Penny's floating array of multiple gray-colored blades moved in a blur, slicing through the relentless horde of Grimm with precision and ease. The mechanical whir of her weapons filled the air, accompanied by the deafening roars of Grimm as they fell in waves. Her green eyes scanned the battlefield, searching for any signs of her allies amidst the chaos. A part of her programming was always focused on her immediate surroundings, analyzing threats and prioritizing objectives, but another part was always worried about her friends and allies.
That's when Penny saw it.
Lieutenant Jaune Arc's Paladin, now lay wrecked on the side of a building. Its sleek metallic surface was dented and scarred, the legs twisted at odd angles, and one of its massive arms was bent inward as if crushed by an overwhelming force. Smoke billowed from its joints, sparks flickering from damaged circuits, and the entire structure was slumped in a way that made it clear this machine had taken a devastating hit.
Penny's expression turned concerned as she hovered closer.
"Oh no," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the noises around.
She flew in front of the Paladin, hovering just above the ground, her heart, if she had one, sinking as she scanned the damaged machine. Her sensors quickly registered the malfunctioning systems, the destroyed circuits, the empty dust cells, and the structural damage that had rendered it immobile. The Paladin was finished, but Penny's thoughts were on the pilot and the machine
"Jaune Arc," she murmured, she turned to the Paladin. "Are you okay, sis? He sure is rough on you!"
The machine's sensor blinked.
Her blades continued to slice through any Grimm that dared to come near, forming a protective circle around the wreckage as she scanned the cockpit. She had to get to Jaune.
Penny floated to the side of the Paladin, her scanners locking onto the emergency release mechanism of the cockpit. With honed precision, she manipulated the manual opening, her fingers moving swiftly as she input the emergency Atlas code. The Paladin's cockpit hissed, struggling against the damage it had sustained, but finally, it cracked open with a loud clank.
The interior of the cockpit was dim, the lights flickering weakly, and there, slumped in the seat, was Jaune. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling steadily but shallowly, his body limp as if he had been knocked unconscious by the sheer force of the impact. Penny's scanners ran a quick medical diagnostic, and relief washed over her when she detected he was alive, but exhausted, battered, but alive.
"Sir!" Penny exclaimed, her mechanical voice filled with relief as she leaned into the cockpit.
Her arms gently wrapped around his body, supporting him as she pulled him from the wreckage. Penny's movements were careful, almost tender, as if she were cradling something precious. She scanned him again, confirming that there were no immediate life-threatening injuries, but the exhaustion and aura depletion were evident.
"I've got you, sir," Penny said softly, a faint smile crossing her face as she held Jaune securely in her arms.
Penny hovered back from the wreckage, her blades forming a protective ring around them as she called for extraction. Her voice was urgent but steady as she activated her internal comms system, reaching out to Atlas Control.
"This is Penny Polendina," she said, her tone all business. "I need immediate extraction at my location. Lieutenant Jaune Arc requires medical attention."
There was a brief pause before a voice crackled through her earpiece.
"Understood, Penny. A bullhead is en route to your location. ETA two minutes."
Penny glanced down at Jaune's face, his blond hair matted with sweat and dust, his power armor scuffed and battered. She could see the toll the battle had taken on him, both physically and mentally. His blue eyes, closed in exhaustion, made it clear he pushed himself far beyond his limits.
"Why go this far?" Penny mused quietly, her tone soft and filled with concern as she floated above the battlefield.
The sound of approaching Grimm reached her ears, but Penny remained unfazed. Her floating array of blades circled around her like a deadly whirlwind, slicing through any creature that dared to approach them. Her sensors pinged constantly, warning her of the incoming threats, but her focus remained on Jaune. She had to keep him safe until the bullhead arrived.
The minutes seemed to stretch on forever as she hovered above the wreckage, her blades continuing their relentless defense. The sounds of battle echoed around her, explosions, gunfire, the screeching of Grimm, but she kept her attention on the horizon, watching for the arrival of the bullhead.
Then, through the smoke and chaos, Penny saw the shape of the bullhead descending toward her location. Its engines roared as it cut through the air, the side door already open as a team of medics inside prepared to receive Jaune. While the soldiers cleared the area.
"Miss Polendina, we're here!" one of the medics called out as the bullhead touched down.
Without hesitation, Penny flew toward the bullhead, cradling Jaune's unconscious form in her arms. She hovered just above the open door, carefully transferring Jaune's limp body to the waiting medics.
"He's exhausted," Penny explained, her voice steady but concerned. "He needs immediate rest and aura replenishment. Please take care of him."
The medics nodded, moving swiftly to place Jaune on a stretcher and hook him up to the necessary medical equipment. Penny hovered beside the bullhead for a moment longer, her eyes lingering on Jaune's face as the medics worked.
She had always been a protector. It was her purpose, her reason for being. But seeing Jaune like this, battered and exhausted from the fight, reminded her of the fragility of human life. They were not as sturdy as her.
As the medics secured Jaune inside the bullhead, Penny gave a last nod to the team before retreating.
"I'll be back, sis," she whispered to the Paladin on the side of the building, turning her attention back to the battlefield.
There was still work to be done.
The Grimm threat wasn't over, and the city still needed her protection. She was Mantle's Protector after all.
Penny's floating array of blades spun around her, ready to continue the fight as she soared back into the fray.
Jaune stood on the edge of the vast desert, the sands of Vacuo stretching endlessly before him, shimmering under the relentless sun. He shouldered his rifle, its familiar weight a strange comfort as he watched the dunes shift like waves on a dry ocean. The heat was oppressive, yet oddly comforting, and for a brief moment, he found himself wondering why he was back here. Vacuo was a place filled with memories. Harsh, gritty memories of survival, of camaraderie with his fellow soldiers, of laughter and banter under the unforgiving sun.
He blinked, and the realization hit him... this was a dream.
Turning around, he spotted Sarge poring over maps, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to make sense of their next move and where the fucks in Command wants them. Nearby, Rumple and Humpty were lounging against a sand dune, their faces split into easy grins as they exchanged rough jokes, their laughter echoing across the barren wasteland. The banter was familiar, almost comforting in its simplicity. Jaune's heart ached with the bittersweet feeling of seeing them again, even though he knew they were long gone.
He tried to walk toward them, to join in on the conversation, but as soon as he took a step, the sands shifted beneath him. His foot sank, and he fell, tumbling into the endless sea of grains, the world blurring around him.
Jaune jolted awake in the hospital, his body stiff from lying in the bed for too long. His first instinct was to reach for his aura, and as soon as he did, he felt it flicker back to life, healing the small aches and pains that had settled into his muscles. It was almost automatic now, the way he willed his aura to mend him, to push away the exhaustion and pain.
Sitting up, he glanced around the sterile room. The smell of disinfectant clung to the air, and the soft beeping of machines filled the silence. His eyes landed on Crocea Mors, leaning against the wall beside the bed, and he reached out for it, gripping the hilt tightly as if it were an anchor to reality.
Guess this is the downside of having Aura, he thought, rubbing his face. No excuse to stay in the hospital.
With his aura mending the last of his injuries, Jaune swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, testing his balance. The room swayed slightly, but he steadied himself with a deep breath. The nurse at the door raised a brow as she saw him standing, clearly unimpressed.
"Mr. Arc, you can't just stand up like that," she scolded, though there was no real bite in her tone.
"It's fine, Ma'am," Jaune replied, his voice calm. "My semblance allows me to heal myself."
The nurse gave him a once-over, then sighed and shook her head. "Aura-abled," she muttered, as if that explained everything. After a quick checkup, she handed him some forms to sign, acknowledging that he was fit for discharge.
After dealing with the paperwork, Jaune left the hospital, stepping into the cool Mantle air. The streets were quieter now, though the aftermath of the Grimm attack was still evident in the ruined buildings and scattered debris. He could hear people talking in hushed tones, exchanging rumors and stories about the battle, about Salem, and about the uncertain future that hung over their heads.
Jaune found a bench and sat down heavily, Crocea Mors resting against his leg as he stared blankly at the wreckage in front of him. He considered, briefly, taking up smoking just to give his hands something to do, but dismissed the thought with a sigh. His mind wandered back to the battle, to the Grimm that had overrun the city, to the destruction they had wrought.
This is why Salem's dangerous, he thought grimly, his fingers tapping absently against the hilt of his sword. Or whatever her followers are.
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a woman standing nearby, her figure trembling slightly. She was fair-skinned, with ashen-black hair tied back, and a wrap covered her left eye. She was missing her left arm, her sleeve pinned at the shoulder, and there was a look of distress on her face. Jaune's eyes lingered on the fresh scar along her neck that still had dried blood on.
Without thinking, Jaune stood up and approached her.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice calm and reassuring.
The woman's eyes flicked to his Atlesian uniform, and for a moment, she hesitated, but then nodded shakily.
"I... I need help," she said, her voice wavering. "M-my apartment... it's a mess, and I don't know where to start."
Jaune nodded. "I'll help you, Ma'am."
Her face brightened slightly at his offer, and Jaune fell into step beside her as she led him to her apartment. As they walked, Jaune realized that the street looked familiar, too familiar. When they arrived at the apartment building, the familiarity clicked into place.
"We're neighbors," Jaune remarked with mild surprise, recognizing the building as his own.
The woman glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Small world," she muttered.
Inside, the apartment was sparse, the bare essentials scattered around as if the woman had just moved in or hadn't had the chance to make it feel like home. There was debris everywhere, a chunk of the ceiling having collapsed during the attack. Jaune walked over to the debris, carefully examining it before pushing it out of the way and tossing it onto the street below.
"That should do it," Jaune said, dusting off his hands.
The woman let out a sigh of relief and walked over to a corner of the room where a prosthetic arm lay discarded on the floor. She picked it up gingerly, inspecting it with a frown. Jaune's eyes flicked to the wound on her neck, and spoke up.
"Hold still," he said softly.
She looked at him in surprise, hesitating for a moment, but Jaune raised his hand, his aura flaring gently around him.
"It's my Semblance," he explained, giving her a reassuring nod. "Just let me take care of that wound."
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded, allowing him to channel his aura into her. The faint glow surrounded her, and as Jaune concentrated, the wound on her neck began to heal, the scar tissue fading slightly.
"That... feels good," she said with a soft smile, her voice almost a purr.
Jaune nodded, stepping back as he let his aura recede. "You have aura," he remarked, sensing the faint glow around her. "I mean you have it... you should be strong enough to lift this.
She blinked in surprise, then shook her head. "I... unlocked it a long time ago, I think. But I don't think I know how to use it. I've already registered myself, but... no, I'm not a huntress."
"Must've been rough," Jaune said quietly. "Grimm chasing after you, and all. They tend to like our aura-abled souls."
"It was," she admitted, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I thought I was going to die."
"What's your name?" Jaune asked after a moment of silence.
"Ember Rella," she replied, offering a small, tired smile. "I'm a barista... or I was, before all this."
Jaune nodded, his eyes scanning the room once more. "Do you need more help with anything?"
Ember looked around her apartment, frowning. "I don't know. Maybe the landlord could be... forgiving? I really don't want to pay for this. He wouldn't right?"
"I'll talk to him," Jaune offered.
The negotiation with the landlord went smoother than expected. Jaune's Atlesian uniform carried a certain weight, and after a few back-and-forths, the landlord agreed, saying that the city would help cover the damage, anyway. Ember looked relieved, but the worry remained in her eyes.
"I don't know where I'll stay," she admitted. "A barista's pay isn't exactly... generous."
Jaune thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I have a guest room in my apartment. It's empty, and I'm hardly ever there. You can use it if you want."
Ember looked at him with suspicion, her brow furrowing. "You're offering a stranger a room?"
"Eh, not a stranger, but a neighbour," Jaune chuckled softly, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Look, I'm gone most of the time on missions. It's up to you, but the offer stands. If it helps, you can pay part of the rent."
She hesitated, clearly weighing her options, but eventually, she nodded. "Alright... but I'll pay for the rent, at least."
"Deal," Jaune said with a grin. "I'll get some supplies, then."
Jaune returned to Ember's apartment after a quick trip to grab some supplies. The place was sparse, with barely anything beyond a bed, a few chairs, and a small table. Ember, sitting at that table, looked up from fiddling with her malfunctioning prosthetic arm as he entered. With the heating system down across most of Mantle. Her apartment would barely livable, sure she has aura, but it doesn't look like she wants to use it... like she's afraid of it. Still, Jaune understood why she'd take the risk of agreeing with a stranger.
"You really don't have much, do you?" Jaune said, setting the supplies down on the table as he glanced around.
Ember shrugged, smiling with a hint of self-deprecation. "Most of my things are either destroyed or buried under rubble. Not that I had much to begin with."
Jaune frowned, but didn't say anything. Instead, he noticed the slight twitch in her mechanical arm as she tried to adjust it, the servos grinding in protest. Jaune narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "That arm looks like it's giving you trouble. Let me take a look."
Ember raised a brow, smirking. "What, you're a mechanic now?"
Jaune shook his head, "I pilot a giant robot, Ma'am. If I can't fix a prosthetic arm, I should probably quit."
She chuckled at that, though there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she hesitated, glancing at him before she extended her arm to let him take a closer look. Jaune gently guided her to a chair, urging her to sit as he knelt in front of her. His hands moved skillfully over the prosthetic, his fingers tracing the joints and servos before he found the problem.
"This joint is misaligned," Jaune muttered, "and one of the artificial muscle fibers is worn down. No wonder you're having trouble with it."
Ember watched him work, resting her chin on her remaining hand. There was a mischievous gleam in her eye as she said, "If you keep this up, I might start thinking you're hitting on me."
Jaune, without missing a beat, shrugged and smiled. "My mom always said, 'Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.'"
She blinked, her teasing expression giving way to genuine surprise. "Your mom really said that?"
Jaune looked up at her, unphased. "Yeah, my mom. She raised me and my sisters that way."
Ember's smirk softened, and she chuckled lightly. "Your mom sounds like quite the optimist."
"She is," Jaune said, returning his focus to the arm. "Kept me from feeling like I didn't fit in when things were tough." He tinkered with the mechanism for a moment longer before asking, "Ever thought about upgrading this arm? There's better tech out there."
Ember waved her hand dismissively. "If I could afford it, I would've done it already."
Jaune nodded, finishing the adjustments. "Well, I've made a few tweaks, but this'll only hold for a while. I'll need to get you to a proper technician to fully fix it."
She tested the arm, rotating it with newfound ease. A small smile tugged at her lips as she flexed the fingers, feeling the improved movement. "You're good at this. You sure you're not secretly a prosthetic specialist?"
Jaune grinned as he stood up. "Nah, but I've had my fair share of patching things up — mostly Paladins. If I couldn't fix a simple prosthetic, I'd be in the wrong line of work."
Ember's expression turned a bit more thoughtful. "So, you pilot those big Atlesian robots, huh? Must be exciting."
"Exciting, sure," Jaune said, "but it's not always as glamorous as it sounds. A lot of it is just... maintenance, training, and trying not to get killed when piloting it against am enemy."
She laughed softly, then her tone became wistful as she absently touched the eyepatch covering her left eye. "Do you think your Semblance could... I don't know... grow back a new arm? Or maybe even my eye?"
Jaune shook his head. "My Semblance isn't really healing. It's Aura amplification. I just boost the natural healing process. It can speed things up, but it can't regenerate lost limbs or organs."
"Ah, a shame," she murmured, lowering her hand.
Jaune watched her for a moment
"You've been through a lot," Jaune said quietly. "The eye... the arm... Grimm?
She didn't respond right away, her eyes distant as she nodded. As if she's trying to remember something hard, but couldn't. "Yeah... it's been rough. Honestly, I don't want to remember how lost my eye and arm. But this disaster... The Grimm… the way they chased me... I thought I wasn't going to make it."
"You did, though," Jaune pointed out, his tone firm. "That counts for something."
Ember smiled weakly. "I guess so."
Jaune straightened up, checking his scroll as it buzzed with a message. "Speaking of which, I've got to get going. Report to file and all that. You gonna be okay here?"
She nodded, though there was a flicker of something like gratitude in her eyes. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks again for everything. I guess there are decent people in Mantle, after all. Not just assholes."
Jaune nodded back, then headed to the door. "If you need anything, just give me a call."
As he walked out of his apartment and into the cold streets of Mantle, Jaune felt a strange sense of purpose settle in his chest. Helping Ember, even in small ways, felt like a step in the right direction — like maybe there was something more to being a Huntsman than just fighting. Or maybe he thought it was just a good deed? Then again, Jaune thought she was pretty, and that was motive enough. He had to thank Rumple for training him to be a bastard who does shit like this.
He rode a bullhead back to Atlas Academy, the hum of the engines filling the silence as he leaned back in his seat, lost in thought. The events of the last few hours swirled in his mind — the chaos of the Grimm attack, the destruction that had left so many people displaced, and the realization that the enemy wasn't playing around.
When Jaune arrived at the academy, he made his way to Winter Schnee's office. She was the one holding things down while General Ironwood dealt with more pressing matters. Winter, as composed and disciplined as ever, glanced up as he entered.
"Lieutenant Arc," she greeted him, her voice formal. "I assume you have your report."
Jaune nodded and handed her the written details of the mission and the aftermath. Winter skimmed through it, her expression as neutral as ever. "Good work, as usual."
Jaune paused briefly before admitting, "I think I might have damaged my Paladin. If possible, I'd like the Paladin repaired… Dr. Hales is in charge of the systems, so please let him handle the repairs, Ma'am."
Winter's eyes flickered with interest for a second before returning to her usual calm. "Noted. We'll have your Paladin in repair. It's a valuable machine and I think many agreed it was useful during the surge of Grimm."
Jaune nodded, then stood at attention, waiting for dismissal.
Winter glanced at him again. "How's it been for you, Lieutenant? Working alongside Huntsmen, that is."
Jaune considered her question for a moment, weighing his words carefully. "It's... different from my time in Ironwood company and Steel Squadron. Huntsmen operate more independently, relying on their instincts and personal judgments rather than strict protocols. We complete the mission, but the way they go about it can be… unpredictable... and I think I understand now why."
Winter tilted her head slightly, her icy blue eyes focused on him. "Do you have any criticisms of their methods?"
Jaune hesitated, then nodded. "I think if they were more organized, we could have done more damage. I understand I myself took independent action and left my charge, but I judged it was best if I could use my Paladin to lessen the Grimm."
Winter's lips twitched into the slightest grin. "I guess you're learning what it means to be a Huntsman, too, Lieutenant. Make no mistake, I won't criticize you for leaving your charge. Ms. Nikos is powerful and with Rose, Specialist Marrow, and the others with her she was safe. It was a fine judgement on your part."
Jaune's expression nodded in agreement. "Then, I'm glad you agree to it, Ma'am."
Winter's gaze softened slightly, her tone almost encouraging. "You've seen battle, Lieutenant. Like I said, your experience shouldn't be taken lightly. You have more experience in this matter, so I trust it was the right one. Be proud. You have saved a lot of lives by acting like a Huntsman, not just a soldier. Of course, I know you can follow orders, but having the title of Huntsman means you can also think outside of it when you deem it truly necessary."
Jaune blinked, then nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Specialist Schnee."
Winter nodded, a small smile gracing her features. "But I can see that soldier in you is still, even though you're now a Huntsman. We all need to know the balance. Dismiss."
It was hard. But Jaune knew that being able to do so would be the best.
"Thank you for the time, Ma'am," Jaune gave her a respectful salute, then left the office, walking down the halls of the academy, his eyes staying on the smoke still rising from Mantle.
