Chapter 1
The crisp night air bashed against the tents deep inside the forest, as the occupants lay there, in the cocoon of their dreams, in their attempt to briefly escape the horrible nightmare that is reality. However, one could not get out of reality as he lay there, completely still, waiting, hoping that all that is happening is all some sick dream… some farfetched nightmare. He lay… his eyes closed but mind not at peace.
Memories started to flash before his eyes. The screams of his love, the heart-broken kiss, the feeling of isolation as he was trapped in a metal box flying through the air, the helplessness as he waited for a sign that she was ok, anything…!
Jaune sat bolt upright, sweat pouring down his face as he tried to control his breathing. He looked to his left and saw the sleeping form of Lie Ren, his hair flowing down the makeshift sleeping bag. Jaune rose from his bed and slowly put his armour on, careful not to wake the sleeping ninja. He then stepped out into the cold, moonlit woodland and silently made his way to the river near to their encampment. As he lay on the dark sand staring at the calm water, his mind once again flashed back to the last night of the "Battle of Beacon".
He opened his eyes to him sprinting towards the CCT like a blur, faster than he'd ever gone, adrenaline pumping through his blood like a drug. His hands stung and seared as he hoisted himself up the elevator shaft using broken wires and jagged pieces of metal as hoists. He raised his sword and shield in a defensive position as he reached the top but was suddenly blinded by a silver light that engulfed the air. As the light faded he gazed at the mighty Grimm Dragon that seemed to be frozen in place as if suspended in time. His eyes travelled to the ground as he saw a bow lying on the ground but no sign of its owner. He then looked further on the floor… And then it hit him. The feeling of utter despair as he dropped to the ground, the crown that used to lay on top of a set of fiery red hair… and a bloody arrow that lay next to it. He gripped the crown against his chest as his face burned with tears, gushing like a wound. His fear grew as he saw his oldest friend lying on the floor, white and cold to the touch. Her silver eyes seemed to glow in the light. She had a pulse… He breathed a sigh of relief as he dialled a number and hoped that it still worked. A middle-aged female voice answered.
"Mr Arc…? What is it? Has anything happened?"
"I'm sorry Glynda but I don't have time to explain! Is Qrow with you?"
He heard a small muffled exchange and then the familiar voice of Ruby's uncle/drunkard.
"What is it?"
"Qrow, it's Ruby! I found her at the top of the CCT! She's unconscious! There was also this bright ligh…"
"I'm on my way! Do not leave her side!" Responded Qrow, with an urgency and seriousness that greatly departed from the drunken swagger that he's usually associated. Jaune slotted his scroll back on his belt as he wiped the tears from his face. As the time passed, his thoughts went from mourning to pure, unbridled hatred. He had never felt such rage towards the person who had done this. The person who had orchestrated this chaos, who had caused the injury of many of his friends, the death of Penny, the death of… her. His thought was briefly interrupted by the arrival of drunkle Qrow, who quickly pulled Ruby up into his arms as she twitched in pain.
"It's alright. I gotcha kiddo."
But as he and Qrow turned and left the CCT, his mind was set.
Whatever happened… he would avenge Pyrrha and his friends!
He would kill Cinder Fall.
Jaune's eyes fluttered open as rain started to fall, drenching him and seeping into his clothes. He sighed and rose from the ground, took out his sword and shield and wondered aimlessly into the forest, heading further from his friends and closer to the growls of the night.
Hey guys, thanks for reading! After doing this chapter, I realised that it is much, MUCH shorter than many other fanfic chapters. One reason I left it where it was was because it felt like a good stopping point. I will try to lengthen the chapters more if more chapters are wanted. If you liked the story and would wish for me to continue, or you have some constructive critisism (please no straight up hate for no reason), please tell me! Thanks!
