Drago Cresta: Hello my readers I have a new story for you all. And yes I am still writing my The Monkey that became the Fox fic.
It just last June the laptop I was using to write a majority of my works just up and crashed. So I had to use every technical trick I know to recover my work, and even at that I am reduced to writing on my phone.
Yes I'm using Office Word on my phone to write now. Its cool though now I can take my writing anywhere. So I am still in the process of rewriting my One Piece fic. A bit time consuming on a phone but I will get it out with two new whole chapters when I finish.
Now that's out of the way we move onto this fic. I found out about RWBY by pure chance sometime in October of 2015, roughly. Essentially I saw the Yang verses Tifa Death Battle on youtube. And so I got curious of RWBY and looked it up. With the trailers alone I was hook line and sinker.
Recently it was at the same time watching RWBY I saw videos of For Honor and I felt inspired. There are some references from For Honor but nothing to much… I hope.
(pauses and waits for fic to start before palming his forehead)
Right the cast. One moment please.
(snaps fingers and teams RWBY and JNPR fall out of a portal that appeared on the ceiling)
Ruby: What happ… (trails off because of the side room)
Jaune: Whoa! (in just as much shock as Ruby)
Nora: Wow so this is how the inside of a writers mind looks like.
RWBY JPR: (stare at her at the weirdest thing she has said)
D.C.: (stares with an eyebrow raised) *And now we have walked into meta territory.* (*whispered or said under one's breath*)
Blake: What did you just say, and who are you!?
D.C.: Nothing that of any consequence. (brushing the question off) Now lets get down to brass tacks. (a long winded explenation later)
Weiss: So to put it simply we are here just for your enjoyment, and those that can see this somehow.
D.C.: Yes. (with a smirk that made Weiss angry)
Weiss: (attempts to draw her rapier to find it missing) What… where!?
D.C.: Right did I forget to mention there are fail-safes that prevent all forms of aggression. That is and is not limited to no weapons, no aura, no special abilities, and semblances.
Weiss: Fine! Do whatever it is you are doing and send us back. (crosses arms in an upset huff)
D.C.: Alright Jaune read this aloud facing that way. (hands Jaune a sheet of paper and points to you)
Jaune: (gives Drago a strange look, but shrugged and dose as he is told)
Drago Cresta dose not one the rights to RWBY and is simply expanding on its ideas with his own. Please enjoy.
Yang: If Jaune doing this then why are the rest of us here.
D.C.: Because I wanted you all here just to be here.
Black Knight of Arc
Choice is such a fickle thing. As they say; we never know what comes of our choices until the end. Humans are most guilty when one think of this, but even those of near demonic or divine might fall prey to this wise proverb. Such is the essence of choice. The truth is it's never the choice that matters, but what you do when the consequences of them catch up to you. So Jaune Arc... what is your choice...
Question of Choice
Chapter 1 The Knights of Arc
The Knights of Arc have long been hailed for their valor and horror both on and off the fields of battle. Though the true origins of one of remnant's most prominent, but forgotten families has long since been clouded by myth and legend. Even to the decadents of this day and age can only tell their history though an ancient legend passed from parent to child.
Long ago in the time when man fought both Grimm and each other. When huntsmen and huntress fought only for glory and coin. The protection of lands and people was left to the knights of lords and nobles.
Now it is unsure and is never stated what exactly had happened. All we know is a young knight of Arc lead a legion of men to ruin. In an eager attempt at glory and fame lead many of his brothers and sisters to death. This failure forced the lord he served to banish him from the lands. The knight had only requested that his family to be left untouched by his shame. For the knight's service his request was granted and taken out of Arc lands.
During first few years of his exile no lord or noble would even allow the knight in their lands. Even those he fought with when he still served the lords of Arc. Left with no choice but to stay near the outskirts of main towns and forts. He began to see the truth that he and other knights had failed to see, or deemed untrue. Yes lords and nobles protected their lands, and people. The elite and experienced knights stayed near capital cities and strongholds leaving the newly knighted and inexperienced to watch the outskirts.
This though left room for corruption and abuse. The use of status to demand for what ever they please without compensation. Posts left unattended, criminals bribing officials, leaving the helpless to die. All this paled in comparison to the elites of a lord burning an outskirt settlements to deny both Grimm and rivals the land. As he watched he also saw for the first time what a huntsman was truly capable of.
The man lived the true life of a nomad, never staying for more then a few days. He always came by the same route always the same cities and sentiments. He would thin the Grimm population, catch a criminal or two, or even help in the fields. Not once asking for payment, or acknowledged the praise given. If the people gave him coin for his work the hunter never took more then he needed to stay in town. The rest was given to the homeless or needy.
After his years of exile the former Arc knight's beliefs and convictions crumbled to dust. The knight now left with no name, no statues, no purpose. Maybe it was fate that lead the knight to drift near the towns and settlements the hunter frequent or coincidence. Then one day the knight after a long day working a field for an old farmer was drinking in the local tavern was approached by the hunter. He sat with the knight and spoke.
"Young knight you seem to be fallowing me," he jest.
"Not at all hunter. I have been avoiding the main capitals and larger towns," the knight replied plainly.
"Have you committed a crimes against them?" the hunter asked.
The knight paused for a moment before he answered. "I had lead a company of five hundred knights to their death. All in the name of glory. My greed and need for it has destroyed my name and had me exited from the lands of Arc. Now no lord or noble would allow me on their lands; even those I have helped before. The only thing that I am thankful for is my parents and siblings will not be shamed for my failure."
The hunter sat in silence and listened. After a moment he spoke once more. "You have seen how it is to live out here. Far away from nobles and lords honorable knights. I cannot say for other hunters, but for myself the people I help tend to make tall tales of my deeds. The glory you knights think we take for ourselves is just grateful peasants and farmers telling stories. People out here need heroes, and with most of the knight orders being the way they are. Hunters like me are the best option."
"I have noticed..." the knight took a swig of his mug. "I believed we are supposed to safeguard the helpless, protected the week, and speak only truth. Almost in every town I have been to the knights break ever promise made by taking our oaths. I do not know what to believe anymore."
The hunter looked over to the knight for a few moments before he finished his mug and spoke. "Come with me and maybe you'll find your belief once more." He stood up and walked to the door and out of the tavern.
The knight blinked a few times before finishing his own mug and fallowed the hunter.
And so after three years of his exile being alone the knight followed the hunter. The unlikely duo had traveled together for years learning from each other and of the worlds greatest threat. After five years both hunter and knight believed they had seen many horrendous, and heinous things. None but one other incident would ever come close in comparison. They were traveling to a settlement for from most lord and noble controlled lands, but on a major trade rout. The reason for this is that the population was mostly fannus.
For as long as the knight could remember he could not understand why people hated fannus. He saw no difference between human and fannus other then the obvious of course. Both lived and breathed, had souls, and hunted equally by the creatures of Grimm. So when he and his companion reached the hilltop overlooking the settlement they were shocked to the core to see it burning.
The duo without hesitation ran to the settlement to save as many people as possible. What they had expected was not what they saw. In the streets they saw human and faunas alike dead and slaughtered mercilessly. They saw knights as well and none appeared to have been slayed by Grimm.
From the bodies the exile had known that they came from the lands of Arc. All if not most had been knights from a very specific legion. The Thirteenth Legion of Arc, or as most would know them as The Blackstone Legion. Their leader known as the Blood-bathed Wolf, The Mistresses of Chaos, Lord Knight Apollyon Blackstone.
The young knight had once served under her and was instantly appalled by her methods. She took all sorts of criminals and thugs. Always claiming that humanity was nothing but that of wolves of war. And any who said other wise needed to be reminded of who they truly are, to be put in their proper place. Wolf or sheep that is how she saw the world, predator or pray, killer or victim.
To the knight for her to do this she would had to have earned a lot of power in the last eight years since his exile. Both Knight and Huntsman had decided long ago that those of the thirteenth needed to be stopped. Into the city they charged killing the remaining knights of Arc hunting survivors and earned allies from the local militia.
Though the knights of the thirteenth were criminals and scum many had their Aura still looked. The young exile knew this more then most when he still served under the deranged Lord Knight. Apollyon once said that only those that showed to be true wolves disserved the privilege to have their aura. The battle for the city was long and hard as knight and hunter made it to the thirteenth's camp. All had ended when the exile killed the knight commander of the attacking forces.
In the aftermath a fox fannus prisoner who used the attack to escape, and kill her captors had learned what had happened in the lands of Arc. Apollyon had killed the lords and nobles claiming the lands as the Kingdom of Blackstone. Their soul purpose was to bring the world to it's proper state. To remind humanity that their only purpose was to wage war, and bring chaos.
The exile was left with no choice but to prepare and build a force to stop the mad Lord Knight. So for four years the knight exile, the huntsman, and their new ally the fox fannus gathered an army.
They marched in to the lands once known as Arc. Their battles for the once prosperous lands were bloody and hard as they fought for every inch. While Blackstone army was far larger the exile's had more training and discipline. The battles were easily decided with the former knight's army slowly reclaiming land, and freeing the people from the madwoman. Soon those freed also joined the exile's ranks to farther bring an end to Apollyon's reign.
All their hardships, blood, tears, and sacrifices had allowed them to forced what remained of Apollyon's forces to Castle Blackstone. It is here that will decide the fate of the people of the former Arc lands. As the armies met in full combat the exile charged into Apollyon's throne room to face the Lady of the Blackstone Kingdom. Upon entering the madwoman turned her gaze to the exile.
"Ah… so it is you who has been causing such a fuss with my kingdom of wolves." Her tone was dismissive as if the former Arc Knight was nothing but a gnat.
The exile raised his sword and opened it's scabbard into a shield. Taking the stance that he had perfected over the years as a knight.
Apollyon laughed as she saw the stance. "Still you use the stance we created together so long ago. Do you wish to destroy me with our creation, with something that I know as well as I breath." Arrogance rolled off of her tone as she spoke and prepared her stance mirroring the exile.
No further words were exchanged between the two as they were not needed. In a single moment the world stood still as if the vary forces of nature waited with bated breath for what is to come. It was in this moment until the victor was decided there was peace, but as quickly as it started it ended. The exile and lord charged pushing their aura into their legs to further propel them into their enemy. Blades to shields, armor to strength, might to wit, skill to talent they fought from the throne room to the courtyards.
It was bloody, savage, and unrelenting to the point any and all that came near were ether cut down or brutally wounded. But like all fights to decide the fate of other it came to its final climax. In the fields that ones held the battle of the exiles and Apollyon's forces stood the two. The exile and his army behind him, and Apollyon across from him with her forces dead behind her.
Looking around her Apollyon laughed with madness leaking from her voice as she did. "To think that there were wolves in sheep's clothing among the weak and pathetic drivel subjects in my kingdom. Even more surprising is the animals are finally doing as they should." Her words met with glares by both human and fannus alike.
"It is over Apollyon! You have no more knights to fight for your cause! Surrender and pay the consciences of your actions!" The exile announced to the Lord Knight.
A moment had pass before she again laughed her madness clear as day. This action had mad many wary of the woman. "Do you really think you have won… you have killed the rabble that claim to be my army. You have faced the pariah that have cling to me so they may see themselves as powerful. No I have no need of them." With her final words her dark aura flared out into the night. Multiple streams of her aura shot straight up into the air and shattered into tens of hundreds of shards. As each shard landed in its place a wolf like humanoid being rose from it.
"I Apollyon Blackstone have ascended to a status even higher then the Grimm. I have unlocked the ability to manifest my soul in the physical realm. Before all who stand against me and my army of wolves!" The madwoman roared striking fear into the exile's army.
Only the former knight seem to remain calm at this revolution. The knight began to walk forward his aura began to flare out like Apollyon's earlier. It gave him a almost divine look as his white aura lit up the night.
"You are not the first nor are you the only one. I was exiled twelve years ago because I led a company of five hundred to their deaths. We charged into a horde of Grimm that outnumbered us a hundred to one. What no one but myself knew what had happened to the horde. On that that battlefield I awoken some semblance of myself, and slaughtered the entire horde."
The knights aura began to take the shape of armor that overlapped his own. Aura around his shoulder blades extend out into bird like wings.
BKOA Scene Change BKOA
"And so our ancestor unleashed his power upon Apollyon and her wolf army, and destroyed her evil once and for all. With the madwoman gone the exile reclaimed the land in the name of Arc and is still the home to all those that carry our name. Though even to us what had happened when the exile unleashed his semblance is shaky at best. We of the family, and Knights of Arc will never forget Arthur Arc, First White Knight, First Lord Knight of Arc Citadel" The aged voice of Gabriel Arc told his grandson.
The young blonde blue eyed boy that sat next to him smiling with wide eyes at the tale. This was a ten year old Jaune Arc who had convinced his grandfather to take him along one of the Arc Citadel's weekly produce runs. They were on a train to Vale intending to resupply the many businesses that buy them from the Citadel. Not far from the ancestral home of the Arc family but still the farthest Jaune had ever been. Far enough to have his mother and sisters worry, and nearly stop him from going. It took his grandfather swearing to keep Janne by his side at all times, and his father asking Beacon to send a team to meet them. Specifically asking the Headmaster to send team ACWA (Aqua) his sister's team.
If Jaune remembered correctly it was his twin elder sisters Aliyce and Claire, and their teammates Whitney Load and Adriana Coast. They were all first years at Beacon Academy and were so far the number one team of their year. With that the Arc women let Jaune follow the older Arc.
What no one knew was that another was about to make a choice, and it would lead young Jaune on a path that he was never intended to take. Though he would eventually stand on a path against the one who made this choice. They didn't realize that if started to early he would tear them down from their thrones much quicker then intended. But that is not here in this moment.
"Grampa… when we get to Vale can we go to Beacon?" he asked with a child like excitement. "I want to see how to Become a Huntsmen!" He smiled wide.
The older Arc fringed a thinking pose and pretended to think it over. Jaune sat and watch his grandpa bouncing in his seat waiting with bated breath. Gabriel held the pose for a moment more before answering.
"I guess why not. It might help you convince your father to train you sooner rather then later."
Jaune whooped loudly and nearly jumped up with joy. "And then I could be a mighty White Knight like you and Dad." The elder Arc was faster then most his age would have thought. He placed his hand on Jaune shoulder and spoke in a serious tone.
"Just one moment squirt. Don't get ahead of me just yet? We are only going to look around after we finish our business in Vale." He smiled at the boys still smiling face.
"Okay grandpa." Anything was exiting to a ten year old like Jaune.
The older man just laughed at his grandson. "Always ready for an adventure. One of the reasons I love my family." He thought to himself.
The train then jerked violently almost sending the two Arcs crashing forward. It finally stopped as the train did as well. The older Arc already knew something was going on. He reached for the magnum Dust round revolver strapped to his right thigh and checked the chambers. Closing it quickly he looked to his grandson.
"Jaune no matter what happens do not leave this cabin." The elder told the young boy firmly.
As Gabriel walked down the cars he could see the other passengers were anxious at what was happening. Quickly he reassured them that he would look into the situation. As he moved to the cars holding the cargo of the train he could hear what sounded like moving boxes. With his back against the side of the door he opened it.
Dust rounds came flying through the opened door in rapid succession. The shooters stopped firing after a minute of continues fire and waited. When no one came in the leader sent one of his men to check it out. One of the robbers cautiously walked up to the door, and quickly swung from side to side checking the middle section between cars, and found no one. He turned back to the leader and shrugged his shoulders.
Quicker then the four could react the Arc came swing in from the roof of the car into one of the side doors and fired. The attack caught the robbers off guard they didn't use their aura to protect themselves and died from single shots. Gabriel waited a moment before he holstered his revolver. When he checked one of the downed robbers he was met with something that angered him.
Each man wore red coats, black clothing, and had full-face masks of creatures of Grimm. These were the traditional style of the Branwen Bandit Tribe. But the implication was not what angered him it was the symbol that each one had hidden on their bodies. He had only noticed it on the first body because the tail end of it was visible from the hole made by his shot. A symbol every generation of Arc had been told to look out for. The hollowed heart as his father and grandfather told him. The symbol of the witch and was once held by their greatest enemy.
As the elder Arc seethed in anger as another bandit came flying at him. Because of his age the older man was always on guard. He spun around dodging the reckless spear thrust, and pulled out a foot long rod. With a flick of his wrist the rod extended into a halberd with a wicked looking axe like hammer head, spear tip and back spike. Gabriel jumped out of the car to give him self more room to fight with his polearm.
The bandit came at the Arc with rapid thrusts of his spear. The aged knight backpedaled, deflected, and juked from side to side. Twisting two ends of his halberd shrunk into the size of a battle axe. He charged forward and slammed the bandit in the face with the axe shaft. The hit stunned the bandit allowing Gabriel to hook the man's leg and ground him. Stomping on his throat, and drawing his revolver firing the last two rounds into man head. He reloaded and holstered it once more.
Further down the train Gabriel could see eleven more bandits come toward him. He extended his axe back to its polearm mode, and with a twist of the axe head. Half of the shaft folded back with the back spike and spear tip retracted and shifted down the shaft to make iron sights. The axe head extended back to make a stock and opened a slot for the firing component. By inserting his revolver into the slot turning it into a mid to long range rife. In rapid succession he fired all six rounds down range taking out only one bandit.
Pulling his revolver handle back allowing the whole chamber to fall, and loading a new one. Once more he fired two more times before they got to close nearly taking his head. Quickly and with practiced ease he separated his weapons. Firing the last four rounds missing only one, but it didn't stop or deter the attackers. Holstering his gun, and block a downward slash from a katana with his halberd's shaft he noticed. The bandits had thrown away their masks each one looked like they had lost their minds.
"We will be rewarded for your death. The Lord Knight of Chaos shall return!" roared the bandit being held back by the halberd. Once more he shifted his polearm into battle axe mode, and shoved the man back.
The bandit words had greatly disturbed the Arc knight. To anyone else it would seem like the men had lost their minds, but to an Arc the men had made a very dangerous deal. As he move, dodge, and spun out of the men's fire and melee attacks. He never noticed he had someone watching when he shouldn't be.
BKOA With Jaune BKOA
Young Jaune really tried to do as he was told he really did. But being ten years old, hearing every adventure his parents and grandfather has had over the years, and just to active for his own good. He decided to go look and watch his grandpa in action. Slowly moving down the cars as not to alert the guards and other passengers. Following the sound of gun fire and fighting.
He found one of the cargo cars and ignored the bodies to look outside and see his grandpa. Watching as the elder Arc ducked, dived, and dodged in and out of the bandit's attacks. As he watched he got excited and made a choice that would forever altered his fate. In another life Jaune would not have followed his grandfather and the bandits would not have chosen to attack this train. A world where the Arc name had faded and nearly forgotten by this time. But that's nether here nor there is it.
"Show them what a Arc knight is made of grandpa!" cheered the young Arc.
"Jaune!" roared the elder Arc as he saw his grandson watching from the cargo car.
This lack of attention caused by Jaune cheering allowed one of the bandits to knock the elder Arc down. At that same moment every other bandit jumped to finish the downed knight. And in this moment the young Arc realized he had made a terrible mistake.
The world around him slowed, and faded into darkness. All he could see was his grandfather laying on the ground with ten weapons aiming to kill him. Than everything faded into a black void where there was no sound, no light, nothing but Jaune. He could feel the tears falling down his face and hear his sobbing, but everything seemed to come out slow. The air was thick almost like everything was crashing down onto him. His breath came in quick short busts like he was hyperventilating.
"Ease your mind young Arc. This place is a safe haven. You are safe." A calming voice called out to Jaune.
"I… I didn't… listen and now… grandpa's…" he hiccupped and subbed.
"He's not dead… at least not yet that is." The voice continued. "You see young Arc someone had made a choice. That choice has lead those bandits to attack your train. And ultimately lead you to me young Arc."
"Who are you?" asked the ten year old. The Voice chuckled at Jaune's curious nature.
"That is not important just yet." The Voice sound as if it was smiling. "You see you must make a choice right now Jaune."
"A choice?" Jaune was not sure what the voice was going on about.
"Yes Jaune, a choice. Will you stand there and watch as your grandfather dies. Or will you choose to save him." The Voice layed the options before Jaune.
"I…" the boy started but was stopped.
"But understand this Jaune for each choice comes consequence. The first will lead you to be a great white knight that will surpass your ancestors. The other will insure you will never be a white knight." The Voice had spoken with a serious tone.
Jaune now confused he didn't care for one of the choices and made it known. "I don't care I'll save my grandpa even if it means I will never be a White Knight."
The Voice just chuckled at the child. "Very well young Arc. The power that is rightfully yours…" a ball of white outlined with black energy floated in front of Jaune. "take it and change the world."
Jaune reached for the ball and touched it. Within moments the power entered into Jaune and spread throughout his body. It suddenly exploded out of the young Arc and flushed the dark world away.
The bandits and elder Arc never noticed or realized what had happened. All Gabriel saw was one moment he was about to be impaled by nine weapons, and the next a flash of white light throwing all the bandits away. As he regained his bearings he propped himself up using his axe. For the first time in a long time he found himself socked and at a loss for words.
Before Gabriel his grandson stood at the ready with eight ethereal blades floating and spinning around them. Each blade take the shape of a two handed longsword very similar to one the Gabriel had not seen in some time. From the patterns of the blades flight they were creating a protective line to keep the bandits from coming any closer. The one thing that bothered the elder Arc was the specter that seemed to stand in the same place as his grandson.
Standing tall with bright white armor the figure held itself almost arrogantly. Two avian like wings each was at least twenty feet long stretched out to give a intimidating look. All in all it looked like the way all Arc's semblance that take a angelic like form. But what bothered the elder Arc was as all previous Arc aura was pure white he could see the black that outlined Juane's. The wisp like ends of his grandson's aura was as black as night, and gave everyone nearby a feeling of dread.
Arc's bring calm to their allies and demand respect from their enemies with their aura alone. And yet Jaune's aura made him feel empowered almost arrogantly, but from the looks of the bandits were as if they had looked into the face of death. Though the feeling didn't last long as one of the bandits shook it off and charged the young Arc. In sync both specter and his grandson moved effortlessly out of the way of the blind charge. Jaune held out his hand with the specter doing the same in perfect sync. In the specters right hand a ninth ethereal blade formed and a shield in its left.
This is the semblance all Arcs are known for. Divinity, the ability to turn ones aura into a construct of armor and empower one's weapons. To the scale of near divine power, but very limited to simply allow the Arc control of a battlefield. All are the same, but different for all those previous. Once mastered every Arc's aura takes the form of a divine being. Arthur Arc their founder took the form of the Archangel Michael. Gabriel despite his name takes the form of the ancient Shinto God Tsukuyomi. His form looking like the ancient Samurai Warriors of old. His son Michael had the form of the Archangel Gabriel ironically. But his grandson's form was one he had never seen anything like this. Obviously his form was an angel, but he had never seen any like this one in any of the Arc's ancient records of divine beings. His movements flowed flawlessly and gracefully in an confident unhindered way that seemed almost arrogant.
In a flash of movement he could barley see the specter in perfect sync with Juane slashed at the attacking bandit. As the bandit froze in place Jaune and the specter walked away with an regale stride. Moments later the bandit dropped to his knees spewing blood from a large gash on his chest, and fell dead. Eerily enough Jaune began to chuckle sounding like two people in sync.
"You want to bring back the knight lord of chaos. You will have to cut me down first before you have any sliver of a chance to do that." Jaune's dual voice sent shivers down everyone's spine.
It was said in legends that the Arc's divinity was more then just mere power of divine scale. That when an Arc used his divine form they actually connect to the divine being. The Arc's that have Divinity know that it is true. All of them could feel the guiding hands of the being, could hear their voices, and feel their essence protect them. Gabriel could hear his grandsons voice, but the second was that of a woman. One that was old and ancient like the feeling of coming before time itself. This only further unsettle him of the divine that Jaune connected too.
"Who are you divine scum," roared one of the bandits.
Faster then any could see the specter shot forward and held the bandit by the throat a foot off the ground.
"So the witch is aware of what divinity is capable of," amusement played on the dual voiced Jaune. "I'll give you a hint… I am the warden that claims all you undesirables," all could swear they could hear the smile the divine no doubt wearing.
Gabriel's eye shot open wide at the phrase as fear passed threw the bandits, and a flash of light flooded the field blinding any who looked over.
BKOA Scene Change BKOA
A red portal opened near one of the train cars. Moments later a woman stepped out of the portal. She wore a shallow cut black and red dress, five necklaces with an assortment of beads, a red girdle-belt, and a pair of matching gauntlets, with fingerless gloves underneath.
An object that looks to be made from feathers hangs from the right side of her skirt. She also wears detached black leggings with a red splatter pattern, and black leather boots. Her most distinctive feature is a fearsome, full-face mask that resembles a creature of Grimm. The mask has four eye slits, further enhancing the character's inhuman appearance.
Looking over she could see one of the bandits with a look of disgust. "I warned you taking an Arc train was a bad idea," she stated to no one in particular.
She continued down the line seeing the damage caused by her men. As she reached the last cargo car in the line she found an interesting sight. A blonde and blue eyed young boy most likely Michaels son stood over one of her men. The other eight were layed out with ethereal blades berried in their chest that were slowly fading away. She could also see the mostly faded specter that was most likely the boys divine form. What disturbed her was the look in the boy's eyes and the pure black wings on the specter.
Once the boys aura receded he remained on shaky legs before passing out. Behind the boy she could see Gabriel Arc down on one knee using his battle axe as a cane. Seeing no need to remain she began to turn away before the sound of a gun being cocked stopped her. Turning her head back to the Arcs she could see Gabriel with his revolver drawn and aimed at her.
"I taught you to finish what you start Raven. You don't get to walk away traitor," the elder Arc was trembling from exhaustion.
"These men attacked without my permission and against my orders," the now revealed Raven stated.
"So you were supposed to have waited for you mistress order. The witch promised to some how bring back your ancient Master of Chaos," despite his shaky voice spoke with anger.
"What are you going on about Master Arc?" a little confused at his words. "Have you finally gone senile while I was away," she chuckled to herself.
"You tell me why your men posses her mark!?" That actually caught her off guard.
"What… I would never make deals with the witch. You really have lost it." She was not liking where this was going.
The Arc paused at her genuine confusion before he laughed as he realized what has happened. "It seems like what I've always said has come true. You mentality of only the strong survive and the weak die has blinded you from what has happened right under your nose. Look at your 'men' Raven. They all have her mark."
Raven was just going to ignore the clearly senile Arc, but decided to humor the old man. If only too rub the man's age in his face. She looked over one of the men that had his chest slashed open. Admiring the clean but brutal attack clearly not one made by Gabriel's usual style. Then she froze; despite it covered in blood and sliced in half she could see it. The hallowed heart right over the man's heart. Quickly she checked every last one of the men from her tribe. And every last one had it in the same place.
She was sure that none of them had that mark, none of them were so weak as to side with the witch. Strength never lied they would never been so tempted.
"This is impossible… they would… I was sure…" for the first time in a long time she had doubt.
"You so sure about you way of life now Raven," the elder Arc chuckled.
"I need…" she quickly attempted to turn away determined to get to the bottom of this revelation. She was stopped though by the sound of several guns being cocked.
Looking around she saw two blonde girls one having red highlights in her hair. The one with the highlights was most likely Michael's eldest, she wore traditional Arc Knight armor with a few extra attachments. She also had an ADR type 22 leveled at her head.
The other blonde looked like she wore the Arc Rouge style armor and looked armed to the teeth. She must have had every conceivable weapon for her class of fighting. Knives by the dozens, long daggers, pouches for all assortments of bombs, Raven could see a coil of rope most likely a rope dart. And a drum loaded automatic crossbow aimed right at her vitals.
She could also see two others in the back with one holding what looked like a rocket launcher, and the other with a sniper. In her opinion if she had not had such a offsetting revelation like the one she just had she would not have been caught off guard. Though she knew she could take all of them. They were still just hunters in training and had no chance against a true huntress like herself. Just as she was too attack and escape she was stopped by a claymore blade being placed on her shoulder.
"Going somewhere Rae," came an all too familiar voice for Raven.
Turning to looked down the blade to its wielder she saw a white hooded cloak and silver eyes. She cursed internally at the situation she had found herself in.
"Hello partner," Raven could hear the irritation in her voice.
"Its been some time Summer," Raven tried to no too provoke the preverbal beast that is Summer Rose.
"Yes it has… we have a lot to catch up on," the sickeningly sweet tone of Summer actually made Raven whimper in fear. Let anyone and everyone know that Summer was not some one too cross lightly.
BKOA Scene Change BKOA
Jaune could not remember what happened after the voice spoke to him. As he awoke in a white room that kind of looked like a hospital. He could see other beds, but no one there. As he got out of the bed he was in he had the feeling like someone was calling him. Looking around he saw on a table near a door he could see an object on the table. Walking up to it he saw a sword that looked like the one his father uses.
Crocea Mors his father told him it had been in their family for generations. It was simple arming sword with a blue hilt, and the white sheath opened into a heater shield baring the Arc crest. This one on the other hand had a black as night scabbard, but he could see the small section of the gold Arc crest that always shows just like Crocea Mors. Without thought he reached out and grabbed the sword.
The moment he touched the scabbard he swore he felt complete and content. It didn't feel as heavy as his fathers sword allowing him to easily take it off the table. Not really needing any effort he drew the sword. Unlike his fathers sword this had an ash gray hilt wrap, but the same gold guard. He was stunned by the blades beauty. It was simple forged blade, but the metal was black and shined so ominously in the moonlight. Without a second thought he found the mechanism to open the scabbard. A heater shield exactly the same as his father's opened up in his left. Then he noticed the sword had a switch too. Flipping it the sword blade extended to thirty five inches and the hilt gained a few inches as well. The swords guard opened up into a more intricate design that also allowed Dust Crystals to be loaded into it.
All in all it was now a two handed long sword that allowed Dust effects along the blade for more power to ones blows. Jaune could see what looked like an engraving on the blade now that it was fully extended.
"Aequitas in Veritas… Justice in Truth," he remembered the lessons given to him by his elder sisters and mother.
Then it hit him it was night time, and his grandpa and him were suppose to be home right now. Hastily he returned the sword and shield into its default form and ran out the room. Never once noticing a pair of eyes watching him from the corner of the room, or the smell of fresh coffee in the air.
As he ran down the halls of where ever he was aimlessly just hoping to run into his grandpa. He heard voices nearby and stopped near a door. Listening in he could hear one of his elder sisters.
"Grandfather are you sure that is what you saw?" asked the eldest Arc child.
Jaune at this point got his ear against the door. He had to maneuver right as not to bang his new sword against it.
"But that would mean…" the voice of Jaune's father threw him for a loop.
"Yes son… Jaune will never be a White Knight." The finality in his grandfathers voice broke the child.
He understood the consequences of his choice, but none the less he was a child that just had his dream ripped away from him. To have his grandfather; his idol confirm it made it all the more heartbreaking. With tears in his eyes he ran down the hall away from the door not hearing the rest of the conversation between his family members.
He kept running until he found himself in an arena like area. The sounds of battle was what caught his attention as he moved forward. From where he stood he could see a woman in red and black fighting another wearing a white hooded cloak. The one in red and black had a red Odachi blade and was blocking the woman in white's red glowing claymore sword. The two continued to bounce around meeting blow for blow until the woman in white called to stop.
The one in white pulled out a scroll and was talking for a moment. As she closed it she looked the one in red and black, and said something he couldn't hear then disappeared in a whirlwind of rose pedals. He turned away to leave until a voice stopped him.
"You know child it's impolite to spy on people."
Jaune turned around and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the woman in black and red right next to him. He never heard or saw her move to next to him.
"S-sorry I just got lost and…" he tailed off as he thought of his family's talk moments before.
"You're not a strong as I thought you were. How disappointing." The woman's dismissive tone would have normally bring a child to tears. For Jaune it upset him deeply.
"Strength alone means nothing without purpose." Jaune's even tone caught the woman off guard.
"Even as children you Arc's and your idealistic views blind you to the truth of the world. Only the strong survive in the world and the weak die." She said with a tone of fatality to in her opinion correct the child's foolish views of the world.
"Only because the strong are too much of cowards to do what is right." His tone get steadily more heated.
That caught the woman further off guard. Had this child just called her a coward, and had the audacity to sound like he was scolding her. She would correct that and show this naive Arc the truth of the world before it swallowed him up.
"You have a sword young Arc." She stated as she notices what he was carrying. "If you really believe your own words prove it. Show me what it really means to be strong." She smirked knowing the boy had no training. He would back off and prove her point. A little underhanded to do to a child, but necessary in her opinion.
To her surprise and shock the boy drew his sword and walked out to the center of the arena. She hummed with slight approval at the boy owning up to his word. Not that it would make a difference. She was a huntress with years of experience in this dark world. He was nothing but a child with a lot of aura and a powerful semblance.
Drawing her Odachi from her rotary chamber sheath. Using a low grade red dust blade for this child. She would definitely not want the Arc matriarch coming after her if she hurt the boy to seriously.
"What's your name Arc? I'm Raven Branwen." If only to show respect to the Arc family name.
"Jaune Arc." He answered knowing it was meant to show that it was a serious matter. Jaune opened his shield and tried to mimic his father's stance.
The boy's sloppy stance, light grip on the sword hilt, and struggle to hold the shield properly was further proof of a mere foolish boy. She decided to end it quickly and cleanly. Charging forward and with a heavy horizontal slash she knocked the boy back nearly ten feet off his feet. The boy slid on his back a foot or two more before he stopped and stayed layed out. Raven merely shook her head as she turned away, and about to sheath her blade before the boy's voice stopped her.
"We're not done yet." Jaune called out.
Turning back she could see the boy use his sword to get back up to his feet. She could see his white aura begin to incase him. Not paying attention to the black wisp ends of it. No her attention was on the eight humanoid figures holding the eight ethereal blades to his sides. The one though that had her worried was the ninth that stood with Jaune. Its form now more clear then when Gabriel told her of it.
Standing at least six one, its armor now more pronounced, and showed a very feminine figure. That threw her for a loop, because all Arc knights throughout history had their divine form match their gender. The divine being match to a T to the Arc that used it. Why was this boy on the other hand different. Though what made her nervous and actually feel a little intimidated was the black avian wings on the angelic figure. She had always thought the Arc's that had angelic divines only had white wings.
"Why was this one's wings black as night?" the thought racked her brain to no end.
Staring straight at Raven the boy's eyes began to glow with his aura. Quicker than she thought the boy was capable of charged at her with the specter encasing him. Raising her blade to block the attack she was shock further when he cut right through it. Hopping back she switch out her cut blade for another higher grade blade. This one being blueish white for ice Dust using it to hinder the boy's movements by creating ice patches as she slashed the ground, and dodged.
This however after some time proved useless as she notice the boy's feet never once touched the ground that was frozen. She cursed as she dodged another slash at her head by the boy. As she swapped out another blade one of the other figures charged at her. Dodging at the last second she cut the basic specter in half and seemingly dispelled it. Now it was just the boy and the last seven specters. This gave Raven a sense of vigor as she now knew that the other specters were easily defeated.
Using more aura than she had ever intended to use for the boy allowed her to almost instantaneously dispel the seven specters. Now it was just the boy and her though he had made her use more aura than what was necessary for a child. But it seemed the boy was intent to leave her in a stupor for the rest of the night. She watched as the arming sword he held shifted into a two handed longsword.
He folded the shield and stabbed it into the ground leaving it standing straight up. Sliding the guard against the scabbard opening a Dust Crystal was shot into the sword's Dust Chamber. Now the blade began to glow with a red tint as the Dust effect spread throughout the blade.
It wasn't noticeable before, but now with Dust in the guard chamber intricate marking began to glow with the Dust. All in all it gave the black blade a very beautiful and intimidating look like no other. Jaune them entered into a stance that Raven had not seen before laying his sword flat side along his left forearm, parallel to his shoulders, and widen his footing to bring his center of mass slightly lower. It was a more stable stance then the one he attempted to mimic from memory alone.
He lunged forward using his weight to put more power into his trusting stab. Raven deflected it to her right sending the blade and boy almost flying in the direction. Unfortunately for her Jaune used the momentum to spin completely around into a fast horizontal slash. She managed to block barely avoiding being slashed in the torso. And with more effort than she thought should be needed for a child shoved him back forcing him away.
Thinking she had time to catch her breath loosen her stance, but kept her guard up. She watched as the boy raised his blade up in the air straight up, and slashed downward vertically. Raven's eyes widen in shock as a fiery crescent blade of energy came flying at her. Hoping to the side barely dodging the fast moving attack she was nearly cut by the boy coming at her from above. When she blocked his downward slash though the red glowing black blade cut halfway threw her own.
It was in that moment the world around her began to fade into black. She now felt like she was somewhere else entirely. Raven knew what had happened she had this happen before when she once fought Gabriel Arc. When an Arc who has a strong connection to their divine being and is emotionally invested in a fight as equally as their opponent. They catch a glimpse into a possibility of one's life. The last time this happened both her and the Arc elder had a conflict of views not to different from the one she shared with Jaune. She was still a student at Beacon then just about to graduate and her views of the world had irritated the elder Arc for the last time.
What she saw then was a glimpse of herself holding a blonde baby girl that faded as soon as she saw it. Gabriel had told her as soon as she came too that not all glimpses come true; something about nothing is set in stone and it was only a possibility. Though a year later to her surprise after dating Taiyang for almost two years she was pregnant, and gave birth to the blonde in her glimpse of possibility. For a year she was married to Tai and cared for Yang.
When she finally returned to being a huntress she realized she felt sluggish and weaker than she should be. She had nearly died facing against some sort of monster in wolf like armor that was not a Grimm, but a beast of a man. He had remained her of the truth of the world that she had denied as she raised Yang. So without a word or warning she left. At one point she had thought to take Yang with her, but changed her mind. Let Tai and Beacon teach her to be strong and when her daughter was ready she would bring her into the tribe. Raven knew she would have never made a decent mother anyways.
To tainted by the truth of the world around her, and would have ended up getting both of them killed before child was old enough to walk. She did try to get her brother to come with her as well. He just laughed thinking she was joking until he realized she wasn't. Said that one of these day she was going to face someone, or something more stubborn than her; and will have to choose something really stupid to make up for it. Like the drunk knew anything that was to come.
Shaking off her thoughts she looked around for what this glimpse was. Stopping when she saw what appears to be a ten year old blonde girl with lilac colored eyes.
"Yang…" she couldn't take her eyes of her daughter. "is this how she looks like now." She smiled at how her little dragon was coming along.
It happened faster than Raven could react, and was forced to watched as a familiar Odachi blade pierced through Yang's heart from behind. Yang had turned her head to see who had done it and seemed to tense up at who she saw.
"Mommy…" Yang's voice came out hurt and shocked in every aspect.
Raven was in no better condition at her daughter's apparent death by her hands. As if to add insult to injury she saw her mask come out off the darkness next the Yang's head. Raven's heart stopped when her other self raised her daughter up with the sword. She than grabbed the child's chin as to make her face forward and began to speak.
"I sorry little dragon your to weak to be my daughter. Best you die by my hand than by the hand of this cruel world." The other Raven sounded distant and uncaring of what she had just done. Letting the child fall to the ground before her as she violently ripped her blade out.
Looking at her daughter Raven could see that the girls gaze was on her. Her heart began to brake as she watch Yang reach out to her with tears in her eyes. Without a second thought she ran up to the vision of her daughter and held her close.
"Yang look at me baby, look mommy's here. Stay with me my little dragon. Please stay with me." She was desperately pleading. Everything within these glimpses seemed so vivid and real. Her heart had shattered when her child went limp in her arms. She could feel the warmth actually leave Yang's body as she hugged her as tightly against herself as possible.
"It was necessary…" came the distant tone of her other self.
Turning to look at the vision she was stunned at what she saw. Her other had her mask off and bared upon her forehead was the mark of the hollowed heart.
"Salem had plans for her." She said as seventeen year old version of Yang walked out of the darkness. She had a cybernetic right arm and had a hollowed heart mark on her own forehead.
BKOA Scene Change BKOA
Raven shot up into a sitting position on one of the beads in Beacon's infirmary. Looking around it took her a moment to get her bearings before she finally relaxed. She sniffled a little as some tears escaped her shut eyes. A voice caught her off guard again for the umpteenth time tonight.
"That glimpse must have been ether super great, or absolutely terrifying. I don't think I've ever seen you this close to crying." The voice spoke from her right side. She turned to see Summer walking in with Gabriel.
To the two that entered surprise as soon as Summer sat next to Raven the normally stoic woman all but lunged at her. She had berried her face in her partner's stomach and began to sob while cling to the white themed women like a life line. The elder Arc and white rose shared a look of worry. What ever she saw was enough to bring the ever unbreakable resolve of Raven Branwen; to a sobbing mess must have been world ending bad.
Through Summer's shirt and fits of sobbing Raven had told them what she had seen. To say the other two huntsmen were stunned would be an understatement. Summer was at a loss for words, but she quickly formed a plan.
"Rea how about we go see Yang. Maybe if you seeing her for yourself may put you in a better mood," she suggested for more then the reason she had stated.
"I do…" Raven trailed off. She was very apprehensive about the prospect of see her daughter especially after horrifying glimpse into a possible future.
Summer knew this was coming, and had a plan already set into place. "Look Raven… just come and see her in person. You can wear your mask if it makes you feel any better."
Reluctantly she agreed with a nod, and after a few moments of calming down looked to the elder Arc.
"Master Arc… the glimpse… it felt darker then when we fought?" she was asking why was Jaune different.
The Arc leaned back on his chair next to Jaune's bed. After a thinking on if he should tell them turned to face the women and spoke.
"Juane is different than any Arc knight that has come before. He apparently was never meant to be a Arc White Knight. No… he is much more he is… A Black Knight of Arc."
BKOA Chapter End BKOA
D.C.: Hey every one that is the end of the chapter.
(Dodges down narrowly misses being sliced in the head) (he looks to see Raven with her sword looking very mad)
Hmm… seems like my fail-safes have failed. I wonder how that happened.
Summer: Raven found that strange box in the backroom labeled failsafe, smashed it with her fist.
D.C.: And here I thought that no one would touch it.
(he dodges again)
Well that's out of the ideals to use for extreme cast members.
(dodges again)
That was a brand spanking new piece of equipment. Oh well… didn't seem like it would work on some people.
(dodged out of being bisected)
Raven: Stay still you sadistic bustard! Where do you get off doing that to Yang in any form, or me for that matter.
D.C.: That's the thing isn't it. In some form or way what I write is a possiblity in the theory when it comes to the multiverse and parallel dimensions.
Gabriel: Raven let it go. In here he as powerful as a god.
Raven: (reluctantly sheaths her blade) Gods can die as well.
D.C.: That we can agree on. So Gabriel do you mind sighing us out.
Gabriel: We hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Black Knight of Arc. Please leave a review if you wish, and we hope you tune in for our next chapter.
DRAGO OUT