:AN. Did I hear you like ReNora? Well if so you are in luck! Cause this chapter delves into the backstory of our lovable pair of hyperactivity and sloth and we see just how much pride can damn you. Anway! Back to the story filled with plot, action, holes in the space-time continuum and lapdances! And as always enjoy...


Bang!

The sniper fired again as the bullet tore into Ren's chest. In an instant, the boy gasped as he was lifted off his feet as a wave of red slammed into Jaune's face as the bullet hit its target and Ren's chest exploded. Blood. Hot and thick coated Jaune's face as his mouth dropped as Ren was yanked off the ground spinning twice in mid-air before slamming down onto the floor with a sickening thump! As he slammed on the now empty dance floor of Junior's and went still.

"Ren!? Ren!?"

Jaune yelled dropping his sword and shield in an instant. Ignoring the raging combat around him as bullets whizzed past his head and the screams of attackers filled the air his reflection cursed at him to pick up his weapons as his hands went to Ren's desecrated chest.

"Jaune? I- I don't feel so g- good."

Ren said coughing up blood as a pool of ever expanding red liquid flowed from his center mass, staining his clothes a bright crimson color as it leaked onto the floor. As the boy began to choke violently as Jaune rushed to his wound.

"Hold on Ren! I'm going to fix you! So just hold on-

BANG! BANG!

A flash of yelled filled his eyes as Jaune cried out as a wave of bullets hit him in the chest. As a woman turned her rifle to him, unloading half a clip into him making his aura flash an angry blue and sending him skittering back as he felt his ribs break as his aura flared and his armor bent.

"Damn it!"

Jaune yelled rolling to his right attempt to roll out of harm's way, eating three more bullets for his troubles. Causing waves of white agony to fill his brain before his roll ended. Putting him in arms reach of his weapons as he reached for his shield raising it up and hiding behind it.

As the rain of bullets finally stopped, he wasted no time rocketing forward slamming his shield into the woman's kneecap. Making her cry in pain and-
Whap!

Jaunes face exploded in pain as a heavy boot connected to it, as another attacker kicked him in the face.

He went flying backward as he felt blood leaking from his broken nose a sign that his aura was mostly gone as he hit the ground sliding half a foot on Ren's blood. Before half, a dozen shots impacted his chest, as he thanked Monty himself that he wore armor under his outfit that day. As he cried out in pain as a massive foot smashed into his chest with the force of a mechanical auger. Making his eyes bulge out in pain.

As he saw a woman standing on his chest aiming her gun instinct kicked in as years of survival train filled his head as his arms instantly flayed out he felt it.

Something hard and metal was in his right hand as he gripped it without a second through lunging forward and slamming whatever the hell was in his hand into her ankle. There was a bright flash of blue in his palm, as the weapon? Slammed into her ankle as he gasped as he felt his aura reserves fall.

She screamed. The woman wailed in pain as Jaune stabbed what he now saw as a part of StormFlower into her right ankle. Driving the steel blade deep into her flesh, splitting her bone and tendons to make her wale. Jaune wasted no time. He instantly ripped out StormFlower. Making the woman gasp as she fell to a knee as she gripped her damaged foot. Jaune lunged forward stabbing the bayonet part of StormFlower right into her neck slicing her that in two.

She gargled pathetically as her multi-colored goggles shook as Jaune ripped the bayonet out form her that over him with hot blood as she expired on top of him. Pushing him down to the floor with her dead weight. Jaune rode the fall, falling with the corpse as he gripped her rifle still freshly loaded as he spun the corpse to face her once ally.

RAT! TAT! TAT!

He fired with the gun, a full burst. Making the assault rifle jump wildly in his had as the woman shook and jerked as bullets filled her torso. Before finally slamming into the hard floors of the club as the sounds of combat died off, and Jaune tossed the first corpse of him as he slid to Ren.

"Ren! Ren!?"

Jaune yelled sliding to his friend who was looking worse by the second. His right breast was ripped apart. The bullet shredding open his chest cavity and tearing apart his lung. Ripping out his chest and leave a dark crimson mess of shredded flesh and broken bones where his breast once was.

Bright blood spilled from his chest as his skin lost all color going a ghostly white as his breathing was soon harsh and ragged as it began to taper off altogether. As his chest ceased to rise and fall, as it went down and did not rise back up as he went still.

"Ren!?"
Militades yelled sliding to the ground wiping the blood from her sword as Jaune put pressure on the wound as the sound of shattered glass filled the air as Neo popped into the real world with a grin twirling a sniper rifle in hand as she looked at Ren and gasped. Her hands coming over mouth as Jaune swore.

"He needs help! Someone call a doctor or-

"No can do kid."
Roman said in a sad voice. As he walked lazily towards Jaune, effortlessly twirling his cane while single handily wiping off a chunk of brain form it as he flicked it off his otherwise immaculate weapon.
"What do you mean no can do!?"
Jaune barked as Roman sighed.

"Kid! What you just saw was a shootout! An illegal shootout! If we take him to the hospital like this, then the cops start asking questions! Questions like how did he get shot? Who shot up the club? Questions we do not want to answer!"

Roman stated as Jaune felt his brain snap as he reached for his sword. As the boy ignored the desperate pleas form his reflection as he prepared to do something incredibly stupid and-
"Jaune. Ren's gone. Ther's nothing we can do for him."

Militades said sadly, as she gripped one of his sheet white hands. Long tears in her eyes ruined her mascara as she sniffled softly Jaune felt this heartbreak.
"Mil-
"Jaune. He's gone. Don't make this any harder than it has to be."

Mel said wiping a tear from her face and putting a hand on Jaune shoulder as he snarled.

"NO! There has to be a way! Roman!"

"Sorry kid. He's on his way to the great after that now!"

He said flamboyantly lifting his arms up to the air, like some kind of angel on its way to heaven as Jaune seethed.

"There has to be a way-
"No way."
"He's-

"Going to die."
"I-
"You can't save him. Give up its game over for him."

Roman said matter of factly tilting his hat to the boy as Jaune snapped

"No, it's not! It's not over till I say so! I'll do anything to save-

"Anything?"

Roman asked far too quickly for it to be a wholly natural reaction as his emerald eyes began to light up with eagerness.
"You said you would do anything to save him?" Roman asked his face taking on a predatory grin a Jaune nodded.

"I'll do anything Roman! Please! Save my friend!"

Jaune said as the thief raised a hand to his chin scratching in contemplatively like some kind of ancient philosopher before he nodded firmly as he sighed.

"Fine! You conceived me! I'm such a softie you know? I just can't help but let my big heat guide my actions! Even when they go against my best interests and-
"Roman!"

Jaune yelled gripping his dying friend who grew colder with every passing second as Roman sighed.

"Fine! Fine! Everyone's a critic! Anyway! Like I said we couldn't take him to a hospital because they like asking pesky questions like who and why in regards to being shot. But! There is a special place, with their own doctor that can help Ren who does not ask those questions."

"Great! let's take him there-
"Slow your role there big fella! This ain't so simple!"

"Why not?!"
"Jaune! My friend! It's like this. In our line of work, trust means everything! And as much as I like the little green sociopath, he's new. And I already have more than enough psychos in my life."

Roman said as Neo giggled by his side as he rubbed her head affectionately.

"He's new so are you by the way. And unless you two are a part of us and I mean all of us. I can't save him-

"I'm in."
"What?"

"I said I'm in! I'll join whatever the hell it is you just save my friend!"
The boy yelled as Roman slammed this cane on the ground smashing the floor as his green eyes became hard as diamonds.

"Jaune that's a serious commitment, one neither my employer nor I take lightly and-

"I don't care! Just save him!"

Jaune yelled as Roman held his har for a hard second. Filling the room with a pregnant pause before he nodded once and spoke.

"Fine then. Give me your word."

"On?"
"Say that you! Jaune of Arc. Only known son of the Arc Clan. Will! Form this day on till you are no longer required based solely on my discretion! Offer yourself up to me! Roman Torchwick as his loyal and devoted protege and trainee. Do this, and I will save your friend's life!"

"Fine! I Jaune Arc of clan Arc. Only known son Offer my self to you Roman as your loyal and devoted protege!"

"Until?"

"Until you release me!"

"Which will be?"
"Whenever you damned well feel like letting go! Now save Ren!"

Jaune yelled as Roman grinned.

"Fine. Girls. Take him."

Roman said snapping his fingers as the three youths began working over time. Bandaging and wrapping the little sociopath up in wraps and cloth. Before carefully quickly but not too quickly carrying him to to the back of the club. Where the garage was that the clubs local bug out jeep was stored just in case, things went wrong one day, and they needed to leave town in a heartbeat.

As Roman heard the squealing of tires and the roar of an engine as the jeep roared out of the back entrance a smile came to his face as Neo walked up to him. Twirling her bloodstained parasol as she avoided the stray organs and bones on the ground as she came to stand next to her partner with a vicious grin on her face.

"That worked well."
She signed to her best friend smiling widely in her usual off-kilter manner as Roman returned the gesture.

"Sure did. Good work out there."

"Thanks."

Neo signed as Roman grinned.

"I love it when a plan a comes together."
He said as he took out a cigar that Neo instantly lit. Cutely bowing herself as her boss who grinned rubbing her hear making her giggle as the two sat back and relaxed taking a moment to overlook the effect of a job well done...


"Break!"

"On our left!"

"Hold on!"

Jaune yelled as the Jeep shuddered and shook, as the sound of screeching tires filled the air before a wall of bullets slammed into the jeep. Tossing Jaune to the floor before a loud wham!

Fille the air as a massive force hit the jeep as a car slammed into its side as Jaune and Militades cried out as a car slammed into the jeep t boning it sending it skidding to its side in a vicious tale spin as they shot through downtown Vale as a fresh wave of bullets slammed into them.

As soon as they left the club, they were under attack. They didn't last more than five minutes before three cars roared up behind them, right as Jaune was putting fresh bandages on Ren's wound. Jaune paid them no mind at, I mean seriously! When has a large amount of tailgating black SUV's ever done anyone any harm? So it was just another day in Vale... At first...

First, it was noon and normally being in rush hour in downtown cars roared up behind them was not an issue, that was until they started shooting at them. Then things got complicated...

As the bullets slammed into the back of the car's window shattering it into a thousand pieces sending Jaune scattering as he blocked Ren with his body. As the car shook with the impact, of the projectiles the chase began.

"Dammit!"
Jaune yelled as his head slammed into the side of the jeep, as the tailspin took them clean over two intersections as the blaring of car horns and the sound of twisting metal filled his ears as the violently skitted along the pavement and WHAM!

His face exploded in pain as it crashed into the metal door of the jeep. His head slamming nose first into the metal as Melanie fired behind him.

"Got one!"

She yelled shooting the head in of one driver sending the SUV. Sending it spiraling up a wall and slamming into a street light she grinned as another body flew out and went splat!

On the pavement, as she crashed into the ground. Her head popping like a wet grape on the ground as the other cars roared up behind them.

"Seatbelts!"

Malanie said happily reloading her pistol firing it into their attackers as her sister swore.

"Great! Now kill the others before-
FISHT!

The sound of leaking air filled the car as it began to violently spin to the side as Jaune gripped Ren, still covering his dying body as his world began to spin.

"Fuck me!"
Militades cursed as a bullet hit their back tire and the van jerked to the right as it began spiraling.

"Mil! What's happening!?"

Jaune yelled shielding Ren form the bullets as Melanie dove into his guard squashing her soft breast into his arm as she reloaded her pistol.
She smells like blood. Blood and peppermint. Jaune noted as the girl's peppermint styled perfume obscured by blood entered his nose as Mil swore.

"Fuck me twice! We just hit uptown!"

She yelled fighting to keep the car under control as it skidded violently along the road as Melanie cursed.

"Uptown!? Dammit! Get us out of here!"

She yelled popping out of Jaune's shield to fire at the pursers as Jaune grimaced.

"What the problem with uptown!?"

Jaune shouted trying to keep the pressure on Ren while shielding both him and Mel before-

WHAP!
"Stop in the name of the law!"

A voice yelled as something slammed into the car with the force of a freight train. As Jaune was torn from his seat and thrown out the window.

His face crashed through the already shattered glass adding a whole new plethora of fresh scars on his already shredded face as his world exploded in agony.

He was only saved from getting his head popped open like the other attacker as Mel gripped onto him holding his body back for dear life as the police cruiser rammed their jeep sending them skittering to a violent halt as all the conscious members of the car felt like they had just got their hearts ripped out.

"Jaune!? Jaune!? Jaune are you ok!?'

Melanie asks shaking him up as his vision blurred and dimmed. As a tidal wave of color flooded his bad as blood seeped over his eye dying his sight red.

"Mel? What-

"Come out with your hands up!"

A familiar? Voice said as Jaune looked up to see a neatly combed head of brown hair, along with a pair of chocolate brown eyes in a familiar white uniform holding up a large black pistol at him as they both blinked.

"Jaune?"
"Sera?"

Jaune asked the shocked woman in front of him as Coco's sister pistol dropped.

"Jaune? What the hell are you doing here? Your face!"
She yelled holstering her sidearm and sprinting forward towards him as Jaune put a hand to his face as the adrenaline finally left his system as the pain struck him. As a sledgehammer of agony struck his face, he felt his body howl in agony as Ren began to stir...


"AH!"

Ren cried out as a fist struck his face, striking him on the nose as he face flared up in pain as the punch sent him sprawling to the ground.

"Look at him! He's so dirty!"

"He's a popper!"

"Let's beat him up!"

Another voice yelled as Ren tucked himself into his own body, as he huddled himself into a small ball, taking up the fetal position. As he tucked his head beneath his arms, shuddering in fear as the first fist and feet began slamming into him. Making him cry out in pain as-

"HEY! Stop that!"

"Oh shit!"

"It's Nora!"
"Run!"

The voices said as the curled up green ball tightened even further in on itself. As it sniffled and chocked assessing its wounds as a pair of footsteps approached it.

"Hey. Are you ok?"

A soft feminine tone said as the ball curled up tighter in on itself as the voice spoke again.

"Hey, it's ok you're ok. Those jerks are gone you can come out now... I'm not going to hurt you."

The voice said again as the ball uncurled a bit as a pair of shaky frightened pink eyes appeared out from it. Darting back and forth as they locked onto the figure standing above it.

"Don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt you."

A pair of teal eyes said as a pale hand stretched itself out to the ball. As it opened up.
"W- Wh- Who are you?"

The ball asked. Its voice was small and scared, barely above a whisper as the pair of teal eyes saw that the ball was, much to its surprise, in fact, a human and it was a boy.

He looked terrible. He was absolutely filthy, covered in mud dirt and tar? His face was cut and dirty. Covered in cuts and bruises as his magenta eyes watered as he began to sniffle.

"Don't cry. You're not in trouble. I just want to see if you are ok. Can you stand?"
Teal asked magenta as he somewhat curled up in a ball, as he tucked his head back into his arms.
"Y- Yes. I'm fine! I don't need any help."

He said quickly clutching his arms to his chest as Teal saw what he was guarding. In his hands was a small moldy piece of bread barely half the size of his palm as he curled it up in his hand as Teal grimaced.

"That' bread-
"It's mine! You can't have it!"

Pink shouted, his voice harsh and weary, glaring at her as hard as he could as the ball curled back up. Staring his pink eyes back up to teal as his eyes glared at her.

"But its moldy."

"You can't have it!"

Pink yelled as Teal nodded.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to steal it."
Teal claimed calmly as Pink glared.

"I don't believe you."

Pink said holding her stare as Teal sighed.

"Trust me. I'm not going to steal it. Here take this."

Teal said holding out a small piece of freshly baked bread from a small basket in her hand holding several more steaming lumps of the golden treasures. Straight from the local bakery made this morning as men looked at it like it was the holy grail.

"Is... Is that for me?"

Pink asked mouth watering as Teal nodded.

"Of course. If you want it."

"Yes!"

Pink yelled leaping out of his ball shooting out his hands at lightning speed as he yanked the bread from her hands. Stuffing it into his mouth devouring it in an instant as Teal smiled.

"There. That wasn't so bad now was it?"

Teal asked as Pink swallowed loudly as his eyes wanted.
"It was amazing!"

"I'm glad you liked it," Teal said as pink devoured what had to be his first meal in weeks, teal thought as she looked at him. He was skinny, too small for even a boy. His face as pitted in scars and cuts, and his ribs showed clear through his thin green shirt as Teal sighed.

"Hey, you look hungry. You want some more-

"Yes! I- I mean can I?"

Pink asked finally uncurling himself and standing up to his full height. He was a short even for a boy he was far too short. He was a thin, skinny boy with long black hair. That looked like it might once have been perfect.

And looked as if it might be that perfect again if not for it being tied in a course tangle of thick knots and mats. His hair was filled with twigs, dirt grass, and just about every other piece of debris that could be put inside it.

His body was far too thin. Showing clear signs of malnutrition as he barely had the energy to stand.

"Sure. You just have to come with me."

Teal said as Pink looked concerned, as a flash of panic flashed over his face.

"I don't know about that...

"Hey. Don't worry. I'll take care of you. Come with me, and I'll give you a home. I swear."

Teal said sticking out a hand as she smiled.

"My name is Nora. Nora Valkyrie. Come with me I'll give you a place to sleep."
Nora said as Pink gulped once slowly tentatively holding out a thin shaking hand to Nora as he began to sweat.
"R-Ren. Lie Ren. It is good to meet you Nora Valkyrie."

Ren said as Nora smile.
"Well aren't you mild mannered? I like that, now come on. I live close-

"Nora! What are you doing?"
A loud voice yelled making Ren flinch as Nora grimaced as she turned around.

"Mother. I am helping someone in need."

Nora said as her mother? Walked over making Ren tremble. Her mother was almost a direct copy of herself just older and taller. She was tall near seven feet, with fiery red hair and teal turquoise eyes. Clad in a light white shirt and furred pants as she stalked over to her daughter.

"Helping? You found a beggar?"

"His name is Ren. And I have offered him a home."
Nora said as her mother sighed.
"Nora. You know you are too young to take a man. You can't just pick up a stray off the street! Now leave him and-

"I gave him my word mother."
Nora said as the woman glared at her.

"Did he accept your offer?"

"Yes."
"Boy-
"Ren. His name is Ren."
Nora said cooly as the boy ducked behind her. Gripped her arms as his dingy dirted figure clung behind Nora. Hiding behind her pale shirt, clutching it and dirtying her skirt and top as the older woman sighed.

"He can talk for himself."

"Ren. Dose does not want to talk."

Nora defended him as her mother glared down at her.

"Ren. Needs to grow a spine and-
"I said yes!"

The boy shouted louder then Nora believed he could as he mother sighed. "Fine. My fool of a daughter has put herself out with this. Come, Ren. You will stay with Nora and us."
"Yes, mother?"
She asked glaring at her mother as she rubbed her head.

"Ren will eat from your plate. No extra food shall be given for him. Do you understand this?"

"Yes, mother."

Nora said without hesitation as she sighed.
"Very well. Let's go home, both of you." She said as Nora grabbed Ren's hand.

"Come on Ren. I'll show you to our room."

Nora said as Ren nodded as the boy gave a light smile as she led him as they walked behind her mother.


"This will be your new home."

The older woman said as Ren gulped. He had no idea what to expect when he was cornered int he alley. He thought himself lucky to find one half of a molded slice of bread even if he would be beaten for it, but now?

Now he stood in front of a truly monstrous mansion. It was over four stores high with dull opaque walls with a plethora of windows and balconies. All sat atop of a small hill surrounded by a moat of small fish overlooking the town proper as he stuttered.

"H- here? I will live here?"
Rena asked incredulously as the woman sighed.

"Nora. If he is to be your man you must give him a spine. He can barely look me in the eyes. Can you imagine what he would do if he saw a Grimm?"

The woman asked as Nora glared at her.

"Come on Ren. It's time for dinner."
Nora said gripping his small hand in hers making him blush as she dragged him to the small bridge that connected the mansion to the town as she pulled him inside.


SHLOP!

Ren's mouth watered as he stared at the mountain of food in front of him. There before him was a mountain of mashed potatoes, chicken, buttered bread and-
SHLT!
Ren yelped as a massive cleaver swung down slicing the amount of food in two. As half was pressed to his plate and half was given to Nora. As her mother, a taller woman named Falka Valkyrie split their food portion evenly between them as Nora glared at her.

As the matriarch of the manor sat down, Ren took in his new and strange surroundings. Ren sat next to the girl Nora who had literally taken him in off the streets. As he sat him in a comfy plush chair next to her as he sat to eat dinner with them, he knew he was the odd one out. Even if he did not come in straight from the streets it was obvious that Ren did not belong at the large wooden dining table that the manners residents sat at.

All around him was the Valkyrie family. They all looked the same to a tee. The woman where all tall gingers. With fiery hair and pale skin, dressed in light white shirts and furred pants. And the men as few of them as they were looked mainly the same.

Redheaded, freckles and wore light cloaks as all of the table guest man or woman stared at Ren like he was a Beowulf that had sat down during dinner. As the woman at the table looked like he was a quite literal stray animal and the men glared at him with looks ranging from curiosity to incredulity. Making him squirm as teal eye glared at him harshly and-

"Don't worry about them. I'm here for you."

Nora said as she put a hand on his shoulder as he gulped.
"Thanks."
Ren said as Nora nodded as dinner began...


To say things were awkward would be like saying that Vacuo got a bit warm or that Atlas tend to be a slight bit on the chilly side in winter. The table was filled with dead silence. No word spoke to glares had as every last member of the Valkyrie house ate in complete silence. For over thirty minutes the only sound to fill the room where the clinking of silverware on plates as Ren sighed.

At least the hall was pretty. Ren thought as he took in his surroundings. He was seated in a plush wooden chair on a massive wooden table in the main dining area of the manor. It was well over two hundred feet long and half that wide. With a well-lit interior and pure white walls filled with paintings of large grasslands, deep oceans or Frescos of battles between Huntress and the hordes of Grimm and-

"Nora. Tell me, where di you get your... friend?"

A tall woman that looked like her mother but thinner asked as she daintily sliced into a massive turkey leg as Nora held her eye.

"Aunt Flaura. I found him getting bullied by some local girls. He was eating a piece of moldy bread, and I helped him out."

"And your first thought was after helping street urchin was to bring him here? Where we eat?"

Flaura? Asked as Ren shrank into his chair picking away at his food as Nora held her glare.

"He was injured. I was only looking out for his best interests an-

"Don't be so modest!"
Another woman said sitting further down the table. Bitting into a chicken thigh swallowing most of the meat in one massive gulp. As she downed a jug of mead and laughed raucously as she slapped an impossibly meaty hand on her thigh. She was a virtual mountain of a woman. Clad in thick furs with long unruly red hear and shining teal eyes.

Every inch of her body was covered in layer after layer of thick muscles, it was as if someone had decided to throw heap after heap of muscle onto her and simply forgot to say when.

"She's just finding herself a man! You always wanted grandchildren right Falka? Now you'll get those! You can't get mad at her for getting a head start now can you?"

The woman asked as Nora's mother sighed.

"No Grendel. I suppose I can not. Though I do hope she does manage to civilize him. He looks-

"He looks like popper! And he is lucky he can breathe the same air as us, let alone eat at our table!"

"Oh get that stick out of your ass Flaura! Let the girl live a little! She's already claimed a man now all she needs to do is marry him! Nora! You do know that this is the best part of relationship right?"
Grendel? Asked leaning over her plate as Nora's eye twitched in irritation.

"No aunt, Grendel. I do not. Why is this the best part of a relationship?"

"Simple my niece! You got yourself a stray! And a young one at that! Now you get to train him as you see fit! Oh if I had gotten Jackson when he was young and not as a teen! The things I would have done to him!"

Grendel said laughing raucously as Nora sighed before a small hand pulled her shirt.

"Nora...

"Yes, Ren?"

Nora asked as the boy pushed his plate that was only half finished towards her.

"F- For you. I don't want to take your dinner...
The boy said in a timid voice handing over his barely touched food as Nora grimaced and-

"Selfless? Though I doubt it maybe you will make an honest woman with my rebellious daughter? I see you might have had a good eye after all."

Falka said giving Ren her first real smile making him blush.

"Thank you-

"He speaks at the table!?"

"Oh put a sock in it Flaura! He doesn't have a wife yet! So who cares if he talks? Until Nora puts a ring on that hand, he's free to say as he pleases!"

"He's a ma-

"Flaura, Ren is not married yet. So he may speak when he feels like it."

Falka said silencing all arguments at once before turning her cool teal eyes to Ren as he gulped.

"But do try to talk only when spoken to Ren."

She said as he nodded.

"Yes, mam."

Ren replied bowing quckly as she cocked her head.
"Polite as well? I misjudged you, Nora. You might have your fathers heart, but you have my eye."

Falka said nodding as she ate her ever-decreasing mashed potatoes as Nora sighed.

"Yes, mother."

Nora said before a worried face came over her as she gulped.

"Mother...
"Yes, Nora? Speak your mind."

"How is father? Is he well?"

Nora asked as Falka frowned.

"Your father is doing well. He asks of you, you know? He wishes to know more about his daughter. He is so very proud of you; you do realize that?"

"I... I know. Tell him I love him."

"Every night I tell him that his daughter loves him with all her heart. And he returns that love from the bottom of his own."

Falka said as Nora bowed her head as the dinner went on.


FISHT!

Twin yellow cups were dumped in front of Ren and Nora as Nora blinked.

"Two cups? What happened to eat from my plate?"
Nora asked as her mother rubbed her head.

"Since Ren is so selfless. Unlike you, I see no reason to make him suffer. Eat up, Ren. You need your strength."

Falka said as Ren nodded his head ripping open his pudding lid as he began devouring it slurping long mouthfuls of soup as Grendel laughed.

"HAH! You see that!? The boy was just famished! He just needs some meat on his bones and he will make a fine husband!"

"He's still skinny."
"Flaura! You are seeing this form the wrong perspective! Look at the big picture! He's young! And have you seen the way he uses that tongue? He'll not only make fine husband but an exquisite lover! You best prepare yourself for many nights of that Nora!"

Grendel yelled making the girls face turn the color of her hair as Ren stopped eating his treat three-quarters of the way down.

"Here. Take mine."

Ren said smiling as he held out his pudding to Nora who had just begun to eat hers, as she grimaced.

"Ren. I'm not taking your food."
Nora said matter of factly as her mother regarded her.

"But-
"No buts Ren. Eat your pudding."
"You-
"Ren. Eat."

"I-

"Now. Do not make me repeat myself."
The girl said in a firm voice as Ren nodded as Falka grinned.

"Good. A firm daughter and a selfless boy. This is looking like a better and better decision if I do say so myself." Falka said as the two ate their dessert, as Falka smiled at them.


"You'll sleep here. With me."

Nora said softly as she firmly shut the door to her room as the boy gulped.
He stood with the girl in a large pink room. Everything about the room was pink. Pink walls, pink bed, pink pillows, pink sheets, pink furniture, pink wall pater pink everything, along with sloths? Ren thought as he found that almost every part of her furnishing from her bed sheets to pillows to her wallpaper all had pictures of brown sloths on them as Ren blinked.
Ren noticed that the sloths also were on the pajamas she had changed into as Nora pulled him to her, their bed.

"But... you sleep here-
"We. We sleep here."

Nora said pulling the blushing, trembling boy to the bed. Guiding his small form to her sheets, making him settle down before pushing him down to the covers. Silently but firm making him lay down as Ren moaned as all the pain in his joints left in one instant as the heavenly sheets wrapped around his limbs as he melted on the sheets.

"That good?'
The girl asked as smiling as Ren mewled as she signed. Lying down on her bed rolling to her left and turn off the pink sloth light as she hugged the boy from behind.

"Can you turn on the light? I don't like the dark."

He said as Nora rubbed his head with her hands.

"That's ok the darks not scary. Especially when you are not all alone in it."
"But-
"When I was young I didn't like the dark either. Do you want to know a trick to make it less scary?"

Nora asked hugging the boy wrapping her arms around him as he gulped and blush as he tried to fight off his exhaustion.

"What is it?"

Ren asked yawing loudly snuggling closer to the girl as Nora grinned.

"I was taught to sing."
"Sing?"
"My mother sang me a song when I was young. When I was scared of the dark or crying about not being able to see my father. Do you want to hear it?"

Nora asked as Ren's eyelids began to close.
"Sure? That sounds good." Ren said as Nora smiled as she opened her mouth.

"~Never knew a time. When you weren't by my side. The one thing I could always count on.~"


"AHHH!"

A blood-curdling scream filled Nora's ears as the sounds of a boy getting his limbs ripped off filled her ears.

"Hold still!"

"It hurts!"

"Nora! Get your fiancee!"

Aunt Flaura yelled to her niece as Nora signed holding Ren's hand as he sat crying in the bathtub.

"It's ok Ren. Just hold on ok?"

Nora asked the crying boy as he gripped her hand.

"Nora, it hurts!"
"I know-

"AHH!"

Ren cried out again as Flaura cursed

"This is a mess! How did you even let it get this bad!?"

Flaura asked as she dug her comb through Ren's hair. It was the first day of Ren's stay in the house Valkyrie, and he was not enjoying it as much as his first.

Flaura despite her chilly reception to Ren was now combing his hair in the bathtub in her room. She had burst in first thing before Ren could even have breakfast and dragged him to the tub. Claiming no man in this house would look like a beggar!

And had then proceeded to give him a full bath. Soaping, lathering and shampooing the very embarrassed boy. Before moving to tackle the absolute mess of hair he called his head.

Fighting tooth and nail to rid him of the massive, unruly knots in his long black hair. A process that was both prolonged and from the sound of it incredibly painful to the boy. As he gripped the white porcelain tub crying openly as she sighed.

"This is insane! This will take me all day!"

Flaura said as she painfully removed another knot in his hair as he gulped.

"All day!?"
Ren moaned as she sighed.

"I'm not leaving till you are a presentable young man! Now hold still!"

She said running her comb back through his hair making Ren cry out again as Nora sighed.


"Lunch!'

Flaura said as she served the kids their lunch. Nora notices instantly that the serving of chicken, bread, and even the soup was doubled for Ren.
As Flaura had also added a side of Rice and crackers to his plate.

So much for not sharing resources. Nor though with a grin as Flaura rubbed a hand through his now flawless smooth midnight hair. As her tela eyes brimmed with pride as she eyed her handiwork.

"There we go! Now you look like a presentable young man! That wasn't so bad now was it?"
She cooed at Ren her previous hostility all but gone now that Ren was a presentable young man she sighed.

"No mam."

"There we go! You are a good boy! Have a treat!"
She said giving him a small stick of jello that made his eyes shine.

"Thank you!"

"You are welcome."

She said as Ren took the treat looking at it for a moment before splitting it in two and giving half to Nora.

"Here. For you."

"Ren-

"You are a far too selfless young man. As much as I approve of a man who knows their place you must look after yourself as well."

Her mother said calmly eying Nora cooly before smiling as she ruffled Rens' hair.

"But you are a good boy, so I'll let this go. For now."

She said asRen gulped as Nora, and he ate their lunch as one as the first of their days began.


"Nora!"

Ren said jumping on his best friends back as she grinned.

"Hello, Ren. How are you today?"

Nora asked looking in awe the transformation that the boy had undergone. Over four years had passed since Ren first came to her home and the boy standing in front of her smiling widely and the original boy that she had dragged inside could not have been more different.

The boy that came as a dingy being half-starved street urchin was now fully transformed. He was no longer dress in ragged tatters of cloth and mesh. Now he was covered head to toe in long flowing green robes that hung off his sides, and long opaque pants that were over three times too big for him. As Nora grinned.

Flaura nearly had gakked when she learned Ren could sow. And had the boy make clothes for all the woman and the men in the family. As the boy stitched outfits for her mother her other aunts and even stitched Nora's new skirt and top as she rubbed his head affectionately.

As the boy hugged her. No longer was he bone thin. Now he had a nice filled out form with muscles under his bone a side effect form Grebdeks training of them both.

Nora wanted to to be a huntress and, Ren did what Nora did. Even if Flaura nearly had a heart attack at a male becoming a hunter. After seeing Ren could have his aura unlocked? Her mother said his life was Nora's and she said he would be a hunter. With her together.

"Are you ready for the play tonight?"
Nora asked as Ren nodded.

"Sure am! I can't wait!"

Ren said happily as he nodded. Tonight was the night of the Valkyrie family play known as ~BOOP~. An old family play that dated back hundreds of years recalling the tale of how her great, great, great grandma met her husband on the battlefield and saved him from the hag that wanted to claim him as her own! It was also coincidentally the name of the song that Ren had come to love and cherish.

"~Never knew a time!~"
"~When you weren't by my side.~"
"~The one thing I could always count on!~"

"Always there for me."

"You've been my family.~"

"~Even when all hope was gone!~"
Nora said pinning Ren to a wall as a blush came over his face as her cheeks heated up. As she pinned the boy to the wall she could not help but notice just how scrumptious he looked.

Ren had filled out nicely over the years. Gaining a thin but toned figure, of a soft demure frame that would turn the head of any girl. And Nora was more than pleased that it was her boy that looked like he was going to be the next top model of Remnant. She was also well aware of the looks he gave her when he thought she was not looking, the same type of looks she gave him when she thought he was not looking.

As she reached up a hand to his neck making him gasp as she slid her knee between his thighs causing a small moan to leave his lips as she brought their lips together as Ren closed his eyes and stood on the balls of his feet, as Nora was ready to finally seal their relationship claim him as her own and-

"Nora. Ren. Am I interrupting something?"

Her mother asked grinning wicked as the children both screamed as they broke apart.

"No- no mother!"

"No mam!"

They both said blushing as she laughed.

"It's ok! It really is! Nora, I know that you will wait until you are married and Ren! What did I say about my name? You can call me mother you know? You are my child."

She said making the boy blush.
"Sorry... mother...

Ren said as Falka sighed.

"Ther was that so hard?"

"No...

"No what?"

"No mother. It was not."

"Not as informal as I would like but still. Ren. Nora. The play is tonight. Are you two ready for your roles?"

"As ever!"

Ren said jumping to his feet as Nora nodded.

"I know my lines."

"Good! This play has been part of our family for generations, and I am glad that Nora found a good man to do it with. Ren, Nora make us proud."

Falka said as the two grinned as they began to walk away Falka called to her daughter to wait.

"Nora. Wait a moment I need to speak with you."

"Yes, mother? What's wrong?"

Falka asked as the two turned around to talk back to her.

"Ren. I think Flaura is looking for you. I think she has a new skirt she want's sewn up. Why don't you go find her yeah?"

Falka asked as he nodded rapidly.

"Sure will! Bye Nora! Bye Ma-

"Mother."

Ren said blushing still before sprinting down the hall leaving the two alone.

"Why did you send Ren off like that?"

"Because we need to talk."

"About?"

Nora asked in her typical minimalistic answering style a habit she picked up from her mother and aunt's as she sighed.

"Nora I've given it some thought and after much deliberation, I have decided that you are ready and after tonight's play you and Ren can depart on the next outbound bullhead to signal in a month. I give you my word."

Falka said grinning as Nora's mouth dropped before she leaped for joy.

"Really!? We can go to signal!?"

"Yes. You both have made enough progress in my eyes to-

"Thank you! Thank you so much, mom! I don't know what to say!"

Nora said in an uncharacteristic burst of emotions, wrapping her mother in a hug as she grinned.

"Don't say anything. Nora. You and Ren can both go to Signal in a month. I will give you my word, and to a Valkyrie her word is everything."

"Thank you! I can't wait to-

"Tell Ren? Are you that impatient to take the boy behind the bleachers at Signal huh?'

She asked making her daughter blush heavily as she began to stutter.

"I! I would never-

"It's ok Nora. I've seen the way you too look at each other. It's fine really it is. I mean you already sleep together, what's the harm of some quiet time alone under the Signal bleachers?"

"Mom! We just sleep and-

"I know. Trust me I know. Do you think if you did anything but sleep that Ren could keep his mouth closed? He loves talking to peopled and would be bragging to the whole damned mansion by now. And plus I know that you are waiting for marriage anyway."

"I... I am and it's-

"Not east? I know the feeling. I had the same dilemma with your father you know? I waited for marriage just like any Valkyrie but, just because you are saving yourself does not mean you can't have some fun with a man."

Falka said relishing the bewildered look on her daughters face as she tried to comprehend fun.

"Fun? Like what?"

"Nora walk with me. Let me tell you the joys of using one's hands...


"Are you ready?"
Nora asked as Ren bowed his head.
The two sat huddled behind a large piece of cardboard as the waited for the play of being. Already the amphitheater on the outside of their manor was filling up to maximum capacity with the village people as they waited the plays start.

This play was a big deal for Nora. It was the last thing she needed to do before her life actually started. Her mother was a staunch traditionalist, and apparently, Valkyrie woman had been in this play with their future husband for generations, and this was the first part of her and Ren's real marriage.

The thought made Nora blush as she checked his outfit. It was really his sleep gear painted blue. His usual green nightcap was now teal, and his green swimming pajamas were also teal. As he was dressed as the prince.

The one set to be rescued by his dashing and beautiful Valkyrie warrior from the hands of a jealous old hag played by Aunt Grendel. Who despite having no hag like a qualities fit the role like a glove. As the crowd finally gathered and hushed Nora gulped.

"You ready?"
She whispered taking Ren's hand to her as he nodded.

"Sure am."

Ren said popping up bouncing on the balls of his feet as Nora grinned at him.
" Really? You're not nervous?"

Nora chided as Ren shook his head.

"Not when I'm with you. As long as you are with me I can do anything! I'd follow you anywhere Nora."

Ren said as she smiled.

"Careful Ren. I might just make you keep that promise."
Nora said as the lights went dim as the crowd hushed itself as low murmurs filled the area. An electric current ran through the air that Made Nora's hair stand on end as she felt the crowds energy gathering.

"As long as I'm with you I'm happy!"

Ren said as booming voice roared out.
"Where is my prince?! Where has my, delicious, handsome, and succulent husband to be gone!?"
Aunt Grendel said in her most intimidating voice that while still threatening had so much joy and laughter in it that they both grinned.

"Looks like that's your cue."
Nora said he nodded.

"I'll be right back! My valiant Valkyrie."

Ren said bowing deeply before Nora shot out her hand, gripping the boy's arm.

"Nora? What are you-

She silenced him by pressing a kiss to his lips making his mouth drop.

For a moment Ren's mind went blank. As Nora pushed their lips together making his toes curs as she gently gripped the back of his head. Cupping it into her as the soft wet sensation of his lips met her. She tastes like pancakes. He tastes like a health drink.

They both the before Nora broke the kiss leaving them both sweating and panicked before, again.

SHe pressed their mouths together again. Not nearly as gentle as she forced her face to this, making him stutter and blush before he began to return the embrace as the kiss became less loving and tender and instead became violent, aggressive needy and-

"I SAID! Where is my prince!?

Grendel yelled as Nora broke their kiss again with a loud pop! Leaving a trail of saliva between her and the blushing boy as he Ren panted out of breath.

"Break a leg."

"Isn't that your thing?"

Ren shot back regaining some composure before losing it as soon as she whispered in his ear.

"Maybe. But if you do good out there I might just try to break something else so get going cutey."

She whispered grinning wickedly to Ren as he blushed brighter than her hair and leaped onto the stage, as the play started.

It was a classic play of good and evil. The tale of a young, idealistic Valkyrie rescuing her true love from the hands of a wizened old hag that has stolen him from his village and was intent on marrying him.

As the play started, Ren was the first to appear. Dashing from the side of the stage. Clad in Nora's opinion ridiculously oversized prince outfit. That was just his normal sleepwear painted blue as he gasped.

"Oh, my! The hag! Who will save me?!"

"No one will! You will be mine forever!"
Aunt Grendel said as Nora said.

"Not while I have a say in it!"
Nora claimed jumping from her side of the stage grinning ear to ear. As the play began in earnest.


It was a tale older than time itself, a play about life, pain, loss, and perseverance. It began after the introduction of Nora the original Valkyrie wounded and weary traveling down an abandoned country road after the climax of an epic battle.

The Valkyrie traveled wounded and weary dying form her wounds before finally reaching a small town and stumbling into a local barn before knocking out. When she came to the local prince played by Ren woke her up. He was the towns doctor and he had healed her injuries during her rest. At first, the two did not get along.

Ren believing that she was just a battle-crazed warrior and Nora thinking him a coward, especially after it was revealed that he had his aura unlocked. The two spent weeks bickering with one another. As Ren slowly nursed her wounds back to health. Eventually, the bickering became less and less hostile and took on a gentle tone as the tow went from strangers to enemies arguing nonstop with one another, to finally being madly in love with one another.

The Valkyrie had found him! She found a man just for self and n the eve of her confessing her felling it happened. The hag that had been threatening the town came into to it demanding Ren as a husband for the wons survival. If the people resisted she would use her magic to burn down the entire village!

For the good of the town and against Nora's wishes Ren surrendered himself to her, before giving Nora a tearful hug goodbye as he and the hag left as one. Now the original Valkyrie did not take this lying down. She went back to the barn rested, got better and set out on a journey to retrieve the love of her life!

Battling nature, Grimm, bandits and eventually the hag herself. Defeating her in a pitched battle on top of her castle walls resuing Ren and breaking the hag's leg in the process. As the audience oohed and awed at all the right parts. As Nora went through the heroic journey of battling the elements, Grimm, the hag and finally herself.

As she rescued Ren from a falling tower catching him in both arms as the boys wrapped his arms around her neck as they left the smoking castle ruins behind them as she carried her man back to the town they would call home.


The final act of the play was the wedding of the two as they said their vows. As the two lovers recited their then fake vows, Ren gasped. As Nora took out a small black hammer? Of all things that she tenderly pressed against his chest making him cry out. As it stamped him. Bypassing his aura only to leave a small hammer sigil on him as Nora marked him on the spot making him blush profusely before she whispered into his ear.

"You want to give them a show?"

She asked gripping his hand as the stuttering mess know as Ren nodded.

As the girl kissed him in front of the audience as a low band began to play as Nora released him as he giggled.

"It's our song."

Rens aid as Nora smiled beautifully at him.

"Sure is. You want to sing it together?"

She asked pulling him to the stage as he nodded.

"Aways."

Ren said as the defeated hag now back to her normal boisterous self-handed Nora and Ren a microphone as the tune began.

"~Never knew a time, when you weren't by my side.~"

"~The one thing I could always count on.~"

"~Always there for me, you've been my family.~"

~"Even when all other hope was gone.~"

The two began as the girl swung the boy inot her arms making him smile briliantly as she pulled him close.

"~But for a while, things have seemed so different!~

"~Like it's the same but still, brand new.~"

"~I can't believe it, when did I start to fall for you?~"

Ren asked Nora as she grinned.

"~Have I lost my mind, have I just been blind?~"

"~Never to have seen you might be, everything I need, everything I dream?~"

"~All along has it been right in front of me?~"

"~We've been together for a long long long long time.~"

"~I've never thought that you and I could be a thing.~"

"~I can't believe it, this is happening

"~I think oh whoa what am I to do.~'

"~I didn't know that I would fall in love with you~"

"~And what to do right now I haven't got a clue.~'

"~I just bite my tongue and when I want to say I love you I say.~"

"~Boop.~"

"~Boop.~"

"~Boop.~"

"~Every chatelaine wants to share her reign, so come and join me in my castle.~ "

Nora said before Ren took the microphone from her and had a solo.

'~We'll crush our enemies! Bring them to their knees!~"

"~And though I have a tendency to babble!~"

"~When I think about you I can't help my heart from racing!~"

"~My mind goes fast and my knees start shaking!~"

"~My stomach does flips, and my brain does flops, And the feelings that I'm feeling I don't think that I can stop!~"

~I could just say it! I love your everything! But I can't quite tell my self if you're feeling quite the same!~"

"~Maybe I should slow it down, try to show restraint?~"

Ren said before she took back the mic as she grinned.

"~Hold Magnhild, I think I'm gonna faint!~"

"~I think oh whoa what am I to do?~"

"~I didn't know that I would fall in love with you!~"

"~And what to do right now, I haven't got a clue!~"

"~I just bite my tongue and when I want to say I love you I say, I'll say boop!~"

"~Boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boo boop!~"

"~When I want to say I love you I'll say boop.~"

"~I think oh whoa what am I to do.~"

"~I didn't know that I would fall in love with you! And what to do right now I haven't got a clue.~"

"~I just bite my tongue and when I want to say I love you I say.~"

"~Boop.~"

"~Boop.~"

"~Boop.~"

Ren and Nora said as she tossed her daring price over her shoulder sprinting him away from the horrible witches castle and off the stage as the crowd roared in approval...


Ren didn't like fighting. It was one of the few things he actively avoided. Especially after what happened to his home, Ren never liked conflict especially when the conflict was in his own family. He thought as he watched the furious form of Nora arguing with her mother as he fluttered on the sides as he prayed that the two woman did not come to blows.

"What do you mean I have to wait!?"
Nora yelled to their mother Falka who stared imperiously down to her daughter as Ren fluttered to and fro. Doing his best to stay out of the oncoming storm.

"Nora. You are still too young to go to a hunter school. You must wait a year."

Falka said firmly as Nora's hair turned the color of her hair.
"You said I could go after the play!"

"I said you could go when you were ready!"
" You said I could go! Which was supposed to be after the play!"

Nora shot back as the woman grimaced as she stared at her daughter.
"Which it was supposed to be, but it is not! Nora Grendel says persoanlly that you are not ready to go to Signal, and you will stay home. Period!"

Her mother yelled as Nora growled at her mother as she stormed out of her room dragging Ren along with her into their bathroom slamming the door behind them with a loud WHAM! As she crashed the door behind them fuming mad as Ren gulped.

"Ren!"
Nora yelled her fist quaking with rage as Ren eeped! As he backed away from his best friend and crush as he jumped to the small porcelain counter. As the girl seethed.

"Yes!?
Ren asked backing away from Nora sweating profusely as his best friend and crush yelled at him for what had to be the first time as she punched her tiled wall. Shattering it with an aura infused punch striking the concrete and breaking it apart like it was glass as she fumed.

"Ren! Pack your bags! We are leaving his hell hole!"
Nora yelled suddenly as Ren gulped.
"Leaving!? Nora where are we going?!"

Ren asked as Nora ripped open her bathroom sink, yanking out toothbrushes, combs, hair care and sanitary products as she swore out loud.

"We are going to Signal!"
Nora yelled as Ren panicked.

"Singal!? Nora listen! I know that you are upset but please! Let's be rational about this! We can't just-
"No Ren! She said if I did the play I could leave within a month! Now she says I have to wait a year!? She lied Ren! She's a liar!"

Nora yelled as Ren panicked as he tried to calm her down and try to talk her down form making the biggest mistake of her life.

"It's not so long! Really! We can just wait-
"No Ren! No waiting! I am leaving tonight, and you are coming with me!"

Nora yelled before Ren narrowed his eyes.

"Nora. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong!? What's wrong is my mother is a liar who-

"You are lying. There is something else here Nora. Why are you really so insistent on going to signal?"

Ren asked seeing his best friend pause as her eyes began to panic.

"It dosesn't matter! I'm going and if you really are my friend you will come with me!"

Nora yelled taking half of their hygiene supplies yanking Ren out of the bathroom where Falka awaited her glaring down.

"Running away now? I always thought you were a coward, but now I see that you are stupid as well?"

"It's better than being a liar!"
Nora yelled as her mother glared at her.

"Nora this is nonsense! Running away is one thing, that is your choice, but you are forcing Ren to come with you!?"

"I'm not forcing him to do anything! He's coming with me because he wants to! I'm not making him do anything! Right, Ren?"
Nora asked as Ren began to sweat.

"Y- Yes! I-
"There! You see he's coming because he want's to!"

Nora declared as her mother rolled her eyes as she ground her teeth.
"He's not saying that because wants to! He's saying that because he's scared out of his mind! His best friend is about to do something insanely foolish risking both of their lives, and he dose not want her to die!"

"I'm doing what I was promised!"

Nora yelled as she sighed heavily before turning her usually sharp teal eyes down tired and dull to him.

"Ren. Do you really want to play a part in my daughter's foolish, selfish games?"
"I... Where Nora goes, I go."

Ren said as Falka sighed and shook her head.

"So be it. You marked Ren so he belongs to you. He is your responsibility, Nora. And when you realize what a fools burden you have put on Ren and yourself you may come back. Your punishment will be swift. But not you Ren. You may come back anytime with no fear of reprisal.

Falka said as she left the room as Nora fumed running back to their closet ripping out their clothes and-

"Ren!"

"Coming!"

Ren yelled as he ran to his friend's side as he panicked as the two began to pack...


"What are you doing!? Falka! This is madness! You can't just let them go! They are children! Nora is fourteen and Ren twelve! How can you expect them to survive!?"

Flaura asked barring the door to her niece and nephew in all but blood. As she stood arms outstretched like a cross in front of her as her family members stood in her sight covered in survival gear and camping supplies.

"Nora has made her choice. As foolish as it is and Ren being the loyal boy that he is accompanying her. I have made it clear that he does not have to go and if he should stay there will be no effort made to remove him. And if he should go then there will be no punishment if he comes back."

"But! They are children! And-
"Flaura. They are my children. And if they think they can leave to go fight Grimm who am I to stop them?"

Falka asked shrugging her shoulder as Flaura raged.

"You are their mother! You are the ADULT! It's your job to stop them! Slap some sense into Nora! If she does not see reason, don't let her go out there! What will Charles say when his daughter is missing!?"

"Don't you dare tell me what my husband will say!"

Falka yelled at her sister as the two stepped forward threatening to come to blows as Ren jumped in front of them.
"Please stop fighting! Aunt Flaura! Mother! I am going with Nora because she is my friend! I can't let her go alone!"

Ren said as both woman's teal eyes softened.
"Ren you are truly a good boy. And a loyal member of the house. It is a shame to see you dragged down so low over something so petty."

Falka said shooting her daughter a baleful glare as Nora ground her teeth.
"Then don't let him! Ren! Honey! Don't do this! You are twelve! You are only twelve years old! Not even a teenager! You are a child, if you go you will die!"

"It's ok aunt Flaura. I have Nora with me so I'll be ok!"

Ren said as Flaura gasped once before sighing and letting down her arms before striking out her fist gripping Nora by the cuff of her shirt and yanking her effortlessly off the ground.

"Take care of that boy Nora. You don't know what you have with him or how lucky you are that a boy like that what's to risk his life for a selfish spoiled brat like yourself, and if you let a single hair get out of place on his head there is nothing on this green earth will protect you from me! You hear that!?"

Flaura hissed into her niece's ear as Nora glared impassively at her.

"Aunt."

Nora said with a hint of emotion in her tone as she and Ren left the house as the tow woman seethed at them.


As soon as they left the manner and walked into the cool starry summer night Nora let out a sigh of relief. Leaving a furious mother and a devastated aunt Nora and Ren found the next obstacle to their journey glaring at them. As aunt Grendel stood in front of them. The massive woman stood hands crossed over her chest. Her massively muscled arms rippling with muscles as she glared at the two standing still on the bridge leading to the town.

"Nora. I told your mother that you were not ready for Signal."
Grendel said her voice sounded like mountains grinding against each other as Nora held her glare.

"Then you are wrong."
Nora said flatly as Grendel narrowed her teal eyes on her.
"Do you doubt me, my niece? Do you doubt the aunt that has trained you for your entire life? The aunt that trained, mentored and look out for you. Who built both of your weapons for you?"

"No. I doubt my lying mother who has gone against her word. I will go to Signal with or without your approval."

"What about Ren? Are you honestly telling me he is coming freely of his own will and not because you are dragging him along?"

"He's-
"Don't even bother. I know that he is following you out of love. That boy will do anything for you. Even if it cost him his life."

Grendal said once holding Nora in an icy glare before sighing deeply as she reached behind her back.
"I have trained you all your life, Nora. And I have prepared Ren for over two years. You two are like children to me, and while I can not stop you from leaving, I can damn well prevent you from dying so soon.'

Grendel said reaching behind her back and drawing out along silver hammer as Nora gasped.

"Magnihild!? You finished it!?"

Nora gasped as Grendel smiled as she twirled the silver Warhammer one-handed like a child would hold a toy.

"Yes. I did. It was supposed to be a gift before you went to Signal in a year, but since you are stubborn like your mother, I swear you two are far too alike!"

Grendel said tossing the hammer to her as it slammed into her chest forcing her back making her grimace as she held it up as she turned to Ren.

"Ren."

"Yes? Aunt Grendel?"

"Ren, I have no sons. No matter how much I tried, it has never happened. I always wanted a son. To raise to be strong, to be more than a man that lived off a woman. And when you were seen to have your aura unlocked?"

"I knew then and there that you were a gift from Monty himself. I spent every day since you came wondering how you would leave. Either in a bridal parade or as a hunter. I am glad you picked the latter."

Grendel said pulling out a small glittering pair of emerald pistols as Ren gasped.

"StormFlower!? It's done!?"

Ren gasped as she nodded.

"I finished it today. As soon as I heard that you were leaving, I knew that I needed to pick up my pace. I wanted to perfect them, and I would have if I had a year! I would have. But now that it's happening so soon, it's forced my hand."

Grendel said as she handed him his weapons making him gasp before she gripped Nora by her collar pulling her to her mouth and whispering in her ear.

"You are the world to that boy. He loves you more than life itself. He will follow you to the end of the world and back and not ask for a thing in return. That boy would die for you and not even hesitate a moment. You better be a worthy woman to him. If not he deserves better."

Grendel said as Nora nodded once as she stepped aside and the two walked past the woman.

Why do they think I'm not worthy? Nora thought as she and Ren walked past the small town of Mjonlir. The town that Nora grew up and been born in. Why would they think that? I'm not unworthy! If anything I am the most worthy! I saved his life! I brought him home! I gave him everything! It was not Mom, or Flaura or Grendel! It was me!

Nora thought as the two walked past the busy streets as the eyes of the townspeople looked at them. It was late at night and all eyes were on them. As the towns fol whispered and spoke to one another looking at the two children who were none to earlier busy entertaining these same townspeople with Boop where now walking their own as they left the town fully packed, with enough survival equipment to last for months if not years, and armed to the teeth as walked off into the night never to be seen again...


"Nora, it's been four months. Do you think Signal is close?"

Ren asked as he and his best friend walked forward, through the rugged mountains of Mistral as the two crossed the sharp steppes and plains of the continent.

It had been four months since Nora and Ren had left house Valkyrie and the journey had not been as easy as Nora had initially expected. After a tearful departure from their home. With her mother glaring daggers refusing to speak.

And her aunt Flaura crying openly as she stuffed Ren's bag with every piece of pastry that she could while crying her eyes out and making him promise to come right home if he felt like it was to tough.

A notion that Nora scoffed at. Ren was tougher than most girls, and he would do fine. Especially after Grendel gave them their weapons? Even if Magnihild and StormFlower where far from perfect they are still master crafted weaponry. And as long as they were armed to the teeth and had each other nothing could stand in their way. Right?

Well that was what Nora thought before the hard and often brutal realities of living on the road showed themselves to the two. The first hurdle they cade was the environment. Nora in her rush to leave the injustice she believes she had suffered had picked the worst possible time to leave home, as the two departed right in the middle of the rainy season. Which in Mistral was hurricane season, and the insane weather had taken weeks from their travels.

The rainy season had added weeks of their journey, making Ren and her spend most of the early days in the packed crowed tent, as harsh winds and freezing raid battled them as they forced their way through the elements.

The next hazard was the terrain. Mistral was not an easy land to traverse at the best of times. That was why the government relied so heavily on air travel for commerce in the country. Where the terrain would not take months from travel and allow for speedy transportation. A way of travel Nora wished they could afford. But unfortunately, while Nora's family was wealthy she was not. Meaning they were going to be roughing it for the next few months.

The actual terrain of Mistral was a rough, craggy almost boreal landscape. Full of large mostly lifeless deciduous forests, and hard, rugged mountainsides. That made travel through the land extra inconvenient at best and downright impossible at worst. The fact that they were also slogging through over a foot of mood and slippery mountain trails that had not been used in decades that led to thousands of foot drop all while being buffeted by bone-chilling winds also did not help one bit. As Nora sighed heavily as she cocked her head back to Ren.

"I think so. It's just that this map is hard to read!"

Nora said as she held up the map to Signal. As much as it pained her to admit it, Nora knew she made a mistake. A terrible mistake, and one that was steadily rising in severity as Nora began to see the error of her ways. Running away from home was one thing but now?
Now not only where she and Ren lost beyond hope, but they were also running out of food. Despite the sheer ludicrous amount of pastries, aunt Flaura had stuffed inside of Ren's pack and what little provisions she decided to bring the two where quickly running out of food to share and the first signs of starvation began to set in on the pair.

Nora already felt herself become lighter as she lost a rough five pounds over the past few months. And Ren had lost over ten. Making his once thin ribs begin to show again, as they slogged through the muck.

"Ok! If you say so...
Ren said nervously still lugging his green pack as Nora smiled turning back to her map and grimacing. The harsh rains had destroyed the ink on the page utterly destroying it and making it impossible to tell where the hell she was going or how long it would take them to get there. Another factor in her ever-growing thoughts on why this was a bad idea.

And only adding to the fact that she should not have left home, they were lost, alone, isolated from anyone, running out of food and water. Water... Nora thought darkly as the real threat loomed ever closer. The two only had one full canteen of water left to shared and that would be gone soon. And until they found a stream? They would dehydrate in less than a day.

Another hurdle another hazard that Nora knew was her own fault as it ate at her. She knew that she made a mistake. Even as a child she knew that her decision to run away was inadvisable at best and downright suicidal at worst.

And it was made even worse the more she thought about it. Her mother did not say no Signal. She just said that she had to wait a year. And after that then she could go with Ren. And honestly? A year did not seem that long anymore.

Aunt Grendel had said that she needed more training and to be honest? Aunt Gendel was the greatest fighter Nora had ever seen, and she trusted her word on my combat matters explicitly. And if Aunt Grendel said she was not ready to go to Signal?

The odds where that Nora was indeed not ready to make the journey across the world to a combat academy. And she was as usual right. Nora had been emotional that night. She felt like a promise was broken and had acted without thinking. And now? Now Ren was paying the price.

The boy was struggling to even walk. The mud that was up past his ankles sucking him in like quicks sand, as his pack weighed him down. He was already losing weight at a shocking pace and was already reminding Nora of the scared, dirty pair of pink eyes that she brought home like a stay dog.

She knew that Ren was struggling even to lift the bag let alone on a near empty stomach. Thirsty half starved the two children finally real that running away was not a good idea. And Nora, if she could, she would have bit the bullet and turned around to go home. Not that she knew how to turn around that is.

And not that it mattered! Because at that very moment Nora heard a twig snap as her head shot up as the real danger of the wilds became knows, as the first in a long line of beady red eyes fell on them as the Grimm attacked.


The first time Nora fought Grimm was a rushed brutal, chaotic affair. Full of snarling fangs, snapping jaws and hate-filled beady red eyes. Her small body acting on instinct as she brought down Magnihild on the head of a Beowulf killing it instantly as Ren brought out StormFlower. Shredding twin Gimm in a hail of bullets as the first wave attacked the two. The battle took less than three minutes to conclude and after the fight, Nora and Ren were both alive but the battle was not free and the Grimm took their toll.

After the first attack, their odds of survival that were already low dropped so far that they might as we have hit zero. Their map useless as it already had been was ripped apart. Torn to sunders by Grimm talons and their food...

Ren had been carrying the food when a Beowulf attacked him form his back. Shredded their precious supplies slicing them in half. Literally. Ruining many of the precious meat and bread rations they had and cutting the odds of success into quarters.

But that was only the beginning. As the hours, ticked by, hours became days, days weeks, weeks months and months became years. As the two traveled, they rarely got a moment of respite. They were either beset by the elements, driven to ground by freak lightning storms, surrounded by Grimm or nearly falling off their deaths on he Mistal mountain ranges.

And that was when they were lucky. When they were not lucky? They ran into the true trouble of the road. Other humans. Bandits roamed the outskirts of Mistral. In small raiding parties usually no more than sixteen women and the odd man. Nora had been banking on the fact that Mistralian bandits had been all but eliminated prior to her departure but that was far from true.

Even if most of the bandits had either been integrated, subjugated or annihilated by a local tribe called Branwen. Nora had no idea who the hell they were, but she was just glad that the bandits were away and they left her and Ren the hell alone. And as long as they continued to do that Nora had no problems with them.

But as life once again showed her. Just because you don't have problems with them does not mean that they do not have problems with you. As on the actual year anniversary of their travels, they were ambushed by a small reading for or bandits, in a narrow forest pass catching them entirely off guard as her world changed.


Nora did not know how to react to killing her first person. To be honest, she never thought of it. When she heard tales of being a huntress growing up, they were always heroes who slaughtered Grimm, and when they fought human enemies they always showed to capture them to deliver them to justice!

The villain in this picture and programs might have been roughed up, a black eye or two a brush on their arms and tied up in a bel but they were just that. Roughed up but very much alive. But now?

Red. Nora knew that human's had a lot of blood in them but this? This was just ridiculous. Magnihild looked like it had been bathed in crimson. The once pristine gunmetal grey Warhammer was now bright crimson as it squashed the internal organs of a bandit.

The weapon struck pulping the woman's sides into a fine red midst as Nora swung her weapon. As the woman broke as her body crumbled, Nora found herself wishing that she had a different weapon. When she fought Grimm she never really saw what Magnihild could do to somebody. Sure she crushed the bodies of Grimm like they where bugs and said bodies always disintegrate before you could really see what happened to them but with humans? Human stayed after you killed them and Nora got to watch what she did to them

Nora watched as she brought Magnihild down on a woman's head, the thing popping like wet grape as the Warhammer turned her skull into red mist as her reverse swing crumpled another. Turning her sid in a crunched boke mess of broken bone, jutting awkwardly out of her side as she went flying backward.

It was a hideous brutal as Nora fought through the bandits. Ren was not doing much better. StormFlower was a rare weapon. Both of their weapons were rare and slightly illegal in the kingdoms as Aunt Grendel, the ever pragmatist that she was having built them weapons to survive with.

Mainly the special ability her hammer, if used well at all, could damage an opponent through thier aura.Magnihild was simply far too massive that even if aura blacked the physical damage the sheer concussive force of the weapon would break through most if not all internal barriers striking the vulnerable internal organs of a target. And StormFlower's blades were explicitly designed to channel his aura in an offensive strike.

Allowing thing blades to penetrate one's aura, and score a direct hit from the weapon could slice clear past one's barrier to the vulnerable flesh underneath it.

As Ren killed his two opponents and Nora finished the rest of the bandits. Leaving broken desecrated corpses lying in pools of crimson she heard a blood-chilling scream as Ren broke. Ren hated killing. He hated it more than everything, the first time he took a life as soon as the combat wore off he vomited. HE the up whatever he had eaten that day and began to hyperventilate It took Nora over three hours of patient calming to make the boy stop babbling and vomiting as his body shook Nora kept hearing her aunts voice say you are not worthy as her best fired went near catatonic.

As the two traveled, Nora never went a day without hearing her aunt Gendel's words in her brains. Be worthy of him. He deserves better.
She said, at the time Nora had not put much thought into it. Nora? Not worthy? She was more than worthy of Ren. She was the one who brought him to their home. She taught him to act in the manner how to read, write. She gave Ren everything he ever had! How could she not be worthy of him?

At the time she was so sure of herself she never stopped to think about the boy. While she was dragging him not just from his adoptive family his very home itself. Nora never got Ren to speak of where he came from, but she knew he was an orphan.

And as the two travel through the road, Nora began to see that the road was not free. Even besides the elements and Grimm Nora saw a disturbing trend developing. As every time they were attacked, every time a bullet broke past their aura, or a sword broke their skin or a talon ripped open a chest Nora escaped every battle unharmed but Ren? Ren took the hits. Every stray bullet, every random talon that came their way always hit Ren. They broke his bones, sliced his flesh and ripped him apart in showers of blood.

And Nora soon realized that in the end, she was making Ren suffer...


No matter what happened Ren was the one to suffer. The starvation hit him harder. Making him lose all the weight he gained over the years, as the winds and rains sapped his strength leaving him tired and ill. Luckily Nora only got sick once on the journey and even if she almost died it was the sole time she was incapacitated. Ren, on the other hand, was always near death. He was always being struck down but talons, swords or bullets as Nora was left unharmed and unmolested.

And time and time again Nora found herself on her knees. Crying wailing kneeling over a still shattered body that was leaking blood. Begging whatever goddesses or gods that could hear her to allow the dying boy's aura to heal him as she prayed over a still body.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen...

Nora said over the still body of Ren as she prayed for a miracle to Oum to the maidens to the sisters and brothers. She prayed to the gods and god in the night sky.

Begin the goddess of luck and logic to spare his life. While praying that the god of courage would keep her strong. In the end prayers, as usual, did nothing. As she was forced to watch eh friend dir slowly, as usual, the gods refused to answer her, and left to her own device she did the only thing she knew how and began to sing.

"~Never knew a time. When you weren't by my side. You've been the one thing I could count on.~"

Nora began to sing to her friend as she slowly awaited his death...


"Jaune!? What the hell are you doing here!?"

Sera shouted to the the police around her as Jaune felt his world dim.

"Sera? I need some help...
Jaune said as the woman tucked her pistol, grabbing a walkie-talkie and sprinting up to him.

"Medics! This is Sere Adel at westbound and Garret! We have a case of hunters being attacked by criminals. I need medical assistance. There are two wounded huntsmen in training one is critical and fading fast and one grievous but stable. Send help as soon as possible!"

She yelled at her device, slamming it into her side before running a hand through his head wiping off the blood from his face as she calmed the bleeding boy.

"It's ok! It's ok! It's going to be alright kid! Just relax! Don't strain yourself kid, and do not fall asleep! You took on helluva head hit but help is on the way."

She said rubbing his head with one hand as he felt the trauma get to him as his head swam and he lost consciousness.


Opal was having a good day. She was currently enjoying a rare headache free day in Beacon. There was no fighting outside the arena. No building lit on fire. And as a nice change of pace, there was no paperwork for her to do. Or to be far for her to push on Glynda to do as Opal hated paperwork with a passion.

No today was just her sitting back in her chair relaxing and-

"Breaking news! Robbery in downtown Vale leaves several dead and two wounded!"

A voice said as the miniature screen on her desk turned on as a reporter came on the screen.

"Lisa Lavender reporting live from downtown Vale where a pair of local hunters in training from Beacom have gotten involved in an armed robbery inside of a local nightclub leaving several dead, both hunters are injured. One in critical condition awaiting surgery at Vale general and one grievously wounded but stable"'

She said as Opal felt her hairs rise on her neck as she could taste the paperwork that would come from this event as she began to pray.

"Please may it not be them. Please, may it be someone anyone but those two who-

"Then names of the brave hunters in training how stopped these robberies are Jaune Arc and Lie Ren. Two hunter in training form Beacon who are now in Vale general awaiting treatment and police questioning and-

"Just my luck."

Opal said sighing as she stood up, Stretching once cracking her back as she gripped her cane.

"Just one more fire I need to stop a fire from burning down the city. I just wanted an afternoon."

She said aloud as she walked out of her office and into the town to save two of her students from their team and Glynda. And if she were lucky she would be able to sweep this entire thing under the rug as soon as she could.


"So is there anything else that you would like to tell me?"

"No mam."

"Jaune. This is not like last time. You are hurt, people are dead. You are lucky that the girls Melanie and Militia along it several security cameras have cleared you of all wrongdoing, but I still need a statement from you. Now is there anything, anything at all that you want to tell me?"

The woman asked taking out a notepad in her hand as her familiar brown creamy eyes, and near identical face to Coco's glared at him.

"I was just working at my job-
"At Juniors?"

"Yes."

"Dammit. Why don't they shut that hellhole down already? And why the hell are you working there?"
Sera asked raising Jaune an accusing eyebrow as she adjusted her white plane clothes uniform as Jaune blushed at seeing her exposed chest.

"I needed money, and they pay well."

"The pay how much?"

"Two thousand."

"A week? Not bad-

"A day."

Jaune said as her mouth dropped.

"They drop two grand on you a day!? How!? I don't get that much, and I've been here for years!"

Sera yelled incredulous as Jaune sighed in his hospital cot.

"I get paid at the end of every shift."

"In credit?"

"Cash."

Jaune said as she grimaced.

"Because that sounds legal.'

She said in a deadpanned voice as Jaune shrugged.

"It's a club they make money. What can I say?"

He asked as he sat in his hospital cot as she rubbed her head.

"Jaune look. You are a good kid. I get that I really do! But! You can't make bad decisions!"

She said emphasizing the word bad as Jaune shifted in his sheets.

"Bad decisions?"

"Easy money Jaune. It's never worth it, trust me. Not in the long run, whatever benefits working with the people, and I use that word in the loosest term possible at Juniors will only screw you, in the end, trust me."

Sera claimed as he sighed.

"Look. They attacked us we fought them off-

"I'll say. You killed some of them. I saw that on camera. How many do you remember killing?"

She asked her eyes become hard as steel as Jaune nodded.

"Three."

"The cameras show five confirmed kills by you alone. You friend their got six. He was quite the little monster. What are you feeding him in Beacon-

"Nothing but the finest foodstuffs miss Adel, of this I can assure you. You have nothing to fear of this I must assure you."

The calm voice as Opal said as she walked into the infirmary ward as Jaune gulped

"Mam! I was just-

"Be at ease Mister Arc. I have seen the footage myself. You are in no trouble. I can hardly punish you for self-defense you know?"

"That's good to hear."

"Indeed now miss Adel do tell me what happened so I can hear it from a trusted friend."

Opal said smiling with closed eyes as the woman as her eye began to twitch.

"Well since you are being polite for once, and not throwing my chief on my ass telling me to look the other way and not to ask questions like all the other times, let me tell you."

Sera said in a cheery voice that dripped of irritation as Opal grimaced.

"Go on...

"Mister Arc, and Mister Ren where attacked at their place of employment. Over a dozen armed assailants attacked them and their coworkers, Melanie and Militades Malachite. The two fought there way out to the enemy taking severe injuries in the process."

"How bad are my students."
Opal said in a neutral one that sent shivers of panic down Jaune's spine as the woman's grey eyes shot open.

"Well, Mister Arc suffered from four broken ribs, a bruised chess, a major concussion that has yet to were off. Multiple bruises and fractures throughout his upper body as well as several severe lacerations of his face."

"I see... And Mister Ren?"

"He is worse. He suffered a sniper bullet to his chest. Anti aura round too."

"Anti aura round? Where did these women get their equipment? That is military grade ammunition?"

Opal asked frowning as Sera sighed.

"No idea. They are all dead."

"I take it my students played a role in their deaths?"

"They did, but it was all self-defense, so no charges from the DA. This time."
Sera said as she turned to Jaune.

"Jaune you know you killed five people today right?"

Sera asked raising her eye row as Jaune shrugged.
"And?'

"You don't seem to cut up about it. Most people when they have their first kill ten of praise, some dry heave, some go into convulsions, some began to hyperventilate. But you?"

"You don't seem bothered in the slightest by it. In fact, you seem to be taking this remarkably well for your first kill."
Sera said as Opla raise an eyebrow at her wonder why she was baiting her student and-

"That's because it's not my first time killing."

Jaune said matter of factly as Sera snapped her fingers as she took out a notepad.
"So you have killed before? Tell me where and when? Was it in self-defense?"

"In the wilds. I don't know when but I killed before-
"And the wilds are in no kingdom's police force's jurisdiction, so you have no reason to be asking him any further questions about this matter, Miss Adel."

Opal said silencing the woman as she glared daggers at the headmistress.

"I was just doing my job! I just wanted to see if he needed help dealing with it. Killings tend to take a toll on ones' psyche even if they don't admit it."
She said as her creamy brown eyes narrowed to Jaune he felt like he was testing him.

"Maybe she want's us to bite?"
His reflections said from the metal hospital cot railing as Jaune shrugged internally.
"Maybe?" He thought as he gripped his sheets.

"I mean what's the big deal? I killed people that tried to kill me. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last-
"You seem confident that you will kill again. Why is that?"
Sera said as Opal glared at her.

"I'm a hunter. I'm going to be fighting Grimm and humans. If I fight them again I don't expect them o hold back so why should I?"
Jaune asked in what he thought was a reasonable statement as Sera frowned.

"Jaune you do know that hunters are supposed to hold themselves back correct? Even cops are not supposed to kill-

"I don't like it. But it's not the worst thing-

"Enough. Sear tell me about his medical condition. Now."
Opal in a dark tone as a small burst of green? Energy flowed from her can as sear sighed.

"Fine. Fine. Bring out the big guns huh? Well like I said they are hurt but they are going to live. They just need some rest and-

"Good. Go on, when will Mist Rena and Mister Arc recover?"

"To be blunt? Fully? Never."

Sera said in an even tone as Opal's eye twitched a small sliver of green energy slipped out from her palms.

"What pray tell do you mean by never? Miss Adel do not play jokes with me. I am in no mood for humor and-

"Neither am I. Jaune took far to much damage to his chest. And his heart sustained severe blunt force impact making it weaker."

"Weaker?"

Jaune asked as she nodded, hesitating once before giving a Coco like sigh as she shook her head.

"Don't know how to tell you this kid but you got a heart condition."

Sera said as Jaune gaged.

"Hear condition!? Like what?"

"Looks like you actually have a weak heart. Weaker than most people in almost every category. You can't take any more blows like that to the chest without serious repercussions. I'm advising you in my professional opinion to get thicker plate armor, just aura will not cut it."

"He will get all that is required of him to stay in Beacon. Now Mister Ren?"

"He's worse. The anti aura round made a mess of him. It's bad."

"How bad is bad? Do not skimp words Sera. This is serious."

"I won't. His body's not healing right, his left lung is all but useless. I won't be surprised if he needs a new one. And he lost a lot of blood. If we do fix his lung it will never work beyond half capacity again and-

Sera said once, before looking at Jaune then leaning over to Opal to whisper in her ear.

"When the docs brought him in they did a full body scans on him, they took a look at his heart, organs his brain.

"And? Why are you telling me this Sera?"

Simple. He's showing signs of advanced metal decay. We estimate that if he keeps up his semblance use, he will be gone before he leaves Beacon."

She whispered with Opal grimaced. "So be it. Mister Arc. You will be ready to go on the day is over. Mister Ren will join you later. Your teams and friends are aware of your condition and survival."

"Though Miss Nikos and Miss Valkyrie almost fought me to come here they are wain at Beacon. You go home tong Ren will come later, until then?"

"Until then?"

"Good job surviving. Though I must have you report to Oobleck twice a week, starting noon tomorrow."

"For what mam?"

"Jaune you killed people. Mandatory Beacon policy states you are now in need of therapy twice a week for the remainder of the semester, or until Oobleck decides you are ready. You will start tomorrow. Until then? Sera will see you home. I have matters to discuss."

Opal said as left Jaune alone with a low sigh as he shook his head.


"So am I going to die?"

Jaune asked as he sat on the police bullhead in the seat next to Sera who shook her head.

"Today? No. Or at least your heart won't kill you that soon."

Sera claimed looking at the boy, locking her creamy eyes on his cerulean ones as Jaune frowned.

"But it will kill me? Eventually?"

"Jaune I won't lie. You got a heart injury after you got your aura unlocked. That means that whatever the hell was wrong with it was bad enough that even aura could not heal it."

"That sounds bad...

"It is. Honestly? If you ask me, either one of two things will happen. When injuries like this normally occur, they will either fix themselves in two years time or...

"Or?"
Jaune asked as she sighed and shook her head.

"Or you die. In roughly two years time your aura will have fixed your heart fully, back to what it once was or you will die. Period."

"Is there something anything I can do to not die in two years?"

"Besides not getting thumped in the chest for the foreseeable future? Not really. Keep the blows from landing and get some damned thicker armor and you should, should be ok. Now come on this things landing, and I can see your harem waiting for you."

Sera said as Jaune looked out the wind to see both PN and RBY plus family and his sister who even form up high Jaune saw the bored look on her face as the craft touched down, surprisingly enough Weiss was nowhere to be seen as the ship laned and the boy sighed.


"Jaune!"

Pyrrha, the first to him as always, yelled as she forced him into a tight hug.

"Pyrhha! To tight-

"Jaune! What happened to you!? Are you ok?! What-

"Jaune! Ren! Where is Ren!? Why isn't he with you!?"

Nora asked shaking the boy tearing him from Pyrrhas grip shaking him before a loud voice cut in.
"Please stop! Do not shake him!"

Sera yelled cutting through the crossing through the line of worried students like a hot knife through butter as Nora put him down.

"Why not?"

"Besides the fact that it's rude? Jaune has suffered a serious concussion during his attack. And any further shaking of his head might lead to brain damage."

"Who are you?"

Pyrrha asked as Sera sighed.

"Sera Adel. Detective VPD. Nice to meet you. I'm the one who saved this boy's and the other one's life FYI."

Sera said as Nora dropped him at once before she gripped his shoulders.

"Jaune. Ren is he-

"He's hurt. Badly but he'll live."

Jaune said as Nora sighed once.

"Thank the three...

She sighed before Pyrrha gasped.

"You face! What happened to you!?"

"Tossed out a car window at around eighty. Why?"

Jaune said blandly as the teams dissolved into anarchy.


"On one hand. That went about as well as I thought it would."

"Who made you an expert on anything?"

"No one. But! I would say the fact that we manage to A. Not only keep all our limbs and B. Not be forced to drop out of Beacon as a plus! Now if only we could get out of these ropes...

His reflection said as Jaune looked to the rope tying him to his bed. Now being tied up was nothing new to the bone. Living with Qrow int he tribe meant that more often than not they ended up being captured interrogated or otherwise detained. And while Pyrrha was good at much things tying know was not one of them.

And he could have quickly cut his way out if not for the pair of amber eyes watching him like a hawk form the other side of the room.

"I just need to-

"Stop."

Blake said flipping a page with one hand reading her book as Jaune sighed.

"I'm-

"If you leave that bed, I will put you back in it, by force. And I will tie the knots personally this time. And they will not be comftoarbel."

The faunus girl said without looking up from her book as Jaune sighed.

"I'm not hurt I just-

"Four broken ribs a brush sternum and major concussion make be begged to differ. Noe Pyrrha told me to make sure you stay in that bed and the ow I'm going to do. Now get some sleep. Unless you want me to make you some tea. Do you?"

"I'm fine-

"Then get some rest. But don't fall asleep you are still suffering from that concussion so you can rest but do not sleep. I'll be watching you."

Blake said not looking up as Jaune sighed. Pyrrha had left Blake of all people to watch him while he rested. Not trusting him to stay in bed and in her defense that was smart. Jaune despite resting for less than an hour was feeling much better even if he had his face tossed through the window of a speeding jeep at over eighty miles an hour. Which while not one of the most severe injuries he had ever sustained was still painful as hell.

He thought grimly as he rubbed his face with a now lost tired hand. Making him grimace at Pyrrha's shoddy rope tying taught her to tie Ropes? Even chip tooth could laugh at these things.

Jaune thought as he sighed and adjusted himself in his bed. Nora was gone. Off to the hospital to wait for Ren to wake up leaving Jaune alone with Blake until class ended and his partner cam to relive her-

"Can we talk?"

"Whoa!?"

Jaune gagged as Blake appeared in front of him. Crossing the over forty feet of their room without making a sound. As the faunus stood above his bead as he gakked

"About what?"

Jaune asked not sure how the hell she made the journey without him noticing and-

"I ... I'm not very good at this type of thing but...

Blake said fidget once fidgeting and soft?

Jaune thought as something soft and warm covered his head as Blake gave him a hug.

"Thank's for everything. At the docs, you risked your life for me. A complete stranger and I appreciate that. I really do."

Blake said giving the boy a quick hug as he felt her impossibly smooth skin, that even though her thin shirt he could feel ti's cream like clothes. As she held him for several moments before she let go of him in an instant as he blushed.

"Don't worry about it. It's what friends are for."

"Freinds? I didn't even know you really. I just dragged you into a situation that you almost got killed over! You almost died you did! You did die on the bullhead and needed to be resuscitated! And-

"Blake. It's ok. I saw someone in help, and I helped them. I didn't do it for a reward of for my ego. I saw my friend in trouble, and I helped her. What's so strange about that?"

Jauena sked as Blake began to cry!?

She's crying!? Jaune thought as real tears fell from her amber eyes as he began to panic.

"Whoa! What id I-

"You... You remind me of someone I used to know...

Blake said in a tired voice as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Someone that you used to know? Who?"

Jue as Blake hesitated as she started to fidget awkwardly for a moment before sighing. "His name is Adam. He was a lot like you until...

She trailed of ominous her ears going flat on her head as Jaune grimaced.

"Until what?"

"His semblance began to eat his mind...

Blake said darkly as Jaune gulped as his own issue began to resurface.

"How did that happen?"

He asked fishing for clues as she shook her head.

"He was the best. The best fighter and mentor I ever knew. Even if he was a... populist. He was still the kindest nicest most generous person I ever met. He was a leader a hero to anyone oppressed human or faunus until...

"Until?"

"Until his mind started to be eroded. Adam was a charismatic leader, a rallying figure to all faunus but he was no warrior."

Blake admitted as Jaune raised an eyebrow.
"No warrior? I thought he was your mentor. And one of the best, how could he be bad?"

Jaune asked as Blake beginning to show him a depressed smile.

"By himself? Adam was harmless. He couldn't hurt a fly, he was uncoordinated, had no agility and was more of a danger of himself than anyone else around him."

"But?"

"Well just because he was bad at fighting did so that he could not fight later on. He needed his semblance to fight, and with it he was unstoppable in battle. He was invincible in combat but over the course of many years, the repeated use of his power took a toll on him and over time? It ate him alive until there was almost nothing left of what he was."

Blake said darkly as Jaune fest as wave fos wat over his body and-

Ding!

His scroll rang as Blake's ears shot up as Jaune saw a call coming in from Neo.

"Neo's calling?"

Jaune said aloud as Blake frowned.

"Who's Neo?"

Blake asked looking over his shoulder at his scroll as she went to pick up the call.

"She's my... coworker?"

Jaune said not trying to lie but trying to think a better word than a morally red-zoned lover. As Blake shot him a glare.

"You are a bad liar. You know?"

Blake said as he picked up the phone.

"Neo? Is that you."

Silence...
"Neo?"
More silence followed by what sounded lake raid burst of air? Like someone was flashing their hand rapidly in a quick series of hand motions.

"Are... Are you signing over the phone?"

Jaune asked incredulously as he heard the rapid movement of hand gestures over the other line.

"Why the hell are you-

DING!

A text appeared as Jaune saw it.

"Where the hell are you? Be specific."

Neo texted as Jaune staid on the line.

"I'm in my dorm in Beacon. Ninth floor first-year dorms. Room 408. Why?"

"Because you are going to work and I need to get you. We have things to discuss."

"But-

"You are not going anywhere."

Blake said snatching his scroll from his hand and putting it in her pocket.

"Hey! That's mine!"

"I know, but you are staying here. Period. Pyrrha made my promise that you would not step one foot out of that door until she got back."

"What about-

"If you so much as breathe in the general direction of your window I will tie you to the shower."

Blake said with a baleful glare making Jaune gulped.

"But... what if I didn't take a step out of the room and I still went to downtown?"

Jaune asked as Blae frowned.

"What do you mean by that? How can you leave the room without taking a single step outside?"

"I'm just saying! What if I could do that! Would that be ok?"

"I guess?"

"So-

"If you can somehow leave this room without taking any step outside or leaving it through any physical means then yes. You can go."

Blake said with a small smile as she walked away from the boy grinning att he mentions you could leave a room without-

Wait! What if he can teleport? Blake thought as-
Ding!

"I'm here."

His scroll said before the sound of shattering glass filled the room.

Blake spun around to see a small multi-colored woman gripping Jaune by the shoulder bowing to her once as Jaune waved.

"Bye Blake!"

He said as they both disappeared into shattering glass leaving the room empty beside her. Blake froze as she stared at the spot where the people once were as her mouth fell slack jaw before her right eye began to twitch...


"So kid! Looks like you and the green psychopath lived! Send my regards to that little menace to public order when he comes round will you?"
Roman asked puffing his cigar as Jaune nodded.

"Sure. But why did you have Neo come to get me?"

Jaune asked as the woman saw in his lap rubbing her ass into his crost making him blush profusely as she teased him. Neo had brought him to a small concrete room that looked like some type of interrogation office as Roman patiently awaited his protegee.

"Besides the fact that she wants' to break your dick off? We need to talk."

Roma said as both he and Neo lost any sense of levity to their eyes as they became fierce.

"About...

"Jaune you have just joined the illustrious physical branch of Torchwick Crime enterprises!"

Roman said holding out a business card with a grinning mask on it that read.Torchwcik Crime Enterprises! We do the crime no one does the time! LLC.

"You have a business card?"

"I have several! But that's neither here nor there! What is is the fact that you are now a part of a very selective group of individuals who need to how you say prove their worth."

Roman stated as his eye level Jaune with a withering glare as he gulped.

"Prove my worth what do you-

Jaune froze as he felt a sharp stinging sensation come to his neck. As Neo had suddenly drawn her sword and was now pressing it to his jugular, making a small drop of blood fall from it as he began to panic.

"Neo!? I-

"Sorry Jaune. I need to do this."

Neo signed as Roman puffed his cigar.

"Look, kid, I'll be honest here. I like you. Neo likes you. The girls like you! But you are an enigma."

"Enigma?"

Jaune asked panicking as Neo pressed her sword deeper into his neck making him freeze as he forgot about her insanely soft rear as she giggled once.

"Yes. You see there are some amongst our... organization that doubt your commitment to our cause. They think with good reason. Mind you. That a hunter in training joining our group is a less than optimal business move and are well, they want you dead."

Roman said as Jaune felt the sword press further into him as the stinging pain grew more intense.

"Wait! I-

"UP! But! Bup! Fear, not my friend. I have spoken on your behalf! As any good mentor would do, defending his protege is half my job! And I have bought you a week!"

The man said flamboyantly as Jaune froze.

"A week? What does that mean?"

"I mean! That is one week I'm going to make a call for you to help me with a run. You come with me prove your loyalty and Neo doesn't kill you on that chair. Capeesh?"

Roman asked as Jaune balled his fist, as he gritted his teeth against the girl and man.

"Neo. You wouldn't kill-

"Sorry Jaune. I like you but Roman's first."

The girl thought to rub a hand around his neck seductively, before moving her face forwards. Giving him a whiff of her strange ice cream flavor perfumed before making him shudder and moan as she licked his throat. Taking the line of blood on her tongue and licking it off his neck dragging her tongue along his skin.

Forcing goosebump to form on him as he gasped and his toes curled up, as she giggled once, holding his glare before striking a flirtatious pose making him glare at her multi-colored eyes.

"But I thought we were-

"Jaune. I like you I really do, but you are new. I just met you. You have my lust, but Roman has my loyalty. He's always number one."

Neo thought as Jaune felt the sword press deeper into him drawing even more blood as Roman sighed.

"So Jaune. Are you going to join us or will not only you but Ren as well die today?"

"Ren!? Why does he have to die!?"
Jaune balked pressing forward only to shot back as the word stabbed deeper into his neck making him gag as Neo giggled and Roman shook his head.

"You and he are close, and some of the senior parts of my supervisor don't like any hunter being in so close. So either you agree to join me as my protege or you and the green psycho die. What's it going t-

"Fine! I'll do it. Jus leave Ren-

"Swear on your honor."

Roman said in an instant as Jaune glared.

"Say that you. Jaune Arc. Will not only be my loyal and stalwart protege. You will also assist me in all of my endeavors for as long as I den necessary and not only help me advance my plans you will do nothing to harm said plans. Either by action or inaction cause them to fail, ok?"

Roman asked as Jaune froze as he glared at the thief before he sighed heavily.

"Fine. I Jaune Arc. Only known son of clan Arc, swear my compete and total obedience to you Roman Torchiwck. My mentor and warden."

"There we go! Now that was not so hard was it?"

Roman asked as the sword vanished from his neck as Neo once again become friendly as she snuggled into his crotch as Jaune felt his aura heal his neck.

"Now that all that unpleasantness is out of the way lets talk business!"
Roman said smacking back his cane to the top of the concrete wall making a large white sheet fall down as Jaune sighed.


"Then you jumped off a Nevermore?"

"Yes! I bravely led the plunge to escape the beast as I led my then partner and now leader bravely off the monster as we struck into the ground!"

"Is that so?"

"It is! And then I met up with my future teammate and friends-
'"And your boyfriend?"

"What!? NO! I mean! Well, I want him to be, but that's neither here nor there!"

"Whatever you say ice princess."

"Hey! Don't mock me!"

"I'm not mocking you. And besides, if I can't mock my favorite niece then who can I mock?" Qrow asked tried putting his hands behind his neck as his favorite and only niece pouted.

Stomping her high hell onto the concrete of the sidewalk as she puffed out her cheeks putting her hands on her hips and pouting at him.

"HMMPH!"

She harumphed loudly as Qrow sighed.

"Sorry, princess. I was just funny. Now go on tell me how my favorite niece killed a Nevermore while her boyfriend took out the deathstalker."

"He's not my boyfriend! And yes! For your information as soon as we recovered Jaune took this ten team to take on the deathstalker while I am my team took on the nevermore. I lead the offensive personally of course."

"Of course.'

Qrow said in a sarcastic tone as she puffed out her cheeks pouting again as she turned her ponytail so fast Qrow was sure her tiara would rip off in the force of her whiplash.

"Then! With me in the lead, we defeated the monster as one. In one swift tactical attack that left the beast dead and gone while we celebrated our triumph!"

"My it sounds like you were doing all the heavy lifting there."

"Well, it was my glyphs that lead to us killing the beast. And it was only due to my skill that we were able to slay the thing int he first place! I was quite influential in the process!"

Weiss said proudly as Qrow rubbed his chin hair.

" Well, you're telling me you did all of that before, but you're saying Oz still didn't' make you a leader? Seem like a natural choice you did do all the heavy lifting after all."

Qrow said as he rubbed his neck making Weiss fluter.

"Well! It's not that I was a guarantee to be a leader! I mean I wasn't a shoe-in or anything-

"But if even half of what you said is true. Then you did all the work, lead all the attacks and carried the team to victory. Why not make you the leader instead of... what's her face? Trudy buttercup?"

Qrow asked as Weiss flushed before coughing violently into her palm. As she began to panic.

"Ruby! Ruby Rose. That's her name. She' my partner...

Weis s trail off as he nodded.

"Ruby Rose... Ruby Rose... Ruby Rose... Nope! Doesn't ring a bell! never heard of her a day in my life!"

Qrow said laughing openly Weiss sighed.

"Of course you would not know who she is! How would ever meet her? You lived in Atla, and she's from Patch! That's on the opposite sides of the world!"

Weiss said poking her uncles she accusingly as she gipped his necklace or one of two necklaces.

Qrows first neck was a long silver chain with a broken silver cross that was in pristine condition and never dulled or got stained. No matter what, whether Qrow got cover in mud, snow, dirt or worse blood. The silver medal was never anything but immaculate gunmetal grey as it rested on his chest.

On top, of it was the second necklace. This was far more ominous in Weiss's opinion. It was in the shape of a birds beak and was wrapped in a dark jet black chain along with a black onyx core all tied together with a baleful red jewel in its' center. That looked like an even eye.

Weiss never liked the necklace, and Qrow never explained why he wore it. He just refused to take it off no matter what. The thing always unnerved her as she swore that the eye seemed to pulse with raw power as it made whatever metal made up the mystery material glow hot and made his warm chest even warmer.

It looks like a Raven? Weiss thought as she let go of the necklace as a hand rested on her head.

"What's the matter snow angel? You mad that you aren't the leader of your team?"

"N-no! It's not that it' just-

"Hey don't' worry. Even if you are not a team leader, you are still my favorite and only niece ok?'

He asked ruffling her hair making her squeal as she jumped on his chest. Rubbing her face into his chest. Not caring about the cross rubbing into her flesh as that strange raven brand heated up her face-

"You are such a child. Really."

Winter said in a slightly disapproving tone as she shook her head chuckling at the two. Winter had been watching in silence as Weiss gushed to her uncle. She had relayed the story of her initial battle against a Nevermore.

Recalling her clearly embellished story that no doubt drastically embellished her own contributions to the team. Not that Winter was accusing Weiss of lying mind you. She just knew that the girls usually impeccable demeanor became a complete opposite when her uncle got involved. And she became a quivering mess doing her damnedest to paint herself int he best light possible. Even if it was terribly embellished. "Hey! I am not a child Winter!"

Weiss said as she held onto her uncle's arm before sticking out her tongue!? Winter gasped as Weiss literally stuck out her tongue in Winter as he gaped.

"Weiss! We are in public!"

"Meanie!"

Weiss said as Qrow chuckled.

"Uh oh! Don't get the ice queen mad! She might just freeze us where she can nag us all day-

"I do not nag! I just point out the various flaws in your demeanor and actions along with your personal and spiritual beliefs showing their inevitable inferiority when shown side by side in accordance with my own."
Winter said ambivalently as Qrow as Weiss shared a look.

"Really?"

"Can she even hear herself talk?"

"Not since I can remember."

"You would know. She's your sister and-

"Do I really have to freeze you both?"

Winter asked unfastening her sword as Weiss gasped.

"Uncle Qrow!"
"Run princess! Get us a seat at the restaurant! Hurry before it's too late!"

Qrow yelled tossing Weiss forward as she landed on the ground in a perfect dancers stance gained all the way as hit the ground and sprintingg forward to their restaurant they were going for lunch.

"She's cute."

"She's a child. Especially around you. Why do you pamper her so much?"
Winter asked running a hand in between her husband's arm. Taking his with hers as she rested her head on his own. Lookin down on his smooth black hair, enjoying the foo foot of height difference between them as she sighed.

"Hey she's young, and she's doing really well. Why not give her some praise every now and then? We all need a good pampering."

Qrow said as he put his head on his wife's neck. Enjoying her superior height to get a nice face press into her supple chest and-

"She just wants to impress you. She' desire for another positive male presence in her life. After our mother's incident. she' been dying for older author figures to cling to."

"And she just happened to choose me? Can't say her decisions making skill are too good."

Qrow class sighing as he felt Winter's hand grip him as she interlocked their finger.s

"Don't say that. You're not such a bad catch, after all, I chose you did I not? And I have impeccable standards."

Winter whispered in his ear making him grin.

"Does the ice queen want to get frisky? I thought you hated going at it hot and heavy in public?"
Qrow asked trying to get a rise with his wife as she grinned.

"Don't push your luck Qrow. I might be a proper lady but don't think for a moment that I won't pin you against a wall."
Winter said, stopping her walked as her grip on her husband's hand became like iron as Qrow raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Aren't you worried that people would hear us? I mean you aren't the most silent lover ever. And with the things you do? I don't think I can stop from waking Mony himself."

"I do have silencer glyphs. Don't you remember the time back in Vacuo? Wher I took you on that diplomatic meeting. And I invited you the diplomat's kitchen? Don't you remember how I tossed you onto that dinner tray."

Winter asked as he voice took on a sultry tone. As she ran a hand down her husbands back. Digging her nails into his spine and making him shiver.

" I threw you on that try. Tossing all that fancy silverware tot he side. And. I. Took. You. With the diplomat's room? I don't think I'll forget that a day in my life. The shaking of t try, the sweat on your face. The noises you made? And If I'll do that to you with the heads of state from the most powerful countries in the world next door don't think for a second that your safe in a restaurant in-

"Sister! Uncle! What's taking you so long!?"
Weiss asks popping her head out of the restaurant's door as Qrow blushed and Winter gained a wolfish grin.

"Coming snow princess! _

"You sure will be."

Winter said gripping his rear with a firm hand making him cough as he gained bright bush, gaging once as-
FOOM!

Qrow paused as he saw a small plum of some in the distance.

"The hell is that?"
Qrow asked as he saw a plume of smoke in the distance before the wailing of sirens filled his ears. "Huh? Looks like some one's having fun."

Qrow said aloud before his wife reasserted her dominance on his arm as he sighed before being dragged inside...


"Little Timothy!"

"Little Timothy? Who the hell is that?"

Jaune asked as Roman nodded his head.

"Yes! My enthusiastic protege! Litlle Timothy!"

Roman said as the picture of a small boy with smooth green hair appeared on the screen as Jauen raised an eyebrow.

"Who is Timothy?"

"He! Is the reason why you are going to win the Vytal tournament! That and I and Neo turn you into a lean and mean killing machine!"

The thief said laugh smugly as Jaune grimaced before moaning as he felt a hand appear inside his shorts as Neo gripped his privates.

Making him moan, as Jaune and recently learned that Neo could on occasion teleport parts of her boy and was using that ability to tease him while standing against the wall making Jaune blushed and panic. As the girl went from threatening his life with deadly severity to flirting with him in the span of a minute.

"What makes Timothy so special!"

Jaune gasped as Neo squeezed him making him blush as she giggled.

"Well since you seem so... Passionate about this let me tell you! Way back int he day there was a study conducted by little Timothy! Now as you know Jaune in this world, we as a man are at one hell of a disadvantage in the field of combat! If we are unlucky enough to fight a woman and let's be fair. With the rate of birth as it is that more than likely well, we are fucked."

"Usually. They are bigger than us, stronger than us, faster than us and more often than not boosted by aura making our odds of success low at best and laughable at worst! That's where Timothy comes in! He was a study of a male with his aura unlocked. He was given some weight training, no combat skills mind you. And was tasked to fight Bridget neck breaker. The worlds top aura locked woman fighter in a one on one fight."

Roman said flicking his cane and making the screen switch to show a woman with black hair, standing at eight?! Feet tall with bulging muscles, a long dark ponytail with black eyes and tanned skin. Dressed in a form-fitting tank top as Jaune gulped.

"He fought her?!"

"Yup! Little Timothy fought the worlds best aura locked fighter, with years of weight lifting and combat training in a one on one fight!"

"That's not fair!"

"You are damned right!"

"It would be a slaughter!"

"It was! For her!"

Roma sai grinned as Jaune balked.

"What?"

"Jaune. Little Timothy won his fight with her. Handily mind you. He beat the words best aura locked fighter and beat her in single combat."

Roman said grinning as Jaune gaked.

"But... how? She's-

"Bigger? Stronger? More muscles and better lung capacity with years fo training? She should have mopped the floor with him! And she would have in not for his aura making the difference!"

Roman said tapping his cane to show a photo of Timothy standing over Bridget with a foot on her head. Two black eyes on his face as the woman laid faced won on a foam mat.

"How?"

"Jaune do you even know what Aura is?"

"It's a shield right?"

"Oh, my! Jaune you adorable wide-eyed protege of mine! It is so much more than just a shield! Jaune aura is the very manifestation of your soul! It's the thing that makes you! It's the very real flowing of raw energy that makes you alive! Jaune aura is raw energy. And when someone with aura fights someone without aura? The one with aura wins. Almost all the time. Even a man weak as Timothy was able to beat someone who should have wiped the mat with them! All because of his aura! Now!"

The man said tapping his cane as he grinned.

"Aura is not the end all be all! Even if a man with his aura unlocked can beat about any woman with her aura locked. But! What if the woman has hers unlocked? Then you are fighting someone who is not only superior they have all the power of a soul? Well, you are going to have a bad time. Unless!"

"Unless you are smart! And thank Monty for this! The invention of guns! Guns are the great equalizer! They can allow even one aura locked user to take down even a semblance user with skill and practice! And I am proud to see you taking my advice on that."

Roman said as he grinned at the brief silver case on the table in front of him. With its open case as a long black object laid in it.

"Jaune let me be honest with you. You need to win Vytal. It's not just for you it's for all of us. Me, you and Neo." Roman said as Jaune cocked his head.

"All? Why?"

Jaune asked the man as he grew an irritated look as he finished his cigar. Stomping it out on an ashtray. Scowling as Neo instantly appeared to him putting afresh one in his mouth and lighting it in on ego.

"Thanks."

"Your welcome."

Neo signed as Roman continued.

"Jaune I'll be honest. I bought you a week, but it's not that simple. Even if you do come with me. And you do perfectly! You and I are still probably going to die. Or worse."
Roman said taking another puff from his cigar as Jaune gulped.

"What? What do yo-

"Jaune... In my line of work a would you have just signed up for. There are some rather powerful entities in the world. Some and most of them want us either dead, in my and Neo's case or in your case, reclaimed."

Roman said in a dark tone as he gulped.

"Reclaimed? What does-

"Don't worry about it because it's not going to happen. As long as you listen and listen well. You and I have a shot. Not a good one but a decent one. Right now the odds of us making it out of this shitstorm that is coming our way are none. And even now all that I did was buy us time for-

"For what? Roman what's happening!? What's coming to us-

"Jaune. I have brought us one week. If you win Vytal, I can buy us another three years. Either way in the next year or three Vytal will fall."

"Fall?"

"Jaune something big is happening. If you win Vytal, I can push it back until the next tournament in three years time when-

"I'd be a fourth year."

"Yes. And I will have three more years to figure us a way out of this hell hole and-

"Why? Why me? Why are you telling me this? And why-

"Because you are bait! The things trying to kill me for some reason seem to like you! I don't know why and I honestly don't care! But if you want to live a life as something other than a slave, then you are going to not only win Vytal, but I and you are going to be best friends!"

Roman said glaring at Jaune as he saw his emerald eyes. Jaune saw a rare glimmer of fear and desperation in them. As he knew at that one moment that despite everything Roman might have been, liar, their, murder, at his core he was a human. A scared shitless human that wanted to do nothing more than survive what was coming for him. At that moment Jaune gained insight into the man and knew he spoke the truth.

Roman needed his help, and if what he said was true Jaune needed his. As he grimaced.

"What do you need of me?"

Jaune asked as Roman grinned.

"I need you to win Vytal."

"Easier said than done."

Jaune pointed out as Roman grinned.

"For others maybe but for you? The prince in the castle?"

"I hate that name."

"I know it's terrible but! It's how you are gon to not only mop the floor with Vytal, but you are going to be the first male winner of the tournament!"

Roman said waving his arms as Jaune glared at him.

"That still does not show me how. How am I going to mop the floor?"

"Jaune have you ever heard of the phrase that a wise predator hides its fangs? Becuase that is exactly how you are going to win!"

Roman said pushing the crate to Jaune as he looked at it.

In the front was his new weapon. An illegal rail rifle and pistol. Both were weapons that sent solid objects at their opponents hurling him them at ludicrous velocities using experiment and highly illegal rail technology.

Roman had insisted Jaune use this and-
WHAM!

Another silver briefcase now on the table as Jaune saw a nearly identical pair of rifle and pistol in it as he blinked.

"What the hell are these?"

Jaune asked as he looked at another silver static case with an identical pair of weaponry inside of it.

"This is the plan. Jaune this is the art of deception!

"An Arc-

"Never lies yeah! Yeah! Neo told me all about that over the few days. For a minute she can sure talk? I mean it's always Jauen this! Jaune that! I mean sure you like having your hair pulled during sex and-

"WHAT!? No, I don't'!"

"Don't lie!"

Neo signed as Jaune blushed brightly as the blood ran over his face as Roman sighed.

"Either way! This is how this is going to work. Jaune. The rail weapons stay here with Neo. When you train with her, you use them and your hatchet knife pair."

"And the others?"

"From now on you will only! Use the other assault rifle and pistol along with your sword and while in school."

"But why?"

"Jaune! Like I said. You are going to be in Vytal! And as much as I do not like a woman only a fool calls them stupid. They are smart. And if they get uses to your fighting style? You lose. Period."

"You need to give them the bare minimum amount of knowledge on how you fight. Making them think! That you have one specific fighting style will all the while Neo give you a fighting chance!"

Roman said as he flicked his cane as another screen came down as he grinned.

"Now before we go on know this, To win Vytal you will need a sneak attack and the problem with sneak attacks is...


"That they only work once."

Jaune said despondently as he walked down the street. Roman's plan for him to win Vytal was ambitious, to put it mildly. And while it would work it was also going to be damned difficult. Jaune needed to start now when he got home and-

"Look at the freak!"

"Goddess! Look at her stupid ears!"

"She also has a tail! I thought that they only had one freak part!? She has two? Is she a double freak-

"Please stop! I don't want any trouble!"

A sacred voice said as Jaune looked to his left and scowled. There he saw three women bully a timid cat faunus citizen as he growled once as he walked over to them preparing to help the woman and-

"He-

"Knock it off! Who the hell are you!?"

A loud voice said as a towering figure suddenly emerged from nowhere as the woman gasped.

"Oh shit!"

"Huntress!"

"Let's get out of here!'

The three harassers yelled as they sprinted away.

"Hey! Get back here! I'm not done with you!"

The feminine? Voice that was surprising masculine said as Jaune saw the teal-armored huntress bend down t help the woman up as he gasped.

"Hey, are you ok?"

"Y- Yes! Thanks for helping me!"

"No problem. It's what I do."

The huntress said as a disbelieving Jaune walked up to her.

"You... You helped her? Why would you do that?"

Jaune asked as the woman bristled.

"Because those women were a bunch of angry ignorant cunts! That's why!"

"But... she's a faunus."

"So!? What does that have anything to do with it!? My best friends a faunus I'll have you know! And I don't tolerate this shit! Do you got a problem with that!?"

The woman said angrily turning around as her mouth dropped as Jaune stood flabbergasted.

"No. Not at all. I just didn't expect this from you Cardina." Jaune said as her mouth dropped.


"And this concludes my report! I believe you will find everything in order and approve of my mission posthaste!"

A cheery voice said as a stack of papers shuffled.

"Penny...

"Yes general! Autonomous combat unit cond named Penny Pollendina reporting for duty! What can I do for you?"

Penny asked the general as he sighed into his papers.

"Penny. You do know that what you propose is a risk to national security correct?"

"And? General! You where the one to say injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere! And if we let the slightest infraction slide today it could cause an avalanche of villainy to end the world tomorrow!"

Penny claimed in her usually perpetual cheery voice as the general sighed.

"Penny... You are asking me to acquire a human being."

The general said wording his words carefully as Penny blinked.

"Aquire? No! I am asking you to save a boy from his life! I have given you clear evidence of crimes committed and with the circumstantial proof that I have shown should be more than enough to approve my operation!"

Penny said as IronWood sighed heavily.

"Penny. This is the Arc clan we are talking about. We can't just steal-

"Rescue! Sir this is a clear-cut example of domestic abuse and at this rate, I believe he is more danger!"

"And you think that me approving your mission will get him out of said danger?"

Ironwood asked glaring at the robot girl who was for all intents and purposes his daughter as she nodded her head.

"Yes, I do!"

"Penny...

"General! You where the one to teach me how to live! You taught me the values of Atlas and instilled in me a sense of purpose, and this is what I want to do!"

"Penny. This is different. You are an Atlas asset. I can not just have you go and take a child and assassinate!? His mother!? Penny! What are you-

"General. As you know I was not born like you. I was made in a laboratory in Atlas."

" I know this Penny. I was the first person you saw when you first opened your eyes."

"Yes. And from that day onward you not only gave me purpose but you gave me life. I did not have to be this. What I am. I did not have to wear a school dress. I did not need to have custom fir clothes. I did not need anything but that which benefited my original purpose as a weapon."

"Penny you are more than a weapon and-

"Only because of you sir. You showed me a better life. You let me go to your academy. You let me join the military officially and fraternize with the soldiers many of whom have grown fond of me. And against everyone's wishes, you let me enroll in Vytal! You gave me a life outside of being what I was built for. You showed me a better way and now I want to show him a better life. A life free of fear and pain. I want to give him a life that is worth living!"

"And you honestly believe you can do that?"

"I do."

"It' not that I don't believe you but this is ridiculous! I mean how will this plan even work!?'

"Sir, it's like you said. On my trip to Beacon before I evaded capture, I took a glance into Beacon security ad-

"You hacked them!? You spied on our allies!?"

"Sir! The information I gained has bee critical!"

"Penny what you did is no better than Opal's trick-

"Sir! It is as you suspected! Opal is lying to us! Look at my files! You will see why I need to infiltrate Beacon! it's not just for me but for the good of all of Atlas!"

Penny claimed as IronWood sighed looking at the document once before his jaw dropped. His already hard face softened by his daughter's presence became as hard as bedrock as he teeth ground against one another as he nearly ripped the file in two.

"Dammit! I knew she was tricking me but this!? This is going too far!"

"I concur, sir!"

"She is not a god! How dare she do something like this! Is she that mad or has power blinded her to her own folly!? This could cause another war another mass genocide and-

"That is why I believe it is imperative that I enter Beacon sir! Not only to save Jaune but to stop Opal before her plans become to far along and we can do nothing but watch as she makes Beacon into a superpower!"

"Penny... why you? Why are you so invested in this boy?"

"Sir you told me once that I am nothing without my word. And I believe that to be the empirical truth. I was offered a hand by this boy and I accepted it. I can not leave him be."

Penny said in a frim tone as IronWood held her gaze before sighing once and rubbing his head.

"Fine. It is as you say. Without our words we are actions are meaningless-

"And without our actions our words are pointless."

Penny finished the saying as the nodded.

"I agree with you Penny but why you? Why do you want to infiltrate the school?"

"Simple sir. I am not a citizen of Atlas. I am as you said an asset. I am under the jurisdiction of no laws and I have complete freedom to do as I will and act how I please. I am not bound to anything but my makers and as a tool, you are free from any backlash that comes from my actions. And! If I do secure Jaune that will give Atlas access to the recourses of their state! Imagine what we can do with that sir! Think about how we can benefit!"

Penny said as he scratched his head before he sighed heavily.

"Fine. Find out what you can on Opal. I want to know any and everything she does in Beacon. And find out just how the hell she plans to turn Amber into a damn superweapon and find a way to stop it!"

"And Jaune?"

"I do not care how you obtain the boy. As long as you do not do it against his consent all methods are fair. You know his code?"

"I just downloaded it and am on my seven thousandth analysis of it!"

"Good. Then you have your mission, Penny. Infiltrate Beacon and stop Opal. No matter the cost. And if possible get Jaune out but not before Vytal ok?"

"Sensational sir! I predict that in less than seventeen hours there is a three hundred percent chan that not only will Jaune be mine and safe! I will have eyes an ears in all of Beacon!"

"Good. Make it so."

The man said as Penny saluted sharply as she grinned. Just you wait Jaune! I'm going to save you and stop this madness! Penny thought as she broke her salute and walked out of the command room of the supercarrier Daedelus...


AN: Well! Here we go! More Game on! A little bit of ReNora but not the whole thing! That was just a rough answer to thier journey but don't you worry! I got a backstory for them! Anyways! With that, the chapter comes to a close! The plan is in motions, Penny is on the loose and Cardina is defending faunus!? What is that!? Character development good girl Cardin? Find on next time on Game on!


Inventory log updated. New items acquired.

IL. JHK-XKL. Unique assault rifle.

Damage 100.

Fire rate three bullets per second.

Modes. Single fire, semi automatic, full auto.

DPS. 300

Crit modifier DMG X 2

Magazin capacity 30. Bullets remaining 270

Unique Gauss rifle designed by Roman for training ! Gauss weaponry is illegal in all kingdoms! Use of this weapon in the presence of any authority figure will lead to a conflict!

IL. XKLR-Accelerator. Unique pistol.

Damage 140

Dps 140

Magazine capacity 14. Bullets remaining 240

Crit modifier DMG X 2

Single shot only.

Unique Gauss pistol designed by Roman for training.

HKR Assault rifle.

Damage 40

DPS 120

Magazine capacity 30. Bullets remaining 270

Crit modifier DMG X 2

Basic military grade assault rifle.

Saint Victa.

Common pistol.

Damage 50

DPS 100

Magazine capacity 14. Bullets remaining 240

Single shot.

Warning! New crisis initiated. Codename nihilistic acquisition!

Contact update!

Roman Torchiwck insight level 50 reached can now see stats.

Blake Belladonna insight level 50 reached can now see stats.

New contact! Cardin Winchester.

Seraphina Adel insight level 50 reached can now see stats.

Attention! Congratulations Gamer! You have made a total of four level fifty insight levels! As of right now, the mission operation feature is unlocked! Allowing you to launch missions for the week!

New quests.

A cunning predator. Disguise your fighting style while learning that of your opponents.

Reward. Lady Killer V2. plus 50% damage to female opponents. And double all not combat stats when placed against a female opponent.

Dead man walking. Find a cure for your heart.

Affliction quest. Until completed there is a 50% every hour that you will take on damage reducing your total health by a percent.

The house falls down. Figure out who wants to acquire you and prevent it.

Reward. Your true threat is revealed.

That's life. Go on a run with Roman.

Reward XP and money.

Best laid plans. Raise all insight levels to fifty.

Allows access to mission type sabotage your allies weaponry.


Omake The Darkest Remnant. Part eight. The Reunion.

"Ruby!? Blake!? What are you-

FWAP!

The Arbalest interrupted the Crusader slapping him across his open helmet as the woman glared at him.

"You idiots! Do you have any idea how worried we were about you!? Do you!? Do you!?'

Ruby glared as her friends as Jaune and Ren panicked as Blake stepped up.

"I never thought that you were that bright Jaune, but Ren? I thought you would have the good sense to talk him out of it."

Blake said cooly as the Grave Robber rested against a wall sharpening her pick ax as Jaune sighed.

"Ruby look-

"Nope!"

"Ruby-

"Nope!'

"But I-

"Nope!"

'Why are you like this?"

"Because my friends are a bunch of thick-headed numb skulls would run away from their problems instead of facing them head on! Now hold still while I heal you!"

Ruby yelled taking out her field dressings as she began to wrap up her friends.

"Well if you ask me that went rather well. If I do say so myself."

Ozpin as the gohst was now called said as Oscar found himself forced to agree with the abomination for once in his life.

After the arrival of the two new heroes, the now fully equipped party got to explore the dungeon and leave without camping.

"Oscar? Was it I don't want to sound rude but why in the seven hells is an NPC going on a quest with heroes?"

The Grave Robber now know as Blake said as Oscar gulped.

"Well! As you may or may not know! I am the lord of this here estate. And t he rightful heir to-

'Yeah. Yea. I heard enough after lord."

The villain class said as the five of them approached the tavern that was suspiciously noisy. As a cachaphony of noise could be hear form inside as Oscar pushed open the doors.

"Oscar! You are ok!"

A sharp accented voice said as Velvet wrapped the NPC ina tight hug as he gakked.

"I though you were going ot be in bed!"

"I was but then these new heroes came and was an Occultist and he healed me!"

Velvet said as Oscar looked around the now thriving bar as he saw them.

There she was. A tall seven-foot amazon eating mountains of meat and downing inhuman amounts of ale with word Hellion floating above her head. Next to her was a pale-skinned woman with the title Valkyrie floating above her head as she ate a small hill of pancakes of all things and-

"Pyr?"

Jaune asked as the Hellion turned her emerald eyes to him gasping once as she tossed her meat to the side as she stood up.

"Pyr I-

"You idiot!"

The woman yelled pulling back her fist slamming it into Jaune's helm sending him flying back into a table breaking it in half.

"Oww! Pyr! That hurt-

Jaune was silenced as the Hellion put her lips to his as Oscar blushed.

"Pyr I-

WHAP!

The woman hit him, then she kissed him, then she hit him again, then she kissed him again. This got so bad eventually Oscar was thinking Jaune would need surgery before-

"I can't take it anymore!"

Pyr? Yelled as suddenly jumped on Jaune straddling his hips and-

"Your' too young to see this!"

Velvet said covering his ears as the woman mounted her prize. The last Oscar saw of him was the woman mounting him before moans? Fill the air and-

"Hey you! You the NPC fighting demons and shit? Cause if you are! Boy do I need a job!"

A voice said as Oscar turned from the copulating couples as he saw a cheeky knock out blonde waiting for him with the word Brawler scrawled above here head.