Chapter 4
Burden of the Badge
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Flashback
Location / Date / Time Change
The morning of the first day at Beacon shined into Team RWBYs room. Weiss woke up and yawned before Ruby blew a whistle in her ear, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Good morning, Team RWBY." Ruby declared.
"What is wrong with you?" Weiss asked from the floor.
"Now that you're awake, we can handle our first order of business." Ruby said, ignoring the question.
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked having stood up.
"Decorating!" Yang shouted, holding all sorts of odds and ends.
"What!?" Weiss looked over at the blonde.
"We still have to unpack." Blake added, holding up a suitcase before it opened up dropping its contents on the floor. "And clean..."
Weiss stared at the two in disbelief before Ruby blew the whistle in her face again, knocking her to the ground. "Alright. Weiss, Blake, Yang, and their brave leader Ruby have begun their first mission. Bonzai!"
"Bonzai!" Blake and Yang shouted in chorus. Weiss shook her head at the three before she dressed herself. The group set up various objects and posters around the room. Once finished, they realized that there was no room for their beds.
"There's no way this will work." Weiss said as she looked at the pile of beds.
"It is a little cramped." Blake added.
"Maybe we should get rid of some of our stuff." Yang suggested.
"Or we could ditch the beds..." Ruby started before an idea came into her head. "And turn them into bunk beds!"
"That does not sound safe." Weiss said.
"But way awesome!" Yang said.
"It does seem to be the most efficient way to sleep." Blake added.
"I motion for a vote." Weiss countered.
"I think we already did." Ruby bragged before the group rushed and hastily created the bunk beds. "Done! Alright, our next order of business is... classes. We have a few classes together today. First at 9 we have..."
"Wait, nine!?" Weiss asked. "It's 8:55, you dunce!" She ran out the door as both her team and Jaune's looked out their doors.
"Uhhh... To class!" Ruby shouted before chasing after the heiress, followed by Blake and Yang.
"Class?" Jaune asked before his whole team fell on him. "We're gonna be late!" He pulled himself out from under them and ran after the girls, followed by his team.
Lecture Hall
"We made it..." Ruby panted out as the group reached the lecture hall with two minutes to spare.
"What kept you guys?" The group looked to Team NVAR at their seats.
"How - When did you guys get here?" Ruby asked.
"We got here at like, 8:50." Natsu said. "What took you guys so long?"
"This one didn't wake us up till like 8:30." Weiss said.
"Ah. Good morning, class." The professor, Peter Port walked in as Team RWBY and JNPR took their seats. "Monsters, demons, prowlers of the night. The creatures of Grimm have many a name, but I refer to them simply as prey." He laughed at an apparent joke that no one else got.
"And you will too after graduating from this prestigious academy. Now, as I was saying, Vale as well as the other three kingdoms..." Vergil, Ryuko and Aerith tuned him out as they thought back to last night. They still couldn't believe Natsu had that big a secret.
"Whoa..." All three stared at Natsu and Glynda as they explained.
"I remind you." Glynda spoke up. "If you discus with anyone outside of this room, I will make you disappear from this campus, this city, this kingdom. You won't exist anymore."
"That is what you are training to become." Peter said. "But first, a story. A tale of a young, handsome man, me. When I was a boy, blah blah blah." Weiss looked over at Ruby as she doodled on her paper. Her leader snickered as she held up a picture of Peter with stink lines coming off it. Yang and Blake giggled, but stopped when Peter cleared his throat.
"In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity. I returned to my village with the beast in captivity, and my head held high, herald as a hero!" He bowed, expecting an applause that never came. "The moral of this story? A huntsman must be honorable, dependable, strategic, well-educated and wise."
Weiss glared at Ruby as she fooled around and picked her nose. "So, who among you believe that they are the embodiment of these traits?" Peter asked and Weiss raised her hand in a second.
"I do, sir!" She said.
"Is that so?" Peter asked. "Well, let's find out. Step forward, and face your opponent." He motioned to a cage next to him with piercing red eyes looking out.
Weiss stepped out of the locker room and drew her weapon as the beast snarled in the cage.
"Go Weiss!" Yang cheered.
"Fight well!" Blake added.
"Represent Team RWBY!" Ruby added.
"Ruby, I'm trying to focus!" Weiss said.
"Sorry..." The hooded girl whispered in shame.
"Alright, let the match begin!" Peter cut the lock holding the door and it fell, revealing a Boarbatusk. The beast charged forward and Weiss spun to the side, delivering a blow that glanced off its armor. The beast turned and snorted as Weiss readied herself. "Ha! Wasn't excepting that, we're you?"
"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby shouted her support. Weiss rushed forward and met the beast as it trapped her rapier in its tusks. "Come on, Weiss! Show it whose boss!"
Weiss glanced over in anger. That momentary distraction let the pig fling her weapon away from her before it slammed it tusks into her, forcing her to the ground.
"What will you do now that you've lost a weapon?" Peter asked.
Weiss looked up as the beast charged her. She rolled out of the way as the pig hit the barrier and rolled onto its back. She ran over to her weapon and picked it up.
"Weiss! Go for its belly!" Ruby shouted. "It's completely unarmored there!"
"Quit telling me what to do!" Weiss shouted back annoyed. The pig jumped up and spun in place before it sped forward. Weiss created a glyph that stopped it and sent it on its back before she jumped onto a new glyph and stabbed throught the heart.
"Bravo!" Peter cheered. "Brav-o! It seems we are indeed in the presence of a future huntress." He looked up and noticed the time. "I'm afraid we've used up all the time we had for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and remember, stay vigilant. Class dismissed."
Weiss walked out of the room in a huff as Jaune watched confused. "Geez, what's with her?" Natsu stood up and walked after her, while the rest of Team RWBY looked confused.
"Hey!" Natsu sprinted behind her and grabbed her arm, only to have her pull it out of her grasp.
"What!?" She asked.
"What was that!?" Natsu asked, both unaware the Ruby was listening from behind the corner.
"What are you talking about!?" She asked back.
"I thought you agreed that you were gonna be nicer to Ruby." Natsu reminded her.
"Not when she's acting like a child!" Weiss said back. "She's done nothing to prove herself as a leader! In the forest, she acted like a complete child and even though she's in an important position now, she's only continued to do so."
"Where the heck is this coming from?" Natsu asked. "Weren't you the one who talked about working together? Ruby believed in you when you said you wanted to act like a team."
"Not a team led by her." Weiss said, making Ruby gasp. "I've studied and trained, and honestly, I deserve much better than her!" She turned around and crossed her arms.
"Why you self-centered, arrogant, little-" Natsu started.
"Ozpin made a mistake." Weiss said. "With her, and with you." She walked away unaware that Ruby heard everything.
"Jeez!" Natsu turned around and walked the other way. "There's just no helping some people." He turned the corner and stared at the girl they were discussing. "Ruby... How much of that did you hear?"
"Do you think she's right?" She asked. "Did Ozpin make a mistake?"
"No, at least, I don't think he did." Natsu answered.
"That remains to be seen." Both looked behind her as Ozpin walked over. "For both of you."
Weiss marched away from Natsu until she saw Professor Port looking out over a balcony. "Professor Port."
"Ah, Miss Schnee." He turned around to face her. "To what do owe this fine pleasure?"
"I, really enjoyed your lecture." Weiss said, lying.
"Well, of course you did, child." Peter bragged. "You have the blood of a huntress in you."
"You really think so?" She asked with hope.
"Of course I do." He said before noticing the look on her face. "Is there something troubling you?"
"Yes, sir." She confessed.
"Don't be shy. Tell me your troubles." He urged.
"Well... I think I should have been made the leader of Team RWBY." Weiss said.
"That's preposterous." He told her.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked the headmaster.
"I mean, it's only been one day." Ozpin clarified. "Listen, you two. I've made more mistakes than any one man, woman, or child on this planet. But at this moment, I wouldn't count naming you two team leaders aren't among them. Do you?"
"Excuse me?!" Weiss asked shocked.
"I've believed in Professor Ozpin for many years." Peter explained. "And not once has the man ever lead me astray."
"So you're just going to blindly accept his decision, even after seeing how skilled I am?" Weiss asked annoyed.
"Well, with all due respect, your exceptional skill is matched only by your poor attitude." Peter said.
"How dare you!" Weiss shouted.
"My point exactly." He said. "Right now, I see a girl who has spent her whole life getting everything that she's ever wanted at the drop of a hat."
"That's not even close to the truth..." Weiss said, making Peter stare at her. "Okay, maybe you aren't that off."
"Being a team leader isn't just something you care into battle." Ozpin explained to the two. "It's a badge you wear constantly. If you don't perform at your absolute best all the time, then how can you expect others to follow either of you?"
"So the outcome didn't fall in your favor, but do you really believe that acting the way you have would give those in power a reason to reconsider their decision?" Peter asked. "So instead of fretting about what you don't have, savor what you do. Hone your craft, perfect your every technique, and be not the best leader, but the best person you can."
"The two of you have been burdened with a great and daunting responsibility." Ozpin said as he turned around. "I'd advise you both to take some time to figure out how you will uphold it."
The two turned and looked at Weiss as Professer Port walked away. Both smiled before the two walked away from each other, each heading to their teams.
Nighttime
Team RWBY's Room
Weiss walked in before seeing Blake and Yang sleeping in their beds. She noticed a blanket covering Ruby's bed and pulled it off, seeing all kinds of books and notes. Weiss tapped the girl on her shoulder and Ruby woke up instantly.
"Weiss, I was studying and then I fell asleep, I'm sorry." Ruby explained.
Weiss put her hand over Ruby's mouth and shushed her before noticing the empty coffee mug near her. "How do you take your coffee?"
"Huh?" Ruby asked confused.
"Answer the question." Weiss requested.
"Uh, cream and five sugars!" Ruby answered.
"Don't move." The heiress said before getting a cup of coffee as her team leader liked and gave it to her. "Here."
"Thanks, Weiss." Ruby said taking the mug.
"Ruby..." Weiss started, thinking back to her conversation with the Professer. "I think you have what it takes to be a great leader. Just know, that I'm going to be the best teammate you could ever have. Good luck studying." She stepped down before stepping back up and pointing to a question. "That's wrong, just so you know."
Ruby checked her work before Weiss spoke up from the door. "Hey, Ruby?"
"Uh huh?" She asked swirl in her drink in its mug.
"I always wanted bunk beds as a kid." Weiss confessed before closing the door to change for bed. Ruby smiled before turning back to her studies.
7 Weeks Later
Main Hall
Cardin and Jaune stood across from each other. Jaune panted heavily before charging and swung his sword. Cardin dodged and swung his massive mace, knocking the shield from Jaune's hand. Jaune stood back up and charged, and Cardin blocked the blade with his handle. "This is the part when you lose." Cardin said.
"Over my dead-" Jaune started before Cardin kneed him in the gut, making him double over in pain. Cardin raised his weapon to strike and a buzzer went off.
"That's enough, Cardin." Glynda said as she walked onto the platform. "Students as you can see, Mr. Arc's aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament duel, this would show that Jaune is no longer fit to compete, and the official may call the match."
"Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now." She looked over to the blonde. "Please start referring to your scroll during combat. Gauging your aura will help you decide when it's best to switch to a more defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you gobbled up by a Beowolf, would we?"
"That makes one of us." Cardin said as he slung his weapon over his shoulder.
"Remember students, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away!" Glynda continued, having not heard Cardin's comment. "It won't be long before students from the kingdoms start to arrive in Vale, so keep practicing." Her words excited many students, particularly Natsu and Ruby's team. "Those who wish to compete in the tournament will be representing all of Vale."
The bell rang and students began to leave as Pyrrha stared at Jaune who hung his head in shame.
Cafeteria
"So, there we were, in the middle of the night..." Nora started. At her table on one side were herself, her teammates, Aerith and Natsu. On the other, Team RWBY, Vergil and Ryuko.
"It was day." Ren corrected.
"We were surrounded by Ursai..." She continued.
"They were Beowolves." Ren said.
"Dozens of them!" She shouted.
"More like two." Ren clarified.
"But they were no match, and in the end, Ren and I made a whole lot of Lien selling Ursa skin rugs!" Nora finished as Pyrrha and Ruby looked at Jaune in concern.
"She's been having this same dream for almost a month now." Ren sighed.
"Jaune, are you okay?" Pyrrha asked.
"Huh?" Jaune snapped out of his daze. "Yeah, totally fine. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that you seem a little, not okay." Ruby said.
"Guys, I'm fine! Really, looked!" He smiled and laughed trying to put them at ease. He leaned over and looked at Cardin and his team, mocking a girl with rabbit ears coming out of her head.
"Jaune, Cardin has been picking on you since the first week of school." Pyrrha reminded him.
"Who, Cardin Winchester?" He asked. "No he's just a fan of practical jokes, you know."
"He's a bully." Ruby said.
"What? No, name one time when he has ever picked on me?" Jaune asked.
"Well, there was that time in the hallway." Aerith said.
Cardin walked by Jaune and knocked the book out of the blonde's hand.
"And there was that time with the doorway." Vergil added.
Cardin walked by Jaune and pressed a button on his sheath, making his shild expand between the frame, trapping Jaune.
"And let's not forget the famous 'Rocket Locker' prank." Ryuko chimed in.
"Each of you will be assigned one locker-propelled locker to store your weapons and extra armor." Glynda explained. "Additionally, the locker can be sent to a custom destination using a six digit code."
Cardin smiled before shoving Jaune into an open locker. As Jaune begged to be released, Cardin punched in a location and the locker took off.
"I said name ONE time, you guys." Jaune said. "Besides, it's not like I landed that far from the school."
"Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you can just ask for it." Pyrrha said.
"Oh, let's break his legs!" Nora suggested.
"That might be a bit extreme." Ryuko said before taking a bite of her croquet.
"Guys, I'm fine, really." Jaune stood up holding his tray. "Besides, it's not like he's just a jerk to me. He's a jerk to everyone."
"Ow!" The group looked over as Cardin started pulling on the Faunus' ears. "Stop it, that hurts!"
"I told you they were real. What a freak!" Cardin mocked before a lizard tail flicked him in the back of the neck. "Ow!" He let go of the girl and looked around. "Who did that!?"
Natsu whistled in innocence as the girl walked up behind him. "Thanks." Was all she said before she walked away.
"That was atrocious." Pyrrha said in anger as the girl walked by. "People like him make me sick."
"Unfortunately, he's not the only." Blake said.
"It must be rough being a Faunus." Yang added.
"It can be." Natsu said as he poured his bag of blueberry 'rock candy' into his mouth. "But I've found if you just tune out the bigots, then the world's not so bad." He swallowed before taking a sip of his water.
Jaune looked back at his friends before walking away as Cardin stared at him.
Doctor Oobleck's Lecture Hall
Jaune slept in his seat as the teacher, Bartholomew Oobleck, spoke in a rapid pace. "Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the 'Faunus war', humankind was extremely adamant about the centralization of the Faunus population in Menagerie." He pointed to the map behind him before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Now, while this must seem like history to a lot of you, it is extremely important to remember that these were relatively recent events. Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be felt today." He took another sip before looking to the whole class. "Now, have any among you been discriminated or persecuted because of your Faunus heritage?"
A few students raised their hands. The girl from the cafeteria looked up and noticed Natsu with his hand in the air. Feeling a sense of comradery, she nervously raised her own hand.
"Dreadful, simply dreadful!" Oobleck said at the sight of his students. "Remember students, it is this kind of ignorance that breeds never ending violence." He took another sip as the hands were lowered. "I mean, just look at what happened to the White Fang. Now, which of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?" A hand shot up instantly. "Yes?"
"The Battle of Fort Castle." Weiss answered.
"Precisely!" Oobleck said. "Now, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Legume's army?"
Cardin flicked a piece of paper, waking Jaune up. "Hey!"
"Mr. Arc!" Oobleck rushed over to the blondes spot. "Finally contributing to class! Excellent! What is the answer?"
"The uhh..." He stalled for time before looking over to Pyrrha who was motioning something with her hands around her eyes. "The advantage... the Faunus had... over the other guy... was... Uh, binoculars!"
Everyone else laughed, Cardin the hardest, as Pyrrha shook her head. "Very funny, Mr. Arc." Oobleck said. "Cardin! Perhaps you would like to give you thoughts on the subject!"
"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier." Cardin said before another flick hit him in the back of the neck. "Ow. Stupid lizard."
"I heard that." Natsu said from the row above.
"Mr. Dragneel. Perhaps you like to answer the question?" The doctor asked.
"Uhhh... Their tails?" He asked, hoping he was right.
Cardin started laughing. "Oh, man. I knew Faunus were stupid, but I didn't think they were this stupid." Natsu flicked his tail again and Cardin growled at him.
"You aren't the most open minded of people, are you Cardin?" Pyrrha asked as she looked at him.
"What, you gotta problem?" Cardin asked back.
"No, I have the answer." Pyrrha turned to teacher. "It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly perfect eyesight, even in the dark."
"General Legume was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to attack the Faunus in their sleep." Blake continued. "His massive army was out matched and the general was capture." Oobleck took a sip of his drink as Blake turned to Cardin. "Perhaps, if he had paid attention in class, he wouldn't be remembered as such a failure."
Cardin growled and stood up, ready to fight. "Mister Winchester, please take your seat." Oobleck said as Jaune giggled. "You, Mr. Arc, and Mr. Dragneel can see me after class for additional readings."
"Ohh." Jaune groaned as the bell rang.
Ren and Nora led the students that walked out of the room. "You guys go ahead." Pyrrha told them. "I'll wait for Jaune."
"The three of you have been struggling in my class since day one." Oobleck said after his sip as he looked at the three students. "I don't know if this is because of your lack of interest, your stubborn nature, or your sheltered upbringing, but whatever the case, it ends today."
He placed his mug on the table, signifying how serious he was. "You've worked hard to be accepted into this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen. If you cannot learn from it, you are doomed to repeat it."
"Pages fifty-one to ninety-one, I want an essay on my desk by next class. Now, run along." He rushed out of the room past Pyrrha. Jaune walked out of the room only to have Cardin push him to the ground.
"Hey! What's the big-" Natsu started but Cardin got behind him and wrapped his tail around his neck before tying it in a knot.
"Try to whip me now, gecko." Cardin laughed as he walked away. Pyrrha rushed over and helped Jaune up.
"You know, I really will break his legs." She told the blonde who sighed. "I have an idea. Here, come with me!" She grabbed Jaune by the arm and led him away, ignoring the chocking Natsu.
"Here, let me help." Natsu heard a female voice behind him said as she grabbed Natsu's tail and undid the knot before unraveling the tail.
"Thanks." Natsu said as he gasped for air before looking at the girl. "You were the one Cardin was picking on in the cafeteria."
"Yeah, thanks again for that." The girl said. "My name's Velvet, second year."
"Natsu, first year." A thought crossed his mind as the two shook hands. "Second year? You would think he'd be more respectful to his senior students."
"That's what my team said." Velvet chuckled. "How'd you end up like that?"
"Cardin." Natsu said. "Apparently, he wasn't happy with me for some reason. Listen, if ever bothers you again, just tell me."
"I will. Thanks again, Natsu." Velvet nodded as the two walked away content in their new friendship, unaware that Lark and Dove heard the whole thing.
With Jaune and Pyrrha
Pyrrha led Jaune through a doorway that went to a balcony. The two reached the edge and looked at the academy in the night sky. "Look, Pyrrha, I know I'm going through a hard time right now, but I'm not THAT depressed." Jaune said looking down. "I could always be a farmer or something..."
"No!" Pyrrha shouted as she shoved Jaune away from the edge. "That's not why I brought you up here. I know you've been having a hard time in class, and that you're still not the strongest of fighters, so I want to help you."
"What?" He asked.
"We can train here after class where no one will bother us." Pyrrha explained.
"You think I need help?" Jaune asked.
"No, that's not what I meant at all." Pyrrha said.
"But you just said you wanted to help me." Jaune said back.
"Look, everyone needs a little help from time to time." Pyrrha reasoned. "It doesn't mean you're any different than the rest of us. You made it to Beacon. That says a lot about you and what you can do."
"You're wrong..." Jaune said as he turned around. "I don't belong here."
"Don't say things like that." Pyrrha said, "Of course you do."
"No, I don't." Jaune turned around and told her. "I wasn't really accepted into Beacon."
"What do you mean?" Pyrrha asked.
"I mean I didn't go to combat school, pass any tests, I didn't earn my spot at this academy!" Jaune confessed before turning around. "I lied. I got a hold of some bogus transcripts, and I lied."
"But, why?" Pyrrha asked.
"Because, this is all I ever wanted to be!" Jaune said. "My father, his father, and his father before him were all warriors, they were all heroes. I wanted to be one too. I was just never good enough."
"Then let me help you." Pyrrha offered but Jaune smacked her hand off his shoulder,
"I don't want help!" He shouted. "I don't want to be a damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!"
"Jaune..." Pyrrha tried to talk.
"I'm sick of being the lovable idiot, stuck in the tree, while his friends fight for their lives!" He continued. "Don't you understand that!? If I can't do this on my own, then what good am I? Just... Leave me alone, okay?"
"If that's what you think is best." Pyrrha turned and walked away.
"Oh, Jaune..." Cardin climbed up and startled the blonde. "I couldn't help but overhear the two of you from my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon, huh? I'm impressed, Jaune. I never knew you were such a rebel."
"Please, Cardin. Please don't tell anyone." Jaune begged.
"Come on, Jaune. I'd never rat out a friend like that." The bully said as he walked over to the other boy.
"Friend?" Jaune asked skeptical as Cardin put him in a headlock.
"That's right, a friend, Jaunie-boy." The brunette said. "And the way I see it, as long as you're my friend and there when I need you, we'll be friends for a long time." He let go and Jaune fell to the ground. "That being said, I don't really have time to do those readings Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that, buddy?"
"That's what I thought." He walked back to the ledge, eyes locked on Jaune. "Don't worry, Jaune. You're secrets same with me."
3 Weeks Later
Team JNPR's Room
"Why is Jaune getting home so late?" Nora asked as she jumped on her bed.
"He's become scarce ever since he began fraternizing with Cardin." Ren added as he cleaned his weapon.
"That's weird." Nora said. "Doesn't he know we have a field trip tomorrow? We need our rest!" She flipped and landed on her back.
"I'm sure our leader knows exactly what he's doing." Pyrrha said as she stared out the window. The other two looked at each other, unaware that Jaune was about to walk in and heard everything.
"Hey, Jaune." Ruby said, making him close his door and turn around. "Long time, no see. You didn't lock yourself out again, did you?"
"No." Jaune answered immediately.
"So... where have you been lately?" She asked.
"I-" Jaune sighed as looked up at the other leader. "I messed up. I did something I shouldn't have, and now Cardin's got me on a leash and Pyrrha won't even talk to me. I'm starting to think coming to this school was a bad idea." He leaned against the door and slid down in defeat. "I'm a failure."
"Nope." Ruby said.
"Huh?" He asked back.
"Nope." She repeated. "You're a leader now, Jaune. You're not allowed to be a failure."
"But what if I'm a failure at being a leader?" He asked.
"Nope." Ruby said after a second of thought.
"You know, you're not the easiest person to talk about this stuff with, right?" Jaune asked as Ruby sat down next to him.
"Nope." She said, again. "Look Jaune, maybe you were a failure when you were a kid. You might have even been a failure the first day we met. But you can't be one, now. You know why?"
"Beacuse...?" He asked.
"Because it's not just about you anymore." She explained. "You've got a team now, Jaune. We both do, and if we fail them, then we'll just be bringing them down with us."
"She's right, you know." Both looked over to see Natsu in the hallway in a black pajama top with a brown dragon breathing fire and green pajama bottoms with a curved scale pattern going down. "We have to put our teammates first and ourselves second. You're team deserves a great leader, Jaune, and I think that can be you."
"What are you doing up, Natsu?" Ruby asked as she stood up.
"I came out here to ask you guys keep it down." The Faunus said. "Believe me, you do not want Ryuko to wake up unhappy."
"Sorry about that." Ruby walked over to her room and opened the door before looking back over her shoulder. "Have a good night you two." She closed the door and Natsu turned to his own room as Jaune stood up.
He turned around and his Scroll beeped. He opened it and it showed a picture of Cardin. He pressed a button and the phone function was activated. "Hey, it's your pal, Cardin. I know your probably busy with that Dust project I gave you, but I'm gonna need you to go out and get a bag full of Rapier wasps. And make sure they have huge stingers. It's important, so don't screw this up."
The call ended and Jaune closed his Scroll before sighing and turned to get the insects.
The Next Day
Forest of Forever Fall
Glynda lead teams RWBY, JNPR, NVAR, and CRDL through the red leafed woods. "Yes, the Forest of Forever Fall is quite beautiful, but we aren't here for sightseeing. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep in the forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so."
Jaune, carrying the collecting equipment, bumped into Cardin. "Each of you will gather one jar's worth of red sap." The teacher continued, holding an example up for all to see. "However this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at four o'clock."
"Come on, buddy. Let's go." Cardin said as he grabbed Jaune. The blonde looked up as his team walked away before reluctantly following Cardin. Pyrrha sighed as she followed Ren and Nora.
Cardins team layed around as Jaune collected the sap seven times. He brought the jars over and put them down before dropping to the ground.
"Great work, Jaune-y boy." Cardin said. "Now that wasn't too hard, was it?"
"I think I'm allergic to this stuff." Jaune said.
"Great, great, great." Cardin said as he walked over. "So, Jaune, I bet you're wondering why your buddy Cardin asked you to collect seven jars of the sap when there's only five of us here?"
"That is one of the many questions I've asked myself today, yes." Jaune answered.
"Well, come with me and I'll show you." Cardin smirked as he and his team walked over to a hill. Jaune followed and looked over, seeing everyone else getting sap.
"Cardin, what's going on?" The blonde asked.
"Payback." The bully answered as he eyed the redhead and the Faunus as they gathered sap.
"Pyrrha? Natsu?" Jaune asked. "What are-
"There they are." Cardin interrupted. "Little miss Know-It-All, and Mister Goody-Two-Shoes. Alright boys, last night, Jaune here managed to round up an entire box fill of Rapier wasps." He said as he pulled a box out of his bag. "And now we're going to put them to work."
"Now, according to one of the essays you wrote for me last week, these nasty things love sweets. I'm thinking it's time we teach them a thing or two." His team stood up before he pulled Jaune up and shoved two jars of the sap into his hands. "And you're the one who's gonna do it."
"Do what?" Jaune asked.
"Hit them with the sap!" Cardin ordered. "Either that, or I'll have a little chat with Professor Goodwitch, and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon."
Jaune looked down at the jars in his hands before looking up at Cardin and his team. He turned and prepared to throw the sap, but he froze in defiance. "No."
"What did you say?" Cardin asked.
"I said, No!" Jaune turned and threw the jars. One hit a tree behind the group, and the other hit Cardin in the breastplate.
"Ha ha, oh now you've done it." Cardin said as his teammates grabbed Jaune.
Pyrrha turned around and looked at the hill, thinking she heard something.
"Pyrrha?" Ruby asked as she walked over to the two. "You okay?"
"Fine. Just thought I heard something." The red head said before she looked down and noticed her once filled jar was now empty, as was Natsu's. "Nora!"
Jaune landed on the ground and looked up as Cardin grabbed his collar and lifted him off the ground before punching him again. "You know that wasn't very smart, Jauney boy." He said before raising the blonde off the ground. "I'm gonna make sure you get sent back home to mommy in teeny, tiny pieces."
"I don't care what you do to me, but you're not messing with my team, or my friends." Jaune said back.
"What? You think talk like that makes you tough?" Cardin asked, annoyed. "You think that you're a big, strong man now?" He pulled his fist back and threw another punch, only to have a blinding light blind him and a searing pain pulse through his hand.
Jaune looked at his hands before Lark kicked him from behind. "Let's see how much of a man you really are." Cardin said as Jaune stared up at him.
A roar turned them all around as an Ursa Major stepped out of the woods. The spiked beast sniffed the air before rising up on its hind legs and sniffed again, this time finding Cardin as the source. The beast got back on all fours and roared again.
"That's a big Ursa!" Russel shouted before he, Dove, and Lark ran like the cowards they were. The beast swung its claw and knocked Cardin aside before turning from Jaune and walked over to its prey.
Cardin crawled away before pulling out his mace, only to have it swatted out of his hand. The weapon rolled on the ground until it stopped at Jaune's feet. He glanced around looking for help before the beast roared again.
"Did you guys hear that?" Natsu asked before Team CRDL ran by.
"Ursa! Ursa!" Russel shouted before he bumped into Yang.
"Where?" She asked.
"Back there!" He pointed. "It's got Cardin!"
Pyrrha dropped her jar in fear. "Jaune!"
"Yang!" Ruby spoke up. "You and Blake, go find Professer Goodwitch." The two nodded and sprinted away.
"You two, go with them." Pyrrha told Ren and Nora as she and Ruby unsheathed their weapons, while Natsu cracked his knuckles. "There could be more."
"You guys too." Natsu said as his teammates nodded before following Ren and Nora.
Cardin ran away as the Grimm followed him before it jumped ahead and knocked him back. "Crap! Crap! Crap!" He said as Weiss, Pyrrha, Ruby and Natsu arrived.
Cardin rolled onto his back as the beast raised its claws and swung. Before it hit him, Jaune got in between and blocked the claws, surprising everyone. Weiss readied herself to join when Pyrrha raised her hand. "Wait."
Jaune pushed the claw away and swung his sword, slicing the beast along its body. The beast recovered and swung again, but Jaune rolled out of the way. It swung again, making Jaune jump up. It swung its other claw and hit Jaune, who got back up and charged and jumped, only to be swatted away.
Jaune stood up and looked at his Scroll on the inside of the shield, showing his aura in the red. The beast approached him again and Jaune sprinted forward as the beast did the same and swung its claws.
Pyrrha raised her hand and it glowed in a black aura. Jaune's shield glowed black and it moved, blocking the claws and letting Jaune decapitate the bear.
"What?" Ruby asked as Pyrrha lowered her hand.
"How did you-" Weiss started to ask.
"Well, Ruby has her speed, you have your glyphs, and Natsu his ice." Pyrrha said. "My Semblance is polarity."
"Wow, you can control poles..." Natsu stared impressed.
"No, you lizard brain!" Weiss said. "It means she has control over magnetism!"
"Magnets are cool, too..." Ruby added before Pyrrha turned around.
"Wait, where are you going?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, we gotta tell them what happened." Ruby said.
"We could, or we could keep it our little secret." Pyrrha smiled as Jaune sheathed his sword.
Jaune walked over to Cardin and helped him up. "Holy crap, Jaune..."
"Don't ever mess with my team or my friends, ever again." The blonde told his now ex-tormentor. "Got it?" Cardin nodded and Jaune turned and walked away.
Late at Night
Above Cardin's Room
Jaune stood in his uniform as he looked out over the academy. "No Cardin tonight?" Pyrrha asked as she walked up to him. "I thought you two were best buds?"
"Pyrrha, I'm sorry." Jaune said as he turned to face her. "I was a jerk. You were only trying to be nice and I- I had all this stupid macho stuff in my head."
"Jaune." Pyrrha interrupted him. "It's okay." The two smiled at each other before she continued. "You're team really misses their leader, you know. You should come down." She turned and walked to the door. "Ren made pancakes! No syrup, though. You can thank Nora for that."
"Wait!" Jaune shouted, making the red head turn around. "I know I don't deserve it after everything I said, but... Would you still be willing to help me? To you know; help me become a better fighter?"
Pyrrha turned around and smirked before walking over to Jaune and pushing him down. "Your stance is all wrong." She told him. "You have to be wider and lower to the ground." She offered him a hand up and he took it. "Let's try that again."
I realize that this is a long chapter, but you guys deserve better than three, short chapters. So that's why I did this. I hope you all liked it.
Am I the only one who wonders how Weiss changed her clothes so quickly? It's weird. I just put in the locker room thing since that's were all the weapons are kept.
I can relate to Jaune in this section because I've been bullied too, as I'm sure some of you out there have as well. Natsu's the kinda guy who wouldn't just stand by when someone is being mistreated, so that's why I included the moments with Velvet. And yes, she will be an option on the poll.
One last thing, I'm thinking of making trailers for Team NVAR. You know, like the kind Team RWBY had, inbetween chapters every now and then. Tell what if you want them, and if so, any suggestions for them.
Beta read by digemsmack.