Based on the song 'Blue Bird' by Ikimonogakari, commonly known as Naruto Shippuden's third opening. Featured near the end of the chapter, you'll see it when you do!
The Bird (Initiation, Part 2)
They still had time in the Initiation. Other students were finally closing in, defeating the outer rim of the Atlas Knights as Akane and Kelly were stuck in the centre of the brawl.
And yet neither seemed to notice. And in response, the stakes only continued to rise.
"…At this rate, the Huntsmen will be forced to step in." Ruby commented silently. It wasn't that the other students had arrived later than expected; no, it was Akane and Kelly who had upped the ante more than they had imagined. Their fierce desires and burning fighting prowess had pushed the Atlas Knight's algorithms further and further…
And as such, it was actually getting serious, even more so the longer their conflict – both with mutually shared enemies and with each other – continued.
And if the Huntsmen 'civilians' really did have to step in... then the Initiation as a whole would then be considered a failure. Because then, the chance they had of evaluating them all fairly would be cast to the wind.
"Mister Redslinger seems to be arriving at the scene soon." Doctor Oobleck commented, looking at their resident cowboy tying and shooting the Atlas Knights away from his path. And more so, all around the village, the students were beginning to get closer with each other… "Perhaps calmer heads will help our strongest two prospects to stand down."
…for Akane and Kelly continued to clash and fight with everything, raising the skill ceiling of the Knights higher and higher…
"I… I don't think we'll have the time for that." Pyrrha pointed out. She pointed to her protégé on the screens… "Kelly's already at her breaking point…!"
"GAH! Why can't you just understand, you little brat?!" Kelly complained. "This is all just a ploy – stop thinking it's real and help me!"
"I'm not letting you leave these people to die!" Akane shouted back. "What kind of Huntress are you?!"
"The one with too much to lose!" Kelly shouted back. "Wake up from whatever little fairy tale you've got in your head and cover for me so I can pass, little girl!"
"I'M NOT A LITTLE GIRL!" Akane howled. She slammed her fist through an Atlas Knight and roared, striking even more. "And it doesn't matter if it's Initiation or not! A Huntress always protects those who need it!"
"Not at the cost of their own life!" Kelly shouted back. "What use is winning a battle when you're dead?! When you don't get to savour it and leave everyone hurting?! Sometimes sacrifices need to be made. Sometimes loss is inevitable – what matters is that you win in the end!"
"This isn't sacrifice, this is giving up!" Akane shouted. "I won't run away – I won't be like you!"
"Naïve girl!" Kelly shouted – this girl knew nothing about loss! She had lost her brother, all because he had been insistent and stupid, and now her entire family was thrown int grief. Even more people were too, because he lost, because he died. She had to succeed, for she would be the one to drag her family out of that pit. She refused to repeat that mistake again!
"STUPID BITCH!" Akane yelled back. How could a Huntress be this cold?! Their entire purpose was to protect those who needed it. Sure, she didn't agree with sacrificing her own life, but Uncle always found a way. He always did, and he never ran from those who needed saving. She just had to stick to her guns, and eventually a way will show itself!
Kelly's eyebrow twitched again, and she snapped.
So, this was her partner?
Then screw her!
This Akane girl just didn't matter.
All that mattered was her, and proving those she loved that she was stronger. That she was worthy, that she won't repeat his mistakes. That they could love him, that they could cherish him…
But her brother was gone, as much as she loved him herself. And now, she would heal her family by proving that they could move on.
With a grunt, Kelly swung her sword around her, eliminating the ever-improving Atlas Knights, and took off without a second glance. All to find the secret herself.
Akane watched with wide eyes as her 'partner' simply ran past all those Knights – not even fighting them, just wading through.
S-she just left her! Her so-called partner, just up and left the village-!
BRRRRT!
Akane flinched when she heard the sounds of Atlas Knights' guns. Her mind immediately set back to the task at hand with a snap; it didn't matter if she was weaponless, partnerless, and all alone. There were people that needed protecting, a job she needed to do.
Akane turned to the villagers behind her, standing within their homes and peeking out with worry.
She gave them a shaky smile. "Don't worry… I'll get us through this!"
More and more knights approached – and it seemed that even with one of their opponents having already fled, that didn't mean that they lessened their efforts. One of the villagers stepped out from their door with concern, a hand reaching out, "Kid-!"
But Akane only flashed him a thumbs up before she was already gone in a blur of red.
The villager – in actuality, a Huntsman by the name of Rouge Pearl – cursed as the little girl fought this wave of Atlas Knights all alone. From the corner of his eye, he could see his colleagues look on with worry as this little girl took on the enemy all by herself, pushing her limit all to make sure that not even one of the Knights ever stepped foot near them.
And most worrying of all, how the Knights were already now well past the intended threshold.
Rouge shared one last look with his fellow 'villagers', and they all nodded at the same time.
"Hey, kid, listen!" Rouge shouted out. He could just barely see the kid – Akane – stop briefly and turn to him, before dodging an attack and slamming her elbow to a Knight, destroying it instantly.
She huffed, sweat beading down her brow, but still turned to him with a smile. "Don't worry, Mister! I've… got… it all… *huff* under control!"
That desperate smile… it was all the man needed.
The secret of the Initiation was a well-kept one, something that the pretend villagers kept with silent judgment. If the person protecting them had been honest and truly believed in the cause, then they would eventually give it to them, proving a true protector's heart. It also would be given if they asked and properly explained a worthy plan, showing a calm head in the right place.
But it would never be given if one's intentions had been impure, had been only to prove oneself.
They had seen the shine in Kelly's eyes when she arrived. She wasn't an evil person, far from it, yet it was clear that this Initiation was merely a means to an end for her.
And while Akane perhaps believed in the Initiation too much, she also stayed behind to protect them instead of fleeing with her partner. They couldn't not reward that… not when this was perhaps the only way to save the entire Initiation process.
The Atlas Knights had simply gotten too strong. There was no way for the other students to reach her and this little village now, the swarm simply too thick.
And despite the harshness of the test, they did want them all to succeed. They weren't cruel because they wanted to; it was because they needed to be.
And now, the only way the students could graduate was by finding the secret as soon as possible. And as such, these 'villagers' would inform Akane of this secret, and once she was gone, they would cast aside their disguises and clear up the rest of the Knights.
Hopefully by then, Akane would've already reached her partner and shut them all down anyways.
And so, with that in mind and a shared agreement with all his colleagues, Rouge turned to Akane and gave her the bone.
"Kid! The secret… it's a kill-switch for all the Knights!"
Akane paused, and Rouge quickly continued.
"You'll find it all the way at the back, within the cliffs! It should be hidden beneath an old Deathstalker's cave, you'll see the bright lights shining inside from a mile away! Get there and turn it off so you can save us!"
Akane stopped in her tracks. Rouge shared a smile with his colleagues as they saw the gears in Akane's head turn…
Good. This way, the Initiation would be saved, and the one they deemed worthy could continue. This was a golden ticket, and the girl had earned it. Who in their right mind would pass up a chance to be the star of the entire year?
Now, all Akane needed to do was leave them, and then they could all wrap this up-!
But then, Akane shook her head sadly and gave them all a bittersweet smile.
"Sorry." Akane said softly, "But I'm not leaving you guys all alone."
Rouge and the others felt their breaths catch. W-what…?
"I don't care if this is Initiation or not." Akane said, "I don't… I can't risk it. You better tell someone else wen they get here, 'cause I'm not leaving you guys here defenceless."
"M-Miss Enko-!"
And yet Akane was already gone in a flash, engaging the Knights again with renewed spirit. But not renewed Aura.
Rouge cursed. The other students couldn't get here in time, that was the entire point! And Akane was already being worn down, her Aura dwindling, and with no weapons, that only exacerbated the fact!
Desperately, Rouge turned towards the others and shared another nod.
Rouge pressed a hand to his ear, silently pressing a hidden earpiece.
"Headmaster Ozpin, this year's a bust. We've got no choice but to move in."
A long silence stretched, the only sound being of those Knights being crushed by Akane. And after what seemed like a thousand years of silence… static finally stopped.
"…Do what you need to do." Ozpin sighed from the other end.
Rouge nodded and signalled his colleagues. This Initiation was a bust. They had to blow their cover if they even hoped to still be able to score and judge this in the end, salvaging the records. Silently, they grabbed their hidden weapons and readied themselves. They had to move when the time was right, swift and deadly but keeping Miss Enko safe.
And yet…
They all saw with wonder and shock as Akane kept pushing and pushing and pushing. Even as she tired, even as her Aura was getting lower by the millisecond, she never let a single Atlas Knight get even close to the 'villagers'.
But they had to end this now. Rogue took a step forwards and drew his weapon, a dual hatchet with glowing red ends. Together, he and his colleagues approached the fight with concern on their face. "Hey, kid, it's going to be okay! Stand down, we'll handle this-!"
"No! Stay back!" Akane shouted still. They froze at the tone, at the desperation laced in her voice, and when she turned back and looked at them…
…They noticed her eyes were hazy. Lost in memory, not fully coherent to the present. Not even realizing that the 'villagers' she protected now had Aura of their own, weapons in their hands and were ready to fight with her.
And yet, that single pause was enough for a Knight to slam a hammer right on Akane's head.
CRACK!
With a sickening sound, Akane slumped to the forest floor with her eyes closed and a bleeding wound tinting her blonde hair red.
"SHIT!" Rouge leaped forwards and engaged the Knights, his friends following suit. They engaged the Knights with haste, panic seizing their hearts as even then their enemies continued to swarm. "Abort, abort! Keep the kid safe!"
They formed a circle around the student, and yet all had their hands occupied in keeping her away from the Knights.
Not one had the time to check on her, not when they were surrounded. Not when the Knights kept getting stronger in response… launching into their full power.
Sure, a single Knight would never be a match for a Huntsman, not to mention squads of them. But a whole ocean of Knights? If they came in never-ending waves?
The saying 'quantity over quality' existed for a reason.
And as the fight continued, as the staff from Ozpin to Pyrrha to Ruby scrambled to turn the Knights off…
Akane's mind, though unconscious, went to overdrive. Her desperate need for strength, her desire to save those who needed it… it continued and motivated her psyche.
Even as the battle raged around her, a memory began to surface within…
Akane couldn't sleep.
She knew that it was probably natural. The day had been hard on everyone, and especially with the revelations of a Grimm queen…
Walking through Haven in a haze, she set out to find the person she was closest with. Mister Jaune had left her in her room after the battle, saying that he needed to address some people or something like that, and that he'd be back as soon as possible.
But that was hours ago. She was sleepy, and while she wasn't all that unfamiliar with the idea of sleeping alone…
…Tonight, just tonight, she couldn't do it. She needed someone to hold on to, someone to hug her… someone to keep the monsters away.
And it was with that fear, holding her blanket close as what remained of Haven bustled around her even in midnight, that she searched for Mister Jaune.
Akane walked everywhere, and yet she couldn't find him. That didn't make sense, he had told her he wasn't leaving Haven! Just where could Mister Jaune be…?
Akane continued her search. And as she stumbled around, eventually the crowd began to thin. She found herself walking towards the one place she hadn't checked… the library.
And as she made her tentative steps in, it was with a silent gasp that she found Mister Jaune… unconscious with his head against books of fairy tales. His mind shut down as it needed some much needed rest, his breathing heavy as his body whimpered.
And like that, time passed. Akane quickly hid behind several books and peered from the sides, crushed at seeing her – she wasn't sure what he was yet, but she knew he was her protector – as tired and scared as she was… and yet, with that book where his head laid, it was clear that he was trying his best to make sure that she, that everyone else, was safe for the upcoming battle of Salem.
"Mister Jaune…" Akane whispered. She took tentative steps out of her hiding place, but eeped out when another person entered the room.
That new person put down a steaming cup of hot chocolate for Jaune, and with a gentle hand, shook her protector up.
"Ngh..." Akane watched as Jaune opened his eyes and slowly woke up. He rubbed his eyes and looked at his surroundings, the sun having set and the library now on "Ah... how long was I out...?"
"Almost 10 hours."
Jaune looked at the person who sat before him, the one who had prepared all of this for him. "Sun…"
"Don't sweat it. All of us need some rest after yesterday." In his hands, Sun had taken the took the thick book that Jaune had been reading over: Fairy Tales of Remnant, it read on its spine.
"T-thanks." Jaune stuttered. He took a sip of the chocolate, his body shivering in its warmth; he hadn't realized he had been that cold. "A-any… find anything?"
"Some things." Sun replied. He flipped a page, one that Jaune saw he himself had been reading earlier, and hummed. "We – that's me and Neptune –tried to go through what you were doing before you passed out. Most if it was just rehashing, but… we did find something interesting."
"And what is it?"
"It's this." Sun laid the book on the table and spun it for Jaune to see. As the knight did, he looked at the sections that had been marked, all as Sun narrated both their thoughts.
"Four relics. Four Kingdoms. Four members in a team." Sun said. "Seems like a lot of four going on. We already have one here in Haven. But what can lead us to the Ever After? And what can the other relics do?"
"Yeah… I've been thinking about that too." Jaune muttered. "The one here is Knowledge. Cinder doesn't know the rest, and we're all sure that Salem will come knocking sooner or later. We need to act quickly. We need to get to the Ever After. But how…?"
Sun closed his eyes. "You… you're not going to like the answer to that, Jaune.
Jaune paused, and Akane shifted behind her hiding spot. Her protector looked at Sun, and even she could see his pained expression, his grief and sorrow.
And Jaune immediately felt guilty. Sun had lost half his team, and Neptune was still going around in crutches. Many others in Haven suffered similar losses, not to mention some civilians who got caught in the crossfire.
That must be why they were so sad. They had survived, sure, but he had failed in leading them all to a bloodless victory. They were still grieving, hurting, and here he was making them take up his slack.
He should've been better.
"I- I'm sorry…"
"No. No you're missing the point." Sun said.
Wait, he was?
"Tell me, after reading this – all of this, did you get what the Ever After means?"
"No. There's no mention of it anywhere… I was assuming that's why we need the relics…" Jaune shrunk in on himself. They had every right to question him; and he appreciated the way they still cared, the way that they prepared all this for him…
But Sun saw the way Jaune was cowering in again and knew that he had to make his point clear.
"We don't blame you for all this, Jaune."
Jaune looked up with shocked eyes. "Y-you don't…?"
"Some of us do; that's the nature of grief. But we'd be angrier if you didn't warn us."
"But I..."
"But nothing." Sun stressed. "Listen to me. Listen to what I have to say, or I won't be telling you anything about what I found."
Jaune narrowed his eyes. "That's not fair."
And Akane couldn't help but agree; why was a friend dangling something over another's head? It wasn't right…
But Sun merely sighed. "Life isn't." he said sorrowfully. "Jaune... I don't blame you for what happened. They... they would never forgiven me if I did."
"But I- If I was just better..."
"Better isn't here. You are. And sometimes we have to work with what we've got." Sun sighed. He could see that Jaune was still conflicted, even if he was somewhat hearing his words.
Sun took a deep breath. This... this wasn't easy.
He had always been an easy-going guy. That was his nature, that was just how he came. But this loss, this revelation, hit him hard. Hit all of them hard... at least those who were around to see it.
It was a wakeup call. They had to step up, to prepare themselves, or else their sacrifices would be for nothing.
And if that became true, then how could he face his team when the time came?
Sun was, had been, a leader. Had been chosen by Lionheart, even if the crooked bastard was a traitor. He led his team, he loved them, and he could do nothing now but keep their memory alive.
But Jaune still had his; old and new friends, those who were going to support him. Sun knew that somewhere, out there, he would meet his teammates again.
And now, it was his responsibility to let Jaune know of that hope.
And as Akane watched from the sidelines…
"Those who love us don't leave us." Sun said softly. His hands slowly crept to Jaune's, and the faunus could then feel just how cold, weak, and frail they were.
Beneath the exterior of the leader was just another man. He could respect that. It was more than most offered. And what was the duty of a friend if not to provide comfort?
He had his story. Jaune had his. They all had a role to play... and Sun had to tell Jaune exactly how it was.
So that he could hope to change it.
"They're out there. Looking down at us, waiting for us, smiling at us. And one day, when our fairy tale ends... we'll meet them too."
"I know that." Jaune whispered. He shivered, and Sun closed his grip on Jaune's hand.
"That's why I want you to understand. You can't throw your life away. Not when there are other people still counting on you... here or not."
"..."
Sun let his words ring as Jaune stayed silent. Such words wouldn't sink in deeply, he knew, and would take time until Jaune realized it. But he needed to say it now, needed Jaune to at least know it before he proceeded to the next part.
"I'm saying this, Jaune, because of what I've figured out. Because... I've got an inkling on what the ever after is."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?!" Jaune stood up. "Then- then we need to get there now! We can't waste any time-!"
Sun raised a hand, and Jaune stopped in his tracks. Only then could the knight see the serious... the despairing look on Sun's face.
"This is just a possibility. It might not be correct, it's only what I've deduced..."
And his next words didn't help either.
"Jaune... you know what 'happily ever after' means, right?"
"Of course I do. It's an ending, it's the best… there… is…?" Akane saw Jaune trail off when Sun's expression turned grim.
"It is." Sun nodded, and he sighed.
"I'm just saying. With what we know of it… if the Ever After is like that… then there's a very good chance you can't get out of there."
"...w-what..?"
"It's all written in here." Sun tapped the book. "Read, Jaune. They live happily ever after... the sunset endings, the smiles and final sentences... what do you think happens when a story ends?"
"They finish... they die."
"Exactly." Sun sighed. "When have we ever heard of a fairy tale getting a sequel? If you do this, Jaune... if you go there... I just think there's a very real chance you can't come back."
"B-but Jinn had said…"
"NO!" Akane heard someone shout. Only when the others' head turned to her hiding spot did she realize that it was her who spoke.
"Akane…" Jaune said, but Akane cut him off. She leapt out of the bookshelves – screw hiding! – and hugged Jaune close.
"Y-You can't leave, Mister Jaune! You can't!" Akane screamed.
"Oh dear…" Jaune put a shaky hand on Akane and gently ran circles over her back. Back when he was in Ansel, this trick usually did a lot in calming the younger of hos sisters down...
And yet, the more he did it now, the worse it seemed to get for his little girl.
"Y-you can't leave…" Akane whispered. "I-If you do…!"
"Akane, I have to." Jaune whispered. "You heard what Jinn said. This is the only way to beat Salem…"
"I don't care about beating Salem!" Akane shouted. She felt the room pause, felt the air still and thicken, and yet she continued on.
"If you go, then I'll be all alone, Mister Jaune." Akane sniffled. Tears began to leak her eyes, and before she knew it she was crying on her protector's shoulder.
The man who went through hell and back to keep her safe.
And the man who was willing to sacrifice everything and leave to ensure a better future.
But that wasn't what she wanted.
"If you go… I'll be all alone!" Akane cried. She cried and cried, begging for the one person who cared to not leave her. This was the only thing she could do. "You can't leave, Mister Jaune! We'll find a way! We can beat Salem without leaving. Just- just don't die! I can't… I can't…!"
After one last gasp, Akane felt her energy leave her, and then another strong arm wrapping her figure fully and pulling her close.
Jaune exhaled, his warm breath hitting his little girl's neck. He knew Sun was watching from across him, and yet he found that he didn't care.
He knew his objective, his purpose, now more than ever. They all needed to be safe. They needed to defeat Salem, and they had a clear, confirmed way to do it. He just couldn't afford another loss like this again...
He was prepared. He was! Anything he needed to stop Salem, anything at all for a better future.
But... if he died...
Then what would that leave Akane with?
To live, to die. Jaune didn't know the answer to that. He thought he had been ready. But now...
'They will meet again' Sun had said. The word that would eventually become Haven's motto, a remembrance and a truth.
Everything had an end. He knew that. But with Akane here, crying and begging in his arms… Jaune knew that mattered was how, where, when, and with who one ended it.
He was prepared to go to the Ever After. Even if he never came back, that was a price he was willing to pay.
But it wasn't what Akane was willing to pay.
She needed him. They all did, Haven and Sun and everyone else… but Akane had no one else to turn to. If he disappeared then she would have no one to catch her, no one to care for her, no one to keep her safe. A little girl left to the cruelty of the world… and when he had promised her, the first time she met her, that she would protect her.
Akane shook again in his hands, and he noticed her eyes going droopy. And with that…
Jaune decided.
Jaune ran a hand through her hair. "You were sleepy, weren't you…?"
Akane groaned. "I, I was… but I…"
Jaune caught the meaning immediately. She had needed someone to comfort her, and so she sought out the person who had promised. And what did she find in turn, other than that person ready to sign their death warrant?
"Hey…" Jaune whispered to her ear, giving a nod to Sun to tell him to wait for a bit. Sun nodded back, getting out and waiting just outside the library, bringing the book with him, and now that silence became theirs' alone.
"Mmm…" Akane mumbled, sleepy but scared to rest. What if, when she fell asleep, Mister Jaune had left? No, she had to be strong. She wouldn't lose him to, wouldn't let him go for a guaranteed win, not when it costed him their life together. And more so if it was all on mere chance.
This couldn't be the right way. There had to be another path, one where she didn't have to be left alone…
…All in the name of protecting…
What did it mean if Mister Jaune left, and he failed anyway?
What did it mean if Mister Jaune won, but she had to go on and live without him?
Akane felt her head eyelids droop against her will. No. No, she had to stay up, she had to make sure he didn't leave…!
But then, a calming hand ran through her hair, big and strong yet so gentle. Akane looked up and saw her protector smiling at her warmly, and yet even she could see the way he was bottling up everything all to seem strong for her.
Somehow, that made it all the more heartwarming for her.
"How about a little story time, then…" Jaune whispered, shifting his grip for her so her head would lay comfortable on his lap. He propped her feet on some chairs, taking her blanket and draping it over both. "Maybe that'll let you sleep?"
"Don't want to…" Akane mumbled, her hands reaching out to grab something. "Wanna stay up…"
Jaune bit back a chuckle. "Well, little Akane, we all have our limits…"
"Not me. I can-!" A yawn cut her off, and she felt her cheeks heat up when Mister Jaune laughed. "H-Hey…!"
"Oh, you cute little thing." Jaune cooed, pinching her cheeks. She pouted, squirmed and looked away…
And yet, she could see the way Mister Jaune melted, the way the tension in his shoulders left him when he began playing with her…
Hey, maybe this was the way she could get him to stay…?
Akane's lips twitched. "You know, Mister Jaune… I- I changed my mind… can I hear that story now?"
"Hm?" Jaune smiled, "Ah, I guess you can't fight back the sleep now?"
"I…" yawn, "I guess…" Akane reached out again…
…And this time, Jaune's hands met hers and engulfed hers with love.
"Then don't worry." Jaune said softly, barely above a whisper. "I know this one well. I bet you'll love it! You can relax while I tell it to you."
"Mm…" Akane looked to her protector, "Is it- is it something famous? The matrons back- back before never really liked stories…"
"Well, I guess… maybe they have…" Mister Jaune looked away from her. His eyes seemed to scan for something, anything, around the room, lost in memory and longing… before they settled back on her.
And when he saw her innocent eyes, and she saw his deep blue orbs, he began to speak.
"There was once a girl named the Red Reaper." His words were like honey to her, soothing her and calming her down. Mister Jaune seemed to really get into the story, his eyes sparkling as his voice became increasingly enthused.
"She was younger than most, but she one of the strongest of the land. But for all of that, she was lonely. She was shy and awkward and didn't have that much confidence.
But the girl did have one dream – she wanted to be a hero who could save everyone.
She was active, but she was also a little reckless. So one day, the Red Reaper defeated a thief, and in doing so, caught the attention of a great wizard. The wizard saw her potential, but he also saw that she was alone. That she would stagnate if she stayed like she was, and that she needed to be pushed out of her shell if she wanted to truly save the people.
But the Red Reaper didn't see that. She wanted to save people, but she wanted to do it alone. Not because she hated other people, but because she just liked to do things herself so much. That she would only mess up other people's habits, that she wouldn't have good authority… she just couldn't believe herself as the leader.
And yet, that wasn't what the Wizard believed. After all, you can't save people if you can't understand them.
Seeing this, the wizard decided to give the girl her dream, a chance at becoming a hero. He decided to train her, to teach her everything she knew. But, at the same time, the wizard also gave her a team that she had to lead. And no matter how much she denied and complained, the wizard never budged and told her that he was his one condition.
The Reaper couldn't possibly run away from her dream, so she begrudgingly accepted. And at first…" Jaune chuckled, "It went horribly."
Akane's eyes widened. "It did? But you said the Red Reaper was the strongest around!"
"Strength doesn't mean everything." Mister Jaune said softly, his right hand letting go of hers and running through her hair. "Sometimes… people need more than that.
The Red Reaper was granted a partner who challenged her at every turn. She was granted her Brawler of a sister as whose sun-like confidence smothered her meek self. And she was given a teammate who held many secrets and refused to open up her silence.
And the Red Reaper had no confidence to challenge them, not at first at least.
And it caused the team to slowly but surely fall apart. And soon, a great evil came, something that the Reaper couldn't defeat alone."
Akane gasped. "Oh no! Then, then did they-!"
Jaune chuckled. "Oh, the evil almost won. They had prepared for a long time, and they saw that the great defenders were split. They decided that that was their chance, and attacked the city they lived in.
But they had waited too long, had enjoyed and revelled in their villainy too long.
Because by then, the Wizard's call had been correct.
The struggles of the team had forced the Red Reaper's hand. It broke her out of her shell… the great Red Reaper finally learned the value of other people…
And she only never felt happier for her revelations.
The Angel, who felt cheated out of being a leader, after being confronted, finally admitted that she had only wanted the best… and that she was willing to give the Red Reaper a chance if she only showed that she was worth it.
The Brawler, who was seemingly confident in everything and never needed the Red Reaper's help... had merely wanted to be a good role model and support her.
And the Secret-Bearer Ninja… her silence was a form of guilt over her own sins, sins she was so ashamed and didn't want anyone else to know, especially her beloved innocent Red Reaper leader.
And all it had taken for the Red Reaper was taking the first step in admitting that she was the leader. In believing in herself... and in others' too.
And so the evil came. But now, having understood the importance of teamwork, the Red Reaper and her team easily repelled the evil back together.
No matter what the evil plotted, no matter what they did, the Red Reaper and her team was already there… already protecting… already together.
And so the Red Reaper became legendary, a hero at fifteen…. And yet more known as someone who could effectively lead… a real inspiration who joined impossible forces through love and understanding.
And all it took was for her to get out of her shell."
Jaune smiled down at Akane, her eyelids already drooping down. "…The end."
Akane groaned, feeling her energy leaving her. The way Mister Jaune had said that story… so warm… it comforted her, brought her to sleep even as she didn't want to.
"So…" Akane said, "We just… need to believe in each other…?"
"Yes, Akane." Jaune ran his hand again, "Yes… we do."
"Then… will you… believe in me?"
"…"
"There… has to be another way…." Akane whispered, her head rolling, "For us… to win…"
"…Yes." Jaune whispered. "I… believe in you."
The words proved a massive balm to her soul. Sleep rapidly approached, and yet before she fell, she asked one more question to Mister Jaune.
"The Red Reaper…" Akane sighed, "…You never told me her name, Mister Jaune…"
Jaune chuckled. "She- Well, she's…"
He brushed a strand of hair past Akane's face, her delicate breathing all he could hear and feel…
…and smiled when he saw that she was already asleep.
"…someone you'll never meet." Jaune finished.
Jaune sighed. Airing this out… he had needed it.
He had been so ready to do whatever he needed to. To leave and secure a certain victory. And he was ready now too, for defeating Salem came first, no matter the cost.
But now, there was a bundle of innocence of hope on his lap, something that didn't deserve the pain of 'no matter the cost'.
Narrating the 'Red Reaper's story… analysing it, looking and telling it from a different perspective… Jaune now found himself believing in it as much as Akane seemed to as well.
Ruby wouldn't give in so easily. Ruby wouldn't leave the ones she loved behind… she'd find a different way, he knew. She'd fight alongside those she cared about, fight with the power of friendship and the bonds that strengthened her soul.
Jaune… he wasn't that. He had failed too much; he wasn't like she who was a prodigy…
…But maybe, for Akane, he could try.
It was at that moment that Sun walked back in. He took one look at the situation and gave Jaune an understanding nod.
"I've got a lead; a fairy tale about a deadly sword native to Vacuo," the monkey faunus said, "I've got an inkling that it's something more, but… you sure you want to?"
Jaune exhaled. He ran a hand through Akane's hair, felt her shift and lean into her touch, and made his decision.
"Then that's where we'll go to next." Jaune said and held Akane close. "But only once we've settled everything here."
He wouldn't leave her alone.
Even if this did cost them time, even if this did cost them their lives…
…Akane needed him here.
And Ruby would have never willingly left a friend behind.
Jaune looked out to the window. Dawn was beginning to crack, and yet, his little girl had just fallen asleep. The sun was shining a bright orange, giving light to a bright blue morning sky.
A new day… a new future, the first sun to rise with knowledge of a Grimm Queen's presence.
He didn't know what it held. He only knew what he was told, what he could find out, what he could believe in. But what he did know was that this evil could be defeated… and yet, at the same time, he couldn't leave those he loved behind to ensure it.
It was a contradiction. But then, wasn't that the nature of everything?
That blue morning sky was goading him, taunting him to go and fly high and leave everyone behind. He knew what needed to be done, so why did he have to burden himself with the pesky 'feelings' of those that he wanted to protect? What mattered was their safety and nothing else.
But now… Jaune couldn't bring it into himself to believe that.
He would say, if he had the chance:
That if he could fly, then he'd never come back down.
He'd leave everyone behind for their own safety. He'd only have eyes…
…For that blue, blue sky.
Akane stirred. And though she slept soundly, her heart still felt everything that her protector was going through. Their bond was too close now, the moment he denied ever leaving her… that even years later, when he would admit it to her, she would only say that she already knew.
And it was all thanks to the first fairy tale he had told her, the one about a Red Reaper.
Ozpin's finger hovered over the Atlas Knight's master shutdown button. Beside him, Ruby and Pyrrha and everyone else stood ready at the launch pads. With a push of his button, they would all be sent out and the Knights would be deactivated.
But even so, there would be a delay. Time needed for the signals to reach, time that Ruby and Pyrrha needed to take until they could get to the students.
The situation had turned unexpectedly dire. The Initiation was a bust. They had to abort now, send in the rest of their staff, and get the students out!
But still, there was a feeling in his bones, a gut feeling that told him that something was happening…
And so, Ozpin kept an eye close at the screens. The Huntsmen were clearing the Knights out, while the other students weren't holding on much longer. But his instincts directed him to the screen showing Akane and the Huntsmen protecting her…
…and how she began to stir…
Ruby shot a wild look to her Headmaster. They were all ready for launch, so why hadn't he given the go-ahead?! "Ozpin!" Ruby shouted, "What are you doing?!"
Ozpin reflexively put a hand out to silence Ruby. His eyes narrowed to the screens , the gut feeling on Akane increasing even more.
And at that point, even Ruby could feel it too. She tentatively took a step away from the launch pad, Pyrrha and the other staff following soon after.
They all saw it, they all felt it. Akane began to wake, her limbs shaking as she stood up. The Huntsmen around her still stood strong protecting her, but they had all their attention on the waves approaching. And so, they couldn't notice, not like the Beacon staff did, that as Akane awoke… something seemed different about her.
And now, Akane stood on shaky feet, but now fully up. Ruby, Pyrrha, Ozpin, they all saw as she took a deep breath, as her Aura swirled around her, as the air seemed to change… as she seemed to glow with her Aura.
And then Akane yelled, and a bright red flash engulfed the area.
When their vision cleared, they all saw Akane high in the sky, turning and twisting with grace beneath the sun…
…and with a familiar sniper rifle-scythe, glowing an ethereal red and fitting snug in her hands.
Ruby gasped, as did the rest of the staff.
"C-Crescent Rose?!"
"HAAAAAAAH!" Akane fell from the skies and sliced the first Knight she saw with her Scythe. It felt natural in her hands, just like she imagined it would be, just as she dreamed it…
Just as her newly unlocked Semblance had called upon.
Akane landed on deft feet and spun, slicing any Knights that attempted to attack her. She hefted her Scythe in her hands and jumped to the sea of enemies, eagerly engaging them head-on.
The old rusty window broke,
With a crash that sounded like bitter words.
"You won't hurt them!" Akane yelled. "I won't let anyone else die!"
I escaped the cage that I called home,
And never looked back!
The Knights recognized her newfound spirit, her sudden increase in Aura and battle power. As one, they all turned their attention towards her and only her. Away from the Huntsmen and Huntresses, away from the other students, and away from any other living being.
No, they now only focused on Akane. And that was exactly what she wanted.
My breath keeps pace with my throbbing pulse,
So now I kick open the door and take off!
For now, she knew in her very bones that she could do this. A strange voice, whispering from the back of her head, advising her to keep moving forward and stick by the ones you loved!
Akane loved everyone. She felt deeply even for people she didn't know. And didn't she wish to be like the fairy tales? Like her Uncle?
The first step had to start somewhere. And if she couldn't defend people now, then when could she do it?
Her "Scythe" felt natural in her hands. And with all that belief and support, Akane engaged the sea of enemies with everything she had.
That voice far away seduced me,
Telling me…
"HAAAAAHHHH!" Akane jumped in and sliced a Knight's head clean off. Ducking under a sword swing, Akane planted her Scythe's butt into the ground and used it as a spinning pole, kicking her enemies around her. When they began to wise up, she activated the Scythe's gun components and fired to the ground, flying to the sky and away from melee range.
Akane reached the apex of her jump and saw that the knights were now pointing their guns at her. With deft hands Akane brought her Scythe up and peered into her scope.
And as they all took aim, Akane took the first shot and fired a gun for the first time in her life… and yet, a natural from the very first trigger pull.
BANG BANG BANG BANG!
"Run away, run away, and you'll find it!"
I'll grasp your hand and take you with me,
BANG BANG BANG BANG!
RATATATATA! The knights had begun firing back, and Akane knew that she couldn't stay in the sky forever. And now, she knew by instinct and soul when to yield to the Scythe's insane recoil.
Reloading the weapon's magazine, another one appearing in a flash of her Semblance in her hands, Akane peered away from the scope and used said recoil to fly in the sky like a rose.
She rose high, higher than the Atlas Knights could ever detect. And when they lost sight of her, when their fire stopped…
Akane descended from the skies with a recoil-powered slice.
"COME ONNNN!"
As far as I want…
Into the blue, blue sky!
Akane crashed down Scythe first, knocking the Atlas Knights back. She dashed to the first one she saw and swung her weapon across its chest, disabling it instantly. Pulling the Scythe back, she fired her weapon behind her – the bullet piercing a Knight that had snuck up – and shot forwards, a blur of red as the Scythe sliced any metal it met.
But the Knights adapted. They quickly circled and ganged up around her, stifling her mobility and using their numbers to their advantage.
"Grk! A-aaahhh!" Akane yelled as they jumped her; no matter how much she sliced, another would take the other's place, and she could only swing her Scythe so much. They began to break through her speed, landing blows one by one.
A hammer to her face, a sword slash to her chest, a mace blow to her legs. Her Aura began to drain, and with nowhere to move and capitalize her mobility, she began to lose her steam…
I knew I would fall down…
The wounds stacked up. She felt her Aura depleting, her control wavering as she was knocked around. Panic seized her heart as the Scythe in her hand flickered. And all she thought, all she could even think was…
'N-No…! I can't die here!'
'These people… they're relying on me! EVERYONE IS!'
And with that, Akane roared.
But even so…
I'll get back up…
And chase the light!
"I WON'T LEAVE ANYONE BEHIIIIIND!"
With renewed vigour, with a restored spirit, the weapon in her hands solidifying once more and burning red from her Aura…
With her legs injured, her chest aching, her arms weak…
With the love for her family, her reverence of the fairy tales she grew up on…
With the love that she and her Uncle instilled on each other…
Akane fought on.
We said that if we had wings, that we wouldn't come back.
Akane jumped high and slashed the Knights as she descended. Her Aura flew out of control, burning and dissipating as she engaged, and yet it didn't matter. With this new spirit, she turned into nothing less than a red blur, her swings faster than the eye could see and destroying any that stood in its path.
Searching for the white, white clouds.
"HAH! HAH! HAAAAAA!"
The Knights crumbled into nothing more than useless circuitry as Akane continued her attack. Their metal armour didn't stand a chance against a weapon of pure Aura, and their numbers were finally beginning to thin.
Knowing that once we broke through them,
We would find…
Akane knew this was nowhere near healthy. Her vision was fading, her Aura was hitting its bottoms, and the drain of this new Semblance was unlike anything she ever felt before.
A logical person would realize their situation.
But that was never who she was. She felt too deeply… and at least now, she would not turn back… even if it was the right thing to do.
And so Akane continued to fight.
And the wild, unstoppable wave of metal Knights began being tamed.
That blue, blue sky!
She danced through the gunfire, dodging through any melee attacks as nimbly as a rose petal. Her swings were like thorns of a deadly flower, eliminating all that came close.
That blue, blue sky!
And after what seemed like an eternity of fighting, the wave began to subside.
That blue, blue sky!
Step! And with a skid of her boots, Akane stopped and slammed her Scythe down at the last of the Knights.
CRACK!
The final blow pierced deep, the last of the Knights offlining as he was pinned to the forest floor.
It was over.
Akane breathed, and the Scythe disappeared from her hands. "Hah…"
She looked up and around her. She could see the shocked visage of the other students, the stunned villagers somehow wielding Huntsman-grade weapons… and yet, they were all safe.
All without a single casualty… the thing of her and Uncle's dreams.
"Ngh!" Akane felt her energy leave her and was forced to take a knee. She saw the others rush towards her in concern, and yet, before they could…
Rumble!
They all heard marching, synced footsteps coming closer. Their heads turned to the source, and saw even more Atlas Knights approaching.
Akane groaned. "I… Don't they ever stop…?"
It was then that the 'villagers' stepped up before her, shielding her and the other students from harm.
In her mind-addled state, she didn't, couldn't realize that these were actually Huntsmen. All she could see was that the people she was supposed to protect were now protecting her in turn, a sense of unity…
Rouge and his colleagues watched as the Knights came close. They hefted their weapons ready, their Aura low but also equally knowing that these Knights were the last of the last.
It would be a close battle; the students were exhausted, and were in no condition to help. It was up to them now, all to save Initiation…
They tensed as they saw the Knights pause. Their eyes glowed red, and their weapons were hefted at the ready to fire…
Click!
Before they were suddenly shut down, slumping to the floor with a blue LED shining from their faceplates.
"T-Tch…. Grk! Hah…." Kelly Arc heaved as she pulled down a lever hidden inside a cave on the cliffs of the Emerald Forest. Beneath her feet laid the dead guardians of this secret, Knights she had felled with ease.
And moreover, she could hear the sounds of Knights being deactivated behind her, Knights that blocked her only way out… Knights that had been prepared to shoot down her Aura dry.
Sweat ran down her brow as Kelly heaved once more. It had taken her everything, everything to find where this cave was, running and fighting through so many enemies… and yet in the end she did it. She found what she had to, she succeeded, she won!
Just like how it was supposed to be.
"Initiation…" Kelly sighed out, saying the words with such certainty as if it was her destiny.
"…Passed…!"
Ozpin's fingers were just a hair's breadth away from his Scroll's emergency stop button.
And yet, he hadn't touched it. Not at all… not even close.
Ruby sighed and put down her weapon – one that was right there, so what was that with Akane…?
And yet, she couldn't help but turn to her Headmaster.
"So… do you think so?" Ruby asked.
And Ozpin could only sigh.
For the first time… he didn't know if he should declare it a pass; and that went for the entire year of candidates, not just one of them.
This was a mess, and while the 'stars' of the Initiation had showed incredible combat prowess, Ozpin couldn't exactly stan by with either of their choices.
Kelly Arc had chosen to forsake the 'villagers' because this was merely a simulation. While they didn't try to hide that fact, they also saw from her further actions that she as focused only on herself, if not also the people she considered important. It wasn't that she showed no regard for the others, it was that she was too willing to leave them when she believed she and only she had the right answer.
Arrogant? No. Self-centred? Ozpin definitely believed so. But with the death of her brother hanging over her family's life… it was hard not to understand her mindset.
And Enko Akane… Semblances often awakened in times of great distress; it was a Soul's shout of identity, the physical manifestation of its cries of wanting to be heard. And from there, and her shouts and determination and the way she fought, the girl showed red flags of trauma, ones that ran deep.
If her willingness to stand her ground were anything to run by, then it would stand to reason that someone had left her before, in the name of defending her… and didn't, or couldn't, come back. And with the way this Initiation had been structured… no matter how weak they made the Knights, it would've been all too real for her – and that kind of trauma, one that can't be tamed in the field, would only negatively impact a Huntress' decision-making skills.
Their combat prowess was amazing. And yet, because they had focused on only what they saw, had refused to see eye-to-eye, they increased the Knights' capabilities without meaning too. When, had they relied on others or perhaps each other, those very same Knights never would've never even gotten the chance to improve.
Teamwork, was what Initiation needed to enforce. And in that aspect, neither succeeded.
But…
Beacon stood as an Academy, a place to learn. And these kids didn't fail because of their arrogance, they failed because something had clouded their vision… because they were hurting.
And it was, in the end, an Academy's job to train. To teach and prepare… even beyond just a mission.
Ozpin would be remiss if he let these two talents go. And he would hate himself even more if he threw two girls out to the street and crushed their dreams just because of their pain.
"…Pass." Ozpin said with closed eyes. "…But, under extreme surveillance."
Ruby nodded and slumped in relief. Her eyes went to the screen, seeing Akane surrounded by the people she saved… before the girl promptly passed out from Aura exhaustion.
It was a sickeningly familiar scene, only because she had gone through it herself so many times. After Jaune's death, she had pushed herself hard, beyond her limits. Everything she did, every person she saved… it felt lacking, because she couldn't turn back time and save the one person that she wanted. And so, even as she was surrounded by smiles and thanks… it always felt like it wasn't enough.
And she could see now, the way Akane was squirming as she was escorted, the way her eyebrows had yet settled and a frown remained, that she was feeling exactly the same.
Ruby had moved on, in time. Had found that what mattered was the present… and now, she found herself lucky enough to save someone from making the same mistakes she did.
And Ruby swore that she would.
Meanwhile, Pyrrha watched silently as Kelly closed her eyes, as she forced herself to stand tall… and as she waked out the cave through the ocean of Knights alone with her head falsely held high. Watched as she buried her weakness and doubts deep within and proceeded back to Beacon without anyone by her side… not even the one who was supposed to be her partner.
Pyrrha knew what was going to happen next – while Akane would be crowned for her heroics in battle, the students would also no doubt sing praise to Kelly for stopping the Knights before another, final, battle descended and had done so with her strength alone. And hearing that praise, she'd swallow the fact that she had only barely won, that she had weaknesses too, and simply push through.
…Until it would break her.
Pyrrha knew exactly what would happen, because it had happened to her too.
She would be put on a pedestal. She would smile and leave everything to destiny, dominating all alone at the top. She would take everything on the chin and handle everything by herself, believing that her strength was what made her.
… And when something major came, something out of her control… she'd hesitate, she wouldn't have her thoughts in order, because she had kept it all bottled for so long…
And it would cost her everything.
Pyrrha had been Invincible once. And at the same time, she had also been a lonely girl too, and the contradiction had made her too foolish to open her true feelings.
And that guilt ate her to this day.
She closed her eyes with a grimace and forced her tears back. When she opened them once more, she saw that Kelly was almost back to where she had been launched.
In mere moments, Kelly returned – the first to face the professors, all alone without anyone beside her, and it didn't seem to bother her – and it hurt Pyrrha to see her looking at her specifically, her grin wide and beaming and so expecting to hear praise. It was innocent… and yet it was also flawed.
"I did it, Miss Pyrrha!" Kelly beamed, "So so! Do I pass?! Do I?!"
It took all Pyrrha had to not look away. It took all she had to look at the little girl she had cared for the eye… and smile, and say:
"Yes, dear." Pyrrha said softly, and she thanked the heavens that Kelly didn't catch the guilt in her tone, "You passed."
Kelly's squeal and subsequent bone-crushing hug only served to twist the knife deeper into her ribs.
'I'll be better.' Pyrrha thought, her eyes closed as her hands ran through Kelly's hair, 'I won't let you make the same mistakes I did.'
Broken mirrors often show who we truly are. And it's our job to put them back together, no matter how many times the glass shards slice our fingers.
Thanks for reading, and don't forget to tell me what you think! See you next time - hopefully next week!
Thanks again!