A Dark Angel
Prologue
In a back-alley in Vale, on the night the world went to hell, a rocket-locker crash landed.
A blonde figure stumbled out, desperately fumbling for his scroll.
Have to help her... Have to save her...
Ruby! She could help! He quickly called her and pleaded, begged her to do what she could, then he hung up and burst into frustrated tears. He punched a wall, his remaining aura flared at the impact and spider-web cracks appeared. Then he heard the growl.
Turns out, dropping into a grimm-infested city whilst in serious emotional pain wasn't the best idea.
He looked around, he was alone and out-numbered, but the narrow alley would work to his advantage. He drew his sword, readied his shield. He knew that even if he fought three times as well as he usually did, his lack of aura would lead to his defeat and death. He knew that without help he wouldn't last long.
He was right
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St. Bernard's Hospital, Vale
Bright lights...
"Another one for you" said a woman's voice.
"The fuck happened to this guy? And before you say anything, tonight is not a night for jokes" said another voice, a man's.
"You want the long or short version?" Said the woman.
"I'd like the long version... Don't even joke" The man said sternly
"You're no fun" Said the woman "Name; John doe, and from how it looks, it might stay that way unless we get something from a dental..." The woman trailed off.
"Not gonna happen tonight." Said the man.
"Judging from the fact he has aura and a weapon and armour, we think he's a hunter" The woman continued.
"Shit, another one" Said the man sadly "What's the damage?"
"I'm just getting to that" Said the woman "Starting at the top and working down; Severe trauma to the back of the head. Multiple lacerations of varying depth and width across the scalp and face. On the neck, also multiple lacerations, these have healed somewhat, but they aren't continuing to heal, so his aura is obviously completely drained."
"Will he bleed out from the carotids? The man asked
"That isn't a concern." The woman stated "The torso and shoulders were covered by armour, but it was so..." She paused, searching for the right word "Destroyed, that the person who found him had to use their aura just to pry the chestplate off."
"Damage to the torso?" Said the man.
"I was just getting to that." Said the woman irately "The left shoulder is broken in two places, the right shoulder appears to have either a very large claw or a medium sized fang sticking out of it. About an inch lateral to the neck, any closer and, shwoof!" She announced, gesturing with her off hand.
"Continue" Said the man.
"On the torso are multiple lacerations as well as a few puncture wounds. He also has seven broken ribs, at various locations on his ribcage." Said the woman, looking down at the patient. "Will he make it? Can he make it?"
"You'd be surprised what I've seen people live through." Said the man, before hesitating "I will say that this is one of the more... extreme cases I've seen."
"Going to the abdomen, he has another claw or fang broken off about three inches caudal and one inch lateral to the bellybutton. As well as, you guessed it, more lacerations!" She said, almost jovially before noticing her colleague's glare and looking back at her clipboard. "Ahem, moving on to the limbs, these are probably in the best shape, the arms have severe bruising along most of their length, and both wrists are intact. No broken fingers, but also severe bruising on the knuckles of both hands. The legs are not in quite so good a shape, on the right side he appears to have broken both his tibia and fibula, and on the left he's torn his calf muscle. His thighs managed to escape untouched aside from severe bruising on both. Last but not least, both of his feet have been crushed."
Beyond repair?" Said the man, sadness again leaking into his tone.
The woman sighed "I wouldn't have said so, but, y'know, aura is a wonderful thing."
"That's part of what worries me" Said the man "His aura won't be able to help him, for the time being at least."
The man looked down at the patient. Still out cold, the damage he'd sustained... It didn't look good.
"Now comes the worst part." Said the man "I have to call the nearest hunter in to ID this kid, judging from his complexion I'd say he ain't from Vacuo. I'd guess he's a local boy. If that's the case, I know just who to call..."
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"What do you mean he isn't there? I'm looking right at him!" Said a tired, irritated voice "See! His eyes moved, he can hear me!"
"Mr Lie, the lights are on. But nobody's home" Said the woman from before. She looked down, unable to make eye contact. "He... he won't be coming back. You and your partner were called in so that you could say goodbye."
Another voice made itself known "No.." It said, barely above a whisper.
A small, feminine hand gripped the patient's left hand. "He can't leave us, he can't" Said the voice, clearly wavering "Jaune, please don't die. I'll dial it back a notch, I swear!"
"He can't hear you" Said the woman.
"Black... Birds... Are... Circling..." Came a raspy moan from the patient.
Then his heart-rate began to weaken, before flatlining completely. The doctors did all that they could, but it was hopeless.
30 hours after the death of his partner, Jaune Arc Died
