GOMU GOMU NO!~ Hey guys, sorry for the late chapter, but Fanfic went through a few technical changes over the past week.

Alright everyone, Beacon arc, and time skip officially begin on chapter 59. I know this is what everyone has really been waiting for, and I intend to deliver. I also have a vague idea of how the teams will work, but there will be changes from the original canon, so please bear with my decisions. I know I can't please everyone, but I'm hoping to at least satisfy the majority.

With that, cheers everyone, and have a great day.


Three days passed since the magician tamed the sea king and saved the citizens of Menagerie from the vile leviathan Grimm. Since that night, Hawkins had been in a coma, and the concerns about his well-being from his family and friends were growing by the day.

The blonde man was moved, courtesy of Ghira Belladonna himself, to the best hospital Menagerie had to offer, along with its finest doctors tending to his needs around the clock. Within the large silent room, a Sheep Faunus with olive-colored eyes and white hair waited patiently for her friend's conscious return.

"Fiona, come on, dear, Hawkins' doesn't look like he'll be up today, and you need to rest." Carla strolled through the open door and rested a hand on her niece's shoulder, but Fiona's resolve held firm.

"I-I can't leave Hawkins like this auntie! He's suffered so much, the least I can do is be at his side when he comes around."

Carla shook her head. The huntress' eyes were encumbered by several thick bags, and by the state of her oily and disheveled hair, it was clear Fiona lacked sleep.

"I feel the same way, Fiona, but we can't do anything for Hawkins even if we wanted to. Don't worry, though, I'll bet my top dollar that our mighty magician won't fail our expectations. From the wacky stories I've heard from the people of Menagerie, he's a fighter, that's for sure."

"Carla's right Fiona. Your energy is just as important as Hawkins'. The stoic man won't show it, but when he sees your dazzling smile and energetic demeanor, he's sure to appreciate it." Sam walked in and gently took Fiona by the wrist.

When he pulled, the huntress almost fell off her chair. The seniors chuckled at her cute pout, and Sam took it upon himself to carry the weary girl to her rented room.


As the three adults passed through the doors, none took notice of a little mop of mint-colored hair who'd snuck in behind Sam. Emerald took pride in her skills to move around in the sidelines and shadows, unnoticed by everyone except for a select few. Namely, her father, who always seemed to know where she was, but she assumed that was because of his tarot card abilities.

The room silent once more, Emerald closed the door and tiptoed to her edge of her father's bed. The magician's possessions neatly stacked on a small desk beside him, his breaths steady, the doctors foretold Hawkins would make a quick recovery, in regards to his physical injuries. As for his coma, none of the staff could determine when he would wake.

The little girl frowned and the life in her eyes faded when she saw the weakened state she had been forced to familiarize herself with. Ever since she and Jaune unlocked their auras in Vacuo, the matter of healing had been nothing more than an afterthought. Of course, broken bones, deep cuts, and swelled bruises took time, but the injuries would eventually go away on their own if treated properly.

This is why Emerald couldn't understand why her father didn't have such a massive blessing. Hawkins was strong no doubt about it, and he did develop a deterrent for damage, haki, that's what uncle Vito called it. Yet, Hawkins needed to be focused in order to use it, and the times when he wasn't...

Horrible past traumas trickling into the forefront of her mind, Emerald rigorously shook her head to disperse the negative thoughts before they could form an image.

"Hm..."

Emerald's ears perked up and her heart skipped a beat. Her dad said something! That was a good sign right?! Her eagerness propelling her forward, Emerald moved her face so it was a few inches away from that of Hawkins. The words the magician muttered came out as nothing but jumbled sounds, but the slight twitches in his fingers and eyebrows showed he was definitely alive.

"P-Papa?"

A tinge of pink dusting her cheeks, Emerald scooted onto her father's bed and leaned in to hear what he was trying to say.

"Emerald?"

The lids of his eyes lifting to reveal his crimson stare, it took all of Emerald's mental power not to jump for joy and scream in delight. Instead, she moved aside to allow Hawkins to sit up straight and get comfortable. Thick bandages layering his wounded skin, Emerald winced when she heard the bones of her father's ribcage creak and crack.

"How long have I been asleep?" The magician grumbled.

"T-Three days papa."

"... Papa? You've never called me that before."

Her face going full scarlet, Emerald veered her sights toward her trembling hands on her lap. Jaune always said to call their dad what she wanted, but she always feared Hawkins would be annoyed if she called him anything other than what her brother said.

"S-Sorry dad, it just came out."

Her bangs drifted over her eyes, masking the depressive thoughts and feelings she wanted to share. Yet to her surprise, it was Hawkins who made the first move.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"U-Um?"

Hawkins slowly shook his head. A hint of a smile on his visage.

"The number of nicknames and epithets Jaune has tried to give me could fill one of my books. If anything, 'Papa' is one of the best names I've received."

"O-Okay Papa..."

Hawkins curled a brow. Despite his approval, his child's demeanor remained sullen and silent.

"Is something wrong, Emerald?"

Salty tears pittered against the bedsheets and Emerald slowly tilted her head to meet the stoic gaze of her father.

"I'm... going to keep calling you papa for a long time... right?"

Hawkins cracked his neck.

"I don't see why not."

"B-But I want to keep calling you papa..." Her voice losing strength, it was reduced to a whisper as Emerald bit her lip to the point of drawing blood.

"Yes?" The magician scratched his jaw and wiped his forehead. Oblivious to the message his daughter was trying to convey.

"S-So you'll still be... around for me to call you papa... right?" Her voice cracked, Emerald's lips clamped shut along with her eyes.

Hawkins blinked. So that's what Emerald meant. Steeling his nerves, Hawkins reached out a hand and planted it on the trembling scalp of his child. He caressed her green locks, and Emerald pressed her head against his shaky fingers in return.

Sucking in a deep breath, Emerald plucked up her courage and slid past her father's arm. She placed herself on his lap, wrapped her arms around his torso, and squeezed. Hawkins winced as his torn muscles compressed, but he hammered down this petty pain. His priorities and attention solely on the little girl he had taken under his own name.

"I'm..." Hawkins lips pursed and his face scrunched up a bit.

"I'm sorry for worrying you Emerald. It's my own weakness that allowed all of this to happen."

The faucet on Emerald's eyes broke and a flood of tears drenched Hawkins' skin and bandages.

"I-I don't want a strong papa! I just don't want my papa to die and leave me alone!" She bawled.

Hawkins tried to hold it in, but even the stoic magician had emotions. Now he too felt a cold tear streak down his pale cheek.

"I want you to keep reading me bedtime stories, to bring me to the city for shopping with Grandma Carla and Granpa Sam! I never want to eat by myself on the streets ever again!"

His daughter's voice rising, Hawkins continued to gently stroke her head, doing his best to keep his heart rate steady and calm.

"I-I don't... want my only p-papa to disappear!"

It took all of Hawkins' gathered knowledge of parenting to soothe the emotional storms that thundered in his daughter's soul. His gaze seeking any way to ease the tension, Hawkins spotted a silver trinket on the small desk next to his bed. It was a miracle the locket somehow managed to survive the past few days of carnage. Taking deep breaths, the magician politely asked if Emerald could grab the cross-shaped locket and bring it to him.

The mint-haired girl whimpered but complied with her father's demand. Hawkins fiddled with the item for a bit, then diverted his attention to his curious child.

"When Jaune turned two, I gave him a straw doll of my own meticulous creation. Truth be told, I spent four hours weaving each individual strand of straw to ensure it would hold together no matter what Jaune put it through. Now, as my second child and only daughter, I think I'm rather tardy with your extra special gift Emerald. For that, you have my utmost apology."

The magician took Emerald's left hand and put the locket Tukson had gifted him in her palm. Emerald's eyes widened and she observed the piece of silverware with a look of wonder.

"This locket was given to me by my friend, Mr. Tukson before we came to Menagerie. After some deduction and tarot readings, I have deduced that it is of exceptional quality. Something that even money would be difficult to find. Do not think of this as a second-hand gift Emerald, but rather, the only present that I deem worthy for you."

The stoic man's chest tightened and he used his free arm to wrap around Emerald's waist and bring her closer to him. The sounds of her sobs muffled by having her face right against her father's chest. She tried to ignore it, but Emerald knew by her dad's ragged breaths and shaky muscles that he was using all his energy to put up a strong front for her sake, and she couldn't ask for a better dad because of this.

"I-I love you, papa..."

"I..." Hawkins' lips twisted and a thick lump clogged his throat. His crimson eyes blinked and narrowed, but he forced the words he never thought he'd ever say in his life out of his mouth.

"I... love you too, Emerald Sustrai Hawkins..."

The two remained in each other's warm embrace for who knows how long. As the lantern of the room flickered, the last member bearing the Hawkins name was about to have a revelation...


Jaune awoke in a large room on a nice fluffy bed, its mattress and pillows stuffed with white feathers.

"Dad? Emerald? Anyone?"

Only Funkfreed was in the room, in his sword form he rested against the footrest of Jaune's bead. The boy wanted to wake up his friend, but it was obvious the elephant was fast asleep and didn't want to be bothered.

Confused, Jaune pulled off his sheets and stumbled to the floor. Latching a hand on the bed's headrest, Jaune rubbed his temples to soothe the thundering headache that racked his brain. His eyes wandered to a note which poked out from underneath his pillow.

Unfolding the envelope, it was a letter from Sam saying he and the others had gone out to see Hawkins and his uncles at the hospital. Annabel and Trifa stayed behind to watch over him while he recuperated, and when they deemed Jaune fit to walk, they'd bring him to the hospital to see his father.

Jaune stuffed the note in his pant pocket and staggered toward the door. Creaking it open, he poked out his head to see that he was indeed back in Annabel's home. He was just moved into his father's room, probably because it was easier for the doctors to treat him in a larger space. A stack of suitcases huddled at the end of the hallway, Jaune checked the calendar on the wall and noted the ship that would bring him back to Vale along with his family and friends arrived tomorrow morning.

Dim, white light shining through the windows, Jaune noted by the clock hung next to the calendar that it was ten minutes till midnight. He didn't want to bother Annabel or Trifa, but he was thirsty. Quiet as a mouse, Jaune tiptoed down the stairs and entered the kitchen. He left the light off when he saw Annabel and Trifa sleeping on the living room couches, and the room was bright enough for him to register his surroundings. The cool and refreshing water satisfied his dry throat.

"Alright, best to get some sleep now." Jaune hummed and moved toward the sink to drop off his used glass. However, he accidentally tripped on a heavy bag of groceries, his arms flailed to balance himself and Jaune managed to remain on his two feet. For the glass that used to be in his hand, Jaune's ocean eyes bulged out of their sockets when he saw his cup spinning in the air.

He lunged to catch it, but fell short and smacked his face with no reward. His face flushing in both pain and embarrassment, Jaune prayed to Oum the sound of shattering glass wouldn't wake up Trifa or Annabel.

That's odd. Where was the crash?

Jaune opened one eyelid and lifted his head to see a black figure holding the glass a few inches from his face. The figure matched the boy in size but didn't have any facial features except for two dark purple circles for eyes, and a thin line for a mouth. Said line, quickly stretched from ear to ear and the ominous being who owned the smile tried to give Jaune his glass.

Now, Jaune considered himself a reasonable person, but when you see an obscured and sentient being in the night who was smiling at you while you were defenseless on the ground, paired with the fact that Jaune had already experienced a false friend in the shape of his former genie. The blonde boy did the only thing he could think of. He screamed at the top of his lungs and ran out of the house wearing nothing more than his white socks and blue pajama shorts.

Blitzing down the dusty paths of Kuo Kuana, Jaune slowed down and rested on a bench in front of a closed restaurant.

"Phew... did I lose him?" Jaune's hair stood on end when he felt a finger tap on his shoulder. The shadowed figure still holding the glass for him to take, Jaune felt a rush of adrenaline pump into his legs as he broke into another sprint.

His eyes landing on a glimmer of hope, Jaune propelled himself forward into a public washroom. Slamming the door shut, Jaune clicked the lock and pressed all of his weight against the door.

"Haha! not even the most wicked of beasts would interfere when a man has to do a number two!" He declared with his nose in the air and his hands on his hips.

"Tap~ Tap~"

It took all of Jaune's willpower to clench his buttcheeks and stop himself from literally shitting. He let out a high pitched scream and raised his arms to punch the intruder. His knuckles battering hard stone, he yelped as he clasped his hands together to massage his swollen fingers. Another pair of hands came to help, but when Jaune tilted his gaze to the owner of the dark hands, his vocal cords reached a pitch, not even the heaviest sleepers could ignore.

How in the hell did the ominous being get inside the locked washroom?!

"Tap~ Tap~"

The glass gently thudding against his chest, Jaune shoved the shadowed figure away and clawed the locks of the door open. His body drenched in sweat, Jaune's wet golden locks flapped against his face and stung his eyes with salt. He ran down the city paths once more, hollering his lungs out as the lanterns of nearby houses flicked on as he passed them.

A familiar building in sight, Jaune mustered all the strength he had tonight, and the energy reserved for tomorrow, to sprint toward the hospital his father and uncles were staying at.


"WAAAAH!"

Hawkins awoke with a start with Emerald curled up in his arms as she lay on top of his stomach and chest.

"Hm... Jaune?" Emerald rubbed her eyes and rolled off her father. Before she fell off the bed, Hawkins snagged her by the shoulder.

The magician gently pushed his daughter aside and forced himself to stand. With the sounds of Jaune growing near, Hawkins was not prepared for his son to burst into the room while screaming a plethora of jumbled words. Jaune ducked behind his father with his hands on his head.

"Jaune, what the hell are you doing?!" Hawkins yelled.

"It won't stop following me!" Jaune yelped.

"What?"

Loud footsteps echoing toward the entrance of his room, Hawkins squinted down the bright hallway. A black figure similar to Jaune's shape was frantically waving a glass cup in the air.

"No, it's coming!" Jaune cried.

Hawkins ordered his children to hide behind the bed and manifested his devil fruit powers. His body still worn from battle, the magician could only manage his demon face form. The black figure slowed its pace, its head tilting in confusion as it tried to give Hawkins the cup instead.

The strange being wasn't afraid of the fierce scarecrow before it? With a hesitant hand, Hawkins opened his iron nails and the figure happily placed the cup in his hands. Its job done with, the black entity contorted itself into a series of black balls that clumped together on the floor to form a large circle. Said circle, scooted past Hawkins and returned to its rightful place, at... Jaune's feet?

The boy's shadow gave one last thumbs up before converting back to his owner's flat reflection. As expected, Jaune passed out due to fatigue and fear and fell flat on his back with foam spluttering out of his mouth. Emerald's eyes widened, but she said nothing. Most likely due to her mind drawing a blank of what transpired.

As for Hawkins, a memory came to the forefront of his mind with the impact of a high speeding truck. He shed his straw and returned to his human form, then rushed to his possessions on the desk beside his bed. The obsidian colored devil fruit with the green stem and leaves was missing, this could only mean one thing...

"Emerald, did Jaune eat another devil fruit?! Specifically a black one with thin swirls?!"

The girl ruffled her hair and scratched her cheek.

"Um... maybe?"

Relying on his trusty tarot cards, Hawkins' first reading was based on the question of whether Jaune's new devil fruit was the real deal. He'd already done a draw prior to this event, but Hawkins' nature would not allow him to take anymore risks regarding devil fruits in Remnant.

"96% that Jaune's devil fruit is real."

"100% The fruit is based on shadows..."

"100%... Jaune ate... the shadow-shadow fruit?"

The magician's eyes widened, but this time he wasn't worried. At least his son's fruit wasn't an evil Grimm in disguise.


"Hm, it's like a miniature Faunus community here eh, Mr.1?." Crocodile narrowed his eyes on a large two-story house in the center of the agricultural district of Vale.

As expected, the farmlands were nothing more than clumped makeshift houses with worn planks and rusted nails. How the council of Vale opted to ignore this section of their kingdom wasn't surprising, but even Crocodile admitted it was a tad underwhelming for such a highly-populated area.

However, one house, like a diamond in the rough, stood proud and tall. Yet the design was humble and added to the little community instead of dominate over it. It appeared to be new as well, with walls built with red brick and concrete, the black shingles on the roof were fresh and lacked any blemish.

As the former warlord and his trusted companion strolled down the dusted pathways, a younger duo followed closely behind. A young boy, with short slicked orange hair and green eyes, adorned a bowler hat with a red stripe and orange feather. His upper torso covered by a white v-necked shirt, black pants, and brown boots covered his legs and feet. As for his little 'sister', and I mean really little, her mixed matched eyes of pink and brown complimented the divided color scheme of her long hair. She adorned a white coat with black buttons and olive pants with flat black shoes.

When the warlord decided to take the two brats under his wing, he did so only because he found them to be exceptionally cunning and resourceful, but over time he'd gotten used to their quirky antics. Crocodile would never admit it, but when the orange-haired boy managed to steal Mr.1's wallet at the Vale theater, he was most impressed. Of course, it didn't take long for Crocodile to find the brats responsible, but he was intrigued by their potential seeing how they managed to get one over his right hand. Then, after the ice-cream themed girl revealed her tricky semblance, Crocodile was more than eager to get that power under his influence. The girl's 'older brother' was deemed worthless at first, but over time he proved to have a good noggin on his shoulders.

"Oi, Roman, Neo, keep up. I want to teach you a thing or two about 'business' before we head back to Mantle." Crocodile snapped.

The two tykes nodded in return. They knew better than anyone to keep their stern father waiting, but at least their uncle Mr. 1 was a mellow sort. Though, Roman and Neo knew better than anyone to underestimate the silent types. Especially after seeing how the dark-skinned assassin cut his meat and vegetables without a knife.

"Neo, watch your footing, if you keep skipping around like that the ice-cream that you're holding might fall." Mr. 1 warned.

"Plop~"

Her eyes on the verge of tears, Neo puffed her cheeks and trembled. Her sights solely focused on the strawberry dollop that lay ruined in the dirt.

"Easy there Neo, here, you can have the rest of mine." Mr. 1 sighed and plucked the rest of his frozen dessert with his spoon to place it on Neo's empty cone. Her eyes blinking between a dazzling pink and brown, the little girl gave her uncle's leg a quick hug and returned to licking her sugary treat.

Crocodile rolled his pale gray eyes and grunted.

"Oi, don't go spoiling these brats Mr. 1. I didn't pick them off the street so they could leech lien off me."

The assassin nodded and scarfed down what was left of his ice-cream cone. Now standing before the only house owned by the only human in the agricultural district, Crocodile raised his golden hook and lazily knocked on the door. Taking a few drags from his cigar when no one answered.

"I guess they're not home. Why did we come here anyway pops?" Roman shrugged with his hands clasped behind his neck.

"We're not in too much of a hurry. How about we get comfortable until the supposed 'magician' arrives? Then you'll see how your 'pops' goes about his business." Crocodile smirked slightly and rested an open palm against the door. The wooden frame dried up like a raisin to form a clump of dried dust on the doormat.

"Might as well make ourselves comfortable while we wait, eh Mr. 1?"

His right hand nodded. Roman and Neo rushed past their mafia father and headed straight for the kitchen. To their delight, a plethora of divine meals awaited them and even dessert to boot.

Yes, the Hawkins family would be returning tomorrow afternoon to find their house raided, personal belongings ruffled, and a new golden hooked uncle... along with a pair of... new cousins?!