A/N:
Happy Halloween! Or, in Remnant's case: Happy All Grimm's Eve!
Fair warning, there's going to be some missing context in this story. Admittedly, it should have been uploaded WAY farther down in the story... but a Halloween story not being uploaded on Halloween? That's like Death Battle uploading Michael vs Jason (WHICH I HAVE BEEN WAITING LITERAL YEARS FOR!) in November. It MUST be done!
Oh, and this movie, like the previous one, is non-canon. You'll see why toward the end.
And with that, enjoy this treat. Hope you don't see it as a trick.
Argent was working on his costume, the ten-year-old looking forward to All Grimm's Eve, one of his favorite holidays. His dad always says that kids enjoyed it the most, since... FREE CANDY! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?!
He then heard a knock on his bedroom door. "Arie, it's your dad."
"Come in!"
Jaune walked in, wearing the Ace Ops uniform for his costume, but with his hologram turned off to be in his true Grimm Form, stopping when he saw his son's costume. "Is that supposed to be my armor?"
"Shi-shi-shi. Yup! Not a lot of people know how cool your Ambrosian Garb is, so I'm going as the King of Grimm!"
"How strange for the technical Prince of Grimm to say," Jinn said as she popped her head into the doorway before walking out, showing she was dressed as Glynda.
"You know she's not going to like seeing you dressed like that, right," Jaune asked.
"Why do you think I chose it?"
"The troll of the family, everyone," Nimueh sighed as she walked up. Jaune looked at her, his jaw dropping. "Like what you see," Nimueh asked as she raised her eyebrow, smirking while wearing Raven's outfit. Jaune could only babble. "Who wears it better?"
"You," Jaune answered immediately, no sense of falsehood in the answer.
"Right answer," she said as she patted his cheek before kissing the other one. "So, how much did you help him make it," she asked Jinn.
"Why I don't know what you mean," Jinn said coyly.
Nimueh tossed Jinn a candied apple.
Jinn caught it without looking. "I just bought a bit of the material and helped him stitch some of it together," she answered before taking a bite out of one of her favorite treats.
"So you're going as me," Jaune asked with a raised eyebrow. Argent just shrugged with a toothy smile, making his dad roll his eyes.
"It's not that strange. Lyra is going as her mother in her old Atlas outfit. Even had some All Grimm's Eve makeup to copy her scars," Jinn explained before taking another bite out of her apple.
"Nora squeezed her to death out of pure joy, didn't she," Jaune asked.
"Of course. Oh, and Silber isn't participating."
"Again," Argent asked, dejected.
"She's a Schnee, honey," Nimueh went. "They're not really into All Grimm's Eve. Plus, some Grimm's Eve parties can get a bit rowdy, so she's probably helping her aunt keep the order in New Mantle like she did last year."
"At least Verde will be dressing up, despite being in Menagerie with her moms and grandparents," Jaune said. "Though, I heard she's going dressed as... what was it again," Jaune asked Jinn.
She held out her hand. Jaune sighed before grabbing it and charging her with Aura. When he was done, she still had her hand out. "Really?" She just playfully bit her apple while raising an eyebrow. Jaune sighed as he used his powers to stretch his arm into the kitchen. When it returned, he was holding a chocolate banana. "You realize these are for the trick-or-treaters, right?"
Jaune jolted when Jinn kissed his cheek. "Trick."
"Oh, you're brave," Nimueh went, a vein pulsing on her forehead, teeth bared, and eyes turning black and purple as if she was going to revert back to her Spirit Form.
"Anyway, Verde is going dressed as an Apedemak."
"The Grimm God that nearly killed me fourteen years ago? Should I be offended?"
"It's her favorite Grimm, Jaune. You made the story too interesting," Nimueh explained as she leaned on her husband.
"Interesting? That thing nearly ate me like a grape. Anyway, is your costume almost ready, Arie? For once, we're not having any parties at my house. We're going to Ren's."
Argent shuttered. "Uh, Uncle Ren's not going to make any smoothies, is he?"
"NO," Jaune and Nimueh went in unison, a deep blush on both their faces.
"Nora made sure he makes NOTHING," Jaune went.
"But if he does, and we drink it, this time we're dragging him AND Nora into THEIR bedrooms, right," Nimueh whispered.
"Oh, absolutely. Ren needs to learn he can only do so much before it bites him in the ass."
"As long as YOU don't bite him."
"Actually, I think I'd go after Nora."
"As much sense as that makes, it still pisses me off to hear you admit that."
"Would you rather I go after Ren?"
"Nora, it is."
Meanwhile.
Nora shuttered before blushing brightly. "Pheeeew."
"Something wrong, Nora," Ren asked.
Ren was surprised when Nora appear in front of him, grabbing his arms. "Renny, baby, flower-hubby, you're not planning on making any protein shakes, are you?"
"What? No. You told me not to."
"WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE SMOOTHIES!"
"That's... a bit harsh, Nora."
"I'M SERIOUS, LIE! I FEEL LIKE IF YOU MAKE A SMOOTHIE, SOMETHING AMAZING WILL HAPPEN!"
"Amazing?"
"LIKE SERIOUSLY AMAZING! But if it's amazing, do I really wanna stop it? WAIT, OF COURSE, I DO! JAUNE IS BASICALLY MY BROTHER!"
"Jaune?"
"But then again, Nimueh is seriously hot. And maybe I can convince her to let our husbands- WAIT! WE'RE GONNA BE IN-LAWS ONE DAY! THAT WOULD BE WAY TOO AWKWARD! AND JAUNE HAS BEEN WITH A LOT OF WOMEN! WHAT IF HE- NO! I AM LOYAL! AH, BUT WHAT IF HIS EFFECT WORKS ON MEN?! Wait, he's never had a boyfriend. Only women. AH! BUT WHAT IF MY LIE IS THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE!? THAT'S ALSO KINDA HOT BUT I DON'T WANNA LOSE MY REN! BUT WHAT IF NIMUEH HAS AN EFFECT AND I BECOME HERS!? NOOOOOO! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT ANYMORE!"
Ren sweatdropped at his wife's weirdness.
"Anyway, your costume ready, kiddo?"
"Yup," Argent said as he put on his helmet.
"Wow. He looks like a mini-you," Nimueh said genuinely.
"Not sure Ruby would like hearing that," Jinn said in a sing-song tone.
"Best costume ever," Nimueh said with a thumbs up.
"Will you ever get along with her," Jaune asked.
"Probably not."
Jaune sighed before looking at his watch. "We've got two hours until the party starts. Get used to your costume until then, I guess, kiddo."
"Sure thing, dad," Argent said as he picked up the Ambrosian Sword replica, his Ambrosian Staff strapped on his back.
Jaune chuckled before leaving, followed by his wife and sister-in-law.
Argent analyzed his fake sword, making sure it was just like his dad's before he saw something in the corner of his eye. He looked out the window, the moon illuminating the sky, the forest looking ethereal in its light. It looked perfect for All Grimm's Eve parties, now that Argent thought about it. With his father being the Grimm King, it would be easy to have one without worrying about Grimm attacking you.
Kinda ironic, celebrating a holiday all about scaring away Grimm to make less of them appear the next year with the King of All Grimm.
However, as Argent thought of that, he saw something again. A ghostly figure that caught his attention before. It wasn't a Grimm.
Argent sheathed his fake sword onto his costume and opened his window to chase after the "ghost".
"Oh, wait." Argent grabbed Crocea Mors. "Just in case."
He then jumped toward the forest, not at all knowing about the adventure that awaited the Young Prince of Grimm.
Argent was seriously glad his dad's armor was mostly black. It made sneaking through the night incredibly easy, especially with all the training he got from his Aunt Blake and Uncle Ren. Plus, he knew the forest like the back of his hand, even knowing where the Grimm liked to prowl around.
Though, he doesn't need to worry about the Grimm anymore, since they're loyal to his dad now. They're pretty much guards and protectors now. Argent himself treats the Beowolves like giant puppy dogs, the Beowolves even shaking their legs when you scratch them in just the right spot.
"Ah, maybe I should have told dad I saw something freaky before I went into the forest alone. This could get me in trou-"
Argent was interrupted when he saw something fly by in the distance, making him hide. He looked to see what it was using his scroll.
"No way. An actual ghost," Argent said as he took the photo of the floating, white apparition. It then flew off.
Too curious and excited about finding a ghost, Argent followed the "spirit" deeper into the forest. When he hid again, watching the spirit, he was surprised when something nuzzled against him.
He looked to see a Beowolf sniffing him before it licked him. Argent had a hard time suppressing his laughter before he scratched the large Grimm, getting the massive wolf to fall into bliss to leave him be enough to look at the ghost. It must have somehow heard Argent, since it was flying away at too great of a speed for him to follow, even with Blake and Ren's training.
However, he had one of the fastest land Grimm in front of him.
It was risky since he had only ever ridden Beowolves with his dad... but no time like the present, right?
Argent hopped onto the back of the Beowolf, surprising it enough to make it stand upright.
"Hey, hey, whoa there," Argent said as he rubbed the Beowolf, calming it down. "Hey, think you can chase after that ghost for me?"
The Beowolf's ears twitched a bit before it went down on all fours and ran.
"WHOA! THIS IS SOMEHOW WAY MORE FUN WHEN YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN," Argent laughed as he rode the mighty wolf.
Makes sense he would think that. Most of the time, when he rode a Beowolf, he was sandwiched between his parents. Without his mother and father, he could feel the wind on his face, the force of it slamming into his body, and the rush of the Beowolf's full speed. Plus, the wind rushing into his helmet kinda tickled. It also doesn't hurt to be the first kid to actually ride a Beowolf.
Yeah, kids have sat on the backs of patrolling Grimm, but they've never ridden one like it was a horse.
The Beowolf was incredibly fast, but Argent had the strength and skill to hold onto the beast without harming it. It didn't take long for the wolf to find the apparition. However, the ghost went into a strange-looking tree.
"Is that... a door," Argent asked as he got off the Beowolf and walk toward it. The door on the tree had what looked like a carved pumpkin on it, one of the most well-known symbols of All Grimm's Eve. The fact that it had a Beowolf Howling carved on it made it seem more authentic.
Argent realized there were other doors, too. A door with a four-leafed clover, the symbol for St. Ozma's Fortune Day. A door with a colorful jackalope for Faunus Festival to worship the God of Animals. A door with a turkey, the symbol for the Day of Gratitude, his dad's personal favorite. Finally, the door with a beautiful tree that screamed Dust Day.
Argent was immediately drawn to the All Grimm's Eve door since he was sure the apparition went to that door. Argent took out his scroll and took a picture of it.
"Huh? What the heck," he went when he saw that he just took a picture of a normal tree. He looked up to see the door then down at his scroll to see a normal tree.
Argent then turned on his scroll's recording feature, holding it up to see a regular tree being recorded, but could clearly see the door past his scroll. He reached out to touch the door, seeing his gloved hand. He patted the tree before noticing the doorknob below the Beowolf's jaw.
Argent reached out and grabbed the knob. He looked down at his scroll to see him seemingly just grabbing air instead of a doorknob. Argent then turned the knob and opened the door, seeing nothing but a black abyss. He looked at his scroll, seeing that it was still recording, but just showed a regular tree. Argent even pointed it at the open door, only seeing the forest through the hole in the tree. A Boarbatusk even waddled into the frame, looked toward Argent, snorted, and waddled off.
"What the heck is going on? Is this magic or something?" He looked back into the abyss. "Maybe I should tell dad about this?"
A creepy chuckle was then heard. "Ya finally opened it, Arc-y boy," an echoing voice went within the abyss.
"Huh?
A roar was then heard, followed by a rushing wind. It was so sudden and unexpected that Argent even dropped his scroll, the next thing the device recorded was Argent's surprised scream as he fell into the abyss.
What followed was the sound of the Beowolf Argent rode barking and snarling. It then yelped, the phone not being able to record it slashing at the door and being sent flying. It whined in a pitiful tone before howling in despair. Soon, the entire forest was filled with mournful howls.
Jaune was walking through his mansion when his reflexes kicked in, Jaune catching something that smashed through his window. He looked to see it was a goofball. He sighed before walking out of his house and looking toward the east. "DAMMIT, GOMEZ! I SAID TO AIM TOWARD THE SOUTH!"
"AH! KING JAUNE, OLD BOY! I MEANT NO DISRESPECT," yelled a man in an expensive-looking suit while on the top of a seriously creepy-looking mansion that looks perfect for a haunted house.
"IT'S JUST JAUNE, GOMEZ!"
"OF COURSE, MY GOOD MAN! YOU CAN KEEP THE GOLF BALL, BY THE WAY! I HAVE PLENTY!"
"RATHER NOT," Jaune yelled as he threw the ball back at the mansion. It was moving as fast as a bullet, moving at more than fast enough velocity to damage someone's Aura severely, if not completely shatter it.
However, Gomez easily caught it with his bare hand. "FINE THROW AS ALWAYS, YOUR MAJESTY!"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
Nimueh stepped out and leaned against the doorway. "Addams?"
"Addams."
Nimueh groaned. "You know, my sister still kicks herself for not being able to prevent anyone from becoming our neighbor. I almost agree with her when it comes to those freaks."
"Not even Glynda's knowledge of the law can contend against a crap ton of money. The Addams are one of the few families who can contend with the Schnees in terms of wealth OUTSIDE of New Mantle."
"And instead of moving with those snobs, they move into our Grimm-infested forest."
"They're strange."
"They're weird."
"And yet..."
"I hate to admit it..."
"But I like those weirdoes," Jaune and Nimueh said in perfect unison to each other before chuckling and giggling.
"I'm sure mother and father will be happy to hear that."
Jaune sighed. "Wednesday Lilith Addams, how many times do I have to tell you not to sneak into my house," he asked as he looked behind him to see the oddly cute, pale, ten-year-old.
"By the way, I wouldn't eat that. I accidentally used wolfsbane to make those cookies," Nimueh went.
"Oh. Then they're perfect for my brother."
Nimueh rolled her eyes. "Sure. Go right ahead."
"By the way, I have a new butcher knife."
Nimueh sighed. "Douse it with poison, coat it with Lightning Dust, use an oil stone to get maximum sharpness and you could cleave through an elephant in one swing."
"You truly are the best teacher for disembowelment."
"Spirit of Destruction. Now run along, my little zombie, before your brother blows up your room again." BOOM. "Before he blows up your bathroom again."
"I hope you have a pleasant All Grimm's Eve, My Queen," she said with a bow before walking away.
"I'm technically not a Queen," Nimueh called.
"Well, you're my queen," Jaune said as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Damn right, I am," she said as she caressed his cheek before the two started to kiss lovingly.
BOOM. CRASH.
Jaune sighed as he looked at the crater.
"Hello, neighbor," a bald man in a black trench coat went, smoke coming out of his ears.
"Hey, Fester. You know what to do. Assume the position."
"Ooh, add fire this time," he said as he got on all fours and raised his butt, ready to be kicked.
"Last time, you asked for lightning. Isn't fire a downgrade?"
"Our fireplace got put out with that last explosion."
"Ah. Alright." Jaune then reared back his foot, igniting it with magic fire, and kicked Fetser in the butt so hard that he went flying like a kicked football.
"THANKS, JAUNE," he yelled before crashing into the mansion.
"GOOD SHOT, OLD BOY," Gomez called.
"Jaune, did we get TOO used to having them for our neighbor," Nimueh asked.
"Eh. They somehow keep the Beowolves in check, Argent likes Wednesday and Pugsley, and Gomez is a good sparring partner. Can't believe he's the reason I'm a better fencer. Winter was seriously impressed by my improvement."
"I still don't know why she's still insisting on you knowing fencing. You're literally one of the Top Three Swordsmen in the world, and, might I add, not dating her anymore?"
Jaune shrugged. "Winter can be weird every once in a while as well."
Jaune's scroll rang. "Hello?"
'Good evening, Your Majesty.'
"It's just Jaune, Morticia."
'Oh, I wouldn't disrespect the Grimm King in such a way.'
"Mrs. Addams-"
'Please. Call me Morticia, Your Majesty.'
"Then please call me Jaune. We're neighbors, aren't we?"
'What a kind way to see things. Anyway, most of our clan is set to arrive in just a few more minutes when the moon is higher. Would you like to join us for All Grimm's Eve? Lurch made sure our darling Hades is well groomed.'
"As much as I'd like to, we can't. We're going to our own party."
'Oh. Shame. Do enjoy yourself, Jaune.'
"You as well, Morticia," he said before hanging up.
"Think it would be safer to go to the Addams' party," Nimueh asked.
BOOM
". . . Maybe."
Argent was screaming his head off as he was falling before it became laughter. He knew he shouldn't, but he was having a blast free-falling. Yang would have been proud of her thrill-seeker nephew.
However, the boy was just falling through darkness. An endless abyss. Then, that same abyss was illuminated by a black light that made Argent shield his eyes. When he opened them, he was amazed by what he saw.
"HOW IS THERE A TOWN INSIDE OF A TREE?!"
Below Argent was an entire landscape, a dark town to his right and a dark mansion on the far off left. It was an incredibly creepy sight that looked perfect for All Grimm's Eve. Argent was so mesmerized that he forgot he was falling for a moment.
When he remembered, he grabbed Crocea Mors and activated the Hard Light Dust, gliding safely to the ground. "Where am I?"
Meanwhile, in the crazy mansion, Argent was being watched by the master of the house. The unseen figure looked at his creepy-looking computer screen, watching Argent glide through the air. The figure laughed. "THAT'S the new King? The guy that's supposed to be MY boss?! UH-HAHAHAHAHAAA! Ah, good thing the BIGGER boss called ME. I mean, look at him. He's TINY!" The figure and three voices laughed.
"What are we gonna do, Mr. Boogie," a boy's voice went.
"He doesn't look so tough. I bet even I can take him," another boy went.
"Yeah. We can just send you barreling over to him and let you turn him into roadkill," the first boy went.
"Yeah. Have me barrel in and- HEY!"
The first boy roared with laughter before he was tackled by the second boy.
Then, the sound of electricity was heard, followed by sizzling. "Would you idiots knock it off," a girl went.
The first figure just stared at Argent. "Look at him. Just floating helplessly in the sky. Doesn't he know it's HUNTING SEASON?! UH-HAHAHAHAHAAA," the figure roared before smashing a button.
BOOM
"Hm?" Argent looked toward the boom to see something flying toward him. "WHOA," he went after raising his legs in time for the cannon fire to miss him. "WHAT THE WHAT WAS THAT?!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"Uh-oh. Well, my parents aren't here, so I'm allowed to do this without consequence. HOLY CRAP!" Argent deactivated his glider so he could fall away from the cannonballs. He activated it sporadically for a safer landing, flipping at the last moment onto the face of his shield to use the Gravity Dust to bounce back onto his feet. "Phew. What was that about?"
"Oh, our poor 'king'. He landed in the worst possible area yet."
The kids snickered. "Reaper's Roam," they said in unison.
Argent walked around the creepy-looking field he was in. There were weeds and dead flowers everywhere, the ground as black as his costume. There was nothing living as far as he could see. There wasn't even grass where he was. He Enhanced his sight to see farther. "Well, at least there's grass over there. But why is the grass black? Hello?! HELLO!? ANYONE NEARBY?!"
No answer. Argent reached into his pocket and sighed when he felt nothing. "I dropped my scroll. Perfect. Aunt Weiss got me that. I'm going to be in so much trouble," he said as he began to walk.
As Argent walked through the desolate plain, something ghostly rose behind him. The dark entity stood tall behind the boy, holding out its arm, a blade sliding out of its sleeve.
Argent glanced behind him with a glare, long since sensing the enemy. He already had his hand on his sword. Argent then spun around and performed a quick draw he had long since mastered after training with his dad.
"WHOA! ARE YOU WHAT I THINK YOU ARE," he yelled as he saw what he was clashing with.
Before the boy was one of the rarest species of Grimm. So elusive that even his own father has only fought the monsters twice in his life, years before he became the Grimm King.
Argent's sword was pushing against the scythe of a Grimm known as a Death Angel or an Azrael, but many more people called it the Grimm Reaper. Even more who knew about Maria Calavera called it a True Grimm Reaper.
They are among the rarest of rare Grimm, said to be able to kill anyone with just a single swing of their scythe. Not only is it one of the few Grimm that actually carry weapons, but it is also known for various legendary abilities, like intangibility, meaning they were basically ghosts like the Geist. However, Argent might have disproven that legend since he was clashing against its scythe.
Argent looked up at the ghostly Grimm, its face hidden beneath a black hood, only red eyes being seen within. With its eyes alone creeping Argent out, he jumped back to get some distance from the mythological Grimm, taking the Nikos Stance. "Alright, I can at least touch you. That means I can cut you!"
Argent was then surprised when the Reaper jabbed its scythe toward him, Argent ducked just in time, his instincts telling him that even touching the blade was dangerous. He then backflipped when the Reaper yanked its scythe back, which would have cleaved the crouching Argent in half.
When he landed, he immediately had to raise his shield to block a slash before parrying another. He parried countless slashes from the Grimm, the ghost pushing him back with nearly every strike. 'This thing is almost as good as mom and Great Uncle Qrow,' he thought as he blocked every attack.
Argent smirked when he saw the perfect opening. 'Almost as good.'
He then weaved beneath a large swing and lunged at the Grimm. He then swung his sword with all his might, expecting to cut the Grimm in half.
Instead, his sword went right through the spirit, his eyes widening. "What? WHOA!" Argent raised his shield in time to block the slash from the Reaper, the blow powerful enough to send him crashing into a boulder, shattering it.
"Ow. Maybe there is merit to it being a ghost," Argent said as he looked at the floating Grimm, the creature holding up its scythe menacingly as Argent got back to his feet and took his stance. "Dad was right. It's never easy."
Argent jumped out of the way of the Reaper's swing. He looked to see how deep the slash went, not seeing the bottom before glaring up at the ghost. Argent saw the glowing glare brighter at him as if the Reaper was getting annoyed.
Argent then remembered something crucial about Geist. Their weakness is always the bone mask all Grimm have. If you can kill a ghost-like Grimm like a Geist by stabbing its face, why not the same for a fellow Ghost Grimm?
Thinking of that, Argent switched his sword and shield, charging at the Reaper. It did what he hoped and swung at Argent. The boy raised his shield, blocking the slash of the Reaper, and stabbed into its head.
Argent's eyes widened when his sword went right through the Reaper's head. All he really did was push its hood back.
Argent then saw the face of the Azrael, the Reaper having a disturbingly human skill with the red markings that symbolize the Grimm.
The Reaper then expertly spun its scythe before swinging at full strength, Argent barely holding his shield up in time to block. The strike was easily four times stronger than any of its other attacks, sending Argent flying into the sky.
Argent spun around before sending a Wind Blade at the Reaper, but it shocked him by sending its own, the winds canceling each other out. "NO FREAKIN' WAY!"
BOOM
Argent looked toward the blast. "Uh-oh."
The cannonball seemingly hit Argent point blank.
The shadowed figure and his minions laughed their asses off, the leader even falling back and shaking his oddly stubby legs. "LONG LIVE THE KING, BABY! UH-HAHAHAAA!"
BEEPBEEPBEEEEEP
"Huh?"
BEEPBEEPBEEEEP
The figure sat back up. "That stubborn pile of bug shit."
"...aaaaaaAAAAAAH-" BOOM "Ow." Argent's head popped out of the dirt. He shook it off before climbing out. "That hurt," he said before looking at his steaming shield. "You always did keep us safe, Crocea." Argent looked around. "Guess I should be glad it got me away from that Reaper."
A whoosh was heard behind Argent. "Of course," he went with a roll of his eyes.
He then spun around and began to clash and duel with the Reaper before backflipping away from one of its bigger slashes. 'It's like sparring with mom or Great Uncle Qrow,' he thought. 'How did dad ever beat this thing if he couldn't stab it?' Argent then realized it. 'Mom,' he thought as Nimueh popped into his mind.
Jaune had been fighting using Nimueh for years. There was nothing the Sword of Destruction couldn't destroy. Of course, ghosts wouldn't be an exception. That meant that Argent was at a huge disadvantage, except for one crucial thing he currently forgot he had.
The boy forgot he was a Silver-Eyed Warrior.
Due to years of training as a swordsman, he almost never relied on his eyes. There were plenty of times he forgot he had them. It didn't help that his own biological mother doesn't train him on how to use them in a pinch. When it comes to combat, Argent always relied on the talents his father gave him: his swordplay... and his intellect.
Argent was an incredibly clever boy, something that Winter and Glynda brag about whenever they get the chance. Of course, when those women are in the same room, those bragging competitions usually become heated arguments about which academy the boy would go to.
Argent used his keen tactical mind to try and figure out how to fight the Reaper. He then looked at the ghost's scythe. 'No matter what, I've always been able to clash with that. If I can break it, the fight might get easier or even just end. . . Or maybe...'
Argent charged at the ghost. His sword clashed with the Reaper's scythe, causing a loud boom.
Argent then surprised the Grimm by violently attacking the scythe. It tried to fight back, the two dueling, blades clashing and clanging, but Argent had the advantage in the battle. He was fighting far more offensively than opposed to the more defensive style he was using before.
When one of Argent's strikes made the Reaper's arm fly back, Argent got the opportunity he was waiting for. He Enhanced his strength for his strongest slash yet and swung with all his strength, aiming at the neck of the scythe.
He struck point blank.
Argent's strength was enough to knock the scythe out of the Reaper's grasp, the weapon flying toward the sky.
Argent Enhanced his legs and jumped at the weapon, grabbing it before getting too high into the sky so as to not get shot by a cannon again. When he landed, he spun the scythe with expert skill, utilizing the boa staff training he learned from his Uncle Sun before pointing the weapon at the Reaper.
The ghost raised its hands in what looked like worry or fear or even pleading, showing why it was considered one of the more intelligent Grimm.
It didn't matter.
Argent sheathed his sword and grabbed the scythe with both hands. Once again Enhancing his legs, this to the point where the Aura made his legs glow like lamps, Argent shot toward the Reaper, slamming the scythe into the abdomen of the ghost. Argent heard the monster screech in pain before he sliced right through it, his slash creating a wind blade that rushed away, slicing part of a hill as it vanished into the night.
The Reaper let out one last screech before it vanished into dust.
Argent Arc, at just ten years old, had just slain the mythical SS-Class Grimm Reaper.
In New Mantle, a party was occurring. Just not the type of party the average Joe would like to go to.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, for New Mantle was still the business capital of the world. Some of the wealthiest people in Remnant still called the Kingdom home, especially with the Schnee Sisters on the council, improving life for all. Why would the rich want to leave something so close to paradise?
At one of the tallest buildings in the kingdom, a ball was being held, with some of the wealthiest families and persons of interest attending. Businessmen, celebrities, politicians, the works. Of course, there were some no-shows, like Glynda Goodwitch and Sun Wukong, considered to be some of the best Huntsmen and council members in the world, and of course, the legendary Jaune Salem Arc himself. So many were hoping the Grimm King would attend, like Rain Mustang, CEO of the Mustang Motor Company. She really was hoping to see her ex-boyfriend again.
It was one of those business balls where the elites mingle and talk business, and it also doubled as those annoyingly boring events that all members of New Mantle families like the Schnees needed to attend. ALL members.
Ruby was standing near the hors d'oeuvres table, a glass of champagne in her hand, wearing a beautiful red dress with her hair done professionally.
"Thought you'd be around here." She looked to see her uncle walk up and stand next to her. He was also holding a champagne glass, cleanly shaven, and wearing an expensive-looking suit that she guessed Winter practically forced her uncle into. Qrow never was one for overly fancy clothes. "Hiding away from the snobs?"
"Yup," she popped.
"To the common folk," Qrow said, making Ruby giggle before she toasted her uncle, the two taking a sip of their drinks.
Ruby giggled.
"What's got you all smiley?"
"This kinda reminds me of my first and only dance at Beacon. I didn't have a date and didn't want to mingle, so I hid by the punch bowl. Jaune walked up to me and we had a toast to the 'socially awkward'. That small talk was the only bit of real fun I had at the dance. That, and seeing Vomit Boy in a dress," she giggled.
"Uh-huh. Ruby, I think I need to warn you about telling a story like that around others."
"Don't worry, Qrow. I realized the mistake the moment I said it out loud. Almost sounds like I... Yeah, no. I'm very happy in my marriage."
"Never said you weren't, kiddo," Qrow went.
Ruby sighed. "I'd better shut up before I dig myself into a hole."
"Smart move, kid." He then looked around and saw Winter. He chuckled. "At least we're only bored. My wife looks ready to break someone's neck."
"Hm? She's smiling, though."
"She's faking it."
"You sure?"
"I can tell when my wife is putting up an act, Ruby. How's your wife looking?"
"Uh... Oooh. Yeah, she really doesn't want to be here anymore. I'm guessing that fat guy in the suit is annoying the hell out of her."
"Sucks to be a councilman and a CEO. Lots of fat cats breathing down your neck."
"Better them than us, right," Ruby said as she held up what was left of her drink toward her uncle.
Qrow chuckled. "I'll drink to that," he said as he toasted what was left of his drink with Ruby's before the two began to drink the last of the champagne.
The two then did a spit take, catching some people's attention.
"Qrow, do you feel that?"
"Yeah. I do."
The two then sat up, their eyes wide open in a somewhat creepy manner.
"I can't believe it," Ruby began.
"No damn way," Qrow went.
The two looked at each other. "Argent used a scythe to fight... AND WON," they went in perfect unison.
"Wait a minute. I DIDN'T GET TO SEE MY BABY USE HIS FIRST SCYTHE," Ruby yelled in a mortified tone as if she just experienced the worst thing ever. In her mind, she did. Her son finally used a scythe, and she was nowhere near him to experience the milestone.
"What's worse, we missed him WINNING with a scythe," Qrow yelled as he grabbed his head, messing up his hair even more.
"OH, GODS, I'M MISSING OUT ON MY SON'S LIFE! DAMMIT, JAUNE!"
"RUBY, WE ARE WASTING TIME HERE!"
"TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KN- Wait a minute... Why is Argent fighting?"
The two's eyes then widened.
"Oh, gods, he's in danger," niece and uncle said in perfect unison.
Ruby then used her Semblance to reach Weiss, surprising her wife when she grabbed her shoulders. "WE NEED TO LEAVE!"
"What?! Ruby, what has gotten into you?!"
"We need to leave! NOW!"
"Would you calm down?! I know you don't like these events, but they're very important to the future of the SDC and New Man-"
"MY ARIE MIGHT BE IN DANGER, WEISS!"
Weiss immediately brushed Ruby aside as she was already stomping toward the exit, taking out her scroll. "Get my airship ready to depart the moment I arrive! We're headed toward Vale! No, Klein! Not for the Rens' All Grimm's Eve party! Ruby thinks Argent is in danger and I'm not about to doubt my wife's motherly intuition! She hasn't been wrong yet, and besides, IT'S JAUNE! OF COURSE, THAT BOY IS IN DANGER! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MANY ENEMIES THAT DOLT HAS?!"
"Get my Manta ready," Winter said into her watch.
AS YOU WISH, GENERAL, the watch responded.
"Shiva, we're leaving," Winter said as she walked out with her husband next to her.
"Of course, mother. Sorry, Uncle Whitley. Looks like you'll have to make the deals without us," she said with a wave to her uncle.
Whitley sighed as he waved back. "Of course. Not like THAT hasn't happened before," he said with a roll of his eyes.
Silber was standing guard at the valet parking lot, yawning before standing at attention when she heard the door open. She then closed one eye when the wind pressure from her family's airship and Winter's airship dropped down. "What in the world? WHOA," Silber went after Weiss grabbed and dragged her. "Mother? What's going on?"
"We're going to Vale."
"Oh, so we're going to the Rens' party after all? But I can't. I'm still on-" she looked back to see a New Mantle Knight android take her spot. "Duty."
"We don't care," Ruby said as she pushed her daughter into the ship. "We have your cousin to save."
Silber sighed. "What did Uncle Jaune get into this time?"
"We're going to find out," the others said as the door closed behind them, taking off at the same time Winter's ship did.
Argent looked back at the Grimm Reaper smoke before realizing he was still holding the scythe. He looked at it, confused. "Dad told me the scythe faded away with the Reaper. Why is it still here?"
Argent looked around. "Is it because of this place? It feels so... off."
Argent then looked down at the scythe, about to toss it away, before he thought for a moment.
Even though the Azrael are solitary Grimm, that doesn't mean another one wouldn't be too far off. What's more, new ghostly Grimm have been discovered: the Town-Threat level Banshee, whose screech is enough to disorient or even deafen the victim; the Large-Town-Threat level Onryō, whose dreadful hair has strangled many unfortunate Huntsmen to death; and the now more common Camp-Threat level Will-O-Wisps, the group of floating balls of flame, among the most unique newly discovered Grimm.
Argent didn't have anything other than his eyes to deal with Ghost-Type Grimm until now, looking at the scythe in hand. This weapon was able to slice through something as deadly and as powerful as an Azrael, a Kingdom-Threat level Grimm that his father could only beat with the help of his mother and her magic. Argent wondered if his dad's own magic could defeat the Reapers now.
Argent didn't have magic and didn't have nearly enough control over his eyes to rely on them for future fights, so he decided to held onto the scythe. His biological mother and uncle were filled to the brim with pride and joy at that moment.
That pride was replaced by pain when Argent practiced swinging the scythe. It wasn't that he was wholly unskilled with the weapon. It just shows that he needs a looooot of work before fully mastering the weapon. It was really bad when one of Argent's swings got the blade stabbed into the ground.
Ruby face palmed as her scroll rang. She answered immediately. "Yeah?"
'That kid needs a lot of training,' Qrow went.
"I know. I know. I'll be sure to teach him properly."
'You? I was thinking I would be his-'
"Don't even think about it, Uncle Qrow! I'm his MO-THER! I'M the one who should be teaching him out to fight, not you!"
'Oh, come on, Ruby! Are you really going to prevent the kiddo from spending time with his awesome Gruncle?"
"Gruncle?"
'Great Uncle.'
"Oh, that's cute. I kinda like th-at-tut-tut! You're not distracting me! This is perfect mother-son bonding time!"
'Huh. Got me there.'
"Don't I? How about you just help us design his new scythe? Maybe you could help with his sword to scythe mechanic while I help with the sniper?"
'Sniper? Ruby, the kid is obviously more of a shotgun user.'
"No-pe. Nope, nope, nope. He's getting a sniper."
'Nuh-uh. Definitely a shotgun.'
"Sniper."
'Shotgun.'
"Sniper!"
'Shotgun!'
"WOULD YOU STOP ALREADY," Weiss yelled at her wife, making Ruby shrink in embarrassment. She then heard a smack on the other side of her scroll, knowing Winter slapped her husband just now.
Argent yanked the scythe out of the ground, staring at it with a pouting face beneath his mask. "How do mom and Great Uncle Qrow fight with these things?! Hm?" Argent then closely analyzed the weapon, realizing the handle was straight enough to remind him of something. "It's... as long as some of Uncle Sun's boa staffs."
With that in mind, Argent began to swing the scythe like a boa staff, spinning it around with expert precision. Treating the scythe like a staff, he made sure the blade was high enough above the ground so as to not smack it against stone or dirt as Sun told him during his training. Argent tried the various tricks and techniques Sun taught him, including even pole bolting with the scythe before slamming down with the weapon and slamming the back of the head into the ground with quaking force.
Argent smirked before kicking up the weapon, spinning it, tossing it in the air, jumping with it, then kicking it down at the precise moment, making it stab perfectly into the ground before skillfully landing on the edge of the weapon and making a W with his hands. "WUKONG RULES!"
Ruby and Qrow both grabbed their hearts as if they were stabbed.
'THE HELL WAS THAT,' Qrow yelled.
"I don't know... but I REALLY wanna shoot Sun right now."
Meanwhile, at a WILD All Grimm's Eve party, Vacuans drinking, dancing, and eating, Sun had his head stuck in the bobbing-for-apples game, shooting out from the water with his prize. The women and some dudes cheered at Sun, not for getting an apple, but for getting water all over him and his perfect abs, making him a sight for everyone thirsty for the guy.
Sun's eyes widened as he chomped through his apple, catching it before looking for his best friend.
He looked around to see Sage with a seriously hot chick rubbing against him and his own abs, licking her lips while Sage was smirking as he grabbed her ass. Scarlet was flirting with a guy, the two talking about a place to go before walking away. Sun then saw his target and ran over to Neptune, who was flirting with two really hot twin girls.
"DUDE," Sun went as he grabbed Neptune's shoulder.
"WHOA! Jeez, Sun. I was going to let you date the other one. I swear."
"Dude, listen, have you ever felt ridiculously proud of Arie?"
"What? Oh, seriously, man? Are you really bragging about being Arie's favorite uncle again?"
"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT, I AM! I KNOW THAT SOMEWHERE, SOMEWHERE IN VALE, MY NEPHEW IS SPREADING THE WORD OF WUKONG," Sun went dramatically as he hugged his best friend close and pointed toward Vale dramatically. "I tell ya, Neptune, all we gotta do is make sure that kid has perfect washboard abs like me and his old man, get him a nice tan, and he'll be perfect! Then, we can teach him the art of the lady-killer."
"Hey, hey, hey. That's a serious accusation, bro. Is he worthy of learning from us," Neptune said with a dramatic tone.
Sun took out his scroll and found his favorite pick of Argent, which is of him and Argent flexing, the boy already has a bulging bicep, and showed it to the two hotties Neptune was flirting with.
"Ooooh, he's going to be a prize when he grows up," the girls went as they looked at Argent.
"Ooh, yeah. I see a bright future for him" the older twin smirked
"You know who his dad is, right," the younger twin whispered to her sister, who nodded
"Point taken," Neptune said, genuinely impressed.
"Alright, ladies, now that you've seen my future student, how about you experience the skills from his master before he learns to use them on baddies like you?"
"Ooh."
"He's good."
The girls then let Sun and Neptune wrap their arms around their shoulders before they all walked away, Sun taking the older twin and Neptune taking the younger one as the men high-five.
"We're going to teach him well," Sun said.
"Oh, yeah," Neptune agreed.
"I'm going to kill him. I swear I'm going to kill Sun Wukong. Hell maybe even Neptune too and their team, I know they're involved too somehow. They're all dead," Ruby went with a murderous, flaming Aura surrounding her, scaring even her wife and daughter.
Argent was walking through the strange land, his scythe holstered on his back by a buckle he swore he didn't design into his costume. Then again, his Aunt Jinn helped him make it. He wouldn't be surprised if she knew he would get into something crazy like this.
He was attacked a few times by ghosts, usually Will-O-Wisps, but nothing his new scythe couldn't handle. Oddly enough, he didn't run into many other Grimm Types, not even Beowolves. They're the most common around his house, so why didn't he say any?
Argent then saw something, Enhancing his sight to get a better view. "Is that... A TOWN!" Argent sped to it with his Enhanced speed.
Argent then stopped when he saw a scarecrow with a sign. "All Grimm's Town?" He then could swear he heard music. He followed it into a graveyard. "Creepy."
"Boys and girls of every age."
"WHOA!"
"Wouldn't you like to see something strange?"
"STRANGER THAN SINGING TOMBSTONES?!"
"Come with us and you will see, our dark town of All Grimm's Eve."
"It is All Grimm's Eve. It is All Grimm's Eve. Pumpkin's scream in the dead of night."
"WHOA," Argent went after catching one that almost fell on his head.
"It is All Grimm's Eve! Everybody make a scene," ghosts went after flying past Argent. He was surprised his instincts didn't make him grab his scythe.
"Trick or treat 'til the neighbors go and die of fright!"
"Um, my neighbors are Addams! They don't scare easily," Argent called to the ghosts.
"It's our town! Everybody scream," the ghosts went as they swirled around Argent, carrying him through the town.
"In this town of All Gimm's Eve," they sang as they carried Arie into a house.
"I am the one hiding under your bed," someone sang as Argent looked under the bed. "Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red!"
"Whoa-boy," Argent yelled when he fell through the floor and landed in front of some stairs.
"I am the one hiding under your stairs," someone sang before sticking snakes in front of Argent, but not scare him at all. His dad Conquered a King Taijitu not too long ago, after all. "Fingers like snake and spiders in my hair," the Grimm went as it appeared in front of Argent, the spider sticking a leg him his helmet. It tickled his nose and somehow made him sneeze hard enough to be blown out of the house.
Argent crashed through another house's ceiling, landing on a sofa.
"This is All Grimm's Eve. This is All Grimm's Eve. All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve, All Grimm's Eve." The sofa Argent landed on shot open, sending Argent into the air before the boy was caught in the arms of a rare humanoid Grimm, a Nosferatu along with two others popping out of coffins like the legends said. A fourth one hung from the ceiling.
"In this town, we call home," they sang as one carried Argent in its arms. "Everyone hails to the Pumpkin Song," they sang as Arie was placed on his feet, the Nosferatu flying away.
"IN THIS TOWN!"
"WHOA!"
"Don't we love it now! Everybody's waiting for the next surprise," the Grimm said as he spun around, his head staying in place.
Ghosts then carried Arie away. "'Round that corner, man, hiding in the trash can, something's waiting now to pounce," they sang as they placed Argent on a trash can. "And how you'll SCREAM," a Grimm went after popping out of the can Argent was on, the boy being caught by the only Grimm he truly recognized so far, a Beowolf.
"This is All Grimm's Eve," the Beowolf sang.
"Red n' black!"
"N' slimy green," a slimy Grimm went as it popped out of a gutter.
"Aren't you scared," the Beowolf asked before tossing Argent in the sky.
"Oof," he went after being caught by two Witch Grimm.
"Well, that's just fine," they sang as they flew. "Say it once, say it twice! Take a chance and roll the dice! Ride with the moon in the dead of night," they sang before dropping Argent, the boy grabbing a branch of a Geist-possessed tree.
"Everybody scream! Everybody scream," the tree sang.
"In this town of All Grimm's Eve," the Apathies of all Grimm sang, hanging from the tree.
Argent was then yanked out of the tree, riding a unicycle with a strange Clown-like Grimm. "I am the clown with the tear-away face!" He then tore off his face. "Here in a flash and gone without a trace," the hollow head sang before snapping his fingers, Argent falling and landing on his butt. He looked and blushed when he saw a strangely pretty Grimm combing her hair. He realized that she was an extremely rare Onryo, but she was still really pretty to him.
"I am the 'Who' in the call 'who's there'." The Onryo stopped combing her hair and smiled prettily at Argent before rubbing his helmed chin as the wind blew her hair. "I am the wind blowing through your hair."
"I am the shadow on the moon at night, filling your dreams to the brim with fright!"
"This is All Grimm's Eve! This is All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve."
The spot Argent was sitting on gave away, making him slide away from the pretty Grimm and in the middle of a parade.
"Tender lumplings everywhere," two child-sized Grimm sang in front of Argent. "Life's no fun without a good scare!"
"That's our job," a lanky and tall Grimm sang as he patted Argent's head.
"But we're not mean," an obese Grimm sang.
"In our town of All Grimm's Eve," they sang.
"In this town! Don't we love it now! Everyone's waiting for the next surprise," sang the Grimm Argent just now realized had the word Mayor on him.
"Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back and scream like a banshee! Make you jump right out of your skin!"
"This is All Grimm's Eve! Everybody scream!"
"Won't you please make way for a very special guy?"
Argent felt kind hands on his shoulders and looked up to see the Onryo from before smiling down at him before watching the rest of the show, seeing the same scarecrow as before being pulled into the town.
"Our man Jack is King of the Pumpkin Patch!" The scarecrow grabbed a torch and lit himself on fire, dancing around. "Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King now! This is All Grimm's Eve! This is All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve! All Grimm's Eve. All Grimm's Eve. All Grimm's Eve." The scarecrow jumped onto the fountain.
"In this town," kid Grimm began to sing. "We call home, everyone hail to the Pumpkin Song."
The Grimm then began to sing the final chorus of the song as a tall Skeleton Grimm Argent has never even heard myths of rose from the water. The song ended as soon as he posed, the Grimm applauding the "Pumpkin King."
Argent had to admit. "That was awesome," he went as he applauded with the Grimm.
"A truly magnificent All Grimm's Eve, everyone," the Mayor went happily as everyone still applauded the tall Skeleton Grimm. Argent noticed it wasn't an Apathy. It really was a tall Skeleton. Tall enough to even look down at HIS dad.
"I believe it was our most horrible yet! Thank you, everyone," the skeleton went.
"No. Thanks to YOU, Jack," the mayor began. "Without your brilliant leadership-"
"Not at all, Mayor!"
"You're such a scream, Jack," a Nosferatu went.
"You're a witch's fondest dream!"
"You make walls fall, Jack!"
"Walls fall?! You made the very mountains crack, Jack!"
"Did you enjoy yourself, young one," the Onryo asked Argent.
Argent looked up at the Grimm. It was incredibly strange. Even though she had the bone mask all Grimm have, as well as the red highlights and red eyes, she was still incredibly beautiful in the eyes of the child. The fact that she was strong enough to destroy a town the size of Argus slipped the boy's mind because of how pretty she was.
He looked down with a blush. "Y-Yeah! I've seen a lot of creepy things, but this was one of the scariest and weirdest things I've ever seen, especially on All Grimm's Eve."
The Onryo giggled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, young one. You also participated in it quite well. Though, why didn't you have a larger role? You're an Azreal, aren't you? Most of you Reapers are quite solitary."
Argent jolted, realizing that he was just a human dressed like his father with a Grimm weapon on his back. "Um... ditto for Onryo? You're supposed to be as solitary as us Reapers, right?"
She giggled. "I suppose. But..." she looked at the skeleton, smiling. "I've come to like All Grimm's Eve Town."
"Ah, Sarī," the Skeleton went as he ran over to Argent and the Onryo now known as Sarī. "I'm so happy you could be here."
"I wouldn't miss it for anything, Jack."
'The Grimm are named here,' Argent thought.
"It truly was a grand celebration. If only the King himself could see. It would have been perfect."
Sarī sighed. "Jack, you know that isn't possible. Humans don't even know WE exist, and the King is too busy in their world to ever worry about us."
"I know, but the honor of the King himself seeing the world he created! It is only thanks to his influence that All Grimm's Eve Town improved so drastically in such a short time! The humans LOVE us thanks to him! Why I can see it now! The days of Humans and Grimm no longer despising each other, where we can just scare each other for fun instead of conflict. Oh, what I wouldn't give to meet-" Jack trailed off as he looked down and saw Argent. "Meet... M-Meet... I-It cannot be!"
"Jack? What's wrong," Sarī asked.
"Why do I feel like I'm in trouble? Is it the scythe?"
"I-It's you! The King of Grimm!"
"Um... what?"
Sarī looked down at Argent in surprise.
"That armor! There's no doubt about it! A Seer showed me once! That is the armor of the King of Grimm himself!"
"Tis true," a Witch screamed. "My vision is as great as the Seers! I have seen the visage of our newly sired monarch! Tis the King!"
"The King of Grimm saw our celebration?! Oh, joyous day," the Mayor went as he wobbled over to greet Argent. However, the stubby Grimm tripped and fell on his face, but he didn't get up. Instead, he seemed to be groveling. "Oh, it is a true honor for you to be here, My Liege!"
"Um, I'm not-" Argent began.
"I carried the King," a Nosferatu went. "The King sat on MY coffin, and I had the honor of carrying him!"
"The King was part of the celebration," the Beowolf who tossed Argent went. "This really is the best All Grimm's Eve ever!"
"The King hung on my branches," the Geist-controlled King went.
"We serenaded His Majesty," the Apathies hung on the tree went.
"But I'm not-"
"Just look at that armor! So dark and beautiful," a Pisces Grimm, a humanoid-type Grimm with fins on its head, one of the deadliest water-type Grimm, said.
"And that scythe! Truly a worthy weapon for our leader," the Slimy Grimm from the gutter went.
"All hail the King," one of the child-sized Grimm went.
"All hail the King," the tall Grimm went.
"Wait! I'm not my-"
"All hail the King! All hail the King! All hail the-"
Argent enhanced his arms and clapped toward the sky, making a powerful, thunderous shockwave that blew away the clouds above him.
"Ooh, that was terrifying," the Mayor went.
"As expected of the King," Jack went.
"WOULD YOU LISTEN TO ME ALREADY," Argent's enhanced voice boomed, scaring the Grimm before they applauded. "I'M NOT MY DAD!"
The crowd stopped.
"Dad?"
"Wait, it's true. Look at how small he is."
"The Grimm King is supposed to tower over all, making even mountains cower at his height."
"Uh, my dad is tall, but not THAT tall."
"Dad. OF COURSE," Jack went as he stood next to the boy, Argent only tall enough to reach the skeleton's knee. "EVERYONE, IT IS TRUE THAT THIS IS NOT THE KING OF GRIMM! IT IS THE PRINCE!"
Argent jolted. "That's... new."
"It makes sense," the Witch went. "The King is rrrroyalty," she went with a roll of her tongue. "It only makes sense for the King to have heirs!"
"And he is only one of many," the shorter Witch chimed in. "I have seen the other Prince and Princesses! They are all quite powerful!"
"Wait, I know about my older brother, but Princesses?! I have older sisters?!"
"He confirmed it," the Nosferatu went. "The Prince has siblings! The Grimm Royal Family has come to visit our humble home at long last!"
The Grimm cheered, beyond happy at the news.
"Best All Grimm's Eve ever," many cheered.
Jack laughed as he clapped before looking at and kneeling down toward Argent. "Oh, my Prince, you have no idea how grateful I am to you now. Thanks to you, I will need to actually THINK about how to make next year's All Grimm's Eve even better! Tell me, my liege, when can we expect a visit from your father?"
"Um, I don't even know how I got here," Argent shrugged.
"Really? You're here on your own," Sarī asked as she kneeled down to look at Argent.
"Um... kinda," he said as he looked away from Sarī with a blush, fortunately, hidden by his helmet. Even though she was a Grimm, by human standards, Sarī was incredibly beautiful. "I was at my house not too long ago, getting ready to go to a party with my mom and dad, and aunt. Then, I saw something in the forest and followed it. It led me to a door and I fell in when I opened it. I still have no idea what I was chasing."
"BARK BARK!"
Argent looked up. "AAAH! THAT'S IT! THAT'S WHAT I WAS CHASING!"
Jack and Sarī looked to see a white orb fly toward them before the orb popped to reveal a ghost dog.
"Zero! Did you lead the Young Prince to us," Jack asked as he stood up and placed his hands on his hips, but still smiling.
"You know that ghost," Argent asked.
"Of course! He's my dog, after all."
"A dog led me here?! That's just... I feel like I got Tricked."
"Well, at least you got a Treat," Sarī giggled.
Argent sighed. "So, any idea how I can get back home?"
"I'm sorry, Young Prince," Jack began.
"Please call me Argent or Arie. Being called a 'prince' is weird to me. Though, I'm sure Aunt Winter would love this," he mumbled the last part.
"I most certainly would," Winter said.
"Hm? You say something, Winter," Qrow asked.
"Hm? Wait, why did I say that?"
"Well, then, I'm sorry, Argent. We don't even know how you made it to All Grimm's Eve Town."
"Is there anything you remember," Sarī asked.
"Falling."
"Falling," the two Grimm asked.
Argent then pointed at the sky, seeing the shattered moon. "I was falling through an abyss before the land just appeared below me. I saw the town while up there and a mansion in the West."
"Young Prince," Jack went with a serious look on his skull as he knelt down and placed his bony hands on Argent's shoulders. "You mustn't go anywhere near that mansion."
"Is it that bad?"
"A terrible Grimm lives there," Sarī began, looking serious herself. "Unlike the Grimm who lives in this town, he DESPISES your father. Prefers for humans and Grimm to remain bitter enemies. He sees your family as the biggest threat to Grimmkind. If he had his way, the entire Royal Family would be executed so that we may return to being mindless monsters. All Grimm's Eve being celebrated by humans gave us minor intelligence due to the joy young humans received from dressing like us, but your father making some of us become so loved by humans made us evolve beyond our wildest dreams. We became more than just beasts and monsters."
"But some Grimm LOVED being nothing more than murderous creatures. Boogey is one of them," Jack said.
"Boogey? Like the Boogeyman? I thought my dad arrested that guy years ago. And he wasn't a Grimm, just some murderer."
"Oogey Boogey is most assuredly a Grimm, Argent," Jack began. "Here in All Grimm's Eve, Grimm take unique forms different from those you find in Remnant. The rare and legendary Grimm you call up there are common down here. Many are incredibly powerful and dangerous, so much so that they are banned even from our town."
Argent looked at the scythe on his back. "Does that include the Grimm Reapers?"
Jack sighed as he stood up. "It does. Honestly, when I saw you and your scythe, I was hoping you were a 'newborn' hoping to join us. It's the dream of all Grimm Town residents for our species to come together as one and one day be at peace with the humans. Become more than what our creator, The God of Darkness, made us be. Your father, our King, is making that dream seem more possible than ever before. But Grimm like Oogey greatly worships the God of Darkness and would gladly end the Royal Bloodline to prevent such a dream from ever happening."
"That explains why he tried to blast me out of the sky."
"HE DID WHAT," Jack and Sarī went in unison.
"Yup. Tried to glide to safety, had to avoid some flaming cannonballs, slammed into a dead field, and fought an Azrael."
"The Reaper's Roam," the two went in unison as they looked at each other.
"So that scythe is a spoil of war then," Sarī asked.
"Yeah," Argent said as he carefully took it out, making sure the blade was far away from the Grimm, the two noticing this. "But it's weird. My dad told me the scythe disappears after the Reaper is killed. Why is it still around?"
"It could be because of the land," Jack suggested. "Grimm are immortal, so we've never seen any of our kind die in this land. However, since this world is practically a Grimm itself, it could be that it is what keeps the scythe alive, even with its wielder being slain."
"Or who knows," Sarī began. "It might be the scythe chose you as its new master."
"What?" Argent looked at the scythe. "Is that even possible? I thought the Reaper's scythe was a part of it."
"There are many mysteries concerning the Grimm. Some even we don't have the answers to," Jack said.
Argent sighed. "I wish my Aunt Jinn was here. She literally knows everything. Well, as long as the gods don't stop her. Still, a scythe choosing its user? My mom would freak out if she knew a scythe wanted me to use it. Ditto for my Great Uncle."
"Oh, gods, I would be BEYOND proud if my baby was chosen by a scythe," Ruby said as she was looking out the window, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Um, Ruby? Are you alright? You're talking out loud again," Weiss said.
"This is a really, really, REALLY weird All Grimm's Eve, Weiss."
"On that, we can agree."
"Well, for now, we have no way of knowing how to get you back to Remnant," Sarī said.
"My only guess is to fly," Argent said as he holstered his scythe while looking up at the sky. "But I can't fly."
"I know some who can," Jack said as he turned to the Witches and the Nosferatu.
"I-I CANNOT," the taller Witch went.
"So great an honor, but to so much as LOOK at the prince?! I feel so... UNWORTHY!"
"It's too great an honor! TOO GREAT OF A RESPONSIBILITY! I-! . . . I-!" The taller Witch then screamed before flying away, followed by the shorter witch, who was also screaming.
"I would be honored to take our prince into the-" the Nosferatu began. "The..."
"Hm? Is something wrong," Jack asked.
"The..." The Grimm's eyes then looked glassy. "The... night... It's so pretty. So very pretty," the vampire Grimm said as he began to float away. His brothers reached for him, but as soon as they did, they also looked dazed and lethargic. They then all floated away.
Sarī crossed her arms. "Something just manipulated them."
"Indeed," Jack went. "But who could... No. Not even Oogey has that kind of power."
"I think I know someone who does," Argent said.
"As do I," Sarī agreed. "Question is, why? What reason could there possibly be... for the God of Darkness to prevent you from leaving, Young Prince?"
Argent thought for a bit before looking toward the direction of the mansion. "I think he wants Oogey to kill me."
Jack growled. "To kill a member of the Royal Family. Disgraceful."
"Jack, it might be safer to keep the Prince with us, at least until the King appears. No way he wouldn't notice the Prince missing."
"Oh, if my dad found out I was missing, he'd be FURIOUS! The entire world would probably be shaking right now with how pissed he is. As long as no one calls him or something in the next hour, nothing should happen."
"HOW LONG UNTIL WE REACH VALE," Ruby yelled.
"We're here, Madame," Klein answered.
"Then how long until we get to that idiot's house," Ruby went in a calmer tone.
"About half an hour I'm afraid."
"Dammit," Ruby hissed.
"Ruby, have you even CALLED Jaune to see how Arie is doing," Weiss asked.
Ruby was quiet for a bit before she whipped out her scroll and began to furiously dial, waiting as her scroll rang.
"Wait. Mom, you just dialed Uncle Jaune's number in about a second. Do you have his number memorized or something?"
If Ruby wasn't so pissed, she'd be blushing about how her daughter noticed that.
Jaune was watching TV with Nimueh, looking up at the clock every once in a while to see how much time he had, looking forward to going to Ren's house, totally bored just waiting when his scroll rang. "Please be Ren saying we can come early because he got everything ready too early again," Jaune said as he looked at his scroll. "Damn."
Nimueh looked. "Ruby? Why is she calling? Shouldn't she be at some ritzy ball in New Mantle or something?"
"Or something. We got an invite to that." Nimueh stuck her tongue out at that. "Thought as much. It's why I rejected it."
Nimueh smiled as she nuzzled up to Jaune. "I love you."
Jaune hugged her closer. "I know." He then answered. "Hey, Ruby."
'WHERE IS MY SON,' she yelled loud enough to make the couple jump into the air before slamming onto the floor, the scroll spinning before it fell.
Jaune caught it and sat up, dazed before shaking his head. "The hell was that about, Schnee?"
'SCHNEE-ROSE,' Ruby yelled, Jaune holding the scroll away from him this time. 'NOW WHERE IS MY BABY?!'
"Jeez, woman. You're acting like Weiss divorced you or something. Why are you so concerned about my kid?"
'MY BABY!'
"Nim's baby." Nimueh snickered at that.
'OUR BABY,' Ruby yelled.
Jaune sighed. "Okay, this went on long enough. What's gotten into you, Ruby?"
'MY BABY IS IN DANGER!'
"What? What are you on about?"
'ARGENT IS IN DANGER! I KNOW HE IS!'
"Enough with the yelling, Ruby. He's fine. He's in his room."
'BULLCRAP!'
"Seriously, he's fine," Jaune said as he jumped to the second floor and walked to Arie's room. "Hopefully hearing his voice will calm you down," Jaune said as he knocked on the door. "Arie? Can I come in? . . ."
'Why is there no answer?! WHY IS THERE NO ANSWER?!'
"Arie, your mom is acting like a lunatic. Talk to her so she can calm down. . . . Arie, you're not napping are you? . . . Kiddo, I'm coming in," he said as he opened the door.
All Jaune saw was an empty room and a wide open window, the hero dropping his scroll.
'JAUNE?! JAUNE!'
"ARGENT," Jaune yelled. "ARGENT, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHERE ARE YOU?! JAUNE, WHERE IS OUR SON?!'
Jaune didn't hear Ruby. Instead, he jumped out of the window, Nimueh was already outside, a frantic look on her face after hearing her husband's yell.
"NIM!"
Nimueh closed her eyes to concentrate. "I-I can't locate him."
"What?"
"I can't locate him! I can sense him but I can't locate him!" Nimueh grabbed Jaune's collar and shook him. "WHY CAN'T I LOCATE OUR SON?!"
Jaune looked scared before looking toward the doorway. "JINN!"
She walked out, looking calm as she leaned against the doorframe.
"She's calm. He's alright," Nimueh said hopefully.
"Jinn, where's my son?"
Jinn sighed. "Gods, I was hoping you wouldn't ask that."
The parents' eyes widened.
"What," Nimueh went.
"What do you mean by that, Jinn," Jaune went, shocked the sister-in-law who adored Argent said that.
The beautiful Spirit of Knowledge sighed before looking upward. The couple followed her gaze, their eyes widening when they saw the shattered moon, both knowing the meaning behind why Jinn would look at it.
Nimueh gritted her teeth, her power blazing around her, destroying some of the ground at her feet, as well as erasing any leaves that fell toward her. "That bastard," she hissed through her teeth.
"Damn you," Jaune went, his eyes glowing so brightly that they actually ignited. "DARKNESS," he roared toward the sky, knowing full well his enemy had something to do with this.
"So, yeah, I have about an hour to figure out how to fly out of this place," Argent said with his hands behind his head.
"It's a shame you don't have your father's powers," Sarī said. "He could easily fly out of here."
"I'd settle for being able to call Grimm like he could. I love flying on Neverflame's back."
"Another possibility would be using the power of the Azrael," Jack said.
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Azraels can fly," Sarī said. "They're not bound to earthly plain. Being spirits, they can go practically wherever they please."
"Wow. Well, too bad you don't have any Grimm Reapers here, then, unless you count my scythe."
Sarī giggled. "All that is is a powerful weapon now, Argent. For now, let's get you somewhere safe."
"All Grimm's Eve Town isn't safe?"
"Unfortunately, Oogie has some subordinates," Jack said.
"Three troublemaking Grimm Children," Sarī began. "They're crafty, cunning, and mischievous."
"Like my dad's ex-girlfriend, Trivia?"
"Guilty as charged," Neo said as she lounged in a bubble bath in a Valerian penthouse. "Hm? That was odd."
"Trivia? Oh! Neopolitan," Jack went as he bonked his hand in realization. "If I remember correctly, she's the mother of-" Sarī quickly covered Jack's mouth.
"Hm? Mother of who?"
"Jack, remember, neither the King nor the Young Prince knows about Princess Anita. They only know about Prince Sparrow so far. It's best we keep the Royal Family separated, for now, to keep them safe. Their enemies would LOVE for them to be in one place."
Jack nodded his head in agreement, Sarī removing her hand. "No need to worry, Argent. You'll meet Lady Neo's daughter. One day."
Meanwhile, Anita walked into the twin's hideout, dressed in a sexy succubus costume, gently placing components on the table.
Tech looked up from his newspaper and analyzed the materials. "Wow. You really are the best thief in the world."
"I use my natural gifts. Now then, if you would be so kind."
"Oh, sure," he said as he placed the lien cards in front of the beauty.
Anita took them and stuck them between her large breasts. "A pleasure doing business with you, dear Tech."
"Thanks for the supplies. Jade's going to love the upgrades to her bike I'll make with these."
"And I'm sure she will reward you handsomely. In bed, of course."
"WHOA," he went as he fell back from his chair in surprise. "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"
Anita giggled. "Guilty," she said before leaving.
Argent was following Jack and Sarī to their house, surprised to find out the two were married. He didn't think Grimm could fall in love, let alone get married. Then again, these were evolved Grimm. Basically, a brand new species inadvertently created by his father. Argent thought that Dr. Inferno would love it here, though, considering how crazy and eccentric that man is, it would be best to keep him away from All Grimm's Eve Town for the safety of the town.
Argent then saw their home. He thought it was pretty cool. Nowhere near the size of his or Addam's mansion, but just as creepy as Addam's home. It still had a homey and inviting feeling, even though it was oddly far from the town. Argent then looked and saw why. This house was close to a graveyard and a pumpkin patch. Argent remembered that Jack was called the Pumpkin King, so it made sense for Jack to be close to a pumpkin patch.
"Welcome to our humble abode, Argent," Jack said.
"I'm sure you must at least be peckish," Sarī said. "I'll make up some Worm's Wart soup."
Argent stopped dead in his tracks. "Some... I, uh, didn't think Grimm needed to eat."
"Well, we really don't, but it's so delightful to be able to eat and taste. Your father made living much more enjoyable for us."
"I'm... sure he'll love to hear that."
Jaune shuttered as he was walking through the forest. "Why do I feel like something horrible is my fault?" Jaune then saw a dejected Beowolf, walking with its head down in shame. Jaune whistled at it, the massive wolf's ears shooting up as it looked at its master before bounding toward him.
Nimueh appeared next to Jaune when she heard her husband's whistle, seeing the Beowolf. "Think it knows something?"
"One way to find out," Jaune said as he gently rubbed the wolf's head before reading its mind. "Jackpot." Jaune and Nimueh mounted the wolf. It howled in joy as if knowing it could redeem itself before speeding deep into the forest in the area it lost its master's son. It then took them to a tree, the parents jumping off.
Jaune immediately found Argent's scroll, accessing it to see if he could find anything. He found the video.
"Why is our son recording a tree," Nimueh asked.
"Hypnosis Semblance, maybe?" Both of their eyes widened when Argent's scream was heard, followed by his dropping his scroll.
Jaune pocketed the device and looked around.
"The sky! We might be able to see better from there," Nimueh yelled.
"RIGHT!" Jaune immediately grew his wings before he and Nimueh took to the skies, desperately searching for their son.
"But Worm's Wart?"
"Don't worry," Sarī giggled. "I won't add any Deadly Nightshade."
"Come again?"
"Sarī used to live with the doctor of our town. She was his daughter, but he was suffocatingly protective. Never let her leave. She had to drug him in order to leave. She only got to be truly free after we married," Jack said as he happily grabbed Sarī's hand, the Onryo dreamily placing her head on the tall skeleton's arm. "But don't worry. Her cooking is to die for."
"Some think literally," she said.
". . . Well, wouldn't be the weirdest thing I ever ate. I still have no idea what I ate at Addam's mansion the last time we visited. I still don't know what's crazier: the way the food looked or the fact it was actually good," Argent said as he followed the couple to their house.
Argent then immediately stopped dead in his tracks before taking out Crocea Mors, raising the shield to block a powerful shock. Before he could do anything else, something barreled behind him, tripping him with enough force to send him into the air. Yet, he didn't fall. It was as if he was locked in place. He couldn't even talk.
Then, he was covered by a sack, hearing three different laughs.
"ARGENT," Sarī yelled.
"GET BACK HERE WITH HIM," Jack yelled. "LOCK, SHOCK, BARREL, BRING THE PRINCE BACK AT ONCE!"
"NO," the three yelled in unison before laughing as they tried to kidnap Argent.
Sarī tried to use her hair, but Lock turned around and unleashed fire from his palm, burning Sarī's hair. She screamed in pain since her hair is part of her body.
They laughed as they sped away. "Laa-la-la-la-la-laa! La-la-la-la-laaa! La-la-la-la-la-la! La-la-la-la-laaa! Kidnap the Son of Arc! Lock him up real tight! Throw away the key and then turn off all the lights!"
"First we're going to scare him silly, make him fear the night and dark," Shock sang.
"Wait, I got a better plan to hurt the boy who'll lead the clan. We dunk him in a boiling pot and when he's done we'll butter him up," Lock sang.
"Kidnap the Son of Arc, throw him in a box! Bury him for ninety years, then see if he will talk!"
"Then Mr. Oogie Boogie Man," Shock began.
"Can take the whole thing over then," they sang in unison. "He'll be so pleased, I do declare... THAT HE WILL COOK HIM RARE! WEE!"
The Children Grimm then reached the mansion, Argent still frozen due to Lock's powers. However, since they were so rough, Argent was bouncing around. At one point, he touched the blade of his scythe. Somehow, the magic of the weapon didn't harm him but instead was weakening the hold of Lock's magic, Argent was already able to make a fist.
"I say that we take a cannon, and aim at his face. Then we light it up and then the Prince will be no more," Lock went as he ran toward a cannon. He was shot by Shock's magic.
"You're so stupid! Think now, if we blow him up to smithereens, Oogie won't hurt Argent so he'll beat us black and green," Shock sang
"Kidnap the Son of Arc, tie him in a bag! Throw him in the ocean, then see if he is sad!"
"Because Mr. Oogie Boogie is the meanest guy around. If I were on his Boogie list, I'd get out of town."
They then roughly tossed Argent onto the ground, the boy grunting. If Lock wasn't so distracted with his fun, he would have noticed that, realizing his magic was failing.
"He'll be so pleased by our success," Barrel sang as he jumped onto Argent. "Ow," Barrel went after landing on the scythe, rubbing his butt before smiling again. "That he'll reward us, too, I'll bet!"
"Perhaps he'll make his special brew of snake and spider stew!"
"Ew," Argent whispered.
"We're his little henchmen and we take our job with pride. We do our best to please him and stay on his good side!"
"Kidnap the Son of Arc, beat him with a stick! Lock him up for ninety years, see what makes him tick! Kidnap the Son of Arc, prep him for the fun! Mr. Oogie Boogie is sure to get his kicks!"
'That sounds wrong,' Argent said as he stood up behind the three singing stooges.
"Kidnap the Son of Arc, see what we will see! Lock him in a cage and then throw away the key!" The three laughed hysterically before they heard slashing.
They looked to see Argent had freed himself with his scythe, resting the weapon on his shoulder. "That was really annoying, by the way," he said with a tilt of his head."
Argent finally got a good look at his captors, two boys and one girl.
The boy on the left looked like that strange red devil in that TV show Argent used to watch as a kid. An entirely red body, a long red tail with a point at the end, and red horns. His bone mask and sharpened teeth were the only part of his body that wasn't entirely red.
The girl was in the middle. She looked like one of the Witches in town.
The boy was the shortest of the three. He was a Skeleton Grimm like Jack, only stocky compared to the tall and lanky Pumpkin King.
The girl smacked the back of the red boy's head. "Lock, you idiot! You were supposed to keep him locked!"
"Shut up, Shock! I never canceled my spell! No idea how he's moving."
"Wait, isn't that an Azrael Scythe," Barrel asked.
"Oooooh," the three went.
"Heh, no wonder he got out if that thing was with him. You SUCK compared to Grimm Reapers."
"You would know about sucking Grimm Reapers." Shock smacked Lock, only adding electricity this time.
"Do it right this time and make sure the Prince doesn't so much as wiggle the tip of his pinkie!"
"Yeah, yeah. He's just one Grimm against three. What can he do?"
"Grimm? I'm not a Grimm."
"Huh," the three went.
"I'm human."
There was an awkward silence.
"B-But you're the son of the Grimm King," Barrel said.
"And?"
"But look at you. You're as scary as most Grimm," Lock went.
"I'm wearing a costume, you idiots," Argent said as he removed his helmet, revealing his face.
The three screamed.
"HE'S BRIGHT," Lock yelled.
"HE'S HUMAN," Barrel screamed.
"HE'S BEAUTIFUL," Shock screeched.
"GROSS," the three went in unison.
Argent stomped with enough force to cause a quake. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING BEAUTIFUL," he snarled angrily.
"Ooh, actually, that was really horrifying. My kind of man," Shock went.
"Ew. Sorry, but you're not my type. And no, it's not because you're a Grimm. It's because you suck."
"He's right," Lock snickered, Barrel snickering with him, Shock electrocuting both of their butts.
"Besides, I already have a gir... girl..." Argent blushed.
'Come on. Say it,' Lyra said as her chibi appeared on Argent's shoulder, being his "shoulder angel".
'Say it, Arie. Gi-rl-fri-end. Come on.'
Chibi Nora popped onto his other shoulder. 'Aw, he's adorable when he's shy. But seriously, call my daughter your girlfriend.'
'Wait a minute. Mom, which one of us is his angel and his devil?'
'Lyra, you'll always be mommy's angel.'
'Aw. I love you, mama.'
'Love you too, sweetie.'
'Now call me/her your girlfriend.'
Argent shook his head, making his aunt and best friend-
'COP-OUT' the Chibis yelled out before vanishing completely.
"Anyway, you're not getting me anytime soon."
"Oh, I think we will," Barrel said as he squatted down, looking ready to charge.
"There's three of us," Lock began as he made blue fire appear on one hand and looked ready to lock Argent in place with the other.
"And one of you," Shock said as electricity sparked from her hands.
Argent drew Crocea Mors in its greatsword mode, expertly spinning both the scythe and his sword before posing, pointing the sword at his enemies while holding his scythe behind his back, looking ready to swing it at full force. "I like those odds."
Barrel then rolled over at Argent with bullet speed, but Argent stabbed his sword into the ground in time to make it into a makeshift ramp, Barrel screaming as he rolled off of it. He would have flown like a cannonball had Argent not used his scythe to snag him by his black body, Grimm blood spewing a bit but not enough to be fatal and the wound was shallow anyway.
Argent made sure it was so he could spin using Barrel's momentum and sling him back to his cohorts. He slammed into Shock but Lock jumped out of the way just in time.
While in midair, Lock unleashed a wave of fire raging toward Argent. He jumped out of the way, ice spikes growing where it struck, and used his sword to perform a Wind Blade, knowing what Lock was planning.
As Argent suspected, Lock used his Semblance-like powers to lock Argent in place, the spikes rushing toward him. However, Lock didn't realize Argent created a Wind Blade, the Arc signature technique slamming into him with such force he was sent flying, smashing through the mansion walls before blasting out into the night sky, sparkling like the stars.
Argent fell onto his feet with a bit of a stumble but quickly regained his balance.
He then noticed Barrel rolling at him again... and merely sidestepped.
Barrel ended up smashing through the wall... into the outside. Barrel looked down and comedically tried to swim in the air to safety. He then looked at Argent with a pout before falling with a scream. BOOM.
"I'M OKAY," he called.
"I DON'T CARE," Argent called back.
"YOU'RE MEAN! . . . WE SHOULD HANG OUT AFTER THIS!"
"NO! YOU TRIED TO KIDNAP ME!"
"HOW DO YOU THINK I BECAME FRIENDS WITH LOCK AND SHOCK?!"
"FAIR ENOUGH!" Argent then saw a brick and dangled it. "HERE'S A GIFT!" He dropped it. KONK.
"YoU'Ra geWd FeNd," Barrel slurred out.
"Never thought I'd meet someone weirder than Pugsley," Argent said with a raised eyebrow.
Argent then screamed as Shock electrocuted him.
"You shouldn't have let your guard down after beating those two idiots," Shock said with a laugh.
Argent then gritted his teeth before looking down to see Shock's foot. He lifted his leg and stomped down with all his base might, not even thinking of using his Semblance due to being... well, electrocuted.
"OW," Shock screaked. "Ow-ow-ow," she went, hopping on one foot as she held her wounded one. "Owowowow. Blegh," She went after Argent bonked her with the broadside of his sword.
"That all you idiots got," he asked as Shock fell to the ground. "You know, for Grimm, you guys were pretty weak."
"Big strong man taking down small Grimm," Shock groaned.
"I'm ten."
"Let's see how well you do against a REAL Grimm," she said before pounding on the floor.
Argent raised an eyebrow in confusion before he heard cracking. He looked down, only for the floor below him to break open too wide for him to try for his scythe to latch onto something. "WHOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooaaaaaa," his yell echoed as he fell into the abyss.
Shock gave a stained and pained cackle. "Serves you right." Her head then fell onto the floor, her tongue falling out, now totally unconscious after the one-sided fight.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH-WHOA," Argent went after landing on a slide. "Whoa! Whoa! whoa! Whoawhoawhoawhoawhooooohoooo! OW," he went after landing hard on his butt.
He looked around and saw various horrible things. First, he saw an actual Iron Maiden. The last time he saw one of those was at the Dark Age Section in Vale's Weapons Museum, used by one of the evilest women in Remnant's History: Bloody Maria. Next were a bunch of hanging Grimm Bats, basically tiny Ahool, which Argent has dealt with before on his adventure with his dad. He then looked down to see he was on a giant roulette reel, which he recognized after his Uncle Sage snuck him into a local Vacuan Casino. Even though his dad was proud of him for winning nearly one million lien, he still grounded Argent for a week after he and Nimueh beat the crap out of Sage. At least his parents let him spend his well-won money. He still has five hundred thousand left in his account.
Argent then heard dice and looked to see doors open. He then caught a pair of dice and looked at what it rolled. "Snake eyes? WHOA," he went after actual snakes shot out of the holes and tied him up, the extremely tiny Grimm Snakes hissing at him menacingly.
"Well, well, well." Argent looked up to see a shadowy... sack figure? "What have we here? Arcy-boy, huh?! Oooh, I'm really scared!" Argent actually winced when the Grimm Insects squirmed inside of the sack's mouth. "So you're the new boss everyone's been talking about!" Oogie laughed, Argent moving his head to avoid the bugs.
"You're joking! You're joking! I can't believe my eyes! You're joking me! You gotta be! This can't be the right guy! He's tiny!"
"HEY!"
"Hey's cutie," he said as he took off Argent's helmet, only to slam it back on his head before Argent could yell again. "I DON'T KNOW WHICH IS WORSE! I just might split a seam if I don't die laughin' first," he said as a Grimm Spider fell out of his head, dangling in front of Argent's face.
"Mr. Oogie Boogie says there's trouble close at hand," he said as he spun the roulette Argent was on. "You better pay attention now," he said as he yanked Argent up. "Because I'm the Boogie Man," he went as he lifted Argent like he was just a doll. "And if you aren't shaking, then there's something very wrong, 'cause this may be the last time-" Argent bent back to avoid the snake tongue. "You hear the Boogie Song."
"Oof," Argent went after being dropped.
"Whoa-oo," Boogie went hanging skeletons.
"Whoa-oo," the answered.
"Whoa-oo," he went before crushing some skeletons.
"Whoa-oo," they responded.
"Whoa-oo!"
"Whoa-oo," bats went.
"I'm the Oogie Boogie Man," he went as spiders hung from his eyes.
"Let me go so I can kick your butt before my dad does! He'll wonder where I am by now so leave before he finds you," he said without realizing the gun slot machines were about to shoot him.
"Hah," Oogie went before yanking Argent out of the way. "You're joking! You're joking! I can't believe my ears! Will someone shut this kiddo up?! I'm drowning in my tears! He's funny! I'm laughing! You really are too much. And now with your permission, I'm going to do my stuff."
"And what're ya gonna do, crap sack?"
"Ooh, feisty. I'm gonna do the best I can. WHOOOOA, the sound of rolling dice to me is music in the air, 'cause I'm a gamblin' Boogie Man, although I don't play fair!" The dice hit Argent's chest and landed in front of him. It landed on three, which electrocuted Argent. "It's much more fun, I must confess when lives are on the line! Not mine, of course," he began as he put a hook on the snake's trying Argent, lifting the boy. "But yours? Oh, boy. Now that'll be just fine."
"You better hope I don't get out, or I will turn you inside out!"
"Oh, brother! You're something! You put me in a spin! You aren't comprehending the position that you're in. It's hopeless. You're finished. You haven't got a prayer! 'Cause I'm Mr. Oogie Boogie, and you ain't goin' nowhere." Oogie laughed evilly while Argent glared at him.
"But ain't it funny, the King of the Grimm is just a little TYKE!" Oogie laughed even harder.
"Sorry, bug bag, but I'm not my dad."
"Hm? Your daddy? YOUR DADDY! THAT MAKES MUCH MORE SENSE! YOU AIN'T THE GRIMM KING! YOU'RE THE LITTLE PRINCE!" He laughed even harder yet. "Oooooooooh, we are gonna have such FUN, PRINCEY BOY!"
"You think I'm afraid of you?"
"Oh, trust me, Your Highness," Oogie said with his snake tongue hissing in Argent's face. "By the time I'm done with you..." he slapped Argent. "There won't be anything you WON'T be afraid of."
Oogie was laughing as he was strutting around the hanging Argent before he held his dice in front of the boy's face. "Even or odd, kiddo?"
Argent glared at Oogie before looking at the dice. He stared at it... before activating his Semblance, Enhancing his intellect. "Snake Eyes."
"Hmmm?" Oogie laughed, smacking his knee. "Well... aren't you... CONFIDENT," he laughed as he threw the dice. He laughed again until he saw his dice land. "What the-"
"Called it."
Oogie growled before glaring at Argent. "How did you do that, boy?"
"Rule #1 of dealing with Arcs: never underestimate an Arc."
"Well, Rule #2, 'Your Hiiiighness', when dealing with Arcs: CHEAT!" Oogie stomped on the ground, making the dice jump and fall differently. "EEEEELEVEN!" He laughed victoriously. "THAT MEANS ELEVEN TIMES THE AMOUNT!"
"Amount of what?"
Oogie grabbed a lever. "OF LIGHTNIN', BABY!"
Argent actually screamed as he was electrocuted. After eleven seconds exactly, Oogie turned off the power, laughing so hard he held his sides and fell to the ground, Argent panting as he was literally steaming from the shock. He didn't even need to look at his scroll to see that he was at the absolute lowest point for his Aura. A single use of his Semblance or so much as a hard poke from Oogie would shatter it.
However, Argent saw something useful. He saw that the snakes on his wrists looked hurt. Argent didn't hesitate to use his Semblance to Enhance his strength to try and get out of the grip of the snakes. They were still able to struggle against him, but the electric shock ironically did more damage to them than to Argent. He was able to snap out of the hold, killing the snakes, but shattering his Aura in the process.
"Hmm? Ooh, not bad, Lil' Prince. Those snakes were meant to be able to hold yo Daddy!"
"Well, you electrocuting me helped, but like I keep saying..." Argent drew Crocea Mors and took the Nikos Stance, scythe shimmering on his back. "I'm not my dad."
Oogie laughed. "Do you really think you can beat me, kiddo?"
"I've fought bigger and scarier guys than you."
"Bigger maybe, but scarier? Doubt it." Oogie then opened his mouth wide, a wave of bugs blasting at Argent.
Argent jumped in time to avoid the wave, but a Beetle Grimm in the blast webbed Argent's leg, but the boy was quick and clever enough to slash the web off before using his shield to glide to safety. When he landed, he sent a Wind Blade at Boogie, but the sack stomped on a button, a card popping up to take the hit. Then, multiple cards appeared around Argent, all of them spinning blades.
Argent grunted in pain before looking down to see his leg bleeding from spinning blades coming out of the roulette. What's worse is that the roulette opened up, revealing a Grimm Pool. if that wasn't bad enough, the roulette began to move, messing up Argent's balance.
He almost fell toward the Pool and blades but used Crocea's Gravity Dust to blast him away, using the shield to block a card's blade.
"What's wrong, Prince?! That all ya got?! AAAH-HA-HA-HAA!"
"BOOGIE!"
"Huh?" He looked up to see Jack and Sarī at one of his pipes. "Oh, boy." He then heard a crash.
He looked to see Argent slashing the cards, destroying them as he got closer to the sack. "Oooh, you little cheater. I LIKE IT!"
He then yanked on a chain, making the slot gunslingers slide forward. Argent held up his shield just as they began to rapidly shoot at him, the force of their shots pushing him back. He winced when the spinning blades behind him grazed his back, the boy using a Wind Slash to destroy it. Unfortunately, that messed with his balance, making the heavy shots push him back even more. Argent was uncomfortably close to the Pool now.
Oogie laughed before he saw hair wrapped around the slots. He jumped when he saw them get destroyed. He looked toward Argent in time to see Sarī grab the boy's arm before he fell into the Pool, the Grimm beauty pulling him into a hug. His face would have looked as red as her eyes for all to see had it not been for his helmet.
Oogie then yelped when she glared at him before turning to see Jack stomp towards him, rage shining red in his skull.
Oogie then jumped and slammed his hand on a button, not seeing a piece of thread get stuck on it.
"JACK! ABOVE YOU," Sarī called out.
Jack looked up and cartwheeled out of the way of a buzzsaw before yanking out one of his own ribs and throwing it at the joint of the saw. His rib sliced through it like it was made of butter, the saw falling safely away from all, lodging into the wall, before Jack's rib came back like a boomerang.
Jack placed his rib back in place before stomping back toward Oogie, his hand outstretched, Argent noticing that his fingers were turning visibly sharper.
Oogie stomped on his roulette, the part turning into a springboard as he grabbed onto the base of the spinning blades that cut Argent. It then began to rise like a crane. "So long, Jack, Lil Prince!" He laughed in victory at his supposed escape.
But Jack grabbed the string and began yanking it. "How DARE you treat the Prince so shamefully?!"
"Huh?! W-Wait," Oogie went as he saw the seam of his suit come apart.
The string then got caught on the still-whirling machine. Even though Argent broke most of the blades, there was enough scrap to catch the string and yank off Oogie's entire suit.
"NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE," the mass of Grimm Bugs yelled as they fell into the Grimm Pool. "MY BUGS! MY BUGS! My bugs! my bug! my bugs. mm bgs."
Argent stomped on the last Grimm Bug trying to escape, letting out a sigh of relief when he saw the smoke.
"Argent!" He looked up to see Jack run up to him. "Forgive me, my friend. I should have kept a closer eye on Boogie. I wasn't even able to protect a member of the Royal Family."
"It's nothing to worry about, Jack. I get attacked all the time. It's kinda part of being the Son of the World's Greatest Huntsman. Oh, and the Son of the Grimm King. Shi-shi-shi."
Before the three could talk anymore, Oogie's hideout began to rumble. What's worse is that the Grimm Pool began to bubble, even begin to overflow.
Before the black liquid could reach him, Sarī lifted him up in concern, the Grimm Waters reaching the bottom of her dress, but not affecting her at all. Made sense since she was already a Grimm, but none of them knew what would happen if it touched Argent, a human. Though, right now, all Argent cared about was that a pretty woman... was Princess-Carrying him. He was beyond embarrassed.
"WE NEED TO GET THE PRINCE OUT OF HERE," Jack yelled.
"GRAB ON TO ME," Sarī said as she turned toward the pipes. "WHOO! WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER, JACK!"
"SORRY!"
Sarī used her hair to latch onto the pipe and slingshot the three to safety. She used her hair to climb the pipe until she came bursting out of the tube Oogie's goons throw victims into. When she did, Jack lifted her before sprinting out of the hideout, jumping just as an explosion occurred. He didn't stop running until they were on a hill, turning to look at what was left of Oogie's home, the building crumbling away into debris while Grimm Water kept spewing around.
Jack placed Sarī back onto her feet, the Grimm doing the same for Argent, all three not taking their eyes off the explosion.
"What caused that," Argent asked.
"I don't know. My only guess would be Boogey's bugs," Jack suggested.
"But Grimm comes from the Grimm Pool. Why did Grimm Bugs falling back into it cause a reaction like that," Argent asked.
"There are many mysteries hidden from even Grimm, Young Prince," Sarī said. "Even we don't know all the secrets behind our own bodies and powers, let alone our origin. It might be because Oogie was as sentient as most All Grimm's Eve Town residents, or maybe the extra evil and negativity his body carried affected the Waters somehow."
"Either way, all that matters is that Oogie Boogie is-"
Before Jack could say anything else, a massive hand shot out of the Grimm Pool Water. Actually, upon closer inspection, it wasn't a hand, but an insect's tarsus, specifically looking like a mantis's. The appendage twitched before it stabbed into the ground, something dragging itself out of the black water.
Then, an evil chuckle was heard. A chuckle that turned into a familiar laugh. The laugh became even more familiar as it became more boisterous and loud as the figure crawled out.
It was a giant Oogie Boogie, made completely out of massive Grimm Insects, from wriggling Grimm Worms to crawling Grimm Ants with a Grimm Snake slithering around the body. However, unlike before, the insects were being kept together, but not by a sack of cloth. It looked more like they were glued together by the black Grimm Waters.
"What is this," the giant asked as he looked at his appendages. "This... feels... INCREDIBLE! SO MUCH POWER! AAAAAH-HAHA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA! HMM?! WELL, IF IT AIN'T THE PRINCE, THE KING, AND THE FLING!"
"FLING," Sarī and Jack yelled in unison.
"I HAD NO IDEA I COULD HAVE SO MUCH POWER! IF I HAD KNOWN ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TAKE A 'BATH', I WOULDA DONE IT YEARS AGO! AH-HA-HA-HA-HAA! BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER, NOW DOES IT? WHAT DOES MATTER IS THAT YOU ALL DIE," he roared as he held up his mantis arm. "ESPECIALLY YOU, PRINCEY BOY!"
Oogie swung his arm at impossible speeds for something his size. Under normal circumstances, he would have sliced Sarī and Jack in two without either of them having the time to blink.
However, instead, Argent was using his shield to push back the terrifyingly sharp arm, feeling that he was also holding back a massive Wind Blade that would even impress his dad. He knew that because he was amazed by the strength.
"ARGENT," Sarī yelled.
"Run," Argent strained. "No idea... how long... can hold!"
"NOT LONG, LIL PRINCE!" Oogie then sent Argent flying. He slammed through a tree and into the hill before vomiting enough blood for it to seep through his helmet, making a small puddle of red blood in front of him.
"NO," Sarī cried out in terror.
"ARGENT," Jack yelled out, equally fraught with concerned terror.
Sarī glared at the now storm of insects that was Oogie Boogie, her hair moving violently, showing her full rage. Her hair then rushed at the giant, the monster laughing as his insects flew at the beautiful Grimm.
"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT, DOLLFACE?!" Oogie cackled. "THIS POWER IS AMAZING! GOTTA THANK THE BIG MAN FOR THIS!"
Oogie felt an explosion on the side of his face and looked to see Jack using magic, flaming pumpkins in his hands. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, OOGIE," he roared as he threw more pumpkin bombs at Oogie and his insects.
The giant cackled. "AIN'T IT OBVIOUS, BONE MAN," he roared as he tried to slam Jack beneath his palm, only for the skeleton to run out of the way, but get blown away by the force of the impact. He rolled to safety, landing next to Sarī. "I HEARD HIS VOICE, JACK! WHEN MY BUGS WERE DROWNING IN THE POOL, HE CAME TO ME! SPOKE TO ME! TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T WANNA DIE, BECOME ONE WITH THE POOL! BECOME ONE WITH HIM! EVOLVE INTO THE TRUE FORM OF THE GRIMM! BECOME AN ELDER GRIMM! I AM NOW ONE OF THE ELDER GRIMM OF REMNANT, THE GOD OF DARKNESS'S GREATEST CREATIONS! AAAAAH-HAH-HA-HA-HA-HAAAA!"
Argent yanked himself out of the rock, but fell to his knees, panting. "An Elder Grimm," he panted as he looked up at the giant monster, blood still dripping from his mask. "Those things always gave my dad trouble. The Elder Ice Dragon and Grand King Thulu both nearly killed him. How am I supposed to beat this thing?"
"OH, HAPPY DAY," Oogie roared. "I GET TO BECOME AN ELDER, KILL JACK, MURDER THE PRINCE, AND RULE ALL GRIMM'S EVE TOWN! I FEEL LIKE NOT EVEN THE KING CAN STOP ME NOW!" The giant then looked up at the moon. "MAYBE I SHOULD FIND OUT," he roared as he reached toward the shattered moon. "ALL I HAVE TO DO IS GET THROUGH THE GATE, AND REMNANT IS MINE FOR THE TAKIN'! AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA!"
Argent looked up. "The moon? We get out through the moon?"
"HUH?" Everyone looked at Oogie. "YES. YES, THAT MAKES PEEEERFECT SENSE. OF COURSE, MY GOD! KILL THE PESTS FIRST, THEN CONQUER THE WORLD! I KNEW YOU WERE THE BETTER RULER!"
"Jack, he's-" Sarī began.
"Talking to the God of Darkness himself," the skeleton finished.
"WHAT CAN TWO TINY ABOVE-AVERAGE GRIMM DO AGAINST AN ELDER?! OH, RIGHT! NOTHIN' BUT TURN TO DUST," he cackled as he sent more insects flying at the two. They were able to fight them off, but barely. They were completely surrounded and were more on the defense than on offense. The fact that Sarī's leg got slashed by a bug's pincer and Jack got slashed in the back by a Mantis only made it seem like their situation was becoming more hopeless. It didn't help that they were two of the most powerful Grimm in all of All Grimm's Eve Town. If they lost, the town would be finished.
Argent wanted to help, but he didn't realize how much damage he had suffered from Oogie's first blow. It didn't help that his Aura was already shattered. At least four ribs were cracked, his spine had some fractures on its thoracic vertebrae, and his shield arm was broken after trying to hold back a giant the size of a New Mantle Titan. He couldn't even sit up on his knees, the boy face down on the ground while holding Crocea Mors.
'What can I do? Jack and Sarī are fighting and I'm just lying down. Mom, dad, what am I supposed to do? How can I save my friends,' Argent thought as he was beginning to tear up, a tear already falling down his cheek. 'What am I supposed to do?'
EVOLVE.
Argent's eyes shot open when he saw he was in a white void. He realized he wasn't in pain anymore as he got up. He looked around until he saw a being made of golden light. Argent knew who he was due to the museum visits and stories told to him by his parents. "You're... the God of Light."
I AM.
Argent looked at his hands, the boy realizing he wasn't in his costume. "Am I dead?"
NO. YOU ARE NOT EVEN ON THE BRINK OF DEATH. ALL YOU ARE IS IN AN AUDIENCE WITH ME, HOWEVER, GIVEN THAT YOUR BODY IS IN MY BROTHER'S DOMAIN, MY INFLUENCE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED. FOR EXAMPLE, I COULDN'T MATERIALIZE YOU WITH THAT SILLY COSTUME OF YOURS, THOUGH I DON'T VERY MUCH APPROVE OF IT, TO BEGIN WITH. THEN AGAIN, I DON'T APPROVE OF WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SUGGEST, BUT MY BROTHER'S CREATION MUST NOT BE UNLEASHED UPON REMNANT.
"Oogie is that bad? But my dad, shouldn't he be able to-"
AS POWERFUL AS YOUR FATHER IS, A BATTLE BETWEEN HIM AND AN ELDER AT THIS CREATURE'S LEVEL WOULD BE DEVASTATING. YOUR FATHER WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY EMERGE VICTORIOUS, BUT TOO MANY INNOCENT LIVES WOULD BE SACRIFICED IN THE CONFLICT. WHAT'S MORE, THE GRIMM INSECTS COMPOSING THAT ELDER WOULD SPREAD DISEASES AND PLAGUES THAT YOUR FATHER WOULD HAVE NO CONTROL OVER, AND IT WOULD BE AT A LEVEL THAT HUMAN SCIENCE IS NOT YET ABLE TO COMBAT. THE ELDER MUST BE STOPPED IN THIS REALM WHERE IT IS AT ITS WEAKEST.
"OOGIE IS AT HIS WEAKEST HERE?!"
INDEED. HE CAN NOT FULLY AWAKEN WITHOUT THE NEGATIVITY OF HUMANITY. HUMANS ARE THE SOURCE OF THE GRIMM'S POWER, NONE A GREATER BOON OF POWER THAN YOUR FATHER. NO. YOUR ENTIRE BLOODLINE. THE NEGATIVITY OF THE ARCS, WHOM THE GRIMM RIGHTFULLY CALL THE ROYAL FAMILY, WOULD CAUSE THE GRIMM TO EVOLVE AT A RAPID RATE, MAKING THE ELDER POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CAUSE HARM THAT WILL SCAR THE WORLD FOR YEARS TO COME. IT MUST BE STOPPED.
"B-But how?! Did you SEE that thing?! It's massive and made of giant bugs! My parents are the only ones who can stop something like that!"
NOT TRUE. A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY HAS THE POWER TO END HIM.
Argent's eyes widened. "Y-You mean me?"
INDEED. BETTER YET, YOU ALREADY HAVE TWO TOOLS NEEDED TO BEST HIM, ONE YOU WERE ALREADY BORN WITH.
Argent looked confused before he reached for... "My eyes."
YES. MY POWER AND MY FINAL GIFT TO HUMANITY BEFORE LEAVING THIS WORLD.
"But... I don't know how to properly use my eyes."
YOU WILL NEED TO LEARN. THOSE EYES AND YOUR NATURAL BORN AND BLOOD-RIGHT POWERS GIVE YOU THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL WARRIOR THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN, SURPASSING EVEN YOUR FATHER. IN THE END, YOU MAY ONE DAY BECOME THE MESSIAH OF REMNANT.
"Me? A savior? You're kidding me."
IN THE END, IT IS THE DESTINY OF AN ARC TO SAVE AND PROTECT REMNANT. YOUR FATHER IS MERELY THE FIRST OF A LONG LEGACY OF GUARDIANS. YOUR SISTER HAS ALREADY SHOWN THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARC BLOODLINE.
"My sister?"
YOU HAVE NOT MET HER YET, BUT SHE HAS PROVEN WHY YOU CAN STOP THIS CREATURE. SHE HERSELF DEFEATED AN ELDER USING THE METHOD I WILL ADVISE YOU TO UNDERTAKE.
"MY SISTER BEAT AN ELDER?! HOW?!"
BY ACCEPTING THE POWER OF THE GRIMM AND ALLOWING HER BODY TO EVOLVE.
"Huh?"
SHE CONSUMED A GRIMM AND TEMPORARILY BECAME THE FIRST PRINCESS OF THE GRIMM. NOW, YOU MUST TAKE YOUR PLACE AS ONE OF THE PRINCES OF GRIMM.
"S-She ate a Grimm? B-But how am I supposed to do that?"
BY MERELY BITING THE SECOND TOOL THAT YOU CARRY.
"Second tool?" Argent then realized what the God of Light meant. "My scythe."
Argent looked at the God of Light. "The Azrael Scythe. It's just a weapon, isn't it?"
NO. THE SCYTHE IS PART OF THE AZRAEL GRIMM. IT IS ONLY THANKS TO THIS PLACE THAT THE SCYTHE REMAINED WHEN THE REST OF ITS BODY VANISHED. YOU HAVE BEEN CARRYING A LIVING CREATURE THIS ENTIRE TIME. BITING IT WILL RELEASE THE "BLOOD" OF THE WEAPON, ALLOWING YOU TO EVOLVE.
"So... I'll be like my dad?"
NOT ENTIRELY. YOUR FATHER NEEDED TO PERISH IN ORDER TO FULLY BECOME WHAT HE IS. YOU ARE NOT CLOSE TO DEATH, HOWEVER, SHOULD YOU BE SLAIN IN THIS BATTLE, YOU WILL BE RESURRECTED AND BECOME LIKE YOUR FATHER. NO. BECAUSE OF YOUR SILVER EYES, YOU MIGHT BE MADE INTO SOMETHING MORE. EVEN NOW, EVEN I DO NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT YOU WILL BECOME ONCE YOU EVOLVE. YOU MIGHT VERY WELL BECOME A BEING EVEN MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR FATHER.
Argent looked down, thinking about the scythe before looking up at the God of Light. "Will I... be able to become human again?"
YES. YOUR SISTER WAS ABLE TO, SO YOU WILL AS WELL, AS LONG AS YOU SURVIVE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS REGURGITATE THE ESSENCE.
"I have to vomit? Gross."
WHAT SAY YOU, SECOND PRINCE OF THE GRIMM? WILL YOU TAKE THIS BURDEN AND TAKE THIS CHALLENGE HEAD-ON?
"Are Jack and Sarī still alive?"
TO CARE FOR GRIMM FIRST AND FOREMOST... YOU TRULY CARE ABOUT THOSE TWO, DON'T YOU?
"They're my friends! They came to save me from Oogie, tried to help me get back home, and made me feel welcome even though I'm human! They've been nothing but nice to me! Even now, they're risking their lives to protect me! Of course, I care about them!"
Light was silent for a bit. He then sighed. IT IS TRULY SAD. THE BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND GRIMM COULD HAVE BEEN SO BEAUTIFUL IF MY BROTHER SO WISHED. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT HE'LL ONE DAY SEE THAT BEAUTIFUL POSSIBILITY. AT THE VERY LEAST, I AM PLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE ARC FAMILY EXISTS TO BRIDGE THAT GAP. MAY YOU BE SUCCESSFUL, YOUNG PRINCE.
A flash then occurred.
Argent gasped, hearing the fight between Jack and Sarī against the cackling Oogie Boogie.
Argent tried to at least get up to his knees, but he was in so much pain that he fell back down. Still, ignoring the pain as long as he could, he forced himself into a seiza position, panting heavily as he saw the cackling giant send more insects swirling around the injured Jack and the bleeding Sarī, both obviously reaching their limits.
Argent sheathed Crocea Mors and holstered it back onto his belt before groaning as he grabbed his scythe, holding the weapon in front of him. He then struggled to get his mask off, his body screaming in pain before he just got annoyed and ripped it off his face, his blood still dripping from his mouth. Argent opened his mouth wide, showing off his white teeth and the pronounced canines he was proud of because of how cool he thought they were.
'Don't worry, Arie.' Argent's eyes widened when he remembered his dad's words. 'I'll make sure I'm the only one who ever suffers this curse. No one needs to be like me. To be like Salem. She despised it, and I'm not a fan of it either. Still, these powers are needed... but they don't need to spread. Just leave everything to your old man.'
Argent looked at the scythe sadly before he sighed. "Sorry, dad." Argent then chomped onto the scythe.
Oogie laughed maniacally when he saw how exhausted Jack and Sarī were. "OH, AIN'T THIS A HOOT?! THE LEADER OF ALL GRIMM'S EVE BOWIN' BEFORE THE REAL KING OF THIS REALM! I'M GONNA ENJOY KILLIN' YOU, JACK! AND WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU, I'M GONNA HAVE SOME FUN WITH YOUR PRETTY LITTLE GIRLFRIEND!"
Jack glared at Oogie. "You... won't... touch... my wife."
"WIFE?! EVEN BETTER!" An explosion then occurred, followed by a wave of power that made all three Grimm shake.
"WHAT THE- A REAPER?! NO! NOT EVEN REAPERS HAVE THIS MUCH POWER! THIS MUCH NEGATIVITY! WHAT IS THIS?!" Oogie then looked toward the origin of the explosion, seeing a pillar of darkness shooting toward the sky. "WAIT A MOMENT... DIDN'T I SEND THE KIDDO OVER THERE?!"
"Argent," Sarī went in worry.
"T-The Prince... is it really him," Jack asked.
Oogie roared as he sent waves of insects at the base of the pillar, the Grimm surrounded it in mere seconds. Then, countless slashes were heard, Wind Blades rushing with them. In just mere seconds, every Grimm Bug was slain, black smoke everywhere.
Oogie's eyes then widened when he heard a rushing wind past his head before he screamed in pain after a massive chunk of his shoulder was slashed off. He placed a hand over the smoking area as his bugs tried to repair his shoulder, the massive Elder Grimm looking to see what attacked him.
"WHAT?!"
Flying above him was the black cloak of a Grimm Reaper, the powerful Grimm's back turned toward Oogie, its scythe shimmering in the moonlight. Then, the Grimm turned toward Oogie, hood hiding its face, but revealing something shocking within; glowing silver eyes.
"K-KIDDO?! IS THAT YOU?!"
Argent then turned toward Oogie, spinning his scythe with expert skill as if he'd been fighting with one for years before resting the weapon on his shoulder.
Oogie looked shocked before he began to chuckle before laughing hardily. "WELL, WELL, WELL! LOOK AT YA, KIDDO! YA WENT FULL GRIMM! YA LOOK JUST LIKE HOW I IMAGINED YO DADDY TO LOOK! AH-HA-HA-HA-HAA! BUT YOU DON'T THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME, DO YOU," he roared before throwing something at Argent.
"PLACE YOUR BETS, KIDDO," Oogie cackled.
Argent grabbed his scythe with both hands and swung, making sure to hit the blunt side of his weapon away from the blade. He struck what he was expecting, a pair of dice. However, these dice were unique. It turned out to be six Ladybug Grimm, each with a different number of spots on them. "I BET SNAKE EYES!"
The dice shot back and lodged right into Oogie's eye holes, making him scream in pain. What's more, it really was Snake Eyes. Then, the ladybugs opened up their wings, showing what looked like a black portal, King Taijutu actually crawled out of the bugs with a roar as they wrapped around Oogie.
"GET OFF OF ME, YOU IDIOTS! YOU'RE LITERALLY A PART OF ME! WAIT..." Oogie absorbed the dice and snakes back into his body as he snarled at Argent. "YOU LITTLE PISSANT!" Argent just stuck his tongue out at the Elder Grimm, making him angrier before seeing Sarī and Jack. "KILL THEM!"
The couple got ready to defend themselves against the swarm flying toward them, only to be surprised when Argent appeared in front of them in the blink of an eye.
Argent then grabbed his scythe with both hands and swung, creating a Wind Blade so large and powerful that it slashed right through Oogie's body, still flying away until both Jack and Sarī saw that it looked like a crescent moon before it vanished.
"Stay behind me," Argent said as he took off his hood, showing that his golden blonde hair was now Grimm White.
"DAMN YOU, BOY," Oogie roared as he lunged toward the three, mouth wide to swallow them whole.
But the moment he got close enough, Argent opened his eyes, using the full power of his eyes.
Oogie Boogie screamed in agony as his entire massive body was engulfed in silver light.
Jack and Sarī were confused. One moment, they saw a silver light, next they see is Oogie in stone. They then watched as Argent flew high into the sky, holding his scythe over his head.
The boy then spun at such speeds that he looked like a buzzsaw before falling down toward the statue. The buzzsaw that was Grimm Reaper Argent easily cut through the figure like a hot knife through butter, causing a quake when he landed.
Argent, at the base of Boogie, then slammed his scythe onto the ground, making sure the entire blade touched the ground. He then spun around, his speed increasing gradually until he created a tornado that sucked in what remained of Oogie's statue. When the tornado was completely black, Argent swung upward, sending the Grimm Smoke into the air. If it wasn't obvious before, it was now.
Oogie Boogie was dead.
Argent stared at the smoke before looking at his friends. Using his new powers, he flew up to the two Grimm, landing in front of the two wordlessly.
"A-Argent," Sarī asked worriedly.
"Are you... still you," Jack asked, equally worried.
Argent remained silent. He then took off his hood, revealing his Grimmified state. He was as white as Sarī, had red sclera instead of black like most Grimm, and retained his silver irises. He looked overly serious, worrying the two.
Then, he gave his famous toothy smile with his famous "shi-shi-shi" laugh. "Trick or treat!"
The two Grimm laughed and cheered before they both hugged him.
"That was a fine trick, Argent. You actually scared me," Jack said as he patted the boy's shoulder.
"It takes a lot to scare a Grimm, let alone Jack," Sarī added. "Still, are you... going to stay like this?"
"Nope," Argent went, not realizing he was channeling his inner Ruby with that. "Turns out I can go back to being human. I just... have to puke. Gross."
"Oh, well, that should be simple enough," Jack said.
"Says you. Not that big on vomiting," Argent sighed.
"Then I have something that might help," Sarī said as she reached into her cleavage, Argent blushing at that. Fortunately, neither noticed as Sarī pulled out a vial and gave it to the boy.
"What is it?"
"Angry Lily nectar. I keep it around just in case. Never know when you need to poison someone to make a quick getaway," she said with a wink.
"Sarī, you haven't poisoned anyone in years."
"Old habits, Jack."
Argent pocketed the vial before looking up at the Grimm. "Jack, Sarī, I think I can leave now."
"So it would seem," Sarī said sadly.
"With your Azrael powers, reaching the moon should be easy. You can return to Remnant easily," Jack said with a slightly sad tone.
"Will I... will I ever see you two again?"
The two looked at each other, both obviously sad that the question was asked.
Jack sighed. "I don't know, Argent. In my opinion, it was by pure luck that Zero led you here. Oogie was obviously after your father. Instead, you fell for the trap meant for him and saved All Grimm's Eve. Now that you've done that... I have no idea if you can ever come back."
"So... I might never see you two again?"
Sarī smiled as she knelt down. "Argent, do you remember who you are?"
"Huh?"
"Who your father is?"
"Um, my dad's the King of the Grimm."
"And what are we?"
Argent's eyes widened in realization. "Grimm."
Jack laughed in understanding. "Of course! We may not be able to find a way to Remnant at this moment, but with your father as King, that doesn't mean it's an impossibility! What's more, the Grimm are becoming more and more accepted as your father's rule continues and grows! Argent, my boy, I doubt this is the last time we meet!"
Argent laughed before he hugged the two Grimm, the couple hugging the young prince back. "I'm... still going to miss you two."
"We'll miss you, too, Argent," Sarī said.
"But don't worry. We'll always have All Grimm's Eve, now won't we," Jack said.
"Yeah. You're right," Argent said as he stepped away from the two.
"Oh! You can't go back without this," Sarī said as she used her hair to grab Argent's mask.
He stared at the thing with a genuine smile. "I'll help him."
"Hm," Jack went, Sarī tilting her head.
"My dad. I'll help him bridge the gap between humans and Grimm. He's already making them heroes and icons. I'm going to make sure people can see them as friends. That way, All Grimm's Eve Town will be seen as a town full of scary but fun friends."
The couple looked at each other before smiling, looking back at Argent. "We'd like that."
"Besides, I have these amazing neighbors that LOVE All Grimm's Eve that throw the weirdest parties. They don't seem to be afraid of ANYTHING! It doesn't help that they're pretty creepy. I actually thought they were Grimm when they made that mansion in my dad's forest! Once I find a way to get to All Grimm's Eve Town easily, I want Jack to scare the unscarable!"
"AH-HAH! A CHALLENGE! AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! FINALLY! DON'T WORRY, MY FRIEND! IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW CREEPY OR KOOKY A HUMAN IS! THERE ISN'T A SOUL IN ALL OF REMNANT JACK SKELLINGTON CAN NOT SCARE!"
"Hah! Look out, Wednesday!"
"Wednesday," Sarī asked.
"Mr. Addam's daughter."
"Oh. Is she your girlfriend?"
Argent blushed. "What? NO," he went as he turned away and crossed his arms. "She's just a friend. My girlfriend is-" Argent's eyes popped open.
'Oh, no, you don't,' Chibi Lyra says as she lands on Argent's head. 'This time, you're gonna say it!'
'Say it! Say it! Say it,' Chibi Nora chanted as she tugged on Argent's hair. 'Wow, your locks are as soft as your dad's.'
The Chibi Mother-Daughter pair yelled in surprise after Argent shook his head, sending the imaginary chibis flying.
Argent smiled at his friends. "Goodbye," he waved.
"Goodbye, Argent," Sarī said.
"And Happy All Grimm's Eve," Jack went.
Argent gave his shi-shi-shi laugh before putting his hood back on. He then jumped off the cliff he was on and flew toward the moon.
He flew as fast as he could, feeling himself moving faster and faster as he reached out toward the moon.
Then, the moon began to glow brightly before the light engulfed him completely, Argent yelling out in surprise: "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAA-HOOOOOO!"
After what felt like a rollercoaster ride, the All Grimm's Eve door on the tree opened up, Argent flew out and slammed head-first into a tree.
"Ow," he went as the door closed behind him and vanished.
Argent stood up, shaking his head to get rid of the stars he saw. He then looked around, seeing normal trees and non-black land. He then looked up to see that the shattered moon was back to normal. He was definitely back.
Argent then looked at his scythe, seeing that he was still holding the powerful weapon. He took off his glove to see that he was still technically a Grimm. As such, he took out the Angry Lily Sarī gave him. He opened it and took a whiff.
'No smell. I guess I'm supposed to drink it,' he thought. He then took a small sip.
He waited a few moments and decided he needed to drink more. Then, he twitched, dropping the vial. He began to gag, holding his mouth shut, mouth getting full. He then went behind a tree and vomited violently. As he puked, his hair regained its golden hue. His white skin went back to the fair pale color that he got from his mother, and his sclera was no longer red. When he was finished, there was a black puddle in front of him.
When Argent stood up in relief, he saw black smoke. He looked down to see his scythe begin to fade away. Since the boy was no longer a Grimm and no longer in All Grimm's Eve Town, the scythe no longer had a host, meaning it was now dead. Argent's hood also faded away, with no Reaper being around to keep it alive.
Argent looked up to watch the smoke fade away into the night sky. He smiled at the smoke. "Thank you," he said to it.
Argent then saw two figures in the night sky around the smoke. He could have sworn one had wings, but the other didn't for some-
"Wait. Wings? Uh-oh."
The figures then crashed behind Argent with enough force to make him float. When he landed, he rigidly turned around to see his furious parents.
"Do you have any idea how GROUNDED you are," Jaune went with glowing red eyes?
"H-Hi, dad."
"Hi? HI?! THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY TO YOUR FATHER," Nimueh yelled. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED WE WERE WHEN WE DIDN'T FIND YOU IN YOUR ROOM?!"
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU EVEN DOING," Jaune roared.
"Um, following a ghost into the forest," he answered sheepishly.
"Following a what," Jaune went with a raised eyebrow. He then groaned as he facepalmed. "Argent 'Vale Paladin' Rose Arc-"
'Oh, crap. He added the Rose. I'm in a lot of trouble,' he thought.
"Yes, you are," Nimueh went. "And watch your damn mouth, kid!"
"Do you have any idea how stupid that was," Jaune yelled? "I have countless enemies! Many of them with Mirage and Hallucination Semblances! Any one of them could have made your little 'ghost'! You're not just a kid, you're an Arc! You're strong, but not strong enough to take on entire groups of my enemies, who would LOVE to get their hands on you to reach me!"
"I'm sorry, dad, but at least... well, actually it was one of your enemies."
"WHAT," the couple went.
"It's... kind of a long and unbelievable story," Argent went with a nervous chuckle.
"Unbelievable, huh," Jaune went with a stern look. "Then it's a good thing I have Spider Grimm powers," he said as he walked up to his son.
"Spider Grimm," Argent asked before his dad placed his huge hand on his head.
"Even though they are known for their illusionary powers, it mostly works after looking through the memories of the victim, meaning they can read minds, more specifically memories." Jaune then began to concentrate, both he and Nimueh looking through their son's memories.
When he was done, the couple looked at each other.
"A town of intelligent Grimm," Jaune asked Nimueh.
"Royal Family," Nimueh asked Jaune.
The parents then looked at their son. "You became a Grimm," they asked sternly. Argent just shrunk back with a nervous laugh as he rubbed his arm.
"Is this my fault," Jaune asked his wife.
"No. It's my father's. Arie just fell for a trap laid out for you that he set up."
"But it's still a trap meant for me. Our son got caught up in a mess that was meant for me. What's worse, he had to turn into ME."
"But dad-"
"Hush," the parents went sternly at their son, making him shrink again.
The two then had a mental conversation this time, making Argent even more nervous since he couldn't hear his parents. He jumped when Jaune looked at him, looking angry.
"Argent Rose Arc-"
'Uuuuuuuuh. He didn't call me Vale Paladin this time. That's the worst,' he thought fearfully.
"You have no idea how furious I am with you. You should have told me, your mother, or even your aunt about what you saw in the forest. You're strong, but that doesn't change the fact that you're still just a child. Ten. Years. Old. You still have a lot of growing to do, none of which involves running into a forest alone without informing anyone of your whereabouts. Maverick actions like that have gotten even Pro Huntsmen killed."
"Killed, Arie," Nimueh went. "We were worried sick about you. And what's worse, we just found out you put yourself in mortal danger, against an Elder Grimm of all things! Even your father struggled against those things! Have you forgotten what happened the very first time your father ever fought an Elder?"
"It... nearly killed him."
"Exactly! And the second time was when I had Grimm Powers! You're lucky that this Oogie Boogie was a newly born Elder. If he was a more experienced one like the Elder Ice Dragon, I would have been morning the death of my son! Do you think I want to experience that?!"
"N-No, sir," Argent answered with teary eyes.
"But that's not even the worst of it," Nimueh sighed.
"Yeah. I feel the same," Jaune agreed with his wife.
Argent shuttered, afraid of what his parents would say next.
"The worst part... is that we're proud of you," they said in unison.
Argent was shocked as he looked up. "Eh?"
"You didn't discriminate against any of those Grimm," Jaune began.
"Except for those three child-sized Grimm," Nimueh went, her eyes glowing with silent anger.
"Whom I will destroy if I ever see," Jaune said, his eyes also glowing in silent anger, Nimueh nodding in agreement with her husband.
Meanwhile, back in All Grimm's Eve Town, walking away from the wreckage of Boogie's hideout were Lock, Shock, and Barrel. Even with the quick healing of the Grimm, the three were still badly hurt from their fight with Argent, and that crazy explosion didn't help things either.
Then, all three shivered in absolute terror, something they weren't used to feeling. They looked around in nervousness and fear before they hugged each other, shivering like scared cats, somehow knowing full well that the King and Queen of the Grimm would not be pleased if they ever met.
The parents looked down at their son. "You did well, Argent," the said in unison. "You're going to be a great Huntsman when you grow up," they said with proud smiles.
Argent's eyes shined before he gave a toothy smile.
"But you're still grounded," Jaune said, making Argent jolt before he slumped over with a sad sigh. While he was moping, Argent didn't notice how his dad was looking around.
'Where is it,' Jaune thought.
'Where's what,' Nimueh mentally asked.
'According to Argent's memories, he expelled the Grimm Waters from his body. There's no trace of it.'
'Well, the smoke is how we found Arie to begin with, isn't it?'
'I guess,' Jaune thought as he placed his son on a Beowolf, he and Nimueh getting on another as they rode back home.
As soon as the family reached the back of the mansion, they were greeted by the sight of familiar airships landing in front of the manor.
"Oh, crap," Jaune went.
"Um, why is mom's airship here?" The parents looked at the boy. "Oh."
The three rode the Beowolves to the front of the mansion as soon as the ship landed, docking doors opening as soon as the Arcs got off the Grimm.
Before the doors fully opened, a red wind rushed out and spun around Jaune with enough force to make him float. Then, Ruby appeared above Jaune and slammed him into the ground, straddling him as she grabbed him by his collar. "YOU! WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BABY BOY," she yelled as she violently shook him.
"He's fine Ruby," his voice vibrated as Ruby shook him.
"DON'T YOU LIE TO ME, ARC! YOU CAN'T FOOL A MOTHER!"
"Just look to your left," he vibrated out.
Ruby looked, eyes glowing as if she was ready to blast Jaune, which she probably was.
"H-Hi, mom," Argent went with a nervous wave. "BEGYAH," he went after Ruby tackled him with her Semblance.
"MY BABY! MY SWEET, PRECIOUS BABY," she cried comically as tears waterfalled from her eyes before she began to kiss him wildly.
"NOOO! MOM COOTIES! DAD, HELP!"
"I did say you were grounded for a week, didn't I? Think of this as part of your punishment."
"A mere week?" Jaune looked up to see Winter walk off her ship. "You're being too lenient, Jaune. From what I can tell from my sister-in-law's reaction, his punishment should be more severe. What did that troublemaking nephew of mine do this time, anyway?"
Jaune and Nimueh looked at each other before sighing in exasperation, already knowing full well what the Schnee Family's reaction will be.
One story later.
"WHAT," Winter, Weiss, Ruby, and Qrow went in unison with enough volume to not only shake the forest but make one of Pugsley's bombs go off prematurely all the way in the Addam's Mansion.
"ARGENT ROSE ARC, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING," Ruby, Winter, and Weiss went in unison as they stood over the boy.
"JUST BECAUSE YOUR DAD PRACTICALLY OWNS THIS FOREST DOESN'T MEAN THERE AREN'T PLENTY OF DANGERS IN IT," Ruby yelled.
"AND TO FOLLOW A WHITE ORB, KNOWING FULL WELL THERE ARE PLENTY OF ILLUSION SEMBLANCES IN THE WORLD THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CREATED BY AN ENEMY OF YOUR FATHER," Winter yelled.
"AND OPENING A STRANGE DOOR?! IN A TREE, OF ALL THINGS! I THOUGHT AT THE VERY LEAST MY SISTER AND I TAUGHT YOU BETTER," Weiss yelled.
"Wait, why just you and Winter," Ruby asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, please. You would have done the same thing," Weiss went.
"Is there really an entire world of intelligent Grimm," Silber asked Jaune.
"It's from Argent's memories," Jaune answered. "Not imagination, but complete memories. I'm starting to get the hang of creating Grimm like Salem could, but I'd never imagined being able to make intelligent Grimm."
"Intentional or not, this is still quite the discovery," Shiva said. "An entire species of Grimm that have no desire to harm humanity? This could very well be the basis for our future, humanity, Faunus, and Grimm finally living in unity."
"Well, at least until the next big conflict," Qrow shrugged.
"Father," Shiva sighed.
"Hey, I'm just saying."
"BUT THAT'S NOT EVEN WHAT I'M MOST PISSED ABOUT," Ruby yelled as she warped to and throttled Jaune again. "MY BABY USED A SCYTHE, AND I WASN'T THERE TO SEE IT!"
"That's what you're mad about," Jaune vibrated.
"Hey, that's a legitimate reason to be pissed," Qrow went. "The kid could be a damn good scythe meister, and neither his mom nor his awesome uncle were there to see his skills with his very first scythe!"
Winter then chopped Qrow and Ruby's heads at great speeds. "The boobs foolishness aside-"
"IT AIN'T DUMB," they went in unison as they rubbed the bumps Winter gave them.
"I am more sure that you are being too lenient on your son, Jaune. A mere week isn't adequate punishment. What, are you going to take away all his electronics as well," she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What? No."
Winter rolled her eyes. "Of course. You spoil your son too-"
"He's going to live in New Mantle for that week... under YOUR supervision."
Everyone's eyes popped open, especially Argent's.
Winter blinked. "Come again?"
"You're right. I spoil my kid rotten. Not that good at punishments, and Nim is even worse."
"I'm weak against his Puppydog Eyes," Nimueh bowed in embarrassment.
"Who better to discipline a naughty child than a decorated general?"
"NO WAY!"
"Mm," Jaune went after Argent clung to his leg.
"PLEASE, NO, DAD! AUNT WINTER IS TERRIFYING! THE LAST TIME YOU GROUNDED ME AND SENT ME TO NEW MANTLE, I MEMORIZED NEW MANTLE'S ENTIRE ARMY CODE! ALL FIVE HUNDRED PAGES! SHE MADE ME CLEAN THE LATRINES, DO WEAPON INVENTORY, AND EVEN KP!"
The parents looked at each other. "Kitchen Patrol," they asked in unison before shuddering. They then looked at Winter. "You're sadistic," they said in perfect unison.
Winter saluted. "I don't regret a single action I took in disciplining him."
"PLEASE DON'T SEND ME TO AUNT WINTER! LET MOM OR GRUNCLE QROW-"
"Hah! Told ya," Qrow went at Ruby.
"Shut up, Uncle Qrow."
"OR GRANDPA HANDLE MY GROUNDING!"
Meanwhile.
"WHOO-HOO! I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT I FEEL INCREDIBLY HAPPY AND REALLY WANNA HUG MY GRANDSON RIGHT NOW! WHOOO!" Zwei howled with Tai. Unfortunately, that attracted a lot of trick-or-treaters. Good thing Tai had plenty of candy.
"Arie, you're just making things worse for yourself," Jaune said. "Besides, most of the people you named are even worse than I am at disciplining you. They'd spoil you rotten. The only other person I can think of punishing you properly would be Weiss, but she's too busy being CEO to handle you."
"Actually, I'm not as busy as W-" Winter chopped Weiss, making her shut up. Weiss just slumped over, knowing full well she couldn't beat her sister.
"Uuuh, I thought you said you were proud of me," Argent whimpered.
"This and that are two totally different things."
"But can't I have even a tiny bit of mercy?"
Jaune stared at his son before sighing. "You can enjoy the Rens All Grimm's Eve Party. THEN you're going straight to New Mantle with your Aunt Winter."
"Actually, he'll be coming with-" Ruby began before Jaune covered her mouth with his hand, right before Winter was about to chop her.
"Your. Aunt. Winter," Jaune elaborated.
"Yes, sir," Argent slumped.
Everyone then heard a car squeal down the road. They looked to see the Ren Family car race down the road before drifting to a halt. Ren immediately opened his passenger door, falling out, looking like he really wanted to puke. Nora and Lyra immediately popped out, their eyes shining. Everyone but Argent looked confused, while Argent stiffened up in fear.
"Nora? What are you doing here? I thought you and Lie were setting up a party," Jaune went.
"Party not important! In fact, party canceled," Nora went quickly.
"WHAT," Ruby went. "I was looking forward to that after that boring New Mantle thing!"
"It was a ball, Ruby," Weiss sighed.
"A deflated ball," she muttered.
"PARTY NOT IMPORTANT," Nora said as she and Lyra appeared in front of Argent, making him squeak. "What is important is what you need to call my daughter," Nora said as she and Lyra loomed over Argent.
"W-What I need to call Lyra?"
"We know you were about to say it," Lyra went. "We don't know where or why but we know you were gonna say it."
"So say it now," Nora went as the two loomed even larger over the shrinking Argent.
"Come on, Arie. Everyone knows you want to call me it," Lyra went as she and Nora became shadowy.
"Do it! Come on, honey drop," Nora went as she and Lyra became even scarier than any Grimm Argent had ever seen.
"Come on! Come on! Come on," the two went in unison.
Argent then ran away.
"Mmp?!" Everyone looked at a now red Shiva as her formerly calm smile was now an embarrassed smile. "A-Arie, that isn't a hiding place." She then looked down, everyone looked at her kimono. "Plus, that is no way to touch a lady," she said with a forced smile and a tick mark growing on her forehead.
"Please don't make me get out," Arie's voice went from within Shiva's kimono. Qrow burst out laughing when he realized his nephew was hiding in his daughter's dress.
"WHOA," Qrow went after having to fly away from ice spikes. When he landed on his wife's shoulders, he saw that Shiva drew her scythe, using the Ice Dust in it to send the deadly spikes his way, a terrifying and pissed smile on her pretty face.
"You deserved that," Winter said to the bird on her shoulder.
"Worth it," the crow went.
"When we get back to New Mantle, you're mine. Do. I. Make. My. Self. Clear," Shiva said as she looked down coldly at her kimono.
Argent knew that his cousin had a terrifying look on her face. He has never seen her frown or scowl, but it can be argued that her angry smiles are MUCH scarier than any scowl. "Y-Yes, ma'am."
"That's my girl," Winter said as she nodded in approval.
"My son hiding in my niece's kimono aside," Ruby went before warping to Ren. "Is it true that you're canceling your All Grimm's Eve party?"
"Sorry, Ruby," Ren said as he finally regained his composure. "Nora and Lyra just went crazy all of a sudden. They ended up wrecking a lot of the decorations and food, screaming about Argent. Our house is a mess."
"Sorry, baby," Nora called.
"But I was really hoping to drop by," Ruby whined.
"Sorry. Any idea why they went crazy?"
Ruby ended up telling them the whole story.
"WHAT," Nora and Lyra went before warping to Jaune, shaking him.
"JAUNE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE," Nora yelled.
"I'm sure you'll tell me," Jaune sighed.
"YOU LET ARIE USE A WEAPON OTHER THAN A SWORD OR HAMMER!"
"Huh," Jaune went with a raised eyebrow.
"COME ON! WE ALL KNOW HE SHOULD ONLY BE USING EITHER A SWORD LIKE HIS DAD OR A HAMMER LIKE HIS FAVORITE AUNT!"
"I HEARD THAT," Ruby yelled as she used her Semblance to warp next to Nora. "AND I CALL BULL! HE'S MY SON, SO HE SHOULD BE LEARNING TO USE A SCYTHE!"
"HAMMER!"
"SCYTHE!"
"HAMMER!"
Ruby used her Semblance.
"EEP," Shiva went.
"WHOA," Argent went. Ruby then warped back, holding Argent in her arms.
Jaune looked over at Shiva, the usually stoic beauty now tomato red. "I feel so violated," she went, steam floating from her head.
Winter placed a loving hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Such is the burden of our family, my snow angel."
"Last time I check, Nora, I was his MOTHER. I should be the one to decide what his secondary weapon is. And I say scythe."
"Well, I'm his godmother, meaning Jaune, the dad who RAISED him-" Ruby felt an arrow pierce her back, but she was a bit used to it. Still brought a tear of pain to her eye, though. "Chose me to take care of him should anything happen! So I get to decide and I say hammer!"
Ruby groaned with a roll of her eyes before looking at her son. "Arie, you want to learn how to use a scythe, right?"
"No! You wanna learn how to use a hammer, right?"
Argent sighed before jumping out of his mother's grasp. "Mom, I admit, using a scythe was awesome."
"HAH!"
"Ooh," Nora went.
"But it was a one-time thing."
"HAH!"
"Ooh," Ruby went this time.
"I mean, it's not like I'm ever going to get a scythe that cool ever again," he said while holding his hands up.
However, as soon as he did, a dark and long cloud poofed above his hands, his scythe falling in them. Argent blinked when he saw the weapon that helped him beat Oogie Boogie. "Eh?"
Ruby and Qrow blinked. "Eh," they went in unison.
"EEEEEH," everyone went.
"M-MY SCYTHE?! BUT- HOW DID- BUT THERE'S NO- EEEEH?!" Argent looked at Jaune with confused and teary eyes. "Daaaaad?!"
Jaune stared at the weapon, thinking for a bit. "Please let me be wrong."
"Eh?"
"Arie, is there any other part of the Azreal you can think of?"
"Part?"
"Characteristics."
"Like it's cloak?" As soon as he asked that, Argent was in his black cloak, hood and all. "WHAT THE HECK?!"
"MY BABY HAS A HOOD," Ruby went in excitement.
"It's a bit emo. . . I approve," Qrow went. "Ow," he went after Winter chopped his head.
"Dad, what's going on?!"
Jaune shut his eyes, eyebrow twitching. "Please let me be wrong."
"Huh?"
Jaune took a deep breath. "Imagine them vanishing."
"Huh?"
"It doesn't matter how. Imagine them fading away like a fog or something."
"Um, okay?" Argent did as he was told, his cloak and scythe fading away.
"Aw," Ruby went in disappointment.
"What now," Argent asked. "WHOA," he went after Jaune lifted his costume to look at the boy's back.
"Damn," Jaune went.
Nimueh looked next. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is."
Ruby looked next, her jaw-dropping. She then looked pissed. "JAUNE SALEM ARC," she roared as she began to throttle Jaune's neck. "WHY DOES OUR SON HAVE A TATTOO OF A GRIMM REAPER ON HIS BACK?!"
"HE HAS A WHAT," Qrow and Winter went in unison before they and Weiss practically warped to look at Argent's back. Lo and behold, the image of an Azrael holding its scythe was on Argent's back.
"It's not a tattoo. It's Grimm Essence. It just means Argent didn't lose all of his powers."
"ARE YOU SAYING HE'S STILL TECHNICALLY A GRIMM?!"
Jaune sighed. "Yeah. Fortunately, he's more human than Grimm. In short, he's not me, thank the God of Light."
"So, does that mean I can still see Jack and Sarī," Argent asked.
"Not even I can answer that one, kiddo."
"Oh," he went sadly, kicking up some dirt.
"That isn't entirely important right now," Winter said as she walked up. "What is important is that we make sure he can properly control his new powers. You do realize that the regiment I'm going to put him through is going to be even more rigorous than before, don't you," Winter asked with a raised eyebrow and her hands behind her back in her usual militaristic way.
Jaune sighed. "Yeah, I understand. As long as you understand that you're only going to have him for a week. Are we clear?"
Winter sighed. "Crystal. Though, a week isn't nearly enough time for me to train him properly." Winter then jolted when she felt hands on her shoulders, the beauty looking back to see Ruby and Qrow, their faces hidden by shadows.
"Excuse us," they went in unison. "For YOU to train him properly?"
"Of course."
"Nah-uh," they went in unison again, going back to normal.
"Pardon," Winter went sternly.
"Arie, make it appear again," Qrow went. Argent looked confused before he just did as he was told, making his scythe appear. "What is that, Winter?"
Winter's eyebrow twitched. "Qrow, don't you start."
"Answer the question, Auntie," Ruby went.
Winter sighed. "A scythe."
"EXACTLY," the two went in unison.
"So wouldn't it make sense for a Scythe Meister to teach a new and up-and-coming Scythe Meister," Qrow went.
"Last I checked, Jaune placed Argent under MY custody."
"Last I checked, and I feel like I need to keep reminding everyone this, I'M HIS MOM," Ruby went. "Of course, I should train my own kid!"
"Oh, please. You had Silber to teach."
"Silber never took interest in scythes! She was a rapier genius like her mom."
"Thank you," Silber went.
"Only stating facts, sweetie. Also, Uncle Qrow, you were the one who taught Shiva how to fight with a scythe. I should get to train MY SON how to carry the Scythe Meister legacy."
"True, but come on, Pedal, how often does a Gruncle get to spend time his with nephew?"
"Oh, enough! I need to be the responsible one and make sure Argent learns properly while in New Mantle," Winter stated.
"Why are you making it sound like he's going to be only with you the entire week," Ruby yelled.
"You're gonna monopolize him or something?! You're supposed to be busy, Winter," Qrow yelled.
"Are you saying I can't fulfill my duties while properly educating my own nephew," Winter yelled.
The three began to bicker and argue, Argent walking up next to his dad, scythe on his shoulder.
"Our family is crazy, isn't it," Arie asked his father.
"Oh, absolutely."
"Ahem." Jaune looked to see Weiss next to him. "I believe Argent mentioned something else about his little adventure."
"Hm? What did he say," Jaune asked.
"That you two are members of the Grimm Royal Family."
Jaune raised an eyebrow.
"Meaning... Argent is royalty."
"Aaand?"
"And that means he is a prince, meaning he needs further training and discipline in the ways of nobility," Weiss explained as she stabbed her rapier into the ground, freezing the escaping Argent in place. "That means I will also be in charge of him while he is in New Mantle. Understood?"
"But you're a C-"
"I can easily make time. The boy needs to learn in order to comprehend his position fully."
"NOOOO! AUNT WEISS MADE ME DO ALL KINDS OF BORING STUFF! SHE MADE ME LEARN TO WALK PROPERLY! I HAD TO WALK WITH A GLASS OF WATER ON MY HEAD FOR A DAY! AND SHE KEPT SMACKING MY HAND WHEN I GRABBED A DINNER FORK INSTEAD OF A SALAD FORK! I KNOW HOW TO BALLROOM DANCE BECAUSE OF HER!"
"You made my kid ballroom dance?"
"Don't worry, Arc. He danced spectacularly with one of my client's daughters. I received a lot of praise for how well my child danced with her."
"Hey," Jaune went in annoyance, getting more annoyed with Weiss's snide smirk.
"What was that about Arie dancing with another girl," Lyra went with dangerously shining eyes.
"Still, since we know he is a prince, even though we already knew that he still has a lot to learn. A week won't be nearly enough for my taste, but it's a start."
"And he also needs more military training as a prince," Winter chimed in. "His skill with a sword as elegant as the Crocea Mors is acceptable for a soldier, but for someone of noble blood, it needs improvement. He needs better swordplay."
"And a better grasp in parries and slashes," Weiss added.
"As well as how to better hold his shield," Winter went.
"And the proper stance of a knight," Weiss went.
"As well as strategies that will bring pride to the Schnee family," Winter went proudly.
"He doesn't even HAVE Schnee blood in him," Jaune yelled.
"He's my precious nephew! It still counts," the sisters went in unison.
Jaune sighed. "Two Schnees for one week. I almost feel sorry for you, Arie."
"Does that mean you'll reconsider grounding me," Argent asked with his puppy dog eyes.
"Don't push it, kiddo."
"And that reminds me," Winter said as she used the hilt of her own sword to push Jaune's chin up before using her sheath to hit Jaune in certain spots to straighten him up. "You need training as well."
"Beg pardon?"
"Watch your speech! You're a King, Jaune!"
"King of the Grimm, yeah. Ow," he went after Winter chopped him.
"Royalty is STILL royalty! You represent all Grimmkind now. If you want peace between humanity and your Grimm, you need to be a more respectable figure."
"Didn't you beat all of this into me when we were dating? I distinctly remember many elegant women clamoring around us and some tried to seduce me while I was at your side."
"Don't remind me," Winter went in annoyance. "Harlots. You were obviously mine back then. By the gods, you were handsome. It's no wonder people were shocked to know you were the Vale Knight instead of from one of the Old Atlas Families. But that didn't give anyone the right to flirt with my boyfriend," she said through gritted teeth as her eyes ignited.
"Winter."
She jolted at Jaune's voice and cleared her throat to calm herself down. "Anyway, you need to act nobler again."
Jaune sighed. "This is getting out of hand."
"ENOUGH ALREADY," Ruby yelled. "The punishment doesn't start until next week! Enough about boring nobility training and balls! It's supposed to be All Grimm's Eve! We're supposed to be celebrating and having fun, not talking about dressing Arie in dance medals and suits."
"Suits? Ruby, we'd be dressing Argent in something far more elegant than a-" Ruby placed her hand over her wife's mouth.
"Can we just enjoy All Grimm's Eve?"
"How," Qrow asked. "The Rens canceled their party, remember?"
"Sorry about that," Nora went with an embarrassed giggle as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Jaune," Ruby asked with pleading eyes.
"Don't look at me. I was hoping to go to Ren's house, too."
"But there has to be something you can do."
Jaune thought of it for a bit when an explosion occurred.
"What was that," Winter asked.
"Three, two, aaaand," Jaune went before holding out his hand and catching something.
"Hey, Jaune," the creature Jaune caught went.
"WHAT IS THAT," Weiss went.
"Hey, Fester."
"Y-You know that creature, uncle," Silber asked, fascinated by the being.
"He's my neighbor."
"THAT'S who bought the patch of forest next to you," Qrow asked a massive smile on his face at the weirdness of it all.
"Yup. So, lightning or fire?"
"Actually, we're running low on ice."
"Got it." Jaune was about to use his magic before he thought of something. "Fester, is the Addams Family reunion still ongoing?"
"Of course! It lasts the entire night of All Grimm's Eve! You're still invited, you know."
"Can I bring guests?"
"Of course! The more the scarier! You want to bring everyone here?"
"Yup."
"GREAT! I'll let Gomez and Morticia know! Wednesday and Pugsley will be thrilled to know Arie's coming over!"
"Glad to know," Jaune said as he froze all but Fester's head. He then threw the man like a javelin. "GOMEZ, MORTICIA, MA, THE ARCS ARE COMING AFTER ALL," he yelled before crashing into the creepy mansion, cheers being heard that sounded a lot like shrieks.
Argent hugged his dad. "WE'RE REALLY GOING TO THE ADDAMS," he asked with an excited smile.
"Yup. If you're gonna suffer for a week, might as well make your last night of freedom a memorable one."
"ALRIGHT," Argent cheered before running toward the mansion, only for Nimueh to catch him.
"Uh, Jaune?" He looked at Ruby. "What are we expecting to see?"
"Something creepy, kookie, mysterious, spooky, and altogether ooky."
"Huh?"
"You'll see," Jaune said after snapping his fingers, Beowolves running out of the forest and threw everyone onto their backs before charging to the mansion.
As soon as they reached the creepy mansion, the front door was kicked open. "Jaune, old boy! It's absolutely horrible to see you," Gomez laughed.
"Looks like I came at the worst possible time."
"Oh, the absolute worst! It's just terrible, inconvenient, and a bit rude. WHAT AN AMAZING NEIGHBOR!"
A scream was then heard as something flew toward Jaune, the hero catching the object. "Hey, It."
"Dabi! Dabidabidoda!"
"Long time no see to you too, you crazy creature," Jaune said as he placed the cousin back down, letting him run back into the mansion.
"And you brought guests! How inconsiderate! A man after an Addam's heart, Jaune," Gomez laughed.
"I would expect no less from the King of Darkness," Morticia said as she joined her husband.
"Whoa. She's hot," Qrow went. "Ow," he went after Winter smacked him.
"Gomez, did you see that," Morticia swooned.
"Oh, cara mia, I didn't think anyone could love each other as much as we could."
"But should we be so surprised to see such love on the most romantic night of the year?"
"Of course not, cara mia," Gomez said before he started kissing Morticia's arm.
"They're... interesting," Ruby went with a blush.
"Trust us. You haven't seen anything yet," Jaune and Nimueh said in unison.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE, ARIE!" Argent looked up in time to see Pugsley throw a grenade at him, only for Argent to use Crocea Mors like a bat and send the bomb back, the explosion sending Pugsley flying into a dead tree. "NEXT TIME, ARC!"
"OR NOT, ADDAMS!"
The two laughed at each other before Argent saw, "MR. LURCH!"
"Heeeeelllllloooooo, Arrrrrrgeeeeent," the imposing butler went with a stone-faced expression. He then smiled when Argent ran up and hugged him.,
"Well, what are we waiting for, wasting time out here," Gomez went. "Come in! COME IN! LET US CELEBRATE THE GREATEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR!"
With that, Jaune's party went inside the Addams Mansion.
To say Jaune's group was weirded out would be an understatement. They didn't expect the Addams Clan's level of weirdness, everyone having a certain quirk to them, like how a woman had arms so huge that she used them to walk around, or a man whose Semblance made his head catch on fire. The only thing weirder than the family was how well Jaune and Nimueh got along with everyone there. In fact, the moment everyone walked in, the Addams Family looked at them in perfect unison and said the same thing:
"JAUNE!"
To say it was a weird party for those uninitiated about the Addams would be an understatement. Still, they had a blast, even Winter and Weiss.
"And that is how we detonate an annoying ice wall in Solitas," Winter explained.
"Ooh, magnificent, but might I suggest..." the cousin looked around before leaning in toward Winter's ear and whispering in it.
"Mm. Tell me, are you employed anywhere, good sir?"
Weiss was waltzing with Ruby, the red wife a bit embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Ruby. You're doing much better than our previous dances," Weis said with a proud smile.
"And I'm glad about that, but I still don't like dancing around other people. It's a bit embarrassing."
"Well, just remember one thing."
"What? Whoa," Weiss went as she dipped Ruby down, looking into her eyes.
"You're the most beautiful dancer here, at least to me." Ruby turned bright red at that before Weiss lifted her up and danced again.
"Ah. Love," Gomez said as he continued to waltz with Morticia, the two watching Ruby and Weiss before looking to see their daughter dancing with Argent.
"Oh, rivalry. Even lovelier," Morticia said with a dreamy smile.
"Oh, cara mia, I can see it now. Axes flying, bullets racing, and screams of pain," Gomez said excitedly.
"Just like our third date."
Argent was a bit embarrassed, dancing with Wednesday.
"Don't be so timid. You're dancing much better than most of my past partners."
"I don't like to dance, Wednesday. You know that."
"Why do you think I'm making you do it? Today is only slightly better."
"How?"
"Your love is staring daggers at me. Such jealous and angry eyes. It's almost as if she's flirting with me."
"L-Lyra?!"
"Is that her name? She will make a fine partner for you."
Argent turned red. "Why does everyone keep saying that? She's just my girlfr- My friend!"
"Ah. Denial. It's always enjoyable to torment people with such a weakness."
"Huh?"
"Well, I've had my fill of you."
"What? WHOA," Argent went after Wednesday spun him at such speeds he became a top. "Whoawhoawhoawhoawhoawhoawhoawhoa!"
"AH," Lyra went after she was caught in the spin cycle.
The two continued to spin until they stopped, now part of the ballroom floor, holding each other close. They both turned bright red before looking away but began to waltz anyway.
Nora gave a high-pitch squeal that made Fester whimper before she grabbed Ren. "Lie! Lie, look! Look at our babies!"
Ren giggled. "Better late than never," he said before taking a sip of the strange green liquid. He looked down at it before looking at the bartender. "Excuse me, but do you have any swamp algae to go with this?"
"Ah! A man of taste," the bartender said as he took out a jar of algae.
"Bleagh," Nora went.
"Father, I think you've had enough," Shiva said to Qrow as he slammed another glass down.
"Makes you say that, princess?"
"Well..." she looked at the defeated Addams Family members, drunk and unconscious on the ground. "Just a thought."
"Wow, you are smart," Silber said to Granny Frump.
"HAH! My girl, I've been mixing Dust since yer mama was in diapers! But you, sweetie, you're a sponge! There's so much to teach you, so little time! Ah, I should have known someone from Jaune's family would be this fun! The King of Grimm only has the best around him, doesn't he?!" Silber blushed at the praise she was getting.
"Well, they're getting along better than I thought," Nimueh said as she waltzed with her husband.
"Well, that's the thing about the Addams Family: they seem weird, but once you get to know them, ya can't get rid of them."
"No matter how hard you try," Fester said as he danced with Jinn.
"And we have tried," Jinn said with a genuine smile. "Oh, I haven't used corrosive acid on you yet, have I, Fester?"
"Jinn, you shouldn't be so flirty in front of your sister and brother," Fester said with a deep blush.
And so, the Arc Family and the Addams Family had one hell of an All Grimm's Eve party, both families becoming closer and friendlier than before. Argent knew that he would have to deal with a horrible week after this night, but it was still worth it.
"Best All Grimm's Eve ever," Argent said as he dipped Lyra, neither one realizing how romantic the gesture was, the kids just enjoying themselves on All Grimm's Eve.
End.
Omake:
This is how Jaune punished Sage.
"Nim, mind taking Arie back to Sun's place? Oh, and since Sun was supposed to babysit him-"
Nimueh raised a hand. "Waifu Slap?"
"Waifu Slap."
Nimueh gave a cat smile. "Love you."
"Love you, too."
"As for you, young man, I am beyond proud of you for making that amount of money," she said as she led Argent out of the casino.
"Does that mean I'm not in as much trouble?"
"Oh, you're absolutely in trouble. I plan on telling my sister."
"AUNT GLYNDA?!"
"If there's anyone better at punishing their child than a parent, it's their scary and overly serious sister. We could always call Aunt Winter."
"THAT'S EVEN WORSE!"
Jaune watched as his wife and son left the casino, he used his Semblance to heal Sage, his bloody and swollen face back to its handsome self, before clearing his throat and standing on top of a table while holding Sage. "Ladies and gentlemen! Would every heterosexual woman, homosexual man, and bisexual please give me your attention?!"
"No need to ask twice," the entire demographic went while the gay women and straight men went about their gambling pleasure.
"I hold in my hand an unconscious Sage Ayana."
"Mm. Wha? Who? What's going-" Jaune punched Sage in the face, knocking him out. "I have a newly unconscious Sage Ayana, of Team SSSN fame, sure to be out cold for hours. I'm willing to give this away for five hundred thousand lien."
"Oh, please," a woman went. "How desperate do you think we-"
"SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND," a man went.
"SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND," a woman went.
"Seven hundred! I've got seven hundred! Do I hear eight?!"
"Excuse me," the casino owner went as he stomped to the front of the crowd. "I cannot, in good conscious allow you to sell a man in my-"
"Sixty-forty."
"Fifty-fifty."
"Seventy-thirty."
"Sixty-five-thirty-five."
"Deal."
"Ooh, you are a shrewd businessman. Carry on," the owner went as he left.
"The bid was seven thousand! Do I hear eight?!"
Jaune ended up selling Sage for over one million lien that day. Fortunately for Sage, they were incredibly beautiful Lion Faunus twins. Unfortunately, according to Sun, he wasn't able to walk for about three days, but those bite marks showed that it was one hell of a night.
Omake 2:
A pair of twins I know were hoping this is how Ruby's call to Jaune would go.
'JAUNE? JAUNE!'
"Eh. Eh"
"JAUNE?!"
"H-he's sleeping right now. Best not to disturb him! See you when you get here!"
'JAU-!' Jaune hang up the scroll
"I'm so dead" he murmured.
I rejected this because it made Jaune seem too much like the bumbling divorced dad trope, and I don't like that trope. I don't like the bumbling, fat, idiot dad trope at all. Why do you think I wrote Jaune as the kind of dad he is to begin with?
A/N: And that's the end of the movie.
See why it's non-canon? Arie would have been way too powerful at the end.
I just realized something in the end, though: Halloween might technically be canon in RWBY, at the very least in RWBY Chibi. But come on, where's the fun in just calling it Halloween?
Also, I forgot that it's technically Ruby's birthday, and I didn't make one reference to it. Oops. Sorry for anyone hoping for someone to say "Happy Birthday, Ruby!"
Hope you enjoyed this and have a Happy Halloween! Now excuse me as I watch the Death Battle I've been hoping to see for years: Michael Myers vs Jason Voorhees, baby! WHOO!
