Golden Era: Jaune Arc

With a deadpan stare, I took in the spectacle unfolding before me. Weiss Schnee, the self-proclaimed Frosty Ice-Queen, stood in her full regalia of righteous indignation, berating Ruby Rose with a passion that could rival a melodramatic stage performance. The focus of her wrath? Ruby had apparently caused some kind of minor explosion—okay, maybe not minor, given the crater Ruby now sat in—but still, it wasn't entirely her fault. Apparently, someone had carelessly left a vial of volatile Dust in the middle of the commons, and it had gone off when Ruby sneezed.
Weiss, however, didn't seem to care much for details, choosing instead to let Ruby have it. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?! You could've leveled half the Academy!" she snapped, hands on her hips and nostrils flaring.
Ruby, sitting in the center of the smoking crater, looked like a deer caught in the headlights, clutching Crescent Rose tightly as if it might shield her from the tirade. She muttered a soft, "I-I'm sorry..." but that only seemed to fuel Weiss's verbal rampage.
I sighed. Someone needed to step in before Weiss spontaneously combusted—or worse, made Ruby cry. With casual ease, I approached the scene, walking through the crowd that had started to gather, and made my way toward the young girl in the crater. I extended a hand to Ruby, ignoring Weiss entirely for the moment.
"To think I'd live long enough to find cute girls in craters," I said with a faint smirk. "Need a hand?"
Ruby's head shot up, her silver eyes wide and glinting in the sunlight. For a second, she just stared at me, her face turning a shade of red so vivid it could rival her cape. I wasn't sure if it was embarrassment or something else, but it was oddly endearing.
Before Ruby could take my hand, however, an ear-splitting voice sliced through the air like nails on a chalkboard.
"Excuse me!" Weiss shrieked, stomping toward us, her heels clicking against the pavement. "I was in the middle of talking to this... person! How dare you interrupt me?! Do you even know who I am?!"
I glanced over my shoulder with a neutral expression. "A lost, spoiled brat with issues," I said flatly.
Her jaw dropped, and I saw her cheeks flush with a mixture of fury and embarrassment. "Gah! The nerve! I'll have you know, I am—"
"—Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation," came a calm, serious voice from behind her. "One of the largest producers of energy propellants in the world."
We all turned to see Blake Belladonna approaching, holding a small vial of Dust that had somehow survived the explosion. She stepped forward with quiet confidence, her amber eyes fixed on Weiss like she was dissecting her with every glance.
Finally, Weiss straightened her posture, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt and holding her head high. "Finally! Some recognition!" she exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips as if Blake's acknowledgment had validated her entire existence.
Blake didn't miss a beat. "Which also happens to be the same company infamous for controversial practices and questionable business partners."
Weiss froze mid-stride. For a moment, she looked as though someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her head. "The... the nerve!" she sputtered, her voice climbing several octaves. "How dare you?!"
Blake remained unfazed, simply raising an eyebrow as Weiss huffed and stomped off, her heels clattering indignantly against the stone walkway.
"Sorry! I'll pay you back someday, I promise!" Ruby called after Weiss's retreating form. She looked ready to thank Blake, but before she could, Blake turned on her heel and began walking away, raising a hand in a silent wave.
Ruby hesitated, then shouted a quick, "Thank you!" Blake didn't stop but lifted her hand a bit higher, acknowledging the gratitude.
I turned back to Ruby and offered her my hand again. This time, she took it, and I pulled her up from the crater with ease. Her cheeks were still slightly pink as she mumbled, "Thanks."
"No problem," I said with a smirk. "Couldn't let Frosty Flakes snap at you like that."
Ruby snorted at the nickname, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle her giggles. "Stawp it," she managed between laughs.
"The name's Ruby. Ruby Rose," she said once she recovered, extending her hand formally this time. "You are?"
"Jaune Arc," I replied, shaking her hand with a grin.
Ruby tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing as she studied me. "Why do you look familiar? Like I've seen you before..."
I chuckled nervously, brushing the back of my neck. "What can I say? I have one of those faces." Please don't let it be because she saw a recording of me taking down bandits or Grimm, I thought to myself. The last thing I needed was for her—or anyone else—to start asking questions about my past.
The awkward moment passed quickly, and soon we were chatting about weapons. Ruby, true to her nature, lit up like a firecracker at the mention of Crescent Rose. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she talked about the finer points of its design, the modifications she wanted to make, and her dream of one day building more weapons. I humored her by mentioning one of my weapons—a relatively tame choice compared to the arsenal I actually carried. Even then, her eyes sparkled with curiosity and awe. I didn't dare tell her about the rest. If she knew how many weapons I had stored away in my Divine Space, we'd be standing there all day.
Before long, just as in the last timeline, we found ourselves wandering aimlessly, both of us realizing too late that we were hopelessly lost on our way to the auditorium.
"Well," I said with a resigned sigh, "We are so lost." Ruby giggled beside me, her laughter light and bright, and for a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the chaos of this familiar yet entirely new moment.
----------------
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity of wandering through Beacon's grand halls, Ruby and I found our way to the auditorium. The massive space was just as I remembered it from the first timeline—polished stone floors, soaring ceilings, and banners draped along the walls bearing the emblem of the Huntsmen Academy. Students milled about in clusters, a sea of faces filled with anticipation and nervous energy. I couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me as I stepped inside.
Ruby practically skipped ahead, clearly eager to find her sister. Her excitement was infectious, and I found myself smiling despite the faint pang of bittersweet memories. It wasn't long before she spotted a head of vibrant blonde hair amidst the crowd. Yang Xiao Long was impossible to miss, her bright personality radiating as vividly as her golden locks.
"Yang!" Ruby called out, waving her arms dramatically.
Yang turned, her lilac eyes lighting up when she spotted Ruby. "Ruby!" she replied, her voice a mix of warmth and teasing. She pushed through the crowd with ease, her confident stride parting the sea of students. When she reached Ruby, she pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. Ruby let out a wheezy protest, flailing her arms.
"Can't... breathe... Yang!" Ruby squeaked.
"Oh, sorry," Yang said with a laugh, setting Ruby down but keeping her hands on her shoulders. "You made it! Did you—" She paused mid-sentence, her gaze shifting past Ruby and locking onto me.
I wasn't prepared for the look that crossed her face. Her eyes widened slightly, and then a sly grin spread across her lips. Yang, ever the extrovert, wasted no time in closing the distance between us. Her confident swagger and the mischievous glint in her eyes told me exactly what was coming.
"Well, well," Yang said, crossing her arms and giving me a once-over. "Who's this tall drink of water?"
Ruby groaned audibly, slapping a hand to her forehead. "Yang, no."
"What?" Yang said innocently, feigning confusion. "I'm just introducing myself." She turned her full attention to me, her lilac eyes sparkling with playful interest. "Name's Yang Xiao Long. And you are?"
"Jaune Arc," I said smoothly, offering a slight bow with an amused smirk. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, Jaune....Arc," Yang replied, her grin widening. "I've gotta say, I don't remember seeing you on the bullhead earlier. Someone as handsome as you would've been hard to miss."
Ruby let out a muffled squeak of embarrassment, tugging at her hood to hide her reddening face. "Yang, stop! You're being so weird!"
"Relax, Ruby," Yang said with a laugh, throwing an arm around her sister's shoulders. "I'm just making conversation. You're not embarrassed or jealous, are you?"
Ruby peeked out from under her hood, her cheeks redness increasing. "I... I'm not! I just—ugh, stop it, Yang!"
I chuckled, unable to resist the playful energy between the two sisters. "It's fine, Ruby," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "I don't mind a bit of friendly banter."
Yang raised an eyebrow, her grin taking on a slightly more competitive edge. "Friendly, huh? Does that mean I should try harder to impress you?"
Ruby's groan grew louder, and I couldn't help but laugh. "I think you're doing just fine, Yang," I replied, leaning casually against the wall. "But I'd hate to make your sister suffer too much on my account."
Yang laughed, patting Ruby's head affectionately. "Alright, alright, I'll go easy on her—for now. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook that easily, Jaune. I'll be keeping an eye on you." She winked.
"I'll look forward to it," I said, my smirk still firmly in place.
Ruby, still hiding under her hood, muttered something about wanting to crawl into a crater and disappear. Yang only laughed harder, ruffling her sister's hair before finally releasing her from her teasing grip.
Just as the air between us began to settle, with Ruby tugging at her hood in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment and Yang throwing me another teasing wink, the moment was shattered by a sharp, clipped voice that could cut glass.
"Oh, there you are!"
Weiss Schnee, in all her frosty glory, marched toward us with purpose, her perfectly polished shoes clicking against the auditorium floor. She held a pamphlet in her hand, the bright yellow cover emblazoned with the words "Dust for Dummies: A Beginner's Guide to Dust Safety." Her expression was a mix of exasperation and smug superiority as she zeroed in on Ruby.
Ruby barely had time to process the incoming storm before Weiss thrust the pamphlet into her face with the precision of a fencer delivering a thrust. "Here," Weiss said, her tone icy and condescending. "I took the liberty of finding you some reading material since you clearly have no idea how to handle Dust properly. Honestly, what were you thinking?!"
Ruby recoiled slightly, blinking at the pamphlet shoved an inch from her nose. "I-I didn't mean to—"
"Oh, please," Weiss cut her off, crossing her arms with an exaggerated sigh. "Do you have any idea how much damage you could have caused? You're lucky no one was seriously injured! Honestly, it's a miracle they even let someone like you into Beacon—"
Before Weiss could finish her tirade, I stepped forward, my tone low and firm as I interrupted her. "That's enough."
Weiss blinked, startled by the sudden authority in my voice. She turned her glare on me, clearly offended by the interruption. "Excuse me, but this doesn't concern you—"
"It absolutely does," I said, my expression calm but unyielding. I could feel Yang stiffen beside me, ready to step in, but I held up a hand to stop her. This was my moment to handle. I turned my attention fully to Weiss, my voice carrying a weight that made her flinch slightly. "You're blaming Ruby for an accident, but maybe you should take a hard look at yourself first."
Weiss's mouth opened, then closed, her confusion quickly turning to indignation. "Me?! I wasn't the one who caused an explosion!"
"No," I said, taking a step closer to her, "but you were the one who left volatile Dust containers unsecured in the middle of a public area." I folded my arms, tilting my head slightly. "Tell me, Weiss, what kind of 'responsible heiress' carries raw Dust without proper containment, then leaves it lying around where it could react to the slightest spark?"
Her cheeks turned an unmistakable shade of red, though whether it was from embarrassment or fury, I couldn't tell. "That's—You can't seriously think this was my fault!"
"I think," I said evenly, "that if you're going to lecture someone about safety, you might want to practice what you preach. Ruby sneezed. Sneezed. And the Dust you were carrying caused an explosion. If anyone here needs to read that pamphlet, it's you."
Weiss sputtered, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "I—You—The nerve!"
"The truth," I corrected, my voice unwavering. "You're not mad because of what happened. You're mad because you're embarrassed, and you're taking it out on Ruby instead of owning your mistake."
Weiss's eyes darted to Ruby, who was looking down at the floor, her hands fidgeting nervously. Weiss hesitated for a moment, clearly struggling to come up with a rebuttal. Finally, she huffed, spinning on her heel. "This isn't over," she muttered, storming off into the crowd, her face still flushed.
As soon as Weiss was out of earshot, Yang let out a low whistle, grinning as she clapped me on the back. "Well, look at you, Mr. Knight in Shining Armor. That was awesome."
I smirked, glancing at Ruby, who looked up at me with wide, silver eyes. "You didn't have to do that," she said softly, though there was a hint of a smile on her face.
"It's no big deal," I said, my tone lighter now. "I wasn't about to let Frosty Flakes run you into the ground over something that wasn't your fault."
Ruby giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "You keep calling her that," she said, shaking her head. "One of these days, she's gonna hear you."
"She already hates me," I said with a shrug. "What's one more reason?"
Yang laughed, slinging an arm around my shoulder. "I think you just made yourself a lifelong enemy. But hey, you've also got a fan club now." She gestured toward Ruby, whose cheeks turned pink again as she tried to stammer a response.
I smiled, taking a step back and giving Ruby a reassuring nod. "Don't let people like Weiss get to you, Ruby. You've got more than enough to prove why you deserve to be here."
Ruby looked up at me, her smile growing wider. "Thanks, Jaune."
As the chatter in the auditorium began to settle, a hush fell over the crowd as Ozpin strode onto the stage. His presence was commanding yet calm, his silver-haired figure exuding a quiet authority that demanded attention. Beside him stood Glynda Goodwitch, ever the composed and no-nonsense disciplinarian. Ozpin adjusted his glasses slightly before speaking, his voice resonating across the hall.
"Welcome to Beacon Academy," he began, his tone measured and deliberate. "You have all taken the first step toward becoming Huntsmen and Huntresses, defenders of the world against the forces of darkness. This is not a path for the faint of heart. The challenges ahead will test not only your skill but your resolve, your character, and your ability to work as a team."
I listened with a quiet intensity, standing among the other students. Ozpin's words were almost identical to what I remembered from the previous timeline, but this time, they felt more personal. I had already seen the stakes, the sacrifices, and the losses that came with this life. His speech wasn't just a formality; it was a warning.
"As you prepare for the initiation tomorrow in the Emerald Forest," Ozpin continued, "keep this in mind: being a Huntsman is not about glory or fame. It is about protecting those who cannot protect themselves. It is about sacrifice and responsibility." His eyes scanned the crowd, lingering briefly in my direction, though I wasn't sure if it was intentional. "I wish you all the best of luck."
With that, he stepped back, allowing Glynda to give a few curt instructions about the schedule and where we would be staying for the night. The crowd began to disperse as prospective students made their way toward the intermediary dormitory—a massive hall filled with rows of temporary beds for the night.
The dormitory was abuzz with energy as everyone claimed their spots and began settling in. Some were excitedly chatting about the upcoming initiation, others nervously checking their gear or trying to calm their nerves. I picked a bed near the corner, preferring to avoid the center of the chaos, and began unpacking the small bag I carried for appearances' sake. Most of my belongings were safely stored in Divine Space, but I kept a few essentials on hand to blend in.
Deciding early to forgo the embarrassment of wearing my old bunny onesie from the last timeline, I opted for something more practical—sweatpants and a fitted black tank top. The outfit was simple but functional, allowing for comfort without drawing too much attention—or so I thought.
As I stood and stretched, I noticed a few glances in my direction. A couple of girls paused their conversations, their eyes briefly flicking to my arms and shoulders before quickly looking away with faint blushes. On the other side of the room, a group of guys exchanged hushed, annoyed whispers, their expressions somewhere between jealousy and disdain.
I sighed to myself, muttering under my breath, "Troublesome."
Of course, the peace didn't last long. Yang, ever the embodiment of chaos, spotted me from across the room. Her eyes lit up, and a grin spread across her face as she cupped her hands around her mouth and called out, "Looking good, Jaune! Are those muscles for show, or do they come with a demonstration?"
A chorus of giggles erupted from nearby students, and I caught Ruby letting out a mortified groan as she tried to pull her hood over her head. "Yang, stop!" she hissed, peeking up at me briefly before burying her face in her hands, her cheeks blazing red.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Careful, Yang. Keep that up, and people might think you're interested."
Yang wiggled her eyebrows in response. "Oh, honey, I don't need to hide my interest."
This earned another round of laughter from the onlookers, and Ruby let out a strangled, "Ugh! Why are you like this?!"
Amused but not particularly eager to keep the spotlight on me, I raised a hand in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm turning in for the night before this gets any more out of hand."
Yang gave me a playful wink. "Sweet dreams, Jaune. Don't let the bedbugs bite. Unless, of course, you're into that."
Ruby let out a sound that could only be described as a mix between a whimper and a groan. "Yang, please!"
I chuckled again and made my way to my bed, ignoring the lingering glances and whispers. As I settled in, I glanced across the room to see Ruby sneaking another peek in my direction, her face still bright red. The moment our eyes met, she quickly looked away, fiddling with the edge of her pajamas as if it suddenly became the most interesting thing in the world.
Shaking my head with a faint smile, I pulled the blanket over me and closed my eyes. The muffled sounds of chatter and laughter faded into the background as exhaustion began to take hold. Tomorrow would bring the Emerald Forest, the initiation, and the formation of teams. But for now, I allowed myself a moment of calm, focusing on the steady rhythm of my breathing.
In the distance, I could hear Yang teasing Ruby again, her voice carrying above the din. I smiled faintly, comforted by the familiarity of their dynamic. This timeline was already different in so many ways, but some things—the bonds between friends and family—remained unchanged. And that was a reassuring thought as I drifted off to sleep.