A Hundred Years in the Making 2

After talking to some people and watching Zacky-San's video of Chapter 255 of Seven Deadly Sins I decided to continue this fic.


Concept: An unfortunate Chance but with Crocea Mors being a tsukumogami, a tool turned into a Yokai after a hundred years of existing.

Appearance: None as of yet


To say Jaune was at a loss for words would be an understatement, then again if you'd told him he'd be launched from a cliffside, mauled by a Beowulf Alpha, get superpowers and have his sword turn into a girl prettier then all his sisters combined he'd have worriedly taken you to the hospital Initiation be dammed. Yet here he was being supported by said weapon currently taking the form of a very attractive blonde. Like Ruby's big sister attractive.

The weirdest part was, he actually believed she was his blade, after all Crocea was missing, but more importantly she felt like his sword… Not in any physical way, just sorta a feeling, the same calm he felt when he felt his swords weight as he walked. The same sense of security he had from knowing he was armed. Even when he'd held her hand he felt it, that familiar hold he'd have on the hilt.

She was Crocea Mors, how and why didn't even matter, after all like she'd said, they needed to finish Initiation. They stopped at a cave and the three looked to it curiously he couldn't help but want to enter, maybe the relics would be hidden in there.

Please tell me that was a jest my ruler?

He jumped in her hold but Nero refused to let him go.

"H-How did yo-" A finger stopped him as she smiled gently towards him.

Now now, no need to rush Ruler, I'll be more then glad to answer you once we've finished this test of Ozma's.

Who the heck is Ozma?

She sighed before waving her head.

Don't worry about it, anyways I doubt that'd be where he'd stash, such items, he tends to be more practical. Perhaps a ruin of sorts or the like?

He nodded supposing it made enough sense.

"Jaune, miss Nero?" Both blondes stopped turning to Pyrrha quizzically, said girl working up the nerve to speak.

"Perhaps we should consider what to do next, we've been wondering quite a bit." Nero nodded.

"I suppose, what are your thoughts Ruler? Which direction shall we take?" Jaune readied to answer but apparently lady luck had decided she'd been a bit too harsh to him as no sooner did the squawk of a Nevermore ring true as the colossal bird of prey roared. Jaune looked and saw a familiar mess of black and red on its side scythe embedded in its body.

"Ruby!?" Nero however caught sight of a different form, a girl clad in white, with eyes as icy as her heart. The blade given human form gritted her teeth as her hands clenched, her eyes set then on the girl and her decision was made. Without warning she gripped Jaune firmly before breaking into a run surprising him and Pyrrha alike her gaze set not on the giant bird of prey but her target.


Yang smiled to her new partner a monochrome themed girl named Blake, raising up a knight chess piece.

"Wanna get a lil horsey?" The girl rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Sure." What followed the moment of respite however was insanity as no sooner did a Ursa come crashing in, a pink themed bomber on its back.

"Did she just ride a Grimm here."

"Aw poop, he broke."

"Yes, yes she did." Perhaps that should have been where the insanity stopped, but one Ruby Rose had different ideas as she came crashing down.

"Ruby!" Yang launched herself up catching the little reaper.

"Thanks sis…"

"No sweat, but? What about her?" Looking up they met a scared Weiss's gaze.

"You left me up here!" Ruby shrugged.

"I mean I told her to jump off." Eventually the Nevermore grew tired of its unwelcome passenger and begun to spin launching her off plummeting towards the ground. Quickly she tried to right herself only for the spin to be too much. However, her savior came in the form of a spear rushing her way pinning her to a tree in a very familiar way.

Braking from the tree line Pyrrha threw Akoúo towards the Nevermore slamming it in the head and making it take distance.

"Wow, nice shot." Ruby eyes glittered at the sight of the spear, much to her partner's annoyance.

"A little help!" With a gesture Miló retracted rushing back to its owner, catching it Pyrrha quickly shifted to its rifle mode already prepared for the incoming Grimm. Weiss stood then batting Ruby away as she worked her best smile and made her way to Pyrrha.

"Thank you Pyrrha." The champion smiled her way while Yang smirked.

"Great the gangs all here, let's get the relics and get out." It was ruby who spoke up then.,

"Wait, where's Jaune?"

"The Dolt, please. I'm sure he's rushing to catch up to Pyrrha as we speak, he'd probably dragged her down up till now." She shot the champion an annoyed look, still recalling the annoyance that struck her when she'd seen Miló pinning the boy to the tree. Pyrrha's spiel of letting the chips fall where they may still ringing in her mind. However, what she hadn't expected was the redhead to lightly glare back. Before she could speak further thought a bush rustled.

"See, there he i-" What she'd expected was a blonde doofus, what emerged was a woman clad in red with eyes like emerald currently fixed upon her.

"Nero? Where's Jaune?" The woman didn't speak, ignoring Pyrrha in favor of charging the Schnee's way her hand set in a chopping motion. Before she could react the girl broke in front of her and swung up her palm shining. The screech of aura greeted them then as the end of her nails were coated a light crimson.

Weiss stepped back looking into the jade orbs burning with hate towards her as she pulled back her hand like a spear and thrusted out towards her chest. A glyph formed then propelling the heiress back just in time to avoid the death dealing blow.

"What are you doing!" The woman ignored her choosing instead to dedicate herself to killing her mark as she leapt forward at the Schnee uttering only a single word.

"Die…" Weiss rose Myrtenaster only for her to not hesitate meeting the steels blade with her palm and to her shock metal shrieked as sparks flew. A second hand thrusted forward then impaling the heiress's shoulder earning a scream of pain as the woman's index emerged from behind a bit of bone shard visible.

"Weiss!" She leap back then barely dodging Crescent Rose, she looked up determined emerald meeting silver pools as ruby looked up confused and scared but not deterred. The woman frowned looking to the Rose.

"I have no issues with you Silver eyed warrior, my enemy is a the Schnee, so move now, I will not warn you again." Ruby glared loading up a dust round and seeing it all Nero could do was shake her head disappointed.

"So be it." Quickly she assumed her run once more as Ruby unloaded on her, however Nero nether changed directions nor rose her aura instead raising her hand and with a swift motion a tiny shriek of iron rang as the dust round was bisected down its center. Ruby froze as round after round the woman cut through until she was feet away. Quickly she rose Crescent Rose to attack and to her surprise the woman didn't dodge this time instead raising her left arm catching the blade on her wrist. Yet neither the crackle of aura nor blood met the reaper but instead sparks.

"Thinking you could best me with a vanity piece?" She swung her other arm then tearing apart the scythe at its head.

"What utter nonsense." She readied for her next move clawed hand already set on seizing and tearing through the youth's throat.

"Ruby!" several buck shots slammed into Nero's side making her lose balance just in time for Yang to land with a fierce left hook. The red clad fighter fell back her emerald orbs now meeting dreadful crimson.

"You bitch the hell do you think you're doing." Nero merely frowned as she looked to the display before her, a berserker in this day and age how droll.

"Execution of course, of the Schnee woman and apparently her little accomplice. Though might I have to add you to the list now as well?" Yang growled as Emer Celica cocked and loaded. Nero sighed ignoring the display as she made her way to Weiss seemingly ignoring the blonde brawler entirely. Yang however very much didn't like the attitude and screamed forward fist pulled back aimed square at the woman's head.

However in the next moment a palm rose catching her blow even as it sent the woman skidding back leaving markings on the floor. Burning emerald looked up then baring into the brawler's crimson orbs with the intensity of a being who'd taken more lives than any man woman or child should be capable of. Her fingers wrapped around the fist then sparking against Emer Celica.

"Such soft metal you hunters use for your mecha-shifting toys, it's quite the joke to use them against me." Pain registered to Yang then as Nero's nails broke through the metals gauntlet and into her knuckles.

"Pathetic, you hunters are so weak to pain, does training with aura delude you into thinking your invincible." Yang pulled back her fist screaming as she felt hot steel scrape against the bones of her knuckles. Blood dripped down the ruined gauntlet as the brawler glared up.

"Act again and it'll be your head next." Her words left no room for interpretation as she turned to Weiss who looked to her in horror.

"For what you did I will have that pretty little head of yours roll girlie."

"Stop Nero!" She turned then to find Pyrrha, beside her Blake and two other individuals she failed to recognize. She looked curious as she found Miló's barrel leveled upon her. Jade eyes narrowed on the girl.

"What are you doing Nikos?"

"I should be asking you that!? Why are you attacking Weiss, and where's Jaune!?" The woman looked to her then a note of anger in her eyes before realization rung and she chuckled.

"I suppose you wouldn't know, now would you? Tell me Pyrrha what would you do if I told you Jaune's injuries could've been avoided? That he could've never had to face such a trial so soon?"

"What are you talking about?" She smiled then.,

"I am saying someone else found my ruler before you did, and instead of extending a hand to him they turned away leaving him as bait for the grimm." Pyrrha froze at the suggestion yet she couldn't help but ask.

"W-who would do that?" The woman smiled then before She pointed to Weiss.

"Her of course, the viper left Jaune to fend for himself against the grimm." Her pointed finger shook then as teeth gnashed.

"His state was by her design as she abandoned him there alone. Such a being who'd so casually abandon her fellow hunters deserve only death." She didn't hesitate to rush once more upon the confused heiress in Pyrrha's moment of confusion.

"Your head will be displayed on a pike for what you did to my ruler Schnee!" aura finally manifested then making a blade of white extend out her palm as she charged. Soon, she'd have it, justice delivered to those who'd abandon their fellow warriors like those bastards had her first wielder.

"Crocea!" her hand ceased then, her crimson nail's not even an inch from the Schnee's throat. From the brush Jaune struggled out using his sheath as a crutch.

"Mors, please?" Nails shook before the heiress jugular.

"Why?" Her tone was cold and without warmth as she heard out her ruler willing to deal the blow any moment and judging by the look of dread on her face the pale girl knew it.

"You can't kill her?"

"Can't I? It'd be easy."

"But what about everyone here? They'd never let you get away with it?" she shrugged then looking through the group.

"Then they will die together, though to give their lives for a conniving snake would be quite pitiful indeed." A chuckle escaped her than.

"Tell me little hunters, do you know why I seek this girl's life?" she pointed to Jaune and for the first time they looked and gasped when they saw him, his leg missing and arm torn to rags large quantities of blood staining his hoodie.

"She'd abandoned my ruler to the Grimm, leaving him to die! Had his partner not shown up his life would be forfeit!" Ruby struggled between looking to Weiss and Jaune only breaking to catch him when Jaune lost his foot nearly falling over.

"Would you really entrust your lives to such a vile woman, a girl who'd so casually leave a boy to die alone, a meal for the grimm." Ruby looked to his leg then and sucked in a breath as she recalled how quiet it had been as her and Weiss strolled through the forest, the reason now so obvious. To the side Blake glared at Weiss seeing every bit her father there while Ren and Nora stepped back the idea of a huntress leaving people to grimm terrible.

Yang gritted her teeth certainly not a fan of the bitch who fucked her hand but sure as hell not on ice bitch's side especially knowing her sister was grouped up with her. Pyrrha herself made her way to Jaune shooting the heiress one final glare and then there was Weiss herself. She stared at Jaune, his body utterly in ruin, his leg gone and body bloodied as the woman's words rang to her. She'd done that to him?

Nero advanced, taking slow steps towards the heiress her eyes dull, she'd killed plenty. Thousands of lives even over the century. Yet this would be the first one by her own choice.

"Jaune!" Ruby rose her voice and before she could turn she felt a hand grip her ankle and when she turned she saw her ruler on the floor from falling over as he gripped her leg his azure orbs pleading.

"Stop, please." She growled.

"Spare her? You can't be serious?"

"I am."

"But look at you! You're in ruins all because of her! You should've died! So why, why wouldn't you want her to suffer for her crime before she does it again." Jaune forced a smile as he looked just past her.

"Look at her." She turned seeing the girl staring at Jaune eyes still in clear disbelief as she shook.

"Can you honestly say she looks like the kind of person who'd backstab others?" She bit her lip.

"She could've gotten you killed, should've."

"But I'm alive, and besides… I don't want you to be a murderer." She wanted to laugh at that, how childish, if he knew the number of lives she'd taken. However slowly reasoning returned to her as she sighed turning back to what mattered most and helping Jaune stand. If it was his order she'd let the Schnee live.

"You truly are a kind hearted fool, yet I don't detest that naivety of yours." Jaune smiled to her a genuine smile.

"What can I say mom always said kill them with kindness." She snorted, of course Aria would. She looked to the Schnee seeing her injuries, she'd live but would be quite the burden as is, still this could prove useful for her master.

"Ruler, perhaps you should practice your semblance here on the snake." Jaune blinked.

"Semblance?" Nero sighed.

"Oh right, you wouldn't know. A power unique to you."

"Wait! Like a superpower!" Nero chuckled supposing it was as good a way as any to describe it.

"Yes, yours falls in a supportive role, allowing you to multiply other's aura or boost facets of it, healing being one of them." Jaune blinked.

"Aura? That barrier junk that can heal." Nero nodded before looking the Schnee's way.

"I left her in quite the state, and while her shoulder will be fine if treated soon there could be some long lasting effects." Jaune looked to Weiss then going wide eyed when he saw her injury.

"Oh Oum!" The blonde struggled to her almost falling over if not for Nero holding him upright.

"Calm yourself, she's fine. Plus… I would prefer you keep distance from her, try to use your semblance from here." Jaune looked to her.

"What? But I've never used it before, heck I didn't even know what it was until you said it right now." She chuckled.

"Of course, however it will hardly matter with me here." Her hand rose to the center of his chest tracing his breast plate.

"We are intertwined, I can act as a medium, all you need do is try and I will fill in the rest." He nodded slowly and she smiled.

"Good, now then raise your hand to her as if trying to touch and try to heal her, will yourself to." Jaune rose a brow a smidge of doubt blooming but complied none the less. Raising his hand he focused on healing her… to no real effect. He just stood there looking like an idiot. How the heck was he supposed to heal somebody.

"Wow." Hearing Ruby he opened his eyes to be blinded by a bright light, seeing it Nero smiled.

"Well done my ruler." Jaune saw as the light spread reaching Weiss and coating her in its bright white her bloodied shoulder glowing extra brightly.

"Impressive, healing variants are rare amongst semblances, and that is but one aspect of your Aura amplification." Weiss felt as her flesh mended, and pain vanished until finally the light faded completely. When she looked to her shoulder, she found it as right as rain she looked to Jaune readying to thank him only to pause when he looked away a note of… fear present. Looking down to where his leg should've been she bit her lip.

"Um, Jaune?" Turning Jaune met Ruby's gaze who looked nervous as she looked to his leg and blood over his form, she shook, was he why Weiss turned back… did she unintentionally leave him there too. Leave him to the grimm.

"I'm, I'm sorry." Jaune looked confused before he followed her gaze to his leg, or lack thereof.

"It's not your fault craterface." Raising a hand he rubbed her head a small bit of his light mixing into hers empowering her. Ruby then looked to Nero with a glare.

"And you… I-I don't like you." Nero rose a brow but ruby pouted.

"You attacked Weiss, and broke Crescent Rose, your mean." The blonde beauty chuckled supposing her points were fair.

"Very well, but I do hope you don't expect an apology, for neither my treatment towards the pale viper nor the condition of that vanity piece." Ruby glared, actually glared almost hissing like a kitten at the blade given human form. It was adorable really.

Hmm, silver eyes and loyal to a fault, a bit of poor taste in weaponry but everyone has there faults I suppose. Then again, she did recognize me as a classic.

She nodded to herself, making a decision about the tiny rose.

"I like you." Ruby paused at the sudden declaration as Nero pointed to her.

"I give permission, you should sire my Ruler's heirs." Ruby went red confused by the sudden declaration as Jaunes sputtered.

"Crocea!" But as his noble blade she ignored him focusing on what mattered and pushing forward on the now blushing rose.

"Just consider it, the power of the silver eyes alongside the might of the Arc lineage. I shudder at the prospect. Oh, but what of his partner." She looked over to Pyrrha then noting how the redhead was just as stunned as Ruby or Jaune or anyone else for that part. She smiled then.

"Well I suppose one or two wives will hardly matter, in fact it may even be necessary." Both looked shocked as they were lost for words while Nero looked to her ruler.

"What are your thoughts ruler? Are they not attractive."

"What?!" Nero chuckled before growing serious and looking up and no sooner did a shadow emerged above them.

"Well, it would seem we have company." Above a familiar Nevermore screeched alongside its murder of dog size brethren. The nine looked up in shock. Nora and Pyrrha wasting no time readying for a fight the pink themed bomber looking a bit excited at the prospect of facing the mob of bad birds.

"Lets get em Renny!" Ruby looked up readying herself until she realized Crescent Rose was out of commission and herself effectively helpless, looking left she found Yang only slightly better off with one of her gauntlets and Weiss without her rapier.

"No, we can't we should just get the relics and get out." Jaune nodded, that as a plan he could get behind and apparently Blake and Ren agreed. Nero however looked up.

"True but do you think they'll let us? The Grimm aren't known for their mercy after all." As if to answer the smaller Nevermores let loose a barrage of feathers upon the group. Most rose their aura's Pyrrha her shield while Ren and Blake avoided the pinons entirely. Jaune attempted to raise his shield but to little effect as Nero rose her hand parrying the feathers.

The group struggled against the assault as one after another of the Grimm unleashed projectiles upon them. Jaune looked as the others begun to give. Their auras only lasting so long and less from their bout with Nero or the forest itself. He looked to Nero then seeing her so easily fend off the blows.

"Nero please help them." She looked to him.

"And leave you, not a chance." Jaune gritted his teeth.

"So what, I'm just supposed to stay here and watched them get turned to pincushions? Please you can help them right?" Nero looked into his azure orbs finding the plea in them and determination alongside it, she smiled loving that fire in his eyes.

"Instead of asking me to, why don't you save them?" Jaunes paused.

"What?"

"You have the power my Ruler."

"I-I do?" She turned then her skin harder than any blade against the incoming feathers as she stretched her hand out stroking his cheek.

"Yes, you are my ruler after all, the one I choose." Even now his aura warmed her his soul's light brilliant white as splendid as himself.

"Do you wish to save them? To prove your family wrong?" The answer was instant.

"Of course." She smiled, her heart trembling in anticipation.

"Then all you need do it wield me once more, entrust you life to me like you had all those times you faced the Grimm. If you do that, I will entrust everything to you including the power you've always deserved." Jaune shook at her words and yet when he looked to the others he didn't hesitate meeting her gaze with eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

"If you can give me the power to save them, I promise to wield you and never let go." She smiled ferally at the declaration knowing that out of everything in this world nothing was more powerful than a Arc's word. She leaned in then her lip brushing his as she spoke.

"Good boy, now show this world the power of your lineage." No sooner did she place her hand in his before breaking into light, shifting and morphing into her originally state, the light particles broke revealing a pristine blade as white as his aura. He looked down at it in recognition but also shock.

"Crocea Mor?" She giggled in his mind.

Yes, my ruler.

She hugged herself in ecstasy.

To be in your hold once more, it's truly bliss.

The Nevermore screeched backing away as the alpha cawed, it focused on Ruby the one who's hitched a ride on it and let loose series of pinions on the shocked rose. She readied to move only to find herself pinned, dozens of the smaller pinons nailing her cape to the floor.

"Ruby!" Yang reached out only to feel several pinons impale her forcing to her knees. Ruby's life flashed before her eyes as the feather soared towards her until a otherworldly white blade impaled the earth before her. It was near instant as before her white light erupted and from it Jaune appeared hand gripping the blade's hilt and eyes set on the pinons rushing his way.

Now!

He obeyed as Crocea burned white, just as Nero had said he'd been able to use that odd ability Warp strike. Now for the other one. He swung Crocea Mors waiting till the moment his blade made contact.

"Full Counter!" Light flashed and no sooner did the Nevermore scream as feathers tore through their ranks. The group froze as the Grimm ceased their assault on the teens attention focused on the boy holding himself up by his blade before the silver eyed child. Ruby looked before her confused as her newest friends back faced her.

"J-Jaune?"

"Are you okay Ruby?" His voice was calm, far to calm for someone who'd earlier been screaming from being launched off a cliff. Before her the waited the moment a pinon came into range he'd swipe repealing it or initiating another 'Full Counter' and sending it back to end the soulless beast's false life. He didn't understand how he knew what to do, how he could maintain his calm or even what these powers exactly were. All he knew is that he could feel her, Nero embracing him, not his flesh but something deeper at his core.

Splendid my Ruler.

Is, is this your power Nero?

The woman chuckled at the question and despite her not being visible he could feel her shake her head.

No… Jaune, do you truly believe your lineage gave up on you?

The large Nevermore roared commanding it's underlings to fire upon the boy not caring for how many of them would fall to his Full counter only that they'd give him an opening. Several unleashed a torrent of pinons upon the Arc while even more dived intending the run the Arc through with their beaks.

While it is true that your family denied you…

He didn't hesitate throwing Crocea forward into the nearest bird running it through.

"Warp Strike!" The Arc vanished becoming nothing more than a blur that almost instantly appeared beside his blade its hilt firmly gripped. With a thrust the blade tore apart the grimm and he swung bisecting a close by brethren of it before directing his gaze towards the incoming volley of feathers.

That your sister's ignored your dreams…

"Full Counter!" The yellow death once more flashed white as the feathers launched forward into the mass.

Your father rejecting your hopes and your mother turned away from you pleas…

The Giant Nevermore screeched seeing its opening unleashing colossal pinons the boy's way to run him through. Seeing it Jaune mecha-shifted his shield amplifying it with aura blocking the feather that sent him plummeting to the ground. The Never screeched pleased until a Arc of aura rushed forward slamming into its exposed chest. As the dust cleared Jaunes stood his blade a mighty crutch and eyes burning blue.

Do not believe that to be the same as the Arc family turning away from you.

He swung again one aura arc after another soaring through the air slamming into the giant bird, each cutting deep making miasma spew forth.

They always watched you…

He roared throwing Crocea Mors into the air the blade impaling itself into the birds left wing.

They saw it all, your struggling, your efforts, how even when you'd fall down, even when everyone would tell you you couldn't you'd stand back up challenge the destiny your father had decided for you.

Appearing beside his blade he drew on the third power he held allowing his aura to surge through his body, mix with his blood, flesh and bone.

"Over Critical!" Gripping the blade with both hands he swung down tearing off the wing, the Never screamed as it fell.

They watched it all, and I swear by my honor, never once did they look down on you, never feeling you were shameful, weak or unsightly… All they ever felt watching you was pride.

Jaunes roared as he thrusted down piercing the bird's chest, his blade burning white.

Pride in the boy who'd so desperately struggle to live up to his families name, joy at every small step forward you'd take towards becoming stronger and respect for your determination to challenge the number one school for even a chance to become a hunter.

slowly the gathered light began to expand upon the blade tearing deeper into the Grimm's flesh a war cry he swung left tearing through the giant bird's ribcage. The beast hit the ground then creating a dust cloud from the impact.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha rushed forward, the only one as all the others could do was stare.

You asked what this power was my Ruler, it is evidence.

Evidence?

Yes, of their faith in you, of them leaving it all to you, their cultivated knowledge and technique and even the echoes of their semblances. They've entrusted it all to you.

Ruby readied to rush to her friend to but froze as she saw something only she could see, her eyes powers blessed by the brother of light who controlled life.

"W-who… are they?"

On the cliffside a mug hit the floor shattering, Glynda turned to her headmaster then seeing the usually always calm man looked to the display with wide, trembling eyes as a tear ran down his face.

"J-Juno…"

slowly Jaune looked to Crocea.

"T-they?" She smiled within his soul.

Yes, my ruler, they. The ones whose stories you were raised on, who you looked up to and wanted to stand beside in your family's history.

Beside Jaune Ruby could see three figures, one a man larger than life with a mane of long hair and a thick beard to match. Another was a knight who looked straight out of the stories she'd been raised on his armor an otherworldly white and a cape with a pair of crescent moons plastered upon it. However, the one that drew her eyes most was the sole woman among them, her form was rather plain by comparison to the other two, she was beautiful but looked rather soft. Yet from her she could feel nothing but power and love in equal measures as she smiled to Jaune.

The heroes of the Arc family, the former patriarch and progenitor of your house, this is proof my ruler, proof of their acknowledgement of you, of their chosen successor...

Of the one who will be the strongest Patriarch!

The three figures smiled upon him, upon their heir and Crocea's newest wielder, The other seven looked to him, to Jaune who stood a beacon of light within the fading Nevermores black miasma. His visage looking like that of the hero he always wished to be and by his ancestors and blade's wills he would be. An Arc like no other.


Happy Thanks Giving