Chapter Text
It was a strange feeling, watching your entire world crumble right before your eyes. A strange little diddy of an emotional hurricane colliding with a wall of apathy. It was a little something odd to mull over while waiting outside the principal's office, awaiting Ozpin's conference, or sentencing for the uninitiated, like a prisoner in line for Death Row. He was tired. Badly so. His eyelids drooped threateningly low for this early in the morning. It was completely out of place for this situation, but what else could you do? Fight off a night of no sleep, having an endless staring contest with the ceiling, based on good intentions alone?
Strange how the reality of his situation didn't keep him from yawning. Perhaps it just hadn't hit that it was all over. There was no coming back from this. The fraud, the faker, the joker had been found out. So out of the blue as well. Just a regular combat class until Goodwitch had gotten a call, and glared daggers at the blonde. While trying to contemplate whether Goodwitch was trying to burn a hole in his skull with her gaze, she stiffly asked him to wait outside Ozpin's office. He tried to convince himself at first that it was nothing serious while trudging his way over, but what else could it be? It had to be the longest walk he'd ever done.
After an hour of waiting, the door creaked open, disturbingly slowly. "You may enter."
Jaune gulped. Ozpin's voice wasn't its usual warm tone. It was gruff, rather impatient. Better yet, the disappointment was laying on real thick enough to be syrup on a cold day. He entered quickly, taking a quick gaze around the absurdly large, clock-adorned, bookshelf-ridden office. There was a single file on his desk, along with an untouched mug of coffee. Jaune's heart stopped, then jumpstarted again in rapid succession, feeling suddenly very hot. The pair stared at each other for a while before Ozpin gestured for the chair. "Please sit down, mister Arc."
Jaune obliged, sitting down in the seat in front of the desk, sitting up far too straight to be natural. His heart hammered against his ribs, hands clenched tightly.
"First off, good morning," He coolly started.
"Good morning, sir," Jaune mumbled.
"Now, let us be done with this business quickly. I do suppose you know why you're here, correct?" Ozpin questioned. The boy said nothing, only lowering his head. "That does require an answer, mister Arc," It took a bit of effort, but Jaune nodded. "Good. Let us evaluate you for a moment."
Jaune's jaw clenched, watching the old man sift through the pile of papers on that phony file. Ozpin didn't need to. This was a bucket of salt being dumped on an open gunshot wound at this point. But of course, as the principal and owner of the world's most prestigious school for hunters, a point had to be made, no matter how harsh and grating that point was.
"Jaune Avery Arc. Born in Tourance, a farming village not far from Anima. Age seventeen, height and weight," He rattled off extraneous information under his breath, biding time to get to the real meat. Just adding more fuel to the fire, drawing it out with the skill of an artist. Jaune had to hand it to the old man. He knew how to inflict terror and keep it rolling. "Ah, here we are. Attended Lockhart's Pre-huntsman Academy for four years. Graduated with average grades at best. Average grades, average standing, average record. Not a single recommendation. Nothing truly standing out. Had I never reviewed it a second time, I would have never noticed anything."
Jaune remained silent, fighting off the urge to run. At this point, it would just dig that hole just a little bit deeper for him. Might be big enough to fit his entire team in as well. He flinched upon remembering them, and what they must be thinking right now. Pyrrha must be beside herself.
"Do you have any comments for that, or am I speaking to a wall?" Ozpin calmly asked.
Jaune shook his head. "No sir." He mumbled again.
"How reassuring to know I haven't gone senile in my age," He commented. His fingers wrung together, looking the boy up and down, the ticking of the large clock being the only noise in the room. "Did you make these records yourself? The forgery on this form is utterly flawless. How commendable." The dull sarcasm stung far more than the accusation.
"I bought them." Jaune quietly answered. "The forgery I did myself."
"Well, your handwriting is particularly good. I couldn't tell the difference." Ozpin complimented. "Even on this second viewing, I had a hard time discerning the real from the fake. I had to call the headmaster just to make sure, and lo and behold, student records came back. No such Jaune Arc had ever attended his school. In fact, the only Jaune Arc on record for any Hunter's school would be Fairfield in Anima."
Jaune grimaced. That school. That damn school. Just the thought of it made him sick to his stomach. Ozpin closed his file, taking to cradling his chin on top of his clenched hands as he leaned on the desk. Those eyes burned through every defense Jaune had, and went straight for the soul. He worked through every little line in his head- every little idea on how to talk his way out of this. Something he'd been thinking about for the entire year at this point, but even with all this preparation, he was struck silent. Nothing came out aside from loose stutters and questionable noises deep in his throat.
"Do you realize the severity of what you've done, mister Arc?" Ozpin asked. "I will put it simply. You have entered a school of experienced warriors of which kill dangerous beasts on a near-daily basis. You've not only put yourself in danger, but you've endangered your entire team as well. Could you truly live with yourself if one of your teammates died trying to keep you safe? Trying to pull the weight you've left for them to carry?"
Jaune shook his head quickly, becoming vocal for the first time. "That wouldn't ever happen, sir," He firmly said. "I wouldn't let anything happen to my friends."
"You wouldn't have a choice," Ozpin stated. "The bottom line is that you put yourself and your teammates at risk. And that is just the start of the list of discrepancies. Fraudulence, forgery, false acquisition of school documents, the list goes on," His gaze stiffened. "I do not need to be the one to tell you just how much trouble even one of these crimes can give."
Jaune's heart sank. That little cue of subtlety nearly outright killed the boy. He was looking at jail time. Possibly a life sentence. Or maybe not. He had no idea just how far the rabbit hole of legal ramifications went. For all he knew, hunter impersonation alone could be charged with death. He wouldn't entertain those thoughts on the norm, but never before has the threat felt so real.
Silence befell the two again. The old hunter was deep in thought, no doubt deciding the best way to punish him- testing the waters on just how far down the river this situation can be taken. Ozpin's expression was a puzzle crafted for only the finest brains to solve. The only emotion that was readable was the sheer disappointment on his face. Jaune found himself internally begging the professor to say something. Anything.
"Why did you do this?" He asked.
Jaune pursed his lips. "I don't know." He answered, not wanting to speak of it.
"Jaune, at this point, I have a right to know why you risked yourself, and my students, to suit your needs."
Jaune flinched. Did he really have to put it like that? "I really don't anymore." He lied. Unconvincingly so. "Maybe I just wanted to be a huntsman?"
"I could gather that. And to that end, you'd willingly put yourself and others in danger? For glory?"
"No! That's not it."
"For wealth? Status?"
"No, I swear, that's not it!"
"You aren't convincing me, Jaune," Ozpin pressed. "Perspective is always important. From my own, an inexperienced and foolish boy cheated into my school, led a team, and could have gotten himself, or them, killed. Would you allow me to see yours now?"
Jaune bit his lip and shook his head.
Ozpin waited for a little longer before sighing. "I see. Such a disappointment. Do you realize what sort of brilliant tactical mind you have? How you couldn't be a legitimate huntsman is beyond me. Such talent is wasted, I'm afraid." He stood up, casting a shadow over the blonde. "Jaune Arc, you are hereby expelled from Beacon Academy. You have twenty-four hours to vacate the premises. Failure to do so will result in your immediate arrest and detainment."
Just like that, it was over. The headmaster's voice echoed in Jaune's head. That ticking clock may as well be a judge's gavel, bell tolling not too long after the announcement. He had no idea what to do. All of a sudden, he was awkwardly out of place- scared and unsettled just being there. Ozpin gestured for him to stand up, and he obeyed.
"For your sake, I will keep your crimes to myself. No one aside from Glynda and myself shall know, and neither of us will tell a soul so long as you never enter into a huntsman program. Ever." Ozpin said rather coldly. No, more than that. It was stoic, lacking any sort of emotion. "Now please leave."
Jaune turned his back and walked away, out the door, out of sight.
The hallways felt far longer than they've ever felt before. The students around him, just going about their everyday lives, where all the more numerous suddenly, and they all went quiet when he passed by, whispering amongst themselves. The students parted down the middle, leaning against lockers, Jaune becoming a rock splitting across a river. His heart sank. Did they know? How many people knew? What if this thing got out? These kids weren't exactly known for their polite vows of silence pertaining to scandals.
Down at the very end of the hall was the one person Jaune expected to be sneering- Cardin Winchester. That wasn't just a typical little grin, worn by someone who took far too much glee in tormenting people than what was typically considered sane, no. This was ear to ear, his entire body shaking and heaving slightly, trying to hold back one of the biggest belly laughs he's ever done.
At that moment, Jaune knew everything. "You… why?" He uttered in disbelief.
"Eh, I was bored," Cardin answered casually, with a half-hearted shrug.
Jaune clenched his teeth. "You were bored?" He echoed. "You were bored, so you just decided to ruin everything?!" Jaune bellowed, a few of the students jumping from the sudden tone shift. Whatever sneers there were in the crowd slowly went away, except for Cardin's. That facial muscle torture just grew if anything else.
Again, a simple shrug. "What? Oh, just 'cuz you did me a favor in the forest, I'm supposed to be all nice to you and crap? Screw that, man." Jaune's heaved angry breaths through gritted teeth. "Hey, now that you're gone, doing… whatever, I couldn't care less, you think that bitch is free now?"
"What did you say?" Jaune snarled, fingers clenching, tearing gashes into the sheet metal.
Dove, Cardin's wayward stooge, stared motionless, all remnants of a smile long gone. "Dude, I don't know about this. Don't you think this was too far?"
"I asked you if that redhead bitch was free now," Cardin asked smugly. "Oh wait, maybe that little bitch is now too. The one with the scythe. What was her name? Ah, forget it. Maybe if she plays nice and begs, I can get my dad to pull some strings and let you back in. If she behaves anyway-"
All three of Cardinals teammates rushed in, each holding a section of Jaune back, his gauntlets just barely brushing against Cardin's throat before being pulled back. Cardin's wide grin collapsed like a deck of cards. So close. So very close. He struggled and pushed but ended up being flung back to the ground, red-faced and heaving.
"That's enough, man! Damn!" Dove argued with his leader. "Seriously, you got nothing more to gain from this. Just drop it. Let'em leave and be done with it."
Cardin rolled his eyes. "Takin' his side now? Ah, whatever." Despite regaining some composure, Cardin's face was still sheet-white and sweating, never having seen that kind of fight in him before. Had his teammates hadn't stepped in, God knows what would have happened. "He's not a part of this school anymore anyway. If he tries that shit again, dad's suing him." He grinned at Jaune one last time. "Or maybe not. Not worth it. Dude's a fraud. A failure. Dudes better off dead. Probably do that team of his some good too."
Jaune stood up, brushed himself off, and walked off, those words ringing in his ears.
/
Within minutes, his bags were packed. The benefits of traveling light, there wasn't much to pack in the first place. Just clothes, essentials, and the few little momentos he acquired along the way. Nothing that would weigh him down, physically or emotionally, although that last one was arguable at best. Anger made him break a packing record time, but he found himself staring at everything in the room for hours on end, trying to soak in the details for what felt like the last time. It almost didn't seem real.
Before long, classes had ended, and his team rushed back in to find Jaune sitting on his bed, listlessly staring at the wall. He'd barely even noticed them come in until Nora hugged him tight enough to pop a few ribs. The poor girl was a mess of stutters, trying to compute just how big of a mess her 'fearless leader' had gotten himself into. Ren just gazed at him, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder, not quite knowing what to say. Nothing much to say, really. They all knew long beforehand. They knew just how it would end.
There was nothing but sweet silence for a while as the team just enjoyed each other's company until Jaune decided to speak up. "Should I bring a barf bag?"
Nora blinked, then grinned from ear to ear. "We should pack you five. No, six. Seven to be safe. Ren-Ren, we have seven right?"
"I have plenty for this sort of occasion." Ren plainly answered, glad for the change in atmosphere.
Jaune frowned. "C'mon, guys. It's not that bad."
"Au contraire. The last time, you somehow clogged the airship's toilet with it. A few more bags than usual would be a great help to the staff." Ren said, stuffing a few paper bags into Jaune's spare rucksack.
"Plus, none of us get airsick, so keeping some is kinda useless," Nora said, her voice trailing off, her smile fading away. Jaune's heart was at the breaking point now. The poor girl was struggling not to cry.
Jaune offered a weary smile. "Wanna keep one of them?"
Nora snorted, wiping a tear off her face. "You wanna give me a barf-bag to remember you by? Really, Jaunny? Oh, that's not a no! Hand it over!" She piped up, swiping the bag and stuffing it into her bedside drawer. Jaune scoffed quietly. The legend of Vomit Boy will live on through his team's remnants, he was sure.
"Hey, Ren." the quiet boy gave Jaune a curious stare. "Take care of my team, will you? Make sure Nora stays out of trouble. And make sure Pyrrha takes care of herself. For the love of God, she can train, but she won't eat."
He nodded solemnly, jaw quivering. "I'll do what I can."
"I know." He took a deep breath, bracing for the big blow. Watery, puppy dog eyes that would put a spike in the heart of even the strongest of men. Naturally, the will of the noodle knight crumpled to pieces like an autumn leaf looking at Nora's puffy, red, teary eyes. "If anyone touches this team, break their legs. I'm counting on you."
"That's not fair." Nora sniffed. "None of this is fair."
"What I did wasn't fair," Jaune replied.
"You're right." Jaune blinked in surprise, hearing Pyrrha's words. The champion had been leaning against the wall, looking uncomfortable, unsettled, even slightly impatient. She gnawed on her lip as if struggling to get something out she's been saving for a while. "I suppose you may have thought it was me who told the higher-ups, didn't you?"
Jaune pursed his lips. He didn't want to lie and say the thought never crossed his mind, but telling her that on his way out the door? It was all kinds of disgusting. Or felt that way at least. Not the way a goodbye should be at the very least. Pyrrha looked away, clearly starting to tear up, hand placed over her mouth.
"I have never approved of what you've done, Jaune. Not even that night." She sighed. "Shall I be honest? I spent nearly that entire night standing outside Ozpin's office, just working up the courage to say something, but I just couldn't. I just…. Couldn't. How could I do that to my best friend? Someone who saw me instead of a champion? I just didn't know what else to do." She sniffed, wiping a tear off her cheek.
Jaune's fingers clenched his jeans, feeling every hammering heartbeat hurt more than the last. Watching her like this was akin to torture. Even so, Pyrrha carried on. "In truth, I was disgusted. Do you know how hard I worked to get to this school? How hard everyone worked? And you came in through such a depraved method, it was disgusting to me. Reprehensible. But then you just had to be my closest friend." She shuddered, clinging her arms hard enough to scratch red lines into them, tears freely flowing down her cheeks. "You're so cruel, you know."
Jaune stood up immediately, rushing to give her a hug, or something of the sort, but she backed away. "Please go. Please." At that moment, he went hollow, picking up his backs, giving his team one last look, and walking back out to the hall.
The airship had just landed the moment he'd arrived. Without a word, he tossed his stuff into the cargo hold, giving one last look to Beacon Academy before flying away to his new unknown future.