I am SO SORRY... this should have been published yesterday.
/==/
It was fairly early in the morning when Doctor Peach summoned Jaune's team to attend the infirmary for a discussion. Ruby ran into the trio as they were leaving and once she found out, she was adamant on also attending. Jaune was her first friend, and important to her in a way she had yet to fully come to terms with. As Pyrrha, Ruby and Nora discussed their fears about what was happening or had happened to Jaune, Ren stayed quiet. He had received a confidential message from the good Doctor, and was acutely aware of what was, or more importantly, had happened.
Once they were at their destination, Doctor Peach took the quartet into her office for some privacy.
"So firstly, I want to emphasize that Jaune is okay. While we are treating him, and his condition is upsetting and serious, it is not untreatable nor will it prevent him from continuing his studies."
"What happened?" Pyrrha asked with an attempted guarded tone, which failed spectacularly. Peach's training and her discussions with Jaune instantly had her clue into the fact that Pyrrha was the teammate that Jaune knew was pining for her.
Peach schooled her response, hiding the fact that she knew, and that she was feeling sorry for the young woman. Once all this nonsense was finished, the poor girl was in for some serious heartbreak. Peach made a mental note to reach out to Pyrrha when the time came.
"Jaune had a training accident. In this case, he suffered a case of Acute and Severe Aura Exhaustion, which had the unfortunate side effect of causing an incident of AEP, or Aura Exhaustion triggered Psychosis."
"Jaune went Loony?" Ruby asked, her silver eyes wide with concern and worry.
"While I prefer no one to use that term… ever… yes, that has happened to him." Peach was a concerted effort to refer to Jaune with the appropriate pronoun considering her current image, but also made a quick mental note about Ms Rose as well.
That will be two, that I will need to reach out to. Peach thought to herself before she continued.
"How badly was… his episode?" Ren hesitantly asked, knowing full well the rest of them wouldn't ask, and to also understand what he and Blake would have to watch out for.
"Jaune's episode was fairly severe, he… how should I put this… He tried to harm himself, while under the impression he was not… male."
"I don't understand." Nora commented. 'What does that mean?"
"During his break from reality…" Peach knew what she was doing. She was planting the seeds that Jaune wasn't who she was presenting herself to be. I was a wild gambit, but Peach was hopeful that once everything came to light that it might smooth the waters and lessen the shock. "Jaune was convinced he was in fact female and was in the wrong body."
"Is… is that a common occurrence?' Pyrrha asked, her eyes much like Ruby's rimmed with worry.
"No, it is not common, but it is not unheard of, or undocumented." Peach answered. "Are there any more questions with regard to Jaune's current situation?"
"Is there a chance for it to happen again?" Ren asked.
"There is, but only if Jaune tries to push himself past his limits." Peach answered. "As long as he doesn't cause another case of Aura Exhaustion, then there is little chance of a repeat episode of psychosis."
"But there is still a chance?" Ruby asked.
"A minimal chance, but yes there is a chance. Once someone has experienced such an episode, they have a higher propensity to suffering another one as compared to other individuals with similar traits."
"So what should we watch out for?" Pyrrha questioned.
"Self harm, and irrational behaviour, but you should also be aware that Jaune could show symptoms of depression as he comes to terms with what happened."
"So we need to keep a close eye on him? For how long?" Nora cut in.
"A couple of weeks. If at any point he shows signs, you are to contact the infirmary immediately. After a couple of weeks, he should be fine."
"So what now?" Pyrrha asked.
"We will be keeping Jaune here under observation for the day or so, after which, if there are no signs of further issues, he will be released and allowed to return to his studies."
"Can we see him?" Pyrrha and Ruby asked in unison.
"Unfortunately not right now." Peach as we're, "We currently have Jaune sedated… it so his body and mind can rest while his aura replenishes itself, however…"
Peach noticed how the quartet perked up as she uttered that single word.
"This afternoon he should be well enough to have some visitors, and you all are welcome to return after classes to see him." Peach took careful note of both Pyrrha and Ruby's body language. Some tension left them, but still there remained a significant amount… a tell-tale sign, to Peach at least, that the pair were still working through some personal issues in regard to Jaune. "Now all of you need to head out, or you'll miss breakfast and end up late to classes."
/==/
Cinder sat with her back ramrod straight with her scroll propped up before her. On the screen was Leo Lionheart's the Headmaster of Haven academy, as well as a strange tentacled grimm. Its bulbous, clouded round head, projecting an image of her mistress. Salem, Queen of the Grimm.
"Mistress." Cinder addressed her benefactor.
"Cinder." Salem addressed her subordinate, "I understand you have a situation that requires my input? That is, if Leo is to be believed?"
"It is my Mistress." Cinder replied. "I have already discussed this discovery with Leo, and he is as uniformed as I am about it."
"I see, and pray tell, what is this… issue?"
"There is a second Maiden at Beacon."
"Is this true Leo?"
"Yes… I believe so. Cinder has shared with me some video of an incident, and all the hallmarks of a maiden are there."
"I see." The pair watched as Salem leaned backwards in her throne. "I find it rather odd that you were unaware of this additional maiden, why is that Leo?"
"I can only surmise that, due to the incident with Fall Maiden, that Ozpin is playing things close to his chest. I have a feeling that if I were to reach out to the other headmasters, that they too would also be… in the dark about her existence and location." Leo answered as sweat dotted his brow.
"This is a troubling development. If Ozma is acting in such a manner, then he may be more prepared to counter your operation, Cinder, than we think."
"I doubt that is the case, mistress." Cinder replied.
"Explain."
"Aside from the appearance of this maiden, there are no other indications that he is making any additional preparations. I feel he is unaware that we plan to infiltrate the school, or that Leo has been swayed."
"Yet he did take an action to not divulge the existence of this other maiden he had in his care."
"If I may, mistress." Leo spoke up as he wrung his hands before him.
"Yes, Leo."
"From what I have seen, this Maiden is new to her abilities. This is more than likely Ozpin being overly cautious… considering what happened to the Fall Maiden."
"As loath as I am to say it… I feel Leo is correct in his assumption." Cinder offered.
"Okay, then we must make an adjustment to our plans."
"How big of an… adjustment? Much of our preparations are nearly complete."
"This should not interrupt your current plans… it will just add some additional resources…"
"What type of resources?" Cinder asked.
"Someone to counter this maiden, as you already have enough to focus on, so I am gifting Tock to you… she will focus on this other Maiden. You will continue with your current tasks."
"And what will her focus be?" Cinder questioned.
"Once she has made contact with the Maiden, she will either corrupt her and bring her into the fold… or eliminate her."
/==/
It was lunchtime when Qrow arrived at Beacon, and was more than a little weirded out by what he was confronted by. Flanked by Glynda and Peach was Ozpin. His or rather her posture showing that she was utterly defeated, as she stood there in a white blouse, grey pencil skirt, white stalkings, rather modest heels and her grey hair done up in a tight bun.
"I am nowhere near drunk or sober enough for this." Qrow commented as he digested the sight before him. "Do I even want to know what the fuck happened?"
"The Ritual I concocted to revert Jaune back to her true body… backfired." Ozpin replied with a sigh, "Needless to say this is the result… with some additions from Glynda and Peach."
"I figured part of that out, myself. The Peach and Glynda part anyway" Qrow responded, "I know you, and you do not have the fashion sense to put together that outfit without… assistance."
"Please don't." Ozpin pleaded as he could see the mirth in Qrow's eyes.
"Okay, so you are now a gal, anything else I should be aware of?" Qrow asked, eyeing Peach and Glynda, "You two don't suddenly now have extra appendages?"
"As if I would tell you even if I did." Glynda replied with a scowl.
"Feeling a little inadequate there, Qrow?" Peach asked with a smirk.
"No… no… um, just want to make sure I'm aware of everything."
"Well, you are now." Glynda responded, "So."
"So?"
"So."
"Um… what's so?" Qrow asked.
"Did Ozpin not tell you?" Glynda asked the scruffy huntsman as she let her eyes shift to glare at the fidgeting form of the new headmistress of Beacon.
"Tell me what?"
"I might have glossed over that part." Ozpin replied, clearing his throat. "I did ask him to come in, though."
"I take it there is more to this meeting than just showing off your new… wardrobe?"
"Yes, we need you to stay at Beacon and cover my Combat Classes while I serve as the public face of Beacon." Glynda informed him.
"You want me to do what now?"
"Be my substitute teacher." Glynda replied.
"Are you asking me to step in for you?"
"Yes, she is Qrow, so stop being an ass about this. While I am currently as I am, I can not serve in my normal capacity, so Glynda is going to have to step in and take on the more… public duties I have…"
"Which means she can't teach her class, and needs someone on short notice to cover for her."
"Correct." Ozpin confirmed.
"Why me? I already have a position at Signal, I'm sure you could have…" Qrow's eyes narrowed as he just thought of something. "I wasn't your first choice, was I?"
"You were my first choice." Glynda interjected, "Ozpin was thinking of requesting an Ace-Op from James. You can understand why I am hesitant about that."
"Yeah, I am." Qrow responded, "Seriously, Oz, you were going to ask Jimmy? What were you thinking?"
"James has access to significantly more resources than we do..."
"Try to follow. I can figure why Glynda wants me to fill in. I know about your little secret, and I know about Jaune's situation and what she is. Likewise, I also know why you haven't told anyone else. You follow?"
"I do. Please continue." Ozpin replied.
"Now think for a minute, If Jimmy DID lend you one of his toy soldiers… and what would happen IF they discovered the little secret you've been hiding." Qrow crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you have an idea what they would do with that info? What, they would put that poor girl through? I mean, this whole situation is the plot of bad fan fiction, but seriously, Oz."
"I see your point, and I am more than a little embarrassed that I didn't think of it when I first suggested reaching out to James." Ozpin moved away from Peach and Glynda and collapsed into his chair. "She would get locked away…"
"No, she would end up swallowed by one of Atlas' black bags and no one would ever see her again… just like the Winter Maiden, a prisoner under the disguise of being protected."
"We can not let something like that happen to Jaune." Peach spoke up, "She's nearing the breaking point as it is… if that were to happen to her… it would tip her over the edge and…"
"Is she in that bad of shape?" Qrow asked, as thoughts of Ruby and Yang raced through his mind.
"She is." Peach answered.
"It will not come to that." Glynda spoke up, her tone chipped and tense. "I won't allow it."
"Well, it won't happen, and I will return her to normal within the week." Ozpin informed them. "There is only one more thing to consider."
"And that is?" Qrow asked.
"What do we do when Jaune is free of the change."
"It is going to cause questions, and probably ruffle more than a few feathers and bruise a lot of egos." Qrow commented.
"We will deal with that minor issue once Jaune is safe." Glynda spoke up, while crossing her arms over her chest. "If I have to, I will resign, remove her from Beacon and return to Ansel with her."
"I don't think you will have to be that drastic, she has some good friends that I am pretty sure will support her, and of course there is also Coco." Peach offered.
"I think we are getting off-topic." Ozpin chimed in. "Qrow will you assist?"
"Yeah, I will, but under one condition."
"And that is?" Ozpin asked.
"I teach the class my way, not Glynda's."
"Are you okay with that, Glynda?" Ozpin asked.
"I'm fine with it, just don't get too rough and keep them safe." Glynda replied.
"I will." Qrow confirmed.
/==/
It was after Grimm Studies class, as they made thier way towards Doctor Oobleck's history class, that the remainder of RWBY was filled in on Jaune's condition. Of course, Blake had already been apprised of it through the secure and private chat she shared with Ren and the others in the know. So as Ruby informed Weiss and Yang of the situation, she had to feign ignorance.
"Shit." Yang commented. "Who knew VB was pushing himself so hard."
"It does make sense considering…" Weiss let the end of her comment hang in the air, unsaid. They all were all intimately aware of Jaune's lack of basic huntsmen training.
"Even I didn't know he was running himself so ragged." Pyrrha offered, her voice and face showing her unease about this newly revealed fact. "Someone has to watch him, and assist in his training."
"Are you volunteering P-Money?" Yang asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "All that special alone time with VB?"
"I… I… I don't know what you mean." Pyrrha stammered while also blushing.
"I think we should tell Jaune straight up, that even if he is our Fearless Leader, that he's not allowed to train solo anymore." Nora commented.
"I agree." Ren added.
"While I see the value of that suggestion… count me out." Weiss stated. "Arc has been too much of a thorn and embarrassment to me…"
"Weiss, that's mean." Ruby interjected.
"Where's your heart and compassion?" Yang asked, a slight frown forming. She knew she wasn't that close to Jaune, but Ruby was, and Yang was not impressed that Weiss wouldn't also see the value of helping Jaune, even if it was just for her sister's sake.
"Don't mistake my annoyance and reluctance to assist him in training, to me not being sympathetic." Weiss countered, "This is a serious situation and if he continues to push himself so far past his limits there will be complications… however due to my… interactions with him, I do not feel I am a suitable person to assist him."
"None of you have to assist." Pyrrha commented. "This is a JNPR issue, and we'll deal with it."
"But I want to help!" Ruby rebutted, "Jaune's import… I mean, he's my friend too!"
"Rubes has a point." Yang commented, even though she gave her sister a bit of a sideways glance, wondering if there was more to Ruby and Jaune than she was aware of.
"I feel this is a topic that would be better discussed in private." Blake interjected as she regarded the other students passing them in the hall., "Jaune's our friend, and his condition is no business of others."
"I agree." Weiss spoke up. "We should discuss such matters in private, as Blake has mentioned."
"Are you warming up to the idea of helping out, Weiss-cream?"
"I will offer my advice, but I will not take part in his actual training." Weiss replied.
"As Blake and Weiss have mentioned. Let's put this conversation off until after supper. We can have it in one of our dorm rooms." Ren offered.
The collected members of Jaune's friend group all nodded in agreement to Ren's statement. With the conversation about helping Jaune tabled, the seven students made their way to their next class.
/==/
Deep within the Grimm-lands, encased in the imposing structure of her castle, Salem sat on her throne and regarded the youngish Crocodile faunus kneeling before her.
"I have a task for you, Tock."
"I live to serve, my Queen." Tock replied with her head bowed in supplication and respect.
"You are to go to Vale, join up with Cinder, and her associates."
"May I ask why, my Queen?"Tock asked as she tilted her head to the side a little.
"You have a special task, once you are in Vale, you will coordinate with Cinder to locate the other Maiden that Ozama has sequestered within Beacon. You will attempt to subjugate Ozama's hold upon her and have her join our cause… or you will eliminate her and take her powers for yourself. Understood?"
"Completely your Grace." Tock replied, as a twisted and malicious grin of sharp teeth crossed her features.
"Then go. It is a long journey."
"Yes my Grace." Tock responded as she slowly rose to her feet.
"And Tock…"
"Yes, my Grace?"
"I expect results. Immediate results."
"I understand."
