"In latest news, Jaune Arc has struck again. The Beacon student responsible for the one-man attack on the invading White Fang force on the Academy has led yet another daring mission." Lisa Lavender led, continuing her coverage of the daily Valean news reports that had been broadcasted since the attack on Vale. "Just yesterday the promising Huntsman led a small team consisting of himself and Atlas Specialist Winter Schnee to activate the automated defense grid underneath Vale! As everyone can tell from the turrets, he succeeded with flying colors. And folks, it's almost impossible to suspend disbelief with the details I have in front of me."
Excitement tinged her voice as she waved a worn holopad at the camera atop the make-shift desk that populated the broadcast set. Her lavender eyes flicked between the pad and the camera as her smile remained fixed in place.
"This is all according to video evidence and some verbal testimony from Specialist Schnee, so forgive me if there are gaps. The two carved a path towards the last known location of Claude Redman, one of the four top engineers of Vale. Mister Arc searched the floors of the Overstate while Miss Schnee stood guard, and he was able to find the right material to activate the defenses in the apartment of Claude. Jaune Arc was unavailable for comment about his time in the building, but according to Winter Schnee he next appeared defending a surviving child from a flood… of…" Lisa's face scrunched up at the words on the pad-turned-teleprompter, and confusion tinted her words. "This couldn't possibly be right, could it? It says he leapt from the second story window of the Overstate with the child to escape a flood of Lurkers!"
On the broadcast Lisa looked around her set, gazing beyond the camera while gesturing to her holopad. A second of muffled sounds on the mic led to Lisa's jaw dropping, shock coming over her face before her professional expression wiped it all away.
"I-I'm getting confirmation that these details are correct. This Jaune Arc fought his way through a swarm of Lurkers estimated to be 40 strong AFTER his escape from the Overstate. Who knows how many were in the building before he fought his way out…" She muttered before straightening up in her seat. "It's here that Specialist Schnee says she was ordered to escort the child back to the Green Zone by Jaune, leaving him to activate the defenses alone. The details get a bit fuzzy, but it's confirmed that Mister Arc eliminated the rest of the Lurker Swarm and obviously activated the Valean Defenses!"
"This absolutely incredible work from Huntsman Arc and Specialist Schnee has completely changed our situation here in Vale. With the defense network activated, Huntsmen and Huntresses deployed to key points throughout Vale have been recalled to the Green Zone to regroup for a major Reclamation being organized by Headmaster Goodwitch. This mission isn't set to start for a few days, but rest assured the Green Zone is projected to expand substantially. Before long, the entirety of Vale will be back under control, and it's all thanks to Jaune Arc, Winter Schnee, and all the fine men and women that are out here fighting the good fight!" Lisa proclaimed passionately, discarding the holopad before her rant and finally picking it back up. "In line with the success of the mission led by Mister Arc, food stalls will be set up along the Parkway beside the hospital to celebrate the coming Reclamation Mission and the activation of the Valean Defense Network. I personally expect those fighting to take the day to relax and enjoy the festivities before the time to get serious arrives. That's a request directly from Lisa Lavender, by the way!"
I snorted and clicked my scroll closed as the news anchor turned net broadcaster started ranting about the importance of relaxing. My head shook reflexively as I tried to absorb the flood of information that apparently was being told to everyone in Vale. Instead of worrying about my privacy, I simply kept up my sedate pace towards the Parkway.
'I wasn't joking when I said I'd appreciate some good food.' I thought. 'Street food is a good choice.'
"Long time no see, Jauney-boy! You finally caught up on your beauty sleep?"
The voice came unexpectedly, and my eyes reflexively snapped to my side. Approaching me was none other than Cardin Winchester, gliding towards me from atop a wheelchair with his leg supported by a cast. His once broken arm seemed to have been snapped back into place and healed enough to function as it was simply helped by a compression wrap. He carried none of his equipment and instead was dressed simply like everyone else in the Green Zone, and I couldn't help but notice the yellowing bruises smattered across the side of his face and the bridge of his nose. Despite all of this, he aimed a shit-eating grin at me as he wheeled to my side.
"Cardin." I greeted, slowing my stride to match the pace of his wheelchair. "Good to see you survived."
"By the skin of my teeth! I almost got crushed under that roof when it fell." He scoffed at the event, right before eyeing me oddly. "You look like shit, by the way."
"Thanks." I said blandly. I already knew my armor was practically scrap with the holes pelted all over, and my clothes weren't doing the greatest with the things I'd put them through. Since he was on my left though, he got an unobstructed view of the skin beneath the bandages I'd had to wear. Another checkup at the hospital led to the wrappings on my face finally being taken off, leaving the scarring marks underneath free. There were many scarred-over lines holding my skin tight from the shrapnel of the explosion, and they stretched from the side of my nose and forehead over to my ear. They were simply a series of small furrows cut into the skin and one taken across my ear, all in uncoordinated straight lines. "At least I can walk, Hot Wheels."
"HA! At least my legs are gonna heal, Scarface!" He shot back after laughing. A grin shot across my face at that.
"Psh, dickhead…"
We shared a laugh as we traveled down the street towards the Parkway. There was a companionable silence between us as we went, but eventually I felt the need to break it.
"Thanks for the help. I'd probably be dead if-"
"Don't mention it." He interjected, cutting me off before I could finish. "Just call it a thanks for showing me I was wrong."
"Hm?" I grunted, peering at him side-long. He sighed, looking down as he shook his head.
"That day was a real eye-opener for me. All this past year I wasted my time giving 'justice' to classmates at Beacon because they were Faunus, I just grouped them and the White Fang all together." He explained, pausing in the road. I stopped just ahead, curious as to where he was going with this.
"That guy though… the Commander." He spat the title like it was acid. "He was the real deal. He wanted to kill you. He wanted to kill me! His little soldiers were no better either, that group you crashed into were talking about the best way to lynch me before you showed up. They were gonna hang me from the fucking statue."
I looked back at him, completely speechless at this turn. In the back of my mind I prayed that those were a small portion of Fang. I prefer the pathetically helpless terrorists, they're much easier to deal with.
"That day showed me the Faunus and the Fang are just different. I can't imagine that bunny girl from Beacon ever looking at me the same way the Commander did. You, your friends and everyone else were right. My shitty team and I were idiots." He admitted somberly. I stared at him for a second in silence. A smirk slowly slid onto my face.
"Never thought I'd see the fucking day." I cursed, getting a snort from the Winchester. "You might have been a dickhead throughout the year, but you actually changed."
"Is this coming from Jaune or from 'Vale's Hero'?" He teased, following as I turned and kept walking with a groan.
"Don't even get me started. I get that with the attack they have to scrounge for whatever positive stories they can get so we don't draw in the Grimm, but do they have to choose me?" I groused, scratching at my scars as Cardin caught up to me in his chair.
"They might have had some help with the decision." He snickered.
My eyes cut over to him, meeting his smarmy grin with a stone-cold face.
"You didn't."
"I might've." His grin stayed sturdy under my glare, and eventually I just huffed and looked away.
"I take it all back. You're still a douche."
He snorted, descending into laughter as he scrambled to speak.
"HEY, hey, just hear me out!" He appealed, patting my arm from his chair. "I knew after something this big the people would need something positive to go against all the negative feelings from the attack; something to keep us from being overrun with Grimm! So after I got released I went over to the outlet, told them what happened and gave them the video, then they took it from there. Plus I figure you deserve the credit. You might've done it for selfish reasons, but you literally stopped the White Fang from demolishing Beacon. Credit where it's due, and all that shit."
"I guess. It's whatever." I sighed, understanding the intention behind it all. I couldn't let myself express it, but I appreciated having my effort in both situations recognized. It's a uniquely strange feeling knowing that your actions brought 'happiness' to a kingdom.
"I also just didn't want to be recognized by everyone in Vale, too."
I felt a vein bulge on my forehead as I listened to him put his foot in his mouth. I turned and scowled at the wheelchair-bound Winchester.
"If you just used me to dodge a bullet, then you wouldn't mind doing me a favor." I asserted.
"Meh." He grunted, shrugging his shoulders at me. "Depends what it is."
"Once you're fit for travel, could you go to Patch for me? I want to make sure my friends are alright, but I made a deal with the Specialist to go to Atlas in two days." I explained, resting my hand on Crocea Mors out of habit.
"Hm. I guess I still owe you." Cardin mumbled. "Is everyone there? JNPR and RWBY?"
"Just Nora, Ren, Ruby and Yang."
"I'll do it. Seems like I'm getting off light though…" He trailed, still wheeling beside me.
"Thanks Cardin." I said simply.
We breached the street corner that led to the Parkway before much time had passed, and the Hospital loomed not far away. Hastily constructed stalls lined the walkways giving away all different types of food. The smell was incredible. Before we got close to the crowd, something familiar caught my attention from the corner of my eye.
"You go ahead, I think I saw someone." I excused before breaking away from the Winchester.
"Sure, just come find me later." Cardin said from behind as I walked. "I'll be around!"
I split through the street to the buildings on the side. Most of the people got ignored as my eyes remained locked onto the head of wavy black hair that walked further into a thin alley. I trailed her in the open, following her through the cramped path without any attempt to hide myself.
'She's definitely familiar…' The thought stood in my mind. When my eyes flicked to the top of her head, everything clicked.
She eventually led me to a large grassy area set in an alcove between the surrounding buildings. There were doors leading from the backs, marking this as a sort of shared communal resting place. A large tree stretched from the ground upwards, casting the entire area in shady filtered light. I silently admired the small patch of nature in Vale, soaking in the calm atmosphere compared to the rest of the Green Zone. I leaned against the brick wall marking the outlet of the alley and simply watched as she pulled out a book and attempted to sit on the wooden bench that faced the tree.
"Blake." I greeted.
Instantly the bow on the top of her head flattened and she jerked around violently to face me. Her amber eyes narrowed sharply on mine and her hand reached for her weapon. I had to suppress the urge to laugh at the situation.
"J-Jaune!" She stuttered, releasing the hold on her Gambol shroud as she looked at me. "Don't scare me like that!"
A smirk graced my lips at her reaction, even in the face of the glare she sent me. I pushed off the wall and walked towards her.
"Nice boots." I complimented. She had updated her outfit since the attack, adopting a white coat over a crop top and tight pants with thigh-length leather boots. Her face showed confusion at my words, like I'd caught her off-guard.
"Uhm, thanks?"
"You've got people wondering where you are, you know." I broached simply. She stiffened at the words, and seemed to sink into herself. The girl turned and sat on the bench, and my feet led me over to do the same. I plopped down next to her, gazing out at the large tree that reached to the sky.
"… I know. It's complicated." It took about a minute of silence, but she finally responded. I glanced at her from my peripheral, noting the way she gripped her book.
"You've got time to explain. I've got nowhere to be."
"I don't have anything to explain." She shot back, teetering on the edge of snapping at me. She winced after the outburst, and I noticed one of her hands leave her book to grip at some bandages that covered her side under the coat.
"Right." I led blandly, throwing my arm over the back of the bench. "So you didn't leave the hospital before you were healed without any word to Professor Goodwitch or your team."
"You don't get it, Arc! It's for their own safety!" Blake spoke passionately, wincing when she spoke too loud. "They would be better off far away from me."
"You know that's bullshit." I argued flatly, giving her a look that explained exactly what I thought about that.
"I-" Her façade broke, and she slumped back into the bench. "No. I led Adam here. He did this to me, and cut off Yang's arm. I thought quitting the White Fang would give me a new start, but he followed me just to do all this horrible stuff. He's going to keep chasing me… it's for the best if everyone stays away."
I let the silence rule for a bit. Instead of firing away, I mulled over the best ways to get her to understand.
"Hate to burst your bubble, but that probably isn't gonna work out."
"Why?" Blake asked, tone subdued compared to before.
"Say you're right and he chases after you. You'll get caught all alone because of this isolationist thing and be killed or worse." I explain. I glanced at her and saw only a dark expression before I continued. "Now say the opposite is true. You manage to stave off his advances and attacks, and you avoid capture indefinitely. Eventually this Adam is going to change his strategy and go after the people you care about, probably starting with hunting down team RWBY."
Her head snapped towards me in such a way that I knew she hadn't considered that possibility. I let her stew for a few seconds before I went even further.
"Now say your plan works perfectly. What if something goes wrong somewhere else? What if something happens to Ruby, Yang, or Weiss that's completely unrelated to Adam. Maybe Yang's arm will get infected and she'll die from it. Maybe Weiss' transport to Atlas will get taken down and she'll crash into the ocean. Maybe Ruby will wake up from her coma and decide to travel to piece back together her scattered teammates… but ultimately fail." I continued to throw out grim hypotheticals. I felt increasingly uneasy with each foul prediction I made about my friends, but continued for the sake of breaking through Blake's thick head.
"The last thing they'll remember about you is how you threw them away and bailed. From their perspective, at least."
"Are you just trying to break me down? What's the point of all this?" She muttered, wiping away stray tears on her sleeves. I grunted at the accusation.
"No. I just want you to trust me when I say this. If the worst does end up happening, you're going to wish for the time to say what you want to them. More than you'd ever imagine." I stated.
There was silence between us for a good while, and it was much welcomed. Talking that much took a lot out of my social batteries, considering how quiet I've elected to be since the fall. Only a friend would be able to dig my empathy back up. Blake seemed to work on composing herself in the time between us.
"You're right…" She finally relented, voice steadier than a few minutes ago.
"Naturally." She smacked my arm with her book at that.
"Don't be an ass, Jaune." She snarked. I glanced over to her with a ghost of a smile, seeing how she looked pensive. "H-how should I contact them? With the CCT down, I can't exactly call."
I rose to my feet with a stretch, and just offered Blake a hand.
"You'll go old fashioned." I proposed, sending her a wink when she raised an eyebrow at me. "I know someone heading to Patch pretty soon. I'll have him deliver a letter to Yang and Ruby."
"But what about Weiss?" Blake interjected, taking the offered hand and being lifted to her feet.
"I'll be heading to Atlas in two days. I'll get a letter to her."
"I see." She said, resting a hand on the bandages on her stomach as she looked down in thought. "Old fashioned it is, then."
With that I led her over to the hospital where I stoically pressured her into getting her side checked up. As the nurse went to work reapplying salves and bandages, I went to the front desk and asked the workers to borrow a bit of stationary and a pen. They sent me away with a small stack of paper and a couple envelopes stamped with the hospital's address, being told they have no real use for them with the current situation. Before long Blake and I ended up sharing a table off to the side of the Parkway. Between us was the second plate of food we'd shared from the food stalls, this one consisting of both dumplings and meat and vegetable kabobs. I bit the edge of my dumpling before dunking it in the provided soup and eating, while Blake nibbled on one of the kabobs as she wrote.
"Done." Blake announced, voice muffled around the food. She folded the second letter and sealed the envelope, adding it to the first. I hummed in acknowledgement as I grabbed another dumpling. Blake took a deep breath before her eyes aimed towards mine. "Thank you Jaune. Now I won't have this weighing on me when I go."
I nodded quietly, taking a second to swallow the food.
"Where to?"
"Once the docks open back up, to Menagerie." She answered, nibbling further on the kabob. "I've put off seeing my parents long enough."
"Hm. I wish you luck with that." My words were met with the first smile I'd seen on her face today.
"I really don't need a wish anymore, with all you've done." Blake said softly. I couldn't help but give her a confused look, and I got a light chuckle in return. "I saw everything on the news, you know? How you led a Specialist around Vale, saved that girl and turned on the defenses. Because of you the docks will be taken back under control and start running again, and I'll be able to catch my boat for sure."
"Ah, that." I muttered, grabbing one of the kabobs off the plate. "I suppose you're welcome?"
"I also heard about what you did during the attack… I'm particularly grateful for that." She started, idly playing with the edge of the envelope on the table. "I've spent so much of the past year obsessing over what the White Fang were doing and how to stop it myself. It means a lot to me personally that you managed to stop so many of them from taking down the Academy."
I listened to the praise silently, trying to not feel strange. Instead, I focused more on the kabob.
"You even fought and beat Banesaw, Jaune. I remember him from the breach, I had to drag Weiss away after he was done and he only got better from what I saw in the video. But you got him arrested, and tons of other White Fang too."
"I see." I said simply.
Blake giggled at the flat answer I offered her. My eyes flickered to her briefly when she moved, and I watched as she scooted closer to my side. Before I could react, she leaned close to me. I felt her soft lips plant a kiss over the rough semi-scars on my cheek. It was over in mere seconds. I gazed at her, masking my shock with indifference as she leaned away with a smile playing at her lips.
"Thank you." She got up from the table we shared smoothly. "You're a good guy, Jaune. Weiss really has no idea what she's missing."
Like that, she began to walk off. I watched her go, silently beginning to mull over the events of the day until she stopped in her tracks and glanced back at me.
"Those scars are cute, too. I'll see you."
I watched until she disappeared, somewhat intrigued about my overly mysterious friend. It took me a moment to notice what changed.
"She took my last dumpling…"
"JAUNE! Jaune, Jaune!" I looked to my right, noticing a pint-sized head of crimson hair sat next to me munching on my last kabob. "Was that your girlfriend? She's so pretty!"
"Hello Cerise." I greeted yet again, ruffling the girls hair. Her long crimson locks were put up in a ponytail and she wore a yellow dress over dark shorts. My eyes narrowed on the bandage on her cheek, but brushed it off. "She's just a friend. She's also a girl."
"But she kissed you! You have lipstick on your cheek." She argued, pointing at my face with complete seriousness. A smile cropped up on my face at her antics.
"I guess she did." I agreed. My hands collected the letters and the empty plate and bowl before I addressed Cerise again. "I've got a letter to deliver. Wanna come with me? We'll get more food."
"Definitely!" She cheered, and I smiled.
As we walked, I couldn't help but be reminded of how Pyrrha wore her hair the same way.
[AN- Sup. I loved all the comments I got last chapter, really made my day when I read them. I'm glad you guys are liking the direction I'm going and the vibe I'm giving Jauney-boy. The follows are going crazy too. Hope you guys enjoy, & keep commenting if you want to.]