ANNOUNCEMENT!
Thank you, guys, for reading yet another chapter of "The Ultimate Weapon". I just want to say thank you for all the support and critical reviews you guys have sent my way! They've helped me in honing this story even further. Now, part of this announcement is regarding all the reviews about Jaune's gun. Not gonna lie…not a firearm expert XD.
Obvious I know but bear with me. I will take into account the review information given to me by numerous fellow authors and fix both the name and function of the guns in order to better fit reality (let's be honest, it may shift form but that gun is as EARTH as you can get)…just not this chapter. Why?
Honestly didn't feel like it XD Sorry.
Now enough about future fixes, enjoy this rest chapter!
EVENT: The Claws that Fangs have born.
The Ultimate Weapon Chapter 10:
"Fuck."
Nora chuckled as she adjusted Jaune's arm again.
"I use a grenade launcher and even I know how to aim!"
"Ignore her" said Ren "she uses a grenade launcher for a reason."
"HEY!"
"Hold your breath while you aim" suggested Pyrrha "try to simply get the line of sight and shoot, however long that takes. The more practice you have the faster you'll pick it up."
"It feels like this gun jumps left and right" muttered Jaune.
"Hmm…keep trying" said Ren "Weren't you supposed to be using this weapon precisely because it needs to be tested? It would be unreasonable to assume the gun wasn't without its issues."
"There's issues" grumbled Jaune "then there's the gun trying to escape from me. I expected horrible recoil, but all the forms I've shifted to just…jitter when they shoot."
"Is that even possible?" muttered Nora.
"Probably not" grumbled Ren "we've been at this for an hour, not to mention the time we've already spent the last several days with it. I'd say that should be enough data for…Forge was it?"
"There's no way that's his real name."
"Probably not" chuckled Ren "but he hasn't given Jaune a different one to use now has he? Seems a little too attached to technology in my opinion."
"Damn near blew a gasket when I mentioned I needed a new USB" grumbled Jaune "Honestly it was annoying."
For the last few days team JNPR have been trying to relax and simply go through school. They would spend the mornings such as this participating in group activities, trying to ease their minds off the fact that Vale, as peaceful as it seemed, was on the brink of a Gang war.
"…I feel like we got shafted" grumbled Nora.
"Now Nora."
"No, I feel the same" said Jaune "We're the ones who found that information in the first place. I'm happy that we're getting "lessons" as he calls it, but he has yet to actually tell us or teach us anything. I doubt Ozpin's got an army of trustworthy hunters more invested in this then….on second thought I'm starting to see why he might prefer me away from this."
Jaune rubbed the spaces between his knuckles, trying to ease a familiar phantom pain. The last few nights have not been kind to him. Whereas once the killing of white fang terrorists brought him a sense of ease…it now brought nothing but the faces of all those that he personally killed in his vendetta and yet easing the troubled aspect of his soul. Most were deserving of such a fate…but many were not. It was a perplexing situation…to feel guilty and yet at ease. Jaune felt a hand on his shoulder, Pyrrha smiling at him, albiet awkwardly.
Jaune had not waken from those dreams easily, as his teammates were well aware of. The had been nothing but patient over the whole ordeal and never encroached on the subject. It was something Jaune was thankful for.
"How did your sister take it?" asked Ren "about the impending Gang war?"
"….basically said it may not even happen and to calm down. Then she proceeded to describe exactly what she'd do to anyone stupid enough to try and harm her family."
"…..so does your mom just birth badasses or what?"
Jaune snorted but the fact he even had a semblance of laughter gave Nora the thrill of victory. One day she'd make him cry laughing!
"Ah, but no honestly" said Nora, becoming uncharacteristically serious "what's the plan?"
"I'd like to say there is no plan" said Ren "that we could just leave it alone and let Ozpin handle it…yet it irks me that we sit here and do nothing when we have the power to help...what an irritating situation."
"…It doesn't hurt to ask does it?"
Everyone turned to Pyrrha. She blushed at the sudden attention but carried on.
"I mean, Ozpin sent us on that mission in the first place. He trusted our capabilities, or did it to test us. Either way we are already involved. Even if Ozpin says otherwise, the White Fang may just come after Jaune or anyone of us."
Jaune shrugged as he ejected his claws. It wasn't anything to do with what Pyrrha said, more just a habit. Pyrrha gave an admiring glance at the metal between Jaune's knuckles. As a master of magnetism each metal gave Pyrrha a different feel in her semblance. However, all the metals she had felt in her life were all similar in a way. But Adamantium? That was a special and unique feeling all on its own. It wasn't anything odd thankfully, but her gaze was still one of admiration.
"Do they hurt?" asked Pyrrha.
"The claws? Always" said Jaune.
"No I meant why do you…brandish them so regularly, does it ache if you don't?"
"….Brandish?"
Pyrrha blushed as Nora started laughing. Ren smiled as he turned his attention to Jaune.
"I've always wondered that myself."
Jaune shrugged as he switched hands and ejected the other set.
"Habit really. When my claws were bone, they needed to be sharpened regularly, or it would just be shards of dull points tearing through my arms and knuckles as I forcibly ejected them. Made that mistake once, never again."
Pyrrha shivered at the thought.
"Alright moving on!" said Nora "The plan is to tell Ozpin that we're going to kick the White Fang's ass and destroy the Friends of Humanity!"
"…No. At least not yet" muttered Ren "It's only 9 in the morning Nora, I'd say use the day."
Nora pouted.
"On what?"
"Pyrrha have you ever had the chance to go to Shangri-La?"
"No?"
"Oh no" muttered Nora "Not that tea place again!"
Ren pursed his lips in annoyance.
"Yes AGAIN. Tea is good for you Nora and I promised Jaune we'd go…unless you'd let us just go?"
"NOT A CHANCE IN HELL."
Jaune shivered as he remembered Nora's words from a few days ago. Poor Ren was in for a rude awakening when he finally acted upon his feelings for Nora…although Jaune got the stinking suspicion that Nora assumed there was something between Ren and himself.
To be honest…the boy was too terrified to ask.
"I'll go" chuckled Pyrrha "perhaps Jaune can invite Joy and her niece with us! I know you got interrupted last time."
Jaune scowled a bit.
"She's working now and her wife is as well. My niece went with Joy for the day."
"What about the rest of your siblings?"
"All of them are working as well. They each live in my home town but they all work for their own living…I could invite my mother."
Nora's grin grew three sizes.
"Oh yea I'm down for that."
Jaune rose an eyebrow, but the smile on his face was unmistakable.
"You sure? Most would be a bit turned off to hang out with a friend and their mom?"
Nora shurgged.
"Normalcy is for the stupid!"
Ren nodded, as if Nora had just dispensed sage wisdom.
"Indeed. Besides she may yet have advice for this very situation."
"Exactly!" Said Pyrrha "while I agree talking to Ozpin is a good next move…I'd like to enjoy the day as well."
"Who knows what wisdom we might learn" said Ren.
"You just want your damn tea" grumbled Nora "hurry up and call your mom Jaune, Ren's getting ansty."
Jaune rolled his eyes and dialed the number, still smiling away.
-About an hour later within the Shangri-La Tea House (East Vale)-
"If you want to defeat a cult, you must destroy their bodies and souls. Remove their reason for whatever they worship…or just get rid of all of them. Regardless of what the White Fang and F.O.H call themselves, they are in the end cults believing in the supremacy of their race."
"….oh" muttered Pyrrha "I mean…"
"Seems a tad excessive" muttered Ren.
The matriarch of the Arcs shrugged.
"Its how I almost dismantled Hydra."
"Doesn't that mean it didn't work?" sniped Jaune.
"I stopped because I got bored and the twins were born" chuckled Joan "I left the rest to the militaries of the world and went back to my family. I wasn't going to miss out on you kids growing up."
Joan smiled, however bittersweet it was.
"….anyone else find it sad that entire militaries failed to do what one person accomplished?" asked Jaune.
Ren shrugged.
"Can't really say I do. People fail all the tim-oh thank you."
The young man that served their tea smiled.
"I should thank you" he chuckled "you and him have ordered several cups. It's great to see you enjoy our wares."
The young man bowed, showing his unreal physique for a brief moment.
"….ok what does he eat?" muttered Nora "bricks?"
Joan chuckled as Pyrrha blushed a bit.
"No seriously! No waiter should be that ripped!"
Joan shrugged.
"Don't ask me, I don't see the attraction."
"The love you have for dad is almost obsessive" chuckled Jaune.
Joan rolled her eyes and roughly smacked Jaune on the shoulder.
"None of the sass. I'm still not entirely happy you're all trying to get involved in a Gang War."
"You were younger than us when you did it."
"….who told you?"
"Dad, bed time stories."
"…..I love that man but I swear to god" muttered Joan "look, this isn't like slaying Grimm or helping some towns folk…your actions can carry serious and heavy consequences. Getting further involved than you already are…you may find you can't get back out as the enemies you make grow."
"Wow…is that what happened to you?" asked Nora.
"Well…no not really" muttered Joan "any enemy I make tends to die very quickly."
Pyrrha cringed a bit but smiled none the less.
"No need to hide your distaste dear" smiled Joan "I appreciate it but I prefer people being themselves with me. That includes disagreeing with me."
Pyrrha smiled none the less.
"Um…thank you. But…why?"
"Why do I seem to kill so effortlessly?"
Everyone nodded, well all but Jaune.
"Simple. A living enemy causes problems. A dead one does not. Whenever I am in battle I tell my opponent what will happen. Surrender…or die. If their relatives or loved ones have a problem with it, I hear them out, I allow them their justice to an extent, but my fighting has only ever been to preserve my life and the lives of those I consider precious. As such I've yet to have an enemy whose love ones want revenge…honestly most of them didn't even have loved ones. You'd think after living as long as I have they'd break the mold, but no, most enemies I have are all…"
Joan struggled to find the word.
"Dicks?" supplied Jaune.
"about sums it up. Perhaps I've just been lucky in that regard" muttered Joan.
"Oh come on you're not a day over thirty" chuckled Nora.
Jaune cringed. Joan gave a crooked grin in return.
"What I say?"
"Well" chuckled Joan "Let's just say that my family has a habit of living…long lives."
"My mom's two hundred years old" growled Jaune.
"….ok that's bullshit".
Joan rose an eyebrow as she watched Ren resume drinking his tea. Nora giggled near uncontrollably while Pyrrha just stared.
"….he's not wrong" chuckled Jaune.
Joan shrugged.
"Family semblance, long story. Back to the Gang war you seem insistent on getting into…I don't like it. But if you need help I'll gladly lend it."
The group smiled.
"First off what do you know?"
"The police are bought and paid for, or at least enough to be a problem" muttered Jaune.
"The White fang is split! But we don't know how much" grumbled Nora.
"Hmm…it's likely the police are aligned with the Friends of Humanity more so than the White Fang. Removing race from the equation, the F.O.H have more liquid assets than the White Fang does, so its likely they're the ones bribing them."
"Should we target their financial security?" asked Pyrrha "without money they would lose a lot of support."
"A good idea" said Joan "but one that requires information. More information that you don't have."
"So we still have to talk to Ozpin" grumbled Nora.
"If you didn't I'd beat you all senseless for such reckless behavior…I still might."
Nora cringed a tad as she sipped her tea. She hummed at the flavor and ignored Ren's preening at her action.
"Hmm…what if we used the Gang war?"
Joan turned to her son.
"Oh?"
"Even if we stop this one fight, it doesn't remove the core problems."
"The gangs themselves" muttered Ren.
"Part of the issue is the police" said Jaune "we need to either remove the money or the police that ignore the crimes in the first place. Junior happens to be a big name in the underworld. Its possible he'll have more information. If we can I'd prefer limiting both sides resources, having them duke it out in an inhabited area, then remove both while their weak. It may not outright remove them from the city, but its possible we can make it where they're no longer a concern."
Joan sighed as she finished off her tea.
"Jaune, I love you…but next time you invite me to spend time with you, don't make it about work."
Jaune smiled.
"I'm surprised you think the days done."
Joan chuckled as she shook her head.
"Ah, you have a wit like your fathers. Alright enough about all this, tell me about school."
"It's boring" muttered Jaune "I'm interested in the Grimm but the rest of the faculty's education is…well I've already gone over it while I was with the White Fang."
Joan's face remained impassive, calm even. Her tea cup however shattered in little pieces. Their waiter showed up with a smile still on his face.
"Oh! Don't worry" he chuckled "happens all the time, I'll get it cleaned up right away."
"No need Danny, just leave us some clothe and we'll clean it."
Danny smiled and shook his head.
"It's my job Ren, don't sweat it. Just enjoy the tea and refreshments."
Ren smiled in appreciation and turned his attention back to the tea.
"Um….Ren" whispered Nora, her face a sweltering red, "You wouldn't uh…happen to like blonde's would you?"
"They are not my preference Nora for the last time" chuckled Ren "honestly this has to be the third time these last few weeks you've asked me that question? Is something the matter?"
"NOPE! NOTHING!" chuckled Nora awkwardly "HOW ABOUT THEM CROISSANTS!"
"They don't serve that here" stated Ren "….anyway, thank you for the advice Mrs. Arc."
"Joan. You kids have stood by my son, you at least deserve that much."
"Well I consider it rude Mrs-"
"Joan."
"….alright Joan. Thank you for the advice, it's certainly helped making our next move easier to consider."
"Why get involved in the first place?" she asked "If not the police, Ozpin has it handled. It may look like nothing is happening but trust me, that guy has a lot more going on than you think."
"…I think I speak for all of us when I say this" said Pyrrha "that this is not about making sure things get done, or anything about pride. It's about knowing what's out there, what's happening, and being in a position to do something about it. Not a single one of us would stand by when we're in such a position."
Joan smiled as she watched the team nod with Pyrrha in agreement.
"Ah, you all remind me of my team back in the day. At least before things went sour."
"Uh?"
Joan chuckled.
"Don't worry about, two of them had a bad break up, and the third one didn't take my rejection well. That's all, nothing grand or horrible."
A few more minutes passed as the long conversations winded down to talks of simple merriment. Laughter and jokes echoed through their table, if not for a few minutes. However, such things, as always, must end. Ren got up, with Nora and Pyrrha in tow.
"We'll leave you two alone, thanks again Joan. Jaune, I'll bring the USB down to Forge for you, was going to ask him about possible enhancements anyways."
"Thanks Ren."
The fellow male nodded, leaving the two Arcs alone for the first time in a bit.
"So" muttered Joan, shifting to sit across from her son "haven't been sleeping well?"
"...that noticeable?"
Joan shook her head.
"No, you're just rubbing your knuckles like how you used to do after a bad nightmare. You look healthy though."
"…I've been thinking" said Jaune "of what I've done in the past…against the White Fang. Of the people I've…I've killed."
Joan nodded. If there was one thing about Jaune that she loved, it was his forthrightness. He never edged around a topic with those that he trusted. It was good that the tea house was basically empty, it would make this conversation flow better.
"I see. What changed? You didn't seem so distraught over it before?"
"I saved a White Fang member, the one with the information. He recognized me…told me that I was the one who killed his friends. He wasn't a bad man, as far as I could tell. He didn't like the way the White Fang was going…it made me think, that's all."
Joan grumbled.
"Does it change anything? You were barely out of diapers when the White Fang turned to violent protests. Protests that hurt people, destroyed their livelihood, and even outright killed a few. I have no doubt that amongst the White Fang's members there are good and honorable people and I'm sure as hell a few of the places they hit were more than deserving…but it doesn't change the fact that they are well aware of what they are doing when they join. What the White Fang do is not news to people Jaune. He was still a part of the machine while he was there, his friends were still acting in the interest of it when you killed them. No matter how much he may say otherwise, how he might justify it, the truth is he'd prefer blood being spilled for quick action…regardless of what innocents may have been in the way. Perhaps he didn't know…but in my experience ignorance is rarely a factor of innocence."
"He seemed peaceful."
"Just means he doesn't care if other people do the dirty work. He has limits, we all do, but he was still willing to do his part while his fellow members killed in their name. I'm not saying he's evil. The treatment the Faunus have gotten since…well forever is simply ridiculous. We have entire cities of Faunus populations, mega corporations run by Faunus, there's even an Academy run by a Faunus! The fact racism is still relevant amongst our culture is a true failing of humanity…but it doesn't give them the right to do as they have done as of late. Protest all you like, hell torching a building or two. That I can at least understand depending on the circumstances. But it doesn't give them the right to kill. Just as nothing gave you the right to kill them. That's the horrible truth of taking a life Jaune. There is no god given right to kill, no "good" side that allows it, no special circumstance that makes it truly without consequence. When you kill Jaune, you make the conscious choice to do so. There are of course situations that I believe warrants that kind of response. But others may disagree…although I'd like to meet the fool who says I shouldn't murder the scientists that did this to you."
Jaune pretended to ignore the dark and malicious aura his mother was now putting out. He preferred to live.
"By taking their lives you ensure they can never harm someone again…but you also remove the chance that they may change."
Joan took a sip of her tea again, seemingly staring outside, watching the people that walked past the windows.
"There is never a truly justified reason to kill, only the ones you believe are right. I will kill anyone that harms you kids, that harm my husband. To some that's more than enough provocation and justification, to others it's a hideous and disgusting crime regardless. There is no such thing as a peerless hero…somewhere out there you're both a hero and a villain."
"And you?" asked Jaune "what do you think?"
"If your father didn't stop me a few days ago I would have killed the White Fang."
Jaune stared at her. Joan's eyes glimmered with aura as she glared at him, no through him.
"Killed them. In their entirety. None would have been spared. And it would have brought me just as much satisfaction as it would have haunted me. We bear the sin and weight of those that we kill Jaune. It never goes away, it never should. The second killing is easy…it's the second you've become inhuman."
She reached out and took Jaune's hand into her own.
"I don't care about the White Fang. What I care about is you and ensuring that you are never take and abused in that way again…its why I'm very close to killing Ironwood."
"….do you have a list or something?" asked Jaune.
"No…"
"…."
"…alright yes."
Jaune chuckled as he removed his hand from his mother's.
"Thank you" said Jaune "truly. I…I've been thinking about a lot of things…like how to spend more time with you and the others…how to keep Korra safe. It's been nothing but trying to keep things from escalating out of control and keeping everyone safe."
"Does that include a certain…red head?"
Jaune narrowed his eyes at his mother.
"Really?"
"What?" chuckled Joan "She's a beautiful girl. Its obvious the ginger has her eyes on that Ren boy."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"You've been staring at her intently for a brief moment, only for her to do the same. Ahhh it reminds me of how your father and I used to be."
"You mean still are" grumbled Jaune "Apparently the P.D.A didn't stop after eight kids."
Joan smirked.
"And so it shouldn't. I love that man more than life itself and I'm not afraid to show it or live for it. Your father, you kids…you are everything to me."
Jaune smiled.
"I know….I…."
"I love you to" chuckled Joan "worse than Joy with that hun."
Jaune chuckled.
"How is she? Truly?"
"…She's worried. The White Fang have never gotten so close to them before. It's why me and your father have cancelled our trips for the next few years. Staying close if we're needed. Not that Joy knows that or any of the other girls. They'd have a parade if they found out."
"….Is Korra Sienna Khan's daughter? Because if that's the case we got a problem."
"She is, but the problem isn't Sienna. Quite the opposite in fact."
Jaune rose an eyebrow.
"Sienna is a very...contradictory individual. I've had the pleasure of meeting her once when her group came near our little town. She was direct, to the point, but more importantly she was patient as well. She attacked the Schnee company and the Randolf Mercenary group for their crimes against the Faunus. That's it."
Jaune blinked.
"But she's their leader? Hasn't she ordered all the attacks?"
"She's barely ordered anything. Most of her time is spent preventing the White Fang groups from going full nuclear in some cases. She's the public leader by circumstance alone. People followed her at first because she was willing to take a firmer stand than Ghira, but she only directed attacks on buildings and monuments. You'll notice that most of the White Fang who have attacked people…well they're never heard from again. The White Fang have been a political shit storm for years with numerous Faunus groups using the name and uniform, ensuring that any and all repercussions fell solely on one person's head."
"Sienna."
"Exactly. She gave up her daughter precisely because of how dangerous her position and name have become. Hence why I believe she has zero to do with what's happening with Korra. Instead I believe it's this Adam at work. First I've heard of a potential new leader…at least one that might be a match for Sienna in any case."
"Why? If the White Fang is splintered as much as you say, than why would Adam or Sienna matter?"
"Splintered it may be, but Sienna carries immense influence across the various Fangs as we'll call them. It may not be absolute obedience but whomever is the leader of the White Fang carries that influence…especially if they take a more violent approach. Sienna is strong, that much I can tell from what little I saw of her. Strong and crafty…it would take a well-planned assault to take her place, while ensuring the assassination never went public. That's a lot of trouble for her forcible successor…almost anything can go wrong…or…"
"They could kidnap Korra and force Sienna to abdicate."
"My thoughts exactly."
"….Well fuck" muttered Jaune.
"Took the words right out of my mouth hun. What we're in is the perfect definition of a cluster fuck. Gang war on one end, human fanatics on the other, with a sprinkle of insane Faunus and humans to boot. Not to mention the Grimm and what have yous that are loose…isn't the world beautiful?" chuckled Joan.
Jaune just shook his head and smiled.
"It's going to take a lot of work to settle everything."
"Indeed. Which is why Ozpin will be your best ally. You kids managed a lot with what little information that you have. It's impressive really, but its best to let Ozpin handle the planning and information gathering. He is peerless at wetwork infiltrations and information gathering. There isn't a soul alive that can evade Ozpin's….shall we say method of extracting information."
Jaune shivered. Ozpin so far had been nothing but a god send. A kind and affirmable man that truly wanted nothing more than to help. Did he do so in hopes that Jaune may side with him? Perhaps, but what Ozpin had facilitated had made the price all worth the while for Jaune.
"….I'm afraid I might fail."
"That will always be there" said Joan "but you're not alone in this. You have me, your sisters, and even your father."
Jaune chuckled.
"What's dad going to do? Hug em to death?"
Joan became serious as she stared at her son.
"Your father saved my life more times than I can count Jaune. He may not look like it, but he was once a dangerous individual…ah a story for another time, preferably when were in more amicable company. Like to see that bastard's face when his life is used for stories. Bed time stories, what a load of shit".
Jaune smiled at the familiar language his mother used. After all, Jaune learned all his swear words from her. A fact his Father laments to this very day.
"Now, I believe you have a certain headmaster to visit?"
Jaune nodded.
"Yea. I'll be meeting up with my team in Beacon in a few hours…I'm off to visit junior for a bit, get a lay of the land."
"Still don't trust that weasel" muttered Joan "even if he did help you."
"Junior is a lying son of a bitch to everyone in the business, but the second you earn his trust? You'll have a lifelong companion. If there is anyone, I trust aside from you guys, its junior."
"Not your team?"
Jaune faltered as he thought about it.
"…I'd like to think I do. I haven't hidden anything from them, nor went anywhere without them. If anything, I've been a little more open than usual. Hopefully that means something."
"I think it does son. I'm happy that you've finally found friends that don't treat you like shit."
"…took a damn while."
Joan chuckled as she shook her head and downed the last of her tea like it was a shot of whiskey. She left a nice tip for their waiter. The mother son duo left the restaurant and said their goodbyes. Jaune attempted to initiate another hug, but his rather affectionate clumsiness made his mother hug him all the tighter.
Jaune waved her goodbye as he moved down the street, heading to juniors for a lay of the land as he said.
-Junior's bar, 32 minutes later-
"Jaune! Good to see you, old friend! What brings you here?"
Jaune opened his mouth but Junior rolled his eyes.
"I know what brings you here, I was just joking. Thanks for letting me know about the fucking war. Shit we're going to be knee deep, let me tell you…."
"Is it that bad?" wondered Jaune.
Junior's strong façade crumbled as he started laughing.
"Oh no, no it isn't actually. Don't get me wrong its still horrible but not as bad as you think. The F.O.H and the White Fang are without a doubt powerful, but they aren't as entrenched as I am, not to mention their unique issues. Doesn't stop them from being incredibly dangerous though. All the weapon suppliers in the kingdom get their arms through me. If they want to start a war, it will be on my terms, so I can limit them in that way. Sadly I can't stop them from fighting in the first place, might a be a little too suspicious if you get my drift."
Jaune breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your jokes as usual Junior suck."
Junior shrugged.
"I'm trying here man, you have not laughed a single time since I've met you!"
"I've laughed."
"Yea but not at my jokes!"
Jaune gave his friend a blank stare…before the two started chuckling quietly.
"Ahh never gets old…are you sure you wanna get involved in this?"
Jaune nodded.
"The White Fang have got an eye on my niece…which is why I'm here."
Junior rose an eyebrow.
"Could you possibly set up a protection detail, a covert one, for Korra?"
"Your niece right?"
Jaune nodded.
Junior snapped his fingers and suddenly a being wrapped in dark clothing stood from his shadow.
"Jaune meet...well she's uncomfortable with anyone knowing her actual name so just call her shadow. She's been my personal guard since you got thrown into the slammer. I'll have her scout out and protect Korra for the time being. When things start to get heavy, she'll come back to me, but at least you won't have to worry about her safety for a bit."
Jaune shook his head.
"As always Junior, you strive to impress. If you ever need anything, just let me know."
Junior smiled as he tapped a few prompts on his "Bar Stand" of a super computer. Jaune felt his phone vibrate.
"Just sent you everything I have on both the F.O.H and the White Fang. If you guys can somehow get those two out of my city? Well I might just swoop in and clear the Police corruption issue for you."
Jaune smirked.
"You mean take it over right?"
"Well duh."
Jaune shook his head and smiled.
"You've been nothing but helpful since the time I've gotten out of jail Junior…thank you."
Junior blinked.
"…wow the family really did soften you up a bit!"
Junior smiled as he held his hand out to his friend.
"I always help my friends Jaune, especially the first one I made. Shadow, are you good to go now, or need a bit of time."
Shadow mearly nodded, dispersing into nothing.
"There's no way that's a semblance" said Jaune.
"That's because it's not. I found her a few years back, a small-time thief with the power to merge and teleport through any dark surface. Some one's shadow seems to be the best option though."
"So a mutant. Just like me."
Junior nodded.
"An extreme rarity these days, but not impossible. She hates authority and detests huntsmen…or used to. I think I got her to tone down on that whole "Hate All Hunters" gig she had going on. She's been by my side ever since. Saved my life a few times too!"
Jaune nodded.
"Good to see you're expanding your friends list Junior."
"Better friends than allies."
Jaune smirked.
"Might just take those words of wisdom."
"Better pay me some royalties then Jaune! Till next time."
Jaune once again thanked Junior for the incredible support, endeavoring to remember to pay the man back in some fashion beyond assisting him with favors and the like.
Jaune felt his phone ring, he looked at it and narrowed his eyes.
The Caller was Ozpin. Jaune clicked the phone, answering curtly.
"What's happening?"
"Nothing, yet. I'd like your team to report to my office as soon as you're able…there has been an unexpected development."
Jaune grunted.
"I just got more information from Junior, so I was heading your way anyway."
"…Hmmm…"
"What?"
"Nothing to be concerned about" said Ozpin "just the fact that your connection with Junior wasn't something I was planning for. I was hoping to get a few lessons in, try and get the basics of wet work operations for your team before having you assist us further…this may yet be a boon for us now however. I'll explain more when you get here too dangerous to discuss over an unsecure line."
"On my way."
Jaune shut the phone…he had never heard Ozpin so serious before. Jaune hurried to his bike, intent on getting to Ozpin and his team as fast as possible.
-Beacon Academy, forty-three minutes later. Ozpin's Office-
Jaune entered Ozpin's office and quickly shut the door. He nodded at his teammates. Ren was standing with Pyrrha by the chairs, while Nora sat in one. Her gaze was stern as she nodded back.
"Sorry for the delay" muttered Jaune.
"Not at all" said Ozpin "while this is an emergency, it is not that urgent."
Ozpin stood, albiet shaky, from his chair. Glynda was his shadow as she trailed behind him, making sure he wouldn't fall.
"Thank you" smiled Ozpin.
The man tapped his cane against the floor twice, bringing up a bright blue interface with various documents and pictures in the middle of the room.
"After discussing with the White Fang member Jack about what he knew, along with the information you four have brought in, we have learned of an unexpected assault that will occur in several days, a mere month before the Vytal Festival."
A picture of a mountain filled Jaune's vision as they all looked on. The full-bodied pictures of two men also popped up beside it. One was a seemingly young man wearing a mask that covered his eyes. His dark clothing and weapon strapped at his side gave him an air of authority amongst the rank and file of the White Fang. The other was a much larger man, who wore the White Fang uniform and mask. A massive chainsaw was held in his two hands.
"It would seem that the White Fang are preparing for an assault on Vale through Mount. Glen."
"Are they suicidal?" asked Jaune.
"Indeed" agreed Ren "the city's defenses are more than capable of handling armed soldiers, even if the police are not involved."
Ozpin nodded.
"Yes that is true. They would need an obscene number of soldiers to even attempt an attack, a number I'm assured they are not close to having. No, the assault's goal has nothing to do with Vale's destruction, but rather its infiltration. Their plan is to bomb open the north Route and have the city flooded with Grimm. As our attention is focused on the Grimm, the White Fang will slowly filter through, disguised as civilians."
The picture of the Mountain grew bigger and zoomed in. It eventually landed on a barren and desolate settlement that seemed hidden within the mountain.
"Mount. Glen was once home to both an experimental city and escape route for Vale. The idea was that the mountain was perfect for habitation due to the lack of Grimm. Several tunnels were dug to Vale to allow for emergency escape either way, along with deploying troops in either location. The project was officially deemed a failure after several years running, when a swarm of Grimm almost unprecedented in number attacked the settlement."
Ren gripped his hands and bit his lip. Jaune closed his eyes in solidarity with Ren's experience. Pyrrha placed a hand on her friends back, while Nora gripped his leg. Ozpin chose to ignore this for now, instead pushing on with the briefing.
"The sheer number of Grimm made simply clearing out the mountain an expensive and ill-advised endeavor. It was deemed too dangerous since in the event of failure, Vale would be left defenseless. Not to mention that simply bombing the routes closed may have subjected a portion of Vale to a mountain slide. Thus leaving the opening the White Fang wishes to exploit."
Jaune rose an eyebrow.
"Isn't the mountain a long distance away?"
Ozpin rolled his eyes.
"That was the official reasoning for not closing the routes. The truth is based on greed. The tunnels leading to the Glen settlement are rich in dust. Bombing the Routes would not in anyway subject even a small fraction of Vale to a mountain slide."
Jaune sighed.
"They'd rather mine dust then bomb the routes closed?"
Ozpin nodded.
"It's been a massive issue in Vale politics. When the citizens called out the government on their…less than impressive reasoning, many have tried to get voted in to force the issue resovled. Regardless the routes remain a problem. Two White Fang members have arrived in Vale and are probably at Glen now. The first one is simply named "Adam". Whether that's his real name or not is currently unknown. What is known is that he is an extremist who cares little for collateral damage, both human and Faunus. From what Jack has told us, he believes the Kingdoms themselves are a symbol of Faunus oppression."
The second picture of the large man became apparent.
"This one is aptly named Chainsaw. He is Adam's right-hand man and key strategist. He was the one that led the attack on the Schnee dust train six years ago that murdered half of the Schnee family, including their Matriarch."
Jaune clicked his tongue.
"So we're dealing with higher ups?"
Ozpin nodded.
"Yes. They are considered at this moment the leaders of a the more extreme factions of the White Fang. I have already sent a friend of mine to meet up with Sienna."
"Who?" asked Nora.
"The public face of the White Fang" said Jaune "She's the leader of the entire organization, but she spends most of her time preventing it from splintering than from actually leading it."
"Exactly" said Ozpin "While I doubt she'll be willing to turn herself in for questioning and to be upheld by the law, she can be an ally in this current predicament. Now to the reason I brought you four here."
Ozpin tapped his cane again, making the display disappear.
"It would normally be prudent to send a task force and the Valish military out to attack the White Fang force in Glen. However, as Jaune has described to me vividly and has been verified by Jack, the Police are currently an enemy more so than an ally. Not to mention that the Glen tunnels are treacherous, with bandits and numerous others having created many, MANY, new tunnels since their closing. As such sending a large force would simply cause the White Fang to disperse and attack at another, less known time."
Ozpin stood straighter, his eyes hardening as he resolved himself to his request.
"Team JNPR, your mission should you choose to accept it, is to go to Mount. Glen and investigate the White Fang's activities under the guise of a training exercise. It is the time of year for mock missions under the supervision of a faculty member. As such Glynda will be your leader. The primary goal is to gather information and sabotage the efforts of the White Fang as much as possible undetected. Glynda's semblance will prove invaluable in this regard. In the event that circumstances force your hand, I have given Glynda full authority to apprehend or…deal with the White Fang as she sees fit. Do you understand?"
All four nodded.
Ozpin took a breath as he slouched into himself.
"Good. Good…I don't like this" muttered Ozpin "you children should remain as such…but circumstances say otherwise. Promise me, you will all be safe?"
Nora and Ren smiled as Pyrrha nodded.
"No need to worry about me."
Ozpin glared at Jaune playfully.
"Really now, no need to flaunt Jaune. Regardless, once you return from your mission you will be given lessons the following day. If you wish to continue this line of fighting, i can show you which classes to take in your following years to further gear you towards this kind of work…thank you for your help. Now get some rest. Tomorrow, you will be heading to Mount. Glen….also Nora."
The peppy girl smiled as she turned to Ozpin.
"I was not shafting you" he chuckled "I've been busy with Jack, that's all."
"URK."
Nora blushed red, ignoring the fact that she was wondering how the hell Ozpin knew about this.
"You did it again" thought Glynda "try to remain focused. You heard her projecting as if she was talking."
"Did I?" wondered Ozpin "…it appears I'm far more out of shape than I thought…"
Glynda waited until the group left, before closing in on Ozpin and taking his face into her hands. She smiled as she closed her eyes and placed her head against his.
"Rest Ozpin, just focus on me."
"Glynda, that can be incredibly uncomfr-"
"All I feel is you" chuckled Glynda.
Her soft voice eased Ozpin's tension, but only slightly.
"You're worried" sighed Glynda "I can feel it."
"How can I not be?"
Ozpin took her hands away and slowly moved to the window.
"We're sending…children on an operation the military should be investigating."
Glynda sighed.
"You and me both know the council of Vale wouldn't allow that…not with their vested interest in the place. The uproar it would cause…"
Ozpin slammed his fist into the window still.
"This!..this isn't right. They shouldn't be sent off just because the adults can't act their damn age-COUGH!"
Ozpin began to cough as he faltered.
"Easy" muttered Glynda "…I know what you're thinking and stop. You're too weak right now to simply tackle this mission alone."
Ozpin sighed and shook his head.
"I've…I should have been training instead of wasting away like this."
"You were enjoying peace" chuckled Glynda "no one can fault you for that…except perhaps Ironwood."
The woman took her man and eased him back into his chair.
"Rest" she breathed "I will be with them. I swear nothing will befall them so long as I am breathing."
Ozpin gripped her hand.
"Don't you dare die on me…I need you for the paperwork."
Glynda hit him on the chest as she laughed with him. She looked outside the window.
"They're not much younger than we were…when we tackled the injustices of the world."
"…Don't remind me."
"So much death…so much pain. Yet, look at what we brought. Beacon Academy firmly wrested from corrupt hands, the destruction of the Hellfire club, and a safe heaven for students of any race or creed…albiet in practice."
"…So you're trying to tell me to pass on the torch?"
"Yes" said Glynda "but not now. We're getting old Ozpin but we're not that old. I'm simply saying now is the time to prepare the new generation…to make them better than we could possibly be…is that not our jobs as teachers and guides?"
Ozpin smiled.
"…You're right…but I'm still not comfortable with this."
"I'd be afraid of you if you were."
Ozpin coughed again and washed down his throat with coffee.
"Alright…alright" chuckled Ozpin "you've calmed me down…now help me with the paperwork and we can get back home."
Glynda caressed his chin as she smiled and walked out the door. Ozpin looked at the gears above his head and closed his eyes…hoping that this was the right decision.
-With Jaune and the others, later that night-
"….."
"…"
"…."
"….No one else gonna say it?" asked Nora "Fine. I can't sleep."
"Hmm."
"Thanks for the support Jaune!"
"hmm."
Pyrrha chuckled as Ren groaned back to the land of the living.
"Oh shit you were actually asleep!?"
Ren just sighed.
"I'm awake now…thank you Nora."
"…how the…you know what never mind" she mumbled "I wanna say I'm excited for tomorrow…but…"
"It feels serious" said Pyrrha.
"Yea. It's a lot more heavy than I thought it was going to be you know? Thought we'd be going off on fantastic adventures and saving the world…which I guess we kind of are?"
"We can probably tell Ozpin we want to back out" muttered Jaune "he'd probably be ecstatic about it."
"…I guess I thought I'd be going somewhere else in life" mumbled Nora "ah I'm just rambling ignore me."
"No, its alright" sighed Pyrrha "I thought I'd be slaying Grimm and clearing out villages or something of that nature."
"You know…this is gonna sound, you know, the opposite of what I was saying…but I feel…feel ready for tomorrow…if that makes any sense?"
Ren situated himself on his elbows and looked at his friend.
"…I believe I've seen it all" chuckled Ren "a serious and prepared Nora. Who would have thought."
"Don't need the sarcasm right now Ren!"
"You woke me up" he grumbled.
"SEMANTICS!"
"What you feel" said Jaune "is the weight of tomorrow…what it signifies."
Nora turned to her newest friend and teammate, her full attention grabbed.
"Killing Grimm is simple. Easy. There's no need to think, just act…at least in a moral sense. But here you tread upon the realm of morality and its complexities. The thought that your actions may carry consequences beyond what you could conceive weigh heavily on you and as such bears on your mood."
"…..You're not allowed to borrow Ren's weird emo Manga's anymore."
"You're not my mother."
"I'LL CALL YOUR MOTHER."
'Snort'
The sound echoed through the room and slowly a laugh began to build up through the room.
"Why on earth are we laughing!" chuckled Pyrrha.
"Who knows" sighed Ren "…but I think I needed that…tomorrow is not going to be easy."
"Yea…guess its time I tried to sleep."
"Good night everyone."
Slowly the team fell asleep. But their night was not filled with dreams or nightmares. It was an undisturbed slumber…all but one.
Jaune had a smile as he looked at the ceiling. This feeling…this lightness. It was something Jaune had only gotten brief moments of in his life so far. Yet, in this room, at this very time, it was like he could almost drown in it. Jaune took a deep breath and focused on sleeping.
After all…his team would need him tomorrow.
-The Next Day, Beacon Airstrip-
Glynda walked with her temporary team and went towards a Bullhead.
"I take it you all had rest?"
Everyone nodded.
"Good. I'll be giving a more in-depth discussion on our tactics and expectations while we make our way there. For now, get ready on the bullhead."
Jaune adjusted his "Combat" gear as he followed his teammates. The jacket that he had gotten from Silverfox, a brown leather jacket with yellow stripes on each arm, fit him snugly. The tough dust enhanced leather was enough to stop the claws of Grimm and low caliber bullets.
The jeans he had on were of just an ordinary variety but his shoes, while replicating the form of a sneaker, was made to withstand the rough and varied terrain that was the Huntsmen's occupation. The gun Jaune had gotten from Forge rested comfortably in his arms, while the hand cannon Jaune had acquired from his mother rested in its holster at his waist.
"Ready?" asked Nora.
Jaune looked at the rambunctious girl and nodded.
"Yes. Let's put a stop to the White Fang's plans…hopefully without bringing down a mountain on us."
"Oh come on that's half the fun!"
Pyrrha shook her head as Ren shivered in fear. No…they did NOT just jinx the whole damn thing.
"Oh dear mother of God, or whatever deities that may elsewhere exist, please do not let it come to pass" thought Ren.
It was futile, Ren knew. As they boarded the Bullhead Ren shook his head. It was obvious to him now that this mission was never going to remain simple.
And come on, we all know that would never be the case now would it?
Till Next Time,
Chapter END
The Length of this chapter surprised me. As I wrote this chapter, I realized that I wanted to gain a more in-depth look to each of the characters that I'm using here. For those of you who are also a Fan of my Arcane Craftsman story, you'll know that both Journey and Ultimate Weapon are stories made simply for me to write for fun. There are no plans to it (although I always have a rough idea of an ending) and I simply keep on writing till I "run out" as it were. Yet, Arcane Craftsman was still fun to write even after I planned and expanded on everything (Which I thought was going to bore me of the story itself honestly)! As such I decided to apply the same work ethic to this story and plan things out step by step, rather than fly by the seat of my pants XD. For those of you who wanted another action chapter, I apologize, but rest assured these long discussion type chapters are not my usual method of writing. Next chapter, however long it may be, will start and FINISH the entire Glen mountain mission. Expect Explosions, Badassery, and lots and lots of Wolverine esque action. The next chapter will also introduce a certain…Widow. You are all free to guess it what way shape or form this Widow may take in this world, but her character has already been created. So, while suggestions are appreciated and welcome even! That does not mean they will be taken into account. So before I close this chapter for good I want you guys to know that the next two updates from me will be for Arcane Craftsman. After that will be the Mount Glen episode and the final part of the "The Claws that Fangs have Born" Event.
