Awkward week, been a little sick, mostly think it's my body crashing a little after last week. I had a few nights in a row of only three hours sleep and that seems to have played havoc on my immune system. Rest assured I am pleasantly filled with medicine and tea, even sat in my dressing gown today dunking some biscuits while sniffling and writing fanfiction. Hopefully I'll recover over this weekend, when I finally get a chance to catch up on sleep and just not wake up until two in the afternoon or something.
Ugh, just annoying to see the legacy of last week's horror chasing me into this week too. But once I'm better I'll be able to leave it all behind me!
On the bright side Exvnir did a sexy little pic of Neo spooning with Jaune from the previous chapter, which you can find by checking out his DA, or just typing `Exvnir` in Google.
Cover Art: Exvnir
Chapter 36
The weekend had never seemed so dangerous. Saturday was supposed to be a day of rest and relaxation, of going back to his teenage roots and sleeping until the crack of noon. Today Jaune was up at seven on the dot, sat at his kitchenette as he refined the flimsy strategy he'd come up with. It was risky, that was a given. More than that, if he got found out then it would mean his complete and utter ruin, there could be no recovery from this. No excuse that a single person would accept.
All or nothing… much like everything else he'd done since arriving at Beacon. One day those odds are going to kill me. Let's just hope that time isn't now. Cinder's words danced in his head, the warning of Ironwood's hand behind this duel, and the knowledge that whatever the General had in mind, Jaune couldn't afford to play into it.
But in truth all of that might not matter at all, since he might never make it to his fated match. There was something he had to handle first, a last-minute reversal on what he'd decided the night before. Necessity had forced his hand, as it often did.
Neo raised a single eyebrow in question when he walked back into their shared bedroom, particularly without a plate of food in hand. Like a lazy cat, she fully considered him a servant to her every need. But this girl's claws were much sharper than any housecat's.
"We need to talk."
Neo turned and snuggled into the warm blankets he'd left behind, signalling that their conversation was over before it had even begun. Not this time. The mattress gave way beneath his knee, one hand reaching out to grasp the girl's shoulder and turn her back over.
"I said, we need to talk." He wasn't quite on top of her, but the position, not to mention his height advantage gave him an imposing edge. Or it would have done, were this anyone else. Neo's mismatched eyes were lidded, her smile curious but not worried. Sweat beaded on his brow as her nails bit into his wrist, easily removing his hand from her shoulder.
She was listening, however.
"You knew Roman had been arrested."
Neo nodded.
"You told me you didn't know what had happened to him," he said. "You said his scroll had been destroyed."
The look she gave him seemed to be mocking, both relaying that she couldn't have told him anything and that even so, she hadn't technically lied. His scroll probably had been destroyed in whatever fight ended in his arrest. Jaune had chosen to assume Neo meant she hadn't known. And she had chosen not to make him aware of that fact.
But it was still deceit.
"You also said you didn't know what had happened in Vale." She started to smirk but he shook his head. "Don't give me any tripe about you not knowing exactly what happened. You knew what was going to happen and you kept it from me!"
The pale girl rolled her eyes, letting out a suffering sigh as she looked him dead in the eyes and nodded.
She didn't even try to hide it, and he wasn't sure why that surprised him. Of course she would lie to him, why wouldn't she? But that wasn't what caused anger to blossom within him. He had lied to so many that having it turned around on him was nothing.
"You fought Yang." A confused expression. "The blonde girl, the student – Yang. You've met her before damn it."
Neo rolled her eyes again but nodded. He knew she hadn't forgotten Yang, not after their first meeting so long ago, back when Neo had pretended to be his lover. What he wouldn't have given for the simplicity of those days, no Cinder, no Winter or General Ironwood – no Vytal Festival or terrorists running around behind the scenes.
"You…" Did he truly want to know the answer? "You tried to kill Yang."
He wasn't sure what he expected, some degree of guilt perhaps, or surprise at having been caught out. What he didn't expect was her easy smile, nor the sick feeling it left in his stomach. He didn't have to see Neo nod, as his eyes drifted shut. He knew the answer well enough.
Did he ask why, when she couldn't even explain it to him? Did the reasons even matter? He could still remember the look on that man's face as she'd forced him to blow his own brains out. That memory haunted him more than the blood and gore actually did. Would she have done the same to Yang, someone he genuinely cared for?
"No more." Neo looked surprised at the whispered words, cocking her head to the side. "You're not allowed to hurt any more people while you're here."
She scoffed, clearly amused. Jaune was not, shifting so that he was knelt over her, in a position that might have had him embarrassed at any other time. Right now, however, he felt only anger.
"You want to stay here, then you have to play by my game. This is my room. I set the rules."
`And what if I choose not to follow them` that was what her expression currently said, somewhere between challenging and incredulous. She raised her arms, crossing them behind her head with not a care in the world for his body above hers.
"If you don't follow my rules… if you keep trying to hurt people here." He took a deep breath, staring down into her eyes. "Then I'll back out on the favour I owe both you and Roman."
That got a reaction, though not the one he'd first expected. Her expression froze for a second, before an animalistic snarl appeared over it. A leg kicked up, hitting him in the stomach hard enough to wind him. Her hands, which had been behind her head a second before, were now around his neck, twisting to the side as he fell onto the sheets. Something warm and heavy shifted atop him, the girl settling atop his stomach with her knees under his armpits. Blue eyes opened in time to see his own reflection in the steel of her thin blade, which rested against his throat. Negotiations had failed apparently.
He'd known they would. He had been prepared for it.
"This doesn't change anything." Neo was breathing heavily, uncharacteristic emotion flashing in her eyes as she glared down on him. "My demands haven't changed, Neo. You either follow my rules or I'm calling this whole thing off."
She snarled, nothing more than a whistle of breath through her teeth, but she pushed the edge of her sword lower, enough that it pricked at his skin. Her message was clear, take it back.
"No."
"…?" One brown eye, one pink, both wide with shock.
"I'm not going back on this, Neo. You either agree to this… or one of us is going to do something we'll probably regret."
The blade came down a little harder, this time pressing into the skin of his throat. If it hadn't been for his aura, it might have drawn blood. She knew that, though. She knew it wouldn't hurt him. Jaune didn't dare swallow, but he did reach up with both hands, resting them on her small shoulders. He gripped them tightly.
"I need you, Neo." He whispered, meeting her suddenly wide eyes. He could feel her soft hair tickle his cheek, falling like a waterfall between them. "I wouldn't have gotten this far with you, without Roman and you helping me. And I'm not going to get any further without you either. Make no mistake, I need you." His hands drifted down her arms, coming to a halt at her wrists. Mismatched eyes widened further as he pulled down, as though to cut his own throat open.
It didn't happen. Because Neo stopped him, pulling her hands back and preventing the injury.
"And once upon a time I was stupid enough to think that was it. That you and Roman both did all this because of a whim. But the truth is pretty obvious now that I think of it."
He pulled down harder, and she pulled back – muscles straining against his to stop the blade from drawing blood.
"I need you," he repeated, "but you need me, too."
Jaune released her wrists, watching as she yanked back and fell off of him, throwing the sword aside with a silent growl. He didn't say any more. Didn't think it was necessary. It was just like Roman had taught him. He could trust them, but he couldn't have trust in them. All he had to do was go back through all they'd been through and ask why – ask what reason they had to do all this for him.
And the only one he could think of was that they had some reason for wanting him alive, for wanting to keep him in one piece when it would have been so much easier to turn him over to Cinder. All this effort to keep one fraudulent teenager in a job? Had he ever been so naïve as to think that they risked so much for no reason? That they would do it all `for the sake of it`?
I'm not the same person I once was. I suppose that makes sense. That's just what happens when you grow up, when you get a job and make your way in the world. But I'm not nearly as much of an idiot as I used to be.
Neo continued to stare at him, however, and although the threat of murder was gone, there was still no telling whether she would listen to what he said. Jaune sat up with a sigh, crossing his legs beneath him as she looked at her.
"We both need one another. I know it's not ideal for you, hell none of this is ideal for me either, but that doesn't change the fact that if we're butting heads all the time, then we'll just make the situation worse for both of us. I'm not asking you to be my slave or anything. Just to hold back on the violence, to not hurt the people I care about." Still not impressed, still glaring daggers at him. Perhaps it was time to bring out the bigger guns? "If we stop focusing on making life difficult for one another, then we can start making life better too. You've been feeling cooped up in this room, haven't you?"
She glanced aside, not answering the question but giving away her true thoughts nonetheless. Her eyes were still narrowed, and beyond that they were switching colours when she blinked, as clear a sign to her emotional state as he'd ever found. But her posture was a little taller, head tilted to the side but a fraction. She was interested. Intrigued.
"Roman wanted you to stay here so you'd be kept away from Cinder, but that doesn't mean you need to be locked in here," he went on. "If we're a team then I don't mind keeping an eye out for her, or even helping you sneak out of Beacon to visit Vale for a bit. Under disguise, of course."
It would be a hassle and to be honest he did mind, but if that was what it took to ensure she didn't hurt Yang or his other friends, then it was a price worth paying. He wanted this to go both ways, to take a step towards actually earning her loyalty and not her grudging help. That meant he would need to make sacrifices for her too.
"There'll be loads of visitors to Beacon too, once the Festival officially starts. How would you like for me to claim you as distant family or something?" She was biting her lower lip now, teasing the flesh between her teeth. "That would let you walk about Beacon as you pleased. Even visit the stands, stalls and festivities. If I felt I could trust you, that we had agreed to work together and that you wouldn't hurt anyone, then I'd be more than happy to let you go off alone."
Neo looked down to the sheets, down to her bare feet and then back up to him. She made a gesture with her hands, like she was rubbing something between them. Jaune sighed.
"Yes, I'll even give you lien to use. It's not like I spend much of what I earn." She was a thief, wasn't she? Didn't she have millions stashed away somewhere she could draw from? "But only if you agree to work with me. To not hurt my friends and to actually, actively help me in return."
She held one finger up, then pointed it at him and back to her, tilting her head to show it was a question. Anyone else might have struggled with her rudimentary sign language, but he'd gotten used to it long ago.
"And I still do owe you the one favour, yes. But I won't agree to you using it to have me let you kill someone I care about." She nodded to that, seeming relieved to still have that small leverage. Perhaps it was part of what she needed him for? He didn't know. "Do we have a deal then? You and I, working together?"
A deal with the devil.
A deal he needed.
"Come on Weiss, please…" Ruby hopped from one foot to the other, the sheer energy coming off her almost enough to make Weiss choke.
"Calm down Ruby," she sighed, trying to hold the girl back from diving into the crowd surrounding them. "We need to find Yang and Blake, not get lost in some mass of human flesh."
"But the fiiiight," Ruby whined like a lost puppy. "What if it starts and we miss it?"
"We're not going to miss it. Yang and Blake said they'd find us some good spots, we just need to locate them." Like Weiss would have missed something like this, either. But she had needed just a little extra time to get ready, to ensure that her hair was perfect. This was her sister's battle, perhaps also one of the most important events in her sister's future. Weiss could not turn up to something like that without looking her best. "Why don't you call Yang and see where she is?"
"Kay…"
Weiss ignored Ruby as she dragged out her scroll and furiously called Yang's number. Instead she let her eyes roam over the students assembled in the large gardens of Beacon Academy, all the way back to the hallways and doors that led back into the school. All across the front of it too, windows were open, with people grouped up and staring out of them.
No one wanted to miss an event like this, an honest to goodness battle between two famous Hunters. It was even better that it was their Professor involved in it, and the effect was doubly poignant for her because his opponent was her beloved sister.
Though I'm still not sure this is the best way to go about getting a man's attention. Then again, Winter was older than her and no doubt knew best. What reference do I have to compare that to? I have never dated before.
Maybe this was just how Hunter's broke the ice? It made sense, in a strange way. Some animals fought to prove their strength, did they not? Dominance displays but also mating dances, in order to show that the offspring of such a union would be healthy and strong. How unexpectedly forward of you, dear sister. I'm impressed.
"Over there!" Ruby pointed in excitement, pocketing her scroll. "They've got front row seats, ooh I'm so excited!"
Weiss had no idea where `over there` was, but followed after Ruby with a little sigh, apologising for her partner as the little girl pushed through the crowd, knocking people aside on accident. As the crowd began to thin, the two of them broke out into open space, less than ten metres or so from the raised platform that had been prepared ahead of time for this bout. She caught sight of Yang and Blake then, alone with the members of Team RVNN and a few others she didn't recognise.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby sped off with her semblance, launching herself at the raggedy looking man with open arms. Weiss felt like calling a warning, when her partner used her semblance like that, then the impact was far worse than she often realised, but the figure caught her with both arms, spinning on the spot to bleed her energy dry in what could only be a practiced move. Weiss walked slowly up to them, raising an eyebrow towards Yang as Ruby giggled and chatted away with the man.
"That's our Uncle Qrow," Yang nodded towards them, right as the man started to scratch the back of Ruby's head, making the girl's leg kick. Good gods, she really was like Zwei sometimes. Was Ruby secretly a dog faunus? Did it make Weiss racist that she had even thought that?"
"Qrow?" The question came from Ren of team RVNN, who were sat nearby. "He told us his name was Bran."
"Liars!" Nora cried dramatically. "We're surrounded by them, they are everywhere! Am I the only one who realises this?"
Weiss looked back to Yang again, but this time the blonde could only shrug.
"Any sign of the combatants yet?" Weiss asked as she settled down next to Yang, leaving the space clear on her right for Ruby should she wish it. It didn't look like that was happening any time soon, since her partner was still fawning over her uncle. Such an unsightly display, Winter would have never allowed it.
She wasn't jealous of that fact…
"Not yet," Yang grinned but the excitement in her was clear. Looked like Ruby wasn't the only one of the siblings to be chomping at the bit. "People started showing up a full hour ago though. It's a good job we got here early to stake out these spots. It even gave us some time to prepare." Yang jerked a thumb towards Blake, who held up a banner for Weiss to see. It was a good six feet across and two feet tall, no doubt meant to be held between three people.
"Down with Winter?" Weiss read with narrowed eyes.
"Blake suggested `kick the Schnee's butt back to Atlas` but I thought it was too long."
"Is that so, Blake?" Weiss asked. Her teammate coughed and looked away, a light flush present on her cheeks. Was that how she wanted to play it? "Well I suppose in that case you won't want to read any of that literature my sister gifted to me. Seeing as how it came from the hands of a Schnee, after all."
"No, no, no-" Blake covered the distance between them in an instant, grasping Weiss' hands in her own. "Yang's joking, she's lying, she's deranged."
"Hey!"
"I would never say such a thing about your family. Please don't take it away from me I'm only six chapters in."
"So that is the price of your betrayal?" Yang pouted as she looked towards her partner. Weiss smiled back victoriously. "You would cast me aside for porn?"
"Limited edition, straight from the printers, two years before official release."
"That doesn't refute my statement Blake."
"Your sacrifice is not in vain."
Weiss snorted in amusement. Back home in Atlas these kinds of displays would never have occurred, not even in the Atlas Academy, which she knew to be disciplined and militaristic. She would have been held to the Schnee name there as well, forced to act as a good Schnee should. Instead here she could watch as Yang wrapped an arm around Blake's neck, dragging her back and smiling as the two girls wrestled angrily for a moment. Blake could have escaped with a clone, while Yang could have snapped her neck if she wanted to. But neither did, instead they both played along.
It was refreshing.
"So you're the Schnee of the team?" A new voice caught her attention, making her look towards the bearded man now looking at her. His expression was critical, his eyes narrowed. Weiss reacted instinctively.
"So you're Ruby's uncle. Qrow, was it?"
"That's right. I bet your sister's told you all about me."
Weiss hesitated for a second.
"I don't think she's ever mentioned you."
"Ugh-" the man almost slipped off his seat but caught himself at the last second.
"Ooh burned," Yang quipped from where she had Blake in a headlock. "I guess the big, bad Qrow's neither as big or bad as he thinks."
"I don't need to hear that from a girl who wet the bed until she was ten."
"RARGH!" Blake was released in an instant, as a flaming missile of pure gold struck the man with the impact of a meteorite. Weiss made a mental note of that little titbit, and judging from the amused expression on Blake's face, she was doing much the same. That would be a quick way to shut Yang up the next time she started complaining about homework.
But everything came to a stop the moment the headmaster walked out onto the arena. Not only their group, but hundreds of other voices went silent in an instant. Weiss could hear his footsteps, clapping against the wooden platform that had been erected.
"Today, you will have an unrivalled educational opportunity. One that I am pleased to see you have all recognised, even on a weekend." There seemed to be a few grumbles in the crowd as they were reminded of that, though none dared shout out. "Though this was originally worded as a friendly spar between two individuals, word soon got out – as it does within Beacon. As such, we have decided to hold it as a show match for your benefit. I hope you will all take the time to watch and enjoy the sight of two Hunters showcasing their skills for your benefit."
Weiss wished he would hurry up, not that she would ever admit it. It had been so long since she'd watched Winter fight, well over a year since her sister had been busy even before Weiss left Atlas. It was the same style she had worked to adapt, wanting to emulate her older sister in every way. I wonder if she's improved it even more than what I remember? Winter was never one to sit idly by, I bet she's been training hard.
Either way, her sister against the youngest professor Beacon had ever had? Weiss would never admit it… but she was just as excited as Ruby was – if not more so.
"The battle will take place on this arena, with victory determined by ring out, aura falling into the red, forfeit or unconsciousness. I would ask all students not to come any closer to the ring, nor to do anything that might endanger yourselves. Neither combatant makes use of ranged weaponry, so I the risk to any attack coming out of the ring are small. Nevertheless, you will find yourself in quite the trouble if you attempt to move closer."
The look on his face made it clear the trouble would be academic, most likely in the detention or suspension form. Weiss wasn't an idiot, however, nor did she think anyone else would be foolish enough to move closer. From the corner of one eye she spotted the other teachers lounging nearby, taking a spot that had been prepared in advance for them. To the student body it was obvious why this would be so exciting, but it was strange to see all the other teachers just as interested in the outcome. There was even Winter's boss, General Ironwood, along with a few other Officers Weiss didn't recognise.
To her mind, Miss Cinder Fall and Glynda Goodwitch looked the most interested, neither of them speaking a word but watching the arena with focused expressions. Professor Port and Doctor Oobleck were chatting animatedly, though Weiss could well remember how they'd wanted Professor Arc to win just the day before. I'll bet there's pride and reputation running on this as well, she thought with a troubled smile. The Vytal Festival is all about showing which school is the strongest, or that at least is the obvious, hidden reason. If this is the same… should I be rooting for my sister, or my school?
"Professor Peter Port will now begin the introductions," the headmaster nodded his head towards the rotund man, who bounced up onto the stage with a wide smile. Weiss didn't think she was the only one who groaned at that. She could feel Yang leaning into her, no doubt prepared to fall asleep at any moment.
"Students, dignitaries, visitors…" the fat man paused to wink, "ladies… welcome to this pre-Vytal Festival show match!" Port stopped with his arms held wide, basking in the scattered and quite frankly pitiful applause that came from the crowd. Someone in the back shouted for him to get on with it. "Our challenger for the day, hailing from Atlas, Officer within the military and famous Atlesian Specialist, Winter Schnee!"
Weiss clapped her hands together wildly, shooting a threatening look at her teammates when they didn't do the same. Blake was the first to give in, no doubt sensing that her reading material might be at risk if she didn't, the faunus managed to simultaneously look like she was cheering and dying a little on the inside.
And there was her sister, walking out onto the stage with head held high. Not for her the apprehension or nerves others might feel. Winter was beyond that, a figure of beauty, poise and control.
"On the other side," the professor went on, "from our very own Beacon, youngest professor in the school's history, slayer of Grimm and all round manly man, Professor Jaune Arc!"
This time the applause was louder, with Ruby and Yang contributing the most. Weiss contented herself with the knowledge that it was only the home advantage with gave him the louder roars than her sister, not that Winter looked bothered in the slightest. She stood there with consummate patience, watching as her opponent walked out onto the stage. Weiss forced her eyes from Winter, looking towards her professor and what might be her future brother in law.
He looked confident. That was the first thing to jump to mind. Jaune Arc climbed onto the stage with ease, flourishing his sword in one hand, shield in the other, just to loosen his muscles. In that, he was taking her sister seriously at least, no more of his refusing to draw a weapon like he had with Cardin. The professor seemed to know – or maybe realise – that Winter would punish him severely for such hubris.
"Let this be a fair and honourable match," Winter called, drawing her sabre and touching it to the ground, first on her left, then the right, before holding it before her face in a salute. The blond man didn't respond, though the look on his face almost seemed amused at the notion.
"Are both combatants ready?"
Winter nodded, not towards Port, but rather to her opponent, who also nodded back. Weiss had often read about fighters being lost in a world that contained just the two of them. Was that Winter's `plan, to appeal to his fighting spirit and make her an unforgettable memory?
Weiss leaned forward in her seat, gripping the edges as the large professor slowly counted down from ten, dragging the moment out torturously. Beside her, she could feel Ruby vibrating. Call the blowhard what you would but he certainly knew how to handle a crowd. At the last second his hand fell, legs bending as he leapt back with more grace than Weiss had expected, while screaming "Begin!"
Winter took the first move. A good offence could pierce any defence and she dashed across the arena in an elegant thrust, blade nothing more than a streak of silver as she lunged for his chest. Most would have chosen to block or parry it, leading to a furious riposte – but the professor instead stepped to the right, holding his sword out before him as he fell back with a wary expression.
"Why didn't he attack?" Ruby whispered.
"He's probing." Her uncle answered before Weiss could. "That attack left the ice-queen completely open and he isn't stupid enough to think that wasn't on purpose. This way he gets some information on her style, while also avoiding any traps. As long as he doesn't expend any energy, she's the one who loses out in that exchange."
True, but probing went both ways. Winter turned sideways, assuming a fencer's pose as she stepped forward and cut towards his knees, his sword dipping down to block it before he was forced to duck back as she reversed the strike towards his head instead. The crowd `oohed` at the close call, even if neither seemed to be into the fight at present. The exchange was slow and purposeful. Even Weiss could have emulated it.
It's just a warm up, Weiss thought, as she watched the two exchange a few more cuts and thrusts, never quite hitting home but making the other step back or duck at opportune moments. If this was a real fight then they might take it more seriously, but right now they're both fishing for information.
But how long could it last? That was the question. Ruby gasped as Jaune jerked his head to the side at the last second, dodging a strike that would have hit him across the brow. This time, however, Winter pressed the attack, lunging into his guard and elbowing him in the chest before attempting to cut across his throat on the return. He blocked her hand with his own, catching her wrist and stopping the blade before placing a foot on her stomach and pushing her away.
Winter smirked as she caught her footing, holding her sabre out before her. Across the arena, Jaune seemed to be rubbing his chest, glaring at Winter with narrowed eyes. Not a real hit, not even enough to properly damage his aura, but apparently it had stung.
Winter said something, though with the shouts of the crowd it was impossible to hear what. Jaune's lips moved a little, before twisting into a confident smirk, waving towards Winter to attack again. Her sister's eyes narrowed, a frown overtaking her features.
"Heh, playin' to her temper," Qrow said, "Looks like he's done his homework."
"More like someone else did it for him," Weiss grumbled as she recalled the two other teachers in the hallway. Weiss had never seen Winter's performance drop as a result of her anger, but she knew enough from Yang how it could affect someone. Winter lunged in once more, missing the initial thrust but slicing three times in quick succession, each one not blocked but dodged. As he did, he pulled a different expression each time – varying degrees of panic and fear, each overly dramatic, like he was playing a game with her sister. Weiss remembered the fight with Cardin instantly, the way the professor had acted just like this, feigning his fear to goad his opponent on, wearing them out over time. Don't fall for it Winter!
"He's so good at dodging!" Ruby clapped her hands together excitedly, and despite herself Weiss had to agree. Winter was terrifyingly fast on the offence but he was managing to stay out of the way of her strikes, if only just. Whatever regime he put himself through must have been incredible indeed to produce such reflexes.
To Weiss' relief Winter seemed to realise that, disengaging after the next flurry of steel on steel and using the time to take a deep breath and calm down. You can still do it Winter. His defence is amazing but he hasn't thrown a proper attack yet! Now that she thought about it, Weiss couldn't remember ever seeing him really attack someone, though obviously he had to know how. Was his strategy less because of preference and more because he wasn't as strong on the attack? Maybe he had to wear his opponents down to even have a chance.
Winter sighed, twirling her sabre in one hand before falling onto her knees, stabbing it down in a move that Weiss had shamelessly copied for herself. A glyph appeared beneath it, spreading out onto the floor as Winter looked up with a confident smirk. The next second she was gone, nothing more than a white blur that seemed to pass the professor with a loud clang of steel. He staggered back, reeling as he looked left and right, only to be kicked in the back as Winter appeared behind him. Before he had even landed she activated another, white writing spreading out as she shot off once more. This time he held his shield behind him, blocking the initial pass with his sword and spinning around.
Winter wouldn't fall for that, however, Weiss cheering as her sister instead ducked beneath it, flicking her sabre up towards his face. Only his fast reflexes saved him, but even as he fell back it was clear that Winter had the advantage of speed. Sometimes in a fight, that was all that mattered.
"Come on Prof," Yang whispered. "You can find a way around that!"
He would have to, if he wanted to have any hope of defeating her sister. Weiss watched as he seemed to realise that, looking down at his shield with a frown. He tossed his arm to the side, the kite shield spinning out before clanging against the arena, skittering off the edge.
Dropping weight… an interesting way to let him move faster, but unless it weighed a lot more than she expected then it wouldn't help much. His breastplate joined it, along with the long, blue coat that was allowed to fall from his shoulders.
"More," Yang whispered, a little drool hanging from her mouth. "Take off more…"
"Anything I should know, dear niece?"
Weiss ignored them both, too focused on her sister, who watched the display with a curious expression. The coat would restrict movement, Weiss supposed, and the armour would do the same. This might give him a little more freedom. Did he honestly think it would be enough?
Winter knelt once more, this time a glyph appearing behind her. Weiss leaned forward, watching as the professor took a side-on stance, sword held at a forty-five-degree angle. He would be able to block the first strike, Weiss knew that, so did Winter. By minimising his profile and preparing to dodge to the side, it would be hard to catch him no matter how quickly she lunged. But it was the return that would decide it, the choice of where Winter stopped and how she followed up.
True to form he dodged her initial thrust, stepping to the side as she blurred by. The white streak his another seal, one that appeared even before Jaune had dodged. Winter pressed into it, never once touching the floor as she launched off once more, like a pinball off of a lever, except far more deadly. Jaune spun on the spot. The crowd gasped.
"BWHAHAHAHAHA!" Weiss cried out Winter's name, even as Ruby's uncle burst into uncontrollable laughter. Her sister, ever graceful and elegant, completed her fifth backflip, before slamming face down into the floor. She kicked herself up a second later, ducking back as the professor's sword came down where she'd laid but a second before. The crowd roared as Winter Schnee wiped a hand across her face, hair out of place.
"How?" Weiss whispered, no doubt putting words to what so many were thinking. Even Winter looked confused, though also more than a little irritated.
"T-That was amazing," Qrow continued to guffaw, slapping a hand on one knee. "You see that kiddos? That's why you don't boost your speed to super-human levels if you don't have the reflexes to match."
"A little explanation?" Weiss growled.
"Your big sis uses her fancy-pants glyphs to make her go faster, kinda like Ruby with her Semblance. Problem is, Ruby's Semblance is a part of her, so her body and mind know how to adapt to it. She always uses it, so she's used to it. Ice Queen, on the other hand, is using her glyphs to make herself go faster than she humanly can. She isn't used to moving like that, nor does she get any warning. She goes from standing still to moving faster than she could ever hope to."
"And she can't change her attack," It was Blake who realised what he meant, whispering the words. "Once she goes for an attack she's committed. Even if she sees a problem, her body isn't fast or strong enough to halt her momentum."
Weiss looked back to the fight, watching as Winter gingerly touched her cheek.
"Jaune didn't hit her," Qrow finished with a wide grin. "He just held his arm out and let her clothesline herself."
Because he, against all odds, was fast enough to do so. It barely made sense, someone that large and bulky should have had more strength than speed. He was heavier than her sister at least, yet moved with a fluid grace Weiss would have loved to be capable of. Winter brought her sabre back up, thumbing the hilt and drawing her shorter blade alongside it.
It looked like the fight was about to get deadly serious.
Jaune collapsed on the bench within the changing room, head touching the wall behind him as he let out a long sigh. His face was covered in sweat, skin flushed and red. In the distance he could hear people scream and shout, his body freezing for a second before he forced himself to relax. It was just a matter of time now… of seeing what the fallout from this fight would be.
The door to the changing room opened, a blonde figure stepping inside as Jaune rose to his feet. "Well?" he asked, taking a step forwards.
The figure turned, Jaune looking at Jaune as Jaune smirked and nodded, leaning on the door frame with a cocky expression.
"You won?" Jaune asked. Jaune nodded, rolling his eyes as though to say the result should have been obvious. After a second's thought he also tossed Crocea Mors across the space between them. Jaune caught them easily, watching as the other Jaune massaged his arms, grimacing at their weight. "You didn't do anything I couldn't reasonably do, right? This needs to be believable."
The second Jaune nodded, leaning down to take a quick drink from a nearby fountain. Jaune watched, marvelling at the subtle differences between them, most that could only be seen in the way the other Jaune held himself. Confident, smooth and graceful. It was like watching a different person entirely.
"Can you change a little? This is awkward."
The Jaune rolled his eyes and blinked, revealing one pink and one brown iris. That was only the smallest difference, but the shit eating grin that slipped across he- his face, was the biggest indicator. He'd never have been able to pull that off, which was a shame, because it made him look really good. Why does Neo pull off me better than I do? This is too unfair.
The girl, guy – girl – tilted her head to the side, giving him a demanding look.
"I'll hold my end of the deal," Jaune nodded. "Just let me get a picture of my little sister for you, then you can disguise yourself as her. I'll handle the teachers. If they think you're just visiting, then it'll give you free reign. Within reason." Neo clapped her hands together, making him feel all sorts of panic inside. Still, it was better than actually fighting Winter himself.
This had been the only option.
In time he might have been able to reach her level, but the age difference was just too much. Winter had time, training, semblance and experience on her side. There was no amount of dirty fighting that Jaune could think of to beat that. I'm confident I could fight at the level of a student, maybe even hold my own against some of the better ones… but a professional huntress?
Not a chance. Which was why he'd simply dodged the affair altogether.
"Your disguise held then? There weren't any complications? What about your height?"
Neo waved a hand dismissively, though she didn't give any explanation for how she'd handled that. Illusions, stilts – something else? Jaune was forced to simply accept that she'd managed it, since she clearly wasn't going to answer him.
The two of them paused as they heard a commotion outside, along with the sound of one of the doors to the changing room opening. Neo spared him a brief glance before she disappeared, tiny motes of light all that was left of her. Jaune put on his best `exhausted` face right as Peter came barrelling into the room.
"Hey Pet-"
"My boy!" Jaune gasped for air as the man's arms wrapped around him, pinning his arms to his side while also crushing his spine. "I have never been so proud. Truly you have proven yourself a man among men!"
"A-Air…"
"I never knew you had it in you," Peter laughed as he let Jaune go, not even noticing as the blonde slumped to his knees.
"Had what in me?" Jaune coughed. How was Peter so strong? It didn't even make sense.
"Those moves," the man cackled. "Those high kicks, and you're ambidextrous too?"
"Uh… sure." He wasn't… was Neo? Had she accidentally messed up his disguise and used Crocea Mors in the left hand?
"The way you kept switching hands," Peter went on, "not to mention those acrobatic flips and attacks. I've never seen someone pull off a triple back flip into a reverse-hand stand and then kick someone in the face like that!"
Reverse han- triple back flip? Jaune couldn't even kick higher than his waist! He could already imagine Neo's innocent expression, eyes not quite meeting his.
"Do you…" Jaune paused for breath. "Was there a video of the end of the fight?" He had to get his story straight, make sure he didn't claim something he hadn't done. Just how had Neo ended the fight? She'd said she would fight like he fought!
"I'm sure I can find something," Peter thumbed through his scroll. "The crowd went wild by the end. I doubt there weren't a few people recordin- ahh, here we go." Jaune snatched the scroll before Peter could even finish, looking at the display to see it as some video that had already been posted onto the Beacon forums. The title read `Badass Arc schools Schnee – Suck it, Ice Queen`. Who would have called it such a thing?
He pressed play regardless, watching the end of the fight play out. Neo tossed his shield aside, shrugging off his coat and breastplate at the same time while stretching one arm. Okay, nothing too unusual there. She was keeping a neutral expression too, which meant she wasn't making him look like something he wasn't. Maybe it was just Peter embellishing his tales as usua- oh wait no, there he was doing a cartwheel into a hand stand and pushing over Winter's head, striking three times with his sword en route. Winter parried each frantically, only to be pushed back as `Jaune` landed in a crouch, back flipping upwards and catching the underside of Winter's chin with his foot.
`Jaune` then backed away, grinning maniacally and making a `come` gesture with one hand.
I need to have a serious talk with Neo about what `fight like I do` constitutes. The fight never got any better from there, or at least from his perspective. Winter summoned some crazy white birds, which seemed to swarm around him, but Jaune dodged through them all with ease, deflecting Winter's thrust before twisting in a way that would likely have torn his groin in two, just to plant the back of one foot across the woman's face.
There was another flurry of blows, during which he dodged each by the barest margin, grinning like a loon the entire time, before finally disarming the woman after she over-extended. Neo could probably have ended the fight there, were it not for the fact that she was Neo, and that meant no fight could end without abject humiliation. Winter's face was ground into the platform, a bloodthirsty expression taking over the blonde's face as he looked over his defeated foe.
The video froze there, with the perfect snapshot image of Jaune's expression… cocky, bloodthirsty, arrogant and cruel.
"It's not unusual for someone to lose themselves in a fight," Peter filled the silence left by Jaune's slack jawed expression. "I wouldn't worry so much about it. I'm sure everyone will understand. Check the comments section."
Jaune did so, thumbing down to look at a few of the top comments left by the students of Beacon.
`Oh my god, and he's normally such a nice and friendly guy too. Had no idea was hiding this kind of smex. Bad boy professor, yes plz.`
`Charming, mild mannered, gentle man reveals dark and primal side on the battlefield. It's like something straight out an X-rated novel.`
`Lol, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife. I thought he was going to ravage her at the end. Second thought, I think I need to challenge the professor to a fight and lose! Brb Xxx`
"What is this?" Jaune looked to Peter for answers but only received a salacious wink and a clap on the shoulder in response. "How, why!?"
How had Neo thought he could do those things? How could anyone believe it was him. Why had Neo felt the need to humiliate Winter like that? How was he going to apologise to Winter before the Atlas Military dropped a bomb on his head? How was he going to look the other teachers in the eye again? How was he going to deal with Yang after this?
Why was Neo a sexier Jaune than he was!?
"Now my boy," Peter continued, "Don't be thinking of taking any of these women up on any offers. You've got a date tonight, if you recall." Oh hell in a hand basket, he'd forgotten about that… probably because he'd been too busy panicking about how he was supposed to survive Winter. Peter must have noticed his panic, for his expression became serious. "Would you like some advice?"
Yes, was the immediate thought, before Jaune paused and rethought it. He did want advice, that was for sure, but he wasn't sure he wanted advice from Peter.
From what he recalled the only relationship Jaune had ever heard of the man being in was apparently an old fling he'd had with Kitsune. Frankly, whatever advice could ensnare that woman was advice Jaune never wanted to hear.
"Thanks for the offer Peter but I think I've got this."
Neo was out of the question, especially after this performance. He wouldn't ask Cinder for obvious reasons… Oobleck likely wouldn't have much experience and Ozpin was Ozpin, which said enough really. Did he dare ask his mother?
A date isn't a date unless there's a bun in the oven by the end of it. Those grandchildren aren't going to make themselves, sweetie.
Okay, no… his father was out because anything he told him would almost certainly reach his mother anyway. Also he would probably just say to `be confident` or something… as though that even meant anything. To be honest Jaune suspected the only reason his mother and father were together because his mother had basically decided and kidnapped her husband. Nicholas had just been dragged along for the ride.
Where's Roman when I need him?
There was only one person he could think of who might not only help him, but who wouldn't have reason to sabotage him or tell anyone else. Someone who owed him enough to keep quiet about the whole ordeal, and who being a girl, surely had some experience. More than he had at least. He also had her number, since it had only made sense to exchange them given the circumstances.
"Hello?" the feminine voice sounded surprised. "Professor… is there a problem?" The girl on the screen didn't look annoyed at his call, merely curious. Jaune tried for his best smile, probably scoring far lower than Neo would have with his face.
"Hey Velvet... Um... I was wondering if you could do me a little favour?"
Just so people know, I did try and fit both the fight and the date into this chapter originally, but just couldn't make it work properly. I would have had to cut down heavily on one or the other, which seemed to be weakening them just to try and make them happen together. It was almost meant to be a call back to that chapter where Jaune deals with Cinder and Winter in the same day, but this had too many in between bits that had to go in. A shame, since it was the original plan to do it that way.
As such I decided to put the date next chapter, since that would let me write it without all the cuts it would have needed. Maybe Neo, Winter and Glynda would have been a little too crowded.
Side note, Exvnir also has a "Neo masquerading as Jaune" image on his DA, if you're interested in what it might look like.
Omake – by Coeur al'Aran
He couldn't trust Neo with something like this. Fighting Winter, it was his fight. Win or lose, he would do it himself. But that didn't mean he was going into this without a plan. He wasn't that stupid.
The first few exchanges had been bad enough, manageable only because of the incredible training Neo had put him through, though calling it that was a discredit to personal instructors everywhere. Torture aside, he hadn't managed to hold his own per se, but he'd at least made it look like he was only just losing.
It wouldn't last. She was getting faster, the reason why, obvious.
Winter was treating this as a warm up, two fighters sizing each other up with probing attacks and half-hearted gestures. The problem was, they weren't half-hearted for him. This was his best, which wasn't even enough to break even with her worst. Mathematically speaking it would have taken roughly six of him to take out a third of her.
But that was fine. He hadn't exactly planned on playing fair.
His shield was tossed aside, skittering off the edge of his arena as he ridded himself of the weight. This would give him more freedom of movement, allow him more options. Against her offence it was nothing more than dead weight anyway.
His coat was next. It would only slow him down. Too long and heavy.
His breastplate followed, clanging loudly to the ground at his feet, reflecting the light as he stepped boldly over it.
"You seem confident," Winter Schnee spoke, the words only audible to the two of them. Jaune was glad she thought so, since he wasn't feeling it himself. Her eyes widened a second later, however, the crowd going silent.
Crocea Mors hit the ground. It wouldn't do him any good against a skilled opponent, and his new battle strategy didn't include it.
"What are yoouuuu-" Winter trailed off, the words never finishing as she tilted her head to the side.
His shirt fell to the floor, pulled up and over his shoulders and exposing his somewhat adequate chest to everyone nearby. It felt like it was just the two of them, trapped in their own silent world of personal combat.
At least until he glanced around, and noted that such was not the case. The crowd of onlookers really had gone completely silent.
His hands came down to rest on his belt buckle, slowly clicking it open as he drew the leather strap through its hoops. For extra effect he twirled it over his head in one hand, the other still on the buttons of his trousers. Above his head, the belt hummed.
"You ready?" Jaune asked, trying for his best smirk.
"Y-Y… maybe…" That was an odd response, but he couldn't let it phase him. His opponent was a little red in the face too for some reason. "I'd have to see more to be sure…"
She wanted to see more, did she? Well… that was the plan. Jaune took a step forward.
"I could show you more," he said, taking one step after another. "But better still, I was going to demonstrate on you."
"Y-You were!?" Winter's eyes were wide. The proud woman coughed and looked away, muttering something to herself before looking back to him, catching sight of his naked chest and looking away again. "I- well I… I mean… right here?"
"Where else would we do it?"
Another two steps forward. Wasn't she going to at least respond? This was feeling more than a little awkward, especially since she kept not quite meeting his eyes.
"The bedroom at least!" she gasped. "A-And I'm not that kind of woman, at least not so soon… you haven't even met my father!"
"Why would we do this in a bedroom?" Jaune raised a single eyebrow. "We'd end up making one hell of a mess." He finally came close, and still she hadn't so much as reacted, frozen to the ground in shock or some other unknown emotion. Should he be embarrassed, offended? Shouldn't she have at least shown some reaction to what he was doing? "Are you just going to stand there?" he finally asked, "Or are we going to do this?"
"I'm not ready!" Winter Schnee howled, face as red as Ruby's cloak. "I've not mentally prepared myself."
"Well no one's going to wait for you in a fight."
Winter blinked.
"Wait a minute … a figh-!?"
Winter Schnee never got to finish as the twirling belt buckle struck her in the left temple, cracking loudly against her aura and dropping the woman like a sack of rocks. Jaune caught the buckle in his hand, turning back to the crowd with both hands held high.
He'd done it! He'd actually defeated her.
Now if only he could figure out what everyone looked so horrified.
Or why Bran was laughing so hard.
The alternative ending to the fight, naturally. David and Goliath.
Next Chapter: 21st October
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur