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"How did I find myself in this situation again?" Jaune sighed as he stared at the floor of the airship. In his brilliance, his nonexistent brilliance, that he had forgotten his air-sickness pills back at the house. He would've gone back if he wasn't already halfway to his destination. He felt someone rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"I can't believe that you forgot the pills," Pyrrha said, failing to hide her laughter and amusement at Jaune's misery.

"What a supportive girlfriend I have," Jaune said. His face turned green as he held the bile down. Pyrrha sighed and looked at the seat across from them. Alice was also hunched over, clutching her stomach while Ren and Nora rubbed circles on her back.

"Dear Israfil… this is torture!" Alice wheezed.

"If I had the power, I'd make these metal death traps illegal!" Jaune said.

"Airships are a safe way to travel, Jaune. It isn't the ship's fault that you two forgot your air sickness pills," Blake said.

"I can try!" Jaune said.

"Don't worry, we're almost there. For now, let's think of something else like how we're going to explain to Ozpin and the rest of the staff to let you an allegedly deceased student back into the school," Ren said, crossing his arms. Jaune blinked and sat up, forgetting about his motion sickness for a moment.

"I, uh, don't have a plan for that actually. I was thinking I would just walk into campus unannounced and see Ozpin," Jaune said. Everyone looked up at him with disbelief. That was his plan. No call from his parents. No special referral from Maria, a renowned huntress. Just walk in and hope Ozpin would take him back. If it were anyone else, they would have laughed at them, however, this was Jaune. He had his moments of brilliance and moments of stupidity.

"Um, Jaune. I don't want to put you down but that plan sounds… really stupid," Alice said.

"Gotta better idea?" Jaune asked.

"Er… no," Alice said.

"How about a disguise?" Pyrrha suggested.

"I don't think anyone will fall for it. Besides, won't he look suspicious?" Blake said.

"Not if he dyes his hair to a different color or cuts it!" Nora said.

"Nora, we don't have the time to get Jaune's hair dyed or cut, besides, I think Jaune's hair looks fine the way it is," Ren said.

"So we're really just going to walk in there with Jaune and act like nothing happened?" Blake asked.

"Well… more or less. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?" Jaune asked.

"Jaune. The entire student body and ninety-nine percent of the staff thinks you're dead with the sole exception of Professor Goodwitch. And we don't know how the students will react when they find out you're alive, especially Team CRDL and Team RWBY… most of RWBY," Pyrrha said.

"Pyrrha's right," Blake said.

"Hmmm, but we're kind of running out of viable options since… we're kind of near the landing pad already," Jaune said, looking out the window.

"The what?" Pyrrha said, shoving him aside. He was right. She could see the massive lone spire of Beacon Tower as well as the landing bay for all the airships.

"Yeah, sooo, we're just going to have to wing it I guess," Jaune said.

"Yeah, let's do that," Pyrrha said. "We're out of time anyway."

Jaune's eyes drank in the sight of Beacon Academy. It had been a couple of months since he'd been here. His memories of the place were a mix of pleasant and not-so-pleasant. Mostly not-so-pleasant memories. However, there were a few aspects of the academy that Jaune found to be nice. First of all, it helped him see that his crush on Weiss was just that. A crush. And crushes faded as Jaune found out the hard way. It also introduced him to his hidden feelings for Pyrrha. He never noticed it until he started to think about it at the Festival.

His parents had found it odd that they started dating the moment Jaune crashed his funeral to which Jaune corrected them and said that he had yet to take her on a formal date. The Festival provided him the opportunity to. But their notice had gotten Jaune to start thinking. When did he start liking Pyrrha? His mind thought back to the time when he was being bullied by Cardin. Pyrrha stood by him and tried to help him get stronger. When Cardin blew his secret out into the open, Pyrrha stood by him, despite knowing that she would be targeted by the other students for associating herself with such scum.

He was very much aware of the talks that the others made behind their backs. The unsightly words that were directed at Pyrrha discreetly for fear that she would retaliate against them. She was the Invincible Girl after all. No student in their year was capable of matching her. Not even the members of Team RWBY could. They could give her a run for her money but in the end, Pyrrha would still beat them.

Besides that, he was happy to be a part of Team JNPR and despite the strain that occurred between Jaune, Ren, and Nora, everything turned out okay. Jaune was currently working out his problems with them and making great progress. He really felt as if they could become friends again.

He grabbed his bags from the luggage carrier and slung them across his shoulder. Sol and Luna sat comfortably inside one of his duffle bags while he rolled another bag filled with clothing, underwear, and other essentials. He strolled down the runway towards Beacon Academy with Pyrrha walking next to him. Jaune noticed that upon arrival, he had immediately grabbed everyone's attention. The other students just stood there with wide eyes and whispering amongst themselves. Jaune didn't need to hear them to know what they were talking about. He already knew. They were all wondering how Beacon's Weakest Student was still alive after he was left to die at the hands of the Grimm. Well, maybe not, but there was a high possibility that they were.

"Jaune," Pyrrha said. She grasped his hand and gripped it tightly. "Ignore them," she said, glancing at him.

"I am… but it's kind of hard not to," Jaune whispered.

"Let's just get to Ozpin's office," Ren said.

"Yeah, the other students are giving me the creeps with all their whispering," Nora said.

"I can't go with you guys to Ozpin's office. I have to go meet up with Yang, Ruby, and Weiss. They're waiting for me in the dorms since they got here before us and don't worry, I won't say anything," Blake said.

"Guess we'll see you back at the dorms then?" Jaune asked.

She nodded and waved as she turned around a corner.

Jaune tried to ignore the gawks as he kept his eyes to the floor to avoid making eye contact.

"Well, well, well, look who's not so dead after all."

That voice. He knew that voice. It was one of his tormentors. One of Cardin's teammates. He looked up and saw the familiar grey-blue hair of Sky Lark. The man held a cocky smirk on his face as he stared Jaune in the eye.

"Get out of our way, Sky," Pyrrha said.

"What's wrong, Arc? Gonna let your girlfriend fight all your battles for you?" Sky said.

Jaune remained silent, not saying anything. Pyrrha, Alice, Nora, and Ren glanced at Jaune, ready to make a move in case Sky tried anything. They could see Jaune shaking though whether or not it was in fear or rage, they could not tell.

As Sky went in to place his hand on Jaune's shoulder in a "friendly" manner, Jaune's hand shot up and grabbed Sky's wrist. His eyes narrowed as he tried to pull back. He felt the pressure grow and the pain started to build, prompting him to pull harder.

"Listen to me, Sky. Just because I'm back doesn't mean that I'm going to take your team's bullshit anymore. Nor will I take the other students'. I will stand up for myself and retaliate if I'm attacked," Jaune said in a low, menacing tone.

Sky began to feel fear creep up his spine. But why was he afraid? Why was he so afraid of the loser of JNPR? He yelped when he felt the bones in his wrist begin to creak as he fell to his knees.

"Got it?" Jaune said.

Sky nodded rapidly and Jaune immediately let go of his wrist.

"Let's go," Jaune said. The others, who had watched the entire interaction in surprise, merely nodded and they walked off.

Sky growled. He would not be humiliated. Especially by Jaune Arc. He got up and started to run towards Jaune. He cocked his fist back, fully intending to strike him while his back was turned. Unfortunately for him, Pyrrha moved and reacted in time, slapping aside Sky's fist. She rammed her knee into his gut before striking his chest with her palm. Sky crashed into the wall and slid down unceremoniously as he was rendered unconscious from Pyrrha's attack.

"Hmph," Pyrrha said, dusting her hands off. Alice and Jaune glanced at each other while Ren and Nora shook their heads.

Blake hummed the tune of It's Time as she walked down the hallway of the dorm rooms. She smiled as she made it to her team's room and took out her scroll. She held it up against the knob and was satisfied to hear the click. She opened the door and saw Ruby animatedly chatting with Weiss, who was slowly inching away from her partner. Yang was playing games on her scroll.

Blake knocked on the wall to get their attention.

"Hey. I'm back from Domremy," Blake said.

"BLAKE!"

Blake stumbled back as Ruby latched onto her.

"Hey, Ruby," Blake said, smiling. However, her smile was strained. Not from the fact that she didn't want to see her but from the sole fact that Ruby was currently crushing her ribs.

"Rubes, you're gonna break her ribs," Yang said, pulling the red reaper off the faunus.

"Thanks, Yang," Blake said as she rubbed her sides. She never knew that Ruby had that much physical strength behind her small frame.

"How was Domremy?" Weiss asked, looking at Blake.

"It was fun. Jaune's parents were really nice. His sisters were nice. Just the overall feel and atmosphere of the area was nice. It really made me feel at home… like I was back in Menagerie," Blake said. "I might even get a house there one day."

"Must be really nice if you're considering that as your place of residence after you become a huntress," Ruby said.

"What are Jaune's parents like?" Yang asked.

"Yang, she just said they were nice people," Weiss said.

"I heard her the first time but I want to know what they're really like. Are they like Alice? Like… you know," Yang said, not mentioning his name. Blake knew who she was referring to but she made a promise not to tell them and let Jaune reveal himself to the school. Rumors should be flying around by now considering he entered the academy without any disguise whatsoever.

"Mrs. Arc, I think she's more like Jaune in personality. They're both bright. Nice to people. They can be airheads from time to time but they have it where it counts. And besides that, Jaune looks more like his mom than his dad," Blake said.

"And Mr. Arc?" Weiss asked.

"If you were to put Mr. Arc and Alice into the other's body, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart much. They act so much like each other it's almost creepy if you didn't know that they were a father-daughter duo," Blake said.

"So, you want us to get you anything or help put your stuff back?" Yang asked.

"No, I'm fine. I'll unpack later," Blake said, leaving her bag out. She walked over to her bunkbed and sat laid down in it.

It's good to be back. How are you going to shake up the school, Jaune? Blake wondered, imagining Ozpin's face at the moment.

Jaune stood nervously inside the elevator. The last time he had been inside this elevator was during the briefing for the mission to Aurbis Base. The mission that nearly cost him his life. It was the mission where he learned of his Grimm powers. And the mission where he knew who was his friend and who wanted him to die. He looked up at the changing numbers on the elevator, all the while listening to Ozpin's tacky choice of music.

Pyrrha, Nora, Ren, and Alice all stood next to him, equally as nervous as the blonde boy that they were with. There was a chance that Ozpin wouldn't let him back into the school at all and just kick Jaune out. After all, Jaune did lie his way into the school. But then again, Opzin kept Jaune around that long, perhaps there was a chance that he would take Jaune back in.

The elevator dinged as the door slowly opened. Jaune and the others walked out into Ozpin's office, already listening to the ever-present sound of clock gears moving. Ozpin sat at his desk, doing some paperwork while the Deputy Headmistress, Glynda Goodwitch stood next to his side with her scroll out, no doubt observing the students as they were coming in from the loading bay.

"Um," Jaune began.

"You don't need to say anything, Mister Arc. We saw you on your way in here through the cameras," Ozpin said, placing his pen down. Glynda placed her scroll down on Ozpin's desk before crossing her arms and staring at the group with a steely gaze. Ozpin's eyes rested solely on Jaune, knowing that he made the boy extremely uncomfortable.

Shit, that look… okay, Arc, don't screw this up, Jaune thought as he breathed to calm himself down.

"I'm back," he said weakly.

"I can very much see that Mister Arc. I'm glad that you're safe. Surviving a cliff fall with no landing strategy and being on the last dregs of your aura. I can only attribute it to the fact that fate must have been smiling upon you that day. On top of that, you've made a splendid recovery as well and are planning to get back into the game. Though, I was wondering why you didn't inform the school or contact any of the authorities so that we could go and get you from wherever you were recovering," Ozpin said.

"Um, well, the person who looked after me told me that I didn't wake up for an entire month so… I spent the month after I woke up training my body back into shape. Something about their being muscle atrophy or something," Jaune said.

"I see. And where was this? The place you were recovering at," Ozpin said.

"A small village named Yukihara near Aurbis Base. I think it's about seven klicks north of the base," Jaune said.

"Well then, I will send them my regards and my utmost thanks for saving one of my students," Ozpin said.

"Hey Headmaster," Jaune said.

Ozpin raised an eyebrow. He knew what Jaune was going to ask next. To be honest, Ozpin had no intention of expelling him from the school. Jaune's name was still registered in the school's database and his grades had been put on hold. Glynda had, on multiple occasions, tried to get Ozpin to remove Jaune from the student database only to be rebuffed by the man.

There were many reasons as to why Ozpin had kept Jaune in the student roster. For one, his twin. Ozpin had been alive for a long time. And in his long life, there were things about aura that he had discovered. The twin bond. Jaune and Alice were not unique in that sense. In every pair of twins or triplets that are born in Remnant every year, there was a good chance that four out of ten of those pairs would end up with a twin bond. A perfect example that came to the forefront of Ozpin's mind.

Qrow and Raven Branwen.

Despite the fact that the two no longer got along, they still retained that oh-so powerful bond that they had since they were born. Proof of this lay in Raven's semblance. Despite the animosity that the two held for each other now, it did nothing to hide Raven's affection for her twin.

So Alice's reaction back when he broke the news of Jaune's alleged death was a red flag to him.

And that meant that if Jaune was alive somewhere out there, there was a chance that the young man would come back. It was something Ozpin bet on, stating to himself that if Jaune Arc did not return by the end of the next semester, Ozpin would personally throw Beacon's entire coffee supply into the ocean. Yet here he was. Jaune Arc was as healthy as ever with the odd exception of the possible post-traumatic-stress disorder.

"Hello?"

Ozpin snapped out of his reverie as Jaune stared at him.

"Yes?"

"Is it possible for me to be let back in?" Jaune asked.

Glynda looked at Ozpin. He could see the pleading in her eyes, begging to let Jaune back into the academy. He folded his hands and looked at Jaune.

"Mister Arc. You are aware that you are behind all the other students in terms of academics. And everyone believes you to be dead including the staff," Ozpin said.

"I understand but…," Jaune said.

"To top it all off, your team has a new leader in the form of Miss Nikos and your spot is currently being occupied by your twin sister," Ozpin said.

Jaune went silent, processing all of Ozpin's words. The others stood there with bated breath to see what Jaune's response would be.

"I know and I don't care. I came to this academy to achieve my dreams of becoming a huntsman and I'm not giving up now. So go ahead, kick me out. I'll just go to another hunting academy or even go back to Domremy to learn from my parents. I won't let anything stand in my way to becoming a huntsman and to be with the friends that I made while I was here. Because for me, they're the most important part about my life at this academy. So go. Do it," Jaune said, looking Ozpin in the eye. "I don't care what you, the other staff, or students say or do about my being back here."

Ozpin smirked. He could see that the fire that was in Jaune's heart when he started Beacon was back and more powerful than ever. His drive was similar to that of an all-consuming bush fire.

"I see. Very well Mister Arc. However, don't expect to get in here just because you gave that small, yet very impressive speech," Ozpin said.

"That's right. I won't take shi-... wait, did you just say that you'll let me in?" Jaune asked.

"Yes… but of course, everything's not free," Ozpin said.

"What's the catch?" Alice asked.

"The catch, as you so eloquently put it, Miss Arc, is the initiation test," Ozpin said.

"Just go to the Emerald Forest and retrieve a relic while annihilating all the Grimm that oppose you, right? That should be easy enough," Jaune said.

"Mister Arc. That would be too easy. No, your task is to go into the Emerald Forest in a search and destroy," Ozpin said.

"Search and Destroy?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yes. Miss Nikos. If I may explain, Ozpin," Glynda said. Ozpin nodded and gestured for her to explain.

"A search and destroy is basically what the name implies. Within a time limit, Jaune is to go into the area, find the target, and eliminate it. The time limit for Jaune's Search and Destroy is three hours to simulate the time limit that some hunter missions have. Please note that Search and Destroy missions do not always involve Grimm. The missions may involve destroying a structure, object, or even… the elimination of another human or faunus," Glynda said.

"So… assassination?" Ren asked.

"In that context yes but in this, Jaune is merely going to hunt down and take out a Grimm," Ozpin said.

"Okay, easy enough," Jaune said.

"Good. I'm glad you feel that way because this will be your target," Ozpin said, pressing a button. Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha's eyes widened. Jaune's mouth gaped open like a dying fish as he looked at the image that Ozpin was currently projecting in front of everyone.

Its exoskeleton was damaged and it was missing one of its legs. Its stinger was naught but a stump and Jaune could see signs of wear and tear. One of its pincers was heavily injured as well.

"I see you recognize this," Ozpin said. "To answer your question, yes, this is the Deathstalker that you and Team RWBY fought during initiation."

"Wait, that's the Deathstalker you guys told me about? The one you threw off a cliff?" Alice asked.

"I thought we killed it," Nora said.

"Nope. It is very much alive," Ozpin said. He turned to Jaune. "So? What do you say, Mister Arc?"

"I… I'll accept," Jaune said.

"Very good. Shall we head down to the launch pads after lunch? I'll have it delivered her to my office so that you and the rest of your team can dine in anonymity," Ozpin said.

"Rest of my team?" Jaune asked.

"Worry about that later, for now, please mentally prepare yourself for this exam," Ozpin said as he dialed a number on his scroll. Glynda smiled as she walked over to Jaune and hugged him.

"Welcome back, Jaune," Glynda said.

"I'm glad to be back, Big Sis Glyn," Jaune said.

"No hug for me too, Big Sis Glyn?" Alice asked. Glynda sighed as she pulled out but Alice could see the smile on her face.

Alice jumped into the hug and pulled Jaune into it as well, as the twins embraced their former babysitter together for the first time in several years.

"Hey," Weiss said.

"What?" Yang asked as she fist-pumped after winning her match.

"I think Sky's going insane," Weiss said.

"What'd that fucker do now?" Yang asked.

"He posted on his PicChat that Jaune's alive," Weiss said.

"That's… weird. If I remember correctly, we had a funeral for Jaune," Yang said.

Ruby and Blake stiffened at the sound of Jaune's name. Despite finding out by accident, Ruby had kept her lov- friend's status hidden. She felt that if she were a good friend when he was ready, they would become besties again or possibly more. At least, that's how Ruby felt.

Blake bit her lip. Why of all people did they have to run into a member of Team CRDL. Why not one of the nicer teams like Team CFVY? Velvet would gladly keep Jaune's secret to pay him back for standing up and taking Cardin's sight off her.

"Huh? It's a message from Professor Ozpin," Ruby said.

"What did you do this time?" Weiss asked.

"Hey, not every message we get from him is because we got in trouble," Ruby protested.

"Well?" Weiss asked impatiently.

"He wants us to meet him by the launch pads with Team PRAN. They're getting a new member apparently," Ruby said, reading the message out loud.

"A new member?" Weiss asked.

"Did he say who?" Blake added.

"No. But I want to see!" Ruby said.

"Wait. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're still not exactly buddy-buddy with Team PRAN," Yang said.

"We should go anyway," Blake said. "It'll show that we support them and maybe we can start building bridges."

"Blake's right. We can build a bridge to them and we can become friends again," Ruby said.

"I… am not a big fan of being here again," Jaune said.

"Well, remember your landing strategy this time," Pyrrha teased.

"Alright, mind if I borrow you then? You're part of my landing strategy if you remembered," Jaune said.

Pyrrha blushed as Jaune leaned in close to her face.

"No PDA you two," Alice said, placing her hand between Jaune and Pyrrha's face.

"Yes, please refrain from doing it in public," Glynda said.

"Are you ready Mister Arc? Remember, you have three hours to go eliminate the Death Stalker," Ozpin said.

Jaune nodded.

"Wish me LUUUUUUUUCCCCKK!" Jaune was launched into the air while everyone watched from the cliffs.

"I have temporarily synced your scrolls to the observation drones stationed in the forest so you can monitor his progress," Glynda said.

The members of Team PRAN nodded as they pulled out their scrolls.

"SORRY!"

They turned around to see Team RWBY running towards them.

"Did we miss it?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, who's the new team member?" Yang asked.

"Blake!" Pyrrha called. Blake ran over to her.

"So, he's going to crash," Blake said.

"Sadly, there's a chance of that happening," Pyrrha said.

"So who's the new team member?" Ruby asked.

"You didn't tell them? I called them here because I assumed they knew," Ozpin said with a knowing twinkle in his eye.

Alice narrowed her eyes at the headmaster and sighed.

"W- They don't know… well, Blake knows," Alice said.

"So who was it?" Weiss asked.

Pyrrha and Blake glanced at each other before she flipped her scroll and showed it to Weiss.

"Is that… no way! He's alive!" Weiss said.

"WHO!?" Ruby asked, pushing her aside. She smiled widely as small tears began to form at the edges of her eyes.

"Jaune?" Ruby whispered.

"Vomit Boy…," Yang said, looking over Ruby's shoulder.

Why does this feel so familiar? Jaune thought as he was freefalling.

"Master, please don't forget that I'm inside your jacket and that if we hit the ground at this speed, we'll both die," Nyx said, popping her head out of his hoodie.

"Oh right," Jaune said. His entire body glowed violet as a burst of ethereal strings of energy erupted from his back. The energy morphed and coalesced into a pair of massive eagle wings. He decided to settle on bird wings since dragon wings made him look a bit too demonic for his taste.

Jaune flapped his wings, slowing his fall and allowing him to land safely on the ground. As soon as he touched down, he pulled out Sol and Luna and activated them, causing the blades to unfurl.

"He has a scythe!" Ruby exclaimed, startling the others.

"Ruby, calm down," Weiss said. She was curious to see how powerful Jaune got.

"His semblance. He can make wings like you, Alice," Ren said.

"Well, twins share a mind is what they say," Alice said.

Jaune ran through Emerald Forest with Nyx perched on his shoulder. She was currently sniffing the air, trying to find the scent of the Death Stalker that her master had been tasked with hunting.

"Master, there's a pack of my kind up ahead," Nyx said.

"I'll try not to kill them," Jaune said.

"No, that's… they're running from something," Nyx said.

"What are they running from?" Jaune asked.

"I can't tell. Perhaps it's the scorpion?" Nyx asked.

"Woah!" Jaune dodged as a beowolf burst from the shrubbery and nearly tore Jaune's face off. Jaune gripped Sol and Luna tightly, staring the beast down.

The beowolf growled before turning around and running off.

Jaune settled down a bit, before exchanging a confused glance with Nyx.

"What could they possibly be running from?" Jaune asked.

Nyx shook her head, stating that she didn't know. Jaune sighed and turned around. He kept walking in a straight line until he felt Nyx stiffen on his shoulder.

"Master, I think I've located the scent," Nyx said.

"Yeah," Jaune said, staring at the carnage before him. There were dissolving Grimm corpses strewn across the forest. The trees were uprooted and the ground was littered with pot marks as well as trenches.

"There was a battle here," Jaune said. He took one step and found his foot stepping in one of the holes. His eyes narrowed when he saw a massive footprint, far larger than his own foot right in front of him.

"Something's not right," Pyrrha said. "What could've done that?"

"Ozpin," Glynda said as she watched the footage.

"...," Ozpin remained silent, analyzing the print.

"Glynda, prepare to be launched into the forest at a moment's notice," Ozpin said.

"Professor?" the others looked at Ozpin, wondering just what the hell was going on.

"No time. Miss Nikos. Miss Rose. Please be on standby with Professor Goodwitch," Ozpin said.

The two redheads glanced at each other and nodded.

"Master, I have a bad feeling about this," Nyx said.

"You and me both. Whatever can take out a beowolf pack and its alpha along side an Ursa Major and a Goliath, we're talking something big here," Jaune said.

"Like that Basilisk?" Nyx asked.

"Probably something on that level," Jaune said. "I just got lucky in the fact that I managed to not get it kill me."

Jaune followed Nyx's directions as he walked through the woods. The carnage and destruction was everywhere. More peculiar marks began to appear all over the forest as well as something that pointed Jaune in the right direction. The dissolving leg of the Death Stalker. At least he hoped it was its leg and not some random insectoid or arachnoid type Grimm. Another track were scorch marks. Scorch marks were littered all over the forest floor, primarily where Jaune saw the trees were cut in half. This meant that whatever this was could use fire. Jaune considered the possibility that it was just a hunter in the Emerald Forest but humans and faunus don't leave large tracks like that.

"Master, the Death Stalker. It's up ahead," Nyx said.

Jaune nodded as he began to run. He broke through the brush and saw the massive scorpion that had plagued them on initiation day, standing there. Immediately, Jaune could tell that it had been attacked. What remained of its tail after Pyrrha had cut off its stinger was now just a singed stump. Three of its legs were missing, presumably bitten off or removed by whatever attacked it. There were burn marks all over its body, matching the scorch trails that Jaune had seen when coming over here.

The Death Stalker weakly turned to Jaune and backed away. Jaune frowned. It was afraid of him.

"Wait! Stop ancient one!" Nyx called.

"I have no time to speak. I must run and heal my wounds before it comes back," the Death Stalker said to Nyx.

"Before what comes back?" Jaune asked.

"You can understand us? Oh… I see. So that's why," the Death Stalker said.

"Listen to us Ancient One. What attacked you?" Nyx asked.

"The One whose tail rends the earth with its flames," The Death Stalker said.

"Rend the earth?" Jaune asked. His eyes widened when the Death Stalker lurched forward, falling. Its fatigue had caught up with it as it lay weakly in front of Jaune.

"My Lord. Please… put me out of my misery," the Death Stalker begged.

"What's Jaune doing? He's just staring at it," Yang said.

The others merely watched, wondering what Jaune would do next.

"Is that really what you want?" Jaune asked.

"Yes. I do not wish to become a meal for the flame bearer," The Death Stalker said.

"I see," Jaune said. He snapped Sol and Luna together, transforming them into Eclipse. He raised Eclipse over his head and stabbed into the Death Stalker's head. The Grimm spasmed for a couple of seconds, its body going through its death throes.

Jaune pulled the blade out and watched the body dissolve into smoke. He sighed as he pulled his scroll out to request an evac.

"Mister Arc," Glynda's voice came out from the scroll.

"Hey, I got the target," Jaune said.

"Good. Stay there. We'll have a bullhead come and pick you up," Glynda said.

"Yeah," Jaune said

"Ozpin, I'm going," Glynda said.

"Sure-," Ozpin's response was cut off when a massive ear-piercing roar. The roar sounded like a mix between a lion, an alligator, and an industrial coal mine complete with dynamite and drilling.

Jaune stiffened when he heard the roar. Nyx began to growl on his shoulder. He shifted Eclipse back to Sola and Luna to allow himself more mobility.

"This must be that Flame Bearer or something?" Jaune said.

The ground shook underneath Jaune as he turned around to come face to face with the monstrosity that burst through the trees. He took a step back as the massive beast came bursting through the trees, knocking all the wood over. The beast in front of him was massive, standing at 10 meters in height. It was covered in rigid pitch-black scales that gave off a slightly red tint. On its back were a set of spines that went from black and faded into a fiery red color. The largest of these spines were located primarily around its hip bone.

The beast's arms were stubby, serving no purpose at all. It possessed powerful legs that Jaune deduced were built for chasing its prey. However, its most impressive feature was its tail. Its tail was essentially one massive blade. The bony blade was black in color but shined in the light.

Jaune took a step back as he stared up at the Grimm.

"GO!" Ozpin urged.

Glynda, Pyrrha, and Ruby nodded as the launch pads activated.

"Professor Ozpin… what is that?" Weiss asked.

Ozpin looked at his scroll with a grim face.

"A Glavenus," he said.

Jaune prepared himself as the Glavenus roared in his face, shattering what little peace remained within the Emerald Forest.

Yes. Glavenus is based on Glavenus from Monster Hunter if any of you ask. So I tallied up the votes from the polls and from those of you who couldn't vote. And I am surprised. The For Beacon People came up with extremely good arguments and even suggestions as how to not turn it into a Jaune becomes an asshole due to betrayal fic if I took the Beacon route so thank you. With that piece said, I'm pretty sure you can all guess which option won.

Yes, Jaune is going back to Beacon. Which for me opens up a can of worms I've been planning if this got the vote. In addition to our little love triangle between Blake, Pyrrha, and Jaune, you have to remember that Ruby also had a not-so-small but also very secret crush on our blonde prior to the whole incident involving Cardin and Jaune's transcripts.

So prepare for a very spicy semester here at Beacon starting with Jaune getting rescued from the Brute Grimm! With that, have a nice day/night wherever you all are.

If you wanna come and talk, I am part of a discord server! Come and join! We have cookies and fluffy tails!

discord. gg /V54pcwA

PS: Sorry for the lack of Mae. We will get her fluffy cuteness next chapter.