AUTHORS NOTE
This chapter can be completely skipped as it simply establishes some of the more obvious information and just shows Jaune being a bit awkward with his team and lots of exposition about the current problem or situation. The one shot operate as the first chapter and this is more of a continuation of the first hence why it feels improper so imagine this as chapter 1.5
ALSO this story will not be a harem story or even much of a romance story most romance will be put on the backburner and this will primarily be a fic focused on fight scenes and creative ways the RWBY world will interact with JJK stuff
/-/ Scene 0 The Past: Nest /-/
Jaune stood in Beacon Academy's courtyard, a hornets' nest cradled carefully in his hands. The commotion had caught his eye from the Headmaster's office, sparking his curiosity and leading him on a small adventure.
With practiced ease, Jaune extended his ability to a centimeter over his hands—a technique his father had taught him for social events, allowing his power to remain active yet contained. The hornets hung suspended in this pocket of space, trapped like insects in amber.
Jaune turned the nest over gently, his diamond eyes scanning its intricate structure. Colors beyond normal description wove through the hive's mesh, visible only to his enhanced perception. He marveled at the dozens of perfect hexagons, a smile playing on his lips as he appreciated the minute details that only he could see.
"Jaune!" a voice called, shattering his concentration.
In that split second of distraction, his control wavered. Some hornets broke free, and two managed to sting his soft hands before he could react. Jaune yelped in pain, dropping the nest and raising his hands instinctively to protect his face.
Panic surged through him, and his ability exploded outward uncontrollably. A loud creaking and splintering sound filled the air.
"Jaune!" The familiar voice called again, closer this time. He turned to see bright yellow lockes approaching rapidly.
"Mom!" he cried out, running towards Glynda Goodwitch with his hands outstretched.
Glynda dropped to her knees, scooping Jaune into her arms. "What are you doing out here? Why aren't you with your father?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and scolding.
Jaune buried his face in her shoulder, his voice muffled. "The groundskeeper found a hive. I saw it from Dad's office. I wanted to see it."
Glynda's eyes darted to where Jaune had been sitting moments ago. A nearby tree had been violently uprooted, as if torn from the ground by an explosion. Pieces of the hive and hornet parts littered the ground, seemingly shredded by an invisible force.
The sound of an approaching engine broke the moment. Glynda's mouth quirked into a frown as she set Jaune down. "We're going to speak to your father," she stated matter-of-factly.
Jaune nodded, "Okay, Mom." His golden hair, so reminiscent of Glynda's own, caught the sunlight as he looked up at her. Despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, Glynda felt her heart melt.
As they prepared to leave, the groundskeeper approached hesitantly. "Miss Goodwitch?"
Glynda's professional demeanor snapped back into place. "A student misfired their weapon. They've been reprimanded. I want this cleaned up immediately—it's improper for Beacon's grounds to be in such a state of disarray." She turned away from the stunned groundskeeper. "If anyone asks about the overturned soil, tell them flowers are being planted."
Jaune's face lit up. "Can they be geraniums?" he asked quietly, giving his mother's hand a gentle squeeze.
Glynda's composure cracked just a little. "Plant some geraniums. They're in season," she ordered the groundskeeper, who nodded and retreated to his vehicle without another word.
As they walked towards the Headmaster's tower, Glynda sighed. "Your father will be hearing about this."
Jaune nodded solemnly, then added with a small smile, "He likes geraniums."
/-/ Scene 1 Ceremony /-/
Jaune stood at parade rest, his arms planted firmly behind his back. Despite their informal appearance, the other members of his team mirrored his posture. His eyes, though fixed on his father, could perceive Pyrrha Nikos stealing glances at him from her peripheral vision.
The formation of teams had been an interesting process. Despite Jaune's initial encounter with Ruby, the rules dictated she be paired with Weiss. Jaune had deliberately kept his distance from the others during initiation, yet fate had other plans. When Pyrrha appeared in a clearing, hot on the heels of a Deathstalker, their paths converged, and they found themselves partners. This twist of fate worried Jaune, who made a mental note to hide his collection of Pyrrha merchandise before moving into the dorm.
Ozpin's voice rang out across the auditorium, "Pyrrha Nikos. Lie Ren. Nora Valkyrie. Jaune Ozpin."
Jaune winced as the eyes of both his team and Team RWBY suddenly fixed on him. The deliberate omission of his last name during the initiation had been intentional – the last thing he wanted was to draw undue attention. But now, the whispers of favoritism seemed inevitable.
"Team JNPR's leader shall be Jaune Ozpin," Ozpin announced, his tone neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of pride.
Internally, Jaune screamed. The word "favoritism" hung in the air, almost tangible in its obviousness. He could feel the thoughts forming in the minds of those around him, the inevitable assumptions about his appointment as leader.
Pyrrha turned to face him, her emerald eyes brimming with hope and admiration. Despite the blindfold covering most of the upper part of his face, Jaune managed to give her a small, reassuring smile.
/-/ Scene 2 Team Building /-/
As Team JNPR made their way through Beacon's hallways, Nora Valkyrie's animated voice filled the air. She was currently deep into a rant about a type of butterfly native to northern Mistral, and Jaune did his best to follow her almost incomprehensible story.
"So there I was, fighting this Grimm, when suddenly I fell right into this massive hive of butterflies!" Nora exclaimed, her arms flailing wildly. "And get this – the Vale species? Totally herbivorous. But in Mistral? Carnivorous!"
Jaune tried not to gag as Nora vividly described watching a pig in a pasture get devoured in seconds by a swarm of these butterflies, acting almost like locusts. He glanced at Lie Ren, expecting him to chime in and temper Nora's exaggerations as he had been doing every few minutes. But this time, Ren only looked detached and distant as Nora recounted fighting a swarm of these butterflies using fire Dust bombs.
"He's seen some things," Jaune concluded silently, a new respect for his quiet teammate forming.
Though he was facing forward, Jaune's unique vision allowed him to detect Pyrrha's energy. He could tell her eyes were locked onto the back of his head, as if she were scanning him for some reason. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, he kept his gaze ahead, trying not to look at her directly.
"Are you okay?" he asked, breaking the silence between them.
Pyrrha shook her head, her eyes darting forward. "Your blindfold... I haven't seen you remove it. Does your Semblance help you see?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
Jaune nodded, even if the truth was much more complicated. "My Semblance helps me see a lot better than normal people, but it can be tiring. I use the blindfold to give my eyes a rest," he explained, offering a simplified version of the truth.
Pyrrha's face lit up with a warm smile. "That's really cool, Jaune."
He blushed, thankful that the cloth covered his cheeks. "Thank you, Miss Nikos," he replied curtly, keeping his gaze fixed on the hall ahead.
"Just Pyrrha is fine. You're my partner, after all," she insisted gently.
"And our fearless leader!" Nora chimed in, her voice nearly deafening Jaune as she shouted near his ear.
Jaune winced slightly but managed a small smile. "I haven't really led a team before. I'm not sure what to do," he admitted frankly.
Pyrrha nodded understandingly. "I haven't either, but I suppose for now we should find our dorm?"
"That would probably be best," Jaune agreed, relieved to have a concrete task to focus on. "Do you all know where to find your luggage?" he asked, trying to take charge of the situation.
Nora piped up, "Miss Goodwitch said that our stuff would be delivered to our rooms later, but me and Ren don't really carry much."
Jaune nodded, struggling to find more conversation starters. The weight of leadership was already pressing down on him, and he found himself wishing for some of Nora's seemingly boundless energy or Pyrrha's easy confidence.
As they made their way down the hallway, Jaune decided to learn more about his new teammates. "Have either of you ever attended a Huntsman school before?" he asked, glancing at Ren and Nora.
Both shook their heads. "We've been wandering around Mistral," Ren explained, his voice calm and measured. "Hunting Grimm and doing odd jobs. We took an entrance exam and were admitted."
Jaune nodded, turning to Pyrrha. She smiled softly before answering, "I was privately tutored and did the same, though I did fight in the tournaments at Sanctum."
Jaune fought the urge to mention that he had been at that tournament and still had a signed t-shirt. Instead, he kept his composure and said, "What about you, Jaune?"
Realizing the question was directed at him, Jaune quickly formulated a response. "I was trained by my uncle and one of my dad's friends. Took the entrance exam too."
"Wow, so we're all just a bunch of weirdos, huh!" Nora exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ren immediately went to scold her, but Jaune let out a small laugh. "I guess so," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
As they walked, Jaune's gaze fell on Pyrrha's headpiece. His unique vision allowed him to see more than most, and he couldn't help but ask, "There's Dust in that, right?"
Pyrrha's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"
"Good eyes," Jaune explained simply, not wanting to reveal too much. "So why make the headpiece more durable than the rest of the armor?"
Pyrrha thought for a moment, her hand unconsciously reaching up to touch the circlet. "It was a gift from my mother. I think it was an heirloom."
Jaune nodded, filing away this piece of information about his partner. Their conversation was interrupted as they arrived at their destination. Room 829 stood before them, and with a small creak, the door opened to reveal a cookie-cutter room, likely an exact copy of the one next door.
Nora immediately slipped inside, her eyes darting around the plain room with a vigor that Jaune didn't quite understand. "WOAH!" she yelled, jumping into the air and landing on one of the beds stomach-first in a dramatic belly flop.
Ren, in contrast, had a much easier time surveying the room. His eyes moved methodically over the color of the walls and the arrangement of beds. With a small nod, he turned to the bed on the right, placing himself between Nora and the corner.
Jaune turned to Pyrrha, gesturing to the remaining beds. "You pick," he offered.
Pyrrha shook her head, her ponytail swaying with the motion. "No, no, you can have first pick."
"I insist, it's alright," Jaune countered, raising a hand.
As the two continued their polite back-and-forth, Nora, now lying with her legs dangling over the side of her chosen bed, eyed them curiously. She turned to Ren, who merely shrugged in response. Clearing her throat dramatically, Nora interrupted the impasse.
"So, fearless leader," she called out, her voice filled with enthusiasm, "what's the first order of business?"
Jaune blinked, suddenly aware that all eyes were on him. He looked around at his team – Nora's boundless energy, Ren's quiet patience, and Pyrrha's encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and prepared to take his first real step as Team JNPR's leader.
"Well," he began, his mind racing to formulate a plan, "I think our first order of business should be...food?"
Jaune looked around at his teammates, suddenly aware that they were all waiting for his input. "Has anyone eaten?" he asked awkwardly, his mind flashing back to a TV show he had watched.
"I could eat," Ren said simply.
Jaune nodded, turning to the others. "Anyone else?"
Pyrrha spoke up quietly, "I'm a bit peckish."
"Okay, yeah," Jaune said, a smile spreading across his face. "I know this place in Vale that makes pretty much anything. Any suggestions?"
Pyrrha tilted her head, her ponytail swaying gently. "It's already 7, I think the last Bullhead already flew back."
Jaune's smile widened, and he shook his head. "I can handle it," he told her, trying to ignore the curious look that crossed her features.
Glancing around, Jaune noticed Ren seemingly waiting for someone else to speak up, while Nora appeared deep in thought. Suddenly, the sound of a scroll dinging echoed in the room, and Jaune's hand quickly reached into his dark pants pocket.
"Oh, it's my mom," he said aloud, catching Pyrrha's interest.
Jaune lifted the scroll and jutted a thumb towards the door. "Uh, try to pick a place. I'll be right back, okay?" he said, walking backwards and swinging his arm towards the door. He closed it behind him, then answered the call.
"Is something happening?" he asked his mother.
"Your father needs to talk to you. He's in his office," Glynda responded.
Jaune looked around, sensing that no one was nearby. He felt the energy in his body pooling, ready to teleport, but his mother's voice stopped him.
"Please use the elevator. I would prefer if no one saw you," she said.
Jaune mentally translated her request and tuned his senses further, detecting the aura of Team RWBY across the hall. They seemed to be chatting about something, while his own teammates were still discussing food.
"Is this a private conversation?" Jaune asked.
"A family emergency," Glynda replied quickly.
/-/ Scene 3 Mission Briefing /-/
Jaune couldn't say his father's office was intimidating. Far from it, actually. During the day, when his mother had to attend to matters with students and Tsune was unavailable, he would spend his time sitting in the headmaster's office, reading through an old book his father had suggested. On rare occasions, when his father completed his paperwork early, they would play chess.
But now, as the elevator creaked slightly and closed behind him, the steel grey cage shifted, making him feel uneasy. He assumed it was just his nerves. Jaune put a hand to his face and blushed, remembering the way Pyrrha had smiled at him earlier. Shaking his head, he placed his hands in his pockets.
After a moment, the elevator came to a stop, and Jaune found himself staring into the clockwork tower of his father's office. He raised a hand, slipping it through his shaggy hair to make himself look decently presentable, expecting his mother to comment on it.
"Dad?" he called out to his father, who sat behind the headmaster's desk. As expected, his mother stood at his side, her pointed gaze softening slightly, her lip curling into a small smile that Jaune wondered if only he could detect due to his unique eyes.
"Jaune, please come sit down," his father requested.
Jaune nodded. Reality warped around him, and he reappeared, blinking into existence in the chair in front of his father.
"Jaune, no teleporting in the office," his mother chided.
"I took the elevator," Jaune protested. "Plus, no one else is around."
"Being lawful only when no one is there isn't being lawful at all. It means one is simply afraid of consequences," his mother lectured.
Jaune groaned internally, turning back to his father. He pulled his blindfold free, letting his father see his eyes. A small smile cracked across the usually stoic man's face before he placed a small folder on the desk. Jaune could see the words on the page even without opening it, yet he propped it open as a courtesy.
"Faunus going missing?" Jaune asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at his father. "Is there a problem?"
Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "You don't consider this a problem?"
Jaune shook his head. "No, it's just... When you said there was a problem, I kind of expected something like, 'Grimm leviathan flying towards Menagerie.' This seems more like Qrow's work."
"Qrow's work?" Ozpin inquired.
Jaune smiled, showing his teeth. "I mean, sure, this is a problem, but you call Qrow if someone goes missing or needs their butt kicked. You call me if you need me for special stuff."
Ozpin sighed. "Unfortunately, Qrow is preoccupied with a separate investigation, and I thought you might be interested in this case, given that it pertains to you."
Jaune placed the file on the desk. "How so?"
"Recently, there was a White Fang incident where a higher-ranking member seemed to exhibit an ability in addition to his Semblance," Ozpin explained.
Jaune's eyes widened perceptibly. "Do they have my ability?"
Ozpin shook his head. "No, but unfortunately, he was able to kill several Huntsmen using an as-of-now unknown ability that allows him to summon Grimm-like beings."
Jaune placed his hands on his knees, listening intently.
"As of now, a surviving Huntsman described the manifested beings as several dogs, a colony of rabbits, and a large owl-like creature capable of using electricity," Ozpin continued.
Jaune leaned back, putting his hands behind his head. "This sounds ridiculous," he said, his tone a mix of disbelief and intrigue.
Jaune leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "I noticed Blake Belladonna in the new class. I read their file. Do you believe she's involved?" he asked.
Ozpin shook his head. "No, I don't believe so. You see, this individual has a history with the Belladonna family. It seems they disagreed with the methodology of the White Fang, and after a disagreement, Miss Belladonna abandoned the target in question in the middle of a mission."
"So now she's here at Beacon for her own protection?" Jaune guessed.
Ozpin nodded, and Jaune whispered, "Big softie."
"Excuse me?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing," Jaune said quickly. "So, what's the chance of this man coming back for revenge? Obviously, if he has an ability like mine, he would be incredibly dangerous. If I were abandoned by my teammate, I'd want revenge."
"The chances are unfortunately very high," Ozpin admitted.
Jaune considered this for a moment. "So couldn't we wait until he shows up here and I deal with him?"
Ozpin shook his head. "Unfortunately, sightings of the target in question have been made all over Remnant. Atlas, Vale, Mistral... Most recently, a Schnee Dust Company carrier was seemingly stolen after a thunderstorm randomly appeared."
"I'm guessing this guy used the owl thing?" Jaune already knew the answer. "What's this guy's name?"
Ozpin pulled a document from his desk. "Property of SDC" was stamped on it. The picture itself resembled a mugshot and was faded from age and improper storage. Jaune focused on the man's red hair and blue eyes.
"Adam Taurus," Ozpin said, and Jaune dedicated the face to memory.
"So, simple mission. Find the guy, beat him, and bring him in for questioning or trial or whatever, right?" Jaune asked, but Ozpin remained silent.
Jaune turned to his mother. "Mom?" he asked, and Glynda sighed.
"Tell him, Oz," she said softly.
Jaune turned back to his father, whose hands remained steepled. Ozpin's voice was grave as he spoke. "Due to the nature of this man's history with Huntsmen and humans in general, his extremist nature, and the fact that his abilities might not be capable of being suppressed like yours due to the unique power it draws from... In the event you face him in battle..." Ozpin paused, his hand tightening around the mug of coffee. "You will take his life."
Jaune shook his head firmly. "No," he replied frankly.
"No?" Ozpin echoed, surprise evident in his voice.
"No," Jaune repeated. "This isn't like killing Grimm. Grimm don't have minds of their own; they don't have the capability to feel and think on their own." He turned to Glynda, his eyes pleading. "You told me all life is sacred, that life shouldn't be taken if there's an alternative. Even if he killed Huntsmen, he can stand trial. Even if I have to hold him down myself, I can make sure that he stands trial for his crimes."
He turned back to his father, his resolve evident. "I'll find out what's up with this guy. And if I find him, I'll bring him in, but I'm not just going to kill him if there's an alternative."
Ozpin's voice became softer, a rare tenderness in his tone. "Jaune, if he could be brought in without violence, then that is what we would do. But we know little about what the source your abilities are. Frankly, you are the only person who can hold him responsible. If he's even half as capable as you, then he needs to be kept in check. For the safety of everyone."
"And that's supposed to be me?" Jaune's fist tightened. "When you say capable, you mean dangerous. If he's half as dangerous as me, then he's too much of a threat to be left alone. And because I'm the only one who can put him down, I need to be the one to do it." His voice cracked slightly. "What if it were me? If I were to go rogue and do whatever it is this guy was doing, then what? Would you try to convince me to see reason, or would you just have the next strongest in line take me out?"
Jaune looked up from the floor, finding a hand touching his cheek. His eyes met his mother's, and she frowned. "We would never, ever make that order, Jaune. You are our son, and we would try and try and try as many times as it took to get you back. If you meet him and you can convince him, then do it. But if it came to me choosing his life or yours, I'd choose yours. No one has the right to draw the line for if someone is too far gone. But the more this man is let loose, the more innocent people will get hurt. If there was another way forward, we'd pursue it."
Jaune's eyes flitted back to Ozpin. "I will try to convince him," Jaune said, his voice firm. "What's the point of being powerful if you can't save those you care for? You told me that, Dad."
Ozpin's face darkened. He rose, and in turn, Jaune did as well. "In war, sometimes one must do things in order to protect those he cares for. Power is responsibility and sacrifice."
Jaune looked to his father, and the man placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am proud that in all your power, you care enough. But I pray that when the time comes, you see reason," Ozpin said. "Goodnight, son."
He turned back to the desk. Glynda embraced Jaune tightly.
"Your team needs you. Better not keep them waiting," Ozpin said quietly.
Jaune nodded. "Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Mom," he said, giving a tight smile before he vanished from the office.
/-/ Scene C /-/
Heels clicked against the metal deck of the massive dust carrier. The snow-white hull gleamed under the dim light of the moon, a stark contrast to the churning ocean below. Waves rolled and crashed against each other, sea mist rising into the air, tickling Cinder's nose and eliciting a scowl from her.
"Emerald," she called to her confidant through her earpiece.
The green-haired woman's voice crackled back, "The last of the guards are being... transformed. I'm on my way up." Muffled yelling could be heard in the background before the communication cut out.
Cinder turned her attention to her other accomplice. "Mercury, is the dust properly sealed?"
"Just got the last container secure," he replied. "When are we going to dump it?"
"There's an island three klicks south of here," Cinder specified, her gaze fixed on a looming shadow in the distance, seemingly rising from the depths. A rare smile graced her face as her eyes gleamed with anticipation. Red energy pooled in her hands as she raised an open palm towards the approaching iceberg. The large aircraft inched closer to the frozen mass.
Cinder pointed her fingernails towards the ice, her voice barely above a whisper. "Cleave."
