A/N: Well, here we are! The finale of my drunk marriage fic. It has been a ton of fun guys, and I hope you all enjoy this final installment.

A Drunken Marriage of Thievery

Summary: Life couldn't have gotten worse for Jaune. After getting kicked out of Beacon for his fake transcripts, he just wanted to drink to forget it. Too bad he couldn't remember anything afterwards and woke up in bed with that dark-skinned beauty he met at the bar.

*Chapter 20 (Finale)*

"Alright, this is where the plane ride ends," Qrow announced. The Bullhead was currently hovering a solid hundred meters above the Mad King's palace, and the older huntsman pointed to both Pyrrha and Nora Valkyrie. "You two, you're out here. Have fun."

"Bombs away!" Nora cackled manically, leaping from the Bullhead with a happy whoop. Pyrrha followed suit quietly, and Qrow chuckled.

"Heh. The girl's got spirit. I like that. She'll make a fine huntress," he said. Several pink explosions sounded off below courtesy of Nora's grenade launcher, and soon a loud alarm started to blare.

"Perfect." Qrow smirked and motioned for the pilot to move a little. "Head to the northwest, now!"

"Yes sir!" The pilot flew the ship over to where Qrow said to, and the huntsman pointed to Ren and the quiet boy who Emerald hadn't met yet. "Ren, Jason, here's your stop. Give them hell."

Jason slammed his fists together, his strange knife-rifle thing strapped to his back. "With pleasure." He gave a two finger salute before doing a backflip out.

Ren paused to give Qrow and Emerald one last glance. "Make sure you get him." He followed his teammate to join in on the chaos now below.

"You know, I didn't expect the kid Jay to actually want to take part in this assault," Qrow remarked, stroking the stubble on his face. "But he proved me wrong."

"That's not exactly hard to do these days," Lightning scoffed. Her Buster Sword was already prepared, and she gave him a hard stare before the three left headed towards the open hatch. "Let's try not to screw this up. We only have one shot at this."

"Don't worry too much," Emerald said. Both older huntsmen looked at her, and she gave a shrug, looking at a column of smoke that began to rise from the center of the palace. "He's a survivor. Something in my gut tells me that Jaune is doing decently for the position he's in." 'That smoke…it's caused by him. I know it is.'

"That thing in your gut better not be a child, or I'll definitely kick his ass," Lightning said with a growl. "I'm tired of waiting, so I'll see you on the ground."

She leapt, and Qrow let out a heartfelt swear before he and Emerald followed suit. "Well, fuck me…"

"Why are you bitching?" Emerald asked once they started falling. "You have that stupid magic that allows you to change into a dusty old crow." 'I have to rely on my landing strategy. Well, great start.'

"Because I'm willing to bet money that Jaune not only is down below mostly okay, but he did impregnate you," Qrow answered. He jerked his thumb to Lightning down below, who had already landed on the roof and was making her way to the rooftop entrance door. "And that means she's going to kick my ass first for being a bad luck charm."

"Is that your semblance? Being a pain in the ass?" Emerald asked half-sarcastically. As they fell closer to the roof, Qrow transformed and grabbed Emerald by the back of her shirt, slowing her descent enough for her to land with most of her aura still intact.

She got up, dusting her shoulders off, and Qrow landed next to her with a loud caw. "For the record, don't think this means I've forgiven you for making me marry the love of my life while incredibly intoxicated."

"Well, shit." Qrow drew his sword, clicking on it to extend the blade into its claymore form. "I was hoping you'd let it go already."

"Not happening." Emerald's Blazefire Saber was in its gun form, with a fresh supply of lightning bullets in it. "Time to whoop some serious ass."

Inside, the palace was in absolute chaos. Dozens of uniformed men and women were yelling angrily, and their rifles were already releasing their fire. Lightning was holding them off as best as she could, spinning her sword in her hands, but even she was being forced slowly back, and she gave them a grateful look when they showed up. "About time! There are too many for me to handle at once!"

"Sorry we're late to the party," Qrow replied with a grunt, flipping his sword's blade down to reveal the heavy shotgun inside. "We hit some traffic on the way." His shotgun blasted out, and the wide shot took down a solid six of their enemies at once.

Emerald fired too, providing additional support to the huntress. Their enemies' gunfire started to falter, and Qrow grunted before reloading his shotgun with fire rounds. "Pinky, hit them with your namesake! I'll unleash some fire!"

"Got it!" Lightning yelled back. She started to cast her magic, lightning bolts striking the Mad King's men and electrocuting them.

Qrow provided a few fiery explosions, and all Emerald could see was elemental Dust at its finest. The rounds from her Blazefire Saber provided covering fire, and soon their enemy's numbers had been reduced to half of what it was.

"Come on!" Qrow waved his hand, motioning them to follow him into battle, and suddenly the men and women were blasted aside by a giant fireball. They screamed in pain as they were disintegrated, and the three screeched to a halt, the chamber filling with smoke.

"What the hell was that?" Emerald asked, coughing as some of the smoke hit her.

"I don't know," Qrow said, coughing himself. "But I guarantee you it wasn't us."

The smoke started to clear, and out from it walked a man with long silvery hair and a black coat. In his hands was a ridiculously long odachi, and Qrow tightened his grip on his sword. "Light, you and Emerald go on ahead. This one is mine."

"Got it!" Lightning and Emerald ran, and the mysterious swordsman went to intercept them when Qrow attacked. Swords clashed, and Emerald looked back as the door slid shut.

"I have a bad feeling about this…"

Qrow slid back, panting heavily and watching as Light and Emerald went on ahead. He could tell just by the way his opponent moved that he was a deadly adversary, stronger than anyone he had ever gone up against before. 'He's strong. Really strong.'

"Hmm…" the swordsman murmured. "You are powerful. I can feel it."

"Who are you?" Qrow snarled.

"Hehehe…" The man laughed quietly before leaping towards him with unnatural speed. Qrow barely got Harbinger up in time to clash with the razor sharp odachi. Qrow's aura absorbed the force behind the blow, and the silver-haired man grinned menacingly. "I…am Sephiroth."

Sephiroth's sword clashed with Qrow's again, and the two began to trade blow for blow.

Qrow ducked under a swing, flicking Harbinger's blade down to use his shotgun. Sephiroth neatly dodged to the side, keeping composed despite nearly being blasted to bits.

He attacked again, and Qrow found himself on the defensive, a position he didn't often find himself. He parried blow after blow, and yet the bastard showed no sign of fatiguing anytime soon. 'He's not just powerful. He's incredibly durable, too; even my heaviest strikes are doing little to him right now.'

Sephiroth's attacks let up a little, and Qrow charged back with several heavy slashes of his own. Each time, steel met steel, sparks lighting up their faces as each sword continued to collide with the other.

"Oh? Where in Remnant did you find this strength?" Sephiroth asked.

"I'm not about to tell you!" Qrow returned through gritted teeth, raising his foot and kicking the man back. Sephiroth landed gracefully, avoiding a powerful downward swing from the huntsman in the process.

The two got in each other's faces again, and they started trading blows again and again, with Sephiroth still taunting him. "I've thought of a wonderful present for you. Shall I give you despair?"

Qrow slid back, digging his sword into the ground to slow himself down, and he panted for breath. His aura was starting to get seriously low, and he doubted he could last much longer at the current pace.

"On your knees," Sephiroth said with a sneer. "I want to hear you beg for forgiveness." His hand glowed with power, and he sent a wave of destructive fire towards the huntsman. Qrow leapt over the fire, landed, and met Sephiroth with renewed anger.

It was so damn frustrating. Never had he had an opponent last this long, and to make it worse for Qrow, it felt like Sephiroth was the one winning the fight. 'Dammit! This needs to end!'

Their blades met again, and Sephiroth dipped his shoulder to put Qrow off-balance. The huntsman stumbled, and Sephiroth elbowed him in the face. Qrow grunted in pain, rolling to his feet, and Sephiroth lifted him in the air and kicked him into the wall.

Qrow yelled out as he crashed through the wall, landing in the next room, and Sephiroth raised his sword in preparation for the final blow.

Qrow got back to his feet, seething in anger. His aura glowed brightly, signaling it was going to fall any moment, and he ran towards him with an angry cry. Sephiroth blocked the first two strikes, and avoided the next five heavy swings with his unnatural grace.

Qrow leapt up, ready to swing his sword down, and Sephiroth's odachi flashed. The huntsman cried out in pain, his aura shattering, and Sephiroth's sword went through his abdomen.

He struggled to break free, gasping in pain. Sephiroth smirked at him, his eyes glowing. "Is this the pain you felt, Qrow? Let me remind you. This time…you won't forget it."

A single black wing grew from his shoulder, and Sephiroth flung him in the air. Qrow tried to move Harbinger to block the strikes, but in his wounded condition he couldn't move fast enough.

Sephiroth stabbed him multiple times, each strike causing an extreme amount of pain to the huntsman. The odachi stabbed him in the foot, and Sephiroth slammed him back onto the ground.

Qrow crawled towards Harbinger, with Sephiroth hovering in the air like an angel of death. "Tell me what you treasure most. Give me the pleasure of taking it from you."

Sephiroth raced towards him, and yet…everything slowed down and turned white for Qrow. He heard a familiar voice behind him, one he hadn't heard in far too long.

"So what if it looks hopeless? If it were me, I wouldn't give up," she said.

Qrow knew that voice. It was his first love, and the one whose death he blamed himself for. "Summer…?"

"Hey, chin up, my scruffy bird," Summer whispered. "You have too much to live for now. Do you need a hand with him?"

Qrow shook his head, and he summoned his strength to stand back up, Harbinger in hand. "I'm sorry, Summer. For everything."

"Don't be. It was my own fault. And I want you to move on. Don't lose out to a memory."

Summer vanished, and Qrow leapt up to clash swords with Sephiroth again. Blood was dripping from the various wounds on his body, and he spat out a mouthful of it. "You don't understand at all. There's not a thing I don't cherish!" 'Time to use it!'

Their blades met, and Qrow activated his Limit Break. He became cloaked in blue flames, and he rapidly slashed Sephiroth. The silver-haired swordsman gasped at the first five, and he tried to spot Qrow with his eyes.

But he wasn't fast enough.

Qrow hit him with ten more strikes, breaking his aura and delivering the killing blow. He landed on the ground, catching Harbinger in his hand and glaring at the dying swordsman. "Stay where you belong…as nothing more than a bitter memory."

"I will…never be a memory," Sephiroth hissed. His black wing wrapped around his body, and he vanished in a flurry of black feathers.

Qrow felt his side, falling to one knee, and he gritted his teeth before starting to shuffle after Lightning and Emerald. "Well…"

"This fucking sucks. Hope they're having better luck at the moment."

Lightning let out a growl of annoyance as her and Emerald continued running through the palace. "Goddammit, why the hell is this place so fucking big? This guy has serious self esteem issues."

"He's definitely overcompensating for something," Emerald agreed. The younger woman had managed to keep up with her fairly well despite the huntress's experience, and so far had shown she was worthy of using her old Blazefire Saber.

"By the way, how do you think Jaune's doing?" she asked.

A loud explosion rumbled from deeper within the palace, and a smirk started to grow on her face. "I think he's doing quite well for himself right now."

"An inconvenience that will soon be rectified," a cold sneer said behind them.

The two whirled around, and Emerald let out a frightened gasp. Lightning couldn't blame her, and she started to seethe. "Salem…"

"Wait, who?" Emerald looked at the Grimm Queen nervously.

"Salem, the Queen of Grimm," Lightning answered. "She's the one behind all of this. Jaune's capture, Cinder's death, the Grimm…all of it. Everything went as she planned. Until we showed up, anyway."

Salem drifted towards them, her long black dress billowing behind her, and Lightning pushed Emerald back. "Get Jaune, and get the hell out of here. do not come back for me."

"But—"

"Now!" Lightning shoved Emerald out, and she spun her Buster Sword in her hand, facing Salem. She'd have preferred to do it with Qrow, but as he was currently occupied with that silvery swordsman, she'd have to handle the Grimm Queen long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

"How very like you to put the safety of others before your own," Salem said softly, a massive sword forming in her hand. The eyeball in it swirled around, and the blade glowed red with power. "That selflessness will be your downfall."

"Talk is cheap. Just shut up and fight!"

Emerald ran through the palace, panting and calling out her husband's name. "Jaune!? Jaune!?"

The palace shook as another explosion rocked it, and she stumbled before pressing on. Her limbs hurt, and each breath made her side ache. But she had to press on, and find her beloved husband.

And found him she did.

He was below her, in some sort of maze fighting off dozens of men at once. His sword was spinning in his hands to deflect their bullets, and Emerald opened fire to help him.

"Jaune!" She waved at him, trying to get his attention. "Up here!"

"Em!?" Jaune looked relieved to see her. "Oh, thank Oum you came! I'm kinda in a bit of trouble!"

"Kind of? Jaune…" Emerald shook her head, helping her husband out by shooting at his assailants. "Can you get a rope!?"

"A little busy at the moment!" he yelled back. He ducked under an angry slash, waggling his finger to taunt him. "Nuh uh uh. That wasn't very nice, was it?" He punched the man in the face, knocking him out.

'When did he get this trolly?' Emerald wondered, shooting a man off his rope. She grabbed it, tossing it down to the blond knight below. "Grab it!"

"Coming on up." Jaune grabbed hold, and he gave the men below the middle finger as Emerald hoisted him up.

"Really?" She let out an exasperated sigh.

"Hey, they fucking injected me with shit. I think I can be petty today." Jaune shrugged, and he gave her a tight hug. "Sorry."

"You better be," Emerald hissed, wiping a tear of happiness from her eyes. "Do you have any idea how afraid I was that you were dead?"

"Feel free to kick my ass later all you want," he replied softly, kissing her head. "Thanks for coming. How did you even get here?"

"Qrow, Light, and your old team came to help."

"All of them?"

"Yeah. All of them," Emerald answered. "Did you expect anything less?"

"Nah. Not really. It's good to see my friends have my back." Jaune shrugged his shoulders, and Emerald traced a finger down the surgical scars, having long been healed by his aura.

"Oh Jaune…what did they do to you?" she whispered.

"They injected me with something called Grimm essence," he answered. Anger filled his voice, and he started to shake. "They said it would make me stronger. They threatened to go after you if I didn't go along with it. I had no choice but to accept it."

"I wouldn't put it like that now," a man wearing a kilt and a crown on his head interrupted. Jaune bared his teeth in a snarl and drew his sword, Emerald doing the same. This must be the Mad King, who had her love captured and experimented on like he was a lab rat.

"Fuck you," Jaune snarled, ready to attack. "You made me into this…this thing."

"I made you stronger, boy. You're now capable of using your powers to become the hero you've always wanted to be." The Mad King smiled. "You can easily protect your beautiful young wife."

He bowed his head to Emerald, lightly tipping his crown. "It is a pleasure to finally see you."

"Wish I could say the same." Emerald aimed her weapon at his throat. "You kidnapped him, and tortured him...you're dead."

"Well, if that's how it must be…fine." The Mad King shrugged and drew the beautifully crafted sword that hung on his belt, holding it in a unique stance. "I suppose this is the closing act of our grand play."

"The end for you, more like." Jaune spun Crocea Mors in his hand, and charged with Emerald at his side.

Their blades all met with a clang, and the Mad King smirked. "Well, well, well…it looks like I'll be able to have quite a bit of fun after all."

His arm glowed red, and he cast a powerful fire spell. Emerald and Jaune leapt to the side, and their enemy chuckled. "What do you know? You actually avoided it. Color me impressed. I didn't think mere humans would be able to get out of the way of that attack, huntsman training or no."

Jaune gave him the finger, and the couple clashed with him again.

For someone in a kilt, the Mad King was extraordinarily fluid in his movements; he moved with the grace of a dancer, and his twisted smirk never left his face.

Emerald went in for a strike, and the Mad King dodged it. His sword hit her, and though her aura protected her from the worst of the damage, she was still flung back and slammed her head against the floor.

She groaned in pain, and Jaune snapped. He became cloaked in this dark energy, and with several lightning-fast movements he disarmed the Mad King and broke his aura. His sword clattered on the ground, and the Mad King let out a soft chuckle as he sank to his knees. "Well, well…it looks like I have finally been bested in combat. You have done very well, Arc. I commend you."

Emerald groggily got to her feet, and she saw Jaune standing over him, sword ready to plunge into his heart. Jaune's eyes were dark with fury, and she hobbled over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Jaune…"

He turned to her, and his eyes returned to normal. "Emerald…"

They had beaten the Mad King, and now had him at their mercy. There would be no forgiveness for the things the man did to her husband, or to anyone else who was innocent.

"We'll do it together." She put her hand over his, and the two sank Crocea Mors into the Mad King's chest. His eyes bulged, and he managed to give them one last grin before he sank to the ground.

His crown hit the floor with a clatter and rolled away, and the Mad King was finally dead.

Jaune let out a sigh of relief, pulling Emerald into a tight hug and kissing her. "Thank you…"

"I'll always be here, love." Emerald kissed him back, and the two set off back to where Lightning was holding off Salem. "We better go and rescue Light."

"Rescue her? Why?"

"…she's literally fighting the Queen of Grimm right now…"

Lightning and Qrow both hit the ground, and Lightning struggled up to her feet. "How are you feeling?"

"Like shit." Qrow was covering a nasty stab wound with one hand, kneeling down. He had joined her soon after she engaged battle with Salem, and even the two of them were having a hard time with her.

Salem herself was bloodied well; both huntsmen had managed to land significant blows on the Grimm Queen. But everything she took she dished back, and good gods did it hurt. Qrow's aura was still dangerously low from his earlier fight, and Light's had practically vanished after the sixth hit.

Not to mention they were tired, and the palace was starting to show signs of collapsing.

Qrow looked up at the ceiling and aimed, blasting a hole in the roof. "That ought to be enough room."

"Room? For what?" Lightning asked. She saw the stars twinkling above, and the realization hit her. "You intend for Jaune to use his Limit Break."

"Something like that." Qrow gave her a bloodied grin, and he fell facefirst, unconscious but alive.

"Sorry we're late. We miss anything?" Jaune asked.

"You missed him beginning his nap." Lightning jerked a broken thumb towards Qrow. "Don't worry; he's fine. Bloodied up, but alive. You're looking pretty damn good, considering."

"I take that as a compliment." Jaune grinned lazily, and he glared at the Grimm Queen, stalking towards her. "So, you're the reason I was tortured and turned into some sort of freakshow."

Salem spat out a mouthful of black blood, wiping her chin with a pale hand. "We gave you power. Don't you understand it, child? You're nothing but pawns to us."

"Maybe." Jaune shrugged. "Or maybe, this is finally checkmate." He raised his sword high, and Salem struggled to rise up as he used his Limit Break on her.

"Stars, rain down!"

"NO!"

A meteor crashed through the hole provided by Qrow, and Salem screamed in anger as her body slowly turned to nothing but black mist. It swirled around the room, and Lightning let her sword fall out of her hand with a sigh of relief. "Holy shit…thank God…it's finally over."

"Not quite." Jaune shook his head, and he hefted Qrow over his shoulders. "There's one more thing to do."

Jaune carried Qrow out of the palace, and was greeted by his old team. "Hey guys. Nice to see you."

Nora leapt at him, trying to tackle him to the ground. "We missed ya!"

"Nora, get off!" Ren scolded. He had a cut on his cheek, but otherwise looked fine, and he gave Jaune a brotherly hug. "It's good to see you again."

"Likewise." Jaune nodded, and he looked over at Pyrrha. the last time they met, she had run him out of their dorm. Back then, he was angry with her.

But now…he wasn't.

"Pyrrha, I'm sorry I lied. To all of you."

"No." Pyrrha shook her head. "I was wrong, too. I shouldn't have done the things I did. I'm sorry, Jaune."

"Apology accepted." Jaune gave her a friendly handshake, and noticed the last member of Team JNPR standing back. "Hey, what's your name?"

"…Jason…" he replied.

"Jason, can you make me a promise?" Jaune asked.

"What?"

"That you keep them safe. Lead them the way I never could."

"You have my word." He nodded, and Jaune turned back to give Emerald a smile. Everything was finally over.

He wrapped one arm around her waist, and sighed.

"Now…let's go home."

14 years later…

"Hey, Dad!" Dante Arc ran towards his father, clutching a wooden sword in his grip. "I finally managed to beat Vergil in practice!"

"Lucky hit," Vergil grumbled, wiping dust off his shirt.

When Emerald and Jaune finally got back, they found out a few weeks later that Emerald was pregnant, with a set of twins. As true to her word, Lightning did give the blond a few whacks for that.

"You two are getting to be quite strong, you know." He knelt down to ruffle his son's hair. "Soon, you'll be putting your old man to shame."

"No way!" Dante shook his head. "We'll never be able to beat you!"

Emerald made her way inside the kitchen, stretching up. She had just woken up after coming back from the doctor's, and she was confirmed to be expecting their third child soon. "Morning love. How did everything go?"

"Went fine." Jaune gave her cheek a kiss, and he rubbed her stomach affectionately while their sons bickered about who was the stronger, smarter, better looking, and had the bigger dick.

"So, is it going to be a boy or a girl?" he whispered.

"Not telling you," she whispered back.

Jaune chuckled, and he wrapped an arm around her.

Fourteen years had gone by, and they stayed happily married. One a knight, and the other the thief who stole his heart.

One drunken night changed their lives forever.

A/N: And that's it! Thank you to all those who made this fic so enjoyable to write!

Special thanks to blaiseingfire, who helped get this off the ground, and Austin Ga Kill, creator of the RWBY Drunken Marriages.

Thanks for the support and patience you've shown! Till next we meet,

-DPLxBeAsTxSnIpE