Season 1 Finale, Part I: Shadows of the Past

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Weiss shook her head, still completely preoccupied with the things she had learnt mere minutes ago. She was still trying to process all the new information.

"Eat up. Don't get so caught up in the mind that you ignore the body."

She looked at Jaune, who was sitting right opposite him at the table they had occupied. They were currently in a local eatery called Williams'. It was a typical small diner, owned and operated by a family by themselves. The paint on the walls was peeling off in places, and quite a few of the posters were outdated. There was no air conditioning either. For music, the place had a stereo playing. All in all, not the kind of place Weiss was used to dining at.

Yet, here she was, for the simple reason that this was one of the joints where the prices were within Jaune's budget.

Weiss had seen the signboard and the door from outside, and when she had realized Jaune intended to have lunch there, she had protested.

"Wait, we're eating here?"

The boy had turned around and replied with a slightly surprised expression, not quite understanding what she was getting so worked up about.

"Of course. That's what people do at a diner, right?"

She had shaken her head rapidly.

"Here, of all places?"

"What's wrong with here?"

"Have you seen the place? There are so many better restaurants in town."

"Like?"

"The Golden Dragon is literally a block away!"

Jaune had looked at her like she'd gone mad, face turning pale as if he'd seen a ghost.

"You trying to empty my savings or what? No way I can afford to eat in a place like that!"

The frank way in which he'd spoken of his financial limits right off the bat had caught her off-guard. Firstly, of course, because money had never been an issue for her. She'd never once had to forego something because of lack of funds. Secondly, because everyone around her back in Atlas had been the same. Business folk and elite professionals, who accepted nothing less than the finest no matter what they were purchasing. However, as Weiss was a token heiress, whose interests lay more in the combat arts than those of business, she had never really been around when hard numbers were discussed. She was forced to attend plenty of gatherings, and in such settings, direct talk of money was considered crude.

All of that put together meant that she was quite sheltered, and taken aback at Jaune's open declaration of not being able to eat at the Golden Dragon, which was on the cheaper end of places to dine at by Schnee standards. It was even more inconceivable considering the fact that Jaune was from the Arc family, who were well off in their right.

Of course, as sheltered as Weiss was, her heart was in the right place.

"Well, you can consider it my treat-"

"Out of the question. I can't let you pay for me."

His tone left no room for argument, which led them to the present moment.

Weiss had opted for a pasta, and Jaune had, surprisingly, ordered a double hamburger.

"Isn't that… bad for the 'gains'?" Weiss indicated air quotes while asking the question.

"On the other hand, you need calories to gain mass. But yeah, food this greasy isn't exactly good for the heart."

"Then why-"

"Because I don't eat this stuff everyday. Gotta live once in a while, right?"

Weiss stared at the food in front of her. The plate was hot, and the sauce did indeed look incredibly greasy. Yet, for whatever strange reason, the pasta soaked in it seemed appetizing. A little cautiously, she transferred some to her mouth with a fork, and immediately felt her eyes widen. She took a second mouthful. And a third.

By the time she realized what she was doing, she was halfway through the plate. Looking up, she found Jaune had the slightest of smiles on his face.

"Not a word," she said.

"Hey, I didn't say anything."

They finished their meal in silence, at which point the middle aged man who had brought them the food came over to collect the plates.

"You're doing well, Souther. Got a girlfriend and all."

"Come on, Williams. Spare me the ribbing, will ya? Get us the bill already."

They both laughed, and it was clear to Weiss that they knew each other to some extent. She observed the interaction. Once again, it was something she was unfamiliar with. Of all the people back at the Schnee estate, she was closest to Klein, who served the family. But other than this one dynamic, she had been raised to maintain a distance from working class folk, who were considered "beneath" them by her father. Weiss had never subscribed to this way of thinking, but she had been watched far too closely to go against those instructions.

Watching Jaune talk freely to Williams, she was reminded how pointless those restrictions had been. If nobility was hereditary, then Jaune was certainly a noble too, yet he had no qualms about speaking to and walking among the people as one of their own. At Beacon, he had befriended Cardin and his team, who were generally looked upon as the worst of the , he had also not hesitated to put them in their place.

Suddenly, many incidents she had never really paid attention to started to come to mind. Jaune did not spend much time talking to other students, but Weiss had often seen him conversing with the maintenance and repair crews, the cooks, the weaponsmiths, and several other members of staff at Beacon.

It made no difference to him what walk of life you were from.

Certainly, Jaune did not carry himself like any of the aristocrats or teenagers from notable families Weiss had met back in Atlas.

His speech could be crude at times, and his methods brutal. Yet, he somehow carried far more self-respect and dignity than any of the far more polished nobles she had met.

For the second time since coming to Vale, Weiss found herself humbled.

Williams' diner might not have been extravagant, but it was not lacking either. The tables were clean, the food tasty, and even the music was good. It wasn't exactly the healthiest meal, but she'd be lying if she said the larger establishments she visited were completely above criticism on that count.

She really need not have feared entering this place.

Bowing her head slightly, she decided to give a word of thanks to the man.

"The food was good, sir. I rather enjoyed it."

Williams grinned widely.

"There's no need to be so formal, miss. Come back her sometime with Souther. Guy tends to take himself a wee bit too seriously, but I have a feeling you can fix that."

Weiss found herself smiling slightly too.

"I wonder. I'll certainly try."

Still laughing raucously, he walked away with the plates.

"You were right. This is a good place," she said to Jaune.

"... Why do I have the feeling I'll regret introducing you to him?"

He shook his head, prompting Weiss to giggle. Williams' observation had been spot on. While Jaune could be intimidating, his whole persona got a lot funnier if one thought of the stoic act as something he had to consciously maintain. Certainly, his occasional awkward reactions supported that theory.

"So. I guess you're going to want to ask some questions now, aren't you?" He looked at her. For the first time since when she had pushed him away, his eyes finally seemed as if he was open to her again.

"Why now?" Weiss found herself asking.

Why now, after all this time?

She had been all but certain that she'd never be able to repair the bond she had with him. That she'd have to resign herself to trying and failing. Yet, here they were, together. She knew him better now, knew that there was a darker side to him.

But now, at last, she was seeing the same eyes that had won her over in the first place.

The same boy who had encouraged and supported her, been the first, and only person she had confided to in Beacon.

Jaune looked like was seriously considering how to answer the question, but ultimately, he shrugged and smiled.

"Honestly? I don't know. I can't get a read on you at all. So I trusted my instincts."

"I see."

Weiss closed her eyes for a moment, simply happy that at least the cold distance between them was gone now. She was at a proper starting line now, to getting to know him.

"What about you? Why help me?"

Jaune stared at her intently, observing her reaction.

Put on the spot, Weiss fumbled for words. There was really no way to answer that question other than the truth, and no way to dress up that truth in a way that was less embarrassing to admit.

What exactly was Jaune to her?

She had been overjoyed when he had admitted he considered her a friend.

But her feelings towards him weren't that easy to sum up. To answer by saying she did it because they were friends would be a lie. Yet, she didn't really know what they were.

"I- because…" she began fiercely, but her voice grew softer, until she finished in almost a whisper. "Because I care."

It was the part of the truth that she could say with absolute certainty.

She looked up, wondering if she had said the right thing.

Only to be greeted by the sight of Jaune's face when, for a brief moment, he was unable to hide himself at all. His eyes were wide, and his mouth open slightly. Just for a while, he really did look like a teenager, one who had just had his breath taken away.

Weiss committed the sight to her memory. She felt it would be precious in the times to come. A reminder, that somewhere underneath all the power and skill, the ruthless fighting instinct and warlike sternness, there was just a young boy, who could experience absolute wonder and joy simply from knowing someone cared about him.

More than ever, she was sure she had made the right choice in standing by him, and wanted to help him. Wanted to know why he was the way he was. She wanted to know him. All of him.

"Jaune… who are you, really?"

It was a simple question, but it carried immense weight.

Jaune did not answer immediately. But, after a sigh, he did so.

"I was born Jaune Arc, the only son of the current generation of that family. And I'm the Successor to the Divine Fist of the North Star, the martial art that constitutes the pinnacle of the assassin's fist. I was trained by Master Kenshiro. He taught me everything I know. Not just fighting… but what it means to be a man… to be a living being. He trained me for four years, at which point he deemed me fit to be the Successor."

"Did… did you part ways with him, then?" Weiss asked.

"He is dead," Jaune answered softly. "As powerful as Kenshiro was, no man is immortal. He died peacefully, though, having done everything he set out to in life."

Jaune remembered Kenshiro's words to him.

"I am glad I was able to pass on Hokuto Shinken to you. I know now that you will live well, and use it to bring many smiles on people's faces. Live strong, Jaune. Be the light in someone's darkness."

"I- I'm sorry," said Weiss.

She had suspected that Jaune's Master was no more from his reaction to learning that he had not been present in the Archer Grimm's illusion. She had no intention to reawaken that sorrow.

"Don't be," answered Jaune, smiling slightly. "He lived well, and died with no regrets. There is nothing to grieve over."

Despite those words, however, Weiss could see the pain that flashed in them for a second.

"He must have meant a lot to you."

Jaune's voice felt slightly hoarse, but he managed to get the words out.

"He was like a father to me."

Silence followed for a while.

Weiss was unwilling to break it, and ultimately, it was Jaune who did.

"After his passing, I started travelling on my own. We had been to many places together, solving problems the Hunters either wouldn't, or couldn't. I continued doing the same thing. But I soon realized… the way things are right now, this war will not end well. I needed answers. So, I came to Beacon."

The heiress was uncertain if she should push further. After all, he had already revealed a lot.

"You should ask, Weiss. I see you've got more questions. I don't bite, you know."

Feeling relieved once more, she took him up on the offer.

"What answers are you searching for?"

Jaune looked into her eyes.

"... Can you keep a secret?"

Weiss blinked.

For a second, she was afraid he would ask her to hide something terrible, but she immediately dismissed the thought. She trusted Jaune. He was many things, but not evil.

"I can", she said.

Jaune nodded.

"I'm trying to uncover the true nature of the Grimm."

"The true nature of the Grimm?"

She raised an eyebrow.

What was there to uncover? They were soulless beasts that preyed on humans, drawn to negative emotions. The single biggest threat to the survival of humanity, and the reason Hunters even existed in the first place.

Jaune noticed her reaction. It was only to be expected. Most Hunters didn't know how to sense the Auras of others without being connected to them. And of course, no one tried connecting with a Grimm.

"Weiss… the Grimm are alive. They have Aura."

She started, and her expression of surprise became one of anger as she banged the table with her fist.

"That's preposterous!"

"Weiss, don't break the furniture, please. I can't pay for it," Jaune pleaded.

"Sorry," she said, before reverting to her angrier tone. "But that's just impossible! There's no way the Grimm possess Auras! All the research shows otherwise! Centuries of experience and battle… there's nothing to suggest anything of the sort-"

"All right, then, Weiss. Let me ask you a question. Would you say the Grimm are a threat to humanity?"

"Of course they are!"

"Now between a living, breathing creature, and some lifeless killing machine, which would you rather strike down without hesitation?"

"The lifeless, soulless killing machine, of course."

"Exactly. Don't you think the higher ups know this? Don't you think they figured out long ago, that it was far easier to raise warriors to fight an enemy they could wholeheartedly hate, without any regret or remorse? One they would never hold back against?"

Weiss could only stare at him in shock. Words escaped her; she had no answer to the horrible supposition he had just raised. But it was impossible! There was no way… no way that everything in her life was a lie.

"You're lying," she hissed.

Jaune's eyes were filled with such sorrow as he answered that even Weiss faltered in her anger.

"If only I were, Weiss. But I am not lying."

Weiss' protest faded away.

There was no way Jaune was faking it. And in any case, she did not believe he was the kind of person to lie about something like this.

"They… they're really alive? So… all this time… I've been killing living, breathing beings?"

She felt sick to her stomach, and had to resist the urge to throw up. The very thought of ending a life felt wrong.

Jaune's hand closed over her own.

"Yes, you have. And so have I. Do not feel sorry, Weiss. Living beings fight and kill to survive. That is the way of life. It is the way of nature. The Grimm are, for whatever reason, beings that prey on humans. And we defend ourselves against them. There is nothing wrong about that."

Weiss swallowed, looking desperately in his eyes. Even knowing that what he was saying made logical sense, she wasn't able to immediately accept it. It wasn't an easy realization to cope with.

Jaune tightened his grip on her hand.

"You have a kind heart. Master always said the sign of a true warrior is respect for life. You understand the value of what you're destroying. That is why, you will never fall to the darkness, Weiss. That heart is your strength. Embrace it, and stand firm. We are the light in the dark. Lives depend on us, and we cannot fail."

Weiss felt some measure of strength flow into her from those words, and felt herself calm down. Taking a few deep breaths, she was able to gain control over her thoughts.

"So if the Grimm really are living, then…"

"They are not some of foe that exists for the sole purpose of consuming humans. There is more to them, and that is what I seek to discover. It is necessary, in order to end this war for good. Understand, Weiss. You have been lied to. Men like Ozpin have been doing it for centuries. Perhaps even longer."

"How- how do you know all this?"

"About the Grimm? I can sense Auras. It's how I knew we were in danger in the forest. About Ozpin? Common sense and logical reasoning. The Hunters are his personal force. Don't be a sheep, Weiss. You're better than a mindless follower. Don't take my word for any of this, either. Verify it for yourself."

Weiss stared at him for a while.

"Why? Why reveal all this to me?"

"I would reveal it not only to you, but to everyone who has the strength and courage to fight for what's right. I'm sick and tired of good people being sent to die in a pointless war."

He looked around the diner, at the other patrons, at the Williams family behind the counter. Out the window, at the people outside.

"They will panic if I tell them. They're not ready yet. So, it is up to us to protect them. I wish there were more people I could trust with this secret. But I'm glad… I'm glad at least you won't be dying for someone who doesn't deserve your loyalty."

Weiss had no reply to that. She simply sat, weighed down heavily by the burden of what she had learnt. If everything Jaune had said was true… then almost everyone at Beacon was fighting for a lie. It meant the freedom and honour she had sought by becoming a Hunter… was just an illusion. There were really no words to describe how she felt. At least not yet.

"If it was all just false from the beginning… then what am I even worth?"

She had risked everything to come to Beacon. Her life. Her inheritance. Her bond with the only family member she cared about.

"You are worth exactly what you believe you are," said Jaune.

She looked up at his words.

"I've seen many people die. And I've seen many live and suffer. I am absolutely certain now: a life lived for someone else' approval is a life of slavery. Yes, Beacon is a lie, but you are free, Weiss. Free to choose the truth, and make your own truth: something you can believe in. Something you can fight for. Something you can live for."

He looked strangely emotional as he said that. It was like seeing both sides of him together. The side that was far too mature for a seventeen year old: the stoic warrior who had gained wisdom through hardship.

And also, the naive child that had set out four years ago to become strong. The boy who had believed in human virtue, and believed, even now, that there were amazing things in the world.

So, Weiss asked a question before she even knew what she was doing.

"And what about you, Jaune? What do you live for?"

He stiffened slightly, his words coming mechanically, as if they had been memorized by continuous repetition.

"The Shinken must protect the innocent, and destroy evil."

"Is… that all?"

This time it was Jaune who was lost for words.

Unable to find a satisfactory answer, he looked down.

"It's all I have. A responsibility I must fulfill. I chose it willingly."

"That sounds… so lonely."

Weiss understood a little finally, why Jaune was the way he was.

She felt even worse now for ignoring him earlier. It must hurt immensely to be hated and shunned by the very people you were fighting for. Yet, he had continued on.

She had been naive enough to think that was just because of the strength of his spirit.

She saw now that it was because he had never even allowed himself to think of another possibility. He had resigned himself to this destiny, which seemed to be bound to each successor of the martial art he had learnt.

Something about that seemed tragic to her. That he hadn't even allowed himself to consider a possible future where he might be happy for himself.

I refuse.

He isn't going to be alone.

Feeling stronger, she met his gaze.

"You should follow your own advice. You can't just live a life according to someone else' legacy. Even if it is one you chose freely. There has to be something you want for yourself. Something… that would make you happy."

"Something for myself, huh? If I could find something like that… yeah, that'd be nice."

Weiss wasn't sure why, but inside, she felt an incredibly strong urge.

If she were to put it into words, she'd say "I want to be that someone. A reason for you to be happy."

She shook her head. How was she even supposed to do something like that? Moreover, why would he even accept such an offer? She'd already seen first hand that his conviction wasn't weak. And who was to say he wouldn't find happiness himself, down the line?

After all, he had chosen to learn Hokuto Shinken. Surely succeeding at that was a source of joy to him. He was struggling now, as all warriors do, since he had tasks he hadn't completed yet. But who was to say he wouldn't find fulfilment and joy in being the protector he spoke of?

And… who was to say he wouldn't find someone else later on? Maybe settle down with them. Decide that he had fought enough for one lifetime.

For some reason, the thought of him doing that with someone else sent a painful feeling through her chest. Just the thought of it made her feel possessive. He had approached her. Not anyone else. They had connected. And she wouldn't let anyone get in between them.

They split the bill, and made their way outside. As they walked, Jaune noticed that she was more subdued. Her good mood from earlier in the afternoon had been ruined. He wondered if it was because she was still trying to deal with everything he had told her. He wouldn't be surprised. It was a lot to take in.

But, he didn't like seeing her like this.

She was an enigma to him, and he still didn't fully understand why she had chosen to stand with him, but he was at least sure now that she was real, that her decision wasn't just a passing thing.

He cared about her. Not quite in the same way he cared about the rest of her team, and his own, whom he all valued as human beings.

Weiss was… different.

Seeing her unhappy bothered him far more than he had expected.

Looking up, he saw that the sky had started to darken. The sun was already setting. In a few moments, evening had fallen as they made their way back towards Beacon.

It would be a shame to end the day on a bad note.

Jaune saw an ice cream vendor up ahead.

"You like vanilla? You seem like a vanilla sort of person."

"What sort of ridiculous stereotyping is that!" protested Weiss.

"So vanilla it is, then?"

"...Fine."

Grinning, he paid for two sticks and handed one over to Weiss, who just realized he had broken his earlier condition of being able to pay for one's own meal.

She was about to point this out, when Jaune brought it up himself, in the most unexpected way.

"These things are expensive, you know? You owe me one of these. So… next time we come here, you're buying me one."

The whole idea was so incredibly childish, she couldn't even come up with a suitable comeback.

But she didn't care.

What he had just said… mean that there would be a next time.

Once more, Jaune had tried being smooth, only to be caught out.

But, like the first time… it sort of worked for him. Weiss noted mentally that he'd be the only one she'd let get away with such elementary ways of showing off.

Smiling slightly, she nodded.

"Deal."

And so, they returned to Beacon.

For the first time in a while, the silver haired girl felt happy. Somehow… that uncrossable distance… had been bridged.

She opened the dorm room door and entered, but felt her good mood evaporate almost instantly when she saw Yang and Ruby both armed, looking serious.

"What's going on?"

"It's Blake," answered Yang. "She isn't back yet. And… I can't reach her on her scroll. Something's not right."

Immediately, Weiss flipped the switch in her mind that turned on all her faculties as a Huntress. They'd need to search and find her. And they'd have to set out… now.

Elsewhere…

A woman in full body armour carefully observed the activities going on in and around a particular warehouse from her vantage point on a nearby building.

Faunus in masks designed to resemble Grimm bone plates moved crates around, while others stood guard carrying weapons.

"Heh. Found you."

As she continued to observe, two more figures came into view, moving stealthily, approaching the place. One of them, a girl, wore a black and white outfit, and her bow seemed to twitch, almost as if it were… alive. Next to her, a boy with a golden tail walked.

"Well, well. Either Beacon's teaching espionage nowadays, or we have a couple of visitors who just decided to drop in of their own free will. Wonder if they have any idea what they've gotten themselves into."

Lily Arc smiled and spoke into her gauntlet's comm system.

"Proceeding with mission."