Inspired by 'A Knight's Final Fight'

-oOo-

After some deliberate and bizarre clusterfuck of a situation, Ozpin had to tightly grip unto something else he would fell unto the floor like some stoned drunkard after a rough night.

But well, he can't say he was unhappy with how things turned.

Little Ruby and Taiyang was reunited with Summer Rose, the woman they all have thought to be already deceased. But even though the atmosphere was quite fluffy and light-hearted with them, things can't be said the same with the other side of the family.

Yang could only stares at her mother in total silence, seemingly demanding for a respon from the ravenette. If they was still able to use their aura right now, Ozpin was sure her semblance would be at full power within a second.

And as he had expected, Raven simply ignored her daughter presence. Qrow, being her brother, could only stayed silent and tried to calm his nephew down from doing anything rash.

Other than that, the Belladonna family tried to mend their relationship back while also looking at Adam Taurus and Sienna Khan from the White Fang.

Not to mention, the addition of Roman Torchwick and this unknown, seemingly dangerous didn't help to ease Ozpin's alertness.

"This things better worth spending my time, especially with..." Roman didn't dare to continue his sentence as he cautiously looked at Cinder and her group.

If Cinder noticed Roman's suspicious behavior, she doesn't give it a single bat of her eyes. Her mind was currently too busy trying to understand the situation she was currently in.

And this is not her attempt to distract herself from the disturbing fact that she cannot use any of her power, magic or aura, at her will. It's not.

While the other was mulling over their own personal problem or a simple curiosity, a fairly joyous, reunited family was currently talking to each other.

"Ah, this Jaune, you seems really close to him aren't you, Ruby?" Taiyang idly commented while not trying to scowl at the world 'close'.

As far as he knows, Ruby barely had any boy friend when she was in Patch. Do note, boy friend. So it was understandable for him to get suspicious, or at least that was what he thought.

Catching what was currently her husband thought inside that knucklehead of his, Summer could only sigh under her breath before redirecting her attention back to her daughter.

"Well yeah! He's basically my first friend and my best friend at Beacon- actually, my second best friend. The first one was owned by Weiss."

"Hm? You sounds really close with him, Ruby?"

Slight tint of pink dusted her cheeks, causing the both parents to narrow their eyes in completely different glint, one was mischievous while the other was rather suspicious.

"W-well, yeah... I mean... He's really kind and cool, and also kind of a dork just like me, so it was nice to think that I wasn't alone, and awe loved the same comic series." And she was already rambling off, "And he also baked me some really good cookies before!"

Cookies? This is suspicious/really, really sweet!

Suddenly, heir conversation was cut short as their kidnapper, or host to be put more nicely, called for their attention.

"I'm sure that you all have your own doubt and acting as vigilant as ever right now, but everything will feel much more nicer after you gave yourself to get used to it. " Even with such a featureless figure, it still looked so amazing how he could express emotion and charm, "Now, I would like to show you one of the viewing we are planning to show. I hope you're having a good time from watching this."

And with that, the giant screen at the front of the room quickly come alive. The group of students couldn't help but feels quite excited at what they were about to see.

Unfortunately, their bright expectation will only be met with a disappointment, sadness and utter confusion.

"Take care of this, and sorry... Pyrrha."

"What?" Pyrrha mumbled, the cheeriness slowly dissipated as she was met with confusing scene.

With a smile, I throw my sheathed sword, Crocea Mors and its sheathe, at Pyrrha and shove her into the rocket locker.

"Jaune?"

Blank look flashed for a moment before realization began to kick in and mix of confused panic spread on her face.

But it was too late for her as the door quickly closed and automatically locked itself. The locker soon began to take off, leaving behind the loud shout of my name from Pyrrha.

"JAUNE!?"

"Whatever this is, it doesn't sounds quite good." Sipping from his canteen, Qrow idly commented while sneakily glanced at the kids who began to look worried.

"Thank you for your insert, captain obvious." With a frown, Winter chastised the drunkard.

It wasn't exactly about their rivalry(?), but rather because Winter was doesn't want to see the children get agitated and scared. She doesn't know what exactly does that smile means, but she was sure it was not good.

But those who have through a numerous things in their life understood perfectly what does that look on Jaune mean. Most of them winced.

He looked like he was ready to die.

Seems like Taiyang need to keep his eyes on this lad.

An invincible girl who have a lot more potential and be a maiden compared to a wimpy boy who faked a transcript to get into Beacon. Heh, the choice is obvious, Pyrrha, you're far more valuable than even a thousand of me combined.

And I would rather have myself die than losing you.

"W-what... Do you mean... Jaune... Die...?"

Tears slowly gathered around the corner of her eyes. What does he means by dying? And what does he mean by she was more valuable than him? H-he... Will be alright, right?

Meanwhile, the other who wasn't too preoccupied, or just trying to ignore the ominously tragic sentence, noticed some particular detail.

"W-what!? He fakes his transcript!?" Weiss was the most vocal among them.

"Weiss, read the room, Weiss!" Luckily, a whisper shout from an equally confused Blake was enough to calm the white-haired girl.

"B-but-!" Weiss wisely chose to bit her tongue.

But she promises that she will get down on this matter on a later date...

'Maiden...' Ozpin's eyes visibly widened, if Jaune, and possibly Pyrrha, knew about it of all people, then something really, really big must have been happening.

His eyes glanced around, and he met the gazes of each member of his circle.

I can't help it. Once again, I choose to satisfy my selfishness just like before.

I was selfish to the core, indeed.

Slowly making my way towards the elevator, I began to took every pieces of my armor one by one. I'm pretty sure that bringing any metal into her vicinity would only give me a disadvantage.

Come to think of it, I didn't wear my usual Pumpkin Pete hoodie today. Hah, I guess I ran out of luck because of that.

Unfortunately, his attempt to make a joke failed to humor anyone as the thickly grim become more intense inside the room. Even Weiss' began to feels scared at a scary possibilities that appeared out of nowhere inside her head.

Fear is one hell of an emotion, unsurprisingly.

"Man, can't believe you managed to luck in to the Beacon with something like that." Well, except Roman, maybe. Dude was trying to ease himself to be honest.

I felt the elevator began to move as I put my hand into the pocked of my hoodie. Luckily, there's no dry, ambient music playing in the background as the lift slowly shifted up.

I guess there's still a blessing in this whole mess.

Though, I can't help but think that this is the punishment for my selfishness.

After all, I was too selfish to listen my family's concern about me being a huntsman. I was too selfish to acknowledge my condition that prohibited me from being a huntsman. I was too selfish for stealing my family's treasure. I was too selfish to took someone else's place in Beacon.

I was too selfish for giving Pyrrha a bitter end.

But I guess I will end this all now

Family? Condition? Bitter end? What is happening?

The students felt the world swirl as an odd ringing appeared in their head. Disbelief clouded their head from the truth, but they knew that deep down something horrible will happen to Jaune.

They don't really care about the fake transcript anymore.

"F-fearless leader..."

Ever since my birth, I have been diagnosed with a condition.

I don't know the detail of it, but I'm pretty sure that it was related to some nerve problem. Along with some mental condition like ADHD, multiple personalities disorder and something... Something about hallucination I guess...

Well, it was not really a surprise since I always have these weird dreams each time I sleep.

Now it makes quite sense why he seemingly have no combat experience at the initiation.

'And why he didn't have aura...' Pyrrha mused.

Does that also mean he never receives formal education at combat school? Most likely. His family prohibited him to become a huntsman after all.

But that doesn't really matter at the moment. My eyes idly glanced up, seeing that I was close to my destination.

Deep breathe.

Time to give it all.

[Flowing Red Scale: Full Gear]

In an instance, they witnessed how a blood red marking suddenly appeared around his left eye, creating a thinner and distorted version of his family crest with a seemingly exploding splash design.

"Is that... His semblance?" Ironwood unintentionally uttered.

No one had the chance to answer the shared questions as they watched another oddity that happened. Jaune was producing a steam, a hot steam out of his body as if he was being heated right now.

And his eyes, it changed. The beautiful, clear cerulean blue was nowhere to be seen. Replaced by a dark of pit of crimson blood with a dangerous slit, staring as sharp as razor at the elevator door while the tension grew thicker.

With a ding, the elevator slowly opened.

And as the world around me stilled like a frozen video, I took out my hands and clasp it forward.

The smell of metal was strong in the air...

[Piercing Blood!]

*Woosh!* *Squelch*

And in a mere second, a condensed crimson spear shot through the tip of my finger, leaving a trail of dark blood in the air and a dead Emerald Sustrai with a new hole on her head.

*Thud*

.

.

..

...

...

The occupants of the Theatre froze. No word came out of their mouth. And absolutely nothing filled the heads and hearts of the young hunter in training.

Until...

"He killed her..."

Their heart, especially Emerald's heart, dropped. Jaune Arc of all people had killed someone.

Seeing that one of them had practically fell unto the ground, motionless, blank shock plastered the other two face. Unfortunately for them, there's no way for me to give them a chance to recover.

With a grunt, I swung the still present blood and use it to struck Cinder Fall, throwing her away into a wall.

My attempt to take them one by one was rather successful as I caught the sight of Mercury Black out of the corner of my eye.

I took out the last Blood Orb I managed to condense at the elevator as he rushed to me.

A roundhouse kick would have hit my face if not for the Flowing Scale boost I had used. It give me strength, speed and clearer sense around my surroundings. What a convenience ability.

Still strange that I, of all people, could use it.

Each of his strikes were fast and precise, coupled with how hard his legs, his metal legs, looked like, I am sure a single kick would have cost me a limb if it managed to hit me.

Unfortunately for him, none of his assault has managed to land.

And soon, he wouldn't even have a chance to deliver another attack.

He attack, and I evade. He jumps, I duck. We both keep doing that until it gave me enough time to turn the Blood Orb into one of my ace card.

A short, thick and crude square machete has appeared on my hand. It was neither sharp nor have any edge to pierce human skin, let alone huntsman's aura.

But it was enough.

Taking advantage from his too-hasty and overly-committed kick, thanks to him probably getting irritated and emotional, I quickly closed our distance and struck him at his chest with the blood weapon in my hand.

The attack landed and the blade seemingly exploded upon contact. But...

"What?"

Mercury was utterly surprised at the fact that the weapon left absolutely no damage on him. Not even a nickel of his aura was reduced or scratched.

His moment of surprise give me a chance to kick him away from me. Mercury almost stumbled unto his butt, but he managed to balance himself. His focus returned and the greyhead looked at me with a lot more rage than before.

He rushed forward.

Again, the smell of metal was thick in the air...

"[Supernova]"

.

.

.

.

..

...

*Squelch* "Gukh-?"

Now, only one left.

"J-Jaune..."

Ruby weakly choked out in disbelief.

Before her and everyone else, Mercury Black has died from a horrible and violent death.

The blood that splattered around his torso moved and basically pierced every inches of his blood drenched body. It was best described as macabre and gruesome. Mercury's body convulsed for a moment, before he fell unto the ground, shortly after blood began to pool around his still corpse.

Mercury, in the theatre, puked into a magically appearing bucket.

Blood was a rare sight for the huntsman as they have what basically a death-defying cheat, aura. So seeing such a gory scene, even the most experienced adult felt nauseated.

The children, though, they are not faring quite well.

Weiss, Blake and Coco puked into a bucket.

Yang and Penny had to grip unto something lest they trip down out of the uneasiness.

While Pyrrha, Velvet and Ruby cried while weakly quivering in fright.

Looking over this boy has become Taiyang's priority now. The older man then joined the hugging pair of mother and daughter of the Rose family.

As I regained my breath, I couldn't help but let my mind dwell on what did I just done.

I just killed someone, two in fact.

A strange sense of relief appeared on their heart.

Does that mean he didn't kill them in cold blood? Does that mean that Jaune was, in fact, still Jaune? Does that he mean he was still the good person they wanted to believe.

Surprisingly, I didn't feel any particular feeling unlike what most people describe when they killed someone.

And their hope deflated in the matter of second. No, Jaune... No...

Only disgust to my low and grotesque self.

But now, the despair was replaced with a surprise and confusion.

Why, why are you view yourself so lowly? Why are you so adamant in your self-deprecating belief? Why?

Am I an evil person? Perhaps, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it away, deep inside my heart, there was a child of evil waiting to be unleashed.

And no matter what or how much good deed I had done, I will eventually fell down unto the blazing hell.

No, Jaune, no! W-we will still forgive you! We will-!

But I don't have time to get distracted by that.

This was for the safety of my friend.

For Pyrrha. For Ruby. For Ren. For Nora. For Weiss. For Yang. For Blake. For Beacon. For the people of Vale.

For everyone.

My reason would never justify my action. But that doesn't mean I will stop. They have their reason, and I have my own.

Good and evil.

Right or wrong.

Justice and .

They have nothing to do with this.

As long as my friend was safe. As long as I stop these people.

Then it all was enough.

They would have shouted that what he did was wrong. That what he did was horrible, but they couldn't. They finally, reluctantly understood. The only things they could do now is to hope the best for his safety.

The adult wouldn't even stop him. They understand him. They really does undeestand him. And with heavy hearts, they would leave it to him and his resolution.

"Mr. Arc... Jaune..." Glynda's gaze was clouded in sadness and tear. It was absolutely heart-wrenching for her to see one of the most innocent looking student she taught harbored such a stoic way of thinking.

"Why does it have to be him... A children... To do this..." Summer murmured as she hugged her crying daughter tightly.

No time for me to dilly dally.

A figure appeared from the obscuring dust of the crumbling, causing my gaze to resharp and harden.

I would be far more confident to at least survive this encounter until a reinforcement come if I don't have to deal with her lackey. But now, I basically had used 35% of my blood. If not for me manually putting pressure into my blood vessels, then there's no way I would be able to stay alive, let alone stand and fight.

Their jaws fell, how he was still alive was absolutely beyond them. But they never missed the grim of this situation.

Cinders worried frown changed to smug smirk.

Each minutes that passed while I used [Full Gear, I sacrificed one year of my lifespan. Heh, I basically had used four years of my life just now.

Their worry intensified. Gasps escaped their lips.

"J-Jaune... Run... Don't sacrifice yourself!" Pyrrha broke.

Now they understand what he meant by dying. Their hearts sunk further down into their gut.

Unfortunately for the children, their silent pleas fell into deaf ears.

Jaune exhausted figure fell into a stance. Hands in front of his face, body slightly slouched forward and legs spread apart, he stared coldly at the infuriated maiden behind the gaps of his spreads fingers.

Better make it count.

Sobs and choke filled the following silence.