Chapter 17
Jaune woke up started, he remembered the attack, he looked around frantically, just to see the little girl, Pyrrha on the right side bed cuddling up next to him sleeping, she must have gotten it from Ciym who was on his left snuggling up to him, he took a few calming breaths as Altair walked in.
''Ah, so you have one too'' he said.
''What?'' asked Jaune.
''Little girl'' said Altair.
''Wait, one was with you as well?'' asked Jaune sitting up slowly, he moved himself so he could slide out of Ciym and Pyrrha and not disturb them.
''Yeah, I have one, so do Thane and Kole, only we appear to have humans and they had a Faunus and a Florus, my little one, Clair is her name is currently with Kiran, she getting as close to her as me'' stated Altair, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to Jaune ''enough on that we'll talk about that later how are you, you passed out, so did Thane, but he woke up an hour ago, we were worried about you, you've been out for a couple of days now''
''Oh god what happened?'' asked Jaune.
''Well, we've talked with the Florus some more and they decided they want us to do something for them, they want to be our ally's but they want us to do something for them'' said Altair.
''Oh, um well, ok what is it?'' asked Jaune.
''Ciym has only left your side once and that was to make a speech with Arsha that the Florus can no longer hide themselves, they said they've been hiding for too long and now they need to stop hiding, so they made a speech and everyone agreed, they want us to take a bunch of Florus to Menagerie, they want to present themselves to the world starting there'' explained Altair.
Jaune thought about the deal, it was a pretty ok deal, he really couldn't see any problems with it, there might be some issues from people of the Florus hiding for so long, there might be some more issues, but they'd just tackle it when it arose, so he could see no real problems with bringing the Florus with them.
''There's more, your going to want to talk to Ciym, she and Arsha want to come with us and by come with us I mean they want to join us on our quest to defeat Fel or whoever his reincarnation is'' stated Altair.
''Ah, I see'' said Jaune ''Arsha talked it out with Kole, I take it''
''Yeah, she confirmed it she's coming with us'' said Altair ''and I'm going to state this now, we don't care what you say the little girls are coming with us''
''Ok, any reasons why?'' asked Jaune.
''Simple, you may have not gotten a good connection with your little girl because you've been asleep for a couple of days, but the rest of us have formed a real bond and a real connection with them'' said Altair.
''Yeah, I understand, I sort of feel a connection with Pyrrha too'' said Jaune.
''Pyrrha?'' asked Altair ''isn't that the name of your former partner?''
''Yeah, it's the little girls name too'' said Jaune.
''Anyways, listen Kole is really making progress with his drinking problem, because of the little girl with him, I'm not sure how they're going to make things more positive for us, but I think the chance is worth it'' said Altair.
''Yeah, look I- I'm willing to let them come alright, I think I have a connection with Pyrrha, I think they're meant to be with us, but I want to talk to her and Ciym about it'' said Jaune.
Altair nodded, he then got up and said ''ok, then I'll leave you'' he then left the room, Jaune decided he'd just lay down with the two for a little while, they both looked so peaceful and he didn't want to disturb them.
Ciym was the first one to wake up; she sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, Jaune was still laid down, he was doing so to make sure that he didn't wake Pyrrha up; she turned to see if Jaune was up and smiled when she saw he was awake, Jaune quickly gave her the hush hand signal and gestured to Pyrrha asleep and Ciym nodded, they then began to speak quietly.
''Mourning Hero'' Ciym said smiling.
''Hero?'' asked Jaune.
''Your one of the Hero's you pushed Lucia back, you and the rest of Dragons Order fought the enemy off, so your hero's'' explained Ciym.
''Really?'' asked Jaune.
''Really'' smiled Ciym, Jaune smiled too before his smile dropped as he was about to get to the conversation of truth, Ciym saw this and frown too ''what's wrong?''
''Altair came in, he wanted to tell me about the deal'' said Jaune ''I want to talk it over with you first, listen were willing to take the Florus to Menagerie and I am fully willing to take you with us, but I want to know if your fully willing to come with us''
''I am, I am a dragon and like the previous dragons I feel it is my duty that I have been avoiding for so long to protect Remnant, so yes I want to come with you'' stated Ciym ''I want to help you fight Fel, I want to fight''
Jaune paused for a moment just looking at her; he could see the resolve in her eyes, Jaune gave her a smile and said ''ok then, your coming with us in our bar right?''
''Yes'' said Ciym ''don't worry me and Arsha will work in the bar, don't worry''
Jaune just nodded, as they finished there conversation Pyrrha had stirred in her sleep, soon she woke up, sitting up yawning and stretching her arms out, Jaune smiled at the cute little girl.
''Mourning sleepy'' he smiled.
''Mourning'' Pyrrha replied.
''Sleep well?'' asked Ciym.
''Yes, I did, I'm glad your awake Jaune, I was worried about you'' said Pyrrha hugging Jaune, Jaune smiled and hugged her back.
''Listen Pyrrha, me and Ciym are going to go on a little quest with my friends and a few little ones like you'' said Jaune.
''You mean Clair, Vivian and Zara?'' asked Pyrrha.
''Wait you know them?'' asked Jaune.
''Yes, I know them, they're my friends, we travelled together and we split up from one another to try and gain better cover all around when the attack started'' said Pyrrha, it really sounded more like she was trying to lie, Jaune quirked a brow, but he decided not to go there, he had to build up trust with Pyrrha so she'd want to tell him what happened.
''Ok, so were going to be leaving soon, were going to Menagerie'' said Jaune.
''I'm coming too right'' said Pyrrha desperately.
''Yeah, your coming too, you helped me fight Lucia, so did Ciym and Kiran, but you helped and you held your own, so you can come too'' said Jaune.
Pyrrha smiled brightly and hugged Jaune, nuzzling up to him, Ciym hugged the other side of Jaune, Pyrrha then laid back down on the bed ''this beds comfy can we lay on it a little longer?'' asked Pyrrha.
Jaune smiled at Pyrrha and said ''sure we can lay hear together for a little bit longer''
''Yay!'' cheered Pyrrha laying back down on the bed, with Jaune and Ciym joining her, Pyrrha quickly cuddled up next to the two of them with them smiling but then Ciym got a serious look.
''Jaune, when were done we need to discuss something'' she said.
''The prisoners right?'' said Jaune.
Ciym nodded, Jaune nodded to her, he'd worry about it later for now, he'd just enjoy this time he was having with Ciym and Pyrrha.
-LINE BREAK-
After the cuddle time they had Jaune, Ciym and Pyrrha were up and walking to meet up with the others to meet up with the Prisoners, they decided to leave Pyrrha behind, so they took her to the others, they told the children just to play and wait for them for when they were done.
Ciym and Arsha lead them down to there prison, it looked to have grown that way as it was a cube like wooden structure, but it wasn't man made, it looked to have grown to be a cube, it was quite amazing because it was indeed hollow inside, how had they done this?
''H-how did you do this?'' asked Jaune as he couldn't help it.
''Right, we will explain later on the journey to Menagerie'' said Arsha.
''Alright'' shrugged Jaune, he guessed he'd have to wait for that,
Soon they came to the prisoners cell and the guards opened the cell door and the seven of them walked in and Jaune saw who it was and looked on in shock at who they were, it was: ''Emerald, Mercury!?'' cried Jaune.
''You know them?'' asked Arsha surprised.
''Yeah, I do know them'' said Jaune harshly ''these two, are two of the people who caused the attack on Vale!''
Everyone gaze turned onto Emerald and Mercury and all of a sudden, they understood why Jaune was so hateful towards them, they knew of the incidents that had happened in Vale during the invasion, so they could understand why Jaune was so hateful.
''Well, now that I've cleared that up about you both I can ask, what the fuck are you doing hear!'' growled Jaune.
''Cinder, she was possessed by-'' Emerald started.
''By Lucia, yes I know she attempted to rape me or was going to'' said Jaune hotly ''doesn't answer the question though, why me, why come to me! Did you honestly believe I would protect you!''
''Y-yes'' said Emerald weakly.
''Sort of'' said Mercury.
''Well your wrong, now give me one reason why I shouldn't fucking kill you!'' growled Jaune drawing out his sword.
Emerald and Mercury back up to the wall seeing the bloodlust in Jaune's eyes; Altair, Thane and Kole quickly restrained him, Altair grabbed Jaune around the arms and Thane and Altair grabbed one arm each and started to pull him out of the room, the women quickly followed behind.
''I think we should talk about this together before we do anything'' said Altair holding Jaune back.
Kiran nodded and walked back to the cell, she was going to close the door, but before she did, she said to Emerald and Mercury ''we will discuss your fate, if you can share info with us then it will be greatly appreciated'' with that she slammed the door and strolled out of the hall with the others as they went to a room to make sure they could talk in private.
-LINE BREAK-
''We can't trust them!'' stated Jaune hotly ''they probably planned this out, I say we kill them or at least keep them locked up!''
''Jaune, calm down'' ordered Altair ''you are acting out of nothing but emotion hear and your letting it take you over!''
''He's right, we can't just kill them'' said Thane.
''Oh really why not!?'' asked Jaune.
''Ok, first off I can't even believe your asking me that! Second of all we can't because we have to be better, were trying to be guardians for Remnant, we can't just kill people!'' cried Thane.
''He's right Jaune this is changing you and not for the better!'' said Kole ''look I understand, I think I understand more than any of us do alright, I get it, but you need to control your emotions in this''
''Fine, what do you guys suggest?'' asked Jaune ''and it better be a good suggestion''
''Simple, I have these'' said Kiran pulling out two sets of Arm rings ''these are pieces of equipment we use in Valhalla, these will restrain there Aura, it'll also deliver a painful electric shock if they act out of line, oh and they cannot be removed unless we remove them''
''Are those some kind of ancient mysterious technology?'' asked Thane.
''No, just magic'' stated Kiran.
''OH COME ON!'' roared Jaune ''AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO IS THIKING LOGICALLY AND PROPERLY, THEY'RE CRIMINALS, THEY CAUSED AN ATTACK ON VALE, THEY KILLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, THEY KILLED PYRRHA!''
''Is that what this is all about?'' asked Altair.
''What?'' asked Jaune, in a deadly soft tone.
''Is that all this is about, is this all just about you and your pain, about your loss of Pyrrha?'' asked Altair, Jaune just threw his arms up in frustration and turned away from Altair ''look I'm not sure if I can relate to that, I don't even remember anyone from before I met you, but just ask yourself Jaune, is this what she would have wanted?''
Jaune gave out a frustrated shout before rapidly turning around and punching Altair in the jaw, knocking Altair to the ground and causing him to spit out a little bit of blood, the others just looked horrified at what Jaune had just done, Kiran rushed to Altair to make sure he was ok.
''I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PRETENDING YOU'RE MY FRIEND!'' roared Jaune, Altair looked pretty struck with those words as Jaune stormed out, he sat on one of the wooden bridges and looked out sitting there for an hour until a familiar scent caught his nose.
''Heh, its you Ciym, I thought Altair would be the one to talk to me, that's rather disappointing, he's pretty much my best friend in this little group and he sent you in his place'' said Jaune.
''How did you know?'' asked Ciym.
''Enhanced sense of smell, I know yours and his scent separately'' said Jaune.
''Look, Jaune he doesn't blame you, none of them do, they understand your anger and your frustration'' said Ciym.
''THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I FEEL!'' roared Jaune angrily.
''Yes, they do'' said Ciym ''look Jaune, I know how it's like to be like this alright, we all do we all get angry, but your letting it control you Jaune''
''I'm not, I'm thinking rationally and thinking that those two need to get what's coming to them after the hundreds and thousands who died in the attack on Vale, after the state Vale is in now, after Pyrrha, my former partner Pyrrha, do you honestly believe they deserve to live!'' Jaune growled.
''No, but- look sometimes people make bad choices, you don't even know anything about them Jaune, you don't know if this was there choice or if they were just dragged into it, even then you can be better than them, you don't need to make the mistakes they made and looking beyond that we don't know if they can or anything like that'' said Ciym ''Jaune your changing and it's scaring me, I know you, you told me some really deep things that you'd only tell people you really knew, I'm concerned for you ok''
Ciym reached out to Jaune only for him to turn swiftly crying out: ''Shut Up!'' as Jaune quickly turned he slapped Ciym knocking her to the ground.
''Jaune'' said Ciym, slightly hurt.
''What just what Because I'm done, I don't care what you or anyone else says I'm going to kill those two fuckers right now!'' growled Jaune.
''Don't lose yourself!'' called a small voice, it was Pyrrha walking forwards towards Jaune, she stood in front of him and crossed her arms and said:
''Your not acting like yourself, you know how your acting now, selfishly, your acting selfishly and your acting self absorbed, this isn't about Vale or the people or even your former partner its about you and only you, you know why it's because you want the world to feel your pain, you want the world to have the same scars as you do, you know why, it's because it makes you bigger, it makes your revenge bigger, it makes everything bigger and as long as everyone can feel your pain, you can go to sleep easily knowing they feel your pain''
Jaune felt hurt, but as he stopped and though, he knew those words he just said were true, he was acting like that, he was no better than Cardin or Cinder or her goons he was just as bad if he acted like this, Jaune then started to cry ''Jaune?'' asked Ciym ''why are you crying?''
''Because I'm pathetic'' he cried.
''No your not'' said Ciym softly.
''No, I am, I've lost control twice, I've been lectured by a child and I've come close to disgracing my friends memory, I hurt you, by saying what I just said now and I was being an ass to my team, I left and abandoned Ruby, Ren and Nora without even a note or anything, that's just how pathetic I am'' cried Jaune.
''Then pick yourself up'' said Pyrrha ''my father told me we make mistakes and when we make mistakes we fall, strength isn't power or anything like that it's the ability to pick yourself up when you fall and I know your strong enough to pick yourself up''
Jaune looked down thinking about those words, this little girl, she was really helping him, he could pick himself up, he could make things right maybe, just maybe he could fix everything and make everything right, he knew what he had to do.
''Thank you'' said Jaune standing up calmly and walking back to meeting room where the members of Dragons Order just sat in silence, when Altair saw him he got up and walked over to him.
''Jaune, your back'' said Altair ''listen we under-''
But Jaune cut Altait off by holding out his hand and softly saying ''Give me the arm rings'' causing all the other members of Dragons Order to look at him surprised.
-LINE BREAK-
Jaune stormed into Emerald and Mercury's cell, slamming the door behind him, both Emerald and Mercury were terrified at Jaune, they were sure he was going to kill them, but instead he just let out a laugh, it wasn't a humorous laugh, it was humorless and cold.
''You know what's funny?'' Jaune asked ''you know what's really funny? You know what's so goddamn funny that honestly I just can't laugh!? Even after everything you two have done, blindly stupidly following Cinder, the attack on vale, what you did to Penny, Pyrrha's death, even after all of that-'' Jaune stopped to sigh ''- I'm still willing to try and help you''
Emerald and Mercury looked at Jaune hardly able to believe it, after a moment of tense silence between the three of them Emerald managed to say ''t-thank yo-''
''Don't you dare think I am doing this for you, Cyim, Pyrrha, the little girl Pyrrha and Overlord made me realize that I was acting out of nothing but hate and if I acted out of nothing but my hatred then I'd be worse than you two'' said Jaune ''but don't you dare think this comes free, it's anything but free, I have conditions and you can choose to accept them and come or stay hear, condition one your working at our bar, you come with us you work for us, condition two you need to wear these''
Jaune pulled out the wristbands ''w-what are they?'' asked Emerald.
''They're restraint bands, these will basically lock your aura while your wearing them, you won't be able to use aura or semblances'' said Jaune ''and have you seen that movie Suicide Squad?''
Mercury gave a ''Ha!'' before saying ''yeah that movie sucked!'' this caused Jaune to glare at Mercury causing him to freeze up.
''I liked that movie!'' growled Jaune, causing Mercury to gulp ''good movie right?''
''Yeah, of course, loved it, it was just awesome, I mean so amazing and-'' Mercury would have went on, but Jaune interrupted him.
''Shut up and stop kissing my ass'' he growled, causing Mercury to gulp and shut up, before Jaune continued ''well think of them as neck bombs attached to your wrists, now that's all, do you accept these conditions?''
''I accept'' said Emerald.
''Yeah, I don't like the explosives thing, but I understand the reason for it, I accept too'' said Mercury.
Jaune quickly and harshly ripped there cuffs off and put the arm rings on, glaring at Emerald and Mercury all the while making them feel not only uncomfortable, but scared.
''You two so much as look at me in a way I don't like and I will literally break you!'' seethed Jaune menacingly, making both Emerald and Mercury look down in fear ''I'm going to explain that your coming with us to my team and to Ciym and Arsha, I'll have two men come and get you tomorrow''
With that Jaune stormed off.
-LINE BREAK-
The four followers were all in front of Salem, Adler and Monarch were on their knees, in front of her; she glared at both of them, she silently strolled to her chair and easily sat down.
Vespa was there as well, she calmly eating a meal of steak and pasta with a glass of red wine, Vert sat opposite of Vespa, he simply had his arms folded with a steaming cup of tea in front of him.
''Disappointing to say the least'' said Salem ''the only ones whom I can praise are Kasumi and Lucia, Kasumi didn't kill his opponent but at least he won his fight against his brother''
''My apologies, I simply wanted to test him to see if it were a challenge'' stated Kasumi ''I want to see how far he will go''
''As to Lucia, she also failed to kill any reincarnations, but at least she has the excuse that she fought four all at once, two who were reincarnations and two who might be just as powerful, which does concern me to a degree'' stated Salem ''but you both lost and what's worse is you lost to them when a little girl stepped in and that was the only advantage they needed, it's just amazing to me''
''I feel shame my lady, I swear I will redeem myself'' stated Monarch strongly.
''For your sake Monarch I hope that is true'' said Salem harshly ''and you Adler, what's your excuse?''
''I DIDN'T LOSE THAT'S MY EXSUCSE I WAS GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING ALTAIR AND THEN THEY FORCED MY RETREAT!'' roared Adler.
''Adler, calm down you are acting like a spoilt child'' said Vert, Adler just snarled at him ''but other than Adler's childishness, I feel Monarch is somewhat excusable, his armor is still only at 25% and Thanes armor is now at 50%''
''Hmm, but even then we must ask, who is to blame, them or there leader, for a soldier is only as strong as they're superior, the soldiers follow the Queens example and if the Queen gives a weak example then the soldiers are weak'' stated Vespa.
''Are you calling me weak?'' asked Salem.
''No, no, I am saying your example is weak, you haven't given them a good example of your power and leadership'' stated Vespa.
''Are you saying that everything I've done, everything I've worked for, everything I have been doing is all wrong and all defective!?'' snarled Salem glaring strongly at Vespa.
''Your right I should give you more credit, there is Lionheart after all one of Ozpin's ally's and defiantly has no chance of being a triple agent, what did do you to secure his loyalty again? Is he naturally loyal? Did you take someone precious from him and are now threatening their lives? Have you planted something in him that would kill him?'' asked Vespa.
Salem just growled she had never fought of that and Vespa was right Lionheart was cowardly but he was one of Ozpin's ally's maybe he was just giving her information, little information to help Ozpin, maybe or maybe not, but still she had nothing to secure his loyalty.
''Salem, I must ask, do you make it this easy to insult you for fun or are you just this incompetent'' giggled Vespa; Salem seethed at Vespa who just smiled back smugly, Vert decided now was the best time to intervene.
''My lady, I must inform you that Lucia has reported quite an interesting development'' stated Vert.
''Very well what is it Lucia?'' asked Salem.
''When I battled with Kiran and handsome there was another opponent there, a dragon, not a member of there order a literal dragon'' stated Lucia.
As Fel heard this in Salem he began to think to himself 'Another Dragon! No that's impossible, it was only the six of us that came to this world, unless… no it can't be… can it' Fel needed to find out ''Salem I need control grant it to me now!''
''Why, why should I?'' asked Salem.
''Who are you talking to?'' asked Vespa.
''Fel'' Salem answered.
''Give me control Salem or I will force control'' growled Fel very menacingly.
''Fine'' said Salem, closing her eyes and giving Fel control, as Fel reopened her eyes they had become red with black iris's.
''Lord Fel?'' asked Vert.
''Yes Malicious it's me, I will be calling you by your followers name'' said Fel.
''Of course my lord'' bowed Vert.
''Lord Fel'' bowed Vespa respectfully ''I am Queen Vespa, it is a pleasure to meet you''
''Yes, I'd like to be formally introduced to you later, but for now, the dragon, I want to know what it looks like details, scale color, horns or no horns, male or female, wing span, wing structure, everything!'' cried Fel.
Taken back slightly Lucia started to describe Ciym in both human and dragon form, at the end it was confirmed who she was to Fel and he started to laugh in cruel cackle.
''My Lord?'' asked Vert as Fel continued to laugh.
''Is this normal?'' asked Vert as Fel threw Salem's head back and laughed.
''No I have never seen Lord Fel like this'' stated Lucia.
Eventually Fel calmed down, but a grin was plastered on Salem's face and just said one thing:
''My Daughter Lives!''
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Boom, Ciym is Fel's Daughter, how will this go into the story, who knows.