Jaune Arc in Null

### Relatives

Nicholas Arc, Juniper Arc, Saphron Arc, Sable Arc, Coral Arc, Hazel Arc, Jade Arc, Lavender Arc, Amber Arc

## Physical description

### Eye color

Blue (when Null Zone deactivated)Pink, green, yellow (when Null Zone activated

In *Null*, **Jaune Arc**, designated "Subject 000" by researchers and "Null" by himself, is the subject of human experimentation due to his "Null Zone" deactivating the Aura and Semblance of his opponents. The plot of *Null* focuses on Jaune's efforts to recollect his remaining family and transfer them to Menagerie, dealing with bounty hunters, Atlesian researchers, and misguided huntresses-in-training in the process.

> "*"In what world am I worth five million lien…?"*"
> ― Jaune Arc, Chapter 8[[source]]
>
>

## *Null* from Jaune's Perspective

### Early Life (17—1 BB)

Jaune Arc was born in 17 BB in Ansel, Vale to Nicholas and Juniper Arc as the fifth of seven siblings. By all accounts, Jaune lived a normal and happy life, growing up attending school, listening to Nicholas's stories, and attaining optimistic wisdom. In 1 BB, when Jaune was 16, he has his Aura activated and expressed the "Null Zone", a region where Aura and Semblances are deactivated. Headmaster Ozpin of Beacon Academy visited and verified the semblance, inviting Jaune to attend Beacon Academy when he turned 17. About 4 months before the start of the story, as the Arc family were on a trip to Atlas to visit Saphron, Terra, and Adrian Cotta-Arc. There, the family was attacked and captured by Atlesian soldiers looking to harness the Null Zone as a military advantage.

### Testing Facility

#### Endurance Testing

According to the research overseers, they first conducted an endurance trial about four months before the start of the story, with an initial reporting of seven minutes and 46 seconds. The conditions of Jaune's testing are unknown.

#### Endurance, Range, and Reflex Testing

Four months after his capture, Jaune awoke as researchers began another experiment. Agent 152 approached Jaune with a taser to activate the Null Zone. Despite Jaune not consenting, Agent 152 placed instigated a shock, activating the Null Zone. The overseers confirmed Agent 152 he had no Aura or Semblance, and concluded it reached a spherical radius of 15 meters. Jaune experienced a knife wound as Agent 152 used a knife, with the overseers noting that when his semblance, Jaune also had no Aura or Semblance, and could maintain this for about 25 minutes and 16 seconds. Jaune reflected on his experiences, they introduced Lavender Arc, or "Subject 003." According to Jaune, this was the first time he had seen another family member since their capture.

The researchers concluded that since Lavender did not exhibit the Null Zone phenotype, that she was "expendable." Jaune was not happy with this assessment and deactivated the Null Zone just as Agent 152 attempted to kill Lavender. As it turns out, this was a convenient test for the researchers to judge Jaune's ability to control his semblance, as they ordered Agent 152 to alternate using his pyrokinetic semblance and gun on Lavender until she was dead. Agent 152 attempted to do this, but was interrupted by an explosion and alarm, informally marking the end of the experiment.

#### Killing Agent 152

While the White Fang attack was happening, Agent 152 had no insight from the research overseers, and decided to kill Lavender. Jaune would not allow this, and continually alternated the Null Zone to make sure Lavender survived, much to Agent 152's frustration. Agent 152 told Jaune that if he were not needed for science, he would have personally killed him. While Agent 152 monologued, Lavender used her semblance to release Jaune's bind to give him an upper-hand. Jaune managed to escape, much to Agent 152's concern, but having remained sedentary for four months, Jaune was not in the best of physical health and solely driven by adrenaline. Jaune tackled Agent 152 and grabbed his gun, but Agent 152 counter-attacked, hitting Jaune in the head. Agent 152 gloated over Jaune, attempting to convince Jaune to put him back into the binds. Jaune refused to do this, opting instead to activate the Null Zone and shoot Agent 152 dead. This left Jaune in a traumatic state, as he killed a person, but he had to tend to Lavender since she was experiencing grief as well. Lavender revealed that the rest of the Arc family, save Nicholas, was still alive. Jaune asked where Juniper was, but Lavender did not know, only that they were being relocated to other facilities.

#### Meeting Blake and Adam

Jaune heard the door buckle and immediately assumed it was a hostile threat, deactivating the Null Zone and shielding Lavender. He saw Blake Belladonna, nearly shooting her, but hesitated to first analyze the foreign entity. As soon as Jaune noticed Gambol Shroud, he demanded that Blake not approach closer. Jaune, concerned that she may be a hostile threat, started activating the Null Zone to take advantage of the surprise element. Before he could, Blake lowered Gambol Shroud and removed her mask and told him they would help him escape. Jaune was skeptical, but due to tiredness, was unable to hold up the gun much longer. Blake told Adam she found two subjects, which made Jaune frustrated, since he wanted to be referred to as "Jaune" rather than "subject." He introduced himself and Lavender to Blake, and accepted her offer of water, drinking a third for himself and the rest for Lavender. Jaune still did not fully trust Blake, but did not have a choice since he and Lavender were chronically dehydrated.

Jaune saw Adam arrive, noting his clothing and Schnee Dust Company brand over his eye. Jaune mentioned he was unable to walk, as he had been tied to a bed for four months. Adam mentioned he did not tend to help humans, but since Jaune and his family had not been treated as humans either, Adam saw them as honorary faunus. Jaune asked if they found his family, Blake responded that the White Fang were examining the facility. Blake further elaborated that so far, only him, Lavender, and the researchers had been found. Jaune expressed distaste at the mention of researchers, much to Adam's empathy.

#### Escaping the Facility

The group emerged from the facility, Jaune blinded by the horrible light of the day star and windy conditions. Blake offered him food, but Jaune could not eat due to sickness. Adam asked Jaune why the researchers were interested in him, much to Blake's disapproval, but Jaune mentioned he wanted to be present at the interrogation to get insight on his family. Adam noted that going after his family would likely result in Jaune's death or recapture and was curious of his plan. Jaune mentioned his promise to Nicholas, and begged Adam and Blake for their help. Adam had empathy, but informed Jaune that the White Fang had separate battles. Jaune told him he could help, much to Adam's skepticism, but Jaune mentioned the reason Atlas wants him and his family for his semblance, and offered his services for the White Fang. Adam asked what his semblance was, to which Jaune demonstrated by activating the Null Zone. Adam and Blake both felt their Aura deactivate, which Jaune saw Blake found confusing and Adam found concerning. Adam found the proposition irresistible, and formally inducted Jaune into the White Fang.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "*Subject 000 is not immune to the effect of Subject 000's Semblance. However, the Null Zone does not cancel the application of Subject 000's Semblance. Despite registering no aura, Subject 000 can maintain the Null Zone for a recorded twenty-five minutes and sixteen seconds. Up from initial reported duration of seven minutes and forty-six seconds recorded four months prior."*
2. ↑ Groggily, Jaune's eyes opened, taking in the stark and empty space; a white and grey room ten metres by ten with a single heavy metal door on one end. Above it, a wide window reflected down on him, the people behind it invisible.
3. ↑ "*Agent 152. Please approach Subject 000 for testing."*
4. ↑ There was no seeing the expression of the man behind the mask. His lower jaw was visible but his mouth was a firm line as he strode forward. The door sealed and locked behind him with a loud, mechanical clunk. Jaune's head hung low, the anaesthesia still running through him, but he watched the man with steely eyes. When he came close, the man reached down and drew a small, black object.
5. ↑ "*Research note; aura-activated electrical discharge device. Administers shock on contact. No internal power sources. Aura conversion. Agent 152, begin testing of Subject 000."*
6. ↑ The soldier nodded and stepped forward. Jaune strained against the bindings but there was no pulling free. The object began to spark as the soldier activated his aura. Jaune shook his head, begging him no.
7. ↑ "*Subject 000 has activated Semblance. Designation: Null. Agent 152, please confirm absence of aura."*
8. ↑ "*Agent 152 registers no aura. Complete aura depletion. Subject 000 has created a field within which aura is nullified. Agent 152, please test Semblance."*
9. ↑ "*Subject 000 prevents usage of Semblances within radius of fifteen metres. Temporary designation; Null Zone. All aura-based devices cease operation within Null Zone. Agent 152, perform incision on Subject 000."*
10. ↑ "*Subject 000 prevents usage of Semblances within radius of fifteen metres. Temporary designation; Null Zone. All aura-based devices cease operation within Null Zone. Agent 152, perform incision on Subject 000."*
11. ↑ "*Begin second stage of testing. Introduce Subject 003 to testing chamber."*
12. ↑ "Lavender…" His voice came out a raw croak from disuse. He didn't recognise it. The crying stopped and she looked up, eyes wide and afraid.
13. ↑ It was the first member of his family he'd seen since he'd been taken here. Since they all had. Since the masked people came for them.
14. ↑ "*Subject 003. Age: Fifteen. Vitals below average. Long-term disease. Semblance: Limited Telekinesis. Semblance unlocked due to stress testing designed to draw out Null Semblance. Viability for inheritance of Null Semblance terminated. Subject 003 updated status: Expendable."*
15. ↑ Aura sparked as it went off. Lavender was tossed to the side and fell, striking the ground. Her aura shimmered across her skin, a red welt growing from where the bullet hit. No blood. She'd blocked it. Pulling her knees up, she cried on the floor.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "*Subject 000 shows instinctive control over Null Semblance. Able to activate and deactivate at will with near instantaneous results. Agent 152, report aura."* The soldier held his scroll against him. *"Agent 152's aura reported at 100%. No aura damage reported by exposure to Null Semblance. Begin testing of Subject 000's control. Alternate lethal dose of Semblance vs firearm on Subject 003. Testing to continue until Subject 003 expires."*
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 A loud and distant *thoom* shock the facility. The voice from the speaker cut off. The soldier let his Semblance go and looked back toward the door, then up at the windows for instruction. A second later, a siren began to wail and red light bathed the testing chamber. A different automatic voice, feminine and computer generated, began to play.
18. ↑ "Control. This is Agent 152. Please respond. Control? Damn it." The soldier shook his scroll and hurried to the door, banging his hand on it and shouting through. The speakers were silent, and though red light continued to bathe the room, the sirens had stopped. "Agent 98? Smithson. Engage the manual override. Let me out." He slammed his fist on the door. "Fuck. What's going on out there?"
19. ↑ "Damn it all," the man growled, stalking back from the door and cocking his gun. "What the fuck am I supposed to do now? Do I continue the testing?" He looked to Lavender on the floor, crying and with her eyes scrunched shut, brow furrowed. "I guess I should finish you off."
20. ↑ Jaune's eyes glowed, his Semblance kicking in. The fire winked out, ripped from the man's control. When he reached for his gun, Jaune cancelled his Semblance again, preventing him from killing his sister.
21. ↑ "Very funny." The soldier spat and looked Jaune's way, hissing under his breath, "You're lucky they need you or I'd put a bullet between your eyes."
22. ↑ Something rattled to the left of Jaune's shoulder. The metal binding shook, jostled despite him not being able to move a muscle. Hope shot through him and he looked past the soldier to Lavender, whose entire face was scrunched up in concentration. The metal bar creaked. Something gave way with a metallic snap.
23. ↑ The binding holding his left arm in place snapped off loudly and was flung away. The sound shocked the soldier and made him look back. The very second his arm was free, Jaune slammed it onto the side of the bed as he'd seen the doctors do before. The release catch was struck and the other bindings jettisoned themselves off, dropping him to the floor.
24. ↑ "Subject 000 has escaped!" the man roared.
25. ↑ Jaune's legs cried out in agony, unused to moving or exercise after so long. The fire inside gave him energy, pushing him to lunge forward with hands outstretched and a scream on his lips.
26. ↑ He hit the man around the midriff and carried him down over Lavender's body, making the girl cry out. The soldier hit the ground first and Jaune slapped the gun away, grabbing the man's helmet and cracking it down.
27. ↑ Stars danced as something cracked into his head from the side. He swayed and was unable to dodge the second punch, which knocked him clean to the floor. His head was spinning. He was tired, weak and sore from so little movement. Anger gave him strength but no skill. He flailed out with his feet, hitting the man's jaw. In return, the soldier drove both feet down into Jaune's chin, sending him skidding back.
28. ↑ "Nice try," he grunted, wiping his chin. "But it'll be a long while before a kid with no training can best a trained soldier. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You sit there and let me tie you back in, or you resist and I'll burn or beat you unconscious. Your choice, Subject 000."
29. ↑ He drew up, eyes shining three colours in a dazzling display of light. The Null Zone dropped, robbing everyone within fifteen metres of aura and Semblance. No telekinesis from Lavender. No fire manipulation from the soldier. No aura. No shields. Just three normal, unprotected and fleshy human beings.
30. ↑ He saw the soldier's mouth open in shock. Through luck more than skill, he placed the bullet there. It ripped through aura that couldn't manifest, through skin and bone and muscle and more. The man's head snapped back. His entire body followed. He staggered once and his hand raised up as though to grasp something, before he crashed down to the floor, laying in a pool of blood.
31. ↑ *I killed a man.* Jaune's hand trembled. *I… I…*
32. ↑ "Lavender!" Falling, he crawled his way over to her, the adrenaline that had kept him going rushing away. All those months of being held in one position came back and his muscles returned to jelly. He dragged himself the remaining feet, put the gun down and fumbled on the release catch for her restraints. The leather gave way with a hiss and a whip as it retracted.
33. ↑ "Jaune," she babbled. "I-I was so scared. T-They hurt me. Hurt everyone. M-Mom-"
34. ↑ "Mom's alive!? Where is she?"
35. ↑ "They took her. I… I don't know where. Said they were moving her – moving her and the others. Other facilities. I was only left behind b-because I didn't unlock your Semblance l-like they wanted." She began to cry again. "Because I was useless."
36. ↑ Something hit the metal door hard. It buckled inward, bending at the centre like it had been struck with a battering ram. Jaune looked up and picked up the gun again, steadying it on the doorway with a shaking hand and wide eyes. Through a small crack in the door he saw a red flash, then the whole thing was tossed aside, exploding in and up into the air. Jaune threw himself down over Lavender and cancelled his Semblance.
37. ↑ The moment's hesitation may have saved her life. It gave him the time to take in her mask – utterly unlike those of his captors – her white and black clothing and the faint splatters of blood over her black and purple stockings. Long black hair fell down her back and she had an odd weapon in hand. A combination of a gun and a cleaver.
38. ↑ That brought him back to life and he pointed the gun at her. "Don't come any closer!"
39. ↑ Jaune's heart hammered in his chest. Flecks of colour began to swirl in his eyes. Better to shoot first, no? Before she shot them.
40. ↑ The girl lowered her weapon, reached up and removed her mask. That action, random as it seemed, distracted him long enough for her to introduce herself. "I'm Blake Belladonna. You don't need to be afraid. We're going to get you out of here."
41. ↑ Jaune's gun dropped. Not by choice, but because his arm gave way. The girl took it as the former and sheathed her own weapon, hooking it behind her waist. She turned and shouted back to someone outside the door.
42. ↑ "Two people, Adam. Humans. I think they're test subjects."
43. ↑ Something burned in his gut. "I have a name!"
44. ↑ "Jaune." It felt good to hear it, even if only from his lips. "My name is Jaune. Jaune Arc." He looked down at his sister still huddled to his chest. "This is my sister, Lavender. We… I…" His voice gave way with a scratchy sound.
45. ↑ The water was clear and fresh. He wanted to finish it all but forced himself to take no more than a third and hold the rest to Lavender. She guzzled greedily on it, eyes closed and hands holding his.
46. ↑ Trust was something too precious to give but he couldn't help himself.
47. ↑ Another person entered the room as she did. Red hair, black clothing and a hideous scar on his face. It was square and uneven, not natural at all.
48. ↑ Her yellow eyes narrowed. Even Adam huffed angrily. When she looked over to the faunus, he sighed and came forward. "I'll carry the boy," he said. "You get the girl. Don't struggle," he said, kneeling. "I don't make a habit of helping humans like this, but I guess you don't count."
49. ↑ "They didn't see us as human…"
50. ↑ Adam's eye met his. It was angry. Jaune had a feeling it was always angry, burning with supressed rage. Even so, the redhead nodded. "You have a point. Only animals and faunus that get locked up in cages like you." He stood, hefting Jaune's weight easily. "Guess that makes you an honorary faunus."
51. ↑ "Others. Were there others…? My family…"
52. ↑ "We have people scouring the facility," Blake said, Lavender on her back, legs on either side of her waist and with her arms around the faunus' neck and shoulders. "If they're here, we'll find them. So far, it's only been the two of you and several researchers."
53. ↑ Jaune hissed.
54. ↑ "Guess you're not a fan of those," Adam said. "Good. We'll be questioning them up top."
55. ↑ The sun burned his eyes. The icy wind burned his skin. He didn't know whether to cry in happiness, relief or agony.
56. ↑ "Would you like something to eat?"
57. ↑ Jaune shook his head. He'd just be sick right now.
58. ↑ Adam returned. "No one else inside I'm afraid. Your family must have been taken away. We can question the prisoners once we're back in camp, but we can't afford to stay here." He took a seat opposite them and beside Blake, strapping himself in. "So, mind telling us just why they were so interested in you?"
59. ↑ "I'm not trying to rush you," Adam said, meeting Jaune's eyes. "But once we're back, I'm going to be interrogating those we took prisoner. Any details you can give will help."
60. ↑ "Yes." He swallowed; the act of speaking still hurt. "Want to… hrk. Sisters. Mom."
61. ↑ "You want to know where your family is? Makes sense." He leaned back. "Going after them alone is going to get you killed, though. Or worse, it'll end up with you as a prisoner again. I don't really care since that doesn't affect us, but I imagine it's a bigger deal for you. How do you expect to rescue them?"
62. ↑ "I… I have to try. I promised him." In his final moments, with Nicholas Arc bleeding out and the soldiers closing in, he'd begged his son to protect them. Jaune's eyes closed, heart clenching at the memory. "I promised. I'll find them. I'll save them. Help me," Jaune begged. "Please, help me."
63. ↑ Adam sighed. "Not that I don't sympathise, but we have our own battles…"
64. ↑ "I can help with those."
65. ↑ "You? How can you help? You're a mess. You can barely even walk."
66. ↑ "They want my Semblance."
67. ↑ "They think it might be hereditary," he said, forcing himself to continue. "They want to find how it works. Mass-produce it. Transfer it into weapons. Use my blood and bits of bone to make bullets or explosives. T-They say it has the potential to change everything. To change the world. They'll kill for it, and they'll kill you all to get me back again."
68. ↑ "If you help me… If you help me find my family..." Jaune closed his eyes, feeling a weight settle on him. Lines. Dad always talked about them, about how you had to choose what lines you were willing to cross and what you weren't. To save his family, though? How could be be selfish enough to put his morals before that? "I'll use my Semblance for you. If you don't, they'll find a way to use it *against* you."
69. ↑ "And what," Adam said slowly, "Is your Semblance?"
70. ↑ In answer, he activated it. Blue irises swam with green, pink and yellow. The Zone slammed down, draining them of aura suddenly. It was a tactile sensation and the two faunus both gasped, Adam going stiff and Blake sagging forward in her harness. Adam looked down to his scroll, eyes growing wide as he saw what the researchers had. No aura. No protection. He had, in an instant, been reduced to a normal person vulnerable to any stray bullet.
71. ↑ "Impossible," Blake whispered. "That – That's not possible. You can't just cancel aura…"
72. ↑ Adam's reaction was far more visceral. His teeth were gritted. His eye burned.
73. ↑ "Help me," Jaune said. "And I'll help you. This could be under your control, or it could be under someone else's. Your choice."
74. ↑ It was too late. Adam's single eye was wider than it had been before. His lips curled up, teeth showing as he bit back a laugh. Without a second's thought, he stuck his hand out, grasping Jaune's across the Bullhead.
75. ↑ "Welcome to the White Fang."