Authors note:

I am really nervous writing this, considering this is my first fight scene. I can only hope that I can get it right. I feel like this is the make-or-break moment in any action story, so I do want to at least get it somewhat right. I guess we'll just have to see.

Again, thanks for reading. Don't forget to review! Or don't. I'm not your mom.

Chapter 5: Emperor's New Clothes

Jaune sat on his bed, fiddling with his knife. The Black Knife wasn't a special blade by any means. In fact, one could almost call it empty when compared to the weapons the rest had. All of their weapons had an energy around them, indicative of the persona inside them. But it was this emptiness that made the weapon so useful. For a short while, he was able to channel a persona through the weapon, allowing it to inflict some elemental damage or increase the strength of it. It wasn't the same as 'Igor's method using his electric chair, as it wasn't as strong, and the changes didn't stay. However it did further strengthen his position as the team's jack-of-all-trades. He wasn't doing any tricks with it, not even spinning it. He simply ran his fingers down the blade. It was a habit he picked up while waiting in safe rooms for his friends to ready up. He didn't tell anyone, but he was always nervous before they headed out. No one noticed, he hid it well. He loved the adrenaline rush fighting provided, but the wait before it? That he hated.

His coat and the Black Gun layed next to him. He used the Black gun for the same reason as the knife. Their thief's clothes came out whenever they used their persona, so it wasn't like he needed a version of the coat for real. But he wanted one. He had to get it custom fitted, and it was a massive blow on his wallet. He didn't care though. He had money to spend, and nothing he wanted to spend on, so why not? He got it custom made by a well known black market dealer, anonymously of course. It was able to withstand small firearms and most blades. And thanks to his cognition, if he ever did use his persona while wearing it, the coat would sort of fuse with it. It wasn't like it increased the protection provided, it was more of a convenience thing.

Morganna sat down in front of him. "Are you ready? This is going to be the first time we fight a huntress. And she's no slouch either. We're facing someone in the big leagues."

He smiled, and spun the knife around, before sheathing the blade to the holster attached to his belt. He changed his clothes to those that were a small bit more comfortable. He wore a red button down shirt, and some plain black trousers. He also had some black suspenders. He might as well lean into the black and red aesthetic he had going on. "What better way to announce our comeback? It is as they say, 'Go big, or go home' right?" He slipped Arsene's mask on, almost subconsciously. Almost instantly that soothing confidence filled him. Both a part of him and not at the same time. He cocked the pistol and put it on his holster. "And I have no intention of going to LeBlanc today."

He grabbed the coat, and with a little flourish, put it on with one motion. "Let's go Mona, we shouldn't keep them waiting. We have a show to steal, remember?" He turned to the door, and Joker left the room.

They both stood in front of each other. He wasn't the only one to have changed. While she mostly wore the same thing, she had some light armour layered on top of it. Greaves layed on her legs, while she also wore forearm guards. A small breastplate sat on top of her normal suit. She didn't wear much armour, probably to increase mobility, just he did. Another reason was Aura. What use was material armour when you had the best one constantly on?

Her weapon was the most intriguing part of her set up. Unlike most huntresses, she didn't seem to use a mecha-shift weapon. Instead, she wielded a simple claymore. Despite its simplicity, it was without doubt one of the most beautiful weapons he's ever seen. The blade was snow white, with a yellow cross guard. At the middle, was a red crystal. Small sheets of white metal were placed around the guard, and the grip was engraved with roses climbing up. Yusuke would have fainted upon seeing it. He also would be lying if he said he wasn't a small bit jealous upon seeing it.

He eyed the side of the arena. It seems their show had a small audience. Both team RWBY and JNPR sat down on benches. That made things a small bit difficult. He didn't want to reveal his abilities yet, but he was willing to if it meant that he could win. This change meant he would have to make the bar that he deemed "necessary" higher.

"You ready?" She asked him. "Once we start, we aint stopping till one of us is beaten. You sure you still want to go ahead?"

He just nodded. It was too late to back out now. And besides, he could feel it now. Anticipation flooded every one of his limbs. His body twitched, begging him to simply move. He wanted to fight, it's been months since his last proper one.

Nothing happened for a moment. They stared at each other. Suddenly, as if due to a mental timer in, Julia launched herself at him. He brought his knife, just barely catching the blade with his own. His arm shaked from the strain of keeping the knife up. "Holy shit, how strong is she?". She kicked back, separating the two. He took out his gun and fired some shoots. She blocked all of them.

That was fine, he wasn't aiming to hurt her with that. He casted a Sukakaja on himself. He couldn't take many hits like that, so he would have to dodge them instead. The effects were almost instantaneous. Just in time for her next attacks. He dodged each of her strikes, she stabbed at him. He rolled into the attack, landing a cut of his own. After the first attack, he moved out of the way as quickly as he could. She had already recovered from his cut, and brought her weapon down on the spot he was in moments before.

He was at a disadvantage. Her weapon had more range, not to mention that she was stronger than he was, probably even more so than what he would be with Tarajaka on. He couldn't take many risks. Choose his attacks, and then strike with hundred percent certainty.

"Quick, aren't ya?" She lifted up the blade and placed it on her shoulder. Her face split into a grin. "Good. This won't be as boring as I thought." She dashed forward, leading with a wide slash. He ducked underneath, sliding between her legs. Two quick cuts to her back, before he leaped over her. While he was still in the air he took aim at her face. The shots fired. He landed on the ground, then immediately back flipped out of the danger zone.

He looked at Julia, hoping to see the damage he inflicted. To his disappointment, she appeared to be fine. Clothes are a little bit damaged, but nothing major. "All of that, and I'm not even cut." She teased. "You know what separates me from you?" She lifted her hand, then made it into a fist. It started glowing white. "It's this." She lifted her sword and dropped into a stance, the blade pointed directly at him. "Let me show just how big of a difference Aura makes."

And in that moment, she moved, like a petal in the wind. His mind screamed at him, instinct honed from his time in the metaverse. He tossed himself to the side, just missing the sword skewering where he once stood. He tried jumping away, but she grabbed his leg mid jump. Before he could drop, she tossed him away. He skidded on the floor, before he turned himself, rolling back on his feet. He looked up.

Just so they could widen, as she appeared in front of him. Another slash, another dodge that barely worked. She attacked again and again, her sword ferocious in its bite. Each attack slowly tore down his defenses, like a child ripping the petals off a flower. Finally, she grabbed his throat, him not being fast enough to dodge the attack. "I never really liked you, ya know?" She scowled. "It's starting to piss me off, you not saying anything." She squeezed harder. "Well? Anything to say?"

Joan watched the scene with difficulty. She squeezed her wrist. It was one thing knowing, but seeing it made her feel a little sick.

He could feel it. That all too familiar fire in his chest. It threatened to swallow him whole, his anger. He wouldn't let it. It was his to use, his rebellious spirit. Perhaps he should have let it out sooner. Still, he hadn't suspected that massive gap in physical abilities. And he had a feeling that it wouldn't be something he could fix just by training. The blue flame tickled his face, enticing him. Julia let go of him, out of reflex.

He slumped on the floor, and started chuckling, before he stood up. "I've got one." The sound of chains rattled in the air. The spectators stood in shock. A white mask appeared on his face. The laughter grew louder, but it stopped coming from him. It was almost demonic now. Like an actor in a play, he ripped off the mask in one motion. "PERSONA!".

Like a ghost floating off of their body, he rose. Its arms and legs, a deep red. His wings were as black as the midnight sky.

"YOU SEEK TO GAIN POWER, YET THOSE WHO HOLD IT HORDE IT LIKE A CHILD WITH THEIR TOYS."

His face burned with a deep fire, a fire that threatened to consume everyone, if not for the chains keeping him bound to his master.

"PUNISH THEM FOR THEIR GREED, AND STEAL ALL THAT MAKES THEM WHOLE!

His wings grew out into its full span, sending a shockwave across the room. The bystanders gasped as they took in his full look. It was a demonic version of an old Valeien suit. As if deformed by fire.

"RENEW YOUR VOW TO ME. IF YOU ARE AGAIN WILLING TO CHAIN YOURSELF TO HELL ITSELF, CALL UPON MY NAME."

Julia seemed relatively calm, but Jaune knew behind that mask she was just as surprised as the rest. Jaune grinned.

"I AM THOU, THOU ART I. WE HAVE MUCH TO DO, A VICTORY TO STEAL AND A SHOW TO PUT ON. AND WHAT A SHOW IT WILL BE."

He missed this. It was good to be back. "Pillage them, Arsene!" The chains rattled violently in the air, as if answering the roar of the being it held.

AUTHORS NOTE:

As you probably can tell, I am a little late for this update. I am not going to lie, I struggled with the fight. Even now its not as good as I'd like it to be. Also, this chapter is a little shorter than the rest. Again, I struggled. I will try to add on the other 1k to the next chapter.

Anyway, thats it. Thanks for reading!