all feel that the chapter doesn't need one then let me know in the reviews (respectfully!), but it'll remain there unless it's updated.
Regarding the chapter itself and moving onward, Jaune and the cast have begun to do so and find solid footing on and spurred by the foundations laid in the previous chapter. There'll be a lot of self-reflection done by many of the cast as the days go on, but it won't be easy. It'll be difficult, and they all know it. But I've taken inspiration from Avatar in how when one's at their lowest point, they're open to the greatest change, and by the end of the Arc they'll emerge stronger when facing the music. This chapter and the next are the darkest moments of Jaune's situation, but when he hits rock bottom next chapter, he only goes up from there. And perhaps one of the greatest things I'd like to see from him is his transformation not just as a person but as a Hero, and to lift others up with a powerful and selfless kind of strength.
Thank you for sticking around and taking the time to read it! Constructive criticism / feedback is always welcome. Hope to see you all next chapter!
Fyr RedNight: Thank you! And, well, technically it's not Lon Lon Ranch...but you know it is ;) Have to say that writing in Lon Lon Ranch and the fact that Malon was singing Epona's Song was one of the best parts of writing this chapter, and we'll definitely have to see what the next few chapters have in store with Jaune, his friends and his hometown. It's on him to prepare for the danger that lurks beyond the horizon.
Steelrain66: I understand and I'm sad to hear that, man, but still, I wish you the best for the future.
Boshwa: "Wait, I've been doing Ganon's bidding all along?" Salem hears a 9mm load behind her "Always have been."
Super heavy weapons guy: While I can't give spoilers on specifics, I do want to include one or two things regarding ancient Sheikah tech in the future. But there'll be definitely something, for sure.
Guest: Heh, totally. I can already imagine them conversing like that as they meet for the first time, with Salem looking down on Jaune, surrounded by Grimm, yet he remains unafraid with the full power of Courage within. And when she challenges him, all he does is point the glowing Master Sword right back.
Guest: Oh hell yeah. While they'll all understandably get stronger over time, Jaune's increasing prowess and final ascension as a true Hero won't be just well earned, but hot damn I want to make it epic.
Roy4: Precisely. And even after just a week or so of in-story time, they're already being forced back into action, Jaune included. It's up to him to truly break through and keep enduring for the sake of those he cares about - only he can walk his darkest road, but Link and Pyrrha believed he has the strength to do it. Best part is that they're still correct, it just takes a step at a time.
And you know what? I like the sound of that. Without spoiling specifics, I have already something similar planned yet not fleshed out for Jaune, but it'd be interesting for Ruby to wrestle with those thoughts too, especially with an almost puritanical black and white worldview as the quest progresses. It's still something that needs to be ironed out too, but I agree that it'd be a nice moment of maturity when their characters eventually come to such a point.
TheDragon2000: Thank you! I'm glad to know you've learned a little of Zelda lore in the process; maybe I should change my FF handle to reflect that, lol. And while there are good and downsides for both, between the two I'm definitely in agreement with you too. Regardless, though, I'm glad you like it!
jeremiahkelley93: Thank you!
Nobody: Definitely on both, and I don't blame anyone for that either. And not only do I agree that the Triforce itself isn't innately "good" but their respective virtues given form, I too see that beauty of Jaune desiring the Triforce for personal ends.
Heroes, while powerful in their own right, are still fallible beings with human thoughts and desires. The conflict of duty vs desire as Jaune progresses in his quest is something I'd definitely like to touch upon here and there, perhaps as one component in his overall path to personal maturity. The same goes for Pyrrha's death and the Fall - while I don't want to "overdo" it in the sense that I'm shoving it down people's faces each chapter, Jaune and the rest will forever remember them as scars, catalysts and memories of distant days until the end of the story. And how their outlook can change, yet stay the same over time is something I think is also quite fitting.
And while I've forgotten if I said this before in a previous AN, my desire to keep writing the best I can is as constant as my promise to not abandon this story. It's not perfect by any means, but I want to do my best for both my own personal reasons and to give back something others can enjoy.
The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.