Jaune Mercer: Volume 1

Chapter 20: A Not So Weak Week.

Unbeknownst to the "victors," a crow with crimson eyes watched the whole thing unfurl. Soon, it flew away. However, this would not be the only encounter to transpire.

[Arc Compound #20]

Another Geist variant, codenamed: Chill, which utilized the freezing capabilities of ice dust was kneeling as electricity coursed throughout his body. Chill looked up, seeing his opponent, Jade Arc. 

She wore a long white sleeve dress shirt, dark blue vest, black jeans, and a pair of black combat heels. Her armor was a pair of blue gauntlets filled with electricity dust. By the sides of her belt, there were several canisters of electricity dust. She wields a large scepter staff.

"It will interesting to see what makes you tick," Jade said.

Chill gripped his head, and in one quick motion, he ripped it off, killing himself and surprising Jade. Soon, Chill's body evaporates, leaving nothing but ice dust crystals.

"Preprogrammed death that looks more like a gruesome version of apoptosis," Jade said.

"Seems Mr. Mercer would rather destroy his creation than give us any chance to study it."

Jade wondered if any of the Arcs could capture one of the creations alive for research. However, that would not be the case. Whether it was self-destruction...Or not remembering to pull their punches.

[Arc Compound #09]

A Geist's head goes flying. Standing over the headless body was Madison Arc, wielding a pair of sabers. 

She wore a white suit shirt, white jeans, and a pair of white combat heels. By the sides of her belt, there were several canisters of hard-light dust. Using her semblance, she killed the Grimm in a flash. 

As it evaporated, it left behind wind dust crystals. So, ends the Geist Variant: Aero.

"Oh. I realize I should have held back," Madison said, realizing her error.

Little did she know that this mistake would be made again.

[Arc Compound #81]

A Geist Variant imbued with rock dust was lifted in the air because of the spikes made from its shadow that was stabbing into him. In front of it was Morgan Arc, using her semblance, Shadow Manipulation. 

She wore a black suit shirt, black jeans, a black trenchcoat, and a pair of black combat heels. By the sides of her belt, there were collapsible bo staffs.

The Grimm soon succumbed to its injuries and evaporated into nothing, leaving behind rock dust crystals. So, ends the Geist Variant: Rocky.

The very same thing would happen all over the Arc compounds with the Arcs being victorious. From this, the Arcs came to believe that Alex Mercer used Grimm to attack the compounds and then destroyed the area. Many of the Arcs saw these victories as proof that the Arc Clan was strong enough to handle Alex Mercer and would prevail. However, that was far from it. Although security would still be the way it is, they had a miscalculated idea of their enemies. A mistake that would prove fatal as time went by.

"Like planning for the future."

[At an Apartment in Vale]

In his room, Adam was on a scrolltop, looking through the files Jaune obtained concerning the SDC company and its high-ranking officials. This was the knowledge that was kept from the public, and each entry made Adam sick to his stomach. However, Adam comes across a name: Staffan Heivish.

Adam gripped his scar, seething and snarling.

"Animals like you need to know your place."

Adam reels himself back, trying to quell his anger. He knew that it was only a matter of time before his reunion.

"Next time will be different. Mark my words, I'll make you pay for what you've done," Adam said.

"A week is seven days long, yet can go by in seven seconds."

[At Junior's Club]

Junior was cleaning some glasses. Suddenly, some huntsmen bust open the door and face Junior. He calmly puts down the glass, having expected this.

"What's the meaning of this?" Junior asked, feigning ignorance.

"We've come for a warrant for his arrest," One said holding a paper in front of the bartender.

Junior has seen enough of these to know it's legit.

"We know he's here. If you don't want to be an accessory to abetting a wanted criminal, then you'll tell us where he is."

Junior didn't put up a fight or lie.

"Upstairs. The first room on your right," He said.

The huntsmen nodded, and three went up the stairs to apprehend Jaune.

Unbeknownst to them, Junior sent others in his contact list a message: "IT'S TIME."

"You have no idea what you're all in for," He thought, smirking at what was about to happen.

[At the Spider's Den]

Lil' Miss Malachite, Melanie, Militia, Roman, Roma, and Neo were in the tavern along with other members of Spider. Lil' Miss got a notification of her scroll and smiled.

"Turn to the channel. It's about to start," Lil' Miss said.

The subordinate nodded and fidgeted on the scrolltop, putting a channel on the various television monitors in the tavern.

The Malachite knew what was going to happen. They hoped Jaune would be alright.

"What's going, Lil'Miss Malachite?" Roman asked.

"Something you don't want to miss," She responded, looking forward to what has happened.

[In the Room]

Jaune sits up on the bed with his eyes closed. He wears a white t-shirt and black pants as well as black boots. In terms of weapons, he has a belt that holstered a kodachi and two katana handles.

He could hear the sounds of footsteps getting closer to his room and gave a smile, one that contained various emotions.

"What an eventful week."

The footsteps steps stop, followed by a turning of the doorknob and an opening of the door. Jaune opens his eyes to see his visitors.

"I can see no reason why this new week should be no different."

(A/N(1): I do not own the image used for the cover art of this chapter. Also, I do not own Prototype.)

(A/N(2): Happy Holidays!