~Remnant-II~

In the grand library of Beacon Academy, the cozy glow of lamplight bathed the room as a friendly atmosphere embraced the occupants. Team RWBY, a remarkable quartet of huntresses-in-training, found themselves engaged in a spirited session of "Remnant: The Game." Around a circular table, they had gathered, their laughter and jests adding an air of warmth.

Weiss Schnee sat at one corner of the table, her eyes flickering with strategic focus as she contemplated her cards. Yang Xiao Long, exuding an air of competitive enthusiasm, held herself confidently, ready for the next tactical maneuver.

Blake Belladonna, her usual aura of mystery momentarily displaced, seemed lost in thought, her attention seemingly elsewhere. Finally, Ruby Rose, the vibrant group leader, whose knitted brows and poised fingers indicated a mind deeply engrossed in plotting her forthcoming move.

Ruby's voice, vibrant and decisive, resounded. "Hmmmmm... All right... All right!" Her finger pointed playfully at Yang. "Yang Xiao Long, prepare your kingdom for battle!"

Yang, responding to Ruby's challenge, thrust her elbow downward, her fist clenched with unwavering determination. "Bring it on!"

With a flourish, Ruby announced her move. "I deploy the Atlesian Air Fleet!" The card slapped onto the table with a satisfying thud, her lips curling into a triumphant smile.

In an artful display of mock shock, Yang widened her eyes theatrically. Ruby continued with relish, her voice carrying playful mimicry. "Looks like I get to fly right over your Ursai and attack your walls directly!" Her hands formed a playful avian shape as she mimicked the soaring of airplanes and the subsequent bombarding.

Yang, her demeanor feigning indignance, pointed a playful finger at Ruby. "You fiend!"

Amid the exchange, Ruby found herself crouched at the edge of the table, her focus unswervingly on the unfolding game.

Surprised, Ruby resurfaced from her tactical contemplation and looked up as Yang's triumphant laughter resonated.

Unperturbed by Yang's confidence, Ruby countered. "And since Atlas is part of Mantle, my repair time is only one turn." Her head peeked up, a spark of anticipation in her eyes.

Yang's arrogant laughter reverberated, adding a layer of playful rivalry to the scene. Seizing her moment, she raised her card with a flourish. "Pretty sneaky, sis, but you activated my trap card!" The card was presented as a physical representation of her tactical cunning.

Ruby's visage was etched with a mix of curiosity and alarm. "Whaaat?!"

In a dramatic flourish, Yang proclaimed her move. "Giant Nevermore!" The card descended with purpose, meeting the table with a resounding thump. "If I roll a seven or higher, fatal feathers will slice your fleet in two!"

As Yang's words hung in the air, the scene shifted to a visualization—a majestic Nevermore soaring over a field of swords thrust into the earth, an emblem of imminent danger.

Ruby, undeterred, countered with a twist. "But, if you roll a six or lower, the Nevermore will turn on your forces!" The Nevermore's trajectory swerved, a sudden betrayal directed toward Yang's ranks.

Unyielding, Yang met Ruby's gaze with unwavering resolve. "That's just a chance I'm willing to take." The unspoken challenge echoed between them as the tension simmered. Offscreen, Yang's triumphant shout added an exclamation point to the rivalry that played out.

Meanwhile, across the library, Team JNPR pursued their own endeavors. Ren and Pyrrha were engrossed in their studies, the aura of dedication surrounding them. In a contrasting image of tranquility, Nora dozed, her rhythmic snores accompanied by a whimsical bubble of snot that expanded and contracted.

Ruby's voice once again resounded, narrating the unfolding drama. "Nooooo! My fearless soldiers!"

Yang's retort brought a touch of levity. "Eh, most of them were probably androids."

Undeterred, Ruby indulged in a humorous lament. "Goodbye, my friends, you will be avenged."

Quick-witted as ever, Yang seized the opportunity to announce her next strategic move. "Oh, and what's this? The Smugglers of Wind Path?"

The dynamic between Pyrrha and Jaune unfolded in another corner of the room.

Clearing her throat with measured patience, Pyrrha exchanged a comic book Jaune was engrossed in for a weightier textbook, a visual manifestation of her dedication.

Ruby's voice, rich with mock dismay, chimed in. "Bah! Bah, I say!"

Yang's response carried the joy of a victorious player. "I say, it looks like I'm taking two cards in my hand!"

The entire time, Jaune from another world was watching them. He shall be called Arc. He remembered this scene from his own world. It was pretty nostalgic. However, it annoyed him greatly since this was when 'that guy' would introduce himself.

Not wanting to disturb them, Jaune merely continued watching for now. He wanted to see how much this world resembles his world.

In the vibrant ambiance of the room, Jaune approached the table with a glint of interest in his eyes. "Hey! Can I play?"

Ruby's response was quick, her words apologetic yet definitive. "Sorry, Jaune, we've already got four people."

Weiss added her own assertion. "Besides, this game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt that you possess."

Arc looked at what happened and thought. 'Oof! That's got to sting. It did for me.'

Yang chimed in with a playful jab. "Uhh, you attacked your naval fleet two turns ago." A note of annoyance colored Weiss' expression at this playful reminder.

Jaune, undeterred by their skepticism, assumed an air of bravado. "Bring it on, Ice Queen! I'll have you know that I have been told that I am a natural-born leader!"

Weiss couldn't help but retort, a touch of sarcasm in her tone. "By who? Your mother?"

Arc's eyebrow twitched. 'Damn! She was quite the Ice Queen towards me. Still, I like how feisty she was. It was her charm. Then again, I just thought she was being a tsundere back then. Never thought that she didn't like me.'

Quick to defend his claim, Jaune invoked another name. "A-and Pyrrha!"

From the edges of the scene, Pyrrha made her presence known with a friendly wave. "Hello again!"

Jaune's persistence persisted as he prayed with folded hands. "Come on, let me play your hand for a turn!"

Weiss' skepticism remained intact. "I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo!"

Jaune, however, wasn't one to give up easily. "Why not? You've trusted me with way more important stuff before. I mean, you told us all that Blake is secretly a Fa—"

Arc smacked his face. He was such an idiot back then.

Before Jaune could spill the secret, Pyrrha intervened swiftly, her hand covering his mouth. "Fun-loving person, whom we all admire and respect." Jaune's nervous laughter filled the air after Pyrrha's intervention.

The assembled individuals exchanged nervous glances, particularly directed towards Blake, who wore a clear expression of annoyance at the revelation.

Sensing the need for retreat, Jaune decided to exit the scene with some dignity. "Right. That. Ladies, enjoy your battle." With a courteous bow, he acknowledged Pyrrha as she walked away, the sound of footsteps fading into the distance.

Then, as if summoned by the atmosphere, Sun Wukong materialized, offering a casual two-fingered wave. "Sup losers."

Ruby's response was warm and familiar. "Hey, Sun!"

Sun, shifting slightly to the side, revealed Neptune Vasilias.

Sun's casual greeting continued his easygoing tone. "Ruby, Yang, Blake... Ice Queen."

Weiss couldn't help but voice her exasperation. "Why does everyone keep calling me that?"

Sun explained, his smile playful. "I never got a chance to introduce you to my old friend formally."

Neptune chimed in, adding to the lighthearted ribbing. "Uhh, aren't libraries for reading?"

Finding resonance in Neptune's words, Ren raised his arms in agreement. "Thank you!"

Nora Valkyrie, with her usual whimsy, contributed her quirky input. "Pancakes!"

Sun's retort was swift and teasing. "Shut up. Don't be a nerd."

Neptune, perhaps the most diplomatic of the group, corrected Sun with a good-natured wag of his finger. "Intellectual, okay? Thank you." He extended a friendly greeting. "I'm Neptune."

Weiss couldn't resist curiosity. "So Neptune, where are you from?"

Neptune, with a hint of charm, responded. "Haven." He approached Weiss, his demeanor light and easy. "And I don't believe I've caught your name, snow angel."

Out of reflex, Arc punched Neptune in the face, revealing himself. "Ah…Oops! My bad."

Weiss responded right away. "W-What!" She looked at the other table to see another Jaune. "What's going on?! Am I losing it?!"

This caught the people's attention at the other table, which was JNPR. When they saw Arc, they were beyond shocked. As for Jaune, he was having an identity crisis, thinking he might be a clone. Yeah, he has been reading too much comics lately.

Weiss truly feared that two Jaune would try to flirt with her. This was a nightmare for her. So, what did she do? She fainted.

Ruby, worried about her, shouted. "Weiss!"

Yang was just as perplexed as everyone. "What is going on? And how did you appear out of nowhere?"

Jaune, caught off guard by this, couldn't help but react. "Are you kidding me!? How do we look the same? Why is there another me? "

Arc said. "Are you kidding me? We look nothing alike. I'll have you know, I'm taller and sexier."

Yang, even at such a time, laughed. "You sure are! So, who are you?"

Arc sighed. "Well…" pointing at Jaune. "I'm him, from another version of this world. I'm here to destroy something that should not belong to this world. But I got curious about how similar this world was to my own. Thus, here I am. I was not planning to reveal myself, but I may have gotten annoyed and punched Neptune out of reflex."

Sun asked. "Why? I mean, if you are really from another world, what did Neptune do to you that made you annoyed with him to the point of punching him out of reflex?"

Arc looked at the unconscious Neptune before looking at Sun. "Because, back in my world, I had a massive crush on Weiss," pointing at Jaune. "Just like him. Weiss asked Neptune out to the Beacon dance. He refused because he did not want her to see how uncool he was, not knowing how to dance. With some persuasion from me during the Beacon dance, Neptune and Weiss get together. That was a big mistake on my part. During Weiss and Neptune's date…

Well, Weiss was very excited. She took her time to dress up and prepare well. However, Neptune did not much care. He came sloppy. But Weiss didn't mind. The real problem was that Neptune, your good ol' pal, would flirt with every girl they passed by. And lastly, when Neptune had to choose between a bro and her, he did not hesitate to leave her on their first date."

Ruby looked at the unconscious Neptune. " ."

Weiss was awake by now and listening to the entire thing. "I don't believe a single thing you just said."

Arc smiled and used his telepathy on her to transmit his memory of Ruby telling him all about the date. He also showed her the time he beat the shit out of Neptune for her. This was to give Jaune a bit of a fighting chance. It was not in vain, as Weiss blushed at what she saw. Looking at his counterpart, Arc winked at him. However, he noticed something. Ren was different.

Arc was shocked. "Oh, my Oum! Are you a guy?!"

Ren knew Arc as talking about him. "Why, yes. Am I not in your world?"

Arc said. "You most definitely are not! Oh! My cute and shy Lei Ren is an actual Lie Ren." He then patted Jaune on the shoulder. "I guess that would mean you would never get together with Nora."

Jaune was shocked, not only him. Ren was, too. Both saying. "Excuse me!"

Jaune put his hand on Arc and started shaking him. "Explain! What do you mean by that?!"

Ren did the same. "Explain! How do you and Nora get together?"

Arc laughed. "This is hilarious! I guess this is one of the biggest differences in our world. Let me show guys a few photos."

Everyone was concentrated on Arc's scroll. It's astonishment all around. Pyrrha fainted out of happiness, but Jaune mistook it for being shocked at dating a loser like him. Thus, he was attending to her.

Sun said. "Dude! Respect! How did you do it?"

Arc chuckled. "The funny thing is, I did nothing."

Sun bumped spud with Arc. "Even more respect! You got a harem without doing anything!"

Nora, amused, laughed. "This is interesting. Other me is dating Fearless Leader! I never thought that something like that was possible. I mean, I'm devoted."

Arc looked at her. "Funny you should say that. Do you know how I got to date all the girls? It was because of you, Nora. You and your crazy harem plan because I made you an awesome pancake."

Nora had a thinking pose. "If that pancake of yours were as amazing as Renny's, it would make sense. I would probably have an idea of sharing."

Arc had a raised eyebrow. "I guess all Nora think alike. When she told me about it, she said exactly as you thought."

Ruby was feeling dizzy. "C-Can someone explain it to me in the beginning?! I'm so confused here! And how come all of you have such a weak response?! This is literally another Jaune from another version of our world!"

Arc patted Ruby on her head. "Calm down, Rubes. Here, how about a cookie?" he took some from his item box.

Ruby started munching on the cookie, and Arc explained things from the beginning.