~'I do not own RWBY. It is owned by Rooster Teeth and was created by Monty Oum.'~

~'This wonderful cover image was made by: Viperium Prime from DeviantArt.'~

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has it's limits."

-Albert Einstein

Note: Welcome! Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the prologue of my remade and recreated Jaune Arc: The Tinkerer. It will be much, much better than the previous story. It'll have more action! It'll have more love! It'll have longer chapters! It'll have jokes which are actually clever! It'll have music which fits! Hold onto your butts 'cus here it is, 'Jaune Arc: Augmented'!

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Prologue I

Gazing out the window Jaune directed his gaze to the slowly falling snow.

Soft as a feather, it fell in clumps gathering as it fell so that it transformed from the individual flakes into larger pieces. Some people say that, like people, no two snowflakes are exactly the same. This however is a common misunderstanding. Snowflakes which have been exact replicas of each other have been found before.

But if that is true… Does that mean it is possible for two people to be the exact same?

Is it possible for two people somewhere in this vast, vast universe to be the exact same? From their looks to their brains to the way they think is it possible for people to be the exact same? But, if it was, what would that mean for the soul? If the aura is the reflection of one's soul, and one's soul is the exact same as another person's, would their aura's also be the same?

He was shaken out of his thoughts as the teacher of the small class, Mrs Clancy, raised her head from the downwards position it had taken as she was reading the various forms she had to sign.

"Alright class. Pencils down, turn over your tests and wait for them to be collected."

There were several moans from students who apparently hadn't finished groaned and turned over their papers. There was no point in trying to continue… Mrs Clancy was very strict and wouldn't tolerate any sort of rule breaking in her classroom.

Funny though how they hadn't finished.

Well... Funny to him anyways. He himself found the test easy and finished it within seven minutes of the allotted half hour. But then again, it wasn't surprising to the people in his class considering that they've come to terms with the fact that he's a genius by now.

Maybe it was rude to call it funny that they hadn't finished though. Not everyone can be gifted.

His sheet of paper was taken by the attendant with barely an actual acknowledgment from the stoic teachers assistant. She for some reason really disliked him. Jaune had a few idea's and the one on top was that she was simply mad at him for being himself. For being gifted and smart and not needing to work hard to get math done.

Little did she know he had several tutors at home giving him grade twelve content and subjects. Now that stuff he had to work on. But he was getting better, it was only a matter of time before he got A's in that too.

Realistically, Jaune didn't even have to be in that class right now. But, his parents had insisted that a public school education was an essential part of developing social skills. So, there he was.

It had worked though... Jaune knew very well how to socialise through observation and the few, yet pleasant interactions he had with people here. It was simply that, while he knew how to socialise, Jaune didn't necessarily know what to talk about while doing so since he considered talking about women with massive tits, and games about inhuman amounts of blood flying out of people's ass' stupid unlike most other boys his age.

Who knows though. Maybe his father will very well infect him with his perverted influence one day to the point where all Jaune focuses on all the time is simply women with huge ba-

"If your test has been collected you can leave once the bell rings. Also, please don't just wait at the door like you usually do. It's awfully hard to keep an eye on you when you do that."

Naturally the first thing everyone did was pack up and head to the door. Jaune placed his extra reading into his school provided satchel before heading over to one of the desks closest to the door.

That way he would technically not be waiting by the door, but rather on top of a desk which coincidentally happened to be positioned right beside the door. Damn did he love loopholes.

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

A few minutes after reaching his locker and putting on his coat, Jaune was outside the town school waiting for his ride. Looking at all the smaller children that went to the school with their parents made a little smile grace his face.

It was nice to see so many happy people in one place despite the freezing weather. In one corner of the children's playground there was some sort of snowball fight going on which he made a mental note of so as to not walk into it.

A few minutes later his black sedan pulled up and Jaune got into the front passenger seat putting his satchel under his legs. They pulled away from the school and he put on his seatbelt before thinking about making conversation.

Thankfully, the decision was taken out of his hands as the family chauffeur, Colin, spoke up.

"Did you have a good day at school Master Arc?"

"Yes, I had a mundane yet reasonable day today Colin. How about you? Your wife giving you anymore trouble?" Jaune responded easily. He made sure to always know what was going on in his servants lives.

After all, you wouldn't want someone working for you decide that you're too much of a pompous prick and kill you after all. Apparently that happens more often than not over in the Winchester family home.

"My day was rather pleasant thanks. No, me and my wife are just fine now. Turns out I've simply been playing too many games in my spare time… After a talk and some compromising we've made it work." The large bald man replied.

He was about six foot five, human and barely fit in the, compared to him, tiny car. He was dressed, as all Arc male servants were, in a custom made charcoal suit consisting of a long tailcoat with black lining which covered a black vest on top of a white dress shirt. The bottom part was a pair of simple black dress pants held up with some black suspenders which weren't able to be seen as they were underneath the tailcoat.

Colin has been a loyal servant of the Arc family for nine years now ever since he was a fresh graduate. He was much more than just a chauffeur to Jaune. More than the bodyguard he also acted as of course. Really, Colin was like a large, bald, uncle who happened to be there everyday. Who also happened to be trained in seventeen different kinds of unarmed combat...

Then again all of their guards were trained like that. However very few of them resided in or near the manor itself. The closest base for their guards was about two miles away in the forest so that they could keep as much secret from outsiders as possible. There wasn't any really freaky stuff in there but they were pretty advanced compared to the normal guard... Really they were basically the Arc family army. But they had a slow reaction time depending on how quickly they identify the threat and whether they do at all. Then again it's not like that really matters. Anyone who attacks the Arc's must have either some serious ego problems, or be willing to face an army, and a retired hunter.

"That's good Colin." With a momentary, yet comfortable silence around them Jaune leaned onto his hand and looked out the frontwards window at the countryside. It was absolutely blanketed in snow and it just kept on falling without a care in the world. "So Colin, it's been fairly cold out this year eh? Think the increased amount of snow will cause for extra problems this year?"

Tilting his large bald head for a moment he tilted it back before answering. "I'm not sure Master Arc. It could very well cause several roads to become inaccessible but I'm sure your mother is sorting out the snow ploughs as we speak."

"I assume the same. She always was one for being prepared."

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

A half hour later they turned off the main highway and onto a lesser used road. It was paved and the quality only improved the further it was from the highway. As the car cruised in near silence over the slightly snow covered pavement Jaune took a moment to take a look around the snow covered landscape.

The road was flanked by a whole forest, or maybe it was more accurate to say that the road went through the forest in the first place, which was massive and filled with fir trees, cedar trees and a whole bunch of pine. While all covered in snow, the animal tracks themselves being covered as soon as they were made, the entire forest looked ethereal as every branch was covered in the stark white substance which reflected light in the most beautiful of ways.

Suddenly though the forest came to an end and the Arc Manor came into sight.

This was his home. The place he returned to after every day of school to his tutors and family to talk relax and learn. It was wonderful.

In the middle of a large clearing, surrounded by a large iron fence, was a snow covered hill. The road they were on went along the clearing to the left where it then looped to the front door and back out of the clearing. Within the loop sat a large frozen fountain which had in yellow covered tile within the ice, the Arc family crest.

Sitting just past the loop towards the front door was a large main portion of the building. It was about three stories and perfectly symmetrical as it went out in both directions. It was large, green in colour, though it was mostly covered by now right now, and had windowsills of about a foot on every window.

Getting out of the car Jaune grabbed his satchel and made his way to the large double doors before putting his eye in front of the retinal scanner.

"Jaune Arc. Access Granted."

Swinging open on silent hinges the door handles had turned by themselves and opened revealing the front hall of the home. In the main room was two staircases on both the right and the left of the room curving upwards onto a landing which then lead to the second floor hallways and in extension to the third floor and his room.

Ignoring the stairs and taking a left Jaune made his way to the dining hall. Giving a smile or making a little bit of smalltalk to any maid he passed by on his way Jaune slowly but surely made his way to the dining hall.

Colin had apparently left to do… Whatever it was around the house depending on the day.

As he continued passing through the ornate hallways filled with small tables with flowers or paintings along with the occasional bust of his ancestors he took time to look for any dust which had somehow been missed by the maids.

Noticing nothing out of place Jaune pushed open the seven foot ornate doors which depicted some sort of feasting, and faced the dining hall of Arc Manor.

It was a large room with a high ceiling. In the middle of the room overtop of the large wooden ornate dining table was a splendid chandelier with miniature reflections of light coming off it and reflecting all about the room.

Beyond the table was a large window giving a great view of the surrounding countryside as it filled with more and more snow. Fun fact, it's the only window in the house which was not bullet proof. Meant as a symbol of trust the window was there for symbolism. It was there to show what went on behind the closed doors of the Arc manor and that they were not afraid of anyone who would even think of killing them in their own home. But then again, there was no suitable place to put a sniper that way anyways so, while the thought is nice, the window doesn't actually show vulnerability.

On the left side of the room was a huge set of double doors leading to the largest hallway in the house which would then lead to the atrium and his mother's office but they rarely used those doors. It was easier to use the small ones after all.

To the right of the door was the wall which had two massive paintings of the most revered of Arc ancestors: Gabriel Arc, the said 'angel' who had come down from who knows where in shining white armour during the Great Wars to fight for Vale, and Cobalt Arc, his mother's mother who had turned this family from a family of hunters and fabled heroes into businessmen and women who created and sold goods that made life for everyone better at low prices.

Both of them were equally amazing in his opinion…

In between the two massive paintings was a large stone fireplace which had a relic from the past of the Arcs above it. Sitting above the fireplace was Crocea Mors, The Yellow Death, fabled blade of the Great Wars which slayed men and grimm alike by the thousands. According to the documents the blade is said to be unbreakable under all conditions but held no secrets other than it being a sword.

But even surrounded by all these relics, the oldest thing in the room to Jaune was his father.

'Ooooh, what a burn! Wow, why don't I say these out loud sometimes? Hmmm. Nobody really likes my lame jokes all that much. How about puns though? Puns are clever and can oftentimes be quite humorous. Huh. What a good idea. I guess puns are my new passion… Fancy that.'

Looking up from his newspaper Jaune's father reached up and pulled off his glasses leaving them to hang on the string around his neck. "Hello Jaune. How was school?":

Giving one of, as he dubs, his 'Arc Charm' smiles his dad reached up and ruffled his already scraggly hair.

"It was pretty good. We had a test today. It's disappointing that they expect me to still do those but whatever, you know?"

"I'm not sure if that grammar made sense but I think so?"

Jaune watched as his father got up and moved to the tray in the middle of the table and held up the silver teapot.

"Would you like a cup?"

"Yeah, thanks."

He took in his father's current fashion style as he poured his cup of tea.

Currently his father was wearing a white woolen sweater likely chosen out for him by his mother along with some (Thank Oum!) not skinny jeans and some thick black socks which would likely keep his dad warm despite the cold weather outside.

Everyone, meet Jaune's dad. Jaune's dad, meet everyone.

Nicholas Arc, the retired hunter turned millionaire was handsome. Really, if you showed most people a picture they would think he was photoshopped.

He was tan, tall and lean, walked around with a grace dancers would envy, and held absolutely explosive power within those barely fifty year old bones. He had a purposefully unshaven beard which made him look rugged enough to be considered 'wild' but tame enough to be considered 'businessman forgot to shave before work this morning' along with some deep blue eyes which you could get lost in if you were some sort of strange eye diver type thing.

"Here you go!"

Handing Jaune his cup of tea he took a sip thanking the warmth. Even though he was fully clothed and it was not at all near the coldest winter they'd endured in the countryside of Vale, the warmth was still welcome and always served to remind him that he was safe in his home.

"Thanks. So, how was your day today Dad?"

His father tilted his head and looked upwards for a second. "Pretty good. Our stocks went up so that's good… Your mother isn't mad at me so that's good- Wait. Did I just say your mother isn't mad at me? Oh my Oum this isn't good… This is wonderful! I've done it! I've won at life!"

"What do you mean Dad?"

"Well son… Listen to me real close."

Jaune pulled up a chair and sat beside his dad on this very long dining table which thankfully had no stupid arrangements on top of it. Raising his finger in the air as if he was about to point some obscure fact that no one else in the room would've known about until that point.

"Back when I myself was a boy, you-"

"Wow! That was a long time ago! Your memory must be great!" This was what Jaune was talking about! Finally he could use his humor! He knew his dad wouldn't really mind so he could finally unleash his inner, witty and jokester self which was forever hidden at school because people simply chose not to listen.

"Son. Stop interrupting." Taking a moment to collect himself after his son's rude interruption which he reserved the stink eye for he then continued. "Back when I was but a boy, your grandfather sat me down and looked me in the eye serious as can be and he said, 'Son… There will come a day when you become horribly perverted and have access to a lot of money. Just remember, that no matter how much money you have, your wife will never be happy with you. Which is why our goal as Arcs, the oath we all must make to our own sons is to make at least one woman in our life happy… Because a happy wife is a happy life.'."

Ending with that still totally serious face Jaune couldn't help but laugh at his father's lame story and impression of his grandfather. How is this the man who was supposedly one of the best businessmen in the world?

"That's kind of weird for him to say isn't it?"

"No… Sadly that is completely true and a fact of life! The day we make a woman truly happy… Is the day the world ends! But really son. Always remember this: Keep your women happy, your trigger finger not, and always use protection!"

Sighing and clunking his head against the tough wooden table for emphasis, Jaune made sure that his groan afterwards was hearable. Sometimes though he wasn't sure if things like that were a joke or not…

"Okay then… Well Dad, you have any idea when everyone else gets home?" Jaune asked not really curious but it was always best to know what was going on… Besides, knowing where his sisters were wasn't such a bad thing really.

"I am pretty sure that Amber is out with her 'boyfriend'," His dad made sure to growl a second after speaking about his twins so called 'boyfriend'.

To be fair, Jaune didn't like him all that much either. Heir to the Winchester family, arrogant, dumb, that was just the beginning of the list. But even then it did slightly baffle him how for some people at the age of fucking (Pardon his french!) thirteen would be more interested in dating than politics and the internal workings of the economic machine…

What was there not to like about economics?

His Dad continued oblivious to the internal monologuing going on within his son. "As I'm sure you know, Violet, Amethyst and Lavender are still at Beacon… Only a year until they're back though so don't be too glum alright Jaune?"

Face palming at the lame 'You must actually care about your sister's being away from you joke' he watched as his father continued.

"Opal, Azure and Marine meanwhile are all still at that retreat that their school was having… You know the one where they go out into the wilderness for no good reason during snow season to rough it out?"

Jaune laughed. They must be loving that! All jokes aside Marine would be for sure, she does love nature so taking a retreat from all the annoying technology and homework must be nice. Azure is probably hating it though… She was the kind who was more into sitting in front of a computer coming up with a new cure to cancer or something. Opal was likely pranking literally everyone there until they decide to jump off cliffs to get away… Thank Oum there was snow at the bottom of that cliff last year otherwise Mr Sorbet wouldn't have made it!

"Well, nice talking to you Dad. What time's dinner?" Deciding that he has made enough chit chat already. While talking to his dad was indeed enjoyable and informative there was reading he could be doing.

"Dinner is~" Looking down at his Schn-olex instead of the massive grandfather clock in the corner of the room his dad took a second to find the time on the complicated top of it before giving up and looking at the grandfather clock. "~Seven is a good time. Your mother should be back and we can eat together yeah?"

"Yup sound fine. See you!"

With a wave he turned on his heel and headed back to his bedroom.

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Jaune entered his room a few minutes later and was instantly hit with the comforting smell which he had 'oh so carefully' chosen out from an online realtor called 'Lebreeze' which sold all sorts of smells whether it be in spray, candle, or solid freshener form.

This particular smell, was clean linen.

All this good smell just so happened to be stuck in a room the perfect size. At about twenty feet wide and twenty feet long his room was a near perfect square. On one side was the set of ornate double doors which were polished and shiny, while on the wall directly across from the doors, facing into the lands beyond the manor was four large and clear windows without any sort of muntin bars inside them .

To the left of the door was a area made for mainly gaming and relaxing quite obviously as it had some large navy blue bean bag chairs on top of a carpet which was then on top of a dark wooden floor. On the wall in front of the beanbags, so on the wall to the left of the doors, was a large empty space which was often covered in whatever it was Jaune was working on whether it be a projection from a computer or a whole bunch of things pinned to a board.

He also preferred working in that space as there was speakers built into the sides of the walls which would let out any music he wanted. Other than that though the only other thing on that particular wall was his awards.

Jaune took small pride in his various awards and certificates lining the wall of his room. There were all sorts of awards donning the wall. Chess grandmaster from when he was nine, best startup business plan from eleven, his various straight 'A' report cards from private tutors and regular school alike, and many many more which only went to show that intelligence of himself.

But if there was one certificate that Jaune loved best on that wall it was the single one which made him know that anything was possible as long as he quite literally put his mind to it.

His certificate which stated that his IQ was one hundred and eighty. Thereby making him one of the smartest people in the world, thereby making him somebody with the greatest freedom to do what one wants in life and making him someone with potential to do anything he wishes.

It was awesome having that kind of freedom, and knowing you had it without a doubt.

On the right wall was more of a 'sleeping' area. Pressed against the white walls of the room was his king sized bed, covered in dark blue sheets and pillows. To each side of the bed was a small nightstand, one with a small vase of flowers on it and another with a charging port for his scroll. Beyond the bedside tables were two sets of drawers one on each side.

One was for pants, one for shirts. Any other way and things would just not do.

Finally settling down on one of his large bean bags, he spent a few minutes browsing through the news on his scroll. Seeing that the latest weather reports had predicted at least two feet of snow overnight he thought of sending his sisters a futile sympathy message but decided not to since he would be safe and warm and, while sympathising, wouldn't want to feel any empathy for them as they sat there in the cold.

Which sounded much meaner than it actually was.

Finishing checking the news Jaune put his scroll onto the charger and grabbed out his book. It was actually quite interesting. It was all about heroes and everything that they were and weren't while at the same time keeping one thing very real throughout the entire thing.

That heroes, more often than not, die.

There was a huge list of hunters and huntresses who have died in the line of duty, or who have sacrificed entire towns or themselves just so that someone else could live. Hunters, despite being sung about in all sorts of ballads telling of glory and epic battles for the ages that would be remembered forever, often never were remembered.

The sheer amount of hunters who have died in the line of duty, or out in the wilderness fighting a group of grimm to save a town that didn't even know they were in danger was hallowing. It made him realize how dangerous a career his older sisters were truly going into.

But there was so much more than that.

The book went over courage and bravery. Most people when asked 'What is bravery?' or 'What is courage?' say that bravery is 'The ability to face all odds, able to face hardship or pain and hardship without giving in to fear.' while people say that courage is 'Strength enabling one to persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty firmly and resolutely.'.

Neither of those definitions are quite correct.

The book labels bravery as something quite interesting. There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity after all, a line so thin that you don't know you've crossed it until you're dead. Bravery could be running into a field of arrows to save someone, unafraid of the harm that might come to you where others might be. While stupidity could be running into a field of arrows to save someone who simply can't be saved.

Courage, is having the resolve, the resolution, to do something without having fear or reservations. Courage is something that is consciously deliberated, unlike bravery which is often impulsive.

But at the same time as all this… Courage could be described as long term bravery, and bravery as short term couragousness.

It truly is quite interesting the stuff that makes heroes. All interchangable, none necessarily needed yet all called qualities of the greatest heroes.

Then there was also what makes the hero…

Whether it be the will to not let what happened to them happen to others, the will to save someone, a simple want to change the world and help people. There were many reasons people became heroes. But there were less noble reasons too for sure. For example with heroism comes recognition and pride, money which can then lead to greed.

Eventually it becomes less about helping the people and more about getting that one extra medal or one extra paycheck in the bank.

Jaune knows that he has choices in life… He is certainly smart enough and gets good grades enough already to go into basically whatever profession he wants. Yet still he remains undecided.

But he knows one thing for sure. He would only ever become a hero if it was to help someone else. Not to get another paycheck or to be noticed. He would simply be a hero for the sake of being a hero of the people.

Simple as that.

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Cinder watched in grim anticipation as one by one the lights went out.

The fire continued to warm her hands despite it not being necessary and a small evil smile, not the one ever used around others, broke out on her face as she realized how truly close she was to accomplishing the first phase.

That first phase, was to assemble prodigies.

An soon to be assassin found in Mistral training under his father, a master pickpocket working for the Vacuoan drug lords, an escaped lab experiment with possible dual semblances, a kid on the path of a revolution without knowing it yet. All were impressive specimens when it came to the diverse powers and abilities this world had to offer.

But then there was him…

According to all sources whether they be that of a private family doctor, a tabloid magazine, more reputable websites, distant family themselves and even the opponents beaten in chess they've all said the same thing about the one boy that showed them all just an inkling of his true potential. That he was a honest to Oum prodigy at anything involving the mind.

She needed to have him.

Would he be as brutal and efficient a killer as the assassin? No. Would he perhaps be as useful as the pickpocket when it came to matters of espionage and backstabbing? No. Would he cause a revolution as great as the one possible by the bull in the china shop named Remnant? No. Did he have as much potential in matters of aura that the heterochromatic girl will have? No.

Yet still she needed him.

For he was a master of the mind. According to all findings about him, his grades were top notch, by now he was likely the best if not one of the best chess players in the world showing good forward planning skills, he a possessor of questions that people can't find the answer to, and he was one of the smartest people alive… Once he is able to use his brain to its fullest he would be either her greatest asset or one of her and her so called master's greatest enemies.

She would break him, bend him to her will and show him that this world is cruel unless he is at her side. Yes… It would be perfect…

Turning her back on the burning oil drum Cinder looked at the mercenaries in their all black combat gear as they armed themselves. They loaded themselves up quickly, the guns being filled with both tranquilizer and non-tranquilizer bullets, all of them having both dull edged blades and ones that would cut you if you looked at them.

As they pulled on their night vision goggles she turned back towards the house turning on her self assured and confident smile which made her enemies fear her and her allies fight all the harder thinking she had some trump card up her metaphorical fire lit up in her eyes as it danced along her fingers.

Yes… He will be hers. And if he through some miracle did not become hers?

Then she will have just killed some very important businessmen, from a very important family, making some of her soon to be very important friends very happy…

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Jaune sighed feeling content with the world in general as he made his way up the stairs to his room. He had just finished a wonderful meal courtesy of the Arc family staff, it was some steak and steak fries as he preferred on a Friday night.

While he was rolling back up to his room still thinking of the conversation he had just had with his mother, Jaune thought he noticed one of the maids moving ever so slightly faster than she normally walked through the halls.

Thinking nothing of it Jaune made his way back up to his floor where he couldn't hear his father training in the basement anymore. While his father was a retired hunter, it didn't hurt to keep in shape especially with that body. Therefore he trains every second night to keep himself limber and prepared in case of any too eager assassins.

Once he was back in his room Jaune shut off the lights and closed his curtains before turning on his projector using his scroll. It was about eight thirty P.M. during which he would normally be doing homework from his private tutors but it was Friday so he got today off. Yay!~

Turning on one of the few guilty pleasures he had Jaune got into his beanbag and began playing 'Civilization XXX' off of his scroll which was connected to his projector.

A few minutes later he was settling down a city right in a choke point specifically to get trade access to both Singapore and Vancouver, while at the same time acquiring access to pearls and crab, while then further annoying the Greeks into denouncing him.

Taking a quick look at the score he could see he was a good two hundred points above the guy below him and he quickly scrolled over to Gandhi's territory to make sure he didn't have any of those surprise units they loved giving to the computer players on max difficulty.

Eventually though it became too simple as Jaune always enjoys the rush of the beginning game and the subtle mid game the best. Turning off the projector and closing it on his scroll Jaune hopped onto his bed in an uncharacteristic fashion before going out like a light as soon as that head hit the pillow, all the while thinking about how this infinitely massive universe is made of things far, far too small to see.

As his eyes closed however, Jaune could've sworn he had smelt something very similar to something burning.

...Tic...Toc...

(Insert Song: He Who Brings the Night by: Two Steps From Hell)

...Tic...Toc...

His eyes shot up as he actually realized what he had just said. Something was burning! Why hadn't the smoke alarm gone off? Why was there no screaming? Why has nobody done anything?

'Candles? No, mother doesn't burn incense or candles anymore. Fireplace? No, ventilation is too good to cause this concentration of smoke…' As those thoughts ran through his mind a small amount of smoke began creeping under his door and slowly wafted upwards towards the ceiling. 'No. Cause doesn't matter right now. What matters is why the alarm hasn't gone off yet.'

Looking at the most possible reason, Jaune saw that on his bedside table, where his scroll's charging indicator was normally turned on, it was now turned off meaning that it wasn't charging. Meaning that it wasn't getting power from the charging port. Meaning! That there was no electricity going to that outlet, and likely no power going to the entire house.

'Wait? Aren't smoke detectors powered by batteries? Oh my Oum we're being attacked! That explains why the maid was walking faster. Likely nervous from having just sabotaged something like that.' Jaune recalled a half hour before using his near photographic memory.

There he saw once again the maid walk by in front of him. Short hair, purple, in a bob cut style, standard uniform, standard face. But clutched in her right hand, the hand which had been away from him, was a sliver of black material which he hadn't quite noticed before… The batteries.

Grabbing his scroll from the port he launched out of bed getting down to the floor where smoke was less common. The most logical thing to do next was to find either his father or get out of the building…. Before that though he'd have to alert everyone. But how? His father likely can't hear or notice the smoke, no signal on his scroll meaning that jammers were probably set up outside.

His mother was likely in her office right now sorting out those snow ploughs… All in all though they were all on the west side of the house, meaning that if it was coming from the east, he should flee west. Hopefully anyone could think that far.

Making his way quickly but carefully towards the door Jaune was about to open the door handle until he heard them. The first gunshots coming out one at a time until there was a deadly cacophony of grim music filling the halls of the Arc family home.

The first screams filled his ears as people begged for their lives.

More and more gunshots filled the air as the servants quarters on the east side of the home was turned into what he assumed was a flaming ball of fire and blood. War and chaos.

Yanking the door open Jaune looked into the smoke filled hallway and was terrified of what he saw to his left.

On his left was the hallway which was filling with smoke as the thick black substance wafted through creeping like a thousand dark hands through the air. Light came from the end of the hallway as more and more gunshots rang out. It was spreading too fast to be natural but he already knew it wasn't.

The wood floor began crackling and the ceiling began to burn too as more and more smoke came pouring out.

Turning to his right Jaune ran. He ran for his life. He ran nearly tripping over himself as he continued going fast as his legs could carry him down the hallway. The stairs were only six feet away but then he heard voices behind him which were heavily distorted.

"There's the kid! Get him!"

Making it to the stairs Jaune ran onto the first set before jumping in a risky maneuver and sliding down the bannister as he's seen his sisters do before in their childhood. Behind him he could hear gunshots before some splinters of wood went flying at him from the holes now in the bannister in front of him.

Rolling off and into the lobby he could hear the guttural screams of the two men and could feel the heat above him rise as more sparks went cascading through the air setting fire to what he could only assume were the curtains and carpet.

Not daring to look back he ran forwards hoping his father would be able to take care of himself.

As he ran in the direction of his mother he could hear more and more screams until they began dying down. Gunshots were common and smoke began to catch up to him in a way which was impossibly fast. Even though he knew for a fact that the fire was unnatural, it was still moving along at an insane rate even taking in what should be an accelerated process.

'One of them must be constantly and either literally or metaphorically stoking the fire…'

As he ran down those hallways towards his mother's office Jaune couldn't help but think of how he'd get out of the situation. It made the most sense to join up with his mother first so that they could escape but that was the golden question wasn't it.

How.

How would they escape what would be a burning hell in what he predicted to be fewer than five minutes? They could try getting out the window but that would lead to likely hypothermia… Even then the windows weren't an option, the ones on the front and back of the building were all bullet proof… He could break through it using a tungsten pen and some extraordinarily stretchy socks but he didn't have any of those…

Damnnit! He would figure it out later!

Rushing around the corridor the gunshots came to an eerie halt. Passing by the priceless paintings the busts and the tables which were meticulously carved in the deserts of Vacuo all Jaune could think was that soon it would all be enveloped in the flames chasing him.

All of it would be turned into nothing but fuel in mere minutes. But he would make damn sure one of those things is not him.

Sparing a moment to look back he processed everything he could see. The fire had consumed the hallway rather than creeping up it, and was stopped at what looked like the ten foot solid stone portion of the floor, though the walls kept on burning at a much slower rate.

But there was his mother's office's door in sight so he was almost to the end zone.

Finally bursting through the door he could see his mother sitting in her chair scrambling under candle light to burn some documents which he could tell were extremely important. "Mum, we've got to go NOW!"

His mother turned to her with her long mane of golden hair shimmering behind her. "Just a moment sweetie, I've got stuff to burn!"

Running up to the desk Jaune grabbed the papers off the desk and snuffed out the candle. Taking his mother's hand and ignoring whatever she said in process he dragged her out the door. Crumpling the papers in one hand he left her by the side hallway which would loop around through the atrium and to the dining hall Jaune ran towards the flames and despite the near blistering heat dropped the crumpled paper ball into the flames.

Returning to his mum, he took a moment to take in her appearance right now in this dim and smoke filled hallway.

Jane Arc stood there dressed in her usual charcoal grey pantsuit and black open-toed three inch heels, her silver eyes were alight with fear, admiration and something he couldn't quite place his finger on. Sorrow perhaps?

Sorrow that her precious home, his home was being destroyed in front of their eyes? Yes… Quite possible indeed.

As they ran down the corridor and through the atrium Jaune looked upwards and through the skylight seeing just a sliver of that broken moon before the clouds covered it once more and the snow continued falling. Seeing that the last of the belladonna lilies was dying off brought him not shock but a sense of conclusion. A sense that as it died, so too would this home of the Arcs.

But he would make sure that this generation of Arcs would not die today.

Taking brief reprieve in the safety of the stone floor and walled atrium he turned to his mother. "Mum, any idea who's doing this?"

"No."

"Any idea of why?"

"No."

"That's fine then. Know of a way out? We should assume the worst and think that they have people positioned on all doors going outwards." He was filling her on on what he's observed so far.

Would it have made sense for him to try the front door when running through the lobby earlier? For a normal person, yes, it would've been a first reaction. But for someone like him who saw every possible outcome and assumed the worst?

It would've simply been a waste of time.

"Jaune. There's a passage out in the dining hall. If we manage to wait long enough for your father to get ou-" He cut her off before she could finish.

"Mum, listen! Dad isn't going to make it out of that basement if he hasn't by now. The fires gotten to the entrance already… We've got to just get to the dining hall and take the passage out and we should just run until our security gets here. The fire's smoke should rise above the forest and into sight of the base in the next twelve minutes…"

"Jaune, if it's between me or yo-"

"Shut up mum." He once again cut her off.

"Excuse me young man?" Jane said not believing what she was hearing. He was always polite and cordial as he made a special point to be around most people. It was extremely telling for him to swear right now.

It was telling her that he was afraid out of his mind right now.

"I said shut up mum! Listen, you're going to be the first priority since it makes sense alright? If you force me I will not go. If you make it out you have access to the accounts, the money, the everything to help more people than I can right now… Besides, if dad is already… Gone… Then that would only leave me to take care of my sisters and three of them haven't started having periods yet and I already can barely live with them. So please mum, don't argue with me!"

"F-fine but swear to me right now that you won't die!" Pointing into his chest and wasting valuable time she made him swear. It would keep him safe in her mind as he knew… After all, an Arc never broke their word written or otherwise and he would be no exception.

"I promise Mom… On my family's name and on the grave of my sisters."

Ruffling his hair as tears began trailing down her face she then pulled him close holding his body close to her. He hugged her back knowing that it was all just for comfort, but comfort was never a bad thing.

But like all good things, it had to come to an end.

"Mum, I really hate to break up this mother-son bonding we've got going on right now but we've kind of got to go."

"Right… Just give me a second." Pulling herself away from him with some noticeable reluctance his mother took a minute to wipe her face with the back of her hand before sniffling and mumbling. "If only the people at work could see me now…"

Taking his mom's hand in his they jogged at a quick pace towards the dining hall as some distant gunshots were heard from behind them. Counting that there were about four guns behind him we went back to the past in his memory and counted about nine or so guns were there in total… Counting whoever was controlling the flames that was ten enemies.

But since they were using automatic guns it was likely that they were nothing more than mercenaries rather than professional hunter hit men which would be much more difficult to deal with.

But if there were only four behind them that meant that there were six somewhere in the house… If he was an enemy he would send them off in pairs of two beside each other with one being a foot ahead walking on a slant so as to have the ally behind him within line of sight… Groups of two, likely sent to each main place in the house… Maybe three would stick with the one causing the fire though.

That would be good yet bad.

Good in the sense that if they ran into the two it would only be two in the immediate area… Also good because that means that there's only two groups going around not counting the one of four behind them… But bad since there was no way they could take down the fire starter without taking out their guard.

Shaking that out of his head he stopped focusing on what could possibly happen and assumed the worst… He began assuming that everything could happen… As was his specialty...

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

A few minutes later they had traversed the rest of the house passing by hallway after hallway and corridor after corridor, none of which would lead to a way out. There was fire lurking in the depths and shadows of the corridors as they continued onwards not with the same speed as the main hallways but still with a rapid pace.

His mother had barely worked up a sweat even in this blistering heat while he was wet as a pig which was… Doing whatever it is that pigs do to get wet?

Finally making it to the end of the hallway they looked at the large doors which would lead into the dining hall. Looking over to his mother he tilted his head before she nodded and placed one hand on the polished and smooth door.

Moving over to the same door Jaune made sure that the latch at the top was undone before they, on the count of three, shoved it forwards and it swung open. Poking a head inside he could see the crackling embers of the fireplace and Crocea Mors shining in the dim light of the dying embers of the fire.

The dining room was quite tranquil despite what was going on outside it. It made him angry.

His mother strode around the table and looked towards the door before making her way to the end of the table. Digging around in some sort of drawer built into the end she pointed at both doors with one hand. "Jaune, sweetie, can you please block the doors? We need to get out of here remember?"

He moved over to the small doors first despite the fact that four soldiers were heard behind them earlier. It made the most sense to him to block the small doors first so that he could 'Murphy's Law' wouldn't totally screw them over because of wrong decision.

As he took chars and put them under the handles he heard his mother close the drawer holding some sort of simple looking dagger which was really nothing more than a large kitchen knife with a ornate handle.

Ignoring what she was doing so that he could focus on his current assigned task he looked down the hallway that they had come from and what he saw there shook him to his core. There standing in front of flames which were right on their heels were four men all in black.

Totally covered in equipment from tactical vests to backpacks and extra shotgun shells strapped in even though they carried fully automatic rifles. Their eyes glowed green with night vision goggles and they turned to him one by one all staring as if they had found their prize.

Adrenaline surged through his veins and he dashed to the side of the wall watching as bullets whizzed past where he had just been standing. Pressing his back against the wall he raised his feet so that they were resting on the door and pushed.

The door swung shut with a heavy, yet easy swing and was closed. Grabbing onto the crossbar he dropped it so that it would cover both sides of the doors and looked around at his mother.

Seemingly unperturbed by the whizzing bullets she was now standing in front the painting of her mother. "Sorry mum."

Stabbing the plain dagger into her deceased mother's face was not something Jaune would have ever considered seeing her do in his lifetime but it would help them get out so he refused to let his shock show.

She ripped the knife down until there was a hole in the painting about the size of a person going from the nose to the adam's apple. As she ripped through and down the painting there was running down the hallway they had come from and he could hear extra shuffling sounding from the small doors of the dining hall.

"Mum. You've got to go. Now." He basically ordered her. Ignoring whatever she had to say next he did one of the strangest things he's ever done in his life.

Walking over to the fireplace he pulled up a chair and grabbed Crocea Mors off of the wall. Feeling the heavy sword handle settle into his right hand almost as if it was made for him he drew the sword with a rasp and held it at his side.

The four foot sword shone dully in the smoldering embers of the fire. Taking the leather strap in the which would be connected to the belt Jaune tugged on it hard and the rest of the scabbard extended outwards into the white kite shield it actually was.

While he had no idea how to fight with it properly he had seen his father's training and general idea of how physics works… Technically his stance was the best for what he was going to be doing. That being hiding behind a shield and praying really.

Well, that and a last ditch escape plan in the event absolutely everything goes to shit.

As the shuffling grew nearer there was shouts of cliche things one would see in an action which were apparently actually said. Things like 'He's in there!' or 'Target acquired!' for instance.

His mother looked down at his actions and more tears began dripping down her face. It was almost enough to make him break and he could feel moisture building up at the thought that this might be the last time he see's here but he just pushed it to the back of his mind. Now was not the time to be stupid.

"Mom. I've got to stay here so that I can cover up the hole you've left and to buy you time. Just remember I love you okay? A-and tell the girls I'm sorry." His voice cracking near the end was a greater show of emotion than what he normally let out. Seems like he was getting more emotional by the minute.

Great.

His mother rushed over one last time and he dropped his arms to his sides letting Crocea Mors scrape the floor and the shield rest.

Placing her head onto his she pulled him into a hug he couldn't reciprocate and kissed his head. Feeling his hair grow somewhat more moist than what it should be getting he looked up into her eyes and pushed her away deciding to make one last witty comment before she left.

"Don't worry mum. A promise is a promise and I don't intend on dying anytime soon. After all, I haven't even gotten a girlfriend yet."

Smiling just a tad at that she pushed her way through the flaps of the painting into what he could only assume was a staircase leading out to the country somewhere. Hearing a pounding on the doors he had blocked off Jaune knew it was only about three minutes until they broke through at the current rate.

Jaune got to work, stacking chairs in an intricate, tetris like way in front of the torn painting. While not much it would block them for a minute at least. Taking the tablecloth off of the table Jaune stood in between the fire place and the pile of chairs.

Strategically it was the best spot.

He had a view of both doors, the window, and the tunnel. He had cover from the table and leftover chairs while at the same time making any attack angle through the smaller doors slightly awkward. Jaune also had access to the embers from the flame and most importantly, the window.

Breathing to calm his nerves Jaune was prepared for the inevitable moment when the doors were blown off their hinges. With the doors falling over and leaning slightly on the table in a awkward manner, smoke came flowing out of the hallway and into the room quickly gathering at the top.

It was a good thing that the room had high ceilings otherwise he was sure breathing would be even more difficult than it was right now.

The four men in black walked through the doorway spreading out to either side of the table two on each. After a moment of them toting their guns at him one of them, the guy they must've nominated as leader on the spot spoke up.

"GET ON THE FUCKING GROUND!" The man shouted in some sort of heavy foreign accent. Native to the… North western region of Atlas? In less than the five seconds it took for him to shout at Jaune he figured out where he came from. Then again a voice tells you much more than what it says after all.

Attempting to stop the impossible to stop eye roll Jaune just lowered the shield an inch feeling slightly more confident. If they had wanted to kill them they would've killed him by now.

"No."

"I SAID GET ON THE FUCKING GROUND!"

"Listen here Mr. 'I've got to compensate for my small penis by shouting loudly!'" At the nickname one of his buddies snickered but was quickly shut up when everyone looked at him. Jaune continued. "I am not going to get on the ground and you are not going to shoot me? Got it?"

"GET ON THE GROUND OR ELSE I SHOOT" Once again 'Mr. Compensate' shouted and Jaune was sure without the mask there would be spittle flying out of his mouth.

"L-listen! L-listen people! Money is good yeah? Money is the reason you do this stuff right? I can only imagine how much you're being paid to take out one of the most important families in the world… Can you imagine that doubled? Tripled? Quadrupled? Here! How about this! You take my deal and side with me right here against your buds, and I'll quadruple your fee and give you all jobs as heads of security!" Jaune started to talk his way out as he wasn't quite confident on how well he could take out four people with guns to his sword and shield.

He was no idiot obviously, he was well aware that money was a motivator behind these people and nearly everyone else on Remnant whether it be to pay for luxury or to get by. These people, they worked so dangerous to make money. Lots of money.

For taking out people like the Arcs they'd get payed a lot. But if he was to quadruple that? They could retire totally fine and if not have a well paying and secure job for the rest of their lives.

They looked at each other. The looking continued for several more seconds. Hearing even more shuffling and some banging from the other side of the smaller doors he looked towards them with a look that burned.

"Make your decision now!"

Mr. Compensate decided to answer for the group. "Who's to say that you won't just use us? We're working for some dan-"

"Yeah I get that! But even in Atlas you must've heard of how Arc's always keep their word! It's common knowledge! You've got mere seconds to decide now and the clocks ticking. Now tell me… Would you like to be rich and on the right side? Or would you like to be working for the wrong side kidnapping a child? Now, choose wisely."

Whatever the next answer was going to be, it was cut off when the smaller doors were, like the larger ones, blown off their hinges.

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Cinder was, to put it very lightly, ticked. To put it in the heaviest way possible, she was fucking pissed off as hell.

She couldn't believe that those pests, those servants would have the sheer audacity to lift a finger against her for a single moment. The imbeciles why couldn't they just stand there and die! Too damn loyal to their masters for their own good. She even had to resort to burning some to a crisp herself which was a drain on her powers which, combined with keeping the house fire away from the mercenaries, was difficult.

Not to mention aura consuming.

But things had gotten even worse when the kid had blocked the damn doors. Things should've gone easily… They go in, the servants don't get in their way, they march up to the kids room and take him just like that leaving the rest of the home to burn down… Instead, the kid got out, found his mother, his father was apparently training today and is now missing in the house, and blocked some doors. In short, that damn genius was being annoying as hell.

She needed him. But if she couldn't have him? Nobody could. If the kid refuses? He won't live to remember her face. She was sure that that part of the plan wouldn't go wrong.

Turning to the three idiotic mercenaries that couldn't do as much as bust through a blocked door she gave a sigh.

"Get out of the way you idiots." They, rather fearfully may she add, hopped to obey her command probably having an idea of what would happen next.

Stepping back about four feet from the double doors she began focusing and shifting her aura into fuel for her semblance and fire appeared in her palm in a small flicker which was deceiving to all but her.

Simply throwing it at the door as one would a pebble it went soaring through the air coming into contact with the wood in less than a second. The door was blown off its hinges and a huge spiral-like scorch mark appeared in the wood as it went deep.

Ignoring the blisteringly hot air coming from in front of her she walked in knowing that her mercenaries wouldn't be able to until she did.

Inside her golden eyes widened. To the left of a large and stupidly ornate dining table was four of her mercenaries pointing their guns at the target. To the right of the stupid table Cinder saw some sort of chair built structure beside a fireplace.

Beside the fireplace she saw him.

Jaune Arc stood there with his family heirloom in hand looking like he had a very, very, basic understanding of how to hold a sword. But, things had already been wrong. He was supposed to be on the ground by now… She had made it clear after she incinerated the idiots from earlier who shot at him that he was to be kept on the ground and captured.

Not standing while holding a weapon.

Tutting to herself as she strutted into the room golden eyes simply burning with anger. Quite literally may I add.

"What are you doing? I said to keep him on the ground alive." Gesturing towards him she continued. "Go on~! Hop to it now..."

They looked among each other and she decided she has had enough. Lighting up her left palm with a much larger orb of flame which barely heated her skin he formed it into a whip before looking at them. "I said NOW."

Scrambling to do so they walked forwards around the table towards the kid guns still trained on him. One of them got within sword swinging range and got wary. There was really no reason for them to be wary at all.

But as they all got closer to the boy, the four seemed to block him entirely from her sight. What she was not expecting however was for the guns to be turned on her. What she was definitely not expecting was what was going to happen in the next minute.

That one minute which would change everything.

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Jaune nearly smirked to himself as they approached him. It seems his original assumption was correct after all… No matter how scary the employer or how much loyalty they had, most people would break after enough money to swim in.

Too bad they wouldn't be getting that money.

As they approached he looked to the ones on his right. They were about in swinging range now. Thinking about adding some more 'security theatre' for the mysterious womans benefit he decided against it.

Time to take a calculated risk.

As they came he lowered his sword so that the tip rested against the ground and his shield hung at his side. Walking towards him the men on both sides approached him. Turning to the side the woman couldn't see he raised an eyebrow at one of them.

He got a barely perceivable nod in response.

They covered him from sight with the two on his left pointing their guns at him still. Their muscles tensed all at once… One of the mercenaries to his right had his gun still trained on him while one was holding it with one hand only and reaching towards him slowly.

Prepared to make it, prepared to hopefully take every hostile enemy out in one blow, Jaune and the rest tensed themselves. Feeling his muscles clench and his grip on the leather wrapped handle of Crocea Mors tighten he was about to leap into action.

Leaving out the window? Not an option currently… He would make it out. Probably. But once he did they could gun him down with ease from the window. Leaving the option he chose. Leaving that one last option which would cost some people everything.

Will it be worth it?

Yes.

All hell broke loose.

Jaune leapt forwards raising his shield again as he landed and slid across the dining table. The mercenaries instantly turned on their friends and as soon as their spinning took them past where Jaune had landed began spraying into the doorway.

One merc went down then another on the enemies side as a few hit the floor and returned fire. Two of his own side were dead bullets in their chests and the blood seeped out onto the floor likely staining the wood.

Taking out the last enemy the two mercs on his side began reloading. The woman all the while watched with a smirk as they reloaded and began shooting bullet after bullet at her.

Not a single one hit.

Simply raising her hand a wall of pure fire appeared in front of her melting the bullets. He could feel the blistering heat from where he was and the second she moved her hand again he began sprinting forwards.

Using her own shield as a cover for himself he ignored the hot air as it rushed past him making him sweat immediately. The remaining mercenaries on his side were dead within seconds reduced to nothing easily.

Not having time to worry about whether it was far enough away from her or not he continued onwards spinning with Crocea Mors slicing through the air in a silver blur and the shield swinging downwards so that the carried over momentum could be used to turn away yet again.

But then things went even less according to plan.

He felt a searing pain up his arms and couldn't do anything but scream as he dropped to his knees the blade and shield forgotten as they went flying through the air. Looking down at his hands he could see that they were now covered in third degree burns.

Moving up his arms he could see his pajamas were totally gone and his skin crispy and painful as it oozed with puss and something which would've been blood had it not been evaporated as soon as it appeared leaving nothing but a red smudge on the skin.

These horrendous burns went all the way from the tips of his now melted finger nails and destroyed fingers to his upper arm ending just below his shoulder. All the while he continued screaming.

He screamed until his voice was raw until he could scream no more but then the screaming stopped and he simply knelt there trembling with tears running down his face any logical thought abandoned.

It's not like in the movies where people just scream and scream and scream… Eventually everyone breaks and the screaming stops. Whether that be because the nerve endings are destroyed or because their mental fortitude isn't strong enough doesn't matter.

Eventually, no matter what, the screaming stops somehow.

He could see though. He could see Crocea Mors laying there in the ground in front of him, sword and shield side by side. Jaune could hear some shuffling before he managed to get a proper angle on the sword.

"Documents say that this sword, like the Arc name, will never be destroyed…" Picking up Crocea Mors by the handle she looked it up and down as he watched wishing he could do anything.

"Everything and anything can be destroyed… That is the cruel truth of this world." Her hand glowed white hot and the handle melted the rest of the blade following in suit as the molten metal flowed off her palm and into the floor causing huge amounts of steam to be unleashed.

Hearing the clicking of heels against the wooden floor his mind barely registered it before his chin was grabbed and his head turned sharply upwards. Jaune began looking into an admittedly beautiful face with eyes that were not amused.

"You know what? You're not all that special after all… There are plenty of other genius'." Letting his head drop back to his chest he barely registered anything. Deep in his subconsciousness though he knew what was going on… He knew that this was it for him.

"Here I thought you were special though… The one… I didn't think you'd be the kind of idiotic child who thinks being a hero is easy and rushes in with a sword they can't use properly… I thought you'd be better than this…" Mustering the will to look up Jaune saw her standing there her red dress a shade lighter than blood as certain threads in it lit up.

"But sadly, I can't let you live to learn from those mistakes… Take it as a compliment though. You're smart enough to be worth killing." Forming a spear of fire in her hand.

It was beautiful and deadly, likely would cauterize the wound as it inflicted it. Dangerous. Efficient. Smart.

Funny how with all his one hundred and eighty IQ points, smarts wouldn't save him. Nothing could. He would die, just as every other person would. In a way it was comforting. While not all people are born equal, all men must die.

Managing to close his eyes before the final strike came Jaune prayed to whatever thing could possibly be in this infinite universe of tiny things that he could turn into a ghost just to haunt this woman for the rest of her life.

But then something unexpected happened. Something which was definitely unexpected.

The floor in front of Jaune exploded, splinters going everywhere as chips sliced by him but didn't hit him. Shocked out of his- Well… Shock from earlier, Jaune could feel his brain as it sped up to comprehend what he was seeing.

Standing there in front of a large hole in the floor was his father Nicholas Arc in full battle gear.

But not any battle gear no… It was the armour of Gabriel 'Angel' Arc.

Layered overtop of gleaming silver chainmail, the white-steel plates covered a large portion of his torso, his shoulders and legs in the forms of greaves and bracers. The white gleamed and was outlines by golden gilding across the sides. A pair of huge metal gauntlets with spikes in the knuckles covered his hands. At the back of his armour was the Arc family insignia the dual Arcs shining in the light of the woman's fiery lance.

"Son… I'm sorry for what I'm about to do but don't worry about me okay? I'll have back up soon."

'What does he mean he's sorry for what he's about to do?'

Jaune found out a moment later as his father backpedalled away from the fiery woman who was in a cocoon of protective flame right now. Grabbing onto the remains of his shirt by the back like one would pick up a cat his father turned to the back of the room and threw him towards the window.

Turning his body midair Jaune just managed to tilt himself so that his back was to the window when he crashed through. The broken pieces fell cutting up his face and getting caught in his hair but that wasn't the problem right now.

He was about to start screaming yet again before he was muffled by the snow bank he crashed into.

Digging his way out by shaking his upper body a lot he made his way out of the snow gasping for breath. Wishing that his arms weren't screwed up so that he could at least rub his hands together Jaune knew only one thing.

He had to move.

Struggling to his feet he stumbled forwards and crested over the top of the snow falling again and sliding down on his back. The icy cold wind bit through his clothes as he moved forwards shuffling then stumbling then barely keeping himself together Jaune put about two hundred meters between himself and the house before he was at the end of his rope.

He would escape only to die.

Now that his brain had caught up with everything he knew very well what situation he was in.

He was going to die after escaping death by the skin of his teeth. After making through the first attempt at capturing him he made it out. After the second attempt he talked his way out. After having his arms crippled so that he wouldn't bring down a blade he still survived by the generosity of the fickle thing called fate…

Yet he wouldn't survive this time.

It was proven that hypothermia is more common if one has burns, which is why you don't pour ice water on a burn. Yet here he was surrounded in snow, covered in terrible burns and bleeding from broken glass, and too many other things to count.

But even without the increased chance of hypothermia, the chance of getting it normally was high.

Breathing heavily Jaune looked upwards hoping to see the stars, extending into infinity one last time before he died. What he saw instead was ugly grey clouds which covered the moon before moving on. Snow continued to fall and soon there was an unhealthy amount in his hair and covering his back.

'Damn it! I can't die here. I can't! I can't! I can't! I can't! I CAN'T!' Repeating that same line over and over again Jaune knew it was fruitless but felt the need to say it. He can't die here. He still had to get a girlfriend, and be successful and ruin all his childhood bullies, and avenge Colin!

Still unable to feel his arms Jaune could feel his tears freezing to his cheeks as they came out.

Closing his eyes and just trying to empty his mind of all thought so as to make his passing easier he succeeded. For the most part. There was still this itch though, this one annoying droning sound at the back of his mind growing forever louder until it seemed like it was right upo-

His eyes flew open and he looked upwards.

There outlined against the clouds were three military Bullheads from the Arc family security firm coming in hot. The sleek white machines glowed in the darkness skimming across the sky. He knew that they were his last hope at life.

His last hope of being alive.

But how? How would he contact them? It was dark and they wouldn't be looking down. Coming in too fast to see him if he waved. Naturally Jaune kept his emergency flares in his other pajama bottoms… Look at that. Making a joke at a time like this.

Jokes… There was that to live for too. So many things to live for and so many ways to die. What a cruel world they lived in. Maybe he should just succ- 'No! No stopping here Jaune! We've gone too far to die now. Now tell me what are you going to do?'

He was surprised. There was this other nagging voice in his head, this one little thing telling him to continue. But it was so insistent that all previous thought of giving up was gone… He would continue. Endure. Move forwards.

Survive.

His voice rose with a croak. "I will survive."

Again this time clearer. "I will endure."

Once more this time more powerful and filled with determination. "I. WILL. LIVE."

He could feel himself screaming once more as pure white light poured from his eyes and ears and skin enveloping him in warmth and a soothing sensation that brought tingles around his body. His feet lost their numbness and his teeth stopped shattering, his vision opened up to a whole different spectrum of colour.

Then, filled with words he didn't know while at the same time knowing them inside out, he spoke.

"For it is when the wings of darkness blot out the sun and the a war with beasts brings about the world's end that we look towards fate and curse this cruel world. But I shall endure, survive, live, fight with tooth and nail, claw and fang, scrape, scratch, and throw myself against the barbed chains of fate fighting an endless battle to be free from the inescapable. I shall become a hero, a light in a world of dark, a legend remembered for all time. I shall find order within the inescapable chaos and change this reality... I will look towards the infinite mystery of my inner light to cast away eternal darkness and despair to protect those that need protecting. I shall become a hero, a legend, a paragon."

Then a light so bright it stung the eyes it emanated from appeared and seared through the darkness of the night. The last thing Jaune saw before the world went dark was a single glittering snowflake being blown around in the wind, unable to escape it's destiny, it's pre-determined course.

He fell into darkness knowing that no matter what came next…

He would create his own destiny.

~o0o~ Jaune Arc: Augmented ~o0o~

Note: Hello! Welcome to Jaune Arc: Augmented. This rewrite will be different. Very different and yet the same. I've taken time to improve myself, improve my writing, and take in feedback. The only thing left to do is thank all of you who've been here since the beginning, and to thank all of those just signing up for this amazing adventure.

Don't expect chapters this long anytime soon. It, while immensely refreshing and fun to write, was an anomaly. Most chapters though, will be going from six thousand words long to eight thousand words long.

Last but not least, I've decided to remove review responses from the beginning. Why you may ask? Since it makes more sense to put them at the end. This way, you can hop right into the story without scrolling through my rambling nonsense, or if you don't want to see it at all, just close the tab when you get to the authors note.

Once again, thanks for all the amazing support. I can say for a fact that I wasn't expecting the insane amount of love I've received from this community when all I came in here to do was write down a semi-crappy story about Ironman Jaune…

Please, leave a review, a favorite and a like if you're from my old version (Or the new one.) and have a wonderful day. I know I will!~