POV Jaune
Mr. Qrow helped us greatly in our way here to Mistral. Yang talked about him when she called us. At first, I was surprised that Yan was the one calling because It didn't pass too much time with her; but she told me that something similar may happen again, I could not think of anything but to come and try to do something. That is what Pyrrha would do, what a true hero would do. I knew that that something was going on with Ruby's team, knowing them, they would be the first in line to can save the people, but I knew that they will eventually join us.
We were able to meet professor Lionheart when we ask for help to can find the spring maiden. But the thing that made my mind blow up was when we find out that Professor Ozpin was again in front of us, but he was not the professor completely as Oscar, a 14 years old kid, was the one that showed up. Or was Professor Ozpin the one that showed up? Well, the thing here is that Oscar shares the mind of Professor Ozpin, and after hearing the details of what is happening, I first tough that this was way bigger than any of us, but Professor Ozpin and Mr. Qrow with us I think we can do it.
Our first mission is simple, we have to ensure the safety of the relic of knowledge and the spring maiden. In order to do that we need to find her in a bandit camp, even when it sounded super dangerous, Mr. Qrow said that he will find some of his friends, and professor Lionheart told us that he will speak with the consul of Mistral to get help from other huntsmen. The only downside maybe is that the consul may take time, but if that happens, we can always go only with the reinforcement that Mr. Qrow will bring.
So, today Mr. Qrow get out to find his friends in Mistral and we stayed preparing some dishes. He said that as we couldn't give them so much money, we could give them a place to stay and food to eat. Nora and Ren were in charge of the food, while I and Oscar were cleaning the table, and making sure that there were rooms available. Then I heard the door opened and then the voice of Mr. Qrow saying: "Hey kids!". I was closer to the door, so I went to welcome them with some tea, and then I froze.
- Hey Jaune. (Yang)
- Hi. (Weiss)
They arrived! I knew that they will join us. Although it seemed that they have it rough in her way here, but I could not be happier.
- Guys, aah… Welcome!
I tried to give them the best "welcoming smile" I could, but I was too happy to see them. But then Ruby just step in front. I didn't expect her to come that closer, she just surprised me, but then she just said:
- Oi. The bathroom. Where is it?
I was still surprised and overwhelmed by everything so I just point her to the bathroom, and then she walks really fast to go there.
- Is she still? (Qrow)
- Yeah. (Yang)
It seems that something happened to Ruby. But all things considered, it was great to have them back. Once she came back from the shower, she saw the food and sit immediately. Ruby sited and started to eat as she hasn't eaten in years. I've never seen her like that before. Then Nora and Ruby crossed their eyes and it seemed like they started an eating competition. We were chatting about what happened to all of us Weiss told us about her scene at a charity party, Yang shows up her robotic arm. I also share things about our trip, let them know how we defeated that Giant Grimm. It seems just like before. But different. I guess what Ren said was true. We all have grown up and become more mature. Then I asked Ruby.
- Hey Ruby! If you do not want to, you don't have to answer, but… what happen to your eye.
- Ruby was silent and still eating her food, then Yang poked her with her elbow.
- What? (Megumin)
- Jaune ask you a question. (Yang)
- I heard that he asked Ruby and I already told you that that's not my name. (Magumin)
- What? (Jaune)
Everyone in the room got speechless. The great mood we had was throw away as fast as we hear Ruby saying that.
- Then, who are you? (Weiss)
Ruby? Or the person who looked like Ruby stood up, she took her Crimson Rose with one hand as if she was prepared to attack, and give us a smirk.
- Hahaha. Very well, I am going to present myself in front of all of you. Please listen carefully, as I do not want to repeat myself again.
She opened her scythe and started to juggle with it. She put her hood on, and the cape started to wave. The way she did it was so amazing and made me remember all my comic heroes.
- My name is…
- How do you kids make so much noise? (Qrow)
Mr. Qrow showed up and interrupted Ruby. After that, he took us to the living room with Oscar who already turned into professor Ozpin at that moment. Once there, Professor Ozpin started to update the girls about everything. It seems that they spoke with Yang's mom, and she already told them everything. I didn't know that Yang's mom was part of it but considering that her uncle was, it sounded just about right. Then when the explanation was over. Yang said
- You forgot to tell everyone what you did to Qrow and my mother.
- What is she talking about?
I was getting more confused as the story is still adding more and more things. It seems that it was another secret, that Ozpin has between Mr. Qrow and Yang's mom.
- My ability to reincarnate, though a course, also has some key benefits. Just like the maidens, I too possess, some a certain magical power. Using this power, I give the twins the ability to turn into birds. (Ozpin)
- Lame. (Megumin)
This just added to my confusion. Change them into birds was insane
- Wait, What? (Jaune)
- Now, you are messing with us. (Nora)
- Is true. We saw Yang's mom changing right in front of us. (Weiss)
Yang was upset right since the beginning of this conversation, and now I was getting why.
- Why would you do something like that? What is wrong with you? (Yang)
- Yang that's enough. (Qrow)
Mr. Qrow calmed Yang down. Then Professor Ozpin explained that he did it with the idea of getting information about the whereabouts of the maidens, He assured us, and Yang, that it was not an easy task and was not done without thinking about it first. He also mentions that they agreed to receive that power.
- Qrow and Raven. (Ozpin)
- Kuro and ReiRei, you mean. (Megumin)
- chose to accept their powers and the responsibilities that came with them. And later, one of them chose to abandon her duties in favor of her own self-interest. (Ozpin)
Yang looked that calm down, but now was Ruby the one that looked a little upset. Professor Ozpin continued talking.
- Now, all of you have a choice. If anyone wishes to leave, now is the time. There is…
- Okay, Goodbye. (Megumin)
- Ruby suddenly stood up and walk through the door.
- Ruby? (Jaune)
- Where are you going? (Weiss)
- Outside here. This guy really thinks that he knows about magic, but he uses it to do that lame spell. Turning people into birds? Really? And something tells me that I should not follow that kind of a wizard and the traitor with him. (Megumin)
Ruby looked very upset at that moment, and especially towards his uncle. Her uncle Qrow tried to stop her, but Yang stood in front of him. Weiss went behind Ruby, and then Yang also left the house. I did not know what to do, and the first thing in my mind was that they do not have a place to stay, and Mistral seems to be a not very welcoming place if they go to the wrong street. So I turn to my team.
- I am going for them (Jaune)
- You too? (Nora)
- No, it's just that, they still don't know where not to go in this city. I will try to convince them to at least pass the night here. (Jaune)
I rush outside the house. While leaving I saw Professor Ozpin and Mr. Qrow looking at themselves as if they hadn't even thought about the possibility that we could say no to them. As if they were completely convinced that we will all be a part of all of this.
Once outside, I saw them walking down the stairs. I rush to can catch them but I fell. At least that made me catch them. Yang, even though she sighted a little bit, she helped me to get up. Ruby on the other hand was covering her skirt, which I didn't notice was shorter than usual.
- Now can you tell me what was that? (Yang)
- What do you mean? (Megumin)
- All of that?! (Yang)
- Hey, are you alright? Or you may be you are just that stupid? (Megumin)
- What do you mean? (Weiss)
- After hearing all of that, do you still trust them? (Megumin)
- I know that they keep some secrets, but they seem to have a reason. (Weiss)
- That's not the problem… (Megumin)
- Well, what is the problem? (Yang)
- You hear that they are going after the spring maiden. (Megumin)
- Yes. She seems to be in Raven's tribe. (Weiss)
- No, no, no, the maiden is not in her tribe; the maiden is HER. (Megumin)
- What?! (Yang and Weiss)
- Didn't you hear? She also uses magic. (Megumin)
I do not know exactly what they were talking about. It seems that they already went to the bandit camp where the maiden was, but Ruby said that the Maiden was Yang's mom? Then Yang and Weiss started to look at each other.
- The thunder. She made the thunder out of magic. (Weiss)
- Still, I do not see why we should care about her. (Yang)
- Yang, listen, do you think your mom will work with your uncle? (Weiss)
- Well, Ozpin can just take the power out of her and put it into someone else. (Yang)
When I hear what they said I got scared. I remembered Pyrrha. Was that the plan from the beginning?
- The only way to take the power of a maiden is by killing her. (Jaune)
- WHAT?! (Yang)
- How do you know that? (Weiss)
- Because they try to give Pyrrha the power of the Fall Maiden. But Cinder appeared and took it for her. (Jaune)
All of us were frozen. We were in the middle of the town. At that moment I forgot my initial task of taking them back so they can be safe in the house, and to be honest, I didn't want to go back myself.
- So, my uncle knew that and still… he… (Yang)
Yang seemed like she could not control herself, her eyes turned red, and her hair was turning to fire. Then Weiss hug her.
- How could he? How can they?... (Yang)
Yang hugged Weiss back and started to cry. I have never seen Yang in that way. Ruby although she was still acting strange, she also was visibly upset.
After a while, we started to walk. I honestly forgot the streets, so we ended up in a park, but looking around we saw only villain-looking people. Yang already calmed down, so we sit on a bench.
- I guess we should start looking for a place to stay. (Jaune)
- We? (Weiss)
- After hearing all of this. I do not think I can go back. I will contact Ren and Nora later. But right now, I guess we should decide what to do first. (Jaune)
We end up renting a room with two beds. So, the formation was: Weiss slept alone, Yang and Ruby slept together, and I slept on the floor.
In the middle of the night, they started to talk.
- Are any of you sleeping? (Yang)
- How could we? (Weiss)
- Me neither, after all of this. (Jaune)
- Well, Ruby seems that she can sleep with no problem. (Yang)
- That dolt. (Weiss)
- She is been acting strange. (Jaune)
- Yeah. All of this time she seemed like a whole different person. (Weiss)
- She, started to be like this after she woke up from the incident in Beacon. (Yang)
- So, her eyepatch, is because of that fight? (Jaune)
- No, I don't think so, she started to use it after I told her that we were going for a ride. (Yang)
- I saw her. When she finally arrived, at the top of the tower, a big bright light started to shine. I try to go there but one of the professors stopped me. (Weiss)
There was a small silence after that. I started to remember about Pyrrha, Yang was watching her right arm, and below it was Ruby sleeping.
- Ruby and my father, are the only family I have left.
Yang turns her head to us.
- No. I guess that you two are also part of my family: Weiss… Even you Jaune (Yang)
- Oh great, more sisters. (Jaune)
They at least laugh at my joke.
- Even in this state, even when she is acting in this strange way, she is still somehow the same. Looking to do what is right. (Yang)
- Kazuma… Give it back… (Megumin)
The next morning, I woke up by the lights of the sun. I slept pretty late as we kept talking almost all night. Weiss and Yang were also waking up, but Ruby was not there. Her scythe was there. Yang started to look for her, and we find her in the dining room of the hotel. We decided to eat something with her.
- So, what are we going to do? (Weiss)
- I do not know. (Megumin)
- What? You do not have a plan? You dolt! (Weiss)
- Let's calm down. (Jaune)
- Well, we do not have too much money, so we should start with that. (Yang)
- Yes, but after that? Are we really not going to help to stop Salem? (Weiss)
Then Ruby just stand up, put one foot in the chair and another on the table. She raised her arm, and her cape started to wave.
- It is obvious that the path we should follow is that one. The difficult and raw. Problematic and enigmatic. Full of traps and destruction. It is the path that a proud Crimson Demon should go. Salem seems to think that she has the greatest power, that is why I should stop her, with the real greatest magical power, the EXPLOSION POWER!
- That was weird. Now I understand Yang when she said about her strange behavior.
- She calls herself Megumin since the fallen of Beacon. (Yang)
- Megumin? (Weiss)
- Yeah, she has said about that thing of crimson demons and magic. (Yang)
- What? Do you think it is related to all of this "magical maiden" thing? (Weiss)
- At first, I thought it was, because of the incident in Beacon but, after everything we hear so far… I don't know (Yang)
- Guys, where is Ruby? I mean Megumin. (Jaune)
The three of us started to look around the dining room, and then we saw her talking with a very tall man, that has the appearance of someone that will crush you with one hand, and with the other, he will be taking all your money. Then Ruby walk back at us.
- It seems that there is an adventures guild close by. (Megumin)
- An adventures guild? (Jaune)
- We need money, right? This can help us get some money and gain experience. (Megumin)
We follow her to the lowest level of Mistral. As far as I remember, the lower you get the more unpleasant Mistral becomes. All except for Ruby were with our guards up. Then we entered a building, a bar to be exact; the reeks of alcohol were pretty strong.
- We would want to register ourselves as adventures. (Megumin)
- Adventures? Oh, you mean you want to take jobs? (Bartender)
- That is correct. (Megumin)
- Well, you do not have to register, but aren't you too young? (Bartender)
- No, I am not. (Megumin)
- Well, I am not going to complain, just let me tell you that we do not get responsible if something happens to you. (Bartender)
- That is all right. So do you have any missions available? (Megumin)
- First, what are your credentials? Were you in any battle or anything? (Bartender)
- We fight in the fallen of Beacon. (Jaune)
- You survive that? Well, that helps me out to know more about your strength. But I am still uncertain to give you a bunch of young kids a big mission, my name is on the line when I send somebody. (Bartender)
The Bartender started to think and scratch his head
- Tell you what, I have this simple mission that just came yesterday. You go and protect the tower in Heaven academy. It seems that the headmaster is not making a good job, so even the council has come to me for help. So, you go and do that. It should be easy enough for people that survived the fallen of Beacon. (Bartender)
We accepted the mission. Ruby was the first that left the Bar as Yang was the one pushing her out. Then Weiss talked with the Bartender.
- Can I ask you a question? Why are mercenaries taking jobs that normally will be for huntsmen? (Weiss)
- After the fall of Beacon, all the Huntsman has gone missing. That is good for us, but it is way too much job. (Bartender)
- Missing? (Weiss)
- Yeah, some say that the monsters of Grim are getting stronger, but there is a rumor that everything was planned so they can attack Mistral as they did in Beacon. But those are only rumors. (Bartender)
We went back to the same Inn where we spend the night. On the way, I called my team to know where they are, and check if they can escape and come with us. Also, I kind of left my sword and shield there.
When I try to call them, it seemed like they were outside the rage of the communication tower, So I decide to go back to the house with Weiss, in the meantime, Ruby, or was Megumin? Well, I will keep calling her Ruby. Well, Ruby and Yang will go to the place where the mission will take place, which should be easy as it will be to guard the communication tower for the weekend. So Ruby and Yang will be making the first round.
When Weiss and I arrived at the house, there was no one in. I just grab my things and get out, hoping that Ren and Nora are ok.
When we arrived at the meeting point, I saw something suspicious around the tower. Ruby was making some poses, and Yang was standing there, waiting for us.
- Do you feel that? (Jaune)
- Yeah. We better be cautious. It seems that Lionheart is not at school. (Yang)
- Neither Ren nor Nora were at the house. (Jaune)
- Damn! (Yang)
- Do you think that they already went after your mom? (Weiss)
- Is possible. But they will be coming back empty-handed. (Yang)
- Yang just points with her eyes in the direction of some trees.
- But I don't think the ones around are the same as that camp. (Weiss)
- Me neither. (Yang)
- What camp? (Jaune)
- Long story, right now we have to prepare for the battle. (Weiss)
- Jaune, can you take Ruby inside? (Yang)
- Sure. (Jaune)
I went with Ruby who was taking her scythe out and make a pose, then she put it back again, and then she did it again with a different pose each time. Then a bullet just shoots from the scythe, and it passed way too close to my head, but then I heard somebody falling. It seems that the shot went directly to a member of the White Fang that was climbing the communication tower.
- They are already here! (Weiss)
Weiss screamed that, and a bunch of guys with masks started to attack. The white fang showed up, so we begin to fight them. I was left back as I needed to protect Ruby. At her current state, it seems that she was unable to make a decent fight.
I was surrounded by elements of the White Fang. But I was no longer the cry baby that entered the Academy, I was more prepared from them, I had the advices that my friends gave me, and the training Phyrra gave me. So, when the first person attacked me, I defended myself with the shield and throw him to another guy of the White Fang, as right after another one attacked me, but I attacked him with my sword, and with that momentum, I continue slashing to the next White Fang member. Then two of them attacked me at the same time, and I barely was able to use my shield, then I kicked one of them in the gut and the other with the shield in the head.
I took Ruby and ran, but more White Fang members started to appear, so I had to fight them. Even though they were able to land some punches at me, I could defeat them pretty easily. Then a guy with a black coat and red hair attacked me. He was also using a sword. To be honest he was way too strong for me. We have to pull back, and suddenly I was back-to-back with Yang and Weiss. It seems that they were fighting a man who was taller than anyone, he looked too big, and it looked like he was injecting dust directly into his body.
They attacked us at the same time, so we have to separate again. That big man seems to be after Yang, so I decided to assist Weiss. If we can defeat this guy with the coat, we can help Yang with that other person after. Weiss asked me to buy some time for her, so I charge at him.
While I was fighting him, I got some small injuries, he was able to cut me a little, but thanks to the modification of my armor, none of them were a big deal, I could keep fight. Then when we were sword against sword, he kicks me in the stomach, and I land on my back. Then all of sudden a ghost-like warrior appeared and attacked the coat guy and sent him flying. When we try to find Ruby, she was on the top of the tower removing what looks like explosives, and oddly enough, a raven bird was next to her. But then we saw Yang on the floor, that big man seems that was going to crush her. We were too far to arrive in time, but suddenly a raven appeared and transformed into a woman to kick the man and sent him to fly.
- I didn't ask for your help. (Yang)
- And still, you needed. (Raven)
We were able to get closer to them, I was a little careful of this new woman as she was using a similar mask as the White Fang.
- Are you with us? (Jaune)
- I guess she is now. (Yang)
- Do you know her? (Jaune)
- She is my mom. (Jaune)
Then I remembered that professor Ozpin and Yang said something about her mom and her uncle turning into birds.
- That big man with the dust in his body is Hazel, he can suppress pain. He is also Salem's trusted follower. (Raven)
- That means that the white fang was working with Salem? (Weiss)
- I didn't want to do this. This means that we have to finish him if we want to survive. (Raven)
Then suddenly a big red slash appears close to us. It seems that the guy in the black coat was still with the energy to fight. He just screamed, "What do you think you are doing?".
- I have some unfinished business with that guy. (Yang)
Yang rushed against the guy with the black coat, and Weiss went after him too. It seems that Hazel was going to attack her, but Yang's mom stopped him. Some other members of the White Fang appeared, so I fight them to make it easier for Yang's mom to fight Hazel. While the fight against the White Fang members was simple, as they didn't seem to have proper combat training, and their numbers were small, thanks to Weiss's ghost warrior.
- The fight between Yang's mom and Hazel was almost one-sided. She landed many times, but with just one hit she was sent away, and every time he did that, he added more dust to his body. She could freeze his feet and attack him directly to the plexus; he could resist too many punishments and still stand tall and keep swinging. Out of nowhere Ruby appeared behind us and said to Yang's mom.
- Hey, ReiRei, can you make him stay in one place for a longer time? (Megumin)
- Do you have a place in mind? (Raven)
- Maybe that building? (Megumin)
- The school? (Jaune)
- I'll do what I can. (Raven)
- Thank you. (Megumin)
Yang's mom ran after Hazel with amazing speed. It seems like she was not human. And for moments looked like she was floating in the air. But then, Ruby took out her scythe and remove the patch in her eye. Suddenly, a small orb appears in the curve of the scythe, and around her, there was a breeze, the wind was changing its color to black and blue, everything around her turn into that dark blue. I was having difficulties standing still, so I have to kneel down. Suddenly the sound of something that broke came from the school. Yang's mom screamed: "Do it now!" after she sent Hazel inside the school.
- Thanks, ReiRei, for giving me this opportunity.
Ruby then seems to be concentrating.
- Darkness than black, and deeper than infinity. Hammer of justice work for me. The time for the greatest magic to come back has arrived, so it can make the righteous claim of victory. Synchronize yourself with the crimson justice and pay your sins with blood. EX-PLO-SION.
Then some circles were around the school, and then an enormous explosion happened. The force of that made everything into dust. When the smog finally went down the only people still standing were Yang, her mom, Weiss, and me. Ruby was on the ground, I got scared that maybe after the explosion a rock may have hit her. I feel so useless for not being able to protect her, then suddenly something happens with my hands. It seems that I was giving her energy. Then she just said "that felt good" with a big smile. It seems that there was nothing serious. When Yang was walking toward us, we hear somebody screaming. "THIS ISN'T OVER!". It was the guy in the black coat. He was without his mask, and a scar or better said a mark of a slave was in his face. But then a light came from a building behind me.
- It is over. Adam.
It was Blake, then a big group of Faunus appear from everywhere. But even when they were using the logo of the white fang, they didn't seem like they were part of it.
- I SAID THAT THIS IS NOT OVER!
The guy in the black coat tried to attack Yang from behind but before he could do it Yang turned around and punched him so hard that he was sent back and then he landed on the sword of Yang's mom, it was passing through his stomach; he was completely impaled. Then with a kick, Yang's mom took his body out of her sword.
I help Ruby and get close to them. Weiss also did the same. I was going to say something and I realize that Yang and her mom were seeing something inside the school. Then both of them started to walk there. I ask them to tell us what happened, but they did not hear me so I pass Ruby to Weiss and run to can have an answer. Both of them jump into the tunnel so I did it too.
The tunnel was longer than I expected, so it hurt a little when I use my "strategic" landing. This room looked like a cave, there was a tree with orange leaves, and there was this giant golden door.
- Behind that door lies the lamp of knowledge. You will be able to get any answer you want. But the price will be that you will be hunt by Salem. (Raven)
- Well. Even without it, I am sure that we will be, so there is nothing to lose. (Yang)
Yang's mom sighed a little.
- We are in this together. (Jaune)
Yang and her mom look at each other and they step in front of the door, should to shoulder. Then both touch the door and it started to move as if there were a lot of gears or those fancy fans. It moved slowly, but at each move the door made, the hotter the place was getting, then I saw it… On the other side of the door was… desert? And a few steps away I could see the lamp.