He had no idea how it all happened.

That being said, maybe it wasn't true.

After all, Remnant had been saved from its upcoming destruction by the mad immortal witch.

He and his friends had nearly died but somehow during the heat of the battle, they still hadn't given up despite the odds.

Ironically, luck was on their side as almost none of them died and only two got injured.

Even the injuries seem so small in comparison to death and that a broken arm or leg could easily be healed with aura which he could hasten the process.

No, in fact everything went the way they hoped for.

So when all his friends and everyone that had joined the final battle against Salem celebrated for a few days, Jaune had found himself back in front of the Tree in the Ever After.

Why ?

Who knew except for the Tree itself ?

He went into it once again and found the Blacksmith working on her creations, with the place being totally void except for weapons trapped in glass cases.

When he first stepped he could tell that she knew he was there.

She kept on working on carving figures that suspiciously looked like Salem and Team RWBY battling each other alongside a carved wooden figure of the Rusted Knight along with Alyx, Lewis and Juniper. Even the blasted cat was there.

Besides them he noted figures of his friends, even himself and even Cinder Fall as she lay leaning somewhere out there.

That's right.

She was still alive.

But that didn't bother him anymore.

Instead he walked right over to the Blacksmith who then turned to him before giving him a kind smile.

"Jaune. I have been waiting for you."

To be honest, he should have known something like this would happen.

After all his luck in life was pretty unpredictable, no offense to Qrow but it always seemed that trouble always went out on its way to get him.

"So I'm dead." he said out loud.

"No." The Blacksmith answered.

"Oh."

Well even if he was not dead, the fact that he was here meant something was important enough that the Blacksmith summoned him. Even though he was not the best person for pretty much anything, he made sure to solve the problem with the utmost concentration.

Then from out of nowhere Ruby and Weiss appeared, both so overjoyed when looking at him that he felt like he was a valued member of something.

To him, it felt like something he always wanted but never really knew about it.

Then Ruby dissapeared in a flash, rose petals trailing after her while Weiss began her time dilation, something she had practiced so hard on, and immediately launched into him, only to find that Ruby had gotten him mere seconds before.

Still shocked, Jaune entered a state of befuddlement when Ruby turned his face towards her and kissed him, on the lips.

Then for some weird reason he heard loud shrieking noises and when the kiss he turned to find Weiss using her glyphs to grab him and pulled him out from Ruby's embrace and into hers and then kissed him as well.

His brain had gone into hyperdrive at that moment and he grabbed Weiss by the shoulders and pulled her apart and turned to look at the Blacksmith who had watched the entire scene with almost no change in her expression.

"Alright, who are they ?" he didn't mean to sound rude but he was fairly certain neither Weiss or Ruby would kiss anyone or him of all people.

Besides wasn't Neptune with them hanging out with Weiss now and Ruby... well she didn't think of romance from the interactions he had with her most of the time.

"They're from the same world as you, taken after some time has passed from your disappearance."

Ok.

"They also had feelings for you for quite some time. Ruby had done well repressing her feelings for quite a long time and as for Weiss, she already made plans to stake her 'claim' before anyone else. However due to the events in Vacou and you and Ruby mending your relationships and getting even closer, it was bound to happen."

"Hahahah." Ruby laughed.

"No more sloppy seconds, Weiss."

This was getting weirder more and more.

Weiss actually growled against her sister in all but blood before looking back at him and turning into the most beautiful angel he had ever seen.

Then he turned to Ruby and seeing her smile and laugh and joke around pulled his heartstrings even more because deep down, this was the Ruby he remembered and the Ruby he fought for.

He smiled and felt lighter before turning towards the Blacksmith.

"So, what was the problem that you summoned us to solve ?"

The Blacksmith smiled at him once more and he inwardly felt even more glad that he could be of use.

"There was a deal with a traveler from afar. Should they encounter trouble, I am to aid them support. It seems that time is now."

Ruby had switched to her leader mode.

"And so we're the solution ?"

"You will understand what you must do the moment you set foot on those lands. Don't worry, any questions there will be answered by the Rusted Knight."

Jaune immediately felt both eyes looking at him before he turned around and shouted, "Wha-wa-wha-what-What ?"

And that was how they were here.

"The same commission again for the 6th time this week. And what sort of crisis is Mondstadt having from this wooden shields!"

"Well Ruby, for one they are durable and two the Hillichurls are somewhat adept at using weapons." Weiss replied as she blocked another hit with her ice shield.

"Huh, the big guy hits as hard as Yang does on an angry day." Jaune called out as the Mitachurl lifted it's flaming axe to strike him down.

"Jaune, watch out !"

Only for said axe to be blocked out by a green shield that was projected by their fourth newest member, Jessica.

And for some reason neither Ruby nor Weiss remembered her or the Justice League but Jaune remembered the time they or rather Team RWBY and the Justice League had to face against Doctor Watts and some otherworldly villain.

Him meeting Jessica however was the highlight of that meeting despite seeing real heroes in person.

Helping her to be the hero she was meant to be made him happy at least.

And now that she was here helping them out, it really unloaded a huge pressure off his mind.

"Hey Jaune, look a real slime in a barrel !"

He turned around and found Ruby holding a barrel containing a lava-esque looking slime which meant that...

"NOOO..." he called out.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

There was a large explosion.

...