Chapter 6: A Day in Vale
The warm sun shone down on the lively streets of Vale, casting a golden glow over the bustling markets and joyful faces of the citizens. The city was alive with the sounds of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the distant melodies of street musicians. Amidst the vibrant tapestry of life, Team JNPR wandered the streets, their spirits high and smiles wide as they took in the city's charm.
"Look at these, Jaune!" Nora exclaimed, her eyes wide as she held up a pair of flamboyant sunglasses. "Don't you think they'd look fantastic on Ren?" Jaune chuckled, glancing at Ren, who simply raised an eyebrow in response.
"They might be a bit too flashy for my taste, Nora," Ren replied calmly, a smile playing on his lips.
"Nonsense!" Nora protested, putting the glasses on Ren herself and taking a step back to admire her work. "You look absolutely stunning!"
Jaune's laughter joined Pyrrha's, their mirth echoing through the busy street. "She might have a point, Ren. They give you a certain... flair."
"Don't start Jaune please." Ren responded
Pyrrha nudged Jaune playfully. "Maybe you should try on a pair too, Jaune. It might bring out your hidden charm."
"Hidden charm?" Jaune feigned offense, his hand on his chest. "Are you saying my charm isn't obvious enough?"
"Your charm is as clear as day," Pyrrha assured him, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "But a little extra never hurt anyone."
Sufficiently peer pressured Jaune puts on the glasses and strikes a pose. " How about this?"
The resulting laughs and snickers from his team told Jaune that his attempts at a pose were a resounding failure.
"Okay I see you are all just not ready for the sheer amount of cool I am possessed with"
"Sure Jaune let's go with that if it helps you sleep at night." Came Nora's response amid a cascade of giggles
Taking a look at his team and their lack of faith in his charm and ability to be cool. Jaune responded in the only appropriate manner
"I see what this is. My entire team is working against me, they refuse to admit that their leader is simply above them in terms of coolness due to the glasses he is rocking. As such I have no choice but to-"
His next words were interrupted by Nora and Pyrrha throwing a pair of socks at him with a cry of "Revolution!"
"Ren see what has become of our team. Surely you will stand with me against these rebels."
In answer to this call for help, Ren readies a pair of socks of his own "I'm sorry Jaune but my loyalty is pledged to another."
Nora takes this opportunity to launch another volley of socks at Jaune. "Get him Ren end the reign of Jaune the cruel."
Reeling from Ren's unexpected blow Jaune steps back and mock glaring at his team muttering lowly "Then it is treason. But know this my disloyal friends that I will not go down without a fight."
Grabbing behind himself for a weapon Jaune prepared himself to do battle.
"Behold my weapon of promised victory!" Jaune exclaimed as he brought forth a coat hanger
"Phfft" came the undignified reply from Pyrrah's lips as she desperately tried to restrain her laughter at his fearsome weapon.
"Is that really the best you can do?" she teased, holding up a shoe as her chosen weapon. "I expected more from you, Jaune."
The four teammates continued their playful battle, tossing soft objects at each other and taunting with exaggerated bravado. The laughter and playful jeers filled the air as they engaged in their mock fight.
It was then that a small voice interrupted their antics. "Hey! That's mean ganging up on a knight like that!" A young boy, no more than five or six, had stopped to watch their mock battle, his eyes wide with awe.
Jaune paused, looking down at the child and smiling warmly. "Why, thank you, for stepping in for me young sir."
The boy's face lit up, as he ran forward, joining Jaune's side. "I want to be a knight too!" he declared, picking up a stray scarf.
"Well then, noble squire, you shall fight by my side!" Jaune proclaimed, offering the boy a gallant bow.
"Now can I have the pleasure of knowing the name of my ally in my struggle against these rebels?" Jaune asked
"My name is Onyx." The young boy declared as he moved to defend his newfound friend
Together, they continued the battle, with Onyx throwing the scarf with all his might and giggling in delight. The rest of Team JNPR played along, allowing the child to land a few "hits" and pretending to be defeated.
Soon, a woman appeared, calling for the boy. "There you are! What are you doing with these people?" she asked, a note of concern in her voice.
"They're knights, Mom!" the boy exclaimed, running to his mother and tugging her hand. "And they let me fight with them!"
The woman smiled, offering Team JNPR a thankful nod. "It seems you've made my son's day. Thank you."
With a final wave to the boy, Team JNPR continued on their way, their hearts lightened by the joyful encounter.
Later, they found themselves at a café, seated around a table filled with various drinks. Pyrrha raised her cup, eyeing Jaune's large coffee with a smirk. "Really, Jaune? Another coffee? I think you might have an addiction."
"Addiction is a strong word, Pyrrha," Jaune replied, taking a sip of his coffee. "I prefer to call it a passionate love affair with my morning mistress."
"You and your coffee," Ren chimed in, shaking his head. "I think it's getting serious."
"Should we be worried?" Nora asked, feigning concern. "Do we need to stage an intervention?"
Jaune laughed, raising his cup in a mock toast. "No intervention necessary. Coffee and I are very happy together, thank you very much."
"Besides all of you have seen how I get in the mornings when I don't get my coffee."
"Yeah, and I never want to see you like that ever again." Replied Nora shuddering at the memories
"What can I say Dr. Roman is the one that started my coffee addiction. So if anyone is to blame for my dependency it's him." Jaune replied with a fond smile on his lips
"You seem to have been rather close with Dr. Roman. Anything you could tell us about him?" Asked Ren
"Well, I considered him to be a silly older brother who was also my boss. He was addicted to coffee and sweets. I mean this man had an entire hidden stash of sweets which Mash and I both periodically raided. That man could eat an entire dessert platter by himself without any problem and still ask for seconds. He also cared a great deal about everyone at Chaldea barring a few notable exceptions. Then there was also his rather absurd obsession with Magi*Magi something which I now find hilarious."
The serenity that typically adorned the city of Vale was violently torn asunder. The ground beneath the once tranquil city quaked with a terrible force, the shockwaves resonating through the streets, buildings, and hearts of the people. It culminated in a colossal explosion, revealing an underground tunnel from which nightmarish creatures began to pour forth. Grimm, their eyes ablaze with malevolent fire and a relentless thirst for destruction, began their invasion.
Jaune, his eyes widened to the point of horror, knew that time was of the essence. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt a pang of responsibility grip his soul.
"Everyone, get to safety!" he screamed, his voice resonating over the clamor of the terrified civilians. Panic swept through the streets like a tempest, screams echoing and amplifying the chaos.
Summoning a firm resolve, Jaune discreetly summoned his heroic spirits: Lancer Artoria, Count of Monte Cristo, Cú Chulainn, and Jeanne Alter.
They materialized around him in a dazzling display of light, each radiating a presence that was both majestic and terrifying.
"Artoria, Cú Chulainn, focus on evacuating the civilians," Jaune ordered, his voice tinged with urgency. "Count, Jeanne, establish a perimeter around the breach site and eliminate any Grimm you encounter. Force restrictions are lifted; use your noble phantasms if necessary. My aura levels can handle some depletion, but be cautious. If anyone asks, tell them you're here to guarantee the safety of the director of Chaldea, who's in Vale right now. We will deal with any potential fallout after this is over."
Artoria, riding her ethereal steed, turned to Cú Chulainn as they continued to fend off the Grimm. "Cú Chulainn, take the eastern flank! These beasts won't back down easily!"
"Leave it to me, Artoria," Cú Chulainn nodded, sprinting toward a new wave of incoming Grimm. "It's time to show these creatures the real meaning of a warrior's skill."
As he reached his position, his spear glowed with a radiant light, piercing the very air. "Gáe Bolg!" Cú Chulainn roared, thrusting his spear forward towards an oncoming King Taijitu striking its heart and causing it to disappear in a cloud of ash. Citizens watching let out collective cheers, their hope reignited by this display of impossible might.
Artoria saw a Beowolf pack making a beeline for a group of children. With a determined glare, she aimed Rhongomyniad skyward. "The Lance that Shines to the Ends of the World!" she cried out. A surge of light exploded from the lance, disintegrating the Beowolfs instantly, leaving the children wide-eyed and awe-struck.
Meanwhile, the Count of Monte Cristo and Jeanne Alter were tearing through a swarm of Grimm. The Count spun through the air, his blades leaving streaks of flame in their wake. "Count, behind you!" Jeanne shouted, launching a bolt of dark fire at a Griffon that had tried to blindside him.
"Thank you, Jeanne. But allow me," the Count smirked, turning his focus back on the horde. "Enfer Château d'If!" The atmosphere around him turned heavy, as though weighed down by a multitude of resentments and curses. Shadows clung to his form, whispering malevolent promises. Then, with a burst of unimaginable speed, he darted through the Grimm, shadows trailing behind him like a wake of dark fire. Before anyone could blink, the Count had passed through the enemy lines. The Grimm affected by his passage stood still for a moment before disintegrating into ashes, as though consumed by an unseen flame from within.
Jeanne Alter raised her sword, grinning wickedly. "It's time to end this. La Grondement Du Haine!" A monstrous dragon of black fire erupted from her sword, spiraling into the air before crashing down onto a nest of Grimm, leaving nothing but scorched earth.
Watching from a distance, Jaune's Scroll buzzed a warning: his aura levels had dropped precariously low. "Damn, this is taking a toll on me," he muttered, his gaze darting around to ensure no Grimm were nearby.
Ruby Rose and her team finally arrived, Crescent Rose gleaming in the light. "Jaune, seriously, what is going on?" Ruby asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
"Later, Ruby. I promise, explanations will come. But for now, the priority is saving Vale," Jaune reiterated, forcing a smile.
"Weiss, Yang, Blake, start moving civilians to the evacuation point! Ruby, I need you to help secure the eastern sector with JNPR!" Jaune's voice was firm, his tone commanding. This was not a situation that allowed for hesitation.
Weiss bristled at his orders, her eyebrows furrowing. "Why should we follow your lead?" she snapped, clearly unimpressed by Jaune's sudden assumption of command.
Ruby's eyes narrowed, and she turned to Weiss, her voice steady and sure. "Weiss, follow Jaune's lead. He knows what he's doing, and we don't have time to argue."
Weiss's mouth snapped shut, and she nodded reluctantly, acknowledging both Jaune's ability and the urgency of the situation.
Jaune's eyes scanned the battlefield, noting the presence of Team CRDL, whom he had seen earlier in the day at the café. They were drawn to the explosion, and their faces, though pale, were set with a determination to help.
"Cardin!" Jaune called out to the leader of Team CRDL, his voice cutting through the noise. "I need you and your team to work with me in keeping our sector clear of Grimm. We have to make sure the civilians can evacuate safely."
Cardin, a surprised look in his eyes, met Jaune's gaze and then nodded firmly. "Understood, Jaune. We'll hold the line."
Together, Jaune and Cardin rallied their teams, forming a cohesive unit that worked in unison to battle the Grimm. Their swords clashed and their powers flared, creating a barrier against the relentless tide of creatures.
With the efficiency of a seasoned commander, Jaune fought alongside his comrades. His sword danced through the air, a graceful arc of death that cut down Grimm after Grimm. The shimmering blade was an extension of his very soul, moving with a fluidity that was both beautiful and deadly.
His gun roared, each shot finding its mark as he picked off more distant threats. The smell of gunpowder mingled with the scent of fear and determination as he continued to kill any grimm that entered his line of sight. The people behind him were counting on him and his friends to hold their ground.
A rumbling from above caught Jaune's attention as he spotted Atlesian airships making their way towards Vale to reinforce the defenders.
A scream redirects his attention as he caught sight of a young boy and his mother, separated and ensnared by the frantic crowd trying to escape the carnage. His heart lurched as he recognized Onyx – his trusted squire, paralyzed with terror, unable to evade an advancing Alpha Beowulf.
Summoning his last reserves of energy, Jaune rushed to Onyx's side, his mind clouded by a singular purpose. He pushed Onyx out of the path of the oncoming Beowolf, and in that fleeting moment, he felt a searing pain as claws found their mark. Blood splattered down his now ruined chest piece, as his aura finally shattered from the strain of combat and the repeated use of noble phantasms.
He lost his footing, a cry of agony and shock escaping his lips as he fell into the breach. The world seemed to slow, and the sounds of battle faded as he plummeted into darkness, his mind consumed by pain and the knowledge that he had saved Onyx.
Just as Jaune was tumbling into the abyss, a figure lunged towards him from the corner of his blurred vision. It was Cardin Winchester, his one-time bully, who had been fighting alongside the Atlesian soldiers. For a fleeting moment, their eyes locked, and it looked like Cardin would manage to grab hold of Jaune's outstretched arm. But then, agonizingly, Jaune slipped through his fingers, and the opportunity was lost forever.
Cardin, sprawled at the edge of the breach, pounded the ground in frustration and disbelief. "Dammit, Arc," he muttered under his breath, his face flushed and his eyes tinged with something that looked a lot like regret.
A chill ran through each of his servants and teammates as if an invisible thread that connected them had just snapped.
Artoria's eyes widened, her stoic demeanor shattering for a moment. "Master!" she exclaimed, turning her horse abruptly, leaving a trail of light behind her as she raced towards the breach. But she knew, deep down, that she couldn't reach him in time.
Cú Chulainn's face was a picture of raw emotion, his usually playful eyes filled with uncharacteristic dread. "No!"
The Count of Monte Cristo's eyes flared with an incandescent rage, an emotion so intense it could burn down worlds. "This... this cannot be our fate!" he snarled, the shadows swirling around him as if sharing his anger.
Jeanne Alter, normally composed and cynical, looked on in sheer disbelief, her grip tightening around her sword to the point where it seemed she might shatter it. "You can't be serious... Jaune!"
Onyx, the young boy who had been saved, was frozen in place, his eyes locked onto the spot where his hero had vanished. His mother, finally able to move, snatched him into her arms, her own eyes filled with confusion and dread.
Ruby and her team had just managed to dispatch the last of the Grimm on their end and turned to witness the scene. Her eyes met those of Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora. No words were needed; their expressions said it all.