System Admin: Down for Maintenance. We thank you for your patience at this time.

King: Okay, so while Knox works, I'm going to put this out there. This is going to be a multichapter process. If you're only looking for Reaction chapters, they'll be back once the [AV] in the chapters are done. This, obviously, stands for Arcadian Vacation. After this chapter, AV will be seen until the Vacation is over. As always, I hope you enjoy this little look into their lives.

Note: If you need an idea what Jaune's home looks like, look up a Roman Villa.

Inspiration: N/A

/\

When the screen blacked out, Knox hopped down from his balcony and walked over to the screen. He created a small magic circle and sat down in front of the canvas. "Okay people! Screen's going down for maintenance!"

King teleported to the front of the theatre using purple flames. He clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright! Now, this won't be like a regular intermission. You'll all have to leave for now so Knox and I can get to work. It shouldn't take more than about ten days, your time. Most of you will be dropped off in the same universe. Some of you… will have to return to your own timelines. When we're ready for you all, we'll send out invitation letters and you'll have 24 hours to decide if you want to return." He gave a quick wave before anyone could respond. "Bye!"

And in a flash of light, they were gone.

\/

Team RWBY suddenly found themselves back in their own dorm room, all lounging on their beds in various states of activity. Blake was reading, Yang was seemingly waking up from a nap, Weiss was studying, and Ruby was loading magazines for her weapon.

Weiss was the first to move and pulled out her scroll, finding that time had, in fact, not moved in the slightest. She lowered her device and turned to the others. "Um…" She wasn't sure how to bring up the theater, in case it was all a delusion. Some strange moment of confused daydreaming.

Yang cleared her throat and jumped off her bed. "So, that theater thing. Was that a dream from my nap or did that actually happen?"

Blake wasn't too sure either, until she found a box sitting on the edge of her bed. It held the gifts they'd received at the last Christmas party and a bag containing their swimsuits from the beach. "Pretty sure it happened."

Yang walked over and grabbed her gift. "Trippy."

Their scrolls all rang, causing them to look to find a message from Beacon's Administrative Account. It read…

[To all Students staying and studying at Beacon Academy. It has come to the administration's attention that the electronic systems of the Academy have been compromised. While it is unknown what was accessed, we can be sure that academic records have been cracked and all internal systems require overhaul to avoid any further spread of the incursion. To this end, you will all be given one week without classes. If this requires further time, you will be informed as necessary. We thank you for your patience and wish you a good break. -Beacon Academy Administration]

Yang grinned once she was done reading. "Nice. Week off!"

Ruby jumped to the ground and swung her fist into the air, excited, "Yeah!"

But their excitement was short lived as an explosion rocked the air outside their window. They charged over to find a section of the temporary transfer dorms smoking. They all ran off to see what happened, joined by team JNPR who had a similar reaction, though were unaware of the specific location. They ran up and found the door blown off its hinges and a series of scorch marks around the area.

Looking inside, they saw Emerald leaning up against the wall. Of course, this all led to the group to check on her. Emerald cracked open her eyes and winced in pain, clutching her head, "I'm okay. I overused my Semblance…"

Mercury was also found in the rubble and burned room. He kicked out a section of bruning bed and groaned. "She could've at least not blown up the rest of the room."

"Cinder wanted to shut us up." Emerald was helped up to her feet by Pyrrha and Jaune. "Just be thankful I hid where we were."

They all turn to the last rustling debris as the fourth member of this team dug herself out of the ashes. Her dark hair and green eyes flickered away to reveal the pink, brown, and white style they now recognized.

Yang's eye twitched, "You were here the whole time?!"

Neo blinked and rolled her eyes. She smirked and waved back to Yang as she hopped out of the window. When she hit the ground, she shattered into glass.

Yang growled watching this, "Damn bitch…"

Mercury kicked aside one of the bed frames and pulled up a metal-mesh bag. "Knew I'd need this eventually." He slung the bag over his shoulder and walked over to the hole in the wall. "Been real. But I'm out of here. Don't call unless somethings gotta die." He jumped out the hole and started to walk off.

Emerald was quiet for a moment, but let out a slightly embarrassed clearing of her throat. "So… I need somewhere to stay."

\/

Adam's eyes opened to his tent. He glanced outside and found his brothers and sisters of the White Fang bustling around as they prepared. Prepared for what, he couldn't remember. Some perceived human slightly, most likely.

One of them walked in, his lieutenant often referred to by some in his faction as Banesaw. Whether as a joke or some other reason. He stood at attention with his arms behind his back. "You wanted to see me sir?"

Adam now remembered where he was at this moment. Cinder's plan was to gather Grimm for an attack during the Vytal Festival. He was about to gather his troops for this assault preparation. But this could work for something else. He had yet to speak of this plan, so he could spin this. "Tell me something Bram, have we gone too far?"

"Sir?"

"Our goal is equality. We want to be treated like people. But we take on the faces of monsters." He turned in a way that highlighted his mask. "How can we be ask for equality, but march for war?"

Bram lowered his head before he let out a quick chuckle.

"Something funny. Bram?"

"No sir. It's just…" Bram paused before Adam nodded for him to continue. "What you said reminded me of something my father told me about the Revolution. He told me a story of a man who fought for our rights despite having nothing to need. A man called Charles Arc."

Adam felt a chill for a moment. He knew that name. But from where?

"My father said Charles told him, 'what separates us isn't your ears or horns or claws. We are all men and women. We are all flesh and blood. What separates us is what we allow to.' Personally, I never subscribed to his idea. But he was adamant that this human's words meant something. I never thought about it too much. Even as humans shouted their slurs and tried to end his business, but he never fought back because of that."

Adam looked back and down to his desk. "I see." He raised his hand to his mask and placed it down on his desk, revealing his face and his scars.

Bram recoiled, "Holy shit."

No one had ever seen Adam's scars. No one. He kept it hidden at all times, even sleeping with a mask. He hated his scars and despised the life that led to the permanent burns on his face. "Understand Bram, I won't forgive who did this to me. I let that hate grow, and I wanted humans to pay for this. I hated humans as a whole for something a single man had done." He paused, about to take his mask back in hand, only to find his new, sleeker white mask from Christmas. He took the new mask and placed it over his face. "Tell them to stand down and retreat for Mistral. That woman's plan isn't in our interest. We have to think about what we need instead of letting ourselves get wrapped up in a doomsday plan."

Bram saluted and left the tent.

Adam, now alone, was able to remember. Charles Arc… Arc… Now it all returned to him. His own grandfather fought under a man named Charles Arc to achieve freedom for the Faunas. Adam had always assumed Charles was just another Faunas commander. Now he knew the truth. He let out a dry laugh. "How ironic."

\/

Sienna Kahn stomped across the floors of the White Fang's headquarters. She opened a pair of large red doors into a vast room with many Faunas standing among on the floor below. She walked over to a balcony railing and raised her hand, "Brother and sisters of the White Fang!" The Faunas silenced themselves and turned to their leader. "As you are all aware, I believe in the need to fight against those who would slight us for what we are." After letting an outburst of jeers toward humans quiet down, she continued, "And I truly believe that we must be ready to fight. But it has also come to my attention that many within our ranks do not seek to defend themselves and their kin from oppression, but to oppress in turn. Our battle was to force equality! To make humans understand what happens if they think we'll sit down and take their assaults!" Another cheer rang out, causing Sienna to raise a hand and quiet them. "I had hoped that this would make our point. That they can't just treat us like animals. But, after some time to observe our work, I have found all we've achieved. We've only broken our cause more and more. As we go off to attack, the more anger we sew. Make no mistake! I believe that we must continue to fight! But we shouldn't go to seek these fights. That was our mistake. For if we go seeking fights, even where none are found, we will forever be at war."

A low hush took hold in the hall. But soon, Faunas began to stand. One by one, those who wished for equality, true equality, stood before her. Soon, they began to shout in solidarity. Some refused to stop their war. She knew she couldn't blame them, but that she could no longer follow this path.

She took a breath before addressing those who remained, "We have a lot of work to do."

\/

Back at Beacon, hours had passed and it was now time for a lunch break. But then, something about what to do for their vacation came up. And, of course, a certain destination came up in the conversation.

"Come on! It would be so cool!" Nora was smiling from ear to ear. "We can visit Arcadia and spend the week! Actually get to be there!"

Blake leaned her book away a moment, "It would be rather interesting."

Jaune sighed, knowing that he was homeward bound whether he liked it or not. "I can make a call. Most of the air ships don't go to the area anyway."

"Thanks Jaune!" Nora gave Jaune a quick, bone crushing hug. If not for his aura, that would have hurt. A lot.

"So, what's going on over here?" Coco walked up to the group with Velvet at her side. "Planning a trip without us?"

Yang waved her statement off, "Nah. Speaking of, what about the other two members of your team?"

Coco shrugged, "Yatsu said he wanted to head home for a while. Say hi to his parents. Fox, on the other hand, wanted to stay on campus. Says he wants to train but he can't fool me~" Coco chuckled a little. "I've seen how he's been getting on with one of the transfer girls. Vel and I getting out of the room might be necessary."

"Coco!" Velvet gave her teammate a punch on the shoulder, but didn't argue the point.

"The things we walk in on." Neptune said, jokingly, as he and Sun walked up. "Sup?"

"Let me guess," Blake spoke with a small smile, almost unreadable unless you looked really close, "Scarlet and Sage had plans?"

"Sort of." Sun gave a 'so-so' motion. "Scarlet's sister was going to get married on Wednesday. But wth classes and being on another continent, he didn't think he'd get to make it. Then we got the message and he was practically out the door before we could say anything. Sage is going for emotional support, and to keep him in check."

"Oh. Well, good for him then."

Sun nodded and sat down with the group, "So, where we going?"

"Arcadia."

"Oh cool."

"So, is it just the thirteen of us?" Jaune asked, pulling out his scroll. "I need to know what to ask them to send."

"What about a hotel?" Weiss offered, "We'll need to stay somewhere."

"Trust me… My place can hold all of us."

"Dude. Does your family actually live in a castle or something?"

"No." Jaune nervously scratched the back of his head. "Not since it was refurbished for the Paladin Court… That doesn't sound better does it?"

"I disagree." Everyone spun around at the new presence suddenly among them, revealing Penny. "You answered the question as asked."

Ruby jumped at the sudden appearance of her robotic friend, "Penny?! When did you get here?"

"Just now. I did hear that you were planning to travel to Arcadia however."

"Oh. Well, are you going to join us?"

Penny sighed. "Unfortunately I cannot. I am unable to travel without being accompanied by an Atlassian officer. Especially if I wish to travel outside of the Kingdoms' borders. Unfortunately, with the General helping with repairing Beacon's operating systems, I don't see being able to travel with you."

"You may just be surprised." The voice spooked all involved and spun around to show Winter.

"Winter!" Weiss stood up and ran over to her sister. "When did you arrive?"

"Not long ago. The General asked me to relocate here and take over observation for Penny. He also suggested that it may be in our interest to take Penny away from the security breach."

Penny was silent for a moment before cracking the biggest grin, "Really?!"

Winter nodded. "Though, knowing the General, it's an excuse."

"An excuse?" Ruby asked, a bit concerned about Penny's place in Atlas.

"The General…" Winter waved her hand, looking for a good way to say this, "Doesn't trust an over mechanized fighting force. He feels that the Knights are important, especially to reduce the casualty count. However, he doesn't like the idea that they could be turned against him if their internal systems are compromised. Penny is a special case thanks to her aura. She's more 'human' than the Atlassian Knights."

Penny continued to smile, "Then that means I can go on the vacation with my friends?"

Winter nodded once, "You can. But that also means I have to go with you."

Yang let out a quick chuckle, "You sure this isn't just an excuse to take a week off?"

Winter rolled her eyes, her hands behind her back in her usual military stance, "I have plenty of Paid Time I can use if I wished."

Penny interrupted before anyone else can say anything, "Let's have a great vacation!"

Nora and Ruby shot a hand up in celebration, "Yeah!"

Blake snapped her book shut with one hand resting around its spine, "I guess we should go start packing."

Jaune took out his scroll and took a quick headcount, "I'll make a call and get a ship that can take us there."

Nora jumped up from her seat, cheering, "This is going to be the best vacation ever!"

\/

Up in the Headmaster's office, Ironwood was typing away on a holographic screen. His eyes darted around at lightning speed. His typing was pushing human limits, thanks to one of his hands being cybernetic.

Glynda, who was standing nearby, leaned closer to Ozpin, "Is this normal?"

Ozpin nodded, "His semblance is Hyper Focus. Thanks to this, he can work through things like this very quickly. Though that concerns me, since he said it would take a week."

"That's because this isn't all we need to do." Ironwood spoke without letting up on his work. "Isolating the intrusion is easy. The hard part is reverse engineering a way to prevent it in the future."

Glynda glanced to the side, not being well versed in technological work. "Do you… need anything?"

"Time." He paused a comment to take stock of himself before continuing. "And lunch."

Ozpin nodded once and stood up from his desk. "I can get you something from the cafeteria."

"Appreciated."

Glynda glanced between the two and sighed. "I suppose I'll go work on my lesson plans. Good luck."

\/

The gang made their way to Vale's air dock with plenty of suitcases between them all. According to the attendants, they were granted use of the second dock area and that the ship was waiting for them. After basic security checks and a bit of a walk, they found their vessel waiting beyond the barrier of glass to see the air field. And it got jaws to drop. It was a luxury airship built for long distance travel in short amounts of time. As they were ushered in, they found a first class space with enough seats for everyone involved and then some.

Yang whistled and took a seat in one of the chairs. "Damn, this is comfy~"

Weiss nodded and sat down in one of the seating groups opposite Yang's. "It is certainly preferable over the Bullheads."

Winter took a seat next to a window across from her sister. "It is nice to travel in comfort every now and then."

"How long is it going to take to get there?" Nora hopped into one of the chairs in her usual goofy way.

Jaune took a seat in the same set of four near Nora, "It's going to take a while. I don't think we'll make it there until late evening."

Yang stretched back into her chair, "I do not mind at all~"

It was going to take a while, but given the comfort for their travels, not one of them truly cared.

\/

By the time they arrived, the sun was starting to set over the horizon. The end to a Saturday so common for many. But as the Beacon Crew, with bonus members, finally left the Air Dock security checks, they found a bustling city not unlike the Kingdom they'd just left. The primary difference between the Kingdom and this Principality was the multitude of monuments and older buildings. As the light of the sky began to fade over the horizon, lights began to dance about Arcadia.

"Wow!" Nora looked around, her eyes sparkling like stars. "It's so pretty!"

Jaune chuckled a bit, "Welcome to Arcadia."

"So, which half are we on?" Sun looked around as they started to walk from the Dock.

"Argenti. We're on the mainland." Jaune led them through the streets as his home wasn't too far from the Dock. This allowed them to look around at the sights as night formed around them. The lights of Arcadia began to be more like stars. If they could see it from afar, they had no doubts it would be a beautiful sight unlike anything they'd seen.

Then, after a little less than an hour (which flew by as they looked around), they arrived at what could only be called a Villa. There were three buildings connected by open hall-like paths. The whole thing was large and had small patches of gardens among the set. Each was a white walled building with light brown tile roofing. As Jaune made his way to the house, his friends and associates had to pause to really take in what they were seeing. They knew he was a prince and that he had a large family, and thus would require a large home, it was still hard to take it in once they saw it in person. Eventually, they got things together again and followed after him.

Jaune used a doorbell to the side before opening the door with an old key. As he stepped inside, he called out, "I'm hom-!" Only to be blindsided as a body flew into him head first.

Another figure charged outside, revealing one of Jaune's sisters. It was shown to be the youngest sister, Lilianna, as she looked on in worry. "Sherry! Are you okay?!" She then noticed the visitors looking on in shock. Her face turned a bit pink as she turned to them, "Oh! Uh… Hello. I'm sorry about my sister. She can be a handful sometimes."

Sherry picked herself off her unwitting target. "Ana! You jerk! Why did you throw me at the door?!"

Another sister walked out from the house, revealing a slovenly girl in a dark tank top and sweatpants. "I told you to stop bugging me with that stupid 'not touching you' thing."

Lilianna just apologized again, head bowed and embarrassment painted on her face.

Jaune groaned from the ground. "Nice to see you guys too."

All three sisters paused before turning toward the familiar voice. After a moment they all shouted, "Jaune!" before initiating a dogpile onto the sole brother of their group.

Ren nodded with a sense of understanding. If this is what he dealt with before Beacon, it makes sense how he had the patience to deal with… well, us. It was no secret that team JNPR was a bit all over the place, especially if team RWBY was involved. Taken all together, he needed the patience of a saint to keep up without a Semblance like his.

As the dogpile ended, Jaune stood and dusted himself off. "It's nice to know nothing changes around here."

Anasatia turned to the group nearby and raised an eyebrow. "So, who are they?"

Sherry was instantly in front of the group. "Are you Jaune's friends from Beacon?!"

"That's us." Ruby smiled.

"Oh my gosh! What's Vale like?!"

"Calm down Sherry." A cheerful voice called from the door to show the mountain himself. Montagne walked out and gripped his son in a bear hug that lifted the younger Arc off the ground. "It's good to have you home, Jaune!"

"Please, dear, don't embarrass him yet. At least let him step inside the house." Jaune's mother, Simone, joined the group outside. True to her status as the White Death, she was dressed in a white coat as night was taking hold of the world. "We can enjoy introductions first."

Jaune was released and groaned a little before taking a breath. One after the other, he introduced each of his companions by name.

Simone had a small smile, but still seemed rather stern. "It's nice to meet all of you."

Jaune cleared his throat. "There's something else I have to bring up…"

Simone turned to Jaune, confused.

Montagne let out a good natured laugh before wrapping an arm over his son's shoulders. "Oh? You going to tell us one of them is your girlfriend?"

"Not that specifically."

Simone blinked before thinking back. "The Non-Traditional Laws?"

"Yep."

"Which ones?"

"Pyrrha, Nora, and Velvet."

Simone turned to the three in question, all of them getting a chill up their spines. "Interesting. And when did this start?"

"Officially, earlier today. It was their idea."

All three felt the chill of White Death's gaze grow colder. Only for it to thaw as she pulled all three into a group hug. "That's so wonderful~!"

To say the rest were surprised was an understatement.

Many had a similar thought. At least it won't be boring.