Replies to my Reviewers

To Guest: First off, it was the tree next of Jaune's, not his actual , I needed a way to introduce Jaune to Blake without actually talking to each other, since there is currently zero correlation between Jaune and Blake, especially since Blake, being incredibly antisocial and fresh off away from the White Fang, wouldn't really reach out to Jaune out of nowhere. Plus the Ruby-Weiss-Blake encounter still happened offscreen. Jaune arrived soon after Blake. For the Fairy Tail part, read through the first flashback, you'll see someone familiar.

Chapter 03: First Steps

"Stop it already!" A cry rang out through the park in the morning, originating from a group of kids in one corner. They were six of them, three of them facing against two others, who were in turn, defending a blond kid with a monkey tail. "Enough of that already, Cardin." said one of the defensive kids, stepping forward. "Can't you see he's crying?" "I see that. What I don't see is the part where you think I care."

"Easy, Alice." said Jaune, as he calmed his friend, who looked ready to rile herself up again. They had been passing through the park on their way from an errand, only to find Cardin and hiss goons terrorizing a monkey faunus their age. Jaune and Alice wasted no time in attacking Cardin's goons and saving the victim.

"Keh. You got a lotta guts, trying to take on Cardin-" Goon #01 was cut off mid-sentence as a stone impacted his shoulder. Everyone turned to the culprit, Cardin's group taking a step back as Alice readied more pebbles in her hand. "Better take a hike, Cardin. I'm not afraid to bury these right in your skull if you cant take a hint." Goon #02 whimpered and ran away, but Cardin stepped forward, small bangs erupting from his outstretched hand. "You think I'm afraid of any of you? A little girl who's spent more time in the hospital than out; a girly boy with too many sisters; or a stinking faunus who's polluting my air just by being in sight?"

"I wonder what your Mom would say on that." Said Jaune testily. Cardin's look could have melted rock. "Don't talk about my mother so freely, Jauney boy. You'll regret it." The bangs from his hand increased in frequency.

"That's too bad. Because I'm saying it how I'm seeing it. Mrs. Winchester would be ashamed of and pissed at you. The White Fang may have killed your Mom, but we both know this guy wasn't anywhere near there. You're just being a foolish mongrel for blaming a whole race for what a group of maniacs did."

Cardin stood there silently for some seconds then with a roar, blasted an explosion half his size, out of his hand towards his right side. Everyone present flinched, before Cardin looked Jaune and stated "Your legs are shaking." He then turned around and proceeded to stalk out of the park.

Jaune shook on the spot before sliding down to his knees trying to hold back his tears and shaking.

Alice threw her stones away in relief, then tackled Jaune in squealing joy. "Kyaaaaaa! You were so amazing! I don't what's between you two, you managed to make Cardin go away by talking to him! That so awesome!"

"Y-Yeah. Thanks for saving me." Jaune turned to regard the rescuee. He was Jaune's height, with blonde hair, blue eyes and tanned skin. "You're welcome. I'm Jaune. This is Alice."

"Alice Snowlander at your service." Alice introduced herself with a self-assured grin, showing way more energy than what you would expect a 'perpetually sick' girl to have. "I'm gonna travel the world someday, even the Grimmlands. And this is Jaune, my husband."

"HER FRIEND!" Jaune cut in with a blush. "Forgive her, she's coprecious, I think."

"Its precocious, and you are my husband. I'm just claiming you early before anyone else does." Alice retorted with zero remorse.

"Excuse her please. What's your name?" The faunus stared at the odd couple that had just made their acquaintances and then, burst out laughing. After calming down a bit, he replied with a wide smile on his face. "I'm Sun. Sun Wukong."

Jaune woke from the dream. He could hear the rambling of a rather hyperactive girl nearby. He turned to the source and saw a girl talking and moving with energy a normal teenager shouldn't have so early in the morning. Next to her was a boy who, despite his steady movement, had the laziest expression he had ever seen in his life.

Considering the time, Jaune got up, packed his sleeping bag and headed for the bathroom to get ready for Initiation. After taking a bath and freshening up, He took a look in the mirror and approved of what he saw.

Pumpkin Pete hoodie, Check.

Armor, Check.

Boots with 'Right' and 'Left' marked on them, Check.

Golden key with Zodiac symbol hanged from his neck, Check.

Cardin overlooking him with a full head in height, chec- wait what?

Jaune flinched from the mirror, ditching the reflection to gawk at the real form of Cardin Winchester.

Cardin Winchester was a very tall guy with dark orange hair and indigo eyes. He was also decked in armor like Jaune but while Jaune's white armor was designed for someone who prioritized mobility, Cardin's silver-gray armor clearly prioritized sturdiness. Jaune was a guy who didn't want to be hit, while Cardin was a guy who didn't want to be moved when hit.

"Move, Jauney. You're blocking my view."

"Don't call me that. What are you doing here?"

"That's my question. A loser like you who only started training a year ago shouldn't even be here." Cardin checked himself while Jaune silently fumed, then suddenly threw a blackened fist at Jaune, who blocked with haki-hardened crossed arms and skidded a few inches back.

"W-w-what? How do you have haki?!" Jaune stared at Cardin's fist as the 'black steel' reverted back to creamy skin.

"I'm insulted that you consider me to be below you of all people. Besides, if you couldn't defend yourself from something like that, there's no way you belong here." Cardin walked to the door and after stepping out left a last message. "So drop out while you still can... faker."

The door closed as Jaune's insults filled the bathroom.

"Nora" The lazy boy from earlier aid as his guns disappeared into his sleeves. "I don't think sloths make a lot of noise. Plus if they did, I have no idea what it is."

Nora thought a bit. "That's... perfect! If its not well known, we can create new ones. Ren, I'll create a new sound. It will be like however we want it to be and-" She stopped as Ren gestured for her to follow.

"Come on, Nora. We can't create secret passwords where everyone else can hear them." Ren said on the way out as he and Nora passed Ruby and her sister.

"...mean that milk isn't enough to grow up, Yang. You drank a lot when you were younger than me and got those!" Ruby said, gesturing to Yang's chest.

"I can't believe you think milk was enough to get these babies," Yang replied, groping her own chest. "Besides, you're dodging the question. Why aren't you considering joining a team that wouldn't have me in it? You have to accept that you have to talk and socialize with others since our teams are being chosen today."

"But I have you, don't I? Wait, dear sister Yang, are you trying to imply you don't want me on your team?"

"No no no" Yang quickly backpedaled. "I'm just thinking you need... to... break out of your shell a bit.."

"You really think I need to 'break out of my shell'! That's so-"

"-unbelievable! That bastard really pisses me off." Jaune said as he passed by the arguing sisters. "Now then, Locker 636, where are you?"

Jaune looked around and found it next to a pair of girls. One of them was a ponytailed redhead in a spartan type armor and gear, and the other was the snowette from yesterday, who complimented him. She was dressed in all white apparel, which faded to pale blue at the edges, red-lined and had a giant snowflake symbol on her back. She had just mentioned "that great!" in her conversation with Ponytail Girl when Jaune stepped close.

"Hi there, Snow Angel. How are you this lovely morning? Happy enough to form a team with me?"

"You've got to be kidding me." Snow Angel said, placing her face into her hands.

"Actually," interrupted Ponytail Girl, who seemed strangely pleased to be ignored. "I think the teams are going to be composed of four students each."

"Thanks for the info, Gorgeous. There's space on Team Jaune for nice, pretty girls like you." said Jaune to Ponytail Girl who seemed to be considering it.

"Hold on." Snow Angel stepped between them. "Jaune, was it? Do you have any idea who you are talking to?"

"Not in the slightest, Snow Angel." Jaune replied.

"This is Pyrrha." Snow Angel said in exasperation

"Hello!" greeted Pyrrha.

"Pyrrha graduated top of her class at Sanctum!" explained Snow Angel.

"Never been there." replied Jaune.

"She's won the Mistral Region Tournaments four years in a row! A new record!" Snow Angel went on.

"The what? I just concentrated on the Valean contests." said Jaune.

"She's on the front of every Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes box!" screamed Snow Angel as she lost patience.

"That's you!?" gasped Jaune. " But they only do that for star athletes and cartoon characters!"

"Yeah, it was pretty cool..." said Pyrrha. "Sadly, the cereal isn't very good for you." Her face took on a slightly sick look. "Too much sugar... So many boxes... so much taste-testing..."

"Well, after learning all that," Snow Angel putting up a better-than-thou look. "Do you think you are in a position to ask her to be in your team?

"That depends on her. " Jaune said stepping around Snow Angel to speak to Pyrrha directly. "Pyrrha, a champion I didn't know of till five minutes ago, would like a team Jaune spot?" He completed with an exaggerated bow.

Pyrrha giggled and curtsied exaggeratedly as well. "I'd be honored to be on a team with Lady Weiss and Sir Jaune."

'Weiss. I got Snow Angel's name now.' Jaune smiled in triumph.

An announcement played on the intercom system. Professor Goodwitch's voice was heard. "Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."

"Well then." Jaune said as he stood up straight as his forgotten nervousness came back with a rage. "Lets go."

Soon, They had all gathered at the Beacon Cliff, overlooking a forest, where several students are standing on silver tiles in front of a mug-holding Professor Ozpin and Glynda with her tablet.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin said to the students.

Goodwitch continued. "Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams.' Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today."

"What? Ohhh..." Ruby said to herself, very nervous.

'I guess Pyrrha was right. This is a school after all.' Jaune deadpanned. ' Teachers choose the partners and the students suck it up and deal with it.'

Ozpin further explains. "These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."

Ruby groaned.

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." Ozpin revealed.

Jaune would have sworn that he heard something shatter in Ruby as she squeaked "Whaaaat!?" That or Neo was somewhere around... Jaune took a look around to make sure it wasn't the latter.

A small distance from him, Nora said to Ren. "See? I told you-!"

Ozpin resumed the explanation. "After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die."

Jaune laughed nervously and then gulps loudly. This was sounding way to similar to what Bianca and his other Huntress sisters had hammered into him. To become a Huntsman was to accept the heightened chance of a violent death.

"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

"Yeah, um, sir?" Jaune raised his hand.

"Good! Now, take your positions." Ozpin ignored Jaune. 'Wait, what?' He's ignoring me!?'

Everyone struck a pose on their tile. Nora crouched low, Ren wielded his weapons, Yang raised her fists, Ruby readied her body, and Jaune was still raising his hand.

"Uh, sir? I've got, um... a question." Jaune said, looking aside at the others again with rising alarm, as the tile under Weiss rose up into a springboard, rocketing her into the air and over the forest, as the platforms activated down the line. "So, this landing... strategy thing... Uh, wha-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?"

"No. You will be falling." Ozpin explained.

Jaune again looked at the other students being launched. "Oh, uh, I see... So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?" he asked.

"No. You will be using your own landing strategy." Ozpin clarified.

Jaune cast a final, frantic look as an excited Nora and Ren got launched. "Uh-huh… Yeah."

At her turn, Yang winked at her younger sister, put on a pair of aviators, and flew off with a "Woo-hoooooooo!" a second before Ruby joined her.

"So, what exactly is a landing strategeeeee…" Jaune was interrupted by suddenly being launched into the Emerald Forest.

Ozpin, for his part, simply took a sip of his drink. "A Landing Strategy, Mr. Arc, is simply surviving a fall from a ridiculous height without suffering from it."

Jaune barely noticed his classmates employing their own separate landing strategies and focused on the fact that the ground was coming up too fast. Raising Crocea Mors, Jaune positioned his shield in front of him and adjusted his body appropriately.

"[Armament: Hardening.]"

The white kite shield with the golden Arc Emblem promptly turned shiny black in color and smashed through the trees as he descended, the constant crashing slowing him down till he crashed into a particularly thick one.

"Uhh..." Jaune moaned as he shook his head and jumped the rest of the way down.

Jaune cricked his neck before a rustle in the bushes behind alerted him to trouble. In an instant, Jaune's weapons were in hand. It was unnecessary as Weiss was the one to come through the bushes.

"Hey, Snow Angel." Jaune said as he lowered his sword. "Ready to join team Jaune?"

Beat. Weiss simply headed back in the direction she came from and Jaune groaned in dejection. He dimly heard Ruby yell "You came back!" The hit to his ego was monumental.

'Not only did was I her second choice,' Jaune wailed in despair. 'But I was so bad as second choice she went back to the rejected first choice.'

Around him, soft growls rang out as a couple of Boarbatusks surrounded him.

"Oh well." Jaune said as he readied himself. "Anyone's fine as long it's not Cardin. Now then." He turned to face the Boarbatusks.

"Bring it. I needed a stress reliever anyway."

Hunter Profile

Name: Jaune Arc

Age: 17

Title: The Dorky Knight, The Rookie Celestial Spirit Mage

Aura: White

Color Motif: White, Gold, Black

Magic: Gold with White effects

Sex: Male

Alignment: Neutral Good

Likes: His family and friends, X-ray & Vav Comics

Dislikes: Cardin, Enemies of his Family, Being dressed as a girl.

Bio: Jaune had always wanted to be a Hero of Legend like the Arc ancestors he is descended from. He also carries the promise he made with his friend(wife) after she passed away. After an unfortunate accident where he was rendered amnesiac till his sixteenth year, Jaune would forget about his dreams and the promise he made.

After struggling to get a Hunter's recommendation, a second accident occurred in which in the process of saving the victim's life, he lost the recommendation letter. In desperation, he turned to forgery to acquire transcripts for enrollment. Jaune encountered Roman and Neo and a deal was struck. Ten Favors in exchange for high quality transcripts and mutual silence on their relationship.

KingVessel: Initiation is now underway, but our heroes can't enter an exam like this and end it normally can they? Next time on "A Knight's Guide to Becoming a Hero" is "The Emerald Forest" Please review as you step into the dark...