Chapter 12 Arc Senpai 2
Concept: Team JNPR joining a year earlier.
Appearance: None
-Emerald Forest Cliffside-
Jaune alongside the other aspiring students waited, listening to both Glynda and Ozpin.
"For years you have trained to become warriors and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Glynda begun to speak.
"Now I'm sure many of you may have heard rumors about the assignment of teams. Well allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates… Today" Velvet visibly paled at the prospect of being teamed up with someone other then the small circle Jaune had helped her make.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So, it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next 4 years." Velvet nearly cried out at the man's words. Were they serious, something so random as eye contact that was completely ridiculous. What if she was paired with a racist or worse that mean girl!
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path, or you will die." Jaune could only laugh nervously at that, while Nora looked out to the forest starry eyed with Ren who stood beside her sighing at the prospect.
"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation. But our instructors will not intervene. You will than find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" A serious Jaune decided this was his chance and rose his hand.
"Yeah, um, sir-"
"Good! Now, take your positions."
Rude.
"Uh, sir? I've got, um, a question." A panel shot up sending a rather large man with a orange sword strapped to her back flying into the air.
"S-so, this landing strategy thing, uh, w-what is it? You're like, dropping us off or something?"
"No, you will be falling." Nora readied herself and was expectedly launched just a quickly, while Ren observed noting her trajectory and nodding to himself.
"Oh, I see. So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"
Please say yes, please say yes…
"No, you will be using your own landing strategy."
The fashionista was sent next before she left though she looked to Jaune and the two girls on either side of him.
"Oh…" Both Pyrrha and Velvet looked to him concerningly, however the springs beneath her feet warned Pyrrha she was about to be sent off and she readied herself. Jaune looked as the redhead was launched into the sky a note of concern in his gaze.
Ren looked to the two a curt nod before prepping himself and being sent flying notable leftward towards Nora's direction. Jaune begun to mumble Oum's name over and over and more then a tad worried about him Velvet stretched out her hand placing it on his shoulder.
"Jaune its okay." He looked to her hopefully.
"Really?" She smiled with a confidence quite rare to her.
"It's really not as dangerous as it seems, with the trees acting as a buffer at most it'd only be enough to break bones unless you landed on you head and that's a citizen. With your aura protecting you, you'll be fine."
"There's that word again what is AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Velvet watched as the blonde was sent flying into the air. She kneeled low to the ground and let her ears stand erect not just listening but feeling for the wind's direction. The prospect of partnering with the first person you met was indeed terrifying but as with most things there was a bright side to it. If you could determine the location of someone you wanted to pair with you could partner with them indefinitely. Velvet waited till the absolute last second as she focused aura into her legs and jumped in Jaune's direction.
When the spring let loose it propelled her in her desired direction, at first Ozpins words had scared her but after thinking about it wasn't it a good thing. She was shy after all so asking someone to be her partner was a difficult venture as is let alone the one she wanted to actually partner with. But this way all she need was to be the first person they saw.
She propelled towards Jaune who was flailed hopelessly in the air and smiled. If she could decide she'd want Jaune, her first friend and the nicest boy she'd met. Her cheeks flushed as she imagined Nora's reaction but shook the thought away, not willing to think over it and make a mistake. She reached out for Jaune readying to catch him and in doing so nearly guarantee she'd be the first person he saw. But then he looked to her and the nature of his gaze changed. His panicked fear transitioned to that of worry and horror and he reached out to her.
"Velvet! Take my hand I can't do much, but I can at least soften you landing!" The words shocked her, Jaune was worried about her even when he was clearly terrified, and she blushed averting her gaze for but a moment. However, that moment was all hat was need as in the next moment a javelin surged past her impaling Jaune and sending him flying an opposing direction. Velvet could only look in the direction Jaune went dumbly before realization struck.
Pyrrha.
Why she grew the faintest trace angry she didn't know; all Velvet did know was that her partner was just stolen and with that thought Velvet acted looking for the nearest tree. Seeing one she directed herself towards it and stretched out her legs, she slammed into it and jumped off towards the direction of her first friend making way to where he landed.
-Emerald Forest-
Stepping through the forest a lone girl strode seemingly unembedded despite wearing leather boots, around her was once a great deal of Beowulves however now all that remained were the fading forms and bullet torn foliage. She looked herself over once more making she her outfit was still okay before shrugging and looking.
"Hmm, I think I saw Niko's spear go that way right?" She made her way through the woods only to catch the faint noise of rustling leaves and bushes.
Grimm.
Coco knelt low to the ground pulling out her handbag and swinging it forward, whatever rushed towards her saw her attack coming and leaped from the bush narrowly avoiding her swing and landed behind her. Coco swung behind only for her wrist to be struck forcing her to let go. Coco made for a jump back but the figure was faster stretching out her fist and hitting her abdomen making enough pain shoot through her to send her to her knees. Coco finally looked up to her attacker only for brown eyes to met one another.
"Epp!" Meeting her gaze the attacker jumped back all her previous threating air seemingly gone as she repeated no over and over again. Coco gripped sighed once she remembered the girl as the one attached to Vomit Boy at the hip.
"Chill out Bun-Bun." The girl stopped before looking at her seemingly shocked and a smidge thrown off, Coco mentally shrugged just counting her blessings that she wasn't considered a racist for the random nickname. Working her way to her feet she looked to the faunus girl who took a stepped back from her and internally cringed.
Did I really scare her this bad, seriously she's looking at me like I'm the big bad wolf.
"Okay, okay calm down you look like you're ready to flee for your life there carrot top, which considering where we are makes sense and all but not towards your new partner." One voice in Coco's head was complaining how such a skittish girl managed to get in Beacon and another was cursing that she was partnered with her. However, the majority of her mind thought things out correctly reminding her that she was in fact the chick who unloaded minigun round inside a Bullhead. With great effort on her part Coco stretched out her hand to Velvet ignoring her slight irritation at how the girl regarded her hand like a trap.
"'sigh' Look, I'm sorry okay, I guess I haven't exactly been the picture of grace in front of you and double that for your boyfriend Vomit Boy. But seeing as we're partners now, I can swallow my complaints about the two of you if you'd do the same." Velvet looked to her for a solid moment seemingly searching for any traces of false hood until she finally and slowly reached out her hand and Shook.
"V-Velvet."
"Hmm?"
Velvet, Velvet Scarlatina, that's my name… and yours?" Coco smirked.
"Coco Adel, model, aspiring huntress and Fashionista extraordinaire." Velvet smiled faintly to which Coco returned in kind before looking to the direction Coco had made for and begun to make her way there.
"Well Come on bun-bun let's find your boo before some grimm make a meal out of him." Velvet was about to nod before her face flushed earning a smile from Coco.
Oh this girl is way to easy.
Without warning she slinked her arm over Velvet's shoulder shocking the faunus who looked to her.
"I get the feeling this is gonna be the start of a beautiful friendship."
"So your seriously telling me there's nothing between you and Vomitboy."
"N-no… me and Jaune are just friends."
"Oh, well if you insist, poor Vomitboy though I think he had a thing for you but oh well, guess Invincible Girl will win this match too." Velvet looked to her a mix of shock, confusion and panic clear as she begun to stutter.
"Wh-what." Honestly the slight tears forming on her sad face was as adorable as it was painful to look at.
"Wow, wow calm down bun-bun I was only kidding… kinda." She looked to her still worried and without thinking Coco patted her head.
"Look, be honest do you like Vomitboy." Velvet looked down and begun to shake her had before stopping abruptly and looking down distressed.
"I-I don't know, we just met, but Jaune's so nice, and accepting and…" Her blush grew, and Coco couldn't hope but chuckle.
"Man you got it bad 'heh' still at least you ain't got it as bad as Invincible Girl… I'd call it Love at first sight if I believed in that garbage." Velvet looked to her.
"So um… P-Pyrrha, does she like Jaune too?"
"Duh, the girl was practically beaming when she saw him." Coco then adopted a sly grin.
"And like Jaune too huh? I thought you didn't know?" Velvet flushed even more and Coco barked in laughter.
"Oh man you really are endless entertainment." Velvet looked like she wanted to bury her head however before she could further that plan her ears straightened and she looked up and slightly leftwards.
"Jaune?" The faunus rushed forward and Coco sighed.
"Why'd I wear heeled boots?" running after her Coco readied for a fight however what she found was Velvet out in a clearing looking up.
"Bun-Bun where's the fire?" Putting her hands on her knees Coco panted before looking where Velvet did and spotted a mop of blonde hair with a vomit boy beneath pinned by a Javelin in what she could only politely call an abomination of a hoodie. Unconsciously memories of hers and Vomitboy's first interaction came to mind and she stepped back out of the way of the splash zone.
To her surprise said blonde looked to her surprised and then in fear as she then saw him thrash around in an attempt to escape as if a Beowulf was eyeing him. Coco deadpanned as she looked to said Javelin and sighed realizing Invincible Girls intent towards said blonde might be a bit stronger then she originally thought.
Oh bun-bun you just have the worse luck.
"Jaune what are you doing up there?!"
"Oh, you know just taking a good look around, enjoying- Do you really think I choose to be skewered unto a tree!" Coco nearly broke into laughter but managed to contain it to a mere snicker, before she put on her best scowl and marched up beside her partner glaring up at the Arc.
"Yo, Vomitboy is that anyway to talk to a pal?" Seeing her closing in Jaune's eyes bugged out earning a feral smile from Coco that didn't seem to help. Velvet lightly elbowed her.
"Fine whatever go save your little crush before I start taking potshots." Velvet blushed but complied and begun to make her way up the tree surprising Coco and Jaune alike. With a grace neither expected she leaped right beside Jaune and grabbed at the Javelin pulling it out but neglected to consider it was the single thing holding Jaune up.
Jaune went crashing down hitting a branch or two on the way, Coco in her unfathomable kindness swung her handbag at him diverted a good deal of force at the cost of making him loose his breakfast from the stomach shot. Coco looked backed away from him her nose wrinkled.
"Seriously, my first shoes weren't enough, had to try to ruin these shoes to?" Velvet descended down beside Jaune patting his back concerningly.
"Sorry… and thanks." Coco rubbed the back of her head it was kinda hard to be mad at the blonde noodle when he looked to unwell.
"Whatever, don't sweat it. 'cough' Sorry…" Jaune looked up confused.
"Huh?" Coco groaned.
"I may have overreacted on the Bullhead, by a tiny bit." Jaune looked like he'd seen the face of Oum himself before feeling a tap from Velvet who smiled. Turning to Coco he nodded giving her his best smile which to his credit didn't look like he'd just blew chunks.
"I'm sorry too but don't worry I'll pay you back." Coco rose a brow.
"You think buying a single pair of boots is enough." Jaune chuckled and shook his head.
"I got seven sisters trust me I know its double or nothing for forgiveness, also me and my friends are new here so maybe we can hit the mall or something. I may not be good for much but if my sisters had taught me anything it's that I make a half decent pack mule." That earned a smile from Coco.
"Well, well look at that you're not a bad flirt after all Vomitboy."
"'Sigh' You're not gonna stop calling me that are you?"
"Sure I will when you do something else stupid enough to warrant a dumb nickname, don't sweat it though I grab you some med for you little condition and we'll call it even." Jaune went wide eyed.
"That make medicine for that!?" It was a bit surprising how quickly the fear in his eyes were replaced by reverence. However, before they could continue the rustling of leaves drew the threes attention coco smirked at guessing how and acted immediately as to not let such a chance slip. Pushing Jaune Coco stood ramrod looking in the bush's direction.
From the foliage one Pyrrha Nikos emerged looking up to the tree and looked downtrodden when she saw nobody there. Finally noticing their presence, the spartan looked down and froze whether that was from making eye contact with Coco or the sight of Jaune strewed over Velvet remained to be answered. Her face grew as red as her hair.
"I-I, I didn't mean to…. I'm Sorry!" Coco tried, she really did but she couldn't help it.
"Oh my Oum! Haha I don't which is better how mortified you are to have to eb partnered with me or seeing those two all touchy, touchy. " Now it was Jaune's and Velvets turn to blush as each scrambled to get off the other and sent mild glares coco's way.
"So, we're not partners?" Coco smiled.
"Only in my dreams cereal girl, nah looks like your stuck with Vomitboy." At hearing that Pyrrha visibly brightened making Coco need to tease rise. However just before she could the four heard something a rather loud groan, from depths of the forest the earth slight shook as a large imposing figure made its way to them.
"By Oum's name…"
"Mush, my noble steed!" Ren sighed.
"Nora…"
"Not now Renny I'm bonding with sir sloth." The ginger rubbed her head against the fuzz of her giant steed meanwhile Ren apologized to said steed.
"Forgive her Daichi she really doesn't mean any harm." Said man looked up to his fellow Mistralian and smiled.
"Think nothing of it, I was the one who insisted when you grew weary." Ren smiled apologetically.
"Forgive me."
"Perish the thought Lie, however I do hope you'd work on your stamina." Nora merely laughed while Ren nodded, Yatsuhashi turned to his left to see his partner Fox who strode beside him at equal pace.
"Alistair is it still tailing us?" the boy looked to him and nodded.
"I see, thankfully your semblance let us get some distance but I'm afraid the Beringels deserves more credit than we initially thought."
"Oh, come on guys we can take them!" Ren sighed and looked behind them to see the three large Grimm swinging towards a shiver ran down his spine at the thought of confronting them.
"No we should reach the ruins regroup with the others and take our stand there."
"Agreed, Fox?" Fox nodded, and Nora groaned.
"Scaredy cats." Giving a cute pout the ginger looked ahead before her eyes lit up and she pointed out.
"Ruins hoo! Straight ahead boys!" With little more then a roll of the eyes from Fox and a shrug from Yatsuhashi before all four entered the clearing. Nora rose her hands in a cheer.
"We did it!"
"'pant, pant' Nora…" Ren looked over to her, but the peppy ginger was nowhere to be seen.
"Lookie, lookie Renny! A Castle!"
"That's a rook Nora…" The ginger ignored her partner as she balanced the rook on her nose.
"~I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle~!" Fox and Yatsuhashi looked to the girl shocked.
"Where does she store all that energy?" Ren smiled.
"there are… a few theories." Fox merely shook his head and advanced towards the ruins while Ren felt his semblance begin to weaken again.
"Lie are you okay?" Ren weakly nodded.
"I am Daichi, my semblance is merely taxing on my aura is all." The giant of a man nodded a tad of concern still present in his gaze. Fox walked back a knight piece in hand presenting it to Yatsuhashi who smiled.
"In suppose this was miss Valkyries choice for us then?" Fox sighed while Nora grinned thrusting out a thumbs up.
"Yep! What better piece for our noble steed! Renny can we keep him?"
"Nora Daichi's a person not a ride."
"Aww, but he's the only one that doesn't break." Nora pouted while Yatsuhashi smiled at her, however a rustling of the nearby bushes drew their attention. Nora directed her Grenade launcher in its direction while Yatsuhashi his sword and Fox kneeled close to the ground readying to lunged forth. Finally their opposition emerged falling flat on his face leaving only his blonde locks visible as he groaned.
"Coco why'd you do that!?"
"Hey I warned Vomitboy if he didn't get a step on it I'd kick him. Oum forbid I don't live by my word." Strutting out of the woods was the coffee themed fashionista and in response the three men dropped their guards. Nora however seemed top double down as she instead appeared right between the aspiring huntress and Ren and directed the barrel of Magnhild straight in front of the girl.
"Wow, wow hold on carrot type I'm a friendly!" Jaune got up and rose his hands in front of said ginger.
"Nora, wait don't fire!" Seeing Jaune the girl lowered Magnhild before sending Coco one last glare.
"Stay away from Renny!" With that she was off, leaving Jaune and Coco wide eyed.
"Well… that went better than expected." The two looked to the ruins and then one another and nodded before making a mad dash for them.
"Ren, Nora we got a big guy incoming, get ready!" Nora grinned making her way unto the top of the Ruins and saw trees parting not far from them.
"Aww Jaune-Jaune, you brought me a present." Jaune and Coco grabbed the first pieces they saw ignoring the others as they turned back to the foliage. From the tree line Velvet and Pyrrha emerged both jumping away from a gigantic collection of boulders that slammed into the ground. Coco didn't waste a moment shifting her handbag to a minigun and begun to open fire into the tree line now that the two girls were out of the way.
"Pyrrha, Velvet, catch!" Jaune threw his chess pieces at the two of them who caught them while making their way to the others. Nora grinned widely before opening fire and letting loose several pink grenades that hit the tree line letting loose pink clouds of smoke. From within the cloud a giant silhouette begun to shamble forward, emerging from the dust cloud was a colossal Grimm of sorts. Its body was formed of levitating stones of varying sizes all with red veins running through them despite not being connected. Its face was like that of a flat Grimm mask with a single eye, Nora went starry eyed at the sight.
"Renny look! What is that?" Yatsuhashi stepped forward his blade ready.
"A Geist careful, its possessing stones." Ren finally collapsed on Yatsuhashi.
"Sorry I can't cloak us any longer." As soon as the greying hue left their forms the Geist seemed to notice the four while behind three distinct roars rang forth. Jaune looked back to the other side of the woods.
"What was that?"
"Beringels, 'pant' three of them." Hearing that Coco looked to the others wide-eyed,
"Are you shitting me." The Geist roared and begun to make its way forward only being slightly slowed by Coco's and Nora's fire. From the other end of the woods the three Beringels emerged rage and hunger clear in their baleful red eyes as the closed in on fox who the closest to them. Turning fox nimbly swerved left avoiding the first fist however before he could act a second fist struck him sending him flying into a tree.
Fox's aura visibly distorted from the impact and the boy fell to his knees, not wasting a moment the final Beringel jumped towards the tanned teen its fist closed together ready to slam him. Fox looked up just in time for a form to leap in front of him shield raised the Grimm struck down hitting the kite shield intercepting it and its prey. When it looked down baleful red met determined azure gripping the handle still inside the shield the blonde figure retracted Crocea Mors and slashed forward.
The Beringel jumped back away from the attack.
Fox looked up to see the blonde breath heavily before he buckled and fell to a knee, it was only then that the scent of iron permeated the blind boy's nose. He looked back top fox smiling.
"You okay?" The boy slowly nodded and in response Jaune grinned, ignoring the pain and fear and looking back to the large grimm that snarled at him.
"Good, wouldn't wanna lose a friend during this." The Beringel roared as it rushed forth its fist pulled back while the blonde knight struggled to raise his shield with his throbbing arm.
"Jaune!" Rushing the Grimm from both sides two huntress-in-training struck the beast Pyrrha's javelin ran through the throat while Velvet delivered a powerful axe kick that split open its skull. The large beast toppled over before Jaune who obeyed his trembling legs and fell on his butt but winced when his hand touched dirt. Velvet and Pyrrha turned towards the blonde knight worry evident.
"Jaune are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, I'll be fine, what about you… um?" He looked back to the boy with milky white eyes who spoke with a weak and gravely tone that betrayed its difficulty.
"Fox… fine." Jaune smiled in response before wincing and clutching his arm as it felt like a red-hot iron had ran through it, Velvet looked and then appropriately went wide eyed.
"Jaune your arm!" Jaune looked to Velvet confused before looking to his limb and seeing what they meant, his left arm was swollen shades of purple and red. While he may not have broke it he was at least sure he'd fractured something. Fox stood up and taking point against the incoming two Beringels Pyrrha looked back and saw his arm and gasped.
One of the Beringel's took the opportunity to through a large chunk of earth towards distracted Nikos Pyrrha turning in time rose her shield taking the blow and being pushed back. With her shield still raised the other leaped into the air gripping its fists together for an overhead strike. However just before it could connect.
"ARGGGH!" The large form of Yatsuhashi stepped forward and swung his great sword tearing into the beast and sending it flying back where a barrage of grenades fell upon it.
"That's for trying to hurt Pyrrha you big meanie!" Pyrrha looked to Yatsuhashi gratefully.
"Thankyou." In response he merely shook his head.
"Think nothing of it, I was merely returning the favor for your partner saving mine." Remembering Jaune Pyrrha turned back to see Velvet in near panic over Jaune's injured limb while he tried to calm her forcing a smile. She decided she really didn't like that fake smile of his and made her way while Yatsuhashi and Fox stood guard between the last cautious Beringel.
"Jaune are you okay?" Jaune smiled up to her feigning wellness despite the darkening arm.
"I'm good Pyrrha, 'heh' better then good actually I managed to reach Fox in time."
"But your arm?" Jaune smiled.
"What's this, yeah it hurts but all things considered I got off pretty lucky with just thi-"
'Slap' Jaune went wide-eyed as Pyrrha's palm connected with his cheek and when he looked back he was met by near blazing emerald.
"You call that lucky! Your arms probably broken! Did that Geist strike you when we weren't looking?!"
"What! No! I think if I got hit by that thing we'd all know!" No, it was Pyrrha's turn to look confused.
"What? Wait, Jaune what do mean?"
"I mean if that thing over there hit me I pretty sure I'd be a lot worse off than with only a bad arm." The spartan looked to him like he was a very special breed of stupid.
"what about your aura?"
"Okay! Can somebody tell me what the hell that words all about! I never even heard it before I came here but since getting in Beacon it's all everyone seems to talk about!" Both Pyrrha and Velvet looked to the blonde positively befuddled.
"What?" Velvet was the first to speak up.
"J-Jaune did you actually apply for Beacon without having your aura unlocked." Jaune deadpanned.
"I would hope my lack of knowing that word would be answer enough." Pyrrha struggled for words.
"B-but then when you were launched off the cliffside, or when you shielded Fox… You could've, should've died." Jaune tilted his head.
"I mean, last time I heard Huntsman die, I didn't come here thinking I'd be untouchable or something, I mean sure the launch pad thing was bad but fighting Grimm." The two gawked as they processed the knight's words and came to a conclusion almost to insane to be true.
Jaune Arc came to Beacon under the impression that every fight, and any scratched could kill him. In a way that made the blonde braver than anyone else here. Both girls realizing Jaune's determination took a deep breath and prepared themselves to respond to his determination.
"ARE YOU SOME KIND OF IDIOT!" grabbing both his shoulders the two shook the boy furiously as if to convey their distress.
"I don't which is more irresponsible, that you came here without Aura or that Ozpin accepted you!"
"Do you have any concern for your life! If I hadn't caught you when you were launched, you'd be a mess on the ground! "
"Ow, ow, ow! Velvet, Pyrrha! My arms!" The two finally stopped and looked to him and then to his arms finally Pyrrha calmed enough to speak.
"Jaune you said you don't know what aura is right?" Jaune nodded and in response velvet now spoke.
"auras the manifestation of our souls, It bears our burdens and shields our hearts alongside our bodies.
"Huh?" Velvet sighed before a thought occurred and she tried explaining like she would to her little brothers.
What did those comic books say again?
"It's like making barriers and regeneration, but its limited to a certain amount of aura like a MP in videogames." Jaune's mouth opened as he looked to the bunny girl starry eyed.
"Are you serious!? Why didn't dad or mom ever tell me!? Now I know why you are were so calm about being launched hundreds of feet in the air!...'groan' Oh Oum I had to look like a complete moron worrying huh?" The two blinked at him before laughing at the absurd statement. Jaune however didn't find their laughs quite as funny and knitted his brow.
"I'm glad my ignorance is so entertaining…"
"'heh' I- I'm 'pfft' I'm sorry… It's just."
"How'd you get this far without knowing about aura… 'heh' Most kids get theirs unlocked a twelve or thirteen." Jaune shrugged.
"I guess Ansel was just too far out, beside the occasional Huntsman we don't really get much info and we barely have anything that runs of dust… so is aura really that important huh." The blonde slumped down.
"guess its too late get it if it supposed to be when your still a tween." Both girls looked to him curiously, finally Pyrrha shook her head.
"No, there's no age cap on it Jaune." Jaune looked to the redhead hopefully.
"Really." She smiled to him and nodded.
"Yes, in fact Jaune close your eyes." Velvet ears stood up and she turned to Pyrrha as Jaune complied, the girl stretched out her hand to him placing it against his chest and begun to let her scarlet aura manifest.
"P-Pyrrha what are you doing?" the Spartan looked to her.
"I'm awakening his aura."
"Wait what! Here, now!"
"Why not, Jaune's injured and could get even more so, having aura could be the difference between life and death."
"Then I'll do it!" The girl blushed realizing what she just said but continued.
"After all Jaune's my first friend…" For the briefest moment Pyrrha's brow wrinkled before he cheerful facade returned.
"No need, I'm Jaune's partner so it only makes sense I should be the one to unlock it." The spartan expressed the faintest iota of pride at her logic while Velvet tensed.
"Yeah, w-well I've unlocked my siblings auras so I have more experience." The two looked at one another while Jaune sat there looking over at Coco, Ren and Nora holding off the Geist.
"Um, guys they need some help." Both girls looked to the Petra Gigas and saw Jaune's point before looking to one another.
"If we do then neither of us will be too drained to assist."
"'Sigh' That is true." Giving one another a final nod both aspiring Huntresses pressed their palms against Jaune's chest. Before Jaune's eyes equal measures of scarlet and hazel light emanated forth nearly blinding him. Both girls took a deep breath and begun.
"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality." The Hazel light surrounding the faunus's form begun to shift towards Jaune wrapping him within in itself.
"Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all." Alongside it deep scarlet rays invaded his form and slowly permeated throughout it.
"Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder, protect thee." The two girls watched as in response to their souls connecting to his own a bright white begun to manifest. Both looked surprise when said light gathered around his arm and begun to act, though the swollen section didn't heal completely it begun to lessen in shade almost instantly.
"You have a lot…"
"I-I've never seen someone with this much." Jaune looked to himself and his glow in slight awe.
"I-It doesn't feel that different but at the same time… so right." Clenching his fist, he ignored the pain shooting up his shield arm. However, their surprise was short lived as a roar brought the three attention back to the Geist. The golem Grimm swung its arm down towards Coco who narrowly avoided being flattened however without a moments hesitation it swung at her hitting the stylish huntress away and skidding into a tree.
"Coco!" Velvet rushed forward towards her partner ignoring the Geist as it struck at her only to miss by a mile as she maneuvered out its way. Jaune turned around towards Fox and Yatsuhashi seeing the half dead Beringel that remained.
"Yatsuhashi! Go help Ren and Nora!" Both turned to him as he rushed past them raising his kite shield.
"This guys half dead as it is, me and Fox can handle it but they'll need you for that thing." Yatsuhashi looked over to Fox who looked to Jaune and smiled before looking back to his partner and nodded. Yatsuhashi looked to Jaune and nodded.
"Very well." He ran towards the others, Jaune looked back to Pyrrha who was right behind him.
"You too Pyrrha." The girl stopped in her tracks.
"What but Jaune that things dangerous."
"It's on its last leg, Pyrrha me and Fox will be able to take it. Besides…" Jaune rose his shield.
"I know risk, trust me… partner." Pyrrha stilled looked worried but Fox looked back to her and gaze a understanding gaze.
"Keep… safe." Pyrrha looked to him and then back to Jaune before finally nodding.
"Okay, don't be too reckless." Jaune smiled.
"If were comparing this to applying to be a huntsman without aura then I think this is actually as bad as a cake walk." Pyrrha let out a nervous breath before nodding and turning away making her way to the Geist. Jaune looked back to the Beringel as it beat it's chest its eyes never leaving his nervous form.
"Okay, fox good new I think I got its attention, my have something to do with my suddenly realizing how much bigger he is. While he's focused on me sneak up and get him and get the jump on him." He shook a bit remembering the last blow he got from the first on, however a hand gripped his shoulder and when he looked left he saw fox smiling back to him. Jaune smiled in return feeling a bit braver for it before looking back to the Beringel.
"Okay let's do this! Come here big guy!" The Beringel roared and rushed forward while Jaune stayed light on his feet. Jump away from the blow he righted himself as quickly as possible.
"Come on you overgrown monkey!" The Grimm roared grabbing a nearby stone and chunking it his way Jaune rose his shield tanking the hit, but to his surprise he didn't fall back, and the blow hurt much less then he thought it would. Looking to himself he saw bright white flicker in and out.
"Holy cow, this aura, why didn't I get this sooner!" Jaune looked back to the beast a bit more confident and a tinge braver.
"Come on big guy Cranky Kong scares me more then you!" the Grimm's glare intensified, and it roared, without hesitation it rushed forward both arms raised high and in response Jaune lifted his shield. It struck down at him and next thing he knew he was sent flying into a tree leaving a slight impression behind.
"Ow… okay, maybe I got a bit too big for my birches there." Jaune got up only to be met by the Beringel's charge he flinched and rose his shield again tanking the glow and being sent into the tree again, this time it snapping from the force of its tackle. Jaune gritted his teeth as he rose his shield up, it being the only thing between him and the open maws of the Beringel. In his telling of the story he heroically called to Fox to for help and totally didn't begin crying little a middle school girl looking at a spider.
The Beringel fed up with his shield rose up and curled it's fist together glaring down at him before hammering down. Jaune rose his shield again but was hit by a great impact that left him disoriented, however even as his vision blurred he saw the Beringel rose its fist again. Feebly he rose his shield again and just before it could make contact the sound of metal piecing flesh rung, and the Grimm was flinched. Jaune could see black mist begin to spew from its back. The Beringel roared and leaped forward above Jaune.
When he looked up Fox was already moving towards the Grimm his clawed hands still slick with evaporating ebony slick. The Beringel went in for a swing but underestimated the boy's flexibility as he shifted around till he was center with its chest and begun to unleash another flurry of blows into it. Each strike was aura infused and ruptured the Grimm's insides making the wounds bubble.
In anger the Gorilla like monster reached out to grab him but he caught the large arm and kneed its elbow shattering it and making its arm bend upwards. What he expected was the for the beast to roar in pain but instead he was greeted by it grabbing him by the arm and begun to swing him around with its remaining limb. Fox felt his aura diminish fast as even a few of the harder hits made bypassed his aura and cut into his arms.
"Fox!" Crocea Mors launched forward cutting into the offending arm severing it a thirds way through, The Beringel roared letting go of Fox before looking down to Jaune who glared back up. Putting more strength in the blade dug in another third. The Beringel jumped back Crocea Mors still imbedded in its flesh when it looked up it was met by a tacking Jaune with his shield raised to its face. The hit disoriented it long enough for Jaune to grip Crocea Mors and put all his strength into it finally cleaving off the limb.
Before Jaune could gather a thought the Grimm headbutted him away, but as he fell back Fox rushed forward and struck his claw directly into its open mouth. The Beringel ceased it movements and Fox twisted his arm inside burying it deeper, when re pulled ack his claw the grimm fell forward. He looked back to Jaune giving him a thumbs up to which he responded in kind a goofy smile returned.
"So… you think Coco and them are doing a better job than us?" Fox stole a glace over to them seeing the Geist try to strike at Pyrrha who unloaded round after round into it. Coco and Nora continued to open fire while Ren cloaked however remained in its sights just long enough to confuse it. Yatsuhashi would charge in every so often while its back was turned to him and thrust his blade into it earning a spiderweb like crack on the stone.
Fox gave a gesture of so and so to which Jaune sighed and sat up to look.
"Sweet Oum oh mighty that guy is huge… If only we could get Yatsuhashi up there…or." He looked to Nora and recalled her weapons other state. He tried to stand and staggered a bit, Fox helped right him, before looking to him quizzically. Jaune smiled in return.
"Don't have too much faith but I think I got a plan…idea, guess, I have guess." Fox shrugged figuring its worth a shot and rushed towards the other Jaune in tow.
"Shit, shit, shit! I knew I should've splurged for some armor piercing rounds but! I had to by that new pair of boots that didn't even make it off the Bullhead!" coco gritted her teeth as she continued fire at the Geist, even if it wasn't gonna kill it the rounds at least got it to cover its face and not swing at her friends. Nora continued opening fire on the giant making its arms begin to crumble only for them to reform just enough to take another round.
"this battle of attrition shit isn't working! Daichi can't get high enough to do any real damage and Invincible girl can't do any lasting damage with that peashooter!"
"Uh oh." Coco dreaded asking.
"What?"
"I only got one round left."
"fucking great, dammit where a knight in shining armor when you need one, hell right about now I'd even take Vomitboy."
"Hey! Guys! I have a… 'ugh' a plan! Oh gods, fox slow down!" Coco deadpanned at the sight of the toppled over Arc who was a few moments from belching.
"I was fucking joking!" Nora looked to her smiling.
"Have no fear Jaune-Jaunes here!"
"thanks 'pant' Nora." Coco propped her hands at her hips as she looked to Jaune.
"So Vomitboy, you were saying something about a plan?" Jaune wiped his mouth and looked to her his ever-present goofy grin.
"More of a series of hunches, but yeah." Coco shrugged.
"Hell better than nothing, shoot." Jaune nodded before looking to Nora.
"Nora you were saying you were pretty strong right?" Nora looked to him and then followed his gaze to Yatsuhashi and smiled.
"See that's why you're our Jaune-Jaune!" No sooner did she rush off towards the big man and Jaune looked back to Coco and hesitated top speak.
"I really hope you're not too attached to that outfit." Coco's eyes narrowed on him.
Yatsuhashi roared as he struck the Stoney leg again and again each time to little effect.
"Dammit this serves as little more than a distraction."
"~Yohoo! Noble Steed~!" Turning Daichi saw Nora with a very, unsettling expression on her face.
"I hesitate to ask but what?" Nora ginned.
"Jaune-Jaune has a plan!" the statement earned Yatsuhashi a iota of peace.
"Truly." Nora nodded.
"Well then tell me."
"Okay but first you have to answer a question, how heavy are you?" Yatsuhashi rose a brow.
"Around 280, why?" Nora grinned.
"Perfect! Hey Noble Steed, do you have any lighting dust?" This rose his other brow yet he complied pulling out a small vial, The Valkyrie received it gratefully he smile ever present. Without warning she crushed it in her hand and no sooner did electricity begun to surge throughout her form.
"Ohhhh, yeahhh." One instant Yatsuhashi was standing up the next she was lifted by the surprisingly powerful ginger.
Okay Yatsi, I'm gonna throw you up into meanie's face and let you go all purple shirted eye stabber on him kay? Kay."
"Nora wai-" But she didn't and next thing the giant knew he was soaring through the air straight towards the Geist upper body. Drawing his blade Yatsuhashi pierced around its collar while Nora fired her remaining grenade to be propelled up alongside him. Both slammed into its upper body making the colossal Grimm buckle, before it coc and Jaune ran forward splitting its attention between them and the two on its shoulders.
"Oh good Jaune seriously!"
"Hey it's not my fault! Fox ran really fast!" Not wasting another moment Coco and Jaune parted ways dividing the Grimm's attention that much more. IT roared as it begun to wildly pummel down at the two making clouds of dust that only served to blind it and irritated Coco.
"Oum Dammit! These are dry clean only asshole!" Nora and Yatsuhashi slammed down on it again making to stagger. But ready to stand once more.
"Crap! If only they could do a bit more damage." Pyrrha hearing this looked to the two heavy hitters as they rose their weapons and stretched out her hands. Around them a black hue set in and when they attacked Pyrrha added as much force as she could, and the Grimm's arms shattered. Coco looked to the Geist nearly form and saw a long ethereal hand stretch out as if looked for something top possess. Coco then looked to her partner.
"Velvet! Aim for the mask!" The faunus girl nodded and rushed forward leaping up from one stone to the next before leveling with its sole eye and kicked straight into it. The collections of stones toppled while from it a wraith like entity emerged and made its way from them only for Milo to impale it. The eight breathed heavily looking to the piles of rocks and then to one another grinning. Coc strutted over to Jaune a uncanny smile present.
"Hey, nice plan Vomitboy." Jaune smiled back before he was abruptly tripped.
"But you owe me a new outfit."
"That's fair…" A hand stretched out to him and when he looked up he saw coco smirking.
"C'mon blonde let's get outta here." With a smile Jaune took her hand.
-
Ozpin stood at center stage and spoke to the crowds.
"Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarlatina and Yatsuhashi Daichi the four of you retrieved the White Knight Pieces, from this day the four of you will work together as. Team CFVY lead by Coco Adel." Coco went wide eyed for a moment before smirking and raising a fist to which other students cheered she then grabbed Velvet in one arm and Fox in the other.
"Look out Beacon cause CFVY here now." She then looked to Yatsuhashi.
"You too big fella bring it in." Ozpin coughed into his hands and with that the four respectfully rushed off the stage and soon the Pyrrha, Jaune, Nora and Ren stepped up.
"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, and Nora Valkyrie." The four stood at attention Jaune far more nervous then the others to be in the headmaster's line of sight.
"The four of you retrieved the White Rook pieces, from her one you will be named Team JNPR lead by." Jaune turned to Pyrrha smiling.
"Jaune Arc."
"What?" Nora cheered and hugged Ren who only seemed surprised for a moment.
Jaune looked to the headmaster and was greeted by a calm smile
"Congratulations."
Pyrrha smiling sent said blonde toppling over himself when she put a bit too much force in her playful jab but smiled. Jaune looked up nervous but was surprised when he looked up to see his friends… no his team standing in front of him smiling.
READER1010: Thankyou and happy to hear.
Siegnir: Glad you like it and I intend to.
MrSlendy69:Will do but in time.
