Jaune stood firm, Crocea Mors drawn and shield held in defiance. Around him, red leaves fell softly to the forest floor, descending from crimson trees dappled by sunlight. Forever Fall was a place of extreme beauty, never changing throughout the year. The trees produced a glorious, sweet sap not dissimilar to the maples of southern Atlas, although it was far sweeter; almost sickly at times. Unlike the maples, however, these trees produced sap throughout the year, and their leaves remained a glorious, vibrant red which baffled the scientists of Remnant. There were ongoing attempts to study it, but they were somewhat hindered by the local fauna. Birds chirped in the distance, but only in small, isolated pockets. In other areas, they tried to draw as little attention to themselves as possible, in order to avoid the ire of the other creatures that inhabited the region. Their darker brethren, and the reason for the difficulty in researching the area.

The Grimm.

Such as the one Jaune currently faced, defiantly.

Before him was an Ursa. He panted, tiredly, as he examined his opponent. It was a - for lack of a better word - magnificent specimen of an Ursa Major. Its shoulder spines stood proud, declaring for all to see that it had survived for a long time, and – if the gouges in its bone plates were anything to go by – several culling attempts.

And that meant that not only was it old, and therefore intelligent, but that it was tough as well. Intelligent Grimm lasted a long time, but to survive fights with huntsmen, or at the very least, civilians powerful enough to leave deep gashes in its armour? That spoke of strength.

And strength, at least as far as Jaune was concerned, was bad. Very, very bad.

Most people in Jaune's place would have been terrified. Facing a gigantic monster of a Grimm while under-trained, under-armed and over-tired? Some would have left nothing behind but a small puddle where they'd stood.

Jaune was not most people.

Instead of fear, he felt a highly unusual mixture of emotions and feelings. Irritation was high on the list, certainly. He was tired, both mentally and physically. But there was also a sense of grim anticipation (and he thanked any deity who deigned to listen that Yang could not hear his inner monologue). And there was a not-insignificant amount of anger.

But strangest of all, there was a trace of boredom.

It does tend to be tedious having to repeat the same series of events again and again and again, after all.


Following the revelation of his forged transcripts to Pyrrha, and their terse conversation, he'd believed that would be the last of it. While he knew he had upset her somewhat, he'd hoped that they could at least move past it. He'd gone to bed without major worry on his part, although he had more than a few regrets.

But the next day, Cardin had confronted him, revealing that he'd eavesdropped on the entire conversation. And the blackmail had started there and then, beginning with Jaune being forced to write Cardin's essay for him.

If only he'd revealed himself that night, then Jaune could have just jumped off the roof and be done with it.

But no, it was too late, and he was stuck. Normally he didn't deviate from what he knew because it was more reliable to make smaller changes, but now it was also because if he tried, he could be kicked out of Beacon thanks to Cardin. And now he was stood facing the largest Grimm he'd seen since initiation. Again. And when he failed to kill it, he would have to relive the shameful morning he'd already experienced. Again.

So it was with a sense of resignation that Jaune gave a battle cry as he charged. That's not to say he wouldn't give the fight his all, no.

Rather, that when he woke up, back in his bed with minimal sleep from the night before, following a vicious disembowelling from the Ursa, he was hardly surprised. He sighed.

Dammit.

Groaning internally, he got up and set to work on following the regimen that he'd had forced on him for the past... however long. Time stopped having much meaning after the tenth attempt at the same day.


It started by sneaking out before his team woke, if only to avoid the awkward, stilted conversations that arose when he prepared with them. Since... then, he'd been forced to perform a variety of tedious, and occasionally dangerous chores. He felt the effects of a very late night and short sleep keenly, even after so many tries. It wasn't something he'd gotten used to, regrettably. It followed with breakfast that was lacklustre and again stilted in conversation, followed by a long, queasy journey to Forever Falls itself.

From there, he would inevitably join Cardin and the rest of team CRDL, to the chagrin of everyone else. Their disappointed gazes would bore into his mind until he almost wanted to throw away his place at Beacon.

The only thing that kept him going was personal pride, and even that had its limits.

But for now, he would continue to try his damnedest to succeed on his own. Because if he couldn't use his semblance, what good was he? And where else would a semblance like his even be useful? Farming? Oh no, the combine harvester broke away unexpectedly and shredded me... pfft, yeah right. He snorted.

"Something funny there, Jauney boy?" Cardin sneered.

"Nothing, I think I'm just allergic to the sap." Jaune gave a half truth. He was allergic, after all. Which is why he'd managed to perfect his technique over the myriad tries he'd had, so he didn't spill any.

Following his collection came the grand reveal of Cardin's plan... and Jaune's subsequent reactions. Covered in sap - from where Jaune had thrown a jar at him in defiance for his suggestion that Jaune cover Pyrrha in the stuff and torment her with rapier wasps – and very angry, Cardin then always began a vicious beat down of Jaune. And yet, despite the pain he experienced every time, Jaune wasn't once tempted to actually harm Pyrrha. She was his friend, his partner... and he would never hurt her.

The same couldn't be said for Cardin, as Jaune tried to give as good as he got. It never really worked, but he never took his 'punishment' lying down. At first, he had been crushed into the dirt by the time the Ursa arrived, but by now he had managed to evade most of the damage, and even landed a few hits on Cardin before it showed up on queue.

And then, as it always did, came the real fight.

And, of course, the subsequent losses.

No matter how hard Jaune fought, how many times he ducked, weaved, rolled or serpentined, he could not always evade every blow. And for Jaune, even a single blow could be fatal.

So as he lay there bleeding out, despair began to take over. How could he do this? How could he succeed after failing so many times? Leaning against the tree where he'd been flung by the last blow, impaled on a branch and watching his life drain away, Jaune became aware of not only the Ursa approaching to finish him off, but Cardin watching in mute horror. Jaune smirked bitterly, and, as the Ursa raised a heavy paw, flipped him the bird as his life's blood drained away.

One had to take one's pleasures where one could, after all.

But the despair plagued him still. All through the morning, and even onto the oversized transport bullhead, he could not shake the fugue that hung around his head. And that one question that he could not answer.

How?

"Jaune?"

He was startled out of his thoughts by Ruby. He looked up into her silver eyes, full of concern as they were, meeting them with his own as he stared up from the uncomfortable metal seat on the bullhead. They were in the same one they always used to get to the forest, and it never got any more pleasant.

It was his eyes that caused her to deviate from the norm. Usually they were full of grim determination. But this time, they were void of all but a broken look, which spoke of someone about to give up. And Ruby had to step in at that point. She gave a weak smile.

"Lien for your thoughts?"

He gave a tired snort, before his tired eyes lowered to stare back down at the floor. He was quiet for a long time. Ruby was on the verge of asking him again when he gave a sigh, and answered in a faraway voice.

"Ruby... what would you do if, no matter what you tried, you were stuck? And couldn't see a way out? If you couldn't win the fight you faced, no matter how hard you fought... what would you do?"

Ruby frowned, before taking a seat next to Jaune, swinging her legs slightly. She looked down at the floor, and continued to stare as she answered.

"I don't know. I'd keep trying I guess. I wouldn't give up unless I had nothing to lose by doing that. But if I did?" She looked up into his eyes with an intensity that almost startled him.

"I'd ask for help. Because I don't have to do things alone. I have a team behind me, and I know we're not perfect, but we're pretty good together. Even if Weiss is a bit mean sometimes... but that's not the point! They're behind me, and they'd help me if I asked. And I would, because everyone needs help sometimes. My uncle, my dad, they all need help, and they're the best huntsmen I know! Everyone, Jaune, and that. Includes. You." With each word she prodded his chest, to drive the point home. He looked away guiltily. It had been his pride that got him here after all. Ruby continued.

"We're your friends Jaune. We're here for you. You just have to ask." As she spoke, she laid a hand on his shoulder. He was silent for a while, to Ruby's disappointment. But just as she turned away to leave, he spoke up.

"Even now?"

Ruby turned back to see him looking her in the eye, with a difficult expression that she could only place as guilty, but hopeful. He continued.

"Even after this? I've failed them as a leader and a friend... why would they still want to help me of all people?" She smiled at him.

"Because that's what friends do."

He looked down, before a minute smile formed on his own face. He met her eyes once more, silver and sapphire locked.

"Thanks, Ruby. I... I needed that." She nodded.

"Yep." She put emphasis on the 'p', and he snorted. "I'm going to re-join my team. I think you should do the same. They're waiting for you." With that she left to sit with the rest of RWBY. Jaune glanced at his own team.

They seemed quiet, and even Nora was somewhat subdued. He winced, as he knew it was due to his behaviour. He sighed, and stood up. Walking over to them, he struggled with what to say.

Apart from one, obvious thing.

"I'm sorry."

Ren, Nora and Pyrrha looked up, startled by his sudden arrival. Pyrrha opened her mouth.

"Wha-" Jaune cut her off.

"I'm sorry for not being here. For not being the leader you need... the friend you need. I just..." He took a shaky breath. "I thought I needed to do it on my own. But... you were right. I need help." He looked down at his feet, before looking back up to his team. "Can... can you forgive me?

Ren had a small smile on his face. It was the closest thing to acceptance Jaune had expected or even hoped from him. Nora seemed to be building energy, until suddenly she leapt into the air with an outburst of joy.

"We follow your orders, oh fearless leader! Apology accepted!" She saluted as she stated effusively. Jaune gave a small, happy smile, before looking to Pyrrha.

She had a wide eyed, but inherently pleased expression on her face, which morphed into a small, wolfish grin. She nodded. Jaune exhaled in relief, a cheesy grin on his features.

"It's good to have you back Jaune. We missed you." She spoke honestly, but with a tinge of reproach. Jaune winced.

"I know, and I'm sorry. But Cardin has me over a barrel." Jaune sighed. "He... overheard us talking the other night, and he's holding me to ransom. Which is why I've been... not here." Pyrrha's eyes widened, and she held a hand to her mouth in shock. Ren looked vaguely quizzical, while Nora seemed... the same. Ren voiced his confusion.

"I'm sorry, but I... don't follow." Jaune froze, and opened his mouth to lie, or deflect.

"I-" He winced.

Well... I suppose trust is a two way street...

"I... have a confession. To you and Nora." He inhaled, steeling himself, before sighing.

"I faked my application transcripts. I lied my way in." Ren's eyes widened almost imperceptibly, while Nora tilted her head in an almost-comical fashion. "I don't really belong here. I know you've seen I'm weaker than everyone else, but... that's why. And Cardin knows, and is blackmailing me. So... yeah. That's... basically it." He sat down next to them, and put his arms across his lap, looking dejected.

"Hmmm." Ren hummed. "It would explain some of your lack of knowledge. And it was an immoral act." Jaune winced again. "But I have no regrets about being teammates with you. You have been an excellent leader, recent events notwithstanding. And your dedication, give or take a few slips, is without much fault. There are some improvements that could be made, but... we are here to learn after all." Jaune smiled, before looking hopefully at Nora.

Who did as Nora does.

"Pffffftttt. Who caareesss. You're our friend, duh. And like, even if you suck at fighting you TOTALLY made sure we kicked that Deathstalker's butt. Plus, without you we'd never have become friends with RWBY and then we'd be totally alone at beacon and nobody would like us and we'd slowly break apart until we eventually all failed." Nora inhaled after her long rant. "So yeah, it's fine."

Jaune had the equivalent expression to a rabbit caught in very bright headlights, while Ren seemed to have developed a thousand-yard stare and Pyrrha blinked, before giving a weak smile.

"Yes, that... Thank you for saving us from that, Jaune. So... how do we get you out of this situation?" Pyrrha asked, desperately changing the topic.

Jaune gave a wolfish grin of his own.

"I have a plan."

...

"You gonna tell us?" Nora asked after a short pause.

"Let me have my moment!" Jaune snapped.


So we're solidly into the Forever Fall Arc. Arc. It's not going to take up much time, just one more chapter. But there's some good stuff coming, I promise. Sorry this post was later than I hoped. There's two full chapter's worth of writing completed, but after that it might get slower. It's planned, but putting pen to paper, or fingers to keys, might take longer. In the meantime I suggest listening to Rush Garcia's orchestration of RWBY's soundtrack.

Moving on, there is an omake. One that was suggested by a few people. Honestly, I promise I didn't steal the idea, it was something I'd planned before, but you did prompt me to actually do it. So, without further adieu, here it is:


Pyrrha walked into team JNPR's dorm slowly. Her eyes were unfocussed, ignorant of the room itself. Out of habit more than actual desire, she sat on her bed, and stared at the one adjacent to it.

His bed.

It was still unmade from where he'd hurriedly left this morning, not that she'd seen it. She had barely spoken to him since a few nights ago, before he'd become "friends" with CRDL. Their last words were frosty at best and harsh at worst, and her thoughts were harsher still. Not that she didn't care for him, of course she did! But she was disappointed in his decisions.

Not his forgery, she refused to begrudge him that, when she knew she would have done almost the exact same thing.

No, she was disappointed in his approach to solving his problems. Because of pride.

She was sure he would snap out of it soon, that he would realise it wasn't weakness to ask for help. But his pride had stopped him from talking to her openly.

His pride had prevented her from helping him, teaching him, being his friend.

His pride had prevented him from backing down.

His pride had gotten him killed.

Mauled by an Ursa, moments before they'd reached it. They barely got there in time to save Cardin, but that was too late for Jaune. She'd been numb ever since.

No. Numb wasn't the right word.

Overwhelmed.

A lone tear slipped down her cheek from unseeing emerald eyes.

Yes, overwhelmed fit much better. She wasn't feeling too little, but instead was feeling far, far too much.

She wasn't sad. Devastated fit better.

She wasn't lonely. Abandoned fit better.

But there wasn't a better word than angry. She was angry that Jaune hadn't trusted her. She was angry that he had tried to take on far more than he could chew. She was angry that he'd died.

And then came the guilt. She felt guilty that she hadn't pulled him out of his pride, guilty that she hadn't saved him. She felt guilty that she wished it had been Cardin instead.

She could her the sobs from team RWBY's dorm. Ruby had been almost as close to Jaune as Pyrrha was, maybe closer as she was his first friend here. She wouldn't begrudge her that however, not now. Half of Ruby's team was giving her space, while her sister was with her, comforting her. It seemed like an act she was used to, sad as it was to admit it.

As for her own team, they seemed... less upset.

No, that wasn't fair. They were obviously grieving.

But this clearly wasn't the first time they'd experienced loss, instead just being silent and comforting each other. Pyrrha had barely noticed Nora's efforts to talk to her in the midst of her fugue, until Ren had suggested she give Pyrrha some time.

And now she was back in their room.

Without him there.

She didn't know how long she sat, staring at his unmade bed, with the sheets folded back in this perfect triangle. But the longer she stared, the more it got to her. The more those sheets bored into her mind.

She couldn't take it anymore.

She stood up, went over to the bed, and wrenched it back into pristine place.

There was a letter. Perfectly folded, with beautiful calligraphy adorning it, stating one word.

Pyrrha.

She reached out with a trembling hand, picked it up. She opened it, unfolding those perfect, crisp lines, to read inside.

Her heart stopped at the first line.

Pyrrha,

If you're reading this, I'm probably dead.


The rest? That's up to you.