Disclaimer: I own neither the series nor the characters

It was hot.

The sun glared down at the tiny humans below and, much like the old fairy tale, Jaune wished he could glare back to shoo it away. It didn't help that the thing was obnoxiously bright. Not that staring into the sun hurt his eyes anymore as he had found out.

Maybe, the whole thing had been just too sudden. Going from the harsh coolness of winter to the overwhelming heat of summer may have had some sort of whiplash. He didn't even know how to explain to his family if he'd come back with a tan. It's not like he was supposed to be on a small island in Vale not Vacuo.

At least his magic was helping out. Rubbing his hands over his arms provided some coolness although Jaune didn't want to empty his reserves just because he was feeling hot. It didn't help that his companion looked completely unbothered, at all.

The God of Light took a sip of her drink, a blue lemonade concoction so sour and salty that, combined with the heat, made Jaune want to vomit. She actually looked to be enjoying it, from the way her legs were swinging from her chair.

The goddess had changed into a two-piece swimsuit, a top striped white and pink that held up her modest chest paired with a dark red bottom barely covered by a short translucent white skirt that didn't even reach the top half of her knees. The short length was emphasized by the single dark red garter wrapped around her right thigh which the skirt's edge barely grazed. It was all topped by a thin jacket with layers of frill at its bottom made of the same barely see-through material as her skirt.

The whole ensemble was as eye-catching as the expensive price tag had been.

Jaune, himself, opted for a simple pair of board trunks. Although, even that cost quite a lean lien. Not to mention the two had spent the whole morning shopping for clothes to wear. Jaune had only packed winter apparel and so needed a whole new wardrobe or he'd melt. The situation only felt worse when the clothes being sold were clearly overpriced or was that just his small town perspective playing a part?

Really, it almost felt like he had fallen into some sort of tourist trap. It was only the ridiculous amount of lien that Light had earned that made sure only the sun above was making him sweat.

Speaking of tourists…

"Hm, there are quite a lot of people," hummed Light, placing down her glass as she took in the sight of all the people at the beach

"Tell me about it." Jaune grumbled back. He wasn't even sure how Light was able to get a table of the beachside cafe they were staying at. Sure it was somewhat pricey but Jaune wanted to rest his feet after spending the whole day looking for reasonably priced summer clothes he wouldn't be using again in months.

Everywhere else was also packed full.

Contributing to the overall heat of the island were all the other tourists that had flocked their way into Patch. The sandy beachside of the small island like sardines. Jaune swore there were more people here than the amount he's ever met in his life.

It was holiday season too so he couldn't blame people if they wanted to get away from the cold of winter and relax at a beach that wasn't in Vacuo or Mistral. This all at least explained why hotel prices had skyrocketed...even if some hadn't existed a few months back.

Not just the tourists made up the crowd, many students of Signal were also there enjoying the holiday break. This meant many pretty girls his age were walking around in swimsuits which overstimulated the young blonde. His small town had barely any girls his age with most of them being his own sisters. Even their waitress was serving their food in a swimsuit combined with an apron which meant he couldn't keep asking for refills of water without sounding creepy.

Just another reason why it was so hot.

"It does not seem we'll be able to explore the island at this rate." spoke up Light, after finishing her drink. There was just too much of a crowd. "Plus, the number of people makes it hard for me to pinpoint any singular source of life."

Another reason for spending the whole morning looking for clothes was to give Light an excuse to walk around the island. However, it didn't seem like she found anything.

"What about that thing you said earlier? About a god using the pool's power?"

"Since we've set foot upon this land, it seemed we've entered another god's domain." The goddess' mouth thinned. "Whether they are the reason the Pool of Light has been compromised I can not say."

"So we can't reach out to this God then, huh?" Jaune shook his head. There would be no point as they wouldn't know if they were friend or foe. What should have been a simple survey had become much more complicated.

Thankfully, their morning did reap something besides Jaune's wallet.

"I did find something out." Jaune pulled out a pamphlet from his bag. It was the one of many given to him when he entered the island. It contained a map of Patch, some "go to" places, and a short story of the island's origin. "I thought the legends surrounding it could give us some hints."

Sure it could have been something made up by a tourism intern to give the island more mythology but it was the best lead they had.

The pamphlet read that, back in time immemorial, a group of humans had rebelled against their creator gods. The humans had lost which led their leader and the other members of the rebellion to be eternally banished into the depths of the planet. After some time, even the gods had grown tired of their creations and had left the planet. Their last act was to use part of the moon to seal away the hole housing the prisoners.

This piece of the moon, because of its purpose, was named Patch.

The recent eternal summer was said to be the heat from the core of the planet finally reaching the surface after so long.

When Jaune had researched further, there weren't any real explanations for the eternal summer. Much like Forever Fall, a forest that never left autumn, it seemed most people had just accepted it being some weird side effect of some special dust.

The goddess' expression had grown somber when he retold what was on the pamphlet, especially when he had mentioned a rebellion. However, that then shifted to confusion, her eyebrows pulling together.

"I do not remember anything like prisoners however that may have been after my time. After all, another god calls this island its domain." Light's eyes hardened, internally assessing the situation. "We will try again tomorrow but see if Darkness has any insights tonight."

"Right." Jaune's shoulders slumped as he agreed. For some reason, he had believed they'd just arrive on the island and run into the Pool easy peasy. He took out his scroll to message the host he'd be staying with that he was going to be there in an hour or so.

Just as he finished, two glasses were placed on the table. Both the same blue lemonade drink Light had just finished. He didn't remember ordering anymore (nor would he).

"On the house." The cute waitress clarified with a tantalizing smile that had Jaune wonder if his face had gotten sunburned. She left without any other words not that Jaune could reply with how tongue-tied he was. It was only after watching her walk back to the counter did he regain his senses

"...what was that about?"

Light did not reply. She simply took one of the drinks and took a long loud sip from it until only ice remained.

It was already past lunch when Jaune got to the lodge he'd be staying at for his duration of the trip.

Just him, of course. Light had turned back into a sword mainly so they could save money. He had booked at a room for one. Homes turned into B&B places or dorms were common in Patch, mainly due to visiting Signal students. There had been more than usual when he had checked and now he knew why. Also, explained why hotel prices had spiked up.

Jaune had chosen a simple wood cabin lodging. It was a little far off from the city but it was also closer to the woods which may have put off some people but if a mystical pool of magical energy was going to be anywhere, it was probably in the Grimm infested forests.

Plus, free breakfast too.

The biggest con had been that Jaune would basically be renting the room while the house owners were still living in it but he couldn't afford to complain. Besides, anything less than the nine people in one house he was used to, was already a godsend. It also wasn't like he planned to stay there that long. Since last summer, he had barely stayed in his home own too.

On a side note, he really needed to just move into the shrine already but there were still way too many things to fix up like water and electricity.

Already by the door was a blonde girl that looked to be abut his age. She could have stood in for one of his sisters but none of them had ever let their hair grow that wild. Lilac eyes met his own when she finally noticed him. She waved her hand and Jaune waved back.

"You're Jaune, right?"

"Yeah." replied Jaune. After an awkward pause, he then over his scroll." Uh, here. You can verify it with my scroll. And you're...Tai?"

"Yang, actually." The girl brought out her own to confirm Jaune's booking on the lodging app. "My dad was the one who set it up so it's his name but I've been the one getting the messages."

"Oh. That's cool." Jaune's grip on his backpack tightened as he waited for the girl, Yang, to finish things up on her end. Eventually, she finally looked up with approval in what she saw.

"Everything looks right here." Yang motioned to the house behind her. "Well, let's get you settled in then."

They both entered the log cabin, Yang first with Jaune following after. The interior was plain but warm. There a bookshelf lined with volumes and various pictures. The kitchen and dining room were only separated by a single counter. It felt small but Jaune had lived in a house where at least nine people lived in so it may have just been his own perspective.

As they made their way over to his room, Yang went over the rules previously agreed upon. His room had its own bathroom and even a mini fridge so he didn't need to use theirs. If he wanted to use the kitchen he needed to buy his own ingredients and clean up after but was welcome to use any of the equipment. He could use the internet but not to download anything too excessive.

Of course, he wasn't allowed to bring anyone over.

All things Jaune had already known but he guessed it was part of the process.

When they made it to the room, Yang handed him over a key before using opening the door.

The room was simple. A painting of a boat, a television, and a mini fridge were basically all it had besides a single bed by the window with a view of the woods outside. For Jaune who had lived bunking with his sisters his whole life, it looked perfect.

"You're allowed to go in and out when you please but we do have a curfew at around ten so try not to make too much noise by then."

"I don't really plan to."

"That's a shame. Patch has really been upping their club scene." Yang replied with a grin. "Everyone else used to just go to Vale but, nowadays, it's freezing over there."

"Any suggestions?"

"Interested now, huh?" The girl raised an eyebrow matched with a self-pleased look. "I'd suggest hitting the South district. All the beaches are up East but the real night life is in the South. That's where all the new clubs can be found. Some don't even check ID...not that I'd know."

Jaune nodded. It made sense that the two largest tourist places would be next to each other. Maybe worth looking into. "What about the North?"

"That's Signal." Yang then walked over to the dresser and took what looked to be a flyer on it. She handed it to Jaune who was for once on the receiving end. "If you have time, come check it out. I'm obligated to give this to you."

It was a flyer much like the ones he made. Only this one was advertising Signal, a combat school for Hunters.

"I'll consider it." Jaune pocketed the flyer. There was still one thing he needed to ask. "Any places I should avoid by the way? Grimm-wise, I mean."

"Western part of the island and the forests in general. It's not as dangerous as outside the Kingdoms but consider yourself warned." She eyed the weapon strapped to his waist. "Good place if you're looking for practice. Students use it all the time. Just try to avoid it at night."

"Yeah. Okay." Taking a look into the room again, Jaune set down his backpack on the bed. He turned back to his host. "Well. I think I'll fix up. Anything else I need to know?"

"Breakfast is at seven. You're invited to join us but just message me if you want me to set it aside."

"Cool. I'll be leaving after I freshen up anyways." Jaune returned a smile. "Thanks again. You won't even notice I'm here. It's actually my first time travelling without family"

"Lucky." Yang chuckled. "Between the two of us, this B&B thing actually was my idea. I'm even bunking with my sis right now so all proceeds will go to a new bike." Yang gave him a wink. "All tips too."

With that Yang finally left, closing the door behind her.

Jaune released a long exhale. His shoulders shagged and his back rounded. He had really been expecting some old crusty dude, not some pretty girl. Who else would live out in the wilderness in a log cabin?

Shaking his head, he started unpacking his things. The faster he got dressed. the faster he could leave.

Night at Patch was different from night back at Jaune's home town.

First off, it wasn't as dark. The people here actually bothered with street lamps with their roads at least. It was just a little past dinner time and it was weird for the world to not have died down. There were still people roaming the streets, mostly tourists like him he'd guess from their attire.

Second, there were actually some stores that were open. Bars, both the hip and shady kinds, were open for those who wanted to live a bit after hours. Back home, all businesses closed around this time, as well.

It was the first time he'd even seen a twenty-four-hour convenience store chain in real life. More so, the never closing Schnee Dust stores.

From what he'd heard, before the eternal summer boom, Patch was mainly known for its combat school, Signal. It made a lot of its tourism from the influx of Hunter and Huntress hopefuls who could train there even at a younger age then Beacon. Some used it as a prepatory school but others just got their licenses there.

Even Jaune had considered applying to Signal to begin his Hunter legacy. He was supposed to send his application to the mail the day after he'd try out the family heirlooms. There was an odd sense of wistfulness thinking that he still ended up going to Patch, albeit for different reasons.

Speaking of which, one of those reasons was floating by his side.

Not seeming to care when the occasional bystanders stared at her, the God of Darkness pale bare toes hovered a few inches over the dirt ground below. While that part never changed, the goddess did have an alternate outfit consisting of a simple sleeveless dark summer dress topped with a wide brimmed straw hat. It would have been easy to mistake her for a regular girl if she hadn't been floating by him.

There was also the silver halo above her head but that was neither here nor there.

Now that Jaune thought about it, this was the first time Darkness really left the shrine. He glanced to his tagalong partner and she didn't look to share the same wide-eyed fascination Light had in the morning. A blank dour look was etched on her face which he wanted to say was her being uncomfortable…or bored.

"So, human. Do you have any idea on where the Pool of Light is?"

"Honestly, not really. We did some research earlier and I don't think we found anything that conclusive." Jaune patted the bare sword by his hip. They were lucky he found a holster for it even if leaving it swinging around was rather reckless. He had wanted to buy another sheathe but he felt Darkness would have been slighted over it. "If Light couldn't detect it, then I was hoping you could think of something."

"I appreciate the sentiment but if my sibling can't do it than I cannot, as well." replied Darkness, looking oddly pleased with herself even after admitting she couldn't do anything. The deity hummed, narrowing her eyes. "I do detect something amiss in this land. The air is tense with magical energy. The earth below feels almost unstable too."

"Like an earthquake?"

"Nay. The plates rumble yet it is not the planet that speaks." She lightly tapped her chin with her thumb before shaking her head. "This may just be an unrelated matter outside of our objective. Instead, let us follow the Grimm."

"The Grimm?" Jaune took a glance to his side and looked past all the buildings where only the top of Patch's dark woods laid. Yang had told him that was where the Grimm mostly resided.

"Indeed. They may be drawn to the Pool of Light. It's our best bet."

"Then should we go now?"

"There's no need to rush. You can go with Light in the day. Its power should be stronger and easier to detect by then. Besides," It was then did Darkness' emerald eyes gleam with a dark luster and something akin to a flame seemed to alight within them. "There is something else we must look into."

"And that is?"

The goddess did not give an answer. Instead, she floated forward then left, right in front of a certain stand by the road. To Jaune's surprise, the stand was still open with its front display lit up to show off all the delicacies on sale.

Forty flavors, to be more specific.

Like the child her body was, Darkness leaned against the glass display, protecting the multiple tubs of ice cream from the outside air. She stared into it with such wide eyes Jaune may have been forgiven to think he'd forget she was a goddess.

"Human," spoke Darkness as if that single word was enough to give her intentions away. It sadly was.

Sighing, Jaune allowed his body to relax. The thought of fighting Grimm again had set it on edge but it may have been easier in the day just as she said. Jaune reached into his back pocket for his wallet. He wanted to be a little thriftier but these funds were technically the shrine's funds. Which meant these would go into anything the goddesses desired.

He handed the wallet to the girl, who was still scanning through all the flavors. The blonde wasn't even sure if she knew how to use money but there was a first time for anything. Jaune almost wanted to tell her to just buy them all but felt like that was a slippery slope he did not want to cross yet.

"Try to pick one for Light too."

The girl did not reply, just continuing her browsing. Instead, Jaune turned to the bored looking receptionist. He couldn't even blame the guy for just browsing his phone after Darkness made it obvious she'd be taking a long while.

"Hey, uh, do you know where the closest bathroom is?" Besides the road, went unsaid. Sure, it was sort of okay back in a small town like his but this place actually had concrete for roads, not just earthy paths.

The man pointed to his right. "There should be a porta, past that block. Try there."

"Thanks." Jaune then glanced over at the still deciding Goddess. "Hey, I'm just going to…"

"Do not bother me with your human worries." A small hand was raised. "I will simply be here. And if you do need me, I will hear your call as your shield. Just make it quick."

Just as he was about to run off, Jaune unsheathed the sword and leaned it next to Darkness. It was less of giving the girl a weapon to defend herself with and more that Jaune realized it'd be kind of weird to have Light technically be next to him as he used the toilet.

"I'll be right back!" Jaune yelled as he waved off. It was a bit of a walk but he was able to spot what he needed without much difficulty.

The portable toilet was just where the man said it was. It was even relatively clean. Much cleaner than any outhouse Jaune had ever been in. Finally, after a whole day, he was finally able to relieve himself.

Much more awkward than having Light next to him, the teenager couldn't even think of doing it in the bathroom of a girl his age, especially when she was living in the same house. His sisters were one thing but an unrelated girl was another story. Awkward teenage things were awkward.

Jaune left the toilet, his body much less tense. Whoever set it up had also thoughtfully made sure there was a faucet by the side. He leaned down next to it, allowing the water to rinse his hands. No sooner had he finished scrubbing behind his nails when he felt a familiar pull to his side.

Without hesitation, the prophet leaned back. Jumping away from the leaking facet right as a large body of black smashed through the portable toilet he had just used.

A Beowulf (or Canine of Carnage as Darkness liked to call it) had indiscriminately ran right through where he had just been relieving himself moments ago. Jaune should have taken that as a sign of danger yet the Grimm barely gave him a glance as it removed itself from the wreckage and continued its charge away from Jaune.

What's worse more Beowolves followed after, much smaller than the one in the lead which could've been the Alpha of the pack. They all passed him without a trace of care. For a moment, Jaune even felt a bit insulted by it even if he knew he'd have stood no chance without any weapons.

Was it just his low aura supply?

Instead, he turned towards the direction they were all heading. Even if he somehow lucked out, that didn't mean others would be the same. He needed to warn somebody to bring in some actual Hunters before anyone got hurt.

Before he could say anything, all words died in his throat and his eyes widened as they finally took in the street the Grimm were running into, no, whatever they were headed to face.

In the distance stood a large humanoid figure. There was no face on the creature. Its pale body and limbs were thick and fat which contrasted with its thin gangly neck made Jaune think of a plucked whole chicken. Cuts and bruises sported its body, leaking out a glowing green substance that made Jaune immediately understand that this monster was neither natural nor Grimm.

As if to prove that point, the Beowolves lunged at their target that towered over them. On their credit, the assault was visibly hurting the creature. White claws and sharp teeth did their best to plunge into and tear apart what they could. Wounds were extended and green blood bathed the ruthless pack of Grimm.

The problem was that no matter what they did, their attacks didn't look to be affecting the monster at all.

It continued to stand still, as if in a daze, while a large number of Beowolves shredded into its body. For a moment, it looked as if it would simply be content with losing this, what looked to be, long war of attrition. Jaune had even considered to come back to help it out.

But then its stomach's flesh tore to reveal a human mouth full of large white teeth.

A high pitched shriek escaped the cavity, stopping even the Grimm in their tracks. A bad choice considering the monster then took one in each hand and stuffing it into the mouth in its torso. One crunch that even Jaune felt and two bisected Grimm laid on the street. The large creature's wounds started to close up as the other Beowolves warily stepped back from it. However, it was too late for such caution as the giant continued its feast of Grimm.

Unfortunately, Grimm weren't known for backing off so Jaune could only watch in horror as the creature made short work of the dark wolves. Some were bitten through by the large mouth. Some were torn in two by the sheer strength of its thick arms. The alpha Beowolf was over powered by a single large stomp, the sheer weight cracking the road beneath.

It had only taken a short moment but what was once a group of twenty something Grimm was now just ash in the air.

Now, Jaune Arc was not stupid. He may have been able to make an argument in battling a Beowulf or four but he knew his journey could have ended right then and there in a portable toilet. This thing? This thing would use him as its toilet and not in a lewd way.

But the Grimm did attack it. Maybe, it was just like the Guardian of the shrine? Maybe, this thing was protecting the land?

As if reading his thoughts, it turned to his direction and Jaune felt every thread attached to his body pull.

Jaune lifted his foot, knowing he needed to get to Darkness as fast as possible. If push came to shove, then he still had his semblance. He turned his body, ready to make a mad dash for his life.

"There you are!"

A squeaky voice barely entered Jaune's ears over a bang as loud as the winds of a hurricane. A flash of red had slammed into the monster's chest and, to the blonde's amazement, lifted it off its feet and sent it flying away.

Just as it was about to crash down onto the ground, the monster, despite its rotund heavy size, used its hands to flip itself up with the dexterity of an experienced dancer. With an enraged roar, it used its arms to try to grab whatever had hit it.

The key word was try as a red shape that was many times smaller than the giant's size zipped around the beast like an annoying fly. Glowing green seemed to trail whatever it was; monstrous blood oozing out from the cuts that were left in its trail.

It expertly dodged all the attacks, the surprisingly fast arms still unable to close any gaps.

It did one final attack that left gashes trailing all over the monster's legs before landing a little away from it, standing still enough that Jaune could finally take in whatever it was.

It wore a cutesy black dress and boots with layers of frilly red all around which was contradicted by the menacing red and black scythe that was possibly as long as Jaune was tall. All topped with a red hooded cloak that covered most of the head.

It was a girl.

And from what Jaune had seen so far, a magical one too. She almost looked like the ones from the shows his younger sisters would watch (that also ended up surprisingly having better action than what he watched).

"Red like Roses: Part II!" With a yell, the weapon in her hand shifted. Its shape contorted and became malleable as clay, keeping its red, lack, and steel colors. It only took a second but instead of a scythe that Death itself could have wielded, a much larger sword was in its place. The hilt was blood red and the blade was deep black, intercut with silver lines over its body.

It was too long to be called a blade by anyone but the giant she faced. It was too thick and wide and terribly improper to even be called a weapon. It would be easier to say it was some sort of cursed monolith, the lines over its body glowing with ancestral power.

Of course, the girl carried it as if the weapon weighed nothing, holding it up high with two hands. She blurred and, a second later, the large blade was stabbed deep into the monster's leg. For the first time in the night, the giant actually cried out in pain. A hand tried to grab her but she spun to her right, the part of her blade lodged inside detaching from the main weapon.

Another slash dug deep into the opposite leg and, again, to dodge the retaliation the girl detached another piece of her now shortening blade. She continued her assault the same way, wielding the large and clunky weapon with a deadly grace of a butcher. It may have helped that each time she made an attack, the dark long sword grow shorter and shorter until eventually only a red hilt was left.

Right Leg. Left Leg. Collarbone. Upper right arm. Windpipe. Lower spine. Groin. Left side.

Each place held a sharp dark matter large enough to kill any human. It only spoke more of the giant's monstrous endurance that it still stood unhindered.

The girl backed away with a twirl. She then leaned down, as if she was about to take a runner's position, before her body exploded into small red shards. Nine twisting red streams launched from where she had stood and towards her opponent.

Petals. Jaune realized as the breeze brought some over to him. Not to mention the familiar flowery scent. Rose petals.

In an instant, she was on the other side of the giant, her large broad sword in her hand, back in full length. Geysers of green erupted out of the monster's body, all the places where the girl had cut. The street was practically a river of the ooze, splashing as the monster fell to its knees.

It wasn't the only one as the girl fell to her knees, as well.

"Hey!" An inorganic voice yelled out with worry which got the hooded girl's attention. Her head raised and she turned to her weapon. Her body shook with struggle but eventually she was able to get back on her feet.

"I...I'm okay! Red like Roses: Part III!"

With her words, the weapon in her hands once again changed. With a long dark body topped with a red jewel, the staff in her hands matched her outfit perfectly even if it was as long as a pole arm.

"Intense like Ivy!"

Slamming her weapon into the ground, the strange girl yelled a phrase before jumping up high into the air leaving a burst of petals in her wake.

The monster turned its head up to follow its foe but this caused it to miss what was happening underneath it. Thick vines suddenly burst forth from underground, bursting from the concrete road directly below the monster.

A strangled inhuman cry was released as the green appendages pierced all the way through its body the mouth that housed it. Their power so intense the monster was lifted off the ground, fully impaling through. The vines continued to shoot past the monster's body and into the air where the red hooded girl was waiting high above.

"Double like daffodils!" With her cry, three identical hooded figures appeared surrounding her, all of them carrying the red scythe she had originally wielded. The vines wrapped around each one's waist as all the girls readied their weapons.

However, even impaled, the monster was not done yet. It raised its appendages up, trying to use its limb to cover its body but it seemed a futile effort. The vines pulled taught and retracted themselves at high speed, pulling each copy of the girl with them. Four curved blades came down like an executioner's guillotine.

One. Two. Three. Four.

Four instant slices that cut through their prey's defenses, showering the world in dark ichor. Four limbs detached from a body, flying in wide arcs. Four girls landing below, all fading away into a gust of rose petals. All except one who was already right below the limbless body, moving faster than gravity could take hold of it.

"Finishing move! Red like Roses-" With a mighty shout, the girl raised her hands to the sky above where a large body awaited them. If she didn't do anything soon, it would crush her like a bug. She had no weapons for once but her hands were now covered by a pair of red and black gloves.

Even from his distance, Jaune could see them light up like a sun in the dark night.

"Happily Ever After!"

Just as the body reached her palms, what could be only described as a torrent of red burst forth from the girls hands. It was like watching a shining geyser of blood erupt, fully encapsulating the monsters large body. The sound was just as fierce too, as if he was next to roaring rapids that drowned out all other sounds around. The beam shot high above, unbound by gravity, where the dark red melded into the night sky.

When it finally died down, there was nothing left of the monster. The only thing in the clearing was the girl, who looked exhausted, and a glowing green ball of fire, floating above her. Even the limbs that had been cut as well as its green fluids seemingly vanished.

Reaching up, the girl grabbed the ethereal ball before placing it into a basket she produced from thin air. For a second, she took a moment of respite with her back curling and arms falling to the side, no doubt needing to take a breath after a battle like that. Jaune could now see her better. The power of her final attack had thrown her hood off to reveal short dark hair with trailing red tips framed a young face. If her were to guess, she would be around Light and Darkness' age.

Her most striking feature though were her glowing silver eyes...that were now looking right at him.

Before he could even say anything, the stranger was gone, leaving only floating rose petals where she used to be. It took Jaune a whole minute before he remembered to move.

He later found Darkness, still stuck to the glass' display. Sighing to himself, he decided to call it a night...after Darkness finally decided.

Ruby Rose woke up with heavy eyes.

Something one had to get used to about the current climate of Patch was that it was always hot. Of course, Yang loved it, saying she barely felt the heat at all. Ruby didn't know how with, the thickness her sister's mane was like a heat-absorbing sponge.

Groaning, she turned her head to the side to see her own face lying next to her pillow. Worse, anything below its neck was non-existent. The resemblance should have been fascinatingly creepy but the morbidity of the situation had long since passed the fourteen-year-old.

With a yawn, Ruby took the doppelganger head and shot it across the room and into an open brown picnic basket. It slid in perfectly, and the girl allowed herself a fist pump.

It was a good way to start the day.

Still in her pajamas, the girl jumped out of her bed, slipping into a pair of comfy slippers. She turned back to fix her blanket over the bed. For a moment, she considered putting away the now headless body lying on her it but decided to do so after breakfast.

Ruby then moved across the room to a dark ball of floof next to the picnic blanket on the floor. The ball uncurled to reveal a black wolf cub that was barely the size of the basket. It yawned its tiny jaws while stretching up its hind. A tail of red fur waggled in the air.

"Morning, Crescent!"

Her first words of the day got the attention of the tiny animal. A bright silver eye narrowed and glared at the girl. It shook its body for a second before turning its head to her. Its mouth opened but it was not a growl that left it.

"You seem happy this morning. Annoyingly so."

A deep inhumane voice left the mouth of the tiny beast. It was neither male nor female, just a deep guttural that didn't fit the cute puppy before her.

"Well, we caught a big one, right? Better than another night of nothing." Ruby stretched her arms over her head, starting some light stretches.

That last soul had taken a lot out of her. Not only did it run away when she was right about to capture it but it had insane endurance and stamina too. That they also tended to attract Grimm was another problem in on itself. It felt much stronger than the past ones she had faced so far.

"That is true. You performed rather well, too. It seems you've grown used to this." The pup jumped on top of the bed to stare at Ruby who was still stretching. "There was a bystander, however."

"Huh? I thought people can't recognize me when I soul hunt?" asked Ruby as she bent forward to stimulate her back. Rogue souls knowing her identity wasn't too much of a problem. It was her family finding out she was going out to fight creatures much more dangerous than Grimm that was the issue.

Besides, Ruby knew every comic book hero needed a secret identity.

"The illusion holds. Mortals will simply see the usual floating red hood." assured Crescent. "It's just that you unleashed quite a bit of firepower without taking the human into account."

"Oh yeah. Oops." Ruby couldn't help it! Such a large target was rare to find which meant she couldn't go all out that often. Most of the time, the rogue souls rarely got larger than dad-sized. "But I think he turned out fine? My magic is non-lethal, after all! "

"For your sake, I hope so."

"Hey hey! So, anything new?" Ruby never failed to ask her partner yet every time she got the same answer. And from the way the pup's ears flopped down, it wouldn't be different.

"I'm sorry, Ruby. I still cannot locate the soul of your mother," admitted the dog. "As usual, I do not know if she's simply too far into the reincarnation cycle or that I just lack the power to find her."

"Or that she's alive!"

"...that too." The pup actually looked torn between resignation of either its own weakness or perhaps to just give the girl before it this one thing. "I do hope that is the case, as well. It would be embarrassing for a God of Souls to not locate a simple one."

"I'm sure you'll get to it." Finished, Ruby made her way to the wolf pup to pet it on the head. For a moment, Crescent nuzzled back to her before it caught itself. Dark fur bristled as it jumped back.

"And whose fault is it that I'm in this predicament?"

The right answer was that it was the girl who had stumbled into a gate to the afterlife and somehow forced it open. The God of Souls assigned to said gate still had no idea how she did it as there were many measures in place to prevent such things.

Thankfully, the girl had agreed to help locate all the runaway souls she had let loose on the island of Patch. In return, the god now known as Crescent agreed to help her find her mother (or her soul). It had also granted her the means to battle said runaway souls.

However, before Ruby could give her usual rebuttal of the whole thing not being entirely her fault. there was a knock on the door followed by a "Breakfast is ready!".

"We shall discuss your use of ammunitions later. You may have gained strength but you still do not use it all efficiently." The pup then leapt off the bed and into Ruby's arms. Its black and red body then started to morph until it was a rectangular metal object. To anyone else looking, it was a gun. Worked as good as one too.

"Ooookaaayyyy..." Smiling that she got off the hook of another sermon, Ruby strapped it onto her pajamas waist and exited her room. It was bad enough she was getting them from her dad and sister for all the times she needed to sneak out but the girl didn't need it from her own weapon.

This was why the spare body spell was the best idea she thought of so far.

To think it was just a few months back in summer when she was a thirteen-year-old girl who thought she was in over her head. A few months later, she was now a fourteen-year old kick-ass magical girl with a decent amount of souls under her belt.

Sure, summer had yet to leave Patch thanks to her accidental mishap but it looked like it was really boosting tourism. The island had only been really known for having a hunter academy in Signal was now a tropical resort. Grimm levels had also plummeted thanks to this and a variety of reasons, namely runaway souls eating them for power. No one was really getting hurt besides the occasional rogue soul attacks which she did prevent.

If people wanted snow, they could get it at Atlas.

Happily disregarding the damages she had inadvertently done to the Patch farming community, Ruby left her room with a hum, intent on getting breakfast. Already there was a chatter by the table which the young girl ignored in favor of getting some milk from the fridge first.

Still, it would have been rude to not greet the blondes at the table.

"Hey dad, Yang, dad."

Taking a small carton of milk, Ruby was about to pop one in before her brain was able to process the information. Immediately, her hand went to the weapon strapped to her waist.

Had the spare body spell hit her dad again? She did not need to relive that episode of her life.

Just as she was about to activate her memory magic, she realized that her dad didn't look that lanky.

"Hey, Sis. This is Jaune. You know, the guy I told you was staying here for a few days." Yang was smiling as her eyes burned into her sister's brain the warning to not shoot the guy who could give her a bad review and cost her the chance of getting a bike.

"Come and sit with us, Ruby." Her father didn't look off put by her behavior but there was a small stern look in his eyes. Most likely from recognizing that she was about to pull a weapon on a stranger. "Jaune was just telling us about something that happened last night."

Hey! Yang wasn't the one who was going to have to deal with the women of the town and an usually angry black bird. Ruby's quick reaction to preventing another mess like that to happen was completely justified!

It was also ignored as Ruby couldn't say such things out loud. Instead, she just gave a sheepish look and stood by the table. Although, now that she thought about it, eating breakfast in front of a stranger in her pajamas was kind of weird.

Time to skedaddle.

"Well, as much as I want to, I got stuff to do. Uh, girl stuff. I'm going to eat later, Yang. Nice meeting you, John-" The name stuck at the back of Ruby's throat the moment her silver eyes laid eyes on their guest. She had thought he had looked familiar because he resembled her father but, actually, didn't she know this guy?

Worse, when his blue eyes met hers, she could see something that shouldn't have been possible for a person "Ruby Rose" had never met: Recognition.

It was then the words she feared the most left his lips.

"Weren't you the one from last night?"

"S-static like Statice!" In less than a second, long dark purple flowers bloomed around the girl. All around her, color started to drain from the world, leaving it a stark monochrome except for the purple flowers. Yang, her father, the whole house around looked as if someone had put them on a black and white filter. Nothing moved besides a young girl in her pajamas.

And things were going so well, too.

Ruby bent down and curled her knees to her chest, trying to resist the urge to scream. She had not only used up one of her strongest spells (which would need sufficient time to recharge) but, thinking about it, wasted it because she had panicked.

She had a perfect alibi in the form of her body double so she could have easily played ignorant. Plus, it was dark so there was no way he should've been able to see her.

Probably, the hardest part of her side job was keeping her identity a secret. Fighting came naturally but the deflections and the lies were hard.

Actually, it was her partner that wanted to shroud Ruby's identity. Ruby had wanted to at least tell Yang about the mess she had gotten herself into but the God of Souls suggested otherwise. Apparently, things could get really bad if other malignant beings found out that the Gate of Souls had been damaged and it wanted any mentions to be kept to the minimum people possible.

Ruby was still dead set on telling her sister but possibly when the reaper was competent enough to not worry her.

"I believe we agreed that was for emergencies only." A voice came from her waist which lightened as her weapon morphed back into a black and red wolf puppy. It moved next to the prone girl and gave her a light nudge. "I'm surprised you actually listened for once."

"I'm sorry, Crescent. I just...huh?" Ruby looked up to see that the puppy wasn't actually looking at her. In fact, it was looking back at the table with narrow eyes and clenched teeth. It was the tensest Ruby had seen it.

There, sitting on the blonde guest's lap was a red-eyed girl. The girl moved her gaze away from Ruby and to the pup next to her. To Ruby's amazement, the girl's "chair" was moving as well, as their guest rubbed the back of his blonde hair with an awkward look on his face.

Red. Yellow. Other colors that didn't belong in an uncolored world void of time. Nothing but those unaffected by Ruby's spell was supposed to have color.

The crimson-eyed girl sighed.

"I never did get that ice cream."

AN: I can't believe I actually got nostalgic for travelling yet here we are. Thanks 2020.

This came out much different than I had originally planned out. It was supposed to be more akin to a mystery sort of thing with time loops and all but I thought it'd be more fun to do this. And save that plotline for something else.

You could say Ruby just finished her first season. As mahou shoujo go, you need either a rival mahou shoujo to show up OR a crossover movie. This is kind of the latter. The world does not revolve around Jaune but his actions do need to do some significant effects.

Ruby's magic is actually rather fun. It's X like X with a dose of alliteration taking into account a flower's meaning. For example, Statice is also known as an 'everlasting flower. Thus it can do a timestop.

Also, very happy that the added info on the gods from the Fairy Tales of Remnant book does not contradict any of my own plans for this fic. Only shame is that Darkness gave humanity Knowledge apparently. I attributed that to Light because I found it more interesting for the GoD to give humans Choice.

Wise up!

Name: Jaune Arc

Nature: True Neutral (False)

Strength: D

Endurance: E

Agility: D

Magic: D

Aura: E

Personal Skills:

Divine Core of the Twin Gods (False) - A

After making a deal with a family heirloom, all of Jaune Arc's current and future aura reserves are used to maintain the God of Light and God of Darkness. Reduces Aura to E rank and prevents any increases in said stat.

So far, has only granted Jaune eyes that see through day and night.

Thread of Death - C (B)

Grants a sense of incoming death that manifests as visible threads of destiny. Similar to Instinct, but can only detect attacks that guarantee a deathblow (or aura breakage). Does not contribute to battle knowledge of affects the flow of battle. Gains a rank up at night.

Yin-Yang - E (EX)

A Skill given to those who have both Yin and Yang sides that, although opposite, embrace, cooperate and coexist with each other. Attached to the founding dualism gods, this skill manifests in Jaune's magic. At his current level, Jaune can both heat and cool his hands.

When his semblance is activated, the skill is tremendously ranked up and any additive effect involving two parties becomes multiplicative.

Semblance:

Aura Amplification - A

The ability to amplify another's aura. User links own aura supply to another's. At the cost of one's own aura, target's aura (and semblance) will be strengthened. Due to lack of reserves, Jaune can not give any of his aura as he had already given it any future reserves to the Gods attached to him.

Bridge - E

To link one target's aura to another target. User uses one's own aura as a bridge to link aura's together. With training, Jaune would have been able to act as a receptacle for other aura users to transfer their aura to a single person. Currently, can only link the two gods attached to his soul to one another.

Weapon:

Creocea Mors: The Yellow Death - D

A family heirloom rumored to be the first recorded shifting weapon where the user did not immediately die in their first fight. Wielded by many Arcs beforehand with an unbreakable sword and an infallible shield.

Fell out of use after people realized adding guns to their swords made more sense.

After reigniting the Faith system, the two gods sealed within gained access to a human form depending on the current time: Light during the day and Darkness during the night.

Wise up!

Name: Petal Storm a.k.a. Ruby Rose

Nature: Neutral Good

Strength: C

Endurance: D

Agility: A

Magic: B

Aura: C

Personal Skills:

Silver Eyes - B

A blessing from the God of Light that allows one to manifest the god's power through their eyes. Can turn Grimm into stone regardless of level or resistance. At the moment, Ruby has not learned how to activate these.

Transformation (Magical Girl) - C

Renders any attempts to figure out the skill holder's identity null as long as the skill holder holds true to her creed as a Magical Girl who fights for justice. All observers will only see a red hooded figure while all digital evidences will be blurred. Can be only seen through by those with Divinity.

When transformed, user gains pseudo-access to the Faith system. Boosts Magic according to popularity of alternate identity. However, once true identity is revealed, all increased parameters are removed and skill becomes inaccessible.

Grim Reaper - A

A title granted to those who serve as keepers for gates of the afterlife; where the efficiency in slaying of spirits has become a Skill in its own right. All parameters are boosted when using a scythe as a weapon and extra damage is done when in combat with spirits.

Semblance:

Petal Burst - B ()

Bursts into a shower of petals. At higher levels, Ruby can burst items, weapons, and eventually, living things. Usually accompanied by intense speed.

By the authorities granted through the God of Souls, Ruby is able to manifest her soul/aura well past humanity's potential and into the realms of magic when transformed. This ranks up her semblance to inhuman levels to the point that she is a "petal girl".

To make things easier, she uses special incantations to render specific effects.

Examples of spells:

Red like Roses: (Part I, II, III, etc.): Changes the form of her weapon.

Sparkle like Sunflowers: Turns every petal created by her semblance thus far into a magical energy explosion.

Dense like Daisies: Creates a shield around Ruby.

Intense like Ivy: Creates ivy that wraps around the opponent.

Static like Statice: Less of a time stop, and more of a time exchange. The user's time will be halted for every second they spent in the stopped time.

Weapon:

Crescent Rose: The better to reap you with! - E-A

The initial prototype of the sniper-scythe-rifle hybrid named Crescent Rose possessed by the God of Souls. Has unlimited ammo, auto-reloads and does not need maintainace even if Ruby still insists on doing so.

Initial form is that of a black and red wand with a curved sharp hilt and a rose at the center. Through her magic, Ruby can change its form to whatever suits her best.

Also, takes the form of a dark wolf pup when not in use.

Sample Parts:

Part I: Default form and Ruby's preferred choice. A sniper-scythe-rifle hybrid that Ruby would have created for her weapon as a Huntress.

Part II: A large broadsword designed like a cutter. Each part can be separated from the sword and wielded as a short blade. When even a scythe just won't cut it anymore.

Part III: A staff that conducts magic the best of all of Crescent Rose's Parts.

Part V: A katana with a blade as thin as an atom. Very hard to wield but can cut through most rogue souls hides.

Part XIII: The BFG of BFGs. Gun within guns within guns.

Happily Ever After: The desire to grab the fairy tale's ending with one's own hand. A pair of gloves that unleash a blast of magical energy powered by a soul's heroic drive.