Screw It, I'm Going Out to Find It!

Chapter III: Escaping Beacon

They were on a strict timer. Blake and Ren rushed to get the supplies the latter had stowed and Ruby and Jaune headed off to grab their gear. Stealth was no longer an option for them as the longer they took the more likely teachers would be involved, so they did not have the time to take this slowly. That was why Jaune and Ruby burst into the Beacon locker rooms, praying no one was changing. They got lucky and sped off to their lockers.

Jaune took a moment to consider his armor. From what he knew, there were many pirates forwent armor and it would only slow him down right now. He left it, just grabbing his sword and sheath, hoping that his shield would be enough. The straw hat now placed on his head, his hoodie, and his jeans were all he had at the moment.

He went over to Ren's locker, inputted the combination Ren gave him, and got his friend's stuff. Cardin mentioned already having grabbed his own gear ahead of time. His team was not as jumpy as JNPR or RWBY. Jaune met back up with Ruby who was in her gear and holding Blake's. They nodded at each other and off they went.

Ren and Blake's job was far more difficult. Speeding off with a full crate was not easy, so they had to cut the majority of the contents. Ren took charge, pointing out what was vital and what could be left behind.

They were halfway through when Cardin showed up. He was wearing his armor with his mace at his side. Looking between them he mentioned knowing they would need brawns to lift supplies. With him there, they replaced some of the items they had taken out and made their way to the bullheads.

***

"I cannot say I was expecting to see you today, Mr. Xiao Long. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Ozpin sipped his coffee.

"Qrow here —" Taiyang turned, and stopped when he noticed no one was next to him. "Where the hell did he go?"

Ozpin paid very close attention. "Mr. Xiao Long, please be calm. What is it that you are here for?"

Taiyang growled, dropping down into his seat after he had stood up. "Qrow did something, and I want to know what he did."

Ozpin quirked an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"

"He was drunk last night and said something about convincing Ruby to leave Beacon in order to be a pirate."

The change in Ozpin's demeanor was stark and sudden. He stood so fast that his chair fell behind him, and he slammed his hands down on his desk.

"This is grave news," he remarked to himself. "We must stop this at once. Luckily, I have them watched —"

The elevator to the office opened and a girl with deep, red hair tumbled inside.

"P-professor Ozpin," Pyrrha shouted, "He — they — they're —"

"Miss Nikos." Ozpin rushed around his desk to her. "Calmly now. Has something happened with Mr. Arc? Perhaps Miss Rose too?"

Taiyang stood at that last question, and Pyrrha nodded. "I-I don't know why, but Ruby and Blake are with them now. Yang and Weiss are shopping, they took our scrolls, and Ruby threw some sort of smoke bombs. They ran off and Nora's looking for them, but — b-but —"

Ozpin gripped her shoulder firmly. "Thank you, miss Nikos. We will handle this from here. Taiyang, if you wish to stop your daughter from doing something reckless — well, even more reckless, I suggest you help."

Taiyang was already headed to the elevator. "You don't even have to ask."

***

Jaune was not surprised to see someone waiting for them in front of the bullheads. He was surprised that it was just Nora. He could only guess that either Pyrrha was looking somewhere else or she had gone to get someone. It was a tense scene, one he did not like. His friend, someone close enough to call family, stood between him and his goal. He and Ruby were armed, and he could hear the others approaching. They would be armed soon enough as well. Nora was not.