Remnant's Planeswalker Ch. 2 (Unbetaed) (Patreon)

Remnant’s Planeswalker

By: Bubbajack

Editors/Co-Authors: Icysnowsage, First Hassan

Disclaimer: We don’t own anything you’ll see in this fic.

Ch.2: Initiation and Stirring

Note: Special thanks goes out to my Super Donors: Ben Wanless, Bobby Glass, Jak, Jareth Norris, Kenni Neilsen, Meraj Alimi, Selmephren, and Simon Lolk Behrens.

It's Snowy here. I just want to thank our support Donor’s and Support minions for donating to the P-A-T-R-E-O-N. Again thank you guys and gals.

First Hassan here. Like what Snowy said, I want to thank the readers who have gracefully given to Bubba’s P-A-T-R-E-O-N. Thank you guys so much, we really appreciate your support.

Patch, The Next Morning

Jón awoke in a bed not his own. He found Luna snuggling next to him for all the warmth he could give. He hugged her back before he gently got out of bed. He looked out the window of the guest room seeing the Sun rise as the fractured moon fell.

Jón didn’t know what happened to the moon. It seemed like another mystery for him to solve for his home plane. A Lot has changed on Faerie but a lot stays the same he supposed. He wondered if the others would like this world. It had been a while since they were able to contact him. The curve cut him off from a lot of connections. It was only a matter of time before they showed up for their “due”.

“But that isn’t today,” He said to himself as he equipped some normal clothes, which for him was a soft cotton shirt and jeans before he left the guest room and headed downstairs. He found Taiyang, sitting at the table, nursing a coffee. He smiled when he saw him. “Morning, sleep well?”

“Very thank you for providing the room,” Jon said with a polite nod as he helped himself to a cup of the black ichor known as coffee before sitting down across from the man.

“No milk, cream or sugar?” Tai asked.

“No,” Jon replied as he took a long draught. “I might add some booze to my second cup though,”

Tia shook his head as he chuckled, “You remind me of Qrow, an old teammate of mine,” He then paused before he corrected himself, “Actually you're more put together than I can ever recall Qrow being.”

“He a drunk?” Jon asked.

“Yeah he’s… seen a lot,” Tai defended.

“I guarantee you, I’ve seen more,” Jon replied as he took another drink. “But people drink for many reasons… some for celebration, others to remember… and others still, to forget.” He looked Taiyang in the eye for a moment before asking, “So, what happened to you to get eyes that looked as dead as that?”

Tai looked shocked for a moment before he denied, “I don’t know what you mean?”

“Don’t lie. Ruby mentioned her mother passing. Did it truly affect you that badly? I look at you Taiyang Xiao Long, and I see a man who is not living but who is going through the motions of being alive. You are more or less dead inside, a zombie for all intents and purposes. So, what happened? What has broken your warrior’s spirit?”

The Elder Xiao Long’s mouth hung open for a moment before he took a sip of his coffee as he eyed Jon for a long silent moment. When he set his mug down on the table, his gaze never moving from Jon’s all the while, he finally asked, “You're not some young kid are you?”

“I never claimed to be if I recall?” Jon replied honestly, “Last night all I said was I was old enough to do what I wanted and wise enough to know better.”

Tai nodded. “So you did… I can trust you with my kids, right?”

“Ruby? Most certainly. Yang? As long as she doesn’t push me too far like she did last night.”

Tai was silent for a moment before he nodded, “Fair enough. But as for your question… I’ve had two loves of my life and I more or less lost both of them… One… left… and Summer…”

“Died an honorable death?” Jon inquired.

Rubbing his eyes as he sighed, Tai replied, “That’s what I’d like to think, but I just don’t know. We have a gravemarker for her, but it's… empty.”

“I see,” The Planeswalker said after a moment. “Well if that’s the case, then what are you living for then Taiyang Xiao Long? For your children? They are going off to Beacon academy. They are growing up, and that means becoming more independent. Basically what I’m trying to ask is, what drives you now? As soon your children will be… leaving the nest.”

Tai grimaced, “You’ve got me there,” He paused in thought before he said, “I really should do something huh?”

“I think it would be good for you if you did. You are a warrior, Taiyang Xiao Long. Yet you languish here in your grief. Letting your skills decay. Till now, you could use the excuse that your children needed you as a father, but now they both are walking their own path. So the only question that remains is once they are gone, will you remain here, allowing yourself to be haunted by your ghosts, or will you do as all warriors before you have done, mourn yes, grieve yes, but move forward. For there is always another battlefield, always another soul crying out for succor. Will you continue to ignore the living who you can help just to curse yourself for the dead you could not?”

“No,” He said at last with conviction in his tone and burning in his eyes a light had been rekindled there, one Jon hadn’t seen till now. ‘Good, good, his warrior’s spirit is back. He just needs one more push!’ He thought. Crossing his arms impudently Jon raised his chin defiantly and said, “Prove it. You broke like a longship on an unseen iceberg, so you’ll forgive me if I question your resolve.”

“Fine, I will!” Taiyang abruptly got up from the table and headed to his bedroom. Jon silently smiled to himself as the man came back out, wearing a pair of golden Manica. They were full fingered, and covered his forearms and shoulders fully. They looked to have several compartments that were built into them as well. Walking past him Tai said, “Outside!”

“Very well, just let me finish my coffee and grab Fenrir and Holti. My sword and Shield he added for clarification, before he downed the coffee like a shot and summoned his arms to him and followed the man outside.

(...)

Taiyang faced off against this unknown young hunter who had, inadvertently or not, protected his baby girl. He stood there, round shield at his side, and sword held loosely at his side, completely relaxed as he waited for him to advance. Throwing a couple of shadow punches and loosening himself up a bit, Tai thought, ‘It's been awhile since I’ve worn Jinlong and Ya,’ He stretched his arms, testing the joints in the manica making sure nothing would suddenly catch or stick from rust or disuse. After all he hadn’t touched his weapons since Summer’s… passing.

Tai gave his head a shake, ‘No, no more of that, I need to get my head back in the game!’ Slapping his cheeks, he reached over to the opposing elbow of each manica and pulled the rip cords, when he did, the micro engines located in the shoulders roared to life, and the wrist mounted chainsaws snapped out of the manica, and revived to life.

“Is that a fucking chainsaw?!” Jon asked eyes wide as Tai smirked, and came racing towards him, his aura enhancing his legs. Yet despite the sudden burst of speed, the younger boy was supernaturally fast and raised his shield to block the double strike of Tia’s fists. The teeth of the sawblades ground against the shield’s metal rim, the harsh sound of metal on metal could be heard, with sparks flying through the air in accompaniment. Having enough of the weapon lock, Jon shouted, “Ball Lightning,”

A sphere of electricity flew from the tip of his sword and sent Tai flying back with a hiss of pain. Just because aura blocked damage it still let the user feel the pain of the kinetic force of the blow. Getting to his feet Tai said, “You're strong, and clearly a Dustmancer.”

“Dunno what that is,” Jon replied, as he saluted the man with a flick of his sword up and then down to the side before he charged him. Jinlong and Ya weren’t one trick ponies though. Pushing a pair of small buttons located on the sides of the index fingers with his thumbs, a pair of small shotguns popped down from the bottom of the manica and started firing at an obscene rate.

“Why the fuck is everything here a gun!?!” Jon asked as he rolled out of the way of the flying shards of lead. Prowling around the Hunter he made a few observations. “You used the teeth of the chainsaw as a cartridge delivery system for your shotguns, thus increasing your rate of fire. Clever.”

“Thanks,” Tai said as he switched back to melee combat, coming in swinging at an angle aimed at Jon’s head. Jon ducked under the blow, parried the followup, and followed up himself with a shield bash, then knocked Tiayang off his feet by ducking and sweeping his shield beneath his feet while he was off balance. As he rose, he pointed the tip of his sword at Taiyangs throat, asking, “Do you yield?”

Tai paused for a moment before he nodded, “Yeah good match?” He said, offering his hand.

Jon took his forearm and hauled him up. “A good bout. You have a… unique weapon. Why in the all the hell’s is everything a gun here though?” He looked back and forth between his sword and shield. “Is there something wrong with the classic sword and shield?”

Taiyang shook his head, “No not at all, it's just the Grimm usually… require a bit more effort that a sword and shield can offer.”

Jon grimaced, “Is that so? I’ve never had a problem.”

Tai chuckled as the two of them headed back into the house, “Well you have one versatile semblance to make up for it.”

“Semblance, right,” Jon nodded as he followed the man inside to find both Yang and Ruby clad in short shorts and t-shirts looking anxious. “Ladies good morning,” Jon said with a wave. “Something wrong?”

“Uhh we heard Jinlong and Ye so we were worried.” Yang began.

Ruby nodded, “Is everything okay?” Ruby looked back and forth between her dad and her friend, “Between the two of you? Dad?”

Tai replied with a smile, “Everythings fine sweetie. Daddy and Jon were just… getting some morning practice in is all.”

Oh,” Ruby said before she let out a relieved sigh, “Is that all? For a minute there I thought,” She shook her head and smiled, “Nevermind, what’s for breakfast?”

“Whatever Luna or your father cooks. I can cook, and by cook I mean grill,” Jon replied honestly. “When it comes to things beyond a spit and fire, or brewing,  don’t ask me.”

Yang grinned with her hands on her hips and said, “So Mister Perfect has flaws after all huh?”

Jon just gave her a funny look, “When did I ever claim to be perfect? I’ve failed plenty in life, but it's not how many times you fall, it's how many times you pick yourself up that matters. That, and you only truly fail when you quit trying to succeed.”

“It's true what Jon said. He might not be the best at everything but if anyone knows failure it is him. I will have to tell you guys some stories about Jon and machines. They just don’t like him,” Luna piped up from behind Ruby and Yang. Both girls were startled they didn’t hear her. She was dressed nicely in a blouse and sandals as she stretched showing that even short she was most certainly stacked.

“Morning dear, did we wake you?” Jon asked.

“Yes, the sound of chainsaws and buckshot does not make a nice alarm clock by the way,” She grumbled even as she made her way towards the kitchen.

“Sorry!” Taiyang and Jon said at the same time as they sheepishly shared a glance.

“It's fine, someone needs to feed you lot anyway. Anything in particular for breakfast?”

“Umm, we usually have pancakes for breakfast on the weekends,” Ruby said.

Luna nodded, “Then pancakes it is. Yang would you be a dear and give me a hand after you get dressed? You too Ruby-Doll off you go… unless of course you like giving Jon a show?” She inquired with a chuckle.

It then dawned on the two girls that they were still in their sleep attire and they both flushed. “Dibs on the Bathroom!” Yang said as she rushed towards the stairs.

“Yang no fair! You always take forever doing your hair and use all the hot water!” Ruby complained, but Yang was already halfway up the stairs. “Great, another cold shower for me.”

“Don’t you have a speed semblance Ruby?” Jon reminded her.

Ruby’s eyes lit up, and she burst into petals only to briefly embrace him, “You're a genius Jon!” She then disappeared in another flurry of rose petals and moments later a door could be heard shutting upstairs.

A fist thumping on the door could be heard a minute later, “Ruby Rose I called dibs!” Yang hollered.

“But I’m faster, plus unlike you I won’t use all the hot water! So suck on that sis!”

“But Luna needs my help with breakfast,” Yang complained.

Ruby was silent for a moment before the sound of a door opening could be heard and Ruby said, “We could just share the shower you know? We’re both girls and sisters. So what’s the big deal?”

“Ruby I don't think-Whaa!” Yang didn’t get to finish as Ruby had apparently pulled her into the bathroom if the sound of the door closing was any indication.

“It's fine, we used to do this all the time when we were younger!” Ruby assured her older sister.

“Yeah that’s not the problem here! You're gonna give Jon the- Gah don’t spray me there! You're gonna give him the wrong idea about us!”

“What idea, that we’re conserving water by bathing together?” Ruby asked innocently, as she inquired, “What do you eat to get so big anyway Yang?”

“Ruby, don’t squeeze them! And I don’t eat anything in particular. It's just genetics!”

Jon smacked his head against the table and muttered aloud, “Are they always like this Tai?”

“No… this, this is new… I blame you.” He said after a moment.

“Fuck off I can’t be blamed for this… at this point I’m going to need a cold shower.”

“Those are my daughters you're talking about!” Tai seethed.

“Yes, I know, I have daughters, and one of yours seems to be a little bit bi curious about the other.”

“Gods I hope that’s not the case…” Tai said as he ran a hand down his face.

Jon poured himself a second cup of coffee and then did the same for Tai before adding a hearty dose of mead to both cups. “Go on, drink, you need it. Also it's not the end of the world if she likes women and men is it?”

“No it's just… her sister?”

From what I understand half-sister who was also like a mother to her who up until recently has been rather overbearing. This could be attraction or-”

Jon was cut off by Yang screeching “RUBY! YOU DON’T PUT THAT THE- STOP! I-I C-CAN CLEAN MYSELF!”

“But you spend so much time on your hair in the shower Yang. I just wanna make sure everything else is clean especially this part here,”

“Do they know we can hear them? Are they doing this on purpose?” Luna wondered.

“Ruby might be,” Jon thought aloud. As I said she could be attracted to her sister due to being her only role model growing up, or… she might be getting some payback right now for several years of her sister being overbearing… Or it might be both.”

“Is it wrong I’m hoping for the second option?” Taiyang said in an almost sobbing tone as Yang let out a high pitched yell.

“No, not at all,” Jon deadpanned as the water stopped running.

Ruby soon skipped down the stairs looking wearing a pair of baggy sweats and pink shirt with a cutesy looking Beowulf on the front and looking refreshed a few minutes later. Beaming at everyone she looked back up the stairs and shrugged, “I have no idea what could be taking Yang so long, she always did like to languish in the shower though,” Turning to Luna she asked, “Would you like me to help with breakfast Luna?”

“Of course Ruby-Doll, could you point me to the pancake mix, or barring that flour, eggs, and milk?”

“Pancake mix is on the top shelf, and milk is for drinking and cookie making, not pancakes silly Luna!” Ruby chided playfully, wiggling a finger in her direction.

“You’ll find milk has a myriad of uses Ruby. Now, go and get it from the fridge for me would you?” Luna asked.

“Okay, I hope you're right.” Ruby said skeptically.

Luna just smiled, “You’ll see, also do you have any chocolate chips or strawberries?”

Ruby’s eyes lit up, “Do we ever!” She raced around the kitchen a crimson whirlwind before everything was set on the counter.

Luna let out a chuckle, “Well I see someone’s excited, let’s start shall we?”

“Right, we’ll beat these pancakes like we did those robbers the other day!”

“That’s the spirit dear, now crack those eggs, yes good, add a cup of milk, now stir.”

While Luna was giving an impromptu cooking lesson Yang came down the stairs looking disheveled, flushed, and out of breath.

Seeing her, Jon asked, “Have a nice shower?”

Pointing a finger at him with her eyes turning as crimson as her cheeks Yang bit out, “Not. Another. Word!”

Jon said nothing, but his silent smirk spoke volumes. Reminded him of one of his daughters in particular.

(...)

After a hearty breakfast, Jon led Ruby behind the house. He stretched, feeling the pleasant sensation of his spine popping before he turned to Ruby and said, “Okay I need to see what I’m working with so to start I want you to make a fist,” When she did so he ran a hand along her arm feeling the supple muscle she’d built up there. He frowned a bit. “Not bad but your muscles should be much more defined than this from swinging around that giant scythe.”

“Her name is Crescent Rose, and my baby is made out of a stainless steel and tungsten alloy with a carbon fiber frame. She’s a lot lighter than she looks,” Ruby said proudly before she asked, “What does the weight of my weapon matter anyway?”

“Stamina or your lack thereof,” Jon replied as he hefted his hand axe, and in one smooth motion chucked it into a log Tai had left sitting on the chopping block. Jon casually pulled the ax out and then handed it to her, “Your turn,”

“Umm right, okay.” Ruby took the weapon, it was top heavy much like her beloved sniper-scythe and she took careful aim, holding one eye closed before she threw the axe with all her strength… only to have it plink off the log.

Blinking her silver eyes in astonishment at the comical sight she complained, “What the? Why did it? It didn’t do that when you did it!”

“Arm strength,” Jon told her, “You don’t have enough of it to effectively throw an axe. I also recall you using the recoil from your gun to build up speed in our fight the previous evening. Do you know what that tells me?” When Ruby shook her head he told her, “Three things. One, that you lack proper muscle strength, two you lack endurance, and lastly, you lack full control over your semblance. You can’t activate it on command can you?”

“No, but if I concentrate really hard I can!” Ruby replied.

But Jon shook his head, “Not good enough, in a life or death situation when people's lives could be hanging by a thread, you might not have the time to concentrate. Do you understand? In a fight a second is a lifetime, and minutes can be an eternity. Both of which can mean the difference between life, and death.”

Ruby became determined as she nodded, “Right so what’s first?”

“I’m not done… hit me,” Jon stated, holding his arms wide open.

“Huh?” Ruby was confused.

“Hit. Me.” Jon said slowly “As hard as you can, don’t hold back. I’ve seen how good you are with your weapon, now show me your mettle without it.”

“Oh, well that’s more Yang’s thing than mine,” Ruby began.

“I didn’t ask for excuses!” Jon said, raising his voice slightly causing Ruby to flinch back, and him to sigh, “Ruby you want to be treated like an adult right?” Seeing her nod timidly he continued, “Well, part of adulting if you will is occasionally doing things you don’t like or want to do. Now I’ll say it one more time. Hit. Me!”

“Yeaaah!” Ruby said rushing forward and impacting Jon as hard as she could with a straight jab. He didn’t even stumble. He just stood there a moment, and gave a curt nod. “Good, now I know that we have a fourth problem to work on.”

“Which is?” Ruby asked.

“Hand to hand combat,” Jon replied. “You can never guarantee you will always have your weapon on you. Therefore, you must endeavor to turn your very body into a weapon itself. For it is the one thing that cannot be taken from you,” Placing a hand on her shoulder, he continued, “Prepare yourself Ruby, my training will… not be pleasant. But within these next two weeks I will turn you into a warrior… physically at least. Are you willing to commit to that?”

Ruby grimaced for a moment “I don’t have to do this right?”

Jon shook his head, “No, but you’ll be behind your peers at  Beacon in every way. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. To be a warrior who stands above all others, you must strive for physical, mental, and spiritual perfection,” Jon paused and then shook his head, “No not perfection, not just perfection, but harmony between the three states until all are one.”

“Can I even do that, do you think?” Ruby asked, feeling like the bar was being set rather high.

Jon nodded, “Yes, and I can say that with surety, because I myself  achieved it.”

Ruby’s eyes widened in awe, “You did?!”

Jon nodded, “Observe, see that bird?” He pointed to the bluejay on the branch and seeing her nod, he said, “Finger of Death!” A bolt of something twisted and black arched out from his finger, it struck the bird, and it fell off the branch, stone dead.

“Birdy Noo!” Ruby cried, before she turned to her teacher and demanded, “Why did you do that?! It was a harmless bird!”

Jon nodded, “Yes it was, what right did I, who have absolute power over life and death have to take the life of this creature? He walked over and picked up its still warm corpse with both hands and brought it over for her to see. When she tried to back away, he hissed, “Look! Look at how easy it will be for you to kill and end lives with the power I am going to teach you!”

Ruby looked. The bird was just there, alive singing on the branch minding its own business one minute and now it was dead. ‘He’s so strong… he could’ve ended that entire fight last night just by pointing a finger!’ She realized. “Why…” She swallowed and tried again, “Jon, why do you wield a weapon?”

“I wield a weapon, Ruby, because taking a life is a decision that should have weight to it. It shouldn’t be as easy as a few words and a flick of a finger,” Jon shook his head, “A life, every life, has weight to it just like a weapon and every decision we all make, also carries that same weight. What I am going to teach you will be as heavy as a boulder, which you will be able to wield as if it were a feather. Do you understand? By the time I’m done with you, you can kill with a finger,” He looked down at the bird, and whispered, “Revivify,” The bird twitched before it opened its eyes, sat up, and looked around a moment before it took off back to its tree much to the Red Reaper’s shock and delight, “And return life with a word. Are you willing to go down this road? I must warn you, it will not be an easy road to walk.”

Looking at him in amazement Ruby said, “I…you…” Words failed Ruby and she stopped talking for a moment pulling her cloak closed around her so she could collect her thoughts. ‘How did he do that? It’s a semblance… Right?’ She thought back on it and never heard him specifically claim what his semblance was. Ruby, still being young, was able to come to the most natural conclusion a child could. ‘Is it magic? Is he using actual…?’ She shook her head, ‘No that’s just silly. Magicians only exist in myths, legends, and old fairytales… right?’ Finally she decided to ask “Jon?”

“Yes Ruby?”

“Are you a Wizard?”

“Oh goodness no,” He denied making Ruby sigh in relief, before he replied, “I’m a Vorpal Knight, Shaman, and a Skald. I have taken many journeys through life but the path of wizardry was not among them.”

Ruby did a double take, “What?”

“I do believe what you're really asking is if I know magic, yes?” Seeing Ruby nod dumbly he replied, “Then the answer is yes. But I am not a Wizard. Wizards spend years of study going through old tomes. I gained my magic through a mix of becoming a Vorpal Knight, Shamanism, and Skaldship. Not necessarily in that order. Much blood, sweat, blood, tears, and blood were spilled to get me here.”

“You said blood a lot.” Ruby noted.

“I spilled a lot of blood, not all of it was mine… in fact a majority of it wasn’t. But anyway, are you ready to get started?”

Ruby raised a finger to object, “Actually I kinda wanna know more about this magic thing.”

“Now is not the time for that,” Jon replied, “We need to get you in shape physically and mentally first before we can begin to work on the spiritual side of things.”

Ruby took a breath and let it out. “Then let's get started.”

Ruby was about to regret agreeing to the HELL that Jon was going to put her through in the name of training.

(...)

Two Weeks Later Patch,

Time flew and before anyone knew it two weeks had already passed. Ruby was grateful for the time to relax right before school at Beacon started. She was sore all over but was not sad. She hadn’t felt this great since she found Mom’s recipe for double chocolate chunk cookies. She got to spend time with Jon and even Luna once as a teacher in martial arts and combat. The first few days were hard. She would be up by 5:00am, have a filling breakfast of eggs, sausage, toast, and coffee (with milk of course), and then she’d be out in the front yard doing a hundred pushups, situps, squats, and then going on a 6km run with an old tire tied around her waist. By the time she was done around noon, she was starving like a rabid beowulf and lunch consisted of a lot of protein filled sandwiches. Then she was forced to chop wood out back. Without aura. Working on her arm strength and further ingraining proper scythe technique into her according to Jon. She did this for three hours then he had her working on her hand to hand. Upon confirming she was left handed he told her, “Right I’m going to teach you boxing. Your sister knows a little bit. She seems to know the basics but since you're a lefty, you’ll be learning the Southpaw style which is to say, leading with the left hand and crossing with the right. On top of that, since speed is your thing, I’m also going to be teaching you how to be a Swarmer. That’s someone who keeps attacking and doesn’t allow their opponent time to counter or think. Are you ready?”

“Yeah… I do have one question though?” Ruby said her workout clothes had long since been completely  drenched with sweat.

“Yes?” Jon asked.

“Why did you ban me from using my Aura during all of this?” Ruby almost whined.

Patting her head, Jon replied, “You’ll understand shortly after dinner tonight. Now let’s begin.”

He started off with a stance that was the mirror opposite of Yang’s with a few other changes such as constantly bobbing her head, fast footwork where Yang would just tank it due to her aura. Hell Jon pulled Yang and dad in for some sparring lessons without weapons. Ruby enjoyed that session. She never thought seeing her dad and sister get beaten up but watching and then being asked where they had flaws was a new experience. She couldn’t wait to write letters to her friends at Signal about this.

After a dinner of pot roast, potatoes, and carrots which Ruby wolfed down without complaint she didn’t usually care for stewed carrots or potatoes but she was too hungry to care in this case, Jon led her upstairs to the bath which was filled with ice water. He then explained, “Ruby, this ice bath is the final thing you’ll be doing for today. It will rapidly cool down your muscles. While you're in there I want you to focus your aura on healing your muscles. Do you think you can do that?”

“Healing my muscles? You mean like making them less sore?” She asked for clarification.

The Viking nodded, “Indeed Ruby, you see, muscle mass is gained by exercise which in turn tears down muscle and lets it reform bigger and stronger. So if you get into an ice bath to rapidly cool down inflammation while using your aura for healing those broken down muscles…”

“I’ll gain muscle at an accelerated rate!” Ruby almost shouted. Before she hugged him. “You're a genius Jon, thank you… so much for helping me.”

“Your welcome…” He turned to leave only to stop and turn. “One thing before I go, the other night, with Yang, that was just you teasing her, right?”

“Jon, Yang is my sister… it's only natural I love her a whole lot,” Ruby said with a smile that didn’t answer his question one way or the other.

“Right, well carry on then,” He said as he shut the door behind him. Some things were better off not known he supposed.

The next day began like the first but after the morning's exercise, Ruby was told to get Crescent Rose and load her up. Dashing up to her room she came back down to find a makeshift shooting range of cans set up behind the house. “Today we shall work on firing speed,” Jon informed her. “I’m told by your father you can fire seven rounds in thirty seconds.”

“Yep!” Ruby said proudly.

“Too slow,” Jon replied.

“That’s more than a round every five seconds on a bolt action rifle!” Ruby replied.

To which her sensei replied, “I know of people who can do four rounds in six seconds with the same type of gun. You need to be as fast as them, if not faster, miss speedster.”

Ruby huffed, as she set her baby up down range, “Are all the people you know superhuman or something?”

Jon paused before nodding, “Maybe, but if that’s the case then doesn’t that mean this training is intended to make you a superhuman amongst superhumans?”

Ruby didn’t know if she wanted that. She was a natural introvert and wouldn’t mind just being a normal girl. ‘Then why are you becoming a Huntress?’ A small voice in the back of her mind proceeded to ask. ‘They stand in the light as bastions for humanity. Is it just because you lost your mother and were told fairytales by your sister? Isn’t there a better reason? A more important one?’

‘My mother is important,’ Ruby replied. As she fired her shot chambered another fired.

‘But you don’t even remember her,’ The voice replied, ‘To you, she is a bunch of vague impressions, feelings of warmth, happiness, bravery. You can’t recall her voice, and wouldn’t even know her face if it wasn’t for pictures. So, for someone who wants to be a normal girl, why’re you doing this?’

‘Because, she led by example,’ Ruby retorted.

‘Liar,’ the voice snapped, ‘You can’t lie to me I’m you. Come on now, be honest. What’s the real reason? Can’t you be honest at least to yourself? You know exactly why you're doing this.’

‘If you're me, then I don’t need to say it then do I?’ Ruby retorted, annoyed.

“Too slow, reload and try again!” Jon told her.

‘The fact you won’t admit it to me, who is yourself, is just sad you know? C’mon, just say it, we both know what the real reason is, don’t we?’

Ruby grimaced, as she continued to glare down her sights, ‘I don’t… know what.. you're talking about…’ Ruby denied, yet her denial felt weak even to herself.

‘L. I. A. R.’ the voice taunted. ‘You can deny all you want but like I told you, I’m you.’

“C’mon Ruby you can do this!” Jon encouraged her, “Try again!”

‘Can you do this though?’ The voice asked, ‘Can you really be a Huntress if you're not being honest with yourself?’

‘Fine!’ Ruby snapped, ‘I lost my mom! I lost my mother, I can’t even remember her voice and it sucks! I want to become a huntress so I can save people! So that no child has to go through what I had to! There! Are you happy now?!’

‘Thrilled… for now…’ The voice said ominous before it faded away.

Jon watched for the third time as Ruby's firing rate suddenly picked up. It took him a minute to figure out what had happened. ‘She’s subconsciously using her Semblance on her right arm, decreasing the time it takes her to pull the bolt back.’ He also noticed other small changes. Instead of physically shifting her stance, Ruby was subtly shifting her entire body to align with the next target before she fired from one position to another, using her implanted weapon as a pivot. It was a small but useful use of her Semblance.

‘I should reprimand her for using Aura but I don’t think she even realizes she’s doing this,’ Jon thought to himself as he clocked her time. “Four shots in six seconds. Now that you’ve got it down let's make sure it becomes muscle memory. Again!”

This continued until Sunday where Ruby was told to rest. She was told to do nothing but her morning exercises and other than that, relax. She did so using her aura to quickly remove her fatigue from the run which already felt like it was getting a little easier. Come twilight Ruby smelt smoke and went outback to find a massive bonfire going using all the wood she’d chopped throughout the week. Cooking on a grill grate over the open flames were six steaks, potatoes, and in a large iron pot, unless her nose deceived her, was chili.

“What’s all this?” She asked as she watched Jon flip the steaks with practiced ease.

Jon replied while greeting her with a smile, “A week's worth of toil has earned its just rewards. Come! Dinner is almost ready.”

They ate, and surrounded by fire and starlight, Jon regaled them with stories of far off lands, fantastic monsters and epic battles. Dad and Yang looked amused thinking they were just stories… But Ruby knew better. ‘After all, if he can do magic, what’s stopping him from teleporting to other worlds?’ Ruby thought to herself as she nursed a cup of mead as she munched on a smore.

(...)

Ruby got up off her bed and put away her pajamas in her case of clothes for her trip to Beacon. She made sure everything was packed. She even packed her baby away and was happy that everything fit nicely in her suitcase.

She walked down the stairs and smelled a simply divine scent coming from the kitchen. She walked in on Luna making something delicious in the oven while a fresh set of…..”SQUEE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES!” in a swarm of petals Ruby appeared next to Luna and squeezed her into her still developing breasts.

“Mm mph phh,” was the muffled response Luna gave as Ruby shook her. A firm hand on her shoulder had Ruby turn and look into Jon’s sapphire eyes.

“Ruby, I think Luna needs to breathe. Your breasts are smothering her. If you want more cookies, I suggest letting her go,” chuckled out Jon, who knew that while his wife loved a good rack she didn’t want to be suffocated by them.

Ruby nodded in agreement, let Luna go and proceeded to eat cookies and drink milk.

“Lady Diana I saw my life flash before my eyes. Ruby-doll next time a regular hug would work. I don’t want to meet my ancestors before I have a few more kids, and eat a lot more food,” bemoaned Luna as she just giggled.

Jon did have to admit one of the downsides of staying at a guest house was a lack thereof when it came to sexy times. Of course with all the perversion in Ruby, Jon felt the little reaper probably could do with some tender care in the ahem self maintenance. Far be it for Jon to ask. He was still afraid of his daughters when it was their time of the month. Let be known that his genes rang true and bestial rage was a common trait in his line. He did wonder if his lost love would have been a good mother. She had so much wisdom and grace. Jon thinks Luna would have loved chatting with her and offering tips for meals to appease court meetings.

Jon was broken from his musings by a firm but not too hard fist bump to his chest. He turned and saw Yang in a t-shirt and pajama pants. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she was smiling slightly at him, “Hey man, thanks for helping Ruby catch up with me. I know she wants to go to Beacon. I never actually noticed  the weaknesses in her style and strength that you and Luna caught. It was nice that Rubes was able to meet you all things considered. I am still wary of you but what sister isn’t scared about their younger sibling?”

Jon smiled back, “I understand Yang. I had seven sisters. I loved them all dearly.”

Yang noticed the past tense, “Had? Did they?”

“Yes. I am pretty sure they have passed along with my parents. To this day I regret I wasn’t able to do more to protect them. So I understand where you are coming from. There is nothing wrong with caring for Ruby but you can’t baby her anymore. She is taking steps to be an adult. She needs to stumble to learn.”

Before Yang could reply, “That doesn’t mean you can’t be there to help her back up when she falls. That is the job of all elder siblings to watch over the younger ones. It is our duty and responsibility… One that I feel like I failed.”

“Jon,” Yang said, putting her hand on his shoulder in support. “It's not your fault man.”

“I know that here,” He tapped his head, “But I can’t convince myself here,” He tapped his chest, before he continued, “No matter how hard I try or how much time passes. I still feel that shame and guilt. That is guilt I recognize in you Yang. Don’t let it swallow you. It isn’t your fault that your mother died.”

“My mother abandoned me, Jon,” Yang rebutted as she looked away.

“Your mother was Summer Rose Yang, same as Ruby. The water of the womb is not always thicker than the blood of the covenant.”

“Jon say what?”

“Jon say family more than just blood unga bunga, me cook meat over open flame! Mmm, taste good. Me thow pointy stick!”

The blonde brawler held her stomach as she laughed, “Okay you may not be as punny as me but Xiao can you hope to compete anyway?”

“Xiao Long are you going to avoid your problems by making horrible puns and acting like a hard drinking party girl?” Jon rebutted.

“I’m not… wait a minute did you just?” Yang asked as she pointed a finger at him accusingly.

“I did, and we both know you're more responsible than you let on. Ruby isn’t the only one that needs to do some growing. She needs to be allowed to make mistakes… and you need to let her make those mistakes.”

“But what if she gets hurt?” Yang asked, sounding unusually vulnerable.

“Then you can be there to help her back up.”

“I can’t just stand by though.’

“There was a riddle I heard once upon a time. It rings true here. Who shall watch the watchmen?”

“Huh, what does that even mean Jon?”

“It means that since you are so busy watching and protecting Ruby. Keeping her on the straight and narrow path. Making sure her decisions are righteous and true. Who will be there to help you when you falter? What of Yang? Who shall she go to when she falls? The world is cruel and it can cause immeasurable pain. Ask yourself. How can I protect Ruby when I am falling to pieces in the process. Think harder. And remember that when the time comes you must let Ruby stretch her wings and fly,” were the last words Jon gave her one final look before going into the kitchen and prying Ruby away from the cookies before she ruined the breaking of her fast.

Yang stayed quiet and looked out the window at the rising sun. She heard a clearing throat behind her and turned to see her father there. How long he was there and how much he had heard she didn’t know.

“Yang…… When Raven left it had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. Don’t let the mistakes of the past hold you down from the present. Let me handle that alright. After talking to Jon a little I realized that I haven’t been the best father. So let me start being a better one for now. I don’t like Ruby going to Beacon anymore than you but I don’t think locking her away and restricting her future is the way to go.”

“Dad… I… I don’t know what to say honestly. I guess I will have a lot on my mind to think about now,” Yang went up to her father, gave him a back breaking hug then kissed him on the cheek, “Thanks for trying to be better and being there when Raven wasn’t. I love you dad,” Yang then gave a small genuine smile and walked into the kitchen.

“Ruby, you better not eat all those cookies. I want some too!”

(...)

The group of four was now on the Bullhead flying towards Beacon. Ruby was sitting next to Jon, who was pale and sitting ramrod straight and pale, with his pupils like pin pricks. “Are you okay Jon?”

“Not really. I don’t understand how this giant hunk of metal is flying… I don’t trust it.”

“Oh, you don’t like flying… but you flew onto the rooftop during the fight?”

“That’s different!” Jon said his voice a little tight, “I was under my own power then, I was in control. Now you're asking me to trust that some mechanical machine won’t somehow malfunction and end up killing us all, when it shouldn’t even be in the air in the first place.”

“Luna’s right, you really are bad with technology aren’t you?” Ruby said as she took his clammy hand in her and gently patted it.

“I… am not the best with it no,” The Viking replied, “I suppose you could say I’m set in my ways, and I prefer doing things the old fashioned way.”

Ruby nodded, she understood that. She loved tech especially when it came to weapons. “Well don’t worry I’ll be here to help you, in case Luna can’t or for some reason isn’t around.”

“My thanks Ruby… you must think I’m rather pathetic being so… insecure after being so sure of myself these past two weeks.”

“Nope!” the Little Red Reaper replied, popping the ‘p’ as she spoke. “Everyone is afraid of something. For you its tech you don’t understand. For me… well it's crowds and people… looks like we’re both going to have to face our fears today, huh?”

Jon patted her head, “You’ll be fine. You’ve a natural charisma, you just need to hone it. A diamond doesn’t come out of the earth cut and polished, that takes time, and effort. Put in both, and you’ll be a leader one day.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes…” Jon paused to take a shuddering breath as the Bullhead shook, “Why is it shaking?”

“It’s just a little bit of turbulence, we're fine.” Ruby told him, rubbing her thumb over his hand comfortingly while getting up and walking down the bullhead. She came back with a trash can and patted Jon on the back. “In case you feel sick,” She informed him.

“I’ve seen battlefields filled with hills of corpses… that then got up and tried to kill me, this flying monstrosity isn’t going to make me vomit Ruby, but thank you.”

“Oh I remember that battle. You think the zombies would have the courtesy to stay dead but no they had to try and eat us. I hate that bitch who raised them,” chimed in Luna

“Fucking Vess.” Jon muttered under his breath.

“Who?” Ruby asked.

“Liliana Vess she’s… a very selfish and greedy woman… but one must be at least somewhat selfish to use Black mana, the energy of decay, greed, and death.”

“The spell you used to kill the bird?” Ruby muttered.

The blonde nodded, “The very same.”

Ruby cocked her head to the side, “But you don’t seem greedy Jon, in fact, you’ve been super helpful.”

The Viking gave a bitter smile. “There are different kinds of greed, Ruby. An old friend of mine was greedy enough to want to protect his whole world. He thought long and hard how to keep balance. His greed and selfishness was so strong that even I respect him for not becoming a sociopath. He knew that if his kin were not kept in line the whole world of his would fall to chaos. And so he made a guiding light to keep the balance.”

“Oh I remember him. You told us a story about the guardian angel. Was your friend her creator? What was his name again? I think you said his name was Sorin?”

“Yes, Sorin of house Markov. He committed a grave sin by making his daughter. The angel Avacyn, but he was selfish enough to take all of the hatred in his world to keep his kin from dying and his world lost.”

“Right Avacyn,” Ruby nodded. “But I still don’t think you're greedy.”

The Planeswalker was quick to refute her, “I desire good drink, food, and women… and power. Power to keep those I call dear safe from harm. That is a type of greed, and when I was younger, and more arrogant, I felt that, since I was strong, so I took what I wanted from others. For that is the lesson I learned when I first… that was a harsh lesson I was taught growing up. That the strong survive by taking what they want from the weak… by dominating them.

Ruby frowned upon learning her friend was a bully. But that was the thing. Was was the keyword here. “You don’t do that anymore though, right?”

Jon shook his head and laughed a little, “No I haven’t for… many years. Nowadays I’m the one who bullies the bullies.”

“That’s fair,” Ruby said giggling a little herself. Yet something he said stuck out to her, ‘The power to protect those I hold dear is a type of greed… how?’ She wanted to ask but now wasn’t the time, for the Bullhead was descending, they had arrived at Beacon Academy.

(...)

The quartet walked off the gangplank and onto solid ground, Jon a bit shakier than the other three. “Blessed solid ground!” he praised, “I’ll never leave you again!”

“You can out fight me and dad but put him on a bullhead and he’s a blubbering baby,” Yang joked.

“Just for that, wait till a combat class Xiao Long, I’ll give you a refresher in how you stand against me.” Jon replied, looking over his shoulder at the blonde.

“Oh hey I think I saw some old friends of mine! I’m gonna go catch up with them, seeya!” Yang said as she hurried off.

Ruby laughed, “Jon! Did you have to scare Yang off like that?”

“Did she have to mock me?” He rebutted.

“Point,” Ruby conceded, “I guess we should head to the main hall?”

Luna nodded, “Yes let’s see what this place has to offer, I for one am eager to check out the kitchens.”

That caused Jon and Ruby to laugh. Of course the professional chef would want to know what she’d be working with.

The trio were approaching the main building at the same time as a slender young girl who looked like this might be the first time she’d seen the sun. That or she was an albino like Luna. She was wearing an elegant white outfit, her silver hair was held up in a ponytail, and she was wearing high heel white boots. At her side was a rapier with revolver chambers filled with dust.

‘A noble,’ Jon noted, ‘Oh joy.’ She even had a butler with a trolly carrying her bags.

“Excuse us,” Jon said, keeping his tone as neutral as possible. He didn't want to be anywhere near the girl. Most nobles were nothing but trouble. Too haughty, arrogant, and prideful.

“Of course,” She said pleasantly.

‘Okay maybe I was wrong,’ Jon thought, “My ladies were an exception too after all.”

“Nice dust rapier,” Ruby commented, “Are you a dustmancer?”

“Sort of, Dust works rather well with my semblance,” The girl replied. “Weiss, and you are?”

“Ruby Rose, nice to meet you… wait Weiss I think one of those bottles of fire dust is leaking!”

The pale girl looked over asking, “What!? Not possible I sealed them myself?!”

But one was indeed leaking red dust into the air, and it trickled into Ruby’s nose due to an errant gust of wind. “Aaa…Aaa Aahchooo!”

The reaper sneezed and a massive elemental explosion happened. Fire, lighting, wind, shards of ice, all went off at once.

Jon was blown back and fell on his back wondering what in the five realms of Alara just happened. He got up and found Ruby and Weiss in a deep crater.

“Ruby, Weiss are you alright down there?” He called.

“We’re fine! Are you okay Weiss?” Ruby asked after she replied to the question.

The girl sighed, “I’m fine, are you okay? I thought for sure I’d sealed those canisters properly.”

“They could’ve gotten loose in transit or something. What matters is that neither one of us is being cleaned up with a mop right now.”

“If you flew in one of those metal death traps I definitely think it could have  shaken something loose. Also Ruby be glad you had aura for once. Explosions like that would not require a mop but a broom and dustpan,” spoke Jon who saw a few students looking in their general direction but none seemed to come check on them. Jon sighed for supposed defenders of humanity they sure didn’t care much about their fellow man.

Muttering to himself, Jon said, “If you want something done right…” He jumped down into the hole and helped the girls to their feet. “C’mon now, up you get we have an orientation to get to ladies. We don’t have time to dawdle do we?”

“Thanks Jon.” Ruby replied. “Appreciate it,”

“Yes thank you… Jon was it.”

“Yes,” He replied as he pulled them close and then jumped out of the hole. “It is,”

“Well,” Weiss said with an aggrieved sigh, as she looked around and saw all the dust on the trolley blown sky high, “There goes a year's worth of dust I bought using saved up funds… this… sucks.”

“Such volatile substances, enchanting, would be easier, cheaper and safer too,” Jon said under his breath. ‘I could just quickly enchant that rapier of hers, it wouldn’t be too difficult… but then I’d have to explain a lot of things because she would no doubt have questions and Ruby would as well…’ He shook his head. ‘Not worth it right now,’ He decided. “No point crying over spilled mead. Come, we should get going,” Raising his voice he spoke loud enough to be heard by the entire crowd, “I think we all have somewhere we’re supposed to be, no?”

The masses got the hint and began to disperse, all except a girl garbed in black and white, a black blow in her hair that matched her ebony locks. Her amber eyes were coated in eyeshadow and fixed on Weiss. “So, the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company can’t do a job any underpaid faunus in her fathers employ can do? Funny, and ironic.”

Weiss bristled. “I should not be held accountable for my father’s horrid business practices! Just because my name is Schnee doesn't mean I’m accountable for everything the company does! I’m the same age as you, in case you haven’t noticed.”

The unknown girl fired back, “You may be young, but you grew up privileged while others starved to provide you that privilege.”

“What’s a Faunus?” Jon asked out of the blue. He had heard the word often enough but he couldn’t quite guess what it meant. The girl comparing Weiss to one meant they must have been a serf caste or something. He wondered how that worked in the modern day?

“What’s a faunus? The black haired girl echoed. “Are you just stupid or being willfully malicious?”

“Neither I just don’t know what that term means,” Jon replied honestly.

In response, the girl pointed at Luna who was coming to check on Ruby and Jon after She heard the explosion, “Her, she’s a Faunus!”

“Luna, you're a Faunus? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I am? Since when? You know I am a mouseling. What the heck is a faunus?”

Ruby looked between the two. “You don’t think of yourself as a Faunus Luna?”

“Heavens no!” The shortstack replied, “I’m a mouseling, we have our own culture, traditions, mythology. Why on Abeir-toril would I consider myself a Faunus?”

“I mean I feel that is like calling an orc a goblin or a kobold a troglodyte,” responded Jon.

“I know it's so insulting. Now you there the lady with the bow,” started Luna pointing at the confused and stunned unknown girl, “Why are you terrorizing my husband and Ruby-doll’s new friend. Did they enslave you, kill your parents, eat your loved ones, and then turn you into their pack mule with the threat of being eaten if you messed up once?”

The girl was stunned into silence and could only say, “No.”

“Then you don’t know what it's like being a mouseling and being threatened by others. So don’t be racist and call me a faunus that is demeaning to my people. Come on Jon, Ruby, and Weiss right? We have a meeting to attend,” ranted Luna as she grabbed Jon, Ruby, and Weiss showing surprising strength in her small body.

Blake Belladonna was left dumbfounded in what she just saw. She just felt like her mother gave her a stern talking to. “What just happened?” she asked herself as she slowly trailed behind the group lost in her own thoughts.

(...)

Jon listened as the Wizard gave out some kind of spiel. ‘He doesn’t even seem to be paying attention, so why should I?’ He thought to himself as he leaned against the wall. He looked at all the prospective students and if he was honest. He found most of them wanting. These kids seemed arrogant, prideful, and conceited. They heard stories of dreams and heroes but they don’t have the will or grit to survive.

“You will spend the night here in the great hall and then go to the initiation in the morning. I suggest you rest up. I assure you, you’ll need it.”

Pushing off the wall, he went to find Ruby, Yang, and possibly that Weiss girl. He found the two half-sisters amicably chatting with one another in the middle of the hall. “Ladies,” He greeted with a nod. “It's safe to assume you don’t mind if I put my things here, yes?” He said as he put a simple bound bag down next to ruby.

“Hmm, I dunno,” Ruby said playfully as she giggled. “Whaddaya you think sis?” Ruby asked her sister.

“Well, he looks trustworthy enough I suppose,” Yang said, playing along with her sister.

“Jester’s the pair of you.” Jon drawled, “Have either of you two clowns seen Luna perchance?”

Seeing the two shake their heads in the negative, Jon sighed, “I’d better look for her, before she eats someone in self defense like the last time I left her by herself.”

As he walked off, Ruby and Yang shared a glance. “What do you think he meant by that?” Yang asked.

“No idea,” Ruby replied with a shake of her head.

“You don’t know? But he’s your mentor, crush, or whatever,” The Blonde pointed out. Yang found her mouth covered in a flurry of rose petals.

“SHH! Shaddup shaddup shaddup! Do you want Jon to hear you?!” Ruby hissed at her sister as she frantically glanced back towards the blonde with her mercury gaze.

Yang’s lilac eyes widened and she removed her sister’s hand, “You really do like him… oh Ruby…” She said sadly.

“I know! I know it's wrong, I know he’s kinda sorta married to Luna and she’s like a mom to me… I shouldn’t feel feelings like this towards Jon… But I can’t help it,” With unshed tears in her eyes she asked her older sister, “What should I do Yang?”

‘Figures, the one time she comes to me actually needing my help I can’t help her,’ Yang thought as she pulled her sister into a hug. This was a bitter pill to swallow. For the blonde brawler knew that heartache was also a part of growing up. “I don’t know Rubes, I wish… I  had something I could say that would make it all better but… I just don’t. I’m sorry sis.”

“He was my first real friend, you know?” Ruby sniffed.

“What’re you talking about, Rubes? You had friends at Signal.” Yang pointed out.

Ruby replied flatly. “Yang those ‘friends’ were the little brothers and sisters of either guys who wanted to ‘get to know you’ better, or girls who wanted to ‘get to know you better or knock you down a peg’ if you catch my drift? And some of them were just your friends who were just trying to be nice to me. It's not the same thing!”

“Girls too?” Yang asked, “Damn I’m hot.”

“Yang focus!” Ruby said grabbing her face and forcing her to look at her with both hands as she said, “Be a sex object on your own time!” Ruby told her.

“I kinda like this more mature you,” Yang noted. “You snap back.”

“I’ve always snapped back, now you're just paying attention when I do it,” Ruby told her. “Anyway yeah… me, crush, Jon, bad.” She summarized. “What do?”

Yang scratched her head, “Umm… do or do not? There is no try?”

“Seriously? Quoting Yodle from Galaxy Wars is the best you can do?” Ruby asked. “Be serious here!”

Rubbing her chin, Yang said, “I’ve never had a crush on a dude you know they all came to me… but can you blame them? I mean, look at me… Right being serious now.” Yang said upon seeing her sisters glare. “Maybe it’ll just go away if you ignore it? I mean there are plenty of cute guys here. You might click with one of them. Or a cute girl, I’m not judging.”

“Yeah I guess? But we’re going to be on the same team so… we’re gonna be together a lot of the time right?” Ruby pointed out.

“Ohh… Right, I forgot about that,” Yang said with a wince. “I… seriously don’t know Rubes. The only thing I can think is you tell him and talk it out like… well adults. That’s what you wanted right? To be treated like an adult?” Her older sister reminded her.

“Yeah,” Ruby sighed out, “Yeah I did,”

“Having second thoughts? Being a big girl and not my baby sister isn’t so easy is it?” Yang said almost sadly.

“It's not,” Ruby nodded. “But it was going to happen eventually regardless. So I might as well jump in feet first right?”

“Just try not to drown in the deep end okay sis?” Yang said, putting a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. “Remember that on top of trying to grow up a little too fast for my tastes, you’re still behind everyone else here academically. So maybe you should focus on catching up there first before worrying about boys?”

The Little Red Reaper nodded, “Yeah. I guess you're right Yang.” She grimaced as she realized, ‘Jon promised to help me catch up academically too. Meaning I’ll be spending time alone in the library with my crush… I don’t know if I should be happy about that or not.’ These feelings burned in her heart like a raging fire… but also in her stomach like acid. Two feelings, those of passion and betrayal warred within the young huntress and she wasn’t sure which one was going to win.

(...)

While his protege was having warring feelings, Jon was looking for his common law wife. “Luna, are you back here?” He called out.

“Whose Luna,” A peppy redhead in a pink and white outfit asked.

“A close friend of mine. Short, white hair, blue eyes, mouse ears and a tail? Have you seen her, miss?” He held out a hand for her to shake.

Taking it, she shook his hand vigorously, “Nora Valkyrie,” she greeted with a big smile that lit up her whole face, before she pondered for a moment, “I haven’t seen anyone like that, but maybe Ren did. He tends to notice the small things and that includes small people. Let’s go ask him,” The girl spun on her heel and skipped away while calling in a high pitched sing-song voice, “Oh Renny!”

A man with closely cut hair with a small pink braid and pink eyes popped his head out from behind a half wall, toothbrush in his mouth. “Mm, Mora?”

“No talking with your mouthful Renny, you’ve told me it's rude!” Nora teased, wiggling a finger at him playfully.

He rolled his eyes before nodding and disappearing for a moment before reappearing in full wearing an entirely green set of pajamas. “Hello, Lie Ren, how can I help you… what did Nora break?” He added with a resigned sigh after a moment seeing the seriousness on Jon’s face.

“Jon Arc. Your paramor has done nothing of the sort. I was simply asking if she saw my wife Luna and she said you might know.”

Both teens blushed at Jon’s comment. Nora quickly stammered, “We are together but not together-together if you know what I mean? I have been with Ren since we were little. That's it.”

Jon looked back and forth between the two of them and asked, “And how long ago was this?”

“About ten years or more now wouldn’t you say Nora?” Ren answered to which the ginger haired girl nodded.

“Well then congratulations, by law, that means you two are considered married by common law. Meaning if either of you die, the other gets the other's things, and all assets are to be shared equally which I’m assuming you're doing that anyway. Congratulations. But back to the main topic. By chance, have you seen my common law wife?” Both Ren and Nora looked at each other and wondered how close they really were as the law already saw them as being entwined.

Ren blushing slightly decided to speak up, “While that is something to consider, and I will think about what you told me. Could you describe your wife? I might have seen her.”

“Short, under five feet, blue eyes, white hair, mouse ears, tail. White blouse, looks as stacked as Nora?”

Instead of being offended, Nora just laughed, “Someone likes his women like he likes his pancakes! Shortstacks. Speaking of?” She looked at Ren hopefully.

“No Nora I can’t make you pancakes right now,” Ren replied before he told Jon, “I think I saw her heading towards the restrooms.”

“Thank you, it was nice meeting you both, take care during the initiation tomorrow,”

“You too,” Ren called as the big blonde walked off to find his missing wife.

(...)

Jon knocked on the bathroom door before heading in. A quick glance around and he didn’t see Luna anywhere, just a lot of stalls. ‘It's a lot cleaner in here in the men’s room,’ He noted, ‘They even have a bench? Why is there a bench? I mean I know women tend to go to the privy in groups but is it so bad they need to sit and wait in line?’ He wondered. He also noticed the lights all worked and none of the glass on the mirrors were broken or even cracked. All in all this was the most pristine restroom he’d ever been in.

Then he heard it.

Sluck sluck sluck.

The telltale sign of female masturbation.

“Luna, is that you?” Jon called out. “I really hope so because otherwise this is going to be awkward.”

“J-Jon?” Luna replied, her tone was breathy and needy, it was coming from the stall nearest the door.

Walking up to it Jon asked, “Luna, dear are you alright?”

“N-No!” She said as the noises picked up from inside the stall, “I-I’ve held back for two. whole. weeks! Two weeks! I just couldn’t take it anymore! I wanted, no! I needed release!”

The problem with Luna being a mouseling is she was constantly two things. Hungry and Horny. She was an amazing cook because of the first, and they had raised several children together due to the second. They usually had sex every other day, but due to the sancity of guest rights, they hadn’t done anything for two weeks straight… Now all that pent up sexual frustration was boiling over in the short mouse woman.

“Oh, oh Jon, get in here!” She begged, “Even my whole fist at once doesn’t compare to you!”

He tried the door only to find it locked. “You need to unlock the door, if I break it people are going to have questions dear.”

There was a loud squelch sound and the bolt on the door was thrown back, and Luna pulled the door open. Her blouse was around her ankles, legs spread with her cheeks flush, and eyes aglow with need. Her sex dripping with desire, “Get in here!”

“Yes ma’am,” Jon replied, doffing his armor with a quick spell leaving him naked as he entered the stall, shutting and locking it behind him. Seeing her in such a position got him up to full mast. Whereas Jon had a longspear for a natural weapon, Luna by contrast was small meaning he could hurt her if he wasn’t careful. So he stood there a moment, feeling the heat coming off of her mound wondering how he should proceed in such tight quarters. It wasn’t the first time they’d done it in a stall but he’d never particularly enjoyed this too cramped for his taste.

“Jo~n!” Luna whined, “Quit teasing me and stick it in already! Please?” She asked like a child who wanted a cookie or a lollipop.

He thrust forward and bottomed out four inches later. Both he and Luna let out moans filled with ecstasy. “I missed this!” Jon said with a hiss as he felt Luna spasm around him, cumming from just him entering her.

“Me… me too. Gods! You're gigantic! No matter how many times we’ve done it over the years it just… Gah! Take my breath away!” the mouseling panted.

Jon proceeded to pick her up before sitting down and bouncing her on his lap.

“Oh, oh oh gods yes!” Luna yelled. “Please don’t sto-!” Jon silenced her by putting two of his fingers in her mouth which she proceeded to suck on.

“Shh, you’ve always been too loud Luna.” Jon chastised as he used his other hand to spank her ass kneading his fingers into her pale cheek, causing her to moan around his fingers. “You need to be quieter, we’re in public remember?”

In response, she shook her hips,  grinding herself down on his dick as she sucked on his fingers all the harder. But she wasn’t done, she proceeded to wrap her tail around what she couldn’t get inside of her and stroke him with it, all while frantically picking up the pace on what she could take.

“Mon! M’m Mona Mum!” Luna said through his fingers.

“Shield, Zone of Silence!” Jon gasped out as he felt a tingle like a flash of lightning racing down the base of his spine.

With a roar befitting an Ursa, Jon let his seed loose inside of his lover, before placing kisses all along her collarbone as she trembled from her own high. Once he was sure she’d calmed down enough he pulled his fingers out of her mouth and she pouted, “Why’d you, place a shield… in front of… my womb?”

“Luna, I love you,” He said, kissing her brow lovingly, “That should go without question, but can we really afford to raise another brood right now?”

The mouseling was quiet for a moment before she shook her head, “No,” She then looked at him hungrily, “But if you think we’re done after just one go after a two week dry spell… think again!”

“Round two then?” Jon asked, smiling.

“Put me on the seat,” Luna demanded.

Doing so, she braced her hands against the wall and wiggled her ass at him enticingly, before she looked back at him and asked, “Well what’re you waiting for, big boy?”

Jon didn’t need telling twice, and knocked on her back door before forcing his way in. “Oh. oh shit don’t stop Jon!”

“Please don’t bring up shit considering what we’re doing right now,” Jon requested in between grunts.

“S-Sorry h-honey! Gods I missed this cock!” Luna screamed before she let out a hiss remembering they were in a public place.

“I put up an area of silence, be as loud as you want!”

“Thank you! Oh gods I love this thing! It's so big, firm, and hard… did I mention it's big?! Fuck!” Luna screamed. “Harder Jon! Please? Please go harder!”

Jon acquiesced, going faster causing the mouseling to cry out in joy. “Jon! It’s coming Jon! I’m cumming again!”

He felt her spasm and he wasn’t long behind her filling her up in short order as her claws dug into the stonework behind the stall.

Looking back at him she asked, hopefully, “One more?”

“Last one, we need to get some sleep, for this initiation tomorrow remember?” He reminded her.

Luna sighed, it had been two weeks, three times was like an appetizer to the both of them but Jon had much more willpower and self control than she did. “Alright,” turning around and sitting down again on the toilet seat she pressed her breasts together and asked, “Tit job?”

If Luna loved him for his prick then he loved her for that massive rack of hers. His dick sunk into the doughy mounds, and Luna proceeded to lubricate them with drool from her tongue before she moved them up and down, each breast going in the opposite direction and as fast as she could go. She grinned sexily as she went because she knew in his heart of hearts, her Jon was a tits and ass man, and she had both. “Enjoying yourself hun?”

“Immensely… Well,” He said after a moment, “There is one thing that could make this better,”

“I think I know what that is!” Luna replied before she changed the position of his cock to upright so she could continue her boobjob while also taking him into her mouth. He was quite large, so she couldn’t fit very much or take him very deep, but Jon appreciated the effort all the same. As she went down on him with a majority of his length enveloped in her boobs she locked eyes with him, as she continued. He didn’t know why, but that made it all the hotter in his opinion.

“Luna…” he said, panting a little, “Luna…” He tried again to tell her he was close but she seemed to understand because she picked up her pace, her tongue working overtime swirling around his head to bring him to orgasm.

Lightning raced down his spine and his vision turned white briefly as he came. He watched Luna swallow once, then twice, before he finally settled down. Dropping his now limp shaft from her mouth, she showed him his cum she still had yet to swallow.

“Luna, we really do need to be getting some sleep,” Jon told her, knowing full well she was trying to rouse him up for round four.

Luna pouted and nodded before swallowing. “Fine I understand… I’m not gonna have to keep having to go through two week spells like this am I?”

“Oh Baator no!” Jon assured her, “We just need to wait for the kids to go to bed and make sure the door is locked. The room should be sound proofed if the Wizard kept his word but if not?” Jon shrugged, “Nothing a Zone of Silence and a Permanency spell can’t fix.”

“Thank all the Gods of Abirl-Toril!” Luna praised. “I thought I was going to die from sheer need!”

Jon shook his head, “Death by sex depravation… that might be a first.”

Luna slapped him on his thigh, “Quiet you! You missed this just as much as I did, don’t lie!”

“I did,” He admitted, “But I have this little thing called self control.”

“Yes, yes, like humans don’t breed even faster than mouslings do,” Luna rebutted as she pulled her jeans and blouse back on.

As the two were leaving the restroom they bumped into an amazonian redhead. Her face was almost the same shade as her hair and she refused to make eye contact with the duo. Jon quickly put two and two together and asked with a sigh, “How much did you hear?”

“I um hello! All of it until it suddenly became very quiet?” She replied, refusing to meet his gaze.

Jon rubbed the back of his head feeling awkward. Not because he had sex but because other people felt awkward about the act. In some of the places he’d ended up, well people did it where they wanted and people who didn’t like it could either stay and watch or get lost. Still this was ‘polite society’ he supposed so he should apologize, “I’m sorry about that… Miss?”

“P-Pyrrha Pyrha Nikos!” she said, her green eyes flicking up to his briefly.

“Jon Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, and I heard you ladies love it,” He said, trying to break the awkward tension.

Luna smacked him on the arm, “Don’t mind him Pyrrha it is a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from?”

Pyrrha stopped being shy a little to look at Jon and Luna in slight wonder, “Oh uhm I am from Mystral.”

“Where is that?” asked both.

“Oh uhm its east of Vale in the Northern part of Anima,”

Jon’s face lit up and Pyrrha lost a little of her wonder thinking he recognized her, “Oh is that near Agrabah? I had kin there and once upon a time I was supposed to be betrothed to the Empress or Queen I suppose there.”

“I have only heard that name in history books. Yes, ancient Mistral was called Agrabah. I wonder what part you are from to call it that,  but anyways. Yes I um….. There isn’t anything else you recognize about me though?”

“Should we. I mean you are quite beautiful and ravishing don’t get me wrong. I just can’t place you. Are you famous perhaps?”

“I won the Mistral tournament four times.”

“Well while that is nice, was it single combat, training, knockout or to the death?”

“Knockout or first blood from Aura break.”

“That kind of takes some of the edge off of it I suppose. No I am sorry that just doesn’t seem that amazing to me.”

“I graduated top of my class at Sanctum if that helps,” Pyrrha stated, starting to feel a certain warmth in her chest and face. This one not of embarrassment.

“Well that is nice. I prefer the school of hard knocks. I might entertain a duel or combat with you though. I have to see what they are teaching kids nowadays. If you don’t mind, that is Pyrrha.”

“Oh that actually sounds refreshing. The last thing is that I am a mascot for a Cereal company.”

“Oh those can’t be too healthy. I should know as I cook a lot. Way too much sugar. I feel bad such a fine young woman like you has to market those to your fans I am guessing?” piped in Luna.

“Yes actually. It is just me and my mother so I took some commercial deals to help send her money when I became champion,” stated Pyrrha feeling more at home with these two then she did with most of her peers. Embarrassing sexcapades aside.

“Family is important,” Jon said, “Well me and Luna need to get some sleep. I will see you bright and early Miss Nikos. I think it was nice to meet you. Stay safe.”

With that Jon and Luna walked back to the auditorium to sleep.

Little did Jon know how much he touched Pyrrha with his refreshing conversation.

“I wonder if Luna would be open to sharing?” thought Pyrrha as she went to the bathroom to freshen up. Her mother always said if you find a catch don’t let them go after all.

When Jon made his way into the auditorium, all the boys present started clapping. It took him a moment to figure out why. When he did, he just shook his head and thought, ‘Kids,’ Making his way back to where Ruby and Yang were, he asked, “My stuff still here?”

“Yep!” Ruby replied quickly. “I’d better get to sleep, big day tomorrow! Night!” She rolled over facing away from him, her cloak wrapped around her tightly.

Seeing how she was acting, Jon turned to Luna and said, “See Luna, I told you, you were too damn loud. You went and embarrassed Ruby,”

“Well, maybe someone should’ve put up the zone of silence earlier then,” Luna said as she patted Ruby’s head, “Sorry Ruby-Doll, we’ll make sure to keep it down from now on.”

“Gods, I hope so,” Yang replied, “I think they might’ve heard you all the way in Vale.”

“Jealous?” Luna fired back.

“No!” Yang shot back, though she couldn’t help but think, ‘Though, he must be doing something right for her to scream like that,’

“Ahem,” Jon and Luna looked over to see Goodwitch of all people standing before them, her riding crop in hand. “Perhaps you haven’t been informed Mister Arc, Miss Mousekowitz, but this is a school, not a sex dungeon! Such proclivities will not be tolerated, am I clear?!”

“This place has a sex dungeon? And here we were doing it in the bathroom, Luna.”

“I know, would you be so kind as to give us the key Miss Goodwitch, we promise to return it when we’re done,” Luna promised as she held her hand out.

“What… Why on Remnant would you think I would have a key to such a place, or that it would exist on school grounds?!”

“Because you implied the school had one and well…” Jon looked at Luna and she nodded before the two said at the same time, “You're a dominatrix!”

“I… You… The school year hasn’t even started yet I think I dislike you both,” Goodwitch replied her cheeks rosy, her weapon the Disciplinarian, bent almost to the point of breaking as she turned and stomped away.

“She needs to get laid. She really has a lot of pent up sexual frustration,” jon said to no one in particular. .

“She really does or at least needs a good vibrator. I wonder if this world has someone who can be both?” questioned Luna jokingly.

In the land of Mantle in Atlas academy. James Ironwood sneezed. He wondered who was talking bad about him today?

Yang meanwhile was bowing to the two, saying, “I am not worthy, I am not worthy!”

“Enough fun and games. Everyone, its time to go to sleep,” Jon declared to the hall at large. Not wanting to mess with Jon “Gigachad Thundercock” Arc, the lights of scrolls dimmed, and even a certain cat girl blew out a candelabra.

(...)

Emerald Forest, Midnight.

While the students of Beacon Academy prepared to be ready for their initiation other forces started to stir.

The world had changed. A powerful force had returned. And as the old saying goes power begets power.

Ancient beast that slumbered from millennium began to awaken.

In a cave sealed away by ancient humans a beast had felt the thrums of magic. The parasite was not the one at fault and the false queen was still sitting on her throne.

What being had dared break the might of taboo? Who dared break their father’s decree. The world of magic was long gone and with it the need for fear. Humans had been humbled, but now a worm that escaped seems to have crawled back.

With a screeching of stone, creaking of bones, and the popping of joints. A legend of myth had started to awaken.

He was but the first. His brethren shall come in kind.

Let the humans know fear again. Let them think their cities will protect them. That the light of their souls can hold a candle to their strength.

Let the land of Remnant remember their folly. For the gods law was just and their punishment deserved.

Let their fate be … Grimm.

To be continued …

An: Hey guys snowy here. Thanks for reading this unbetaed chapter. We will update the edited version as soon as possible. Keep on reading and supporting us. Ciao!