Standing before the video store manager is his former headmaster. From Remnant. A place that is far from New Eridu. How the hell did he get here?
"You seem to be surprised to see me, Mr Arc," the headmaster said to him, "And good evening to you, Ms Arc," he greeted to Belle,
"Professor, h-how did you find us?" Jaune asked him,
"Yeah, this is very far from Beacon in Vale," Belle is curious to wonder how he got here,
Ozpin laughed a bit, "Funny story…"
Flashback
At the diner, Cheesetopia, in Blazewood. Ozpin and Piper are having a meal. The Beacon Headmaster never thought having cuisine from land outside of Remnant is possible but here he is. Luckily Piper told him the meal is on her after winning some Dennies from her usual scratch tickets. The granny began to speak, "So you know Proxy?"
"Is this Proxy how to refer to as Jaune Arc, then yes." he responded,
"He never told any of us his past life," the trucker said, "We just assumed he was from the Old Capitol,"
"Well I can see why," his eyes lowered in sorrow, "After everything that happened to him, he would rather not associate himself with anyone from his homeland,"
Piper yawns, "Well he is the manager of a place called Random Play, don't mention that he is a proxy. Public Sec and Sector 6 don't take too kindly to them,"
"Really why?" Piper explained to him why proxies and the government don't mix well. Ozpin had an understanding of what kind of life his former student was having and found it very interesting.
Flashback end
"Leading a double life as a hacker and video store manager. Mr Arc, you really sure an interesting young man," Ozpin complimented,
"Still doesn't answer why you are in The Outer Ring in the first place," Jaune asked of him,
"Well Jaune, after you left. Things have been problematic,"
"Team RWBY."
"Team RWBY." The headmaster sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose, just the thought of the problematic team gives him a headache, "You see, Miss Belladonna has been on a vigilante phase and got her team involved. One instanced lead to the destruction of the docks, putting the city of Vale at cost of millions of Lien,"
Jaune scoffs, "What did you expect when you let in a former White Fang terrorist into the school," Ozpin is a bit surprised that Jaune knew but then again, he is hacker,
"Well recently, they crashed into another White Fang rally which led to them leading an Atlas Paladin into the highway. And thought of using civilians as distractions and cannon fodder for Roman Torchwick,"
Belle is starting to fume, "Oh my Oum! Did those boo brains ever think of the repercussions of their actions!?"
"Ms Arc, I understand your furious but unfortunately, that isn't the worst of it," he continued on, "15 injured and 6 dead because of their actions," Both Arc siblings gasp at the toll, "4 of which where a family,"
"Headmaster, forgive me for saying this… You made a wrong decision in letting those girls into the school," Jaune glared,
"After dealing with the settlements to avoid giving them jail time and ruining their lives…" he noticed the looks of the siblings, "I know, I shouldn't have. Anyway, the school had to deal with major budget cuts afterwards," Jaune and Belle looked at the professor with sympathy, "Well you being at Beacon wouldn't change anything but you, alone, have given me hope for a better tomorrow." Jaune was shocked to hear that from the Great and Powerful Oz, "You were a promising student. Despite your lack of combat training, you were quick to adapt even if it was too late, there was something special about you." In the eyes of the old wizard, he sees a splitting image of Jaune and Jeanne, both full of hope, "I wished for you to come back to Beacon… but seeing how much you've made your life here in this city. I'm afraid this is impossible now,"
"Sorry, Professor." Jaune apologize,
"No, I am sorry for not doing much to protect you," he said to him, "Only if things were different…" he shakes his head, negating that thought, "No, let's be grateful for the life we had." Jaune smiled a bit. Belle is grateful that they didn't have to fight for their right to live in New Eridu, "But." Tension rise, "I do require your services, a commission"
"What's the situation?" Jaune asked,
"Couldn't you get your people to handle the problem?" Belle joined,
"Well we need an outside party to complete this mission," Ozpin explained, "You two are excellent 'programmers' as I heard from your colleagues, so why not ask for your help. Complete it and I'll do whatever in my power to help you,"
The two siblings look at each other and put some thought into it. Just one mission and a favor from Ozpin sounds great but then again, they will have to deal with some people that they wanted to avoid. But maybe after this commission, they could never see those traitors again. The two nodded at each other before answering, "What's the job?"
Meanwhile
Billy Kidd is running a bit late, "Oh no, Nicole is going to have my head if we miss our reservations!" He felt out of breath but that is impossible for someone like him but soon he bumped into someone reek of motor oil and grease.
"Ow!" the woman yelled, "Oh hey Billy,"
"Sorry Grace, it's almost dinner time and Nicole does not want us to be late," he quickly explained, "Plus I need to tell her about manager's past,"
That stupid mother-
"Past?" Grace is curious, "What kind of past does Wise have?"
"Oh he basically left home because of his dirtbag people he called friends and family and fear that one day that they'll come back to take him back. Gotta go!" Billy quickly ran off,
"What?" Grace felt a twinge of anger to hear about people planning to take Wise away. The boy had done so much for her family and herself, but now some dirtbag people are planning to take him away for some reason. She must let Koleda know about this.
Victoria Housekeeping
"I see," a wolf Thiren said, "It be our best interest to prevent Master Proxy from returning to those who treated him ill,"
"W-We can't let them have him, Lycaon!" a girl with green hair shouted,
"Calm down Corrin," A motherly figure said to her, "I am sure Wise will not go without a fight,"
"Indeed Alexandrina, he may not show it but Master Wise seemed to have some forms of fighting experience to hold them back," Lycaon said while turning to the shark girl, "Ellen, thank you for informing us about the proxy's life. It be best to keep an eye on him for now," the girl nodded in agreement,
New Eridu Public Security
"Mom, how do I fight for someone that I care about…" Zhu Yuan lacked awareness as her co-workers looked on with confusion as to why she was like that.
Blazewood
"And that is why, we must act now!" Lucy finished her lengthy reason to protect Wise,
"Uhhhhhhh is it on the test?" A girl with admiration for fire asked as Lucy is planning to hit her with her bat, only to be held down by her leader,
"Calm down, girl," Caesar King said to her, "I am sure Wise wouldn't want to be treated like princess in a castle,"
"Let me go, you idiot!"
"If I may," Piper spoke, "I recently ran into someone that Wise knows,"
"Really? Was he trouble?" one of the members, Lighter asked,
"No, he got lost in the Outer Ring and I took him to where he needs to be. He seemed to be fond of him," the tired granny yawned,
Lucy grumbled but calmed down, "Well we need to protect him at all cost, he did so much for us and Blazewood, we should return the favor!"
'Is this what they call a tsundere?' Caesar thought, 'Could Lucy… BE IN LOVE WITH WISE!?'
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll help your boyfriend,"
"Shut up, Burnice!" her face turned red hearing that while Caesar thinks of a way to confess to the manager or lose to Lucy. Maybe her manga has the answers.
Sector 6
"An unknown visitor you say," A fox Thiren said, "Came from a place called Remnant,"
"That's what I have been told," a blue oni said while drawing, "He seemed to know someone in New Eridu,"
"Well that is a surprise, how many people in New Eridu know any foreigners," a young man said,
"Soukaku," a pink haired woman said, "Do you have any idea where he was going?"
"I heard he was heading to Random Play, Nagi," the innocent bean said, "Could he know the manager?"
"Possibly," she responded, "But I am worried about how long that stranger is going to be in New Eridu." Her worries wonder about the possible future that is about to come.
Random Play
"Fairy, find us a reception to any Scrolls in Remnant," Jaune asked his AI while using his old scroll to link a connection,
"Of course, Master," she responded,
"My my, an AI in your arsenal," Ozpin is amazed at the work he is doing,
"You haven't seen the rest of what we've done lately," Belle said, "So who do you wish to contact?"
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away…
"I apologize, Ms Arc but you are not what we are looking for," Glynda Goodwitch said to the applicant, Jane Arc,
"But why?" she complained,
"Well for one reason, Mr Jaune Arc is still a student here at Beacon and still Team Leader of JNPR. I'm afraid that accepting you while he is still enrolled will leave a bad taste towards him," In reality, she refuse to replace Jaune because he has much of a right to be here amd refuse to let his bullies win, "Now if you excuse, there is still paperwork to be done," the Arc sister looked defeated as she left her office but at that moment, a video call has come up to revealed to be James Ironwood on the other line, "James? Is that really appropriate to call me?"
"Believe me, Glynda but I ain't the one who called," he explained,
"Well who did," a certain drunk asked while another caller joined the chat,
"Greetings, everyone," Ozpin said, "If you are wondering where I am, currently I am in New Eridu, a city that is in foreign lands,"
"Oz, did you add a little something in your coffee?" Qrow asked as if he is drunk,
"No, but I have found Mr Arc along with his sibling," the headmaster explained to his inner circle, "Currently I am staying at his residence,"
"Is he okay?" The deputy headmistress worried about his safety,
"He is fine as he made quite a name for himself here," he said proudly,
"So your plans to return him to Beacon have fallen?" Ironwood asked and with a nod of confirmation from his friend, "A shame really. But we cannot force others,"
"All is well, but he agreed to help us with our current problems," the headmaster explained to them that Jaune could be a key player in catching Salem's spies that infiltrated the school earlier this semester. The others are impressed with Jaune's feats, "James, prepare an aircraft to pick us up,"
"I promise, we'll get there quickly as possible," Ironwood promised,
"And why not join us, Glynda. I am sure Mr Arc would be happy to see you,"
"Are you sure?" the professor worried that Jaune might hate her for not doing much to help her,
"I'm sure, besides you were like a mother to him when things got hard during his time here," Ozpin reassured her, "Now I must go, I am curious to try this coffee that New Eridu has to offer." With that, the headmaster went offline, ending the call. Meanwhile, some nosey ass people have listened in on their conversation, and many with bad intentions.
Back to everyone else
"Hey Wise, I'm sending an invite to our friends about our birthday party," Belle said to her brother,
"We better stock up," Wise chuckled, "Though I am kinda excited to have my birthday here,"
"Compared to our birthdays back at 'home', I am sure it would be an improvement," she giggled but then realized, "Hey, who should we take to Remnant with us?"
"Possibly the Cunning Hares since they are dying for work," he responded, "Besides they are our first agents to work with us,"
"Aww, my big brother has a soft spot for them?" she teased but he does have a point, "So is there anyone that Ironwood brings along to meet us?"
Jaune thought of some of the people he requested and realized one person, "Well he might bring in our lovable android along for the ride,"
"Penny?" Belle tilted her head, "I wonder how Billy or Grace would feel about her?"
"Knowing Grace, I would believe she is going to be amazed while Billy…"
In Jaune's head
"I'm a big brother!" The gunslinger of the Cunning Hares shouted while holding on to Penny, "Lil sis, I'll teach you the ways of the Starlight Knights!"
"He probably treat him like she was his own," he smiled then look at the clock seeing that is indeed late, "Well I am going to bed,"
"Night, Wise,"
"NIght Belle." The siblings head to their rooms and clock out. Meanwhile Ozpin is resting in the archive room, wondering about the city and the residents. It is almost the same back in Remnant but more advanced. Though in his thoughts, he prayed for things to go smoothly and no trouble to come their way. Meanwhile, trouble has stowed away with the Inner Circle on their way to New Eridu.
Another chapter done with additional characters since the 1.3 update. God Soukaku is adorable. Next chapter will be the calm before the storm.