Author's note: Ooga Booga new chapter peeps, hope ya enjoy
Training Arc and New Faces
Cardin entered his room and closed the lights. He already took a shower and changed his clothes and was ready to go to bed. He noticed that he had been growing steadily his entire time there, Cardin in the show already towered Jaune but now Cardin was like half a head taller than him.
He closed his eyes and got swept into dreamland. 'Hey you'
The boy stood up, he looked at his hands. He wasn't Cardin at that moment but his old self.
Cardin Winchester stood in front of him 'I know who you are and what you know'
The boy nodded, 'Yes, I know it's your body and-'
'I'm not finished' Cardin cut the boy off 'I know you're going to apologize for taking my body but'
Cardin uncharacteristically embraced the boy 'You've done better in it than I would've. I know the hardships you've been through. The strict training you've put yourself on and the preparations you are going to take and honestly with that much investment and time I think I could live with you taking over my psyche'
The boy was moved, this was the original Cardin Winchester. The boy known to bully faunus and make fun of the weak, he was a mean and angry racist. But right now he looked content, happy that the boy who took his body managed to make good of his life.
Cardin waved goodbye at the boy, 'I guess you don't need me. I'll be taking my-'
The boy grabbed his arm 'Wait!'
'Hmm?' Cardin asked
'I think you could've been cool on your own Cardin. Thank you for giving me this chance'
Cardin smirked 'Don't sweat it man, I'll be here anyway. Just I'll be part of you instead of the two of us here, since we're going to have to fight for control sooner or later'
Cardin waved and light enveloped the boy. He looked to his hands again, now he wqas Cardin Winchester and a voice continued 'I'm sure you'll do great things to repent for what I've done. Go out there and get 'em'
The boy stuck his hand out and Cardin took it into a shake.
Cardin opened his eyes, wiping sweat from his forehead. The dream he had was... weird but he couldn't recall much from it. All he remembered was the trust placed in him by Cardin, the real Cardin.
He stood up from his bed and started his morning routine of at least a hundred squats and push-ups. After which he went to take a shower.
The cold water his his skin, his thoughts wandered 'Huh... You can tell if someone is patient if they get through a lollipop without biting it'After taking his shower he went to his wardrobe and wore a black shirt and tights under black shorts. He was raring to go for a run, but his phone rang.
Jackson: Hey man, we were meeting later today right? You me and Jaune?
Cardin: Yeah what about it? You can't come?
Jackson: Nah, I can go. Its just I kinda wanted to invite a cousin of mine. She's been stressed recently and I suggested this as an outlet since we were gonna go have fun anyways.
Cardin: As long as they don't get all weird.
Jackson: Nah they're cool.
Cardin got another message but this time from Jaune.
J4un3: Hey Cardin, do you want to go train today? I am like already close to your manor, the physical training you told me to do has done wonders.
Cardin chuckled, he really didn't do that much for the young Arc. He just gave him a workout and a diet to follow and a video explaining basic swordsmanship forms he got from Nicholas.
Cardin: If you've found your groove that's all you man. BTW we can do some sparring today, afterward you can come over and we can go to Jackson together
J4un3: Got it
Cardin debated on whether or not to tell Jaune to change his name but he decided against it. It was his choice.
Cardin left the mansion and met Jaune at the gate. "Hey man, ready to do some light sparring?"
Jaune also had work out clothes on "Yeah, I'm ready"
It had been a few months since Cardin started giving Jaune a few lessons and surprisingly he was picking up quick.
When Cardin asked how he learned so fast Jaune shrugged and said 'I don't know, the way you showed how to do things on the video was really easy to understand and the diet and exercise you gave me helped I think...'
Cardin took Jaune to the gym in the mansion, there was a ring and wooden weapons at the side.
"Here's where I usually train. You're going to have to get used to it. " Cardin handed Jaune a wooden sword. Jaune fumbled a little while taking it but he swung it around easily.
"Wow, this is actually pretty cool"
Cardin nodded "Yeah, I've never had anyone to practice with so..." Cardin grabbed a wooden mace modeled after his own.
They entered the ring and they stretched. While stretching Cardin put down the rules "Alright, since we won't be using aura because I have no clue how to unlock yours we go by either ring out or first hit"
Jaune twirled his sword "Yeah seems about right"
"But if you can keep going I'll allow it"
Jaune nodded. They took their positions, "3, 2, 1. Go!" Cardin shouted.
He let Jaune get the first move. Jaune dashed forward and hit Cardin with a horizontal slash. Cardin parried it and let a left kick fly but Jaune deflected it with his left hand, making Cardin stumble a bit.
Jaune and Cardin had sparred every three days or so in the last few months. At the start, Jaune couldn't even last five minutes but now he was at least able to react to attacks.
Cardin twirled instead of trying to get his balance back, he used the momentum to throw his mace outward like a back hand.
Jaune ducked, just barely getting away. He hoisted his sword and let slashed diagonally from a crouched position. Cardin blocked with his mace, he had to admit he was getting stronger.
Cardin shoulder bashed Jaune sending him to a knee. He was about to swing his mace at the Arc but Jaune rolled forward. He did an upward slash after the roll which Cardin sidestepped.
Cardin swing his mace but Jaune was able to read the move and just barely managed to block with his sword. This sent Jaune sliding on his feet because of the force. Cardin didn't let up the pressure and slammed the mace into the ground as Jaune leapt out of the way.
Jaune stabbed forward from the jump and stabbed forward toward Cardin. He was taken by surprise at the move but Cardin knew better than to just stand there like a deer caught in headlights. He let the blade slide on the side of the handle of his mace and almost drove the mace into Jaune's face.
But stopped "I win this time Jaune" Cardin said
Jaune sighed in defeat "Damn it! So close too! What's the record?"
"5 to 30" Cardin answered. Jaune had managed to beat him a few times and he wasn't going to take that away from him, those times he won might've been close but he pulled through with sheer effort and a clear difference in ability.
"You're getting better though, do you want to try hard light Grimm training?" Cardin asked.
Jaune was hesitant "Isn't that like going to hurt me because I don't have aura?"
"No, it was actually originally made for normal soldiers in case they ever got into a scrap with Grimm so there's a feature that kinda gives you an hp bar of sorts" Cardin assured.
"So its like a game?"
"Yes"
"But for training"
"Yep"
"That's sick" Jaune was excited. Cardin pointed him to the wall on the left where there was a rack of live weapons. "Get a weapon you feel like using over there, you can find stuff like armor and shields on the left of it"
Jaune nodded and took his weapon combo of sword and shield. Cardin sat on a bench overlooking the hard-light arena. "Are you ready Jaune?"
"Ready as I'll ever be"
Cardin turned the machine on and Grimm started appearing "I know you can take on at least two beowolves"
As Cardin said that two appeared. Jaune had sharp eyes about him and stood in a combat pose seeing if the Grimm moved first. They did, one jumped straight at him but Jaune blocked with his shield and let it slide to the ground making it stumble on the ground and he cut its head off.
At the same time the other beolwolf charged at Jaune but was easily dispatched with a well aimed slash. "Good Job Jaune, as a reward have an Ursa!" Cardin shouted and an Ursa materialized
"God man you're killing me here" Jaune huffed. The Ursa brought its paw down onto Jaune but Jaune deflected it with his shield and cut its arm off, the hard light Grimm faded and Cardin nodded "Alright survival mode, beowolves only. Try to get as many as you can"
Jaune nodded, beowolf after beowolf was sent after him and Jaune lost at around fifteen. For reference an average huntsman in training who took their training seriously like Cardin could manage at least twent-five. Talented people like Ruby, he guessed, could probably take on even more.
Jaune sat on the floor panting "Goodness that was draining"
Cardin picked him up "Good job though, fifteen is nothing to laugh at especially since you've only started a few months ago."
"Thanks, but i think I can do better" Jaune was raring to go once more.
Cardin stopped him "Nope, we're done for today. We have a clubbing session to go to"
"We're clubbing?"
Cardin nodded "Don't worry, its one of the more decent establishments. Plus we won't force you to drink if you don't want to, just you know... Have a good time."
Jaune's face contorted to worry, "Oh shoot! I don't have good clothes with me"
Cardin started walking, "You can borrow some of mine, we are around the same size anyway"
"You're like... half a head taller than me" Jaune answered
"Yeah but that just means you can wear some of the clothes I had last summer"
Jaune raised his eyebrow in agreement "Touché, lead the way"
Cardin was on his bike wearing a grey shirt which had the print saying "Live it up" under a denim shirt and black jeans.
He took his helmet off as he parked his bike, Jaune got off with him. "This the place?" he asked. The club was just called "The Club" and there were lights of different colours and people hanging around on the outside who look like they've either had a good time or nearly passed out drunk.
Cardin nodded, "Yep this is it"
"Did I really have to wear this?" Jaune asked.
"Honestly, I think you look fly as hell if they still use that phrasing" Cardin assured.
Jaune wore a white cap, he wore a black shirt under a white and yellow jacked and he wore light brown pants.
"I heard that a lot growing up and I wasn't approached by even one girl"
Cardin waved the comment off "Don't worry you'll be fine. I think you look good and we didn't come here to you know... pick up chicks, we're here because we'll celebrate your admission into Beacon"
"I got accepted? I didn't even-"
"I asked my father to send the school a letter and they said they would look over you" Cardin said and he showed Jaune a bugged camera.
"This is... a small camera?" Jaune asked.
"Yep, I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy. I swear I only took a video of our training sessions." Cardin apologized, completely accepting that he would get yelled at.
"No, its okay Cardin. I trust you have good intentions" Jaune affirmed.
"But when they showed this to Ozpin, he said that you had great potential and would be happy to enroll you in the academy" Cardin continued. He didn't mention that he heard Glynda Goodwitch complain in the background but it was already done.
Jaune shed a tear "Man... you're like the best things that has ever happened to me yet"
"Trust me, I'm not even half the best"
"Ah the two giants are here" Jackson said with a smile "Oh shit Jaune you're lookin' great"
"See?" Cardin looked to Jaune who sighed in defeat "Yeah yeah"
"This is my cousin, we should head to a VIP lounge first before I introduce you both" he pointed to a decently tall figure, the person was ambiguous but Cardin could tell the person had red hair. They were wearing a loose fitting hoodie and jeans that were kind of tight around the hip area leading Cardin to believe that they were a woman but he didn't want to make assumptions.
They went to the front and the bouncer asked "Any names?"
"Jackson Howard, and over there is Cardin Winchester. We're with two friends"
The bouncer laughed "Yeah and I'm the head of Wayne enterprises. I.D's?"
Jackson showed his I.D. "Do you believe me now?"
The bouncer's eyes widened "O-of course, I apologize Mr. Howard and Mr. Winchester"
They entered the club and it was very lively, different types of people were dancing on the floor and the DJ was wearing weird headgear but the went up to the VIP areas. They were on the second floor they were clean, soundproofed and basically like a private area in the club in case you wanted a breather. Oh and you could order drinks from there.
They closed the door and all four took a seat. "So who are you?" asked Cardin toward the mystery person.
Jackson grinned "You're probably gonna know her, she's pretty famous you know"
The girl punched Jackson's arm and Jackson recoiled in pain "Ow! Can you hold back a bit you're like a three time champion of like a tournament back home right?"
The girl removed her hood, letting her long hair flow down. The girl was Pyrrha Nikos, the champion, "Can you not..."
Jackson complained "Every one knows who you are anyway"
Cardin looked at Jaune who tapped his shoulder "Am I... like... supposed to know her?"
Cardin then had a brilliant idea "Jaune you don't know her?"
Pyrrha's head snapped to the young blonde, Jaune replied "S-sorry if you're offended, I know you must be great but I've... never" Jaune trailed off "heard of you before"
Cardin could swear he saw Pyrrha's eyes light up "It's quite alright, nice to meet you uhm-"
"Jaune... Jaune Arc, short sweet rolls off the tongue, ladies love it" Jaune said nervously.
Cardin held back his laughter knowing Jaune was incredible nervous in front of such a beautiful girl. Right now Cardin knew Jaune was just spitting out his automatic greeting.
Jackson visibly cringed, but as Cardin expected Pyrrha giggled, "So it seems"
Jaune laughed nervously and whispered to Cardin "Was that a good reply or-"
Cardin shrugged "I don't know, maybe you should hang out with her"
"I mean I would but-"
"Pyrrha, Jaune just asked me if you were alright to go on a dance with him. Since you guys aren't acquainted and he has no clue who you are maybe this is a chance to get to know each other better"
Jaune blushed "N-no I-!"
Pyrrha had a smirk, "That would be wonderful"
Cardin pat Jaune in the back "Go get em Tiger"
Jaune grit his teeth in mock anger "Cardin!"
Author's note: Ho? Cardin's original soul is still there and the new Cardin is Jaune's wingman? Ooh this is getting interesting.