What's up everyone! It's a couple hours earlier than I planned, But here is chapter 7! The polls are in and the winner for Jaune's main weapon is... Sword! Tho I guess it makes sense, it being his go to in the story, but the other weapons will get their time to shine as needed! Now then, on to two review responses!
Essiter1987 Chapter 6: I found a way to implement a shield that will work with every weapon type, but won't be op either. Also, I'm glad you think I did the sisters justice! Hopefully my Ruby POV isn't too far off the mark either!
MultiversalCosms Chapter 6: I understand your concern, Aura Amp definitely would have made a great semblance for this version of Jaune too, and I almost went with it! Buuuut, I definitely have plans for a semblance that will be beneficial for his friends, as well as himself, you'll all see it soon!
Without further ado, onto the chapter!
Disclaimer: RWBY is owned by RoosterTeeth
Remnant's Greatest Loser
Chapter 7
Lost In The Dust
Ruby's POV
After a few moments of tapping on his scroll, the guy(I'm almost certain it's Jaune... yeah I'll just call him that in my head for now) looked up with a bright smile.
"Alright, I think I got it! This is it right?"
I skipped up to him, tilting my head to look down at the screen. Sure enough, it was the right place, and even better, it was only a few minutes away!
"Yup, that's it!" I smiled softly at him, hoping he could see how grateful I was. "Thank you so much J-gentleman sir!"
(OMG why did i do that?!) I stumbled a bit over my words, not exactly sure why, maybe I didn't want whatever this was to end just yet? Or maybe I was worried I might say his name and it would be wrong? Or if I was right and said I knew the whole time, it would be mean of me and embarrassing for both of us.
As my brain was imploding, (maybe) Jaune got my attention by putting a hand softly on my shoulder. He had a smile on his own face as he asked one question.
"Want me to walk you there?"
I blurted out without thinking.
"OH PLEASE YES! U-uh I mean uhm... yes, I would definitely like you to go there, with me! Thank you!"
(Oh my godddd stupid brain work right!) As frustrating as my words were to get out in the right way, I seemed to get my point across. I looked up at him, hoping I hadn't scared him off. Instead, he was... laughing? And his laugh was... yes, I've heard it many times when we played online together or when Yang said something vaguely punny. At that laugh, I knew without a doubt It was definitely him.
I ended up chuckling right along with him, partly out of embarrassment and partly in relief that I really did find him, or I guess he found me ... (Oooohhhh I should really tell him, I know I should but... I don't wanna ruin this... not yet.)
"So I guess this makes us even now huh? Both of us laughing at each other's word vomit?"
Jaune rubbed the back of his head in awkward agreement.
"Yeah, I guess it does. Though yours was definitely not as bad as mine."
"Oh staahp, mine was totally worse. At least yours had useful information at the end."
I felt my cheeks burn at his compliment, but I was determined to not embarrass myself any further. I already felt bad enough as it is.
"S-so, the um, Dust Shop. Lead the way?"
"R-right, cuz we're totally not attracting attention standing around like this..."
We glance around a little, noticing people walking around us and giving us strange or amused looks. Awkwardly I take his hand as he leads us in the direction of the shop, noticing the warmth and slight roughness to his palm.
(Callouses huh? It must be from all the years of training with different weapons and such! I can't wait to see what he can do!)
"S-so, I wanted to ask you, what did you mean back there when you said you knew exactly who I was?"
I squeezed his hand a little tighter on reflex at his sudden question, reeeallly wishing I hadn't said that.
"O-oh, I just meant that I could tell you were a Huntsman in training! L-like me y'know?"
(Please buy it! It's technically true anyway!)
"Oh yeah! I can see that, guess it would take one to know one. Wish I was better at picking up on stuff like that..."
He looked a little down as he said this, making me feel a bit worse about not telling him who I was.
(Oh forget it! This has gone far enough, I'll just face the music... hope he doesn't hate me...)
"A-actually, about that, I-I'm, w-we're-"
"We're here!"
I let out an "eep" of surprise as sure enough, the store in question was right in front us, our journey ending much quicker than I expected.
(Oh come on!)
He let go of my hand and turned to me, smile back on his kind face, looking just as reluctant as I felt.
"Well, I guess you'll be alright from here yeah? Seeing as you're a Huntress in training and all."
I looked up at him with a nervous smile, trying not to look too disappointed.
"Yeah.."
(no...)
"Y'know... spending that little bit of time with you was kinda nice... you remind me of someone I know actually."
I perked up at this, wondering if he was putting it together.
"R-really?"
He nodded, his eyes gaining a faraway look.
(Now that I look at them, are they black... or maybe gray? It's kinda hard to tell. Maybe without his glasses I could...)
"Yeah, she's a Huntress in training too. I've known her and her sister for a few years now. I admit I've never seen her in person but.."
He rubbed the back of his head again as he said this, possibly a nervous tic of his.
"She's a dear friend to me all the same. Someone who believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself. Without her, her sister, my own sister and my teachers, I wouldn't even be here now. I'm so grateful to have them in my life."
He looked at me again, eyes shining.
"If you're anything like her, which I'm sure you are, I bet you'll be an amazing Huntress!"
I stared at him for a moment, just shocked.
(How could he be so dense, yet so...)
I felt my eyes grow wet with unshed tears, doing everything I could not to give away how much his words affected me.
(Dang it, how am I supposed to tell you now?! You big... clueless... amazing... wholesome dummy!)
He didn't seem to notice the turmoil just behind my eyes as he was already turning to leave.
"Take care miss, I hope we meet again someday!"
My eyes widened as I realized what was happening.
(No... you can't leave yet! Not after all that! I still haven't...!)
"WAIT!"
I reached out and grabbed his hand again, causing him to stumble a little as he turned back around.
"Woah! That's quite a grip there, though it make sense th-"
He stopped mid sentence. Really looking at me this time, seeing the desperation on my face. His eyes immediately filled with concern for me, making me feel even guiltier.
"Hey, are you ok? Was it something I said?"
(YES!)
"Ye- n-, it's just that, I, argh!"
(Come on! Just tell him right now!)
Jaune gently took my other hand, lightly squeezing both in reassurance.
"It's ok, just take a breath. I can spare a bit more time. Something on your mind?"
(I'm literally the girl you were just talking about!)
I took a deep breath as he suggested, which was great advice really.
"Yes, there is. Actually, it ties into what I said earlier, about knowing who you are? Y'see, I'm-"
"Soorrry to cut that confession of yours short Little Red, but I kinda have some business with the uh, business behind you two?"
(ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!)
I whirl around to whoever this jerk was, who could easily walk around us and mind his own 'business' thank you very much, when I stopped to realize something.
He wasn't alone, and the people in shades and suits around him had... guns? Jaune dropped my hands as he turned to see the scene in front of us, feeling him tense up a bit. He asked the question that was also on my lips.
"Are you... planning on robbing that store?"
The guy with the admittedly stylish hat nodded indulgently.
"I sure am Big Blue! Congrats on the new girlfriend by the way! Although, since you're here..."
He snapped his fingers and two of the men stepped forward, guns trained on us specifically.
"I'm afraid I'll have to insist on extending the same courtesy to you as well."
I spoke up this time, still a little shocked at the brazen display.
"So you're... robbing us too?"
He seemed to give us a pitying look as he nodded, though I'm certain It was just an act.
"Yes, yes I am. I wanted to just let you both go unscathed but uh, wouldn't be much of an employer if my employees go without pay, since we're only stealing dust from the store n all."
(Y'know what? This is perfect.)
In the blink of an eye, I immediately dash forward and strike at my opponent's diaphragm, using only enough force to knock him out, especially since he has no aura. I slightly look to my right to see my partner had a similar idea, though he struck his opponent straight in the face with a punch, knocking him out cold.
The hat wearing guy and his remaining thugs were shocked for a moment, which put a slight thrill in me at being underestimated.
I keep one eye on the bad guys and another on Jaune with an apologetic smile.
"I'm not the best at telling you who I am, so I'll just.."
I take my baby from behind my cloak and start to unravel her from her compact form, sounds of Mechashifting being music to my ears as she elongates into her scythe form.
"show you."
I see his eyes widen in recognition, then dim a bit for not recognizing me sooner I assume.
"I can't believe I didn't put that together till now! I'm so stupid..."
My guilt threatened to overtake me again, knowing I'm at least partly to blame for not telling him as soon as I knew myself, but now wasn't the time for that.
"You're not. And it's partly on me too, but right now we gotta focus... Jaune. You with me?"
Jaune blinks for a moment, then gives a small smile, his right hand going over his chest for a moment.
A golden glow surrounds his pendant looking thing, then what looks like a black longsword spins into existence, him catching the hilt with ease, going into a stance that reminded me of Uncle Qrow when he used his Harbinger's sword mode.
"I'm with you... Ruby."
(OH MY GOD THAT IS SO COOL!)
It took so much effort to not just Rose Rush him right there and ask him questions about his pendant-weapon thing, forcing myself to take my own advice and focus on the gun wielding mooks in front of us.
"Alright, seems like we've got a couple of naive Hunter wannabes eh? Let's see if those fancy weapons of yours aren't just for show. Get 'em boys!"
I'm already moving as the men open fire on us, Crescent Rose twirling in my hands as I deflect the bullets, using a handy trick with aura application to make them fall harmlessly to the ground on impact with my weapon.
I use the blunt end of my scythe to incapacitate the thugs with ease, making sure to hold back enough to give them minor concussions, not wanting to cause any undue collateral damage.
I spare a few glances to my friend, making sure he's alright, seeing he's taking care of his henchmen quite easily, also using the blunt end of his blade to knock them out. Any bullets coming his way seem to just bounce off and drop to the ground harmlessly. There must be some sort of invisible barrier(wait is that the pendant doing that?! I am sooo gonna grill him on that later!) And it doesn't take long before we mop up the last of the goons.
We both turn to the last man standing as he slowly claps, pretty sure it's in a mocking sort of way.
"Bravo brats! I guess I can't be too surprised though, since you get what you pay for. And let's be honest, it wasn't much."
"Who are you anyway?"
"Well I'm so glad you asked Little Red! I am the one and only Roman Torchwick! Master thief and dastardly deviant at your service!"
He twirled his cane, then swept his hat off his head, doing a short bow.
Jaune walked up beside me, slightly out of breath and putting his scroll away.
"Well Mr. Torchwick, If you're still looking so confident, I'm guessing your an Aura user like us huh?"
He smiled wider at the statement.
"Right you are Big Blue! I've even got my own weapon to boot! I call this..." he twirls his cane, briefly showing that there's more to it than just a walking stick, a barrel on one end and a hook on the other- "Melodic Cudgel."
I shake my head at the realization, needing to know why.
"If you've got such gifts at your disposal, why do you use them to commit crimes? Why use them to hurt people?"
He shakes his head right back at me, as if the answer was obvious.
"Simple. It's the easiest way for me to live! I'm not bound by a moral code, laws to restrict my movements, higher powers I gotta answer to-aw wait, that's not entirely true right now... ahem! Point is! For the most part, I live the way I want, especially in a cold, cruel world like this! It's how I've survived this long, and how I'll survive... you."
Almost before I could react, Torchwick was directly in front of Jaune, who blocked the swift strike with his blade, before being pushed back out of view.
"Jaune!"
The thief then quickly turned to me, trying to catch me off guard with quick, unpredictable strikes.
"Sorry about your boy toy Little Red, but we both know who the real Aura users are. He'd just slow you down."
I was too focused on matching his blows to retort, having difficulty maneuvering my scythe in such close quarters, medium range was my forte, and he seemed to know it, his grin widening as he continued to press the attack.
I ducked under a vertical swipe of his cane, jumped over his hook going for my leg, and blocked a kick meant for my stomach, giving us both a bit of distance.
I switched Crescent Rose to her sniper form, no scoping for his kneecaps to disable him, with no such luck. He was too quick in his feet, zig zagging out of range, laughing like it was all a big joke.
"C'mon Little Red, you can do better than that can't you? I thought you were trying to be a big shot Huntress! Well, I'll be a pal and give you some advice. If you wanna live like a Huntress..."The barrel in his cane opened as he pointed it at me, not wavering even as i tried to Rose Rush him instead.
"You can die like one too."
BANG!
It was as if things were in slow motion, the cannon blasted the explosive pellet straight at me, and I wasn't so sure if it would safely pass through while in my Rush form. I was almost set to collide with it when-
Thwack! Thwack! BOOM!
Two arrows of light shot out just above me, one that knocked the pellet off course, spinning above me to my left. The other detonated it, the explosion going off harmlessly as I plowed into a surprised Torchwick, knocking him off his feet.
Guess I Rose Rushed someone tonight, even if it was a different target.
Acting quickly, I shifted Crescent Rose into her scythe form, business end right at the thief's neck.
"Surrender!"
I growled out the word, my arms slightly shaking from the adrenaline. Almost dying like that really drove home how serious the situation was.
He gazed at me with cold eyes, taunting me.
"Or what? We both know you won't kill me kid. You don't have the guts. And there's something you should know about escape artists. Don't watch the mouth-"
"Ruby!"
I heard Jaune running up behind me as my eyes widened, seeing a hard light dust grenade in his palm.
"Watch the hands!"
BAM!
I barely closed my eyes in time as the blast went off, the concussive force knocked me back, straight into Jaune as he caught me around the waist, keeping me upright.
After a few moments, I chanced opening my eyes just a little, the brightness dimming a bit, but Torchwick was nowhere to be seen, seemingly lost in the dust he made.
"Above us," Jaune whispered in my left ear, mostly ignoring how that tickled a bit as I looked up.
I saw a Bullhead piloted by what looked like a woman, maybe with dark hair, but I couldn't make out her face.
Attached to the landing gear by grappling hook, was none other than the 'escape artist' himself, cackling without a care in the world.
"Nice save there Big Blue! Maybe you're not so useless after all, helping her get the drop on me like that! I underestimated you!"
His gaze turned to me and he sneered.
"As for you Little Red, I'm a bit disappointed. You almost had me, but instead of ending me or 'knocking me out' like a good little Huntress, you let me run my mouth and-"
A shot from my baby promptly shut him up as his hat was knocked from his head.
"That's right, keep talkin!"
I growled the words out in anger as I missed my initial target, which was the hook on the Bullhead his cane was attached to, although I did get a bit of satisfaction from it regardless.
Jaune had let me go by this point, standing by my side.
He looked winded, and was breathing a bit heavier than earlier, which added to my frustration with this whole situation.
"You alright?"
"I'll be fine... just gotta catch my breath. I've got you covered with Joa If he tries his cannon thing again, so go ahead and take the shot, you've got this."
Pushing my worry aside, instead I sharply nodded and aimed again for his grappling hook, making sure I wouldn't miss this time.
"Thanks Jaune... for having my back."
"Always... partner."
I was just about to pull the trigger when I noticed that the Bullhead had been modified with... machine guns?!
The bullets would have hit us if it wasn't for the pendant-Joa protecting us with its force field thingy.
My one moment of hesitation nearly cost us both as Torchwick fired with his cannon at the same time as I shot at the grappling hook. My shot was slightly off yet again, partially breaking the chain linked to the hook but not enough to dislodge it entirely.
The cannon pellet came at us as Jaune paled next to me.
"No! Joa can't block the machine gun bullets and the cannon blast at the same time!"
"Then I'll just Rose Rush us-"
Before I finished my half formed thought, The pellet suddenly stopped in midair, turned, and flew back at the bullhead, which exploded on the machine gun turrets, destroying both in the process.
A woman with blond hair in a bun, wearing glasses, and holding a wand in her hand, leapt in front of us(OMG a Huntress!)
"Are you two alright?"
"Y-yes ma'am!"
Jaune gave his awkward reply and I just nodded, too nervous to speak.
She glanced back at us, her eyes lingering a little longer on my friend before nodding sharply and stepping forward.
"You both have done well, all things considered. I'll take it from here, stand down and rest."
I wanted to protest, at least providing cover fire for her, till I remembered the reason I went to the Dust Shop in the first place.
I was intending to get more dust rounds, as I only had 6 bullets left, using them all on that Torchwick jerk.
(Besides, Jaune looks...)
As if on cue, Jaune started to fall next to me, I immediately grabbed him around the waist to steady him, slowly lowering us both to the ground, letting him lean on my shoulder.
"S-sorry about this. I didn't realize how worn out I was. So that's how a real fight with another Aura user feels huh?"
Jaune's eyes were half lidded, his face with a light sheen of sweat on the surface.
"Yup," I chirped, hiding my worry behind my usual coping mechanism; false cheeriness.
"You were great out there Jaune! Especially since it was your first real fight! You supported me just like a true partner should!"
I felt him shake his head in the negative as we watched the Huntress shoot some kind of elemental dust (lightning maybe?) at the fleeing Bullhead, Torchwick hanging on for dear life, one arm flailing with panic on his usually smug face. (Serves you right you condescending a-buttface. You're not even worth a mental swear!)
"Support was the bare minimum I could do," he said, his voice sounding light and joking, but I could sense the bitterness in it.
(He's just like me... hiding how he really feels behind false tones and attitudes, not wanting to worry me, and I'm doing the same to him aren't I?)
I frown in contemplation for a moment before I look at him with a determined expression.
"Please don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Hide behind that fake voice. And before you ask what I mean or how I know... I was doing it too, just now."
Jaune was about to speak, probably to protest or deny what I said, but just sighed before nodding his head in agreement.
"Alright, fair enough. I've been doing it so long it's hard to just stop completely but, I'll try in front of you at least."
I give him my true smile, a small one, and lightly nudge his shoulder with my own.
"Me too. I meant what I said you know."
"So did I."
I frown slightly in response.
"Why do you think that?"
He looked at me, his eyes holding a deep sadness that didn't belong on his face, reminding me yet again of my own when I thought of my mother.
I hated it.
"You saw how tired I was getting, how worn out I am now. I've been at this for 4 years Ruby. 4 years and this is the best I can do? It's just... it's so frustrating, all my efforts, how hard I pushed, and it's still not enough!"
I saw his fists clenched, his face tight, eyes barely holding back frustrated tears as he stared hard at the ground.
I wanted to comfort him, tell him he was wrong, that he was enough, he even saved my life with those arrows of his, but I stayed silent, knowing he needed to let this out. After all, I told him not to hide how he felt, least I can do is let him vent, really listen, like I know he would for me.
"It was like the Beowulf situation all over again, how lucky we got y'know? I guess we both have experiences with Beowulves and being lucky don't we?"
He chuckled darkly at the statement, I couldn't help but do the same, and I hated that too.
"Y'know you're right... and I hate that so much."
He looked up at me then, his eyes wide, seeming to regret what he said, his mouth opening to probably apologize or take it back. It was sweet, but unnecessary. I looked at him with with a steady but firm gaze.
"We were lucky tonight Jaune, both of us. Lucky no one got badly hurt(besides those goons, but hey, they made their choices) nothing got stolen or broken in that Dust Shop, lucky you had my back and saved my life with those arrows-"
"But that was-"
"Lucky, right?"
I smiled triumphantly as a small smile finally graced his face, nodding slightly with understanding.
"Also very lucky that awesome Huntress over there came in and saved our inexperienced, non-Hunter butts! And besides, isn't this another experience the world's greatest loser would grow from? So maybe..."
I gently grabbed his hand, giving it a small squeeze.
"Just maybe, you can cut yourself some slack?"
He removed his glasses from his face, lightly rubbing his eyes with his arm. (They are dark gray after all!) He smiled a bit wider as he put them back on.
"M-maybe your right."
A sharp couple of claps got our attention as we turned to said Huntress, who had been standing close by, probably heard our little chat as well.
"Well said young lady, perhaps I misjudged you, you're not as much of a child as I thought."
I blushed as Jaune laughed a little, which got him a well deserved smack to the shoulder in response. (See if I pep talk you again after that Mister!)
"Be that as it may, unauthorized usage of your weapons is still considered an infraction on the law, especially as unlicensed Hunter hopefuls. And before you say anything, I'm well aware it was in self defense, and it's good that at least one of you-" She turned to my partner with a small smile- "thought to check on the establishment in question and call the police."
I felt a bit guilty that I hadn't even considered doing those things, giving a sheepish look to both of them.
" Y-you're right, I totally spaced on that, I'll need to apologize to the shop owner when I get a chance! See?This is why you're my Number 1 Bestie!"
(OMYGODSHUTUPSTUPIDMOUTHnotinfrontoftheHuntress!)
Jaune panicked a bit, waving his arms wildly.
"A-after I got knocked back by that Torchwick guy I just did that to not feel totally useless y'know? Figured I'd try to cover all bases and be all efficient and what not, no big deal! I swear Ididntabondonyourubypleasedontbemaditooksolonhgettingbackomygodstopwordvomiting!"
He put both hands over his mouth, looking just like I felt on the inside, eyes wide looking between the two of us.
A small snort drew our attention back to the Huntress, who looked as if she was trying (and failing in my opinion) to keep her composure for a moment, before her calm and cool demeanor went smoothly back in place.
"As... ahem, amusing as that little episode was, I believe it's time we get moving."
She bent her knees slightly, holding her hands out to us. We took one each, her lifting us back to our feet with little effort.
"Thanks for helping us out Miss..?"
"Goodwitch. Glynda Goodwitch, licensed Huntress and Professor/Vice Headmistress at Beacon Academy."
We both stood stock still, looking at each other with gobsmacked faces, pretty sure we were thinking the same thing. (Oh my God she's from BEACON?!)
She looked back at us with a small smirk.
"Come along now children, wouldn't want to keep Headmaster Ozpin waiting now would we," she said as she walked toward a Bullhead that she probably came here on.
(Headmaster Ozpi-)
I felt myself falling back into Jaune's arms, beginning to faint from the most eventful night I ever had in my life.
And that's it! I'll work on spacing these out a bit more, so I think one chapter every 2 weeks with at least 5k words should do the trick for now. Read and Review! Peace!
