Based on season 4 but this time Jughead uses a direct approach to get the tapes back from Brett.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Jughead was nervous about switching schools again. He acclimated easily into Southside High only because the Serpents had his back from day 1. Now he was indeed by himself, heading to a place where he'd know he'd stick out as Pip did in Great Expectations.
The students at Stonewall Prep didn't have to work a day in their life, lavishly able to pursue more abstract arts and literature for fun. He was going to turn down the scholarship but Betty urged him to take it.
Recalling their whispered conversation at night while in bed.
"You have an amazing opportunity here Juggie."
"I won't fit in there Betty and it's an hour and a half away."
"Think how this will help your writing."
"Only able to see the Serpents or you on the weekends? I don't know."
"Toni and I will handle the Serpents. As for me? I'll be okay Jug. You deserve to be there."
Now it was his first official day of classes. The one thing he already hated about the historic prep school is the mandatory school uniforms. Betty had to teach him how to knot his tie properly. Looking in the mirror now, it was still a little too loose around his collar but didn't have time to fix it. He pulled the sleeves of his white dress shirt and his sweater up near his elbows. Slinging his messenger bag over a shoulder he left his dorm room.
It became pretty obvious that everyone knew he was a charity case. The eyes wouldn't leave him alone as he made his way to the cafeteria. He remained unbothered, sitting down at an empty table with a healthy plate of waffles. If there was one thing he was excited about here at Stonewall it was their ever-expanding food options.
His first class was with Mr. Chipping, he met him on his walk-through of the school. Students were talking as Mr. Chipping was working on something at his desk. Entering, he heard the talking subside to only start up again in whispers.
"Ah, Mr. Jones. Welcome to our class. Please have a seat." He gestured to a desk in the third row near the front.
"Everyone this is our new student on scholarship. Forsythe Jones the Third."
He swung his bag from his shoulder to his feet in a practiced motion. "Most people call me Jughead."
The larger student next to him held out a hand. "Bret Weston Wallis. I see you're the one they picked this year."
"Cool thanks for noticing." Jughead rolled his eyes, disinterested in his handshake.
A new voice popped in, "Nevermind Brett. If you were invited on a scholarship that must mean you have talent." Jughead turned in his seat to the person sitting behind Brett.
"Donna Sweett." She tilted her head sweetly much like her namesake.
Brett puffed, "Oh please, everyone knows they bring in some charity case once a year for the school to remain in good standing."
Jughead shrugged, "I don't know what to tell you, man. I'm here for writing."
Much to Jughead's chagrin, that sadly wasn't the last time he spoke to Brett or Donna.
Fast forward a month in and Jughead was able to garner his usual reputation as a loner. What wasn't usual was the forced interactions he would have with other students, in particular girls. In the lounge areas girls would try to start conversations with him much to his disinterest. He learned to let them carry on talking while he not so subtly went back to reading his novel.
The only friend he could say he has is his roommate Moose. Back at Riverdale High, they were sort of at opposite ends of the social ladder. However, they bonded at being the only ones from Riverdale attending.
"I never thought I would see the day Jughead." He mused when they were both surprisingly in their shared dorm.
"What?"
"You're a chick magnet."
Jughead glanced up from his position on the top bunk. "That is so not true."
Taking a seat at his desk, Moose tossed a mini foam football around in his hands. "Then how come I had to turn down Stacy and Abigail when they asked for your number."
His tongue clicked, "Is that why random girls keep trying to interrupt me doing homework?"
The former football player laughed. "You have to tell them you have a girlfriend."
"It's none of their business. Besides I'm not acting any different than I did back at Riverdale."
"That's because they think you're mysterious. I have it on good authority that they find you attractive because you're studiously shy."
Snorting, Jughead's eyes went back to his book. "That's funny."
He never bothered to pay attention to anyone of the opposite sex. After all, he had his amazing hot, and sexy girlfriend Betty Cooper. He had no reason to pay attention when his mind was filled with other thoughts such as the Serpents, his writing, and Archie's messes.
Sitting in class; thankfully one without Brett; he pretended to focus on writing his paper as other students chatted nearby. The desks all near him were occupied by girls which now he realizes with a shock was on purpose.
"Look at him writing. He's so passionate." Someone sighs.
"I like his beanie. That and his sweaters make him look sooo soft." Dear lord, a snort caught in his throat on that one.
"I want him to wax poetry to me. Were you there for those presentations? His voice is so deep."
"I want to know where he comes from. Obviously, he's not from around here."
"Imagine a forbidden romance. My daddy wouldn't let me date someone that isn't rich."
Jughead sighed internally, so much for flying under the radar.
He was seething. Who knew the lengths Brett would go to maintain his place at the top of the school. Not only does Brett have his and Betty's sex tape in his possession but her investigation into the voyeur stalking Riverdale residences appear to be the same man. He has tapes of some of the Serpents, Archie and Veronica, and other students at Riverdale High. He can do anything with those tapes.
What really irks him is the prospect of Brett watching Betty in her most vulnerable form. It burns him inside regardless that he's in it with her. The only person that should ever have the privilege of seeing Betty Cooper naked is him. Brett had already played his hand. Forcing him to give up the writing contract or else his sex tape will be leaked online. He has no idea what Jughead is capable of. For once the rumors about him that the girls started worked to his advantage. They see him as soft and weak. Nothing from his past has made its way to the fortress that is Stonewall Prep.
The preppies are going to be in for a rude awakening by one Jughead Jones.
"Where's Forsythe? This is the first time he's ever missed a class." Noel stated, twirling her hair in worry.
Stacy smiled coyly. "I'll bring him some food after class is over. Everyone knows he loves to eat."
"Can you two go one day without mentioning him? It's positively grating." Brett sneered.
An explosive banging sound disrupted the class. Heavy footsteps and jeers reverberated in the hallway. Students peered out of the door down the hall. Guys and girls in black leather jackets, ripped jeans, denim, and flannel were a far cry from the preppies' usual immaculate outfits.
"SEARCH IN EVERY ROOM AND EVERY CORNER! WE AREN'T LEAVING WITHOUT THOSE TAPES EVEN IF WE TEAR THIS WHOLE SCHOOL APART!"
"YES, SERPENT KING!"
The many voices echoed in unison. Some members carried equipment such as cutters and sledgehammers.
Students that were already in the hallways froze at the commanding voice. Jughead Jones stood in the middle as others ran past and ahead of him. He too was wearing a leather jacket over a white tank top although a little different from the others. His pressed school slacks were nowhere to be found as he wore black jeans and suspenders hanging loosely. A flannel tied around his waist. His ever-present beanie was also absent from his head, his black locks curling around his eyebrow slightly untamed.
When they started entering classrooms to search screams erupted. Most of the Serpents started cutting through locker locks. Preppies ran trying to escape back into their dorms.
"Sweet Pea and Fangs you're with me. Toni, I need you to keep an eye out here. No arson okay?"
Toni armed with her own baseball bat, saluted with two fingers. "Aye aye, boss man."
Jughead grabbed Betty's hand to pull her along. She too was in her Serpent jacket, hair loose, and wearing her own pair of blue ripped jeans. She's been investigating the Riverdale voyeur for months and she wanted to see through to the end of the case just as much as Jughead.
He prowled through the hallway. He knew exactly what classroom Brett is in. He should currently be in the same class. He hoped that Brett didn't run off. It would be even more of a pain in the ass to track him down. Approaching the classroom, he heard the teacher try to calm everyone down.
"Everyone stay in here, don't make a sound. The door is locked."
Betty turned towards him, "Do you want me to pick it or do you want to do the honors?"
Jughead smirked, taking a step back to ram his foot near the door handle. The old frame gave away under his boot. The students were startled away by the breach.
"Mr. Jones?" The teacher gasped.
He pursed his bottom lip over his teeth and his tongue up to his top teeth. Making eye contact with Brett still sitting at his desk, his shrill whistle signaled Sweet Pea and Fangs. The two friends each grabbed an eye, hauling him up roughly. Brett struggled against their grip but Sweet Pea shoved a fist into his gut to calm him down.
Jughead tsked, "Brett, Brett, Brett...you've underestimated me. Do you really think I would've shown my true colors in a school full of people that already think they're better than me?"
"I don't know what you're accusing me of Forsythe."
He sighed, "You're losing time to do this the easy way."
"How about this offer, you tell your thugs to unhand me or that tape gets published on the internet."
Jughead nodded thoughtfully, pacing around slightly. He shared a look with Betty who stood with her arms crossed.
Reaching into the pocket of her jacket, she pulled out brass knuckles and handed them over to Jug.
Brett's smug face dropped. "What the hell is this?"
Jughead held up a hand and wiggled his fingers now adorned with the brass. "Consider this the counter to your counter."
His fist punched the same place Sweet Pea did moments before. Brett gasped loudly, doubling over.
Betty grabbed his neck, "Where are you hiding the tapes, Brett? Either you tell us or our Serpents will and if we do this isn't going to end well for you." Her fingers increased the pressure, her nails digging into his artery.
"I must convey Betty your orgasm face was particularly enjoyable to watch. Dare I say top ten?"
Another fist quickly snapped across his face. Girls in the class screamed in surprise. Brett coughed a bruise forming on the apple of his cheek. Jughead spun back on his foot, his shoulders heavy in anger. Wisps of black hair invaded his eyesight and he pushed it away with his fingers through his hair.
Jughead bit the inside of his cheek and motioned with his head to Fangs. He kneed Brett again in the body. Sweet Pea tore the sweater and collared shirt from the arm he was holding. Meanwhile, Jughead removed something from his pocket before taking off his jacket.
"I warned you, Brett. Now it's time to pay your weight in flesh." He flicked open his butterfly knife.
Brett tried to act unconcerned, "What—What are you gonna do with that?"
"Don't worry I've done this before, however..." Jughead cocked an eyebrow, "It's painful as hell." He shrugged his one shoulder still marked with the scar. "I should know."
Brett squirmed, his legs turned to jelly making him collapse.
"I'm offering you one last chance to tell me where the tapes are." Jughead presented, crouching down on the balls of his feet. His forearms resting on his knees.
The preppy pleaded his case, shaking his head. He sighed in mock disappointment, hanging his head.
"Pick him up." He gestured with his knife.
Pulling him to his feet, Sweet Pea bared the arm he was holding.
Jughead rested the blade at the top of the shoulder, pressing down hard enough to draw blood. "If anyone in this room is squeamish I would look away now."
Brett yelled in pain, squeezing his eyes shut. The knife angled to sweep down his skin.
"You won't find it behind any doors! It's protected by the shield!" He beseeched.
Jughead paused, letting off the pressure slightly. "That doesn't give me a location."
"Wait Juggie!" Betty's hand on his bicep stopped him from continuing. "I know where the tapes are. They have to be hidden inside the crest."
Jughead took a step back analyzing her words. Abruptly he cupped the back of her neck to draw her in for a kiss. "Betty Cooper you're incredible. Lead the rest of the Serpents to see if you can break it open. I know Hoss is carrying a sledgehammer."
He flicked the knife closed and grabbed his jacket from his girlfriend. Betty smiled at him, biting her bottom lip lightly before heading to the doorway.
"SERPENTS WE HAVE A LOCATION FOLLOW ME!"
"YES SERPENT QUEEN!"
The snakes hollered, getting riled up to break into the location. Jughead turned back to focus on Brett as soon as Betty disappeared.
"You're lucky Betty was smart enough to decode your little slip-up."
Brett sighed in relief. The tension left his body. "Can you please let me go now?"
Jughead scrunched up his face in thought. Inhaling air through his teeth his head teeters back and forth.
"Nah."
He jabbed him in the bridge of his nose. His head rocketed back straining against the hold. Blood poured down his face. Another punch went directly into his eye, immediately causing it to swell shut. His other fist knocked the wind out of him. This left him open for an uppercut under his chin. Red dribbled out the side of his mouth. Brett tried sucking in a breath through his mouth since his nose was useless. A hit to the side of his jaw and his legs buckling.
"Drop him."
His body crumbled onto the floor. Sweet Pea and Fangs saddled up to their leader. Jughead took off his brass knuckles, wiping the blood off on his white tank top. The bottom of it was now speckled with blood.
"If you ever try to blackmail anyone ever again. The Southside Serpents would gladly pay another visit or maybe we'll just bring you back to our bar. I know you've always wanted to know what my home life was like. I would love to show it to you."
Jughead left a parting kick to the side of Brett's face. His neck snapped to the other side widely causing blood to spray on the wood and partially on the desk.
A loud crash preceded by raucous cheering clued him in on the crest being a success. Sweet Pea and Fangs went ahead out the door. Jughead followed but pivoted on his foot.
"Oh by the way," He pointed casually to the teacher. "I won't be back in class. I'm going back to Riverdale High." He turned his attention to the main group of girls huddled in the corner. "As you can see, I'm not soft or shy. Don't make that mistake again."
He strolled down the hallway where the Serpents swarmed around a metal crest of the school. Each taking turns smashing it. Where the crest used to be was hallowed out with shelves. On each shelf was a multitude of black VHS tapes stacked on top of each other.
Jeremy straddled a ladder, handing out tapes to be destroyed. Betty was with Toni tossing a tape for her to obliterate with her bat. Jughead wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing the side of her neck. "Another case closed Tracy True."
Betty giggled, hugging his arms to her. They both looked up to Jeremy waving a tape.
"This one is for you Bossman and Ms. Betty."
Jughead reached up to snag the tape, his fingers running over the label that had their names on it. "Thanks, Jer."
He unwound the film inside, tearing it to shreds before smashing the plastic on the ground.
Hoss and Fangs were enjoying bashing each tape with a sledgehammer. No doubt leaving dents into the flooring but none of them cared. Time seemed to slow down as Jughead watched everyone around him having a good time. They needed this, something fun and exciting.
Sweet Pea slung an arm over his shoulder and asked kinda breathlessly. "Can we do this again?"