Jaune's aura was falling. The constant vibrations were alerting the three remaining members of team JNPR to this fact. Pyrrha, was worried beyond belief, and so were Nora, and Ren. Ren tried calming himself, and Nora down but Jaune had told her that he was going down to Vale, but what could he possibly be doing where he was getting his aura drained like this?
The trio debates on going to Goodwitch, or Ozpin, but decides to check with team RWBY first. They should still be up, and Ruby might know what's going on seeing how Jaune and her were already fairly close. Better to check after all.
Weiss opens the door to see the three members of team JNPR, and peaks her head out of the doorway looking for their leader. When she doesn't spot him she opens the door fully. "How nice to see you Pyrrha."
"You as well Weiss." Pyrrha acts as calmly as she can in this situation.
"What do you need at this time of the evening?"
"We need to speak to Ruby." Ren says from behind the redhead.
"Of course. Come in."
"What's this about if I may ask?" Weiss opens the door wider.
"Jaune's missing and his aura is falling."
Weiss' smile drops, and her tone shifts to that of indifference at the mention of her harrasser "How awful. Come on in."
"Thank you Weiss." Pyrrha pushes past the Schnee heiress, and straight into the room "Ruby have you seen Jaune lately or did he tell you where he was going?"
"He didn't tell me he was going anywhere. Is he missing?"
"Yes, and his aura is taking hits consistently." To emphasize her point Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora's scrolls vibrate, alerting them to Jaune's aura dropping into the red.
"Do you know where he might be at all?"
"Did you check the training rooms? Maybe he came back, and is doing a bit of late night sparring."
"He would've told one of us I'm sure."
"I don't know." Yang pipes in "He has been training fairly hard, I've run into him a few times when I've done an evening workout. Whenever I ask him why isn't he training with you guys he just says he doesn't want to bother."
"Well then lets check before assuming he's missing." Ruby reasons
"If he's missing at least I'll finally be left alone." Weiss whispers under her breath. The statement unheard by all but Blake.
The seven students walk quickly towards the training area. Their presence not unusual to the few others out. Team RWBY, and JNPR were always together it felt like. A few wonder what they're doing out this late though, and why they're heading to the training rooms in their pajamas.
When they entered the training area they noticed the silence. The room was empty, and Jaune's aura was now barely above zero, and falling fast. Another buzz, and his aura was gone. A pit formed in the groups stomach.
"Are you sure you don't know where he is Ruby? Please I need to know. I don't care if he asked you to keep it a secret."
"I really dont know Pyrrha, and I'm just as worried as you about what's going on with him."
"I saw him on my way down to Vale, and we even talked a little." Blake says "He didn't tell me where he was going. Most he told me was that he was coming down to Vale to meet with a friend."
"Are you sure there isn't anything else?"
"Yeah I'm sure."
"We should go to Ozpin or Goodwitch if you're really concerned." Weiss says
Yang shrugs "It's worth a shot. I'm sure they can help."
"I was going to do that, but instead I decided to come to you for help just for you four to be useless!" Pyrrha shouts, and races off towards Goodwitch's class the rest of the group following behind.
Pyrrha knocks on the door of Goodwitch's classroom. It was late, but the professor was still working, and whatever this break might entail was enough reason to give herself a rest. Glynda stands her joints popping as she gets up.
Opening the door she's surprised to see seven of her first year students at her door and out of breath. Sighing Goodwitch waits for them to catch their breath before she starts asking questions. "Team JNPR, Team RWBY. What is it you need at this time?"
"Jaune is missing, and his aura is completely depleted. We need your help to find him, and make sure he's okay."
"Did he give you any hints to where he was going?"
"No Professor. That's why we're here. We want to know if you can track him so we can get to him."
"I can do that, but I have to warn you there is little we can do about it until he's been gone for more than a day. Students can stay out on weekends even if we do not recommend it. There are also no bullheads for students to travel to Vale this late. Just because his aura is gone doesn't mean we can do anything about it right now."
"Thats stupid. His aura is gone, and we cant go down to find him?" Nora scoffs
Professor Goodwitch sighs. She's going to need Ozpin to help her with this one. "I am going to call the headmaster, and tell him of your situation. He will be able to show you where your teammate and friend is. He will more than likely have the same opinion as me so be prepared."
Pyrrha, Nora, and Ruby nod. Pulling out her scroll Goodwitch calls Ozpin, and asks him to come down, and talk to the students about the situation, and how there's nothing they can do as of now. Ozpin agrees, and understands that the two teams aren't going to leave until he tells them himself. After around five minutes the headmaster shows up, and sighs as he looks upon the group..
"Good evening students. I heard you are worried about Mister Arc being missing, and having his aura broken?"
"Yes headmaster. We are concerned he's in danger, and want to know where he is."
"Hmm how long ago was his aura broken?"
"About 20 minutes ago. We were alerted that it started to work again briefly, before it broke again, and about 10 minutes ago it started recovering again."
"Well seeing as his aura is actively working, depending on where Mister Arc is we may not be able to do anything more than track his location."
"But he could be in danger no matter where he is."
"This is true, Miss Rose, but it is late, and the fact that his aura is rising steadily once more indicates that as of now he is safe, and recovering."
"Can you please tell us where he is headmaster? I need to know."
"Of course Miss Nikos." Ozpin grabs his scroll, and types Jaune Arc, and requests a location ping from his scroll. "It seems hes in the warehouse district of Vale near the docks."
"Why would he be there?" Pyrrha asks.
"I do not know, perhaps you can ask him when he gets back, or you can text him, and see what his response is. Now if you don't mind I would like to get back to bed, and I'm sure Professor Goodwitch would like to get back to her work so she may rest as well. Goodnight."
"But that's such a weird place to be at this time. Are you not suspicious at all?!" Weiss says
"No. There have also yet to be reports of an explosion of any kind yet from that area so I am going to go to sleep before one is spoken into existence."
With that the headmaster left, and Goodwitch wished the seven a pleasant rest of their night, and went back into her classroom closing the door with her semblance.
"So what do we do now?"
"We try calling, and texting him, and if he doesn't answer then we can look for him tomorrow."
"Pyrrha just give it up. It's almost 1, and his aura is still going back up. If we don't go to sleep then we wont have any energy for tomorrow." A half asleep Ruby groans.
"Just one more time then we can go to bed. I promise."
"Fine." The small reaper says sliding her scroll over to Pyrrha. Pyrrha takes Ruby's scroll, and calls Jaune with it.
"Jaune please call me back, I'm worried. We know whatever you're doing is probably keeping you busy, but just get back to me when you can."
"You feel better now?"
"No."
"We did as much as we could for the night. It's time to go to bed."
Pyrrha gets up from the floor of team RWBY's room, wishes them a good night to a collection of groans, and then leaves. When she enters her teams room she sees Ren and Nora fast asleep, and a small part of her is angry at the fact they're sleeping while their leader is missing. Lying down Pyrrha sends Jaune a final text before she takes Ruby's advice, and falls asleep…
Jaune was knocked out cold on his couch. His bathroom floor vibrating softly as yet another text hits his scroll. The knight sleeps peacefully, and has no worries for now. Elsewhere Neo was robbing small dust shops, and stopping a semi-truck so white fang grunts could steal every bit of dust from the back.
When Jaune wakes up he notices he's still a bit sore. Walking into the bathroom Jaune looks at his shoulder, and sees it's still fairly bruised. There must've been more damage than he originally thought. Jaune puts on his pants from last night, and feels his scroll. As soon as he feels it he cringes. 'That's what I was supposed to do.'
Pulling the device out of his pocket Jaune checks the notifications, and sees dozens of missed calls, and texts from the member's of his team and team RWBY. Even Weiss called. Jaune's heart beat a little faster seeing that. When he checked his voicemail it was message after message from them asking him where he was and what he was doing that got his aura broken.
He must have really worried them. Jaune dials the number to Pyrrha, and is answered pretty much as he puts the scroll to his ear. "Jaune are you okay? what happened? where are you? why were you in the warehouse district? why didn't you answer any of my calls or texts?!"
Jaune pulls the phone away from his head. "Pyrrha slow down. I'm fine. What were your other questions?"
"What happened, and why were you in the warehouse district?"
"I was training with someone."
"Why didn't you answer any of our calls or texts?"
"My scroll was on vibrate, and my pants with my scroll in it were on my bathroom floor. Sorry."
"Why were your pants off? What kind of training were you doing, and who were you training with?"
"I took a shower, and it was with a friend of mine. I'll be back soon, and tell Ruby I didn't forget that I'm going to Vale with her today."
"Wait, you showered with a friend? Where even are you right now Jaune?"
"I'm in my apartment, and I did-" A knock at the door is heard by the knight. "Hold on Pyrrha I'll call you back."
"Wait. Jau-"
The scroll goes silent much to Pyrrha's dismay, and Jaune exits the bathroom and grabs a shirt before opening the door. "Jaune. Do you care to tell us why you were seen walking down the streets covered in bruises, and looking like someone had beaten you half to death?"
"Mitiades, Melanie? Why are you two here?"
"Because you decided to get the shit beat out of you dumbass. Who did this to you, and what did they want?" Melanie questions.
"It was just training. We just got a little too carried away. You really don't have to worry guys."
"I don't care what you were doing. I need to know what they wanted, and what their name is."
"She doesn't want anything. We were seriously just training."
"Who were you training with that would get you as fucked up as you were?" Miltiades says next
"A friend of mine."
"We want a name Jaune."
"Her name's Neo. Now if you don't mind I need to get back to Beacon. My friends are worried about me."
"I swear to the Gods Jaune if you're mixed up with Neopolitan I am going to kill you myself." Melanie scowls.
"Why are you so worked up about who I'm training with?"
"Well seeing as you were beat half to death we thought you would've figured it out why, but apparently she knocked any bit of common sense you may have had out."
"She just went a little too far, and didn't realize my aura was gone."
"Who is she Jaune?"
"Fine it is Neopolitan, but she's really not that bad."
"You're getting the shit beaten out of you willingly by Neopolitan." Miltiades stares at the knight dumbfounded.
"You two know her?"
"Yeah. Why the hell are you involved with her?"
"I owe her a favor and she's been training me to prepare me for Beacon."
"Why didn't you tell us this before?"
"Because you two never asked, and I didn't think it was all that important."
"You know who she is and what she does right?"
"No, and I don't want to know unless she tells me herself."
"You should know who you're dealing with here Jaune. She's dangerous, and she would sell you out for Ro-her partner in an instant." Melanie slips up, and her sister glares at her.
"I know she's dangerous, but so are you two and Junior. I know you're good people though. I trust you three just the same as I trust Neo. The less I know about what either of you do when you're not working at the club the better."
"Jaune please-"
"What Melanie?" Jaune grimaces "Be careful? I'm going into the most dangerous profession with the same amount of training one of my classmates when they were eleven. Maybe even less. I'm barely passing classes, and the ones squeaking by in I'm not I'm failing miserably. I couldn't care less if she's a contract killer right now. She's my friend, and she's one of four people in this city I trust with my damn secrets. The other three are you two and Junior."
"As much as we tease you, we are trying to make sure one of our friends is okay, and finding out you're dealing with Neopolitan, and you owe her is worrying. She will ask for something, and knowing you, you're not going to like what she asks for, but you're going to have to be there regardless. Nobody will be able to help you."
"I know. She was very clear on the fact that I owe her."
"How bad did she hurt you last night?"
"She busted up my arm, and mouth. Outside of those there was nothing more than a few bruises, and shallow cuts. I have to get back to Beacon soon though so if you two don't mind leaving, and please lets forget about this, and not argue."
"Fine, but you owe us a visit, and you should see Junior. He's soft your scrawny ass."
"I'll see him I promise. I'll try stopping by later this week. Arc's word."
"Good, now don't forget to say hi to us once in a while asshole."
"I will I will. I hope you two are doing good. Don't be scared to text me anytime you need me, or just feel like it."
"See you soon Jaune, and don't forget what we are warning you about." Melanie says to Jaune before he shuts the door softly.
"Alright Ruby. Where are we going now?"
"I want food, and you're paying."
"Alright I'm fine with that. But my question still stands. Where do you want to go Crater Face?"
"HEY!"
"I'm just kidding. I know a good sandwich shop if you might like. If not there's a dozen other places I know. There's even a good pizza spot by my apartment."
"I think pizza sounds good."
"Great. Let's go."
Jaune and Ruby sat down in the pizza parlor a large pepperoni pizza between them. "So Ruby what do you got on your mind. I know you wanted me to hang out with you more than to just go pick up a new spring."
"I wanted to talk about my team."
"Is something wrong with them?
Weiss has gotten better, and has been much more friendly to me. That's not the problem with her anymore. She, and Blake are almost always arguing. Its affecting our work, and I felt like things had just gotten better too. Sometimes the days are great, but others it feels like I'm just roomates with two strangers who hate eachother. Does your team have any problems like this, or any problems at all?"
"We have our small problems, but most of them stem from my lack of experience, and Nora getting in trouble."
"So I'm just that bad of a leader?"
"Absolutely not Ruby you're ten times the leader I am. I just got lucky with my team. Nora, and Ren have been together so long they didn't have to worry about getting to know eachother or having big arguments. Pyrrha just wants the rest of us to be happy and is content wherever she needs to be. I'm only the leader in name."
"What am I doing wrong then Jaune?"
"I don't know. I think you just need to keep them away from eachother or have them talk out their differences once and for all."
"How would I do that?"
"Once again. I don't know. I know you're doing the best you can, if need be remind them that their bickering is only going to get you guys hurt. Grimm do feed on negativity after all. You're their leader."
"You're not really helping me here Jaune."
"I don't know how to help you all that well Ruby. I'm friends with you, and blake, and I think Yang and I are cool. I cant really say Weiss likes me enough to talk to me."
"Just give me something please."
"You're their team leader. Enforce it. Tell them that if they want to fight then they can fight against you, and see how far that gets them with their arguing. If they want to go against their team then punish them."
"That's a great idea!"
"No it isn't."
"Thank's Jaune. I think I want dessert now."
"Well then let's go get you something sweet." Jaune laughs placing enough money down for a sizeable tip on top of the price of the pizza.
The pair of leaders stroll through the streets of Vale going in and out of stores. Every time Jaune tries leaving Ruby alone for even a minute the girl latches onto his arm, and tells him he isn't leaving her sight. Which led to an awkward conversation about how he needs to pee alone, and he's really not in danger.
Ruby was reluctant but let Jaune leave for a couple minutes. When he came back she looked visually relieved. "Ruby. I just got too carried away while training. I didn't go around and fight criminals."
"I know it's just kind of scary when your friend goes missing, and his aura starts dropping like he's getting hit by a truck over and over again. What kind of training were you even doing?"
"Hahaha. It was really just a spar between me and a friend of mine who I've known for a while."
"Fine, but next time you're training turn off your scroll or at the very least disconnect your aura from it so I don't have to lose hours of sleep listening to your partner worry about you."
"Sorry bout Pyrrha." Jaune scratches rubs the back of his head embarrassed. "Can you really disconnect your aura from your scroll?"
"Yeah. It sends off a notification to the teachers though."
"How do you know that?"
"Yang."
"Ah yeah that makes sense."
"Believe me when I tell you the first time she figures out how to do that she got into a boatload of trouble with our dad."
"Is your dad a hunter?"
"Yeah, and so is our uncle. They also both teach at Signal."
"So you guys would get in trouble at home, and at school. That doesn't sound all that fun."
"It wasn't we always had to have the best grades, and the best records in class. They held us to a higher standard since we're under their care, and were getting extra lessons, and help. I love them both to death, but it kind of made it hard to have much fun. Those two and Yang being her overprotective self."
"I feel you with the overprotective parents, and sisters."
"I forgot you do. I know having seven sisters must be hell. You have any tips for your adorable best friend?"
"Not really all of them are different, and wont really stop being overprotective of you. Sometime's you feel like you just need to run away from it all." Jaune laughs
"I know. It was obviously great to be accepted into Beacon two years early, but maybe I should've waited the two years, and went to Shade, Atlas, or Haven. It would've been a bit of a nice escape."
"It would be, but you wouldn't know all the great people you know now at Beacon. Weiss, Blake, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren. You would probably feel pretty alone, and it would take some time to figure out to make new friends. I also wouldn't have you as my best friend. That would really suck."
"You're right. Things aren't always great, but I don't think I could give this up for the world. I wish you could've gone to Signal with me. I think having a friend like you would've helped me a lot."
"We could've been best friends, or mortal enemies if we had known eachother longer. Who knows how it might have gone." Jaune smiles at Ruby. "I'm just glad I get to be your best friend here and now."
"Me too."
"Any questions?"
The class stayed absolutely silent apart from some light snoring. Oobleck looked at the students in disappointment. They should care more about this stuff. It was the past that helped build the present, and knowing the mistakes of those before you could help you from making the same ones.
Most of them did their homework, and presented decent projects to the class, but very few actually learned. Even fewer seemed to care. He would get 5 or 6 students a year that would care, and apply for his class willingly throughout all 4 years when they could be learning something else.
He loved to brag to Glynda, and Peter about those students finishing at the top of their classes, and graduating with special honors. What he loved more was the feeling of pride, and accomplishment that came with knowing he had helped prepare his students to be the best they could be. The smiles as they left the school to protect the world, and make it a better place. The hugs he got from students whenever they saw him.
Every single one of those students he remembered their names, and made sure to try and contact them when he could. He had been invited to a few weddings, and sometimes out for a drink with them. Some had become teachers themselves, and had asked for him to come and help teach once or twice a year. The kids always loved having another Huntsman in the class helping after all.
Bartholomew Oobleck had attended a lot of their funerals as well. Every face in those caskets he could remember laughing in the halls, or on their final training missions fighting along side him as equals. He had been teaching for close to twenty years, and had gone to 43 funerals.
He liked to think he's a good teacher, and tried his best to prepare every student under his care. Every class he taught served a purpose, and was to help these students in their future endeavors. He would fight to the death for every student in this school. As any good teacher should. He cared for all of them as much as he could, but he did have his favorites.
As he looked around the classroom he saw three students in the crowd sitting up writing furiously. The Nikos girl, and the Schnee were the two he noticed immediately the rest of their teams distracted or asleep. The last one was a member of team RACT.
Jericho was a bright eyed student who wore a black bandana in a thin headband with his curly brown hair spilling over. Oobleck could tell from the work he turned in alone that he was interested in this class. He hoped he would keep that interest, and take the lessons to heart. On the other end of the spectrum though he had a student who was both failing his class, and half asleep.
Jaune Arc was not Ooblecks favorite student, but he mostly tried to keep up with his classmates when it came to his class. For that he got some leeway with the teacher. The blonde had been better than most when it came to paying attention, but he couldn't keep up, which had led to a couple detentions already. Mostly for the young Arc to try and catch up.
"Mister Arc. You do realize falling asleep in class is punishable correct?"
The boy sits up, and nods fervently. Doctor Oobleck does not smile, and gifts the boy with detention. His detentions unlike his coworkers relied less on pure punishment, and more on extra lessons. He was hoping Jaune would be able to learn easier if he could slow down his lessons.
Jaune slumped in his seat. He hated detentions with Oobleck. It was like having to go through class again for a second time. He really felt like the teacher was singling him out sometimes. Yang was actually snoring louder than the professor was speaking sometimes for gods sake.
Jaune accepted his fate, and told the man he would be there for detention. He had wanted to hang out with Pyrrha today, but it seems like that wasn't happening to both of their displeasure.
The rest of Wednesday had gone fairly straight forward for Jaune. He hadn't needed to fight in Goodwitch's class, and he went to detention instead of sparring after classes were done. He was the only one in detention today, and was lectured about how he should spend his time more wisely.
Jaune listened to the man teach a class covering some of the topics he had previously learned, and gave Jaune a week to study, and rewrite two of his papers he had failed on. If he tried, and showed that he was learning the teacher would replace his failed papers with the new ones and change his grade.
He appreciated the help, but was he really so far behind the teachers were using detention to tutor him? It was insulting. He wouldn't be able to hang out with Pyrrha the next few days it seemed. He knew she wouldn't mind going to the library to help him study, but he couldn't take her free time away from her just because he got in trouble.
Maybe he spent too much time with his friends instead of training to get better. If he really wanted to catch up then he needed to keep working harder. Grabbing his scroll he texted Neo.
'Can we start training more often?'
'When?'
'What other days work for you?'
'Tuesdays.'
'Can we do it in the evening?''
'As long as it's before 10pm'
'I can do that how does 6 to 9:30 sound'
'Good enough. You will owe me.'
Jaune grimaced, the twins words about owing the girl popping into his head. 'I know.'
'Next Tuesday we start.'
'I'll see you then.'
Jaune closes his scroll, and sees his team, and team RWBY heading to their rooms. Jaune wants to join them, but he has to start working on the papers Doctor Oobleck had told him to. The only other people in the library were others who had been given extra work from one of the professors.
Grabbing the first year history textbook, and a book dedicated to the first industrial revolution of Remnant Jaune sat down. This was going to be a long night.
Authors Note:
A new chapter for you all giving the other side of Jaune going missing, a bit of him and Ruby, and even some Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck. Also a bit of setting up the next few chapters.
Regarding Ozpin, and Goodwitch not really caring that one of their students is missing, and possibly in danger. They do care to an extent, and if they think there's an opportunity for them to be in actual danger they're going to have someone down there. I also kind of wanted Ozpin to come off as uncaring to the students.
This chapter has a bit of filler in it with the Ruby, and Oobleck portions. I wanted to help build the relationships, and characters at least a little bit now, so I can build even more later. This chapters main purpose though, is really just the bit with the twins, and the end with Jaune deciding he needs to train even more.
As always though I hope you enjoyed the chapter and enjoy the story. Feel free to leave a review, and tell me what you do and don't like as well as any theories or ideas you have. I love reading all of the reviews and I hope you all have a great day, night, morning or whatever time it is.