Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 2: Destination Beacon
When Jaune walked Pyrrha to the airships, his eyes widened at the sheer size of the contraption. It could have easily covered a fair share of a village. To add to the wonder, it was made completely of metal. He turned towards the red haired girl, "This plane, or airship, can actually travel through the sky like some kind of multi-winged awkward bird? Why do you call it an airship, it looks nothing like a boat, well maybe if you squint and tilt your head."
"Yes, the airship travels through the sky quite well. A trip that would have taken weeks of walking and days on a boat, can be done in hours or a little over a day. The name airship, if I recall correctly, is due to the earlier models taking the shape of massive ships. Eventually, the designs became more aerodynamic, but the name was unchanged.", she lectured, recalling some of the history she learned as a child.
In response, Jaune nodded his head in understanding. He wished he could've ridden one of them. When he needed to cross large distances, he either ran quickly or teleported himself to the destination. Riding one of these so called airships looked enjoyable.
It appeared that Pyrrha was far from the only person going to this Beacon Academy. All around them were all manner of warriors. The area was rich with Ki, and the life force of the Faunus. He had to restrain himself from running up to them and asking to feel their ears or tails. They looked really fluffy. Curiously, a lot of them were in one area, not associating with the other people. Perhaps all the Faunus knew each other? It was probably nothing.
"Applicants to Beacon Academy, the airship will be leaving momentarily, please enter the craft and prepare for lift off.", a tall suited man called over the crowd.
Before Jaune had the chance to move, he was jammed in between all the hunters in training. He and Pyrrha were jammed together as the line began moving towards the airship. With ease, the men at the door would check names from a list and let the hunters in training in. As time went on though, the men seemed to be struggling to keep pace, with the numbers. It got so bad, that when Jaune and Pyrrha went up, he took one look at Pyrrha, nodded in recognition and let them through.
Jaune tried to explain that he wasn't going on the airship, but the people behind him had forced him through the door. The inside of the airship looked comfortable enough. There were rows upon rows of seats with a large gap in the middle to walk to the seats.
By his side, Pyrrha looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, but it seems that everyone is in a rush. It might be a bit of a challenge to get out." To her surprise, Jaune began to laugh.
"Hahaha. It's not too bad. I literally had nowhere to be. Once we land, I can just travel from this Beacon Academy. When you have no destination, anywhere can be a starting point. Besides this is an adventure. I've never ridden one of these plane things before.", he replied light heartily. Seeing some empty seats in the middle left rows, he grabbed Pyrrha's arm and ran to the seat. He could barely contain himself in his seat, as he looked outside the window.
Jaune is such a child sometimes. You just want to see how clouds look when you fly through them, don't you?
'Come on, you have to admit this is cool. We never get to enjoy looking from a bird's eye view, since most of the time we're fighting at this elevation.', he thought defensively.
Pyrrha had a relieved sigh. She felt a little guilty being happy that Jaune had been forced onto the ship. It had been a long time since she had bonded with someone, even on a light level. She doesn't know when it started, but people started to become intimidated by her 'prestige'. Frankly she thought they were over exaggerating her importance. She wasn't so shallow that she believed that she was too good to socialize with others.
Unaware of the thoughts racing through his companion's head, the feminine swordsman leaned back into his chair and prepared for an enjoyable flight. Soon after, the airship started, rose, and began its flight to Beacon.
...
"Never again Pyrrha, never again. There's no way you'll get me back on that metal abomination ever again. It's a deceitful being, that lures unsuspecting fools with cozy chairs and cool air, traps them and attacks one's very soul! I just know it!", Jaune exclaimed almost hysterically.
To say the trip was nothing like he expected would have been an understatement. At first the flying had been most joyous, then a sickness settled over him. Every movement the airship made assaulted his sensitive stomach. Energy drained from his body and he spent hours with the sensation of throwing up. Neither Pyrrha or Mors' soothing words relaxed him. The rest of the trip was spent in a cold sweat while in the throes of sickness.
As soon as the airship had landed on sweet land, he sped out of the doors and ran to the nearest garbage can. For the next few minutes, he leaned on the trash bin for support as sustenance left his abused stomach. Like the caring friend she was, Pyrrha stayed with him, gently rubbing his back.
"Now, now I'm sure it isn't a demon. It's a shame that you get airsick, you looked so excited too. Here take this to rinse your mouth off.", she said as she handed him a plastic bottle of water.
Jaune took it gratefully and quickly rinse his mouth of the disgusting taste that had settled. Shaking his head, he looked back on that mechanized menace. His look was laced with so much hate that it was palpable. 'You've made an enemy this day. You don't even know, one day you'll be crushed underneath my boot.'
Its lifeless shell was mocking him, goading him for his foolishness, his weakness. He could sense its cruel, vindictive laugh echoing in his head. As though to tell him, he could try. Jaune gritted his teeth in fury. This might be the greatest foe he had ever faced.
Jaune stop swearing vengeance against an inanimate object. It isn't laughing or mocking you. Your body couldn't handle the trip, just avoid riding them from now on.
'You don't know that. People think you're lifeless, but I hear you. For all you know, I'm the only one that can hear the arrogance of that airship. It may have won the battle, but the war is very much on.', thought Jaune in the same state a man declares a blood feud with his nemesis.
"Well I suppose this is goodbye Jaune. I really have to go and take of some things. Will you be fine by yourself?", Pyrrha asked in concern. As much as she wanted to stay, she had to deal with some administrative issues for her registration. It just looked like her friend couldn't get a break.
"You go on, I'm a big boy. I shouldn't have too much trouble leaving. I'm sure we will see each other again."
He waved her off as she left. A warmth bubbled in his chest when she smiled at him. Unknown to him, a goofy grin was plastered on his face.
Jaune stop smiling like that it's creepy. You're so hopeless, all you can think about is Pyrrha. Try to have some dignity.
He didn't dignify Mors statement with a rebuttal. First thing first, he had to find a way out of here. He was currently on a long walkway, so he decided to follow it. Down the path was a stature of some warrior. Looking at it, he could see some resemblance to himself. The long flowing hair, the stance, a thin frame, and even Crocea Mors!
How is that possible, Jaune.
'I don't know Mors. If nothing else, the sword looks just like you.' There couldn't be a stature of him in this new land. He knew for a fact that he had never been here or this academy. But the longer he looked at the stature, the more he saw the resemblance.
'Mors, did you have other wielders before me?'
You know I didn't Jaune. You're the first and last that had been able to wield me. Get a better look at it.
He complied and got closer to the stature. On closer inspection, the sheath had the same design of his. This was getting to ridiculous to be a coincidence. 'Are you sure this isn't you? Maybe you don't have recollection of all the times you've been used.'
If the person holding the sword isn't you Jaune, then the sword isn't me. I assure you, there are no gaps in my memories.
Noticing the growing ire of his sword, he decided to concede that line of thinking. 'You're probably right. It might be an earlier version you're based on, a prototype to work out the kinks. Either way, it's not that important anyway.'
That's plausible, well with what we know so far. This warrants some further looking into. We may be here longer than we expected.
He hummed in agreement, before moving down the path, away from the troublesome statue.
...
Jaune heard an explosion. Following the source of the noise, he was surprised to see fire, ice and lightning erupt from the explosion. When the smoke subsided he peered to the bodies within.
Just ahead of him, Jaune noticed three girls in discussion. Well, he used the term discussion lightly. It was more yelling on part of one girl. Said girl wore a predominately pale blue dress in combination with a similar colored jacket. Her hair was a snowy white.
The recipient of the yelling was a younger girl in a black blouse and a skirt with red trimmings. Around her neck she wore a red cloak. Black stockings fully covered her legs and lead into black boots with red trimmings. Her hair was black with a red tint in it. She appeared apologetic to the white haired girl.
To their side was a long black haired girl that wore a black buttoned coattail vest. She had a white, sleeveless undershirt that didn't cover her midriff in conjunction with white shorts. Around her neck was scarf like collar and on her feet were black low-heeled boots. From the hips to her shoes, she wore stockings that started black and faded to purple. If he wasn't mistaken, the girl was a Faunus. He wondered where her cool animal features were.
She said something that seemed to upset the white haired girl, who took something from her hands and walked away.
As the white haired girl left, a number of helpers were carrying her things. The girl in the shorts took the opportunity to walk away as the younger girl called out to the white haired girl. By the time she turned around to talk to the black haired girl, she was alone.
When she saw that she was alone, the younger girl collapsed onto her back in what appeared to be frustration. Jaune thought that she was in need of a friend.
With that in mind, he strolled up to the girl and offered his hand. "Hey...I'm Jaune.", he smiled lightly.
The girl took his hand in gratitude, "My name's Ruby." When she got up, she looked Jaune over, "Aren't you the girl that ran out of the ship to throw up?"
...
Jaune and Ruby were walking on a winding road that was built near a river. Most of the buildings within the Academy walls were arching and surrounded with trees.
Jaune had his arms cross with a pout on his face, "I can't help it if I have a low tolerance to the machinations of unnatural mistakes of mankind. Airships should be outlawed. No matter what anyone says, they're evil and they know it."
Ruby had to stop herself from falling over laughing at Jaune's conspiracy theories. She had never met someone so against airships. ""Look, I'm sorry! Vomit Girl was the first thing that popped out in my head.", she admitted.
That admission annoyed Jaune further. His right eye was twitching at rapid speeds. "One I'm all guy. No way a girl could be as handsome as this Arc. Second, the vomiting was my body warning me of the evils of the airship."
His new friend opened her mouth in amazement. "But you're so pretty and your hair's so nice. Even my sister Yang would ask you for hair care advice. You look more girlish than me!", she said surprised.
"I'm pretty sure I know my gender Ms. Little Red Go Boom. ", retorted Jaune to her questioning his gender, so he took the chance to take a jab at the explosion incident. So what if he had nice hair? It was his pride. Real men took care of themselves anyway.
"Now wait a minute! That explosion was an accident. I wasn't the one waving explosive dust around.", she huffed defensively, staring him hard in the eyes.
The two stared at each other intently, before breaking out in laughter. A short friendly silence fell upon them.
A thought pop up in her head and she took out her weapon. It was a scythe, "So...I got this thing!"
"Whoa! Is that a scythe?"
"Yup, his name is Crescent Rose. He's my sweetheart.", she said as she rubbed her cheek against the rod of her scythe.
"You're able to use a farming tool as a weapon? That cuts it, you're a ninja, aren't you? Those guys are always crafting weapons from farm sheds. That takes like crazy balance and situational awareness.", the feminine swordsman wailed. Such odd things the people of this land get into. A box that changes into a scythe.
"I don't think I have any ninja training, though that'd be so cool. My scythe is also a customizable high-impact sniper rifle!"
Her proclamation just got a blank lost look on Jaune's face. Deciding to take pity with the blonde haired teen, Ruby explained as she cocked it, "It's also a gun."
"Do all weapons here turn into firearms. I'm so jealous.", Jaune whined.
What's so special about that. Those are all gimmicks. A true weapons doesn't need to compensate with transforming firearms.
'Yes, yes Mors.', he thought placidly. Crocea Mors could get so touchy whenever he even glanced at another weapon. Her nagging made him feel bad just thinking of using some other sword or firearm. As cool as some of these new weapons looked, it just wasn't worth it.
"So what've you got?", Ruby asked, still on a high from appreciation of her precious Crescent Rose.
"My weapon is the magnificent powerful Crocea Mors. It's a sword sheathe combination. The sheathe becomes a shield.", Jaune said proudly. As nagging as she was sometimes, he just loved Mors.
Ah, you do care. I am pretty nifty, aren't I?
"So a classic, huh? People don't appreciate those enough. Every weapon has its beauty. I guess I went overboard with the designs. If you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a weapons dork."
"Wait, design? You made that? I can't believe it, you use a scythe and a blacksmith on the side. You're really preparing yourself for this huntress thing. Good for you.", he said earnestly.
Ruby blushed at the sincere compliments. She wished that she had that much faith in herself like her sister and Jaune seemed to have. It just didn't seem real. She was just an awkward weapon lover being shipped early to Beacon.
With a small frown she asked uncertainly, "Why did you help me back there?"
Jaune went up with a kind smile and tussled her head a bit. "I know how it feels to stand out. One thing I found out, a friend does well to ease the burden. No matter what, you have one friend in me."
She smiled and nodded. Looking around she didn't see anyone else, "Um, do you know where we're going?"
"Hahaha. I don't have the faintest idea. I thought we were just walking around. Maybe we should ask for directions?", the blonde swordsman suggested weakly.
Ruby sighed, this was going to take some effort.
...
A few disgruntled minutes and annoyed upperclassmen later, the formerly lost duo reached the large auditorium. It was packed with all sorts of hunters in training.
"Ruby! Over here! I saved a seat for you!", a blonde hair girl yelled over a crowd of people.
"That's my sister Yang. I'll see you after the presentation! Bye!", Ruby dashed past him and went with the her sister.
Jaune shook his head amusedly and turned around. This was his chance to get his bearings and leave this school. At the corners of his eye he saw an orange blur racing towards him. By the time he fully turned around, the blur slammed right into him, sending the blur right to the ground.
"Owie, who put a wall in front of the door?", the now revealed girl moaned as she rubbed her sore behind. She had short orange hair and turquoise eyes. Said girl had a collared black vest that extended to her waist. Beneath the vest was red and light blue layers of clothing. On top of those was a white sleeveless top that had a heart shape hope between her chest and collarbone, said top had detached sleeves. Similar to Jaune, she had pink fingerless gloves, though hers were pink. Her skirt was a matching pink. The girl's shoes were pink and white with pink laces.
She shook her head and looked up at Jaune with a dazed look. She jumped to her feet and scrutinized the feminine swordsman while rubbing her chin. "What a girly wall you are. What makes you so tough?" The odd teen began to poke all around Jaune's body.
Having had enough of the poking treatment, he slapped her hands away. "Stop that. What's your problem."
"Hehehe.", the girl giggled and jumped back, she spun around and broke into a dramatic pose. "I am huntress in training, Nora Valkyrie! Nice to meet you!"
Nora's good mood was infectious, soon Jaune found himself cracking a smile. "I'm Jaune Arc. Sorry about before, I tend to tense up when fast things are about to collide with me. No hard feelings?"
"Nope I'm good. Ren says I have a tough noggin. Or was it hard headed? Doesn't matter, this baby can crack diamonds! Oh my gosh, Ren! I have to find him, he gets so lost without me. Ren and I have been together forever. Not together together, that would just be weird. Not that he isn't handsome. I'm sure you would love to meet him", she finished as she nudged him with her elbow. "Anyway bye! Good luck on your test."
Without a single delay, Nora went back to speeding and bulldozing her way through the crowds. The other students hadn't been as prepared as he had and were soon falling to the ground, with angry complaining.
And his sister said he was too hyper. Nora acted as though she lived off sugar.
Looking around, he noticed that people were beginning to settle down into their seats. Since he was here, could check out the presentation. It would do good to tell him some more about the land he found himself in. Not too far from him was an open sit to a certain familiar redhead.
"Hey Pyrrha, missed me?", he questioned as he took a seat next to her.
For her part, the redhead was only slightly surprised to see Jaune here. If she got the right read on her new friend, then she was sure that he tended to lose focus on tasks if something or someone caught his interests.
"Hello Jaune. I'm glad to see you. Guess leaving didn't work out too well for you?", she teased.
Jaune huffed in reply as he crossed his arms together, "A mild issue I assure you. Once I hear what's going on, I'm out of here. I swear it!"
The pair got quiet as the lights on stage turned on. In the center, there was a middle age man and woman. The man had gray hair and brown eyes, he wore a black suit and dark green pants. On top of his nose were tinted glasses and his shoes were black. Around his neck was a thick green scarf. The woman was of similar age with green eyes and blonde hair tied in a bun. She wore a white long sleeved suit that had an opening in the chest with a black business skirt. Her boots were brown and she had a tattered cape that was purple inside and black outside. As opposed to the male, she wore thin rectangular glasses.
The gray haired man tapped the microphone and began to speak, " I'll keep this brief. Many have traveled here in search of knowledge, to master your crafts and acquire new skills, when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, a lack of purpose, direction. You assumed that knowledge alone will free you of this, but your time at this academy will prove the shortcomings of knowledge alone. It's your responsibility to take the first step. "
Jaune hummed lightly at the little speech. He had to give credit where it was due, the man had charisma. In a few sentences, he not only tore down the accomplishments the recruits had believed that made and then patted them on the back saying that they had potential. Stern and firm with the right amount of kindness, his Master would have approved.
He turned over to Pyrrha and questioned her, "Who are the people on stage?"
"Ozpin is the headmaster of the academy. He's a renown hunter. His assistant is Glynda. They hold significant sway over the running of Beacon. ", she answered helpfully.
"That would explain it."
"Explain what Jaune?"
"Ozpin, he's...strong. In front of us stands a man who has been humbled and tempered by his experiences. I have seen this strength in the most dangerous of opponents. I'm curious as to what he lost to get up to that little stage. Despair is the same everywhere you go", Jaune stated with a grim look. All the while, he attempted to gauge the strength of this headmaster. Ozpin seemed to attempt to appear nonchalant, but it was far too, he wasn't sure, the closest word he could think of was organized. The gray haired man was never truly vulnerable.
...
Jaune you lack focus. We should have been out of this school hours ago. It's night time now. It would be unwise to travel so late alone. Who knows what creatures lay in wait.
'Yes Mors.', Jaune said despondently as he listened to Mors' lecture. It couldn't be helped, the school had been too interesting. All the shining metal structures. In his defense the tour had been really informative. One thing led to another and now the sun had set. As he looked up, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by the moon. Unlike what he was used to, this moon wasn't complete. Portions of it was broken apart and the fragments were still bound to the moon. There was a story there, he just knew it.
Soon after, the hunter hopefuls were called into the school. They were to shower and then go to sleep. Although a bit guilty, he decided to indulge in a shower, the first since he came to this place. He happily accepted the given out robes and toiletries. Seeing the mass of guys, he got into the male washrooms.
No sooner did he step in, did all activities stop. Every guy's form stilled and eyes wander upon Jaune's lithe form. So used to such reactions, Jaune failed to notice the tension building within the shower room. Tentatively some of the guys swallowed thickly. Manly rapidly covered themselves, not feeling confident enough to be naked in front of a beauty like the blonde haired teen.
With an elegant stride, the feminine swordsman calmly removed his slash and began to rid himself of the robe. He didn't get far before a girly scream resounded from the other males in the room.
"My eyes, my innocent eyes! I'm not ready for this!"
"A hunter does not submit to lust. A hunter does not submit to lust. A hunter does not SUBMIT TO LUST!"
"Mommy, I stepping into the world of adults. Forgive me!"
"Beacon's level is too high!"
"I know I shouldn't look, but I'm only a mortal man."
"Is nothing sacred?"
Jaune was startled by the outbursts from his fellow males. At this point some of them were running around like heedless chickens. Others hid in the safety of showers. The disturbance got so out of the hand, that it was reaching riot behavior.
To the relieve of all in the shower room, at female teacher walked in and noticed Jaune. With a disbelieving expression on her face, she was quick to grab him by the arm and drag him out.
"W-what are you doing? I haven't taken a shower yet.", Jaune whined pointlessly. No matter what he said, the grip on his arm held firm.
"Young lady, it's inappropriate for male and females to bathe together after childhood. There are perfectly good showers in the female section."
"B-but", Jaune stuttered out. He began to really struggle, but to his surprise her hold held firm. Why did women gain such strength at times like this. "This is a misunderstanding, I can explain..."
The woman looked at him kindly and completely ignored what he tried to say, "It's alright. Everybody gets jitters applying here. You wouldn't be the first to make this mistake. Do try not to do this again, carelessness should only go so far. You're a blooming young woman. Here are the showers."
With renewed vigor, he tried to pry this crazy woman off of him. It was like she had selective hearing. Jaune would never claim to have a doctor's insight on the body, but he was certain that he classified as male! When the two got to the door, he could hear the sound of girls talking and feared for his health. But like an executioner escorting a prisoner, the woman shot the door behind him with finality.
With gritted teeth and solemn determination, he backed from the door. He was in no man's land, alone. One mistake and these girls would kill him. His escape route was all but destroyed. Taking a big breathe he calmed himself. No matter the struggles he would get a shower. Closing his eyes, he turned around and prepared himself for the trials to come.
...
He was all too relieved to get out of the women's showers. The powers that be had allowed him to maneuver with sound and what he could see while looking directly on the ground. Sure he had gotten some weird looks, but it was worth it. Jaune was too glad to not have seen Pyrrha. It would have been embarrassing to explain what he was doing and he doubted his will of mind not to stare at her. Fortunately, the showers had been segmented and had high doors, so he was able to shower and dress within his section. A quick in and out procedure.
Currently, he was dressed in a pair of blue footie pajamas that had, for some reason, had many of the guys looking at him. He felt his temper rising as each of them kept telling him he was cute, the less vocal merely watched him with sparkles in their eyes. He was NOT cute. Was everyone blind here? Jaune Arc was all man.
"Jaune? Why are you hunched over in a corner?", the ever caring Pyrrha asked. Said girl was in a two piece pajama set. Both top and bottom were a purplish pink. When she had came over to set up a sleeping area, she noticed her blonde friend huddled in a corner, tracing circles on the ground. A feeling of defeat clung onto him.
Depressed, Jaune looked up, tears dripping down his cheeks, "I'm not a girl. Why won't no one believe me? You're my only friend here Pyrrha. Everybody else are just blind bullies that like to pick on me. It's not fair."
Pyrrha sat down next to him and wordlessly began to rub his back. What did he do to get such a good friend like her? Only she understood him. Seeing her encouraging smile, he rubbed his tears from his eyes and said resolutely, "I'll show them all. I'll be the manliest of men. No stone will be left unturned, no trial not overcome. Watch out Beacon, Jaune Arc is here." At some point in his proclamation, he had risen up and shot his fist in the sky. Behind him, Pyrrha was smiling and clapping her hands in support.
Go Jaune, go! Show them all your stuff. By the time you're through with this academy, no one will double your masculinity.
Jaune nodded his head, manly, at Mors' support. Beacon won't know what hit it.
Author's Note
Chapter 2 is out! Finally found some time in between studying for tests for update this story. I'm pumped up. This chapter had Jaune interacting with Pyrrha and Nora. Don't worry, Ren will have his time next chapter. This fic will center around Team JPNE, while Team RWBY does their thing.
Please take the time and type a review. Short or long, I don't mind, I just really like the feedback. How was the interactions between Jaune, Nora, and Pyrrha.
Next chapter will be the initiation. Until next time.
