Inspired by "Land of Confusion" cover by Disturbed.
(Song titled added as per suggestion by Wolfwood777)
Chaos was exploding about the Vytal arena. Grimm, White Fang and Atlas Knights descending on hunters and civilians alike. Those that could fight back did, trying to give those that couldn't a chance to escape. Jaune watched the carnage from the centre of the combat area as he helped Pyrrha to her feet. As Pyrrha finally stood she made a move to pull away from Jaune.
"Pyrrha?"
"I know something I can do to help. I have to go! I have to find Professor Ozpin!"
"We have to stay together." Jaune grabbed hold of her arm to keep her from running off. "Don't go. We need to here!"
"I have to go!" Pyrrha yelled as she yanked herself free from Jaune's grip. "I'm sorry!"
Jaune wanted to chase after her fleeting form, but the chaos surrounding him was playing havoc with him. He could feel the waves of fear, desperation, and anger. They threatened to overwhelm him. To a lesser extend he could sense the grim determination of those hunters, and soldiers that were standing strong trying to protect everyone they could.
Dropping to his knees he heaved and and panted. It was getting too much. If he didn't do something soon he'd be overcome by the feelings of hundred of thousands of people. It was then an idea clicked in his mind. If they were influencing him, maybe he could do the same in reverse. He'd done it earlier during the first match that JNPR had. He just needed somewhere to broadcast from. To let his semblance powered words reach as many as he could.
Looking up he watched Pyrrha's form disappearing towards Beacon. Gritting his teeth he pushed himself to his feet, and stumbled forward. The commentator's booth. That was where he had to go. It was his only chance to do what his semblance was for.
"Be safe Pyrrha." he whispered as he pushed himself forward, trying to ignore the tidal wave of conflicting emotions threatening to sweep him away. Pulling Crocea Mors free of its scabbard he slashed at any grimm that got in his way, dispatching them with ease. Using his shield he defended himself from any errant shots aimed in his direction.
/=/
Jaune reached the commentator's booth, and took a quick glance at the various knobs and sliders situated before him. Dropping Crocea Mors to the floor he rushed over and jammed everything that looked like a volume control to maximum. Moving to the microphones he locked them into broadcast mode; before pulling his dust powered guitar from behind his back. Hooking the sling over his head and shoulder he moved to stand between the microphones.
"I hope this works." he muttered to himself as his hands hovered over the strings preparing to strike the first chords. Taking a deep breath he took a step forward and focusing his intent. This would be no different then those times he took off for Vale to play at the club. No different when he revealed his semblance during JNPR's first match against BRNZ.
The first notes blared out into the air, reverberating over the pa system that was just recently being used to broadcast the matches. The same system that had shown Cinder Falls despair inspiring speech. Those that could took a minute to look up as the rough metal inspired music filled the air.
"I'm must have dreamed a thousand dreams." Jaune sang out as he pushed every ounce of his aura into his gravelly voice.
/=/
Those who were standing to fight felt a wave, and a surge of determination roll over them. Renewed in their choice to stand and defend they put even more effort into their actions. Those who were seeking harm and vengeance stumbled. Not only from the new vigour the beleaguered defenders pushed forward, but how the words pulled at them.
All about White Fang began to lower their weapons. Confusion crossing their faces, and filling their minds. The words they were hearing stirring up counter emotions that they traditionally ruled them. The less fanatical suddenly switched, turning their weapon on the Grimm and Atlas Knights that were moving with them. Compassion welled up inside them, compassion for all those that could not defend themselves. The more hardcore, and fanatical members fell back as their fellow members; some even collapsing under the emotional conflict raging with in their heads.,Atlas soldiers and Huntsmen rallied forward.
That was not the only effect Jaune's singing was having. All about from the places they had sought safety, civilians were starting to emerge. Feelings of determination at facing that which was threatening them. A determination to face the adversity that was thrust upon them by those who should have been in a position to prevent this tragedy; failing them. Those that knew how to use guns picked the up from the ground as they walked past fallen bodies of soldiers, knights and White Fang. Those that didn't picked up makeshift weapons, from the debris that scattered the Colosseum.
/=/
Jaune was starting to sweat, the effort he was putting into countering specific emotions taking it's toll. Still he soldiered on. Working his guitar, and belting out the words of a song that always gave him courage, that made him want to change the world for the better.
For fear he pushed the emotion of courage. For anger he attempted to infuse a feeling of calm. While also attempting to bolster feelings of courage and determination. For hopelessness he chose optimistic. He knew it was a double edged sword. He knew he might be amplifying some of the feelings of those who had instigated the attack. He couldn't help it. He was broadcasting in a wide and general arc. He couldn't target specific people, he couldn't quash one specific emotion. He needed to cover a range, and influence anyone who could hear him.
/=/
Ren and Nora heard Jaune's voice and paused. They instantly understood what he was doing, as they could feel it just like those around them.
"Ren!"
"I hear him!"
"He's singing, he wont be able to defend himself!" Nora screamed.
Ending the Grimm that charged him, Ren whipped around and took off in a sprint. Nora quickly on his tail. Even though Jaune's words and the feelings they carried flowed over and through them, there was still a small sense of fear. Nora was right, when Jaune was using his semblance, he couldn't defend himself. They needed to be there, to watch his back, to protect him while he attempted to influence the tide of the battle surrounding Beacon.
/=/
Pyrrha slid to a stop. She could hear his voice. She could feel the welling up of emotions he was inspiring. While she still thought she needed to follow through with the plan Ozpin had shared with her; another thought entered her mind. Jaune was trying to influence everyone, to swing the chaos back from the attackers, to the benefit of the defenders. She could picture him standing there, like he had in their first match of the festival. Pouring his everything into what he was doing. She knew he had massive amounts of aura, but even with such reserves he would eventually run out. He would collapse.
She knew techniques, she knew the theory, she could help him. Help him do something that she had doubts she could accomplish on her own. She was torn; however. The professor had hinted that becoming a maiden was her destiny, but the feelings Jaune was amplifying played havoc with that thought.
/=/
Jaune was growing tired. Sweat covered his face and stained the hoodie under his armour. He could feel his aura reserves draining, but still he pushed on. His fingers were growing sore from the repeated chords, and notes. It was his third time singing the exact same song, and he could feel his nearly shouting voice starting to grow raw with the effort. But he could feel the swelling change in the emotions that had first assaulted him. Things were turning around, and if he could just keep it up, maybe they would turn around just enough to save everyone.
/=/
As Ren and Nora raced towards the announcer's booth, they saw the chaos, starting to even out. People were fighting back. Not just huntsmen and soldiers, but average people. Rocks peppered knights and Grimm, makeshift clubs smashed against armour, and black hides. The Grimm faltered as the negative emotions that drew them in faded away, leaving them confused and disoriented. Easy prey for the overwhelming numbers of people who descended upon them.
They saw White Fang who had been attacking turn, moving to stand by the soldiers they had once sought to hurt, and drive off. Combined firepower eliminating steel contraptions, Grimm; and driving off those Fang whose fanaticism overruled all sense of right and wrong. The pair closed on their destination, and saw the encroaching Grimm. As much as Jaune was broadcasting, and amplifying the drives of others, his own insecurities, and fear was drawing in the dark creatures. Pushing forward even harder, they charged, and fell upon the flank of the Ursa and small pack of Beowulf that was nearly upon Jaune.
/=/
Jaune and the others had no idea how far Jaune words, music and semblance was reaching. Carried on the airwaves, it resonated from home monitors, and handheld scrolls. All around in Vale civilians gathered, and moved. Thugs joined grocers, police stood side by side with criminals; and they all marched. The negative feelings fleeing them, and causing the Grimm that had invaded the city to fall back. The waves of positive emotions from the thousands strong groups, driving them back and away from the city.
The Atlas Knights seized, and faltered. Their infected processors unable to account for the immense number of targets closing upon them. The stronger members of each march, under a rain of stones and other thrown projectiles; would charge forward using real weapons to dismantle the glitch wracked creations.
Slowly the marches would meet each other, mingling and combining into even larger entities, as they continued to onward towards Beacon.
/=/
Adam Taurus flailed about as he tried to fight the colliding feelings in his mind. His rage at the current plight of the faunus, was being eroded by feelings of peace and calm. All about him the he saw his troops falter and turn to defend those that should have been their targets. It was all going wrong. This was not how it was to be. This was not his great victory. Unable to gain control he fled, just as Blake and Yang found him.
He lashed out with Wilt driving them back as he continued to make his escape. The pair tried to follow but ceased chasing once it was obvious that he was easily outpacing them. Upset about failing to capture him, they fell back. Jaune's words, his semblance was reaching them, and the need to protect drew them back to focus on the remaining Grimm infesting the school grounds, as White Fang under the influence of Jaune's boosted emotions fell in beside them.
/=/
Jaune was failing. His body was exhausted, as he entered his sixth repetition of the same song. His voice was hoarse, his fingers bleeding, and his sweat soaked body nearly empty of aura. That was when he felt a soft touch on his shoulder. He didn't look, and only focused on continuing as a fresh wave of energy filled him.
Behind him Pyrrha was doing what she could to support her partner, as Nora and Ren worked to protect them. If he was giving his all, then she would too. She would give him every drop of her aura to keep him going, to make sure he would finish what he started.
/=/
Cinder was at a loss for words. Her plan was falling apart; even as the Fall Maiden there was no way for her to face the thousands who where defending the Vytal arena. From her perch atop Beacon tower she could see the waves of Grimm she had been counting on dry up. The influx of positive emotions driving them off, and preventing the great dragon she knew that slept in the mountains from emerging.
"We have to get out of here." Mercury yelled at her as he and Emerald reached the top of the tower.
"NO, this can be turned around!" Cinder snapped back.
"There are tens of thousands rising up in Vale. They're on the way here!" shouted Emerald trying to fight the feelings Jaune's music, and words were causing to well up inside her.
"What?"
"The whole city, everyone is rising up to defend it." Mercury who was indifferent to everything happening, and not feeling the effects of Jaune's attempt to counter the emotions that had once filled the arena.
"Impossible! My plan!" Cinder shrieked, her own mind reeling from conflicted feelings.
"We have to go!" Mercury yelled at his boss, as his partner teetered and collapsed.
"How did this happen?"
"That blonde goof! It's his semblance! He's rallied everyone. We've lost!"
"We have to silence him!, That will allow us to turn this around!"
"There is no way to him!" Mercury shouted, "We have to go!"
"That is not possible!"
"There are hundreds of huntsmen, White Fang, soldiers, and THOUSANDS of people surrounding him! There is no way to get to him!"
"No, we had won." Cinder herself began to sway. Conflict inside her mind making her headache.
"Cinder we HAVE to go NOW!" Mercury yelled as he moved forward and grabbed her by the wrist. "Come on!"
"Emerald?"
"She's down. Leave her!" Mercury replied apathetic to his team mate's situation, and intent on just getting away before the chance escaped them.
/=/
Pyrrha slumped, her aura reserves nearly empty. She had given everything she could, and had to pull back from complete exhaustion. Jaune stood firm for a few more minutes before he began to weave, and sway. Sour notes began to ring out, and his voice began to break. Ren and Nora backed into the booth, both ready to continue to fight, as Pyrrha looked out and over the thousands strong throng that circled the area. Each one facing outward as if daring anything to approach.
"Jaune, you can stop." Pyrrha spoke softly, as she watched Jaune struggle to keep standing.
"Fearless leader?" Nora asked as the music abruptly ended, and Jaune staggered to the side.
Jumping forward she and Ren grabbed hold of Jaune as he fell, his body collapsing in utter exhaustion. Keeping him from colliding with the hard floor of the booth. Pyrrah as spent as she felt, crawled forward and with the help of her teammates set Jaune's head down on her lap.
"You did it Jaune." she whispered, as Jaune's eyes rolled up into his head and his breath stuttered. "Hang in there."
"Ren?" Nora asked puzzled as Jaune's body began to shake, and shiver.
"Extreme aura exhaustion." Ren informed her, as he reached forward, and placed his hand on his teammate's chest. "Help me Nora. Before he starts to seize."
Nora just nodded and placed her hand next to Ren's. They both focused and began to push their own aura into Jaune's body, hedging his beyond empty reserves; trying to stabilize him before his condition grew any worse.
/=/
Emerald sat in her cell. She was still unsure how she had even been captured. One minute she was reeling with a pain in her head. Feeling all her fears at being alone and abandoned; crashing against a wall of courage at her own abilities to take care of herself. She had been overwhelmed, and when he woke up she was cuffed and under arrest. She knew it had something to do with that blond boy everyone had called Jaune. It had something to do with his semblance. That irked her, that he was able to effect her so. What was more enraging though was her teammates. Her boss and partner leaving her behind. Letting her face the consequences of their actions, alone.
/=/
Those White Fang that had turned and defended the people of Vale were treated fairly. Given the chance to give information, and pardoned; depending on what crimes that actually had committed prior to the events at Beacon. For most it was a walk in and out of the various police stations around the city of Vale. Those that had collapsed were held, pending investigations and probable trials; using the information being given by others that were cooperating.
/=/
Atlas was caught between those that were applauding the actions of her armed forces; and those that were condemning the use of the Knights. Even explanations and revelations about the virus infection did little to temper some of the ill will. General Ironwood weathered the storm as per someone in his station. There was little else he could do.
/=/
Life slowly returned to normal, rumours of why average citizens had chosen to stand up and defend their city, abounded. Theories ranged from fluoride in the water supply, or civic pride, to hypnotic mind control. Some pointed to the strange gravelly voiced broadcast that had taken place, others choose to ignore it. Regardless it was not just the soldiers and hunters that had saved Vale, but the combined might of the countless throngs of normal people rising up en mass.
It was only a few who knew the real truth. That is was a blond headed, blue eyed young man that put everything into his use of his semblance that turned the tide. A young man who was currently comatose in a hospital bed. Ren and Nora's intervention saved his life, but he still had a long way to go before being fully recovered. Even with the aura that had been pushed into him, his reserves were still dangerously low. Jaune having used everything and then some to do what he did.
Glynda stood in the doorway to his room as Pyrrha sat at his beside. In the corner of his room the dust powered electric guitar that they had to pry from his stiff hands sat. A reminder of the weapon that had turned the tide of the battles that had raged.
Glynda remained silent as Pyrrha talked in whispers, certain that Jaune could hear every word she uttered. She confessed to him, told him he had done it, that he had saved Beacon; saved Vale. Glynda gave a knowing smile, agreeing with what Pyrrha was telling the Jaune. She had come to inform his team that Jaune's family would be arriving in the morning. A distraught family, who had no idea where he had been. A family that was overjoyed, and broken in the same sentence by what he had done, and what it had cost him.
Glynda choose to wait to inform them, as Ren and Nora were away getting something to eat, and Pyrrha appeared to need more time alone with the man she was confessing her love to. Glynda thought back on everything that had transpired with Jaune. About how he grew under the tutelage of not only his professors, but also his friends. How she had spoken to him, and was told very directly by himself that his semblance was a curse, that it was useless to a huntsman.
He had proved himself wrong in the end. Proved that he was everything his friends had thought of him. Selfless, brave and powerful. He would make an excellent huntsman in time. He would be unique, as Glynda had doubts there was anyone else like him, and if there was she hoped they would follow his example, to bolster and inspire all those around them. Quite the accomplishment from a young man that lied his way into Beacon.
/=/
Cinder and Mercury had fled and returned defeated to stand before Salem. She was far from displeased; she was outright incensed about their plan falling apart. Yes Ozpin had fallen, but Beacons still stood strong. Ozpin would return, as he always did, the only thing gained was a sliver of time. It was all undone by one boy, a boy who could play a guitar and sing. Mercury couldn't explain what happened, as it had no effect, with him being alexithymic.
Cinder tried but her explanation was confused and fragmented, as she couldn't put what she had experienced into specific terms. Frustrated at the failure, and the setbacks Salem lashed out. She caused her underlings pain, taught them the mercy of her displeasure; and as they lay upon the cold stone floor curled upon themselves gasping, she gave them direction on how to regain her favour; she uttered one final command.
"Kill him."
/==/
So a short and stupid one shot that has come to me several times while listening to and watching the video to the cover of "Land of Confusion" by Disturbed.
To clarify, in this Jaune is a extremely powerful Empath capable of not only sensing the emotions of others, but also projecting them. Though he has to use music to push those feelings onto others.
Not much else to say about this story, aside from I figured I post something while readers are waiting for me to come up with updates to my continuing stories. Enjoy.