So it's been a while since I updated this story. Hope this chapter is able to make up for it. I do not own RWBY. Also I decided that since Jaune has two tenants in his head I should make it more obvious who is speaking when he's not in his mindscape

Pecus talking- "Stupid Human!"

Autumn talking- "Never underestimated the wind."

Chapter 7- The First Ripple

Jaune's POV

"Winner Cardin Winchester" Oh boy I forgot just how much that mace hurt. "Well maybe if you used my semblance we'd win!" Pecus has not appreciated the losing streak we've been going through.

"Now, now. We know why Jaune decided to do this." I pick myself off the ground and head to the stands while ignoring Cardin's taunting. I decided to forgo using time manipulation except in emergencies and to increase projectile speed. I can't afford to rely on it like a crutch. I've done a few tests using student volunteers and I've found people can fight off the effects if they're aware of it and have enough aura. Considering Cinder will have half, and I'll keep it at only half, of this timeline's Fall Maiden she'll be able to break free and I can't blow her up so I need to increase my combat proficiency. So, I've focused on only using my new knifes and Crocea Mors in spars. Which in turn leads to me getting my ass kicked once more. At the very least at least the matches are much closer now.

After watching the rest of the matches my team, RWBY, and I head to the cafeteria where we get our food and sit down. "So any tips you guys have?" Ren is the first to answer.

"You're still too still when using your knives. Also, while your aim has improved it can still be better." Alright that's something to work on. Weiss is the only other one with a comment. "You should have stuck to your sword; Cardin's armor makes those knives rather ineffective." True but I need to improve, I can still feel where my arm was lopped off. And Obsidian's words about how most survived ring in my ears.

"You may be right Snow Angel but it's combat class for a reason." Ah no matter what timeline I still love seeing Weiss reaction to that nickname. "We won't always get to pick and choose our fights nor the condition we'll be in. I'd rather learn to use my throwing knives here then out against some criminal that will kill me without a second thought." The others seem to take a moment to think about that. Ruby's eyes light up after a few seconds.

"Is that why you limit your semblance?" I nod at that and finish chewing before swallowing and answer. "It's always good to not really on one aspect for fighting, not to mention how draining my semblance can get if I'm not careful. Plus my semblance can be … hazardous." Pecus mutters his agreement at that statement. I shiver remembering how close I came to being dragged into the time stream.

"Quit it." I look over and see Velvet getting her ears tugged by Cardin. I pick up my spoon and judge the distance. "Pyrrha put your head down please." Pyrrha looks confused but does as I ask and I throw my spoon at Cardin's head. I still miss my target of his forehead but hit his ear which causes him to let go. I then reverse the spoon so it comes back, hitting Cardin once again, and return it to my hand. I then stand up and head to throw away my trash.

"I'll see you guys in class." What to do about Cardin? I'm not going to get blackmailed by him this time so I guess I'll just have to go with the flow. I go change into my school uniform and head to Oobleck's class. Once class begins Oobleck starts on his lesson of the Faunus Rights Revolution. I wonder if I classify as a Faunus? A Grimm Faunus perhaps.

"Hell to the no. I call you Human enough that it should have sunk in. I'm a Grimm, you're a human, and this body we share is some hodgepodge of those. Don't make it sound natural like the Faunus." Pecus has a point. I'm not natural, hell I'm considering dropping off the grid entirely once this whole Cinder mess is over.

"Why would you want to do that Jaune?" I inwardly chuckle at that, after everything she's been through Autumn still holds some innocence, I did as well until accepting Pecus. I still have hope humanity and Faunus can change but I'm not betting on it being anytime soon.

"I'd be dissected or killed, probably both if Atlas does the killing." I still wonder what the implications about them building a robot that created aura could mean. Ironwood seemed to be close to Ozpin so he probably knew about the girl in the basement. Could Atlas be trying to control all the maidens? Shove the originals in the robots and use them like puppets? Wow I'm getting paranoid. Still I should put a pin in that, also that reminds me that I need to make sure Penny survives. I only meet her once and I felt like she was disassembling me in her head the entire time but she was a good girl and Ruby's friend on top of that.

"Mr. Arc!" I look up to find Oobleck in my face. "Yes Doctor Oobleck." To my surprise Oobleck looks practically giddy. "Finally someone gets it right. Now then as I was asking you what is the answer."

"I apologize I was lost in my thoughts, could you repeat the question." Oobleck nods and then points his pointer at my face. "Right, I'll give you a warning this time but don't let it happen again. Now what advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces." I think on it for a second. Night vision is one reason but there are several others I think could work.

"Well most would agree with nightvision but I believe that the advance sense of smell some Faunus had would have helped. The general's arrogance and inexperience played a part as well." Oobleck seems pleased with that.

"Good answer, anyone else have an answer that expands on that." He looks around and then calls on Cardin. "Well it's a lot easier to train an animal then a soldier." I clench my fist at that. Why did I just not let Nora break his legs again, oh right the need to prove I was a good guy. Blake then starts talking.

"Actually if you look at records from both armies they had near identical training regiments. The General however refused to scout the enemy claiming it was a waste of time and the battle would be no different than hunting game. Perhaps if he had studied more he wouldn't be remembered as a complete and utter failure." I can hear Cardin get up to move but Oobleck tells him to sit down. The rest of the lesson goes by and once it's over we all head back to our dorms. It's time for a nice weekend and the field trip the week after next.

"That went rather well, don't you think so guys? Guys?" I look back to see my team frozen still with color draining from the world.

"Boo." I swing around and punch at the figure behind me at max acceleration only for Obsidian to catch it.

"You need to calm down." I feel my eye twitch. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Who finds it funny to just scare the living daylights out of people?" Obsidian seems to think about it for a second before shrugging.

"I guess my wife has rubbed off on me over the centuries." I feel a slight bit of sympathy for him before crushing it thoroughly.

"Alright what do you want Obsidian?" Obsidians face hardens and his voice turns serious. "I felt you should know Ripples are starting to form. The first big change will be coming soon." Ripples?

"Just to be clear we're talking about that thing where traveling in time and changing the past causes changes right?" Obsidian nods and I relax slightly. "Well we both knew my plan was to change things so it's to be expected." Obsidian's frown grows at my words.

"You are aware at just how badly this could turn out right? Trust me when I say arrogance will lead to your defeat." I wonder what the story behind that is.

"Don't worry, I'm aware of how bad this could turn out. Not everything is going to go my way. Every different action I make could turn out to be the one that ends me." Obsidian stares me down before nodding and vanishing. Time restarts once more and the others start walking once more. This Ripple, whatever it is I'll deal with it however I can.

As the week rolls by I focus on training mostly. My explosions are nice but they can be better. I've been working on channeling the explosive aura to my fist for now. Hopefully I'll be able to ignite the aura and focus the explosion forward without hurting myself. Also, it turns out my explosions have gained sound. Originally they were silent but now they can be heard, possibly because of increased power due to Autumn. I had a hell of a time explaining that little mess. I managed to pass it off as a dust accident and got a lecture from Weiss about proper dust care. I probably would have gotten into trouble if not for being able to reverse the damage done to everything.

I also got to know Velvet a bit more. I offered to let her sit with us one day and from there we built a decent friendship. I asked her why she was in a first-year history class and it turns out Ozpin tried to make Oobleck an advanced history teacher by hiring a new one last year but he was a closet Faunus-hater and failed her. Ozpin figured everything out but by the time the council insisted the students had to repeat history next year. Ozpin worked around that and with Ooblecks help the 2nd year Faunus students will be back on track by their 3rd year.

It's been a week since when I should have become Cardin's gopher and I'm heading back to my dorm from a late-night session of accuracy training when I hear something in the next hallway.

"About time you got it done animal. Now make sure you get what I told you otherwise your team finds out what's under that ribbon." It can't be. I can hear footsteps coming towards me so I accelerate myself to a level they won't even register me and zip around the person and see it's Cardin. Looking down the hallway I see that my assumption is true. Blake is standing there glaring at Cardin's back in rage. How in the hell could Cardin of all people figure out Blake's secret when her teammates, who sleep in the same room as her, can't? I rush by Blake and slow down once I'm out of her sight. Soon she's walking right by me before I speak out.

"So how long has that been going on?" Blake jumps and turns to face me and panic sets in on her face. She starts looking at the floor and when she speaks it's barely above a mutter.

"Just leave it be. You shouldn't get involved." I frown at that and grab her shoulder when she tries to leave and accelerate the two of us. "Come on, let's go somewhere a bit more private." I drag her along to the room I use for training; I've triple checked and there are still no cameras or bugs. I let Blake go and then place myself in front of the door.

"All right Blake, what could ever make you work for Cardin?" Blake just crosses her arms and stares at me. Okay how to go about this.

"Just tell her you know Jaune. It should show she can trust you since you haven't told anyone." Well not the worst idea. It could still blow up in my face but I've got nothing better.

"Better question, how did he find out you're a Faunus?" A lot of emotions show on Blake's face then. This is one of the few times I think I've ever seen her where she isn't practically unreadable. Shock, fear, anger, and panic are all there.

"How did you find out?" I shrug at her. "That time I saw you reading by dim candlelight, the amount of times your bow twitched, how much you love fish." She actually blushes at that last one. "Now I answered your question so how about you answer mine." She seems scared, I don't blame her. Exposure is my biggest fear as well. Slowly Blake removes her ribbon and lets her cat ears be shown.

"I have to take this off sometimes, I'll hurt my ears otherwise. I missed a chance that I knew was safe at one point and took a risk in a corner of the library. Cardin was looking for a book for his essay and saw me. He's been having me do everything for him since." I grit my teeth, could this have happened in the last timeline if Cardin hadn't focused on me.

"And does your team know?" She shakes her head at that. "I like Yang and Ruby but I don't want anyone to know… I've done some things I'm not proud of and I've got people after me. One slip-up and I'll have them pick up my trail. As for Weiss, well need I say more." I can't help but agree with her. Weiss will, hopefully, change but for now she still as a problem with Faunus.

"I'll take care of it Blake." She looks shocked at that declaration. "Why would you help me? I've lied to you all. And you don't even know my past." I flick her forehead and open the door. "I know you Blake, you're a good person. I don't give a crap whether you have an extra pair of ears or not. If someone messes with my friends I'll take them down, hard. Give me a minute to get back first and then start heading to your room. Oum knows what Yang will think if we show up together." I head back to my team's room. I've already got a plan for what to do about Cardin and his team.

"Are we going to kill them?"Of course, that's the first option Pecus considers. "No, just wait and see." With that done I settle down and go to sleep. Once I wake up in the morning I leave a note for everyone and head to the airdocks to reach Vale. One hellish experience later I'm heading to Junior's. I reach the club and use the key Junior gave me to get in. Locking up behind me I start calling out and soon a white and red blur tackles me.

"JAUNE!" It's always great to see the twins. "Hey you two." I return the hug and then shake Junior's hand once he reaches me.

"So what does a mighty hunter need with this place." I sit down at the bar while the twins head out to do some shopping and take the breakfast smoothie he offers. "What can you tell me about the Winchesters, Larks, Bronzewings, and Thrushs?" Junior seems puzzled but answers me.

"I've got some info on the Winchesters but the other three not so much. Plenty of rumors but I've never collected any dirt on them." I take a sip and then ask another question.

"And if I needed to get some by say Monday?" He seems to understand why I want this but is clearly curious. "I'd have to ask what they've done to piss you off." I understand his need to know that. Say what you will but Junior is always keeps track of what his deals can cause.

"They're blackmailing a friend of mine, I felt I should turn the tables." Junior nods and starts cleaning some glasses. "Well I know a guy named John Doe, best hacker I know. He could get some dirt on them but he doesn't owe me any favors and I can't threaten him. Mutual destruction would be the best fallout of a fight between the two of us." I can't believe I'm about to do this. I pull out my scroll and pull up Neo's number. We've swapped a few messages back and forth since we met. I'm still cautious around her but so far she's been harmless, to me at least.

"Neo, you wouldn't happen to know a hacker named John Doe would you?" I wait for a few minutes and then she texts back. "Sure, why you ask?" Oum help me. "I need some dirt on the Winchester, Thrush, Bronzewing, and Lark families. What would it cost for you to "persuade" him to acquire this?"

"You are so screwed." Thank you for that Pecus. "I agree with Pecus on this one. Asking this girl for help will bite you in the butt." Preaching to the choir Autumn, preaching to the choir. A buzz lets me know Neo has texted back.

"Meet me at this address in two or three hours. Four at max. We'll discuss price there." Attached to the message is a link to an ice-cream bar's website. I set an alarm on my scroll and look back up at Junior. "Got any work you need done?"

I pass the next few hours helping Junior set up some new security systems until the twins get back. The two of them then grill me on how Beacon has been since I last saw them. I answer all their questions and then stop them from making plans to utterly decimate Cardin and his team. They weren't fond of that until I promised them I would take care of them. Once my alarm goes off I say goodbye and head towards the ice-cream place. Once I get there I steel my nerves and pray that Oum gives me a break for once.

I'm taken by a waiter to a private room in the back and find Neo eating a large bowl of ice-cream. I cough and she waves at me before gesturing at me to sit. I sit across the table from her and try not to show how on edge I am. Neo wipes her hands on a napkin and then puts her gloves back on before typing into her scroll and then a message comes through to my scroll with a document attachment.

"So I got the info for you cutie but it's going to cost you. Just pick from that list on how you want to pay me back." I notice a small red stain on her jacket and decide to just assume it's ice-cream. I open the document and find a list. The first few options include an exorbitant amount of money, a favor to be given at any time, and buying her ice-cream for a few months. Then the options start becoming more… sexual… in nature.

"Are these things common nowadays?" I vividly deny that; it probably doesn't help that my cheeks are burning red. Finally, I find a decent option that won't drain my wallet or involve things that should never be spoken in public about.

"I'll take you to this masked ball. Will that suffice?" Neo nods and then opens her scroll again and starts typing on it. A small part of the wall behind me then slides back and reveals a safe. Neo then walks over to it and starts entering a code, followed by a fingerprint scan, then a blood sample, and finally another code. The safe opens and she withdrawals two folders and then hands them to me. I peruse the first and find a lot, and I mean a lot, of information on dirty deals, bribes, jury rigging, and whole lot more. The second folder is a copy of everything from the first.

"Thanks Neo. This will really help." Neo nods with a satisfied smile getting on her tip-toes and pecking me on the check before shattering like glass. I put both folders in my backpack and start heading back to the airdocks. I'm think I'm going to enjoy this field trip, it's the date with Neo and everyone's reactions that I'm worried about.

I'm going to need a tux.

So, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Chapter 8 will be what happens in the forest plus a little extra. And as always. Thoughts? Opinions?