Jaune had been wrong. Things were far from fine. In fact, things may have been at the worst they could be.
Firstly, a rundown of what had happened since they had arrived in Mistral. The headmaster was useless to them, which hampered their search for Cinder and her lackey's. They'd found Ozpin…. except he wasn't Ozpin. He was Oscar. Jaune and his former headmaster had a chilly reunion to say it nicely. Pyrrha was crippled for life because of that bastard.
That wasn't to say he wasn't somewhat useful in training Jaune with his true semblance, his Gold Experience. Like King Crimson it had a short range for fighting but it's main power was its life giving abilities. He spent hours practicing on giving life to inanimate objects and using them in training. He also cut his hair to its old length. It was symbolic as it was practical. Cutting away the hair that belonged to Diavolo while changing into his old clothing and armor.
Then Yang had showed up. Through a portal.
Frankly that wasn't the weirdest thing the teens had seen, having fought and defeated the evil Diavolo. However they were all relieved to see her in one piece. Literally. A new robotic arm provided straight from Ironwood in Atlas. It certainly packed a punch. Nora could attest to that.
Weiss herself was gushing over the fact Yang had been personally trained by the Dr. Kujo. She had been asking her everything. From how he carried himself to what fighting his Semblance was like. She was glowing just hearing about it. For the rest of them, they were just glad to have Yang back up to speed. The only one missing was Blake and Yang… she didn't want to talk about it.
Still, things looked slightly up at the time.
Oh how wrong Jaune was at the time.
Professor Lionheart had set a trap for them. A simple meeting devolved into an ambush rather quickly when a red portal tore through the fabric of reality to reveal Cinder Fall, Emerald, Hazel and Raven alongside a woman he didn't know. Everyone was tense. Jaune felt a rage inside him against Cinder for what she did to Pyrrha.
But it seemed their foe was more keen on vengeance then he. Her face was a mess. From behind her dark hair one could make out the gnarly sight of a mask covering the remains of that part of her face. Her eyes burned with the power of the Fall Maiden which caused the arrow at Qrow's side glow brightly. The two seemed to wish to reunite.
In her hands formed a fiery sword that burst with excitement and hate filled fury that wished to exact vengeance on the red reaper and blond knight. "I'm going to make you PAY for what you did to me!" Cinder screeched at the two of them. "Then I'll take what belongs to ME!" Her sword turned to the arrow at Qrow's belt. Without a second thought she sped towards Jaune who barely had time to bring his sword out to protect himself. Ruby ran with her scythe in hand to defend her friend while the other combatants were quickly engaged in fighting. Emerald struck at Yang while Vernal lunged towards Weiss.
Ren and Nora began to attack the behemoth that was Hazel meanwhile Raven and Qrow began to duel back and forth. Jaune was put on the backfoot immediately. Training with Gold Experience was one thing but after having Epitaph showing him predictions of the future for so long, it was hard to readjust to simply not knowing all coming attack's.
Ruby's presence divided Cinder's attention however. While Jaune and Diavolo had destroyed much of Cinder's face it was Ruby that devastated her arm. The team leaders looked at one another and nodded, they were in this together.
Ruby attacked first with a blast from Crescent Rose launching her forward with a spin. She sliced with a downwards strike that was blocked. Jaune followed up from below with a slash with his sword. Cinder growler as she exerted her Maiden powers to blast him away with flames. Jaune flung to the ground as Ruby backed away under a flurry of blows. Cinder was not playing with them. There was a deep murderous intent in her eyes. "Come our Diavolo!" She screamed. "Come out where I can kill you!"
"Alright, guess I'll have to use it…" he muttered as he rose from the ground. Jaune was still nervous about using his Semblance. He didn't really know his limits ever since he lost King Crimson. Losing his aura with Gold Experience in the middle of a fight would be a death sentence, but he really had no choice. "Gold Experience! Create life" Jaune shouted as his semblance emerged into being and slammed its fist into the ground to create the sprout of a growing tree.
This should even the field a bit….
Cinder saw with brief shock as a tree burst from the floor, but more importantly, the blond boy no longer had the fearsome King Crimson? Impossible. No one could have two semblances. Unless… he lost his? How could this be?
Jaune had only bought him and Ruby mere seconds of time as Cinder reduced the tree to ashes moments later. Cinder was on them fast. Ruby just managed to block one of her now twin swords, while Gold Experience only glanced the blow off with one of its forearms. Cinder's assault was relentless. Jaune and Ruby could only barely keep up. Meanwhile during the battle, Yang was pummeling into Emerald who was put onto the backfoot, unlike Mercury would have been. Weiss herself was struggling against Vernal, trying to summon her Knight but being cut off time and time again. Jaune gazed at his teammates struggling against a supercharged Hazel. Nora was grabbed and thrown to the side as Ren tried to bathe his foe in bullets. Jaune quickly acted to try and help them as Cinder swung at him. He jumped back and let Ruby match Cinder blow for blow as Gold Experience lunged for one of her fiery blades and grabbed it, using its life creating powers to transform it into the first thing he thought of.
The Pumpkin Pete rabbit. Cinder paused for a moment in bewilderment. Gold Experience took the rabbit and threw it at Hazel as hard as it could. The rabbit transformed into the blade again before it hit the ground, where Jaune imbued it with life giving power and caused it to explode outwards as dozens of ants which fell onto Hazel. His friends took the opportunity to attack. Jaune grinned before turning back to fight Cinder with Ruby.
Meanwhile, Qrow and Raven traded blow for blow. "I thought family meant something!"
"Did it ever? Just give me the arrow!"
Qrow grit his teeth and stood firmer, pushing back against Raven. Then Raven gave way and let an overextended Qrow stumble forward and tried to snatch the arrow. She felt the broken shaft fall into her hands just before they slipped out. Just a bit of bad luck, it seemed. Qrow's smirk before he hit the ground was priceless.
The clang of the arrow hitting the academy floors stopped all combatants for a moment. It fell just before the giant statue beneath the spiral staircase leading upwards. Emerald was the first to act almost as soon as the arrow ceased moving. She lunged past Yang, leaving an illusion to distract her foe. Cinder needed this arrow. Needed it more than anything. Even the Relic came second now.
Everyone exploded into a race to get to the arrow. Cinder flared her eyes and began racing for it, but was stopped by dust bullets coming from Ruby and a fist to the jaw from Gold Experience. "Keep the arrow away from them!" Ruby screamed as Yang scrambled to catch Emerald, using her gauntlets to fling herself towards the green haired girl.
Emerald grabbed the arrow with a smirk. It was not to last. Yang's fist slammed right into her quarry's face and flung her into the ground and launched the arrow up. "It's me. I've got it!" Yang shouted as she reached for the powerful golden arrow. Before she could grasp it, Vernal jumped out of nowhere to snatch it, having left Weiss in the dust.
"Sorry bimbo" Vernal snarled as she hit the ground with her feet and began running away from Yang. Weiss rushed past Yang with her glyphs as Cinder was slowed down by Ruby and Jaune.
"Get the arrow Jaune! I can hold her!" Ruby shouted as Jaune nodded and broke into a run.
"Weiss! Stop her! Don't let Cinder get the arrow!" the Heiress heard being shouted by Ren, which was cut off by a fist to the man's chest from Hazel. Weiss raced towards Vernal as she leaped in front of her to cast a summon. Vernal however crossed her weapons around Myrtenaster and pulled the trigger, blasting Weiss with yellow beams of energy causing her aura to shatter. Her scream reverberated throughout the academy as her allies gazed upon her, Vernal bolted from Weiss who fell to her knees.
Cinder smirked and gazed at Ruby who's silver eyes were wide open. Cinder's smirk fell when those same eyes burst with the power of the silver eyed warrior that blinded all and burned her very soul. Coughing while practically on her knees, she only just saw the attack Ruby brought forth. Crescent Rose swung towards her face with intent to kill, but Cinder was faster. At the eleventh hour she ducked her head causing the blade of the weapon to chip her face mask and toppled Ruby to the ground. Ruby grunted as Cinder's eyes burned with fire. She stomped her foot into her chest and dug it in. "Did you actually think you had a chance? Against ME?" Ruby stretched out her arm to try and grasp her scythe but Cinder prevented that with another sharp push with her heel.
"You're just a little girl trying to die a hero!"
Ruby groaned in pain as she rebuked Cinder wholeheartedly. "Even if I die, they'll defeat you! I know they will!"
Cinder chuckled at her idealistic claim. No one could defeat her. She was the Fall Maiden. A goddess amongst mere mortals. That bumbling knight had a powerful semblance true, but it couldn't match toe to toe with her. He had fled! Now she would claim the arrow and the Relic, not to mention her plan to rob Vernal of her powers as well. "You think so?" Cinder said as she looked up to see Weiss on her knees, her aura broken.
She summoned a spear, akin to the one Pyrrha Nikos once used and turned towards Weiss. "No…" Ruby said desperately as she realized what Cinder was going to do. "NO!"
The sound was disgusting. The flaming spear burst from her side, blood pooling out of it. Weiss's hands twitched and came to her side, her face in great pain. Jaune and Ren quickly ran to her side, the knight abandoning his pursuit of Vernal to try and help Weiss.
Ruby activated her semblance and flew towards her girlfriend and partner with fear in her eyes. Jaune slid to Weiss's side. Cinder with a satisfied look on her face, turned to Leo to get him to open the way to the Relic. She walked her way to the giant statue where Lionheart placed his watch. As the towering figure descended, Raven arrived next, awaiting Vernal. The arrow and Relic were hers.
Weiss was gasping for air as Ruby held her hand. "Jaune… you have to use Gold Experience to save her!" Ruby said all too quickly, her words sailing forth from her mouth. Jaune nodded and summoned Gold Experience to heal her wounds and replace the missing blood that had leaked from her wound. Weiss groaned in pain as Ruby comforted her. "You're gonna be fine Weiss…."
Weiss however swung her hand and slapped something into Jaune's hands. He gasped. It… it was the golden arrow! Weiss hadn't used her summons to stop Vernal…. it was to snatch the transfer arrow without her knowing it! She must have used her glyphs to summon a fake one!
Jaune gripped the arrow in his hand tightly and nodded to Weiss. "Use it Jaune…. the arrow… it chose you."
"I don't know… I…" Jaune began stuttering. He wasn't even sure of his Semblance. He was not powerful without it and even then he had doubts.
"You have to!"
Jaune silenced his doubts. He had to succeed. He had to use the arrow. Whatever Diavolo had spoken of would be seen, if he survived to tell the tale anyways. "We believe in you Jaune" Ruby said with a nod. He thought of Pyrrha. The first person to ever believe in him. That loved him. That HE loved. He promised he'd come back to her. So he couldn't fail. Not now!
He held the arrow tight and nodded once more.
Cinder grinned as Raven stepped onto the ever descending statue. She looked irritated and held her hand on her sword tight. "Vernal" she said as the bandit girl ran up to the two. Verbal nodded at her mentor and turned to Cinder.
"Let's go, Cinder," Raven said sharply as she turned away to gaze at the battlefield. The fight had ended swiftly. Just as she predicted. Cinder however did not move.
"The arrow first! I need the arrow!"
Vernal huffed and nodded. "Cool it hotstuff. I have it here. The little princess gave it up without much of a fight." Cinder rolled her eyes and extended her hand. Vernal went to drop it into Cinders palm but widened her eyes when the arrow simply wasn't there. "What?" Vernal gasped as Cinder twitched with fury and the flame of the Maiden's power.
"We have to get the Relic first Cinder!" Raven bellowed which caused Cinder to throw a fireball into the air in anger. Though she considered it all the same, all until Vernal opened her mouth.
"And just retreat? What about our pride Raven! That bitch snatched the arrow right from under me!"
Cinder knew that she could not retreat now. She had to have the arrow! To have the full power of the Fall Maiden. If one of those little girls had used the arrow…
Her burning eyes scanned the remainder of the battle. Emerald and Yang were still fighting, as was Hazel. Then she saw… HIM?
There was Jaune Arc half kneeling with the arrow in his hands, a golden mist moving throughout the academy floors. Cinder's eyes widened as she saw the sheer determination in the boy's eyes. Jaune lifted the arrow up into the air. There will be no next time…. If I flee for the Relic…. I must GET THE ARROW!
Cinder practically disappeared. Her speed was unreal. In fact there were embers of flame left in her spot as she raced towards Jaune. Weiss and Ruby watched in awe at the sheer power their foe exhibited. "She's coming right for him!" Ruby exclaimed in shock.
"Despite how pointless it is!" Weiss added as she reached for Myrtenaster painfully. Cinder summoned her flaming sword and held it in her hand ready to attack.
"Gold Experience!" Jaune shouted, summoned his semblance and flared his aura. He stabbed the golden arrow hard and pierced his own aura with it. Cinder gasped as she saw her full power disappear into thin air. Her heart was filled with despair, true despair. Even Raven and Vernal looked shocked. Could a man acquire the Maidens power? Or would something else happen?
But then, Jaune's hand twisted and there was a crunching sound. The sound of flesh being torn apart in an excruciating way. There was a gasp from all but Cinder. Jaune's chest burst outwards, blood being shot out. A massive hole had formed on the left side of his chest, through his armor and all the way through his flesh. His own Semblance, Gold Experience shared the same wound, bleeding profusely. The arrow fell out of his hand, kneeling in pain. It bounced in a matter of seconds.
Cinder began to laugh. Her laughter was a sharp dagger to the chest. It went on and on and on with no end in sight. She practically landed in front of Jaune who was writhing in pain. "I am truly glad I did not go for the Relic. I would have given to despair in my heart if I thought I'd lose to you! The dense one out of his league!"
Ruby's eyes watered and she clenched onto Weiss tightly as she saw her closest, first friend clinging on to life as his blood poured out from the wound in his chest. Cinder began to circle around Jaune and kept gloating. "The arrow has rejected you! The Maiden powers do not recognize you as a suitable vessel!"
Cinder held a smug look of victory. "I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm truly glad I didn't go for the Relic! He appears to be gone now but Diavolo said the arrow chooses who is worthy. That means the Maiden powers within too choose who is worthy!"
Ruby screamed in anguish as she saw Cinder complete her circle around Jaune and raised her sword. Giorno's Semblance was almost trying to protect its master as blood pooled from its chest. "JAUNE! RUN" Ruby screamed as Cinder stabbed forward with her sword through the left side of Gold Experience's face and piercing into Jaune's skull.
"YOU'RE FINISHED! NOW I'LL TAKE WHAT'S MINE!" Cinder bellowed as Jaune collapsed forward. She reached to grab the arrow as it bounced but it seemingly slipped out of her hand and bounced back. There was a mechanical sound coming from behind her.
"Jaune… he's…" Weiss said with amazement as she witnessed the incredible power unfolding before her.
"No! Look! There's something inside his Semblance! Somethings coming out!" Ruby pointed out as they gazed to the shining eye within the chasm that Cinder had torn in its face.
Cinder looked flabbergasted at what she was seeing. That idiot was supposed to have been dead! What… what is this? His brains should be all over the floor now!
Jaune and his Semblance were holding themselves up by an arm pushing against the floor. His Semblance…. deep inside the broken face of Gold Experience was a wide purple eye moving slightly. Like something was inside trying to break free. The golden arrow bounced towards Jaune and pierced his aura and his flesh, drawing itself up his arm and into his body, shining as it did so.
"The arrow didn't reject him!" Ruby said with amazement. The girl pointed at the apparent metamorphosis with awe. "In fact, I don't think Cinder can ever get the full Maidens powers' the arrow is forever Jaune's!"
Shit… Cinder thought as she witnessed this powerful transformation. This isn't good. The power belongs to me! Maybe if I use my arm…
She didn't have a choice. She had to try or lose her promised power forever. With a roar of fury she unleashed her Grimm arm and a flurry of blows from her blade. However all it seemed to accomplish was shattering the boy's aura?...No… there was a broken shell left in the place of Jaune and his Semblance. There had been a bright light but nothing else. Then she heard the sound of slight debris falling to the ground behind her. She turned.
Floating above the entrance of Haven Academy was Jaune. His long blond locks were flowing, his aura shimmering bright white. His arm went across his chest from the center as he grabbed his shirt. His once pristine armor had simply vanished, being left behind with the broken shell of his own semblance. He had one gloved hand on his hip while beside him was a pure wonder.
"That's Requiem…. Gold Experience Requiem! Jaune's Semblance has gone beyond the power of the arrow, just like Diavolo wrote!" Ruby said to Weiss as they watched, neither having a clue as to what was about to happen.
It was Gold Experience, but changed. It's eyes were wide and mechanical like, it's color more muted and it's head was like a great crown. Jaune lifted a finger and his Semblance followed suit, a piece of rubble from the now ongoing battle with Hazel floated lightly before being shot towards Cinder. She lifted her hand to block but it burst through it. She screamed in pain but didn't have a second to react as the new Gold Experience Requiem used its life giving powers to transform the rubble into scorpions that stung one of her fingers.
In a flash she cut the poisoned finger, her pinky, off and smashed it along with the scorpion still attached. "GRAAAHARGHHH" she screamed in anguish, holding her wounded arm as she looked up at Jaune.
"You may have wounded my friends," he said without faltering. Caring blue eyes fell onto Weiss and thought of Pyrrha. "But their actions are born of truth! They handed this arrow to me! You just stand there, knowing what you've done, all with that damn smile on your face! Will your 'truth' survive?!" He practically screamed at her, almost like he was asking her to attack him.
He may have grown more powerful that's true…. but…. it's nothing my Maiden powers can't handle! They are invincible. No mere powerup can stop me! Cinder thought painfully and through gritted teeth. "Do you actually think you can defeat me? YOU? You're just a failure with a death wish!" Cinder shouted at him, raising her blade towards him.
Weiss was loading dust rounds into Myrtenaster and fired them just as Cinder charged towards Jaune. The battle around them seemed to have resumed as Yang and Emerald flew into the fray again, alongside Oscar, Ren, and Nora against Hazel.
Cinder sped up faster than anyone had ever seen before. Her Maiden powers were being used to the maximum, leaving pure fiery trails behind her. Her blade was aimed true towards his face. This time she would kill him! Jaune himself was moving through the air, his Semblance moving in front of him and preparing to attack.
Cinder was faster however. She leapt into the air just as Weiss's dust rounds passed her by. "Take this! This is your end, Jaune Arc!"
And she lunged true, her sword hitting directly into his skull just as she wanted. Hah! His little powerup was nothing compared to me! As I said, a failure with a death wish!
Of course, she realized she hadn't hit him at all. In fact was she even in Haven? Cinder looked closely and saw her sword was only just at Jaune's face. All around her were green and purple energies. She was no longer at Haven. Neither of them were. There were stars all around her and a flow of light and wind. The dust bullets from Myrtenaster flew backwards towards Weiss, reentering the weapon. "What?" Cinder gasped. She tried to stab him again but could not strike him.
Cinder turned her head to see another Cinder in the same position as her, then turning her head to see yet another Cinder, and another Cinder and so on. It was an almost infinite line of Cinder's repeating the same action all behind the other. "Wha-?" She said in panic, causing all the Cinder's to repeat.
"Wha-"
"Wha-"
"Wha-"
"Wha-"
What is this… what is going on…. she thought frantically. It all seemed so unreal. It WAS unreal! What am I seeing? Is this a dream?
Then she heard a voice. It wasn't that blond buffoon but someone, or something, else. It was close by she could tell. So very close. Finally she it's source.
It was the Semblance itself. Gold Experience Requiem was directly speaking to her. For the first time she felt fear. What was this power?
"This… is Requiem. What you are seeing is indeed the truth." It began slowly. "You are seeing the movements are caused by your actions. But you will never arrive at the truth that's going to happen. None who stand before me will. No matter their abilities or powers. That is the ability of Gold Experience Requiem. This power is unknown even to Jaune Arc who controls me!"
Cinder blinked and saw she was standing in the same spot she was just before she ran to attack Jaune. She could see Weiss loading her weapon just as before. Jaune's Semblance moving to attack her. She even heard herself repeat the exact same words. What am I saying? I...I…
Gold Experience Requiem and Jaune behind it were nearly at her, now on the ground. I haven't at all from the start!
The first fist formed in front of her and was about to smash into her. Full of shock she couldn't even react. MY INVINCIBLE MAIDEN POWERS SHOULD BE HEADING TO VICTORY!
Her wide eyes had seconds to react as the first fist of Gold Experience Requiem crashed into her.
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!"
Over and over again with the speed of lighting crackling to the earth, Cinder was assaulted. Fist after fist after fist from Jaune's Semblance pummeled into her. Her body was bouncing back and forth as each time a fist retracted it left a dent in her body.
"USELESS USELESS USELESS USELESS USELESS!" Was the battle cry that Jaune and his Semblance made as they continued to punch Cinder to hell and back. Blood burst from her skin and was whipped every which way.
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!"
Like a machine gun, Cinder was tossed up into the air and her stomach was repeatedly punched as Jaune screamed out "WRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY"
The punching continued all over her body until a right jab landed and pushed her face back. "You won't be heading anywhere" Jaune's Semblance spoke again as the starry background returned. "In fact, you will never reach the truth"
Cinder managed to break free from the punches to scream a hail of bloodied insults at her for. "WHY YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Half her face was breaking off into gruesome pieces, especially her masked side.
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA"
One final battle cry came forth as Gold Experience Requiem delivered its last and decisive punch. "MUDA" it shouted as Cinder was flown into the air, blood spewing out of her body and trailing down her flesh all while Requiem turned away from her.
Cinder's body flew towards the open pit that led to the chamber of the Relic. She gave one blood gurgling scream as she fell down to where Raven and Vernal had been waiting.
Panting, Jaune saw Ruby and a healed Weiss run to the edge of the pit to search for the body. Emerald witnessed how easily Cinder was defeated and broke down. Hazel's fight with the others had smashed open the walls of the academy and Leo had run off.
Yang had used the opportunity to break away from Emerald and rush to the pit, jumping down without a second thought. They needed the Relic.
Jaune ran to meet up with Ruby and Weiss to see what happened. "You did it!" Weiss exclaimed with excitement as she grasped Jaune's arm. Despite her healing she still felt weak. "I didn't exactly see what happened but you beat her!" She breathed a sigh of relief seeing that the battle was over, Hazel moving to get Emerald out of harm's way.
Ruby however was still concerned. "The body! I don't see her body anywhere! Are you sure Jaune?"
Jaune nodded silently as Requiem disappeared. "I know. She's done. I can feel it. She will never reach the truth. The truth of her own death."
His words were cryptic and even Jaune didn't fully understand it, but he just knew. He knew it deep within his heart. And if he believed it, the rest decided to trust him. All their righteous hearts burned with the same knowing.
They turned away and waited for Yang. The battle of Haven seemed to have ended. Hazel and Emerald had fled. Much to their surprise, a familiar face had returned to them. Blake Belladonna had come with the faunus militia of Menagerie to defeat the White Fang's attack on Haven Academy. Alongside her was Sun Wukong and Guido Mista.
Finally Yang had returned. Rising out from the depths of Haven Academy, Yang Xiao-Long held the Relic of Knowledge. Her purple gaze fell onto Blake. She was shocked and surprised as the rest of them. Qrow limped towards his niece and was handed the Relic and headed over to Oscar to talk to Oz.
Team RWBY had finally reunited. Blake too was invited into their shared embrace as they once again became whole. It would take time to heal the rift of her fleeing but that would come later. Right now they had each other once again.
Jaune watched on as he thought of his own team. Ren and Nora looked battered but steadfast. He would heal them as soon as possible. "You did it Jaune," Ren said wearily, putting a hand on his team leader's shoulder.
"We did it. Together. As a family" Jaune corrected, pulling his two closest friends together into a massive hug. "I love you guys."
Nora held both boys tightly. "We love you too."
When all was said and done, Qrow revealed to them that Atlas would be their next destination. They needed some rest and then they'd be off to Argus to catch a ride to Atlas. Yang also explained to them all that she didn't find Cinder down below and Raven couldn't get a glance at her either. She must have fallen down the pit and into the depths below the chamber.
As they all began to file out of Haven worn out and tired but sure of their cause, Jaune stopped and turned back to the statue that had raised itself up back again, thinking of Cinder. Beneath his feet however he saw the golden arrow. With curiosity he lifted it up and considered getting rid of it. Behind him he heard Ruby's voice. "Jaune?"
Leave it to his best friend to check on him even after their victory, even after defeating Cinder and Diavolo together. He appreciated that about her. "Just thinking. I think I'm going to keep the arrow. Keep it safe. I'm going to carry forward the will of those that have passed on. The Maidens' powers are within me now, permanently."
Ruby followed his gaze back from the arrow to the statue. "You're sure Cinder is dead?" She asked hesitantly.
Jaune nodded. "Like I said Ruby, she will never find the truth behind her own death." Jaune let out a large breath. He was damn tired. "Hey, how about we go read that pile of comics that you brought along with us? Just like at Beacon!"
Ruby's eyes lit up. "YIPPEE!" she shouted as she grabbed Jaune's hand and ran with him to rejoin the rest of their party.
Cinder felt pain. More pain than she ever thought was possible. How she hadn't passed out and Drowned was beyond her. Still… alive… somehow… The water around her was red with her blood, a small current wafting trails of blood downstream. Cinder grasped at the rocks and tried to pull herself up. I'm barely just alive. What was that power?... It ripped my aura to shreds and ignored all of my Maiden powers….
Her feet struggled to find something to push up on until she used the last of her strength in her arms to rip herself out of the cold water. She began to laugh slightly. She'd escape, lie low for a while and then return to kill them all. Her weak laughter echoed as she crawled along, thin lines of her life essence trailing behind her.
Piles of rocks blocked her exit. Agonizingly she moved the rocks away from her path towards freedom. A dreary and dark early morning with little sunlight was what she saw. Crawling out with a weak smile on her lips, she crawled onto some of the rocks to rest for a moment. She'd try and ambush a passerby for their clothes and money. In fact she heard the soft pattering of footsteps coming towards her. Except… they were far too fast.
Without time to react she saw a woman run up to her and felt a jarring pain in her abdomen. Looking down she saw a knife wound there, spurting blood out. The woman had a crazed look in her eye, swinging her knife around in the air. "You're not gonna steal my coat. It's mine…. You're not gonna steal it hehehehe…."
W..wha… she thought as she fell to the dirt screaming in pain as she felt herself fading. L..like this? I can't die like this…. I'm the F-fall Maiden! Not to scum… like… her….
The crazed woman was laughing and muttering "You can't have it" as she closed in on Cinder. I'm… fading.. I can't die… here… I'm…
She screamed as the woman descended her knife down onto her. The world around her tore and then she woke up.
There was a bright light above her. It was oppressively bright and caused her to shift her eyes around to see where she was. Cinder felt that she was on a cold medical table. She was naked. The walls around her were sleek white and steel. She could hear footsteps approaching and felt wary at once. Was it just a dream? I swore…. it felt so real. I felt all the pain of it. Cinder tried to move but realized she couldn't. Her lips were moving through….
The footsteps grew closer and revealed a doctor wearing surgical clothing. She was a woman who walked right past Cinder without giving her a second thought and began recording her work.
Hey! Woman! What's going on?! Why aren't you listening?
"This is doctor Monica Utello, handling file number 68. We have an adult female between the ages of 25 and 30" she spoke into her recorder. "Her identity is unknown. From the state of her skin she must have died 48 to 54 hours ago." The doctor slipped on her surgical mask and turned towards Cinder. "I will now perform an autopsy to determine her cause of death."
W-what, what are you talking about?! What am I doing here? Cinder screamed. But she had no voice. To the doctor she was still as a corpse. In fact she was a corpse. "Though her body was found by a cave filled with water, she barely had any in her so she couldn't have drowned" the doctor continued, adjusting the light above her slightly causing Cinder to wince.
The doctor pulled back blue cloth to reveal her tools of the trade. Sharp surgical knives, large scissors, blades and the sort. A hammer and a saw. Dr. Utello grabbed a small surgical knife and lifted it up. Seeing that it was good, she returned to the table
H-hey! Who are you? What the hell are you doing?
It was no use. The doctor placed the knife to her chest and cut as she would in any other autopsy.
Cinder's eyes cracked with pain. She screamed furiously but none could hear her. This pain! IT HURTS! WHY CAN'T I MOVE? Her blood flowed down the table to the small little drain as the doctor finished cutting up the first part of her body.
"It appears the cause of death was a stab wound reaching her liver. There appears to be no sign of hesitation so we can rule out suicide." The doctor places the surgical knife in the small metal tray as Cinder twitched in tormented pain.
"Next, I'll dissect her abdomen and check inside, just in case." Cinder could hear her say as she felt something inside her move. "Her liver is very healthy. It's a very nice color." Cinder was panting painfully as she heard the doctor pick up the saw and put it to her body.
Her sclera cracked as she felt the saw cutting into her body. Cinder screamed like she never had before, feeling a pain she never thought was possible. The world ripped apart once more as she died from the pain.
She was kneeling on the side street of a city, probably Vale. Gasping, panting for air, she held her arms out shaking. Clothed once more and alive, she looked around. "I-it was just a dream? Am I just dreaming?"
Cars were passing by rapidly as she was very close to the actual street itself. The night sky shone down on downtown Vale. "But… it's happening again… what time is it… where am I?!"
Cinder held her hands up and looked at her own palms. "I was Haven Academy…. and that feeling. That unimaginable pain I experienced in the autopsy room." Cinder crosses her arms on her chest, feeling her heartbeat. She was alive. But she had died. "It was too real to be a dream!" Cinder began panting harder and harder as she recalled the intense pain of being cut open on that table.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Are you alright? Why are you hunched over like that? Are you not feeling well?" An old man asked from behind her, causing her to snap her head around. The old man's dog began barking causing her to jump up. "Hey! Stop that!" The old man chided to his dog but the creature did not.
Cinder got up in a hurry and backed away. In the process she felt herself backpedal and trip on the curb directly into the road. What in Remnant is this? I couldn't possible die in such a stupid manner! She hit the road and the oncoming car wouldn't be able to stop on time anyways. Don't tell me this is…. the power of Gold Experience Requiem!
The car slammed into Cinder and turned her into a mangled corpse.
It slowly began to fall on Cinder after her next death. This was her fate. She had died again. Then she went somewhere else and died again. Always something different. She had begun to lose track very quickly of her deaths.
Cinder was kneeling in front of a tree in a field, sweating and panting. A little girl was curiously looking at Cinder, a little Beowulf teddy in her arms. How many times am I going to die? she thought in vain as the little girl cane closer.
"Are you ok, miss? Does your tummy hurt?" The girl asked innocently as she stepped closer to Cinder who was trembling in fear. The once fearsome and powerful Fall Maiden was reduced to a dithering mess cowering before a child.
She lifted her hands and crawled backwards bit by bit. "Stay… stay back!"
The girl wouldn't listen and came closer to Cinder who screamed in abject fear, reeling back and pointing at the little girl.
"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!"
Many weeks later…
Their quest did not end at Haven. Even with Cinder's defeat, Salem was still their enemy and they needed to stop her. Traveling to Argus was no big feat. A simple train ride was all it was meant to be, catching Blake up to speed. Of course as per usual, something had to go wrong. That damnable Relic just had to attract Grimm.
So they had decided to split up. Ren and Nora would stay with the front half of the train while Team RWBY, Qrow, Oscar and Jaune stayed with the other half. Imbuing Ren with lasting life energy let him conceal the entire front car with his semblance, letting the Grimm come to the remaining huntsmen.
And as was standard, they crashed the train. How very typical Jaune had thought.
Of course everything got a lot worse after that. Jinn. The lost fable. Knowing the truth about Salem. That she was immortal. That she couldn't be killed. Jaune and Yang were the most furious but their fury was tempered by a squat old lady who had remained in the latter half of the train named Maria Calevara.
They had found Brunswick Farms and the horrors that lay within it. They faced doubt and fear and pure apathy. They faced them and conquered them and made it to Argus where they were met by Ren and Nora. They were utterly relieved to see their friends and team leader again. Especially when they had someplace important to take him to.
They all decided they'd crash at Jaune's sisters home after asking. Then they split up.
Jaune was dragged down the white streets of Argus, being exposed to its majestic sights and smells. Ren and Nora had led him down a winding path all the way to a cozy brick house that puffed plumes of grey smoke. "Guys, where are you taking… me…."
Jaune's voice had trailed off as the door opened slowly. Inside was an older woman with bright red hair and glasses. His mouth was dry as he struggled to form his words. Nora and Ren were beaming brightly. The red haired woman had a smile on her face as she welcomed Jaune into her home.
Nora leaned up to speak to Jaune. "Go. See her. We had two days already…" Jaune nodded and felt himself being led into the house. His feet were air as he lightly floated without a care in the world.
He was led into their living room and saw that beautiful red hair that belonged to her. She was here. "Pyrrha.." he finally said after thinking about what to say. She was sitting in a wheelchair. It had been so long. She spun around to gaze at him with bright emerald eyes that shone with pure happiness. Her missing legs were replaced with cold, dark and mechanical replacements that were not at all like Yang's prosthetic.
"Hello again…"
Jaune ran to her and enveloped her with a deep and passionate kiss. Her hands wrapped around his neck as he knelt to allow her easy access. They were needy and hungry and the two kissed as long as they could. Jaune's hands roamed at her waist. He didn't ever want to let her go. "God. I missed you. I missed you so much Pyrrha."
There were tears shining in his eyes as the two held each other's faces and looked into one another's eyes. Shining azure and bright emeralds. Two lovers seperated once but nevermore. "Jaune…" she whispered softly, almost unbelieving that he was here. "I was so worried for you… Is Diavolo still…?"
Jaune shook his head. His appearance must have been jarring for her. His broken armor had been left behind in Haven while his hair was now cut short. Pyrrha breathed a loving sigh of relief. They were safe and they were together. She pulled him even closer. "Jaune…."
"It's ok...we're here. Ren and Nora and everyone. Even Blake is back.."
"Jaune…." she repeated again, relaxing her hug to get his attention. "Do you remember the night before you left…. The night we… had our first time?"
He nodded. Of course he remembered. How could he forget such a beautiful and passionate night when they were intertwined and connected like never before. "Of course." His hands lightly ran through her soft and gorgeous hair. He loved her hair and she loved it being played with too.
Pyrrha leaned in and kissed his lips softly before speaking. "We did something miraculous that night." Jaune's eyes widened. He leaned back and looked at Pyrrha for confirmation. She nodded. That was all he needed to see to believe.
"C-can I see…" his voice trailed off. Was it a girl or a boy? He didn't want to get his own child's gender wrong. Pyrrha took his hand and felt it shaking.
"It's ok Jaune. I'm here. We're going to be a family… together…" she said as she led him to the small crib nearby. Sleeping inside was a small little figure. The little baby had a tuft of red hair just like her mother. Her tiny chest was rising up and down and the baby held her minuscule thumb in her chubby cheeks. "Say hello to your daughter Jaune. Say hi to Athens…"
Jaune was speechless. His heart exploded with joy at seeing his… daughter. His baby girl. He was a father. "Pyrrha… she's beautiful…. I'm so sorry I wasn't there when she was born and-" His rambling was cut off by a soft kiss on his lips which caused him to melt into her arms.
"It's ok. You're here now. I've told her all about her father too. I know you'll have to go again soon, but you'll be back. I know it. I believe in destiny."
Jaune smiled softly while he cupped her cheek. "Because you're my final goal…" Pyrrha nodded and looked back down at baby Athena.
"Hey Athena" Jaune spoke softly, watching his child sleep. "I'm sorry I haven't been here but I'm here now. Your dad is here now." His Semblance acted on its own and reached out to the crib. Life energy flowed and a little flower came forth, signifying his love for mother and child.
"Jaune… what was that?" Pyrrha asked, surprised. Last time she had seen her boyfriend his Semblance was the ability to skip through time. This was something else.
"Oh right!" he squeaked, trying to keep his voice down to let the baby sleep. Pyrrha shushed him and drew him away from the crib and back to the living room. "Right…" Jaune said nervously and rubbed his neck. "I sorta got rid of Diavolo and King Crimson. Long story. But anyways, this is my uh, true semblance I guess?"
He lifted his hand and Gold Experience Requiem appeared. It looked at Pyrrha with its beady eyes before kneeling. "It can give life energy…. which means…."
His eyes widened. "Pyrrha! Close your eyes! I'm going to do something for you…."
Pyrrha looked confused, especially at the utterly strange semblance. But she trusted her lover, body and soul, so she shut her eyes and held his hand tight. "Gold Experience. Create life!" Gold Experience Requiem touched both of Pyrrha's mechanical legs. Though she could not see, she felt the energy course through her very essence.
She felt something very strange. Something Pyrrha never thought she'd feel again. One toe wiggled. Then another. Then she felt her foot and all the way up to her waist. Flesh. Blood. The cold mechanical replacements were gone when she opened her eyes. Tears were dripping as Pyrrha shut her mouth in awe. She had her legs back.
She could walk again.
"Jaune…." Pyrrha breathed while trying to stand, falling only to be caught by her boyfriend. "Jaune… oh Jaune thank you… I never thought…. Ironwood personally told me the damage was too severe to replace with working prosthetics…. you…."
Jaune silenced her with a hug and kiss, holding her tight. "The world deserves a huntress as noble and kind and beautiful as you. The world deserves you."
Pyrrha cupped his cheek and leaned back into the kiss while being held in his arms. Jaune continued. "I guess it'll take a while to relearn how to walk but… The Pyrrha Nikos I love never backs down from a challenge."
Pyrrha nodded and pulled herself back up onto her wheelchair. Jaune got up to push her wherever she wanted. He figured that tonight they'd want to…. make up for lost time. Though Jaune would make sure he didn't have a second child so soon.
"How about we go meet with Ren and Nora and get you caught up with Team RWBY as well? They'll be happy to see you."
Pyrrha looked back up at him with an infectious smile. She pecked his cheek.
"That sounds grand."
Jaune laughed and began to push her forward, telling her mother their plan for the day and heading out to Saphron's place to meet up with the gang. Tomorrow they'd have to deal with getting to Argus.
But today they'd simply bask in their love and their future together. Jaune felt giddy thinking about his daughter Athena. He swore he'd be the best father and (eventual) husband he could be.
He felt the arrow in his pocket. His hand went to feel for it which caused Pyrrha to inquire. "What's that Jaune?"
He shrugged and let it lie where it was. "Nothing much really. Just some broken wood."
His true golden arrow, his true requiem, no matter the power he had gained, was with her.
With Athena. With the love of his life.
Pyrrha.
That was his true requiem. Something Diavolo and Cinder could never possibly imagine.
And he wouldn't have it any other way.
A/N: Hello everyone. It's been a while. I suppose I'll explain where I've been. Skipping Through Beacon was my first fanfiction ever. It had its ups and downs and most recently I just had no desire to write it, getting caught up in other writing projects. But a few weeks ago I got the energy and drive to finish my biggest fic. I owed it to myself and you guys who have followed it from beginning to end.
So it took a while, but I hope it was worth the wait.
Anyways, the story of Jaune Arc, the arrow, Cinder, Diavolo and Pyrrha has come to a close. Blake and Mista however haven't. Eventually there will be a new series in the Skipping Verse that details their adventure from the fall of Beacon to the battle of Haven. It's tentative name is BEAUTY AND THE BULLET.
There will be an epilogue for Skipping soon, but as for the story it is considered finished.
I truly hope you all enjoyed this fanfiction and I hope that you will leave your reviews for both this chapter and the entire story as a whole. It has been an honor writing this for you all.
As for my other projects, we'll see how they go. I have a fic commission that takes priority but other series will be getting attention.
If you're interested in having a fic written (FOR FREE!) please check my profile for rules and then send me a DM with your request.
As always, please stay safe, stay home and stay happy. My mother is a doctor. Stay home so she doesn't have to get sick treating you.
Lots of love ~ Only the Results
