Chapter-27

"Where have you two been?" Ruby demanded.

Jaune shared a look with Weiss. He was trying his best to forget how her face looked twisted in rapture. An impossible task but he needed to focus and thinking about that led to anything but. Clearly something had happened while they were gone, something more than the arrest of Jacques Schnee. The mood in the dining room was low and the annoyance on Ruby's face was genuine.

"Weiss was just showing me around," he said, hoping Ruby would buy it. It wasn't a lie, per se. Weiss had shown him around her home before showing him around her beautiful tight body. Because they'd been so distracted, they had missed more than a dozen messages and calls. "Did something happen?"

Blake's face was grim, eyes dark. "The heating has been turned off in Mantle."

"What?" Weiss exclaimed. "How is that--" she paused, frowning. "The Schnee Dust Company controls the heating grid. Did my father do this?"

Her voice was tinged with disbelief, even after everything. Even now, Jacques Schnee found ways to surprise and disappoint his daughter.

"That video you sent us," Yang held up her scroll. "The council knew who he was – Arthur Watts. Apparently he is meant to be dead; big surprise there, right? Just like that psycho Tyrian. General Ironwood thinks he is behind it. Probably got his hands on your father's credentials."

"I'd say that's why he helped your father in the first place," Ren added. "All so he could get into the system. It had a higher security clearance than what they have in Mantle proper. He needed a backdoor."

This was bad. Mantle just didn't seem to be able to catch a break. When finally things seemed to be going well, something worse came along to ruin it. Even with the heating provided by the vast kingdom wide network, Mantle could still reach freezing temperatures. Without it? The people would suffer tremendously. The turmoil they had tried so hard to counter would ignite anew.

The Grimm would have a field day. It was the same strategy over and over again. Cause strife, attract the Grimm. It had worked so well in Vale, so why change it? Salem and her people were unoriginal but effective. While they were forced to defend the kingdom, they would strike. How they would strike remained to be seen.

"So what are we going to do?" Jaune asked.

"Uncle Qrow is heading down to Mantle as we speak," Ruby revealed. "The transports will be bringing our weapons and a change of clothes here. Oscar... will be meeting with Ironwood, back at the Academy. We think it is time he knew the truth – the whole truth."

That was a big step. This was either the worst idea they'd ever had or the best, only time would tell. Jaune only hoped that the General took the news better than he had.

"Robyn Hill and her people are scouring Mantle, looking for Watts," Blake shrugged. "But the unrest has already started and the Grimm are approaching. It'll be like finding a needle in a haystack."

"If anyone can find him down there, though, it's them," Yang reasoned. "It's their turf."

When they moved to the entrance hall, it was mostly empty. The guests had been shown out already, the party over. Jacques was in handcuffs, the man slumped over as he was escorted out. Willow Schnee looked on impassively, not a single emotion present on her face. There was no happiness, there was no sadness.

Weiss was much the same, watching her father with that same blank expression etched on her face. Ruby grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I'm sorry," the younger girl said, voice tinged with sorrow. Weiss shook her head, resigned.

"I don't know why I'm still surprised by how low he is willing to stoop, even after all this time," Weiss glanced at her mother and they shared a look, one unknown to the rest of them. "You would think I'd be used to it by now."

Blake moved to her other side, grabbing her other hand and lacing their fingers, her cat ears pressed against the top of her head.. "He is your father." 

Weiss scoffed. "He hasn't been a father in a very long time. Ever, really."

Of the four of them, Yang looked the most upset, walking up behind Weiss and embracing her firmly, arms around her waist. Jaune wondered if she saw a little of herself in Weiss. Raven and Jacques were quite a pair, weren't they?

"This sucks," Nora muttered, glaring at the patriarch of the Schnee family.

"Yeah," Jaune said. "Yeah, this sucks."

It really did. 

Their transports arrived in short order.

They got changed where they could; hidden in alcoves or behind hedges. Jaune glimpsed the perfection of Weiss' porcelain skin as she slipped off her dress, not completely hidden by the bush she was using as a shield. The red marks he had left on her flesh stood out starkly and he knew she was doing this on purpose, had chosen that spot for a reason where no one else but he could see. She glanced at him over her shoulder and gave him a soft look, one full of warmth that he returned. What he wouldn't give to grab that wonderful little butt and squeeze, make her forget all the horrible things that had transpired but duty called. That would have to wait.

There were people that needed saving.

They piled into the airship where the Ace-Ops were already waiting. Jaune took his place near the front, clutching the hilt of Crocea Mors in both hands. The seriousness of the situation settled over him, his mind clearing. Nora settled in next to him, placing a hand on his thigh and giving it a pat. He nodded to her.

That powerful feeling he always got after sex filled his body with energy. He felt like he could slay a thousand Grimm on his own and he embraced it, taking a deep breath. As the airship rose into the sky, he went over the layout of Mantle as he knew it. The kingdom had shelters and bunkers for the people, places where they could retreat to if things got really bad. Those areas needed to be kept clear, the roads and streets safe so if the worst should happen, the civilians could move freely.

Nothing else mattered.

"We've got incoming!" Harriet called out in warning. They heard the inhuman screech before they saw its origin, the huge Teryx flying at them without fear. Harriet banked sharply, attempting to maneuver away. The massive Grimm missed them by inches, howling in rage as it no doubt turned to follow.

"Another one," she yelled out. "Hold on!"

Jaune felt his stomach swoop violently as they dived, the ship spinning rapidly to shake off any attempt at latching on. No such luck, the transport rattling as it sunk its huge sharp claws through the hull. Yang flinched as the metal next to her head was pierced, white bone gleaming as the Grimm held on. No matter how hard Harriet jerked the controls, the creature wasn't budging.

"I can't shake it," the woman swore angrily as their ship groaned in protest. The Teryx was attempting to peel open the side wall like a tin can, the reinforced steel plating giving way to its superior strength.

"Okay, you lot," Clover stood, voice filled with command. "Here is the plan. The civilians need to be protected at all costs. We will split up into groups of two and move street by street, clearing the way. Rose, Schnee – I want you on the rooftops. Take out any fliers you see. Valkyrie, Ren. Xiao Long, Belladonna. Arc – you are with Harriet. Stick together and watch each other's backs, clear the streets and secure the bunkers. Marrow, you're with me. Vine, Elm – I want you two to make your way to the breach in the wall and do what you can to stem the tide."

They all nodded as the second Grimm crashed into them, the ship shuddering. One of their wings groaned in protest, the engine exploding in a ball of fire. Alarms blared through the cabin, red emergency lights flashing wildly.

"Those are your orders," Clover said, slamming his fist into the emergency release button. The side door was jettisoned with a bang, slamming into the face of one of the Grimm. It screamed in pain, "Go get them!"

Yang was first through the door, Ember Celia blasting as she took potshots at the already dazed Grimm. It shrieked and let go, tumbling through the sky as it attempted to reorient itself. Ruby was next, exploding in a cascade of rose petals as Crescent Rose flashed dangerously. One of its wings detached in a spray of dark blood, leaving it without the ability to fly. Weiss, Nora, Ren and Blake followed, then Clover, Marrow, Elm and Vine. Jaune was left with Harriet, waiting for the last possible moment before jumping with his temporary team mate.

The air rushed by him viciously as he entered free fall, the kingdom of Mantle sprawled out beneath them. Harriet had aimed the crashing transport as well as she could, the ship crashing down in a deserted park. The playground was crushed as the dust engine exploded, shattering windows in nearby apartment complexes.

Jaune deployed his shield and activated the gravity dust inside, the force halting his momentum moments before the ground. He staggered on the frost laden street, looking up wildly in search of Harriet. She landed like a bolt of lightning, arcs lancing off her in every direction as she knelt, her lips quirked in a cocky smirk.

Their scrolls dinged, relaying the relevant information. Then they were off, sprinting down the street. They followed the screams, Harriet activating her semblance. She rounded a corner in a blur and Jaune followed several seconds later, pumping his legs furiously. He made it just in time to see Harriet plow into a massive Manticore, her fist smashing into its jaw with a resounding crunch. It reeled in pain, roaring in defiance as it staggered. Jaune propelled himself forward with more gravity dust, launching through the air with a yell. Crocea Mors slipped under its mane of white bone spikes and cleaved through its throat, blood spraying out across the ground. It crashed to the road, thrashing weakly before settling, red eyes dim.

"You need to get to the shelters," Harriet commanded, hurrying over to a cowering family; a husband and wife, along with their three children. "It isn't safe here."

Fortunately, they were close to the nearest gathering point. Two blocks to the east. Unfortunately, the way was crawling with Grimm. Before Harriet could tell him, he was off, charging down the street. Beowolves swarmed around him eagerly, howling in delight only to be silenced with precise, even slashes. He was moving unlike ever before, with a grace that he had never once felt he owned. His arm was a blur of movement, his footwork without question as Grimm after Grimm fell before his onslaught. They attacked from all sides, crawling down the sides of buildings, emerging from alleyways, yet no matter how many tried to take him down, he was more than a match for them.

Grimm fell, cut to ribbons. Grimm fell, engulfed in flame upon his shield. Grimm fell, encased in blocks of ice. He moved with a single purpose, cleaving flesh and bone like butter. Crocea Mors feasted hungrily. Each swing sung through the air, sharp and deadly until all that stood lay dead in the street, turning to ash.

Harriet appeared in a flash, giving him a curious look. "Impressive. I didn't know you could fight like that."

Jaune stared around at the carnage, a little surprised. He had gotten a lot better, he knew. Good enough to stand toe to toe with Harriet herself, if only in training. He was no longer the liability he had once been. But this was something different. This was more than he believed himself capable of, yet the proof lay before them.

He had just moved. He had moved and they had died. He hadn't even had to think. He felt as light as a feather, brimming with energy. Not the restless, dangerous kind – he was in total control, mind clear, a clarity he only ever felt after laying with a woman.

Did this have something to do with his semblance? Or was it something else?

"We've got more incoming so look sharp, rookie," Harriet clanged her fists together, Fast Knuckle's sparking. "We aren't done yet!"

Her eyes ignited with lightning and she was off, blazing a path down the street. Her fists slammed into the Grimm like meteors, rupturing flesh and shattering bones. Jaune watched as she pummeled them into submission, moving so quickly that he could barely keep up. He chased after her, finishing off any stragglers in her wake.

"Follow me," he called to the family. More people were exiting the buildings, cold and scared. "Everyone! Follow at a distance. If any Grimm appear, let us know!"

It took longer than it should have to travel two blocks but the streets were laden with Grimm. Thankfully, they hadn't breached more than a few buildings but those they did, it was a massacre inside. Jaune forced down the bile when he saw the shredded remains of several people that had died trying to protect each other. From the looks of it, they had killed the creature that had attacked them but it taken all of their lives to do it.

"This is bad," Harriet said after punching her hand through the chest of a Sabyr. It writhed weakly before collapsing to the ground, very much dead. "The closer we get, the more Grimm there are."

Jaune's scroll rang, the sound startling the pair of them. He answered at once.

"Jaune!" Fiona said, her tone urgent. "Thank goodness!"

"Fiona? What is it? What is going on?"

"We've found him," she hurriedly explained. "The man who turned off the heating, we found him! Robyn and May are engaging him, but he has help! Several of the Atlas droids are helping him – can you provide back up?"

"Where are you right now," he demanded. He swore when she supplied their location. "I'm on the other side of the city. We are escorting people to one of the bunkers. I'll alert the others, someone might be closer."

"Right," she said, the screen shaking violently as she grunted. "Gotta go! Stay safe!"

The screen went dark.

"So, they found the bastard," Harriet grinned darkly. "They aren't so bad after all, are they? I hope they take his fucking head off."

There was a loud, trumpeting bellow that sent a shiver of fear shooting down their spines. They turned as one as a massive Alpha Megoliath stormed through a nearby building, brick and mortar showering the street, glass shattering in a glittering rain. It was twice the size of the ones they had faced out on the snowy plains, when they had collapsed the cliffs to keep them away from the city. Twice the size and twice as mean, for when it locked them in its sights, it charged without hesitation.

"Move!" Harriet screamed, exploding into motion. It may have been big but it moved faster than it had any right to, barreling down on him. The civilians behind him screamed in terror and scrambled and with horror, he realized he couldn't let it pass. They would be killed.

He slammed his sword into the sheath and deployed the shield, activating the hard light dust within. The twin moons lit up with a light blue hue, the dust extending out the sides like wings, spreading the size of his shield. Planting his feet, he called upon his aura and semblance, the power of his soul erupting across his skin in a blaze. The last thing he heard before impact was the trumpeting call it unleashed, malice burning in its crimson eyes.

When its tusk slammed into his shield, there was a moment of realization that this was a really stupid idea. Before he could dwell on that, it was much too late to do anything about it. There was a toll of a bell, so loud that it robbed Jaune of thought. Bright white light flashed across his vision, his body quaking as he absorbed the impact directly through his arm. There was a scream and suddenly he was airborne, tossed aside like a rag doll. He spun wildly before slamming into a parked vehicle, the car rocking as it flipped over onto its side. Steel crumpled around him, a cocoon cradling his form as he gasped for air, winded. His aura flickered and shattered, showering the area in motes of light.

He wasn't dead. Dead people didn't feel such pain. Everything burned viciously, muscles screaming across his chest and shoulders. It felt like little shards of glass were flowing through his veins, shredding everything they passed. The screaming continued but he realized it wasn't his own. He didn't have any air in his lungs to scream with.

People were scrambling over the car, trying to pull him free of the wreckage. The civilians he had protected, inspired into action by his heroic act. Jaune groaned as they lifted him free and he staggered when his boots touched the concrete sidewalk, knees shaking with soul deep fatigue.

The screaming continued.

Vision blurry, Jaune sought out what was making such a sound and stared in shock as he saw the Alpha Megoliath. It was on its back, the massive creature having been upended. Blood poured from its neck, fragmented shards of bone glistening wetly in the large wound that punctured its flesh from left to right. It was its tusk, he thought stupidly. The tusk that had slammed into his shield was now in its neck.

His semblance had amplified the defense of his aura so much that it had repelled it with such force that not even the ancient, dense bone of the Grimm had stood a chance. The road was cratered where it toppled over and it couldn't regain its footing, its legs kicking wildly.

Suddenly Harriet was by his side, "Hey! Arc – you alive?"

He laughed, a rush of giddiness passing through him. "Never better."

"Holy shit," she exclaimed. "You moron – what the hell do you think you were doing?"

"Shouldn't you finish it off," Jaune said, ignoring her question. He hadn't been thinking very much at all.

"Nah – she has it covered."

Before he could ask who she was, the answer came in the sight of several swords falling from the heavens. They skewered the Grimm through its exposed underbelly, tearing through it like cannon fire. It howled but could do nothing as it was torn apart, the black blades cleaving it in half.

Penny landed with little grace, her feet cracking the road. She rushed over, her face carrying nothing but concern.

"Jaune," she said, her voice worried. "Are you well?"

He nodded shakily as slowly he stood under his own power. The people that had pulled him out of the wreckage stepped back when he waved them off, testing his shoulder. It hurt tremendously but it didn't feel broken or dislocated. It just felt like it had been stomped on by a giant Grimm.

"I think so," he concentrated, drawing forth what little aura had replenished in the last few minutes. It was enough to kick start his semblance and he groaned in relief as his pool of aura rapidly filled. Amplification was a true blessing at times like this. "Yeah, I'll be good as new in a bit."

Harriet whistled. "Damn – you really are an idiot, aren't ya? Wait till I tell your little friends about what you just did."

"Please, don't," then he turned to Penny. "What's the situation like?"

"Airborne Grimm have been neutralized," she said at once. "Due to the renewed construction of the wall, the breach was small enough that it was quickly contained by a small team of huntsmen. The only Grimm left are the ones that already came through."

"Looks like we have 'em beat," Harriet slapped him on the back. "Rest up, I'll escort this lot the rest of the way. Penny, make sure he doesn't decide to jump in a Wyvern's mouth next."

"Roger," Penny saluted.

He wasn't going to be living this one down any time soon.

"Wait, Penny," he said with sudden realization. "How quickly can you get to the other side of town? Robyn Hill requires back up."

He gave her the coordinates and she was off, her rocket propelled boots launching her into the sky in a streak of green fire. When she was out of sight, Jaune sighed and sat down on the overturned car, using one of the tires as a seat.

The aches and pains quickly faded to dull throbs, though his shoulder twinged every time he moved it. Screens across the city flickered to life and General Ironwood appeared, face stern as he addressed Mantle to the backdrop of dying Grimm. Fleets of transport ships filled the night sky and Jaune watched as they began setting down across the city, picking up any citizen that couldn't make it to the shelters and transporting them to Atlas. The conversation with Oscar must have gone well.

"That's a relief," he sighed.

And then Ironwood told them about Salem, her cursed name passing his lips. Jaune watched with wide eyes as General Ironwood released the biggest secret of all, putting his trust in the people of his kingdom. It was something Ruby had been pushing for and now it was done.

It must have gone really well .

It was now out in the open, no longer a secret. Without Amity, only the people of Mantle and Atlas could hear the General's words but once something like that was revealed, it could not be taken back. It could never be hidden again. Once communications were restored, it would spread across the world in due course. Vale, Mistral, Vacuo and Menagerie; their people would discover the truth for good or ill.

Jaune just hoped that this was the right decision. He may have hated all the lies and secrets, and still held some resentment for Ozpin about what happened with Pyrrha, but he understood why their Headmaster played things close to the chest. Keeping something secret was a form of protection. No one could seek out the Relic's if they didn't even know they existed. No one could hunt down the Maiden's for their powers if everyone thought they were naught but a fairy tale. 

Believing that the Grimm were nothing more than a collection of mindless monsters was easier to process and accept. It was easier to control your fear when confronted with such, than if they knew there was an intelligent being behind it all. A being of incredible power and malice, who wished for nothing more than their destruction. Now that the secret was out, there was no such illusion to hide behind.

There was a brief sound from his left and he looked up, surprised to see someone standing there. It was a young woman with shoulder length black hair and green eyes. Jaune blinked and looked her over, unable to shake the feeling that there was something oddly peculiar about her.

"Ma'am, it isn't safe here," he said, getting to his feet. "Would you like me to deliver you to one of the transports?"

She didn't answer. She just continued to stare at him curiously, head tilted to the side in thought. It was a little like how a cat studies its prey. She was unarmed and rather tiny, yet Jaune felt an unsettling feeling pass over him as he approached her.

"Ma'am?"

She was well dressed in a pair of nice black trousers and a black vest over a white long sleeve blouse. Around her neck was a simple black ribbon, tied into a neat bow. Jaune stopped a few feet away, wary.

That uniform was very familiar. It was what the waiters at the Schnee Manor had been wearing.

She winked at him and her eyes changed color. Instead of green, they were pink and brown. Then she was moving in a flash, her leg striking him in the side. Jaune grunted, raising his arms in time to protect his head. Her other foot glanced off his shield, the small woman landing in a handstand before springing back. Crocea Mors missed her by inches and he watched as her disguise fell away completely, revealing someone he had only ever heard about.

There was no mistaking her, though. Not with those eyes, not with that hair; pink and brown with a hint of white. On her head sat a bowler hat that didn't match the rest of her outfit.

He expected her to press the attack but when she didn't, he lowered his shield slightly.

"Neo, I presume?"

She grinned wickedly at him.