Author's Headnote: Ya... Well, the poll is about closed. 6 people voted, but there is a majority. I'll reveal the exact results at the end of the chapter. But the majority outcome is what takes place... ya don't like it? Well, my response is: THERE WAS A POLL!
RWBY: Festival of Blood: The Next Step
Jaune Arc:
- Aura Status: 100%
- Semblance: Aura Boosting
- Weapon: Crocea Mors
- Licensing: Training License, Student Huntsman
- Party Relations:
- Nora Valkyrie: She's been less excited than usual, but cheerful nonetheless
- Lie Ren: He's been worked up lately, he refuses to elaborate
- Yang Xiao Long: Despite only having one arm, she's a good driver, she's considered deadweight by Violet otherwise
- Violet Jasper: Distant as usual, only talkative when something important is brought up. Considers Yang to be a liability in her current state
- Team SSSN: They're going to have to repeat the first year when they get back.
- End of Major character status report
Mistral Wilderness, March 10, Saturday, 12:00 PM, Mistrillian Forests
Jaune was knocked back to a tree. Apparently this geist they're fighting is a lot tougher than people perceived.
A local mistrallian village complained about a Geist attacking from a nearby forest and offered payment, in which Jaune complied. They've spent the night camping and looking for it. And when they found it... well, the fact it can possesses just about anything is messed up. Thankfully, it's only known to possess non-living objects such as rocks and trees... which is what it's possessing now.
Thankfully, with the massive numbers of eight people, Jaune's managed to get it overwhelmed and unable to move anywhere... although they can't seem to actually hurt the thing.
It seems that sharp weapons seem to be ineffective since Sage, Scarlet, Jaune, and Ren can't hurt the stone center...
Oh... The Geist is controlling a bunch of stones, making it a large stone golem technically... well... it's controlling a lot of rocks.
Nevermind, the hero is getting distracted from the quest. For now, he needs to focus on killing the Geist.
"Nora, Sun! Do something!" Jaune ordered.
"What exactly?" Sun asked.
"Hit it!"
"Riiiight!" Nora said, dumbfounded, trying to hit the gesit only to get smacked against another tree. Sun went and followed... and then got smacked so hard that the tree he landed on was implanted with Sun's figure.
"This Geist is likely older than perceived... it's preserving the center stone, which contains it's head." Violet stated.
"So, what do we do?" Jaune asked."
"Attack the arms, without those, the Geist would be vulnerable to attack."
"Right, I'll get it's attention. Nora, focus on the right arm. Sun, attack the left arm. Everyone else provide firing support." Jaune commanded.
Everyone else nodded their head. Yang's not here because she went out to get supplies. Not that she could be any use in a fight right now, missing an entire arm and all.
The attack planned out. Nora went up and attacked at the front whilst Sun attacked from behind. Jaune got it's attention by attacking it's legs, and then fleeing. The remaining five went and opened fire on the Geist. Nora and Sun kept jumping and attacking the joints of the Geist Rock arms, weakening them.
Eventually, Nora managed to land a shattering blow to the right arm, in which Ren and Violet opened fire at the exposed joint, starting to crack it. Although this would not last as the Geist possesses a fallen tree to take it's place, swinging it around like a club.
"Okay, now what?" Neptune asked.
"Simple, we light the tree on fire!" Nora stated.
"Nora..." Violet said, in a scolding tone.
"What?"
"Fire burns slowly on trees."
"Okay..."
"If you set the tree on fire, it would go from a Geist with a wooden club to a Geist with a burning wooden club."
"Oooooh..."
Although despite this, Neptune charged in with his trident at hand, electrocuting the branch, minorly damaging it... and sending it on fire. Violet facepalmed and sighed apon witnessing it. Neptune was then thrown back to another, non-burning tree.
Well, the task has certainly gotten harder, but there is a crack on the right side... Jaune wonders...
"Shoot at the crack." Jaune ordered.
"The one on the side with the flaming tree?" Ren asked.
"No thanks to Neptune." Violet commented.
"It's a weak spot, it's our only chance to force this thing out of the rock." Jaune stated. "Me and Sun will distract it. Nora, fire grenades to widen the crack, everyone else open fire!" He ordered.
Just live that, Jaune and Sun went toward the Geist and attacked it, although it didn't do much damage, the intended outcome had occurred, the Geist was focusing on Jaune and Sun to not notice the rest of the party firing at the crack that Nora had made, Nora's grenades sure do more damage, but they do manage to drift attention away from Jaune and Sun, and more towards Nora. Thankfully Sun had a plan for that, he used his semblance to create copies that attack near the Geist's heads, now more focusing towards Jaune and Sun.
The battle was far from over, however. The rock has yet to be broken. Jaune is doing all he can... but it feels like a swing from a hammer would do the trick...
"Nora, swing the crack with your hammer!" Jaune ordered.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Nora answered.
And just like that Nora jumped up and went to swing down towards one of the cracks after a clash of Magnhild and the Geist's core rock, the rock had shattered to pieces with the grimm itself fleeing the scene. Violet had grabbed his handgun and managed to snipe it down from the scene, killing the Geist.
"Why couldn't you just kill it by shooting it in the head?" Jaune asked.
"Geist cannot be killed so as long as they are possessing something." Violet stated. "Clearly, you have slept through grimm studies."
"Well, we should report back and tell them the Geist is dead."
"The money is important. We need to save it to buy a new arm for Yang." Sun commented.
"She'd also need a new weapon, since Ember Celicia was never recovered." Violet added.
"True. Well, Yang's going to be back at the village waiting for us to get on the van." Jaune reminded the group. Thankfully, with a van they can arrive to Mistral much faster. Although like Sun mentioned, Yang's going to have to find somewhere to park it since he said that Mistral is different from other cities.
Random Mistral Village, March 10, Saturday, 2:00 PM, Exterior
Jaune never caught the name of this village in particular... but no less. They deicided to stop here for some foods and stuff, along with getting the task to kill the Geist in the first place, in which they seek to turn in the reward for killing the Geist.
Jaune, Violet, and Ren went and greeted the villager who requested this side quest to slay the Geist. Nora and SSSN were elsewhere, Yang still back at the van.
"We took care of the Geist." Jaune announced.
"We can't thank you enough. Unfortunately, there'd be more grimm..." the villager stated.
"As much as we want to stay here, we need to get to Mistral."
"I understand. We're lucky you dealt with the Geist, here's your reward." the villager said, giving Jaune a sum of Lien. Although he's not sure what to spend it on. He'd upgrade Crocea Mors, but he doesn't have any raw metal to do so. Or any metal at all... well, he'd find a way to spend it when the time comes.
After that, he had decided to head out back on the road, given that they've gotten enough food supply to last for the trip, if the calculations are accurate.
Although to a surprise Yang is not at the van is walking toward to the group. Jaune then and waved... she then waved... with her left arm... wait... her left arm was cut off... although it doesn't look like most of her arm grew back. The part that did looked to be more pink.
"Yang?" Jaune asked.
"I know, surprised me too... I got part of my arm back overall. Well, I'm happy about it, but from the looks of it... it appears more is growing." Yang announced.
"Well, for the time being I suggest you stay in the back seat... driving may interfere with the growth, and may end up causing deformities, meaning we'd have to cut the thing off." Violet stated.
"Alright, fine. I'll stay in the backseat. Does anyone here know to drive?" Yang asked.
"Well, there's Violet." Ren commented.
"Isn't he color-blind?"
"It's either him or Nora, and I'm suggesting him."
"Why not Nora?"
"Nora's not driving." Violet stated.
"I can take your word for it." Jaune added.
"Anyways, we need to head to Mistral, so come on..."
"We need to wait for SSSN, they're still somewhere causing mischief." Nora added, before walking back elsewhere.
Well then. On the bright side, Yang's arm is growing back. On the other hand, it's not instantaneous. Finding SSSN is currently the highest priority for Jaune. So, Jaune went and decided to explore the town.
So far, everything was the same as it was when the party first arrived. Looked like the average mistrillian settlement. Although Jaune ended up running into some well... unique characters.
The Steel Hawk Yakuza... as what they call themselves... wearing shining white suits, they went and extorted someone for protection money. As much as he wants to help, he can't. Being that it's quite unwise to make enemies with an organized crime family in mistral. Most who try to fight crime here... Don't live very long. Mistral's been filled with wanton crime ever since the great war...
The yakuza mooks then left, and Jaune just sat by and watched it happen. He felt disgusted, but he needs to make it to Mistral before ending up at the bottom of the ocean. However, he knows the journey would be long and perilous, like writing an essay with a broken keyboard. It's quite annoying, and a third-party application is needed to replace the key functions, not to mention the muscle memory.
He spent a couple of hours looking for SSSN, only to find them back at the van Jaune feels dumb for this.
"What? Did you expect us to hang around here for a bit longer? There's nothing to do here!" Sun stated.
"You guys are usually off elsewhere..." Jaune stated.
"That is true for most cases. But what are we supposed to do in this town in particular?"
"Fair point. Now we need to head out to the next town. Violet's driving since Yang's arm is re-growing."
"Ya, we know. It's still growing too... at this rate, she may have a full arm back."
"Or a very deformed appendage." Sage commented.
"Hopefully, we can save money on prosthetics."
After that, the eight members of the group had boarded the van, to continue driving to mistral.
Character Change: Jaune Arc - Violet Jasper
Green Van, March 10, Saturday, 4:00 PM, Mistral Roads
CAR MODEL: LARGE BEAR 65 VAN, PAINTED GREEN
SPEED LIMIT: 50mph
CURRENT DRIVING SPEED: 50mph
HULL: 54%
INSTALLED WEAPONS: None, but passengers can provide support fire.
The seating arrangement has been altered... since Violet was not at the back... people were moved around... Yang was put in the back, with Nora now in Violet's old seat, Yang in Nora's seat, and Violet in the Driver's seat.
Anyways, he drives cautiously to avoid damage to the van. Mostly because this van is the quickest way to Mistral. Too bad he can't drive the thing at the city. Given Mistral's unique structure. Vehicles are typically all outside the city limits. And people just walk around everywhere, or take a bike. Violet's been there two years ago, he should know about Mistral's transportation.
He also knows how to drive, and to shoot a gun whilst doing it. Being now that's covered. He went on the road. Simply follow the path, and head towards Mistral. Thankfully Sun has the map so the group of them don't get lost.
They were driving in the day, which means the shells or steelfeathers won't pop around. Much like their creators, these grimm aren't quite fond of the sun. Fighting them is quite unique, given that unlike most creatures of darkness, they have an innate intellect. In addition to their design, being they're more capable of killing huntsmen than normal grimm. For good reason too. Most grimm is usually spawned out in the wild whilst the mistrallian vampire grimm are hand-made by the vampires... According to Qrow, mistrillian vampires hardly do any of their hunting, and mostly send thralls and grimm to do the job for them.
People like Jaune and Yang are very likely targets for these grimms... they don't hunt with negativity senses unlike normal grimm... Violet can't put his finger on it, but these grimm are quite picky with their choices. But no less, he needs to concentrate on driving the van. Mistral's grimm isn't just from the wild, after all...
Although surprisingly there's less grimm around here than usual. Which means no stops to fight or car gunfighting. Violet can just focus on the road.
Character Change: Violet Jasper - Qrow Branwen
Random Mistral Village, March 10, Saturday, 10:00 PM, Bar
Qrow was having a drink. Since he checked Yang and her friends ended up camping in a nearby forest, he can just hang around here, take a 2-hour nap and head back to follow them, quite simple. He was happy that they've managed to take down the Geist. They do need to sharpen up on the fighting. But they'll learn. Albeit, they'd never get as good as Qrow. They'd be wrinkly and grey by the time they reach their seventies. And Qrow would only look middle aged by then. It's sad, but true.
His drink was then interrupted by the barmaid handing Qrow another drink.
"I didn't order this." Qrow objected.
'No, but someone upstairs ordered it for you..." the barmaid replied.
Qrow then looked at the drink... red color, mildly see-through, only two ice-cubes, and an orange slice...
Raven. That was her drink. Qrow picked up the drink and went upstairs to see her sister, tapping on the table, mask off. Qrow sat down across and gave her the drink. She then chugged the whole thing down.
"What brings you to Mistral, brother?" Raven asked.
"I was looking after your daughter..." Qrow retorted.
"Yang Jr.? How old is she now?"
"She's eighteen."
"Wow, already an adult, my how the time passes."
"I doubt you called me here just to say hi to your brother. From all of those years we've been together, I can tell you want to know more."
"My my, brother. You've always been the perceptive one. That's why you were always better with a gun."
"Cut to the point, Ray."
"Ya ya, alright. So... I've heard rumors regarding about Summer's kid, is it true?"
"Where did you hear that?"
"White Fang rumors, criminal underworld gossip, the bird form is not just for scouting."
"And what exactly did you hear?"
"That there's a special grimm that takes form of a young girl. Looks fifteen years old, black and red hair, silver eyes. A grimm which normally targets those who are on the wrong side of the law. We both know grimm aren't usually picky with their prey. Besides, father's one too."
"The rumors were true; she was turned by the Duke of Bloodshire himself. Quite ironic, isn't it?"
"Indeed, Summer would be rolling in her grave right now if she had heard the news about her daughter. One of the greatest huntresses and vampire slayers out there, only for her own daughter to become a vampire, a complex form of grimm. And turned by the vampire she personally had staked and buried deep back within the catacombs in his original resting spot, and sealed no less." Raven chuckled.
"The Duke was always a fan of irony, according to Oz." Qrow stated.
"And seeing Summer's flesh and blood in an inexperienced state, well... that was too much to pass up for him." Raven chuckled. "Whatever happened to the girl, anyway."
"Gone, vanished. The only evidence of her being would be her cloak."
"Well, at least there's something left of her..."
"Let's not get emotional here, sis. The good news, despite Vale being in a more chaotic state than Vacuo, the Queen's big pawn is gone."
"Her vessel? Well, damn. Do you think she'll go after spring next?"
"Most likely. Problem is, we have no clue where it is."
"Well, you got me there... You know I can't be spring since I became too old for the powers to go to me right around the time that I hit puberty."
"If you find spring, come tell me..."
"So, you could give it to Oz?"
"I get that you don't trust him, but he's our only hope to make sure she doesn't get ahold of spring."
"There's got to be an alternative. If he's been around for as long as he says, and still hasn't defeated her... well, I just can't trust him."
"However, I do."
"Anyways, how is Yang Jr. Doing?"
"Just call her Yang."
"Alright, fiiiiiine. How is 'Yang' doing?" Raven corrected herself.
"I get that you used to adress Tai by 'Yang', but he doesn't go by that anymore. She's doing great, she's taken a lot from you." Qrow retorted.
"In what means?"
"Hot-headed, stubborn, aggressive fighter, heavy drinker, and even started to regrow lost limbs."
"I remember the first time my arm's been dismembered... it's painful, but the regrowth is a lot more. Guess she took more of the infliction than most latent-bloods like her."
"Although it could be from a unique dust combination. Doctors took another geology test and showed there was another form of dust injected in her and Weiss fighting off the Entropy Dust the White Fang commander introduced into the body."
"Entropy Dust? Isn't that stuff unique to Moon Dragon?"
"Yes, which means something's up. This attack was staged by the Queen's pawn, so how did she get her hand in Yakuza dust?"
"Collaboration?"
"Doubt it. Queen hates vampires, and vampires hate the Queen."
"You can say that again. Anyways, I'd have to finish up on a bounty here... my target's in this bar. I'd figure I'd catch up on what's happening with my brother while we're both here."
"Okay, just don't make a mess, or spend all of your money on booze."
"You're the one to talk."
"You got me there, Ray. I'll take a small nap and then head back to where Yang and her friends are..."
Qrow then saw Raven get up and walk downstairs, only for her to behead her target while they were drinking. She then finished their drink, and took the head. Well, she's brutally efficient. On the other-hand, there's a reason to why she wasn't welcome to any of the huntsman guilds.
No less, Qrow may as well take that nap and head out... hopefully those kids won't be bloodless bodies when Qrow gets back. Travelling in Mistral is dangerous at night, especially due to the shells.
Character Change: Qrow Branwen - Jaune Arc
Mistral Wilderess, March 11, Sunday, 1:00 AM, Campground
At the camp ground around the van. With Yang sleeping inside it for her own protection, Whilst everyone else needs to sleep in shifts outside. As far as Jaune's concerned, it's currently Violet's...
So, he was asleep when suddenly...
Four gunshots were heard and the sound of blood splashing everywhere is heard, Jaune snapped awake. He got up and saw Violet... shooting at people?
"Violet, what are you doing?" Jaune asked.
"Shooting grimm." Violet stated.
"There's blood!"
"Yes. These grimm are different. Shells."
And then from when he saw it, when it got close a human-shaped grimm. It appears to look like it's wearing a suit, unlike most grimm. This one is mostly purple instead of red or yellow. It appears to be heading towards Violet. In which he then shot it again, four times, followed by re-loading his gun. The grimm, then vanished, and left blood all over.
"Why do they... have blood?" Jaune asked.
"There's a reason why no one takes camping trips outdoors in this kingdom." Violet stated. "Shells. They collect blood for the Mistral vampires, they don't do hunting themselves, so they make grimm to do it for them."
"Could... Ruby do that?"
"No, Valean vampires don't have that trait."
"Now you're telling me there's different kinds of vampires?"
"Yes. One type for each of the kingdoms. Vale, Mistral, Mantle, and Vacuo."
"Isn't it called Atlas?"
"Yes, but the strain is called Mantlean."
"I see... any other grimm we should worry about?"
"Steelfeathers, metallic bird grimm, sharp objects are useless against them. There are other types. But those two are the most common."
"So... we should all camp in the van?"
"Only those who can't defend themselves, like Yang. The shells would drain her dry."
"So... we need to keep our guard up during the night... so... two people up?"
"At least one faunas, or me. Now, head back to sleep. I've got this."
"Hey... what's going on?" Sun asked, waking up.
"Giant human-shaped mosquito grimm." Jaune stated.
"Fun." Sun said, sarcastically.
Well, this trip to mistral's gonna get a lot more complicated. Now they'd have to actually find a settlement to stop at before resting. Otherwise, the sleep would get interrupted by grimm, ones who suck blood for vampires too lazy to do it themselves, no less. Normal grimm at day, and these vampire-made grimm at night. Hopefully Nora could stay watch and deal with any steelfeathers they run across. Good that Yang's arm may grow back fully, but it may be a bit until she can fight again.
Jaune sighed, and went back to sleep. People will be heading out on the road, hopefully they can come across a settlement to rest at.
Author's Footnote: RESULTS ARE IN!
RWBY FoB: Yang's Arm? - Poll Results
Grows back fully: 3
Grows back partially: 2
Grows back, but needs to be amputated: 1
Does not grow back, only brings tumors and are to be removed: 0
Six people voted... and this was the majority result. Yang's arm, in time will grow back fully. If you complain about the results, I'll tell you this: THERE WAS A POLL! Unless you were the three people who voted for the other two options, then you have all right to complain.
But that's the end of the chapter, what do you think? Volume 4 in canon is mostly dialogue and loredumps, however I tend to add more action in the FoB version. Vampires and all that.
Sorry it took so long, keyboard's being wonky so typing's being a bit harder.
But no less, I'm happy that the story actually has made it this far. Hopefully I can finish the story. Which will end up diverging from the canon story, with Cinder dead, a lot of butterflies are flying in this timeline. Make sure to check out my other works and see ya next chapter.