Part 1 of 3 of the Rusted Knight Rizzless Omake. It was supposed to be a oneshot, but I got weirdly invested in the drama of Jaune ending up in this world. I'll go to humor and the pure insanity of the Rizzless universe next chapter. Or I might do the V1 Jaune omake first. We'll see.
For anyone interested in making a commission, email me at: storylover543 gmail . com
Jaune opened his eyes and found himself staring at a cloudless blue sky. The sunlight was warm, gentle even, compared to the harsh, filtered glare of the Ever After that made his skin itch every time he took off his helmet. He blinked, squinting as his vision adjusted, and slowly pushed himself upright. Grass cushioned his palms, soft and real, not the strangely perfect textures of that demented world. For a moment, he just sat there, his mind spinning with disbelief.
He wasn't in the Ever After.
The realization was slow, hesitant, as if his body refused to trust what his eyes and hands were telling him. The Ever After had a way of bending reality, making him doubt every sensation, every decision. But here - this - felt solid. The scents of the world were vivid: damp earth, faintly sweet flowers, and the subtle tang of city air. He could even hear birds chirping. Real birds, not the mechanical or patchwork constructs of the Afterans. Or the birds that screamed words that made no sense to anyone but them.
Jaune's breath hitched. His heart pounded. His gaze swept the horizon, and there it was: the skyline of Vale, its iconic buildings standing tall and proud. The spires, the bustling markets visible even from this distance, the unmistakable hum of airships gliding overhead. It was alive. No rubble. No Grimm. No despair clawing at its edges like an inevitable tide. And floating over it like a sentinel keeping watch was Beacon, untouched and flawless like when he first laid his eyes on it.
For a split second, hope burned so brightly in his chest that it hurt.
He scrambled to his feet, shaky but refusing to fall, and brushed off the dirt clinging to his rusted armor. His mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. How? How was he here? The last thing he remembered was...just another day in that damned place. Keeping the Paper Pleasers from killing themselves (he refused to call it Ascending), then using what time he had left to find a way out for when team RWBY...when he finally saw them again.
His hand brushed the hilt of Crocea Mors at his side, and he gripped it tightly like a lifeline. His armor was still worn and battered - rusted - bearing the marks of battles fought and lost in the Ever After. A quick hand across his face confirmed that his face was just as ragged. He hadn't reverted to his younger self. He was still the Jaune who had spent years in that place, fighting battles he barely understood, trying and failing to hold onto his sanity.
He took a step forward, and then another, his legs shaking from both relief and residual exhaustion. His boots crunched against the gravel path as he made his way toward the city. His breath was shallow, disbelieving.
Vale shouldn't be here. It fell. He'd seen the city overrun with Grimm, its people scattered or dead. That was the truth of his Remnant. But this...this was impossible. This was the Vale of before.
Could it have been restored? Could the people have fought back and reclaimed it while he was trapped in the Ever After? But how long had he been gone? Time flowed differently there, he knew that, but for an entire city to be rebuilt like it never fell in the first place? It would have to be years. Decades, even. More than enough time for his friends to-
He stopped the thought in its tracks, clenching his jaw. He couldn't let his mind wander to them. Not yet. Not until he understood what was going on.
As he approached the city's edge, the familiar sights and sounds only deepened his confusion. People bustled about the streets, vendors hawked their wares, and children played in the shadow of the great walls. The guards at the gate barely gave him a second glance as he passed, their attention focused on managing the morning crowd. He almost wanted them to stop him - to question him - because at least then he'd have something concrete to latch onto.
But no. They didn't react. To them, he was just another traveler. Maybe a Huntsman given his armor, but nothing worth stopping over.
He wandered into the streets, each step feeling heavier than the last. Everywhere he looked, there were signs of life. Laughter echoed from a nearby cafe where patrons sipped drinks, their faces calm and untroubled. There was no fear in their eyes. No shadow of the Grimm looming over their shoulders.
Jaune's thoughts tumbled over themselves in chaotic spirals. How was this possible? How could Vale be so...normal? He half-expected the illusion to shatter at any moment, for Grimm to burst from the shadows and consume everything. But the minutes ticked by, and nothing happened. People smiled and waved to one another, the world continuing in serene ignorance of the chaos that had defined his life for so long.
He stopped in the middle of the street, his breath shallow as his thoughts pressed down on him 'This doesn't make sense. This doesn't make sense.' He was gripping Crocea Mors so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His chest ached, and for a moment, he feared it might burst from the weight of everything crashing down on him. He almost cried then and there. Was this a dream? If so, please Gods, never let him wake up again...
"Excuse me, sir," a voice interrupted, breaking through his spiraling thoughts. He turned to see an older woman with a kind smile, "You look a little lost. Are you alright?" Jaune stared at her for a moment, unsure how to respond. She looked so.. ordinary. Her eyes held none of the weariness he had come to expect from survivors. She wasn't wary, wasn't bracing for an attack. She was just...a person. A normal, living person. Not an Afteran or some talking animal that wanted to kill themselves, just...
"I..." He stopped, his voice rough from disuse. He cleared his throat and tried again, "I...yeah. I'm fine. Just...I've been away for a long time."
Her smile widened, and she nodded knowingly, "Ah, a traveler. Well, welcome back to Vale. I'm sure you'll find everything just the way you left it." The way he left it? The words echoed in his mind, clawing at his fragile grip on reality. He barely managed to mumble a thank-you as she walked away, her figure disappearing into the crowd. Jaune's legs felt like they might give out beneath him, but he forced himself to move. He needed answers. He needed to understand how this was possible.
The Ever After was gone. He wasn't trapped anymore. He was back in Remnant. Back in Vale.
But something was wrong. He could feel it. A wrongness just beneath the surface, like an itch he couldn't scratch. But for now, the relief of breathing air that didn't taste like madness drowned out the questions.
He was home.
Jaune's wandering eventually brought him to the bustling market district, where the scent of fresh bread and sizzling street food mingled with the din of chatter and laughter. For a moment, he allowed himself to take in the scene, tempted to buy something before he remembered he'd discarded his lien cards years ago. The familiarity of it all made his heart ache. It was like nothing had ever happened. Like the Grimm hadn't torn this place apart. Like Salem's endless war against humanity had never even touched Vale.
But the unease lingered. He needed answers.
As he rounded a corner, his gaze landed on a blonde woman leaning casually against a lamppost. She was tall and athletic, her striking appearance marking her as a Huntress even without the telltale gleam of her aura. Her armor, sleek and form-fitting, left little to the imagination, and she carried a short blade strapped to her thigh. Just the kind of impractical he remembered. Jaune's heart lifted slightly; here was someone who might understand. A fellow Huntsman. Maybe she could explain what had happened while he was gone.
He approached cautiously, raising a hand in greeting, "Excuse me- "
Her head snapped up, blue eyes locking onto his like a hawk spotting prey. For a moment, Jaune froze under her gaze, unsure if he'd somehow offended her, but then her lips curled into a sultry smile. She straightened, shifting her weight to one hip, and Jaune couldn't help but notice the exaggerated sway in her movements as she stepped closer, "Well, hello there," she purred, her voice low and dripping with intent, "Aren't you just the cutest thing I've seen all day?"
Jaune blinked, caught off guard at the sudden compliment. Cute? He hadn't looked cute in years... "Uh...thanks? Listen, I need to- "
"Oh, no need to thank me," she interrupted, her voice growing sweeter by the second, "But if you really want to, I can think of a few ways you could show your...appreciation."
Jaune frowned, confusion bubbling up alongside his unease, "Right...so, I was wondering if you could tell me what's been going on? The Grimm? Salem? Vale...falling? How-"
"Grimm? Salem?" she echoed dismissively, waving a hand as if brushing away his words, "Who cares about all that boring stuff? What matters is you and me, right here, right now."
Jaune blinked again. Was she serious? "But...this is important. I need to know what happened. How did Vale-"
"Shh," she cut him off, placing a finger against her own lips in what she probably thought was an alluring gesture, "You don't need to worry about any of that. Just relax." Her gaze dropped, trailing down his body in a way that made his skin crawl, "Why don't we...get to know each other better?"
Jaune took a small step back, instinctively gripping Crocea Mors. A part of him was tempted after years - maybe decades, he wasn't sure - of complete isolation, but he couldn't be distracted. He needed to know more, "I think there's been a misunderstanding- "
"Oh, there's no misunderstanding, sweetie," she cooed, stepping closer. Her fingers brushed his pauldron, lingering far longer than necessary, "You're a handsome guy, all alone in the big city. I'm just offering to...keep you company. You know, help you unwind." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Why don't you whip it out right here? No one's looking," she said, completely ignoring the fact that people were literally looking and rolling their eyes. A few guys muttered 'poor bastard' under their breaths.
Jaune's mind screeched to a halt, "What?!"
She grinned, tilting her head playfully, "Come on, don't be shy. You're obviously packing something good under all that armor. Let's just take a peek. I promise I'll make it worth your while." The words hung in the air like an absurd punchline. For a moment, Jaune could do nothing but gape at her, his brain scrambling to process what she'd just said. Was this a joke? A test? Some bizarre new way of interrogating people in Vale?
"I- no, what?" he stammered, taking another step back.
Her smile faltered slightly, desperation creeping into her expression, "Oh, don't be like that! I'm not asking for much, am I? Just a little peek, that's all! You're a man, aren't you? Big, strong, capable..." Her voice grew more frantic as she leaned forward, forcing Jaune to take another step back, "You're not like the others, I can tell! You can handle me!"
"I'm not a- what is wrong with you?!" Jaune blurted, finally putting some distance between them. His confusion and discomfort were rapidly morphing into outright panic. This was not the conversation he'd expected to have.
"What's wrong with me?!" she countered, her tone growing sharper, "What's wrong with you?! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I found a guy like you? Do you know how rare this is? And you're just... backing away like a coward? Come on, don't make me beg!"
She stepped forward again, and Jaune instinctively reached for his sword, not to attack but to create some kind of barrier between them, "Lady, I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm not interested! I just need answers!"
Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she looked genuinely offended, "Oh, you're not interested?" she repeated mockingly, "What, you think you're too good for me? Is that it?"
Jaune threw up his hands, exasperated, "I don't even know you!"
"And whose fault is that?!" she snapped, throwing her arms wide in frustration, "You're the one running away instead of giving me a chance!"
"I...I'm leaving " Jaune shook his head, deciding he'd had enough. He turned on his heel and began walking briskly away, his heart pounding in his chest. Behind him, he could hear her calling out, her voice laced with desperation.
"Come on, don't be like that! We can make it work! Just...Just tell me where you're staying, and I'll stop by later! Please!" Jaune didn't look back. He didn't trust himself not to yell something he'd regret. Instead, he pushed through the crowd, ignoring the confused stares of passersby who had undoubtedly witnessed the exchange. His thoughts swirled with disbelief and alarm. This wasn't the Vale he spent a year in. Not by a longshot.
Jaune walked aimlessly through the cobbled roads, his thoughts a storm of confusion and disbelief. The bustling streets, the lively market stalls, and the cheerful chatter of the people - it was all too much to process. Every sight and sound felt like a ghost of a memory, hauntingly familiar yet wrong. The city was bustling and alive, but the context didn't match what he remembered. The people were carefree, the atmosphere unmarred by fear, and there was no sign of the Grimm that had once plagued every corner of Remnant.
He clutched Crocea Mors tightly, the weight of the blade grounding him as his mind struggled to make sense of it all. The strange encounter with the overly familiar Huntress earlier had only deepened his confusion. She ignored his questions entirely, and the way she acted was...odd. Was something wrong with Vale? Or was it him? Maybe...Maybe things just changed in the years he'd been gone? Hell, maybe she was just a weirdo?
As he turned down a quieter street, his gaze landed on a familiar figure standing near a cafe. Snow white hair tied in a side ponytail, a flawless white dress, and heels that didn't do much to hide how short she was. Jaune stopped, his breath catching in his throat. Could it be? Was it really her? He walked forward slowly, hands shaking and legs wobbly. It had to be her...right? "Weiss!" he called, his voice trembling with raw emotion.
The woman - Weiss - turned, looking up at him with those icy blue eyes he used to love. Her expression shifted in an instant from confusion to...something Jaune couldn't quite place. Her cheeks flushed a deep pink as she stared at him, her looking up and down his tall, armored frame. A sharp intake of breath betrayed her composure, and her lips parted slightly.
He barely noticed her reaction as he strode up to her, his hand reaching out, "Thank the gods you're here!" he said, his voice thick with relief, "I can't believe it! It's really you! I thought I'd never see anyone again. I thought...I thought I was alone."
Without waiting for a response, he pulled her into a firm hug, his arms wrapping around her with the desperation of a man who had endured far too much. Juniper did her best to be his companion, but was it wrong for him to think that seeing Weiss - seeing everyone - again was worth separating forever? "You have no idea how much it means to see someone I recognize," he murmured, his voice cracking slightly, "After everything...after all this time...I'm just so glad you're okay."
Weiss stiffened for a moment, her hands hovering awkwardly in the air, but then she relaxed - no, melted - into his embrace. Her face, now a brilliant shade of red, was twisted into an expression of flustered delight. Her breathing hitched, and her hands slowly settled on his chest, her fingers tentatively brushing the cold, hard metal of his armor.
An older man - grizzled, handsome, mysterious - was holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. His deep, gravelly voice, his heartfelt words, his strong arms enveloping her...it was everything she'd dreamed of and more when she read those tasteful novels. Her heart raced as she tried to process what was happening, but her mind was already leaping ahead to...possibilities. Very, very intimate possibilities.
"Weiss...it's me, Jaune. I...I know I look different, but it's still me!"
"Oh," she breathed, her voice shaky and embarrassingly high-pitched for someone of of her stature "Oh my, um...y-you're so...warm?" She winced internally at her own awkwardness but couldn't help herself. Her thighs pressed together involuntarily and she leaned just a little closer, savoring the way his embrace felt. Every other man she'd tried to charm had ran for the hills. And yet here this man was, hugging her like she was a queen. It almost made her faint.
What did he say his name was? John? She'd be screaming it later.
The man pulled back slightly, his hands resting on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes, "Are you alright? Is Vale alright? What happened while I was gone? The Grimm, Salem-"
She barely registered his words, too busy trying to keep her composure. His hands were still on her shoulders. His big, strong, calloused hands. His voice was so earnest, so serious, and that look in his eyes; gods, she was going to pass out. She had to keep him talking. She had to keep him, "Oh, Vale is...fine," she said quickly, her voice trembling with poorly concealed excitement. She had no idea what he was talking about, but that didn't matter, "We're all fine. But you, you look like you've been through so much." Her hands slid from his chest to his arms, feeling the firm muscle beneath the armor, "You must be so...tired. You need to rest."
The man shook his head, his looking at her with that tired but handsome face. Oh, she wanted to run her hands through that beard, "I'll rest once I understand what's happening. Please, tell me; how did you survive? How did Vale...?"
"Oh, you poor, sweet man," she interrupted, her voice thick with a honeyed tone. She remembered the words the noblewoman said to the haggard knight in her favorite novel, "You've been carrying so much for so long. You need somewhere quiet to relax." Her hands tightened around his arm, and she gently tugged at him, "Come with me. I know the perfect place, away from prying eyes. Let me take care of you."
Jaune blinked, his mind still racing, "Quiet? I mean, I guess it'd be good to sit down and talk-"
"Yes, yes, exactly!" she said, her voice growing more desperate as she began to steer him toward a side street, "A nice, private place where we can...talk. Just the two of us." She wouldn't be using her mouth to talk. Oh no, she'd be chocking on his cock and swallowing his seed before the hour was done.
The man nodded absently, looking relieved. Her quim clenched at the look he gave her, "That sounds good. I've got so many questions. I need to know how Vale recovered, where everyone else is, and-"
"Yes, yes, all your questions," she said hurriedly, her grip tightening as she quickened her pace. Her cheeks were practically glowing now, and her breathing had turned shallow, "We'll discuss...everything. Don't you worry. I'll take care of everything."
Jaune took a deep breath and allowed himself to be led, the weight of his exhaustion finally starting to catch up with him. He barely noticed the way her eyes darted around, scanning for anyone who might interrupt, or the way her steps faltered every time she sneaked another glance at his rugged features, "Just a little further," she whispered. Her voice wavered with something he couldn't place as they approached a nondescript building with a discreet sign over the door, "I promise, you'll feel so much better once we're inside."
He nodded absently, still lost in his thoughts, "Yeah...that sounds good."
Jaune allowed Weiss to guide him down the street towards the buildings. His emotions remained a tangled mess of relief and confusion. The comforting familiarity of her presence was a lifeline in the chaos of his thoughts. Even if things felt wrong, Weiss being here made it easier to believe that maybe everything could still be okay. She was here, Vale was still standing, and people didn't live in fear. That meant something good had to have happened, right? Especially since she didn't look much older - or any older, really - than when he last saw her.
Maybe it was only him who had to suffer. He could live with that.
They were only a few steps from the door when a sharp, venomous, and familiar voice cut through the air, "Do you even understand how lucky you are?" the voice sneered, "I don't have time for excuses. You're going to give me what I want."
Jaune froze mid-step, his heart skipping a beat as he turned toward the sound. His eyes locked onto the figure leaning against the counter of a newsstand. Tall and striking, with jet-black hair and piercing amber eyes that glinted with dangerous intensity. Her outfit was as elaborate as ever, and her commanding posture sent a chill down Jaune's spine. Across from her on the counter, a young man shrunk back in fear and held a spray bottle like a lifeline.
Cinder Fall.
His breath hitched, his mind immediately consumed by memories. The destruction of Beacon, the agony of Pyrrha's death, the relentless years of pain and loss...all of it tied back to her. She was the one who started it all. She was the one who had torn his world apart. Whatever confusion he had was replaced with hot, burning rage.
She looked different. Both eyes were intact, and there was no sign of the Grimm arm that had marked her in the past. But Jaune didn't care. She was here, alive, and she was terrorizing someone else. Another victim of her schemes. His grip tightened on Crocea Mors as his vision blurred with fury.
"CINDER!" he roared, his voice echoing through the street.
Weiss stopped in her tracks, startled by the sudden shift in his tone, "What? John, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion. But Jaune didn't answer. His gaze was locked on Cinder, and he unsheathed his broken blade in one smooth motion.
Cinder turned at the sound of his voice, eyes narrowing in confusion as she saw him approach. For a moment, her lips parted as if to speak, but then her expression shifted to something that could only be described as intrigued amusement. Jaune didn't wait for her to speak. He charged, his blade slashing through the air with furious precision, "You'll pay for everything you've done!" he snarled, his voice shaking with rage.
The monster's eyes widened, but she twisted gracefully out of the way at the last second, her movements fluid and practiced. Her confusion lingered for only a heartbeat before a sly smile spread across her face, "Oh my," she purred, her tone laced with amusement, "I didn't realize I'd made such an impression."
"Stop pretending you don't know me!" Jaune snapped, slashing at her again. The people around them screamed and ran away, but it came in one ear and out the other, "You're not getting away this time, Cinder! You're mine!"
Cinder sidestepped his strike, her grin widening, "Bold and handsome," she said, her voice taking on a teasing lilt, "I have to admit, I like a man who knows what he wants."
Weiss's jaw dropped as she stared at the scene unfolding in front of her. For a moment, she was too stunned to react, "Jaune! What are you doing?!" she finally cried, running after him. She grabbed at his arm, trying to pull him back, "Stop! What's wrong with you?"
"She's dangerous!" Jaune growled, shaking Weiss off as he pressed forward, "You know what she is, Weiss! Help me!"
Weiss stumbled slightly but quickly regained her footing, her confusion giving way to frustration, "Dangerous?! She's just standing there, you lunatic!" Her cheeks flushed with irritation, "Do you have any idea how rude this is?! Just...come with me and ignore her!" Ignore her?! Jaune looked at her in frustrated confusion. This was the woman who'd nearly KILLED her back in Haven! But now, Weiss was acting like her being here was no big deal!
Cinder giggled softly, sidestepping another attack with infuriating ease, "Oh, don't blame him, darling," she said, looking at Weiss with a playful smirk, "He's just passionate. I find it rather flattering, actually." Her gaze flicked back to Jaune, her tone dripping with feigned innocence, "I'm sorry, have we met before? Or are you always this forward?"
"Shut up!" Jaune shouted, his blade slashing toward her again, "You're not fooling anyone, Cinder! I know exactly who you are!"
Cinder dodged effortlessly, twirling away as though it were all a game, "Oh, I love a good mystery," she teased, "You're so serious. So intense. Tell me, do you always introduce yourself with a sword?"
Weiss stormed closer, her fists clenched, "Cinder, stop flirting! And Jaune, stop attacking her! What's wrong with you?!" She grabbed his arm again, tugging furiously, "Do you have any idea how badly you're ruining our moment?! Let's go!"
Jaune barely heard her, his fury blinding him to everything but the woman in front of him, "Stay out of this, Weiss!" he snapped, his voice raw with emotion, "She's a killer. A monster. She doesn't deserve mercy. And if you're not gonna help me, then get out of my way!"
Cinder tilted her head, her grin turning predatory, "Oh, my knight in shining armor," she said softly, her tone equal parts mockery and allure, "If this is how you treat a girl you hate, I can't imagine how you'd treat someone you like." She licked her lips, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Weiss's face turned crimson, her frustration boiling over, "Cinder, will you stop being weird for five seconds?! Jaune, you are not killing anyone in the middle of the street! And you are certainly not ruining my moment for no reason!" He ignored her protests, his focus remaining locked on Cinder. His broken blade gleamed in the sunlight as he prepared for another strike, his fury undiminished. Cinder's grin widened, her stance shifting in anticipation.
Jaune's blade swung through the air again, a furious blur as he drove Cinder back step by step. She dodged each strike with a mixture of graceful twirls and mocking giggles, her amusement only stoking the fire of his anger. Weiss was shouting behind him, her voice a mix of outrage and desperation, but Jaune tuned her out. He had one focus, one goal: to end this monster before she could hurt anyone else and watch the life fade from her eyes.
"You're relentless," Cinder teased, ducking under another slash. Her grin was infuriatingly wide, "But I can't help but notice you're missing every time. Getting rusty, aren't we?"
"Hold still!" Jaune snarled, his blade narrowly missing her again as she danced away.
"Why would I?" she purred, her amber eyes gleaming, "You're much more fun when you're worked up."
Jaune's teeth clenched as his broken blade whistled through the air once more, only for Cinder to sidestep again with infuriating ease. This wasn't a game. This wasn't some playful spar. How could she act like this after everything she'd done? His grip tightened, his rage boiling over. He wanted her dead!
And then, finally, his blade connected.
The dull, metallic clang of the strike landing reverberated through the street. It wasn't a clean hit, more of a glancing blow to her torso, but it was enough to make Cinder stagger back with a gasp. Her playful grin faltered, her expression flickering between shock and something bordering on genuine surprise as her Aura flared in response.
Weiss froze mid-yell, her wide eyes darting between Cinder and Jaune, "Jaune!" she shrieked, her voice high with panic, "What are you doing?! You're going to kill her!"
Cinder blinked at Jaune, one hand lightly touching the spot where his blade had struck her. Her usual composure wavered, replaced by an almost incredulous look, "You actually hit me," she murmured, her tone laced with disbelief, "No one ever-"
She didn't get to finish the thought. Her expression hardened, and her hand shot forward, wreathed in flame as she lashed out. The strike was quick, her open palm crashing into Jaune's chest with enough force to send most people flying.
But Jaune didn't fly. He barely staggered.
The impact made his armor creak and sent a jolt through his body, but his Aura absorbed the brunt of the blow. He stood firm, his eyes locked on Cinder with unrelenting fury. Her eyes widened, genuine shock flashing across her face. Weiss let out a small, startled gasp.
"What the-" Cinder started, her confident smirk completely gone as she took a wary step back. Her eyes darted to his chest, then back to his face, as though trying to process what she'd just seen. Jaune didn't give her time to recover. He surged forward with a roar, closing the distance between them in a single step. His broken blade clattered to the pavement as he grabbed her by the neck with both hands.
Cinder's lips parted, a startled sound escaping her as she found herself lifted off the ground with shocking ease, "Wait,what are you-?!" Jaune didn't wait. His grip tightened, and with a burst of raw strength fueled by years of pain and anger, he slammed her down into the pavement with enough force to crack the stone beneath her.
The sound of the impact echoed through the street, silencing everything around them. Dust and debris scattered as Cinder hit the pavement, her shocked expression frozen in place as she lay beneath him, her hair fanned out around her.
He loomed over Cinder, his breath ragged, his fury an unrelenting storm. He tightened his grip on her neck, ready to end this once and for all. And then, with her face half-pressed into the cracked pavement, Cinder let out a breathless giggle, "Harder, Daddy," she purred, her voice still teasing and sultry despite the damage she took.
Jaune froze, his grip loosening slightly in sheer disbelief. What? His eyes widened, his fury momentarily derailed by the sheer absurdity of what he'd just heard. "What the hell...?"
Before he could fully process her words, something struck his shoulder from behind. A sharp impact, followed by a faint burning sensation. He staggered slightly, twisting to see where it had come from. A bullet had grazed his armor, the metal plating protecting him from the worst of the damage. He looked up, his eyes narrowing as a trio of women approached, weapons drawn. Huntresses.
"Let her go!" one of them screamed, her voice shrill with panic. Her rifle was still raised, the barrel trained directly on him. Another Huntress, dual-wielding curved blades, rushed forward, her expression a mix of fear and outrage.
Jaune growled, his teeth grinding together, 'They're protecting her?' His mind reeled, unable to comprehend why Huntresses - heroes, defenders of the people - would side with Cinder Fall, of all people. 'She's manipulated them. She has to be controlling them somehow.' There was no other explanation. He knew everything was too perfect. He knew. The Ever After taught him that.
His knuckles tightened around Cinder's neck as she looked up at him, eyes dancing with amusement despite her position. "Oh, my knight," she cooed softly, her lips curling into a sly grin. "You've caused quite the scene. I didn't know you were so... possessive."
Jaune's growl deepened, his fury flaring hotter. "Shut up," he snapped, his voice cold and low. "You're not escaping."
One of the Huntresses lunged at him, her blades flashing in the sunlight. Jaune released Cinder and sidestepped the attack, his hand reaching for Crocea Mors on the ground. He swung the broken blade upward, the force of his parry sending the attacker stumbling back.
"Stand down!" another Huntress shouted, her weapon crackling with electricity. "You're outnumbered!"
He didn't care. All reason had left him. If they wanted to protect Cinder, they were his enemies too. These weren't his allies. These weren't his friends. And Cinder wasn't going to escape. Not this time. Not after everything she'd done. He raised his blade, his eyes hard and unyielding, "If you want to stop me," he said, his voice a low, dangerous growl, "Then come and try."
Jaune's blade moved with relentless precision as he clashed with the trio of Huntresses. Their movements were swift and calculated, their coordination evident in the way they attempted to surround him. He parried one blade with the remnants of Crocea Mors, the impact ringing through the air as his legs tensed, ready to spring back into action. The rifle-wielding Huntress fired another shot, but he pivoted, his Aura flaring as he absorbed the impact and kept going.
They were tough. Trained Huntresses with Aura just like him. Each strike he landed didn't send them sprawling but forced them to stumble back, their protective Aura flickering with each blow. It was a shocking change of pace from the Jabberwalker and other monsters from the Ever After. They retaliated fiercely, their own strikes aiming to overpower him, but Jaune's years of experience shone through. He absorbed their hits with his Aura, gritting his teeth against the force, and struck back harder.
One Huntress, the one dual-wielding curved blades, charged forward again, her strikes a flurry of steel. Jaune blocked and countered, his broken sword catching both her blades before he delivered a heavy kick to her midsection. She staggered back, clutching her stomach, her Aura flaring to absorb the damage. Another blow to her face knocked her to the ground, her Aura sputtering out. He might not have had finesse, but he did have strength.
The rifle-wielding Huntress aimed carefully, her weapon crackling with an electric charge. Jaune ducked under the bolt of energy, closing the distance between them in a flash. His fist slammed into her shoulder, knocking her weapon from her grasp, and she stumbled but didn't fall. She swung at him instead, her unarmed strike connecting with his ribs, but Jaune gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain, delivering a solid punch to her jaw that finally sent her reeling.
The last Huntress darted in from behind, her blade slashing toward him with practiced precision. Jaune parried the blow, the sound of clashing steel almost deafening. She spun around, aiming for his side, but he caught her wrist mid-swing and twisted, forcing her to drop the weapon. A quick elbow strike to her side sent her staggering away, her Aura flashing dimly. A slash across her back turned her Aura to nothing and she crumples to the ground with her teammates.
By the time the fight was over, all three Huntresses were on the ground, bruised and battered, their Aura spent. They groaned in pain, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
"H-He has Aura! I saw it!" one cried, her voice trembling as she clutched her ribs.
"That's impossible!" another shouted, wincing as she tried to sit up. "Guys don't have Aura!"
Jaune heard their words but dismissed them as nonsense. His chest heaved with exertion, his blade still at the ready as he turned back toward Cinder. She was still lying on the pavement where he'd slammed her earlier, her grin as infuriating as ever. She looked at him in amusement despite the cracks in the ground beneath her. "Oh, my knight," she purred, her voice breathless yet teasing. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"
Jaune's jaw tightened, his grip on Crocea Mors firm. He raised the broken blade, his focus locked on her. This time, I finish this.
Before he could take a step, Weiss's voice cut through the chaos. "This is NOT how this was supposed to go!" she shrieked, her voice high with frustration. Her hands clutched at her hair, her face flushed with fury. "John! What are you doing?! Stop ruining this!" Jaune ignored her, his eyes still fixed on Cinder. Whatever Weiss thought was happening didn't matter. He had one goal, and nothing was going to stop him now. He raised his blade higher, ready to deliver the final blow.
But then, without warning, he was yanked off his feet by an unseen force. He gasped as he was flipped upside down, his arms and legs flailing as his blade slipped from his grasp and clattered to the pavement below.
"What the?!"
"Enough."
The calm, authoritative voice froze him in place. Even as he struggled, Jaune's gaze darted around until he was turned to face its source.
Professor Glynda Goodwitch stood a few steps away, her posture as commanding as ever. Her riding crop rested at her side, and her eyes narrowed into a piercing glare. The faint glow of her Semblance surrounded him, holding him aloft like a ragdoll, "You," she said, her tone sharp and unyielding, "Have a great deal of explaining to do."
Jaune's fury briefly gave way to confusion and apprehension. This wasn't the reunion he'd expected. Or wanted. But as Weiss screamed in the background and Cinder smiled up at him with maddening delight, one thing was certain: today was only going to get worse.
Poor Jaune. Ends up in a world where everything is actually kinda okay (cringe thirst aside) but still has to deal with that pesky PTSD and trauma. Next chapter he'll have to deal with thirsty Huntresses gooning en masse since he's the only guy with Aura.
Wanna help support me (and gain access to chapters a couple of weeks early)? Then check out the link below:
P a treon . com (slash) Vendetta543