An Arc to the Past
To Chapter 4!
Chapter 4: Old faces we wish to forget
Jaune was sitting down at a restaurant with Pyrrha, having lunch with her.
"So we managed to beat the Timberwolfe, but it sure was a risky move."
"I'll say. That was completely reckless. Is that a method Qrow would use?"
"Pretty much." Jaune said with a shrug. "After that, things… kind of got complicated. Although I managed to unlock my semblance willingly, the rest of the experience sucked."
"You two had gone through so much." Pyrrha said as she looked down to a black kitten with white stripes and wore a green shirt on its body; a dull look on its face.
"I think he'd rather fight that Timberwolfe again instead of wearing that." Jaune said, looking down at the kitten. The kitten growled with annoyance. "Look, sorry if you don't like the disguise, but I can't just carry you around the way you are right now. Especially with Ironwood's men patrolling the streets." Jaune said. The kitten laid it head against its paws, still annoyed about the dumb disguise he was given.
"I'm constantly amazed of Alexander's feats. To make such devices in such a short time. I'm just shocked he's not on the honor role." Pyrrha said.
"Yeah well, despite being a genius in… well just about anything, people usually focus on battle skills in this world. I mean Reebok does have the skills in combat, especially with that Commander In Chief in hand, but he doesn't really like to get involved in combat much." Jaune said.
"Then why did he join Beacon?" Pyrrha asked.
"That's something I shouldn't say. It's more for him to confess." Jaune said.
"I see. Sorry for asking." Pyrrha said.
"Don't worry about it. Life is filled with questions." Jaune said waving it off.
"Yes. Yes it is." Pyrrha said, but then she gained a new red blush, alerting Jaune.
"What's up?" Jaune asked.
"Well… there's this thing that… well…" Pyrrha looked to the side, confusing Jaune. Jaune noticed something out the window making him look out it. "Jaune… there's this dance and… well I was wondering that… maybe you and I could go together." Pyrrha said turning to him only to see he was focusing on something out the window. "Jaune… is something wrong?" Pyrrha asked.
"Huh?" Jaune turned back to her. "S-sorry, it's just…" Jaune sighed as he took out some money and placed it on the table and headed out of the restaurant. Pyrrha was so concerned that she put money on the table for her meal, however Jaune had already paid for both of them, but she failed to notice as she and the kitten followed after Jaune.
They saw Jaune walk across the street and headed to a girl.
"Penny!" Jaune called out making the freckled android turn to him. "So you're finally back, huh?"
"Uh, I do not know what you are talking about stranger." Penny said looking side to side.
"Oh come on, don't be like that." Jaune said as he stopped in front of him.
"Sorry, but I really do not know you." Penny said. Jaune stared at her for a few moments before his eyes looked downward.
"I see you still kept the necklace Reebok gave you. I wonder when he'll give one for his girlfriend." Jaune said. Penny gasped with shock.
"Alexander has a girlfriend!?" Penny exclaimed with shock.
"Ah ha! Got you!" Jaune shouted with a victorious grin and pointed finger.
"Oh drat." Penny said looking down to the ground with shame.
"What's with you? Why are you pretending that we never met?" Jaune asked.
"I got in trouble when I got home. My father does not want me to associate with any of you anymore." Penny explained.
"Why? We're not bad people. Plus you could protect yourself."
"I know, but father does not want me to associate with anyone not from Atlas." Penny said.
"Well did you tell him we were your friends?" Jaune asked. Penny nodded yes. "Then what father doesn't want their kids to have any friends?"
"Jaune… I'm not… normal." Penny said. "Oh hello." Penny said noticing someone behind Jaune, making the blonde turned to see Pyrrha and the kitten next to her.
"Oh right. Sorry about the hasty retreat Pyrrha. This is Penny."
"Oh, so this is Penny. It's nice to meet you." Pyrrha said with a smile.
"Salutations!" Penny exclaimed with a smile and a wave. "It is an honor to finally meet you Pyrrha Nikos. I hope to face you in the Vytal tournament soon."
Jaune shivered as he remembered that battle from his original timeline.
"I've heard you'll be at the tournament. Our friend Alexander is excited to see you participate." Pyrrha said with a smile.
"Alexander said that?" Penny asked with a wide smile.
"Guy doesn't really shut up about you." Jaune mumbled with his arms crossed.
"He doesn't?" Penny asked with a smile.
"Hey are you trying to hide from Atlesian troops? Because some are coming this way." Jaune pointed out.
"Uh oh! I was never here." Penny then hurried into an alley before a pair of Atlesian guards showed up.
"Excuse me, did you see a young ginger girl walk by here?" An Atlesian troop soldier asked.
"Had a green bow? She came by here with a short dark haired girl. I heard that they were heading to the town square as they passed by." Jaune lied.
"Thank you." The soldier said before he and his partner hurried off to find Penny.
Once they were gone, Penny came back from the alley.
"Thank you Jaune." Penny thanked the blonde knight.
"What are friends for?" Jaune said with a shrug. "We were going to head back to Beacon. You one of the exchange students for the Vytal Festival?" Jaune asked.
"Yes I am. If you are headed to Beacon, I'll join you." Penny said with a smile.
"Cool. Reebok will be happy to see you." Jaune said with a smile as he started to head out.
"W-wait… I… I can't see him. I'm not supposed to see anyone of you." Penny said.
"You weren't allowed to leave your home either, but you came across mountains and seas to come to Vale. Teenage Rebellion is normal. Now let's go." Jaune said as he started walking away. Penny blinked her eyes at him, as then she felt a hand on her shoulder making her turn to see it was Pyrrha.
"I'm sure saying hello wouldn't hurt." Pyrrha said with a smile. Penny smiled back and nodded as they then followed Jaune with the kitten following beside them.
!
!
Once getting off the bullhead, Jaune leaned against a trashcan, holding his head.
"You finally managed not to throw up this time Jaune." Pyrrha said with a smile.
"I'm… managing to get better." Jaune said feeling woozy. Then his cheeks puffed up from upcoming vomit, but he managed to swallow it back into his gullet. 'Ugh. I hate it when that happens.' Jaune thought with a frown.
"Beacon looks even lovelier than I've seen in paintings and pictures." Penny said with a smile.
"Yes. It is always lovely to see." Pyrrha said with a smile.
"Uh huh." Jaune said with half lidded eyes as he was rubbing his forehead. He then noticed a certain green haired genius. "Hey Reebok!" Jaune called out to his friend, alerting both Reebok and Penny.
"Hey man." Reebok waved back.
"Hey check it out. Look who-" Jaune turned only to see that Penny was gone. "What the?"
"Oh so the disguise module still works." Reebok said with a smile as he walked over, looking down to the kitten who growled. "Sorry Saber. So far I've only been able to make it into a small pet shirt. Although not bad for a forty five minute project." Reebok said with a bashful smile as he rubbed the back of his head. "Say Jaune. Later I need you to see me later. I've been noticing something up lately."
"Alright." Jaune said as Reebok then left. "Now where the hell did she go?" Jaune looked around for Penny. Pyrrha then tapped her finger on his shoulder making him turn to her to see her pointing in a direction. Looking over, he saw Penny with a round glass street pole bulb over her head, acting as a sort of disguise, farther up ahead. "Oh you got to be kidding me." Jaune said.
Reebok was now walking by it and stopped as he turned to see the 'lamp'.
"Huh… interesting design." Reebok remarked as he continued walking away.
Penny pulled off the bulb and stared at the retreating Reebok.
"He considers me interesting." Penny said as she continued to stare at Reebok. Jaune walked up to her with his hands in his pockets; Pyrrha and the disguised Saber following behind.
"Why?" Jaune questioned.
"I don't know. Alexander's reasons are his own." Penny replied.
"No, I mean why did you just hide like that?" Jaune asked.
"I don't know! I just felt that I had to! I just saw him coming, and my instincts told me to hide." Penny explained.
"You were just nervous." Pyrrha explained.
"But feeling nervous isn't in my parameters when dealing with a civilian. Usually." Penny said.
"Penny, girls are usually nervous when they see or are around a boy they like very much." Pyrrha explained, placing her hand on Penny's shoulder.
"Have you ever felt that way yourself, Pyrrha Nikos?" Penny asked. Pyrrha blushed with her eyes widening a bit as her eyes glanced to Jaune.
"O-Once… or more." Pyrrha muttered. Penny gasped.
"Do you like-"
"Let me escort you to the dorm where the other exchange students reside." Pyrrha said as she quickly dragged Penny away from Jaune and Saber.
The blonde knight and kitten blinked their eyes before looking at one another with the Arc shrugging.
"You know, despite knowing the truth, it still surprises me that she actually likes me. Well you know, before the whole being badass thing." Jaune said as he and Saber headed for their dorm. "I mean I was kind of… green back then. If you catch my drift."
As Jaune and Saber were cutting through the courtyard, they bumped into a familiar face.
"Arc." Jaune looked up to see Cardin. "Fight me!"
"Why?"
"Because I think I can kick your ass now." Cardin said.
"Dude, I just got back from lunch. I don't want to fight on a full stomach." Jaune said rubbing his stomach.
"Don't wuss out on me man!" Cardin shouted pointing his finger at Jaune. Saber yawned as he laid down and rested his head on his paws as Jaune and Cardin started to argue. They were gonna be here for a while.
As the two continued to argue, someone was coming their way. Saber's eyes widened with his ears perking, before he then got up, turned around and growled as he got in his battle stance.
"Dude, what's with your cat?" Cardin asked pointing to Saber. Jaune looked down to see Saber in battle mode.
"Saber?" Jaune said the disguised Grimm's name with concern. However when he followed the kitten's line of sight, his face twisted into one of shocked horror. "No…" Jaune said breathlessly.
"Been a while Jauney." Vlad said with a smile as he stopped with 'welcoming' arms. Jaune stood frozen in place as he stared at the man that will ruin not just his, but everyone's future.
Cardin looked around Jaune to stare at a dark haired student who was about his height.
"Who the hell is the fruity guy with the big ass sword?" Cardin asked. Jaune remained silent as he stood their frozen. Cardin looked to Jaune to see the state he was in, which alerted him. If someone is able to put Jaune in this sort of state then that worried him.
"Oh don't tell me your so tongue tied to say hello to an old friend." Vlad said as he walked over to Jaune.
'He remembers… he knows? He… no… no God please, don't tell me he…' Jaune started to sweat with fear as his eyes widened further. Vlad then put his hand roughly onto Jaune's shoulder, making him flinch.
"It's been, what Jaune? A couple of years back?" Vlad said with a wide intimidating smile.
"Hey, you." Cardin started as he pointed to Vlad. "I'm talking to you tall, dark and-"
"My name isn't 'You' and it's not 'Tall, dark and whatever'. I'm ashamed that you haven't told anyone about me Jauney. Tsk, tsk, tsk. What am I going to do with you?"
"Hey douche! Don't ignore me!" Cardin shouted as he grabbed Vlad's shoulder, but he was suddenly kicked in the stomach, sending him flying into a wall. Jaune managed to break out of his stupor state and turned to see Cardin go right through a wall, breaking it down.
"Cardin!" Jaune shouted with shock and concern. Jaune glared at the smiling Vlad angrily. "Get your damn hand off me!" Jaune shouted as he slapped Vlad's hand away.
"Hostile, aren't you?" Vlad teased.
"No shit!" Jaune shouted with anger earning other people's attention. "I don't know how you got here, but I refuse to let you ruin the future again." Jaune whispered to Vlad with a raging glare and his finger pointed to the taller teen.
"Jaune… the future is already set in stone." Vlad said with a smirk, angering Jaune further. "You seem pretty tense. Is something wrong?" Vlad said, playing innocent. Jaune's fist shook as he felt ready to punch Vlad in the face. Saber growled at Vlad, but as the tall swordsman looked down at the Grimm kitten, Saber felt unnerved. "Well I'll leave that problem up to you." Vlad said as he started to walk away, but not before whispering one last thing into Jaune's ear. "If I were you, I wouldn't bring those cute little tykes into this world just to die a second time."
Jaune's eyes widened as he then grabbed Silver Eyes from his holster and started pulling it out, but a voice quickly spoke before it could come completely out.
'Jaune No! Cease!' C Ozpin shouted through their mental link. Jaune's arm stopped as his whole body remained trembling, trying to move.
'What the…'
'I'm sorry Jaune, but I had to control your nervous system. If you had pulled out that weapon, you'd be in real trouble. You know that's what he wants.'
'He killed my family!' Jaune argued mentally.
'I know, but you'll be playing into his own hands. I can't afford to have you do something reckless like this. Not when he's involved.' C Ozpin said. Jaune gritted his teeth as his hand trembled to pull out Silver Eyes to shoot Vlad right in the eye.
"See you in class Jaune." Vlad said with a smirk as he walked away. Jaune breathed heavily as he watched Vlad walk away. The madman. The killer who took his family's lives. The monster who brings everything to disarray. Was walking away, without a care in the world. It just made Jaune sick to his stomach.
Once making sure Vlad was as far away from Jaune as possible, C Ozpin released his hold on Jaune, allowing him to move. Jaune released air he didn't know he was holding, securing Silver Eyes back into its holster.
'Don't ever do that to me again.' Jaune spoke through his mind. C Ozpin stayed silent. Honestly he can't promise that. Jaune walked over to the broken wall where Cardin went through and helped him out. Cardin groaned as Jaune helped him out of the broken wall. "You okay, Cardin?" Jaune asked.
"Ugh. Who in the hell was that guy?" Cardin questioned as Jaune helped him up to his feet. "You know him?"
"Sadly." Jaune said.
"Who is he?"
Jaune narrowed his eyes as he remembered his past with the man.
"Just a face from the past I want to forget."
!
!
Later that night, Jaune was walking back and forth in his dorm room. Saber just laid on the bed, watching Jaune's pointless trot.
"How could he be here!? He shouldn't be here! It's impossible for him to be here! I thought I would never have to see him for years! I thought I'd be prepared to kick his ass again! I barely won the last time! Although, I still succeeded by outwitting him and using his own flaws against him. Still! None of this is good, none of this! Why is he here to ruin my life so early now!?" Jaune screamed to the heavens with his fists thrust into the air. Saber just yawned. "Are you yawning? Why Are You Yawning!? Don't you know how dire it is that he's here!? How Screwed the Future Can Get With Him Here!?" Jaune screamed as he knelt down in front of his bed with his hands slammed onto it as his head leaned toward Saber. Saber just stared at Jaune with dull eyes. Jaune sighed. "Look who I'm talking to. A Grimm that I've befriended and have only met in this timeline. Just great. I'm getting some milk." Jaune stood up and headed towards the kitchen.
Saber watched his friend retreat into the kitchen with stoic eyes. Once gone, Saber jumped down to the floor, walked right over towards the door and hopped onto the doorknob. He managed to open the door a bit, and once he bounced down he walked to the crack in the door to see Ren leaning towards the door with his ear to the wood.
Ren's eyes widened as he stared down at the Grimm kitten. Saber's dull eyes just stared at Ren's surprised eyes. They both stared at one another for a few silent moments.
Saber just walked right back into the room, without a care for anything at the moment.
Ren just blinked his eyes in surprise at the kitten's behavior.
"That kitten is a true enigma." Ren said.
"Ren." Ren looked over to see Jaune came back with a glass of milk, a plate of pancakes and half of one of the flapjacks hanging by his mouth. "When did you get here?" Jaune asked.
"Uh… just now." Ren answered, scratching the back of his head. "Wait, are those Nora's pancakes from the fridge?" Ren questioned pointing to the plate of pancakes. Jaune's eyes glanced to the stack in hand.
"Maybe." Jaune answered. Ren gave him a stoic look. Jaune quickly ate the pancake in his mouth before speaking again. "I get hungry when I'm nervous sometimes!"
"Why are you nervous?" Ren asked with his hands behind his back and walked over to Jaune.
"Ren… is there a face you hope to never see again in your life? And even if you had to face it, you wish you would never cross paths, even if you could be stronger than that being?" Jaune asked.
Ren blinked his eyes as he started to remember the Grimm known as the Nuckelavee that had attacked and destroyed his home village, Kuroyuri.
"I… have indeed felt that before." Ren said, trying to stay calm as he remembered the terrible creature.
Jaune knew he was thinking about the Nuckelavee, an despite not wanting him to feel the heartache of remembering that night he lost his family and village, he knew Ren and Nora were the only ones who could come close to understanding what he was feeling.
"I… kind of… crossed paths with someone I never wanted to see again, but I knew I had to someday. I just never thought it would be this soon." Jaune said with sad and worried eyes.
Ren saw Jaune's eyes shake with fear. He had never seen this side of Jaune before. Normally he is nervous, but his eyes displayed true fear.
"Jaune… who did you see?" Ren asked.
"A… guy I know. He's an asshole." Jaune said as he sat on his bed, taking a bite of a pancake and petted Saber, who was lying back on the bed.
"I have a feeling this person isn't Cardin, is it?" Ren questioned.
"You're right about that." Jaune said taking another bite of a pancake. "He's… his name is Vlad. He and I have a… sketchy past. Ever since I could remember I've always hated him. He's a… he's… I just wish he didn't exist." Jaune said with a sigh and his head hanging.
Ren stared at Jaune with wide eyes. To actually feel such a way for a person must mean something, especially since it's Jaune who feels this way.
"Is he here at Beacon?" Ren asked.
"Yes, and he wasn't supposed to! He shouldn't be here! How is he here!? It Doesn't Make Sense!" Jaune shouted as he stood right up to his feet, with the pancakes falling on the sheets of his bed, and he started walking back and forth. "How? How!? He Shouldn't Be Here! HE SHOULDN'T!"
"Jaune." Ren placed his hand on Jaune's shoulder, making his turn to Ren with wide fearful eyes. "I don't know what the relationship or history between you two is, but you shouldn't let it get to you like this."
"But I can't help it! He'll ruin everything!" Jaune exclaimed, grabbing Ren's shoulders.
"And letting him get to you like this will help in any way?" Ren rhetorically questioned with his calm demeanor. Jaune stared at him and sighed; his head hanging.
"No… no it won't." Jaune said, releasing his hold on Ren and turning away. "I just… I just don't want him here."
Ren looked to Jaune with sad eyes.
"No one wants something they dislike to be anywhere near them… but we must accept they exist… no matter how much we don't want them to. It is a priority to face them, even when they aren't near us. We can never escape them, for it is better not to, or else they will always have control over us." Ren gave a small bit of wisdom.
Jaune's eyes started to tear up. His back to Ren.
"I missed you Ren." Jaune mumbled.
"Huh?" Ren questioned with surprise. He wasn't sure if he heard him right.
Jaune turned around and placed a hand on Ren's shoulder, smiling at him.
"I'm just… Nora's not the only one to be happy to have you in their life." Jaune said smiling. Ren looked to Jaune with wide eyes. Why is he so… relieved? Jaune noticed something in Ren's eyes. "Ren… is something wrong?" Jaune asked.
Ren wasn't sure how to answer. Should he really ask? Or is it better to stay silent?
Suddenly the door was kicked open.
"We're here~!" Nora cheered with her hands up. Pyrrha behind her. Nora gasped as she saw the half eaten pancakes sprawled on Jaune's bed. "My pancakes~." Nora whined with sadness and anime tears rolling down her eyes. She turned and glared at Jaune, growling with anger.
Jaune just stood there like a deer in the headlights.
"Uh…" Jaune looked around. "It was him." Jaune pointed to Saber, who stared at him with a dull look.
.
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The next day, everyone was sitting bored out of their minds as Professor Port continued to spill stories of his past achievements, conquering Grimm. They did show how difficult they can be and effective ways to end them, but maybe writing notes and drawing diagrams on the board would be more efficient for them to learn the basics.
Pyrrha was trying to stay awake along with Weiss to take any notes that sounded important. Blake was reading her book, Yang and Nora were sleeping, Ren was practicing meditation, and Ruby was playing with her pencils again.
Jaune was just drawing in his notebook. It's not like he needed to know any of this anyway. He's fought enough Grimm for one lifetime to get the 'know how' down. Jaune was just staring down at his notebook, drawing a picture of a family.
Pyrrha's eyes were drooping, but she shook her head to stay awake. Pyrrha looked over down to Jaune to see him drawing. She leaned over to see what it was. It looked like… the drawing of a family.
Jaune was drawing a picture of his family. It wasn't Da Vinci, but it was definitely better than any doodle. Jaune smiled as he looked down at the drawing of the kids smiling, with Summer in Ruby's arms as she sat down on a rock with him by her side putting a thumbs up.
He smiled down at the picture, but then the memories flooded back. He frowned as he remembered the horror. His eyes shed a few tear, remembering the deaths. He then got really angry. He suddenly scratched the drawing up with his pencil, leaving a mess all over the family drawing. The last thing he did was write 'FUCK VLAD' in all capitals, before slamming the pencil down. He got up and headed towards the door, earing other students' attention.
"Jaune." Ruby whispered a bit loudly, causing Yang to wake up.
Jaune just walked out the door. Simple as that.
"Hm? Did someone leave?" Port questioned. "No, of course not. Who in the right mind would leave to miss out on this incredible tale?" Port exclaimed loudly with pride and flexing his biceps.
"Wait, so we can leave anytime and he wouldn't notice?" Yang questioned.
"Apparently so." Blake said.
Ruby quickly hurried up the stairs and left out the door. Yang stared at where her sister left with blinking eyes.
"Huh. It was that easy."
!
!
Jaune was walking aimlessly through the courtyard with his hands in his pockets. He really shouldn't have bothered drawing his family. Then again, you always need an outlet to survive boredom from listening to Port's stories. That's beside the point though.
Jaune's been in this timeline for like a few weeks now. It hasn't been easy trying to move on, when you've build up a life so well. A marriage that last for a decade or so. Having three children. A good profession as a huntsman, more to protect the world and its people; especially since it's a world your kids are going live in, so you want to do the best to leave it good for them.
All of that. Such a good life.
Stolen…
No matter what, that life will never be forgotten, and he doesn't want to forget it. Despite the pain he felt, it's what's making him go on. To stop that fate. So far he was doing well with this new life… but then… he showed up. Knowing everything.
How is he here, and has all this knowledge like him?
Jaune couldn't think straight anymore.
The fact that Vlad had returned so early not only enrages him, but it reopened the wounds on his heart left by the loss of his friends and family. Of the life he had.
He's been thinking a lot about that life now.
Could he even get it back?
Maybe he could do it all over again with Ruby, but it will still never be the same life he had before. For all he knew… he could have different kids.
He wouldn't mind having new little Arcs and Roses, but he still wanted Angel, Eon and Summer back.
Their lives had barely begun and yet they were already stolen.
If only he was stronger. If only he lend his aid sooner… maybe… just maybe…
…
Then again… he probably would have just died sooner, and without a way back to stop it all.
God, time travel is so complicated! A Real Bitch!
What he'd give to go back to that life.
There's nothing wrong with the life he has now. It's just… it's not the life he longs for.
He's a thirty two year old man who is now in the body of his teenage self. No family, a threat that could spiral the world in absolute chaos and worse he's back to being single again. Oh and trust me, that last part sucks, trust him.
Sure, he's experienced love already and had a family, but it sucks that the woman he ends up falling in love with, marrying and having three beautiful children with… is now a fifteen year old who still has some growing up to do.
And that's another thing that sucks!
Because he's lived for thirty two years, he's matured so much, while now everyone was… well… in a phrase… a bunch of brats.
…
Yeah, he wasn't sugar coating it people. Some of the people he knows were pretty bratty, *cough* Weiss *cough*, and immature. Although that's something to admire. As they say, ignorance is bliss, but mainly to another who wishes to not have worries like another does. The fact that all his friends are just being kids like he remembered, not worrying much about what's to come is actually very calming. However at the same time it instills worry as well.
What's to come is what worried him the most. He knows everything that is going to come… or at least he would if Vlad wasn't around.
The worse he had to worry about so far was the attack at the Vytal Festival.
The Fall of Beacon.
Dear lord, now that Vlad's here, he doesn't know how bad it's going to be. So far he's been coming up with ideas on how to make the losses on that day to at least be at a minimum. He has been thinking to discuss things over with Reebok and Qrow.
Granted the event was still like a month or so away, nearly two, but when preparing for a battle of such a scale, you must take advantage of the time you have. It's strategic warfare 101. Every moment counts.
Even so, he has been granted a second chance, so it would help to relax.
But how could he when Vlad and Cinder are here at Beacon, plotting.
God he needs a cold beer or something.
Suddenly someone jumped onto his back, and upon instinct he wrapped his arms around the legs to keep that person from falling.
"Hi." Ruby said with a smile.
Jaune stared at her in surprise for a moment, but then laughed.
Honestly… despite his turmoil… Ruby's antic really brightened his day.
"So why'd you leave in the middle of Port's class?" Ruby asked.
"I… have a lot on my mind." Jaune answered.
"Want to talk about it?" Ruby asked.
"I don't know."
"I'm all ears." Ruby said with a smile, leaning her head over to be next to Jaune's face.
"Of course you are." Jaune said with a smile. He sighed as he decided to shed a little truth on the matter. Best to do so, knowing how Ruby is. Thank goodness for fifteen years of practice. Ten of those being marriage. 'Huh… I just realized, I've known Ruby for only fifteen years. Damn.' Jaune shook the thought as he decided to answer. "I… crossed paths with someone who I despise." Jaune said surprising Ruby.
"Someone you hate? What did Cardin do?" Ruby asked, now getting miffed.
"No, no. Cardin and I are cool. I think. Besides, this guy is worse than Cardin." Jaune said.
"How worse?" Ruby asked.
"He's a King Grimm, while Cardin's a naughty puppy." Jaune said with annoyance.
"Whoa." Ruby said with pure shock. She never expected this guy to be that bad. From that, it sounds like this guy was pure evil. "So… how do you know him?" Ruby asked.
"He and I… have history… bad… bad history." Jaune's eyes became sad. Ruby started to worry by the look of Jaune's eyes.
"I… I hate to ask, but… what did he do?"
Now Jaune has to come up with a feasible lie. Can't just say, he killed you and our kids in another timeline. Oh, and I'm really an older Jaune in a young Jaune's body. Yeah, that's not going to fly. He decided to just say the first horrible thing that came to mind.
"He burned alive my puppy."
Ruby gasped as she had a look of pure horror on her face.
"He killed… a puppy?" Ruby started to tear up. "THE MONSTER!" Ruby screamed with pure rage. Unadulterated anger.
"Yeah… he really is." Jaune said with a frown. "Worst part is, he's here at Beacon as an exchange student here for the festival. I just can't get rid of him."
"Aw~, really?" Ruby whined. She can't believe a person like that is attending Beacon. "Hey! Maybe you can beat him in the upcoming Vytal tournament! I bet him having his butt kicked in front of thousands of people would embarrass him big time." Ruby suggested with a smile.
"If only it was that easy." Jaune said with a smile, chuckling a bit.
"It sounds easy to me." Ruby said.
"Trust me, it takes more than beating Vlad in front of a large number of people to humiliate him."
"Then what could?" Ruby asked.
"Making him take a step back usually."
"How does that help? He's just walking back." Ruby said making Jaune laugh.
"You really are cute Ruby." Jaune said with a smile as he stared straight ahead. Ruby stared at him in surprise as a red blush was on her cheek a heart appeared beside her head. "Hey, how about we get ourselves some cookies at the mess hall. Port won't notice we're gone until the bell rings." Jaune said with a smile. Ruby smiled brightly at his suggestion.
"To the cafeteria noble steed!" Ruby exclaimed with a finger up to the air.
"Neigh." Jaune said rolling his eyes.
"With more passion!" Ruby ordered with a louder tone.
"Neigh~!" Jaune exclaimed as he bucked a bit, making Ruby laugh as he started running towards the cafeteria.
Ruby smiled as she looked to Jaune's handsome smiling face. She blushed and smiled warmly. Ruby closed her eyes and snuggled her head into his neck. Jaune looked to Ruby with a smile and blush.
It felt nice to be like this again.
!
!
Later back in class, Port was still spewing on about his heroic tale.
The bell was about to ring in two minutes and Jaune and Ruby weren't back yet. Pyrrha looked to the door with worry. Maybe she should have went after him. He does need a friend, but Ruby did run after him so there wasn't much to worry about. All she had to do was put her trust in Ruby to help him.
Weiss, wasn't being patient. Her team leader just sped out the room after Jaune. She would be lying if she said she wasn't concerned for the blonde Arc, but to just leave in the middle of the classroom, even if it is Port's class, was a dumb mistake.
There was only two minutes left and the two leaders of RWBY and JNPR weren't back yet.
"Where are you Ruby?" Weiss whispered as she checked out the time on her watch. "One minute… darn."
"Hi Weiss." Weiss wailed a bit, falling off her seat. Ruby leaned over down to her best friend, who moaned on the floor.
"Miss Schnee, is something wrong?" Port asked.
"I…" Weiss managed to pick herself up, leaning against the table. "Saw a spider." Weiss said.
"… Understandable." Port said. The bell rang. "Oh, well look at the time. Guess I'll save that story for another day. Class dismissed."
Everyone scrambled out the door.
Yang sighed, rubbing her head.
"My brain hurts." Yang said. She heard slurping making her head turn to see Ruby sipping on a soda. "You got soda!?"
"No~. Bubbly chocolate milk." Ruby said with a smile.
"You two went to the mess hall?" Blake asked, turning her head to Ruby and Jaune.
"Yep. Jaune bought everything. And I am now hooked on this stuff! It's like soda mixed with chocolate milk! I love it!" Ruby cheered.
"How did you learn to do that?" Weiss asked.
"Trade secret." Jaune said.
"That he shared with me." Ruby said with a smile and her thumb pointed to herself.
"We Could Have Left Port's Class and Went to Early Lunch!? WHY HASN'T ANYONE TOLD ME THIS BEFORE!?" Yang screamed with anime tears and her hands shot to the air dramatically.
"Well now you know. Don't skip all the time though. Truancy is a vein buster for Goodwitch." Jaune said.
"Then you are so brave." Yan responded.
"Jaune, make me bubbly chocolate milk." Nora ordered.
"Later."
"Now!"
"No."
Jaune's shoulder was bumped into, making him turn to see Vlad glancing at him with a grin. Jaune growled as he stared at the bastard.
"Jaune, is something wrong?" Ruby asked as she turned to see him glaring at a very tall student. "Who is that?"
"Vlad." Jaune said as he stared ahead. Ruby gasped.
"That's him? He's huge!" Ruby said.
"Who's Vlad?" Nora asked.
"Never mind him." Jaune said, wanting to drop the subject.
!
!
Two classes later, Jaune was sitting on one of the benches in Combat Class with a bored expression. Two peopled were fighting below, while he and his friends were just sitting around.
"Trip." Jaune said as one of the fighters below tripped their opponent. "Elbow to the stomach." The fighter then jumped, slamming their elbow into the stomach. "Weapon near the neck." The fight quickly got up and placed the tip of their sword to the opponent's neck.
"How do you do that?" Yang asked.
"Hm?"
"It's like you know how every fight ends." Yang said.
'Not really. My memory's not pitch perfect. After all, technically this all happened to me fifteen years ago. Mind wise.' Jaune thought.
"Okay, next will be our final battle." Goodwitch spoke as she scanned through the list. She narrowed her eyes and adjusted her glasses to read the two entrees better, but sadly she sighed. How this happened? She wasn't sure. Someone probably hacked into the listing, but she couldn't back out now. That would be too suspicious. She just hoped things wouldn't be so bad. "Jaune Arc and Vlad Alucard… please come down."
"What!?" Jaune shouted with shock.
"Oh no." Ruby said with new worry.
Vlad smirk as he got up from his seat and headed down to the arena.
Jaune tightened his fists and glared angrily down to the floor.
"Jaune… is something wrong?" Pyrrha asked with concern, placing her hand on Jaune's shoulder, but he immediately got up to his feet and walked away, heading to the stairs that lead to the arena. Before he could make it to the stairs, he felt a hand on his shoulder, making him turn to see it was Cardin.
"Good luck man." Cardin said.
That was a surprise. Although it is welcomed.
"Thanks man." Jaune said with a nod, before he walked off.
"Did Cardin just wish Jaune luck?" Yang questioned with surprise.
Back in the day, that would never happen, but things are different now. Besides, despite their mishaps in the past, Jaune never harmed Cardin for no good reason. Cardin growled as he glared at Vlad. Even a jerk like him can smell a true monster a mile away. Plus, his meeting of Vlad and getting kicked into a stone wall was a very good reason to hate a guy like him. Especially with the smug grin on his face.
'I hope Jaune buries you.' Cardin thought with gritted teeth and a heated glare.
In the crowd, Cinder, Mercury and Emerald were looking down at the arena. Cinder was smiling, hoping to see much of Vlad's skills. After all, it's one thing to intimidate people, but in order to earn command and respect, you need to show you have the might to back up your words.
Ruby glared at Vlad with her arms crossed.
"Something wrong Ruby?" Blake asked.
"I hate that guy." Ruby said.
"Why? You've never met him before." Weiss said.
"True, but Jaune has."
"How does Jaune know him?" Pyrrha asked.
"They have bad history." Ruby said shaking her head.
"Like what?" Nora asked with curiosity.
Ruby's lip quivered as tears rolled down her eyes, alerting everyone.
"He burned Jaune's puppy alive~!" Ruby exclaimed making RWBY and JNPR gasp in shock and horror.
"Damn." Cardin said, hearing that part with his team, who were now disgusted.
"YOU MONSTER! I HOPE JAUNE BREAKS YOUR LEGS!" Nora screamed, pointing at Vlad, standing in the arena with his arms crossed.
"Oh, I hope he tries." Vlad said with a smirk, as Jaune stopped in front of him.
"I'll do more than that. Someday." Jaune whispered to himself as his eyes narrowed at the grinning Vlad.
"Are you both ready?" Glynda asked.
"More than ready." Vlad said with a smile.
"Let's just get this over with." Jaune said.
"Alright then. Begin." Glynda spoke.
The two stayed silent as they stared at one another.
"KILL HIM JAUNE!" Nora screamed.
Vlad grinned.
"You won't make the first move?" Vlad questioned.
"You first." Jaune said.
Vlad's grin widened. Vlad brought his hand up as suddenly his large sword flew into his grip.
"Where did that come from!?" Yang shouted.
Vlad spun the blade in hand and slammed the tip of it against the floor, causing it to shake and pieces of it to break upon impact.
Jaune took out Crocea Mors, readying for battle.
"Oh come on. No Excalibur?" Vlad questioned.
"How does he know about Excalibur?" Blake questioned with narrowed eyes.
"You want it? You got to earn it." Jaune said spinning his sword in hand.
Vlad grinned. He charged at a fast speed towards Jaune. Jaune brought up his shield, managing to block the giant sword down onto the shield so hard that the ground underneath Jaune to break apart. Jaune groaned as he felt the brunt force of the sword. Vlad quickly grabbed Jaune by the hair and threw him towards the arena wall, causing him to crash into the wall, cracking it. Jaune fell to the floor, feeling pain.
Vlad sent a slash that shot a blade of dark energy at Jaune, but Jaune managed to roll away, before it hit the wall, exploding a blast upon impact.
Everyone stared in shock.
"Whoa." Yang said in shock.
"Mm~~." Cinder moaned with delight, liking what she was seeing.
"Okay, maybe he has earned it." Jaune said, getting on one knee.
Vlad sped over at high speed, sending a hard kick that Jaune managed to move away from as Vlad's foot got stuck in the wall. Jaune quickly took advantage of the opportunity and slammed the bottom of his shield onto Vlad's knee making the dark haired teen grunt in pain, before getting smacked, flying away courtesy of the back of Vlad's fist.
Jaune rolled against the ground as Vlad pulled his foot out and placed it back against the ground.
Coming to halt and being on one knee now, Jaune glared at Vlad who smiled at him smugly. Jaune charged at Vlad, with the tip of his sword skidding across the ground, creating sparks. Vlad just grinned as Jaune charged to him with Crocea Mors.
Jaune slashed at him, but Vlad just took out his sword and blocked it. Vlad continued to block the smaller sword with his giant blade, using it kind of in a shield manner, with the tip facing downward.
"Not bad Jaune. I can feel the small vibrations, but that small stick obviously won't do much against Eclipse." Vlad said with a smug smile.
Jaune went for a stab to his face, but Vlad moved his head to the side and raised his large sword, now known as Eclipse, high up, ready to be slammed down. Jaune quickly jumped back, but as Eclipse came down, he was forced to bring up his shield to lessen any damage, but Eclipse slashed the shield in half with just the tip of it, officially destroying half of Crocea Mors.
Jaune's friends gasped and Cardin cursed as they had seen what the blade's tip alone could do.
Jaune skidded back, looking down to his hand in shock. He was only holding half of his family's prized shield while the other half laid on the floor. Jaune growled, glaring angrily at Vlad, who continued to smile smugly.
Jaune was about to charge, but after a few steps, he stopped himself. The others looked to him, surprised and confused on why he stopped; the same could be said for Vlad. Jaune looked to the destroyed shield with sad eyes. Closing them he took a moment to be silent. Jaune walked over towards the other half of the shield. He crouched down and picked it up. Walking over towards the exit, confusing everybody.
"Jaune… are you forfeiting?" Glynda asked, but her answer was silence as Jaune proceeded up the stairs. Everyone didn't know what was up. "I guess this means that-"
"No… he's not done yet." Vlad said with a calm tone.
Jaune had walked to the changing room, opening his locker. Jaune looked down at the two halves of the weapon that he had for so long. At least to him, consciously. Jaune closed his eyes. He remained silent for a few moments. He placed the two halves in the locker, before opening his eyes to look at it one more time.
"Thanks for always doing a great job." Jaune softly spoke.
Unknown to him, Pyrrha and Ruby were right around the corner looking at him. They felt saddened. The shield wasn't just important to Jaune. It was important to all Arcs. Now that it was destroyed, half of a family's legacy was ruined. Jaune closed his eyes one more time, silent for a few moments, he reopened them, possessing an angered gaze.
Everyone was still silent in the arena, wondering what was happening next. They all suddenly heard footsteps. Coming down the stairs and reentering the arena was Jaune, armed with nothing but the sword of Crocea Mors… and the shotgun on his back along with the pistol on the holster tied to the right side of his belt.
Vlad smirked, seeing Jaune return with his eyes closed. The Arc spun the sword in hand, slashed close to the ground, creating a gust of wind from the force that picked up dust. His direction look to Vlad, a gaze possessing silent rage and hatred. He brought up a hand with two fingers up and gestured the 'come on' sign with them.
Vlad just grinned as he tightened his hold on Eclipse.
Vlad dashed at Jaune, sending a hard downward slash that Jaune managed to avoid in time; the sword slamming so hard into the ground that it broke apart the floor, with the tip of the blade becoming indented into it. Jaune sent an upward slash, but Vlad actually released his hold on his stuck sword, managing to back away in time from the slash and sent a powerful head-butt to Jaune's head, sending him skidding all the way across the arena.
"Oh~, had to hurt." Yang said with gritted teeth as everyone felt bad for Jaune getting such a bad hit, especially one that managed to send him all the way across the arena.
"Thank Oum for aura healing." Nora said.
Jaune held his forehead in pain, all the while Vlad just calmly and effortlessly pulled out Eclipse. Jaune managed to get to his feet, glaring at Vlad with gritting teeth. However he realized something as he held his forehead. The gloves he was wearing… they were the armored ones that also covered the forearm with thorny rose carving on them. They were ones made by Reebok!
Jaune found a way to match Vlad's immense strength, and that was with enhanced force, along with natural speed and agility.
Vlad sprinted toward at a high speed. He went for an upward slash, but Jaune managed to move to the side, dodging the blade. Vlad's hands worked fast as when he slashed, he switched hands so he could sent a back punch to Jaune, but the blonde managed to duck under it and when he did, he immediately sent a hard jab to Vlad's ribs, causing a seismic shockwave that made Vlad grunt with gritted teeth, feeling his ribs break as he was sent flying straight into the wall, breaking right into it.
Everyone stared in shock at the feet, while Jaune blew on the knuckles of the gloves.
"Thank you Reebok." Jaune said with a smile.
Vlad broke out of the wall, charging at Jaune at high speed, sending a hard, fast upward slash that Jaune managed to avoid, but Vlad quickly switched hands in mid-swing and slashed at Jaune again, forcing the blond knight to block the slash with his sword, which only causing him to take a few steps back from impact.
Vlad started sending a barrage of slashes, forcing Jaune to send his aura into his sword in order to properly block the massive sword with enough strength, but Vlad's slashes were so powerful that blocking was all Jaune could do. If he fought with Excalibur it probably might match Eclipse, but in order to do that he'd still need to send a bit of his aura into the great sword.
…
…
Wait, why wasn't he using Excalibur again?
"You're wasting aura Jaune! This tooth pick of a sword can't compare to the power of Eclipse and you know it!" Vlad exclaimed with a grin.
"Don't make fun of my family heirloom, you sick fu-" Jaune was given an uppercut to the jaw, sending him up in the air. Vlad grinned as he went for a strong slash to cut across Jaune's midsection, but Jaune's eyes glowed gold as he was suddenly surrounded in a sphere made of light, parrying Eclipse and when it dispersed, it blinded everyone with a blinding light, forcing them all to cover their eyes, including Vlad.
'Damn! Too Bright!' Vlad mentally cursed. He always hated bright light.
Jaune landed onto the ground, grabbing the handle of Crocea Mors and rushing forward, sending a strong thrusting stab at Vlad. Vlad's instincts managed to pick up the danger. He quickly moved to the side avoiding the thrust and lifted Eclipse over his head, ready to bring it down upon Jaune, but Jaune quickly sent a side punch to Vlad's gut, causing him to hunch a bit as he felt his stomach churn from the force behind it.
Jaune quickly took the opportunity, by gripping the handle of his sword with both hands once more, and gave a loud cry as he sent a strong horizontal slash, managing to cut Vlad's stomach.
Everyone uncovered their eyes, looking back down only to gasp when they saw some blood hit the floor as Vlad took a couple of steps back, holding his stomach as it bled a bit. Vlad chuckled a bit with a grin.
"Looks like you're the one who drew first blood. What a shock." Vlad said still grinning. Jaune narrowed his eyes at Vlad, preparing to attack once more. Jaune rushed forward and sent a couple slashes, which were sadly blocked by Eclipse, being used like a shield again. Jaune gave a cry as he started sending a fast paced barrage of stabs, but Vlad was just blocking them with his sword, easily. "It's not going to work Jaune. That sword is useless with the fighting style you possess." Vlad suddenly grabbed the blade of Crocea Mors, shocking everyone. Jaune looked to Vlad with wide eyes, before he was sent flying back with a painful head-butt. "Your style relies on taking control of the battle, but with an antique like this, you know it will guarantee failure." Vlad said as Jaune skidded across the floor, holding his forehead. Vlad grabbed the handle of Crocea Mors, while still holding the blade in the other hand. "I can rid you of that problem easy." Vlad said with a smirk.
Jaune gasped as his eyes widened. He looked only to see with horror and shock, that Vlad broke the sword in half with his own might. Everyone gasped at what Vlad had done. Destroying a person's weapon, especially a family heirloom, was a horrid thing to do.
Jaune watched with silent horror as the other half of the Arc family legacy was broken in two as well. Vlad let the now ruined sword fall to the floor.
Cinder was smiling widely at the sight of Vlad's work. Destroying something that was so precious to his enemy, yet in her personal opinion, stupid and a waste, was a sadistic move and she loved it.
Jaune stared at the broken sword with wide eyes. He was speechless.
"You monster! How could you!" Ruby screamed with anger.
"Easy." Vlad said with a smirk as he brought his fists up, lining them up symmetrically. "Snap." Vlad said as he moved his fists in a snapping motion to signify how easy it was for him.
Ruby growled with rage and anger, along with some of the others.
'No wonder Jaune hates this guy so much. He's Evil!' Ruby thought.
"Jerk." Cardin said with gritting teeth. No even he would have done that.
Jaune hung his head. He felt both shame for letting his ancestral weapon get destroy. He honestly had no one to blame, but himself; he knew that. Honestly, what was he thinking?
But along with that shame, was rage. Pure unadulterated anger for what this man, this… bane of his existence has done!
Jaune slowly got to his feet, grabbed the shotgun tied to his back and as he slowly rose it up, it transformed into the large, great sword known as Excalibur.
Everyone stared in awe at the sword. It was magnificent and gave off an aura of power.
Vlad developed a wide, excited grin.
"Happy to know I've earned it."
Jaune slashed Excalibur downward causing wind to split apart and blow a gust outward to the sides of Jaune.
The arena was silent. Everyone's hearts were racing. Those who haven't seen Excalibur in action, wondered what Jaune was going to do with a sword so massive that it's even supposed to be bigger than him.
Vlad was excited to get to fight Jaune at his current best. The only man who ever truly beat him… he's been waiting for this moment for some time now and it felt like ages.
Jaune just had a calm, stoic expression, but a gleam of rage shined in his eyes. Within himself, he felt pure anger. The memories of the past flashed through his head. Remembering the pain and death that this man caused. The army he led to destroy the world only to rebuild it in his own image. Taking everything that mattered. Everyone he loved.
His friends…
His wife…
His kids…
Jaune was going to make him pay dearly.
The two tightened the grips on their swords.
Everyone stayed silent, watching down below.
Russel decided to whisper to Cardin.
"Are they gonna do anything?"
Suddenly Jaune and Vlad sprinted to one another, clashing their blades with great force, causing a shockwave to be created, which led to Russel yelping as he fell off his seat.
Jaune glared at Vlad angrily while the dark haired teen grinned at him.
The two pushed each other back and started slashing at one another, with their massive swords matching one another, causing sparks to fly. Everyone stared at the fight in amazement, seeing the two go head to head at a fast speed.
Vlad was managing to push Jaune back a bit. Vlad slammed Eclipse down, forcing Jaune to block it, causing the floor below to crack. Jaune quickly grabbed Silver Eye and shot Vlad in the stomach, making him grunt in pain and lose focus for a second. All enough time for Jaune to push Eclipse back, spin and slash Vlad to the side, sending him flying away.
Vlad skidded away, but managed to stay on his feet as he halted.
Jaune roared as he charged at Vlad, slashing Excalibur at him, but Vlad parried it and kneed Jaune in the stomach. Vlad grabbed Jaune's head and tossed him up into the air, slashing at him, sending him away.
Jaune flew away, rolling against the floor, but managed to skid to a halt in a crouching position. Jaune managed to block a sword strike in time. Quickly blocking a few more, Jaune slammed Excalibur against Eclipse, stopping and quickly took out Silver Eye, shooting Vlad in the stomach again, and started shooting up his body, with the last shot hitting directly in the forehead.
Jaune moved back a bit as he started spinning, slashing Vlad with Excalibur and shooting him with Silver Eye. Jaune quickly gave a hard upward slash, sending Vlad into the air along with himself and gave a roar as he slammed his sword down onto Vlad, crashing him into the ground. Jaune quickly changed Excalibur into shotgun mode and shot Vlad four times, but Vlad exploded with a black shockwave, sending Jaune away, hitting the wall.
Vlad roared as he went for a stabbing motion, going for Jaune's torso. Jaune quickly spun his shotgun around and took a shot, sending him towards Vlad, shocking everyone, as he shot Eclipse with Silver Eye, managing to move it enough for it to keep from stabbing Jaune, who clotheslined Vlad, sending him down to the ground.
Jaune rolled against the ground and skidded on one knee. Jaune quickly ran at Vlad, who got back up to his feet. Jaune went for a hard downward slash, but Vlad palmed him in his chest, sending him flying away. Vlad groaned as he rolled his neck, as Jaune skidded back onto his feet.
Jaune charged back, slashing at Vlad, who met his sword with his own. After a mini barrage of slashes, Jaune went to shoot Vlad in the stomach again with Silver Eye, but Vlad slammed a head-butt into Jaune's head, sending him into the floor. Vlad went for a hard slash down onto Jaune, but Jaune quickly spun out of the blade's attack and he took a shot to the floor next to Vlad's feet, only for the sound of some sort of glass shattered, making everyone look to see Vlad's foot was frozen to the ground, along with blue shards scattered around it.
'He used an ice dust crystal.' Weiss thought, knowing those shards anywhere.
Jaune charged at Vlad again. Vlad tried to slash him again with Eclipse, but Jaune slashed at his elbow, injuring him, forcing him to lose momentum, so Jaune could slide under the giant sword. Jaune quickly slashed at Vlad's body a few times, before sending an upward slash that broke Vlad out of the ice trap his foot was in, sending him flying up. Jaune quickly sent a barrage of stabs that hit all over Vlad's body and finished by quickly changing the dial on Silver Eye, changing the light to orange, then fired a large concentrated quantity of energy, hitting Vlad head on, sending him flying into the air, hitting the ceiling, and exploding.
Everyone stared up with dropped jaws.
"Overdrive." Ruby whispered with awe.
Vlad came back down to the floor, where Jaune jumped and sent a kick across Vlad's face, sending him away, rolling against the ground. Vlad slammed his hand against the floor in mid-roll, causing him to spin in the air and he landed on the ground feet first.
Vlad narrowed his eyes as Jaune glared at him. Vlad started to laugh with a grin.
"Jaune… let's be real… how about we take off the kid gloves." Vlad said as he spun Eclipse in hand.
"Yeah right." Jaune said with narrowed eyes.
"Kid gloves? They're not even serious!?" Yang shouted with shock.
"Well then, if you won't…" Vlad's blade exploded with purple energy. "I will."
"You're not even getting serious, you lying fuck!" Jaune exclaimed with annoyance.
"Language Jaune, we're in class." Vlad said with a grin.
Jaune changed Excalibur to shotgun mode, took out an add-on and placed it at the end of the shotgun.
"Suck a cock." Jaune said aiming his new weapon at Vlad; the barrel glowing at the end. Jaune took the shot, sending a powerful blast of fire.
Vlad slashed at the fire, breaking it apart with his sword. Jaune had used the shot as a distraction to get closer to Vlad. Changing the shotgun back into Excalibur, the blade actually burst with fire. Jaune managed to get in close. Vlad sent his broadsword down in retaliation, but Jaune spun around the attack and went to slash at Vlad's side again, but suddenly a giant dark violet hand burst out of Vlad's torso, grabbing Jaune and pushing him away.
Everyone gasped as Jaune was slammed down into the ground by the large hand. It then lifted the blonde up and repeatedly slammed him into the ground. Vlad chuckled, but felt something warm against his torso, making him look down only for his eyes to widen in shock as a glow of white was between Vlad's torso and the large hand connected to it. Bright white energy exploded from his torso, making Vlad scream as the hand vanished in mid-air, letting Jaune fall to the floor.
Jaune moaned with pain, as he managed to get to his hands and knees. He turned his head, only to widen his eyes as Vlad growled, sending another large dark violet fist to Jaune. Out of instinct, Jaune quickly summoned a white shining wing made of aura that managed to block the fist, causing a shockwave composed of light and dark, which sent Jaune flying into a wall and the giant hand to disperse.
Everyone stared in shock, but known more Glynda. Her eyes were so wide at what had just happened.
Darkness and light. Like the stories.
Jaune moaned as he got to his feet, only for his eyes to widen again as he saw Vlad's Eclipse transform into a Gatling gun.
"Guess what." Vlad said with a smirk. Suddenly four extra appendages came out of the sides of the Gatling gun. "I got an upgrade." Rockets suddenly shot out towards Jaune.
Jaune quickly jumped away before they hit the wall, creating a black charred hole. Vlad started shooting rockets and bullets at Jaune, who was running around the arena. Jaune quickly retaliated by shooting both his shotgun and Silver Eye at Vlad, hitting the rockets, while dodging some he missed and kept running from the bullets the best he could.
Seeing that he was getting near his friends, he decided to change tactics. Jaune charged towards Vlad, trying his best to dodge and shoot bullets and rockets. Once getting near, Jaune quickly changed his shotgun into Excalibur and Vlad changed his Gatling gun into Eclipse as Jaune sent an upward slash and Vlad sent a downward slash, causing them to clash and bounce off one another.
Jaune and Vlad sent slashes clashing with one another. Vlad spun Eclipse in a windmill motion, trying to cut up Jaune like a buzz saw, but Jaune quickly moved to the side. Vlad went for a gut punch, but luckily Jaune blocked it with Excalibur, as a purple shockwave sent Jaune skidding back.
Vlad charged at Jaune, trying to horizontal slash at him, but Jaune rolled under the attack. Vlad tried to grab him by the leg, but Jaune quickly changed Excalibur into a shotgun, shooting the ground, letting the force send him flying up, avoiding Vlad's grasp. Jaune landed on Vlad's shoulders and started punching Vlad's head, causing shockwaves to appear with each hit, but a dark violet fist punched Jaune off of Vlad's shoulders.
Jaune spun in the air. He brought his shotgun and Silver Eye together, bringing the barrels of two guns together. The barrels glowed red as Jaune ready for a charge shot. He fired a concentrated red beam at the Vlad, consuming him below.
Everyone stared in shock.
Jaune stopped his blast, and landed onto the ground, but with a roar, Vlad charged at him, slamming his shoulder into his body, sending Jaune rolling away. Jaune stopped rolling and got to his feet, only to meet a few slashes. Jaune quickly managed to shoot Vlad in the shoulder, stopping him, but Vlad grabbed Jaune by the collar and slammed a head-butt against Jaune's forehead. Vlad lifted Jaune up and slammed him into the ground.
Vlad grabbed Jaune's leg and started slamming him repeatedly into the ground. Jaune quickly brought his shotgun and Silver Eye together and shot another concentrated beam at Vlad, causing Vlad to scream in pain. Vlad quickly threw Jaune higher up into the air, and stabbed him repeatedly with a barrage of stabs, before changing it into Gatling gun mode, and blast a few rockets at Jaune, sending him flying away.
"Jaune!" Ruby screamed her crush's name with fear, seeing him flying in the air, slamming into the ceiling, and start descending back into the ground.
Vlad panted as his skin steamed.
Emerald had her hand over her mouth as she and Mercury stared at Vlad in shock at how brutal he can be and how much punishment he could take. Cinder couldn't help, but smirk at Vlad's performance.
Jaune groaned, getting to his knee.
"Miss Goodwitch has to stop this." Ruby said.
"I don't think she will. They are still in the orange." Ren said.
"Am I the only one who's seeing what's happening!? They're not having a friendly spar! They're trying to kill each other!" Ruby shouted. Jaune glared at Vlad with gritting teeth. He grabbed the dial of Silver Eye, and changed it to red. Ruby gasped. "Maximum Overdrive." Ruby whispered with new fear.
'Jaune, No!' C Ozpin shouted mentally.
Jaune growled with rage, but his eyes glanced to Ruby, seeing fear and worry in her eyes. Jaune took a moment, before sighing as he switched the dial back to yellow, making Ruby sigh with relief.
Vlad roared as he charged at Jaune. Jaune did the same. Both changed their guns back into swords and clashed. They slashed their weapons against one another a few times.
They roared as they sent hard downward slashes at one another. Ruby screamed with fear as the blade of Eclipse came close to Jaune, but Jaune used one hand to grab Eclipse's blade with Vlad doing the same Excalibur.
Blood leaked down their hands as their blades shook, trying to go further. The two glared at one another with their teeth gritting hard.
"Miss Goodwitch, you have to stop them!" Ruby shouted.
Glynda blinked her eyes, managing to get out of a daze she didn't even know she was in.
"That's enough!" Goodwitch ordered, but the two swordsmen didn't listen.
They pushed their blades away from one another. Vlad went for a beheading slash, but Jaune managed to roll under it. Jaune quickly changed Excalibur into shotgun mode as he rolled under the blade, and managed to change the add-on after finishing his dodge.
Vlad spun around and went for a downward slash, but Jaune shot streams of electricity into Vlad's body. Vlad screamed with agony as Jaune continued his attack, but Vlad quickly grabbed Jaune by the head, causing the current of electricity to spread into him, making Jaune scream, but suddenly a huge explosion had happened.
Fire, ice, wind, steam and droplets of water came from the blast as Jaune and Vlad were sent flying away from one another.
"JAUNE!" Pyrrha screamed as Ruby screamed with fear of Jaune's life. Everyone stared with wide eyes of shock and fear.
In the arena, Jaune and Vlad were lying against the ground. Jaune moaned in pain as he turned his body and placed it his hand against the ground. He smelled something burning, making him turn his head to see his pants were on fire. Jaune gave a shout as he started to do the stop, drop, and roll routine.
Vlad managed to sit up, only to groan in pain, holding his pained stomach. However he suddenly felt his stomach was cold. Vlad lifted up his shirt only to see his stomach was completely blue, but also had burn marks and cuts.
Vlad growled, holding his stomach. He got up to his feet, using the sword to help lift him up and keep him up.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" Jaune repeated, until he finally managed to extinguish the flames.
Jaune started to rise to his feet, only to flinch with an eye closed. Looking down to his calves to see they were revealed as the pants got burned up by the fire, showing that he had fresh burn marks and cuts.
"Dust crystals." Vlad stated. "You had them on your person." Vlad said.
"Yeah… I did." Jaune said panting as he tried to rise up. "I had each element in my pockets.
"He had them all inside of his grasp? How Are They Even Alive!?" Weiss screamed with pure shock.
"Their auras… are so massive!" Pyrrha said with pure shock. And who could blame her? These two can take some severe punishment.
"They are now in the red." Blake said, noticing the aura bars on the big screen in the classroom.
Jaune managed to get to his feet, revealing the burns and cuts on his on his reveal calves making Pyrrha and Ruby flinch with worry and concern, while everyone looked in shock.
Jaune panted as he took off the add-on from his gun, changing it back to shotgun mode. The shotgun transformed back into Excalibur. Jaune tightened his hold on the handle of Excalibur, while Vlad did the same with Eclipse. The two stared at one another as memories of their last fight in their original timeline flashed through their heads.
The two tightened their grips on their swords again. They glared at one another one last time, before they charged at one another, albeit at a slower speed because of their damaged states.
"Stop Them! They're Going to Kill Each Other!" Ruby screamed.
Jaune and Vlad roared with their broadswords raised up high, ready to slash down upon one another. Vlad and Jaune brought down their swords, but before they could cut into one another, their bodies stopped.
"That's enough." Miss Goodwitch said with her riding crop up, pointed at them. "This class is about increasing one's level of skill, strength and experience. Not to actually kill one another. I'm going to let you both go, and when I do, you are to go back to the changing room, and get ready for your next class. Whoever causes a fight in the meantime gets expulsion. Do I make myself clear?" Glynda said with narrowed eyes.
"Crystal." Jaune and Vlad said in unison.
Glynda released her hold on the two, allowing them to pull their swords back and placed them back onto their backs. Vlad walked away, but not before bumping Jaune's shoulder, making the Arc growled as he watched Vlad walk away with a glare.
"Mr. Arc." Jaune turned his head to Goodwitch, only to look shocked as she extended to him the completely fixed sword of Crocea Mors. "Bring your shield to me and I will repair it as well." Glynda said with her usual stoic face, but that all changed as Jaune hugged her, shocking her with wide eyes while everyone's jaws dropped at the scene.
"Thank you, Miss Goodwitch." Jaune said with a smile. Jaune pulled back and took his sword back. "You were always one of my favorite." Jaune said with his smile widening as he walked to the stairs to get to the changing room.
Glynda blinked her eyes, still in shock, but then a small smile creeped to her face.
.
.
Jaune made it to the changing room, he unfortunately came face to face with Vlad, who already had gotten prepared for the rest of the day.
"You sure were brutal." Vlad said.
"Expect more of that in the future." Jaune said with a frown as he moved pass Vlad.
"I wonder what future that will be." Vlad said with a smirk making Jaune stop in his tracks. "Jaune… do you really believe you can get that future you lost back? No, of course not. You're smart. You know that everything you lost can never be returned. They all can be replaced. But to be honest… your kids… I don't see them coming back. Everyone is born by chance after all. You might have different kids, even if you memorized every single moment of how you conceived them, you know the chances of getting them back is non-existent. So why did you come back?" Vlad asked. Jaune remained silent. "It's obvious why I came back. But why you?" Again Vlad's question was rewarded with silence. "Eh. I guess it doesn't matter. Everything is already set in stone. The angry you get and the more fear and hatred people feel against me is my strength. My semblance is after all superior to yours, a power that works on your own limits." Vlad said as he started leaving.
"And yet I still beat you." Jaune spoke, causing Vlad to halt with wide eyes. Vlad slowly turned his head to Jaune to see that he was facing him. Jaune brought up a clenched hand, brought it to his neck, like he was stabbing something into it, changed his hand into gun motion and made a 'poosh' sign as he pulled his gun hand back like he shot a bullet, and finally he brought his hands to the sides of his head and pulled them away, palms open as he made a small explosion sound with his mouth.
Vlad narrowed his eyes to Jaune's mockery of his final moments.
Vlad just stayed silent and walked away.
Jaune smirked as he knew he got under Vlad's skin.
(A thank you to NoxXelor who said suggest that someone should have pointed out Vlad's lost. I'll probably do this again in the future, but I wanted to let people know that credit for this scene should got to him or her. Thanks for reading NoxXelor!)
Jaune walked over to his locker, but he stopped as he suddenly fist pumped, feeling like he earned a huge victory. Jaune started to dance in victory, having a grin on his face.
He suddenly heard giggling making him turn his head to see his friends, with Yang, Nora, Ruby and Pyrrha giggling.
Jaune laughed with embarrassment.
"Sorry. Just got excited because I one upped Vlad." Jaune said with an embarrassed grin.
"That explains the scowl he had." Yang said with a smirk.
"Major Victory!" Jaune cheered with a huge grin and another fist pump.
"Really now?" Yang teased with a grin.
"It's not easy getting a victory over that psychopath." Jaune said as he opened his locker. "It's something to be cherished." Jaune said taking out the two halves of the shield Crocea Mors. "No matter how big or small."
"We've noticed." Blake said.
"How are you even still able to walk?" Weiss asked, still in shock by Jaune's condition.
"My aura's special." Jaune said placing his shield halves on the nearby bench. He suddenly took off his pants, making Weiss yelp in shock, as the girls blushed at Jaune's sudden strip. "I may still feel the pain, but I can at least endure the pain enough with it as it heals." Jaune said taking off his armor and taking off his sweater and shirt, so now he was only in his underwear. He reached in to grab his school clothes, but he turned his head to notice the girls were staring at him with wide eyes and having blushes. "Oh come on, it's the human body. It's not like I'm taking off my underwear. Or do you all want to see that." Jaune joked with a grin.
"I do." Yang said with her hand raised.
"I don't!" Weiss shouted.
"Ditto." Blake said.
"The nos have it." Jaune said, taking out his school uniform.
"Don't you have extra pairs of the same clothes?" Weiss asked as Jaune was putting his school shirt on.
"Yeah, but that's at my dorm." Jaune said, buttoning up his shirt, before putting on some pants.
"Um… Jaune." Ruby spoke up.
"Yeah Ruby?" Jaune responded putting on pants.
"Why… why were you trying to kill Vlad?" Ruby asked, now getting all eyes on him. Jaune sat down on the bench, putting on his shoes.
"There's just some things I can't forgive." Jaune said, tying his shoes.
"But why? What did he do? I mean, I know I would feel angry if someone burnt my puppy alive, but when I saw you look at him, it was nothing, but pure hate."
"True." Jaune said standing up and taking his school coat. "I do hate Vlad with a burning passion." Jaune put on his coat.
"But why? What's the history behind the two of you?" Ruby asked, not understanding Jaune's rage towards Vlad.
Jaune looked up to her, only to see her and the others in their adult images, except Pyrrha of course. Jaune stared at them for a moment, before walking over towards Ruby. Stopping in front of her, he stared into her eyes, making her blush a little from his gaze upon her. Jaune placed his hand on her shoulder as the images faded.
"I'll tell you someday… I promise. It's just… the things Vlad has put me through… it's still a sensitive subject." Jaune said. Ruby nodded, understanding that Jaune doesn't want to talk about something so bad, but it does make her even more curious about Jaune and Vlad's past.
Jaune walked pass the others, noticing Ren.
"Oh, there you are Ren." Jaune said as he passed him by.
"You're like a ghost sometimes." Yang said to Ren.
Jaune walked down the hall with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey Arc." Jaune turned to see Cardin leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. "Good fight." Cardin extended his fist to him. Jaune looked to his fist, bumping it.
"Thanks."
"Man you are a crazy S.O.B. actually fighting to the death in a Combat Class taught by Goodwitch. You got more balls than I do." Cardin said as he and Jaune walked down the hall side by side.
"Thanks." Jaune said.
"So what's the deal with you two anyway?" Cardin asked.
"Vlad and I… have some serious bad blood."
"Like how bad?"
"He tends to be a troublemaker, I have a hobby of getting in his way."
"That'll do it." The two remained silent as they continued to walk. "Hey, um… I hate him too."
"… Thanks Cardin."
.
.
All the way away from Jaune and the others, Vlad was rolling his neck to remove some stiffness.
"Sir." Vlad looked to see Chary hurry up to him. "Are you alright?" Chary asked with concern.
"Yeah. Just some frost bite. It'll go away." Vlad said. Gavrilo coolly stroll to them with a bored look. Vlad noticed Cinder came as well.
"Have to say, that was a show." Cinder said with a smile. Vlad sighed.
"It's going to be a while before I have the proper rematch I desire with Jaune. Either way, this was enough to satisfy me. At least for now." Vlad said with a calm smile.
"Are you some sort of masochist?" Mercury asked with a raise eyebrow.
"No. Jaune's the only person who has actually beaten me since I've awoken my semblance. It's more of… pride and desire to overcome the one obstacle that could kill you." Vlad explained with a smirk.
'This guy ain't right.' Mercury thought just feeling the willies from Vlad's smirk.
.
.
Everyone was now enjoying lunch. Jaune was trying his best to get anything that doesn't have to do with Vlad and the shit of a future he made out of his head.
"Jaune, how are your legs feeling?" Pyrrha asked.
"Still stings, but they're getting better." Jaune said.
"Hey dorks!" They all turned to see Sun and Neptune. "Mind if we join you?" Sun asked with a smile.
"Take a seat." Jaune said. Suddenly he heard something sliding against the table, making him turn his head to see Saber, disguised in black kitten form with his sweater, dragging a cooked turkey across the table and stopping next to Jaune and started eating it.
"Uh~, where did he come from?" Neptune asked, sitting next to Weiss.
"The kitchen obviously. I just wonder how he sneaked that whole turkey pass the lunch attendants." Weiss said.
"So what's new?" Sun asked, wanting to start a new conversation.
"Jaune tried to kill someone in Combat Class." Nora said.
"To be fair, that creep was also trying to kill Jaune." Yang said.
"Okay, could we please talk about something that doesn't have to do with Vlad Alucard, please?" Jaune asked, not wanting to think about Vlad anymore.
"His last name is Alucard? Man, it's like that guy was born to be a creep." Yang said.
"Amen." Jaune said with his palms resting on his cheeks.
"I agree. I do not wish to think of this man anymore." Weiss said with her eyes closed, head held up high and arms crossed. "Instead I have news. There will be a dance coming up next week and I have volunteered to be head coordinator." Weiss said proudly with a smile and resting her hands on her chest.
"With yours truly as well." Yang said with a smirk.
"Yes." Weiss said with a dull look and glancing to the side.
"Oh~ a dance! Is formal mandatory?" Nora asked.
"Yes. And a date is recommended." Weiss said.
"Oh Ren~."
"Sure." Ren simply said as Nora smiled at him. It's not like he wouldn't want to go with Nora, in fact he wouldn't want to go with anyone else as his date. Although he isn't really one to… ask first seeing as he can get a bit… well you know.
"Say Jaune… who are you going to ask out to the dance?" Nora asked with a grin, causing Pyrrha and Ruby to blush, while Yang and Sun grinned as well.
"Huh? Eh, I don't know." Jaune said not really paying attention. He noticed Saber giving him a dull look, which caused Jaune to realize his error. He turned to see all eyes on him, with Pyrrha and Ruby having sad eyes. "I mean, uh…" Jaune looked at them all still staring at him as his eyes then looked started glancing between Ruby and Pyrrha. "Eh… well… ah hell, I don't know." Jaune said in defeat.
Who could blame him? The dance was important to Pyrrha that night because he was with her and now that he showed interest in Ruby, it might break her heart if he chose Pyrrha.
Everyone just continued to stare at him.
He needed to get out. Luckily a thought came to mind.
"Oh shit! I just remembered something!" Jaune said quickly as he got up and hurried for the door.
"Chicken!" Yang called out.
"I'm not a chicken! Something came up!" Jaune called back as he ran out of the lunchroom.
Saber sighed at his best friend's behavior. Saber looked to the turkey. Saber suddenly went savage on it and started devouring it at a fast and primal pace that made everyone's eyes look wide to him in shock as Saber finished, leaving nothing, but bones. Saber released a burp and jumped down, running off to find Jaune.
Everyone stared at the kitten as he exited the door.
"He's not normal." Neptune said.
.
.
Jaune and Saber made it to Reebok's workshop, to see him working on a strong looking robot.
"Oh, it's about time you guys made it! This is urgent!" Reebok shouted. "What the hell took you two so long?" Reebok asked.
"Prepare yourself for the shit storm of a mental exhaustion you're about to experience." Jaune warned Reebok, making him stop and prepare for whatever he was going to say. "Vlad's here."
"… Vlad?" Reebok questioned, but then his memory remembered something. "Wait… you don't mean Vlad, Vlad, right? The guy who ruined the future!? That Vlad!?" Reebok shouted with new fear as his expression matched his terror.
"The same." Jaune said.
"This hasn't happened before, has it?" Reebok asked with worry.
"Nope." Jaune shook his head.
"Okay… okay, let's calm down, I mean… so long as we think smart, I mean this isn't the exact same guy we're talking about."
"Actually… it is." Jaune spoke, making Reebok freeze.
"You mean… it's the Same, Same Vlad!?" Reebok shouted with brand new terror. All Jaune could do was nod in response. Reebok suddenly fell to his knees. "WE'RE DOOMED!" Reebok screamed with his hands shot into the air.
"No, we're not. So long as I'm here, he won't have his way." Jaune said.
"I know, but this is horrible! He could change the outcome of anything! The future could turn out worse! The war could come early!" Reebok shouted, but then his eyes widened in shock as he realized something. "Jaune, he's going to make the Vytal Tournament worse. We have to put in even more effort! We have to do everything we can to stop it all!" Reebok exclaimed.
"We won't be able to stop it now that he's here. All we can do is lessen the casualties." Jaune said with a calm, yet serious tone.
"Jaune… that's-"
"I know, but Vlad is a genius when it comes to strategic warfare. He'll throw everything at us, and the fact that he can create Grimm of his own-"
"He Can Make Grimm of His Own!?" Reebok screamed with even more terror.
"I guess I forgot to mention that." Jaune said.
"What else did you forget to mention!? Does he feed on negative emotions like the Grimm too!?" Reebok exclaimed. Jaune glanced to the side remaining silent. That just terrified Reebok. "No… no, no, no." Reebok walked over to a chair and sat down on it. Seymour came by, holding a cup of tea in his tractor beam and handed it to Reebok. "Thank you Seymour." Reebok said, taking the cup, but his hands were shaking in fear.
"Alex." Jaune spoke, getting Reebok's attention. "I know this is a lot to take in, especially for someone your age, but we need to focus. I'm already coming up with plans to try and counter this."
"I'm sorry Jaune, I really am, but I could only imagine the hell that happened in your timeline, but the fact of the matter is, is that people from each of the five kingdoms are going to arrive for the Vytal Tournament. You know that with that many people, it'll become a feeding frenzy for him. His power will be unspeakable. How do we plan on countering that?" Reebok said with fear.
"Easy. I'm the only one who can stand up to him. Our semblance are polar opposites. He may feed on negative emotions and create Grimm of any scale, but my semblance can still destroy any form of darkness."
"But Jaune, the Vytal Tournament is a huge event. We're looking at a small scale war here! You can't have enough aura in your boy to protect everyone." Reebok said standing up.
"I know. That's why we're going to follow Ironwood's suggestion." Jaune said.
"What suggestion?"
"We're going to weaponize my aura." Jaune said, shocking Reebok and Saber.
"That does seem like the best option." Seymour said. "And I believe I have just the perfect idea for this." Seymour flew over to the robot Reebok was making. "We do as Master Alexander has done for myself."
"Of course." Reebok said walking over to Seymour and his robot. "If we can just make a proper circulatory system, we can add your aura inside a numerous amount of bots that will allow them to wield your aura as if it was their own! An army whose purpose is to battle the Grimm itself!" Reebok said with a new grin. "Oh man, I'm so excited now! Oh, oh, and a super weapon! Although I'm going to have to calibrate it to make sure that it never could harm human beings."
Jaune snapped his fingers in front of Reebok.
"Focus. You said you needed me to see something." Jaune said.
"Oh right! Seymour!" Reebok spoke, as his assistant quickly projected a map of Vale. "Look at this. Something has been happening the past weeks. A sort of dark energy has been emitting within the city, bring in the Grimm. And not just your typical ones. Geists, Furcifers, Beringels-"
"The Rampage and Timberwolfe." Jaune said, now knowing why two Grimm that are supposed to be reside in different areas in the world had come to the Emerald Forest.
"There was a Rampage here!? Monty Oum, Jaune, when were you going to tell me!? This just makes things worse!" Reebok shouted. "Anyway, we know it has to now be Vlad's doing. We need to track down this hot spot and destroy it!"
"So let's just go." Jaune said.
"That's the thing… I can't find it. I could only find the emitted signals, but not the origin of the spot itself."
"How is that possible!? You're the smartest person there is!" Jaune exclaimed.
"That's the thing Jaune. I believe my genius is being tested. Throughout the area of Vale, there has been this disrupting signal that has been intervening with my tracking technology. I think Vlad has his own genius." Reebok said with his hands on his hips.
"Sever." Jaune said with narrowed eyes.
"I instantly hate him. Even his name sucks." Reebok said with a serious gaze. "We're going to have search the city this weekend. I know of a guy who has info on the criminal underworld of Vale… usually."
"Then that's where we'll go, but we'll have to go incognito." Jaune said.
"Some minor hiccup, huh?" Reebok said.
"Soon it'll be the other way around." Jaune said with a serious expression.
End of Chapter 4
Sorry if it's short, but in this chapter I wanted it to focus on the effect Vlad still had on Jaune, and the taste of what his presence itself has on the timeline.
Anyway, sorry about the delay and I hope you enjoyed it.
More to come, especially with Vlad now in the picture.
Takeshi1225, out!
