A/N: *Demented Cackling* I LIVE!!!!
Seriously though I think I'm a week late uploading this chapter and it's entirely because I just couldn't get past a nasty case of writers block. Now that its here though I'm happy and excited for what you all think.
Originally I was going to go a different way, but after reading the "Son of the Forest" novel I decided to lean a little further into 40k as you'll soon see.
I also want to say thank you to everyone for the recommendations about trainers and items. Some of them have been very helpful and will probably end up getting used. Now with no further announcements ENJOY!
Jaune still wasn't used to sitting in the headmasters office. Sure realistically it's to be expected, it's only his second time up here, but there was a strange air about the room. He wasn't sure how to describe it as there was no physical aspect he could point out as being the source of his unease. It was more of a feeling than anything else, one that had undoubtedly become second nature due to his cumulative time training under his three sensei.
No, he felt as though there was an uneasy air of mystery and hidden meanings as he sat in what he was starting to mentally refer to as the clock tower. It was why he couldn't help but shuffle in his seat every so often as he waited for the headmaster to finish reading the pamphlet he had been given. Inwardly he cringed just a bit at having read through the information himself earlier in the morning.
The universe of the forty thousandth millennium was, for lack of better words, a hellscape. An Imperium of mankind that was so religiously zealous they actively butchered anyone that questions established doctrine, even if the question is valid. Eldritch horrors that deemed within this warp waiting to corrupt and consume any that happened into their sights. Those are just the two largest take aways he had from reading it too! He's not even mentioned the almost unending swarms of Tyranids that invade the galaxy with the sole intent of consuming everything.
Safe to say he would never, ever, eeevvvveerrrr be personally visiting that universe. Unfortunately that left him with a dilemma...what does he do about his prize?
Contrary to what one would believe the warrant of trade and the Dictator class voidship of which it was held came with a full crew. A full crew of eighty five thousand people include fifteen thousand pilots and assorted personnel!
"I must say mister Arc...this is quite unprecedented." The headmaster finally stated after setting the pamphlet down. "I wasn't sure what to expect when this lottery of yours was brought to my attention, but this certainly wasn't it." He continued.
"Is it weird the ship is what freaks me out over the ability to visit another world?" Jaune asked as he sighed, shoulders slumping.
"Not at all, while the ability to visit a separate world is extraordinary and an opportunity worth taking, this warrant of trade has much greater implications." The headmaster assured.
"So what should I do?" Jaune asked hopefully. "I mean I'm literally still in school I have no clue what I would even do with a ship full of people. Much less a ship full of people that are prepared to take my literal word as law."
"It is a difficult situation and a precarious one at that." The headmaster agreed. "According the the section that had a full copy of the warrant you are not only considered, basically, royalty to these people, but Remnant is the center of your dynasty."
"So in short I have a warship full of what could very well be fanatical zealots who would fight tooth and nail that I'm the rightful ruler of Remnant. Not to mention they would sooner slaughter the entire planet that consider anything otherwise." Jaune stated the grim truth of the situation with a rapidly growing pit in his stomach.
"Yes." Was the short and completely unhelpful response of his headmaster.
"Fuck."
"Although there is a way you could use that to your advantage." Ozpin offered.
"How?" Jaune asked in exasperation.
"Your word would be considered law to those people. You could very well enact policies of tolerance and acceptance of xeno-like individuals...if you use their faith against them." Ozpin explained seriously as he leaned forward folding his hand atop his desk.
"Use their faith against them?" Jaune asked rolling the thought around a bit with a frown.
"Yes, you see these people come from a realm where constant war and death are their reality. It stands to reason that stagnation have prevented them from advancing technologically or philosophically which birthed this religious zeal, especially if this Emperor of theirs fell in such a way." The professor stated.
Jaune nodded to that understanding that the headmaster was referring to what the pamphlet referred to as the Horus Heresy and the fall of the Emperor. The Emperor who was almost immediately interned on the golden throne where he barely clings to life. Then there's the Primarchs that have either died, disappeared, or turned traitor.
They were probably the ones Jaune felt the worst for. He couldn't imagine how one of the loyal Primarchs would feel if they returned to the imperium only to find it a husk of its former self. Truthfully that's what it is too, the imperium under the Emperor was flourishing and rapidly expanding. After the events of Horus' betrayal it was barely clinging to life and had turned to this...Ecclesiarchy for a source of hope.
"So your saying I should spin their arrival here as what...divine intervention?" Jaune asked almost incredulously.
"That's exactly what I'm saying." The headmaster affirmed with a small frown. "I'm not saying it's a pleasant line of thought, but if you're to interact with these people at all you must understand the threat they pose to Remnant." The headmaster stated firmly.
"I understand headmaster...I need to think about this for a while.I'll let you know before I do anything, but it'll probably be a while." Jaune stated as he rose up and left the office.
Ozpin gave the retreating form of the young man a small smile. "That is all I ask mister Arc."
Once the elevator doors had shut Ozpin allowed a few moments to pass before flipping back to a page in the pamphlet that was more like a manual. The page was just after a few that described and depicted the emperor of mankind and had portraits of eighteen different men. The one that had garnered the old wizards attention however was the portrait marked with the numeral for 'first'.
"I wonder if there is a connection between you and this man old friend, or is it simply a coincidence?" Ozpin asked himself as he stared at the portrait of Lion El Johnson Primarch of the First Legion also dubbed the Dark Angels.
Of course Ozpin knew the man by a slightly different name...that of Lion El Johnson Arc. The headmaster had a call to make.
Considering the announcement the headmaster had made yesterday Jaune really should have expected people to get competitive, and he did. He had fully expected everyone to be excited and jumping at the big to earn one of the spots that would guarantee a showing in the Vytal festival. What he was not expecting was for Beacon to keep an active tracker of everybody's scores. That was what he was seeing at the moment when he walked into combat class.
There just beside the large screen that would display the aura level of whoever was sparring at the moment was a scoreboard. What was more surprising however was Jaune's position on said board...first. Now don't get him wrong Jaune felt a lot more confident in himself, his skills, and his plans than when he first entered Beacon Academy. With that said he had also seen some pretty good showings from yesterday and believed he would fall more of the middle of the pack in scores.
"Attention students." Professor Goodwitch called causing all conversation in the room to die out immediately. "As you have all undoubtedly noticed we will be keeping the scores of our event publicly available during its duration. These scores will update at the end of every day by six pm." She announced before flipping through some papers she had in hand.
While she did so Jaune looked around as he surveyed the reactions of those he knew. First there were Nora and Yang that had somewhat of a depressed air seeing as they were near the lower fourth of the board. He knew neither of them expected to get anywhere high considering they had no plan and didn't even really work as a team with Cardin, which it's Cardin so fair.
Ruby was pretty happy with herself seeing as she was in the top fifteen. Considering herself, Coco, Adel, and Burnice White came up with a really good strategy to pin down and pick off their opposing team he had expected it. How do you charge through a wall of fire and bullets while also avoiding sniper fire? You really can't as the other team quickly learned.
Blake and Ren gave each other polite nods as they had both placed twenty first and twentieth respectively. They had earned it by working as a well oiled machine alongside Fox Alsitair though they didn't score higher due to mainly being reactive during their fight.
Weiss and surprisingly Pyrrha were actually near the bottom of the board, though for differing reasons. Pyrrha was on the low end of the board because her teammates had unanimously decided she would fight the opposing team alone. They had literally feinted a team charge only to retreat leaving Pyrrha alone.
Of course the champion was more than capable of destroying a makeshift team by herself, but the point stands. Of course Pyrrha and Goodwitch had both been incensed by the deceptive strategy. It was truly a surreal experience to see his partner actually tear someone a new one, but it was well deserved. Unfortunately Goodwitch couldn't place her in a separate team, but she wasn't penalized like her teammates, both of whom were deducted twenty points and given detention.
Weiss on the other hand was the problem child of her team. While she was still working on mellowing out with team RWBY she had rubbed her temporary teammates the wrong way. It was almost instant that she and Luciana de Montefio were at each other's throats during their strategy meeting. It was only due to the efforts of Velvet that the pair were even able to tolerate each other it seems. Though not enough to escape being in the bottom fifteen.
"Now for todays exercise we have decided that, due to some problems from yesterday, we will be having a two day exercise." Professor Goodwitch announced sending a wave of murmurs through the room.
"For the next two days you will all be placed into a full four person team that you will work with. Today you will all be required to spend several hours with your teams and write reports detailing personalities, combat styles, and hobbies. Tomorrow all classes will be canceled as you will spend the day in the emerald forest, the details of which will be given tomorrow. Now teams will be displayed on the screen when you see your temporary team you will be dismissed to meet with them elsewhere." She continued to explain before using her scroll to activate the screen above her.
One by one the teams were displayed by both picture and name. Each lasted a total of thirty seconds before moving on to the next team. Jaune watched as he made a mental note that tomorrow could very likely be a combat oriented exercise.
The first team that had anyone he recognized consisted of Jane, Weiss, Fox, and Sky. Overall not a terrible composition considering most of the members seemed level headed. Though he was definitely worried about having Jane and Weiss on the same team. Jane gave him the distinct impression she had zero problems pointing out the heiresses personality flaws, an act that would certainly lead to a volatile reaction. He wasn't too worried about Sky being in the team considering the other three could easily keep him in line.
A few minutes later and the next of his friends to get paired off were Yang, Lucy, Velvet, and Ren. Not a bad composition at all combat wise. Though he does take a moment to question how well Yang and Lucy will get along. Yang is out going and fun but she doesn't take anyone being stuck up. Not to say Lucy is, dear Oum he hasn't even met the girl, but she seems similar to Weiss somehow.
Next up is yet another combination of his friends being Blake, Yatsu, Nora, and Pyrrha. This combination gives Jaune reason to pause. There's nothing wrong with it...it just doesn't make sense. The team doesn't seem as though it will have any internal issues, but it also doesn't feel right.
As the next few teams are announced he idly notices that Jane's teammate Burnice is paired with a group of other later students he doesn't recognize. Finally as the classroom starts to feel emptier and emptier the board displays himself. He smiles a bit as he notices that he and Ruby have been placed on the same team. It also looks like they've been placed on a team consisting entirely of leaders as their teammates are Caesar King and Coco Adel. As the four stand up they each form an unspoken agreement to meet outside the classroom.
Once all four are outside Caesar stops any conversation with a finger to her lips and motions for everyone to follow her. Seeing no reason not to the other three fall into step passing by the other teams that have littered the hall with hushed whispers in their own groups. After a few minutes the four are in the courtyard where Caesar immediately plops down under one of the few trees.
"There now we don't have to be all hush-hush about anything." She says with a smirk.
"Smart." Coco states with a friendly eye roll at the dramatics. "So should we do introductions?" The fashionista asks.
"Sure, I'm Ruby Rose, leader of team RWBY!" Ruby announces happily from her spot beside Jaune. "I like weapons, cookies, and fighting grimm!" She adds.
"I Think everyone likes that third thing." Coco points out with a friendly smile. "Names Coco Adel, leader of team CFVY. I like fashion, my team, and coffee."
"Heh, more like obsessed with fashion Co." Caesar stated with a friendly smirk. "I'm Caesar King, leader of team KWDM. My likes are fighting, messing with Lucy, and I love Burnice's nitro-fuel drinks."
"Nitro-fuel?" Ruby asked while tilting her head to the side.
"Awwww your adorable!" Caesar cooed as she reached over and pulled the tiny reaper into a hug.
"H-hey! Let go!" Ruby whined as she flailed a bit.
"Anyway, Nitro-fuel is basically an alcoholic energy drink. Burnice is an expert at mixing the stuff on top of being an awesome bartender." Caesar explained as she paid the younger girl no mind, absentmindedly scratching behind one of Ruby's ears.
"Sounds interesting." Jaune stated. Having been forced by Tsunade to try various types of sake during their breaks he could appreciate a good drink, and his teacher made sure he knew what a good drink was. Of course he also got a lot of practice treating hangovers.
"I'll bring some for you to try sometime." Caesar replied shooting him a smirk that was nothing short of predatory. "I think it's your turn, tell us about yourself Arc."
"Well my name is Jaune Arc and I'm the leader of team JNPR. I like helping my friends, my sisters, and learning new things." Jaune introduced himself with a smile.
"You have sisters?" Ruby asked having finally removed herself much to the pouting Caesars disappointment.
"Seven sisters, four are older while one is my twin and the last two are younger, also the last two are literal twins." Jaune replied easily with a fond smile. Though when he looked at his temporary team they seemed to have varying reactions.
Ruby looked as though she was having flashbacks to the last great war at the mention of four older sisters. Coco's glasses had fallen slightly so that he could see that her mind had practically blue screened at the number of siblings. Caesar seemed to be having the same reaction, though her eyes seemed to have glazed over with a look of something he couldn't place.
"Seven!" Finally after a few minutes it was Coco who broke the silence. "Your parents had eight kids?! Do they not have hobbies?!" She asked in bewilderment.
Jaune didn't have a chance to reply as he was suddenly hit by Ruby employing a Nora variant tactical hug, patent pending. "Poor Jaune! All those older sisters...the teasing...the cold showers...the lady stilts!" She cried as she comforted her friend. Though it seemed that Jaune was more like the one comforting Ruby who was suffering flashbacks.
"Your mother is a very strong woman." Caesar stated sagely, there was also a hint of some reverence in her tone.
"I like to think I got lucky, besides my great grandfather had seventeen siblings..all...brothers." He stated with a smile before his mind started to grind to a halt.
His great grandfather, Lion El Johnson Arc, had seventeen siblings. His grandfather hated half of them according to his grandmother. Lion El Johnson was also the name of someone else he just learned about, he also had eighteen siblings. Oh mighty Oum...is his great grandfather from another universe?
"Jaune?"
It was the concerned sound of Ruby's voice that brought him back to reality. Looking around he could see that his temporary team had worried looks.
"You good there blondie?" Coco asked.
"Yeah sorry, I think I just realized a few things." He stated, strangely enough it looked like Caesar gave him an understanding nod.
"Well let's focus on the present, shall we?" Caesar asked.
"Right, before anything else we need to figure out who's leading this team." Coco stated firmly.
"Agreed." Jaune stated having the same conclusion as the fashionista. "It's pretty obvious this exercise is meant to smooth over personality issues." He stated drawing a confused look from Ruby.
"What really?" She asked.
"Yep." Caesar stated while giving Jaune a nod. "Jaune's right, the teams have been grouped together in a way that certain members clash."
"So this is a test of how well we can resolve the issues." The younger girl realized causing Caesar to grin.
"Exactly, I don't know about the two of you, but Co and I don't really have any issues we haven't worked out." She explained.
"I-I'm still not used to leading a team." Ruby mumbled as she draped her cape over herself.
"That's fine, you're still young and you've only been here a month." Caesar replied with a shrug has if it wasn't a big deal.
"Really, but Weiss-"
"Is a total bitch at time Rubes." Jaune cut in drawing a shocked look from his friend and surprised ones from his other teammates.
"I thought you had a crush on her?" Ruby whispered as if her worldview was shook.
"I did, but I also had some help realizing that as she is...Weiss isn't a great person. She's trying and I'm glad for that, but she's also bossy, rude, sometimes downright demeaning." Jaune had to cut himself off before he said anything too mean in front of his friend. "My point is she's not the best judge."
"What Arc is saying is that you shouldn't use the little rich girls worldview as your own." Coco stated. "Do you think your sister could have led your team?"
"Nope." Ruby replied immediately popping the 'p'. "Yang gets way to single minded sometimes and really hates following directions."
"So don't take it to heart if others think you should be ready by now." Caesar stated. "There's a learning curve to these things and a month is hardly enough time to figure it all out. Just take it at your own pace."
Ruby seemed to think for a minute or two before smiling at the three brightly. "Thanks I uh...can I come to guys if I have problems? You know...after this exercise." She asked a little unsure of herself.
"Anytime Ruby." Jaune replied.
"Consider yourself an open invitation to hangout with my team." Caesar stated with a smirk.
"Sure." Coco nodded with a smile.
"So I probably shouldn't lead." Ruby stated after a minute of thought. "I want to learn from you guys."
"Personally I think it should be blondie." Coco stated pointing at Jaune.
"Me?" He asked pointing at himself in a questioning manner.
"Yep, Yatsu said you were pretty smart and I really want to see what kind of strategies you can come up with when we're actually given some prep time." Coco replied with a smirk.
"I second that, Jane has not stopped talking about you and would like to see your actions myself." Caesar agreed.
"You've got this bestie." Ruby agreed giving Jaune a smile and thumbs up.
"Alright, so let's go over some basic plans first." Jaune stated smiling at the three.
Ozpin sat behind the desk watching the collection of monitors with a content smile. To his left sat Professor Peach and to his right Professor Oobleck. Together the three were watching and taking notes of the temporary teams that had been formed for this exercise.
"It seems the team of Arc, Rose, King, and Adel have already figured out the purpose of this exercise." Peach commented before taking a sip of her own mug of coffee.
"Not very surprising, even if you discount the fact all four are very bright mister Arc is quiet good at connecting with others." Oobleck replied taking a large chug of his thermos.
"I wish the same could be said for the others." Peach commented dryly as she watched Weiss Schnee being verbally torn apart by Jane Doe. "It may have been an oversight to group those two together."
Ozpin looked to the screen to see that Fox was attempting to play peace maker while Sky looked to be just done with the whole thing. Truthfully he had placed the three together for just this very reason.
Fox was entirely to used to avoiding conflict, something he easily did considering his leader was very hands on. This was entirely the reason he was paired in this group, so that he could experience the frustrations of being the voice of reason.
Sky Lark was similar, but he was far to reliant on being around his team. With CRDL having been together since combat school it will do all four of that team good to get a new worldview.
Jane was actually perfectly fine. The young woman was easily the most level headed in his academy and an expert at blending in. Sure she had some identity issues in the past, but that was resolved. He had mainly put her on this particular team so that she could handle Weiss Schnee. The Schnee heiress was easily the most troubled of this particular team with rather obvious superiority and inferiority issues. He just hoped Jane didn't drive the girl crazy before helping her.
"I'm sure miss Doe knows just how far to push the envelope with miss Schnee." The headmaster replied.
Just as he was about to take a sip of his mug his scroll rang. Seeing who it was he stood walking away from the teachers before answering.
"Hello, it's been quite some time." He greeted.
"Where's my grandson?" The voice on the other end asked with a steely calm that still sent shivers down Ozpin's spine, even after all these years.
"He's not with me at the moment if that is your concern. However neither am I alone if you need to be mindful." Ozpin stated calmly.
"What exactly do you think you know to have sent 'that' message?"
"Unfortunately I don't know anything, however something has come up regarding your grandson that brought about my suspicions. I cannot divulge more without his permission." Ozpin stated before holding the scroll away from his ear to protect his hearing from indignant curses.
"And just why is that?"
"I would blame your son and daughter-in-law for his lack of trust in family at the moment." Ozpin replied easily, enjoying that for once he wasn't the reason the caller was upset.
"Oh don't you worry, I gave those two one hell of talking to." The voice growled out. "I can't say anything over scroll, but I'll be there by next week...how is he Oz?"
"He's doing quite well, surrounded by friends and currently excelling his classes. Though I'm sure one of those friends will be something more sooner than later." He stated pointedly ignoring the way his colleagues were glaring daggers into the back of his head.
"Ooooohh~ who'd you bet on?"
"Miss Rose, Sunmer's daughter." He replied. "Now I'll be going I have an assignment to oversee."
"Keep me updated Oz."
"Of course Betty."