Cardin Winchester was a teen that does not like losing. He's always been used to being on top. His name meant a lot back in his hometown his peers would always look upon him with respect for his physical abilities. His father a noble that ruled his own town, his brother an accomplished soldier. And so, he chose to be a huntsman so as not to be overshadowed by his family. His strength was forged in fear of the White Fang that assaulted his family once. And his training brought him to see himself as an elite among others.
But all those came crumbling down when he came upon Beacon Academy. Especially with his peerage. A champion that ruled in Mistral, an heiress whose mastered the art of Dust, A brawler whose strength is tenfold his own, a prodigy that got into Beacon years earlier than everyone else, and most of all being looked down upon by a weakling. Jaune Arc is a weakling. Just a dog whose bite isn't as strong as his bark.
"Hey Cardin!" The leader's thoughts were cut off by his teammate, Russel, calling him.
He turned around and saw that the trio were messing around with the jars and the box of Rapier wasps that was supposed to be used on that asshole, Arc.
"What is it?" He asked approaching them and looking around the clearing they were in. He must admit, all those autumn leaves on the ground looked beautiful even to him who had no aesthetic sense.
"We lost one jar. What're we gonna' tell Goodwitch?" Sky asked still playing with their remaining jars filled with tree sap.
"We can just say Grimm came and we had to defend ourselves." Cardin replied nonchalantly.
"So, we lie to her?" Russel asked with slight fear in his voice, "I don't think that's a good idea."
"You're just scared cause' you like the woman." Dove sneered, playfully wrapping an arm around the mohawked boy's neck.
The rest of the team started laughing at the expense of Russel's face giving an obvious scarlet tinge that reached his ears.
"No, I don't!" He pushed Dove in annoyance. Though, the latter fell backwards whose back crashed into Sky which caused the jars he held to be thrown over Cardin's direction and the jars shattering on his chest.
Cardin gave an annoyed smirk. "Which one of you are washing this off?" He threatened.
"Dove knocked himself into me!" Sky reasoned out.
"Hey, it was Russel who pushed me!" Dove retaliated.
"The hell!? You're the one who talked shit about me!" Russel replied.
Before Cardin could speak out, he pulled out his mace and rushed forward.
"What the – !?" Russel was the first to react in surprise thinking if he should take out his weapon in retaliation to the leader that's spoke murder in his eyes only to be astonished as he went pass the whole team and bashed a beowolf's head.
And from somewhere within the forest they heard a number of howls.
"Take out your weapons. We've got Grimm incoming."
/-/
Jaune started running after he encounters a numerous amount of Beowolves on the way to Cardin's team. According to the few lessons that Professor Port's stories foretold;
Beowolves are common Grimm next to Creepers. Enough that many huntsmen tend to underestimate the vile creatures. There would be no problems when one encounters stray Beowolves but one must exert caution when a whole pack is involved. Because that means there's an Alpha leading them. Choreographing every move they make.
Jaune took a rather long time before finally reaching the clearing where team CRDL were. They were in the middle of the said clearing surrounded by the dissipating corpses of the Beowolves. Cardin faced off with the alpha whilst his teammates were behind him and judging by their injuries it seems that their aura is depleted as well. Especially Russel Thrush who was lying face down on a pool of blood. Jaune assumed it was his as the other two only had minor cuts and bruises to them. Cardin was having a hard time striking the Alpha.
One of the Alpha Beowolf type is one who challenges opponents to assume dominance within the pack. Another is a type that will send waves of its kin to study and/or tire out its prey. But be vigilant, children! There are many more kinds of alpha. There was even one in one of my solo missions –
The memory stopped itself there for Jaune opted not to listen to the tall tales the burly professor had. And if memory serves him right, the one thing that these kinds were weak to are surprises. Hence, he decided to run within the forest until he was at the Grimm's blind spot. He then emerged from the foliage and ran with all his might.
He unsheathed Crocea Mors and unfurled his shield before throwing it at the Alpha, its edge hitting the beast at the back of its head, enough that it turned around to see Jaune, distracting it and giving Cardin the chance strike its lower body causing the beast to double over and exposing the back of its neck to which the blonde cut off with his blade beheading it.
The two leaders were gasping for breath, glaring at each other indigo met cerulean but none of them said anything and instead turned their backs from one another.
Cardin tended to his team while Jaune picked up his shield which was on the ground. While Cardin tended to his team.
"How is he?" Cardin asked Dove, gesturing to their fallen teammate.
"We've bandaged his shoulder wound from that beowolf bite, but his leg is dislocated which I think caused him to faint. He'll be okay." Dove replied with a small smile.
Jaune peeked behind him and listened on the conversation. Dove held Russel by the shoulders while Sky was having a hard time trying to stand up with how he had to use his halberd for support.
The team started conversing but Jaune focused on the forest before him. Birds started flying from the opposite direction. A familiar feeling that sent chills at the back of his neck came from the direction he faced. Perhaps it was human instinct, or maybe it was the way he was forged to be sensitive to danger when he used to be a woman, but something was coming.
"Dove." He called out.
But it was Cardin that replied. "What is it Arc?"
"Can Dove carry Russel?" He asked.
"What the hell are you –" Cardin was cut off by what appeared from the foliage. Two black creatures that appeared to be bears with bony plates acting as armor, the bear Grimm Ursa.
And appearing right after them was a larger variant. An Ursa Major.
"Dove! Sky! Go get Russel outta' here!" He issued an order to his teammates.
"But – " One of them retaliated
"JUST GO!" This time it was Jaune that shouted. He readied himself and walking forward to stop beside him was Cardin.
"This doesn't mean we're friends. Arc."
Jaune gave a prideful grunt. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Winchester." The name still felt disgusting when it left his tongue. And as much as he would like to leave the guy, he's a huntsman, a trainee but still, protecting lives against Grimm is one of his supposed duties. He readied his stance shield up and sword reeled back as the two Ursi started to rush at them.
"Stay behind me while I tank them, and you find openings and strike them." Jaune said.
Cardin didn't give any reply instead when Jaune was preparing his stance to meet the beasts with his shield he was pushed aside by Cardin and he hit one Ursa straight at the snout. "Don't tell me what to do, Arc!" He swung his mace too hard that his side was clear for an opening
Jaune growled in anger as he pushed forward and defended Cardin claws scraping by the shield and pushing Jaune backwards. The blonde rolled and stood up to see Cardin bashing the next ursa at the top of its head and swinging back for another strike at the said Grimm.
While the other Ursa attempted to lunge at Cardin's back the white knight rushed forward and lunged his own blade at the beast's neck. The Grimm fell to the ground and tried to flail around trying to remove Jaune from itself, but he twisted the blade, killing it.
"This is no time for your bullshit, Cardin!" The blonde shouted in annoyance.
"Fuck off, Arc. I don't need your help." Cardin glared at the Ursa Major. "Well!? What're you waiting for!? Come at me!" He challenged.
Jaune put his attention towards the Ursa Major who licked its lips before giving a menacing roar. It started walking towards them, a menacing aura seeping from it. He wasn't sure if Cardin felt it but there was a carnal hunger in its visage. And not at Cardin whose armor was covered in sap, but a kind of hunger that a boy would have when it found a new toy. Its desire to test its abilities came forth from it. It stopped a few feet away from them, a seemingly challenging smile came from it.
"That's a big Ursa." Jaune muttered.
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Cardin said before running at it and Jaune followed suit just behind the burly mace-wielder. He'll just have to adjust to the idiot's way of fighting if they want to survive.
He raised his mace and swung it down on the Ursa's head but to no avail it didn't even stagger despite the ground on its feet creating a crater.
"What the – " Cardin reacted in surprise to its hard armor but the Grimm sneered and lunged its claw towards his side but luckily Jaune was the first to realize its intention and blocked the incoming strike but then again, its other paw swiped at Cardin hitting Jaune and throwing the duo away in the process.
A prideful roar came forth from the Grimm. Proud at its show of strength.
"Son of a bitch." Cardin cursed under his breath while pushing Jaune off him and stood up.
"Cardin!" the blonde called. "Get your head out of your ass and listen!" He stood up and reached for Cardin's shoulder, but he shrugged it off.
"Shut up!" He then snapped and rushed towards the Grimm but was swatted away back like a fly his own aura giving a shining indication that it was now depleted making him vulnerable.
Jaune grit his teeth in anger upon seeing Winchester attempt to stand, his intent of recklessness obvious to his eyes. But that was all that he did, he tried to stand but failed. And this time, it was the Ursa that charged at them.
"Ugh, Crap!" Cardin cursed as he tried to crawl away instead.
And when he thought he was about to meet his demise, Jaune intervened and made his shield collide with the raging beast. Jaune was blown away but immediately rolled to stand up his, his left shoulder dislocated upon impact with the monster.
Note to self, don't collide with a running beast. He grits his teeth again and fixed his shoulder. A sickening crack was heard and he shouted in pain as hard as he could so that certain chemicals in his brain would be produced to help ease his pain.
He looked to see that the Ursa found a different contender in him and decided to ignore the Winchester boy.
Jaune licked his lips. He compared this to the time with the Alpha Beowolf during initiation. He rests his blade in front of his face as if saluting an opponent in a sword duel and said his favorite words.
"I am not afraid I was born to do this!"
The ursa roared in retaliation and ran towards Jaune in all-fours. He rolled to the side but was surprised at how fast the Ursa was able to stop and swung a claw at him. He blocked and held his ground and pushed the claw away and gave a strike towards its body.
The grimm flinched backwards then gave lunged his other claw at him but the boy opted to roll forward to dodge it perfectly and stabbed his sword on its right hind leg but failed to pull it out as his face met the black beasts paw and sent him flying away.
Again, he rolled away and stood up running, faltering for a bit as his head was still in a daze from the concussion but not failing to pick up the weapon nearest him.
Cardin's mace.
And the most bizarre thing happened. A flash of memory that lasted a second came upon his mind as he readied himself with Cardin's weapon.
A memory that never belonged to him. As the weapon never belonged to him so were the sudden flood of information that came upon his mind. Memories of a boy cradled by his mother, of a boy being teased by his older brother, of a boy gazing lovingly at his newborn brother, discussing their dreams together, and the saddest of all; seeing the said boy's younger brother and mother being laid down in their coffin after an attack by the white fang. And the feeling of inferiority he had upon entering Beacon.
Jaune started hyperventilating while a single tear fell from his face. His eyes filled with rage while staring at the Ursa Major who was still standing, or rather limping towards him, ignoring the sword lodged unto its leg. He reverted his shield into a sheathe and placed it on his waist. And, out of nowhere, he released an angry shout as he ran at the beast before him. The Grimm stopped walking and waited for its chance to strike.
It stood in all-fours believing that the knight would just roll away and raised his right paw expecting to strike the injury on its leg.
Jaune came into range and reeled the mace back on his right side and had the weapon meet the paw, causing the incoming arm the flung itself away from the boy and giving him the chance to move into the monster and strike the hilt of his sword, lodging it deeper into its leg and then he immedieatly swung it around and bashed the Ursa Major's snout, causing its face to cave-in with the armor on its face cracking and breaking into pieces.
The beast fell and so did Jaune, his knees buckled underneath him, his hands losing strength in wielding the heavy weapon and was about but was caught by a familiar tuft of crimson hair, the familiar scent of her shampoo immediately caught Jaune's attention
"Pyr?" He asked with his eyes closed.
"Yes, Jaune. Its me." She whispered.
"I think I reek of sweat." Jaune joked in a tired voice.
"I don't mind, dear leader." His teammate retorted, chuckling lightly.
Pyrrha held Jaune by his waist, carrying the knight easily and the boy, in return decided to accept the support and let her carry half of his weight. He knew if he tried he'd just get a scolding. Gods know how much his sisters get mad when he doesn't rely on them.
When he looked around he saw that Weiss was beside Ruby picking up his sword from the dissipating grimm, and Ren who picked up Cardin's mace and offered it to him, assisting him in standing up as well.
"I figured you might want this." Ruby smiled sweetly, offering him his weapon.
"I doubt you can fare better in combat without that artifact."
"Yeah, thanks." He grinned back at her.
"Better that than your crude use of the mace." Weiss criticized, but knowing Weiss for this long, he already figured that it was her own way of being caring – despite the cold demeanor.
"Right." He agreed with a toothy grin.
"Good thing Nora called us." Ruby said.
"She did?" Jaune paused, knowing Nora, she's bound to do it. "Of course, she did."
He looked at Cardin who refused any help from Ren.
"Speaking of, where's Nora? Or Blake and Yang?" He asked after noticing that the three's presence was absent.
"We had them escort Russel, Sky, and Dove since Russel needed medical attention and that Grimm might come." Ruby explained.
"And call for Goodwitch."
"I see." He paused, observing Cardin struggle to get up. He then let go of Pyrrha asking her to let him go as well. Slowly he walked towards Cardin who was on the ground and offered a hand.
The latter tried to push his hand away but Jaune was forceful. He held his forearm and pulled him up, unafraid of the glare he sent the blonde.
The two had a standoff, glaring at each other.
One spoke of anger, the other of comprehension.
Jaune sighed. "Look. I'm sorry."
Everyone's expression showed a look of surprise at the words uttered by Jaune.
"When we first clashed, I said things that I shouldn't have. I was in the wrong. I knew it deep down, but I was too prideful to say I'm sorry and let you harass me to justify my anger towards you. Especially when you harassed other Faunus in our school even though you're a victim of this cycle as well. It was an anger that was misplaced and convenient just because you reminded me of someone." Jaune said, his face filled with remorse.
"Jaune" Pyrrha whispered his name, trailing off.
"And I hope you can forgive me." This time a determined look came upon Jaune's face. "And that we can start over and be friends."
In response, Cardin held Jaune's arm tight enough to make him wince in pain then pushed him away. No words came from Cardin's mouth as he limped away from them, walking at the front towards the rendezvous point.
Jaune accepted that reply. Perhaps it would be best to just accept that the two of them will never see eye to eye and that this is reality. Cardin can never forgive the White Fang but Jaune can start understanding Cardin more. It's a small action but, Oobleck did say small ripples can make waves.
/-/
The trip back to Beacon was exhausting to say the least. Everyone was tuckered out that even the indominable Glynda Goodwitch had a bit of dirt and grim on her clothes for the sudden onslaught of Grimm. Apparently, it wasn't just Jaune or team CRDL who faced a numerous amount of Grimm that day. The whole forest was almost teeming with them.
Though it was said that grimm are common in forever fall, the fact that it was teeming with it wasn't. Hence, after contacting the headmaster, Forever Fall was to be forbidden from enter by anyone and a team of professional huntsmen are to be dispatched to investigate. Or at least that's the gist of it. He didn't pay attention to the trip because of how his stomach was churning inside.
He subtly took glances at the Winchester boy. The visage of the boy's younger self sometimes overlapping with the state that his stomach was in. Jaune wondered and decided to ask the headmaster about it in the future. After all, it was him that he learned what Aura is. He may know more about it.
/-/
Jaune stepped out of the shower and head straight for the Dorm commons. He saw team RWBY and _NPR huddled together wearing their casual clothes like him whose clothing consisted of a sleeveless parka over a white shirt and a pair of knickerbockers
"So, what's happening? Did I miss anything?" He asked as he walked towards the group
"Only for you to see me giving Pyrrha a beatdown!" Ruby who was sitting in front of Pyrrha on the floor shouted in glee. Jaune looked over to see Pyrrha losing to Ruby in a Scroll fighting game.
"Ehhh, prodigy against prodigy huh?" Jaune commented and sat by Yang who was at the couch along with Blake whose legs were stretched out on Yang's lap while reading a book.
"I guess its true what they say when age is just a number." Yang grinned and rested her shoulder on Jaune's arm shifting her weight to relax on Jaune's body.
"Careful, you don't want Pyrrha to be competitive." Jaune warned nonchalantly.
"I'm not that bad."
"Nora, what is Pyrrha's score in our daily spars?"
"seventeen wins, 4 draws all against me, and zero losses." Nora teased with a huge grin plastered on his face.
"Told ya' so." Jaune chided.
Pyrrha pouted and gave a murderous glare at the Arc. "I'll show you how competitive I can be next time we spar, Jaune."
"Ah." He stuttered. "Mouth. Meet foot." Jaune said in an agonized voice.
Yang bumped Jaune shoulder with hers. "Hey, cheer up Vomit-boy." Then she leaned in and whispered "At least you get more training till' your dad sees you again."
"Huh, oh yeah. That's definitely true." Ren then came out of the kitchen and offered everyone the drinks that they usually drink. Courtesy of Nora taking notes of what everyone would like and Ren always meeting their demands. Bless his soul for not feeding him his algae drinks again.
"So, do we have any concrete plans for the Vytal Festival?" Ren asked as he sipped on his tea and took a seat on a recliner chair's armrest that Nora was sitting on.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Jaune said as he remembered Glynda Goodwitch announcing that the Vytal festival will need teams to participate in the festivities as it will also be held as Beacon's school festival as well.
"How about we borrow one of the classrooms and create a maid café!?" Nora asked charged with excitement.
"I'm down for that." Yang said while crossing her legs on the couch causing Blake to sit up properly as well. Of course, Jaune being a gentleman ignored the skin that was exposed by their clothes. As much as he could.
Weiss fiddled with her scroll. "We can't do that It seems that yesterday the student council decided that having two of the same thing aren't allowed so that the academy has a diversed offerings to the guests that would come. And a second-year team already took on that."
"And how'd you know that?"
"They posted it in the Beacon holonet site."
"Whaaaaaat. Bummer!" Nora pouted. "Let's 'convince' them by brea – "
"No one's breaking legs, Nora" The whole of team J_PR retorted.
The pink personification of energy clicked her tongue. "You guys suuuuuuuuuuuuck." She complained.
"How about a literature exhibit?" Blake suggested.
"Sadly, its already taken." Pyrrha replied, fiddling at her own scroll.
"Oh well" She shrugged and returned to her book.
"Ooh ooh! Speaking of exhibits, how about a weapons exhibit!?" Ruby raised her hand
"You're such a weapon dork" Yang facepalmed
"Hear me out! We have a champion's weapon"
"My weapon isn't that great." Pyrrha commented with a blush.
"Weiss' dust rapier."
"It is rather beautiful to look at." Weiss smiled with pride
"Blake's multi-purpose Gambol Shroud and that dust-infused ribbon!"
Blake's bow twitched but her face never left her book and instead opted to push her face closer into them.
"Yang's Ember Celica."
"My babies are that great."
"Nora's cute Maginhild! I mean that heart design!"
"As always, Ruby has good taste!" Nora gave a thumb up.
"Ren's fully automatic pistol daggers! Those blades just calm you down for some reason."
Ren gave a silent bow of appreciation at his weapons.
"And Jaune's classic heirloom! You don't get to see vintage weapons like those anymore."
Jaune nodded in pride.
Yang looked at her scroll and frowned. "Sorry lil' sis. It seems like its taken."
"What!? Who took my idea!?" Ruby shouted in anger
*Somewhere in Beacon academy a certain mace-wielding student of sneezed for some reason*
"Then what do we do?" Weiss asked.
"Hey Yang, can I check that out for a sec" Yang gave Jaune her Scroll while he scrolled to see if his idea was already taken to which it still wasn't.
"How about we do a play?" He suggested.
"I have a few stories we can do, and we've got time to prepare the set and such. So I think this isn't a bad idea." Blake supported him.
"Yes, and if we need help I can always call for some helpers." Weiss said while holding her chin.
"And I know a friend who can help us with the clothes." Pyrrha said with a smile.
"So, are we in agreement?" Jaune asked.
"I'm okay with it!" Nora cheered
"Its better than nothing, I say we go for it." Yang aggreed.
"Sure." Ren said.
"I don't know, I'm not really good at performing in front of people." Ruby said, covering her face with her hood.
"You dolt, you can always help out around the stage instead. With your speed you can go from point A to point B in no time." Weiss suggested in a scolding tone.
"I can do that!?"
Weiss facepalmed.
"I'm in!" Ruby shouted.
"Then I'll register our team for it." Jaune then typed into the application form the teams involved and what they're going to do. After pressing register the screen showed a buffering sign before an approval message showed itself. Jaune nodded. "We got the play." He grinned.
Nora held Ren's shoulder. "Ren. This. Is. Totally. Happening!"
"What is?"
"I'M GONNA' BE THE QUEEN OF THE CASTLE!" She shouted
/Chapter 10 End/
WHADDUP BOOOIIISSSSS AM BACK AFTER SPENDING THE WHOLE JANUARY STUCK IN THE MOIUNTAINS WITH NOTHING BUT MY PHONE AND SOME BACKLOGS OF MANGA AND DOWNLOADED FANFICS THAT HELPED ME WRITE SNIPPETS FOR THIS CHAPTER.
If any of ya'll be questioning the moment when Jaune held Cardin's mace it would be explained in the next chapter. But for now, lets leave the mystery there.
I've recently found a job that can help me support me and feed me. HAAHHAHAH I worked hard for this chapter cuz I think this is the longest to boot? 4k words. Wow. I'm developing! Hopefully I can become a better writer with all this.
Thank you for supporting my journey here at . I hope you guys will be with me till' the end! If you're interested in my other fics give it a try.
If you liked it, review. If you didn't like it, review it still. I don't feel especially satisfied with the combat and or delivery with Cardin, but I believe that the dude's not entirely a character that's a bully for the sake of being a bully.
Leave a like, a follow and maybe another review because I'm not dead!
As always, love and peace fellas'! Love and peace. Muwah!