Disclaimer: I don't own anything about RWBY we all know it.
Let's make this quick, my job sucked HARD this year and so did this year as a whole. I'm okay and so is Rebuff thanks for the wishes you sent. As always no scheduled release, but here's something for the holidays.
Quick note, I've decided to end this story after this arc (yes there will be a sequel, it's just that this fic is getting a bit too big for one story so I decided that I will put the complete tag on it before the word count gets even more ridiculous lol.)
Featured BGMs:
Crown-NEFFEX
Nightglow- Honkai Impact OST
Dual Ego-Honkai Impact OST
BETAED BY: The madlad himself DJ Will S. LaVi (He helped picked the soundtracks for this one lol)
A tragedy of Lightning & Shadow
(JNPR : RISE: Part 2)
-Mistral: Fifteen Months ago: Coast-
From the footage of a nearby security camera, various mercenaries could be seen loading the country's citizens into cages as their leader, Carmine Esclados, could be seen calling the shots. Though the rain was heavy, her orders could be heard clearly.
"Hurry up!" Carmine ordered. "We need to leave before…"
"CRWN, huh? Long way away from Vacuo, aren't you?" a voice questioned which made Carmine groan.
"…Huntsmen show up," Carmine muttered before she sighed. "So much for an easy paycheck," Carmine said before she turned to find Jaune approaching, his hood up, as Ren and Nora flanked him. "Or maybe not. Really? What are you kids doing here? Isn't it past your bedtime?"
"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't," Jaune shrugged. "New time zones get confusing."
Carmine raised an eyebrow and gave him a once-over. "You're from Vale? Seems like I'm not the only one far away from home." Carmine smirked. "I'll tell you what kid, it's been a long day and you're kind of cute. Leave now and I'll forget I saw you."
BGM: Crown-NEFFEX
"Tempting, but I'm not leaving without those hostages," Jaune said before unsheathing his blade and deploying his shield. Carmine's eyes widened when she saw the emblem on the shield. Eyes shining with greed, Carmine grinned as her sai floated next to her.
"Change of plans boys, prioritize blondie. We'll be set for life with him." Carmine said before Jaune rushed her. Using her telekinesis, she shot the sai at him only for him to deflect it with his shield. With a smirk, she watched as her weapon flipped around behind him and shot toward his back.
Before the blade could reach Jaune, he spun around and bashed the weapon away again before ducking as it shot toward him once more. Moving his head to the side, Jaune avoided the blade which barely grazed his cheek, drawing blood. This surprised Carmine greatly who wondered why the suicidal boy would try to attack her without aura.
Capitalizing on her surprise, Jaune spun around and slammed a devastating kick to her chest which made her aura flicker briefly before she was knocked across the docks. Before she could regain her bearings, she looked up to see a grinning Nora descending upon her.
Unlike Jaune, it was clear she had her aura unlocked and was easily the biggest threat of the three. As Carmine and Nora engaged in battle, Jaune and Ren continued to fight off the mercenaries. Raising his shield, Jaune blocked the point-blank automatic fire from one of the mercenaries' weapons. Unable to get past Jaune's unwavering shield, the mercenary moved to shoot Jaune in his leg, only for his aura to shatter suddenly.
Startled, the mercenary made the mistake of turning around to find Ren standing impassively behind him. However, it wasn't Ren's blade that ended his life but rather the swift slice from Crocea Mors. When the mercenary fell, Jaune and Ren nodded at each other before they continued to make quick work of the mercenaries.
Though the battle had initially been in their favor, the forces CRWN were quickly taken down until Carmine was the only one that remained. As an explosion erupted from the end of the docks, both Jaune and Ren realized that Nora's battle had ended. Within the smoke cloud that resulted from the powerful lightning bolt that had slammed into the docks, Nora emerged with her hammer on her shoulder.
"She got away," Nora muttered, clearly annoyed which made Jaune nod.
"Doesn't matter, we got what we came for," Jaune said as he turned his attention to the stunned hostages, many of whom were crying and looked as though they hadn't eaten in days. Jaune made it to one of the cages and cut through the chains that had sealed the cage shut. With a gentle smile, Jaune greeted the children inside. "Let's get you home."
The children lunged forward and hugged him tightly which made him shake his head sadly while rubbing their backs.
*Flash*
One by one the combatants fell in front of the thunderous cheers of the spectators.
This was it.
This would be the day.
If Pyrrha could win this tournament she would be one victory away from truly earning her title as "Invincible." The only requirement her coach gave her to allow her to attend Beacon.
It had started as a battle royal between one hundred of Mistral's finest combatants, however, the numbers had quickly dwindled to the final ten. All but one looked exhausted, with their auras falling into the yellow.
Cracking her neck, Pyrrha looked up their aura levels and saw that hers was still above ninety percent. Normally this would indicate that she had hidden and stood off to the side while the others fought which was not an uncommon tactic in this event.
However, this was not the tactic Pyrrha used, and most of the defeated combatants fell by her hand. As one, the other nine combatants shared a look before agreeing that Pyrrha had to be taken care of. As one, they charged her. They soon, however, realized this was a mistake as unseen by the crowd, Pyrrha grinned at them darkly.
Safe to say, Pyrrha won the tournament.
Again.
Next up would be the Mistral Regional Tournament and along with being her fourth win, it would be the key to taking back control of her life. Pyrrha knew she would win. The question now was what would she do after?
*Flash*
This was crap.
She just wanted to buy some music!
Ruby would have groaned as she took out the criminals if it wasn't so fun. Only she could have found a way to turn a simple errand into this mess. Her dad had only just started allowing her to travel alone to Vale's capital unsupervised and she was already turning it into a spectacle.
Yang would never let her live this down, she knew it.
When Ruby made it to the top of a nearby roof, she narrowed her eyes at Torchwick. He was skilled, but she could still beat him if she played it smart. Hopefully, she could end this mess before it became anything bigger than it was.
She would later laugh at how wrong she was.
*Flash*
Ruby was now running up the side of a mountain, dragging the single largest nevermore she had ever seen behind her.
Yes.
That mess at the dust store had spiraled her life into chaos but she'd roll with it. With a small grunt of effort, Ruby pulled her scythe forward while pulling the trigger and used the momentum from the recoil to behead the colossal grimm.
When she landed, she couldn't help but smile.
See!
She told them she had a plan!
Ruby's smile, however, died when she saw the sheer army of grimm Pyrrha was fighting like a woman possessed. Seeing something was wrong with her new friend, a thought that was shared by Jaune if the look on his face meant anything, she knew they had to stop the Champion from going off of the deep end. Before she knew it, both she and Jaune were pulling a sobbing Pyrrha off of a grimm that had long since been slain.
Ruby and Jaune shared a look, and a silent promise was made to look after their friend.
*Flash*
Ruby blinked and before she knew it, her fight with Blake was over. Ruby had been training night and day, but even then, this win felt confusing. It was almost as if she had been possessed. She recalled every moment of the fight, yet weirdly it was like her movements were both hers and not hers. It was almost as if she zoned out in battle but that was impossible.
When it came to a fight, she never zoned out!
Extremely confused and disoriented, Ruby forced a smile on her face to hide her unease.
No need to spoil the competitive atmosphere, this mystery could wait.
*Flash*
Pyrrha would probably never admit it out loud but for a brief moment, she was scared.
That knight Weiss had summoned had come out of nowhere and was the single most intimidating yet badass thing Pyrrha had seen up until that point.
Seriously, she thought her semblance was unfair but since joining Beacon, she learned that hers had nothing on the sheer bullshit that both Jaune and Weiss called "semblances". If there was ever proof that not everyone was born equal, the Schnees and the Arcs were it.
Still, as amazing as Weiss' new ability was, her impromptu protégé still had much to learn, and with a deadly proficiency, Pyrrha took out both Weiss and the knight while her aura level remained untouched. Weiss was powerful, but as she was, she was a long way away from being invincible.
*Flash*
The docks were gone.
Pyrrha, Jaune, and Ruby gaped at the destruction left behind from their fight. Yes, they knew it had gotten intense and that Nora had one hell of a swing, but this was unexpected. They hoped that they wouldn't be responsible for the bill.
Pyrrha's impromptu "rematch" with Cinder had most likely cemented herself on Cinder's shitlist, as Pyrrha knew that as hard-fought as the battle was, she was only minutes away from killing the evil woman. It was brief, but Pyrrha saw the fear in Cinder's body language.
Likewise, Jaune had taken on the herculean task of fighting Hazel and had proven himself to be the perfect opponent for the powerful man. As long as Jaune could negate Hazel's overwhelming strength, he would win. He didn't need Hazel to hurt, he just needed to put him down if needed. Part of him, a small part, still had hope that the man could see the error of his ways before it was too late.
Ruby was confused.
No.
Not confused.
Angry.
From the lessons Glynda had instilled into her and forced her to study, Ruby knew exactly how important these docks were to the businesses that used them and their employees. How important these docks were to Vale's ability to trade in a timely matter to and from the capital. Lives, families, depended on these docks and Ruby had to sacrifice them.
From the beginning of the fight, Ruby had the choice to move the fight away but if she did then the risk of civilian casualties would be too high. She had to choose between lives and people's livelihoods and she made her choice. Now she had to live with it.
Ruby's heart felt heavy, her spirit was low but more than any of that she was pissed. Pissed that she was made to decide in the first place. The thought that her enemies had such little care for those they hurt solidified Ruby's resolve to bring this mess to an end as soon as possible. Ruby blinked when she felt two hands on her shoulders and looked up to see Jaune and Pyrrha.
"You made the right choice," Pyrrha reassured her.
"We can help them rebuild," Jaune explained. "Buildings, jobs, these docks? All of this can be fixed, but losing lives can't be. Always prioritize saving lives." Jaune squeezed Ruby's shoulder reassuringly. "As Pyrrha said, you made the right choice."
*Flash*
She was going to die.
Pyrrha had accepted that when she lost her eye.
She would die.
But not like this.
Not while the man she loved still had that look on his face.
Not while the woman she loved was waiting on her to bring him back, to bring him home to her.
Pyrrha didn't fail before and she would be damned if the first time she failed would be when it fucking mattered. No. She was better than that, better than that weak pitiful version of herself who died and left her friends to suffer this war alone.
Whether it was blood, tears, or both pouring from the hole in her face, Pyrrha didn't care. Not as her bones broke and muscles tore while keeping the Knight Captain at bay. The twin glaciers that were Jaune's eyes froze her heart in terror, but the hot rage within her thawed it almost immediately.
She would save him.
If it was the last thing, she did.
She would save him, and like him, she would hold the line and not let his demons harm him any longer. An image of Ruby flashed in her mind and she felt her strength return despite all reason. Those two would get their happy ending.
Later, Ruby would tell them that they were idiots after she verbally ripped them a new one.
But that was okay.
Because Pyrrha survived against the Knight Captain, saved him, and together all three could move on.
Were they idiots?
Absolutely.
But they were Ruby's idiots.
And Pyrrha could live with that.
*Flash*
It was strange, this new arrangement they had.
Even as Jaune and Pyrrha danced the night away and had fun, it was clear that something was missing. That a part of them was missing. Their love for each other could keep them warm for a while, but it was clear that the cold from Ruby's absence would always win.
It was then that they realized that the two of them could never work alone, not when so much of their hearts yearned for someone else as much as it did each other. Something would always feel like something was missing if they had only each other.
For Jaune, he knew this well in advance, he was willing to move on but even if Ruby wasn't the woman, he once loved, he was beginning to love who she was now just as much. This was why he was hesitant to pursue anything with Pyrrha as he knew she would never have all of his heart.
Likewise, Jaune also knew that he and Ruby couldn't work alone either. Pyrrha had effectively won him over a while back. At first, he thought it was curiosity given how much different this Pyrrha was compared to the one he knew. That curiosity then turned into fascination when he saw her strength and how superior she was to even his best knights.
And after she saved him when everyone else had written him off?
That fascination became love.
On the other hand, for Pyrrha, Jaune was love at first sight. Something pulled her to him as if destiny itself kept their fates intertwined. That said, Ruby blindsided her completely. Pyrrha was attracted to her, yes, for her strength alone was unlike anything Pyrrha had seen.
The way Ruby kept her head held high despite how heavy her crown was only earned her more of Pyrrha's admiration. However, when these feelings became more Pyrrha wasn't sure. Could she list everything she loved about Ruby?
She could and it would take quite some time to jot them all down.
But these were all things she knew and loved before she even realized she had feelings for Ruby. Pyrrha supposed she was so sure, convinced, that she and Ruby would only love Jaune that she never considered the possibility of them loving each other as well.
This was possibly Pyrrha's biggest weakness, her ultimate fault. She was a firm believer in destiny, the ultimate end for any individual that she was unable to consider the countless routes that could be used to reach that end. She was, admittedly, narrow-minded and had tunnel vision to a fault which is why she knew she could never be a leader.
Which was fine.
She would be their weapon.
Their spear.
She would let them lead her to her destiny and kill their enemies along the way.
Suddenly, a gasp was heard and when she and Jaune faced the entrance to the ballroom, they felt that creeping cold that was enclosing on their hearts vanish. One look at Ruby, their Empress, was all it took the confirm what they had been thinking.
Their arrangement was strange.
But it would work.
One glance between the stunned Jaune and radiant Ruby was all it took for Pyrrha to realize that while she saved Jaune, he still needed to be healed. Something which was confirmed when she gently pushed him to her and watched, stunned, as his aura would later change from white to gold.
She saved Jaune.
Ruby healed him.
And she loved Ruby even more for it.
She watched them contently and when it was her turn to dance alone with Ruby, she kissed her as if she were trying to convey everything she realized in that single action.
And if the way Ruby responded to the kiss was any indication…
…she understood.
*Flash*
They needed a damned break.
Jaune realized this as he watched Ruby fight Nera with his family sword after they were forced to destroy Salem's body and kill an actual god in one evening. She hid it well, but Jaune knew that Pyrrha was shaken by the experience, and rightly so.
They only survived through luck and literal divine intervention.
If it weren't for Team RWBY doing what they did best and saving the world together at the last minute, they would have lost everything. Jaune was grateful, truly, but it was also frustrating. They all played their parts that night and if even one of them had slipped up, everything would have fallen apart but it still felt as though he could have done more.
A sentiment he knew Pyrrha shared.
They needed her to provide covering fire and without her, they would have lost most of the Claw to Grimm but Jaune knew Pyrrha wished she could have been on the frontlines no matter how vital her support was.
Tonight was a game-changer, and their side needed more power, that much was clear. Hopefully, Ruby and Blake could reach an understanding for the Claw had proven themselves to be worthy allies. At the moment the Claw couldn't match the Knights at all with Blake being the only actual threat but the faction was new and young in comparison to theirs. In the empire's early days, they were no stronger than the Claw.
They had potential. And Jaune knew that potential would make the war easier.
That said, Jaune needed to find a way to make the knights stronger but such a task couldn't be done without having some peace of mind.
Perhaps it was time to go home, some time away from all of this chaos could do wonders for his mind and let him see things from a fresher perspective.
And if it would give Ruby a break and prevent Pyrrha from falling into a violent anxiety attack that would be even better because it was clear that his partner was reaching her limit.
BGM: END
Vale: Frontier: Arc Manor: Present-
Jaune blinked when he found himself snapping free from the thoughts that were dug up as his family continued to watch the news of his escapades, stunned. Even Saphron who had no doubt seen all of it already visibly winced at some of the fights that were shown.
Jaune had no idea there was that much footage of himself, Ren, and Nora before Beacon around. So much had been unearthed during the rise in their popularity that Jaune couldn't help but wonder if he could somehow use it to train future knights.
He was also very glad that there was no footage of the Chimera battle or Willow, or else he was doubtful he would be able to leave home again.
Oh, who was he kidding, he would likely have to sneak out anyway when the week was over if the expression on his mother's face was any indication.
Hell, all of them would.
Jaune had no idea when or how, perhaps while he and his father were unconscious, but Ruby and Pyrrha had somehow managed to have found a place in his family's hearts which essentially meant that they were family.
And the Arcs were very protective of family.
Still, after a few more moments of watching some still surprisingly high-definition footage of some of their fights, Juniper silently rose from the couch.
"Jaune, come with me," Juniper instructed but, to his surprise, there was no parental rage in her voice. Just one of resignation. Jaune could tell almost instantly his mother was disappointed, but for some reason, he didn't feel as though she were disappointed in him.
Jaune stood up and followed his mother, managing to somehow not draw the attention of his sisters who were gaping at the screen. His father just gave him a nod of acknowledgment as he drank a beer and Jaune knew that while his father wasn't pleased that he had been in such dangerous situations, he was still impressed by his son's strength and resilience.
As his mother led him out of the house, he glanced back to see Pyrrha and Ruby give each other a worried glance.
"Sit," Juniper instructed as she sat down on one of the chairs of the patio that overlooked their property. Beside her, Jaune sat wordlessly and for a moment nothing was said as they simply stared out into the horizon and took in the beautiful day.
Jaune was, for once, completely lost as he had never felt this uncertain around Juniper before.
"My boy," Juniper whispered, her voice wavering ever so slightly. "My baby boy."
Jaune's eyes widened when he saw Juniper place her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with her barely repressed cries and Jaune's heart shattered. In all his life, he had only seen his mother cry once and that was years ago after she got a bad phone call while pregnant with Violet.
In the back of his mind, Jaune realized then that that must have been when Summer died as he finally understood who this mysterious "Aunt Sumsum" was.
Jaune stood up and knelt before Juniper, hugging her tight as she cried and released her pent-up anger, sadness, frustration, and most importantly her fear.
Her fear for her only son who decided to walk the path that killed the strongest woman she knew.
"I'm sorry."
It wasn't Jaune who spoke.
Eyes wide in confusion, Jaune looked at his mother who apologized to him.
"I'm sorry," Juniper repeated as she finally forced herself to look into his eyes. A haunted violet mixed with warm blue, and Juniper's heart broke even further as she could no longer even see a hint of innocence in her child's eyes.
Jaune did look like his father.
"What are you sorry for?" Jaune questioned, feeling terrible. No, he didn't regret his decisions or the path he walked but he did regret the pain it caused one of the most important people in his life. "I'm the one who-"
"Who followed your dream." Juniper interrupted. "You followed your dream and you excelled. It is not the life I wished for you but it is your life. I'm just sorry you had to experience so much darkness firsthand. The world outside of our lands is not kind, it is filled with pain and tragedy and you had to live with that alone."
"No." Jaune retorted, hoping to give Juniper some sort of comfort. "I was never alone."
Juniper gave him a weak smile. "No. No, I suppose you weren't. Your friends…or more specifically, those girls you brought with you. They are special, aren't they?" Juniper questioned before shaking her head before Jaune could answer. "What am I saying? Of course, they are. You brought them here and I just spent hours watching it."
Juniper sighed.
"That interview Ruby had, that woman she's fighting, did Ozpin put you up to this?" Juniper questioned and the question made Jaune do a double-take.
"Ozpin?"
"Yes, as I said, we were close with Summer, Jaune, she was to be you all's godmother before she passed," Juniper informed him, shocking him again with how close his and Ruby's families were. "The woman you're all fighting is the same one Summer was, the same one that killed her. Summer was strung along by Ozpin and I want to know if that's happening again before I destroy that school."
Instantly on alert when he saw the way Juniper's eyes seemed to shine, something told Jaune that Juniper was not exaggerating. To Jaune, Juniper had always been the strongest woman he knew because of her character but now it was becoming clear that she had actual, nonpolitical, power at her disposal as well.
He was beginning to suspect he knew where his strength came from now.
And that thought terrified him.
Because it showed him just how little he knew of his family, arguably the most important thing to him.
As a tactician, an unknown variable, one that was too close to home, was unnerving, to say the least.
"No…" Jaune answered cautiously. "…Ozpin has nothing to do with our actions. Things happened that made Ruby aware and after the things we experienced together we followed her."
"I see," Juniper said the light in her eyes faded slightly. "And what exactly do you all know about this woman?"
This time Jaune frowned and was momentarily replaced by the Knight Captain who narrowed his eyes at Juniper. "What do you know about this woman?"
Juniper raised an eyebrow at his tone but released a bitter laugh. Jaune was a carbon copy of Arthur but took after her more than he knew. With that question alone they both got the answer to both of their questions.
"Enough," Juniper answered. "Let's discard these games and pretenses and speak plainly as mother and son. Salem is not a woman to take on lightly."
Jaune pursed his lips, his mind working fast to see just how deep inside this mess his family was.
"I've never met the woman, personally." Juniper continued. "But there is an unspoken truce between our House and her. We remain neutral and she'd leave us out of her games."
"It's too late for neutrality." Jaune pointed out, silently horrified that his family willingly stayed on the sidelines during this war. In response, Juniper just waved her hand dismissively.
"That neutrality was more for Summer's sake than ours, she wanted us out of the war and we didn't want to be a distraction for her," Juniper explained. "We were her family and we made her promise that as soon as there was a plan to stop that witch, she'd tell us so we could help."
"And there was no plan," Jaune said feeling a small flash of irritation as he recalled the moment it was revealed to him and his team that there had been no plan to stop Salem after Pyrrha had died.
"Without a plan, we couldn't risk jeopardizing your lives," Juniper told him. "At worst you would be killed by Salem, at best you'd all become weapons for Vale. I can feel your aura, Jaune. Even when you try to hide it, it still drowns the area." Juniper shook her head. "I didn't need that news report to tell me you were an amp, it's a trait you all share."
Jaune paled. "You mean…"
"Yes, Jaune, every one of your sisters is an amp, and I am one as well," Juniper confirmed. "In the Frontier, in our land, that means nothing but in the capital?"
"Everything, it would mean everything," Jaune whispered. One amp was a potential legend, two would be a war deterrent, but all of his sisters and potentially even his mother?
The very world would hunt them down.
Now Jaune knew why he was ignorant to aura.
It wasn't ignorance on his parent's part but rather their attempt to let him lead a normal life.
"To the world, your sisters remain 'normal' women from a prestigious family." Juniper continued. "As long as their aura is dormant they can continue to live their lives unbothered, to follow their dreams. Had your dream been anything but being a huntsman it would have died the second your aura was unlocked."
Juniper laughed then.
"Your father and I spent many a night, wondering how we could help you follow your dream." Juniper continued, surprising him. "Even as you struggled with the basics of combat, Arthur wanted nothing more than to teach you until you got it right but he just didn't have the time…"
"Stop, don't apologize for him." Jaune interrupted. "I'm not some little boy who worries about why daddy never trained him. The man had to defend the frontier, provide for his wife and eight kids, and still spend enough time with us to raise us when he could. He did his best, you did your best."
Jaune then grimaced.
"Unlocking my semblance would have raised too many questions with the others." Jaune continued knowing full well that as children they would have wanted their auras unlocked, not understanding the consequences. "Not to mention, we're in the Frontier, we have guards, not huntsmen, and the grimm out here are far more dangerous than near the capital."
"That's why you're repressing your aura, isn't it?" Juniper questioned getting a nod from Jaune. "Don't bother, Rosé finished construction on the wall months ago. Grimm can't breach it and the outposts will stop any Nevermores long before they reach us."
"Grimm can't breach the wall, but people can," Jaune murmured, an image of Tyrian flashing in his mind.
"Oh?" Juniper questioned. "Expecting an attack?"
Jaune gave her a sad smile, one that held the weight of an untold tragedy that made Juniper want to destroy whoever was responsible for putting that expression on her son's face. "Always."
"Then relax, people are people and will attack regardless if your aura is up or not." Juniper reminded him which made him pause for a moment before nodding. His golden aura shimmered for a bit, making her gasp before it vanished and soon a feeling of pure power engulfed the land. To those who had lived in areas where auras were common, like the capital, no difference could be felt but, in the Frontier, where it was a rarity, it was much more noticeable. "You've gotten strong."
"Thank you."
"You had no talent."
"I know," Jaune said with a sigh but it wasn't from her words but rather what they implied. Jaune wasn't Pyrrha, he wasn't gifted in the art of war. His strength came from trial and error, luck, as well as far too much pain.
And his mother knew this if the way she blinked back fresh tears were any indication.
"Sorry." Juniper cleared her throat. "I'm afraid we've gotten off track. Salem, you know who she is, you know what she is and while I am glad Ozpin isn't leading you astray, you still chose a powerful opponent. Do you have a plan to defeat Salem?"
Jaune gave her a genuine smile.
"We do," Jaune answered and Juniper looked at him stunned. "We've met Salem, fought her, destroyed her body even," Jaune answered and Juniper tried not to faint at the news. "Salem is immortal but Ruby stumbled across a way to turn her mortal."
Juniper opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before nodding to herself. "You can kill her, truly?"
Jaune was confused until he heard a noise behind them and turned to see Ruby, Pyrrha, and Arthur. Behind them, he could see his sisters looking out of the windows at them but he doubted they heard anything.
"I can," Ruby answered firmly, meeting Juniper's eyes squarely to make sure there would be no doubt in her words. "Sorry," Ruby said as she gave Jaune a sheepish smile. "We were a little worried things might have been going bad."
Arthur laughed. "You really are just like your mother."
"Speak for yourself, I just wanted to see how Jaune was going to BS his way out of this," Pyrrha said which made Arthur laugh again and pat her on her back.
"And if I didn't know better, I'd say this one was one of the girls!" Arthur grinned at Juniper. "Can we keep them? I promise to make Jaune take care of them!"
Juniper rolled her eyes but smiled a bit. "Oh, honestly Arthur, behave."
"Come on, Jun, let's go inside. The girls are worried and…and I think it's time we told them the truth," Arthur told his wife. "About everything. We did our best but they aren't kids anymore, even Violet is old enough to understand exactly what's going on and why we did what we did. We can't baby them forever, especially not when two of them have kids of their own."
"You're right," Juniper said before standing up and Jaune rose to his feet as well. "They have to make their own decisions in life and understand the weight of the burden Jaune is carrying. We'll need to have some tough discussions, like who will inherit the family if Jaune…"
Juniper couldn't bring herself to say it but they all understood.
Jaune's life would only grow more dangerous, preparations and hammering out a concrete line of succession if Jaune were to perish without children was a must.
Juniper forced a smile onto her face and turned to Ruby. "Looks like I will be telling you that story a bit sooner. We should get this out of the way early so you all can enjoy this break to the fullest, it's clear you need it."
Ruby smiled and nodded.
-?-
Through the dark forests of Kuroyuri, a lone armored samurai made his way through the foliage. His destination? A grand temple that was erected upon the ashes of the once-prosperous village. In contrast to his dark– almost pitch black– surroundings, the temple shone with a bright ethereal light.
"Well, well, if it isn't Pride."
Glancing to his side, he saw an orange-haired woman with bright green eyes smirking at him, almost tauntingly. On her shoulder rested a black warhammer and on her body was black armor that matched his. Though calling it armor would be generous considering how little of it she wore as she stared him down almost lecherously.
"Ah what's the matter, Pride?" the woman taunted before giving him a heartbroken expression. "Still no time to indulge poor little Lust, hm? A shame, I figured you'd have more than enough time after getting our Empress killed."
The man placed a hand on the hilt of his katana as Lust chuckled.
"Speaking of which, our Lord has been requesting your presence since your latest failure." Lust said as she nodded her head toward the temple. "But you know this, of course, and given how long it took you to show up it's safe to say your absence has been marked as treason." Lust lifted her hammer and aimed it at the armored man. "Our Lord has waited for you to show your pretty little face again, he'll be pleased to see it, even if it's no longer attached to the rest of your body."
After Lust's statement, the man stared her down, and not a sound could be heard besides their breathing. For a moment the two simply stared at each other and then, in the instance, the sound of a twig snapping beneath the foot of one animal or another echoed throughout the forest.
Lust's grin widened and she licked her lips before charging the treasonous warrior with the intent to kill.
-Beacon: Professor Peach's Office-
"Now, lay back Ms. Valkyrie, you will feel a bit disoriented but the sensation will soon pass," Peach told Nora as she helped the short woman lay back on the sofa. "Now that you've signed all the release forms, I will soon be using my semblance on you."
"Right, and what is that again?" Nora asked a bit nervously.
"Telepathy," Peach answered. "Glynda always did loathe my Semblance, with her using her mind to control the external world and my ability to use my mind to control the internal we had quite the rivalry once upon a time. So, for her to recommend you come to me, shows how serious of a situation we're dealing with."
"Got it, you're not going to like, rewire anything important in my ol' noggin are you?"
Peach chuckled. "No, dear, I won't be able to do anything you aren't willing to. This is a subtle art. We are not here to 'fix' you. Rather, we're here to 'understand' you, as I can assume that you've become a stranger to even yourself by now."
Nora pursed her lips at that and the sorrow in her eyes betrayed the truth in the woman's words.
"We're going to step inside your mind palace, and try to find the root of what ails you," Peach explained. "Only after that will we be able to work on refamiliarizing yourself with who you truly are. Now deep breaths."
Nora swallowed nervously before taking deep breaths as she felt Peach gently press her fingers on her temples.
"Good, now count back with me." Peach whispered gently. "Three…two…one…"
At that moment, her eyes shone pink as Nora released a startled gasp.
-Nora's Mindscape-
BGM: Nightglow- Honkai Impact OST
Peach wasn't quite sure she knew what to expect, but whatever she expected from the mindscape of her teenage charge, it was not the ruined form of an almost heavenly realm. The detailed design of the mindscape betrayed Nora's years of experience and the destruction within it betrayed her agony.
The sight almost brought Peach to tears.
Nora groaned as she regained her bearings and stood up next to the stunned professor.
"Valhalla," Nora murmured getting Peach's attention.
"Is that the name of this realm?"
"It is." Peach's eyes widened when she heard the voice that did not come from her charge's mouth and turned around to find what looked like an elderly version of Nora. The woman seemed to be devoid of color itself, her figure taking on a black and white appearance in contrast to Nora's colorful one.
As the old woman sat upon an ornate throne, a large hammer resting on her side, she gazed down at them with a single silver eye-the other being covered by a metallic eye-patch.
"Though this, I admit, is little more than a ruined imitation of the true Valhalla." The woman said as she rested her head on her fist. "Tell me, why have you entered my domain?"
The words were calm but they carried power and a quiet level of authority with which Peach was unfamiliar. In the air, Peach heard the cries of two birds, ravens, that seemed to gaze into her very soul before landing on the old woman's throne
Swallowing nervously, Peach spoke. "I'm sorry, your realm? I was under the impression this was Nora's."
"Aye, and you'd be right lass, but in this realm, she does not come first but instead it is I." The woman said calmly. "The manifestation of her Duty." The woman's eye slid to Nora whose body trembled as if she were suddenly subjected to an invisible weight. "For your convenience, I will allow you to refer to me as Odin."
"Odin?" Peach questioned and the name made Nora flinch.
Odin nodded. "Tis' the name of a weapon the child wielded that slew far more lives than her precious Magnhild ever could. There is no better name for the embodiment of her duty." Odin cracked her neck. "You're here to help the child, correct? To make that misbegotten child someone worthy once more."
Peach frowned. "I am."
"Very well, you will see no resistance from me," Odin drawled. "I, for one, wish to see beauty restored to this land." Odin waved her hand and a large stone door appeared before them. "I need not tell you that you are looking into a gateway to her memories, versed in the mind arts that you are, but I'd wager this appears different than what you are used to."
It did.
Normally the gateways to one's mind varied from person to person in appearance but even then, they didn't look half as menacing as the one before her. One that radiated a black aura, covered in black roses and thorns that looked downright poisonous. Beside her, Nora fell to her knees and trembled.
"No…"
"Yes," Odin drawled. "You underestimated your adversary. Forgotten that, corrupted though she may be, that woman is still a shade of Her Radiance. She distracted you so with such massive distortions that you were left blind to the smaller ones within your very minds."
"We're compromised."
"You are," Odin confirmed. "And soon the seeds she planted within you will bloom and you will destroy all you hope to protect. Each of you has a memory, one in which each distortion took root. One so horrible that it nourishes these seeds of discord. Justified though your anger may be, it is doing nothing but speeding up the time for you to become the knights of that Tyrant."
"How many?" Nora questioned. "How many of us are compromised?"
"Four, including you. I doubt I have to tell you which four, after all, only those who lived through that hell have memories dark enough to sustain these distortions." Odin drawled. "Had you been less of a hypocrite you could have known about this sooner. You taught your protégé the importance of meditation but truly when was the last time you've self-reflected? The last time you've stepped in here yourself?"
Nora was silent.
Odin scoffed.
"Your hubris will be your downfall, child," Odin said matter-of-factly. "And your fear of facing the most poignant source of your despair will be the reason we lose this war. So content was you to let your righteous anger fuel you, you let the clock ticking down on your doom go uncontested for too long."
"Stop, please!" Nora said, tears flowing freely. "There has to be a way to fix this, to make this right! We have to do something!"
"We!?" Odin boomed, her voice shaking the heavens and bringing Peach to her knees as the elderly woman rose to her feet. "Fool! Who do you think is the reason you haven't already succumbed!? I have been single-handedly stopping your end this entire time!"
Nora flinched as Odin seethed.
"Every battle you drew upon that hatred, and every time I had to endure pain unimaginable to preserve what little light you had left!" Odin roared. "I've watched this once beautiful realm burn because of you and you dare to ask me for more!?"
Nora's body trembled from the sheer fury that came from Odin's mouth.
"You are unworthy and too far gone." Odin scoffed. "Even Arc, who has managed to temper his distortion by allowing new love in his heart still loses a bit of himself each day he laments of the tragedy of his family. Before long he, like you all, will be nothing more than pets of that Tyrant."
"What if we destroy this memory?" Peach questioned interrupting them. "I don't have the full picture, and believe me Ms. Valkyrie I will be getting the specifics in due time. However, for now, we need to deal with the cancer destroying your mind. Like cancer, from what I gather, this memory is the tumor that's taking the rest of the mind with it. Can we remove it?"
"After it served as the foundation of who she is for so many years?" Odin scoffed. "You might as well destroy her mind yourself. It'll be quicker and less painful, put her down like the rabid dog she is."
Peach cursed. "Then what if we purify it somehow?"
At this, Odin paused.
"Explain."
"If a memory this painful, this fundamental to who she is, exists then it is likely tied to something meaningful in her life. If it wasn't it wouldn't affect her so." Peach explained. "There is beauty in everything, even pain, you just need to know where to look."
"You think you can unearth enough beauty to challenge that despair?" Odin questioned though her voice was not mocking. "Even knowing that if you fail you will only quicken the process?"
"She has to try." Peach told her. "You've said you kept everything stable, it's only fair that she carries her weight in this endeavor and I am happy to assist."
Odin held her stare for a moment. "Why?"
"Because she's my student." Peach said firmly. "And she's in pain. To turn a blind eye would be to discredit everything I sought to achieve in my life. Not to mention being morally wrong."
Odin looked at her for a moment before chuckling. "Ozpin knows how to pick faculty. I'll give him that."
Nora's eye twitched and the door released a wave of despair that knocked Peach back. Peach looked at Nora, stunned that the name of the headmaster could cause such a response. Odin for her part just scowled as the realm deteriorated a bit more.
"As I thought, you're no god, just a rabid dog," Odin muttered before shaking her head. "You're far too humble, Peach, even within this realm I can feel your power of this mindscape is on par with my own. Within here, you are likely just as powerful as Glynda so I ask you this, should this endeavor fail. Kill her." Odin's eyes met Peach's and did not waver. "That would be a far kinder fate."
"It won't come to that." Peach said firmly only for Odin to scoff as she sat back in her seat.
"We shall see, mortal, we shall see." Odin gestured to the door as Peach helped Nora to her feet. "Let us see just how well she fares."
Peach narrowed her eyes at Odin before turning back to the door. Slowly, she pressed a trembling hand on it, watching out for the thorns, before pushing it open.
What awaited her would shake her very core.
BGM: END
-Elsewhere-
BGM: Dual Ego-Honkai Impact OST
The doors to the temple opened with a resounding thud as the armored warrior stepped inside. Unlike the almost pitch-black forest of Kuroyuri that surrounded the temple, the inside was a blinding white that was eerily empty.
An almost completely white space, the only thing the warrior could see was a young black-haired man who sat on his knees before him, garbed in a white robe. With a trembling hand, the warrior closed the door behind him as the blood that was both his and not his dripped from the black armor. Tiredly, the warrior moved forward and collapsed onto his knees behind the young man who had his back toward him.
"You beat the other sins," The young man said as he sipped tea from the cup in his hand. The blood that fell from the warrior's armor bled into the realm but he paid it no mind. "As expected of you, Pride." Placing his cup down, the man raised a hand and snapped his fingers which caused an old katana to material in front of the warrior. "End it."
With trembling hands, the warrior removed his helmet-revealing a much older version of the young man before him- and placed it to his side before picking up the blade. A blade that belonged to his father.
Their father.
"You've dishonored our name for the last time 'brother'." The young man said as he glanced back at the warrior. However, instead of the magenta eye that was expected, it was a silver one that burned through the warrior's soul. "I've let you run free in my body, believing you could protect those I held dear but you've slowly become more and more of a liability. A threat to that which I cherish most."
An image of a smiling orange-haired woman identical to 'Lust' flashed through the warrior's mind.
"End it. No longer will I be made a mere puppet of a ghost from times yet to pass." The man said calmly before he turned away from the warrior who unsheathed the blade before turning its end onto himself. "What's the matter? Why do you hesitate when I'm allowing you to die with some honor? Do you think my judgment was a mistake? Or are you honestly thinking you can be saved?"
…
"Through inaction and hubris, you and yours have disappointed me for the last time." The young man continued. "The Empress you serve is dead, and your actions and feelings betray your lack of faith in your new one. As lord of this land, this body, this temple, why should I continue to place my faith in them to protect that which I cherish? Why should I continue to seek solace in the light when you have never sought refuge in it?"
The silence was deafening.
"As I thought." The man continued as the red blood dripping from the warrior's armor seemed to stretch on in front of them before darkening and merging into a hooded woman that chilled the warrior to his core. As black rose petals began to rain down inside the temple, the young man continued. "By taking my body, you stole any bond I could have forged along with any loyalty to you and yours. To protect the one bond I had prior, I will do anything. Even serve the devil herself."
"It's time to give in, Spymaster." The Tyrant drawled. "Alone in your shadows, as usual, you know all too well that no one will come to save you. You have always been the weakest, don't think for a second you can resist my power."
"I may not be able to resist," The warrior finally spoke. "But that doesn't mean I will let you turn me against them."
The Tyrant laughed as she saw him tighten his grip on the hilt of his blade.
"Oh please, if you were brave enough to kill yourself, we wouldn't be here. Who are you trying to fool? You are nothing. No one."
The warrior gritted his teeth as his hands trembled.
-Kuroyuri-
Sweat poured from Ren's brows as he knelt in that cursed cave. His father's sword was in his hands and its edge was pressed against his abdomen firmly enough to draw blood. Around him, the shadows seemed to close in more and more, suffocating him inside the darkness he once called home.
BGM: END
-Frontier: Arc Manor: Forge-
"Alright girl, you can place your stuff over there. Just try not to knock over Sapphire's equipment, she's real protective of it." Arthur told Ruby as he led her through the forge. "Also, before I forget, I'm glad to finally have a chance to give this back to your family."
"Give what back?" Ruby asked curiously after she sat her stuff down, making sure not to knock over anything in Sapphire's, admittedly impressive, workshop. Arthur grinned at her before walking to the side of the room and removing a tarp that covered a large silver case. Ruby froze when she saw the contents through its glass cover. "W-what? How…"
Arthur chuckled warmly though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he gazed at Ruby. "Your mother was an amazing warrior, but at the risk of damaging your image of her, she was really bad at keeping track of her weapons. You should have seen my face when I found this while cleaning up the wreckage of an old family home."
Ruby raised a trembling hand over her mouth as tears fell from her eyes. Arthur picked the case up and placed it down in front of her.
"Now it goes without saying that she would have wanted you to have this," Arthur told her. "Maybe keep it somewhere safe? I don't know, back in my day huntsmen trained in secondary weapons but mecha-shifting became more and more practiced over the years, and nowadays primary and secondary weapons are all the same weapon."
Arthur shrugged.
"Still, you're a smart girl, and her daughter, you can probably figure out something to do with this." Arthur grinned as he ruffled her hair. "Now, I see how much you care for the weapon of yours so I doubt I have to say this but take better care of it than she did."
Ruby wiped her eyes and nodded. "Of course," Ruby beamed at him. "Thank you, Lord Arc."
"Bah, please, call me Arthur! You're family girl, none of that Lord nonsense." Arthur chastised. "Now, how about I show you how to repair Crocea Mors?"
Ruby nodded, actually more than a little excited. "That would be great, you have me curious about this 'secret method' you keep mentioning."
Arthur smirked at this before reaching to his side and unsheathed a knife. Confused, Ruby watched him flip the blade in his hand before handing it to her.
"Arthur?"
"Making or restoring blade as good as Crocea requires blood, sweat, and tears. Thing is, in her case, this isn't just a saying." Arthur told her. "We need blood. Royal blood– a vial of it actually, and to my surprise the sword no longer calls for mine."
Ruby's jaw fell as she looked at him in surprise, quickly putting two and two together.
"Shattered as she is, Crocea is crying and starving for royal blood yet for some strange reason that blood seems to be in your veins," Arthur told her and Ruby began to pale. Given the family's past, she knew he was likely no stranger to magic. "Look, I'll be honest, I don't care. As far as I'm concerned the crown is just a potential headache for my family that I am more than happy to give away."
Ruby swallowed a lump in her throat. "How…?"
"Crocea was forged, enchanted, to unwaveringly serve the crown," Arthur explained. "The only thing that can break that blade is magic, hence why I was so surprised to see it broken."
Ruby winced as she thought about how her and Nera's magic had seeped into their fight and that final, fateful clash between their weapons.
"The crown had been abolished when the Great King died and with his blood in our veins, Crocea served our family until my grandmother retired the weapon." Arthur continued. "Even as a mantelpiece for the old fireplace, I could feel it tug at my blood as Lord Arc. Given Jaune's fixation on the blade, even as a child, I guess he felt it too. In hindsight, I probably should have put it away but I was too proud of my legacy to hide such a weapon. It served us and would be treated with respect."
"But why mine?" Ruby asked. "I don't have the Great King's blood, even if we have similar eyes."
"How are Kings chosen, girl?" Arthur questioned. "In the age of the great houses, House Vale while noble, wasn't royalty. There was no singular leader until the Great King fought for and won the position to lead the other houses. At some point, far down any royal bloodline, the crown is earned through merit."
Arthur sighed. "Your mother was a commoner, a fact I, unfortunately, reminded her of all too often when I was a young fool. Yet, I owe her everything including the future of this house. You led Jaune through this fight with Salem, kept him just as safe as I suspect he's kept you. He's likely acknowledged you as his leader in some shape. Your mother once used Crocea to protect my family as I saw you use it to protect that which you care for. Safe to say, I think we can say that the old blade made its decision. It will protect your line no matter the cost."
"That's…wow…" Ruby muttered, looking at the ancient blade in a new light. So many battles, so much suffering, and after all of that and all of this time the blade continued to strive to fight. Ruby made a promise to herself then and there to ensure the blade got the care it deserved.
"I suggest picking Jade's brain at some point when you get the chance," Arthur continued. "Admittedly, she knows much more about the Great King Ozymandias and our ancestor than I do, especially after her latest find. If there are any secrets our family has that could help you, she's your key."
Ruby nodded with a determined expression. "Got it. Arthur, thank you. You and your family have been a big help. If there is any way to repay you, just let me know."
"Ha! Just keep being you girl!" Arthur grinned. "Though when the time comes, do make sure to bring any grandchildren back to the house, I barely get to see the ones I have!" Arthur said and Ruby's face flushed red as she tried to sputter out a response. "Though, hopefully not too soon, I don't think the poor boy would survive Jun's wrath."
As Arthur continued to laugh while Ruby hid her face in her hands, neither noticed Sapphire quietly slip back out of the forge. Her mind was running a mile a minute, but her feet carried her to her destination all the same.
A lot had been revealed to her and her sisters since their brother's return, far too much for even her to digest in a single evening. So, instead, she did what she was best she compartmentalized the information and focused on the simplest and most important facts.
The world was ending.
Her brother was part of the first line of defense.
His sword was broken.
Somehow everyone around was so focused on the blade that they forgot that the thing that won their ancestor's greatest fight was the shield. She had endured more than enough of Jade's incessant lectures to have this one fact committed to memory.
Sapphire rolled her eyes when she saw Pyrrha and Rosé arm-wrestling with matching smirks in the dining room and snuck past the kitchen where Jaune was helping their mother, Terra, and Violet make dinner. With the practiced ease of a younger sibling she rummaged through his belongings in the living room and grabbed Crocea's sheathe.
It was a good shield, but good wasn't enough to keep her brother safe and modern problems required modern solutions. Tucking it under her arm, she swiftly made her way back to the forge, towards her workshop that she knew she would be sharing with Ruby for the near future.
Ruby, one of the two girls that fought with her brother.
Ruby, the one who was the reason her parents gave her the name she had in the hopes they would be friends.
At that, Sapphire paused and groaned to herself before turning and marching up the stairs to the manor's upper levels. Knocking on a door she was not surprised to see Lapis and Lazuli both looking surprised to see her though she did groan when she saw Saphron and Jade visiting the twins.
"Sapphire?" Lapis asked.
"This is a surprise." Lazuli continued. "Can we help you?"
Face burning with embarrassment, Sapphire groaned as she spoke the words, she knew she would never live down. Though she would deny it until her dying breath, perhaps having Saphron there was a blessing same with Jade.
Eyes shut Sapphire spoke.
"Yes, I need you to tell me…how to make friends," Sapphire spoke and her sisters looked at her as if hell had frozen over. Gritting her teeth, Sapphire continued. "…please."
Sapphire's only warning was a squeal before the twins yanked her into their room.
The things she did for her family.
Jaune owed her BIG.
To be continued…
(As always when I am this damn late with a chapter, I wont was our times replying to reviews we both probably forgot by now, my bad lol. Replies to this update will be in the next one-I hope.)
Read and review!
And as always…
…Stay classy (and safe)!
-RebukeX7