All credit to respective owners.
P.S. Special thanks to Elfy-Mango on DA for the new cover image!
-Y.A.R.N.
Jaune spent the next few days reconnecting with his family as they didn't want to spend anymore time apart after the years of separation. They pretty much cried themselves out after his release from prison — in the parking lot while garnering quite a few worried looks — and soon started to catch up on things. To Jaune's relief, they hadn't all changed too much in how they were, perhaps a bit more mature and smarter, but still the same people who loved and raised him. He wanted them to lay over at his apartment, but frankly it wasn't exactly spacious or equipped enough for 8 people in the same area. With that in mind, they decided that he could lay over at the hotel they booked, seeing as they booked adjoining rooms and made sure they had enough space for everyone.
Jaune met Terra and was ecstatic to meet Adrian, cooing over the little boy who cocked his head curiously at the guy who looked like his mom. Apparently that was good enough for the child as the dark-haired boy clapped his hands and patted Jaune's cheeks; he giggled at Jaune who chuckled at the little kid's enthusiasm. Terra smiled as she now realized why Saphron had been so adamant to find Jaune once they had solid lead. Jaune was one of the sweetest people she had met, kind and caring with a maturity that outgrew his years. To know he had gone through so much and still managed to smile at the tiniest things showed a strength of spirit that not many people could ever hope to match.
Bent and occasionally broken, but never willing to stay that way and give up.
After catching up, then came the topic of Jaune's current living arrangements, which were something they all agreed on (sans Jaune).
They wanted him to move in with them in their homes until they found him a decent apartment in their cities.
Jaune may have leapt at the chance if you had asked him right after his release from Curdun Cay, but now — after working so hard in actually establishing a life here — he wasn't sure he wanted to leave. He had a job he loved — which was now a very rare and important thing now that he was tagged as a conduit — a place to learn and finally get his degree in hospitality and frankly he was pretty proud of the life he had carved out for himself here. Cities that didn't have a stigma against conduits were few and far between, whereas even if he had to move, places like New Marais weren't exactly any less or more accessible for him. Besides, it wasn't like he didn't have a place to go now that he knew his sisters still loved him, if he ever had to leave Empire City, he knew who to call. His sisters had been a bit upset that he didn't seem to keen to leave with them, but they knew that he was always a flight away and would keep in contact.
Still, to live with his family was something he had dreamed of for so so long; it was very literally a dream come true.
The next thing they asked was about his social life, which Jaune ruefully admitted wasn't too exciting. Sure he had Blake and Pyrrha as friends and maybe even Yang or Ruby as possible future friends — he never should have said that judging by the excited and teasing looks his sisters had leveled at him — but that was pretty much it. But in typical big sibling fashion, they began to tease him about having more friends that were girls and Jaune blushed furiously as he sputtered out denials and wished he could go back in time to punch himself in the jaw before talking. He really needed to learn how to censure his words so he wasn't sticking his foot in his mouth or saying something that could be misconstrued.
Oh well.
He was happy anyway.
Jonathan Arc was a incredibly mad.
Most definitely furious.
Absolutely apoplectic.
Yuma failed.
His daughters had reconnected with The Freak.
And now The Freak was happy.
How the hell was he supposed to kill that thing now?
He fumed angrily in his office, unable to think up a plan now that Yuma was no doubt incarcerated and he didn't try to associate with natural-born conduits.
He supposed he needed to bide his time.
But this wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
Jaune was standing in front of the Aura's Gift, Sinne wanting to accompany her little brother and see the place he worked. Jaune had been unsure of what reception he would receive upon his arrival for his shift, but was ready. If things turned out badly and he was no longer welcome, he would just keep moving forward. It would be devastating, but he knew he had support now and just knowing he wasn't alone was enough for him to stand tall and take on the world if need be. He hadn't wanted to look inside and closed his eyes as he took a fortifying breath to calm himself down and back up his resolve. It had been a more than a bit nerve-wracking to see pseudo-conduits using their powers to fill up the holes that Yuma had opened in the street; he didn't know how widespread the news was that he and Yuma had duked it out in the middle of the city. At least he planned to walk in on his own until the door slammed open from the inside and Kali was in front of him, sweeping him into a hug that he hadn't been expecting at all. he blinked and looked up to see Blake head snap up from where she had been reading a book and eyes widen.
"Mrs. Belladonna?!" He exclaimed, trying to extricate himself without using too much force, "What are you doing?!"
Kali held on for a moment before pulling away, grasping Jaune by shoulders and giving him a watery smile.
"You protected Blake from harm." Kali said looking up at hims with eyes that were filled with tears of gratitude, "You saved my daughter from that Conduit that attacked. And you made sure to take him away from here to keep us from being potential casualties. I can't thank you enough for that."
Jaune's shock melted away and he suddenly felt a bolt of shame worm through him at the dark-haired woman complete and utter thankfulness, he looked away, "You never have to thank me for that, I'd never forgive myself if she was hurt and I didn't even try to help. If there is anything that needs to be done, it should be me apologizing for that whole fiasco. It was because of me he attacked… I wouldn't blame you… if Mr. Belladonna… wanted me to resign."
Kali eyes narrowed and she poked Jaune in the chest, "Absolutely not. Ghira values your employment and loyalty far too much and Blake would be crushed if we did that. Speaking of which, you should go talk to her, she's been worried sick since you were arrested."
Sinne grinned at her brother, "See Jaune? You need to stop worrying about things like that! If they wanted you to resign, they would have called you."
Kali turned to Sinne and raised an eyebrow before smiling a teasing grin at Jaune, "Who is this, Jaune? A friend of yours?"
Jaune gestured to his sister, quickly cutting off the woman, "This is Sinne. She is my sister."
Delight bloomed in Kali's eyes, "You have a sister? And you never introduced them to us? Shame on you!"
Sinne laughed and lightly punched Jaune in the shoulder, "Don't blame him. Jaune and I haven't been in contact for quite some time, we only just managed to meet up."
Kali quickly pulled Sinne away with the conversation and Jaune shuffled in to see Blake looking at him, eyes scanning over him. He quickly averted his gaze before she could meet his eyes.
He had put her in danger.
He almost got her killed.
If Yuma had won…
"Hey." He said softly.
"Hey." She replied.
"I'm sorry." Jaune said, "I shouldn't have put you through any of tha —"
He was cut off by Blake pulling him into a tight hug and burying her face in his shoulder, form trembling.
Jaune guilt redoubled and he held her firmly, "I'm so so sorry Blake."
"Don't be." Blake replied, pulling away but leaving a hand on his shoulder, "What he did was not your fault. I just don't get why he was after you."
Jaune mouth twisted into a scowl, "Jonathan hired him."
"Johnathan?" Blake inquired sharply, wanting to who tried to kill one of her best friends.
Jaune paused.
He was not 'dad'.
Even the term of 'Father' implied a level of respect, of which Jaune had none.
There was no way he could respect the… it was hard to call him a man at all.
What term should he use to describe him?
"The asshole who knocked up Estelle." Jaune snarled, shaking in anger, "My… sperm donor."
Blake mouth dropped open before she manage to gather herself and pulled Jaune into a one-armed embrace, tucking his head into her shoulder. Jaune just took a moment to just feel the anger at Jonathan for trying to take this from him before he let it go and basked in the comfort of Blake's embrace. Jaune wasn't normally a touchy person with his past experiences — any touch normally being a precursor to violence — but Blake never felt like anything but safety, she wouldn't hurt him. If there was anyone who he could ever say with absolute conviction would have his back at any time, it was Blake. Blake also wasn't much of a touchy person but the times she let her walls down to hug her friends and family? She cherished the sensation more than other people ever thought she would; Jaune was one of the few people who she never felt any doubts about even with all the recent upheavals in her life because of him.
But most of all, sometimes touch was the best way to assure something was real.
"Why?" She asked plaintively, "Why can't he just let it go?"
Jaune sighed and pulled away, "I wish I knew. He just can't let go of the fact he sired me and I am apparently a freak."
Blake frowned at the motion and notion but let the point lie since she had already gone over the fact that didn't change how she saw Jaune, "I noticed you were with someone and you said she was your sister, what's that about?"
Jaune sighed at that, "It's a bit of a story but it turns out I may have… misjudged the circumstances of the abandonment, and we are making up for lost time we should have had."
Blake frown deepened, "And it's that simple? Are you sure they aren't… siding with your father now?"
Jaune shook his head, "I dealt with a lot of liars, and my sisters have never been able to lie with me. Even as kids, I could always been able to tell if they are or were holding something back from me. I've only gotten better with recognizing lies since time spent away and in Seattle. I trust them."
"Jaune." Blake murmured softly, "You broke down over them."
"I know." Jaune sighed, eyes straying to Kali and Sinne chatting, "I was wrong."
Blake seemed unconvinced but plowed on regardless, "How are you doing after…"
Jaune smiled, "Better. Things are better. I don't have to hide that anymore, which is a relief but it also means people will look at me differently now. It can't be helped, but I guess I just have to learn with it; I just don't want it to affect business here if people stop coming."
Blake scowled, "It shouldn't matter, everyone who you've served here should know you were sincere."
Jaune sighed, "But what matters now is what I am. It takes all kinds of customers to have a business keep operating and turn profit. This is more than just a cafe Blake. It's your families livelihood and I don't want my presence to damage that, I wouldn't ever want your family in for hard times."
Blake stilled as the words made her stomach churn uneasily, "Are you going to leave?"
Jaune looked down, "I don't know. I want to but I don't want to give up what I have here…"
"If you don't want to leave then don't leave." Blake said softly, "Just stay. Stay here."
'Just don't leave me.' Something in the back of her head murmured.
Jaune looked confused but smiled, "Blake… I'll still be your friend no matter what. Even if I move away, you even need me, just call and I'll come running."
"But we need you here!" She protested.
"You can hire someone," Jaune offered, "It's not like I am the only one who could do this job."
"It's not like things will stay the same if we do that!" She argued, "Nobody thinks you're a monster, if you leave we'll have to hire someone else and that could take weeks."
Honestly, Blake was grasping at straws when it came to reasons, it would be easy to hire someone as there were plenty of people who wanted a job. Jaune initially had only gotten priority because of Blake vouching for him, but it wasn't like nobody would apply. Blake didn't care though, Jaune was special and she didn't like the idea of losing her friend in any capacity. Besides, this was Empire City, a place where a huge number of conduits gathered so they could be free of discrimination or persecution. There was no negative stigma in being a conduit here, and if people knew Jaune was the light wielding conduit, it would only improve his image.
People viewed him as a hero, and Jaune should know that.
"This is Empire City Jaune." Blake said stubbornly, "All conduits are safe here."
In the darkest and most secured cells of the CCS prison, Yuma was seated in a chair.
Not by choice, and trussed up like chicken.
Cinder hummed thoughtfully as she perused through the file on Jaune Arc and Yuma Myotis in the light of the single bulb that hung from the ceiling. The only sound made was Yuma's labored breathing and her heel clicking against the floor as she walked around the bound and gagged Yuma. He had bandaged to the barest of degrees and he had still been unable to move due the brutalization of his body. Despite the fact he was in such bad shape, Cinder had made sure he was shackled and bound with heavy grade restraints only used on especially volatile conduits.
It was used to cause pain as they clamped tightly on his wounded body.
"I must say Mr. Myotis, it is rather rare to find myself as disappointed in a conduit in any capacity, especially in how disappointed I find myself in you." She drawled as she closed the folder, "You had so much power and skill, you could have won that fight if you simply thought things out."
Yuma snarled behind his gag.
She bent to whisper in his ear, "And even though he had you so outclassed in power, you still had the capability to win; you had the perfect tool to distract Jaune Arc and yet got so easily crushed by Jaune Arc because he played smart."
Yuma growled behind the gag muffling him, no doubt cursing at the woman for insulting him and praising Jaune Arc.
"Oh please spare me the threats." She scoffed, raising to her full height, "You are no threat to anyone as you are now, especially not to me. This holding cell is personally made to make sure we have no interruptions while we decide how to best use you."
Yuma blinked at the word 'we'.
"Oh indeed." Cinder purred, "You don't think that the CCS is only controlled by me? When does a powerful organization like us not have an interest in acquire powerful investments do you? Conduits are very, very powerful, and power means strength, which in turn leads to control. And I do so like being in control of everything I can be, Augustine was a true visionary and it is a shame that Delsin Rowe had managed to bring her down. She simply thought that people would take everything she said at face value; I know better. I do have a public image to maintain, and it's important any secrets I have remain hidden, never seeing the light of day. I have to admit that while I do wish I had the ability to hide it all on my own, I am leashed because someone holds the secrets' lock. It's galling, and perhaps one day I can break the man who controls me, but I would need someone far stronger and smarter than you to help me."
Yuma grunted out an insult from behind his gag.
Cinder rolled her eyes and strutted behind him, gently placing her hands on his shoulders in what could almost considered a caring action, "Do behave yourself Mr. Myotis. After all, you should enjoy the last few moments as yourself as much as you can, don't you think?"
Yuma eyes widened as suddenly Cinder grabbed the sides of his head and her hand glowed the same brilliant amber as her eyes. Yuma struggled and screamed as best as he could as Cinder smiled sadistically at his desperate and frenzied cries. Her smile turned feral and almost insane as her nails dug into his scalp, basking in his agony. Yuma's guttural cries echoed off the walls as Cinder ripped out his gag and her eyes closed in euphoria as her hands glowed brighter.
This part was her favorite moment, the pain and realization and horror filled the room and set her nerves aflame with excitement.
"Conduits like me are always more fun to break!" She growled huskily, "They are so much harder to control and warp,their power always fighting against mine! Fight me, try to stop me with your will! Prime Conduits are the only ones who have a chance to win but I want you to prove me wrong! That only makes it that much more satisfying when I triumph!"
Yuma screams dimmed into whimpers and finally died into labored breathing as his head was held limply in Cinder's grasp. Cinder let go of him and his head lolled forward as Cinder took a moment to savor the feeling of shattering his mind, etching and carving the feeling in her memory so she could never forget. Regular people were so easy to break as they had no defense, pseudo-conduits were so much more challenging; so much more fun as even though they had borrowed power, it would still fight against her to subconsciously protect their user from the mental trauma.
Only prime conduits actually had the ability to resist her abilities as a Psychic Prime Conduit, and she had made her speciality the ability to break people minds.
Now he was ready to be rebuilt.
The door swung open and Ozma Ozpin walked in, looking at the husk of the man that was once Yuma. His hand tightened on his cane at the sight of the shell of who was once a person, but there was nothing he could do, this was the only way to realize his vision. It was fortunate that he had managed to find out the secrets that handed him Cinder's services before she could cover her tracks.
"Is he ready?" He inquired.
Cinder smiled, gripping Yuma's hair and forcefully yanking his head back.
Yuma didn't react behind a slight hitch of his breathing, eyes blank and dull.
"Ready to be the perfect citizen." She replied, "You can start reconditioning him."