Ren was rudely awoken, but not only Nora shouting his name but also bouncing on his bed; which means she was driving her pelvis into his shins repeatedly. Groaning he pushed himself up off his pillow, which at got Nora to not only stop bouncing, but crawl up his body until she was seated perfectly on his stomach. Through blurry eyes he tried to focus on what Nora was shoving in his face. Blinking a few times he was able to focus on the scroll basically being held to his nose.

"Told you!" was all that she said as she with a wide grin.

Ren half paid attention to the article, in fact he was barely registering it until he read a very specific name. Bolting up straight while also grabbing the scroll from Nora's grasp he knocked her over; causing her to land with a thud on the floor.

"What the hell... what the hell... what the HELL..."

"You should stop saying that Ren." Nora commented

"WHAT THE HELL!" Ren screeched as he tossed the scroll towards Nora while ripping off his covers. His bare feet hit the floor and he was instantly across the room and swapping his night clothes for his normal day wear.

"Ren?" Nora asked as she juggled catching the scroll with trying to get up off the floor.

"Get dressed." he snapped.

"He's alive... I told you he was..." Nora said in a subdued tone as Ren turned around and she caught sight of the look of unadulterated rage etched upon his face.

"Get dressed." Ren told her his look softening as he regarded his partner and friend.

"We going somewhere?"

"Yes. The Headmaster's office, and if he wont help us... then we'll be going to Atlas."

"To get fearless leader?"

"To get OUR friend." Ren replied as a hint of rage once again touched his pale pink eyes.

/=/

Jaune was once again situated and sealed into the testing chamber. A series of pop can arranged before him. Outside Doctor Jekyll, his assistant Janice, Marrow and Allison all crowded around the monitor.

"I have something to show you before we begin." Doctor Jekyll informed Allison and Marrow, "Janice."

"Yes Doctor." Janice replied as she worked the keyboard bringing up the IR camera feed.

"There it is." Doctor Jekyll replied happily as Allison leaned in further to get a better view.

"What are they?"

"His semblance." Doctor Jekyll replied, "and from this and what we've seen when we reviewed previous testing IR footage, they appear to be always active. Which explains how he can react so quickly. He doesn't need to activate his semblance every time he uses it. It's always active."

"Doctor?"

"Yes Janice."

"There are more than the last time."

"You're right. A couple more. Interesting."

"Creepy you mean." Marrow offered.

"So what is it?" Allison asked, "Specifically I mean."

"To be honest I don't know what to call it. But it does explain the brain activity we've recorded. When he's reacting he's also determining distance, range; in addition to creating the form they take. Janice bring up the last test."

"Yes Doctor." Jaince replied as again she went to work on her keyboard opening another window and bringing up the IR feed from the test involving the knights.

"There see. Each one took a different form to perform a different action."

"There does appear to be fewer of them in this footage." commented Marrow.

"Indeed."

"Back to the test Doctor." Allison spoke as she leaned back making herself upright. "You did a can crushing test the first time we were here. What makes you think this one will be any different?"

"How I'm going to go about getting him to focus." replied Doctor Jekyll as he too stood straight, before making his way forward and to the intercom beside the door of the testing chamber. "Jaune?"

"Yes Doctor."

"This test is going to be like the first one we conducted. Do you remember it?"

"Yes. You want me to crush the cans with my semblance. It didn't work though."

"Then it didn't work. This time I feel it will be different."

"How?"

"This time I want you in your mind to picture an invisible appendage reaching forward and gripping the cans. Can you try that?"

"An invisible appendage?"

"Yes like an extra arm and hand you can't see. I want you take your time. There's no rush. Just concentrate on what I've said. Just try and target one of the piles for now. Okay?"

"I guess."

"Okay, try it." Doctor Jekyll released the intercom button and moved back to the monitor everyone else was watching. "Let's see if we can get a conscious reaction."

The quartet watched the camera feed as Jaune took a deep breath. After a second one he focused his eyes on the farthermost left hand pile of three cans. Getting no reaction, Jaune closed his eyes and pictured what Doctor Jekyll had mentioned to him. Taking several deep breath he concentrated; he saw in his mind a hand reaching out from him. Fingers outstretched to wrap around the entire pile.

Jaune's eyes flew open at the sound of the cans bursting.

"There see. They adapted. Becoming what he needed, or in this case what I had him envision he wanted."

"That took a lot longer."

"Granted, but in the case of the Knight test he was reacting instinctively. Here he's forcing it. Making it do what he wants consciously. I have no doubt with practice he may even get to the point that with active thought he'll be nearly as fast as his instinctual reaction time." Doctor Jekyll explained as he moved from the monitor back to the intercom. "Excellent work Jaune. Did you feel anything when you were trying?"

"Nothing physical, just mental."

"Okay. Now I'd like to try it again, if you would be so kind; but this time target the four of the remaining stacks. Same thing, an arm and hand reaching out."

"Okay."

"Take your time there is no rush." Doctor Jekyll informed Jaune before stepping away and returning once again to the monitor. "Now let's see what happens with multiple targets."

Jaune like the previous took several deep breaths as he focused on the remaining piles. He pictured in his mind again an arm and hand reaching out to wrap around the cans; only this time it was four, one for each pile. Fingers gripping and squeezing. Another deep breath and he prepared to close his eyes only to have them jump wide with shock as the four piles exploded in a shower of tin and sugared water.

"Again. They took the form he needed."

"Did you notice Doctor he didn't close his eyes this time." Janice mentioned.

"I did not. So he's gaining more control, and quickly too."

"How would that be possible?"

"I would think it's his mind. Its adapting to his needs. The more he consciously focuses on getting results, the easier and faster he'll become achieving them."

"That's insanely fast to get control. It take most huntsmen and huntresses weeks, some even months to gain that much control." commented Marrow. "For me it was almost two weeks before I could really grasp what my own semblance could do. And here he is getting a handle on it in minutes."

"Again I theorize it has to do with how his brain is processing the needed data. I think when his semblance activated it also rewired the needed parts of his brain; adapting them to account for all the variables needed to be active."

"Like what variables.?" Allison asked.

"Shape, length, speed, force. Basically I would say he's choosing a tool and then applying vectors to accomplish a needed goal."

"So this rewiring, would it account for the trance like states he's been witnessed in during the first few interactions with his semblance?"

"I would hazard to say yes. I feel that as his brain was being adapted, it was also shutting off higher emotional and cognitive functions. Aside from what was needed for his semblance to be active and react in the 'fight or flight' response."

"Would you testify to that if summoned to do so?" asked Allison.

"Yes I would."

"Okay. Are you going to show this to him."

"Ethically I should. He needs to see what his semblance is, and seeing will help him understand."

"Okay. You have anymore tests for him today?"

"No. I think we've seen and recorded enough. Though at some point I'd like to test you semblance against his Specialist Marrow."

"Any particular reason why?" asked Marrow.

"To see if you can really counter act his." replied Doctor Jekyll.

"Maybe best to do that sooner than later. Like now." commented Allison.

/=/

Winter was waiting in the car, browsing through her scroll, looking at the current events for Atlas and Mantle; before moving to her notifications. Most were nothing worthy of clicking on. Just reminders of various high profile social events, or mentions of SDC in various news stories. As she was checking them off she got a quick and short email from Ozpin. Opening it she found a link and clicked it.

"Shit, shit shit!" she exclaimed as she checked the 'Truth is Out There' site. Her cybernetic hand slamming against the steering wheel as she read the rough article.

She just couldn't believe just how much trouble one person was causing. She was not impressed, severely not impressed and was tempted to contact Ozpin to find out just what the hell was going on over in Vale. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Jaune, Allison and Marrow approaching. Stepping out of the car she waited until Marrow was at the door before shooting her scroll across the roof of the car.

"We have problems." was all she said as Marrow caught the scroll, "Read."

/=/

"I hear your still having trouble staying asleep at night." Doctor Martin addressed Pyrrha as she took a seat. "Do you want to go back on the medication for a little bit?"

"No, not really. It made me groggy all day."

"Well it is a very powerful sedative. That is understandable. Are you sure though? It will help you at least get a full night of rest."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"So are you ready to talk about what is waking you up each night?"

"Not really."

"Pyrrha for us to help you, you're going to need to open up eventually. You can't keep waking up screaming every night. It's not healthy."

"I'm just not comfortable... it makes me feel..."

"Makes you feel what?"

"Feel weak."

"That's understandable. Something happened that was terrible, something that you wanted to stop, maybe?"

"If I just could have got away. I could have stopped him."

"What do you mean get away?"

"I was held back. Prevented from going to him."

"And who is this him?"

"Jaune."

"I see. So because you couldn't get away, you saw Jaune do something? Something terrifying to you?"

"There was so much blood..."

"After your next group, I want to see you again. I want to try something that may help."

"Like what?"

"Hypnosis. We'll put you in a trance and walk your through your dream. Guide you past what you saw. Help you confront it, and not feel weak. Would you like to try that?"

"I..."

"In the end it is up to you. We can't force you; but I think in your situation it will help."

/=/

As Allison, Marrow and Winter made the return trip to the JAG offices, Jaune found himself in the meeting room with Doctor Watson. Jaune waited silently as the doctor reviewed some information on his tablet before setting it aside, and looking at Jaune directly in his blue eyes.

"Last time we talked you mentioned hearing people call you a monster. When I asked you if you thought you were one, you hesitated and didn't really answer. So since there has been a little time between that session and this one, I want to ask you again. Do you feel you are a monster?"

"Now I do." Jaune replied flatly.

"Why do you say that? Has something happened?"

"Today we discovered my semblance, or I saw it for the first time."

"Well that's a good thing, isn't it?"

"Not really. Yes and... I don't know."

"Tell me about it."

"The doctor showed me, after we did a couple tests. He said he's never seen anything like it before."

"How did you see it? What's it like?"

"They used some type of special camera, and it's inhuman."

"Why do you say that?"

"It's...it... just is wrong."

"Care to explain? What did you see?"

"It grows out of my back."

"What does?"

"These tentacles, tendrils, arms, appendages... just things. In that camera I looked like a monster, a creature like you see in horror movies or games. Even the Specialist we were with said they were creepy."

"Can you see them without that special camera?"

"No."

"So without it you are just you."

"But I know they're there though. They were how I was able to do those things I did. How I hurt all those people. How I hurt Ruby, Pyrrha and Weiss."

"So you remember hurting them?"

"Not clearly. It's like some dream. I see it, I know it, but I can't feel it."

"Okay."

"It's not okay. It's not. I'm a freak, a monster, I hurt people for no reason."

"No you..."

"I did. I saw it. Some of those faces didn't even try to do anything to me, and I just..."

"Just what Jaune?"

"Murdered them."

"Would you have done that if you had been in control? Seriously, if you had complete control? If you weren't sleep walking as I think you've described it; would it have happened?"

"But I did it."

"Did you mean to, I guess is what I'm trying to get at?"

"No."

"So if it just happened, that makes it more like an accident wouldn't you agree?"

"I still..."

"I know it's hard to come to terms with. You saw yourself do horrible things to others, to your friends. But you have to look inside, and ask yourself... would I have chosen to do that. Did I want to do it."

"I..."

"Jaune, from what we have talked about, from what I've seen, what I've read; I can tell; you had no conscious desire to do what you have done. I know. I've been in this very room with real monsters. People who enjoyed what they did to others. Men and Women who found pleasure in causing pain. You do not strike me as that type of individual."

"I still..."

"Yes you did, and nothing I say will change that. No matter how bad you feel about it, nothing will change. It happened, and we need to find a way for you to come to terms with that; so it never happens again."

/=/

A week passed, with out much happening in Atlas at least. Jaune continued his sessions with Doctor Watson, who was slowly chipping away at Jaune's feelings of being a monster. On the second floor Pyrrha had agreed to the request to undergo hypnosis; while Ruby and Yang began to tentatively use their prosthetic limbs for short periods of time. Weiss for her part still remained as a child. Winter was kept busy running various officers about the base and in Atlas; while Allison and the JAG legal team prepared for the inevitable request for extradition. Marrow took his time preparing, getting advice from his fellow Specialists on what to watch for and how to counter anyone that takes it upon themselves to confront the "Butcher of Beacon."

Jaune could feel the stress of those around him, in fact it was palatable to anyone. You didn't need to be an empath to know the wave of emotions going through those associated with Jaune. The article which he had eventually been able to see; painted him as possibly the most prolific mass murdered to hit the four kingdoms since a fellow named Tyrian Callows; in fact they went so far as to compare him to a swarm of grimm. It did little to quell Jaune's feeling of being a monster; causing him to take several back steps in progress he had made with Doctor Watson's assistance.

/=/

Ozpin was tired, and his patience was wearing thread article was making rounds through the net, and outside was a growing number of protesters; holding signs calling for his resignation, among other things. Beacon's legal team was doing what they could, advising that there be no statements made by him and extension Beacon. They would take care of any comments needed. VNN was being exceptionally helpful giving full access to everything they had been working on and with. Currently Ozpin was seated in his office with a partner from the legal firm that represented Beacon.

"What about a libel suit?"

"We are looking into it. But The Truth is Out There, is not a moderated site. Anyone can post to it. So finding the specific individual or individuals responsible will be extremely difficult if not almost impossible. The people that post to those sites no how to not leave digital traces."

"So what is our next step?"

"We prepare for Council and the DA to come down on Beacon and by extension you. They'll need to save face in the astounding wave of public backlash."

"So what are we facing?"

"A possible charge of endangerment, and or obstruction. But those we can easily handle. The SCS are fairly clear in regards to the liabilities of first responders to an instance of a rogue semblance. So we are pretty confident if Beacon is served it is only Council and the DA trying to make a show of action for the public."

"Atlas and James?"

"From what you have told us they can be considered as repsonders, so the statues should protect them, what the issue is going to be is Jaune's removal from Beacon to Atlas. Council is going to want reasons, and good ones."

"Do we have any?"

"Yes we do. Beacon's very condition after all the fighting. Beacon was severely damaged that you did not possess the facilities or staff capable of filling the portion of the statutes that details helping individuals gain control. Atlas did, and does. So under those grounds we will defeat any questions or motions in regards to Jaune going to Atlas."

"I sense a but."

"Why was he kept listed as missing, when you knew where he was; and why wasn't his family informed?"

"We thought it for the best. To protect them. To protect him."

"Well you didn't. What you did do is open Beacon up to a probable emotional distress lawsuit with punitive damages."

"How did they find out he was there?"

"Atlas informed them."

"Do you know why?"

"No, but from we are awaiting confirmations from the offices of Atlas' Judge Advocate General, we assume it probably has something to do some sort if internal inquiry. We are waiting for confirmation, and will be requesting copies of all relevant documentation in regards to Jaune. I have to ask you something Ozpin."

"Feel free to ask me whatever you wish, if it can help with this situation."

"Did you know?"

"Know?"

"About how he was being treated. Did you know? Be honest. Did you?"

"I knew a portion of it."

"Okay. That never leaves this room. Does anyone else know about your knowing?"

"James Ironwood, and Winter Schnee."

"How about your staff?"

"Glynda Goodwitch."

"Good. We'll leave it as is, unless it is brought up by another party."

"What about Jaune?"

"What about him?"

"Is there anything you can do to help him?"

"Not while he is in Atlas under military custody. We can support the petition to extradite under the guise that we wish to have access to our client."

"Will he be?"

"Be what?"

"Your client?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"How much baggage he brings with him from Atlas. Understand Ozpin we first and foremost represent Beacon as an institution, and by association you, the staff, and student body; as long as that representation falls in line with our responsibilities for Beacon."

"Will you represent him?"

"Probably not. Beacon needs to distance itself from him. Beacon can support him, openly and use the SCS to assist, but at the end of the day Mister Arc will need to take care of himself."

"He is a student."

"He is, and Beacon will assist through using relevant clauses in the SCS, but again at the end of the day the Mister Arc will need to shoulder the burden of disproving any claims that he was in control of his semblance at the time of the incident. Beacon can offer support, provide records showing that he had no semblance active while attending classes. But that is as far as we can go."

"It doesn't seem that far, if I'm being honest."

"I agree. But our client is the institution of Beacon. On that note you should start to prepare yourself."

"For what?"

"The tidal wave of wrongful death lawsuits that will be filed against Beacon and yourself. They wont get far, the SCS like I said gives a fair bit of protection to first responders, add in that Beacon was a battlefield anyone trying to sue will be hard pressed to prove that Beacon was solely at fault. But there are always lawyers who will try, so be ready."

"Anything else?"

"One more thing. If you really want to help Jaune, keep your distance. Support him by letting us uphold and refer to the SCS, and if Beacon wants we can even provide SCS advisory services to Jaune's attorney, if and when he comes back to Vale."

"What do you mean if?"

"You know exactly what I mean Ozpin. He's going to probably be facing a military tribunal; in regards to what those videos showed. If they decide to make an example of him, he wont be coming back to Vale even if they are served a petition for extradition."

With the partner for Beacon's representation having left his office he took a few minutes to decompress, before looking at his monitor and noting the time. It would be any minute now that the pair would be showing up, any minute now, and he'd once again have to deter them from launching a rescue mission, or invasion of Atlas; depending on whom was speaking.

/=/

Jaune had been informed by Allison that he would have another training session in about three days time. So Jaune did what the doctor had suggested at the end of their last session. For him to attempt to manipulate small objects in his room. So he did just that for the last week and a half. It had required a lot of effort at the start, but now it was by far easier. It still took some concentration to get started, but once he did it was almost and after thought to do what he was doing. First he started off just trying to pick things up, and then move them around, until finally he was doing much more delicate tasks. Currently he was sitting on his bed watching as his second pair of military issued boots was floating in the air having their laces tied and untied.

"Still feel like a freak." he muttered to himself as he proceeded to pull the laces completely out of the boots; before trying to reinsert the laces into them.

He didn't stop his practice, even after his door was rapped on and then opened. Mathews stepped inside and smiled.

"That is still the coolest thing I've ever seen." he commented as he watched the boots fully get laced and then tied.

"Yeah cool." Jaune responded flatly.

"I mean it Jaune. I can only pick things up and move 'em. You're working with them. I bet if you wanted to you could really use a scroll hands-free."

"I guess."

"Anyway, I've been sent to get you."

"Why? I don't have training today or a session."

"No this time you have a phone call."

"Phone call? Am I allowed those?"

"This one you are. Come on. The doc said so."

Jaune set down his boots and rose. Out of habit he held his hands together out in front of him waiting for the restraints to be put on.

"No need for that. You're not leaving the building. In fact we're bringing up a scroll to transfer the call to, so you can talk alone in one of the meeting rooms."

Jaune nodded and followed Mathews as he lead the way. Another orderly named Jacobs met them at the door of the one-on-one session room, a scroll in his hand. He handed it to Jaune and then walked off down the hallway.

"We'll give you a hour before we come in to check on you." Mathews informed Jaune as he held the door open for him to enter. Once inside the room with the door closed he lifted the scroll to his ear.

"Hello?"

"..."

"Mom?" Jaune's knees felt weak, so weak in fact that he fell to the floor on them as tears welled up in his eyes, "Mom."

/=/

Allison was in the JAG offices speaking with her superior. Things on the legal front were falling apart. With the conspiracy article spreading like wildfire. Atlas, specifically the military were being inundated with requests for information, notices of pending lawsuits, and the odd threat to Jaune Arc, and various other members of Atlas high command. Allison herself was also getting threats, and she feared what would happen with Jaune's progress if he gained knowledge of what was really happening outside of the protected circle he was currently in.

"So you are aware." the nearly three times her age Rear-Admiral Niedhart spoke, "The Vale Superior Courts have issued a writ to us."

"Extradition?"

"Correct."

"So what are we going to do?"

"Well before we discuss that, you should be also made aware that we've already spoken to a tribunal and had everything in regards to Jaune and his activities declared as Classified, and as such it is all being removed from any public record. This is for his protection and to allow us to en mass dismiss all request for information. Though we can't do anything about what was leaked."

"Okay. So shall I be arguing against the extradition?"

"No."

"No?"

"We will be allowing it, after we have concluded our own procedures in regards to Mister Arc."

"So he's going on trial here, and than at Vale."

"Correct."

"Then I request permission to accompany him when he is returned to Vale."

"Under what grounds?"

"I am his legal counsel."

"His counsel in regards to Atlas, he will get new council when he is returned to Vale."

"I know his whole case history. I know him. A new lawyer will slow down his due process. Which we ignored. He deserves some compassion after everything he's been put through."

"You are aware he is being charged with thirty-eight counts of bodily harm causing death at least ten counts of assault, including one of assault causing bodily harm here alone. Who knows what they'll try and pin on him in Vale."

"I am, and I'm ready to argue against those charges."

"Tying yourself so closely to him could jeopardize your career. As it has James Ironwood and Winter Schnee. You understand that?'

"I do, but he deserves competent representation."

"Are you suggesting Vale's lawyers are not competent?"

"No, but he has neither the ability or means to hire a lawyer with the credentials needed to stand before Vale's Supreme Court. I do have those type of credentials."

"You are under Atlas' payroll. Don't you think it will look a little suspect having an Atlas Forces attorney representing him in Vale?"

"I'll resign my commission and move to the private sector. Atlas' Forces can't come under fire if I'm a civilian attorney, and I will petition Vale for a temporary license to practice there."

"Are you really willing to dispose of a promising career for this young man?"

"Everyone so far has failed him. He needs someone who hasn't, and who wont."

"Hold on to your resignation. We'll put in a counter motion requesting that you as his current military legal representative be allowed access to the proceedings in Vale, though you may have to work under a licensed Vale attorney."

"What about his security?"

"After his proceedings are done here, he will be assigned a two person AceOps detail. Vale will most likely also assign him a Huntsmen detail. Are you satisfied, or are yous till planning on trying to rock the boat?"

"Satisfied, sir."

"Good, now go look after your client. Lieutenant."

/=/

Jaune was a wreck by the time Mathews and Jacobs returned to check on him. Tears stained his face and hoodie. The scroll lay on the floor before him. His arms were wrapped around his gut. Shaking thier heads they moved into the room and hooked thier hands under his armpits to help him regain his feet. Sobs wracked his body as the almost dragged him from the session room to his bunk.

"This one is going to blow up in his face." commented Jacobs.

"The doc thought it was the right thing to do. You realize she's been calling almost everyday nonstop wanting to know what is happening with him, right?"

"I know, but look at him. He's a disaster."

"How you think you'd be after probably months of not speaking with your family."

"The same, I'm just saying."

"We'll report it to the doc. I'll put him on the watch list."

"You think it will be that bad?"

"Who knows, but we're suppose to look after him, so we will."

"But suicide watch?"

"Not a chance we want to take."

"Should we put him in a jacket then?"

"Doubt that'll do anything with his semblance. He'd just undo all the straps. No we'll just have to watch him, and watch him close."

"Should we put a call into his attorney? Get his bodyguard up here?"

"That's up to the doc. For now we just do what we know, and that's our jobs."

/=/

Winter was not impressed with what Doctor Walters was proposing. In fact she was against pretty much all of it, aside from her brother coming for a visit, and maybe only with Klein as an escort. That was only part of her headache though. Her attorney Markus had made an appeal motion, in regards to her removal from the Ace-Ops. So right now she didn't need even more complications.

"I can understand your apprehension, but it would be the best for Weiss to reconnect with the rest of her family."

"I get that you feel that way doctor, but the fact remains that things pretty much fell apart when Weiss left for Beacon. I doubt that will have changed, or will change just because she's acting like a child. I think in fact it will make things even worse."

"She's age regressed. She feels safe as a child. We need her to see that she is safe as a young woman, and maybe that will get her to come back to us."

"That is a big maybe doctor. I refuse to take part in it."

"That is your choice, but at the end of the day the final decision will be up to your father."

"Why him? I've been the one visiting, and following up with you."

"He is the one that placed her with in our care. He is her parent. We extended you a courtesy as Weiss' sister. That is all. When all is said an done Jacques Schnee is the one who will make the determination as to if this plan is feasible, and who will participate."

"But..."

"Winter I know how much you care for Weiss. I see it, in your actions. Yet it is your father who has final say."

"Has he even spoken to you since she came here?"

"Not directly."

"What has he been doing it through his damned lawyers?"

"Yes."

"Fine I'll be attending too. Someone has to watch out for Weiss."

"We do have her best interests at heart, Winter."

"We'll see about that."

/=/

Weiss, Pyrrha, Yang, Ruby and in fact everyone on the second floor was jolted awake by the howls and alarms. Stepping out of their respective rooms the quartet of girls met in the centre of the hallway, as the other residents just looked up at the ceiling. Weiss pushed herself in between Yang and Ruby clutching Blake to her chest.

"It's Jaune." Pyrrha whispered.

"What's gotten into him?" Yang asked the group in a low voice.

"He sounds almost like he's in pain." commented Ruby.

"Scared." was all that Weiss could add to the conversation.

"It's okay Weiss." Pyrrha cooed dropping to crouch so she was closer to eye level, "We're here with you. We're your friends right?"

Weiss just nodded.

"We'll keep you safe."

"Promise?"

"Pinkie swear."

/=/

Jacobs, Mathews and another orderly named Fredricks rushed to Jaune's room. They cautiously peered inside past the sheared off door. Inside Jaune was just standing in the centre of a hurricane of destruction. His bed and night table smashed to the point of being irreparable. However that was not what gave them pause. It was the pure amount of cement dust in the room. They watched for several minutes as multiple gouges dug into the cinder blocks, each hit erupting in a spout of dust.

"Make sure the next room is empty." Mathews yelled over Jaune's howling. "He's about to break through!"

Jacobs rushed off and opened the door, and then gave Mathews and Fredricks a thumbs up; indicating the room was in fact clear of any residents.

"We're not going to be able to get close with him like this." commented Fredricks.

"Try your semblance, they I'll throw mine in after it! Jacobs get the sedation!"

Jacobs again took off from the others heading to the duty nurse's station. Where the terrified young fox faunus quickly handed him a pre-measured syringe. Grabbing it he returned to the others. Fredricks after taking a deep breath stepped slightly forward.

"Dizzy." he said as he focused his gaze upon Jaune. Moments later Jaune closed his eyes, shook his head and began to sway on his feet. "It's working. Mathews!"

Mathews stepped up to Fredricks' shoulder and raised his hand towards Jaune. A blue energy surrounded his swaying form, and slowly forced his arms and legs together. Mathews grunted with exertion as he attempted to completely subdue Jaune.

"Jacobs!" he grunted.

Jacobs rushed in yanked down the edge of Jaune's pants and jabbed the needle home. Seconds ticked by until Mathews felt Jaune's struggles grow weaker. After another minute they ceased.

"Grab him." Mathews shouted as he released his semblance. Jacobs braced as Fredricks moved into the small room and between the two of them they caught Jaune's dead weight. They pulled him from the wreckage that was once his room and laid him out on the cool tiled floor of the hallway. "Get another dose just in case."

Jacobs took off, and returned seconds later another syringe at the ready.

"The doc?" asked Mathews.

"He's been alerted. Should be here in a few." Jacobs replied.

"I'm wiped." Mathews commented as he dropped to sit upon the floor. "He's strong. I had maybe another couple minutes until he broke free. Felt like I was holding like ten people."

"I think we're just lucky he was aiming at the wall." commented Fredricks as he checked Jaune's pulse.

"You're probably right." Jacobs responded as he sat on his haunches, with the second needle ready.

/==/

I'm going to have to go back through the last couple of chapters and check my timing. I think Jaune's assessment is up, or just about to be.

As for Ruby, Yang, and Pyrrha I feel they have just about come to terms with what has been bothering them. (It might seem a bit fast, but they have been at the institute for some time, and having regular sessions.) Weiss still has a bit to go, before I feel she'll come around.

Two BIG trials coming up (which should be interesting for me to write. Not sure IF it will be synopsis, or actually done out with dialogue. Maybe a bit of both.)

Watts is still around, just didn't see the need for him to be part of these chapters.

Anyway hope you enjoy, and as always comments are more than welcome, and thank you to everyone who has taken the time to do just that. Not only are what you write helping me flesh out what would have been a pretty short and lack lustre story; but also helping me address some of the mistakes I am commonly making.

Thank you again, and enjoy.