A/N: It feels like it's been a while since I got to respond to any reviews. It's nice to talk to your readers.
Guest- Yes and No. Jaune was alone for years dealing with the guilt of having to mercy kill Penny.
Main difference between him and Ironwood is that Ironwood's semblance makes him stupid. Jaune on the other hand, he has mentioned and opened up that he's been having problems due to being alone for so long. He'll be able to get the help he needs meanwhile Ironwood never got any help which led to his downfall
So basically, Ironwood's own Semblance screwed him over. Add salt to the wounds, and you realize that pretty much NO ONE tried to help him. I bet it felt like no one was on his side the entire time. . . Which when you think about it, is technically true. The number of times RWBY went behind his back. I can't blame him for being paranoid with "allies" like that. Even his Ace Ops barely tried to help him. He was literally betrayed by Winter and Marrow, after all. The man needed help, but there was no help to be found. Wow, I feel even worse than I already felt for him before.
Guest- Yup rooster teeth hates strong male characters..yet Suck at writing female characters
I'm honestly not surprised that did Jaume dirty. Lol.. Woke trash
The eternal paradox. Wanna know something funny? To me, it feels like they set up Jaune and Jaune alone to be the only one to save Ruby and Neo. He's a broken man, yes, but he's the only one who could truly understand those two BECAUSE of his state.
Blake and Yang? PLEASE! They're only there to satisfy the shippers. Yang especially failed. Protective older sister, my ass! Honestly, I never felt a sisterly bond between those two. Jaune has always felt more like family to Ruby than Yang ever did. Yang's just... there... mostly for Blake.
Weiss? Not the best of partners, to be honest. Never did understand why people love White Rose so much. I'm pretty sure Weiss is just around for ship baiting and memes. Oh, and support. Not emotional, but combat. Glyphs, summons, and sometimes to grab your weapon for ya. I think it was Adel Aka who said she carried Jaune in the fight against the Jabberwocks. I wouldn't really say that. Honestly, we didn't really get to see him fight at all. It felt more like Bumblebee fighting with Weiss's summons and Dust doing the heavy lifting. Not once did it look like Jaune needed to be saved. Ruby? She ABSOLUTELY needed to be saved. Why weren't you with your partner, Weiss?
Little? . . . *sniffle* L-Let's not talk about Little.
But yeah, woke garbage though it may be, they did set up Jaune to be the hero that saves the girl. Will they screw it up? Oh, hell yeah. But let's enjoy the trainwreck, shall we? KABOOM!
Ilia was taking countless pictures of the new oasis. She took a picture of Jaune filling up a canteen with fresh water, a picture of Trifa scooping up water with her hands and drinking the clean water, and a picture of Yuma splashing the water on his face. She even took a picture of the Devil Dragons just sitting around the oasis.
She went a step further by recording a video of the large lizards, even walking up to one and rubbing its neck. She thought it was cute when the Grimm laid its head on the ground, purring as Ilia began to rub its head. She was also lucky enough to catch a Devil Dragon scaring off a notoriously poisonous Menagerian Gila Monster. Ilia would rather not risk one of the most poisonous animals in Menagerie contaminating the water.
Even though a Devil Dragon's bite is poisonous, it doesn't spread, so there are no worries about the lizards contaminating the oasis, which is why Ilia had no qualms with recording the Grimm lazily soaking or swimming in the water. It was actually a strangely cute and wholesome sight. Something about Grimm just living peacefully and not trying to kill you was oddly therapeutic.
"So many people are going to lose their minds at the sight of this," Ilia said. "Jaune, you have no idea how much you've improved life on this island."
"Might not be the last time," Jaune said. "There are other areas where Devil Dragons were spotted, right?"
"Yeah," Yuma answered. "But they're all pretty far out. Spread miles... apart. No way."
"You mean... the Devil Dragons found potential oases," Trifa asked.
"The infestation of Devil Dragons," Ilia went. "They weren't just attracted to the negativity of the Faunus. They were attracted to the water in the desert," she said as she looked out towards the sea of sand. "Yuma, how many Devil Dragon Banks are left?"
"Just three more," he said as he took out the map, everyone crowding around him. "Here, here, and here."
"If there really are oases there... then all of Menagerie will become habitable," Ilia said with wide eyes.
"The entire island... could become a new kingdom," Yuma said with equally wide eyes.
Trifa wiped away a stray tear. "It's as if the White Fang's wish was finally granted."
Ilia giggled. "Kinda ironic that it's all thanks to a human," she said as they all looked at Jaune.
"Well, don't start praising me yet. Menagerie has some pretty badass monsters, and I'm not just talking about Grimm."
"Hey, we can handle Dune Iguanas just fine, hero," Yuma chuckled.
"As for Storm Riders, we might need to call you for that," Trifa said.
"Hey, we can handle giant spinning geckos just fine, Trifa," Ilia said in annoyance.
"What about Sand Daimonos," Jaune asked.
"Oh, that, I'd want to hunt personally," Yuma went. "I've only gotten to eat those things once in my life, and I've never had meat like that since."
"Maybe it will be easier to hunt those things with the oases," Ilia suggested. "They are said to make their habitats near water, and most fresh waters were theorized to be buried deep under the desert. They only ever come up to eat cacti, which is also a rare delicacy around here."
"So the more of these springs I dig up, the more delicacies we might find," Jaune asked.
"Exactly," Ilia said. "But for now, I suggest we return back to Kuo Kuana. Give our report to the chief and get some rest and better equipment before venturing deeper into the desert."
"That idea has my vote," Jaune said. "Any objections?"
"None from me," Yuma said.
"I think we've done more than enough for today," Trifa said.
"Alright, mission compl-" Jaune was interrupted by a rumbling. "What the-"
Jaune was interrupted when something burst from beneath him with a roar, sending him flying into the air. Before he even had a chance to recover, it slammed its tail into him, sending him crashing into the mountain, and Jaune getting buried beneath the rock. The fact that a rock slide occurred only made it worse, burying Jaune even deeper into the stone. The massive, three-horned monster roared in satisfaction before looking down at the Faunus.
"A Sand Daimonos. Of course," Ilia said as she took out her Lightning Lash.
"Thing's even bigger than the rumors said," Yuma said as he prepared to fly.
"It really does look like the Demon Lord of the Desert," Trifa said as she held her arms up, looking ready to shoot webbing.
The beast was at least five meters tall, towering over the Faunus. Its two horns looked like they could pierce through a New Mantle tank, the horn on its nose was probably only used for extra damage if the larger two pierced deep enough. The Faunus then noticed the creature's tusks, not nearly as big as the horns but still intimidating.
The beast had large, muscular wings covered in sand, letting the Faunus know why it was so fast under the sand. At the end of its tail might as well be a spiny club that looked too much like a double-edged ax. Even its head looked like a shield. The creature was a living weapon as the stories said.
"Think we can take it, boss," Yuma asked Ilia.
"At least until Jaune gets out."
"So pretty much survive until Jaune saves us. Sounds about right," Trifa said.
The Daimono was about to charge before it was surprised by a Devil Dragon pouncing on it, the Grimm biting its head. It roared in pain before charging into the mountain. When it slammed into it, the Devil Dragon flew off and smashed into the rock with a sickening snap. It fell onto the mountain, already fading away.
The Daimono groaned a bit before it vomited onto the rock, black ooze melting the stone away. It then roared in rage before turning to the Faunus.
"Did it just puke out Devil Dragon Venom," Yuma yelled.
"That's not good. If that thing pukes in the oasis, who knows how much water would be tainted," Ilia said.
"Meaning we shouldn't let the Devil Dragons help us?! Great! How are we supposed to tell them!? They look ready to help," Trifa yelled.
A roar was heard within the rocks, the Faunus looking towards it before noticing the Devil Dragon's retreating, some climbing up to dig away at the rocks.
"Jaune," Ilia went with a smile.
The Daimono roared before slamming its tail against the mountain, more rocks crashing down and crushing the Devil Dragons while burying Jaune even further.
"Dammit. Of course, this thing wouldn't make it easy," Yuma said.
"Alright, soldiers, we don't have time to whine and complain. We have a monster to fight," Ilia said as she and the other two took their stances.
The Daimono roared at them as if accepting their challenge.
Yuma extended his wings and took to the sky, flying around the Daimono to search for a weakness. "ILIA, THIS THING LOOKS LIKE A GIANT TANK! I'M NOT SEEING IN CHINKS IN ITS ARMOR!"
Ilia and Trifa were running around the monster, the creature growling as it wondered which to go after. Ilia then saw a risky opening. "TRIFA, BLIND IT! AIM FOR ITS EYES!"
"GOT IT!" Trifa then jumped and shot a ball of webbing at the Daimono's eye, covering it with a sticky web. It roared out in surprise, trying to scrape the webs off.
Ilia then ran towards the other eye and tried to whip it out.
The Daimono saw the rushing weapon and bit the tip.
Ilia smirked anyway, activating her whip.
The Daimono's eye shot open as it was being shocked. It was undoubtedly feeling pain, but it then glared at Ilia.
"Uh-oh," she went.
The creature then swung her around, slamming her into Trifa. It then looked up to see Yuma diving toward it.
"Eagle God Style, Third Talon," he said to himself, concentrating on his next move, his wings stiffening.
However, before he could reach the beast, it roared at him. It felt like he slammed into a wall, spinning in midair now, losing complete control of his flight. The Daimono then used its club of a tail to slam Yuma into the sand.
"YUMA," Trifa yelled in concern before webbing the Daimono's wing onto its tail, catching the creature's attention. It tried to yank its wing free, only to roar in frustration as Trifa added more webs to the mix. It got so annoyed that it accidentally fell onto its side, kicking up sand as it struggled to free itself.
Ilia ran up to Yuma, checking if he was alright. She was amazed when he sat up with a groan. "That should have killed me. This Aura stuff is amazing."
Ilia's eyes widened before she took out her scroll. "We might not be able to rely on it for much longer. You're in the red. One more hit and it's gone."
"And a hit after that will kill me if the second one doesn't do it already." He then looked at the rock pile. "We need Jaune."
Ilia looked at the rocks before hearing the aggravated growling of the Daimono. She looked towards it, her eyes lighting up. "Maybe not."
Yuma looked to see Trifa covering the creature in her webs. He smirked. "And that's why I'm in love with that woman."
"I heard that," Trifa yelled before webbing the monster's other eye. "Maybe we didn't need the hero after-"
The Daimono then gave the same loud roar as before, making all the Faunus cover their ears. The roar was also loud enough to tear some of Trifa's webs. Not a lot, but enough to allow it to roll away.
Roll into the oasis.
"OH, CRAP," Trifa yelled. "YUMA, GET JAUNE! WATER WEAKENS MY WEBS!"
"WHAT?!"
The Daimono leaped out of the water, the force of its landing making the Faunus jump into the air. It swatted the airborne Trifa away like she was a baseball, the beauty slamming into a small sand dune, her Aura shattering.
"NO," Yuma yelled before flying towards the beast. He then stiffened his wing again and slashed one of the monster's eyes out, the creature crying out in pain as blood spewed from its eye socket. "HOW'D YA LIKE THAT?! THAT WAS THE EAGLE GOD STYLE'S WING BLADE!"
The monster then dug underground.
"DON'T RUN AWAY, YOU GIANT BITCH!"
"YUMA, IT'S NOT RUNNING," Ilia called, Yuma looking to see her with Trifa. "IT'S A TRAP!"
Yuma looked confused before he remembered the stories about the Daimono. "SHIT," he went as he tried to fly away.
Too late.
The Daimono lunged out from beneath Yuma with a roar, biting down on his foot. It then slammed Yuma onto the sand, treating him like a ragdoll before throwing him onto the mountain, his Aura shattering, the man coughing up blood. He looked up to see it preparing to charge.
"Well, I'm dead," he said as he stared at the monster, seeing in the corner of his eye Ilia desperately running toward him, the woman way too far to ever make it in time.
The Daimono roared as it charged. Yuma closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
Then, he heard what sounded like the Daimono shrieking in pain. He opened his eyes to see the giant monster... being lifted, its wings and legs flailing around desperately. He then looked down at its body to see that it was being lifted by the horn on its nose. Lifted by a woman with long, black hair flowing in the wind.
Nimueh then looked back at him. "Hello~," she went in a sing-song tone.
"How," Yuma asked before looking towards the rock slide. He saw that Jaune was freeing himself, his right side already free. The side he kept Nimueh on. Right now, he was punching the rock on him to dust.
Yuma chuckled. "You guys like to make dramatic entrances, don't you?"
"Guilty as charged," Nimueh said with a shrug and a sassy smile.
Her smile went away when the monster roared. She then glared at the monster. "That... was right in my ear." She then lightly tossed the monster, mostly dropping it, before high kicking it directly on the chin. The Faunus winced, actually hearing the monster's skull shatter. It flew high into the air before slamming heavily onto the ground with enough force to make the area quake, sand flying everywhere. When it cleared, Yuma was now staring at a beauty standing in front of a giant monster's corpse.
"You've gotta be kidding me. It took everything the three of us had to so much as take out that thing's eye... and you killed it with just a kick?"
"That's just plain insane," Ilia said as carried a limping Trifa over to the group, the Spider Faunus just as dumbfounded as her friend and boyfriend.
Jaune then landed next to the group. "That's my wife for ya."
Nimueh gave another sassy smile before she shrugged, giggling with pride.
Jaune was using his Semblance to heal Yuma and Trifa. He gave more to Yuma since he had the most damage, but both were amazed at how fast their Auras were healing them.
As this was happening, Ilia was taking photos of the Daimono. "I can't believe you took this thing out with one kick."
"You're surprised that the Spirit of Destruction took something out with one hit," Nimueh asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Okay, hearing you say it like that does make it sound stupid," Ilia said with a blush. "So, how are we going to get this to the village?"
"I'll just carry it," Jaune said as he finished healing Yuma, concentrating fully on Trifa.
"You can carry that thing," Yuma asked as he was doing stretches to loosen up his healed body. Jaune just held up a hand and made claws grow out. "Right. You can do whatever Grimm can do now. You realize that also just makes you a super-Faunus right?"
Jaune snickered. "That sounds so weird. Super Faunus."
"Would you rather we call you Super Human," Trifa asked with a teasing smile.
"It's bad enough people call me a superhero," Jaune said as he finished healing Trifa before walking over and easily lifting the Daimono with one hand.
"Wow," the Faunus went in unison.
"You JUST saw Nimueh do the same."
"Yeah, but she's a goddess," Yuma said.
"I'm actually a Spirit, but I see your point."
"Anyway, Yuma, can you carry Trifa," Jaune asked.
"Whoa," Trifa went after Yuma lifted her.
"You're carrying a three thousand pound rhino with wings by yourself. How bad would it look if I couldn't even carry a woman who weighs only ninety pounds?"
"D-Don't mention my weight," Trifa went with a blush.
"Okay, but how am I going to get over the mountain," Ilia asked. "Whoa!" She looked up and turned pink.
"Did you forget that I'm here," Nimueh asked as she looked down at the smaller woman.
Ilia was babbling. "Y-You're gonna c-c-carry me over the mountain?" Her eyes widened when she felt like she was rising. She looked down to see that Nimueh was levitating, Ilia's eyes popping out.
"I'm the Spirit of Destruction. We ALL can fly. Did you think just because I'm in a human body, I lost my powers," she asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
"Uh..."
Jaune and Yuma flapped their wings, everyone was now airborne.
"You might want to hold on, Ilia. Nim's a bit of a speed demon."
Ilia immediately wrapped her arms around Nimueh's neck.
"Oh. Enthusiastic, aren't we," Nimueh said. That made Ilia turn even pinker. The team then flew towards the mountain, leaving behind the new oasis and the Devil Dragons now protecting it.
Argent was having a blast running through Ao Ana's obstacle course. The swings, pits, and hazards kept him on his toes. The fact that he was in a race just made it better. He was up against Banzai, Uju, Nala, and the donkey boy he found out was named Hoki.
Argent had just passed Uju, pissing off the honey badger, before being neck and neck with Nala. Argent was keeping up with the most skilled Faunus in his class, and he wasn't even using his Semblance. It was just pure skill that allowed him to keep pace with the lioness. When he saw the finish line, he made a mistake.
He looked over at Nala.
The Lion Faunus looked over at him, looking as stoic as ever. However, she smiled at him, a smile that should have just been acknowledgment. But for Argent, it was something else.
It showed the boy how pretty his classmate was. Her beauty was enough to distract him enough to make him slam into a branch, making him fall on his back. Nala looked back at him before rushing toward the finish line.
Argent wasn't on the ground for long. He jumped back onto his feet and lept towards the goal right before Uju could even try to pass him. He made the Honey Badger even angrier when he ran past the finish line, not even half a minute after Nala got first place.
The ranks were Nala in first, Argent in second, Uju in third, Banzai in fourth, and finally Hoki in fifth.
Banzai was trying desperately not to laugh when he walked up to Argent but burst out laughing the moment he saw that the boy had a bruise on his head that his Aura barely healed away when Banzai walked up.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SMASHED INTO A BRANCH! I WAS LAUGHING SO HARD THAT I FELL TO THE GROUND! I MIGHT HAVE BEATEN UJU IF NOT FOR YOU!"
Uju growled at the laughing hyena, offended that he thought he was going to beat her. True, he was neck and neck with her and he did stop to laugh after Argent stupidly slammed his head onto a branch, but she knew she wouldn't have lost to the hyena.
Uju then looked at Nala, who had her back turned towards the class. If there was one person she hated more than the new human boy, it was that pompous lioness.
"That's enough laughing, Banzai." Everyone looked to see a beautiful Tiger Faunus walk up. She was a White Tiger Faunus, her eyes as blue as Menagerie's beautiful ocean, with snow-white hair, and strips on her body. She was the PE teacher of Ao Ana, as well as the daughter of the Tiger God.
"Sure thing, Ms. Nishi."
She then began to write in her notepad. "Hoki, you still haven't improved your speed."
"I know, Ms. Nishi."
"You're a Donkey Faunus. You have exceptional leg strength, but you're still not utilizing your gift properly. However, you did pass the strength test we did earlier. We may just forgo speed and cultivate your kicking power."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Banzai, you still haven't dealt with your laughing problem."
"I can't help it if this kid's a riot," he said as he pointed at Argent.
"Don't blame others for your shortcomings. If you dealt with that weakness, you'd be one of the fastest students in class."
"Mm," he shrugged.
"Uju, you're coming along nicely. You even shaved a few seconds off your record."
"Tch, a few seconds," she grumbled.
"As for you, Argent. Not bad. Not bad. Second-best record. Still, what was that?"
"Uuh," Argent looked down in embarrassment. "I... saw something cool?"
"More like hot," Banzai said under his breath with his hands behind his head, Argent elbowing him, making the Hyena snicker.
"Well, now we know you're easily distracted. We need to work on that. And finally, you, Nala, are excellent as always."
"Thank you, Ms. Nishi. Will you recommend me now?"
Nishi sighed. "I'll talk to my father."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Alright, that ends P.E. and school for the day. You're now dismi-" Nishi was interrupted when a shadow passed over her. She and the students looked up, trying to see past the palm trees, only to see another figure fly by. The final figure was so big that Nishi dropped her notepad. "What in the name of the God of Animals was that?"
"DAD," Argent went, everyone looking at him in shock. "WHAT THE HECK WAS HE CARRYING?!"
The Menagerian people were living their everyday lives before a shadow rushed past them. They all looked up, everyone's eyes widening. Some even dropped their items in shock and awe.
"There's not a lot of room," Jaune said.
"Well, you fixed that problem soon enough," Yuma said.
"Any ideas, Ilia," Nimueh asked. After no response, she looked down. "Ilia?" The woman was comfortably clinging onto Nimueh, cuddling against the Spirit's large breasts. "Oi."
"Huh," Ilia jumped.
"I feel like I need to remind you I'm married."
Ilia turned pink. "Ah. Well... I... A-Aaaah."
Nimueh giggled. "Just tell us where to land, sweetheart."
Ilia basically began to glow like a pink lamp before pointing behind the City Hall.
The team then landed. Yuma and Nimueh were of course the first to land, while Jaune had to slowly descend and carefully place the Daimono carcass down.
"What in the name of the God of Animals?!"
The five looked behind them to see the Gaurd Captain walk up, eyes wide, mouth opened enough to reveal his gerbil buck teeth. "I-Is that what I think it is?!"
"If you think it's a dead Daimono, then yeah, it is," Yuma said.
"No way," a guard went.
"The deadliest monster in the desert? That's the Sand Demon," another asked.
"It's huge!"
A Wolverine Faunus licked his lips, wiping the extra saliva off his mouth, his long claws visible as he did so. "Think they're as tasty as the rumors say?"
"Trust me, Howl, this guy's only the bonus prize," Yuma said.
"You're kidding, right, bub?"
"He's right," Trifa said. "We have much bigger news."
Ilia walked up and held up her scroll. "We found water in the desert."
That caused an uproar among the guards.
"BULLSHIT," a sabertooth Faunus roared, his fangs bared. "We've sent countless digger Faunus out there. After nearly dying, none of them found any water, and you're telling me you fools found it?!"
"Great to see you too, Creed," Ilia huffed. "Anyway, none of those Faunus had a sense for water location. We probably should have sent Serpent Faunus like Peela or Zilla."
"Why is that," Captain Saber asked.
"Because Jaune was the one who found the water," Yuma said as he pointed at the hero, the man looking over the Daimono before he looked back after hearing his name.
"THE HUMAN," Creed yelled. "YOU'RE TELLING ME THE HUMAN FOUND WATER?!"
"He's technically not human anymore, Creed," Trifa said. "Not that it matters."
"IT DOES MATTER! HUMANS HAVE BEEN A BANE TO US FOR LITERAL CENTURIES! THEY GAVE US A CRAP ISLAND, TREATED US LIKE SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS, LOOKED DOWN ON US, AND NOW YOU'RE SAYING A HUMAN IS WHAT ALLOWED MENAGERIE TO EXPAND!? I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT!"
"ENOUGH, CREED," Saber yet, making the Faunus growl at him.
"Lay off, bub."
He then growled at Howl. "You wanna say something, runt?"
"Yeah. That human did more in one day than you did in years. So lay off before I make you lay down."
"That a THREAT?!"
Howl growled at Creed before readying his claws as Creed roared at him, his fangs shining in the light, the two looking ready to fight.
"ENOUGH," Saber yelled, making the two back down. "Creed, go inside and cool down."
"But-"
"NOW."
Creed growled before glaring at Jaune, he was looking back at him with unimpressed eyes. He growled at the hero. "A fucking human." He turned and stormed away. "None of them were any good," he grumbled.
Jaune then looked back at the Daimono and saw a crack. He scratched at it before ripping the shell off. "Oops," he said.
"GODDAMN!" Jaune jumped before looking back at the salivating Howl. "NOW THAT'S MEAT!"
"It's almost completely marbled," Yuma went.
Trifa took a deep breath. "And that smell. I feel like I could eat it raw here and now."
While the other Faunus were staring at the quality of the meat, Saber had his eyes on the shell in Jaune's grasp.
"Officer Arc?"
"Wow, it's been a long time since anyone's called me tha-" Jaune shook his head. "I mean, sir?"
"Bring me that carapace in your hand."
Jaune raised an eyebrow before complying with the request.
When Saber took it, he examined the shell before he smirked. "Jaune Arc, if you were in the Guard, you'd get one hell of a promotion."
"Uh, it was actually my wife who killed it," he said pointing at Nimueh, he gave a peace sign.
"Then she'd be giving a lot of people orders right now with her new rank if she was one of us."
"Ooh," Nimueh went.
"You all just gave us brand new armor. Menagerie is in a lot of debt to you Arcs."
"Oh, well, it's nothing much, sir," Jaune went.
"Oh, it's something, bub," Howl said as he wrapped an arm around Jaune, yanking the much taller man to his level. "You're alright in my book. As far as I'm concerned, you're an official Menagerian. No wonder the Belladonnas like ya."
"MENAGERIE GUARD, TONIGHT, WE GIVE THIS ISLAND GREAT NEWS! AND AFTER THAT, WE FEAST," Saber roared.
That made the entire guard cheer.