A/N: EDIT: Longer note this time, sorry, please read if you would.
I really was hoping this chapter would get a lot of feedback, given last week's delay. We wanted it to be perfect...
The next chapter is already nearly written; every review helps me and my team write faster; do let us know what you think.
Every review really does help, large or small...any feedback is better than nothing at all.
It really does matter this time around; because first and foremost, this chapter is going to be told in several parts; it has to be, it's just that long. A lot is about to hit the fan, very hard, very fast, wnd very loudly. There was no possible way for me to squeeze all that into one chapter without it being a hot mess. Additionally, no one wants to read a chapter that's 30,000 words long.
Ironically, yes, I do get complaints for chapters being too long! What a world! Furthermore, if I took the time to make it all in into one chapter, you wouldn't get an update for a month. So here we are, compromising. I have been holding back on the Dance/Duel chapter for so long now, preparing scenes, saving them for later, eager to get down to the chaos that is to come.
But no more holding back! Let chaos take the world!
Warning for swearing in this chapter. Sorry for the delay, here we go~! Additionally, the app and site are going down intermittently for a lot of folks at the moment.
As ever, the fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others. I own no references, quotes, memes or themes! They're all tributes to legends far greater than me. I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that. In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know in the comments~!
Once more, hopefully I captured the feeling of a proper RWBY episode from the good 'ol days of Volume 1-3.
I'll leave that to you, the reader, to determine. I do hope you're prepared for a few more curveballs.
After all, the story prides itself on being unpredictable~!
Hope you savor this crazy chapter~!
Naruto has been working in the background since two chapters ago, and there's a reason we haven't seen him or Juniper out and about. What's the old saying? Mind the snake in the grass. It may bite you, it may not, but mind it all the same.
We also have lines from Volume 2.
Minor verbatim regarding dresses, as well, there's only so many ways one can describe them...
"Alright. Moment of truth. Let's see how Jaune survives this."
"You think he won't?"
"Oh, I am very much certain that he will; but I'm curious to see how it will all shake out. One way or another, I'm sure he'll remember this night for the rest of his life."
"And you won't interfere with it?"
"Why would I? I've already set up the cameras, so it's not like we'll miss anything. Besides, we got what we came here for."
"That's what worries me. This is too easy. Glynda didn't even notice us. Do you think it's a trap?"
"Possibly. Which begs the question...
"Is it for us, or Jaune?"
"Well, I suppose there's only one way to find out. You know what they say about traps. The best way to find out who set one...
"Naruto, no."
...Is to walk right into it."
"I'm not going to like this idea, am I...?"
"Depends. You still have those old dancing shoes?"
~Naruro and Juniper.
Just a Little Dance (Part I)
The day of Beacon's Dance dawned with much fanfare.
Fanfare and chaos aplenty.
It was madness.
Girls grabbed newly-rented gowns and clutched them tight to their chests like shieldmaidens of old. Boys brandished bright flower bouquets like scimitars in one hand and nearly strangled themselves with the other as they wrestled with serpentine ties; a lucky few actually managed to knock themselves out and were thus spared the horror of what was to come.
The unlucky would suffer a fate far worse than death; trying to get a date.
Students roamed the halls in feral packs, young men and women alike desperately prowling in search of a last-minute date, all to avoid the dreaded friendzone.
Some were successful.
Many were...not.
Pity their souls.
So, yes, much madness and misery was to be had in the hours leading up to the Dance. It was this very same chaos team that JNPR managed to skirt; if only because the four of the them weren't currently on the school grounds at the moment.
Instead, they stood assembled in the Emerald Forest before a rather...curious looking Grimm.
Jaune pinched the bridge of his nose as he finished his morbidly humorous tale. "...aaaaand that's where this one came from. I'm thinking a certain someone might've sent it to look in on me; it scared Ruby half to death last night...
The Hound, presently perched on its hindquarters before them like a culprit at his own trial, whined once and covered its eyeless face with one paw.
Its verdict had to yet to be decided.
Odd as it might sound, Jaune got the strangest feeling the blackened beast was trying to be friendly.
But friendliness or no, the fact remained that said Grimm had caused him no small amount of consternation. Having been nearby in the first place, he had come running into the clearing when Ruby screamed; only to encounter the Hound itself.
Said beast had taken one look at his face and promptly barked his name before bowling him over in return.
He'd frozen for a second at that.
Wasn't proud of it, but there it was; the truth.
Ruby, noticed naturally, and in typical Ruby Rose fashion, demanded answers.
There was no bullshitting his way out; he'd been forced to explain himself then and there.
It hadn't gone well.
"Sooo there's a Queen of the Grimm and I might be distantly related to her...
The same Queen of Grimm who may-or-may-not-be responsible for her mother's mysterious disappearance.
Ruby wasn't stupid; it wasn't hard to make the connection between the two; he was an immediate target for her.
She'd shouted and stomped and screamed at him; called him all sorts of things, few of them pleasant. Honestly, if it weren't for Zwei -cute dog- and a quick explanation on his part, she probably would've pulled Crescent Rose on him.
"I didn't even know I was related to her until recently!"
As though those words absolved him of guilt. That, coupled with the kiss -don't dwell on that!- shocked Rubu badly, hurt her even; so much so that the little red reaper had all but run away and shut herself off from him. She'd not left her dorm room since. Worse, he couldn't blame her for it. It was his fault after all.
This was not how he envisioned spending his Saturday.
Damnit, Salem...
"So," Pyrrha posited, reluctantly drawing him back to reality and the rather chagrined Grimm hunched before them, "What do we do with it?"
Jaune recoiled. "You're asking me?!"
The Hound barked anew, and with it came a word. "Follow?"
"Yeah, no," he instantly vetoed that idea. "We can't bring you back with us."
Or rather, they could, but it wouldn't end well; in any sense of the word whatsoever.
The Hound whined.
Nora's reaction proved more visceral; she absolutely shrieked; ironic, given she was currently hiding behind Ren; she'd all but scaled her partners back and now clung to his shoulders like a lemur. "It talks?!"
That was her hangup, here?
"Meh," he waved a hand, unfazed by her fear. "Dad's summons talk all the time. It's really not all that surprising to be honest."
Pyrrha perked up, ever eager to know more about his life. "What does he summon...?"
"Toads, mostly. But there was that one time he got mom to reverse summon herself and sign a contract with-
Ren coughed into a fist. "Is that really important right now?"
Jaune huffed. "I mean, I feel like my mom summoning contract is pretty darn important, considering she works with a giant-
Ren wasn't having it. "Jaune! Focus!"
"Fine, fine, we'll save the exposition for later...
The Hound barked.
"Awww, look at him," Pyrrha cooed softly and tentatively crouched down before the beast. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
Nora squawked a warning. "Pyrrha?! Are you crazy?! It'll bite your face off!"
In an instant the Hound rounded on her and-
"Protect~!"
Liiiiiiiick~!
Pyrrha sputtered in surreal surprise, tried to hold her ground and failed spectacularly as the decidedly drippy dog lathered her face with arduous affection. She was promptly knocked onto her butt for her troubles; the creature wasted no time in worming its way into her arms, nuzzling her affectionately.
She was giggling helplessly in a matter of moments. "Down, boy! Down! That's enough! Sit!"
Remarkably, the Beast obeyed.
Nora balked. "Eh?!"
Undaunted, Pyrhha held out her hand, palm upturned in expectation. "Paw!"
With a whuff of assent, Salem's abomination planted a limb atop her gloved fingers.
Jaune whistled. "Damn...
His partner wasn't finished; as he looked, she climbed back to her feet, planted both fists atop her hips and leaned forward wearing a stern expression.
"Roll over!"
It happily did so, tongue lolling out the side of its mouth the entire time.
"Good boy!" Kneeling low, she scratched its chin, clearly delighting in the low rumble of appreciation it made. "Who's a good boy~?"
Jaune would've laughed if he weren't so stunned. How on Remnant was she doing this...?
For the finale, Pyrrha whistled sharply.
"Treat!"
The Hound snapped to attention swifter than a sailor at last call.
Maintaining eye contact, Pyrrha fisted a bit of field rations from her belt pouch and tossed them toward it.
Bonecrushing jaws snapped around the snack with an audible crunch, loud enough to make a man flinch, gobbling the treat up in an instant.
He'd seen wolves move slower than that!
Ren had gone terribly pale. "How...?"
Kurama seconded him. Vocally.
"Oh, this?" Their resident redhead glanced over her shoulder with a rueful smile, idly scratching at the Hound's ears as she did. "I have a golden retriever back at home; I'm used to dealing with large dogs. Really, its all about tone. If Jaune says he's good, then he's a good boy."
Nora grimaced. "I dunno...he seems kinda Grimmy."
The Hound lifted its muzzle and sniffed indignantly. "Tolerate."
"Excuse you, buster?! You did NOT just say tolerate! I'll have you know I'm best girl!"
Pyrrha crooned, hiding a smile behind one had. "Aw, don't be like that; it's rather cute once you get past the gooey bits...
The Hound whuffed in agreement, turned Nora's way, and padded forwards.
She immediately froze, a proverbial deer in the headlights.
Jaune sighed.
He couldn't make her interact with this creature, but he knew it would go a long way to easing her fears of him, and with her, Ren as well.
The ginger grenadier inched towards the beast. "It better not bite me-
"Don't worry; I'll regrow your arm if it does."
"Not helping, fearless leader!"
Was he fearless? He didn't think so; he had a great many fears. Being alone. Being unloved. Being weak. And those were just the big ones.
Fear of Grimm had never really been a factor; he'd been killing them daily for as long as he could remember; they were even less of a threat now that he knew his apparent great-great-grear-however-many-times grandmother held ironclad control of them all.
Now that, that was rather scary come to think of it.
Why hadn't she conquered Remnant again?
Shaking his head, he brushed it away with a smile and decided to have a little fun at Nora's expense. "I dare you.
Nora twitched, but didn't cross the threshold; a healthy dollop of fear held her back. "Dare me all you want, I'm still shaking in my boots...
"You're not wearing boots, Nora."
"Semantics!"
"Is that so?" Pyrrha moved away from the Hound and sidled up to him instead, guessing his game. "Then I double dog dare you."
Nora was crumbling.
Jaune gave her a nudge. "I'll make you pancakes for a week."
Nora folded faster than a wet napkin as greed briefly overwhelmed her fear; so much so that she nearly bowled the Hound over in return.
Tentatively she touched its snout.
Had the Hound visible eyes, it would've rolled them. Instead it bulled forward, deliberately placing its ears under her hand.
"Scratch."
Nora yelped, quailed, then recovered with a nervous a giggle. "Nice doggie, good doggo, please don't bite...
The Hound huffed impatiently as she went to work; in a matter of moments its stubby tail was wagging vigorously
...not Arc." it rumbled in its harsh, halting voice. "Acceptable."
Nora rounded on Ren. "Wanna give it a try?"
Ren flung up his arms. "IT IS A LITERAL GRIMM!"
The Hound snorted and turned its head away. "Ignore."
Ren absolutely twitched.
Jaune sighed. "It can stay in the Emerald Forest, that's close enough to the school."
Nora and Pyrrha whined.
Ren put his foot down. "Absolutely not!"
Jaune sighed wistfully. At least some things never changed.
And then the Hound decided to lick Ren.
A litany of angry words followed.
Damnit, Salem...
(.0.0.0.)
Salem sneezed harshly, blew into a tissue, and rubbed her nose twice over besides, nearly smudging her makeup.
"Dear me, that's the third time, now. Someone must be talking about me...
Surely only good things, of course...?
No matter! Tonight was the night!
So excited!
(.0.0.0.)
Weiss was wilting.
Like a flower denied water and sunlight for far too long, she found herself wasting away in the runup to Beacon's Dance. For all her bluster, she'd begun to falter and she no one to blame but herself. She wandered the halls like a white wraith, lost in her thoughts, all alone, paying little heed to where she went.
A few enterprising boys -alongside a few girls- saw her and actually mustered up the courage to ask her to the Dance. Any other day, she would have applauded their bravery and let them down gently.
Now? She destroyed them. Eviscerated them. Flayed them with her tongue and left them in tears. She may have been harsher with some of them than others. Especially that boy with the blue hair.
Arrogant ponce! Who was he to call her a snow angel?! She was no one's angel!
In hindsight she knew her temper was getting the better of her, and with it
She couldn't help herself; she was upset!
Dress? Acquired.
Heels? Bought.
Confidence?
Shambles.
She'd thought she was ready for this, prepared for it, but she wasn't. Not at all. This entire whole fake-boyfriend-scheme had seemed like a brilliant idea at the time; a shield with which to ward off her family; a means to an end. A sword to buy her time while she found her footing. Armor to protect her against the questions she knew were coming.
To her credit, it had worked...for all of a day, until she was dragged off to buy a dress.
Now that both Mother and Sister had expressed their own desire to attend the Dance -Mother mentioned a disguise of some sort- her ruse meant nothing. Less than nothing, if such a thing were remotely possible. They'd seen through her facade, liked what they saw her protecting, and decided to go in for the kill.
Ergo, she was lost.
Stumbling down the corridor, she accidentally bumped shoulders with one of Winchester's teammates in passing; she scarcely heard the slew of vile vitriol that poured forth from his mouth; so lost was she in her own world at the moment. Still, he was annoying. Like a fly buzzing in her ears. He even deigned to block her path.
Death to flies.
Myrtenaster flicked out in a single swift sweep and Russel Thrush summarily found himself deprived of his precious mohawk.
His cries of dismay would haunt Beacon for days.
Weiss scarcely noticed; she was still moving, shambling alone, trapped by her own anxiety. By the brothers, she didn't think she could do this. It seems so easy at first; she'd talked herself into being grave, hyped herself up, amped herself out. But in reality, she knew next to nothing about dating and in truth, she was a rookie when it came to the ancient art of courting. Certainly she knew the rules what was expected of a lady-the basic etiquette and the like; holding hands, maintaining the distance between one another, small talk, that sort of thing. But nothing else.
And all this due to her blasted, over weaning pride. If she had only asked him like a normal person...!
Did Arc even know how to dance?! Was she expected to teach him! There was no time!
Her conscience pricked at her. I thought we were done lying to ourselves.
'I am! I just don't know what to do.'
Then we had best learn quickly.
Weiss wailed internally and banged her head against the wall.
Learn? Learning was easy. Doing was the hard part.
She'd been going about this all wrong.
And she knew precisely why.
I want him.
She wanted to be close to Jaune, she wanted to hold his hand, she wanted to get to know him better and maybe, just maybe say-
"There you are~!"
The attack came without warning; one moment she was turning her head, only just beginning to pivot; in the next a crimson missile barreled into her from behind. They seized her, spun her around like a top and slammed her back into the nearby wall. She heard the plaster crack behind her, felt her spine bend and her aura flex, the latter dropping by a fourth as her attacker held her there, grinding her down against the hardened surface as one might a sponge against a particularly stubborn stain. Truth be told, she rather felt like one right about now...
Bright green eyes met hers.
They did not belong to Penny Polendina.
She would've gladly taken Penny right now!
"Hello~!"
Pyrrha Nikos beamed back at her, voice ringing with saccharine sweetness.
All the other students heard it and promptly made themselves scarce.
Traitors!
Ignoring their sudden departure as one might an errant breeze, Pyrrha pinned Weiss against the wall, cupped the startled heiress by the chin, took ahold of her face and forced her to look her in the eye. What she found there had her quivering in her heels. Not anger. She could deal with anger. Deflect it. Understand it.
This was not anger; this was intent.
Intent toward what exactly, she knew not, only that she didn't like it.
Worse, Pyrrha wasn't smiling. Wasn't scowling, either. Her face was just...blank.
Pyrrha was polite. Ever and always smiling.
She was not smiling now.
Instead, Mistral's champion tilted her head just so, fingers digging into her cheeks. "How have you been, Weiss?"
A loaded question if ever she heard one. "I have been...well...
"Have you, now?" her grasp tightened and Weiss winced as her aura plummeted further still. That's good to hear. That's just grand."
Heavens above, she was throwing that word around again. This boded poorly.
"You know," Pyrrha continued apropos of nothing, "My team and I bumped into a dusty old crow on our way back to Beacon." she still wasn't smiling, her face a blank canvas, truly horrifying in its calm. "He mentioned something veeeery interesting before he took off. Shall I share the news with you?"
Her thoughts rallied despite the pain pinching her face.
Dusty old crow?
Qrow Branwen! Ruby's uncle!
The one Winter hated; the man who lived to cause trouble for her big sister, and by definition, every Schnee within a mile's radius of him.
Meep.
"If you wish...
Pyrrha leaned in, pressing her forehead to hers. Her gaze was sharp. "I wasn't aware MY boyfriend had another girlfriend ...?"
Weiss gulped up at her would-be-murderer. "I can explain...
Pyrrha finally smiled at that, ear to ear, all teeth.
"By all means, enlighten me.
It was not a nice smile.
Weiss whimpered.
She was not the only one to be cornered in the hours leading up to the Dance.
(.0.0.0.)
"You did what?!"
Yang rocked back on her heels, eyes bulging.
Ruby buried her head in her hands.
"I kissed him!"
"I heard that the first time you sneaky minx!"
Silver eyes peeked between her fingers. "You're not mad?"
"I mean, if it were Weiss or Nora I'd probably deck ya, but you? I don't mind."
Ruby whipped around. "Yang...!"
"What?" she received a shrug. "Dad did it. Twice. Technically."
"Now who's making excuses?!"
"That'd be me." Yang slung an arm around her sister's shoulders. "We've still got a little time before the dance; c'mon, lets go get you some cookies.
With any luck, uncle Qrow would be busy with that favor of hers for a bit.
Hey, beggars couldn't be choosers and she was desperate.
And then her baby sister dropped another bomb on her.
"Also, I might have met a talking Grimm."
Yang palmed her face.
...we're gonna need a lotta milk with those cookies. Better bring Zwei, too...
(.0.0.0.)
"Whatever you did, you need to fix it."
Jaune looked up from his book with a long-suffering high. "What am I fixing, now?"
Remnant's Art of War was admittedly a dry read, but at this point he'd take all the advice and aid he could get. He needed all the help he could get for tomorrow; especially when he had no idea how Dad was going to take him out of Beacon. He wanted to say his old man would show restraint, but given all he'd seen from him lately...
.
..
...yeah, better safe than sorry.
He'd chosen a quiet corner in the library to hide away and devise tactics before the Dance. Really, he should've known better; he wasn't the only one to hide here.
Case in point, Blake Belladona glared at him over the cover of his chosen tome, golden eyes narrow.
Jaune blanched. "What did I do?!"
She quirked a dark brow.
...I meant recently."
"You upset Ruby."
As though he needed reminding; he might've burned that bridge for good. But how to fix things?
Letting her have the book, he leaned back in the chair, dragging a hand across his face.
Her ears twitched as she took in the cover. "Strategy?
"I meant what I said earlier." he leaned his chin against one hand and resisted the urge to sigh; felt like he'd been doing a lot of that lately. "Tomorrow's gonna be...rough, one way or another."
"But you still have tonight, right?"
He frowned, confused. "I do...
"Then come with me."
She took him by the hand -literally!- fingers wrapping tight around his own to yank him out his seat. Ordinarily he would've broken her grasp with ease, but now he found himself following her, if only out of idle curiosity; that and the vain hope that she might somehow miraculously make everything alright.
It was not to be.
Blake led him to her dorm room, and judging by the silence inside, no one was within.
He wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
"Wait out here." she poked his chest, holding him back with a finger as she stepped back. "I have a surprise for you."
Ominous. Also concerning. Am I going to enjoy this surprise?
She opened the door and slid inside with a smirk.
A minute passed. Then three.
Nearly five, now.
He raised a fist to knock, only to pause as the door creaked open.
Blake Belladonna emerged.
She'd abandoned her previous attire entirely; now she stood clad in a short, purple, asymmetrical, halter neck dress split up the right side with a black collar. Translucent black mesh covered her shoulders, decolletage and back, with decorative black swirls cover the left side of the dress that continued up the left strap. The outfit itself was completed with black pumps, while she wore a teal bow on her head.
This must be her dress for the dance, then. Why show him now, hours early, unless...
.
..
...oh.
Ohhhsothatwashergame.
Jaune's throat went drier than a Vacuo summer; his tongue subsequently failed him.
"I wanted you to be the first to see it." Blake didn't falter as some might, she was too bold for that. "Well? What do you think?" She preened before him, lazily crossing both arms before her bosom like a cat basking in the sun. "Is the bow too much?
His tongue snapped back to life. "You looked better without it."
Her eyes lit up and he had the feeling he'd passed a test just now. "Is that so?
Off went the bow, faster than Ruby's semblance, torn from her head and launched back into her room. "Better?"
"Much."
"Hmm." she stepped to him and laid a hand on his chest.
Oh, dear.
Kurama muttered something that sounded like a prayer. "Six Path Sage, forgive your descendant for he knows not what he does...
Blake tilted her head suddenly, concerning him. "Say, lend me one of your doppelgangers tonight, won't you? You'll get their memories when they dispel, right?"
"Yes...?"
Everything they see? Everything they feel?
"Once again, yes."
She hummed. "Good."
That...wasn't a bad idea, really.
She was one of few in Beacon who knew he could use shadow clones, anyway. There was just one problem.
"You do realize this is going to expose my talents; I won't be able to hide after tonight."
"Maybe, but that cat's already out of the bag, isn't it?
He chuckled. "A pun? Coming from you?"
Her ears drooped. "It wasn't meant to be one."
Jaune held up a hand to forestall the blustering storm he was sure would follow. "I promise not tell Yang."
"You'd best not." Blake rolled her eyes in mild chagrin. "She'd never let me live it down!"
Why wait? May as well give her the clone now.
On a whim, he crossed his hands, and in a plume of smoke, a perfect copy of him emerged, imbued with a bit of his will for good measure. His clone snapped off a brisk salute and granted him an easy smile to match his own. Huh. He did look kinda debonair like that. Almost roguish, like some ne'er do well ready to strike in the dead of night.
"Fascinating." Blake prodded its chest. "It really is you..."
He tutted. "Didn't you already do that last time?"
"Maybe, but I didn't do this...
So speaking, she stepped to the clone to touch its face, and without looking away from him, drew it in for a deep, smoldering kiss. She maintained eye contact with him the entire time.
Jaune's throat went dry all over again.
"There." content, she wiped her mouth and stepped back. "I've been meaning to do that for a long time. Still, its not quite the same."
"Bla-
She grabbed him by the collar and yanked his face down to hers.
Her lips met his and her tongue plundered his mouth for a single, wonderful instant before instant, so much so that he almost found himself chasing her when she drew backwards. His mind, frazzled as it was, came to three conclusions in an instant. Blake done this before. Blake was experienced. Blake knew what she was doing and likewise knew the effect she was having on him.
What would it feel like if he kissed her back...?
He took a step forward.
Her eyes flashed...
.
..
...until he restrained himself.
A flicker of disappointment passed through her gaze, paired with a hint of longing. "Until the dance, then."
His clone granted him a long-suffering look, but otherwise didn't protest as Blake took it by the hand and hauled him away.
Jaune bowed his head.
Their sacrifice would be remembered.
(.0.0.0.)
Velvet Scarlatina girded herself for war.
Her teammates noticed naturally and wisely stayed the hell out her way; Yatsuhashi and Fox were nice like that; then again they were also boys and had absolutely no interest in the upcoming Dance. She didn't even think they'd deigned to find dates for the occasion, so little was their care. So again, no interest, no snickers, no wry remarks.
"Lookin' good, girl~!"
Coco made up for them in spades.
To be fair, their leader probably didn't know the meaning of fear.
She had a minigun-handbag for crying out loud. Pretty hard to feel fear when you were a one woman army. Girl could mow down a dozen grimm in the time it took her to kill one.
And she meant well, really, she did.
Velvet endured her with fraying patience, double-checking herself before the mirror one last time and trying to ignore her teammate's arm slung round her shoulder.
Her right foot twitched.
Must.
Not.
Kick.
"You really kitted yourself out for this, didn't you?" she tipped down her shades to wink her way. "Makes me wonder if this prince charming of yours is really all that...maybe I should talk to him."
The urge to kick was very strong indeed!
Velvet rounded on her, aghast. "Coco, no! I saw him first! Besides, aren't you...
"Batting for the other team?" the brunette waggled a brow at her. "I mean, yeah, I like girls, but I'm kinda curious about this guy...
"No!"
"I just wanna talk to him...
Velvet stomped on her foot hard enough to break aura.
Coco raised her hand and capitulated. "Alright, alright, yeesh...
Velvet huffed.
She was afraid.
How could she not be?
She had enough competition, but if Coco took an interest him? She was doomed. Already she stood at a disadvantage; she barely said two words to him, and yet he had saved her twice, now. She could've said something, could've fought back, but no, the second someone like Winchester grabbed her ears she went weak in the knees.
It was her weak spot, alright?!
Instead, she been left to admire him from fire, helplessly, gazing upon him as he went about his day to day. And she was a year above him! A fellow Faunus no less! She should be taking the initiative, not letting him be hounded by those…those hussies! No! Unacceptable!
Coco was right. Time to take action.
Perhaps, had she realized Arc wasn't a Faunus at all but a human, she would've been less brave about this.
Alas, much like true love's first kiss...
...ignorance is bliss.
(.0.0.0.)
She had never fought another maiden before.
It was something of a curious thought to have me or hours before the dance, but nevertheless, Amber found herself dwelling on it all the same.
Her reflection gazed back at her in the mirror, looking as pensive as she felt.
Winter was a maiden. Not just any maiden, but the Winter maiden. The irony wasn't lost on her. Strictly speaking all Maidnes were on equal standing in terms of raw power, but once you pushed past a certain threshold and gained enough experience, you got a fully realized maiden. Then things got...tricky.
Could she fight Winter?
Should she?
Would she?
The answer was probably no to all of those, but dammit she was going to try. Arc had caught her eye, and whether he'd intended to or not, she wasn't prepared to let him go without a fight.
That manstealing Schnee wasn't gonna get him that easily!
And if that meant dancing...
...which she hated...
.
..
...then so be it.
(.0.0.0.)
"What the fuck is this?"
Raven Branwen stared at the letter in her grasp, half-expecting the damn thing to grow teeth and bite her.
To be fair, it was a reasonable assumption, given the circumstances of its delivery.
Qrow shrugged his shoulders and leaned against the pillar of her tent, his part done.
"Don't ask me," he scoffed, "Yang begged me to fly this you. Promised she'd get straight A's in Beacon and everything."
Bah. How easily the minds of men were swayed. Her blood-red eyes narrowed.
"I have no business with her anymore.
He wasn't having it. "You try telling her no. She's a stubborn and pigheaded; made me fly all the way over here just to give you that. Least you could do is give her the courtesy of reading what she has to say."
Raven turned her eyes to the still burning hearth, contemplating casting the letter into it.
"Or you could puss out and throw it away, coward."
The word stabbed in the gut, forcing a flinch.
...whatever." Qrow turned his back on her, planted both hands in his pockets and sauntered away.
"I've done my job, now I gotta wing it all the way back to Beacon in time for that godsdamned dance...unless you wanna open a portal for me?"
Raven's right ear twitched. "Dance?"
"You really are out of touch aren't you?" He rolled his eyes. "Read the damn letter, Raven. Or don't. I ain't got time for your shit."
It was his indifference that disturbed her. He was always trying two get her to see Yang -and to a lesser extent Ruby- but now he didn't seem to particularly care. In fact, he seemed to be in an awful hurry to get back to Beacon. Surely it wasn't for some stupid dance. No. Something was up.
Curiosity reared its ugly head in her heart. "Is Salem making a move?"
His shoulders stilled. "Thought that wasn't your fight any more."
"It's not. I need to know if its necessary to move the tribe."
Qrow rounded on her abruptly and laughed, a sharp, jagged sound that startled her more than anything had in a good long while. "You're a real piece of work, you know that? I hope He fucking flattens your tribe. You and your gang of killers. Maybe then you'll come crawling back and beg forgiveness."
Raven blinked. "He?"
A grin split Qrow's face. "I'd tell you, but that's half the surprise."
She clutched the hilt of her blade. "Are you threatening me, little brother?"
"Gonna kill me, eh?" For some reason that only made her Qrow grin. "Go ahead, piss Him off early. You're fuckin' done either way.
"Swearing doesn't make you cool, Qrow."
Her once-beloved brother laughed again, flipped her off, transformed back into a bird and winged his way away outside in a whirl of feathers.
Raven shook her fist after him. "Fuck you too!"
A noisy caw was his answer.
She tutted, mildly put out.
Yang had no idea where she was, given that the tribe was constantly moving across Mistral, but her idiot uncle did.
Yet he'd never brought a letter to her.
Not a once.
'Till now.
She considered the letter for a moment longer. It looked new. Recently written at that. By all rights she should toss this letter in the fire. With her Power she could render it ash here and now if she wanted. By rights, she should. She'd severed that bond long ago, no matter what her semblance might say. Trying to rekindle it now was foolish.
She was late. Seventeen years too late.
And yet.
She stomped a foot.
"Fuuuck."
Swearing softly, she broke the seal, ripped the envelope open with a tad more force than strictly necessary- sue her, she was pissed- and unfolded it. Surprisingly long. And heavy.
"Hey, Mom. If you're reading this first off, screw you for leaving."
Raven almost smiled a little imagining the bite in her voice. Her daughter had inherited her fire if nothing else...
.
..
...so why on Remnant did she suddenly feel so cold in here?
Shaking herself, she tossed another log on the hearth and focused on the message at hand.
"Second, I need a favor."
Raven's brow shot into her hair.
"Uncle Qrow told me about your one time shtick, so here I am, cashing it in.
Idiot girl. It didn't work that way. She'd only step in to save her life if she was in mortal danger, which she wasn't. Still, it took strength to make demands of a mother she had never met. For that alone -and because she was bored out of her skull- she continued to read her daughter's missive.
"There's a boy I like, his name's Jaune Arc. You're gonna help me get him. Then we're square."
There was a picture attached; it fell out as she unfolded the letter further.
Her eyes widened. Taiyang?
No, the color of his hair and eyes were the same, but this one was younger, not nearly as built, not quite as tan, no tattoos to be seen. He wore armor, too, wicked looking stuff and wielded a longsword. Unbidden, her eyes traveled back to the letter once more, considering its contents anew.
"He's strong, mom. Real strong. That's your thing isn't it? Strength? Come and help me take him."
Her gaze snapped back up to the photo with a scoff.
Her daughter? In love? How droll.
"Those sly Schnees are triple teaming him, so it's only fair I return the favor."
Raven felt a curious heat to creep into her face.
She did hate the Schnees...
Who didn't?
"Oh, and if you don't help me, I will hunt you down and personally make your life a living hell."
All my hate,
~Yang.
Her eyes flashed with red fire. What a strange feeling this was. Was this pride? In someone else? Unfortunately it was overshadowed by all this unyielding curiosity.
In the end it wasn't Arc's build or his armor, nor even his weapons that provoked her so. It was the eyes. The way he held himself. A staid smile on his face, his stance ready, bright blue gaze keenly sharp. But mostly it was those damn eyes. Like a wolf pretending to be a sheep, a man masquerading as a monster.
Those were the eyes of a killer.
He'd taken lives before. She wasn't sure when, or even how many; but she knew his expression all too well; that of someone desperately pretending to be someone she wasn't. She'd worn the same back in Beacon herself long ago; before she realized the Truth. Before she'd let Taiyang weaken her. Before...so many things.
Her face creased with equal parts nostalgia and sorrow.
"It's always the blond bastards."
She tossed the letter into the fire and let it burn, but kept the picture. That, she nailed to her table with a knife.
Why the hell not? It had been awhile since she'd gotten any. Wasn't like she had anything better to do.
Raven looked. Raven tilted her head. Raven appreciated what she saw.
The smallest of smiles tugged at her pale face. "Mama like...
Like mother like daughter indeed.
(.0.0.0.)
Beacon's dance floor buzzed with activity.
Jaune took a moment to marvel at it all as he arrived.
Staking this place out an hour ago had proven to be a good idea after all.
The dance hall was a grand palatial spatial space chaperoned by several teachers and Atlas soldiers besides-though one could hardly blame them given Ironwood's presence- while supposedly Team RWBY had been left in charge of decorating and preparing the ballroom, with Yang setting up large speakers for the music and Weiss selecting floor and table based decorations. There was even a smoke machine not-so-subtly hidden behind the stage, its bulky form easily visible under a tarp.
A pair of DJs resembling some famous artists he didn't know were in charge of the music, blaring some tune he didn't recognize.
Both students and teachers were already in attendance, either dancing or simply enjoying the food, drinks and atmosphere.
And what an atmosphere it was!
Balloons everywhere, strewn amongst the streamers, beneath which he sped a great many tables clustered near a series of winding stairs leading toward the second level. Someone -probably Yang- had arranged a punch bowl strewn with refreshments besides. The punch was probably spiked, and she'd likely catch hell for that come Monday, but so long as he didn't drink, it wasn't a problem.
It certainly had the three B's down pat if nothing else. Banners, Balconies, and Beauties. Everywhere he looked he saw at least one of those three.
Made a man feel nervous.
The CCT tower wasn't far from here, barely a quick jog, and with it, his mission.
But for now he could see that this dance was clearly a formal affair, with both male and female students wearing dress attire. Yang was in charge of welcoming the guests; he saw her waiting near the entrance, greeting everyone and checking them into the guestbook as they arrived.
She'd probably see him any second now, given that he'd chose to arrive alone -emphasis on that!- rather than be seen entering with someone.
He somehow doubted he'd escape attention for long.
Kurama grumbled in his head, already on high alert. "Too many people. Witnesses. Obstacles. Civilians. A lot could go wrong here; a well-timed explosive in the ceiling would bring the chandeliers and streamers down one everyone's head. The balconies don't look stable, ether...
Jaune grimaced. "Way to ruin the mood...
"I say it as I see it...
He was greeted by Yang; she saw him before he did her and her face lit up.
She'd chosen wore a gorgeously golden, short, halter neck dress with an orange hem and pumps. Simple but effective, just like her.
Also, orange! He clenched a fist and resisted the urge to weep happy tears. Dad would be so proud!
She'd probably earn points with him just for wearing that.
Someone whooped in the background.
The hair on the back of Jaune's neck rose, but when he looked about, he saw neither hide nor hair of his old man. Was he imagining things? For a moment there he could've sworn he sensed-
Yang hummed suddenly, drawing his gaze back to her. "Like what you see, Sparky?"
He planted a fist on his hip and retorted thoughtlessly. "Do you?"
Her eyes went half-lidded. "Mama likes. Very much so...save me a dance, champ."
Another new nickname; had she no end of them?
"I pity your pelvis."
Most students came in the classic black suit and colored bow-tie of their choice, but in a rare moment on inspiration he chosen the colors of the Arc and Uzumaki family; namely, his favorites.
Sorry dad, might've overdone it on the orange. Put some flowers on my grave.
He stood clad in a pristine orange-on-black suit threaded through with veins of golden white stitching near the sleeves, beneath which he wore a deep navy shirt. Having eschewed the tie entirely for a short-tucked-in blue handkerchief wrapped around his neck, he was an absolute beacon of color, impossible to miss.
Such was the plan.
Ozpin had told him to stand out, so he had; he'd even adopted a warrior's wolf-tail in his hair for the evening, binding back the longer parts of his hair over his shoulders with a simple crimson cord. Lastly, he finished it off with a crimson fox brooch just over his heart. It drew attention to him. Already he could feel a great many eyes turning his way.
Good, the hook was baited.
Now to see who decided to bite.
As luck would have it, he didn't wait long.
"Ruby and Weiss already arrived," Yang drawled. "Pyrrha's in there somewhere, I think." here her lips pursed in concern at the last. "Blake's late, though...you seen her?"
Probably because she was coming with that clone of his...always causing a scene, that one...
"I might have."
Her eyes lit up. "Oho~? Do tell!"
"...on second thought, I'd rather not...!"
Mumbling a quick words of assent, he eased past Yang and made his escape.
Her lips brushed his ear. "Don't forget that dance."
Jaune damn near walked into a wall!
A wave of white noise nearly suffocated him as he stumbled inside, forcing him to pause for a moment. So many emotions. He had to tamp down his sixth sense just to think straight.
It wasn't long before he found a few familiar faces amongst the
He spied Ruby from a distance; she had the look of someone forced to attend their own execution and her dress said as much; because he knew she never would've been caught dead in it otherwise. She wore a short, red, sleeveless gown bearing a thick black sash around the waist and black trim along the bottom. The bodice of the dress split vertically to the sash, laced with black lacing while yoke of the dress was transparent mesh alongside an opaque collar and hem, leaving dark lines connecting the collar to her shoulders. Additionally she wore black stockings and...
.
..
...were those combat boots?
Honestly, it was lokr watching one of his younger sisters play dress up.
She tried so hard, she really did, gave it her all, but she couldn't quite pull it off.
He glanced back as Yang met his gaze over her shoulder and shrugged, as though to say what can you do?
A finger poked him in the small of his back.
"Ahem."
Speaking of sassy...
Schooling his face into an impassive mask, he pivoted to face one of the greatest test -in patience!- of his life.
Weiss had done her hair up quite nicely for the occasion he found; she'd even deigned to apply eye shadow and make up besides. She wore a short, white, sleeveless dress with cutouts on both sides of her waist; the yoke of said dress was a translucent mesh, contrasting nicely with her near translucent heels.
Unlike Ruby, her legs were very much bare.
She noticed his stare.
"Stop that." she hissed softly, face pink beneath his gaze. "You look...
Acceptable. Decent. Good enough. He had a whole of words he expected her to say.
...handsome."
That was not one of them.
Jaune, blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her honest praise, so much so that she responded in kind. "Thanks. You look lovely."
Weiss squeaked. Actually squeaked! Since when did she make such a sound?!
Heat crept up the back of his neck.
"Right, then." Weiss rallied and held out her hand. "I suppose I should be the one to ask. Jaune Arc, May I have this dan-
Someone coughed behind him and her words died an ugly death.
Jaune pivoted without thinking.
His poor throat closed up
His legs turned to stone.
His mind fizzled.
Winter.
Oh, gods.
Her hair was down.
That sensual silver sequin dress, clinging to her ever curve; its hem trailing ever so slightly upon the floor, leaving her her shoulders bare while enhancing her bountiful bosom just so... She looked...beautiful didn't even begin to describe her. She looked radiant. Like a goddess come down to Remnant.
She held out her hand to him, face impassive. "Shall we dance?"
Jaune hesitated, wary. "This isn't a trap, is it?"
She smiled faintly. "Take my hand, Arc."
He took her hand.
Weiss absolutely hissed behind her. "Sister...!"
Winter winked her way. "All's fair in love and war, Weiss...
(.0.0.0.)
Cardin awoke slowly.
Awakening brought its own share of problems, most notably, pain.
Bound and immobile, strapped down in a fully body cast, he found himself trapped in a cot, unable to move a muscle.
He recognized the whitewashed walls and dull grey ceiling; could see the broken moon looming out the window, an old tree branch scratching at the glass. It creaked softly as the wind howled outside, a mournful wail that chilled the blood. The lights were down low, all of Beacon away for the dance.
Infirmary.
Probably staying the night.
Damnitall. He'd been looking forward to the dance...if only for the trouble he could cause.
For all its funding Beacon didn't have a designated doctor; sure they'd shuttle you to the hospital if you were really messed up, but nine times out of ten, they slapped a plaster on it and trusted in your aura to do the rest. This went well beyond the pale. It really said something that they hadn't sent him to the hospital yet.
A muscle jumped in his jaw as he recalled the one responsible for his plight.
Arc.
This was his fault.
All he wanted was a little bit of fun with that bunny bitch but noooo he just couldn't let him have that, could he?
He would get him back for this, one way, or another. What was the saying? Once is happenstance. Twice as coincidence. Three times is enemy action.
Cardin, he believed in a different saying. Third time was the charm.
He'd never see him coming.
The scratching against the window grew louder. For a moment he could've sworn he saw eyes in the darkness.
"Bullshit," he muttered to himself. "Mind's playing tricks on me."
"Tricks are by far the least of your concerns, my boy."
He froze. "What's that? Who's there!"
The door creaked open and familiar face emerged.
Tension drained out of him, "Bah, it's just you, teach. Don't go scaring me like that."
Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck sauntered inside, not deigning to close the door behind him. Strange. He was wearing that funny hat of his again, the one he had for his expeditions and...
He was also wearing gloves.
"Cardin Winchester." he clasped both hands behind his back and took a moment to consider him. "I am disappointed."
"Yeah?" Cardin bridled, unable to do anything but scowl in his cast. "This the part were you lecture me?"
Oobleck surprised him by laughing.
"Quite so, my boy! Port has shown admirable restraint given his nature. I however, have had quite some difficulty restraining my impulses since I found myself here." Humming softly, he adjusted his spectacles, the glass almost opaque in the low light, why, they seemed to glow. I promised a certain mute girl I wouldn't interfere in a ferocious foodfight."
He let his glasses slide down the bridge of his nose, revealing the golden orbs beneath.
"I made no such promise for the aftermath."
Cardin gulped. "Teach...?"
"That is what I do, isn't it?" Oobleck tittered. "I teach. I tutor. I torment."
"W-What was that last one?"
"Nothing you need concern yourself with." the good doctor hummed. "Although, on second thought, perhaps you should. You were the one who started that mess after all."
"Mess...?"
Oobleck's hands slammed down on either side of him, cracking his cast.
"My research."
Cardin gulped once. "Sorry...?"
"You should be." Oobleck leaned back and made a show of adjusting his spectacles again. "Your nonsense has gone on quite long enough; you've played your part, strutted your way across the stage, and now its time to take a bow."
Confusion warred with fear in his heart. "The hell're you on about?"
"A great many things, most of which are sailing right over your head, I see. No matter. Alay, alas, I am not the only enemy you've made this night."
He looked to the window.
Cardin's gaze followed him.
There was a Nevermore at the windowsill, perched on thr branch just outside.
It stared at him with beady red eyes.
Between one blink and another, a second joined it. Followed by a third. Then a fourth.
Yet a fifth. Now a sixth.
Seven.
As he looked on aghast a veritable murder of Nevermore gathered before the window, enough to make the very branch groan under the strain.
"Hmhmmhmmm." Oobleck laughed softly. "She's already infiltrated the school, hasn't she? Clever girl. I should've expected no less. I wonder what her version of immortality is like...?"
"What the hell...?"
The erstwhile teacher merely tipped his hat in response. "To fuck around is human, my boy, to find out is divine. Tell Her I said hello. If you survive, that is. I expect she'll kill you tonight, and your team soon thereafter. Hell hath no fury like an angry grandmother."
Her? The hell did he mean?
For some reason, his silence seemed to anger the teacher.
"Even now you fall to understand."
Dread dawned.
"You are a waste." He reached in and seized him by the face to squeeze his cheeks. "Not solely of space, but also potential. And I do so despise waste. Even so, I could make you an offer. Save you from this. SPare you the torment that is to come.
Pride reared its ugly head. "Get bent. You wouldn't dare leave me here...!"
Oobleck threw his head back and laughed
It was such a sudden and abrupt departure from the man he had known; there was no sign of that boring, stiff old prick here, and this only look more alive than he had ever seen him.
Without warning his grip intensified, nails digging into Cardin's face.
"I believe you will find, Mr. Winchester," Oobleck crooned, "That I dare more than most. This was my final lesson to you. Congratulations! You failed! This is goodbye for you, Mister Winchester. I would say it has been a pleasure teaching you... but it hasn't. This world will go on without you, and none shall miss you. Neither you nor your waste of space teammates.
With that said, he released him, adjusted his spectacles, and walked away
"Wait a second! You can't do this!"
Oobleck let his spectacles slide down his nose and opened his eyes, revealing the wickedly bright orbs beneath.
"Can't I? Grimm are attracted by negativity, most aptly, fear. And you reek of it."
"The headmaster-
"Will do nothing," he replied merrily. "Ozpin has ever been focused on the greater good. The quiet peace, the calm before the storm. And right now, the price for peace is the life of one, soon to be four students. That's a fair trade, wouldn't you agree?"
"Bullshit! That's unfair!"
"To you, perhaps. But not others. Honestly, you people." Oobleck shook his head, despairing of him. "Anything that doesn't fit your narrow view you shoot, bomb or burn without hesitation. And look where it's gotten you. You can curb your savageries only through collective fear and hatred of another world. Or in your case the Faunus. I never quite understood the hatred they experienced, or why. For having superior senses? Night vision? More often than not they are faster, stronger, and in some cases even smarter than your lot. Yet you degrade them, hunt them, start wars over them, pull their ears and for what? To make yourself feel big and strong!
As he spoke, his shadow became something monstrous, looming large over Cardin.
And the Nevermore at the window? They began to peck.
Cardin whimpered. "Please...!"
Oobleck wasn't finished; he sneered at him. "But you're not so strong are you? This world is about to become much, much larger than you can possibly comprehend. Well, not for you I'm afraid, you won't be seeing much of it one way or another. You've angered a great many people, Cardin Winchester. Myself among them. And now the debt comes due."
Outside, the pecking intensified.
"Only those who have truly lost all connection to their world are truly free to fight for a different one. Of course," he thumbed his chin, considering, "One can also argue the opposite. Those who care for both worlds are prepared to fight for each of them. Bonds are a funny thing, aren't they? I never truly understood them, but looking at you now, I can almost begin to understand."
Cracks spread across the window.
"You may scream if you wish" Oobleck declared primly. "No one will hear you. I suspect your aura will hold for a minute at most. To take that time to reflect upon your actions. And in the meantime," He held up a vial and belatedly, Winchester realized the lunatic had taken some of his blood when he wasn't looking. "Know that your sacrifice is for the sake of science~!"
Walking away, Oobleck began to whistle under his breath, a low and haunting tune.
The glass flexed and twisted beneath a dozen pecks, two dozen now, more.
Cardin tried to say something. Anything. Too late. The window shattered.
Black and white death flooded the room in an instant.
The murder of nevermore descended upon him.
Cardin Winchester screamed.
A/N: Oobleck strikes.
White Rabbit much, anyone?
We'll see Willow and the other girls next chapter.
Dance, Jaune! DANCE! Your very life may depend upon it!
Next chapter title should be something along the lines of: Just a little...?
The Duel approaches and with it the Vytal Festivaaaal~! Looking forward to properly introducing teams NDGO, FNKI, ABRN, SSSN, BRNZ and the like~! And let us not forget Ciel~! She has a starring role in Far From Home, but its oh-so-nice working with characters who are essentially a blank slate!
As ever, these glorious misunderstandings remain glorious. Are we going for the single route, or the harem ending? I suppose that depends on you, the reader. We're not quite done with the story yet, we still have a bit more to go, not to mention the other continents, Lionheart, the Crown, and the like, to say nothing of the Brother Gods and our Impostors! Or we could just end this after the imminent attack on Beacon.
Your choice! Find out next time, on Practice Makes Perfect!
Once again, reviews are my fuel. Without them I simply cannot write.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review...Would You Kindly?
Next chapter will be bonkers.
Everyone's gonna laugh~!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
(Preview!)
Willow was fashionably late.
Wasn't hard to guess why.
Jaune's jaw dropped.
"That's one way to make an entrance...
Winter preened at his side. Did you expect anything less?
x
Who the hell is she?
x
Sighin' like that will make even the best drink taste like regret. So before you do, we gotta take care of whatever's troublin' ya.
x
You again?!
Neo waved merrily.
...what do you want."
She bounced in place on her heels, pointing past him.
...Ice cream? Seriously? You're a wanted criminal!
She could make noise evidently, just not words.
Neo crossed both arms in the shape of an X, stuck out her tongue and mimed a "bzzzzzt" noise,
Then wha
She was trying to tell him something, but what?
x
It was almost too easy...but she couldn't ignore this opportunity.
Cinder knocked an arrow to her bow.
Drew the string back.
She let it fly.
"Die."
x
Hazel heard a shrill scream and looked up from his work.
No matter. He had a task to which he must attend.
For Gretchen.
He threw the switch.
x
Pssst! You awake?"
He certainly was now.
Against his better judgement, Jaune creaked an eye open. "...Yang...?"
She was leaning over his bed.
"Hey, sparky. You wanna do something we're not supposed to?"
He eyed her warily, eyes glowing in the gloom. What are you up to?
"Shhhh! She shushed him and held up a finger, silencing his protest. "Not so loud...
x
There are five D's a man must master when it comes to evading attacks. Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and destroy.
Wait, wasn't the last one-
"I know what I said!
x
"Congratulations!" The newcomer kept clapping as everyone looked on aghast. "You exceeded my expectations, truly. I tip my hat to you; or I would if I had one handy.
"Jaune," Yang hissed. "What's going on...?"
She was asking him?!
He had no idea!
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed this! Have a great day and may it be filled with lots of luck!
Warm regards,
~Nz.