[#] Pyrrha hitting Noir in the mouth got some cathartic comments... and Nora 'snu-snuing' Ren got great comments too.
[#] As always, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 dollar.
COMMENTS:
The_Cobalt_Void[archiveofourown]: My man…. You do not do that jaune. Bro code, he only dies by snu-snu if he agrees to it. Also, cute little sis, yay wholesome relationships!
AVIP: Dude, you just gave me an idea.
Jaune and Ren keep trying to make each other suffer with love from their girlfriends. Ren gets Snu-Snu with Nora. Jaune gets some 'love marks' from Yandere Pyrrha.
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[Blanche]
We step into the dimly lit warehouse, the air heavy with dust and the sharp tang of rusted metal. Silence presses in from all sides, broken only by the faint whistle of wind through cracked windows.
At the center of the vast, empty space, a solitary figure sits in wait.
"Adam." Noir whispers in rage.
He lifts his head slowly, his left eye catching the dim light while the mechanical one whirs and sharpens its focus on us. A predatory smile curls across his lips, sending a shiver down my spine. Beside me, Ce and Lilas radiate tension, their bodies taut and ready to strike.
"I've given you Arcs more than enough time to wallow in your shame and weakness," Adam drawls, his voice echoing coldly through the hollow space.
His arm begins to twist, metal and flesh warping into something monstrous. From the grotesque transformation bursts a Grimm centipede, its mandibles glistening with dripping acid.
I've never seen anything like it before, likely a variant of the Centinel Grimm.
Ce leans in, her voice a mere whisper.
"What's the plan, Blanche?"
I keep my eyes locked on Adam, my mind racing.
"We fight with everything we've got. Keep him busy, and hope Jaune finds an opening to take him down."
Adam leans back, an arrogant smile playing on his lips, his voice laced with condescension.
"No need to whisper your little schemes, Arcs. It won't change a thing. You'll all die painfully."
Noir's rage boils over. She charges, her battle cry echoing through the warehouse.
"Die filthy beast!"
"Idiot!" Ce hisses under her breath, "That's exactly what he wants."
"Ce, cover us! Lilas, with me! We're on the defensive!" I bark out orders.
Adam's smile grows crueler as Noir closes in. His Grimm arm snaps forward, the centipede lashing out.
Noir takes the hit head-on, her telekinetic field protecting her from the acid, but already starting to drain her Aura. She screams, furious, drawing her swords and digging them into the Grimm's dark flesh. Adam's laughter echoes through the warehouse, chilling and malicious. He draws his katana, advancing on Noir with a predator's grace.
Céruléenne's arrow streaks through the air, glowing blue as it multiplies mid-flight, a hail of arrows forcing Adam to pause, his movements unnaturally fast as he blocks the assault.
I seize the moment, charging forward, shield first. Metal screams against metal as I crash into Adam's katana, Lilas close behind. Her sword burns with purple Aura, a lethal counterpoint to Adam's dark blade.
Adam dodges Lilas' strike, his Semblance flaring to avoid Lilas deadly aura. A wave of force sends her crashing back, but I stand my ground, shield braced. Adam's eyes narrow, his grin feral.
"You're stronger than you look, Arc."
"And you're uglier than I remember, Taurus." I snap back at him.
His smile fades, replaced by a snarl.
He lunges, katana flashing in a blur. I retreat, deflecting each strike, the impacts rattling my bones. Lilas joins the fray, her sword a whirlwind of violet energy, while Ce's arrows rain down relentlessly, forcing Adam to split his focus.
Noir, fully recovered, charges back in, her swords a blur of steel. Adam's Grimm arm lashes out, the centipede's jaws snapping just inches from her face. She doesn't flinch, her blades biting deep into the creature's flesh.
Adam's breath hitches, pain flickering across his face. His Grimm arm recoils, the centipede's form wavering. I press the advantage, shield bashing him back. Lilas darts in, her blade grazing his cheek, drawing blood.
Adam roars, his katana sweeping in a wide arc of energy. I leap back, but Lilas can't react in time. Noir leaps forward, placing herself squarely in the path, taking the full force of the strike.
"Thanks." Whispers Lilas.
"Fogert about it." Mutters Noir focused on Adam.
As the fight drags on the warehouse echoes with the clash of steel and the grunts of exertion. We're holding our own, better than last time, but Adam... he's a monster. Every blow he lands, every strike he deflects, it's like he's toying with us. Our Aura is draining, fatigue setting in, but Adam… he's still standing like he just started.
Ce unleashes a storm of arrows on Adam. He dodges and weaves, his katana a blur as it deflects the barrage. Each arrow clatters uselessly to the ground. Ce's breath hitches, her face pale with exhaustion, she's pouring too much Aura into her Semblance, but we need every advantage we can get.
Lilas darts in, her sword a whirlwind of purple. She's a blur of motion, her strikes precise, deadly. But Adam matches her, blow for blow, his katana charged with his own Semblance meeting her sword with a resonating clang. He's too fast, too strong. Lilas's breath comes in ragged gasps, her movements slowing. She's tiring, and Adam knows it.
The warehouse echoes with the deafening roar as Adam's arm morphs into a monstrous form I've never seen before. The creature's maw gapes open, blue flames erupting like a torrent of energy, surging towards us. Noir stands defiant, her telekinetic field protecting her as the inferno engulfs my twin sister. She grits her teeth, resisting, but her Aura flickers, and shatters. Panic surges through me. I lunge, shoving Noir out of the path, taking the brunt of the attack.
At the end of the burst I feel the shield softening, when the torrent of fire ceases I throw it to the side, where the shield deforms like mud.
"Blanche!" Ce's voice rings out, filled with horror. "That shield was forged from our family's secret alloy, the strongest metal in Remnant… and it melted like snow."
Adam steps forward, his voice a low growl.
"I didn't let you Arcs' sisters live just to humiliate you. Every day, with every battle, I grow stronger."
Adam's Grimm arm twists again, the dragon form receding into a twisted, corrupted semblance of a human hand, a grotesque fusion of Sea Feilong and humanoid grimm flesh, crimson veins of energy pulsing beneath the surface. He transfers his katana to the abomination hand, the blade crackling with electricity as the red of his Semblance intertwines with the blue.
A maniacal laugh echoes through the warehouse, chilling my blood.
"What are your final words, Arcs?"
The warehouse falls silent, save for the distant hum of the wind outside and Adam empowered blade. The air crackles with tension, the calm before the storm.
Of all the Arc sisters is Lilas's voice that rings out, steady and clear.
"Jaune… help," she whispers, her voice trembling.
As if in response to Lilas, a sharp metallic slice echoed through the warehouse.
SHIIIIIIIIIIING!
Adam staggers in pain as Jaune Arc is kneeling before us, his left leg bent, a blood-red vibro-katana humming in his right hand and its sheath steady in his left.
He's silent, his back to Adam, facing us. My heart swells with a mix of relief and pride.
'He did it...' I think in awe. 'He actually did it.'
Adam's voice cuts through the silence, a low growl.
"Who are you?"
Jaune's response is calm, almost casual, but laced with an undercurrent of power.
"I am the storm that is approaching."
I stare, mouth agape, as Jaune sheathes the katana. The ring of metal against metal echoes through the warehouse, a haunting note that sends a shiver down my spine. When the katana's guard slides into the sheath, Adam screams in agony, his body convulsing as his Grimm arm tears free from his flesh.
"GYAAAAAAH!" He drops to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps, eyes wide with shock and agony.
Desperation twists his features as he lunges for the writhing limb. But before Adam can reach his grim flesh member, the thing is yanked away, pinned by an unseen force.
The limb thrashes under invisible pressure, like a fish out of water being stepped on. Dark flesh pulsating, veins of crimson energy surging beneath the surface. Then, slowly, the air shimmers over the limb, revealing the invisible assailant.
Pyrrha Nikos stands tall, her spear stuck to the Grimm keeping it away from Adam.
Jaune rises slowly as his katana dissolves in golden mist, turning to face Adam. He reaches for his waist, drawing a golden metallic collar, wide enough to fit around a neck. His steps echo through the warehouse, each one measured, deliberate. Adam's human eye widens in realization, finally recognizing who stands before him.
"You..." Adam's voice is a choked whisper, disbelief etched on his face. "You're the one who stole my purpose, the cursed human that killed my soul."
Jaune's expression remains calm, almost serene.
"By the power vested in me by Faunaria, I Jaune Arc put you, Adam Taurus, under arrest. You will be escorted to Faunaria to stand trial for your crimes."
Adam's breath hitches, his body trembling with rage.
Just as Jaune reaches to apprehend Adam, a sudden, blinding flash of light arcs across the warehouse. A bolt of pure energy hisses and snaps as it hurtles toward him. My heart leaps into my throat, but Jaune reacts instantly. He spins, raising his shield just in time to intercept the lighting blast.
The voice that follows is smooth, seductive, dripping with malice.
"Jaune Arc," the voice purrs, reverberating through the warehouse. "I had planned to find you later… but it seems I must accelerate my plans. I can't let you take my new favorite toy."
From the catwalk in the corner of the warehouse, energy crackles and coils, arching through the shape of a woman. Her skin is alabaster, her hair a flowing cascade of black, and her eyes… piercing amber, sharp and predatory. A black mask hides half her face, yet I recognize her immediately. She's the one who sipped wine, watching our first fight against Adam.
Jaune, though, doesn't even flinch. Instead, he starts to laugh.
It's a deep, genuine laugh, like he's just heard the funniest joke in the world. The sound echoes through the warehouse, bouncing off the metal walls, filling the space with an eerie vibration. The woman's eyes widen for a second, then narrow in fury.
"Why are you laughing?!" she roars, her voice cracking like thunder. "What could possibly be so amusing?!"
Jaune's laughter slows, but his smile remains, wide and genuine. He equips his shield on his left arm and draws his sword in his right hand, the blade burning with an intense, otherworldly flame.
"You dumb bitch," he says evenly, eyes narrowing. "You just made my job a lot easier."
Her eyes flash with rage. She steps forward, her heels clicking against the metal catwalk.
"You dare mock me?!" she hisses, fury trembling in her voice.
But to her surprise the catwalk shudders and groans under an unseen force. The woman stumbles, her heels slipping as she flails to regain her balance. Confusion flashes across her face, quickly replaced by alarm.
"What is this?!" she demands, her voice cracking with fury, echoing through the warehouse. "What are you doing?!"
Beside Jaune, Pyrrha Nikos steps forward, her hand outstretched towards the woman, fingers splayed. Her eyes are narrowed in concentration, brow furrowed, a sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"Jaune, what do I do?" Pyrrha asks, staring at her.
Jaune turns to her, a soft smile playing on his lips. He reaches out, squeezing her shoulder gently. His voice is steady, reassuring.
"Bring her down, Pyr."
[Ruby]
As a Team we decide to 'escape' curfew to go to the Emerald Forest to test the items Jaune made for everyone.
But as soon as we arrive in the forest, we become shy and hesitant to try it despite our earlier excitement.
BOOM! BOOM!
I mean… all except Yang, who is exploding rocks with flaming punches while laughing and shouting happily.
BOOM! BOOM! KABOOM!
"UHUUUUUU!" yells my older sister, practically bouncing with glee. "I LOVE THAT MAN!"
"Soooo, how about you guys?" I ask, kicking a pebble and watching it skitter across the forest floor.
Yang's enthusiastic explosions echo in the background, but I'm more interested in what my teammates got from Jaune.
Blake holds up a peculiar pocket watch, its metallic casing gleaming even in the dim light filtering through the canopy.
"He gave me this weird pocket watch. Said it's got some special properties, but I haven't figured it out yet." She shrugs, her long black hair swaying gently.
Weiss, standing a bit apart from us, eyes a large flask filled with a strange, viscous liquid.
"Mine is this… odd substance." She wrinkles her nose as she examines it. "I have no idea what it's supposed to do, and I'm not touching it until I talk to Arc."
Blake chuckles, her golden eyes flickering with amusement.
"Well, at least you were excited enough to break the rules and come with us."
Weiss's cheeks flush slightly, but she maintains her composure.
"Of course, these items could significantly affect our team dynamics. It's important to understand them." She huffs, looking away as Blake smirks at her.
Turning to me, Blake asks:
"What about you, Ruby? What did Jaune give you?"
My face heats up, and I stammer.
"I-I can't really talk about it." I look down, kicking at the dirt, trying to hide my embarrassment.
'I can't tell them…. I just can't.' I think as my face burns hotter, and I know I must be glowing like a stop sign.
Blake's golden eyes fix on me, curious, and Weiss has that trademark judgmental eyebrow raised.
How am I supposed to explain that Jaune picked out this ridiculously skimpy, tight suit? Just thinking about it makes me so embarrassed.
My heart hammers in my chest, a chaotic rhythm that matches the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.
'Why did Jaune give me that? Does he think I need it? Does he want to see me in it?' The thought sends a strange thrill through me, a mix of embarrassment and excitement that I can't quite understand.
"Ruby?" Blake prompts, tilting her head. Her cat ears twitch slightly, a sign of her growing curiosity.
"I-I… it's nothing," I stammer, looking away. I can feel their eyes on me, heavy with expectation, but I can't meet them. I can't let them see the storm raging inside me.
Weiss huffs, her breath a small cloud in the cool forest air.
"If it were nothing, you wouldn't be acting so strangely," she says, her voice sharp. But there's an undercurrent of concern, a softness that belies her harsh words.
I shrug, trying to play it off.
"It's just… personal stuff… and you know… thing," I mumble, my voice barely audible. Heat floods my face, my ears burning, I probably look like a tomato by now.
Weiss and Blake clearly want to pry the truth from me, but Yang's shout draws our attention.
"Look what I can do!" she shouts, grinning like a kid in a candy store.
We turn to see Yang hoisting a massive Ursa Major with one hand, the creature thrashing furiously. Its roars echo through the forest, but Yang's grip is firm, her muscles straining.
Blake's eyes widen, jaw dropping as shock registers on her face.
"Yang, what the…?" she starts, but Yang just grins, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Thats inhuman… please kill it properly."
"Fine…" Yang mutters, pouting like a spoiled brat.
"I get the impression Jaune isn't trying to improve all of us in a specific direction," Weiss says, her tone serious.
"What do you mean?" Blake asks.
"Judging by Nora and Yang's performance, I suspect Jaune is focusing on improving us in the areas we're already strongest in."
"Meaning…" Blakes starts.
"Meaning that-." Weiss tries to explain, but I cut her off with a scream as the realization dawns on me.
"He wants my body!" I scream.
…
"Say what now?!" Blake and Weiss exclaim together, voices rising in disbelief.
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E ai gurizada…
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Chapter 49 - Arrogance before the fall
Chapter 50 - Make your own destiny
Chapter 51 - Are you my brother?
Chapter 52 - Do Roosters have teeth?
Chapter 52 - United States of Harem
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