Authors note:

I am not really the type of guy to write fan fiction however I recently read a story titled; "Jaune Arc Expelled: A Different Path". This story has inspired me to explore this separate path (with a great amount of deviation of course). Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

PS: As I continue to write this story I will probably need a cover photo if anyone is willing to create one for me I would be happy to use your art.

PPS: sorry my first attempt to upload this story was glitched, unfortunately I was in a rush because I was about to leave for sports and I copied it straight from google drive before running it through word so it would be compatible. Anyway enjoy.

Jaune simply laid their slumped in his seat. Wallowing in his own sorrow while the near empty passenger ship lifted off. He had been expelled from beacon. As Jaunes stomach turned sour from the wretched swaying of the ship he couldn't help but replay that moment in his head.

Flash Back

Jaune was walking peacefully through the halls, wearing a satisfied grin as he had finally mastered his combat stance. However his peace was short lived ; he soon heard a crackling voice echo throughout the halls.

"Jaune Arc Report to Ozpin's office immediately". Mustering his strength he quickly made his way to the headmaster's office, all the while deeply concerned at this unusual summoning. As Jaune was nearing the door he saw a sight that made his heart drop. walking through the door was Cardin Winchester. Upon seeing Jaune, Cardin formed a devilish smile, cruelty laced in every crevice of his face. As Cardin passed by he spoke words drenched in satire that only deepened Jaunes already growing anticipation: "Hey buddy, have fun in their".

Jaune didn't say a word, he simply slipped into the office only to face an expressionless Ozpin. "Jaune do you know why you are here" ozpin stated plainly.

"No sir, no idea at all" . The quivering in his voice was painfully apparent.

" I will get straight to the point , it has been brought to my attention that you have forged your transcripts in order to gain entry into Beacon. Although it pains me greatly to do so if you cannot provide me with a valid defense I will be forced to expel you."

End Flash back

Shortly After that moment Jaune had completely broken down, what was he to do. lie again? No it was over, he was done. Jaune left beacon quickly without a word to anyone, his shame was to great. Jaune had quickly taken his belongings in a panicked frenzy and was on the next ship to Vale. Sure Ozpin had told him that he could reapply next year that he still had great potential, but Jaune knew better. It was over, his dreams were finished. While Jaune sat he cried his eyes out. His mumbled sorrows were shouted out for all the world to hear. "Why god, why couldn't I be stronger"!

"I am a failure, I've let down my ancestors, my father ,my mother, everyone WHO EVER DECIDE TO PUT THEIR TRUST IN JAUNE ARC! Why couldn't I have been stronger. I would do anything".

Jaune collapsed and began vomiting (curse his Air sickness). Slowly the only other passenger aboard approached him, a dark hooded figure with chilling blue eyes . The man spat out a question to the pitiful sight before him "Boy, do you mean it"?

Jaune who by this point was covered by tears and vomit looked up and dumbfoundedly replied "Mean what?"

The man looked at him with cold calculating eyes. " would you do anything to get stronger"?

Jaune sat their and thought for a short moment before speaking the truth between sobs "Yes, look at me. Do you even need to ask? All my life I've dreamed of being a hero: a protector. How am I supposed to do that when i'm so weak that I can't even stand."

The Man looked at Jaune, The faintest hint of a smile breaking through his neutral expression. This is exactly the kind of child he was looking for. "If you come with me I will make you stronger than you could ever dream" he stated in a deep even voice.

Jaune looked at him completely shocked and began an internal dialogue. "Who the heck is this guy, Why would he want to help me, is this creepy stranger really just asking me to drop everything and go with him. But then again If he is serious this could be my only option it's not like i'm going to get back into beacon and there is no way I can get strong by myself. I better just size up the situation".

Jaune spoke in a slightly intimidated voice as he looked up at the lean but strong figure that towered above him: "Why would you want to help me? And for what price?"

The man looked at him his face completely unreadable. Then he spoke in deep resounding voice that sent chills through jaunes spine: "Because I was like you once, lost in this wretched world. The price for the clarity that I have achieved and that you may yet obtain is everything. Your friends, Your family, and even your very mind. But in Return you will be made so strong that you will be able to protect the whole world".

Jaune waited there transfixed by the mysterious man who stood in front of him. As he pondered the weight of those resounding words he came to one conclusion. Jaune Arc would do whatever it took to become stronger. Jaune then spoke in shivering voice ;"I believe you, what now sir".

The man responded with his cold calculating voice: "Firstly you will clean yourself up, then you will return to me. From this point forward you will call me mentor and I will call you apprentice. You have joined my creed, your journey to greatness begins here".

Jaune quickly scurried to the airships restroom completely bewildered by what had just happened. He cleaned himself as quickly as he could manage eager to gain new strength and wisdom from his mentor. When he returned he found the man sitting in the corner gesturing for Jaune to sit by him. Jaune cautiously approached trying desperately to contain his curiosity. When he was roughly a few feet away from the man he decided to let the man know a little about him. after all they had just met and they were going to be together for some time: " by the way my name's Jaune Arc and I rea-".

Jaune was cut off as his mentor raised a hand. He then Began to speak with that cold unfeeling tone: "Apprentice you have just made a grave mistake. Everyone you love could die because of your actions".

Jaune stood there for a second before panicking: "what the heck did I do, how woul- !"

He was again silenced by the raise of his mentors hand. The hooded man then spoke: "This will be your first lesson apprentice. We are of the shadows, invisible, unseen. To give information to someone is to destroy your veil of protection. Everyone you have ever cared about can be found and destroyed, which in turn allows you enemies to destroy you. Under my wing you will learn to be invulnerable. Your first step to invincibility is to rid yourself of weakness. from this point forward everything about you will remain hidden, by doing this you not only protect yourself but others as well. Don't let your weakness destroy you Jaune listen to me and become strong."

Jaune took a moment to process what he had just been told. Before long he realized that this didn't just apply to him giving out his name, this meant everything. This guy basically just said Jaune would be completely devoid of all connections! he couldn't do that. Jaune then blurted out one of the most stupid things he could have said: '"are you sure, that sounds a little intense".

His mentor seemed unphased and replied with yet another lecture: "Jaune I have seen things terrible things. By passing on my wisdom I will spare you what I have endured. If you wish to become strong then you will never question me again. You will understand in time."

Jaune decided to took a seat, slightly unsatisfied with the answer. he then let out a groan before speaking in a voice of surrender: "Alright. I suppose i'm in it for the long haul now aren't I".

Over the course of the next hour as the flight progressed things proceeded much the same with jaune making stupid mistakes and his new mentor lecturing him on what he must become. The big points that stood out to jaune were that he was now to go completely incognito, he was to think with precise logic in everything that he did, and that he was to do anything necessary to protect what he fights for. However Jaune began to have an aching question burrow into his mind, what was he supposed to fight for?

After his mentor had finished delivering yet another bout of timeless knowledge jaune asked yet another poorly phrased question: " so umm what exactly am i supposed to fight for? should I fight for the government or us or what?"

His mentor stared at him and answered simply: " That is yet to be seen, you must decide in the future. For now though you have some other business to attend to. Go and write a letter to your family. This will likely be the last letter you write them so make it count".

Jaune sat their shocked realizing the reality of his situation. He then slowly trudged off to write the letter, ready to pour his soul onto the paper. When he looked at the paper he just didn't know where to begin eventually he managed to get the pen moving and just wrote.

Hey mom dad… it's Jaune. I was kicked out of beacon but it's okay. I have something else planned. You guys probably won't see me for awhile. I guess im going incognito or whatever. I'm sorry I need to do that but I need to get stronger and this is the only way. I love you. I will get stronger for you guys I promise. Goodbye.

Jaune sat there sobbing suddenly contemplating whether he would really do this. Just as he finished crying the airship landed. He joined his mentor who began exiting the ship. As they left Jaune gave the paper over to his new teacher.

As Jaune handed him the letter his mentor spoke: "Jaune now we head to Menagerie, there I will teach you to be strong. And remember why you are here Jaune. You are doing this to be strong".

His mentor began again after a brief pause as he guided Jaune to another even more impressive airship : "this is your last chance to turn back, after this your destiny is set".

Jaune responded confidently for the first time that day: "I am in it for the long run, whatever it takes to become stronger".

Then Jaune boarded the ship, ready for the strength he would soon obtain.