Jäger Chapter Two: New Faces
Jake, also known as The Jäger, stairs out the window of the aircraft dispassionately, ignoring the scene of the taller blonde hugging Ruby in a tight grip and the following conversation they have. 'The heavens have a funny sense of luck, it seems. First, I miss my target. Next, I get to be ambushed by several Hunters and then I end up captured. After that, I pretty much get blackmailed to attend this academy. And now, I got a shadow named Ruby Rose. Perfect."
At least he still has his rifle, saber, and sword bayonet. Plus his entire stockpile of bullets, most of which had been placed into the Beacon armory in his pre-assigned locker for 'storage reasons'. And, of course, his small collection of papers and photographs that had not been found when he was captured. Jake had only agreed to go to Beacon Academy.
He hadn't agreed to stop his hunting of criminals. If they had wanted him to stop, they should have made that tiny detail crystal clear. At least (for now, that is) he won't have to worry about evading capture by the local authorities. While the Jäger had enjoyed the thrill of the hunt/delivery of justice, one tended to find the semi-incompetence of the police to be tiresome.
His line of thought is interrupted by the sound of a TV announcer. "The robbery was lead by nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department." Jake sneers at the mug shot of Roman being shown on the screen, but then tenses as the male vice continues, and a picture of his rifle, which is currently strapped to his back, appears on the screen.
"We have also received reports that lone sniper known as The Jäger has been captured by local Hunters. Not many details have been released to the public, but it is confirmed that the weapon he had used was a black powder, level-operated single-shot rifle. The only picture released to the public in regards to his capture was a picture of his rifle. Back to you, Lisa."
A 'nudge' to his shoulder causes the rifle-user to cast a glare backwards at the blonde sister of Ruby. "You're him, aren't you? The Jäger," She says in a matter-of-fact tone. Jake turns the rest of his body around to face the two sisters. He eyes the duo as he folds his arms across his chest as he leans back against the window now behind him. Jake removes one of the bullets from his belt and fidgets with it in his right hand as he speaks in a low, gruff tone.
"Maybe I am, and maybe I'm not. What's it to you?"
"Um, Yang, it might not be the best idea to-"Whatever the red-and-black haired teen was about to say is cut off by the disappearance of the holographic TV display. A hologram of Professor Glynda Goodwitch replaces it. While everyone else on the transport aircraft watch the recording, Jake merely continues to survey the city of Vale below. Somewhere down there is Roman Torchwick and his acquaintances.
'Scheme while you can,' He thinks to himself, his upper lip curling into a slight sneer. 'I'm still coming after you.'
Later…
When the aircraft finally docks with Beacon Academy, the first one off (after the one boy who got sick and Ruby thus dubbed 'Vomit Boy') is Jake. By now the teen has noticed everyone pointing at him and his rifle and whispering when they think he isn't looking. The boy merely fixes the clasp of his torn cloak. He doesn't really give a damn what they think of him or what he had done. If given the choice, Jake would kill those men and women again. After all, it isn't like they were innocent.
Far, far from it.
"Could I have a moment of your time, Mr. Jake?"
The brown-haired lad looks at a stoic-faced Professor Ozpin. The former self-employed assassin matches the grey-haired Hunter's expressionless face with one of his own as he replies.
"I don't see why not? After all, you practically own the next four years of my life. What is it?" He finishes in his typical gruff manner. Ozpin merely ignores it.
"Come with me to my office. I have a feeling you would prefer to not be harassed afterwards about why the headmaster of your school wished to speak to you," He replies, turning around towards the school after Jake nods. Said teen follows close behind.
The journey to the tower that houses Ozpin's office is one filled with silence. Jake doesn't show any interest in idle talk, and Ozpin doesn't push the boy. Until they enter his office, that is. The Jäger takes a moment and admires the intricate clock mechanisms that are moving all over the room. Then he stands in front of the desk as its owner sits down, fingers interlocked. The Hunter takes a moment to eye his new (and very reluctant) student.
"I remember your 'request' to have your own, solo team. It seems that you wouldn't have to make that request in the first place. We now have an odd number of new students and so I can either make one team by a team of five or a single-member team. You certainly have luck as well as skill on your side, Mr. Jake." Ozpin remains silent for a minute, trying to see if he can gauge Jake's reaction. Jake doesn't reply for a few moments, aside from slightly raising an eyebrow.
"And your little 'watchdog' you have watching me?"
Ozpin nods before replying. The grey-haired Hunter does not even try to feign innocence. "Miss Rose will be on her own team. However, you will be expected to work with them and vice versa. Is that understood?"
Jake bits back a low growl that had been building in his throat. Note to self: Never allow yourself to be captured again. Ever. The teen knows that Ozpin has taken on the same air of finality that he had been shown last night. "Fine," He spits out the word with some venom. "Is that all, sir?" He then asks. Ozpin resists giving him a glare, glad the Glynda wasn't here. The veteran Hunter takes a deep breath before answering.
"Yes, there is. You will still be participating in tomorrow's initiation test. While you won't be given a partner like the rest, it is best for you to work alongside Miss Rose and her possible teammates, as you will be serving alongside them, even if you are in your own team. You can go down to the main hall, as we are about to start the welcoming."
That night…
Jake sits by himself in an unoccupied corner of the ballroom, far away from the other students. His eyes are closed and he placed his tatter cloak over his body as a blanket. His rifle lies across his lap. His saber and sword bayonet are between his back and the wall, the ends poking out so that he doesn't rest on the hilt of his sword. He is not, however, asleep as it appears. Instead, his mind is whirling through information he has gained, sorting or discarding data. Mental images of teens of both genders periodically appear before also being stored.
For the past few hours, the Jäger has watched the other teens. His purpose was to begin creating a mental collection of their names, traits, weapons, and semblances. Already four stood out well beyond the others, though there are a few other notable teens as well.
Yang Xiao Long: 17, blonde, brawler with shotgun gauntlets called Ember Celica. Optimistic and humorous. Ruby Rose's half-sister. Unknown semblance. Highly dangerous
Blake Belladonna: 17, black hair, interesting combination weapon called the Gambol Sheathe. Silent, reserved. Apparently prefers books to people. Actually a Faunas, most likely cat due to her black bow. Hiding a dark secret. Unknown semblance. Observe carefully.
Weiss Schnee: 17, white hair, rapier/dust revolver named Myrtenaster. Scar over left eye indicates fighting experience of some sort. Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company based in Atlas. Appears to be self-confidant. Radiates arrogance and superiority to others. Hostile to Ruby. Unknown semblance. Highly annoying!
And finally, Ruby Rose: 15, red-and-black hair, speed semblance that curiously leaves rose petals in her wake. Silver eyes. Wields the giant scythe/sniper rifle combination weapon known as Crescent Rose, which he also built on her own. Dependent on older sister. Obsessed with weapons. Highly skilled with her weapon. Socially awkward. Uncomfortable with being the youngest member of Beacon known so far. Assigned to watch Jake. Extremely dangerous.
Jake musings are brought to a halt with the sound of play fighting. This is quickly followed by a brief argument. The Jäger sighs but doesn't open his eyes. Thankfully, it is over quickly.
Or so he thought.
"Um, hey Jake…"
'Oh, fuck me,' Said boy mentally groans. He opens a single eye to confirm the identity of the voice. The one and only Ruby Rose, giving the Jäger a friendly (albeit small) grin. The boy wants to snap at the younger girl to buzz off, but then he remembers Ozpin's words about how he would be working alongside the scythe-wielder. With a deep breath, the rifle-wielder manages to keep his tone slightly less gruff.
"Yes Ruby?"
"I just was wondering, what are these special 'anti-Grimm' rounds you were talking about last night?"
'Ah, so she finally decided to talk about weapons with me. Very well.' "Here," He grunts, one hand reaching down to his belt. Jake has several belts to contain bullets for his rifle. The main one also serves as his belt, along with four smaller ones on his wrists and ankles. He hands over the round he plucked to the silver-eyed girl. As Ruby examines it, Jake says a single word.
"Tungsten."
Ruby pauses and shoots the Jäger a questioning look. To her surprise, the corners of the usually-dour teen twitch upwards ever-so slightly. The fleeting sight is quickly replaced with Jake's typical facial expression as he continues to talk.
"You asked what made these rounds so special. I used tungsten in the rounds to make a kinetic penetrator. Each round can go through nearly any Grimm, robots or people, or lightly-armored vehicles. Of course, tungsten is very hard to acquire these days, so I had to be very sparing with them."
Ruby looks back at the round she is holding in a new light. One of admiration for the material used in the bullet. Ruby had read about tungsten and its properties when she had started drawing out plans for her weapon. While she was still at Signal Academy, she tried to make her own tungsten-core bullet. The round had ended up jammed in the prototype to her sweetheart and then nearly blasted Uncle Qrow's head off. Long story short, she was banned from working with tungsten while on school grounds.
Ruby finishes examining the tungsten-core bullet and then hands it back to Jake. To her surprise, however, the teen shakes his head. "I can tell that you appreciate weapons. Think of it as a gift since we will be working together in some way or another while attending this school. Good night," He says, closing his eyes to signal that he is done talking.
The red-and-black haired scythe-wielder looks at the now-sleeping rifleman. She knows that she isn't good with people, but even she is confused by this sudden lack of gruffness at that moment. 'Maybe he's just tired?' She sure is, and so with that thought in mind, she carefully navigates through the dark until she is back to her own sleeping bag. Crawling into it, she quickly falls asleep, the Jäger's gift tucked into the pocket of her combat outfit.
The next day…
Once more Jake blocks out the boring instructions being given by Ozpin and Goodwitch. He and the rest of the new students are standing on one of the cliff sides surrounding Beacon. Below them is a thick forest that seems to never end. And undoubtedly teeming with all types of Grimm. Inwardly, the teen snickers at Ruby's reaction to how she and everyone else will be assigned partners based on the first person they make eye contact with. Well, everyone but him of course.
Luckily, or perhaps on purpose, the Jäger will be the first one to be launched into the jungle. The reluctant student places the butt of his rifle on the ground, one hand holding the barrel while the other takes out the sword bayonet. Without even a single glance downward, Jake slides the bayonet onto the muzzle and locks the blade into place. He then adjusts his grip on the weapon, an anti-Grimm round having already been chambered. His brown cloak flutters in the wind slightly.
'Come on, get on with it! I've seen snails die faster,' He grumbles silently. At least Ruby and Weiss are silent for now. Finally, Ozpin finishes answering a question about landing or something. Jake gets his body ready for the sudden forward push as the platform launcher he is standing on turns on. With a loud whoop, the seventeen-year old flies through the air, rifle at the ready.
The hunt has begun.
And finished! Special shout-out to DesertFox2, Hayane234, MaximumSalt, MilitaryTitanium, PhantomPryromaniac, Shashenka, Warztas, doctor3378, Energy Dragon Slayer, and crybluedeath for favoriting and/or following my story. Next chapter: Jake and the other new students fight for their lives against the Grimm in the initiation.