Chapter 13: Jaunedice (Pt2)

(Beacon: Classroom)

Jaune was asleep, resting his head in his hands while a constantly-zooming and first-talking Professor Bartholomew Oobleck is in the middle of his hyperactive lecture, educating Weiss, Blake, Pyrrha, Riku, Ilivane, The rabbit girl: Velvet Scarlatina, and a leaned-back Cardin directly behind Jaune.

"This is prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus War!" He zooms up to the front of the class and the map covered in papers behind his desk." Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie." Points at the map of said-area with his stick, then zooms off to the side for a sip of his coffee before appearing in front of the desk." Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!" He zooms around the classroom more, sipping his coffee again before continuing to zoom and talk" Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?"

Some of the students raise thei hands. Velvet, after a moment, does the same.

"Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!" Takes another sip of his coffee." I mean just look at what happened to White Fang! Now, which one of you young scallions can tell me what many theorize to be turning point in the third year of the War?" A hand is raised." Yes?"

"The battle at Fort Castle!" Weiss answered.

"Precisely! And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?"

Unseen by the professor, Cardin flicks a paper football at Jaune's head, causing him to wake up.

"Hey!" Jaune shot up.

The professor zooms over into Jaune's face." Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?"

"Uhhh...The advantage...of the Faunus..." He looks behind Oobleck's focused face at Pyrrha, who coughs and motions to her lips as she gives him the answer."...had over that guy's stuff..." He sees Pyrrha cup her hands around her eyes and goes for the most obvious answer." Uhh...Binoculars!"

While Jaune looks pleased with his answer, the class laughs at him and Oobleck(back at the front of the class) sips his coffee. Pyrrha sighs and slaps a hand to her forehead as Cardin pounds his fist on his desk while chortling.

Oobleck zooms back behind his desk." Very funny, Mr. Arc! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!"

"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier."

"You're not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?" Pyrrha said, as Oobleck shakes his head.

"What? You got a problem?"

"No, I have the answer! it's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark." Cardin growls at the correct response.

"General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep." Blake said." His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured." She turns to Cardin." Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure.

As Cardin gets up from his seat, fist clenched, Oobleck stops him." Mr. Winchester! Please take your seat." When Jaune laughs at his tormentor's embarrassment, zooming up to him." You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings." He takes yet another sip of his coffee.

"Oohhhh..." Jaune shoulders slumping.

Oobleck zooms back to his desk." Now! Moving on!" He then notices someone raise their hand." Yes, Mr. Okamiden?"

"I have my own words on the battle at Fort Castle." Riku said.

"Ah! Further history! Please tell us!"

"In my opinion, the Faunus got lucky in the battle, if they attacked in the day, then Lagune and his men could have easily taken them out. And, I believe the Faunus could easily have been defeated, i mean they are animals after all." Riku laid his head on his desk, as several Faunus students glared at him.

Oobleck looked at Riku with confusion, and then realized his students were becoming frustrated. Finally, someone raised their hand." Yes, Mr. Genega?"

"Professor, I have read in recent Remnant history books that there was something else that happened at Fort Castle, and they say this incident was what ended the war." Ilivane said, trying to get all the anger of the students off Riku.

"Ah! You are correct Mr. Genega! But, that is a lesson for another day!" Oobleck takes another sip of his coffee." Now! Let us move on!"

When the lesson ends, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren come out of the classroom, only for Pyrrha to stop near the doorway.

"You go on ahead. I'll wait for Jaune." They look back inside as the after-class talk occurs to the two boys.

"Riku!" Ilivane yelled, catching up to his teammate in the hallway.

"What?" Riku asked, slowly turning to face him.

"What happened in there?"

"In where?"

"Doctor Oobleck's classroom?"

"Nothing happened. I just said my piece, nothing more." Riku said, turning away from Ilivane.

"Well, you're piece angered half of the class."

"I don't care what they think!" Riku yelled, turning sharply at his friend." And honestly...I don't care what you think, either."

Ilivane was surprised by this at first, but regained himself."...Very well." He walks past him." I'll see back at the dorm."

Riku holds his head down in shame, as Ilivane walks off.

Velvet, who was hiding behind the corner, walks towards Riku.

"U-Um...E-Excuse me?" Velvet said, shyly.

"Huh?" Riku looked up, and turned to see her." Oh...it's you."

"Uh..." Velvet looked away, as her bunny ears fall down." I-I wanted..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I...Just wanted to ask...why did you help me that day...?"

Riku looked at her for a few seconds."...I didn't do anything to help you."

"Huh!?"

"I...was annoyed. Cardin was making to much noise. So, I decided to shut him up.

"B-But..."

"I need to go. Sorry..."Riku walks away from Velvet.

She tries to follow him, but stops and lowers her head, feeling like she said something wrong.

Oobleck sips his coffee." You two have been struggling in my class since day one! Now, I don't know if it's a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature, but whatever it is..." He takes a longer sip of his coffee." It stops now! You've worked hard to gain entrance to this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen! If you can't learn from it...you're destined to repeat it. Pages fifty-one to ninety-one! I want an essay on my desk by next class! Now! Run along."

With that, he zooms out of the classroom and past a waiting Pyrrha in a green and white blur. Jaune comes out first, and Cardin emerges behind him, pushing him to the ground an emitting an "Ow!" from him that makes the bully laugh before walking away.

Pyrrha pulls Jaune back on his feet." You know, I really will break his legs." Jaune sighs, and Pyrrha looks like is struck by inspiration." I have an idea! Here, come with me!" She grabs a confused Jaune by the arm and drags him alomg as she turns down the corridor.

A dejected Jaune and Pyrrha come onto a rooftop of one of the buildings, with a clear view of the glowing green orbs in the central tower of Beacon.

"Pyrrha, I know I'm going through a hard time right now, but I'm not that depressed." Jaune said, looking over the edge of the roof, to the confusion of Pyrrha." I can always be a farmer or something..."

Pyrrha finally realizes, hitting her with horror." N-n-no!" She dashes to push Jaune away from the edge." That's not why I brought you up here!" The two not knowing that they are over team CRDL's room and Cardin leaning in his windowswill right below them." Jaune, I know you're having a difficult time in class and that you're still not the strongest of fighters, so...I want to help you!"

"Wh-what?"

"We can train up here after class where no one can bother us!"

"You think I need help?"

"N-no! No, that's not what I meant."

"But you just said it."

"Jaune, everybody needs a little push from time to time. It doesn't make you any different from the rest of us. You made it to Beacon! That speaks volumes of what you're capable of!"

Jaune turns away from her, lowering his head and voice." You're wrong. I-I don't belong here."

"That's a terrible thing to say! Of course you do!"

Jaune turns back around, now angry." No, I don't!" He sifgs as Pyrrha looks bewildered and he reveals the truth" I wasn't really accepted into Beacon..." He turns his back to her so he doesn't have to face her.

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"I mean I didn't go to combat school, I didn't pass any tests." His voice going higher and higher as he confesses." I didn't earn my spot at this Academy!" He looks at her again." I lied! I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied!"

"What? But...why?"

"Cause this is always what I've wanted to be!" He turns away again." My father, my grandfather, and his father before him were all warriors! They were all heroes! I wanted to be one, too. I was just never good enough."

"Then let me help you!" She approaches him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Jaune suddenly turns on her with mad frustration." I don't want help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!"

"Jaune, I-"

"I'm tired of being the lovable idiot, stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives! Don't you understand? If I can't do this on my own...then what good am I?"

Pyrrha attempts to reach out for his arm and console him, but he leans back from her touch.

"Just...Leave me alone. Okay?"

Pyrrha bowed her head, sad." If that's what you think is best..."

She walks away, her footsteps getting softer and softer until she leaves the roof. Jaune paces a little until he hears a mocking laugh and Cardin appears on the roof from his window.

"Oh, Jaune..." Cardin said.

Jaune looks behind him at his bully." Cardin!"

"I couldn't help but overhear you two from my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon, huh?" I gotta say, Jaune, i never expected you to be such a rebel!"

"Please, Cardin, please, don't tell anyone!" Jaune said, taking a begging tone.

"Jaune, come on! I'd never rat on a friend like that!"

"A...a friend?" Jaune asked, as Cardin approaches him.

"Of course!" He traps Jaune in a headlock under his arm despite his struggling." We're friends now, Jauney boy! And the way I see it, as long as you're there for me when I need you, we'll be friends for a long time." He finally releases Jaune, who gasps as he leans on the ground." That being said, I really don't have time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that me, buddy?" He leans down to rub Jaune's hair and gets up with a grin." That's what I thought." He heads back to hang onto the edge." Don't worry, Jaune; your secret's safe with me."

Cardin drops back down to his room as Jaune rubs his neck in pain and worry.

And that's another chapter done! Before any of you ask about Riku being against Faunus, it will be explained later on, same with the incident that Ilivane asked Oobleck about during the battle of Fort Castle, it will all be explained in the future.

Comment and let me know what you think! Until then...Keep moving forward!