This was where he lay.
Pain-filled ocean blue eyes opened to stare at the stormy sky.
"Ow... I think that last attack... really took it out of me." Jaune Arc managed to say, wincing as the simple act of breathing pushed his lungs uncomfortably against his fractured ribs.
He's pretty sure he's not making out of this one. After all, even the luck of seven devils was bound to run out. Sure, he much more skilled than when he was a freshman at Beacon, a proper hunter now much more than before. but regardless, those days are long gone and there no teacher help to carry him to the infirmary. Skill and pure determination can only carry someone so far before their body simply stops functioning. He tried to moved his arm, and was rewarded by a minuscule twitch from his hand.
And a sharp flare of pain.
With more effort than he knew was possible for a simple act, his eyes moved to the evaporating corpse of the Goliath he - FINALLY - managed to kill. Not to mention he was already exhausted from fighting a tidal wave of grimm. He couldn't even bring himself to care if he was alone from sheer exhaustion. The thing was charging at him when he leapt out of the way and buried Crocea Mors into one of it's sank into its flesh like butter and he felt momentary hope only to see the trunk of the beast cover his vision and smack him in the side, fracturing his ribs, shattering his right arm, and probably rupturing an organ. Normally, that wouldn't shatter his bones due to his aura, but his body was already working under serious strain, something had to give. The fight had gone on for too long and the moment he managed to plunge his blade into the top of the Goliath's skull and let loose with all of his power - bursting the monster's head into oblivion - he was done. The light augmenting Crocea Mors sputtered like a dying fire before it flickered and faded from it to its normal sheathed form next to him as he tumbled off the corpse and promptly blacked out.
Leading to his current situation.
"This sucks." He grumbled.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to lift himself up, bones creaking and body screaming for him to stop. He reached For Crocea Mors and tried to use it to lever himself to his feet.
He managed to sit up and let out a gasp, "Okay..." He huffed, " Okay."
Blood squirted from his right arm and more crimson lifeblood flowed up like red vomit from his ruined insides as he tried to stand.
He fell back.
He had no aura.
His body was not exactly in top shape.
And he was alone.
"Dammit." He grumbled quietly before sighed a gusty exhale tinged with copper speckles, "Well, I fought the good fight, can't really do better than that now can I?"
He shifted and lifted his working arm to cover his aching torso.
He coughed and grimaced as the metallic tang of blood filled his mouth. He spat out the blood and sighed, he was going to die. He could already feel hid blood leaking out of him, bit by tiny bit. Rain began to drizzle from the heavens, searing his pain-riddled body with points of ice-like drops of water. He didn't care, he barely felt was the rain washing over his battered form.
Alone. Abandoned. Completely broken.
That's how he died, they would say.
His eyes stung at the bitter emotions that welled up within him. Wishing, futilely wishing he had been stronger, learned more, tried harder.
Be better.
He knew backup was probably headed this way, but Jaune Arc - the last of the ancient line of decorated heroes that had battled and survived for generations - was going to die there, he wasn't a fool that held onto a hope.
So he was alone.
Hopefully they would come back for his body, he hoped he warranted at least a proper burial.
He let out another wet cough, grimacing at the metallic flavor now covering his tongue.
Then, he heard the sound of a bullhead and his eyes trailed upward from his prone position, noticing the grey speck in the rainy sky. His jaw would have dropped if his facial muscles weren't already slack from exhaustion.
They did come back for him.
He suddenly heard the sound someone stopping abruptly next to him and tensed, immediately regretting it as his body burned. Suddenly two arms gently grabbed him and moved him over carefully. He winced at the pangs that wracked his body but was soon looking into the fear-filled silver eyes of his best friend.
Of course Ruby wouldn't have waited for the Bullhead to land there and probably been the first one to volunteer to be here.
"Jaune! Oh God! Jaune, can you hear me?" Ruby was saying, frantically brushing his bangs from his face in a attempt to somehow help him.
He managed a smile as he whispered weakly, "You came back."
She nodded, a watery smile, "Did you really think we could leave you to die?"
He let out a wet chuckle, "No... You wouldn't. You've always been... too sentimental for that... Crater face."
He didn't mention the fact that he probably already lost a fatal amount of blood and his aura was shot.
She'd figure it out soon.
She frowned at him, "When you're better, I'm kicking your butt."
He laughed, and immediately cringed as blood bubbled from the corner of his lips, "Hurts... to laugh..."
She pulled him closer, as if she could protect him, lifting his head onto her lap, "The bullhead's almost here. We'll get you help, so stay with me."
He smiled drowsily at her, "We both know... it's a bit late..."
"No, it's not!" She growled, "You don't get to die on us! You're staying right where you are, don't you dare close your eyes!"
The Bullhead touched down and he heard the doors opening. His vision began to blur.
"Hm..." He let out a small hum.
"Oi, Arc?!" One of the medic's voice cut through the haze, "You, move!"
Jaune frowned, "I'm sorry... It's too late..."
"Shut up." Ruby said, "They have to try."
"No... point..." Jaune murmured, "I feel really cold... I ruptured something... an organ... and my ribs feel... like they got put in a wood chipper. I can't even bring out my fire or ice... and my grimm has been... drained dry."
Ruby bit her lip as the medics worked on him. She refused to let go of his left hand as he was worked over. He would have screamed and yelled as they set his arm in a cast and tried to repair the damage to his torso if he had the energy.
"Damn..." The doctor muttered, "Why are all the fragments misaligned?"
Jaune moaned, almost delirious "Goliath... wasn't dead... need to keep fighting..."
The doctor shook his head, "Kid... that was suicide..."
"So... what? I... am going... to die... anyway..." He would have chuckled.
"You're not!" Ruby growled, "Dammit it Jaune, would you stop thinking like that?!"
One of the men working on his torso looked at the other medic and shook his head.
Ruby caught the motion and stared before trying to get closer, "Why are you shaking your head? What's wrong?"
"We can't fix this... the damage is just too severe." One medic murmured.
Jaune sighed and closed his eyes.
"You have to fix him! You can't just let him die!" She looked about ready to whip out Crescent Rose.
"Ruby." Jaune whispered, he forced his eyes open.
Her eyes found his.
"Thank you." He breathed.
And he let the darkness sweep him away.
Warmth.
Calm and soothing warmth.
Jaune opened his eyes and noted his arm and body were fine, he actually felt... incredibly... good.
He sat up and then noticed he was dressed in what seemed to be his casual get up, which was in perfect condition.
He looked around and paled.
The world was colored in shades of grey and frozen in a single instant.
Ruby was sobbing into her hands over a figure while paramedics were sliding the figure's eyes shut.
The figure was a blond.
Wearing a tattered black hoodie, shredded blue jeans, and strips of leather that may have once been part of a rudimentary set of armor.
The body was smiling slightly and looked - despite the fact the face's lower half was painted red with blood - content.
Jaune looked at his body and sighed, "Oh man... Ruby... I'm so sorry."
"Yes. Quite a shame isn't it?" A voice said from right next to him.
He should have leapt and dropped into a combat stance, but he instinctively knew it didn't matter, "Yeah."
He let his eyes slide to the side to see a figure of pure white.
Not a man.
Not a woman.
Most of all, definitely not a human.
Just a being made of ethereal and swirling energy that gave off a aura of unimaginable power.
"So... Am I heaven or hell bound?" Jaune queried.
"Depends."
"On?"
"If you could save lives, would you?"
"Yes."
"Are you willing to fight to save those you love?"
"Always."
"Do you want help?"
"If possible."
"Hm..." The figure replied.
They was a sound like glass shattering and suddenly Ruby seemed to unfreeze and she was gasping and sobbing loudly.
"Jaune...I'm sorry... Please don't leave..." She moaned into her hands, "I need you... Please..."
"Ruby?" He asked.
She froze and looked over at him, blinking through her tears, "Jaune?"
He smiled wanly, "Hey."
He was tackled a moment later as Ruby threw her arms around him, "Oh thank Monty!" She sobbed into his chest, "I-I t-thought you were dead!"
He hesitated, "Um... Well... I kinda am... dead..."
She paused and looked up at him, "But then how are you here?" She froze and horror filled her face, "Am I dead?"
"No!" He said, placing his hands at the side of her face, "You're alive!"
"Then -" She began.
"If I may interrupt?" The figure interjected.
Ruby spun, partially moving to shield Jaune behind her, "Who are you?"
The figure gave off a distinct air of amusement, "If I were to kill you, I would have done so by now. You have nothing to fear from me, child."
Ruby reluctantly relaxed, "Promise?"
The figure chuckled, "Pinky Swear."
Jaune gently caught Ruby's hand, "Hey, it's okay. Think of it like this, now I can say goodbye properly!"
Ruby blinked and suddenly scowled.
And decked Jaune in the face.
"Gah!" Jaune yelled as he tumbled onto his ass, "What the hell Ruby?"
"You died! I told you stay and you still died! How could you leave me like that?!" She yelled, hauling Jaune to his feet by his collar.
Jaune was chillingly reminded of Yang in a fury, "I wasn't exactly in a condition to have a say in the matter!"
Ruby scowled but huffed, "Still not forgiving you."
The figure cleared its throat, "You two are beginning to wear on my patience."
Jaune sighed, "Sorry."
Ruby scratched the back of her head, "Me too."
The figure seemed mollified, "As I was going to say. You do wish for a second chance Jaune?"
Jaune nodded, "Who doesn't?"
Not like he could say anything else or Ruby would kill him.
"I could do that for you."
Jaune stilled and Ruby gasped.
"What's the cost?" Jaune said quietly.
The figure gave off an air of approving amusement, "You catch on quick, this isn't a gift freely given. I offer this but can give you a choice."
Jaune nodded, "Tell me."
"You can either start with one ability that you gained over the course of your life. OR you can have any one ally remember you. You will be a child back in your house. At the very start. Before you knew what Beacon even was."
Ruby practically vibrated in excitement, "Jaune you could choose me, we can fix all this!"
Jaune scowled, "Ruby, I don't think I should pick the second choice."
Ruby froze and whispered, "What?"
"Think about this!" He said, "Your father is a hunter not to mention Yang! What do you think he'll do when his infant daughter is acting like a world-weary 25 year-old?"
"I left you alone once!" She growled, "I am never doing that again! I can't promise they won't suspect anything, but you can't honestly believe you can do this on your own!"