A/N: Zzz. Zzz. Zzz. Hm? Huh? Who are *yawn*. Who are you lot? Oh, right. Readers. *looks at reviews* Hm, that's disappointing. According to the traffic chart, a good number of people have been reading this. I really was looking forward to reviews. Not seeing any made me think no one gave a crap about this fic. Oh, whatever. I might as well put of the next chapter anyway.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
"WHY IS SHE ANGRY?! WE HAVE ENOUGH LIEN TO BUY A KINGDOM!"
"YOU IDIOT! SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT LIEN! THE TRUBITE IS EITHER FOOD OR DUST!"
"OUR DUST MINE'S BEEN ROBBED!"
"OH, GOD, THE GRIMM!"
"Oh, gods. Not him. Please, not him."
"PAPA!"
"NO!"
ONE YEAR LATER
"Doctor, please," a young man pleaded to an older man, who's hair was messy and graying.
"Shut up! We're so close."
"Sir, that's the problem! There is no ethics to this. This is unholy! This is evil!"
"EVIL!? WHAT'S EVIL IS THAT WE HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF THAT WOMAN!"
"But we don't have to forever! HE'S still out there!"
"The Last Huntsman?! You want me to place my faith in him?! He is one of them!"
"But he has done such great good! He has defeated the King of the Geist in Atlas, allowing General Schnee to rebuild Atlas and Mantel! Mistral is under his protection! Just wait a bit longer and even Vale will be freed!"
The scientist grabbed the protégée's collar. "And what if he fails?! What if he loses his life?! What if he turns and serves her?! He is one man! No, not even that! He is one MONSTER!"
"AND WHAT YOU'RE MAKING IS NOT?!"
The scientist punched the protégée, the young man falling to the ground. "No. That's my daughter," the doctor said through his tears.
He then looked at the... corpse on the operation table behind him.
It was the body of a beautiful young lady. Her skin was white as death. Makes sense, since she had been dead for a year. She had long, black hair, an exquisite body that would be envied by other women, yet was covered in stitches. Stitches across her face over the bridge of her nose, stitches that kept her limps together, and stitches keeping the false skin patched onto her body.
The scientist gently brushed the girl's cheek. "My girl. My poor, sweet, innocent girl. Forgive me, for I have placed a horrible burden upon you."
"Sir, please. Why must she do this? Why must she-"
"SHE WAS STRONG! IT WAS ONLY THROUGH HER HEROISM THAT WE GET TO BREATH TODAY! . . . And it is through her that we will be free from that witch's tyranny, not through the hands of her son."
The scientist then held up an active chunk of Electric Dust. "It's time to awaken, my child."
"Sir, this is madness! You've imbued her with every type of Dust imaginable!"
"And with this body of hers, she will be immune to the elements. This long year has forced me to modify her body to be able to endure such awesome might. I doubt even the mighty Maiden Cinder could best her as she is now. Soon, you will be known throughout history as a legend."
"Sir, please!"
A roar was heard.
The scientist looked towards it. "No. Not again. Not him again."
"Sir, we must run!"
"RUN IF YOU MUST! I WILL NOT ABANDON HER!"
"DR. TESLA, I BEG OF YOU!"
Dr. Tesla then raised the Electric Dust shard. "LIVE, CHILD!" He then stabbed it into his daughter.
Electricity coursed through her entire body, making it convulse. The Dust seemingly melted into her body, her wound quickly closing up.
A few tense seconds passed. As ever second passed, the doctor's tears fell harder onto the girl's face.
Then, a single beat was heard.
Ba-dump.
.
Ba-dump.
.
Ba-dump.
Ba-dump.
Ba-dump.
Ba-dump.
The girl then gasped before she started to wheeze. Her eyes then slowly opened, revealing beautiful, silver eyes. She then turned towards the scientists. "Pa... pa?"
The doctor released gasps of joy, choking on his own tears. "MARY," he said as he lifted and hugged the girl.
"Pa... pa? What's... happen... ing? So... tired."
"It's fine, honey. Just gather your strength for now."
"Well, that's an interesting sight."
Dr. Tesla's eyes shot open, especially after the sound of liquid spilling and a death gurgle was heard.
He then slowly turned to see his protégée, impaled by... wrappings, the poor boy being lifted as his blood spilled to the ground.
"No. Gods, no." The boy was then moved to reveal his killer. A handsome man with tanned skin, a shaved head, and adorned with golden jewelry. "King of the Sphinx, Giza," Dr. Tesla said in fear and terror... and hatred, looking at the one who killed his daughter to begin with.
"You made quite the blunder, human," Giza said as he walked towards the scientist. "You humans only need to offer tribute once a year. That should be more than enough to accumulate the necessary offerings, yet your town failed. Instead, in Mother's infinite kindness, she allowed your town to live if your daughter died. A fair trade, if I do say so myself. Yet, what do you do? You resurrect your offering. Though I am impressed you were able to accomplish this feat..."
Giza pointed his hand towards Dr. Telsa and the still groggy Mary he was hugging, the wrappings around his arm beginning to unravel and float. "I must eliminate that creature and report to Mother."
"NO! YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER," the doctor said as he reached under the operation table. He then took out a gun and fired.
Giza's bandages easily blocked and even caught one of the bullets. "That was a foolish thing to do." The rag then flung the bullet.
It flew down the barrel of the gun it came from, making it explode. The doctor yelled out in pain as he looked at his now bloody hand before he felt a terrible pain in his shoulder... which occurred at the same moment a squelching sound was heard. He looked down to see rags piercing through his shoulder.
From his shoulder, the blood fell onto Mary's cheeks. She sleepily looked towards the origin to see her father bleeding. The sight made her eyes widen in shock and horror. "P... P... PAPAAAA," she screamed as her silver eyes activated.
When it was gone, Giza put down his rag shield, looking angry as he looked at his elbow, the only part of his body exposed to the light, sizzling as it began to repair itself. "Tch, so even the eyes came back to life. This doesn't bode well."
Mary was panting as she ran through the now burning town, avoiding and kicking away the Sphinxes as she carried her father in her arms.
"M-Mary..."
"Papa," Mary cried out happily as she slid behind a building. "You're going to be alright," she said as she started to rip his clothes. "He merely stabbed you in the shoulder. You should be-" Her eyes widened once more as she looked at his wound. "W-Why? Why is it... festering?"
"His... Semblance." She looked at her father. "It's... Mummification."
"But... his rags..."
"Are the product of his mastery over Dust. It's his weapon, not his power. The gold on his body are also weapons, but his Semblance and his Grimmkind powers are what make him truly terrifying. This is more than merely rotting away, child. He's accelerating my body's age to the point it will naturally embalm," he wheezed. "I can already feel the air leaving my body."
"Papa, don't," Mary said with tears as she held his hand.
"My Mary," he said as he squeezed her hand. "My dear, sweet, precious Mary. Forgive me. I have placed an unfathomable burden upon you."
"What?"
"Your body... look at it."
Mary looked at her arm and gasped when she saw the stitches in that alone. "His Semblance... is useless against those that are already dead... as well as Grimm. It only... affects... living humans."
"Living... humans?"
"Mary... one last... selfish request... No... Two."
"Two?"
"I beg of you... Put an end to their tyranny. Giza's Semblance has no... hold over you. And you... are stronger than... any Grimm. You were... always strong... but your body... is now invincible. For yours... is now filled with Dust... of all types."
"It's what? Papa, what have you done to me?"
"I'm so sorry. But they took you from me... so cruelly. Please... don't let them take... anyone else... like they took you... or your mother from me," Dr. Tesla said through his tears and wheezes."
"P-Papa," Mary said through her tears. She then felt her father's hand shriveling up. "No. No, no, no-NO-NO! PLEASE, PAPA, DON'T LEAVE ME!"
"My second request... is for you... to live."
"Live?"
"When you... save Remnant... be... free. . . Be happy."
"Papa..."
"I... love... you," was Tesla's last words before he completely shriveled up, now a small mummy in Mary's arms.
"Papa? . . . Papa?! . . . PAPAAAAAAA!" Mary hugged her mummified father, sobbing as she hugged him.
"Hm, I seem to be getting sloppy." Mary immediately stopped crying. "My Semblance would have killed him about a minute or so ago. Could I be getting rusty? I have been relying more on my Gift as of late." Mary carefully placed her father down. "No matter," he said as he prepared his bandages, the wrappings hardening and sharpening, looking like blades. "I don't need my human powers to kill a creature such as you. My weapons should more than suffice."
". . .-ill you."
"Come again, creature?"
Mary stood up and turned to look at Giza with the most hate-filled eyes... that were sparking with electricity.
Giza noticed the electricity. "What in Mother's name am I looking at?"
Mary then growled. "I'LL KILL YOU," she roared as lightning shot out of her palms, fire rushed out of her screaming mouth, and sharpened spikes rushed towards Giza.
"WHAT," Giza yelled out in astonishment as the elements charged at him.
Jaune looked down and sighed at the bedridden Lyra. He sighed, disappointed in himself.
"She's going to be fine." He glanced back to see the approaching Sarah. "She's a tough kid, after all."
He looked back down at her. "I shouldn't have let it happen."
"Even you aren't stronger than the King of the Goliaths."
"But I'm at least faster. I shouldn't have needed Lyra to push me out of the way of his charge."
"She acted on instinct."
"She should have just..." Jaune sighed. "She really is their daughter."
"Hm? Oh, your old teammates."
"Yeah. Sarah, is there anything I can do?"
"Jaune, just let her rest. She'll be back up swinging that oversized hammer before you know it. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up stabbing a Grimm standing behind you with those blades of hers next time you see her," Sarah said with a smile.
Jaune chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds like her, alright." His smile went away. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do?"
Sarah sighed. "Do you even know the meaning of the word 'rest'? I swear, I need to tranquilize you one day. Come on," she said as she walked away, followed by Jaune.
They had left the abandoned building they were using for camp, Sarah handing Jaune a piece of paper. "Here. These are ingredients for pain killers, tranquillizers, and nitrous oxide."
"Ni-what?"
"Laughing gas. It's a sedative that will help just in case Lyra is in too much pain and the painkillers are no good. Though, since we have you, I'm not so sure it will be needed, but can't be too careful."
"Can't argue with that."
"Good. Now, there's actually a town not too far from us."
"A Tributer Town," Jaune went with an annoyed look.
"Sadly. You might want to wear that hood of yours and keep your armor covered. Don't need any bounty hunters after you, now do we? Anyway, it should be about a day or so on foot, but on one of your Beowolves, I suspect it should be about-"
An explosion was heard.
"The hell," Jaune went as he and Sarah looked towards the direction.
"Wait. Oh, no. That's coming from the town," Sarah said in a defeated tone.
"I'm going to take a look." Jaune then put his fingers to his mouth and whistled.
Out of the forest ran a Beowolf, which was about a head taller than Jaune himself. It looked different compared to regular Beowolves. It's calves were too well toned, for one.
Jaune was about to mount the Grimm.
"Hey, hero." He looked at Sarah. "We don't know what's going on, so be careful, okay. Come back alive."
Jaune stared at her before he chuckled. "Sorry, Sarah, you know I can't make that promise."
Sarah sighed. "Ever the hero. Fine. How about I give you some incentive to come back in one piece," she asked as she walked up to Jaune.
"Incentive? What incen-" Jaune was interrupted when Sarah quickly yet gently grabbed his head... and kissed him.
It was an innocent kiss at first, but it soon became a passionate kiss before the two parted from one another for air, blushing.
"So, you're coming back alive now, right," Sarah asked after she cleared her throat and pushing up her glasses, still blushing.
"Uh... yeah. Absolutely. Alive and in one piece," Jaune responded as he blushed at the beauty.
"Good," she said as she walked away. "Good luck, hero," she said with her hands in her pockets.
". . . Yeah." Jaune then jumped onto the back of his Beowolf and rode towards the town.
Sarah walked into the room she was temporarily staying in. She sat down at her desk and started crushing herbs and mixing liquids together when she heard the sound of wings flapping. It was followed with a whooshing sound. "I was wondering when you'd finally show up," she said, not looking up from her work. "Had fun watching us, Ms. Branwen?"
"What the hell was that?"
"My, whatever do you mean," Sarah asked as she held up a beaker, swirling the contents around until it changed colors.
"Cut the crap, Freud! Why the hell did you kiss Jaune?"
"He needed motivation to come back alive. He's no good to anyone dead," she said as she mixed different colored herbs. "Besides, I saw a chance and took it. They were a bit rough, but his lips are still pleasant."
"Like I give a crap."
"If you don't, then why are you here?"
"Huh?"
Sarah glanced back at Raven. "You said you don't 'give a crap', yet here you are." Raven looked away, her arms crossed. "Well, I already know you developed feelings for him after he made that promise to you. To 'free you from this nightmare', was it?"
"That has nothing to do with this," Raven spat back, shutting her eyes angrily. "What I want to know is why you haven't tried to bring him back to Salem yet. Out of all the Kings, you have the best chance of doing so. What's stopping? Salem's mission for you?"
"Mother's word is absolute. She wishes for me to merely observe and aid in Jaune's growth. If she ever wants me to bring him in, I will do so. I have plenty of other siblings, though. I doubt they will ALL fail." Sarah then giggled as she looked back at her work. "Though, Jaune has surprised me before. Even I was shocked to see him best you."
"Yeah. He kicked my ass. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. That's why I think you should get him now before he becomes too powerful for any King to handle. If it's not his Grimmkind powers, it's his sword. That Relic might help him to become invincible."
"All the better," Sarah said with a smile. "The stronger he becomes, the higher our chances at killing THEM."
Raven grunted before looking down. "If she really wants to kill the Brothers, she can do it without me. I don't care that she pretty much rules the world. If what even a fraction of what she said is true, even with all the Kings, Jaune included, we don't have nearly enough power to take those two on."
"Which is why Mother's secondary mission is so important," Sarah said as she lightly placed the tip of her tongue onto a spoon full of powder. "Still too bitter."
Raven looked at Sarah with a raised eyebrow. "Secondary mission?" She took a moment to think, realization hitting her. "The Breeding? She was serious about that?"
"Has Mother ever been so lax in her decision-making," Sarah asked as she mixed more herbs together.
"She really wants Jaune to be a damn breeding stallion? What about the other Kings?"
"They're not interested. Most of them are drunk off of the power Mother has bestowed upon them, foolishly believing they will never die and have no need for an heir. Others... are more interested in defeating Jaune, believing it will make them Mother's favorite. Then there are Kings like Acedia."
"The King of Apathy?"
"The very same. When I informed her of Mother's desire for more Grimmkind, her response was merely yawning and walking away to take one of her naps. Can't depend on her to make any children. So, I suppose that just leaves the King of Beowolves and myself, the King of Seers."
"So you're fine with making a brat with your own brother?"
"We weren't originally blood siblings. It was only after I ingested mother's blood that we became family."
"Her blood completely replaced yours. You might as well be siblings."
"Maybe." Sarah then looked directly at Raven with a smile. "But that just means our child will be that much more pure." She turned back to her work.
Raven just sucked her teeth out of disgust before turning to leave.
"You know, Mother just wants one of us to give her grandchildren."
"Hm?"
"She doesn't care who we commit the deed with. I just believe Jaune is the only worthy man to inseminate me. If you're going to have a child, it might as well be with the best possible partner, wouldn't you agree?"
"What are you getting at?"
"You may not have accepted the Gift, but your magic combined with Mother's still keeps you youthful and... fresh seems to be the most appropriate term. In fact, I do believe Mother would find you most suitable to birth the next generation of Grimmkind, given your status as a Maiden. She would have no qualms with you baring Jaune's progeny."
"Not happening."
"Oh? Shame. You two obviously have feelings for one another. I don't see why you wouldn't want to, unless it's to honor your nonexistent marriage with the first man you ever loved. Taiyang Xiao Long, was it?"
Raven looked angry. "Don't you ever say his name, ESPECIALLY since YOU were the one who killed him."
"Missions are missions, my dear. He was a prominent leader in the Resistance, and Mother was annoyed with him. He did put up an impressive fight, but a mere human couldn't hope to best me. Though, he reminded me of Jaune a bit. Maybe a prototype," Sarah joked with a giggle, though Raven wasn't amused.
"Oh, if Jaune truly is a better version of Tai, then you should procreate with him. You two could make a better version of your deceased daughter."
A blade clashed with one of Sarah's Seer tentacles, which shot out from the desk, the blade just an inch away from Sarah's neck.
She glanced down at the blade with a neutral expression. "Oh, my, my," she said as she swiveled around in her chair to look at Raven, her eyes filled to the brim with hatred and rage, her Maiden powers activated. "Struck a nerve, did I?"
"If you EVER talk about my daughter again, I will carve you into pieces."
"Will you? You truly want to fight ME?" Sarah then rested her head on her chin as darkness engulfed the room. Raven looked around to see Seer tentacles appear everywhere. "Little raven." She glared at Sarah. "Little, tiny bird. Think well and hard." Sarah's gaze darkened, Raven actually beginning to tremble. "Do you TRULY wish to fight ME, little bird?"
Raven glared at Sarah before sheathing her sword and turning away, the darkness and tentacles vanishing. "This isn't over, bitch." Raven then transformed and flew away.
"Oh, I certainly hope not," Sarah said as she turned back around and continued to work. "Oh, I can make an aspirin for Lyra with this." She then licked it a bit. "And it will be sweet. A grand success, if I do say so myself."
Jaune was holding onto his Beowolf's fur firmly when he heard roaring. He looked up. "Sphinxes!"
He drew Crocea Mors and sent air blades at the Grimm, cutting them in half or crippling their wings, making them fall to their deaths. The Beowolf was able to bite down on some of the charging Sphinxes' necks, decapitating some of them and simply breaking the necks of others. It even jumped at the right moment to stomp on some of them. The Beowolf was more than strong enough to kill them that way. Jaune used his shield to defend him and his beast.
Jaune noticed that the closer he got to the town, the more numerous the Sphinxes became. He came to one horrible conclusion. "The King of the Sphinxes must be there."
Moments later, he was surrounded by a whole flock of Sphinxes, the beasts roaring and spitting fire at him, some of them lucky enough to land a few scratches on Jaune and his Beowolf.
"THAT'S IT," Jaune yelled as he holstered Crocea Mors. He then drew the Sword of Destruction, the Sphinxes now letting out worried roars and scared cries. "TOO LATE FOR REGRETS," Jaune yelled as he fed the Sword his aura, the blade now glowing.
Then, with a single swing, he killed the entire flock.
Jaune smirked in victory before his Beowolf abruptly stopped. Jaune looked to see they had reached their destination. Jaune then sighed... in sadness. "Damn. I should have known."
The walls were destroyed, the gates were burned, and the streets were littered with corpses.
Jaune got off the Beowolf and gently brushed it's head. "Go back to Sarah. Collect as many of your kind as you can and keep her and Lyra safe. Kill any Grimm or anyone dumb enough to try and hurt them. Understand?" The Beowolf huffed a few times before it howled. Jaune howled as well. Soon, the forest was ringing with howls before the Beowolf ran off. Jaune watched as it left, seeing shadows in the trees following it.
Jaune then sighed before turning towards the town. "Please, just one survivor."
He walked through the town... and was heartbroken. Men, women, elders and children. No one was spared. He wasn't surprised to see the goods untouched. He honestly felt dirty about being able to find all the ingredients Sarah asked him to collect. As he looked around, he thought of creating a Beowolf to take the supplies to Sarah while he stayed and buried the people. . . And maybe do something risky to help him sped up the process.
Then, he caught something in the corner of his eye. He ran towards it. He was shocked to see what he found. "A... mummy? No, these clothes are too fresh. How is this-"
An explosion occurred. "WHAT THE HELL?!"
He looked in the direction to see fire, lightning, and sand flying farther into the town.
He looked down at the mummy before looking back towards the origin of the explosion. He then stood up and readied Crocea Mors in its greatsword mode. "What am I up against this time?"
Jaune ran towards the explosions, slashing any Sphinx dumb enough to get in his way. The closer he got to the origin, the more explosions occurred. He was even beginning to hear the sound of fighting. From the voices, he could tell it was a man and a woman.
As he got closer, he saw a shadow forming around him. He looked up and jumped out of the way of a boulder. "Whoa. That didn't come from any building. Was this caused by a Semblance?" He then heard thunder.
He looked to see lightning spewing out from behind some buildings. "That looks more like a Maiden's Power than a Se- RAVEN!" He then began to rush towards the area, now a bit worried.
Last he heard from Ilia, after he defeated Cinder, her Fall powers went to Emerald, but Emerald hadn't been seen since he killed her former master. Winter was the current Winter Maiden after they defeated the bitch together. Not even he knew who the Summer Maiden was, but he was informed by another King that she was being trained by Salem herself, so she would be in the Grimmlands for quite some time.
That only left Raven, the only Maiden with any semblance of freedom. Given the scale of the battle he saw and the damage done to the town, whoever she was fighting had to be powerful. The only beings that could rival a Maiden was a Grimmkind. Jaune thought of three theories:
1. a Grimmkind did something to anger Salem and she ordered Raven to kill them, since Raven was basically Salem's best executioner
2. a female Grimmkind believed that Raven wasn't worthy of her powers and wanted it for herself. In fact, any jealous human could fit that description, so as far as Jaune knew, it could have been well armed and somehow well trained warriors she's fighting
3. either they hate Raven or Raven hates them.
He was just about to turn a corner before he quickly hid behind the wall when a wall of flame burst past the corner. The intensity of the fire was enough to bother even Jaune. 'Fire isn't Raven's style. She prefers using lightning and ice,' Jaune thought. 'Who the hell is fighting?!'
"ACCURSED MONSTER," the man yelled. "AN ABOMINATION LIKE YOU MUST BE LAID TO REST FOR GOOD!"
"YOU'RE THE ONLY ABOMINATION HERE," the woman yelled.
Jaune ran around the corner to see the back of a woman land in front of him, literally holding fire in the palm of her hand. In front of her was a handsome, tanned, yet bald man who had bandages floating around him. However, Jaune also noticed how his eyes were red with black sclera. 'GRIMMKIND,' Jaune mentally yelled.
Jaune then saw the Sphinxes flying towards the woman at both sides. Jaune didn't hesitate to swing Crocea Mors, killing both Grimm at once.
That caught the attention of the fighters, both looking at Jaune. Most people would have noticed the woman's discolored skin and large scar across her face before noticing next that she had scars on her arms. However, Jaune noticed something else first that shocked him. "Silver eyes," he whispered in astonishment.
"You?!" Jaune and the woman looked at the bald man.
Jaune glared at him as he pointed his sword at him. "Me."
The man glared at Jaune before looking at the woman and chuckling. "It seems our little game will have to wait another day, zombie." The man then grew Sphinx wings. "I'll leave this to you, brother. Farwell, Mary Tesla." He then flew away.
"GIZA! GET BACK HERE," Mary yelled.
"So his name is Giza, huh," Jaune said as holster Crocea Mors.
Mary glared at him. "YOU IDIOT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO YOU JUST LET-" Mary's eyes widened. "Y-Your arm."
Jaune raised an eyebrow before realization hit him. He looked at his Grimm arm. "Wait, let me explain."
"He... called you brother."
"He did, but it's not what you think," Jaune said as he waved his arms.
"He recognized you. He RAN from you," Mary said with her eyes shadowed.
"Miss, please listen."
Mary then glared at Jaune with angry, tear-filled eyes. "You're a GRIMMKIND, AREN'T YOU!?"
"Wait, listen!"
"SHUT UP," Mary roared as the Dust in her body was unleashed, a fierce storm being released from her.
"Oh, shit."
Mary then screamed as she charged at the reluctant Jaune, Earth Dust forming a spiky, stone fist around her readied attack.
Jaune raised his Grimm Hand in defense, catching the stone covered fist. He gritted his teeth when the spikes went through his hand, since it couldn't be protected with Aura. Jaune then redirected her attack and jumped away from Mary.
"Miss, please, I don't want to fight."
Mary glared at Jaune with hate-filled eyes. "That makes one of us." She then breathed out a wave of fire, forcing Jaune to jump onto a nearby rooftop.
'What is this?! Stone fists, fire breath, what's next?! Wind spears,' Jaune thought. He then heard a whirling winds and looked at Mary with half-lidded eyes, slumped over. "Dammit."
Mary roared as she threw the spiraling wind. Knowing it would be idiotic to try and dodge wind, Jaune instead took out his shield. He clashed with the violent winds, the powerful pressure pushing him back. He gritted his teeth due to the immense strength of the winds before he gave out a battle cry. He then sent the spear flying towards the sky.
However, this left a big enough opening for Mary to land a stone punch to Jaune's cheek, who next felt a jolt of electricity course through him before he was sent flying through buildings.
When Jaune came to a stop, most of a building fell on top of him. He was able to easily punch his way out, shaking his head due to feeling a bit groggy. "What is with this girl?! Where is she getting her power from?!" Jaune then heard a flaming sound. He looked up and gained an annoyed look. "You have got to be kidding me," he said as a meteor fell towards him.
The meteor then landed with a fiery explosion, destroying everything around it. When it was gone... so was everything else.
Mary ran to the impact zone of the meteor she sent at the Grimmkind. She was panting as she looked around, not seeing anything. When she saw it was clear, she sighed, calming herself down. She then looked at her arms and saw the scars, pebbles, and embers flickering on them. "Papa," she said as tears fell from her eyes.
"Have you calmed down yet?"
Her eyes shot open at the muffled voice. She looked towards the sound of rocks moving. Moments later, a great grunt of exertion was heard as Jaune lifted the rocks on top of him and threw them away like they were nothing. He then rubbed his neck, cracking it as he moved his head from side to side, his aura flickering a bit before he began to glow all over except for his Grimm Arm. "Damn, you're strong. Not many people can force me to use my Semblance to heal my aura."
"Wha- How? HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!"
Jaune looked at her. "Kid, you're not the first superpowered being I've ever fought. I've taken on all four Maidens and won. One of those fights was when one Maiden had the power of the Fall, Winter, and Summer Maidens, and that fight was hell. When I fought the new Winter Maiden, I had help from a friend and killed her, making my companion the new Winter Maiden. She's back in Atlas trying to rebuild it and Mantle and helping prepare for a final war."
"Atlas? . . . General Schnee?"
"That's her. I'm also used to fighting the Spring Maiden. We've fought each other more times than I care to count. It's honestly a miracle we haven't killed each other by now. And if that's not enough, I've been stomped by the King of the Goliaths, endured the King of Apathy's scream, been bitten and nearly drained of my blood by the King of the Ahool, and got punched through a mountain by the King of the Ursa. I've been nearly drowned, burned to a near crisp, slashed by hurricane, and hit with enough electricity to power Vale by my own mother. Sorry, kid, but you're not going to be able to beat me."
Mary growled before she took a stance, her body surrounded by electricity. "We'll just see about that, Grimmkind!"
"I don't want to fight you, kid."
"And why should I believe that?!"
"You're still talking to me, aren't you?" Mary's eyes widened in realization. "What's more, you're still alive."
Now she looked annoyed. "What, are you saying you've been holding back?"
Jaune gestured to his swords. "I haven't attacked you once. You came at me."
Mary looked at the swords on Jaune's hips before she growled. "What, am I not good enough for you to kill?!"
"I don't want to kill you at all, kid! I don't want to fight you at all!"
"Then what do you want here?!"
"To stop the other Grimmkind!"
Mary looked shocked. "What?"
Jaune sighed. "I'm trying to put an end to this. To make sure nightmares like this don't spread," he said as he gestured to the village. "I have to defeat my siblings... and my mother, if I want to save this world. I don't want to waste any time by fighting innocents like you. You're just a grieving child who lost her home. I have no reason to fight you."
"A grieving... you're looking right at me, and you don't think I'm some monster like what that Giza said?"
"No. The fact that you're listening to me instead of trying to kill me is proof that you're no monster."
Mary looked down, tears beginning to flow before she shook her head. "You have to be lying!" Jaune sighed. "There's no way a Grimmkind would be fighting their own! Not unless you... were..." Mary's eyes widened. "W-Wait, the Grimmkind... are kings. Kings of Grimm. I've heard that there was only one who fought against his siblings and mother, trying to save us. He was... W-What king are you?"
". . . The King of the Beowolves." When he said that, he had a pack of Beowolves appear behind him as proof.
Mary gasped as she covered her mouth. "You're him," she said as she fell to her knees. "You're... the Last Huntsman. The Hope of Humanity. You're Jaune Arc."
Jaune looked at Mary, who's eyes were hidden by her bangs. He then sighed. "Are you ready to talk no-" Jaune gagged after he was punched in the gut by Mary.
He groaned as he held his stomach. Even with Aura, Mary had a hell of a punch. He was then grabbed by the collar by a now crying Mary.
"WHERE WERE YOU?!"
"Wha?"
"WE NEEDED YOU! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A HERO, AREN'T YOU?! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE HOPE OF HUMANITY! THE LAST HUNTSMAN! WE NEEDED YOU, BUT YOU WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!"
She then began to punch Jaune in the stomach. They all hurt, but Jaune just took them, allowing the girl to vent. "WE NEEDED YOU TO PROTECT US! TO SAVE US! SO MANY PEOPLE DIED, AND ALL BECAUSE WE COULDN'T PROVIDE TRIBUTE! OUR DUST MINES DRIED UP! WE WERE ROBBED BY BANDITS! WE COULDN'T PROVIDE DUST! WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANTED, EXCEPT FOR ME!"
Her punches started to lighten. "I WOULD HAVE GLADLY DIED FOR MY TOWN, BUT PAPA WOULDN'T ALLOW IT! MY FRIENDS WOULDN'T ALLOW IT! MY FAMILY! WE KEPT BEGGING AND PLEADING, BUT GIZA WOULDN'T HAVE IT! HE KILLED MY BEST FRIEND RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! SENT HIS GRIMM! KILLED SO MUCH MORE BEFORE HE GOT ME!"
Her punches then became soft, like practice punches. "Then, when I wake up, I see him killing my dad! Do you have any idea what it's like to wake up, just to see your father killed? If that wasn't enough, our fight killed everyone else, and his Grimm finished off anyone else," she sobbed.
Her head then fell onto Jaune's chest, the girl now lifelessly pounding on his chest, her tears streaming down Jaune's armor. "Damn you. We needed you. Why weren't you here?"
Jaune looked down at the crying girl... before gently hugging her. "I'm sorry. Truly, I am."
"Sorry won't give me my life back."
"I know. Just as I know it won't bring back the people I lost." Mary's eyes opened a bit. "I... have failed more people than anyone could dare to dream of. I've lost friends, family... and those that I loved. I... just keep losing those closest to me." Mary looked up at Jaune with shocked eyes. He looked back into them. "I've failed innocents as well. After all... I've failed you."
Jaune then gently pushed Mary away from him. "All I can do is keep fighting, try to save as many as I can, and stop failing others. I need to stop this hell so tragedies like yours don't continuously repeat." He then turned around. "I need to stop my family." He then walked away.
"W-Where are you going?"
"To find my 'brother'. Though, first, I need to make sure someone precious to me is safe and sound. After that, I'm going after the one who caused this. You should find a place to be at peace."
"Find a place? FIND A PLACE?! I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO! MY HOME IS DESTROYED, AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO FIND ANYWHERE ELSE! I'M A MONSTER NOW!"
Jaune stopped in his tracks. "You're no monster." Before Mary could yell a rebuttal, she saw Jaune's hair turn white. She stepped back in shock when he turned around, looking younger... but more like a Grimm. "This is a monster. This is a Grimmkind. You are just a victim caught in a hell you don't deserve."
Mary's eyes then sharpened. "And you do?"
"Yes. This is my hell. After all, it's my family bloodline that's causing this. And as a member of that family, it is my duty to put an end to it," he said as he turned back around.
"Alone?!"
"If necessary."
"To hell with that."
"What does that mean," Jaune said as he slightly turned his head towards her.
"It means I'm coming with you."
"What," he went as he turned to Mary.
She walked up and pointed her finger in his face. "You're just one man. One!"
"You seem to think I should have the power necessary to save you."
"Well... I was grieving, alright? It's stupid to think one man is enough to solve the world's problems. You need help. At the very least, I NEED to be the one to kill Giza. You can at least give me that."
"And why would I do that," Jaune asked with a serious expression.
"LOOK AROUND! GIZA TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!"
"So this is about revenge?"
Mary was quiet for a bit. "Yeah. It is."
"Those are negative emotions, Mary."
"I know."
"You know what that will attract, don't you?"
"I do."
"My Beowolves won't attack you, but every other Grimm will. You will be hunted by nightmares. Go against hellish scenarios that even the Huntsmen of old couldn't fathom. You will be going up against fear itself. Are you prepared for that?"
". . . You've been taking that on, haven't you?"
"I have."
"Alone?"
". . . No."
"If they can handle it, then so can I. Besides, I noticed something. When you first saw me, you didn't react to me. You didn't see my scars first, or the discolored patches of skin, how tall I am, or even the fact that Dust was forming out of my body. And you sure as hell didn't react to the fact that I was fighting a Grimmkind. The first thing you noticed were my eyes. My SILVER eyes. There's something special about them, isn't there?"
". . . More than you know. So much so... that it could be a key to ending this."
Mary's eyes widened. "I... could end this?"
"It's no guarantee. There is only a chance. It's the same chance as relying on me and my powers... and..." Jaune placed his hand on his Sword of Destruction, which Mary didn't notice since she was in thought about her eyes.
She then looked at Jaune. "You're taking the chance with your powers... so I'll take the chance with my eyes. I'm coming with you, whether you like it or not. Don't even try to argue anymore."
Jaune stared at her, seeing the fire in her eyes. "I know your first name is Mary. What is your last name?"
"Tesla. Mary Tesla."
"Well, Ms. Tesla... welcome to your new nightmare," Jaune said as he walked off.
"It's just Mary... and bring it on, hero," she said as she followed Jaune to her new and dark journey.
END
A/N: And there you go. Well, might as well say it, the new theme is horror.
Goth, for example, is based off of Dracula himself. He's also based off of a character named Goth from an old cartoon called Silverwings, but Goth was one of the most intimidating and scary cartoon villains I had ever seen, making him perfect to base a villain off of.
Giza, the Grimmkind introduced in this chapter, is based off of mummy horror. Think Imhotep from The Mummy.
It's pretty obvious who Mary is based off of. You guys should really listen to the Frankenstein Musical. There's even a few animatics of it on YouTube, and they're all amazing, if you ask me. I was once asked why Sarah was named the way she was, since it wasn't a color, and I gave the explanation. If you're wondering (which I kinda doubt), Mary's last name comes from Nikola Tesla himself. Which honestly makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Nikola Tesla, an electrical engineer. Victor Frankenstein, who brought his creature to life using electricity. These two were perfect to give Mary her name. Hell, I'm calling her Mary because of Mary Shelly herself. Making a character based off of these people was easy.
Finally, Jaune himself is based off of The Wolfman in this time. A man cursed with a terrible power that makes him involuntarily turn into a wolf? Yeah, that's the Wolfman in a nutshell. Jaune was cursed by Salem, can turn into a Beowolf, and has trouble keeping it in check. Only real difference is that Jaune can actually control his powers, and will eventually learn to make it completely and totally his. Plus, he doesn't need a full moon. OP? Maybe. Cool? Oh, yeah.
Well, I'll wait a week or so and see if any reviews come in. Oh, and if you find any of the characters (besides Jaune, of course, since he already exists in the RWBY universe), feel free to use them for your stories. I would find it an honor if you would. Just be sure to at least tell me the chapter of the story you used them in so I can read it for myself.
Until then.