First off let me say I've had one hell of a month and it really hasn't been easy for me at all. That being said my schedule for work has kinda been all over the place lately because my job has crazy hours. In fact it's actually why I'm up at 4 o'clock in the morning writing this lol. Anyways I kinda wanna take back what I said before about jumping ahead in my story because I realized that if I did I would miss out on telling how Weiss's and Jaune's relationship evolved over the few months time period.
That and I need to build up Weiss's character for the future of this story. There will still be a time jump now and later on in the story but only when I think it's truly necessary and not just to skip ahead.
While I'm here writing this I'd like to say thanks for all your guy's/ girls comments and concerns for how this story could go. It's really caused me to think about how I'm doing things and how my writing is benefitted from all your feedbacks. My stories are of course my own but what good can it be if it doesn't evolve to be better?
Speaking of stories have you all watched Ice Queendom yet? I think it's been alright so far but I was hoping to see more of this new story before the third episode. Oh well guess I'll just have to wait and see like everyone else but if there is one thing I really like about this new RWBY is the new Grimm they introduced. All the Grimm we've seen so far have all been creatures close to resembling mythical monsters or ones in our everyday lives but this one breaks the mold by starting out like a plant and turns people with aura into it's own personal nest.
Crazy I know but also so intriguing.
The first week of their joint training session was...how should he put it? Disastrous was probably the best word for it, Jaune decided as he sailed through the air after accidentally running in front of Weiss's wind dust attack. This was kind of the running theme between them apparently. He would attack and accidentally get hit from behind by Weiss, then she'd give him an earful about not coordinating their attacks properly but never offering up any ideas in return. Then when he would try distance attacks like his partner he'd be blamed for not protecting her when she tried to use her glyphs.
Honestly it was a shit show in his opinion. More hits and more pain, with Weiss constantly yelling at him from behind. Something had to give eventually and it just so happened to be his temper rather then his aura.
"Why aren't you listening to me you dolt"! Weiss yelled when Jaune hit the floor and rolled to his feet beside her. Their eye's met but Weiss either didn't notice or likely didn't care to temper her words before she delivered them. "I don't know what you were taught in whatever backwater town you were born in but here in Atlas your supposed to listen to your superiors when they speak to you. Now hurry up and get to your feet already so we can proceed with my plan. Honestly, your lucky to have me as you partner-".
"WOULD YOU SHUT UP ALREADY" Jaune yelled angrily. Weiss looked shocked and Winter lowered her sword with a small sigh. "H-How dare you speak to me like that" Weiss said angrily as she all but forgot about their battle and turned to look at her partner. "Here I am working my hardest to help you of all people and this is how you repay my kindness"? Jaune rose to his full height and locked eye's with the heiress, "If your idea of kindness is belittling me at every turn then I certainly have no need of such a thing. I may not be as good as some people but at least my ego isn't so big that I pretend to know what I'm doing unlike you".
Weiss scoffed at the jab. "Was that supposed to her my feelings? I've heard preschoolers with better comebacks then that and that's me being generous". Jaune crossed his arms and chuckled, "if preschoolers are making fun of you and you still haven't gotten the hint then your an even more lost cause then I am". The scowl that spread over the heiress's face was legendary. Weiss brought her weapon around and pointed the tip at Jaune's face, right between the eye's. The young Arc's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword and with one quick movement his sword knocked Weiss's away.
The heiress quickly hopped back and raised Myrtenaster up once more, aiming it at her new target. She wasn't the only one to see the other as a threat because Jaune quickly lowered his stance and aimed the Blade of Crocea Mors right back at her. A whole week of having to deal with each other was just too much for either of them. Before either one of them could make a move on each other an ice wall sprung up between them and kept them from going at it. It also reminded them both of who else they shared their presence with..
"That is enough" Winter Schnee ordered. Her disappointment was on display for both of them to see and both noticed it alright because they shrunk a little when she met their eye's. "That will be all for today. Clean yourselfs up and try your best not to kill each other while I'm not around or there will be a punishments waiting for the both of you. Do I make myself clear"?
When the two nodded in agreement, Winter dismissed herself and left the training room.
/
She just couldn't understand it. A whole week had gone by and yet Weiss and Jaune were closer to becoming enemies then partners. Winter slowed to a stop in the middle of the hall and after careful consideration chose to seek counsel with the one person she knew she could trust. General Ironwood's office door was closed when she arrived. She held up a hand to knock but stopped short as doubts began to creep into her.
The General technically had plenty on his plate already with dealing with the military and the academy. Did she really want to waste more of his precious time on these trifling problems of her's? Winter let out a sigh and knocked on the door. Problems like this were exactly the reason superior's within the military existed. They had knowledge gained from years of experience and service which was precisely what she was in need of at the moment. Besides that the General more than likely went through something similar in his younger years if she had to guess.
"Enter" the Generals voice carried from within.
Winter pushed through the door and took note of another person in the room in front of the General's desk. Long brown hair tied back like a chameleon's tail with dark mark's dotting her skin. Ilia Amitola met the specialists gaze before turning her attention back to the man behind the desk.
"Winter is there something you needed"? Ironwood asked.
Winter closed the door as she entered and stepped in line next to the white fang turncoat. "Sir, I came here for...as much as it shame's me to do so, I'm in need of your advice". Ironwood could hide his emotions with the best of them but hearing just how agonized Winter was about asking for help put a smile on his face. The Schnee were always so proud of themselves so it was good to see Winter branching out every now and then. "Specialist there is no shame in asking for help, that very reason is exactly why the Atlas military exists" the General said calmly.
Winter nodded in understanding, "yes General. The problem I'm facing has to do with my sister Weiss and our in training student Jaune. I can't get them to work together let alone stand in the same space without having them draw their weapons on each other". Granted that last part only happened today but she was determined to never let it happen again.
This was definitely not what Ironwood expected when he heard that Weiss of all people was one piece of the problem. From what the General also heard of the young Arc as well...well that made it even harder to believe. Ironwood linked his hands together and closed his eyes for a brief second before coming up with an idea. His eyes slid over to the faunus girl as he remembered how she had asked him for something to do rather then remain couped up in the room she was issued. "This is perfect timing actually" the General answered "nothing brings people together better then adversities, correct"?
Winter agreed so Ironwood continued. "There is an equipment transport for Argus that is lacking in man power at the moment. The equipment is for a defense shield to protect the city from Grimm coming in by sea. I'm assigning you, Jaune and your sister for guard detail, along with this young lady here". The General motioned to Ilia. "And just to make it a four person team under your command I'll assign one other of my choosing".
"Sir, forgive my ignorance but what does this have to do with my problem" Winter asked, genuinely confused.
"As I said before, adversities can bring people together. This will be their first mission outside of the protection of the kingdom. Normally they'd take on a simple mission during their first year but I think bending the rules a little may be just what they all need to bring them together". Ironwood sat back with a smile on his face, "Three birds one stone I'd say. And before I forget the parts for the defense shield are much too big for an airship so they'll need to be delivered by sea. I've already made arrangements with the military base down by the border to have a ship ready to set sail by the time you arrive".
The specialist could only agree with the unorthodox way her commanding officer had solved her problem or thought he did anyways. With no more words for her to offer, Winter turned on her heel and left the room.
"Can't believe I got myself pulled into this mess. Even worse I'll be stuck with two Schnee's against my will" Ilia grumbled miserably. Ironwood chuckle before looking to the young faunus girl. "You did say you were bored and wanted something to do. Besides you've been doing recon in Mantle for a bit now and this news of a new White Fang branch could be far more dangerous than anticipated. We made a deal and getting you killed before I held up my end would be bad for the both of us". Ilia didn't show it but she was happy to hear that the General wasn't going to throw her life away so easily.
"I guess I'll go pack then" she said tiredly.
Ironwood waited for Ilia to leave the room before starting up the terminal in his desk. Fingers flew across the holo keyboard and brought up a list of dangerous faunus criminals within the White Fang. If a new branch was going to open up shop within Mantle the Fang was going to need a leader who could get things down and who already had the respect of the others within the White Fang. The first to be singled out was none other then the White Fang terrorist who was possible the most pro faunus within the organization itself, Adam Taurus.
Ironwood took the faunus's profile and added it to a new folder for potential candidate's of leadership within the new branch. Although Adam Taurus was a favorite amongst the Fang he was also too recognizable and much too direct to peacefully create a branch without them catching wind of it. The next he pulled up were the Albain brothers. Ironwood felt pretty confident that neither of the two would come here because they both held a great amount of power in Menagerie and would lose a great deal coming to Mantle. "Those in power are often reluctant to let it go" James mumbled to himself before moving the Albain brothers profile into the file with Adam Taurus.
It was still better to be safe then sorry and even though there was a low chance of it happening it was still a chance all the same. Those were the most obvious candidates so it was time to move on to the least likely ones. Ironwood pulled up three files that were filled with information that Ilia provided on three up and coming members within the White Fang. Banesaw, Yuma and Trifa. These three hardly had any records at all but from what Ilia had told him they were all believers in Adams vision of faunus supremacy.
Just that alone was enough to classify all three of them as potentially dangerous individuals. Racisms was ever present in the world they lived in but those that took it too far always did more harm then good every time. Ironwood rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh, "if only outlawing racism was possible it'd make my life a whole lot easier". The General looked at the files once more asked himself the million dollar question. "Which one will you send Sienna"?
/
Down below the hovering kingdom of Atlas on a building in Mantles slums, two men stood across from each other. "I can't believe that your one of ours" one of the men said in disbelief. The other merely shrugged his shoulders and looked from left to right, "where's your boss at"?
"I'm here" a third voice spoke up catching both of the men's attention. Blue hair that bordered on being gray with eyes much the same, Trifa the new head of the Atlas branch made herself known. Trifa stepped past the first man who spoke and looked towards the other hooded figure on the roof. "I apologize for my lieutenant but I'm sure you understand that this is all new to us. Yuma your a grown man, apologize to our honored guest".
Yuma pulled off his hood and looked over his new bosses shoulder with a sullen expression. "Sorry" he said so quietly that if it wasn't so quiet outside at this time of night you would've missed it. In his defense he couldn't help but feel a little angry especially because he'd been passed over on a promotion in favor of his underling. Trifa and he had been enforcers together under the Albain brothers but it was he who trained the young spider faunus into what she was now. Apparently life just wasn't fair sometimes Yuma thouht.
Trifa sighed and placed her left hand in her new black coat pocket. "High leader Sienna informed me that you acquired some sensitive information that I've been tasked with delivering to her. Do you have it"?
The man seemed reluctant at first but after a brief second of thought he reached into his pocket slowly and pulled out a small flashdrive. "This has has everything Sienna will need to deal a massive blow to both the SDC and the military, if used correctly". The man let the flashdrive rest on his thumb before flicking it through the air and over to Trifa. With his work done the hooded man turned to leave when Trifa asked him a question that had been bothering her ever since she saw who it was under the hood.
"What made you do it? Betray the General of Atlas I mean".
The hooded man stopped and half turned back to look at the spider faunus with a frustrated expression on his face. "For all the bad the Atlas branch caused at least they helped the faunus children with no homes to go back to. They even fed the elderly here in the slums despite not having too. I thought once the fight was over the General would try to help them, to make things better then before but instead he turned his back on all those faunus children and left them with nothing. I am partly to blame for that as well which is why I'm trying to atone for my mistakes with that little bit of info". The hooded man looked down at his feet, face hidden by his hood. "Atlas needs to change and maybe I'll be the one to do so with the aid of the White Fang".
With his peace said the hooded man jumped off the roof and disappeared into the city.
"Pretty hardcore if you ask me" the bat faunus said as soon as the hooded man was gone. Trifa moved the flashdrive around in her hand and hummed in agreement, "Those most loyal to the cause often are". She then shoved the flashdrive into her pocket and started to walk away, leaving Yuma to chase after her.
/
"Sign this" Winter said as she placed several documents down in front of the young Arc. Jaune scanned over each page before looking up to his teacher, "temporary huntsmen in training license"? The specialist nodded, "I have been given permission to take you and Weiss, along with two others with me on a fairly easy mission. We will be heading to the port tomorrow so you'll need to be packed and ready before 5 in the morning. These forms are proof that you know of the risks that come with any mission and that your okay with accompanying me for this one".
Jaune looked down at the documents in his hand and immediately began to doubt himself. He barely had a months worth of training under his belt and now Winter felt confident enough to take him out into the field. That kinda faith felt overwhelming, and although he was happy about it he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he fell short. It could be a disaster that could lead to people actually dying because of him. Could he live with that blood on his hands? Jaune shook his head and remembered that Winter had said this mission was a fairly easy one so things should be alright as long as he followed her orders.
Having convinced himself it was okay, Jaune wrote down his name on each page that required him to do so before handing it back to his teacher. Winter flipped through the pages herself to make sure all was in order before slipping the forms under her left arm. "I have already received my sister's permission forms as well, so before I go I ask that when we depart for our mission that you try your best not to fight with her. The success of any mission starts with how well a team can communicate and work together".
Jaune knew what Winter was getting at and even though it was hard for him to admit it, she had a point. Honestly it did surprise him how angry he got at the heiress, enough so to aim his weapon at her wasn't like him at all. Then again being called an idiot while being friendly fired for a week could turn even a normally calm person to an angry one. Jaune let out a sigh and decided to lay the mental conflict to rest even if he knew it was all Weiss's fault to begin with.
"Winter is there anything you can tell me about Weiss that could help me...you know get passed this problem of ours"?
The question caught Winter off guard but after a second to think about it she should have expected as much from her student. Jaune wasn't the strongest nor smartest person in the world but was incredibly skilled at learning quickly from those above him. Most had too much pride in themselves and their abilities to even ask for help, but not him. "There are a few things that come to mind that might be of use to you" Winter said as she looked down at her scroll to see the time. It was close to midnight and Jaune still needed to pack.
"I think the best place to start would be the beginning when Weiss was young, back before all the Schnee's expectations were placed on her shoulders". She would avoid the more personal moments in her sister's life, that went without saying but believed that in order for Jaune to truly understand Weiss, he needed to know what she's been through. Even if it was late and they needed to get up early, this was by far the best time to do this.
Winter looked around the room and noticed that Jaune was sitting on the only seat within the room. She could have remained standing but knew what she had to say could take up some time. Although it could be seen as inappropriate, Winter took a seat on Jaune's bed. Before she could allow any weird thoughts to enter either of their minds she spoke of her sister's childhood in great length. The hardships her sister was forced to endure along with the inability to even have a sibling or friend to rely on painted a pretty lonely picture.
As Jaune listened to his teacher story he couldn't help but think to himself if Winter herself had suffered the same way as Weiss. Technically the elder Schnee sibling would have been the first one to be heiress before Weiss. And since she was the oldest wouldn't she have had even less people to rely on? Even if Weiss was going through the same thing at least she had Winter there to help her. But the question became "who did Winter have"?
/
Morning came far too quickly for his liking but then again he was up almost all night learning some important things from his teacher. The airship landing pad that he arrived at wasn't empty because Weiss and Winter were already waiting there with two others he'd never met before. Realizing that he was the last to arrive Jaune jogged over to the rest.
"Incompetent in a fight and being tardy for a mission. Honestly I don't know what to expected from someone like you anymore".
The prickly reception came from the only person he knew he had a problem with. He met Weiss's gaze for a brief second before she turned away with a huff. Winter stepped in hoping to avoid an argument from happening. "Jaune since your here now let me introduce you to the two others who'll be joining us". Winter motioned to the two women standing beside her, "the young lady on my left is Ilia Amitola and on my right is..."! The specialist never got a chance to finish because the second young woman ran over and tackled Jaune to the ground.
"Whyyy"?! Jaune groaned from under the rather heavy young woman. The girl placed both hands on the ground on either side of Jaunes head and pushed herself up so he could see her face better. Ginger hair and bright green eye's stared back at him and although he'd never met her before she didn't seem all that bothered with the personal space she was encroaching on. "Uh hi" he said awkwardly. The red head smiled brightly in turn, "salutations friend Jaune it has been such a long time since we last saw each other".
Jaune had never felt so confused in his life until that moment. "Salutations" was how he was greeted and it took all of one complete minute to ask, "Penny"? The red head sat back on his stomach and clapped her hands together, "oh I'm so glad you remember me. I had thought that after our last meeting you might have forgotten about me since you were so busy with training". Jaune sat up as best he could and looked her up and down, "sorry it's just...well you look completely different from the last time I saw you. Really different" he said as he looked her up and down again.
"How shameless"!
Jaune looked up to see Weiss glaring back at him with a fierce blush spread across her face. It took him a second to realize why when he looked over to Penny once more and remembered that nobody knew that Penny was actually a machine and not a normal human girl. It also meant the position he was in at the moment was actually very inappropriate for two people of the opposite sex to be in. "Wait it's not what you...". He really tried to explain himself but Weiss was having none of it an created a glyph under the two and sent them flying up into the air. Penny righted herself in the air easily but Jaune was another story altogether.
The two landed on the ground, one on their feet and the other on their stomach. "Oof"! Jaune cried as he hit the ground. Penny looked over to her fallen friend and cocked her head to the side, "friend Jaune are you in need of assistance"? Jaune raised his right hand and grumbled into the ground in what one could only assume was a yes. At least that was how Penny perceived it since she took hold of his wrist and lifted him off the ground in one quick move before setting him on his feet. Jaune shook his head once before giving Penny a small smile, "thanks" he said.
So far everything was turning out as he expected... terribly. Winter let out a sigh and turned away, "our ride is here so let's get a move on" she said as she walked over to the nearest airship. Weiss, Jaune, Penny and Ilia said nothing and boarded the ship for their first ever mission together. Jaune just hoped everything would be as easy a Winter had told him.
And a new chapter down. How will this mission turn out? Only time will reveal that answer.
