A Warrior of Old

by Some-Random-Guy777

Remnant is filled with fantastic legends of old. Such as the story of the four maidens, and the legend of the silver eyed warriors. However there is another legend almost lost to time. The tale of the guardians, powerful warriors created to to end the Grimm alongside humanity. The tale of the guardians however, like the silver eyes, were thought to be just a myth. But, are they?

3. Chapter 3

Jaune sailed through the air. His arms and legs ramrod straight against his body. He had seen a potential landing strategy from the cliff at Beacon Academy. The only thing he needed to do now was reach his destination. He made minor adjustments to keep himself on course and maximize his momentum. When he drew close enough to his target however, that all changed.

Jaune's limbs suddenly snapped out wide and he angled himself upwards. His new position catching more air resistance and slowing his descent. With his right hand he then drew his sword and held it in a backwards grip. 'Just a little closer.' Jaune thought.

While some people would use the trees to slow their fall, or the recoil of a weapon. Jaune had other plans. Directly in front, and below him were a flock of average sized Nevermores. While not the largest Jaune had ever seen the ones before him would suit his needs nicely.

As Jaune drew closer to the avian Grimm he set his plan into motion. Jaune angled his body pack into a pencil shape and dive bombed one of the larger members of the flock. Slamming into its back Jaune drove his sword into the creature's neck. As Jaune and the Grimm began descending to the ground Jaune jerked the tip of his sword, still stuck in the creature's neck, upwards like a pilot pulling on a yoke. The Nevermore's wings flapped open slowing their descent. As man and beast came closer to the ground Jaune gave another mighty tug and the beasts wings angled upwards slowing their descent even more.

The two then crashed into the ground, the Nevermore taking a majority of the fall damage. Jaune then yanked out his sword and hopped down from the Nevermore. Seeing as the creature was somehow still alive Jaune decided to end its suffering. He plunged his sword into its skull, the light then drained completely from its eyes. As Jaune puled his sword free the creature began to dissipate.

Jaune's eyes began to shine with a powerful light as the smoke changed directions and encircled Jaune's body. In less than a second, he had absorbed the smoke that was formerly the Nevermore. With the creature now gone Jaune's eyes returned to normal. He took a look at the scene before him. Where the Nevermore once lay there was upturned dirt forming a line that went back about thirty yards. To the left and right of that were toppled trees, some of which had been broken in half by the collision with the Grimm.

'As far as landing strategies go this one wasn't that bad.' Jaune thought. 'At least I no one was hurt. Well, the Nevermore is dead but that's more collateral damage than anything.' Just then Jaune felt a pull at the back of his eyes. His senses were immediately put of full alert as he was made aware of the Grimm now encircling his position. 'Must have been drawn by the crash.' Jaune reasoned as he readied his sword for the upcoming battle.

Grimm began erupting from the shadows of the forest. Jaune turning to address his new adversaries and counted fifteen in total. Of these fifteen eight were Beowolves, five were creeps, and the final two were Ursa majors. The monsters stared at the young man for a few seconds before launching themselves at their new prey. Jaune turned and threw his sword at one of the approaching creeps. The blade spun through the air going end over end before it found its mark and pierced the skull of a creep. Jaune, having taken off in a dead sprint behind his weapon, wrapped his hands around the hilt of the sword before the creature hit the ground.

Pulling his weapon free of the Grimm's cranium Jaune spun to the side and brought Crocea Mors down on the neck of another Creep, decapitating the monster. Hearing footsteps behind him Jaune reached down and grabbed his shield. Once firmly in hand said shield was deployed and Jaune turned to face the Beowolf coming straight at him. Claws met metal as Jaune blocked the blow meant for his back. Knocking the Grimm's blow off target Jaune drove the tip of his sword into the creature's chest puncturing its heart. Pulling out his sword Jaune gave the wolf like Grimm a kick to the chest as it fell over dead.

This time two Beowolves charged him at once, the Grimm sprinting towards him on all fours. One of the Beowolves ran in front of the other and jumped at Jaune, its claws extended ready to tear into his throat. Jaune simply ducked underneath the lupine Grimm. As the beast flew over Jaune's head he brought up his shield pushing the monster off balance. The result was the Beowolf crashing into the ground behind Jaune face first.

The second Beoeolf however continued its charge at the armed young man. Jaune sprung off his back foot and met the beast halfway. With all its momentum moving forward the Beowolf was unable to dodge what happened next. Jaune drove his sword through the open mouth of the Beowolf until Jaune's gauntleted hand met Beowolf teeth. Jaune then began to pull out his sword until the blade was halfway visible. At this point he spun to his right to face the previously downed Grimm. The edge of the sword passing through Grimm flesh and bone and removing a large portion of the Beowolf's face.

Jaune then sprinted forward at the Beowolf from before. The monster shaking its head to regain its bearing never saw the guardian coming. Jaune leapt into the air, flipping his sword into a reverse grip as he flew. Upon coming down he drove the sword into the base of the Beowolf's neck. Both man and beast rolling onto the ground.

As Jaune was about to remove his sword a creep appeared in front of him, its mouth agape ready to bite Jaune in half. Jaune rolled to the side however, not allowing the Grimm the satisfaction of his death. With a fierce upward kick Jaune caught the creep in the ribs knocking it on its side. Jaune then raised his shield above his head with both hands and drove the pointed end into the creature's neck. After three hits the Grimm's head laid detached next to its body. Jaune quickly regained his sword from the Beowolf's neck and scanned the area for the remaining Grimm. The remaining Beowolves and Creeps charged Jaune all at once. Jaune met their charge and began dismantling them piece by piece.

Moving with the grace of a dancer Jaune spun, dodged, and rolled in-between the Grimm before he would seal their fate with a swing of his sword. Jaune had just finished killing the last Creep when he felt a rumbling underneath his feet. Jaune turned to his left and saw the Ursa Major just in time to raise his shield to absorb the blow. Jaune flew through the air a couple of meters before he landing on his back and rolled onto his feet. Jaune had time to get back into his stance when the Ursa was once again on top of him.

Jaune ducked underneath a heavy paw swipe and ran his sword along the inner part of the creature's arm. Black blood spewed forth from the new wound as the Ursa struggled to put its massive weight back on the limb. Jaune, not giving the Ursa a chance to recover charged in. The bear like Grimm stood on it's hind legs and once again tried to deliver a crushing paw to Jaune's head. Just like before however Jaune ducked underneath and severed the arteries inside the creature's arm.

Having no way to balance its own weight the Ursa Major toppled over onto its face. Jaune then walked up next to the beast and drove the tip of his blade into the creatures unarmored neck. The sword passing through the Grimm's flesh like a hot knife through butter. The Ursa gave one last gurgle before it died on the ground.

Jaune then scanned the area for the remaining Grimm. To his left about twenty yards away were the two remaining Beowolves and the last Ursa Major. Jaune pulled his blade from the creature's neck. With a quick slash the blood coating his blade flew off and splattered the ground. Jaune's eyes once again began to burn with light as he stared down the remaining Grimm. Jaune began slowly walking towards them. After about ten feet Jaune started a light jog that soon became a full-on sprint. The two Beowolves charged right back at him side-by-side, the Ursa remaining where it was. Jaune waited until he was close and then juked to his right. The lupine Grimm were not ready for his sudden movement and the first of the two Beowolves fell victim to an overhead chop. The penultimate Beowolf now missing its head began to slump to the ground. Jaune then used the dead Grimm's body and rolled overtop of it to bring his weapons about on the final Beowolf. As Jaune rolled over the deceased Beowolf he brought the flat part of his shield down on the Grimm's head.

Following up on the shield bash Jaune brought his sword down across the Grimm's neck. Now standing forward and too the left of the Beowolf Jaune flipped his sword into a reverse grip. Without looking he drove the tip of the blade back into the chest of the Beowolf. Jaune felt the impact and didn't both to look as he heard the beast topple to the ground once he removed his sword.

Jaune stared down the last Ursa Major and began making his way towards it, once again breaking into a sprint. The Ursa Major stood on its hind legs in an attempt to flatten Jaune when he drew near. When Jaune was within striking distance the Ursa let loose one of its massive paws in a straight punch fashion. Jaune jumped up and to the side dodging the strike. He continued upwards until he reached head level with the Ursa. Jaune then turned his body and drove his sword into the creature's neck severing its spine.

Jaune landed first and began to walk forward before he heard the bear like Ursa finally crash to the ground. Jaune then turned and walked towards the downed Ursa. If severing its spine with his sword didn't kill it, this would. He then took his sword and once again stabbing it into the Grimm. This time however he didn't aim for the neck. The blade went straight through the Ursa Major's skull. Jaune watched as the red fled from its eyes before he pulled out his sword and wiped it clean.

The light in Jaune's eyes grew in intensity and the Grimm he had just dispatched began to dissipate into mist. Like before the mist began to congregate on Jaune's position as it flooded his body. The mist, like the Grimm, were now nowhere to be seen.

Not wanting to stick around and battle more Grimm Jaune oriented himself north and began his trek to the ruins Ozpin spoke of. While he walked the pull at the back of his eyes diminished, but only slightly. He knew it wouldn't go away until he was safely back at Beacon.

Jaune began pushing his way through the undergrowth of the forest. He continued on for about thirty minutes, battling small groups of Grimm as he went. 'How am I supposed to prove my skills to Ozpin if the biggest Grimm I've come across since I've been here is a lowly Ursa Major?' Thought Jaune as he ducked beneath a low hanging branch.

Jaune continued on through the forest thinking of the best way to prove himself when then pull behind his eyes became even stronger. Jaune sensed a group of Grimm directly to his front about twenty meters away. Jaune raced towards the Grimm, but as he drew closer he began to hear the sounds of a battle.

Suddenly a gunshot rang out through the forest and Jaune picked up his pace. There, in the middle of a clearing, was Pyrrha battling it out with a couple of Beowolves. Jaune watched as the red head dismantled the Grimm before her with practiced ease. Her weapon constantly shifting between a sword, a spear, and a rifle in order to keep her adversaries off balance.

Pyrrha danced her way through the Grimm, dismembering and decapitating as she went. Jaune watched as the girl used the beheaded body of a Beowolf as a springboard to launch her into the air. While in the air Pyrrha performed a backflip and transformed her weapon into a rifle. She then landed on the shoulders of the Alpha of the group and unloaded five shots into the back of the beast's head. The Alpha's face disappeared and Pyrrha hopped off the creature's shoulders as it slumped to the ground.

The last Beowolf in the pack stood roughly fifteen yards away from the bronze plated warrior. Jaune watched as it got on all fours and prepared to charge the girl who just killed its leader. It didn't make it three steps before a javelin flew through the air and punctured its skull. The Beowolf crashed forward, the weapon still lodged in its head.

Jaune stood in the shadows and watched as Pyrrha walked over to retrieve her weapon. When she was right next to the dead Grimm however an Ursa Minor jumped out from the tree line towards her. Pyrrha grabbed her weapon and rolled to the side, avoiding the Ursa's attack. As she got into her stance and readied to face off with the bear like Grimm a large dagger sailed past her and lodged itself into the creature's head.

With the Ursa now deceased Pyrrha turned her body to see Jaune coming out of the forest. Jaune then began walking towards Pyrrha. "I know you probably didn't need it. But I decided to give you a hand. Hope you don't mind." Jaune said with an easy smile as he walked up and retrieved the weapon from the Ursa's head.

With a warm smile Pyrrha said, "Of course not, thank you for the help." The two just smiled at one another until Jaune turned around and started walking away. Pyrrha then put away her weapons and began following the blonde boy.

"Wait," Pyrrha said rushing after Jaune. "I think we're supposed to partner up." Jaune stopped and turned to face the girl. He wanted to tell her he wasn't here for initiation but then he saw the look on her face. She looked so pleading, like she break emotionally if Jaune told her no. This was the same look his sisters had given him when he was younger. Remembering them Jaune couldn't bring himself to push the girl away.

"Welcome to team Arc, Pyrrha. I'll get you a t shirt when we get out of here." Jaune said as he extended his hand for Pyrrha to shake. The girls face lit up and her smile threatened to tear her face in half. Pyrrha reached out and took Jaune's hand with her own. Jaune was unprepared for the girl to shake with such force that he felt her grip underneath his gauntlets. 'By the gods she's strong.' Jaune thought as he got his hand back from the smiling redhead.

"So, to the ruins?" Pyrrha said the smile on her face reduced, but only slightly. Jaune just nodded and turned to face north. "North is that way." Pyrrha told him pointing forward and to the right.

Jaune turned his head to were Pyrrha was pointing and then back to her. With a goofy smile he waved his hands in an after you type motion. "Lead the way. My compass like partner." Pyrrha giggled slightly as they both began walking back into the forest.

After about ten minutes of silent walking Pyrrha decided to try small talk. "So, where are you from?" Jaune's eyes continued to scan his surroundings as he responded, "Vale, you?" "Oh, I'm from a small town in the south of Mistral. Do you have any family?"

Jaune's head turned back to her slightly, "Yeah, I have two parents and seven sisters." Pyrrha nodded slowly until something struck her. "Wait, did you say seven sisters?" This time Jaune's head turned around to face her before he smiled. "Yup, you heard right, seven sisters. I'm the only boy." Pyrrha's jaw dropped slightly. "I can't even imagine. How was it like living with them?"

Jaune's head turned up and he began to laugh. "From what I remember it was always interesting. I was basically their living doll. I had to do whatever they wanted or else." Pyrrha covered her mouth with her hand and began to giggle. Her head then tilted sideways slightly when she asked, "You said from what you remember. Why is that?"

Jaune's smile dropped and his head went back to focusing on the forest. Pyrrha grabbed his shoulder and said, "I'm sorry Jaune. I didn't mean to…" Jaune just turned his head and gave her a small smirk. "It's ok Pyrrha I just haven't seen them in a long time." "How long?" Pyrrha asked. "Over three years. Some of my older sisters I haven't seen in at least five." Jaune got a far away look in his eyes before he snapped back to reality. "What about you Pyrrha. Tell me a little about yourself."

Jaune watched her face strain slightly, either she didn't want to talk about herself or she was nervous. "You don't have to if you don't want to." Jaune said trying not to ruin the mood. "No, its ok," Pyrrha said. "It's like Weiss said I graduated top of my class from Sanctum, I won the Regional Tournament four times in a row, I…" Pyrrha was about to continue but Jaune stopped her. "That's not what I meant," Jaune said cutting her off. "Something tells me that the Pyrrha Weiss told me about and the Pyrrha in front of me are two different people."

"You don't have to tell me your deepest darkest secrets or anything," Jaune continued. "Just tell me about what makes you, you." The smile on Pyrrha's face grew. She looked so happy Jaune thought she began to glow. Pyrrha then began telling Jaune all the little things about her. How her favorite color was green, why she wanted to be a huntress. Pyrrha even began telling stories about her times fighting in the Regional Tournaments. As she talked Jaune laughed and joked back with her. Telling her a few stories of his own.

The good mood was ruined however when the pull behind Jaune's eyes ramped up in intensity. Jaune looked for the cause of the disturbance and was pulled in the direction of a cave. "Do you think the relics are in here?" Pyrrha asked Jaune in a disbelieving tone. "No," Jaune said, his voice hardening. "But something is in there. I'm pretty sure it's a Grimm, a big one." Jaune drew his sword and activated his shield. Pyrrha grabbed him by the shoulder and stopped him. "If you know what's in there why don't we just avoid it?" Jaune looked back to Pyrrha his glowing eyes looked like they could stare into her soul. "Pyrrha," Jaune said. "I want you to leave. If this thing is dangerous I don't want you getting hurt."

Pyrrha looked at Jaune surprised but refused to budge. "Pyrrha we don't have time…" Jaune was going to continue but saw the determined look on his partner's face and stopped himself. "We are partners Jaune." Pyrrha said. "No matter what is in there I've got your back."

Jaune wanted to argue. To tell her that he could handle whatever was in the cave by himself. The steely look in her eyes however told Jaune she wouldn't hear it. 'Dammit, now I've got make sure she doesn't get killed.' Jaune thought. "Alright fine, I'll go in the cave and draw out whatever is inside. You wait out here and we'll ambush it when it comes out." Jaune's tone told Pyrrha that this wasn't up for discussion. The redhead just nodded and hid behind a tree to wait for her partner.

Jaune just sighed and made his way into the cave. It was cold, damp, and dark. Just what Jaune was expecting. As he walked through the cave, taking care not to cause to much noise, he saw what looked like a glowing bulb. The light in his eyes grew in intensity and he was able to see clearly in the darkness of the cave. There laying on its stomach, not twenty feet away from him, was an enormous Deathstalker. From what Jaune could see the monster was old. The scorpion like Grimm had moss growing on its limbs and back. An indicator at just how long the creature had been in this cave.

Jaune readied his sword and slowly made his way towards the sleeping Grimm. When Jaune was within arms-length from the creature's head, he raised his sword and drove the tip of the blade into one of the sleeping creature's eyes. Pulling his sword out quickly Jaune stepped back as to not get hit by the flailing Grimm. When the creature stopped its wiping about it focused its attention at the cause of its pain.

Jaune then turned on his heel and began running towards the exit, the Deathstalker hot on his trail. Jaune raced through the cave, the creatures poisonous tail stabbing at the spot he recently occupied. When Jaune reached the exit, he jumped out into the forest performing a shoulder roll and turned back to face the entrance of the cave.

Not three seconds later the Deathstalker appeared, crashing through the mouth of the cave, fury radiating off of it. The creature looked to its left, then its right until it finally saw Jaune. The Deathstalker barreled towards Jaune until a bullet connected with another of its eyes. Jaune turned to see Pyrrha using a tree as cover and pelting the creatures head with bullets.

The Deathstalker, now down to eight of its ten eyes, charged at the new threat to its side. Jaune watched Pyrrha scale the tree she was using as cover with enough skill to make a monkey faunus jealous. When she climbed up to a high enough branch she jumped up and used the branch to propel her forward to where Jaune was standing. The Deathstalker crashed into the tree tearing it out of the ground at its roots.

Pyrrha began to fire at the creature's head once more knocking out another of its eyes. The monster screamed and flailed about. Jaune took off after the Grimm, his shield put away and his sword in both hands. The Grimm saw him coming and swung its pincer at him. Jaune leapt into the air and landed on the Grimm's back. Jaune then plunged the sword into the second leg on the creature's right side. The sword severed the tendons and made the limb all but useless.

Jaune then rolled out of the way of the creature's stinger and performed the same maneuver on its left side. With two of the legs out of commission Jaune hopped off the Grimm's back. Once again dodging the poisonous appendage.

Jaune then regained his place next to Pyrrha. Said girl took off after the Grimm only a few seconds later. "Pyrrha wait." Jaune yelled but it was too late. Pyrrha had closed the distance between their target. The Deathstalker, old enough not to fall for the same move twice, shot its stinger out at Pyrrha, who dodged the blow quite easily. When Pyrrha stepped to her side however the pincer of the Deathstalker caught her in the side and launched her back towards Jaune.

Pyrrha landed at Jaune's feet, her hand grabbing onto her ribs. Jaune then sheathed his weapon and scooped up Pyrrha, along with her weapons. Draping her across his shoulders Jaune took off into the forest, the Deathstalker giving chase close behind.

Jaune ran through the forest as fast as he could, cursing himself for letting Pyrrha stay and fight the Grimm. Jaune knew she wasn't weak, he had seen her fight the Beowolves from before. During that fight however, it was made clear to Jaune that Pyrrha was used to fighting human opponents. Her movements and combat style gave away her expertise.

Jaune was beginning to run out of breath when he noticed a light peaking through the trees. He oriented himself towards it and ran at full speed towards the light. When he left the forest, he was greeted with another clearing. This one however had an old stone structure resting in the middle of it. Next to this structure was a group of students. Jaune recognized a few of them as Yang, Ruby, Blake, and Weiss. The other two however he hadn't seen before.

Jaune kept running until he was about halfway to the ruins, just then the Deathstalker came bursting from the forest. Jaune thought he heard one of the girl's whine about the monster's appearance but he didn't have the time to care. Jaune threw Pyrrha towards Weiss telling her to catch the injured redhead. Jaune then turned to engage the Deathstalker behind him.

Jaune had enough time to draw his sword and shield before the scorpion Grimm slammed into him with on of its pincers. The blow caught Jaune's shield and he was lifted off the ground and thrown towards the other teens.

Jaune was caught by Yang and an orange haired girl with turquoise eyes. "Thanks." Jaune said as he shook the hit from his body. "No problem hot shot." Yang said jokingly. "You just added to the fun." With that Yang tilted her head towards the sky to reveal a massive Nevermore circling their position. "Son of a bitch." Jaune said with irritation in his voice.

"It's not all bad," Yang said with a smile. "Now we can all die together." Jaune looked at Yang with a 'you've got to be kidding me' look. Ruby however had different plans.

"Not if I can help it." Ruby yelled as she rushed the Deathstalker in front of them. "Ruby, no." Jaune yelled but the girl was already gone.

She made it half way to the Deathstalker before a feather from a Nevermore pinned her cape to the ground. Jaune freed himself from the two women's grasp and ran towards where Ruby was being held. The Deathstalker had the same idea as it scuttled towards the trapped huntress.

Ruby began pulling at the feather, and then at her cape. She couldn't seem to get free. 'I'm not gonna make it.' Thought Jaune as the Deathstalker neared its target.

Just then a wall of ice entrapped the Deathstalker. Jaune looked back to see Weiss holding out her rapier and controlling some kind of glyph. Jaune reached Ruby and pulled out the feather. Picking her up bridal style he rushed back to join the group.

When Jaune reached them, he dropped off Ruby and Yang gave both of them a bone crushing hug. "Thank you for saving my sister." Yang said as she released Jaune from her embrace. Jaune just nodded and turned his attention to Ruby and Pyrrha to make sure they were ok.

Pyrrha was back on her feet a look of determination in her eyes and a small blush whenever she looked Jaune's way. Ruby was having a discussion with Weiss. 'Probably thanking her for the ice.' Jaune thought.

Just then Ruby ran over to the group and told them she had an idea. "My uncle once told me this story about a scorpion…" Ruby said as she told the group about her plan to deal with the Deathstalker.

"Weiss," Jaune called out to the white themed heiress. "Do you have any fire dust?" Weiss spun the cylinder on Myrtenaster and nodded to him when she saw red in the tube. "Alright then," Jaune said. "Ruby I hope your plan works."

Everyone then quickly introduced themselves and Ruby explained what they needed to do. When she was finished the Deathstalker broke free from its icy prison it was pelted with shots from Pyrrha's rifle. The monster turned in her direction and saw four teenagers rushing towards it. Jaune and Pyrrha took their positions in front of the Deathstalker. The two banged on their shields and slashed at the creature's face and pincers drawing its attention.

When the Deathstalker was focused on them Blake and Ruby flanked around the side of the beast. The two quicker fighters then rushed at the Deathstalkers legs and began rapidly attacking them.

Ruby used her semblance to weave in and out of the creature's attacks and landing blows on the unarmored joints of the creature. Blake used her weapon gamble shroud along with her shadow clones to attack the monster's legs. This continued until the Deathstalker was down to only its back most legs. In unison Ruby and Blake blitzed the remaining legs and severed them from the creature's body.

Now unable to move Jaune called out, "Weiss now." When he did so the heiress began summoning a glyph around the crippled Grimm. Said heiress then stabbed her rapier into the ground and a wall of fire erupted forth from the ground around the Deathstalker.

The Grimm began to squeal as the heat of the fire began to roast its flesh. The Deathstalker's remaining eyes searched for a way out of the fire but found none. The Grimm then raised its stinger and began jamming the tip into the back of its skull. The stinger struck the body three times before the Grimm finally succumbed to its own attacks.

When the creature laid there dead Weiss let the flames be extinguished gave a sigh of relief. When Jaune and the others regrouped with Weiss said, "I can't believe that worked." Jaune just smiled at Ruby and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Next to them was Yang, Nora, and Lie Ren all fired their weapons at the Nevermore trying to keep its attention off the rest of them. If how the Nevermore was returning fire with its feathers was any indication Jaune thought Ruby's plan was working pretty well. The only problem was how were they going to get the Nevermore onto the ground. Jaune racked his brain to think of a plan. As Jaune watched the Nevermore fly he looked over to Weiss and got an idea.

"Weiss," Jaune said getting her attention. "I have a plan and I need you for it." Weiss looked at the man and nodded for him to continue. "Do you have and lightning dust?" Weiss thought for a second. "Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I don't carry a significant amount on my person." Jaune looked at her. "How much?" Weiss adopted the thinking pose and said, "I guess I could channel a charge through Mrytenaster for roughly five seconds."

"Alright new plan." Jaune yelled out getting everyone's attention. After a quick explanation everyone nodded and fell into place.

When the Nevermore came around for another pass Jaune motioned for everyone to scatter. Blake, Weiss and Pyrrha all ran off together. As did Yang and Nora, and Ruby and Ren. Jaune stayed in the center of the clearing, his shield raised and his sword back. The Nevermore hung in the air and tried to pelt Jaune with its razor-like feathers. Jaune simply stood there and deflected the projectiles.

When Jaune thought the Nevermore had given up on trying to rain down feathers on his position Jaune turned around and began running towards the forest. The Nevermore not wanting to let its prey escape dive bombed the young man. When the avian Grimm drew close Jaune yelled out, "Now."

From the forest Pyrrha rocketed into the air propelled by Blake's ribbon and Weiss' glyphs. The redhead collided into the Grimm and lodged her spear halfway into the creature's side. She was then caught by Weiss who used another one of her glyphs. From inside the forest a hail of gunfire peppered the Grimm's wings making it impossible for the creature to ascend into the sky. Weiss then walked out of the forest, spun her rapier and formed an intricate purple glyph underneath her feet. After a few seconds a bolt of lightning shot forth from Weiss' weapon and impacted the metal spear lodged in the beast's side. Jaune watched as the Nevermore twitched slightly. Its wings spasming. Just then the Nevermore's eyes exploded in a torrent of blood. The lightning fired from Weiss had boiled the monster's insides. As the Nevermore fell to the ground Nora jumped from the tree she was firing from and moved towards the downed Nevermore.

When she was a couple feet away from the creature she hefted her war hammer and brought it down on the skull of the Nevermore. The force of the impact caused the head of the Nevermore to explode everywhere. Anyone within fifteen feet of the body was covered in black blood, and brain material.

Nora however, didn't seem to mind as she ran over to Ren and gave him a hug. The boy trying desperately, and failing, to keep the girl away from him. "That was amazing!" Nora shouted. "Can we find another and do it again?" Everyone in the group just stared at the girl with disbelieving eyes.

Weiss looked like she was about to reprimand the girl for such talk when Jaune began to laugh beside her. Soon Jaune was followed by Yang, and then Ruby. Pyrrha began to chuckle softly as Blake and Ren just smiled and shook their heads. Weiss simply rolled her eyes and gave an almost invisible smile as she looked upon the results of their teamwork.

When the laughing died down Jaune looked over to the ruin and remembered why they had came here. He then rushed over to the ruin and saw chess pieces resting atop some pedestals. He grabbed one and the rest of the teens began their trek back to Beacon. As the teens walked however no one noticed the smoke from the Grimm entering Jaune's back.

---

"Cardin Winchester, Russel Thrush, Dove Bronzewing, and Sky Lark. You four will now be known as Team CRDL. Led by Cardin Winchester." Ozpin announced as everyone began to clap.

The four boys bowed to the crowd and walked off the stage. Jaune was asked by the headmaster to attend the ceremony, but he couldn't understand why. 'Was it because of Ruby and everyone?' Jaune thought. In the end however he just shrugged and went along with it. 'I suppose I could stick around and see what happens.'

"Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladona, and Yang Xiao Long. You four will now be know and Team RWBY. Led by Ruby Rose."

Jaune smiled at Ruby and clapped for her team. He also noticed how Weiss looked down right murderous. 'I hope everything works out between them.' Jaune thought as he smiled back at Ruby and Yang as they left the stage.

"And lastly," Ozpin began. "The final team of the year will be Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren…" Jaune began clapping as he looked at his friends and smiled. "Jaune Arc."

Jaune's hands instantly stopped moving. He had just misheard the headmaster, right? 'What the hell is he doing?' Jaune thought. "Come on up young man don't be shy." Ozpin said to Jaune who hadn't yet left his seat. The crowd shared a short laugh at his expense.

Jaune then walked on stage with the rest of his 'team'. 'There has to be a reason for this.' Jaune thought. 'As long as it doesn't get any worse.'

"You four will be known as Team JNPR. Led by…Jaune Arc."

'Son of a bitch.' Thought screamed in his head. Had the headmaster lost his mind?

Ozpin then walked over to Jaune and stuck out his hand, "Congratulations my boy. I hope to have the chance to watch you prove your skills over the next four years."

Jaune kept a calm face and shook the headmaster's hand. In his mind however he was screaming.