A/N:
Surai98-Are going make a "RWBY reaction to King of Grimm" story?
Honestly, probably not.
SilentKnightFan-Eyyyy welcome back dude. Was excited when i saw an update. Cool chapter and it seems like the brotherhood? faunushood? etc, are making their move. Keep it up dude :)
Good to be back. Seems I get to update King of Grimm by quite a bit. I'm working on a Batman x Wonder Woman story, but it's nowhere NEAR complete. So, it's gonna be King of Grimm for a good long while! Whoo!
Trifa was on her back, knocked out before her eye twitched. She opened it, looking dazed before trying to get back up. But she felt weighed down. She looked down and saw exactly why and sighed. "You absolutely did this on purpose," she said to her boyfriend, his face buried in her breasts.
"I deny nor confirm nothing, nor do I regret anything," his muffled voice went in her chest.
"Why am I in love with you again?"
"No idea."
"That is the correct answer." She then looked around and found her other two teammates. "You comfy there, Ilia?"
She groaned as she pushed herself back up. "What are you talking about? The sand I'm on is oddly comfy, but that's just about it."
"That's not sand, babe," Trifa said.
Ilia raised an eyebrow before looking down, turning completely pink. She was officially straddling Jaune. He seemed knocked out. Ilia tried to discreetly get off of him, only to press down on his stomach, making him spit up water like a drinking fountain.
He coughed a bit before groaning and smacking his lips. "Sandy." He then looked and saw the blushing Ilia. "I'm going to pretend this never happened."
"Thank you," Ilia said before getting off of him, Jaune jumping to his feet when she did.
"Everyone alright," Jaune asked.
"Fine, boss," Trifa said. Yuma held up a thumb, still not taking his face off his girlfriend.
"You gonna get up anytime soon, Yuma," Jaune asked.
He held his thumb down this time. Trifa knocked on his head like she was knocking on a door. "Ow. Okay, okay," he said as he got up, only to lift Trifa in a Princess Carry.
She looked up at him with a deadpan expression before looking toward her leader. "This is acceptable."
"And people call me and Nimueh lovey-dovey."
"Hey," Ilia called. "The oasis is filled!"
The three joined her and looked at the pristine waters. Jaune knelt, scooped up some water, and tasted it. "Fresh, clean, and cool. A damn fine oasis," he said with a triumphant smile. "Mission accomplished," he said as he stood up, holding up a hand towards Ilia.
She grinned at him before giving him a high five.
Yuma smirked at his leader before looking at the oasis, his eyes widened. "What in the- HOW?!"
"Huh? What is it," Trifa asked her boyfriend.
"How are there already fish in the oasis?!"
"What," Ilia went as she looked at the waters, eyes widening.
Jaune was also shocked. "We just created this oasis. How are there already fi... Wait a minute. Is that a damned tuna fish?"
"No way. I see a sunfish swimming next to it," Trifa exclaimed.
"And... mackeral," Ilia went.
"I see some bass, too," Yuma said. "This oasis is full of sea fish. How?"
Jaune stared at the oasis before looking behind him to see the sparkling ocean. "The sea. The source of this oasis is direct seawater."
"But the water isn't salty at all," Ilia pointed out.
Jaune thought of it for a bit before looking down. He then scooped up some sand, letting it fall out of his hand. "Maybe the desert sand was absorbing the salt. We might even be standing above a salt mine. Could be a massive cavern beneath us filled with salt crystals and fish."
"You really think so," Ilia asked.
"That's my best guess."
"Who cares," Yuma went with a shrug. "All that matters is that we officially created Moana, a fisherman's paradise."
"Sounds like a nice tagline," Trifa said with a smile.
"I'm sure Blake will like it if we get more tuna fish," Jaune said.
"She would LOVE to have one of the first catches," Ilia said.
"Would she now," Jaune asked before reeling back his arm.
"Hm? Jaune? What are you up to," Ilia asked.
Jaune then shot his arm out toward the water at bullet speed, catching a tuna fish by its tail and yanking it out of the water in the blink of an eye, the fresh fish wriggling in his hand. "Heh, who knew Titanoboa could be used for fishing?"
"You used... the Snake God Style's most powerful technique... to catch a fish," Yuma asked.
"For Blake," Ilia asked.
"What are you, her boyfriend," Yuma asked.
Jaune jolted. "Trifa, requesting permission."
"Permission granted, only because it would be funny."
"What would be funny," Yuma asked. He was then smacked across the face with the tuna fish, falling face first into the sand, leg twitching.
"I was wrong," Trifa began. "That was hilarious."
"And Trifa?"
"Hm?"
"Could you please wrap this up for me," he asked as he held the large fish in front of her. Trifa shrugged before webbing up the valuable catch, Jaune sticking it to his back. "Alright, team, time to return home."
"Yes, sir," the girls went.
"Ow. Yeah, yeah," Yuma said as he got up, rubbing his cheek. He and Ilia then whistled, their Dragons running up to them. Yuma helped Trifa on their Dragon before jumping up behind her.
"Ew. You smell kinda fishy, babe," she teased.
"When we get home, our bed will be shattered."
"Ooh."
Ilia then jumped onto her Dragon, waiting before she realized Jaune wasn't getting on. She looked to see her leader still on the sand. "What's wrong?"
"Hm? You ready?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Good." Jaune then whistled, his Sand Shark appearing below his feet, Jaune holding onto its fin. "Let's head home!" Jaune then surfed the sand on the back of his Shark, the Devil Dragons racing after him.
Trifa looked at Ilia, seeing the look on her face, and decided to tease her friend. "Hey, Ilia! You're not disappointed about not being able to ride back with Jaune, are you?!"
"Trifa, I know Yuma is into bondage, and I swear to the God of Animals, I will lend him my Lightning Lash if you EVER say something that gross ever again!"
"Talk dirty to her, babe," Yuma said to Trifa, making the two laugh while Ilia turned an angry red.
Howl was inspecting the town, making sure everything was as close to perfect as possible.
"Dad!"
"Hm?" He looked behind him to see a beautiful young woman in her twenties. She had white hair, a bang that covered one eye, dark skin, and large black wings. She was slightly taller than Howl, had a supermodel physique, and a lean body of a fighter. "Hey, Kaha. Something wrong?"
"Just reporting in. My team's ready to settle at Moana. Is it ready yet?"
"Well, the superhero and his team aren't back yet, so I guess it's... ready," he said as he looked past his daughter. Kaha looked to see why her father did so.
The Devil Dragons were rushing towards the settlement, Jaune surfing in front of the two Grimm. When it got close enough, Jaune's Sand Shark jumped out of the sand and slid to a halt, Jaune jumping off and landing in front of the Menagerian Guard and his daughter. "Reporting in," Jaune went with a salute.
"Huh, nice entrance, bub. I take it you made a new oasis?"
"And apparently a fishing pond," Jaune said as he took the web pack off his back and held it in front of Howl and Kaha. Jaune then grew a claw and carefully opened the pack to reveal the still-living tuna.
"Is that a fresh tuna fish," Kaha asked in wonderment... with a tad bit of drool. She was an Albatross Faunus, after all. Fish was her favorite.
"Indeed, it is," Jaune said as he held his hand over the fish, using Fire and Ice Magic to create water to pour on the fish, helping it breathe and keep it fresh. "And there's plenty more where that came from in the oasis. Plus, it's practically right in front of the ocean. Moana is gonna be one hell of a port town."
"Dad, you HAVE to let me go and settle Moana," Kaha said in excitement.
Howl raised an eyebrow at his daughter before looking at Jaune. "Is it safe?"
"Safe as it can be," Jaune shrugged. "I Conquered a Great Sand Shark, which I'm pretty sure was the Alpha of that area."
"After you killed an Orochi, you mean," Ilia said as she and the others walked up to the three.
"After you WHAT," Howl yelled. "THERE'S A DAMNED OROCHI OUT THERE?!"
"Not anymore. I killed it."
Howl growled. "And how do I know there ain't any MORE S-Class Grimm out there," he growled out.
"Honestly... you don't. We don't even know if there are any close to this settlement. Howl, you know as well as I do that this entire mission is risky. We might be improving Menagerie Island, but we're also getting closer to other Grimm and wild beasts."
Howl snarled before he looked down in thought. "Dammit. I thought only Inai could do that."
"Do what," Jaune asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Convince my father," Kaha said with a sassy smile. "So, Dad, can my team go and settle the area?"
Howl looked at his daughter before looking at Jaune.
"If it makes you feel better, I can have this guy and the rest of its herd guard the settlement," Jaune said as he pointed at the Sand Shark, the Grimm tilting its head and trilling cutely.
"Aw. I think I like that idea," Kaha said as she walked up and scratched the Grimm's chin, making it give out a growling purr.
Howl sighed. "Fine. As long as you're on your guard 24/7."
"Dad, you're my teacher, along with mom, of course. You know I'll be on my guard. Besides, I inherited your sniffer," she said as she tapped her nose. "And like you always say-"
"The nose knows," the father and daughter said in unison.
"That's my girl. Oh, but Jauney, I'm also placing the safety of my girl in the flippers of your sharks. And trust me, bub, if anything happens to my little girl," he growled as he walked up to Jaune, holding up his fist in front of the hero's face.
"WHOA," Jaune went after three bone claws shot out from between Howl's knuckles, the hero instinctively holding up his hands in surrender.
"I'll show you how I became known as one of the best Guards in the whole damn country. And the way I did it wasn't very nice."
"There's no way THAT'S your Semblance."
"You're right. It ain't. It's a mutation. A damn useful one, too."
"Uh, does it hurt when they pop out?"
"A little, but nothing compared to the pain you feel if anything happens to my Kaha. Got it, bub?"
"Uh. Yeah."
Kaha sighed before she held a finger near Howl's ear and zapped it.
"OW," he went after jumping away in surprise, holding his ear.
"I feel like I need to remind you I'm twenty-seven."
"But darlin'-"
"No buts! Sorry for my dad's behavior, Mr. Arc."
"It's just Jaune. Anyway, it's no worries. I'd probably get that way around my own daughter if I had one."
Anita, with a drink in her hand, who was relaxing at the poolside of a five-star hotel, and young Taria, who was playing with her Semblance summoned wolf, sneezed.
Jaune, on the other hand, shuttered. 'Why do I feel like that comment's gonna bite me in the ass in the future?'
"Well, thanks for being understanding." Kaha looked up. "Wish we could leave now, but we're more equipped for day travel instead of night. Guess we'll be here a day longer," she shrugged.
"We won't be," Yuma said. "Got to report to the big guy, ya know?"
"Please, I have to give this to Blake," Jaune said as he resealed the web pack by just squeezing the webs back together.
"That's for Blake? What are you, her boyfriend," Howl asked.
Jaune looked up with a twitching eyebrow. "Kaha, requesting permission," he said as he reopened and took out the fish.
"Mm, sure. I'm sure it could be funny."
"Oh, no. It's hilarious," Trifa reassured.
"Alright. Then permission definitely granted," she said with a smile.
"Permission for what," Howl asked. Then, he got smacked in the face by Jaune's fish, the man falling face first into the ground.
Everyone but Jaune and Howl laughed.
"It's way funnier when it happens to someone else," Yuma laughed.
"I'll get you for that one day, bub. Also, Kaha, I'm gonna get you too, sweetheart. When you least expect it, darlin'."
"Worth it," she snickered out.
Jaune then took out his wallet and held out some lien. "Enough for a full keg."
"Apology accepted AND appreciated," Howl said as he swiped the lien from Jaune. ''Course I like to smoke more than I like to drink,' Howl thought to himself.
The group walked towards the mountain, Howl and Kaha following them.
"You know, you can spend the night here," Howl said.
"It's just a quick flight over the mountain. We've done it plenty of times," Yuma said.
"Besides, this one loves it," Jaune said as he pointed a thumb at Ilia, earning a punch to the shoulder from her.
"Ah, whatever," Howl shrugged before looking at the mountain. "Still, what was probably a few minutes for you was freakin' hours for us. We should probably tunnel our way through this bastard. Dragging supplies over this ain't easy, and we don't exactly have a flock of Winged Faunus with super strength."
"Mm, good point," Jaune said. "I'll talk to Ghira. Maybe we can figure something out."
"You do that," Howl said.
"Now then, shall we," Jaune said as he held his hand out to Ilia. Ilia sighed as she rolled her eyes, reaching for Jaune's hand.
Jaune then glanced at the mountain, his hearing catching something. He then grabbed Ilia and brought her into what looked like a hug.
"WHA!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING," Ilia screamed out in surprise and embarrassment.
"YUMA," Jaune called. He didn't hesitate to grab Trifa and shield the two with his wigs just as Jaune did. Howl jumped in front of Kaha, readying his claws to protect his little girl, only for her to shield both of them with her wings.
BOOM
"YEAAAAAAAAAH!" The wings then opened up, everyone seeing a huge Rhino Faunus flexing his muscles. "NO ONE CAN STOP THE JUGGERNAUT! WHOO!"
"LAEHOA?!"
"Huh? Oh, Howl. What's up, punk," Laehoa asked as he flexed and admired his own bicep.
"Of course, it'd be that muscle-brained moron," Yuma said as he relaxed his wings, still hugging Trifa.
"Who's that," Jaune asked as he retracted his wings.
"A notorious idiot. He's one of the physically strongest Faunus on the island, but also the dumbest," Ilia explained. "Speaking of idiots, how long do you plan on holding me," she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jaune looked down to see that he was indeed still protectively holding onto Ilia, his hands on her slender shoulders. "Sorry." Ilia looked away, her skin turning an angry red. However, her patches had... pink on them.
Howl pushed past Kaha's wings before pointing his claws at Laehoa. "YOU BRAINDEAD JACKASS! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING?!"
"Makin' a tunnel," he said as he pointed a thumb with his free hand. Everyone looked behind him.
"Damn, that's sloppy," Jaune said.
"Hey, the council wanted a hole. They didn't say it had to be a good lookin' hole."
"Well, guess I don't need to talk to Ghira about making a tunnel," Jaune said with a sweat drop.
"Uh, you can fix this, right boss," Yuma asked.
"I... I think."
"You think," Trifa asked.
"Look, magic isn't my specialty. I can easily make things go boom, but using it to work? I'm a Huntsman, not a wizard."
"Well, obviously. You've slept with too many women to become a wizard," Yuma joked.
"Dude, seriously? That old ScrollNet legend?"
"Jaune, can I borrow your tuna," Trifa asked. Jaune immediately held it out to her.
"OH, CRAP," Yuma yelled as he ran from his girlfriend.
"GET BACK HERE," Trifa yelled as she held the fish above her head.
"So, think you can improve this," Ilia asked.
Jaune thought about it before an idea popped into his head. "This goes straightforward, right?"
"DAMN RIGHT! NOTHING GETS IN THE WAY OF THE JUGGERNAUT," Laehoa said with a pose.
"Alright," Jaune said as he stood in front of the hole. "Stand back, everyone."
Ilia immediately started to push Howl away, not wanting to get in her leader's way. She didn't care about Laehoa, though.
Jaune then knelt, taking a runner's stance. Then, he ignited himself. The fire around him became hotter and stronger before Jaune looked like a fireball. Then, Jaune looked up, eyes glowing with a smirk on his face. He then shot out like a bullet. In just a second, he was skidding to a halt right at the exit of the hole. Stone was melting as the hole was expanding. Jaune then repeated the process, skidding past the exit, the hole even bigger.
Ilia, Howl, and Kaha were amazed, while Laehoa was still admiring himself.
Jaune continued to repeat the process, going faster and faster until he stopped when the hole became large enough to fit a Schnee train. Jaune then turned towards the smoldering hole, took a deep breath, and blew icy wind into it, freezing the molten stone. It was now a beautifully glistening cave of ice.
"Phew. And now I let Menagerie's tropical weather finish the job."
Ilia blinked. "That... was amazing."
Faunus were already gathering at the tunnel, curious as to what that fire was. Everyone was amazed by the tunnel, people already taking out their scrolls to record and take pictures of the scene.
"You'd better join them, Ilia. This won't last for long," Jaune suggested.
"Uh, yeah," she said as she took out her scroll and ran into the tunnel.
"And settling the entire island just became that much easier," Howl said.
"Good to know. I think I made the road smooth enough to drive through without any bumps."
"Drive?" Jaune looked at Howl. "You make it sound like we have cars," he chuckled.
"Y-You don't?"
Howl sighed. "Hero, before you came along, Menagerie was the size of a large village. There was no room for cars. We don't even have carriages. We literally had to drag and carry the supplies for THIS settlement. And I say again, we don't even have carriages."
"Wait, are you planning on traveling the desert with caravans?"
Howl shrugged. "We got plenty of Camel Faunus. And that jackass," he said as he pointed at Laehoa. "We can handle it."
Jaune sighed before he thought of something. "Wait. Settling Moana might be difficult, but the others shouldn't be."
"Huh?"
"What if I could get Menagerie some cars? Dune buggies? Desert vehicles that make traveling the desert a cakewalk? Maybe even some roads between settlements?"
"That yer magic talkin', bub," Howl asked with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow.
"No. That's my time as a Huntsman talking," Jaune said as he took out his scroll. "I have a friend. Someone who might be able to help."
Howl stared at Jaune before shrugging. "Ya haven't done us wrong yet, bub."
Jaune smiled at Howl's trust before looking at his scroll nervously. "Hope I won't start now." Jaune then scrolled down his contacts list before finding the name he was looking for:
Rain.
In the northernmost part of Sanus, right below Vytal Island, in the perfect area to be near both Anima and Solitas stood two buildings, a massive factory and a skyscraper next to it. Oddly enough, these buildings weren't in a kingdom or village. They were alone, but that didn't matter.
This was the site of the Mustang Motor Company or MMC.
The CEO of the company wasn't that big on long commutes, so she had her complex built right next door to the factory. Inside the building stayed nearly all of her employees on the higher floors of the incredibly tall building. Each floor below had different stores, restaurants, and recreation facilities. One of the floors even had a state-of-the-art hospital wing.
The CEO was no fool. She wanted to pretty much bribe her employees to stay in her building so they could be close to work. She had it designed to accommodate families, hold the necessities for comfortable living, and as mentioned before had plenty of reasons to make people want to stay. All the while, making her richer, since she owned everything and her employees were basically paying HER to live this comfortable life and work for one of the greatest companies in the world.
And the best part... they were absolutely fine with it. Actually, some of them didn't even realize they were paying their boss.
The CEO herself lived in the skyscraper, of course at the very top of the building. The penthouse was magnificent. The living room alone was big enough to host a ballroom party. Everything was state of the art, from the refrigerator to the toilet. It looked like the type of room even a king would kill for.
And in this kingly room slept the queen of the company.
On a massive king-sized bed slept an incredibly beautiful woman, wearing nothing more than a pair of black panties and a black crop top. She had beautiful long legs, elegantly slim arms, a lean physique, and a pair of naturally large and perky breasts. She had long pale blond hair that reached down to her waist, fair skin, the sleeping face of a goddess of beauty... and a pair of tanned horse ears on the top of her head.
Indeed. This beautiful woman was a Horse Faunus and is also undoubtedly the wealthiest Faunus in the world due to her successful car company. She supplies Remnant with some of the best cars available and affordable to most since the famous hovercars of New Mantle were still too expensive for most middle-class people. Nearly every car in Remnant has a stallion on it, the symbol of MMC. She has even done business with the Schnee Dust Company itself, supplying them with the necessary materials needed to strengthen their already impressive armored police vehicles. In many ways, she is Weiss's equal in the business world. Some say she is even better.
As the beautiful Faunus slept, her scroll on the pillow next to her began to ring. The beauty opened her eyes sleepily, revealing beautiful crystal blue eyes. The beauty sat up, revealing her incredible height, pulling up one of her long legs to lean on as she yawned. She looked at her clock to see the time.
"Eleven-thirty at night?" Jaune was two hours behind her. "I'm not scheduled any calls until tomorrow morning," the beauty yawned as she looked at her scroll.
Her eyes widened. "Oh? Ooooh! Oh, my, my," she went happily as she crossed her leg over the raised one before lying back down on her bed. She then answered the call, her leg sensually swinging over her knee. "My, my, it has been quite some time, dear stallion."
Jaune sighed over the phone. 'It's been a long time since I've heard that.'
"Come now. It hasn't been that long."
'You dumped me eleven years ago.'
"Oh. Hm. Doesn't seem that long."
'Well, looking at your empire, time must have flown for you.'
"Hm? Is that jealousy I detect?"
'Uh...'
"Jaune... are you jealous of my career," she asked with a teasing smile, tempted to make it into a video call to see the look on Jaune's face.
'Well, in my defense, you broke up with me to focus more on it. You said, and I quote, 'I'm too in love with you to focus on my business, so let's end things here before we regret it later.' Might have been easier to accept if you didn't kiss me before walking away.'
"Ooh, you sound so hurt. I'm sorry, Jaune. Still, it seemed to have been the right decision, my dear Vale Knight."
'Yeah, well, it's not like you're the first girl to dump me for their career. Glynda, Murua, Winter, then you. 'Course, Winter stung the most since she chose both her career AND another man.' Jaune then sighed heavily. 'I have terrible luck with women.'
"Mm, so it would seem. So, Stallion, what did you call me for?"
'About that, I think you might like it.'
"That's for me to decide, Jauney," she said as she began to twirl her hair around her finger.
'I'd like to make a business deal with you, Rain.'
Rain stopped twirling her hair, even stopping her foot in mid-swing. She was quiet and still for a bit before a large smile formed on her face. She then sat up, hopped off her bed, and walked towards her penthouse window to look out at the moonlit landscape. "The mighty Vale Knight, the Unofficial Valerian Councilman, and the Greatest Huntsman in the world wants to make a deal with Rain Mustang? You were right, lover. I DO like it. Keep talking."
'I'm in Menagerie.'
"Oh, so that article wasn't a hoax after all, was it?"
'Article? Wait, is the reporter's name Amanda Lavender?'
"It is."
'How did she-?! Ah, whatever. Look, I've already helped the Faunus create two new settlements, but they're too far from each other for safe travel with a cart. Well, these two should be fine, but it's the other three planned settlements I'm worried about. Besides, vehicles would be incredibly convenient along with well-made roads once all of Menagerie is colonized. I'm wondering if we could work out a deal to have MMC assist in this endeavor.'
Rain was quiet for a bit. "Hm. Jauney, you do know I'm not a native of Menagerie, right? I'm Mistrilian."
'That doesn't matter. You may not have been born on this island, but the Faunus call it home. You'd be vastly improving life on this island. Please, can't we work something out?'
Rain took a moment to think. "Actually, helping out Menagerie has many benefits."
'Then you'll-'
"Don't get too excited, Stallion. I'm a very busy woman, you know. At the very most, I can open up my schedule for next week to have a meeting with Chief Ghira and have a proper conversation about this."
'So, you're coming to the island in a week?'
"No, no. Like I said, busy woman. I can have a video call meeting with him is what I'm saying."
'I can make that happen! Besides, Menagerie isn't quite ready. This might help us out.'
"Don't get too excited, Jauney. It's just a meeting."
'It's still a great first step. Thank you, Rain! Love you! Bye!' He hung up.
Rain looked at her scroll with a raised eyebrow before shaking her head with a giggle. "I love you, he said." She sighed. "You haven't changed a bit, Jaune." She looked up at the moon, her crystal blue eyes sparkling. "Still the only stud I've ever loved."
A/N: This is another omake. Another What if like with Prof. Xavier in Ch. 82. You all saw what it would have been like if the ol' Tortoise Faunus was still alive. Now you'll see what it would have been like if Ol' Magnus A.K.A. Magneto was still alive:
Nala was walking back to her home on the outskirts of Menagerie. She walked past many Taurus Era White Fang members, many of them drunk, others fighting. She even jumped in time to avoid a Faunus being thrown out of one of Misty's newly repaired windows.
"DAMMIT, CREED," she roared, but Nala just kept walking.
"Hey, Nala." She looked back at the bar to see her older brother, leaning out the window. "How was school?"
"Better than your time at the bar, Kala," she said before walking away. "Didn't father tell you to get a decent job," she yelled back.
"Being a bouncer for Misty is a good job," he called back.
"BOUNCER MY ASS," Misty yelled, making Kala wince.
Nala rolled her eyes before walking through the shady "neighborhood".
She then left the area, walking through a serene path of trees and some plants before finally finding her house, one of the only metal huts on the entire island. It may only have been a third of the size of the Belladonna Estate, but it was still an impressive and beautiful abode. It looked like a farmhouse, two stories tall, about half an acre, and with a good amount of windows. It was also surrounded by plants and flowers, making the house look even nicer.
Nala was about to walk to her house before looking at a specific tree, walking over to it, and smiling. "Hello, mother. I'm back from school," she said to a well-kept grave. "I have something interesting to say, for once. Though, maybe it should be a secret between you and me. I doubt Father would approve."
"That is for me to decide."
Nala jumped before looking behind her. When she saw a grey shirt, she looked up to see an aged Lion Faunus, his hair completely grey, mane combed back, and dark blue eyes looking down at her in a judgmental way.
"F-Father. I-I'm home."
"Welcome home, my daughter. Pray tell, why are you filled with such fear? Are you not a lioness?"
"I'm... honestly a bit frightened of you at the moment."
"Why ever for, my child?"
"Well... I... lost."
Magnus was quiet for a bit before raising an eyebrow. "Is that all? My dear, defeat is nothing to be ashamed of, let alone something to fear from me. All I wish is for you to learn from your defeat so that you can improve. Still, I must say, it is impressive for anyone to best you."
"I mean, it's the first time I've ever lost to anyone, let alone a classmate," she said as she looked down, twiddling her fingers.
"Nala, your hands."
"Oh. of course," she said as she hid her hands behind her back to stop her habit.
"So, a classmate finally bested you at something. Am I correct to assume it was Creed's daughter?"
"N-No, sir."
"No? That is surprising. I had always believed that girl would be the one to have you taste defeat for the first time. I can't think of any other who could have accomplished the feat."
"I-It was that boy... Argent Arc."
It was quiet again. This time, the silence was long and uncomfortable.
"I know that name. Arc is the name... of the Humans' Champion. Jaune Arc. Am I correct to assume that his offspring was the one who bested you?"
"Y-Ye-"
"Nala, look into my eyes as we speak."
Nala jolted. She then began to shake. She then slowly looked up. When she did, her eyes widened in fear.
Her father's eyes were cold, judgmental, and wrathful. He was furious. A calm fury, but a fury all the same.
"Now, answer me again, girl: Did you... lose... to a human?"
Nala was shaking before she swallowed. "I... I did."
Magnus stared at his daughter before sighing. "How disappointing. Tell me, how could a Faunus be bested by a mere human?"
"I-It was in Lady Kai's class. Lung capacity and swimming speed."
"Mm, that explains things." Nala's eyes became hopeful. "You are a master of the land as you are now. And once you truly master your Semblance..." Magnus began to float, Nala looking at the iron gauntlets and the steel boots her father wore. "The sky will be yours as well."
"Yes, father," she bowed respectively.
Magnus landed and walked away until he stopped. "I sense concern in you, Nala." She jolted. "Is there something else you wish to say," he asked as he turned to her.
Nala was still bent over in her bow before standing back up, looking down in shame and fear. "I... I think... I think he had a chance to beat me sooner. . . In an obstacle course race."
The uncomfortable silence returned until the next word was given out in the calmest yet coldest tone:
"What?"
Magnus took a deep breath to calm himself before looking down at Nala sternly. "Tell me, child, why do you believe a human could have beaten you in a test of speed?"
Nala wanted to keep looking down, but she, unfortunately, wore a necklace made of iron and steel... something her father taught her to make for her to gain more control over her Semblance. Sadly, one of her favorite mementos was used to make her look up at her father.
Tears welled as she swallowed hard. "H-He was the only one who kept up with me."
"Are you saying you both outran an entire class of Faunus, including Creed's daughter?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
"That does not explain why you believe he could have overtaken you."
"H-He ran into a low b-branch. He was distracted when I... when I..."
"When you?"
"When I... smiled at him."
Magnus raised an eyebrow. "He was so stricken by fear of your fangs that he ran into wood?"
"I... I never bore my fangs at him," she said as she subconsciously covered her mouth.
"You... SMILED... at a human?"
"Father, please understand. I had a challenge for once! Someone was actually giving me competition! I was able to show my talents for once!"
"Talents shown to a mere human!"
"Father, even after I... 'distracted' him, he still came in second! He jumped back up and kept after me! He's the first person I've ever considered a rival!"
"A RIVAL?! A MERE HUMAN?!"
"A HUMAN WHO HAS A FAUNUS FOR AN AUNT!"
"DO NOT BRING UP BLAKE BELLADONNA! SHE IS A TRAITOR TO HER OWN KIND! The only solace I can take is that a human will not breed her and that she adopted a Faunus child."
"And Argent is loved by those Faunus, father. Chief Ghira and Lady Kali love him as if he were their own grandchild."
"A foolish mistake on their part. It's almost as if they forget how much humanity persecutes us even to this day."
"Please, father. Give Argent a chance. His father is practically one of us."
Magnus's brow furrowed. "Practically one of us?"
Nala felt like she overstepped. "H-He's able to manipulate his body now. Grew claws and wings and a tail. He's even studied under two of the Beast Gods. I heard rumors that he's already considered a Beast God for the Wolf and Snake styles. He's already accepted by the chief and his wife. In fact, most of Menagerie loves him for what he has done so far. As I said, thanks to his new body, he's virtually a Faunus."
"Virtually a Faunus." Nala stiffened and looked down, bracing herself for her father's cruel words, or worse, one of his rare strikes.
But nothing came.
She looked to see her father contemplating. "Virtually one of us. Yes. In many ways, he could be like us. And if the Greatest Human can become Faunus..."
"F-Father?"
Magnus sighed. "No. He is not one of us. He has not suffered the same prejudice as us."
"But father, must he suffer in order for us to accept him?"
"Tell me, has anyone rejected him after he lost his humanity?"
"Huh?"
"Has he ever been ostracized? Looked down on? Despised or rejected?"
"I... I don't know."
"There is much you do not, my beloved daughter. You still have much to learn. This conversation is at an end. Go to your room and think properly on our words and do not come down until supper is prepared. Am I clear?"
"Y-Yes, sir," she said while looking down. "A-Actually, father... could I... prepare supper?"
"May I ask why?"
"I... feel like I'll be able to calm myself better and think properly if I cook. It's one of the few activities that allow me to come to my senses. It helps me relax."
"I see. I suppose it would... since it most likely reminds you of your time with your mother." Nala's eyes widened, a single tear falling at the memory of her mother. Life was so much happier when she was alive. Her father was much more loving and kind when she was around. When her mother was alive, her family felt more like... a family.
"Very well. You may prepare our meal. Make enough for Kala. I do not know if he will have an appetite after spending all day at that unfortunate woman's bar, but we must always be prepared."
"Y-Yes, sir," she said with a cracked voice as she walked to the house.
Magnus watched her as she entered their home, sighing. "Did you enjoy yourself, Creed?" Behind his wife's tree was Creed, leaning against it with his arms crossed.
"Heh, still one of the few bastards besides my runt of a brother who can tell when I'm close. And I thought I was so good at masking myself. Either that or your little girl needs more practice. Couldn't sniff me out when her ol' papa could. Kid needs training."
"As I heard, your daughter requires improvement as well." Magnus heard the sound of tearing cloth, knowing full well that Creed had just ripped his shirt.
Creed then walked out, growling. "I didn't come here to rumble, Magnus. Not this time."
"A rare thing for you to say," Magnus said as he turned towards his old subordinate. "What is it that you want, then?"
Creed snarled. "I want Arc's head on a silver platter, and I think you can help me out with that little problem."
"You wish to slay the world's mightiest human?"
"Yeah. If we can kill him, Remnant is as good as ours, like it was always supposed to be. Once Arc is gone, the Faunus can finish what Taurus's White Fang started, only this time, no amount of traitors can stop us."
Magnus stared at Creed, his expression unreadable. Then...
"I'm listening."
A/N: And that is the end of this chapter. It actually feels nice, updating Jaune's story again. Now that RT is gone and the RWBY IP is up for grabs, we fans might be the only ones who can continue their story.
Still, I hope whoever buys RWBY does it justice. It might need a hard reboot, start from the beginning and change things here and there. Of course, I wouldn't mind it just continuing onto Vol 10 either. It might be nice for whoever buys it to just finish the story as is. Though, no matter what happens, I'm sure no one will be completely satisfied. After all, RWBY's creator, Monty Oum (God rest his soul), died years ago, so we'll never know how the story would ACTUALLY end with his creative input. But at this point, I want an ending to RWBY, ya know?
Anyway, I hope that whatever Follows and Favs this story has enjoyed the latest chapter. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the upcoming chapters, too.
Until then!