So, here I am with another hard as fuck two write chapter!

In it, is more character development for a select cast
Don't worry - Cardin's backstory expansion is almost over
There are a few more chapters remaining with some more
additional plot devices that're gonna be revealed for future references

Either way; enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY

Chapter 22: The Hope We Cling To

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?" Jaune asked. The silence that had fallen, lasted for what felt like centuries. "If the Brotherhood is as bad as the White Fang, this is some serious stuff, Cardin."

"I know!" He sighed, leaning his head onto the railing. "I…when my mother and brother were killed…I was lost. My dad shut down and House Winchester was starting to go down the drain. The respect in the council was waning and even worse, another House, the House Argent, was using this incident to have supporters among the other councilmen. They blamed Faunus, they blamed all of them. Even Dahlia, my mom's assistant and my future step-mom. Even your mom, Jaune."

"One of the Argents…Larissa Argent." Cardin took a moment, facing his friends. "She and I became friends because of the incident. She looked after me and even managed to convince me that the Faunus were all to blame for what happened to my brother and mother. She…she…gods…"

"So, this…Larissa Argent?" Yang raised a brow.

"Not now, Yang." Jaune rolled his eyes. "We'll just say that Larissa was a big part of your life, wasn't she?"

Cardin nodded his head. "Dove and Sky never seemed to like her; and in hindsight, I should have listened to them. She was a cruel woman, a staunch racist, and openly hated your House, Jaune."

"What a wonderful human being." Jaune scowled.

"Now do you see why I don't want Blake, or worse, Velvet to know?!" Cardin frowned, throwing his hands to his temples. "Ever since I looked into the future-past, Jaune, the memories I've worked so hard to repress have resurfaced. The things I've done years ago are starting to come back to haunt me. These dreams, Jaune, these damned dreams keep happening!"

"W-What exactly did you do?" Yang asked, sipping at her Strawberry Sunrise.

The boy's indigo eyes burned for a moment before he turned on his heels. "I almost killed a Faunus in cold blood…"

"W-What?" Yang's jaw dropped.

"My family was falling apart. And that isn't meant to be an excuse. It was just a fact of the matter. My mother and brother were taken from us so abruptly, there was no possible way we could even react without doing something drastic. My father was eased and found reconciliation with Dahlia. Me? I couldn't stand the sight of her – being a Faunus, being one of the ones who hurt my family – my stupidity created a rift between myself and my father."

"So, I ended up meeting Larissa at some Gala for nobles and those in the upper echelons of Valean society. I won't say it was a good thing, but it was something at least, compared to my father, losing himself and his courage. She talked to me and I opened up about what happened to my family. In time, she revealed to me, about a year after their deaths, the Brotherhood. They seemed like my kind of people and I won't lie, I kinda had a crush on the Argent at the time, so I decided to join…"

Cardin sighed once again, unable to look at the two blondes. "I made one of the stupidest mistakes of my life, that day; I let myself fall for a woman who cared little for anyone but herself and her House. I lost myself in doing so. During my initiation into the Brotherhood, there was a Faunus…I still remember her blood on my hands; the look on her face when I threw the first stone. She screamed, begged and cried out but…I didn't stop. The Brotherhood acolytes that followed us, joined in. They…they beat her into the ground, stripped her naked and just when I thought we were done, Larissa cut off her antlers and kept them as trophies to my ascension into the ranks of the Brotherhood."

"I can't forgive myself for what I did." Cardin growled. "Who knows where her family is. Who knows if she even managed to get home safely. I sure as hell don't. I don't know if she died behind the dumpster those bastards dropped her. I don't know if she'll ever recover from what Larissa did to her – I know I won't. This isn't a pity party, or some sob story."

"This is me telling you that I cannot, under good conscience, keep this up." Cardin sighed. "After all the shitty things I've done to their people – who am I to try and ignore that dark bit of my past. Who am I, to lie to their faces and keep this from them? I can't do it, Jaune, Yang. I cannot do it anymore. I'd be worse than trash, than scum. The Brotherhood mucks society, and I was the idiot who helped propel it. I joined anti-Faunus protests – at times, leading them! I broke up Faunus right's protests and even trashed Faunus businesses, under the protection of the Brotherhood…"

"I am the perfect example of the humans that the White Fang hate and target. I wouldn't be surprised if Blake was just playing nice because you decided to change history and make me good. I'm more than certain, the White Fang would have loved to get their hands on someone like me. Shit…I wouldn't even be surprised if there was some kind of hit placed on me. Please, Jaune, Yang…don't bother trying to help. There's no use. There's a reason I wanted to keep this secret. I'll tell them…when I'm ready…but for now, I have to keep my distance – at least until the dreams subside."

Slipping away, the boy pushed through the glass doors of the Lounge's balcony and disappeared within the room. Jaune took a deep breath, sighing into the hands cupping his face. Yang was frozen still in her seat, barely able to contemplate everything the Winchester had just said. He was no different than Blake it seemed – just different sides of the same coin. All it took for the two of them to realize their mistakes – someone close to their hearts in either organization showed them their true, dark intentions. The thought alone, made her sick to her stomach.

The pain he felt, the anger he felt – all directed at himself, wasn't healthy. A part of her wanted to get up and find him, speak to him and knock some sense into that thick skull of his but a stern gaze from her boyfriend stopped her in her tracks. Jaune shook his head and that was all there was to it. Releasing a powerful sigh, the blonde bombshell remained in her seat, lilac eyes staring at the starry night, sipping at what little drink she had remaining in her empty glass of what used to be a Strawberry Sunrise.

Unbeknownst to the pair of blondes, a pair of golden-amber eyes shut above them.

"Don't worry, mom. I'll be home soon. We were held up with more orders." A young woman smiled into her scroll. "Will you be making salad tonight?"

"Only the best Mistrali kind." Her mother responded with a giggle. "We'll see you later, love."

She sheathed her scroll into her pocket. Sighing softly, a soft aching was felt emanating from her medium sized antlers. Thick and dark brown, the beautiful antlers were the envy of her friends and neighbors. But someone called to her. Flipping around, she was met with darkness.

"Hey freak!"

Blue sighed to herself. Her hair falling around what remained of her antlers, hiding her face from sight. The night was long, with the myriad of stars glimmering over the beautiful megalopolis. Airships and Bullheads hovered over the sleeping city-state. It has been no more than a week since she'd woken up and the world seemed so different. No Adam Taurus, not even a sighting of her leader; no Roman Torchwick or even his little companion, Neopolitan. Their leaders were in disarray and the White Fang was under fire.

But we did nothing wrong. Blue thought to herself. We did what High Leader Sienna Khan would have done if she were in Adam's place!

It had been several days; no word from the High Leader herself, nor her council. Orders were scarce now that the attack on Vale failed so miserably. Blue was quiet, her thoughts swirling within her brain. So far, they'd managed to get a tiny handful of new recruits to join them in their crusade, but it wasn't enough. Thankfully, the government of Vacuo was as lenient to the White Fang as they were to bandits and mercenaries. She and her friends didn't have to worry so much about cloak and dagger as they did in Vale.

Her arm rose, resting on the armrest of her chair, leaning back into the seat. Blue eyes glowed softly in the night, reflecting the glimmering light of the shattered moon above. It was a cool night, colder than the nights previously, grasping her in ways Vale never could. She could say she used to hate Vacuo, with all the sand, the pretentious idea of freedom and the hideous pyramid/ziggurat looking school that Shade was. Now, she was getting used to it, slowly acclimating to the feel of the new city and the new land.

There were so many things about Vacuo that interested her, if not made her excited. From the ideals, they hold; how it even came to fruition, to their history of Faunus equality in Vacuo and even the Faunus Queen of Vacuo during the Great War. How such a place could even exist outside of Menagerie, surprised Blue endlessly. The structures, the sand, the streets, the delicious foods and even pita bread. The young doe Faunus eagerly did what she can to learn of the people she was staying with. Of course, it was with long talks and arguing with Perry and other White Fang operatives that brought her to this point.

She couldn't say she regretted it. Vale was a failure for the White Fang, almost as bad as it was for Atlas and Mantle. Solitas was a failed attempt, the worst one they had. The Brotherhood presence was too strong in the frozen continent to the north. Even the SDC, which claims endlessly, that it holds equality and proper work conditions to heart, every Faunus worth their salt knew the truth. The SDC was owned by a man who was so blatantly involved with the Brotherhood, one couldn't find enough lies to defend him.

Vale though; held an air of pretentious progressivism and preservation of individuality. While the Brotherhoods hold on the Kingdom was light compared to Atlas, there were enough in the upper echelons of Valean Society to make it a problem. No one knows what truly happened to her, but she and everyone could discern, the Brotherhood had a hand in hurting her. Only the Brotherhood would do something so cruel and unnecessary. Whomever it was, beat her senselessly, removed her antlers and even stripped her of her clothing and belongings and tossed her behind a dumpster. Next thing she knew, she woke up sore all over her body, no recollection of anything, in a rundown hospital in the Valean Projects.

Sadly, in her vague memories that had just begun to surface, the woman she called mom, she doesn't even know what she looks like. She doesn't even know where she might be at. Blue hadn't the slightest clue, but while she lost memory of one family, the White Fang came along and gave her a new one. Vale did little to help her with rehabilitation, did little to help the other Faunus that were suffering like she was – despite the several laws in place to protect and help her people. What Vale couldn't do; the White Fang did.

While they couldn't give her memories back, they gave her new ones. They showed her the true struggle of her people and there was no way she was going to ignore it again. What she was given, was a new perspective. Whatever life she had before this, meant nothing to her. As much as it hurt, to think there was a woman out there, her mother, heartbroken and worried sick about her wellbeing; she couldn't let her people struggle and suffer at the hands of humans like those in the Brotherhood – like the hypocrites of Vale. Especially now. The sacrifices they made, the friends and family they'd lost was something she couldn't forget now that some smidgen of a memory had surfaced. Faunus were dead; her people. Surely, whomever her mother is, she'd understand.

Rising from her seat, she entered her room, ignoring the roving airships and Bullheads hovering over Vacuo. Once inside, she shut the glass door and loosened the drapes and curtains, letting them fall where they may. Across the room, sleeping bags were strewn upon the floor where men and women of varying Faunus traits slept or rested. Some were on their scrolls, watching the latest game of Grifball while others were reading books. Stepping over them, she shuffled along, passing a few other Faunus talking at the dining table in the kitchen of the hotel room.

Reaching her destination, she swung the refrigerator open, revealing it stocked high with necessities. Looking in, she pulled out a plastic bowl, filled with greens and croutons, along with a Mistrali brand of apricot dressing and ranch. Drawing out a fork from one of the drawers, she plopped onto the counter, letting her legs dangle freely. Popping the lid off the bowl, she dug in, making sure the mix the salad so that the croutons and dressing could touch every bit. A properly mixed salad, was a proper dish. Taking her first bite, the woman smiled at the explosions of flavor that entered her mouth.

"Don't worry, mom." She smiled. "There's no need to make dinner. I got some myself. Wherever you are…I hope you're okay."

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Cardin roared within his mind. Why would I say all of that bullshit?! Now the friends I've made…they'll turn on me, I swear they will. Who knows how long the rest of my team will even view me as a leader?!

Fucking, idiot! The boy hissed to himself, swinging the door to the stairwell open. Look at what you've done, Cardin! You could have easily gone along, without anyone knowing about that. But here I am, spilling the beans like a hormonal over-dramatic teenager! What the fuck is wrong with me?!

Did I expect, hope, for some kind of acceptance speech? Did I want them to say 'oh, it's okay, Cardin! You're not a bloodthirsty racist!'? Did I want them to say the truth – to say that they want me gone? That they want me out of their sights? Because if that's what it is, then so fucking be it! I cannot stand being near Blake and Velvet anymore!

It hurts too much.

Oof!

"Sorry about that – oh, Blake?!" Cardin gasped. "I-I didn't –"

A hand reached out, gripping his muscle shirt collar. With a sudden strength, he didn't know the cat Faunus had, he was thrown into an empty training room. Bouncing about, they boy came to halt, when his back smashed against a deactivated training drone. Cardin was about to reach out to defend himself, but his arms were planted against the drone behind him, by two hands with monstrous vice-like grips. He couldn't believe his eyes. Blake looked like she was actually going to murder him. Her eyes were glowing in the dim lighting of the training room, but it did nothing to shield her bubbling fury.

"I heard everything, Cardin." She said through gritted teeth. "You were a Brotherhood member. You are the one who hurt Blue."

Pain erupted from his wrists. He swears she was drawing blood. "T-That's her name?"

A kick connected with his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. "No! She doesn't even know her name because of you and the Brotherhood!"

"Blake, please!" Cardin shouted, between coughs. "I didn't –!"

"Didn't what, Cardin?!" A pair of shadow clones appeared, gripping his wrists against the drone behind him. "Didn't mean to?! Because that makes everything better, doesn't it?!"

"Blake, please! You have to believe me!" Tears burned at the corner of his eyes. "What I did – I was lost, I needed direction!"

"So, brutalizing a Faunus, was finding direction?!" Blake backhanded the man. Lifting his face to meet hers, her once vibrant golden-amber eyes were now burning with fire. "You beat her into the ground, Cardin! You threw the first stone! You are just as much to blame as the acolytes that took her memories – You are as much to blame as Larissa Argent!"

Before he could respond, her hands wrapped around his throat. He couldn't fight back; his arms were pinned and his legs suddenly felt like a ton of weight had landed upon them. "To think, we were all fooled by your school bully act; your petty racist act. To think, we believed in you. You thought you could fool us – fool me?! No, Cardin…you're done. The world has no place for people like you!"

She began to shake his head, bashing his skull against the titanium drone. He couldn't breathe, soon enough, his vision began to darken. "You will never change, Cardin! You will never redeem yourself! For all that you've done to my people – die!"

"CARDIN!"

The pain of his wrists reached a tipping point. Color returned to his eyes, revealing, not a training room, but his own room. Blake was leaning against him, her hands wrapped around his wrists trying to pull with all her might. The blinding LED lights were on, washing out everything in sight. He was groggy and everything was ringing in his ears. But then it all clicked.

It was a dream.

Completely waking up at the sound of Jaune and Yang bursting into the room, Cardin finally realized just what was happening.

His own hands were wrapped around his throat.

"Goddamn it, Cardin!" Blake shouted, pulling at his arms. "What happened?! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Wait, Yang." Jaune reached out, putting a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"B-Blake?" The boy looked at her, red faced, sclera bloodshot. "W-What happened?"

"Shut up!" She hissed. "If you think you're being selfless; if you think you're doing us a favor by keeping the information of your involvement with the Brotherhood a secret, then you're just as stupid as Jaune is! Look what doing that has done to you! You were trying to kill yourself!"

Footsteps could be heard coming from the doorway. All the students had awoken at the sudden commotion, all of them barely awake but at attention.

"What you did was wrong – yes, but don't think for a second, that keeping it bottled up will make anything better!" Blake slapped him, leaving a burning handprint across his cheek. "If you forgot; I used to be a fucking terrorist! I used to be in the White Fang – the antithesis of the Brotherhood! The terrible things you've done – I've done too. The horrible things you've accomplished in the name of your organization – I've done too."

"But do you know how I got past it?!" She gripped his collar, pulling him from his bed. With all her power, she threw him to the floor. "I opened up to my friends! I let them know everything when it was all said and done. I've done shitty things to humans, Cardin – some deserved it, most did not. But you don't see me wallowing in depression, sinking deeper into a mental menagerie! You think none of us understand what it's like to hold that kind of darkness – you forget I have been there. I fought against the Brotherhood and you've fought against the White Fang."

"Wake up, Cardin." Blake knelt in front of him. "You cannot hide these kinds of things from us. We won't allow you to. From one former terrorist to another, stop looking back – go forward, you must keep moving on. Otherwise, you'll never change."

"But Blake…" Cardin fought against the tears. "It's so…so hard."

"Who said it'll be easy?" The Faunus smiled. "I'm still trying to move forward. It's not about how quickly you do it – it's about never stopping, never giving up. Even the smallest pebble can make the greatest ripple, Cardin."

"Alright, guys." Jaune could be heard. "Break it up, let's all go back to sleep! We'll talk about this tomorrow."

"Blake, wait." Cardin reached out, grabbing her wrist.

"What is it, Cardin?"

"I'm sorry."

"For?"

"Hurting Blue." He frowned to himself. "I don't have an excuse for why I did…but I'm sorry."

"I cannot believe him." Tanager sighed, resting his forehead against his palm. "Throwing the accomplishments of his children around like some kind of banner. And the other minor houses agreeing with the childish display? It's insulting."

"Our children have proven their worth against both Grimm and terrorist organizations." Claude shook his head, taking a quick sip of his whiskey. "Damn whatever Argent says – it's either to belittle our wives or propel his hapless children forward in the eyes of the Council. You needn't get so worked up over his antics, Tanager."

"I know." He quickly downed his shot of tequila before slamming the glass into the bar table. "I just…I don't know how much more of this nonsense I can take. First the outright disrespect to Lord Ghira Belladonna for so many years – then the immediate alienation and branding of the White Fang once he stepped down? Now, it's nothing but words and hot air blasting from that gullet of his. Don't get me started on that harlot he calls a wife."

"Tan…" Claude warned. "The House Argent has many eyes and ears across Vale – this Bar, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some watching and listening in on us at this very moment. Don't be so crass, my old friend. It has always been your weakness. No wonder Lord Ghira found you a little annoying."

"Hehe." Tanager chuckled. "The old panther may out speak me in both words and articulation, but he cannot outdrink me, and I'm certain, even without my trusty sword and shield, the panther still can't beat me in a fight."

"But at a debate, you'll be left shocked and gaping like a fish out of water." Claude bellowed with a laugh. "A man of his stature – an advocate for peace, fighting would be his last resort. Even then, I doubt he would let that resort go to waste. After all, it is still something he is willing to do if need be. Don't second guess His Grace just yet. The old panther may surprise us, in the future."

"I wonder how he's doing." Tanager took a drink. "Did he have any children?"

"Not that I know of." Claude shook his head. "He must have some children. Have you seen Kali?"

"Oh yes." Tan nodded his head in agreement. "There can be no way he doesn't have children."

"Cheers to that." The two men clinked their glasses. "She was a beautiful woman and sharp witted – sure she and Marie didn't get along well though. Marie was too…"

"Aggressive?"

"Progressive." Claude raised a brow. "Yeah…progressive."

"Fair enough." Tanager laughed. But the laughter quickly died down, his indigo eyes trailed down to his swirling drink. "Ainsley…she…she would be disappointed in me, wouldn't she, Claude?"

Looking up, the blond man eyed the Winchester beside him. "How so?"

"Cardin…" The man took a deep breath. "I lost him, after Ainsley and Marshall died. He distanced himself and while Dahlia watched after me, cared for me and soon enough, we fell in love – I know, in hindsight, that I've neglected the last gift Ainsley left for me – my last son. Claude, do you think he'll ever forgive me?"

"He would." The Arc took a moment. "He would forgive you, if there was something to forgive you for. You did the best you could in that situation – I honestly reacted the same way. When Adrienne died, Marie was the one to step in and help when I shut down. She helped me raise six friggen children without asking anything else in return. Six, Tan. Cardin is a smart boy – sure he holds darkness in him, but I know that my son will force it out of him."

"It's been five years, Tan." Claude smiled. "For me, it's been seventeen. A time will come, when you decide to tell yourself, enough is enough. Stop wallowing in your depression and start looking forward. You're alive; you're breathing and you're happy. Well…as happy as anyone can get with people like Alexios and Evanthe Argent breathing down their necks can get. For once, old friend, let's drink like we did before the politics."

"Graduation night?" Tanager smirked.

"You bet." Claude bellowed, throwing down a handful of Lien. "Thankfully, no underclassmen like Qrow won't come along and ruin it for us."

Go forward, you must keep moving on.

Cardin repeated the saying in his head. Washing his face, the boy stared into his reflection. Scars decorated his chest and back, remnants of battles against both Grimm and Faunus who defended themselves. The deeper ones came from his own Brotherhood comrades that wanted to teach him a lesson about mercy. Indigo eyes trailed up, meeting at the precipice of the reflection, seeing nothing but disgust and anguish.

Go forward, you must keep moving on.

Clenching his fists, the boy shoved his fist into the mirror, shattering it into a million pieces. Gritting his teeth, he couldn't believe how far he'd descended. He couldn't even begin to imagine how close he was to completely losing himself, fully immersed in the glorious lie that the Brotherhood was. He could see their faces, their stupid masks, their stupid symbols and their stupid salute. Cardin could hear the Grandmaster yelling and spitting out his hateful rhetoric at meetings where they burned Faunus effigies. Their over-zealous cheers and rage.

Go forward, you must keep moving on.

But just as the voices and the anger grew, someone else's voice grew. It was Jaune's. He could remember everything the King had told him thus far. Every word and every encouraging statement – even the words that hurt him the most. Margaux and Blair – do they mean nothing to you?! He felt sick to his stomach but fought it. He fought back against the guilt and the pain with all his strength.

Say whatever you need to hear to see yourself become the man you want to see staring back at you in the mirror.

"Alright, Jauney-boy." Cardin smirked. Wiping his face completely dry, his eyes burned with an intense passion. "Go forward, you must keep moving on. You hear that, Cardin?! Go forward, you must keep moving on! NO holding back! NO whining! NO holding on to the past! Enough is enough, gods-damn it! You heard Blake! You're not alone in this."

"What would Marshall do, Cardin?" He asked himself, smile growing. "That's right. Marshall would laugh, make dumb jokes about the situation and work out. Marshall wouldn't let this hold him down – in fact, he'd relish in the stress. It made his responses quicker, more efficient and in the end…give him more fuel to make more dumb jokes. Laugh, love and live. That's how my brother worked until the end. If he can…I can too. This shit with the Brotherhood is over – it's in the past…go forward, you must keep moving on."

Tossing his towel away, he was wearing nothing but his boxers, baring every scar his bulked body had to reveal. Stretching his arms and back, bones popped and stressed muscles finally decided to loosen. Today was going to be a good day – he could feel it. It had been the first night without nightmares or even a dream of some sort. Sure, waking up was a sore endeavor, the shower thoughts slowly descending to paranoia; today, was definitely going to be a good day. Walking along, wet feet splashed and stuck to the wooden floorboards beneath him. Going through his morning calisthenics, he completely disregarded his open doorway.

He didn't even notice the red-faced bunny scurrying away.

"What's wrong with you, Velv?" Coco nudged the bunny.

Yang giggled. "It almost like she saw Cardin naked or something."

Velvet's face only seemed to grow a deeper shade of crimson. Yang's brows rose into her forehead – even Pyrrha was surprised. "Gods, she really did."

"He was in his boxers, okay!" Velvet quickly added. "Sun wanted me to find him – he wanted to ask him to duel…but when I got to Cardin's room – the door was open and…and…"

Her ears bent low, trying to cover her embarrassed blush. Both Coco, Yang, Nora and Dew burst into laughter, all four finding the situation beyond hysterical. As common knowledge as Pyrrha's crush for Jaune, the two lovebirds were beating around the bush for so long, the tension was starting to grow thick. Dew even made bets with a few of the soldiers and huntsmen and huntresses actually invested enough in the relationships, on who would jump who first and confess. She had eighty-nine Lien and growing on Velvet. Dew always did say, it was the quiet, shy ones that everyone should watch out for.

"I'm sure it's fine, Velvet." Pyrrha reached forward, giving the Faunus a reassuring smile. "He didn't notice and you didn't peek –"

"That's where you're wrong, Pyrrha." The girl blushed deeper, tilting her head in shame. "I watched him to push-ups for almost five minutes…"

Needless to say, Yang, Coco and Dew fell from their seats, crashing on the floor with laughing fits. Nora spit out her pancakes, just to cackle like a madwoman. Pyrrha, couldn't believe her ears – Velvet, the traditionalist, extremely shy and adorable rabbit Faunus of Beacon…was peeking on another student who was in nothing but boxers, doing calisthenics in his room, from his doorway. The laughing grew worse, much to Velvet's annoyance, but the girl simply sighed in defeat. There was no winning with girls like the four laughing maniacs.

"So, Velvet." Weiss piped, trying her best not to roll her eyes at the laughing women. "When are you going to ask him out? He'd say yes, you know."

"I-I…" She frowned. "I don't know…I wouldn't be too sure…"

"I mean…" The ice queen sighed. "You deserve happiness. I've seen the way you two are around each other."

"Agreed. Besides, he and Jaune are the same in that, they're both incredibly reckless. What he needs is a Faunus to keep him in line." Blake winked at her fellow Faunus. "We have a way with these boys that shuts them up and makes them into putty."

"But Blake…" She looked at her with her chocolate eyes growing wide. "I don't have your figure or your confidence. I'm like a walking stick with nice legs."

"Oh, stop it, Velv." Yang punched her shoulder lightly. "If Cardin cared about physical endowment, he wouldn't have bothered to flirt with you this long. N-Not saying you don't have respectable assets!"

"Quality save, firecracker." Coco rolled her eyes with a smirk.

"I'm just saying…sometimes, it's not about the looks." Yang nodded her head. "I mean, looks play a good part – just, having confidence and hope will take you the farthest. Don't take it too far to where you seem like a stuck up, over confident cunt. Ease off the terror and skittish tendencies. Cardin doesn't seem like the kind of guy to like that kind of attitude."

"What're you girls talking about? I kinda heard my name. Made me nervous."

All heads snapped around to see the boy in question, wearing his body glove without the pieces of armor. It accentuated his broad shoulders and broad chest, creasing against his well-defined abdominals, that were larger than Sun's lean abs. While sun looked like his was chiseled, Cardin's looked like someone opened his skin and stuffed stones into it before sewing it shut. He was very built – the guy could probably tank shots from Ember Celica before actually feeling pain.

"Y'know, Cardin." Coco lowered her shades, chocolate eyes scanning his body. "If Velvet here wasn't so in love with you, I'd give you a shot, hunk."

Yang and Nora fell from their seats, bellowing guffaw, while holding their sides. Nebula and Dew were slamming the tabletop, giggling up storms. Velvet almost fainted and Cardin beat a hasty retreat.

It was almost too easy, sometimes.

Haha!

Oops!

Gotcha!

Nice try!

C'mon buddy, you can do better!

Speed up!

Better luck, next time!

Cardin laid in defeat. Sweat poured off his brow and pooled around his head. His arms were spread wide, with his legs extended as well. Every bone, every muscle was in pain. Every inch of skin was probably bruised. Steam billowed off his body, hissing with every attempt he tried to move. Resigning to his defeat, the boy laid there, eyes slowly shutting. Echoes of voices calling out to him were slowly drowning out. Men, women, soldiers and officers, cheered him on and his opponent. But he couldn't move.

Everything screamed at him to just lay there; to accept defeat and move on. His knees were shot, completely unresponsive. His shoulders felt completely weighed down by his pauldrons. Worse yet; he'd lost his mace, yet again. He was weaponless and defenseless. It seemed that everything he did only seemed to dig his hole deeper and deeper until all he could see was the faint light. All he had to do now, was yell out that he surrendered.

But he could not do it.

In front of him, his opponent walked around, showboating to the crowd, garnering thunderous applause from those gathered to witness the duel. Turning his head over, he could see his team shouting for him to get up. He could faintly hear Pyrrha and Blake cheering him on. His breath caught in his throat, Jaune could be seen standing from his high seat, shooting his arms up and down, trying to get his attention. The blond was yelling, booming even, telling him to get his stupid ass up and fight. Cardin could barely hear over the commotion that his opponent was raising.

Slightly delirious and head knocked a few times, his eyes shaded over, gazing upon the face of Velvet Scarlatina, jumping in the crowds. She wasn't sitting, nor was she timid. She cupped her hands around her mouth, roaring like a lion, shouting at him to get up. Cardin, definitely couldn't believe his eyes. Focusing only on her, everything else went quiet. Slowly, he was able to read her lips. Get the fuck up, Cardin! Or did she say, I will fuck you up, Cardin!

Hissing, energy exploded within his core. Flipping around, he shot to his feet, eliciting the most deafening roar from the gathered crowd. His indigo eyes locked with Velvet's chocolate brown, taking in the full force of her emotions. She was proud of him. Cardin's words choked in his throat, coming out as a cough. Shaking his head; now wasn't a time for words anyway. He was in the middle of a spar.

In front of him, his opponent swung his bo-staff around with a cocky smirk that seemed too familiar to Cardin. "Hey, buddy. You ready for the beatdown of a lifetime?"

"Are you, Sun?" Cardin responded with the same smirk. Reach out his hand, Sun's tail tossed his great mace.

"Aw, cute." The boy disconnected his bo-staff, turning the weapon into nunchaku.

"Kick his ass, Sun!" Doré could be heard practically screaming over the crowds.

Much to his surprise, Cardin could have sworn he heard Velvet hiss. "Kick his arse, Cardin!"

"Alright!" Jaune's voice began to silence the gathered huntresses and huntsmen. Soldiers and officers silenced as the King himself rose from his seat with a raised gauntlet. "Cardin! Sun! Prepare for the final bout! This will decide who's the better fighter!"

"You'd better not lose, Cardin!" Velvet squealed with anger. Her fist launched into the air, rippling the air with aura. "I swear to the gods, I'll kick your arse!"

"Don't disappoint me, Sun!" Doré roared with equal, if not greater, anger.

"Begin!"

The two boys rushed at each other, aura blasting off their wakes. Cardin brought his knee up, bashing the poleyn against Sun's spinning Ruyi Bang. As if expecting it, the Faunus swung Jingu around, smashing the nunchaku into his temple, breaking his stance. He fell away, stumbling from the impact. Quickly turning the tables, Sun charged at the Winchester, shoving the collapsed Ruyi Bang into Cardin's unprotected chest, launching him a few feet away.

Cardin bounced against the floor, steam forming off the impact marks. Scowling at his plan, he rose to his feet once more, gazing upon his monkey opponent. The boy twirled his nunchaku with masterful grace, strangely enough; he avoided using his semblance. It was almost as if the Faunus wasn't taking him seriously. Then again, there was very little that Sun took seriously – probably a side-effect of being a monkey.

Dodging a few quick strikes and swipes, Cardin launched his mace forward, energy building off the Crimson Dust crystal embedded in the center of the mace head. Channeling his semblance into the mace, the crystal grew agitated within the very same second. The explosion rocked the battlefield, sending Sun flying away. The monkey flipped mid-air, sending a few shots from Ruyi and Jingu Bang. Shotgun blasts were hard to block, so Cardin simply dodged, weaving between the shots, letting his aura take the hits. Narrowing his indigo eyes, his mind wandered.

Sun was an acrobatic, overly confident, showboating asshole. Cardin had to admit, he had the skills to back up his stupid antics. But there was something that was bothering the boy; there was just something about Sun that reminded him of someone. The way he moved, the stupid smirk indefinitely spread across his equally stupid face. His speed was almost too much for the heavy hitter to keep up with, further frustrating him in the spar. Every move Cardin made, every attempt, every goddamned step, Sun would come up with a counter and bash him back.

The entire fight thus far, has been the physical manifestation of a broken record. Make a move; get beaten back. Defend; get beaten back. Attack; get beaten back. Clenching his fists, he wrapped his hands tightly around his weapon. Eyeing his opponent, Sun had connected his nunchaku, telling Cardin that he'd better have a better plan. When the monkey brought out his staff, he was serious. But, he left a serious disadvantage.

Cardin paced around Sun, keeping his spars with Sky in mind. While Sky was nowhere near as skilled as Sun was – no offense – the two had similar weapons in that they were both polearms. If he could simply break Sun's balance, he felt he could truly strike the monkey down with a good hit. Whipping his head up to the giant screen hanging over the arena, Sun's aura was halfway while his own was getting dangerously close to the red. One good hit, one good explosion, would break Sun and knock him out of the fight for good.

Yeah. Cardin thought to himself. That's a good plan.

Sun charged forward, a pair of light clones at his sides. But instead of a staff, the two clones each had one nunchaku, spinning like helicopter blades. The first collided with Cardin's mace, exploding in a flash of light, partially blinding the Winchester. Spinning around, trying to shield his eyes, the second came along, slamming its nunchaku into his spine, before it too exploded in yellow light. Before he could even get up, a sturdy bludgeon smashed into his back.

The monkey pushed his weight into his staff, shifting his weapon to point the gun barrels into Cardin's spine. He danced around the pole before slamming his feet into the floor behind the ginger. Collapsing his staff, he clasped his weapon together almost making it look like a baseball bat. Cackling like a madman, he swung with all his might, building aura into the head of the bat before swinging.

And it's out of the park!

Five years ago…

"And it's out of the park!" A man shot his fist into the air. "The crowd goes wild!"

"Ugh…" A boy groaned, wincing at the pain in his back. "Could go any tougher on me?"

"Please, Cardin." The man chuckled. "Maybe, you should give up trying to use a greatsword and use a mace, like me."

"Why the hell would I want to use something as bulky as that, Marshall?" Cardin frowned. "I thought huntsmen were supposed to be nimble and quick."

"Well I kicked your ass quick?" Marshall's indigo eyes glimmered with a playful glint. "One day, little brother, you'll beat me."

"You think so?" Cardin asked with hopeful eyes, lowering his greatsword.

The man in front of him, swung his mace forward, bashing the top against his armored chest. Cardin spun mid-air, colliding with a tree. Leaves and bird shit fell upon his head of ginger hair. Marshall, bellowed a powerful laugh, causing birds to flee into the sky. "Haha! Hell no, kiddo."

"Marshall!" The young Cardin growled. "I'll kick your ass!"

"You'll have to catch me first, little bro!"

The arena was silent.

Sun backed away, sheathing his weapon.

Cardin was glowing.

At first, Sun thought his aura was beginning to fizz out. That thought was thrown out the proverbial window when his entire body started glowing orange. Cardin was hunched over, his back to everyone, but his power was bared for all to see. Rising to his feet, the orange energy bubbled within his armor and skin, rippling around like light dancing upon water. Spinning on his feet, the boy twirled his mace with strength renewed and growing.

"Surprise, Sun!" Cardin roared.

Bringing his mace back, the head glowed with the same orange light. He swung with all his might, igniting the agitated Dust crystal embedded at the head of his weapon. Dust mixed with his explosion based semblance, the floor ripped open, sending heat, shockwaves and fire towards the unsuspecting monkey Faunus. He flew away, flipping through the air, pocket chain and open dress shirt waving in the speeding winds.

Back flipping, he landed on his feet. Jumping back once more, Cardin had somehow managed to close the distance, remarkably fast, scaring the monkey enough. Sun jumped away, back-flipping again, trying to create a pocket of space between himself and his opponent. But the armored boy wouldn't let the fight be decided so easily. Sun spun on his heels, dodging wide swings from Cardin's godly mace, ducking and weaving between each swipe and swing.

While the monkey would plan on wearing Cardin out using his superior agility and acrobatics, the boy in question looked absolutely rejuvenated. Even worse, his aura was replenishing at an impossibly fast rate, it was almost inhuman. Whatever this was, it wasn't normal. Ducking another quick strike, Sun fell back on quick thinking to get out of the situation.

There was only going to be one victor in this fight.

"Damn…"

"Yup…"

"Still sore?"

"Yup."

"You surprised me."

"That makes two of us."

"…you did incredible, Cardin." Sun nodded his head. His blue eyes locked with Cardin's indigo. "That was impressive and honestly, a little scary. I've never seen aura replenish that quickly."

"Neither have I!" Carin laughed. "I don't know what triggered it, but something caused it to happen."

"I –"

A cough sounded behind them. "If you two lovers are done with the pillow talk, I'd like to steal the monkey for a few moments – he did disappoint me."

"W-Wait…" Sun was grabbed from his chair by the collar of his shirt. "Cardin, please! Save me!"

"You're on your own, buddy boy!" Cardin raised a glass of water to his fleeting silhouette. Sun's seat was suddenly taken by a black-haired beauty with cat ears and golden-amber eyes.

"You and Sun are particularly close after that fight…" Blake gave him a smirk.

Rolling his eyes, Cardin took another sip of his water. "I'm getting jokes from Yang, Coco and Doré, please, Blake – not you too."

She quickly raised her hands in defense. "I swear, no jokes from me. But…there's something in your demeanor, that changed mid-fight. What was it?"

"Do you wanna know?"

Blake deadpanned. "I did ask."

"His attitude reminded me of someone." The boy began. "Someone very close to me. He had the same stupid attitude; stupid smirk and most of all, stupid overbearing confidence and lack of respect for other's personal space. He belittles people he fights, but in a joking, non-condescending kind of way. It's a game to him. Everything, every fight, every action – it's a game. Life's just fun for him."

"Are you gay for Sun, Cardin?" Blake raised a brow.

"No!" The boy laughed, easing the mood. "Sun…he just…remove the blond and give him burnt-orange hair, throw a body glove on him and slap my family's armor over…"

"It's like…it's like banter with my brother again…how did I not see this before…?"

Now, you may be asking, why did I choose Sun?
Well when I was imagining the Winchester Family, I imagined his brother
to be the exact opposite of Cardin - carefree, kind and a complete comedic doofus
And also kind of an overconfident douche muffin
(Like a monkey!)

Now, some of you may ask, why does Cardin's dream know the name of Blue, even thought Blake
NEVER ONCE mentioned Blue in conversation - that'll be brought up in future chapters
and addressed accordingly
Do not worry, my friends and dear readers - I know

Also, tensions rise in the Valean Council between House Arc and House Argent
Finna turn into the War of Five Kings soon enough bruh lmfao
I'm kidding - that's going too far, even for me - I have something more devastating in mind
That is, if I don't change it out D:

Anyway

Please Review, Follow and Favorite!

Ja ne!

gottahavekyuubi