Hey guys, first I really apologize for taking such a long time. But after the last chapter, I was on holiday and by the time I got back, school was kicking around the corner.
As for another reason, I'm so sorry but my beta had asked me to look for another one because she'd be too busy focussing on her school. So if any of you guys would like to be my beta, just let me know in the reviews. I'll also be looking for one as well, but now, it's late enough at my place and I'm going to close my eyes for a sec.
I gotta thank Jonathan Thomas. He allowed me to use some of his Grimm creations for this story. He works on Deviant Art and YouTube if you want to look for him. I asked for his permission to use his ideas. Please go looking for him.
I got a rant at the end of this story but I'll let you guys wait for that. I also watched the first three episode of the fourth Volume. I have to say it was surprising but with everything else, I found it really disappointing from what I have read of post Volume 3 fics until now. Seriously, it's not that good and it's far from what I had hoped for.
Jaune used his two index fingers to massage his already tormented nose bridge. It almost hurt by the many times he used it. Really, how did it come to this? He looked to the reason why he was so exasperated the last days.
His life as child soldier turned mercenary would prepare him to take on the world. Oh fuck, how wrong he was.
"How many times do I need to tell you four? No is no. I'm not going to take you four girls with me on our mission we have tomorrow."
Oh, right. In a weak moment or just stupidity from Ren, he told Nora they would be going on a mission after the exams. But because Ren forgot or he just couldn't stop his hyperactive friend, Nora couldn't keep it to herself and told the four the girls of RWBY and the whole school, to be honest. But why Jaune had the idea it was an especially bad thing to tell RWBY. Well, because as soon they heard that, they wanted to go with them. And Jaune began to find that irritating. Despite his refusing, the girls insisted on coming along and they just wouldn't take no.
He knew he had to take some people with him to the jungle but at least with his own team, he knew where he stood. The four girls were just too different work with. And the fact they just wanted to tag along.
Ruby had been teasing, punching holes and not leaving him alone for a second to get with him to the base. Yang had been a grade worse than her sister, her puns and attention only turned to Jaune. It was a relief for everyone else and a torture for Jaune.
Blake wouldn't say a word but the small sparkle in her eyes was for Jaune enough. Weiss didn't want to go but she couldn't resist to outright bully Jaune as well. She just found it amusing.
"Jaune, we can help." Ruby clearly told him with a glint her eyes. Clearly, that argument would win. It's not that she used that same argument already fifty times.
Jaune clenched his teeth and rammed his head at the table. This was so annoying. The point is that the former merc had no idea how to deal with a problem. In his former life, you didn't have problems. As soon you had something that just looked like a damn problem you shot in the head. That would normally solve it.
It would be dead but it was solved, right? But he couldn't shoot four girls in the head and get away with that. It would solve his problem but it would come to bite him back.
So he used his same argument.
"Ruby, you can help me by staying at home. I said no for a damn good reason. It's too dangerous for you girls to come with us. So that's why I am not taking you with me and that is final. Forget it."
Blake halted and put her book away.
"How dangerous is it really Jaune? It can't be that bad." He turned to the amber eyed girl and sighed. She had the idea that even if it was dangerous, she could tag along. After all, she grew up outside the Kingdoms, right?
"So dangerous that even fourth years aren't allowed to go. That graduated Huntsmen go at least in three teams to have a chance of survival." Jaune looked back at Ruby. The difference of two years was now really clear.
It wasn't just those two years. It was their whole life before this point that made a difference between the two leaders.
"So there is no way in damn hell I'm taking a team of first years with me!" He said with a harsh look. He was blunt enough to flinch the girls on his shout.
"I don't want to get involved but you're first years as well," Weiss commented while looking up for her nails.
Jaune looked at her with the eyes of a dead fish. His eyes then rolled to the back of his head.
"Ice queen, it's not just four first years going to the jungle. It's three first years and one former child soldier raised mercenary who spent three months living at the place every year. I hate to say it but I'm not someone you can put a label on. I know how deadly it is there. And that's the reason why Ozpin allowed me to go. Because he knows I can survive and most likely bring my team back alive. And before you ask why I'm taking a team with me. Going there is insanity. Going there alone is stupidity."
Jaune sat back.
"Most likely?" He glared to Ren. He had enough problems dealing with the four girls. He really couldn't use mutiny right now on his own. Besides, he was the idiot who gave him this shit. So he could shut up.
"Don't worry, Ren. I'll bring you three back home alive. And most intact. On my word." He said while putting two fingers up.
"And I always keep my word. That's why I'm not giving it so very often." Ren sighed and looked back at the girls. He grew up with Nora and because of his lifelong experience, he had more than a certain idea who would win this argument. These girls wouldn't stop driving him mad until Jaune gave in.
It depended on who was the most stubborn. Point being is that if Jaune didn't agree, it most likely would cause a drift between RWBY and JNPR. And that was something didn't look forward to. The only way you survived in this world was if you clung together. Ren didn't really want to lose the support of their sister team by one 'stupid' argument.
"Jaune, come on. You got to be exaggerating. It can't be that bad. Besides, we need to go with you not because of the Grimm." Jaune grunted and turned to Yang. This was going to be messy.
"Care to enlighten me?" He asked the brawler.
"Well, we need to go with you to prevent certain things from happening. Things that could get very dangerous." Jaune titled his head. He was now confused. And genuine. He had no fucking clue what Yang was talking about.
"What things?" God given, this guy was maybe a sharply raised mercenary, perfect for on the battlefield to get out in every situation but he was so dense at moments when it came to love issues. Why he had an idea of Pyrrha sleeping in his bed, he never thought further than that.
Okay, he had to admit he had a soft for Pyrrha. That was a true point but sexual innuendoes were something he wasn't used to. And he couldn't make the link with Yang's teasing.
So with this point, Yang gave a wide smile. And that indication wasn't even pulling alarm bells on Jaune given their previous chatting. It actually should.
"It's not a wise idea to send two girls and two boys to a mission with just them. If they don't look out, they would sue their freedom." Yang said, ignoring the blush on Pyrrha's, Weiss' and Blake's cheeks.
"What the heck/fuck?" Ruby and Jaune asked at the same time. Okay, that her baby sister would ask about this was normal but if Jaune would ask it, that was abnormal.
"Seriously, you were a merc and you need to ask about this." Jaune had a stupefied look on his face.
"Eh, what has my former life to do with the fact my team, consisting of two boys and two girls, with the fact we're going on a team mission out in the jungle?"
Yang's facepalmed on the stupid question. While Pyrrha turned to Jaune, she noticed he wasn't lying. The guy couldn't count two plus two together. Not in this.
"Well, if two boys and two girls go to a place, away from eyes, you and Pyrrha could…" She couldn't go on as Ruby now got the message and covered her mouth. Jaune, not willing to push, decided to let it go. Besides, he had an idea where this was going.
"I get it. Thanks for that. But no. It's a jungle, not a forest. Compared to that is Emerald Forest a walk in the park. If someone grew up there, they could go but naked in the initiation exam and could come back with the highest grade and did you four just imagine me naked?" He asked while the girl's cheeks were now really covered with redness by his, rather visual example.
He noticed Pyrrha having the same color but decided not to push on her. She had suffered enough for this;
"Besides, I'm not going to Ozpin asking for allowing you guys to come with me. Sorry, the man pulled a stunt to get us a ship. I'm not going to ask you four to come with me. Forget it." Ruby smiled.
"I already asked." Okay, Jaune was now blown away.
"What?"
"I asked to Ozpin if we could go with you. He has given permission for us and I just had to ask you." Jaune cursed. If his dad was alive, he would really ask to get a contract on Ozpin. Then again, that man was clearly on the right side of things.
Jaune whipped in his eyes. In another life, he wouldn't even be allowed to go. In another life, he could be a goofball knight with no training at all, ending up this school by illegal means. But that would be another world. This was his.
And he couldn't leave the weapon there. Knowing the Jackal, his da left enough reasons for him to recover the weapon.
Jaune had enough. He was sick of it. But then he began to think. Okay, they wanted to follow him to the jungle. Fine, they could follow him. They wanted to tag along on this mission no matter what he would say. They were going to regret that. So, as best to keep a stoic look but having some evil smirk in the inside that he allowed he himself to have, he looked at them.
"Fine, if you're that desperate to die, you can come with us. But." He stopped the girls from cheering. He lifted his right hand, holding up two fingers.
"There are two conditions." Jaune looked at them waiting, having his head turned to his hand with a slight grin.
"One. You are going to follow my orders. I don't give a care if Ruby is your team leader. I know the place, I know the Grimm, I know how you could live to see another day. So I want you to follow my orders, no matter how unsavory, disgusting or plain insane they are. You follow them and I can keep you alive. You question them and you die. Point."
The three girls were a bit taken aback but that was counted without the hyperactive leader counted. "Sure, Jaune. That's A-Okay." Jaune grinned at the fifteen-year-old.
Maybe he wasn't the first to pick as a leader but if he could be honest, with his life, he had a lot more running for him than Ruby. Then again. He found her the best pick.
"Second. Don't come crying to me if your partner dies. That place is really dangerous. Okay. I'm going to try to get all back home in one piece but that is going to be difficult." Hearing no complaints, Jaune was now ready to take them to hell.
He would get them back but they were going to regret it. Not only because of the place but because he had the idea that staying there would be worse than the whole travel.
His own team. He could spare them from the most things. But now, he was just going to like the coming days.
Maybe only Blake could stomach it. Weiss being a spoiled princess, Yang and Ruby being too normal kids, they would have problems. And besides that, the time they would spend at the base would be fun.
Then again. Blake was a survivor. Survivors tended never to go to the most dangerous places. They'd avoid those like the plague. That place was dangerous. Like really. It might have sounded like an exaggeration but he wasn't joking. His da built the place there on the most dangerous place of all Remnant so authorities wouldn't even think of sending troops there.
Jaune felt exhausted.
"Okay, in that case. You girls can join." Ruby jumped up. That noncookie diet would break her in the coming days. Yang pumped her fist.
"I'll see you girls at two o'clock in the morning at the takeoff. We need to leave that early. Take a large bag with you with one spare set of clothes, your weapons, one and a half liter of water, no food, and as much ammo you can carry. That's all. See you guys there." The girls were already regretting.
Yang had hoped to go out for Vale, partying now the exams were over. She maybe could drag her team with her.
Oh, how she would enjoy seeing the silent Blake or the stuck up princess Weiss going the nightlife Vale had.
Ruby's eyes had now fallen out of her head. Two o'clock in the morning. Two o'clock. Isn't that ridiculously early. This wouldn't be fun at all.
Weiss had a similar idea. Two o'clock. Eh, couldn't they go at two o'clock in the midday?
Blake hid her shock pretty well. Okay, it wasn't the first time after she got out her former life but what good reason would Jaune have to get them out that early.
Jaune's own team knew of the early hours. About a week, Jaune had set the bedtime pretty early so their bodies could fall asleep more easily. It was stupid but it was necessary. Jaune didn't have to get used to it. Living a life like he did, it would be more difficult to get the routine out his system.
"Oh and don't even think about chickening out. You girls wanted to join. You have joined it. And I see you're going through this to the end of it." He stood up but felt Pyrrha's gentle grasp on his hand.
"Jaune, you never told us where exactly we're going." Jaune nodded.
"Close to your home, Pyr. The ruins of Salagos are the place we were dropped off. From there on, it's in the jungle."
He then stood up and walked away.
When he told that, Pyrrha's eyes shot open. The ruins of Salagos. What in Remnant's name would have they to look for there?
"Pyrrha, you look like you have seen a ghost," Nora said. The hyperactive hammer wielder would look like a child but the girl had her moments.
Pyrrha snapped out of it but her shock wasn't. They were going to a place deserted for centuries. That was going to be nice.
"Yeah. The ruins of Salagos have been abounded for as long I can remember. I learned in Sanctum, it was an ancient city. The place was overrun by Grimm but the real reason is unknown. By foot, it takes weeks before you get to the place."
Ren scratched his chin.
"Renny?" Nora turned to her partner, noticing how the man becoming worried. She could be often seen as childish but underneath her normal behavior, she was often sharp to the people close to her.
"Given the fact what Jaune told us. He would have a good reason to go to such a place and dragging him with us. And I think we can trust him on that. I don't know but I'm going to bed early. Waiting for longer wouldn't be the best idea given the fact we have to be ready in such aa dreadful hour."
The girls shuddered. Jaune wouldn't take it if they chickened out of this.
They would have to get up that early.
~Next morning~
Jaune stood at the ship, being alert and awake despite the early hour. He had a hard time hiding his stoic look. The reason?
He was enjoying this so much more than he actually should.
Ruby was walking with a droopy head and she dangerously leaned close to Weiss who by all means didn't look that better. Her hair was a mess and she had bangs beneath her blue eyes. How refined and high class she was the first time he met her, how low she was now. And Jaune loved it every second of that image.
Yang had a cranky mood and Blake had to support her nearly being crushed by her partner's eight. When Yang could fix her hair was beyond Jaune but at least she looked better than the Ice Queen. Blake looked the best of the four. She was still tired but at least, she looked better.
For Jaune, given his former life, he was okay with nights of three hours of sleep. Right now, he had certainly enough to survive. Pyrrha was leaning on his shoulder. Her armor was worn loosely and Jaune thanked Yang was too tired to notice. They would never hear the end of it.
Nora was carried by Ren who occasionally glared to Jaune. Jaune and he got into a heated argument last night before they went off to bed, given the fact the ever patient ninja wanted to carry milk, eggs, and flour to bake pancakes for Nora on their trip.
Jaune, being the guy he was, found it ridiculous to carry those things with him. Nora had to live three days without pancakes. End of the fucking line. And if she wanted to act like a child, Jaune would give her a stern warning and if she then didn't listen, Jaune would have found another way. Ren had never seen someone acting like that but he had to admit.
Jaune had more patience with Nora than most people ever had. He could stand her crazy antics, raised seldom an eyebrow on her conversations and agreed with her more disturbing thoughts to a level the ninja found Jaune was as weird as Nora. He had put up with her ideas and her sometimes annoyed ideas.
Ren sighed. Jaune was being rational. So for that, he had to give it.
"Okay, I know you guys hate me but we can sleep on the airship. It will take five hours before we get dropped off." He got, half supporting his partner, placing her next to him. It didn't take long before everyone got in, hoping to close their eyes and to have some rest.
Weiss became a pillow for Ruby how much she hated it but she was too tired to care. Nora had fallen asleep on Ren's lap who laid his head back. Jaune wanted to guess. They had made a bet when he and Pyrrha would hook up. He wanted to give something on how long it would take for them.
Then again. He heard of Ren that the two were together for a long time. Jaune thought back. In project Cloud, there was a girl he grew close to. Not romantic close but a best friend close. He wasn't really romantically acclimated. Hell, he was a social disaster.
Not that he didn't know how to act around people but a normal life was really far from him. He never got an idea on how to act without being violent. But the truth remained, he was violent.
He just liked to think he could handle that.
The flight was quiet as it was early. They would be two days at least and four at max away on this mission. He didn't go to talk to Ozpin. If that man allowed team RWBY to come along, he could shut up.
Jaune was somehow looking forward to it. After all, there is no place like home.
~At the ruins.~
It was close to seven when eight teens jumped out of the bullhead. Most were rested and ready. Yang stretched out, feeling several pops coming out her body.
"Ah, last time we go along with you, Jaune."
'I warned you.' He thought.
They looked around. Salagos was built easily three thousand years ago before there was even spoke of the Kingdoms. It was years before everything. It was one of the oldest places of human civilization in Remnant, built in an ancient style, although Pyrrha had to admit there were some influences of the city that she could find back in Mistral. The redhead smiled at her leader.
"So what now, Jaune?" The blond smirked and waved at them.
"Just follow me. I know where to go. Oh and for your information. This is going be a ten-hour walk. No break, no stop, no pause. We need to get at our place before night falls. That's it. Rule one. Keep moving. Two. Try to avoid a fight at all cost. We need to conserve energy and ammo. Three. Be quiet. If everyone can agree, we can move. But before that, I'm going to have your guys walking in a formation. That would make it the easiest and safest way. It's not like a formation in the army but a circle to make it easier."
RWBY fell quiet on his ordering but listened to him.
"I take the lead. Nora, as you use a grenade launcher, I want you at the left flank of our group. Yang, you're going to take the right flank. Both of you are heavy hitters which we'll need to keep threats from coming close. Blake, you and Ren make up the middle part of it. Tag along with your partner and cover them in case that is needed. If danger comes too close, I need to split you guys up and you guys are the nimblest of us all. Pyrrha, you and Ruby are the end. You use mid-range attacks, Ruby, you use long-range attacks. You two make sure that nothing comes from behind. Weiss, you join Blake and Ren behind them. Ready?"
Everyone was a moment ablaze from his way of making tactics but they decided to agree. They got in their designated spot and Jaune walked first, he had Kalash on his shoulders, ready from whenever he would need it.
When they got out the ruins, they got at the beginning of the jungle. Nature was taking back what human took centuries ago. Jaune lifted his hand, placed a hand on the ground, closed his eyes, breathed in and out.
In the jungle, you have to rely on your instincts. Put your faith in yourself and those and you'll get out alive. This was given and take.
Jaune stood up and walked through the jungle, the rest following. Jaune was quiet before but now, it was more noticeable. He didn't speak once and in a silence, he excepted from them, he leads them. The place was hot, scratch that, it was more like brewing. The heat was pressing on them and Weiss was regretting that she took her battle skirt with her.
A lot of them regretted. Blake clothes stuck to her, Ruby's outfit had begun coming closer to her and Ren didn't know if Jaune was just tough or stupid by pulling his hoodie up. His brains must be cooking.
Hours passed as they walked through the jungle. Unlike in Emerald Forest, the trees were huge, so far they couldn't see the sky or the sun. You could see as sunlight still made it but unlike Beacon, the sun was out.
Down below, the ground was filled with humus and composing materials of trees. There were no paths, no destinations, no landmarks. This was Nature in its rawest form. They had to climb over trees, walk through shallow pools and find a way through narrow paths, born between two ancient rocks.
Jaune was the only one not having any problems. He was actually feeling comfortable at this place. For him, it was like he came home. The heat, the jungle, a place where humankind didn't come. Nobody knew where they were going but they trusted on Jaune. Eventually, they ended up at a swamp.
There was one small narrow path leading through it. Jaune had guided them through most problems, told them when to be careful and when they had to watch their back.
"Okay, listen up. This is the last part but the most dangerous part of our journey. This is the terrain of a very nice Grimm type I really don't want to introduce guys too. Carnage Snappers." Jaune told them with some sort of grin on his face.
A collective gulp was formed in the group. Carnage Snappers? A type of Grimm that was one of the most dangerous and Jaune wanted to guide them through that.
"If you're wondering why I chose this route, well, because this is the shortest and least dangerous route. On our left, we could go through Desert Fangs which I really hate or we can go through a cave and there you got Blood Shriekers there."
Ruby lifted her hand. "What are Blood Shriekers?" Jaune smiled on her question. Oh, this girl. How naïve could you get it?
"Blood Shriekers, Ruby, are the reason why people believe that bats drink blood. Those monsters can suck a person dry in a few seconds. And dying of blood loss is a very unpleasant way. I have seen people who ate a bullet who were caught by those monsters." Everyone began to pale.
Team RWBY had the idea they had gone in a terrain they couldn't handle.
"This is the safest route to go. But you guys have been shutting up and that's good because now, you gotta be really quiet. I don't want to hear one word. Understood? Not one. I don't even want to hear you breathing. Look where you are going, do not touch the water, don't drop anything in it, try to keep your fear under control and if you just think you saw red eyes from below, let me know and I'll have a plan ready. Carnage Snappers are often docile in the way that if they don't notice you, they'll leave us alone. And we need to reach the base in."
The merc looked at the sky. Midday had passed. Time was cutting close.
"In two hours. So get the pace and pray on your skills." Jaune walked in, feet before feet, as a scout. He walked in for five meters and waved to the rest. Everyone followed, slowly, quietly, looking around.
The day had passed relatively easily but Jaune knew this was just silence before the storm. When everyone had joined him, he took his position as scout. He used his ears, his eyes, his nose.
You needed more than just your eyes. Your other senses were more important. Luckily, the insects and frogs were the only noise.
He didn't know if it was his heart beating that loud or it was of someone else. Jaune didn't really care, he couldn't ask more so he didn't. He was glad that most kept them down. Jaune nodded and began to lead.
He placed feet by feet, the fog coming from below the lakes, the noises from the forest. This was a swamp. The perfect for an ambush. When the group heard a splash, they turned to see, weapons at the ready. A crocodile, a real one, got in the water. Luckily, it was far enough from them. They had the Grimm to worry about.
They breathed out, relieved until Nora turned around.
The hammer wielder was lost for words and tapped on Ren's shoulder. The ninja like his partner couldn't speak. "Eh, Jaune."
The leader of the two groups turned around.
"Oh, fuck." He spoke when the group faced a large group of Carnages Snappers. The large reptiles looking at them, making their way to them. Their eyes hungry, ready for the kill.
Jaune didn't know who to blame and he didn't want to.
"Jaune, I hope you have a plan," Weiss asked while everyone made themselves ready for a fight. Jaune sighed.
"Yup, it has more phases. The first one is simple. Run!" The mercenary shouted.
"Follow the path. It wields lead us out of this place. Nora, distract it. Pyrrha, you and Ruby providing her cover. The rest of you, make it to the trees." They saw the beginning of the forest. Ren casted one glance. He hoped his leader knew what he did.
Nora, followed her orders, pumped a few grenades at the beasts.
Jaune knew that this wouldn't stop them but at least, it would give the others some time.
Ruby turned her scythe while Pyrrha changed Miló to his rifle form. The two began to fire while Jaune reached for his bag. He quickly found his weapon. A weird weapon came out. Jaune aimed at the water.
The three girls didn't know if the Grimm were distracted but when they turned to Jaune, they saw he had a teaser gun out. With the effects on the water, the reptiles couldn't move.
"I never go somewhere unprepared. Let's catch up. This won't stop them for long." The three girls turned to the monster.
The effects were going to wear down on the monsters and they had begun to walk on the path. Jaune hated to waste ammo but he didn't have a choice so he emptied his rifle on the first one. Like mosquito bites, the monsters shook it off like an annoyance. It just agitated them more.
The four caught up with the rest.
"Jaune, is running the best plan?" Weiss poisonous remark really ticked him off.
"You have a better idea? I'm all ears." Weiss didn't know to react. Luckily, Blake did.
"Jaune, do you have more planned than just running?" The merc wanted to react until a roar came from behind them. The Carnage Snappers were now sprinting to them.
The group decided to go with his order.
"I have an idea but we first need to reach the base," Jaune said, leading the way. The group decided to shut up and run.
This wasn't a perfect place to fight back so they had to pick another one. And Jaune just knew where to go.
"I hope you guys aren't tired because we're going to run for a while."
He reloaded Kalash, putting the empty holder in his pocket.
Everyone decided to listen to him. They began to follow him and just in time as the first Grimm reached the place. They kept the pace fast enough, making it impossible to be outrun by the Grimm. Jaune often stayed behind to give directions and he looked to the group.
But things never went as you hoped.
Nora tripped over her feet, not paying attention. After slowing down, the first Carnage Snapper reached her, hoping for the first kill. Only to be met by bullets coming from an SMG. Ren had turned back and fired at the beast.
It did little more than agitate the monster. Before Ren could put in a reload, the crocodile Grimm had moved in, taking a bite. Ren took his best friend up, hoping to retreat but felt a pain soaring through his leg.
He turned to his side, fell down as the Carnage Snapper pulled the ninja with him on the leg.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Nora had never heard Ren scream out in pain. He always kept his emotions hidden beneath his calm demeanor. Jaune turned to the two.
He blinked when he saw Ren being pulled by Nora who pulled on his arms. Ren would be torn apart if this continued.
In his mindset, Jaune had an idea but it wouldn't be pretty. He took Yang by the shoulder who had joined the rest.
"Yang, I have a job for you. Go to that beast and punch it in the fucking eye." Yang didn't like one bit of it but Jaune didn't really leave any room for discussion.
With a battle cry, she charged at the beast. Like with the Nevermore, she grabbed on. Her jump was rightly calculated. She steeled herself and punched in the soft material. It was disgusting as the eye exploded on her arms.
But the Grimm let Ren go. He launched up but the ninja got out of the bite. His legs were nearly torn apart but luckily, they were still in one piece. The beast didn't have the time to rip the flesh of the bones.
Jaune had caught him.
"Thanks, Jaune." The merc nodded and he looked to Nora.
"Nora, think you can carry him?" The Hammer wielder took it over from Jaune and she carried her friend out. Jaune looked at Yang who was cornered. She had flown away when the Carnage Snapper had pulled his head. She landed in the trees.
Jaune took his grappling hook from his belt and threw it at Yang. She looked up and saw the hook traveling to her.
She got the message. "Hold on."
With more power, she would have guessed from Jaune, he pulled her back to the group. The monster couldn't stop and rammed itself into the tree.
Yang got caught by Jaune. The monster tried to fight back but a shared look between the two blondes ended his idea. Yang fired her gauntlets while Jaune aimed for the ideas, covering the brawler.
"Weiss, think you can freeze it?" The alabaster girl gave Jaune a little smile and partially froze the Grimm when it recovered from the attacks.
It wouldn't stop it but it would block the others ones or they'd destroy him. Whatever it would be.
Jaune ran to her and clapped her on the shoulder. "Thanks. Now, come on. It's not too far now." Weiss and Yang ran behind him and the three reached the group. Ren was looking like he could pass out any minute now.
Nora worriedly looked from her partner to her leader. Jaune caught the other looks.
"Ren, we need to reach my base. Think we can make it there?"
Ren was dizzy. "Jaune, I'm dead weight. You better leave me here." He was met by a harsh slap. When he turned his face back, he saw Jaune glaring at him.
"Ren, for fuck sake. I promised I take you home alive. And I intend to make to keep that promise."
Nora sighed. "You still can carry him." The girl nodded and she took Ren up in bridal style. Jaune sighed.
Whatever helped them to reach the base. He looked at the others. This had to work. It just had to.
The group moved out fast, following Jaune. The trees began to part and a path became clear. While it still was in the jungle, human civilization was noticeable.
Blake ran to Jaune. "Jaune, how did you have a base here?"
He sighed. "My da built it. It was an old ruin from the Faunus War. He makes it a bit more modern. Don't ask me about it. I never asked him."
He said and Blake decided to shut up. She could ask later. If they survived.
Jaune heard a screech and paled.
"Oh, just fucking perfect." He said. Pyrrha stood next to him and looked up. A white color got both cheeks. Giant fucking bats.
"Blood Shriekers?" She asked despite knowing the answers. Jaune nodded.
"Yup, just our luck." He said while the beast attacked them. Perfect, just perfect. They were caught between two big problems.
Jaune looked at RWBY. "Guys, think you can take fire everything you got at these ones?" Ruby smiled gleefully. She readied Crescent Rose and the bullets flew out. Blake turned Gambol Shroud to an SMG, Yang reloaded her gauntlets and Weiss turned Myrtenaster around.
The bats attacked but were stopped by the barrage of fire. "Guys, don't hold the line. Push back when you can't hold it." Jaune shouted while he ran. Nora and Ren had made it further on to what Jaune meant as the base.
RWBY had used their gunned forms to fire at the Blood Shriekers but unfortunately, the bats weren't that easily shaken from their prey. They had to fall back. Ruby turned around to give one of the bats a shot but was attacked by another one. They heard an assault rifle firing and looked to Jaune who had used his own gun.
He and Pyrrha now provided the girls with cover while pushing themselves back. Just when things started to look brighter, the Carnage Snappers came out.
"Jaune, you really have thought this out?"
The mercenary smiled at Ruby when he leads them to the door of his well-hidden base.
"Okay, listen up. Pyrrha, go to the opposite wall. You'll find a red switch there. On my mark, you punch it."
The Spartan had no idea what he meant but she followed his order. Jaune stood on the other side. He held his hand up, giving Pyrrha the order to wait. Just when the Grimm were close enough, he dropped his hands and like his partner, he pulled a switch.
From the sides of them, two automatic turrets opened and they turned to the Grimm. They began to pump bullets of the size of cannon balls at the Grimm tearing them apart.
Jaune grinned on the reactions. This was fun. They got to the base alive without too many issues and given this, he'd have more fun the coming hours or days than he actually should.
Okay, that's it for now. It would grow too big and I wouldn't be able to publish it before my beta got time. So this is it for now. Don't worry, I'm working on new stuff and I hope you'll enjoy it.
As for Jaune's character, being a merc but as dense as him. Well, you can say I just like to mess with him. I'm trying to find my way with Jaune as he's different from the others and he's different from the other main characters I used before.
But hey, we live to learn and this can be fun.
I also published a fic called Distractions. It's a bit of a spin off / crack fic. I'll be working on it but if you want some Arkos fluff, go check it out.
There will also be other pairings listed there.
I kinda somewhat forced myself to watch the first seven episodes of Season 2. Went over it and have enough ideas. But I got time and episodes enough to cover. I don't think I'll be able to stomach Volume 3, given how RoosterTeeth worked things out. I only watched the last episodes and still. It will be hard enough.
So let's wait how Volume 4 turns out but as for now, it's not that good in my opinion, and then I'll decide if I'll continue this fic. That's the problem with me. I got a rational mind, meaning I like more mature things like mercenaries, sleeper agents and stuff like that but I got a weak heart, meaning I cannot stomach drama. And Arkos nuking was the hardest thing I watched in the last five years.
But we'll still get Chibi and enough fanworks so we'll see.
I'll see you guys in the next chapter.
And like I said above, I'll be looking for a beta sideways as well.
The biggest issue is that I have too much fun working on my other fics. They don't kill me when I'm done writing. And that's the kind of thing I haven now when I watch RWBY.
I'd also like to make a rec. RWBY Destiny of Remnant. It's a fic by UGX7. It's a really good fic and the guy puts his everything into it. If you guys would read it once or leave a comment, you'd make me real happy.
Saluut.
