This is a oneshot I published standalone but thought I'd add it to my collection. This is a somber oneshot but it ends with hope. Both part one and two have been combined together into a single chapter. Read and Review hopefully I can have a new chapter up next week
(September 27, Forest outside of Vale)
"Keep moving honey! We're almost to the walls!" A man panted to his wife who was cradling her stomach with labored breaths starting to fall behind her husband. She hit her breaking point and collapsed to the ground not able to get back up.
"I...I can't go on. I'm exhausted." She moaned while her husband pulled her to her feet. He hoisted her onto his back still running for the Vale walls.
"hold on a little longer dear! I'll get us there! Stay strong!" He panted feeling his legs starting to lose strength and hearing the Beowolve's yelps growing ever closer. Before he knew it the Grimm were nearly upon them. The man spun around and put his wife down as quickly as he could balling his fists to fight quaking with fear.
"Run! I'll keep them distracted!" He swallowed feeling tears start to form.
"No! We can make it together!" She protested but fell back when the Alpha Beowolf stomped in front of her husband looming over him with Jaws dripping with saliva hungry for human flesh he screamed charging forward while his wife cried out for him.
*WHOOSH!* A blade cut through the beast like butter cleaving it in two. The rest of the pack stopped in their tracks looking at the newcomer with a mixture of fear and rage. The hooded man whistled flicking the gore from his ancestral blade glaring at the monsters with contempt.
"Whew, good thing I got here in time. Young man, you're brave to try and protect your wife and unborn child. Leave these beasts to an old man like me." He leaped forward cutting a swathe through the entire group of Beowolves in an instant cutting down the beasts and making whatever remained of them to run off in fear. The old man shouldered his weapon looking over at the couple with a small smile walk over with his hood still up.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I tried to sacrifice myself. We're safe now honey. We're safe." He reassured his wife looking up at his savior reaching his hand out to shake the hand of the man who saved him and his family.
"Sir, words can't express how grateful I am to you for saving my wife and I." The old man nodded with a smile drawing his hood down revealing nearly gray hair and beard that had spots of blonde still in it with deep sapphire eyes, and a wrinkled but friendly face.
"Just doing my job sir. It's what a huntsman does after all!" He gave out a hearty laugh taking the younger mans hand.
"Wait...that armor...the blade and...those eyes! You're the legendary huntsman Jaune Arc! The one who helped defeat Salem!" He spoke in awe making Jaune scratch his head still embarrassed that he was a legend to people now.
"Pay that no mind sir. I'll escort you to Vale. What's your name son?"
"Hunter Millwood Mr. Arc and this is my wife Amber Millwood."
"Well then Mr and Mrs. Millwood let's get you two to safety. I'm sure you've been through enough.
It took another twenty minutes to enter Vale. Jaune gave the couple a few hundred lien to help them out and sent the two on their way with them saying that they'd be staying with family in the city somewhere. The old Arc put his hood back up not wanting to draw attention and walked to an all too familiar cafe owned by his younger sister Coral. He walked in taking off his hood looking around.
"Anybody home?" He called stopping at the counter that had pictures of past events, his family photo with him holding a help me sign, the time his sisters dressed him up in a princess dress, even a photo of after he and his friends defeated Salem. Jaune smiled holding the victory photo reminiscing on his younger years.
"Uncle?! Is that you?!" Luna called stepping down the stairs carrying a box full of silverware. Jaune immediately walked over, taking the box from her hands setting it down on the counter. His niece quickly jumped onto him wrapping her arms around her favorite and only uncle Arc.
"It's been months! Why the sudden visit?" She pulled away eyes sparkling up at him. Despite being a full-grown woman she still acted like a child. He took a seat motioning her to sit with him which she gladly did waiting for his answer.
"Just visiting for the day. Wanted to stop by and pick up some dinner for later today."
"Uncle! Are you finally going on a date?" She said giddily making him give her a small smirk.
"Something like that dear. Now could you get me my usual order times two?"
"Of course! Will you be leaving soon?"
"I will be. Have a few more stops to make." She handed him the food having put it in a picnic basket so he could carry it around more easily.
"Don't be a stranger uncle! Come visit more often and when mom isn't out! She'll hate that she missed your visit!" She called out as he walked to the door.
"I'll stop by before I leave don't worry honey. Now stay safe!" He left walking down the streets of Vale once more heading toward a florists shop. He stared at the flowers trying to find the perfect one before settling on a deep crimson flower with a vivid green stem. Jaune walked to the cashier and put the flower on the counter pulling out his wallet to pay.
"That will be twenty lien! Wait...that sword...and that faded red sash around your waist...you're Jaune Arc! Oh sir you don't need to pay for this! Please take it for free!"
"Now young lady, just because I'm some old huntsman that was only doing his job doesn't mean you can go around giving me free stuff. Now, let me buy it for the price that it is." He chuckled and the woman only shook her head.
"At the very least let me make it half price. You saved the world sir, I think that gives you an automatic discount at the very least." She rang up the flower for only ten lien making her decision final. Jaune shook his head and gave her the money thanking her and walking outside once more heading toward the bulkhead docks. He took a detour down an alley to get their quicker before a young man with a knife appeared around the corner.
"Give me your wallet old man!" Jaune peaked under his hood seeing that the young man was holding the knife shakily and his stance was weak. He shook his head walking towards him.
"Young man you're going nowhere with a stance like that." Jaune said making the man sneer.
"What?! Just shut up and give me your money! I won't ask again!" He took a step forward and was met with a palm to his chest pushing him to the ground. Jaune twirled the knife a little to emphasize his point stabbing the blade into the ground then helping the young man up to his feet.
"You need to widen your legs at least shoulder length apart if you want to be considered a threat. But let's move past that. Take a seat, you look hungry." He patted the ground next to him and offered up some of his food which the young man graciously took Jaune waited for him to finish before asking a question.
"Now, you don't look like the criminal type. What's happening young man?" The man put his head in his hands shaking back and forth.
"I-I don't know. I'm at a rough time in my life and...I just didn't know what to do." Jaune nodded looking forward with a look of determination deep in thought.
"Well even though you hide it, I can see your a faunus. There's nothing to be ashamed of in showing your heritage. Though there are still wicked people in this world who discriminate despite the leaps and bounds Menagerie has made with all the kingdoms in faunus equality. I want you to think on something, there is always places that offer work. I recommend you go to a local church and ask for work there, they will guide your way." Jaunerubbed the young man's shoulder. He stood up with him and saw him pull out his tail from his pants nodding in determination.
"Thank you sir...I really appreciate your kind words. I'll...I'll turn my life around I swear!" He ran off leading Jaune alone. The Arc smiled and walked to the bulkheads taking a flight to Beacon.
The halls were empty, the students being on Spring break. Jaune walked to the elevator pressing the headmistress's level waiting a few seconds before finally getting to the office.
"I'm fine with walk-ins but it's nice if you call ahead before coming in." The headmistress commented not looking from her pile of paperwork.
"Well, I thought I could see a friend whenever. Especially if it's your first friend you made here right crater face?" Ruby's head immediately shot up from his words and her silver eyes went wide standing up from her desk and hugging Jaune tight. She still looked like the same old Ruby just with some grayed hair and a few wrinkles still looking remarkably young for her age.
"How's Oscar and the kids been, Ruby?" Jaune asked and Ruby smiled back wiping away a tear that leaked out.
"They're doing great Jaune but what about you? How have you been?" She broke away still smiling brightly which Jaune only shrugged.
"Doing fine. Still at it. Doing what I can but I can feel age starting to catch up."
"You don't look a day over 45 Jaune."
"Well for being a 65-year old that's a heck of a compliment there my fellow team leader. Just wanted to stop by and say high and to ask if I could...if I could go to the top of the tower." Ruby's smiled faded and she nodded.
"Of course Jaune. I forgot that today is...I'm so sorry..."
"Don't be Ruby. I won't be too long. See you when I come back down." He waved over his shoulder and got back in the elevator going all the way to the roof. Jaune exited as soon as he goes to the top of the tower walking over to the edge where a small plaque laid with an inscription written on it.
'Here is where Pyrrha Nikos gave her life to stop the False maiden, sparking the beginning of the fight and eventual defeat of Salem. Perpetuum in cordibus vestris.'
The old Arc got down on his knees, pulling out the flower he brought putting it on top of the plaque along with two candles that he lit. He took out two plates of food setting one down in front of himself and the other in front of the plaque. Jaune reached into his pocket, bringing out an old faded picture of Pyrrha smiling brightly resting it center on the memorial taking in a deep breath before smiling mournfully.
"Happy birthday my love...If only I could have saved you..." He closed his eyes feeling the tears start streaming down his cheeks opening them again and started to sing.
Every life is filled with passing moments
Like the seasons change, they come and go
But this is infinite
Nothing, even death
Could separate our souls
'Cause you're my final goal
Some people fall in love for life
Others never get it right
Love's fickle when it calls
One thing that I know for sure
Longer than our lives endure
You're my forever fall
(Fifteen years later)
The hunched Arc held himself up proudly despite his withered frame, barely using his cane to support himself as he stepped onto Beacon's roof, basket in hand resting down in front of her memorial once more. Jaune lit the candles as he usually did, reaching into the basket he brought with him and resting the old and faded photo of his beloved partner Pyrrha setting the two plates of food down like he always did since the defeat of Salem.
"Happy birthday my love...I will say this till the day my time comes...but I wish...that I could have saved you...that I could have done more." Jaune let a tear roll down his cheek freely, the droplets staining the concrete below him as more followed letting out a quivering breath.
"It's been cold without you here...it's like winter lasts all year...but your star's still in the sky...so I won't say goodbye...I don't have to say goodbye..." Jaune choked out rubbing his weary eyes.
"Pyrrha...These past sixty or so years...they've been hard. I am grateful for the life I have been able to live, seeing my friends grow, fall in love and live their lives. It was my choice to stay alone and not search for another partner and even if someone asked me if I'd do it again I would tell them I would do it in a heartbeat. My heart has and always will be yours, no other woman could have ever compared. I've been content being the joyful uncle, seeing my nieces and nephews as often as I can. I feel...as though my time is coming to a close, that my time on remnant is nearly up. I happily wait for the end because that means...I'll be able to see you again." Jaune smiled wiping another tear from his eye noticing a shine in the corner of his eye. The old man sighed eye still looking forward not even sparing a glance at the flash behind him.
"Jaune Arc, I have been waiting to meet you for a long time." The original god Oum spoke, having came to replace the brother gods after Salem's defeat, never interacting with humanity outside of banishing the old gods from Remnant until this very moment.
"I remember you...you appeared after we defeated Salem and left immediately after wanting humans to live their own lives without otherworldly interference." Jaune noted remembering their first meeting so many years ago. Oum's form, being only a ball of light and nothing more
"Your time on Remnant has nearly come to an end Jaune Arc. Because of your valiant actions humanity will continue to prosper." Jaune looked back at the God before turning to the memorial once more.
"Tell me...has she been waiting? All this time?" The old Arc swallowed looking down at the photo again.
"Do you even have to ask?" Jaune let out a chuckle at that nodding in content.
"One last thing...was it the brothers who forced Pyrrha to do what she did that night? " Oum went silent saying nothing making Jaune nod once more.
"That's what I figured. Please then, take me to her. Take me to Pyrrha." Jaune asked rising to his feet staring into the distance. A blinding light felled his vision before finally opening his eyes to see a hill. He looked down at himself, hands no longer withered and now full of life, eyes not struggling to focus, and face free of wrinkles. At the top of the hill he saw a figure with long flowing crimson hair. The Arc pursed his lips, hands already shaking in anticipation as he walked slowly up the hill getting ever closer to his final goal.
(Perfect from Ed sheeran fits this so well)
Moments later ha had reached the top, standing only a small distance away from her. He opened his mouth to speak but words failed to come out as she turned around slowly, her smile full and wide with tears already present on her pale cheeks. Jaune walked toward Pyrrha lifting his hands to her cheeks, his lips quivering, eyes watering not able to say a single word. She pulled him down to her, catching his lips into hers feeling their tears meld together holding one another closely not refusing to let go not even for a second. They broke apart, still close enough to feel one another breathe. Jaune stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, wiping away a fresh tear.
"You're as beautiful as the day I lost you." Jaune choked out tightening his arms around her, not wanting to let go. Never again.
"Jaune... I'm...I'm so sorry." Pyrrha hugged him back just as tightly burying her head into the crook of his neck not able to hold anything back as she lost herself in his embrace.
"You always apologized too much. I was never angry at you...I was sad because I couldn't save you." He let out a choked sob feeling Pyrrha start to pull him down to the ground, holding her reunited love in a tight embrace stroking his blonde hair rubbing him soothingly.
"It wasn't your fault...I just never realized how much my choice would hurt you so terribly. Not a day went by as I watched you, Ren, Nora and RWBY fight to save Remnant, wishing that I could've been there to help you on your journey." She kissed the top of his head as he stayed wrapped around her bosom crying into her chest.
"You did Pyrrha...you always helped me, even when you were gone. None of that matters now, I just want to stay like this, with you for the rest of existence." Jaune whispered back pecking her lips. She smiled down at him in agreement.
"Let's make up for lost time my love." Pyrrha whispered taking his lips once again.
For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all. Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder, protect thee. Carpe Diem, Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos