Chapter 9: reunion
When was the last time he saw the powers of the maidens? Ever since that day when Jaune lost everything. His home, his family, his brother, his sisters. Jaune was empty, with a loss of purpose, the absence of greed, and there was nothing but an endless wander to find meaning. He was reunited with his Mother, helping him through the grief. It took time, and time is all she has to save the only thing that truly matters to her, her son.
Months have passed, and he was at peace, moved on the loss and stayed by his Mother's side to fight against Ozmas. He travels through Remnant on a mission to find the so-called relic that the gods gifted Ozmas, while his Mother work through the shadows. The first encounter with the Maidens was by chance.
After saving her from a Grimm attack and seeing magic used against them, magic is too familiar and recognized. The presence felt all too familiar; his void soon swelled with emotion. To see his sister again and think she was somehow reincarnated and be a family again. He even convinced the Maiden to meet Mother, but when she saw her, she shudders in fear. This woman before them isn't her, then soon discovered the truth. She received her powers from an old man thanks for their companionship. Then told them the knowledge of how their powers could pass to another under a few categories. One, they have to be a certain age and two, they have to be the last memory of the previous Maiden; if not, the powers will randomly pick a new host. There, they knew it was Ozmas's doing and why he did it. Using the maidens' powers to protect the relics.
Jaune intently observed Vernal with great interest; she perfectly matched Raven. It's like watching two dance partners moving in sync expertly and beautifully, dancing around an unmovable object. Vernal would form and wield weapons made of ice at short bursts, from a sword to twin knives to even a spear. The way of her movements and stance, she's had been trained extensively. And it's not just any magic he felt; no, this magic he recognized all too well. He can never forget the scent of their magic, the form they took, and the element given to them. It's embedded into his mind to be never forgotten after all these years. And after seeing Raven's new ice weapon form that later shattered, Jaune can already identify which Maiden it is. The Spring Maiden of Life and Form. Using the water in the air to form and solidify it's obvious. Yet Jaune couldn't help but frown in confusion; he could feel the magic cast.
So why can't Jaune feel a strong connection of the Maiden's powers in Vernal, like when he first feels the Fall Maiden's power in Cinder in their first encounter. But he can still feel the magic in the air, so why can't he think it in the Vernal women. He remembers how he first felt the connection with his sisters, the Maiden powers. In the past, Jaune was gifted by his sisters. Aurora, the Spring Maiden, gifted Jaune his wings. Eve, the Winter Maiden, gifted Jaune his keen insight. Jasmine, the Summer Maiden, gifted his protection, and finally, Rhea the Fall Maiden blessed him with the connection of the bonds.
"as long your bond stays strong, you will away find us." Rhea's last word before she passes.
Though it doesn't explain his current situation with Vernal, no matter how hard he focuses on Vernal, he still feels nothing, yet she's always close to Raven when they fight Fenrir. As a matter of fact too comparable for tag-teaming a large target. Then he finally realized it wasn't Vernal who was using the powers of the Spring Maiden; it was Raven.
Raven's strategy was using Vernal as a decoy to make it look like she was the one casting magic.
Jaune continues to watch Raven fighting Fenrir; while the fight goes on, vivid images begin to flash before his mind. They were memories, but they weren't his memories. These were the memories of the previous spring Maiden, and to be more precise, her last memories before her end.
He closes his eye to shudder the pain; as he opens, he finds himself in the middle of an encampment. He aimlessly looks around till he hears a cry in the distance. He turns to the source and sees a frightened little girl on the ground. She is clearly injured, tired, and scared of what she has become; she stares at her hand covered on ice that she can't control while her eyes are engulfed in flames of yellow and horror. While the child is in a state of panic and horror, unaware of her surroundings, Raven look down on her with disappointment. With no remorse, Raven decided it was better if the powers of the Maiden were in better hands as she drew her sword towards the girl. Upon seeing what was in front of him, Jaune wanted to rush over and save her. But he knows this is a memory; no matter what he does, it won't change the outcome. He is forced to watch before him with great hate and sorrow.
Raven shows no emotion when she raises her sword swings with all her might to the girl with no remorse when she cuts the girl down. The girl's blood splatter across her face didn't faze her of actions. She smiles while feeling the power of the Maiden's energy flowing in her with greed and lust. This enrages Jaune, clenching his hand tightly in rage, wanting to kill her.
Then immediately, Jaune snapped himself out of reality when he heard a yelp from one of his Direwolves, crying out in pain. He quickly turned to the source, with his heart sank deeper into his stomach, fearing the worse. Seeing one of the Bandits manage to hit Direwolf across its back and was about to quickly raise his sword in the air about to strike. Till other members of the leap towards the Bandit, clamping their maws onto him, dragging him down to the ground, tearing him apart in rage while another group helps the injured Direwolf away from the battlefield. With that, Jaune sighs in relief and return to the critical matter at hand. Raven.
After seeing those memories inraging the Knight of wanting to kill this woman, pay for her greed, then notice something strange of Raven's behaviour of how protective Raven came to her Tribe. Noticing her disengage from Fenrir helping a nearby bandit from certain death and returning to help Vernal. And when Jaune saw when one of the Direwolves ran past through Raven's men and pounced straight to Vernal, while she was distracted by Fenrir. While she struggles to keep its jaws away from her. Then that slight moment of panic of Raven, she rushes over Vernal, kicking the Direwolf off and helping her up. It was evidence of what Jaune just saw; she treats the Tribe as her family. Perfect…
He raises his hand, focuses his aura on his palm, and forms into a small black orb of aura. Seeing the small orb created in his palm, he clenches his hand, crushing the sphere as a lance burst out of his hand. He took aim with a smile and, on the right moment with all his strength, threw the lance straight to his target, Vernal with Raven by her side. As the lance hits its mark and carries Vernal off her feet, surprising Raven to see Vernal on the ground with a black lance on her chest while it digs into Vernal's chest till it's gone. She pulls herself up, inspects her chest, and sees the lance is gone with no wound on her chest. Confusing her on the spot, she felt the pain, but there was no blood. Revan quickly crouches down to Vernal.
"Are you okay?" she asks
"Yeah, what was that?" Vernal asks as she looks towards the direction it came from as Raven follows to see the knight standing. This made the two women furious; the Knight insulted their Pride and had the gall to attack them without their notice. Then notice Jaune finally step forward and bring his hand underneath his helmet and whistles in a high pitch tune. The Grimm stopped attacking and backed away from the Tribe but kept them surrounded to their surprise. The bandits were confused and unsure what was happening, as all eyes landed on the Knight, giving them a slow clap with a laugh.
"Haha! I have to admit, I underestimated you, Raven. Usually, people who face Fenrir never survive this long." Then turns to Vernal
"And you, you created a sword that was able to bypass her aura and harm her." Jaune inspects Fenrir and sees her covered in minor cuts and small patches of her thick fur stain in her blood. But not a concern as he sees Fenrir's wounds are closing up like it wasn't there, to begin with. Yet his tone was evident to the bandits that he was sarcastic towards Vernal. As this infuriates, the young lady gives him the bird.
"Though I must say, I am surprised with such a skill that you were able to harm Fenrir...but that wasn't a semblance, was it? It was more like...magic." then he turns his attention back to Raven, giving the Bandit leader a comprehensive eye of shock if the Knight is on to her and knows.
"Isn't that right, Raven? Or should I call you...the spring Maiden?" as he snaps his fingers. At the same time, Vernal fell to her knees with her hands over her mouth as it overflows with blood. As her cheeks swelled, and couldn't hold it any longer and spewed a constant flow of blood.
Raven didn't understand what had just happened. "V-Vernal? Vernal, what's wrong?!"
She called out and looked over her shoulder, and her eyes bulged. Seeing Vernal was on the ground, he watched with a pain-filled expression.
"What?!"
"Do you remember what I told you earlier, Raven Branwen? Offer your pitiful lives without resistance, and I would kill you painlessly. Refuse, and I'll show you the true meaning of the word despair."
He slowly takes off his helmet, revealing his natural face and letting his helmet fall to the ground. Showing his bleach white skin white hair with a shine of silver, but his eyes shut. He opened his visions of the void of pitch black with blood-red irises. They recoil and stare in horror and realize what were they're up against as Raven stood still, frozen in terror.
"Y-you gotta be shittin' me..." a bandit whimpered. "Y-you mean, we've been up against a Grimm?!"
Fenrir let out a shrill roar towards the Bandit with dread.
"I am no Grimm. As I said earlier. I am the Grimm Knight." Jaune firmly pats Fenrir to calm down, while Raven is filled with fear and dread.
"And I can assure you, I'm far worse than any Grimm you've met. Now, know despair. That you'll be wishing to die by my Grimm." As more black orbs of aura appeared over Jaune, he outstretched his arm.
Raven stumbled back, finally reacting. "Magic..." she whispered in sheer horror. Her face was overwhelmed by fright. "Y-you can use magic?!"
"No, not like my sisters. This is my semblance. Unlike you, Raven." Raven's heart fell.
"It's an impressive strategy to use that Vernal woman as a decoy. Yet, to think you use your power and your people for personal gain. I find it very insulting that my sister's power was used in such a way. But I will admit, it was a solid strategy, but a simple trick doesn't work on me." He states.
"He figured me out...so easily?" Raven thought, feeling weak in her knees.
"What...is this monster? Is it with Salem? It has to be!? You have to be an idiot to not see the resemblance!?" she panics that she notices her blade is shaking.
"W-what are you?!"
The Knight chuckles, "Oh, right, I never Formally introduce myself. In the past, I've been called many names. Some are remembered as legends, while the rest are forgotten in time. But there is one name that all remembers...I am the Grimm Knight. Prince of Grimm. Son of the Queen of Grimm herself and heir of the Grimmlands, Jaune. May my name be forever etched into your minds and into the afterlife," He announces with Pride and justness.
"What!? Did he say!? SON!? impossible!" Raven shuddered the thought to slow panic. During her time as Ozpin's puppets, he told her everything. Remnant's secrets like the Maidens, the Grimm and even his past relations with the Witch. But never once said anything about a son!?
"Now then, let us continue our banquet of death." His voice then points directly towards Raven; then, one orb soon transforms into a sword and launches to Raven's way. Only the woman barely recovered in time and managed to evade the incoming blade, letting it sail past and vanish into the tree line. Anything caught in its path was either pierce through or sliced open. "Hmph, prolonging of the inevitable." He grins ear to ear with a deathly stare.
"Kill it!" Raven shouted in hysteria. "Kill it now! Don't let it cast another attack!" she panics.
The bandits are confused and afraid, having never seen their leader act like this before. Yet, they still obeyed their orders and moved in to attack. Fenrir looks ready to intercept them, but Jaune stops her. He opened his arms wide and welcomed the attack as two bandits reached him first. Poised their daggers, aiming between the exposed gapes of his armour at the side of his chest. It's was the logical conclusion, but ultimately their last regret. As their blades made contact, they bounced off; more than that, the blades shattered upon impact.
Wide-eyed of the shock of what they witness, of seeing their weapons shatter before their eyes, they panic an attempted retreat. But for only Jaune, grab them by their heads. "sorry, but it seems your weapons won't work on me. Then again, it's to be expected." He told them apologetically. "However it's still disappointing that you can't even pierce my barrier."
Slowly, Jaune squeezed and tightened his grip over their heads; the points of his claw gauntlets pierced through their skin and dug deep to their skulls in pain. Predictably, they squirmed and thrashed, trying to escape while their heads bleed from their torture, trying to escape from his grip. In response, Jaune slams both bandits to the ground, immediately shattering their aura and skulls. Leaving a large puddle of blood and their brains spattering on the dirt.
"How laughable. You say this your best?" as Jaune flick hands to get the blood off his gauntlets while still looking at the now headless bandits in disappointment.
"They're nothing but weaklings. You are a disa-argh!" by the time Jaune finish and turn to face Raven, but to only to see Raven charge with an ice sword on her hand a slice across his chest. Cutting through his aura, armour and across his chest, like a hot knife through butter. Jaune took a step back, grasping his chest in slight pain. He looked at his hand with blood and then looked up to hear a scream heading towards him.
"Hrrrraaaaagh!" Raven charges again, giving Jaune enough time to block her attack with his shield. But she deflected his shield away to slice him across his arm, carrying his shield and kicking him out. Seeing blood dripping and flowing out of the now damaged armour, a smile of confidence brought back to Raven, realized that the only way to bypass his aura is magic.
"I can win this!" she smiles till she hears a chuckle from the Knight and to a loud malicious laugh. He continues laughing while slowly, one by one, members of the Tribe lose their confidence of bravado to absolute horrified. Till Jaune finally spoke, but his laugh still lingers.
"How long has it been? This sensation, this pain, and the warmth of my blood…is what it feels like to bleed. This...is pain!?" as the Knight stood firm with a smile, a smile that Raven will never forget, that forever continue to haunt her the rest of her life. While Jaune stands, showing the bandits a clear view of his wounds healing rapidly. Even his armour is being mended by the black aura coming from the spheres.
Upon what she's seeing, fear takes Raven over. The same fear when she first encounters the Witch. Seeing her still standing after many attempts to kill her as she simply smiled as if she was oblivious to the situation was laughable.
Her hands are shaking than a panicked frenzy, Raven herself struck. She dashes in front of him, swinging her blade wildly like a madman. No finesse, no elegance to befit her appearance as a master swordswoman. Just a desperate woman trying to survive, the tables had turned. She prided herself as the strength for her strength and dominance, but now it was her who became the prey. While Jaune just effortlessly raises his shield, blocking Raven's madden strikes. This is somewhat annoying, but also somehow loving of the sentiment of putting her in her place.
"You're letting your emotions and Pride get the best of you. What happened?" he smiles insultingly towards the desperate and frightened woman. "For a moment, you kept your composure till you saw my wounds healed. Like you saw them...before..." Jaune pauses and stares at the woman curiously, then realize with a smile.
"I see...you met her, haven't you? And let me guess, you were under orders of that bastard that I call father." But Raven pauses her assault for a moment of what she's just heard. His Ozpin's son! But quickly snaps herself back to reality and returns her assault.
"Tell me, I'm curious...how many lives did Ozmas send to fight my mother?" she didn't answer, and she fought.
"How many lives were lost against someone who cannot be killed?" she fought...
"How many for you to realize that you run away like the coward you are? Abandoning your duty, your friends, your family. To only replace them with...this sad excuse of a tribe." he smirks with a mocking tone as he caught the sword right in between his fingers, then shrugged her sword off and a punch sent to her mask with intent force send her back to her Tribe as cracks form and a chunk of her helmet fell, revealing her left eye. Widen and shaking in horror. Then suddenly, an aura sphere cast directly towards her in an instant, but once again quick on her feet. The same could not be said for the hand full bandits, who found themselves caught in the orb's tendril trajectory, piercing them and then pulling together, where they've torn apart with great pull. Their flesh contorted, split and ripped apart. Sinews of flesh were unravelling like string and bones broken into splinters being disassembled before their very eyes.
When the orb dissipated, only a meagre handful of bandits stood in front of Jaune.
"You are a disgrace and a coward, Raven Branwen. I am truly disgusted. Never in my life have I seen a fine warrior such as yourself to stupe so low to murdering an innocent child for her powers. But even worse, you couldn't bring out so much of a fraction of her powers."
Raven did not listen. Losing more members of her Tribe, her family, broke off a piece of her mind. She was enraged and slowly driven in madness; her power flares icy blades danced around her body. She didn't care if she burned herself out or even died in the process. All that mattered was at least do some damage and kill this monstrosity. As the icy dancing blade form together, creating a jagged edge sword in her hands, ready to be struck at a singular point, primed to cut off Jaune's head.
With a great leap, she spun around in mid-air to strike at full force, using the momentum to amplify her strike. Confidence fills her with glee; With this, this will end him. Yet, it was not to be as one of the orbs block her swords trajectory, as another orb ram into her hand, forcing her sword to fly out of her hands, leaving her helpless. Jaune suddenly grabbed her, hand scrawling across her mask as she was about to move away.
"I've grown impatient and played with you long enough!" he snarls as he reaches out and grab onto one of his orbs and slam it into Raven's chest, pushing the oxygen out of her lungs. As it slowly sinks in, Raven can feel the cold sensation sinking into her chest, like a sizeable cold weight cramped into her organs.
Just as the aura seeped into Raven's body, it was suddenly eradicated, as if it was dispersed. This surprised Jaune when he felt the aura sphere dissipate. Surprise, his grip slackened and allowed Raven to escape from him, leaving her mask behind in his hand. Jaune didn't look at her; his attention was on something else.
"it seems my sister's powers protected her. But How? Could it be passive to protect her from status effects from my aura. It was supposed to paralyze her. Hmm, it seems there's more to my sister's power that I'm not aware of."
The Knight paused, pondering for a moment, unsure what to do, while Raven's body burned from the inside. It feels entirely different when she usually uses her magic. Usually, when she'd push herself to the point of exhaustion, only to be mentally exhausted, get migraines and be out of commission for a while. But this was different; whatever he did fail, her body was literally burning her from the inside out. Struggling to breathe, her stomach revolting against her, her eyes watery and bloodshot red, her throat is dry like in Vacuo's desert while her body is shaking like a leaf.
"Wh-what's happening to me? What did he do!?" panic soon filled Raven's mind, close to panic till one of her men call out to her, snapping herself back to reality.
"B-Boss, are you alright?!" one asked in concern.
She looks up and sees their faces, she tries to collect herself, but she's too afraid to move. She never felt this fearful since she first met that "witch", no but more.
This is all her fault; she should've never let her Pride get the best of her. Now witnessing a monster – no, a true embodiment of war and death before them. They needed to flee, run, from this, this monster. Before she could utter an order, something landed straight to her chest. As she looks down, filling her eyes with dread. The same aura spear killed Vernal earlier while she watched the spear seep deeply into her chest, feeling a cold sensation wrapped around her heart.
"Is this what Vernal felt before she..." She pauses her train of thought and looks up towards Jaune as he stares at her in curiosity and snaps his fingers.
With the sound of the snap of his finger, Raven choked, spitting a bit of blood. She felt her heart being wrapped around, literally being squeezed tightly within, to a point it's threatening to break apart. Is this how Vernal died? Did she experience the same fate? Is this how she's going to die? Fear began to flood into Raven's mind. Then suddenly, the feeling faded, and she nearly collapsed on the ground, panting and gasping for breath.
"Interesting…seems, the Maiden's power stills protects the wielder, despite their origin."
"Get away from her!"
Out of anger, one of her tribesmen rushed in, furious towards Jaune for whatever he had done. He leapt up in the air and attempted to strike him down but found his weapon caught with ease, just in-between the tip of Jaune's fingers. Jaune glare of annoyance. "If you're going to attempt for a sneak attack… then don't scream like a banshee!" He chided as he waved his other hand towards the Bandit commanding one of his orbs slamming towards the Bandit's chest. Fracturing his ribs and then the orb burst into black flames, consuming the bandit whole in an instant, while the Bandit screams in pain till there's nothing but a pile of ashes remains.
Raven gasped for the air of the sight she had just witnessed. Of seeing her men turn to ashes within seconds before not only her but also her remaining Tribe. Her body is literally on her last leg now. She couldn't move any longer. All of her strength had been sapped away, her heart racing. Almost felt like it was going to explode.
"This is becoming quite annoying." Jaune huffed as he glared at the Tribe, which all prepared their final assault. Raven shot a pleading look to her Tribe, telling them to run, escape, anything to get away, live to fight another day. But she couldn't sound her voice, so she tried to rise up and rush to stop them, but she ended up falling to the ground.
"You know, this wouldn't be happening if you just surrendered. But then again, I don't have the right of how you wish to die."
Jaune gave Raven a glance before he turned his head to his companion. "Fenrir. Restrain her. We'll be taking her back with us. A perfect gift for Mother." The Grimm barked as Raven shuddered at what she heard. No. Not her. Not the Witch!? She needs to getaway.
"W-wait-..."
Raven's pleading fell on deaf ears. Fenrir pinned her down with her large paw. Her claws broke past her armour and pierced into her back. Cutting through, flesh than touched bone. She squirmed, trying to pry it off her, but to no avail. It felt a boulder was on top of her. She could do nothing but watch as Jaune slowly approached her Tribe, a menacing dark aura covering his body. With the remaining seven orbs of aura floating over his shoulder.
Step. Step.
"It isn't too late, you know." The Knight told them. "Surrender now, I'll make sure your deaths swift. Resist, however..."
Step. Step. As if those steps were bell tolls knell for Raven and the Brenwan tribe.
Rebel and Pride are the only things that the Branwen Tribe live for and die for. They wouldn't allow this monster to insult them, even full knowing they're going to die, but they would die with Pride. They wouldn't falter, not even for a moment; they would never this allow this monster to take Raven. Perhaps they were fools for attempting to think that they could defeat this towering juggernaut, but they would rather be fools than cowards.
With one last battle cry, the Branwen Tribe rushed towards their executioner.
"N-no… Stop!"
"Silence! You disgrace Knight!" a woman's voice shouts in her head and turns to the source, and to her surprise, it's coming from the albino Grimm.
"Did...did that Grimm just talk!? Arg!"
As Fenrir pressed down more weight to Raven's back, causing Raven further pain, she felt one of her ribs crack. "Just watch your pathetic Tribe die. They should be honoured to die by my Master's hand."
"So, that's your answer. So be it." Jaune scoffs as he raises his hand in the air while the orbs of aura surround Jaune in a circle. He clenches his hand to a fist; the spheres explode into a visible black mist and spread rapidly, swallowing them whole, while Raven hears them scream in pain and torment. While slowly one by one, they all fell till it was silences and the mist lifted, revealing its work done to her Tribe. Their bodies were pale and were cold to the touch. Their eyes had glazed over, and their skin shrivels like husks. It was like their life was sucked out of them, and it's not only them; the grass beneath their feet withered and disintegrated. To replace them, the burrowed seeds in the earth had shrivelled up and died. The soil blackened and became rotten. Trees were suddenly grey and naked, not a leaf on their branches.
Gone. The Branwen Tribe were all gone.
In a mere second...her family was dead.
The Branwen Tribe was dead.
"Let this be a warning to all!" Jaune announces as he picks up his helmet.
"To those who quell in the shadows! Too long, I have slept. Too long, I've let the Remnant I once knew rot. Too long, the shadows cast its dye to spread throughout Remnant like the plague. Too long, I have neglected my duties to protect the Remnant I swore to..." as he slid his helmet on and stared at the sky as the sun sets, and slowly the stars shine in the night sky with the shattered moon in view.
"Too long, have I let the title Huntsman to be sullied by children of fame and greed instead of honour and valour." Then finally drew his sword and raised it in the air.
"But no more! With this, I pledge to Change Remnant for a future! With this, I swear, by my name...THE GRIMM KNIGHT HAS RETURNED!" He bellows to the air while the Direwolves follows in sync of howls loudly, forcing Raven to watch in horror.
For the first time in her life, she's no longer afraid of the witch...no, she's still scared.
But found something more terrifying than the Witch, she found a true monster...a True embodiment of death. Now she wishes for death than waiting to see what is he planning to do to her.
Cinder stands by the Bullhead with Ember in her arms, staring into the night sky, waiting impatiently for Jaune. After the battle between the bandits, Jaune ordered her to wait for him by the Bullhead as he needed to do something at the forbidden Valley before leaving. She pulled the scroll out of her pocket to watch the fight between Jaune and the bandits. But to be honest, she doesn't believe this as a fight, more like herding sheep to the pen...ready for slaughter. It was a good thing she recorded it and did not live stream like she was supposed to do. It was a surprise for Jaune to remove his helmet cause if the world finds out, he'll be a bigger target for Ozpin. Even with his disguise, it will be plainly obvious. She sighs at the stressful situation she's in, being Jaune's chauffeur and cameraman. Though she doesn't mind being in Jaune's presence, plus she did manage to get a new pe-she means a new asset. As she nudges the pup with her chin.
No matter how many times she watches, she couldn't help but feel amazed at that kind of power the Jaune exhibits. This is beyond comparison from Emerald's first report about the Prince's semblance. Aura manipulation, rapid regeneration, aura alteration and even combustion!? And just rewinding the scene where Jaune incinerated that Bandit. She can already see the black flames' intensity and watch the corpse burn to ashes within seconds. She hates to admit it, but it is more potent than her flames.
"To think, there's still more to your power than you let on. Just what are you, Jaune?" she sighs in frustration and envy to be in the presence of a man of power more significant than the Maidens. When he defeated Raven with ease and said that, she only brought out a fraction of the spring Maiden.
"Is there more to the Maiden's power that I'm not aware of?" she pinches her chin in her train of thought while Ember is bored hanging in Cinder's arm. He'll admit, it's comfortable, but a pup he needs to play while he's still young. He wriggles his way out off of Cinders arm as he lands on the ground.
"Ember!" Cinder Startles cashing after him, while Ember begins running away from Cinder. But then pause and turn towards the opposite direction as Cinder follows to see it's Jaune. Ember rushes towards Jaune with Raven over his shoulder and notices something alarming. Why is Raven wearing white Chlamys, and what happened to her clothes? During the fight with Jaune, she wasn't wearing that, a large white blanket pin on the right shoulder by a Fibula, covering most of Raven except her arms.
And how did he get a…albino Direwolf pup by his side? Cider couldn't help but be a bit jealous. While Ember began running happily towards the albino pup, circling her playful while they walked towards the Bullhead.
But strangely enough, she couldn't help but feel like she had seen this pup before. White fur coat, pure ivory bone plates, deep cobalt markings of dread, and deep blue eyes like Jaune. Just as Jaune makes it to the Bullhead, he gently drops Raven on the hall of the Bullhead like a sleeping princess.
Cinder notice Raven isn't bound, and more importantly, she's limp, not even a twitch; she might be mistaken to be dead. But then notice something on her neck, which she stares at both amaze and frighten in horror, of what she's seeing. It was a black snake Grimm with a skull mask on its head, wrapped around her neck while biting down its fangs right into Raven's neck with black channels spread from the bite.
"Jaune. What is that?" she points at the snake Grimm.
"That's a black Bai Suzhen. An extremely rare and endangered." Jaune smiles as he takes off his helmet with a breath of relief while taking a seat like it's normal. While Cinder is giving him a deadpan look, obviously saying this isn't normal. While he tries to take off the rest of his armour.
"Of course it's black! it a Grimm, and more importantly, why is it latch onto Raven's neck?" She groans with annoyance.
"Huh, wait, you mean you don't know?" asked confused.
"Know what?" as this is irritating Cinder of Jaune's absent-minded.
"Did he forget, he literally out of his time?"
"Back then, Bai Suzhens are known to be the only albino Grimm in Remnant, the Mother does have the love for snakes. They change colour due to years of evolution of survival, which involves increasing length and muscle mass. And the reason why it's latched on to Raven's neck is thanks to their venom. It's very potent but not deadly to kill. Only gives the victim of a very high euphoric state."
"Euphoric state? Wait a minute, where have I heard that before…." Cinder took a moment to herself till it finally clicked.
"WAIT! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME SHE'S HIGH!" she panics in shock; she cautiously moves closer to check on Revan. To her surprise, Raven's face is flush red with a rasping breath; she even notices that Raven is sweating.
"Yeah, they were hunted for that reason to almost near extinction. It was mostly used as an aphrodisiac."
"And wait…YOU SAID IT WAS USED AS AN APHRODISIAC!?" Cinder shouts in panic, even more of what she just heard, at the same time keeping her distance away from Raven, while Jaune gives her a deadpan look and finally remove the last piece of armour to only remain his new black skinsuit.
"By the dust, you're noisy…."
"Is it… addictive?" she hesitates.
"No, it's not. If anything, it's like eating candy. The sad part is that it's not an albino one." Jaune says in spite.
"why's that?" this piques her curiosity; what's the difference if the Grimm is black or white?
"You see, their venom is more potent than the black ones. They don't need to latch on to their victim even if they have an aura. That's why it's latched on to Raven's neck; it feeds on her aura while it injects the venom. Something like an equivalent exchange." Jaune explains during surprise Cinder of the knowledge of this
"how long does it stay latch on Raven's neck?" she asks
"long enough till we make it back home." As Jaune lay across the row of seats. Then notice Ember still playing around with the new albino pup on the grass. Running playfully around the new puppy in circles and jumping excitedly while the puppy ignores him. While it ignores Ember, its eyes were focused solely on Cinder, which she finally realized when she saw the pup. It didn't leave her sight in a single moment. That deeply disturbed Cinder and they couldn't help but ask Jaune. As she climbs on board the Bullhead and heads to the cockpit.
The pups follow, except the Albino pup carries Ember in the back of his neck with its maw. Like a mother wolf taking care of her puppy. Instead, it looks like it's dragging Ember across the floor due to its size. Cinder couldn't help but stare at the strange pup's behaviour. As they made it to the co-pilot seat, it leaps up while still carrying Ember in its jaws, which surprised her.
Cinder prepares to take off when the engines roar, Ember cutely yawns to sleep on the chair, while the albino pup continues to leers towards Cinder. As they're in the air and flying back to the Grimm lands, the new pup never once left its eyes off her, not even a blink. This makes her very uncomfortable, even fearing the new puppy might attack her while she's flying the Bullhead.
"hey Jaune, what's with the new pup? It's been staring at me ever since you got back." She shouts back, loud enough to be heard as Jaune sighs.
"Don't worry about her. She's just paranoid like a doting mother." Jaune says tiredly nonchalantly.
"doting Mother? What are you talking about?"
"that's Fenrir...she can change her shape at will. From an adorable puppy to giant alpha. Hell, she can even turn to look like a Faunus if she wanted to," He replies, giving Cinder a shocked expression, slowly turning to the Albino pup still staring at her with an expressionless face.
"Y-your serious?"
"yeah, Anyway, contact mother and tell her we need a meeting as soon as we arrive." Cinder didn't question him and did as she's told to contact Salem but to only Watts to respond, and he doesn't seem happy with the frown across his face.
"Cinder, Where's the Prince!?" he demands, which caught her by the surprise of his behaviour and answering Salem's scroll. She knows Salem never let anyone touches her scroll unless their Queen is furious, from what she gathers from the situation.
"Watts, what's going on? Where's Salem?"
"Don't avoid the subject! Where's Jaune!?"
"by the dust...I can never relax after a tiring battle. What is it, Watts?" Jaune approached the cockpit, irritated like he woke up from an enjoyable sleep.
"Oh, my Prince...thank goodness your safe. It's your Mother. When News spread of the return of the Grimm knight, your Mother came worried. And was trying to contact you, then realize she didn't get your scroll number." Watts explains in a sigh of relief.
"I'm fine, Watts. But since you are here, I need you to go to Mother and set up a meeting with everyone. It's time." Jaune announces, ignoring that he's not alone and confusing Cinder with what he's talking about.
"Oh my, so soon...well, there's a time when a chick must leave the nest."
"Yes, it's time to tell my plans to everyone, and I have a gift for mother." Jaune smiles, looking over his shoulder at the induced spring Maiden.
"very well, my Prince. I'll have everything prepared before you arrive. Watts out." Just like that, he hung up as Jaune sighed with relief and returned to his seat to lay while Cinder turned to Jaune in confusion.
"what just happened?" she asks, lost
"Nothing for you to worry about, just fly, woman." A voice calls out, surprising Cinder in shock as she slowly swirls her head towards the direction next to her, seeing the albino pup.
"Did-did you just talk?" she hesitates stutters
"Yes...we can simply communicate via one of my semblances. Curtesy of our Master, Hive mind. Sadly I can't control you like my pack due to your lack of self-awareness." She sighs nonchalantly, the last part while Cinder comes more ire towards the pup. Wanting to throw the puppy out of the ship.
"you do know I can read your mind, right? And really? Throwing me out of the ship?" Fenrirsighs in disappointment and continues her rant.
"Not only do you lack self-awareness but creativity as well. And to think, you're the Successor of our Master's little sister. And even worse, you only have half of her power. What happened? Didn't you go through the kill and get cold feet?" She smirks full, knowing her actions, and attempts to rise from Cinder to act. But to her disappointment, Cinder stayed firm and focused on flying the ship. So she decided to put the final nail in the coffin.
"and To think the Mother of all, took you in. An orphan, a nobody, a weak, lost lamb." Cinder came to shock at what she was hearing, then remembered this damn pup could read her mind. She became more frightened and furious towards the puppy, but Fenrir didn't mind nor care of Cinder's sentiments, closing her eyes and continuing.
"Do you ever wonder why she took you in? Was it because of YOU!? Believe she saw potential in you? Pfft, don't make me laugh..." Cinder's handgrip tightly on the controls while her hand heats up, slowly close to melting.
"You know what I think? I think it was a pity. To see whether or not you would last for her entertainment. And when she's done with you, she'll throw you out like the garbage you-" Cinder had it with this mutt; she doesn't care if this thing is an alpha; as long Cinder hurts it, she'll feel bliss. Kill it will be her greatest pleasure.
She raises her hand into the air, ready to strike, but then a loud and sovereign voice calls out.
"FENRIR!"
The voice shuddered, freezing the two in place in fear and respect, with a cold chill at the back of their spine. Refusing to turn a look over to their back, fearing angering their young Master even further. With the sensation of a firm grasp on their throats ready to be torn out at a moment's notice.
"that's enough out of you." Jaune orders with a callous tone that Fenrir's ears droop down in fear.
She leaps off her chair and faces Jaune with a respectful bow while shivering in fear. Showing such display towards her Master, hoping she won't feel his wrath for displeasing him.
"For-forgive me, Master...I was out of line..." They waited a moment of silence for Jaune to respond; the longer the silence, the greater her fear of him grows. Immediately regretting her actions towards Cinder. Realizing her mistake, she insults Cinder and insults her Master's little sister, whom he loves and cares for. She lowered her head towards her Master with the great shame of how impudent she is and regretted it.
"You are forgiven; now come here. It's been too long since we last slept together. I miss your warmth." He calls out, and immediately her ear flop up excitedly with her tail wagging and rushes towards Jaune. He turns over, gently picks up the pup and places her in his chest. While she prances around till she finally lays down with a tired yawn, Jaune smiles and scratches the back of her ear. Nodding her off to sleep within seconds, Cinder sighs with relief and can focus on flying the Bullhead.
"Thank you..." Cinder states While still focusing on flying the Bullhead. She didn't expect Jaune to reply after Fenrir statement still lingers in Cinders mind. Filling her in self-doubt and pity, believing she might be right. The signs were obvious, her breath came rasp, her heart beats heavy, and her mind weighed heavy. That panic soon to fill and the need to feel reassured if she has value to her destiny.
"if it makes you feel any better. You're stronger than that. Even stronger than Raven. You only have half of the Maiden's power. Yet, you manage to bring out its full potential. On the other hand, Raven only brought out only a small fraction. She didn't bother training her Maiden powers when she had them. Which led to her downfall..."
Cinder's chest is flustered, and she can feel the sting of her cheeks blush red and thankful she's flying the ship. She doesn't want Jaune to see her in such a state.
"So don't let Fenrir get to you. You're stronger than that, and you overcame your past experience. Where others would give up and throw away their lives. So, remember, my Mother chose you for a reason. She's not the type to waste her time on something she knows will fail her. We may not see eye to eye, but Mother can see things far beyond that I can comprehend."
"So…whatever that drives you. Keep going…but…." Jaune's tone changed cold and threatening, then everything came dark. No matter where she looks, there's only darkness and the hairs of her skin stand from the cold. She tries to leave her seat but feels a hand on her shoulder, firmly keeping her in her heart, while another hand slowly reaches up and grip her neck with a slow grip vice tightening around her neck.
Then she can feel a chill of breath blow over her shoulder; the chill stings her skin; she couldn't see the face but could see the silhouette of a head over her shoulder. It moves its head and is sure it's staring directly at her, while slowly, the same fear builds up. She felt the same fear when she first met Salem, the sight of inhuman beings standing before her. Possessing the power beyond human reach, the power that could simply kill Cinder on a whim as it was nothing, the power that would consider wasted upon her. The power that she desires! Power to be powerful, power to stand without fear, power to live, and she refuses to die like this…!
Flames ignite in her eyes of yellow, her fears incinerated away, as it was never there, to begin with. Her face is stern, hardened and she faces the shadow silhouette with an intimidating stare without hesitation and ready to face her opponent. To her surprise, it makes sense if she thinks about it as soon, she sees Jaune's face surprise at first but then smiles.
"Good…" he smiles
"You truly do have the will and determination to fight. Don't forget that feeling." He slowly removes his hands from her and Leaves while the abyss slowly fades and her sense returns. She turns over and stares at Jaune in surprise at what happened, even questioning maybe her insanity of what she experiences.
"An illusion like Emerald's Semblance?" as she watches Jaune walking back to his seat.
"Oh, I almost forgot…heads up in the future." as he looks over his shoulder with dread, Cinder almost panics when she looks into his eyes filled with Callous and dread.
"Don't interfere with my plans. Cinder Fall…"
…
"Am I understood?"
"…" silences is the only thing she could give with Jaune's leer of dread. She could only give a silent nod, but Cinder knows it isn't enough.
"Yes…my…prince…" she hesitates with a bow for a moment, slowly raises her head till she sees Jaune starring at her but not with the same look of dread but instead…
"Why are you looking at me, like your creep out!?" Cinder shouts in shock, seeing Jaune trying to cover himself like he's covering his modesty.
"Creep out! More like deeply disturbed! You are even more crazy than Tyrian! The way you say it sounds exactly like him when he praises Mother! Look, your beautiful and all, but I'm not in a market to have crazy stalkers!" He replies in panic.
"W-what did you call me!?" she shouts back with a bright blush face; when she hears Jaune compliment her beauty, she can feel her heart falter a bit. But then her expression slowly frowns when she remembers the rest of Jaune's comment. Her rage surfaced while Jaune slowly backed away in fear from Cinder.
"Your dead, Jaune! come here!" Cinder jumps out of her seat and rushes straight for Jaune, frightening him to run, but too late. She caught on and landed on top of him while Jaune held her arms off, trying to choke him. Trying to think of a way to get Cinder off, he realizes something.
"Wait! Who's flying the ship!" he panics
"don't think you can run away from me! It's on autopilot!" she retorts, and the plan fails; Jaune never wanted to do this, but...
"Fenrir! Save me!" he shouts as he and Cinder both look in the direction of Fenrir, but only to see her still asleep snoring with her mouth open.
"You useless mutt!" he shouts while Cinder grins.
"Seems like your pet isn't going to save you now. But don't worry, I'll be sure to be gentle…."
"Then why is that sinister grin is not giving me confidence…" he cries.
At the landing pad, Watts and Cinder's subordinates Mercury and Emerald, with a handful of Grimm seers all waiting patiently for the Bullhead to arrive. They look over the distance to search the Bullhead till Mercury see something off the distance from his view.
"they're here!" he shouts as they line and watch the craft land; as soon the side door opens, smoke immediately gush out of the craft, surprising them in shock, worrying about their colleges. As two shadowy silhouettes appear in view. As the smoke finally cleared, the group was surprised that it was their comrades. They look like they recently got out of a fight; Cinder's hair is all a mess and sparge in every direction, and her dress is dirty, and a bit tore with a pup Grimm following her by her side. Jaune looked like he got the worse of it, his black skinsuit torn to his waist, exposing his bare chest battered and bruise and a strain of Jaune's hair poking out and on fire, like a lite candle.
Mercury tries to hold it in, not laugh, while Emerald blushes and looks away. Watts took the initiative and approached Jaune with slight concern in his voice.
"Um…Prince Jaune…the preparations are done. Your Mother is waiting for you in the war room." he hesitates as Jaune turn and face Watts with a blank and tiring stare.
"Thank you…tell Mother that I'll be late. I don't want her to see me…like this…" he replies, pointing at himself as Watts nods to understand what he is referring to.
"of course, I'll have the seers to bring in your luggage… and our VIP." They both stare at the two of the Grimm seers carrying Raven away out from the Bullhead while the rest are taking his armour.
"I'll have the necessary restraints needed to prevent her from escaping." Watts states with a slight bow towards Jaune.
"That won't be needed. Fenrir!" Jaune replays and shouts towards the Bullhead; Watts crook a brow and stare towards the ship, till a large white paw emerges out of the Bullhead, surprising the group except for Cinder and Jaune. Then paw drags itself out, revealing a large wolf head that follows the rest of its body, intimidating the group with its presence of power and dread compared to other Grimms they've encountered.
Both Mercury and Emerald immediately froze in fear by the mere sight of the Wolf when it approached them and sniffed their scent, fearing to be eaten. But snort away of uninterest, giving them a breath of relief while it walks away, Emerald couldn't help but stare at Wolf's blue markings glowing out of its body; it's like seeing the shine of a sapphire vein. As it makes its way towards Jaune, Watts simply couldn't help but stare at the Grimm both in awe and fear. He never thought in his life and services to Salem that he ever once saw a Grimm so majestic and powerful before. And judging based on its behaviour towards Jaune of affection and attention shows great sighs of intelligence.
'Could this Grimm be an Alpha? No, it's too intelligent…an elder rank perhaps?' as he watches the Grimm listening to Jaune's orders to take Raven to Salem and carrying Raven off with its maw.
"I'll see you in the meeting, Watts." As Jaune leaves the group behind.
"of course. Till then." He bows till Jaune is out of sight and turns to Cinder with interest, especially more on the pup Grimm in her hands while Emerald couldn't help but coo at the puppy.
That got Watts's attention the most ever since Jaune's arrival. He began to notice the change of behaviour among his colleagues, especially the women. Emerald was never the type to show her affection out of the open, especially in front of others. But what deeply disturbed him was Cinder. Ever since that woman joins the circle, she never once smiles. Only when things turn her way or mockingly, but this is the first time seeing her smiling…so, affectional, it's alarming to watch and leaves the group.
"The Prince sure made an impact on our group. It even made the Queen more open." As he smiles sincerely with fascination and excitement.
"Now, I'm more curious of your plan, my Prince. The more I think about it, the more exciting knowing what plans you store up. But, we'll see if this plan of yours can be met up to my expectation."
Omake:
'What should I do?'
'What should I do?'
'What should I do?'
In the Library, in her hands, in her possession, in front of her. A thick text in a white leather bond cover with soft gold accents. But not just any text. It's an album! An Album of pictures! And not just any photos! Pictures of Jaune! Emerald falls to the floor and rolls over back and forth frantically. Her mind is flooded with multiple emotions at once of anticipation, curiosity, fear and hope. She hesitantly reached out for the album on the table, with her fingers inching closer for the album. She stops and returns to the floor, scrunching her hair frantically, her flush face red with both embarrassments, with a hint of lust in curiosity.
She still even remembers how she found it by accident. She was helping Jaune in a storage room looking for old maps when the album fell on her head. At first thought, it was an ancient text until she noticed a piece of paper sticking out of it. When she pulled it out, it was a photo of a newborn Jaune. Barely of little blonde hair on his head, in a white onesie with his name embroiled on the chest while sleeping cutely, she couldn't help but awe of the cuteness in the photo. When she looked back to the ancient tome, she realized it wasn't a tome. It's a photo album.
Quickly she hid it from Jaune in fears of it being taken away from her. There's no way she's going to lose this opportunity. However, now in the present, she's in a predicament, she wants to take a peek, but if she finds a photo that is ten times more adorable than the last, she might pass out and get caught.
"Argh! Why can't I make up my own mind!?" Emerald groans in frustration.
"Emerald?" a voice calls out, startling Emerald to the core. She instinctively grabs hold of the album and tries to hide it behind her while turning to the voice. Emerald never expected her, of all people, to be here, worse of all to see her here.
"S-Salem!?" Emerald stutters in fright, while Salem gives Emerald a crooked brow, obviously seeing the white text clearly from Emerald's failed attempt of hiding it.
She reaches out her arm to Emerald, giving her a silent command to hand over the text. Emerald sighs in disappointment as she hands it to Salem. With the text in her hands and opens it to see, her eyes widen with a gentle smile spread across her face.
"Oh my goodness! Emerald, where did you find this!? I looked everywhere for these!?" as Salem walks away with the album leaving Emerlrd behind as she cries in regret.
"dammit…"
AN: Izzy here, just trying out a new approach of a shorter Omake. like to have your opinion on this approach. i also like to announces i'm making another fanfic but in the cross-overs section of Rwby X yugioh. And i'm in a middle of a brainstorming of another crossover fanfic of My hero academia with the merc with the mouth himself, Deadpool. with DP as the main protagonist. if these fanfics got your attention just follow, like and review of your opinion of the idea. feedback will be great.