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Jaune Arc: Bearer of the Curse
That night, I had no dreams, no weird visions. I was grateful for that, as I yawned waking up. I looked around, seeing the first few beams of light enter the large makeshift sleeping area, I realized how early it must've been. I stood up slowly and stretched my entire body, and cringed at the loud cracks my muscles and joints made that echoed through the halls.
I quickly scanned the area to see if that woke anyone. Noticing a few people stir as they started to awaken, I chalked it up to their sleep patterns, and quickly and quietly left the area. I found my way back to the locker room, and entered the code I was given. Retrieving my gear, I got equipped, 'Now, what to do until its time for initiation…' I began wandering the campus as I thought about what lies ahead, then my thoughts drifted to yesterday. I met Ren and Nora, had those strange visions, met an ang-. My eyes widened as I realized something I could do! I sprinted with new found vigor to the cafeteria.
Took me ten minutes but I was finally able to persuade the kitchen staff to let me round up breakfast for myself and five others. I twitched, remembering it took me paying thirty lien per extra tray, and they were calling me greedy! Sighing I remembered my purpose and put on my biggest smile. Quietly as possible, I walked to the four girls from last night, and gently placed the trays next to them, lightly tapping their heads to wake them so there would be no mistakes.
'I remember when I did this for my family once, got so chewed out for food covered beds.", reminiscing I didn't notice Nora get up with a deadly glint in her eyes. I was immediately tackled to the ground for, you guessed it, pancakes.
"Jaune-Jaune! You brought me pancakes! I never knew you cared so much!", she exclaimed so loud she probably could wake the dead, crushing me in a hug.
" Nra, ca't breee-", I struggled through the crushing of my windpipe. She finally released me, and I took a deep breath, then presented her the tray of fluffy goodness, " Here you go Nora, I thought you might like this. I, uh, didn't see anything Ren would like. So…", someone clearing their throat behind me caught my attention.
Ren was standing there smiling, "That is quite alright Jaune.". He noticed the other trays next to the groggily waking women from the night before, "Ahhh the breakfast in bed tactic, very effective Jaune. However, for your safety, we should probably leave before the rest of the agitated students kill you for interrupting their slumbers with food.".
I nodded as I slowly rose to my feet, exiting with Ren and Nora, who was steadily devouring her pancakes.
We made it to the lockers, Ren had retrieved some kind of twin bladed guns, and Nora grabbed her hammer. "So Ren where do you think initiation-", "YOU!". I twitched slightly angry, 'interruptions must be the only way conversations happen around here.". I turned ready for the angry blonde, but was surprised to see the angry form of a shorter girl who was white haired, clothed, and….'IS EVERYONE AT THIS SCHOOL COLOR COORIDINATED!?', I quickly glanced over myself, 'ok phew, I thought I was too and it was the norm.'.
"Yes, Snow Angel?", I said in the most corny way possible, on purpose, this girl tried to kick a sleeping guys face.
She became red with fury, nearly screeching at this point, " WHAT NERVE! Are you aware of whose rest you interrupted with your bumbling this morning!?".
"Uhhhh, not really? I mean, you, should I …I don't …sorry?", I fumbled with my sentence, apparently breakfast in bed isn't the answer to all of life's problems.
This girl was livid, but she coughed, clearing her throat and straightened up. "My name is Weiss Schnee, fool, you would do well to realize your betters.", she finished smugly crossing her arms full of pride.
I looked at her confused, scratching the back of my head, apparently while this happened, a small crowd of initiates poured in. Blondie and little red were among them, I finally spoke, "Sorry Weiss….umm Ms. Schnee. I didn't know who you were, still don't, but, you sound important.", I stated scratching my cheek.
Weiss did not take that last bit well, she raised her hand, poised to backhand my face, and she would have. However Ren had something to say about that.
Ren, seeing I was going to take the hit, stepped between us and grabbed her wrist, stopping her halfway through the slap. "Miss Schnee, you would do well to not strike this gentleman.". Ren had a serious face, and Weiss went from mad, to shocked. Releasing her hand, he continued, " Based on the trace amount of food left on your clothing, I'd say you enjoyed that breakfaet he acquired for you this morning?", Ren stated simply before folding his hands behind his back, flashing me a thumbs up as he straightened up his posture.
Weiss was shocked then glanced past Ren at me, " T-that was you?".
I nodded sheepishly, "Y-yeah, I felt bad about…whatever I did last night.". Looking at her, I was confused to see her embarrassed, not angry, "Weiss…?".
Blondie broke in at this point, "What you di-..? Dude, she was trying to stomp your face in!". She walked in to our little debate area, "If anything it should've been reversed! I mean seriously we-", a loud buzz over the intercom cut her off. 'All first years report to the Beacon Cliff immediately, I repeat. All first years report to the Beacon Cliff immediately.'.
On that note, everyone dropped the shouting match, and scrambled to get their gear in order. As myself, Ren, and Nora headed, being prepared was a blessing today.
We stood at the edge of the forest, it was what you'd expect of a place called the Emerald Forest, lush green trees expanding as far as the eye could see except for a few clearings. I looked down and saw we were all standing on metal plates….'I got a badddd feeling about this.', and if by some twist of fate , he wasn't wrong. His blue eyes glazed over, but he stood on the pad naturally.
His neighbors began shivering but mistook the actual cold for what the blonde guy was doing. He had drawn his blade and cracked his neck, quite loudly. Looking out into the distance, his blue eyes seeming lifeless, he took his sheathe and it deployed into a shield, and he held it out in front of him. None of this bothered Ozpin as he continued on with his speech, Arc freaking out or not.
I slowly walked forward, shield raised. The fog covered the entryway, so many times before I've failed. This time though, I would be fine. I had found a way to summon other wary undead to aid me. This group looked promising, a buxom brawling Caestus user, a silent assassin wielder of Manslayer and Berserker Blade , two famously deadly katanas, and the last seemed to wield no weapons, but his fists packed a punch, he seemed fond of his rings.
I placed my hand on the fog wall, and stepped through, ready to face Nashandra for the throne. However something was wrong. When I stepped through I began falling into a dark abyss . I yelled out for help…..
I awoke in mid air, falling fast. " WHAT THE FUC-", I tried screaming, and not a second later I landed with a sickening crunch. My entire lower body had, crushed in on itself. It took a few seconds, but the pain eventually caused me to try and scream, but all I managed to do was spit out a large glob of blood. 'Great, killed by gravity, Great-Great Grandpa will definitely rip into me.", I thought, but heard faintly someone screaming my name. I couldn't tell who, until he flipped me and I saw a pair of beautiful magenta eyes and with a blood addled voice, I croaked out, "R…en…..so…r…", and I blacked out.
In the black void of my vision. I wandered aimlessly, until I felt it. The familiar warmth of the fire. I turned and saw it, a human shaped fire. It looked to be flailing about as if fighting, I rushed to its side and as I got closer, I could make out more of my surroundings. 'A forest?', thinking as I rushed to its side, I then could finally see creatures surrounding the figure….Ren?
As if he saw a ghost Ren stopped fighting the Beowolves to look at me, "Jaune…?". I saw one rush him, it looked bigger than the rest and its claws were closing in on him. So I rushed it, no hesitation, I bashed its claw away with a strength I have not felt before, it knocked the Alpha off balance, and I brought my sword straight down its neck, deep enough to sever its spine.
I kicked the creature of my blade as it went limp, and turned to the others, poised to fight, my shield and blade ready. They watched the corpse of their leader dissipate, its ashes seemed to flutter around me momentarily, as I approached them slowly, no fear in my movements or eyes. They turned and dashed off. "Weak souls. Not worth my time." I remarked coldly as I sheathed my sword in the shield, returning them to my side.
Ren looked at his wits end, he was on his knees eyes wide as could be, he was visibly paler. "You ok?", I asked concerned for his well being, I took a knee next to him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, and looked him in the eyes. It was then, tears began streaming out of his eyes, he began to cry, as he started giving me a tight hug. Not nearly Nora level, but enough for me to know the stoic was shaken to his very core.
"Ren. Its ok, look.", I pulled him away looking him up and down. He was pretty much unscathed. "Where are you hurt Ren?", I was starting to worry.
He was still out of sorts, but wiped his tears away. "Jaune…", he stated quietly.
"Yeah? Whats up?", he had my full attention.
"Jaune…you….DIED!", he yelled, very loudly.
'Oh….OHHHH….Oh...', "Wait, what?", I asked baffled.
A/N: Ok, so I may have stretched the initiation into next chapter, which will be up tomorrow. But I felt this was a bit necessary. And my guts are usually not wrong. So yeah, Jaune died! Other than that, I wanted to get Jaune's mindset a bit more fleshed out.
Yes, I dislike Weiss, but she still plays a bit of a main role here….all the main 8 do. No, the teams will not be their originals. Also, yes, this will be Jaune x Ren….and yes its important.
On a side note, I'm not apologizing about skipping either of Ozpin's speeches...Big man will get to be preachy enough later on.'
That's about it, Nexus signing out.