Cardin Winchester was a guy who had it all. Heir to the Winchester line, the son of a council member, and an up-and-coming elite Huntsman. Like all other aspiring warriors he started training young and unlocked his Semblance early, one that made every hit he threw as strong as a wrecking ball. With the training he got from his tutors he dominated his peers established his place in the hierarchy.

It was a no-brainer that he'd get accepted into Beacon. Even without his dad's position he more than proved his worth. He was strong, fast, and never ran from a challenge. A life fighting Grimm and protecting the people too cowardly to stand up for themselves suited him.

Which was why he was disappointed when he finally got to the Academy. First things first, they let animals in. Huntsmen were the best of the best and letting those beasts be one of them rankled him something fierce. Wasn't like he could do anything about it, though. Sure he could show them their place when he ran into them, like that Scarlatina chick, but that was it.

Next were the teachers. Goodwitch had a stick up her ass, Port was a blowhard, and Oobleck talked so fast he was probably some kind of drug addict. Combat class was fun, at least, and Goodwitch's dry looks couldn't take the fun out of wailing on some of his weaker classmates. Hey, it wasn't his fault they were so pathetic. They were at a school of Huntsmen. If they couldn't hack it then they didn't deserve to be here.

The last part was his team. Don't get him wrong, he liked all of them. He knew Sky and Dove from way back - their families were friends with his dad and they attended the same combat school. He met Russel in Initiation and so far the guy was alright. Not connected like the rest of the team was, guy didn't even go to combat school, but he got with the program and followed his lead. Guy was a decent partner who knew the score.

Still, the entire thing was a damn sausage fest. He was hoping he'd get someone like Weiss Schnee or even that blonde. What was her name, Yang Xiao Long? She was definitely a looker.

But he'd dealt with it. Sure it wasn't perfect, but he was a Winchester and they took hits to the chin without flinching.

Trouble started when he fought with that wimp Jaune Arc. Not trouble in a fight, gods no. Guy was an absolute wuss and Cardin didn't take a single hit from his pathetic flailing. How the hell did a guy like him even make it to Beacon? Far as he knew the Arcs weren't a big name and they weren't rich so he doubted it was a bribe. Maybe the headmaster just felt sorry for him. Like when you let that one guy who could barely chew into your business just to look better on the commercials.

He didn't like Arc. Guy didn't belong in Beacon for one, and for another he got attached to team RWBY for some reason. Rose was some weirdo who got off to weapons and that Belladona chick thought she was better than everyone, but Schnee and Xiao Long were there too. That and they were all lookers no matter their personalities. Even Rose was cute, even if she wasn't his type and her voice made his ears bleed. Arc was pathetic and couldn't fight but he got attached to that team of beauties? Just didn't seem fair.

Still, Cardin didnt't go out of his way to hassle him. Guy was always around someone from team RWBY it was almost impossible to find him alone. If he wasn't listening to Rose ramble on and on about that scythe of hers he was reading books with Belladonna or following after Xiao Long and Schnee like a puppy. It was pathetic. Guy was probably trying his luck with all of them. Like he could actually score with any one of those girls. Even Rose must've seen how weak he was.

The dislike turned up a notch when they saw him and Xiao Long at the club. Dove, with all their encouragement, tried to invite her over. He figured it'd be easy. Xiao Long looked like the type to put out and they'd be way more fun than a noodle like Arc.

Dove getting his balls squeezed and Xiao Long dragging Arc away put a stop to that idea. Dove held a grudge against the busty blonde for that, but Cardin figured it was just her babysitting Arc. Guy was a dead weight around that entire team's neck.

So he upped the scales. Tripping him in the walls, cutting in front of him in line, the usual. Make it clear he didn't belong in a place like Beacon. The guy...didn't react. Weird, but whatever. He'd seen it before, people putting up a strong front thinking he'd leave them alone if they acted like it didn't bother them. Sometimes he found someone else, sometimes he kept going. Depended on his mood. Arc was definitely the latter.

The dislike turned to outright hate when they had another sparring match in combat class later. Russ, Dove, and Sky grinned and clapped his back before he made his way to the stage. Arc looked...different. He still ahd that stupid sword, but now he had a pistol holster on his right shoulder and some pouches on his belt. Cardin scoffed. Whatever, wasn't like it'd change anything.

"Ready to eat the floor again, Jauney boy?" Cardin grinned.

The guy didn't say anything. Hell, he barely looked awake. There were bags under his eyes, his shoulders sagged, and even team RWBY all cheering for him barely got a reaction. Cardin rolled his eyes. Was he seriously trying to play cool right now? Being quiet didn't make you mysterious, just made you look like an idiot.

Well, whatever. He'd finish this quick.

Cardin readied Executioner and charged ahead for an overhead strike.

Arc...dodged?

The scrawny blonde rolled past the blow instead of trying to block with his shield and ran for the other end of the arena instead of trying to counterattack. Trying to bait him so he'd get knocked out of the ring? As if.

The match continued that way for the next couple of minutes. Cardin would swing hard, trying to crush through most of his Aura as possible, and the wuss would dodge, jump and roll out of the way without even trying to fight back. Goodwitch just watched while the audience were taking bets how much longer Arc could go without getting hit.

"Stop running like a fucking coward!" Cardin shouted. Arc didn't reply and just kept ducking the blows. Alright, if that was how he wanted it.

Cardin activated the fire dust and shot multiple explosions out of Executioner's head. He dodged the first two but the third caught his feet and knocked him to the ground. A vicious grin lit up Cardin's face and he charged forward, both hands raising the made to crush Arc's chest.

Just before he was gonna crush Arc the bastard pulled powder from his pocket and threw it right at Cardin's face. He could've sworn the fucking cheat even shouted "Pocket Sand!" as he threw it, but that might've just been his imagination. His world suddenly exploded in pain. Cardin screamed and rubbed at his eyes while the audience gasped. This wasn't just sand. He must've added something to make it sting so much.

The audience finally stirred from their idle betting to pay attention. Rose and Xiao Long whooped and cheered while Belladonna and Schnee reluctantly shouted their support.

Cardin stumbled back and growled when he felt shots pinging against his Aura. Arc was shooting at him while he couldn't defend himself, "Fucking cheater!" Through tearstained eyes, Cardin roared and charged towards him, swinging executioner for an upward bash.

Arc dropped marbles at his feet.

Cardin screamed and flew through the air briefly before he landed flat on his back. The rest of his team hissed in sympathy. Cardin struggled to stand and fell on his back again when Arc bashed his face with his shield, "Get back here!" Cardin swung his mace desperately and Arc decided to run again instead of taking his chance. Fucking coward, "Professor Goodwitch, he's cheating!" he shouted as he finally managed to stand.

The uptight professor shook her head, "He hasn't done anything that would be considered as such. Unorthodox doesn't mean unfair, Mr. Winchester."

He was gonna break Arc's jaw. With another roar, he charged towards him, ignoring the bullets hitting his Aura, and slashed from left to right while the cheater was in the middle of reloading. The blonde smashed to the ground and skidded along the floor. He barely managed stand up on his knees before Cardin was there, ready to finally finish this joke of a match.

Arc's hand reached out and grabbed his balls. Then he squeezed. And twisted.

His howl of pain echoed across the entire amphiteatre. All of the guys and even some of the girls cringed and bunched their legs together. Except for Xiao Long who was laughing and screaming about how "she taught him that!" like a proud mom.

Arc stood up and headbutted him. That was his last mistake. Using his Semblance, he grabbed Arc's shoulders and headbutted him back before tossing him clear past the arena's edge.

"The match is over. Cardin Winchester has defeated Jaune Arc by a ring out," Professor Goodwitch said. It didn't make him feel any better. Cardin rubbed the last of the sand from his eyes and debated crushing Arc's face in anyway. He shifted his eyes to the screen and scowled. His Aura was in the yellow and pretty damn close to the red. Just a few more hits and he could've lost.

All because of Jaune Arc. The guy who didn't deserve to be in Beacon.

His team didn't say anything as he trudged back, content to let him stew. Of course the rest of Arc's team were all smiles, telling him about how much he improved or praising him for his 'unorthodox tactics'. Fucking cheater. So cause he couldn't fight like an actual Huntsman now he was just trying to be a pain in the ass? Fine, two could play at that game. He was asking for it.

The next time he met Arc was in the locker room a couple of days later. This time he was alone while Cardin had the rest of his team with him. His face broke out in a malicious smile and he cracked his knuckles. The guy was gonna pay for making a fool out of him.

Cardin slammed his fist against the locker next to his head. Arc didn't jump or scream or anything. He just turned around and blinked when he realized he was surrounded, "Hey there, Jauney boy." Cardin sneered down at him. As tall as the lanky bastard was, Cardin still stood head and shoulders over him, in bulk if nothing else.

"Cardin?" He honestly looked confused.

"We need to talk."

"Alright. What about?"

Seriously? Was he just playing dumb? It wouldn't help him.

"I think you know exactly what." Russ said, backing him up.

"Your little stunt back in Goodwitch's class," Cardin said.

Again, he just looked confused. He tilted his head to the side before his mouth parted, "You mean our sparring match?"

"That's what you call it?" Dove scoffed. He sympathized the most with Cardin after what Xiao Long did to him, "You're pathetic, Arc."

"I mean, I guess? You did win that match."

"Didn't stop you from being a cheating coward," Sky said last.

"How? You heard Professor. Goodwitch, I didn't do anything unfair."

Cardin snarled and slammed his hand even closer to Arc's head. Again he didn't react and just looked to the side blankly, "You think you're funny, Jauney boy? Is that it?" Cardin leaned down, "You think you can make a fool of me and get away with it?"

"Not particularly? I would've done the same thing no matter who I fought."

"Bullshit." Dove scoffed again, "What, were you gonna grab Nikos' crotch if you ended up fighting her?"

"No? There's nothing there to grab." He paused, "I would've kicked her there, though. Just cause they don't have the same squishy bits doesn't mean a kick there won't hurt and a good hit can put someone on their knees even with Aura."

Okay, what the hell was this?

Cardin's hand slid to his shoulder and he squeezed after activating Semblance. This time Arc did flinch, but just as quick his face looked painfully neutral, "I don't care how dumb you play, Arc, I'm not playing around. You fucked with the wrong person and you're going to regret it."

Nothing. Not even a shiver or a tingle. Was this really the same guy who could barely keep from having a panic attack when they were paired up for a match?

"Just do whatever it is you're gonna do."

"...What?" Cardin blinked.

"I mean we're in the locker room so I figured you're gonna shove me into one of these." He jerked his thumb to the dented locker behind him, "If you are could we do this quicker? I have to meet up with Weiss and she doesn't like people being late." He paused, gaining a haunted look in his eyes, "...Really doesn't like it."

Despite everything, Cardin felt a burst of curiosity and sympathy. He'd been at this long enough to tell the difference between a brave face and someone who legitimately didn't care. A few weeks ago Arc was the former and now he was definitely the latter. What the hell did Schnee do to him? He'd heard rumors about what the SDC did, but he figured they just did that to Faunus. He'd never heard of them doing it to humans, and as much as Cardin hated Arc he wasn't gonna threaten his family or something.

Shaking his head, he wiped those feelings away and made to shove Arc in the locker when the clack of heels echoed throughout the locker and Schnee rounded the corner, "Jaune, there you are." She looked at the situation - him surrounded by four people he'd definitely pissed off - and narrowed her eyes. He wasn't scared, but the way Arc stiffened underneath him weirded him right the hell out, "Is something happening here?" she asked all five of them.

"We we-"

"Nah, just having a chat." Arc said with a forced smile, "I was actually asking Cardin about some combat tips. Figured he'd be good for it since he's such a good fighter!"

Russ gave a distinctly 'what the fuck is going on?' look that Cardin could only mirror. Was he trying to look cool in front of the richest and most connected girl in school? Or was he right that Schnee had him by the balls with something? That still didn't explain why he'd cover for them, though.

"Really?" Schnee crossed her arms and raised brow.

"Y-Yup! Right, Cardin?" Arc's eyes were the most desperate he'd seen since he ever saw him. He didn't look this scared when he was fighting the Boarbatusk.

"Uh...sure, yeah, that's what it is."

"Hmm, if you say so." She smiled slightly, "But if you wanted combat tips you could've asked me or anyone else on the team. We would be more than happy to help you."

"Ahahahaha...it's cool, just thought a new perspective would be nice, you know?"

"Perhaps, but some practice never harmed anyone. I'll schedule some time for the two of us in one of the training rooms. I believe I've gotten better control of my...Semblance and I need someone I can trust."

"D-Do we really have to?"

"Of course, Jaune. Self-improvement can never be halted." She laughed sweetly. Arc looked like he was having a heart attack, "Now come on, we wouldn't want to be late with our dust experiments. I think I've reached a breakthrough on combining multiple forms of dust with my Semblance and I'd like your feedback on it."

"Coming, Weiss..."

The two walked out, leaving Cardin and his teammates to just stand there, "...That was weird," Sky said.

"Really fucking weird," Russ nodded, "You saw his face, right? He was more scared of her than he was us. And it didn't even look like Schnee noticed!"

"Probably just doesn't wanna piss her off. You know how much money the Schnees have." Dove shrugged.

"...Whatever, we'll deal with him another day." Cardin brought a hand through his hair. What the hell was going on?

It was more of the same for the next couple of weeks. Every time he tried to get under Arc's skin, either alone or with the rest of team CRDL, he completely ignored it. Shoving him into lockers, knocking his tray out of his hands, even tossing his sword into the Emerald forest. Nothing worked. He'd just give him the same dead-eyed look as always and deal with whatever happened.

Except whenever someone from team RWBY showed up. He figured it was just Schnee who had something over him, but it looked like all of them had him by the balls. Weirdly enough he continued to cover for them whether it was Xiao Long asking if someone was bothering him or Belladonna telling him that she was willing to go out with him as a partner if he needed help. Arc just said it was fine and nothing was wrong.

Really weird.

He even did it with Rose. She got the closest to being suspicious and glared at the whole team before Arc dragged her away with promises of strawberries and weapon magazines with the same look in his eyes.

"This isn't working," Sky said one day. He and the rest of the team were at the cafeteria a few tables down from Arc's team and team PRMN, "I don't know what Schnee's got on him, but whatever it is it must be big."

"It's not just the Schnee. He's acting like that with the whole team." Dove crossed his arms, his eyes actually open. He was that confused, "Maybe he thinks that if he doesn't do whatever they want they can kick him out and get him expelled."

"Nah, that ain't it." Russ waved a hand, "They're way too protective of him. Xiao Long acts like a guard dog whenever she's around and Rose hasn't stopped glaring at us ever since we tossed his sword to the Emerald Forest." She was still glaring at them now whenever she wasn't talking to the rest of her team. Normally he would've laughed it off, but something in her eyes made him shiver.

Cardin didn't say anything and just picked at his food. His irritation was mounting and Arc's complete non-reactions were only making it worse. At one point he got so pissed off that he actually threatened the guy and said he'd make a few calls to his dad to get Ozpin to expel him. A councilman's opinion mattered a lot, even to someone like the headmaster. It was a very real threat. Arc's response?

He just looked at him and said, "Thanks for trying to help, but it's too late."

What. The. Fuck?

"What do we do, boss?" Russ asked.

Cardin was half-tempted to just call it quits. Whatever team RWBY did to him it was clear there was nothing Cardin could do to top it. But then he had an idea. The field trip to Forever Fall was coming next week and it was the best chance they had to really mess with Arc. He'd tell Russ to get some Rapier wasps then toss some red sap at arc. He really wanted to see him not react to that.

And he'd make sure team RWBY knew it too. He finally figured it out. Arc was just scared of looking like a complete wuss in front of them, that was why he was 'covering' for what Cardin was doing. He wasn't scared of team RWBY, he was scared of looking like a tool. That was why he followed them around like lapdogs and probably why he embarassed him in combat class. He just wanted to look cool in front of the girls. Pathetic.

The days counted down and the plan was set. Russ followed through and got the wasps and they waited for Arc to stop following the four girls like a desperate puppy. Seriously, could the guy be any more desperate? He barely took his eyes off them and acted like a total yes-man. Girls didn't like wannabe white knights, Jauney boy.

It took an hour before the rest of team RWBY wandered off without him. He was just about to throw the sap when Arc met his eyes and he...sighed? They all just stared as he walked over to them and crossed his arms, "Look, Cardin, we need to talk." He sounded tired, "I know you've been trying to mess with me. A few weeks ago I would've been scared, but trust me there's bigger things to worry about now and you need to stop."

Cardin raised a brow then sneered down at him, "Oh? You scared, Jauney boy?"

"Yeah." It was true...but it wasn't about him. Sky and Dove looked at each other while Russ shifted from one foot to another, still holding onto the box full of wasps, "I'm scared and you need to stop this for your own good."

"What? You think you can take me on? I know your tricks now, Arc, and I'm not gonna fall for them. Next time we fight in combat class your ass is mine."

"...You think that's what I'm scared of?" He laughed under his breath. The rest of his team took a wary step back, "Cardin, I'm trying to help you, but you're making it really hard."

Cardin laughed and the rest of his team followed? "Are you serious?" He shoved Arc's shoulder and he stumbled back, "Help me? Are you serious? I know you're just trying to look cool for those girls you're drooling over. Don't act like you're drooling over."

"I'm dead serious, man. Stop this for both our sakes the rest of team RWBY finds out."

Cardin laughed again then grabbed Arc by the neck of his hoodie, holding him up till his feet barely touched the ground, "Right. You listen here, Jauney boy. You pissed me off and I ain't gonna let you get away with that. You think I'm scared of them? Don't make me laugh." He tightened his grip, "Besides, don't you feel pathetic hiding behind their skirts? What kind of man are you?"

"Someone whose seen the face of the gods and laughed."

"...What the fuck is wrong with you, man?" Cardin asked. A part of him was genuinely concerned.

Another pair of footsteps crunched towards them. Cardin looked to the right and smiled cockily when he saw Xiao Long standing there. Her expression was blank for just a second before her eyes turned red and she had an absolutely murderous look on her face, "Look out, Jauney boy, looks like your girlfriend's here to bail you out." She was the best fighter in their year just behind Nikos, but he wasn't scared. It was four on one, cause he knew damn well Arc wouldn't fight without his bag of tricks.

"Jaune? What's happening here?" Xiao Long asked, eerily calm despite the harsh glare.

"Nothing, Yang! We were just-"

"Just teaching this cheating wuss that he doesn't belong here." Was it getting hot in here? "He was trying so hard to look cool so you and the rest of the girls he's drooling over don't see how much of a loser he is."

"Cardin, shut up!" Arc shouted.

"What? Dude, she already knows how pathetic you are. Trying to play cool ain't gonna work now."

"Is that so?" Yang hummed, "Alright, I see what's happening here now."

"Yang, calm down..."

"We ain't scared of you, blondie." Cardin sneered.

"Idiot." Arc sighed. Cardin turned to glare and let go when Arc kicked him between the legs, forcing him to let go, "...I tried to help you, man. Whatever happens now it's your own fault." And then he ran off like the coward he was. Whatever, they'd deal with him later. First they'd kick Xiao Long's ass and then...

...

Why were her eyes glowing? And why was the forest on fir-

All of team CRDL found themselves in the Beacon clinic. Cardin groaned weakly and looked up the white ceiling. Things...didn't end well. All their Auras broke and most of their bodies were covered in first and second degree burns. Sky and Dove baked in their armor and were passed out from heatstroke. Russ, not having armor, stayed awake, but he got off even worse since Xiao Long made sure to burn his mohawk clean off. He hadn't said a word since.

"Mggh..."

"I tried to warn you." Jaune said, sitting at his bed. Cardin glared at the blonde who paid him no mind and continued to peel apples. He was the first and only person to visit them so far; even the nurse took off to do something else. He thought he'd come here to gloat- hell, he would've preferred if he did cause that's what he would've done if their roles were reversed. Instead he was all sympathetic sighs and peeled fruits.

"Ugh..." He groaned, "What the hell was that?" Cardin asked weakly.

"That is something you and your team aren't gonna tell anyone unless you want Ozpin to expelt you."

"You can't be-"

"I'm dead serious, man. Tell anyone and Ozpin's gonna kick you out." He speared a piece of apple with a fork and offered it to him. He was too weak to argue and just accepted the fruit, "But hey, I tried to help you. Ruby and Blake were already super suspicious and it took a lot to convince them that it was just guys being guys. You were asking for this."

"What the hell are they?"

"The world may never know." Another apple. Gods, this was embarassing, "Aura should heal those wounds pretty quick, but I wouldn't try fighting Yang again. Or any one on team RWBY unless you like being frozen, shocked, or getting tossed halfway across Vale." He paused, "But I guess you can try your luck again, if you really want. I already warned you so I don't feel guilty."

"Are you crazy?!" Cardin tried to sit up before the pain forced him back down.

"You know, we could've avoided all this."

"How was I supposed to know they're crazy strong?!" Cardin groaned. Gods damn it, he hated this. He remembered what Xiao Long said just before they was carted off to the clinic.

"I won't go so easy on you next time."

A shiver went down his spine at that. Something told him that wasn't a bluff, "...You deal with that everyday?"

"Yeah." There was that look in his eyes again. No wonder he wasn't scared of whatever they did.

"...Sorry." Cardin didn't know if he meant it for all the shit he pulled or just sympathy for the guy he thought had it so lucky.

"I really wanna say apology not accepted, but I feel like I'd be kicking a dog if I did that." He sighed and set the plate of apples down. The two of them just sat there in weirdly comfortable silence. They weren't friends, not by a longshot, but Cardin could respect anyone who had to deal with not just Xiao Long but an entire team of crazies like her.

There was a knock on the door. Probably the nurse to give them more meds. Jaune stood and opened the door-

"Hey, Jaune."

Oh Gods no...

Cardin's heart sped up when he saw just who was on the other end. Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Blake Belladonna with smiles on their faces.

And they were all carrying their weapons.

"Ruby, hey, uh..." Jaune looked back and Cardin shook his head desperately, "What are you three doing here?"

"We heard what happened from Yang and we thought we'd pay team CRDL a visit." Rose smiled brightly, "Pay a visit to Cardin specifically, actually. We have a lot of things to talk about. Apparently he's been pulling stuff for weeks. Weird, huh?"

"Uh...I think they need some rest, so-"

"We just want to talk to him." Rose hefted her scythe.

"I really don't think-"

"We just want to talk to him." Schnee raised her sword.

"They're injured and-"

"I just want to shoot him." Belladonna pulled the slide on her pistol back.

Oh come on, she wasn't even pretending for that one! Jaune looked back and their eyes met. Cardin silently begged him for help, ignoring any and all pride now that everything was on the line. His one hope for salvation looked between him and the three murderous girls before his shoulders sagged, "...You promise not to kill them?"

"Hey, what the-"

"Of course, Jaune! We're just gonna have a...chat about the stuff they've been doing." Ruby cocked the sniper scythe.

"Indeed. I think they simply need to learn a lesson on the proper etiquette for aspiring Huntsmen." Schnee rolled the cylinder on her sword.

"I'm going to shoot them." Belladonna just...looked at him and her bow twitched for some reason.

"...Alright, I'll see you back at the room."

Cardin wanted to scream, to beg for mercy, but Jaune was out the door before he could. The sliding metal entrance closed with a deafening hiss and the three members of team RWB just smiled at him.

And then their eyes started glowing.