"AN: New day new chapter! Here we get some backstory on our favorite bird, Jaune has a mental break and we get out first but not last major plot device! As always thanks for reading and enjoy...
"We... we killed the good guys."
Jaune said quietly as he stood in the thick snow as the flickering firelight filled his vision as he stared at the broken cupola of the now clearly identified as an Atlas fast attack all-terrain vehicle. As he looked down at the headless torso of the Bandit stalkers, Jaune froze.
His tongue tied itself in knots, and his throat went dry as the dessert. As he stared at the flickering fire, his heartbeat became erratic and jagged. his mouth was dry dried than it had ever been as he felt his world collapsing.
I'm a murder; I'm a murderer! Jaune thought as the body bleed bright crimson blood onto the snow. Dying it red and making an off-color pink to it as Jaune's heart froze. A cold sweat gripped his body as he stared at the man, or what was left of him. As he was missing over half of his body due to a rocket that Jaune had fired into him.
As the wreck slowly burned away fading off into the night the smell of cooking flesh enter he throat almost making him vomit. He placed a hand over his mouth in a desperate bid to contain the rising bile in his throat. That treated to spill out and cover the ground.
As the two gut-wrenching feeling entered, his gut, Jaune wanted to vomit. He killed! He killed the good guys! He thought as his eyes simply refused to leave the decimate corpse.
He took in every last detail of it. Form the exposed spinal cord half shorn off. The way the internal organs spilled out and fell onto the snow.
He remembers every burn make, every splash of blood on the pristine snow, as the awful scent of cooking meat as he fought to say on his knees. It was too much.
Jaune had killed before! He would never argue that, but that was different! He was killing the bad guys!
They were terrorist or criminals they deserved to die! He yelled as to himself as he shot back up panicking as he backed away from the burning wreck as a voice came from behind him.
"Jaune? Are you ok?"
Vernal asked looking concern at the boy who she had just bloody herself with as Jaune panicked.
"Vernal! Vernal did you know!?'
"Know what?"
"That we were fighting Atlas!"
"Ughh yeah. I know, we've been fighting them for years why no who could I not know this?"
The woman asked her eye shining with curiosity as Jaune felt his panic leave his body, as he was momentarily empty before it was replaced with rage.
"Then why!?"
Jaune yelled at the woman who blinked owlishly at him.
"Why what?"
"Why did we kill them!?"
Jaune demanded as she kept blinking at him like he had grown a second head and was speaking a different language.
"Because they were trying to kill us? I thought that was obvious."
Vernal said simiivle as Jaune glare at her.
"Why were we killing the good guys!"
"Good guys? Why the hell are you calling them the good guys?"
"Because they are! They are the got, so they are good guys!"
"Why the hell do you think that government equals good?"
Vernal asked as Jauenseetehd.
"Why is Atlas trying to kill you?"
Jaune asked voice barely above a whisper as Vernal grinned.
"Because we are the bad guys," Vernal said as Jaune glared at her...
"Come on you sons of bitches! You can't kill all of us you hear me! You can't kill every Branwen just try!"
Whoosh!
Another rocket fired as Kage sighed.
He desperately wished he got Jaune's partner as the blonde idiot next to him one was for one, not his blonde idiot. And two had the loudest sharpest voice that he had ever heard. As he sighed.
"Can you just shoot?"
Kage asked as his rocket crashed into the front of an APC sending it spiraling forward as its front armor crumpled like wet paper.
As it slid forward onto it's front kicking up a fountain of snow before its ammunition reserves cooked off as it turned into a second sun sending out a shower of shrapnel into the air as it broke apart.
"Good kill! You have an inner Branwen in you!"
The man now known as blondie yelled as Kage made a mental note to never learn his name as he sighed.
Dropping backward as he went to reload his tread-fether. As he reloaded his rocket, the foxhole was filled with a long whoosh!
As blondie fired his rocket, it crashed straight into the side of a charging APC. Blowing it neatly in two as he sents the twin halves scattering a ball of fire as Kage nodded.
Despite being a loud mouth, the blonde idiot still knew how to shoot. Making Kage gain a little respect for him. Not a lot and nowhere near enough for him to remember his name as he stood back onto the lip of foxhole.
Freshly loaded rocket in hand he thumbed the trigger allowing the holographic site to flicker green as he fired another round. As another loud whoosh! Filled the air as angry red comet struck out into the side of an APC. Blowin it apart and sending it crashing into an evergrowing pile of burning wrecks.
The two despite radically different combat doctrines worked well enough together. As there was no more than a few seconds lapse before another rocket fired from their foxhole gain kills and keeping them safe.
Or safe-ish. As the APC's got into range, then harsh auto cannons began to spill as the began unloading weapons shell into the hillside shredding some defender. Turning them in red puffs of mist as the reached their foxhole kicking out great tuffs of snow as Kage grimaced.
"Come on you fuckers! You can strike half of us down and twice that many will be born!"
Blondie yelled as Kage found himself desperately wishing that the guns would send a few shells his way.
Unfortunately, like always, Kage got his wish. As a rain of bullets slammed into their foxhole. Making him throw himself to the ground praying that they missed their ammo reserves and did not shred them inot mist.
Kage did not want to di in a foxhole in the middle of the goddamn Atlas waste, well he didn't want to die at all, but he found something about dying in a foxhole like this particularly insulting and distasteful. As he grimaced once throwing himself down covering his head as he hit the deck.
His world became a blur of wood ice and fire. As bullets larger than his head slammed into the encampment, shredding it to pieces but luckily missing him. And annihilation his surrounding, as he lifted his head and got to his feet only see blondie yelling at the armor
"It takes a helluva lot more than that to kill a Branwen!"
He yelled as Kage sighed.
Of course, it does. Why are idiots so hard to kill? Kage thought before shrugging if they were that easy to put down, then I'd already been dead.
He thought as he went back to the cusp of the devastated foxhole picking up his launcher to fire at the approaching convoy.
Three minutes later the roadway leading to their foxhole was a clogged charred mess of broken, busted and burning wrecks and littered with the corpses of the dead aggressors as the bandits cheered.
As they did Kage saw a small but steadily growing column of smoke in the distance. A low but ever increasing whit cloud of snow was being kicked up, and it was getting closer and closer as he grimaced.
"The hell is that?"
He asked pointing t to the growing cloud of smoke as blondie pulled out apace of binocular and gasped.
"Tigers! Joy poppers! Now!"
He yelled as he lept over the foxhole making Kage sight as he followed.
As the two of them plus eight more pairs of men and women entered the wreck clogged killing field to engage the enemy armor, Kage was impressed.
There was over there dozen total killed armor units. Ripped apart and torn asunder, lying in charred, broken, burning wreck fo twisted metal and broken glass.
Littered the snowy ground as he ran forward. The chilly winter air was irritant as he found him carrying a so-called Joy popper.
It was a simple weapon really. It was designed to break an enemy armor maneuverability rendering them useless. It was used to be tossed in the open in front of a tanks tread for you so that you didn't need to. As he ran forward, the chill cold air filled his lung like a million tiny needle fill his mouth with ever huff of breath. Making him grimace as he felt the ground began to shake.
It was a slow, low thing at first before it became a rumble then a throaty growl of a massive beast as the sound of rumble snow was replaced by the awful sound of crunching metal.
As a giant made of steel and iron roared in front of him. Crushin it's smaller cousin to bits as Kage sighed.
"Why me? Why does everything that tries to kill me have to be so big?"
Kag asked before correcting himself. Well in hindsight it was beneficial that all the things that wanted to kill him were usually towering opponents. Bigger opponents meant they were by rule easier to hit and easier to kill.
He reasoned as he tucked his head sprinting forward heedless of the anger.
He knows how to kill tanks. Vacuo trained her soldiers well, and he was one of the best.
The tiger model of the Atlesian main battle tanks was a good beast. Stong, sturdy and tough with the speed to match? It was near the perfect tank if not for one thing.
Kage thought as he slid forward deploying the Joy popper as he slid next to the tank under its radar as he grinned as he watched the tank run it over.
The tiger was never very good at fighting against infantry by itself. It needed support tanks surrounding it, or it needed to be covered by its own infantry or else?
Kage thought as he climbed up the back as the Tiger as it's right track blow off in a brilliant shower of gold sparks as he gripped a handhold and flung himself on it's back.
Things like me happen.
Kage thought as he used one handheld to fling onto ti's back. As he climbed the old state already below freezing as he climbed up, it's back as he raced to the commander's hatch.
"Sorry boys. Nothing personal."
kage said firing his pistol to its hatch snapping the thing open revealing a stunning pair of brown eyes of the tank's commander as Kage grinned.
"Evening."
Kage said as he pulled the trigger of his rocket as the man gasped. WHUMP!
As the rocket flew into the insides of the tank, Kage was flung back as an initial burst of fire tossed him off the tank slamming him inot the snow below. Before a titanic explosion came from its insides and ripped the tank clear in half.
Sheering it in two as the concussive blast tossed them both in entirely different directions as Kage grinned.
"Ok. I don't need to show off. I could have done that much simpler."
Kage reasoned as he stood up on asking leg s as he looked up.
"Kage! You did it!"
Blonde yell shaking his fish to Kage before VRRT!
A Tiger under their by other band back up reversing over blond flatten him flat onto the ground like a pancake as Kage grinned.
"Ouch. That looked painful."
Kage thought as he sighed.
Well, I better finish this. I got to get back to Jaune.
He thought as he loaded another rocket aiming it at the Tiger's vulnerable engine block as the holographic scope turned green.
Whoosh!
The rocket fired blowing into the engine block ripping it apart as the concussive force ripped into the tank as it killed the crew leaving the tank standing still and dead.
As Kage smiled he wondered why the damn Atlas military was-
At the word, Atlas Kage froze. Atlas... They where fighting Atlas...
Jaune was fighting Atlas! This is not good! Kage thought as he slung his tread-fether over his shoulder as he began to sprint across the slush.
No! No! NO! Kage thoughts he saw the disaster looming. Jaune was barely ok with killing terrorist! When he finds out, they were shooting the quote-unquote good guys. In his own opinion even if Atlas was far from good at the best of days.
That was irrelevant. To Jaune, there were just soldiers doing their jobs. They were innocent to him. And while Kage did sympathize with soldiers, he was one himself this was a battle. He needed to find out how his damned leader was taking them and stopping him from doing something incredibly, horrendous, impossibly stupid.
"Did you know!?"
Jaune yelled slamming his fist on the meeting table as a wide-eyed Qrow Branwen blinked owlishly at him.
"Know what?"
"Atlas! Did you know that the people we were fighting, that we were killing! Were Atlas!?"
"Uhh yeah? They've been trying to kill us for the past few years so yeah I know who they are. Why don't you? I thought Ludo briefed you on that."
"No, he did not! If he did, I would never have done this!"
"Why?"
"Qrow! Those were people! Good people who we killed-
"Good people, who were hell-bent on coming in here and killing every last man woman an child that they found? Good people, that firebomb the villages of natives to make way for as they say progress?"
"Good people, who country uses borderline slave labor to make consumer goods that bend less than a half of the percent of their population while they impoverish and disenfranchise millions? Those good people?"
Qrow asked in decisively even voice as Jaune stuttered.
"I... That's not..!
"Jaune. Clam down. You did what you had to do. And now it's over. The killings were done and it's finished, for now. And tonight you go back to Bastion mission accomplished. What's the problem?"
"The problems! I.. I was told to become a hunter to protect people not to kill them!"
"You've killed before. I see it in your eyes. Why is this so different?"
"That was different!"
"Different how?"
"They deserved it!"
"And they did not?"
"No! They where the good g-
Jaube stopped as Qrow raised an eyebrow as he sighed.
"I... I don't; like this. I didn't like killing I-
"No. You don't care about killing. That's what you don't like about. Killing is irrelevant to you its the fact that you are not bothered in the slightest, and that's what bothers you."
Qrow said picking the boy apart in an instant as he sighed.
"You're' a natural born killer Jaune. And you just don't want to admit it.'
"That's not true! I'm no killer!"
Jaune yelled as Qrow raised an eyebrow at him.
"Really? Are you not a killer? Could have fooled me. I mean Vernal gave me a glowing report of what you did out there. You got at least a couple APC's with your tread-there. That's over twenty kills. You sound like a killer. If you ask me."
Qrow said takin his small teacup and drinking slightly as Jaune glared at him.
"I didn't want to kill them!"
"And? You don't want to do a lot of things that you do. It doesn't make you special it makes you a person. Now, what's the problem? You were told to help us out and you did. Mission accomplished right?"
"I never said that I would kill soldiers! These guys were just-
"Just following orders? Where you really going to come in here and tell me that they were just following orders? Kid the worst massacres in our short history have come from people men and woman who were just following orders."
The man said finishing his drink as Jaune sighed.
"I... I can't do this Qrow. I'm not meant for this life."
Jaune admitted as Qrow coked his head.
"BS. You were born for this. You were made to lead and to fight. You got the brain of a strategist, and the hear of a killer. I can tell."
"What makes you such an expert on the heart of a killer?"
"Kid you do not know me to let well, so let me level with you. I'm a killer. I know killers. I'm one. Your moody friend back there with the bolt pistols who's waiting for you to screw up so he can save your ass is one."
"My sister is one. Even if she's trying to deny it. Running behind a family to protect herself. And You are one. Your eyes are cold and sharp. You know what you are and that scares you. You don't want to admit that you are that. A killer, a murderer, a soldier."
"I'm no animal."
"I never said you where. I just said that you were a murderer. And that you need to accept that as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the better it will be for you."
The man said taking a drink and ending his tea with a satisfied gasp.
"Ahh. That's the good stuff. Kid take my advice. You can either accept what you are and learn to live with it. You can be like my sister and hide behind your friends and family. If you can see even call them that and dig your head in the sand."
"Or! You can be like your buddy in red and me. You can embrace it. Accept yourself for what you are and actually live for once in your damned life."
The man said as Jaune glared at him.
"Ludo tricked me. He told me that this was a diplomatically sensitive mission. I should have known he would lie. He's not like Ozpin-
"Ozpin! Are you really going to talk about Ozpin to me!?"
Qrow suddenly yelled slamming a fish on the table as he slammed his balled fist on the table cracking the wood as Jaune glared at him and Kage undid his holsters.
"Jaune. Let me let you in on a little secret. Ozpin is not what he seems."
Qros said in a dark growling voice as Jaune felt his hairs stand up.
"What do you mean? He's just the headmaster-
"No! He's not just the headmaster of Beacon! You went to Beacon, but I'm guessing that you never really got to meet Oz one on one. Let me tell you this. Ozpin is not your friend. He has never been nor will he ever be. To him, you are not a person."
Qrow said darkly as Jaune held his red eyes in his blue ones.
"To Oz, you are less than human. And it's not just you! Everyone is less than human to him! To that thing, you are just another chess piece. A pawn meant to be trained and kept while you are useful, and then to be sacrificed the moment when you overstep your bounds."
"Jaune Beacon is not a school for hunters. It's a farm for death. The school is a breeding ground for that thing to pick the best and brightest of Remnant take them indoctrinate them to his so-called caus and then to sacrifice them the moment he can."
"That's not true! Ozpin would never lie to us!"
"It's all he does! All he does is lie and cheat! Jaune he will steal everything from you! Trust me! He does not give a damn about you or yours! He just wants to take, a take until there's nothing left to take!"
"And even then! Even when you give everything. Even when you've sacrificed your friends, your family your very home! When you give him everything even the clothes off your back do you know what he gives you?"
The man asked bowing his head hid in his eyes as Jaune gulped.
"No... what does he give you?"
"Not one damned thing. He takes and takes and gives nothing back. He turns your friends against you. He makes them think you are the monster and not the literal! And I mean literal! Immortal bodysnatcher that subsumes the minds of young boys for Oum's sake!"
The man yelled as Jaune coughed as Kage's eyes shot open in shock as they both eyed the man like he grew a second head.
"I mean I'm no saint! I've never said I was but goddammit! At least I don't take over the minds of children! My very existence does not guarantee the sacrifice of children!"
The man said as he finished his rant before sighing heavily.
"Jaune this is my last advice to you. You can not trust Ozpin. If you do, he will take everything from you. He will praise you for being Nobel. And selfless as he takes, and takes and gives nothing back."
"He will say you are doing this for the greater good, but he will never actually say what the greater good really is. Only that it's for the best. And the moment! The moment that you speak out!"
"The very moment you speak out for rationality and basic human dignity! He will toss you aside like a stray dog. Giving no thoughts to the years of service, the years of sacrifices and suffering you went through for him, and he will replace you without a second thought. To him, you are less than a person, you are nothing, and that will never change."
"And Ludo is somehow better?"
"Ludo... Ludo is complicated. Is he a creepy, manipulative bastard? Og Ou yes. Is he shifty and snake-like You bet your ass. But! He never lies. He may mislead, but he never outright lies."
"If you ask him a request he only speaks the truth. He will never say anything that is not true or what he believes to be the truth. He dose not hide things from those who follow him. He way looks to help people not just for himself but because he sees them as people not just damn chess pieces!"
"He sees us a living breathing human beings! Not like pawns on the board! And last Ludo remembers those who help him. Jaune. If you stay loyal to Ludo, I guarantee you that he will pay you back in kind."
"Ludo may be a lot of things, and most of them are not goo. But disloyal is never one. Help him, and his and he will do the same with you and yours. He won't' ever betray you, leave you for dead after you fianlly risked everything for him."
"He talks scared young girls into fighting for him. Lying sweetly to them about the greater good to fill their head with notions of the maidens and fairy tales about saving the world. He won't take scared innocent children and turn them into monsters. That may have the face of those you loved but are so inhumanly different you want to scream."
The man said as Jaune gave him a firm glare as he sighed.
"You don't have to believe me now. You don't have to answer me now but just listen. You need to know that Ozpin never. Ever. Has your back. Not today, not tomorrow, not now and not ever."
"I know, I was Bacon, and I assume you want to go back see your team again. If you love them, don't let him get his hook in them. He will take them and not only will he kill them He will make you watch."
"I won't let him. My team is my family, both at Beacon and here. He won't touch Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, Mika, Kage, Ruby-
"Ruby? Do... do you mean Ruby Rose? "
"Yeah. She's my partner and-
"Tah makes sense... I knew he didn't send a whole team for a reason...
"Do.. do you know Ruby?"
"Heh. Why would I not know my own niece who I trained myself."
Qrow asked as Jaune's jaw dropped before he yawned deeply.
"Enough talk! I'm tired and sober. Lets deal! We got celebrating to do!"
Qrow said as Jaune coughed.
"To victory!"
"To victory!"
The Branwen's echoed their leaders cheer as the tribe assumed in a massive tent. That was dropped up after the defeat of the bandit hunters. The entire tribe was packed inside as all members young and old sat around small tables as meat, bread, and mead was brought to them in great quantities.
Jaune and Kage had the honor of sitting at the front of the tribe with Qrow himself. With Qrow in the head, Jaune on his right. Vernal next to him. The bone man Kage went with on his left. And Kage on his right.
Kage had been gawking at the blonde like he had seen a host and Jaune got him doing repeated prayers ever since he came back.
Strange. Jaune thought as he took a bite out of his meat.
Instanyl his eyes shot wide and his mouth dropped open. As he bit deep in two the soft, succulent meat of his dinner. His eye water and moth hummed as he tasted the rich flavor of the flesh as he gulped it down greedily.
As he scarfed down the meal Jaune's delicious dinner was brought down with a dark shadow that hung over him like a noose.
Qrow's word hung over his neck like a blade as he bit inot his meat. The rich floor overpowered by the knowledge he was given. Less than a human...
Jaune thought as Qrow's words sank into his brain. Jaune had always been taught that Ozpin was kind and generous. He cared for every Beacon student like they were his own grandchildren.
But now? Not it looked like that was wrong. It was like his world was shifted ad turn upside down. Normally if anyone but! Qrow even if he had met him less than three hours ago had told him that he would have laughed them off like they were mad.
Ozpin was a good guy. He was his friend. He was a Beacon of hope for everyone! Right?
Jaune thought she took a sip of his mind. The liquid burned this throat and made his eye's bulge out as he fought not to gag. It tasted like he was drinking motor oil and had the texture of fiberglass.
As it burned down his esophagus, the tribesmen and woman all gave a cheer to life. As they drank and ate and design into a joyful celebration.
As the killing had finally finished Jaune felt empty...
He killed. He killed soldiers of Atlas. Men of a kingdom worn to protect the world. And in the end. No matter what he said. No matter how hard he raged and battled against it, Jaune saw the end.
He knew that no matter what he said or how hard he argued, Qrow was right. Jaune was not mad that he killed the soldiers.
He could care less that he killed men of a kingdom. He was a murderer. A killer. And in the end? In the end, he didn't care.
He lived. Kage lived. Everything else was secondary. Even the soldiers. Jaune thought as he took another swig of his mean ignore the burning pain and shards of wet glass that entered him as he grimaced as bandits celebrated the win.
"You know you could beat yourself up all your damned life but it won't make it any better right?"
Qrow asked as he stepped outside the celebration tent as Jaune sat alone in the snow.
The blonde boy was covered in a large puffy jacket and pants as he sat alone in the snowy dreamscape of the Atlas North.
"I didn't feel like celebrating."
Jaune said his breath was coming out in short puffy burst of white steam as Qrow nodded and stood by him.
"I know the felling kid. Trust me it gets better over time. If you let it that is. If you don't? Well, you are in for a world of hurt."
The band leader said stn next tot he boy, in the near total silence of the night. The low celebration of his people rang to form the ten as Jaune turned to him.
"Qrow. Why did you leave Ruby and Yang?"
Jaune asked bluntly his blue eyes glaring as Qrow sighed.
"Because I'm not good enough kid. They deserve better than me."
"Not good enough? Why do you say that?"
"Simple. I'm a bad luck charm kid. Everywhere I go people get hurt."
"You don't mean that. Do you?"
Jaune said flashing him a worried looks Qrow gave a low chuckle. His laugh sounded like scraping gravel as he laughed darkly.
"I mean literally. Kid. My semblance is bad luck. Everyone around me suffers eventually. I can't do that to my family."
"But you lead the tribe in war?"
"The tribe is a group of soldiers. they can fight for themselves."
"Ruby and Yang are not weak-
"They are kids. They're not meant for fighting."
"Something you want to ask? Go ahead I got nothing better to do."
Qrow said leaning against the open tent cover as Jaune sighed.
"What happened to make you hate Ozpin so much? What did he do?'
Jaune asked as Qrow paused to take a deep breath before.
"He had me kill someone."
"... Who?"
"A kid. No older than you."
"What!? Why?"
"Why else? For the greater good of course. He never justified his actions. Not then not now. Stupid me was dumb enough to believe him. I thought I was doing it for the greater good and when I blew that bullhead up, I saw the truth."
"And that was?"
"The kid I was going to kill was no ordinary kid. Jaune she was a silencer."
"What?"
"Jaune there are things in this world called maidens. Similar to Ozpin in their immortality but not as body snatching. If you kill a maiden, they become reborn in another woman. Unless they are killed by a silencer that is. If a silencer kills a maiden well, let's just say things get a bit problematic."
Qrow asked as Jauen frowned. Maidens? What the hell is he talking about?
"What's so special about a silencer?"
"According to Ozpin, they are some kind of psychic vampires! Literally. Don't give me that look."
"Psychic vampires? Really?"
"Trust me! I know that it sounds ridiculous but hear me out. Ozpin said that these silencers had the unique ability that if they killed something like him or a maiden."
"Instead the soul, if you will, will be transferred the silencer's mind where it would eat it. And the silencer would also absorb the power using it until their death when the power along with them would die. For good."
Qrow said as Jaune frowned.
"I don't see why Ozpin wanted to kill just a random silencer? It's not like she was trying to kill him was she?"
"Not directly but she was related to someone working for Ozpins arch enemy if you will."
"Archenemy?"
"Let's just say that her older brother was is! Working for somebody who is pretty Grimm. And he has not taken his sibling's death well not at all, and if his employer found a silencer? It would be bad for Ozpin. B. A. D. Bad"
"Jaune. These things could kill Oz. They could put down a maiden! For good! They could save the world! That's why Ludo is collecting them! He's got to stop this! No more maidens! No more Ozpin! No more-
"Qrow! what the hell is a maiden?"
Jaune asked as Qrow grimace before giving his low gravely chuckle.d
"Jaune. I'm about to blog your mind a maiden-
Qrow began before Jauen caught a more glam of movement in his visions as he screamed.
"Look out!"
Jaune cried skin our she same stack the Beowulf in its that as the Grimm bore him down. The most did see later spilling hot blood on Jaune before an avalanche of howls and snapping jaws entered his ear as a tidal wave of white and red slammed into the camp as the world descended into chaos.
Death. Death had found the camp as Jaune killed the six snowy Beowulf in a row. Corcea Mor's bit deep into its next slicing it half way off as Jaune stabbed its eye killing it in one strike.
"Kage! Qrow! Vernal!?"
Jaune yelled as he raised his shield blocking another attack as he looked around him. All around him was chaos anarchy an death.
It looked like the battle of the pass had attracted a horde of Grimma and caught the time pants down.
Now that Jaune thought about it he should not have been surprised. All that killing all that death? It was a breeding ground for the Grimm. As he lee hs see Beowulf stabbing it clean through the heart he looked up.
Blood filled the air as Grimm tore people in two, men woman and children met grisly blood stained ends as Grimm ripped them apart only to jerk and stutter, as they were stabbed or shot to pieces by retaliating tribesmen.
The world was a terrifying whirlpool of blur of chaos blood and body parts. As Jaune fought his way through the bloodstained slow, trudging past the dying humans and sheer anarchy of the bedlam before he saw it.
Jaune never had time to react as the Ursa charged.
The monster came from nowhere covered in pure white, as it raised a mighty claw and struck down catching Jaune off guard and bore him to the ground in one swoop.
Jaune cried. It was the only thing he could do. The claw form the thing ripped his arm apart like it was made of paper. And tore open his chest gut and thighs.
An explosion of hot red blood shot out to the surface as his intestines spilled out on his pant.
"It hurts!"
Jaune cried as he hit the ground. Hot agony flashed through his face as his vision swirled and twisted as he felt his weapons hit the ground.
The Grimm roared n triumph as it bound over to the downed human as it leaped at him ready to crush him in one-
"Back off!"
A voice yelled as a cannon round blew the Grimm's head apart in a shower of offal as Qrow came from behind him firing three more times into the hoard before gripping Jaune's shoulder and dragging him away.
"Jaune! Jaune! It' going to be okay! Stick with me! Jaune!"
Qrow yelled dragging Jaune through the bloody snow. Firing his cannon into the horde as Jaune's eye fluttered and went still as the world went black.
When Jaune next awoke he was on a cold metal floor with the sound of flowing air in his ears. As his eyes opened to a bland metal ceiling as he saw that he was in a bullhead with the Bastion fist on it. As he looked to his left, he was in medical cot his stomach static up and a variety of wires attached to beeping machines on him.
"So you're awake. Good. I don't know what I would have to tell Ruby if you died."
Kage asked as he sat next to Jaune on a bullhead seat. As he pulled out a pack of cigarets and handed one to him.
"Smoke?"
"Sure."
Jaune said not caring that his gust felt like they were filled with fiberglass. Or his chest was on fire. He needed a distraction for the agony in his gut and a cigarette would have to do.
As the tow took the cigarette Kage light them with a match as both teens let out a long breath.
"What happened back there?"
Jaune asked as Kage grimaced.
"Grimm attack."
"I know that. What happened after I blacked out?"
"We killed the Grimm and out evac came. Doc's patched you up, and now we are going home."
"What happen tot he tribe?"
"A quarter died. Vernal and Qrow lived. "
"How many total?"
"No idea. Dozens easily."
"Kage... I don't know if I can do this."
"Do what?"
"This! These missions this do or die this killing. I don't like this life."
"Neither do I. You think I want to be in Bastion? Please. I want out just as much you do but I'm stuck till I graduate. You get to lave in amount and a quarter. Be happy about that."
"I...
"Stop. I know what you want o say but don't. You can't quit. You blink me have people that give two shits waiting for you. Like that girlfriend of yours. What's her name again? Pyr?"
"Pyrrha. She's my partner. I'd do anything for her. Or my team."
"Tell me about them. Honest not like with Zach. Tell me about your team. Your old team."
"Well. I had Pyrrha. She was my partner and my world. She was the first to believe in me. The only person in my entire life not to think I was worth nothing. Even my parents think I'm a failure."
"They sound great."
"They love me. But...
"They think you are weak?'
"Exactly."
"And you went to Beacon to be strong. To prove them wrong?"
"Am I that easy to read?"
"Yes and no. Yes in the way that you don't keep secrets. And no as I was mainly guessing but hey. You proved them wrong. You are a leader twice. You've kill Grimm thrice you size by yourself."
"You've killed more men then you have fingers and fell out a plane in a war zone and lived. You are strong."
"Thanks...
"Don't mention it. Really don't. Now about the rest of your team."
"There was my brother in all but blood Ren. He was quiet. Not shy but just didn't have much to say. But when he did talk you listen. If you didn't you would regret it."
"Sounds like a smart guy. Was he the brain bin your team?"
"He's a genius. But no. The smart member of team JNPR is Nora. His partner and general agent of chaos, she was a bit different."
"Different? Like she likes to share with her left hand of Mika different?'
"Think Mika, but no skinning and you have a pretty good idea of her."
"Got it."
"They were my family to me. They trusted me. Believe in me. Followed me. They taught me to fight."
"I thought Ruby helped you fight?"
"She did! But later on. Much later on. If... If I can't see them again-
"You will. I'llmake sure of it. You are not dying as long as I'm alive. That's a promise."
Kage said as Jaune cocked his head.
"I never asked this but what is your story with Mika? How do you know her?"
Jauene asked Kage as a smile formed on his face.
"Before you ask no. We are not dating. And yes we have had sex. To answer what she is to me? That is not a simple thing. I'll tell you that whole story one-day but for now? Lets put it like this. She will never leave me, and I will protect her from all harm. And you get the picture."
Kage said lean back in his seat as Jaune nodded once letting his eyes shut as he went to sleep...
"Stupendous! Absolutely stupendous! Job well did both of you!"
Ludo said happily as Jaune grimaced. The boy's where gone less than a day as they returned back to Bastion late the next night to Ludo who was beaming.
"The Branwen page their official support of ous, and now thanks to you the world is a safer place job well done!"
The mas Jaune opened his mouth.
"Sir. May I ask a question?'
"Of course master Arc! And call me Ludo! We are friends are we not?"
"Sir. It's about that. Qrow said Ozpin was not my friend. But you are? Ludo. Are you my friend?"
"Mister Arc! I'm surprised t you! No, I am hurt! Of course, I am your friend! I am all my student's friends!"
The man said laughing loudly as Jaune sighed.
"Thank you, sir."
"But of course! You will sole be happy to know that the food you home form Arcadia has arrived and Bastion students are mostly happy and live form it!"
"Mostly?"
Kage asked as Ludo sighed.
"Yes mostly. There have been some reports of pudding have a higher than normal acidic content but besides that most students are happy and healthy."
"Don't eat the pudding. It's acid. Got it. Can we go to our room now sir?"
"But of course! And have a good night Mister Arc! I'm sure your team is simply dying to see you again!"
Ludo said as Jaune grimaced.
"It was a figure of speech, calm down."
"I'll feel better when I see Ruby."
Jaune said as he unlocked the Bation room door. Open it hop to find Ruby, her fake eye waiting for him. Only to see Mika alone on her bed looking inot her own reflection on her ax belly down on her bed.
"~Boss man~! Kage! You're back!"
Mike said leaping up to he friend. With a wide smile as he silver hair flew up.
"Hey, Mika. Were is Ruby? I don't see her around here."
"Oh! She's on a mission!"
Mika said happily as Jaune and Kage both froze in place as their mouths dropped open.
"Mission? What do you mean a mission!?'
" I mean she on a death kops mission!"
" You let her go alone!?
"What? No! I ordered not to go with her! Don't worry she did not go alone she has a partner!"
Mika said as Jaune' mouth dropped.
"Who?"
"She's on a mission to the badlands with Zach!"
"See Red? What did I tell you? This is going to be hideous...
AN: Well there we go! Another day another new chapter! This time the boy's come back in one piece more or less. Qrow's on Ludo's side Ozpin has a past and we have a new key element tot he story. The Silencers! Who will be critical to the tale! Otherwise, the next Arc is about the two least compatible Bastion students braving the dead lands so nill next time? I'm going to be working on Game on otherwise? Omake.
Heroe of Remnant part seven Inquisitor Nikkos. Or why I like redheads.
"Miss Nikkos? A pleasure."
Jaune said taking the drop-dead gorgeous red head's hand in his kissing its top as she giggled.
"My your reputation for flattery proceeds you, commissar. I must say that you quite handsome. The pic feeds simply do not do you justice."
"Oh? You've heard of me? Does your bad play at military events often?"
Jaune asked as the woman's face dropped as she gave him an odd look.
"No Jaune. Or Ciaphis. I am not in a band."
"Then why where you playing in one?"
Jaune asked oblivious to the woman's shocked expression on her face.
"Jaune. Do you now know who-
"Sir! I've been looking all over for you!"
The sharp energetic voice of Ruby said as she ran into Jaune from behind the bar. Bumping shoulders with him as he nodded.
"Commander Rose. How are you this evening? Staying out of trouble no doubt."
"Sir yes, sir! I was just coming to look for you when-
Ruby paused as she saw Pyrrha and her jaw fell.
"Miss Nikkos!? Oh no!"
Ruby yelled befre bwoin her head.
"I'm sorry for my rudness please forgive me, mam!"
The girl said bowing to the civillain as Jaune bloink owlishyl at her.
"Ruby why are you bowing to a civillain?"
Jaune asked as both woman's head shot up in suprise.
"Jaune! Sir! Do you not know who this is?"
Ruby asked pointing to Pyrra who was smiling nervously.
"Of couse I do! She's the bar etertainer! What else she could be?"
"Jaune! She'a an inquisiot! The best on int he world!"
The girl clamime as Pyrrha sighed.
"She speaks the truth. I am Pyrrha Nikkos former hunter now world renowned espionage and-
"Sure. Sure. You are just another thief."
Jauen said as bot wona wey went red with panic as he sighed.
"Bar keep two more. Keep um comming."
Jaune said sight as the woman sat by his side. Face filled with aanger. This is going to be one helluva ride. Jaune said as he strapped hismelf in.
Luckly for Jaune fate intervened as the main doors opened as large faunus walked in.
"Present your lord govener Peter Port! Along with embassadors from the fang terriroes of the follwers of the light!"
The man saidas Ruby glared.
"Dame savages."
"Calm down Ruby I fell you pain."
They said as Jaune sighed.
"Well this can't get anyworse right?"
Has asked thw owmanbefre the lght flicerd out.
"Hey!"
"Who tunred off the-
BANG!
A gun shot was har as Jaune had Corce mro out in a flash as the y came back on revealing on a headless body in the middle of the floor. As the now dead political figure laid dead on the floor Jaune sighed. Tonight was goin ot be a long night.