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Multiverse-Crafter [RWBY ISEKAI FIC]

28 - I need painkillers and a lawyer
Before I begin, I'd like to thank everyone who commented on the site's rules for posting smut in a story that wasn't explicit from the beginning.

The smut is at the end as an omake you filthy degenerates... I love you all.



[Pyrrha Nikos]

When Jaune was suspended, I was appointed by Professor Ozpin as the provisional leader of Team JNPR.

On the day, I thought the action was unnecessary. After all, Jaune would only be gone for two weeks, and we still had plenty of time before the exams started. What kind of work could I have in such a short time...

"Nora Valkyrie!" I exclaimed, my patience already exhausted. "Get out of that bed now!"

I have just one job, to ensure my team attends all the classes.

"Just five more minutes," murmured Nora sleepily.

Last week, Ren and Nora missed the first classes in the morning for three consecutive days.

I tried waking them up earlier and rushing them to get ready so they wouldn't miss the class, but it was all in vain. On the fourth day of being late, I gave up and decided not to try anymore.

Professor Ozpin did not appreciate this idea and threatened the entire Team JNPR, including Jaune, with a week of detention for every day Nora and Ren were late.

"You could at least help me, Ren," I questioned, frustrated.

"What makes you think I have any choice here?" said Ren in an irritated tone.

"You're the one spooning her from behind," I complained, pointing at the two lying together.

"She's holding my arms," he said, trying to free himself from Nora, but his partner was stronger and kept a firm grip on his arms, preventing him from freeing himself.

Since they made their relationship official by breaking Jaune's bed, Nora and Ren have joined their beds to sleep together.

I have nothing against it and even envy-. I mean, I'm happy for them. But it's starting to bother me... just a little... seeing these two's displays of affection.

The way Ren feeds Nora breakfast, the way Nora brushes Ren's hair before bed, and the worst of all, which is causing problems now. Nora and Ren spoon for hours, resulting in recurring tardiness.

"You will be on time," I murmured, threatening the two. "Even if I have to drag you out by force."

Ren looked at me cautiously, worried about my tone, while Nora ignored me and snuggled into Ren's arms.

Frustrated, I approached them and reached out to where Nora was holding Ren's arms around her.

CHOMP!

"NORA!" I shouted, horrified. "Did you just try to bite me?"

"Keep your hands off my ninja femboy, you homewrecker!" Nora threatened without moving.

"Femboy?" I questioned, astonished.

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to," Ren said in a tired tone.

"Has Nora been reading Blake's books?"

"Mistralian comics, to be exact," he replied. "Almost pornographic trash."

"How dare you!" Nora declared in a dramatic tone. "Do not insult this distinct form of art."

'Damn,' I complained internally. 'I need to change my strategy.'

Thinking of a new plan, my eyes met those of the green-clad ninja. Ren looked back at me with a raised eyebrow, suspecting I might be plotting something.

'Asking him to go against Nora is a waste of time,' I thought internally. 'So let's focus on Nora and her soft heart.'

"Is there nothing I can say to convince you?" I asked in a heavier tone.

"Nope," Nora replied, all smiles.

Starting my act, I sighed tiredly and turned my back.

"I understand, Nora," I said in a sad tone. "I can't force you to give up your morning cuddle routine."

"Yep," Nora responded, happy as can be.

Even without seeing her face, I knew she was smiling in her beloved's arms. Part of me hates the envy for this.

"I just hope Jaune can forgive me for my incompetence," I said in a dramatic and sad tone.

Behind me, the couple whispered to each other, questioning my behavior.

"I know I've failed as a leader. And Jaune will hate me for my incompetence."

Nora and Ren sat up in bed, worried about their friend's sudden change in mood.

"What are you saying, Pyrrha?" Nora asked, her voice full of concern. "You're the most amazing girl in all of Beacon."

I turned around, pretending to wipe away tears with my fist, still feigning sadness.

"But I can't get you to class on time," I lamented loudly. "And now, when Jaune returns, he will be punished because of me." I finished speaking, bringing both hands to my face while fake-crying loudly.

Nora got out of bed and came to hug me.

"Don't cry, Pyrrha, please," she said, trying to calm my fake desperation. "We won't let you feel this way. We'll try harder to be on time... right, Ren?"

Still in Nora's hug, I lifted my face and gave Ren a cynical smile.

He widened his eyes, astonished at my performance, but didn't expose me to Nora.

"Of course," he replied, confused by the whole situation.

I pulled away from the hug, trying not to let a triumphant smile form on my lips.

"Thank you," I said, pretending to still be emotional. "It means a lot to me."

I got up and left the room, happy with the result of my performance, but knowing this was only a temporary solution.

'Hope it lasts until Jaune returns,' I thought hopefully.

Nora has always been stubborn, but what surprises me is Ren being more permissive lately with her erratic behavior.

'What could he be gaining by letting Nora do whatever she wants?' I questioned internally.

[Ruby Rose]

RIIIING!

I walked around the room, not knowing what to do. My thoughts were a whirlwind of guilt, anger, and sadness.

'Do I leave Blake alone or do I go after her?' I think with uncertainty.

After a few minutes I went back to my bed and sat down, defeated. The silence of the room was deafening, thank goodness I had Yang to help me.

"Good morning sis." Yang said finishing getting dressed.

I'm so inattentive that I hadn't noticed when Yang had woken up.

"Any plans for the weekend?" She asks, trying to cheer me up.

Yang knew I was depressed, so she was trying to distract me to cheer me up. But more important than improving my mood was Blake's whereabouts.

'And that's what I'm going to do.' I thought clenching my fist determinedly.

"I do have a plan." I replied getting up with a new spirit, now that I remembered what was most important. "We're going to the city to look for Blake."

There's a missing member of Team RWBY and I can't stay in bed all day depressed, I need to find her.

Yang blinks her eyes in surprise at my answer, but she sighs in relief as she processes my statement.

"Understood." Yang replied, smiling cheerfully. "Two sisters walking around the city looking for their runaway teammate-."

"Weiss is going too!" I added cutting Yang off.

Surprised by my tone Yang swallowed hard and turned to face Weiss who had stopped brushing her hair when I mentioned her name.

"I think Weiss could stay out of this." Yang says with a weak smile.

Weiss watches us from the corner of her eye interested in the conversation, but without showing any emotion.

"She's going too!" I say imposing myself in an authoritative way. "Regardless of internal conflicts, Blake is a member of Team RWBY and now she's alone in the city, maybe needing help."

I finished speaking by grabbing my weapon and cloak only to turn to face Weiss and Yang who were staring at me open-mouthed.

"She's right Yang." Weiss comments standing up. "Let's bring Blake back first, then we can talk and resolve our differences."

I smiled confidently with my BFF agreeing with me and turned to Yang once more who answered me smiling and nodding positively.

"Great, then get ready, we'll leave in 5 minutes."

Since the two of them were already dressed, they just needed to grab their gear to go.

'Don't worry Blake.' I thought silently. 'By the end of the day you'll be back on Team RWBY... even if I have to drag you back by your hair.'

[ORIGINAL POV]

"Ouch," I groaned softly as I woke up.

Opening my eyes, I was immediately greeted by a wave of pain radiating from every muscle fiber in my body. The muscles in my pelvis and abdomen, in particular, felt like they were on fire, a painful reminder of last night's delightful activities.

'That woman was desperate for a long time… but I'm glad I could quench her thirst.'

Yesterday, I went all out. Actually, it was Audra who went all out on me. If it weren't for my training with Professor Port, my awakened Aura, and the super soldier serum, I don't think I would have survived, let alone kept up with her pace.

The intense pain made me question the sanity of my decision to submit to such an exhausting snu-snu that broke the bed and cracked the floor.

'Who am I kidding?' I mentally questioned myself. 'I'd do it again without a second thought… I just hope my Aura can mend my fractured pelvis.'

I tried to turn in bed, but even this simple movement caused a series of sharp pains in my abdomen. The pain also throbbed in my legs, pulling from my hips down to my ankles. My groin felt like it had been crushed by a hammer, and my abdomen protested with every breath.

'At least I don't need to be hospitalized. Take that, Ren! Your bed-wrecking prowess is no match for mine.'

"Hmmm."

A feminine murmur next to me caught my attention, making me turn and contemplate the sleeping barbarian goddess beside me. The sight of her lying there with a satisfied and relaxed smile was a trophy for my 'performance' the night before.

As much as I wanted to stay in bed and maybe snuggle between those wonderful breasts, I had things to do today.

Yesterday, I spent the entire day at Audra's house without notifying the Belladonnas.

'I hope I didn't worry Ghira and Kali.'

I carefully got out of bed, moving stiffly like a rusty robot. Even though I was already used to the pain, it was hard to move without making any noise.

After a few minutes, I reached the kitchen and put on my Scouter, ready to answer Church while I prepared breakfast.

{{What's up, asshole,}} said a sarcastic digital voice.

'Speak of the devil,' I thought to myself.

Using the Scouter lens, Church projected himself as a miniature hologram on the countertop.

"Good morning to you too… Leonard," I replied, smiling at him.

The tiny image shuddered with disgust.

{{Never call me that again… seriously!}} Even though he wasn't truly offended, his request was sincere, so I nodded in agreement.

While I gathered the ingredients for breakfast, Church informed me that in two days, I would receive the first part of the payment from the contract signed between Weiss and the Kingdom of Atlas. He also mentioned that according to explosions recorded by Vale's police, Team RWBY was going through the events of the end of the first season. Despite Ruby being more confident as a leader and Weiss being less combative about teamwork, the final outcome would be the same as the series.

{{According to our projections, Team RWBY will start acting like a real team from now on,}} Church concluded as I placed bacon in the frying pan.

Relief washed over me as Church finished speaking. The good news, combined with the act of cooking, left me almost as relaxed as I was yesterday.

{{You could make an effort to do that too,}} the AI added in a reproachful tone.

I froze for a second and looked directly at the small avatar that had manifested in front of me, not understanding what he was talking about.

{{I know you're busy as hell at the start of the year, engaging in a shadow war, creating a new energy matrix system for an entire planet, training your pathetic organic body, losing your virginity, and spearheading an industrial/urban revolution for the Faunus takes time.}}

I was stunned by everything I had done in such a short time. I knew I wasn't idle, but I didn't have a detailed plan with all the steps to be taken. At most, I had goals I wanted to achieve.

{{Focus on me, you golden retriever attention span idiot.}} Annoyed by the gratuitous insult, I stared at Church in silence, waiting for him to get to the point. {{What I'm saying is that you need to spend more time with your team.}}

The concern in Church's tone was palpable, even behind his sarcastic personality. He was right; I was getting involved in so many fronts that my attention to my team was falling behind. I took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension forming in my shoulders.

"You're right, Church," I admitted with a sincerity that even surprised me. "Isolating myself won't help in the long run, no matter how tempting short-term rewards may be."

{{That's the spirit, kid,}} the digital voice sounded softer, as if satisfied with my response.

'To achieve this, we'll need to delegate functions,' I thought, finishing up cooking. 'I'll need a team… or several teams to manage Menagerie.'

The aroma of food and hot coffee filled the kitchen, a combination that always brought me a nostalgic comfort. Audra would probably wake up soon, drawn by the smell.

I finished setting the table with a simplicity that contrasted with the complexity of my thoughts. I placed two cups of coffee, orange juice, scrambled eggs with bacon, and some toast. When I was done, I heard soft footsteps coming from the hallway.

"Jaune?" A husky female voice asked from the hallway. "What's that delicious smell?"

Audra appeared, yawning and fixing her hair, wearing a tight-fitting blouse.

[Image]
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{{By the way,}} Church whispered through the Scouter. {{Congrats, kid. If I had a hand, I'd give you a high-five.}}

Audra was still waking up, but she looked more relaxed and less stressed.

"You came at the right time, I made breakfast."

She looked at me in surprise, but I nodded and pointed for her to sit down.

After sitting down, I tried to start a conversation with her, asking about other Grimm hotspots on the island or interesting places to explore. However, Audra only gave me monosyllabic answers or nods. Suspecting that she might want to eat in peace, I stayed quiet and let her eat in silence.

That didn't last long.

"Why did you make breakfast for me?" Audra asked.

Not understanding the question, I responded with the first thing that came to mind.

"Uhhh…" I replied eloquently. "I thought you might be hungry."

Audra's facial expression was hard to read; she looked distressed and distracted, as if caught in an internal conflict.

'Maybe she regretted sleeping with me,' I concluded silently.

Deciding to give her some space, I announced my departure.

"If I'm bothering you," I began, catching her attention. "I can leave."

"Huh?" She mumbled, focusing her attention on me. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable in your own home, especially if you regret what happened last night."

Audra stared at me wide-eyed in silence, probably shocked that I read her like an open book. Without further ado, I stood up from the table, but before I could take a single step, a strong female hand grabbed my shirt and lifted me off the ground.

"What's your problem, Arc?" Audra huffed, pulling me close to her face.

Stunned, I blinked in confusion.

"Problem?" I repeated, not understanding the question.

She had a stern face and teary eyes, using all her willpower not to cry.

"You stopped me from doing something I would have regretted for the rest of my life, made a barbecue with beer, then apologized for sparing Ilia, carried me home without exposing me to anyone on the island, preserving my dignity, cleaned my house, made dinner, and after a night of sex that broke my bed, you make breakfast and apologize for making me uncomfortable?"

"Y-yes," I stuttered, still confused about what was happening.

A tear of frustration rolled down her face, and then Audra roared, shaking me in the air.

"RAAAARGH!" The growl seemed more out of frustration than anger. "WHAT - IS - YOUR - PROBLEM!" She shouted, pausing between each word.

"THERE - IS - A - CRAZY - REDHEAD - SHAKING - ME!" I shouted back, trying to make her stop.

THUD!

I fell with a thud when Audra finally let go of me.

"You think I regret last night?" She asked, staring at me intensely.

Still confused, I nodded in response to her question.

"Then answer me," Audra said, stepping on my chest. "Why did you do so many nice things for me?"



"Uhhh, because it was the right thing to do?" I replied, unsure of where this conversation was going.

Audra gave a slight sarcastic smile, shaking her head, but without taking her foot off my chest, she continued to ask.

"Did you do all this as part of an elaborate scheme to get me into bed last night? Or are you regretting what we did last night?" The last question had a heavier tone than the first.

"No to both!" I replied promptly.

Audra smiled in relief and removed her foot from my chest, extending her hand to me. Thinking she was trying to help me up, I tried to grab her hand, but she ignored it and grabbed my shirt again, lifting me off the ground as if I were made of paper. She stared into my eyes with a seductive smile and gave me a deep kiss.

My heart pounded like a drum in my chest when Audra's lips met mine, her touch sending an electric shock through my body.

When she pulled away, she brought her lips close to my ear and whispered.

"The next time you sleep with a woman, let her wake up in your arms," Audra said, putting me down.

"But I made breakfast," I responded in a whiny tone.

"Then you better bring her breakfast in bed," Audra said, sitting at the table. "Not all women are as understanding as I am."

{{I agree with the crazy barbarian MILF,}} Church said in my ear.

"Says the guy who dated Texas," I whispered back.

"Did you say something?"

"No, nothing," I quickly responded, being placed on the ground with my shirt all stretched out.

With a lighter mood, we continued breakfast. Audra asked where we were going today, but I told her I'd spend the day at the Belladonna house to make up for my unannounced absence.

After we finished eating, Audra stopped me from washing the dishes, saying I had already done more than enough. Since she seemed happy and relaxed, I decided not to insist and went on my way.

But before leaving the house, Audra called me.

"Hey, come here for a moment," Audra said, pulling me into a tight and warm hug.

'Hehe, breasts,' my primal brain thought as she cuddled me against her chest.

Little did I know it wasn't that kind of hug.

"You are a wonderful boy, Jaune. Stop putting yourself down."

Her words touched something deep inside me, stirring a mixture of emotions: gratitude, melancholy, surprise, and a hint of doubt.

I've always been my harshest critic, constantly questioning my abilities. But those simple words from Audra had the power to shake the foundations of my insecurities.

"I-I… I don't know what to say," I stammered, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and appreciation.

"You don't need to say anything," she replied, her lips curling into a gentle smile.

Her words were like a balm for my soul, soothing the pain of my self-deprecating thoughts. I pulled her closer, savoring the comfort of her embrace.

"Thank you, Audra," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper.

After a moment, I reluctantly separated from her, the warmth of her hug lingering on my skin. As I walked toward the door, I couldn't help but smile.

Stepping out into the fresh morning air, I took a deep breath, feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. The world seemed brighter, more vibrant, as if the sun shone just for me.

With newfound determination, I headed towards the Belladonna house, ready to face the day with a positive attitude.

"Nothing can spoil this wonderful day."

[Audra Taurus]

As soon as Jaune went on his way, I decided to sleep a little more. After all, I wouldn't need to protect him today, and I could wash the dishes later.

"That kid wore me out yesterday," I grumbled, walking with my legs still a bit shaky from the action I hadn't had in a long time. "Hard to believe he was a virgin."

Slowly, I walked back to the room Jaune had cleaned earlier, which now looked like a war zone. Sheets and pillows were scattered everywhere, and two bed legs were broken. To level it, I broke the other two before lying down.

"One day, he'll make some girl very happy," I whispered, lying alone in the bed.

For some reason, that thought dampened my good mood, but since I was still tired from the night's activities, I stopped thinking about it and relaxed, feeling sleep take over.

"I know I was just a casual fling for him, but maybe he'll marry someone less selfish," I murmured, already with heavy eyelids. "Maybe someone willing to…" I couldn't finish speaking as sleep finally took hold.

Completely relaxed, I had one of the deepest naps of my life, a sleep that rejuvenated both body and mind.

CRASH!

Until a loud noise suddenly woke me from my glorious restorative sleep.

"I'm going to kill someone today," I growled, getting up.

The noise came from the window being shattered.

I quickly got up, a bit groggy from sleep. My heart pounded frantically in my chest as I sat up in bed, adrenaline coursing through my veins, my blood boiling like a scorching river fueling my fury.

"Why does this nonsense happen when I finally get laid?"

Barefoot, I stepped onto the cold wooden floor and left the bedroom, searching the living room for the source of the noise.

That's when I saw them. Three hooded figures, wearing white Grimm masks that concealed their faces.

'White Fang?' I wondered internally.

I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart, my survival instincts and years of experience as a huntress taking over.

With a quick move, I grabbed a cracked mallet from the wall and charged it with my semblance, making it heavier before throwing it at the nearest invader.

The weapon flew straight until it collided with the invader's back, making a blue force field flicker as the man fell forward, stunned and gasping.

The other two looked at their fallen comrade in surprise. Taking advantage of their distraction, I turned to the nearest wall, looking for more resources to arm myself.

My house was decorated with loot from old enemies. I never bothered to maintain these items; after all, they were just trophies, and most had been damaged during battles.

With a dull hand axe in my right hand and a stained shield in my left, I charged, slamming the shield into one of the remaining invaders.

KLANG!

I hit the target's back, sending him flying a few meters and crashing face-first into the wall with a thud.

POF!

As he fell to the ground, a green aura flickered.

"Well, well, what do three little awakened-aura Fang brats want in my house?" I asked sarcastically.

"You traitorous bitch!" The last one standing, a woman with a high-pitched voice, shouted. "You were a symbol of faunus strength, only to ignore your own race when the fight got tough," she said indignantly. "Now you lie down like any cow for the first rich human who comes along?"

"Listen here, you brat," I said, addressing the only female invader. "I don't owe any explanations to a useful idiot."

"You old cow," the young woman growled. "How much did you get to let that disgusting human soften your second-rate flesh?"

A vein popped on my forehead. Fury and hatred boiled in my stomach with an intensity I hadn't felt in years.

I started huffing heavily, as if trapped in a low-oxygen room. My vision turned blood-red as I lost control over my reason.

CRACK!

The floor creaked and cracked under my weight, increased by my activated semblance. Although fighting with extra weight was harder and more tiring, I could put that weight behind my blows, causing much more damage.

The terrorist in front of me gulped, taking a step back as she heard the floor groan from my weight adjustment.

The funniest part was that all this rage wasn't because of the insults to me.

"GRAAAWWRRRR!" I roared, leaping at her.

But because of what she said about that goofball with a heart of gold.

My target tried to turn and run, but I landed a precise kick to her ribs, making the invader double over and fly into the wall where her partner had crashed. Unlike her partner, she didn't fall to the ground. I slammed into her with my shield in a tackle so strong we crashed through the wall together.

CRAAASSSSHHH!

"Argh!" She groaned, spitting blood.

Despite the impact, I didn't slow down. I kept the momentum to prevent her body from detaching from the shield.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!" I roared, accelerating.

"Please, no," she whimpered, begging.

In my fury, I could hear what was happening around me, and with a great effort, I could calm down and spare her.

But I didn't want to spare her. I wanted to teach this brat a lesson in respect.

Using my semblance, I increased my body weight even more and collided with another wall with three times the previous impact force.

CRAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSHHHHH!

When the sunlight touched my skin, I realized I was outside my house. I slowed my charge and looked at my victim. The invader lay on the ground, groaning in pain as her aura shattered.

From inside the house, the other two invaders came out, and when they noticed their ally on the ground, they were wide-eyed.

Still in a fury and with the extra weight from my semblance, I charged at them, roaring.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"

I beat the two with my dull axe until their auras shattered.

Even though the fight was quick, I was exhausted and panting. Fighting with my semblance increasing my weight allowed me to overpower any opponent in short fights, but the fatigue felt like I had run a marathon for hours.

With the three Fang invaders at my feet, my blood started to cool as my heavy breathing helped me recover my strength.

As I tried to catch my breath and gather my thoughts, a high-pitched whistling sound cut through the air. I quickly raised the old shield and blocked an arrow. I looked in the direction of the arrow and saw a hooded Fang agent aiming a crossbow at me.

Focused on the shooter, I didn't notice a small sphere rolling on the ground until it touched my foot.

"What the-"

BOOM!

The sphere exploded with a muffled bang, and dense smoke quickly spread through the area.

My eyes burned, and my vision blurred. I covered my mouth and nose with my hand, trying to avoid inhaling the smoke, but the substance was potent, and since I was panting initially, I inhaled a large amount of it. My legs wobbled, and I had to lean against the wall's rubble to stay upright.

"Damn it…" I murmured, struggling to stay conscious. It was as if my thoughts were dissipating with the smoke.

'Fast-acting agent poison?' I wondered.

Two figures emerged from the fog, bathed in the evening light: a man with bat wings and a woman with white hair.

[Image / Not mine]
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"Such a shame that someone so strong has such an obvious weakness as this physical exhaustion caused by the continuous use of her semblance," said the faunus with spider-gray veins connecting her chest to her wrist. "Just irritate you a little, and you defeat yourself."

"But your strength is undeniable; you deserve your reputation," said the bat-winged faunus sarcastically. "And it's no use calling for help, the streets are empty, all the civilians are at Jaune Arc's trial."

The voices sounded distant and distorted, as if coming from a dream or nightmare. I tried to identify the direction, but my head was spinning, and my legs gave way, causing me to fall to the ground.

"I... I... will... break…" I murmured, my voice a weak whisper.

I tried to get up, but my body wouldn't respond. Whatever was in that dense smoke was defeating me; each breath seemed to steal more of my strength.

A strong hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back to reality. I was too weak to fight, but the need to resist still burned inside me. I tried to struggle, but it was useless. They lifted me easily, and I felt the world spin around me.

"She won't last much longer," the woman said disdainfully. "Let's take her."

The last thing I saw before everything went dark was the shadow of a cruel smile under the white mask. And then, darkness enveloped me completely.

[ORIGINAL POV]

The morning sun greeted me with a warm embrace, casting a golden glow over my face as I stretched, feeling a sense of happiness wash over me.

'Today is going to be a great day, I feel it in my bones.'

Walking through the streets of Kuo Kuana, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. Everything seemed so full of energy, a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells that filled me with a refreshing sense of life.

I took a deep breath, savoring the vibrant atmosphere. I was so lost in my thoughts, enjoying the lively environment, that I didn't notice the strange looks I was receiving from people around me. At first, I dismissed it as my imagination. But as I kept walking, the stares grew more intense, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"Is it just me, or is everyone pissed at me?" I murmured quietly.

{{You might be right,}} Church commented worriedly in my ear. {{Just in case, I'll wake up the boozy Half-Maiden. Until she gets there, don't do anything stupid.}}

I stopped and took out my scroll to check myself in the selfie camera. My face was clean, my hair as messy as always, and I was wearing my usual Huntsman outfit.

'There's nothing unusual about my appearance,' I thought to myself. 'So why are people looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal?'

Shaking off the discomfort, I decided to ignore them and continue on my way. But as I walked, I noticed people whispering behind their hands and pointing at me. Some even crossed the street to avoid me.

Seeing the negative reactions to my presence, I started to feel nervous as a pit formed in my stomach.

I tried approaching a few people to ask what was wrong, but they just gave me vague answers or ignored me completely. The situation was becoming increasingly bizarre, leaving me more and more confused.

As I passed by a group of young faunus students, their laughter and chatter abruptly stopped when they saw me. They looked at me with a mix of fear and disgust, then quickly moved away.

I was mortified.

'What did I do to make them hate me?' I questioned myself internally. 'Not even on my first day did they avoid me like this.'

Growing more uncomfortable with the situation, I decided to run towards the Belladonna household.

In a few minutes, I arrived at the front of the house, but as soon as the guards spotted me, they pointed their spears in my direction.

"HALT!" one of them shouted. "Where do you think you're going?" he demanded, glaring at me furiously.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused. "I'm Jaune Arc, the human who's been staying here…" Before I could finish my explanation, I was cut off by a shout from behind me.

"STOP RIGHT THERE, HUMAN!" an angry voice yelled at me.

Surprised by the shout, I turned around only to face four guards in armor with lasguns pointed at me. From the side lighting of the guns, they were all powered on and ready to fire, something only possible if a non-White Fang member was using the weapon.

"HANDS UP, OR WE SHOOT!" the same faunus from before shouted, aiming his lasgun at me.

I raised my hands, both confused and irritated. Being arrested is already bad enough, but being arrested without knowing why, by a militia I armed myself, is unbelievably frustrating.





E ai gurizada?

Let's go straight to the comments.

JohSis:
Congrats on pushing out another banger of a chapter, and for having what seems like your very first plagiarizer on FFNet by - - - -, who has 1-1 copied the 1st chapter of this story.
Avip:
I saw this, thanks for the headsup.

Zech1994:
Yellow smile? Is it from the drink?
AVip:
This one escaped the revision.
In Brazil, the expression yellow smile means something like discomfort. The logic is that in a situation, a person is uncomfortable or outside his usual environment, they can smile forcibly, trying to relieve their discomfort

SlimeDK:
Who never wanted to sleep with their enemy's hot mother.
Avip:
Best comment.

Purgator:
It's from Kim Possible! Dr Draken's truth ray! (I cheated and looked it up)
Avip:
Yep, look kind of op on the original show. So in the chapter Jaune made a nerfed one, to spend less Aura with.




[SMUT OMAKE]

[AVIP:Unlike usual, I wrote this part in third person.]​

Audra's eyes glowed with primal hunger as she pressed Jaune against the wall. Her strong hands held her shoulders. She leaned down, pressing her lips to his ear, and whispered.

"Thank you, Jaune." Thanked Audra smiling. "I need this."

Jaune's heart raced, but he held his ground despite being manipulated like a doll. However, the reincarnated young man gasped when Audra's hands slid down his chest, deftly unbuttoning his shirt.

"Someone's been working hard on that pec." Audra growls in a hungry tone.

Quickly, she lifts the shirtless young man off the floor and carries him to the room on her shoulder like a sack of rice. Then she throws him on the bed with force.

A little stunned by the way he's being treated, Jaune looks ahead to get his bearings and his jaw drops to the floor when Audra rips off her white blouse and skirt. Her big breasts, glistening with sweat and pussy, were on display. Jaune swallows hard, admiring the scene as if it were a work of art.

"Do you like what you see, little calf?" Audra asked in a sultry voice. Jaune nodded, unable to hide his desire.

Wasting no time, Audra straddled Jaune, rubbing her wet pussy on his cock, making them both moan. Jaune got even harder, the head of his cock glistening with the redhead's juices. Audra leaned forward, her nipples brushing against Jaune's chest, and whispered lasciviously.

"Do you feel how wet I am?" She asked with a voice promising pleasure.

Jaune nodded, eyes fixed on hers, breathing raggedly.

Instinctively he reached out to cup her breasts, pinching her hard nipples. Audra responded by moaning loudly, encouraging the young man to explore her tanned body more.

"Are you ready for me?" Audra purred.

She grabbed Jaune's arms, keeping him pinned in place. She positioned herself over him, with the entrance to her vagina hovering above his erect penis.

"Best suspension ever." Said Jaune celebrating being sent out of Beacon for 2 weeks.

"Now let me get what I want." Demanded Audra with feral determination, she sat on Jaune's cock.

SPLAT!

They both moaned loudly. Her eyes widened with pleasure, as the milf's flooded pussy squeezed the blonde knight's cock as it throbbed hot and hard inside her.

"Oh my God, Audra." Jaune groaned. "You are incredible."

Audra, smiling triumphantly, bent down and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Thank you Jaune." She said with a caring tone. "But we're just getting started."

At a frantic pace, Audra began slamming her ass onto Jaune's dick, bouncing on his pelvis with enough force to crack concrete.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Audra's eyes were fixed on Jaune as she rode him intensely. She smiled, daring him to join her.

"Are you going to lie down and just enjoy the calf rodeo?"

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

In response, Jaune grabbed Audra's waist and thrust upwards, trying hard to keep up with the red-haired barbarian's movements.

"Come on, you can do it!" Audra exclaimed provocatively, smiling at the young man's efforts.

Angered, Jaune attacked harder, penetrating deeper, making Audra moan in a specific way.

"MOOOOOOOOOOO!" Audra mooed in happiness as clear liquid ran down her legs and her pussy spasmed trying to milk Jaune's dick.

Jaune stopped moving, surprised. He thought he had hurt her, but the way her vagina was clenching around his cock and how wet she was made it clear that...

"Did you come first?" Jaune smiled.

"We're having sex, Jaune." Audra muttered embarrassedly. "That's one of the goals."

"You came first and moaned like a cow." Jaune laughed jovially.

Enraged, Audra frowned for a second, but her mood brightened with an evil plan that appeared in her mind, causing her to then open a sadistic smile on her lips.

"Ooooh man! Did I fucked up?" Jaune asked in a worried tone.

"You have no idea, brat," Audra whispered threateningly.

Without removing his penis, Audra lifted one of his legs and placed it on her shoulder, only to do the same with the other leg. With an evil smile, she assumes a dominant position on top of Jaune, the Amazon.

With Jaune's legs locked on her shoulder, Audra leaned forward and grabbed Jaune's arms with her hands.

"Hope you're ready for the vacuano rodeo, my little calf." Audra said licking her lips.



"I'm so scaroused." Jaune said terrified and excited.

She began to move with a new intensity.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Each thrust was powerful, as if she wanted to break him.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

The room was filled with the sounds of their bodies colliding and moans. Audra's pussy clenched and sucked on Jaune's cock with each movement.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Jaune tried to hold her hips, trying to keep up. But his arms were trapped by Audra and in her position she was the one setting the pace, pumping and puffing on top of him.

"Do you like this, my calf?" Audra teased. "Am I hurting you? Or can you handle it?"

Sweat dripped from the young man's forehead, his heart was beating fast. But even so, he looked the red-haired barbarian in the eyes and dared to challenge her.

"Do your worst you bitch in heat." Replied Jaune in an arrogant tone.

Because of her speech, Jaune expected that he would irritate her and not that she would smile, with her eyes shining.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

She increased her pace, her movements becoming even wilder. Her moans grew louder, her body shaking with each thrust. For Jaune, it was a blur of sensations as the legs of the bed thirsted over the intensity of their fucking.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

"That's right, my calf." Audra whispered, imposing herself even more on top of him, with an authoritative voice. "I may be the cow, but you're the one who's going to give me your milk."

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Finally, Jaune knew he couldn't take it anymore. His body shook as he surrendered to the pleasure, the orgasm overwhelming him.

"THE FUCK!" He shouted, voice hoarse with intensity.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Audra also felt waves of pleasure, her body shaking with each spasm. She moaned loudly, her voice echoing through the room, a testament to the power of the sexual act.

SPLAAAAAT!

"MOOOOOOO!" She mooed again, feeling the hot liquid filling her.

Then Audra fell on top of Jaune's body, both of them panting.

"That was FUCKING GREAT!" Shouted Jaune celebrating. "We need to do it again sometime."

Audra laughs at Jaune's behavior as she grabs the young man by the balls making him moan loudly.

"Who said it's over my little human calf?"
 
29 - Law and Order: Kuo Kuana
I'm setting the stage for the final Menagerie shenanigans.




[ORIGINAL POV]

Sitting in the communal cell, a.k.a. the only cell on the entire island, I am left alone by the other criminals who share it with me.

When I arrived, a big, fat guy with a pig's nose came up to me with all that talk about being the big guy in prison and how he was going to make me his bitch. I could have dealt with him without any problem, but it was more fun to offer cigarettes and beer to the other prisoners who beat him.

The guy almost died.

I felt so sorry that I cured him using a senzu bean and now he acts as my bodyguard.

'In prison you don't fuck with people who can conjure up cigarettes and drinks.' I thought to myself enjoying the silence.



Until I get bored within 10 minutes.

'Waiting for this trial without doing anything is a pain... to pass it I could create a television and watch some anime -.'

"Attention ladies!" Exclaims a female voice entering the cell room. "I need to talk to the blonde human, so the rest of the trash goes to the back of the room."

The prisoners got up and moved around, grumbling and complaining while I stared in surprise at who had entered.

"Did you miss me boss?" Asked Amber in her original appearance, but dressed as a guard and with a fake fox tail on her back.

I approached the cell door smiling and answered.

"My longing for you must have been less intense than your hangover."

In response, Amber hissed as if I had touched an open wound.

"Fuck you, bratt." She grumbled pretending to be offended. "But seriously now, why haven't you left yet?"

"I think I can use this judgment to my advantage." I responded in a whisper so that the other prisoners couldn't hear me.

"What are you talking about brat?" Amber asked, also whispering.

"I know I'm innocent and I didn't do anything wrong."

"If half of what Church told me is true, Audra would agree that you did a lot of rights."

"A gentleman does not boast of his achievements." I responded in a sophisticated tone

"Oh Damn." Amber swore. "You really are Port's student."

"If I prove my innocence in this trial in front of everyone, I will improve Menagerie's human-faunus relations."

"And take credibility away from White Fang." Added Audra.

"White fang?" I questioned confused.

"Don't you know why you were arrested?" Amber asked suspiciously.



"I knew I was forgetting something."

BANG!

A metallic thud echoed through the room.

"How are you, boss?" asked the pig Faunus.

"Relax, the jailer just slipped and hit her forehead on the cell."

Amber sighs tiredly, but immediately looks up with an irritated expression.

"Whatever the accusation is, it must have to do with the White Fang attack on your jet." Amber said in a didactic tone.

Confused, I stared at the dark-skinned woman with a raised eyebrow.

"They tried to break in, but the new guy managed to deal with them alone."

"You didn't help?"

"I was having the biggest hangover of my life while an old hillbilly robot was beating up terrorists to the sound of an accordion and shouting 'Yeehaw' every 2 minutes!"



"That couldn't have been good for your headache." I commented in solidarity.

In response Amber glared at me furiously with a bulging vein pulsing on her forehead.

"Another thing." Amber said in a calmer and more serious tone. "Before I came here, I stopped by Audra's house… and I think she was kidnapped or something worse."

A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as a chill ran down my spine.

"Huh?" I questioned feeling bad on the stomach.

"Three walls of her house were destroyed, signs of struggle everywhere, weapons scattered across the floor." Amber said, pausing so I could digest the news. "I followed their trail to the entrance of a cave, but I came looking for you when I heard the local guards celebrating your arrest."

"Is she alive?"

Amber swallows hard before answering my question, as if she's gathering up the courage to answer me.

"I don't want to give you false hope, but I doubt they bothered attacking her in her own home just to kill her."

"I understand." I respond in a low whisper. "Can you rescue her?"

"Not without blowing my cover and drawing negative attention to you."

Without thinking twice I invoke my power.

Multiverse Crafting System
What would you like to do?
Magic: 75.287 Points
Aura: 100%​

"Jaune, what are you staring at?"

Focused on the task, I ignore Amber and give the mental command to do the items.

'Three level 5 caster invisibility potions, 2 beans of the gods and a scouter similar to mine.'

Multiverse Crafting System
This will cost 3,500 Magic Points.
Magic: 75.287 Points
Aura: 100%​

The golden mist manifests creating the items in my hands. I was so flustered and rushed that I didn't even notice that I was able to create more than one item at once.

"The beans are to heal Audra and you if you need to, these invisibility potions-."

"Invisibility?" Amber asks, cutting me off.

"Don't interrupt me!" I complained. "Invisibility only lasts 5 minutes and if you attack someone the effect ends automatically."

"How specific."

"Scouter is for you to have better contact with Church, if you need anything He'll send the robots to help you or come and tell me that you're in danger."

Amber gives me a warm smile and a kiss on the forehead.

"Don't worry, I'll bring her back." She assures me in a sincere tone.

Not knowing how to respond, I just breathed a sigh of relief, as if I had been holding my breath since she started speaking.

Still disguised as a guard, Amber leaves the room carrying with her the items I gave her.

'Good luck Amber.' I think silently.

"Were you nailing the jailer before coming to jail, boss?" Asks the pig-nosed faunus. "Respect."

"Shut up Pumbaa!" I grumbled angrily at him.

"How do you know my name?" Pumbaa asked in disbelief.



"Serious?"

The rotund man nods his head, leaving me stunned for a few seconds.

"You know what…fuck it!" I declared with my patience exhausted. "Who wants to see a movie?"

[Sienna Khan]

"You crossed the line, Sienna!" Roared Chieftain Belladonna, his voice filled with a fury he hadn't shown in a long time. "We agreed that the White Fang would not interfere with Jaune Arc's capture."

"Exactly." I replied, maintaining my formal posture in front of the Belladonna house. "And that's why he was captured by Kuo Kuana's guard, not my agents."

"And since when does the guard obey your orders?" He questioned, his indignation was palpable. "Much less to learn from someone in front of my own home."

A sadistic smile spread across my face as I prepared to rub the truth in his face.

"Ever since our Chieftain invited an aggressive and dangerous human to walk on our precious island sanctuary."

Ghira's eyes widened in shock at my statement, but as soon as he recovered, he fixed me with an intense gaze.

"Grrr." He growls frustratedly in my direction.

It's really amazing how things have suddenly changed. Less than 48 hours ago, I was consumed by the enigma that was Jaune Arc. I never doubted that the human was a threat to the White Fang cause, the problem was that he was as cunning as he was dangerous.

According to Ilia, he was mapping the island and cataloging our natural resources, surely paving the way for future Atlas colonizers who would enslave us with the help of the SDC.

The problem was that the girl had no concrete proof, not even an ally who had seen the maps firsthand with her. And to make matters worse, the foolish young woman acted prematurely and attempted to murder the human. If this story were to leak, it would be used by our enemies as a propaganda vehicle, solidifying the narrative that the White Fang is just a bloodthirsty terrorist organization that murders innocent humans whose only crime was to have healed the wounded and fed orphans.

However, the young man made a mistake. In an altercation with a group of hunters, Jaune Arc murdered a faunus and left nine injured.

According to the testimonies, it was a dispute over prey between the human and the faunus hunters involved. The human had started the conflict by shooting at the unarmed hunters, seriously wounding them and breaking their legs and arms, only to then leave them to die in the Menagerie desert resulting in the death of one of them.

Although I wasn't happy with the amount of injured Faunus, the timing couldn't have been better. The human's reputation was growing too fast, but with this incident and my agents spreading the news to everyone on the island, the evil was nipped in the bud, and we could finally expel him from Menagerie and, with the help of public opinion, perhaps even banish the presence of any humans.

"Where was he taken?" Chieftain asks, already out of patience.

Containing my joy at his stress, I make a small bow and turn around speaking.

"Please follow me." I speak with a polite and respectful tone.

The walk was more pleasant than I dare admit out loud with the population gossiping about the impounded human.

"Did you know what the human did?"

"One dead and nine hunters hospitalized, this way many families will go hungry."

"I heard he was staying at the Chieftain's house, why would he need the bushmeat? What a selfish human."

"And to think he almost tricked us, pretended to be a good person doing charity work at the orphanage."

"It seems he beat up the hunters to show that he was superior to all faunus."

"He broke their legs and left them to die in the desert. It's a miracle that so many are alive."

"I bet hunting wasn't even in his interest, he just wanted to torture them."

"Give him to me! I can fix him, you don't know him like I do."

"It's a good thing he was arrested before he did anything to the children at the orphanage."


Ghira huffs angrily, every second he becomes more frustrated with the gossip.

"I see that your lies have already spread like flames in dry leaves." Said the Chieftain irritated.

"The only thing that White Fang agents spread was the fact that a human attacked innocent faunus, I have no control over what people invented based on the truth. Not even you, venerable Chieftain, have that control."

In a few minutes of walking we reached a large wooden building of the guard barracks, the second largest building on the island, second only in size to the Belladonna mansion.

As crime is low in Menagerie we do not have an entire building dedicated to the incarceration of individuals, however in the guard barracks we have a large community cell housing the few faunus who have broken the law of our island.

"What is this silence?" Ghira mutters in confusion.

I was so intoxicated by my good mood regarding the human situation that I didn't notice the strange silence as soon as we entered the barracks.

"And where are the guards?" He continued questioning the Chieftain.

My eyes widen in shock when I stop to look around and see that he's right. The tables were empty and the courtyard where the recruits trained was also deserted.

"But where is-." I tried to ask only to be cut off.

"Silence!" The Chieftain said pointing to the door of the community cell which was ajar.

We walked silently towards the door, as we got closer a noise became audible.

"It sounds like melancholy music and… people crying?" I questioned out loud.

Upon entering the anteroom of the community cell we are faced with a strange scene.

"Impossible." I murmur in shock.

The inmates and guards were inside the communal cell, sitting in the dark crying and looking at a 100-inch television.

{You must continue to grow, and eventually you will lend your aid by becoming the next hashira.} Said a jovial voice coming from the television.

It was a cartoon, and one of the characters was dying.

{I believe in each and every one of you.}

At the last line and the image of the character's mother, everyone in the cell began to cry loudly.

As unusual as the situation was, my blood boiled when I noticed among the prisoners a clump of blonde hair belonging to a human holding a large bucket of popcorn.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" I screamed furiously.

The prisoners and soldiers were startled and looked in our direction, when the guards finally realized that the Chieftain and the leader of the White Fang were present they quickly stood up to salute us.

As soon as they lined up they started with the excuses, that they were just making sure that the content the inmates were consuming was not dangerous or inappropriate.

Behind me, the Chieftain laughed as if this absurdity was expected.

"This is a cell, not a cinema." I complain, pointing my finger in the direction of the human watching us while eating popcorn. "And where did you get that television?"

The human looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

[Image]
AD_4nXe4QopAP_nyRQ6ZbW4jWoSxYB2h_ZiwBptYl3YUPMqAodcNTXNAUixuFCqEn-qTlyCIOKyCJPbVbYP0gHnhRg7sfyK7NYFoNiCxQrPdyzy7nhEvW17M7nJM5u31iWX3NLndBEnHRGlVyDgCojVkOy_JNHAH

"What television?" He asked feigning ignorance.

"Don't act like an idiot! I am-." As soon as I turn around pointing at the monstrous screen, I notice that it has disappeared. "Where did it go?"

The prisoners on the human side began to laugh quietly as if they were naughty children, mocking my confusion.

"But of course the scum of faunus society would co-opt with this human-trash." A hand placed on my shoulder stops me mid-rant.

"Calm down Sienna, he didn't commit any crime." Said the Chieftain

"What are you talking about?" I complain more angrily. "The human brought contraband into a cell."

"It's not contraband, it's his Semblance." Says the Chieftain in a calm tone. "He had mentioned it to me at my house." The chieftain explains patiently. "That's why the television disappeared, his Aura reserves must already be exhausted. "

As soon as he finishes his explanation we turn to the human eating popcorn as if we weren't talking about him.

"Where did he get the food?" I asked, looking at the human.

He gives a wicked grimm and respond.

"Smuggling contraband." He responds laughing.

SLAP!

The sound of the Chieftain's facepalm was so loud that it echoed throughout the barracks.

'I think this human is less cunning than I had theorized.' I think to myself.

[Audra Taurus]

"Hmmm." I groan in pain as my consciousness returns.

All I want is to go back to sleep so I don't have to deal with this weird headache weighing on my mind.

"Good morning sunshine." But an annoying voice forces me to wake up. "It's actually night, but that doesn't matter now."

Giving up on going back to sleep, I remember the invasion of my house, the fight against members of the Fang

"Where am I?" I mumble with my vision blurry. "Who are you?" I ask the figure of a dark-skinned woman in front of me.

In response she laughs, touching something on her wrist, although my vision has not returned to 100%, the tone of her skin becomes lighter. I realize that Boudicca Nikos is in front of me.

"The boss asked me to come get his Muscle Mommy."

I let the comment slide because I am too groggy to respond at the time.

As soon as my vision opens I notice that I am inside a cell in an underground cave.

I try to get up, but I feel a stab of pain in my leg that stops me. The pain in my leg was unbearable, pulsing like a hammer with every beat of my heart.

"Everything okay there?" Nikos asks, kneeling next to me.

"My leg." I spoke through clenched teeth, holding back the pain. "My femur dislocated from my hip."

"Damn." Amber commented, whistling at the damage. "They really beat you up."

"No." I grumbled angrily. "They used some drug to put me out, and dislocated my leg while I was sleeping."

"Why would they do something like that?" Nikos asked, wide-eyed.

"To make it easier to deal with me as a prisoner." I responded in a cold tone drenched in hate. "When I regained my Aura while sleeping the bone healed in the wrong place, making it almost impossible to put it back into place without help."

"Damn, that's why they didn't bother cuffing you." The human commented, understanding the situation. "I have one of Jaune's beans, it will heal you instantly."

"Wait!" I exclaimed, stopping her. "The bone has already healed 'wrong', if I eat this thing there is a chance it will make the situation worse."

"What do you want to do then?"

I looked at Boudicca with anger and determination.

"Do you know how to put a bone back in place?"

The human hesitated for a moment, her eyes traveling over her injured leg.

"I've done it a few times in the field, but it was usually for simpler injuries." Boudicca explained uncertainly. "Your case is more complex, because it took time to 'heal wrong'."

'If Nikos did something wrong, it could cause irreparable damage.' I thought silently. 'But we have no other option. If you wanted to escape, you needed to be in a condition to fight.'

"Do what you can." I growled, clenching my teeth. "But be quick."

Nikos nodded with a serious look. She examined the leg carefully, looking for the best angle to apply the force. When she started touching my leg I closed my eyes tightly, preparing myself for the pain that was to come.

With a quick, precise movement, Nikos grabbed my leg and with one pull, forced the bone to realign. A whisper escaped my lips in response.

"Shit!"

Sweat ran down my face, mixing with the tears that insisted on falling.

The pain was unbearable, but I ignored it, focusing on staying calm.

After a few seconds of agony, the pain began to subside. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at my leg. It seemed to be in the right place, but the pain was still intense.

"Did you do it?" I asked in a hoarse voice.

Nikos nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Yes, it is in place. But it will hurt for a while if you don't eat the bean."

I took the bean without question, I had already seen their miraculous properties working with Almshouse people, so there was no reason not to eat it.

GULP!

Instantly, as if by magic, I am healed. Besides my leg, the headache and my sore muscles were 100% healed.

"Now just find an ax and return the favor by breaking all these crazy idiots' legs." I declared irritated.

But before I could take a step, Boudicca stepped up with both hands raised, stopping me.

"Not that I'm against revenge on whoever disabled you. And trust me, I understand a lot about that." She said in a cold tone filled with remorse. "Right now Jaune Arc is under arrest or probably on trial."

My eyes immediately widened, I quickly grabbed Nikos by the shoulders, pressing my fingers into the flesh of her shoulders.

"Repeat." I spoke in a dry and harsh tone.

Amber sighed tiredly, but answered me quickly.

"Jaune was arrested as soon as he left your house, right now he should be on trial."

All the anger within me towards the White Fang evaporated and was replaced by a feeling of urgency.

"Do you have a plan to get us out of here quickly?"

Giving a slutty smile, Amber pulls out two vials with black liquid inside them.

"Let's just say Jaune is capable of planning...sometimes." Amber says with an shy laugh.

As soon as she stops laughing, she drinks the strange liquid and her body begins to dissolve into thin air.

[Ghira Belladonna]

It was obvious that the situation Jaune found himself in was nothing more than a plan devised by deluded members of the White Fang.

Isn't it a simple coincidence that when the boy was finally gaining notoriety among the faunus he attacked innocent hunters? For desert game meat on top of that?

'By the Gods, the boy distributes food among the inhabitants of the Almshouse. He clearly doesn't need to hunt lizards in a Grimm-infested desert to survive.' I think silently to myself.

And now I'm sitting here at a table as a judge in a makeshift courtroom to judge the first human to commit a 'crime' in Menagerie.

Sienna, of course, volunteered to be the prosecutor for the trial. Firstly, I didn't want to let someone who actively fights against humans participate in this trial. But the popular outcry spoke loudly when Sienna was applauded by the population for her search for justice against the 'terrible' human, in the end I had to give in and she took the job.

However, as a compromise, I handpicked the jury, ten sensible citizens who had not been directly helped by Jaune Arc, this way Sienna could not claim that the human had bought his freedom with bribes.

Now, for Jaune's defense I imagined that Audra would play the role of lawyer, but apparently no one could find her.

Fortunately for the young man, Mrs. Kouka Brasa, the elderly turtle faunus who takes care of the Almshouse, was willing to defend the boy.
[Image]
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"Can we start?" Questioned Sienna impatiently.

I take a deep breath, preparing myself to speak loudly and with authority to begin the trial.

"Today we will try the defendant Jaune Arc, accused of murdering an innocent faunus and assaulting nine others. This court promises to seek the truth impartially, regardless of any prejudice or external pressure."

Jaune Arc, standing, raises his head and fixes his eyes on me. His gaze is firm, but not arrogant.

"How does the defendant plead?" I ask the human.

"Not guilty, your honor." Jaune responds, his voice clear and without hesitation.

I give a slight nod, acknowledging his statement. I know it's impossible for Arc to have beaten these faunus without good reason, but my personal beliefs should not interfere with due process. I need to remain impartial, guided only by the facts presented.

"I call to testify Mr. Milhouse Pettigrew." Says Sienna in an authoritative voice.

This individual was the only one of the supposedly attacked faunus who was still able to move. A pale, dry face draws attention as he stands up from the audience sitting at the back of the room. He is a thin man whose animal trait was a hairless tail, similar to that of a rat or possum. His red and swollen eyes brimmed with tears that ran down his thin face.

With his voice cracking with emotion, Milhouse raised a trembling hand, pointing at Jaune, who was watching him with a serene and unshakable expression.

"This… this human monster!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with resentment and pain. "He attacked us without mercy! He beat me to the ground, stepping on my face, as if I were a Grimm who deserved to be killed."

Milhouse's words echoed through the room, fueling the anger and outrage of the crowd watching in the back. Whispers and murmurs filled the room, while Sienna Khan watched the scene with a triumphant smile on her lips.

He continued his account, exaggerating every detail, turning a simple confrontation into a brutal aggression. He described how Jaune had struck him ferociously, ignoring his cries of pain and pleas for mercy. Tears ran freely down his face, staining his worn shirt and fueling the audience's commotion.

"H-he… he stole our prey!" Milhouse whimpered, his voice broken with sobs. "How am I going to feed my family? When that monster attacked me and took everything!"

A murmur of indignation passed through the room. Food was a precious commodity in Menagerie, and the idea of a human stealing it from a defenseless faunus would be seen as an act of extreme cruelty. Milhouse took advantage of the moment to fall to his knees.

"Please." He pleaded in my direction, his voice thick with emotion. "Do justice! This human cannot go unpunished for his crimes! He needs to be punished for his atrocities!"

It didn't take discerning eyes to notice the theatricality of the witness's performance. It was clear that his story was embellished with lies and exaggerations. However, he also knew that the mob was thirsty for revenge, and that any attempt to question the faunus' account would be seen as an act of betrayal of their kind.

A buzz of approval went through the room, as Sienna Khan watched the scene with an even wider smile. She had managed to inflame the crowd against Jaune, and now she just needed to wait for the trial to convict the young human to complete her revenge.

Meanwhile, Jaune remained standing, observing everything with the same serene and unshakable expression. He knew he was being framed, that the accusations against him were false and unfounded. But he also knew it was futile to try to defend himself in a court filled with anger and prejudice.

"Now it's the defense's turn." I announce looking at Jaune and Mrs. Brasa.

Strangely enough, Jaune remained calm in silence, even if he was innocent, any normal person in his place would be stressed or at least worried.

'This boy must have nerves of steel.'

With firm steps and a penetrating gaze, Kouka Brasa, the ancient turtle faunus, approaches the witness. Despite her diminutive appearance, her imposing presence silences the crowd, while a faint buzz of curiosity hangs in the air.

"Mr. Pettigrew." Kouka begins, his deep, husky voice echoing through the room. "In your statement, you mentioned being attacked by Jaune Arc in the desert and that he stole your game. Could you detail how this happened?"

Milhouse, still with tears in his eyes and his hairless tail shaking, nodded. He retells the story, describing in vivid detail how Jaune attacked him without warning, stealing his bushmeat and leaving him injured and humiliated.

Kouka listens intently, her keen eyes observing the witness's every movement and expression. Suddenly, she stops the story.

"I notice that you do not specify the type of game you captured."

"E-eh?" He babbles for a second. "What does it matter?"

"I'm just a old lady wanting to know more details." She responds with a friendly smile. "An experienced hunter like you wouldn't have any problems reporting about his hunt to an old woman like me, right?"

Milhouse swallowed hard as beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

"O-O-of course it's no problem." He responds stuttering. "Eeeeee…" He drew out the last word, looking around, as if the answer was in the courtroom itself.

Even trying to maintain my impartiality, I end up unintentionally smiling at the witness's stumble in words, now that Milhouse shows the classic signs of a liar who has been discovered. The sweat of nervousness, the stammering of uncertainty, the eyes that wander without looking at anyone directly.

I was waiting for Sienna to show a little apprehension at her witness's nervousness, but she seemed more confused than anxious. As if she herself wasn't understanding what was happening.

'Didn't she orchestrate this whole farce?' I thought in silence.

"DEER!" The witness shouts. "Our group had hunted two deers and three wild boars."

Kouka shakes her head, ruminating on Milhouse's statement for a few seconds before continuing.

"Impressive, this amount of game would give something around 270 kg (600 Pounds) of meat." The elderly woman murmurs, turning to the audience. "I'm not a hunter, but this amount of meat could sustain something like 16 families of four for an entire month, even more if rationed and other ingredients added."

The audience whispers in agreement with the lady's statement while some even go wide-eyed at Milhouse's statement.

"This just adds to the tragedy that has happened on our island." Sienna declares, standing up. "Jaune Arc, in addition to attacking the hunters, directly harmed those who would be fed."

Some in the audience became agitated along with the leader of the White Fang, joining in a chorus of agreement that the human's crime had been more serious than it had been presented. A minority on the other hand were confused by what they were hearing, as if the story wasn't making sense.

"Mr. Pettigrew." Mrs. Brasa says, approaching the witness with a more severe posture and tone. "Your group of hunters were cruelly attacked by the human Jaune Arc and had their hunt, consisting of two deer and three boars stolen by Jaune Arc, right?"

Milhouse had flinched, but he responded by nodding his head, fearing the terrible lady less than 1.5 meters tall (5 feet) questioning him.

"No more questions for this witness, your honor." Kouka declares, smiling serenely.

Despite having only reinforced, or even worsened, Arc's situation, the Elder turtle faunus seemed happy with what she had achieved in her questioning while Sienna Khan was increasingly less confident of her position.

"I think that with this the verdict is already more than obvious." Says Sienna smiling. "We can now talk about the Arc's punishment."

Meanwhile, Jaune Arc remained calm and collected. His steady gaze now seemed more determined than ever, reflecting the confidence of someone who knew his own innocence. He didn't need to say a word, his unshakable silent posture and relaxed smile spoke for itself.

"Actually…" Said the old lady. "I would like to call one last witness."

Sienna stares at her with an arched eyebrow for just a second before placing her eyes on the human next to her.

"Humph." Sienna grumbles. "Call the human to testify if you want, know that I will also question him if you do."

Giving a wicked smile, the faunus lady declares out loud.

"I call to testify, old Ben Kenobi."

'Kenobi?' I question internally. 'That's a name I haven't heard in a long time…'






E ai gurizada?

No message today, let's go to the comments.

ebonknight21:

First I will wonder if Jaune affair this will get misinterpret, one side think he has a thing for Fanus, another that he likes older women, or strong powerful women.
Also I wonder how Blake feel knowing he banged her Aunt figure though I think she or Church telling Adam that Jaune's is his new daddy. Second I can't wait to see the aftermath of Jaune's influence will be built upon I can see Schnee company being force to change polices for the dust and tech advantage.
Adam not liking a human has helped his homeland and people more than he ever did. And with this Jaune will not be a unknown but a widely known figure in certain circles.
Avip:
Hehe, I can't wait to show you what I have in store for this story.

Lazy Servant:
Thanks for the chapter. Sorry for the poor review.
Avip:
That doesn't exist my friend, although I don't respond to all of them, I really appreciate the messages you write to me.
 
30 - Kenobi to the rescue
Sup bitches, I'm back.

And I haven't moved yet... I hate my life.

[Ilia Amitola]

My stomach ties into a knot of nervousness and guilt.

The dishonor of trying to kill the human without a decent justification, the betrayal of which I am a part of, lying not only to the faunus of Menagerie but especially to the great leader Khan, makes me sick to my stomach. After all, she knows nothing about the falseness of the accusation or even that we conducted an attack on the human's ship.

The failed attack resulted in a fracture on my left arm, which was now treated and bandaged, but this cobbled-together plan, trying to turn public opinion against the human, is more fragile than my immobilized limb.

The Albain brothers knew that the great leader would not stoop to cowardly tactics like this. So I was asked to stay silent and let that literal and figurative rat, Milhouse Pettigrew, act as the victim.

"Could you introduce yourself, please," said the elderly turtle, acting as Arc's lawyer.

An old man with coyote ears was sitting in the chair to testify. He looked at Mrs. Brasa with a confused expression, as if he didn't understand the purpose of the question.

"I know who you are, but not all young people know you, Ben," said the lawyer, sighing tiredly.

Shrugging, the old gentleman began his presentation.

"My name is Ben Kenobi. I've lived in Menagerie for a long time," the old man said with a bored tone, completely uninterested in the situation. "As long as my knees and back held me, I worked as a hunter and fisherman for the people of this island. I then spent years teaching these skills to several generations of young people to continue feeding the population, until I finally retired when I became blind."

Satisfied with her witness's statement, Kouka gave a serene smile and continued to ask:

"Blind?" she questioned in a forced tone of shock. "But it is clear to everyone present that you are able to see."

Even with forced acting, Kouka was getting the attention of everyone present. Previously, viewers chatted amongst themselves, ignoring what happened when it wasn't Sienna's turn to speak. Others said it was a waste of time and that they should expel the human from the island or even execute him.

But now everyone paid attention in silence.

"Yes, I was blind until a few days ago," Ben replied in a tired and irritated tone. He seemed to understand what was happening, despite finding it unnecessary. "Until this kid came here and cured me."

"OBJECTION!" exclaims Sienna, indignant. "How do we know this wasn't the human's plan from the beginning? Integrate himself with the population only to then take advantage later."

The spectators began to murmur among themselves again, some agreeing with the White Fang leader's question.

PANG! PANG!

The sound of the chieftain's wooden hammer silenced everyone. Maintaining his neutral posture, he turned to Sienna and asked:

"Are you saying that Jaune Arc healed the sick and injured so that he could later beat up a group of hunters and… steal some 'bush meat'?"

Gira's disbelieving tone made Sienna realize the absurdity of her protest.

"What if he's using the population to test these drugs?" questioned Sienna, pointing her finger at Jaune. "Do any of the faunus treated here know the origin of what was given to them?"

With silence as an answer, the White Fang leader smiled victoriously, armed with her new argument.

"So the human used sick faunus as test subjects for his drugs?" questioned Sienna in an outraged tone, turning to the audience. "How much more must our people suffer at the hands of our tormentors so that we can live in peace?"

The spectators began to boo and shout insults in Jaune's direction, but the human remained silent with that stupid smile on his face, as if he had done nothing wrong.

"Because he did nothing wrong…" I whispered quietly, feeling worse.

PANG! PANG!

Once again, the hammer silenced the spectators.

"These are serious accusations, Khan," inferred Ghira in a serious tone.

"I'm not afraid to ask the hard questions," the great leader added, crossing her arms in a sign of superiority.

"He's also not afraid to ask stupid questions," said the elderly man sitting on the witness stand. "And before you interrupt me, let me just say that the kid took the medicine in front of us to prove that they were safe."

Everyone present fell silent, taken by surprise by the response.

"Listen here Siera-."

"Sienna!" exclaimed the leader, irritated.

"Too old to care," Ben replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I know that when something is too good to be true, it can only be shit that will fuck us in the ass later."

PANG! PANG!

"Mister Kenobi!" the chieftain complains, drawing the witness's attention. "There are children in the room."

The old coyote faunus sighed tiredly but continued the story without complaining.

"But this kid is just a softy with a heart of gold," Ben states, pointing at Jaune. "At worst, he must be a rich daddy's boy who wants to help. That just makes him an asshole with good intentions and a lot of time, not a criminal."

Murmurs were present once again throughout the room. This time, the spectators were divided: some thought the human was innocent; others still thought he was guilty.

"And how do you explain the hunters he attacked?" says Sienna, standing up, indignant. "Regardless of his intentions, this does not justify him beating and leaving poor hunters for dead, not to mention the families who will starve because he stole their game."

At Sienna's last statement, Ben smiled.

"That's why I'm here," the old man said in a cold and threatening tone. "Because everything I heard from that kid Pettigrew was a fucking lie."

All the faunus sighed in surprise at the statement but quickly fell silent to hear what he had to say.

"Two deer and three wild boars? In the desert? And on one hunting day?" Kenobi asked with a mocking tone. "This lie would have been more believable if they had said they found rodents, lizards, snakes, and birds. Not to mention the amount of meat he said they got. Not even the best groups of hunters I've seen in my entire life would get 135 kg (300 pounds) of game in a day, much less 270 kg (600 pounds)."

Breaking into a cold sweat, Sienna stood up to try and protest the old man.

"And how can we be sure that you are telling the truth and not Milhouse?" Sienna questioned, with a bit of uncertainty in her voice.

Sienna's last statement was weak and carried little weight, but it still caused someone among the spectators to stand up to respond.

"Oh no you dont!" a man with dark skin and white feathers on his arms replied. "This grumpy old man may be a foul-mouthed, bad-tempered man, but he was never wrong when it came to hunting or fishing."

"That's right!" said another faunus, standing up. "Everything I know he taught me. He never lied about how to earn a living for my family. Whether the human is guilty or not doesn't matter. Old Ben won't be shamed like that."

More and more faunus began to rise to the defense of Ben Kenobi, who laughed mockingly at Sienna.

"No, no, no…" I murmured, desperate. "The human was supposed to be banished from the island, not for Sienna to be humiliated."

The entire population turned against Sienna, accusing her of defaming someone who dedicated her life to helping the inhabitants of Menagerie feed their families.

PANG! PANG!

"ORDER! ORDER!" the chieftain screamed, trying to regain control, but the people were furious.

A mob was forming, and the risk of a lynching seemed imminent.

By the gods, if Sienna is lynched… I think as my stomach twists in pain and guilt. I try to say something, but the stress and nervousness leave me speechless.

But, in the midst of chaos, it was humans who brought order.

FIIIIEEE!

The sound of a shrill horn echoed inside the room. The faunus fell silent, crouching with their hands over their ears. Looking in the direction of the sound, we saw Jaune with an air horn in hand, smiling like a child with a new toy.

"Thank you, young man," said the old turtle elder, patting the human's arm. "Look at the shameful display, supposedly civilized faunus behaving like wild animals. And who calmed them down and brought order? A human."

Everyone present looked down, completely ashamed of their behavior.

"This is supposed to be a trial, our attempt to get to the truth or at least a consensus of what happened," continued Kouka, in a disapproving tone. "But you came here seeking blood and revenge. If the behavior here today is normal for you, I can only fear for the future of faunus."

A sepulchral silence settled over the place. Shame and regret hung in the air. Even though everyone felt bad, I felt even worse. Finally, unable to bear it, I swallow hard and raise my hand to speak.

"Please," I said out loud, catching everyone's attention. "I would like to say something, if possible."

[Sienna Khan]

It had all started so well. It seemed certain that the human would be condemned and expelled from the island before he could do any more damage. But the testimonies showed more holes in the accusation than Swiss cheese, and to make matters worse, the opinion of the spectators was in his favor and against me.

When the human calmed the faunus and Kouka gave his lecture, I thought everything was lost. Until Ilia raised her hand.

'Surely she has some information to turn the tables in our favor,' I thought as I watched the red-haired girl sit next to Ghira to testify.

"Miss Amitola," said the Chieftain, addressing the White Fang agent. "You need to understand that your statement may be invalid, as you are a White Fang agent."

Ilia took a deep breath and, looking into the human's eyes, spoke.

"That won't be a problem." Her voice came out loud and steady for everyone to hear. "Because I'm here to tell you that Jaune Arc is innocent."

"What?!" I exclaimed, confused.

Everyone present began to whisper, surprised that a White Fang agent was defending a human who attacked them.

"I know he is innocent because I am part of the group that planned this false accusation."

From the corner of my eye, I noticed shadows running out of the room, but I didn't even think to follow them because Ilia had my full attention.

"During the night, I and other agents of the White Fang attempted to break into the human's airship that landed near a desert oasis," Ilia said in a tearful tone. "But we were stopped by the red robot guarding the ship." Ilia said, raising her bandaged arm for everyone to see. "That's how I and the others got hurt. None of the people who claimed to have been attacked by the human were hunters. We are all agents of the White Fang."

Boos and shouts of outrage began to come from the spectators, outraged by the White Fang's actions.

"It can't be…" I muttered, shocked. "How could they have done all this after I asked them not to mess with the human?"

PANG! PANG!

"Order!" demanded the Chieftain. "That explains the injured faunus, but why did you lie about the cause and why did you try to break into Mister Arc's airship?"

"I was convinced by Fennec Albain. He said the great leader Khan needed allies in the shadows. If I took the group to the desired location, Jaune Arc would be kicked off the island and never return. When we arrived at the scene and the red robot stopped us, Fennec changed the plan to blame the injured on Jaune Arc."

The people booed again but were silenced once again by Ghira's hammer, who turned towards me.

"You mean this is all just a plan by the White Fang to drive off the island a human who does nothing but kill grimm, cure the sick, and feed starving children?"

Ghira's indignant tone made his fury clear. It hurt my ego to admit, even if silently, that the human was innocent. Keeping my head lowered, Ilia continued speaking.

"I would also like to add that while the human was mapping the desert region, I attacked him and tried to kill him." The young woman's statement brought silence once again. "Instead of taking revenge or turning me over to the authorities, he just sat and talked to me… and my thanks to his mercy was to help frame him."

Overcome with shame and remorse, Ilia began to cry on the bench.

"I think it's clear to everyone present that Jaune Arc is innocent," declared Ghira loud and clear. "But now we have the question of-."

CRASH!

The door exploded into the room. Part of the spectators fell to the floor due to the impact of the door's shrapnel, while the rest ran to the other side of the room.

"KHAAAAAN!" roared an angry voice from the back of the room, hidden by the cloud of dust.

As soon as the cloud dissipated, the image of an angry red-haired barbarian wielding an ax was revealed. When our eyes met, her bloodthirsty eyes widened, and a voracious smile formed on her face.

"There you are." growled Audra, charging towards me.

[Image]
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Unarmed and with no time to get out of the way, I closed my eyes and crossed my arms in a desperate attempt to block the blow.

KLANG!

The metallic sound echoed through the room, followed by a strange silence. When I opened my eyes, I noticed someone standing in front of me.

"The human?" I whispered in disbelief.

The man I had spent the last few hours trying to incriminate and expel from the island was there, in front of me, defending me with a blue shield with a silver rim from my former master.

"AGAIN?" Audra shouted, furious. "THIS WHORE TRIED TO KILL AND INCRIMINATE YOU! WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING HER?"

The human responded by pulling her into a tight hug. Audra's eyes widened, but she quickly dropped the axe and returned the gesture.

"You're too good for these people, kid," Audra murmured, breathing a sigh of relief.

As the two embraced each other warmly, Ilia raised her voice.

"Sienna knew nothing," Ilia spoke, standing next to Ghira. "This was all a plan by the Albain brothers."

Audra took a deep breath, separating herself from the human.

"I was worried about you softy with a heart of gold," Audra whispered.

The scene moved everyone present.

PANG! PANG!

"Order!" Ghira shouted from the broken pulpit. "Jaune Arc's innocence has already been proven to everyone present."

In response, the audience murmured in agreement.

"However, I would like more details. Therefore, I would like Sienna Khan, Ilia Amitola, Audra Taurus, and Jaune Arc to come to my house, accompanied by an escort, to clarify everything."

All those called confirmed that they would cooperate… except the human, who remained silent.

"Are you okay, mister Arc?" asked Ghira, worried. "You didn't say anything during the process and now you don't even speak to me."

The human furrowed his eyebrows. He seemed irritated, but remained silent.

"I don't judge you, Mr. Arc. You came to our island with nothing but good intentions, willing to help our people. In return, you were treated like a criminal because of a foolish and poorly explained accusation," Ghira mentioned, in a remorseful tone. "I understand that you never want to speak to me again, but please don't think badly of the inhabitants of this island."

"What a drama queen, huh Ghira," said the old turtle faunus, who had acted as the human's lawyer.

She carried a cup with steaming liquid inside.

"Drink this, it'll loosen your mouth, boy."

Quickly, Jaune took the cup from her hands. With a lot of effort, he managed to open his mouth enough for the liquid to enter. After a few seconds he looked at Mrs. Brasa.

"That crazy old woman gave me a caramel candy that stuck the roof of my mouth with my tongue," commented Jaune, furious with the lady. "I couldn't say anything!"

Everyone turned, shocked, to the turtle, who just laughed at the situation.

"I really like you, blondie, but it was more advantageous for us if you remained silent than talking nonsense," explained the old lady.

"I don't talk that much nonsense!" Jaune stated, turning to the rest of the room. "Isn't that right, guys?"

Silence was the only response the human received. Neither Ghira nor Audra could look him in the eye at that moment.

[Ghira Belladonna]

I admit to having found Mr. Arc's digital assistant was quite eccentric when he introduced himself. The hologram of a soldier in futuristic blue armor, wielding a sniper rifle, was not a common sight.

'Who knew Church was the least eccentric,' I thought silently.

{{Listen up, you dirtbags!}} shouted a voice with a strong accent, while we watched the recording from the point of view of the red security robot. {{One more step and I will turn this invasion into an ass-kicking rodeo! It will hurt more than a wasp sting on your stupid masked faces.}}

We were back at my house, all sitting in silence as we watched the recordings of Jaune Arc's big red security robot.

[Hulk Buster Build Halo/40k armor style ]
GgODe5DWgAA86Te

{This is just one of the machines provided by Atlas.} Someone shouted in the background. {Use the same tactics we used when we attacked a convoy, brothers.}

What followed was basically a humiliation of the White Fang agents, seasoned with old-fashioned insults and a lot of screaming.

{{YEEEEHAAAAAAAAA!}} The robotic voice shouted, as if it were an old cowboy at a rodeo. {{This is almost as fun as shotting blues... almost.}}

"Jaune, dear, can you speed up to save the little dignity that Sienna and Ilia still have…" Kali asked, looking at Jaune.

Without questioning, the blond human sped up, and in a few minutes, we were able to witness how all the injuries of the 'victims' happened. Some fell awkwardly, others were trampled while trying to sneak up on the robot, who apologized after breaking a faunus's leg.

"It's clear that Jaune Arc's security system acted in self-defense and gave the invaders plenty of opportunities to retreat." I stated, smiling proudly at the young human.

Jaune looked at me, confused by my expression, but he smiled back, showing gratitude for the sentiment.

"Ilia and Sienna!" I exclaimed, putting all the authority I could into my voice. "Ever since Jaune Arc arrived at Menagerie, he has acted with the best and purest intentions, regardless of my initial suspicions, the rude way Audra treated him at the beginning, or the White Fang's attempts to kill and frame him. Even in the face of these adversities, he remained steadfast, submitting himself to our judgment and respecting our customs, aiming only for peace and harmonious coexistence."

The White Fang members present looked away in embarrassment, but I knew it was more because they were being reprimanded than because of the way they had acted.

"I'm sure most of those who witnessed what happened today will consider Mr. Arc a naive fool for still interacting with faunus, even after everything he's been through." I continued speaking, even under Jaune's indignant gaze at the apparent offense. "But I tell you that it's precisely this behavior that has brought a spark of hope for harmonious coexistence with humans, as well as the possibility of more of them visiting us and respecting us as civilized beings."

Silence was the only response I got from the two of them. However, there's no point in me just talking; they need to understand why Jaune's attitude is the right one.

"Mr. Arc!" I exclaimed, drawing the attention of the human in my room. "You came to our island providing food, maps, medicine, city projects, and plans to turn our island into an independent sovereign kingdom."

"What?" Sienna asked, her mouth agape.

"I would offer you reparations for the value of my honor alone, but such resources are too precious to my people for half measures or standard bureaucracy."

"Hmph?" Jaune snorted, not understanding what I meant.

By the gods, you really are just a softie with a heart of gold.

"What punishment would you like to give to these two and the other White Fang agents who attacked Audra and her ship?"

Sienna and Ilia widened their eyes in astonishment, but did not dare to utter a single word. Audra crossed her arms and huffed in irritation, with boredom in her eyes, as if she knew what the young human's answer would be.

"Sienna Khan." He said, catching the attention of the White Fang leader. "Were you directly involved in planning the invasion of my ship or in the false accusation?"

The tiger-eared leader took a deep breath as if she was exhausted, but puffed out her chest and looked into the human's eyes to answer.

"I didn't know anything about the invasion of your ship, but when my agents came to tell me that you had attacked hunters in the desert, I didn't think twice about taking advantage and sent all the members of the White Fang to spread the news." I said, finally feeling remorse inside me. "Part of me knew that the story had some holes, but for me, at the time, it didn't matter. The thing I wanted most was for you to get off this island as soon as possible."

"Why?" Jaune asked, in a tone of genuine curiosity.

Sienna swallowed her pride and shame, but continued to stare at the young human in front of her.

"Because your fame was growing a lot among the faunus of Menagerie." She admitted bitterly. "Healing, feeding, and now the Chieftain informs me that you will build cities and help create a sovereign nation for the faunus. Is that true, human?"

"Yes." Jaune answered without ceremony, as if it were nothing major. "Like, the court delayed me a little, but I think I can build the city in a week. As for the nation's talk…"

{{Two months at most.}} Church said through the holographic projector's speaker.

Sienna started laughing, her eyes wide with pure shock, a laugh that bordered on madness.

"Do you want to know why I want you off the island, human?" questioned Sienna in an unsteady tone. "I hate you! You should represent everything I despise, but instead you represent HIM!" shouted Sienna, pointing at me. "A foolish pacifist who wants a better world, who refuses to take the lives of even those who tried to kill you."

Jaune tilted his head to the side, confused. Sienna seemed offended by the young human's lack of understanding.

"Of course, I'm not going to kill you or Ilia," Jaune said, as if that were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Why?" Sienna asked, indignantly.

"I want prosperity for the faunus of Menagerie. That's why I came here. Peace with humans is also necessary, so I won't do anything rash."

"Even after everything you've been through? Even after the population almost turned against you?"

"Yes," Jaune responded once again, as if it were obvious. "I didn't come to be popular; I came to help. Mr. Belladonna, is this so difficult to understand?"

I gave the boy a big, proud smile and responded:

"She doesn't understand that peace and prosperity for faunus is more important than pride," I commented, turning my judgmental gaze to Sienna. "And, to achieve this, violence should never be used as a tool."

"B-but..." Sienna stammered, trying to question, but in vain. She couldn't find the words.

"Pride is dangerous," Jaune added. "After all, the dream of the oppressed is to be the oppressor. It takes discipline not to give in to the temptation of revenge and to be strong enough to be gentle. That is the best path to peace."

Audra and I laughed proudly, while Sienna and Ilia froze at the young human's simple yet universally true statement. The cause of the White Fang, whether the old or new version, had always been a noble one, but Sienna's twisted and violent ways were just exposed and rubbed in her face as a simple fight for pride rather than the survival and prosperity of the faunus, as she always claimed.

"But you still haven't answered me, Arc," I commented, catching Jaune's attention once again. "What are you going to do about punishing the White Fang agents who caused you so much headache? Mercy is always good, but you need to show firmness towards those who act like criminals. This is basic for a healthy society."

The young human closed his eyes, reflecting for a few minutes in silence. Audra stared at the White Fang members in my house as if she wanted to rip their heads off… something I don't doubt she would do if she were allowed.

"I know," Jaune said, snapping his fingers. "A charity action by the White Fang, personally led by Sienna Khan, to help an orphanage in the city of Vale."

"What?" questioned everyone present, including me.

"And the message will be that the White Fang desires peace and prosperity between faunus and humans."

Everyone was silent, shocked by the young man's request. The silence and tension were palpable in the air.

"Hey, Church!" Jaune exclaimed, turning to the holographic projector, with the armored man speaking up. "Find me an orphanage in Vale that needs help with donations and manual labor."

{{Most orphanages need that. Can you be more specific?}} asked the little blue soldier.

"An orphanage that has a good number of humans and faunus."

{{I already found it and sent you contact of a perfect one.}}

"Thanks," Jaune commented, pulling out his Scroll. "I'll make a list of things I want you to do there, but anything extra is welcome," he said, as he read about the orphanage on his Scroll. "And don't worry about spending money. I will provide supplies for both the trip to Vale and the work at the orphanage."

"Why are you doing this?" Sienna asked, still shocked.

Jaune stood up and looked at Sienna with a serious face.

"I'm giving you a chance to prove to the world that the White Fang is not a terrorist organization," Jaune said in a more serious tone. "Prove them wrong about you. Prove that you want peace and prosperity for the faunus."

Bengal tiger ears flattened back on Sienna's head, tears welling in her eyes. She herself didn't seem to understand why she was sad. The simple truth was that Jaune Arc had broken her pride by showing a better way.

"What about me?" asked the young freckled redhead. "What are you going to do to me?"

Jaune turned to Ilia and looked at her, confused, with a raised eyebrow.

"I mean... what I said is like for the entire White Fang, you know? Including you," explained Jaune, still not understanding the reason for the question.

Silently, Ilia took out her Grimm mask with chameleon horns. With disgust in her eyes, she broke the mask in her hand. We all stared at the young woman, surprised by her action.

"Please, Mr. Arc," Ilia begged. "Even though I have made so many mistakes, you will not change your plans to help my people. I can't stand here acting as if my actions haven't nearly destroyed the best chance for progress for the people of Menagerie."

"Eeeeeeh… what are you trying to say, Ilia?" asked the young human, still confused.

The chameleon faunus kneels, without breaking eye contact with the human, and declares in a formal tone as if she were in a sacred ceremony:

"I, Ilia Armitola, swear to become Jaune Arc's servant. I offer my strength and my loyalty. Not because I was forced to, but because I believe he can help me become a better person. I will fight by his side, obey his orders, and do whatever is necessary to correct my mistakes."



Jaune crouched down, looking into Ilia's eyes, and responded:

"There is no fucking way that gonna happen, you crazy bitch!"


E ai gurizada?

That's right I'm back, with Menagerie Arc coming to an end, next chapter we'll have some time skips and the change in infrastructure in various parts of the island thanks to the new team created by Jaune.

Created in the sense made by his 'Semblance', just to make it clear.
 
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31 - Festival
I woke up three days this week with a headache… that's not good.


[Pietro Polendina]

The sharp ends of my chair legs click against the metal of the dock, each step echoing in the vast space. The battleship looms before me, a mountain of steel and technology, now equipped with the prototype large-scale Arc Reactor engine.

'If it weren't for Mr. Church's help, we wouldn't have been able to make this prototype so quickly.' I thought silently admiring the prototype.

The air is thick with the smell of oil and sea air, a peculiar mix that always reminds me of progress and adventure.

"Doctor Polendina, is everything ready for departure?" Marrow Amin's voice resonates behind me, his tone relaxed but firm.

I turn the chair to face him. His impeccable uniform, his furry tail swaying gently, and the confident expression of someone who knows the weight of the mission he carries.

"All ready as planned, Specialist Amin, or should I say Captain Amin." I respond, looking at the data on my scroll. "The reactor is installed and ready to be tested in the field."

Marrow approaches, looking at the battleship, giving an awkward laugh.

"I keep thinking they only promoted me because I'm a Faunus. Something like 'I was in the right place at the right time,' I don't know if I really deserve this position."

I turn my chair to face him, adjusting my glasses on my nose. His face expresses genuine doubt, his furry tail now motionless, reflecting his introspection.

"Marrow, if you think you don't deserve this promotion, then prove your worth with actions." I comment in a firm but friendly tone. "Show everyone, and yourself, that you are more than just a Faunus in the right place. Be the right choice, no matter how you got here."

He looks at me, surprised. His expression changes, and a gleam of determination begins to appear in his eyes.

"I... I never thought of it that way, Doctor." He scratches the back of his neck, a shy smile forming. "But you're right, and this mission is too important for me to let my insecurities get the better of me."

With determination now firmly in his gaze, he turns back to face the battleship, the metal gleaming under the dock lights.

"In addition to testing the engine, you will also serve as Atlas's dignitary." I say, adjusting my glasses again. "It is crucial that this mission is a success in all levels."

Marrow swallows hard but nods confidently.

"I'm sure you'll do an excellent job, Marrow." I respond, a genuine smile forming on my face. "Good luck, Marrow. We'll be monitoring everything from here."

He walks away toward the battleship. I watch as he walks up the ramp, each step firmer than the last. Upon reaching the top, he turns to me, a quick wave before disappearing into the vessel.

The ramp closes with a metallic sound, and the battleship begins to move, the roar of the engine filling the dock, despite it being quieter than a conventional Dust engine. I watch as the vessel moves away, gaining speed as it heads out into the open sea.

PING!

"A message?" I murmur curiously, opening the text. "It looks like it's Penny's."

Reading the message, I smile at the news that Penny made a friend.

"Splendid." I comment to myself.

But as I continue reading, I come across another piece of peculiar news.

"You both arrested a crippled thief?" I repeat, confused by the message.

[Amber Stone]

The sun was rising over the horizon, dyeing the sky with shades of orange and pink. And here I am, in the middle of the desert…

Who would have thought that I, Amber Stone, would be overseeing the creation of an entire city built by ex-convict Faunus, colorful androids, and rusty robots?

'Meeting Jauner Arc changed my life more than becoming a fall maiden.' I think as I hear footsteps approaching me.

"Big boss, we need more materials in the southern area." The voice of a Faunus with ram's horns brings me out of my thoughts. "The foundations of the new quarters are in place, but the team is out of supplies to continue tomorrow."

"Jaune restocked last night." I respond, checking my clipboard to be sure. "It's in warehouse 3."

While the worker goes on his way to check on supplies, I walk across the rough terrain, feeling the warmth of the rising sun. Faunus and robots of all shapes and sizes work together, erecting structures, transporting materials, each with a clear purpose.

As a 'satellite city,' this location has several functions: being an outpost for spotting and combating Grimms, training the local workforce, providing supplies for future operations at the Dust mine, and most important of all... housing the largest and most advanced CCT tower in all of Remnant.

For now, the maintenance of the tower is handled by some drones that Jaune created, but the green AI called Delta has been giving classes to some faunus who were Arc's cellmates. Although there are only three, this class already guarantees future autonomy for the faunus to maintain the equipment.

At first, I found it wierd, that they quickly accepted the proposal to work in the middle of the Grimm-infested desert in exchange for their freedom. Some even cried, thanking him for the opportunity to prove their worth, inspired by the great 'Rengoku.'

"Whoever this weirdo with the Mistralian name is." I grumble, walking toward the wall surrounding the city.

Halfway there, someone shouts, catching my attention.

"Hey, Big Boss!" A fox-eared faunus waves from afar. "Will we be able to drink tonight?"

"You know the rules, one day of drinking for two days of sober work."

"But it's hot…" he complains tearfully.

"Then drink water, bitch!" I complain, leaving the Faunus behind, becoming the butt of jokes from his friends.

At first, I had found the two eight-hour workdays interspersed with a one-day break to be week, but good work hours, a good salary combined with unlimited food and drink makes these people work at 120%, with zero delays and zero absences.

Arriving at the wall, I climb the steps, coming face to face with two watchmen looking at the horizon with binoculars. One of them is a big, fat Faunus with a boar's nose, while his colleague is a short and very thin faunus, with a meerkat's tail, called Timon.

"Why are there two guards at the same post?" I ask, irritated.

Timon and Pumbaa are startled by my silent arrival and begin to apologize, stuttering.

"S-Sorry, Big Boss! We were just..." Pumbaa starts, his voice shaking.

"That's right, we were just watching Arc and Ilia fighting that huge grimm!" Timon adds, pointing to the desert.

I take the binoculars from the meerkat Faunus's hand and look in the direction he points, finding nothing but sand.

"What huge grimm?" I ask, frowning. "There is no-." Before I can complain, I'm cut off by the sound of an explosion coming from the desert.

BOOOOM!

Sand explodes upward, as if a bomb had gone off, but it was actually a giant Grimm emerging from underground, its mouth gaping at the sky.

"What the fuck?!" I shout in surprise.

The creature is huge, its black body resembling a shark covered in a hard carapace full of white bones, with bone spikes on its body. Its jaws click, ready to devour anything within reach. It is a true monster straight out of a nightmare.

[Image]
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"Elder Sand Jaws!" Pumbaa said next to me. "Bigger and more dangerous than a Twin Terror Rex."

Before I could worry about Jaune's life, a scream echoed across the desert, a cowboy scream coming from the Grimm's direction.

"YEEHAW!"

It didn't take a genius to know who was screaming.

I raised the binoculars again, looking for the origin of the shout. It took a few seconds, but quickly I found him. On the creature's back, a blond man was holding himself up by chains attached to the giant Grimm's flesh. And clinging to his waist, a red-haired girl screamed in fear.

"I need a raise." I mumbled tiredly. "But before that, he needs to start paying me."

I grabbed the megaphone from my waist, the one I usually used to give orders on construction sites, and shouted at Jaune.

"GET IT OVER WITH, ARC!"

In response, Jaune looked in my direction, smiled, let go of one of the chains, and created something to wield in his free hand.

The golden mist then materialized a silver cylinder with a red button. Before I could ask myself what that item was, Jaune pressed the button, causing a sheet of bluish light to emerge from the tube.

"A Dust blade?" questioned Pumbaa curiously.

With the 'lightsaber', Jaune opened a hole in the creature's carapace, only to then pull Ilia along with him into the monster.

"THat crazy blond himbo…" I mumbled worriedly. "Why did you do that?"

The giant Grimm fell to the sand, kicking up a cloud of dust that momentarily obscured my vision. The ground shook with the impact, and I held onto the wall to keep from losing my balance. The creature began to move, trying to submerge itself once again.

But something went wrong for the monster, because it stopped in the middle of the process, as if it were confused or in pain.

"What's going on?" Timon asked, his voice shaking with fear.

"Arc is doing something weird and dangerous." I responded, gripping the megaphone tightly. "So it's the usual…"

After standing still for a few seconds, the Grimm began to howl in pain.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The sound was deafening, a mix of pain and anger that echoed across the desert. The creature struggled, its carapace cracking and shattering as it fought against something invisible.

"Is the grimm breaking?" Pumbaa shouted in confusion, his eyes wide with terror.

I watched in disbelief as the giant Grimm continued to struggle, its movements becoming more and more desperate. The sand around the creature was thrown into the air, creating a sand cloud that made it difficult to see. But even through the sand, I could see the Grimm's shell disintegrating, as if something was eating away at it from the inside out.

Suddenly, the creature stopped struggling. The sudden silence was almost deafening after the screams and chaos. I watched, holding my breath, as the giant Grimm relaxed its body, lying limp on the desert floor. The surrounding sand slowly settled, revealing the motionless form of the beast.

"He did it…" Timon murmured, his voice full of admiration and relief. "That kid is a beast."

Little by little, the creature's body began to disintegrate. As the black mist started to dissipate, Jaune and Ilia are revealed walking in our direction, covered in sand and sweat, but alive.

"Arc, you crazy bitch!" I screamed through the megaphone, relief mixed with anger. "You could have died!"

Jaune looked in my direction, and with a wide smile on his face, he blew me a kiss.

"If that idiot hadn't saved me, I would have killed his himbo ass already." I grumbled angrily as Timon and Pumbaa walked away from me.

In a few minutes, Jaune and Ilia arrived in the city. Before the blonde could say anything, Ilia started to complain.

"We almost died at least three times in that fight!" Ilia screamed, her voice shaking with anger and fear. "Why do you always have to put yourself in danger like this every single day?"

Jaune, with a tired smile, responded.

"You're right, Ilia. I think you'd better stop following me for your own safety."

Ilia froze but then straightened up and spoke calmly.

"What matters is that a powerful Grimm has been defeated and the island is safer because of it." Her formal tone made it clear that her mission as a 'servant' was not over. "But with your permission, I need to retreat to recover from our mission."

With a wave from Jaune, Ilia left, her crooked and heavy steps on the sand making it clear that the girl was dizzy and tired.

Frustrated, Jaune grumbled, running a hand through his sweaty hair.

"I can't get rid of her." He muttered, looking in the direction Ilia disappeared. "I have to do something much crazier and more irresponsible to get her away."

Shaking at the thought of what could be worse than killing a Grimm from the inside out, I approach him, my shadow casting over his tired face.

"How many points did the creature give you?" I asked, straight to the point.

When I agreed to work with him on raising this city, Jaune told me everything about how his Semblance worked.

"Thirty thousand." He responded, still tired but proud, curving his lips. "Added to what I've been killing these last few days, this operation has already been paid for, and I have a few bucks left."

"Construction supplies, staff food, and new robots have all been paid for?" I questioned in surprise.

Jaune confirmed with a nod.

"Even the Arc Builders?" I asked with a sly smile.

"Don't use that name, it was their idea." Jaune responded, pointing to his former cellmates.

"Okay. Even those stronger-colored robots?" I asked curiously. "I know they're not as smart as Church and Alpha, but they're still pretty clever. After all, only four paved a road connecting here to Kuo Kuana."

"Their limited intelligence and dependence on someone to give orders saved me a lot of points. Their original version had basically human intellect." Jaune explained as if creating real A.I. was no big deal. "But unlike Church, they are 'trapped' in a physical body, just like the original design."

"Was the name 'Master Robot' from the original design?" I asked, smiling at the silly and tacky name.

Shrugging, Jaune responded.

"Dr. Light and Dr. Wily's fault." He said, smiling, then turned toward the horizon, facing the desert. "Changing the subject, I'm happy I got the points, but the amount of Grimms worries me."

Frowning with a serious expression, he turned to me.

"We are an outpost for the city." Jaune explained, pointing to Kuo Kuana. "The majority of the island's inhabitants are on my side now, but there's still a core of locals that hates me and is creating conflicts around the city."

I sighed tiredly, approaching him.

"Which generates negative emotions and attracts more Grimm." I concluded for the blonde next to me. "So why don't we go there and 'solve' the problem? I understand that you don't want to get your hands dirty. So give me that potion again, and I'll finish them off in one night."

Jaune sighed, looking at the horizon where the sun had risen.

"I understand your concern, Amber." He informed me. "But I'll talk to Ghira first, when I have the time."

Politics seemed to tire Jaune more than facing giant Grimms.

"How about you take the day off and go talk to Ghira?" I suggested, trying to cheer him up.

"Are you sure?" He questioned in surprise.

"Everything's going well now, hurry up before I change my mind."

"Thanks, Amber." The blonde waved, running off.

[ORIGINAL POV]

'Most of the robots I made to help build the city were from the Fallout series, they are very cheap.' I think, looking around at all the movement. 'They are some Eyebots to carry out surveillance and send information to the new CCT tower in the middle of the city; many Protectrons without weapons to help with heavy lifting; and several Mr. Handys for general work and cleaning.'

I walk closer to the group of colorful robots that could be recognized by any old-school gamer.

'And of course, the four responsible for having accelerated the construction part of the project so much.'

"Good to see you guys again." I speak loudly, drawing their attention. "Guts Man, Bomb Man, Metal Man, and Concrete Man."

[Image]
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"Greetings, Jaune Arc." All four respond at the same time.

It's a little sad that they don't have their own mind or personality like Church, Delta, and Sarg, but I had to save MP creating them.

"I heard that your mission was a success."

Guts Man, in response, stepped forward and began speaking for the group.

"Yes, sir! The highway we built is 17 kilometers(10.5 miles) long and is designed to withstand heavy traffic, with multiple lanes in each direction. The width of each lane is 3.5 meters(11,5 feet), ensuring cars can move safely. As it will have four lanes in each direction, the total width of the lanes will be 14 meters (46 feet), just for the carriageways."

"Okay…" I responded, surprised by so much information I hadn't asked for. I need to go talk to Ghira in town, go check if Amber needs something."

As soon as I dismiss the robots, I summon the golden mist from my countenance. I feel the energy flow through my body, molding the aura into a specific shape. Within seconds, the Green Goblin's glider materializes beneath my feet, its sleek, streamlined lines gleaming in the sunlight. The glider floats gently, rising from the ground, ready for flight.

"Lets fucking go." I mutter to myself, activating the rockets on the board.

I quickly take off, the wind blowing through my hair as the board begins to gain altitude. The feeling of freedom is instantaneous, the cool air hitting my face as I speed towards the city.

The landscapes of Menagerie pass quickly below me. A desert dotted with oases, a few palm trees, and the large paved road that leads directly to my destination.

I can't help but be amazed by the work of the four of them.

"Creating the Robot Masters to help me was a good idea, but making Concrete Man was brilliant. That guy is practically a cement and concrete factory that only needs to recharge once every two days on my ship."

I see the city in the distance, with the Belladonna mansion standing prominently.

"I haven't visited them in a few days." I mutter to myself with a laugh. "I wonder if they missed me."

As I approach the Belladonna mansion, I slow the glider, hovering over the city. Below, the streets, once quiet, now pulse with life. Children run along the sidewalks, their laughter echoing through the air. They wave in my direction, shouting my name enthusiastically.

The screams mix, creating a symphony of joy. The outcry fills my chest with happiness and pride, bringing a smile to my face.

"I'll have to do a show for these guys." I murmur confidently.

[Ghira Belladonna]

Sitting in the meeting room, I stare at Sienna and Audra as I review my notes.

"Commotion," I begin bluntly. "We've been having problems with 'radical' White Fang members causing fights with Jaune Arc supporters, saying that you, Sienna, is a false leader."

Sienna doesn't move, but her amber eyes shine with a contempt I know well.

"They claim that Adam Taurus is the true savior of the faunus," Audra continues, her deep voice full of resentment. "They're using this to justify their stupid fights."

"Adam…" I repeat, the name heavy on my tongue. "He always had a way of inflaming tempers."

"Inflaming is an understatement," Sienna says, finally moving. She stands up, hands resting on the table. "The radical members loyal to him are willing to harm innocent Faunus for the 'cause.' The most they will achieve on the island, without humans around, is attracting more Grimm."

"That's what they're doing," adds Audra. "All this open conflict has tripled the amount seen near the city. Kuo Kuana would have already been destroyed if it weren't for Jaune fighting the biggest and most dangerous ones at the outpost. And let's not forget the great advantage of the laser weapons that he gave us, in addition to being powerful, the lasguns charge quickly in the sun."

Sienna frowns, staring at Audra at the mention of Jaune. The leader of the White Fang knows that the human, besides being innocent, is a great ally, but her foolish pride prevents her from truly accepting him.

"These scum don't listen to my orders and are hiding among the island's civilian inhabitants," Sienna mentions in a defeated tone. "I don't know how I can be useful without increasing unrest."

"Humpf." Audra grumbles in Sienna's direction. "Tell me something new," the redhead adds in a sarcastic tone.

With her pride hurt, Sienna opens her eyes wide and points her finger at the guard commander.

"Measure your words, cradle robber," Sienna infers with spite.

"Funny you should say that, given your past interactions with my son," Audra replies.

"What are you insinuating?" Sienna asks indifferently.

"Don't act stupid, I know you-." Audra tries to say.

"LADIES!" I shout, interrupting the exchange of 'complements.' "Discuss your personal life another time. We need to work together to reduce civil unrest."

Both embarrassedly look down.

"Frankly!" I exclaim, frustrated. "The solution isn't going to fall from the sky-." I try to say.

CRASH!

But I am cut off by something that falls from the sky, breaking my ceiling and the table between us.

I look up at the meeting room ceiling, now with a huge hole, and then down, but I can't see what fell. The dust rising and debris everywhere destroy any chance of resuming the meeting at this time.

Audra and Sienna cough from being closer to what fell, so the dust covered both of them.

"Are you ladies okay?" I ask worriedly.

Audra nods, wiping the dust off her face. Sienna, still coughing, waves her hand, signaling that she's okay.

We cautiously approach the object that fell from the sky. It looks like a humanoid figure but is covered in dust and debris. Audra quickly removes the debris from the body, revealing…

"Jaune," Audra says worriedly, picking up the young man from the floor and hugging him affectionately as she strokes his blond hair.

"Are you serious?" Sienna questions in a cynical tone.

The young man's body is covered in scratches and bruises, but they are already healing due to his Aura.

"What is he doing here?" Sienna asks, her voice full of distrust.

"I don't know," I respond, approaching the human in the arms of the Menagerie militia commander. "First let's see if he's okay."

As soon as I touch Jaune's body, his eyes suddenly open. He looks around and quickly gets off Audra's hugs, startling us all.

Except for Audra, who pulls him back into a tight hug, worried about him.

"Are you well?" Audra asks in a caring tone. "Didn't you get hurt when you fell from the sky, my angel?"

Jaune, still disoriented, looks around, trying to understand where he is. His eyes land on me and then on Sienna, who looks at him with suspicion.

"What happened?" Jaune asks, his voice hoarse.

"As Audra mentioned, you fell from the sky," I responded, trying to remain calm. "Literally."

Jaune looks up, seeing the hole in the ceiling. As soon as he understands what happened, he breaks away from Audra's embrace once more and wipes the dust off his body.

"Sorry for the inconvenience," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I had a little problem with my glider, but I promise to compensate for the damage."

"The ceiling is the least of my worries, young man," I explain, calming down. "But tell me, to what do I owe this visit?"

Jaune reaches into his pocket and pulls out several capsules with red buttons on it. He holds them in the palm of his hand, showing them to us.

"What is that?" I ask, curious.

"But I have an idea and these capsules are necessary to put my plan into action." Jaune explains with a confident smile. " Each of these contains a vast amount of resources like water, food, building materials, tools, and more."

Sienna frowns suspiciously.

"And how do you plan to use this to improve the mood of the inhabitants of Menagerie?" the leader asks, suspicious of the veracity of the statement.

Jaune smiles, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Let's have a big festival."

"That's… an interesting idea," I murmur, scratching my chin. "But how big do you intend to make it?"

[Blake Belladonna]

"Finally, peace and quiet." I mumble, lying in my bunk.

Yang left to train with Pyrrha, Weiss is tearing her hair out from working so hard opening her own company, and Ruby is working on her scythe to implement that new blade made with the strange metal Jaune gave her while listening to something with her headphones in the corner of the room.

In other words, silence finally reigns in Team RWBY's room.

To enjoy this rare moment of calm, I place an open book on my lap. Each page, a refuge. The smell of the paper, the weight of the words, everything transports me far away.

A rare, precious moment.

'Nothing can ruin this moment,' I thought in silence, turning the pages of my book.

"Blake!"

A vein pops out on my forehead, but I manage not to show all my irritation at my team leader, who is hanging onto my bed, looking like a needy puppy. I close the book, marking the page carefully. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what comes next.

"What's wrong, Ruby?" I ask in a forced neutral tone.

The little reaper has her scroll in her hands, oscillating between looking at the screen and my face, her mouth open as if trying to say something.

"You... like... lived in Menagerie... right?" Asked the reaper in a shy tone.

Ruby is very nervous, and for some reason, she can't look me in the eyes.

"Yes?" I reply in an inquisitive tone.

"And you're like a princess? Since you're the daughter of the faunus king, right?"

I decided to close my book and focus on the conversation. Despite the exaggerated statement, I am happy to instruct my human colleague on faunus culture.

"My father is not the king of the Faunus. He was the leader of the White Fang, and now he is chieftain of the largest city in Menagerie."

"Kuo Kuana," Ruby responds, taking me by surprise.

Wide-eyed, I stare at the girl in the red cape.

"Yes, you're right." I am surprised by her knowledge of the island.

But before I can question her, she continues speaking.

"Ghira and Kali Belladonna are your parents, your mother being a feline faunus with cat ears like yours, and your father is tall and strong with a full beard and a trimmed mustache."

My jaw drops to the floor at the accurate description of my parents' appearance.

"How do you know?" I question in surprise.

Ruby laughs awkwardly but explains.

"I was watching a live stream of a concert taking place in Kuo Kuana-."

"Oh!" I exclaim, understanding the situation. "That's fake, Ruby. Menagerie doesn't even have a CCT tower."

"So how do you explain that?"

Ruby turns the scroll to me, and there they are. My parents, Ghira and Kali Belladonna, singing and dancing on a big stage, surrounded by a jubilant crowd. The scene, filmed by flying drones from various angles, is so vivid that I can almost feel the energy of the audience, the sound of my parents' voices singing.

{A whole new world / a whole new world

That's where we'll be / that's where we'll be

A thrilling chase / a wondrous place

For you and me…}​

A tear runs down my face as my heart twists in pain.

The pain of memories hits me like a punch in the chest. The harsh words I spoke, the look of disappointment on my father's face, my mother's silent crying. It all echoes in my mind, a symphony of regret. But at the same time, there is an undeniable relief in seeing my parents well, happy, living their lives without the weight of my problematic presence.

"Ruby, how…?" My voice cracks, but I try to compose myself. "Where did you find that recording?"

Ruby smiles, a gleam of excitement in her silver eyes.

"I told you it's a live stream." Ruby replies, smiling. "It looks like someone built a CCT tower in Menagerie and is broadcasting this show around the world!"

"By the Gods!" I exclaim in astonishment. "How? When? Who?"

"As for how, I don't know. It seems they finished the work a few days ago. As for who…"

As if concluding Ruby's sentence, a brunette woman with black hair, feline ears, and tiger stripes on her arm enters the stage, receiving a round of applause.

"Sienna?" I question, confused.

{A beautiful performance by our chieftain and his lovely wife.} Says the leader of the White Fang, bowing slightly to my parents. {Actually, that today is your last day as chieftain, right Ghira?}

"Last day?" I ask again, even more confused.

{It's true, Sienna.} My father responds through the microphone in his hand. {And although I've grown attached to the title, it's important that we take the next step in this great moment for faunus and humans across Remnant.}

I take the scroll from Ruby's hand, who, despite pouting, doesn't complain.

{You're absolutely right.} Announces Sienna, flashing a trained smile for the cameras. {After all, it's not every day that a kingdom is founded.}

"KINGDOM?" I shout in surprise, approaching the screen.

"You don't need to shout." Ruby complained next to me.

{And we owe everything to the man of the moment...} Says Sienna, pointing to the side of the stage. {Jaune Arc!}

"JAUNE?" Ruby and I shout with wide eyes.

The shock paralyzes me. Jaune, the blonde boy coveted by half of Beacon, is in Menagerie. And not only that, but apparently involved in something monumental. A kingdom? Founded by him and my parents?

"What are you doing in Menagerie?" I question, eyes glued to the screen.

It is then that I remember Lie Ren's words when we questioned him about Jaune.

'He said he has something special in store for you…'

"Was this what he was planning?"

[Corsac Albain]

"Explosives are in position." Commented the young man with a cheetah tail, handing me the detonator.

"Excellent." I murmured, contemplating the canyon below.

Giant rocks at the bottom of this valley served as a tomb and prison for a grimm of apocalyptic size.

"Dread Shadow." I muttered the monster's name with a venomous smile on my lips.

Taking a deep breath, I turn to the few members who are still loyal to the faunus cause. A glorious moment like this deserves an inspiring sermon.

"Fifteen years ago, the great faunus hero, Mino Taurus, sacrificed himself to seal the greatest threat to Menagerie's faunus."

My voice was projected with great range due to the structure of the canyon, which helped to capture the attention of those present.

"And how do the people of our island repay his sacrifice?" I asked, noticing fury shining in the eyes of those present here. "We sold our pride and dignity to a human."

Shouts and boos in agreement with me came from the faithful, fueled by hatred and disgust for what has happened in our sacred home.

As if in response, the ground shakes, not much, but enough for me to notice.

"All that demon in human form needed was to distribute sweets and false promises so that the local population would bend in his favor."

The chorus of fury and frustration is such that I have to raise my hand to silence them to continue with my sermon.

'Perfect.' I thought to myself, satisfied. 'With all this negative emotion, the grimm will follow us as we drive towards the city.'

The confirmation of my thoughts comes as the ground begins to shake more intensely.

"I feel bad that I have to undo the work of this great faunus hero, but his son, Adam Taurus, his legacy, will lead us through this trying time." Before continuing, I raise my hand and hold up the detonator for everyone to see. "We will release this monster to purify Menagerie of the heretical faunus who dared to join our enemies, and purge the human contamination that is Jaune Arc."

The screams seem to synchronize with the vibrations that echo throughout the valley and its rocks.

With one last dramatic gesture, I extend my arm and press the detonator.

"Testify." I declare, with the explosion occurring shortly afterward.

BOOM!

The power of the explosion is enough to weaken the prison, adding our chorus of negative emotions the gigantic Grimm starts to awaken.

Black smoke begins to escape from the rocks as the tremors intensify.

A crooked smile forms on my lips just thinking about the despair of that damned human.

"Your end is near, Jaune Arc."


E ai gurizada?

I'm still struggling to move to a new apartment, but I promise to keep writing.

Grizz_Rex_89:

Superman would be Proud with tears.

Avip:

Wow. Your comment made my day. Thank you.

Theaceoffire:

Do not stick your XXXXX in crazy.

Avip:

That is good advice.
 
32 - The battle for Menagerie I: Extremis Upgrade New
I'm back and I've just launched my Ko-Fi page! ko-fi(dot)com/avipbr

To prove that I'm mean busnisse from the 26th to the 31st of May I'll post 1 chapter each day in all 4 of main fics:

- Anthrostate VS Isekai Hero
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As a Ko-Fi subscriber, you'll unlock early access to 5 chapters ahead of everyone else.

Your support helps me keep pushing forward, creating bigger and better stories with every chapter.

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Access to Purple Flame Nexus - Discord Server Access to 5 chapters in advance of all my fanfics

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Tier 3 - Golden Flame:
All beneffits from Silver FlameLottery entry for a Oneshot RPG Adventure

I know the title is cliché… but I like it.







[POV ORIGINAL]

As soon as I step onto the stage, the world freezes with a profane sound.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!"

A hellish screech echoes throughout Kuo Kuana, a sound that chills the soul of all present. Fear is palpable, like a wave sweeping through the crowd, turning once-smiling faces into masks of pure dread.

Children begin to cry, clinging to their parents, who in turn, look around desperate for an explanation. The elders have their eyes wide open, whispering ancient prayers, hoping the sound isn't what they fear it to be.

But the older faunus know, deep in their hearts, that that sound belongs to something monstrous, something that should be sealed away.

Audra, normally a pillar of strength and confidence, turns pale, murmuring in fear.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no…" She repeats, seeming almost catatonic.

With Audra out of commission, I turn to Ghira for more information, but the former Chieftain is busy handling the panicked population.

"Faunus of Menagerie!" Shouted the leader, his voice booming through the sound system.

The powerful voice of their leader calmed the people somewhat, but fear still gripped them. Seeing the morale of his people, Ghira puffed out his chest to speak.

"Today was supposed to be a day of celebration, the day of our nation's birth!" Though his voice sounded powerful, remorse was evident in his posture. "But instead, we must face the monster that threatens our existence."

"Mister Belladonna." I whisper into the Chieftain's ear. "What are you doing?"

With a wave of his hand, he silences me. I want to believe in his words, but the people seemed more demoralized than before.

"I know we will survive today, for faunus always survive the worst! We have been tested by injustice, by pain and by war, and yet we are still here! And it won't be today, it won't be now, that we will fall!"

Ghira's words echo through the air, and I see the change on people's faces. The fear is still there, but now there's something else… a spark of determination, a glimmer of hope. The faunus begin to rise, one by one, inspired by their leader's speech, some even shouting out, renewed, agreeing with Ghira.

"Today we face the grimm that comes to our door together as a nation. Today, we fight for the future of the faunus. Today, we cancel the apocalypse."

The crowd starts shouting, echoing the sentiment of Ghira's speech. The air vibrates with a renewed energy, a mix of fear and determination that is almost tangible. The faunus, once terrified, now rise with a new hope, ready to face whatever is coming our way.

I'm so surprised by the transformation that I don't even notice Ghira had copied the ending of the Pacific Rim speech.

"For the Faunus! For our future! FAUNARIA STANDS!" Roars the Chieftain with the last two words, revealing the name of the new nation we had decided on during the meeting.

Whether he said those words on purpose, I don't know, but the flags and banners we had installed with that voice command activate and unfurl.

[Image]
AD_4nXfISV4U-xOLiJ7eXMQda3Pc3UfHtWJk6Zj0PQghzDXri4BDzs3ES3dYUP6Y0z1WVpk6MF2jAKzgCx-ug7Gs4o0bs4Ol-D9GJiP77-uyChHwp3ZxTegnRjARnLqTRje0FpNCqMye5A

Revealing the flag of the new nation, the black face of a feline with an open mouth looking to the left on a purple background.

The faunus roar in unison, a sound that echoes through the streets of Kuo Kuana, vibrating to the bone. The fear is still there, but now it's overshadowed by a fierce determination. They are ready to fight, ready to defend their homes and families.

"Women, children, and the elderly to the docks. Fishing boat owners will assist with the evacuation." Ghira turns to me, switching off his microphone so no one else can hear. "Jaune… I know you've already done so much for us. But please, take some children on your jet when you leave the island."

I blink, confused for a second, until I realize he thinks I'm going to run away because this is a faunus fight.

"Not gonna happen." I replied, catching Ghira by surprise. "After all, someone has to stall this monster and gather more intel while you guys prepare the city's defenses."

Different from the reaction to my denial, the Chieftain isn't surprised by my explanation. He just lets out a quick laugh and, gripping my shoulders, says:

"Thank you… son."

With his final thanks, he moves away from me to help with the civilian evacuation.

"Okay…" I said, not fully understanding the context. "Better focus on what I can do, Church."

{{Listening.}} Says the AI promptly through my Scouter's communicator.

"Send the Eyebots that were filming the festival to scout that thing, I want to know if it's heading for Kuo Kuana or the outpost."

{{Affirmative, but I've already calculated the sound's origin.}} Church responds, displaying the calculations on screen. {{I know it's coming to Kuo Kuana.}}

"Fuck!" I curse, frustrated. "Start protocol 'Pride of Steel', put Amber in command and Delta piloting the C-390. Bring the Black Bird to pick me up with the Arc Knights and the Sarge."

{{I'm notifying her now.}} Church confirms, sending the messages without missing a beat. {{I'll send some of the master robots with them to provide support.}}

"Good idea-." I cut myself off mid-sentence, eyes widening.

While I was speaking, Church had opened a window with the drone feed that had gone to scout the threat.

The screen shows an aerial view of the desert near Kuo Kuana, but what was once a calm ocean of sand now turns into a nightmare scenario. A black, dense, and threatening fog creeps across the desert. Darkness spreads like an oil stain, suffocating life.

Within that fog, thousands of red dots glow like hungry eyes. They move, they pulse, a swarm of terror approaching the city. The drone camera zooms in, and my heart nearly stops. The red dots aren't eyes on the creature's body, but Grimms. Bipedal dinosaurs of various sizes run across the sand while a swarm of birds takes over the sky, all surrounding something even more terrifying and gigantic.

In the center of the fog, a monstrous form reveals itself. A titanic bird Grimm with the head of a vulture. Its wings stretch like the shadow of death over the sands. Its feathers are sharp black blades, each the size of a tree. Its eyes, two beacons of pure hatred, glow with a red light that seems to burn reality itself. Its beak, a tool of destruction, capable of splitting mountains.

This beast of the apocalypse advances, with each flap of its wings creating a windstorm that lifts the sand like an explosion. Its screech echoes like a chorus of damned souls.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!"

[Image]
AD_4nXdkNs4OyT8KUI9uybZzHOcdIfjfQBtqQh65FV6p4H5Hdiixyr0-wZqGlWTSp9AZn6kvrTRA7Uyj8aFPm-Jj3bh7TY9bjiXaix4pB_0NDp6-VWZdNfF2v7uY1wOZZn0rVMp-rt_wfA


It's a nightmare vision, a force of nature coming to destroy everything in its path.

And it's heading straight for Kuo Kuana.

"Shit!" I curse again, now having an idea of the threat.

Worried about the local population, I look around and see some members of the armed militia trying to help with the evacuation, while others don't know what to do.

With no way to command them and confront the monster, my eyes turn to Audra, but she's still frozen, murmuring.

'I need to do something, and fast.'

I Grab the red-haired warrior's shoulders, trying to shake her out of her trance.

"Audra!" I shout, shaking her by the shoulders.

But she doesn't react. Her eyes are vacant, lost somewhere far away.

Without thinking, I slap her face.

SLAP!

The sound echoes, but she barely blinks. My heart tightens. I can't lose her now, not when we need to fight a fucking Grimm Leviathan class.

"Damn!" I exclaim, worried about her.

Desperate, I hold her face with both hands and kiss her.

It's a desperate kiss, full of fear and need. For a moment, I feel her lips move, a sign of life. But when I pull back, her eyes are still distant.

"Audra, please." I beg, desolate. "I can't do this alone. I need you."

Something in my tone or words must finally pierce the fog in her mind. Her eyes blink and then, slowly, she focuses on me. Life returns to her face, and she takes a deep breath, as if emerging from a nightmare.

"Jaune?" Her voice is a whisper, but it sounds so sweet at this moment.

"I'm here." I reply, relieved. "But you need to lead your soldiers and I need to face that giant bird surrounded by black mist."

Audra's pupils dilate, and she grabs my arms tightly, her nails digging into my skin. Her expression is pure terror, but also recognition.

"What's coming is the… Dread Shadow." Her voice trembles, but there's an underlying determination. "It's an ancient and very powerful Grimm. My husband… he sacrificed himself to seal that thing away."

A lump forms in my throat. Audra never talks about her husband, a more taboo subject for her than even her son, who had become a terrorist. It makes sense that she froze at the creature's screech.

"Audra… I need to face that thing." I say, trying to sound confident. "We can't let it reach the city at its pace."

She shakes her head, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"No, Jaune. I don't want to lose anyone else like I lost him." Her voice cracks, and she grips my arms tighter.

I wanted to comfort her, tell her everything would be fine, that she didn't need to be afraid. But the sound of jet turbines overhead signals we're out of time.

HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISS!

Looking up, I see two Ark Knights jumping from the Black Bird, hovering above the city, landing beside me.

"You don't have to worry about that." I say, flashing my shonen protagonist's smile as the white robots grab my arms. "I'm gonna survive… because I'm awesome."

Audra looks at me, confused for a second, then bursts out laughing. A genuine laugh, full of life and courage.

"I hate that you're right, Jaune." She says, her eyes glowing with a new fire. "If you save my island, I promise I'll rock your world breaking another bed."

She turns away, already shouting orders to her soldiers. Her voice echoes across the stage, firm and authoritative. The militia members who were previously lost now move with purpose, following their leader's commands.

Quickly, the Arc Knights take me to the Black Bird, and within seconds, we're flying toward the Dread Shadow.

The Black Bird cuts through the sky, slicing clouds thanks to its powerful turbines. Below, the desert sand turns into a yellow blur, and in the distance, I can already see the cloud of darkness spreading like an oil stain. The Dread Shadow advances, a nightmare of black feathers and red eyes, surrounded by a swarm of smaller Grimms infesting the sky and ground.

"Church, drop the Sarge." I order, my voice steady despite the chaos around us. "He'll intercept the land Grimm before reaching the city."

{{Understood.}} Church responds promptly. {{Dropping Sarge.}}

I look down and see the big red robot being released from the cargo bay, its thrusters firing to soften the landing. It hits the ground with a muffled thud, kicking up a cloud of sand.

"Next are the Arc Knights." I continue, my eyes fixed on the monster ahead. "And this time, use them more aggressively without fear of losing them. With this amount of enemies I can easily replace them."

{{No problem.}} Church replies with a hesitant tone. {{But what are you going to do?}}

I take a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline surge through my veins.

"I'm going to try grounding the Dread Shadow while fighting the smaller Grimms around it." I say, my hand gripping the hilt of my sword.

{{That's insane!}} Church protests, her voice echoing in my ear. {{You can't fight all of them alone, especially with the risk of friendly fire from your drones!}}

I ignore the comment, walking toward the Black Bird's side door. The Dread Shadow approaches, its screech echoing through the desert.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!"

The massive creature makes me swallow hard now that I face, live, its titanic size.

"Just do your job, Church." I say, my voice firm.

But, to my surprise, the AI responds in an unexpected way.

{{No!}}

"What?" I question, confused. "But you have to obey me."

{{I don't have to do shit!}} Church snaps back, frustrated. {{I'm not going to help you throw yourself at a God of War monster without a plan. That's suicide!}}

"AND WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?" I reply, shouting frustrated. "That thing is almost the size of the Monstra, but she doesn't show up in the original story—" I cut myself off as I realize what I just said and repeat: "She doesn't show up in the original story…"

A horrible feeling takes over me. Eyes wide in recognition.

"I'm the one to blame? My actions caused this creature to awaken? And now, this island, these people… are paying the price."

But before I completely lose myself in this spiral of guilt, Church's voice echoes in my ear, firm and clear.

{{Fuck that!}} Says the AI, its tone sharp and furious. {{Yeah, it's your fault this monster is attacking.}}

My heart tightens in a knot of pain as I feel my blood freeze at the blunt response.

{{But it's also your fault the kids at the orphanage aren't depressed anymore. It's your fault the sick on this island have been healed. It's 100% your fault that families aren't starving anymore. You brought hope to Menagerie, and now you're going to give up because of a wimpy-ass Grimm?}}

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!" The screech slices through the sky once more.

{{Maybe I went too far calling it 'wimpy-ass'… but you get what I mean right? Roast that vulture and everything will be fine.}}

Despite being rude and offensive, Church's words lift my spirits once again.

'The asshole is right.' I think silently, digesting what was said. 'I can't let all of this be destroyed.'

{{Now that you've stopped crying like a little bitch, let's face this shit with a dumb smile on your face and a half-assed plan.}} Church continues, his voice firm. {{Just like you always do.}}

I take a deep breath, feeling reinvigorated.

"Alright, Church." I say, my voice firm. "So… what do you suggest?"

{{It's time for your shot.}} Says the AI, singing.

My body freezes, and my eyes widen at the statement.

{{That's right.}} Says Church, in a cheerful tone. {{We're going to do your upgrade with the Extremis Virus.}}

[Ilia Amitola]

Before the plane could take off from the outpost, I hid inside one of the lockers on the Black Bird, so I heard everything Jaune said to the blue hologram.

The only thing that didn't make sense in his speech was taking the blame for the awakening of the Dread Shadow.

'Why would anyone do that?' I try to reason in my mind. 'Could it be just another sign of the hero complex he seems to have?'

As I questioned myself in silence, the door of the locker I was hiding in opened.

"Ilia?".

"Shit-. I mean, hiiiiii." I reply, giving an awkward smile.

Jaune frowned, annoyed. But before he could say anything, the blue armored hologram appeared out of nowhere.

{{Relax, I knew she was there.}} Says the little blue man. {{And she might be useful to fight the Grimm.}}

"Miss 'stab-you-in-the-back-for-no-reason'?" Arc asks, incredulous.

Even if he's right, the comment hurts and throws a bucket of cold water on my spirits.

{{You're going to go through a more radical process than the super soldier serum.}} Church explains, though I don't understand any of it. {{Your body is going to undergo drastic changes. While that happens, I need Ilia to help keep the ship intact.}}

I widened my eyes, surprised.

"Me? But-." I try to speak, but the little blue man cuts me off.

{{You in or out?}} Church asks, impatient. {{Jaune doesn't trust you, but who knows… if you prove your worth today, you can begin your redemption arc.}}

I nod quickly, seizing my third chance. The blue robot nods and turns to Jaune.

{{Great! Now go 'fetch' some Star Trek magnetic boots for her. She's going outside the ship, to defend it.}}

Jaune frowns, but doesn't argue. He walks off, disappearing into the ship's interior. After a few seconds, a strange light shines in the direction he went, and then he returns with a pair of boots with metal soles and a strange whip.

"These boots have magnetic soles. They'll help you move around the ship without fear of falling into the desert." He explains, his voice firm and cold, as he hands me the boots and the whip. "As for this whip… it belongs to the legendary Belmont family. It has special properties that may be useful against the Grimm."

I look at the whip, curious. The weapon has a dark metal handle, with intricate engravings along its length. The braid of the whip is made of a material I don't recognize, but I can feel a strange power in it. Something that isn't Dust, it feels almost… magical.

"What do you mean, special properties?" I ask, my voice low.

Jaune shrugs.

"I assure you it's a powerful weapon and you don't need to use Dust on it."

I nod, feeling the weight of the whip in my hands. Jaune watches me for a moment, then steps closer and places a hand on my shoulder.

"This is going to be your last chance, Ilia." He says, staring at me with a cold look. "I'm not saying that if you betray me, I'll arrest you or kill you. But you'll never work on any of my projects."

Until last month, that wouldn't have been a threat to me. After all, no way I'd ever work for a human. But now I know that Jaune Arc is helping build a better future for the faunus, while also giving them education so we can be autonomous, and not depend on him forever.

'Being excluded from this project… after everything I've been through…' I think, swallowing hard. 'I'd be nothing more than a masochistic idiot.'

"I won't disappoint you, sir Arc." I reply promptly, saluting.

Jaune finds my posture strange, but then relaxes and shrugs before turning away. However, before he can walk off, I grab his arm.

When he turns to me, I speak before he can ask anything:

"I just wanted to say…" I stop for a moment and look into his eyes and say. "Thank you, Jaune."

The features on the human's face soften with my thanks. A bit of relief washes over his body.

Sighing, Jaune gives me a nod before heading to the cockpit of the ship.

Not wanting to bother him any further, I decide not to ask anything as I walk toward the hatch that opens at the top of the ship.

"What is he going to inject into his body?" I murmur, curious, before jumping onto the top of the ship.

[POV: ORIGINAL]

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The Black Bird's automatic seat restraints lock my wrists, chest and legs in place.

{{Last time, your Aura fought against the changes the super soldier serum was making to your body. That's why you felt so much pain with that Super Saiyan aura.}} Says Church, manifesting at my side. {{But, thanks to the techno nature of the virus, I'll be able to guide it avoiding rejection by the Aura.}}

I sigh in relief upon hearing I won't have to go through that torture again.

{{And thanks to the healing provided by your Aura and your extra resilience from the super soldier serum, this procedure has less than a 0.1% chance of failure.}}

"It's not zero?" I ask, worried.

{{Nothing's certain in a radical procedure like this, bro…}} Says Church, in a serious tone. {{And it's gonna hurt like hell.}}

With a swift motion, I inject the modified version of Extremis Virus 2.0 into my arm and then eat a senzu bean to provide the nutrients for the process. I feel the cold liquid entering my veins, but it quickly begins to heat up.

{{The first part is the development of your skeletal mass and the ossification into carbide ceramic.}} Says Church in my ear, as I feel something reaching my bones. {{It's a process in which the virus will reshape your bone structure and reinforce it with a synthetic ceramic.}} He explains, his calm voice contrasting with the pain starting to emanate from my skeleton. {{Your bones will become larger, heavier, and much more resistant.}}

"Fuck me, this gonna suck." I complain through clenched teeth.

{{It's already hurting, isn't it?}} Church replies with a laugh, but stops when he sees my furious grimace. {{But don't worry, the pain is temporary. The virus is restructuring your bone matter on a molecular level. It's like replacing parts in a car frame while it's engine still running.}}

The pain intensifies. It's like liquid fire running through my veins, becoming acidic and electric when it touches my bones. I clench my teeth, suppressing a scream.

"Fuuuuuu."

A wave of intense heat courses through my body, as if every bone were being stretched, broken, and reforged all at once.

As my muscles begin to contract, fighting against the restraints, Church continues his explanation.

{{Now, a protein complex is being applied to your muscle tissue.}}

The pain of muscles being torn and burned is drowned out by the far greater pain from my bones.

{{Your muscle tissue density will increase, and your lactase recovery time will drop drastically.}}

The pain in my bones begins to subside, giving me brief relief. But it's just a prelude to what comes next.

Suddenly, an indescribable agony explodes across every one of my nerve endings. It's as if each nerve in my body has been struck by lightning.

Convulsing and fighting the restraints with a strength I didn't know I had, I finally gave in and let out the scream of pain I was holding in.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"

{{Hang in there, we're at the worst part.}} Church's voice sounds distant, muffled by the roar of pain consuming my senses. {{You're feeling the alteration from bioelectrical nerve transduction to shielded electronic transduction. This will help integrate the implants being installed in your body, drastically reduce their ping, and as a bonus, enhance your reflexes.}}

When I finally fall silent, trying to get used to the pain, I taste something metallic in my mouth, like blood.

And then… something happens.

The pain, already unbearable, intensifies even more. It feels like hot needles are stabbing my eyes from behind.

{{What you're feeling is the increased blood flow beneath the rods and cones of the retinas in your eye sockets.}} Church explains, trying to calm me. {{This increases your visual perception and also helps integrate the ocular implants, allowing you to use AR without needing a Scouter.}}

Suddenly, my vision begins to blur. Church's voice becomes even more muffled and distant, and then… darkness.

{{Jaune?}}

All that's left for me is pure, brutal agony.

{{JAAAAAAAAUNE!}}




[OMAKE]

I pulled the folded flag from inside my coat. With a swift motion, I unfolded it, revealing the design.

Ghira quickly took the flag from my hands, his eyes shining with approval.

"This is..." He began, emotional. "Perfect."

"Glad you liked it." I replied sheepishly.

"'Liked it' is an understatement, my young friend." Said Ghira, showing the flag to everyone. "The feline's face looks in the opposite direction of the White Fang logo, symbolizing our stance against violent terrorist methods. The purple color is regal and imposing, contrasting with the red that the White Fang uses, which symbolizes blood and violence. It's a good design, strong and clear."

Patriarch Belladonna hugged me, showering me with praise.

'I can't tell him I stole the Thundercats logo and just swapped the red for purple.'


 
33 - The Battle for Menagerie II: Pride of Steel New
Second day of posting 5 chapters in a weak.

If you want to support my work, on my Ko-fi I have 8 chapters ahead of this one for subscribers: ko-fi(dot)com/avipbr


Is 'Pride' the collective term for lion in English?

Because if not... this title doesn't make any sense.


Is 'Pride' the collective term for lion in English?
Because if not... this title doesn't make any sense.





[Audra Taurus]

I stand still as I look around at the crowd surrounding me, barely believing what I see. Faunus men and women, all with a determination and will to fight that I hadn't seen in years.

'You did this, Gira... While I stood frozen.' I thought silently, remembering my disgrace.

"Commander Taurus!" Shouts Kou, my second-in-command with a marmoset tail and holding binoculars in his hand, the young man's face marked with concern. "Dread Shadow and most of the flying grimm stopped advancing when they got near the human's plane, but the ground ones are still coming in great numbers!"

"Jaune...!" I murmur, grateful for his help, but no time to think about the young human—I focus on the battle ahead. "How many?"

"Tens of thousands, commander." Kou replies, breathing heavily, trying to catch his breath. "They're coming fast, what do we do?"

"Damn!" I curse, frustrated. "Get back to your post, Kou. I'll join the front line."

The young faunus nods, his tail swaying nervously.

"Yes, commander!" He turns and runs back, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I walk quickly to where the faunus armed with dust rifles and spears had set up a defensive line. Among them was a group of 20 of my best fighters, equipped with the light armor and lasguns Jaune gave us.

The laser weapon is light, powerful, and never jams. If we had a hundred more of them, I wouldn't be this nervous.

I stop before my warriors, the front line raised, weapons in hand. In the distance, the horde of grimm advances, a black sea of claws and teeth. I take a deep breath, the cold air filling my lungs. It's time to remind everyone why I'm the commander.

"Faunus of Faunaria!" my voice cut through the storm like thunder itself. "Look around you! Those beside you are not just soldiers.… they are your countrymen! For today, here, on this land that will be soaked with our sweat and the enemy blood, we will raise the foundation of our nation!"

A murmur of agreement spreads through the line.

"They want fear? We'll give them rage! They want our lives? We'll give them a fight!" I raise my black axe, the weapon I got as a gift from Jaune. "For the Faunus! For our future! FAUNARIA STANDS!"

The war cries echo around me, a symphony of courage and fury. The grimm are close, but it doesn't matter. We're ready, we're united, and we will fight to the end.

The grimm approach, now close enough to be identified with the naked eye.

In the front, the small but ferocious dinosaur grimm known as Terror Raptors. Their black scales glisten under the faint light, red eyes locked on us. They charge at a frantic pace, sharp claws tearing the ground.

[Image]
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Behind them, at a slower but still fast pace, come the giant Terror Rex. Their massive jaws open and close, anticipating the feast. Among them, I spot the most dangerous variant, the Twin Terror Rex. Two heads on a single body even larger and more muscular than the normal Terror.

[Image]
AD_4nXfjQtL5aAZOBxwgiJfYHNdHjMxaCxTUTm2QxaY8GXQ8KWcCfkMuoLA-nUIgjR1jI9msiGkfqLXb9CTu1vAbLBVEVxQfHD6zQTI1gbOSX8QjdoMZaThm8Tb7fFqffz8u0kYKNvzN

"Hold the line!" I shout, my voice cutting through the air. "Fire at will!"

The Dust rifles fire, the sound echoing like thunder. The smaller raptors fall, one by one, but the bigger Terror Rex… those bastards keep advancing, barely feeling the impacts.

"Lasguns focus fire on the big ones!" I yell, my voice rising above the chaos.

The lasers cut through the air, bright red lines slicing through the Terror Raptors like paper, reaching the larger grimm in the back. The Terror Rex roar, finally feeling pain. They slow down, giving us a moment of relief.

"Reload!" The command echoes through the line. The faunus obey with quick and precise movements.

The Dust rifles are reloaded, while the laser weapons keep firing. The Terror Rex keep getting closer at a slower pace, but still not close enough to reach us.

"Fire!" I shout again, and the front line fires in unison. More Raptors fall while those with lasers focus on the bigger ones.

I pass the command to Kou, who was on my left, trusting that he will keep the line strong, for a Terror Rex is now too close for me to afford giving orders.

I grip the handle of my axe tightly. The weapon, a gift from Jaune, is unlike anything I've ever used. Its black blade seemed magically sharp and it emits a pale glow like moonlight.

"Let's see what you can do." I murmur to the axe, stepping forward to meet the creature.

The Terror Rex roars, the sound making the ground around it vibrate.

"ROOOAR!"

It lowers its head, jaws open, ready to strike. I wait, every muscle tense, ready for action. When it's just a few meters away, I move.

I leap to the side, dodging the jaws that snap at the air. I swing the axe, using the momentum from my jump to add force to the blow.

"Shit!" I curse, frustrated.

I miscalculated my jump, so my blade hits the creature's bone armor instead of a vulnerable black flesh part of its neck.

CRECK!

"Hem?" I murmur, confused by the monster's bone cracking.

Luckily for me, Jaune's axe breaks through the carapace with ease. That allowed me to continue my strike.

FWAP!

"EEAAOWW!" Screeched the creature as my axe buried into its flesh.

The blade slices through the Terror Rex's neck, cutting deep. Black blood gushes from the wound, as the creature roars in pain.

But it's not enough to bring it down. The monster turns toward me, red eyes glowing with fury. But before it can strike again, I activate my semblance, increasing the axe's weight to finish the cut.

CHOP!

The creature's head falls before me, allowing me to breathe for a second… which was a mistake.

"AUDRA!" Kou shouts draws my attention. "RUN!"

As I turn, I see a Twin Terror Rex got close to me.

"Oh shit!"

Its two monstrous heads hurl acid, a green and steaming torrent headed straight for me. No time to think, I just react by raising my arms, a useless gesture of defense.

But then, something unexpected happens.

A small silver blade, glowing with shades of green and brown, falls to the ground in front of me.

THUCK!

The impact shakes the ground, and suddenly, a pillar of earth and vines bursts out of the sand, forming a natural barrier that shields me from the acid flood.

"What...?" I murmur, stunned.

The barrier of earth and vines trembles with the impact of the acid, but holds strong. The acrid smell of the acid burns my nose, but I'm safe for now.

"It's been a while since we fought side by side, master." Comments a familiar voice in an ironic tone.

"Sienna?" I ask, turning toward her.

She's there, wielding her Cerberus Whip, the metallic tip still glowing with rock and plant dust. Her gaze is firm, determined.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, the surprise giving way to suspicion.

"Saving your life, apparently." She replies, glancing toward the Twin Terror Rex roaring behind me. "But we can talk about that later. We've got a war to win."

I nod, recognizing the truth in her words.

'Now's not the time for arguments. We need to survive first.'

I run toward the acid-spitting monster with Sienna at my side. The creature, noticing our approach, lifts one of its massive paws, ready to stomp it down.

"I'll try to stop it!" Sienna yells, her voice cutting through the air.

Before I can react, she throws another metal tip with rock Dust. The sharp point digs into the ground, causing a stone pillar to erupt straight up under the Terror Rex's foot.

The impact makes the creature stumble, losing its balance. I take the opportunity, using my semblance to become lighter and leap between the heads, axe in hand.

"Let's finish this!" I shout, adrenaline rushing through my veins.

I activate my semblance once more to exponentially increase my weight. Like a meteor, I drop between the heads, adding the impact force to mine and easily slice the grimmm in half.

FWAP!

"Impressive." Sienna comments, surprised. "Where did you get that weapon?"

With a cheeky grin, I turn and wink at her. Sienna stares at me confused for a second, until realization hits her.

"Miracle-working human bastard." Sienna mutters, annoyed. "Aren't you a little too old to have a sugar daddy?"

A vein of pure rage throbs on my forehead, inspiring me to respond in kind.

"Aren't you a little too old to act like a jealous bitch?"



"Fair… I guess we better focus on this apocalyptic event." Says Sienna, turning toward the monster horde.

"Agreed." I replied, getting ready for the three grimm approaching.

[Ilia Amitola]

"Say what you will about Jaune Arc." I murmured, making an arc with my new whip, preparing to strike. "But no one can say he doesn't know how to give presents."

At the top of the Black Bird, the wind cut across my face as I swung the whip, cracking it against the vulture grimm trying to get close. Every strike was precise, every move calculated.

Half of the Arc Knight were providing cover, their precise shots taking down the monsters that got to close. The other half was firing at Dread Shadow's body, interfering with his flight path.

"More to the left!" I shouted, pointing at a group of vultures trying to flank the plane.

The Arc Knights adjusted their aim, and a burst of lasers cut through the air, bringing the grimm down in a shower of dark feathers.

The whip cracked again, wrapping around the neck of a diving vulture. With a firm yank, the monster evaporated the moment the weapon touched it.

"Where does he even find these weapons?" I asked, astonished.

{{Less talk, more fight.}} Complained Church, his voice coming from inside one of the robots.

"I know what I'm doing, machine." I replied, preparing for another strike. "Why aren't you firing lasers or missiles from this plane?"

{{'This is a diplomatic mission, not a conquest. We don't need that on our plane.'}} Complained Church, mimicking Jaunes voice.

"Goddamn it, Jaune!" I complain frustrated. "You could be a little more like the violent colonizer I thought you were."

Half of the Arc Knights kept laying down cover fire while the other half shot at the Dread Shadow, trying to draw its attention, each shot landing with deadly precision. But the swarm of vultures didn't lessen, there were still too many in the air.

"Church, why don't you leave the defensive and go full on the attack with the drones?" I ask curiously. "I think you could clear a good chunk with your coordination."

{{I'd love to help more, but I'm a bit busy at the moment.}} Church's voice echoed calm and controlled, but with a hint of tension.

"Busy? With what?" I shot back, dodging a vulture diving at me. The whip cracked, cutting the air and taking down the grimm.

{{Besides controlling the Arc Knights and piloting the ship, I'm currently performing brain, heart, and full nervous system surgery on Jaune. So forgive me if I can't give my full attention to the grimm.}}

"Surgery?" I asked, confused. "Mid-flight-." I tried to get more information, but was cut off by an ear-shattering screech.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!"

The black smoke around the Dread Shadow began to expand, engulfing the ship and the entire sky. My heart raced, but I stayed focused, bringing the whip back to me and preparing for the worst.

Suddenly, the darkness thickened, and more red eyes sprouted from the mist.

"No way…" I murmured, blood turning cold. "The Dread Shadow is generating even more grimm?"

The smaller vultures, now even greater in number, surged toward me. My stomach twisted with nerves as the swarm of black wings and red eyes closed in. The sound of their shrill cries filled the air, a chorus of death that chilled my blood.

The Arc Knights quickly surrounded me, providing cover.

"Church, we need reinforcements!" I shouted, my voice nearly lost in the chaos.

{{I'm doing the best I can, Ilia.}} Church's voice sounded tense, but composed. {{But Jaune's surgery is at a critical point. I can't divert resources now.}}

Refusing to be useless, I started spinning the whip and cracking it at the enemies, but every hit felt pointless against the endless horde.

{{Don't worry that pretty little red head of yours!}} Yelled a voice with a thick hillbilly accent through the communicator. {{The cavalry's here.}}

"Who?"

As if answering my question, I was cut off by gunshots and explosions.

RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA! RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA!

{{BY THE ANCESTORS OF MY ANCESTORS!}} Shouted the red hillbilly robot, firing from the ground. {{ATTACK!}}

RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA! RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA!

My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped. The big red Arc security robot, the same one I once fought against alongside the White Fang, was now unleashing an unimaginable amount of firepower.

'The day we fought him, there wasn't even a hint of this devastating power.' I thought, sweating cold. 'It was like he was playing with us back then, and now… seeing him in all his violent glory, I realized just how the fang had underestimated Jaune Arc.'

RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA! RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA!

The ground shook and dust rose under the giant's feet. The cannons on its back spewed fire and death, while the machine guns mounted on its arms shredded the grimm like they were made of wet paper.

"This is…" I murmured, still in disbelief.

{{FAUNARIA WILL BE BORN OF VIOLENCE AND GUNPOWDER!}} The robot's voice echoed, dripping with a country drawl that, somehow, seemed even louder than the gunfire. {{MY KIND OF NATION!}}

The robot kept advancing slowly through the desert, each step firmer and more determined than the last. The black mist of grimm began to dissipate, the once dark and threatening sky now lit up with explosions, each one bringing a little more hope.

"Where did Jaune get this?" I ask, still unable to take my eyes off the spectacle in front of me.

{{Texas countryside.}} Church replied.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!"

The creature screeched once more, but now the Dread Shadow looked down toward the lone robot in the desert, perceiving it as its greatest threat.

The black clouds expelled from the body of the gigantic vulture began to thin, as if they were entering the creature's body, then the monster opened its beak. The titanic-sized vulture regurgitated a torrent of smoke and black pitch from its mouth.

"BLAAAAARGH!"

Midway, the liquid and smoke began to solidify into more grimm, red eyes sprouting from their bodies.

{{BRING IT ON, YOU BOTTOM-FEEDERS!}} Shouted the robot, aiming its cannons and machine guns at the deluge of monsters falling upon it. {{I HAVE A BONER FOR MURDER!}}

RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA! RATATATA-BOOM-RATATATA!

The machine guns on its arms spun, cutting through the grimm as if they were made of paper, while the cannons on its back spewed fire, each explosion tearing a hole in the wave of grimm. holes that were quickly filled, like an endless plague. It was as if the black smoke that produced grimm had concentrated to pour out from the Dread Shadow's mouth.

As much as it unloaded everything it had onto the Dread Shadow, it could only slow the advance of the grimm being regurgitated by the leviathan-class monster.

{{HAHAHA!}} The robot laughed loudly like a madman, its voice echoing across the desert.

Even with its laughter, my heart tightened when the deluge of grimm slammed into the robot's body.

Despite the grimmm piling on it, the robot kept firing, trying to hit the Dread Shadow's body. The sound of the machine guns echoed through the desert, blending with the piercing screeches of the monsters.

My heart was racing as I watched the scene, the whip still firm in my hands. The robot, even damaged, kept fighting with great ferocity. It was as if it was possessed by a supernatural force, an unbreakable will to protect and destroy.

CREEEEK!

Suddenly, a metallic creak cut through the air, followed by a deafening crash. My eyes widened as I saw the robot's leg give out, the metal folding under the weight of the grimm. The metal giant staggered, falling to its knees. But instead of surrendering, it redoubled its efforts, the cannons on its back firing with even more intensity.

My stomach twisted into a knot. The robot kept fighting, but it was clear it wouldn't last much longer.

CREEEEE-CLANG!

OOne of its arms falls to the ground, making the red robot stop laughing. The grimm, unable to pierce its armor, kept throwing themselves at it, making the great red robot fall to the ground.

Even on the ground, the grimm kept piling on top of it until it was buried, and the sound of metal creaking once again echoed across the desert from the sheer weight of the monsters.

"We need to help him."

I tried to take a step forward, but one of the Arc Knights held me by the shoulder.

"Let me go!" I protested, unable to break free from the robot. "You're just going to do nothing?"

Despite my question, my only response was silence.

The sound of an engine began revving inside the red robot, a deep hum that grew louder, as if something inside was coming to life. Red lights started leaking between the openings of the grimm, slivers of light cutting through the darkness covering the metal giant. The sound intensified, a mechanical roar that echoed through the desert, drowning out even the grimm' screeches.

{{TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE!}} Shouted the robot whose name I didn't even know.

The red lights intensified, becoming almost blinding. The engine's hum turned into a deafening roar that only stopped when it suddenly exploded!

BOOOM!

Fire vaporized the nearby grimm as a shockwave spread through the desert. The remains of the red mechanical body scattered across the desert sands.

"No…" I murmured, holding back tears.

As if in response to my grief, the jet began pulling away from the Dread Shadow.

"Now you're gonna run?" I said furiously.

My anger is cut by a guitar riff echoing from inside the Black Bird, accompanied by a song I had never heard before, its vocals growing louder and clearer.

{Ooh, are you ready girls?
Ooh, are you ready now?}

"What the hell is this?" I asked furiously, suspecting that we were about to retreat.

{{I'm preparing an entrance.}} The blue robot replied in an irritated tone.

{Whoa, yeah
Kickstart my heart, give it a start
Whoa, yeah
Baby}

A blond figure surrounded by two tornadoes shoots out of the jet towards Dread Shadow.

"Is that Jaune?"

{Whoa, yeah
Kickstart my heart, hope it never stops
Ooh, yeah
Baby, yeah}

{{That idiot.}} Church grumbled irritably. {{I thought undergoing such a drastic and life-threatening procedure would make him grow up a bit.}}

"LEEROY JENKIS!" Jaune shouts, laughing loudly.

{{I guess I'm the true idiot here!}}

[Audra Taurus]

Sweat runs down my face, mixing with the dust and pulverized rock shards from the battle. The metallic smell of faunus blood hangs in the air. I looked at my forces, desperate silhouettes against the red sunset sky.

"Listen up, soldiers!" I shouted, taking a confident stance despite the pain. "Fatigue is for the weak! Defend our families! Let those soulless monsters feel our fury!"

My eyes turned to the horizon, spotting a black jet circling the titan grimm vulture, where Jaune was facing the Dread Shadow. The grotesque creature that could destroy our city with its abyssal presence alone.

On our battlefield, the grimm kept coming like an endless horde, draining our strength and resources.

"They're too many! And we're out of Dust ammo already!" Shouted a faunus from my team, pointing to the ground-based grimm advancing toward the city center. "We'll have to retreat!"

'She's right.' I thought, worried. 'I can buy them some time, but to do that I need someone to take command. But I don't have anyone in the militia experienced enough to lead them in a retreat.'

At that moment, my eyes turned to the leader of the White Fang wielding her chain whip.

"SIENNA!" I yelled, and the tiger faunus turned to me, revealing a still-fresh scar on her left eye. "Fall back with our forces and organize them into a defensive line."

"And leave you alone?" She asked incredulously. "No way, you crazy cow."

"Sienna…" I murmur pleadingly. "Please."

Swallowing hard, Sienna turned to the militia, who had heard our conversation, and began guiding them to defense points in the city.

Turning toward the horde of monsters approaching, I let out a threat to hype myself up rather than intimidate them.

"Come get me, you syphilitic leftovers of leviathan grimm!"

With a swing, I cleaved three Raptors in half as they leapt toward me.

"ROOOOR!" Roared a Rex stomping nearby.

"You! I already know how to deal with you easily." I murmured with a smile.

I ran low to the ground, dodging the creature's bite. When I reached between its legs, I used my axe to separate the monster's foot from the rest of its body.

"GYAAAAAH" Wailed the creature as it fell to the ground, only to then have its head easily severed.

CHOP!

As time passed, more sweat streamed down my face, mixing with the sand and irritating my skin. Each strike made my axe heavier, even without using my Semblance. But I couldn't stop. Not while those monsters kept invading our city, not while my people were in danger.

My rage began consuming me, giving me more brute strength to fuel each move.

I had already lost count of how many I had taken down, but there were always more to face. They came in a constant wave, a tide of black flesh and white bone armor. The small Raptors were starting to get more annoying thanks to my sluggishness. Proof of that was that I dropped my guard, and one took advantage of it.

CHOMP!

"Argh." I growled in pain, feeling the bite at my heel break my Aura.

I quickly crushed the grimm with a punch, but the damage was done. I'm out of Aura and my foot is injured.

"ROAAAAAAAAR!"

And to make things worse, a Twin Terror Rex was approaching.

"Come on, Audra." I said to myself. "Get up, dammit!"

Even with pain and blood dripping, I managed to stand, gripping my axe. But the moment I looked at the creature, I saw its two mouths open, glowing green, ready to regurgitate acid.

I tried to jump away from the attack.

"Shit!" Only to remember my heel had been chomped, making me fall face-first into the ground. "I'm such an idiot."

The acrid smell of acid filled my nostrils, making it clear my end was near. As despair took over my being, I could only think of one thing.

"Forgive me, Minos…" I lamented with tears in my eyes. "I failed you and our son."

With one last effort, I threw my axe at the two-headed grimmm.

"GYAR!" It struck where the necks met, making it recoil a step.

"Heh!" I laughed sarcastically. "If I had a bit of Aura left to use my Semblance, I could've cut you in half."

Shaking off the pain to focus back on me, the creature took a step forward, its mouths open, already drooling corrosive green liquid.

"ROOAAR!" Roared the monster, acid bubbling in its throat.

But before it could attack, a voice echoed above us, shouting something unintelligible.

"HAKUNA MATATA!" Shouts a strange purple-and-gold blur falling from the sky onto the grimm.

POFF!

"CAIM!" Whimpered the monster as one of its skulls was smashed by the impact.

After the blow, the grimm, now with only one head, staggered and collapsed to the side.

"PUMBA!" Shouted another voice falling from the sky.

This figure descended more slowly, so I was able to examine it.

It was wearing armor like I had never seen before. Heavy and shaped like a humanoid vault, predominantly purple with yellow details. At its back, it seemed to carry a Dust rifle, while in its hands it wielded a… 'rocket hammer?'

[Image Armor]
AD_4nXdl1CZ49tKzJ0u_Vgb_bY3EL-3pJVDZLJtec_apRyC4OqSHKzbmpZSWlHnyIWJYEnO3txwvXG-vrbfpVNItpb7XPQiVvx15ekKoAkbXg0_wEo_-PbdGKNHszuCxjfeToxJITkZAFw

[Image Weapon]
AD_4nXeHKpd6qbgsraYvjifmO8w3h6dx4LYprV66-XhkvZfvD0WGxB1rMdLBc-QabKzuCrJ866XpsFjiTiDbksc-0d-8Z1dsQAZ2ukQ_h5jYz7zzR5Jp70aLaSbHsleprfie2B5J77AC

The armored individual fell beside the grimm's head, and with a swing of his weapon, propelled by a blue rocket flame, he smashed the skull with one blow.

"Are you crazy, Pumba?" Yelled the being standing in purple armor, helping the other who had landed on top of the grimm. "Why did you throw yourself like that?"

"But it was the boss lady who told us to jump." Said the figure getting up, with a deeper voice than his ally.

"Not belly-first, you idiot." Explained his frustrated ally with an irritating voice, turning his back. "You were supposed to use the jetpack to land, remember?"

"Aaaaah."

Happy to have been saved, I tried to get up and greet those two, but I tripped and fell again.

"Damn!" I muttered once more, frustrated.

"Hold on, commander!" Said the warrior with an squeak voice, pulling a green seed from a holster. "I think you know what this is, right?"

It was one of Jaune's miraculous healing seeds. I quickly ate the seed, already feeling the pain leave my body, replaced by relief and energy.

"Thank you men, but who are you?" I asked, curious.

"Timon and Pumba reporting for duty." Said the taller one with a deep voice, saluting with his left hand.

I stood up, cracking my shoulders and stretching my legs. The shorter one with the irritating voice handed me my axe as I finish stretching.

"Thanks again, but I doubt just two of you in armor will make much of a difference."

My comment made the two glance at each other and chuckle before the shorter one explained why.

"Let's just say there's more than just two of us."

Looking around, I saw what he said was true.

Several pairs of fighters in armor similar to theirs were engaging with grimm, thinning out our enemies before they could reach the defensive line.

"Who are you?" I ask stunned.

The shorter one stepped forward and with his chest puffed out, proclaimed:

"We are the Pride of Steel, we are Knight Shade."



 
34 - The Battle for Menagerie III: Queen's move New
Third day of posting 5 chapters in a week.

If you want to support my work, on my Ko-fi I have 7 chapters ahead of this one for subscribers: ko-fi(dot)com/avipbr

[Arthur Watts]

As I enter the Queen of Grimm's throne room, my heart races with fear. I knew I had to report to her that the weaknesses I had placed in the Atlas system had been purged, and my contacts had either been captured or fled the kingdom, fearing a similar fate.

The thought of another person, a genius hacker, manipulating everything behind the scenes filled me with dread almost as much as facing Salem herself with the bad news.

Unable to meet her gaze, I walk with my head lowered until I kneel before her as I near the throne.

"Your Majesty…" I begin, my voice firm but trembling inside. "I have news about Atlas."

Cold sweat drips from my forehead as I wait to be answered by her cold, powerful voice. But after several minutes of silence, I receive nothing.

I swallow my fear and hesitation, slowly lifting my eyes to encounter a horrifying scene.

Salem sits on her throne surrounded by Seers, Grimm creatures resembling jellyfish that she typically uses as espionage drones. But now the monsters' tendrils are embedded in her flesh, pumping what seems to be red energy into her body. Despite the Queen of Grimm showing no signs of pain or discomfort, the veins in her face and neck throb as if they were about to explode.

"By the Gods." The words escape my lips, drawing the attention of another being in the room.

"She is surely divine, my dear Watts." A voice cackles, emerging from the darkness of a pillar.

"Tyrian?" I question, surprised.

Tyrian Callows' manic laughter echoes through the chamber, sending a shiver down my spine. His laughter is frenzied, and his eyes gleam with a wild, insane light.

I take a step back, trying to put some distance between us, but Tyrian quickly closes the gap. His tail lashes the air menacingly as he advances toward me. I can see the poisonous barbs at the tip of it gleaming in the dim light of the chamber.

"Arthur Watts," Tyrian growls, his voice shifting from cheerful to low and threatening. "May I know what you wish with our Goddess?"

My heart pounds in my chest as I try to think of the best way to respond. Tyrian is Salem's most fanatical servant, and he is known for his brutal methods and unpredictable temper.

"I came to update your Majesty on the situation in Atlas, as she had asked of me." I affirm, my voice trembling.

Once he realizes that my presence is by Salem's will, Tyrian reduces his intensity slightly, satisfied with my response.

"But I see I must come another time, since she is… indisposed." I continue, returning my gaze to her throne.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Tyrian exclaims, clapping his hands cheerfully. "Our Goddess felt an ancient and powerful Grimm awakening, but due to the great distance, she couldn't pinpoint its exact location."

I look at the Seers, the creatures pulsating with red energy, their ethereal forms flickering as they connect to Salem. The sight is both fascinating and terrifying. The energy flowing through them seems to amplify the already imposing presence of the Queen of Grimm.

"So..." I begin, my cautious voice reflecting my apprehension. "The Grimm connected to her... they're amplifying her influence?"

Tyrian spins toward me, his eyes glowing with an intensity that makes me step back once again.

"Ah, Watts. Always so insightful." He says, his voice a mix of madness and admiration. "Yes, the Seers are amplifying our Goddess's influence. They are her eyes and ears, extending her reach beyond what we mere mortals can comprehend."

"But why is she doing this?" I ask, curious.

In response, the scorpion assassin steps closer to me, the stinger of his tail swinging dangerously near my face, enough that I can smell the acidic scent of his venom. I stay firm, trying not to show my discomfort. Tyrian continues, his tone shifting to something almost serious.

"Cinder's plans are delayed, and the probability of them succeeding is lower than yours of surviving my venom HUAHAHAHA!" My stomach churns with the manic laughter punctuating his veiled threat. "Our Queen is seeking alternatives, and this humble servant is here to ensure no one will interfere."

The assassin finishes, removing his stinger from my face.

I adjust my clothes, smoothing out the lapels of my suit as I try to regain my composure. Tyrian's threats shake me, but I try not to show it visibly. I maintain a cold, calculated expression, despite the cold sweat running down my back.

"What kind of Grimm did our Queen sense?" I ask, my voice firm, no trace of fear.

Tyrian, still wearing that manic grin, steps closer once more, his eyes gleaming with an almost childlike excitement.

"Curious, aren't you?" He asks with a wide, intimidating smile. "It's a Leviathan Grimm, ancient as Monstra."

[Audra Taurus]

I gritted my teeth and continued to fight as the swarm of raptors advanced. Behind me, I could hear Sienna's orders to retreat with the soldiers out of ammunition. We had to hold these monsters off long enough for them to get organized.

The Pride of Steel, dressed in their powerful armor, were a blessing that literally fell from the sky to help. Few of them were real fighters, but the thick plates of their armor could withstand the Terror Raptor's bite without even a scratch, turning the small Grimms into insects crushed by their hands and hammers.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOA!" Roars a single-headed Terror Rex approaching.

"The problem now is just the big Grimms." I muttered, frustrated.

But before the creature could get any closer, something hits it in the face.

"VARÃO ARC!" A familiar voice shouts from above. "GROW!"

A red wooden staff stretches, hitting the creature directly in the eyes, making it take a step back.

"What the hell is that?" I ask, stunned.

Then the staff anchors to the ground and begins to shrink. When I look at who is on the other end, I can't help but smile.

"Took you long enough, Nikos!" I exclaim, waving at the redhead coming down to the ground.

With the help of the staff, Nikos had managed to cushion her fall after jumping from a transport jet I hadn't seen before.

"It's not my fault." The redhead complains, brushing the excess sand off her clothes. "I'm babysitting 14 prisoners in power armor and 4 robots."

"Robots?" I ask, curious.

KABOOOOOM!

I turn toward the explosion and feel confused and relieved when I realize it's in the middle of the grimm, followed by more explosions.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

When I look at the cause of the explosions, I'm surprised to see a mohawked chicken robot holding a black fuse bomb in each hand, similar to ones in old cartoons.

"Nikos?" I murmur, jaw dropped. "Where did that thing come from?"

"From the same place those three did." The redhead answers, pointing in another direction.

My eyes widen at the carnage the three robots are bringing down upon the Grimms.

RRRIP! VRRRM! RRRIP! VRRRM!

A red robot was throwing circular saws with inhuman speed at the enemy forces; with each saw, it killed three raptors before they lost power and fell, while for the larger monsters, it was able to slice off one of their legs, leaving the chicken robot to finish them with its bombs.

In another corner, a robot with a yellow head and red limbs was throwing giant rocks as if they were tennis balls.

POW! CRUNCH! POW! CRUNCH!

At first, the rocks seemed to fall randomly, but the last orange one was shooting concrete that hardened in less than a second, creating instant walls that funneled the Grimms and delayed their advance.

[Image]
AD_4nXd9U-HPWDv24jR-B6Thy5PrGRX2JdW0QT5YfbTknK-VlP80eZ2jgInxvl9YjTK0SJLZMadAqD-AbQtASV4f9zI9v6tuwEbO4RUpP8GkSCsXYIOTLtCZpMpIT_y72lSjyxsZm-52

"Now, if you'll excuse me." The redhead said, wielding her staff. "I need to take out my anger and frustration on an army of Grimms."

Surprised by the reinforcements taking over the battlefield, I begin to laugh with relief. With the arrival of Boudica Nikos and her fighters, this battle went from a lost cause to a possible victory.

"And if my idiot blonde angel has anything to say about it." I turn, staring at the Dread Shadow in the distance, writhing in pain with explosions coursing through its body. "We've already won."

[Jaune Arc]

I wake up drenched in sweat, my vision blurry and my ears buzzing.

"Fuuuuuck." I complain, getting up, not realizing the straps are loose.

Fortunately, everything clears up quickly, and to my surprise, I discover that my vision is sharper than ever, the smells are stronger, and my hearing is picking up sounds and noises that were once imperceptible to me.

"It feels like I woke up in a world with better resolution." I comment, astonished by the changes. "Is this because the Extremis Virus upgraded a body that had already been modified by the super soldier serum?"

As soon as I take a step forward, I notice that my boot had exploded from the inside out.

"What?" I look down and realize the reason. "Am I taller?"

{{Cool, right?}} Church asks, appearing in front of me.

But this time, he's not a hologram projected by my Stark Tech watch or an AR image projected on my Scouter. He looked like a realistic action figure of a Spartan II in blue armor holding a sniper rifle.

With wide eyes, I extend my finger, trying to interact with the little figure.

{{Don't even think about it!}} The little being exclaims, floating in front of me.

"He-he." I chuckle awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. "Sorry."

{{With the help of the virus, you've undergone an enhancement process, blending the SPARTAN-II program by Dr. Catherine Halsey and Project Freelancer by Dr. Leonard Church. The implants in your brain are what allow you to see me as real. It will also help guide you while you fight more effectively.}}

"Wait a second." I ask, surprised. "Do I have all the modifications from both projects?"

{{Not everything, but some of the best hits from each.}} Church comments, projecting a model of my body, but transparent with organs and bones visible. {{You're too old for the full process from Halsey, and I don't have all the resources needed to implant what the director did with the Freelancers. The Extremis Virus, guided by me, along with the extra nutrients from the senzu bean, helped a lot, but I don't do miracles.}}

I'd like to ask more, but a beastly screech reminds me of the situation we're in.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!"

I frown immediately, turning back to Church.

"Keep updating me while we fight."

{{Roger that!}} The AI responds, saluting.

I walk to the cabinet, grab my 'bag of holding' with some magical items inside, and then test my equipment to see if it still fits.

"The clothes and armor are stretching without tearing and don't hinder my movement." I Say testing my equipment. "The sword and the lawgiver still fit in my hand, although uncomfortable. Now, the shield…"

I look with regret at the first item I created with magic in this world. Maybe I can adjust the straps with Ruby's help, but for now, it didn't fit on my arm.

"Next time, old friend." I mutter sadly, leaving the shield behind in the cabinet.

Equipped with my sword, gun, and backpack, I head to the cargo ramp of the Black Bird.

"Fly 20 meters(65f) over the Dread Shadow."

I feel the ship move and take out two green emeralds from the bag of holding.

"Hope you guys obey me." I mutter, breaking the jewels in my hands.

As they start to glow, I release them, their light illuminating the darkness around us. But before they could touch the floor of the ship, two strange figures emerged from within them. They were made entirely of swirling white and gray winds, their shimmering, ethereal forms in the dim light of the Black Bird's interior standing over three meters (10 feet) tall.

These are air elementals, and they looked at me as if awaiting orders.

"Awesome!" I exclaim, flashing a wild smile. "When I jump, you're going to guide my fall, make me land on the bird."

In response, the beings swayed what seemed to be their heads, as if agreeing with what I said.

"After that, each of you is going to one of its wings, try to destabilize it and bring it down. But even if you don't succeed, keep trying to hindering it."

The beings once again responded with a confirming swaying.

"I need your help, Church."

{{Just say the word.}} The AI responds, excited for the fight. {{Want a battle plan, enemy info breakdown, or a review of your enhancements?}}

"Play 'Kickstart My Heart'."

...

{{Seriously?}} The AI asked, irritated.

"On the ship's system."

{{SERIOUSLY?}} The AI shouted, frustrated.

Instead of responding, I throw one leg back and place both hands on the ground, as if in a starting position.

Even though Church is angry at my request, Motley Crew's music started playing on the ship.

{When I get high, I get high on speed
Top fuel funny car's a drug for me
My heart, my heart
Kickstart my heart}

The elementals, sensing my intentions, move to my side, dissolving their humanoid forms while covering me with their winds.

{Always got the cops coming after me
Custom built bike doing 103
My heart, my heart
Kickstart my heart}

As the music echoes through the Black Bird's speakers, I feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Subconsciously, my implants are helping my body prepare for battle.

{Ooh, are you ready girls?
Ooh, are you ready now?}

My muscles tense, ready to launch me forward at top speed. My heart races, pumping blood and oxygen to every part of my being. Everything around me seems to slow down, as if time itself had slowed, but it's my perception and reaction that are accelerating.

{Whoa, yeah
Kickstart my heart, give it a start
Whoa, yeah
Baby}

I shoot forward at full speed, faster than I've ever run in my life, two tornadoes surround me, propelling and guiding me as I leap.

{Whoa, yeah
Kickstart my heart, hope it never stops
Ooh, yeah
Baby, yeah}

"LEEROY JENKIS!" I scream, laughing loudly, falling towards the Dread Shadow.

The wind howled in my ears as I fell. My skin felt the resistance of the air as if it were liquid. Not knowing whether this was caused by the alteration in my nervous system or brain, I enjoyed the strange sensation with my eyes closed until I felt the tornadoes around me slowing my fall.

"It's showtime, motherfucker!" I exclaim, landing on the back of the monster.

"SKRYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAK!" The beast screeches, writhing, trying to throw me off its back.

Trying to avoid that fate, I throw myself forward, grabbing a clump of feathers hard as steel with my right hand and pressing my feet into the creature's back. At that moment, I realized I forgot one small detail.

"I'm still barefoot." I mutter, spending my Aura to activate my Semblance, summoning what looks like a dark gray caulk gun into my left hand. "Guess I'll go John McClane on this shit."

Running with a low posture and my right hand pressed against the creature's back, I leave a series of 'X's' along the Dread Shadow's spine, until I reach its skull and leap forward, landing on the monstrous vulture's beak.

It stares at me with its left eye, that massive orb measuring three meters in diameter.

With my right hand gripping the beak, I show the small gadget and speak before pulling the trigger.

"Yippee ki yay, motherfucker!"

Then all the X's on the Dread Shadow's spine, drawn with the 'bat-explosive gel', detonate.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"KAAAAAAAAAAA!" Dread Shadow agonizes, feeling its back explode in several spots.

"HA! I blew your back out." I mock the monster, dematerializing the Batman gadget to draw my sword. "Flame on!"

The creature's eyes widen as it sees my flame ignite near its eyes.

"MORRE DEMONIO!" I scream in portuguese, driving the sword into the monster's eye.

"HIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The creature shrieks, finally beginning to fall.

The monster must have been over twenty meters long from head to claws, which is why it was so difficult to destabilize. But with the elementals on its wings, the explosions in its spine, and now the burning puncture in its eye, it had no other fate but to fall into the sands of Menagerie.

With the certainty that the creature would fall, I manifest a parachute and jump away from it. At a safe distance, I pull the cord.

As I float, I can't help but feel a sense of pride wash over me. Although it's not dead, the Dread Shadow is a formidable opponent, and I'm happy to have grounded it before it could cause more damage.

"But I still have to finish it." I murmur, checking my aura level that Church has displayed in my vision.

{99.83%}

"Not bad." I say, pleased with the number.

Confident in my aura reserves, I manifest in my hand a white and blue board, appropriately sized for me. It's the extreme gear used by the blue hedgehog in the game Sonic Rider Zero Gravity. I step onto the board and feel my body float, I dissolve the parachute and fly toward the grimm lying in the desert of Menagerie.

As I approach the monstrous creature, I feel discomfort on my skin, something I haven't felt at any point in the fight so far.

Just a moment ago, the creature was thrashing and agonizing, but now it was still, lying in the sands of Menagerie, making me suspect something was wrong.

Up close, I notice two things. First, the monster is not disintegrating, meaning the Dread Shadow is still alive. But the thing that catches my attention the most is that the creature seems... calm.

"Too calm." I murmur, concerned.

I slow my approach, circling the body until I'm in front of its face.

"Just like its spine, the eye has regenerated." I mutter in frustration.

Even though I'm frustrated with the regeneration of the creature, It's nothing compared to the behavior that takes me by surprise next.

"Mwah ha ha HA!" The giant grimm laughs.

The laugh echoes across the desert, sending chills down my spine. It's a guttural, low, unearthly laugh as you'd expect from a monster like that, but it's also feminine.

"Little pawn of Ozma." The voice resonates, coming from the Dread Shadow's throat. "No matter how many generations pass my old lover, your pawns keep trying…"

Something seems to suffocate me. I feel a pressure rising throughout my body. A presence similar to what I feel when I hold a Dust crystal while absorbing it. But while Dust crystals could be compared to glasses or buckets of water, in front of me I feel a whole ocean.

"And they keep failing." She ends by pointing out with disgust and disdain evident in her tone.

With my heart pounding, I didn't need to think for more than a second to understand who was in front of me.

"Salem," I murmur, feeling my blood turn cold.



 
35 - The Battle for Menagerie IV: Dragon Slayer New
Fourth day of posting 5 chapters in a week.

If you want to support my work, on my Ko-fi I have 6 chapters ahead of this one for subscribers: ko-fi(dot)com/avipbr


I just wanted to send a shout out to this legend who left us in 2023.

Kentaro Miura, I hope to see an anime adaptation worthy of the full scope of your work.


[Jaune Arc]

I've been anticipating this encounter since I woke up in this world. All the training, equipment crafting, alliances, friendships, plans, super soldier serum, and the extremis virus were all for this moment.

"Salem." I murmur, my blood turning cold.

Upon hearing the name, the titanic vulture, now a puppet of Salem, stares its red eyes glowing more intensely than before, reflecting the presence of the queen of the grimm analyzing me.

"How quaint… you display a flicker of wit, uncommon among most of Ozma's pitiful thralls." The voice, a raspy feminine tone laced with ancient power, echoes from the throat of the monster rising before me. "Please enlighten me child… who are you, to stand before me?"

The supernatural weight of Salem's voice hits me like a freezing wave, paralyzing my muscles as a sudden insecurity overwhelms me. Her magical presence, big enough to fill the deepest chasm, passively burdens me.
'Until a few minutes ago, I would have thought it was absurd for just one person to wield such raw power.

But I can't falter now, but I also can't give too much information either. I think quickly in silence, searching for an escape. Especially about my abilities.

A smile spreads across my face as a stupid idea blooms in my mind.

"My name is Noneof, from the Yourbusiness family."

The grimm-bird tilts its head with curiosity and irritation, its red eyes glowing with an intensity that makes me sweat cold.

"None of your business." I explain, giving a forced laugh.

Some pours from the creature body, like flames bursting from a raging demon as Salem roars, the sound reverberating through the sky, carrying a primordial fury that makes the air tremble. The cry of the Dread Shadow echoes, amplified by the presence of the queen of the Grimms.

The shockwave hits me with force making me take a step back, but I stand firm, teeth clenched, muscles tense.

"Insolent fool."

Salem's voice thunders, the bird's eyes gleaming like beacons from a blood-soaked abyss.

"You dare mock me? You pitiful, unwashed scrap of mortality." She sneers as her magical pressure mounts on top of me with its full weight. "Ozma's taste in pawns has grown even more foul, I see."




'Are her aggressive intentions alone enough to paralyze me?' I think, swallowing hard. 'I can't freeze now, I need to do something... prove to myself that I'm capable of affecting her.'

Focusing my resolve, I decid to throw at her the biggest insult I could think of.

"Me pitiful?" I ask with an ironic grimace on my lips. "Pitiful is killing ALL your children in the middle of a lover's quarrel."

The monster in front of me stops moving in response to my speech.

Unlike the ground that begins to shake under the queen of the grimm. The vibration under my feet worries me, but before I can identify the source, Salem's voice comes from the beak of the Dread Shadow lower than before.

"How dare you..." The cold whisper envelops me, laden with a lethal threat.

My eyes widen, my heart beats unevenly. The ground shakes harder, and I struggle to maintain my balance.

"How dare you!" This time, the voice is louder, reverberating through the air, making my bones vibrate.

The tremor intensifies, and I look around, trying to understand what is happening. That's when I see it, the army of Grimms coming from the city toward us, running toward Salem with more purpose than when they wanted to destroy Kuo Kuana.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I complain, taking six gems from my backpack. "I've played enough video games and watched enough anime to know what's going to happen."

"HOW DARE YOU!" Salem's furious roar explodes into the air, the force of the voice hitting me like a shockwave.

As the army of Grimms approaches, their grotesque forms accelerate with a terrifying speed. I break the pairs of red, blue, and brown jewels I just picked up in my hand.

"Destroy as many as you can!" I shouted, throwing the cracked gems at the horde of monsters.

Pairs of giant fire, water, and earth elementals began to form, each over three meters (10 feet) tall. Wasting no time, they advanced upon the monsters with explosions of fire, pillars of stone stakes sprouting from the sand, and torrents of water crushing them.

Thanks to the elementals I am in a safe bubble without the presence of grimm, but those who pass by me continue towards Salem.

Crashing into the monster on the giant monster, their bodies liquefying like pitch from pure black entropy. The dark mass moves with red eyes, beaks and fangs pulses with a malignant energy that makes my stomach churn.

A stench of decay and death fills the air, almost suffocating. As I watch, horrified, as the black substance leaps onto the body of the Dread Shadow, enveloping it like a grotesque second skin.

Growing, the leviathan grimm flesh and bones distorts, breaks, and rearrange like a demonic tumor. Red veins spread across the black skin, pulsing with a life of their own.

Dread Shadow's body continues to contorts, muscles expanding, bones stretching into impossible shapes, jutting out with grotesque spikes and saw-like edges.

The sight is visceral, repulsive and just wrong.

Now the monster is an abomination, a grotesque black bird with bulging muscles and chaotic bones sprouting like extra limbs. Each movement is accompanied by wet, disgusting sounds. The stench intensifies, a nauseating mixture of rotten flesh and sulfur. The air around me seems to bend, distorted by the malignant presence.

"Your bones shall ornament my throne. Your skin, stretched and treated, will grace the marble beneath my feet. Your flesh shall nourish my favored beasts, your blood shall flavor the goblets of my court, and your soul..." She whispers, releasing a low, velvety laugh laced with dark delight. "...will never now peace. A fitting end for Ozma's latest failure."

Truly a grotesque sight, combined with the whispered threat, makes my stomach churn. My instincts, enhanced by aura and modifications, scream for me to run or surrender to the force before me.

'But I won't back down.' I think, swallowing my fear. 'Nor will I surrender.'

"Church!" I exclaim, gathering my courage.

{{Always by your side, kid.}} the AI responds, knowing what I'm going through. {{Like they say in your country. 'She may be big, but she's not two. You are small, but you are not half'}}

The old Brazilian saying brings a smile to my lips.

"Grab the sword."

{{The fuck are you talking about?}} the AI says, its tone confused. {{It's on your waist.}}

"The heavy sword," I reply, smiling.

Laughing the AI disappears from my sight.

"GHAAAAARRRRRR!" The chaotic mass of black flesh and bones stumbles toward me, unable to fly or run.

The grotesque sight of the abomination coming toward me is a nightmare that defies all logic.

I take a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My aura pulses, responding to the imminent danger. With a thought, I manifest Shadow Air Shoes on my feet for the second time since coming to Menagerie, preparing for battle.

'I'm not going to run barefoot in the desert.'

Above the monster, the Black Bird fires a missile toward me. My eyes widen, but I don't panic. Halfway through, the missile shatters, its charge detaching and falling beside me, casting a shadow over my body.

"Nice, Church!" I exclaim, a smile spreading across my face. "Faster than Amazon."

I extend my hand, grabbing the hilt of the fallen sword. My fingers close around the cold metal, and a shiver runs down my spine. The weapon is enormous, nearly two meters (6'5" f) in length, and weighs over 130 kilos(300 lb).

{{Huge, thick, heavy, and rough. Too big to be called a sword, more like a chunk of raw iron.}} Church says in my ear, quoting the original source.

In my hands, I wield a sword made to kill dragons, so its name is:

"Dragon Slayer," I whisper with a wild grin.

A tentacle from the monster lashes toward me.

SLAP!

But thanks to my reflexes and instincts, sharpened by intense training with Port and body enhancements, I quickly dodge before running toward the Dread Shadow.

The same cannot be said for my elementals who are crushed with one blow.

'I can't let her hit me, I need to be quick.'

As I dash across the sand, I mentally pat myself on the back for creating the Air Shoes for this fight. I glide over the terrain without worrying about getting stuck.

I am filled with a sense of total freedom, as if I were skating calmly… except that I'm in a battle with a titanic abomination while carrying a surfboard-sized sword.

With the speed of a hypercar, I circle the monster. The creature tries to strike me again with its multiple tentacles.

SLAP! FLACK! SNAP! CRACK!

But I'm too fast.

As I slide, a plan starts to form in my mind.

'The tentacles are fast, but predictable.' I think without any problem maintaining my speed while concentrating. 'The main body is large, full of bubbles and lumps at an angled incline.'

"Church!" I call, invoking the AI in my HUD. "I need maximum power in my legs. I'm going to try to end this with one strike."

{{Got it.}}

I feel my leg muscles heat up as they contract with small shocks. The extra power makes my body vibrate, the adrenaline pulsing in my veins.

"Show time!" I yell excitedly.

With an explosive thrust, I shoot forward like a white and golden blur to the monster's main body.

Tentacles and even claws try to stop me when I reach the giant bloated grimm mass. But with my enhanced senses I can dodge them even at this insane speed.

Shadow's shoes stick to the creature's body with ease at my speed, making it easy to climb the monster while circling its body as the wind whistles in my ears, the landscape becomes a whirlwind of distorted colors and shapes.

Tentacles, claws, maws, and spikes sprout from the Dread Shadow body, whipping and advancing around me, trying to reach me. But the enhancements, serum and aura working together is too much for the monster. The intoxicating sense of freedom takes over my being, as if I were dancing with death.

I climb faster, the spiral tightening, the muscles in my legs start to burn with the effort, sending waves of pain down my spine, making my brain throb inside my skull.

"Hold on." I whisper, gritting my teeth, blood dripping from my nose and ears.

The center of the Dread Shadow's body approaches, filled with grotesque bubbles and lumps. The sight is repulsive, but I keep my focus.

'I need to deal as much damage as possible.' I think silently, moving closer to the head. 'But how will I stop myself when I get into a good position to attack?'

"DIE!" The monster roars, turning its head towards me.

'The beak!' I shout mentally as soon as I realize what I need to do. 'I'm going to use it to brake myself.'

With my legs burning from pain, I push them further, forcing my limits.

Everything becomes a blur until I collide sideways with the creature's gigantic beak.

CRACK!-CRUNCH!

My bones roared in pain at the impact, strong enough to snap the Dread Shadow's neck in a sickening sound echoing across the desert.

My world is consumed by an explosion of pain. I can't even think about moving due to my damaged bones.

"Fuck…" I mumble in pain.

{{I'm on it!}} Says Church forcing my dislocated bones back in place through the implants. {{It wasn't a cure, but you'll be able to keep fighting.}}

With my mind starts to clear without pain, I stand on top of the monster's beak that has already begun to regenerate.

The creature was already finishing healing, leaving my heart heavy with worry.

However, the weight of the sword I was carrying reminded me of the potential for destruction I am capable of now.

"HYAAAAAAG!" The screeches at me.

I spit out the blood that has accumulated in mine, crouching down to run once more. Quickly my body and implants light up, preparing my body for another run.

Black tentacle flesh and atrophied arms come together from the creature, forming a giant hand throwing itself towards my direction to grab me.

With a smile I ignore the giant appendage, as I am ready to attack.

I shoot like a bullet racing through the creature's beak.

The wind howls around me, cutting my skin like invisible blades. in my muscles and bones is intense, but adrenaline keeps me focused, every muscle tense, every nerve at full alert.

As soon as I leave the beak, I thrust Dragon Slayer at the grimm's red eye.

"IT BUUUUUUUUUURNS!" Salem screams in horror. "WHY?! THIS BODY IS NOT MINE, BUT I FEEL MY SOUL BURNING!"

I would like to celebrate the sword's effect on the evil queen, something that I wasn't sure would even remotely hur her. But I need to do more damage.

I hold the giant sword with both hands and keep running, ripping through the monster's flesh, opening a deep cut that releases a jet of black, viscous blood onto my body. My feet would slide over the wet black flesh, but the Air Shoes kept me stable as I shot forward at a dizzying speed, circling the creature in a single line, carving deeper into its black flesh with each rotation.

Even with the sword lodged in the monster's flesh, I'm faster than before. The sensation is surreal, as if I'm defying the laws of physics.

The air around me starts to condense, forming water droplets that cling to my body, creating a visible mist cone. It's a phenomenon I've seen in jet documentaries, and the realization hits me like a punch:

'I'm running at Mach 1.' I think, surprised.

The sight is hypnotizing, but I can't let myself be distracted. The sword continues cutting, leaving a large tear that keeps growing in the creature as I sink into its putrid black flesh.

"Why isn't it healing?" Salem's voice echoes with fear instead of the usual primal malice. "Is it the sword? WHERE DID YOU FIND IT?"

The flesh around me begins to slow me down even though I keep running, ignoring Salem's questions, keeping my focus on my goal.

'Carve this bitch like a turkey!'

Light begins to fade the deeper I sink, my senses overcome by the darkness, stench, and dampness of the grimm's interior... and still I run.

The creature's body begins to writhe and convulse, placing the weight of its muscles on top of me. As if it's trying to expel me like a zit. Fatigue and pain begin to weigh even more. Afraid that my effort will be in vain, I call Church to help me finish.

'I need more power in my arms and back. NOW!'

In response to the mental command, I feel the same sensation of activation that I had in my legs traveling up my back and arms. I would roar if not for the risk of drowning in rotten black blood as I raise my sword.

I bring the blade down in a large arc in front of me, putting all my strength into it.

SWHIIIIICH!

The impact is deafening. The sound of metal against bone and flesh reverberates through the desert, echoing like thunder. The force of the blow dislocates both my shoulder, a sharp pain running through my arms, making my teeth grind. The sword sinks deep into the monster's flesh, separating the flesh from where I am buried, bringing back light and fresh air.

{{I've got this!}} Church exclaims, controlling the implants, forcing my bones back into place once more.

Dread Shadow roars in pain, its gigantic body cleaved from the final cut.

I feel all my strength drain from my body, but my feet, equipped with the Air Shoes, keep me firm as I start to fall slowly.

"You motherless bastard!" Salem roars from the desert sands, her voice filled with fury and shame. "You'll pay for this outrage, even Ozma was never so foolish!"

The monster lay cut in half, with its vulture skull half disintegrated.

With a tired smile and a firm grip on my sword I deactivate my air shoes and fall.

Dragon Slayer cuts through the air, its sharp blade gleaming under the desert sun. With precise aim, I fell thrusting the sword on its other eye.

TWACK!

The puncture is deep, the Dread Shadow's head try tilting back, as a jet of black, viscous blood spraying into the air.The monster begins to tremble, its gigantic form speeds up its disintegration.

The Dread Shadow's body falls apart. But I don't stop, I keep stabbing the sword cutting through the black flesh with ease.

TWACK! SLASH! CRASH! CPOP!

{{Stop.}} Church pleads in my ear. {{You've won, you can stop now.}}

I take a deep breath, fresh air burning my lungs. Sweat trickles down my face, mixing with the blood dripping from my nose, ears and eyes. My body shakes, every muscle screaming in exhaustion. But adrenaline still pulses through my veins, keeping me upright.

Blown away I look around. The Dread Shadow is now disintegrating before my eyes. Pieces of black flesh fall into the desert, turning to dust before hitting the ground. The wind carries the particles, scattering them through the air like a dark mist only to disappear forever soon after.

Reality hits me, breaking my concentration.

"Did I win?" I question, disbelieving. "Did I really win?"

My body gives out, my knees buckling. I collapse to the ground, the hot sand cushioning my fall. The impact sends a wave of pain through my legs, but I barely feel it. Exhaustion takes over, every breath a struggle.

My blood cools in my veins, the adrenaline slowly dissipating. The feeling is strange, as if I'm waking up from a feverish dream. I look at my hands, trembling and covered in sand. The sword, the Dragon Slayer, rests beside me.

"I... I won." The words come out in a whisper, almost inaudible. But the realization fills me with an indescribable pride. I lift my head to the sky and shout, "I WON, DAMN IT!" The shout echoes through the desert, filled with triumph and relief.

I celebrate proudly, my heart pounding in my chest. The feeling of triumph is intoxicating, like a powerful drug. But, just like the adrenaline, it begins to fade, leaving me deeply exhausted, and my vision starts to darken.

"Church?" I call, my voice weak, almost a whisper. "What's going on?"

{{You pushed yourself too far, kid.}} Church's voice echoes in my mind, filled with concern. {{Your implants drained a lot.}}

"Why isn't my Aura healing me?" I ask, confusion mixed with a hint of desperation.

{{Your Aura's broken, Jaune.}} Church explains, his voice serious. {{You were using it to power your implants as you put those on overclock. And then, when you impacted against the monster's beak at Mach 1, the shock was too much. Your Aura broke.}}

The information leaves me stunned. Weakness spreads through my body, every muscle trembling with exhaustion. The light-headedness intensifies, as if I'm about to pass out.

"I... I'm going to die?" The question slips out in a whisper, fear tightening in my chest.

{{No.}} Church responds, his voice calm and reassuring. {{You're just going to sleep for a bit. Your body needs rest to recover.}}

The darkness closes in, my vision growing more and more blurred. The sensation of lightness takes over, as if I'm floating in a dream.

"Hmmm." I grunt, losing consciousness.

{{Go rest, kid... you deserve it.}}



[Arthur Watts]

Salem, usually a figure of icy composure, is hunched over, her fingers digging into the arms of the throne. An open wound runs across her left eye as thick, black liquid drips from it. My stomach churns, but I keep a neutral expression.

I try to take a step forward, but Tyrian extends his hand, stopping me. I turn frustrated toward the scorpion Faunus, but I don't protest, as he has a worried look on his face. The killer scorpion seems to be in an internal struggle, deciding whether to follow his 'Goddess's' orders or to help her.

"NOOOOO!" She screams as a cut begins to form on her neck.

Salem's body slumps, still seated on her throne. The Grimm Seers disconnect their tentacles from her, leaving her alone. I watch the scene with a mix of fascination and revulsion.

'The queen of the Grimm, always so powerful and imposing, now seems... fragile.'

Tyrian approaches cautiously, his eyes locked on Salem. The tension in the air is palpable, as if the very environment is holding its breath.

"Goddess?" Tyrian's voice is a trembling whisper, like a child begging for their mother's attention.

The insane assassin extends his hand, his fingers trembling just inches from Salem. Time seems to slow down, each second stretching into eternity.

Suddenly, Salem's eyes snap open, glowing a bright red, like burning embers. Black tears trail down her face, leaving dark streaks on her pale skin. She rises, her body shaking with rage, and lets out a roar that echoes through the room, a primal and terrifying sound.

Tyrian recoils, his eyes wide with fear and reverence. I, on the other hand, remain motionless, frozen in dread. Salem, the queen of the Grimm, always so controlled, now seems like a furious demon, an uncontrolled force of nature.

"The foolish human," Salem seethes from her throne, her voice cold and resonant. "Such insolence... even Ozma had the decency to fight with grace and honor. But that mongrel… I will make him understand his place."

In all my years serving her, I've never seen her direct so much emotion toward someone who wasn't the immortal wizard Ozma.

Suddenly, Salem turns to me, her eyes still glowing red with an intensity that makes me shudder.

"Watts!" Her voice is a command, grabbing all of my attention. "Find this human. Bring him to me. ALIVE!"

I swallow hard, trying to maintain composure.

"Of course, my queen," I responded promptly, lowering my head. "But I need his name, kingdom of origin, and a description."

Salem approaches floating, her face mere inches from mine. I can smell the metallic scent of her breath, like blood and iron.

"He's a young huntsman, fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, standing near two meters(6.5 f) tall. Wields a giant two-handed sword with great power and experience. He could be the most powerful huntsman I've ever witnessed in battle."

"I still need a name and kingdom of origin, my queen." I say, trying to remain respectful.

Salem furrows her brows, her eyes returning to their normal color.

"These are the only details you'll get, Watts. If you don't want to die, you'd better bring me results quickly."

I swallow again, the fear tightening in my chest. I lower my head, trying to maintain my composure.

"My apologies, my queen. I will find him immediately."

I leave the room, my heart pounding in my chest. I pull out my scroll, my fingers trembling as I type quickly, searching a list of possible suspects that match Salem's description. Blonde huntsman, blue eyes, wielding a giant sword. The information is vague, but it's all I have.

The list appears on the screen, names and faces scrolling before my eyes. I stop at a familiar name that I have been investigating:

"Jaune Arc." I whisper out loud. "Does the inventor of Atlas study at Beacon? But it's obvious by his combat performance records that he's not the man Salem is after."

I continue the search, my mind racing, trying to find any clue that might lead me to the right target. The fear of failing and facing Salem's wrath drives me, as every second counts.





It's not 100% correct for each one of the buffs, just a stipulation from me to use as a guide for Jaune's potential in this story.

Estimate speed running over short distances:
Regular non-sedentary human = 24 km/h [15 mph]
Super soldier = 48-56 km/h [30-35 mph]
Spartan-II [with MJOLNIR] = 97 km/h [60 mph]
Professional Huntsman [Average]= 80-96 km/h [50-60 mph]
Hybrid [Serum+Huntsman+Spartan-II]= 300-400 km/h [187-250 mph]

Estimate strength doing squats:
Regular non-sedentary human = 100-150 kg [220-330 lbs]
Super soldier = 1.100 kg [2.400 lbs]
Spartan-II [with MJOLNIR] = 5.400 kg [12.000 lbs]
Professional Huntsman = 1.500 - 2.000 kg [3.300 - 4.400 lbs]
Professional Huntsman [Focused on strength] (Ex:Hazel Rainart) = 10.000 kg [22.000 lbs]
Hybrid [Serum+Huntsman+Spartan-II] = 15.000 - 25.000 kg [33.000 - 55.000 lbs]
 
36 - So long Menagerie New
Fifth day, the final day of posting 5 chapters in a week.

If you want to support my work, on my Ko-fi I have 5 chapters ahead of this one for subscribers: ko-fi(dot)com/avipbr

Finally the last chapter of the Menagerie Arc, an important Arc because the protagonist lost his V-Card-.

I MEAN!

He helped the faunus... yep that's it.



[Jaune Arc]

The first thing I feel as I begin to regain consciousness is a strong smell of ether and cleaning supplies invading my nostrils. Then, the constant beep of machines echoes in my ears. Finally, my vision begins to clear, revealing a white, sterile ceiling.

I try to sit up, but a sharp pain in my chest makes me give up. My right hand, wrapped in bandages, throbs. I look around-, the room is spacious, with several empty beds lined up. It looks like an infirmary, but not the one at Beacon.

"Where am I?" I murmur, more to myself than actually expecting an answer.

{{Take it easy, kid.}} says the AI, appearing on my chest the size of a Happy Meal toy. {{You're not in danger, but you still need to rest and recover your Aura.}}

"My body hurts like I was run over." I complain, sitting up in bed and looking around again. "I don't see my Scroll or my StarkTech watch. How are you communicating with me?"

{{Your brain has become capable of receiving wi-fi, remember?}}

"That's amazing... and terrifying." I comment, shivering.

{{Don't complain, you were the one who asked me to make as many modifications as possible.}} Church repeats, his voice firm. {{I followed your instructions to the letter. Your body is now stronger, faster, more resilient, and I can assist you better in battle.}}

"True." I add, remembering the battle as if it had just happened. "That speed Armor Enhancement was really op during the fight, wouldn't have won without it ."

{{Armor Enhancement?}} Church questions, confused. {{Bitch please! That was just an overclock. If you had a regular Armor Enhancement, you'd be even faster, and most importantly… it would have fucked up your body less.}}

Before I could ask more about the enhancements, the infirmary door opens, revealing a familiar figure carrying a bucket and towels.

"Jaune!" she exclaims happily.

Ilia enters the room, her green eyes glowing with a mix of relief and concern as soon as she sees I'm awake. The chameleon faunus drops the bucket and towels on the floor just to run toward me, her tear-streaked face pressing against my body as she hugs me.

Her body trembles, and I feel the warmth of her tears on my neck. The intensity of her relief is palpable.

"Ilia..." I try to speak, but my voice comes out weak.

"I thought you weren't going to wake up." she says, her voice cracking.

Her chameleon marks pulse in shades of red and purple, reflecting her emotion.

"I'm fine, Ilia." I murmur, trying to calm her.

"You saved us, Jaune." she says, her voice steadier now. "But you almost died in the process. Don't ever do that again."

She pulls away slightly, her eyes red from crying. Her hands still grip my shoulders, as if afraid to let go.

Wanting to change the subject, I decide to bring up something more casual.

"But tell me, what are you doing here?" I ask, smiling, trying to ease the tension. "Came to keep me company while I was unconscious?"

Ilia swallows her tears, trying to compose herself. Her green eyes, still wet, meet mine.

"I came to give you a bath." she explains, her voice now firm. "I give you one in the morning and one at night."

My eyes widen at the information.

"Bath?" I repeat, my voice louder than I intended. "And twice a day?"

Ilia nods, the chameleon marks on her face shifting to a softer shade of blue.

"Every day since you were brought here." she responds, without looking away. "Besides the bath, I also cleaned you... in the intimate parts."

The information catches me off guard. I look down, pulling the blanket slightly. I notice I'm not wearing pants, and instead of underwear… I'm wearing a diaper.

[Marrow Amin]

I feel calm walking through the corridors of the battleship's . The sound of the engines resonating beneath my feet. My first officer, a man with black hair, walks alongside me, his expression serious.

"Despite the first impression not being good..." I comment, remembering the wary looks from the faunus of Menagerie. "The mission was a resounding success."

"As expected." adds my first officer to my left.

"The extreme situation of the population ended up helping us be at least tolerated."

He nods beside me, adjusting his uniform.

"Affirmative, Captain. The help with the wounded and the supplies made a great difference. They didn't expect us to be so... human."

I let out a short laugh.

"Human?"

The officer tries to correct himself, but I raise my hand to stop him.

"I know what you mean. They expected cold soldiers, not individuals willing to help."

We stop in front of a hatch, the metal gleaming under the corridor lights.

"And your interactions with the local authorities?"

"Chieftain Ghira was easier to deal with than I imagined." I say, remembering the meeting. "He already had all the reports and documents ready. Made our job easier."

My officer agrees.

"I've heard of him, from when he was the leader of the White Fang. He's a fair and honorable leader who knows what's best for his people."

"Exactly." I reply, opening the hatch. "And that saved us time. We're taking all the paperwork back to Atlas, our actions will surely improve relations between our people, now that Faunaria will be recognized as a sovereign kingdom by Atlas."

I continue down the corridor, the echo of our steps reverberating through the metal.

"And what about the boy, Jaune Arc? Any news?" my officer asks.

I stop, turning to face him.

"I spoke with the ship's doctor earlier. He said Jaune could wake up at any moment."

As if waiting for my statement, a scream echoes through the corridors.

"WHY THEY PUT MY ASSASSIN TO WIPE MY BUTT?!"

...

"I believe he's awake, Captain Amin."

[Jaune Arc]

"I already apologized." Ilia grumbles, crossing her arms. "Stop living on the past, Jaune."

"It was only five days ago." I retort, rubbing my neck.

Ilia huffs, her green eyes glowing with a mix of frustration and concern.

"Five days?" she asked, looking at me sympathetically. "Jaune... it's been more than that, you spent three days in a coma."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised.

"Coma? What are you talking about?"

Ilia sighs, her tone softening a bit.

"After the fight with the Dread Shadow, you passed out." Ilia began to speak with emotion caught in her voice. "Menagerie doesn't have a hospital with resources to keep someone in a coma for long, but luckily the Atlas ship that came at your and the Chieftain's invitation had arrived."

I frown, trying to remember what invitation that was, but Church appears in my vision once again to speak.

{{I was the one who made it, we'll talk later.}}

Ilia continues, her voice firm, but with a touch of concern.

"We wanted them to treat you on the island, but..." She hesitates, looking down before continuing. "The risk of contamination was too high. Audra, Ghira, Kali, and even Sienna wanted to visit you, but the captain only allowed one person to come aboard to take care of you. Since they were all busy tending to the wounded, I took responsibility."

I sigh, tired, understanding the situation and Ilia's commitment to my health.

"Sorry, Ilia. I didn't mean to be ungrateful. I appreciate you taking care of me."

Ilia looks away, her chameleon marks changing color, revealing a mix of relief and embarrassment.

"It's fine. Just... don't push yourself too hard."

I nod, feeling a pang of guilt, but I respond honestly.

"I promise nothing."

Ilia stares at me for a second, surprised by the response, but then she laughs, thinking I wasn't being serious.

The infirmary door opens, revealing two men. One of them, human, has black hair and a serious look. The other, a familiar faunus with a furry tail, steps forward.

"Good to see you awake, Doctor Arc." says the one who seemed to be in charge. "I'm Marrow Amin, captain of the ship." He finishes speaking in a formal tone, extending his hand to greet me.

I recognized the name immediately, finally connecting the face to the original series character who was supposed to be a member of the Ace-Ops.

'Canon's totally screwed.' I think silently. 'Beyond repair.'

"Jaune Arc." I respond, shaking his hand firmly.

Marrow nods, his eyes evaluating me with curiosity.

"I've heard a lot about you. Doctor Polendina and General Ironwood speak wonders of your work. I knew you were young, but seeing in person... it's impressive."

I smile, a bit embarrassed by the compliment.

"Thank you, Captain. I'm glad to know my work is being recognized."

Marrow continues, his voice serious.

"You're revolutionizing the entire energy matrix of Atlas. That's quite an achievement for someone your age."

Ilia, by my side, watches Marrow with a stern face but remains silent. Marrow looks at her, acknowledging her presence.

"As always, a pleasure to see you, Miss Amitola."

The teenage faunus replies only with a nod, moving closer to my side.

'She's probably suspicious of a faunus with such a high rank in the Atlas military.' I theorize silently.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Jaune. But I need to send my reports to Atlas, something possible thanks to you for having built a CCT tower in menagerie.."

"Of course, Captain. Feel free to use our resources." says Ilia in a bitter tone.

Marrow nods and heads for the door, but before leaving, he turns to me.

As soon as Marrow exits, Ilia grumbles beside me.

"Fake faunus."

I sigh, tired, and turn to Ilia.

"You should have learned by now, because of what you did to me, not to judge people without knowing them."

Ilia changes color, her chameleon marks revealing a mix of shame and embarrassment. She tries to justify herself, her voice low.

"It's different with you, Jaune." She hesitates, searching for the right words.

"I know..." I reply, shaking my head in understanding. "I'm awesome!" I conclude, laughing aloud.

Ilia laughs a bit, her green eyes shining with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"I'll get your breakfast. Be right back."

She leaves the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

"I'd better heal up soon." I murmur, creating a senzu bean in my hand using magic.

As I consume the grain, I immediately feel all pain and fatigue leaving my body. I rise from the bed, testing my legs and arms, feeling energized.

"How many points did that hellish bird give me?"

Curious about my gains, I open the system, only to freeze at the number displayed.

Multiverse Crafting System

What would you like to do?

Magic: 1,642,125 Points
Aura: 100%​

"By the beards of Gary Gygax and David Arneson!" I exclaim, shocked.

{{How much is it?}} Church asks, appearing in my vision. {{I know it's a lot, but I can't see the exact value.}}

"How do you know it's a lot?"

{{I have access to your vital signs through the implants. You're literally aroused by the value.}}

"Remind me to block you next time I have sex."

{{Agreed.}} the AI concurs. {{Now stop stalling and tell me the value.}}

Smiling, I respond:

"One million, six hundred forty-two thousand, one hundred twenty-five."

The surprise is so great that Church's rifle in the hologram fires.

BANG!

{{Sorry,}} says the AI, embarrassed. {{I swear this has never happened before.}}

I chuckle lightly, still surprised by Church's reaction.

"It's okay, man. I'd be surprised too."

{{What are you going to spend it on?}} the AI asks, its holographic eyes glowing with curiosity.

I scratch my chin, thoughtful. The number of points is absurd, but I need to be strategic. No impulsive or immature spending.

"M.C.S., make megazord."

Multiverse Crafting System

This will cost 5,000,000 Magic Points.

Magic: 1,642,125 Points
Aura: 100%​

"Son of a bitch!" I curse, nervous. "I need almost three and a half million more points."

{{Which reminds me,}} says the AI in a threatening tone.

ZAP!

"Son of a—!" I scream in pain from the shock to my body, causing me to fall.

The pain from the shock still reverberates through my body as I get up from the floor, looking furiously at Church. The AI, impassive, floats in front of me, its hologram glowing with a soft light.

"What the hell was that, Church?" I demand, rubbing the chest where the shock was most intense.

{{I needed to get your attention,}} responds the AI, its voice calm and controlled. {{You almost fucked up.}}

"Fucked up what?" I question, incredulous. "I just woke up from a coma, man. Give me a break."

{{No,}} Church insists, his tone serious. {{You have responsibilities, Jaune. Menagerie, Atlas, your friends, your team... they all depend on you. You can't afford to be impulsive with such a precious resource and spend it all on a fucking giant robot.}}

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, frustrated.

"Okay, okay. I get it," I murmur, trying to calm down. "But come on, a shock? Seriously?"

{{It worked, didn't it?}} Church responds, a touch of humor in his voice. {{Now, sit your ass down and think better about what you're going to do with those points.}}

"Fine..." I grumble, lying back on the bed.

Then the infirmary door opens, with Ilia carrying a tray with a bowl that smells awful.

"Hope you like rehydrated military rations," says Ilia, smiling awkwardly.

...

"How about I make some waffles and—"

{{No!}} the AI cuts in with an irritated tone.

[Ghira Belladonna]

"Silence, please!" I rise, my hands pressed against the solid wooden table. The murmur of the crowd diminishes, all eyes turned to the stage. Seated at the table with me are the most important members for this long-awaited ceremony.

Around us, Jaune Arc's spherical drones are recording and streaming live to all of Remnant.

"Today is a historic day," I begin, my firm voice echoing through the large covered courtyard of Golden Valor, the city named in honor of the young human who built it. "We are here to celebrate the founding of Faunaria, a nation that represents hope and unity for all Faunus." I pause, looking at each face in the audience. "Faunaria is not just a territory; it is a symbol of our past struggles and our bright future."

A round of applause follows my statement, but I silence them to continue.

"I want to thank everyone who made this possible and present the council that will govern our nation." I continue, gesturing to those present at the table. "Audra Taurus, our former commander and now general, is responsible for the armed forces and the country's security. Kouka Brasa, our high judge, who will judge and supervise the legal system. Ben Kenobi will be our Master of Coin, controlling the country's finances, taxes, and trade."

Each member at the table stood and made a small bow when called, so the population could associate the individual with their position.

"And I, who will serve as the elected king of our kingdom, reminding everyone that since I am an elected representative of the people, I can be removed from office in six years through an election, or by their dissatisfaction."

Once again, the public clapped. This time I let them continue as long as they wished.

"I would also like to thank the envoy from Atlas, Captain Marrow Amin." The soldier stood and gave a formal salute before sitting down again. "Whose presence allowed Atlas to recognize Faunaria as a sovereign nation. And before I stop talking so you can finally eat in peace—"

The crowd murmurs, laughing at my typical politician's joke in this kind of event.

"I thank Jaune Arc, whose vision helped us walk toward a future of peace and prosperity." I comment, seeing many nods of agreement with my statement. "I don't blame my people for not having welcomed him with open arms the first time young Arc literally fell upon our shores, because if it weren't for my dear wife Kali, I myself would have expelled him from the island instead of welcoming him into my home."

Shame colors the faces of many in the audience, remembering how they had treated the human.

"And how did he respond to our threats and lack of hospitality?" I say, raising my voice to capture everyone's attention. "With patience, humility, respect, and solidarity."

Seated at the table, Jaune turns red and lowers his head, embarrassed by the attention. His eyes avoid mine, but I notice a slight smile of gratitude. The crowd, once noisy, is now silent, all eyes fixed on him. The tension is palpable, but there is also a feeling of respect and admiration in the air.

"Jaune Arc." I call with my voice soft but firm. "You deserve every one of these words and much more. Thank you for everything." I finish my speech with a deep, respectful bow in Jaune's direction.

The silence is broken by a murmur of approval. One by one, the members of the table stand, imitating my gesture. Audra, with her imposing posture, gives a martial bow, keeping her gaze fixed on Jaune. Kouka, with a warm smile, inclines her head in a sign of respect. Ben, always discreet, makes a subtle but meaningful nod.

The crowd follows the example, every faun present rises, making bows or nods of acknowledgment, a collective recognition of what Jaune has done for us. Even Sienna, with her stern expression, inclines her head slightly, a gesture worth more than a thousand words.

Jaune, still red-faced, slowly gets to his feet, his eyes shining with a mix of surprise and gratitude. He looks around, taking in the scene, and then gives a deep bow, thanking everyone.

"It was a pleasure to help you," Jaune begins, his voice trembling with emotion. "And now that you have one of these," he says, pointing to the tower in the middle of the city, "whenever you need me, just call."

The crowd erupts in applause, a deafening sound that echoes through the courtyard. Jaune, still standing, looks around, his eyes shining with a mix of surprise and gratitude.

"Thank you, Jaune," I say once more. "And now, without further delay, I officially declare the Faunaria founding feast open!"

The applause turns into cheers of celebration. The crowd, previously silent and respectful, now buzzes with contagious energy. The tables, filled with food and drink, are quickly surrounded by faunus eager to celebrate. The sound of laughter and toasts fills the air, a joyful contrast to the solemnity of the speech.

[Jaune Arc]

Audra pulls me into a tight hug, her body trembling with held-back sobs.

"I'm going to miss you, Jaune," she says, emotional. "And please, forget that I asked you to bring Adam back. It was just a stupid wish."

I feel the wetness of her tears against my neck, her voice choked. I return the hug, firm but gentle.

"I'll keep my promise, Audra," I speak in a firm tone. "I'll bring that idiot back tied up, whining and kicking if I have to."

She squeezes me once more, whispering thanks, and then lets go when the Belladonna couple approaches, with Ghira speaking first.

"I guess you must be tired of hearing me thank you, but I'll never get tired of doing it," says the king of Faunaria, laughing. "You're more than welcome in my country and in my home, and if you ever need political asylum, you don't even have to ask."

"Ghira!" Kali exclaims, feigning outrage. "Jokes aside, dear, you're always welcome in our home and..." The matriarch of the Belladonna family pauses for a second, swallowing hard. "Please, deliver our message to Blake."

With a determined look, I nod to her, reaffirming my promise as Marrow steps forward and salutes.

"Doctor Arc, we didn't have much time to talk, but it was an honor to meet you in person. Rest assured we loaded the Black Bird with the payment you agreed upon with Doctor Polendina and General Ironwood."

I frown, confused by the statement, only for Church to whisper in my ear with an explanation.

{{This is my doing. Besides greasing the political machine to recognize Faunaria, I got a few things for you.}}

Ah! I exclaim mentally. That's good... though it's a little scary that my AI has so much autonomy without my knowledge.

"Thank you, Captain Marrow."

Marrow replies with a smile that contrasts with his military posture.

Before boarding the Black Bird I turn around shouting to everyone.

"I'd love to stay longer, but my suspension is over and I've got class tomorrow!"

My smile is genuine, but I feel a tightness in my chest. Leaving is always hard, especially when I leave behind people who became important.

With one last wave, I board the Black Bird, the engine already roaring, ready to take me back to Beacon. The door closes behind me, and I feel the familiar vibration of the aircraft taking off. I look out the window, watching the figures grow smaller until they disappear from sight.

"It was a nice vacation, but... " I murmured to myself, a determined smile on my face. "It's time to get ready to kill Salem."



 
37 - Interlude I New
# I'd like to start by thanking everyone who subscribed to my Ko-fi. This gave me a considerable boost of morale to continue writing, thanks a lot guys.


# This and a few of the next chapters will be interludes... but if you want to skip ahead you can go to my Ko-fi [Ko-fi (Dot) com / avipbr], subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead.


COMMENTS:
Zech1994[wattpad]:

Yo, whatever happened with the renegade white fang faunus that caused that grimm horde and unleashed a leviathan class grimm?
Avip:
Soon...

THEslayerofdoom[wattpad]:
While Jaune cannot get the Megazord. he can get something smaller like an Armored Core?
Avip:
but aren't they similar to Atlas' mechs?

markusweiss[questionablequesting]:
So question, since Remnant has relied on dust for all the things like energy and whatnot, has anybody in Remnant ever thought about making sun in a can? I feel like dropping a few dozen 100 megaton (the theoretical maximum yield of the Tsar) cans into the land of darkness can really help in the fight against Salem. Even if she blocks the physical blast the resulting fallout should still at least fuck her up a bit.
Avip:
I think Ironwood would have thought of that.
But one of the reasons why this would not be a good idea, I elaborated in the 'chapter 42 - Evernight Castle Raid'

[Adam Taurus]

I flee through the forest, stumbling over roots and shrubs. The smell of fresh blood taints the air, keeping me alert despite the weakness I feel in my flesh. My left arm, or what's left of it, throbs near my shoulder where it was cut off. The improvised tourniquet is tight, but the blood still drips, falling onto the ground.

"Damn humans!" I grumble, frustrated, remembering my humiliating defeat.

I'm being hunted like a rabid animal, they cut my arm, my men, and my pride… but they let me live.

'What do those women think they are?' I question internally, furious. 'Do they think they can humiliate me, break me?'

"THEY'RE WRONG!" I roar the words, rage boiling inside me. "I'll get my revenge, I'll exterminate the entire Arc family, no matter the cost."

"Music to my ears…" purrs a lustful voice.

I freeze instantly, every muscle tense. That voice… that melodic tone hiding a snake ready to strike.

"Cinder." I growl, turning to face her. "What do you want?"

She's alone, leaning against a tree, her posture relaxed, an enigmatic smile on her lips. Her amber eyes gleam in the dim forest light, reflecting the faint light filtering through the leaves.

"Adam, Adam…" the viper sings, shaking her head. "Always so suspicious. Believe it or not, I just want to help you."

My answer to her i a dry, humorless laugh.

"Help? From you?" I spit on the ground, the bitter taste of blood still in my mouth. "Highly doubt that."

Cinder steps away from the tree, approaching with slow, calculated steps. Her movements are fluid, almost hypnotic, but they don't fool me. I've seen what she can do, the chaos she can unleash.

"I'm surprised by your current state." She murmurs, her eyes scanning my body, pausing on the mutilated arm. "I thought Menagerie was your biggest problem right now. But I see I was mistaken."

Her voice is soft, but her mocking tone makes me grind my teeth.

"What's going on in Menagerie?" I ask, curious.

Cinder comes closer, her amber eyes fixed on mine, a satisfied smile on her lips.

"Menagerie is no longer what it was, Adam." She says, her voice gentle but firm. "Now it's a sovereign nation. Faunaria, as it's called, is already recognized by the kingdom of Atlas, its great ally."

"LIES!" I scream, rage exploding inside me. "You're lying, Cinder! A Faunus nation would never be recognized by Atlas!"

She laughs, a melodious sound that echoes through the forest, but there's no warmth in that laugh. It's cold, calculating, like it's pretending to be human.

"Why would I lie, Adam?" She asks, tilting her head. "I have nothing to gain from this. Faunaria is real, and you need to accept it."

"No… it can't be." I murmur, disbelief battling fury. "How… How did that happen?"

Cinder takes a step forward, her eyes shining with an intensity that makes me step back.

"All thanks to a young Huntsman." She says, her voice filled with admiration and something else… something I can't identify. "Jaune Arc. He planned everything, Adam. He changed the game."

"Jaune…" I repeat the name, the rage rising again with the surname. "ARC!?"

Cinder smiles, a smile that promises secrets and betrayal.

"That's right, Adam." She says, her voice low, almost a whisper. "While you were being hunted and humiliated, a human went to the sanctuary of the faunus and brought them the peace and prosperity you never could bring them… because you're too weak."

Something breaks inside me. I don't know if it's my pride, my faith, or my heart, but I feel dead.

Empty.

A hollow shell of who I used to be. The rage, the passion, the thirst for vengeance… all gone, leaving only a cold, dark void.

"What do you want, Cinder?" I ask, my voice emotionless, lifeless. "What do you want from me in exchange for the chance to kill the entire Arc family?"

Cinder smiles, a voracious and victorious smile. Her eyes gleam with a satisfaction that makes me feel even more hollow and she answers.

"Everything!"

[Sienna Khan]

The sandstorm lashes my face, each grain feels like a fine needle piercing my skin. The brown hood, chosen to camouflage me in the dunes, now serves as a flimsy shield against the relentless wind.

Every step is a struggle, the sand tries to swallow me, but I persist.

"This is suicide." I mutter, irritated, my voice muffled by the fabric.

But I know why I'm here. This isn't just a mission, it's not just my duty. It's my penance.

My pride, that insidious beast that blinded me, could have cost Menagerie and all faunus their best and only chance for peace and prosperity.
I stop abruptly, the sandstorm still punishing my face. There, between the dunes, an opening reveals itself.

"The start of a ravine." I murmur with certainty.

Cautiously, I approach each step calculated. On the rocky wall, I see the symbol of the White Fang, discreetly painted. It's here not as a warning, but to serve as a guide.

"Simpler times." I whisper, touching the symbol, my voice heavy with melancholy.

I remember when everything was black and white for me, when I knew exactly who were my allies and who were my enemies. Now, everything blends into shades of gray, and the certainty of before is lost like sands in the desert.

As I walk, I notice the ravine suddenly opens up, revealing a hidden cave. In the center, a fire crackles with several figures sitting silently around it. My heart is pounding in anticipation of what I'm about to do.

"Who's there?" I call out, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside.

A figure stands, their face hidden in shadows, drawing a bow and pointing it in my direction. Slowly and without showing aggression, I remove my hood, stepping forward, the firelight revealing me to everyone.

"Sienna." The voice is familiar, but I still don't recognize it.

The tension is palpable, but I recognize some of them. The Albain twins, always inseparable, now stare at me with a mixture of surprise and distrust. Trifa, with her piercing gaze, and Yuma, still with his bow aimed at me.

I step forward, hands raised in peace. My smile is weak, but sincere.

"I know my presence here is unexpected." My voice echoes through the cave, firm but filled with regret. "And I know my past actions brought us to this point."

Yuma's eyes narrow, the bow still firm in his hands.

"What are you doing here?" Trifa's voice cuts through the air, direct and without hesitation.

Taking a deep breath and looking at each of them, I start talking:

"I came because I need to talk to you. I need to apologize." I pause, letting the words settle. "If it weren't for my incompetence as a leader, your situation wouldn't be so dire."

The Albain twins exchange a glance, a silent communication only they understand. Trifa crosses her arms, her expression unreadable. Yuma finally lowers the bow but maintains a defensive posture.

Fennec stands up, his eyes glowing with an intensity I know all too well. He has always been passionate, always the first to defend our cause with tooth and nail.

"We understand, Sienna." His voice echoes through the cave, filled with conviction. "This human, Jaune Arc, is a sly demon in man skin. He bewitched Menagerie with his lies, but now that you've seen the truth, we can work together. We can dethrone Ghira and save our brothers from a terrible future."

Fennec's words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My eyes well up with tears, a deep pain of guilt twisting my heart.

"You... you all think this way?" My voice trembles, laden with emotion.

Fennec's eyes soften, and he nods slowly. I look around, finding the gazes of others who agree with what has been said. Every Faunus who agrees is an extra weight on my soul, a pain I intend to carry for the rest of my life.

With the cover my brown hood gives to my body, I pull out the strange communication device I 'borrowed' from Ghira. My fingers tremble slightly as I press the button, my voice firm, but laced with determination.

"Let's start Operation 'Clean House.'"

The ground trembles beneath my feet, a quake that starts gently but quickly intensifies. The Faunus around me exchange worried glances, but before they can react, stones begin falling from the ceiling.

CRASH! BANG! THUD!

Sound of impact is deafening, echoing through the cave like thunder. I watch as some Faunus, those I don't recognize, are crushed, some dying on the spot.

"What's happening?" Trifa's voice cuts through the chaos, but I don't have time to respond.

A massive hole forms above us. A large drill descends, spinning with relentless force, tearing through the rock. Dust and debris fill the air, making it hard to see, but I know what's coming.

Four figures emerge from the hole, descending with mechanical precision. They are the 'Arc Raiders', the robots under my control.

I argued with Arc about possible dangers in the desert, and he gave me these four, not knowing that I intended to purge Menagerie of the last extremist members of the White Fang.

"TRAITOR!" Screams one of the Faunus before being impaled by a giant drill.

'Despite Arc seeming like an incompetent fool, he created four perfect machines for desert combat.'

The red robot with drills for hands and head is called 'Drill Man.' Perfect for demolition. Its ability to drill into the ground allows it to open tunnels and create underground ambushes. In the desert, it digs hidden passages for surprise attacks and destroys rock formations to cause sand slides against the enemy.

"Stay still!" Exclaims Trifa, trying to hit the web with a yellow robot teleporting around her. "Argh!" She groans as the robot shoots fire into her back.

The robot that resembles a king from a distant land is Pharaoh Man. Designed to withstand the scorching heat and fight in ancient ruins, it excels in close combat and at range with its Pharaoh Shot, an energy sphere that can be charged for massive impact. Its heat resistance, speed, and teleportation ability make it a nightmare for enemies trying to maneuver through difficult terrain.

I see a group of Faunus trying to run towards the exit, desperate to escape the chaos. But a tornado appears out of nowhere, lifting them off the ground with unrelenting force. They spin in the air, screams of panic echoing through the cave.

The strange phenomenon was created by the robot with a red face and pointed nose called Tengu Man. In the desert, sandstorms can be lethal, and Tengu Man controls this element. With his wind manipulation abilities, he can create tornadoes to blind enemies, raise storms to conceal ally movements, and even glide above rough terrain, becoming nearly untouchable in combat.

TUMP! BOOM!

A projectile flies through the air, hitting the opening of the cave squarely. The impact makes massive rocks collapse, sealing the entrance with a thunderous roar that shakes the ground.

The culprit behind the shot is a strange two-headed robot with a large cannon instead of its right arm, its name is Search Man. With two brains operating simultaneously, it is an unrelenting strategist who uses its tracking skills to locate enemies even in the most intense sandstorms. Its Homing Sniper ensures that moving targets don't escape its aim.

I watch the scene with a mixture of satisfaction and sadness. The element of surprise was crucial, catching them off guard and without a chance to react, and the Arc Raiders, with their mechanical precision and incredible powers, quickly eliminated several enemies.

Now, only the Albain twins, Trifa, and Yuma remain.

"Traitor!" Fennec screams, his voice filled with hatred and contempt. His eyes shine with an intensity I've seen before, but never directed at me. "Human whore!"

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words like a physical blow.

"I know this is my fault." My voice comes out firm but laced with regret. "I don't want to do this, but it's necessary for Faunaria."

I let my hood fall to the ground, revealing my face completely. The cold wind of the cave touches my skin, but I feel nothing but the cold determination that drives me. I pull out my metallic whip, the sound of the metal slicing through the air echoing through the cave like a deadly whisper.

"Arc Raiders!" I exclaim, getting the robots' attention for my next command.

[Image]
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"Kill them all." I finish speaking, joining in the massacre.

[James Ironwood]

{Clover Ebi is here, General.} The feminine voice warns through the communicator.

"Thanks for the heads-up, have him come in." I respond while reviewing some documents on my desk.

Clover enters, his uniform impeccable and formal stance saluting.

"General Ironwood, sir!" He says without looking directly into my eyes.

I give a tired smile before releasing him from the formalities.

"Relax, Clover."

He relaxes, and a friendly smile spreads across his face.

"Thank you." He says, approaching to sit in front of me. "If I may speak frankly, General, I've been missing the member who was stolen from my team."

"I don't regret anything, Clover," I inform him in a playful tone. "Captain Marrow Amin brought exceptional results in his diplomatic mission to Faunaria."

"Faunaria?" The specialist questions.

"Exactly, Clover. Faunaria, the Faunus nation that has become a valuable ally. We are officially recognizing the nation and establishing trade treaties and agreements that will bring many resources and prosperity to both kingdoms."

Clover raises an eyebrow, curious.

"And Marrow was involved in this?" Clover asks, disbelieving. "The same Marrow who loses focus every time he sees a medium-rare steak?"

I nod, a subtle smile forming at the corners of my mouth.

"Not just involved, but he represented the army and the nation of Atlas as a whole."

Clover lets out a low whistle, impressed.

"That's unbelievable. And these treaties, what exactly are we negotiating?"

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table.

"We're talking about agreements ranging from the trade of natural resources to advanced technology. Faunaria has access to materials that are running out in Atlas, and we have the technology they need to develop even further. It's a partnership that benefits both sides."

He crosses his arms, thoughtful.

"General, I don't want to sound racist, but from what I understand, Menagerie Island was just a desert infested with Grimms, with a small town that seemed more like a large refugee camp for Faunus."

I frown, sighing tiredly, but keep my voice calm.

"You'd have been right a few months ago, but Faunaria is no longer just a camp. With the help of the young genius Jaune Arc, they are transforming the island into a prosperous nation." The name seems to bring more questions than answers to Clover, but instead of responding, I continue the subject. "They have solid infrastructure, roads, hospitals, schools, large-scale agricultural production, robust defenses, and a population determined to work. It's no longer a place of despair, but of hope and opportunity."

Clover nods, but still seems skeptical.

"And how exactly did Jaune Arc manage to do that?"

I smile, bringing up holograms of the inventions Jaune Arc licensed to Atlas.

"The inventive mind behind all of this is Jaune Arc, from White Knight Incorporated," I explain, pointing to the holograms.

His eyes widened, surprised.

"White Knight Incorporated? The same company that got those million contracts with the Atlas army?"

I smile, confirming with a nod.

"Exactly. Jaune Arc is the brain behind all these revolutionary inventions. He seems to have a unique ability to create innovative solutions."

Clover whistles, impressed.

"This is... unbelievable!" Clover exclaims. "And he managed to turn Menagerie into a prosperous nation in such a short time?"

Smiling at Clover's reaction, I nod my head.

"This changes everything. And to think it all started with a young genius and his inventions."

I smile, satisfied with Clover's reaction.

"Yes, Jaune Arc is an extraordinary figure. And with White Knight Incorporated on our side, the future of Atlas and Faunaria looks brighter than ever."

[Amber Stone]

I sit at the table, with a plate of fruit and fresh bread in front of me. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, but my appetite disappears under Ilia's piercing gaze. She's leaning against the wall, arms crossed, chameleon marks pulsating in shades of red and orange. Her silence is sharper than any words.

"Are you just going to stare at me all day?" I ask, trying to keep my voice light.

"Until you explain what this means," she replies, pointing at me.

Confused, I look down, not understanding.

"Seriously, what's going on?" I ask, trying to understand her irritation.

She scoffs, her green eyes glowing with frustration.

"As soon as we entered the Black Bird, you pressed a button on your watch. Changing your appearance from a redhead with fair skin to a brunette."

As I realized the cause of her irritation I let out a mischievous laugh.

"Ah, Ilia… you don't like women with dark hair?" I ask teasingly.

Furious, the redheaded Faunus responds.

"Are you messing with me, bitch? I love brunettes-!" She cuts herself off as soon as she realizes what slipped out of her mouth. "That's not the point!" She exclaims, stamping her foot on the ground.

My laughter dies quickly when I see the seriousness in her eyes.

'I need to explain, she deserves to know,' I think, staring at the girl.

"There are people… powerful people looking for me. I don't want those people coming to Menagerie," I explain, trying not to give away too much information. "That's why the disguise."

She stares at me, her chameleon marks pulsing in softer tones now. She sees the sincerity in my eyes and, slowly, calms down.

"I think I get it," she mutters, looking away.

"I didn't want to worry you," I continued, my voice soft. "But I wanted to protect myself and Menagerie from those individuals."

She blinks, surprised. Then, with a sigh, she pulls out a chair and sits down at the table with me.

"Thanks…" she says quietly. "For being honest."

"No problem," I respond, finally beginning to eat.

We continue eating in silence for a few minutes until Ilia asks one more thing.

"Does Arc have a thing for redheads?"

PUFF!

I spit out in surprise at the question.

"Where did that come from?" I ask, shocked.

"Well, there's Audra, you with your disguise, and me…" Ilia responds, counting on her fingers. "I've only known the guy for a little while, but it could just be a coincidence."

"Yeah,but just three isn't enough to-." I cut myself off as I realize something. "Although, there's Pyrrha."

"Another redhead?" Ilia asks, her eyes widening. "That's not a preference anymore, it's a fetish."

"Hmmm," I grunt sadly, pushing my plate away now that I've lost my appetite again.


E ai gurizada,


I've read MANY complaints that the time in Menagerie was too long and not many people's favorite part. But I promise I had a good reason for writing it, and when it's time to reap the fruits of what I planted there I'll announce it.
 
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