"Yeah. Yeah. I'm glad he had fun. . . . Weiss did that? Heh, she really does love my kid." Jaune sighed. "Right. OUR kid. Yeah. Thanks. I'll see you, soon. . ." Jaune chuckled. "Sure, I'll make enough for all of us. I really should thank you. Wasn't that big on the idea of cooking for everyone, but seeing the look on Weiss's face was totally worth it. . . . Yeah, later, Ruby." Jaune then hung up as he was driving down what might as well be HIS forest rode, considering his family was the only one living in this Grimm infested forest.
When he pulled up, he saw a what looked like the paw marks of an Ursa. Fresh paw marks. . . And what looked to be a slash mark from a sword. A mark not made by either of his blades, especially since Nimueh was on his hip, and Crocea Mors was hanging in the den.
Jaune then walked up to his door, took out his keys, and was about to unlock his house when he noticed something.
His door was ajar.
Jaune slowly opened his door, being careful not to make a sound as he walked in, hand on the hilt of his sword as he stealthily entered his own home. He quietly walked around the dark house, looking for any sign of an intruder as he walked into his living room.
"Quite the nice house you have here."
Jaune glared in the direction of the voice to see someone sitting on his couch. "Who are you?"
"No one special," the man said as he turned on the lamp, revealing a man around the same age as Jaune himself with red hair, blue eyes, and black horns.
"A Bull Faunus?"
"Aren't we perceptive. That's indeed what I am."
"What do you want."
The man leaned forward. "I'm here for you, hero."
"That so?"
"It's nothing personal. I was... 'asked' to handle you."
"That so? I'll ask you one more time, who are you?"
"Do you really want to know? Fine. My name is Adam Taurus."
Jaune glared at the man. "Is this supposed to be a joke? Adam Taurus is dead. He was killed by Yang and Blake Xiao Long decades ago."
"Blake Xiao Long." Adam chuckled. "So, she marries that blonde bimbo." He then sighed sadly. "Though, I guess I'm not much better," he mumbled.
Jaune glared at Adam as he took out his sword. "I don't know who you really are or who hired you, but you should have turned down the job. Now, I'm giving you one last chance to turn and run. Trust me, you don't want this fight."
"You're right. I don't." Adam stood up. "But I don't have a choice."
Jaune glared at the man. "What are you talking about?"
Adam chuckled somberly. "It's not important. What is important is that I help you 'Awaken'."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Awakened?"
"So you don't know what it means either? Whatever." Adam took out a small vial full of black liquid. "He said I just need to give this to you."
"So you were sent to assassinate me? Sorry, but killing me won't change a damn thing. I'm not the only hero around who will stop your boss. And if you think my death will make the Sword of Destruction go dormant, then you don't know a damn thing about Nimueh."
Adam chuckled. "Kill you? Oh, no. I'm not here for that at all," Adam said as he loaded the vial into his rifle before taking a drawing stance. "We can do this the easy way, you letting me inject you with your 'medicine', or we could do this the fun way."
"Don't you mean the hard way?"
Adam chuckled. "Oh, Jaune, how would this be hard for me?"
"You obviously have no idea who you're dealing with."
"Jaune Arc, the Strongest Man in the World. One of the few International First Class Huntsmen and the currently Wielder of the Sword of Destruction. I know exactly who I'm fighting, but I don't give a damn."
Jaune's reflexes caused him to immediately block Adam's sword, the two face to face with each other, glaring into the other's eyes. "I can't afford to fail this job."
The Schnee ship was flying through Vale towards the Vale Knight's home, the Schnee-Rose family riding with young Argent.
The boy was looking down nervously at a cup of tea. He carefully grabbed it.
"Argent, be sure to relax your pinky finger. One does not grab the cup handle with their entire hand."
"Yes, Aunt Weiss," he said as he grabbed the cup with both hands, sticking out of pinky finger.
"You will only need one hand."
"Yes," he said as he took away his free hand. He then slurped the tea.
"We are not savages, Argent. Do not slurp the tea. Sip it quietly and slowly. It's not a drink to be guzzled down like it was from a water bottle."
Argent placed the cup down. "Um, Aunt Weiss, why am I doing this?"
"Argent Rose Arc."
"I'm just an A-"
"You represent three different family lines, the Arc Household, the Xiao Long Household, and the Rose household. Through me, two of those Households are noble in nature, that particular household being your mother's Rose line. And through your father, you are basically nobility, and I refuse to have my precious nephew grow up to be a barbarian with no manners. And by marriage, you unofficially represent the Schnee Household like your step sister."
"Like my what and I do who now?"
"Mother's right, Arie." He looked at Silber. "Though we share no blood, we are siblings through Mother Ruby, meaning by marriage you are a member of the Schnee family. And through your father, who is already a respected diplomat through his career as a Huntsman, you will have to represent both the Schnee and Arc families in certain situations, especially if word of your maternal lineage is ever discovered."
"It is a daunting task, but a task I am sure you can bear, my dear Argent," Klein said as he poured more tea for Argent.
The boy sighed. "I think it was easier to be just an Arc."
"Sorry, Arie," Ruby said nervously.
Argent was about to take a sip when he realized something. "How come you never said anything about me needing to represent the Xiao Long Household?"
"Oh, they're just a family of warriors that don't need to worry about noble standings," Weiss, Silber, and Klein waved away.
Argent's eyes were shadowed, a depressed aura hanging around him before he turned towards his mom. "Can I spend my next free time with Grandpa Tai?"
Ruby giggled. "You just made your grandpa's YEAR with that question."
Weiss just huffed with a jealous blush. 'Sorry spending time with me is so hard,' she mumbled before taking a sip of her tea.
As soon as she and Argent took a sip of tea, a loud explosion followed by powerful turbulence occurred.
"What was that," Silber yelled.
'Reporting,' the pilot went over the intercom. "High turbulence from an explosion approx. 160 kilometers due north west. Advising all to take safety precautions."
"Wait, 160 kilometers? THAT'S MY HOUSE! WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
"Give us a visual, NOW," Weiss ordered on the intercom.
A screen appeared and showed something horrible.
"It's like a war zone," Ruby said.
"My house. My forest. Everything is so torn up. Is someone... fighting my dad?"
As soon as Argent asked that, the sight of Jaune spinning into the air was seen before something black shot towards him. They saw him grab his assailant by the face, hiding the attacker's features, before spinning and throwing the enemy towards the ground with a thunderous boom before Jaune spun dove his way towards his opponent. The sight of trees falling was seen.
"Wait, lower the camera," Ruby yelled. When it lowered, they saw a car speeding towards the house. "That's Blake's car! That must be her and Yang!"
"I don't know why they're going there," Weiss said
"Probably for Argent/me," Argent, Ruby, Silber and Klein said to Weiss.
"Which is obvious when I think about it, but we need to get there, too! Anyone strong enough to take on Jaune while he has that sword of his has GOT to be a threat! Full speed ahead!"
The ship then blasted on to help Jaune with whatever he was fighting.
Blake was peacefully driving down the forest, smiling at her wife's bubbly attitude as their daughter was reading in the back seat. "I'm gonna have me an Arie I'm gonna have me an Arie "
"And what makes you think Jaune will let you have fun with him," Blake giggled out.
"My girls," Yang said as she flexed her arm.
"You know he can beat you in a fight now, right? WITHOUT either of his swords?"
"Yeah, yeah, he's a badass now; but you don't get between a woman and her desires! I'm gonna be that kid's #1 aunt no matter what! Ruby is no longer number one since she's his mom, and Nora has gotten a buncha awesome missions lately! Perfect chance to swoop in and show Arie just how awesome his blood aunt really is! I can even show him a few moves," she said with a few jabs.
"Well, his Semblance does seem suited for martial arts."
"Of course it is! He's a Xiao Long!"
"Arc."
"My sister's kid, my nephew, my boy. He's a Xiao Long when he's with me."
"Whatever you say, Yang. You know, you can still teach Verde some martial arts."
"I'm fine learning from you, mom," she responded.
"See? Argent is probably the closest thing to a student I'm gonna get. Plus, I'm kiiiinda obsessed with him at the moment."
"I hadn't noticed."
"If you get a tattoo of him, I'm disowning you as my mother," Verde said, Yang gasping comically before giving her daughter puppy dog eyes.
Blake giggled. "Still, Jaune hasn't seen his son in a week. He's probably not going to just agree to you taking Argent for... how long did you want him?"
"Two weeks."
"Yeah, that's probably not going to-"
An explosion followed by a quake powerful enough to make the car swerve occur, Blake gaining control later but barely.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT," Yang yelled.
"It came from Jaune's house! What's going-"
"BLAKE, LOOK OUT!"
Blake looked up in time to see a tree flying towards them, swerving just in time to avoid the falling lumber.
"WHY DID A TREE JUST FLY TOWARDS US," Yang yelled.
"Jaune. Something's attack him!"
"Whatever it is must be a badass if he hasn't take care of it by now. FLOOR IT!"
Blake did just as her wife suggested.
Earlier.
Jaune and Adam's swords clashed several times, each collision sparking the dark house. Adam's slashed destroyed much of Jaune's house, cutting furniture in half, shattering glassware, and cutting up the floor and walls. The last straw for Jaune was when Adam's slash cut the family portrait of him, Argent, and Nimueh.
Jaune got close to Adam and grabbed him by the collar, confusing the Faunus. He then gave the assassin a shock by headbutting him, which actually hurt Adam, the two looking into the other's eyes.
"Get the hell out of my house."
Jaune then used his awesome strength to throw Adam out like he was just a baseball. Jaune was about to chase after him before he noticed his wall. He saw Crocea Mors hanging where it was supposed to be and smirked.
Adam flipped and skidded to a halt and looked up towards the house to see Jaune walking out. In his left hand was the Sword of Destruction. In his right was Crocea Mors in its sheathed state. Jaune then activated is Greatsword Mode. "Round two, beef ranch."
Adam sucked his teeth. "Name calling? I expected better from you, hero." Adam used his sped to appear behind behind Jaune, black and red from using his Semblance.
Adam swung his sword downward, ready to slash Jaune's shoulder, only for his sword to be block by Crocea Mors.
"I'm not exactly a gentleman around people trying to kill me," Jaune said as he glanced back at Adam.
Adam smirked in response. "Good point."
Jaune tried to stab Adam using Nimueh, only for Adam to jump away and land in front of him. Jaune lunged at Adam, swinging both swords at great speeds, but Adam was able to block most of his strikes. However, when Jaune looked like he was going to swing Crocea, Adam preparing to block, Jaune instead slammed the pommel of the hilt into Adam's eye, disorienting him enough to slash him with Nimueh. The force of Jaune's slash sent Adam flying.
When Adam recovered, Jaune sent various wind blades rushing towards him. Adam just blocked the wind with his sword, absorbing the kinetic energy. With a dark chuckle, Adam prepared to unleash the energy. Less than a second later, Adam unleashed a massive wave of red energy rushing towards Jaune.
Jaune didn't look worried.
He readied Nimueh, energized her with as much necessary Aura as she needed (which was quite minimal) and unleashed a counterwave of gold energy, the collision creating a smoke screen.
Jaune looked through the smoke, trying to figure out where Adam might appear. He then heard metal groaning.
He looked towards the direction to see Adam's shadow... glowing bright red. Jaune was then hit point blank by Adam's Moonslice. The force of the slash sent Jaune flying, Crocea Mors stabbing into the ground.
Jaune slammed into a tree, the man groaning as his Aura repaired the damage done to him. 'That Semblance. It's just like how Yang and Blake described it. Is he really Adam Taurus? He's supposed to be dead,' Jaune thought.
Jaune looked up, only to see Adam in front of him. The Faunus then slashed upwards, sending Jaune flying into the sky.
Jaune then heard a boom and saw Adam flying towards him. Jaune timed it just right and grabbed Adam by the face. He knew Adam wasn't expecting it due to the surprised grunt.
Jaune then kneed Adam in the side to make momentum for his spin. Jaune spun faster and faster before he flung Adam towards the ground, a loud explosion followed by falling trees occurring. Jaune then dove after his enemy.
When he stabbed the ground, hoping Adam would be there, Jaune instinctively ducked. He felt a strong gust and saw that Adam had swung his sword, a wave of red energy rushing past him.
Jaune looked towards Adam to see him holding his sword overhead before swinging down full force. Jaune blocked it with Nimueh, a red wave rushing past Jaune a second time.
Adam tried to push down, only to receive a shock as Jaune was actually pushing him back, now standing tall against his enemy.
"How strong ARE you," Adam asked in astonishment.
"Strong enough." Jaune then punched Adam in the stomach, surprising him enough to loosen his grip on his sword. That was the the opportunity Jaune needed to send Adam flying with a slash from a charged Sword of Destruction. Jaune made sure to hold back enough to not kill Adam, but he held back too much. Though Adam was sent flying, he was still able to flip and land on his feet, his Aura not even sparking yet as he glared at Jaune.
'Jaune Arc is exceptionally powerful. You'll need to... cheat a bit if you want to beat him,' went someone in Adam's memory.
"He wasn't lying. If it weren't for this armor they gave me, Arc would have shattered my Aura and rendered me unconscious. This man is a monster," Adam thought.
The two then charged at each other, clashing with enough force to blow leaves off of the surrounding trees.
Blake was speeding down the rode, about five minutes away from Jaune's house. Then, she saw something jump into the rode. "JAUNE!"
"He looks alright. But what is he figh-"
Before Yang could finish her question, Jaune jumped out of the way to avoid someone stabbing him, the enemy's strength making the rode burst around him, looking like stone pillars. One of the pillars was thrown at the airborne Jaune, the man being sent flying towards his house with the enemy jumping after him.
Though neither got a good look, they both got glimpses... and were horrified by what they thought they saw.
"No. No. that's not possible," Blake said.
"It couldn't be him. He's dead," Yang said.
Blake tightened her grip. "It's a copycat. It has to be. Adam wasn't strong enough to cause something like this."
"Yeah. Yeah, he was fast but not strong. Besides, why would he go after Jaune?"
"Wait, if it is a copycat, why IS he after Jaune?"
Yang looked at Blake in confusion before realization hit her. "Jaune never met Adam. No one on Team RWBY met him. WE were the ones who killed him to begin with. An Adam copycat should be coming after us if they want revenge. So why go after Jaune?"
Blake looked at the rode, a bit shaky before she took a deep breath and gained her resolve. "We're going to find out." She then sped towards the house.
Jaune fell on his back with a bounce but landed on his feet. He then jumped back in time to avoid being crushed by the rock.
Adam landed on the tip of the stone, glaring down at Jaune. "You're stubborn."
"You have no idea," Jaune said as he pointed Nimueh at him. Jaune then noticed Adam's gloves. 'Stone Dust. That explains the super strength. Whoever hired him made sure he was prepared to fight me.'
Adam sighed. "So, when are you going to stop holding back?"
"That obvious, huh? Still, I could ask you the same question."
Adam glared at Jaune before he sighed and jumped off the stone. He then took out a vial of Dust. "I'd rather not fight like this, but you're worth it."
"Hmph, thanks for the confidence."
"And so is she."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "She?"
Adam then opened the hilt of his sword and loaded the red vial into his sword. He then swung the blade, his sword now on fire."
Jaune chuckled. "That's not enough to impress me. Nor is it enough to be-"
Adam then fired at Jaune. Jaune was fast enough to cut the bullet in half, seeing the black liquid from before inside of it. "When did he have time to load his rifle?"
Adam sucked his teeth before he heard the sound of a roaring car. "DAMMIT!" He then reached into his pocket and felt for something.
"If things become more difficult or more fools arrive to stand in the way of destiny, press this and aide will come," the voice in Adam's memory went as he pushed the button.
'Jaune, you can't let yourself get so much as scratched by those bullets,' Nimueh telepathically yelled.
'That poisonous, eh?'
'It's not poison! It's worse! It's Grimm Essence!'
'WHAT?!'
'Straight from the Grimm Pools themselves! That bullet was filled with the same vile liquid that mutated Salem into what she was! She only survived because the gods cursed her with immortality! If even a single drop gets on you, or worse, INSIDE you, it will kill you in the worst way, more horrible than any mortal made poison!'
'Lovely.' Jaune then sent a wind slash at Adam, who easily blocked it with his sword, scowling the entire time.. "So that's how it is? Your boss hates me so much that he needs to go above and beyond to kill me? A man claiming to be a dead terrorist, who has superhuman strength, a powerful Semblance, enough Dust to make the late Jacque Schnee green with envy, and actually Grimm Pool water. This is overkill just to take out one man."
"Even if that man is the might Vale Knight?"
Jaune chuckled. "Point taken." Jaune then held up Crocea Mors and slashed something. He looked to see that he cut... "A vine? You have allies?"
Adam glared upward. "They said they wouldn't interfere with my fight against him. This wasn't part of the damn deal."
Jaune then realized something. He looked around him to see he was completely surrounded, vines wriggling out of the ground, leaves swirling around, and trees growling larger, the branches reaching out towards him.
"One man vs the very forest he calls home. I'd say these are pretty fair odds, wouldn't you, Nimueh?"
'Not really. You still have Crocea Mors.'
Jaune looked at his ancestral sword and chuckled. 'That is unfair. Too bad for them," Jaune said as he spun his swords and took his stance.
The ship was maneuvering to avoid the spear-like tree branches. The leaves covering the pilot's field of vision made it harder and more difficult to fly safely.
"What in the name of the brothers is going one," Silber yelled as she aimed her rapier, shooting fire balls at more reaching branches.
"It's as if the very forest is trying to kill us," Weiss yelled as she followed her daughters lead.
"There's too much to fight against," Ruby yelled as she fired her rifle at the opposite side of the dock. She then screamed in shock when a vine wrapped around her leg.
"RUBY!"
"MOTHER!"
The vine tried to drag Ruby out of the ship, only for glowing hands to rip them off of Ruby's ankle and help the beauty back up.
"Whoa," Argent went as he stumbled, looking like he was about to fall before he grabbed the cable, looking at his mom and smiling with a "shishishi."
Ruby smiled back in relief before she grabbed and yanked him away from the edge. "You should be more careful, Arie. You could fall."
"I'd survive."
"And you'd be surrounded by a haunted forest."
"I can take it. I've lived here my whole life."
"You don't have a weapon," Ruby said with half-lidded eyes.
"I have my fists," he said as he raised said body part.
Ruby sighed. "You have no idea how proud you would have made Yang by saying that. Still, it's too risky. I'd be more lenient if you had a weapon, preferably a gun."
Argent then puffed out his chest. "I'm an Arc! We don't need guns," he said as he pounded his chest proudly.
Ruby puffed up a bit. "Dammit, Jaune, I blame you. My baby boy doesn't like guns. How horrible," Ruby said with a single tear comically twinkling on the corner of her eye.
"Still in a war zone, here," Weiss called, getting Ruby's attention as she continued to shoot.
'If I had a sword, I'd be able to help more,' Argent thought. He then saw, "MY HOUSE!"
Everyone looked and saw it was overrun by plants.
"Look! At the center," Silber called.
They looked to see Jaune slashing away plant-life, making it look easy. Slashes, kicks, wind attacks, and stomps. He was absolutely dominating the very forest. He even slashed an entire row of six trees in half down the middle.
"Amazing," Ruby went.
"That's my dad!"
"Wait, what are those things behind him," Weiss yelled.
Everyone looked to see a Ursa Majors charging at Jaune from behind.
"GRIMM! SHOOT 'EM," Ruby yelled as she aimed. Weiss and Silber followed her lead, but all three were shocked when their weapons were shot at. Their grip was strong enough to prevent the weapons from flying out of their hands, fortunately. They looked to see Adam scowling as he put his sheath back in place.
'More incoming. And the Grimm are being attracted to the noise and chaos. I need to end this, soon.'
They then looked to see Beowolves lunge at Jaune. He was able to dodge and slash their heads off, but he was still rammed into by a Boarbatusk, the force sending him flying through one of his windows.
"DAAAD!"
Moments passed, only the sound of the growling, hissing, and roaring Grimm to be heard as they were attacking the sentient plant life. Then, crashing was heard, followed by... bestial growls, roars and more howls.
"GET OFF OF ME," Jaune roared.
Then, something flew through a window. The black creature scrambled around before it got back on its feet, snarling at the creatures around it.
"A Beowolf," Ruby yelled.
The Beowolf howled before it pounced onto and ripped apart a vine trying to attack it, the plants retaliating by wrapping around and squeezing it until it turned to Dust.
As that happened, a pack of Beowolves lunged out of both the forest and the Arc manor, clawing and biting the plants to pieces. A Ursa Major also ran out, swiping the trees away like they were fragile branches. The Boarbatusk from early then rolled through actual thorn bushes, racing towards Adam. He easily cleaved it in two.
Another Boarbatusk rolled through the leaves, while Creeps lunged a Adam from the trees. The roar of a King Taijitu was heard, the Grimm not that far away.
"It's like an actual war down there," Silber said.
"Were the Grimm attracted to the negativity of Jaune's fight," Weiss wondered.
"But how could a fight between two men attract this many Grimm? And what's causing the forest to go crazy like this," Ruby asked. She then thought she saw something. A cloaked figure running through the forest. "What?"
"Where's my dad in this mess?!"
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" They looked to see an Alpha Beowolf be sent flying through what was left of Jaune's door, the man walking out of his house with an intimidating look to him.
He looked around to see the hordes of Grimm fighting the hordes of attacking plant life. He then took a deep breath. "That's enough. Nimueh?"
'Be careful. Use too much and your Aura will be gone. You'll be vulnerable.'
"Worth it." Jaune then took his stance, Nimueh beginning to glow. She shinned brighter and brighter until it was too brilliant to ignore. Some of the Beowolves and Creeps roared as they lunged at Jaune.
Just as the first Creeper was about to so much as touch Jaune, his eyes shot open. With a mighty battle cry, Jaune swing the Sword of Destruction with all his might, sending out a wave of brilliant life that engulfed all in its path. The entire forest was then flooded with light.
When that happened, a cloaked being winced. When the light was gone, the figure looked around. 'He broke my concentration.' The figure then looked at their wrists. "Low on Green Dust, anyway. You're on your own, Taurus." The figure then ran into the forest.
Moments later, when the light was gone... so was everything else. No raging plants. No Grimm. Not even the dust of dead Grimm. All that was left were signs of battle, Jaune's destroyed car, parts of his broken home, and the damaged trees.
Jaune's hair-tie snapped, allowing his long hair to flow freely and lusciously, being blown by the wind. Jaune's Aura then shattered, showing that he had used all of his power. He groaned as he fell to one knee, using Nimueh to hold himself up. He sighed in relief, thinking the fight was over.
Until he heard the sound of clapping.
Jaune looked up to see Adam walk up, clapping all the while. "Impressive. Very impressive, indeed, Vale Knight."
Jaune glared at him. "How the hell did you-" Jaune then saw it. Adam's Aura shattered. "But... that's impossible. How did your Aura withstand all of that?!"
Adam chuckled. "Do you really think I'm going to tell you any of my secrets, hero?"
Jaune glared at Adam as he groaned, forcing himself back on his feet. "Is that supposed to intimidate me? Your Aura is gone now. You're just as vulnerable as I am now."
"But I'm not the one struggling to stand, am I," Adam asked with a tilt of his head, a raised eyebrow, and a knowing smile.
Jaune pointed Nimueh at him. "Let me fix that."
Adam laughed. "Come on, Arc. You're literally on your last legs. You've exhausted yourself fighting an army of Grimm, used up the last of your Aura, and have no one to save you. Your all alone, hero."
Jaune glared at Adam and lowered his sword. "If that's the case, then use that little trick you did before. Bring the forest to life. That wasn't your Semblance, and I haven't seen you with so much as a speck of Green Dust."
Adam's mouth twitched.
"Well? I'm waiting."
No response.
"I knew it. You had backup. They were the ones who brought the forest to life, weren't they?"
Adam chuckled. "So what if I did?"
"They don't seem to be helping you, Taurus. Like you said, I'm at my weakest, yet why isn't anyone coming to your side?"
"I don't NEED anyone to beat you." He took an Iai stance. "One technique is all I would need to end you, Arc."
Jaune took his own stance, holding Nimueh behind his back, ready to swing. "Bring it."
The two were still, only the wind blowing.
Then, Adam drew his sword, sending a wind blade rushing towards Jaune. Jaune's eyes shot open as he swung Nimueh down with all his strength, sending an equally large wind wave. When the two clashed, a gale comparable to a hurricane occurred.
Blake and Yang had just ran up to the last tree before the Schnee ship arrived, hovering above them. When the dust cleared, the Xiao Long's were shocked and horrified to see that it really was Adam.
He and Jaune were staring at each other, both still in their post draw positions, Adam's katana in the air with Nimueh towards the ground. Moments passed before Adam's sword fell out of his hand, the man groaning as he stumbled. Everyone looked hopeful.
That hope was crushed when blood spewed from Jaune's right shoulder down to his left hip. He then coughed up blood before dropping Nimueh, everyone looking horrified, with Argent's eyes going blank.
Jaune stumbled back a bit before he fell to one knee, a fist on the ground to prevent him from fully falling, the man wheezing from his injuries.
Adam chuckled before he coughed up blood. "And so fall the mighty Vale Knight, the strongest man in the world." No one could react to Adam's words. All eyes were on Jaune. "You truly deserve that title, Arc. You were as strong as he warned me you'd be." Adam then grabbed his sheath and aimed the rifle end at Jaune, who looked up at him defiantly. "Farewell, hero."
A loud boom was heard.
Adam looked behind him and held up his sword in time to block an Aura covered fist. Adam saw enraged, tear filled eyes and golden hair, thinking it was Yang at first. "YOU?!"
Argent then roared in exertion as he actually pushed past Adam's defense, shocking the man as he tried to regain his footing. He instead received a roundhouse to the thighs, which made him spin in mid-air before Argent dropped kicked him away. Argent then grabbed Crocea Mors, activated the Greatsword function, and took his stance just as Adam skidded to a halt, not yet looking up.
"LEAVE MY DAD ALONE!"
'Dad?' Adam looked up. He then got a good look at Argent. 'He... has a son.'
"If you think I'm going to let you get away with this, then you've never mess with an Arc before!"
Adam sighed. "You want to fight me? Stupid kid. Look what I did to your father. He is the most powerful human I have ever faced, and is the wielder of the greatest weapon Remnant has and ever will see. What makes you think you can even hope to challenge the man who made your great father fall to his knees?"
"I wouldn't be bragging if I were you! You needed and entire army to beat my dad! You couldn't beat him alone, because he's stronger than you'll ever be!"
Adam looked angry, gripping his sword tightly. "You have a mouth on you, boy. How about I fix that?"
Adam then felt killing intent and held up his sword in time to block a slash from a scythe. As he was holding the weapon back, he looked to his side to see an enraged Ruby.
"Leave. My son. Alone," she said venomously.
"Your son? You're the one Arc had a child with?" He chuckled. "That's honestly funny." He then pointed his rifle and shot at Ruby, who easily moved her head back to avoid before using her Semblance to be at her child's side.
"Mm, mother and son fighting together to fight the big bad, is it?"
"ADAM!"
He looked behind him and held up his sword to block Blake's bullet. "Blake Belladonna. Or is it Xiao Long now?"
"I don't know how you came back or why, but I'm going to say this only once: leave my family alone."
Yang walked up and cracked her knuckles. "That's the only warning you're going to get, Taurus."
Adam stared blankly at Yang before he glanced towards the sound of Weiss and Silber creating ice spears aimed at him. Adam then realized he was surrounded.
"Is this really supposed to intimidate me?" No response. "Well, it doesn't matter." He then aimed his rifle towards Ruby and Argent. "I win."
Bang
Ruby and Argent both had their defenses up, Argent using his shield while Ruby was prepared to block any bullet, but nothing came to either of them.
"Nn?!"
Both of their eyes widened in shock and horror before they turned around.
Behind them was Jaune, looking at the bullet wound in his chest, oozing a black substance.
Three more shots were heard. One hit Jaune's thigh, another in his right arm and the final one in his neck; the man coughing up more blood.
Everyone was horrified, but none more than Ruby and Argent.
"N-NOOOOOOO," Ruby screamed.
"DAAAAAAAAD," Argent cried.
Argent dropped Crocea Mors and ran to his father, Ruby doing the same.
"DAD! DAD, STAY WITH ME," Argent cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Jaune was looking down at his bullet ridden body, seemingly gasping for air.
"We're here, Jaune! We can fix this," Ruby cried, also crying.
Adam stared blankly at the sight. "Won't need these now," he said as he took out the Grimm Pool bullets and reloaded his rifle with standard Dust bullets.
"BASTARD!"
Adam looked towards the scream with a tired expression and held up his sword in time to block Yang's punch.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Oh, please." Adam swatted Yang's punch away, shocking her before he kicked her away. He then blocked several gunshots before tiredly clashing with Blake.
"WHY DO YOU KEEP COMING BACK?!"
"A job is a job, Blake. Someone like you wouldn't understand." He then continuously blocked her slashes.
"ALL I UNDERSTAND IS THAT YOU KEEP HURTING MY FAMILY!"
"Family," Adam asked with a soft chuckle before their next clash brought them face to face. "You have no relation with Arc."
"You're wrong! He's my friend!"
"Friend? You? Friends with him? Now that is comical."
"He's also the father of my nephew! If that isn't enough to make us family, then I don't give a damn! We're family, and I won't let you hurt it any more!"
"Hollow words." Adam then placed his rifle on Blake's stomach, surprising her before he fired. The bullet was a high explosive that sent her flying, Yang catching her. "The fact that Arc is in his current state is proof that you're still the same weakling as ever, Blake. Such a disappointment."
Yang glared at him with her red eyes.
"Glare at me all you want, human. The only real threat to me is gone. You have no chance at beating me," he said as he spun his sword and stabbed Weiss's miniature knight, who was preparing to slash his ankle.
Adam then shot Silber's Manticore before stepping back, completely avoiding Silber's stab before kneeing her in the stomach. As she gagged, Adam slashed upward, hitting Silber square in the jaw, making her airborne, then shot her in the stomach, sending her flying. Weiss's Queen Lancer barely caught her before Silber slammed into a tree.
"None of you can beat me," he said with a hollow look in his eyes.
"DAD!"
Adam looked, his expression emotionless at what he was seeing.
"W-What's happening to him," Ruby yelled.
Everyone looked to see black veins all over Jaune. They kept spreading, appearing on his arms, neck, face, and traveled to his eyes. Then, Jaune gave a horrible, guttural, terrified scream of pain and horror, crying to the very heavens, before falling flat on his face.
Team RWBY, Silber, and Argent looked at Jaune in horror.
"Mm, so that's what it was supposed to do to him." Only Blake was able to look at Adam. "It's even worse than I'd imagined. Well, I did what I was hired to do. I'm done," he said as he walked away.
Blake's pupils became slit, baring her fangs in rage as her hair even began to puff up. "TAURUS!"
He looked to see her charging towards him. He sighed. "You never learn," he said as he took an Iai stance.
Blake then jumped over her own clone, but Adam didn't draw his sword. Instead, he waited until he heard the draw of Blake's sword from behind. He then drew his sword and blocked Blake's katana, looking bored.
However, he was shocked when he saw what he thought was Blake's clone from before in front of him, holding the cleaver of Gambol Shroud at his neck before slashing through it. He gurgled in shock as his blood spilled onto the ground, the man hunching over as he held his bleeding throat.
Blake then caught the other half of her weapon as her clone vanished, sheathing it and placing it on her back. "Go back to hell, where you belong."
Adam continued to choke as Blake walked away. She stopped when Adam's choking sound was replaced by a scream. She turned back to see him standing, panting, as he removed his hand from his neck. "Did you... think... it'd be that easy?"
"No. That's impossible."
Adam turned towards Blake, showing his blood covered neck. "Sorry to disappoint you, Blake." He then wiped the blood off, showing that his neck now had a hideous burn on it. "But I won't let you kill me so easily." Adam then shot at Blake, the bullets sending her flying. As she flew, her Aura shattered, the Faunus coughing up blood before she was caught by a summoned Beowolf.
Adam spun his sheath before slamming it into Silber's gut when she tried to slash him from behind. He then punched her head upwards before roundhousing her away.
Yang caught her niece before she proceeded to fire proceeded to shoot at Adam. He didn't even try to dodge them.
Instead, he took out a device that looked a lot like Jaune's old Disc Grenade. He pushed the button, a shield appearing in front of it, taking Yang's shots. "Hm?" He looked down to see the grenades stuck on his shield. "Really?" They then exploded.
"Take that, you Mad Cow."
"Mad Cow Disease?" Yang's eyes widened as the dust cleared, Adam not even having a scratch thanks to the shield. "I can't believe I once held respect for a woman who could fall for such an idiot." He then shot at Yang, who hugged Silber protectively. The two were blown away, skidding across the ground. When they stopped, and Yang rolled over onto her back, both her and Silber's Aura faded away.
Adam stumbled before he realized it was getting darker. He looked up to see a massive block of ice falling towards him. "Oh, come on," he said before he jumped towards the ice. He took an Iai stance before slashing the ice into snow. As he began to fall, Weiss appeared behind him, about to stab him in the head.
Sadly, Adam blocked the attack with his sheath.
"To think you Schnees used to be a boogeyman to Faunus like me. I really am disappointed in my own past."
Moments later, Weiss slammed into the ground, her Aura vanishing.
Adam landed in front of her, looking down at the defeated president. "Arc was your only chance at beating me. The rest of you were pathetic in comparison. Besides, I have no quarrel with you fools. I'm done here."
"You're wrong."
Adam looked to see Ruby, looking down blankly as she was brushing her hand through Jaune's hair, Argent standing in front of his parents... holding a glowing Sword of Destruction.
Adam chuckled softly. "You? You truly believe you can beat me, BOY?"
"No. Not me."
"Huh," Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.
Argent then took a deep breath when his Aura finally shattered, the Sword of Destruction glowing like a beacon.
"NIMUEH!"
The Sword of Destruction then exploded, a beam of light rising into outer space itself, the image of a woman appearing within.
Then, that woman's eyes opened, tears flying from them, red with the purest, angriest, hate-filled rage.
Adam's eyes were wide in shock before they were filled with terror. "Is that... Oh, cra-"
Before Adam could finish talking, Nimueh slammed her palm into his face in less than a second, slamming him into the ground hard enough for him to bounce like a rubber ball. As he began to fall, Nimueh grabbed him by the throat, looking at him with enraged, tear-filled eyes. "I... will destroy... your very EXISTENCE, YOU BASTARD," she screamed before punching Adam.
He was flying at incredible speeds before Nimueh stomped him into the ground before kicking him like a ball. She then appeared where he was heading, caught him, and slammed him into the ground with enough force to make the earth around them crumble.
She then lifted him by his head with one hand. "But I won't do it quickly. I will make you suffer."
Adam coughed up blood, his eye free of Nimueh's grasp, looking right at her. "Why so angry, Relic? All I did was kill a single human. You can just move on to a new one."
Nimueh's eyes widened in fury. "A single human?!" She then punched Adam in the stomach hard enough for it to sound like a thunder clap. "HE WAS THE FIRST MAN I'VE EVER LOVED!"
PUNCH.
"HE GAVE ME EVERYTHING!"
PUNCH. "A PLACE TO BELONG!"
PUNCH. "A PARTNER TO HAVE FAITH IN!"
PUNCH. "A PLACE TO CALL HOME!"
PUNCH. "A LOVE THAT WAS MINE!"
PUNCH. "AND MOST OF ALL!"
PUNCH. "HE GAVE ME A SON! A SON YOU MADE CRY!"
PUNCH-PUNCH-PUNCH.
Her next punch sent Adam smashing into a tree, the man vomiting enough blood to form a puddle that he fell into, panting as each of Nimueh's destructive, thundering footsteps came closer to him.
"You committed so many crimes against me: You destroyed my home. You tortured my husband. You TOOK HIS LIFE! And worst of all. You Made. OUR! SON! CRY! I WILL END YOU!"
Adam chuckled before he laughed loudly, angering Nimueh even more. "End me?! You think YOU can kill ME?!" He then stood up. "I've stared into the eyes of death before, and I walked away. I've taken all of your hits, all of your blows, and STILL I stand."
Nimueh glared at Adam. "Not. For. Long."
Adam stared at her. "Maybe not long like this." He then dug something out. It looked like a capsule.
Weiss's eyes widened. "That capsule!"
Adam pushed the button, the capsule blasting open. Everyone watched as Adam was covered in armor.
Nimueh growled. "YOU THINK THAT'S ENOUGH TO SAVE YOU?!" She then fired her Destructive Energy at Adam, who merely smacked the beam away, shocking everyone but Weiss.
"Experimental New Mantle Nanotech Armor. It was designed to with stand anything, from the breath of a Leviathan to a blast from you, or so I've been told."
Nimueh growled. "You wanna test it out NOW?"
"Tell me, Spirit, do you really think you can beat me without an Arc?"
"Huh?"
"I know how you work. You need Aura to be able to manifest. House Arc, specifically Jaune Arc, and so it would seem his son, were the only ones who could give you enough Aura for you to form and maintain a human form, let alone allow you to fight on your own." He looked at Jaune, his head in Ruby's lap, eyes shadowed by his hair, black veins all over his visible body. "Jaune Arc is dead." He then looked at Argent. "And his son used all of his Aura to fuel you. Once your power is gone, I win. Remnant's greatest champion will have been eliminated, and the son will soon follow."
Ruby jumped at that, her blank eyes widening. 'No. Not my son. Not my Argent. Don't let me lose him, too,' she thought as she cupped Jaune's cheek. 'Please, wake up, Jaune. We need you. Please,' she whispered.
"Once you run out of power, I get to leave."
"All that means is that I have to kill you before I'm out of Aura."
Adam chuckled. "Then do it..." he then readied his katana. "If you can."
A few tense moments passed, the wind howling. Then, as soon as a leaf passed them, Nimueh's fist clashed with Adam's swords, the two beginning their battle.
As this was going on, Ruby's tears fell on Jaune's face, some of them falling into his open mouth. 'Jaune, please wake up. You can't be dead. You can't. You're the Vale Knight, the strongest man in the world, Nimueh's partner... and Argent's father. You can't leave our son. Not now,' she said softly, no more than a whisper.
Ruby weakly looked up to see Nimueh actually struggling against Adam, the beauty screaming when Adam stabbed her and began to twist the blade so fast it looked like a drill.
'Jaune, he's killing us. We need you. . . I need you. Your son needs you. . . Your FAMILY needs you. Please...' She placed her forehead against his. "Come back. Come back to us. Come back to ME. . . Come back to your son,' she sobbed, hiccupping as her tears soaked Jaune's face.
'Jaune.'
'Jaune.'
'Jaune.'
Jaune then slowly opened his eye.
He looked around to see nothing but darkness. "Where... where am I? What is this?"
"Jaune."
He looked to see a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, a look of sorrow in her gaze.
"Who... who are you?" She didn't respond, but Jaune felt something. "Do... Do I know you?"
Jaune saw the woman... cry. "Why? Why are you suffering the same curse as me? It should have ended... when you freed me."
Jaune's eyes widened, realizing who this beautiful woman was by those words alone.
"Salem?"
A/N: Another one of my PM stories. This was originally an inside story between me and some friends, using characters and storylines completely unrelated to RWBY. As such, I had to HEAVILY revise parts of the story, so if it seems weird, that's because I missed some spots that DESPERATELY needed to be changed.
I didn't expect to continue the story as much as I did, but it now feels like a proper RWBY story. I'll gradually upload it if you guys find it interesting. According to my friends, I made A LOT of family drama moments. Remember, this is a Copy and Paste PM story, so it could be better, it could be worse. Hope you guys enjoy this insane, crazy ride with the Arc Family.
Until next time.