Anybody else really goddamn disappointed with how RWBY volume 9 ended? The ever after arc just killed the show in my opinion. While watching it almost felt like the writers enjoyed developing their side characters more than the main cast, specifically Jaune. In my opinion he's been the character most relatable (and most like a protagonist). So this story will serve the purpose of giving Jaune the shot I think he deserves. Few things to note before diving into this is that there will not be frequent updates, I'm a full time student and I'm really just using writing as an outlet and to sate my RWBY hunger. I am purely a selfish fanfic writer, but I hope you enjoy.
Fair Warning: There's a reason this fic is rated M
Ansel
"Wake up Jaune!" The first sight greeting the blonde in question was his adorable and also blonde but younger sister Amber, grinning like a maniac at the misery on his face
"Five more minutes..." For a second Amber fell silent but the tugging of sheets from his comfort cocoon made Jaune realize she would not be giving up so easy
After an epic battle of wills, Jaune finally got up and followed his beaming little sister down the stairs where his family the Arcs were waiting to eat breakfast
His father Julius was flipping pancakes with a smile but Jaune grew irritated when he noticed the bags under his eyes
'Must have been another attack last night' Jaune thought, which would make it the fourth in the past month
His father greeted him with that same annoyingly fake smile "Morning Jaune! Eat up, you're going to need some fuel for today"
Jaune raised an eyebrow "Finally going to let me start training old man?"
"Nope! You're still too much of a shrimp, fortunately for the both of us you get to be a kid for a bit longer, and go into town with your little sister today to pickup her weapon" His father said smirking which only caused Jaune's eyebrows to crease
Just as he was about to argue, Jaune saw the pleading look in his dads eyes. He might be a kid but he's no damn fool. Jaune knew as well as anyone, better even, that negativity attracted the grimm. But going alone with his sister into town seemed like a crazy thing to do with the attacks going on
"Just the two of us?"
"No, Noire will keep you company"
This time Jaune couldn't conceal his groan to his families amusement, Jaune did love every single member of the Arc clan, but that didn't mean he couldn't hate them too. Noire was the worst because she did everything perfectly. The oldest Arc sibling had already unlocked her semblance, was a battle prodigy, and had the top test scores on her application to Beacon Academy
Jaune's only combat experience was nearly cutting his eye out with a wooden sword, which maybe rightfully so made his dad hesitant to try training him again. At least the scar looked cool
Looking at his handler for the day, she stuck her tongue out in defiance. Clearly she got her strength from making him miserable
"Today is going to suck" he sulked
After their breakfast, the trio started the trek into town. It was only a twenty minute walk on the main path, but with company like this it felt like forever
"So Jaune, kill anymore eyebrows lately?" Noire asked curiously causing Amber to snigger
Jaune simply sighed in return
"Maybe if you finally found a man, he could wring in that attitude of yours" A smack to the back of the head, and laughter from Amber was his reward
No matter how much better his sisters may be at basically everything else, Jaune would always have his witty comebacks. And he was alright with that. At least he thought he was
They finally came across the main gates, but strangely enough the main guards were not at their post which immediately made Jaune suspicious
His face looked carved from stone as he looked to Noire who didn't seem to have a worry in the world
"Noire! The guards are gone!" He whisper-shouted in concern which only caused her to look at him as if he was an idiot
"They had a long watch last night, I'm sure they are just resting up" she stated without breaking stride which caused Jaune to sigh but silently agree. That made enough sense, and its not like the alternative was possible in a town of this size over such short notice
Amber grabbed onto Jaune's hand as they walked into town which cause him to smile down at her
Thankfully there were people around, but they walked around like zombies. Clearly the attack had been much worse than Jaune had expected if the people were this run down
Jaune waved at the butchers son George whom he recognized from class, but the boy just looked at him with hazy eyes, nodded then walked off
"Weird, usually he's more energetic than Amber" Jaune muttered to himself as they walked into the smith
Saying the man looked worn down was an understatement. Seven feet tall and pure muscle, but the smith looked smaller than Jaune had ever seen him
Despite his exhaustion the man showed them a smile "Now what would three wayward Arcs be in my shop for?"
"Pllleeeaaaassseee can I have my weapon!" Amber begged with puppy dog eyes, clearly no patience to spare
The man simply smiled and handed her a small sheathed dagger, it was "classic" as his father liked to put it
But the simplicity of the weapon didn't fail to amaze Amber who immediately pulled it out of the sheath with a satisfying sound and smiled at her reflection
Seeing that she was going to be busy for awhile, Jaune decided to pry for some answers "How bad was the attack last night?" Jaune asked with sympathy in his eyes
The smith seemed somewhat surprised at the question "Attack? Last attack we had was around a week and a half ago, no?"
Jaune's mind reeled, no attack?
"Why is everyone so run down then?" He asked reflexively which only served to confuse the smith once again
"I'm not sure actually, now that you mention it I am really quite tired, in fact I might call it in early today" He said covering his mouth to hide his yawn
There was a faint screech that Jaune could just barely make out, but they were in a Blacksmith so it was probably the apprentice in the back
'Now this really is weird, maybe there's just something in the air, too much of a pain to figure out anyways'
Having gotten what they came for the three Arcs set down the path to home
As they neared the halfway mark, Jaune heard another screech but paid it no mind since they were in the middle of the forest
Suddenly Amber missed a step, and Jaune caught her to keep her from falling
Now fully alert, Jaune yelled out "Something is wrong!" looking frantically around
Noire snapped to attention and pulled out her rapier "Stylist" and got in a combat ready stance
"What is it Jaune?!"
"I think something is following us!"
They all faced the direction of town and Noire slowly started walking back towards it, alert for any sign of trouble
She didn't make it a dozen steps before another screech rang out through the forest, causing all three Arcs to fall to their knees in exhaustion
"Grimm!" Jaune yelled struggling to point at a group of tall black figures with long drooping arms that dragged on the floor as they slowly hobbled towards them. Their eyes were the colour of blood, their mouths stretched wide open and glowed with that same menacing red
Another screech had Jaune stumble and see black
His slumber was broken by his younger sister Amber's screams, snapping his eyes open once more Jaune cried out at the sight before him
The lanky Grimm he had spotted had stopped their march in front of his elder sister Noire, and started piling on top of her
Amber screamed at the sight and a beam of dark yellow light launched from her hands and stunned the Grimm but caused her to pass out from the effort of unlocking her semblance
Jaune could only turn his back and cry at the sound of Grimm feeding, as he picked up his unconscious sister and sprinted home
He ran, he was so damn tired but he couldn't stop. More than once he heard another screech and forgot why exactly he was running, but his legs carried him on anyways
The further he ran, the more his mind cleared. Apathy his uncle had told him horror stories of that Grimm, How did he not realize?! The exhaustion, lack of response... how could such a horror could actually exist in the world? How could you stop something that makes you not want to stop it?
He couldn't run any longer, but Jaune dragged himself to the obnoxious bright blue door of the Arc residence and cried in relief
Barging into his parents having what looked like a serious discussion had both looking towards him in irritation, but they quickly ran over to help
"Jaune, holy Oum what happened?!" His father yelled in concern checking to make sure his children were alright
"Where's Noire?" Jaune's mother Peony asked realizing it was only the two younger arcs
All Jaune could do was cry
No happy family for you Jaune, sorry for the depressing start but I needed to find a way to really drive Jaune. I promise this won't be a slow burn, hopefully will just have one or two more chapters before we get to beacon. My main aim is to finish the story after all.