After Images

Horror

Jaune Arc/ Pyrrha Nikos / Lie Ren / Nora Valkyrie

Jaune Arc at the age of 8 was orphaned. His entire family wiped from the face of Remnant by a post bandit raid, grimm horde. Brought to Beacon by Ozpin as a final favour for his deceased friends. However things are not as what they seem. Jaune is anything but an average 8 year old.

/==/

"This is not the appropriate place for him."

"I understand that, Glynda. Better than anyone."

"He's a scarred child. We are not a day care, Ozpin; nor are we a regular school."

"He's the only survivor. I owe them Glynda."

"I understand your feelings, I feel hurt and sympathy for him, but still this is not the place for him. We don't have the resources, or facilities to accommodate him.

"We can fix that. We can arrange for specialists to also assist, for tutors."

"You really need to reconsider."

"With the right guidance, I can see something developing with in him."

"You see something in just about everyone. You're letting your feelings about how he's suffered, cloud your judgment. I'll agree, he's been dealt a shit hand; but we are not in the position to change that for him."

"We can, and we will."

"You have your mind set on this don't you?"

"I do."

"So are you just planning to assign him to a team? "

"Yes. Team PRN would work. Teaming him with Ms. Nikos will help give him a strong an stable role model; and with both Mr. Ren and Ms. Valkyrie also being orphans, will give him individuals that will know how to reach out him."

"Do PRN know about what you are going to thrust upon them?"

"They will."

"I still must protest. This is NOT right. Reconsider."

"Gylnda at the age of eight he defeated twenty grimm. No aura, no semblance, no training and no weapon. If we start now we could groom a possibly great huntsman."

"And he had a panic attack right as it happened. He has problems we are not able to assist him with. Reconsider."

"Him being here is the best for him. We can make accommodations."

"This is not the place for him."

"As you have continually mentioned, by I disagree. We can accommodate his needs. He will be safe here, and that is what he desperately needs. A place to be safe."

"Ozpin, see reason. He is not one of your projects. He is a deeply troubled and scarred child. He belongs in a hospital. Beacon can sponsor it. I'll rewrite the budget to make it happen. If you truly want to help that young man, that is the best option. His attendance here is not."

"Gylnda, I've heard your piece, and I understand all of your arguments. The decision has been made however. He will reside here at Beacon and we will do everything we can to help and develop him."

"Ozpin."

"Please summon PRN, and then go to the bullhead docks. He will be arriving on the next flight."

/=/

Pyrrha sat carefully keep an eye on her 'partner', as her team ate. She knew Ren and Nora were also keeping watch over the newest addition to the newly formed JNPR. All three knew Jaune's history, and possible abilities. The Headmaster had given an exhaustive review of him, and his background. Then he laid bare his expectations, and reasoning for the suggestion that they take Jaune on as a team member. Pyrrha had reservations, but Nora and Ren had felt an instant kinship due to his status as an orphan. So Pyrrha relented and swallowed down her concerns, and accepted Jaune to the team.

Pyrrha was still the leader. Ozpin made sure they all understood that, even though their team designation would be changed to JNPR. To say this week was easy would be a lie. Jaune's tendencies were disturbing. All three of them were overly tired. Constantly waking up to find Jaune standing in the centre of their dorm; his mouth moving as if he was holding a silent conversation with someone. It wasn't as if he was making any noise, it was the cold and heavy atmosphere that surrounded him during these 'spells'.

Then of course there was his chosen form of dress. Seeing an eight year old boy, sitting in a girl's uniform, with his nearly waist length blond hair split into twin tails, secured with blue ribbons. Add in his unwavering propensity to carry around that worn Pumpkin Pete stuffed bunny; was making her uncomfortable. The additional stares aimed at her and her team; piling on top of her own celebrity status, and her feelings of isolation. Plus he barely spoke, and when he did it was only in half heard whispers.

He was friendly, after he over came his suspicion. He was also incredibly intelligent. Easily understanding and digesting the more traditional school topics; that Ozpin was providing him via his own personal scroll. He worked on them as he sat with the combined teams of JNPR and RWBY, during their classes. Though his obvious fear of combat class, and Professor Goodwitch did distract JNPR from fully participating. They still didn't understand why he had to attend. He was listed as a non-combatant; so he wouldn't be expected to participate in actual spars. Not that anyone on JNPR thought Professor Goodwitch would put an eight year old into a spar with a huntsman or huntress in training. She did wonder on the benefit of having him attend. Feeling it would be best if he was just excused from the class all together. But Headmaster Ozpin's instructions were clear and concise. He was to accompany them to every class, until he had finished making arrangements for alternate activities, in relation to him.

Pyrrha figured those activities would consist of sessions with doctors and therapists. So until then; JNPR was stuck with the strange boy. Caught up in her thoughts she didn't notice Jaune get up from his seat and walk towards the serving counter. She didn't even registrar the arrival of team RWBY. In fact so engrossed in her own mind she didn't notice Ren until he gently start to shake her.

"Pyrrha!"

"Um... ah.. yes Ren?"

"Jaune."

"What? Where is..."

"Look at this FREAK! He's worse than those fucking animals."

"Cardin." Pyrrha growled, as she started to stand up.

She actions were echoed by Nora, and Yang. The trio of powerhouses started to move. Stalking like a pride of lionesses towards unaware prey. Or mostly unaware, as the rest of CRDL noticed the closing promises of pain, and tried to get their leader's attention. This was the first time that Jaune had been the target of Cardin's less than subtle actions.

"Such pretty hair." Cardin laughed as he grabbed hold of one of Jaune's twin tails and yanked on it hard causing his head to jerk violently to the side. "Going to cry for mommy?"

"STOP IT!" Jaune screamed. The pure volume, and shock of him saying anything that wasn't a whisper caused the cafeteria grow instantly silent.

"What are YOU going to do about it?" Cardin growled as he gave another violent tug on Jaune's hair.

"MOMMY!" the cry was heartbreaking and pathetic.

Pyrrha knew Jaune was crying, his eyes closed and his bunny crushed against his chest. So she picked up her pace. She had enough of Cardin. Targeting not only Jaune but also Velvet and other assumed weaker students. She was going to finally put him in his place, painfully, and being flanked by Yang and Nora she assumed they would be assisting to teach him a lesson he'll never forget.

What happened next froze everyone in place. Cardin's yell of surprise followed by one of pain, as his hand was pried from Jaune's hair; and pulled back over his head. Cardin struggled, acting as if some one had physically pulled him off of Jaune. Pyrrha blinked as something had moved past Jaune just before Cardin's strange reaction. She could have sworn it was a middle aged blonde women.

"What the fuck? Let go!" Cardin called out, as his other hand was pulled away and twisted behind his back. "What are you doing you FREAK!"

Pyrrha broke out of her surprise, and rushed forward to close the last bit of distance between her and Jaune. She reached out to him, her face creased with concern, as he fell to his knees, and curled forward of the stuffed toy clutched to his chest. She dropped to her own knees beside him, and reached out to comfort him.

"GO AWAY!" Jaune half screamed, half sobbed.

Pyrrha, and actually everyone watching opened their eyes wide as Cardin almost appeared to have his legs swept out from under him, before he twisted and writhed on the floor, in an attempt to free himself from whatever had a hold of him. When he started to be dragged across the cafeteria floor, and then was bodily rammed into the base of the service counter, underlined in Pyrrha's mind that what headmaster Ozpin had told them. Jaune was special. In more than one way.

"P-Money..." Pyrrha turned her attention to Yang, "We need to calm him down."

"Why? What's..." Pyrrha then noticed that pure amount of cutlery, specifically all of it knives; that was rising into the air. All of it aimed at Cardin's struggling form. She then felt Jaune brush past her finger tips as he stood up.

"Bad Man." he whispered, as he stood to his full height. His bunny hanging at his side, held by one of its scruffy arms. His other arm was crossed before his chest, his hand clasping the up portion of his dangling left. "Bad man... goes away... forever."

"Nora!" Pyrrha shouted as she reached out with her own semblance, drawing every metal food tray she could; piling them on to the struggling form of Cardin.

Nora wrapped her arms around Jaune in a firm hug; but not before streaks of metal flashed through the air. With Cardin covered in a makeshift bulwark of metal trays; Pyrrha attempted to try and halt the rain of blades, or at least deflect as many as she could. Beside her Jaune basically collapsed into Nora. His form shaking in fear.

"What is..." came Professor Goodwitch's stern voice, only to be cut off in shock at the all the knives driven into the trays covering Cardin and the side of the service counter. She quickly snapped her head around, and strode forward, dropping to her knee before the sobbing form of Jaune cradled in Nora's arms. "Jaune, what happened?"

Pyrrha, Nora, and Professor Goodwitch struggled to hear Jaune's whispered answer. Glynda shook her head, as she rose to her full height and once again scanned the disarray of the cafeteria. She had known something would have happened. She had been biting her lip, waiting for the shoe to drop. This was no place for Jaune. It wasn't helping him.

"We're going to the Headmaster. It's time to put an end to this farce. We're not equipped to deal with Jaune's issues. This is not the place for him." Glynda turned her attention to the still kneeling Pyrrha. "Gather the rest of your team, and follow me."

/=/

"Enough is enough Ozpin!" Glynda snapped at the Headmaster, "This is NOT the place for Jaune! HE needs supports we are not equipped to offer him. This incident is proves it without a doubt."

"Glynda I need you to calm down. I know you have reservations..."

"Reservations? He's damaged Ozpin! I would dare say to the point of no return!"

Pyrrha, Nora and Ren flinched at that statement. Pyrrha forced a smile to her face as she turned her head to look down at the form of Jaune, half behind her. His soft hand cradled in her strong calloused one. She knew he was terrified. It was written all over his face, and underlined by his body language. They had figured it out rather quickly that Jaune shied away from conflict. Raised voices, and aggressive postures making him shrink upon himself; and as much as the past week sort had him grow on her, she knew it would be for the best for him to be somewhere else. He was too childlike and innocent to be in a place that encouraged violence as a way of life.

"I have specialists arranged, and willing to see him. The only question is whether to have them come to Beacon, or have Jaune go into Vale in order to see them."

"It's not enough! A few therapy sessions a week to assist him with his issues, is like spitting into the ocean and expecting the sea level to rise. He needs proper, round the clock care."

"I can not be taking the chance of him being lead astray."

"So this IS one of your little projects. You promised me it wasn't!"

"He's not a project, but he is powerful; and I owe his parents. He needs to be somewhere where he can be taught that control."

"He's an eight year old boy who talks to the thin air, and stares into shadowed corners! Trying to teach him control is akin to attempting to put a collar on a beowulf, and expecting it to act like a puppy!" Glynda snapped as she glared at the Headmaster. "This is not working, and you are putting him at further risk by trying to justify his attendance."

"Two more weeks."

"What?"

"If JNPR is willing to continue watching him, I'm asking for two more weeks. Let the specialists I have contacted work with him, and if there is no appreciable change or improvement; I will step back and allow you to place him in an appropriate institution."

"Two weeks?"

"Two weeks."

"Starting when?"

"Next Monday. I'll arrange the doctor's to come here to Beacon. He'll be removed from classes, and just spend his time in sessions with the doctor's and counsellors. Is that acceptable?"

"Barely." Glynda crossed her arms under her breasts, her riding crop flicking back and forth in the air, "Ms. Nikos are you Mr. Ren and Ms. Valkyrie willing to continue as you have been, for at least the next two weeks?"

"We are." Pyrrha answered, after looking at the faces of her teammates and seeing them both nod. "But I do have a question."

"Please, feel free to ask it." Ozpin offered.

"Will we get a chance to speak with these specialists? To let them know what we've noticed, in regards to Jaune's behaviour."

"Glynda?"

"I think that would be a good idea. The more information they have, the better the chances of Jaune receiving proper assistance."

"Very well. I will arrange times for you and your team to speak with them as your class schedule permits. So if there is no other issues requiring attention, you are free to leave."

/=/

The rest of the day progress without further incident, and JNPR found themselves sitting with team RWBY enjoying a light supper. Pyrrha sat across from Jaune, while he was flanked by Nora and Ruby. Pyrrha appreciated RWBY's openness to the situation. It had taken some work, but the two teams quickly formed connections. With permission from Professor Goodwitch; they had even been informed on Jaune's situation, and instantly took to roles of protective sisters. Currently Jaune and Ruby were rapidly whispering to each other, no doubt about the various pros and cons considering cookies, and other sweets.

"Two weeks, huh?" Asked Yang.

"Yes. If there is no improvement, he'll be released into the custody of an institution; better equipped to help him." Pyrrha replied.

"That's rough." commented Blake. "He needs help, but the stories about those types of places."

"I'm still confused as to why the Headmaster ever thought to bring him into Beacon. With everything he's gone he really need professional help, which is what Beacon can't offer him." Weiss pointed out, "As bad as his situation is; it would be the best in the long run for him to be somewhere else."

"I agree with Weiss." Ren entered the conversation, "I feel a connection to Jaune with Nora and I being orphans, but he has too many quirks. We're not equipped to handle any of them. It would be best for him to be somewhere with around the clock care."

"Bad man." Jaune's slightly louder than normal voice, brought everyone to full attention.

RWBY and JNPR's eyes narrowed as Cardin entered followed by Russel, Dove and Sky. Pyrrha shifted his attention from the bullies. She took note of Jaune's stiff posture, and narrow eyed glare. She could see the pure hate held with in his stare, in fact she would almost swear she felt the emotion emanating off of him. She would have to make sure his circle of friends all made sure to keep his isolated from CRDL. If Jaune crossed paths with them alone, there could be serious trouble, and for some reason she felt it would be Jaune to initiate it.

/=/

Ren woke up feeling chilled, and as his eyes adjusted to the dim light flowing through the dorm windows he notices Jaune standing beside his bed, in his pink bunny printed pyjamas. His head was tilted to the left, and he stared unblinkingly at Ren with his shining blue eyes. Hanging from his left hand by one of its arms was his ever present bunny.

"Jaune?"

"They love you." he replied, his voice just above a whisper.

"Who?"

"Your mommy and daddy. Mr. Li and Mrs. An. They love you and they are proud."

Ren choked. There was no way Jaune should know the names of his parents. Only Nora knew them, he had told no one else.

"They are sorry they had to leave you."

"How?"

"They told me." Jaune's head tilted to the right, and he blinked. "They are here right now. Watching over you."

"Jaune, I don't..." Ren had to fight the surge of sorrowful memories that flooded his mind.

"Don't be sad. They love you, always love you."

Jaune's eyes drifted close, and he weaved on his feet, his head swung forward, falling towards his chest. Ren even with tears welling in his pale pink eyes jumped up and grabbed hold of Jaune's shoulder preventing his fall.

"Tired." Jaune muttered.

"Let's get you back to bed." Ren choked, as he fought back the swirl of emotions. With slightly unsteady feet he lead Jaune back to his bed. Getting him situated, with his bunny tightly clasped against his chin, he instantly was asleep.

Ren sat up the rest of that night. His breathing hitched as he let the tears flow. It had been so long since he had thought of his parents, and as odd as it was for Jaune to speak of them; his words brought him some sad, but warm comfort.

/=/

It was two days later that another incident happened. Jaune instantly shot to his feet from his space seated between Pyrrha and Ruby. His blue eyes narrowed, and focused on the armoured form of Cardin as he walked towards the sparring ring with his customary swagger. Clambering up on his chair and then stepping on to the desk, he stood there his bunny hanging by his side. Ruby and Pyrrha reached up and with a gentle touch laid their hands upon his shoulders, trying to coax him to sit down.

"Bad man." he whispered, his voice full of hate. "He should go away."

"Is there a problem?" Glynda asked as she fixed her firm gaze upon the standing cross dressed boy.

"Yeah there is," grinned Cardin, "He's a FUCKING FREAK! He has no business being here, just like those filthy animals."

"Mommy and Daddy don't like you." Jaune's voice rose in volume filled with ominous intent. "Sisters hate you. You should just go away."

Glynda yanked her riding crop free, as a wide eyed Cardin took a defensive stance. All about the classroom, books, bags, pencils, pens, and papers floated into the air. Jaune's own twin tails floating into the air.

"Jaune, you have to stop." Pyrrha calmly addressed him, hoping to draw his attention away from Cardin with her soft tone.

"Bad man should go away. He should just die." Jaune coldly spoke.

"Jaune, you need to get control of yourself, and sit down to do your assigned les..." Glynda reacted, snapping her crop towards Cardin throwing him out of the way as the tidal wave of impromptu projectiles crashed into the spot he was just occupying.

Everyone was stunned into complete silence. The papers did little, but the books and bags burst on impact, while the pens and pencils embedded themselves into the floor. Pyrrha and Ruby stood, and added more pressure to Jaune's shoulders. Trying to break his focus. Ren jumped from to his feet and attempted to get around the rising Nora and standing Pyrrha. He activated his semblance and reached out to lay his hand upon any part of the stiffly standing Jaune.

"Mommy and Daddy not happy with you." Jaune's head turned to face Professor Goodwitch. "Sisters angry... you are protecting Bad man. He should just go."

"JN..." Glynda words were choked off, as she felt a multitude of unseen cold hands grab hold of her. She let out a started cry as she was suddenly dragged backwards and to the floor.

Pyrrha's eyes opened wide, as she saw the movement, nine blonde figures appearing and vanishing a second before Glynda was struck.

"Bad Man, should DIE DEAD!" Jaune screeched, " DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!"

Ren laid his finger tips on the side of Jaune's neck, and released his semblance into him. Jaune instantly started to weave, his eyes drooping, almost closing. Ruby and Pyrrha latched on to his arms with their free hands, while also tightening their grip on his shoulders. It wasn't a moment too soon as Jaune went limp, his head falling towards his chest, and all the rigidity in his body melting away. Glynda flailed for a moment, as if being physically restrained until she finally was able to return to her feet. Her eyes betrayed the shock she was feeling. Cardin lay were he had landed, his torso propped up by his arms; his eyes shining with unabashed fear.

"JNPR get Jaune to the infirmary and then back to your dorm." Glynda ordered, "Mr. Winchester you are excused."

/=/

"I understand your concern over his animosity towards Mr. Winchester, but Glynda..."

"No I don't think you do! It's not animosity, it's murderous intent. He is fixated on making sure Mr. Winchester is no longer alive. This twice now. We can't help him deal with his emotional issues, and then that power..."

"Well from your report his ability is very much like..."

"It's not. Part of it is, his tendency to use things around him as weapons his very similar, but what happened to me... that wasn't the same. Not the same at all."

"How so?"

"I felt cold hands on me. I was grabbed, I felt each individual contact, and then I was forcibly pulled to the floor and restrained. I felt the weight of people pushing down on me. That is nothing like what my semblance is."

"I see."

"I don't think you do. Stop the bleeding heart act Ozpin. This is serious. He has no aura or semblance yet he's able to do such things. I know this is one of your projects and I know you feel like you owe it to his parents... but it has to stop before someone gets seriously hurt, or killed." Glynda pressed the palms of her hands on his desk as she leaned forward. "He doesn't see the difference between hurting someone, and killing them. He needs to be placed in a hospital of an asylum, before something happens."

"I can assure you that he is intimately aware of what death is." Ozpin replied, his mug sitting forgotten on his desk, "We have a deal. Two weeks starting this Monday. If there is no improvement I will transfer him to an appropriate institution."

"Fuck the deal! He needs to be somewhere capable of taking care of him!"

/=/

Jaune's eyes fluttered open. He felt warm, and safe. Looking about he noticed he was in the room he shared with his new sisters and brother. His brow creased a moment later as he realized that he was completely alone. He didn't like that. He never liked being truly alone. Sliding out of his bed, he landed on the floor and proceeded to put on his shoes. Once done he smoothed out his uniform, before grabbing his bunny, and then his scroll. Shoving his scroll in the pocket of his blazer, he took another look around the room and pouted. There was no one around, and he didn't know where Pyrrha was.

"Saph?" he called out into the empty room. A minute or so passed and his pout turned into a smile. "Can you help me find Pyrrha?"

He lifted his left hand and closed his fingers around something invisible. Hugging his bunny to his chest with his right, he looked up.

"Thank you."

The door swung open before him and he walked out into the hallway, before the door gently closed behind him.

/=/

Pyrrha and Ren were talking while taking the long route from the cafeteria back to their dorm, when Nora came racing up towards them. She looked flushed, and excited, causing the pair to instantly be on guard.

"Nora?" asked Ren.

"It's Jaune." she rushed out.

"What happened to Jaune?" Pyrrha snapped.

"I took him some food, and when I got to the room, he wasn't there."

"What..."

"He is not in the dorm. He's not in his bed where we had left him. He's gone."

"Shit!" Pyrrha cursed, "We need to find him, and fast. If he runs into Cardin..."

"I'm calling RWBY. I'm sure they'll help us look for him." Ren informed as he pulled out his scroll.

"Good idea. Nora can you go back to the cafeteria, just in case he shows up there?"

Nora just nods and spins about and takes off at run towards her assigned destination. Pyrrha turns to see Ren putting his scroll away. He nods at her, confirming for her that RWBY would help out. A multitude of scenarios rolled about in Pyrrha's head, each ending with Jaune somehow hurt. Ren could see the anxiety in her eyes.

"Take a breath. We'll find him." Ren comforted her, "He's around the school somewhere. We'll find him."

"Should we tell Professor Goodwitch?"

"I would say that would be a good idea."

/=/

Glynda started running through the halls of Beacon. The click of her heels upon the tiled floor sounding like a machine gun. First had been the call from Ms. Nikos, about Jaune having gone missing, which was followed up a throng of students charging up on her shouting about trouble in the cafeteria. Trouble involving a little twin tailed blond boy. She bit her lip as she raced towards her destination, hoping that this was no a repeat of the earlier Cardin incident.

The pitiful, terror filled screams came from a voice much to young for one of her students. She slowed her approach, and steeled herself to face whatever was happening. The hall outside the cafeteria was oddly vacant. There was not a single student hanging around. Taking a hold of her riding crop she strode up to the double door and pushed her way in, and dove for cover; narrowly being impaled by a volley of cutlery and shredded food trays. Pulling herself up to a sitting position with her back against an over turned table, she attempted to take stock of what was happening.

"Don't let (hic) them take me!" the child's voice screamed in utter terror. "Mommy?(hic) Daddy?(hic)?"

From her vantage point she could see more than a few students hunkered behind over turned tables. No one was trying to move, choosing instead to remain still and out of sight. Looking up to the entrance she watched as the improvised projectiles that had embedded into the door and wall were yanked free and pulled back over the barricade of tables. She leaned to her left, carefully looking around the edge of the table. Standing in the centre a virtual vortex of spinning cutlery, shards of food trays and fragments of tables was Jaune. His twin tails were floating in the air. Tears streamed down his cheeks from his closed eyes, as he clutched his stuffed bunny to his chest.

"I'm sorry!(hic) Don't leave me!(hic) I'll be good!(hic) Please (hic) please! Mommy?(hic) Daddy?(hic)"

Glynda's heart broke. She knew Jaune had issues. To lose his entire family at such a young age, but to also feel like they were gone because of him. She rolled back from the edge and focused her attention on the two students hiding with her.

"What happened?"

"The freak..."

"The what?" Glynda growled.

"He entered, and one of the fourth years wanted to have some fun."

"Which fourth year? Name?"

"Don't know. She has an illusion semblance though." that would narrow her search down, Glynda thought as the scared student continued, "She moved up towards the little guy and made a beowulf jump out at him."

"And then?"

"Everything went to shit. He started screaming and balling, and then things just started flying through the air. Anyone who could make the doors got out, everyone else ducked and covered."

"Mommy (hic) please? I'll be (hic) good, please? (hic)"

This was bad. Glynda raced through options in her mind. Jaune sounded as if he was utterly inconsolable. Which meant he was lashing out in reflex and fear against anything that could be considered scary. He had to be subdued, but how was the question. Her semblance would do no good. There were just too many objects in flight for her to stop or deflect them all; and using it against Jaune directly would have little effect. His ability seemed to be entirely independent of any physical motions. Maybe she could rush him, and hope her aura could tank the damage.

"Daddy, (hic) come back! (hic)"

Taking another look, she made the mental calculations, and decided against trying it. There was just too many parts, moving at high speeds. There had to be a way. Maybe she could reach out to him with her voice? She blinked and shook her head. No, that wasn't right. There was only Jaune there surrounded by his vortex of impromptu weapons. There were no blond headed figures kneeling around him, was there?

"Saph? (hic) Saph were (hic) are you? I'm scared! (hic)"

Then it came to her. Glynda quickly dug into her pocket and pulled out her scroll. Using her thumb she flipped through her recent contacts, until she found the one she required. With a tap she hit the connect icon. After a couple of rings she saw it being answered.

"Professor Goodwitch?"

"I found Jaune. He's in the cafeteria, but he's..."

"He's what?" Glynda tipped her scroll around the edge of the table giving Pyrrha a view of the situation taking place in the centre of the expansive room. Pyrrha shouted out her question as soon as Glynda pulled the scroll behind the jury-rigged barrier. "What happened?"

"An older student decided to scare him, using a beowulf illusion. This is the result."

"I'll call everyone we'll be right..."

"No!"

"What? But..."

"Help (hic) me! Mommy? (Hic) Where are (hic) you?"

"I need you to stay on this call."

"Why?"

"I'm going to use my semblance and push my scroll to his feet. I need to talk as loud as you can. Calm him down with your most comforting voice."

"I..."

"You can. Let him know he's safe, that we're here and will never let him be taken."

"O...Okay."

Glynda nodded and then leaned around the edge of the upturned table. Carefully she placed her scroll on the tiled floor. Purple outlined the device and with a swish of her fingers sent it sliding effortlessly over the floor, to stop before Jaune's feet Glynda kept her semblance up, making sure that whatever was propelling all the debris surrounding Jaune, wouldn't also grab her scroll.

"Jaune!" came Pyrrha's voice.

"Py...Py.(hic) rrha?"

"I'm here Jaune. You're safe. Jaune you're safe."

"No (hic) they are coming (hic) for me! Mommy? (hic)"

"Jaune we won't let anyone take you. I'm coming to you. I'll keep you safe. So will Nora and Ren. We'll all keep you safe. I promise."

"You lie! (hic) Everyone's (hic) gone, because (hic) of me."

"No, Jaune. No one is gone because of you. I'm coming to you. I'll be there soon."

"I'm scared! (hic)"

"Open your eyes Jaune. Open your eyes and find... and find... Auntie Glynda. She's scary, so scary that she can scare away anything that is scaring you."

Glynda raised an eyebrow at her new title, and not impressed with being called scary; but she bit her lip. With any luck the gamble would give them a chance to get the situation under control.

"Auntie (hic) Glynda? (hic)"

"I'm coming Jaune, but find Auntie Glynda. She's there. She's scary to anything that could scary you."

"Auntie (hic) Glynda? (hic)" Jaune choked as he slowly opened his tear filled blue eyes.

"Over here Jaune." Glynda called out to him as she stood and stepped out around the table she had been hunkered behind. "I'm right here. I'll keep you safe."

The clatter of all the metal suddenly dropping to the tiles, echoed around the room, but Glynda paid it no attention, instead dropping to one knee, her sole attention on the blond streak that raced towards her. She braced catching him, and wrapping her arms around him, hoping that her embrace was warming and secure. She felt his arms reach around her and squeeze her sides, while he pushed his face as hard as he could into her generous bosom. He was shaking like a leaf, sniffles and muffled sobs rising from with in the confines of her embrace.

"It's okay. It's okay. Auntie is here." Glynda leaned her face down and pressed her cheek onto the top of his head. "Auntie will take care of you."

/==/

So this is a little strange idea that came from a picture I saw. It was an anime styled drawing of a teen girl in a school uniform and twin tails, with various school supplies floating around her. So I figured why not. Not sure how well it works, but ah well. Not everything I write has to be good.

And yes I made a conscious choice to give Jaune twin-tails and have him wear a girl's school uniform. In cannon his sisters styled his hair and dressed him up like a doll when he was younger. So why not having him continue the habit as a reminder of his sisters. Though I did have to make his hair long enough to pull off the look.

Anyway if I was to follow up with this idea, I'm not sure if I should make Jaune even younger (maybe 6), and if I should possibly do a gender-bend with him.

Anyway I hope I was able to get a bit of a creepy and sad tone with this.