A/N:
Guest- Argent's about to follow in his dad's footsteps XD
It's what he wants, but let's hope the kiddo doesn't become TOO much like his dad.
Argent stared at his dad's back in awe. "That... looks... AWESOME! DAD, CAN I GET A TATTOO LIKE THAT?!"
"NO," all three adults went in unison.
"See what you did, Arc," Ruby went.
"I don't understand why you're so pissed. Your dad has a tattoo."
"Well, my dad didn't inspire my son to get a tattoo!"
"Oh, yeah. Grandpa Tai has a tattoo. Wait, how come I'm the only guy in the family who doesn't have a tattoo?!"
"You're ten," Jaune, Winter, Nimueh, and Ruby went in unison.
"Oh. Oh! Dad, you're going to teach me to drive when I'm fifteen, right?!"
"You're what," Ruby went at Jaune with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Can I get a tattoo when I turn fifteen?"
"No."
"Aw. Come on, dad."
"Tell you what, if you still want a tattoo when you're twenty-one, I'll think about it."
"WHAT," Winter and Ruby went.
"Eighteen," Argent bargained.
"Nineteen," Jaune bargained back.
"Deal," Argent said as he pointed his finger at his dad.
"Well, you sure closed that deal well," Jaune said with an impressed look, eyebrow raised.
"Shishishi," Argent went as he put his hands behind his head. "Aunt Weiss taught me how to bargain like a businessman."
"I don't know whether to be annoyed or proud," Winter said with a facepalm.
"Ow," Jaune went after Ruby smacked the back of his head. He then looked back at her while rubbing his head. "What was that for?"
"YOU JUST PROMISED OUR KID A TATTOO!"
"No. I said if he still wants a tattoo at nineteen, I'll think about it. If I'm lucky, he'll be bored of the idea by the time he reaches that age."
"And if you're not," Ruby asked with her arms crossed, an annoyed look on her face.
"Then I might have accidentally started a tradition for Arc men to get a tattoo."
Ruby's eyebrow twitched as she raised her fist, ready to punch Jaune.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Even if he does get a tattoo, it'll probably be something small, like a crescent moon on his shoulder or something."
"What are you talking about, dad?"
"Huh," he went as he turned towards his son.
"Of course, I'd want a tattoo like yours," he said while pointing at his dad's back. "I mean, it SCREAMS Arc. Mom in her sword form on the right, Uncle Amrbosius's staff on the left, Aunt Glynda on top, Aunt Jinn below with our Family Crest behind them all. That's a seriously awesome symbol for our family, so why wouldn't I want it?"
Jaune's eyebrow twitched before taking a deep breath. "Now Ruby, before you do anything-"
She punched him in the face.
"Ow. You've definitely got Xiao Long blood in you," he said as he rubbed his nose.
"And I'm sure I've made my dad and Yang proud," she said as she rubbed her fist. "And as for that tattoo..." Ruby groaned. "At least add a rose to it to make it more unique to you," Ruby said with a roll of her eyes, looking away while blushing.
"Oh, yeah. That would make perfect sense, given the fact you're my mom and all. Besides, roses near weapons make them cooler somehow, right," he asked with a smile.
Ruby puffed up her chest in pride as she smiled. "Yes. Roses make weapons look cooler and more badass."
Jaune sighed before he looked at Winter. "Do you want him to have the Schnee Snowflake tattooed on him, too?"
"Don't belittle me like that, Jaune," she went in annoyance. Unfortunately for her, Jaune could read her emotions and sensed that she was slightly jealous of Ruby. "Anyway, why in the world did you even get that tattoo?"
Jaune just sighed. "You're going to find out anyway." Winter raised an eyebrow at that remark. "Ambrosian Garb, appear."
Everyone watched as the tattoo began to glow before the "ink" burst out from Jaune's back and engulfed him. Moments later, Jaune was in his armor, the cape fluttering dramatically.
Mother and son had sparkling eyes. "SO COOL," Ruby and Argent went in unison. They were now all over Jaune.
"DAD, THIS IS AWESOME!"
"YOU LOOK LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A STORYBOOK," Ruby went.
"YOU'RE EVEN COOLER THAN THAT KNIGHT FROM THE FIFTH CHAPTER OF REMNANT FAIRY TALES!"
Ruby was analyzing Jaune's cape. "It's... cooler than mine. . . I lost to someone else's cape." She then snuggled the cape. "But it feels so soft that I don't even care."
"Okay, that's enough of that," Jaune said as he lifted Argent, placing him on his shoulder, then lifted Ruby, princess-carrying her with one arm.
Winter walked up and looked Jaune over. "A bit gothic, but it seems practical."
"I think it suits me."
"Indeed. Now, HOW did you get this obviously symbiotic armor?"
"Ambrosius."
Winter's eyes widened, realization hitting her. "Ambrosian Garb. This was made by the Spirit of Creation himself."
"Bingo."
Ruby's eyes also widened in realization. "The reason you were out in the ocean. The Staff of Creation is in the sea!"
"Two in a row. Looks like you're beating the house."
"I SHOULD BE BEATING YOU," Ruby said before smacking the helm. "Ow," she went as she shook her hand.
"You really should have seen that coming, Rubes."
"Yeah, that was stupid. BUT STILL, I'M JUSTIFIED TO BE ANGRY WITH YOU!"
"AS AM I," Winter went. "WE ALL THOUGHT THAT THE STAFF HAD GONE MISSING AFTER THE BATTLE WITH SALEM, BUT YOU KNEW WHERE IT WAS THIS ENTIRE TIME?!"
"Sorry, Winter. Had to keep it a secret."
"Wait, THIS MEANS YOU KNOW WHERE ALL FOUR RELICS ARE," Ruby yelled.
"Two of the four do live with me," Jaune shrugged before putting Ruby down. "Ambrosian Garb, retreat." Jaune was back to being a sexy shirtless man in jeans.
"So that's how it works," Ruby said as she leaned in.
"Uh, Ruby, my abs don't talk, you know." She looked up from Jaune's abs to look at Jaune, who raised an eyebrow at her.
Turning red, she stood up and cleared her throat. "I'm guessing you're not going to tell us where the staff is?"
"Sorry, Rubes. Just know that it is far too deep for any normal being, save for a Sea Faunus, to dive to. You'd need a submarine to reach the depths, and you'd still need to search like crazy."
Winter sighed. "That's probably the safest it can be, then. Fine, I won't pry about the location."
"Thanks, Winter."
"Now then... let's discuss your protective custody."
". . . Come again?"
"You heard me, hero."
"You've gotta be kidding me, Winter. Are we really doing this again?"
"Absolutely. You may have convinced me last time, but this? Legendary Kingdom-Level Grimm? You expect me to let you go out and continue fighting monsters like that, bringing Argent near such peril?! Do I look like a fool to you?!"
"Winter, I can't be under protective custody."
"You don't have a choice this time, Jaune."
"This is a terrible idea and you know it. I need to go out and get stronger."
"We'll cultivate more than enough training programs for you. New Mantle is more than equipped to help you become the Ultimate Soldier."
"New Mantle isn't enough."
"What could possibly match the most powerful military force in all of Remnant," Winter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"If I told you, you'd send spies to follow me, which would be annoying."
"It would be to keep you safe!"
"Winter, listen to yourself! Keep ME safe?! ME?!"
"YES! YOU!"
"DAMMIT, SCHNEE-BRANWEN, I DON'T NEED PROTECTION! I NEED TO GET STRONGER! MY FIGHT WITH THE GRAND KING THULHU SHOULD BE MORE THAN ENOUGH PROOF! THE GRIMM ARE GETTING STRONGER!"
"AND THAT'S WHY I'M SUPPOSED TO LET YOU TAKE ON THE WORLD ON YOUR OWN?!"
"I HAVE NIMUEH!"
"THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" Winter then took a deep breath to calm herself. "You're just one man. Not even you can take on everything. You need help. You need to be protected every once in a while."
Jaune sighed. "And you think the answer to that is to put me behind the walls of New Mantle? Don't you see how bad of a P.R. move that would be?"
"What do public relations have to do with anything?"
"Because of Amanda, the world knows that Legendary Kingdom-Level Grimm exists. Not only that, but they know I might very well be one of the few beings in all of Remnant who can take them down. But if I, the Strongest Man in the World, is being put under protective custody, people are going to wonder: If our greatest Champion needs to be protected, what is it he's being protected FROM?"
Winter looked down, a contemplative look on her face.
"Winter, like it or not, I'm basically seen as Remnant's Guardian. It's Protector. I don't like it myself, but people see me as a symbol of comfort. If I'm walking around, people will know they'll be safe. It's happening slowly, but the Grimm are being seen as protectors. I've also seen the latest crime reports... as well as sensed what's happening in the world. Criminals are becoming terrified of me. Crime has dropped dramatically. Besides, what if other Legends appear while I'm stuck in New Mantle?"
"Other Legends," Winter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The Jormun? The Surtr? The Firebird? Or how about Methuselah the Living Mountain or the Altitude? Darkness could be preparing those monsters as we speak, ready to unleash them in order to kill me."
"You're just giving me more of a reason to put you under protective custody."
"If I'm under protective custody and those monsters are unleashed, how many people would suffer while I'm in a nice, cushy suite?"
Winter's eyes widened before she looked away.
"Winter, I can't stay hidden. I need to go out into the world and become stronger. Strong enough to take on anything Darkness throws at me... including the god himself."
Winter continued to stare down before she sighed. She then glared at him before sticking a finger near his face. "If you find another Legend, you are to contact me IMMEDIATELY. I don't want Amanda Lavender to be the one to let me know you're near death's door again. Am I clear?"
Jaune smiled. "Crystal. Though, I might not be able to keep that promise." Winter smacked him. "Ow. Okay, sorry."
Winter groaned. "What am I going to do with you?"
Jaune shrugged. "Have faith in your ex-boyfriend?" Winter gave him a look. "Inappropriate comment. Got it."
"Alright, Arc, what do you plan on doing next?"
"Oh, that's easy. I'm going to Patch." Ruby perked up at that moment.
"Hah? Why would you go to that little island? Do you have business with Taiyang?"
"Well, yes and no. I'm enrolling Argent at Signal." Ruby really perked up.
Winter didn't notice, however. She just sighed in annoyance. "Jaune, you realize New Atlas Academy has primary classes. If you're not going to keep yourself safe, you should keep Argent safe by enrolling him in the best academy in the-"
"SHUT UP," Ruby went as she appeared in front of Winter, covering her mouth. "My son's going to Signal."
"But mom, I don't really need to go to-"
"YOU'RE GOING TO SIGNAL," Ruby went in a "no-arguments" tone that made Argent jump.
"You're awfully excited about him going back to school," Jaune went with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms.
"Jaune, I went to Signal. Yang went to Signal. My dad not only went to Signal but now TEACHES at Signal. Signal Academy is a Rose-Xiao Long Alma Mater, and by the gods, my baby is graduating from that Academy before going to Beacon."
"WHAT," Winter muffled through Ruby's hand before pushing it off. "Don't be absurd! He's going to New Atlas Academy!"
"Beacon!"
"Atlas!"
"BEACON!"
"ATLAS!"
"DON'T YOU START WITH ME, SIS! ARGENT IS MY SON, AND I SAY HE'S GOING TO BEACON LIKE HIS PARENTS!" Ruby and Winter literally growled at each other before huffing and turning away from each other.
"Just so you know, since this is Jaune we're talking about, if something foolish happens like Jaune somehow missing the deadline to enroll Argent into Signal, he's being enrolled into New Atlas."
"If Jaune screws up my baby going to Signal... No Safe Word."
"Nah," Jaune went with a deep blush and dropped jaw. "RUBY, WHAT THE HELL?! THAT'S ONLY WITH-"
"And Nimueh will get to use the candle AND the whip."
"What about the taser," Nimueh asked, Jaune looking at her in shock.
"We'll even have the cigarettes and the 'scented candles' to make the atmosphere better."
"Deal, deal, and deal."
"NIMUEH?!"
She just stuck her tongue out playfully at her husband.
The Arcs were riding through the Vacuan Dessert on the King's Glaive. As they rode through the sands, Sand Sharks swam and jumped through the sands majestically, Ziraphs walked around peacefully, Dromedons walked in packs while grunting at each other, and Jackalopes hopped around the sands. It really was proof that Vaccuo was absolutely Jaune's territory now, the Grimm now just peaceful and oddly majestic creatures.
Yet, Jaune wasn't paying attention to any of this arid beauty.
'Come on. You're not still mad about that, are you,' Nimueh asked within her sword.
"You made a deal with Ruby about turning me into your damned sex doll if I don't get Arie into Signal. Why shouldn't I still be pissed?"
'Aw, you don't have to worry. It's us. They'll literally be begging to have us enroll our baby.'
"I hope not," Argent muttered.
"Argent, I heard that," Jaune went.
"Geeku," he went in embarrassment.
Jaune sighed before revving the bike, the family crossing the border into Vale.
'You know, it would be easier and faster to just take Neverflame,' Nimueh suggested.
"I know. But riding on this bike helps clear my mind, you know? There's something calming about riding it. And I absolutely need something to calm my mind," Jaune went in annoyance.
'Hey, how about I make it up to you when we get home? Say... when Arie goes to sleep?' Jaune blushed at his wife's proposal.
"Why do I have to be asleep?"
"You'll find out when you're older, kiddo."
"Why do I have to be older for everything," he pouted.
As the King's Glaive roared down the empty road, a gun was being aimed at it from atop a cliff.
The owner smirked. "Hello again, father."
BANG
Jaune's heightened hearing caused his reflexes to kick in, grabbing Argent's shield and blocking the bullet. However, the bullet seemed to have been made from Electric Dust, shocking Jaune to the point he almost lost control of King's Glaive. Still, he was able to regain control, giving the shield back to his son, who now had his guard up.
Jaune then saw a nearby forest and revved the bike, speeding towards the protection of the trees.
The shooter chuckled before taking out his scroll. "He's headed your way, you two," said Yazoo.
Jaune was driving through the forest, sensing any more nearby enemies. "This isn't right. I'm not sensing anyone."
"That's not right. No one is crazy enough to go after you alone," Argent said.
'Unless they're really confident in their trap,' Nimueh suggested.
BOOM
Jaune looked to see a wave of the earth rushing towards them.
"Confident it is," Jaune said as he drifted and sped away from the oncoming mud wave.
Jaune revved the bike faster until he saw he was riding toward a massive tree. It was too big for him to drive around and he was going too fast to just stop and ride before the wave reached him. So, he decided to just deal with the oncoming mud wall.
After skidding to a stop, Jaune gathered wind and lightning magic in his hand before blasting a laser at it, eradicating the wall.
Jaune then removed his helmet before glancing towards his upper right, catching a fist. The impact of the fist meeting palm created a loud boom that blew away leaves, sticks, rocks, and dirt.
"HEY, THERE, POPS!"
"Loz." Jaune threw the younger man away, the youth laughing before he landed on his feet, skidding away before looking up with a smirk. "So it was Yazoo who shot at me. Wait, that can't be right. Not even he should be that good of a shot. Not without a sniper rifle."
Loz chuckled. "Sorry, pops, but Yazoo isn't about to cheat on his Velvet Nightmares."
"Then how the hell did he make that shot? More important than that, where's Kadaj?"
"More important?" Jaune's eyes widened when he heard Kadaj's voice behind him. "So you do care about us, father."
Jaune looked towards the voice, Kadaj's sword Souba about to slash his face. The double-bladed sword was stopped by Argent's shield, but Jaune was too shocked to realize that. 'How? How did he get behind me?'
"Sorry, little brother," Kadaj said as he grabbed Argent by the face. "But this is between your big brother and father," he said before throwing Argent away like the child weighed as much as a pebble.
Kadaj smirked when he saw Argent slam against a tree with a cough and a groan, but that smile quickly went away when a fist smashed into his face, sending him bouncing across the forest before landing on his feet with a skid. He looked up with a smirk, his Aura flickering just a bit as he looked at the angered hero.
"Never. Touch. My son," Jaune said as he drew Nimueh.
"Oh, so scary," Kadaj said as he stood up.
Argent growled towards Kadaj as he got up, ready to charge toward the man, sword in hand.
"Hold on there, little brother." Argent jumped out of the way of Loz's punch, the attack causing a massive crater. When Argent landed, he immediately took his stance. "Let our old man and older brother talk. You and I need some good ol' family bonding," he said as he cracked his knuckles.
Jaune glared behind him, wanting to tear Loz in half for even looking at his son.
"Are you sure you should be looking away, father?"
Jaune's eyes widened again when he realized Kadaj was in close proximity to him, the boy about to stab him. Jaune parried the attack and proceeded to duel the younger man before they clashed, the two face-to-face.
"What is this? You weren't nearly this fast before."
"Paying attention to my growth? You are such a carrying father."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
Jaune then ended the clash, the two proceeding to duel once more before Jaune energized Nimueh. He then swung down his sword, preparing to shatter Kadaj's sword.
He didn't see Kadaj's smirk.
When the swords clashed, it caused an explosion, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt. When it cleared, Jaune's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible."
Kadaj's sword was intact.
"Surprise," Kadaj snickered.
"But... nothing should be able to handle Nimueh. I charged her with enough Aura to cut through a New Mantle airship like butter. How is your sword not-" Jaune then notices its glow.
After concentrating and sensing what was causing the glow, he glared in anger. "Magic."