~ Hey, I'm back! What a surprise. It's only been like, a week or two, right?
*checks last update*
Over two months?! God damn, I'm lazier than I thought.
Apologies for the lack of updates. Again. The whole shitsuation with lockdown hasn't really put me in the proper mood to write consistently. On top of that, I had actually almost finished this chapter a lot quicker originally, but after careful consideration, I chose to put it back as the chapter following this one. I also tried out a new method of writing that I thought would be a cool idea, but it is an absolute nightmare to edit. And thus, this chapter was born. It just seemed like the most sense, trust me.
With that being the case, it means that the next update will be coming out a lot sooner, seeing as it's practically finished. I was planning on releasing it in a couple of days, maybe a week at the longest. It's filled to the brim with action, so it's something you guys can look forward to hopefully.
So thank you, for continuing to read my story. It means a lot. As always, leave a follow or a review if you're enjoying it so far.
(=Chapter 15=)
Jaune shuffled nervously atop his bed, fine black leather shoes repeatedly tapping the carpet, white gloved fingers intertwined. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead before it had a chance to stain his pristine navy suit. His eyes drifted to the others in the dorm for what was likely the dozenth time tonight.
Nora sat in the corner of the room by the mirror, wearing a bubbly pink dress. She was still doing her makeup, but he had to admit, it certainly paid off, finished or not.
Ren stood with his back to the wall next to the door, eyes set on his scroll. He wore a sharp black tuxedo with a bow tie, his hair partially slicked back. Jaune had always envied his near-supernatural ability to remain calm, regardless of any circumstance. Especially given what was mere minutes away.
And lastly, Pyrrha, who wore an absolutely jaw dropping red dress, sat on her own bed, gaze focused on the hands in her lap. She had been unusually quiet tonight, but then again, so had he. Nerves had a habit of catching people by surprise no doubt, even those as skilled as her.
"Alright, I'm ready!" Nora loudly announced out of the blue, finally finished with her makeup. Jaune couldn't tell the difference with it now compared to an hour ago, but if Nora said there was a difference, there was a difference, fullstop.
Those who'd argue were either dead or were about to die. The thought made him shudder.
"Okay then, do we all have everything?" Jaune asked, falling back into the all-to-familiar role of team leader. Ren nodded as he pocketed his scroll, Nora as well as she excitedly bounced up and down. The three turned to Pyrrha, who remained with her head still downcast. She looked up suddenly when she realised she was being stared at.
"...Oh, um, yeah. Let's go." She said, finally rising to her feet.
Ren and Nora were out the door first, the latter chatting about the last wacky, ridiculous dream she'd had. Jaune placed a hand on his partner's shoulder, stopping her at the doorway.
"Pyr, you've been a bit… quiet lately. Is something up?"
She met his eyes and opened her mouth, as if she'd anticipated his question. She sighed in defeat.
"There is, but I don't think tonight is the best time to talk about it, if I'm being honest. It'll ruin the mood."
Jaune was about to point out that it wouldn't, but held it back. If she didn't want to talk about it tonight, that was that. Better than to push any boundaries.
"Alright then, if you say so. I'll catch up with you at the hall in a bit, okay?" She put on a small smile and nodded, walking away.
"Hey Pyrrha?" Jaune called out. She paused, turning his way.
"If you change your mind… don't hesitate to ask."
Her smile grew a bit at the offer, and she nodded again, turning back.
As she walked away, he turned and came face to face with his next big challenge.
The Team RWBN door.
An arm rose and fell, knocking proving to be a task unlike any other he'd done before. He could feel his heartbeat in his chest, and his arms shook, despite them not being cold.
'Calm down for Remnant's sake,' Jaune mentally berated to himself. 'It's just a dance. Nothing more to it."
He took a moment to further compose himself, shaking his body of any nervousness that lingered. He exhaled, and knocked on the door.
He felt his heart fire up again when he heard footsteps approach, but forced himself to remain calm.
The door opened, and his dark blue eyes met pale blue, wearing a white dress. Weiss sighed to herself, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Arc, I swear to god, if you have some stupid plan to ask me to the dance, I'm afraid-"
"Actually, I'm not here for you," Jaune interrupted, well knowing where her remarks were leading. She recoiled slightly, which gave him a perfect view of his date.
"I'm here for her," He said, nodding to Neo. A wide smile grew on her lips as she saw him.
"O-oh. I see. My apologies." Weiss stuttered, awkwardly shifting away from the door. Ruby, who was trying, and failing, to put on her heels, spared Neo a questioning look. "You're going with Jaune?" She asked, seemingly unaware. Said girl happily nodded her head, skipping towards the door.
...She was breathtaking.
She wore a sparkling silver dress with traces of pink and black throughout. Her dress parted ways at her hip, showing off a generous amount of her legs.
And her face, Brothers her face. Jaune thought that she was beautiful before. But she had done something to it tonight, which made it even more perfect than before.
But what undoubtedly stood out the most was her gorgeous pink and brown hair…
She wasn't wearing her disguise.
She offered her hand, almost as if she were a princess. He accepted it graciously, taking on the role as her noble knight.
"Have fun you two!" Ruby chirped as the pair walked away, beginning the path towards the ballroom. "We'll be there soon!"
The moment the door closed shut, Jaune asked the obvious question.
"How…?"
She showed him her scroll, having already preemptively written an answer.
They're ridiculously gullible
Jaune chuckled. "They believed in my fake transcripts at first, so I don't think a change of hair colour would be awfully suspicious." Neo giggled silently, wrapping her arm around his.
The two walked in relative silence for the better half of a minute, passing other students and couples alike. Building up confidence that he didn't feel that he needed, Jaune eventually spoke up.
"Y-You look… gre- no actually- Wait no, I mean… nice?"
"...Did I just have a stroke?"
He looked up to see Neo sporting an evil smile. She held a hand to her ear, asking him to repeat himself.
"...I said that you look nice. Better than nice, actually. You look amazing."
Neo shied away from looking at him, but was too late to hide the blush across her face. Jaune smirked, pleased with himself for once, and even more so when he realised they had arrived.
Being the gentleman that he was, Jaune pushed open the double doors before them, the two entering the ballroom. Dozens of students sporting formal wear were spread in every part of the room, with teachers chatting amongst themselves or watching from the sides.
Smooth jazz echoed throughout the room, it as well as the deep blue lighting shon upon the windows and walls setting a calm, inviting mood.
Calm before the storm, no doubt.
Neo nudged his arm, getting his attention. She flicked her head in the direction of a nearby bar with a wide grin. "Drinks already?" He asked, surprised she wanted to start so early into the night. She nodded. He sighed with a nod of his own, reluctantly going along as Neo grabbed his hand and pulled him with her. They took their respective seats next to one another, Neo scooting hers closer so they were hip to hip.
The Bartender took notice of their arrival and approached, setting down a newly polished glass. "What can I get you two lovebirds?" He asked with a devilish smirk, no doubt taking note of their close proximity. Jaune cleared his throat, failing to hide his blush.
"I-I'll have… a cranberry cruiser. What about you?" He asked Neo, turning to her. She showed him her scroll.
Strawberry sunrise pls
"And a strawberry sunrise for her, thanks." Jaune finished, fishing for his wallet in his pocket. The bartender held up a hand. "First round is one the house, compliments of the Headmaster."
"Hm. Awfully nice of him…"
Ozpin… or Ozma, technically, after learning the truth.
Jaune pitied the man. Spending lifetime after lifetime fighting for a cause that would inevitably fail…
It was a daunting task, one he could never see himself doing.
Despite that, he still hated him. Ozpin manipulated people into fighting for his cause, and nobody realised. Jaune understood why he did it, but it didn't seem necessary.
Instead of keeping secrets and forming alliances, why couldn't he lead the battle against both the Grimm and Salem publicly? If everyone bounded together, every huntsman, every school, every kingdom, they would have a fighting chance.
A hand gripped his shoulder, making Jaune jump. He glanced to his offender, his blood briefly going cold.
Speak of the devil...
"Mr Arc," Ozpin spoke, as if greeting an old friend. "So good to see that you made it. You as well, Miss Politon." He said with a nod. She smiled and nodded back, but Jaune could see the tension on her face.
"If it isn't too much trouble Jaune, may I borrow you for a moment? It will be brief, I promise."
Jaune spared a glance to Neo, who gave a hesitant nod after a moment of thought. He took a large swig of his drink as he rose, knowing well that he'd need it, and then followed Ozpin to the hall's side.
"It's very good to see you in better health, Mr Arc. I'd heard that you'd been rather worse for wear a few weeks back."
Jaune grunted in reply, not bothering to hide his feelings on the matter. Ozpin caught on quickly.
"That aside, I've also been informed about your drastically improved combat skills," He said, sounding genuinely proud. "I thought I'd congratulate you on the matter personally."
"Um, thank you, sir," Jaune said in reply, caught off guard by the sudden praise. He banished any feeling of pride in his conscience, knowing it wasn't legitimate.
"In fact, I thought I'd review the footage myself."
Jaune's teeth clenched at the words, his mind screaming to avoid eye contact.
"I must say, I'm certainly impressed with how you compare to your first duel. However, I noted a pattern with your technique. One I have not seen in years. Decades, even."
Jaune fought the urge to flee right there and then. He knew there was no hope of escape.
"Tell me Mr Arc, who taught you this style of fighting?" Ozpin asked, his gaze still set on the crowd before them. Jaune opened his mouth but hesitated. His mind raced to think up of something, anything that would make a valid excuse.
"Pyrrha did," Jaune finally answered, partially surprised that he could provide something. "Pyrrha taught me that technique."
"Mr Arc," Ozpin said sternly from a side glare, unpleased. "You attend Beacon to become a Huntsman… not a liar."
Deciding it better to stick with his excuse than to respond, Jaune remained silent, staring ahead at nothing in particular. After a full half minute of silence, Ozpin let out a tired sounding sigh.
"I'm aware that he is training you. I'm guessing that he filled you in on how we're not on the best of terms. Whatever that may be, I'd just like to assure you that-"
"But you can't Ozpin, can you?" Jaune interrupted, his burning hatred unable to hold itself any longer. "You can't assure me anything. You can't guarantee me anything. Not when you've built Beacon on a foundation of manipulation and lies."
The words shocked the Headmaster to his very core. "Jaune, I-"
"He told me. He told me fucking everything. The grim reality of becoming a Huntsman, only a mere pawn in the grand scheme of things," Jaune spat, now glaring at the man. "What gives you the right to mess with people's fate like it's a game of fucking chess? What's your excuse, Ozma?"
Ozpin's shocked expression vanished in an instant, turning completely neutral, almost scarily so. He turned away, facing the crowd again, his lips forming a thin line.
"So you know," Ozpin replied in an even voice.
It took Jaune a moment to take in the sudden mood shift, but his anger lingered.
"Yes. It's not fun learning that your childhood dream is a complete and utter lie, now is it?"
Ozpin closed his eyes. He softly inhaled, and then exhaled, before opening them again.
"There comes a time when all other alternatives fail. That every plan and contingent plan will fail. When you're up against a truly despicable evil such as Salem, you do not consider what is and isn't morally right. Because she does not. You do what you must to keep everyone alive, regardless of any sacrifice that has to be made to upkeep it." He turned to face Jaune front on.
"We get dirty, and the world stays clean. That's the mission."
Jaune's face twisted and eventually fell. The headmaster's words made sense. Lines had already been crossed.
"Leave me. I'm not in the mood for an argument I've had for generations." Ozpin said, dismissing him an offhand wave. "Your date is waiting."
Jaune took his leave within a matter of seconds, leaving Ozpin alone. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, momentarily leaning on his cane for support. Composing himself, he drew out his scroll, speed dialing the first name that he saw.
He put it to his ear as he walked towards the hall's outdoor exit. The call picked up on the second dial.
"Glynda? We have a problem."
What did he want?
Jaune read Neo's scroll as he retook his seat. She appeared calm, but was no doubt on edge.
"He knows. About The Dreaded, about our training behind the scenes. He claimed they weren't on the best of terms," Jaune said with a scowl, taking a swig from his drink. Neo scoffed. His features softened as he turned to her. "What should we do? Ditch the dance?"
She gave it a moment of thought, her gaze shifting between the dozens of dancing students before them and the exits nearby. She eventually shook her head, reaching out to take his hand in hers. She offered a reassuring smile, and jerked her head towards the dance floor.
"You want to dance, during a time like this?" Jaune asked, completely baffled by her idea. Her smile twisted into a grin, screaming yes.
"...Fuck it," Jaune said, chugging the last of his drink, the liquid burning down his throat. "There's no way this night could possibly get worse. Why the hell not?"
With a smirk continuing to grace her lips, Neo pulled him out onto the dance floor, where students moved to a slower melody. Some part of him would have preferred something faster, but growing up with seven sisters made him well versed in pretty much anything.
Neo stopped leading him as they reached the heart of the crowd, the press of bodies forcing them closer. He felt his pulse quicken at her touch. She was playing with him, he knew it. That didn't mean he would do anything to stop it.
Oh God's, she looked amazing.
She always had been, of course. Even as she was disguising herself to get into Beacon. But back then there had also always been something about that look that didn't... fit her.
Now, she seemed out in full force, and there were times he had to keep his eyes from wandering. Eyes above the neck, Jaune, he mentally berated himself, fast becoming a mantra that cycled endlessly in his head. Look into her eyes. Not... not…
Everywhere else.
It was so hard to focus. Of course looking into her eyes wasn't the issue here, he could look into those beautifully mismatched eyes all night. The issue was her wearing an outfit that screamed for attention, accentuating her figure in all the right places. It made her look far more mature than any of the other students around her, even the older years.
The crowd shifted again and they were pushed closer together. His hand grazed her leg and he flinched it back. It felt like his skin was burning.
Her hot breath tickled his face. It seemed she liked watching his discomfort.
She looked at him from under her eyelashes, as if daring him to try something. He felt his cheeks grow hot and he averted his gaze, using the opportunity to look around and catch the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding…
He let Neo lead him as the music shifted once again. As a new beat began, they both started to move.
"Wow… who knew Jaune could dance so well?" Ruby asked her partner, before taking a sip from her punch. "I certainly didn't."
Weiss huffed in response, her eyes flickering between the crowd and the drink in her lap.
"Are you upset that Jaune has a date and you don't?" Ruby asked, breaking the ice instantly. Weiss almost spat out her drink at the question, coughing to her side before glaring at her partner. "What?" Ruby said dramatically with wide arms. "You've been in a bad mood since you guys met back at the door."
"Ruby, it's not that!" Weiss growled, before her expression softened. "It's just… Neptune, is all. The whole thing has my mind running in circles." Shame pooled in Ruby's stomach. "Right, I forgot about that. I'm sorry."
"It's alright."
"Do you… do you want to dance?"
"Hmm… maybe later."
After a moment of silence, the two's gazes returned back to Jaune and Neo, who were the center of attention on the dance floor. Several students had formed a circle around the pair, their moves proven unmatched to the crowd of onlookers.
"I do find her odd."
"Neo?" Ruby asked, Weiss humming in reply. "Think about it. Jaune was borderline- no, he was depressed. His own team couldn't get a single word out of him over a month, nor his partner. And yet she managed to lift his spirits in only a matter of days. Does that not strike you as unusual?"
"Hm, I guess you're right," Ruby realised, turning her attention to the girl in question.
Ever since she had joined their team, Neo had made every effort to keep to herself. Which was fine! Ruby could understand being awkward around others. Neo had seemed, on the surface, even more recluse than Blake. But even Blake had warmed up to them eventually!
Well… not really, but they'd been making progress! Yet Neo, as if on a whim, had gone out of her way to visit... Jaune? On a regular basis, to the point where they could be mistaken for an actual couple?
Her huntress senses were tingling. There was only one possible explanation.
"You don't think that they're… you know…" Ruby quickly gazed left then right. She made a hole with one hand, and inserted a finger into it with the other.
"Wha- Oh my god, Ruby! Are you serious?!" Weiss hissed, her normally cool appearance now in stark contrast against her rapidly reddening face. "No, I don't think that they're doing…" she seemed to mentally catch herself. "That!"
"Okay, okay, calm down, geez," Ruby replied dismissively. "I'm fifteen, not four, you know."
Weiss muttered something under her breath about a lack of maturity, before taking a drink again. As the current song playing marked its finish, a new song began.
Ruby waited for her partner to continue, but she didn't seem very chatty for some reason. "Do you think I should ask him about it?" She asked, if only to fill the silence.
"Maybe not right now," Weiss replied, pondering on the words. "Are you sure that's the best idea though?"
"Probably not," Ruby admitted, "But it might be a better chance than any. With how much they've been drinking, I wouldn't be shocked if they… you know…"
She made a hole with one hand, and inserted a fing-
"Message received!" Weiss exclaimed with an all too familiar blush, pushing her away. "Just- just quiet, you dolt!"
Ruby left it be without saying another word, albeit with a cheeky smile on her face.
Jaune and Neo stumbled out onto the outdoor balcony, leaning on one another for support. His partner seemed to find the whole situation hilarious, and Jaune, finding it difficult to even stay upright, found he had to agree. As they awkwardly reached the railing, both of them failed to notice a figure in a red dress quickly making their leave.
It didn't matter. The night air was cold and fresh, a welcome break from the humid alternative inside, and there was a beautiful girl, someone entirely out of his league- hanging off his arm- or maybe he was hanging off her… Regardless, it was bliss. He tried to drink it all in, straining his fogging mind to think of something romantic to say.
"It's so pretty…" Jaune whispered, gesturing to the night's sky. A smile grew on his lips. "Just like you."
God's that was horrible.
Neo smacked his arm, shaking her head at the cheesy comment all the while trying to hide the blush in her face. He laughed when she failed.
She turned and faced him, the two both arm in arm, faces mere inches apart. He paused for a moment, uncertain. Then without a word, he drew closer.
And closer.
And closer...
"Uh, hey, you're Jaune, right?" Interrupted a new voice from behind, completely ruining the moment. With an annoyed sigh from Jaune, and a disappointed huff from Neo, the two turned to meet their new acquaintance.
Neptune Vasilias.
"Yeah? Whassit to you?" Jaune slurred, coming out more aggressive than intended.
"Woah, woah, easy tiger," Neptune said, as if reading the situation. "Just wanted to ask a quick question, then I'll be outta your hair, I promise."
Jaune grunted at his choice words, but chose not to bring it up. He crossed his arms, granting Neptune his full undivided attention.
"Make it quick, please."
"Okay, perfect, I was told that you were the dude for this," He said with excitement, rubbing his hands together. "Alright, here it is: How can I earn Weiss' forgiveness?"
...What?
"Say again?" Jaune asked, who was sure he had misheard. Neo seemed just as, if not more confused than him.
"You know, Weiss. White hair, is from Atlas, has an amazing voice. List continues."
"I know who Weiss is," Jaune growled, taking a step toward Neptune. "I'm just- wait, who said that I was 'The dude' for this?"
"Sun did."
Jaune fought back the urge to leap off of the balcony right there and then. Neo merely snorted and quietly suppressed a laugh. "Of course he did…"
"So? What do you think? Be honest."
"Ugh... Tell me why she's upset, that'd help." Neptune shifted awkwardly to the side. "I-is that really necessary?" He asked, tone quiet. "It's kind of… embarrassing…"
Jaune crossed his arms with a frown. His thoughts were coming back to him now. "Look man, you came to me for advice. I can't work with nothing here. So you can either tell me or-"
"I can't dance," Neptune admitted sheepishly.
Silence ensued, nearby crickets the only present noise. Jaune attempted, and failed, to respond several times.
",..That… that's it?" Jaune finally said. Neptune looked up to him. "Well, yeah. You kind of need to know how to dance for something like this."
"Yeah? Based on what?"
"Uhhh…. based… on…" Neptune trailed off, unable to finish a full sentence.
"Brothers, give me strength," Jaune grumbled, grabbing Neptune's shoulders. "Listen to me. She would be just as, if not more nervous than you for this. Do you seriously think that Weiss would force you into something you wouldn't want?"
Neptune's eyes shied away from Jaune's. "Alright, yeah, I think I get where you're coming from…"
"Good," Jaune replied, releasing him. "Go to her, and just be yourself. Not someone that you're not." Neptune nodded, his smile returning. "Okay, I'll… I'll do it! Thanks dude, you're the best." Jaune smiled back, though it felt forced to him. His moment with Neo had been ruined.
"Good luck."
Neptune strode away, boasting a new load of confidence. Neo bore a wide smile, silently clapping as he left. Jaune shook his head, sighing. "I give him a fifty-fifty chance of it actually working out."
Neo seemed to put on the look of nodding thoughtfully, before reaching out and tugging at his jacket.
The pair re-met by the railing, Jaune moving his arms around Neo's waist. Their faces drew closer again, mere inches apart.
They both hesitated, waiting for something to interrupt the moment a second time. Three heartbeats of silence showed that that wasn't the case...
...so Neo closed the distance.
Their lips met, Jaune shrugging off the surprise, pressing the offensive. He felt out of his depth, his posture stiff, but he pushed through regardless.
Eventually, he pulled away, his face and breathing flushed. He still held onto her though. He didn't want to let go.
Jaune attempted to speak, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. Neo threw her head back, laughing. Jaune couldn't help but join in.
"I guess I'm the speechless one this time…"
He scrambled for anything to say. "Your thoughts...?"
She made the effort to think it over, hand on her chin, eyebrows furrowed, before holding up six fingers. A sheepish smile on her face.
He felt a hit at his pride at that, but not enough to dampen the moment. "Well, at least I can always practice…" Neo nodded her head with an eager smile, drawing close.
Before his world exploded around him.
"This is ridiculous," Goodwitch proclaimed with an angry huff. "And it all never would have happened had you denied those transcripts, you do realise? We both knew they were fake."
"Trust me Glynda, that is high on my list of regrets right now."
"Tsk. That makes two of us."
In all of her years of knowing Ozpin, Glynda had not seen him like this before. Leaning back almost comically into his seat, he looked defeated, despite no battle having been fought or lost.
"So… what happens now?"
Ozpin sighed. "I'm unsure," He admitted, removing his glasses and rubbing his tired eyes. "A part of me wants him expelled from Beacon. Another part of me wishes for him to stay. Regardless of what we choose, it doesn't bode particularly well for us."
"What I'm worried about is what young Mr Arc did to merit such attention," Glynda said, pacing the room with her arms crossed. "The Dreaded wouldn't take just anyone under his wing without a proper reason."
"Too right you are, Glynda. Could Jaune have supernatural potential that only he saw? Perhaps a semblance unlike the world has ever seen? Or maybe he's been a spy all along?" Ozpin sighed again, reaching for his mug.
"I fear we may never find out-"
The entire office suddenly shook without warning, Ozpin's head snapping upward at the noise. The mug he was reaching for smashed against the floor, spilling its contents. The force cut off abruptly.
"What was that?" Glynda asked, eyes narrowed. She turned to Ozpin, who was already checking the security feeds on his office terminal. His gaze turned murderous.
"I'm too late," He snarled, already moving towards the elevator. "Glynda, contact the medical staff immediately! The academy's under attack!"
The doors shut sealed a second later, leaving her alone in the office. As she quickly drew out her scroll and began dialing, Glynda turned Ozpin's primary display to face her. She gasped at what she saw.
The Ballroom was up in flames.
The world came back to Jaune like a blow to the head, snapping violently back into place. Out of this shock he felt lost amid a mass of terrible sensations: the ringing in his ears, a heavy sense of fatigue, and a sudden rush of heat. The world around him faded back into view, so similar and yet somehow different.
He was on his back. He couldn't breathe. As he shifted his arm, he felt as if it had been chewed through by an Ursa. Craning his neck, he saw the windows surrounding him had exploded outward, showering him with glass. Flames licked hungrily against the wooden door frame.
The school was on fire.
The realisation forced him to his feet, his fatigue banishing as adrenaline and aura took its place. He forced himself forward, away from the unstable balcony.
How did this happen? Why did this happen? Was it an attack by Salem? The White Fang?
All he remembered was standing at the ledge with Neo when-
"NEO!" Jaune all but screamed, head frantically scanning the area around him. "Neo! Where are you?!"
The noise of the blaze proved to be too much he soon realised, it having spread to the roof of the building. It would be only a matter of time until it would collapse.
A second scan confirmed that he was completely alone on the ruined balcony.
...Had that meant Neo was thrown into the flaming building?
...Or over the ledge…?
"No! Stay hopeful!" Jaune growled to himself, tears brimming at the thought. His gaze met with the ruined doorway, encased in flames.
"Oh well, here goes nothing," He muttered, pressing forwards.
Inside was so much worse.
Jaune found himself squinting against the smoke that blanketed the dance hall.
"Hello? Anyone out there?" He shouted into the smoke, yet the noise of the fire above prevailed. He pressed forwards, slowly, an arm covering his mouth in order to breathe. Indistinct shapes flicked across his vision, some larger than others, covering the floor. Bodies, he realised with a sudden lurch of his stomach. Oh God's… how many people were dead?
"Someone! Anyone!" Jaune yelled out again, hoping for a response. "Is-"
His leg caught with something he couldn't see, causing him to land roughly on the hard floor. He landed with a grunt, turning to see what caused him to trip. Bile rose in his throat when he saw what it was.
Or rather, who it was.
"N-Neo?" Jaune said, his voice barely a whisper. She didn't move. He crawled to her side. "Neo! Wake up!"
No response.
Panicking, he placed his ear to her chest and listened. Just faintly, he could hear a weak pulse. Relief flooded his body, but the sounds of a nearby wall collapsing returned him to reality. He turned to it, realising that it was about to fall onto him. Onto Neo.
In a split second decision, knowing well he couldn't carry her to safety in time, Jaune shielded her prone form from the inevitable. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself.
...For something that never came. Someone grunted in front of him, and he peered an eye open.
Ozpin stood before him, his arms outstretched over a sphere of brilliant green energy, keeping the wall in place. "What are you waiting for?!" He barked, his voice sounding unnaturally strained. "Get her to safety!"
Jumping back to his senses, Jaune picked up Neo's unconscious body into his arms. To his right was a small opening, where the fire had parted ways. With all the strength that he could muster, he dove into a full sprint, banishing the pain of the flames that burned against his body. With a ragged yell he leapt through the opening, falling onto his back against the stone cold concrete outside.
"I made it," Jaune realised, panting harshly on the ground, limbs sprawled apart. A glance to his side confirmed that Neo was safe, her chest slowly rising and falling. He rose to his knees, and gracefully touched her face.
"It's okay now," Jaune said shakily, tears threatening to form. "You're safe..."
"Jaune! Jaune! Is that you?"
His head perked up at the mention of his name. He spotted Ruby a few feet away, beside a girl drenched in blood. He ran as fast as he could, crouching beside them.
"Come on Velvet, stay with me!" Ruby said, her hands applying pressure to the wound. Blood was trickling slowly from the wound, but its speed revealed a more dire situation. How much blood had she already lost? The faunus, Velvet, winced in pain, her bloodied hands gripped over Ruby's. "Jaune, help me out here!"
As he took her place pressuring the wound, Ruby ripped the side of her dress off, using it in an effort to stop the bleeding. It was completely soaked in blood instantly, proving useless only seconds later. "R-Ruby…" Velvet spoke, cut off by a pained groan.
"Save your strength Velvet. Just… just hold on, help is on its way."
Ruby looked to Jaune, her face on the brink of tears. Her face said it all.
"Ruby..!" Velvet forced out in a jagged voice, facing her. "Please… promise me something."
Tears spilled out. "Anything," Ruby replied.
"Tell my parents… tell… tell my sister…. tell C-Coco… that I love them."
She let out a ragged breath, followed by a soft sigh.
Then nothing.
"She's-" Jaune cut himself off, the fresh layer of emotion hitting him like a brick. He turned to Ruby, who had it several times worse than he did, and reached out to her. She accepted the embrace instantly, crying into his shoulder.
A figure suddenly leapt out of the fire. Ozpin appeared before them, his usually pristine black suit covered in soot and ash.
"Mr Arc, Miss Rose, are yo-"
His gaze met with the body.
"...oh."
For a near minute, he stood beside them in silence, facing the ground, Ruby's whimpers and the nearby blaze the only sounds to be heard.
Ozpin crouched down, closing the deceased girl's eyes, softly shaking his head. As he rose back up, he looked to Jaune.
"...See the type of threat that we face, Mr Arc? Good morales cannot prevent something like this."
Jaune didn't reply.
"Look after her. Someone will be with you shortly." Ozpin said, moving forward again. Whether he was referring to Velvet, or Ruby, Jaune wasn't sure.
It didn't matter. Jaune was going to find who did this.
And he was going to kill them.
"How wonderful. Those explosives turned out even better than I expected." Cinder said, watching the ensuing chaos from afar. "This is but a small taste of what is to come. Wouldn't you agree, Mercury?"
Mercury, who leaned against a nearby tree, nodded in agreement. "So long as everything from here went as smoothly as tonight, absolutely. Although I was hoping a certain someone would show up tonight…"
Cinder chuckled, looking back to him. "Eager for revenge, are you?" His face soured. "The bastard took my legs… they ain't exactly cheap."
Cinder turned back to the sight and sighed in satisfaction. "We will get to him later. For now, we celebrate tonight's victory." Pulling out a bottle of red wine, she poured herself a glass and one for Mercury, who accepted it. She held it up towards the night sky.
"For Emerald," Cinder said. Mercury held his glass up and clinked it against hers.
"For Emerald."
~ Woo! Hopefully that surprise was worth the wait. Like I mentioned previously, next chapter will be out sooner, as it needs only some editing here and there. If you enjoyed, remember to leave a like and a review.