Hello again readers! Hope you like reading combat, cause there is a fairly large amount in this chapter. I worked hard to get everything to be as fluid as possible. Many cups of coffee, and several hours of typing later, I think I came to something that achieved that goal. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, and the reveal at the end! Leave reviews, I love reading them! (Also, evidently for some people the website hasn't updated to the re-write fully. Mixing the old chapters and the new replacement ones. Hopefully this doesn't continue to happen as I keep posting. For anyone who is confused I am re-writing this fic, and deleted the original chapters before I began updating again.)
…
The morning was one Jaune enjoyed as a much needed relief. After everything that had happened in the last day and a half, waking up early and laying in bed staring at the ceiling was nice. Tai's room had a large double-wide window that sat above the headboard of the man's bed. Jaune was lying on the inflatable mattress Tai had prepared for him and set to the side of the bed where the available floor space was. His covers were warm and the middling draft of the log home tickled at his nose. He could see the gentle glow of the first light beginning to bathe the room with its color. Jaune sighed, and sat up. Craning his neck to look at the bed, he noticed Tai was not in it. Probably got up before him to prepare breakfast for everyone.
Jaune had learned that Tai doesn't do well without a task. His mentor was always finding something to occupy himself with. Whether it was making food, sweeping the porch off, or examining Jaune's quizzes and training, the man never gave himself much time to just sit still. But evidence of why was all around Jaune. The room he now paced was a veritable museum of Taiyang's past. The bedside table that sat at what he could only surmise as Summer Roses' side of the bedroom was the first thing that drew his eye. On top of it was a framed photo. Tai and a woman who resembled Ruby heavily were arm in arm posing in front of a sunset. The gown she wore and the suit Tai was dressed in told Jaune it was the couple's wedding photo.
Next to it was a simple gold and silver band, resting on the wooden surface. Jaune chose not to lift it out of respect. He knows from Qrow that Summer never came home. So Jaune can only guess that this must have been Tai's engagement ring. Seeing as the man wore his wedding band every day. Jaune sighed as he stared at the photo again. His thoughts were plagued with second-hand mourning over Summer. He didn't ever know the woman, and he didn't feel attached to her. But, Taiyang was as close to an Uncle as Jaune ever had. Seeing as both his parents were only children. So the pain he imagined Tai feeling made Jaune's own heart tug aggressively. Jaune turned to the closet, and walked over till he could pull the rolling doors open. Inside, sitting on the floor, was Jaune's bag from the other night.
Jaune drew the bag out and opened it to withdraw clothing for the day. Tai had made it clear that training would continue even with his daughters and their friends present. Qrow had snorted then, and told Jaune that the break was for the girls, not for him. Their quiet and quick conversation last night before team RWBY interrupted consisted of both Tai and Qrow learning that Jaune was fully involved in the war on Salem now. And that they could be more straightforward with what they could tell him. His mentors both had many things he could tell they wanted to say to Ozpin. But whether it was out of respect, or a quiet understanding that it would be hopeless, they did not.
Jaune put a simple white t-shirt on before covering it with a fur-lined cotton jacket. He slipped into long john underwear after locking the door. Next came a set of black straight cut jeans. The weather would only move in faster by the day, and he didn't want to catch a cold. He had to brush his hair out of his eyes several times during the process of readying himself for the day. After four months of not cutting it, his golden locks had started to need taming. Hopefully there was still hair-spray left in the bathroom. Jaune stretched his back and shoulders after slipping on his old flat bottomed casual shoes. He then scooped up all his equipment in a haphazard bundle before unlocking the door and stepping out into the hallway. As he did he felt a quick vibration from his jacket pocket.
Fishing the scroll Ozpin had given him from the confines of his clothes, Jaune saw there was a message from 'Dagger'.
Heard you took a slice of the pie. Welcome to the fight Rook. I've listed a series of contact numbers below. Each one is matched to the four nation capitals. If you ever need an out, or connections within the settlements, give them a call. Good luck. You answer to Crown now.
Jaune read the message twice to make sure he got everything correct before putting the scroll away. He supposes that 'Crown' was Ozpin. It made sense the man would want to handle giving Jaune orders directly. He was now the weakest link in the chain, so making sure the one pulling them all along handled his development was a viable safety precaution. He was pulled from his thoughts as the bedroom door at the end of the hall opened. Jaune looked up and saw Ruby standing in the hall, closing the door behind her.
"Oh hey Jaune! Good morning. Dad already downstairs?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah. You know him." Jaune smiled at the younger girl as he walked up to her and turned towards the bathroom door. "Anyone in here?"
"Nah, the others are just getting around. Should have enough time to do your business." Ruby waved him off as she started descending the stairs. "See you in a bit."
Jaune entered the bathroom and set his things on the edge of the sink cabinet. He rifled for the hairspray, and a comb. After a couple of minutes he had his mop of blonde hair done back in a windswept style, the spray drying it in place and freeing his vision of loose strands of hair. He stared at himself in the mirror and noticed a thin sheen of facial hair beginning to show along his jaw. He ran his fingers over it and felt the prickle of rough stubble. His upper lip however was mostly barren. He let out a neutral 'hmn' as he considered it. He had never really had to shave before. Always having only ever had near see-through peach fuzz. Maybe the increased physical activity and the diet change was helping him generate more testosterone. Or maybe it was some weird nuanced part of having Aura now. He didn't know, but he might as well let it stay for a little while, and see what his coverage was gonna be like.
Here's hoping it wasn't as thin and patchy as Qrow's. He wasn't sure he could pull that look off the same way his mentor did. But his father had a beard, a finely groomed and fashionable one too. Jaune put his supplies away and scooped up his belongings again before exiting the bathroom. Only to come face to face with an unexpected sight.
Standing stock-still Jaune stared at the figure. It was already quickly fading from view, and if he hadn't seen it clear as day he would swear it was a trick of the light. But for a split second, he saw it. A shadow, not cast by any figure or item in the hallway. A flat black silhouette. It had been human-ish, standing slightly taller than him, with dark wisp-like shapes protruding from its head and back. He tried to run through his mind and burn the image into his memory. But there now, on the wall opposite him where the shadow was, there was nothing. Just the light from the morning dawn bouncing off the wood paneling. His mind told him it was just him shaking off the haziness of sleep. But his death grip on his equipment, and his rapidly beating heart told him it was real.
What the hell was happening to him? Was he going stress crazy? He forced himself to move. Shaking the paralysis from his legs as he took unsteady steps down the stairs. Was this something to do with the scar? Or was this his mind trying to reveal another suppressed memory? Jaune mulled over the thoughts, while breathing evenly to calm his heart. Maybe he was just tired, and more overwhelmed than he thought.
"Morning Jaune. Whoa there, you look like you've seen a ghost." Tai exclaimed as he turned away from the kitchen counter to greet Jaune upon entry.
"I-i think I need to talk to you. Do you have a sec?" Jaune asked, setting his things on the table.
"Ok, sure." Tai said, setting his spatula down. "Ruby, take over, would ya sweetie?"
"No problem. Eggs are easy peasy." Ruby said, leaping up from her seat at the table and taking her father's place at the stove.
Tai jerked his head towards the back door, and Jaune followed him out. The small yard behind the house had very little. Just a chopping block for wood, a woodstack pile, and a couple old lawn chairs. Jaune and Tai each sat in one after wiping away the beginnings of frost on the seats.
"What's this about Jaune?" Tai asked, concern showing on his face. "Is it about Ozpin's war?"
"No no, not about that. It's about me… I think there is something wrong." Jaune explained.
"Oh? Ok, go on."
"I saw something in the hallway upstairs. A shadow, a human looking shadow on the wall. I blinked and it was gone. I think I'm maybe seeing things and I don't know who else to talk to about it." Jaune relented, hoping Taiyang wouldn't think him crazy.
"Is this the only time you've seen something like that?" Tai asked, leaning forward.
"Yeah." Jaune answered.
"Well… I can only really say that I am not sure how to help. You aren't hearing voices or prolonged hallucinations right?" Tai questioned.
"No. Nothing like that." Jaune clarified.
"Then I think it was probably just a trick of the mind. A paranoid flare up or a sleepy overreaction by your eyes. It can happen. Spend enough time in the field, you jump at shadows and think a beowolf is in your shower. I think you might just be stressed over the kidnapping and all the stuff you learned about Salem and her helpers. You should be just fine. If it gets worse, by all means tell me or Qrow, but try not to feel twisted over something that is really probably nothing. Ok?" Tai consoled, patting Jaune's shoulder before standing up.
Jaune felt a little better. His initial worry was mostly washed away by Tai's rational and comforting words. With a shake of his head, Jaune stood and met Tai's gaze.
"Thank you Tai. I needed that." Jaune spoke.
"You're a strong guy Jaune. I know you can do this. I don't agree with you being in the conflict at seventeen, but I'm not gonna stop you from doing what you think is right. All I can do is train you the best I can and give you the tools to make it on your own out there. Anything less and I'm the failure, not you. Try not to place the world on your shoulders." Tai smiled and pointed over his shoulder back to the house. "Let's go finish breakfast for everyone. Then we get to training."
"That sounds like a plan. I'm starving." Jaune admitted, following his mentor back to the kitchen.
Maybe he just needed something to do, to get his mind off everything. Oh dear… When did he start acting like Taiyang?
…..
The blows came fast. The dual blades slamming into his shield and forcing his arm down. Jaune dipped backwards and stabbed out with his sword to create space between himself and his opponent. Blake sidestepped the attack and hooked her cleaver-sheath over Jaune's shield, yanking it to the side. As his shield was forced to his left, Blake twirled around with her main sword coming in towards his exposed midriff. He raised Crocea Mors almost too late, barely managing to force the attack to glance off of his sword and past his body. Blake wasted no time in continuing the assault. Her swings were followed by a low leg sweep that sent Jaune to his back on the ground. Jaune pulled his legs back towards his chest before using a controlled kick to beat away Blake's follow up attack. As his feet connected with her wrist, she turned to ice, trapping one of his feet.
Clone semblance, noted. Jaune saw Blake's actual form speed around the side of her elemental clone to attack his prone form from the side. Jaune used the small moment to let go of his sword and snatch his knife from its sheath. Pointing the blade straight at the ground under his suspended foot, he pressed the button under the cross-guard. Jaune watched Blake back-handspring away from the resulting blast of wind dust being vented out of his weapon. The intensity of the blast blew the legs off her ice-clone, and flipped Jaune onto his knees, the rest of the clone shattering as he was torn free. Before Jaune could even rise to his feet fully, a kick landed against the side of his head.
Blake had jumped full force into the air towards him right after she came out of her acrobatic retreat. The blow made his ear ring slightly and propelled him several feet to the side. Jaune bounced hard but stumbled to his feet in time to prepare for the fight to continue. He collapsed his shield when Blakes blade came down towards Jaune's shoulder, twisting himself to the side and letting the attack sail through his defenses only to hit nothing. Jaune then grabbed Blake's wrist with his shield hand and slammed his knee upwards towards her ribs while stabbing towards her side with his knife hand. Forced to choose which attack to defend against, Blake parried his knife to the side with her cleaver.
Jaune's knee made full contact with Blakes stomach, the impact driving the air from her lungs and forcing her a couple inches off the ground. Jaune tried to capitalize by twisting his body after planting his foot back to the ground, intending to hip toss Blake to the ground. But the more experienced girl before him simply hopped up a bit, wrapping her legs around the arm that he held her wrist with, and forced him to follow through with his attempted throw. His own weight was forced forward as Blake weighed his arm down. The moment her back touched earth, she looped one leg around his throat and extended the other to kick his knife hand, hard.
His weapon tumbled from his grip, and his shield disconnected from the magnetic connection holding it to his forearm as Blake's leg slammed past it to trap his neck. As soon as the knife was removed from his hand, Blake slammed that same attacking leg down and trapped Jaune into a textbook arm-bar. Jaune could feel his elbow being stressed as Blake's hands yanked his wrist one way, and her legs pushed his bicep the other direction. Then, sealing his fate, Blake shifted both their weights suddenly, causing Jaune to fall to the dirt fully with her. His back hit the ground and the submissive hold he was in locked in so that he had next to no chance of escaping.
Jaune faintly registered the whooping and hollering of the peanut gallery watching the spar as Blake forced him to tap out. Both he and his pummeler rose to their feet, breathing heavily.
"Jaune loses by submission. His Aura is at nearly half. Blake took one full blow and sits at around four fifths her maximum. Good spar, both of you." Tai spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
Everyone but Qrow clapped encouragingly as Jaune collected his equipment from the ground and stepped towards the line of chairs that team RWBY were sitting in. They had grabbed some lawn chairs from around the fire pit and behind the house and placed them in a sloppy half-circle facing the center of the clearing. Yang tossed Jaune a hydro flask of water as he approached.
"Looking good out there Chopper Boy! Landing a solid hit on Blake aint easy." Yang congratulated as Jaune slumped into his chair with a heave of air.
"Thanks. Just getting her close enough without being torn to shreds was a chore and a half. She moves almost as fast as your Uncle." Jaune replied before gulping down some water.
"Your Aura management could use refinement. But for someone who hasn't had it for very long you do a good job." Weiss chipped in from the side.
"As much as I hate to agree with 'Winter 2: Electric Boogaloo', she's right. You still bleed more Aura than needed to tank hits. We'll have to work on control some more." Qrow spoke, walking up and standing before them.
"I'll spend more time with the mug after studying then." Jaune told his teacher. "What's next?"
"Next is tactics training. And since we have a full house, we can actually run a team versus team exercise. The four girls, against us three guys. With Ruby leading her team, and you leading our team." Qrow said with a smirk. "Think you could handle that?"
Jaune tried not to show his uncertainty by giving a thumbs up and a stiff smile.
"Good. Same rules apply, go till Aura hits the red, or to submission. No bullets."
Jaune hoisted himself up and joined the entire crew as they split into their teams to hash out a battle plan. Jaune stood between his teachers and thought out the steps Qrow had taught him. Observe, plan, lay a contingency, and act. Throughout the process always making sure to be able to improvise should outside variables force his hand.
"Ok, so Weiss is their strongest range option when we take guns out of the mix. So she will most likely support from the rear with her symbol thingys. Ruby has the most speed and flanking potential, so she will probably break off and sweep in for quick attacks from the edges before darting back. Yang is the powerhouse, and if she is anything like you Tai, then she will act as the center focus and try to press the advance. Blake will most likely support that, being able to use her clones to stay close to Yang without having to tank too many hits." Jaune listed off, watching his teacher's faces for their reactions.
"That's all pretty on the mark, so what's the plan we are gonna follow kid? You tell us and we will stick to that. Too much free choice from us two and it won't be a fair fight." Qrow informed, gesturing to himself and Tai.
"Um… I think what we can do is use me as bait. Well sort of. If we can get Yang and Blake to focus on me, then I can open you both up a channel to rush Weiss. Ruby will rush to support. You two can handle them. I'll do my best to keep Blake and Yang occupied long enough for you both to sweep in from behind and finish them off. If you both stay together, then even if I go down you can defend each other when Yang and Blake turn back. If everything goes wrong or they switch up the strategy, we stay together, Tai and me in the front. Qrow, you can use the reach of Harbinger to defend our flanks from behind. That good?" Jaune asked after his explanation.
"It will do. Can't know the best option till we get started. Let's do this." Tai stated.
Jaune and his mentors walked over and stood side by side on one side of the center of the clearing. Facing them down was team RWBY. Everyone had their scrolls set to alarm when Auras entered the red. With a quick double check of his knife, and a quick reload of an Ice dust cartridge into its chamber, Jaune drew his knife with his right hand, and his sword with his left before flipping it around to a forward grip. With a thumbs up from both Ruby and Jaune, Tai spoke clearly.
"Begin!"
Everything went wrong immediately. Jaune was really learning what 'no plan survives first contact' meant. As soon as Tai ordered for the fight to start, Yang cupped her hands together and launched Weiss into the air towards them when the white haired girl stepped into the blonde's grip with her foot. Ruby used her semblance to zip into the air in a whirl of rose petals, arcing right behind Weiss. Jaune shouted for Qrow to fall behind as he and Tai slid to be standing side to side. Weiss used a black glyph to stop midair before swinging her rapier in a downward stabbing motion. Her blade stuck into the glyph and a click was heard. Jaune's view of Blake and Yang was obscured as a thin but wide sheet of ice shot down from the glyph ten feet to hit the ground. It then spread out sideways about ten feet on either side before Weiss dropped her glyph and landed on the ice wall. Then Ruby landed behind them and started taking swipes at Qrow.
Qrow deftly blocked the attacks with one hand using his massive sword, forcing Ruby to a standstill sequence of defending and lashing out. Jaune looked back to the Ice wall just in time to hear Yang shout out from behind it.
"Now!"
Weiss then revolved the cylinder of her weapon and slashed at her feet. A great gout of flame slammed into the ice wall, resulting in the formation to sublimate, creating a large cloud of fog and steam. Jaune watched as Weiss dropped into the fog and disappeared. A second went by as he tried to formulate a response to shout to his team. Suddenly a projectile flew from within the cloud. Jaune jerked his head to the right, letting the attack fly over his shoulder. Something black drew his gaze. A ribbon.
Jaune felt Gambol Shroud yank back, snag his armpit, and pull him head first off his feet and into the cloud. Jaune stuck his arms out and landed in a forward roll off of his forearms. Blinded in pretty much every way but clinically, Jaune popped up into a low crouch and brandished both his weapons before him in a ready stance.
"Qrow, Tai! Stay together and fall-" Jaune began to shout through the fog before a dark figure rushed through the smog and swung at him.
Jaune slammed his sword and knife side by side into the attack. A strong fist jarred his arms but stopped against his blades. Yang became visible as she threw several quick punches in rapid succession. Jaune weaved out of the way of the first one, but Yang switched up her targets and hit him once in the stomach, ribs, and throat. Jaune panicked and slashed with his knife quickly, making just as many swipes as she had punches. Yang closed her arms tight to her form, fists in front of her face. She dipped most of his swipes, and checked some by blocking his wrists with her forearms. Jaune slashed heavily and low towards her legs with his sword when she grabbed his wrist as he attempted to stab with his knife in a reverse grip down at her shoulder. Yang stuck one foot out and stopped his sword with the bridge of her boot before pushing her foot down and trapping his blade to the ground. Yang gave him a sarcastic wink before cocking back her free arm and preparing a punch towards his face.
Jaune winked right back before speaking.
"Jackpot."
He pressed the fire button on his knife with his pinky as her fist began its swift journey to his jaw. It never made it. Yang let out a loud wheezing sound as a flash emitted from his knife, which was still pointed at her torso, and she was encased in ice from her shoulders to her knees. The only things still sticking out were portions of her arms, and her head. Jaune Pulled his sword free, causing Yang to tip backwards and begin to topple over. Jaune yanked his wrist from her hand and sprinted out of the fog as she promised it wasn't over. He came out of the fog and into a desperate situation. Blake, Weiss, and Ruby had surrounded Qrow and Tai in a triangle formation. Qrow was fending off attacks from Ruby and Weiss but struggling and occasionally letting one tag him with a glancing blow. Tai was slipping Blake's swift and rapid dual-wielding slashes and kicks. But he wasn't attacking back, probably knowing it would leave Qrow's back open if he overcommitted.
"Help Qrow!" Jaune yelled as he sheathed his knife, and switched Crocea Mors to his right hand.
Blake barely whirled around in time, eyes wide, as Jaune leaped at her with both hands gripping his sword hilt. He held the sword over his head, aiming to slam it down on her in a downward arc. Or so he pretended. Blake bought it and crossed her blades and pushed them up to catch his attack. Jaune then pulled a trick he learned from Qrow, and let his arms separate and fall to his sides as he kicked one foot out with his leg straight. Blake tried to shift herself back and pop out a clone, but Tai shoved her forward with both hands as he split off to help Qrow. The black haired ninja closed her eyes and winced in acceptance as she was shoved straight into Jaune's momentum filled blow. His foot slammed into her collarbone and she was sent tumbling backwards along the ground as Jaune landed, sword ready at his side.
The first alarm went off as Blake's Aura dipped into the red. Qrow must have chipped her down before the girls surrounded him and Tai. Two following alarms went off as Jaune dashed in to counter-surround Ruby and Weiss. Weiss put her hands up in defeat right before Qrow did so, after both of them took blows that put them in the red. Ruby then shifted to fend off Tai as the man leaped at her with a superhero style punch. Jaune heard ice shatter and footsteps approaching his rear as he got to Tai.
"Switch!" Jaune shouted.
Without even wasting a breath, Tai stuck his hand back and took Jaune's forearm in his grip. Jaune returned the hold and they both pulled as they pushed off with their feet in the appropriate directions. They spun around the center axis they had formed with their arms and traded positions in a flash moment of teamwork. Not a split second after they let go, Jaune heard Yang's fist slam into Tai's defense. Ruby was not wasting time either. Jaune slipped his left arm down and activated his shield, bringing it up to deflect Ruby's scythe away as it swung for his side. Jaune then stabbed his sword into the soft grass before gripping the top edge of his shield with his now empty hand. Ruby barely got Crescent Rose up in front of her in time to block his shield as he hurled it at her face like a frisbee. The attack didn't have much power behind it, but he didn't need it to hurt. He just needed time. Jaune flicked his eyes downward to his belt and located a lightning dust cartridge, then thumbed it out with practiced fingers and slotted it into his knife after ejecting the previous casing.
Ruby swept in with several wide and twirling attacks at Jaune. He ducked one, hopped over the second, and blocked the haft of her scythe by checking it with his calf on the third. Jaune felt his Aura chip from doing that, but no alarm went off as he slammed the open pommel of his knife at Ruby's face. The short girl closed her fist and tanked the hit on her elbow as she formed a tight triangle against her head with that arm. Aura shined for a split second, but not as bright as Jaune's knife did. As the electric energy poured forth and imbued his blade, Jaune stepped in, and simply laid it across the body of Crescent Rose. Ruby tried to yank the weapon back, but Jaune stepped on the base of the blade where it met the shaft when she obscured her vision to block his pommel strike. Ruby was forced to let her weapon go as electricity lanced up her solid metal weapon and into her hands.
"Gah!" Ruby wailed defiantly as she shook her hands as if she could rid herself of the pain that way.
"Switch!" Jaune yelled, hoping Tai was ready and listening.
Jaune and Tai's arms clasped yet again as they traded positions. Jaune sticks his knife out towards Yang and presses fire once again as Tai launches into a side kick at Ruby's waist. What was left of the lightning cartridge vented out of his weapon at Yang, who took the bolts of lighting on her Aura as she powered through the attack and batted his knife aside. Jaune yelped as Yang planted her knee in his stomach and slammed her elbow into the side of his jaw right after. His alarm went off as he hit the grass on his side. He sat up, clenching at his sore body as Ruby's alarm sounded. He glanced up to the ongoing fight he was now not a part of. Ruby was sitting on her rear, legs sprawled in front of her, rubbing her bicep with the opposite hand. Yang and Tai on the other hand…
To say they were similar was an understatement. The two of them started circling each other before falling into mirrored stances. Then the melee began. Punches and kicks were blocked and returned by both fighters. But it eventually became clear that Tai knew everything Yang did, but was just better at it. He poked holes in her defense, and capitalized on a few key mistakes. Soon enough his mentor slammed a shin into Yang's thigh with heavy force. Yang's alarm beeped angrily and sounded team RWBY's defeat.
Several sounds of both satisfaction and defeat were heard as Taiyang held his fist aloft, signaling victory and the end of the exercise.
"Team Training-Camp wins!" Tai exclaimed with a gentle smile and an embarrassing little dance resembling something from old disco videos.
Jaune got to his feet and took his time to collect and examine his various equipment before joining the group as they formed around Tai and Qrow. Both of which he could tell were preparing to give their professional opinions and critiques. Blake stepped to the side slightly to allow for him to stand between her and Weiss. The latter was picking at her jacket, while the former was still rubbing her collarbone where Jaune had kicked her and shattered her Aura. Ruby flanked Blake on the left, while Yang flanked Weiss on the right.
"Alright. Firstly, good teamwork everyone. Other than that, who thinks they have an idea on what me and Tai are going to speak about first?" Qrow began after taking a swig from his flask.
"I have an observation." Yang spoke clearly and immediately while holding her hand up a bit.
"Shoot Firecracker." Tai acknowledged.
Yang crossed her arms and leaned on one leg before tossing her hair back with a jerk of her head. Then she clicked her tongue and began.
"We picked the wrong target to single out. We thought Jaune was the weakest link, and that by eliminating him immediately that we could go four on two against you both. While not exactly wrong, we didn't predict you guys would stay locked together. Back to back, you make an experienced duo that know how to defend each other. Our plan went belly-up when Jaune managed to get back into the fray with you." Yang's explanation drew several nods of agreement from her team and the older adults.
"I second Yang, we thought at least one of you would be playing guard duty to Jaune on account of his experience level, and would chase into the fog after him, leaving the last member wide open for the other three of us to overwhelm. Our fog cloud worked against us in that regard. Not being able to improvise after coming out of it just to see you two had locked together for defense." Weiss added. "Not to mention Myrtenaster having a cylinder malfunction, making me unable to split you apart using dust effects."
So that's why the girls stuck to surrounding his mentors in that tight formation. They couldn't get them to separate so they had doubled down and attempted to simply overwhelm the men. Sadly, the leagues of experience they both had kept them in the game far longer than the girls could contend with. Jaune freeing up just enough time to pincer one side of their assault was crippling for their advantage there.
"Very good girls. I see Professor Goodwitch has been hard at work teaching you right." Tai complimented. "You have the right ideas. But can anyone here tell me the first problem you would have run into had you used that strategy against unfamiliar opponents?"
A long silence followed Tai's question. Team RWBY glanced around at each other and an unspoken conversation was attempted. Eventually Jaune broke the quiet with his informed answer.
"They revealed too much information from the get-go." Jaune's words drew the girl's attention.
"Explain." Qrow said with a nod of agreement.
"One of the biggest advantages to fighting someone you don't know, and who doesn't know you, is that neither side has a grip on the other's abilities. Or their fighting styles and skill level. You can use this to your advantage if you create chances to surprise the enemy with things they didn't see coming. Like I did against Ruby with my knife." Jaune began. "Weiss announcing both her semblance, and her dust manipulation through her rapier right at the beginning would be giving the enemy a lot of information to work with. Ruby too, flying in as a cloud of rose petals at high speed. That might give an experienced fighter enough knowledge to formulate a plan that could shut down their entire advance."
"Top marks kid, five stars." Qrow smirked, clearly taking pride in his teachings coming to fruition in Jaune. "Had me or Tai been in the leader role, we would have immediately retreated. Used bounding techniques to single out Ruby right away and create enough space that only Weiss could be able to support in time. From there we would wipe one or both of them, split off, and Tai would have stopped Yang and Blake's push from the fog. While I finished off the second attacker from the first frontal attack. From there it would have been a two on two bout, with us in the clear advantage due to experience and skill. With Jaune bringing up the rear and providing a contingency defender in case one of us gets singled out."
"We were banking on the element of surprise splitting you all up. Maybe we overextended ourselves." Ruby said, rubbing her chin in contemplation.
"A bit. But overall you guys were solid. The plan might have even worked had Jaune gone down in the fog like you hoped he would." Tai reassured his daughter.
"Why didn't he? Mess up in there Yang?" Qrow asked, teasing his niece.
Jaune and the other participants couldn't help but look over to Yang. Her reaction was one of playful annoyance and defensive words.
"What can I say? The guy has a bunch of Aura! And he can take a hit. I expected him to go down after one or two hard punches with his Aura only at half. But he tanked three and went on the attack, forcing me into a grapple and trapping me with his stupid gadget knife." Yang explained, pointing to said weapon currently in its sheath on Jaune's thigh.
"Why do you think we outfitted him with all that stuff? For show? Never underestimate an opponent, no matter how much better you think you are than them at fighting." Tai interjected, expertly lecturing his eldest daughter.
"Yeah yeah I know. Rookie mistake." Yang sighed between her statements.
"Gotta say Yang, you were the worst one possible to go up against in the fog. For me at least. I could run away from Blake, her Aura being lowered and not suited for a continued attack. Weiss would have to rely on trapping me, her rapier being rough to use against my shield forms, and might have taken too long. But you easily put me on the back foot, and would have dropped me fast if I had panicked and turtled up. I got lucky." Jaune told her, flashing a supportive smile and giving her a thumbs up.
The girl examined him with her gaze for a moment before smiling back and returning his thumbs up.
"Good to know Chopper Boy, I'll remember to get rid of that knife next time we tango." Yang laughed out before moving her attention back to her father.
"We can all go over more narrow adjustments after lunch. Then Jaune is on study duty. You girls feel free to do whatever you want, my home is your home for the week. Just keep the T.V volume reasonable, and don't raid my wine cabinet. I didn't buy it for you." Tai finished, leveling a soft but fatherly glare on them all.
"Pfft, wine. Might as well be drinking grape juice." Qrow mocked as he sauntered back towards the house.
"One, it is grape juice. And two, I like a glass with my Sunday dinner, it rounds out the week nicely. Unlike your bi-hourly shot of cheap bourbon." Tai fired back at his best friend as he followed him to the porch.
Jaune watched them go, smiling at their antics. He could only hope he had a person that close when he was their age. If he made it to their age that was. He turned his head when he felt something touch his arm. A shock of white hair entered his vision as he registered Weiss standing next to him.
"Sorry to intrude on your thoughts. But I see Mr. Xiao Long and Mr. Branwen have you studying material for the H.Q.E." The girl stated.
"Oh, yeah. Couple hours a day. Usually later in the day, but with my Aura being low, and Tai wanting to spend some time with you all, I'm betting I'll be at it till dinner." Jaune explained.
"I happen to have already been taught most of the required knowledge. I had private tutors in Atlas to prepare me for Beacon. Maybe I could lend a hand? I'm sure I could get Blake to help with your Aura exercises too. She is the most experienced out of us all on channeling." Weiss offered with an almost… Nervous tone?
"Um, yeah ok! That's really cool of you, I'd be glad to pick your brain. Hope you're prepared to get frustrated at my lack of brain." Jaune replied, grinning and walking beside Weiss towards the house.
"After spending an entire semester in Beacon, trust me I've seen plenty of numbskull people in class. You don't give off that impression." Weiss complemented with a wave of her hand. "If you can land hits on Yang and Blake, and devise a winning strategy against our team, then you are already better than most of the people we go up against in Combat Class. Maybe not in raw skill, but definitely in unpredictability."
"Really? I would think Beacon students have me dwarfed in all that." Jaune admitted.
"Well, I would say it's your unique training that gives you your prowess. If you really think about it, Signal students or any starter academy's students only get around an hour a day of combat education. For five days a week, thirty six weeks a year. That's one hundred eighty hours of formal combat education a school year, and seven hundred twenty hours for the average four years they attend the school. That is only if they don't miss a day, and don't goof off or fall asleep during the lessons. You most likely get much more education in a shorter period of time than they ever got. It's no wonder you are advancing so quickly." Weiss orated as they entered the living room and made for the single bookshelf next to the T.V.
"I usually get around six or seven hours of physical training a day. So by the same logic process that's… somewhere around six hundred seventy hours of training I've had in the last four months… Woah." Jaune spoke, realizing he was almost as formally educated in combat as a Signal graduate. In hours at least.
"Not to mention you already graduated highschool. So all the hours you spend studying won't involve mathematics, science, social studies, or organizational skills. You get to focus all your learning towards Huntsman fields like first aid, criminal justice and law enforcement. Or Grimm studies, Aura manipulation and application, even Semblance Theory. With time and hard work, it can all be a potent learning experience." Weiss finished as she grabbed a couple books from the shelf, and helped Jaune carry his study materials to the Kitchen table.
"What is your Semblance, if I may ask? I didn't see you use an obvious ability out there earlier." Weiss prodded as she sat down beside Jaune at the table.
"I-i don't know actually. It hasn't surfaced yet. But Tai says it sometimes can take a long while. That it's different person to person. I guess I'm just a late bloomer." Jaune sheepishly admitted.
"Well keep at it. I know I was a problem when I unlocked mine." Yang suddenly added, striding into the room and moving for the fridge.
"Oh yeah?" Jaune inquired as he craned his neck to look at the newcomer.
"Oh yeah. I unlocked mine when I was eight! Nearly burned the house down when my hair lit on fire next to the curtains." Yang laughed as she grabbed a pitcher of orange juice out from the fridge, closing the door with her hip.
"Really? That's… Adorable actually." Weiss stated, cocking her head.
"Eight years old? You didn't even have Aura then. Isn't that rare?" Jaune asked, remembering Tai's words on the subject.
"Yeah. But I was kinda always a hot-head. And Mom had just been reported missing…" Yang explained, forcing her smile back up after it dipped for a second.
"Right. Makes sense. Well at least you knew from a young age what was at your core. Someone who fights fiercely for the stuff she cares about." Jaune encouraged. "I'm not gonna lie… I'm kinda afraid of what mine will tell me. I don't really know who I am yet. I just know I want to help people." Jaune admitted. "What if it's something that doesn't help in any way? Like the ability to read other written languages. There's scrolls for that. Or to accurately tell someone's heart rate? I'm not in healthcare."
Jaune had spent many an evening reading the books on Semblance Theory and history. He had seen so many recorded cases of people with semblances that directly related to a passion of the wielder. Several famous doctors had semblances that made them highly proficient in their work. There was even a case of a deer hunter in the outer settlements that had developed the ability to read the emotions of woodland creatures, allowing him to use them as a reference to know where Grimm were and how far. So many semblances world wide had little to no application to Huntsmen work. What if he got something like that? Or worse, a semblance that had negative effects. He had read about one that made him shudder once. Of a young girl who had been abused by her parents for many years. The stress caused her semblance to activate. The ability to touch someone and cause pain so harsh that the coroners stated the parents killed themselves to stop it when she used it on them.
She spent the rest of her life in an asylum starting shortly before the Faunus Rights Movement. She wasn't able to turn her semblance off so they committed her. He shuddered to imagine getting something like that. He would have to wear a full body skinsuit to prevent anyone from touching his skin. What a nightmare.
"I'm sure whatever it ends up being, it'll be fine. Better than nothing right? Well, I'll let you two get to it." Yang shrugged and patted Jaune on the shoulder as she paced back into the living room.
Jaune and Weiss opened the textbook pertaining to Aura Manipulation and Application, and picked up his studying where he had left off the other day. The hours between lunch and dinner progressed at a quick pace. Jaune lost in the work and learning, with Weiss helping him understand some things better with her own explanations. He had nearly ten pages of notes by the time the evening glow bathed the house through the windows. Jaune checked his scroll and noticed his Aura had risen back to around sixty percent. When Taiyang began making dinner for everyone, forcing Qrow and Ruby to help much to the other man's displeasure, Jaune and Weiss called it and put his study materials away.
Jaune found himself mulling over his thoughts as everyone took seats at the table and began chatting to each other while they waited for the beef stroganoff and cheesy broccoli to finish baking. He had been jumpy all day. He tried to hide it as well as he could, but during training and morning forms Jaune had been looking at shadows. Flinching at the black forms that moved suddenly across the ground of the clearing when birds or squirrels moved overhead or in the treetops. The experience from this morning had been plaguing his subconscious.
"-right Jaune?" Tai said, breaking Jaune from his thoughts.
"Sorry, what was the question?" Jaune answered.
"I was telling Ruby how she should learn some boxing or grappling. Focusing only on her scythe forms could put her in big trouble if she were ever disarmed." Tai restated, rolling his eyes and scooping portions of the meal out onto everyone's plates.
"Oh. Yeah I guess. I mean it's like you and Qrow say all the time, fundamentals are really important." Jaune recounted.
"I'm pretty sure I could keep a hold of my baby!" Ruby retorted, caressing her weapon lovingly. "No one's ever gonna take you away from me."
"Jaune did, today. And I pummeled you cause you couldn't defend yourself without Crescent Rose." Tai explained in a 'I'm right and you know it' tone.
A series of snorts and snickers came from the other residents of the dinner table. Ruby pouted a bit and crossed her arms with a mumble. Jaune smiled and listened idly as Tai helped run through each of the girl's semblances and how best to use them as a surprise in the future. Which eventually caused Blake to ask about the older two gentlemen's own abilities. Taiyang kindly explained his semblance without revealing he no longer had access to it. Qrow simply shrugged.
"Don't have one. Never have." Qrow lied.
Jaune picked up on that. He also picked up on the faces Ruby, Yang, and Tai made. The table stayed silent, evidently seeing it was a sensitive subject. A cough drew the table's ears.
"Ahem, well I for one am excited to see what Jaune's semblance is when it manifests." Weiss diverted.
"Me too, I'm interested in finding out how we can supplement his fighting or strategy with it when it arrives." Tai agreed.
"Ooh! What do we all think it will be? I bet he gets a speed semblance!" Ruby announced, pointing to the sky.
"Really? I was gonna guess he gets a defensive ability, something to help him not get hit even more effectively." Blake countered.
"Maybe a semblance related to hyper-awareness? I notice he has really good battle-sense." Weiss added.
"Nah, he can really take a hit. I'm sure he will get a powerful energy blast or something. To dish out as much as he takes." Yang said with a mouth full of food.
Jaune glanced between all the girls as they debated and tried to further their reasonings.
"Heh, here's hoping it isn't like his mothers." The words of Qrow rang out, clearly having been intended to be an under-the-breath statement. Sadly, it was just loud enough for most of the table, including Jaune, to have heard.
The entire room went quiet. Qrow jerked his head up, and realized everyone was staring at him with curiosity. Besides Jaune, who was gripping his forearm under the table, staring down at it as he attempted to make his right hand stop shaking violently. His emotions were a whirlwind. Did Qrow think he and his mother were that similar? Did he come off controlling and vicious? Is that really how his mentor, his friend, thought of him?
"Jaune I didn't…" Qrow began as Jaune stood up straight out of his chair abruptly, knocking it over as he fled the room.
Jaune's blood could be heard pumping in his ears as he made for the front door. He faintly heard assurances being given to the girls by Tai as chairs scraped back from the table. He just needed air. He needed to breathe. How could Qrow compare him to his mother? How could he say something like that? He knew how much Jaune wanted to be nothing like her. To imply his semblance might be just like hers was monstrous. Jaune paced out into the dusk air, right up to his training dummy, and stopped still as his blood boiled. His eyes landed on the dummy, and before he knew it he had cocked his arm back and let loose a punch at it.
His single, short scream echoed across the clearing as his Aura-enhanced fist made contact with the dummy's head. A shower of splintered wood and shredded fabric rained down on the grass behind the dummy, accented by floating bits of straw stuffing. The head was no longer a thing attached to the dummy, but a thin layer of debris on the frosting grass and dirt.
He heaved air in and out of his lungs as he fell into a flat-footed crouch, his arms dangling off the edges of his knees. He just needed to calm down. He wasn't like his mother, he couldn't be. He wasn't angry, jealous, entitled, or even spiteful. He was… He was…
"Scared."
Jaune gasped and threw himself backwards as he heard the deep, static and distorted voice. His head snapped up and his blood ran cold at the origin point of the voice. His heart beat so frantically he thought it might burst from his chest as he laid eyes on a familiar figure.
Crouching, both feet balanced on the shoulders of the dummy, was the pure black silhouette he had glimpsed this morning. Its legs bent, knees spread in front of its body. Its long arms dangling in front of it, elbows resting on its knees. The long pure black claws that the figure had instead of fingernails hung down several inches from its digits. The human-shaped head was cocked to the side, like a curious dog. It had no discernable features like a nose or lips, but wisps of black shadow danced on its shoulders, head, and forearms. As if black smoke was emitting from it and dissipating into the air.
"What… What.." Jaune mumbled in a terrified slurry as he edged away from the figure ever so slowly.
"What the Monty-fearing fuck is that?" Tai yelped as he ran up to Jaune and hoisted the boy to his feet.
Jaune didn't dare take his eyes off the silhouette.
"You can see it?" Jaune frantically asked just to be sure.
"Yes! Yes I see it. What the hell is it?" Tai asked as he shoved Jaune behind him protectively.
"I don't know!" Jaune announced, peeking around Tai's shoulder as they backed away from the creature perched on the dummy.
It didn't move a muscle. The only thing changing was the position of the wisps coming off it as they danced in the breeze. Eventually they backed away to around twenty feet, back-pedaling slowly towards the house. After a step or two further, the creature moved. Or it…appeared in a different place. Like an image on the T.V blurring due to a bad connection, the creature shifted in place before appearing closer to them. Only about five feet closer than the dummy had been, but closer. It was now standing, arms loose at its sides, head slightly slouched forward. Even with the bad posture, it stood a couple inches taller than Jaune and Tai.
Tai grabbed Jaune by the sleeve and was about to turn and shove them quickly inside, but the front door slammed open and two loud gunshots sounded. Jaune watched as two dust rounds slammed into the silhouette's chest. The creature made no sound, but was sent tumbling backwards several feet from the rounds impacting it. After it rolled once or twice, the hazy vision effect happened again, and the figure reappeared once again where it had been standing when it got shot. It was still prone, but quickly shifting to a crouching position.
Jaune let out a yelp as he clutched his chest. Glancing down, he saw his Aura fading back to clear from its active gray and red coloration. Jaune glanced up at the shooter to see Qrow standing on the porch, one hand extending Harbinger out, its blade slid downwards to allow for the double barrel cannons to fire. Smoke still pooled out of said barrels as Jaune locked eyes with Qrow. He watched his mentor glance down at his chest before snapping his eyes back to Jaune's
"Wait!" Qrow said, holding his weapon out and resting it against the railing, tip on the deck. "I think it's friendly."
"What?" Tai exclaimed as he watched the creature stand in place once more.
"What's going… OH SHIT WHAT IS THAT THING?" Yang screeched as she and her team pooled out of the door and onto the porch.
"Scared."
The entire group flinched as the sound emanated from the creature.
"Everyone calm down… I think I know what's going on. Jaune! Drop your Aura, now!" Qrow ordered, his arms spreading out to block the girls from getting closer.
Jaune hurriedly focused himself and forced his Aura to fade back into his body. As soon as he did the Creature shifted before appearing again five feet away from Tai and Jaune's front. It had become less corporeal, appearing like a film of darkness rather than a solid black creature of flesh and smoke. It was now standing, angling its head to glance at each new face present before settling on Qrow.
"Hurt."
Qrow flinched, but shifted his gaze to Jaune again. Taking a deep and nervous breath.
"I'm sorry about earlier, kid… I shouldn't have said what I did. It has nothing to do with how I see you. I promise you I'll make it up to you." Jaune's mentor spoke earnestly, his eyes flicking between Jaune and the Creature.
Jaune felt a bit of relief pierce through the panic, and he let out a trapped breath. As he did, the Creature appeared right next to Jaune and Tai, its head craned down to peer into Jaune's eyes. Tai made to shift in front of Jaune, but Jaune stopped him with a stiff arm. The Creature reached one clawed finger up, slowly bringing it to Jaune's chest. It tapped his sternum one time before starting to fade into the shadows of the floor.
"Fine."
The final word from the Creature came calmly, before the Creature itself was fully gone. Sinking and disappearing into the long shadows on the ground, cast by the trees of the forest. As Jaune evened out his breathing, he felt a trickle of energy flow back into him from his feet. It felt like Aura channeling back into his core. The group all stood still and silent for a couple long seconds. Before one high-pitched voice filled the air.
"Ok, not a speed semblance then…" Ruby said, trying to break the tension.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but… No shit." Blake responded.
Jaune turned back to the group. His eyes were wide, his smile uneasy. He glanced at all his new friends and his two mentors. Scratching his neck nervously, and taking a deep breath, he spoke.
"Well… I think I have a summoning Semblance?"
"A fucking scary one too. For Monty's sake, I think I might need a defibrillator!" Yang gasped out as she leaned on the doorway to the living room to steady herself.
Jaune felt Tai turn to look at him, so Jaune met his gaze. Judging by the man's expression, he could guess the man's thoughts.
How the hell would they train him to use that? And how fast could they get Jaune to a Semblance expert?