Chapter 15 – Sinister Deeds
Jaune
Birdsong echoed across the Valerian Countryside, water trickling against the bank. A small frog croaked, hopping across the dirt.
Until a hand reached out across the floor, grasping the ground, his coughing spluttered water from his lips. He dragged his body across the ground, blood leaking from the bite wound inflicted on his shoulder, then he rolled onto his back. Jaune stared at the sky, his vision bleary from the water that flooded his eyes. All he could think about was how nice today was going to be, such a happy family day… until the Deacon arrived.
The pain in his shoulder returned, throbbing and bleeding heavily from the Hound's razor-sharp teeth, which tore his flesh open, nearly crushing his shoulder from the force of its bite. "Fuck…" He groaned, taking Ira Red which he found washed up beside him, and he cut into his sleeve. It took a few awkward cuts before he could tear the sleeve free and turn it into a makeshift bandage. "I need to stop the bleeding… but it will get infected if I don't get to a hospital, fast." Jaune coughed, looking around, trying to get a read on his location.
He wanted to find Pyrrha, Oriana and Misty more than anything, but he saw Ruby, Penny, Winter and Oscar were there, so that meant they had a better chance of being safe than him right now. He got up and started limping towards Vale, staying away from the roads and keeping his eyes on the sky.
Both for the Deacon's Airship, and for the Hound.
In truth, he feared the latter more right now. It looked like the Deacon was retreating, but Grimm never stay away for long.
Especially when they have the taste of blood on their tongue.
Eryka
She landed suddenly on the external landing pad outside of the Deacon's Office in the Legion's Headquarters. Her fists were clenched as she stormed towards the doors, blasting them open with a bolt of lightning, shattering the powerful lock with ease. She walked inside and saw Neo standing up with her knife spinning between her fingers, jolting at the sudden blast. Eryka did not even give her a look, walking straight past the Assassin, and looking around for him.
"Where. Is. He?" Eryka demanded, as flames roared from her blue eyes. Neo stared back at Eryka, narrowing her pink and brown eyes, only for a light in the room next door to turn on, catching her attention. She walked away from Neo, and found the Deacon sat on the floor, his arms around his legs and pressing his head against his knees. He looked afraid, but clearly not of Eryka.
"Go ahead. Say it." The Deacon sighed.
She couldn't help but scoff at the way he said that. "Seriously? You're gonna treat this like I'm the one being ridiculous?" She questioned, fury in her blue eyes. "You twisted me against my family, and you promised me you were going to do this peacefully. But you struck first!" Eryka yelled, pointing at him.
"I didn't want to…" He replied.
"Don't give me that crap. I see everything clearly now. You never went there for any reason outside of causing carnage for your own personal vengeance." Eryka stated. "You sought to use me for my powers, using my grief to manipulate me against people I cared about. And you attacked a home full of innocent people."
"Innocent?" The Deacon softly snarled, lifting his head to stare at her.
"I've been trying to make you understand. Blake and Yang tried. Pyrrha tried. But you clearly aren't interested in hearing the truth… you're no better than Neo. You're just looking for someone to be mad at, even though the real monster who hurt you is long dead." Eryka explained, and the Deacon hung his head as she spoke.
"I tried… I really did. But when he said open your eyes… it sent me right back to that moment when he forced me to watch. That was what he said… while laughing… in my ear." The Deacon explained, staring vacantly. Eryka looked down at him, and even through her anger, she still couldn't help but feel for him, since these memories clearly tormented him. He looked up at her. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Not give into it?" Eryka suggested.
"You make it sound so easy…" He scoffed.
"No, it isn't. I've been fighting my demons for decades, so I know how hard it is. But Dutch has been there for you, helping you fight them and heal. You should have gone to him about this the second you started getting those thoughts again." Eryka explained. "Instead, now you've started something that will not be easy to turn back the clock on."
The Deacon lowered his head, sighing with guilt but also anger, clenching his fists as he trembled. Neo walked up behind Eryka, leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed.
"We think you've said enough, Maiden." Neo's pink and brown illusion warned, then Neo drew her dagger from her sheath, but Eryka just glared at the real Neo, her eyes burning with blue flames.
"Just try it." She challenged, but Neo was not stupid enough to take on a Fully Realised Winter Maiden. As Neo backed off, she turned her attention back to the Deacon. "I'm done with all this. If you go anywhere near Jaune or Pyrrha ever again, I will stop you."
"Do you suddenly not care about finding out what happened to your dear brother?" Roman asked as he appeared behind her. She did not even entertain Neo's illusions by looking at it. She just stared down at the Deacon.
"My brother is dead. Whoever you are, you are not even close to being any of the people you used to be. Just a shell, an insult to who they were. And if… by some chance… you are my brother? Then my point still stands. My brother is gone… and I'm done mourning a ghost." Eryka stated, turning and walking away, barging past Neo and pushing the door open, walking away inside of the Legion's Headquarters to find Dutch.
Leaving the Deacon silent.
Ruby
Pyrrha was sitting with Oriana and Misty sat close to her, both of them afraid for their safety, considering the damage done to the home. Oscar was helping Winter in putting out the flames left behind from the battle, and whilst Oriana was rattled from seeing her first ever Grimm, she was constantly worrying about her father, just as Pyrrha was.
But Ruby was focusing on the shard of Permafrost that was broken off from the Hound's flesh. She rotated it around, seeing her reflection shimmering in the light blue crystal. The edges of sharp ice twinkled with glittery dots of light. Penny was sat down beside her, listening to what Ruby was pondering aloud. "You know what this means, Penny…" Ruby said as she stared at the crystal, feeling how cold it was in her hands, setting it down on the floor when the cold became too uncomfortable to handle.
"This Hound came from the Atlesian Wildlands…" Penny spoke Ruby's thoughts as if they were her own. This revelation shook them both. "But… that shouldn't be possible. No Grimm has ever left the Atlesian Wildlands. The storms always froze them and even then they always remained inside of the storm. They didn't even obey Salem's commands. We're still trying to ascertain why." Penny explained, tapping her fingers against her knees.
"Well, whatever the reason, there's no explaining this one away. Nowhere on Remnant is cold enough to form permafrost so cold that it stays frozen no matter where it is. I mean, you'd have to throw that thing in a furnace to make it melt." Ruby explained, looking over at the Nikos family. "But… I can't leave them like this, Penny. The Deacon may attack again, and I can't risk their safety… especially not with Neo working with him." Ruby explained.
Penny was clearly apprehensive about this. "Ruby, Neo isn't after them… you know that, right? You saw the way she stared at you."
"I know."
"She still blames you for his death, even though you didn't murder him." Penny explained. "Neo will attack again and she will try to kill you."
"I fought Salem… I can handle Neo." Ruby promised, but Penny shook her head.
"Ruby…" Penny begged, staring at her. "So many brave Huntresses and Huntsmen have died because of their arrogance. Don't make that same mistake? Please?" She begged.
Ruby sighed, nodding her head. "Okay… yeah, you're right. I won't underestimate her. But I can't leave them… you don't have an issue with that, do you?" She asked.
"Of course not, they're family… I just don't like the idea of you being alone." Penny stated. "I know you have Pyrrha with you and Jaune is out there… but…"
"Don't worry, I won't be." Ruby promised with a smile. She held Penny's hand tightly, then turned her gaze to the permafrost shard, unable to break her gaze. "Penny, this Hound is not normal, not by any means. I saw the way it was acting. It's searching for something. Acting of its own accord… I know Hounds were always unnatural by Grimm standards, but this one is on another level." Ruby explained.
"What are you thinking?" Penny inquired. Ruby stared at Oriana with an inquisitive but also suspicious expression for a few moments before looking away.
"I'm not sure just yet. After you get them somewhere safe, try to track this thing down, and don't bother capturing it for study. Just kill it." Ruby said to her, and Penny nodded her head.
"I just hope this doesn't mean more Grimm from the Wildlands come out of there, the Grimm have evolved in ways we have never seen before." Penny stated.
"I remember." Ruby said, shivering at the memory of that place. "I understand why you don't want to go there, too… just saying." Penny assured, with a loving smile, squeezing her hand tightly.
Ori may not know the truth, but her parents and Ruby remember all too well about what happened in the Atlesian Wildlands.
And it was a place that neither team member would ever wish to return to. Only Winter was brave enough to go back there, and that was only because she and Eryka came to an understanding with each other when they reunited.
Thankfully, Penny and Oscar never saw what happened there.
But they heard the stories.
"Okay. Let's see how they're doing." Ruby said, getting up with penny and walking over to Pyrrha and the kids, crouching down. "Alright, we're gonna get you guys somewhere safe, keep your heads down. Ori, Misty? How are you girls doing?"
Misty was shaking like a rattle, clearly traumatised by the sudden explosive attack, and seeing a Grimm for the first time was far more horrifying than she ever imagined. "That was a Grimm… I always knew they looked scary but…" she stammered, unable to get the image of its dark silhouette like appearance out of her mind.
Ruby softly held her hand with a gentle smile, then turned to her niece, who was looking around still. "Dad? Where is he?" she asked in a panicked voice.
"We don't know. But your Dad's resourceful, kiddo. He always has been. If my guess is right, he's probably making his way to Vale. And that's where I'm heading." Ruby explained.
"What about us?" Oriana asked.
"Penny, Winter and Oscar are taking you to a trusted safe house not far from here. You stay there and we'll bring back Jaune." She promised.
"We? Who's coming with you?" Winter asked as she walked over to Ruby.
"Let's just say there's a friend in town I was gonna catch up with… been a while since I've seen her. She's gonna be really surprised when I fill her in, but I know she'll have my back." Ruby assured with a smirk. She stood tall, and Pyrrha stood up beside her.
"I'm coming with you." Pyrrha said, but Ruby immediately turned to stare at her.
"No, you're not." Ruby swiftly replied.
"He's my husband." Pyrrha stated.
"And she's your daughter." Ruby lowered her voice. "You need to be there for her right now, Misty, too. Look at them, they're terrified. Last thing Ori needs is her mom disappearing as well. Leave this to me. I'll find him." Ruby promised.
Oriana suddenly shot up. "Auntie Ruby?" She called out, getting her attention. "That thing that ran towards me?"
"The Hound?" Ruby presumed.
"Yeah… before it came after me… I heard it… speak." Oriana revealed.
"Sounds about right. We heard Hounds say things back in the day, too. Salem made them by kidnapping people with her Abductors." Winter said, crossing her arms.
"No… it's what it said that freaks me out." Oriana clarified, and that got everyone's attention. "It said Make Us Whole. What does that mean?"
Silence fell.
"I haven't a clue." Oscar replied, with obvious concern in his voice. But Ruby's mind drifted to what she had been thinking about earlier.
It can't be… surely not…
Her nightmares… it went straight for her…
… no, that can't be possible.
"We'll figure this out. And don't worry, Winter will call Dutch and let him know what's happened once you're in the Safehouse. Assuming he doesn't already know, of course." Ruby said with a shrug.
Suddenly they all heard the sound of an incoming Airship breaking through the clouds behind them. Ruby swiftly drew Crescent Rose, transforming it into Scythe Form and spinning around, fully expecting it to be the Deacon coming back to finish them off. But immediate relief fell upon her nervous bones when she saw the familiar colours of her Sister-In-Law's Personal Airship, branded with the White Fang Logo on the side.
She smiled, lowering Crescent Rose, and the cockpit opened to reveal Yang stood up, jumping out and landing, rushing over to Ruby and immediately wrapping her arms around her little sister in a tight hug.
"Ruby? Are you okay? What are you doing here?" Yang asked frantically, clearly never losing her protective elder sister nature.
"I'm fine. I was tracking a weird Hound here. That's when I saw the Deacon attacking." Ruby explained quickly.
"A-A what?" Yang questioned, stuttered.
"Did I hear that right?" Blake asked. Climbing out of the Airship, Ruby smiled and gave her Blake a tight hug.
"Are you two okay? Pyrrha got a worried call from you. It was the early warning she needed." Ruby asked, then the couple looked past Ruby to see Pyrrha standing up with Oriana stood beside her with wide eyes.
"Auntie Yang? Auntie Blake?" Oriana gasped.
The pair rushed to Pyrrha and Oriana giving them both warm hugs, leaving Misty wide eyed, despite her rattled state, she was holding in the biggest squeak to now see Yang Xiao Long, Ruby Rose's badass sister, and Blake Belladonna, her wife and badass High Leader of the White Fang here.
"We tried to warn you in time, I'm so sorry…" Blake apologised.
"You have nothing to apologise for. What happened, though?" Pyrrha asked.
"The Deacon came to our home in the night, and he wanted us to give your address away. We tried to stop them but they threatened Ava's life, and then Cardin attacked me. Neo broke into our terminal and stole the address off it… I'm so sorry, we should have stopped them." Yang explained, closing her eyes shamefully, but Pyrrha just grabbed Yang and hugged her.
"What did I just say? You have nothing to apologise for. And thank you for trying to stop them. Your warning helped me get ready ahead of time." Pyrrha reassured.
"As much as I wish we could enjoy this reunion, we need to get moving." Winter said, hand on the pommel of her sword. Penny stood up and walked to Oscar's side.
"Taking them to one of Dutch's Safehouses?" Blake assumed.
"That's right. I'm gonna head into Vale and look for Jaune. If he went anywhere, it'd be there." Ruby explained.
"Well… I'm in, sis." Yang said, slamming her fists together. "I just repaired my arm too on the way here, would be a shame if I didn't get to see if it's working now."
Ruby smirked, then turned to Blake, who shrugged. "Do you really have to ask? Lead the way, Ruby."
"Alright… let's go. I'll fill you in on the way. But first… time to see how Weiss is doing. Let's get the gang back together, shall we?" Ruby suggested.
"Booyah!" Yang cheered.
Misty and Oriana watched the free go in awe. "Holy shit… Team RWBY… in action again?" Misty was holding in the biggest squeal of hype.
And failing.
Eryka
She was sitting in Dutch's office after telling him what had just transpired. He was pacing around the room, his hands pressed against his head. "Damn it… this is exactly what I've been hoping to avoid. What the hell happened? He was doing really well with his recovery!" He shouted in frustration. Whether his anger was directed at the Deacon or himself was unclear. He sat down and pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.
"I'm sorry. I should have done something sooner." She sighed, burying her head in her hands.
"Don't, he manipulated you. And thank you for coming to me about this." Dutch said, wheeling his office chair over to her side. "I just don't understand how it came to this. I knew he was struggling, he told me so. And I offered him a counselling session… but…" He sighed, remembering that his investigation of the Hound prevented him from being available for that session. "I just hope it isn't too late."
"I know he isn't a monster. I could tell when I returned here and saw him sat on the floor. I think he knows he fucked up… but still… It's hard to picture any of those faces behind that mask." Eryka stated, wringing her fingers.
"One day he will take off the mask, I know it. And I understand why he can't. Seeing his own reflection makes him think of that night. It's tragic, honestly… that he can't even bear to look at his own face because of what Tyrian did to him and his friends." Dutch explained. "But recruiting Neo… I didn't think he'd go that far, or that he'd be so reckless to have someone so unstable around him."
"I considered telling you when he told us he was gonna find Neo and recruit her. After everything she's done, and using Ruby as bait to keep her under his control is… messed up." Eryka explained.
"I'm going to have her arrested. I just need to make sure I do it right. If she escapes we may never get an opportunity as good as this." He stated. Then he stood up, sighing. "But… there is something else I need to know. The Hound, you saw it?" He asked her.
"Yeah… been a long time since I've seen a Grimm, but there's no mistaking that's what it was. I take it you sent my wife and the others to find it?" Eryka inquired.
"That's right. We found evidence of it prowling around Vale recently. But I never expected it to make a beeline for the Nikos estate like that… and with the things that Jaune and Pyrrha told me about Oriana recently… and Jaune having flashbacks and hallucinations of Thaddeus again, like every year? It's a concerning pattern." He admitted.
"You don't think that…" Eryka asked.
"I'm just spit balling right now. I have no further evidence beyond suspicions. Now considering what you've told me, Winter is probably taking Pyrrha, Ori and Misty to one of my Safehouses. She's one of the few I let know about the location, and should anything happen to them, that's where I said they should be moved to until it's safe. Jaune is another problem, though. You said he was attacked and thrown into the river?" Dutch asked her.
"Yeah, we all lost sight of him after that, then the Hound went for Oriana. Only reason she's alive is thanks to Ruby's Silver Eyes." Eryka explained.
"Okay. I'll wait until Winter contacts me. She's most likely keeping things silent until they're safe, Atlesian Specialist protocols and all that." Dutch stated, nodding his head. He picked up his stress ball, squeezing it with his numb hand.
"… Dutch?"
He turned and looked at her. "… am I under arrest? Because if I am… I understand." Eryka said, looking up at him.
"No, I don't think you are. Unless charges are held against you, which I doubt they will be, you should be fine. End of the day, you never raised a hand against them, not like Cardin, Neo or the Deacon did. Hell, you tried to stop them." Dutch reassured, squeezing her shoulder. Eryka almost looked unsatisfied with that, maybe even feeling like she deserved to be tossed into a cell for her involvement.
But there was no way in hell Dutch would let that happen. "Believe me, Eryka. I know the difference between a bad person and a good one." He said as he looked at her. She smiled softly, nodding her head.
"I'm gonna take a walk, if that's alright?" She asked, and Dutch nodded his head, looking out his window with a sigh. She opened the door and walked down the hallway, closing her eyes tearfully.
What am I gonna do now? Blake and Yang hate me. I wouldn't blame Pyrrha if she does too. Jaune's missing and hurt, and two little girls are traumatised.
And I played a part in all that?
I need to fix this, but how?
She kept walking down the halls, passing by some soldiers, armed to the teeth and moving in a hurry. She slowed and looked back as she saw them run past her. Her blue eyes narrowed, then she cautiously followed them. Her hairs stood on end as she followed the path of the soldiers, turning down the left corridor, and moving past other workers who were just doing their jobs.
She continued down, then leant against a wall, hearing some soldiers talking. "… we deploying then?" One soldier asked.
"I think so. The Captain will fill us in." The other soldier stated.
The fuck is going on…
The soldiers ran down the next corridor, which lead to a hangar where some Dropships were inside, alongside a couple of Airships for heavier deployment. The thrum of machinery echoed inside, and Eryka slid across the cold metallic floor, ducking behind the crate she found and listening to what their Commanding Officer was saying to the rest of the Legion Soldiers.
"Alright people, we have our orders. Our target is Jaune Arc, a former Huntsman but also a former Child of Salem. He served the Dark Queen and our superior has labelled him a threat to national security. His family is also a target, for he has a daughter, and his wife Pyrrha Nikos has been harbouring a fugitive. Take the family alive, but eliminate Mr Arc. Let's get moving!" The Captain commanded, getting aboard the Dropship.
The rest of the Legionnaires got aboard, leaving Eryka with wide shocked eyes, watching as multiple Airships left the Hangar. She turned and sprinted down the corridors to find Dutch's office once again. She burst inside, making Dutch jump. "We need to stop the Deacon now!" Eryka yelled.
"Whoa what is it?" Dutch asked with surprised eyes.
"Soldiers. A bunch of them, they were just deployed to hunt down Jaune and his family. They've got orders to kill Jaune on sight and capture Pyrrha and Oriana!" Eryka shouted. Dutch's face turned to anger without a second to spare. He picked up his gun and went with Eryka, and they stormed to the Deacon's office room.
Once they arrived, Dutch used his card to unlock the door as he walked inside, and he pointed his gun at Neo, who backed away with her arms raised, looking genuinely shocked. "Back the hell up." He warned, turning into the next room whilst Eryka's eyes burned hot, staring Neo down. "The hell is this?"
"Dutch… I'm sorry, okay? I…" The Deacon stammered.
"Sending a battalion to hunt down Jaune? Kidnap his family? What the hell is wrong with you?" Dutch shouted, but the Deacon stared back, and despite his helmet masking his face, his silence was clearly that of… confusion.
"What the hell are you talking about?" The Deacon questioned.
"Don't play dumb, Deacon. I saw the soldiers, and they said they got their orders from their superior. That's you!" Eryka argued.
"I gave no such order." The Deacon stated, standing up from where he was slumped against the wall. "I told you, this was to be between us. I didn't want the Legion to play any part in any of this."
"Then who the hell gave the order because I sure as shit didn't?" Dutch questioned.
"I did." The voice of President Amara Zure appeared right behind them all, and they all turned to see her standing there, her arms held behind her back, and with two heavily armed soldiers beside her. "Lower your gun, Dutch. This whole thing is going to be sorted out once and for all. I do wish you hadn't hidden such important information from me." She stated.
"Jaune is innocent, as are his family. What the hell do you think you're doing?" Dutch questioned with anger, lowering his gun, but he was seething.
"I am finishing the job the Deacon was supposed to do." She stated.
"… what?" The Deacon questioned as he took a step closer.
"You were a good dog, followed the stick just as I threw it, but you failed to return it to me. Tsk, tsk, tsk… bad boy." She teased sinisterly, smirking at him.
"You… you were the one who sent me those pictures of Jaune and his family…" The Deacon realised.
"Ding, ding, ding!" she replied sarcastically.
The Deacon suddenly formed Ruyi Jingu Bang and aimed the Gunchuck directly at her head, leading to the two soldiers aiming their guns at him.
"Put those away, sir." The soldiers commanded.
"I don't think I will." The Deacon replied as he glared at Amara.
"We outnumber you." One of the two stated.
"I like those odds." The Deacon stated, not breaking his stare. "You used me… manipulated me into regressing… to do your own dirty work for you?" The Deacon growled.
"You're the one who has fantasised about killing him every day, not me. I simply want this world to be free of Salem's influence, by any means necessary." Amara stated, then Dutch scoffed.
"Weaponising a struggling man for your own needs… I knew a man who did the exact same thing. Should I remind you what happened to him, Amara?" Dutch asked as he scowled at her.
She tilted her head, then sighed. "Jaune Arc is a threat to national security. The power that lurks within him is simply too dangerous to keep unchecked. What if Thaddeus Rex wakes up again, Dutch? What's your master plan to counter him and his dark magic gifted immortality?"
Dutch fell silent for a few moments, but then he followed up with, "Thaddeus is long dead."
"I've read your reports, Dutch. You're very good at hiding them, but I have some very skilled friends who have helped me get a sneak peek at them. You Black Gallows operatives are very good at burying your secrets, but it's never completely impossible." Amara explained. "I know Jaune has had episodes, seeing things, hearing his voice, hearing Salem's voice. The stories sound very much like what Oscar experienced with Ozma, and we all know that Thaddeus was once one of Ozma's reincarnations. Who's to say that he's not waking back up from a very long nap?"
"So we kill him? That's the solution? We kill him and arrest his family? Ruin their lives? Because of what? A bad feeling?" Dutch questioned, staring at her with disbelief in his eyes. She sighed, shaking her head.
"I know you may think me a monster for this, but I would rather live in a world where there is no chance of the hellish world we all suffered through twenty-five years ago could return. Salem is dead, but there are still those who believe in her and what she wanted." She explained as she walked around the room.
"We made a deal when we agreed to let you claim partial ownership of the Legion and that that was to run everything you want to have the Legion do past the two of us as well. We all agreed to that deal, and both of us have done that." The Deacon explained. "I even kept the Legion out of this matter, because it was personal to me… or so I believed. Now I see you've just been using me like a dog."
"And it was effective until you ran back here with your tail between your legs." She stated. "Now things have to get messy and I will have to come up with more PR moves to cover all this up. So please, don't cause me any more trouble." Amara requested.
Eryka scoffed. "To hell with this, and to hell with the Legion. I'm stopping this." She snarled, walking away.
"I wouldn't, if I were you." Amara warned, and Eryka stopped, turning with her eye burning brightly.
"I'm a fully realised maiden… just try and stop me." Eryka hissed, frost forming on the windows.
"That's right, you are, and it would be horrible to restrain you here, especially after all the good you've done." The soldiers revealed their new Shock Cables, just like the ones that the Black Gallows used, and it could easily knock Eryka out. "And with your wife out there right now? I can't exactly guarantee her safety."
"Winter is serving under my orders." Dutch reminded. "What is this, Amara? A coup?"
"Not at all. I am doing what needs to be done. I am the President of Remnant. It is my job to keep these people safe from any and all threats. I don't want to hurt any of you. You are all good people… well… most of us are." She said, staring directly at Neo. "But sometimes we have to make hard choices. So please… do not make this any harder." Amara requested.
Dutch sighed, closing his eyes. "Stand down Eryka… we'll find a way to fix this. But fighting our way out will cause more harm than good." He said to her, looking over at Eryka with a very specific expression.
It was clearly saying:
Trust me
And she did. She could always trust Dutch to have a plan.
"Fine." She sighed, extinguishing the flames coming from her eyes.
"Thank you, now guards. Keep an eye on the Deacon and his little friend here. And where's Winchester?" Amara questioned.
"Last we saw, he was leaving the facility, heading to a pub to drink with some other soldiers." A soldier stated.
"Alright, get him back here. I want all hands on deck." Amara explained as she left the room, leaving the Deacon shocked by all these revelations. This whole time, it was her. She messed with his head to trigger his desperation and force him into hunting Jaune down.
He attacked Blake and Yang… because of Amara's actions.
He attacked Jaune and Pyrrha, scaring those kids… because of Amara's paranoia.
Eryka walked over to Dutch and whispered in his ear. "What's your plan?"
"Gonna contact Winter, end of the day. She's supposed to report to me. I'm gonna warn her of what's happened, but tell her to keep tracking the Hound. That thing is still a threat… hopefully Pyrrha and the kids will be hidden at the Safehouse." Dutch explained.
"What if she has access to those locations, too?" Eryka asked.
"I don't know. I'm going to run a diagnostic on my terminal. If she got it from anywhere, I'll be able to find it… and maybe do some digging of my own. For now, though? Keep an eye on the Deacon. Maybe we can help him back to the light. Now he knows the truth."
Eryka nodded, then glanced at the Deacon, who was pacing around, constantly thinking about what the next step must be, then her eyes danced over to Neo, who was happily sitting on the counter, kicking her legs back and forth. "The hell are you still doing here?" Eryka questioned. Suddenly Roman appeared, and she rested her head against his chest with a comfortable smile.
"You're kidding right? This whole deal just got so much juicier. We're sticking around to see how all this goes!" Roman chuckled, stroking her pink and brown hair.
Eryka narrowed her eyes, then walked to the window, pressing her hand against the pane.
All she wanted to do was fly away and find Winter… but Dutch was right… she could help things better from here than out there.
For now, anyway.
Ruby
The three walked together. After spending the hour it took to reach Vale, Ruby had filled them in on everything they had missed.
"Gods, that really escalated, huh?" Yang said with a nervous chuckle in her voice.
"I'm just relieved you all got there in time, if the Hound attacked, as well as the Deacon and the others, without you there to help? I can't imagine how bad that could have been." Blake explained as they walked.
"Now I just hope we can find a way to fix all of this." Ruby said. Blake was constantly thinking about the Deacon as well.
"I just… find it so hard to believe that the Deacon is any of them. Like I know Cardin's team used to be assholes but, they sought to be better after the Battle of Beacon. And Sun… Neptune, Scarlet and Sage? I…"
"We were there. I still remember how much blood there was in there." Yang said, shuddering as she thought back to that battle when Adam and Tyrian were waiting for them. "I can't imagine anyone would be the same anymore after surviving that. But you're right, though, the Deacon has done so much good. It's hard to imagine this being the same man."
"Whatever happened, we'll fix it. We always do." Ruby assured. They approached the tavern in question, and smiles grew across their faces. They could hear her singing away inside, and the cheers of those inside, enjoying her beautiful music. "Could recognise that voice anywhere."
"Ladies and gentlemen, you have been a wonderful audience! Please enjoy the rest of your drinks and have a wonderful day!" She cheered, and inside she twirled around, playing a guitar with a bright smile, wearing a comfortable outfit instead of a fancy dress.
And then she continued to sing her song.
"And heeeere weeee staaaaand! At the point of no returrrrrn!" She sang. "After everything we fought, everything we sacrificed! Heeeeere weeee staaaaaand! To watch that witch burrrrrn!" She sang, dancing around the tavern as she sang, everyone joining in with her song. She jumped up onto the bar, sat across it and crossing one leg over the other as she played her guitar, learning it thanks to some of Jaune's lessons a few years ago. "Even when Darkness comes knocking, no word that I've written will ring quite as true, as burrrrrrrn! Burn that Witch to the grouuuuuund! Burn her dowwwwwn!" She sang.
She jumped away and danced around the room of cheering locals, then sat upon her stool, panting out the last words. "For now… all I have left… are my memories…" she said, sounding sombre at the end of her song.
Silence fell across the room, and then a round of applause erupted with cheers. She smiled and stood up, bowing to everyone. "Thank you everyone, you are always such a pleasant audience." Weiss thanked.
They waited outside until the Tavern was empty, and then they walked inside, seeing Weiss sat on a comfy chair, plucking at the strings on her guitar. "Can I get you anything else, milady?" The bartender asked her.
"Oh no, I'm good, thank you." She said, standing up, then her eyes widened when she saw Ruby, Blake and Yang standing there with radiant smiles on their faces. Weiss chuckled, setting her guitar down, looking directly at Ruby. "Dolt."
"Princess." Ruby replied, following up with both of them laughed. Weiss ran up to Ruby and gave her a big, warm hug, kicking her legs as Ruby lifted her off the floor.
"Good to see you again, Ice Queen." Yang said.
"Oh shut up, you." She giggled, hugging her as well, then Blake.
"What are you doing singing in a place as small as this?" Blake asked curiously.
"Oh, I love it. When I'm not performing on enormous stages for big events, I like to perform at places like this for free. Now I get to sing because I choose to, and not because my father commanded it for the S.D.C." Weiss explained, sitting down with her cherished team.
"Well, I'm glad to see you're happy." Yang said as she sat down, but Weiss quickly noticed the scuffs on Ruby's cheek, same with Yang's healing bruises.
"Wait, how come you two are here? I thought you were busy with the Feral Ones in Menagerie?" Weiss asked.
"That's… why we're here. I wish it was under better circumstances, but not this time." Blake admitted.
"What happened?" Weiss asked.
"Jaune and Pyrrha. They were attacked today." Ruby revealed, and Weiss' eyes widened with disbelief.
"What?" she asked, her tone instantly turning serious.
"Y'know the Deacon?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah? He saved my life years ago, and I helped him partner with the Schnee Dust Company after he bought it?" She replied sarcastically. "Wait… it was him?"
"Yeah, and… this is still hard for me to believe. He's one of the people we lost twenty-five years ago. A member of Team S.S.S.N and C.R.D.L. He wants to kill Jaune for what Thaddeus made him do… he doesn't see a difference between the two." Ruby explained, leaving Weiss quite shocked. She sat back in her chair with stunned, wide blue eyes.
"Gods… I…" she stammered, sitting forward and holding her hands together.
"We don't know where Jaune is. He was attacked by a Hound we were tracking and he fell into a river. He's probably here in Vale somewhere." Ruby continued.
"Whoa, hold up? A HOUND?" she questioned.
"Yeah… one from the Atlesian Wildlands." She revealed nervously, setting the crystal of permafrost down on the table. "Penny, Winter and Oscar are gonna go to the Atlesian Wildlands to figure out if any other Grimm escaped the Wildlands with it. And Dutch will hopefully send people to locate where it flew off to."
"… I hoped to never hear about that place again." Weiss said, remembering what happened there. "This is… a lot."
"Now I know you're not working as a Huntress anymore, so if you—" Ruby began.
"Shut up, of course I'm in." Weiss interrupted, pressing her finger against Ruby's lips, then crouching down to her case she had with her, revealing she had Myrtenaster with her. "I always keep her with me." She reassured.
"You never disappoint." Ruby said with a proud smile. Weiss stood up and nodded her head.
"Okay… where do we start?" Weiss asked.
"Knowing Jaune? He'll probably find trouble sooner or later." Yang shrugged.
Jaune
Blood leaked down his arm as he walked, pressing his hand against the wound as droplets of claret fell upon the cobblestones. He could tell some people in the market were looking at him as walked, but none offered their aid. But he just kept walking to find the nearest doctor to help patch him up. He looked up and saw Legion Dropships flying overhead, but he just kept on moving.
He walked further, turning a corner to find the surgery just ahead of him, until a dropship hovered and blared its alarms, cautioning people away from the landing zone. "Target spotted!" One of the soldiers yelled, pointing ahead at Jaune, who still had Ira Red danging from his belt, loosely. The soldiers approached, aiming their guns at Jaune. "Well, that made this hunt a little easier." A soldier chuckled, aiming his gun at Jaune's head.
"I just need a doctor for my injury… you got the wrong guy. I'm just a teacher." Jaune defended, as he stared at the soldiers.
"Mhm? Teacher with a sword, yeah? I doubt it. Y'know what to do guys, drop him." The soldier said.
Jaune sighed.
"Fuck."
The first soldier fired a bullet towards Jaune's head, but he suddenly drew Ira Red and slashed it across the air, deflecting the bullet with ease. He scowled at them as they all opened fire on him. The crowd started screaming in terror, but Jaune rolled aside and opened a car door, using it as a shield. He winced, reaching up at his arm, then he closed his eyes, focusing on what little aura he had built up on the way here.
It would not be enough to heal the wound properly, but it would be enough to get him moving. The flesh sealed, and the pain was relieved, slightly. A soldier suddenly rushed round the car door and aimed his gun at Jaune's head, about to fire.
Then the corners of his vision flooded purple, and he swung Ira Red across the sword and his hand, slicing his fingers clean off, then cutting him across the leg to drop him to one knee, and drove the sword through his screaming mouth, silencing him. He brutally pushed the blade upwards, splitting his skull in half and spilling blood everywhere. He deflected more bullets, then ducked and picked up the soldier's gun, firing a spray of bullets into two soldiers, jumping off a wall and dropping onto another, ramming the blade of Ira Red through his sternum, pinning him to the ground.
Jaune fired more bullets until it clicked, and threw the gun against the chest of a soldier ahead of him, ripping Ira Red free as he rushed towards him. The soldier discarded his gun and drew his sword, swinging at Jaune, only for him to parry his attack, then slicing his arm off. The man screamed and collapsed. Jaune turning to another soldier charging with the bayonet of her rifle, yelling with fury. He stamped on the blade and caused her to fall to the ground, allowing him to stab her through the spine, killing her instantly. The man he cut the arm off aimed his gun at him, only for Jaune to stamp on his skull, crushing the bone and splattering blood everywhere.
There were only two soldiers left, one with a shotgun, firing it at him, but Jaune rolled aside and launched Ira Red directly into the soldier's ribcage, killing him instantly. Jaune walked towards the last soldier left standing who drew two swords, and swung them repeatedly towards Jaune. He ducked the first swing then caught the man's wrist, breaking it and causing him to shriek, then he caught the machete as it fell and swung around, cutting his other arm off, and finally stabbing him through the mouth and pinning him to the door he was standing behind.
Jaune's teeth were gritted savagely, his old scars around his eyes glowing a faint purple… then the glow faded away. Leaving him surrounded by massacred corpses, and his hands covered in their blood.
Yet he could remember doing none of that…
It was like he blinked, and everyone was dead. He just turned to see Ira Red stabbed through a soldier's chest, smothered in blood.
And afraid…
… of who he truly is…
Author Note - Happy New Year and belated Chrimbo everyone! Decided to take a break from. Well. Everything for those weeks to just chill, plus I was super ill during the holiday which sucked, BUT I AM BETTER NOW XD
Also for Knights of Grimm fans, I will be starting the final story for that soon, saving up for the cover art commission idea then it shall begineth :)
Jaune's got one scary power now, one that I loved showing off. I was tempted to go full Moonknight and have it blink and everyone is dead, but I think it's better to show Jaune's reaction AFTER doing all of that
I might do something like that in future though
Love writing Jaune be so brutal because it's so out of character for such a good boy.
AND AMARA! ASSHOLE! XD That damn president has some nerve, and I very much enjoyed doing that callback to Act 1 with Dutch reminding her of Killian's deeds and what he did to poor Jaymes. Let's hope Dutch can use his clever schemes to come out on top against Amara's paranoia.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow and favourite!
Stay tuned for the next chapter!
- Matt