The Winter Knight

Volume 1: Chapter 5

Gallivanting with Grimm

RWBY is the property of Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth. I own nothing.

Jaune Arc walked through the forest with sword and shield in hand. Pyrrha was roughly ten feet ahead of him carrying a rifle with her shield slung across her back. Everything was quiet, too quiet in his opinion. In fact, that forest had gone completely silent. He took a few quick steps forward to catch up to Pyrrha. "It's too quiet. Some Grimm are likely nearby. Animals tend to go silent when predators are close." He whispered.

Pyrrha stopped to listen to the forest, after a few moments of listening. "You're right." She closed her eyes and seemed to focus. "It seems some of our fellow students are nearby. Increasing our number seems prudent. This way." Pyrrha continued to walk forward slowly, her rifle slightly raised.

Jaune followed her and they soon stepped out of the tree line to see a cave in a small clearing. In front of the cave were two students looking at a cave drawing that was on the wall next to the entrance of the cave. One was tall with short brown hair and wearing a full suit of gray armor that put Jaune's to shame.

He was holding a large mace over one shoulder. The second boy was shorter with a light green mohawk wearing a sleeveless green hoodie. He was carrying a pair of daggers which hilts was full of dust in various colors.

"What do you think these symbols mean?" The tall boy asked his teammate.

"Not sure, they seem really old. I guess the temple could be in the cave, we are in the northern part of the forest."

Jaune accidently stepped on a branch and the boys turned in unison brandishing their weapons before seeing Jaune and Pyrrha. They slowly started to lower their weapons.

Mohawk Boy slid his daggers back into sheaths on each thigh. "Wait aren't you Pyrrha Nikos?"

Pyrrha lowered her rifle as she looked the pair up and down. "I am she. What did you find?"

Mohawk Boy stepped forward excitedly. "Just some markings on this cave wall. Bunch of people and some kind of scorpion. We think that the temple is in the cave."

Armor Boy stepped forward and put a hand on the other boy's shoulder. "Shut up, you shouldn't just give that information away."

Mohawk Boy ignored him as he walked up to Pyrrha, "I'm Russel Thrush by the way. The angry guy behind me is Cardin Winchester. I still can't believe you're here at Beacon. I remember you fighting Sage Ayana in the finals of the Mistral Junior Regional Tournament. What an epic fight!"

Pyrrha smiled shyly. "He was a very spirited competitor. It was an enjoyable fight. I hope to face him again in the future."

Cardin folded his arms over his chest. "Being good in tournaments is one thing. Being good against Grimm is something else." He looked over at Jaune and looked him up and down. He didn't seem impressed. "What's your name then?"

Jaune took a step forward and proudly proclaimed, "The name is Jaune Arc. I come from a long line of Hunters."

Cardin lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "You aren't related to Roland Arc by any chance?"

"He's my dad." Jaune said with a hint of pride in his voice. "He's one of the people that inspired me to be a Hunter."

"How about that! My old man went to Beacon with him. They weren't on the same team though. How come I didn't see you at Signal Academy?"

"Don't we have more important things to deal with right now?" Jaune replied evasively. "The relics could be in that cave why don't you go check it out?"

"Why don't you go check it then? If Pyrrha Nikos is as good as her reputation she should be able to find them no problem."

Jaune walked over to the Cardin and Russel. "Gentlemen while I am sure Pyrrha can easily handle anything in this forest. This is a rare chance for your to not only impress her but the teachers as well." He put an arm around Russel's shoulder. "I mean do well enough and I will even consider letting you guys on the team. Team Arc already has Pyrrha and we still need two more and it could be you."

"Since when do student get to make teams?" Cardin stepped away from Jaune. "You just want us to check out the cave for you."

"Nonsense. If we want to be on a team we need to work as a team. That's what my grandfather said. Now Pyrrha here has a rifle and neither of you have a ranged weapon. We will guard the entrance while you check out the cave. If you find the relics just grab two and come back. If any Grimm attack us you will hear the gunshots and can come back to help us out."

"What if we are attacked?" Asked Cardin. "Are we just supposed to scream in fright and wait for Pyrrha to come save us from the big bad Grimm?"

Russel hit Cardin on the arm. "Come on man this is our chance to be on a team with the Pyrrha Nikos. How much trouble could one little cave be? Jaune's plan seems solid enough."

Cardin grumbled. "Fine let's just get this over with." He hefted his mace and smashed it into the wall of the cave. A chunk of rock was sent flying several feet into the cave which echoed deep into the cave. After waiting several moments of nothing happening. "I guess it is safe, let's go Russel."

Russel turned to wave to Jaune and Pyrrha as he entered the cave, "See you guys soon. I promise we won't disappoint you."

Jaune let out a sigh of relief as he turned towards back to the forest. "Let's keep our eyes and ears open for any Grimm."

Pyrrha walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jaune… would you mind if I asked you a question?

Jaune stared into her green eyes. "Ah sure you can ask me anything Pyrrha. What's up?"

"Why didn't you use your Aura to protect yourself while you were falling? I mean Ozpin gave us plenty of time to prepare a landing strategy." When Jaune didn't immediately answer she continued. "You have unlocked your Aura, haven't you?"

Jaune rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I must have been sick that day. Refresh my memory?"

Pyrrha frowned ever so slightly. "Well Aura is normally unlocked from years of training and meditation. However, there is another method used is occasionally used in other kingdoms. It is possible to forcibly activate someone's Aura."

Jaune leapt forward excitedly. "Could you do that Pyrrha?" Activate my Aura I mean?"

Pyrrha took a step back. "I could do that, Jaune but it's dangerous if I get it wrong. It could kill you and I don't want to hurt you. I'm sorry."

Jaune's shoulders slumped. "Ok I'll show you, but I have to focus." Come on Jaune you can do this. Remember what grandfather taught you.

Jaune closed his eyes and took slow, deep breaths to focus himself. After several deep breaths he felt a warmth spread over his body, he felt lighter and calmer. He opened his eyes looking down at his hands to see them covered in his soft green aura. "Well there's my Aura, I know it isn't impressive but…"

A scream came echoing out of the cave entrance. Jaune and Pyrrha turned, their weapons ready as Pyrrha's bright red Aura flared around her.

OoOoO

Wynn sat idly on the wall of the temple. He was watching the tree line for movement his revolver was resting against his right leg. Several Grimm corpses littered the clearing their bones still smoking.

"Then Nora hit him over the head with her lunch tray and we've been friends ever since." Yang was slowly walking along the top of the wall on the far side of the temple. "If you keep using that revolver you going to keep attracting Grimm."

"You're just annoyed that they keep coming to my side of the temple, and I'm having all the fun." Yang decided not to respond. Wynn pivoted to side to look back at her.

"No need to pout, besides the shots will also attract our fellow students to our location. They clearly need all the help they can get."

Yang jumped down into the temple and started to pace back and forth like a caged animal. "What do you think is taking everyone so long?"

Could be any number of things with the considerable quantity of variables involved. Where everyone landed, the amount and strength of Grimm in the forest, how strong the students are… Wait does she actually want my opinion or does she want to be reassured? "If you are worried about Ruby then I have question for you. Is she strong?"

Yang kept pacing at a quicker race, "Of course she is strong and quick. Still it's an older sister right to worry about her younger sister. Right?"

Wynn started to smile. "Now you sound like my older sister." I wonder what the military is having her do? I do hope she comes for the Vytal Festival. He saw blur of black and white exit the forest and raised his revolver tracking the movement. "Yang something has come out of the forest."

Yang stopped pacing back and forth to leapt up onto the wall. "If it's a Grimm, it's my turn to kill it." She covered her eyes to stare out across the bright field as another figure in black and red exited the forest. "It's Ruby and Blake," said Yang happily.

"Yang is that you?" Ruby's face split into a wide grin as she started sprinting towards them. Yang jumped down and ran towards her sister.

Wynn was momently distracted by the curve of Yang's round ass as she sprinted towards her sister. Focus Wynn, what can you learn from this? Ruby is clearly faster than her sister. Really fast considering she isn't using her Aura. Wynn did a double take as he saw Blake walk out of the forest a second time. I thought she came out first. Was I distracted by Yang or am I seeing Déjà vu? Or was its Blake's Semblance? Maybe an illusion of some kind? I'll have to keep an eye on her. She is a curious one to be sure.

Yang easily lifted Ruby up into the air crushing her in a big bear hug. "Glad you got here in one piece Ruby." She let Ruby back down to the ground.

"Well of course I did. My new partner and I made short work of a pack of Beowolves." Ruby looked back over at Blake. "I hope you remember Blake from last night?"

Yang glanced over at Blake who was glaring at Wynn. "I remember her. I'm glad you two hit it off. How's it going Blake?" Blake ignored her. Yang grabbed her sister by the arm. "Come on and grab a relic."

Ruby looked over at Wynn. "Oh, Wynn's your partner. That's cool I guess." Ruby leaned close to Yang and whispered excitedly. "I think she is some kind of ninja!"

A ninja? Ruby must be reading too many comic books. Wynn leapt down from the wall into the temple entrance. "Hello Ms. Rose." He looked past her to where Blake was sulking still glaring at him. He simply nodded towards Blake. "Just Blake."

Blake scowled at him and drew her black sword. The blade bent backwards over the hilt which extended into a gun barrel, she pointed it towards Wynn.

Wynn almost activated his aura in response, but he decided to not escalate things further. He slowly raised his hands. "Easy there Blake we're all acquaintances here. Aren't we?"

Blake smirked for a brief moment as she walked slowly towards Wynn. "Whoever is hiding on the other side of the temple come out with your hands up. No funny business."

"Woah let's put down the guns and calm down. This isn't a Kuchinashi standoff." Nora came around the corner with her hammer over her shoulder. A moment later Ren followed behind her hands raised in the air.

OoOoO

Ren observed the standoff in quiet contemplation. I don't think this situation technically counts as a Kuchinashi standoff since there are only two groups not three.

Blake had stopped a few paces in front of Wynn but still had her gun trained on Ren. "Where are your weapons?"

This girl is troublesome, I hope she doesn't end up on our team. Ren flicked his wrists and his hidden butterfly swords slid up into his outstretched hands. He looked back to Blake. "Satisfied?"

"I suppose so." Blake gave Wynn one final look and lowered her weapon. She walked over and stood next to Ruby.

"Were you planning on using me as a human shield in case a fight broke out?" Wynn asked Blake.

Blake simply shrugged her shoulders in response as she looked back over at Ruby who was deciding on which chess piece to take.

Yang walked over to them and Wynn followed still keeping one eye on Blake. "Glad you both made it." She pressed the black knight into Nora's hand. "Did you encounter any Grimm on the way here?"

"A few small ones but they were no threat to us." Nora flexed her bicep proudly showing her bulging muscles. "We also saw a big King Taijitu but we were able to evade it using Ren's semblance."

All of us together would likely be able to handle it without too much trouble. Nora and I would struggle to beat it at full strength.

Wynn stepped forward. "As much as I would like Ren to tell me more about his Semblance we should probably leave as soon as possible if Grimm that strong are in the forest. This isn't an extermination mission. We only need to take the relics and return to the cliff. Yang since your sister is here do you have an objection about leaving?"

Yang smiled at Wynn. "Nope I'm ready if you are." Suddenly a high-pitched scream rang out from the forest. "Some girl is in trouble!" shouted Yang. "We should help her."

The scream sounded closer and Ren looked up to see a green blur falling towards them. It hit the ground and started to roll across the clearing until it hit the wall of the temple with a sickening crunch. That looked painful.

The group rushed out of the temple to see who or what it was. A blonde boy was sprawled against the wall with his back against the ground and his feet against the wall. His aura faded as his got unsteadily to his feet with a manic look in his eye. While he was covered in grass and dust he didn't seem too hurt despite the fall. "DEATHSTALKER! Pyrrha needs help! We need to go help her!"

"Jaune you need to calm down and tell us what happened," said Wynn.

OoOoO

Pyrrha and Jaune stood weapons raised as the screams from the cave, closer and closer. She took half a step forward as her rifle shifted from rifle to its javelin form with a metallic clicking sound. Pyrrha covered her face with her shield as the stone entrance of the cave exploded outwards from the force of the Grimm smashing its way through. It was a Deathstalker, a huge scorpion. A bigger specimen than Pyrrha had ever seen.

Cardin was bent over, panting. His blue aura chaotically swirling around him. He parried golden stinger of the Deathstalker with his mace, deflecting it to one side. "It already got Russel, its all over for me. I'll hold him off, just go." With a roar of defiance, he charged the Grimm.

The Deathstalker's large claws clicked menacingly as it scuttled forward towards Cardin. He rolled under the first claw but slipped on some rubble as the second claw grabbed him around the waist. The stinger was covered in blood as it plunged towards Cardin.

Pyrrha threw her shield, coated in the red glow of her Aura. It intercepted the stinger, saving Cardin's life. She started to charge forward with Jaune a half a step behind her.

The Deathstalker recoiled in pain from the shield strike. Turning to face the new threats, it continued to squeeze Cardin in its claw.

Cardin's aura started to flicker as Jaune attempted to flank the Grimm. He caught the stinger on his shield and managed to deflect it down into the ground. He jumped on the tail of the Deathstalker, attempting to keep the deadly stinger out of the fight.

Pyrrha caught returning shield in her left hand. Throwing her javelin with all her might, it caught the remaining claw of the Deathstalker. Pinning it into the stone wall.

The Deathstalker spasmed in pain. Angrily it flicked its stinger skyward sending Jaune flying high into the air. I hope he figured out his landing strategy, if not his Aura should soften most of the blow. I hope.

Cardin's Aura sputtered out and he started to scream as the claw of the huge Grimm started to crush him.

Pyrrha heard a sickening crunching noise and charged the claw holding Cardin. She hit the claw shield first like a rocket finally breaking the Grimm's hold on her fellow Hunter trainee.

Cardin slumped to the ground like a ragdoll. He was clearly unconscious as his mace fell from his limp hand. It hit the ground and rolled several feet away.

I need to get the Deathstalker away from him and I need to find Jaune. "Over here you monster!" She raised her arm and activated her semblance to have her javelin return to her outstretched hand.

The Deathstalker lumbered towards Pyrrha who retreated back several steps. Once she was certain the Grimm would follow, she sped off into the forest. She smiled to herself at the noise of trees falling over as the Deathstalker followed her away from the cave.

Author's Notes:

Many thanks to my editor Linthal.

As always thanks to everyone who follows or favorites the story.