Thank you all so much, I can't believe the attention Grimm choices is getting! (A lot to me) Hope you enjoy the latest chapter!
Chapter 6
"No! You can't honestly expect me to go out completely covered." Jaune was trying to be friendly but being completely covered in a shell would only look like he was ready to fight.
I already told you, we can't trust them. Whitback responded, its own voice raising in frustration. They had been arguing back and forth forth at least two minutes, Ironwood must have been wondering what was taking them so long by now.
We need to protect ourselves and to do that I need to be able get between any threat and your body at a moments notice. You have to understand why. The memory of Jaune's fatal wound still fresh in Whitback's mind
"Would you feel better if I held your hand?" Jaune asked, extending a hand to the air and mimicking what Whitback had said to him. After a moment of silence Whitback summoned the doll, much faster than earlier, and grabbed Jaune's hand with it. You won't wander off. right? Whitback said, a memory of Jaune getting lost at a store during childhood playing in its mind.
"I Promise! now come on and open the door, That big guy must be getting worried by now." At his command the doll grabbed ahold of the bone-like material covering the doorway and withdrew it, like a vacuum it was absorbed into the dolls hand. The guards called him "General Ironwood" by the way. Try not to forget it, I think he's important. Whitback muttered just as Ironwood came into view.
To Jaune's relief Ironwood had a scroll in his hand to occupy the wasted time but why did it have a picture of him on the screen? Jaune was curious but didn't have time to think about it as Ironwood brought his attention up.
"Good, I was beginning to worry you…" James's paused, looking at the life-like Jaune replica, had it any real color besides black and white he might've mistaken it for a twin of some kind.
He focused on his training for grimm, forcing any negativity from his mind and focusing on the task. "Pleasure to meet you, I assume your Whitback" The doll nodded in response, its lips remaining sealed.
Ironwood blinked once, debating something, before stepping to the side and motioning for Jaune to go forward. Jaune thought nothing of the action and took a proud step forward, he had just made his first peace deal after all. Whitback was more cautious, keeping the doll between Jaune and Ironwood with a firm grip on the former's hand.
As they walked Jaune noticed several soldiers, dressed differently than the Jacques's guards, had made a circle around him, leading him up further stairs. Suddenly his proud steps turned nervous as he felt all the attention focusing on him.
The doll moved closer and Jaune felt Whitback start forming a "shell" around his chest. I don't trust them Jaune… Was all it said.
Jaune didn't stop it from shielding them, truth be told he was having doubts about his plans too. "I-it'll be fine…" Jaune whispered to himself, attempting and failing to avoid noticed.
It wasn't long before they reached the roof and Jaune took his first breath of fresh air since arriving at Jacques's. He took another breath of air, enjoying the taste of snow on the wind, when another scent suddenly drafted towards him. A scent that made him freeze while the doll start shivering. Ironwood was about to speak up when another, furious voice echoed over the rooftop.
"IRONWOOD YOU BASTARD!" Jacques's voice was quickly followed by his footsteps quickly marching over. James's turned to the man, a stony expression passing over him as Jacques got closer. He didn't seem to care his entire family was watching from inside the nearby schnee bullhead, all clueless why their father was so angry. Winter held Weiss close to her while Whitley was in the arms of a caretaker all incredibly confused, bordering scared.
"You robbed me!" His voice lowered slightly as he approached but the red in his face did not fade. "All my project files are gone! My employees taken for questioning and my research subject stolen right in front of me!" Jacques glared but earned no reaction from the larger man other than his regular stone-like features.
"Mr. Schnee, with all due respect" Ironwood's voice took on a dangerous tone, his own anger starting to get the better of him. "You called me! I am only picking up you-"
"Dont move!" both men were cut off by one of Jaune's escorts yelling the words loud enough for all to hear. They turned to see a Jaune on his hands and knees, that same white material from the hallway covered him from head to toe. Its mouth hung open though no teeth or tongue could be seen through the gaping maw, only cold void that threatened to devour all.
Guns were cocked and safety's thrown off, none of the men expecting such a rapid or drastic transformation. "I smell it… I must have it…" Ironwood recognized the way its voice resonated but it sounded strained to the breaking point.
Jaune couldn't think past the haze, he could think only of the smell so sweet it drove him wild, what was making it!? He had to find it! Had to eat it!
Someone spoke but He couldn't hear over the blood pounding in his skull. He took another breath in, trying to catch the scent again but it was starting to drift away. He shook his head and stood up straight, taking in one more deep breath before letting it out. suddenly a loud crash shook the roof, Jaune having fallen backwards still fully "armored", his young mind and body still reeling from the event.
You muscles need to recover Jaune, It appears I've injured our body when forming such a haphazard shield. Please, rest. I'll deal with Ironwood until you're better. Whitback's voice was kind, almost lulling him to sleep. Jaune frowned and tried to move, he didn't want to abandon his friend to take the blame but his body felt so heavy.
No one was injured, they shouldn't be too mad. now, rest. Whitback's word accompanied him into a dreamless sleep, all he could do was trust Whitback again. At least they hadn't hurt anyone this time, that was a comforting thought.
\-/
Ironwood stared blankly, willing any trace of fear from his mind just like he had conditioned his soldiers to do. He realized it was Jacques;s and his anger that set off the grimm, so he ordered no shots taken, praying that the boy would calm down with a lack of negativity around. It was a gamble that could've ended with them all dead. A gamble that paid off if the unconscious body was anything to go by.
"Now then. Jacques." Ironwood cleared his throat and turned to Jacques, who was still staring warily at Jaune. "I believe our business is concluded, I trust you'll contact me before…" He paused, looking over at Jaune a frown coming over his face "Doing anything so foolish again. good day." He turned and left the man to his family, catching sight of a starried eyed Winter and Weiss. Maybe he made an impression on the young girls? The thought made him chuckle, a Schnee joining the military, what a boon that would be.
"Get him in the bullhead" Ironwood ordered while walking onto the large aircraft himself, turning to see several of his soldiers struggling to lift the small boys body. Each limb (excluding his head) had someone holding it and yet they still could barely drag him up the ramp. A screeching noise caused by the "armor" dragging on metal caused some flinches but no other problems were had as they took off.
Ironwood was quickly distracted by his scroll, already busying himself with files about Jaune as the bullhead started flying through the air. To his dismay there weren't many files about Jaune or the grimm that lived inside him. It seemed the "viral-grimm" came from the grimm-lands but little else was known, They didn't have it for long enough to learn more.
The files said Jacques had more of the viral-grimm in cold storage but Jaune had cleared out all the rooms before James's had got there, leaving nothing for him to take back. That may have been for the better though, he thought with a sigh, there was no telling what the council might do with the kind of sick power Jaune had shown.
\-/
When Jaune finally woke up he found himself inside a much more comfortable room than the one Jacques had put him in. For starters, there was no massive window Jaune felt himself being watched from and he could even see doorknobs on both the doors in the room. His bed was much bigger with a thick blanket underneath him, he also saw a wardrobe to which he was delighted to find fresh clothing inside. He quickly stripped out of the old shorts and shirt he woke up in at Jacques's and grabbed pants and a shirt.
"You're being quiet, everything alright Whitback?" He said while pulling on the trackpants and T-shirt he had found. Of course Jaune, I was just thinking about our next step. Jaune noted the uncomfortable feeling that accompanied Whitback's voice was still there, but he was just happy to hear him again nonetheless. "Are you talking about Ironwood or…?" Jaune asked, not wanting to mention the White-fang as just thinking about them made his stomach twist.
If you want to let them go, I won't let them hurt us again. Whitback knew what the feeling in Jaune's stomach meant, recognising the emotions of anger mixed with grief.
Jaune shook his head "It isn't just about me... I don't want anyone to go through what I did" Jaune couldn't even remember what he was trying to prevent, but the feeling it brought when he tried to shook his whole body to the core. He needed to stop them.
You want revenge? Whitback asked simply, it wanted to understand clearly as to make the best possible plan. If Jaune wanted to wipe them from the face of the planet, Whitback was sure it could come up with something.
"Yes. no! maybe...?" Jaune couldn't think straight, his head felt like it was being ripped in two. He hadn't thought about revenge but the feeling in his chest made his fists shake, Whitback had to feel it too. Jaune wanted to them to suffer but that thought sicked him and made his splitting headache much worse.
You have time Jaune, think about it clearly. With Whitback's words came a calming wave that Jaune felt wash away the pain in his head and stomach, relaxing him enough to think clearly.
"I feel they need to pay for what they did. But not the innocent. Never the innocent." The surreal calm in his voice gave him chills, he hadn't realised how much he sounded like Whitback.
"I couldn't have put it better myself" Ironwood's voice made Jaune jump and drew his attention to the door, the distance letting Ironwood open it without Jaune noticing.
Jaune couldn't help but go red in the face, but the proud feeling in his stomach told Whitback to avoid squashing the emotion. "I didn't notice you there Ironwood." Jaune mumbled while turning to face Ironwood.
"I'm sure Whitback saw me immediately." He said offhandedly and walked into the room, stopping a comfortable distance from Jaune. "Do you like your new room? It's a bit plain but gives you plenty of space and you're free to decorate it how you please." Ironwood explained with an easy smile covering up anything he might be thinking.
"It's wonderful! Much better than the one I was in before, especially if I can change it" Jaune smiled cheerfully, his nervousness covered by the gratitude he felt. He was surprised to hear he could decorate, but he wondered what he could decorate with. Maybe some markers?
"um, Ironwood?" he asked suddenly, before Ironwood could say something else. "Will you really let me fight the White-Fang?" He was worried, after all the bad things he had done at Jacques's house, Ironwood would be mad and not let him do anything.
Ironwood looked at the boy curiously, he was smarter than he let on, suspicion would keep help keep him out of danger. "Well Jaune, I'll be honest." He dropped the smile, his expression taking a stern edge. "How you are right now, I would never let you step foot out of this building." despite the harsh words Jaune started smiling, catching what the man was saying.
"How I am right now huh? Than I'll have to get stronger than I am right now! I'll get so strong you'll have to let me be a hero!" Jaune let no doubt in his voice, matching Ironwoods gaze with a confident smile.
Ironwood finally let his gaze drop with a smile playing on his lips "Excellent! then we have a deal." He extended his hand and Jaune took it without hesitation, failing to notice how Ironwood flinch on contact.
The feeling of an insect crawling in his brain was there and gone as fast as it took Jaune to grab and let go of his hand. But Whitback's words echoed in his mind still, the moment of contact was all it needed to pass a message, a warning.
Do not try to fool us. I am watching.
So bit of a shorter chapter, sorry about that everyone but I feel it makes sense to end this chapter here. next chapter I believe I'll be skipping ahead some years, probably once mid way to show progress (and possibly add a flip depending how I feel when writing/re-writing) and again just before Beacon. I hope no one minds all the buildup, I hope I've kept it interesting. Thank you all so much and have a good morning/evening.
Sm0keyPanda, My thoughts were about the same, Ironwood seemed like the type to get the job done "no matter the cost". thankfully his job is protecting Atlesian citizens and not lining his pocket or rep like Jacques. Thank you for your support!
I know what you mean Artjom435, I have trouble listening to the story of Prototype 2, Alex going full Snidley Whiplash seemed real dumb for one which is the bases for the whole story. but i love those mechanics, I spent hours carving my way through new York (or Manhattan or wherever. again alno no care for story.) hope your enjoying my story better than prototype.
Alno