Chapter 1 - Betrayed
It's cold, dark... I'm hungry... my body hurts...
These were Jaune's only thoughts after laying down on the hard ground for about a solid hour now. The night was cold, probably one of Jaune's most freezing nights that he has ever experienced. He could barely feel his limbs and the silence around him was so loud, but Jaune didn't care.
Who would after their most trusted people betrayed them and left them behind to die. Especially after finding out what he did. Yes, faking his results, everyone found out. Who from, you may ask? Not by Cardin, but by the famous, strong and fearless...
Pyrrha Nikos. Jaune hoped that she would train him, and she did. For the first few days, he was giving his best but soon Pyrrha noticed how sloppy and clumsy his fighting was that she didn't even want to go near him. The truth spread around the whole school quickly, more and more people bullied the poor boy everyday. Of course, there was one person who still had a bit of sympathy for her best friend, but even Ruby Rose's words of fame and courage did not help.
Earlier that day, Nora, Ren and Pyrrha have made their final decision. Went out to the darkest part of the woods, and without any hesitation, pushed him in the deepest void. Whilst falling, and variously injuring, Jaune did not find any reason why he should stay alive.
If he went back to Beacon, the teachers would kick him out anyways.
And if he went home, he would have to tell his whole family about his mistake. What would his sisters say? What would his poor, weak mother's reaction be when she would find out that her son is a failure.
There was no hope for him, he was no needed...
He felt some raindrops on his face, and swallowed some before drifting into deep slumber. The last slumber... but was it his last?
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Jaune was being dragged on the floor by something, but he was too tired and weak to find out what it was. It could be a grim, probably going to feed on him or take him somewhere?
Jaune only peaked few times, noticing blurry pictures of the red eyed beowolves and ursas that followed his dragged body. Jaune just closed his eyes awaiting for his death, not caring anymore if he would be eaten alive or his body will be ripped up by thousands of grim and then crunched... But the only reaction he received was the pain on his leg released.
He opened his eyes slowly and noticed that he wasn't in a cave or anything... he was actually in a big hall. When he tried to stand up, his legs hurt again, but the boy ignored the pain and looked around the mysterious room. Black and purple colours filled the room and when he looked towards a massive table he spotted six people, sitting around it. Jaune didn't know what to say or how to react, he has never expected that ending for him.
But when he looked towards the woman sitting at the right front and he already knew who that was. (Imagine Jaune already knowing about Salem and this crap). Shivers ran up his spine, as he saw the woman stand up.
"Hello Jaune," her voice was terrifyingly calming and peaceful. Out of instincts, Jaune wanted to grab his sword or his shield but then he realised that he probably let them where he ended up falling. He had nothing to defend himself with, which only meant that he had no hopes of surviving. But didn't he want to give up a time ago? What was the point of changing this now?
"W-..." Jaune took a deep breath, and looked at the woman of destruction herself. "Why am I here, if I may ask?" asked the boy, who had no idea what was going on. Why didn't they just kill him? He's useless...
Salem however smiled and walked up to the boy, which seemed to increase his urge to run everytime she took a step forward. She stood right in front of him and put her hand on his shoulder. The touch was surprisingly... reassuring and comfortable, instead of sharp pain.
"We know what you've been through, Jaune. I know how it feels when the person you trust the most abandons you, even after all you did for them." Salem said and then gestured at the rest of the people. "All of us had a horrible life where everyone didn't believe in us. Now it's time we show them that we are better than them, to show them who is the right one." she said.
Jaune didn't know why, however he suddenly felt as if he was... in the right place. As if for once in his fine, he knew he could be here and not feel unwanted, worthless or weak.
"Besides, I feel like you could help me with your aura. You have a lot of it, and you do seem quite strong, you just need to practise it." Salem continued as she went back to her chair and sat down. Everyone looked either at Jaune, down at the floor or minded their own business. Jaune, however noticed another person in the room. He was tall, a mask covering his pale face, and red hair making his black horns almost invisible to the view. The male was leaning against the wall, and looking back at Jaune. Or maybe that was just what the blond boy thought.
"Well... what am I supposed to do?" asked the blond boy, his heart raced as he was awaiting for the answer. Salem took a glace at the red haired boy, and smirked.
"I feel like the White Fang would be a good place for someone like you. Do you agree, Adam?" Salem's head turned towards Adam as he quickly turned towards the ruler. Jaune was surprised as he heard the answer, he wasn't even a faunus...
"Yes Salem." said Adam and began walking away towards the door. But as soon as he approached Jaune, he gestured with his head towards the door. Jaune felt the other boy's aura for some reason and his cheeks heated up. What was wrong with him? He just met Adam and his body was already acting the way it was.
"It is settled then. I hope I will see you later Jaune, now go with Adam. He will settle everything else." These were the last words Jaune heard before exiting the hall and following the new-met person.
After some time of walking and not saying a word to each other, Adam and Jaune found themselves at a place that seemed to look a lot like a camp. Many people there had masks on, along with the faunus outfit. Jaune took a deep breath as he tried to keep on following Adam and not stare at anyone. He felt like people stared at him...
"I don't fit here..." Jaune muttered to himself, not realising that Adam might hear him.
"Everyone says that as soon as they come here. You will be fine after a while. Besides, if you need to speak to anyone, there's me..." Adam paused as they approached a quite fine tent and Adam revealed what was in it. "And Noki." he answered and Jaune looked at the person who was inside. She looked a bit... well... not like the others. She had really short aurbun-ginger hair, pale skin, and a goth aesthetic outfit, with some chains and spiky bealts around her torso. She had a nose piercing, a lot of ear piercings and a lip piercing. "Jaune, this is Noki. She is a wolf faunus, and her semblance is to read in minds." Adam introduced me to the girl.
She waved and answered "Pleased to meet you."
Then Adam left Jaune with her, and told the blond boy that she will look after him for some time. She cured his injuries, and talked with him a bit.
"I still don't get it though, why did Salem and you guys save me?" Jaune asked as he laid down on a spare matress, that Noki gave him. She shrugged and turned off the little lamp she had.
"You and Adam have a lot in common. Both of you trusted someone, and that person betrayed you the most. Both of you were understated. Besided, who said that we are the bad guys?" Noki stated as Jaune looked at the ceiling of the tent. He heard Noki chuckle and she then said before drifting off to sleep,
"I think he likes you." and not even ten seconds later, you could heard the quiet snores of the mysterious girl. Jaune thought of what Salem said to him...
You do seem quite strong
These were the words that he hasn't heard in like... ever.
He slowly began drifting into sleep, thinking of Adam, and who could do something like that to him? Adam seemed to even have an effect on the blond boy, but he didn't want to admit it... Not knowing, that these feelings were mutual...