Chaos was everywhere. Houses either burning or already destroyed. Soulless beings slaughtering the Kingdom's citizens, with Royal Soldiers who trying to fight them back, but it seemed impossible with the numbers they attacked with. Thousands of deaths were inevitable as Jeremiah Arc the King of Vale stood on the castle's balcony with eyes wide in disbelief. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fist and tightened his grip on his greatsword.
Something then sweeped the air, landing on the same balcony with a loud thud. The armored-figure flapped its wings and rested it on his back. "Jeremiah," the figure greeted as if both were acquaintances.
Emphasize on were
"I suppose you'd tell me where Elias is?"
"Dead." The King replied grimly, still staring at his kingdom that onced prospered beautifully.
"You know it's not polite to not look at someone when they're talkin to you," He unsheathed his sword, looking at his self at the weapon's reflection. "and no, not that Elias. You think I don't know what's up with your son?" He chuckled, and stood beside the King."Look around Jeremiah." Pointing the tip of his sword onto the chaos that's the Kingdom of Vale. "I wouldn't create this beauty just for the fun."
Anger fueling the fire inside the King, he raised his greatsword and swiped down to his enemy, shouting his battle cry that rang throughout the Kingdom of Vale.
The figure stepped back, evading the overhead strike by which the floor was made the victim. The blade sunk to the floor, creating a small web of cracks. Using his immense strength, the King unsheathed his sword from the ground and went to a combat stance.
"You will pay for what you have done!" He declared, frustration and anger the most present emotion.
-_/|\_/|\_-
She couldn't take it anymore.
Running away from danger that seemed to lurk every hallway within the Castle Grounds was definitely exhausting, and even if she went outside the castle, chaos was still present. Soldiers, townspeople alike fighting for their lives, even her daughters too were fighting, the three eldest atleast, the four others evacuated already. She hoped, last time she saw them, they asked for permission to visit the Festival of Vale, as it celebrate its 100th year free from Mantle(Atlas) rule.
But still she had to persevere, for him.
In her arms she held tightly, but softly, her 1 year old son, Jaune Arc, the Prince of Vale, who surprisingly was still asleep, his head lying on her mother's shoulder, oblivious to what is happening.
'Take Jaune, and get him out of here. Ochiron is after him, and he must live. For our and the world's sake.'
Take him she did.
'Run as fast as you can,'
Run she did,
'Take this ring. Use it to protect our son,'
and protect him she will. The Queen raised her hand, which was balled into a fist. The ring had a clear sight of the beowolf that broke through the window of the Grand Hall. The ring's crystal began to glow a light shade of blue. A bolt with the same color began to appear out of thin air until the color turned white, and then it pierced through the air and into the grimm's skin, ulimately killing it. The Queen continued running, even if exhaustion surrounded her feet, she still ran, maybe even faster than before. She made a sharp left, as the right was blocked by debris. Just behind her, more windows were smashed open, both from grimm and soldiers' limp body getting thrown by the former. She fought the urge of screaming from surprise, just so her son won't wake up and attract more grimm.
More grimm shattered through the windows, and most that did were infront of her. She halted in her tracks, and stood cornered by grimm. Looking at both sides panickly, she considered her options, well her lack of. The grimm just stood there, eyeing their prey of two. Then suddenly a grimm shattered another window, and it happened to be the one to her left. Her motherly instincts kicked in, using herself as a shield for her son, and she fully took the swipe of the beowolf and with her aura gone a massive gash tore through her dress and pierced her back. She gasped in pain, and the force pushed her forward slightly. With the pain too unbearable, she placed her hand on the wall as support. But in all, she never let go of her son who was still sleeping, even after what's happening. Losing her balance, she slowly slid to the floor, resting her shoulder onto the bloodied wall. She brought him closer to her and whispered into his ear.
Jaune smiled in his sleep, and slowly he woke up. As he did, his hood was removed from his head revealing the golden hair (by which he inherited from her mother), that illuminated in his mother's words. His sapphire eyes gazed upon emerald ones, and then he giggled softly, her mother replied with a weak smile.
"I love you... Jaune..."
Then life slowly leaked out of the Queen, her eyes drooping until it finally closed. She could barely feel Jaune's hands making contact with her mother's pale skin and similar blonde hair. She cherished these last moments, well she cherished every moment she had with her family.
The sound of weapons whirring and the distinct sound of it piercing the skin of the grimm placed her mind at ease.
"At least... he's safe..." were the last words she spoke until she cashed in her final breath of life.
-_/|\_/|\_-
4 hunters circled around the lifeless body of the Queen of Vale, with one holding a crying Jaune. They had their faces staring at the ground with regret, guilt and sadness, while paying their respects to the fallen.
"Ozpin..." called Bartholomew Oobleck, speaking slowly than usual. "We should return the child to the king."
"No." Ozpin looked out of the corner of his eyes, just barely spotting Glynda Goodwitch, holding the young Jaune Arc, stopping him from crying and squirming. "Someone coordinated this attack, it's impossible that this could happen naturally. Grimm numbers are higher than anticipated."
"So what should we do?" Asked Glynda, after she stopped Jaune cry and is about to put him back to sleep.
It didn't take long for Ozpin to make out a plan, "Bart and I will go to the throne room to check upon the King, you two will return to the military checkpoint where they held everyone refuge, Qrow'll be there, and I bet Jaune's sisters too. They'll take care of Jaune." Nobody questioned Ozpin's plan, as they trust that he knows what to do.
"Take care, both of you."
"You too."
With that, they went their seperate ways, Ozpin and Bartholomew quickly making pace to the throne room where Jeremiah's fighting his enemy, and it looks one-sided.
-_/|\_/|\_-
"Is this what the great King of Vale can do?!" He asked rhetorically
Jeremiah Arc somewhat stood and in a bloodied state, his left arm clutching the shoulder of his right (which held his greatsword) as he bled profusely. Jeremiah's enemy walked closer, when he was close enough, Jeremiah clasped his hands together and swiped horizontally with his greatsword even with the pain he's enduring. Jeremiah's attack was sluggish which made it easier for his enemy to dodge back, and to make a swipe of his own. Wounding the King's back as it made him drop onto one knee.
"I could see you meeting a fate similar to your wife." He said as he circled around the wounded King. "The Grimm made a wound like yours on your wife's back. But the only difference is, yours will be three!" He quickly slashed two more wounds on the back of Jeremiah with his sword. The King winced in pain, and got on all fours. The King's enemy laughed hysterically. "After I'm done with you..." he raised his sword, aiming to behead the king, "I will find your son, and he will be next!" and he shouted "Long live the King!"
Cliing!~
The sound of metal rang throughout the room and resonated inside the ears of four people.
"O-Ozpin..." the King lookef up and managed to utter out. Ozpin's attack was strong enough to push the enemy away from the King.
"Stand back your majesty," Ozpin ordered, "Bart, takr the King and out of here. I'll take care of this bastard..." With those words, Bartholomew Oobleck rushed to the King's side and helped him get up. They slowly exited the throne room.
"We're not done yet Jeremiah!" The enemy shouted, and raised his left hand. His aura enveloped his arm which shone the color of violet.
A green blur whizzed through and hit his chest. He staggered back and stared unto Ozpin.
"We're not done aswell, Ochiron." Ozpin answered back.
Ozpin gripped his cane tightly and initiated with inhumane speed bringing his weapon infront of him and stabbed forward with one hand. It met his enemy's blade, sparks flying out as metal kissed metal.
Ochiron swung his sword to the side, which pushed Ozpin forward. Seeing an opportunity Ochiron gave his own stab, but from a bent position Ozpin leaned back, barely missing the attack. Ozpin pushed the sword away, with his weapon that he held with his right hand. He then continued with a backhand swipe, but Ochiron stepped to the side to dodge the attack and did a horizontal slice which was leveled to Ozpin's head. To answer the attack, Ozpin leaned back again, Ochiron was stuck in the motion, so Ozpin swiped at Ochiron's side with his weapon. With Ochiron's aura less than the original, he started to reconsider the way he'll approach this fight
With that aside, the battle went on for minutes with neither side gaining the advantage.
With his patience tested, Ozpin compiled his aura and used it to form a bubble shield around him. He then compiled a bit more, but this time it's for his feet. Ochiron went into a defensive stance and focused some aura on his body. Again, Ozpin dashed forward, leavinh a faint green blur on his tracks. Ozpin's cane met the steel of Ochiron's sword once more, but both showed their strength, pressing each other's weapon against the other.
Ozpin clenched his teeth and furrowed his brow with Ochiron doing the same. But in the end of this display, Ozpin overpowered his enemy shattering his sword and throwing him across the throne room. The moon was visible through the window ceiling thus its light shone down upon the said room. Ochiron happened to lie down where the moonlight pierced through and from a distance Ozpin could see his adversary bleeding as it stained his shoulderplates and arm guards.
"Y-you were always a nuisance eh, Ozpin?" Ochiron managed to say as he stood up and winced in pain. Then he sent Ozpin a smirk.
"What can I say? I hate people like you."
Ochiron sighed, "I was really hoping to kill two birds with one stone, but here you are," He coughed, "standing infront of me, watching me as I slowly bleed to death. I thought I was the 'evil' one?"
Ozpin didn't asked back, and Ochiron's smirk grew way bigger "I always hated you, ya know?"
"And so did I."
"But I did enjoy this bout..." With that, Ochiron slowly dissipated turning into dust which flew to the open air. Ozpin watched as black dust moved with the air in the direction of the chaos that was the Kingdom of Vale.
-_/|\_/|\_-
It's been three days since the attack at the Kingdom of Vale, specifically its Capital. The multiple hunters that helped fight off the attackers stayed to help with the rebuilding process, even the Atlas Military led by General Ironwood were there to help by sending provisions and materials for the cause.
Ozpin, Glynda and Ironwood were looking over the map of the damaged areas, deciding which specific locations should they focus on the most. That is, until a soldier of the Valean Army showed up.
"General Ironwood, sir!" The soldier spurted out and saluted to the General.
Ironwood glanced up to the Valean soldier, "At ease."
"The King and the Council wishes your presence."
As they walked to the conference room, Ironwood pondered for a bit as to why the council seeks them, but the other two just waited to find out themselves.
When they entered the Conference room which was surprisingly intact, because its walls did not show any sign of damage, nor its windows. The three stood in a straight horizontal line with Ozpin on Glynda's left and Ironwood to her right. The councilmen and women stood in unison, except for the King who had trouble to do so. He was prompted to just sit down, but waved it off.
The three then bowed to the occupants that stood infront of them.
"Please, take a seat." The King offered
The three sat beside each other with Ozpin seated across from where the King was. Glynda's right was Bianca Arc, the eldest of the Arc siblings. Her light blue hair was stretched down to her upper back, with her blue eyes stared onto Glynda's green ones, both then nodded in acknowledgement of each other's presence. Meanwhile, Ironwood didn't even try to do the same thing on his side, he just sat down. Lastly, Ozpin sat and connected his fingers, with his elbows firmly planted on the table. He cleared his throat, preparing for the upcoming discussion.
After a short silence the King started to speak, "As you may know, this sudden attack wasn't a natural one, not only because Grimm numbers were unlike before but because of a familair face aswell. One of Salem's henchman coordinated this attack, with one clear goal of ending my son's life. With that said, it's not safe for him to be inside our castle walls as we all fear another attack and the only difference this time is that he may truly accomplish his main goal. So, I would like to propose a-"
"I'll take him." All eyes turned to Ozpin, the current headmaster of Beacon.
"Excuse me?"
"I'll take him. Raise him as my own, train him in the ways of a huntsman, enroll him to my school, and when the time comes I'll return him." Silence filled the room. No one expected that Ozpin could be that blunt.
"Then it's settled." The King declared.
"But your majesty, truly there could be a better choice."
"If there is one." Jeremiah stated, to which the councilman fell silent. "My son's life will now be on your hands, Ozpin. You are all dismissed."
Quickly everyone except Glynda, James and Ozpin remained and exited the room.
"That sure was quick. It almost seemed like he wanted to get rid of his own son." Observed Ironwood.
Ozpin hummed before saying: "Almost."
"Are you sure that this is a good idea, Ozpin?" Glynda questioned.
"Just like what Jeremiah had said, its the only option we have," Ozpin then smirked, "and to further make this plan sucessful, you are to be Jaune's mother for the time being."
Glynda suddenly tensed up as heat welled up on her cheeks until she glared at Ozpin. Ironwood, however just couldn't stop laughing.
-_/|\_/|\_-
AN: Here it is! My first fanfiction! Hope you guys will enjoy it. Feel free to leave a review, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask in a PM or in a review. Many thanks :)
2/5/17: Fixed some things, primarily the scene change/ line break things. Leave a review, follow or favorite if ya want. I'm mostly looking for reviews so I would improve my writing