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Groaning in suffering, Jaune Arc had been trying his best to keep himself from unleashing the contents of his stomach inside the flying death machine he and other student candidates were forced to take to reach their destination. If he failed this monumental task everyone inside the bullhead hull would be forced to endure the smell of puke in an enclosed space until they arrived at their destination, which was a fate even he wouldn't wish on his enemies.
"It's okay sweetie , motion sickness is common among healthy people!" A beautiful female voice echoes in his head. "I think."
"Common or not, isn't it pretty lame to have that as your weakness? You wouldn't be impressing any girls like that, Jaune!" This time a voice of a young man.
"Agreed." Another male voice, but this one was rough and grizzled. "What you need is more muscles. With enough muscles, you could crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the women. It's an excellent tactic during my time."
"No, I'm quite sure that wouldn't help him..."
"Please do not give him weird advice!"
Jaune Arc's eye twitched as the voices in his head began arguing as migraine began building up. "SHUT. UP." He yelled in his head. "None. of you. are helping!" The argument continues, and all he can do is internally groan as he accepts his fate of getting a migraine.
When he was still but an innocent summer child it was his dream to be a great hero like his fabled ancestors whose deeds were retold by his parent during bedtime stories. So he begged and whined and cried for a month straight, begging his father to unlock his aura so he could begin training. When his father finally relented (totally not because their neighbours kept complaining that his crying kept them up at night) he expected that he'd get some super cool semblance like laser eyes, super speed, or teleportation, or maybe teleporting super speed laser eyes. What he did not expect was to hear voices in his head who claimed that they were his ancestors and now they are living through him. At first, he was like, 'Hey cool my ancestors are now living in my head', but when he realized that they wouldn't shut up and he had no privacy anymore, he regretted everything.
But now he is on his way to Beacon Academy, the premier hunter school in Vale at the invitation of the Headmaster. Why he invited him when he never graduated from a combat school, he never knew, though he suspected it had to do with his dad, he didn't confront the man. "But at least I wouldn't have to forge a transcript or anything. Imagine trying to get into one of THE best schools with such a stupid trick."
"Oh yes, I agree, forging a transcript WOULD be a bad idea. It's very suicidal."
"Joan, PLEASE stop commenting on everything I said in my mind."
Joan Arc, also once known as Saint Joan, was a hero of a war almost forgotten by time, a heroine of her generation. "Oops, sorry~! Forced of habit, te-hee."
She, along with two others, are the only talkative ancestors in his head, but he could sense there are more. When he asked them about it, they confirmed there were others but they preferred to stay quiet and let the trio do the talking. When he asked why they told him the others didn't feel like talking. What a bunch of bums, living in his head rent-free.
"Okay, Joan, I think you need to stop absorbing the Mistralians comics that Jaune love to read , it's not good for you."
"But those books are so creative and interesting!"
The blond is trying to drown the memory of him accidentally introducing his ancestors to Mistralian porn.
"Look, as much as I also love seeing the well-drawn half-naked characters in those comics, hearing you are adapting it to your speech is just..."
"... It's just what, Julius?"
Julius Arc was infamously known during his time as 'The Conqueror', a General of a country long forgotten, it's said he conquered many lands in an age of strife. "--Well, you know, you're technically old and--OUCH! STOP ATTACKING--GAH! MY EYES!"
"I'm ETERNALLY 17, thank you very much."
How are they fighting in Jaune's head , he would never know.
"Enough, both of you!" Adam C. Arc's voice boomed in Jaune's head, making him wince. It is said that Adam was the first ever recorded Arc in history , he was a King of a lonely grey castle, a hero of the oppressed, and a courageous barbarian. "Jaune, at the corner of your eyes, the TV. Look." Jaune obeyed and looked toward the Bullhead TV, seeing a beautiful older woman who just oozed the strict professor aura, welcoming the new potential students. "Do you see?"
"See what?"
"That woman, she is beautiful, looks powerful, and I can sense her kindness underneath her stern gaze. As your ancestor, I suggest you try to court her. If she becomes your wife, she may be able to give you many strong children."
Of course, that's what he meant. How the hell does he sense that from a TV anyway?
XXX
Why is this happening to him?
"Oh my, she's quite cute, isn't she? She looks so young! OH! I-Is she one of those 'loli' that the Mistralians loved to draw so much!?"
God, he wanted this all to end.
"Well, I wouldn't judge if you're into that, Jaune."
Please end his suffering.
"Hmm, I can sense her strength. You might want to wait a few more years but if you wish to court her then I allow it."
Just let him die now.
"Vomit boy? Jaune? Are you okay?"
Jaune forced back the voices in his head and offered his new freshly exploded friend a faint smile. "I'm fine Ruby ."
Ruby Rose looked worried for a brief minute before morphing into one of guilt. "I-Is it because I called you to vomit boy? Did I offend you? SorryIthoughtwecouldbefastfriendifIactcasualand--"
"No! No, it's okay Ruby I'm not mad." Jaune tried to reassure the girl, "Just a lot of things on my mind right now."
"... You promise?"
"Yup, promise. So don't worry too much, Cratter Face."
"Hey!"
"I ship it." Joan's voice interrupted the moment.
"She's the first friend he made, and you're already shipping? The SoulX (formerly Soulwitter) is going to have a meltdown."
"B-But Julius, she's just so cuuute~"
"The more the merrier, I say."
If only they would shut the hell up.
XXX
"No."
B-But why?! Come on Julius you know I love this--
"I'm sorry honey , but I agree with him. It's just ... You'll destroy what little chance you have to get more friends."
Jaune Arc, the male scion of the Arc family, looked at the comfy blue onesie that had accompanied him for many years intensely. "... It's not THAT bad..." He muttered quietly. He's standing alone in the locker room, purposely waiting until everyone has done changing before coming in so he can discuss the important subject of the day: Should he wear his favourite onesie or not?
"If you moved a single muscle to wear that I will have to intervene for the sake of our bloodline."
"You make it sound like it's the worst thing ever..."
"What's the worst thing ever?"
"WOAH?!" Jaune jumped and turned his head, finding an orange-haired girl standing behind him. "When did you get here?!" He could've sworn he was alone.
"A few minutes ago. I was going to grab something from my locker but I found you muttering to yourself alone, so here I am!" The girl seemed energetic and emitted a powerful bubbly aura. "Oh, and I'm Nora Valkyrie! I'm here together with my buddy, Renny! But we're not together-together, just normal together."
Jaune was taken aback by her strong presence and it took him a second to process everything. "The name's Jaune Arc," In his panic to not make things awkward his mind went back to the lesson his dad had once taught him, like a default mode, so he tried to offer her the most suave smile he could muster, "short, sweet, the ladies love it." He cringed and could feel a piece of himself die with that introduction. He could feel Julius groaning in his head , his ancestor's pain multiplied his mental damage.
Nora giggles, "Wow, do they?" Usually, they'll give him stink eyes or even outright scornful looks when he pulls this greeting, but he senses no sign of annoyance or malice coming from her so he'll take that as a positive win. "So whatcha doing Jauney ?"
"I can sense her strength, Jaune. She is a great choice. Quick, get shirtless and seduce her with your well-built lean body! Mayhaps she'll be interested in your puny body."
"Oh my god, new ship!"
"You two need to chill, seriously."
Jaune ignored them and showed the girl his onesie. "Well, I was wondering if my onesie PJ is lame."
"Hmm..." Nora squinted her eyes and leaned closer, "Well, it's a cute onesie. But yeah, it's pretty lame."
The blond sighed in despair at the girl's brutal honesty. "Ugh... I guess that's that. Thanks for being honest."
"You're welcome!" Nora grinned at him, "You gotta meet with Renny , you two will get along! And just between you and me, he needs more guy friends. Anyway, bye!" With that, she skipped away while humming a random song, leaving as abruptly as when she appeared.
What a quirky girl ...
"--kay look , if I had to pick between her and that Ruby girl, I say the Nora girl would be a good pick for Jaune."
"Aha! I knew you'd like her more!"
"I think Jaune should take them both."
"Nobody asks you, Adam."
He didn't even want to know what they were discussing when he wasn't paying attention. "Shorts and shirt it is..."
XXX
The trouble that haunts Jaune Arc never seems to be over.
After the whole debacle at the locker room, Jaune was then stuck in the great hall where everyone was stuck having a mixed-gender sleepover, and as a hormonal teen he of course had a bit of trouble when his eyes accidentally wandered to the female occupants. Joan tried to assure him it was normal to have such a reaction, much to his dismay and Julius amusement.
Adam was just being Adam wanting to help his descendant have a good mate, though his detailed observation was not helping his situation. It couldn't help he suppose, as someone who lived in a turmoil time of survival having a strong partner is essential.
Nora even came over to introduce her not together-together best friend, Lie "Renny" Ren. He seemed to be a very nice person, so Jaune didn't mind meeting him. Still doesn't help his situation at all.
"This sucks..." Jaune leaned back on the wall of the building.
"You need to get used to this, Jaune. Back in my time the military also implemented something like this to instill comradery , in theory. The discipline of your army can be seen if many of them try to fool around in the evening, but if they get caught--and they often do, they would be put in jail and be whipped in the morning in front of everyone, as per military standard. Even if they have aura the pain and humiliation would stick."
"That's... a bit extreme isn't it?"
" Unfortunately I lived in a time of great wars."
"Guess we're lucky there aren't any more great wars."
"Who are you talking to?"
"WHOA?!" Jaune almost jumped when a new voice joined in. He whipped his head toward the voice. "Where did you come from?!" This is the second time he was taken off-guard.
It was a beautiful black-haired woman sitting at a window next to him. "I've been here the whole time."
"Eh?! Really?" He has no idea. "A-Are you a ninja?"
"... I'm not."
Has she always been there?
"Yes."
"Yes."
"I did mention her to you."
Jaune wouldn't know if Adam mentioned her or not since he mentally blocked him out after he listed the second potential wife.
"... So are you answering the question or not?"
"Huh?" Jaune blinked and returned to reality, realizing the girl was still staring at him. "Oh, err..." Now what is he supposed to do? Answer that he has his ancestor spirits inside his mind for a semblance? Most people would think him mad, like most of his neighbours. So he decided on the safe, neutral action. "Oh, you know, just thinking out loud, hehe." He smiles sheepishly.
She ... doesn't believe him, but decides him not worth the trouble and returns to her reading.
"Hmmm... An aloof ninja ... That's pretty nice..."
For the sake of his mental stability, Jaune decided to force himself to sleep, ignoring the once more nonsense conversation his ancestors were having in his head.
XXX
The young Arc scion, the heir to the lineage of heroes, had hoped the new day would be different. Well, he wasn't disappointed. He met a beautiful white-haired girl, Weiss Schnee, and Pyrrha Nikos, the (also beautiful ) girl on the cover box of his favourite cereal, Pumpkin Pete. But god did he miss that cereal. Ever since he had his semblance and began his training, he rarely ate the sugary goodness as his ancestors deemed it 'unhealthy' and only allowed him one bowl once a month. ONE BOWL! That's inhuman!
But really, that's not important right now.
"WHY DID HE LAUNCH US FROM A CLIFF?!" Jaune demanded an answer while stumbling about in the air. "IS THIS EVEN LEGAL?!"
"You'll be fine, boy. Landing at this speed wouldn't even dent your aura."
"IT'LL STILL HURT, DAMN IT!"
"I can take over if you want, Jaune."
"N-No, I can take it!" The blond tried his best to move midair--was that a spear that flew passed him?! No, he needs to focus. He formed his body into a cannonball, took a deep breath, and gritted his teeth.
He crashed through several trees before crashing to the ground and leaving a large crater. "Wow... It fucking hurt..." Jaune slowly stood up, his aura tanking all of the physical damage.
"Language, Jaune. I did offer to take over."
The blond shook his head, "How can I call myself Huntsmen in training if I can't handle this much?" He tries to orient himself, scanning everything around him. "Now where am I...? Where am I even supposed to go? That headmaster was so damn vague."
"Just go the opposite direction where the cliff was."
With no other direction, Jaune followed the advice and began trekking through the woods. He could hear the sounds of combat coming all around him, constantly reminding him where he was.
"Be on your guard, grimms afoot."
His body moved in trained motion as he unsheathed Crocea Mors and turned his scabbard into a shield just in time to block a beowolf that had leapt at him. With a swift thrust to the grimm head, he vanquished the creature instantly but it wasn't over. He could hear and see other beowolf appearing from the foliages surrounding him, and if he had to guess the loud crash attracted them all.
"Remember your training and you'll be fine. Find a spot to break through the encirclement and force them to come from one side , let them react to you and not the other way around."
Jaune followed the advice and charged through the front and bashed a grimm with his shield. The other monsters followed, which was what Jaune wanted. As they were faster than him they leapt at him, only for him to turn around and slash the unfortunate ones closest to him , his sharp blade cleaved through them with no problem. He continued moving, making sure they wouldn't surround him again, using his shield to block and bash, and his blade to pierce and slash. It didn't take long for him to kill them all.
"Good job, Jaune! You did well!"
"Not bad."
"One day you'll be able to rip one of these puny beowolves with your bare hands."
"Thanks, guys--"
"JAUNE!"
The blond turned and was met with a flutter of roses. "Wha--"
"It's you!" Ruby Rose smiles with joy. " Oh thank god, I thought I'd be partner up with a meanie, like Weiss." Then she paused, " Y-You're not partnered up yet, are you...?"
Jaune stares at the girl who's staring at him expectantly, having half a mind to lie just to mess with her. But the combination of her puppy dog eye look and the knowledge that his ancestors (Joan especially ) would annoy him to no end if he did put a stop to that thought. "Yeah, don't worry crater face. I'm still available." ... Wait, that sounds a bit wrong.
Her worried face turned into one of joy. "Then it's official we're a partner, vomit boy." She beamed at him and offered him a hand, which he took.
Now if only Joan would stop shouting in glee ...
XXX
It didn't take long for them to find the 'relics'. Jaune and Ruby were the first ones there, and she insisted that they wait for her sister. It didn't take long, Ruby's sister was a well-curved beautiful blond who he had 'accidentally' seen back during the sleepover, and if his partner hadn't enthusiastically introduced the blond as her sister he wouldn't have known they were related at all .
Yang Xiao Long was her name (He was confused about why they had a different name, but it sounds personal so he held himself back from asking), and she's partnered up with Weiss Schnee. Both of them don't look happy about it at all.
Then a minute later Pyrrha Nikos and her partner, the black-haired girl that talked to him last night, arrived. Turned out her name's Blake Belladonna and she is every bit of anti-social as yesterday. Also, Pyrrha looked a bit guilty every time she looked at him, which confused Jaune a bit. Before he could ask her about it Nora and Ren arrived--with a grimm horde behind them led by a giant deathstalker and a nevermore.
Neat.
It was chaos. They all are skilled, especially Pyrrha, but the sheer number of the grimms had started to overwhelm them.
"PAY ATTENTION TO THE SKY YOU FOOL!"
Jaune was just barely able to raise his shield to block the nevermore feather quills. But a boarbatusk struck him on the side and threw him off balance. He was forced to roll on the ground to evade an Ursa claw and would've been the victim of a second boarbatusk if not for Ruby's sniper fire.
"JAUNE! THIS WAY!" Ruby continues her support fire, not noticing the nevermore is charging toward her from behind.
"RUBY BEHIND YOU!"
"Wha--?!" The younger girl barely managed to move away to evade a direct strike from the beak but the grimm claw managed to hit and throw her away.
Jaune tried to rush to his partner but a boarbatusk struck him from the back and forced him to the ground again. He tried to scramble away, but a group of beowolf dogpiled him, clawing and biting him. "Ruby--!" He tried to break free, but the sheer number was too much, and if that wasn't bad enough he could see from the corner of his eyes the Ursa charging toward him . "God... damn it!"
He is still weak. Even after all that harsh training , even after all that knowledge he acquired, it's still not enough in the face of real combat against the endless dark horde.
But he is still not done.
Adam!
"I understand."
"By..." He doesn't like using it as it's, to be honest, very embarrassing for him. But right now there's no other choice. "BY THE POWER OF REMNANT!" His voice boomed across the area as if he yelled it with a giant megaphone.
Thunder suddenly struck from the clear sky straight at him and he exploded with a bright light throwing the beowolf on him away. Jaune could feel his aura exploding inside him, shifting and moulding everything that was him and his soul grew brighter and brighter. Everyone stops, even the grimm, as their gaze glues to the bright spectacle before them.
When the light died down gone was the normal form of Jaune Arc and in his place was a blond male of pure muscle, wearing hide boots, furr loincloth, and an armour chest belt that barely covered anything. He raised his sword to the sky, "I HAVE THE POWER!" His voice boomed across the area, his aura expelled out of his body and exploding everything around him.
Everyone was stunned at the sight they were seeing. Ruby, who was on the ground, was especially flabbergasted .
"RRRRAAAAGH!" Jaune (?) charged and PUNCHED an ursa on the head with his free hand and destroyed it. "Have courage, protectors of Remnant, for I am here! There's darkness to slay!" Jaune (?) grabbed hold of a beowolf head with his bare hand and just CRUSHED it. He then began cleaving through the grimm horde toward Ruby, who along with the rest of the initiates began resuming their combat against the grimm. Jaune (?) fought differently, more primal, aggressive and raw compared to his previously firm and defensive style.
The giant nevermore dove again this time targeting Jaune (?), but the beast was not prepared for the blond to grab the beak and slammed the grimm to the ground. He stomps on the bird's neck and just rips its head straight from its body, brutal and visceral.
"DEATHSTALKER INCOMING!" Pyrrha's voice rang out the area as she gave way to the charging scorpion grimm. Everyone moved out of the way, firing potshots at it, though none of their bullets managed to pierce its carapace armour, even Ruby's high-calibre round.
But Jaune (?) did not move away , no he slowly walked toward the creature with a smile on his face. Ruby yelled at him to move, but he did not listen. He raises Croscea Mors with one hand to the sky where a white glow begins to emit from the sword, "Let my blade be the light that vanquish the darkness." He leapt forward to the giant grimm, evading its pincers, and struck his down.
Croscea Mors cut through the carapace like butter and the aura that was building up in the blade was fired off like a slashing wave and cut the scorpion grimm in two.
That was it. The grimm horde, though much smaller than your average horde, scattered the moment their two eldest and mightiest were slain . All of the initiates let out a sigh of relief as their adrenalin began cooling down. Slowly, one by one, they all stare at the barbarian-esque Jaune, who is watching the escaping grimm with a smile of satisfaction. Yet before anyone could ask anything there was another flash of light and the blond man was gone, leaving the normal Jaune behind, his clothes returning to normal. He stumbles about, before falling on his butt.
"Man, we get a bit overboard." He groaned when he felt his aura depleted. "It's been a while so I guess that's fine."
...
...
"What just happened?" was all Weiss Schnee could ask.
XXX
"Adam Conan Arc," Ozpin whispered, staring at the screen of his scroll. It showed the group of initiates who had just survived a grimm horde from one of his many hidden cameras scattered about the forest. "He really could become one of his ancestors. Not just physically, but re-creating their equipment and fighting style to a meticulous degree. How fascinating." He leaned back in his chair and sipped a hot coffee from his favourite mug. He didn't even care all that much that a bunch of initiates were about to die , no , his mind was making plans and schemes with this new possibility.
After all, a living arsenal of Arc's heroic bloodline would be indispensable in the war against Salem.
"But..." He pondered, "There aren't only heroes in the Arc lineages." He wondered out loud, his mind racing at the possibility that maybe Jaune Arc could also tap into the other side of his ancestry.
The Arc that had once turned their back on Remnant and become their fiercest enemies.