Yo Peeps, GMG back with chapter 38. Quick news, the first chapter for my RubyVelvet story is finished, so, when this one ends, that chapter should go up within a day or so, if not hours. That said, onwards!
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY...
If someone had told him that hell would be an army of Grimm attacking in the middle of a festival, Jaune might have called you insane. Actually, he would definitely have. He was barely managing to hold his own, despite having grouped up with the other students, foreign academies included. The young hunters and huntresses in training had been ensuring that the civilians were safely evacuated from the school grounds and it was taking a toll on some.
Add into that the fact that the atlas robots seemed to have gone renegade and everything had really gone to shit. Kicking away the remnants of another Knight, he took a quick scan of the battlefield and sighed. It seemed that they had gotten everyone out of this area. Velvet seemed rather worn out and Coco was reloading the massive weapon she toted around.
He heard a familiar clacking of heels and his head turned to see Pyrrha sprinting towards them. Jaune smiled, glad to have another familiar face, but the smile faded as she ran past them and towards the tower. Concerned etched his features and he ran after her. What was she doing?
"Pyrrha! Wait up, Pyrrha!" He called, huffing as he kept running. She didn't slow down and he didn't either. His lungs burned, but he ignored the pain and pushed forward. The two were now coming up on the base of the tower and only then did Pyrrha slow down. Jaune came to a stop beside her, huffing and puffing. Catching his breath, he looked at her. "What are you doing, Pyrrha?! All this crap is happening and you run to the tower?!"
Green eyes flashed with sadness as she exhaled. "It's not that simple, Jaune." She glanced up at the tower. "Ozpin asked me to do something and I didn't know whether I could or not."
"Do what?" He asked.
Looking back to him, she replied. "Become the Fall Maiden." She knew he was surprised, but the couldn't wait any longer. "Come, I'll explain as we go." Thankfully, he followed.
They entered an elevator and it began it's descent. Turning to Jaune, she collected her thoughts. "Ozpin explained to me the story of the Four Maidens and how that particular fairy tale has it's roots in truth. A maiden for each of the four seasons and one was attacked some time ago." Pyrrha pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I don't get why, but the powers are passed to the female that was last in the thoughts of the maiden, regardless of their feelings for that person, so to prevent the powers of the Fall Maiden being passed to her attacker, Ozpin and the others put her in stasis."
"Others?"
Pyrrha nodded. "Professor Goodwitch, General Ironwood, and Ruby's uncle. They wanted me to try and absorb the remaining power of the Fall Maiden. The only problem is that we don't know how it'll end up, even if it works."
Jaune frowned. "What do you mean? Wouldn't you just be getting her powers?"
A mirthless laugh came from Pyrrha. "I've told you before, Jaune. Our aura is our soul, pouring her power into me would be pouring her soul into mine. I might not be the same person afterwards."
A shudder of motion shook the elevator and the doors hissed open. Ozpin stood before them, his eyes locking onto Pyrrha. "So you've decided, Miss Nikos?"
Gathering herself, she nodded. "Yes, Professor. I'll do it."
"Very well. Time is short, so we best hurry." He started walking, Pyrrha behind him. "You too, Mr. Arc. I'm afraid we'll need your help."
"U-um, right." Jogging to catch up, he looked around at the dark corridor. It seemed to stretch on for a ways, but their end point was fairly straightforward. A large machine with two massive capsules, one empty and the other occupied.
Pyrrha climbed into the unoccupied one and Ozpin took position at the device's interface. "Mr. Arc, please keep an eye out for anyone. It is imperative that this process isn't interrupted."
Nodding, Jaune turned to the hall, he raised his shield and shifted his stance, ready to intercept anything, even if the hall was empty now. A whir started up, the machine coming to life and the noise rose. As it climbed higher in volume, Pyrrha started yelling in pain and he almost turned to her. Gritting his teeth, he tried to block it out. She needed him to keep an eye out for her. Tears leaked from his eyes as her screams flooded his hearing.
Right as he was about to ignore his better judgment and ask for them to stop, he saw her, A woman in a red dress stepped out of the elevator, amber eyes glowing in the low lighting of the hall. Waving her arms, a bow formed out of dust and she raised it, pulling back on the string as an arrow settled itself. Jaune shook slightly, thinking she was about to take aim on him, but her focus shifted and she fired.
Diving towards it, Jaune blocked it with his shield, the arrow clattering to the ground as he tumbled into a roll, regaining his balance. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to block further shots if he didn't do something, he took a calming breath and shot towards the woman. She had her bow raised once more, but she dropped it as she saw him closing in, the bow fading away and daggers being formed instead. Bringing the both of them up, she blocked his overhead slash, glaring unabashedly at him. "Stand down, boy, or die."
He growled as he put more strength behind his sword, forcing her back. "Stay away from my friends." As she stumbled back, he pushed forward with his shield, trying to knock her off balance, but she side stepped and slashed at him, cutting him shallowly on one of his arms. He hissed in pain and brought his sword up, turning as he did so, to avoid her second blade.
The woman danced back and flipped one of the daggers into a reverse grip. As Jaune attacked her, she parried or blocked with ease, slashing him with each mistake. As his aura dropped, the strikes left their marks. He was by no means a great fighter and this woman outclassed him, but Pyrrha needed all the time she could get, so he pressed on.
Cinder was surprised by his determination, even after his aura had failed. He still fought on, even as blood dripped from his wounds. She could tell he was tiring, but he kept swinging. He was brave, she had to admit, but it was time she ended this. With a quick motion, she pushed his guard open, his sword being tossed aside as she drove her other blade into his abdomen, angling it up into his chest under his armor.
He coughed painfully, but gripped her arm, causing her eyes to widen in shock. She pulled back, but he wouldn't let her go. Slamming his shield into her face, he kept bashing away, her aura dropping before he couldn't swing any more and dropped to the floor, his hand loosening and finally letting go.
She heard a hiss as he fell and her eyes shot up, widening as she saw the capsule open and Pyrrha step out. Cursing, she readied her bow and shot at the girl. Pyrrha didn't see it coming and Cinder smiled, thinking it would find its mark. A clang of sound had her frowning as Ozpin knocked it aside.
Pyrrha finally regained her bearings, emerald eyes locking onto the bloodied form at Cinder's feet. "Jaune!" Grabbing her weapon and shield, she glared at the woman, but a hand from Ozpin stayed her, grudgingly.
"You will not be able to beat her, Pyrrha. Let me handle this." Ozpin dashed forward, engaging Cinder as Pyrrha ran past, escaping. He watched her go before glancing at Jaune's body. "Your sacrifice will not be in vain, Mr. Arc. That is one mistake I will not make."
End...
So, not many chapters left... Things are wrapping up and I'm very proud of this fic, all things considered. It's only 17k views away from beating out my other fic, BCB.
Adieu for now!