The tag exercise Jaune and his teams mates had planned went as Jaune would have expected. Sorely out matched by their natural speed and agility Jaune was hard-pressed to even activate his sigil. It was only after the sixth attempt he fell into a usable routine. It had been Ren's turn to push him. Using a combination of Shadow Step and Blink he was able to evade Ren's rush, and complete his summon. He knew the same tactic might work once more, but was doubtful as Pyrrha took her place across from him.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
Jaune just nodded as another idea popped in his head. Pyrrha charged forward her eyes trying to read what direction Jaune would probably jump to, but was taken aback when he suddenly threw his left hand forward causing a bright flash of light to go off in her face. Staggering backwards and to the side she shook her head to clear the bright spots dancing before her eyes. As they cleared she was faced with an impenetrable wall of bronze shields and bone figures.
"That was a new one." remarked Ren as Jaune cancelled his summons.
"Flare." Jaune commented as he walked forward to his teammates. "Thanks you guys, I have a few ideas on how to counter a rush now."
"That's what teammates due fearless leader." replied Nora.
"Well if you want to try anything else let us know." commented Pyrrha who had finally joined the group after clearing her vision completely.
/=/
The group separated as they left the training room. Pyrrha, Ren and Nora heading to the cafeteria, while Jaune headed back to their dorm room. He told them he was expecting a
parcel and wanted to see if it had arrived; and that he would join them to eat in a little bit. They nodded and moved off.
Arriving at the door to their shared room he saw what he had hoped. A box half the size of a shoe box sitting on the floor in front of the door. Picking it up he used his free hand and scroll to open the lock before stepping through. Once inside he moved to his desk and set the package down. He knew what was inside, but wanted to check to make sure. Opening it up he found what he had expected. Three small jewellery boxes.
Lifting each one out he opened them in turn. They all held simple silver bands with a small cut through the base of each to allow the ring to expand or be cinched if needed. It was just what he had ordered. While he set down the third box and deposited the remains of the packing materials in the trash he thought about his next steps in repaying his teammates for their help.
The infusion process would be simple enough, he just had to pick the proper spells with which to imbue each object. Something that would fit the recipient of each gift. He had an idea but wanted to consider each a little more before performing the rituals.
/=/
Emerald sat alone on the thread bare couch of their hideout; a cartoon cat running in circles before her on the coffee table, as she rolled a second pog featuring a cartoon dog along her knuckles. She was waiting for Cinder to return. Mercury was off somewhere inside the nearly warehouse sized building, doing whatever.
The final stages were being put in place, and as far as she knew that meant getting ready to represent Haven as a transfer student. She wasn't impressed with the idea, but then again she wasn't the one in charge. She was there to follow the plan. To use her semblance and do what she was told.
/=/
Glynda Goodwitch was becoming more and more frustrated. Like she did every day she was taking time to pair up students for the spars that were the cornerstone of her combat classes; but now she had a problem. The vast majority of her students in the first year class had submitted various notes and letters against being paired against Jaune.
She had never before seen such a thing, let alone one of such scale. Normally she would just ignore the issue, but this time it looked hopeless. Part of the whole point of her class was for students to get first hand experience not only dealing with different fighting styles, and levels of skill; but also the chance of facing someone stronger than they were or could be. Currently Jaune seemed to be the power cap of her class.
She could force the issue, but the way the notes, and letters were written it would be for nothing. She would just be faced with forfeit upon forfeit. Which in a competition setting would be inexcusable, but in the larger scheme of things, in the larger world that trained hunters and huntresses lived in; sometimes fleeing was the only option.
There were a few exceptions, she had yet to see anything from team JNPR or team RWBY. Maybe that was her answer. Or maybe it was time to start the team versus team portion of her curriculum. With a frustrated sigh she returned to the task at hand, and attempted to piece together a workable sparing schedule for the next few classes, with a heavy leaning to having Jaune attending his special studies course for the next few days.
/=/
Juane was just finishing up his enchantment ritual when his team returned from the cafeteria. He smiled and nodded in their direction as they entered while unwrapping the simple the silver ring from the silk cloth. Holding up the simple unadorned band, he inspected it, before turing to face his teammates.
"What are you up to? Cause you missed supper." asked Nora as she took a seat on her bed. Ren following suit, as Pyrrha chose to remain standing.
"Making thank you gifts." he replied.
"You don't have to do that Jaune." Pyrrha commented instantly catching on to what he was doing, "We're happy to help. We don't need to be rewarded."
"I want to, and I think giving you these will help us out as a team in the long run." Jaune responded.
"So what do you have there?" Nora asked, excitedly.
"It's a simple ring."Jaune informed his teammates, "and I'm making one for each of you; but this first one happens to be for Pyrrha."
"Oh, first for Pyr?" Nora asked with a smirk.
Pyrrha blushed slightly, as Jaune just looked at Nora confused. Before turning to Pyrrha and holding the ring out to her. Which she accepted after a short pause. Holding it between her index finger and thumb she looked at the band.
"What is the slit for?" she asked.
"I didn't know you ring sizes, so that'll let you adjust the ring to fit to whatever finger you want to put it on." Jaune replied, "Try it on."
Pyrrha just nodded as Nora leaned forward with a silly knowing smirk. Ren just sat how he would normally, while inside he was impressed that Jaune would make such an effort to repay them for their help; even if he thought like Pyrrha that it was unnecessary. Pyrrha chose to slide the ring on to her right index finger, and amazingly it fit perfectly.
"Thank you Jaune."
"It's not just a ring. Each one will have something special for each of you."Jaune looked over his shoulder at Ren. "Do me a favor?"
"Like what?" Ren asked.
"Throw a pillow at Pyr after she says Barrier."
"Why would you want me to do that?" Ren asked.
"Pillow fight?" Nora asked.
"Not a pillow fight Nora. I'm still finding feathers from the last one we had three weeks ago." Pyrrha replied before looking at Jaune. "Barrier?"
Jaune nodded, and smiled as suddenly a dome like structure made up of hexagons formed about her. Taking a quick look in Ren's direction he indicated Pyrrha with a move of his head and Ren sighed and then whipped a pillow towards Pyrrha, which was quickly followed by one from Nora, who didn't want to be left out. Both projectiles softly stopped about two feet away from Pyrrha and fell to the floor. Everyone but Jaune was surprised at the result. Jaune just let his smile deepen.
"Say it again to deactivate." he informed.
"Barrier." Pyrrha watched the nearly invisible structure vanish from around you. "This is amazing Jaune. Thank you."
"You're welcome. It only has the one spell, but when you activate it you'll be protected from everything for a duration of about five minutes before it fails, and you'll need to wait ten minutes after it fails to reactivate it." Jaune informed her, "If you cancel it before that you'll be able to reactivate it right away, but it's duration will be cut by the amount of time it was previously activated."
"So if I keep it up for three minutes, and deactivate it, I'll have another two minutes available if I reactivate it?"
"Correct." Jaune replied, "Not that I think you'll need it in combat class, but it could help us during the festival, and afterwards."
"So we all getting the same?" asked Nora.
"No." Jaune replied, before adding as he noticed Nora's downed look. "Each of you will have something different, and I think useful to each of you specifically."
"Like?" Nora asked, as Ren stood up and picked up the pillows that had been used as makeshift projectiles.
"For you I'm thinking Shocking Grasp. It's an electrical attack, you can use against opponents or on yourself." Jaune said with a smirk, knowing like everyone else on the team how her semblance worked.
"Cool!"
"And Ren I think yours will be Shadow Step." Jaune informed, "I think it would the best compliment to you're fighting style."
"I appreciate that Jaune."
"I'm also thinking of making some for RWBY, but I'll need to get some more money, to get the rings."
"We can help you with that." Pyrrha responded. "Least we can do seeing as you want to help them out as well."
"Thanks, that'll help a lot."
"Our pleasure Jaune."
With that the rest of his team settled onto the beds and watched as Jaune completed the enchantment process twice more. Ending each session with a presentation of the ring and a demonstration of the ability. Ren was able to move five feet with the use of his ring, but was warned he only had three uses, before like Pyrrha's it would have to recharge for about ten minutes. Nora's test resulted in them having to contact Miss Goodwitch for a new mattress, as Nora decided to pull hers off her bed and give it a punch, causing it to explode in a shower of soft down. She was also warned. Three uses then the recharge period of ten minutes, and that the recharge would only happen after all three charges were spent. Jaune indicated it was the same for Ren. All the charges needed to be expended before the recharge would happen.
/=/
After going out and hitting one of the vending machines for jerky and iced coffee, Jaune returned to his door room. He found everyone relaxing. Ren and Nora were facing off in a scrolled based line building game that used falling blocks of various shapes, while Pyrrha was skimming their history textbook. As Jaune took in the sight, an another idea came to him. That maybe they could help him with another little problem.
"You guys up to helping me again tonight?" he asked as he stood by the door.
"Like what? More tag?"Nora asked as she made a four liner and flooded Ren's screen with a series of random blocks.
"Not tag." Jaune replied, "Something else."
"You have to tell us a bit more Jaune. We're happy to help, but what's so important this late at night?"
"I need you guys to help protect me. I want to try gaining more control over one of my troublesome summons."
"A dragon-sloth?" asked Nor as she exited the game and set her scroll aside.
"I don't have a card like that Nora."
"You should. It'd been awesome."
"I'm sure it would be."
"Why do you need our protection from this card Jaune?" asked Ren as he too turned off the game.
"It's dangerous, specifically to me."
"How dangerous?" asked Pyrrha as she set her textbook aside.
"It wants to kill me dangerous."
"I don't know Jaune. Pyrrha commented. We'd be glad to help you out, but putting yourself at that high a risk, doesn't sound like something we should be doing this late at night, especially after all the training we did early today."
"I understand. But would you be up for it at a earlier time? Maybe like tomorrow after supper?"
"Of course!" Nora beamed as she responded. Eager to see more of Jaune's cards in action, and hyped that maybe she'd get a chance to release some frustration over not being allowed to break Cardin's legs.
"I'm in." commented Pyrrha.
"So am I." Ren added.
"So it's settled. We'll see how everyone feels tomorrow?"
"Sounds good." everyone replied in almost perfect unison.
/=/
Combat Class came the next day, and as was becoming the usual routine, Jaune was excused, to attend his special studies. Walking the halls he made it too the designated training room and entered, finding the Headmaster Ozpin waiting inside.
"So how are things going?" he asked as Jaune took a seat. This day would be a theory day, and it looked like Jaune had a question to ask.
"Good. My team and I tried out an exercise yesterday, that gave me some ideas about how to speed up my summons. So I should be good to at least face the higher tiers of students in combat class; that is if I ever get called for another match."
"I'm pleased to hear that. Getting a better handle on how to be effective with your skill set will help set you apart more, and serve you better after your tenure here at Beacon. Consdiering that the Vytal Festival is coming up soon, and you'll have to take part in at least the team portion of the event; and I have a feeling that I know who will be pushed up into the further rounds if you succeed in your first match."
"It'll be Pyrrha." Jaune informed him.
"Now why would you tell me that, or make that decision now?" Ozpin asked as he took a seat next to Jaune and leaned forward on his cane.
"She's the best choice, and most skilled. She's also the most knowledgeable when it comes to tournaments. She's the best choice."
"That maybe true, but don't you think the other teams would be expecting such a choice? They'll know her reputation. Being a celebrity figure and all."
"You think it should be me."
"I do, but I also think you should decide such things after you see how things go for you and your team during the first match."
"I guess."
"In the end it is your choice, I'm just offering some advice." Ozpin paused, before continuing on. "I take it you have a questions for today?"
"I do."
"So what is it you like to discuss today?"
"What do you know about nightmares?"
"Interesting question. Any particular reason why you asked it? Are you having some?"
"No, it's just that one of my cards; one of the ones I have absolutlyno control over is a capture of a nightmare I used to have when I was little. I want to gain control over it, or at least a semblance of control."
"I see. Ozpin commented, Well let's start with the basics. Stuff you probably already know."
"Okay."
"Nightmares as I see them, are negatively charged dreams." Ozpin started. "I feel they are brought on by falling into REM sleep, when there are negative emotions floating about inside you. Now I don't think you have to be aware of these emotions, just that they are active."
"I was kinda of instructed that they are dark side of entering the dreamscape."
"That is another interpretation."
"So which is the proper one?"
"I would suppose both, and others." Ozpin replied, "No one really knows, and to be honest what I'm mentioning to you is mostly my personal theory, and not fact. Though it is scientifically proven that REM sleep is the state of mind in which dreams occur."
"Okay, so if I take that, with what I've been taught, then REM sleep is where one's mind moves into the dreamscape."
"Again, that could be a theory, and I think taking what you've been taught, and what we are discussing is a healthy way to combine the two."
"So what about nightmares? How would you go about fighting them back?"
"By first realizing that I am in a dream. Which is not as easy as it sounds, and in your case where you will actually be facing a embodiment of a nightmare brought into this reality has no bearing."
"So how would you, again face something like that?"
"Carefully, and with positive emotions. Just like what we inform people to do, when Grimm are approaching."
"But Grimm still..."
"They do. It's a strategy, and not a full proof method for protecting oneself from Grimm incursions. But it can help"
"What else?"
"Well arming yourself, like I said with positive emotions or energies, you fight by altering the dream in your favour. Again I'll speak about dreams, and you can take what you feel is appropriate for your specific situation." Ozpin commented, "Take for example a common one, most people have. Being chased by something. In this case you could make the path you are one smooth, while thinking that whatever it is chasing you has to run through thick mud. In that case it would make you feel not only in control, but also that you're escaping."
"What about if you feel like you are going to have to fight?"
"See yourself as armed, and armoured in a way that makes you feel powerful. In your case that would be having the spells you are most comfortable with prepared so you can use them quickly or without a delay in calling up what you would be of use."
"So instead of reacting to what is happening, be the one making your nightmare react?"
"That would be a good way to put it. Is this helping?"
"I think it is. replied Jaune. At least I have an idea."
"So what are you thinking of doing?"
"Would it be a problem if I altered a school text book?"
"Would it make the book unusable for your classes?"
"It would."
"It would be preferable not too. How about a if I provide you with a blank journal?"
"Like something I could get from a stationery store?"
"Maybe something nicer. I do have some I've not used stored in my office."
"That would be nice, and save me not only a trip, but some lien."
"You having money issues?"
"Sort of. I'm making some items for my friends, and it's eating into the allowance my parents are giving me."
"I see. Well I can not really help with that issue. It wouldn't look right if I started giving you funds."
"I wasn't really asking."
"I know. I was more speaking to hear myself talk." Ozpin responded. "Back to the journal. How thick of one would you like?"
"A thin one. Maybe twenty to thirty pages?"
"That is rather thin. How about a hundred pages. Give you room to expand if you feel the need to?"
"That sounds okay."
/=/
It was after classes, upon the return to their room, that Jaune and his teammates found the beautifully crafted leather bound journal with a simple silvery clash sitting beside their dorm room door.
"I didn't think he'd do it so fast." Jaune commented.
"Who would do what fast?" asked Ren.
"The Headmaster, in giving me a journal for me to make use of." replied Jaune.
"So what will you be using it for?" asked Pyrrha.
"Some spell preparation." Jaune informed her, and his other teammates.
"I thought you could just think up whatever you wanted to cast, and it happens?" questioned Nora.
"Sort of. I do that, but also have to channel the needed power." Jaune replied, "With this I can have the energy channelled ahead of time, and then just release it on command. Maybe even with a shorter command than the whole spell name."
"That would be helpful to you." commented Ren.
"It would, but I'll need to speak with my Mom on how to do it properly. You guys wouldn't mind if we postpone our plans for a few days, maybe a week?"
"If it helps you out, I have no problem with waiting." Pyrrha offered.
"No issue here." Ren replied.
"I'm good, too." Nora added.
/=/
Ren and Nora who'd never seen the mirror call before sat in awe and rapt attention as Jaune had a fairly lengthy conversation with his Mother, at least after giving further introductions, for his team, and suffering more comments about how he was surrounded by so many beautiful women. She chuckled when she was informed that Ren was a male, but said her comment still stands; only modifying it to beautiful people.
"I understand what you want to do Jaune. But it's going to take more than a few days or a week; you'll need some rather archaic materials to do it properly."
"Like what?"
"Black and red ink."
"I have pens in those colours."
"Those wont work. You'll need to use bottled ink, and special writing tool."
"Special?"
"A Nevermore feather."
"I though those dissipate, like slain Grimm?" Nora asked.
"They can and do, unless the Nevermore is left alive. However this feather must be enchanted with a specific spell, that gives it a permanent and stable form."
"I don't know the spell, or where I could get a feather."
"We can get you a feather, Jaune." Pyrrha offered. "There has to be plenty of Nevermores in the Emerald forest. All we need to do is get a small one to do its feather attack."
"There is no need to do that." Jasmine chuckled, "His father can easily get the feather. He's out on a mission right now with Jaune's twin Joan, and I'll gather the required materials for you. The spell is a little too advanced for you currently."
"So I have to wait?"
"Yes, dear, you'll have to wait. But not long. I'll have one of your sisters text you when I've gathered everything so you call me back and I can instruct you through the first couple of spells, and the binding ritual."
"Binding?"
"Yes. Binding. You can fill the journal with every spell you know, but until you bind it specifically to you it wont be of much use. If fact, just so you know, you can bind a journal to anyone, even someone with no magical ability; and they'd be able to activate whatever was in the book, as long as they knew what each spell was."
"Cool." commented Nora, "So Jaune could make one for me if he wanted?"
"Yes he could dear."
"Cool!"
"So if that's all Jaune, I'll leave you to your friends and the rest of the night. Love you."
"Love you too Mom." Jaune responded.
With that, his team watch the mirror being disassembled, and put away. With the rest of the evening devolving into talk about assignments and other school related topics.
/==/
Slightly shorter chapter than average, and to give fans of this story assurance that I am continuing it, even if the updates are happening rather slowly.
Anyway, as always comments, suggestions and critiques are always welcome.
Enjoy.