RWBY: The Novelization: Jaundice

RWBY: The Novelization is not endorsed by Rooster Teeth in any way. Views, opinions, and thoughts are all my own. Rooster Teeth and RWBY are trade names or registered trademarks of Rooster Teeth Productions, LLC. © Rooster Teeth Productions, LLC.

Teams JNPR and RWBY had a class together with the eccentric and caffeine-addicted Professor Oobleck. At least half-a-dozen coffee mugs littered his desk and he held another in his hand, sipping from it occasionally. He zipped around the room going over the basic history of the Faunus while some students, like Jaune, quietly napped, seemingly unnoticed.

“Yes, yes. Prior to the Faunus Rights Movement, better known as the Faunus War, humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing the Faunus population on the island of Menagerie. Now! While this may seem like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events. Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day.

“Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?”

Weiss raised her hand. “The Battle at Fort Castle.”

“Precisely! And! Who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagoon’s forces?”

There was a pause. Just long enough for Cardin to flick a paper football at the back of Jaune’s head and wake him with a start, catching Oobleck’s eye.

“Mr. Arc!” said Oobleck. “Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! Now, what is the answer?”

Jaune hemmed and hawed. While looking across the room past Oobleck at Pyrrha to get a hint, he babbled, “Uh, the answer… the advantage… the Faunus had over that guy’s stuff was…”

Pyrrha made vague gestures with her fingers to her eyes, mouthing, “Night vision.” But Jaune didn’t get it. She tried cupping her hands and holding them up to her eyes.

Jaune’s head snapped back, and he proudly proclaimed, “Binoculars!”

The class laughed, Oobleck sipped his coffee, and Pyrrha facepalmed.

“Very funny, Mr. Arc.” Oobleck looked up and noticed Cardin was laughing hardest of all. “Mr. Winchester. Perhaps you would like to share your thoughts on the subject.”

Cardin leaned back and put his feet up on the desk. “Well, I know that it’s a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier.”

Pyrrha replied, “You’re not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?”

“What? You got a problem?”

“No. I have the answer. It’s night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly perfect sight in the dark.”

Blake added, “General Lagoon was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched and the general was captured.” She turned to Cardin. “Perhaps if he had paid attention in class, he wouldn’t have been remembered as such a failure.”

Many in the class went “Ooh!” and Cardin shook his fist.

“Mr. Winchester,” warned Oobleck. “That’ll do. In fact, both you and Mr. Arc can see me after class for additional readings.”

Jaune groaned.

“Now! Moving on!”

After class, Pyrrha told Ren and Nora to go on ahead as she would wait for Jaune. They did so, and Pyrrha leaned against the wall just outside of the classroom. She could hear Oobleck perfectly.

“You two have been struggling in my class since day one. Now, I don’t know if it’s a lack of interest, or just your stubborn natures, but whatever it is, it stops now. You’ve worked hard to gain entrance to this school, gentlemen, and we only accept the best of the best. So, I expect you to act like it.

“History is important, gentlemen. If you can’t learn from it, you’re destined to repeat it. Your assignment is pages fifty-one to ninety-one, and I want an essay on my desk by next class. Now, run along.”

Jaune and Cardin left, but as soon as they were in the hallway, Cardin shoved Jaune to the ground before walking away.

Pyrrha helped Jaune to his feet. “You know, I really will break his legs.”

“Thanks for the offer…”

As Jaune dusted himself off, Pyrrha suddenly looked excited. “I have an idea! Here, come with me,” she said, dragging him away.

Pyrrha took Jaune to a section of cleared rooftop of Beacon’s dormitory. It was originally used by couples as a not-so-secret make-out spot, but Glynda had cracked down hard on the amorous offenders. As a result, the rooftop was now abandoned.

Pyrrha and Jaune walked to the edge of the roof where they could see Beacon framed against the night sky. Orbs of green light shone from the CCT tower. Pyrrha thought it was a lovely sight. She smiled and looked softly at Jaune. He however had a different take.

“Pyrrha, I know I’m going through a hard time right now, but I’m not that depressed,” he said, looking at the ground several stories below. “I can always be a farmer or something.”

Pyrrha freaked. “N-no!” She pushed Jaune away from the edge. “That’s not why I brought you up here. Jaune, I know you’re having a difficult time in class, and that you’re still not the strongest of fighters, so I want to help you.” She gave him her sweetest smile.

“What?”

“We can train up here after class where no one can bother us.”

“You… think I need help?”

Seeing Jaune’s crushed spirit, Pyrrha quickly said, “N-no. No. That’s not what I meant.”

“But you just said that.”

“Jaune, everybody needs a little push from time to time. It doesn’t make you any different from the rest of us. You made it to Beacon. That speaks volumes of your potential.”

Jaune turned away. “You’re wrong.” He sighed. “I don’t belong here.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say. Of course, you do.”

“No, I don’t!”

Pyrrha recoiled.

He sighed again. “I wasn’t really accepted into Beacon.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I didn’t go to combat school, I didn’t pass any tests, I didn’t earn my spot at this academy. I lied. I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied.”

Pyrrha was shocked. How could Jaune perpetrate such a deception? “But why?”

“Because this is what I’ve always wanted to be. My father, my grandfather, and his father before him, they were all warriors. They were all heroes. I wanted to be one, too. I was just never good enough.”

“Then… let me help you,” pleaded Pyrrha.

“I don’t want help! I don’t want to be the damsel-in-distress! I want to be the hero! I’m tired of being the lovable idiot stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives. Don’t you get it?! If I can’t do this on my own, then what good am I?”

Pyrrha stepped toward Jaune, but he stepped back.

“Just… leave me alone.”

“If that’s what you think is best,” she said sadly.

Pyrrha walked away and tried her best not to cry. It was bad enough Jaune had lied to everyone, to his team, and to her, but to flat out reject her aide and show how immature he truly was… he was not the man she thought he was. He was not the man she hoped he could be.

Jaune stayed on the roof and paced for a little while pitying himself. Then he heard someone laughing. He turned around and up popped Cardin, scaling the building.

“Oh, Jaune. I couldn’t help but overhear you two from my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon, huh? I gotta say, Jaune, I never expected you to be such a rebel.”

“Please, Cardin! Please! Please, don’t tell anyone.”

“Jaune. Come on. I’d never rat out a friend like that.”

“A ‘friend?’”

Cardin put his arm around Jaune and pulled him into a less-than-friendly headlock. “Of course. We’re friends now, Jauney boy. And the way I see it, as long as you’re there for me when I need you, we’ll be friends for a long time.” Cardin released Jaune; he was gasping for air. “That being said, I really don’t have the time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that for me, buddy?” Cardin ruffled Jaune’s hair.

Jaune didn’t answer.

“That’s what I thought. Don’t worry, Jaune. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Cardin disappeared back over the roof’s edge while Jaune tried to figure out what sort of deal with the devil he had just made.
 

It had been a few days since Cardin had shanghaied Jaune into his service. Jaune had not shared the status of his new captivity with his team.

One night, he had just made it back to his dorm after running a few errands for Cardin when suddenly he heard Nora talking through the door. “How come Jaune gets home so late?”

“He has become rather scarce since he’s been fraternizing with Cardin,” Ren replied.

“That’s weird. Doesn’t he know we have a field trip tomorrow? We need our rest.”

“I’m sure our leader knows exactly what he’s doing,” Pyrrha bit. She was worried about Jaune, but still upset with him. And Jaune suddenly being friends with Cardin exacerbated everything. Had he really gone to the dark side to become stronger?

Jaune had heard Pyrrha. He knew that she knew that he didn’t know what he was doing anymore. He had allowed himself to become enslaved to his ambitions and lost her respect in turn. How many times had he considered telling Glynda himself so he could stop being Cardin’s slave? But he never had the courage to pull through.

A cheery voice startled him. “Hey, Jaune!”

He jumped and turned. It was Ruby in her pajamas.

“Long time, no see. Did you lock yourself out again?”

“Oh! Uh, nope. Got it,” he said, holding up his scroll.

“So, where have you been lately?”

“I, uh…” Jaune paused. He desperately wanted to tell someone. And before he knew it, he had already blurted, “I messed up. I did something I shouldn’t have, and now Cardin’s got me on a leash, and Pyrrha won’t even talk to me, and… I’m starting to think coming to this school was a bad idea.” He shrunk to the floor. “I’m a failure.”

There was a brief pause before Ruby said, “Nope.”

“Nope?”

“Nope. You’re a leader now, Jaune. You’re not allowed to be a failure.”

“But… what if I’m a failure at being a leader?”

Ruby thought for a second. “Nope.”

Jaune laughed humorlessly. “You know, you’re not the easiest person to talk to about this kind of stuff.”

“Nope. Jaune, maybe you were a failure when you were a kid.”

Jaune sighed.

“And you might have even been a failure the first day we met.”

Jaune groaned.

“But you can’t be one now. You know why? Because it’s not just about you anymore. You’ve got a team now, Jaune. We both do. And if we fail, we’ll just be bringing them down with us. We have to put our teammates first, and ourselves second. Your team deserves a great leader, Jaune. And I think that can be you. Well, good night.” Ruby disappeared into her dorm.

Jaune stood. He didn’t know where Ruby had gotten such an insight into being a team leader, especially when she herself had had problems with her own teammates not that long ago. But he had a strong feeling she was right. He would have to put his team first. Unfortunately, his scroll ringing made him forget about Ruby’s sagacious advice. He answered it.

“Hey! It’s your buddy, Cardin. I know you’re probably busy with that dust project I gave you, but I’m gonna need you to go out and get me a bag of rapier wasps.”

Jaune started. Rapier wasps? What would it take to get his hands on those?

“Make sure they’ve got some really big stingers. It’s important, so don’t screw this up.”

Jaune closed his scroll and sighed. This mess was getting worse by the minute.
 

The next day, the first year students found themselves in a forest of perpetually falling leaves in shades of yellow, red, and orange. Glynda led them through the forest, explaining, “Yes, students. The Forest of Forever Fall 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 turned around abruptly.

Everyone stopped except for Jaune who had been lugging equipment and jars enough for six people. He couldn’t see over his load and bumped into Cardin who growled at him.

Glynda 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’ll rendezvous back here at four o’clock. Have fun.”

Cardin smiled darkly at Jaune. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go.”

Jaune looked at Pyrrha forlornly. She had the same look. Jaune wanted to join her, but he followed after Cardin.

Some time passed, and while the members of Team CRDL lounged about, Jaune came stumbling into the clearing with all six jars filled. He put them on the ground and collapsed. In a funny voice he said, “I think I’m allergic to this stuff.”

“Great, great, great,” said Cardin, not listening. “So 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?’”

“That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today.” But several others had been much more important and disparaging.

“Well, come with me, and you’ll find out.”

Jaune groaned.

They managed to sneak up to a fallen log overlooking a scene with both Teams RWBY and JNPR as they went about collecting sap.

Jaune looked at Cardin. He seemed to radiate a black fury. “Cardin. What’s going on?”

“Payback,” he growled.

Jaune looked where Cardin was looking. “Pyrrha?”

“That’s the girl! Red-haired know-it-all. Thinks she’s so smart.” Cardin pulled out a box that seemed to be buzzing angrily. “Alright, boys. Last night, old Jaune here managed to round up an entire box of rapier wasps, and now, we’re gonna put’em to work.

“Now, according to one of the essays he wrote for me last week, these nasty things love sweets. And I’m thinking it’s time we teach her a thing or two.” Team CRDL stood with Cardin pulling Jaune to his feet. He shoved one of the jars of sap in his stomach. “And you’re gonna do it.”

“Do… what?” Jaune dreaded the answer.

“Hit her with the sap, of course. Either that, or I’ll have a chat with Goodwitch, and you’ll be on the first airship out of Beacon.”

Jaune looked at the jar in his hands. He looked up at Cardin. His hopes and dreams completely depended on staying at Beacon. If he couldn’t stay, he’d never become a warrior—he’d never become a hero like his father and grandfather.

Jaune cocked his arm back, but as he looked at Pyrrha, he felt his ambition waver. It was bad enough he had lied to Pyrrha and rejected her offer to help him. But now he was going to betray her in so dastardly a way, Jaune knew it meant no going back. Were his dreams worth losing his teammates, friends, and Pyrrha?

 “Do it, Jaune,” commanded Cardin.

Jaune felt something turn over in his mind. He lowered his arm. “No.”

Cardin leaned in. “What did you say?”

Jaune’s rebellion spurred his ire. Justly upset with himself and angry at Cardin, his passion released itself. “I said, no!” Jaune threw the sap at Cardin and it shattered on his breastplate, covering him in sap.

“Oh, you’ve done it now,” said Cardin, looming forward.

Two members of CRDL grabbed Jaune by the shoulders and pulled him in. Laughing nervously was his only defense.

“You know that wasn’t very smart, Jauney boy,” said Cardin, slugging Jaune. “I’m going to make sure that they send you back to mommy in teeny, tiny pieces.”

Jaune’s face began to bear a significant bruise. “I don’t care what you do to me, but you are not messing with my team.”

“What? You think talk like that makes you tough?” Cardin picked Jaune up by the collar and lifted him off the ground. “You think you’re a big, strong man now?”

Jaune smiled. It struck him that maybe this was how someone becomes a hero. And the fact that he had done it for Pyrrha made him feel all the more virtuous, but he didn’t know why.

Cardin thought Jaune was mocking him. He raised a fist and threw it into Jaune’s face. But just as his fist connected, there was a blinding flash of light. Cardin dropped Jaune, screamed, and cradled his hand.

Jaune looked at his own hands and saw a faint white aura surrounding them. But after it faded, Cardin knew that the moment had passed.

“Let’s see how much of a man you really—”

But then, there was a savage growl.

The boys turned and saw a great, black beast lumber out of the forest with massive white claws, bones, and spines protruding from its body. Its eyes were like fire and it seemed to be wearing its skull outside of its head.

The beast took a minute to sniff the air and seemed to take a quick interest in Cardin.

As his team abandoned him, one of them couldn’t help remarking, “That’s a big Ursa!”

Cardin drew his mace and readied himself for combat. But the Ursa was too strong and fast, knocking Cardin to the ground.

Jaune looked back into the forest and didn’t think Cardin’s team would return. His hand trembled as he reached for his sword.

Not that far removed, Teams RWBY and JNPR were still collecting their sap when they heard the Ursa roar. Ruby asked the painfully obvious. “Did you guys hear that?”

Suddenly, Team CRDL ran past them.

“Ursa! Ursa!” one of them warned. He ran right into Yang and bounced off. She was pretty sturdy for a chick and didn’t even flinch. It was also a pity because he thought running right into Yang’s front would have been awesome.

“What?!” said Yang. She grabbed him by the shirt. “Where?”

“Back there! It’s got Cardin.”

Pyrrha dropped her jar of sap. “Jaune!”

“Yang!” said Ruby. “You and Blake go get Professor Goodwitch.”

“You two go with them,” said Pyrrha, indicating Ren and Nora. “There could be more.”

Pyrrha, Ruby, and Weiss drew their weapons and ran deeper into the forest. They arrived just in time to see Cardin struggling to get away from the Ursa as it loomed over him. Its gaping mouth was as big as his head.

The Ursa attacked again but was stopped by Jaune, shielding Cardin. He buckled under the Ursa’s strength, and Weiss replied by flourishing Myrtenaster.

“Wait,” said Pyrrha. Seeing Jaune fighting and defending the bully, not out of fear, but virtue, made her think he had finally come around. And in fact, winning this battle may go a long way to boosting his confidence.

Jaune managed to push the Ursa’s claw away and made a wrathful slash to its torso. The Ursa roared and struck again, but Jaune rolled out of the way. It swung again, and again Jaune dodged.

Jaune worked up his courage and charged. The Ursa however swung and got him, this time knocking him to the ground. Jaune bounced, but he rolled right back up on his feet. He charged again, but again, the Ursa knocked him away.

Jaune stood, feeling much worse for wear. He checked his scroll and saw that his aura was in the red. He could have adopted a more defensive strategy, but from stories told to him by his father and grandfather, he knew that the more aggressive combatant would always win. He had no choice but to keep fighting.

The Ursa charged and Jaune ran to meet it. He brought his sword back just as the Ursa raised its claw.

Pyrrha, her battle senses being so finely tuned, could see the outcome of this final crossover—Jaune would have his head taken clean off. But then Pyrrha noticed where Jaune’s shield was. Instead of protecting himself while he swung, his shield was way off to the side where it would do him no good. But a minor adjustment just might put things in his favor.

Pyrrha lifted her hand and there was a strange magnetic buzz. Jaune’s shield came up and the Ursa’s claw scratched against it and slid off. Jaune almost went down to one knee from the impact of the blow, but adrenaline pushed him on forcing him to lift his sword and in one swift slash, he decapitated the Ursa.

Ruby looked at Pyrrha as her hand dropped. “Uh? What?”

“How did you…?” Weiss began.

“Well,” began Pyrrha, “Ruby has her speed, you have your glyphs… my Semblance is polarity.”

“Whoa,” said Ruby. “You can control poles.”

“No, you dunce!” chided Weiss. “It means she has control over magnetism.”

“Magnets are cool, too,” Ruby replied. Then after a second, “How do they work? Seriously?”

Pyrrha turned.

“Where are you going?” asked Weiss.

“Yeah!” agreed Ruby. “We have to tell someone what happened.”

“We… could,” said Pyrrha. “Or perhaps, we could just keep it our little secret.” She looked at Jaune as he sheathed his sword. A big smile crept across her face.

Jaune helped Cardin to his feet.

“Holy crap, Jaune!”

“Don’t mess with my team—my friends!—ever again. Got it?!”

Cardin didn’t say anything and looked sorry.

Jaune didn’t say anything else. He just walked away.

That night, Jaune was on the abandoned rooftop overlooking Beacon. In the past few hours, he’d thought about many things including coming clean to Glynda and dropping out of Beacon. His thoughts were suddenly disturbed by the clip-clop of a set of heels. He instantly recognized the cadence of the step.

“No Cardin tonight?” asked Pyrrha, somewhat surprised but still trying to suppress her glee. “I thought you two were best buds.”

“Pyrrha. I’m sorry. I was a jerk. You were only trying to help, and I had all this stupid macho stuff in my head.”

“It’s okay, Jaune.” She had already forgiven him. “Your team really misses their leader, you know. You should come down,” she said, walking away. “Ren made pancakes. No syrup though, you can thank Nora for that.”

“Wait!”

Pyrrha stopped.

“I know I don’t deserve it after all that happened, but… would you still be willing to help me? To become a better fighter? Otherwise, I may have to drop out.”

Pyrrha turned her back on him. She closed her eyes and an impish smile came to her face. This was exactly the sort of opportunity she needed. In fact, her first offer hadn’t been completely selfless, either.

She walked up to Jaune and put her hands on his chest. She paused for a second, smiling, before pushing him down.

“Hey!”

“Your stance is all wrong. You need to be wider and lower to the ground.”

“…Oh.”

Pyrrha helped Jaune up, but held onto his hand just a little longer than necessary. “Let’s try that again.”

Keep writing, my friends.

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