A/N: Given the recent news reports, I've decided to forgo my usual banter in my author's note to speak out to our brothers and sisters over in Paris.
I wish you all the best through this horrible time, and hope that swift, righteous justice is dealt to those ISIS bastards for what they've done. My heart and prayers go out to the friends and families of those who lost loved ones on Friday 11/13/2015, and to my fellow readers/writers in France, I stand with you like the countless others here in the US and on this site.
Vive la France!
Bang!
Half an inch too far to the left, he picked up the tool he needed to make the adjustment before looking down range.
Bang!
Quarter inch too far to the right, he redid the adjustment and tried again.
Bang!
Bullseye. Adrian took his eye away from Shades scope as he assessed the target 30 meters down the firing range that had a cluster of bullet holes in the center of mass. The one difference he had learned between regular firearms and one's that converted was that they needed to be checked over more often. The sword/rifle was a reliable weapon, and to keep it that way he needed to perform maintenance at least one to two times a week.
And most of the time, he wasn't the only one at the range working on his equipment.
Ruby stood at a table on the wall opposite of the shooting booths, Crescent Rose laying next to her in its compact weapon form with the scope removed. The cloaked girl currently working on the attachment with a level of concentration she reserved for this form of delicate task.
"Aaaaaannnnndddd...done." she said smiling as she finished putting the scope back together and reattaching it to her sweetheart before taking to the closest booth. Loading a fresh clip in and chambering the first round, she shifted her sniper/scythe to its full form, laying it on the table before her with the crescent shaped blade aimed to the floor and looking down the sight at the target set up 90 meters down range.
BANG!
The large weapon kicked, but Ruby didn't even flinch and practically absorbed the recoil thanks to all her training with it. The large slug punched though dead-center causing the girl to beam brightly. "Bingo! I knew the new lense would work."
She fired off a couple more rounds to be sure the setting was correct before bringing Crescent Rose back over to the table to finish maintenance. Adrian having taken up the other side while he finished cleaning Shade.
"Thinking about any new upgrades?" she asked picking up a cleaning rag and tending to the barrel of her weapon.
[Everything's set to the way I need it. Anything more could throw things off.] he signed while using a small brush to clean out the firing chamber of his. Ruby nodded in understanding as they did their tasks in silence.
Things around school had been a little, unbalanced in the last week and a half. After Adrian had overheard Jaune disclose his well kept secret to Pyrrah, which had also been overheard by Cardin, the blonde knight spent every waking moment with team CRDL. The team of thugs using him as their personal doormat and forcing him to do everything and anything they wanted him to.
Because of this, team JNPR was without a leader and their circle of friends had an empty chair which left everyone wondering what was going on and why they were being avoided. Pyrrah being the one that was taking it the hardest, and all but brushed off Jaune whenever he attempted to speak with her.
The ex-FEAR operative had observed everything from the sidelines, watching as everyone went through the motions. Personally, he still believed the knight to be foolish and idiotic for his actions to get into Beacon.
But now he also considered him a coward. Willing to degrade himself and become nothing more than a servant to a group of disgraceful, arrogant and worthless excuses for warriors. On top of that, he was supposed to be a leader, and he willingly abandoned his team in order to keep his dirty little secret.
A true soldier would have gone down fighting for the good of those around them, no matter what the outcome became regarding their own status. Jaune Arc may have considered himself a failure because of his lack of skill as a warrior, but it was his lack of character and willingness to do what was needed for the good of his team.
After everything he's seen and heard about the situation, the blonde deserved to be kicked out of the academy on principal before he got himself or someone else killed because of his incompetence.
However, there was one small piece of information that he knew for certain that turned things in another direction.
Given the level of skill required to pass in order to gain acceptance to this school, there was no way in hell that Ozpin would have easily overlooked something like falsified transcripts. There was too much of a security risk if they didn't take steps to ensure that any and all incoming students that wished to attend weren't a threat or not up to the level required. The security of this academy was almost as tight as a military base, you'd have to be a master of infiltration in order to gain entry without raising red flags.
And Jaune didn't seem to be a master of such a criteria.
So either Ozpin wasn't that good of a headmaster, which was highly unlikely, or he knew Jaune lied his way in and instead allowed it for one reason or another. It seemed almost equally unikely, but at the same time was the only plausable answer.
Adrian finished cleaning his weapon as he continued to contemplate the situation he was currently, and secretively, apart of. He knew Jaune's secret, he knew why he was forced to be around CRDL, and he was the only one, other than Jaune himself, in any position to do something about it. But the question was, should he do anything about it?
"Hay Adrian?" the soldier looked up when Ruby had spoken, she having finished cleaning Crescent Rose and was currently packing away the tools she had been using. "Are you busy this weekend?" she askeed with her cheeks tinting a little bit.
[Got to study for Oobleck's test, but other than that I'm free. Why?] he signed back curious.
The red clad girl fiddled with the hem of her cloak before meeting his gaze, "Well, there's this new horror movie playing friday night. I wanted to know if you wanted to go see it with me."
Adrian looked curious and signed back, [What about the others?]
Ruby's blush deepened. Truthfully, she hadn't asked any of the others about going out this weekend like last time, instead she wanted another opprotunity to hang out with Adrian again. Alone.
Their last outing together left her feeling very good, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt so happy around someone other than family. Ruby also felt as though she started to form a good, strong connection with him during their talks. He may have still kept his past close to the chest, but she was patient, and knew that he would go to her when he was ready to talk about it.
But more than that, the warmth she felt in her chest whenever he was around had gotten stronger as well. She still didn't have an explination for it, but she liked the feeling and took every moment she could to be around the soldier and enjoy the time they had together. Though that didn't mean she didn't make time for all of her other friends and her sister as well.
"I actually thought that it could be just the two of us again since it isn't a team training weekend." the young leader said, doing her best to keep her voice level and avoid cracking in nervousness.
Adrian was a little surprised at the offer given, even after they had spoken about hanging out again, but it was one he had been secretly looking forward to since the last time they went to Vale together.
Given all the time they had been spending together, he felt more and more comfortable around her compared to everyone else. Of course that didn't mean that he wasn't comfortable around the others, but with Ruby it felt as though he didn't have to wear his mental and emotional armor so much. She had this strange way of getting past his barriers that both troubled him, and made him realize that he didn't have to put up as strong a front like he usually did.
Not only that, he felt...different when he was around her. In the past, he followed orders and respected his superiors like any soldier did. But with Ruby, there was a loyalty beyond anything he had experienced.
Even in the heat of combat while they trained, her voice would cut through the chaos and reach his mind in a way no one had ever done before.
He also found himself very protective of the cloaked girl as well. More than once he fought the urge to charge the combat stage in the atrium during class when her opponent would catch her off guard. Paxton had seen one such incident and questioned him on it, but he didn't have an answer and was just as confused as he was.
It was like another instinct, similar to the ones he had while in a firefight that helped him avoid danger. Feeling like a pull in his chest that always aimed him at her no matter where one or the other was.
Seeing the anticipation for his answer in her eyes, Adrian couldn't help the small smile that graced his face as he nodded. [Sure. Let me know what time and we can head out then.] he signed making Ruby beam happily.
"I'll send you a message later with the details." she said folding Crescent Rose into its compact form and slipping it on her belt and checking the time. "Wow, it's late. We better turn in, we have that field trip to Forever Fall forest tomorrow to get ready for."
[I'll be right behind you. Have to finish up.] the ex-FEAR operative signed while turning back to Shade. Ruby smiled again and gave a wave as she left the shooting range, leaving him on his own while he continued working on the weapon before him.
"You're making a mistake, brother." Adrian felt his good mood disappear, but didn't look up from his task when he felt Paxton's aura behind him.
The apparition walked around the soldier and stood at his side, "Getting closer to that girl will only make things harder for you in the end. She is too, sickeningly, innocent for her own good, she can't hope to comprehend you and our family's existence."
Adrian continued to ignore him on the subject, a sliver of frusteration going through Paxton, though he didn't let it show as he leered at his older brother. "Do you think she will still care about you when she discovers the truth?"
That question made the soldier pause, "How long do you plan to keep the facade of normality? How long will you continue to try and ignore what is in your blood?" the being of aura continued. "No matter how hard you try, you won't stop the inevitable. The world turned its back on us once before, it will do so again."
Paxton started to walk away, but not before sending one last bit of parting words over his shoulder, "Think long and hard about those you involve yourself with, brother. You don't have the best of records for keeping friends around you alive, after all."
Adrian spun around, Strader in hand ready to shoot. But Paxton was gone, his aura vanishing completely as he went to god only knew where.
Lowering his arm, he clicked the safey back on the pistol before holstering it again. As much as he didn't want to, he couldn't help but dwell on his little brother's words. Not so old memories resurfacing as he remembered the violent deaths of his squadmates, and the fear that came with the thought of those he was with now would suffer a similar fate.
Thankfully it didn't last long, the more rational part of his mind managed to stamp down on the thoughts and close them off. Paxton was a master at mind games, one of the many reasons why he must have excelled as a psychic commander, and he wouldn't put it past the apparition to try and put doubts in his head with how things were going right now.
Brothers they may be, but Adrian would never let what Paxton was turn him down a similar path. Not if he could help it.
Finishing with Shade, the soldier left the shooting range and made a stop at the locker room to store it for the trip they would be taking the next day before making his way to the dorm. Given the hour, everyone else had already turned in to either sleep or do last minute school work meaning the halls were empty save for him. The only sounds being made being his feet on the carpeted floor as he entered the residential wing of the academy.
However through the silence, his ears perked up when he heard the sound of people talking around the next corner where RWBY and JNPR's dorms were located.
Approaching the corner, he peered around to see Ruby and Jaune talking with one another. The former in her pajamas ready for bed while the latter was in his armor and slumped on the floor.
"I screwed up." the blonde knight said sounding defeated and worn. "I did something I shouldn't have, now Cardin's got me on a leash, and Pyrrah won't even talk to me...I'm starting to think coming to this school was a bad idea...I'm a failure..."
"Nope."
Jaune looked up at Ruby confused, "Nope?"
"Nope." repeated his fellow leader, "You're a leader now, Jaune. You're not allowed to be a failure." Ruby's voice said in the quiet halls.
"But...what if I'm a failure at being a leader?" Jaune's voice said back sounding defeated.
"Hmm...Nope." came the innocent reply.
The knight chuckled, "You know, you're not the easiest person to talk to about this kind of stuff."
"Nope." Ruby said shaking her head as she sat down beside him, "Jaune, maybe you were a failure when you were a kid. You might have been a failure the first time we met. But you can't be one now. You know why?"
Jaune scratched his head, "Uhh...because...?"
"Because it's not just about you anymore." the younger teen said honestly standing back up. "You've got a team now, Jaune. We both do. And if we fail, then we'll just be bringing them down with us. We have to put our team mates first, and ourselves second."
"You're team deserves a great leader, Jaune." she continued. "And I think that can be you." opening the door to her room, Ruby looked back at the blonde. "Have a good night, Jaune." with that the door closed and the knight was left alone.
Adrian was impressed with Ruby's speaking skills, her ability to inspire people and get through to them was something many leaders needed to get others to follow them.
He watched Jaune reach for his door handle when his scroll went off.
Looking down, he sighed as he opened it up. 'Hay, it's your buddy Cardin. I know you're probably busy with that dust project I gave you. Buuuuuut, I'm gonna need you to go out and collect a bag of Rapier Wasps. And make sure they got really big stingers. It's important, so don't screw this up.'
Sighing in defeat, Jaune trudged his way up the hall, around the corner and toward the exit to the dorms.
Out of the shadows, the soldier stepped out and watched him go with his arms crossed. His earlier thoughts about this very situation coming back to him, along with the question on whether or not he should do something given what he knew.
Then there was the matter of what Cardin was planning with those insects he sent Jaune to collect. Rapier Wasps were a very tempermental insects, angering one angered the entire hive, and their stings were very painful...and deadly if enough of them stung you at one time. So whatever the leader of CRDL had planned with them was anything but good.
And since it was just RWBY-A, JNPR, CRDL and Professor Goodwitch going out into the field the next day, any of them could be the intended target.
The ex-FEAR operative clenched his fist, whatever Jaune was going through wasn't his issue to deal with, the knight would have to make his own decisions and figure out his own path if he wanted any hope of being the hero he so badly wants to become. But it would be a cold day in hell he'd let something happen to any of the others because of Cardin and his fellow assholes.
After taking a moment to collect himself, Adrian headed to his dorm and entered silently as to not awaken the girls. Already formulating a plan to ensure that Cardin's little plan failed...painfully if need be.
X
The forest of Forever Fall really did live up to the name. Every tree that covered the land had bright red leaves which made all of those passing through believe that the place was in a perminent state of autumn. And like with many places around Vale, it held a lot of history, as well as a good population of Grimm.
Adrian walked with his team, Shade in hand as he scanned every treetrunk around them for movement that could be deemed hostile. A pack slung over his shoulder housing the supplies they would need for the assignment they would be undertaking during their time out here.
Occasionally, his gaze would drift to team CRDL who were chuckling as they watched Jaune attempt to carry all of their supplies for them. The soldier's eyes locking on the bag Cardin was carrying with him that had a distinct square shape to it, and if one were to be close enough, could hear buzzing coming from within.
"Yes students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful." said Professor Goodwitch as she led them in deeper, taking in the sights and sounds that surrounded them. "But, we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep within this forest."
She stopped causing all the students to do the same as she turned to them. "And I am here to make sure that none of you die while doing so." she stated rather bluntly. "Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of creatures of Grimm. So be sure to stay by your team mates."
Goodwitch motioned to the spot where they were now standing, "We will randevous back here at four o'clock. Stay vigilant, and have fun." with that she began to make her way back toward the bullhead while the teams took out their supplies and began to pick out trees.
Jaune went to move toward his team when Cardin grabbed his shoulder, "Com'mon buddy. Lets go." he said before dragging the blonde off with his team.
The others watched him go confused, with a couple looking concerned before they got to work collecting their sap.
Adrian watched them go with narrowed eyes before picking out his own tree after handing out the supplies to the rest of his team. Slinging his weapon over his shoulder, he tapped the tree and collected the thick, red liquid that dripped out in the jar until it was almost full before capping it and setting the glass container aside.
Looking around and seeing the others going about their business, he stood up and approached Ruby and tapped her shoulder getting hers and Weiss' attention. [Got my sap. I'm going to patrol the perimeter.] he signed before unslinging his rifle and making his way toward the trees.
"Okay, send a message if you need backup!" she called after him before going back to work.
"You sure it was a good idea letting him go off alone like that?" asked Ren from the tree he and Nora were at, sighing in frusteration when the orange-haired girl chugged the jar of sap he just barely finished filling.
Yang handed a full jar to Blake before starting on another one, "I'd be more worried about the Grimm. He'd better save us a fight or two if things heat up around here."
Ruby returned to her task, but something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Looking out into the forest, she blinked a few times when she saw someone half-standing behind one of the trees mostly out of view, but she could make out a curtain of midnight-black hair and a lone glowing eye looking back at her.
"Ruby! Pay attention!" Weiss exclaimed making her jump and look down to see she overfilled the jar in her hands.
"Oops!" she yelped, quickly switching out with an empty one and filling it while her partner dealt with the excess in the other. She looked back into the trees, but whoever had been there was gone.
There had been something familiar about them, she just couldn't recall where.
X
He waited until he was out of sight of the others before diverting his direction and heading off to where he'd seen Jaune and CRDL disappear to. It wasn't hard to track them, they'd left a big enough trail to follow that he barely had to try. Finding Cardin and his team all lounging around a small clearing a minute later.
Adrian ducked out of sight, rifle held loosly in his hands as he peeked out and watched as Jaune came stumbling out into the open with six jars of red sap roughly stacked in his hands.
"Hay, great work Jauney-boy. Now that wasn't too hard, was it?" Cardin said with a smirk while the knight collapsed in exhaustion on the ground.
Jaune groaned, "I...think I'm allergic to this stuff..."
"Yeah, great." the bully said getting up and standing over him. "So, Jaune, I bet you're asking yourself, 'why my buddy Cardin asked me to collect six jars of tree sap, when there's only five of us'.
"That is one of the many questions I asked myself today. Yes." the blonde said as he slowly got back to his feet.
Cardin's smirk widened, "Well, come with me and you'll find out." The group started moving through the forest again, completely unaware of the soldier shadowing them as they stopped at a ridge that overlooked a clearing where the others were busy gathering their own jars of sap.
Situating himself behind the closest tree, Adrian leaned out and continued to listen.
"Cardin...what's going on?" Jaune asked feeling very uncomfortable with what might be happening.
"Payback." the bully said, his eyes narrowing on the group of seven below them. His gaze settling on Pyrrah as she knelt down and collected the red liquid from the tree before her. "That's the girl, red hair, know it all, thinks she so smart."
"Hay, where's that fucker Wade at?" asked Sky as he searched for ex-FEAR operative.
"Don't matter. He'll get his soon enough." Cardin stated with his grin turning feral as he reached back and took out a small box that was buzzing loudly from within. "Alright boys, last night Jaune here gathered up an entire box of Rapier Wasps. And now, we're gonna put them to work."
Jaune's face paled when he started to put together what CRDL had planned for his friends.
"Now, according to one of the essays you wrote for me, these nasty things love sweets." Cardin said as he drummed his fingers on the lid of the box. "I think it's time we teach these nobodies what happens when you mess with us." they all stood up, Cardin pulling Jaune up as well as he shoved a jar of sap into his hands. "And you're going to do it."
"What?!" the knight said in shock.
"Hit the red-headed bitch with the sap, or I'll have a nice long chat with Goodwitch. And you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon." the bully threatened. Jaune looked down at the jars in his hands, his mind conflicted on what to do as team CRDL all stood smirking at him.
Russell stood at the back of the group, to busy enjoying the knight's plight that he didn't notice the individual sneaking up behind him. A hand clamping over his mouth and an arm tight around his throat making it impossible for him to make any noise as he was dragged into the shadows.
Adrian tightened his grip on the other teen's throat, further cutting off air supply. Now that he knew what they were up to, he wasn't planning on letting them go through with it. When Russell stopped struggling and fell limp after being knocked out, he tossed him to the ground just as Jaune spoke his answer.
"No." he said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"What did you say?" asked Cardin.
Clenching his fist tighter around the jar, "I said," he spun around and hurled the jar at them. "No!" The glass shattered on Cardin's chest armor and splattering the sap all over it.
A chilled silence filled the air as the three bullies all glared hatefully at a now fearful Jaune Arc. "Oh...you've done it now." the leader said with a growl as they started to close in on him. "You think this makes you tough? Makes you a big strong man now? Is that it?"
He threw a punch at Jaune who held up his hands in defense. A white glow emitting around him at the last moment. When Cardin's fist connected it felt like punching a brick wall, causing the bully to stumble back clenching his hand in pain. "What the hell?!"
The ex-FEAR operative used the distraction to creep up behind Dove and Sky, grabbing the back of both their heads and slamming them together hard enough to take them both down. Cardin spun around, still holding his hand and barely had a second to register the rest of his team being down before the butt of a rifle slammed against the side of his face sending him crashing to the dirt.
He tried to stand, and was immediately stuck again crashing right back down again. A swift kick to the gut flipping him over so that he was now looking up to see Adrian leering right back down at him, Strader in hand aiming at his face.
"Whoa! WHOA! What the hell?!" Cardin exclaimed putting his hands up. "Why are-" the soldier slammed his boot down on his head hard enough to make him see stars before motioning to the still sealed box of Rapier Wasps and then to the still unsuspecting group of their peers. Telling him he knew what the leader was planning.
"T-That was Jaune's idea!" Cardin tried to lie, "He-He doens't even belong here! We were tryin-" Adrian clicked the hammer back on his pistol making the bully go quiet instantly. A very tense silence filled the air as the soldier burned a damning gaze into the bully's eyes, a look reserved only for enemies that he had the intention of removing from the land of the living.
Cardin Winchester was a pathetic, disgusting excuse for a huntsman. No doubt he would use his status after Beacon to abuse his power and make the lives of others unbareable, removing him from the equation completely would save a lot of issues later.
"Adrian." the ex-FEAR operative kept his eyes on the one he was holding at gunpoint, but tilted his head to the side to let Jaune know he had heard him. "He's not worth it, none of them are. Don't waste the bullet."
The strength in the knight's words was a little surprising, whether it was courage after finally stepping up or a bit of bravado now that CRDL was on the ropes was yet to be seen, but it was enough for Adrian to back up. Clicking the hammer of his Strader forward and lowering it as he stepped away from Cardin who scrambled back to his feet.
Taking a couple deep breaths, the taller leader glared at Jaune. "Don't think for a second this solves anything, you're as good as gone when I-" he was silenced when the blonde's fist connected hard with the side of his face sending him staggering back.
Jaune waved his hand in pain, but didn't back down. "I don't give a damn if I get kicked out of Beacon. I'm not going to let you hurt my friends. So take your damn wasps and shove 'em!"
He had barely gotten the words out when a loud roar echoed through the forest. A moment later, a huge form came bursting out of the trees and appeared in the clearing. The towering form of an Ursa Major rose up on its hind-legs and let loose a bellowing roar that shook the surrounding trees.
Sweeping its head from side to side, the large Grimm sniffed at the air before turning toward the downed form of Cardin. It's glowing red eyes locking on to his chest armor where the red sap was still present.
He attempted to stand and run, but the creature's paw slashed through the air and send him crashing to the dirt several feet away. His aura dropping like a lead weight from the one hit alone as he tried to crawl away.
But the Ursa Major was already upon him before he managed to get too far. Knocking him hard to the side once again as it continued after him.
Adrian unslung his rifle and raised it to his eye to shoot when Jaune ran past him brandishing his sword and shield.
When the large Grimm went to take nother swing, it was met with the hard metal of the knight's shield as he deflected the blow. With a battle cry, Jaune slashed with his sword and scoring a hit along the Ursa Major's chest.
Watching the knight fight against the creature and managing to hold his own, the soldier kept his weapon at the ready incase it became too much for him or if more showed up. "JAUNE!" he looked over his shoulder and saw Pyrrah, Ruby and Weiss running up and joining him.
They looked ready to jump into the fray, but Adrian raised his hand stopping them. [This is his fight. Let him do it.] he signed as they all looked on.
Jaune ducked and dodged his way around the Grimm's attacks, taking a couple of hits but getting right back to his feet and charging straight back into it. Trying to attack the creature from different angles and find a weakness in its defense. Another hit sent him crashing to his back, checking his shield where his scroll was set up, he found his aura dropping into the red and knew that he couldn't take much more.
Steeling his resolve, he charged the Ursa Major one final time. The Grimm doing the same with a bellowing roar as they met in the middle of the clearing.
Time slowed to a crawl as the two began to swing at one another. Pyrrah looked on and noticed that Jaune's shield was too low and he would have his head taken off by the creature's claws before his attack would land.
Raising her hand, a black glow began to encase her arm that then surrounded her partner's shield. Causing it to lift just high enough to deflect the Ursa's attack and send it wide, giving Jaune the opening to slash high with his sword and take its head clean off its shoulders.
Adrian looked over at the spartan and raised an eyebrow after seeing what she had done. "Uhh...what?" Ruby asked wondering what had just happened.
"How did you..." Weiss added wanting to know the same thing.
"Well," Pyrrah began. "Ruby has her speed, you have your glyphs. My semblance is polarity."
Ruby gasped, "You can control polls?"
The heiress shook her head at her partner's ignorance, "No you dunce, it means she has control over magnitism."
"Magnets are cool too." the cloaked girl muttered. As they watched Jaune walk over to Cardin, pointing the tip of his sword at the other teen's face "Don't ever threaten my team, my friends again. Got it?" Without another word he walked away leaving the now defeated bully behind him. The knight looked at his partner with a sad expression, "Pyrrah, I'm sorry. About everything."
Pyrrah looked him in the eye for a few moments before smiling. The group started heading back to where the others would be waiting for them, Adrian looking back at Cardin, who had just gotten back up, and sent one last warning glare his way before following with them.
Cardin gritted his teeth and glared at the ground. Not only had his plan failed, he'd been made a laughing stock by a pathetic loser and his damn friends.
His fists clenched tightly and shook. They were going to pay, all of them were going to pay for this. Starting with Arc, then that damn freak who wouldn't stop interferring with him and his team.
"You know, a smart man would know when to cut his losses and give up." the leader's head shot up and looked around when he heard the voice resonate from somewhere closeby. But there was no one there, his team mates having awoken and fled during the fight with the Ursa Major.
"But then again...you're not a very smart man, are you, Cardin Winchester?" the voice spoke again.
"Who the fuck are you?! Where are you hiding?!" Cardin demanded, picking up his mace and looking everywhere for the person. "Show yourself, dammit!
A dark chuckle echoed through the clearing, "If you insist." the large teen was suddenly struck by a powerful blast of red energy, his body freezing in place and unable to move a single muscle except for his eyes.
From the shadows of the surrounding trees, Paxton Fettel strolled out into the clearing, hands behind his back and red aura flowing around him like flames. "Looks as though my brother couldn't beat intelligence into that thick skull of yours. Luckily, I possess a far more effective method that you may find hard to ignore."
He held up a hand and energy started to gather in it, a blade-like smile spreading across his face, "Of course, the chances of you surviving this are slim at best. But what's a little risk when it comes to teaching an important subject." Paxton slammed his palm into Cardin's forehead, his frozen body started convulsing in its frozen state, eyes wide in agony and horror as a barrage of terrifying images were shoved into his brain.
"Pain, is by far the best teacher one will ever have, after all." the apparition chuckled again before it turned into full blown maniacle laughter that echoed throughout the forest, followed swiftly by the inhuman screams of terror.
X
Professor Ozpin had seen and experienced many things in his time as both a huntsman and headmaster of Beacon academy. But standing in the lobby of the infirmary with Glynda as several doctors attempted to help one of the students.
Looking to the other side of the waiting room, she saw the other three members of team CRDL sitting tensely as they waited for news on their leader. Their faces ashen and had been that way since they had found him after hearing the blood curdling screams in Forever Fall.
The headmaster knew what had transpired with the Ursa Major, but everything after that was unknown considering Cardin had been alone when the fight ended. And in the state they had found him in, the leader wasn't in any position to be explaining anything.
Everyone looked up when the doors opened and the head physician stepped out and approached them. "How is he?" asked Ozpin, wondering about the condition of the student.
The doctor rubbed his eyes and shook his head, "I've never encountered something like this before, Ozpin. It's like he's not even there anymore. Whatever he saw effected him so badly his mind couldn't take it and shut down."
"What does that mean, exactly?" asked Professor Goodwitch, not liking how things were sounding.
The man looked at the both of them with a serious expression, "Mr. Winchester saw something so traumatizing that his conscious mind couldn't handle the strain of it and nearly broke completely. To sum it up, he was literally one step away from being scared to death..."
There was a lapse of haunting silence in the room as everyone tried to swallow the information. Outside the infirmary, Alma could be seen watching them through the window in the door before turning and walking away. Disappearing in a flash of ashes.
A/N: Thanks to little brother, Cardin may no longer be an issue in the future...if at all anymore. The paranormal BS is starting to crank up and will reach a whole new level in the next chapter, because everyone is about to encounter their own little piece of Alma's hell. It's been a long time coming, and they couldn't avoid it forever...
Next time, Interval 11 - Visions.