The Arc Knight VS The Dark Ninja

by SpiritWolf313

Hello, and welcome to my first FanFiction. In this story, Jaune Arc and Adam Taurus once knew each other in their past life. However, Jaune can not fully recall their acquaintance by some misfortune. It is not until they reunite that Jaune gradually discovers secrets in the Arc and Taurus family. To discover the hidden truths, the hunt for each other ignites. I hope you all enjoy.

4. Chapter 3: Dance With The Devil

Hello again, folks. For today's chapter, I believe I did good in releasing it timely enough. And before Volume 5 at this time! It might be a shorter chapter than the last few chapters. But very exciting. I've come to accept that no matter how many times you proof-read something, there will always be a grammar or flaw. If it happens to actual writers with careers, it's is destined to happen to an amateur like myself. This will give a proper, more fun fighting experience as the title of the story guarantees. I feel that fighting is where I have the most fun, and it MIGHT be where I am strongest. Also, if you find anything wrong with how I write the content, message me and let me know. Otherwise, I may not be able to help you enjoy your experience. Any ways, enjoy.

Chapter 3: Dance With The Devil On An Impaled Moonslice

One's sense of rhythm can be questioned on how and why we possess it. For one thing, it gives us a pattern, a certain track to follow, an order, and the feel of control to conduct. It comes in many forms, whether it be the work we do, the steps we take, the things we say, and what is mostly addressed, by the songs we hear and how we move to them.

Then again, why question rhythm when it is because of possessing rhythm, that we are able to catch on to its patterns? The better question would be what will we do with it? Or better yet, how will we improve ourselves with it? Because rhythm is only as good as its acknowledgement, making it open for enhancement.

"If you think about it, fighting and dancing aren't so different. Two partners interlocked. Heh. Although, one wrong move on the ballroom merely leads to a swollen foot."

-Professor Ozpin

Only imagine what will happen to our heroes, should they make one wrong move on the brawl-room, or battlefield.

For the time being now, however, our heroes, Jaune, Ruby, Ren, and Nora, have begun their journey to Mistral. It is their only clue to why the terror at Beacon Academy had occurred. And so, they travel in their newly rearranged team.

The season is currently winter, leaving them with a small breeze along their path. Not too cold, as they only wear their normal attires with no coat or jacket on. The bags on their backs give them a bit of exercise and heat to work up as they walk. And after several hours, they manage to get halfway from their first point at Ruby's house to the ocean border of Vale. There they will cross over from the local docks. They have the uphills to thank for time efficiency, as they travel at a downward angle.

To pass the time, as well as catching up over the past few months, they talk amongst each other. Ruby speaks on her belief of them making a difference. Ren, on his knowledge of Mistral. Nora, on the past dreams she had, only to be corrected on her choice of words by Ren. And our newly improved Knight, Jaune, on his training up until this point.

Ruby: "So uh, Jaune. You've been training with Ren, Nora, and your sister, right?"

Jaune: "Yeah. You can't tell, but I've really stepped up my game. And once we get to Mistral, I can step it up even further with my gear, weapons and armor."

Ruby: "What did you guys do?"

Jaune: "With Nora, it was pretty simple. 'Simple', being the operative word. All I needed out of her was to workout and bulk up."

Currently, Jaune is a little more cut and built than before. While not a lot of improvement is visibly shown, Ruby finds it hard to believe however.

Ruby: "(awkwardly) Yeah. I can… see that worked."

Jaune: "You'll probably see it better when the time comes. If we're lucky, that won't be soon. But the workout was challenging."

(A Few Months Ago, Nora's Training Session Continued…)

The morning after their night at the bar, Jaune and Nora are in the House of the Arc's open field backyard. They have their athletic attire on and stretch as they get ready to workout.

Nora: "Ahh… Okay, Jaune. You ready?"

Jaune: "Yeah, hold on. Just let me put on some tunes."

Jaune presses a few buttons on his scroll to turn on some music. It plays loud death metal music. The lyrics are hard to make out, but the sound and beat is all that matters.

Nora: "Now we're talkin'! Here." Nora walks back and grabs Magnhild. "Bench this. 765 reps."

Jaune: "Um, oka-?" Nora throws her hammer at Jaune and cuts him off. "Oof!" Her Hammer pins him to the ground, as it is heavier than he had imagined. "Nora! How do you-?! It's so… heavy!"

Nora: "Come ooon! Push!"

Jaune: "Nora, I can't! It's heavier on one side then it is the other! It's not balanced!"

Nora: "Ugh! I thought music was supposed to make you be better at things. Use your imagination."

At the very least, Jaune is able to get Magnhild off the ground. After getting used to the fact that a godly, thunder-like weight has been pinned on him, he can focus on the music playing. In short moments, he analyzes the song's beat, its rhythm, and its tempo. And gradually, while aligning his movement with the music, he manages to lift it clean up with his arms straight.

The only thing Jaune has to figure out now is evening out the work with the heavy side on the left. So like Nora said, Jaune uses his imagination to tactfully deal with this struggle. And an idea comes up. Simply, he just inches his hands close together and carefully rotates it horizontally. He then spreads his arms back out.

Nora: "There ya go! That's 1! Only 764 more reps to go!

With one rep done, Jaune tries to bring Magnhild down for another push. The drop is faster than need be, due to its weight and his strength.

Jaune: "(sarcastic) Yeah! 'Only'!"

Jaune is not confident enough to believe he can keep up the work out. However, with less worrying, he goes back to focusing on the music. It gives him the mental push for him to concentrate and use his inner strength. Before he knows it, he does his second repetition before twirling it again. Then third, and up to his tenth with fair ease.

After his tenth repetition, Jaune manages to maintain a faster pace. He twirls Magnhild much faster, like it were nothing but a light stick as he pushes it up. Up to his hundredth repetition, he manages to change his strategy, and use his momentum to toss Magnhild up in the air after pushing it. While in the air, it spins 180° before he catches it every time.

Nora: "Ooo! Yeah, you got this! I'll leave you to it then. In the meantime, I'm gonna start MY workout!"

For Nora's workout, she crawls under a pickup truck, that she happened to have placed in the backyard, and bench presses it. Should Jaune not be focusing on his own workout, he would freak out and tell her to put the truck back. It belongs to one of his neighbors.

(Present Day…)

Ruby: "Interesting…"

Nora: "Yup. He did a whole lot more workouts after that. Pretty soon, those pecks will be filling out, and busting out of that armor. Eh, Jaune?"

Feeling proud, Nora pats Jaune's chestplate. He responds in pain.

Jaune: "Sss… ahaha… Still sore there, Nora. The stretch marks are still sore. Ah."

Nora: "Oopsy."

Jaune: "Now, Ren's techniques were pretty interesting too. We practiced meditating and fighting styles using our aura. So now, I have a little bit more control over my aura."

(A Few Months Ago, Ren's Training Session Continued…)

Up on the hilltop like their last session, Ren waits for Jaune. He arrives wearing nothing but pants, just like Ren. He takes note of Jaune's body being more defined after Nora's workout yesterday.

Ren: "Good morning Jaune. How is the juice settling?"

Jaune: "It's- *burp*. Excuse me… It's still there. So, let's finally get this started, right?"

Ren: "Yes. Assuming nothing else will interrupt us."

Jaune: "Don't worry. I disconnected my scroll from any local satellites, like that one. It'll only allow music to play."

Jaune and Ren both get into meditating positions. Before closing his eyes, Jaune sets the music to something calm and quiet on a replay loop. He puts in earbud headphones so that only he can hear it and not disturb Ren.

Like before, Jaune sees flashbacks of his childhood, and is still unable to make out what all is happening. His most recent struggles at Beacon Academy appear as well. The only difference now is he's able to see them without feeling certain agonizing pain and stress. Music soothes him with both his mind and his body. Eventually, his memory fades into his subconscious, and his mind completely clears. The results put him in a state similar to Ren's, as they both glow in white and magenta aura.

Hours have passed, and both Jaune and Ren's glow diminishes. Their meditation has ended, and they stand up, opening their eyes.

Ren: "Good job, Jaune. Can you hear me through your music?"

Jaune: "Yeah, good and clear.

Ren: "I felt your aura the entire time. And you really do have a lot of it… So, we're going to put it to use." Ren assembles a fighting stance in front of Jaune. It takes him by surprise, thinking that Ren is going to fight him. "Just follow what I do by my side."

Jaune: "O-Oh. Okay." Jaune takes a stance similar to Ren right beside him. "Like this?"

Ren: "Yes, that's fine. Now, try to feel the energy within you."

As Ren gives instructions to Jaune on what he should be feeling, he moves in a slow majestic way, and Jaune does the same. In between the movements, occasionally, they conduct a forceful attack in the air with their hands and feet. A few more hours have past, and with each attack, they start to push out certain invisible waves, making grass and fallen leaves move.

Jaune: "Hey Ren, I'm doing it! I'm using my aura!"

Ren: "Yes. Though our semblance cannot be achieved in an instant, our aura has always been present. Pyrrha may have told you this already, but those who have a soul are those who bear such embodiments. Now focus, because what I'm about to show you now will require a lot of energy. Wait for me to finish, and then you do the same."

Ren extends his arms in front and behind him, and holds still with his eyes closed for half a minute. And then, he thrusts his hand in the back forward. His palm releases a bigger, stronger, transparent magenta wave of aura. It makes a path on the ground, clear of fallen leaves with cut grass. From a distance, the wave also knocks down all of the bark and leaves on some trees.

Jaune: "Wooow…!"

Ren: "*exhale* Okay, now you try." Jaune gets in the same position that Ren was in before with his eyes closed. "Remember, concentrate..."

Jaune focuses for about a minute. He brings his hand in the back forward to release his aura. But before his arm fully extends, he sees and hears someone right in front of him.

Nora: "Lunch is ready!"

Jaune: "Whoa!" Jaune twists his body, and directs his attack away from Nora. Ren dodges, and Jaune's attack releases. It hits the satellite, breaking it into pieces. "Oh man! I'm in trouble…!"

Ren: "It's okay. Perhaps, not unless we get an electrician and explain ourselves... But look down hill."

Nora: "Ooo...!"

Ren points downhill with a smile on his face. From where they are, in front of them, they see another long path made. But this time, instead of just cut grass, it is burned dirt after eliminating whatever grass was present above. At an even further distance were trees. Some of them that are in front of the path completely break down.

Jaune: "Wow...!"

Ren pats Jaune on the shoulder.

Ren: "We're finished for today. I'm sure after releasing that much aura, you must be tired."

Ren leads Jaune and Nora off of the hill to head back to the house for their announced lunch. That, as well as inform local authorities of their accident. Jaune, however seems confused at the moment.

Jaune: "Wait, already? I thought we were just warming up. Didn't you have something else to show me?"

Ren: "...His abundance must know no boundaries, if that attack hasn't winded him, like it did me. We'll just have to see one day. Hehehehe. Another day, Jaune."

(Present Day…)

Ruby: "Wow. I guess that would explain why dad thought I was ignoring his calls that one time. My scroll didn't even sound off."

Jaune: "Yeah, that was me. Sorry."

Ren: "His skills have only developed from their, as we continued different practices. But after that day, we figured Jaune was ready to put his skills on trial."

Jaune: "And that's where my sister comes in. She helped test out what all I've learned after training with Ren and Nora. Kind of like her and I did a year ago, as far I can remember. Probably even longer… Still, that one day with all four of us kind of… caught us all off guard."

Ruby: "What do you mean?"

(A Few Months Ago, Catherine's Training Session Continued…)

In the simulation room, Jaune stretches as he waits for his opponent to be ready. Or rather, his opponents. Catherine readies her weapons within her gauntlets. Ren and Nora stretch and get their weapons ready as well.

Nora: "How ya feeling, Jaune?"

Jaune: "(sarcastic) Oh, you know, muscle spasms feel like I'm gonna explode out of my skin, because it feels tight. And I can still barely bend my joints. So yeah, feels great. Aha!"

Ren: "Just remember what we practiced. Go along with what your body tells you to do, and you'll do fine."

Jaune: "Right. I have been able loosen up a little, without feeling as tense as the past week. So that's good." Jaune looks over to Catherine, now in the control room. "Alright. Ready, Catherine?"

Catherine: "I'm ready, little brother. Just let me get the room set up, and… there!" The stage of Catherine's choosing is Forever Fall at night. "And now, for some music."

As Catherine plays the song, she steps out into the room, ready to fight. Team JNPR do the same, and wait for the song to play. But when it does, all except for Catherine, are taken off guard.

Music: "?Baby, it's time to make up your mind?￢ﾀﾝ

Team JNPR get out of there fighting stance and look at one another. They all express gloomy faces, knowing when they heard this song, and the memory it holds. Jaune looks down, while Ren and Nora stare at each other.

Music: "?I think that tonight is when our stars align?￢ﾀﾝ

Catherine: "W-What's wrong you guys?"

Nora: "We should probably play a differnt-."

Jaune: "No. Leave it. We can do this." Jaune looks up, with his eyes slowly beginning to water. "Give me everything you've all got!"

Even while reluctant, Jaune's team agrees to continue, and get back in their fighting stance.

Music: "?-you and I are gonna Shine!?￢ﾀﾝ

It is dark in the Forever Fall simulation, making it hard for anyone to attack directly. Still, the experiences that Jaune's allies have been through will be more than enough to put him on his toes. It just comes down to whether he can keep up with them or not.

Jaune waits for the attacks of his friends and family (or just family; all of them). Like most of the fighting sessions with music playing, they attack on the first beat of the verse, as quiet as it is with the first word being "Cold". The 1 on 3 battle commences, as Ren, Nora, and Catherine vanish into invisible speed. They attack at Jaune from different angles, leaving magenta, pink, and silver streaks to surround him. He blocks and swings at every attack within his space for defense.

After a while, they reach the end of the first verse. At this point, Jaune finds the right moment to leave his defensive state, and join Ren, Nora, and Catherine in their vanishing speed zone. Without expecting this, they get caught off guard, and get attacked out of their speed zone by him in his goldish white streak. As they lay on the ground for a moment, he exits the zone himself, and awaits their recovery and next move.

They all give a small pant to catch their breath, even after just one minute. Right as the second verse begins, Nora and Catherine jump aside while Ren in the middle of them charges at Jaune. The two of them attack and block with their blades and shield against each other. Though they are training, their faces look too serious for comfort. Even during their heated battle, Jaune and Ren can see each other's eyes now gleam more than usual.

Catherine: "Geez. They're really going at it. Are they going to be okay, Nora? ...Nora?"

Catherine looks over to Nora, and is shocked to see her position. Nora holds on to Magnhild in grenade launcher form, but with jittery, shaking hands. Catherine also notes the tears on her face, as her bangs conceal her eyes.

Jaune and Ren's aggressive fight is soon to end, as they take up only ⅓ of the second verse. Ren slashes in Jaune's direction, only for him to somehow have vanished. Before he could react, he hears Jaune behind him. In that position, Jaune trips Ren with Crocea Mors. With both hands, he hits Ren in the air towards the sideline. Ren slams into the simulated wall, and hits the floor.

Right as Ren is knocked away, Jaune is met with a pink explosion that he blocks with his shield. As he sets his shield to his side, ⅔ of the verse starts, and Nora runs up to him. She swings the side of her grenade launcher at him. He blocks it and starts swinging back at her. She dodges every attack while assembling Magnhild into hammer mode. As unusual as it is for him, he finds that Nora has a similar face as his own. They both have blood shot eyes with tears flinging out from every move they make.

Catherine: "Ren, what's going on?! You guys look like you're going to kill each other!"

Ren: "That's not it! We're just… feeling a lot of pain." Ren recovers from getting knocked on the wall, slowly standing back up. He looks at Catherine, trying his hardest to hold back his tears. "But that doesn't matter. You should take advantage of this. Jaune is fighting really hard right now. We can barely keep up with him at this point."

Catherine: "Yeah. That's what we were expecting, wasn't it? But why is he so aggressive?"

Ren: "*sigh* Did Jaune ever tell you about our dance at Beacon?"

Catherine: "Yeah? You mean when he asked Weiss out but she turned him down, so he put on a dress and asked Py-? ...Oh…"

Ren: "...Yes. This is their song. OUR song! The four of us back then."

Catherine: "This must be very hard on you guys… If Jauney is motivated by music to fight, then this must be what'll happen if it brings up enough emotions."

The song comes close to ending the rest of the verse. Nora swings down at Jaune with her hammer, and he braces himself under his shield. He then pushes his shield up, and throws her back. He moves in and starts kicking her, from her legs to her torso. He gives one more hard kick making her back up further. To finish her off, as she runs back to him, he slips his arms out of his shield handles and holds it by the edge. He dashes up to her, throws his shield up in front and two leg kicks her in the head with his shield under his feet.

Nora gets thrown in the air to the sideline, just like Ren, and drops Magnhild. However, Ren catches her in bridal style.

Ren: "You're up, Catherine. Go!"

Catherine: "Oh! Right."

Catherine comes out of her thoughts, and runs up to Jaune. They enter the second chorus with Catherine in her boxing mode. She swings her back right hand for a slash to the face. He puts away Crocea Mors and bends backwards to dodge and grab Magnhild. He spins and twirls it around his body for a brief moment to block her attacks. Then he manages to get behind Catherine, and hit her with Magnhild before flinging it back towards Nora. She catches it with one arm.

Ren: "He's good."

Nora: "Yeah. I can't stand listening to this right now. But it's working, and he's good."

Ren: "But I also noticed that he isn't dancing at all as he fights. He's just fighting normally."

Nora: "Well yeah. This music is killing him inside. It's killing all of us! He can't just dance his problems away… But, do you mean- Do you think he's not fighting with the music for help?"

Ren: "Not exactly. I still think his subconscious allows music to be the key for him to fight well. However, that alone would lead more in the style of dancing, as we've seen. His heart is what tells him the way to fight right now, while music gives him the pattern… Also, Pyrrha taught Jaune some of her skills long before we started teaching him and utilizing music as a stimulus. I recognized that about half of what he's done came from her."

Nora: "I say we hit him harder and see what happens."

Ren: "Agreed."

While Ren and Nora are evaluating, Jaune and Catherine continue in their hand to hand combat. Catherine's attacks seem to be harder, considering that she has on full gauntlets, unlike Jaune. Therefore, he starts concentrating his aura up to his arms and fists. Just like his training with Ren on aura, his arms glow white and become equivalent to Catherine's gauntlets, if not more.

Jaune manages to block and dodge Catherine's fists with each of her blows. He then punches her in the abdomen, sending a shockwave of pain through her armor. Then to finish her off, he balls his fists together, and knocks her a few feet away. However, she stays planted to the ground, unlike Ren and Nora when they went to the sideline. With that in mind, he notices that Ren and Nora are gone from where they were.

Entering the third and last verse, Ren and Nora appear right behind Jaune. Ren slashes him three times, from neck, to back, to legs, while Nora hits him in the ribs, and then the side if his leg. Jaune takes out his weapons again, and twists his body backwards to try and smack and slash them at the same time with Crocea Mors. Ren catches the top of his shield between StormFlower's blades and his fingers on the handles. He starts shooting down at Jaune, hurting and blinding him. He stops, and then flips away.

With Ren out of the way, Nora moves in to hit Jaune in his other ribs. Then, she puts Magnhild in grenade launcher mode, and shoots him in the air over to Catherine. She knocks him up even higher in the air with her shield. As he falls back down, she jumps up and swings at him to the ground.

The song's last verse is close to ending, and Ren, Nora, and Catherine surround Jaune from a few feet away. Achingly, Jaune gets back up, cracks his joints in his arms and neck, and holds up Crocea Mors. He then smiles, leading the others to as well. The four of them scream and charge at each other.

At the start of the last chorus, Jaune dodges, blocks, and attacks at his family all around him at once. They are all finally smiling and finding joy in their musical battle. The song reaches the midpoint, and Jaune's three opponents gain the advantage and put him to one knee. The simulation alerts that Jaune is nearly out of his aura. Then they stop and back up.

Jaune: "Hehehe… Come on, you guys. Finish me!"

Ren, Nora, and Catherine look at each other with mixed feelings of admiration, yet reluctance. Still, they nod their heads and choose to fulfill the young Knight's honorable defeat. The three of them jump up in a battle cry with their weapons in the air to finish the match.

But suddenly, they are met with Jaune, standing up, and balling his fists, and shouting out his own battle cry, drowning theirs out. And a bright white light surrounding him emerges.

Jaune: "GRRAAAGGHH!"

Music: "?Baby, you and I are gonna Shine!?

(Present Day…)

Ruby: "Whoa…! Really?!"

Ren: "We're not sure exactly how Jaune did it, but Nora, Catherine, and I were drained of our own aura. Jaune was the last one standing with his aura back up. So it's safe to say he won the fight. Actually, he won every fight we had in the simulation. It's amazing."

Jaune: "Yeah. We kept the music simple afterwards. That day however was just pretty intense for us."

Nora: "But we always ended up getting ice cream, smoothies, and ramen when we were done."

Ruby: "That's amazing, you guys. Did you ever use your semblance again Jaune? Can you use it now?"

Jaune: "Um, I'm still figuring it out. We've all been training up until now, and I still don't know what my semblance is, or how it works. It only happened that one day. Although, I did have an incident like this with Cardin before that Ursa Major showed up. It probably works depending on the situation I'm in. Like if I'm in danger, or going through something."

Ruby: "Hm. Hopefully we get to see it later."

Jaune: "Yeah. But Oum forbid that we run into too much trouble for it to work."

Ren: "That is to be expected on our journey."

(One Hour Later…)

Team RNJR make it to an area circled by trees, where the border of Vale is just a few miles downhill on one side. However, downhill is too steep for anyone to hike. Going down the hill would mean more falling, oppose walking. Not that they cannot handle it with a proper landing strategy, but for subtlety reasons, (more specifically, for Jaune's sake), they head towards the more shallow path ahead. Though it may take longer, it will get them to the docks either way.

But suddenly, before they go to the path, Ruby hears rustling in the trees and looks back.

Ruby: "Did you guys hear that?"

Everybody else turns back around.

Nora: "Hear what?"

Ruby: "It… sounded like something was moving fast."

Ren: "Yes, I heard it too."

Team RNJR walk back, further away from the path. Their hands are on the handles of their weapons, ready to draw. After a brief moment, they hear nothing else, and turn back around.

Nora: "Hm… Must've been a bird. Like a crow, or a raven."

Ren: "During the winter?"

Nora: "Or maybe a sloth?"

Ren: "Not likely."

Nora: "How bout a bull?! Hehehe."

Ren: "Hehe. Very funn-."

A gunfire is heard.

Jaune: "Aah!"

The shot hits Jaune in the head. Ruby, Ren, and Nora look back and see him on his back, trying to get up.

Nora: "Jaune! Are you okay?!"

Jaune: "I'm fine! Ah!"

Ruby: "Everyone, get ready!"

As Ruby gives the order, she runs up in front of Jaune with her scythe out. Ren and Nora follow her with their weapons out and cover his rear. Jaune gets back up and looks around. This is the first time he gets shot in the head, and not die, thanks to his aura. Comparing to last time, he is not even half dead for that matter, as their is no bullet in his head. Still, a threat is among him and his friends at this point. They start backing up to the other side, away from their path looking for the source of gunfire.

Jaune: "Where did that come from?!"

Ruby: "I think it came from the trees earlier."

A dark figure jumps out of the trees above, while still shaded from the trees' shadows.

Nora: "Look, someone's coming!"

Nora points out to the person on the other side of the circle. As the person steps out into the light, they become fully apparent. And Jaune recognizes him immediately.

Adam: "Hello again, Arc."

Jaune: "...It's you… Adam Taurus!"

Adam: "So you DO remember me!"

Jaune: "...For the most part, yeah. But how could I forget, from back at Beacon?"

Ruby: "Wait, Jaune knows this guy?"

Ren: "So this must be the one from Jaune's past. And who was with him at the tower."

Nora: "I was right: it IS a bull… faunus! Close enough… He looks tough, and kinda scary. But we can take this guy out, right?"

Adam: "Seeing how you've forgotten about me that time, I kind of assumed that your density only got worse from knocking your head. And after we've been through so much, it makes me wonder, how could you forget our history? And how much do you really remember?"

Jaune: "I remember enough. But you can cut the shit about how we were friends, back when we were kids." Jaune puts his hands into fists. "Because I remember enough of what you did to me over a year ago, and why my memories are scattered. I remember what you took from my house, that doesn't belong to you. But more importantly, I remember very well of what you did to my sister!"

Adam: "Ah… I can see you're still mad about that." Jaune cracks his knuckles out of anger. "I guess that makes sense. Your aura must've already been low when I shot you with my rifle. MY rifle, Blush, that last time I recall, is rightfully mine, along with MY sword, Wilt. I did make them, after all. And I have used them in our sparring matches. But I can tell that hasn't seeped into that blonde head of yours."

Adam starts walking up to the Jaune slowly. Ruby, Ren, and Nora tighten their grip on their weapons. Jaune however remains still, standing up straight with clenched fists.

Jaune: "My memories are still faint, yeah. They come and go." Adam gets closer, now at the center of the circle. "And you're right. Maybe we were good friends once. We may have fought each other with our weapons. Probably more times than I can remember. My family heirloom, and your dishonorably owned creations. That's how I see them, anyway. But regardless, I still remember you as someone who invaded my home, harmed my family, friends, and I, and helped put my school where it is now, along with some other thugs and creeps." Adam is now up to Jaune's face, just a few inches away. His team is at an unease with them so close. "And because of that, people are dead! Including our friends! Their names were Penny Polendina, and Pyrrha Nikos!"

There is a small silence.

Adam: "Hmpf. So I guess it's only the most recent bad times that you can remember. That's fair, I guess. Give it time, it'll all make sense. Maybe have a little talk with your dad this time instead of your sisters, and see if he can clear things up. But that's if you all manage to survive when I'm through with you." Adam turns back around, and walks away from Team RNJR. They look at Adam, wondering what it is he means. "What I mean by that is, despite covering and removing my traces from what I've been up to at Beacon, I have a bit of a hobby when it comes to dealing with my targets. Sometimes I finish them off for good, and sometimes I let them live to tell of our wrath, that is the White Fang's. But honestly, I was kind of hoping you'd survived that fall when I dropped you and your friend."

Ruby: "So it was you! YOU were there too?!"

Adam: "That's right. I was hoping that if the next time we meet again, I could see that brave, heroic, goofy Knight I once knew and once lost to, back years ago. And I could have my proper rematch."

Jaune: "What is he talking about now? Did I beat him back then? I must have… Why else would he want a rematch? ...I could probably beat him now, if I were anything like my past self."

Adam: "And here you are. So here's what we'll do; you'll have to kill me if you want my weapons. If you can beat me, Jaune, you can have them. But if I beat you, I'll collect all four of your human heads and have you join your friends in the afterlife."

Adam gives a slight bend to his knees, and puts his hand on Wilt's handle. Jaune stands where is for a moment, and walks a few steps up. But Ruby, Ren, and Nora jump up and grab his arms.

Ren: "Jaune, wait! You don't have to fight him alone. We'll help."

Jaune: "...Thanks Ren. But I have to face him. I've been waiting for this for a long time."

Nora: "No, wait! We can take this guy. All four of us."

Ruby: "Yeah. Don't be reckless, Jaune!"

Jaune: "Look you guys, I'll be fine. I know what I'm doing. It's me he wants. Trust me. Just be on standby if things look bad. I trust you guys."

Ruby: "This isn't a good idea! I mean, what about Pyrrha? She thought that she could beat Cinder on her own. And I wasn't-."

Ren: "Let him go."

Ruby: "What?!"

Ren: "If Jaune feels confident that he can take him, let him go. Nora and I have done our part in the past few months to make him stronger. This is what he's trained for. Let him get his redemption… We'll be right here, Jaune."

Ren looks back at Ruby and Nora. Hesitantly, Nora nods her head in agreement and lets go of Jaune.

Nora: "...He's right."

Ruby hesitantly thinks on it, and then lets him go and nods her head as well.

Ruby: "Okay. But you better not lose!"

Jaune: "Thanks guys. I promise, I won't lose. Not this time!" Ren nods at Jaune this time and let's him go. Jaune takes a few more steps up to get closer to his opponent. Out of readiness and anger (and sadness, after hearing Ruby), he punches through the handle of his sheath. At the same time, he takes out his sword and engages his shield as it leaves. "Okay. I'm ready."

Adam smirks, and appears in front of Jaune instantly. He swings at him, but luckily, Jaune puts out his shield just in time. Adam slashes a few more times, before kicking the edge aside. He makes Jaune open for attacks at his body this time. So Adam shoots three shots at his chest plate, throwing him back a few feet. While Jaune tries to grab his balance, Adam jumps up over him and kicks his face up. He lands behind Jaune with his back turned.

Jaune regains his composure and runs toward Adam's back. He swings to the side, but before he could hit him, Adam had vanished.

Jaune: "Huh? ...Where did he-?!" Just then, Jaune starts to get cut with red slashes in numerous places by Adam in an invisible blur. The movement causes everyone's surroundings to be clouded with dusts of snow. "Ah! Ahh! Aah! Ah!"

After a while, the attacks stop, and Jaune falls on one knee. Ruby tries to run out with Crescent Rose, still in her hands. But Ren sticks out his arm to stop her.

Ren: "Wait!"

The snow starts to clear. Ruby, Ren, and Nora see Jaune on one knee and Adam standing above him.

Adam: "I don't know what it is you're trying to pull, Arc, but I know you're stronger than this. And don't give me that amnesia shit! You could have easily just-!"

Jaune: "Hehehehehe… Well, now that I've got my blood pumping a little more…" Jaune stands back up, and Adam backs up a little. Jaune then puts in earbud headphones that are concealed in his hoodie. He taps on his scroll, connected to the headphones, and starts listening to music. "... I think we can get this fight on for real now!"

Jaune circulates his arms, and cracks his neck to get a relief. His back is still turned from Adam, and he swings his sword in the air in a reverse grip for a small feel and practice for it. He swings it in a way that neither Adam, Ruby, nor Nora recognize coming from Jaune. However, Ren does, after teaching him the proper way to do so during their training.

Jaune starts dancing with his back still turned from Adam. But somehow, he seems very angry by the sight. Not exactly irritated and feeling mocked, but angry for some other reason.

Adam: "No…!"

Adam dashes and instantly appears in front of Jaune again. He draws Wilt for an attack, but Jaune swings his sword backwards, and holds Wilt up. Adam then uses Blush to shoot. But before the shot is fired, Jaune turns all the way back around, and uses his shield to hold Blush up from the bottom of the barrel. With Adams arms and weapons up with Jaune's arms and weapons, Jaune quickly brings his sword to his side before Adam does first. Quickly, he slashes Adam's abdomen three times while whistling to the song in his ears. He then kicks Adam in the abdomen away.

Now even more angry, Adam starts swinging at Jaune numerous times. It causes him to start stepping back in smooth danceful moves. Still he blocks Adam's attacks with the reverse grip. Occasionally, Adam shoots at him, but his shield and aura provide enough protection. Then Adam jumps back a few feet, and sheathes Wilt. With Jaune a few feet from him, he releases his five projectile red slashes his way. Again, his shield provides cover, but for his upper half only. His legs feel two of the painful projectiles, even with the aura's support.

Jaune sees Adam running towards him again. With quick thinking, Jaune spins his sword to a regular grip, and puts the tip of the blade in the snow on the ground. Adam gets close, about to draw. But Jaune swings his sword up and throws snow on his mask, blocking his vision. Jaune uses the brief distraction to swing two times and hit Adam's chest and shoulder.

Adam blindly tries swinging at Jaune while removing snow off and out of his mask. He makes no progress. With this advantage, Jaune starts attacking him, avoiding every poorly conducted blind attack. Adam stops attacking and takes in every attack. He had enough, and chooses to tackle and run with Jaune in his embrace. His running causes him and Jaune to fall down the hill, past the trees.

Ruby: "Jaune!"

Ruby use Crescent Rose to shoot and boost off in their direction. Ren and Nora follow her, and jump down the hill.

While falling, Jaune manages to sheath his weapons and start punching Adam in the face. His punch clears the snow out of his mask, and then Adam starts hitting back with his one hand on his sheathed weapons and his other hand in a fist. Eventually, Jaune lands on top of Adam as his back slides on the snow, downhill. Jaune punches Adam three more times, before Adam grabs his fist trying to hit him for a fourth time. Jaune tries to use his other fist, but Adam holds it up with his weapons. Then Adam kicks him off, far up in the air.

While Jaune is diagonally falling from up in the air, Adam manages to shoot at him. But immediately, Jaune quickly takes out his shield to block the shots. Adam stops, and slides away, seeing five trees in his path. The trees are also in Jaune's path, but only by the dangers of the branches, as he still remains in the air.

Jaune: "Whoa!" He puts his shield out in front of him for cover, and breaks through all five of the trees' branches. He puts it down feeling at ease. "Hoo! That wasn't so-. Shit!" Before him, he sees three bigger trees with bigger trunks. And by reflex, as well as the music in the headphones still playing, he slashes through them, clean off. "Okay, landing strategy. Let's see if I can get myself down this time… without any help…"

As he eases closer to the ground, Jaune places his shield at the bottom of his feet. He easily lands and starts shield boarding on the snow down the hill. So far, he seems to have the hang of it as he wiggles and adjusts his body for a while.

But Jaune's fun soon comes to pass as he sees and remembers his primary trouble. At his right side, about 20 feet away, he sees Adam sliding on the snow with his feet planted sideways to do so. As waves of scattered snow rise from below him, he stares at Jaune and adjusts his upper body to make his way towards him. Jaune tightly grips his sword as he sees Adam's hand already on the handle of his.

Jaune and Adam clash swords, continuing their raged fight while sliding down the long snowy hill at the same time. It is stressful enough as it is to keep yourself from tripping and trampling down a hill while defending yourself against a skilled fighter. But still, Jaune himself wonders on how he can even do this while dancing. Even in this predicament, he keeps his feet planted on his shield, and move his hips and upper body to a groove while fighting. At this point, Adam only gets more frustrated and humiliated.

Then, oncoming up ahead, Jaune sees a row of fallen trees lying on the ground. He almost panics, and looks back at Adam who sees the same thing. Adam smirks, seeing that his path is clear from where he is sliding, unlike Jaune's. To use this advantage, he takes out Blush, and points it at Jaune. Quickly, at the last minute, Jaune manages to jump and horizontally twirl up in mid-air. His feet and shield spin in front of Adam. He hovers over the trees, and at the same time, deflects Adam's bullets. Adam stops shooting, seeing that his method has no effect.

Jaune lands, but only briefly, as another row of trees appear in front of him. Seeing this, Adam tries a new strategy, and adjusts himself closer to Jaune. Jaune jumps, and grinds on the trees with his shield. Adam tries attacking with his sword, but Jaune blocks his attacks with his own. They reach the end of the tree, and Jaune backflips off. As he backflips, the edge of his shield uppercuts Adam away.

While in the air, Jaune lands on yet another row of trees. This time, he grinds on them with his feet, holding Crocea Mors in his hands. To his side, Adam continues to pursue him. His next method is using projectile sword draws at Jaune again. Jaune defends himself behind his shield, but like last time, they protect his upper body more than they do for his legs. Luckily, he reaches the end of the tree, and flips off on different diagonals. Before landing, he swings one big projectile slash himself. It hits Adam, and makes him slow down.

As the trees are completely clear this time, Jaune lands back on his shield and continues sliding. He looks back and sees Adam, closing back in on him. He takes out Blush once more and shoots at Jaune's legs, specifically. After his legs taking in the most damage, Jaune starts to lose balance and trips. Though aura acts as a forcefield that heals (so he may call it), the mortal body can only takes so much. Luckily, he trips and falls with his back on his shield. Instead of boarding, he is now sledding down the hill.

Adam jumps and flips over Jaune to get in front of him. He now slides backwards, facing him. He takes out Wilt, believing it to be difficult to fight with Crocea Mors in its current positioning; the shield being used as a board, and the sword (though still wielded) out of reach with Jaune lying back. Adam slashes sideways at Jaune, but with his leg, he kicks the side of the blade away. Jaune can not help but smile, put his hands behind his head, and his leg on his knee, as if he were relaxing.

Angered by his underestimating, and Jaune's confidence, Adam continues to swing at him. Jaune's feet however kicks his blade away every time, while still in a relaxing position. Adam then gives one more strong horizontal slash at him. But Jaune blocks and holds it with the soles of his shoes. Adam then places his fist, while still holding Blush, on the dull end of Wilt to push against Jaune's hold. The only reason why his shoes have not been cut is because of his aura providing protection.

To get him off, Jaune uses his aura to build up strength, and forcefully push his legs up. He sends Adam high up in the air. Jaune's momentum however accidentally puts himself up in the air as well. He had used too much power than he had anticipated or gotten used to. As Jaune starts to come back down, face first, he panics. He puts his sword in his teeth, and lands on his shield, hands first. Now in an unorthodox position, he rides his shield upside down. But then, Adam, with a slight red glow on him falls back down with Wilt about to strike down. Seeing this, Jaune immediately claps the blade in between the bottom of his feet to protect his groins.

Jaune: "(muffled) Son of a bitch!" Adam's glow fades away, and the pressure causes Jaune's legs to bend even lower. Jaune concentrates his aura towards his legs again. But his legs get even lower. He feels Adam applying more force. Jaune falls back, lying on his shield again. He still barely presses on the blade of Wilt, inching out of his hold, and watches Adam glow red again. Jaune sees this and stops his aura flowing out of his legs. "My aura… on his blade keeps making him… stronger! But if I don't use my aura,... my strength,... I… I…!"

Then, to his rescue, a kick to the face from a black shoe under white pants sends Adam away. Jaune's hero, Ren, starts skating beside him after landing. He takes Jaune's hand and pulls him back up on his feet to continue boarding his shield. Both brothers in arms look and smile at each other.

Up ahead, Adam shows up again and lunges himself towards Jaune in mid-air. But from behind him and Ren is Nora. She jumps over her teammates, and ends up between them and Adam with Magnhild in hand.

Nora: "Going up...!"

Nora uppercuts Adam in the chin with Magnhild, throwing him up in the air. And up in the air is Ruby, who puts Crescent Rose on his chest. She cocks it, about to fire.

Ruby: "Goin' down!"

Ruby shoots Adam into a tree, leaving him behind. She lands with her feet on Crescent Rose, sliding down along with her teammates doing the same. Jaune, on his shield, Nora, riding on her hammer, and the exception of Ren, skating with his feet alone. Jaune takes off his headphones and looks side by side at his team.

Jaune: "*exhale* Thank you guys! I didn't think I'd see you all so soon! But you all came RIGHT on time!"

Ren: "We saw the whole thing from afar. And you were doing fine. But you looked like you needed help at that last part."

Nora: "So then we stepped in as soon as we could reach you."

Jaune: "Great, thanks. I'm glad you all did… Look, you guys, I can't beat him like this. I thought that I could, but if you all hadn't shown up, I might've been done for. He can absorb attacks, or even aura if it comes in contact with that sword. And I have a lot of aura apparently! So it won't matter much if he gains enough power to cut through me."

Ruby: "Then we'll help. Let's come up with a plan for when he comes back."

Jaune: "Right. Now, we have to get to a flat surface as soon as possible. The longer we're on this hill, the more casualties that can happen. It's chaos going down this thing and you can't stop. You guys already know."

Ruby: "But what'll we do in the meantime before he gets here?"

Jaune: "I gotta think fast! He'll be here any second, from wherever he is!" At this point, they reach a distance that is about a mile away from flat surface. And on that flat surface is more than a mile of trees. "That's it! Ruby, grab Nora and speed up to the bottom of the hill. Meet us at the other side of the woods up ahead. Ren and I will keep him busy, and you two will ambush him on our tail. If you can keep him busy long enough, I'll give him the final blow."

Ruby: "Okay then. Nora, grab hold!"

Nora slides over to Ruby, and takes her hand. Ruby shoots Crescent Rose on the ground to put her and Nora up in the air. While in the air, she bursts forward, and goes ahead of Jaune and Ren. They go into the woods and become out of sight.

Jaune puts his headphones back on to ready himself for the fight to continue. Then from behind him and Ren, Adam appears, sliding faster, and catching up to them. They look at each other, nod, and then disperse from each other before Adam could hit them with his sword. Seeing them separated, Adam goes over in Ren's direction. He draws and slashes Wilt, but is blocked by StormFlower. They stay locked, until a snowball hits the back of Adam's head. He looks back and grits his teeth, knowing it was Jaune, who is waving his hand to taunt him.

With Adam's attention somewhere else, Ren twirls his body to kick him in the face once, and another time for an axe kick. It sends him up in the air toward Jaune. And while in the air, he flips back and shoots at Ren to retaliate. The shots make Ren stumble and roll in the snow.

Jaune: "Ren!"

Adam lands behind Jaune, causing him to turn around and start boarding backwards. He catches Adam's attack with Crocea Mors just in time before getting hit. Their swords continue clinging until they reach an angered sword lock. But they come close the woods on level grounds, knowing they'll have to stop, as a big tree comes in their way. At the same time, they push off one another and separate.

While still having the momentum of going downhill, Jaune continues boarding his shield. The snow however is more shallow, due to the trees providing cover above, and their roots sticking out from the ground below. This prevents Adam from having a disadvantage of running through the snow, now that he can not slide.

With the trees briefly clear of being between Jaune and Adam, they close in on each other. With the clearance, they each give only one slash, before crossing the other side of another column of trees that come up. They do this numerous times before realizing that neither of them gain any results of hurting the other opponent. Not that it matters to Jaune, for he only needs to distract Adam. Adam however would lose his patience and eventually become more rash.

But then a field of fallen trees appear up front in their path, once again. One tree, that is long, wide, and hollow of wood all the way through, ends up in front of Jaune. With some speed still left while boarding, he chooses to jump and kick his shield forward and through the tree. In the meantime, he runs on top of the same tree, to meet his shield on the other side.

On the other side, at the end of the tree, Jaune can see Adam running straight for him, ready to draw. Jaune dashes, breaking the bark on the tree with his foot. He runs even faster, accepting Adam's game of 'Modified Jousting'. Gradually, they get closer, both of them holding the handle of their swords for an attack. They both draw and cut at one another. However, the image of Jaune fades, leaving Adam there supposedly alone, and confused. It was an after image.

Adam: "Wha-?!" Suddenly, Jaune reappears, still running towards Adam. Adam tries to attack, but Jaune cuts at his legs to trip him, and continues running. "Ah!... What?!"

Jaune reaches the end of the tree, and so does his shield, still sliding. He steps on the edge of the shield to put it up in the air and catch it. At this point, he continues running until he reaches the other side of the woods.

The path of fallen trees end, as growing trees continue to fill the woods again. Adam starts to gain on Jaune, once again. Getting tired of playing 'Hit And Run' down the hill, and through the woods, he takes out Blush to fire at him. But to his interruption, green bullet projectiles hit Adam from behind. He looks back to see Ren up above, jumping from tree to tree, on the attack against him.

Adam jumps far up in the trees to join Ren. Through numerous green and red slashes going through the woods, Ren and Adam engage in a fast ninja style battle. The speed can not be seen by the average eye, but only the light from the attacks they produce.

Jaune notices this, as Ren and Adam go ahead of him from up above. To join them, he wall jumps on two trees until he reaches up to a branch. There, he jumps across different branches from different trees until his speed picks up to their level, if not faster. This way, he can catch up to them. The closer Jaune gets to them, the closer he is to assisting Ren.

Now at a much fair distance, Jaune can see their battle, even while at a vanishing speed. Ren lunges up towards Adam to attack with StormFlower. Adam draws Wilt to block. They continue dashing from different trees, while shooting and swinging at each other. Adam uses his sword to cut down and deflect all of Ren's shots. He then uses Blush to fire a few rounds. The shots cut through trees and reach Ren's space. Seeing the bullets, he spins his body around to dodge them.

After getting in a regular position, Ren jumps toward Adam, who happens to do the same thing. Ren tries a different tactic, and retires StormFlower in his sleeves. Adam draws and slashes toward Ren, but he catches the blade in between his hands. With his own strength, Ren throws his hands, as well as the blade, towards a tree, cutting it down, and the blade away from him. They stop and land on a large tree with a wide branch, near the end of the woods. Ren starts punching at Adam with his fists, and even his palm using his fighting style. Adam puts his sword away, and uses both Wilt and Blush sheathed to block and attack back.

Adam hits across Ren's face two times with his weapons together, and then jabs him in the nose with the handle. Thinking he has the advantage, Adam takes out Wilt to stab Ren. But Ren dodges back, and takes Adam's arm.

Ren: "This is for Jaune!"

Ren cracks the joint of Adam's elbow, opposite of its natural position. Then he knees Adam on the side of his knee, making him bend. At this position, Ren knees Adam in the face this time, before punching him in the face as well. The punch throws him on his back.

Feeling that his anger keeps on building, Adam quickly gets back up and dashes toward Ren. Before he gets to him, Jaune appears at full force, and hits Adam at his side with his shield up front. It throws him off of the big branch, as Jaune now stands where he stood.

Adam: "Not this time!"

Now tired of getting knocked away numerous times, Adam feels like he has had enough. So, he disappears and reappears before Jaune and Ren, side by side. Before he could draw Wilt, they attack first with Crocea Mors and StormFlower. They send him high up in the air this time. To finish him before meeting Ruby and Nora out of the woods, they burst in a streak of goldish white, and green to a branch above Adam. They plant themselves on the branch, before lunging down to him. At the same time, they spin kick Adam to the ground, and land after him. They both leave him and exit out of the woods, and into a bigger circle of fewer trees.

Jaune notices that Ruby and Nora are nowhere in sight, but feels confident that they are present. They look over to Adam emerging out of the dark woods, limping to them. He shakes off whatever pain feels, and runs for Jaune and Ren. But he goes nowhere near them, as large pink smoke from a grenade explodes in front of him. It clouds his vision, as he struggles to see.

While blinded, Ruby shows up within the pink clouds and slashes Adam in the back with her scythe. He falls on his knees and arches his back in pain. Without mercy, Nora comes from the sky with her hammer, and slams down on his abdomen. A pink explosion blows up as well as snow clouds.

As the snow fades, Adam slowly gets back up, feeling a great amount of pain. But while alert, he turns back to Ruby, approaching him at bursting speed. He tries to cut her, but she slides down on her knees, under his sword and passes him, not even trying to attack him. Right afterwards, Ren dashes at him and gives a swing from his twin blades. Adam quickly blocks them right before Ren passes him too. He looks back to see Ruby and Ren running away

Adam: "What are they doing?"

Adam looks back and sees Nora running to him this time. He runs to attack her this time, not wanting her to pass him like her teammates did. But she shoots a grenade right as he draws his sword. He cuts the grenade and it explodes. It hurts him, as well as blinds his vision from the smoke. He looks back and can barely see Ruby, Ren, and Nora standing a good distance from him. As if they were waiting. At this point, Adam realizes that they were only distracting him. They were only giving minor attacks to keep him from seeing the bigger attack that was coming. Coming from his primary target, Jaune.

With that in mind, Adam quickly turns back. As he turns back, Jaune is already there swinging Crocea Mors glowing white with two hands. Adam can not dodge, nor block this. Only stick out his hand in front of the blade. Still, it pushes his hand, and hits his abdomen. It also throws his body all the way across the field at the other end, over Ruby, Ren, and Nora's head. He breaks through a tree, knocking it down.

Nora: "Timbeeer!"

Jaune holds his position with his legs spread out and knees bent. He pants from running through trees, and the energy put out for his attacks. If what he he did while training with Ren did not tire him out, then doing it numerous times in an actual battle did. He then stands back up and looks past his teammates, over to the fallen tree where Adam should be. But threw the cloudy snow, not much can be seen.

Ruby: "Good job, Jaune!"

Nora: "Nice hit!"

Jaune: "Hold on, you guys. Don't celebrate just yet."

Ren: "Be on your guard."

Jaune: "He might've absorbed that attack. He didn't use the sword, but he stuck his hand out right before I hit him. Semblances can't only depend on our weapons alone, I don't think, so the sword isn't the only way can get power. Plus, he used his ability on me when he stabbed me with his hand… Damn it. I shouldn't have used that much power." Suddenly, the music in Jaune's headphones stop, his abdomen and back feel a sharp pain, and the atmosphere is red. Is this a vision all of a sudden? Is he seeing his memory from what happened to him over a year ago? Or perhaps his memory from back at Beacon Academy? The reason for what he is experiencing is not because of mental remembrance. As similar as it has been before, it is happening again, but in another different way. Because through instantaneous speed, Adam is actually at his right side, impaling Wilt in him, at this moment. "Speak… of the Devil...!"

The attack from Adam was so quick and powerful, Jaune does not even feel the full intensity of the pain at the moment yet. He looks down to see, as well as feel, the blade completely in and out of him as the tip sticks out of his back. It disconnected the cord of not his spine again, but of his headphones. This concludes Jaune's advantage of dance fighting with clear music at the time.

Aggressively, Adam pulls his sword out of Jaune. His eyes go blank, and he bends his knees slightly. The blood from his body soaks up in his hoodie, and the blood on Wilt drips from the lighter red blade. Adam cleans his sword by swinging it backwards in front of Ruby, Ren, and Nora who are overwhelmed. The blood splatters on the snow, and interesting enough, it makes a bloody Arc symbol across.

Ruby: "Jaune, NO!"

Ruby tries to run up with her scythe held back. Nora does the same with her hammer. Adam hears them from behind and anticipates them running to him. He smirks and inches his arm back, about to attack them with their attentions clouded with anger. Ren on the other hand, with a cooler head, sees this even from a distance, and jumps up and grabs both of them. As much as he would want to help Jaune, he knows that they would fair no better. Not without a proper tactic like they have been doing instead of being rash.

Ren: "Ruby, wait! Just stop...! Nora!"

Ruby: "Let me go!"

Nora: "Get away from him!"

Ruby starts to cry as Ren holds her and Nora back. Adam looks back and sees the three of them. What he notices, even from afar, is that Ruby's eyes start to glow a little. Not just from the gleam of her teary eyes, but from something more. He looks back and forth from her to Jaune a couple of times, and widens his grins.

Adam: "Amazing… how time can go into a loop. The only difference is you haven't been made into ashes, Arc. Surprisingly." Jaune continues to stare blankly at the ground. His vision goes blurry as he wobbles back and forth, ready to fall. Ruby continues to struggle, while Ren holds her back. "At the very least, find peace that you'll fall, not the same way as you do from our battles again, but the same way as your Champion did that night."

Right as Jaune is about to fall on his face, he sticks his leg out to stop himself. Slowly, he regains consciousness, and his abdomen and back glow white, instantly healing himself. Ren is relieved to see Jaune heal, like he had hoped. But just by the mention of the title, Jaune's composure starts regaining as he stands up straight, but with a confused expression. Ruby ceases struggling as her, Ren and Nora have the same expression as Jaune.

Adam: "Well, it seems that caught your attention... But yes, you've been penetrated by a superior, more powerful being. And not only that, but this time, in the presence of Silver Eyes. One that has a heart for the both of you, at least."

Ruby: "Silver Eyes…?! He knows about them?!"

Jaune: "I don't understand. Are you talking about…?"

Adam: "...I suppose it's only fair that you know what happened that night. Before you showed up… and how I'm involved in all of this… The woman we all know as Cinder Fall is the one conducting most of these actions. But you probably already knew that. She came up to our camp one night, like we were some mercenaries for hire, asking for help."

(Forever Fall, White Fang Camp, Many Months Ago…)

Cinder: "I believe our plan will be beneficial for all parties involved." I failed to see how at first. My doubts were intact at that time, on how a faunus can benefit the same as a human. "I have… an associate in Vale. He and I are working on a revolution of our own. But we can't do it without your forces. We need-."

And then, my patience was lost. So I dismissed her.

Adam: "What you need is to leave. You're asking my men to die for your cause. A human cause. That is not an idea I am willing to entertain."

Cinder: "Very well… But, one more thing. I would like for you to know that our plans come directly from someone without a 'human cause'. More than human, you might say. I'm sure you're aware of who I'm referring to."

I knew who she spoke of. For now, I can only refer to the person as 'Her'. But none the less, I made myself clear that I was not interested.

Adam: "Get. The fuck. Out… Now!"

So then they left… only to return later on the next day. My Lieutenant and I were making plans, after one of our missions failed, due to a traitor gone AWOL. And there they were, attacking my men outside of my tent.

Adam: "What is this?!"

Cinder: "We could've gone to anyone for help, but we chose you, Adam Taurus. Our plan will be beneficial for both of us." I was not phased the first time. But this time was different. "Or one of us." Her servants presented us with cases filled with dust and lien. But that wasn't what caught my interest and made me give in, but who she really was... "So… which will it be?"

Or rather, what she became.

Adam: "...The Fall Maiden, at last." Adam smirks and sheaths Wilt back into Blush. Slowly, he walks up to Cinder, past the fire she summoned, like it were not there. "I've been waiting a long time for your arrival."

By Her words, I had to wait for someone sent by Her, who would become the Fall Maiden. And then, guide me to what I was promised.

Cider: "Of course. My apologies for not making clear of my affiliation and purpose previously. I would have rather told you while presenting myself in the form you were promised. Otherwise, I'd be as good as a liar. If it were up to me, I'd have acquired this power much sooner, and then approach you. But, orders are orders, and time has left us, quick. So our schedule had to be adjusted."

Adam: "Indeed. I appreciate it." On her behalf, I would've struck anyone down if they came telling me they are what I've been waiting for, but without anything to show for it. So I was satisfied with judgement. However… "But let's make one the clear." I took her by the neck, and raisef her up high.

Emerald and Mercury quickly stand up and run closer to Cinder and Adam, holding her. But in a flash, Adam has his sheath held between his belt and pants, and Wilt out and on Emerald's neck. He does this without breaking eye contact on Cinder. Mercury is met with the White Fang Lieutenant's chainsaw on his neck. Nobody moves, except Cinder gagging and struggling.

Adam: "My men are not yours to dispose of, like you did just now! If whatever Her plans are tells you that it decides their fates, you run them by me first! Because THIS is unacceptable! And I have reasons to believe that this wasn't an order, was it?" Cinder holds Adam's hand on her neck with one hand, and the other holding a collection of fire about to attack. But forcefully, Adam pulls her down, with her feet barely touching the ground, closer to his face. Just by staring at him, for some reason, she nervously shakes, and diminishes her flames. "I will not be made inferior to a Maiden, who thinks themselves superior, just by showing off. Unless you have power like Her, by whatever being she is, you don't give orders, or treat us like shit. You give me instructions by Her will, and HER will only! Am I understood?!"

Cinder: "Egh! Ye- Yes!"

Adam lets go of Cinder, and she falls to her knees and at his feet. Emerald tries to run up to her, but Adam looks at her and presses his sword on her neck, to remind her of her position. He then looks over to his Lieutenant, and nods his head to release Mercury. Adam then sheathes his sword and lets Emerald go. She runs up to Cinder and kneels down to her before Mercury, who was released first. He only strides up to her. Emerald grabs her arm, and helps her up halfway. Mercury helps her the rest of the way to her feet, even while her whole body jitters.

Adam: "Good. Now we can talk business. But before you give any 'directions', as we should call it, I have a favor to ask. There's someone whom She has assigned me to assassinate. We've lost trace of this target while in Mistral. We believe the person transferred here to Vale, but there have been no further signs or traces so far in this Kingdom since our last clue. For the chances that I might be wrong, or something comes up, I was planning on heading back to Mistral and spreading my search further, there and here. So, if you're as good as I hope you are, you might have more luck scoping her out than me… Deal?"

Adam takes his hand, offering to shake with Cinder. With an angry but scared expression, she calmly pats herself of dirt on her.

Cinder: "...Deal."

Cinder takes Adam's hand, giving him a warm feel from her hand. He returns the favor with a tight grip, and the red in him glows slightly. He smirks, and they both release.

And so, we officially became partners. But it wasn't until the mission in Mountain Glenn that I noticed things were starting to go south. A lot of my men were either killed or trapped in those railroads. Including my Lieutenant. Those that survived had to fend for themselves underground, and were cornered by Grimm. Still, Cinder was the key that I needed to satisfy Her, and lead me to my reward. So I had to make sure my forces were still obedient enough to her. Especially for the raid for the raid we were all directed to. The raid on your school, Beacon Academy.

(The Fall Of Beacon Academy…)

Luckily, my target just so happened to be there as a student. So I figured I could take care of that while my men reigned a hell of a revolution. I didn't know where in Beacon my target was, and did Cinder, 'eligitedly'. So I asked around, interrogating whomever I came across. If I didn't like their answer, they were gone.

I was in the cafeteria, which was burning at the time. And when I stepped out, I didn't like what I saw. The plan was to invade and disrupt the Festival, alongside a reasonable amount of Grimm. But nobody said anything about a Dragon, or Wyvern, or whatever that thing was, coming out of nowhere! One that can spawn more Grimm than a fleet of troops can count! That bitch, Cinder, sent my men out to be overwhelmed, right under my nose! ...I lost nearly half of my forces, if not more. That's when I had enough. I had no choice but to have them all pull back. But not after I made her pay!

So I devised a plan. It was like the stars of vengeance aligned themselves all for me. Because my original target was not too far from Cinder at the tower. And neither were you, Ruby Rose.

Coincidentally, Cinder was pretty fond of this person, for some reason. Fond enough that she might not even kill her, even while knowing she's on Her hitlist. How did I know this out? Well, let's just say that Cinder's own little admirer, Emerald, was literally green of envy, and observant of Cinder doing research on this target a little more than what I requested.

So I used this in the benefit that Emerald and I both eliminate the source of 'fixation'. But to do that, as well as make Cinder pay, I convinced Emerald that it had to be made that Cinder conducted the assassination, while not making the assassination at the same time. Otherwise, she would be executed by Her, should the upcoming witness see Cinder showing defiance. The word would be spread and Her ear might catch wind of it. Or so, I made her believe.

So we made our way to the tower, through the stairs as fast as we could go. And their, we found Cinder. And my target.

Cinder: "It's unfortunate you were promised a power that was never truly yours. But take comfort in knowing that I will use it in ways you could never have imagined."

Pyrrha: "Do you believe in destiny?"

Cinder: "Yes." By those words, something crossed Cinder's mind. She had a look of hesitancy. Still, she had her bow and arrow out, ready to fire. "Tell me, why do you ask, given the position you're in?"

Pyrrha: "*grunt* A certain Lion once told me…" The hold on Cinder's bowstring loosens. "...'Those who believe in Destiny believe in what Life has in store for them… But those who believe in their Hearts believe that their Souls carry out their well-being."

Cinder: "It- It really is you!" Cinder diminishes her bow and arrow, and slowly steps back from Pyrrha. "Yo- You were his…!"

Pyrrha: "I… will not die here. Not by you." Pyrrha starts to sound more assertive, and gradually more aggressive. "You will not kill me. You CAN'T kill me. Because as his former apprentices, he wouldn't allow it."

And that's where you come in, Rose. We were all given background checks of the students we ought to be weary of. Especially the top students in the academy. Team SNNN, Team CFVY, but more importantly, Teams RWBY and JNPR; The Team of Eight That Could in Vale!

Just in time, you show up to witness, not just one of your close friends dying, but the illusion of it. I had told Emerald that because of your trait having Silver Eyes, you were an aspect that would be closely watched by Her. At least, that might not have been true until after you did your damage. My plan was for you to trigger your power, you have yet to understand, and put Cinder in an insufferable disability. So for that, I thank you.

Oh, but the results behind the illusion is true. With her back turned, my target, Pyrrha Nikos, met my blade, and turned to ashes.

(Present Day…)

Adam: "And that's when you came along, Arc. The rest, you should know by now."

Team RNJR stare dead at Adam after the story he had told. The truth of Emerald's manipulations, and the White Fang's involvement. It all leads up to not just Cinder, but Adam and another higher conductor. And they were all together responsible for Pyrrha's demise.

Ruby: "...But, that's impossible! I saw Pyrrha die! It was Cinder!"

Adam: "What you saw was a hallucination. That's what Emerald can do. You saw what you were lead to believe."

Ruby: "So… it was Emerald? Yang saw something that made her defend herself against Mercury… And Pyrrha! Penny… Penny, AND Pyrrha!"

Adam: "Do you really think that Cinder, a Maiden, has the power to erase someone from this world? She might've beaten her before I got there, but that's it. You can blame her for that. But never could she hold a candle me! No one can. Except, maybe you Jaune. But that'll end today."

Jaune: "The sky was red that night… for a brief moment, when I reached the top of the Tower... Are… Are you telling me… that-?!"

Ruby: "It was you!"

Adam: "I did what I had to. To get closer at achieving REAL power. The world will see soon enough."

Nora: "You BASTARD!"

Ren: "Nora, stop!"

The fight continues as Nora charges at Adam, with Ruby following her lead, and Ren wanting to stop them. Jaune, however, stands and stares down blankly. This time, not because of the penetration that had already healed. But from overwhelming remembrance of Pyrrha, and the awareness made of her real killer being in front of him.

Magnhild hits the ground after Adam jumps backwards. Nora's attack practically makes the ground shake. Ruby, who jumps up and over Nora swings at Adam. But he jumps back again, avoiding her hit. The two of them dash to his side and swing at his head and feet. However, he jumps, crouches and twirls in mid air to dodge in between their swings.

As Adam lands, at the same time, he swings a large red circular slash that pushes Ruby and Nora away from his space. They both fall to their knees, but Nora gets back up immediately. As she runs back up to him, he runs up to her, ready to draw. Before he completely draws his blade, Ren appears in front of him just as angry as Nora. He blocks Wilt, halfway out, with the blades of StormFlower.

Ren tries to shoot, but Adam shoots Blush while Wilt is still half sheathed inside. The handle hits Ren square in the face, and then returns, fully sheathed. Now running around, and behind him, he sees Nora who swings at him once more. At the same time, Ren swings at him too with his dual weapons. But he vanishes right after their attack. They look around themselves, and see him on their blindsides. At a far distance, he draws multiple red projectiles slashes at Nora only, leaving Ren still standing. In just a few seconds, her aura depletes, and she falls down.

Ren: "Nora!" ...Jaune, I need help! ...Jaune!"

Jaune does not respond, still in mental paralysis. Jaune's vision is red, as it recalls his talk to Pyrrha about destiny and then her entrance in the pod down in Beacon Academy's vault.

Jaune: "Pyrrha's gone… I could have saved her… from the Maidens, from ALL of it! I could've stopped Pyrrha, and told her 'Don't do it!', and she might not have…!"

Ren looks back at Adam, and then behind him. He sees Ruby starting to get back up. She holds up Crescent Rose, ready to attack. In the meantime, Ren tries to distract Adam.

Ren: "What you have done will not go unanswered. You can't honestly think that you'll benefit through injustice. These criminals only care for themselves, and lead many people to die."

Adam: "And so will many more, if that's what it takes." With his back still turned, Ruby bursts towards Adam, about to attack. But right as she approaches his space, he has his sword out, right on her neck. She gags and holds her position and attack completely still with the blade of her scythe barely touching him. "Besides, how else do think I've become this strong so far? It's because I AM one of these criminals!"

Ruby shoots Crescent Rose and pulls the blade through Adam. However, he fades, as he was only an after image at the last second. She tries to locate him, looking all around. But he reappears and punches her in the abdomen. The pain in her core puts her on her knees.

Ren runs up to Adam to save Ruby. But Adam dashes to Ren and grabs him by the shirt. He headbutts him, and places Blush on his chest. Adam shoots multiple times, causing Ren to start stepping back. Adam stops, and dashes passed Ren before cutting him. His aura depletes, and he falls to the ground this time.

From behind Adam, Ruby stands up and tries her hardest to get past the pain in her stomach. She gets up slowly, and looks over at Jaune, who has not fought, but is still in distress.

His mind then shows Adam, and when he invaded his home, as well as finding him at the Tower.

Jaune: "I don't know who I am… or who I was! He was right there… and he hurt my sister… and then he killed Pyrrha! ...Why couldn't I stop him then? Then none of this would be happening! ...Every time I lose something, I lose something more! ...When will it end?"

Ruby: "Jaune! ...Snap out of it! Ah!... Please!" However, Adam walks up to her, and takes his sword out. He looks over to Ruby in an unbearable amount of pain, and shoots her with. The shot was strong enough to throw her in front of Jaune on the ground. She gets back up to meet Adam's face. Walks up to her and looks down at her. "How could you do this? Pyrrha was our friend. She-." Adam interrupts her by cutting at her leg. "Ah! ...She meant a lot to us! Especially-" He cuts at the other leg. She gives a slight bend, but continues to stay standing up. "Gah… to Jaune… She meant so much to him." A cut to the arm. "...He needed me to save her… but I couldn't reach her in time!" Ruby falls to her knees and cries silently. "I'm sorry Jaune… I'm so sorry…!"

One slash to the chest, and Ruby's aura depletes. She falls back while on her knees in Jaune's direction of sight to the ground. The blankness in his eyes start to regain light.

Jaune: "Ruby…? Ruby! ...Ren?! Nora?!"

Adam: "Welcome back to Remnant, Arc."

Adam grins and puts his foot on Ruby's neck for Jaune to see. She gags, trying to get him off. "What's wrong, not enough groove in your step? You just stood there and let me lay waste to your team? Just because I broke some headphones? Pathetic!"

Jaune: "...I told you before, Adam; Stay... the fuck... away... from her...! Stay the fuck away from THEM!" Jaune slowly looks up at Adam, and slowly sheathes Crocea Mors. His hands ball up into fists at his side, and he grits his teeth, like in an effort to break them. In his surroundings, there is a supposed wind that blows. Gradually, the so-called wind gets stronger and Jaune screams. Adam's grin starts to fade, as he feels the area feeling intense. He gets his foot off of Ruby and backs up. She coughs, and covers her face from the snow and massive force she feels in hers and Jaune's surroundings. Looking up, she sees Jaune with an infuriating expressions, his fists held up, and even him glowing in white. "Ruby… get back!"

Immediately, Ruby tries to run, but fails, and limps as fast as she can away from Jaune, and towards Ren and Nora. The both of them feel this, and it wakes them up. They look over and gaze at Jaune doing what they can assume now is him powering up. Ren breaks his own gaze as he sees Ruby limping his way. He grabs Ruby from under her arm, goes toward Nora, and drags them both further from Jaune and Adam.

Adam continues to stare at Jaune, while trying to cover his face. The force coming from Jaune gives one last hard push, and dismisses a big circle of snow from under him. All their is now is grass.

With his fists held up to his side, Jaune looks furious. The white glow on him fades away, no longer making him translucent. And through the appearance, Jaune is very well apparently bigger than before. His muscles are shown to be beefier and more cut, close to busting out of his clothes and armor. And while his team's aura progressively starts to replenish, they watch at a distance.

Ruby: "...I guess… this is what came out of… his training… just like he said."

Nora: "Exactly. All of those months… I'm so proud!"

Ren: "But will this be enough? If the trauma of finding out that Adam, an enemy from his past, was the real killer of Pyrrha wasn't enough, then his headphones were cut. I don't know if he'll allow Jaune to play anything else even without them."

Nora: "Yeah, but look at him. I don't think Jaune's playing, either way. He looks like he has all the motivation he needs."

Ren: "...Maybe. He cannot rely on music every time. I guess now is the time to learn, I suppose."

After calming down, Jaune strides up to Adam.

Adam: "Hmph. It seems you're much stronger than you lead on… Regardless, I intend on finishing this fight here." Adam takes out Blush, and starts shooting at Jaune. But as they hit him, he makes no signs of flinching, nor pain. The bullets bounce right off of him and his aura. "What?!"

Ruby, Ren, and Nora start to worry, but then become confused, and then amazed. As Jaune gets closer, Adam backs up even more, and continues shooting. None of the bullets inflict any harm. Adam then stops for a more patient, accurate shot. He aims directly for the head, between Jaune's eyes. He shoots, and sends Jaune's head leaning back. It makes him stop in his tracks.

Adam, as well as Ruby, Ren, and Nora stare at Jaune for a moment. While one person has hope of hurting him, three other people are worried. But all four have wonder on the impact the shot leaves on Jaune. He still stands with his head back. But slowly, it goes back down, and he faces forward. The bullet remains on his head, but flattened, and not penetrated. Jaune picks the flat bullet off, looks at it, and then looks up at Adam.

Jaune: "...You know Adam, if you were lucky, I might've lost my memory from that shot, AGAIN… or maybe even died this time. But here we are, still breathing, still reminding each other of our dark days, and still pissing each other off. And I'm not mad of what you did to my friends… Okay, I'm VERY mad at what you did to my friends. But that's my fault for letting it happen. Honestly, I'm actually happy. Ecstatic, even! You know why?"

Adam: "...What are-?"

Jaune: "Because now I know, that with just you, I can Avenge two of My Happy Ever Afters!"

By only moving his thumb, Jaune flicks, and in a sense, shoots the flat bullet. It hits Blush upwards, and throws Adam off guard. Then, Jaune dashes up to Adam, and punches him in the abdomen. His fist briefly holds Adam up in the air with his toes barely touching the ground. He punches Adam once again in the face, making him bounce off the ground as he goes. To catch himself, Adam sticks Wilt into the ground. But once he stops, he agonizes in the pain in his core. It puts a smile on Ruby that she will feel ashamed of later.

Achingly, Adam starts to get back up. But before given the chance to fully recover, Jaune swings multiple white projectile slashes towards Adam. It puts a smile on Nora this time that she will not feel ashamed at all.

The overwhelming attacks on Adam causes him to drop Wilt and Blush. Jaune ceases his attacks and runs up to Adam. He starts punching at him, while Adam dodges and pushes most of them aside. With every hit that Jaune does manage to place on him, Adam becomes a little more sluggish.

Jaune makes a fist filled with aura. Adam blocks it with his palm, but it feels harder than he had anticipated, or even could absorb. It makes a small cracking sound, leaving his wrist and shoulder, not broken, but uncomfortable. Jaune gives a second aura punch and hits Adam's face. He did not want to risk his other arm feeling odd, so he left it alone. Unfortunately, this makes Adam feel even more weakened by taking the hits. He looks down at his hand in discomfort. And strangely, he notices his glove and sleeve turn slightly lighter than it's usual black. A shade of grey that may still classify as black, but still lighter than before.

Adam: "No! Not now! I have to defeat him this time, for good! I need… more power!"

Adam ignores the unwanted aspects, and tries to continue fighting, regardless of his conditions.

As Jaune continues beating up Adam, he gradually cools down from his anger. This helps his attacks to be better conducted, involving kicks in between punching, rather than blindly throwing hits. His fighting style matches that of what Ren taught him.

However, despite the traumatic stress that kindled his power-up, Jaune's muscles start to deflate as he cools down, putting him in the same physical condition as before. It was because of Jaune's overpowering strength and endurance (and unpredictable dance-turned-fighting skills from before) that Adam could hardly keep up, or even cause enough damage towards him. And while the newly learned skills that Jaune conducts only now are more orderly, it only helps Adam to defend himself better without getting hurt too much. Jaune's team notices this, and become uneasy.

Jaune gives one aura filled punch, catching Adam's interest. Adam blocks it with his palm, and immediately glows red. Two more aura punches, and Adam absorbs them as well. By the last hit, Adam grabs Jaune's fist with his no longer discomforted hand. He squeezes it and bends it back. Jaune grunts in pain, and then takes out his sword in a reverse grip. Right before he could hit Adam, he punches Jaune in the face with his right fist. The hit sends him all the way towards his team.

Jaune drags across the ground with his head buried in the snow. From his head, the pile of snow steams and starts to melt, exposing his hair. He gets back up and meets his team who run up to his side.

Nora: "Jaune! Are you okay?!"

Jaune: "Yeah. I'm okay. Ow! I knew he was strong, but that hit… it burned. That couldn't have come from him alone. What was that?"

Jaune gets back up, thanks to his friends. They look over to see Adam already on his way to them with Wilt and Blush back in his possession. He knows that he has the upper hand, with Jaune's skills and abilities at their limit, and his team low on aura.

Adam: "I hope you all are ready to die." Jaune takes out his shield, ready to fight and defend his friends nonetheless. But out of nowhere, something appears. A red and black portal emerges between Adam and Team RNJR. "Now wha-?! ...Wait! Is this…?!"

Seeing this, Adam backs up. On the other side of the portal, Team RNJR look at the portal, and each other confused. So they walk over to the other side, and see Adam backing away from the portal.

From the portal, a black boot steps out and meets the ground. Another boot steps out, and along comes the body, with the head wearing a mask. Aggressively, the newly added person walks up to Adam.

Ruby: "(whisper) Who is that?!"

Jaune: "The woman from the picture… That must be…!"

Adam: "Master Raven… What are you-?" Before she approaches him, she draws and sheathes her red blade in just one second. What this does is create a portal near Adam, and gashes his face. "Ah! W-Why are you-?!"

Raven: "How dare you call me Master?! Don't think you still have the privilege! ...Did you not heed my brother's warning, or did you hope to challenge me after ignoring what he told you?"

Adam: "Stay out of this! This is my business. We have a history to settle, him and I. If anyone stands in my way this time, I'll be damned if-!"

Raven interrupts Adam by slashing a blue blade down at Adam's right, then left foot. With the two slashes, his feet become covered in ice, frozen to the ground. He struggles to try and get out, but fails.

Raven: "The only thing you could hope to challenge is my patience. But even that is suicidal on your behalf. Now I can kill you right here for your ignorance, or simply remind you of what you already know to stay away from." Raven sheathes her blue blade, and takes out a yellow blade that sparks electricity. "But I'll leave that decision up to you."

Adam: "...Don't… do this! You know I can't let this go! It doesn't matter now what you told me! I have my own forces! I don't take orders from you!"

Raven conducts two slash to her side (invisible to the naked eye) and puts the tip of her sword up to Adam's neck. He feels the sparks as the sword barely touches him. The aftermath of her two slashes cut down the trees on one side of the area. The general surrounding sparks lightning everywhere.

Raven: "I have shown you the world for what it truly is, and given you a home when you had nowhere to go. And yet, you feel unobligated to honor anything I ask of you? You chose to leave us, just like my brother, but for your own selfish cause… You're free to do as you please, no matter how shameful or dishonoring. But I've told you once before, and now this is the last time. So try to kill him if you wish, but unless you plan to meet your own demise beforehand, you WILL keep your distance…!" There is a long silence. "You've gone too deep into Her abyss, I can see. It only makes sense that you've become so rash."

Adam: "...You know, you're just as guilty for going into that abyss."

Raven: "I revolve around the dark. I don't sink like SOME do…"

Adam: "Hehehe… Fine. I'll stand down." Raven cuts down at Adam's feet, and sheathes her blade immediately. The ice melts and releases Adam. He walks up to Raven's side, facing the opposite direction of her. He speaks loud enough for her, as well as Team RNJR to hear. "Just you all wait. As soon as I obtain my power, you'll all know who it is to be feared." He talks quietly for Raven to hear. "And we'll see who is the real Master!"

Adam walks on, away from everybody. But Raven grabs his right wrist and holds it up to her face. Her grip tightens.

Raven: "Don't forget…" She looks over to Adam, as they both make eye/mask slit contact. "I haven't forgotten what you did at Beacon. Don't let me find you again…! Keep it warm for her."

She throws his arm down, and he continues to walk. She watches as he leaves, making sure that his presence is gone. As he enters through the trees, he immediately disappears.

After what was just witnessed, Ruby decides to speak up, among her group.

Ruby: "Thank you so much for saving us, Ms.-." Raven turns around and starts walking away, without a word. "Wait! Where are you going?! Why did you-?!"

Jaune: "She doesn't know you, Raven!" By hearing Jaune say those words, Raven stops walking, but keeps her back turned. "She wants to… Yang wants to get to know you."

Ruby: "What?"

Ren: "Jaune, what are you doing?"

Jaune: "She nearly got hurt, or even killed trying to find you. Before going to Beacon, and even after, almost every night. I know because Ruby here told me. This is her sister… We nearly did too, months ago, for Yang. She could probably be a better student than Adam might've been… I mean, if that's what he was to you for whatever. Just talk to her. Afterall, she is your daugh-."

Raven: "Why do you care, Son of Arc?"

Jaune pauses for a moment, seeing as she knows who he is.

Jaune: "...That's what I should be asking you, seeing as you saved us… Well, like I said, we nearly got killed at a bar one time. And if we hadn't, I might not have gotten a clue as to who I am. But, these things all happen for a reason, right? I somehow knew there might've been a connection with who Yang and I both were looking for. And, here you are, talking with my enemy. And it turns out he was your student, wasn't he? ...I just don't want her to be in the same struggle as I am I guess; being kept in the dark about who you really are from your parents, and finding out they come from some cult or terrorists or something… N-Not that I'm calling you a terrorist, or anything! I met th-the White Fang! *nervous laugh* ...But, how DO you know me, anyway? And… why did you save us? H-Have we met?"

Raven: "...No, we haven't. And I know who you are, Ruby, Daughter of… 'Summer'." A chill goes down Ruby's spine. Not just the mention of her deceased mother, but by the way Raven said her name. It sounded sad. "Still, I did not come to save you all. The Arc family is a proud heritage, known for making many difference, told in many ways, by many people in Remnant and beyond. You shouldn't concern yourselves with my daughter. She can handle herself."

Ruby: "But she's MY sister. If you can change how she feels, then… change how she feels! She needs you more than ever now."

Raven: "When the time comes, her and I will cross paths. For now, worry about your own quarrels." Raven turns around to face them. "And know who your real enemy is, Jaune Arc." A chill runs through Jaune's spine this time. "More than likely, Adam Taurus will hunt for you, along his quest of domination. I will not be around to protect you, should you be ill equipped. This is a one time act of allegiance to your heritage. Do not take it lightly, and honor it, by becoming stronger, better, and more aware of who you are, and where you come from. You may see Adam as your primary threat, for he is not the same as he once was. But there is always a source to all of our deepest, yet darkest desires. I fear that soon, he will become even stronger than I am now. Make peace with your enemy, and put the Evil ways (Her ways), to rest!"

Team RNJR look at Raven, and she stands there as if she were waiting for something. Jaune just looks at her straight, and confidently nods his head in agreement. That, as well as seeing the threat if someone were to ignore her advice. She nods her head as well, and turns around to walk away. As she walks, she draws her sword to open another portal. She walks into it, and it disappears.

Jaune: "We'll meet again, Adam. I don't care even if you do become stronger. We will stop you."

(A Few Moments Later…)

Team RNJR has finally arrived at the docks. There, they see a ship with many people going onboard. As they step onto the ship, welcoming them is the ship's Captain.

Captain: "Good afternoon, young Huntsman and Huntresses! Tickets, please." Ruby reaches in her pouch and takes out four tickets. She hands it to the Captain. "Thank you. You four couldn't have picked a more beautiful day than today to go sailing with this cool weather. We'll be heading out to Mistral in just a few hours. Just come on in, and make yourselves comfortable."

Ruby: "Thanks."

Ren: "Thank you."

Nora: "Thanks a lot!"

Jaune: "We appreciate this sir. Thank you."

As Team RNJR thanks the Captain, they step on to the ship.

Captain: "Hehe. Just doing my job, is all. Oh, and uh… feel free to stop by the wheelhouse if you kids ever get bored. You'd be helping out an old man on this long trip."

Team RNJR nod their heads and walk in towards their room below deck. There, they will finally rest and ponder from their tiring battle through their voyage. Their voyage just to journey further to an even bigger adventure and conflict.

(Meanwhile, At The House Of The Arcs…)

In search of the truth about her father's secrets, Catherine has thoroughly looked all over the house since Autumn. Her father's study room was the first from the start. As of today, it is the first for the second time around. Unfortunately, all that she can find is one section of files and paperwork in cabinets, regarding his missions and meetings as a Huntsman. Another section separate from the others is much more files and orders of his military affiliation. Nothing comes to any relations of the White Fang. At least, nothing that took place further back than recent terrorism.

With hours of searching, Catherine takes a break and sits in the rooms big office chair behind the desk. She closes her eyes, trying to think for a few minutes. After a while, she opens her eyes, and stares at a big family picture hanging on a wall. It has her, Jaune with a ponytail (Warrior's Wolf Tail), their father, mother, and six sisters with pigtails matching hers on one of their trips at Shion. She smiles while looking at it. But after a while, something crosses her mind.

Catherine walks up to the picture. She picks it up from the wall and sets it down on the floor. She looks over to the wall, and sees…

Catherine: "...Nothing." All that there is on the wall is a clear wall. No secret passage or anything. "I probably just need to take a nap."

As Catherine picks the picture frame back up, the back part, in which holds the picture inside, falls off. It falls and reveals that the back part not only held just one picture, but a second picture. Catherine sets the frame down, and bends down to look at the pictures. She sets the first picture aside neatly, and then looks at the other picture. It shows the Arc family, much younger than now, as well as the Taurus family of three; Adam and his parents. Catherine sets herself on her knees as she looks down and admires the picture and the memories they hold.

Catherine places the picture down while looking downward. But while looking downward, she sees a small cracking space between the floor and the wall that held the picture. She places her hand between the space, and finds herself lifting a square piece of the floor as heavy as a sewer lid. She looks into it and finds a safe vault. She lifts it up and takes it out of its secret compartment.

(One Hour Later…)

After nearly over 100 attempts at opening the safe vault, Catherine managed to break it open. Afterwards, she spent 45 minutes reading most of what is in the vault. One of the things inside is what Jaune had uncovered over a year ago, having the same people as before. But though it had not been addressed till now, her father, as well as Adam's father, are two of the others on separate files, alongside Ghira Belladonna.

While reading, Catherine hears the front door open. She does not go to welcome home who it is that walks in. The files in her possession has her too shocked. The person walks through the front door and enters the study room, revealing himself to be Catherine's father. As he sees her, his jaw drops, witnessing what she has uncovered.

Catherine: "Daddy… don't lie to me…" Catherine stands up and looks her father dead in the eyes. "Are you part of the White Fang?!"

If you will, leave a review, let me know what you think, and let me know what to fix. It helps a lot. Favorite and Follow, if you will. Another thing, let me know what you all think about how I specify the characters' talking. I feel that it helps to identify who is talking easier than usual. It's a small annoyance when I myself mix others up. If it bothers the majority of my audience on how I write however, I'll fix it. So I'll continue the chapters for this story after Volume 5. This way, I can have my story to continue off of revolving around the real story. Also, so I can finish my other FanFiction, Lives On A Limb. Alternative outcomes of what all happened during Beacon Academy. Take care. Peace be with you.