Jaune Arc 2.0 Chapter 3 Escape
Merry Christmas here's Chapter four.
-Unspecified Atlas Laboratory-
The woman ran as fast as her feet could carry her, screaming at the top of her lungs however its volume was third to the screams of the people behind her and gunfire from the guards and Atlesian knights. She had seen it, what it had done to the professor and what she was sure it was doing to the others. as she reached the next door she pressed in the code with trembling fingers, only to realize the screams had stopped.
"Stop… running…" The woman felt her entire form freeze at the two words and dared not turn back, frozen as the figure advanced towards her shaking form.
"Pl- Please… Spar-"
"Shut Up!" With a roar like thunder, the woman shut her mouth barely managing not to go insane from fear.
"What was it?" The woman couldn't understand.
"What was worth betraying humanity?" It's words stunned her, how much did it know? How?
"ANSWER!" with a roar she was rendered to her knees and begun to weep not even maintaining the mental fortitude to plead for her life. As she looked up to the being the last thing she saw was his palm and the small scarlet bead at its center.
Pecus growled in satisfaction within him as he finally lifted his palm from the shriveled up blackened body that was once the woman professor. A part of him knew what he was doing was wrong, unforgivable even and yet another part of him didn't care, reminding him what they'd done and intend to do. Besides he was sure later when he regained his humanity he would mourn enough then for now he had a goal, Penny and after that wiping out everyone here.
The alarms continued to blare but, in all honesty, Jaune had grown use to it, and besides it hardly mattered he wasn't trying to sneak around after all. No, he wanted them to come, to meet their fates, to get what they deserved. Jaune tackled the door crashing straight through it with his armored body, even now he could hardly believe how powerful he was. He really wasn't human anymore was he… but then again was he ever one or was he just a copy of the real Jaune.
The sound of advancing footsteps flooded the halls bringing the Arc back from his thought and drawing his attention. Jaune looked to the group of men who directed their weapons at him through Pecus he could detect their fear but unlike the Grimm who drooled in anticipation Jaune could only feel hate. Before an order could be given Jaune rushed forward at the crowd who didn't hesitate to open fire on him. But as it turned out the good doctor was very proficient at his work as not a single bullet managed to so much as dent his Ultimate Shield.
Before the men could realize the futility of their attack Jaune reached out his hands and gripped to of the men by their necks and slammed them down into the ground cracking the floor beneath. If not for their auras Jaune was sure they'd be dead not that it mattered, after all it only bought them a few agonizing seconds. No sooner did Jaune utilize his absorbers and begun to deprive the two of their aura siphoning it from them and adding it to his own.
The remaining guards looked in horror as Jaune's own aura expanded that much further, no sooner did the men's aura's finally vanish but to their horror Jaune didn't stop and soon a new and terrifying pain enveloped them as they felt their vitality being devoured. The two screamed, pleading to him, but Jaune's ears were deaf to their begging. The men fired upon Jaune, but none managed to lay so much as a scratch on him. Some were smart enough to run while he was occupied, however that all changed when Jaune devoured the last of the two's vitality.
All that remained was what made them, them. He could hear Pecus giggle in anticipation as the two's souls were slowly stripped from their forms. One of the guards fell to his knees, others passed out and yet some even prayed to their gods. However, one man was different and rose his gun to not Jaune but his captives before firing, the bullet tore through one of the men's head ending his life and stealing Pecus's meal.
Pecus roared in rage as did Jaune, however the man didn't bother to pay his reaper any mind and took aim at the other man.
NOOO! HE'S MINE!
Pecus roared in defiance and Jaune felt his body being manipulated by the Grimm before it expanded its own twisted parody of a soul and activated something new. From his form an odd force emerged, invisible to Jaune, the bullet crashed into the force and upon making contact for an instant a hexagonal like energy appeared. Despite it seeming like a force field to Jaune it felt more organic, almost like a membrane. The man looked in horror and with it Jaune could feel the odd force grow stronger, Pecus roared in laughter.
YES FEAR IT! FEED MY POWER!
The man begun to once more open fire but not to mercy kill the victim but to oppose the force, despite how futile it was. Jaune watched the luminous, violet barrier only grow that much stronger.
His fear! It's what's fueling it… like some kind of Grimm barrier… no I'm sure this is the A.T. Field thing in the Blueprints.
"Absolute Terror field…" Jaune remembered seeing it in the blueprint but he couldn't understand how it worked, and apparently it was useless to him, or at least it said it was.
Maybe it's because of Pecus? Because they thought I didn't have a Grimm.
It didn't matter anyways, no all that mattered was getting Penny for now, Jaune removed his hand from the cadavers before facing the terrified guards.
FEED ME!
Jaune roared as he leap upon them.
Penny waited within her body, closed out from the rest of the world, to remain free from the men outside who wanted to make her a weapon. She remained in the dark void of her private systems, she was lonely and yet she was content after all, she had helped a friend…
I'm gonna save you and then we're gonna get out of here.
Penny once more felt that odd ache in her chest, the odd sensation was foreign to her and yet it was reminiscent of when she became friends with Ruby… She'd feel it whenever she thought of the boy she saved and his promise. She had managed to see his experiments, not very long but still. Common sense dictates that he should have surrender to the pain and yet she could see it in his eyes the same determination as Ruby.
I will do anything to save my friends.
The large jade sphere seemingly shrink in on itself in thought of his words as the pleasant ache grew just a bit stronger.
Friend Jaune… please hurry… I'm lonely.
An abrupt flood of data stormed the system suddenly, as the system begun to begin clear their files. Emergency Alarms where being activated and system checks, and procedures were initiated. Penny's curiosity won out as she took down her defenses to see what was happening, sure that her captures were more focused on the task at hand then herself. What she found shocked her, it was Jaune!
He had managed to get loose and was destroying everything and everyone who got in his way with a seemingly modified body. After examining his trajectory, she realized he was heading in her direction, he was coming to her.
Until I save you goodbye…
She watched as he roared and slammed into the facilities heavily reinforced door time and time again screaming her name in a mix of desperation and rage. He wouldn't stop even as the black carapace around him begun to dent and crack. Penny's heart momentarily stopped once he seemingly gave up his assault on the door, only to be intrigued when he rose his hands out to it and they begun to admit a white glow.
With a bright explosion the doors were obliterated but at the cost of more than a fourth of his aura from what she could observe. Jaune stepped forward into the room only to be greeted by Atlesian knights and guards and yet he didn't seem the least bit concerned for his safety, merely angry that they obstructed him. Penny watched in amazement as Jaune rushed forward with techniques she was sure he didn't display during the Vytal Festival.
She understood the test and trial would have helped him improve but to this level. Penny then felt the system clean begun within the laboratories servers.
Wait… if they erase it all we'll have no proof! They might even make it look like Jaune's the villain!
At the thought the fembot reached out to the system in an attempt to take control, to help bring this place down. As Jaune fought the monsters responsible for this place's creation she fought for influence of the proof of their sin.
Jaune struck his claw forward impaling the Atlesian Knight's chest and tearing out its core, without a second thought he threw the core before a small group of knight and opened fire on it with his semblance making it explode killing those within range while he absorbed the energy directed at him.
Jaune smiled as he stepped towards the cadavers and begun to absorb what vitality remained within them, much to the horror of those still alive. Despite the Atlesian Knight's fire he continued, confident that his A.T. Field could tank the attack. With eyes full of determination and resentment he looked to the men with a smile more twisted then Tyrian himself.
"All this time I dreaded the idea of facing the whole of this hell… 'hehehe' but now…" Jaune stepped unto the nearest man ignoring his pleads and struggling he reached out his palm.
"Now all I wonder is how to find more of you." Seeing the man before them die the others seemingly gave up to which Jaune merely ignored. Screams ran throughout the room until none remained. Jaune stepped before the sole door between himself and Penny and rose his hands before channeling his semblance. He felt the tax on his body as he primed his aura as it took a third of what he had even after absorbing so many just to destroy a single reinforced door.
Dammit, why does my semblance have to be so hard to use.
…Not using it… right.
What? Pecus, what do you mean?
Semblance isn't so violent, not explosion at least… not originally. To suppress me we were constantly in conflict over your soul… eventually you adapted to combat me… utilizing your Semblance like a poison instead of a medicine.
Poison… are you saying this isn't how my semblance is supposed to work?
It is a way… gather aura and expanding it in a small space till it burst… but it can be used to promote aura's quality and quantity… to multiply the effects of its traits.
Like aura boost or amplification?
Yes…
He could hardly believe what he was hearing, if what the grimm was saying was true then, his semblance wasn't as dangerous as he thought. Then again using it the way Pecus described wouldn't be easy for him considering how use he was to it now. However as much as he wanted to learn more, at the moment that was far from his priority.
Jaune slowly stepped into the room and was greeted by the sight of two terrified scientist, they didn't last long, they didn't even have their aura's unlocked, so the draining process didn't even take a minute. Stepping past the two dried up corpses Jaune looked up to her, to Penny.
Her body still tore apart from the event of her match with Pyrrha, if he didn't know better he'd think she was dead but he knew she wasn't. Reaching out a hand Jaune begun to pull her body from the examination area before gently laying it alongside a table. No sooner did the eyes begun to dart open slowly as if no longer use to the action.
"Friend Jaune? You are here?" Jaune couldn't help but tear up as he heard a friend's voice in so long. Seeing his tears Penny tilted her head confused,
"Friend Jaune, are you okay?" with a dry laugh Jaune smiled to her.
"Yeah Penny, just, just happy to see you…" to that the ginger smiled back.
"As am I Friend Jaune… I was scared you forget… or would prioritize escape, how strange… despite the fact that was what I recommended for you to d-" Penny ceased her words as she was embraced by the figure in a hug.
"I would never." Penny smiled at the words, Jaune really was kind like Ruby.
"You needeth say such things after all your safety is far more important than my own, after all you a human…" At those words she felt the Arc's embrace tighten.
"And who decided that… who says I'm more important than you. You're my friend aren't you, that means I never abandon you understand. Besides, I've always been a tool too… to me at least your like family Penny." She didn't know why but his words made the ache multiply so much that it was nearly unbearable. Yet she didn't dislike it.
Now that he was sure that Penny was safe his priorities were shifted to his second goal. Standing Jaune looked to the door hearing the remaining guards rush towards it, he allowed his Ultimate Shield to once more form.
"Penny do you think you can hack into the systems by any chance like before?" Penny nodded and no sooner did a series of cords begun to snake out of her body luging at the nearby panels. Her eyes momentarily glowed before closing.
"I have integrated and have shut off all communications with the outside, however at least three messages have reached Atlas but none towards the doctor Watts." Jaune nodded happy at the bit of good news, though he would admit seeing the bastards face when he heard about his little rampage would be enjoyable.
"Good, Penny, how many people remain."
"23 staff and more than 200 armed guards." Jaune cracked his neck as he considered other thigs.
"Can you think of any ways to repair your body?" At the question the fembot frowned.
"No, I am afraid I am unfamiliar with the scopes of my design, in such condition I would only be a burden." Jaune shook his head before an idea occurred.
"Hey Penny do you think you could inhabit this body too, temporarily I mean? I'm sure Watts have some spares and with the remaining Scientist we should be able to recreate the process, right?" Penny tilted her head at Jaune's query.
"Are you suggesting we make a body for me." Jaune shrugged.
"It's worth a shot right? Besides I intend to burn this place to the ground when I leave, might as well use what we can before we go right?" Penny nodded in understanding clearly excited by the prospect of having a body like Jaune's.
"I would like to seek such a possibility." Jaune smiled at her as he headed towards her and allowed one of her cords to connect two a plug point at the back of his head. No sooner did the light leave her eyes before a small presence make itself known within himself.
Pecus waited in the void content for the time being as it could feel itself becoming more pronounced and by extension stable. It was now in the shape of a blazing scarlet flame with a dark orb at its core reminiscent of a meteor. HE detected the sigh of life alerting it off a new soul arriving and smiled. It hadn't seen Jaune fight but none the less this could only mean a new meal. As the Grimm prepared itself it was abruptly shocked as before it a colossal jade sphere appeared that dwarfed him in size.
Pecus this is Penny, Penny this is Pecus.
Salutation's friend Pecus, so you are the irregularity I detected in Jaune, I am pleased to meet you.
As the Grimm looked up to the colossus who clearly towered him in size and strength alike he barely managed to let out the following question.
What the fuck?
(A Few Hour Later Atlas Academy)
Ironwood sat calmly in his seat going through the exams to determine the new students for the year. However, as he did the door to his office was opened and from it his most esteemed specialist walked in. With a raised eyebrow Ironwood looked to Winter.
"Schnee? What is it?" The specialist gave a curt salute before speaking.
"General, I have something of interest to report."
"Oh, and what might that be?" Winter pulled out a document for the general before presenting it to him. At first the general showed little interest until a certain name showed up, Arthur Watts. After that he examined the file with the utmost scrutiny after finding no faults with the report he looked to Winter.
"Is this true." Winter affirmed his question.
"How long ago was this?"
"It only reached the CCT a few minutes ago." Without a moment's hesitation the general rose from his seat and grabbing his large-caliber revolver.
"Have that transmission history terminated from the files but track it back to its origin before that. As soon as we have it we'll launch a infiltration operation with more than a hundred Atlesian knights and perhaps even a few Paladins. Also don't neglect the fleet, understood?"
"Sir." That call was apparently from Arthur's assistant in an unknown facility requesting his help. However, to the General's fortune the assistant seemed to neglect to encrypt the call allowing them to intercept it.
"Sir? This Arthur Watts is related to Salem correct?" The General nodded confirming her thoughts. Winter had only recently been allowed within Ozpin's inner circle and while Ironwood had his misgivings about her he was relieved to see she proved a valuable ally. It seemed after The Fall the specialist had cut all ties to her father, whether out of shame for her actions or resentment for her father he honestly couldn't say.
"Sir upon arriving what are we to do to the staff." Ironwood's eyes adopted a calculated coldness as he spoke.
"Suppress and capture, however erase any traces of them from the world, if they'd betray humanity I hardly feel it's appropriate to treat them like people. After interrogations will execute them." Winter nodded at that before another thought occurred.
"What of the unknown entity, this 626?"
"I would prefer to capture it alive, something powerful enough to overtake a base is well worth researching. However, should it prove hostile as well as improbable to contain prioritize safety and eliminate it." Winter nodded before she decided upon one final question.
"Should we inform Ozpin General?" At that question the man genuinely paused and considered it.
"It is a matter related to 'her'… yes communicate the incident to him, we'll even hold the operation for half a day to allow him to send someone over if necessary." Before The Fall such a decision would be unthinkable from the General but now he understood the necessity of it.
(Unspecified Atlas Laboratory)
"Wow." Many things went through Jaune's mind as he entered the good doctors room, disgust, fear and exposer before at his zenith. In the man's room were dozens of pod similar to the one his body was in. in each there was a body… his body with differences ranging from small to large and then just playing ridiculous. The was some with bodies more buff then the general and even some with Faunus traits while others had obvious mechanical parts.
"What the fuck…" Jaune didn't think he was wrong to feel uncomfortable, how many of these did he make before he decided on this body. Alongside the full bodies where… parts, ranging from arms, legs and even internal organs each ranging in color or even how much was organic to mechanical.
"I think I'm going to throw up."
Why friend Jaune?
"Penny, there are literally bodies everywhere!
But friend Jaune you've been literally surrounded by the dead?
"That's… different."
How?
"Uh… huh? I guess its not." Jaune looked to his surrounding to find a suitable body for their purpose. After thinking things through three things were very apparent one, there was no way he could he, Penny or Pecus had the technical skill to repair her body. Two, Jaune's current state was very much like his own in a lot of regards and after experimenting they discovered they could in store her soul in the same container as his own and finally 3. Due to him dying multiple times Jaune was sure he there'd be at least a few spare bodies from his expendable bodies.
In his defense he was right… unfortunately, as he looked through the files left at Watt's desk and was honestly surprised by the content. According to it him being 626 didn't specifically mean there were hundreds of other him, but that there were at least 600 incidents where they managed to make false souls. After their test and trials, it seemed most vanished or died off almost like withering. It did however mean there was a few hundred bodies left over.
Looking through the fleshy vessels Jaune was still disturbed looking through them, surprised at how many really didn't look like him outside of having his hair and eye colors. It was honestly freaking him out, seriously how did they fuck up making copies of him. As he looked to the bodies he heard Penny finally speak up.
Friend Jaune look over there.
Turning to see what she was looking at through the corner of his eyes Jaune went slacked jaw.
No…
"I-is that a… girl me?" Before the Arc was himself… kinda, it was a shorter, more petite, cuter version of himself and if he was being honest with himself it stirred feelings he'd rather not think about and questions he dared not ask. Foremost being why?
Its perfect friend Jaune!
"What!"
"With a few modifications and perhaps some gene therapy it'd make a perfect body for me. We are quite fortunate I stopped the systems from wiping themselves."
"P-Penny are you serious?"
"Yes! With but a few hours to modify it and to hybridize it with my old weapons and defense system I will be fully prepared for integration." Jaune could only accept what was about to happen as he looked to the naked form before him and allowed Penny to take control of him and get started with her work.
As she begun Jaune begun to ponder from within his body, wondering how the other must be, he was sure they were alright.
-Meanwhile in Patch-
I still can't believe you, the prodigy, were willing to lend a hand to me the weakest hunter ever.
She rushed with every once of strength her worn and tried form could manage, he couldn't, not before she got to tell him. Not before she apologized! Not before they made up, not while he thought so little of himself!
Please god! Please let me get there in time!
When I left my parents told me they hoped I died a bloody death. And that the cemetery was always opened for me to return to.
No! Please, please! Not him too! You already took mom! You even took Penny So why!? Why do you need Jaune now too!
I always did want to go out with a bang.
"JAUNE!" She cried out his name with all she could hoping beyond hope he'd somehow hear her. That it would somehow make this all stop. After all this isn't what she had wanted, she had become a huntress to be like the heroes in her storybooks and so had Jaune!
So why? Why was she so powerless to stop this! Why was the knight being struck down by the princess turned villain while lamenting his own weakness, what kind of world was this that would crush her hope. She yelled to him hoping beyond hope he'd hear her and find a way!... but life wasn't a fairytale…
A despite her yells, his only response was a faint smile, whether it was actually because he heard her or had merely thought of them still remained one of the mysterious to them. As if to contrast her desperate yell a bright white enveloped the sky embracing the dark silently… It was as beautiful as it was cruel. Seeing it her yell morphed into a pained wail and was soon over enveloped by the numerous cheers.
her eyes were flooded by tears as she held herself struggling not to pass out from the strain of her screams. The nearing Grimm sensing her pain and sorrow surrounded her however they never drew even a step closer. As her falling tears begun to shift, becoming white like snow and then a deep beautiful silver much like his white light. With one last wail she enveloped everything within her silver light.
An image of him smiling to her before turning to the dark and vanishing being the last thing she could bare.
"JAUNE!" Launching from her bed Ruby rose, her face once more drenched by her tears from that same nightmare… no from the memory that refused to leave. Looking around her room she saw Weiss still asleep in her spare bed her stomach starting to show signs of the new life within. Ruby took a few breathes in an attempt to calm herself.
How many times had she had that dream now since the Fall… before it was every night but now every third or fourth day. Even after ten months that day still haunted her, Ruby reached for the nearby stand grabbing a small black box.
To: Ruby Rose
From: Jaune Arc
Always a good idea to have a sidearm, from one leader to another. Happy Birthday!
A few tears fell upon the old worn letter just like every other time she read it. Slow she opened the box to reveal the pristine combat knife with her rose sigil. The black blade shined by the moonlight as she looked to his gift to her. Without the utmost care she hugged the present against her chest and begun to cry, knowing she'd never see him again and regretting never being able to apologize, even in her dreams.
As the weight of her heart finally became bearable once more she noticed the noise of shuffling feet, even now her curiosity won out as she made way to check what it Scarlet Arc in hand and ready to stab. As she pasted her sister's room she noticed Yang sleeping quietly in bed but noticed an absence of Blake's form once more. More then likely she was at Beacon, at Jaune's grave…
Those thoughts were wiped away from her mind as the shuffling sound interrupted her thoughts once more drawing her attention. As she stepped into the living room she was greeted by her uncle. Who looked to her a bit shocked to see her.
"Wow kid, you actually managed to get the sneak on me." Seeing it was her uncle Ruby sighed and lowered the knife, much top Qrow's relief.
"UNCLE QROW!" The petite Reaper tackled her Uncle happy to see him but no sooner did her face scrunch up upon smelling his scent. No sooner did she push the grizzled man away.
"Eww! Uncle you smell like sweat and booze!... wait!" Ruby took one more sniff detecting the oh so familiar fish scent Nora and Ren made before her face turned green.
"Filth!" Pushing the man as hard as she could Ruby used her semblance to get to the sink.
"Uncle Qrowww, that's nasty!" A groan crept from her room from her partner forcing Ruby's mouth shut. As she turned to continue her scolding (uselessly cute as it was) she was met by a familiar sight though she doubted her uncle enjoyed it. Raising his broad sword Qrow was barely managing to hold off the oh so familiar guard of their house, second only top Zwei of course. Qrow could her the sound of his sword actually cracking against the other blade.
"Holy… crap this bastard knows how to hold a grudge." Looking at the display Ruby couldn't help but giggle. Above her uncle was Weiss's favorite summon, a familiar but bittersweet knight of ice, it was odd how it only treated her uncle like an intruder. If Ruby didn't know better, she'd say it was holding a grudge since when Qrow first learned of her partner's pregnancy he made some rude comments. They were all surprised when without warning Frost Jaune abruptly attacked the drunk.
Since then without warning the summon always seemed to attack him though admittedly they were all halfhearted. However besides attacking him Frost Jaune was the ideal guard even patrolling the forest for grimm during the day and around their house at night. Because of that they tended to let this one flaw slide much to Qrow's annoyance. The sound of cracking ice soon rushed into Ruby's ears as the Icey Mors shattered.
"'Exhale' Oum was that close. Bastard stop sneaking up on me, how do you do that anywa-!" Frost Jaune's icy hand slapped against Qrow's face and no sooner did another groan escape Ruby's room. Hearing it Qrow flinched, he'd learned after his sister and Summer went through pregnancy that waking up a huntress with a bun in the oven was a very good way to get burned and unlike those two Weiss happened to come with a soulless knight who hated his guts. After hearing the Schnee continue her sleep the Ruby and him sighed until his Scroll begun to go ape shit with its ringer frightening them.
No sooner than when it went off did Frost Jaune swing once more at Qrow with the icy Mors (Nora name for it) barely missing him. However, before the frozen knight could continue is on slot Ruby chopped the knight's head making it stop in place before turning to her. The knight stared blankly at the sight of a pouting Ruby.
"Bad." The icy figure looked down in mock shame, honestly sometimes Ruby couldn't bring herself to see it as a mere summon. Without wasting another minute, the figured turned towards Ruby's room heading back to its summoner's side now that it was finished with it perimeter check like always. Ruby felt conflicted when it came to Frost Jaune while a part of her envied Weiss she could help but pity her at the same time.
Just as she turned away from the retreating summon she saw her uncle finishing up his call an annoyed look on his face. With a grown the older huntsman strapped on his blade before Turing to the door. Curious Ruby stepped to him and couldn't help but ask
"What wrong? You heading back out already?"
"Yeah… Ironwood intercepted a message from a facility in Atlas." Ruby rose a brow.
"Ironwood actually contact you guys?"
"Yeah, freaked me out too… I guess after the Fall even Jimmy had to reevaluate his trust issues." Qrow turned away from his niece seemingly debating something before sighed and looked to her.
"Listen squirt, I might not be back for a while."
"Why?"
"it's seems like it might be connected to Salem…" At those words Ruby eyes adopted a much more serious tone as she was just about to turn to gear up Qrow gripped her shoulder.
"No hold up squirt, I never said you were coming." Ruby looked to him exacerbated eyes giving off a slight hostility at his word but Qrow didn't so much as flinch instead flicking his niece's forehead.
"Look you job right now is to worry about your partner remember, Ozpin only letting your team take their leave of absence cause princess there's pregnant. It's bad enough Firecracker and Kitty aren't here but if you leave too Glynda will never let me hear the end of it so no dice. He could tell she wanted desperately to argue but could find a single thing to retort.
Dammit I hate using this card.
"If it was the kid in your shoes what'd think he'd do?" Ruby brows furrowed at his words her expression showing she was less than amused. Still Qrow knew without a shadow of a doubt that hearing about him she'd cool down. Almost like clockwork she did just that as her expression soured before she turned away annoyed before her face grew depressed as she remembered her first friend at Beacon.
"Fine…" Slowly she walked back to her room
"Well shit… didn't want to depress her. Whosever in charge of that place is getting their ass handed to them." No soon than he finished his gripe did Qrow step out of the house before he begun to make way to the Bullhead. Inside the house however a young Ruby looked to the display before her, kneeled before the sleeping Schnee the familiar frozen knight that was so reminiscent of her first friend. The sight of the knight looking over the sleeping Schnee, glowing by the refracting moonlight.
The two looked almost like a the picture of one of her storybooks a sleeping princess and her stalwart knight forever by her side… Ruby had seen this sight a number of times now, but it was never any easier to see and just like everytime before she could feel tears begin to form. Wiping her face with her arm the petite Reaper made her way to her bed.
As her head laid down upon the pillow she turned to see Frost Jaune and saw him assuming a different pose as he stood directly between them looking out the window. It always did this, almost like he was protecting them both. With that melancholic thought Ruby drifted off to sleep once more hoping beyond hope that she could see the real Jaune, her Jaune just one more time, even if only in her dreams.
-The Next Day Unspecified Atlas Laboratory-
Jaune looked at the spectacle that was sunrise, how long had it been since he truly appreciated its beauty? He was sure the last time he ever really stopped to enjoy the view was before he entered Beacon. As he began to ponder his former life a dull pain came to his heart as he recalled his team and Ruby's, he missed them… but was that really okay? Jaune opened his palm looking into the small marble-like orb and recalled his foremost fear.
Am I really Jaune?
That was the question that haunted him, was he really the Arc or just a copy a fake… was it right for him to be alive. After letting the dark emotions saturate him for a few moments a familiar voice called out to him.
"Friend Jaune?" Breaking from his stupor Jaune looked back to see Penny behind him… honestly, he still wasn't use to it. Penny tilted her head cutely in curiosity.
"What's wrong?" After modifying her new body to her desired appearance Penny was in a word stunning. She had rather elegant form as the body was rather lean giving her a calming effect alongside her pale porcelain like skin. Alongside that she had long waist length bright orange hair and bright green eyes. To sum it up she was a real beauty the same type as Weiss if not a bit lively looking.
Looking to her Jaune grew a bit flustered, after all that bastard Watts had neglected to create clothing for the bodies he wouldn't use. If it were any other body in there this wouldn't have been a problem, after all they could just use one of the guard's clothes. Penny body however was female and quite lithe in appearance and as such even the female scientist was to large in the um… chest and waist areas for Penny to properly fit into.
As such even when clothed the outfit was loose in all the worse (best) spots making it very hard for him to look in his friend's direction. However, Penny seemed oblivious to this and merely continued to speak.
"I have loaded all the necessary cargo for our escape inside the Waverider." At the name of their vessel Jaune smiled and why shouldn't he after all that was Watt's favorite ship, hell the man built it himself apparently. Which made taking it all the sweeter, how lucky were they that the left thruster went out just before the bastard went to see Salem. Thankfully Penny only needed a few hours to repair it making it the ideal ride out of here for the two of them. After letting her finish her report Jaune stood up and turned to her a look of determination in his eyes.
"Okay Penny you ready to get out of here?" Penny smiled back to him.
"Yes." Jaune returned her smile before a sudden eruption hit them shaking to two from their joyful moment. Jaune and Penny ran towards the noise only to go wide eyed at what they saw.
"REALLY! THE ATLESIAN FLEET SHOWS UP NOW!"
Of course, they'd show up after all was said and done and he had kil-
"Oh Oum!" Penny jumped back from her friend before looking at the now panicking Jaune.
"Friend Jaune what is wrong?"
"I killed so many people! I'm going to jail for sure!" Finally, Jaune could start to feel the guilt of his humanity emerge. Seeing him in panic Penny patted the anxious Arc's back in her best attempt at comforting him.
"Friend Jaune, focus. We know her plans, we can't afford to be captured now." With the fembot's words the panicking Arc froze before his form became firm and his eyes adopted a cool determination. Taking a single deep breathe Jaune looked up once more to the fleet and resolving himself before he looked to his sole friend in their former icy hell.
"Thanks Penny." Giving the girl a weak but honest smile Penny felt her new heart skip a beat and was slightly scared her body was malfunctioning.
"O-of Course… what are friends for." Nodding to his flustered friend Jaune looked back to the Atlesian Fleet and came up with his plan.
"Penny I how long will it take to rig this place to explode?" Hearing this Penny didn't need long to consider.
"A hour or so though I could cut that time in half if I were to set it manually." To that Jaune nodded.
"Please do, message me when you finish." Penny showed a slight concern to her friend.
"What about you?" To her question Jaune looked back to the Atlesian Fleet who were closing, forcing his best smile Jaune flexed allowing his Ultimate Shield to manifest.
"I'll play the distraction… frankly I wish I could have a talk with Ironwood, but something tells me regardless of why all these people died they won't be so inclined to listen. So please get the place rigged to blow as soon as you can especially the files… We could use that to hopefully convince Ozpin or one of the other headmasters." Hearing his plan Penny showed concern but ultimately shook her head before nodding.
"Understood I will depart immediately." However just before she rushed off, Penny surprised Jaune by hugging him and looking up to him her bright green eyes almost glowing.
"Be careful… please Jaune." Looking to her Jaune could see her concern and felt genuinely touched by her worry. Jaune put a hand on her head and found himself giving the fembot a genuine and joyful smile to her.
"Don't worry Penny I've no intention to die yet… Besides." Jaune begun to march towards the opening of the laboratory.
"Saving you was only the first part of my promise, once we're out of here is when I kept my word."
Qrow sat in the small transport vessel of the Atlesian Fleet honestly it was a nice ride and so smooth you'd never think you were in the air. If they had a bar it'd be perfect, hell when Jimmy suggested he'd ride in on the ship from Atlas to the target zone Qrow was reluctant but now it seemed only right. Or would have if not for one thing…
"'Sigh' of course you'd be here… Oum forbid I come to Atlas once without running into a headache." To the words the woman before the him narrowed her eyes.
"Care to repeat that Branwen?" sitting across from Qrow was the absolute last person he wanted to run into, Winter Schnee.
"I said dealing with yous a headache Ice Queen." Winter face begun to twitch making Qrow smirk.
"I would advise you show respect when talking to me Branwen." Qrow chuckled.
"Yeah sure, I'll get right on that when you graduate from being a glorified lapdog." At those words Winter reflexively reached for her saber.
Oh that pissed her off.
Smiling Qrow spoke out his words like bile to the specialist.
"Careful now Ice Queen we're about to go on a mission last thing we want is for you to be incapacitated because you went and did something stupid." Qrow would see the throbbing Vein on her head as she resisted the urge to attack.
"Well damn I was hoping I could pay you back for trying to hurt my nieces team during The Fall, but it seems you've learned to pick you fights." At the words a different expression showed on the Schnee's face as she slowly ask almost as if scared of the answer.
"Weiss… is she well?"
Ah dammit… have to go and ruin my fun.
With an annoyed snort Qrow leaned back into the chair.
"Can't really say I know, that icy bastard won't let be anywhere near her, makes it a real bitch to live in the house." At his words Winter rose a brow.
"Icy… are you perhaps referring to 'that' summon of her's." Qrow put a hand to his forehead.
"Sure the hell am, you know for a popsicle he got a hell of a lot of power to him. If not for the whole being made of ice thing I'd swear he was the real deal. Too bad he apparently hates my guts, then again the feeling is mutual. Lucky bastard just knows that if I attack him the Kid and Firecracker would never let me hear the end of it. I mean seriously what in the actual fuck he only hates me! Well me and that the blue haired kid that knocked up your sis." At those words Winter went wide eyed and rose from her seat and gripped Qrow by the collar faster then he could react to.
"What did you say!"
Oh… shit.
Now Qrow may have enjoyed messing with Winter but even he had limits, if the situation were reversed he was sure head have his sword leveled with the speaker face. Slowly Qrow raised his hand to convey his willingness to comply.
"Now hold up Ice Queen, let just put the saber down before you do something you'd regret." After a few minutes of intense glaring the Specialist slowly complied lowering her trembling hands and sat her glare never leaving Qrow's form.
"Speak." Usually Qrow would be absolutely ecstatic about ruining the Ice Queen's day however he couldn't help but pity her after all he couldn't even imagine how'd he feel if the roles were reversed with Yang… or worse, Ruby. Just the thought made his heart rate quicken and his teeth gnash. With a tired sigh he begun to tell her, frankly he was scared as he saw the Schnee's face adopt expression he'd never thought possible for her.
"This Vasilias boy, where might I find him?" Qrow felt for the boy he really did but for once he was legitimately scared of the Schnee.
"Last time I heard the brat was with his team in Mistral, though I thought you might wanna know that you sis's little knight in icy armor already had his way with him shoving his ice sword up where the sun don't shine. Last thing I heard his butt is whistling up in the higher levels of the city." At his words Winter smirked surprising him.
"So he's still alive… We'll I'm sure I can fix that." At her word Qrow couldn't help but chuckle while feeling bad for the Neptune kid… not bad enough to help him but still. Winter however changed from her angered state adopting a more melancholy nature.
Weiss…
Memories of that day during the Fall came to her mind of when she attacked them under her fathers orders and when that knight showed itself… after that she had left her father's side and truly dedicated herself to Atlas even gaining acceptance into Ozpin's inner circle however, since then she hadn't heard so much as a word from Weiss. Now here she was hearing about her pregnancy from a man she considers her enemy, how pathetic was that.
"Shit… are you gonna cry?" Any gratitude she felt left with those words in that uncaring tone.
"Shut up!" Qrow shrugged at that.
"Whatever, look I don't get why your so torn up or whatever but just get over it, swallow your pride." Winter sneered however before she could retort the drunks words alarms went off alerting the two of their closing in on the location. Qrow stood up from his seat and took a deep breathe before to Winter's surprise he opened the doors letting in the icy winds.
"What are you doing!" Qrow looked back to her smiling.
"Heh, my job." At that the grizzled old crow leaped forward into the blizzard shifting his form once more to that of a crow. Winter let loose a tired sigh at that.
"I'm still not use to that…" Regaining her composure Winter rushed forward into the artic winds using her glyphs to propel herself through the icy storm. As she passed through the worse of the storm she was met by the sight of the facility and was shocked. Even from just looking at the compound from so high up its technological levels were beyond anything she had seen in Atlas.
If minds great enough to create this place are under her influence it hardly needs any thought to figure out how our systems were hacked during the Fall. After seeing enough Winter propelled herself forward with her glyphs before landing with little trouble.
"Took you long enough Ice Queen." Winter saw a laxed Qrow leaning against a nearby boulder flashing her his all to signature shit eating grin. Lifting her scroll she allowed it to scan the area before showing a 3D rendering of the facility, at that Qrow whistled.
"that's a neat trick… so why do you looked displeased." Winter spoke through pursed lips.
"I refuse to believe that this place doesn't have anti-surveillance technology… and more importantly, this should've picked up any life signs, faunus or human." Qrow's eyes narrowed at her words and adopted a more serious nature.
"So either this place was abandoned after that 626 thing got out or…."
"It killed them all."
"Any suggestions or tips Schnee?"
"…Grimm and machines wouldn't be picked up so prepare yourself." Qrow nodded before drawing his sword and cutting clean through the doors and quickly rushing in alongside Winter while surveying the area.
"Ice Queen, how long till the main forces touch down?" winter looked to the timer on her scroll.
"Twenty minutes, thirty at worse." Qrow nodded.
"Hate to admit it but its actually kind of nice knowing you'll have back up. Well we just gonna stand here and look pretty or are we gonna look around." Though annoyed Winter nodded in agreement.
"I'll take the west, is that acceptable."
"Well not like I have a choice." At that she smirked before making her way down the hall, She couldn't help but feel a slight bit unsettled bay the silence. Regardless though this hardly gave her cold feet, looking to her scroll she found the signal was lost.
Of course.
With a roll of her eyes Winter entered the neck room and abruptly froze in place, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her. Bodies, dozens of bodies that were shriveled up and blackened much like raisins, despite their rather obvious post mortem state none of them left the smell of death which only helped to further unsettle her.
What in the name of the brothers.
Slowly and cautiously winter stepped towards one of the many cadavers, a body she could barely identify as human and could only guess was female based on the uniform it wore. As she kneeled to before the form she felt the urge to prey for the poor deceased, however that want was quickly ceased when she remembered whose side these people were on.
You lot brought this upon yourselves, traitors.
Just as the thought passed through her mind she heard something, it was slight almost unnoticeable but still she heard it with her honed senses. Breathing winter quickly turned to be met by the sight of a man who upon seeing her broke into tears of joy and rushed to her. However, before he could make contact with her Winter drew her saber directing its edge at him and making him freeze in place his face expressing surprise.
"I am Atlesian Specialist Winter Schnee identify yourself traitor, don't bother lying we already know your involvements with Arthur Watts!" As she spoke the man visibly paled however to Winter's surprise it wasn't to her words but at the action of speaking.
"Silence before it hea-" No sooner the he begun was he attention taken by the eruption of a great roar that she couldn't identify from any man, beast nor Grimm. The man fell to his knees and begun to weep.
"No please! Not again, there is nobody left I can no longer hide!" Winter kneeled down gripping the man fiercely before slapping him across the face with enough force to wake the dead.
"Hide from what." The man looked to her his sanity long drowned by fear.
"626!" The roar once more erupted and Winter's attention was stolen from the man towards the vast presence she could all but seeing advancing upon her. Another roar rang throughout the halls, taking a stance Winter readied herself for battle as she heard the great force advance only to suddenly stop just before the shut door. Winter felt her sense of danger grow before a loud bang erupted as the door dented and then there was another and yet once more another.
Each great pounding against the door caused it to further disfigure and with each strike Winter found herself grow that much more cautious. Suddenly a much louder bang hit the door forcing a faction of it off its hinges, Winter felt her blood run cold as a single trail of sweat ran down her forehead. One second passed, then another and yet one more before he realized the sounds had ceased. Winter's guard remained but the survivor became visibly overjoyed.
"Yes thank the-" Before the man could finish his sentence the wall exploded stunning Winter, however as she regained her bearings Winter was met by spectacular sight. Before her stood a man, or at least the parody of one, its form was lean but exceptionally toned. Its body had not a single hair nor blemish but in exchange nor did it have any trait beyond the jet dark glistening skin. The face however was different it was just as smooth as the rest but it had a lack of ears and it canine's were far more pronounced than any human. The Sclera of its eye where a peicing black while its pupils were a sinister glowing red.
It that thing a Grimm? In its clawed hand was the survivor who was in complete and utter fear. The creature looked to her and its eyes seemed to widen in shock almost as if it recognized her before its eye abruptly narrowed and it opened its mouth to let loose yet another air distorting roar. The horrid roar forced the specialist to her knees however no quicker then it began did it stop and make way out of her line of sight with the survivor in tow. Winter shook from her stupor and rushed after it, she formed black glyphs around it however to her surprise the beast dodged them seemingly familiar with her techniques
No matter what she did the beast seemed to narrowly avoid all the while the captive survivor pleaded for his life only for the beast to ignore him. Just as Winter begun to see no chance of catching it the familiar figure or Qrow rushed forward at the beast slamming his great sword into it. However to both her and his surprise the blade bounced back cracks clearly forming on it's blade. The beast launched out it's claws at the man only for him to narrowly avoid the savage slash.
"The hell is that thing?" Qrow lined his sword with the figure but was surprised to see it once more running away with its victim in hand.
"Wait you son of a bitch!" Qrow joined the chase flabbergasted by the things durability and now its speed as well. Looking to winter the man begun to ask.
"What the hell is this thing?" Winter considered the man's question before recalling the survivors words.
"I think this is that 626 that went berserk." Qrow clenched his teeth.
"So it's 'her' newest weapon." Qrow looked to 626 and could hear the man beg however after a while the being finally stopped. Qrow and Winter picked up their speed in hopes of retrieving the survivor but were shocked when they collided with something.
"What the hell?" Qrow put his hand forward only to be met by a warm counter force invisible to the wall. Winter seemed just as stumped but tried to cut it only to be met by resistance and see the air distort to show a transparent like membrane that seemed to act like some odd barrier.
"Serious this thing can make barriers, alongside that tough hide and speed? Shit what else can it do?" almost as if responding the Grimm lifted the struggling survivor into the air who kicked and screamed in equal parts pleading and retaliation. However even if it could understand his words the Grimm seemed to care little as it begun. The man screamed out as his aura flared out but was seemingly dragged towards the beast grasping palm.
Both Qrow and Winter's eyes widened in shock as they saw the man's aura diminish while the Grimm's seemed to only grow in strength. The sight rendered the two speechless as they saw the beast seemingly absorb the man's soul. Finally the glow of the survivor's aura vanished however instead od stopping 626 continued and the man broke into seizures as his life force was then being drained from his mortal form. Winter and Qrow could hardly believe what they were seeing all the while cutting at the membrane in some desperate hope of reaching the dying man.
However that all changed with what happened next slowly the man's form begun to darken and wither except for a single glowing mass just beneath his skin that seemed to radiate. Qrow could only watch as that mass was drawn towards the palm before vanishing, once it left the body was reduced to little more then the other dried corpses.
Qrow and Winter were frozen in place by the sight however the figure wasn't as it turned to them it's eye glowing red. It let loose a deep roar, Qrow felt his hairs stand on end as the being advanced however no sooner then it began then did a huge white Nevermore dart forward at 626. Yet despite the size difference the Grimm hardly seemed concerned as it did little more then let the Grimm slam into it sending both it and Winter's summon through a wall.
For a moment Qrow was happy that was till he saw Winter's expression darken. Noticing it he turned to look only to see the Nevermore thrash about as it's glowing white body begun top shrink seemingly being devoured by the figure who now stood on top of it.
What the hell is that thing?
As it advanced neither of the on edge Hunters noticed how the pupils had changed from the demonic red to a kind azure.
What the hell Pecus!?
You said… to… draw their… attention…
Yeah! Draw their attention, distract them! Not devour a soul before them like some kind of monster!
…You know… I'm a Grimm… correct?
Yeah… guess that ones one on me… oh well, I mean it sure seemed to unsettle them, their certainly panicked and fearful. If I'd ever have a chance it'd be now. Besides, how strong could a old man and Weiss's big sis be. I'm sure I can handle it… right?
As he stepped towards the too Jaune could feel their caution there fear, perhaps Pecus little display was actually for his benefit though he'd never admit it.
Devour!
No! these aren't traitors, and more importantly their my friends family.
Collecting himself Jaune took a single breathe however just as he did Qrow launched forward at a speed Jaune didn't think possible. Instead of using the blade he slammed Jaune with the broad side of his sword knocking the arc away. Qrow looked to monster and felt a shiver run up his spine as he saw the beast looking none the worse for wear.
"Shit didn't even phase it."
"Ice Queen how long till the others arrive."
"15 minutes, though the general said he'd be the first one in." At that Qrow smiled.
"So worse case we just have to hold out for 10, best case we kill it before Jimmy gets the chance." Qrow lunged forward crashing the back end of his blade into the beast only to be met once more by the odd barrier.
huh, it didn't activate this when I ambushed him a minute ago, must mean its can only erect them intentionally.
"Qrow move!" hearing Winter yell Qrow complied leaping away only for his form to narrowly avoid an Ivory Colossal Nevermore slammed into the membrane like barrier. Seeing the incoming Grimm the beast roared and with it the barrier seemed to expand and strengthen. The Never screeched in defiance before its head finally seemed to be tearing through the barrier.
Seeing this Winter focused her semblance once more and from it a second Never more just as big as the first emerged and rushed forward breaking cleanly through the barrier and crashing into the beast and sending the three Grim crashing through a wall. Qrow and Winter didn't hesitate to advance upon it but were stunned when the smoke cleared.
Her first Nevermore was dissipating its skull seemingly crushed from the beak up as if it had crashed into a mountain. But that's not what had them surprised but instead it was what was happening to the second. The summoned Nevermore thrashed around with its single free wing but was unable to resist the beast. It stood on one of the Grimm's wings seemingly crushing it while its hands were pressing down on its head forcing it to the ground. Slowly the Nevermore's form was shrinking while the beast seemed to be growing in muscle mass. Upon closer inspection they could see a few cracks, possible from where the first Nevermore crashed into it but now they seemed to be healing at a astounding rate.
"That thing can eat Grimm to?!" The Beast let loose a mighty roar before Nevermore gave it's death cries and fell pitiably to the ground motionless as it's body dissipated.
"Ice Queen we need a distraction summon another-" As Qrow turned to Winter he was shocked to find her on the ground clenching her heart.
"What the hell Ice Queen, you feeling okay?" Winter looked to Qrow panic clear in her eyes.
"I felt it… I felt it devour my summon and with it a bit of my aura." Qrow gnashed his teeth before facing the Grimm once more.
"Suck it up, we already guessed that much didn't we? All we can do now is kill this thing. Besides if this thing gets out, a lot of innocent people are gonna die." At his word a image of her newly learned pregnant sister appeared in Winter's mind. Winter stood up her fear obliterated by her determination.
"Understood… thankyou Qrow."
"'heh' don't count on it again." The two nodded to one another before turning to the threat and simultaneously advancing on it from either side.
Jaune raised his arms to defend himse4lf but Qrow and Winter were much to fast managing to close the distance within seconds and unleash a torrent of blows on him. Despite his Ultimate Shield tanking most of the damage he could still feel the armor beginning to dent it feeling like having his bones fractured and broke.
Shit!
Jaune was swept by Winter but no sooner then he noticed her did Qrow slam his blade down upon the unbalanced Arc crashing him in the ground. Just as he readied to raise a series of Black Glyphs appeared forcing him heavily into the earth. Jaune wanted cry out in pain and from his maws a ear shattering screeched emerged.
Winter faltered but not nearly long enough for her glyphs to vanish. Seeing this Qrow called out to her before breaking into a run managing to scale even the walls and even more surprisingly the ceiling until he was directly above him.
"Now Ice Queen!" from around his form a streak of white Glyphs appeared trailing down directly to Jaune. Qrow smirked and with that Jaune understood and tried to break free despite the futility in it. Qrow rocketed down like a bullet each glyph increasing his speed and killing power. His sword tore into Jaune's chest managing to pierce his Ultimate shield Jaune cried out making Qrow smile.
"hoho, so your one of them that lived long enough to feel pain huh." Applying all the strength he could Qrow plunged the blade deeper into Jaune who responded with yet another ear-piercing screech. Qrow flinched and grasped for his ears only to feel a cold gand grip his leg.
Mine!
Percus! No!
A odd sensation to dreadful for words took over Qrow's sense, radiating from where the hand grabbed him. Opening his eyes Qrow was met by the sight of the Grimm glaring him dead in the eyes.
"Qrow!" Winter rushed forward but was met by the barrier once more.
The hell is it doing to me… my aura.
Qrow felt as his aura was being diminished and could hear his blade beginning to creak inside the Grimm's body before it begun to crake against the reforming Ultimate Shield.
Devour!
Qrow could hear a dominating voice that sent dread through his being.
FEED ME!
He felt his aura on its final sliver, he could here Winter scream out to him as she repeatedly clashed with the barrier a fierce looking Beringel at her back assisting but ultimately failing.
heh… dumbass worry about yourself.
DIE!
"Shut the hell up!" If he was going out he was going out swinging, Qrow slammed his foot into the beast's face pressing down with all his strength. The Grimm tried to roar but was kicked in the jaw.
Pecus stop!
Within the Arc rushed to the red mass that was his inner self, in response the Grimm merely ignored him but with a few words.
They will kill us… so we'll kill them… I will not suffer death again!
Pecus roared within them pushing Jaune back.
Wait stop! We don't need to kill them Pecus!
Lies! From the moment they saw us, it became their duty to eliminate! I will refuse to fade!
Jaune froze at the Grimm's words, he could hear it in its voice.
Pecus… are you scared? The flame like orb writhed in anger.
Of course I am fool! You cursed me with such!
A tendril of flames launched out at Jaune the orb of light barely managing to avoid it.
You think it was easy! Easy to be locked away when I was just beginning to understand your human's pathetic emotions!
The orb roared as its form became more defined morphing to become a silhouette like that of a Beowulf.
What would you know of my pain! You who I was born bound to!
The Grimm lunged at Jaune who once more narrowly avoided it.
You who sealed me just as I was coming into being!
The Beowulf began to tremble readying for its next attack.
You who denied my very existence and sought my purging! I was no mere Grimm, I was born from her blood! I could feel no different than you pathetic being, I only sought to exist like you!
At its roars Jaune made up his mind.
I'm sorry…
The bright white orb begun to shift until it formed the silhouette of a knight armed with a sword and shield. Pecus roared once more and closed in on the Arc.
I will devour you! I will be free!
Jaune slashed down his sword, bisecting the beast's soul before lifting his shield to resist it's attack.
I… see…I was never meant to exist.
Pecus begun to break into crimson particles and shut it's eyes accepting it's cruel reality. As it faded memories of the Arc's ran through its mind, memories of Beacon and their friends.
No… they were never mine, 'hehe' how pitiful that I would even envy those connection… perhaps that's what I wanted…
Don't you dare leave you bastard!
Pecus felt a hand grip him and looked up to see Jaune his eyes radiating a fierce light that soon travelled through his body and into Pecus. The Grimm felt his form invigorate.
Why?
You said it didn't you… I'm the rider… and you're the horse! I can't be the Rider without you! You promised as long as I feed you right! So don't you dare go breaking your word! Your just as much an Arc as me after all!
Heh… fool… to spare you enemies.
When have I ever spared my enemies Pecus… no your not my enemy… just the brother I abandon, I promise I won't leave you behind again.
Pecus's scarlet eyes bore into Jaune before he exhaled.
Truly you are a fool… however I will fulfill our pact, but be warned it is merely a whim if you show weakness I will take over.
Jaune smiled.
Great… now let's get out of here.
'Heh' fool, if we let go of the Branwen then we'll surely die… do you still intend to release him.
Of course…
Pecus's eyes narrowed on him,
I will obey this once but be warned if you plan fails I will devour them.
Don't worry it won't.
We shall see… 'heh' foolish brother…
"Self Destruct Sequence Activated, Beginning in T-Minus Five Minutes"
"What the fuck…" Both Qrow and Winter went wide-eyed at the alert. Qrow continued to strike the Grimm feeling as his aura was nearly gone unaware that his panic only made the barrier before Winter that much stronger.
"Let go you rat bastard!" The eyes of the grimm shifted to that of azure and complied with the Huntsman's demand but with a arm thinker then his sword launched a fierce punch into his abdomen with enough force to slam in into the barrier shattering it and with it what remained of his aura.
"Qrow!" Winter turned to her comrade only to feel a presence at her back before she could turn the figure wrapped her in a bear hug and begun to drain while crushing her. With a fierce flex the air left Winter's chest alongside her consciousness.
"Qrow… run." Raising from his stupor Qrow went wide eyed upon seeing the Schnee be taken before his eyes Qrow's eyes narrowed and he opened fire on the running Grimm. Seeing as its body seemed to be human in physique at least he gambled on the chance that it's joints weren't as fortified as the rest and was glad to see he was right when bright Crimson spread from behind it's knee.
"Let her go you bastard!" Qrow raised his form ignoring the pain rushing through him and begun to make chance to it.
Shit, shit, shit!
This was your plan… to kidnap a huntress?
Shut up It sounded better in my head!
Jaune felt another bullet tear into his knee and nearly stumbled, if not for all the biomass he had absorbed being used to heal the injured parts he was sure he'd have been downed already.
This is an actual plan, right? Not just an extension of your odd fetish for the Schnees right?
I said shut up!
Jaune felt another voice in his head however this one came from the transceiver implanted in his skull.
"Friend Jaune, All preparations are ready, Jaune smiled."
"Just in time, heading there now be ready to take off!"
"Understood will be leaving in ten minutes 'explosions' Oh dear, it would seem the Atlesian Fleet is trying to stop me, best make it 2 minutes Jaune otherwise our probability of escape will plummet..
"Dammit!"
I can help… We devoured some Nevermores after all.
"What does that have to do with anythi- Do I have wings!" From his back two massive black wings emerged however Jaune could feel the majority of his reserved biomass vanish with their manifestation. However, he hardly had the time to worry about that now and chose to attack launching feathers at Qrow who was forced to dodge giving Jaune some much-needed distance. Seeing the chance Jaune used his wings to take off much to Qrow's annoyance.
"Oh Hell no are you getting away from me!" Qrow shifted into that of his namesake to chase after the Arc.
Did he just change into a bird! What the actual fuck!
"Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!" Despite the sheer ridiculousness of the scene of a Grimm monster running from a mere bird Jaune couldn't exactly help it. After all he had very little time to get away from the man with every moment he could hear the Huntsman gaining on him. Finally he could make out the sight of his ship, its thrusters activating.
Almost there!
Pushing all he had into reaching the ship the doors to it opened and from it a jade beam launched out passing Jaune heading towards Qrow who dodged the attack giving Jaune just enough time to enter. The door slammed shut and Jaune could hear Qrow on the other side returning to his human form and bash against it.
"Penny Get us out of here!"
"Roger Friend Jaune!"
"Dammit! No! Ice Queen!" Qrow struck the iron door with all he could his fist bleeding and in turn the door begun to dent from his strikes.
"Let her go!" Qrow felt the rumbling of the facility followed by the heating of the twin thrusters of the ship. Slowly the Waverider begun to float seeing this Qrow launched into a panic and begun to rabidly strike the hull of the ship with all the desperation he could muster.
He remembered summer and how he was to late to save her and now it was going to happened again. The memory of that thing draining the survivor came to his mind further fueling his mad attacks. What would happen to Winter would be much worse, he couldn't let that happen, however as he gathered his resolve the thruster of the Waverider went off and the ship launched forward at a speed Qrow wouldn't have thought possible. The force of it launched him back into a wall, knocking the old grizzled huntsman out.
The last thing on his mind as his fell to the darkness was how Salem took his partner from him… and now her newest lacky took his comrade.
While still carrying winter Jaune rushed to the front of the Waverider managing to find Penny who was currently driving the ship managing to hack it systems to do the job of nearly a dozen men. The ship begun to rumble as the Waverider was fired upon by the Atlesian fleet. Jaune could tell that even with it's defenses at this rate the Waverider wouldn't hold out.
"Penny Status report!"
"Ship's defenses have been heavily damaged if we take much more we'll go down."
"How long will it take to we're clear of firing range?"
"Calculating… several minutes minimum, Friend Jaune what are your orders?" Jaune looked to the Atlesian fleet and narrowed his eyes.
Pecus can we go airborne this high up?
Dangerous… but possible.
Jaune smiled.
"Penny stay focused on getting us out of here." Jaune let go of Winter before stepping towards the window shattering it.
"I'll buy us time." Jaune jumped out before the window was sealed.
"Fri-… Jaune, good luck…"
"Huh? Sir what's that?" From within one of the many Airships a piolet noticed it a small black dot emerging from their target.
"Is that a Nevermore?"
"Who cares! Take it down!" The ships begun to fire upon the Grimm but found it far more evasive then one would expect narrowly dodging their attacks as it closed in. Finally, the beast got close enough for them to make out its form and upon seeing it the men froze.
"What the hell?" Its skin was black and smooth, with sharp claws and fang and crimson glowing eyes however what was most notable was the large pair of Wings on it's back, if somebody told him it was a demon he'd be hard pressed to deny it. However just as the horrid figure was seen by the piolet it disappeared from sight.
"Sir our scanners report an abnormality on the hull."
"What is it on our ship? Get me visuals now!" No sooner did a screen light up showing the abnormal spot but what was there was certainly no Grimm, instead it was a odd looking ebony mass.
"What the hell?" The small mass laid at the section where the wing connected with the hull, it pulsed like a heart but seemed to only do that and that alone.
"Sir reports are coming in! that things panting these thing all over the other ships as well!"
"What!" No sooner did the Grimm once more appear before them however despite its demonic appearance somehow the captain felt a remorseful disposition from it. The Grimm the roared out and its body begun to glow a fierce white opposed to it's black hue. On the Screen the captain could see the mass's begun to glow as well.
"No…" Several of the closer ships to the Waverider became enveloped in a bright white light strategically placed along their wings or thrusters tearing them off and sending them plummeting to the ground. Ironwood's eyes went wide at the display as he saw the ships plummet.
What in the world is that thing?
"Order all men to open fire on the ship behind him! It's protecting it." The sounds of hundreds of beams spewed forth as they rushed towards the Waverider however to the general's surprise the grimm rushed back to the ship landing directly on top of it just as the beam's were about to collide they crashed into a invisible force. Ironwood watched as the translucent force begun to shine red and seemingly expand.
A barrier!
The beast let loose another roar and even Ironwood felt his spine shiver before he noticed that the barrier seemed to further expand.
Wait… if it had that why did it bother attacking us… unless it needed to, could it be?
"Jones do you have that ship's signal yet?"
"Yes General." James's nodded before he looked back to the Waverider and the Grimm perched on top of it. Ironwood gritted his teeth know what he had to do especially if his theory was correct.
"All men retreat!" in his heart he vowed to catch the beast but knew that now was not that time. Slowly he watched as both it and the ship vanished into the distance.
-Next Day Atlas-
With grasping breathes Qrow woke wide-eyed and panicked, reflexively grabbing for his weapon he realized he was garbed in all white, in a hospital of Atlas.
"What the hell…" The huntsman tried thinking and soon found his answer.
"Ice Queen!" Qrow began to lift himself from the bed only to stop as he caught sight of himself in the mirror all nicked up and bruised like in the good old days when he and Tai would scrap over Summer. However, as he looked to the mirror a thought occurred and he looked down to himself and begun to focus only to find his suspicions right.
"My aura…" His aura wasn't manifesting.
