Reviews:
X3runner: I don't think Ozpin ever considers things like that, I don't know why because that seems like the most likely option and the easiest!
blaiseingfire: In a way, they are, but they are also in a way helping Ozpin as well.
ReDestrobo: Are your guesses right? Read the chapter and see~! And yeah, I'm glad you and a lot of other readers can see that the Runuon between Jaune and RWBY+P isn't going to end well because you know what going to happen but you're reading to see how things play out and how far Jaune will possibly fall...
Kaze: Yeah, things are going to be tragic real fast.
Batman1998: Thank you for your kind words and trust me, things are going to heat up. RWBY is definitely going to have a big reaction to team JEMNI and Yeah, Arkos isn't going to happen in this story, I'm still thinking about which Ship I'll do for this story but possibly JaunexEmerald seems like the most likely in this story because I'm trying to set up ships like CardinxVelvet and IliaxCoco, (Still trying to think which ship Mercury will have). Thank you once again for your kind words!
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In Vale, Hei Xiong, mostly known as Junior, the owner of a nightclub known as Junior's, was cleaning the bar counter, thankfully it was day, so not many patrons were in the club. However, the doors opened and Junior looked up from the counter only to see a very familiar face in one Neo Poltain, and with her was a man, in white and gold armor, over his head was a helmet, and he had a sword attached to his hip, Junior instantly thought the man was looking like a knight from the movies.
The two approached the bar and Neo smiled at him, and Junior just gave her a small smile back, "Neo, wasn't expecting to see you again," Junior said, "Who's the Knight?" He asked, gesturing toward the Knight.
"My name's Jaune," Jaune replied, his voice a bit distorted due to the Helmet.
Neo then signed to Junior that he was cool and there were no worries, they just came looking for some information.
Junior looked away from her and then toward Jaune, "What kind of information are you looking for?" He asked.
"I need information on 3 people," Jaune told him.
"Who?"
"These guys' names are Tyrian Callows, Hazel Rainhart, and Arthur Watts," Jaune told him, "Any information would be great and I'll pay whatever," Jaune told him.
Junior nodded, "Alright, I'll see what I can do, most of the information I gather costs about 3,000 Lien, so you're looking at 9,000 Lien in total, the price goes up if the information is hard to get," Junior told Jaune.
"As I said, I'll pay whatever to get this information," He said, "Oh, and don't try anything to get more money out of me, Neo is also willing to do anything I tell her,"
Junior looked at Neo with a raised brow and Neo nodded, signing to him that what she was a part of now is much bigger than she thought and is also looking to avenge Roman, this kid is helping her big time, and warned him once more not to screw them over.
Junior nodded, "Hey, no worries from me, I may be a criminal, but I know better than to turn on my clients after last time," He said. He then looked at Jaune, "Oh, are you also working with those two other kids, you know, the two that followed that flame gal like puppies?" Junior asked.
Neo nodded.
Jaune nodded as well but wondered why Junior was asking. "Why?" Jaune asked.
Junior let out a sigh, "Neo, those two kids, another ex-white fang, and some Beacon student have got bounties on their heads, Adam Taurus himself walked in here and placed them himself," Junior told him, "So whatever you guys are involved in, watch your backs, Taurus is looking for some blood," Junior told him.
Jaune nodded and thanked Junior as he turned around and he and Neo left the bar, Junior left from behind the bar and began making a few calls from some friends in other kingdoms about the three men Jaune named as well as seeing what he could find In vale.
Outside of the bar and walking down the street, Jaune removed the helmet and held it in his hands, once the helmet was off, Neo looked at him and smiled.
Jaune felt her eyes on him and looked at her with a confused expression, "What?" he asked.
She asked him if he liked the new armor he picked up today before coming to the bar to get the information they needed.
Jaune nodded, "It's a lot better than my old armor, I don't know why I didn't try to get some armor like this before, the Helmet does help with hiding who I am from certain people," Jaune said, referring to Junior. "Matter of fact reminds me of one of the heroes in a book I read when I was a kid," He replied.
Neo continued to smile at her leader and asked who.
Jaune looked at the helmet, "The Rusted Knight," Jaune said, putting the Helmet back on and walking back with Neo to the Bullheads.
Once back at Beacon, Jaune quickly called for a meeting with everyone that was involved with what they were doing and once they all arrived, Jaune filled them in on them paying Junior for the information on Salem's 3 other lieutenants, but also informing them about the Bounties on He and his teams head, and his team, as well as the other's, was not surprised, sure that Adam was doing this by himself or if one of Salem's Lieutenants made contact with him and offered him the same deal Cinder gave him, which seemed to be the most likely outcome.
Coco looked over to Jaune, "Well then, it's a good thing that plan of yours involved Bun-Bun here infiltrating the White-Fang, which she already has," Coco told him with a smile. "So, good planning there Arc," Coco told him.
Jaune nodded and then looked to Ilia, "Anything on what Ozpin and his circle may be up to?" Jaune asked.
Ilia shook her head, "Not a clue," She replied, "Right now, looks like they're just trying to deal with the media still as well as Vale's council," Ilia said.
Jaune nodded, "I didn't think he'd try anything to strike back at Salem, he's too afraid for anything like that, but I was sure he'd have something up his sleeve to deal with me, after all, I did yell at him about the big secret he was keeping from the world," Jaune replied.
"Maybe he is planning on how to deal with you?" Emerald asked.
Mercury nodded, "Yeah, he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to let someone with your information walk around all willy-nilly," Mercury told him, "But if he is, then Cinder was right about him being an idiot, she was always cautious, never left any loose ends,"
"Ozpin has to be the same in that regard," Ilia said, turning to Jaune. "You don't keep a secret like Salem for so long without dealing with a few loose lips here and there, I know, the Fang made sure any traitors or informants were killed,"
"I doubt he'd have us killed," Jaune said, "If anything, he'd watch over us before trying to possibly recruit us,"
Coco nodded in agreement, "Jaune's right, Ozpin isn't the kind of person to have someone killed, if anything it probably is Ironwood," Coco said, "If Opzin does try to recruit you and your team, are you going to accept?" She asked Jaune.
Jaune nodded, "Of course, that way we can destroy them from the inside and know what they are up to," Jaune said, "Well play both sides if we have to,"
Coco nodded, "Good thinking, but that makes me wonder if I and my team should just confront Adam and try to get close to Salem instead,"
As soon as Jaune heard those words, the plan had just gotten better and he smiled as he looked at Coco, "You're a damn genius," he told her.
Coco smiled, "Of course," she said, "So, change of plans?" She asked.
Jaun shook his head, "No," Jaune said, "In order for this new idea to work, we have to kill Adam, but we also need someone on Ozpin's side dead,"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Someone on Ozpin's side has to die?" Velvet asked with worry.
Jaune nodded, "I know how it sounds, but if we want both teams to get close to both sides, pieces on both sides need to die," Jaune said.
Ilia nodded in agreement, seeing what Jaune was getting at, "Adam dies, Sienna would either want to pull the White-Fang back to Menagerie, Salem loses a large piece and is forced to look for a new piece, meanwhile, the same is said for Ozpin... and if I'm thinking what Jaune's thinking, we could be those pieces," Ilia said.
Jaune nodded, "Exactly," He said. "Adam dies, CFVY and Cardin take his place as Salem's new pieces, someone on Ozpin's side dies, and my team takes their place,"
Cardin then looked to Jaune, "But the question is who on Ozpin's side has to die?" Cardin said, "It can't be Ozpin, not yet right? So that only leaves one person right?"
Velvet's eyes widened with shock, as she turned to Cardin, "No, you don't mean-"
"She's the only option right now," Jaune cut her off. "I know how it sounds, but-"
Velvet shook her head, "But nothing!" Velvet cried, "She's our combat teacher! She's been there for us!" Velvet cried.
Yatsuhashi nodded, "I agree with Velvet," He said, "There has to be someone else... someone besides her," he said.
Coco nodded, "As much as it does hurt to say... it has to be her," Coco said, "After all, who else is it going to be?" he asked.
Suddenly, all of team JEMNI's scroll beeped and they looked to see a message from Goodwitch, telling them to come to Ozpin's office for some reason.
Cardin looked at Jaune, "What is it?" he asked.
"Goodwitch wants us up at Ozpin office for some reason," He said.
Fox looked toward JEMNI, "You think they suspect anything?" he asked.
Ilia shook her head, "Doubt it, we haven't done much to warrant their attention," She said, she then turned to Jaune, "You think this might have something to do with you knowing Salem?" she asked.
Jaune nodded, "Of course it does," He said, "Let's get going team," He said.
"While you deal with that, we'll plan out when and how Velvet can infiltrate the White Fang," he said.
Jaune nodded and he and his team left for the office, as they went down toward the elevator, and as they did, Jaune felt a presence in the back of his head, and he knew who it was.
'You've been quiet for awhile Cinder,' Jaune thought.
"I'm just sitting back and watching the show," Cinder told him, "This little game your playing really has me wondering if you'll succeed,"
'I'll win in the end, because I plan on getting to the relics before Salem and figuring out how I can win this game,' He told her through his thoughts, 'What I'm worried about is you, you being quiet worries me because I have this feeling you're plotting something,' He told her.
Cinder chuckled, "Oh, I am plotting something, but you have nothing to worry about because it'll work in both of our favors," She told him.
'How so?' he asked.
"Don't worry about that just yet, for now, worry about what Ozpin wants to see you about, because if he has figured you out, the plan I have made will happen the moment he or Goodwitch tries something," She told him.
'What the hell are you talking about?' He asked sternly.
However, he was taken out of his conversation with Cinder when the Elevator door dinged and he saw the door open. He walked in with his team and took the elevator up toward the office, and finally, they arrived at Ozpin's office. The doors opened and Jaune's eyes widened, as he saw who was also in the office.
Winter Schnee, Weiss's older sister.
'What the fuck is she doing here!?' Jaune thought with worry.
Ozpin saw JEMNI and gave them a small smile, "Ah, I am glad you could all make it," He said. He looked at Jaune, "Jaune, good to see you," he said.
Jaune put on a fake smile, "Good to see you too, Headmaster," Jaune greeted back.
Winter turned to look at him and put on her stern face, "Mr. Arc, good to see you," she greeted.
"Good to see you as well, Ms. Schnee," Jaune greeted, "What brings you here?" he asked.
"The General sent her here as extra help in rebuilding certain parts of Beacon," Ozpin informed him. "As a matter of fact, your current mission will be assisting her in keeping the Construction workers safe, so she and your team will be close," Ozpin said.
Jaune rolled his eyes, 'Of course, she's here to watch us, but since it's her, my guess is Ozpin told the circle about what I know and Ironwood asked to put one of his agents here and Oz agreed,' Jaune thought, however, a thought suddenly entered his mind and he smiled sinisterly on the inside. Jaune simply nodded, "Well, then I hope things can go smoothly," Jaune said with a nervous chuckle.
Ozpin nodded and dismissed them for now and Jaune and his team left, once they were in the elevator, Ozpin took a sip from his mug and then set it down. "Ms. Schnee, are you sure you're up for the mission of watching over them?" He asked.
"I don't think they'll be any trouble if things go sideways," Winter said. "I have all the information I have on them and Mr. Arc doesn't seem to be a real threat, if anything, his teammates are the ones I need to be worried about," Winter said.
"I suppose that's your own thinking, however, I'd watch out for Mr. Arc as well," Ozpin said, "After all, he may not be the best fighter, but he's surpassed more students on his leadership and he's smart on his feet, he and Ms. Rose are the most promising leaders next to Ms. Adel," Ozpin told her.
Meanwhile, back in the elevator, Jaune was smiling as he looked back at his team.
Emerald looked back at him with a raised brow, "What are you thinking?" She asked.
Jaune chuckled a bit, "Looks like we don't have to kill Goodwitch after all," he said.
Unbeknownst to him and his team, Jaunes eyes changed color for a split second.
They looked like Cinders...
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Inside Jaune's soul, Cinder sat over the cliffside with her eyes closed, and then slowly, her eyes open and a sinister smile graced her lips.
"My, oh my," she spoke softly "What a godsend this has been," she said.
She stood up and looked over the forest, she opened her hands to create a green and white king chess piece and a red and black queen piece.
"It seems not even death can stop me," she told the pieces, "You two will create the perfect moment for me, and when you do, oh there won't be a thing to stop me... Ozpin, Salem... just you wait, you're going to see something incredible!" Cinder cried with glee as she crushed the pieces in her hands and they became nothing but dust.
Cinder continued to laugh because she found everything that was happening great because all of it meant her plan was going flawlessly.
"That old fool Ozpin doesn't even suspect a thing," she told herself as her laughter died. "Though if he did, my plan would be a bit rushed but it might still work out nonetheless," she said.
She then created a knight piece that was red and orange and smiled at it. "You may also help push my goal further, after all, once you return and follow your... Destiny, you may give me my moment to strike and when I do, I promise you I'll make sure the arrow hits its target this time," Cinder told the piece. "Oh yes Nikos, you'll help me without even knowing it,"
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Thus ends another chapter! As you can see, Jaune's plan is going to be put into action, Winter has entered the conflict, and Cinder's plan seems to be going along as she waits patiently.
Also, Jaune does have his "Rusted Knight" Armor and the reason I have him wearing that armor is because while is white and clean now, it won't be for long, the "rust" will come.