GIANT STAMP!~ Hey everyone, sorry for the wait but I haven't had a lot of time to type recently.
So, this chapter concludes the initiation arc, and to be honest it took me a lot longer than I thought it would so I apologize for the poor pacing.
Also, there will be a few chapters of Hawkins at the beginning of the next arc, so stay in tune for those.
That's about it for this chapter everyone, so with that cheers and happy reading!
"Not the tarot cards!" Jaune yelled as he broke into a messy barrel roll, clutching his precious pieces of paper as he did so.
As expected, Cinder was an exceptional opponent with a keen eye for weakness and perhaps a tad sadistic. She made no move for Jaune himself, instead, she swung and stabbed for his cards which were laid out on the floor. Scrambling on his back, Jaune flailed his borrowed blade and blocked an incoming strike aimed for his stomach.
"At least this sword is wide!" Jaune panted and forced Cinder off balance with a heavy thrust.
Rolling to his feet, Jaune widened his stance and gripped his sword with both hands. One sparking parry later, Jaune noticed a fluttering object in his peripherals. He'd failed to gather all of his cards, and now one flew in the air with no clear path in sight.
Jaune broke from his and Cinder's encounter and dashed to capture his belonging, only for his golden-eyed opponent to land a swift heel in his back. Propelled across the stage, Jaune bit a face-full of dust, and his gigantic weapon plunked beside him with a thud.
"Oof... I wonder how Ms. Belladonna is doing?" Jaune shook his head and grumbled.
On the northern side of the arena, Blake and Yang weaved around each other in a cat and mouse fashion. Blake served the role of the mouse, nimbly crouching and jumping to maintain a safe distance from Yang's stone-hard punches. Fed up with an endless pursuit, Yang narrowed her lilac pupils on her initial target.
She activated the gun mechanisms in her Ember Cecelia and fired off a consecutive amount of rounds, some were aimed at Blake, but the majority veered off in the direction of Jaune.
The whistling rockets ringing his ears, Jaune spun on his heels and widened his eyes at the sight of explosive red shells flying toward him. With a forehead drenched in sweat, Jaune dipped to the side and raised his blade. He sliced and blocked the gunshots with relative ease, but his focus faded on his main opponent.
Another window of opportunity present, Cinder rushed in after the smoke cleared and swung for Jaune's head. The young magician coughed out a dust cloud and managed to intercept his adversary's advance, but the unfamiliar weight of his borrowed weapon slowed his movements allowing the tip of Cinder's sword to graze his cheek.
"This isn't working." The blonde grumbled under his breath and narrowed his sights on the sadistic smile of Cinder.
"What's the matter little boy, I thought my underlings said you could win this match. Or perhaps that was nothing but false bravado in a vain attempt to intimidate me?"
"To be honest, I'm more intimidated by your teammate who's giving me the death glare." Jaune peeked over Cinder's shoulder to meet a pair of blazing red pupils.
The black-haired student scoffed. This bumbling doofus is squaring off against the most powerful girl in his year, yet he has the audacity to turn his attention on a lesser combatant? Be that as it may, Russel and his lackeys hold this Jaune character in high regard, but what merit do the words of peons have?
"Hah!" Distracted by her thoughts, Jaune managed to thrust his sword in a slight opening and scratch her shoulder. Sky and the members of CRSD roared in praise, but this only strengthened Cinder's resolve to humiliate her opponent.
"Alright, I'm done with playing nice." The hotheaded leader growled.
"You were going easy on me?" Jaune whimpered as he blocked an overhead slash.
"Damn it!" Cardin punched the door of the cafeteria open and stumbled his way in.
A handful of students eyed the grumbling teen with curious eyes, but the majority diverted their attention to their prior conversations. Due to off-hours, the kitchens were closed and the only nourishment available were the leftovers from breakfast and last night's dinner. The stale selection limited, Cardin took a tray of waffles and a few packets of maple syrup and trudged to an empty seat in the corner of the room.
"How the hell did that shorty beat me?" The ginger whined and scarfed down a fork full of dough.
His mind racing back to his recent fight, Cardin felt a vain twitch in the corner of his forehead when the smirk of a mocking Neo resurfaced. He knew how important that fight was, if he won he could've swayed the opinions of Roman and Weiss, if only a little, toward respecting him as the team leader.
His eyes downward, the sympathetic words of his blonde partner helped soothe his deprecating attitude, but deep down Cardin knew that Yang didn't think his skills were up to snuff. The way the brawler's expression wavered from confident to concerned said it all, but it was the only reinforcement Cardin had so he never called Yang out on it.
"Hey, isn't that Cardin Winchester?" Muttered a nearby group.
"Yeah, but what's a first-year doing out of class?" Grunted a boy with curly brown hair.
"He doesn't look too happy, maybe he flunked a test?" Said a girl with a blue ponytail.
"Hey, I think I recognize him. He's one of the nobles who enrolled with that specialty registration. Huh, little good that did him, have you heard how much of a flunk he is? Compared to the amazing lineup of his team he's the definition of a second-rate hunter." Whispered a tall male with spiky green locks.
"No kidding, the heiress of the SDC and the heir of the RDI, not to mention the hot blonde who's the descendant of Summer Rose, one of Beacon's most famous and accomplished huntress to date."
By this time Cardin didn't care who was spouting the insults. He rose from his chair in a huff and approached the group with narrowed eyes. With each year of students, a colored ribbon was assigned, and by the bright yellows and blues, the muttering ensemble of students belonged to years two and three.
"If you've got something to say, the least you can do is say it to my face!" Cardin yelled and the group stepped back in response.
Before his senior years could utter a retort, a half-eaten projectile collided against the face of the boy with green hair.
"Agh, what the hell, who's throwing apples at me?!"
Glancing back to the kitchens, Cardin ignored the disturbance and pressed with the advantage of his flustered opposition. Thanks to his muscular body and natural height, it was easy for Cardin to pull off the brute look and squander disputes before they could start. With a rude remark here and there, the group of second and third-years made their way out of the cafeteria leaving Cardin alone to ponder.
"Clang!~" The abrupt clatter of silverware turning his head, the ginger-haired boy veered his sights to a large shadow behind the food displays and countertops of the kitchens.
Cardin scratched his head. He didn't see any staff enter the cafeteria and the lights in the cooking areas remained dim. Cautiously, the armored teen approached the disturbance and pushed through the kitchen doors. The sounds of something small pittering against the tiled floors echoed in the darkness.
Patting the wall, Cardin almost tripped over a sack of potatoes before his fingers brushed against a light switch. At first, he didn't believe what his eyes were seeing. A large animal with white skin and a set of matching ivory tusks, leather bands covered its body with round decorations with stars inside them lined at the sides.
"What the hell is an elephant doing here of all places?" Cardin muttered in shock.
The beast in question flapped its large ears and turned to meet its new acquaintance. Tilting its head, the elephant had its eyes toward the high shelves and slowly reached for a bag of peanuts. It waited for a few seconds, and seeing that Cardin wasn't going to try anything, it continued to snack on the assortment of fruits and vegetables it managed to rummage in a small pile beside it.
"Pao?" The elephant lifted its bounty of peanuts and held it up to Cardin. Unknown to the teen, the elephant witnessed the entire scene with the earlier group of rude students, and from his experience with Jaune, he didn't like bullies all that much.
Cardin stepped back and observed his surroundings. The kitchen had been left intact and nothing seemed out of place other than the pantries the animal had rummaged through. However, a stack of apple cores and other half-eaten fruit caught his attention.
"Don't tell me... are you the one who chucked that apple at that group of louts?"
"Pao!" The elephant nodded, its lips stretching to a grin as it plopped the bag of peanuts next to Cardin and went back to devouring its fruits and vegetables.
Wondering if he'd lost his sanity, Cardin decided to leave the elephant be and turned to leave. But not before snagging a handful of peanuts for himself.
"Thanks... I guess." The armored boy grumbled.
"Pao!" The elephant gulped down the last of its delicious meal and tapped Cardin on the shoulder with its trunk.
"Okay, what do you want now?" Cardin huffed as the elephant pulled out a small photograph from one of the many pouches lined along its sides.
With the image of a blonde goofball in front of him, Cardin blinked a few times before understanding what the animal wanted.
"Hold on, is Jaune your owner or something?"
The ivory beast nodded and flapped its ears. Wrapping its trunk around the ginger teen's waist, Cardin was pulled behind its right ear. A name boldly written in ink, Cardin felt his jaw slack at the revelation.
"Wait a minute... Your name's Funkfreed? So the entire time Jaune was floundering in the ballroom with his sword was because he wanted to show you to that tiny hooded girl?"
"Pao!" The elephant nodded again with gusto then jumped into the air and left his new acquaintance speechless. His legs and feet contorting along with its trunk, ears, and tusks; Funkfreed transfigured into his saber form and was caught by a pair of trembling hands.
His mind stalled for answers, Cardin blinked rapidly as his brain caught up to recent events.
"Pao?"
The armored teen swallowed a thick lump and spoke. "So... I'm guessing you want me to return you to Jaune?"
"Pao!~"
Cardin's face scrunched and he sighed.
"Well, I guess I owe you for that well-timed apple throw..." He muttered and promptly made his way out of the kitchens and the mess hall.
As he exited the cafeteria, Cardin failed to notice a shadow on the walls, facepalming, Doppelman opted to return to Jaune and explain the whereabouts of Funkfreed later. Besides, his owner probably needed him right now anyway.
"Please, it's not like I meant to damage your hair, Ms. Long!" Jaune roared in frustration as the edge of his blade swished past Yang's head and dug into the ground.
With a boost from Ember Cecelia, Yang clasped her hands together and delivered a brunt elbow to Jaune's chest. His hands released the grip of his blade and he flew across the stage with a yelp.
"It's not just about the hair, Jaune." Yang chuckled and put a hand on her hip.
"This is combat class too, and I've been meaning to get a good workout in. Besides, I've already forgiven you for what happened in botany Ms. Peach and Heracles' lessons."
"Then why are you fighting me with a scowl on your face? You look a lot prettier when you smile." Jaune coughed and used his sleeve to wipe a mix of saliva and blood off his lips.
"Oh, trying to flirt with me, lady killer? Nice try, but pampering comments aren't going to save you from this beatdown." Yang reached behind her back and whipped out two magazines of red dust. With a flick of her wrists and a tap on the inside of her weapons, she raised her hands and unloaded Ember Cecelia then reloaded it with new ammunition.
"Huh, I didn't think telling the truth was a flirting attempt, but you learn something new every day," Jaune mumbled and shrugged his shoulders.
Without a weapon, Jaune put up his fists and fixed himself into a boxing position. He wasn't on the same level of hand-to-hand combat as his current opponent, but he knew enough to save himself in a scuffle. He traded even blows with Yang at first, their knuckles colliding, each hit pushed Jaune nearer to the edge of the stage.
"How is she doing it?" Jaune growled and blocked an elbow thrust.
The eyes of the brawler slowly shifting to a set of blood-colored pupils and her hair began to glow. Jaune curled a brow and raised his armored arm for defense. Sparks flew as Ember Cecelia ground against the steel armlet. His heels digging into the floor, Jaune bolstered his upper body strength to match that of Yang's.
"So I'm guessing this random power boost is thanks to your semblance?" Jaune panted with a face slathered in dust and sweat.
"Guess you'll have to wait and see won't ya Jaune?" Yang joked and broke off from their engagement.
"Come on Jaune, think! You might not have Doppelman or Funkfreed, but there's gotta be a way to turn the tables without them." The young magician scratched his head and narrowly avoided a kick to his temple.
Seizing the opportunity of Yang's extended limb, Jaune clasped his hands on her ankle and pulled in hopes of sending her to the floor. With a pop, the brawler's combat boot slipped off her foot and exposed her long orange sock.
"Hey, what the hell!" Yang's eyes glowed red as Jaune fumbled with her belonging.
With a boot in hand, Jaune's gaze flicked to the item and back to Yang. In a vain attempt to put on an offensive the young magician took a pitching stance and tossed his stolen belonging at his adversary. The brawler tried to snatch it back, but Jaune had an impressive throwing arm and the boot whizzed past her hands.
His ocean eyes trailing the path of the flying boot, Jaune facepalmed as the heel collided against the nose of his ebony-haired partner who yelped at the sudden interruption.
"I'm sorry Ms. Belladonna!" Jaune called then winced as a punch landed square against his chest sending him toward the edges of the arena.
"Is she the only one who deserves an apology here?!" Yang roared and gave chase to her fellow blonde who sputtered out apologies one after another.
"Run Jaune, don't let Yang catch you, or she'll pull out your hair!" Ruby screamed as she lurched over the railing.
It took both hands from Pyrrha and Emerald to stop the little reaper from going over the railing, but they too tried to encourage their goofy blonde as he broke into what appeared to be a squatting run.
"Man, I knew Jaune was a clutz, but the things he's pulling off today are surprising even me," Roman was laughing his ass off as his blonde cohort tripped on a rock which resulted in him knocking foreheads with Yang.
"Go Jaune!" Russel and the other members of team CRSD clutched their stomachs, trying their best not to break out into hysterical laughter as Jaune took off his cape and used it as a makeshift whip.
Unfortunately, Cinder and Blake crossed paths mid-whip and the tip of Jaune's cape smacked Blake in the ass.
"Whop-eesh!"
"Kyaaa!" A shrill cry echoed through the arena as the bow-wearing girl lost her initial objective and rubbed her sore rear. Narrowing her amber eyes on the one responsible for her injured tush, Blake slapped on a scowl and was now helping both Yang and Cinder chase Jaune as he profusely apologized and dodged incoming projectiles ranging from bullets to arrows.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to whip your ass, Ms. Belladonna!" Jaune cried, eventually earning the cooperation of the secret Faunus as she broke from her pursuit to resume her battle with Cinder.
Yang also used this opportunity to collect her boot and slip it back on before duking it out with Jaune once more.
The ninja-styled warrior proved to be a nimble combatant, but she lacked in the power department which Cinder cashed in full. Each time their swords clashed, Cinder would add just enough force to push Blake off balance then swing in for a direct attack on any weak point she could see.
"Jaune!" Blake shifted Gambol Shroud from its katana to its kama form. Now in the shape of a sickle pistol, Blake backflipped toward Jaune while firing purple blasts at a pursuing Cinder.
Now at his side, the secret cat Faunus frowned at her partner's downtrodden state. Light bruises patched his arms and legs, and his face was slightly swollen from his recent duel with Yang.
"This isn't looking good is it, Ms. Belladonna?" Jaune wheezed and steadied himself.
"Your sister said you were an amazing fighter, so why are you struggling to defend yourself?" She hissed.
"Haha, well you see I'm kind of limited at the moment..." The blonde boy scratched his cheek and snapped his head back to Cinder and Yang who were rolling their eyes at his excuses.
"There's no shame in losing, Jaune. You put up a good fight that's for sure, and I bet you'd give me a harder time if you had your sword on you. But I don't want to lose my first fight of the year, and with three minutes left I think it's time to wrap things up." Yang offered a thumbs-up of respect to her opponents while Cinder opted to smirk mockingly at the tired duo.
Jaune gulped and stepped back, but almost fell off the stage in doing so. The fate of defeat right around the corner, the young magician's brain went into overdrive to come up with a solution to his daunting predicament.
"Ms. Belladonna, your weapon has a whip-like attachment to it correct?"
"Yes it does," Blake replied curtly.
"I've got an idea if your willing to hear it." A glint sparkled in his cerulean eyes.
The bow atop her head twitched and she allowed the blonde boy to speak.
"We're both low on aura. However, in order to win this match, only one of us has to be left standing in the arena when the timer runs out. You see where I'm going with this?" Jaune grinned and took off his cape.
Blake gave a silent nod. She knew better than anyone in her year what it meant to sacrifice for the greater good, and while on a lesser note, this was a similar scenario with where the goofy teen would take the role of a sacrificial pawn.
Witnessing the muddled emotions of the introverted book lover, Jaune scratched his head and leaned in to whisper his plan, Waving his cape back and forth as he did so. Blake pursed her lips in response. Jaune wasn't suicidal, was he?
"Don't worry Ms. Belladonna," Jaune pulled out his tarot cards and shuffled at great speeds. "The chances of success are... You know maybe we shouldn't worry about the details and just do our best!"
The bow-wearing student deadpanned, but a fiery arrow derailed her train of thought. Blake shoved Jaune aside and his head made a loud noise as it collided against the floor. Yang, Cinder, and especially Blake widened their eyes at the knocked-out goofball. Did Jaune really pass out from a minor injury like that?
"I don't care how much patience you have, I'm sick of waiting for those two to get their acts together." Cinder's golden eyes narrowed at her temporary partner who tapped her gauntlets with a pout.
"They put up a good fight, and I don't want your spoiled attitude to ruin the end of it," Yang growled and took a fighting stance.
"Sorry, Blake, but this fight is over." The brawler charged forward as Blake hissed and collapsed her weapon to its katana form.
"Hehe, just as planned," Jaune smirked and rolled to the other side of the arena.
"Bump~" A shiver passed through his spine as his head snapped up to a shadowed figure with a wide smile and round eyes. Only it's head visible, the loyal shadow returned to its rightful place once more and mirrored its owner's shape.
"Doppelman!" Jaune stood himself up and his knees buckled as the timer on the arena's screen showed he was in the last minute of the match. With his shadow at his side, the crazy plan he came up with just might work without the need for Blake's weapon!
"Alright, it's now or never!"
What devious plan had Jaune setup? What could his great scheme hold?
"Heeeyaaah!" Yelling at the top of his lungs, Jaune unhooked his cape from his armlet and charged towards his partner with a face of a madman.
The girls in the arena paused at the outburst. All heads turned to the source of the scream, their brows furrowed then widened at the running teen's supposed target.
"Jaune?!" Blake yelped as he sped past Yang and Cinder. His fists raised, his ebony-haired partner veered the sharp edge of her sword toward the crazy blonde.
"Not so fast!" Yang shouted, she spun on her heels and fired off the last of her ammunition as Cinder joined in the bombardment with sparking hot arrows.
The projectiles exploded tearing his clothes and left burns in his golden locks. Jaune grit his teeth and ignored the blood that dripped from his nose and mouth. Dust and smoke engulfed the stage, and with the smokescreen's aid, Jaune swapped places with his shadow and appeared right in front of Yang and Cinder.
"Huzzah!"
His cape stretched, Jaune spear-tackled both his bewildered opponents off the stage and the three students fell out of bounds. The buzzer signaling the end of the match, Jaune caved into his fatigue and rested his head with a smile.
"Plomp~"
Hold on, since when were the stone floors of the arena made of soft fluffy pillows? Before he could lift his head, a hand latched around his throat and forced him off the soft comfort his cheek rested upon.
A tired pair of cerulean quickly shifted to trembling ones as Jaune met the death glare of CRSD's leader. Oh, so his face was nuzzled against Cinder's stomach... Welp, he's as good as dead at this point but at least he won the battle!
"And that's the match!" Called the voice of reason.
Glynda activated her semblance and separated Jaune from Cinder before any more chaos could show its ugly face. Yang came around with a groan and rubbed the back of her head. Realizing where she was, the brawler snapped her gaze toward the arena screens to see that she and Cinder lost despite having the upper-hand up until the fight's final moments.
As for Blake, the girl excused herself from the scene the second the buzzer went off and joined her teammates as they observed the scene below.
"There are many criticisms that'd I'd like to bestow on each of you, some more than others, but that will have to wait." Glynda sighed and shot Jaune a glare.
The boy winced in response and smiled sheepishly.
"While your acts could be seen as brave Mr. Hawkins, they were reckless and put both you and your partner at risk. At Beacon, we train hunters and huntresses to maintain the peace our kingdom has been blessed with, but we cannot forget that we require living people to carry out these duties."
"Y-Yes Ms. Goodwitch." Jaune rubbed his neck and offered a slight bow of apology.
Glynda cleared her throat and pushed up her glasses with her ring finger. "This concludes the matches for today. I expect the first-years to write a full-page essay about the fights they have witnessed today. You are dismissed."
Her lesson done with, the stern instructor pocketed her collapsable tablet and turned to fix the arena with her trusty disciplinarian.
"Jauuuune!" Cried a familiar mohawk and his ragtag teammates.
"Mr. Thrush," Jaune coughed and almost fell over as Russel, Dove, and Sky swarmed him with praise and gratitude.
"I can't thank you enough bro! We finally get to sleep in our dorm again!" Russel sobbed with a smile on his face.
"Haha, no problem, Mr. Thrush, but could you guys let go of me? My muscles ache." The blonde grinned, but his smile faded when five slim fingers adorned with black nail polish wrapped around the back of his ruffled collar.
Russel and his cohorts squeaked and fled the scene, leaving their friend to wether the incoming storm all by himself. A yank on Jaune's collar forced him to face his former opponent head-on, he curled a brow at the expression aimed at him. Her golden eyes burning with absolute disdain, Cinder somehow managed a plastic smile and leaned in until her nose was only an inch away from the confused blonde.
"You and I will have a private rematch here tomorrow. I will personally reserve the arena and you will be present along with Sky, Dove, and Russel. Am I clear, Jaune F. Hawkins?"
Unable to break the stare, Jaune nodded dumbly. However, the grip around his collar remained where it was.
"U-Um, Ms. Fall?"
Tilting her head, Cinder released her hold and playfully slapped Jaune on the cheek. No more was spoken, and the young magician released a long breath he didn't know he was holding until the clicking of Cinder's heels left the arena.
"Well... I guess we'd better find Funkfreed eh, Doppelman?" Jaune mumbled as his shadow gave him a thumbs up.
With the crackling of the school speaker humming over the arena, Jaune curled a brow as the message appeared to be addressed to him.
"Jaune-un! This is your homeroom teacher Heracles'n!"
The blonde teen smiled at the jolly voice of his beetle-themed professor.
"Will you please head to my office? I have a couple of students here who will be filling up the empty spots of your team-un!"
His jaw collided with the floor. Could it be? Had Jaune's prayers and patience finally paid off?!
"Hi, Jaune!" Ruby called along with her team but was politely dismissed as Jaune blitzed through the hallway with a giddy grin on his face along with an elevated heart rate.
"Hey, dork!" Yelled an armored ginger who waved a familiar saber in his left hand.
"Oh man, my luck is on the rise now! Thanks a bunch, Cardin, I really owe you one!" Jaune saluted as he snatched Funkfreed and continued to run down the hallway.
"I've got a bunch of things I wanna say to you, Funkfreed. But that can wait until after the meeting with Heracles!"
But first, a lesson his dear Granpa Sam and Grandma Carla made sure to implant in the young magician's mind was to do your best and put on a good first impression. Wrenching open then slamming his dorm door shut, Jaune whipped off his torn clothing and dented armlet along with Funkfreed then went straight for a quick shower.
Doppelman fussed with cleaning in the meantime, folding clothes, and sweeping up whatever dust it could find. Steam filled the room as Jaune opened the bathroom door and wiped himself dry. Tossing the soggy towel onto the drying rack, Jaune spritzed his favorite cologne and tied his shoulder-length hair into a masculine ponytail.
"Brick Bats!"
Doppelman split at his master's command. The shadow pawns stirring into a frenzy as they pulled a fresh white-collared long-sleeve over Jaune's arms and head.
"Hm, a little kinked but I can fix it later in weapon's class."
Strapping on his armlet on his left shoulder and bicep, his brick bat's fixed on a new black cape and fetched his boots while Jaune slid on another pair of checkered purple pants. A brown sash finished his attire, and the happy boy strolled out of his room with refreshed determination.
Teammates, that was the only word that registered in his one-tracked mind as Jaune jumped over students and staff. Jumping up the stairs, he took a left down the wide halls and skidded to a stop in front of Heracles' office. Knocking on the door, the armored teacher flew it open and introduced himself in his trademark fashion then guided the blonde lad into the room.
A few books here and there, the majority of Heracles' office was filled with plant diagrams and a large stack of empty flower pots. However, it was the two empty chairs in front of Heracles' desk that garnered Jaune's attention.
"Now, I know you still have classes so we'll keep the introductions short-un! The two students who will be joining you at Beacon are both from other kingdoms. So please respect their different views and traditions-un!" The pop-green specialist said and stood himself in front of his desk.
His heart pounding, Jaune nodded frantically. Heracles' chortled at his young student's excitement and called for the first member of his team to enter.
"I apologize for my tardiness." Spoke a firm, yet polite voice.
Jaune turned to the front door to meet a well-dressed female with dark skin, short navy blue hair, and blue eyes. She wore a blue beret, a plain off-white golden button-down shirt with an asymmetrical collar, a blue combat skirt with a black waistband, and fingerless, elbow-length black gloves. She had a wristwatch on her left hand and black shoes alongside white, golden buttoned boot chaps.
She positioned herself beside Heracles, clasped her hands behind her back, and straightened her posture. Standing at 5'5, she had to tilt her head upward to meet the goofy smile of her blonde acquaintance.
"I'm Jaune F. Hawkins, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Jaune stepped forward and held out his hand for a shake.
"Ciel Soleil." The girl replied with a straight face and shook.
Their introductions are done with, Heracles took the initiative and explained the briefing Ozpin had provided him about his new homeroom students.
"As you already know Jaune, this is Ciel Soleil. Much like you, she's brimming with potential, but the academy of her kingdom didn't have a seat for her. Fortunately, you both share this predicament so Ozpin and Ironwood, the headmaster of Atlas Academy, arranged for young Ciel here to transfer over to Beacon-un!"
"Wow, Atlas huh? That's pretty far away from here." Jaune joked.
Clapping his hands, Heracles called for the second student to enter. When no reply came, the instructor sped out the door, rushed to Ozpin's office, and fetched the student himself.
Both Jaune and Ciel curled a brow at the high-pitched yelp that echoed in the hallways. In a flurry of smoke and gasps for breath, Heracles burst through his office door, put down the bewildered girl, and allowed her to adjust herself.
Jaune blinked very slowly. "No way..."
His jaw slack, Ciel and Heracles tilted their heads at the blonde's dumbfounded expression.
"Pao!" The holstered saber almost fell free from his sash with how much it was thrashing around.
"Easy, Funkfreed!" Jaune calmed down his elephant pal, but the reaction from the newcomer in the office was a dead giveaway of who they were. Scuttling behind Heracles, the girl peeked over and narrowed her eyes.
Standing at 5'8" She had a tattoo of a bird rising from flowers on her left arm. She wore a light brown vest with dark brown panels on the top and a dark brown buckled strap on the back, over a torn white shirt that was partially unbuttoned revealing what appeared to be a black bra, alongside a collar that appears to be slightly turned up behind her neck.
Maroon pants with the right side rolled up to her thigh along with a set of dark-brown calf guards, the one on the right strapped beneath her jeans while the one on the left fit snuggly over her knee. Black gloves covered her hands with the right being fingerless and wrist length with a large cuff whilst the other was elbow length and covered with a dark brown vambrace. Lastly, she wore a narrow dark brown chocker strap around her neck.
All these details aside, it wasn't the clothes that sent Jaune for a loop. Short brown and spiky hair that pointed forward, with a set of pale blue pupils that were narrowed in a condescending manner, Jaune blurted the first thing that came to mind.
"...Hedgehog?"
The rough girl's head snapped up so fast she almost broke her neck.
"D-Don't call me that, loser!" The tan-skinned teen slapped a hand over her mouth, but her cover was blown.
His eyes reaching their maximum radius, Jaune was speechless as his mind tried to cope with what was to come.
"Not quite, Jaune-un! This is Vernal Hedge, the partner of Ciel Soleil. She is a student who failed to get a spot in Shade Academy, but like you and Ciel she has displayed great potential! Thus, Ozpin and Theodore negotiated and had Ms. Hedge transferred to Beacon!"
"...Hedgehog" Jaune said again, still lost that he'd now have to spend the next four years with his bully from the Branwen tribe.
"My name's Vernal you dumbass!" The bully snapped.
"Well... let's just hope my future partner is someone nice?" Jaune grumbled in his mind.
Then a realization blindsided Jaune with the force of a truck.
"Aw crud, what's Minty gonna say about this?!"
*Initiation Arc Ends*