UPDATE: Slight change to the timetable and I changed the name from Battlegroup Beacon to Beacon or B Company

Chapter I

Arisan - Mistral - 100 miles from "Fortress Salem" - 0000 - 17:00:00 D-Day

"The Skum Pitt" If you insist on calming your nerves with that infernal substance can we travel somewhere more... honorable?" Crocea Mors said with a suspicious tone.

"What's wrong with this place?" Jaune asked, fingers playing with the hilt of Crocea Mors, watching the blue glow coat his fingers with armor," I'll keep Artemis off if it'll help?"

"He has nothing to do with it, we're in a town filled with mercenaries that know that mark on your sword all too well," She warned as Jaund twisted the handle to the door.

Relax I'll put on my tough guy act. He thought, pushing the door open.

The scent of cheap booze and cigarette smoke was the first thing to hit him, the second was the fact that the entire bar was staring directly into his eyes as the dim, blue glow from Crocea Mors traveled across his body eventually drawing everyone's eyes to the sparkling golden Arcs on his chest.

About five Altesian soldiers shot into a salute,"S-sir," One of them stammered out," if I may, w-why are you here? Shouldn't you be planning the invasion with the General sir?"

"At ease, I thought I would have a drink, planning an invasion of a foreign land does strange things to your nerves," Jaune said in a gruff and hardened voice, the sapphire orbs inside his Crusader-style helmet scanning the diverse crowd of Huntsman and mercenaries, no doubt here to partake in the invasion," As you were."

The chatter slowly started again-most of it about him as he walked to the bar and took a stool, his helmet de-materializing on his head and revealing his blond, short, scraggly beard and hair,"Fancy trick there, what kind of Atlas tech is that?" The bartender to his right said in a deep almost intimidating voice.

Jaune just blinked at the man a few times before his right eye lit up into a ring of plasma-blue," I'm a knight from the dark ages who as given a magical sword forged by a dragon," There was a click and a mighty rasp of steel as Crocea Mors was drawn and placed on the counter," which just so happened to bond by soul and armor," She gestured to the full-plate armor covering he-his body," to it when I died, hereby making me immortal."

"..."

"..."

"What?" She asked

"HAHAHA" The bartender descended into a fit of hearty laughter the would make Port weep manly tears of joy," Oh man...h-here, on the house," He said placing a glass of whiskey on the counter, bellowing laughter all the way.

"Want more proof?" She asked, well more of stated as his other eye lit up plasma-blue, signaling she has taken full consciousness, and wrapped his hand around the hilt of Crocea Mors.

It ignited into a raging blue fire...

"..." Another beat of silence as the entire bar watched in amazement.

"Fitting power considering I died by burning to death, well, immolation really." She said, watching the flames dance.

"Well lad, I can see why yer' in command of that group from Beacon, havin' a knight in yer' noggin' is pretty useful," He said once the flames cut and Jaune's eyes returned their normal sapphire color.

"She do the thing with the sword again? She's gonna burn something down someday," He said, sheathing Crocea Mors and taking a drink, much to the protests and gags of Crocea.

The bartender held his hand out,"Samuel Charles, at yer' service capn'" Jaune shook his hand, examining his new 'buddy' closer now that he was more in the light. He was built like Yastuhachi but was bald and had a long black beard that juggles whenever he walks and his eyes were the same shade of gold as Blake's. He wore a buttoned up black trench coat and blue jeans with brown combat boots and a massive black Claymore on his back, again, similar to Yastu's.

"Jaune. Jaune Arc. And that knight you just met was Crocea Mors. If I may, what is a Huntsman doing running a bar?" Jaune asked taking another drink.

"The bars not mine, just workin' er' to get some extra lien for the Mrs. back in Mistral. I'm er' for the same reason as you, to kill all em' bastards and cleave Salem's head off with this er' sword!" He stated proudly, earning a chuckle from Jaune.

"Yeah, I promise I'll bring her head back for you if you can't get up there and an Arc never goes back on his word," He said with a quick thanks as Samuel poured some more whiskey.

They sat in silence for a few seconds as Jaune let out a sad sigh,"Lad?" Samuel asked, getting a grunt in return,"If it's not too much to ask but, why aren't you with yer' team?" He got another sad sigh in return.

Artemis slowly slipped off his body, revealing his black hoodie and jeans. He reached into the hoodie's pocket and pulled out a picture, he took the chance to look at it before giving it to Samuel.

The picture was taken not too long after the successful defense of Haven as they were still in their battle worn clothes and still had their weapons drawn. They were in the main Courtyard of Haven with the stupidest of grins plastered on their faces, on the far left Miss. Goodwitch was watching Qrow and Taiyang with a rare smile as Qrow had his scythe hefted over his shoulder and flask upturned over his mouth with a horrified expression on his face (Probably because Tai replaced his alcoholic jet fuel with water) and Tai behind him clutching his stomach and laughing

A little more to their right was Weiss leaning on Myrtenaster as well as using an uncharacteristically happy Blake as they giggled like schoolgirls about how Weiss escaped the Schnee Mansion.

To their right was Nora finally getting tired of waiting and tackling Ren into a kiss as Yang, no doubt, was rattling off teases as fast as Oobleck judging how they looked like two tomatoes.

Next to them was Port, Oobleck, and Oscar and judging the agony on Oscar's face and Ooblecks frantic drinking from his thermos as well as port swinging his Blunder-axe wildly, Port was telling a story. He shuddered in his seat just thinking about it, Poor Oscar, Oz was probably laughing as well.

And finally on the far right of everything was him and Ruby leaning against a pile of rubble, exhausted from their fights but still managing a face-splitting grin, well, more like he was leaning against the rubble while Ruby was curled up on his lap like an adorable puppy.

All around them were Mistral guard and Atlas military celebrating their victory over her. It brought a massive smile to his face," These are my friends from Beacon, the two love birds are what is remaining of my team," He said giving Samuel the picture.

He let out a long whistle,"That's quite the lass you've wrangled there, she's a keeper," He said, eyes scanning the picture. It took a few seconds for Jaune to get what he said.

"Oh! Ruby? Nah, I don't like her that way she's just a friend," He said, slightly flustered.

"Mmhm," Crocea and Sam said in unison.

"What!?" He said turning even redder.

"Kid, by the look on that lass's face, she's on cloud bloody nine," Sam said with a barely concealed smirk.

One of his eyes turned plasma-blue,"Ooh, you should see what he's thinking right now, naughty boy," Crocea said, turning Jaune redder than Ruby after a particularly brutal teasing attack from Yang.

"Wha-na-de," Words became very hard.

"It's okay I won't tell anyone," Crocea said making a show of reaching for his scroll.

Jaune's head fell into his other hand,"I hate you guys."

"Aww," She gave him a mental pat on the back,"You love me." His eye returned to normal.

"Anyways, That's quite the team there."

"Rubes isn't on my team, she's with the other three girls, team RWBY," He said scratching the back of his neck.

"Tch, tch, even ave' a nickname..." Sam trailed off.

"Kill me."

"Soo, where is the other member of your team?" Sam asked instantly regretting it as Jaune's face fell and smile was mercilessly destroyed.

"Shit...yer' don't ave' to-"

"Beacon," Jaune cut him off surprising even himself," She died in the fall..."

"Sorry lad, my daughter was there. She was an' Upperclassmen, just got back from a mission, she saw first hand what that bitch did to Beacon," He said pouring him self a glass as well.

"Heh...you don't know the half of it. She was in love with me you know, my partner, all of Beacon knew the "Famous Pyrrha Nikos is in love with a dumbass form a backwater settlement!" The stunned look in Samuel's eyes said it all,"I never noticed, I was Oblivious the entire time, she had to kiss me before I considered the idea. It was too late by then though, she put me in a locker and launched me into Vale all the while she was being shot in the heart by an arrow."He finished by downing the entire glass and slamming it down on the table.

"Shit lad..."

"Pathetic right? The worst part was the 'what ifs' I tortured myself with after it happened, the only person that kept me from going insane was Ruby. Me and the remnants of my team followed her to Mistral to 'Save the world' as she put it. Hmph, guess it worked, Watts is serving a life sentence in supermax, Hazel's six feet under and headless courtesy of Mors, Tyrian's rotting in the Vacuan desert, Cinder and Salem are cowering in their castle and a Hunstman army is about to storm the Mistrali Grimmlands to get to her. It's that last part that gets me, the invasion. An army of Huntsmen and an Armada of the like Remnant has never seen vs a Grimm army of unimaginable power and unlimited men," He took a long sip," We don't stand a chance."

After a long pause, Sam dragged the glass away,"Go to yer' team lad. If what yer' sayin' is true don't let yer' last memories of em' be their deaths."

"I can't goddamnit!" He pounded his fist onto the counter," Everytime I do I see her! I see her weak smile and tortured eyes as she pushed me into the locker! I see Weiss' face when she carried Ruby back to the Bullhead! I can't look Ruby in the eyes without feeling like I betrayed her," He slumped back down onto the counter as the tears he was holding back broke free,"I can't lose them like I did her, I can't lose her like I did Pyrrha."

There was a long silence between of them where the only thing that was heard was the quiet sobs of Jaune," Sorry for snapping like that, I thought I was over this bullshit after Heaven. Guess the threat of losing them stirred up some old problems," He said wiping some leftover tears away with his sleeve.

"Yer' only eighteen and ave' experienced nuff' shit to make a grown man ave' a mental breakdown. S' a wonder yer' avent' snapped sooner," He sighed and walked out from around the counter, already having cleaned up their mess during his little breakdown, and put an arm around his shoulder,"Yer' lost someone you loved an' yer' afraid of it happening to the rest of em' but kid," He forced Jaune to look into his eyes,"They survived Beacon, they kicked the Grimm's ass in Heaven, they've got what?" He checked the picture,"Five Huntsmen that would die before anything happened to em'. They're covered but the rest of em' aren't and they can't go into what is likely the toughest battle in the last hundred years with a capn' that's losin' his mind. My daughters gonna be there, think bout' how nervous I am, my little girl, my own flesh an' blood's gonna be on the frontline. But I've gotta trust that she, and the people around' her', are strong enough that I can see my little girl again. An' yer' got to trust that they can handle them they're selves. Yer' trust yer' team, right lad?"

"More than myself," He said with a nod.

"Good, an' for the love a Monty, get a grip and love that lass or I'll smash yer' faces together myself," he said with a chuckle.

He chuckled too albeit small and weak but genuine all the same,"Trust me, I won't make the same mistake twice, my heart won't have it. You're really good at this too, ever think about opening up an 'advice for the mentally screwed' shop?"

"Nah...My ol' heart has had nuff' heartbreak for several lifetimes. Just gotta learn ow' to tape it back up," He said, eyes finding the floor very interesting for awhile,"Anywho!" He snapped out of his trance with a jolt,"How 'bout this ol' Huntsman tell you some tales from his glory days on the way back to base, eh? Just gotta lock er' up first."

A smile slipped onto his face," Sure...I could use a distraction," He said helping with the clean-up efforts.

/-/

Arisan - Mistral - Beacon Company's Barracks - 0040 - 16:20:43 Until D-Day

It was a little past midnight when Jaune finally got back to RWBY, JNR, and CFVY's barracks but instead of going inside he leaned up next to the door and took in the amazing view of the combined fleet of Atlas, Vacuo, Mistral, and Vale or as him and Qrow call it 'The Armada'. Their barracks were on top of a small hill as well, giving him a good shot at the Atlas Flagship 'Resurgence'. He scoffed, too bad it wouldn't make it a mile into the Grimmlands without being torn to shreds by Nevermores and Griffons reducing their air support to a few wings of modified bullheads and three light assault ships.

After a few minutes of staring at The Armada in the moonlight, his mind wandered back to what Samuel said," Crocea?"

"What is it?" She asked nervously, already knowing what he's going to say.

"Do you trust them?" he asked, looking at his metal clad hand as if it had all the answers.

"Yes." She said without thinking.

"Do you trust Qrow?"

"Yes"

"Do you trust Ironwood?"

"Hell no."

"Do you trust yourself?"

"Yes."

He let out a long sigh and drew Crocea Mors, stabbing it into the ground in front of him. His eyes roaming the white blade and golden cross-guard,"Do you trust me?"

"With my steel and heart," She said taking control and kneeling him down in front of his sword," Jaune, Pyrrha wasn't your fault. You-we weren't strong enough for her and would have died if you went up there. Cinder had the Fall Maidens power and killed Ozpin for Oum sake! But you've improved since then. You are strong enough to best Watts and knock him out, to kill Hazel and Tyrian by yourself, you even defended Ruby from enough Grimm to fill the Emerald Forest during Heaven. You stepped up and took charge during Heaven when defeat looked certain and turned it right around. Then there's your big damn heart that can't handle the sight of one of your friends hurt and would do anything to save a random stranger in danger. And perhaps your most formidable achievement, surviving not-so-subtly crushing on Yang Xiao Long's younger sister. What I'm saying is you're more of a Knight than I ever was, you big damn hero, and I can't stand sitting up here and watching you doubt yourself and think you're not good enough when you could take her fortress single handily if you wanted to. As long as they stick with you, they will survive.

There was a long silence as Jaune contemplated what she said, eventually he stood up and sheathed Crocea,"Thanks for that, Monty knows I needed it."

"Glad to help, now, get some sleep. We've got a battle plan to explain."

There was a small creak as Jaune stepped into the barracks, the only source of light was from a small desk to his immediate right with Ruby passed out over Crescent Rose,"Hmph, Dammit Rubes," He whispered, stalking his way over to her.

From the looks of it, she was cleaning Rose's barrel and sharpening the blade, well, she'll need to clean it again considering she drooled all over it. He leaned her back off the table and put one arm under her knees and one under her shoulders and picked her up bridal-style.

About halfway back to her cot she started adorably pawing the air," Mm...cooki...strawbewy...cooki," she mumbled.

"How are you resisting this!?"

"Sheer...Willpower..."He whispered through clenched teeth. She snuggled into his chest,"Which is quickly failing."

"An' for the love a Monty, get a grip an' love that lass or I'll smash yer' faces m'self," She imitated.

"What do you want me to do? Sleeping Beauty her!?" He hissed

"Ye- She's got the right idea."

Ruby was now licking and biting his neck while mumbling,"Mm, stwabewy...num."

"Willpower...reserves failing...abort," He laid her down on her bed seconds before disaster struck earning an annoyed groan from Ruby and a sigh of relief from him,"I'm too tired for this," He pulled the covers over Ruby's sleeping form,"Night Rubes," He leaned down and kissed her forehead before heading to his own bed, failing to notice the Lilac eyes watching him from above. But that's not important...

Right?

Hello! I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of what basically was set-up for the chapters down the line. I actually based this entire story off a fight scene I came up with after looking at some Lancaster fan art, I won't tell you it until we're done here though, and formed it into a story. That's really all so, yeah. Review and tell me how I balanced my serious bit and the light-hearted stuff, thanks!