Author's note: Logging On
GaryOkampo here and I bring another chapter to the "F to H" story.
Many years ago…
There is this famous saying: a craftsman never blames his tools. Can a soldier blame his rifle for missing his target? I wanted too. Frustration is inevitable when you've been at a firing range since six in the morning shooting at paper targets. For hours my shots have only punctured the outer areas of the human shaped target. Most people would be happy that they at least hit something, but a Freelancer must always make accurate shots.
"Here, try this."
I looked towards the voice and found Carolina with a battle rifle.
"I can handle it myself," I grunted.
"Clearly," she smirked.
"Don't you have some holographic targets to punch?"
"You may be a kid Wash," Carolina snickered, "But that doesn't give you the excuse to act like one."
"Like I said, I can handle it," I answer again while aiming downrange, "Besides, you don't need any help on missions."
"True," she smirked, "But that is only because I'm well...me. You're not."
"And?" I reply still unconvinced.
"Look, just stop being so thick-headed and take the damn rifle," she jokingly commands.
I look at her for a few good seconds and then at the rifle. Eventually I took it in my hands and aimed downrange. With a little twitch of the finger I was able to hit around the center.
"I did it. I actually did it!" I cheered.
"Great job Wash," she said sarcastically, "Now you just have to repeat that thirty times with one clip."
"Yeah...wait, what?"
Present Day…
It was the day after my talk with Jaune and we were on a field trip to the Forever Falls, a forest where the leaves and ground were crimson red. To most people it was a beautiful tourist spot. For me it was the perfect area to commit an ambush because the terrain provided too many areas to hide. Potential attacks aside, we weren't here to sight see. Ms. Goodwitch was assigned to watch over us for Ms. Peach's Botany class. We were told that each of us had to gather a jarful of sap from the trees as well as to be vigilant of any Grimm in the area. Jaune was still team CRDL's lapdog as he carried the gear they needed to extract the sap. We all went our separate ways except Pyrrha, who looked at Jaune with both disappointment and worry before she turned away.
Jaune POV
How did I get here? All I wanted was to live up to my family's legacy and look where it got me. I'm being blackmailed into slavery and my fellow teammates are nowhere to be seen. No, that part was my fault. They all tried to help me; Pyrrha, Ruby, even Wash and all I did was turn them away. Now, I'm gathering tree sap for a bunch of jerks.
After finally completing my task I carried the sap towards CRDL, eventually collapsing onto the ground from exhaustion.
"Great work Jauney-Boy. That wasn't too hard was it?" Cardin said while he and his team relaxed against some trees.
All I could say with my nose clogged was, "I think I'm allergic to this stuff."
He obviously ignored me, "Great, great, great. Now Jauney-Boy I bet you're asking yourself, 'Why did my buddy Cardin have me collect seven jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?'"
"That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today."
"Well, come with me and you'll find out," he said with a sadistic grin.
"Oh no."
We end up at a ridge overlooking a group of students. As we got closer I saw it was my friends. They were all gathering tree sap like they were supposed to, but didn't notice us.
"Cardin, what's going on?" I asked worried.
He grimly said, "Payback."
I looked at my friends, particularly Pyrrha.
Cardin explained, "That's them, the redhead-know-it-all and the dork-who-thinks-he's-tough," he reached behind him and produced the box of rapier wasps I gathered for him last night, "All right boys, last night old Jaune here managed to round an entire box full of rapier wasps and now we're gonna put em to work."
I did NOT like where this was going.
"Now according to one of the essays you wrote for me a while back, these nasty things love sweets. I think it's time we teach the two of them what it means to mess with us."
We all get up and he hands me two jars, "And you're gonna do it."
"Do what?" I hesitantly ask.
"Hit them with the sap," he says pointing at them, "Either that and I'll report to Goodwitch and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon."
I look at the two jars in my hands and hesitantly get ready to launch them. I looked at Pyrrha and Wash as the two didn't realize I was going to throw it at them. As I stood there I kept asking myself. Why? I already knew the answer: to stay in Beacon, become a hero like my ancestors, live up to my family name. Now look where it's gotten me. I'm about to stab those who tried to help me in the back. Wash, he explained how sometimes you can't do things alone. Ruby, she showed me I can't be selfish anymore because I'm a leader now. Pyrrha...all she did was try to help me, like any partner would, and I flat out turned her down due to my pride and so called "honor". Was I really going to do this to the only friends I had?
I grit my teeth and said, "No."
As I lowered the jar Cardin asked, "What did you say?"
I tightened my grip and shouted, "I said, NO!"
I threw it at him, but he dodged it and it shattered on a nearby tree. They all looked at me with anger and anticipation in their eyes, obviously ready for a beat-down.
Cardin laughed, "You've really done it now."
My shoulders were grabbed and I prepared to say goodbye to my life.
Washington POV
We were gathering our tree sap, but as Pyrrha gathered hers I could tell she was thinking about a certain blonde knight. She hid it under fake smiles, but I could clearly see someone who was worried for her partner.
"You worried about Jaune?" I ask.
She frowned and responded coldly, "Our fearless leader knows exactly what he's doing."
"You can't blame him. He just feels….inadequate."
"What do you mean 'inadequate'!?" Pyrrha asks in disbelief, "We're his teammates, we accept him for who he is."
"Not how he see's it," I explain, "When a guy like Jaune is not only in the presence of amazing people, but was also chosen to lead them. He starts to question whether he's up to the task. I've seen it before."
"What-?"
She was then interrupted by a loud roar.
Jaune POV
I could hear the insults as team CRDL continuously beat me to a pulp, but I didn't care. If I was going to kiss my future and my life goodbye at least I knew I didn't betray my team, my friends. Plus I get to deny Cardin the satisfaction of seeing me cower in fear of him. He was about to deliver another punch and I grit my teeth. As he struck me we were enveloped in some white light. Cardin grabbed his hand in pain as I looked at my own and saw them…glowing? Was this my Aura? I couldn't really think about it when we suddenly heard a loud noise and that's when we saw it. An Ursa Major. As it approached us everyone started backing away. I suddenly felt a sticky substance being poured on my head and saw it was the tree sap from the jar. Cardin kicked me towards the Grimm while they ran off.
All he said as he laughed was, "Thanks for keeping it busy Jauney-Boy."
I get up while the Ursa got on it's hind legs and sniffs the air. It notices me and the smell of the sap. Apparently putting two and two together, it releases a roar that would tear your eardrums apart. If this was karma at work, then this is some serious overkill.
Washington POV
We were all wondering where the sound came from until we saw team CRDL running for their lives. That's when I quickly grabbed Cardin by his chest-plate.
"What's happening!?" I asked him.
"Ursa man, we gotta get outta here!" Russel said in a panic.
Pyrrha looked over the group, "Wait! Where's Jaune?"
"Who cares," Cardin scoffs, "Lets just focus on running."
She quickly grabs him from me and throws him towards a tree as she quickly aims her spear at his throat.
"Where. Is he?" she threatened, her eyes filled with rage.
He grunts, "Why should I?"
Cardin signals his buddies to come help him, but before they could move they were met with everyone's weapon aimed at them. Yang made sure her gauntlets were pointed at their…important areas, Blake gave a rarely seen smile as she aimed her pistol at Dove's head, Ren aimed his pistols at Russel and Sky while Nora just took out her hammer and started laughing psychotically.
"Now can we break their legs!?" Nora asked with terrifying glee.
"I think that's a good reason why," I said while pointing my gun at Cardin's head.
Cold sweat formed on his face and he finally told us where they left Jaune. Ruby instructed the others to get Professor Goodwitch while she, Pyrrha, Weiss, and I went to help Jaune. As we ran through the forest we were all hoping that he was alright.
When we arrived at the scene, what we saw made our jaws drop. Jaune was fighting off an Ursa Major on his own. Despite the number of times he was knocked down he continued to fight. Weiss was about to intervene, but Pyrrha stopped her, wanting to see how this would turn out. Jaune slashed and stabbed the Grimm but his attacks didn't seem to bother it. After being swatted away by the beast, Jaune got into an attack stance and the two charged towards one another. Time seemed to slow down as their attacks drew closer. It was at that moment when I saw Pyrrha's hand turn black as she pointed it towards Jaune. His shield was enveloped with a black outline as it moved towards the Ursa's slashing arm. It's attack skidded against the metallic surface giving Jaune the chance to plant his foot and give an upward slash, decapitating the Grimm. Was that the power of a semblance? In any case, Pyrrha may have helped but this was Jaune's victory. He seemed to be proud of his work as well as he victoriously sheathed his sword. We eventually got to him and noticed he smelled like tree sap.
"Jaune, that was awesome!" Ruby cheered.
"You were completely uncoordinated," Weiss huffed, "But at least you won in the end."
"T-Thanks guys," Jaune rasped before collapsing.
The girls were about to catch him, but I got to him first. For a guy who just took down an Ursa Major, he was surprisingly light.
We eventually laid him near a tree where I placed my healing unit next to him.
"What's that?" Ruby asked.
"It's healing unit," I answered, "It'll help accelerate the healing process of Jaune's wounds."
Weiss scoffed, "Can't you just let his Aura handle it rather than rely on that piece of junk?"
"This 'piece of junk' has saved my life and more lives than you can count," I harshly replied.
"How-!?"
"Enough!" Pyrrha shouted, "He's waking up."
Just as Pyrrha said, Jaune's wounds were already healed. Hmph, I'd like to see if Aura can do that?
He groggily opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.
"I think I must have died," Jaune smirked, "Otherwise why would I be surrounded by three beautiful angels."
Weiss rolled her eyes at his latest flirting attempt while Ruby let out a small giggle, happy that her friend was his old-self. Pyrrha was smiling, but I could tell she was trying to suppress the small blush on her face.
Oh, please.
"You're very much alive Jaune. But if you want a one-way trip to heaven," I cocked my magnum, "I can arrange that."
He quickly shot-up, "I'm okay."
Weiss then crossed her arms as she glared at the blonde night, "Care to explain why team CRDL left you to die and why have you have been avoiding us for the past few days?"
Pyrrha stepped forward, "Weiss!"
Jaune quickly got in between them, "It's okay, I have to explain."
It was there that he told everything, from Cardin's blackmailing to what he planned to do to them along with admitting how he faked his way into Beacon. Ruby and Weiss were shocked by the news, Pyrrha and I already knew so we didn't react much.
"I'm going to tell Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch the truth and pack my things," Jaune concluded.
Ruby protested, "Jaune, you can't!"
"I've made my decision."
It looks like Jaune is serious about this.
With reluctance, despite Ruby and Pyrrha's protests, Jaune stood by his decision and we regrouped with the others. We met up with the rest of class, however Cardin was able to get to Professor Goodwitch and revealed Jaune's secret. Everyone quickly came to his defense, except Weiss, she just stood in the background. Despite his friends support, Jaune said that he was ready for his punishment. Surprisingly Professor Goodwitch said that there was no need, because she and Professor Ozpin already knew about his transcripts. They were planning to expel him until they saw his leadership skills during the initiation and Ozpin decided to give him a chance. Team CRDL's smug grins turned to ones of shock and then into fear as Professor Goodwitch glared at them, displeased with how they left Jaune to die as well as blackmailing him.
"However, I cannot punish them unless someone is willing to testify that these allegations are true," she explained in a professional manner.
I quickly step up, "I can."
Everyone then looked at me.
"Jaune and Pyrrha were talking on the roof which I heard from my room below. After she left, Cardin appeared and did as the others explained which I also heard as well," I explained in a military manor….old habit.
Professor Goodwitch accepted my testimony and gave team CRDL two weeks suspension and another week's worth of detention. The others cheered in victory while the bullies groaned and we all headed back to Beacon.
Third-Person POV
Cardin sulked behind the group of students, but little did they know, he was scheming. He wanted revenge towards Jaune, Pyrrha, JNPR, RWBY, and most importantly that Wash guy. Had so many ideas in his head, Cardin was inwardly smiling knowing that he and his team were going to make sure they were going to make their lives hell. The hunter-in-training was going to tell his teammates, but his lips wouldn't move. He tried again and nothing happened. Before the bully tried to call for help he was dragged into a nearby bush. He could feel some unknown force tightening against his throat, but he saw nothing in front him. His back was slammed against a tree as he let out a suppressed grunt.
"Cardin Winchester, member of the once honorable Winchester bloodline," a menacing voice announced, "Your family knew the importance of honor, but it seems you don't even know the definition of the word."
Cardin felt the hand around his neck tighten as the figure began to form in front him. He couldn't tell what gender the stranger was because the person wore all black armor with a golden-yellow visor. The bully could see his reflection and saw the fear in his eyes as he tried to fight for air.
The stranger leaned into Cardin's face to the point where his nose was almost touching the visor, "You better start cleaning up your act."
The hunter was about to grunt, "Or else what?"
But, he couldn't get the words as he quickly felt his...private areas being crushed.
"Or else I'll come back and do a little 'gender-reassignment'," the stranger sadistically smirked under it's helmet, "We clear."
Cardin rapidly nodded his head, unable to handle the pain in his throat, and to his boys.
"Good," and the stranger dropped him.
The bully scrambled to his feet to rejoin the group, knowing much worse awaited him if he didn't change for the better.
When Cardin was out of sight, the stranger was about to walk off, but not until she took a quick glance at the crowd of students. Her eyes fell onto a certain Ex-Freelancer as he conversed with a girl with long blonde hair.
The stranger's voice returned to it's usual tone and inwardly smiled, "Looks like I found you first."
With that, Agent Texas walked deep into the forest and re-cloaked.
Washington POV
That night Jaune apologized to Pyrrha and asked if she could train him. The two made up and I, of course, heard the whole thing.
"I think we did a pretty good job," Epsilon said as he formed on my desk.
"We?" I jokingly asks.
"Yeah, you told Jaune to get over his ego while I motivated you to get off your lazy ass."
I guess he was right. I wasn't just their counselor, I was their teammate. Friend? I'm not so sure about that. It's still too early to tell if they're trustworthy and I doubt I'll let them know of my past. But still, it felt...nice to do something actually good for once. Sure it wasn't saving a village, but it was something. Still, this doesn't make-up for the things I've done and there is no doubt that Project Freelancer is still looking for me. I just hope it won't be happen anytime soon.
Author's note: And the plot thickens! Agent Texas is alive and it seems she has been looking for Washington. How much longer can Wash keep his secret? And how many more Freelancers are out there? Find out soon in the next chapter of...
FREELANCER TO HUNTER!
Delta: Thank you for reading; and do not forget to favorite, follow, and/or review.
DELTA!? Get out of here man, you're not supposed to be here yet!
Delta: My apologies Mr. Okampo
It's GaryOkampo!
Epsilon: How come I don't get to talk during the daytime!? I'm like the star of this story! I demand a bigger role!
Both of you get out of my computer!
Epsilon: Make me!
Delta: Please, let us try to find a logical and peaceful way to end this.
That's enough you two.
*SIGH*
This is GaryOkampo, logging off.
Epsilon: WAIT! I've got some good scenes that show how much of a badass I am!
No.
Epsilon: Come on!
NO!
Epsilon: You son of a-!
[CONNECTION TERMINATED]