Hello again. Thank you for making it out to Chapter 5.

I think this week's chapter might be a bit smaller or weaker than the last few chapters because I am not in it right now. We had my Grandma's funeral yesterday so I am trying to take my mind off of it with this.

Anyways, thank you for coming to this week's chapter.

Chapter 5

"Aaahhh"

Thud

"Ahhhh"

Clash

In the center of the room, two people were sparring. On the stage was a blonde haired boy with mismatched armor, a sword and shield, and another kid with better armor and a mace.

It was called a spar, but in reality it was a one sided beatdown.

"Arrrrgh." Raising his mace high above his head, Cardin went to bring it down.

Beeeep

With the beep came the Professor. Walking to the front of the stage the Professor, Goodwitch, addressed the students.

"Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's aura has dropped into the red. In a tournament style duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle and the official may call the match." She spoke, before turning to the blonde on his side.

"Ah, I can't believe he lost again." Complained Nora, from her spot in the crowd.

"At least he isn't going down in one hit like before." Ren told her.

"We just need to help train his fighting style." Pyrrha said to her teammates.

"He's slow." Zach whispered to Yang.

Looking up towards him, she agreed.

"Just don't burst their bubble."

Looking at the three teammates as they planned how to make their leader stronger, everyone's attention was brought back to the stage when the Professor started again.

"Remember everyone, the Vytal festival is only a few months away. It won't be long before students from the other kingdom start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing. Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale." The Professor said, ending her class.

Ring

And with that everyone started to move to lunch.

Arriving at the cafeteria, they found a table big enough for them all to sit at. Before joking them at the table, Zach went and grabbed lunch for himself and the two sisters. After fighting his way between the packs of hungry students he made it back to the table with food. After giving food to little red, he went and sat with Yang to find her entranced by a story from the pile of never ending energy.

"-Dozens of them!" She yelled, standing up.

"Two of them." Ren corrected, giving the Faunus a nod as he joined them.

"But they were no match, and in the end Ren and I took them down, and made a boat load of lien selling Ursa skin rugs!" She finished proudly.

"Uh, she's been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now."

"It was a good story." Yang told Nora, in between bites.

"Right!"

While they were talking, the other half of the table was trying to figure out how to help Jaune.

"Jaune you know if you ever need help, you can just ask." Pyrrha said.

"Oh, we'll break his legs!"

"Guys, really it's fine. Beside's it's not like he's only a jerk to me, he's a jerk to everyone."

After finishing that sentence, a cry for help came a few tables down.

"Ow! That hurts!" Screamed a bunny Faunus.

"Ha, I told it was real." Cardin told his chuckling friends, pulling the ears of the poor girl.

Clench

Veins started to pulse against the wolf Faunus jaw. The sound of teeth grinding against each other could be faintly heard. Normally he wouldn't care, but this reminded him of his childhood.

"Ha, look what we caught today. A new hound it looks like!" A human said, approaching a small red eyed child huddled in a corner with a leash.

"You'll make a fine addition to our collection." Another said, before grabbing him by the tail.

He didn't realize that he was slowly rising out of his chair until a hand rested on his own clenched hand. He also noticed that he was growling very loudly and that his semblance was beginning to leak out. Sitting back down, he unclenched his fist and blood started to drip from his palm. Ignoring it he slipped his hand into Yang's.

"Atrocious." Pyrrha said, disgusted.

"I can't stand people like him."

"You're not the only one." Said a red eyed Yang.

"He's not the only one like that." Blake added, glancing at black smoke coming off of the almost snarling wolf, teeth on full display.

"It's hard being a Faunus." Yang said, reaching up to hug Zach.

Accepting the hug, he slowly calmed down. Black smoke retracted back into him, his eyes staring at Cardin with malice. Finally he shifted his gaze away and went back to eating.

"Love you." He said after a bit.

"I know." Came a smug reply.

Smirking, he reached his hand down and started to tickle her. After getting a few in, he ran.

"Get back here you bastard!"

Chuckles broke out from the table as they witnessed that. Seeing them leave, everyone else got up and put away their garbage as they got ready for the next class.

"Yes, yes prior to the Faunus rights revolution, more popularly known as the 'Faunus War', humankind was quite, quite, adamant about centralizing the Faunus population in Menagerie. Now, while this might feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events. Why the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!" Professor Oobleck said, speeding around the room.

"Now, have many amount you been subjective or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" He asked the class.

"Look at that thing!" Squealed a voice, as a small wolf staggered through a village.

Bam

A few small kids appeared and started to throw rocks at him. Raising his arms to protect himself, he started to curl into a ball. After a bit, the impacts from the rocks stopped. Shakily, he started to unwrap himself. Peeking out he was suddenly slammed in the face by a boot.

Whack

"Ha ha ha, get him!" One of the kids yelled.

Surrounding the small Faunus were many more human kids. They started to kick and hurl insults at him.

"I heard that you things are good toys!"

"My dad told me that you are freaks!"

"I bet his parents couldn't stand the sight of him, that's why he's here!"

Chill

His piercing red eyes snapped to the kid that said the last one. Staring at the kid he started to snarl. Quickly unfolding himself, he tried to lunge on the kid.

Crack

And then there was a boot in his chest. Pain exploded from where he was kicked. He started to drag himself to a corner.

"I told you, a freak!"

"Look at the eyes."

"Let's show him where he belongs!"

The kids started to shuffle towards the wounded wolf. Growling and snarling at the kids was all he could do to try and keep them away.

"Stop it!"

Suddenly, there was someone blocking the mob's way. Standing in front of the wolf was the beautifulest set of blonde hair he'd ever seen. The head that the hair sat on glanced back towards the wolf. Red met red.

Snapping out of his memories, Zach looked around at the hands that started to rise. The wolf Faunus didn't feel the need to raise his hand. Suddenly, both his hands were raised high. Looking to his left and right, both the sisters were raising a hand for him. He also saw the same beautiful blonde he saw in his memories. A small smile appeared on his lips.

"Dreadful, simply dreadful. Remember students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that brings violence." The Professor said, sipping from his cup.

"I mean, I mean, just look at what happened to the white fang." The Professor remarked.

Flinch

A few people flinched at the mention of the former peace group now turned terrorist organization. Most notably among them were the Faunus students.

"Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorist believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?" He questioned the class.

Whoosh

The snooty brats hand was raised quickly.

"Yes." He said, pointing at Weiss.

"The battle at fort castle." She said proudly.

"Precisely! And who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over general Lagoons forces?"

Silence reigned over the class for a few moments. Said silence was broken by vomit kid jolting himself awake. Professor Oobleck, noticing this, sped over to him to ask the question again.

Losing interest in the class, Zach leaned onto Yang and his other arm sneaked behind Ruby and yanked her into a hug.

"Ack!"

Surprised by the sudden display of affection, Ruby struggled against the arm. Unsurprisingly, her struggles proved fruitless as she was squished up against her big brother. Seeing no escape, she resigned herself to her fate.

"What's this for?" She whispered to him.

"Nothing."

"Then let me go!" She hissed at him.

"No."

"You should know by now that he's a cuddle bear." Yang said.

While they went back and forth, the class suddenly erupted into laughter. Ignoring it they continued on with their conversation. Their conversation would continue if the teacher didn't call on them.

"-I have the answer. It's-" Pyrrha said, before getting cut off.

"That's good miss Nikos, but I would like to hear if the three behind you know the answer." Oobleck said, looking towards the three of them.

"Oh, I know this one!" Ruby cheered, breaking out of Zach's grip.

"And what is the answer?"

"It's night vision, it's the worse because you get made fun of when you step on something that they can see." She complained.

"General Lagoon was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched and the general was captured, perhaps if he paid attention in class he wouldn't be remembered as such a failure." Blake continued, before jabbing at Cardin Winchester.

Thud

"Mr. Winchester, please take you seat."

Scowling he reluctantly sat in his seat. Seeing his bully get schooled by his friend and teacher, Jaune lost it.

"You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings. Now moving on." The Professor continued.

"Some of you may or may not know that most Faunus have more human traits then their animal counterparts. Some Faunus may only have the eyes of an animal or they could have the eyes, teeth, ears, tail, and so fourth of the animal they take after., making them more animal than man. The characteristics of a Faunus usually come from their parents. For example if two deer Faunus have a child, it is almost certain that their child will be a deer Faunus like them. At the same time, if a human and a squirrel Faunus have a child it will either be full human, or most likely be a squirrel Faunus. But it's very intriguing when two different types of Faunus have a child. For this child could be what one of their parents are, or it could be none and be a whole different type of Faunus." The doctor said excitedly.

Looking at the clock, the Professor decided to end the class.

"For you homework, I would like everyone to write an essay on one of the key Faunus who fought or helped with the war. That will be all."

Standing up from his seat, Zach wrapped his arm around Yang and they made their way out of the class. Stepping out of the door way, he spotted his teammates chatting in the hall. Apparently they were waiting for him. Walking up to the couple, Jamie started to talk to Yang.

"Do you mind if we steal him?"

Looking towards her boyfriend and then back to his partner, she said: "I don't mind, just send him back when you're done with him."

Smiling he grabbed the wolf Faunus and dragged him away. Grouping up with the rest of the team, they dragged him away. While they were walking they talked about miscellaneous things.

"Who are you gonna do for the paper? I was thinking of Quinn."

"Hmm, maybe Nikola?"

"Did he really have any impact on the war?"

"I guess."

Getting bored of the conversation happening around him, Zach stopped. Seeing that the other members stopped as well.

"What is it?" He asked after looking at them for a few minutes.

"We just wanted to make sure that we are participating in the festival." Jamie told him.

"We also wanted to start planning for it, y'know build our teamwork and learn each other's styles a bit more before it start's."

"Don't we do that in combat class already?" Zach asked.

"No, in combat class we get to watch as you make everyone surrender." Jamie said, pointing at Michael and Nico.

"Hmm."

And they had a point. Every time they went up, it was over before they could help. As soon as the match starts, he's in the fray, wrecking havoc on the enemy team disrupting them and sending them flying. By the time they get to help, most of the work is done and they have to do clean up.

"Fine." Zach started to walk away from the group.

"..."

Stopping, he turned around and stared at them before motioning for them to follow.

"Where are we going?" Michael asked after a moment.

"Training field."

"Why?"

"To train."

As they walked, a red blur ran past them. Glancing back, Zach wondered what was wrong with Pyrrha. Shrugging, he continued just to stop a few feet away. Walking down the hall was Jaune and... Cardin?

Clench

Seeing him, the wolf's fist balled up painfully. Slowly black smoke started to sneak out of his skin, and his eyes glowed ominously. With a new target, the wolf stalked towards his prey. Seeing this his teammates sped up behind him. Stopping a good distance away, he waited for the leader of team CRDL. Finally the duo made it to where the hall was blocked by the wolf and team.

"Zach?" Jaune asked.

Ignoring him, he stared at Cardin.

"Hey, what's this animal doing? Shouldn't you, I don't know, be playing catch or something?" Cardin mocked, pushing past team JZMN.

It took all of his self control not to pounce on him. But he lost it on the last comment made by that bastard.

"Hey pet, why don't you tell your owner that if she's looking for a good time that she can stop by my room, and we'll show her a good time." He called over his shoulder.

Fwoosh

Black smoke exploded out of the wolf's body.

Chill

"Man it's chilly tonight." Cardin said to Jaune.

Zachary looked at the hand's desperately holding him in place. Then he looked towards the shaking figures who owned the hands. The rest of team JZMN were being hit with the full force of his semblance. And for the first time of their life's, they felt true fear. The fear of death, of losing someone, of getting in trouble, of giving a speech, of being embarrassed, of everything, scared of the thing standing in front of them.

They looked into its swirling red eyes. The eyes held a question. Why? It wanted to know why they stopped it. Why they didn't let it tear him to shreds, why they interrupted it's feast. Why they let him get away, why it shouldn't rip them apart instead. And then it was gone, no more swirling red eyes, no more unfathomable anger, there was just a person.

"Next combat class... stay on the side." A beastly snarl left Zach's mouth.

"O-ok." They stuttered. What else could they say after seeing what they did?

Breaking free of their grasp, he stalked towards the training room. They followed, and they wondered what they got themselves into. For now all they could do was to curse at Cardin for his idiocy and enjoy his suffering when it happened.

And that's a wrap. Thank you everyone for coming out to chapter 5 of Wolves. I sprinkled some stuff that will hopefully be explored in the later chapters of the story.

The first episode for Ice queendom dub came out so I can't wait to watch that.

Anyways, I think I've kept you long enough so I'll end it here. Thanks again for coming out and I hope everyone has a good week. If you have anything you want to say I'll see you in the comments, other than that that's it. Thanks.