A/N:
Guest- Pride Rock?! Lion King?! Would that make Joto Mufasa, right? Verde is Simba. And the Alpha Guard are the Lion Guard? And they're dead? That lines up, amazingly
Well, you made my little sisters' day. They're gonna hold this over me for a while. The Alpha Guard part, I mean. That was ALL them.
Guest-Lion King?!
With something else sprinkled in for some spice. CAN YOU FIND IT?!
"Whoa. What a mountain," Jaune said as he saw the great stone the kingdom was named after.
"It has been our ancestral home for hundreds if not thousands of years. I am the confirmed sixth king of Pride Island."
"Confirmed?"
"Not all of our history is recorded," Nyekundu said as she flew closer to Jaune. "Some of it may have been erased in a war. And not against the Grimm, but against our own people. There were many tribes on this island, once. The White Apes. The Black Panthers. The Thunder Hawks. In the end, King Joto's clan, the Crimson Lions ended up becoming the rulers of this island. Many of the rival clans joined out of respect. Others just left. In so much respect and loyalty a team was formed."
"You had your very own team?"
"Each member was from a different tribe. The best of the best. The strongest. This team was known as The Alpha Guard."
"Almost sounds like the Ace Ops."
"Oh no. The Alpha Guard is stronger than the likes of even some of your Huntsmen and Huntresses. Unique skills and Semblances, even The King respected and admired them, especially their leader"
"Nyekundu." Joto glared to silence her from going any further in explaining
"Well, they sound cool. Where are they?"
"Sadly, they are no longer with us" Hekima answered, but she along with Joto, Maji, Mchanga, and Nyekundu looked in sorrow. "They died in battle."
"Against the Leonidas?" Jaune asked while Hekima nodded. "Oh.. sorry."
"They died protecting this kingdom. And we're forever grateful to them," Joto said.
"So, um. Are you from any of those clans?" He figured he'd change the question since the leader seemed sensitive about the subject.
"Why yes. I am a Thunder Hawk. We also have a brilliant scientist named Nyeusi who is from the Black Panther tribe. He was the one who developed our Purple Dust, the weapon that helped us defend our kingdom against the Leonidas horde as long as we have. He's trying to create a sort of armor from it for the King, he did create a suit of armor for Giza before he left us, but so far Nyeusi's been dissatisfied with them all. He currently wears one, but he hates it. Says it isn't fit for a soldier, let alone a king. I think it's just fine. He was powerful enough to destroy a pride of Leonidas on his own with it, and he's only improved on it since then. He's close to developing a spear for Her Majesty."
"He sounds amazing."
"You will see soon enough," Joto said.
Jaune looked past the tall beauty, his eyes widening. "By the gods."
Pride Rock was an incredibly developed city. Despite being nowhere near any of the other kingdoms, not even being so much as close to the continents, it looked as developed as Vale or Atlas. Jaune even saw some hovercars flying past skyscrapers. However, he also saw the walls. They were worn. Battered. Jaune even swore he saw something fall off. The wall was absolutely on its last legs. It didn't help that a Goliath slammed into the wall, the defenses shooting it dead not long after.
"How long has this war been going on?"
"When the Alpha Guard died. Two and a half years," Joto answered.
"Two and a half years?" Jaune's eyes widened. "That's not too long after... after..."
"After Team RWBY and your friends took down Salem. Yeah, we noticed, too," Mchanga said.
"Is this my fault," Jaune muttered.
"Do not blame yourself," Joto said. "Your actions saved the world from a greater threat. Ours will save our kingdom. Never regret doing the right thing, Huntsman."
Jaune looked up at the beauty before looking back at the kingdom.
Then, a shadow loomed over the group, everyone looking up. A massive Bird Grimm screeched at them, thunder crashing around it as lightning flashed past its wings.
"What the hell is that?! That's not a Nevermore!"
"No. It's an Impundulu. A Lightning Bird," Joto said as she readied her spear.
"They're native to our island," Nyekundu explained as she took out her Nzappa Zap Axes while Mchanga and Maji took out their Shotel swords, the Meerkat and Warthog Faunus already shooting at the bird.
It screeched in anger as it shot lightning at the two. Jaune quickly threw his Disc Grenade at the women, the shield popping up in time to protect the soldiers from the lightning.
"Thank you," Maji called as she caught and threw the disc back.
"No problem," Jaune said as he caught his grenade, not noticing Mchanga's roll of her eyes. "Joto, think you can throw me like last time?"
"A bit harder when it is a moving target. However, the Impundulu remains solitary while unleashing large bursts of lightning when enraged."
"So we just have to piss it off? Easier said than done from down here. I don't use guns."
"OH, HOW FREAKIN' USEFUL," Mchanga yelled.
"Do not worry. I am not particular in the use of firearms myself. A warrior need only rely on their strength and have faith in their weapon," Joto said as she proudly held up her spear. She then threw her weapon, the spear whistling through the air before it pierced the wing of the Lightning Bird, making it screech in pain. Joto then held out her hand, her glove glowing, before her spear returned to her hand, making the Bird screech again.
"That was awesome," Jaune said.
"But it is not enough to enrage the beast."
"I think I might have a move that just might," Jaune said as he stood on the back of the horse before jumping off. Joto looked back at him in curiosity as she steered her horse back around to get him.
Jaune stared at the flying Grimm, the beast noticing and screeching at him. It then flew around before it started to dive toward him, hoping to scoop him up and kill him.
Jaune took a deep breath as he readied Crocea Mors in its greatsword mode. He then took his stance, holding his sword behind his back, tightening his stance, and leveling his breathing. This was far before he completely mastered the technique to the point he could use it with a wooden sword or even his own hands. As of now, it was easiest and fastest to use it with his greatsword. Indeed, he was about to use one of the techniques that made him a legend.
When the bird opened its massive maw, Jaune's eyes shot open. He then gave a mighty roar as he swung his sword down with all his strength, creating a mighty and massive blade of wind that crashed into the chest of the bird. It screeched in absolute agony as the mighty wind pierced into its chest before it lost control of its own flight. The creature then crashed into the ground behind Jaune.
Jaune let out a sigh of relief, the technique still taking a lot of energy out of him, before he holstered Crocea Mors back onto his belt as Joto rode up to him.
"Impressive," she said with a smile.
"Thank you. Think that was enough to piss it off?"
"Oh, absolutely."
The Lightning Bird then shot into the air, screeching in fury as it began to charge lightning into its wings.
"See?"
The Lightning Bird screeched as it charged more and more lightning, its wings basically made of energy.
"Yeah, I'm definitely going to need Nimueh for this part," Jaune said as he took out the Sword of Destruction. "Your Majesty? Would you be so kind?"
Joto chuckled. "Most would run in fear at the sight of the Lightning Bird's power. You truly are a warrior, Jaune Arc." Joto then grabbed Jaune, threw him up in the air, and caught him like a spear.
Jaune blinked at the position he was in. "This might be a bad idea for me."
"Too late to doubt yourself, Warrior!" Joto then threw Jaune like he was her spear.
"WHOO-HOO," Jaune went as he flew toward the Lightning Bird. The Grimm saw Jaune and flew towards him, sparking with electricity as it screeched at him. Thunder roared as the two were about to clash before a lightning flash hid the point of impact.
When the flash was gone, Jaune was shown exiting the creature, Grimm blood flowing out with him as the electricity channeled into Nimueh. The Lightning Bird then fell toward the ground, fading away. It turned to dust before even reaching the ground.
Jaune looked at Nimueh, his partner sparking with lightning. Needing an outlet, Jaune spun in midair before performing an Electric Wind slash toward the sky. The electrified slash crashed into the dark clouds, electricity rushing through the sky, spreading out safely, a few lightning strikes flashing here and there.
Satisfied with his actions, Jaune sheathed Nimueh and took out his shield, activating the Hard Light Dust to glide safely to the ground.
As he did, he looked out and saw the horror he was up against. Legions of Leonidas were roaming the grasslands, stalking through the grass, trying to sneak closer to the kingdom. Some even spotted Jaune, but they were watching him intently. That was what made Leonidas such fearsome Grimm. They never attack at first sight. They watch their prey and look for the best opportune moment to strike. Some even theorize they even analyze their victims for potential weaknesses to exploit. It's one of the many reasons they are considered the deadliest of all pack hunter Grimm.
At the high altitude he was at, Jaune was able to see much of the land, including the darkest area on the island. He hadn't seen land that dark since he infiltrated the Land of Darkness with his friends.
He then heard galloping and looked down to see Joto below him, ready to catch him. Jaune deactivated his shield and landed safely behind the king, Joto spurring her horse to run, the group following.
"Not bad," Maji went.
"You are truly skilled," Hekima said. "I see the stories of you were not exaggerated."
"He's only strong because of the sword," Mchanga said.
"Would you stop being so hostile towards him, girl," Nyekundu went in annoyance.
"She's not completely wrong. Nimueh has helped me with a lot of amazing things. I probably wouldn't be half as amazing without her," Jaune said.
'You're not wrong, you know,' Nimueh teased.
'Hey.'
Nimueh giggled.
Jaune's smile went away as he looked at Joto seriously. "There's an entire army of Leonidas just watching us. Waiting for us to slip up."
"We are well aware. There are far more now than even so much as a week ago, and they are getting bolder since our forces were eliminated. I fear we may not have long before they become brave enough to attack us."
"I saw something else. It's a dark patch of land that doesn't look like the sun ever touches it."
"We call it the Graveyard. One of the few places in all of Pride Island beyond my reach. I have forbidden all from entering, even myself. There is evil in that place. An evil that none should face."
"It might have been my imagination, but it looked like most of the Leonidas were in that area. Like they were coming from it."
"Hah! Told you," Maji went.
"You're really gonna take the side of some outsider who agrees with your crackpot theory," Mchanga yelled back.
"Come on! Evil place? Evil monsters? Makes perfect sense for them to come from there."
"Oh, yeah. All the Leonidas came from The Graveyard. There just happens to be a newly formed Grimm Pool there that they're coming out of," Mchanga said sarcastically.
Jaune tightened his grip. Since he was holding onto Joto's sides, she obviously noticed this. "What troubles you?"
"We... have no idea how Grimm Pools are formed. Everyone knows that the Land of Darkness is full of them, which is where the Grimm comes from, but other pools have been discovered in different areas of Remnant, usually where tragedy happens. Massacres, famines, plagues, horrible stuff like that. It's as if the negativity of those events creates new Grimm Pools, making new 'factories' for Grimm to crawl out from."
"How did your people handle these new Grimm Pools?," Hekima asked.
"Honestly, most of Remnant sealed them. Built actual dungeons and prisons around them with top-class huntsmen or androids to keep the Grimm population under control until a full-on fix could be found. Ruby actually destroyed a Pool using her eyes."
"See why I wanted Ruby Rose? We could have used her help to deal with this."
"It took about five minutes of constant use of her eyes, which drained her to the point of making her comatose for three days straight."
"Oooh."
"Uh, Mchanga, maybe you should shut up for a while," Maji suggested.
"Yeah, I'm sounding way too bitchy."
The horses then came to a stop in front of a massive gate. Joto held up her spear and pressed a button on it. She then threw it high into the sky. As it stopped in mid-air, the spear let out a pulsing noise that could probably be heard for miles. When the pulsing stopped, the spear fell toward Joto, who easily caught it.
"Wow, that was loud. Kinda feels like my body is vibrating. What was that?"
"That was Nyeusi's custom-made Purple Dust. It is interesting that you noticed the vibrations. It is because of the vibrations that my people affectionately dubbed his creation Vibration Dust. It is quite powerful."
"So I heard and felt," Jaune said as he stuck his pinky in his ear, Joto smiling at him as the gates opened for her and her party.
Joto rode into her kingdom, Jaune looking around to see powerful-looking soldiers kneeling before their King. It was a quick glimpse, but Jaune noticed how the spears had barrels near the blades and triggers at the bottom. He guessed that just because Joto wasn't big on guns doesn't mean her people aren't. He also saw that all of their weapons had a purple glow to them, much like Joto's spear.
"They all use Vibration Dust?"
"Indeed. Vibration Dust powers our entire kingdom. Nyeusi has been able to develop enough to last ten lifetimes, meaning our kingdom will never run out of power, especially since he is developing more as we speak. It also helps that a mere gram of Vibration Dust can power an entire skyscraper."
"Wow. New Mantle would love to get their hands on that stuff."
"It must never leave the island," Joto said in a dark and serious tone. "Though we were not part of it, this island remembers the devastation of the first Great War. Your own war against the Land of Darkness also shows why our secret must remain ours. What would happen if a once dark kingdom like Old Atlas or a villain like Salem were to obtain our Vibration Dust, or even worse, Nyeusi's recipe to create it?"
Jaune thought about it. "War. One even worse than the Great One. And if a criminal got their hands on it, it would be like a freakin' Armageddon."
"I have seen only one thing in all of Remnant that equals Vibration Dust. In fact, it surpasses it."
Jaune looked down at his partner.
"I fear for all should Vibration Dust ever clash against the Sword of Destruction. You haven't even shown a fraction of her power, have you?"
"No. All I have shown is that she's an incredibly sharp and tough sword. She's unbreakable. There isn't a single weapon in all of Remnant that can compare to her, and that's without giving her power."
"Do you trust me enough to tell me what fuels her?"
"Well, you're trusting me enough to tell me about Vibration Dust. It's Aura."
"Aura? It's that simple?"
"No. You remember what Aura is, right?"
"It is our life force. Our very energy. It protects us from fatal harm, but like any armor, it can be shattered."
"But it can recharge. However, if you don't have enough Aura, Nimueh will take the necessary life force from you in order to unleash a fraction of her power."
Joto knew what Jaune was leading to. "Most of the Sword's wielders... they died trying to unleash her."
"Yeah."
"But how is it that you have survived?"
"Actually, I have above-average Aura pools. I had the most out of my entire year. What's more, my Semblance was practically tailor-made for Nimueh."
"I think I have heard of your Semblance. Aura Enhancement. You can strengthen others by giving your own Aura to them, increasing the healing powers of Aura, and even strengthening a Semblance beyond its normal limits. A truly powerful Semblance."
"It used to be that it was only a Support Semblance, but I've mastered it to the point that I can even recharge my own Aura, making me practically invincible. As long as I have time to charge my Aura, it will never shatter. It's also why I'm able to wield Nimueh so easily. I can charge my Aura indefinitely, meaning I can give her all the power she can stomach."
Joto chuckled. "A truly dangerous pair has come to aid my island. It is as if the very gods sent you to aid my people."
"Then I'd better... not... disappoint," Jaune went in awe as he saw a beautiful stone castle carved out of the side of the mountain. "Whoa."
"You are in awe, I see. Welcome, Jaune Arc, to the Palace of Pride. Welcome to my castle."
Jaune looked around the magnificent castle before Joto stopped her horse, and jumped off. Jaune followed her lead, the other warriors doing the same. Joto then led the group into her castle, soldiers and servants alike bowing in respect to Joto. However, Jaune also noticed the looks some of the servants were giving him.
Some were curious. Others were confused. Some had absolutely venomous looks that could kill. Jaune understood. He was an outsider, after all. A total stranger in a land that no one in Remnant even knew about. It didn't help that he showed up during a war against the Grimm.
But what he saw that really surprised him out of all, were the large statues of five Faunus
"Are those them?" he asked Joto who turned to look
"Yes," she answered. "The Alpha Guard. Our strongest warriors. Our heroes in Kiburi. They served and protected Kiburi faithfully. They were adored and loved by many here. Each one of a unique skill and title." She looked toward the Gorilla Faunus statue. "Amethisto, strongest of the strong. He was physically the strongest in the group"
"Maybe he could've given Yang and Nora a run for their money," Jaune said.
Joto then looked toward the Panther Faunus statue. "Peridot, he didn't speak many words, but he was the keenest of senses, able to sense danger and warn us of any upcoming threats."
"Wish he was in Beacon years ago. He could've warned about Cinder and we wouldn't have to reclaim it years later."
Joto then looked toward the Lion Faunus statue. "Topazi. He was a bit of a wild one. He was swiftest of the swift, able to teleport himself and others within a blink of an eye."
"A Teleport Semblance? Whoa, never seen a Semblance like that." He was in awe hearing of the Semblance since this was at least one year before he would meet and work with Raven Branwen.
Joto then looked toward the Eagle Faunus statue. "Yakuti, she was the only female of the group, their second in command. She was the keenest of sight, her aim was impactable, and she was hit any number of targets from a far distance."
"Sounds like she could give Ruby a run for her money."
Finally, she looked toward another Lion Faunus statue. "This was Giza" Jaune noticed the tone in her voice was a hint of sadness. "He was their leader. He was the fiercest of the fierce. He was the only one able to match and best me a few times in combat." She had a small smile on her face thinking of him. "He was respected and admired by many. A hero." Jaune looked at her.
"Sounds like he really meant a lot to you."
"They all did."
"Yeah, but Giza-"
"Let's move on." Joto walked forward. Jaune didn't want to overstep any further, so he stopped and followed. He then saw an especially burly-looking guard eyeing his swords. Nimueh, specifically. There was anger in his eyes. Jaune then saw a servant carrying a massive chunk of Dust with the same shade of purple as Nimueh.
"Wait, is that-"
"Vibration Dust? It is indeed."
"It looks like Nimueh."
"Hm, I see the similarities." Joto then looked at the Sword of Destruction. "But, I also see the many differences. Your sword is special. It cannot be compared to Vibration Dust. I doubt anyone could beat you with that weapon in your hand."
Jaune looked down at Nimueh. 'She's right, you know,' he thought to her.
'Of course, I know. I was literally created by a god.'
"Your Majesty." Jaune looked to see a guard walk up to Joto and salute her. "The scout you have brought back will make a full recovery. No signs of permanent damage."
"I am pleased to learn this. However, I believe I forbade even the lowest of scouts to the highest of assassins from leaving the kingdom, even to obtain information on the enemy. Who gave the order for him to risk his life so foolishly," she asked sternly.
"My King. It was Lord Kovu."
"My sister? So it WAS true. Her word is indeed second to my own, but her authority still does not overturn my word. I will need to have a word with her. Where is she?"
"In the War Room, My Liege."
"Mm. The perfect place to meet, I suppose. Come," she said to the group before walking off.
"Uh, should I really be a part of this," Jaune asked.
"You already came this far, Outsider," Mchanga went in a rude tone. Jaune laughed nervously before following Joto and her entourage.
They entered an elevator that showed an outside view of the kingdom, Jaune noticing the advanced vehicles that wouldn't look out of place in Atlas.
"King Joto?"
"You may address me as merely Joto, Jaune Arc. You are not one of my subjects, so you need not address me so rigidly." Mchanga was about to say something, but Maji covered her mouth in time.
"Then please, just call me Jaune. It's weird to hear someone say my full name."
Joto chuckled. "Very well. We are at an agreement."
"I'm just wondering if you have literal flying cars, why did you ride on horseback when we met?"
"Personal preference. Before Nyeusi created Vibration Dust, I had been riding horses since I was a little girl. It calms me, the wind through my hair, the beating of my horse's hooves on the ground, and the loyalty I feel with him that you cannot get with an unfeeling machine. I do not even care to be driven around in those machines."
Mchanga ripped Maji's hand off her face. "Plus, they explode."
"Come again?"
"Indeed. Vibration Dust is extremely powerful, but also very volatile. One of the very first vehicles powered by Vibration exploded with a force comparable to an Old Atlas Dust Bomb. It was only thanks to the testing area that contained the blast that our island remained hidden. Nyeusi worked hard to use less Vibration for more uses. The first vehicle needed a Dust Clump as large as a human head to fuel it. Now a shard as thin as an outstretched hand and as long as one is needed to fuel most vehicles. Now the explosions can only be compared to grenades," Joto chuckled.
Jaune looked out at the city. "I can't believe one man's invention could create all this."
"Well, believe it," Mchanga said. "And don't you go blathering about this, Outsider."
"Mchanga," Hekima went.
"What? It's not like he's gonna stay in Kiburi, right?"
"Kiburi?"
"The name of our kingdom," Hekima explained. "Though, it pains me to ask this, but could you stay once your mission is over? You know so much about our kingdom already."
"That bad, huh?" Jaune looked down and thought about it, remembering his old enemies, like the now-deceased Cinder and Tyrian. Even in the short month after defeating Salem, the short month he dated Trivia, they fought and defeated plenty of Grimm and criminals. That thought alone made Jaune sigh sadly. "I'm sorry. But I'm needed in other places after this. The Sword of Destruction can save a lot of lives, but not hidden behind the walls of an advanced society. Please understand."
Hekima sighed sadly, while Nyekundu's wings lowered in depression. Mchanga rolled her eyes with her arms crossed while Maji slumped. However, Joto smiled. She was pleased with his answer. "Those were the words of a warrior, Jaune. As well as something else."
"Hm? Of what?"
"A hero." Jaune's eyes widened when she said that.
The doors then opened, and Joto immediately walked out. The group followed the king until they saw two guards in front of the door. when Joto stood before them, they saluted, and stepped aside, with one of the guards pressing the code for the doors to open, a group of Faunus standing and talking in front of a hologram of the island, obviously talking tactics.
The group entered first, Jaune about to go in last when his awe of the room was done.
"WHOA," he went after the guards blocked his path before he even stepped a foot close to the doorway.
"It is alright. He has my permission to enter," Joto said.
The guards moved their spears, saluting Jaune.
"Uh... Is this right," Jaune went as he tried to imitate the salute.
"Heh, I've seen worse," Hekima giggled.
"From who? That was terrible," Mchanga went.
"It was better than yours when you first did it," Nyekundu said with a judgmental look.
"NAH?!"
The group walked in, and Jaune saw three Faunus. At the left of the table was a large man who seemed to be even bigger than the late Hazel with muscles just as big, if not bigger. He had white hair, long nails that weren't exactly claws, and a nose that looked like a gorilla's. It was obvious this man was a Gorilla Faunus. At the right was a man who looked about Jaune's size, had panther ears, and an athletic physique. He was wearing a lab coat, a fang necklace, and a skin-tight shirt made of material Jaune had never seen before. Finally, in the middle, was a woman around Ruby's height. She had long black hair, neon green eyes, and a lean physique. She wasn't muscular like Joto, but Jaune could tell she was dangerous in her own right. She was also quite beautiful, save for the three scars over her left eye.
When the middle woman looked up, she immediately stood at attention, getting the other two's attention. Only the one in the lab coat looked happy.
"It is good to see you safely returned, My King," he said as he bowed in respect.
"As it is to see you again, Nyeusi," Joto said with a genuine smile.
"My King." Joto's smile went away as she looked at the woman. "I am pleased to see you are well."
Joto looked serious. "Kovu, you have shown blatant disrespect to me, sister."
Kovu jumped. "My King, there was good reason."
"You deliberately disobeyed my orders. I forbade anyone from leaving Kiburi without my permission, and what do I find? A scout being used as bait by the Grimm. Life was almost needlessly lost on your orders, sister!"
"If I may, My King," the large Faunus went.
Joto looked at him. "Speak, Nyeupe."
"I believe Lord Kovu's actions were justified. We needed information. The Leonidas horde grows by the day, and we still know next to nothing of our enemy. Sacrificing one life to learn of our enemies' weaknesses is a small price to pay for victory!"
"The scout learned nothing. Life would have been sacrificed for nothing. We would have gained nothing. Our people's lives are not to be wasted in such a way. Do you understand, Nyeupe?"
"But My-"
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
Nyeupe jolted before he looked down. "Yes, My King."
"Well, at least you were able to correct our mistake, sister," Kovu said, not looking at her sister and King.
"No. I cannot take the credit for such a deed."
"Then permit me to ask, My King," Nyeupe began as he looked up. "Who saved the sc-" He then noticed Jaune. "AN OUTSIDER," he roared as he stomped towards Jaune.
"Uh-oh," he went.
"Stand down, Nyeupe," Joto barked just as Nyeupe reached for Jaune, his hand big enough to grab the future hero's entire head.
"But My King, he is an Outsider!"
"An Outsider here with my permission and protection."
Nyeupe and Kovu looked shocked while Nyeusi just shrugged.
"Sister, how could you allow this," Kovu asked. "How did this Outsider even learn of our island?!"
"Let us just say you are not the only one who enjoys disobeying me," Joto said as she glanced at Mchanga.
"Eep," she quietly went.
"YOU AGAIN," Nyeupe went angrily as he stomped towards the tiny Faunus. "YOU DISRESPECT OUR TRADITIONS AGAIN?! WHAT'S MORE, YOUR FOOLISHNESS HAS ALLOWED AN OUTSIDER INTO OUR BORDERS!"
"H-Hey, in my defense, I was hoping someone like Ruby Rose or Blake Belladonna would answer the call."
"YOUR LUST IS WHAT BROUGHT THIS DISRESPECT INTO FRUITION?!"
"HEY! MY TASTE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH-"
"SILENCE!" Mchanga stiffened up like a board. "OF ALL THE FOOLISH, IDIOTIC, DISRESPECTFUL ACTS YOU HAVE COMMITTED AGAINST OUR LAND, THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST!"
"W-We need help! You were just saying that a moment ago," she mumbled.
"I said we needed information! Not help from Outsiders! Especially not from a human! We are Kiburi! Proud Faunus that created a kingdom superior to any human-made settlement! We needed help from no one but our own people! You have shamed your people!"
"I disagree." Everyone looked at Joto. "It is true that she has shown disrespect toward me by committing this act without my permission-" Mchanga wished she could shrink to the size of a bug right now. "But it may be a blessing in disguise." She looked at Jaune. "It brought us aid from one of the Heroes of Remnant, after all."
Everyone looked at Jaune.
"The Heroes? The warriors that challenged and defeated Salem," Nyeusi asked. "That is impressive."
"Heh, it does not impress me," Nyeupe growled.
"Nor me," Joto said. "His actions on this island do."
"What," Nyeupe went.
"He was the one who saved the scout. Not me nor my team. What's more, he defeated an Impundulu not long after saving the scout."
That shocked the three, even Nyeusi.
"Says the woman who threw me at it like a spear," Jaune muttered.
Kovu's ear twitched. "I heard him, sister. You used him like a weapon," she said with a gotcha smirk.
"And if I did?" Her smile went away. "That does not change the fact that Jaune Arc is a powerful ally."
"Jaune Arc," Nyeusi asked. "I know that name. You wield one of the legendary Four Relics. You're the holder of the Sword of Destruction."
"That's me."
"Heh. So that is the answer." Jaune looked up at Nyeupe. "You are only powerful because you wield a weapon of the gods. If the Sword is the source of your power, why would we need you and not just the sword?"
Jaune stared at the smirking ape. "Good point."
"Mm," he went in confusion with a raised eyebrow.
Jaune then drew Nimueh and held it toward the massive Faunus. "Take her."
Nyeupe looked at Nimueh before chuckling. "The sword looks like it was crafted from your Vibration Dust, Nyeusi."
"I wouldn't touch that sword if I were you, old friend," the scientist went, a small sweatdrop on his forehead.
"Then it is fortunate I am not you, coward." Nyeupe then grabbed Nimueh by the hilt.
Not even a second later, purple electricity shot out of a now screaming Nyeupe before he was sent flying, crashing into the wall. Everyone looked at the now smoking and panting Faunus as he looked at Nimueh, eyes wide in shock.
"That looked like it hurt," Jaune said as he sheathed his partner.
Nyeupe got back on his feet as he growled at Jaune. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"Nothing."
"LIES! YOU PREVENTED ME FROM TAKING YOUR PRECIOUS SWORD FROM YOU!"
"Alright then." Jaune tossed Nimueh, the blade stabbing into the floor, standing like a monument. "Take her."
Nyeupe looked at Jaune before looking at the beautiful sword. He growled as he stomped forward and grabbed the hilt. Once again, he screamed in agony as he was shocked before being blasted away, this time the man bracing himself when he slammed into the wall, coughing violently this time.
"She REALLY doesn't like you," Jaune chuckled. "Anyone else wanna try? Ms. Mchanga?"
"NO WAY! SHE HATES ME," Mchanga went in terror.
'It's true. I do,' Nimueh said in Jaune's mind.
"Kovu?" Jaune looked toward Joto's sister when she heard the King speak.
"Nyeupe was just unworthy. I will prove otherwise." Kovu gently grabbed the sword. However, she screamed too. Only, when she released the sword, she reached for her eye. "MY SCAR! MY SCAR!" She moved her hand to show no changes to it, but she was still panting heavily. "It... It felt like it was being torn apart."
Joto sighed before looking at her chief scientist. "Nyeusi? Would you like to try, old friend?"
The Panther Faunus chuckled. "With all due respect, My King, I have no desire to do harm to myself. Besides, I already know I am not worthy of such a weapon. Maybe you are?"
Joto looked at her friend before looking at the sword and walking toward it.
"Uh, Joto, are you sure about this," Jaune asked.
"Oh? Is that worry or concern I hear in your voice," she asked with a smile.
"Both, actually. I mean, I don't want my partner to hurt one of my friends."
"My. How forward. Calling a King your friend."
"Oh, crap! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"
Joto laughed. "I am joking, Jaune. I already consider you a friend as well. I am honored to know you care for me as you do."
Jaune blushed. "O-Oh."
"Still, looking at the states of my general and my sister, I see this as a great test." She looked at the sword. "What kind of pain will I endure? What will I experience? . . . And am I worthy of the sword forged by the gods?" She walked up and reached for the sword. "I must know."
She then grasped the hilt.
Nothing happened.
"Hm. Interesting," Joto went.
'Nimueh,' Jaune asked mentally.
'Meh, I like her. I don't wanna hurt her. . . Buuuuuut-'
Joto tried to pull out the sword. She was obviously struggling. She then grabbed the hilt with both hands, tugging at the blade with all her might. It got to the point where her impressive muscles were bulging. She even began to growl before letting out a roar as she pulled with all her strength. Then, she released the sword, panting heavily.
"As a child, I trained rigorously to grow strong enough to defend my kingdom," Joto panted. "I wrestled with the strongest of men, raced the fastest women, fought with the most skilled soldiers, and was trained by the best of warriors. I would train by lifting great boulders out of the very earth, but aside from Giza... none of them compared to the struggle of trying to lift the Sword of the Gods out of my own War Room's floor."
"Uh, it's Sword of Destruction, actually," Jaune corrected as he walked up to Joto and easily yanked Nimueh out of the floor.
"So, the secret of the sword is that it is picky, I take it," Nyeusi asked with a knowing smile.
"Bingo. In the end, Nimueh is, don't take this the wrong way, a woman. She chooses her partner, and she chose me, believe it or not. It turned out that before I showed up, anyone could use her, but it usually meant they were crippled... or..."
"Dead," Mchanga asked.
"Yeah."
She took a huge step back.
"Turns out people like me are extremely rare, even historically. The last person who ever wielded her regularly was the King of Vale."
Joto's eyes widened. "That was the legendary sword that ended the war? Jaune, you're the current wielder of one of history's greatest relics?"
"Well, she is one of the Four Relics, so that's true on many fronts."
"Incredible." Joto giggled before laughing. "Now I feel as if I am conversing with a fellow King."
"Please don't say that. I'm not cut out for royalty. I'll stick to being the leader of a team of four, disbanded we may be. Then again, I haven't led a team SINCE JNPR."
"How odd. I see the fire of a true leader in you, Jaune," Joto said.
Jaune chuckled. "Coming from you, that means a lot."
Joto and Jaune smiled at one another, everyone noticing this. Hekima looked intrigued, smiling while rubbing her lightly wrinkled face. Nyekundu looked like she was contemplating something, watching the two with the eyes... of a matchmaker? Maji didn't have any kind of look since she was rubbing her stomach in hunger, while Nyeusi just smiled at his friend, happy to see that look on her face after so long especially after Giza's death, it seemed good to see her move on. Everyone else looked less than pleased.
Kovu cleared her throat, gaining everyone's attention. "My King, I am hoping you have gathered information on your route to collect the Outsider."
Joto looked serious. "I have, General," she said as she began to type on a holographic keyboard that appeared when she walked up to the War Table. "It is as we feared. The Leonidas are becoming bolder. Various other Grimm are appearing more frequently. Our defenses are weakening faster than Nyeusi can produce Vibration Dust."
"And sadly, the only Armor I have was for Giza years ago, I have yet to create the Armor for you."
"It is fine, I do not need it, old friend."
"Giza told me he would wear it next time before he... left us." The room was silent briefly. "Please Joto. I would feel more at ease if you wore it."
Joto sighed. "..I'll wear my armor... after you perfect it to the point that even you would not want to part with it."
"Joto."
"Promise me. Promise me you will forge armor so grand that you would pass it down to your next of kin with pride."
"I didn't forge the armors for me! They were for-"
"NYESUI!"
He looked into his King's eyes and sighed in defeat. "I promise."
Joto walked up to the Panther Faunus placing an arm on his shoulder "You know that's what Giza would've wanted you to do. You were his best friend."
Nyeusi deeply sighed rethinking the memory of his fallen friend.
Joto lead Jaune into a room. It was the most exotic bedroom Jaune had ever seen. Marble floors, glistening Blackwood king bed, silk curtains, and a view of the now-setting sun from a beautiful balcony.
"You will stay here for as long as you must, my friend. Get some rest. The meeting in the War Room has shown us that we have much to accomplish on the morn."
"Yeah. But I kinda agree with Kovu. Maybe a small team should at least try to infiltrate the Graveyard."
"Jaune, as I told my sister, it is too dangerous to enter the graveyard. The Leonidas numbers are too great for any one team. Only The Alpha Guard truly had a chance there. What is worse is that there may be even more Grimm arriving to attack us with them gone, some far less patient than the Leonidas. At most, we can only collect more Dust for Nyeusi to craft with. If he can finish his armor, with the aid of your sword, we may yet be able to win without any more needless death."
Jaune looked down at Nimueh before looking outside. "Will the walls hold that long?"
Joto sighed. "I cannot say. Vibration Dust is still fairly young. If we had a mountain of the Dust, Kiburi would be invincible. However, one must never complain about the path laid before them. It is dishonorable. A true warrior endures, evolves, and adapts to the life given to them. Conquers and commands it. If you can stand tall and say you learned from your past and do not regret your end, then you have lived a truly honorable life. That is my belief I shared with Giza."
Jaune stared at the powerful beauty with wide eyes. "No wonder he was the leader of The Guard and you're the King around here."
Joto giggled. "Get some sleep. Do not let the war cloud your mind. Allow sleep to take you. May you dream of victory, my friend," she said before shutting the door.
Jaune looked around the magnificent room, jumping a bit when the lights turned on automatically. He looked outside to see the sun had completely set, the city already lit up, but the stars were still visible somehow. Jaune then looked at the outside plains, his eyes sharpening as he could still see the red glowing eyes of the Grimm. He then saw a Lightning Bird fly toward the city, but a single pulsing blast from the wall's defenses turned it to dust.
Jaune sighed before taking off his boots and walking to his bed, he placed Corcea Mors at the side of the bed but placed the Sword of Destruction onto the mattress. Jaune then jumped onto the bed, hands behind his head, staring at the marble ceiling.
'Wanna talk about it,' Nimueh asked.
Jaune looked at his partner before looking out the window. "Do you think we're in over our heads? There's an entire army of Grimm outside these walls, after all."
'We've fought an army of Grimm before.'
"But these Grimm might've defeated and killed an elite group of warriors that even Joto herself said were the only ones to keep them at bay."
"We've faced worse"
"We had Ruby then."
'Oh, please. That girl barely has control over her eyes. I feel like you have more control over me than she does with her eyes.'
"And that's another thing. I feel like I haven't fully mastered you."
'Oh, you haven't.'
"Thanks," Jaune went sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.
'What? You wouldn't want me to lie to you, right?'
Jaune sighed. "Right."
'Still, that doesn't change the fact that you're my best partner to date.'
"Wasn't your only other partner Ozpin?"
'EXACTLY.'
Jaune snickered. "I swear, Ms. Goodwitch was the only one who really liked him."
'And she mostly TOLERATED him if you ask me. Anyway, Jaune, don't worry. I'll keep you safe.'
Jaune chuckled. "You usually do, partner," Jaune said as he traced his hand down Nimueh's blade.
'You wish I had a human body like my sister, don't you?'
"Urk."
'You can't hide your thoughts from me, Jaune. Even your deepest ones.'
Jaune laughed sheepishly.
'Well, too bad. Ozpin was only able to give Glynda a body by sacrificing a huge pool of his magic. It's why Oscar was arguably the weakest incarnation. No magic, no human body for me.'
"Well, that... sucks."
Nimueh sighed. 'I know. I wouldn't mind actually sharing this bed with you.' Jaune blushed. 'Pervert.'
Jaune began to babble until he realized something. "W-Wait. Y-You never said 'that's not what I meant'. H-how come you didn't correct me?"
Nimueh giggled. 'I wonder why?'
"N-Nim?!"
'Well, you heard Joto, Arc. Get some rest.'
"NIM! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THAT!" No response. "NIMUEH!" No response. Jaune groaned in defeat as he flopped onto his bed, covering his face with one of the many pillows and yelling into it before punching it, letting all of his frustration out. He then just went completely motionless, sinking into his bed with the pillow still on his face. "This is worse than having a long-distance girlfriend."
Meanwhile.
In Kovu's royale chamber, Nyeupe was pacing, his boots thundering through the massive room, while Kovu was brushing her long black hair.
"THIS IS UNACCPETABLE! OF ALL THE ACTIONS THE KING COULD HAVE TAKEN, SHE ALLOWS AN OUTSIDER TO STAY IN THE ROYAL PALACE?! LETTING HIM STAY IN KIBURI IS HORRID ENOUGH BUT IN THE CASTLE?!"
"Calm yourself, Nyeupe."
Nyeupe took a few deep breaths before looking at the scarred beauty. "How can you be so accepting of this, Lord Kovu? An outsider is desecrating our sacred land! What is worse is that it is a human! Not even a noble Faunus! How could the King allow such FILTH in our lands?! Had you been King, you would have executed the Outsider on sight!"
"Yes. I would have. All my sister has is power and beauty. She does not have the wisdom needed to truly protect our people. Losing The Guard and this war are proof of it. I kept telling her to send in soldiers armed with Vibration Dust Explosives to destroy the Graveyard, the obvious source of the Grimm, but she refused. Wanting to protect the people. Why can she not see that sacrificing the few is necessary to save the majority?"
"How can a Lion Faunus be so soft-hearted? If only you were king, my lo-" Nyeupe cleared his throat, but Kovu still looked at him. "My lord. The war would have been over before it started. Now the obvious plan cannot be used, we may have disposed of Giza and The Guard, but I feel as if Nyeusi fears his own creation too much to make real progress! If only we could wield that magnificent Sword! I can still feel her wrath. Her might! If we had the Spirit of Destruction, VICTORY WOULD BE OURS!"
"But we do not wield that awesome power," Kovu said as she continued to comb her long hair. "The Outsider does."
Nyeupe snarled. "If only we could sacrifice that HUMAN," he spat out with extra hatred for the word human. "If he were to be slain by the Grimm AND destroy their means of production, Kiburi would have the greatest weapon ever forged as a treasure to one day be wielded by Faunus! As long as that human lives, that isn't possible," he sighed.
Kovu stopped brushing. "Indeed," she began as she smiled wickedly. "As long as that human LIVES."