Cuts of RWBY
A RWBY Fic Collection by AndrewJTalon
DISCLAIMER: This is a fan based work of prose. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and ViZ. Please support the official release.
An idea for an AU, since I do have Isabel and Nick Arc being friends with Taiyang, Summer, and Qrow in the past...
The island of Patch
It was late afternoon when F=five-year-old Jaune Arc stared in wonder at the two-storey tall cabin he and his parents approached on horseback. He was held securely in his mother's lap as she guided her horse towards the wooden building, her husband Nick on his own steed close behind.
"Tai? Tai!" Isabel shouted. There was no response. Nick frowned as he dismounted.
"Though we were going to meet at the airship port," he murmured. His eyes began to scan around carefully, his senses alert.
"I thought so too," Isabel hummed, sliding off her own horse easily as she held Jaune in her arms. He wiggled before he got loose, dropping onto the grass.
"Mama, where's Yang and Ruby?" Jaune asked. He was pretty put out, which was understandable: He'd only talked with Ruby and Yang via CCT call. He was now finally healthy enough to travel, and he was eager to meet the daughters of some of his parents' good friends in person!
"I don't know, sweetie, we're going to find out," Isabel said with a gentle smile. She held onto his hand tightly all the same: It was habit from how weak and sickly he had been for so long.
Nick frowned deeply and Isabel looked at him in concern.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Strange tracks," he murmured. Isabel studied the ground. She shrugged.
"Toy wagon tracks. They were probably playing," she said.
Nick hummed but said nothing more.
Nick strode forward up to the wooden door, and knocked on it hard.
"Tai? Qrow?!" He shouted. "Anybody?!"
Again, there was nothing but silence. Nick frowned as Isabel pulled out her Scroll.
"He missed us at the airship port," she mumbled thoughtfully, dialing the Xiao-Long's home number, "He didn't call about anything..." She held the Scroll up to her ear as Jaune struggled against her grip playfully, "... Tai? This is Izzy. We made it to the house. Please call us as soon as you can..."
Nick tried the door handle. It was unlocked and swung open easily. Nick's frown deepened as Isabel stared.
"Izzy? Smell anything?"
Izzy enhanced her sense of smell by several times. She pulled Jaune up into her arms as Nick stepped in carefully. Isabel followed.
"He's in here," she said quietly. "Tai! TAI!"
Both Arcs spotted a human form on the couch, wrapped up in a weathered blanket in front of the TV. There were messy plates everywhere as a lone puppy licked at one. The dog was a corgi, and whimpered urgently as Nick walked over and grabbed the blanket. He pulled it off, revealing a very disheveled Taiyang Xiao-Long. He rubbed his messy stubble and stared blearily up at them.
"Huh? Izzy? Nick?"
"Nick, what happened?" Isabel asked urgently, "I thought you were going to meet us at the airship port?"
"Oh... Ohhhh..." Taiyang rubbed his face with a groan. "That... That was today... Right... Sorry."
"When's the last time you had a shower?" Isabel asked, as Jaune grimaced and pointed at Tai.
"Uncle Tai's all dirty!"
"I uh..." Taiyang scratched his head. "Not sure. School's closed this week, um... I thought we could..."
Nick turned on the lights. Tai grimaced and squinted. Nick glanced at his wife, and then down at the floor.
"Izzy. Look."
Isabel looked down. She focused her eyes like a hawk or eagle and made out some messy tracks: Made by a child's wagon.
"Where are Yang and Ruby?" Isabel asked tightly. She enhanced her hearing, but couldn't pick up any children around aside from Jaune.
"They..."
Tai's eyes widened in sudden realization and horror, his detachment falling away like a cloak.
"Where-Where are they-?!"
"Out the door!" Nick shouted. He turned and ran, dashing right outside.
"NICK! Wait, NICK!" Isabel cried. She turned to Taiyang and made a face before shaking her head.
"Oh Breaker, where are they-what did they-?!"
"We'll find them, Tai!" Isabel barked, just like in her leader days at Beacon. It seemed to get Tai's attention given how he looked intently at her. "We're going to find them! Just... Here. Watch Jaune, we will be right back, I promise!"
Taiyang shook his head and began to move towards the door.
"They're my girls, I can't just-!"
Isabel put a hand on his chest then pushed him down onto the couch. He fell without much balance and gaped stupidly up at her. She then put Jaune on Tai's lap.
"Jaune? Stay with Uncle Tai. Watch him. We will be right back, I promise," she said. She kissed her baby boy's head. "But don't go anywhere, this is very important. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mama!" Jaune said, nodding quickly.
Isabel turned and dashed out the door after her husband.
He put on his most serious face and stared intently at the distressed Tai. He then reached out and patted the older blond man on the hand.
"Don't worry, Uncle Tai! Mama and Daddy are gonna find Ruby and Yang! You'll see!" He beamed. "They're the best!"
"Y-Yeah... Sure kid," Tai murmured.
This was stupid. The stupidest thing ever.
Yang had heard her mother... Her real mother... Might have been living on the island somewhere. After Mom... After she died, Daddy was just... He wasn't there. He fell apart. He went to work but... Even when she shouted at him, he barely reacted.
He was broken.
So Yang thought... Maybe if she found her real Mom, Dad would get better. Dad would be fixed.
Maybe she could fix everything.
So she'd put Ruby into her wagon and set out when she was sure Dad wasn't home. She'd seen a big pile of blankets on the couch but that was normal.
Ruby had giggled and clapped happily every step of their journey, the two-year old enraptured by every fluttering bug and colorful flower. Yang though was serious just like a real Huntress. She had a mission to complete.
It was pretty deep in the woods (and things had gotten very dark) when they found an old looking cabin. It was made of rotted wood and sagging timbers. Honestly, it looked like where a witch from a fairy tale would live.
Still...
"Mama?" Yang called out. "It's Yang and Ruby! Mama? Are you there?"
Silence greeted her... Then an inhuman snarl. Red eyes appeared out of the shadows, and dark forms began to emerge. Fear filled Yang, as Ruby began to cry behind her. She stepped back until she bumped into the wagon as the Grimm advanced.
"Mama! Daddy!" She screamed, her arms going around little Ruby, "ANYONE! SOMEBODY! HELP!"
The lead Grimm looked like a nightmare made real. It snarled, baring large, sharp fangs that matched its bone white mask. Yang trembled and shook as she kept screaming.
"SOMEBODY! HELP! PLEASE!"
The Grimm lunged... Then something tall landed in front of them with a rush of wind. A gigantic white sword lashed out and the Grimm exploded in a flash of yellow light!
"I've got these, get the girls and GO!" A tall man, a darker blond than her daddy with a beard, bellowed. In moments, strong arms wrapped around Yang and Ruby both and they were flying!
Well, jumping. They leaped very high in the air and landed. Yang looked up in shock at the woman holding them and now running faster than a racing horse.
She was very pretty. Blonde, though much lighter than her own. Green-blue eyes behind glasses that looked over them frantically.
"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" The woman asked urgently.
In the moment, Yang couldn't help but wonder:
"Mama?"
"No sweetie, it's me, Aunt Isabel, remember?" The woman said with a soft, kind smile even as she dashed through the woods, "It's okay. You're safe now, you're safe..."
Right... Aunt Isabel. Daddy's friend. She was coming to visit. Yang had completely forgotten.
"What about...?" She looked over Isabel's shoulder. A massive explosion of yellow energy erupted, and she could hear the howls of Grimm.
Isabel chuckled at Yang and Ruby's wide eyes.
"Oh, he'll be just fine. Don't you worry. He's a Huntsman, after all."
Nick did catch up, grinning the same way he did after wiping out a horde of Grimm. He took Ruby in his arms, and the toddler soon giggled and began to play with his beard. They arrived back at the cabin soon after. Isabel's eyes widened when she saw Jaune standing outside, looking scared.
"What happened, son?" Nick immediately asked, free hand going for his sword again.
"Um... Uncle Qrow came in and told me to wait out here," he said, as he stroked the head of the dog. His eyes widened when he saw the girls. "Yang? Ruby?"
"Jaune!" Yang cheered. She'd wanted to meet the Bubble Boy since she'd seen him on the CCT! "Where's your bubble?"
"I don't need it anymore!" Jaune said proudly.
There was the sound of a loud crash inside. Isabel grimaced.
"I should-"
Nick shook his head. Isabel scowled.
"Nick, I-"
"Please Izzy, let me handle this?" Nick asked softly. "After we show him his kids are all right."
Isabel sighed but nodded. Jaune helpfully opened the door, and Nick patted his son on his head.
"Good job, Jaune," he said. They entered... To see Qrow shaking Taiyang by the collar.
"-What the hell do you mean you lost them?! You let them run off and-?!"
"DAD!" Yang and Ruby cried. Taiyang's eyes lit up and filled with tears. He dropped to his knees as the Arcs set Yang and Ruby down. The two little girls ran up and hugged their dad, the reality of what had just happened catching back up to them.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry... I'm so glad you're safe!" Taiyang sobbed.
Nick and Isabel stood a bit awkwardly. Qrow heaved a sigh of relief and managed a smile at his nieces. Jaune clung to Isabel's leg, and she stroked the top of his head.
Once Taiyang got himself back under control, Isabel very gently ushered the girls away.
"I'm going to make them some food," she said, "Jaune? Come on."
The three children and Isabel vanished into the kitchen. It was then that Qrow grabbed Taiyang and dragged him outside. Nick stepped out of the way, then followed at a slow pace.
Qrow threw Tai to the ground, and the blond yelped.
"Your kids nearly fucking died, Tai," Qrow seethed. "You're fucking lucky the Arcs were here, fucking lucky. I wasn't here. I was late."
"I-But-"
"But. Fucking. Nothing," Qrow snarled, kicking Taiyang in the stomach, "The fuck is the matter with you?! What would Summer think, huh?! You falling to fucking pieces and letting her kids die?!"
"Don't bring her up!" Taiyang growled back, his Aura flaring. He leaped to his feet and threw a punch. One that Qrow blocked. He punched Taiyang in the face.
"Can't even fucking defend your own kids! You fucking pathetic-!"
Nick Arc very calmly grabbed onto both men's wrists and pulled them apart. He used his great height to lift them both off the ground.
"Let me go, Nick! It's the only way he's gonna fucking-!"
"I'LL BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF-!"
Nick squeezed both men's wrists hard. Hard enough they both winced in pain despite their own powerful Auras. Nick's face remained serious... But calm.
"That's enough," he stated, his voice low but powerful like approaching thunder.
Both Tai and Qrow lowered their arms though they glared balefully at Nick. He set them down after a moment. He then took a deep breath.
"Tai... How long has this been happening?" He asked quietly.
"I..." Tai shook his head. "This... This is the first time they ran off-"
"You know what I mean," Nick rumbled. Tai looked to the side as Qrow glared at him.
"... Ever since Summer died, I've had... Bad days... Weeks, sometimes," Tai said quietly.
"How bad?" Nick pressed.
"... I..." Tai stared at the ground.
"Tai," Qrow growled.
"... Yang's had to cook and wash and... Even clean me, sometimes," he whispered. "She's gone shopping, I give her the money..."
Nick's eyes narrowed but his voice remained even.
"Qrow?"
"I've been making money, long hours, you know how it is," Qrow said, his face darkening, "I didn't... I didn't realize-"
"Guys," Nick interrupted, "Even if this isn't my jurisdiction... I am an officer of the law. Militia captains have to be accepted into the Rangers."
Both Tai and Qrow went very still. Tai paled.
"Nick, I... Please, they're all I have-!"
"Your daughters very nearly died today, Tai," Nick said quietly, "If we weren't here, they would have. I've had to take children out of homes for less."
Qrow immediately moved in front of his brother-in-law and best friend, their previous argument all but forgotten.
"Nick, please," Qrow said, "I-I can stay home more, I can help him get his head on straight... I know how serious this is but-"
"What's the guarantee this won't happen again in a few weeks?" Nick asked sharply. "You wanna bet your nieces' lives on that?"
Qrow grimaced.
"Nick, please," Taiyang whispered.
Nick sucked in a very deep breath. He then let it out.
Taiyang's fists clenched and unclenched. Qrow shook his head.
"Nick, you can't just-I'll go to Ozpin-!"
"Do not pull that card on me, Qrow," Nick growled, his Aura flaring like a small sun in the dying light, "You will not win."
Qrow grit his teeth... Lowered his hand from his weapon. Nick tamped down on his power, and resumed speaking as though nothing had happened.
"But because we're friends, I'm going to give you two options. One: Yang and Ruby visit and stay at our house in Radian for a while. We've got plenty of room, and plenty of eyes on them. Jaune would love to have kids his own age to play with who don't know him as the Bubble Boy. They will be safe, they will be happy. They'll stay as long as you want. Legally, they'll still be yours. They'll call you every day."
Nick looked at Tai significantly.
"Meanwhile... You get yourself together. Now... That's going to take a while. Don't lie, Tai. It will. Qrow just beating the crap out of you isn't going to cut it. Therapy with someone Izzy recommends. And if you have any more... Bad days? Bad weeks? They come with us for a while. Until you sort it out."
Taiyang stared back at Nick, tense but less filled with despair.
"And option two?"
Nick sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"I go to the local authorities. I tell them the situation. They come here and assess things. And from there, it will be out of our hands."
Qrow sucked in a breath. He looked over at Tai.
"Tai?"
Taiyang stared at the house for a long time, silent and morose. All three men could faintly hear children laughing from the kitchen. Taiyang held his breath... Then sagged as he let it out.
"... I'll... Get them packed," he murmured.
Nick nodded slowly. He reached out and squeezed Taiyang's shoulder.
"You're going to get better, Tai, I promise," he said quietly, "But unless you do? You're going to lose everything. This is so you don't."
Tai slowly nodded, and patted Nick's hand.
"Thanks," he mumbled.
Qrow sighed. He then patted Taiyang's other shoulder.
"We'll get through this, buddy. I swear."
"You will," Nick confirmed with a small smile.
So, how's this for an AU?