A/N

I absolutely love posting new chapters and seeing views, reviews, follows, and favorites!

Normally I will not be responding to reviews - not because I'm snubbing them, but because it seems like a lot of extra word count to me. That being said, a big thank you to xXWarrior-AngelXx, Kuro kaze no aka kira, The SENDER and the TRAVELER, and Me (guest).

In response to AnimeSpiderArcFan, I love that you're so willing to help, and you have some interesting idea's, but I don't think I'll be using them. In fact, you've already laid the foundation for a whole story on your own, so I bet you could write something fantastic out of it.

For those of you who have read the challenge, and are worried that I'm going to go ballistic with the bashing, or drastically change everything to fit my point of view, you can relax. I'm not just going to make Jaune a hate magnet, and I'm certainly not going to make him a pansy.

Amazing feedback, for the first chapter. I can't wait to read what I get after this...

Enough notes, let's move on to the story!

Do enjoy.


Chapter Two: Enough

Let it be known, to all who care, sleeping in his armor was the worst idea for Jaune's health. Upon waking up, he rolled off of his bed and forgot to account for the extra weight, which sent him stumbling into the table beside it. Turning to face the room's other occupants, he saw Pyrrha giggling, Ren watching him with a bit of worry, and Nora… holding a camera. Wonderful, now that his daily dose of shame was out of the way, they needed to get ready for class.

After taking a quick shower, Jaune discovered a new problem. He wouldn't be able to wear his sweatshirt for combat class. Or any of his usual clothes for that matter, as they were all dirty. Scrounging up an old white shirt, he put it in a duffle bag with a newer pair of jeans, simply tossing his armor on top.

"Come on guys, lets get history class out of the way." Today was shaping up to be an absolutely wonderful day, a wonderful day to go back to bed, anyway. Pessimistic attitude aside, Jaune felt pretty good while being surrounded by his teammates. Fighting the urge to chuckle, he took a glance at hus team as they got prepared. Seeing as everyone was ready, he left the room.

Noting the way his team quickly followed him out, Jaune made the decision right there to never let anything hinder them. Even if that meant being more agressive in combat. He wouldn't just stand off to the side while they became outstanding hunters, just as he wouldn't be left behind by them.

They would stand together as the greatest team Beacon had ever seen. But first, they need to get in a hurry, or they would be late.


Cafeteria

History had, thankfully, been fairly short, seeing as their teacher decided to let them study some material from the textbook. That's not to say the class wasn't just as boring as usual, but it was far easier to learn at their own pace, rather than trying to follow along with the motor-mouthed teacher. No offence meant, of course, but when students had to record your lessons just to play them slowed down later, there was usually a problem with your methods. That particular subject was neither here nor there, at the moment, food was the word of the hour.

Grabbing a sandwich and some chips, along with a glass of water, Jaune was the first person of their little group to sit down. Quickly digging into his meal, he had nearly finished his chips when team RWBY, sans Weiss, sat down. Weiss would join them shortly, but not before grabbing the most well prepared lunch she could. The rest of his team showed up shortly after, and an awkward silence came over the table.

"So, how's uh, how's life?" Ruby's voice started strong, but died down when she realized she didn't know what to say. Poor girl, she seemed even more socially awkward than himself!

Chuckling softly, Jaune decided to go along with the conversation, even if only to help Ruby. The socially awkward need to stick together, after all.

"I suppose life's been good, I honestly can't think of any place I'd rather be right now. How about you guys?" Gesturing to the rest of the table's occupants, he went back to eating his meal. That seemed to be enough to work with, as team JNPR quickly dived into trivial topics to kill time. Lunch passed relatively quickly, when compared to Grimm Studies. Then again, Professor Port's class made snails look fast. Of course, there were daily lesson plans, along with tests and textbook exams, so it wasn't right to say they weren't learning. They were just being perpetually annoyed during the process.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and as the bell rang for the classes to change, Jaune felt the little seed of doubt and uncertainty blossom into a full flower made entirely of worry and panic. Forcing down the feelings, he steeled himself for the upcoming class.


Combat Class

Jaune supposed it was time to fess up to his teammates, to let them know what would happen if he lost his fight later that day. He never got the chance, However, because Glynda called for all of her students attention. Ball of turmoil beginning to bubble it's way back up his throat, Jaune could probably predict what she was going to say.

"For today's class, I would like to start off by having a short match. Jaune Arc of team JNPR, and Cardin Winchester of team CRDL, please join me in the arena." When louder than a harsh whisper broke out amongst the students, Glynda slapped her crop on her gloves.

Faster than an eye could blink, the two leaders stood before her.

"Good, now then, Mr Arc here has been less than enthusiastic about my course, and he doubts my teaching methods. More than that, he doubts the strength and safety of his peers. Today, Mr Arc shall be fighting against Mr Winchester, and should Jaune lose, he will be expelled from our fine school." She looked on, seemingly satisfied as the crowd became deathly silent. No one dared to even whisper a word, fearing what might come of it.

For the members of JNPR and RWBY, this was a startling, unfair, and all around senseless bout. The fact that Jaune would be pitted against another student just to keep his right to stay in school was just mind boggling.

"Let this be a lesson for all of you, I will expect nothing less than the best from all of my students." Dragging her sharp gaze across the stands, she nodded when she believed they understood.

Not a single one of them would dare to slack off in her class again.

"You may begin now." With barely a glance towards the two in the arena, she gave them permission to start.

Attempting to ignore the pressure his teacher just placed on him, Jaune took a deep breath and drew Crocea Mors, quickly taking up a flexible stance, one that would hopefully allow him to dodge Cardin's mace and counter if the opportunity arose. Taking just a moment longer to observe how his fellow students reacted, he felt agitation when he saw just how many had pulled out their scrolls. Refocusing on Cardin, he was fairly underwhelmed when his opponent chose to charge in a straight line, mace held to the side for a telegraphed swipe. Blatantly obvious tactics aside, Cardin certainly didn't make it into beacon with his… good looks, he was extremely tough, with a speed that could easily put him directly in front of unprepared foes.

Jaune was not one such foe. Moving with a suddenness that could startle a Grimm, he dropped to his knee, before kicking off the ground and rolling behind Cardin. The old "Bull and Matador" was a tried and true Arc technique, even though it was limited in use. Standing up and immediately retaking his previous stance, Jaune prepared to retreat from another charge, before he noticed something odd.

Cardin was standing across from him, mace resting on his shoulder. An obvious opening, Cardin's attempt at taunting Jaune and getting him to act first. Jaune already knew about all of the tricks Cardin could pull, so he wouldn't be fazed by something so simple. Although Cardin's cocky smirk was causing Jaune a particular discomfort.

Agitation.

Jaune wanted to smash that arrogant bastard into the next century, but if this is all that Cardin was going to do, then Jaune would need to close the distance himself. He was fighting to stay with his team, after all. Taking a curving path towards his opponent, Jaune raised his shield in preparation to bash Winchester into oblivion. He didn't realize Cardin's plan until it was too late. Stepping into the space his opponent had just vacated, Jaune slid on the small patch of ice covering the ground. Cardin had used a small sample of Dust to place a layer of ice, and Jaune had just literally ran into it. Jaune had just enough time to look up as a familiar mace closed in. Smash! What would normally be a deciding, if not outright lethal, blow to most students and Grimm left Jaune reeling, barely able to see where Cardin was, a position he himself quickly rolled away from.

Standing up again, Jaune couldn't keep his thoughts in order, a fact he attributed to the mild concussion he must've been given. Taking his time to get his thoughts in order, Jaune found his vision becoming darker. Fighting to stay awake, Jaune tenses his body, grit his teeth - and was promptly shoulder checked to the floor.

"Never take your eyes of your opponent, Mr Arc. Are you able to continue? Rise if you wish to."

Would this really be it? Would he actually allow some ass-faced, arrogant, shitwad of a person separate him from his team, his friends?

Fuck No.

As he was rising to his feet, Jaune's head had never been more clear, nor had he ever set himself to such a simple goal. Win.

Choosing not to waste any more time, Jaune took the initiative and charged Cardin once more, but this time he took a more direct route. His opponent took this opportunity to line up what would surely be a devastating blow. That is, if it ever connected. Stepping to the side of Cardin's mace at the last minute, Jaune swung his blade in a simple, obvious downward arc into Cardin's Armor. And then through it, as if the material was actually made of paper.

One second. That's all the time it took to Cardin to be thrown into shock.

Two seconds, now Mrs Goodwitch was leaping into action.

Three seconds, four, five, and now Jaune had realized what he'd just done. Looking up he felt himself become restrained by Glynda's semblance, not that he would have continued attacking a downed opponent. Turning his face to gaze into the stands, he received mixed expressions, from respect, to fear, and even a few wore horror so blatantly. Did they think he intended for this to happen? He just wanted to stay with his friends. Did he regret what he had done? Only that he had to wound a fellow student just to prove his worth.

"Jaune Arc, please follow me to Ozpin's Office, it seems there is much we need to discus." After assuring that Cardin would receive immediate medical attention, she had quickly spun to face the Arc teen.


A/N

Welp. Here she is. Let me know what you think? :D

I'm very tired. I'll be posting this chapter at about five in the morning, so do tell me if I make any glaring mistakes, please.