It was Morning and Jaune along with his new teammates, in their Beacon Uniforms, were in the Elevator heading to Ozpin's office.
They had all eaten breakfast, all except Jaune, who had woken them up and stayed in the office until they were done eating. During the whole walk to Ozpin's office, Ilia couldn't help but stare at Jaune, which he noticed, however, he didn't mind it. She was part of the White-Fang and he knew she disliked humans.
Being disliked was something Jaune was a bit used to thanks to Weiss.
Eventually, they had arrived at his office and they all stepped out only to see that Ozpin wasn't alone, but he was with Goodwitch, who was giving Jaune's new teammates a very heavy and angry glare.
Ozpin looked at Jaune and the others, "Good morning students," Ozpin greeted
"Goodmorning Headmaster," Jaune greeted back with a small smile.
"I want to inform you all that Professor Goodwitch as well as the rest of the staff have been informed of your new status here at Beacon, so if you took my warning lightly, know that this is a much bigger one, as I have also let the staff know that should you harm Mr. Arc or any of my students, and should you wish to not surrender, then they will be forced to bring you down... permanently," Ozpin said
Hearing this, Emerald, Mercury, Neo, and Ilia, all got chills, though the first three the most, after all, they had helped launch an attack on his school and were responsible for the countless deaths, not only that, this was the first time they had haver heard Ozpin speak so... cold.
"But besides that, I want to tell you that your new team name has been chosen, from now on, you five will be known as team JEMNI (Gemini), which will of course be led by Mr. Arc," Ozpin told them "Now, on to other matters, since you are one of the teams staying here at Beacon for the summer, you will be given small missions that you can handle over the summer, but not right now, as I wish to have you all be situated first, so I suggest you get use to your new situation as well as train," Ozpin said
Jaune looked at Ozpin, "Is that all Headmaster?" Jaune asked
Ozpin nodded, "Yes," Ozpin replied, "Now, Mr. Arc, may I ask what you and your team will be doing today?" Ozpin asked
"My team has eaten breakfast sir, so after we leave, I'll have my team get dressed before we head to the arena and train sir," Jaune replied
"Very well, be on your way Mr. Arc, I'm sure you and your team have much to do and talk about," Ozpin said
"Headmaster Ozpin," Ilia called out, "May I have a word with you alone?" Ilia asked
Ozpin looked at her and nodded, "Of course," Ozpin said "Glynda, will you step out of the office as well as accompany Mr. Arc and his team down the elevator while I speak with Ms. Amitola?"
Glynda looked at Ozpin as if he was crazy, but she sighed and nodded. She as well as the rest of team JEMNI left the office, leaving Ozpin and Ilia alone.
Ozpin looked at the Faunus girl with a faint smile on his face, "What is it that you wish to discuss with me, Ms. Amitola?" Ozpin asked before taking a sip of his mug
Ilia looked at the Headmaster, "I wanted to know... why that Human is risking his own life for us?" Ilia asked
Ozpin set his mug down, "I see... So you know about Mr. Arc's Agreements with the court, correct?"
Ilia nodded, "I will admit... I found out about it the wrong way, but when I found out, I... I wanted to know why?"
Ozpin raised a brow, "Why what, Ms. Amitola?" Ozpin asked
"Why would a Human put his life on the line for people like us?" Ilia asked "I'm a known terrorist, and those other three were the very same people who attacked his school and caused major destruction, so why? Why would he put his life on the line for people he should despise?"
Ozpin looked at Ilia before his faint smile grew into a soft one, "I don't know," Ozpin said
Ilia was surprised, "You... you don't know?" Ilia asked
Ozpin nodded, "Correct," Ozpin replied, "I told Mr. Arc about my plan and I allowed him to read and keep a copy of all of your profiles in order to know everything about you and what you all have been through, however, the choice of leading you four was up to him if he denied it you four would have been here though, under much more strict supervision, I believe that after reading about all of you... Mr. Arc had decided to lead all of you and give you a second chance,"
Ilia glared, "So he's doing this out of pity?" Ilia asked
Ozpin shook his head, "I don't believe so," Ozpin said "I believe that Mr. Arc is doing this because he truly wants to help you all onto the right path... as do I," Ozpin said
Ilia looked at the ground for a moment before looking at the headmaster, "Thank you, headmaster," Ilia said
"Of course Ms. Amitola," Ozpin said "Ah, Ms. Amitola?"
"Yes?" Ilia asked, looking back at the Headmaster
"Please try to give Mr. Arc a chance... after all, he is giving you a very large one,"
Ilia looked at the headmaster for a bit, before she turned around and left the office, leaving the headmaster alone. Ozpin sat at his desk for a few minutes and took a sip of his mug, just as he heard the Elevator ding and Glynda walked back into his office.
"What did Ms. Amitola wish to speak with you about?" she asked
"Oh nothing of importance," Ozpin replied "Have you heard anything from Qrow?"
Glynda nodded, "Yes, he is still watching over Ms. Nikos in Mistral,"
"And what of Leo?" Ozpin asked
"Just as you suspected, he was indeed the one who forged Ms. Fall's transcripts and he's been arrested by the authorities," Glynda said
Ozpin sighed, "I truly do hate when I am right..." Ozpin said
"As do I," Glynda said
"James?" Ozpin asked
"The council is off his back thanks to you and the proof of Ms. Fall's crimes, and I'm sure he won't be questioning you or what you suggest for a while," Glynda said
Ozpin nodded, "I suppose that's good... I won't need to deal with his stubbornness for a while," Ozpin said "What of the Maidens?"
"Winter and Summer are safe, however, it seems Leo has lost Spring, and Ms. Nikos is still safe," Glynda told him,
Ozpin sighed, "Three out of four is better than nothing, but still, we have to find Spring before she does," Ozpin said
Glynda nodded in agreement. She then looked at Ozpin with a troubled look, and Ozpin looked at her and noticed the troubled look.
"What is it, Glynda?" Ozpin asked
"Do you think it was wise to lie to Ms. Nikos?" Glynda said
Ozpin sighed, "No... but we had to do it," Ozpin said, "She already has enough on her plate with being our new maiden, as well as the side effects of the aura transfer machine... we didn't need to trouble her heart anymore,"
"But when she finds out... you know she is going to be furious," Glynda said
Ozpin nodded, "I am aware and I will take full responsibility for what happens," Ozpin said, "I just pray that it doesn't end terribly..." Ozpin said
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In the arena, Jaune was now wearing his huntsmen attire, however, there were slight modifications to it.
His brown fingerless gloves were replaced by Nora's pink ones, and strapped to his belt were a few of Nora's remaining grenades, and strapped to the back of his belt, was Ren's dagger.
As for the rest of his team, Emerald, Mercury, Neo, and Ilia were all dressed for combat.
"So what's the plan here, Fearless Leader?" Mercury asked with a smirk
"Training," Jaune said with a small smile
"You really wanna go toe-to-toe with us Arc?" Mercury asked, "We all could wipe the floor with you?"
"Maybe," Jaune said "But I'd still like to try,"
Mercury smirked, "Alright then," Mercury said, "Who do you-"
"You," Jaune cut him off "You and Me first before I take on the others"
Hearing this, the other three were confused.
Emerald stepped forth and looked at him with a raised brow, "What the hell are you talking about?" Emerald asked him.
Jaune looked at her, "You heard me," he told her, "I'll be fighting each of you today, one-on-one, no questions asked,"
Ilia looked at him with a confused expression, but she then figured out what he was doing, 'I see what you're doing Hu-... Jaune' Ilia thought 'Some in the White-Fang, as well as those in Vacuo, do the same when they want respect, however, I also know why you're doing this,'
"Your insane," Mercury scoffed
Jaune looked back at him, "Maybe... but that doesn't change the fact that we're still doing this," Jaune told him, "So, are you ready Mercury?"
Mercury looked at him and scoffed, "Tch, let's get this over with then," Mercury said
The other three left the Arena, leaving Jaune and Mercury in it and facing one another. Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors and activated his shield. Mercury took his stance and prepared to attack Jaune as soon as he said to start.
"Ready Mercury?" Jaune asked, a small scowl on his face
"Whenever you are... Fearless leader," Mercury said with a smirk and a glare
Jaune didn't even say a word as he ran at Mercury with his sword ready to strike. Mercury was a bit surprised, but not enough to block Jaune's attack with his foot. However, what threw Mercury off, was the fact that the bottom end of Jaune's shield slammed into his face, causing him to stagger backward, and then he was kicked back and he stumbled backward as he regained his footing.
"You said you and the others could wipe the floor with me, but you didn't even land a hit, so come on Mercury..." Jaune began "Wipe the floor with me," Jaune said with a glare
Mercury scowled and took his fighting stance again, "Is that an order, fearless leader?" Mercury asked
Jaune nodded, "Yeah... that's an order,"
"Roger that," Mercury said
Mercury charged at Jaune and Jaune prepared for whatever attack Mercury was gonna send his way. Jaune glared at the gray-haired boy and swore wasn't gonna lose to him.
Jaune wasn't gonna lose to anyone anymore.
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Meanwhile, in the Grimmlands, a Scorpian Faunus known as Tyrian Callows walked into a meeting room and looked over to the Chair that sat the most dangerous and most powerful person alive.
Tyrian bowed when he saw them, "My Queen... what are we going to do now? The Lion has been arrested, Cinder is gone, and Ozpin, as well as the other headmasters, will be on high alert, we have lost the Fall Maiden yet again... What is your plan?" he asked
She sat up from her chair and looked at the Faunus man, her red eyes glowed for a second. This was Salem, Queen of the Grimm and the true person who was behind everything at Beacon. Salem began to walk, though it looked more like floating, toward the Faunus.
"Our plans have been pushed back greatly, that is true, but this actually gives me enough time,"
Tyrian looked up to Salem with a raised brow, "Enough time for what, My lady?" Tyrian asked
Salem looked at him and gave him a smile, "Enough time to work on some experiments..." SHe said, "But in the meantime, have an important Mission for you, Tyrian,"
Tyrian smiled, "What is it, my lady?" Tyrian asked
"Cinder had two pawns with her, did she not?" Salem asked
"She did," Tyrian said
Salem smiled, "Then I want you to find them... and I want you to destroy them, they know too much," she said
Tyrian's crazed golden eyes widened and a wicked smile came to his lips, "With Pleasure!" He said with a crazed crackled.
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Oh Boy... not even I like where this is going!
But how do you think the fight between Jaune and Mercury will go down in the next chapter? Will Jaune be able to gain Mercury's respect through the fight? What is Salem planning? Can our Heroes face the new threat on their way?