DISCLAIMER: I own nothing related to RWBY
*** Early next morning ***
"They were here Ozpin. They were HERE!"
Ironwood slams his fist on Ozpin's desk.
"We're very much aware of that! Thank you James," Glynda curtly responds.
"Fantastic! Great that we're on the same page! Are we going to do anything about it or should we just stay the course and ignore what's right in front of us?!" Ironwood yells.
The elevator sounds and Jaune walks in with Ruby nervously following close behind. The two stop in front of Ozpin's desk with Ruby fidgeting anxiously, while Jaune displays no sign of discomfort.
Ironwood steps forward.
"Ruby Rose and Jaune Arc. I feel that it's appropriate to let you two know that I think you did exactly what being Huntsmen and Huntresses is all about. You two recognized a potential threat and took action."
Jaune's expression remains neutral and silent, while Ruby feels it's necessary to respond.
"U-uh, thank you! Sir."
"We've already been informed by the General of the event that transpired last night. We are wondering if you two have anything to add," Ozpin says.
"I-I... don't know. She was wearing a mask and there was just so much happening at once that I couldn't get a good look," Ruby quietly responds.
"Bright amber eyes," Jaune says. "Hair color is ash black and stands at a height of about 5 feet 11 inches. Skin complexion is on the paler side and prefers to use glass in combat. She is much more comfortable attacking from a range, though her close combat is not terrible. Honestly, these traits aren't exactly unique aside from the glass."
"Her clothes also lit up," Ruby adds.
Glynda's eyes narrow.
"That sounds like the woman I'd faced on the night we'd met Ruby."
At that comment, Jaune tilts a head at Ruby, who whispers under her breath.
"I'll tell you about that later."
"It is possible that this woman is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang, though we lack conclusive evidence to link the two. In either case, thank you for your cooperation Ruby. Why don't you go and spend time with your team? I'd like Jaune to stay behind to provide some more information on the intruder," Ozpin nods.
Jaune nods at Ruby.
"Go on. You have a mission to prepare for."
As soon as Ruby leaves, Jaune's eyes harden and he casts a deathly glare at Ozpin. The air in the room instantly grows heavy.
"Jaune! What is the meaning of this?!" Glynda demands.
"Should I not be asking you three the same?" Jaune coldly replies.
"What do you mean by that?" Ozpin asks, concerned.
Jaune points a finger at Ironwood.
"His outburst before Ruby and I'd arrived here. It has come to my attention that you have a few things to clarify. Who are they and what is their objective? Do not think that you can dodge the issue by claiming it is solely for the Fall Maiden."
Ironwood's eyes widen and he turns towards Ozpin, incredulous.
"You told him?! Are you out of your mind Ozpin?!"
'Also, how the hell did he hear me?'
"Apparently, he did not tell me enough," Jaune responds. "As this is a rather delicate point in time, I would appreciate it greatly if you provide me all relevant information. I'd made the mistake of assuming that you were all in the dark of the enemy's identity, but clearly, that is not the case."
Ozpin takes a moment to gather his thoughts and deeply sighs.
"Very well. Based on the current information available to us, the Fall Maiden is most definitely one of their primary objectives. However, it is not their end goal."
"Ozpin!" Ironwood yells. "You are not seriously going to tell him abou-"
"James," Ozpin says as he knocks his cane against the ground. "Jaune... has every right to know. It was my mistake for not telling him earlier. He is trustworthy, so let me remedy my mistake. Trust me on this."
Ironwood remains silent and sizes up Jaune, searching for any signs of deceit.
"Fine. Only because you vouch for him."
Ozpin turns his attention back towards Jaune.
"Though the Maidens are incredibly powerful, and thus, greatly capable of defending the masses from the forces of evil, they have another crucial role. They act as keys for certain items that have been sealed away. We call them Relics. These items are incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands, as they have the power to change the world as we know it. Corresponding with the number of Maidens, there are four Relics in total: Knowledge, Creation, Destruction, and Choice. Each of them are sealed inside of a Vault, and each Maiden can only open their respective Vault."
'Four Maidens. Four Relics. Four Huntsmen Academies.'
"Can I assume that under each Huntsmen Academy is a Vault to house a Relic?"
"Yes," Ozpin nods. "Your assumption is spot on. The Relic housed by Beacon is the Relic of Choice, and it can only be unsealed by the power of the Fall Maiden."
"And the enemy?" Jaune asks with his arms crossed.
Ozpin sighs, "We can not be 100% certain of the enemy's identity, but we have a very good idea. The Grimm have a master of sorts, and her name is Salem. At this point, we suspect that the intruder from last night is one of Salem's agents."
'Salem?'
"And what is your plan to deal with this situation? Were you able to determine anything else from last night?"
Ironwood steps forward to take over.
"Several of my scientists have found traces of an unknown virus uploaded into the Beacon CCT network. The virus has embedded itself into the surveillance system, and should be isolated and purged by the end of today."
"Then?"
"We'll use as many of my troops as necessary to strengthen the city defenses, and expend more resources into surveillance. If and when the enemy show themselves, we can strike hard and fast to eradicate them."
"Of course," Glynda curtly responds. "Why must you always answer everything with triumphant displays of military bravado?"
"Shows of strength are not necessary bad. However, showing all of your cards like this is risky, especially if the enemy is expecting such a response," Jaune warns.
"Yes, we should err on the side of caution," Ozpin nods. "We do not know for certain their final move, so we mustn't be too bold."
Though clearly unconvinced, Ironwood stiffly replies, "Fine. But sitting here and waiting for something to happen does not sit well with me."
"Of course it doesn't," Glynda sarcastically remarks.
"If this is all you'll want from me, I'll be heading back down. Until next time Professors. General."
Jaune politely bows and leaves the room.
*** JNPR Dorms ***
"Gahhh! Why do we have to wait to start out mission, while RWBY got to go on theirs this morning?!" Nora screams in frustration.
"It can not be helped. There are not enough bullheads to accommodate everyone, so they allocated the more critical missions to the front of the queue," Ren calmly responds. "Unfortunately for us, ours is not time sensitive, thus why we've been moved back to a later departure."
"Besides, with the incident in the CCT, I'm sure Jaune appreciates the extra time to rest while Ruby has no such luxury," Pyrrha chuckles.
"I apologize for suddenly disappearing without notice," Jaune bows to Pyrrha.
Pyrrha puts her hands up.
"N-no it's fine! You did what any proper Huntsmen would have done. In fact, I would have expected nothing less from you and Ruby. It is an example all of us should strive to follow."
Jaune gives her a small smile.
"Still, I want to apologize."
"Uugh, why don't you two just get together already?" Nora scoffs.
Pyrrha's face turns to a deep shade of red.
"Look who's talking," Jaune retorts with a grin.
Nora's eyes widen and she begins to sputter about "not together together" and "just friends".
"In the meantime, why don't we spend some time as a team to train for the Tournament?" Jaune suggests.
"G-good idea!"
Nora grabs the back of Ren's collar and drags him out of the room. Jaune and Pyrrha exchange amused looks before following behind.
As JNPR make their way towards the training facilities, Jaune sees CFVY in the distance. He instantly notices the heavy air around them.
"Team CFVY seem to have just returned from their prolonged mission. We should greet them."
Velvet downcast eyes brighten momentarily when she notices Jaune making his way towards them, but the memories from their latest mission quickly extinguishes her uplifted spirit.
"Velvet, is everything alright?" Concern laces Jaune's voice.
"I'm fine... Yatsuhashi was looking out for me," she replies in a low voice.
"Your mission was supposed to end last week. Just what happened out there?" Pyrrha asks.
Velvet averts her eyes.
"Nothing happened..."
'Hmm... I see.'
"Velvet," Jaune softly calls out. "Was this the first time you'd witnessed the reality and brutality of death?"
Her brown eyes widen and she involuntarily shudders.
Jaune sighs and pats her head, between her rabbit ears, reducing her shivering. By this point, the rest of CFVY notice the commotion behind them.
"Hey Jaune. Pyrrha," Coco greets, albeit without much energy.
"We drove off as much as we could, but so many... so many villagers," Velvet whispers. "That cave... we couldn't save that family."
Coco's eyes widen behind her sunglasses, and she tightly clenches a hand.
Jaune narrows his eyes with concern.
'Fox and Yatsuhashi, I am not familiar with either of them. However, based on Coco's reaction and Velvet's current state of mind, I should assume the two male members are experiencing similar issues. Self doubt... It is a fatal poison to the hearts of warriors if untreated.'
"We are currently going to the training rooms. If you have the time, I would highly suggest you join us," Jaune says.
Coco breathes out and replies with a grim expression.
"Good. We've been looking to blow off some steam."
*** A few hours later ***
Yatsuhashi and Fox collapse onto the ground in exhaustion, gasping for air, while Jaune casually stands across from them with his hands behind his back.
"What... the hell... are you?" Yatsuhashi gasps out between breaths.
"Monster..." Fox shudders.
"They couldn't touch him a single time. Are you kidding me?" Coco mutters in disbelief. "And it was a 2 vs 1. Are you sure you're not your team's ace? No offense to Pyrrha."
"None taken," Pyrrha chuckles. "We've been well aware that Jaune has been holding back for quite some time. But... I did not realize to what extent."
She gives Jaune a slightly accusatory look.
"If it makes you feel any better, you are the best among the first years, and possibly even the second years," Jaune chuckles. "This is excluding me of course."
Pyrrha sticks her tongue out in response.
On the side, Velvet reviews still images and footage on her camera, carefully looking over Jaune's spar against Yatsuhashi and Fox.
Jaune peers over her side.
"Studying?"
Velvet jumps, not realizing that Jaune had walked up behind her.
'I didn't hear a thing when he approached...'
"Why a camera? Wouldn't most use their Scroll instead?" He asks.
"Well... it's for my Semblance," Velvet replies.
Coco raises an eyebrow.
"You're going to tell him? For all you know, you could be giving him key information for our victory if we ever end up facing him in the Tournament."
Fox loudly scoffs in disagreement.
"What? You got something to say?" Coco shoots him a glare. "All I'm saying is that we'll need all the advantages we can take, given that he just laid you and Yatsuhashi out without getting hit a single time... Actually... I see your point."
"It's okay," Velvet nods. "I trust him."
She takes a small breath, then looks up at Jaune's eyes.
"My Semblance is photographic memory. Basically, I am able to memorize and copy the fighting styles of others with just a glance. I guess you could think of it as muscle memory taken to the extreme. I take pictures and videos for two reasons. One, I do it to supplement my existing knowledge, and two, my camera is linked to Anesidora, which can create copies of weapons with hard light Dust. Though... I try not to use it too often as hard light Dust is rather rare and expensive compared to the other types."
'After all this time, she has not chosen a main style of fighting? That is a rather questionable decision. It seems that her Semblance has ended up causing more confusion than helping when it comes to fighting. From what I am hearing, if utilized properly, her Semblance's practicality is exceptional.'
Jaune asks, "Are there any limitations as to what you are able to mimic?"
"Hey, she already gave you enough information. You trying to fish for more?" Coco narrows her eyes.
Jaune brings a hand up.
"You misunderstand. The reason I ask is because I have something in mind for her to try and learn. It would also verify the potency of her mimicry, of whether or not it is just surface level."
Velvet thinks for a moment, then explains, "The only limitation I can think of is my own physical abilities. If I don't have the endurance and flexibility required, I wouldn't be able to execute the style I'm mimicking properly."
"What are you planning to teach her?" Pyrrha asks Jaune curiously.
Jaune smiles.
"It is the reason why Yatsuhashi and Fox were unable to come close to touching me during our spar."
"What?!" Everyone exclaims.
"A-are you sure? To give out such a valuable thing..." Velvet's eyes widen.
"Though I say teach, it is more of a demonstration. This technique is not something that can easily be explained with words, but relies on the individual's insight and talent. I'm hoping that Velvet's Semblance will aid her in learning it much easier than most."
Jaune walks towards an open area of the training room they are in.
"Feel free to record this. I will start slowly, then gradually speed up."
Everyone simultaneously take out their respective recording devices and aim them towards Jaune.
With serene eyes, Jaune begins to walk. Each step he takes echoes throughout the training room. After several moments, Coco, unable to help herself, whispers to JNPR.
"What is he doing? He's just walking around."
Nora shrugs, while Ren and Pyrrha return Coco equally confused looks.
"Maybe he's warming himself up?" Yatsuhashi suggests.
"No," Velvet whispers with her eyes fixated on Jaune. "It's already begun."
They look back at Jaune, who still continues to walk in a circle, but now, there is a distinct haziness around his figure. He looks as if he is moving in slow motion, but the rapidly accelerating sound of footsteps overlapping each other other suggests otherwise. Like ink spreading over canvas, Jaune's figure continues to blur, until soon, he becomes nothing but a stream of color. The sound of his footsteps resonates with everyone's heartbeat, and the room itself seems to vibrate. Then, the stream disappears and all noise fades away to nothing, leaving the open area barren and empty.
"What just happened? Where did he go?!" Coco exclaims in shock.
"This is a movement technique that I incorporate into all aspects of my combat," Jaune's voice echoes out from behind them.
The entire group jumps and turn their heads around, only to find no one there.
"Obviously, I normally use it in much more subtle ways. What I've demonstrated for you was an exaggeration and an example of its potential," his voices echoes out once again, but this time from their front.
When they turn their heads back, they find Jaune calmly sitting on the ground several feet away from them.
"That's... how?!" Ren mutters incredulously.
Velvet looks down a her camera screen, mentally comparing Jaune's demonstration with his spar against her teammates. Her brow scrunches in concentration, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"Was that speed?" Pyrrha asks.
"No," Jaune shakes his head. "The underlying principle behind this technique is not speed."
"You're not messing with us and using a Semblance or something, right?" Coco slowly asks.
Jaune shakes his head once again.
"Is it... maybe... rhythm?" Velvet quietly asks.
Jaune's eyes glint, impressed.
"Rhythm? What do you mean by rhythm?" They ask Velvet.
Velvet looks to struggle with her words.
"Well... I'm not quite sure on how to explain it. But when Jaune was demonstrating, it felt as if every cell in my body was... resonating? When I looked back on the video recordings, his steps feel... methodical? Unnaturally natural?"
Everyone's head tilts, not quite understanding Velvet's explanation.
"I am surprised," Jaune says and he smiles at Velvet. "You are correct."
"What?"
"Did I not tell you all beforehand? Explaining this technique in words is difficult," Jaune chuckles. "Why don't you all take a seat and I'll explain its broader principles. Perhaps all of you can take something away from this."
They take their seats around Jaune. Once they do, he lightly taps the ground with a finger. Despite the lightness of his touch, a feeling of resonance echoes through their bodies.
"Everything has a rhythm. Others call it frequency or resonance, but they are all the one and same. This should not be a foreign concept to any of you. You are all familiar with the concept of the rhythm of combat, yes?"
They all nod without hesitation.
"It is something warriors and fighters gain on an instinctual level, so long as they are adequately trained and talented. However, I doubt any of you could accurately describe the feeling with your words. All you know is that it is there and is real. A truth beyond words."
"Just as there is a rhythm to combat, one will eventually discover that there is a rhythm to perception, and even the world itself."
Both JNPR and CFVY remain silent due to being stunned. Is such a concept possible? It must be, seeing that they'd witnessed it with their very own eyes.
"So, to be clear, this has nothing to do with Semblance?" Ren asks.
"Technically speaking, anyone is capable of doing this. However, reality is not so fair. It will depend upon one's own talent, insight, enlightenment, and perhaps even luck," Jaune responds.
"And... where and how did you exactly learn this?" Pyrrha slowly asks. "This is something completely foreign from anything any of us have learned in any combat school."
Jaune gently smiles and his eyes gaze past them, as if looking at something far away.
"The early stages of this technique was developed by my sister. She was merely 8 years old at the time, and is called the Reflection of the Divine Moon."
'An 8 year old?!'
Everyone is stunned.
"Are you serious? How can that be possible? Such a genius would be world famous by now," Yatsuhashi points out.
Jaune says nothing and gives a sad, yet proud smile.
Yatsuhashi's eyes widen in horror as he realizes.
"I'm sorry Jaune, I didn't mean to-" he quickly begins to apologize.
"It's quite alright. You had no way of knowing beforehand," Jaune assures.
'So, he learned this technique from his sister, then developed it into maturity... in remembrance of her?'
Pyrrha looks down sadly.
Velvet wipes a small tear from her eyes and tightens her grip on her camera, silently vowing that she'd work hard to learn this.
Even Coco, normally full of confidence, can not help but release a sad sigh. To everyone, it is clear that this technique is not something Jaune had thoughtlessly shown them. It is a precious memorabilia.
Jaune flips his Scroll open.
"It is almost time for our mission. We should head over to the bullheads."
An emergency alarm suddenly blares throughout the Academy.
"That's the alarm protocol for a breach in the city!" Coco exclaims. Everyone jumps to their feet.
Wasting no time, JNPR and CFVY sprint out from the training facilities and dash towards the bullhead docking stations. In the distance, smoke can be seen rising into the air near the center of the city.
Jaune waves a hand, signaling everyone to follow him to their originally assigned bullhead for their mission.
"Get on," Jaune commands before directing his attention to the pilot. "Full speed to the city. Now!"
*** Above the City ***
"A Grimm breach," Coco grits. "On the outskirts, I'd understand. But the middle of the city?!"
She looks back at her team and commands, "We're engaging as soon as we arrive. Wipe them out."
Jaune peers out the towards the source of the rising smoke, his eyes narrowing as he assesses the situation.
"One team is currently engaged in combat. It's... Team RWBY."
He notes the Grimm continuously streaming out from a hole in the ground.
"They will be overrun at this rate. We're jumping."
Without waiting for a response, Jaune dives out from the bullhead. The rest of JNPR and CFVY follow closely behind.
As he free falls through the air, Jaune notices a familiar raven circling above the battle, keeping a keen eye on the ensuing chaos. Looking further down, he sees a King Taijitu slowly slithering around the perimeter to flank a blind spot in RWBY's positioning. When it reels its head back to strike, Jaune swiftly draws his sword and brings it back behind him, pointing it at Nora.
Nora promptly plants her feet onto the flat side of Crocea Mors and Jaune swings his arm forward while channeling his Aura into the blade. Like a railgun, Nora is launched towards the King Taijitu at a blinding speed, riding atop Jaune's invisible blade of Aura. With a fierce battle cry, Nora swings down Magnhild onto the unsuspecting Grimm's head, obliterating and killing it instantly.
Jaune quickly scans the area with a pulse of divine sense, then flattens himself to greatly slow his fall while the rest of JNPR and CFVY shoot past him.
'Beowolves and Ursa make up the majority of the outbreak. A few Deathstalkers as well, but they should not be an issue once the rest of the reinforcements arrive.'
He eyes three shadows approaching through the sky.
'Those three Nevermore are a biggest issue. Their feathers will cause major damage should they get close enough.'
Jaune activates his scabbard, expanding it into a shield, then segments it into its multiple blades. Taking quick aim, he launches his blades towards the incoming Nevermore. As they fly, Jaune activates the gravity Dust and pulls himself towards the flying blades, granting him a crude form of flight.
As he rapidly approaches like a shooting star, Jaune flicks his fingers, diverting the blades' trajectories into the furthest Nevermore, then deactivates the gravity Dust. His feet crash onto the back of the nearest Nevermore, breaking its back from the impact. For good measure, Jaune quickly beheads the bird before jumping into the air towards the next Nevermore.
With potent Aura flowing through Crocea Mors, Jaune sends a flurry of Aura blades through the sky, severing the Nevermore's wings. Before it could react, another storm of blades grinds through its neck, decapitating it.
Jaune reactivates his gravity Dust, pulling himself towards the final, remaining Nevermore. Having seen its peers nearly instantly killed, it furiously flaps its wings, moving backwards through the air while facing this human. Screeching in rage, it pulls its wings far back and fiercely flaps them forward, launching dozens of razor sharp feathers straight towards Jaune.
Without batting an eye, Jaune deflects them away with Crocea Mors, while simultaneously making sure the feathers land on empty parts of the streets below. While the Nevermore recovers from its attack, it fails to react to Jaune's weapon piercing it between its eyes with a sickly crunch, before stopping at the hilt.
As Jaune shoots past, he wretches his weapon free and recalls his flying swords to reform his shield. He skids to a stop on top of a nearby rooftop, then quickly scans the surroundings.
'Eight Beowolf stragglers.'
Locking onto their locations, he flicks his fingers, sending out his blades into multiple directions. Within seconds, the Beowolves are killed without incident. Jaune hops down onto the streets below and sprints towards RWBY's location.
By the time he arrives, the Atlesian Knight-200 units had dropped from their ships and eradicated most of the remaining Grimm. The larger, more dangerous Grimm were taken care of by the Beacon students, professors, and Huntsmen in the city.
As he walks up to his team and CFVY, he gestures towards Coco, who is stomping and spitting furiously on a disintegrating corpse of a Beowolf.
"What is wrong with her?"
Velvet, rather embarrassed by her friend's actions, responds, "Coco's favorite clothing store was destroyed by the breach..."
"I see..." Jaune raises an eyebrow. "Any casualties?"
"Thankfully, there have been no reported deaths at this point in time, though several civilians were badly injured. They were quickly transported to medical facilities by the Atlas soldiers who came to help," Ren responds.
"According to RWBY, the ones responsible for the breach was the White Fang, led by Roman Torchwick," Pyrrha sighs. "Why would they do such a thing?"
"When systematically oppressed and openly discriminated against by much of the public, is it really so surprising that some Faunus are willing to take extreme measures?" Jaune questions.
They all look at Jaune in surprise, Velvet in particular. Blake, having overheard Jaune's comment, watches silently.
"I am not condoning their actions," Jaune sighs. "However, it is vital that everyone understand why they have resorted to such methods. I, myself, am not the type to take abuse freely, so in a sense, I can appreciate the White Fang are same. However, this..."
Jaune gestures to the surrounding destruction with a hand.
"This is not the correct path. I know you all understand that violence in and of itself is not evil."
The group do not verbally respond, but Jaune's words ring true to their ears.
"We should head back to the Academy. The Atlas military and professors will handle the rest."