A Forlorn Knight
Chapter 03
man was I surprised to see the polls
Raven 20
Harem 12
Neo 11
Ruby Rose 8
Yang Xiao Long 6
Blake Belladonna 5
Velvet Scarlatina 4
Coco Adel 2
Cinder Fall 2
Emerald Sustrai 1
Weiss Schnee 0
I have no idea why Cinder and Emerald are ahead of Weiss did not think that would happen but damn well since Ravens in the lead with Harem just behind I don't know what to do haha well polls are still up intend to stop it at chapter 3 so vote while you can.
He looked back to see Weiss exit the rift with them, he wanted to ask why she fallowed but he could guess, besides they had more pressing matters at the moment. Jaune initially rushed to aid Qrow knowing he could handle himself but now he could feel the presence of multiple people three of which he was all too familiar with. He turned to Raven. "Send me above Kuroyuri!" Raven nodded and forced open a rift without wasting a beat Jaune leaped into it.
Instantly he exited the rift high in the sky looking down he saw them Ren, Nora and Ruby fighting a odd man. It didn't take a pro to see how outmatched they were. Jaune smiled as the information hit him. "So this bug knows about Cinder." He saw the mad man slash Ruby tearing a portion of her aura and that was all it took. Just as Tyrian landed before the three, Jaune withdrew the ice dust coated blade and slammed down Tyrian quickly jumped out of the way and Jaune's blade pierced the earth freezing the ground solid. Jaune quickly withdraw the fire dust blade with his fire blade slamming it into the sheet of ice that had formed on the floor creating a mist. Jaune didn't have time to waste he ran forward Tyrian smiled and rushed into the mist as well using his ears to pinpoint the boy.
He struck forward and felt his bladed gauntlet clash with a katana without wasting a second he struck forward with his other fist and was surprised when it two was blocked but what surprised him more was the feeling as a blade slid into his abdomen. He quickly jumped back but the Jaune emerged from the mist right after him on either side of him Raven and Neo stood.
"Oh, my it seem I we have some more uninvited guest." Jaune didn't bother responding he simply ran forward weapon at the ready and smiled. he swung forward and Tyrian nimble dodged the attack why launching forward with his own. Only to be surprised as the end of the Arc's sword emerged from a rift and parried Tyrian's blows. Tyrian grinned madly and let loose his stinger only for it to be pushed back as Neo seemingly appeared from thin air and pinned it down with the end of her parasol. He then looked at Jaune shocked. "You knew I was a Faunus?"
"Not till right now, perhaps you should consider giving up." Tyrian merely responded by do a round house kick at Neo who merely jumped out of the way. Without wasting a beat he drove the now freed stinger into the center of Jaune's chest but was merely rewarded with a grin from the shattering illusion. "Now that was a dirty trick." Before Tyrian could react, he felt cold steel tear into his tail. "It's only fair that I do one two now." Tyrian quickly Jumped away only to be kicked back to the earth by Raven.
How? How, is some brat ready my movements so easily!
You haven't already figured it out.
Before the faunus could react he felt extraordinary pain as his tail was cut open by a broad sword. He fell to the earth and was greeted by sight of Qrow who's blade was coated in the green fluids of his tail. He sneered at the grizzled old huntsman. "You Bastard!" He then heard the footsteps quickly he turned only to see Jaune standing before him Tyrian quickly lunged at the young man only to fell two blade stab down into his back as Neo and Raven defended the Arc. Jaune looked down at the man his face expressionless. "Who are you?"
"Hehehe just a wondering flower collector." To his surprise Jaune didn't seem angry at all in fact he had switched from his cold careless eyes to a cheerful mood as if talking to a friend and the next words he spoke sent Shivers down his spine.
"Oh Tyrian huh? Not a very original name… man you really like this Salem chick hehe."
"H-How?"
That's easy.
Tyrians eyes went wide as he looked to the boy clearly shocked. "So Salem sent you after Ruby for Cinder… good to know but I have another question."
Are you the only one she sent?
"Y-yes!"
Jaune smiled leaning down to Tyrian. "No lying" Tyrian smiled and grabbed the Arc shocking Raven and Neo using what was left of his tail he struck their hand and making them pull back and retract the blade quickly he threw Jaune to Qrow and rushed away as fast as his legs would carry him. Qrow ready to fallow only for Jaune to raise up a hand. "Don't"
Jaune straightened himself up. Raven and Neo sheathed their blade stepping back to Jaune her blade and looked to Jaune. "Did you link to him."
"Yeah he wasn't aware of my semblance, so it was easy." Qrow looked to the three and noted their attire smirking he gave a frank whistle. Raven turned to her brother glaring while Neo got close to Jaune and the two alongside Qrow merely chuckled before she turned her glare on them. Finally, Qrow looked down at Jaune.
"So as much as I like embarrassing my sis mind telling me why we let him go."
"Simple, he more valuable as a guide to Salem place." Qrows eyes widened at the statement before he cracked a smile.
"Well that's genuinely surprising. So that was on purpose." Jaune merely smirked back.
"Not as far as he knows." Qrow seemed genuinely surprised. "Listen, Salem has two of her other agents out and about, As much as I'd love to stay and trade info one of them is directly involved with the White Fang and I need to get this info to Ghira." Qrow nodded and Jaune turned to face Raven who opened a rift just as Jaune readied to enter.
"Jaune!" The Arc turned to see his old friends, Ruby could only look in utter disbelief alongside Nora and Ren. A tear ran down the petite Reaper's cheek. "It's really you, isn't it?" Jaune wouldn't turn to her, not out of anger but fear.
"I'm glad your all okay…" Ruby felt like running forward but all she could do was stand there still trying to rationalize her friend being alive.
"I-I thought you di-"
"You should go get Weiss she's just outside of here." Ruby's eyes went wide art the words as they left his mouth.
"You brought Weiss! Jaune I-I thankyou!" This time he did turn to her smiling to her. But despite that she felt as though a complete stranger was looking at her, she saw his kindness but it was clouded by something else, something clam and unfeeling.
"I'll have Neo stay and cover you until I get back." Jaune looked to his Partner who gave a short pout before nodding reluctantly, with a smile Jaune patted her hair. "Thanks Neo I'll bring back a Gallon of your favorite ice cream kay."
Without turning to the three Jaune entered the rift vanishing within it Raven didn't turn to the teens or even Qrow though she spared a glance to Neo before quickly fallowing Jaune. Ruby begun to run forward to her comrade with a new weight deep in her heart.
(Menagerie)
Jaune and Raven exited the void landing upon the soil of Menagerie sanding just before the Belladonna household. Jaune knocked against the door.
"Why didn't we just port in?" Jaune turned to Raven with a smirk.
"This time were in no rus-" Jaune turned as above he saw Blake leap into foliage after somebody. Jaune looked to Raven and the veteran took on her Raven form. Jaune begun to fallow Blake
Blake wasn't about to lose her she leaped from tree to tree never losing sight of the White Fang spy.
"Gotcha!" From above Sun stuck down, but perhaps screaming out wasn't the best for a ambush as she quickly dove away from his assault. Blake leaped down after her on to the rooftop the women's skin begun to shift revealing her chameleon traits and she withdrew a odd whip that glowed brightly she struck forward cutting into the piping Sun landed on her blind side but on once again chose to announce himself taking away the element of surprise the spy lurched the whip at him causing him to stumble back. Blake struck while her attention was diverted hitting away her scroll, she jabbed forward but failed as the spy merely kicked her away before Sun tackled the women down.
"Grab the scroll! Seems someone thinks it's important!" The women headbutted Sun and lurched forward alongside Blake. Just as she managed to catch up a group of Sun's spectral clones tackled her down. Thou it didn't last long quickly breaking apart the women stood up and directed the whip to level with Blake, mask shattered to reveal her face, one Blake recognized all too well.
"Ilia."
"Wait, you know her! But she doesn't even look like a f-aagh!" Ilia's whip stabbed into Sun's shoulder and brought him down for good.
"Sun!" Ilia once more directed the Whip to Blake.
"Give it to me."
"No." Ilia's colors shifted once more.
"You shouldn't have come back." She backed away and tore her whip across the rooftop creating a thick cloud.
"And you should be aware of your surroundings." The scroll was suddenly liberated from Blake's hands as a raven flew past her nabbing the scroll. From the cloud, Ilia was launched forward off the rooftop and into the ground. She looked up to see Jaune step out. The Raven flew unto his shoulder and placed the scroll into his palm Jaune placed it within his pocket. The forlorn knight turned to see the downed Sun and surprised Blake before turning back to Ilia.
"What makes this scroll so important?" Ilia looked up staring daggers at Jaune.
"I'll never tell you!" Jaune merely cocked his head back and smiled menacingly
"Oh, so it has info on White Fang's current plans." Ilia's face drained of color
"How did you know that!"
"You told me."
"I did no such thing!"
"Maybe not with your mouth… what's the password to their network?" Ilia sneered and slung her whip forward at him. Jaune didn't so much as move as the raven shifted form and withdrew her blade parrying Ilia's strike with ease. "I see… Adam Taurus is your access code quite the coincidence he's pretty high on my personal black list mind giving me directions." Ilia's face flushed red before morphing into a sneer.
"I'll kill you!" Jaune suddenly stopped his joking attitude and his smile left him.
"So you see him as some kind of hero…" Jaune leaped down withdrawing his blade he struck at Ilia, who narrowly avoid his blow only to receive a fallow up kick from him that propelled her into the wall of a house. "He fought for the faunus hm. Interesting so you actually idolize them… That murderer." Jaune stepped toward the shock Ilia who sneered at him.
"Adam fought for us for his people!"
"Really now… do you know what you lot managed to accomplish." Jaune thrusted the blade into Ilia's shoulder from the wound ice slowly spread out. "Genocide." Jaune retracted the blade his face cold and uncaring as he watched Ilia fall to the ground. "Make any unnecessary movement and that arm will shatter. Now you Will answer three question and after I will decide what should be done to you."
Blake felt a shiver run up her spine as she looked to the former student. "First question, how long have you been spying on the Belladonnas."
"I did no su-agggh!" Ilia begun to convulse on the ground holding her head as she struggled.
"I don't want to get the answer from your head I want to hear it from your mouth you filthy pest! Now Tell Me!"
"S-since Blake returned… for Adam…" Blake saw Jaune's grip tighten on his sword.
"Second question… why'd you attack Sun?" ilia glared up at Jaune.
"Because he was about to say I looked like one of you wretched human!" Jaune actually begun to laugh.
"Last question… where's Adam?" Ilia looked up to Jaune.
"I'll never tell you." Jaune didn't frown or smile instead he calmly spoke and leaned down to Ilia.
"Since you've been so informative I'm gonna do you a huge favor and tell you a secret. My semblance is telepathy" Ilia's eye widened in surprise. "I can communicate with other miles away with nothing but a mere thought. But I can also you it to spy and learn your thoughts as your having them." Jaune once more stood up and glared down at Ilia. "In other words every thought you had and memory that flashed through you head were directly broadcasted to me." Jaune held the sword above Ilia's head "You weren't involved directly in the Fall of Vale but you were a supporter of it and plan to assist with the overthrowing Sienna Khan." Jaune swung down his blade but Blake blocked his thrust.
"Jaune stop!" Jaune lokked down to the cat faunus his eyes seeming to look through her.
"Move." Jaune begun to apply force to the blade and Blake could hear Gambol Shroud crack against Jaune's blade. Jaune's aura begun to flare out and Blake felt herself struggling to stand. "Tell me why she shouldn't die."
"She can't fight back. She's not a threat anymore!" Jaune exhaled and drew back his sword, sheathing it.
"If you want to protect her so bad then fine but maybe Sun should warrant a bit of your concern as well." Jaune walked up to the faunus boy before she could even speak Jaune begun to pump his aura into sun's form and the wound on his arm begun to heal. Sun face became calm Jaune who seemed a bit relieved heaved him over his shoulder. "Raven."
Behind Blake a rift formed and Jaune made his way to it. "get in it'll lead you home." Jaune sparred a glance at Ilia. "If you so much as breathe suspiciously I will cut you down." Blake grabbed Ilia by the side and drug her through the rift.
(Belladonna House)
"And that's about the sum of it, Adam intends to fallow through and eliminate Sienna taking control of the Fang and repeat his actions in Mistral." Blake starred wide eyed at Jaune seemed utterly unphased at the words he was saying. Ghira seemed to consider each and every option before speaking.
"If his plans were to succeed it would be the fall of Vale all over again."
"Sun: Not if we destroy the White Fang once and for all." Jaune turned to the healed faunus.
"You really believe you can?" Sun turned to Jaune who merely shrugged. "What you faced was merely the Vale faction, not only that but the fact that Adam wants to overthrow them is enough of a reason to see they aren't in agreement with his radical views." Blake looked up to Jaune.
"So, what would you do." Jaune cracked a genuine smile at the question.
"Simple, if Adam is the core of the issue then all there is, is to eliminate him before he can meet up with Hazel." Blake looked at the Arc shocked at his words.
"D-do you even understand what you're saying! It's as if you're talking about putting down an animal instead of a faunus!" Jaune just stood up ignoring the cat faunus not regarding her until he neared the rift Raven had formed. He faced her, Black fell to her knees as flashes ran through her head. She saw them before Jaune some pleading while others cursed with their last breaths but no matter how they acted it ended the same. If they had killed during the Fall he ended their lives and if they had merely participated, he severed what made them Faunus. She starred up at Jaune her eyes narrowed rage.
"You killed Faunus! So many of us."
She rushed at Jaune and fired Gambol Shroud Jaune sneered as he switched his sword to its lighting dust and let loose a wave of electricity slamming into black she used her shadow to avoid only to feel a pressure on her throat as Jaune grabbed her and threw her back into a wall. "I didn't hurt any Faunus!... I KILLED THE ANIMALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF VALE!" Blake looked to her father and mother they were both obviously furious… yet they didn't do anything.
"Animals! They may have acted horribly but still th-!" Jaune blade stabbed forward his blade cutting her hair and slicing the top layer of her skin.
"How many… How many people have to die!" more memories flooded her mind of the same White Fang members Jaune killed. She saw what they did during Vale the people they killed… even children. "You say you want equality, but in reality all you want is for all faunus to be treated better even if it cost human lives to achieve."
"That's not true!" Aura enveloped Jaune flaring out around Blake.
"Then what is?" Jaune begun to tremble as he glared into Blake's eyes. "What makes the life of the man who tried to kill you and cripple Yang so much more important?" Blake's eyes begun to water as even more memories flooded her mind. More deaths and destruction all being cheered on. Blake fell to her knees tears running down her face.
"I don't know I-I just, I just." Jaune relented perhaps he was being too hard on her. Jaune ceased flowing the memories of those he killed into her. He turned back to the rift. And made his way into it. his goal clear, to kill Adam. Blake rose up and begun to make her way to the Rift.
You may despise me but I will stop him for what he's done and intends to do.
Ghira comforted his daughter while he agreed with the Arc boy he couldn't approve of his methods. He looked down to his daughter who trembled in his arms.
Tears ran down Blake's face she could see his memories maybe he hadn't meant to let her see but she did. She saw the memories of his time in Beacon and how much it meant to him… how much they meant to him. "W-why did we betray you? Jaune."
(Mistral Outskirts)
Adam stepped forward alongside his followers, today was the day he ended this Sienna was weak and soft only he could guide his people down the truly glorious path. Jaune stepped forward and before his eyes one of his man fell to the earth his head bursting apart like a vase. The man looked around each other only for Raven to land down upon them. Adam rushed towards Raven only to be blocked by Jaune who locked eyes with him. "She's not your opponent Adam I am." Jaune pushed back the faunus and withdrew his blade he rushed Adam only for Adam to draw his blade shattering Jaune's in but an instant. Jaune jumped back narrowly avoiding Adam's fallowing strike.
Jaune skidded against the ground Adam quickly rushed forward but Jaune had expected this, in fact he was actually disappointed he'd thought Adam would've landed that blow. Then again Jaune had been reading his thoughts the entire time.
Raven now!
Jaune lifted his hand which entered a rift from it he withdrew a whip Adam vaguely remembered. "That's Ilia's isn't it." Jaune lifted up the weapon and lurched it forward at him. Adam withdrew Wilt cutting the already damaged whip apart, yet Jaune wasn't concerned as he rushed forward once more and lifting his hand into the void withdrawing yet another blade from Adam's past. Jaune Slammed the Broad Blade Chainsaw against Wilt. Jaune shifted the weight of his weapon to lean it down making it bite into Adam's mask. Adam withdrew blush and fired away at Jaune who maneuvered the massive blade before himself to absorb the blast. "That sword…"
Jaune merely never broke eye contact with the man. "It belonged to one of your lieutenants… The first one I made a point of hunting down solely to exterminate." Adam snarled at the sight as Jaune withdrew the cracked mask of Adam's forming comrade shattering it in his bare hands.
"I'll kill you! Wretched human!" Jaune ran forward and he and Adam collided each exchanging blows. Each of Adam's blows we're launched back or parried he couldn't understand how was he being predicted and more importantly how was this boy predicting him. so easily. Adam went for another strike but Jaune was to fast avoiding his blow. Adam roared once more and lunged forward at Jaune. As he readied his attack Jaune smiled gripping his blade. Adam rushed forward only for a rift to appear before Jaune Wilt alongside Adam's hand entered the portal before closing, severing his hand.
Jaune took the opening, tearing the chainsword into the Faunus's abdomen. Jaune withdrew the blade allowing the Faunus to fall to the ground knowing his aura wouldn't be able to heal his wound. With the his last breathes Adam looked up to the Forlorn Knight. "H-how did you."
You never even noticed did you?
Adam froze as the voice emerged within his head he looked up to the Jaune. "What?"
This entire time I've been hardwired into your mind. you didn't notice how unusually anger and scared you became, or how I knew how you were going to attack. The reason is because from the moment your first men fell I had linked to your mind and fed you all my anger and hate while reading each of your thoughts throughout battle.
Adam mind was suddenly flooded with the death of his comrades. "I hope that proves my intent. Let me make this clear to you. Your little revolution ends here, you will die but you may be able to spare your comrades lives if you just tell me one thing."
"W-what?" Jaune leaned down before Adam.
"What made you do this?" Jaune didn't need the man to answer, he just need to make him remember. Through Jaune's mind memories of a small boy whose father and mother died in the one of the SDC's mine entered he saw the boy being beaten and left for dead as they were treated as little more than pest and left to die in the tundra of Atlas. Jaune frowned and bit his lip as a tear ran down his cheek. "I understand." Jaune lifted his hand skyward. "Sorry Pyrrha I need to see your guardian for a moment." A rift appeared from it he withdrew Corcea Mors from the void.
Jaune looked down to Adam. "I can never forgive you for what you've done, but I can at least say I understand why… It too bad if we had met back when we were kids maybe we could have been friend and fellow huntsman… but that wasn't what happened." Despite all he had done Adam was a man of conviction and he fought for what he truly thought was the only path to his peoples freedom. He couldn't fault him for that but he refused to forgive him either, Adam would die here for all he'd done but Jaune wouldn't use the weapon one of Taurus's brothers or sisters he was a powerful enemy if he hadn't become so adept with his semblance surely he would have been cut down.
Jaune gave the man an act of mercy flooding Adam's mind with all the memories of Blake in beacon he had… and ended his suffer. Adam died with a smile on his face, the smile this world had had stolen from him.
Raven spare them they came to prove themselves they've never taken a life. Raven reluctantly drew back her blade, before creating a rift for Jaune to return Corcea Mors to it resting place he looked to Adam's corpse one last time and decided. Jaune took Wilt and Blush, deciding they had bathed long enough in the blood of the innocent and should be balanced by the wicked.
"Raven we have to report back to Ghira before heading back to Neo." Jaune and Raven left Mistral once more, even though Jaune had killed the man he hated for so long he could draw no happiness.
(Belladonna House)
Jaune exited the rift stepping into the main room of the Belladonna's house. Ghira quickly observed the boy noting Wilt and Blush. "I see so you were successful." Jaune neither denied nor accepted the chiefs words instead opting to merely sit down and look the chief straight in the eyes.
"We require your assistance." Ghira rose a brow curiously at the boys word.
"And what might it be."
"We may have taken care of Adam but I'm positive Salem gave Hazel a contingency plan incase he we to be killed. I would like to intercept the him before he can make contact with Sienna."
"What exactly are you asking for? Back-up?" Jaune shook his head.
"No such thing, I'm merely asking you bring to light Adams transgressions and intent towards the White Fang. If Hazel were to catch wind of it he would have to act more predictively or more preferably retreat." Ghira crossed his arm and considered the boy query he nodded approvingly.
"Allow me a short while to make preparations." Jaune rose from his seat.
"Of course" Jaune begun to make his way out from the house only to stop when a hand grabbed him from behind. Jaune turned to the figure the blue of his eyes leveled with the amber of her own. "What is it Blake?" Blake let go upon catching the boy's attention., though he eyes widened upon seeing Adam's weapon hanging off him. Jaune sighed and looked at Blake's trembling form.
"I killed him…" He felt her relief at the knowledge and shame as well. "I won't say I wished I spared him. none the less for all he did. He always sis it to protect his people." Blake could see it on his face the expression some of the White Fang members had on their own. Contempt for themselves but an acceptance as well.
"Jaune do you… like taking revenge on those responsible for The Fall." Blake was surprised when a new feeling entered her. Utter guilt and self hatred.
"How… How could anyone enjoy murder. Yet…" Jaune clenched his fist, which begun to tremble fiercely. "But I'd rather have the blood of the wicked stain my hands then, have a purer soul take up arms in revenge!" Blake was surprised by the sudden outburst, but she understood lkike her he was keeping the others safe.
"Your half right… but only I'm keeping them safe." Blake looked back to Jaune. "You really think abandoning the people you love so much is helping them. All you did was give them more to despair over."
"You… wouldn't understand." Hand slapped against the wall and Blake leaned against the wall while Jaune leaned forward.
"I understand that you think you're the reason for Yang's injuries and Sun's as well. However the truth is that Sun is happy he was able to be here with you and Yang's despair isn't from losing her limb… it is that she was once more abandoned by someone she considered family. Just because you left them doesn't mean the Fang will stop targeting them all you did was make a weakness in your team. Stop Running from those that need you." Jaune backed away and decided to make his way back to Ghira and to his surprise Blake fallowed.
Upon entering Ghira had Jaune sit down once more. "I have a question for you?"
"Shoot."
"We cannot leave menagerie unattended will having me leave and Khali stay be efficient." Jaune nodded and Ghira looked to his wife the women only smiled back. Raven withdrew her sword and cut open yet another rift Jaune placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled in appreciation before the two entered.
"Jaune!" Jaune turned around and was surprise to see Blake.
"I have coming with you."
"Why?"
"I'm tired of running and I want to see my friends, I need to see them and apologize." Jaune visibly softened at that and relented as she waved her on in.
(Mistral Forest)
Ruby and Weiss sat alongside the fire as the sun set talking about everything and telling each other what happened to them after the fall. Finally Weiss reached the point where she ran into Raven's rift and the two became rather silent while Ren and Nora looked to the floor.
"Ruby: I can't believe he's alive."
"Nora: Jaune-Jaune's been okay this whole time."
"Weiss: Why didn't he tell us?" Qrow begun to laugh solemnly.
"Qrow: Why would he want to?" The three turned to Qrow who seemed annoyed.
"Ruby: What do you mean. Jaune should've told us we thought he died!"
"Qrow: and maybe that's exactly what he wanted."
"Weiss: What!"
"Qrow: Calm down princess I'm just saying why would he go to the people who sold him out in the first place?" The four didn't have an answer for that. "I remembered that day, I have never been disappointed in you or Yang at least not till that." Ruby wanted to talk back but she knew he was right as did all the other apparently. "Despite the faunus girls background you all decided to see everything in black and white on that day and do something stupid ruining his life. The fact that he helping you instead of teaming up with Salem is a miracle in and of itself." Ruby was still trying to wrap her head around all the things Qrow had told her after Jaune left.
Finally, the four noticed Neo as she paced around the bottom of her dressed ripped and dirty, Qrow chuckled before turning to her. "You worrying about you boy toy." Neo turned to Qrow pouting but Weiss noted she didn't shake her head in denial at the question.
Before Qrow could respond a rift opened up from it Jaune emerged alongside Raven. Ruby was surprised when Neo rushed forward at him. The ice creamed them girl slammed into Jaune who smiled down at her. Patting her head, Jaune stepped forward towards Qrow who looked down to his belt to see Wilt and Blush hanging from it. Just as Ruby readied to speak to Jaune Blake emerged from the void alongside a man that looked like her father. "Ruby & Weiss: BLAKE!"
The faunus turned to her comrade and rushed forward to the two as well as a very surprised Ren and Nora. Jaune smiled at the sight before turning back to Qrow. "I was hoping you could inform Blake and Ghira about Salem before we rest." Qrow gave a curt nod and turned to Blake and her father waving them forward. Ruby and Weiss noticed Jaune walking off into the forest, Weiss and Ruby fallowed Jaune curious were he went and hopping to reconcile.
Ruby and Weiss froze as a familiar voice hit their ears, The, two rushed forward stopping right behind a tree and looked on to see Jaune. The Arc boy withdrew his new Wilt, he examined the blade trying to determine whether or not it was durable enough. "Let see if your sturdy enough." Jaune leaned to a nearby stump and placed his old scroll down upon it. from it a old video begun to play from back at the beginning of his training. Pyrrha appeared on the scroll ad begun to speak.
"Alright, Jaune, just like we practiced."
Jaune positioned himself accordingly to the voice in place of a shield he rose his arm allowing his aura to seep through it as if readying to block a attack with his bare hand.
"Ready."
Jaune demeanor changed becoming more relaxed and focused and his eye sharper and much more intense.
"Go."
Jaune stabbed the chokutō forward the wind actually carried his attack piecing a tree through.
"Again."
Jaune pulled the blade back and unleashed a collected horizontal swing that The grass wavered and the nearest tree was cut apart, Jaune took a single deep breath before realigning his focus.
"And again."
Jaune let his aura manifest no longer caring to restrain it and gripped the sword with both hands before swinging it downward the wind howled and ripped forward cutting a nearby tree in half.
"Okay. Now, assuming you're not cheating… we can take a break."
Jaune sheathed Wilt his expression solemn as he turned to the scroll.
"I know this can be frustrating. And it can feel like so much effort to progress such a small amount, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you."
No, you wouldn't not if you knew what I've done…
"I've never met someone so determined to better themselves."
It was only because you believed in me.
"You've grown so much since we started training."
"hehe, If only you could see how much."
"And I know this is just the beginning."
Yeah… I guess back then it was…
"Jaune."
The forlorn knight focused on the scroll as if he hadn't seen this so many times.
"I… I..."
Jaune lips begun to tremble. "Just… say it."
"I just want you to know that I am just so happy to be a part of your life."
A single tear landed on to the grass beneath.
Pyrrha…
"I'll always be here for you, Jaune."
"Liar…" The scroll auto rewind and at the sight Jaune sneered. "LIAR!" His aura erupted once more forcing the scroll to fly off. Jaune lifted Wilt and brought it down into the stump the force ripping open his arms by the sheer force shredding it apart and creating a savage crevice in the earth "AHHH!" Jaune rose the blade once more and brought it down again the blow brought up clouds of dust his left arm going limp from the excessive injuries. Jaune ready to swing once more with his beaten but able hand, Ruby and Weiss ready to rush forward. Jaune swung down, only to be countered by a quick acting Raven
Upon his shoulder Neo leaped locking his good arm with entirety of her body, Jaune writhed and roared in protest before finally falling to his knees and trembling, wails filled the air as he cried out in pain and regret. Raven and Neo closed in on their comrade holding him tightly.
"Raven: Jaune, we didn't retrieve that scroll so you could do this to yourself… your semblance may be strong but you used it to much today… didn't you? You took in too many memories of regret and guilt not to mention what you've done today." Jaune's body begun to lessen its trembling.
"T-thankyou…" Jaune and the two embraced each other and Raven spoke.
"Jaune why do you insist on helping them on watching over them?" Jaune took a deep breath before he spoke.
"When I learned that Pyrrha was gone, a piece of me went with her. The part that was JNPR's leader, the part of me that was her partner. you want to know why I watch them, why I'm here? it's simple… Losing Pyrrha left a deep pain that will never leave."
Jaune gripped his chest tightly as tears ran down his face and he trembled once more. "I don't want to know if that pain will greaten if anyone else dies… So even if I'm angry, I want to see them smile. Even if I'm in pain I want them to be at peace. And even if I'm loss in despair I want them to remain hopeful… I love them, even if all they do is remind me of how little I meant to them."
The two held him close, while Ruby and Weiss left. Feeling a deep weight in their heart.
Sorry this took so long hope I did a decent job on this chapter.