Remnant Interlude
What Comes After

Perhaps if he had been more observant, things would not have turned out this way. Perhaps if he had looked away from his partner’s brilliant emerald eyes, he could have done something. Changed the outcome, maybe.

Saved his friends.

The dance started swimmingly. How could it not? It was organized by team RWBY, after all. If you could say anything about Yang, it was that the girl knew how to party. Weiss knew precisely how the decor should look. And while Ruby and Blake hardly contributed, they still helped by simply arriving to the dance. No celebration would feel complete without them.

Which was probably why he felt so pitiful.

The dance kicked into full swing before midnight, nearly every student paired together in a dance, either platonically or romantically. Some simply stood by the punch bowl, like himself, drinking a toast to the socially awkward. Ruby and Jaune were two of those people by the punch, chatting away as friends are wont to do. It was then that she mentioned that Weiss had been at the dance alone.

He just couldn't comprehend that a beautiful girl such as Weiss Schnee would be at a dance without a partner. Jaune resolved to fix that. So he left Ruby- and his glass of punch- behind, angrily stomping his feet as he walked off. Jaune would never see Ruby alive again.

One thing led to another, and now here he stood, dancing with the strongest girl in school and his partner, Pyrrha Nikos. He also happened to be wearing a dress, but that was only because of a promise he had made a few days prior. Jaune hardly noticed when Ruby walked out of the dance and into the direction of the Transit Tower. Jaune never saw the bullets fly or heard the explosions. He never noticed the rest of RWBY running out of the dance and into the fray.

He did hear a wave of fire roaring past the entrance to the dance. Jaune didn't know it at the time, but he had just witnessed Cinder Fall making an attempt to shake off the pursuing team of Huntresses. Hysteria soon took over the students of the four kingdoms. What could have caused that blaze? He didn't know, and wasn't exactly sure if he wanted to find out, but his partner soon took control of the situation.

Pyrrha Nikos was a perfect student. She stood as the best fighter in the school, undefeated in all of her matches in addition to being a world-renowned combatant. Her voice immediately calmed the attendees of the dance, assuring them that everything would be okay.

It wasn't.

After the dance, first year students were to be going on missions, shadowing professional Huntsmen and Huntresses to gain some experience in life outside of Beacon. But now, those missions had been postponed. Nearly every student sat in the large auditorium, the seats packed with somber faces. There was no joy. There was no happiness. Only grief.

Headmaster Ozpin slowly walked to the front of the room, standing behind a mic stand with his head hung low. “It is...” The man began slowly through a tight throat. “It is with great sorrow I gather you all here today. As I’m sure you are all aware... An incident occurred last night, involving the criminal Roman Torchwick.”

Ozpin raised his head to look at the students in the room. His eyes were unwilling to show emotion, and thus became cold. Hard. Yet still soft, in a way. As his gaze travelled from student to student, it steadily grew warmer. “Five brave students confronted him, and unfortunately...” He paused to gulp, taking a breath before he continued. “Unfortunately, all five were killed in the ensuing battle.”

Of course, nearly everybody knew this already. But with the Headmaster himself declaring it, there was no possible way to deny the truth. Jaune could hear Nora sniffle beside him, causing Ren to put a hand on her shoulder. Five students dead, and for nothing. Roman still got away, whatever he had planned had obviously gone with barely a hitch.

“The deceased are as follows...” Ozpin began as large pictures of five people appeared behind him. “Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long of team RWBY, may you rest in piece. And Mercury Black of team CNEM, may you rest in peace.” The man lowered his head, his white hair obscuring his face as the five pictures turned gray and eventually faded away.

“May this be a lesson to all of you.” He said harshly as he lifted his head. “You are not Huntsmen just yet. You are students, taking your first steps into the real world. And the real world is not pretty. If you're not careful, you will end up dead. Even fully realized Huntsmen may fall in battle if not fully prepared. You are not invincible, and you are not adults just yet.

“Team RWBY, may your souls rest peacefully. Mercury Black, may your soul rest peacefully.”

With that, Ozpin walked away leaving the students in the auditorium. Jaune stared forward, his eyes fixed where the portraits of his friends were only moments ago. He felt a hand rest on his back, and turned his head to see it belonged to Pyrrha. She tried to smile comfortingly at him, but it failed on account of the tears running down her cheeks.

He leaned in for a hug, embracing his partner tightly as he silently sobbed. He felt her tears land on his back as her chest heaved. The two hugged, oblivious to the world as they grieved.

Thus kindly I scatter...

The bar was loud. Not that it mattered.

The atmosphere of this place was... Unfamiliar. Full of men and women, so drunk they couldn't see straight, all joking and laughing with their friends. Or drinking alone. Some simply because they had no one, others drowning their sorrows in the drink.

Some person drunkenly fell out of their chair, earning loud laughter from their friends. It was loud, causing a womn in the front of the bar to clutch her head with an irritated expression.. With a groan she rubbed her temple with her thumb, gritting her teeth as the men continued to laugh. Frustratedly she downed another gulp, the liquid burning her throat as it went down.

“Havin’ fun, Ice Queen?” A raspy voice sounded behind her. She didn't need to look to know who it was.

“Qrow.” She said unpleasantly. “Why am I not surprised that you're here?”

He chuckled lightly, sitting on the stool next to hers. “Well, sorry that I wanted to check up on a friend, Winter.”

“We are not friends.” She said through clenched teeth, feeling her glass in tightly clenched hands as the man put a hand over his heart in mock offense.

“I’m hurt, Winter. Wounded. After all we’ve been through together, this is how you repay me? No wonder I call you the Ice Queen.” Qrow ran a hand through his messy black hair, pushing several stray strands out of his face. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a few Lien, dropping it on the counter and pointing at a drink on the menu.

“I just lost a sister, brute.” Winter growled. “So I thought you would have understood that I’d rather be alone at the moment.” She never spared him a glance- never gave him the satisfaction of eye contact. That was all he was here for. To get an edge on her, to see her in a moment of weakness-

“I know. I just lost two nieces.”

It was then that Winter’s eyes widened and she straightened her posture. She was so tempted to look his way, and to demand an answer, but she didn’t. She knew that if she did, she’d just see that same cocky smirk as he downed a glass of the bar’s heaviest drink. Qrow wasn’t the type to ever show sadness- not in the normal way. And his way of showing it was to make others as annoyed with him as possible. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t know, Ice Queen.” She heard the telltale clink of a glass colliding with the counter as Qrow gulped. “You were just too focused on your own loss to consider the loss of others. Think about Taiyang. He just lost two daughters, after he lost two wives. And the family of that Blake girl... Think about them, too.” The man sighed, blinking slowly. He never spared her a glance. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“We’re not just protectors, Winter. I may be a teacher, and you may be a military specialist... But at the end of the day, we’re uncles and sisters. We’re human. We focus on what we have and what we’ve lost without consideration for others. It’s in our nature.” Another clink of the glass as he downed another gulp. “Hell, when I lose something, I drink. Lost my sister years ago, and I’m still just a drunk. Now my nieces are gone. And I’m still drinking.” Qrow lifted his head and rested his chin in his hand, staring forward as he continued. “You lost Weiss. And you’re drinking. Guess we’re more alike than we thought, eh?”

He leaned to the side with little emotion on his face as the tip of Winter’s sword pressed against the skin of his neck. “Do. Not.” She began tersely. “Say that. Ever. You know what makes us different, Qrow? I’m not a coward. When I lost my mother, I continued with my life. When my father stopped loving my sister and I, I continued on. And now that my sister is dead... I’m moving on.” Without lowering her weapon, she took another drink. “I’m taking my time to grieve, then I’ll go back to Atlas, and continue on. You, on the other hand...

“When Raven disappeared, you broke, Qrow. You became nothing more than a washed-up Huntsman drinking his sorrows away. When Summer died and Taiyang cracked, you never bothered to make sure they were okay. It was up to Ozpin to make sure Taiyang didn’t do something foolish. And now here you are, helping us identify an unknown terrorist and a threat to our very way of lives... For what? Some sort of penance? Because we all know that you just don’t give a damn anymore, Qrow.”

For a second there, Winter honestly thought she had shut him up. But Qrow simply chuckled, taking another gulp as the blade dug into his skin. “Ya ain’t wrong, Ice Queen. But you missed the mark on one thing.” With that, he calmly lifted a hand and slowly pushed Winter’s sword away from himself. “I do give a damn. Oh, not about you, or the General... Hell, not even Ozpin. The only thing I gave a damn about was my family. And they wouldn’t want me sitting on my behind doin’ nothin’.” His speech became slurred, the drink finally taking its toll. “I may be broken, Winter, but I’m bein’ fixed. One piece at a time.

“I’m here because Ruby and Yang? Despite me bein’ me, they looked at me, and I saw love. Them kids looked up to me. I saw ‘em both go from diapers to bein’ the best damn Huntresses I’ve seen since their moms. And now that they’re gone...” He paused, mulling over his words. “What have I got left? The answer is... I’ve still got them. They’ve never left me. No matter where I go, they’ll be there, watchin’ over me. And they don’t wanna see their uncle fall harder than he already has.” Qrow stood, placing more money on the counter as he walked away. He still never looked at Winter. “Don’t let Weiss see her sister take the plunge.”

As he exited the bar, her grip on her glass tightened as she squeezed her eyes shut. The sobs started soon after.

The skies seemed a little more gray than usual.

Team JNPR had been allowed a few days of break from classes and had been granted permission to not be assigned a mission like the other first years, but Jaune and his team decided not to accept that. With what little they knew, they knew that Roman Torchwick killed their friends. Teams were due to be sent off tomorrow, but JNPR had yet to even pick a mission.

It wasn't that they didn't want to. On the contrary, in fact. They very much wanted to. But it was one thing that kept them from choosing: they had no idea which one to pick. Originally, Nora and Ren wanted to shadow a sheriff stationed outside a tiny village which was apparently important to them, but after Team RWBY... Team JNPR had agreed that whatever mission they took on should help them catch their killer.

Roman Torchwick would need to pay.

But there was just one problem with that: they had no idea how to find him. And that's why Jaune stood in an elevator, rising to Ozpin’s office at the top of Beacon Academy. He would get information; not that he expected to intimidate the Headmaster in any way, shape or form. No, he just wanted to talk.

The doors opened with a ding, sliding to reveal the scrawny blonde standing awkwardly with his sword, Crocea Mors, hanging at his side. Jaune looked forward, his eyes landing on Ozpin, who simply stayed in his chair with a coffee mug in his hand.

“Mister Arc,” Ozpin addressed him pleasantly. “How unexpected. I would have thought you would be with your team. Tell me,” The Headmaster leaned forward, placing the mug on his table. “How are they doing? I've suffered many losses in my time, and none of them have been as... Damning... As this one, I assure you.”

Jaune took a deep breath, Calming his rapid heartbeat. “Uh... They're fine, Professor. I think. Um...” The boy took a few steps forward, lot of the elevator and into the room proper. “I actually came to ask you something, Professor.” Jeez, this was dumb. Saying something wrong could get him expelled, but here Jaune was, about to do... This.

“Oh? And what would that be?” The Headmaster inquired, staring at Jaune intently. “But, before you do that, have a seat please. You look as if you're about to fall over.” The white-haired man gestured to a smaller chair in front of the desk.

“Oh, ah... Thanks.” Awkwardly, Jaune walked towards the chair and sat down, gulping as he looked the Headmaster in the eyes. “I, um... Thing is...”

“Let me guess.” Ozpin interrupted, raising a hand to silence the leader. “You think I know more about your friends’ demise than I let on. Isn't that right?” Well, dang. Had he been that transparent?

Signing, Jaune tilted his head down. “Yes, sir.”

“Look at me, boy.” He didn't say the words harshly- in fact, they were filled with kindness. But they still made Jaune flinch as he looked up. “I can tell you're nervous.” No kidding. “But I can assure you that you have nothing to fear. Please, relax, and ask me whatever you wish. I’ll answer to the best of my ability.” Particular choice of words, there. Ozpin never said he'd be honest.

Slightly encouraged, the blonde straightened his posture and required himself. He supposed he should ask the easiest questions first...

“How'd they die?”

Ozpin visibly cringed, obviously uncomfortable with the inquiry. “It wasn't pleasant...” Was all he said before he paused, placing a hand on his forehead. “Do you want me to go into detail? Or do you wish to hear only the basics?”

Jaune nodded confidently, though he felt just the opposite. “Details.”

The Headmaster sighed, closing his eyes. “Ruby was the first to perish. According to witness statements, she rushed ahead of her team to confront Roman Torchwick. She put up a brilliant fight but in the end it was not enough. All I will say is that there was hardly anything left to bury.”

Jaune’s eyes widened and his skin turned slightly green. He felt like stopping right then and there, but didn't. He needed to know. His team needed to know. “... Go on...” He said through clenched teeth.

“Yang, engaged, attempted to fight Torchwick as well. We don't know the specifics just yet, but we do know that Torchwick had an accomplice with him. This accomplice stabbed miss Xiao Long through her throat. It was not a fast death.”

Jaune felt tears sting at the corners of his eyes. How could someone like Yang be bested in a battle? It seems incomprehensible. She was practically a one-woman-army!

“Miss Schnee was too bested by this accomplice. She was stabbed through her abdomen by her own sword, as far as we can tell. Mister Black followed soon, with Miss Belladonna's weapon being his cause of death. We don't know the circumstances of his battle just yet. And as for Blake herself... She was burned to death. That is all I will say.”

A tear rolled down Jaune’s cheek. He figured that Ozpin was trying to scare him away with such sickening details, but Jaune wouldn't leave. He couldn't.

“Where is Torchwick?” He growled.

“We are not sure. We believe he his conspiring with the White Fang, but we have no confirmed reports of this.”

Wait.

That's it! Jaune asked the wrong question. Ozpin hadn't lied, but rather avoided the truth. True, they didn't know where Torchwick was... But didn't Ruby mention something about investigating the White Fang a few days ago?

“Okay... Where's the Fang?” Jaune asked, and felt satisfaction when Ozpin smiled at him. The Headmaster sat straight, taking a drink from his mug as the boy awaited his answer.

“Ah, that is the question, isn't it?” Crap, had he messed up again? Was that the wrong question? “Truthfully, the White Fang is everywhere. In Vacuo. Atlas. Mistral. Even outside the borders. They have recruits all around the world, mister Arc. We don't know where they are.”

Jaune clenched a first, irritation growing in his chest. “Okay... Do you know of any bases of theirs? Did RWBY find any?”

Ozpin’s smile grew even larger, clapping his hand together as he leaned back in his chair. “Ah, yes, I must have forgotten. Terribly sorry, young man. Yes, team RWBY did indeed uncover information about a White Fang hideout, somewhere in the southeast. Unfortunately, that is all we have to go on.”

Jaune didn't think that Ozpin was keeping anything from him this time, so he relaxed his fingers and took a few staff breaths. “Okay...” The leader closed his eyes, thinking over his next question. “Are there any missions that are in the southeast?”

The Headmaster clapped once, smirking slightly as his smile fell. “Ah quite right. Search and Destroy, if I remember correctly. Due to depart tomorrow if I'm not mistaken. But I'm afraid that this particular mission is off limits to first years, mister Arc. I'm sure you understand, yes?”

Of course it would be off limits. Of course. There had to be some way to get there! Roman Torchwick was hiding somewhere in that area, he could feel it!

“But,” Ozpin interrupted Jaune’s thoughts. “I have a feeling you and your team will find your way there no matter what. So instead of waiting for you to break the rules... Why don't we just bend them?” Before the boy could question the Headmaster, Ozpin pulled out his Scroll and opened it, revealing a list of team names and missions. When he came across Team JNPR’s name, he selected them and assigned the team to Search and Destroy.

“There we are. You may want to get some rest, mister Arc. Your flight leaves early.” That was all Ozpin said before he swiveled his chair around, the back of the chair obscuring Jaune’s view of the man.

“Oh, uh...” Jaune mumbled as he stood. “Thank you, Professor. I won't let you down!” He gave a weak salute as he rushed back to the elevator, departing the office.

“I’m placing a huge gamble on you, mister Arc.” Ozpin muttered to himself after he was alone. “For the sake of everyone in Vale... Please do not fail.”

“Are you serious, Jaune?” Pyrrha asked in disbelief. “You... You got us signed up? Really?” She, and the other members of JNPR, had been genuinely surprised that Jaune had managed to get their team signed on for the mission- and rightfully so. It wasn't often that a team of first-years were sent on a mission with such high rates of Grimm.

“Totally serious.” The leader replied as he flopped onto his bed. “We leave in the morning. So get some rest, guys.”

He heard Nora give a shout of “Yes, sir!” in a slightly less peppy voice than usual. Ren simply nodded and laid down. Pyrrha, however, was still sitting at the desk in the corner of the room, staring at Jaune.

“Are you sure we can handle this, though?” She asked worriedly. “I read the debriefing and... Jaune, you can't handle that many Grimm. None of us can! That’s simply too many!”

“Pyr,” Jayne interrupted, sitting up and letting his feet dangle off the side of his mattress. “We’ll be fine. We’ll be shadowing an actual Huntsman tomorrow. There’s no way he’ll let us get hurt. Okay?” Smiling, he lowered his voice to barely above a whisper. “Besides, you think any Grimm could withstand the might of Nora running on a good night’s sleep? And if Ren gets up early to make his pancakes...”

Pyrrha’s eyes widened in mock horror and she placed a hand over her heart. “Don't even joke like that, Jaune!” The two shared a small laugh, smiling as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Good night, Pyr.” Jaune said warmly as he laid back down.

“Good night, Jaune.” Pyrrha smiled as she stood and walked to her bed.

Neither knew what tomorrow would bring, but one thing is certain. They’d do it as a team.

For RWBY.

Author's Note

CNEM is pronounced cinnamon and stands for Cinder, Neopolitian, Emerald and Mercury. Qrow's line "Lost my sister years ago" was written before the latest episode. So I think we're officially in AU territory as far as RWBY goes.