Jaune's Pineapple Jam Part 2 Ch. 21.

“I feel like I'm going to die.” Jaune muttered as he watched the literal light at the end of the tunnel come closer.

“””WOOOOOOHHHHHH!”””

Cheering, roaring, and clapping sounded out from beyond it, but it only made him quake in his boots.

Why, you ask?

It’s because they were just about to be introduced to thousands of people. No, forget thousands. They were about to be introduced to the whole world!

Gods, this was what his nightmares were made of! Next thing he knew, he was suddenly going to lose all of his clothes, and everyone was going to see him in his birthday suit! 

It was one thing to get naked in front of his girls, it was entirely different to be seen naked by the whole world!

“Jaune? Are you okay?” Pyrrha muttered worriedly beside him, jolting him out of his thoughts, even as a pale look came over his face.

No, he was not okay. He really, really felt like he was going to die now.

He tried to give her a comforting smile,  however, but all that came out of him was a broken thing that made her frown some more.

“Maybe you should lean against me for a bit.”

Before he could even say anything, however, another familiar voice chimed in.

“What’s up, guys?! It’s not like Team JNPR to be this quiet.” 

Team RWBY came walking in, smiles on their faces, as Ruby waved her hand towards them.

“Hey, Ruby.” He greeted back, the broken smile still on his face as he nodded towards them. “Ladies.”

He could only watch, however, as Weiss rolled her eyes away from him.

“Can you believe this, Blake? He greets Ruby, while we are relegated to mere ladies.”

“Ha! It’s called best friend privileges, Weiss!” Ruby poked her tongue out, laughing even as Blake chuckled while a smile graced Weiss’ lips.

“Cut him some slack, Weiss. We did tire him out recently. It’s only normal for him to become wary of us.”

“Ew! Ew! Ew! That’s too much information, Blake!” Ruby gagged immediately, even as the smile on Jaune’s face became firmer and wider.

He knew what Blake and Weiss were doing. They were trying to distract him by reminding him of what they just did recently.

Alas, their current trouble was not so easily forgettable.

Case in point, Yang was already nodding towards the rest of his team.

“So what’s up with you guys? It’s not like Team JNPR to be this quiet.”

He could see worried looks from the rest, however, but to Jaune, they were justified.

Even Nora was uncharacteristically quiet as she shakily watched the light at the end of the tunnel.

And beyond that light? Thousands gathered.

Yang must’ve seen the far away look in his eyes as he glanced towards the tunnel because she immediately made a sound of understanding while nodding towards them with a comforting smile on her face.

“Ahh, I get it now. Combat jitters, I used to get some during my first fights, you know? But now? They just make me feel excited. You just have to let that nervous energy pump you up!” Yang finished with a grin on her face, drawing her hands up into a boxer’s stance before shadowboxing the air.

Easy for her to say, she’s been training for years, growing under the criticizing eye of teachers and fellow students alike.

Jaune had his Aura awakened barely a year ago, and as it was, he was the most inexperienced one here fighting for an audience.

“You never had anything like that during your fights, Pyrrha?” Weiss asked, trying to distract him once again, even as Jaune turned towards Pyrrha with a queasy look on his face.

“Maybe during my first fights, but I was usually a lot more focused on my opponents to think about how I felt at the time.” Pyrrha shrugged unsurely, her face full of worry as she answered hesitantly. “The best thing I can think of is to think about what you know about your possible opponents and focus on how to beat them.”

Easier said than done. If it was just them fighting against each other in Combat Class, then he wouldn’t have a problem doing just that. 

Right now, however?

Yeah, no. He could already feel his stomach doing backflips as his mind focused on the crowd instead.

Before he could even spiral with his thoughts, however, another voice cut in.

“So think about how to break their legs, got it.” Nora interjected, and for the first time Jaune had ever seen, she wore a determined look on her face as she nodded towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

The silence that followed spoke of how surprising her interruption had been. The words may not have been strange coming from Nora, but the seriousness she said them with was. Nervous chuckles rang out from their group, and they all looked towards the one person who could always wrangle Nora’s strangeness.

As usual, Ren only sighed at Nora as he shook his head.

“I don’t think she meant for us to go that far, Nora.” 

Contrary to previous experience of having Nora only laugh at him, however, she suddenly snapped towards him with bloodshot eyes. Her eyes were so serious that Ren couldn’t help but be pinned in place as she stepped towards him.

“You’re not taking this seriously enough, Renny! You don’t understand that we have the freaking Hero of Vale on our team along with the Pride of Mistral! People are going to look at the two of us to see what we are made of! What if we don’t perform? What if we can’t keep up? What if we lose badly?! We’d have to spend the rest of our lives labeled as losers!”

The tirade left her mouth in one breath, and Ren’s eyes could only widen as the words started to sink in. 

“Ah.” Ren, gobsmacked with wide eyes as he, too, now looked at the end of the tunnel with apprehension.

“Ooookay, so that just happened.” Yang pointed with wide eyes, as even Jaune could only blink in shock at Nora’s words.

“Oh, Nora. We didn’t know you were feeling that way.” Pyrrha called out, beating Jaune towards it as she looked at their teammate worriedly.

Nora, however, only cringed at her while glancing at the students around them.

“I didn’t want you to worry, what with everything you have going on.”

That’s right. They were not alone. Students from all around the world gathered with their teams as they waited for the official ceremonies to start. They weren’t going to fight just yet, but their presence was required so they could be introduced and showcased to Remnant as their future protectors.

Each fellow protector, however, was also competition. The moment they knew Pyrrha could not fight due to her pregnancy was the moment they would surely pounce on the remaining members of Team JNPR. Jaune wanted that moment to be as late as possible, when nobody could plan to exploit Pyrrha’s absence.

Before he could speak to assure Nora of her worries, however, another voice chimed in.

“Incoming at 6 o'clock.”

The voice was unexpected in the way that it didn’t really come from anyone. No, perhaps it was more appropriate that it came from someone unseen.

Ruby, Yang, Ren, and Nora immediately froze up as they tried to look for the source.

“U-Uhm, guys? Did you just hear something?” Ruby asked fretfully, her cloak swishing behind her as she rapidly turned around to search where the voice came from.

And yet, despite being surprising to others, the voice was familiar to four of them.

“Ilia? What are you doing here? I know you’re my bodyguard and all, but this place is for competitors only.” Blake.

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll always find a way to protect you, but you really should be turning around now. Someone is heading straight towards you.”

And almost as one, both Team JNPR and Team RWBY turned around to find a certain familiar face.

Cinder Fall paused before smiling widely as she looked straight at him with her team behind her.

“Hello, Jaune.”

“Cinder! What brings you here?!” He greeted nervously, even as Pyrrha grumbled beside him.

“Nothing good, that’s for sure.”

“Careful, Pyrrha. Remember, she did save our lives during The Breach.” Blake mumbled, making Pyrrha huff out in dissatisfaction, even as Cinder only chuckled while keeping her eyes on him.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve actually managed to talk to each other, that I was getting afraid that you were actually avoiding me.”

Jaune didn’t dislike Cinder. On the contrary, he was thankful for her. Without her and her team, he wasn’t sure if they would have actually managed to escape The Breach unscathed. 

It’s just that he felt awkward around her, considering that by all accounts and measures, he could make her cum out of her mind with just his Semblance.

That and one other reason.

“S-Sorry, it’s not that I’m avoiding you. Things have just been kind of busy lately.” Jaune rubbed the back of his head nervously.

It was the truth, after all. Jaune had been very busy what with his parents, his engagement, his recent date with his lovers, and his team’s final preparations for the tournament.

And while it wasn’t actually the first time they’ve seen each other since they got back from Argus, it has always been in passing and only from a distance. 

This might actually be the first time he and Cinder would be able to catch up.

And there were certainly a lot of things to catch up on.

“I can certainly see why you would be so busy.” Cinder grinned, nodding towards Pyrrha, Weiss, and Blake with a knowing smile on her face. “I hear you’re getting married soon.”

His lovers squirmed uncomfortably at the fact that it was just being thrown out there by someone not their family, but Jaune only opened his mouth to speak.

“I am, there’s no date yet and while we can’t share any details, I am getting married.”

He had nothing to hide, after all, and he was proud to be chosen by Blake, Weiss, and Pyrrha. All he had to do now was prove that he was worthy of standing beside them, if not to others, then at least to himself.

“I see…..” Cinder trailed off before tilting her head quizzically. “Do you think you’re ready, though? Marriage sounds like a big step considering you’ve only met for a little less than a year.”

Jaune took a moment to ponder her words, but only a moment. It was true, looking at it from a certain perspective, they really were rushing it, and while Pyrrha’s pregnancy might have been the cause of the rush, he could not say he wasn’t unwilling either. 

His actions had led him here, and the only thing to do was to stick to the path he landed in.

“I am.” He smiled resolutely, but he could only watch as Cinder raised an eyebrow at his resoluteness before a teasing smile appeared on her face. 

“But are you satisfied? A man of your appetite might crave more than what a few girls can provide.”

Jaune’s brain short-circuited, and his jaw dropped to the floor at Cinder’s brazenness.

What did she just say?!

But while Jaune’s brain was exploding at the unexpected question, his lovers’ were not.

“Excuse me?! What did you just say?!” Weiss shrieked, even as Blake crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

“I don't believe that’s any of your business.”

Pyrrha, however, went so far as to growl before smirking provocatively and suddenly molding her body against his.

“Oh, he’s more than satisfied. Isn’t that right, Jaune?” 

“I’m happy.” Jaune squeaked out, a blush coming on to his face as he suddenly all eyes in the hallway snapped towards them.

Affectionate they might be, but it was still embarrassing to be under the attention of so many people in public.

He watched as Cinder’s brow twitched, but credit where credit was due, she stood her ground in front of three agitated women.

“So you have no plans of adding others, then?” She asked, and wasn’t that the million lien question that stopped them in their tracks?

No one could definitively answer that question, and his eyes flicked towards Yang, who was now suddenly looking back and forth between them with wide eyes.

Another woman Jaune hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to in detail. Things had just been so busy that he couldn’t help but delay and delay, and now their nearest opportunity to speak about things was after the festival.

Yet that was a plan for later, for now, he had another question to answer as all eyes looked towards him.

Jaune wetted his lips first, taking a deep breath before hesitantly opening his mouth.

“I mean…..some slots could be open?”

There, it was as vague as possible without outright confirming future plans. He heard mutters ring out from around them, however, and gods only knew just what kind of rumor would sprout from this, but it was done. 

There was no taking it back now, even as Cinder hummed thoughtfully at him.

“Mhmm, I’ll keep that in mind. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to rejoin my schoolmates for the introduction ceremony.”

Jaune blinked, watching as Cinder gave him a coy smile.

That’s it?

That was all she wanted?

To see how he was doing and if he really was going to get married?

Not that Jaune minded it that way, but considering what his sisters told him about her actually being interested in him, he….kinda expected more.

“Of course.” Jaune nodded slowly, and for a moment, it was as if the air between them became heavy. Cinder’s amber eyes assessed him, and whether she found something she liked or not, she nodded slowly as well before turning around with her team.

“Goodbye, Jaune. I wish you the best of luck.”

Well, that sounded dramatic. Jaune could only blink, however, as Cinder’s team followed after her, but not before one of them turned around. 

Yet as Jaune watched them walk away, he blinked as one of them turned around.

The fourth member, a short, cute girl, with black hair and green eyes, and someone he had never even met before, winked and waved towards him.

“What was that?” Pyrrha hissed jealously, her arms tightening around him even as a frown formed on his face.

Something about the girl seemed familiar, but before he could even wave back or do anything else, however, a voice cut through the hallway.

“Competitors, to your positions, please. I repeat, competitors, please go to your positions for the introduction ceremony.”

And just like that, Jaune was reminded of his earlier predicament.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his nerves under control, even as Professor Glynda’s voice rang out through the sound system.

Right, it was showtime.

—---

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! You could have been anywhere in the world today, but you’re here with me in Amity Arena! 

“Now are you ready for the 40th Vytal Tournament?!”

“””WOOOOOOHHHHHH!”””

Lisa had to restrain a wince as she heard the crowd roar at the sound of her voice. Still, she carried on with a smile on her face as she relished the feeling of being Vale’s official courtside reporter to the tournament.

“As always, this is Lisa Lavander, your number one reporter, live to you today at Amity Arena.

Now just to catch everyone up with what is happening. Four teams of four from each kingdom will go head to head against each other to determine the strongest, the smartest, and the best Huntsmen and Huntresses of their generation! That’s 64 people, folks! And right now, you are all going to meet them with me!”

She had timed her announcement, her diction, and the pace of her words. And she smiled as her timing proved impeccable once again.

The song started, a symphony of trumpets, drums, and cymbals, and immediately, Lisa took a deep breath.

“Presenting the teams from ATLAS: PCSS, FNKI, SLVR, and CBLT!”

Her voice came out powerfully as she watched 16 students march out of the tunnel with their heads held high, backs straight, and their feet in sync. 

People clapped, people cheered, but Lisa had to stop herself from rolling her eyes as the students reached the middle of the stage. 

It was just so typical of Atlas to try to present their next generation as a strong, professional force. And while it made for a clean image, it lacked the presentation that Lisa liked.

Thankfully, the students that followed were a lot more loose.

“Next up! We have the teams from Haven! SSSN, ABRN, CMEN, and RNDM!”

While Atlas marched, it was much more appropriate to say that Haven strolled. A Monkey Faunus took up the front and waved happily at the crowd with his shirt wide open.

Cheers, catcalls, and whistling rang out, but Lisa still noted the few jeers and shouts coming from a small minority. They weren’t that loud by any means, but the fact that she heard them was concerning. 

Still, that was for the security forces to think about. They had their job, while she had hers.

Watching as the Haven students filed beside the ones from Atlas, Lisa once again took a deep breath before speaking.

“Not to be forgotten, we have the teams from Shade! BRNZ, NDGO, DSRT, and DUNE!”

The teams were met with polite applause. While nobody really hated the teams from Vacuo, nobody really loved them either. Even Vacuoans were wary of Vacuoans and only gave the teams conciliatory cheers.

Lisa would have pitied the kids, but judging by the bored way they waved except for one Brawnz Ni, they were already used to it and expecting it.

Regardless, as they took their place beside the students from Haven atop the stage, an anticipatory energy was infused into the crowd.

People leaned forward, lips were licked, and fists were clenched as they all stared at the tunnel entrance the students walked out of.

“And finally, last but not least, Beacon Academy!”

Four students walked out first as Lisa introduced them.

“Team CFVY!”

Another four, and people were already starting to stand up.

“Team CRDL!”

Shouting started, and another four came out.

“Team RWBY!”

The shouts were a roar now, and when Lisa took a deep breath, they became the loudest.

“Team JNPR!”

—------

“Oh shit, oh fuck, oh shit, oh fuck. Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip!” Jaune chanted with wide eyes as he walked woodenly to the stage with his team in tow.

“Wave and smile, Jaune. Just wave and smile.” Pyrrha smiled beside him, already waving to the cheers, even as he tried to copy her.

His actions, however, got a different reaction from hers.

“”””WE LOVE YOU, JAUNE ARC!””””

Immediately, Pyrrha’s smile fell flat as she slowly looked at him.

Jaune could only chuckle at that while blushing furiously at the cheers, watching as a group of women held up a banner of his face and everything.

He immediately paled, however, when he saw a group of men beside them hold up a banner of their own while glaring at him.

“”””DIE, JAUNE ARC!””””

He watched as an image of his face with a large red x marked on top of him shook in the air, thankfully, however. Their voices were drowned out by the louder roars and cheers of the crowd.

Fans and haters alike continued to shout at them, but thankfully, they reached the stage without anybody tripping or losing a piece of clothing.

“You made it. Congratulations.” Pyrrha bumped against him, an easy smile on her face as she was already used to the attention.

Jaune could only chuckle at her weakly, however, as a sigh of relief left his mouth.

Right, all he needed to do now was stand, wait, listen to Headmistress Glynda’s speech, and then leave.

Easy, right?

But the world suddenly fell silent as they heard the beating of drums.

Da-dum, da-dum, da-dum.

Murmurs started from the crowd, and even Jaune tilted his head with the rest of the students. With them all filing out, that should have been the end of it before Headmistress’ Glynda’s speech started, but as they all turned towards the tunnel they came out of, the answer presented itself to their face.

Clad in white and with body paint on their faces, a group of Faunus came into view just as Lisa Lavender’s voice rang out again.

“We’re receiving word of a surprise participant! Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in history we have a 17th team! I present to all of you, Team Menagerie!”

Ilia Amitola smiled straight at them as three other Faunus fanned out from her back.

—-------------

Adam Taurus clenched his fist and glared with his one good eye from the stands inside Amity Arena.

Damn, humans. Making them fight for their entertainment!

Was it not enough that they were already suffering in the mines?!

He kept his feelings inside him, however, unlike the man screaming out beside him.

“Come on! Where’s the fighting?! The bloodshed?! Give us violence!” Tyrian Callows called out, gathering strange looks towards them, to Adam’s continued exasperation.

He only burrowed himself deeper in his seat, however, glaring from under the hoodie and behind a large pair of glasses as he turned towards the VIP box, where, no doubt, the humans were already preparing to watch in comfort.

—-------

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! WE GAVE NO LEAVE FOR MENAGERIE TO JOIN US?!” 

“Answer us, James! Just what are these damn animals doing here?!” 

General James Ironwood, however, only sighed as he let Councilors Sparatus and Valern from Mistral spat questions towards.

Gods, this was going to be a long, long day.

His eyes found the other VIP box on the other side of the arena, and he couldn't help but wish to be there.

—----

On the other side, Willow Schnee laughed as she saw the Arc sisters look down on the arena below.

“Look, mom! I can see Jaune! There he is!”

“Do you think they can see us?!”

The twins were the most enthusiastic, but the others were not far behind as they pushed themselves against the glass windows.

Willow only smiled indulgently at them, however, before turning towards her fellow parents beside her.

Her eyes met Nicky’s, Juniper rolled her eyes at them, Athena giggled, and both Kali and Ghira stood proudly as for the first time in history, Menagerie was represented in the world stage.

Willow couldn’t help, but smile, and as she looked at her newfound family, she whispered two words while taking a sip of wine.

“To us.”

-----

So, a funny thing happened.

The previous chapter got hidden for a bit because it violated Patreon's terms and I couldn't post a thing after that. Apparently, Weiss' dirty talk was too much, and Patreon tagged it as sexual content between family members. I had to appeal and explain that it was just dirty talk, and they were in no way related but it still took sometime, and here we are.

Not to worry, though. We are back to writing and next chapters will be released soon.