Moving Forward

Jaune Arc sat alone in the park-turned-memorial and, for the first time since her passing, talked to his partner.

Resting at her feet, he told her everything that had happened since the Fall. The trials and triumphs of team RNJR, meeting Oscar (and Ozpin), the battle at Haven, seeing RWBY back together again. And their time so far in Argus, where they found out the truth. He shared his weakness and failures as both team leader and friend, weakness he resolved to leave behind.

He joked about his “master plan” to steal an Atlesian aircraft – he cheated his way into Beacon, stealing from the world’s largest military was the next natural step on his path to master criminal, right? They all looked at him like he was crazy. Well, everyone but Nora and Ruby. Nora thought the whole thing sounded like a hoot and Ruby threw in her support like she always did, though he wasn’t sure if she actually thought it was a good idea or if she just wanted to spite her uncle.

Jaune chuckled quietly to himself and let the silence settle. For the first time since the Fall, he felt light. The weight that threatened to drive him into the dirt and the fist that crushed his heart were gone. He felt like he could breathe again. Ever since he met Pyrrha’s…

Jaune opened his scroll and flipped through pictures from Beacon – him and his team dancing, Nora hovering menacingly over a sleeping Ren, Pyrrha and Ruby taking a combat pose in front of the statue in the courtyard, both of their teams sitting at their designated lunch table together, Pyrrha and himself waiting for class to start. On and on he scrolled, smiling at the memories. It hurt still, a small cold hole in his gut, but that pain was under a warmth he had only rarely felt since they started on the road to Mistral. Nora had told him to let Pyrrha’s memory give him strength instead of sorrow and he thought it finally could.

He wanted to share those moments with that woman from earlier. He wanted to share the Pyrrha he knew, the girl who had given him legs to stand on and the strength to lift his sword. The girl who believed in him when no one else had. Pyrrha had always been there for him, for her team. And in turn he wanted to learn about the Pyrrha he never met. The girl before she became a huntress, before she was a champion, before she was called invincible. He wanted to sit down with that woman with his team, and with Ruby and her teammates, and let her know just how much Pyrrha had meant to them and how much better they were for having known her.

He wasn’t sure he’d get the chance. The woman had left suddenly after just a short conversation. Maybe that was all she needed, and maybe all that he needed. They knew who the other was without needing to say and they had told each other the truths they each needed to hear. And that was enough.

At the very least he’d bring Ruby by Pyrrha’s memorial tomorrow after their recon of the airfield. Ruby hid her pain better than the rest of them, but he knew she was hurting all the same. He would share that woman’s words with her and maybe Ruby too could feel a little bit of that weight come off her shoulders.

Jaune finally came to her video. She stood there on their roof, broken moon and Beacon Tower glowing behind her. He took a steadying breath and tapped the screen once, bringing up various corner buttons. He chose the trash can icon.

Delete?

Confirm – Cancel

His thumb hovered in place and he fought back the urge to look back over his shoulder at her statue. He took another deep breath. He didn’t need a video to see her face or to hear her voice. And as long as he stood with his friends – his family – sword in hand, he knew he would feel her there too, hand on his shoulder, giving him that extra bit of strength needed to stand firm. This wasn’t goodbye.

Confirm

He heard Nora before he saw her, animated chatter cutting through the quiet night. Jaune stood and waited, back popping pleasantly as he attached Crocea Mors to his forearm. They rounded the corner, Nora pushing a flustered Oscar in front of her. Ren stood just to the rear, a small smile on his face. Jaune moved forward to meet them.

“I have delivered the prisoner as ordered, fearless leader!” Nora exclaimed, giving Oscar a friendly shove so he stumbled to a stop in front of Jaune.

“…wasn’t gonna run off again…” Oscar grumbled under his breath. The boy straightened and smoothed out his new clothes, getting out every wrinkle. He seemed pretty proud of his new outfit. Can’t blame him, Jaune thought, grinning at him. He looks good. Looks more like a huntsman than me, anyway.

“Thanks. I’ll take it from here, guys,” Jaune said, raising a hand to his teammates. Ren nodded and took a step back, waiting for Nora to join him.

“Don’t wear yourself out, Oscar. Nora’s No-Holds-Barred Boot Camp starts tomorrow!” she said forebodingly, cracking her knuckles for effect. “I’ll make you see hell.”

Oscar paled at that, shuffling away from the girl. Jaune laughed and gave him a supportive slap on the back.

Nora turned and practically crashed into Ren, hugging his arm and cozying up to his side. With another nod from Ren they were gone, walking off into the night. In the opposite direction from Saph’s home, Jaune noted. He smiled to himself as he turned back towards the statue, opening up some distance between him and Oscar.

“You need a minute to limber up?” Jaune asked.

“I’m good.” Oscar replied. “But I was gonna ask, why here? We passed by two places on the way that would have worked.”

Jaune smiled up at his partner’s statue one last time before turning to face Oscar, drawing his sword and extending the shield. “Because,” he said simply, “I heard a hero trained here.”

Oscar quirked an eyebrow and shrugged, extending his cane and taking it in a two-handed hold.

And just like he knew they would, Pyrrha’s words came to him again.

Shield up.

Keep your grip tight.

Don’t forget to keep your front foot forward.

Jaune took his stance and grinned at his new sparring partner.

“Ready?”

Oscar nodded, bringing his cane to bear.

“Go!”