Arc 1: Spark

Chapter 1: Initiate

XxX

World of Remnant: Aura.

Aura is an energy found in all living things. Known in the past by names such as Elan Vital, Life Force and Mana, this energy is theorized to carry something fundamental about the potential and nature of that organism. Almost all beings without Aura will not grow, they will not change, and most often removing all Aura from something will kill it. The Grimm are exceptions to this rule, like they are to so many others...

In humans, Aura seems to be what carries memory and personality, as well as certain fundamental skills not stored in the brain. This explains the motifs of immortality often associated with Aura - it seems to act as a difficult to damage repository of the bearer's self. Of course, like all forms of energy, Aura can be projected in many forms based on the user's personality, known as semblances. Aura users may object, citing the default effect of Aura projection: protecting against physical and Aura-based attacks. To them, I respond: what human's personality is missing self-preservation?

XxX

Jaune

Jaune squeezed his eyes shut as the Beacon Carrier took off, trying as hard as he could to steady his stomach. Gods, it felt like the ground was dropping underneath him. How had they not managed to invent an airsick-proof Carrier yet? One would think that that would be on the top of the priority list, considering how many people were on board here. Then again, as he stood up to find the nearest garbage can, Jaune was acutely aware of how not sick everyone else seemed to be. Maybe it was just him.

It was probably just him.

As he slouched over the can, focusing all his willpower into not puking his lunch out the same hole it entered through, he heard a voice and felt an odd calm drape over him, pushing away his nausea.

"You're right, Ren! He did look just like we did when we took our first Bullhead ride. I wonder if it would feel like that to ride a Nevermore. Ooh, or to ride an Ursa! Imagine riding an Ursa, Ren!"

Jaune turned to see the owner of the voice, a short, pink haired girl carrying a hammer taller than she was. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she animatedly jabbered away-staring straight at him. At Jaune. Jaune Arc.

Erm...

"Sorry, I'm Jaune, not Ren," was all he could think to say.

She laughed. "I know you're not Ren, silly. That's Ren," she motioned to a tall, raven-haired teen sedately drawing up beside her. Ren offered a small smile. "I apologize for using my semblance without your consent, stranger."

Jaune grinned, still a little shaken.

"That's what that was? No harm done." He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and stood, offering his hand. The company was a welcome distraction-he was feeling better already, even disregarding the strange calmness. " I'm Jaune Arc. Who are you?"

The girl snatched his hand, shaking vigorously. " Nora Valkyrie, berserker extraordinaire! Great to meet you! Quiet and handsome over here's Lie Ren, greatest ninja this side of Mistral! We've been friends forever and I'm just so excited to be going to Beacon finally and fight Grimm and meet new people! Why are you here, Jauney!"

Jaune's eyes widened under the onslaught of words. He took a step backwards. "I'm... I'm here to be a hero and a huntsman. Like my father was. But, uh...I don't know if I have as much going for me as you two do, though. I'm just a swordsman, plain and simple."

Nora laughed, slapping him on the back.

"Don't put yourself down, Jaune! You got in, didn't you? You must have something going for you, right? I bet you're super-fast with that sword, hm? Ooh, or maybe that sheath is a rocket launcher?!"

Ren sighed.

"Nora, it's impolite to ask people about their skills if you aren't even friends with them."

Nora grinned like the cat that caught the canary.

"Then can we be friends, Jaune? Ren and I are going to be on on a squad, definitely definitely, but that leaves two more spots! Want one?"

Jaune smiled slightly, shifting his weight. These people did seem nice, if a little...off. Besides, a 'berserker extraordinaire' and the 'greatest ninja this side of Mistral?' Seemed as good a team as any.

"...I don't see why not. Let's be friends, Nora Valkyrie."

Her eyes lit up."Yay! We're gonna kill so many Grimm! And if anyone bothers us we'll break their legs!" As she continued chattering, Jaune glanced at Ren, eyes asking an unspoken question.

Is she always like this?

Ren inclined his head and Jaune chuckled softly. He'd have an interesting year, at the very least.

XxX

Yang

Yang stared out the window of the Beacon Carrier, one hand perched on her hip. She watched as the world rolled on beneath her, the trees and towers like inconsequential specks within the horizon. Her violet eyes widened as the expansive school campus revealed itself through the clouds. She turned back to her sister, eyes shining, lips grinning.

"Ruby, can you believe what this campus looks like? It's incredible!"

Ruby smiled back, silver eyes even wider than Yang's. She bounced on her toes excitedly. "I know, sis! And it's gonna be full of so many amazing hunters and huntresses! I mean, just look at all the people around us, they all look like such good fighters and I'm just so excited to fight bad guys and train and kill Grimm and-"

Yang laughed, pulling Ruby into a headlock and ruffling her hair before letting go.

"Pause and breathe, Rubes. Anyway, you're just as amazing as the rest of them, miss 'Got into Beacon two years early for the first time in decades'. You'll have the spotlight on you in no time!"

Ruby looked downcast for a few moments."Are you...are you sure I will, Yang?"

Yang pulled her into a one armed hug."Yeah, I am-" she cut herself off, looking into Ruby's eyes. "Rubes, you ok?"

Her sister looked back up at her."Yeah, I think. I just don't want to be in the spotlight straight out, you know? I have two years less training than any of them-what if I make a mistake?"

Yang shrugged."You'll do great, Ruby. I saw tapes of your fight, you were amazing! You looked almost like our uncle out there!"

Ruby blushed."You really think so, sis?"

Yang grinned confidently. "I know so. No sister of Yang Xiao-long is going to screw up. Anyway, if you make a mistake, your team can help you out!"

Ruby suddenly looked hesitant."About that...Yang?"

"Yeah, Rubes?"

The next sentence tumbled out of Ruby's mouth like Zwei after Tai had decided to run him through the wash."Idontreallyknowhowtotalktonewpeoplebesidesyourereallycoolandgreatsoiwasthinkinganditwouldbesosupercoollike-can I just be on a team with you?"

Yang sighed, running a hand through her hair. On the one hand, she knew Ruby, and she knew Ruby could fight. She would make a strong-if not slightly irritating-squad member. On the other hand, Ruby needed to find friends of her own, to break out of her shell. It wasn't a good idea for Ruby to just stay with her, because...because…

Because you aren't safe for her, Yang. Not alone, at least.

Shaking her head, Yang managed a strained smile. "I don't know if that's a good idea, Ruby. You should break out of your shell, you know? Talk to people!"

Ruby grimaced. "What if no one likes me? What if they find my cute and innocent charm annoying?" She asked almost jokingly, though the desperation in her eyes was still shining through. "It's gonna happen. I even annoy myself, sometimes. I'm like, Ruby! Stop singing that song in your head! I'm sick of it! And then I'm like, shut up me! I like this song! LALALA!"

Yang blinked. "Everyone gets songs stuck in their heads, punk. But, if you're really sure about this…" she tilted her head, pretending to think." I suppose I'll just have to call in the big guns."

"Big guns, sis?"

Yang's grin sharpened."I'll call Dad and Qrow and tell them you're sad and lonely here. I'm sure they'll be on the next flight in."

"Oh god, Yang, please don't, " Ruby groaned. "Fine, I promise I'll make some other friends. "

Yang smiled again, grin turning mischievous."That's the spirit! Don't worry, I promise we'll still...yang out!"

The only response was a dead silence, followed by the whump of Ruby's head against the wall. Yang laughed. Her sister was fine, her puns were still great. All was right with the world.

XxX

Weiss

Weiss Schnee stood in the corner of the Carrier, staring off into space. She told herself it was because she couldn't waste her time talking to the lesser students. Why bother, when only the best could be on her team, right? And there were only two candidates to consider. Pyrrha Nikos, Champion of Mistral, and that accelerated prodigy Weiss had heard rumors of. Only people like them would be suitable for a team with Weiss Schnee, heiress, dust mage, and expert combatant. That was why she wasn't talking with any of them. That, and nothing else.

It certainly wasn't because of...Jacques.

XxX

"Weiss, you can't seriously want to waste your time in a childish school for so-called huntsmen. Your place is here."

Weiss stepped back, stunned at her father's harshness. She rallied herself and squared her shoulders."Father, I want to-need to- learn to protect myself. You saw what happened to the train just a few weeks ago."

"Then you will learn to protect yourself in Atlas! Ironwood would allow you to join in a heartbeat!"

Weiss inhaled. "No."

Jacques's voice raised."Oh? Well then, do enlighten me as to why. "

Weiss' s mind whirled. How could she explain the need to be out from her father's control for just a few years, just long enough to know what it felt like, before falling back into her old role?

A sharp, cold voice cut through the silence. "For her safety, Jacques," Winter said. "If she is to survive, the White Fang must believe her a threat in her own right. That will never happen if she spends her years in the shadow of her sister."

Jacques's voice dropped a register."I suppose she will never learn to fight her own battles otherwise. Very well, Weiss. You may leave on this...training excursion. But, rest assured, if I hear any inkling of you wasting your time, I will have you flown back to Atlas immediately. Experiment over."

Weiss bowed her head."Yes, father. I understand. Thank you, father."

XxX

Weiss blinked, shaking her head. The sounds of a holographic screen's news broadcast caught her attention, drawing her in like a moth to light.

"...The manhunt for rogue Hunter Roman Torchwick is still in progress, now with 2 Vale Teams assigned the case. The criminal barely escaped an encounter with Huntsmen following his third robbery in as many nights. Vale's police department has asked us at VNN to remind you all that any information on his whereabouts will be rewarded. Now, back to you, Lisa.."

"Thanks, Frank. Our main story tonight is the rising hostility between Atlas security forces and the Valean army. Now, as I'm sure most of you know, the White Fang attacked a Schnee Dust train two weeks ago, brutally murdering everyone on the back half of the train. Atlas has released an official statement on the event today, condemning not only the deplorable actions of the White Fang but also the failure of Valean huntsmen to protect a train within their borders. While Vale's council has not yet formally responded to the statement, our government correspondent has some insights as to the deliberations going on behind closed doors. Over to you, Arthur. "

"Thanks, Lisa. I'll take it from here."

Weiss tuned the correspondent's words out, knowing that they were unlikely to contain anything of value. Nearly two decades of tutors had impressed upon her the uselessness of mass media for conveying serious information. All they could give was sensationalism and lies. They'd done so about the SDC many times, with their Faunus Interest features and coverage of White Fang protests. Those were all lies. They had to be. Faunus weren't to be trusted. They had been given land and peace, and how had they repaid that debt? Blood, terror, and Grimm like vultures behind every attack.

"Is this spot taken?" A voice cut through Weiss's reverie. Standing in front of her was a tall girl in black combat gear, a childish bow tied at the top of her head, clashing with the rest of her ensemble. Weiss sighed, turning back to the wall, but gestured for the girl to take a seat. The girl did, sliding into the chair with silent, cat-like grace and opening up a book. The two of them sat, silent. Weiss glanced at the girl, quickly looked away. Impatient, she tapped her fingers on her thighs. More silence.

Finally, Weiss cracked. "Who are you?"

The girl didn't look up from her book."Blake Belladonna."

Weiss nodded. The silence continued. "Why are you-"

"I don't like crowds," Blake muttered, already guessing the question.

Weiss's lips twitched. "Well, don't get the wrong idea. I'm not hiding. I'm surveying the students, actually." She didn't know why she felt the need to defend herself against this plebeian stranger, especially when Blake hadn't vocalized any implications, but Weiss couldn't help herself.

Black glanced up from her book, glanced at Weiss. "Okay," she said, not looking remotely interested, and returned to her book.

Weiss tried not to fidget in her seat. "So, what do you-"

Blake sighed, and irritably snapped her book closed. "Can I help you, heiress?"

Weiss froze for a moment. The way Blake had said the word, like it was a foul slug squirming by her feet, created a taste of bile in Weiss's mouth. "I'm sorry, Blake, did you say it was? You haven't even offered the courtesy of asking my name, and yet you dare make assumptions about me? Have I done something to offend you? Because otherwise, there's absolutely no reason for you to-"

"Am I wrong, then? Because you look exactly like Weiss Schnee." Blake quirked her brows, then smirked as Weiss firmly clenched her jaw. "I wouldn't have thought you'd mind the recognition. And it's not what you did. It's your father's company's failure to provide its Faunus employees with any sort of equal treatment that I take offense to. "

Weiss inhaled softly. The nerve of this girl. "Ms. Belladonna, I am not my father. Do not compare me to anybody but myself. And besides, there's no proof of any of those rumors!"

Blake's smile receded, but her eyes glittered with something...indefinable."Of course not. Sorry to have bothered you, Schnee-no, Weiss."

She stood and stalked away, feet moving lightly over the ground. Weiss stood stockstill, watching Blake go.

Make that three potential partners.

A/N: So. Many. Characters. I think the only one who hasn't been on page yet is Pyrrha? And she'll be on next chapter.

Anyway, plot proceeds to happen in the background, as anyone who's read my stuff before should suspect. The world is never as still as the peaceful would like it to be.

Worlds of Remnant may not be every chapter, but I don't quite have a plan for when I'm releasing each. I do know that the next chapter will have one on dust, and the next one on semblance.

Regarding Weiss's section: I'm going to say it once, just in case: Unreliable. Narrator. Narration is written from the perspective of the character.

One last thing: I'll probably say this many times over the course of the story, but massive, massive thanks to my betas(all names are tumblr usernames): paradigm-adrift for general advice, the-king-in-da-norf for keeping my plot honest and checking that my writing feels real, and queen-of-all-crazies for being a terrifyingly competent writer and managing to beat the odds at being a respectable hufflepuff. Particular thanks to the last, she's been nitpicking my writing for years and basically rebuilt the whole Blake Weiss interaction from the ground up, among other things.

Please review!