Clementine was bored. She was given the opportunity to show her value to the undead King. A scary monster with extreme power. A being who likes to play with the lives of others, and on any other day, she would try to hide from him. But there was something she knew that could give her the opportunity to survive: that he is a collectionist. As long as you show your value, this monster will protect you.
This mission was a perfect opportunity to show any of her value. She knew a bunch of monsters with him would have abilities a human would never have. Still, if she could show that she was capable of something that a human normally can't do, maybe that would be the key to her survival.
Clementine eyed her 'team leader,' Neia Baraja. A human girl protected by the Undead King. Her fighting power is not even close to Clementine's, but she is favored by the King. Clementine thought she may also be under inspection, but that idea was removed when she learned that Neia volunteered for the job.
The short-haired blonde turned to see her class again. Currently, they were in 'combat class'- In front of her was a stage in which two integrants of two different teams were fighting, Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester. Both were so weak that Clementine yawned, thinking that her 'leader' was stronger than the two of them.
Clementine looked at Cardin, who was using a black mase in a way that made a 10-year-old a professional in comparison; the only thing in his favor was that his opponent, Jaune, was weaker than him.
Suddenly, after throwing Jaune away, Cardin turned to see Clementine and winked at her, but Clementine only yawned again. She will never feel attracted to someone so weak.
She remembered when she met Antilene Heran Fouche, the half-elf from the now-destroyed Slane Theocracy. The half-elf and she shared many things with her; maybe that is why she decided to desert the Theocracy in the first place, to be free and like her, to find a male stronger than her.
Suddenly, the sound of a buzz woke Clementine from her thoughts.
"Cardin, that's enough!" said Professor Goodwitch; she then turned to face the class. "Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle and that the official may call the match." The Professor turned to see the loser of the battle and gave him feedback in front of the class. She then told the students to practice as the Vytal festival would happen shortly.
The bell sounded, and the students started to leave the classroom, except for Neia, who stayed after everyone left and got closer to the Professor.
"Yes, Miss Baraja?" asked the Professor while turning off the machinery behind the link between her device and the big screen at the top of the class.
"I would like to ask for your guidance, professor," said Neia, standing straight. To Neia, the Professor was like her instructors back in the Holy Kingdom, who were veteran Paladins.
"Of course. How may I be of your assistance?"
"I wanted to know if you could unluck my aura."
The Professor froze for a moment and frowned at Neia, who was still standing straight with a semblance of seriousness. The Professor then took her device, the crystal she seemed to carry away everywhere she went and pointed it at her with it. A small flash happened. Neia remembered that the Professor did the same thing to the competitors before they started their mock battle.
Professor Goodwitch's eyes went wide when she saw the information. "Miss Baraja, as I remember, you got here by recommendation."
Neia got a little nervous as she needed to lie; not a thing a Paladin liked to do, but she was not a Paladin, "ye-yes. I was given a recommendation by a huntsman in Shion".
The Professor nodded, reread her file, and got notes about her dexterity with the bow and how she helped in the Grimm attack.
"Is it not possible?" asked Neia.
"Apologies, Miss Baraja. This situation is not normal, and I got lost in my thoughts. Let me help you with your aura", replied the Professor. She put her right hand on Neia's shoulder.
A golden glow appeared from the Professor's arm and passed to Neia. The Professor's irises shrink before she shuts her eyes. The two stood there, Professor Glynda glowing a faint red and Neia a bright white.
The Professor then exhaled heavily. "Very well done, Miss Baraja; your aura was hidden in you in a really unusual way. That begs the question, why you haven't unlocked it yourself?"
"Growing up, I never saw anyone using it. And they still could stand against the many monsters- ah, Grimm, " replied Neia, hoping she didn't mess it up.
"None of your village knew?"
Neia frowned when her kingdom was called a village, but she tried softening her gaze, "No, no one."
"But that still needs to explain why you still need to unlock it. Haven't you been in a situation when it was needed? People could unlock it by themselves even on training."
Neia shook her head, "I have been in difficult situations and saved multiple times... but my aura was not unlocked. I guess It's like starting a fire while camping. When you live out there in the forest or in the wild, with people experienced, you don't need them to tell you how to do it; you just learn by looking, while someone from the big cities would need someone to teach them".
The Professor seemed to accept the answer and nodded, "Very well, Miss Baraja. Now, I would love to keep this conversation, but your lunchtime would be consumed, and you need the energy for the remainder of your classes".
Neia bowed her head, "Thank you, professor Goodwitch." After that, the leader of team NCCL left.
The Professor, frowning, watched the student leave the classroom. She had doubts about Jaune Arc; other students' recommendations could be confirmed with no problems, but she never thought that anything was wrong about Neia Baraja. She looked at her information, and in the most recent entries were the notes from other professors, "Maybe I am overthinking."
When Neia arrived at the dining hall, she saw Chizu's arm waving at her, so she walked in her direction.
"Hi, kouhai. I already have your food. It is balanced to have approximately 350 calories. This is with the calculation of the 200 calories recommended for physical activities and the 70 calories for the studying session, having with a margin of error about the calories that the food really may have", said CZ2128 to Neia. Her leader only nodded and sat, not knowing exactly what she just said.
In front of Neia was Clementine, who was eating food similar to what she had. Then she searched for Lupusregina but couldn't find her at the table. "And Lupusregina?" asked Neia aloud, and CZ2128 pointed to the other side of the hall, where Cardin was pulling the ears of a bunny girl while the rest of his team was laughing, and Lupusregina was also giggling behind Cardin.
"Ooh, that looks funny, let me try!" said Lupusregina.
Cardin smirked, "Sure served yourself." The bunny girl's face showed how scared she felt; her eyes went wide when she heard Lupusregina, but it went even wider when she saw what Lupusregina did.
The brown-skinned pleiade grabbed Cardin's ear, and then she pulled it down really fast, "aw, it broke." With the ear still in Lupusregina's hand, she looked at Cardin with a dark smirk. Meanwhile, the leader of team CRDL made a scream of pain that everyone heard. He was covering the side where his ear should be while tons of blood was flowing between his fingers.
Lupusregina smells the ear, "blergh! Disgusting. You should clean your ears better". The Pleiade then threw the ear to her back carelessly, and another team member of team CRDL grabbed it. They immediately left the hall to go to the infirmary.
Neia wanted to say something but remembered the ideals of the Supreme being, a world in which humans, demihumans, and any living creature could coexist. In that regard, she felt that the demon maid did the right thing, a little overkill, and it may not give the right message.
Lupusregina then walked to the table, but before she could sit, CZ2128 stopped her, "Go and clean your hands; they are dirty with that man's earwax and blood."
The brown-skinned girl only said "yes-yes" and left to clean her hands.
Lupusregina obeyed and went to wash her hands and come back to eat. Naia then saw and felt the eyes of almost all the students present. She ended her food and looked at her team partner while she was devouring her food.
Neia then started to talk, "Lupusregina-"
"Call me Lupu. When you say Lupusregina, I think that I am talking with Yuri-nee", interrupted the pleiade.
"Lu-Lupu. Please, I know that you tried to do the right thing", said Neia, and Lupusregina tilted her head and whispered 'the right thing?'. "But before doing it, let us know; we can tell you a better approach for that kind of situation," concluded Neia.
"Sorry-sorry. Next time, I'll ~" "Team NCCL, please report to the headmaster's office. I repeat, team NCCL, to the headmaster's office immediately".
Neia exhaled profoundly and stood up. "I feel sorry for you, leader," said CZ2128. Neia only turned to see her. "That's right, great leader. But we will support you", said Lupusregina. Neia knew that a team leader has to be responsible for everything their team does. She just sight and went in the direction of the office. Clementine only tsked, stood up, and followed behind.
When team NCCL finally left the hall, the students started to buzz about what happened at one table where team RWBY and team JNPR members were.
"Did you see that?" asked Pyrrha, a redhead girl.
"Yes, she looked like Nora but scarier," replied Jaune.
"What she did was completely out of proportion," said Weiss Schnee.
"I don't know, you see what they were doing to that faunus girl," said Yang Xiao Long.
"Yes, which was really repugnant, I give you that. BUT the amount of strength she used was not comparable to what they were using", replied Weiss.
"I don't know about that; I am just amazed that she could do that to his ear with her bare hands," said Nora Valkyrie, an orange-haired girl.
"Especially if you take into account that he has his aura," commented Lien Ren, a young man with long black hair with a magenta streak on the left side of the hair.
Nora then smiled, "Imagine she becomes a mother or a professor. Telling kids to obeyed or else she will pull their ears would certainly make them obey her."
Ruby Rose, leader of team RWBY, did not know what to say or think about what she had witnessed. Meanwhile, Blake Belladona thought of the girl and remembered herself in her times in the White Fang, and then her eyes opened at the realization.
/
Team NCCL arrived at the headmaster's office. Neia was in the front, and the other three were walking behind. Lupusregina was especially walking nonchalantly. At the office, they saw the different gears on the ceiling, and then they finally saw the desk in which Ozpin was sitting, and at his side was Professor Goodwitch.
"Hello, team NCCL," greeted the headmaster. "I don't think I need to explain why you are here."
Neia bowed a little with her head and replied, "Good day to you, Headmaster... and I believe this call is in regards to what just happened at the dining hall".
"Dining hall?... Well, yes, it is about the recent incident at the cafeteria. Do you have anything to say?"
The headmaster looked that the three members behind did not see the situation as a problem, 'was this because their leader already talked with them?¿ wondered the headmaster. He saw that the culprit was especially calm.
"No Headmaster. We believed what our team member was the correct thing, maybe a little flashy," said the leader of team NCCL with a straight face.
"The right thing, miss Baraja?!" exclaimed Professor Goodwitch. "A school partner is now on his way to the hospital, hoping that they can reattach his left ear."
"I will side with your Professor. What can you say in your defense, Miss Beta" said the headmaster, but instead of a reply from Lupusregina, it was Neia who spoke.
"Headmaster, due to the situation in which another student was being harassed for the simple fact of being a Faunus, it is a reason enough for my teammate to take action."
"Miss Baraja, we want to hear Miss Beta. She is responsible for her actions", said Professor Goodwitch.
"As a team leader, the actions of my teammates are my responsibility. Therefore, I wish to take over the talk about the incident."
The headmaster nodded, "Very well, miss Baraja. In that case, could you explain to me why you think that the only problem you saw was how 'flashy' she was".
Neia nodded, "I said that because what she did was justice. A person was in a problem, and it was in her reasoning that the perpetrator of such crimes shouldn't be unpunished. This code of justice that the school seems to have aligned with our line of thinking".
"Our code of justice, miss Baraja? Could you elaborate?" asked Ozpin.
"Justice in the hands of the weak is useless. That is why you don't do anything against people who discriminate against different groups publicly. Even when there is no law, you have the power to create rules in the school to prevent it, but you have not implemented any".
"What you do is to let ourselves get the strength to fight such problems and, therefore, become true justice. But to do that, the school needs to have a filter that we will do ourselves. And Mr Cardin was the first in that filter". Neia concluded her speech, and the others looked at her.
"I see. Thank you for your comments, Miss Baraja. I would take it to heart. You are right; we have seen the behavior of Mr Winchester, and we did not act to prevent it from happening", said the headmaster.
The headmaster looked like he was thinking of something and then said, "Your team may go, but I will advise you to next time please contact a faculty member or restraint doing any kind of violent outcome. You may leave". Professor Goodwitch frowned deeply, but she did not say anything.
"Thank you," said Neia, bowing her head, and team NCCL turned around to the elevator. Next to Neia was Chizu, who put a sticker on Neia's hand.
"She thinks way too highly of you. To think that first-year students believed that part of their training was to attack their own schoolmates instead of reporting it", said professor Goodwitch.
"You are right about that. We may have failed to show Mr Wichester the right path. I just hope we are in time to show them the correct one", the headmaster replied.
Professor Goodwitch nodded, "I do think they are. Especially their leader, she looked like the responsible type. But it's correct to not punish them."
The headmaster leaned back on his chair, "That is a good point, but as established by Miss Baraja, we failed to prevent that from happening in the first place. A punishment will only make them distrust us".
Professor Goodwitch frowned, "Is that the reason you have been too lenient with other teams like team STRQ back in the day?"
"Partially, yes." The headmaster stood up from his chair and turned to see the city from the window wall, "but also, to let them know that we should not fight among ourselves. As we all have the same objective. Make the world a better place... And how can they do it if the people in power don't let them do the right thing at the right moment?"
Ozpin then turned to Professor Goodwitch, "That's why it is important that we can put them on the correct path." Professor Goodwitch only nodded and then walked out of the office.
When Team NCCL left the building and was on their way to the training grounds, Neia saw that there were two people looking at them. Neia stopped, and the silhouettes came from the shadows, and two girls showed up.
"You sure, bun-bun?" asked one of the girls. She was wearing a stylish outfit and sunglasses.
"I am sure, Coco," said the other girl with bunny ears. The same that was harassed by Cardin. The two girls then approached team NCCL.
"Hello, Lu-lupus Regina Beta, right?" asked the bunny girl.
"Osu!" replied the Pleiade.
"I-My name is Velvet, Velvet Scarlatina. And... I wanted to thank you for what happened at the cafeteria", said the bunny girl, a little nervous.
"It was nothing," said LupusRegina.
"Didn't you get into trouble because of it? I know that the headmaster called all of you", Velvet asked shyly.
"No worries, our fearless leader saves us from any problem with the headmaster," replied the brown-skinned pleiade.
"Please, stop calling me 'fearless leader'," said the leader of team NCCL.
"What about 'faceless leader'?" CZ2128 supplied. "Eye-killing leader," said Lupusregina. Neia only growled and continued walking.
Coco and Velvet were more at ease seeing the antiques of the NCCL team, but then Coco looked at Lupusregina, "Can I ask why you helped her? None at the cafeteria did anything."
"Argh. Isn't it obvious? Because she's like her", replied in an annoyed voice Clementine. Lupusregina removed her hat for a moment and revealed her animalistic ears.
After that, the team left and went to the training area.
The next day, the classes were normal for team NCCL, who were not paying attention to the tense air around them. They worked as if they were oblivious to it or did not care. Cardin was back in school, as his ear was able to be reattached by surgery.
Students could hear Cardin muttering, "That damn beast," sometimes. Blake was one of them, and she flinched at the eyes of hate or Cardin. While Blake Belladona has experienced situations in which she has been seen with hate, she had never seen someone like Cardin with a murderous intent in their eyes. She realized once more that the path of the Huntress was correct, but at the same time, she understood that the path would not be easy.
Blake inhaled deeply, and her resolve helped her do the right thing, so she made the first step. After class, Blake detached herself from her team and searched for the center of attention. She found her under a tree on Main Avenue. She was there on the grass, with a book in her hands and laughing a little.
Blake felt a little out of place, as she had always been the reclusive one. Still, if she was trying to do what was right and prevent someone from going down the same destructive path she was once, she needed to be brave and get over that problem.
With her resolution firm, she walked to the brown-skinned student. "Excuse me," said the black-haired girl. The other girl put her book down and smiled at her. Blake had never paid close attention to the girl's physique, but the smile was able to captivate her, 'such a beautiful smile,' she thought.
"Oh, Oha!" replied playfully Lupusregina. Blake couldn't do anything but smile. She looked as easygoing as her own leader. But then she remembered what she did.
"Hello. Can I chat for a few minutes with you?" asked Blake nervously, not knowing if she was way too polite or too direct.
"Sure," said Lupusregina, and then she took a book divider, with the form of cat ears in one end and a skull in the other, and put it on the page she was reading.
Blake then asked, "What's the book's name?" Right after she ended her question, she wanted to palm her face, as she remembered Yang and Ruby doing the same question to her. She then saw a mischievous smile on Lupusregina's face.
"Ninjas of love," said Lupusregina, and the face of Blake's face got redder.
"Re-re-really? Is tha-that a goo-good boo-book?" stuttered Blake as she remembered the last page she read.
"Oh, yeah. I was in the best part. The main character had been deceived by the sub-leader, and he had been spending all his nights with her. I was just reading how he wanted to show his night techniques, like-" "I got it, it got it," interrupted Blake, and the brown-skinned only laughed.
Blake looked at her and thought that maybe she was closer to Yang than Ruby.
"So, what do you want to talk about, kitty?" asked Lupusregina after she calmed down.
"Yes-emm, first my name is Blake..." the black-haired girl stopped when she realized she was called 'kitty.'
"Nice to meet ya, Kitty Blake. I am Lupusregina", said the pleiade.
"Kitty? Why would you say that?" asked Blake, and Lupusregina only pointed at her nose.
"Wolf faunus. Maybe that's why you are so on edge." Lupusregina was already explained a little about the new world, and although she did not pay attention to most of it, she did pay attention to her 'background.' She is now a faunus, a wolf faunus due to her being a werewolf, with a tragic story that complements her desire to be a huntress.
Blake exhaled deeply when she realized that her disguise was for nothing. "Yes, I am also a faunus... a cat faunus".
"Why hiding, though?"
"It's... complicated". Blake finally gave up and just sat next to Lupusregina. She then wondered for a moment and questioned her bravery if what she was doing was enough.
Blake looked at the blue sky, and then she realized that she had been sitting for a while with Lupusregina. She turned to see her and saw that she was again with the book of 'Ninjas of Love.'
"Cocytus has a bigger katana," said Lupusregina.
"Could you put that down while in public?" said Blake with a red face.
"Why? I thought you wanted to talk about the book."
"I want to talk to you".
"Really, you have been there, thinking about who-knows-what."
"Yeah, sorry. I really came here to talk about what happened with Cardin.", finally Blake said.
Lupusregina then smiled, "Ooh. Don't tell me you have a crush on him?"
"What?"
"Don't worry, I don't like people that weak."
"I don't like him."
"hahaha. Sorry, sorry. I know you don't. Hardly anyone does, and I doubt that his parents do. I mean, the school did let us be in our way without punishment".
Blake heard the wolf faunus and frowned. 'Is that the correct thing to do?' She wondered. It was that kind of attitude that made the white fang change their views. When they saw that the violence was getting better results, they continued with attacks until they became the terrorist group they are now.
"Have you heard about the White Fang?" asked Blake.
"Wow-wow. Are you trying to recruit me?" asked the Pleiade.
"What? No! Sorry, that came our bad. Let me elaborate better", said Blake right away, a little frustrated with herself. Then she started to explain, "The White Fang started as a pacific movement for the right of the Faunus. But they didn't think they were getting the results they wanted, and that's when they started to become violent. They changed leadership, and the protest turned into attacks, not only to those who hurt us but also to innocent people".
Blake turned to see Lupusregina's eyes, "I know you tried to help that bunny faunus, but there are better ways to approach this kind of problem."
Lupusregina put a pose as if she was thinking and then turned to Blake, "I am gonna tell you a secret." Then Lupusregina got close to her bow and whispered, "I didn't do it to protect anyone."
Blake's cat ears twitched a little, and then she turned to see the wolf faunus next to her. Blake's eyes were wide open.
Lupusregina then sat back, "I really wanted to play. I thought his aura would protect him, but I guess I pull too hard for a punny weakling like him". Lupusregina then hit her own head softly, took out her tongue in a very innocent way, "Hehe."
Blake was about to get an attack of anxiety. The woman in front of her mauled a man that has his aura unlocked when she was trying to play. Then that said woman continued talking.
"Unfortunately, even when the professors didn't do anything, my faceless leader already yelled at me," said Lupusregina.
Blake wanted to put a battle stance and moved her hand to her back, but she realized she was wearing her uniform and was without her weapons. Suddenly, another voice arrived, a monotone voice.
"Lupusregina. Neia and Clementine are waiting for you to start our training", said the shorter girl from team NCCL.
"Coming!" said Lupusregina and stood up with a jump. "Well, I have to go, kitty. Bye-bye!"
Blake was looking at the back of Lupusregina and felt chills run down her spine. She didn't know if what she told her was better or worse. If applying too much strength to protect someone was a good thing or dismembering a person by accident while applying too much strength trying to play.
/
Team NCCL was in their room, and out of the four members, Clementine was the one most annoyed by their current situation. Having to go to school and live a pacific life was not for her, and she was feeling as if she was in some kind of prison.
The one who was going to talk was their 'leader, ' Neia Baraja. "Ahem. I wanted you here, instead of the training arena, because we need to manage something that the Supreme one wanted us to do. Something that if we are unable to use it, we won't be able to proceed. Unlock our auras."
Neia was almost sure that Clementine would be able to unlock hers, but she was worried about the demon maids. Neia thought then, 'Do demons have souls? In fact, were they invoked, or were they already here but were enslaved by Jaldabaoth? If the second, it would make sense why they are so in gratitude with the supreme King. Maybe they were real people before turning into demons.'
"My aura was already unlocked by Professor Goodwitch, and I have read about it at the school library ... I'll try first with Chizu. If that's ok," said Neia. The two maids nodded, and Clementine only rolled her eyes.
Unlike Professor Goodwitch, Neia decided to put her two hands around CZ2128's head. Neia closed her eyes and then concentrated on her aura; the feeling she felt the moment unlocked hers. She tried to direct it to CZ. Suddenly, Neia's skin shone bright yellow, but CZ2128 didn't.
Neia frowned when she searched for a similar feeling; she tried to find the aura and take it out, just like the books told her. She was about to give up, as to maybe she was too inexperienced to try to do it, or perhaps the demon maids don't have a soul, and if that is the case, she can't find a professor to unluck... but then she found it.
The skin of CZ2128 shone with a bright white light until Neia stopped using her aura. Neia then fell back over her bed, panting heavily but with a smile.
"Wow, awesome! Me next, me next!" said Lupusregina.
Neia smiled, "Sure, just give me a moment to recover."
"If you need a potion, I have some," asked CZ.
Neia shook her head, "Don't waste it on this. We won't have more potions until we come back. So we better use it only in case of emergency".
CZ2128 nodded and saved the potion but took a happy face sticker and pasted it on Neia's forehead, "Good job."
Neia smiled, and CZ couldn't do anything but hug her head. To Lupusregina, seeing one of their sisters being effective with someone outside Nazarick was weird. However, this made a mental note that Neia should be protected at any cost.
The next was Lupusregina. The process was the same, but it was faster than CZ, but it still took energy from Neia, who in the end was sweating heavily. Fortunately, while Neia was unlocking Lupusregina's aura, CZ went and brought a soda and gave it to Neia.
"Drink it. It will restore the calories you used in this activity, and the flavor is also good", said CZ. Neia nodded and enjoyed the cold drink. Once she ended her drink, and with new energies, she proceeded to unlock Clementine's aura.
Clementine stood still while Neia was doing her job. She felt the energy of the girl going through her, and then, from the center of her body, an energy of her own appeared, overwhelming her. It passed through all of her body, and she felt it covered her and protected her.
But then that energy went to her head. Images, memories, flashes of herself dying, of herself reviving? On multiple occasions, she was revived, trapped in a castle, and then granted freedom for what? To be captured easily. Was all her memories fake? She was made to believe that she wanted stronger opponents and create chaos, but she decided to do it in the name of the Great King, no, the undead that killed her. She was told to be its puppet. But could she escape free, could she do something? She fought with replicas of two monsters, but she barely defeated them, and if what she was told back then was correct, the real ones were far stronger. She knew that she was fucked.
Neia stopped doing her thing, and CZ then took her to eat something. Lupusregina went with them, and Clementine was left alone in the room. Was this her opportunity to escape and leave in a place unknown to everyone in the Sorcerer Kingdom? She could create a new life here, but. But would she really have a life? Hiding and unable to do what she wants in order to not attract the attention of the undead King.
Clementine thought for a moment and remembered the reason she fell from the Theocracy, to be loose to inflict pain whatever she liked. In reality, she changed owners, but it may be the correct way of doing it because now she is alive while the Theocracy was destroyed by the same monster who owns her. She thought for a moment and understood that, unlike the moment she fled from the Theocracy, she knew that there were monsters stronger than her out there. She should be happy that those monsters are letting her play with the smaller prey.
She stood up and went to the training ground with a new resolve.
/
A few days passed, and Cardin's anger was getting higher and higher. But he knew he could not take it out against the girl who attacked him; he was smart enough to know that she was stronger than him, so he started to bully heavily another student, Jaune Arc.
As if it was fate. Cardin overheard Jaune talking with someone else about his fake transcript papers. It all made sense to Cardin. Jaune was too weak to be there. So he used him to take out all of his frustrations.
He would use him to do his errands, and if he was late by a second, he received a punch; if he was late by minutes, a kick. It didn't matter where he was or the hour. And he knew he had him in his power with the information. He never believed the phrase knowledge is power, but now he does as he realizes that the knowledge they are talking about is blackmail material.
For the fortune of Cardin, the day for his revenge on the brown-skinned girl had finally arrived. They were in the Forever Forest with their combat attire. In front of them was Professor Goodwitch.
The Professor then turned to the students, "Yes, the Forever Forest is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so."
She eyed her students, with a closer look at Lupusregina and Cardin, and then continued, "Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!"
Everyone scattered around together with their team. Neia remembered a similar activity in the Holy Kingdom in which they were asked to bring some potion ingredients, so she paired herself with Clementine and CZ with Lupusregina. That way, Lupusregina and herself could find the sapping needed, then Lupusregina and Clementine would proceed to take the sampling while CZ and Neia would take care of any Grimm attack; this is knowing that CZ and herself are users of long-distance weapons.
RWBY team decided to stick all together and make the four of them search for the sampling, relying on their quick response. They were accompanied by part of team JNPR. Unlike them, team CRDL was not really working. All of them were resting under a different tree while Jaune was taking the saps.
When Jaune finally came back with six bottles of the sapling, he let himself fall to the ground. Cardin smiled. Jaune then recovered himself, and Cardin then talked to him, "Now Jaune, I bet you're asking yourself, 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect six jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?'"
Jaune was in a tight one-arm hug from Cardin. He nodded, exhausted from taking the samplings, "That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today, yes."
Cardin smirked and started to walk, dragging Jaune with him, "well, come with me, and you'll find out."
After walking for a few, they got close to a hill, and then they started to squat to not be visible to the people on the other side. Jaune poked his head and saw Chizu and Lupusregina. Lupusregina was close to a tree taking the sampling while Chizu looked around with her weapon. Due to the distance, they could not hear or see them talk.
"Five people at the northwest. Seem to have to attack us", said Chizu.
"Let them be. Remember that we can have fun only if they attack first", said Lupusregina, then she smirked. "And I hope they do".
Back on the hill, Jaune saw the girls, "what's going to happen?"
"Payback, that's what's going to happen," said Cardin with fury. One of the members of team CRDL had a box that was buzzing. "Not only now have confirmation that she is a filthy faunus. According to one of the essays you wrote for me last week, Jauny, these Rapier Wasps that you helped get love sweets."
Cardin looked at Lupusregina again, who was pitching her nose when she put a jar of sampling away. Smirking, Cardin continued talking, "And due to his freak faunus nature, it should be very nasty for her. I'm thinking it's time we teach her a thing or two."
The five of them retrieved from the hill's edge and stood up. Cardin then took one jar and gave it to Jaune, "And you are gonna do it. Either that or you will have one ticket out of Beacon".
Jaune grabbed the jar with trembling hands. Should he do it? He was sure that he would not be able to hit the now-discovered faunus girl, but even without that, should he? He remembered a small talk he had had with Ruby the night before. Being a leader means that he has to look after his team. Would this help his team?
He saw Lupusregina again and remembered the moment she cut Cardin's ear. He was terrified, but at the same time, he was relieved that someone did what everyone thought. Brave enough to do what is right, no matter what.
"No," said Jaune with resolve in his voice.
Cardin frowned, "What did you say?"
"I said NO!" yelled Jaune, throwing the jar at Cardin and covering his breastplate with the sapling.
"That wasn't very smart, Jauney-boy," said Cardin, who proceeded to hit Jaune with his fist and made him fall. The rest of team CRDL were just around laughing. Before Jaune could stand up, Cardon kicked him in the head. Then he proceeded to kick him in the stomach, which Jaune's breastplate was not protecting.
"Do whatever with me, but I won't let you pick on people," said Jaune.
Cardin kicked Jaune's head again, "what? Are you a hero now?" The leader of team CRDL grabbed Jaune by the collar, "I'm gonna make sure they send you back to mommy in teeny tiny pieces."
When Cardin was about to punch Jaune, a loud roar was heard by everyone. From the trees of the forest, a big black bear like Grimm appeared; the species' name was Ursa. Due to the sudden apparition of the Grimm, Cardin let Jaune go.
The Grimm went closer and closer, using its nose to guide himself. Team CRDL ran, all except for their leader, who was standing still. Then, the Grimm used its claw to attack him, and Cardin was sent away against a tree.
The roar alerted all the teams. The first to arrive was team NCCL, although it was only Neia and Clementine. Neia had to force her partner to follow her. When they arrived, they saw how the Grimm ditched Jaune to attack Cardin. Neia was too far away, with many trees in the way to attack the Grimm, but Clementine was faster, and she started to run.
Jaune looked to be trying to run and help Cardin, but he felt something or someone pushing him back. It was the other team member of NCCL, Clementine. She was wearing a black cloak. Another roar happened, and when they turned, they saw how the Ursa used its claws to cut Cardin's neck. The roar was a victory roar, and then the Grimm turned to the closer prey. Three girls, Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee, both from team RWBY and Pyrrha Nikos, Jaune's teammate, three were with their weapons ready.
"I'll not let them take my prey," Jaune heard Clementine say before she left, running against the Grimm. She arrived at the Grimm quickly, jumped over it, and using the stilettos that she had in her left hip, she cut its back. Once on the other side, between the Grimm and Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha, she turned to face the Grim and crouched down with a sadistic smile.
Clementine gripped her stilettos tighter, and suddenly, she started to run. Weiss, Ruby, and Pyrrhat did not have time to react; the shock of the death of their classmate in front of them and then Clementine showing up to defend them from the Grimm made them lose focus. But then the three saw the blonde girl's skill.
Clementine ran to the Grimm, and when the Grimm tried to use their claws to attack her, she moved elegantly and readjusted her body in the air to evade the attack. Then she approached the Grimm's head and thrust her weapons into the eye of the monster. Suddenly, the monster caught on fire, and everyone heard a roar of pain. Clementine made a backflip with her stilettos in hand.
Weiss looked at everything with aw and said, "She used dust on her weapons." The other two only heard and saw how the Grimm started to evaporate, not knowing if it was by the natural course of the dying Grim or because of the fire used.
The black cloak flew away, and everyone saw Clementine with her armor in bronze.
Clementine smirked, "Maybe I can have some fun here."