Conquering an Arc's fear and a Helpful Shadow

Jaune is standing in a battle stance with his sword and shield, though his legs are shaking a bit he still try to retain a little courage, in front of him is Cardin Winchester with a smirk and holding his mace. Today is combat training for the students to not only to fight grimms but also other people who hurt the innocence. Jaune was having trouble fighting someone who is big and stronger than but try to keep claim and remember some advices his friends gave him.

"Sometimes big guys who don't use their brains much often attacks and charge onward without thinking much, you'll have to think like your opponents of what they'll do next and avoid heavy attacks and use their own strength against them." Jotaro said in Jaune's thoughts.

"Always keep your eyes open and sharp to see your opponent's weakness, when your see an opening even for an instant you strike quickly and hard the best you can do." Shadow advices him as well.

Jaune focus on Cardin as he charges towards him and swing his mace down, Jaune dodge the heavy strike waiting for the right moment to fight back. This however was making Cardin a little mad.

"Will you hold still shrimp?" Cardin asked as he kept swinging his mace and miss again.

"I would but you didn't say the magic word." Jaune replied as he dodges once more.

Cardin got mad and swung his mace down hard, this time Jaune block the attack with his shield, holding his ground for a few seconds as getting overwhelm by Cardin strength he move to his left and slide his shield down along with the mace, smash the ground and Cardin almost losing his balances. This was the opening Jaune was waiting for, he up-swing his sword to Cardin's side and back away a little as Cardin groan a bit.

Meanwhile everyone was sitting, watching the fight in the arena team JOSK, the rest of team JNPR, and team RWBY were amaze of how well Jaune was doing against Cardin.

"Jaune seems to be doing well even that he lacks most combat training, he still shows to be a good strictest to out-smart his opponents." Shadow comment about Jaune's improvements, he still lack skills, strength, and formal training he still shows detonation in his eyes.

"Yes, I believe Jaune will be a great huntsman." Pyrrha said, having faith in her partner and leader.

Back at the fight, Jaune did his best to dodge more of the mace wielder's attacks but got struck across the chest and fell on the ground hard. He sit up, feeling some pain from the attack and look to see Cardin charging at him holding his mace above his head. Jaune think quickly to either avoid or block his attack, then he remembers one more advice he got from Shadow.

"A good defense is a good offense."

He look at his shield and look at the charging Cardin as he wine his arm back, holding his shield tightly. Just when Cardin was 2 feet close, Jaune throw his shield like a disc, hit Cardin chest to stop his advances, run towards him as he caught his shield from bounce off of his target and ready to down-swing attack. However Cardin recovered quickly and swung his mace hard to knock Jaune away and his shield from him. Jaune got up and try to attack but got block, the two are in struggle to see who can overpower who.

"This is the part where you lose." Cardin said with a cocky tone.

"Over my dead b!" Jaune sentences was cut off when Cardin struck him in gut hard, focusing him to drop his sword and fall to the ground in pain.

Cardin was about to strike the defenseless blonde until Glydna stop him.

"Cardin, that's enough!" She yelled. Cardin stop and walk away as she walking up on the stage, tapping her tablet.

"Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-style duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match." She explains the rules of a tournament fight and turns to Jaune. "Mr. Arc, though you still lack some things you need to work on. You have been improving a little for pass weeks just make sure you don't get gobbled up by a beowolf. Now would we?"

"Speak for yourself." Cardin said.

"Remember, everyone, the Vytal festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!" Glydna said as the bell ring and students begun to leave.

Even though Jaune hasn't won a combat training match during his time, he still felt proud for improving himself and having his friends for help. But deep in his mind he knew he didn't exactly belong here.

(Cafeteria)

Everyone sat together eating their lunch while Nora tells about her dream she had, with Ren somehow correcting her, Jaune was looking sad as he barley touch his food. Pyrrha felt worry and spoke up to him.

"Jaune, are you okay?" She asked.

"Huh! Oh, yeah! Why?" He replied.

"It's just that you seem a little… not okay." Ruby stated. Everyone notice this and turn their attention to Jaune.

"Guys, I'm fine. Seriously! Look!" Jaune said, holding a thumb up hopefully the others wouldn't worry about him.

Oozaru drew his eyes from Jaune to his big sister, Velvet, sitting at a table across from and notices team CRDL surrounding her and mocking her, this have made Oozau angry. While everyone was talking about Cardin being a bully to Jaune.

"Oh please! Name one time he's 'bullied' me" Jaune scoffed.

"He knocks down your stack of books." Ren said. "He used your shield to block the doorway." Jotaro added. "Even shoved you into a rocket-locker and blasted you into the sky!" Shadow added as well.

"I didn't land far from the school!" Jaune stated.

"Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you can just ask." Pyrrha advised her partner/leader.

"Ooooh, we'll break his legs!" Nora said with a not-exactly-sane grin.

"We'll get to that if reasoning or other methods won't work on him." Shadow exclaimed.

"Ow, that hurts!" Velvet soft yelled.

Everyone turn to see Cardin pulling on Velvet bunny-ears hard while he and his other teammates laugh.

"Please, stop…" She pleaded. That was a mistake for Cardin.

"I told you it was re" Suddenly Cardin was struck on the back of his head by a silver pole, smashing his face into his lunch.

He groans in pain and turns around to see who did that but before he could even open his mouth, his neck was suddenly warp around holding him tightly. He sees what appears to be a fur tail and trailing it back to the owner; an angry monkey-faunus with his arms crossed.

"Hurting innocence people is something I don't tolerate!" Oozaru said, he pulls Cardin a little closer, focusing him to let go of Velvet and try to get the tail off but it wouldn't budge.

"If I were you, I would stop this bulling now!" He places his right hand near Cardin's chest and a palm-size purple aura-ball manifest. "Trust me; you don't want any of this!" He threatens.

Silence fill the air except the noise from the aura-ball, few seconds has pass and the quite broke from the voice of an anger sister.

"OOZARU SAIYAN SCARLATINA! PUT HIM DOWN THIS INSTANT!"

Oozaru felt shivers all over his body and lets go of Cardin as he's gasp for air, turning to see his sister with seriously mad looks. A moment later he claims down and places a hand on her brother's head and spoke.

"I know you're only looking out for me, but you got let me handle things on my own and no threats or you'll be no better than thugs." She picks up her lunch. "Let's go eat together and introduces me to your friends." She suggested, walking towards Oozaru's friends.

Oozaru sign knowing Velvet was right that he got to get his anger under control and remember that he's sister is the second year, so she can handle a bully like its nothing even though she doesn't use violets much. He walks to the table as everyone else went back to their own business, except for Cardin who's furious of wanting to make that monkey-freak pay.

(Night-time: Dorm rooftop)

Pyrrha and Shadow brought Jaune to the roof hoping to help him further his training and his role as leader.

"Guys, I know I'm going through a hard time right now, but I'm not that depressed." Jaune said, looking over the edge. "I can always be a farmer or something…" Shadow and Pyrrha were confused of what he meant but quickly realize.

"N-n-no!" Pyrrha panicked, pushing him away from the edge. "That's not why we brought you up here."

"Jaune, you been some trouble with school work and combat training a little. So we decided to… help you." Shadow explained.

"We can train up here after class where no one can bother us." Pyrrha added.

"Y-you think I need help?" Jaune asked in sadness.

"Everyone needs push from time to time; even to some weaker than you can be powerful fighters." Shadow said, crossing his arms. "Despite lying your way to Beacon."

Jaune gasp and hung his head that Shadow somehow knew the truth.

"You knew all along, did you?" He asked as Shadow nodded, but Pyrrha felt confuse.

"W-what do you mean?" She asked worries.

"It's as he said, I didn't go to any combat schools nor take any test and pass! I just got some fake transcripts… and I lied!" Jaune admitted.

Pyrrha was about to asks why but Shadow answer before the question. "It's because your ancestors were heroes and wanted to carry on their legacy."

"I-I just was never good enough." Jaune said sadly.

"Then let us help." Pyrrha said, placing her hand on Jaune's shoulder.

But Jaune shove her hand away in frustration. "I don't want help! I don't want to be some lovable idiot struck in a tree while his friends fight for their lives! If I can't do this on my own… then what good am I?"

"Alright Jaune, we'll give you some alone time but always remember that it never hurts to asks help from others. Even the greatest in the world needs help with things even they can't do alone." Shadow advised Jaune, walking away and having Pyrrha follows him.

Jaune is now alone terrible thinking what he'll next, until an unkindly voice behind him.

"Oh Jaune…"

Jaune to see Cardin, he overhear the conversation and knew this isn't good for him.

(One week later)

Shadow walks back from the library after renting a book, on his way he sees Jaune outside his team's room with depression face. Ruby came and talks to Jaune and said something they'll never forget.

"Because it's not just about you anymore. You've got a team now, Jaune. We both do! And if we fail, then we'll just be bringing them down with us. What have put our teammates first, and ourselves second. Your team deserves a great leader, Jaune! And I think that can be you." She said, walking back to her room to sleep.

Shadow smiles of Ruby's speech about leadership and putting others first. He walks up to Jaune and says his own words of encouragement.

"She's not wrong you know." Shadow said, catching Jaune surprise. "I live my live life not knowing who I really am; my past is totally blank not knowing what my purpose is. And I had to live alone!" He walks away but continues talking. "I was never much with people skills, but meeting you and everyone. It feels as though my worries were lifted from my shoulders, never push away those close to you and always be strong with the strength of others." He finish as he was longer in Jaune's sight.

Jaune thought of what Ruby and Shadow had said to him until a ringing of his scroll interrupted. It was Cardin and he had a bad feeling about this.

The next day, Glydna is leading some students into the reddish forest: The Forever forest. She explains that they are gather some red sap in a jar and make they don't die while there are grimms in the forest as well.

Jaune brought back six full jars while team CDRL relaxes a little.

"So Jaune, I bet you're asking yourself, 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect six jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?'" Cardin said with a grin.

"That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today, yes." Jaune said in exhaustion.

"Well, come with me, and find out." Cardin said, dragging Jaune along.

They came to a hilltop, ducking down to not get spotted. Jaune was worry of something bad might happen.

"Cardin, w-what's going on?" Jaune asked.

"Payback." He brute answered.

Jaune soon realize that Cardin wants revenge on Pyrrha for mocking in history class last week.

"The red-hair smart-ass and that announce monkey think he's all tough. Well thanks to Jaune gathering an entire box of Rapier Wasp, and now were gonna put him to work." Cardin said, holding a shaking box. "Now, according to one of the essays you wrote for me last week, these nasty things looove sweets. I'm thinking it's time to teach a thing or two." Looking at Pyrrha with her jar full of sap.

Cardin forcefully gave the jar to Jaune. "And you're going to do it."

"Do what?" Jaune asked.

"Hit her with the sap. Either that, or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch, and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon." Cardin demined.

Jaune ready himself to throw the jar at the smiling Pyrrha, but amongst the jar-collecting group Shadow with a mirror, looking the reflection to see Jaune and team CRDL. Jaune then steels himself to finally stand up to Cardin.

"No." He said.

"What did you say?" Cardin asked.

"I said… NO!" Jaune yelled as he threw the jar at Cardin, staining his chest-armor in sap.

Shadow smile proudly and put the mirror away, walks to Jotaro and handed him the jar.

"I'm gonne go look around the forest for a bit, hopefully to find something interesting." Shadoe informed his leader.

"Be sure to back in one piece." Jotaro said, giving Shadow permission to go sight-seeing.

Using his super-speed, Shadow run pass trees and found Cardin punching Jaune to the ground and pick him up ready to pound him more. As he punch him again, a bright light shines over Jaune and fades as Cardin felt pain to his hand, confuse Jaune look at himself seeing a faintly glow white. Team CDRL were about to beat up Jaune until behind them is Alpha Ursa growling at his prey. Three of CDRL ran away, leaving Jaune and Cardin behind. Suddenly two more ursas appear with a beowolf.

Cardin try to fight but got quickly overpowered. The three grimms decided to join but intervene and ready his sword to fight them.

"Shadow!" Jaune said surprise to see Shadow.

"I'll handle these three while you handle that one, don't I know you can do it." Shadow said, believing Jaune can beat a grimm on his own.

One ursa charge at Shadow but got push back by his spin dash attack, another ursa came and swung its claws to Shadow as he dodges them and up-slash to the chest and kick it away. The earlier ursa attack again but dodge and slash both knee-caps, cross-shape slash, and blast his chaos spears then the ursa fell in defeat as it dies. The other ursa got up but Shadow won't give it a chance to attack, he run around the ursa while slashing it like a tornado of blades, then pierces through the chest, pulling the blade out causing it to fall face-down to the ground.

Shadow turn to see Jaune making his last stances to the beast, charging towards it but leaving himself completely open for an attack, then a dark-like glow surround the shield and lifting it to block the attack. Jaune took this lean on the ground and jump as he cut the alpha ursa's head. Shadow look at the far end to see Pyrrha seems to have used her semblances to save Jaune and from the looks of it her power is polarity.

Shadow just realize of the beowolf that was with the ursas. He looks to find that it somehow got pass him and charge towards Jaune, before he could stink his teeth to the blonde's flash. Shadow got between them as he took the attack, letting the beowolf biting his shoulder but remain unfazed as stabs the beast and slash it in half.

Everyone shocked that Shadow did a reckless move to protect his friends, seeing the blood drooling from his wounded shoulder. Shadow didn't know why he did that it's like his just move on its own, his instincts telling him to save his friends.

At night, Jaune stands on the rooftop for a moment and turn to see Shadow and Pyrrha as they walk to his side.

"I'm really proud of what you did Jaune. You've really shown Cardin that even a weakling can become strong through heart." Shadow said, glad to see Jaune becoming like a true warrior.

"Thanks for trying to be there for me, even though I've been a big jerk. Hope we can still do that training you two had in mind?" Jaune asked; hope to train with the two.

The two nodded and their will soon begin. Suddenly Shadow scroll ring and saw a message… from Glydna?

Meet me at the combat class in 5 mins, I'll explain everything to you then.

Shadow made his way to the area where Glydna standing in the middle, she turns with a sad/worry look on her face. He walks to her until he stop 1 feet in front of her.

"Shadow, there's something I must tell you that I should've on the first day." Glydna said; finally ready to tell Shadow about their first meet and when he disappears.

KO new chapter 5 is completely, hope you all enjoy and seeing Shadow bonding with his friends.

The Oozaru said was from the Dragon Ball Z movie: Revenge of Cooler, when Goku said them before meeting Cooler. The beowolf biting Shadow's shoulder, I got that idea a Bleach chapter when Ichigo's mother when she was youngand first meeting his dad.

The next chapter will be as awesome as the others were. Katsuragi may find someone involving her parents and Jotaro facing someone familiar to him… in the worse way.