68

Chapter 68 – Jaune of the Beginning

The body that was not her own moved like clockwork. Though she had inhabited it for less than an hour now, her central processors allowed her to analyse and understand each and every intricacy in an instant, to know exactly what her father had created. She ducked beneath the red blade that would have sheared her head from her shoulders. The thrusters in the back of her ankles opened, jets of steam propelling her forwards as she cut up towards the enemy's sternum.

He jumped back with a growl. His speed was impressive… he was a dangerous foe. "I don't have the time to waste on you," he said, "Get out of my way Atlas trash and let me reclaim what is mine."

More emotions rushed through her, this time not only the grief – so raw and painful – but also concern, rage and fear. Adam Taurus, her memory banks told her. Little was known about him but from what she had seen between Blake and he, she could make an accurate summation as to what he meant. "You shall not harm my friend," Penny warned, "Your people have already taken my father… I will not allow you to take anyone else away from me."

Eyes narrowed behind the mask as he sheathed his weapon and fell into a drawing stance. The muscles in his legs bunched and one hand hovered above the blade. He had a giant hole in his defences right there in the centre.

She did not take it. Friend-Blake had warned her of this and she would heed that. She would also fight until her complete destruction to protect her… they were all she had left, friend-Blake and Jaune, that was. She could not speak with the latter, nor see him – but for all that it had been a brief moment she felt a stronger connection with him than she did her faunus friend. After all, for a moment, she and Jaune had been one. And so she knew how he would have fought to the death to protect the woman he loved.

She would do that now in his place. In the body that should have been his.

Adam Taurus unsheathed his blade with a sharp hiss, and as he swung it a corona of crimson energy carved its way through the floor towards her. Marble buckled and split, while tables and discarded food were incinerated in an instant.

Penny's sensors flared as they read the power behind that strike. Green eyes flashed to blue for an instant as her attention fired inwards, before she nodded and pushed a hand out to the side. A small opening between her wrist and thumb opened and a barbed coil of wire fired out. It coursed through air and slammed into a stone pillar. Her body lurched towards it as it snapped taut and drew her away from the deadly attack.

The wall of the cafeteria exploded outwards, great chunks of rock and masonry flying high into the sky. She did not have the time to savour her victory – for a flash of red light flickered towards her.

Metal screeched and her eyes flashed green once more as she grit her teeth. There was no pain as she blocked his sword with her forearm, but in a way there was something else – the alarm and shock that came through her systems as she felt her aura buckle and flex.

He pushed harder, placing a hand on the flat of his blade as he pushed her up and against the pillar until she was pinned with her feet hovering off the floor.

The aura she had continued to drop… she paid brief attention to it as she struggled to push his blade aside. Her leg kicked up and drove a metallic knee into his stomach, but apart from a grunt of pain, he ignored it.

"Die," he whispered and started to put his weight against the blade.

Theoretically, she knew what panic was, but she had never before experienced it. Now, it coursed through her as she struggled to break free. Not panic for her, who was just a machine and easily replaced – but for what she knew would happen should she fail here.

There had to be… yes, maybe. She scrunched her eyes shut as she continued to struggle, pushing her core harder and harder – feeling it begin to overheat inside of her. It was dangerous and her systems let her know immediately as they blared out warnings. Heat shot through her, as steam poured from over-hot metal.

With a gasp, she expelled it from her mouth – directly into his eyes.

"Rarrgghhhh!" The blade at her throat was removed as the man staggered back and screamed. Her body slammed into the floor, gasping not for oxygen but for colder air with which to cool her internal body. She looked up as he tried to wipe a hand across his face, only to gasp and try to remove his mask.

It was stuck to his face.

"You damn machine," he roared, "I'll destroy everything you hold dear!"

Penny grunted as she stood up and walked forwards. She paused half-way to kneel and clasp Crocea Mors, the weapon that had been Jaune's. "In that regard," she said, "You have mostly succeeded." It was a good weapon… simple, very simple compared to her spinning blades – but she could feel the history behind this blade.

One of his eyes slowly opened, cherry-red and running as the blistered skin about it cracked and bled.

Father had always warned her of the things she must be careful of… how she might accidentally hurt those she cared for if she were not careful. Like everything he said, she had taken it to heart. She had been a good girl… a good daughter, she liked to think. She hoped he had been proud of her.

Adam Taurus sheathed his blade once more, though this time the poise and calm was gone, replaced by furious red-hot anger as he sheathed and drew it in one sudden motion.

It had not fooled her the first time and it would not now. Penny dashed to the side, using the thrusters in Jaune's body to bring her to safety as she felt the wall behind her erupt. A thick fog of dust and smoke blew between them, cutting off all vision for a moment. "Engaging optics," she whispered as a thin membrane slipped down over her eyes. They began to glow a second later, as various heat sources were made visible to her.

The wall that had been hit glowed red, and much of the smoke had been heated itself and was a dull orange – but the bodies of the Atlas students, those who still lived, were clearly visible through it. As was the figure of her foe, right as he leapt out of the first ruined wall and dashed into the night.

Back towards Beacon.

Penny's eyes widened in horror.

"Blake!"

/-/

Jaune's breath didn't escape him, nor did his eyes widen. He had the capability for neither and yet his spirit went through the motions regardless. The woman lay despondent in a glass tube, scarred and broken, like a porcelain doll tossed aside and abandoned. He barely noticed as Pyrrha carried him closer. His eyes were glued to her form. He did notice when the headmaster began to work on several pieces of machinery, however.

"We have to be quick," he said, facing away from Pyrrha and Jaune. "The attack here is targeted at more than just causing discord between the Kingdoms. There's no time for hesitation Miss Nikos."

Jaune felt her arms tighten around him, drawing him a little further up towards her chin as she whispered, "I-I understand…"

"Well I don't," he growled, "Why are you not up there protecting your students? Why is all of this down here? If it's so important – why didn't you do this before Beacon was attacked!?"

There were no answers, of course – and as Pyrrha took a deep breath, she glanced down at his form. "I guess it's time…" she sighed and buried her face in his head. Did she find comfort in holding him? Was he somehow of help? He didn't know… but if it was all that he could do, then he would happily do it.

"Miss Nikos?"

"Yes, sir…" The redhead nodded and stepped towards an empty tube. It opened with a faint hiss and a gasp, the frame sliding upwards. She hesitated once more but took a deep breath and clearly forced herself to step inside.

"Should I even be in here?"

"The procedure will begin soon," Ozpin said as the glass panel came down and sealed them inside. The man's voice became muffled but was still audible. "Once it begins I will be unable to stop it. There should not be any discomfort, but if there is I'll need to ask you not to break the glass or use your semblance."

"I really feel like I shouldn't be in here…"

But what was he supposed to do? If he moved, then there was no telling what reaction the two of them might have. All he could do was whether the storm… to whatever end it might bring.

"I'm scared," Pyrrha clenched her eyes shut.

"It's okay," Jaune whispered as the machines began to whir, "I'm with you."

Heh… as if he wasn't just as afraid.

/-/

Blake grit her teeth to fight back the pain as Yang and she made her way back to where the others must have been. Every step the blonde took sent pain burning through her wounded shoulder. "I'm fine," she gasped as she noticed the agonised look her partner carried. "I've been through worse. Just… just get us back to the others."

Yang nodded and lifted Blake further up onto her shoulder. Explosions danced about them as the blonde moved them both through a frantic and confused melee. Atlas soldiers faced off against Atlas robots, while Grimm fought against either – unable or uncaring to differentiate friend from foe. Where Grimm fought machine, the machines ignored their doom – focused only on bringing death to their former masters. It was twisted and disgusting – and the bodies of the fallen were testament to its cruelty.

Blake's vision blurred as she dizziness took her. Perhaps it was the bounce of Yang's run, or maybe it was the blood loss, but she felt distant and distracted, lost in the past. Had Adam caused all of this? Somehow, she didn't think even he was capable of such. Much like how he had worked with Torchwick, it was clear that someone else was controlling him here.

But that no longer brought empathy to her mind. What excuse was it that someone controlled and pushed him? He had made his choice, and no one could accuse Adam of being a fool… if someone controlled him it was because he allowed them to, because he considered the sacrifice worth what they would gain.

And the numerous White Fang bodies that littered Beacon spoke of that sacrifice.

"Why?" she whispered, "Is this worth it?"

"Blake?" a familiar voice gasped, "Blake, hang on – I'll get you to safety."

Safety?

"Jaune?"

"N-No, it's me Yang."

"Yang…"

It wasn't Jaune, but it was a good name… she felt she could trust that. Her eyes drifted shut as she rested her head on this Yang's shoulder.

"Blake, no – hang on. We're nearly there. Damn it! RUBY, WEISS!"

More names… they made her smile, though she couldn't quite remember why. Still… through the haze and the confusion, one sentiment remained crystal clear. One image that didn't leave her.

I wanted to see Jaune again…

/-/

Green lights flared and flashed as arcs of lightning fired around them. Pyrrha clung tightly to him, her eyes shut as Jaune felt hooks and tendrils dig into his skin. Through it all he watched the man outside, who watched them in turn with a worried gaze.

Jaune saw the light from the tube glow.

He saw the lightning reach the point above them, where the two machines seemed to meet.

He saw the woman enter the hall, eyes of gold and fire forming in her hands as she drew forth a great bow.

He screamed a warning – as impotent as that was.

He saw the headmaster's eyes widen, not from the woman's intrusion but the sight of a stuffed animal pointing frantically towards him.

He saw the arrow fly.

He heard Pyrrha gasp.

He saw the world shift as something tugged at him.

He lost sight of Pyrrha.

He heard Ozpin shout out in fury.

He saw glass shatter.

As useless a move as it was, he flung up his teddy-bear arm to protect Pyrrha.

And… for the first time since his death… Jaune Arc felt something.

He felt flesh, bone and muscle… and he felt it all give way as something sharp and agonising slammed into him. A ragged gasp tore itself from his lips as pain coursed through his body. His eyes opened… he was higher up than before.

Everything hurt.

And as he looked down to where the pain came from, it was to see not a small, golden-furred limb, but one of tanned flesh. The arm shook as he lifted it up. Dark skin flushed red as blood poured from the black shaft that pierced his wrist.

Her wrist?