Jaune Arc sat on the viewing area of Winter's airships, hands clasped tightly together, his brow furrowed with the weight of the thoughts swirling through his mind. Fighting the Grimm, dealing with the White Fang, and now, the now one of the Maidens. The concept was overwhelming, especially for someone like Jaune, who, a few weeks ago, barely knew anything of Maidens, Witches, Wizards, the Everafter, and even Gods.

If it weren't for the Afteran in his head, Jaune was sure he wouldn't even know how to begin thinking about a Maiden.

Sometimes, the influx of information was overwhelming. Even magical with how he's able to learn so much from listening to them when he felt the shivers or the the rustles of leaves showing him visions.

But madness was still madness.

Having voices in his head was annoying.

But it was a madness that he had to live with now.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and let the shivers wash over him. Images flickered behind his eyelids — of a world that seemed both foreign and familiar.

"A maiden," the voice began, "is a young woman endowed with magical abilities by Ozma, granting her the power to manipulate the elements. Each maiden is uniquely associated with a specific vault, wherein a relic is safeguarded. These relics were bestowed upon Ozma by the God of Light, serving as a means to summon the Brothers for Remnant's second judgment."

Jaune nodded, trying to absorb the information. The memories provided by the Afteran made it easier to visualize. He saw a young woman, radiant with the power of Spring, flowers blooming at her feet. Another image showed the Summer Maiden, her fiery aura illuminating the night. The Fall Maiden wielded her power with a grace that seemed almost ethereal, while the Winter Maiden commanded ice and snow with a fierce determination.

"The process of transferring these powers is distinctive," the well-informed voice continued. "Upon a Maiden's demise, her power instinctively seeks a new host. Ideally, it is transferred to a young woman who occupied the Maiden's thoughts at the moment of her death. In the absence of a suitable candidate, the power selects a recipient at random. This transfer is not invariably serene, often inciting conflict, as individuals desiring power endeavor to dominate the Maidens."

"Like that woman Cinder Fall," the rusty voice chimed in. "She can use a glove made from Grimm to steal the power, too."

Jaune opened his eyes, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The White Fang's radical actions, the Grimm's relentless attacks, and the power of the Maidens.

"The Maidens are not just symbols of their respective seasons," the voice said, his tone grave. "They are also key to unlocking the vaults guarding the relic. One such artifact is the Relic of Knowledge, hidden within Haven Academy. Only the Spring Maiden can access it. This makes the Maidens targets for those who seek these powerful relics and those who want to summon the Brothers"

"But why hasn't this been common knowledge?" Jaune whispered, his voice tinged with frustration.

"The existence of the Maidens has been kept a closely guarded secret by those in power," the rusty voice explained. "Those trusted by Oz's circle believe that the fewer people who know about the Maidens, the safer they are. This secrecy is meant to protect them from those who would exploit their power."

Jaune frowned, but he could understand the reasoning behind it. The Maidens were incredibly vulnerable if their identities were known.

"There's another layer to this," the Afteran in his head added. "The Grimm are drawn to negative emotions, as you know. The presence of a Maiden, with her immense power, can attract even more Grimm. This is why Maidens must be protected and their identities concealed."

The irony was almost too much to bear sometimes. Raven Branwen, a Maiden wielding immense power, a woman who donned a White Fang mask, raiding villages, leaving devastation in her wake. It was a bitter twist of fate that the very people meant to use said powers protect Remnant were using it to destroy.

Then again, if Cinder Fall had the power, she'd do even worse.

The knight's voice demanded. "Raven must be held accountable for her actions, Knight. She cannot be allowed to continue her reign of terror. We must ensure she is stopped, not just for the sake of those she has harmed, but to prevent her from causing further suffering."

However, the rusty voice, with a voice of experience and caution, offered a different perspective. "Be careful. Raven Branwen is not someone to be taken lightly. She is dangerous, cunning, and has abilities that make her a formidable opponent. Do not underestimate her."

Jaune nodded, taking in the voices in his head. He wasn't foolish. He knew confronting someone like Raven directly would be a troublesome. She could transform into a bird and escape at a moment's notice, or create a portal to vanish from any fight. Capturing someone with such abilities seemed almost impossible.

And did he even have to explain about her connection with Ruby, Yang, Qrow, and Oz? Going after her means he's also attracting the attention of those who are her family and a paranoid Immortal Wizard who kicked him out of Beacon.

Even so, it was necessary to make her go away. If Jaune allows her to stay in Mistral, villages would get raided and more Grimm will appear. If they want to stabilize Anima, then removing her out of Mistral was something needed to be done.

So the question remained: how do you even capture someone like that?

He shifted uncomfortably, resting his head in his hands as he thought through the problem. It wasn't just about brute strength or sheer willpower. It would take a strategy to capture someone like Raven. His mind raced, piecing together the fragments of memories and knowledge the Afteran had shared with him.

"She can rely on her abilities to escape," Jaune muttered to himself. "If we can find a way to neutralize that, we might have a chance."

"That is if she would run away in the first place," The rusty voice interjected. "Raven's abilities are formidable, but they are not without limits. Her portals require a destination, someone she has a bond with. Her bird form, while useful for evasion, does not grant her invincibility."

Jaune considered this. If they could somehow predict where she might go or who she might seek out, they could set a trap. But even then, Raven was a seasoned warrior. She wouldn't fall for something simple.

"We need more information," Jaune realized. "We need to understand her connections, her movements, her habits. Only then can we form a plan to trap her."

He thought of Qrow Branwen, Raven's brother. Perhaps Qrow could provide insights into Raven's behavior and weaknesses.

"Qrow might know something," Jaune said, his resolve hardening. "He's her brother, after all. If anyone understands her, it's him."

The yellow tie's voice echoed. "Ah yes, let's just ask Qrow Branwen, Ozma's most trusted agent, right in the fucking face that we know what Maidens are! Are you fucking dumb? Did you hit your head? Do you want Ozma the paranoid to suspect us being Salem's pawn? The man would try to interrogate us. And I rather not be in that asshole's presence."

"We could always kill him and let Oscar take over," a scheming voice said. "Easier to control, but also nicer than that piece of shit."

"That is the dumbest thing you thought about," a voice said. "Oz might be a piece of shit, but he's currently a useful piece of shit. I'd rather not involve that Oscar in this too… do you really want to make a kid like him suffer? He'd be like a terminal patient getting taken over by a parasite! Unlike us, we are the same, the same person and thus the burden of memory acceptable! While Oscar will lose his life to that fucking asshole!"

"We will not become a murderer," The rusty voice added and then gave a piece of advice. "Remember, knight, information is our greatest weapon. You have me in your head, but it doesn't mean that we can speak or act on it."

As the voices debated the idea, Jaune listened intently, weighing each perspective carefully.

"What about the aura transfer machine?" a voice interjected.

"What about it?" Jaune furrowed his brow, considering the suggestion. "Maybe we can find a way to use it?"

"Do you want to carry it around?" another voice countered. "No, it's a big machine and getting her into it isn't going to work. What? Do you want to ask her nicely to get in?"

"But it transfers aura, right?" a curious voice chimed in. "So what if we make use of what it does to create a device that would constantly drain someone's aura? Which would make them unable to use their Semblance?"

"Ace-Ops training doesn't cover that," the rusty voice added.

"But Pietro Polendina could help," a well-informed voice suggested. "He's the greatest mind in Atlas. But inventing a device like that requires hours of work. By the time he's done, she'd do more damage. And with the war in Menagerie, a refugee crisis is likely going to happen. And with how low the opinion of the people against the Faunus… the Grimm would be attracted to these negative emotions."

"But would a man like Dr. Polendina even do it?" the knight's voice questioned, doubt clear in its tone.

The voices fell silent, leaving Jaune to his thoughts. Would the Doctor create something like that?

It was a hard question, one that tugged at his sense of right and wrong.

As he mulled it over, Jaune couldn't help but feel conflicted. On one hand, using a device that could disable Raven's Semblance or disrupt her aura could be an instrument to prevent further harm.

Raven was dangerous, and conventional methods might not be enough to stop her. Perhaps, in this case, drastic measures were necessary.

And that's assuming he can make one. Ask him first, then think later.

With a heavy sigh, Jaune made a choice. He would ask Pietro Polendina and discuss the possibility of creating the device.

He had nothing to lose just by asking anyway.

Jaune stepped out of the viewing area of Winter's airship. He made his way to the communications room, where a mobile CTT terminal awaited him. Taking a deep breath, he activated the device and requested to be connected to Dr. Pietro Polendina.

An operator materialized before him, her holographic form flickering slightly as she processed his request. "State your identity and purpose," she said, her voice crisp and professional.

Jaune met her gaze steadily and let the peripheral device scan his ID. "Jaune Arc. I need to speak with Dr. Pietro Polendina regarding a matter of urgency."

The operator nodded, her fingers flying across an invisible interface. "Request acknowledged. Passing it to Specialist Winter Schnee for approval."

Winter's voice came through the communication link, her tone cool and composed. "Jaune, what is the nature of your business with Dr. Polendina?"

Jaune hesitated for a moment, the scheming voice in his head urging him to lie. "I need his expertise in developing a device that could disrupt aura," he replied, the words leaving his lips with more confidence than he felt. "Specifically, if we could adapt it to help us in capturing Raven Branwen."

Winter's gaze bore into him, her eyes sharp and calculating. "And how do you know about the aura transfer machine? That information is highly classified, Mr. Arc."

"Oh no, she's calling you Mr. Arc! Winter doesn't call you that unless she's annoyed or wants to get you to stop drinking and focus on the task. Quickly lie," the scheming voice quickly told him to lie. "We don't want Miss Yes Woman here to suspect us!"

The rusty voice scolds him. "I just told you right now, but you fucked it up. Never let them know unless they think you know. Do you understand?"

Jaune cursed himself silently and tugged on his yellow tie. "I learned about it during my time in Arrowfell," he lied, hoping to sound convincing. "Specifically, I stumbled upon it in one of Bram Thornmane's files accidentally and.. as you know. I had prior contacts with Dr. Polendina and his daughter."

Winter's expression softened slightly, though her suspicion remained. "I see. I will approve your request, but I expect a full report on your findings," she said before cutting off the call.

Jaune breathed a sigh of relief as the connection was severed. He knew he had dodged a bullet, but he also knew he couldn't afford to make such mistakes again.

Soon, Pietro Polendina's holographic image appeared before him, the old scientist pushing his glasses up with a smile. "Jaune, it's good to see you."

"Doctor," Jaune greeted with a nod. "It's been too long."

"Yes, yes, I heard you've been busy, which makes my daughter lonely. Penny has a few friends and you are one of those that treat her like a person than a machine."

"Is she doing well?"

"Oh, you know my lass. She's practically beaming at the chance to help people. Zipping around Mantle and Solitas like a hero!" Pietro replied with a chuckle. "You were great at helping Penny. She's stronger than ever, thanks to the boost you provided during her upgrade."

"That's good to hear, Doctor... but I need to be straight with you," Jaune said, his tone serious. "I require something that needs your expertise."

Pietro raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "Of course, Jaune. What can I help you with?"

Jaune proceeded to explain the application of the aura transfer machine to create a device that could disrupt aura. Pietro listened attentively, his expression thoughtful.

"Ah, I see," Pietro responded, his expression contemplative. "The concept of a device to disrupt aura is indeed fascinating. However, you must understand that the aura transfer machine is a highly specialized piece of technology. While it is theoretically possible to repurpose its functionality to create a device that disrupts aura, the process would be exceedingly complex."

He paused, a hint of regret in his voice. "Creating such a device would require extensive research and development, not to mention significant hardware and software modifications. Unfortunately, I must apologize, Jaune, but I simply cannot undertake such a project."

Pietro's holographic image seemed to flicker slightly, a sign of his genuine remorse. "You see, the aura transfer machine is designed to capture aura from a person and transfer it to something or someone else. I have experimented with it myself, splicing off part of my own aura to give to my daughter, Penny."

He gestured to his own chest, a solemn expression on his face. "And I may add that repeated use of such a device would be incredibly risky, not just for the one activating the device, but for the taken as well. I cannot in good conscience condone the development of a device that could have such detrimental effects on a person's well-being."

Pietro's words hung heavy in the air, the weight of his experience and expertise underscoring the gravity of the situation. Jaune nodded, his disappointment tempered by a newfound understanding.

"I understand, Doctor," he said, his voice tinged with resignation. "Thank you for your honesty and for sharing your insights with me."

Pietro offered him a sympathetic smile. "Of course, Jaune. If there's anything else I can assist you with, please don't hesitate to ask. And do take care of yourself, my boy. The path you tread is fraught with danger, and I would hate to see you come to harm."

With a last nod of gratitude, Jaune ended the call.

As Jaune ended the call with Pietro, a sense of disappointment washed over him, mirroring the sentiments of the voices in his head. They had hoped for a breakthrough, a solution to the looming threat of Raven's unchecked power. But Pietro's explanation dashed those hopes, leaving them feeling deflated and uncertain.

Then, a rather fanatical voice suggested something simple. "WE ARE STRONG. OUR BODIES CAN TAKE THE PUNISHMENT. GRAB HER BY THE HAND. SCRAPE HER AURA UNTIL SHE'S DONE."

Jaune felt a shiver run down his spine as the fanatical voice spoke up, its fervor palpable even within the confines of his mind. It was a chilling suggestion, one that bordered on madness, but there was a grim logic to it. If brute force couldn't be avoided, perhaps overwhelming strength could prevail.

His body's voice echoed the sentiment. "He's right," it said to Jaune. "Our body can take punishment. We've faced formidable foes before. Unless you're implying that she can hit harder than a colossus or withstand Salem's blast of magic, or the Curious Cat's attacks, we stand a chance."

Jaune weighed their words. While the idea of engaging Raven in direct combat was risky, it wasn't entirely without merit.

But even as he entertained the notion, a nagging voice of reason whispered in the back of his mind. Engaging Raven in hand-to-hand combat was reckless, especially considering her formidable abilities and her ability for swift retreats. They needed a plan, a strategy that would minimize risk and maximize their chances of success.

"No," Jaune finally said, his voice firm. "As tempting as it may be to confront Raven head-on, we can't afford to be reckless. We need to approach this strategically, with caution and precision."

The fanatical voice protested, its fervor undiminished. "But we are strong! We can crush her!"

"But we're talking about her escaping," Jaune shook his head, refusing to yield to blind zeal. "Strength alone won't win this fight. We need a plan, something that will neutralize her abilities and give us the upper hand."

The scheming voice nodded in agreement inside his head. "He's right," it said to the fanatical voice. "Strength is meaningless without strategy. We need to be smart about this if we want to succeed."

The fanatical voice spoke up once again, brimming with confidence. "BROTHERS, I HAVE A PLAN," it declared, its fervor undiminished.

Jaune's curiosity piqued. He and the voices listened intently as the voice continued.

"WE JUST NEED TO HIT HER HARDER."

Jaune could hear the voices in his head go silent.