(A/N)
HEY YALL, I AINT DEAD(yet). My schedule got absolutely destroyed with School being added into the mix. I know I know, It's been MONTHS since the last update but I'm back and hopefully new chapters come out sooner
Sabert00thsa: I aim to please :D
Guest/PF115: I would love to, Great quote btw!
denewyosh: I Loved that movie! but alas no XD, Well it is a Great War AU soooo... :), Chaotic Velvet is best Velvet imo plus it's war, Warcrimes be warcriming! Yes innocent store manager Roman :) Yep!
Essiter: War isn't all guts and glory. Well, it's mostly that and trauma but Jaune and Co. will get that all that one day or another.
(Jaune)
"Competition?" Jaune asked as he picked up the new rifle model in front of him, The Schnee Corporation's logo seared into the stock.
"Yes, An elite shooting champion known all over the globe is visiting this town and surprisingly agreed to a competition" The Major replied casually as he stamped through some paperwork, His eyes flickering briefly towards Jaune, Ozpin quickly clasped his hand together before looking at Jaune.
"I'm guessing they had a couple of conditions, One of which starting with M and rhyming with honey?" Jaune drawled out, Staring down the scope of the new weapon that was suppose to be standard issue before placing the gun by his side.
"Quite the opposite, They just wanted to go against one of our best."
Jaune turned to face his superior with confusion before realization quickly dawned on him.
"You consider me one of your best?" Jaune asked, feeling flattered as he grab the rifle and placed it on the table, Ozpin simply raised an eyebrow at the action, "Are you not interested Lieutenant?"
"No no, I'll be there. Just wanted to know if you really think I'm one of your best." Jaune waved off the Majors concern with a laugh with a small voice in the back of his mind telling him that he should be more professional in front of his superior.
"Don't let the praise get to your ego, Ego is the greatest killer." Ozpin rolled his eyes as he took a sip of coffee from his flask before returning to stamping through paperwork, His eyes gliding over the words before his hand moved to approve or decline the motion, Jaune stood there silently observing before he spoke up.
"I'll be there Major."
"I know Lieutenant, I know."
-(A few days later)-
(Jaune)
"And after that demonstration of the Springfield's reliable and sturdy construction and how it would handle under the most common condition our soldiers can face, Let's see about how accurate it could be from the World's best shooter and who I consider to be one of the best soldiers in my unit"
Jaune saw the light slowly flood the room as another soldier, David if he remembered correctly, opened up the door and gave the lieutenant a small nod. Jaune stood up and walked out of the trailer with a red-haired woman doing the same right beside him. The sharp-pitch screams nearly made the poor lieutenant grab his hidden 1911.
"PYRRHA SIGN MY POSTER"
"PYRRHA SIGN MY STOMACH"
"OH MY GOD PYRRHA"
Jaune glanced at the woman beside him and saw the strained yet polite smile that the woman, Pyrrha, was putting up whilst she waved to her fans. It seem like she had quite the fan club as he returned his gaze to the crowd and was rather surprised to see Ruby, Ren, Yang, Blake and a few other soldiers there. Not cheering but smiling when he looked in their direction. Guess I have a few supporter too.
"The gentleman on my left is Lieutenant Jaune Arc, He has survived 30 battles. Transferred to 3 different fronts and have been nicknamed "The Unkillable Soldier"" Ozpin introduced him, Jaune felt his back straighten a little bit more as he sense the entirety of the audience's attention suddenly shift to him. "And on my right, Pyrrha Nikos"
Again there was the migraine inducing screeches from the fan, Jaune was barely able to keep his features neutral as he prayed for the poor woman's health.
We can utilize their screeches as a sonic weapon at this point Jaune lamented in his thoughts before shaking away the thought and focused on what the Major was saying.
"First, Let's see THE World-class sharpshooter in action with the Springfield" Ozpin announced, Jaune turned to watch along as Pyrrha walked up to the table where the weapon sat with two magazine of ammunition beside it. Pyrrha quickly picked up the weapon and loaded it with expertise before settling in a perfect shooting stance.
That loading was incredible. Precise and smooth... But that stance would get her killed. Jaune grimaced and judging by the downward tug on the Major's lips. It seemed like they have reached the same conclusion but his train of thought was quickly interrupted when the sharp crack of the bullet being fired and glass shattering reached his ear.
One by one, Jaune watched as Pyrrha demolished the empty bottles with quick and accurate shots, Spending almost no time in cycling the round and shifting to her next target. By the fifth bottle Pyrrha had ejected the magazine and picked up the other, loaded it and finally finishing off the rest of the bottles presented.
"Time! 13.4 seconds" Ozpin announced and an cheer went through the crowd, Pyrrha gave a polite wave and bow before returning to her starting point. Her smile still as strained and polite as ever. "Now, Lieutenant, Time to show the crowd how the Atlesian Army does it."
Jaune saw the amount of ammunition that had been award to him and smiled. There was something else behind setting this up. He hasn't had much practice with the rifle but he had handled enough to know what to expect.
"Jeez, Pyrrha only needed two but the soldier is getting five?"
"Atlesian boot camp must be loosening up"
"This is our defender? oh no"
Jaune finally picked up the rifle and nodded to Ozpin who returned the gesture with a smile, Giving him a thumbs-up and the signal as Jaune carefully aimed down the iron sights, Took a deep breath and...
BANG
The sound of silence that filled the field only left the crowd with confusion and disappointment when they realized what had happened, Four more tries yielded similar results. The crowd grimaced as whisper and slight insults were thrown the lieutenants way, However, Ozpin's confidence didn't waver as Jaune walked over to his starting point. The crowd's whisper slowly dying down as they watched on with interest.
"Alright. I think I've gotten used to how the rifle shoots." Jaune said casually as he ejected the magazine, Allowing it to drop to his feet before loading in a new one. Kneeling down as he gave Ozpin a nod. He tried his best to imagine the battlefield. The explosions around him, The sound of the firefight ahead and the screaming of his allies and foes alike. The burning and sulfur smell he was so familiar with.
Three... Two... One...
The signal was heard and Jaune's instincts took over. He rose to his feet and fired off his first shot, The bullet piercing the bottle almost instantaneously. Jaune grinned as he cycled the rifle and continued to fire, walking closer to the table at a slow and steady pace as he fired off rounds one after another.
The crowd watched on as the Lieutenant almost fired fast enough that the crowd could almost mistake it for the sound of a machine gun practice nearby. The magazine dropping to the dirt again as the Lieutenant slammed a fresh one into the rifle before continuing to display his expert marksmanship.
"Time! 13.69 seconds" Ozpin announced while Jaune loaded the Springfield with his last magazine. Targets began popping up around the field but each one was swiftly met with a bullet. Jaune's anxiety grew when he only counted four bullets fired and was beginning to worried that he missed one before he saw a clay pigeon being launched.
His eyes snapped to the surprise target but his body was already moving, His hand bringing the barrel up and his finger wrapping around the trigger, The smooth and familiar metallic feeling before he squeezed and the stock move against his shoulder.
BANG
The clay disk barely had time to gain attitude before it shattered into a multitude of color representing both Vale and Atlas whilst the crowd stared in awe, Stunned at the skills that was shown to them by the lieutenant.
"As demonstrated by both Mr. Arc and Ms. Nikos, The Springfield is very accurate and easy to use." Ozpin relayed to the crowd as the onlookers nodded and agreed but suddenly a voice cut through the crowd's muttering. "Lieutenant."
Jaune faced the world-class sharpshooter, who finally had an honest and excited smile plastered across her face, She put out her gloved hand in front of her and Jaune finally got time to take in the woman's features.
Black boots with cargo pants to match, Brown leather fur coat. It was a simple get-up but it suited Pyrrha who had hair that flowed like silk yet reminded Jaune of the Crimson that he would witness on the battlefront with emerald orbs that were dazzling. High cheekbone, Clear skin and gorgeous lips. Jaune had to admit the woman in front of him was insanely attractive. Combine with the way she handles a rifle? No man would be able to resist her should she ask.
"Ms. Nikos?" Jaune manage to force out as he tilted his head in confusion. Although he felt an intense pressure coming from the crowd. He wasn't sure if he should be able to feel such intense jealousy but he managed to ignore it.
"I request a duel, I have always wanted to see how I would hold up against an trained soldier. One of the best nonetheless!" Pyrrha said excitedly, Her smile was almost infectious and Jaune hurried to agree before barely restraining himself and shooting the Major a look. Mistaking the silence for hesitation to duel for her safety, Pyrrha continued to try to convince Jaune.
"I assure you, Both your General and I are confident in my knife proficiency. I may not hold a candle to you but just a chance to compare is enough" Pyrrha said confidently. Although Jaune could pick up an undertone of desperation and anxiousness. Jaune took a glance towards the major and only agreed when he received confirmation
"Of course Ms-" Jaune started but was quickly cut off by Pyrrha who gave him a dazzling smile, "Please, Just call me Pyrrha."
And there it was again. That intense feeling of jealousy and hatred directed towards his back.
"Of course Pyrrha." Jaune replied as he saw David hurrying back with two blades. The scratches on the blade told Jaune that this was not a planned event and that David had just spent the last few minutes grinding grown and dulling the blades. Could have used wooden but thanks for your effort David.
Jaune thought humorously to himself before he picked up one of the blades and Pyrrha mimicked his action, The two settling into their stance as the audience watched with baited breath for the fight to start. Pyrrha may have been known as THE world-class champion but no one said anything bout knife-fighting.
Jaune held his knife in the standard hammer grip but quickly changed his grip to match Pyrrha's reverse grip one he saw how she was holding it. Having been trained in both. Jaune was confident he could fight against Pyrrha. The two stared into each other's eyes although the most either could spot were the fierce competitiveness and primordial urge to start the clash.
Pyrrha held her knife closer to her, almost mimicking a boxer's stance but Jaune's stance was much too relaxed for her liking, His free hand weren't clenched and he had more space between his knife and his body. The two circled each other as silence draped over them.
Jaune let out a small breath as the world turned silent, For a moment. The only thing that existed in the moment was him and the knife. His body relaxed and his mind blanked before Jaune was snapped out of his Zen.
Pyrrha had started the duel with a upward slash with her knife that Jaune dodged only for Pyrrha to stab at Jaune's lower abdomen through the same motion, Jaune parried the stab with his free hand before slashing with his own blade forcing Pyrrha to step back lest she want to take the blow before the two disengaged and starting to circle each other once again.
Fast... She wasn't just trained in sharpshooting it seems Jaune thought to himself as he started his attack this time. A slash at her thighs that was dodged followed up by stab at the neck that was quickly dodged as Jaune flipped the knife in his hand to his regular grip and started to slash. Each slash being either dodged or parried by Pyrrha.
"Isn't it a little unfair to have an unknown Four-times World champion in knife fighting, Fight against Arc?" One of the solider asked worryingly as they watched the spar, Each blow seem to be easily dodged or parried by Pyrrha who seemed a little bit... Uninterested in the fight as it goes on but Ozpin simply gave the solider a smile. "He's probing her"
Jaune quickly dodged under the jab that Pyrrha launched and grabbed his chance. Literally. Pyrrha's eyes widened when she felt the familiar pain spread across her torso. Backing away from the Lieutenant as she grabbed her stomach while Jaune lowered his knee. Almost surprised that it worked.
No dialogue or friendly banter was exchanged as the two dashed at each other again. Blows exchanged and blocked, Jaune would throw a kick that Pyrrha would check and return, Pyrrha would slash at Jaune that would be parried before Jaune made his own move. It was almost like a dance, A dance of violence and blades but it had a rhythm to it that no one else could deny.
Jab, Slash, Kick Jaune predicted and much to his glee. The prediction was spot on and Jaune changed the rhythm, He took the kick and slashed the inside of Pyrrha's thigh before hooking her other thigh and pushing her to the ground and placing the blade at her throat. Both of them breathing heavily and with a sheen of sweat covering them.
"Winner. Lieutenant Jaune Arc of Atlas" Ozpin announced proudly as Jaune got off of Pyrrha and offered her a hand up. One which she accepted as Jaune pulled her to her feet. "I feel like this is becoming a habit of mine."
"What? Sweeping girls off their feet and helping them up like a gentlemen? I don't think that's such a bad thing." Pyrrha replied as Jaune blushed, His face tinting lightly as Pyrrha chuckled, "I really don't think you should joke around like that Ms. Nikos"
"What did I say about-"
"Yes Pyrrha-" Jaune did not like the smug grin that Pyrrha held but he continued, "-But if you keep doing what you are doing. I might be mauled by your fans."
"oh."
"yeah. Oh."
"Well... Congrats on the win?"
"Thank you Pyrrha, Thank you"
"Don't mention it Jaune"
WELL PYRRHA IS FINALLY HERE, AND SO IS THIS CHAPTER