So a few things,
One:
Ipad keyboard went buggy and had to be replaced.
Two:
Memory was too full and had to transfer photos from Ipad to computer.
Three:
*Whew* Man, this was a chore to get out!
Four:
I was asked about Jaune's abilities and realized that I never clearly stated them, so here's what he can do, I may add more later. Also in case it isn't specified, Jaune has LITTLE experience in how to use his Celestial Light, he has only used it to empower his weapons, it is much more flexible than just that.
Abilities:
Grimmification - With the Dragon-grimm that is bonded to Jaune's Soul, he has all the abilities of a dragon (including scaled skin under bone plates, elemental resistance, and fire breath, knuckle claws, etc.). His strength and speed are bolstered and due to his humanoid form, he is able to fly with much more flexibility. Draconems are large and somewhat lumbering, even in the air they move fast due to their large wingspan, but lack speed, a thing Jaune doesn't have to worry about due to his smaller size. When used in conjunction with his Celestial Light, his transformations lose more of the grimm-like look (losing the bone covering) and he become more like a humanoid dragon with hyperdense black scales across his body.
(Note: The more he uses his grimm the less human his thoughts, he can become an actual dragon at the cost of exhaustion and lost of rational thought. There are some abilities that his grimm allow for, but he considers a last resort or ultimate punishment to someone, those will be revealed later. Also Jaune doesn't know about the effects of his Celestial Light on his grimm form)
Fire and Ice Manipulations - Due to the heavenly fire and Ice that are sealed within Crocea Mors, Jaune has the ability to mold holy fire and holy ice into any shape and form them from his aura when he released his sword's special abilities and powers. With the introduction of his grimm, he gained the ability of corrupted black flames and ice, which can be used to damage someone and even hamper their aura, however his initial discomfort in using it has left him with less experience and control when compared to his heavenly abilities though he is proficient in its manipulation.
Celestial Light - A heavenly power imbued within Jaune's very soul, rather than using the heavenly power within Crocea Mors, it exists within him and bolsters his human body. Actually he doesn't know too much about it as Era has only said to him that it works of determination and is limited by his imagination. What he does know is that it is incredibly taxing, even on his supernaturally dense body. He doesn't know his limits but was warned that using too much of it will literally burn out his very soul. His very limited experience with it makes it one of his most unstable weapons, as Jaune has constant trouble controlling it and needs to work on regulation.
Master Swordsman - Jaune is able to fight with skill that surpasses that of many of his friends (at the moment) as he created a style that blends all of his powers in conjunction with his powers. He is not invincible, but has been able to fight on par or beyond with his future friends or other S-class hunters.
(Note: He hasn't used all of his skill as there are certain abilities he wants to keep hidden)
Capable/Master Marksman - While Jaune doesn't like to use rely on long range weapons, he is decent with guns such as rifles (a trait he picked up from Pyrrha teaching him marksmanship). However, he is a master with a bow an arrow, something he knows how to use as a skill he developed in his youth.
Medical Ability - While Jaune has had some experience in the medical field while treating allies in the war, he is by no means qualified enough to be a doctor. He can perform basic medical procedure but that's about it.
Density Manipulation - Jaune's body is supernaturally dense due to him constantly pumping aura through his veins, bones, organs, etc. which allows his body to function normally even if under ludicrous amounts of strains. He can use this to weaken or strengthen the density of anything he comes into contact with, however he must have come into skin-to-skin contact with it in order to weaken it. He cannot affect what he hasn't touched. He does have the ability to weaken his own density, however his control over how much is meager at best, he cannot minutely affect his density as he once tried and he literally almost collapsed his left side into paste.
Tactician - An adept planner even from the beginning, Jaune has honed his ability to analyze and strategize over time. Now even in the midst of battle, he can calmly assess and plan an attack based on what he knows and gleans through the battle so far.
Evil Ejection/Projection or Dark Side Conjuration - As his grimm is a part of him yet an separate entity, Jaune can literally eject it from within him to form a bone-clad shadow that fights independently of his control. Continuous sparring and experience has allowed for 'The Other' (as he calls it) to develop its own sentience and consciousness, however it is nowhere near intelligent enough for real strategizing, as it is more akin to ripping into what it perceives as a threat to Jaune or itself. It uses claws of obsidian and is made entire of the chaotic essence that resides with Jaune, however Jaune cannot use any of grimm abilities while it is fighting. It takes a measure of energy to give shape and power.
(Note: If Jaune were to lose consciousness, or The Other too damaged, it would dissipate into nothingness as it returns to him. He would be unable to use it again for sometime depending on the severity of the damage it sustained.)
Darkness Manipulation - Due to the grimm within him, Jaune has gained a personal connection to the very basest essence of primordial darkness and evil that shape the grimm. He can create, shape and manipulate darkness and shadows. He has the ability of accessing a dimension of dark energy that can be channeled to a variety of effects, both as an absence of light and a solid substance. He can also control and manipulate the beings that exist there, create and dispel shields and areas of total darkness, create constructs and weapons, teleport one's self through massive distances via shadows, and even create a dome of pure darkness that he manipulates the area within. While Jaune can draw in darkness to replenish his stamina and power, if he takes in too much at once and doesn't use it, he begins to loose control of his darker impulses; succumbing to the insanity that dwells within him and rampaging wildly until he exhausts himself.
(Note: Excessive negative emotion can also make him lose control as his grimm also feeds off the darkness and negative emotions he feels)
Large reserves of aura - Self-explanatory.
(Note: His large reserves allow him to create constructs made entirely of aura without too much strain)
-YARN
Enjoy the chapter!
P.S. Disclaimer, I don't own RWBY or anything like that, all the credit goes to the respective owners and such.
Jaune rolled back before using his hand to push himself away as his other slammed a clawed fist into the ground with enough force to send up a plume of dust. Jaune landed in a crouch and weaved his way through several punches and kicks while returning with several of his own attacks. The Other disengaged by leaping back and dug both of it's fists into the ground and ripped a chunk of rock out of the ground and hurled at Jaune. Jaune simply sliced the rock in two as it reached him only to see The Other behind it and pulling its fist back for another punch.
Jaune literally fell back and used his free hand to balance on the ground while simultaneously kicking up. His foot slammed into The Other's chest, launching The Other into the air and simultaneous allowing Jaune to avoid the punch. Jaune pivoted into a crouch and launched himself after The Other. Jaune crashed into him with a shower of sparks as claw met sword, giving them a few more second in the air as the cacophony of clashing weapons rose to a fevered pitch. They only pushed off each other as they fell back toward the earth.
Jaune didn't dither in the spot and was moving forward, pressing an offensive as Crocea Mors erupted into a three foot pillar white fire and shielth shattered into wisps of light from his waist to swirl together into an silvery ice gauntlet on his left arm. The Other backpedaled as its claws seemed to grow to about two feet and were now emanating sheer bloodlust. Light and Dark fought and crashed, each trying to smother the other. Jaune spun and the flames from his exploded outwards to envelope him in a vortex of swirling fire and the ice melted off his arm to reform to several sharp shards that floated placidly behind him.
The Other was blown back by the force and Jaune held out a hand as he launched himself after it, using a burst of fire from his feet to increase his speed. A shard of ice shot into Jaune's open hand and he grasped it as the ice flowed out to form a blade. Silver filigree markings abruptly swirled up his ice sword and crawled up Jaune's arm, even making it to the right side of his face as Jaune sliced down. The Other managed to throw a desperate punch as the slash hit it. Jaune twisted in midair and used a gout of holy flame from his foot to propel him away and slam The Other into the earth.
After Jaune landed, he turned, a glowing silver sword in a relaxed grip and letting his left hand slip into his pocket. The Other was already getting up, smoke rising in wisps from the charred and blackened patches of it's bone armor. Jaune was frowning slightly as he gently brushed a thumb against his now bleeding cheek and The Other had a hand outlining a gash that opened up on its chest-plate, letting its shadowy essence flow out into the air.
Despite his diamond-hard skin, there were things that could cut him.
It was a comforting-yet-terrifying thought.
"I believe I win the match." Jaune said as the ice blade melted away.
The Other seemed to slouch at this and suddenly fell apart as bones hit the ground and its dark essence flowed back into Jaune's body. Crocea formed at Jaune's hip in it regular sword and shielth form in a burst of white fire. He winced as the Heavenly Light flowed back into his skin, still unable to fully control the power that he used. Jaune kicked off the ground and scampered up a tree to gaze at the sky.
"I better get back to Beacon..." Jaune sighed as two pitch black draconian wings erupted from his back in a burst of dark essence.
Jaune rolled his shoulders as he exited the shadows of the hallway adjacent to his room. He wished he could head out more often, but he knew that going out too much would only alarm his teammates, they already knew about his tendency to take 'walks' at night. He silently mourned the fact that his other was the only real form of a workout and spar he could get. Back when the war was going on, he and his friends sparred and practiced and trained, but now... they weren't even really worth fighting. Not to say they were weak - far from it - but just not his caliber.
Shaking off those thoughts, he opened his door and scratched at his chin as he let out a yawn. He quietly sat on his bed and drew the covers around him as he sat up against the headboard. He closed his eyes and began to quietly meditate as his exhaustion began to weigh on his eyelids. As he slipped into sleep, he didn't notice that his hunched over position eased as his legs uncurled and his arms fell limp.
Jaune idly pushed his food around on his plate with his spoon. He scooped a mouthful of mashed potatoes onto his spoon and sighed as he dropped it back onto his plate. He wished he could actually regain his old appetite again, he had tried to explain he just didn't eat as much, but Pyrrha wasn't in the mood to listen. A sharp elbow to his rib (which felt like a light poke) made him scowl at the red-head next to him.
"Eat." She said.
He scooped the last bit potatoes and shoved them in his mouth, forcing them down. He ignored Yang laughing into the crook of her arm as she made a valiant effort to look sympathetic. Ren chuckled quietly while Nora demolished her own plate. Ruby laughed and Weiss and Blake were both smirking. He tried to sit down with some cereal when Pyrrha promptly dropped a plate that had enough food for a normal person and took away his bowl of cereal.
"I thought we have been over this..." Jaune grumbled.
"Yes, well you managed to eat everything." Pyrrha said, smirking.
"Never again." He sighed.
"Oh come one Bird-rider!" Yang said sliding down next to him, "It wasn't that bad, was it?"
Jaune rolled his eyes, "If the food were tasting bad, then I would have spit it out. I don't particularly like stuffing myself, makes me feel uncomfortable."
Blake nodded with his assessment, "I can understand that."
He glanced Blake, she had been much calmer as of late what with the whole dock episode happening, he didn't know if it panned out exactly like before, but he had hoped that things had gone more or less the same. He had debated showing up and eventually decided against it. Sun was already wary of him (even if the monkey faunus was being calm and carefree about it) and seeing Roman just might make him snap, he couldn't afford to show too much of his killer intent this soon. As much as he should kill him and end it all as soon as possible... He just couldn't do it yet.
He wasn't under any delusions, Cinder was still strong and the last thing she should have was Roman's resources under her thumb.
She could very well kill Jaune.
Technically anyone could very well kill him.
A single misstep, he would die.
He had to be smart.
"We do have a small tournament within the classes today, don't we?" Ruby inquired, popping a spoonful of food in her mouth, she chewed and swallowed before tacking on, "We don't have to stay for the whole' thing, do we?"
Weiss turned to her, "I don't believe you have to, but you are allowed to if you want. I - for one - will be staying."
Jaune rubbed his chin, "Doesn't sound all that interesting. I don't rea-"
"Hey, you have to!" Ruby cried.
He jerked back, "What?"
"You should fight in it! You'd totally win!"
"Ruby," He tried to explain, "I really don't have an interest in it."
She opened her mouth to retort, but to Jaune's slight surprise, Weiss cut in.
"Jaune can't fight in the tournament!" Weiss scolded, she turned to the knight, "You have classes, you can't afford to miss out on those."
He shot Weiss a grateful look, to which she responded with a twitch of her lips and a small nod, largely unnoticed by anyone else.
"There you have it." Jaune sighed in relief, "Besides, even I can be beaten, some just don't exactly have the experience to know how to beat me or people like me."
"And you do?" Blake asked, arching a eyebrow, "You could take someone such as yourself down?"
Jaune shrugged, "I have some experience in dealing with difficult foes, but that's relative. Ozpin has way more experience, Goodwitch does. Hell, even Port and Oobleck have tons more experience than we do. Compared to them, we might as well be toddlers learning how to walk."
No one could argue with that, prodigies they may be, but they still had a ways to go to be on par with their teachers.
"Besides," Jaune continued, "Sometimes we just can't win. Maybe one day we'll find an opponent we simply can't best, someone we just can't win against. After that, we have to figure not how to win, but how to survive and escape. If you can't do that, well..."
"You die?" Blake guessed.
A dark smile curved Jaune's lips, "And take your opponent with you if you can."
Jaune swayed away from one blow and ducked under a slash from Pyrrha. Jaune parried and slashed as the spartan pushed forward.
'She's really prodigal.' Jaune thought fondly.
He moved back and ran forward only to leap into the air and slice downward at Pyrrha, who raised her shield to block. Sparks scattered across her shield as his attack was blocked and he landed next to her. Undeterred, Jaune began his own offensive as they battled across the training stage. Jaune cartwheeled over a leg sweep and balanced on one hand as he kicked at Pyrrha who blocked the kick with Milo's hilt. Jaune pushed off with his foot, forcing Pyrrha move back to avoid stumbling while also allowing him to roll to his feet. They both carefully assessed the status of the fight. Neither of them had been taking hits so their aura was still practically full, but Jaune knew that it was only a matter of time before she grew tired of the stalemate he was forcing her to fight in.
In a battle of attrition, he would win without a doubt.
She sighed and shifted her blade into a rifle, suddenly taking shots at him. He chose to jump back and noticed the burst of flames from where they hit.
"Oh man Pyrrha!" Jaune chuckled, "That might have actually stung a bit if they hit me, using elemental dust bullets is a low blow."
She huffed but spun her rifle back into a spear, "I am not going to believe that for a second."
Jaune pouted ridiculously, "Not even a little? For me?"
They stared at each other before dissolving into laughter. Laughter and chuckles rippled through the watching students. Goodwitch cleared her throat rather pointedly and Jaune and Pyrrha sobered, although still grinning.
Then they clashed again.
It ended, if only because Jaune realized that the spar was beginning to stretch and they had to let others have their turn. Pyrrha fumed over him forfeiting but does agree that they were taking too long. Still, she hardly ever managed to enjoy spars and banter with Jaune due to their studies, so was more than a bit irritated with him for cutting it off early.
"I said I'm sorry!" Jaune pleaded, "I know you were having fun but Goodwitch was beginning to look mildly aggravated!"
They all shivered, but that wasn't enough for a pardon.
"Not good enough, Bird-rider, Pumpkin-pete's over here needs something more than that." Yang said, slinging an arm around Pyrrha's shoulder And winking.
Pyrrha huffs and flushes, but doesn't deny that.
"What can I do to apologize?" Jaune inquired desperately, "I'll do my best to fulfill it! I promise!"
Pyrrha looks down clearly thinking while Jaune waits patiently, chewing on his lip in distress.
Suddenly a voice broke through Pyrrha's musing.
"A date!"
Jaune's teeth almost bit right through his density-enhanced skin.
"...What?" Jaune And Pyrrha both said.
"You should take her on a date!" Nora proclaimed cheerfully, completely missing the suddenly tense atmosphere that descended like a downpour, "If he shows you a really nice time, then you forgive him!"
Subtle in her shipping, Nora was not.
Pyrrha flushed, but eyes darted to a flabbergasted Jaune before flicking at the bubbly Valkyrie.
Yang eyes were on Jaune, seeming to flicker between lilac and red.
Ruby suddenly seemed to hunch in her cloak and peer at Jaune almost pleadingly.
Weiss - who had been quietly enjoying Jaune's begging - suddenly sat up straight and stared at Pyrrha and Jaune.
Blake put down her book but her eyes gleamed with an uncharacteristic focus as she set her book to the side for a moment.
Ren massaged the bridge of his nose, muttering about how of all things Nora had to suggest 'that'.
Jaune seemed to be trying to work his jaw as he opened and closed his mouth like a gaping fish.
"I... Um, I don't think... Er... that Pyrrha would want something like th-" Jaune began, forcing a very, very, VERY awkward smile.
Pyrrha's mumble cut him off.
"Um... Pardon?" He said.
"I suppose... that a date would be... acceptable." She said, "I actually would like that very much."
"O-o-oh, okay then...?" Jaune sputtered, rubbing the back of his head and willing the situation to be a bit less awkward.
Needless to say, that didn't happen.
Jaune sighed, well at least he could make up his apology now.
"So... You want to... go on a date sometime Pyr?" He asked unsurely.
"That sound fantastic!" Pyrrha squeaked almost immediately.
Jaune smiled unsurely but noticeably embarrassed while Pyrrha smiled widely.
"I need to go," Yang mumbled dully, breaking the hush, "I have a test to study for."
Yang shoved her hands in her jacket and stalked off. Jaune opened his mouth to call for her, she was going to participate in the tournament, wasn't she?!
Ruby gestured vaguely to the hall, preemptively cutting off the knight and sounding hurt, "I have some upgrades to Rose I need to apply."
She was gone in a explosion of petals.
Weiss sighed and gave Jaune a sad look before she shook her head, "I need to talk to Ruby, I'll be back in a minute. Blake, can you talk to Yang?"
Blake looked dour, but nodded and left not giving Jaune a glance.
Looking confused and worried, Jaune addressed his main advisor in the face of woman-related problems, "Um, did I do something wrong?"
Ren moved to stand at his shoulder, "No, but it still hurt them."
Weiss walked out to the fountain to see the red-cloaked speedster crouching at the edge, dipping her finger in to set off a ripple in the otherwise tranquil water. Ruby didn't look weepy, just somewhat mournful and contemplative. Weiss walked up but made no move to speak, simply sitting next to her partner.
"So..." Ruby said after sometime, "Is it that obvious that I am unhappy?"
Weiss shrugged, "Yes, but you kinda have to be blunt with him, the dolt doesn't exactly pick up well on the subtle things."
Ruby sighed at that, and Weiss did sympathize. Ruby was very childish, and usually the height of embarrassment was telling someone you liked them to their face (child, adult, or other age group[though mostly child]).
"Did you... You know?" Ruby prodded.
Weiss leaned back slightly, placing her palms on the edge of the fountain's rim as she struggled to find the right words, "To be honest? I don't know. He was nice and while I won't deny he is attractive..." She shrugged in an elegant motion as a fond and almost nostalgic smile crossed her face," He would be a great boyfriend, I really do regret that we hadn't become close enough for me to feel like that about the dolt to really consider it. But besides that, you shouldn't be too disheartened, Jaune isn't taken just because of a date."
Ruby glanced at her, "How isn't he?"
Weiss chuckled, "We just said it. Jaune isn't the most... female-savvy person. Flirting and signals fly over his head. He probably only considers this a payback for cutting Pyrrha's and his spar short. And Pyrrha's not the type to ask herself, trust me."
Ruby gnawed on her lip, "You think I have a chance?"
"He already thinks you're amazing Ruby, you have a very good chance." Weiss replied.
Ruby energetic smile reappeared on her face.
Blake waited for a moment - bracing herself - before entering the dorm room.
"Blake, it's fine." Yang muffled voice came from behind the door.
Blake smothered the urge to smile, she and Yang had done this a dozen times when the other was stressed. It really shouldn't be a surprise that Yang knew she was there.
As Blake stepped in, she felt the need to make her opinion clear, "I don't agree."
"Of course you don't." Yang groaned as she rolled over onto her back on her bed.
Blake gave Yang a pointed look.
"It's just unfair, I throw the guy hints and flirt with him left and right but he's too much of an idiot to pick up on them!" Yang complained, "I mean what does he want me to do? Kiss him?"
Blake shrugged, "It would help immensely, in my opinion."
Yang snorted and gave her a half-hearted glare before she quickly sobered, "Yeah, well, it seems my ship sailed."
Blake rolled her eyes, "You can't be that naive to honestly believe that."
Yang eyes snapped to her, "You expect me to steal him from Pyrrha? I wouldn't do that to her. Ever."
Blake was glad she had years of learning to control her emotions, otherwise she might have thrown up her hands in exasperation, "It's a single date, and that too, Jaune is taking her because of an apology for ending a spar he doesn't quite know how else to fix. He is still pretty clueless when it comes to women, so he probably hasn't registered that she likes him. You told me yourself Pyrrha's not the type to ask."
Yang sat up, expression contemplative, "How do you think I stack up?"
Blake wondered whether or not she should point out Ruby's affection and decided to leave it be, Yang shouldn't have to give up on what she wants because her little sister wants it too.
"I think you have more than enough to get him." Blake replied honestly.
Yang expression brightened before she hopped up off her bed, grinning, "Alright, then I'd better get back to the training room. I have a tournament to dominate!"