#deadite grimm

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Thirty-Five = (Chapter List)

Five hours later a group starting to feel hangovers consisting of Nora, Cardin and surprisingly Glynda Goodwitch entered what used to be Beacon's cafeteria. Jaune now sporting his mechanical hand stood behind the repurposed buffet counter... which was not a bar, complete with seating.

Jaune stood behind the bar. When he noticed they had entered, he smiled his disarming smile and stretched his arms out side.

Jaune: Welcome to ... FORGET IT ALL Bar and Restaurant!

Cardin: How in the hell?

Nora: Bar and...

Glynda: Restaurant?

Cardin: Seriously... how did you get this all together in a few hours?

Jaune: This is the result of dedicated and focused actions, Now come here and sit. We have about half-an-hour before we're open to the public.

Glynda: Excuse me? The public?

Jaune: Well... sort of. More just the student and faculty...

Cardin was the first to take a seat. He eyed the several massive crystal or glass beverage dispensers. Each filled to capacity with an slight ominous pink liquid. A few moments later Nora and Glynda joined him.

Cardin: So... that's Pink Fuck?

Jaune: No... well yes... but you said it wrong.

Nora: Said it wrong?

Jaune: Yep.

Glynda: And how are you supposed to say it... Mr. Arc?

Jaune: Nah, nah. Mr. Arc is my father. I'm just Jaune.

Glynda: Okay... Jaune... how are you supposed to say the name of that concoction?

Jaune smiled as he dispensed three glasses of the hand-made liquid.

Jaune: 🎶PINK FUCK 🎶

The trio seated at the bar shared a look as Jaune all smiles set a glass of the liquid before each of them. Nora picked hers up and gave it a sniff.

Nora: WHOA! That's smells sweet! What the hell is in this?

Jaune still smiling. Obviously very satisfied with himself.

Jaune: Well 🎶PINK FUCK 🎶is a propriety mix of various liqueurs, pink lemonade... and..

Jaune reached down and in a single movement deposited a very large Ziploc bag of white powder upon the counter.

Jaune: a shit ton of Ketamine.

Cardin, Nora, Glynda: KETAMINE???

Jaune: Yep. Now try it! It's like nothing you've ever had before!

Glynda pushed the glass before her away, giving Jaune a disgusted look, while Cardin picked up the glass and eyed it with obvious suspicion.

Glynda: I AM NOT drinking a glass full of that substance!

Jaune: Why? You a NARC?

Glynda: WHAT???

Jaune: I think you're a NARC. What about you guys?

Nora: Well she is... a professor here... so..

Cardin: I guess you could say she is.

Glynda: I am NOT a NARC! I am a respected professor of this institution! I have duties, and I am NOT interested in imbibing that... that concoction!

Jaune: That's what a NARC would say. So I need to ask you to leave, because this is a NARC free zone.

Glynda: I am not allowing...

Jaune: You already agreed I can do this.

Glynda: I did no such...

Jaune: Offering no... objections can be considered consent.

Glynda: ...

Jaune picked up Glynda's glass and held it out to her.

Jaune: So... NARC... you leaving so we can get this party started... OR...

Glynda: Or?

Jaune: Are you going to let down your hair and enjoy yourself for once?

Glynda: I enjoy myself just fine! Thank you very much!

Cardin: Don't believe it.

Glynda: What?

Nora: Yeah, I'm with Cardin... you look like a person who can never relax.

Glynda: I damn well know how to RELAX!

Jaune: Prove it. Have a drink.

Glynda: I have no interested in drinking a glass of Ketamine.

Jaune: Yep, Cardin and Nor a are right. I can see it. You have no clue how to let loose and just l;et you're problems slid away for a few hours of bliss...

With a snort of frustration and annoyance Glynda snatched the offered glass and pounded it back.

Jaune: That's the ticket!

Glynda slammed the tumbler on the counter top, and sat there for a couple of seconds blinking, before grimacing and shaking her head.

Glynda: That's sickeningly... zweet... zweet? Why iz my tongue nummmb?

Jaune shot Glynda a satisfied look as she weaved for a few seconds before collasping.

Nora: You KILLED HER!

Glynda a second later was up a dopey and very serene look on her face.

Glynda: Tat... waz... goooood...

Jaune raised his glass after setting another drink in front of the completely blitzed Glynda. Shrugging, Cardin also raised his glass into the air, followed by Nora.

Jaune: To forgetting this fucked up shit for a few hours! Say it with me...

Jaune, Nora, Cardin: 🎶PINK FUCK 🎶

Glynda raised her glass with a very unsteady hand, and giggled before lamming back her second serving.

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Thirty-Four = (Chapter List)

Glynda was stressed as she watched the actions of the team Ozpin named JNC(Junk) showed their complete and utter chaotic nature. As their... leader, Mr. Arc sat by himself drinking, Ms. Valkyrie as apparently attempting drown herself, and Mr. Winchester was walking around blinking and shaking his head as if he was in a daze.

Glynda sighed. The start of a massive tension headache forming, as a band of pain began to grow in intensity.

????: GRIMM!

That shout pulled Glynda's attention from the delinquent team. Ripping her riding crop like weapon from it's thigh holster she turned towards the shout. She expected it to be a prank in bad taste, only to gasp as at least a half a dozen slimy looking grimm crested the cliff face, overlooking the Emerald forest.

Glynda: EVERYONE INTO BEACON NOW!!!

The grimm charged catching some of the stunned students flat footed, but Glynda Goodwitch... wasn't going to loose another student to this insanity. Flicking her riding crop she unleashed her impressive semblance tossing the twisted grimm creatures aside and freeing those they had trapped. She was a one-woman army, and those whatever they were who her gaze fell upon felt her displeasure.

But that was the problem. She was easily able to handle the ones she saw... not the new group that had scaled the cliffs on her blind side. The new group being lead by one of the students that hadn't been recovered.

STUDENTS: LOOK OUT! BEHIND YOU!

Glynda: Omph!

Glynda grunted as she was suddenly hit from the back and sent tumbling, across the ground. Luckily she kept hold of her weapons, and her wits. Rolling to her back she gave a snap of her wrist catching one of the newly appeared grimm-ish beasts in mid air and turning it into a smear on Beacon's exterior. However it wasn't enough as the former student turned Deadite grabbed her by the wrist and twisted.

Glynda: AHHHHH!!!!

Deadite Student: Hello Ms Goodwitch...

Glynda twisted her body and drove her knee into the rotting living corpse shattering it's ribs, and achieving only a sickening smile for all of her efforts.

Deadite Student: It's futile to resist us. We're going over run your precious school and feast upon the fresh meat inside. There is nothing you can do to stop us... bitch!

Glynda leaned her head back and then brought it forward with all the strength she could muster, driving her forehead into the Deadite's face, smashing her nose, and snapping her orbital bones.

Deadite Student: I'm going to suck out your...

THUNK!

The Deadite looked at the beer can sitting on the ground at her feet., and then looked up...

Jaune: Hey Swamp Snatch!

Cardin: That's OUR boss bitch!

Nora: And if anyone is sucking her out it's us!

Jaune and Cardin both gave Nora a look.

Nora: What?

Jaune: Really?

Nora: It sounded better in my head, okay!

Cardin: Can we do this after?

Jaune: No, I think we should address this now.

Nora: Oh come on! You get to say stupid shit all the time!

Cardin: Guys. Deadites.

Jaune: Screw it. Let's get some.

Nora: Hail to the Queen...

Cardin: Groovy.

Deadite Student: KILL THEM AL... URK???

The Deadite Student looked in utter surprise at Professor Goodwitch who had just driven her good hand through the rotten flesh and bone of her former charge's chest.

Glynda: I. Don't. Think. So.

Glynda grit her teeth and yanked her arm backwards out of the Deadite's chest. The sound of snapping bone, tearing flesh and squelching goo, assaulted her ears. The Deadite Student's eyes were wide as her head suddenly flopped backwards, only staying attached due to her rotting flesh and skin. Clutched in Glynda's hand an ichor section of spine.

Jaune: You gotta be kidding me?

Nora: That was so metal!

Cardin: I think I'm going to be sick.

Glynda looks from the stumbling around floppy necked living corpse to the trio of pains in her ass.

Glynda: Well? DO SOMETHING!

The trio said nothing as they jumped to the task, while several students returned to the grounds armed and ready to join the fight. Glynda's earlier efforts had culled most of the original pack, and the monologuing of the Deadite had kept the others from roving too far. It was all over aside from getting well needed showers in about three to five minutes.

Glynda was sitting with her back against the low wall of the central fountain, when Jaune, Cardin and Nora joined her.

Glynda: It is always so...

Nora: Gooey?

Cardin: Pretty much.

Jaune laid down in front of the trio sitting against the fountain. Somehow he found time between the end of the fight, and laying down in exhaustion to find another six pack of beer.

Jaune: If you want one help yourselves.

Nora and Cardin wanted to reach forward, both curious as to how it tasted seeing as Jaune liked drinking it so much. They paused looking at Professor Goodwitch, who to their surprise reached out and took one for herself.

Glynda: I'm to tired to give a fuck, so do what you want.

Nora and Cardin started to reach out for a can each when Jaune suddenly sat up a crazy look in his eyes.

Jaune: That's what we need!

Glynda: What is it we need Mr Arc?

Jaune: Prof we need a fuck!

Glynda: WHAT? HOW... HOW...

Nora: Shooting above your weight class there Jaune-Jaune.

Cardin: Can I have the Delta after you become a smear?

Jaune: NO, not that type of fuck. Get your minds out of the gutter. I'm talking about a party and partaking in my greatest creation. Pink Fuck.

Cardin: Pink...

Nora: Fuck...

Glynda: Is what exactly?

Jaune: A special homebrew proprietary mix of various liquors, pink lemonade and a SPECIAL SECRET ingredient.

Cardin: SO are you going to share this... creation with us after you make it, or are we going to have to sit there watching you drink it?

Jaune: Nope. This is a team building exercise, in the form of mental bleaching all this shit from our minds, it's also a celebration of saving Boss Bitch...

Glynda: Mr. ARC!

Jaune: And affirming our acceptance of Nora's bravery for coming out to us... considering...

Nora: Hey! I miss spoke!

Jaune: Hey now. Don't be back tracking. That's not good for your mental health.

Cardin: And getting shit faced is?

Jaune: No, but what you want to sit on a couch telling a therapist about this shit? How do you think that will work out for you?

Cardin: Drinking it is then!

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Thirty-Three = (Chapter List)

Nora: So, to the bullhead station?

Jaune: And get on one of those death-traps? No way. We're taking the Delta.

Cardin: (From the back seat) Beacon is on the top of a cliff, how is this bucket of... (Nora shot him a glare over her shoulder, cutting him off)

Nora: So how are we getting back without a bullhead?

Jaune: (Guiding the Delta through Vale's traffic.) There's an old access road from Vale to Beacon. We're taking that.

Nora: An OLD road? Can we... even make it?

Jaune: The Classic can make it through anything, oh ye of little faith!

Cardin: How are you so sure?

Jaune: If this old gal could get me and my friends up to the... um... she just will, trust me. Nora, hit play if you please... we need some cruising music.

Nora gave Cardin a questioning look over her shoulder, only to get a shrug of his shoulders as a response. So she reached over and hit play on the old tape deck.

Jaune: Oh yeah, that's the stuff!

Nora and Cardin sat back, giving Jaune a similar look, as he started to tap the wheel with his cybernetic hand, while also singing along... very off-key.

Despite Cardin and Nora's reservations, the Delta 88, or as Jaune called it "the Classic" was easily handling the rutted and rough very unmaintained road that lead from Vale proper to Beacon. Though neither was appreciating Jaune's singing.

After the fifth repetition of the song, as apparently the tape was just the one song, Nora had had enough and reached over and ejected the tape.

Jaune: Hey! (Taking his eyes off the road and giving Nora a look) I was...

Cardin: LOOK OUT!

Jaune/Nora: SHIT!

The beowulf hit the front of the Delta, was flipped over the hood to slam into the windshield, causing it's head to burst in a spray of goo that coated the glass. A second impact caused Jaune to slam on the brakes.

Cardin: What the f...?

Nora: Where the FUCK did that come from?

Jaune: (Attempting to use the wipers to clear the windshield, so he could see) I have no... Crap baskets.

Nora: Jaune? (Looks out the smeared windshield, seeing the approaching forms of at least three more beowulf and two missing Beacon applicants.) Crap baskets.

Jaune: Well, we have a choice, Lady and Gent.

Cardin: And that would be?

Jaune: Do we get out and fight, or?

Nora: Or?

Jaune: Do I run them over?

Cardin: Are you serious?

Jaune: Ah yes, I am serious! What do you think I would joke about running people over? That's cold man, real cold.

Nora: They're getting closer!

Jaune didn't wait for any further conversation, as he put the Delta 88 into reverse and stepped on the gas.

Cardin: What are you doing?

Jaune: I need room to get up to speed!

Nora: (having rolled down her window and peeking past the goo covered windshield) I think they know what you're planning on doing!

Jaune: Too late now! (Jaune hit the brake, put the Delta into drive and stomped on the gas.)

Forty-One hundred pounds of steel met a few hundred pounds of flesh at about fifty-miles and hour. Cardin winced at the sounds of bodies being knocked aside, over and under the car. Jaune didn't even flinch as he kept the accelerator floored and the wipers going.

Cardin: Can you even...

Nora: Let go, you bitch!

Deadite Student: (Half climbing through Nora's open window. It's twisted claw like fingers tangled in Nora's hair.) I will swallow your soul!

Jaune: Cardin do something!

Cardin: You do something!

Jaune: I'm driving!

Nora: Get off me, cunt! Someone, just do something!

Deadite Student: You will all die! There is nothing you ca...

BOOM! The Delta swerved dangerously as everyone now coated in gore shook their heads trying to ease the ringing in their ears, thanks to Cardin firing his shotgun inside the cab of the car.

Nora: I GOT IT IN MY MOUTH!!!

Jaune: WHAT?

Cardin: AHHH!!! MY EARS!!!!

Jaune: WHAT?

Thirty minutes later, the goo splattered trio exited the gore covered car. Glynda sighed as she looked them over. She knew she was supposed to ask, but she really didn't want to. Really, she did not want to know what those three menaces had gotten involved in. But it was her job to keep tabs on the trio.

Glynda: Would you mind explaining?

Jaune: WHAT?

Glynda: Why are you yelling?

Nora: I NEED MOUTHWASH!!! OR BLEACH!!

Glynda: I... ah... CAN, SOMEONE, TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!

Cardin: (His hands pressed to his ears) I'LL NEVER LOOK AT ROADKILL THE SAME WAY AGAIN!!

Glynda: Roadkill?

Nora stumbled away from her teammates making a bee-line for the fountain, and as shocked students and a dumbfounded Glynda watched she dunked her whole head in to the cool clear water. Jaune stumbled about to the rear of the Delta 88 and popped the trunk. Glynda's shoulder's dropped as she watched as the young man, pulled out a six-pack of beer and proceeded to walk over to a nearby bench.

Glynda: WHAT HAPPENED? WHY ARE YOU ALL SO... SO... GOOEY?

Cardin: DID YOU SAY SOMETHING, TEACH?

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Ten = (Chapter List)

The video feed images from the forest caused those watching to go pale. It was utter chaos in the shadow of those trees. The Professors watched as those strange grimm attacked, but that was not all. Several of the hopefuls themselves just screamed and then changed as well.

Ozpin: Get the rescue bullheads in the air now! I want everyone out of that forest!

/===/ In the Emerald Forest /===/

Beowulf: We will swallow your soul!

Jaune ignored the rantings of the decapitated head as he rushed to Pyrrha's side. She groaned as he helped her sit up with her back to the tree she had been thrown against.

Pyrrha: What? What?

Jaune: Pyr? How are you feeling?

Pyrrha: Confused, everything is ... AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Jaune fell back as Pyrrha lurched forward, grabbing her left leg. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she began to claw at her own flesh, screaming in agony. Jaune, using his one good hand, grabbed her wrists and pulled them back.

Jaune: Tell me Pyr! What is happening?

Pyrrha: It burns! It burns! Something is eating me!

Using the tip of his saw, Jaune pried at the edge of her greave. He took a deep breath as he saw the damage the bite had caused. Damage her aura should have prevented. Damage that before his eyes was festering and putrefying her flesh.

Jaune: Okay, I heed you to hold your hands together tightly. I have to remove your greave to really look at the injury. Can you do that?

Pyrrha just nodded as she clasped her hands together. Taking a deep breath, Jaune reached down and undid the fasteners. The torn piece of armour was peeled away revealing a spreading spiderweb of black lines, twisting about her flesh as the punctures caused by the beast's teeth wept black fluid.

Jaune: Fuck!

Pyrrha: (Sobbing) Jaune, please help me.

Jaune: (Places his hand against Pyrrha's cheek) I'm going to save you, but you have to be strong for me. Can you?

Pyrrha: Y... y... y... yes.

Jaune: I have to grab my hand, but I will be right back. Okay?

Pyrrha just nodded. Jaune rose to his feet and quickly made his way to where he had dropped his hand. As he passed the severed head, he unsheathed his shotgun.

Beowulf: Her soul will be ours! You have failed another, Jauney!

Jaune said nothing as he pointed the weapon and squeezed one of the two triggers. The head was splattered across the ground. Spinning the gun about his finger, he sheathed it, and grabbed his discarded hand. He jogged back to the still crying Pyrrha.

Jaune: (Pushes his cybernetic hand into her hands.) I want you to squeeze that as hard as you can. Crush it if you have to.

Pyrrha: What... what... are you... going to do?

Jaune: To save you, I have to take off your leg. It is going to hurt, like a fuck ton, but it's...

Pyrrha: No, you can't!

Jaune: Do you want me to save your life? Or would you rather become like that thing and force me to destroy you?

Pyrrha: I... I...

Jaune: Listen to me. If I don't do this now, you're going to die, so squeeze that hand. I'll make this quick.

Pyrrha, still sobbing, tears running from her eyes and snot dripping from her nose, just nodded. Jaune grabbed the end of one of his belts and yanked it free of his body. He kept his eyes on the creeping infection as he used his one good hand, and his teeth, to loop the belt just above Pyrrha's knee. She whimpered as he pulled it so tight that it made her aura flare.

Jaune: Now squeeze that hand.

Pyrrha screwed her eyes shut and clasped the cybernetic hand between hers. The revving of the chainsaw made her flinch, and a second later she howled. Jaune ground his teeth together as he forced the blade of the saw through her aura, and into her pale flesh. The corruption was only a couple of inches below her knee. He had to work fast.

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Eight = (Chapter List)

Pyrrha heard and saw the other applicants flying through the air, some of them heading towards the very individual that she had decided she was going to partner with. So broke into a jog, and then a run, vaulting, and jumping past and around obstacles as she closed on her destination.

She slowed down when she reached the area she was sure he had landed in. Looking up, she had to giggle. He was right where she figured, and she understood why he said he had no choice but to wait.

Her javelin had caught him by the hood and pinned him to a tree, but only after smashing him through a smaller one, in which he caught his foot, meaning he was now stretched between two separate trees.

Pyrrha: Are you sure you're okay?

Jaune: Perfect... just stuck. Little help, please?

Pyrrha reached out with her semblance and yanked her javelin free. Without the javelin holding him up, Jaune's body suddenly dropped, pivoting on his trapped foot. Pyrrha winced as she caught Milo, as Jaune slammed into the smaller tree, which of course freed his trapped foot. However now he wasn't being held up by anything, so he fell, striking several branches on the way down.

Pyrrha: (rushing over to the groaning form of Jaune) I'm sorry.

Jaune: (Getting assisted by Pyrrha to rise to his feet) Ow... ow... ouch. Ah... good thing for aura, huh. Ow. That's going to leave a mark.

Pyrrha: Are you sure you're okay? That was a nasty fall, and you hit quite a few branches on the way down.

Jaune: (Stretching and causing some of his joints to pop) I'll be fine. I'll just walk it off. No big deal.

Jaune bent over at his waist and gulped some air. It was obvious to Pyrrha that he was more banged up than he was willing to admit. That would be a problem, if they ran into any trouble.

Pyrrha: We're partner's now Jaune, so be honest with me. Are you okay?

Jaune: (Leans back rather far, causing his back to crack) There, I'm good now. (Looks around) Have you seen it?

Pyrrha: Seen?

Jaune: My chainsaw. I think I dropped... (Sees it laying at the base of one of the trees he had been stuck in) There it is.

Pyrrha: So the Headmaster said to go North and get...

Jaune: Fuck that. We're getting out of this place, and getting out now.

Pyrrha: But initiation?

Jaune: What about it?

Pyrrha: How are we going to earn our spots to stay at Beacon if we...

Jaune: Listen Pyr (Jaune totally missed the smile Pyrrha developed at hearing him shorten her name) there is something in this forest, and it's not grimm. We need to get back to Beacon before...

????: (a growling wet warped voice) Too late, Jauney.

Pyrrha: Is that... a grimm?

Jaune placed himself before Pyrrha as his eyes narrowed on the Beowulf that stalked out of the shadows. It's slavering jaws wide, it's once red eyes milky white. It stepped forward, and hissed, raising an arm and pointing a single twisted clawed finger in their direction.

Beowulf: Your souls will be ours.... just like all the others that have entered these woods. There is no escape, Jauney.

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Twenty-Six = (Chapter List)

The trio stood in front of the headmaster, goo and gore dripping off them to splatter on his polished wooden floor. Nora and Cardin stood just behind Jaune, their weapons balance on their shoulders.

Ozpin: Could you have, not, made such a mess?

Jaune: Not really, it's just how it is when dealing with these things. Messy.

Nora: Seriously messy.

Ozpin: (Sighs) Can I know what you accomplished with this... mission?

Jaune: Put down four Deadites that could have infiltrated the school and gotten their hands on the book.

Cardin: I thought we were doing it to keep them from killing more people, and to figure out how many more there were out in the forest?

Nora: So did I. Jaune's holding out on us.

Jaune: (Over his shoulder) I told you guys everything.

Nora: Nah-uh.

Cardin: This like the first time we've heard anything about some book.

Jaune: Really? I thought I did?

Ozpin: Mr Arc, please. Thank you for stopping a threat we were not aware of... wait... did you say more of them in the forest? How many more?

Jaune: That's the thing. We were going to do a count by checking the headless bodies... to see if they were any of the five we... um... caused.

Ozpin: So what was the result from this investigation?

Jaune: Um... we were interrupted by someone who will remain...

Cardin: (Cough) Goodwitch (Cough)

Jaune: ... nameless.

Glynda: I caught them sitting surrounded by blood, getting high!

Jaune/Nora/Cardin: Relaxing!

Glynda: Getting HIGH!

Jaune: That's beside the point. We have to go down and check those other bodies, then we can figure out...

Ozpin: How many do you think there are?

Jaune: Six, maybe less.

Ozpin: I see. I was going to send out search parties made up of third and fourth year students to try and recover those initiates we were unable to locate yesterday...

Jaune: No, that would be a really, terrible idea.

Ozpin: And why do you say that?

Jaune: Aside from us three... no one else in this school has any idea what they'd be running into, much less how to deal with it.

Ozpin: You are probably correct with that assumption.

Jaune: Oh, on the way here, Professor Goodwitch said something about how we are "representing" Beacon and our behaviour was inappropriate. What is that about?

Ozpin: I made a decision to accept everyone...

Nora: That's barbaric! It's just like Jaune-Jaune said! We survived, so we get to attend?

Cardin: That's cold. Real cold.

Ozpin: Excuse me? What are you going on about? I accepted everyone, it was the only sensible thing to do.

Jaune: Right. Of course.

Ozpin: (Sighs) So we now have a problem. There are students still out in the Emerald Forest, and I have an obligation to do everything in beacon's power to find them. But you are telling me that sending out third and fourth year teams to conduct such searches is inadvisable.

Jaune: Yeah.

Ozpin: So, what do you suggest I do? If there is even the slimmest chance, they could still be saved, then I have to do something.

Jaune: And I suppose you think, that since we have dealt with these demonic cock-huffers that we should volunteer?

Ozpin: No.

Jaune: Good.

Ozpin: Your team is being assigned the task. In lieu of taking part in Combat Class, History or Grimm Studies, you three will scour the Emerald Forest and save or recover everyone you can.

Jaune/Nora/Cardin: Team?

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Twenty-Five = (Chapter List)

Glynda was fuming, not only was her outfit now stained with the Gods knew what, but she was once again leading a gore coated Jaune Arc and his two... cohorts? Minions? Companions? Through the halls of Beacon after catching them getting high. There were only two differences to currently and the last time. Nora Valkyrie and Cardin Winchester were just a gore covered as Jaune. The second was that she was not using her semblance to corral them.

Glynda: I can not believe the juvenile and inappropriate behaviour you three as exhibiting! You should be ashamed of yourselves. You represent Beacon!

Cardin: Do we? Because I'm kind of under the impression that we didn't finish initiation.

Glynda: I... you...

Nora: Yeah, wasn't there something about getting relics or something? I don't remember finding any relics.

Glynda: It is implied that you...

Jaune: What we passed because we survived? That's cold, and inhuman. I don't think I want anything to do with a school that uses that type of barbarism.

Glynda: (Spins about and points her riding crop in their faces) No... I... ARGH! You three are insufferable!

Nora, Cardin and Jaune looked at each other, then back at Professor Goodwitch.

Cardin: So how are we representing Beacon?

Gynda: You are representatives of Beacon because the Headmaster has decided you are.

Jaune: Why exactly? It's not like we did anything.

Glynda: The Headmaster can explain it to you when you see him, and after you explain why you turned our morgue into a slaughterhouse.

Jaune: Um... dead coming back to life. Need to destroy the head to stop them. It's kind of self-evident.

Glynda's face started turning red as her frustration and anger slowly grew. She froze when she heard the voice of another person in the hall behind her.

????: Jaune?

Jaune: (Leans to the side to peer around Professor Goodwitch) Pyr?

Pyrrha: (Moving up the hallway using a set of crutches.) I was so worried about... (stops and eyes the gore streaked trio) What happened to you? Why are you all so gooey?

Jaune: Long story, so I'll give you the short, short version. Okay?

Pyrrha: Okay.

Jaune: Deadites.

Pyrrha: Huh?

Nora: Yeah, that sums it up.

Cardin: Couldn't have said it better myself.

Jaune: How are you doing, since I... you know...

Pyrrha: Cut off my leg below the knee?

Jaune: (Rubs the back of his neck with a blood coated hand) Yeah... that.

Pyrrha: I'm okay.

Jaune: That's... that's good.

Pyrrha: Can I talk to you... alone?

Jaune: We're on our way to see the Headmaster, maybe after that?

Pyrrha: That would be lovely.

Jaune: Okay, it's a date.

Pyrrha: (Blushing) A... a... a date?

Nora: It's a figure of speech, you thirsty wench.

Glynda: (Clearing her throat) Ms Nikos, you shouldn't be wandering the halls, without clearance from the Doctor.

Pyrrha: It's fine. I feel fine.

Glynda: It is not fine. You should be resting. So, please return to your room, while I escort these... three to the headmaster.

Pyrrha: Yes professor.

Jaune: Chin up Pyr, I'll be back to see you as soon as the Headmaster finishes with us.

Pyrrha: Hope to see you soon.

Pyrrha hobbled out of the way, as Glynda once again started her stalking walk through the halls, with three gore coated students following close behind her.

[novankenn]

Reluctant Hero?

= Fifteen = (Chapter List)

Much like Pyrrha, Weiss had passed out due to pain partway through Jaune's desperate amputation of her lower arm. He had Cardin toss it as far away as he could, while Nora pulled the ribbon even tighter.

Dropping to his ass, Jaune sat amidst the gore, his chest heaving. He had a far away look in his eyes, as he unconsciously rubbed the pendant that hung about his neck with his thumb. A minute or so later, a bullhead began to lower itself towards them. Leaning out the side door was once again Glynda Goodwitch.

Glynda: You're the last! Hurry!

Jaune: Cardin grab her (points to Ruby) Nora take Weiss.

The pair of powerhouses nodded and without hesitation set to their assigned tasks. Unlike when the bullhead picked up Pyrrha, this time it actually touched down. Jaune drew his shotgun. This was the perfect time that this power would launch an attack.

/==/ Five Minutes Later - Beacon landing Pads /==/

A host of medical staff met them, and quickly loaded but Ruby and Weiss onto gurneys. Jaune, Nora and Cardin watched as they were wheeled away. The trio coated in gore.

Glynda: Mr Arc...

Jaune: How many?

Glynda: Mr Arc?

Jaune: How many were saved?

The click of a metal tipped cane striking stone cause Jaune to turn his head. His azure eyes narrowed as Headmaster Ozpin approached.

Ozpin: Mr. Arc, I want to...

Ozpin hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, after Jaune's fist connected with his jaw. A fraction later, Jaune's saw was started. Ozpin lifted his hands in surrender as the teeth of Jaune's weapon closed upon his face.

Glynda: Mr Arc!

Cardin/Nora: Jaune!

Jaune: (Through clenched teeth) How many?

Ozpin: Mr Arc...

Jaune: How many, you fucking bastard? How many didn't make it?

Ozpin: Seventeen... out of forty-four.

Jaune: I warned you... I FUCKING WARNED YOU!

Jaune then pulled his saw away from Ozpin and walked off. Cardin and Nora looked between the two adults and Jaune's retreating back.

/==/ Five Minutes Later - Locker Room /==/

Anyone in the locker room gave Jaune's gore soaked form a wide berth, but he didn't care. He was focused on a single destination, and couldn't and wouldn't give a fuck about anything else. Reaching his locker, he yanked it open, pulled off his chainsaw hand and tossed it into the bottom with a clatter. A second later, his shotgun and harness followed.

Reaching into the bag he had set upon the top shelf, he withdrew a cybernetic hand. With a twist, followed by a click, he attached it to his right stub. Still ignoring everything about him, he once again reached into the bag, and pulled out a warm can of beer. Without any hesitation, he punched open the tab with his cybernetic thumb.

Nora and Cardin arrived a minute or so later to see Jaune guzzling down the can. Once finished he looked at them, crushed the can and tossed it towards a nearby garbage can. Missing it entirely. With a belch, he reached back into the bag, and pulled out the remains of the six-pack he had just opened.

Kicking his locker closed, he looked at the similarly gore coated pair.

Jaune: Go have a shower. You guys need one, desperately.

Nora: What about...

Jaune: What about me?

Cardin: You could use one as well.

Jaune: No, right now, I need to get a buzz on.

Jaune then shouldered past the pair, and walked away.