Prologue: The Making of a King

"Headmaster Ozpin, we would like to formally request the removal of Jaune Arc from our team and instate Alistair Kurokoro as a his replacement on team JNPR". The headmaster's eyebrows raised a good few inches and he took a long draught of his coffee.

"A rather interesting proposal may I inquire why that you deem is needed to be replaced?"

"I feel as if the life of a huntsman is far to dangerous for Jaune professor, and that he is not suited towards the lifestyle".

"Interesting, ?"

"Alistair far outstrips Jaune in just about every category, he has shown strategic skills on par with Jaune, he is a far better combatant, and we would honestly prefer him to Jaune."

"I see, ?"

"Al-Al is superduper cool! He knows how to make pancakes! And his weapon is uber cool! Did I mention he knows how to make sloth sounds? Oooh ooh and-".

"That is enough , thank you."

Jaune felt his entire world had just been pulled from under him. His team the very People he was supposed to trust with his very being. The people who were to be his second family, had just abandoned him. Not even Goodwitch's comforting hand could help with how utterly betrayed and alone he felt.

"I see, so it's final then, will replace Jaune Arc forming team PARN (Pawn) led by Pyrrha Nikos." Ozpin couldn't help but look frustrated and disappointed with the remaining members of team JNPR. He took another long draught of coffee as he dismissed the newly formed team. Ozpin then gave a sympathetic glance over to Jaune who seemed on the verge of breaking down, and as the professor reached out Jaune's heart couldn't take it anymore and he ran. Breaking free of Goodwitch's grasp and sprinted down the hallway ignoring Goodwitch's cries for his name.

"Jaune!"

"Jaune!"

"Jaune!"

His eyes shot open registering the concerned look that his second in command Lancelot du Lac gave him.

"Jaune we've arrived are you ok?"

"Yes, I'll be fine Lance go and wake Hector and Gawain".

"Of Course,"

Lancelot quickly strode off to wake the others. Jaune watched as his partner stalked off. His mind began to drift off to the day he was abandoned.

(3 Years Ago)

Hate wasn't something that came to Jaune Arc easily, but today it slipped over him like a warm blanket. Alistair Kurokoro appeared earlier in the second semester. He had quickly integrated into the group. Jaune didn't really mind having a new friend, mind you, but he quickly came to realize that Alistair wasn't there to be his friend. He set about replacing him, quickly charming team RWBY.

He started with Weiss impressing her with his tact and "business savvy" intellect. It wasn't long before Weiss who had already shown a distaste for Jaune to prefer to spend time with the handsome ravenette. Blake was next using the same "business savvy" intellect he quickly capitalized to advocate for faunus rights, and as an afterthought it probably helped that he was well read and could discuss books with Blake. Then came Yang she wasn't really Jaune's friend she had only tolerated him because of Ruby, so when the ravenette was able to pun and tease on par with her, she quickly jumped ships. Finally was Ruby. He surprised her with his knowledge of mechanical weaponry and ability to make cookies often spending hours just simply discussing various upgrades that could be put on a weapon to make it better. Sure, she told him that he was still he bestest guy friend, but it was obvious to everyone who she preferred.

He then went after his team. Quickly winning over Nora with his ability to make pancakes, explosions, and sloth calls. Ren was hooked as soon as the smug bastard mentioned an interest in herbal medicines and meditation. Pyrrha wasn't one to be won over via skill in battle or knowledge of various subjects. No, he won her over by playing the fool. Acting awkward and bumbling outside of the battlefield was how he won her over. Jaune knew that Alistair's hostility to him wasn't a part of his imagination when he constantly made snide comments on Jaune's inability to fight, and his lack of knowledge in those areas all disguised as "harmless" jokes. At first Pyrrha and Ruby had defended him, but as time went on the protests, but as time went on those protests fell to the wayside as they all became more enamored with Alistair. All of this culminating into the day he was kicked out and abandoned by those he held close to his heart.

(1 Day After Expulsion)

Jaune was on the bullhead leading back to his hometown of Ansel when he received a call from headmaster Ozpin.

"Headmaster?"

"Ah, I was hoping to be able to reach you. I have a proposition that I believe that you would be interesting in."

"What is it sir?"

"But first, a question. What is a king "

"A king first and foremost is a Guardian he leads and protects his people. His first thought when he wakes, and last thought as he drifts to sleep is off his people. Their prosperity, their happiness, their struggles, and sorrows are a weight that the king will constantly carry. For they are the ones who give him his power, and it is his duty to both carry those burdens and defend them, no matter how they feel about him. Sir, what does this question have to deal with this proposition?"

"All in due time one more question, what is your favorite fairytale?"

He was cut off from his musings as he heard the footsteps of his team mates approach him.

"You ready for this Captain?" Hector inquired.

"Of course, but remember. It's Arthur."

A/N:Greetings everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the prologue of the Once and Future King! Now mind you I deliberately left out character descriptions for the next chapter, but take note that I'm drawing heavy inspiration from pre-french Arthurian legend and the Fate/Stay Night franchise. So, take that as a hint on how characters will look, and how the things will go. I wrote this due to the fact that many Jaune betrayal stories turn him into either A.) A psychopathic murderer B.) A raving lunatic or C.) Both. I wanted to create a story where yes, Jaune is essentially completely isolated, but just because you're alone doesn't mean you'll be turned into some horrible monster that needs to be put down. I find heroes who struggle, bleed, and sweat for their victories, but still maintaining their sense of virtue to be all the more impactful. So, best wishes and happy reading!

KG12