Toy Arc Part 1

Training Gone Wrong

Another Beowolf fell, a blade going right through. The owner panted, exerting himself too much, revealing Jaune Arc. He lifted his sword, smiling as another grimm was slain. Turning to his left, he heard the giggling of a happy Nora, who was killing Ursa with her mighty hammer. The duo were training in the Emerald Forest, as a request from the Leader and as an assignment from Professor Goodwitch, the assignment being to find out why Grimm have packs.

So far, the duo have encountered only three packs, one of full Beowolves, one of three Beowolves and a couple of Quilidans and now this pack of Beowolves and Ursi. Sitting on Jaune's shoulder was a Green Frosted Cupcake that Chica gave him, and according to her, could help amplify their aura for a while. This Cupcake couldn't transform though, after much experimentation from Nora.

"That's another pack killed, oh fearless leader" spoke Nora, excited and bouncing over to Jaune. The Arc nodded, amused by Nora's eagerness. That begged a question though, one that came to mind after reading a theory book on how Semblances could have a Passive effect to their user.

"Hey Nora?" "Yes, oh fearless leader?" "Can I know what your Semblance is?" Nora thought for a moment before nodding "I can absorb electricity and add to my strength. Downsides are that I have to have my Aura active and too much electricity can overload and shut down my nerves." That led to Jaune nodding. "Like a battery?" Nora nodded, adding on that, passively, she absorbs electrons from the air, but it only acts as ten percent.

After that, the duo went back to training, killing the usual Lesser Grimm and encountering some Higher Grimm. Jaune wrote down what they found in a notebook, after their adventure on Foxy's ship on an assignment by Professor Port. Among the list of Grimm are Venus Flytraps Nora called Chomps, Puma Grimm dubbed Wereclaws by Jaune and a Dragonfly Grimm that Dr. Oobleck had called a Razorwing. They also encountered a subspecies of Borboartusks that Nora humorously named Prokies, as they were less armoured pigs.

The cupcake helped a lot, patching up their aura so that they don't contract any diseases that the Grimm carried, especially some that might turn them into Ghouls. The stories of cocky huntsmen contracting Grimm's Bane and becoming what they swore to hunt was…. Unnerving. The two members of JNPR stopped to have a lunch break, snaking on some meals Ren made, as the last time Pyrrha cooked, it didn't end well.

"I still can't believe Pyrrha made a sentient trash monster, nor the fact that Ozpin let us keep it" Jaune mutters, shuddering as Nora nodded. Laying at their feet was a grimm pig that slept. Neither knew why it decided to sleep near two Beacon students but neither really cared. Not when a mechanical laugh echoed out, setting the duo on high alert.

It happened too fast for Jaune. One moment, Nora was next to him, the next she was grabbed, letting out a startled scream as she was lifted into the air, her grip tightening around her hammer. Jaune turned to see her be taken and gave chase, Ren's warning in mind. The porker just gave an oink before staying behind.

"When I *huff* catch that damn bird" Jaune grumbled, still chasing where he saw Nora go. It had headed off North-East and the blonde Arc was slowly annoyed by what he assumed was a Nevermore. He slowed down, looking around the dense forest trees. Jaune looked around and saw Wolves, Bears and birds fluttering, bugs crawling and the occasional grimm.

However, one thing in this forest caught his eyes. A seemingly random boulder, not like the mossy one that he ran past a while back, glitching like Goldie does after he teleports. With caution engraved into his mind, he slowly approached the rock and looked at it, as the entire forest went still. With a gulp and a quick look around, the young Arc noticed that the only way out is back the way he came.

And so, he touched it and the world changed. Everything, now set in a holographic blue, was empty, no life bar himself. He noticed that only one way was opened and went that way, feeling sluggish as whisperings happened. He looked up to see a blue bear like creature walk the path, turning every so often to stare at Jaune. It spoke, not in words, but in symbols, and he replied in kind. The bear nodded and had him follow through the odd world.

As they walked, Jaune observed, while random flashes were happening. Of a torn bear yelling at a lean figure with a mask. Of a plastic bear fighting a torn red and white Fox, of blood and tears. He saw flashes of a masked killer, of a demonic bear. Of a sole red eye looking at him. "D0N0TG04FL00R5D0WN" a distorted voice spoke as Jaune opened his eyes again.

The chirping of birds echoed as Jaune looked up at the sky, panting heavily. Sitting up, he turned and saw the glitching rock fade away. He then noticed a shadow and heard flapping and looked up. There, he saw a large metallic bird fly, in its talons was a knocked out Nora. Then he followed it with his head before his eyes widened.

In front of him was a tower of black bricks, purple and red marks at every fourth brick. Near the top was a birdcage roof, with the damn bird flying in. Getting up ,Jaune followed, determined to get his friend back.

Meanwhile, in a dark and disturbing land, Grimm crawls out of puddles, with the occasional light yellow. This produced a grimm so dangerous, humans called it Legendary, but this is not the focus. It was inside the castle that rested on a cliff. Inside we only see a faint light flicker over two kneeling forms.

One was a male. He was thin, like a puppet, wearing a black spandex outfit with white stripes at the arms and legs, with black gloves over his hands. He wore a simple white mask with red lipstick and purple tear marks, white eyes looking down.

The other was a girl, wearing the same black and white outfit but with a skirt and duller colours. Same gloves, same shoes but the mask was different. A frown instead of a smile, blue instead of red and slight red eyes.

"Marionette, Vinnie." spoke a voice that commanded authority, causing both puppet-humans to look up at piercing red eyes. "I have missions for both of you." Both puppets stood at attention, as the figure spoke "Vinnie, take your team to Atlas and meet up with that weasel. Learn from him the plan"

"Yes, my lady," Vinnie said as she walked out. Marionette looked a bit surprised before focusing. "And myself?" Asked the puppet. The red eyes turned and it took all of his self control not to run. "Yes. Head to Vale and meet with Cinder, learn what Ozpin is playing and report back. Alive" Marionette nodded and stood to leave, before pausing. "And what of the Toys?"

"Let them test the Prince and see if he can prove himself." A nod was given and the Puppet left.

And that is the beginning of the Toy Arc completed! With introductions to Marionette and Vinnie, who is from Five Nights at Candy's and that belongs to Creator Emil "Ace" Macko.

And a mysterious passage has been unlocked thanks to Jaune, which will be used later, do not worry.

See you on the flipside!