Chapter 1: For Those You Love

"PYRRHA!" Jaune could still feel the warmth of Pyrrha's soft lips as he was violently launched in the rocket locker away from her. She was going to fight Cinder alone! Cinder, whom even Ozpin couldn't defeat!

Frantic to protect to her, Jaune managed to prise his sword between the metal plates behind the lockers code circuit and thrust his sword through. Previous rocket locker launches at the hands of Cardin Winchester had granted him the wisdom that helplessly beating on the door would not open it. Sparks, smoke and the thrusters flaming intermittently proved he was successful. Suddenly the door of the locker flew open and Jaune was sucked out still hurtling through the air.

Luckily the sword of Crocea Mors was still jammed between the metal plates in the rocket locker preventing him from falling, but most of his body was now outside of the locker. The wind whipping past his face made his eyes sting but all he could think of was Pyrrha. He had to get to her!

Scanning ahead he noticed a tall building directly in the path of the rapidly falling rocket locker. Using all of his might he pulled his legs back up to the locker, ready to kick off when he wouldn't fall to his death. The rocket locker's thrusters gave a final burst then died completely, nothing more than momentum keeping it from falling like a brick.

The speed of the rocket locker began to bleed off and the height dropped quickly. Jaune only had one shot and his motion sickness didn't help, the only thing that kept him focused was Pyrrha's haunted eyes as she pushed him into the locker. "I won't let her die!"

"NOW!" He pulled his sword of out the locker's circuit panel and kicked off with his legs as hard as he could. Tumbling through the air he brought his shield underneath him to absorb the initial impact. Even with the forward momentum and the reduced height, the impact drove the air from his lungs as he rolled like a rag doll across the roof. Realising he was going to slide straight off the other side of the roof he stabbed his sword through the roof leaving a trail of destruction as his speed sharply fell.

As his vision cleared and his lungs sucked great mouthfuls of air, he realised that his legs were hanging off the side of the building. Quickly pulling himself up, he assessed the situation. He was still within Beacon, the tower looming in the distance.

He quickly pulled out his scroll, desperate to save Pyrrha. "Weiss, please you have to stop her!"

"Who?" The note of confusion only added to Jaune's anger.

"Pyrrha! She's going after that woman at the top of the tower, she doesn't stand a chance!"

"Jaune what are you talking about? Where are you?"

Struggling to hold back his emotions Jaune pleaded. "Don't worry about me! Please... You have to save Pyrrha!"

"We will, are you ok?"

Jaune's tenuous hold of his emotions erupted and in a fit of anger he threw his scroll at the ground, smashing it beyond repair. "Pyrrha..." All he could see was her face as he begged her to let him out of the locker. Her face set to an inevitable fate, knowing she wouldn't survive but doing it anyway to buy him time to escape and get help.

He cursed himself as she'd loved him all this time and he was too blind to see it! Burning with the desire to protect her, he felt fresh strength flow through him. Knowing there was little time, Jaune knew he had to be better, faster and stronger if he wanted to save Pyrrha. Looking off the side of the building, Jaune quietly whispered to himself. "Please don't die. Please don't die. Please don't-" Suddenly he jumped off the building, his only thoughts on saving Pyrrha regardless of anything else. As he fell he stabbed his sword through the wooden, slated wall slowing his fall, ignoring the pain ripping through his arm as he kept his vice like grip on his sword. He hit the ground and immediately brought his shield over his head as chunks of masonry fell around him from his destructive descent.

Fixing his eyes on the tower, he could see the Grimm dragon near the top looking within the topmost chamber. Already he could see the flashes of light from the battle raging within. Sprinting as fast as he could, Jaune raced towards the tower, wondering what he could actually do. Even if he got up there Pyrrha could just push him away using her semblance. Without a second thought he began stripping off his armour, thankful there was so little anyway. He felt vulnerable but that feeling paled in comparison to how much he wanted to save Pyrrha.

As he ran, thoughts of all the time they'd spent together raced through his head. The now obvious signs of her love she had given him on a nigh daily basis, classes, training on the roof alone with her, trips into town as a team. He nearly choked on tears when he remembered Pyrrha telling him to be honest with Weiss and tell her that he loved her. Even though Pyrrha loved him she put him first at the expense of her own happiness.

Fresh anger dumped more adrenaline into his system, ignoring the burning of his lungs he pushed himself harder as he neared the bottom of the tower. Now he was down to just his sword and shield and his regular clothes. He'd been lucky enough not the encounter any Grimm along the route but he knew when he reached the top of the tower, he'd gladly swap fates with Pyrrha. If she stood no chance, he stood even less...

Jaune decided to keep his sword and shield as Pyrrha could only control the magnetism of something she touched very recently. If he had to, he'd fight Cinder with his bare hands to give Pyrrha a moment to escape.

Looking to his right he saw Ruby and Weiss taking on a horde of Grimm, thankful for their distraction keeping the Grimm busy. Silently, he prayed they would reach Pyrrha as soon as possible. He wasn't sure of what he could actually do to get her away, let alone fight off Cinder who now had the power of the Fall Maiden.

Hearing a deafening screech he looked skyward to see the Grimm dragon crash into the top of the tower sending huge chunks of rubble scattering everywhere. Jaune ran inside the tower, colossal pieces of the tower crashing down behind him sending a wall of dust in all directions. Sprinting inside the tower, he ran over to the elevator, realising with dread that the elevator was missing and the entire shaft was damaged.

There were rungs that led up the side of the elevator shaft but even on a good day it would take him far too long to travel the entire length of the tower. Time was of the essence. Noting that most of the thick elevator cables were still taut, he tapped one with his sword, pleased to note the high pitched reverberation that sounded. If any of the cables were slack then the elevator should be jammed... right?

A day ago he never would have thought of this plan but things had changed, he had changed. All that mattered to him was Pyrrha. Ripping his shirt, he tied a length to the cable and made a loop that hung limply next to it. Putting his hand through the loop he held on, steeling himself for the second violent launch that day. "C-come on Jaune! You c-can do this!"

His knees trembled at the thought of what he was doing, terror rising up in him like a tempest, ready to consume him in a wave of primal fear. Then he heard Pyrrha cry out in pain, his head snapping upwards at the distant sound. In an instant the fear was gone, steely resolve taking control of him. "Pyrrha!" With a roar he cut through the elevator cable below his tied shirt and instantly felt his shoulder dislocate as the cable shot upwards now the counterweight was let free.

As he sped skyward, the sounds of Pyrrha's battle became clearer giving him fresh strength to hold on with his dislocated arm. Far below him, he heard a mighty crash as the counterweight hit the ground and saw the cable slacken up the wall in front of him, a moment later it hit the cable he was holding onto to. He felt his speed decrease with a lurch from his stomach, knowing that his upward momentum would only last a few seconds at best. As his speed dropped enough he decided it was now or never.

Using his free arm he slammed his shield into the wall next to him sending him away from it towards the rungs. Slamming into the rungs he ignored the pain and locked his fingertips around a rung, barely holding on. His shield was blocking his grip in one hand and the other hand was still locked around the length of shirt tied to the cable. Much as he tried to let go of the cloth his entire arm was numb from the dislocation, sheer muscle memory keeping him holding on.

With sick dread he realised the weight on his dislocated arm was increasing. The elevator cable was starting to fall back down still tied to his hand. As more cable fell the weight increased threatening to rip his arm right off or worse, him from his precarious perch.

Already shaking with pain and the effects of adrenaline subsiding, Jaune realised he had to do something now! Mentally cursing himself for the half-baked idea he had, he let go of the rung and was instantly pulled down by his dislocated arm. Before he could fall he wriggled his trainers underneath the rungs and was whipped backwards, slamming his back into the rungs below suspended by just his toes hooked over the rungs above him.

Now he didn't have to use his finger tips to hold on he could press the button to stow his shield back to its sheath state, finally giving him a free hand. The pain shooting through his shoulder increased as the weight increased and increased, threatening to dislodge his feet in a spasm of pain. Using his free hand he grabbed his sword and cut through the tied shirt in one clean movement, the cable tumbling down into the dark depths below.

As the pain from his shoulder lessened he felt sick and dizzy. The blood rushing to his brain only making him feel like his head was going to pop. Looking down he knew if he passed out, he wouldn't wake from a fall this high. Using what was left of his strength he pulled himself up, silently thankful for all the sit ups Pyrrha used to make him do while hanging from a tree branch to strengthen his core.

Finally holding onto the rungs he caught his breath, struggling against the numb pain that washed over him from his tortured shoulder. He began to climb the rungs, slowed by the fact he could only use one arm. The light from the top level just a floor away now. Then he heard a shriek, undoubtedly from Pyrrha. Fear dumped into his system. "I have to get to her. I have to save her!"

Nearing the top he could just make out their voices.

Jaune could hear Pyrrha's weary voice. "Do you believe in destiny?"

A cold voice replied. "Yes"

Knowing that no such words would be spoken that way in the heat of battle, he knew one was beaten. He pushed himself harder than ever before, the sheer pain from his body threatening to make him pass out. He pulled himself over the lip and rolled over to see a defeated Pyrrha on her knees as Cinder stood over her with a grim smile on her face, aiming a bow with a wicked arrow pointing right at her heart.

"PYR-" Jaune's cry was cut short when the arrow shot into Pyrrha and extended from her back. A look of shock on Pyrrha's face. She noticed him and tears fell from her emerald eyes, her hand stretched out beseechingly. Trying to speak but only short ragged gasps of breath were all she managed.

In that moment for Jaune, time slowed down. The look of fear on Pyrrha's face, the bone deep weariness etched into her features, the tears rolling down her face in a tectonically slow motion, the hand stretched out to him for warmth in her final moments.

Then Cinder bent down and cupped Pyrrha's face, almost lovingly looking into her eyes as the light faded from them. Then in a heartbeat Pyrrha turned to ash before his very eyes. Jaune screamed out only then to realise Ruby had witnessed it too and had joined them as some point. Her scream was punctuated by a blinding white light that came from her eyes, blocking everything in an aura so bright it looked as if a sun had been born upon the towers ruined top.

A few seconds later, Jaune ventured to open his stinging eyes, searing flashing after-images burned into his retina. Nothing in comparison to the sight burned upon his memory.

Bleakly looking around he noticed Ruby was collapsed on the floor, the Grimm dragon was fading into a shadowy mist and Cinder was nowhere to be seen. All that remained of Pyrrha was her golden circlet...

Dragging himself across the rubble strewn floor with his one good arm he went to touch it, almost afraid that it too would turn to ash. Touching it he felt the warmth of Pyrrha still lingering there, slowly fading in his hands. Looking at his reflection in the golden metal, he screamed a final denial at the darkening skies before finally succumbing to exhaustion.

Jaune felt as if his entire body was made of a heavy metal. Unable to move, his vision just a white nothingness. He felt warm and content. He could hear something, barely perceptible, something niggling the back of his mind. The dazzling white nothingness began to grow darker, he felt colder, the voices louder. Jaune struggled with wanting to stay warm and content but the voices felt familiar to him.

The voices became clearer and he could make out the occasional word. Tower, Dragon, Grimm, Cinder. He struggled to remember what those things were, why were they important? It doesn't matter he thought, let me stay safe and warm. His vision turning whiter, feeling warmer slowly.

"Pyrrha gave her life for us!" In an instant the white nothingness turned to black, the temperature dropped, he felt himself shiver, his breath misting in front of his face. The voices now were clear and crisp.

A stern voice replied. "I know she did! But you can't just wander the wilderness looking for Cinder! Getting yourselves killed will make her death pointless!"

An image of Pyrrha smiling came unbidden to his mind, he felt his body relax as he looked into her beautiful emerald eyes. Feeling as though he was falling into them, their every facet crystal clear in his mind. Then he felt himself being pulled away from her eyes, as his view widened he saw tears in her eyes, a look of shock and horror on her face until he could see her whole body. An arrow through her chest, the tip dripping with blood extended from her back...

"Pyrrha!" He roared as he woke up in a hospital bed surrounded by people. They looked at him, shock in their eyes from his unexpected and dramatic rising. His arm outstretched in front of him. Breathing heavily and drenched in cold sweat, he looked around to see Glynda Goodwitch with flushed cheeks facing a defiant looking Weiss, Qrow Branwen stood behind Glynda, looking at Jaune with disinterest.

Weiss leaned over the bed to his right and put a hand on his outstretched arm, a worried look on her face. "It's alright Jaune. You're safe now."

Looking around Jaune noticed he was in the old cafeteria at Beacon, the tables turned into uncomfortable hospital beds. Dozens of wounded people spread out around the room, small muffled cries coming from several areas.

Struggling to piece together his jumbled thoughts he looked at Weiss and managed a weak mumble. "Pyrrha...?" Weiss' pained look and her refusal to meet his gaze told him all he needed to know. "Ruby?"

"She's ok." Weiss replied with a worried look on her face. "Still unconscious but alive. Apparently she used some great power. The light was seen all over Vale. Qrow said there was a legend about Silver Eyed Warriors killing Grimm with just a look but still seems a bit farfetched... She's home with her Dad. Yang will join her once... once her arm has been seen to properly."

Looking to his left he saw Yang on a bed next to him, sat upright with her eyes unfocused just staring out in front of her. Then he noticed the bloody stump of her right arm bandaged up. He'd never seen the fighter so beaten, in both body and mind. He could only imagine what she was going through.

"All the others made it out alive. Other than a few minor injuries everyone is mostly fine. Blake..." Weiss glanced at Yang who hadn't moved a muscle the entire time she'd been there. "Blake's gone, she ran off last night. She had a stab wound but nothing life threatening. Nobody has seen her since... The remaining huntsmen are cleaning up Beacon but we're nearly in control. That dragon Grimm is gone thanks to Ruby and no-one has seen Cinder either."

The pit of nothingness in his stomach reminded him of his failure to save Pyrrha. He bit back tears as he remembered her final moments at the hands of Cinder, unable to contain his growl. "Cinder." He ground his teeth, audible noises heard by the people near him watching his jaw work with his anger. His face flushed with red as he remembered her smirking face.

Raising his voice slightly he again growled. "CINDER." Clenching his fists so hard, popping noises rang out across the room. The people around him moved, they spoke but it was lost in his storm of emotion. Through clenched teeth he forced out "CINDER!"

Qrow leaned over the bed and said something, his lightning fast punch put Jaune out for the count. Blissful nothingness overcoming him.

Glynda turned to Qrow and screeched at him. "Qrow! Why did you do that!?"

The caped huntsman shrugged and gestured to Jaune's hands. "He was just going to hurt himself more." Jaune had clenched his hands so tightly blood had run between his fingers and over the crisp white sheets.

She gasped and called out. "We need bandages over here!"

When the bandages arrived it took Qrow's strength to unlock Jaune's blood slicked hands even in his unconscious state so they could be bandaged. Qrow turned to Weiss and Ruby. "Was he always this strong?" An incredulous look on his face as he wiped off his hands.

Weiss looked at Jaune's sweat rimmed face with a vivid purple bruise forming. "N-No... He's always been bottom of the class for pretty much... everything."

"Hmm... Hope he doesn't lose himself to his anger. Seen too many good huntsmen die in the field after seeing a comrade die, throwing themselves with reckless abandon at the Grimm." Downing a shot from his hip flask he turned away and walked out.

The next few days were a blur to Jaune. A constant stream of people visited him, even people he had never met before. Turns out, in the aftermath of the Grimm invasion the teachers had gone through the surveillance videos to try to work out exactly what happened. Jaune's unorthodox method of using the elevator had been caught on camera and had been shared to give the surviving students a hero they could rally around.

Thankfully the cameras on the top floor were destroyed but there was no chance the teachers would've released the footage of Pyrrha's last moments. Similar incidents of heroic acts were being shared around, the students trying to cover up their sadness and loss with uplifting tales of heroism.

All the while Jaune sat and simmered. Keeping his anger burning brightly within his chest. He couldn't save her. He couldn't save her because he was weak. Yet again he's the lovable idiot stuck in the tree watching his friends fight for their lives, only this time they had lost...

As soon as he was released from the temporary infirmary he started packing things while the surviving members of team JNPR were off helping with defence and clearing out packs of Grimm nearby. He gave himself one night to recover and before first light tomorrow, he would set off on his own to train, to become strong enough to avenge Pyrrha.

As he slipped out of his old dorm at three in the morning, he gave one last look to Nora and Ren. Feeling ashamed for leaving them when they needed their team together but this was something Jaune had to do, now, while the pain was fresh.

Slipping out to the courtyard he heard a whispered voice slightly ahead of him. "I know you are going through an unimaginable amount of pain, we all are... but I think this is folly Jaune." Ren stepped out into the light.

He sighed, not even surprised by his ninja-like appearance. "I know you're looking out for me Ren but this is just something... something I have to do." Jaune looked down to the golden circlet attached to his belt, moonlight glinting from its polished metal.

Ren's eyes lingered on the circlet for a moment then sighed. "Fine. Know we will always be ready to help you no matter what." Ren handed a scroll to Jaune. "Yours was smashed right? Well if you ever need to get in contact with us you can. Once the CCT is back up of course... Also I think the previous owner would be happy that you have it."

Turning it over in his hand Jaune looked at the tiny, neat handwriting on the back of the scroll. 'Pyrrha Nikos' A breath hitched in his throat as he struggled to contain his emotions. This was her scroll, a picture in the background of team JNPR all smiling with arms around each other. Pyrrha with her arms linked around Jaune and Nora. "Thank you Ren. Thank you so much. I'm so lucky to have friends like you." A single tear ran down his cheek.

With a pained smile Ren set a hand on Jaune's shoulder. "Likewise Jaune. Take care and stay safe." After a brotherly hug Jaune set off out of the school heading out beyond the walls of Vale, into the wilderness to survive on his own and hone himself through constant combat.

Holding the circlet in his hands, Jaune softly whispered to himself. "Don't worry Pyrrha, I'll avenge you and make myself out to be someone worthy to stand by your side in the afterlife. I promise to kill Cinder with my own two hands, even if it costs me my life." Jaune's eyes narrowed as he slowly lifted his head to the shattered moon. "...and an Arc never goes back on his word."