Uploaded 13/9/2018

Ike_/ Good day to you, people of the internet.

Fred_/ This is a special story because it is not new.

Ike_/ Yes indeed. This story, although the base concept was originally my idea, was adopted from another author on this site. I made a request and he wrote the story. And I figured, I got time to kill, I'm decent-ish at writing now, I should totally adopt the story. Was it a bad idea? Probably.

Fred_/ You may be wondering why we have so many ongoing stories at once. As it happens, we both have our focus on our IRL jobs right now, and we write what we want when we want. But alas, you did not come to hear us talk. Or read us talk. Or whatever.

LV2_/ Howdy. I'm the original author, TheLongVersion2, and it's disclaimer time. My version of the story will still continue if I ever find myself a beta. But I realize it isn't entirely fair to everyone else that I promised more, and you may never get it. So I'm letting these guys go for it. They do not own RWBY, nor do they own Minecraft or any other element that they may introduce to the story. The plotline and characters are the results of our own creativity. And this story has been long overdue for a re-write.

Ike_/ Thank you, Ryan. Now shall we get started?

Prologue: Brothers In Arms

"Once upon a time, there was a boy. A boy just like you. And this boys name was John-"

"THAT'S MY NAME!" A child cried out suddenly, rising from the blankets that covered his petite form. His hair was a dark brown, and a complete mess. His big brown eyes stared up at his mother in excitement.

"Why are you so surprised? Mom reads you this story every night." An older boy said from his bed on the other side of the room. He sat on the edge, his light brown eyes looking at his brother in amusement. His black hair was much neater, although a little bit messy from working the farm with his father that day.

"Just you watch Shay, I'm gonna grow up to be the bestest knight ever!" John cried with determination.

"Get in line, John, cause the position of strongest knight belongs to me!" Shay said as he pulled the covers over himself.

"Calm down boys, I'm sure you'll both be strong knights someday." The mother said. Her voice was fine like silk, and her hair shined golden in the candlelight, and her brown eyes were filled with love.

"Keep going, keep going!" John cried out in excitement. The mother smiled and continued with her story. She spoke of great adventures, of white knights and dark casters. Of dragons and terrible monsters. But in the end, the boy who grew to be a knight always won. Until the end of the story. John never knew what happened in the end, because he could never stay awake that long. But everyone always assured him that it was a happy ending. Throughout the years, their mother would entrance them with stories of distant lands, terrible monsters and epic quests. At night the adventures continued in John's dreams. Little did he know that these same dreams would be his nightmares someday.

10 YEARS LATER

The sound of stone clashing against stone echoed around the farmyard, and dust was kicked from the ground as John backed away from his brother Shay. In John's right hand was a stone sword, which made swishing noises followed by dull clangs as John defended against Shay's onslaught of powerful slashes. Shay had a shield in his left hand, and a stone sword identical to John's in his right hand. Splinters were scattered on the ground some distance away, marking where Shay had relieved John of his shield. Both boys were dressed only in trousers, having shed their heavy boots, and shirts. Sweat glistened in the sun on their lean, but muscular bodies.

"You're slowing down, brother!" Shay taunted, thrusting his sword towards John's chest.

"So are you! Having to carry that shield for so long must be tiring for a senior citizen like you." John retorted with a smirk, parrying Shay's thrust and countering with a slash aimed at his neck. Shay stepped back, leaning just far away enough to avoid the deadly strike. The two of them began to circle each other, taking the moment to catch their breath.

"If I were so old John, You'd have taken my head off with that attack. I am only 5 years older than you." Shay spoke, a smile once again making its way onto his face. John's 16'th birthday was coming very soon, and Shay's 20'th had just passed. Shay hated to admit it, but John was faster than him and already just as strong as him. The only reason John hadn't beat him yet, was because Shay had more experience.

"So you admit defeat?" John spoke, grinning.

"The day you surpass me John, is the day that I lay down and die." And with that, Shay leapt at John, bashing him with his shield and slashing at John's left side. John ducked under the swipe and plunged his sword into the shields weak point. With a twist of his wrist and a good yank, John had taken Shay's shield. But John had no time to celebrate because without the burden of his shield Shay had enough energy to send another devastating hack and slash combo in John's direction. John dodged, parried, parried again than ducked under a swipe meant for his neck. Shay, getting desperate, took advantage of an opening he saw with a powerful thrust. But had Shay been in his right mind, he would have seen that the opening was given on purpose. John weaved around the thrust and struck Shay in the solar plexus with the pommel of his blade. Shay fell to one knee gasping for air and found John's sword at his neck within the next second.

"Do you yield?" John asked, barely holding in his excitement. Shay nodded, and when John offered a hand, he took it. But sooner had John pulled him up, Shay had swept his leg and pinned him to the ground.

"I never said we were finished," Shay said with a grin.

"You nodded! You yielded to me, you dirty cheater!" John cried, trying to escape Shay's hold.

"That could have been anything, dear brother. You've no proof that I yielded."

"BOYS! DINNER IS PREPARED, COME INSIDE!" John and Shay instantly untangled themselves from each other at the sound of their mother.

"To be continued, I suppose," Shay said, as they gathered their swords and began walking back to the house.

"Of course. But I totally beat you, and we both know it!" John said, smiling.

"I admit you have nearly surpassed me in the art of the blade, but you have yet to win a game of chess," Shay spoke suggestively, hoping to claim at least a single victory.

"Is that a challenge?" John asked, beaming at the thought of beating his older brother twice in one day.

"BOYS! GET IN HERE BEFORE I- "

"COMING MOTHER!" Both boys exclaimed at once, sprinting towards the house.

"You're moving your creepers already?" Shay asked, raising an eyebrow as John moved an important chess piece across the board.

"Some call it strategy. You should try it sometime," John said, leaning back in his chair and waiting to see what his brother would do.

The two sat at a chess table in the town square. Several other tables around them were also occupied, overseeing intense battles of their own. Chess was a common past time for many people in the village, so public chess tables had been made several years ago. Dinner had been as pleasant as always, although Shay had seemed a little bit distant. He had been that way since their father had passed away. Shay had always been close to his father, more so than John. Shay sat in thought for a moment, before moving his queen across the board.

"Dear brother, are you trying to lose?" John asked, taking Shay's queen with one of his knights.

"And what makes you think I'm doing that?" Shay asked with a smirk, sacrificing a creeper to take John's bishop. John's smile faded. Shay now had him in check from three different positions.

"How...when did you-" John asked in confusion.

"Some call it strategy. You should try it sometime," Shay said with a grin. There was nothing John could do to escape. Victory had been claimed. The two brothers reset the board and walked down the street together.

"Someday, Shay. The title of champion will be mine" John said.

"In your dreams, brother," Shay responded. A minute passed before either of them spoke again.

"You remember when we used to play on the ring?" John asked.

The two brothers now walked along a street in the middle of town, which had been the home of a busy marketplace for some time. The streets bustled with people around them, merchants calling out to passing people, and people stopping to browse in turn. The stone brick pathways were mossed over at the edges and in the small alleyways. At the end of the street was the town outskirt, the ten-foot stone wall that circled the village was easy to make out. But just in front of it, a large black ring stood, plastered to the ground by a marble platform. The ring was smooth, except for strange symbols carved in along the outside edge, and it was cold to the touch even on the hottest of days. Kids could often be seen playing around it, and some were even brave enough to climb to the top, despite the scolding of their mothers. John recalled that an older man had once told him that it was made out of obsidian.

"Yeah, I do. Mom nearly had a heart attack when she caught us once." Shay spoke fondly, recalling the memories John spoke of. "She always told us that it was dangerous. But we only ever saw the fun part of it."

Shay stopped at the end of the road and stared at the ring, lost in his thoughts. Shay stopped beside John and stared with him. It was a nice day, and although the sun beat down upon them, a cool breeze kept them at a comfortable temperature. Just past the ring was the plains which surrounded most of the village. Just past it was the dark forest, dark and ominous as ever. Plenty of people had told stories of terrible monsters lurking inside, but no one could prove it. In the plains, the long grass swayed with the wind, which brought the faint scent of flowers to John's nose.

"Having a crisis there, Shay?" John asked, curious as to why Shay would bring something like that up. Their mother had sent them to get baking ingredients, but that objective was far from John and Shay's minds now.

"What if being a knight isn't all it's cracked up to be? All we've seen up until now was the glory, the fame and the fun. But knights die every day. Knights fight wars, John." Shay spoke.

"Woah. Didn't expect something philosophical from you, of all people. Shay, there has been peace in Minecraftica for centuries. Where is this all coming from?" John asked, becoming worried about his brother.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Nothing ever happens in this town, anyway." Shay said, brightening up.

"That's right! And don't forget about our training, Shay. We're invincible when we work as a team, so don't you even think about dying!" John said excitedly.

"Speak for yourself. Since I'm the strongest between us, I don't know if you could hold your own out there!" Shay teased.

"Please, now that I've beaten you I bet you could barely fight off a silverfi-"

THUM*

Both brothers and everyone around them was knocked to the ground by a shockwave that shook the entire village. Stalls and shops were sent tumbling to the ground and cries of shock and pain rang out. The symbols on the ring began to glow, and suddenly a cloud of purple energy exploded forth, before receding back to the ring and creating a clear glowing puddle. For several moments, people sat frozen on the ground staring at the phenomenon. And then something came out. And then something else. Seven-foot skeletons with charred bones and stone short-swords began to flow out of the ring, attacking anything that moved. Stalls were knocked over as people scrambled to get away, and doors slammed shut, as others sought out shelter in their homes. The creatures gave chase, eager to cut down anyone that they could reach. Shay was the first to react, running to a stand that sold bows and knives for hunting. John took a moment to process what was happening.

Without the slightest hesitation, John grabbed the chair from a fallen stand and smashed it over the head of an approaching skeleton. The skeleton barely flinched and wasted no time in swiping its sword at John's neck. John ducked under the swipe and punched the skeleton in the jaw, ignoring the familiar pain of his skin splitting. The skull whipped around with the force of the punch and its jaw came flying off, scattering rotted teeth around the street. Another punch in the chest knocked the skeleton off-balance, allowing John to grapple its arm, and wrench the sword from its grasp. A second later, John had cut its legs out from underneath it. A creaking noise behind John alerted him to the approach of another enemy. He spun around, using the momentum to make a powerful slash. The sword shattered the arm of a skeleton that had been reaching for him, but it did not deflect the sword that was swinging towards him. John jerked back, but not fast enough to completely avoid the attack. John held in a scream as he felt the sword carve through his shoulder, and across his chest to the other shoulder just under his collarbone. For a moment, black spots swam in John's vision and he had to fight the urge to pass out.

'Crap, I underestimated the length of that sword!' John thought. This wasn't a shortsword like he'd seen the other skeletons using. This was a great sword, a two-handed blade meant for powerful attacks that could cleave someone in half with a single blow. And this creature had used it with a single hand. John had gotten lucky.

Through the spots in his vision, John saw the skeleton begin swinging the sword in an overhead arc, clearly meaning to split him down the middle. But with only a single hand, despite the incredible strength this skeleton boasted, it was a clumsy attack. John weaved to the left, parrying the greatsword as he went, throwing the skeleton off balance. Instead of killing John, the attack missed and decimated John's previous opponent with a sickening crunch. John took immediate advantage of this opening to swing his sword diagonally down, cutting the skeleton in half just below the ribcage. The two halves fell to the ground, eliciting a rattling noise followed by the sound of the stone greatsword clattering to the ground beside it. John spun back around towards the gate, and the sight of three more skeletons approaching greeted him.

John dropped down into a defensive position and steeled himself. Although his vision was back to normal, and the adrenaline blocked out most of the pain, John could feel himself wearing out. This was nothing like a sparring match with Shay. John took a few steps back, allowing himself a moment to better observe his enemies. The skeletons were certainly more imposing up close, and John could see that there seemed to be some sort of shadowy liquid holding each bone together at the joint. The bones themselves, although charred by fire, were rotted like a tooth riddled with cavities. This made the bones jagged and edged, rather than a regular smooth and curved bone. The skeletons on the left and right had hand axes, while the one in the center had a spear and a shield.

The two skeletons on the outside began to flank John, while the center one moved up slowly. The one on the right dashed forward, swinging wildly at his head, and John ducked underneath the attack with ease. Using the momentum of the attack against the skeleton, he flipped it onto its back and plunged his sword through one of its eyes before it could react. But when John looked back, the other skeleton with the axe was upon him with a lethal blow already in motion. Before either John or the skeleton could react though, an arrow lodged itself in the skull of the skeleton, and it collapsed beside John. John glanced to the right and saw Shay nocking another arrow.

"Rookie mistake, John! You aren't just fighting one opponent anymore, and as such you must be careful to never let any of your opponents out of your sight!" Shay shouted across the street, as he put an arrow in the eye socket of a skeleton that was charging towards him. Shay himself had several cuts and bruises, but John had no time to dwell on that. Both himself and Shay were still alive. And he needed to keep it that way. The spear suddenly hurtled towards John, but he managed to knock it away with his sword, then get in close and launch an attack of his own at the skeleton. John's strike bounced off the shield, and he had to jump back when the skeleton tried to bash him with its shield. John parried another lunge from the spear, then jumped again as the skeleton tried to sweep his feet. The skeleton spun the spear around and lunged again, but John was ready this time and grabbed the spear by the shaft, and ripped it from the hands of his opponent. Without a weapon the skeleton charged John, taking him off guard and knocking him onto his back. The skeleton raised its shield to smash his head, but John rolled out of the way in time and kicked the back of the skeleton's leg. The skeleton fell to one knee, and John got back to his feet and drove his sword through the back of its head.

John spun back around in time to see ten more skeletons come through the ring, creating a protective wall with their shields, spears sticking out from between the gaps. Behind them, something else appeared through the ring. A skeleton with dull silver armour came riding through on the skeleton of a horse. In his right hand, he carried a giant golden battle-axe and unlike the other skeletons, he had a glowing red light in each eye socket which seemed to scan the area before landing on John. This was no small fry.

"SHAY, THESE PEOPLE HAD THE RIGHT IDEA! WE NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" John shouted across the street. Another one of Shay's arrows met its mark between the eyes of a skeleton before he turned and shouted back.

"AGREED!" Shay called out. The two brothers turned and ran towards their own home, which was just outside town. But the other side of town was far away. Halfway there, John began to feel lightheaded. Then he started to feel dizzy. And suddenly John was facedown in the street, and his ears were ringing. It occurred to John that it was awfully wet and cold for such a sunny day. John felt himself being picked up, and his arm is draped over something. Shay's shoulder, he realizes. John looked down and noticed his shirt is soaked with blood.

'That's a lot of blood. Is that my blood?' John thinks, having a hard time focusing.

"Come on John, stay with me. Just one more block and then we're at the gate." Shay spoke urgently. The skeletons are nearly upon them, but Shay continues as fast as he can with John on his shoulder.

A skeleton manages to catch up, and swings its greatsword down at them. Shay shoves John out of the way and sidesteps the blow himself. The blade buries itself in the earth, but despite that the skeleton swings it in an upward arc, nearly taking Shay's arm off. Before it can make another move, Shay pulls an arrow from a quiver on his hip and plants it firmly in the skeleton's knee. With the skeleton demobilized, Shay manages to rip the greatsword from its grasp, and with a mighty swing, he decapitates the skeleton. Then the other skeletons are upon him. And John's vision went black.

John slowly came to, his senses fading in and out. He focused on the slur of words, but could barely make anything out.

"...oo risky...ould die if..."

"do i...he'll...anywa..."

"...I can...aking up..."

The pain was certainly clear, now. Had he hurt himself?

"...ohn! John, can you hear me?" Shay asked.

"ugh...yes. I think I'd rather be asleep though." John said, raising an arm to hold his head.

"Take it easy, John. You lost a lot of blood." Shay told him. John sat up and immediately regretted it, hissing in pain. The memories began piecing back together in John's mind, as he looked around. John looked around, and quickly figured out he was on a cot inside a medical tent. Several other cots were occupied, and the nurses attended them frequently. Something told John that the wounds under those blankets were much worse than his. Then something else occurred to him.

"Mother-!" John suddenly spoke.

"Is alright. As are most of the townspeople, thanks to the militia. They arrived just in time for us, but they weren't able to save everyone. Those that were saved are on the east side of camp." Shay said, trying to look strong for his brother.

"I see...and the town?" John asked. Shay's expression became grimmer.

"Under the control of those undead fiends. I tried asking the militia leader if they plan on taking the village back, but he wouldn't answer me." Shay spoke. John swung his legs over the side of the cot. To John's surprise, despite the cry of pain from his muscles, there was only a scar on his chest, rather than the grisly wound he remembered. When John looked to Shay in confusion, Shay explained.

"You were the first to come in wounded. They used medicinal potions and proper medical supplies. By the time these people came in," Shay spoke, motioning to the others in the tent, "They had run out of potions."

John nodded and stood. Before Shay could say anything, John had walked out of the tent, and after a quick scan of the camp, made a quick beeline for the command tent. When John burst in, the occupants were in the middle of a heated meeting.

"WHERE THEN! WHERE CAN WE GO!?" A man dressed in white studded leather armour shouted, through a thick brown moustache.

"The fire caverns are our only chance. We know that the outrealm creatures haven't made it that far north yet, and if we can get there before them we can fortify and prepare to make a stand." The man at the end of the table said calmly. Though his voice was calm, his expression was that of frustration. He wore shining silver armour, and a flowing silk cape reached down to his knees.

"IF we make it! We barely have the resources for ourselves to make such a journey. What of the refugees?" A man with long blonde hair spoke. He wore fine clothing and a cloak. On his back was a quiver.

"If I may be so bold," John spoke loudly, "I believe the village is the most defendable position in this region. And it has the resources to withstand 300 strong through a month of siege."

The tent went silent, and all eyes turned to the shirtless boy. The expressions on their faces became unreadable. Several minutes went by in silence, but just when John thought he might get dragged out, the man at the end of the table spoke up.

"And how do you suppose we take the village back, boy?" He spoke, his voice exuding authority.

"Would you consider me seriously if I were to tell you?" John asked, surprised despite his own previous confidence. He hadn't expected to get this far.

"Sometimes an outside opinion is helpful. When I have heard you out, I will decide whether you will be dragged from our tent for interrupting or not." The man spoke.

"Sir, you can't be serious about-!" The moustached man spoke incredulously.

"Peace, Sigfried. You know as well as I that we were boys when we joined the army." He spoke up, before motioning for John to continue.

"The outrealm fiends, as you called them, don't seem to pay much attention to strategic combat. So if you sent a small portion of troops to press the gate, then have them retreat, the enemy will pursue with their full might. Then, if you have the remainder of your forces lying in wait just outside the gate, they can move on the enemy from behind as they pursue the small force. Once you've flanked and surrounded them, it will be fairly easy to put them down." John said. Just as John finished, Shay came bursting through the tent flap behind him.

"JOHN! What were you thinking, charging into the command tent!? They could have-!"

"Peace friend, John was simply giving his valuable input. With the agreeance of my advisors, I'd like to bring him on. Tell me, boy, have you any experience with a blade?" The man asked. Sigfried went redfaced, and the nobleman let his head fall to his palm, mumbling 'not again'. Shay's jaw dropped.

"I do. But my brother Shay is a far better strategist than I, and just as good with a sword. Both of us are also skilled in archery." John said, now sporting a large grin.

"DARIEN, YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!" Sigfried shouted.

"Oh? Why not? You didn't have any complaints when I brought on Cilyan or the capital refugees." Darien spoke calmly.

"But they at least had military training! They are of the high station! These are but farm boys!" Sigfried spoke back.

"As an advisor of the general, they have my consent." The man with the cloak spoke.

"YOU TOO CILYAN!?" Sigfried exploded.

"That does it. The majority vote is to bring them on. Welcome to the Order Of Rose, boys." Darien spoke. John's smile grew ear to ear. Shay's face went blank, still not able to process what was happening.

"It is an honour, sir," John spoke, taking a bow.

"Of all the stupid, reckless, pig-headed things to do, you had to do this?" Shay asked rhetorically. Of course, this was his brother John. It could have been much worse.

"Of course. How else are we getting our village back? We can't do that crap on our own!" John spoke enthusiastically.

"Sure, sure, but the downside here is that we've been conscripted," Shay said back.

"I think the terms you're looking for are 'added bonus' and 'hired'." John said, maintaining his enthusiasm as he strapped leather armour to his torso.

"No, I said what I meant. And I meant what I said, John. Even if we survive this, our mother is going to kill us when she finds out." Shay said, dreading the verbal, and possibly physical beatings they would receive. He quickly decided to put on his armour as well.

"Well, look at the silver lining. We're knights! We're in an order and everything!" John spoke excitedly, as he pulled on a pair of fingerless leather gloves.

"John, we aren't knights. We are cannon fodder. There's a difference." Shay said back, losing his edge.

"Actually we're the bait. But you were close, A for effort Shay." John said. Shay's eyes went so wide John thought they might pop out of his head.

"What?" Shay said simply.

"We're the advance party. The bait, you know, like a fishing lure. But, for an army. A big army fish." John said, buckling a scabbard around his waist.

"John, tell me you're joking. Please." Shay said, beginning to panic.

"Nope. Isn't it awesome? We're gonna lure out the entire enemy force, then the rest of the order is gonna pull a pincer formation on them from behind." John explained, putting a quiver on around his shoulder.

"This is why I AM THE STRATEGIST! We are going to die! We can't hold our own against that kind of assault!" Shay almost shouted.

"If we get through this Shay, I will hold your own," John said, grabbing a steel sword and a bow. Shay sighed, and let a small smile grace his lips.

"Heh. You just had to make it weird." Shay said.

"Shay, we have fought together. We have slept and bathed together. We have worked the fields and trained together. And we'll sure as hell die together. How could it get any weirder?"

John and Shay took a few final steps and stopped. They were several feet away from the south gate of the village. The main force was circling around from the north side. They looked to each other for a moment, then looked back to their goal. The outrealm army mobilizing in the town square, barely visible from their position.

John wore white leather armour, with iron plates on his shoulders, forearms and shins. On his chest was a golden sword with vines wrapping around it up to the hilt, where a red rose bloomed. The symbol of the Order Of Rose. John was equipped with a steel bastard sword, a dagger and in his hand, he held a bow. Shay wore plated armour head to toe and had the same symbol on his chest. In his scabbard was a steel greatsword, and in his hand was a bow. They were as ready as one could be.

"You ready for this?" Shay asked.

"Ready. Brothers in arms to the end, I say." John said nervously.

"John, don't even joke like that. We both know this isn't over until both arms are severed." Shay spoke with a smile. And then, as the sun began to go down, they steeled themselves for battle.

Ike_/ Well, there it is. The prologue.

Fred_/ This could have been worse, I suppose.

Ike_/ Excuse me, sir. It isn't THAT bad.

LV2_/ Nah, the story ain't so bad. You guys just really suck.

Ike_/ ...*Begins sharpening knives*

Fred_/ ...*Prepares collection of dank memes*

Ike_/ Leave a review to let us know what you thought. Constructive criticism is appreciated, as are plain old comments and compliments. Now, excuse us while we demonstrate to Ryan how dangerous roasting mentally unstable people can be.

LV2_/ Pls send help...