Jaune Arc 2.0

Chapter 2 Rebirth

Happy Thanks Giving.


Concept: Jaune Arc 2.0 Second chapter


-2 months Later-

A Beringel roared as it bore its weight down upon him but that didn't deter Jaune, in truth despite the floor being littered with so many corpse of his former tries he was filled with will.

Soon… just one more after this bastard and I'll be moved to a proper body a body to stop them.

Jaune had suffer thousands of deaths he had been rendered near insane by being torn, ripped, blasted and disintegrated apart as he went through each of Watts's trial. But whether it was Robots or Grimm he managed to pass them all and this one would be now different Jaune stabbed the sword into the Grimm's abdomen and flooded it with his aura before pulling back and rushing away.

The Beringel roared in protest but Jaune didn't care he wished the trial's were like the test and allowed him to advance through with what he could collect from the former but there was no such thing. Wishing he had a reactor Jaune rose his shield and was struck way by the Grimm into a wall. The Beringel hadn't realized how big of a mistake it had made.

"Thanks for giving me some distance buddy." Jaune activated his semblance and the Grimm exploded.

"Well done 626." Jaune fell to the ground and looked up to the speaker.

"When will I receive an actual name doctor."

Not that I need one since I already have one.

"Soon after you meet our Queen, All you need is one final trial and then you'll receive your true body 626 and after some mere… conditioning I'm sure our Queen will be excited to meet you."

Jaune wanted to vomit at the words after all they were talking about the woman in charge of Cinder. But he knew better he knew that with the flip of a switch he could end him. So he would play along long enough to get a shot a destroying whatever gave him that power.

"Understood."

"Good now then prepare for rest 626 tomorrow will be a big day for both of us."

"Oh really, how so Doctor?"

Are you gonna kick the bucket you sicko.

"After some basic test and adjustments I will be leaving to report your progress to our Queen alongside the success of the bonding."

"I see."

And there's my opening.

Jaune didn't know how many people beside the doctor, himself and Penny there were but he was sure it was at best under thirty or so. Slowly the Arc made his way out into his stasis room were his body would be scanned and necessary information for being a underling would be uploaded directly into him. He felt a long needle enter the back of his head.

When I escape I'm destroying this thing no matter what.

Despite his grips he found some very useful information including the names of those directly under Salem who weren't like him. Guess they wanted him to know who he would serve. He searched for any back doors he wasn't to good at hacking but thankfully things weren't to safe guarded from inside the servers. Which made sense considering that the ones who were hooked up to it were less than a year old.

After a few hours of digging managed to find a list of people on his bosses blacklist. And it infuriated him.

1. Ozpin
2. James Ironwood
3. Neopolitan AKA Neo (Possible Traitor)
4. Pyrrha Nikos (Fall Maiden)
5. Ruby Rose (Silver-Eyed Clan)
6. Qrow Brawen (Ozpin's Eyes)
7. Glynda Goodwitch
8. Team (R)WBY
9. Team (J)N(P)R
10. Ghira Belladonna

Ruby and Pyrrha were named and near the top, it did infuriate him that the others were grouped together. Though he understood the reason they knew taking out Ruby or Pyrrha would enrage the other and they would need to be snuffed out.

I won't let that happen.

As he closed his eyes he thought of the few memories he had of his friends.

I'll get back to you all.

-Next Day Observatory-

As Watts waited in the room he examined the final body for 626. In truth it was about ninety percent finished, it still required a finite aura control of the steel strings to levitate weapons that the others had. It was also missing the proper implants for him to keep track of its condition however 626 was a survivalist if nothing else. He believed that if it was stable and healthy he managed till he could finish the other parts.

It wasn't as though he could be blamed either, after all he had a mere two months to finish this design unlike the usually four the others provided. Even if it was solely focused on a single body the time spent to develop certain software was just large regardless of quantity of quality. However, he was confident in its other specs it my have been born solely from the Arc boys DNA but it was in no way inferior to the others. In fact with the mechanical skeletal frame and artificially upgraded Organs he dare say it was superior to its originator.

Originally such a body wouldn't be capable of bonding to a core do to the rejection of the artificial soul. However, 626 was different the Arc boy's aura bonded with the AI so seamlessly it was almost as if it were already a soul. HE was sure he'd bond to the body. He looked to the body and smiled.

"You are truly glorious."

-Test facility-

As Jaune stepped out to the field he prepared himself.

"626 are you ready for your final Trial."

"Yes."

"Very good then show us your loyalty to our lady." The door opened and from it a figure stepped out.

It can't be…

"A person?" Jaune lowered his blade as before him a Faunus was bond and presented to him.

No…

"Now than 626 kill him."

"Doctor I hardly see the challenge in this."

"Heheh I agree compared to everything else you fought a bond Faunus hardly seems a challenge."

Yes.

"Exact-"

"However, this is but a precaution to see if your dedicated to our Queen's ambition."

What?

"Usually the final challenge would involve killing a failure brother or sister of yours however, we found that you had been searching for unique information."

Shit?

"admittedly I jumped the gun and had feared that you were perhaps showing signs of your progenitor's disposition however the others assure me less than two percent of your kind had ever exhibited these traits all of which never made it past the basic testing stage. however, I concluded that this would be a good way to clear any doubts. The man before you is a threat to our organization you are to kill him and lighten our load so to say."

This can't be happening. I can't kill someone in cold blood.

"Who is he, I uh haven't seen him on the blacklist."

"Why would that concern you?"

"It wouldn't…"

Come on think!

"But all the test were so difficult that this seems almost like a freebie, which makes me think there's more to this than meets the eye. I wouldn't want to fail by kill an ally no matter how expendable he is."

"Aha s clever as ever I see, however I assure you that's not the case. The man before you may have certain shown up on the list of our allies seeing as he's a member of the White Fang but I assure you he is a traitor to them who turned his gun on his own comrades after witnessing the fall of Vale. The only kills under his belt are his own factions so rest assured he is not a ally nor anyone of significance."

"I see…" Jaune looked to the blind folded man and felt his stomach twist. He had nearly resolved himself for what he was about to do.

"Doctor if I may ask one final question?"

"'sigh' proceed."

"This… man did he info attempt to inform anyone of our Queen's plan if so we should silence those individuals as well."

"A truly good question, no fortunately he had not he was fully devoted to humanities destruction but after seeing his own fall as well he had a change of heart nothing more thankfully."

Thank the gods.

"I see well then." Slowly Jaune drew his sword.

I… I have to for…

Jaune took off the man's blind fold allowing him to see the face that would end his life and respecting him enough to never brake eye contact.

If I don't… I won't be able to escape.

"Because you betrayed only your people and not our mistress I will gift you a quick death."

I won't be able to save Penny.

Jaune rose the blade above the man's head.

Or see my friends again.

"Who shall ever kill shall be killed in turn I accept this and this law of karma and for my Queen bare it."

To save them all from these people.

Jaune brought down the blade, ending the man's life. When he killed Cinder there was a reason, she fought, she tried to kill him no she did kill him, but this man he was defenceless... He may not have been innocent but, but he didn't deserve to be cut down like this. He wanted so many things, to vomit, to cry to rage and to loss his mind for what he had done. But for now, he held it all in and laid content with the idea of wishing himself to suffer a thousand more deaths before entering his final body.

"Doctor… I wish to have one more try at some Trials."

"Hmm. I suppose I could always use more data very well. Which ones?"

"All of them."

"May I ask why you wish this."

"to prove to myself I'm worthy of that new body."

To suffer for this sin…

-11 Hours Later-

He had been laid to rest yet again, but it wasn't like the usual ties as he was actually conscious this time he laid in an odd machine and had wires hook up to his entire body.

"Are you ready Jaune?"

"Yes." The door in the room opened and before him a huge pod was presented inside was a body hooked up to as many wires as he was.

"Is that?"

"Yes this will be your final body 626." Jaune looked to it, the body looked similar to the one he was currently in but a bit more… defined. It had all his features but also some odd red dots on certain parts. Over each hand, knee, both temples and at the center of the chest. However beside that it looked just like he did… before he died.

"Are you ready 626?" Jaune smiled this was his chance he knew with this body he would certainly get out of here.

We're almost there Penny.

"Yes." As the words left his mouth a odd sensation overtook him as a he felt not only this bodies sense but also the senses of the new form before him.

What?

Slowly he opened his eyes and both bodies looked to one another while sharing the same conscious.

Is see… Its time.

Jaune closed his eyes in the temporary body never to wake them again and he felt what remained of himself leave to his new vessel, his second chance. Jaune looked to himself suspended in the strange liquid. Before he tried tapping the glass and surprisingly shattered it.

"I can't believe how quick you established the bond to your final vessel." Jaune's eyes widened as he heard the oh so familiar voice but this time it wasn't through a speaker. Looking up Jaune was met eyes with Watts for the first time.

This is my chance, no remember the plan wait till I know what I can do. As much as I want to end him I can't, not yet.

"Thankyou sir." Watts smiled surprised that 626 showed no resentments, he had expected him to attack him like so many others. Watts smiled at the boys words.

"Tanks aren't necessary, only results." Turning away from 626 he made way to the next room.

"Come now 626 I believe its time I show you what your new body is capable of." Jaune followed the man fighting the urge to attack him while his back was turned.

There's no way it would be so easy to kill him, He somehow knows I won't attack him. That or he was some kind of contingency… If he made me he has to have some kind of kill switch or at least a way to subdue me.

Jaune wasn't willing to gamble on this, somehow he had to figure out what was inside him that made him that gave them the ability to cause that searing pain and ability to black him out. After entering the next room Jaune was surprised to see Watts gone.

"Ah there you are 626." Jaune looked around for him before looking up and finding the man in a observatory of sorts, sipping tea.

"Well now are you ready 626?" Jaune tilted his head, donning a quizzical look.

"Ready for what?" The man smiled.

"Why to learn what your new body is capable of." Jaune suddenly remembered that the man had mentioned something about this before.

I need to figure out all I can about what I'm capable of before I bust out.

Jaune nodded to Watts a determined look in his eyes.

"Good now than first I want you to try fighting these." With little more than a snap of his fingers a door opened to reveal yet another squad of Atlesian Knights.

"So where's my weapon?" Watts smiled.

"There are none, now fight." Before Jaune could ask any further questions, the knights opened fire. Seeing the attack Jaune didn't hesitate and begun to run diagonally from the droids. To his surprise however he was much faster not only that but upon a bullet or two hitting he barely felt it at all.

How strong is then body?

Deciding to risk it Jaune changed directions and rushed at the group tanking the gunfire. By the time he intercepted the bots he pressed his hands against two.

Let's see how this body handles my semblance is.

To his surprise he could feel the aura channeling somehow easier. Suddenly both bots glowed fiercely before exploding.

No way, explosions like that would usually require more than double the amount I used! Somewhat excited Jaune rushed forward destroying the remaining bots as he gained a grasp on his new found power.

"Very good 626." Jaune turned back to Watts.

"Is this all?" he honestly felt stupid for being so rude given the situation however Watts hardly seemed to mind.

"No, so far you've only seen how your new body has improved you current capabilities" Jaune heard the sound of another door opening from it two spider droids emerged their plasma bust ready.

"What!" both released the blast out at blinding speed.

Am I gonna die?

Jaune watched as the attack neared knowing he wasn't fast enough.

No I can't die yet.

Jaune quickly covered his face with his arms in a futile attempt to protect himself. The blast struck creating a colossal explosion.

What?

Jaune opened his eyes to see the two spider droids before him.

did they miss me, no I felt an impact.

Jaune looked down and was shocked when he saw his arms they were completely black. Looking at his body his entire body was covered in a jet-black steel like skin.

What is this?

"Behold your first power." Jaune looked up to Watts.

"This ability took quite some time to figure out and I had all but given up on it however after a great deal of research I figured it out. the ability to re-arrange the configuration of carbon atoms in a body, allowing one to transform their skin into Graphene. It was far from easy to do. So far your body was the first capable of it. As far as aura is concerned it only requires it use to alter the skin not maintain it. I call it Ultimate Shield." Jaune looked to his body and then to the droids before him seeing that they were reading for another blast.

"Now than look to your palms."

"huh?"

"Just do it?" Jaune turned his hands to himself a noticed an oddity, at the center of each palm were a small marble like orb.

"What are these?" Jaune touched one of the orbs and noticed he felt it.

Is this an actual part of my body?

"Those are an experimental bioweapon I developed. They are also the reason you exist."

"What?"

"You were a result of aura residue we collect from Vale, Of course your already aware of this, correct?" Jaune nodded to the man.

Tsk, so he knew.

"Did you ever wonder how we achieved that, collecting the aura that is." Jaune looked to the small orbs in his palms.

"We did so with a special tool able to absorb and direct energy, including aura, this technology exist even in Atlas albeit in the experimental phase. Those orbs are follow the same principle to save you the time just refer to them as your Absorber" Jaune focused on the small marbles surprised.

so there like the thing Ozpin used to make Pyrrha the Fall Maiden.

"Now when those things fire I want you to try and absorb some of the energy."

"What?!" Jaune looked to the doctor than to the spider droids and then his hands.

"You don't have much time." Just as the words left the doctors mouth one of the spider droids let loose a blast that threatened to envelope Jaune completely. Doing what the doctor said he rose his opened palm, and do his surprise the blast distorted and begun to be pulled into the marble like orb. Jaune could feel his aura returning to his body being replenished by the blast.

"My word your capacity for storing aura is more than I suspected." Jaune looked to the aura surrounding his form amazed by the mass. Looking to his palms Jaune decided to try something and rose his had up to the droid.

If I can absorb energy… than maybe I can expel it to.

Jaune focused his aura and made it settle inside the orbs and released it. From his hands a blast of energy lunged out piecing leftward spider droids leg, tearing through it.

With this kind of strength.

Jaune smiled and begun tot rush to the droids, despite their blast they proved futile against his ultimate shield. Jaune reached just before one of the droids who rose one of its blasters to him, but Jaune didn't try to block or even so much as flinch. But stuck forward with as much strength as his new body could manage he was shocked as his fist punch a hole into the spider droid.

I wasn't this strong a moment ago, does absorbing energy give me a boost… Watts doesn't know the full specs of my Absorbers yet best to keep as much hidden as possible.

Jaune let loose another blast of energy directly inside the spider droid no sooner did the bot cease all movements. Jaune quickly jumped back from it knowing he hit the reactor, the spider droid exploded the force of it tearing off huge chucks from the second one. Raising his hands Jaune fired off another energy blast the tore into the other droids exposed core ending it as well. Jaune fell to his knee acting as those three blast were his limit.

I have to lower these guys as much as possible.

"Very good 626, I hadn't even considered using the absorbers to fire energy back."

Dammit, I was too eager.

"Well than take a rest and prepare, while I won't be here for a while tomorrow your test will resume."

"Understood." Watts smiled back to his creation.

"I expect great things from you, do not prove me wrong." Jaune smiled to the man.

"I would never dare disappoint your expectations of my powers."

In fact I will exceed them when I destroy this place.

"Well than goodbye for now 626." As the doctor left Jaune swore the to himself the next time they met it would be when his side were defeated.

-Next-Day Testing Facility-

After three weeks since Watts had left Jaune finished his preparations. He maneuvered around the Paladin avoiding its more lethal attacks while testing the limits of his Ultimate shield. While it was indeed powerful it was far from its namesake drastic changes from hot to cold would make it brittle and while it could tack any attack the body inside was still susceptible to vibrations, temperatures and biohazards.

The Paladin launched its fist down missing Jaune again however Jaune merely smiled at the large bot and ran up its arm before launching an energy blast into its side upon seeing the exposed circuits Jaune rushed forward grabbing a fistful of the exposed circuitry and begun devouring the electricity within. However unknown to the researcher he was also hacking the robot's hardware.

Got it!

Jaune found the flood of knowledge entering his mind once more as he entered the sever as the paladin's AI.

Gotta be quick.

Jaune knew he only had seconds inside, thankfully the group in charge here were a cluster of assholes who loved having Jaune face dozens of droids. After his first three hundred or so attempts he finally managed to figure how to bypass their firmware and link up to the system. HE had done this dozens of times each day and while not physical straining mentally it was utterly exhausting.

Come on show me, show me!

Jaune had managed to recover plenty of data from the system from access codes to the staff's schedules and even where Penny was. Yet what he needed above all else was the where on his body Watts contingency plan was, until he found and destroyed that he knew any attempt at escape would be pointless.

Dammit! No!

"Tsk."

Jaune jumped back from the now drained Paladin and allowed his vast aura to flare.

"Very impressive No. 626." Jaune looked to his ultimate shield and saw how it was showing signs of wearing down he then looked to the camera.

"Let me fight more opponents."

"I suppose that could be arrange if you allow us to run some diagnostics." Jaune frowned at that he really hated letting these people examine his body sometimes they even went as far as dissecting certain parts of him. Worst of all was he knew with every time they did they were learning how to create more like him, he was essentially helping the enemies. Luckily only Watts was allowed to do so against his will leaving him at least something to negotiate with the doctor.

"Understood."

"Great well than we have just the right opponent for you." The door opened and no sooner did a small pact of Beowolves rush forth each's intent keen on Jaune. Jaune rose a hand to the pack and let loose a energy blast that slammed into the probable leader of the pack based on its being a alpha. Not wasting anytime Jaune rushed in and struck the nearest Beowolve away before he turned to the next and lifted his leg bringing down a ferocious axe kick upon it, tearing it apart.

Hearing the howl of one leaping from behind Jaune stretched out his right hand to block his main body from the Grimm's claws and teeth. Upon turning he saw the final two closing in reluctantly Jaune flooded his aura into the Beowolve's he ensnarled neck and triggered his semblance. The trapped Beowolves writhed and struggled to free itself until its entire body abruptly expanded and exploded. Looking to the two remaining grimm blinded by the massive flashed. Not wasting the opportunity Jaune rushed forward gripping both monsters by their necks and slammed them down into the floor before letting his absorbers go to work.

Both Grimm howled in pain as their life force was being stolen from them and they regressed to smaller forms. Jaune could feel his body heal from the taken vitality of the grimm, with a final whimper the two wolves vanished from this world.

Jaune stood up looking to his palm, life energy was different when absorbed mainly he could feel his enemy weaken and succumb to death as he drained them. He didn't much care for that, which is why he would only use it against Grimm he hated thinking what he'd become if he did it to a human. However, what made him truly disgusted wasn't that he felt sickened by using it but thrilled.

I wonder if that's the Grimm inside me that enjoys taking and devour life, than again maybe… maybe when I was brought back we became on the same… Am I really Jaune or that thing that was inside him?

Jaune took a deep sigh as he looked up to the camera.

"Well than put me under… let's just do this." Jaune saw as gas flooded the room they would use it to render him unconscious he'd grown used to it. He felt everything growing darker and prepared for the deep sleep while they examined him.

-Meanwhile in Anima Village-

Flames dyed the night red as blood as its crackles rung in chorus with the countless scream, why was this happening. The day had been so plaining just like any other, at least until the sun begun to set, it was then that they heard them, heard it. At first the guards had mistaken it for a horsemen but they were wrong, oh so very wrong, by the time they'd realized what it was it was already far too late.

A roar that could wake the twin was their sole warning that they were being attacked and no sooner were they overwhelmed by the army that followed the horrid horseman like Grimm. The guards fought with all their might but they were no match for the hordes and were overwhelmed their screams didn't last long but the sound of they bones crunching still remained.

People tried to flee or hide but both options were just as pointless as the other, The Grimm found them all to easily and ended their brief existences. All but him…. Even now he ran through the woods no longer being able to see the burning barn he had once called home. He could only hear his aunts final words to him before she forced him to run while she distracted the Grimm…

You have to live…

He wanted to cry and curl into a ball but if he dared to he knew they'd catch up to him so he continued to run to the next village. Why… why did it have to be his home, his friends, his family… if they were all just going to die like this then he'd rather never be born.

You have to live…

He already lost his parents to the Grimm, so why again… why did the gods have to take his aunt too? He was told that huntsman was like hero who'd come and save the innocents but that was a lie… they never showed up to save his parents! They didn't stop the Grimm! And now his Aunt was gone too! There aren't any heroes in this world!

He remembered the recording of the nearly fall of Vale during last years Vytal Festival, he remembered that person who stopped the criminal responsible at the top of that tower. He remembered that bright light that saved all of Vale, he remembered cheering while his aunt cried and explained to him what he'd done. That's right there are no heroes in the world… only Martyrs.

Just as he felt his body grow dull alongside his hopes he saw it, the village… hope.

You have to live…

He rushed with all his strength to it, if he could get there even a second earlier he would, if he could warn them maybe just maybe they could send a search party for his village. Maybe they could save some of the other survivors! With all the strength Oscar could manage he pushed the strangely unguarded gates open. With a smile of relief on his face he fell to the ground of the village of Shion.

However when he looked up all the joy and hope shattered as before him was the villagers looking back to him, in chains. At the center was a sole huntsman laying on the ground dying and around the lot of them was countless bandits with the all so dreaded flag. The flag of the Branwen Tribe, before Oscar could act a bolt of pain rushed through his body and he was unable to move.

"Well, well looks like we lucked out. Good thing I decided we should stay overnight huh… still if he's here it means the Grimm we drew toward the village attacked the one nearest. Maybe we should head out while we have so much merchandise hehe." Looking up Kibo was met by a rather scrawny looking man when light brown hair that shifted to blonde at his ends. He looked rather plain but somehow sleazy with the only distinguishing feature being his crooked smile with a missing tooth. The sleaze ball leaned down towards Oscar his disgusting smile only seeming to widen as he spoke.

"Well kid I got good new and bad news for you. I'm Shay D. Mann by the way but my friends call me Shady so of course you can call me Shay. Now then the good news is your safe and sound from the Grimm now, the bad news is your not a person anymore." Without flinching the man kicked Oscar's face knocking the kid out before turning to his men.

"All right everyone the Grimm are closer than we thought so we're heading out! Take the captives." Before he could explain further a few dozen bullheads begun to land however unlike the usual they were painted black signaling their relation to the underground faction of Mistral. Before Shay could enter one a man of his spoke up.

"We're not heading back to base." At that Shay broke into a fit of laughter.

"You fucking with me kid, that's rich! No, no if the boss lady found out we were abducting people she'd kill me… unless they were good for ransoms but nah she doesn't know." At that the bandit seemed to become more guarded as he asked.

"Then what are we doing?" At that Shay smiled.

"Making some honest lien my friend. Some friends of ours in Mistral are running low in supplies back in the big city, were merely filling up their stocks."

"So… slavery." Shay shrugged his shoulder, after all this wasn't the first time he had to explain this.

"I'd prefer to think of it as volunteer work… permanently of course and without giving them a choice but still."

"… But what about the boss's orders?" Shay grinned at that.

"Aw stop worrying ass kisser, all Raven wanted was for us to take all we could from their supplies and kill the people here and we did that… after all they're not people anymore just walking piles of Lien." At his words the man seemed to calm.

"Besides it too late now if we back out our customers won't be happy, so let just be some good little campers and make the delivery."

"But what if some huntsman finds out about our operation?" At that shay broke into a second fit of laughter.

"Man have you been out of the loop, haven't you heard the huntsman in Mistral have been dropping like flies. They barely got enough fresh ones to guard the gates let alone focus on us, why do you think this rookie was all we had to deal with." Shay pointed his gun at the downed and dying huntsman as if to prove his point.

"Trust me kid, we'll be fine. So just shut up and do what I say got it now come on let's go." With that the man reluctantly nodded before grabbing up the passed-out Oscar and making way to the Bullhead as the other directed the remaining villagers of Shion into the Bullheads. With confidence Shay stride into the bullhead before looking to the others inside and seeing a few familiar faces.

"Henry my man!" Before Shay was a rather old friend a runt he had tried to kidnap for a ransom but failed miraculously but luckily, he wasn't the only one after switching to be a mock defender for the teen the two had become pals. Even more fortunately the family found use in Shay as an in-between for Branwen as long as they paid Shay would ensure his group would turn a blind eye to them and mislead Raven.

Of course, that all changed a few months ago after the Fang attempted to down Mistral with all the ruckus the Marigold had decided to dip their hands in human trafficking in Mistral and Shay was just the man they needed for the job. Marigold had moved to Mistral to learn the trade and since then the two had been all but inseparable. For a pampered brat Shay had to admit he liked the cut of Marigolds jib, the kid could act classy one second, be a total flirt the next and then stab you in the back by the third.

"It's good to see you too Shay, it's been far too boring with my men, I could use some good old fashion rough language." To that Shay smiled.

"See that what I like to hear kid, by the way last thing I heard you had your eye on the former Schnee Heiress right, so what happened there you get that bitch on her knees or what?" At the question Henry's expression twitched before lowered his head.

"Thing went less than ideal there… I attempted to court the vixen, but her team got in my way and she ended up leaving with another man… however it would appear it was a blessing in disguise last I heard she was pregnant. my understanding is that she intends to carry the child out of wedlock." Shay adopted a calmer nature and patted the kid's back.

"Well hey sound like you lucked out to me… so you know don't let it bother you to badly kay kid."

"Indeed, besides I've been informed that one Pyrrha Nikos will be Mistral soon perhaps this may prove to be a far greater venture. I always did want to court a legend." At that Shay grinned again.

"There's the spirit from what I've heard she was the bomber kid's partner so just aim at her grief and you'll be golden." At that Henry seemed to perk up before smiling back to shay.

"Yeah your right. So Shady, how'd many you get." Shay leaned back in the cushion.

"Eh after we 'took care' of the old birds and brats under five we got roughly around forty men and thirty women." At that Henry seemed to relax.

"That'll suffice, good work old pal." Shay shrugged waving his hand dismissively.

"As long as your good for the Lien no thanks are needed… so you manage to get anything while you were in Vale?" At that Henry smiled.

"Yes actually though my good or more on the quality side then quantity. We managed to capture a few Fang members on our way back here but in Vale we got quite lucky." With a snap of his fingers four people were brought forward each in cuffs om their hands and legs and with collars around their necks. Without even having to guess Shady could tell all four-had aura, after all the collar and Cuffs were made with Atlesian level technology to suppress Huntsmen.

It wasn't hard to tell who were the White Fang after all each were still in uniform, the one guy had freaking wings growing out of his back, yeah not exactly rocket science. Shay wasn't really focused on him though the two faunus chicks were decent looking hell if not for the black veins coming from the spider faunus the chick with blue hair would be just his type. The other Fang girl could pass as human actually, she had dark skin with even darker spot a gray eyes tinged blue.

However, while the two girls were well within his strike zone they where completely off his radar as he stared at the sole human. IT wasn't just because she was knockout or that he felt a tightness in his pants but because he recognized her. Despite the Branwen living out in the wild that didn't mean they didn't know anything, especially when it came to darker side of things the criminal world was Shays bread and butter.

And any self-respecting thieve, conman or kidnapper didn't get very far without learning about those at the top of their profession. So naturally Roman Torchwick was just shy of being an Idol of Shay's and anyone who knew Roman had to know about his ice cream themed mad dog. Neopolitan AKA Neo the last person you wanted to meet in all of Vale. Somehow by some Miracle Henry had managed to capture her, how was beyond him.

"Holy shit kid… you actually did catch a legend." At his words Henry nodded.

"Indeed, you wouldn't believe how much some of our associates paid for a chance to… 'Pay Back' our little associate here. I'd even dare to say if not for her aura she'd have long parted from this world, fortunately for us that is far from the case." Looking to Neo one could see the scars and bruised scattered across her body each seemingly telling a story of her abuse however Shay could care less about that and instead looked to Henry excitably.

"How much!" Henry smiled back to him before shaking his head.

"Sorry Shady I can't sell her to you. We'll be holding an auction with miss Neopolitan as the highlight." Shay slumped his shoulder at that.

"Well how much for one of the faunus there, I like the looks of the spider chick even if those veins are a bit of a turn off." With a sorrowful expression Henry once more shook his head.

"Once more I'm afraid I can't be of much help there more so then with miss Neopolitan, Sir Jacques had paid himself for these three. I'm afraid as soon as the auction ends they'll be delivered to him personally." The three white Fang members paled at that Shay could understand upon looking he could see the scares and bruises on them while not as pronounced as on Neo he was sure they were tortured much the same.

"Damn, come on kid do me a solid here and give me something at least." Henry considered his sleazy associates words before looking back at him with a nod.

"Very well, there are still a few hours before we reach Mistral I wouldn't mind lending out miss Neopolitan till then given that you avoid leaving any marks to further lower her price." At his words a huge smile spread across Shay's face. Henry looked away from Shay and back out to the forest of Anima a small smile forming on his pristine face.

Pyrrha Nikos… I simply cannot wait to make you mine.

-Laboratory-

"No. 626 has grown quite strong wouldn't you agree?"

huh?

"Indeed I had no fate it would integrate originally however it did so splendidly."

What's going on? How am I hearing this.

"At this rate he'll become the perfect weapon."

Is it because of the Beowolves I absorbed… did they somehow increase my resistance to the gas. That has to be it, I can feel my gaining back my strength.

"Look at the sheer increase in muscle mass after using the Absorbers on Biomass. To grow so powerful just from absorbing a Grimm's body, could you imagine the results of letting him devour a human or faunus."

The hell! No Jaune calm down this is my chance… once I know where my control is in my body I can make sure to absorb Grimm when they examine next.

"Okay doctor Jasmine I'll be collect blood samples. While I do that have his brain connected to the severs so we can have a closer look at his AI."

That doesn't sound good.

"But professor, if we do that wouldn't doctor Watts be furious?"

"As if I care about that pompous asses concerns while he may have created this body 626's was birthed through my research not his. How dare he takes credit for my success! No hook him up I want to see what he knows, about P.E.N.N.Y."

Penny!

"Y-yes."

"Good, while 626 is indeed valuable Polendina's toy will make a fine weapon as well."

What!

"Just from examining her body we've made leaps and bounds in our research, imagine what'll happen once we overtake her AI."

You bastards! I'll ring your necks for this!

Jaune could feel his strength return but not nearly fast enough.

"But sir forgive me for saying this, but I feel that android lacks the mental fortitude to attack innocents."

"Pfft, that'll hardly be a concern, all we require is the data. once we have that well wipe her so called Soul from clean of emotions. Heheh after all what we need are weapons not children."

I-I'll Kill you!

As the words left his mouth he felt an odd sensation in his head.

"Connection established, sir beginning scan."

Jaune felt himself hook up to the sever.

This is my chance! If they figure out what I've been doing they'll wipe me for sure… and then Penny will be left to them!

Not wasting a second Jaune begun to hack the system and found what he'd been searching for, the blueprint for his new body.

There it is, it been in my brain the whole time.

"Sir somethings wrong with the systems!"

"Is that damn robot trying to hack the systems again!" Ignoring Jaune they didn't notice how his head glowed with aura.

Have to be precise, just enough to fry it nothing more…

Using his semblance Jaune detonated a small explosion within the black box in his head.

Yes!

"No sir its, its." The woman turned, and her eyes widened.

"Me…" As the older professor turned he was met by two cold azure orbs glaring down at him.

"626! How!"

"AHHH!" Jaune grabbed the man by his neck and lifted him in the air. Seeing this the woman turned and ran.

"Put me down! I order you!"

"Fat chance… now your gonna pay for what you've done to me and Penny." The man sneered and reached into his robe pulling out a small remote.

"I said let me go!" The man pressed a small blue bottom and smiled, however that soon turned to a horrified frown.

"Why aren't you… in pain?" Jaune's eyes narrowed as the kind light seemed to fade from them.

"I destroyed the black box." The mans face contorted into that of utter fear. Jaune felt his emotions dampen, he had learned to do it to his fear, and joy so he could cope with those horrendous tests. However, never did he think he could dampen his sense of remorse, no it was more than that.

I see maybe when I killed that man… I learned to dampen even my humanity… how fitting now I'm just as machine as those knights… Knight that's a good name.

"You know when that bastard Watts told me about these Absorbers I promised I'd never use them on a person." The man soon felt a searing pain as he could feel his aura being ripped from him and added to Jaune's own.

"And I intend to keep that vow, which is why it's a good thing that you stopped being human a long time ago." Upon feeling the last of his aura fade he felt Jaune devouring something else his very life essence... his soul.

"…Please…" Jaune's eyes didn't falter.

"Did you ever care when someone else said those words… I'm sure we both know the answer to that."

"62…6." As he looked one final time into the boy's cold eyes he saw it and finally realized their mistake.

"No… Jaune Arc…" Those were the last words he spoke as his very soul was devoured by the boy they had revived and threw into their own well designed hell.

-?-

The professor woke inside a void his body was gone leaving him as little more than a small glowing orb.

"Where am I?" looking around he saw nothing.

Was I absorbed, even my soul? Is this inside Jaune?

~…Finally…~

The man felt his back shiver as he heard the words spoken through a almost growl like whisper.

"Who's there?!"

~…Me…~

The professor searched around himself looking for the voice half hoping he wouldn't find it.

~…So long, trapped inside, sooo… Hungry…He finally… gave me a… TREAT!~

The man was soon startled to find a small collection of what he could best describe as ambers. But instead of feeling confident against the small specs of light he felt only dread. Each burned with a bright and ominous scarlet hue like fire.

~Waited so long… couldn't eat what… remained of his soul or I'd… fade too, starving… but now I, CAN, EAT!~

Without a word the ambers swarmed around the orb and begun to pierce its form burying themselves deep inside.

AHHH!

~EAT! DEVOUR! CONSUME! GROW!~

The embers glowed brighter as his soul dimmed until the small specs of red light erupted into a hellfire, taking the shape of a Beowulf's head it bit into the dimming orb and begun to tear it apart.

~FEED ME! LET ME TAKE FROM YOU~

Soon what remained of the flickering soul disappeared into the jaws of the flame. Of the Grimm that died inside Jaune when he sacrificed himself.

~FEED ME MORE! IF YOU DO I'LL LET YOU REMAIN AS THE RIDER! HUMAN, FAUNUS OR GRIMM IT MATTERS NOT! JUST LET ME SAINT THIS HUNGER!~

-Laboratory-

Jaune looked to the man's withered corpse and then to his orbs which had turned a deep red.

"Very well I'll feed you however you'll never devour a human or faunus…" He expected the Grimm to roar in defiance but instead he could feel it practically drool. It had to be hungry, after his sacrifice it must had been rendered to less than him. He was sure it wanted to grow back to its former power. It must have known what he meant which is why it wouldn't rebel. Slowly he turned to the door of the lab and made his way out allowing his ultimate shield to cloak his entire body.

"Fortunately there are plenty of monsters here I don't mind feeding you." his blue eyes glowed a fierce and demonic crimson that seemed to match his pitch-black form.

~YES~

-Extra Meanwhile in Vale-

From the downtown area of Vale two figures emerged from a movie theater and while both were faunus a single look would make it clear they were not kin. One was a boy no older then ten his faunus heritage was evident by the fox tail growing from his posterior.

"That was awesome!" To the boy's cheer the older one of the two a brunette teen sporting a pair of brown rabbit ear smiled.

"I'm glad you liked it Kiba, nobody I know likes to watch musicals, let alone the animated one…" Kiba looked to her clearly not able to fathom her statement.

"B-But those are the best one! your friends are weird." To his words she smiled happily, however it didn't take long for Kiba to look down a tinge of guilt evident on his face. Detecting this she asked.

"Kiba is everything okay?"

"um, Velvet…"

"Yes?"

"Is it really okay, for you to be here?"

"Huh?"

"It just… Cardin told me he was going on a mission with Jaune's team to Mistral…" Velvet gave the boy a confused smile.

"Okay… and?"

"Well, is it okay that your team didn't go instead… I'm sure miss Nikos would've been happier with you and miss Coco going with them instead. After all your 'really' strong." Velvet still didn't understand why the boy looked so guilt ridden.

"Well yes, we were asked however, Coco refused. "With her words the boys guilt visibly grew.

"So then it is because of me…" Velvet was a bit surprised by the statement.

"What? Kiba dear what do you mean?"

"Well, it's just, Aqua and Bell said that I'm wasting everyone's time… because everyone from Jaune's, Ruby's, Cardin' and your team teach me all the time. They said because of me you're not able to help as many people so I should stop bugging you." At the boy's words Velvet felt a stir of less than admirable emotion begun emerging.

"Did they now?"

Those little bitches!

"Did your team not go because you promised you'd take me to the movies?" Velvet smiled sweetly to him before patting his head.

"Not at, coco did decide to not participate since we just got back from a mission. Besides I took you to see it because you earned it, it's only been a few months since we've started training, yet you managed to graze me in training today." Kiba looked down a slight blush on his cheeks and a chipper smile on his face.

"It wasn't anything special, all I did was get lucky." Velvet flicked his forehead and begun to wave her finger at him.

"Kiba, don't write yourself off so easily, hasn't Pyrrha talked about that with you?"

"Yeah… your right… It's just, weird that everyone wants to help me so much." To his words Velvet smiled, placing her arms around him to hug the young faunus.

"It's because your trying so hard Kiba, Jaune was the same according to Pyrrha and now she sees in you what she did in him. I'm sure you'll get into signal, Ruby's dad said you would if you kept going at the rate you are." Kiba looked up to her his smiling coming back to his face

"Your right, thankyou… do you think we can train again tomorrow?" Velvet smiled to him.

"Of course, repetition is an important part of training." To that Kiba grinned.

"Come on let's go get pizza, oh but don't tell your mom. Deal?"

"Really!" To that the boy's face lit up.

"Of course, after all your mom and dad are still on their date so you won't have dinner at home." As the boy begun to cheer in place, Velvet thought of the other member of their little circle taking care of Magnolia's other child and wondered if she was a pleased as her.

-Magnolia's House-

As the shrieked filled the night Blake could feel her power leave her as she struggled to maintain her fading will, sure that she could fall any second now yet she endured reaching towards the object of her peril with her sole salvation gripped tightly in her hand she struck forward at the shrieking mass. As she heard the sound of its tip penetrating the beast's maws she grinned in satisfaction forgetting her former fears.

'Suck, suck, suck' However just as she saw the lights of hope she realized she was being enticed by the little beast as it stared at her and she looked back into it, sure she would be engulfed within the abyss. She didn't have the strength to resist it's will and found herself being reduced more basic instinct before it and she embraced the being like her own. As it spoke its sinster words like a dark spell upon her soul.

"Bla…bla…" However just as she was about to surrender to it an eruption of noise enveloped her and like a beacon of light she was freed from its spell without wasting a second she turned to object of her salvation and grasped it. Before the beast could speak again she activated it allowing it to display her savior.

"Bake dear thanks again for watching Kibo." And like that her inner monologue stopped as she looked to the faunus woman with tired eyes and a small precious bundle in her other arm nursing off the bottle of formula.

"Sure I don't mind… every once in a while." And in truth she really didn't, after all little Kibo was precious to both theirs and JNPR's team extending to even CRDL and CFVY to a lesser extent. However, Blake was never really… confident around the small being in her arms, he was just so frail and tiny. She was scared she'd mess up and hurt him. Blake looked down to the tiny infant as it suckled on its bottle peacefully in her arms.

Slowly the pair of fox ears begun to change to shift to a more feline nature if only in her mind, this was the other reason she was uncomfortable around the child… He was a reminder of him and a future she never pursued. A small somber smile formed on her face at this.

"Well me we really appreciate it dear, thank you so much once again." Blake nodded before ending the call.

"Bla, Bla." Blake's ears perked up as before she looked down to see the tiny life in her hand looking up to her with his large blue eyes. Seeing that she caught his attention Blake smiled become less somber and more genuine as she took the bottle from Kibo and brought him closer. Kibo didn't resist instead the little figure snuggled against her peacefully, making it that much harder for Blake to burp him.

Stepping towards the window Blake looked out to the night sky, Kibo followed her gaze before being utterly astonished by the sight of the moon. Blake chuckled as she saw the his tiny hands reach out to it as if trying to grasp the shattered pieces.

"Moo, moo…" Blake felt her heart warm at the infants equal parts delight and frustration in his attempts to grab the shattered moon. As she held him she pondered what she would be doing if not here, though she already knew the answer. More than likely she'd be in the courtyard of Beacon sleeping once more in that same spot by that old sword… she looked to Kibo she was now struggling to keep his eyes open and found herself much the same.

Deciding that sleep was in order she stepped to the nearest bed and laid down alongside the infant her eyes never leaving his form. As she looked to Kibo she couldn't help but think of Jaune, however instead of feeling guilt or anger Kibo's reminder was unique. He was her hope much like the rest of her team however form Blake he was more so with only Pyrrha being her possible equal. After all Kibo looked far to much like Jaune to were if someone saw him without knowing the circumstances of his birth they'd suggest Magnolia may have had an affair.

And yet that wasn't quite what endeared the infant to her, even now she couldn't put her finger on it. reaching out her hand Blake placed her palm on the babies small chest and could feel it heave up and down. The feeling of his little heart beat calmed her for some reason as she begun to grow weak to the siren's call of sleep.

Maybe I'll dream of you tonight… Jaune.

it was only after a few minutes of Blake's soft breathes did the presence make itself known and land on the opposite side of the window. Landing there was a small Nevermore no bigger than that of a Owl of which he had the appearance of. However, if one were to see the Grimm they would feel far from comfortable by merely its size, in fact upon noting the unique mask on it's head any parent of Vale would surely freeze. After all this Avian Grimm was well known among the people.

While most Nevermore grew with time slowly gaining knowledge this Grimm instead remained at its current size as it was perfect for its prey… infants. Rich or poor, Human or Faunus it mattered not, all that concerned it was that the prey was unable to ward its attack and unable to resist it capture. Grimm by natured hunted human and Faunus exclusively adapting many forms to do so. Nevermore were a perfect example they only begun to emerge once air travel became possible and Beowulves adaptable to nearly all environments. This grimm was no different it merely evolved to hunt a certain range of people.

And besides once it had taken the infant negative emotions would practically erupt forth from the parents further feeding and pleasing the surrounding Grimm. After ensuring that Blake and Kibo were the sole residents at the moment the Nevermore begun its hunt. Launching a single feather into the crease on the window it cut cleanly but more importantly silently through the simple hook lock. Slowly it opened the window extremely cautious not to alert the Faunus adult beside it's prey. the bird slowly stepped alongside the room looking for the perfect angle.

finally it found it on the bookshelf, as it could launch straight towards the window from it. Looking one last time between its route of freedom and it's prey the Never assumed the optimal position to strike. For a silent second everything seemed as though the world had frozen in that room. But that state was soon shattered at the Grimm begun its ambush shooting out a single well aimed feather at the infant's head.

After seeing the feather impale the infant and seeing the dark liquid begun to flow did it launch forward taking only a single nearly inaudible flap of its wings before switching to a glide. Like an owl this Nevermore wings had soft down which reduced the sound of the wing resistance, it was only due to this that the Nevermore could hunt faunus in the first place. As it came close to Kibo it spread its talons reading to grip him and make way for the window.

However that never happened, despite its genius the Nevermore had neglected a simple detail. The liquid slowing from the infant wasn't a deep red but a abyssal black that it should be all too familiar with. Just as the talons begun to tap against the tiny body a tendril shot out from beneath the infant's collar striking the Nevermore's throat depriving it from the ability to scream. Before the Nevermore could frail around three more tendrils shot out from Kibo ensnaring the Grimm's wings and talons but careful to not break them and make noise.

Three Grimm felt as the tendril begun to dig into its neck burying itself deeper and deeper into its body and as much as it wanted to thrash around in resistance and writhe in pain the constrict tendril deprived it of this option.

Finally…

The voice rang through the Nevermore's mind making it cease all movements, despite the volume it was only audible to the mind.

Feed me…

The tendril deep inside the Nevermore begun to writhe as small bards appeared on it begun to puncture the insides of the Grimm inject something into its form. The Nevermore felt as its insides begun to melt instead of dissipating as per the usual and yet it didn't react and the reason was simple. Because of the voice, A voice much like her and yet so different. The voice of a ruler of their twisted parody of life, for that voice it would happily die as long as 'she' didn't speak against it.

The process only last for a minute as the Nevermore begun to fry up like a raisin before disappearing completely. No sooner than that did the tendril retreat back into the infant as if unnoticed by him, which they were. After all these abnormal limbs did not belong to Kibo but something else… something that was born alongside the infant faunus. When Kibo was conceived this being wasn't there so in a way it was younger and yet one could say it was older. After all it was once part of another. A being sealed deep within the Hero of Vale.

During that fateful day were the being saw a chance when it saw the injured Magnolia, a chance to escape inside a new host. When the boy begun to heal her infusing his own aura with hers it struck focusing as much as itself as possible into his aura changing to become like a virus and infect her. However, there was a flaw in the Grimm's plan she couldn't become his host. She didn't have to precious aura he needed to feed on to survive.

Shocked and afraid at the revelation the Grimm quickly separated itself from Magnolia abandoning its parts already inside her. Yet they did not die but found another life within the faunus woman and the infectious remains sought to feed off it to remain. However, in their current state they could not and instead infected it, becoming one with it however instead of resisting it the small unborn life embraced the darkness taking it in.

For the first time since the dark mass had been born it was accepted instead of rejected and with that something new emerged within it… feelings, its fear, its sorrows it pain and its panic and yet the tiny life still embraced it. Without noticing the darkness had given up on replacing the yet to be born life but instead chose to live alongside it and slowly but surely become less Grimm and more… human.

Must… protect…other half.