To Be Relentless

Chapter 20: Epilogue

-Winter-

"I will not allow it!" Jacques Schnee glared at Weiss who was matching his irate expression, "Even if I have to allow you to attend a Huntsman Academy." And wasn't that little lost wager clearly still rankling him "I won't allow you to go to a country on the other side of the planet alone for that schooling!" taking a deep breath and straightening his tie, Jacques continued "Atlas Academy is far closer and still a respected institution meaning there's no need for you to go to Beacon, let alone Vale, alone."

"Actually Father, she wouldn't be alone." Winter spoke up before Weiss could retort, causing the both of them to look at her confused.

"What are you talking about?" Jacques steepled his fingers, his eyes flitting to Weiss as he noticed she shared his surprise.

"Prep-Academy Student Jaune Arc." Winter smiled at Klein as he refilled her tea, "The original plan was for him to enter Atlas Academy; however, he is training to become a Huntsman combat and field medic. His semblance has healing applications, something he discovered at a young age which drove his determination in the field. Due to this, the plan changed from him attending Atlas Academy to him attending Beacon Academy, due to the Vale Institute of Medicine being the finest in the world for him to also take courses to earn a medical degree."

"A doctor?" Her father raised an eyebrow, likely intrigued more by the wealth and notoriety such a figure could bring in, either as a rival or an ally, than what Jaune could do to help people.

"He's training to be one, yes." Winter took another sip of her tea.

"But why would you already know about him?" Weiss looked confused, "How do you even know him?"

"This young man caught the General's attention." Winter admittedly enjoyed the surprise on Weiss and Father's faces at that statement, "Both for his actions and his semblance."

"Now that I think about it, his name sounds familiar." Jacques frowned in puzzlement before focusing and leaning in "Plus that's the second time you've mentioned his semblance. It must be something special. A healing one, correct?"

"Not exactly, although it has healing applications." Winter pulled out a file, having foreseen the argument that happened and how this could be used to resolve it "The young man, Jaune Arc, discovered his semblance not long after being inducted to the Atlas Huntsman prep academy, having been transferred from a bootcamp program for teenagers and youths."

"A what?" Weiss frowned while her father wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Mr. Arc had the goal of becoming a Huntsman, but his father refused to allow him to train. In an effort to make him want to give up on that ambition, rather than just allowing Jaune to run off with a weapon at seventeen to try and enter an academy with no actual training, he signed up his son for one of the most grueling civilian boot camp experiences on Remnant. Instead of being broken however, Jaune Arc thrived in that environment, taking to each lesson like a fish in water, eager to grow stronger and prove himself. His rapid improvement caught the attention of the camp commander who notified the prep academy, the Camp having a clause to allow skilled participants to enter the prep school should they wish it, a clause that Jaune Arc's father hadn't noticed when he signed the boy up. His semblance is aura amplification."

"I fail to see how that would lend itself to a medicinal field." Jacques leaned back, gesturing for Klein to refill his cup, "It also remains rather vague on what it can do to begin with."

"Aura is the energy of all living things. Everyone be they human, faunus, or animal has aura." Winter explained, "Once it's unlocked it has several properties. It increases strength, speed, durability, stamina, one's ability to rapidly heal, grants a protective barrier, and a semblance. Jaune Arc can enhance not only his own aura, but that of others, even if theirs isn't unlocked. On those without active aura it merely heals them, although to a lesser degree than it would to someone with fully awakened aura. Should Mr. Arc use it on himself or another with active aura though it boosts them far beyond the norm. Incredible defenses, rapid regeneration, superhuman strength and speed. He can even push a semblance to a new level, something I've witnessed first-hand." She wasn't about to admit she'd been the Guinee pig for that "He was originally being trained as an urban commando or shock trooper but with his semblance he began to focus on medical field, wanting to be able to provide support not commonly found amongst the Huntsmen ranks. That semblance caught Ironwood's attention and when he found out that Jaune Arc has not gone back to his father since entering the academy, but instead devoted every break to training or receiving credentials in whatever he was permitted, the General had plans to fast track him into the specialist corp."

"A specialist? He's only seventeen." Jacques openly gaped at her.

"It wouldn't be just yet of course, but his potential is astounding." Winter smiled proudly, "After he was instrumental in fending of the Incursion of the Northern Wall a few years ago, the General took notice. Jaune Arc's Mentor is now a current member of the Ace Ops and they've been training with the rest of the team for some time. His main focus is his medical studies, always studying more than just his assigned courses to get ahead for when he enters the medical academy. But along with that his combat skills are still passable, and his tactical acumen is considerable indeed. Ironwood has approved him going to Beacon academy and helped with a letter of recommendation that, along with his grades, got him a slot in the Medical Academy already approved. Once he graduates from those institutions, he will return to Atlas to be personally trained by myself, the Ace Ops, and other top specialists until Ironwood feels he's ready for the rank."

"He's training a successor, isn't he?" Jacques pieced together what had taken Winter at least a bit of time to figure out.

"I believe so, yes. Regardless, I already asked him to watch Weiss' back as a personal favor to me." Winter smiled at Weiss who, thankfully, didn't take the request as a slight against her skills.

"…Very well." Jacques let out a resigned sigh of frustration even as Weiss gave her a triumphant, if not subdued, grin.

-Watts-

Humming happily to himself, Arthur Watts walked towards the council room of the Lady Salem. In the few years since he'd joined he'd thankfully gotten used to the layout of the castle, even if the view outside always unsettled him. Opening the door, files tucked under his arm, Arthur noted Lady Salem and the other members of her 'council' sitting at the table, all of them noting his good cheer.

"Ah, there you are Arthur." Salem nodded to him, raising an eyebrow at his mood, "As always, do any of you have anything to bring up before I check on the status of our operations?"

"I do actually." Arthur nodded as he took his seat beside Hazel "I wish to inform you of my chosen successor." The room grew tense at that.

"Planning on leaving us already Arthur?" Salem's tone would have made him worried if he had different plans.

"Of course, not my Lady." He shook his head calmly "But, to be blunt, this is a dangerous line of work and I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore. You respect my work and my mind, I'm merely doing you the courtesy of having scoped out a replacement should anything happen to me, that way your council doesn't lose a member for too long."

"Can't happen too soon." Cinder muttered under her breath before wincing at the look Lady Salem sent her way.

"In point of fact," Arthur continued, his mood only further improved at seeing the brat get chastised "I found successors for most of those here."

"Most?" Salem raised an eyebrow in question.

"May I be blunt my lady?" he asked and, when she nodded, gestured at Cinder "She is to be your potential Maiden candidate. To be honest the only real benefit she brings is her gender and even that isn't all that important. You've explained those Grimm worms that could steal the power so I fail to see why you couldn't take those powers for yourself so that the Maiden abilities would never fall back into Ozpin's hands." Cinder's eyes blazed with hatred at him talking about her not getting something she felt entitled to. "She's far too confident in her own abilities without any real sign of the skill needed to back that up. I'd suggest replacing her with possibly that Mafia Boss from Mistral, Miss Malachite, or possible Sienna Khan. Both women, and showed they have both the ruthless efficiency to get the job done and intellect to back it up. Not to mention they have an army of supporters who would therefore become an asset to your cause."

"You've given this quite a lot of thought Arthur." Salem observed.

"I pride myself on my intellect above all else my lady." Arthur felt his mustache ruffle as he worked to suppress a grin, "But as I said, I have actual full proposed candidates for myself, Hazel, and Tyrian. If I may."

"Proceed, you have me curious on who you'll recommend." Salem leaned forward; the usual signs of her tired boredom gone at this new development.

"For Tyrian's successor I'd recommend one Adam Taurus." He slid over the dossier on the White Fang juggernaut "The current strongest combatant in the Fang. Able to move subtly as needed given his trait can be hidden with a hood if he's careful and he's yet to be captured by the kingdoms who are looking for him. With his semblance, from what data I gathered through my hacking, would even still be viable as an Assassin to succeed Tyrian given all he needs is a blade, no matter how small, and he could release energy attacks capable of destroying the most dangerous mechs Atlas has created to date."

"Not to mention he's another method of potentially gaining the allegiance of the Fang." Salem pointed out as he gave a pleased nod, Tyrian just seeming happy at the thought of bringing more people into the fold to worship Lady Salem.

"For Hazel it took a bit of digging but I found a Beacon Student about to start their second year." Arthur continued "Much like Hazel, he's a more gentle giant, a voice of temperance to balance out any debate or decision made by your council." Hazel sat forward, seemingly pleased at that statement "Yatsuhashi Daichi. His Semblance is memory wiping and when it manifested, he ended up erasing his parents' memory of him and more, taking decades of memory away and leaving them unaware of who he even is. He fears his own semblance because of this and has trained himself on temperance and self-control. Now, I'm sure this is something you could fix given your mastery of the arcane." She'd already explained that Semblances were just the lingering remnants of magic taking on a new form and none had mastered magic like she herself had "Something Ozpin himself has refused to do in order to keep his nature a secret. Healing his parents' minds would no doubt indebt him to you and your cause, potentially even bringing his team from Beacon and family into your fold."

"I'm noticing a pattern here." Salem noted, "Candidates who could bring others under their banner to me."

"Of course, my lady. Quality Councilors who can provide quantity to ensure your aims are achieved." Arthur was getting giddy at getting to talk about his chosen successor "And finally there is my chosen successor, one Jaune Arc." He slid over the last file "An Aura Amplification semblance. He went to the Atlas Prep Academy but is now aiming to go to Beacon to attend the Local medical school at the same time, Vale's being the best in the world. The lad has been preparing and studying for years for this along with training alongside his friends and even members of the Ace Ops. If I'm not mistaken, Ironwood is actually looking at making him his own successor. Whether it's just as the Atlesian General or in regard to Ozpin's circle I'm unsure. I do know that the boy's father has utter hatred for Ozpin and the Kingdom's councils though if that helps at all."

"Hmm, I approve." Salem closed the files "Even if these candidates are not acquired, I approve of finding successors. These are my commands."

"Yes, my lady." The four of them bowed their heads, although Arthur was sure he saw something dark flash through Cinder's eyes at the order given.

-Jaune-

"It's beautiful sis." Jaune grinned as he looked at the present Astrid had made for him. He'd graduated from Atlas Prep Academy with honors, he Ciel, and Penny at the top of their class. The farewell party had been emotional, but they all knew that Penny and Ciel would see him soon, planning to apply for early admission to head to Beacon for the Vytal festival. His finger went to the Barret that Ciel had given him along with a pocket watch to have a piece of her when he went to Beacon. His own gift to her had been a locket with their photo inside.

"Damn right it is." Astrid snapped him back from his thoughts with a slap to his back, the action not even making him stagger "I based her off the sword of one of our ancestors that I found out about in the family library."

"Well, I'd better get going before…" Jaune trailed off, unsure of how to politely say he wanted to leave before his dad got back.

"About that." Astrid gave him a serious look "Dad…"

"Is already here." The voice of his father spoke up from behind Jaune, a voice he hadn't heard since he left for Atlas.

"Then I'm leaving." Jaune grit his teeth, moving to pack up Astrid's gift and head to the airfield to go to Vale.

"Jaune for once in your damn life you will be quite and listen to me." Alexander Arc sounded frustrated, but Jaune didn't care, not unless the man was about to apologize for trying to quash his dream and even then, he doubted he'd stay. "It's about your mother." That made Jaune pause, glance back at his father and even noting the rest of his sisters filing into the room.

"Talk." Jaune relented, crossing his arms even as his father sealed the room, touching a strange symbol on the wall as what looked like Glyphs covered the walls, ceiling and floor.

"Your sisters are already aware of this." Jaune's father shot him a look "You would have been informed by now if you hadn't been avoiding coming home like a child."

"A child?!" Jaune seethed, his father one of the few who could still get him riled up like this "I-"

"Enough!" Arturia got between them, "Both of you are acting like children!" that one hurt as he gave his sister a betrayed look. "Jaune, don't give me that you know it's true." She gave him a firm look "You got angry at Father for not supporting your dream but once you had a way to do it you never even tried to come back or fix anything. Neither of you did."

"That's because he's always been against me." Jaune seethed, "He let Samus keep fighting in the guard but refused to allow me to learn."

"I was never against you learning to fight." Alexander retorted before Arturia could comment, "I was against you become a Huntsman, a lap dog for the councils." The memory of Ivanov's low opinions of Huntsmen flashed through Jaune's mind before he pushed it away, "Not to mention I never saw you doing anything besides reading comics and playing your video games. But if you'd said you wanted to be part of the town guard, I would have trained you as hard as you needed to be."

"Look, we know you're both terrible at talking with each other." Hestia spoke up, "Father…tell him the rest."

Alexander shifted unhappily before relenting, "Ozpin is partly responsible for your mother's death." Jaune felt his legs grow weak at that statement, it being more than his father had ever revealed about the incident before. Seeing his father reach for his scroll, and the expression's on his sister's faces, he knew he was about to hear the recording he'd never gotten to hear before.

"Backup, we need backup!" the voice of Jaune's mother screamed from the recording, "It's an ambush! Summer and I got separated by some Scorpion Faunus shouting about a woman named Salem! I-" her message was cut off as he heard a loud clang.

"Hello, my beloved!" a psychotic sounding voice cackled "I've come for you! Alexander tried to keep you from me, but we can finally be together thanks to the goddess Salem! Once we overthrow Ozpin, we can rule all of Vale toge-" the insane voice went from rambling to screaming in pain, "You bitch! Alexander is still turning you against me! You are mine! Not his! MINE! I won't let anyone take yo-" the screams finally turned into wet gurgles.

"We…we need extraction." His mother panted before screaming in pain and the line went dead.

"W…who?" Jaune was shaking, hearing his mother scream in pain as she died something he was starting to wish he'd never heard, understanding why his father had keep the recording un-played for so long.

"That was Gilles De Rais."Jaune's father scowled, "He was a Huntsmen student like your mother and I at Beacon, one who was obsessed with her and didn't like being told no. He went missing shortly after graduation. After…after I got the message, I confronted Ozpin about him sending my Wife and Summer Rose into a trap, demanded to know what he knew. He lied and tried to act like I was crazy. After that I burnt my Huntsman License and came here. I've dug and dug, finding proof and proof more of what Ozpin hid, particularly thanks to Djinn."

"Who?" Jaune asked before noting swirling blue smoke rising up, seeing a blue woman appear, batting her eyes playfully at Jaune's dad even as he tried not looking at her obvious teasing.

"Djinn, show to Jaune the answer to my question." Alexander spoke firmly before Jaune could press for more answers. And thus, he saw. He saw Ozpin's past, he saw magic and gods, and maidens. He saw the secrets that had made his father hate the Councils and Ozpin. Then his vision returned, and he fell to his knees, gasping even as his father's surprisingly gentle hands helped him up.

"What…" Jaune coughed "What was that?" even though he already knew thanks to the memories played.

"You know Jaune." Jaune's father sounded utterly exhausted, "I could only show that to you and your sisters due to how Djinn's relic nature worked. The question was already asked so sharing the answer doesn't use up that last question. Roman and the current Fall Maiden, Neo, helped build a safe area for Djinn here in our home and brought her from Mistral."

"…I'm still going to Beacon." Jaune firmed his spine, "I…if this is true…I can't forgive Ozpin." Jaune relented that front, even if he understood his father more now. Fear, grief, rage, had twisted his father, driven him to try and hold onto Jaune and his sisters and shield them from everything. But…the current man before him didn't seem quite the same as the one Jaune left so many years ago. "But I will still be a Huntsman. I will save people." Jaune's father had a complicated expression, warring between frustration, wanting to protest, and, Jaune hoped, a hint of pride.

"I know." Alexander Arc finally slumped in defeat, "I had hoped the recording and Djinn would change your mind…but I suppose I knew better. You may have your mother's eyes and her heart but if you aren't every bit as stubborn as I ever was." Jaune couldn't help the shaky snicker at that. "But if you go, you aren't going unprotected." Jaune's father handed him a case "A gift from myself, your mother, and your godfathers. A bit of team Rare to keep you safe."

"Thanks…Dad." Jaune hesitantly took the case, feeling both closer to his father than he had in a long time but also still so far away and unsure what to do.

"But know this." His father's gaze hardened "Should Ozpin risk your life in his shadow war, nothing will stop me from collecting his head."