HOLY SHIT! This took a bit and a half. I was hoping to have this chapter out a week and a bit ago but got delayed by my new shiny laptop! That's right my people! I am no longer using the same outdated piece of crap I used to use. Everything I have access to is a new program and a new account (aside from Fanfic obviously) which means!
Dun dunna duuuun!
NO MORE CHAPTERS DELETING ON ME!!!! THANK GOD! This means I can hopefully go back to my usual updating schedule. No more month-long breaks, at least for a while.
Now the sad news. I am not inspired to write my Journey story again. I had hoped that watching Supernatural, The New Witcher (Which was awesome! Although the time skipping could use some work), and playing the Witcher 3 would bolster my inspiration to rewrite that uber long chapter or at least write smaller chapters again.
No such luck unfortunately. As such with a heavy heart Journey will be put on Hiatus till further notice. The Arcane Craftsman will be a focus for me for now. This means that there will be two updates for the story before another chapter of Ultimate Weapon gets released. As always guys enjoy this chapter.
Ultimate Weapon: Chapter 9
Jaune scowled as he glared out of his room's window. It had been a few hours since he had returned from his meeting with his sister. The evening sun began to slowly retreat, letting the starry sky burn brightly. But even such a beautiful sight did nothing to curb Jaune's mood. After all, how would you feel if a meeting with family that was long overdue, was cut short due to a white fang gangster seemingly after your niece?
The answer, shitty, your mood would be shitty.
Jaune wasn't the only one as well. The man shuddered at the absolute apocalyptic expression his sister dawned at their first meet up being ruined. He swallowed as he remembered the choice words his sibling had for the white fang and their, as she put it, idiotic inner politics. It was so vivid and detailed his sister in law had to cover their poor little girl's ears. Both pairs.
Yet, oddly enough his sister didn't seem overly stressed about it. They had handled multiple such instances on their own before. She even joked about it, telling Jaune that he didn't have to worry about it, that his older sister had it well and truly handled.
That it was all ok.
That there was nothing wrong.
That he could just go…..back to school.
Jaune clenched his fist in irritation. Like hell he would ignore it. The second he saw that little girl, Jaune knew. He would protect her, like he would any of his family. She may not have been blood, but the way she held on to his sister…
She was sure as hell family.
And if Jaune had anything to say about it, the White Fang would pay in blood for any harm that befell his family.
"I'd like to think that it was nothing more than a coincidence, just let it go and let my sister handle it. But….that would be utterly impossible. My history with the White Fang mixed with the fact that my sister has SOMEHOW adopted the daughter of their leader…damn it, this is just stupid. How the hell can something like this just happen!?"
Jaune rubbed his eyes, his face remaining stone, betraying nothing.
"How the hell am I going to fix this? Going to Ozpin or Glynda isn't going to do anything. They're just school teachers. Granted, highly influential school teachers, but teachers all the same. The friends of humanity have their grip over the entire police force. So, going to the police will likely involve them…damnit and just after I promised Glynda not to get involved."
"Is everything alright Jaune?"
Jaune turned around, Nora staring at Jaune.
"….It's….its just that things have come up."
"…..are you going to do it alone?"
Jaune rose an eyebrow at Nora, surprised at the bite hidden in her tone.
"If I said that I was?"
"NOPE~"
"I honestly think this isn't something that you can just involve-"
"NOPE~! You're our teammate Jaune. RWBY already went through the whole, tragic teammates backstory thing."
"….Did it involve gangs?"
"YUP!"
Jaune stared at Nora. Nora beamed back at him.
"Seriously."
Nora nodded.
"It was Blake wasn't it."
Nora nodded again and moved to stand beside Jaune.
"You know…I get it" said Nora "you've been doing this thing by yourself for a while. No one to trust to have your back for whatever reason you decided was good enough."
Jaune gave Nora a blank stare.
"What?" asked Nora "You're exactly like Ren, you think you have to handle everything on your own! You're not allowed to unburden yourself!"
"I think you're delving into something other than this situation."
"THAT YOU'RE APPARENTLY NOT ALLOWED TO NOTICE THAT YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND HAS LOVED YOU FOR THE LONGEST TIME! THAT SHE WANTS TO HELP YOU HEAL FOR THE LOVE OF!"
Nora took a breath, Jaune's eyes were wide and his mouth slightly ajar. Nora gave a weak chuckle.
"So…yea! You're not alone Jaune is what I'm trying to say!"
Jaune gave a nod.
"So! If you try to hide stuff and tackle these things on your own!" sang Nora "I'll. Break. Your. Legs!"
Jaune swallowed and nodded. Satisfied Nora chuckled away to the door. Before she finally left she turned to Jaune with a wink.
"Wait right here! I'll get Pyrrha and Ren and we'll discuss everything!"
Jaune stared at the door and opened his mouth. He closed it quickly and turned back to the window.
"Women are terrifying."
-Fifteen Minutes Later-
"…you've got to be shitting me" muttered Ren.
Nora stared at Ren as the man swore for, what she thought, was the first time.
"Afraid I'm not" muttered Jaune "Honestly the circumstances are ridiculous."
"The chances for something like this must just be astronomical."
"It's absurd. I gave up trying to figure out how my sister managed to adopt someone like my niece. Either way she needs to be protected."
"Of course. But how to go about it is the issue. If we simply eliminate the problem, like Ruby and the others did, we may succeed. But unlike them we have variables they never needed to consider. For starters, in the event that we fail not only are we a target, but your entire family as well."
"If what my sister says is true, that is already the case. But I'd rather not cause the White Fang to go after them harder than they already have."
"True. A war isn't the answer though."
Jaune sighed.
"I know Ren, but…doing nothing?"
Pyrrha interjected.
"I think perhaps this may be a matter better suited for the police?"
Jaune nodded.
"Ordinarily it would be. If the police weren't in the pockets of the friends of humanity."
Pyrrha sighed.
"Honestly lets just tell Ozpin, see what he has to say?"
Jaune scowled at the Ginger, as he had already told them why that wasn't a good idea. Nora rolled her eyes as she defended her point.
"Hey! Just because Ozzy is just a principal doesn't mean the guy can't help. I mean he's like the strongest huntsmen in the world."
"That's highly debatable" muttered Ren.
"My point" sang Nora "Is that going about it like RWBY did may not work. It might be best to include Ozpin or any other adult we know. They may have the answer to our problem!"
Jaune rose an eyebrow at Nora.
"Yes, OUR problem you goof, were a team right!"
Jaune chuckled and shook his head.
"fine, fine! I'll talk to Ozpin about it."
Nora beamed.
"See you can be trained yet!"
"hmmm".
Pyrrha sighed as she rubbed her wrists, a nervous tic of hers that Jaune noticed.
"The longer we wait, the more time that gangster Jaune noticed has. Is there anyway to talk to Ozpin now? It's only 9:30, he may yet still be working."
Jaune stared at his scroll. With a few buttons Ozpin's number shone brightly on the screen.
"….I'll give him a call."
With a tap Jaune started the call, but not without some bewildered commentary from Ren.
"You have the headmaster's number?"
Ozpin at the moment was far from free however. The poor man, after mentally distracting Ironwood for so long, was still reeling from the effects of his enhanced mutation. His body was almost back to full strength but Glynda herself was preventing Ozpin from leaving his poor chair.
"Honestly Glynda, I'm more than capable of getting myself in the tub."
Glynda scowled as she lightly tapped Ozpin on the nose.
"Don't even think about it. The last time I left you to your devices you just used your mind when your body failed, which is exactly what you're not supposed to do!"
Ozpin chuckled.
"Really dear, you almost sound like you care?"
Glynda gave Ozpin a quick kiss as she levelled a glare at him.
"It stopped being cute a long time ago, enough with the sass and let me help you in the tub."
"Should I be worried that this is all but an elaborate plot to undress me?"
Glynda gave a shark like grin, so unlike the careful image she projected at school.
"Perhaps, perhaps not."
"Oh Glynda, I didn't know you had it in you!"
Glynda laughed at her lovers theatrics as she slowly peeled off his shirt.
"Come now Ozpin, enough games…I'm honestly worried. You've never collapsed from this amount of use before."
Ozpin sighed.
"I've…neglected to properly maintain my body. As such it cannot handle what it used to. I….I just got so used to peace…"
"As much I dislike Ironwood" muttered Glynda "he did have a point. To ensure peace, you must prepare for war. While that idiot would rather point a nuke at everyone and have at it, I don't disagree with keeping up your strength. From now on you are going to put aside some time to get your body back into shape!"
Ozpin smirked.
"Yes sir."
Glynda bit her lip as she smacked his ass.
"Now off to the bath with you."
Ozpin shook his head as he entered the bathroom, the heat already relaxing his body long before it entered the water. With the help of Glynda he eased himself into the tub.
"Now this is the li-"
"Attention Mr. Octavius, you have one incoming call from "Jaune. Arc." Would you like to take this call?"
Ozpin sighed at the automatic announcement of his smart home. Glynda sighed as she stood up from the side of the tub and made her way out of the room. While Ozpin found it odd, he made no movement to stop her.
"It was just too much to ask. Very well, put it through."
"Hey Ozpin, We got a situation."
"I'm almost afraid to ask this Mr. Arc….but what kind of situation?"
-Five Minutes Later-
"……..Mr. Arc…are you….are you playing a prank on me?"
"No."
"….I'm not going to bother asking how all of this came together. Instead I'll direct you. The issue is Mr. Arc that rushing in will do you no good. Information is what we need here. What are they after, why, who is leading this, what exactly is going all. If we want to do this right, those are the kind of questions we need answered. Ordinarily Mr. Arc, I'd tell you the police would handle it and call it a day…but if what you've insinuated is true…than I doubt they'll be much help."
"Not really no" muttered Jaune.
"And more importantly, you'll just ignore everything I say and just go on your own regardless."
"……probably."
Ozpin sighed. At least the boy was honest about it.
"I understand. This is your family after all. Very well. Jaune Arc, I will assign your team to preform reconnaissance on this white fang cell. DO NOT ENGAGE. Gather information. If they offer an immediate threat to the public or a bystander, than intervene. But any other reasoning will NOT be tolerated. Please…be safe."
"…Got it. I'll be making a stop by Forge and then me and my team will head out."
It went left unsaid that Ozpin could verify the events through Jaune's memories. In some ways this was a test. A test to see how well Jaune could maintain his composure. Preferably he wouldn't have been tested in such a way for several years but fate is a fickle thing.
The live went dead as Ozpin leaned forward in his tub, his body only just starting to relax again. Suddenly he felt bare skin against his back and a pair of arms wrap around his stomach, pulling him back into Glynda's embrace.
"Relax Ozpin, I have you."
The man smiled as he warmly pressed against his lover.
'What would I ever do without you Glynda."
She shrugged as she kissed his face. The two happily relaxing their stress away. But even so Ozpin couldn't help but worry. He didn't want another RWBY incident that was for certain. Only time will tell unfortunately.
-Jaune and Team, fifteen minutes later at the FORGE, 9:15 PM-
"So what exactly are we after here?" asked Nora.
"My Gun. I left both here with forge, or rather Forge built one that demanded I leave my hand cannon."
Ren hummed in response, opening the door to the student inventor. The young Forge was leaning against a table, happily grinding on a gun frame.
Jaune's Gun frame.
The young man noticed that group and smiled. He stopped his machinations and happily revealed what he was working on.
"JAUNE! I just finished the modifications to the gun now. It doesn't have an official name yet, so I just put it down as the Arc V.1. Hopefully I can label it something better in the meantime."
Jaune smiled appreciating at the gun. It looked like a sleek black rifle, all conjoined and twisted together. It resembled an older model of Valish guns, something referred to as an AK47.
"Alright" said Forge "Basically the button you feel by your thumb on the trigger will switch the firing modes. The gun currently fires light caliber ammo for now. I plan to improve that when I can but for now you can use all three firing modes without an issue. Full auto, pulse, and scout."
Jaune narrowed his eyes.
"Where's the dust cartridge for the pulse?"
Forge seemed confused before he chuckled.
"Dude come on, there's no way I can merge normal bullets and dust bullets. It's just not happening….OH you mean the pulse firing mode! Yea no, that's not an energy fire mode or anything. It just fires the bullets in pulses of five, rather than full auto or single fire."
"…So a semi automatic."
"YES! Just not as stupidly named."
"….than why didn't you just say that in the first place?"
"Hey! Pulse will be a thing! Why not use it?"
"…..Dude. Just say semi-automatic next time, you made me think this thing was firing lightning bolts or something."
"Well technically with dust bullets you can." Said Forge.
"……Thanks."
Forge sweated a bit at the blank expression Jaune carried, but carried on regardless.
"So, while you're using the gun, there's a memory stick that's plugged into the bottom of the stock, pull that out when you're done using it or if it Jams, that carries all the performance data. You know I never bothered to ask but can you even use a gun?"
Jaune shrugged.
"I'll be learning as I go."
Jaune left before the ashen expression of forge could fall any further than it did. Ren shook his head as he walked side by side with Jaune.
"Shooting a firearm is not as easy as you think Jaune."
"I highly doubt I'll be anywhere near proficient with this Ren, rather I though it best to bring it thanks to the scope attachment."
Jaune pressed a button on the side of the trigger and a scope flicked up. It was basic as all things could be, nothing special. It was just a red dot sight.
"It has a 2.5 zoom sight, which I thought would be beneficial."
"Jaune, I barely know you" said Ren "but even I know you just wanted the gun."
"……………..Is my poker face failing me?"
"Not at all" said Ren "it was just a shot in the dark honestly."
Jaune hummed in approval.
"Ah! Fair enough. Now-"
"If you two continue to talk like robots for the next hour I swear to the brothers me and Pyrrha are leaving."
Ren rose an eyebrow at his friend and almost chuckled at the pouting expression she carried. It would seem the Valkyrie was jealous.
However, Ren valued his life far too much to risk laughing in the face of a living storm called Nora. Pyrrha chuckled away.
"That reminds me" said Jaune "Pyrrha, were you ever trained for stealth in anyway. I know Nora has not."
Pyrrha shook her head. The team began to make their way to the bullheads, intent on commandeering one to save some time.
"No. I was an arena fighter sorry."
Jaune chuckled.
"Not a worry. Just means that you'll be further in the back. What do you think Ren?"
Nora pouted away as the two had their "Bro Time" as she mentally put it. She instead ran to the bulkheads pilot, waving them over.
"It may be for the best. Nora is surprisingly patient but she doesn't blend in well. She knows how, but she just can't seem to pull it off fully yet. To be fair I doubt any of us are mastered stealth."
Jaune nodded.
"True. Perhaps this might be a good teaching moment?"
Ren shrugged.
"Depends on Pyrrha really?"
Pyrrha beamed at them nodded vigoriously.
"I think that would be splendid. Although…I find we might be taking this too lightly. This is the White Fang we're talking about."
Jaune shrugged.
"There's nothing we can do without knowing more. Worrying about what ifs and possibilities will just lead to mistakes. For now we focus on what we do know and what we need to do. That's how I eluded capture for so long."
"I thought it was because you don't tire as quickly and can literally heal within seconds?" said Ren.
"No amount of healing would free me from a trap meant to contain me Ren."
"True. Ah, it seems Nora has gotten us a ride."
Pyrrha paled a little at the pale expression of the poor pilot who gave them a shaky thumbs up, before entering the cockpit.
"Do we want to?"
"I have learned not to question it" muttered Ren "It just makes things smoother that way."
Jaune nodded, still fooling around with his unloaded gun. Pyrrha thought it was cute how he was constantly fooling around it, like it was a brand new toy.
"If…If you want" muttered Pyrrha "I can give you a few pointers."
Jaune looked up from his gun and rose an eyebrow.
"I thought you used a rifle?"
Pyrrha chuckled.
"I learned to use multiple weapons including my preferred sword."
Jaune smiled lightly.
"That's perfect. Can you also help me with a handcannon?"
Pyrrha nodded.
"I admit I'm not as well versed in small firearms, but I can pass on what I know."
Jaune smiled a little more. Ren and Nora gave the red head thumbs up, causing the poor girl's expression to falter and become a blushing mess. She hid her face in her hands as Jaune turned around. Ren chuckled at his poor teammate but quickly loaded onto the bullhead.
"Alright" said Ren "we don't have much time. We need to figure out where the thug went, what they're here for, and get out. Jaune, do you have a place we can begin?"
Jaune tapped his nose.
"I got one better. I memorized the scent of the guy. He smelled like a male that decided to swim in garbage. It was faint, but there."
"Perhaps he's underground?" mentioned Nora "I heard Vale as miles of underground sewers, most of them abandoned."
Jaune groaned.
"Why are they always abandoned?"
Ren shrugged.
"Last I heard Stark Industries developed something in Vale to replace the sewer system, something that cleaned everything and returned it to the enviroment while using dust crystals to create fresh water."
Jaune whistled.
"I heard of Stark Industries. They're the Vacou based Tech giant that's in direct competition with the Schnee's right?"
Ren nodded.
"Yes. Apparently the head, Tony Stark, is a big advocate for equal oppritunity and has made his home in Vacou's capital. He basically turned Vacou into a superpower overnight."
Jaune grunted.
"I'll believe it when I see it. A lot of politicians speak shit and believe something else."
Ren shrugged.
"Just making idle conversation."
Jaune nodded.
"I appreciate that. By the way are we still good for tomorrow if everything goes well?"
Ren smiled.
"Yes. I can't believe you found a tea house so close to Vale."
"I'm just happy to find another fan."
Nora pouted as she pushed her fingers together. She swore to the brothers if Ren was GAY! She'd support him all the way but DAMN IT WOULD SUCK!!!!!
Nora blinked as the entire bullhead, copilot included, all stared at the poor girl's unexpected outburst.
"Uh…."
"FORGOT I SAID ANYTHING!!!" cried Nora.
"No" said Jaune.
Nora gave Jaune an extinction level stink eye. The sky rumbled with thunder as the pilot eased through unexpected turbulence. Ren stared at Nora, his face looking as if he was slowly putting pieces together.
She thought it would suck if he was gay?
Why on earth would Nora care for such a thing?
He wasn't, that much he knew, but the fact that Nora would care…wait….
Did this mean….
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly at Nora, whose blushing face was oddly irresitable. Nora locked eyes with him, they slowly drifted closer. Nora's heart beat was almost audible. The small blush on Ren's face, the ephipany like expression he wore, all the signs were pointing her way! Was this….
WAS THIS HAPPENING!!!!!
"Nora do you like?"
Before He could finish the place hit a Grimm of all things and shook horribly. Everyone but Ren and buckled up accordinly, causing the poor boy to be launched from his seat and slam head first into the hull of the bullhead. He landed right back into his seat, his head slowly rolling around. He shook his head clear and looked around.
"….what just happened?" muttered Ren "Last thing I remember was explaining to Jaune about Stark Industries."
CRACK!
Ren looked at Nora and saw that the ginger had broke a railing, her eyes twitching uncontrollably. Pyrrha's mouth was a flat line as she lemented the poor girl's luck. Jaune had a bit of sweat building on his brow, as he began to erratically look for cover.
"Nora? Are you alright?"
Nora's neck cracked as she looked at Ren.
"Everything's fine REN! EVERYTHING!"
CRACK.
"IS!"
CRACK!
"FINE!!!"
Ren swallowed as mount Nora looked ready to explode.
"….Was it something I said?"
Jaune looked like he had died a warrior's death, a face of acceptance for the fate that now fell to him. Pyrrha in an usual show of social grace, slapped her hand into her face.
"Ooh. That had to hurt" muttered the pilot.
Before Nora's wrath could find its way to the pilots, the door to their cockpit closed.
"….FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU"
-Eight minutes post Mount. Nora's Eruption-
After universally agreeing never to divulge (or remember) what happened on the bullhead, Jaune and crew were quick to go back to the resturant that Jaune met his sister at. Jaune focused on the smells around him. Unlike a dog, Jaune was only able to get the barest of trails, but it was one nonetheless. A trail that led to an ally.
"You know" said Nora "I personally thought that anything I saw on T.V and movies would just be that. T.V and Movies. Yet, here we are, in an ally way in the middle of nowhere that is of course, ABADONED."
Jaune shrugged.
"Fiction tends to get it right, but they overly dramaticize it most of the time. Rather than one base, the White Fang usually has numerous bases that they can abandon and transfer in a moments notice. Usually they're not underground though. This may work out well for us though, the sewer will block their sense of smell. Meaning the only thing we have to worry about their sense of hearing and night vision."
Ren nodded.
"Sounds like a plan. However…if they're underground than it probably means that we're not going to have much room to meanuver."
"Wouldn't the same apply to them?" asked Pyrrha "If we'll have difficulty moving so will they."
"So, slow and steady?" asked Nora.
Ren nodded.
"That's the plan, Jaune can we trust you to keep your senses heightened?"
Jaune nodded.
"Of course. However, since they're underground that gives us some more options. A key one being a frontal assault."
Ren rose an eyebrow.
"That seems overly reckless."
Jaune shrugged.
"I'm just saying its an option. They're not in the eyes of the public which means we can fight if we have to, rather than run away. Its best we go in quietly, so we can get any information they have. But if all else fails a frontal assault is an option."
Ren bit his lip, but remained silent. He didn't know Jaune fully yet, but he felt that Jaune's sudden urge to simply go in and attack was being directed by his past with the White Fang. While he certainly didn't blame his new teammate, it wasn't something that was on the table.
"A frontal assault isn't going to happen" said Ren "If we have to fight our way out than so be it, but were here for information. Like you said Jaune they can just up and transfer everything in a second. If we attack head on, they'll just transfer or worse yet delete it all."
Jaune locked eyes with Ren, but was also quick to relent. The man had a point. Perhaps if Ren had tried to be authoritive to Jaune before the meeting with his family things would have turned out worse. But this Jaune was different from what the White Fang once fought.
Before they faced a rabid beast. Something that could and have slaughtered them by droves. But he was easy to corral, easy to motivate and trick. Nothing but raw anger and hatred. But this time, those intense emotions have begun to be sharpened. Not dulled or removed, but instead honed to even greater intensity and focus. For instead of facing a rabid animal, they now faced the beginnings of an utterly terrifying warrior, an individual that would later earn the nickname:
The Ultimate Soldier.
But now was not yet that time. He had yet to become he efficent warrior he would later be, instead he was still unrefined, unfocused. But the beginnings were there. The foundation had been layed. As team JNPR made their way down the old manhole in the alley, only one thing stuck in Jaune's mind.
"Don't worry" he thought "I'll find whoever is after you. They won't bother you again once I've dealt with them."
This was not a burning need to murder those who wronged him. This was the cold steel determination of a man dead set of protecting his family.
No matter who got in the way.
Ren swallowed as he FELT an unbridabled urge to murder. For a while he found it hard to believe that Jaune was a killer.
Such doubt had been dispelled in that instant.
As the hit the ground Jaune immidiately lied flat against a modly old wall. He closed his eyes, using his hands to gesture for his team to remain silent and unmoving.
Drip.
Drip.
Cl-Drip.
"Found em" whispered Jaune "But they're a fair distance away."
Jaune finally brought his gun up to his face and used the scope to scout ahead. He may have lacked the experience to properly wield the gun, but that didn't mean he couldn't look through a friggen scope.
Jaune felt his jaw dropped.
"Uh…You're gonna wanna look at this."
Ren took the gun, but Nora looked through the scope. Ren gave a small smile as he waited for Nora too let him look. Ren looked after Nora. His smile died.
"...Oh..."
The scope let them see further down the sewer. Ordinarily a sewer had many pathways and intersections. To the naked eye, the tunnel in front of JNPR was pitch black, with only a small speck of light visable in a distance. At first glance it seemed like a lightbulb. A small light to help navigate the darkness of the sewers. However, when looked through the scope, the speck of light revealed that numerous walls have been broken down, leading to a small dust light that shone a large room of numerous computers and people far, far into the distance. At least a dozen people in total filtered through whatever room the team could see into.
"We're too exposed if we get closer" muttered Jaune "At least if we moved like a group…leave this to me."
Ren was hesitant, that was for sure, however Jaune was without a doubt the most experienced when it came to such scenarios. The only concern was if he could keep his head.
"Remember, don't start a fight. Try to at least get what we need and get out. The second they think they're compromised they'll rush somewhere else."
Jaune nodded.
He focused his breathing for a moment. It dulled the urge to wipe them out. But even so Jaune would never forget what the White Fang had done. But now was a different time, he was different. New things took priority over his vengence.
Jaune used the sound of moving water to his advantage, displacing his weight to make as little noise as possible. He moved quickly but quietly. He couldn't afford to start a fight in here. He would win, hands down, even by himself. The issue was information and how to move forward. Ozpin had been fighting Hydra, The White Fang, and presumably in the future the Friends of Humanity. The world had yet to end so Jaune was placing his bets on Ozpin and his experience.
Jaune began to slow down as he got closer to the room filled with the White Fang. His gun was placed on his back but Jaune found himself having to hold it. The jostling from the gun on his back was creating a small amount of noise. Noise that would lead to his capture thanks to the large amount of Faunus in the room.
Or perhaps the boy was just being overly paranoid. Who knows?
Thankfully, as many White Fang members as there was, there seemed to be a lack of organization. Jaune took cover behind a broken-down segment of the wall. He peaked over the corner just a tad, trying to analyze as much of the room as possible in the shortest timeframe.
The room was a cylinder in design, a long circuler staircase leading to the numerous floors throughout. The bottom floor, the one Jaune was currently at, seemed to be where all the computers and information was.
"I'd think I was lucky if not for the fifteen people currently walking around the place" thought Jaune.
Sure enough, amongst the tech personal, some had guns. These gaurds however seemed far too lax.
"If I were to hazard a guess these guys have been here for a while with no action. They probably think no one has found them or ever will find them. Hmm…best to be cautious though."
Jaune waited until two of the guards were distracted before moving. Utterly silent was what could describe Jaune at this moment. He quickly moved under an unoccupied desk. It was a little jarring even for Jaune that one second he was surrounded by the dank stone of a sewer, to the steel floor and walls of this base.
"How long have they been here to build something like this?"
Under the desk Jaune could only see the feet of the occupants but that was enough to know their general location. The first thing Jaune had notice in his limited scouting was that while the room was filled with moniters and keyboards, the actual hub of the place was a giant PC that stood as tall as he was. Numerous cords were plug into it and by leaning even further to the floor Jaune got a direct line of sight to it.
The desk he was under was closest to the giant hole in the wall. Why it was there Jaune had no idea, probably their entry point. However thankfully the giant PC had a lot of small scaffolding around it, for holding all the cords off the ground, a perfect spot to hide…the issue was Jaune was hoping that the information would be on paper, not on the computer.
"Fuck" thought Jaune.
Jaune heard the commotion of people moving and so inched closer to the darkness. It wouldn't do much, but was better than no cover at all.
"Hey man hows the shift goin?"
"Ugh horrible. All I do all day is stare at a computer screen making sure all the information we got is stored properly. Pfft yea right like I'm going to sit here and personally go through each file."
"Tell me about it. Thank god Jerimiah automated most of it for us. By the way, did you hear that Chainsaw is coming by."
"Adam's right hand dude? Why?"
"Apparently they want the info stored here."
"Unless he's got a letter or something from Sienna, Adam can kiss my bunny tailed ass."
"Woah. Sensing some hostility there bro."
"Listen Bro."
"Oh God" thought Jaune.
"No seriously listen" laughed the (Presumably) Bunny faunus "Adam's been going all out on these attacks lately. Way beyond what even Sienna wanted. It used to be just demonstrations and missions to get the world to see what its TRULY like for the Faunus in some areas. I was behind that. But Adam…shit dude Adam's been hitting the Kingdoms like its something personal! He's jacked supply routes, murdered entire towns, and just seems out to get people! I've been hearing rumors that he's been…that he's been murdering crossbreeds."
"Dude there is no way that's true. This is Adam were talking about here. He'd never do anything to hurt the Faunus."
The bunny tailed man sighed.
"Dude. Adam's been blacklisted from the White Fang's central headquarters due to all his black ops shit. Hell I've been hearing stuff about experimenting on people!"
"Oooook" said his friend "That's enough coffee and comics for you my guy. If Chainsaw wants the info, than give it to him man. No need to cause a fuss over rumors of all things."
The Bunny man promptly stood from his seat.
"Its not rumors! Dude we've been getting massacared by the very experiment!"
"The Wolverine? Riiiight what's next ghosts and other scary things?"
"Are you literally retarded? I mean that as a medical fact? We got hit three years ago by the guy! Sarah's dead! So is Albert!"
"It was the humans Jackelope!"
"DO. NOT. CALL. ME. THAT! For the last time my name is just Jack! Ross…dude things have been getting crazier and crazier every year and you're making it seem like every human on earth is trash. Last time I checked our fight with the Schnee corporation NOT the human race."
"…You're too soft Jack…far too soft."
SHINK!
"ACH!!!"
The man fell to the floor, blood bubbling from his mouth. Thankfully the wound was non-lethal at the moment. The knife was stuck into his back and was thankfully not removed. The blood probably came from the fact the poor Faunus bit his tongue.
The issue was the Faunus fell and locked eyes with Jaune. The Faunus before him had Antlers…and a bunny tail? His skin was cocoa in color and his eyes were a blazing green. Jaune held his finger to his lips and slowly inched one claw out. The faunus's eyes widened in fear. But he nodded.
Jaune tried to calm his beating heart. Everything he heard…it changed a lot of his presumptions of the White Fang. He needed that information, not only to protect his niece, but also to figure out what exactly is up with the White Fang.
Jaune locked eyes with the Faunus bleeding out on the floor. So long as the knife stayed in place he wasn't going to bleed out quickly.
"Sorry bud…but I can't risk you stopping Adam…not when were so close to giving those…HUMANS, a taste of their own medicine."
Jaune noticed that the Faunus began to reach for the Knife in Jack's back. Without thinking Jaune took a can that was on the floor beside him and chucked it behind him, closer by the wall he entered through. The faunus stopped, reacting to the noise. He clicked his tongue and began moving to the sound.
"I'll be back for you" he growled.
Jaune slowly moved towards Jack. He glared at the Faunus…but quickly reigned it in. He remembered his conversation with Blake..his own epiphany of wondering how many uninvolved with his…tragedy died in the wake of his anger.
How many died in the wake of him being controlled by nothing more than emotion…how many died needlessly.
After his discussion with Blake Jaune swore he'd change.
That he'd be better.
He was still a work in progress…but today.
Jaune was BETTER.
Jaune quickly wrapped the terrified Faunus's arm around his shoulder, and quickly dragged the two of them under the scaffolding, Jaune placed his hand on the wound in Jack's back, preventing the blood from making a trail to their new hiding spot. The quickly hid out of sight and moved behind the large computer. Surrounded by loose cords and darkness, the two of them were difficult to spot, unless a Faunus looked aright at them.
Jaune looked around. No Faunus was near them…it must have been why that other Faunus attacked Jack…there was no witnesses at the moment.
"Have to improve on my spatial awareness" thought Jaune.
"Listen" muttered Jaune "I'm going to help you get out of here…but I need the information on the computer first. You can either help me and leave sooner, or stay here as I try to figure it out."
Jack scowled but schooled his features.
"I'll – cough- I'll help" said Jack "Do you have a USB or something?"
Jaune remembered the stick that Forge and told him about, the one that stored at the data for the Gun's performance. Jaune unplugged it and handed it to Jack. Jack took the fob and plugged it directly into a port on the PC.
"The computer will ding when all the Data's been copied. You're lucky we automated everything."
"You seem more helpful than I expected" muttered Jaune.
"I just got stabbed in the back by a guy I thought was my best friend! The Organization I believed in is now turning into a terrorist cell, and to make matters worse the guy who murdered my friends is now saving my life! Today is just…fuck I just want it to be over at this point. Preferabbly with me breathing."
Jaune looked at Jack. Jack gave a bloody patronizing grin.
"Oh I know who you are. The claws just confirmed it for me. It used to be simple you know. Easy. The Schnee's were bad, the Humans meh, and the Faunus needed help. Now…now the whole thing is just fucked…fucked right to hell."
"I see" muttered Jaune "I…I'm sorry."
Jack stared at Jaune incredulously.
"You're…sorry?"
"This in no way makes up for the loss of your friends" said Jaune "I'm not here to excuse my actions either. I killed the White Fang members for what they did to me..but it was done out of anger and spite. I didn't bother trying to direct it…just killed whichever of you wore the masks. So I am sorry that your friends were killed in my rage…but not if they were involved in what happened with me."
Jack stared at Jaune.
"You're a bit touched in the head aren't you" muttered Jack "most apologies don't have a little "I'm not guilty if they were guilty" bit at the end. Fuck I wanna punch you in the throat! GAH!"
Jack held his back.
"But now is not the time. If Ross has no problems stabbing me in the back than fuck if I know what Sarah and Robert were up to. I don't like you. Fuck I know I'll never forgive you for what you did….but….FUCK! Fuck if I don't understand it. A lot of people in the White Fang are fighting precisely because they're angry…and look what it got us…war."
DING.
"Its time to leave" said Jaune.
"Not yet" muttered Jack "Ross hasn't come back yet…we…we need to wait until Ross starts going up the stairs. Everyone went on lunch so no one will be down here for another twenty minutes."
Step.
Step.
Step.
"Hmm…Jack got away? Always forget how quick is, especially without aura. Or perhaps he's just hiding."
Jaune swallowed as he slowly unplugged the USB. He stuffed it into his pocket, his fist ready to lash out if necessary. Ross's hand curled under the scaffolding, ready to look underneath all the wires.
"ROSS GET UP HERE! CHAINSAW JUST ARRIVED!"
Ross moved away from the duo.
"YEA YEA I'M COMIN! I'll just look for him later, can't get far without Aura anyway."
Jack and Jaune breathed a sigh of relief. Jaune adjusted the smaller man into a fireman carry. Jack took it like a champ, not even whimpering as a shot of pain ran through his back.
"Where are you taking me?" asked Jack as the two moved out.
"To a hospital. Close to Beacon as I can get."
Jack sighed in relief.
"Not gonna lie asshole, thought you were just going to ditch me after all that."
Jaune shrugged.
He was annoyed at how flippent Jack was being but all things considered Jaune kept his cool.
"I want you close by" said Jaune "I need to know what's happening with the White Fang. I can't fight them blindly anymore."
Jack scoffed "I aint' telling you shit. You got all you need off the computer."
"That's not what I'm talking about" said Jaune "I promised myself I'd change things…I need to understand the White Fang in its entirety. I refuse to be controlled by my anger anymore…and I refuse to kill those who need not be."
Jack clenched his fist. The reminder that this asshole killed his two friends was not entirely uh…
Well it fucking sucked sufficed to say.
But Jaune had a point.
"…Fine. But only once…than I never wanna see your face again."
"Understood" muttered Jaune.
The two finally got far enough away that they didn't need to worry about the sound travelling. As such Jaune quickly began to move back to his teammates.
"JAUNE!" yelled Nora "Welcome….uh….who dis?"
"A white Fang member that got stabbed in the back while I was there" said Jaune "He needs medical attention. Ren, in my right pocket there is a USB filled with a bunch of information I took off a computer, when we get back look it over and share it with Ozpin."
Ren moved quickly, taking the USB from Jaune's pocket and holding it to his scroll.
"I can look through it now. The scroll will read what's on the USB. For now lets focus on getting this man to a hospital. Nora you stay behind Jaune and watch his back as we move. We have to move quickly if we're to get him to a hospital without complications."
Jack remained silent. He locked eyes with each human here, judging them.
For all his child and teen life Jack had been surrounded by nothing but Racism and Socialist assholes. He worked the Mines with his father and grandfather. Subjected to the cruelty of the Schnee family. At that time, he detested humans. Utterly and Completely. That was until a woman showed up at their mining facility. Her hair was as white as snow and her uniform was military. An officer in the Atlesian military. For his entire life the humans that surrounded him eyed him like an animal. A thing. A disgusting abomination. A tool.
A life surrounded by eyes sparked in disinterest and dishonesty. In unjust hatred and cruelty. That was the world he lived it.
Yet…the woman that showed up that day…her eyes and actions shone with neither hatred nor cruelty. They shone with anger and resolve. She withstood the vitriol that flew from his and others lips. She brought medicine, contracts, better pay, and better living conditions. She was uncaring of their hatred and spite. She returned hate with kindness. Those eyes. They showed him that the world was vastly different than he expected. That as there was darkness so to must there be light.
She left obviously. She could not stay. But for years her actions had brought nothing but peace and excellent working conditions. His family had money. They had a life.
It eventually went back to the same abysmal conditions it did before. But for a time, life was good. It was funny in a way that his life was subjected to the whims of the Schnee's around him. One shrouded in racism and greed, the other in the law and duty.
It was why he fought the Schnee company. He wanted a life built by his own means and not handed to him because his Schnee benefactors allowed it. But he never forgot how a Schnee came to his family's rescue. It broke his heart to see innocent children and people killed by his brethren simply for the name they carried. It broke his heart…when in his comrades' eyes he saw hate…and bloodlust.
Once again his crucial skill came into play with this children, nay, these young adults. He saw eyes shining with resolve, eyes that eyed him with concern…
"it would seem" thought Jack "that the world is just as confusing as ever."
JNPR's first mission had been a rousing success. But with it came consequences both near and far.
-Four hours later, Breatvan Hospital, located at the foot of Beacon Academy-
Jaune was leaning against a wall while his team sat in the chairs outside room 298.
"He's going to be ok right?" asked Nora.
"According to the Doctor yes. He's expected to make a full recovery."
Nora grinned.
"Oh yea" chuckled Nora "We're the best."
Pyrrha giggled a bit at Nora.
"I barely feel like we did anything though."
Jaune shrugged.
"Nothing to be ashamed of. We all have different skills and experiences. I doubt I'd be much help in a distance fight."
Pyrrha smiled at Jaune.
"For now."
Jaune gave a small smirk back. The door to the room opened as Ozpin stepped out. Unlike at school the man wore at the moment a black long-sleeved shirt with blue jeans.
"Well done team. You have all performed above expectations in this mission. As such I will score it as one of the mission that are needed to be performed each year. Congratulations team JNPR."
Ozpin smiled at the looks of relief on the teams faces.
"Now" said Ozpin "Onto…ore serious matters. Before I divulge this information…you all must realize the scope of the battle you have just tiptoed in. What you saw and did tonight is but a glimpse in the life of a full huntress or hunter. This is not a battle you need to be a part of."
Nora grinned as she flexed her arms at Ozpin.
"Don't worry. We got this. Besides it's what were being trained to do!...well not really I mean were supposed to be training to fight Grimm but I can fight em all day long anyway!"
Ozpin shook his head in amusement at the Ginger lightning bolt.
"I take it this feeling is mutual across the team?"
All of them nodded.
"Very well. I will begin training each of you one afternoon per week. These extra training sessions should better prepare you for human opponents and what to expect in the field. For thanks to the information you have obtained…you four have prevented a full scale attack on Vale during the Vytal festival. Congratulations."
The four looked at each other in shock.
"Seriously" muttered Nora "I mean I'm happy but…these guys were going to attack Vale?"
Ozpin shook his head.
"The White Fang was not initiating an attack on Vale. According to Jack as he calls himself, a vast majority of the White Fang to do not side with Adam. As such Adam and his unit of White Fang members will now be treated as a different organization. Plans have been put into motion that will break their formation before they can attack Vale. The issue is there's nothing we can do premptively to stop them from attacking the Friends of Humantiy.
"My students…It would seem that Vale is about to be host to a war between the White Fang and the Friends of Humanity."
All of them remained silent.
All but one.
One that summed up how they all felt in a single and precise word.
"Fuck" said Jaune.
END
